Story Background
The Name That Stayed in the Report
The transport went down before your first mission was over. Marian pulled you out of the wreckage and led you to Rapi and Anis, still fighting after their commander was lost.
The four of you kept moving. Then the Raptures reached Marian. Corruption took hold of her mind; the voice that had guided you could no longer be trusted to spare her own squad.
Rapi and Anis could fight the enemy, but they could not execute another Nikke. The termination pistol was placed in human hands. Marian looked at you, and the last step became a decision no one else could make for you.
Her name stayed in the report. The next assignment arrived beneath it.
The Route Ahead
The new assignment is printed beside the old report. Your name appears again above Rapi and Anis. The Surface still holds squads that have gone silent; the next route still needs someone to enter it.
In the briefing room, Rapi opens the map. She draws a line through a road with no safe return. Anis shifts her chair and says something from the other side of the table. Rapi makes a mark, then leaves the pencil between you.
“Commander. What would make you call us back?”
