ASHES OF VALOR

THE LIGHT

CHAPTER 3: THE LIGHT*

The patrol had two soldiers. Young. Too young.

"Down on the ground!" one shouted, rifle shaking.

Kael didn't kneel. She held up the black box.

"This is the mission recorder. Your commanders killed my team. Do you want to be next?"

The first soldier hesitated. The second lifted his radio - "We have Commander Drax -"

Kael moved. Not to kill. To break the radio. One hit. It sparked and died.

"Listen to me," she said, breathing hard. "They blew up the depot from the inside. Friendly fire wasn't friendly. If you take me back, they'll bury you too."

The younger soldier lowered his rifle an inch. "Is... is Mira -"

"Mira is dead," Kael said. "Because Kane said she was weak."

Silence.

The younger one looked at the other. Then he tossed Kael a water bottle and turned off his spotlight.

"We didn't see anything," he whispered. "Go north. There's an old comms tower. No one patrols there."

Kael ran north. Behind her, she heard the patrol lie over the radio: "Sector clear. No sign of Drax."

For the first time in 13 years, someone disobeyed orders for her. She was surprised like before.

*END OF CHAPTER 3*