The war table flickered with red and blue lights. After the talk about the FNO and EVC. The officers leaned in as Admiral Folly stood, his voice ringing sharp, echoing in the hall.
"You all keep an eye out. For anyone. Even among ourselves. This is a serious situation, and if we're careless, the Frenzies will turn us against each other faster than their blades ever could. Fighting the FNO isn't just combat — it's a war for trust itself."
The room grew still, every officer holding their breath.
Folly's eyes gleamed as he continued:
"The Frenzies think a hundred moves ahead. Every battle, every ambush, every whisper of chaos — already calculated in their madness. Don't forget — it was their scheming that set the spark against the Ghonashians."
⸻
The History Lesson
Murmurs broke out around the table. The name alone carried weight.
Folly's voice hardened.
"Yes. A thousand years ago. Their paranoia and manipulations ignited the war that dragged all trillions of UNE colonies into conflict with the Ghonashian civilization. A war that scarred generations, that cost us untold billions, maybe more. And for what? Because the Frenzies convinced us that the Ghonashians were preparing to wipe us out."
He slammed his gauntleted fist against the holo-table.
"Only later did we realize... it was the FNO's hands guiding it all. We fought their war for them. Bled ourselves dry. And the Frenzies laughed."
⸻
The Warning
Captain Lyra Ensei of Jargon spoke softly, her voice carrying steel.
"Hyper-paranoid. Hyper-vigilant. To them, every shadow hides an enemy. And when they cannot find one — they create one."
Talek Jorr growled, fists clenched.
"Which means if we aren't careful, they'll play us against each other again. Turn UNE against CGS, CGS against EVC... hell, even brother against brother in the same barracks."
⸻
The Resolve
Shepherd leaned forward, breaking the tension with his deep voice.
"Then we do not give them that chance. We've learned from Ghonashia. This time, we see through their madness. This time, we don't take the bait."
Reaper, standing silent until now, finally spoke in his low, modulated voice.
"The Frenzies don't fear our armies. They fear our unity. That's why they try to tear it apart. And that's why, no matter what happens, we hold that line."
The room fell quiet again — not with fear this time, but with a grim, unshakable resolve.
-
The war room still buzzed with murmurs of distrust, warnings about infiltration, and memories of wars past. The holo of the Frenzy base glowed red in the center of the table, spinning like a taunt.
Finally, Admiral Ardan of CGS raised a hand, silencing the chamber. His golden visor glimmered under the light.
"We have weighed every option. Every strategy. From brute force to sabotage. But none offer the balance we need. None account for paranoia as the Frenzies weaponize it."
He leaned forward, voice firm.
"Only one plan threads the needle. Brouthis' plan."
⸻
The Debate Ends
Elias Rowan, captain of Earth, nodded slowly.
"His strategy turns their madness against them. It uses their paranoia as the blade that cuts them apart. It is risky — perhaps the riskiest move we've ever made — but it is the one path forward."
Talek Jorr of Gumen slammed a fist on the table.
"Risk doesn't matter. If Humanity's Prodigy stands behind this, then so do we."
Lyra Ensei of Jargon gave a sharp nod.
"Unity has to mean something. If we fracture here, then we've already lost. I vote we commit."
⸻
The Final Word
General Shepherd rose, his deep voice carrying across the entire hall.
"Then it's settled. The UNE and the CGS will put full trust in Brouthis Ashura's plan. He is Humanity's Prodigy — not by title, not by propaganda, but by proof of action. If he says this is our way forward, then we walk with him."
He looked around the room, his gaze burning.
"And let this be carved into our hearts: we walk together. We bleed together. We fight together. Humanity does not walk alone."
⸻
Closing Beat
The chamber erupted in a roar of agreement, fists striking the table, visors glowing as captains and admirals alike declared their unity.
The plan was dangerous.
The enemy was unpredictable.
The risk was absolute.
But the UNE had chosen its course.
They would march behind Brouthis Ashura.
The Prodigy of Humanity.
-
Outside the war hall, the atmosphere was buzzing. Soldiers from every corner of humanity mingled — UNE Marines from Earth, Endor, Haphti, Gumen, Jargon, and beyond. CGS Sentinels, their white-and-gold armor gleaming, spoke quietly with UNE veterans, their presence like walking statues.
Jin and his squad wandered among them, still processing the sheer scale of it all. Marco was cracking jokes, Raul kept bragging about how he "almost scored" with some local girls before the Frenzy attack, and Min-seo was quietly eyeing the Sentinels in awe.
As they rounded a corner of the massive base yard, they nearly bumped into a tall but relaxed Marine leaning against a stack of supply crates. His helmet was off, short messy hair and a big grin plastered on his face.
"Whoa there! Easy, rookies," the Marine laughed, pushing off the crates. "Almost thought you were Frenzies charging me for a second."
Jin blinked. "Sorry, didn't mean to—"
The Marine waved him off. "Relax, kid. Name's Velo. From Jargon. And you're...?"
⸻
The Banter
Jerome stepped forward first, hand outstretched. "Jerome Johnson. Eryndor Prime. And this here's Woo Jin."
Velo shook their hands, grinning wider. "Eryndor, huh? Heard your capital got hit hard. Glad you boys made it. I lost some cousins out there."
Jin nodded solemnly. "Yeah... it wasn't easy."
Raul butted in with his usual energy. "Man, don't bring the mood down. We survived, we're here, and we're UNE Marines now! What about you, Velo? You always this laid back or are we catching you off-duty?"
Velo chuckled. "Both. That's the Jargon way, my friend. We don't stress — until it's time to stress. Then we stress really hard."
Marco laughed, elbowing Jin. "Hey, this guy's like Jerome part two."
