Kyle's POV I could really say nothing but just stare at Sam as she said that. I expected something like this to happen and that was my major reason for not letting them know that the friend I was coming over with me was a girl, at first. "Sam, be nice." I said to her gently, trying to give her a sign with my left eye. She said nothing but just stare at Carter. I knew she was just trying to be intimidating and all and didn't really mean it. But still, I felt like I had to really tell her to be nice. And after what seemed like a minute she just suddenly burst into laughter. "Got you guys real good, come on in." She said taking Carter's hands, smiling as she did. That smile—i've missed that smile to be honest. I missed seeing her smile, seeing her beautiful face, even though she was a badass and sometimes acted unpredictably. I just missed a lot of things about the both of them—she and Katherine. I was too lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize Carter was still standing at t

Kyle's POV "Wait a minute!!" Sam exclaimed, trying her best not to scream. "You don't mean it." "I do!" Katherine said all smiles. Wow! I just couldn't really believe it. Dr. Katherine Halsey, the new principal of Necrus High School. Damn! "Awwn. Congratulations." Samantha said as she moved closer to hug her. "Congratulations." Carter chipped in. "Congratulations. I know you'll be the best the school's ever. had." I said and she came to hug me and kiss me once again. I was more than happy for her. It felt great knowing that Katherine finally got appointed as the principal knowing the kind of person she is and how hard working she can be. The position was nothing short of befitting for her. Besides, she had it coming. I mean for someone with her skill set and abilities, serving as the school's doctor and healer for all these years when she could easily join a Division wasn't something you'd see too often. "But that would make you like the youngest serving principal th

Kyle's POV The wind howled through the jagged cliffs as our dropship touched down on the scorched earth, rotors kicking up debris like the warning breath of a storm. I was the first out, boots slamming hard against rock, scanning the valley through my visor’s combat overlay. The air shimmered faintly with leftover portal energy—this was definitely the site. I tapped the side of my helmet. “Eagle Squadron, fan out. Triangular formation. Carter, you’re on my six.” “Copy,” Carter’s voice buzzed through the comms, cool and focused. I watched as my squad emerged behind me—Ethan and Julian Styles on the front, both Tankers, armor thicker than reinforced steel. Manipulators Emily, Ava, and Julian Blackwood took the rear-left, their suits glowing faintly as they synced with the electromagnetic field. Lucas, Logan, and Carter—my assassins—moved like shadows, each one ghosting into a vantage point. Rangers Liam, Elijah, and Gabriel flanked us with rifles at the ready. The ground shook b

The Cyclop’s final bellow still echoed faintly through the hollowed-out streets as its massive frame crashed to the ground, sending a tremor through the broken asphalt. My breath was ragged inside my helmet—each exhale cycling through its neuro-feedback chamber with a subtle hum. The HUD flickered, then settled as smoke curled across the battlefield like phantom limbs. “Eagle Squadron,” I said through the link, tone low but carrying the weight of command. “Status report. Sound off.” Carter’s tag blinked green first. “Vice-Captain Carter—operational. Minor laceration, left flank. Armor integrity holding. Raid sync at ninety-two percent.” “Thompson here—operational,” came the gravel of Ethan’s voice. “Left shoulder’s jammed. No break, though. I’m good.” “Lucas—operational. Blade systems running hot, sixty-seven percent efficiency.” The others followed: Ava, Patel, Julian Styles, Liam, Emily, Blackwood… Each voice strained, others dazed, but all alive. Every single one of them.

The reports from Thorne Hallow had turned from frantic to fractured—and then to silence. Operators strained over static-filled comms, trying to reach Beta Squadron. Nothing but crackle. Nothing but ghost voices. General Holbrook’s jaw clenched, every line of his face carved in stone. “Status?” “Beta’s signal is fragmented, sir,” one technician whispered, hands shaking as he adjusted dials. “They’re still alive—maybe—but the feed’s collapsing.” Miranda stood rigid beside him, arms folded, eyes like glass shards. “That’s not a signal collapse. That’s blood in the water.” Holbrook spun toward the central holo-map. The portal above Thorne Hallow pulsed like a festering wound, widening again. Worse—dark ripples spread outward, snaking across the digital terrain. “They’re pushing through multiple exits,” Miranda said grimly, reading the same thing. Holbrook snapped to his aide. “Deploy Eagle, Cobra, and Tiger Squadrons. Full armament. Now.” The base shook with movement. Hangar