Chapter 473: The deal between team 7 and the EDF
The quarters they’d been assigned felt smaller than they had yesterday, like the walls were closing in with every passing hour. Noah sat on the edge of his bunk, staring at his hands while the weight of the tribunal’s accusation pressed down on his shoulders. Planet-killer. Genocidal. Responsible for the destruction of an entire world.
Sophie occupied the chair by the window, her usual composure showing cracks around the edges. Diana paced the length of the room like a caged animal, her montum abilities making small objects shift whenever she passed too close. Kelvin had given up on sitting still entirely and was sprawled on the floor, tossing a small maintenance tool into the air and catching it repeatedly.
“So we’re just supposed to accept this?” Diana finally broke the silence, her voice sharp enough to cut. “They label us planet-killers and tomorrow we smile and say thank you for the verdict?”
“What else are we supposed to do?” Kelvin caught the tool and sat up. “Tell them about the chaos entity that hijacked Noah’s system and one-shot the planet? They’ll throw us in a psych ward before we finish the sentence.”
“But we didn’t do it,” Diana insisted, stopping her pacing to face them. “We saved two million elves. We destroyed the Eighth’s facility. We did everything right and they’re blaming us for sothing we had no control over.”
Sophie’s voice was quiet but firm. “The evidence points to Noah’s void energy. From their perspective, it makes sense. They don’t know about Gigarose. They can’t know about her.”
“So what?” Diana’s hands clenched into fists. “We just take the fall? Accept responsibility for genocide because the truth sounds too crazy?”
Noah finally looked up. “Do you have a better option?”
The question hung in the air, challenging anyone to provide an answer they all knew didn’t exist. Diana opened her mouth, then closed it, frustration written across her features.
“This is so screwed up,” Kelvin muttered, resuming his tool-tossing. “We’re sitting here worrying about tomorrow when the tribunal completely forgot about two of our teammates. Lucas and Lyra. Rember them? Apparently the military doesn’t.”
Sophie’s expression shifted. “Lucas they have an excuse for. They don’t believe the Eighth exists, so they think he’s just on Raiju Pri with his family. Playing politics or whatever they imagine S-ranked soldiers do when they go ho.”
“But Lyra?” Diana’s voice took on an edge. “What the hell did she have over the military that they’re pretending Team 7 only had four mbers? She was there. She left with us. She ca back before us. And sohow she gets a free pass while we’re on trial?”
Kelvin sat up straighter, his expression darkening. “You know what I think? I think she traded information. Probably told them everything we did, every place we went, every decision we made. Bought her freedom by selling us out.”
“She was working for the Eighth the whole ti,” Diana agreed, her pacing resuming with more energy. “The Endless, Infinity soldiers, whatever Arthur calls his little cult. She probably reported everything back to him, then when we caught her, she flipped to save her own skin. Made so deal with the EDF where she gets immunity in exchange for detailed reports on Arthur’s operations.”
“Or she’s actually soone important,” Kelvin suggested, warming to the topic. “Like, her real identity is classified above our pay grade. Could be the daughter of so general or admiral. That would explain the special treatnt.”
“Could be a spy,” Diana countered. “Planted in the Vanguard Initiative to monitor us specifically. The EDF wanted eyes on Team 7 because we were too powerful, too independent. Lyra was their insurance policy.”
Sophie shook her head. “You’re both reaching. We don’t know anything about why she got different treatnt.”
“We know she’s a traitor,” Diana said flatly. “We know she worked for the enemy, then supposedly switched sides, then sohow walked away from all of this without consequences. That’s enough for .”
Kelvin resud tossing his tool. “I hope she’s happy with whatever deal she made. Hope it was worth betraying the people who actually tried to trust her.”
“Can we not do this?” Sophie’s voice carried a edge of exhaustion. “Lyra’s not here. Lucas isn’t here. Tomorrow we face the tribunal’s verdict and we need to be unified, not tearing each other apart over people we can’t do anything about.”
