What needs to be done for a better world

Chapter 14

In the morning, the day after Gamma Squad's meeting with General Lise Sinclair, the steady rhythm of punches and blocks echoed across the training grounds, footsteps striking the mats, arms slicing through the air. It was a familiar, grounding noise, and Ray welcomed it. With every movement, every breath, he pushed his mind further from the chaos of their last mission.

Ray's muscles burned with each movement, sweat trailing down his back as he ducked and countered Fred's strikes. The grey wolf anthro was fast, his motions fluid, controlled, and deceptively effortless, even under pressure. Their sparring was intense, but there was trust in every exchange, a silent understanding forged long before either of them had joined Omega Squad. Ray already knew Fred would be a solid asset in the team, but more than that, he knew he could count on him when it mattered. And right now, that meant everything.

"You're getting faster," Ray grunted, twisting just in time to dodge a sharp strike aimed at his ribs. His breath came in short bursts, chest heaving from the sustained effort, but a flicker of a grin broke through the fatigue. There was no resentment in his tone, only a quiet recognition of how far Fred had come.

Fred flashed a grin, a playful glint in his eye as he circled Ray. "That's what I'm here for, keeping you on your toes."

Ray returned the grin, the challenge a welcome distraction from the chaos of the last mission. It wasn't his first time losing a squadmate, far from it, but it was the first time he'd watched someone die right in front of him. Irina hadn't just been a teammate, she was one of the few who had shown him respect and kindness from the start, without hesitation or judgment. That made it all the harder to swallow. But he had to carry it, had to push forward, no matter what decision he would make about his future.

They broke apart, each taking a step back to catch their breath. The air between them was thick with heat and exertion, their shoulders rising and falling as they let the moment settle.

Ray wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze dropping to the mat beneath his feet. For a moment, he stayed silent, uncertainty tugging at the edges of his thoughts. Fred had only just joined Omega Squad, and while their paths had crossed again, they hadn't truly had a moment to talk, really talk, since everything happened.

"Hey, Fred..." Ray's voice was quieter than usual, the weight behind his words unmistakable. "How are you adjusting to all this?"

Fred wiped his brow with a cloth, catching Ray's gaze with a knowing look. He understood what Ray was really asking, how it felt to walk into a squad still grieving.

"I'm managing," he said after a pause. "It's... a lot, yeah. Jumping into a team right after something like that? You feel the weight the moment you walk in." He gave a faint shrug, trying to ease the tension. "But I've been through my share of chaos before. Comes with the job, right? You learn to keep your footing when things start falling apart."

Ray gave a short nod, his fingers drumming absently against his thigh. "Yeah... it's like the world keeps moving, and you're just stuck in the middle of it, trying to keep up." He paused, eyes distant for a moment. "I'm still trying to make sense of it all... this squad, the mission... Irina."

Fred paused, his expression softening. He stepped a little closer, his voice quieter now. "Irina's death hit everyone hard. People talk, every squad member's name carries weight around here." He gave Ray a look that was both understanding and firm. "But listen... this squad? It's not just about the missions. It's about having each other's backs. And from what I've heard, she had yours when it counted." Fred's tail gave a slight flick as he continued. "It's okay to feel lost for a while, hell, we all do. Just don't let it keep you stuck. Take what happened, carry it, learn from it. You're part of something bigger now."