What needs to be done for a better world

Chapter 6

"No, we can't do it right now," the General's voice resounded, cutting short Anders' plan explanation.

He was currently on a conference call with the capital where Lise Sinclair was. He was dumbfounded at her words and couldn't react for a moment.

"What do you mean? We need to strike back as fast as we can. We can't delay, or they'll receive reinforcements. We might lose even more personnel than we already have if they do!" His voice carried clear anger.

"I understand the urgency, but I won't authorize this operation without Delta Squad. And they're currently out of commission."

The news hit him hard. Delta Squad was renowned as an elite unit, composed of only the best operatives. How could they be out of commission?

General Sinclair could read his confusion well, as she was just as perplexed as he was. She couldn't fathom how her best team, the one she knew she could count on, had failed a mission. It was news that was hard to accept.

"Their previous mission was an HVT capture. It was supposed to be a simple pick and go, but we underestimated them. It seems like Eden has formed a group to contend with Delta, and they do it well. They were forced to retreat without the target, and two of them were injured. When we heard about your situation, having lost contact with the HVT, the priority shifted to you. We administered accelerants to aid their recovery, but it will still take them one or two days to be ready for deployment."

Her expression reflected the gravity of the situation, a mix of resolve and resignation. It was a difficult decision, but a necessary one. Acting too hastily would only result in more casualties among their troops. Anders grasped the weight of her decision and refrained from pressing the matter further, recognizing the internal conflict she likely faced. Despite understanding the rationale behind it, accepting the decision was still a bitter pill to swallow.

"Understood, General." Anders sighed in defeat, recognizing the futility of further discussion on the matter. "I hope that we will at least be able to retrieve their bodies for their families to mourn. If you could be so kind as to transfer their contacts, I'll be telling them what happened."

"That won't be necessary, I'll do it myself, but only after we've dealt with their base. I don't want to bring them bad news twice if we can't get their bodies." When he nodded to her in agreement and appreciation for the gesture, she dismissed him and ended the call.

General Sinclair sat alone in her office, the soft hum of the air conditioning the only sound breaking the silence. As she prepared to contact the families of the fallen soldiers, a heavy weight settled in the pit of her stomach, threatening to suffocate her with its oppressive presence. 

Duty came at a cost, and General Sinclair knew all too well the price she paid with every life lost under her command. Each name on her list was more than just a statistic; they were husbands and wives, sons and daughters, whose absence would leave an unfillable void in the lives of those they left behind.

Taking a deep breath, General Sinclair steeled herself for the task ahead, her heart heavy with the burden of grief and guilt. She couldn't help but wonder if there was more she could have done, more sacrifices she could have made to spare them this fate. But in the unforgiving landscape of war, such thoughts were a luxury she couldn't afford.

She whispered a silent prayer for courage and compassion, knowing that the road ahead would be fraught with heartache and sorrow. But for the sake of those who had sacrificed everything in service to their country, she would carry their memory with her, a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

Lise brought her palm to her muzzle and massaged it with two fingers, trying to relax from all the stress she was subjected to. First, Delta's failed mission and their injuries, now Gamma Squad had failed as well, and half of their team met their demise. And she felt it was her fault. From what transpired in the report, it was the human that she herself incorporated into their team that alerted the enemy and compromised their mission. She thought that maybe if she had pushed the issue more with her superiors, he wouldn't have been allowed to enter their ranks and none of that would have happened. But she couldn't grieve for long, as other matters needed to be attended to.