There was no answer at first, and Michael sighed, looking down with a sad look in his eyes. Then, the radio cackled. Michaels chest felt heavy and he grasped the radio to his chest. "Please." He murmured. He turned the truck on.

The Blue Force tracker came to life.

They were only twenty miles from the edges of Fort Hood.

Finally, a garbled response came over the radio. Michael could tell it was Milano, but couldn't tell what the General was saying. He got out of the truck and walked over to Eric. "Eric, I got a response, but it was static. I need to go somewhere that is high ground and try again."

Eric crossed his arms and tapped his finger against his elbow.

"Jessica, Justin. You two go with Michael. Go to that hill right across from us. I will keep watch of things over here."

After the trio left, Eric turned back to the captives. His eyes narrowed at them, with mana gathering around him. "You will tell me what I want to know."

The men tried to flee in fear, but their bindings kept them in place. The leader remained calm, sneering up at Eric, but the men behind him didn't have that bravado. One of the soldiers pleaded with Eric. "Please Sir! I'll tell you everything, just let me live."

Eric's expression hardened, and a ball of mana gathered in his hand. "Why should I believe you?"

The soldier pleading with him did his best to kneel. The leader sneered at the soldier. "What a pitiful weakling."

The soldier ignored his leader and told Eric their story.

"We were doing regular patrols on the outskirts of our territory a few miles from Dresken. One second, we were in terrain we knew, and the next we were here. We have had no contact with home, other units, or even you guys, so we have been trying to steal what we can for food."

Eric narrowed his eyes and looked at the mountain range.

"I see, so those mountains are..."

"Esponia regrew?!"

Michael had tried to contact HQ a few times, but none of the attempts had worked thus far. All he was getting were garbled responses. After a few more times of trying to connect, he noticed Jessica staring at something in the distance.

"What is it Jess?" Michael asked as he set the radio aside.

She tilted her head. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that Austin?"

Michael squinted, then he saw it. The top of a building that had a pyramid structure, another building that looked like a thumbdrive. "You have got to be shitting me. But wait... If that's Austin, then that means..."

Jessica turned slowly to her left.

"That's Esponia."

"Chaos one, This is HQ, do you copy?"

Michael felt tears rolling down his cheeks. After two full weeks of being away, he could sense they were about to go home. First, they had work to do. "Roger HQ. I hear you loud and clear."

There was a brief lull, and Michael assumed someone had gone to tell Milano. "Chaos one, status?" He heard Milano say, and Michael nearly chuckled. "HQ, we have six hostiles in custody. We are black on ammunition and fuel. No WIA or KIA."

"Standby for guidance."

Michael took a deep breath.

"Roger." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Milano came back on the radio a few minutes later. "Chaos one, a unit from Delta company 4-1 will come by to transport the prisoners. standby at current location, and then Delta will show you the way back to Hood Hill."

"Roger. Tracking all."

"Milano out."

Michael turned to Jessica and Justin. "It looks like we are going home today, guys!" He said gently, his eyes softening for the first time since Brishan and Earth had merged.

Jessica and Justin collapsed against the truck, dropping their weapons. Jessica sighed and closed her eyes. "Ah, a bath. It has been so long since I felt like I could relax. I am going to spend half a day in the bath at least."

Justin chuckled. "Erica and I are going to spend all day in Austin tomorrow." He said, his eyes closed. "I have so much money saved up I can finally buy her that diamond ring at the jewerly store. Maybe buy her a few more dresses." He shuddered at the thought. "Mm... Maybe that is too much. That woman is too powerful when she dresses like that."

Jessica smirked. "If you take her to Austin, bring her to the rooftop bar. It has an amazing view of the skyline."

Then they felt a powerful and angry presence standing over them. Neither wanted to open their eyes. "So... It seems Eric and I haven't trained you enough." A cold voice muttered. "What do you think you two are doing in the middle of the mission? I don't see anyone else in the element lounging around and day dreaming. You are supposed to be LEADERS!"

At this point, Michael was nearly screaming at them.

"We are still in semi unknown territory, with no backup, and no idea what the fuck could happen next. Get the fuck up, you lazy morons, or we will have you do rifle retraining for PT every day!"

They didn't move at first, and Michael crouched down, his voice directly in their ears. "Hey. Morons. I'll tell Eric you two were sleeping while you were supposed to be keeping watch."

Both of them shot up and grabbed their weapons. "No sir! No need for that." Justin shouted a little too loud. "I was just counting the rounds I had left. I have to close my eyes when I count. Closing my eyes makes it easier to concentrate."

Michael rolled his eyes. "Riggghhht. And I will be a major next week. Sure. I believe you."

Jessica's legs trembled. "Sir, you don't need to tell my Dad, I was ju-"

They heard footsteps approaching, and Jessica squeaked. She searched frantically for somewhere to hide, but then she realized...

They were on top of a hill.

"Tell me what?"