The clang of his medals and the swish of his shoulder tassels announce him to the rest of the squad. We all move to salute.

　　"At ease, Elites." Buckler closes the door behind them. Targe`s smile is too charismatic for this to be a friendly visit.

　　"Welcome general, colonel." The captain`s calm conflicts the fists at her sides. With a nod, Iva is tapping commands into his wrist device.

　　"No need, captain." Buckler raises his hand to stop Iva. "We won`t be here long enough to join your lunch."

　　"Your next mission is official and cleared to proceed." Targe interrupts.

　　I glance over at Buckler. He is our direct commanding officer, so why is Targe, who is not stationed in Centrum, here giving orders? I`m taken back to the sharp whispers I heard last night outside the library. Is he the one that was so insistent on taking care of me?

　　"Recent intel from the science division and reports from the Guard indicate a rare demon species has been detected close to the wall." Buckler is robotic as he delivers the news.

　　The squad shifts around and my eyes fly to Iva`s at the same time his land on mine. What if it`s another demon like the one he showed me in the lab, the Rex.

　　"You will scout its last location. The objective is capture and retrieval only. We want the specimen unharmed and alive. In and out, Elites." Buckler looks at each of us, ensuring his words sink in.

　　His glare is hard and his nostrils flare. I`m off balance with this side of him. He`s always friendly and open.

　　"Given the sensitive nature of this particular species, your gear will be modified for this mission." Targe says.

　　The captain stands up straighter and Buckler holds out a hand to stop whatever she`s about to say.

　　"General Targe is the lead officer of this new technology and oversees the development and deployment." Buckler nods in his direction for him to continue.

　　"This demon emits a high, frequency sound wave outside our normal range of hearing. The new gear will track the frequency and guide you to the target. The advanced equipment is untested in combat. However, the imminent risk to national security means we must act now." Targe`s shark glare is trained on the captain, daring her to argue. "Because of the sensitivity of this equipment you are assigned a specialist to join the squad."

　　"As a guest advisor." Buckler adds.

　　"This is highly irregular and a danger to the squad." The captain breaks in. "No one, outside our team, without the proper training, joins live missions in the Mist. It`s an unnecessary risk to them, the team, and the objective." She sounds calmer than her breathing and heart rate convey.

　　"Your approval is unsolicited and unrequired." Buckler says. "Centrum has assigned General Targe as your direct command for this mission." The author`s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

　　Targe gives the captain an ominous smirk and Kane turns his growl into a cough.

　　"Yes, sir." "Your new Elite member—""Guest advisor." The captain corrects.Targe`s eyes narrow as he continues over her, "will join you in the arena now. Captain, I expect you to oversee his training and get him mission ready in the next three days. As you`ve stated, failure to do so will endanger the mission and your team." Targe turns and exits while the rest of us scramble to salute, except for Luce who glares daggers at the general`s back. Buckler gives the captain`s shoulder a squeeze before following Targe out."At ease." The captain grunts and turns to Kane for their silent communication thing."Alright, move warriors." Kane grumbles still facing the captain. "Let`s show our guest advisor what it means to be an Elite.""Really?" Fletcher throws a hand in the air.Kane cuts him off before he can get going. "You will all demonstrate the professional courtesy and attitude a fellow warrior deserves. Provide any information our guest may need without commentary. I`m looking at you." He points his finger at Fletcher.I`m last down the stairs into the arena. We fall into our diamond shape combat formation as soon as we hit the floor. I cover the rear now instead of the protected center of the diamond like I`d been during training. We move to the arena doors where the tech team and officers wait by long tables laid heavy with gear and equipment."Elites." Targe beckons.We hold formation awaiting the captain. Targe furrows his heavy brows scanning us. The captain times her nod for us to fall out when Targe opens his mouth and I have to suppress my smirk. We spread out in front of the tables across from the officers and technicians."Elites, meet the newest member of your squad, Warrior Cole Targe." The sudden rush of blood muffles anything else the general says. Cole`s cock sure grin and vacant black eyes land on me. He`s here, in Centrum, standing right next to his father, giving the captain a salute, joining my team. My stomach drops and my surroundings fade out. My vision grows fuzzy around the edges. I plunge back to those first terrifying years with Cole. Back when his presence sent my heart in panic and my body trembling. Everyone has their attention on General Targe and whatever he`s saying. The dam holding back the things I pushed away crumbles and the small insistent whisper of my subconscious is a boom. No matter how easy or accepting my time with the squad has been it was never meant to last.Between Fletcher`s annoying inclusion, Addy`s positive energy, Kane`s silent approvals, Luce`s reluctant acceptance, Edna`s wise words, Buckler`s warmth, and the captain`s dedication, I held a sliver of belief that I might have a place here. A future. There is no such place for me. Cole`s dead eyes broadcast what I should have remembered. There is no future and there never was. There is only the past for me, and my past has come.