Jerome grinned. "Nah, I'm way better looking."
Velo raised a brow, smirking. "Oh yeah? You try saying that on Jargon and I'd have five girls laughing at you while they bought me drinks."
⸻
Building Bridges
The squad cracked up, the tension melting away. Even Asura, standing quiet at the back, gave a small shake of his head at their antics.
"Listen," Velo said, tone softening a little. "I know it's rough, all this talk about the Frenzies and prodigies and impossible wars. But here's the truth — we fight together. Doesn't matter if you're from Eryndor, Novara, Jargon, or Earth. We're one. That's how we win."
Jin felt his chest tighten, realizing again what it meant to wear the UNE crest. He nodded. "Yeah. You're right."
Velo smiled. "Damn right I am. Now, how about you boys show me where the mess hall is? Jargon food is trash, I need to taste something new before we all get sent to die again."
Marco laughed. "You're in luck, we're experts at finding food."
Jerome clapped Velo's shoulder. "Welcome to the crew, man."
-
The cafeteria was buzzing with noise — the clatter of trays, laughter of Marines, the distant echo of Sentinels' boots. Screens projected news from across UNE space: reconstruction reports, whispered rumors of FNO raids, and propaganda clips reminding them all of unity.
Jin and his squad grabbed trays, filling them with steaming plates of protein slabs, alien fruit slices, and the UNE's standard ration-bread. Velo followed, effortlessly sliding into their group as if he'd always been there.
They sat at a long steel table. Raul immediately bit into his food and groaned.
"Man, this is it! Nothing like UNE food, I swear!"
Marco laughed. "Bro, it's literally ration bread and processed meat."
Velo grinned, pointing at Marco's tray. "Don't knock it. On Jargon, this stuff would cost you a month's wage. You'd be lucky to get a hot plate without a bribe."
Jerome chuckled. "See? That's why I stick with Eryndor. Say what you want about politics, but the food is always fresh."
⸻
The squad ate, swapping stories of home and boot camp misery. Velo fit right in — cracking jokes, tossing back smart remarks, even teasing Asura for eating slower than everyone else.
"So, Asura," Velo said casually between bites, "rumor is you're Juno's prodigy, right? The quiet genius boy wonder?"
Asura glanced up, silent, then went back to eating. Raul laughed and clapped Velo's shoulder.
"Yup! That's our guy. Won't brag about it though. Man could probably out-blink-step half the captains and he'd still just shrug it off."
Velo smirked. "Humble. I like that."
His tone was friendly, but his eyes flickered just a moment too sharp before softening again. None of them noticed.
He notice John, who is also very quiet too, "So uh... what's your name? The one with the blonde buzzcut."
John looked up, "Dravos... mining planet of Juno."
Velo smirked, "Hah! Same!"
⸻
Jin leaned forward. "So what about you, Velo? You look like you've seen things."
Velo shrugged, chewing. "Jargon's rough, kid. Mining colonies, black markets everywhere. You grow up learning how to survive, considering most mining planets are left vulnerable, with some military bases around. That's all."
Marco asked, "So why join UNE?"
Velo smiled faintly. "Because someone has to keep the bastards from burning it all down. I figure if I can fight out there, maybe my people back home get to sleep one more night."
The squad nodded, impressed. It sounded noble.
It sounded honest.
Raul speaks up, "You Velo... I want you to join us!"
Velo's fingers tapped the table. He was excited. "Alright then!"
⸻
Closing Beat
Raul raised his glass. "To new brothers then! Velo, welcome to the family."
Velo lifted his glass too.
"Yeah. To family."
The squad laughed, clinked their cups, and went back to eating.
Velo smiled already, as the group planned on to fight together.
-
So after a few hours of chatting in the cafeteria, the squad marched into the wide training grounds. The massive arena shimmered with pale-blue light from the simulation barriers, large enough to hold hundreds of Marines at once. Soldiers sparred with one another in pairs, armor clashing, sonic booms cracking as fists struck reinforced plating.
Jin stretched his arms, watching in awe. "Man... they're fast. Look at those captains!"
Jerome chuckled. "Just wait, you'll be that fast in no time."
Raul cracked his knuckles, already bouncing with energy. "I'm calling dibs on sparring Asura. I wanna see if Juno's prodigy can break my jaw."
Marco laughed. "Raul, your jaw's made of paper. He'll break it by breathing on you."
The group chuckled as they loosened up. That's when Velo clapped his hands together, grinning ear to ear.
"Yo, Woo Jin! How about it, man? You and me — let's spar!"
⸻
The Excitement
Jin blinked. "Huh? Me?"
"Yeah, you!" Velo said, practically bouncing with excitement. "C'mon, don't be shy. You're from Eryndor Prime, right? Show me what kind of fighters you guys make out there."
Jerome laughed. "Careful, Velo. Jin's got some hidden fire in him."
Raul leaned in, grinning. "Nah, this is perfect. I wanna see our boy Jin throw some hands."
Asura simply stood silent, arms crossed, watching without comment.
Velo jogged to the center mat, waving Jin over like an eager little brother. "C'mon, Jin! No backing out now. Just for fun. Promise I'll go easy."
⸻
The Match Begins
Jin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright... don't say I didn't warn you."
The two squared off in the sparring circle, helmets off, only their UNE uniforms. Soldiers from nearby noticed and began gathering, cheering for a little entertainment before their drills.
The instructor on duty shrugged. "Fine. Keep it clean. No lethal blows. Begin!"
Velo grinned wide, fists up, bouncing on his feet.
"Let's go, Jin! Show me what you got!"
Jin steadied his stance, heart pounding.
The spar began.
——————————————————
To be continued...