The cold wind of the northern ridge cut through their coats, biting at exposed skin as Ethan, Lara, Mira, Zhao, and Ryker gathered around the half-frozen ground of the abandoned research facility. The structure loomed ahead—partially collapsed, its concrete walls streaked with years of rain and neglect. But to Ethan, it was more than stone and steel. It was the beginning.
He scanned the horizon, eyes sharp under his hood. "This is where we start. Not just a base… a network. A foundation for something they'll never control."
Ryker's hands tightened around his rifle. "And if they come while we're trying to 'build a foundation'? Because I don't see any ghost signals keeping them away this time."
Ethan stepped closer, voice calm but resolute. "Then we build fast, and smart. We take precautions, and we trust no one until they prove themselves."
Mira's gaze shifted to him, her expression conflicted. "You're trusting people you've never met. Soldiers, scientists… some of them still answer to the Directorate. How do you know they won't turn on you?"
He tilted his head slightly. "I don't. That's why we test them. Anyone who joins this, anyone who wants a place here—they earn it."
Lara's voice was quieter, almost a whisper as she stood near the crumbling entrance. "And you'll be the one deciding who earns it… and who doesn't."
"Yes," Ethan said simply. His tone carried no arrogance—only inevitability. "Because mistakes cost lives. All of ours, if we're careless."
Zhao rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the facility. "Then we start with what we know. Systems, survivors, resources. Then expand. But we'll need people willing to follow, and they'll need proof that this… this isn't a death trap."
Ethan gestured toward Mira. "You."
Mira blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"
"Yes. You know their command protocols, their operations. You'll help me screen recruits, assign them roles, figure out who's loyal and who's lying."
Her expression softened, a mixture of pride and hesitation. "I didn't expect to be on this side again… but if it's you…" She paused, shaking her head. "I can do it."
Ryker scoffed lightly. "Don't make this sound like a reunion party. People are going to die before this is done."
Ethan didn't flinch. "Then we make sure they don't. Or they won't be a problem for long."
---
The first group arrived just after noon. A mix of civilians, rogue scientists, and former low-level soldiers, all hesitant, wary, and exhausted from recent skirmishes. They looked at the facility with equal parts fear and hope.
Ethan stood at the entrance, the faint hum of Erebus systems already stabilizing the building's power grids behind him. "Welcome. If you're here, it means you want to help—or survive. Either works. But you'll need to prove your value."
A man in a worn uniform stepped forward. "We're not here to fight your battles blindly. We just want to survive, same as you."
Ethan's eyes swept over the group, sharp and calculating. "Survival isn't enough. What can you give that I can't take from you?"
Silence.
Lara stepped forward beside him, her voice firm but encouraging. "They've survived, Ethan. That counts for something. They've made choices when there was no right answer. That's worth something."
Ryker muttered, "Choice doesn't stop a drone swarm."
Zhao's hand went to his sidearm, though it remained holstered. "We'll test them. First, tasks that show skill, strategy, and honesty. Second, challenges that reveal character. Third…" He paused, letting his gaze meet Ethan's. "…the ultimate question—will they put the group above themselves?"
Ethan nodded. "Exactly. Step by step. We can't afford misplaced trust. Not now."
---
Over the next hours, the first recruits were put through trials inside the facility. Some repaired damaged systems, while others attempted to reactivate dormant defense turrets. Small teams navigated the maze of corridors, each task designed to expose both skill and temperament.
One recruit, a young engineer named Malik, hesitated before reconnecting a severed conduit. Sparks flew, and the corridor lit up in bright flashes. He jumped back, but Ethan approached calmly.
"Why pause?"
"I… I didn't want to short-circuit the system. It's old—fragile," Malik stammered.
Ethan examined the wiring. "You hesitated because you valued the system over yourself. That's the right instinct. Keep it in mind."
Lara smiled slightly. "He passed the first test."
Ryker shook his head. "Depends on the second."
Across the hall, Mira observed a small group attempting to repair a drone swarm. One soldier, visibly nervous, tried to override the autopilot without permission. Mira's hand tightened around her tablet.
"Stop." Her voice cut through the air. "Orders, not guesses. You follow protocol, or you risk everyone here."
The soldier froze, eyes wide. "Yes, ma'am."
Ethan glanced over, noting the interaction. "Good. We need brains, not reckless courage. We'll see how they handle life or death when the moment comes."
---
By evening, the first tests concluded. Some recruits proved capable, others were removed from consideration. The core group began forming: skilled, reliable, and loyal enough to withstand immediate threat.
Ethan gathered them in the central chamber. The light from repaired holo-panels cast sharp shadows across their faces. "You've seen what we're up against. The Directorate thinks I'm dead. They're wrong. And they're watching."
Mira stepped beside him. "Not just them. Others have noticed unusual energy signatures around this region. Satellite scans picked anomalies consistent with Erebus remnants."
A low murmur ran through the recruits.
Ethan's tone sharpened. "Then we move fast. Training, building, preparing. You've been given a second chance. Don't waste it."
Lara's voice added a quieter note. "We'll be teaching you, yes. But you'll also teach us. Everyone contributes. No one is above the group."
Ryker grunted in agreement. "We'll find the cracks in character before the Directorate does."
Zhao's gaze swept over the room. "And mistakes? There will be mistakes. But we learn fast. Or we die."
Ethan stepped to the center of the room, hands clasped. "Then it begins. The Foundation. Not just a building, not just a network, but an organization that will survive them all. If you want in, prove it. If not, walk away. No judgment. Just consequences."
A long silence stretched, then one by one, the recruits stepped forward, voices quiet but resolute. "We're in."
Ethan studied each of them. No joy, no pride, only calculation. This was survival, loyalty, and power in its rawest form.
Mira met his eyes briefly, and for a fraction of a second, there was understanding between them—two people who had fought different battles but shared the same vision.
Outside, the wind howled across the northern ridge. The faint hum of Erebus thrummed beneath their feet.
And somewhere beyond the horizon, the Directorate was already noticing.
The war had just entered its next phase.