Chapter 73: Letters

Talia walked through the corridors of the hospitable with firm steps, their echoes softly resonating against the cold metal walls. Her black uniform, impeccably fitted to her body, seemed tailor-made, every stitch highlighting the precision and professionalism demanded by the Command. The fabric was rigid but comfortable, a reflection of the military discipline shaping every aspect of her appearance.

The beret, perfectly positioned on her head, bore a small silver star at its center. The subtle gleam of the emblem shone under the artificial corridor lights, a mark of her rank and the respect she carried. Her hair, neatly secured, left no room for carelessness.

Her polished boots completed the uniform, gleaming like mirrors. Every step seemed meticulously rehearsed, the sound of the soles echoing with the precision of a metronome. Talia was the ideal example of how a soldier should present themselves—not just in appearance but in her upright posture and sharp gaze, capturing everything around her with meticulous attention.

The corridors of the hospitable were silent, except for the distant murmur of conversations and the hum of heavy machinery from outside. Talia maintained her pace, every movement showing she was in complete control, even as her eyes analyzed the environment with calculated care.

Delivering to the Courier was only the first task of the day; after that, she would have to report to Commander Sinali, a meeting that always demanded her full attention.

As she crossed the inner courtyard, the pale sun reflected off the surrounding metallic surfaces, creating a contrast between the cold environment and the activity of recruits moving in all directions. Many of them looked lost, their expressions revealing the confusion and nervousness typical of those who had yet to find their place. Talia observed the scene for a moment, her eyes fixing on a group stumbling over their own orders.

She couldn't help but smile slightly. I was one of them once, she thought, recalling her own first weeks in the Command. Hell—that was the only way to describe it. Every day felt like an internal battle, not just due to the hardships of training but because of the shadow Dante's situation cast over her mind.

The memory struck fast and bitter. Dante, always standing firm, but carrying a weight she couldn't lift. That time had been a whirlwind—a mix of fear, determination, and uncertainty. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. This was no time for distractions.

With firm steps, Talia moved toward the Courier, her eyes refocusing on the path ahead.

Upon entering the Gauls Courier, she stopped at the counter. Hermes was waiting, his gaze lowered as he checked some documents. Talia tapped the letter on the counter, making him look up.

'Ah, Talia.' His smile grew, not out of joy but exhaustion. 'Another letter for your parents?'

'Affirmative.'

Hermes took it and placed it in a crate bound for the village. Another among dozens of letters informing her parents of her situation—her studies, her training, and… her brother. Even though no one spoke of the case anymore, she had not lost hope.

The first mission was complete. She walked out of the Courier, turned right, and ran straight into Officer Tecno. Holding two cups of coffee, he raised an arm, easily sidestepping her.

Talia immediately felt embarrassed, especially because Tecno was one of the few officers who truly respected her. She just didn't know if it was because she was intelligent or because her brother had been part of his squad.

'In a hurry?' They started walking the same path. Talia accepted the coffee. 'Commander Sinali needed someone to receive those data reports, remember? So, I talked to him about you.'

Talia had not asked him to do that.

'Why did you do that? Now he's going to think I'm sucking up to you, Tecno. Damn it, I have to talk to him properly. Clear this up.'

'No. I left your records on his desk. The Commander read them and liked what he saw. Said you're the first person to score 90% on all external data compositions.' Tecno stepped in front of her, making her stop. 'Hey, you broke the record for external surveys. We practically have the entire territorial mapping of the Capital completed. It's been over 70 years since anyone has done it with perfection.'

She let out a loud sigh, frowning, and turned to him, frustration spilling over.

'Do I get a medal for that?' she snapped, sarcasm thick in her voice as she held up the letter for him to see.

Tecno tilted his head slightly, a nearly imperceptible smirk forming at the corner of his lips. He adjusted his glasses with a calculated motion, as if deliberating on the best response.

'If you want, I can program something in the system to give you a virtual insignia,' he replied, his voice dry with humor but carrying that teasing touch that made Talia roll her eyes.

'Great,' she retorted, crossing her arms. 'An insignia no one will see. Exactly the kind of recognition I needed.'

Tecno shrugged, but the amused glint in his eyes didn't fade.

'Well, I don't decide the value of tasks.'

Talia knew that well. She finished her coffee and walked through the front doors of the Command. She followed him down the illuminated hallways, passing several soldiers and corporals in black uniforms. None dared stand in their way, making room as they passed.

Commander Sinali's door was already open when they entered. Both saluted, hands to their chests. However, the Commander was preoccupied with someone else.

'Do you think this is an acceptable report?' he thundered, berating three black-clad soldiers. 'What the hell were you thinking, handing me a report with 20% magnetic incidence? Who's paying for your stay here? Are you out of your minds?'

The first soldier tried to speak, but Sinali pointed at him, red with rage.

'Don't you dare speak, boy. Don't test my patience.'

Talia had heard rumors about this experiment. The Command was always exploring new ways to gain an advantage, but this one stood out for its peculiarity. According to the information she had received, they were testing a new type of magnetism-based technology.

The project's origin was almost accidental. During a routine operation, a Communication Cube had unexpectedly failed, emitting noise at an abnormal frequency. Initially dismissed as a mere technical issue, the event had an unforeseen effect: some Felroz nearby displayed clear signs of vulnerability—uncoordinated movements, hesitation, even temporary loss of control over their actions.

Now, the project was in testing. Magnetism was just the tip of the iceberg—the idea was to combine sound waves and magnetic fields to further exploit these weaknesses. But Talia knew the Command rarely disclosed everything.

She moved ahead, ignoring the Commander's shouting. And he let her pass.

The test, even at first glance, had been conducted embarrassingly poorly. Talia could hardly believe the details she was hearing. The three soldiers responsible for the operation seemed more concerned with finishing quickly than ensuring meaningful results.

Shaking her head, incredulous, she murmured, 'No wonder it failed. They literally did everything wrong.'

Commander Sinali overheard her and stopped yelling at the three. Talia grabbed the pencil from his desk, marking over several sections, differentiating them. It took her two minutes before she lifted the report.

'Here, sir. I believe this version is better.'

The Commander took it and read. Seconds later, he let out a triumphant laugh.

'Takes three of you to do what Recruit Talia does, huh, you idiots?' He waved a hand toward the door. 'Go, someone already fixed the mess you made.'

The three didn't know whether to thank or curse Talia. Correcting another soldier's report was one of the most unethical actions in the Command. And she didn't seem to care, remaining indifferent.

'You wanted to see me, Commander?'

'Yes. Sit down. Tecno, you too, son.'

They both took a seat, side by side.

'Close the door, boys,' Sinali called to the corporals at the entrance. As soon as the wood clashed shut, he continued, 'Talia, this is better than the Sergeants. Tecno put you as the first intern in Magnetic Composition, but I don't know what else to do.'

'Was that a compliment, sir?' she genuinely couldn't tell.

'Of course, girl.' He tossed the report onto the pile. 'This is better than all my records in the past six months. I want to offer you a scholarship. Something to push your knowledge further. What do you say?'

Talia expected to be called many things, but a scholarship offer? That was different.

'Do you accept my offer, Recruit Talia?'"