The aftermath of the ambush did not feel like victory.
It felt like exposure.
The exosuit lay in burning pieces across the frozen floor.
Shards of shattered ice still floated in the air, glittering like cruel, drifting stars.
The corridor walls were scorched black on one side, coated in thick frost on the other
a violent collision of heat and cold that shouldn’t exist together.
The civilians trembled, clinging to each other, whispering prayers, curses, or my name.
My name.
“Kyle saved us…”
“No. The Tower saved him.”
“Did you see it? The ceiling just melted the ice?”
“He’s the reason we’re alive.”
“He’s the reason they’re trying to kill us!”
Halverson barked orders to try to restore order.
“Medic teams front!”
“Soldiers, sweep for remaining Path fighters!”
“Civilians, stay