“Unified for what?” Diana stopped pacing to face her. “So we can all get matching dishonorable discharges? So we can be officially labeled as the team that destroyed a planet? What exactly are we unifying for, Sophie?”
“For each other,” Sophie replied, her composure finally cracking. “Because regardless of what the tribunal decides, we’re still a team. We still have each other’s backs. Or are you giving up on that too?”
The silence that followed was heavy and uncomfortable. Diana looked away first, her anger deflating into sothing closer to resignation. Kelvin stopped tossing the tool and let it rest in his hand.
Noah stood up slowly, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Noah, it’s nearly midnight,” Sophie started.
“I need to clear my head.” He moved toward the door. “I’ll be back soon.”
The door slid shut behind him, leaving the three of them in charged silence.
Diana was the next to move. “I’m going to sleep. No point staying awake worrying about a tomorrow that’s already decided.” She headed toward her bunk without waiting for responses, her shoulders carrying tension that wouldn’t ease no matter how long she tried to rest.
That left Kelvin and Sophie alone in the common area. He watched her for a mont, noting the way her fingers twisted together, the way she stared at the door Noah had disappeared through.
“What’s up with him?” Kelvin asked quietly. “And before you say ‘we’re all going through it,’ I know that’s not the whole story. I’ve known Noah since we were at the academy. Sothing else is eating at him.”
Sophie was quiet for a long mont, debating how much to share. Finally, she sighed. “The place we went today. The Ark. That’s where Noah’s parents abandoned him for. They left him at the academy twelve years ago and ca here to serve humanity’s great war effort.”
Kelvin’s expression shifted from curious to understanding to genuinely sad. “Oh. Oh man, I forgot about that. The coin, right? They gave him that eclipse coin and just… left him.”
“He’s been carrying it ever since that night at the gala,” Sophie confird. “Probably thought one day he’d co here and they’d be proud of him. That he’d make sothing of himself and prove he was worth keeping.”
“Instead he shows up accused of genocide.” Kelvin shook his head. “That’s… that’s really ssed up.”
He stood up, pocketing the maintenance tool. “I’m going to go find him. Try to cheer him up or at least make sure he’s not doing sothing stupid.”
Sophie managed a small smile. “Good luck.”
Kelvin headed out into the corridors of Vanguard Station, which had settled into the quiet rhythm of night cycle. Fewer people moved through the halls, and those who did walked with the purposeful stride of personnel on duty rather than the casual energy of dayti traffic.
“Where would the legendary Noah Eclipse go to brood?” Kelvin muttered to himself, checking the training halls first. Empty. The observation decks next. Also empty.
He kept walking, taking turns based more on instinct than logic. “The SSS-ranked soldier himself. Top two SSS ranked soldier and he isn’t number two. Tar of dragons, slayer of Harbingers, the protagonist of the actual universe. And I’m the sidekick looking for him because he’s having feelings.”
A passing guard gave him a strange look. Kelvin waved cheerfully. “Just looking for my emotionally constipated best friend. Don’t mind .”
He found Noah eventually in one of the smaller observation lounges, standing at the window with his hands in his pockets, staring out at the stars. The lighting was dimd for night cycle, making the view beyond the glass more prominent.
“There you are!” Kelvin announced, entering with the kind of energy that felt deliberately too loud for the quiet space. “I’ve been wandering around this station like a lost puppy. Do you know how big this place is? I passed the sa maintenance closet three tis.”
Noah glanced back, a slight smile touching his lips despite everything. “You found eventually.”
“Eventually being the key word.” Kelvin ca to stand beside him at the window. “Rember when we’d do crazy stuff back at the academy? Like that ti we ‘borrowed’ a combat simulator and accidentally set the difficulty to lethal?”
“We almost died,” Noah said, but there was warmth in his voice.
“But we didn’t! And then we got a probation, which was totally worth it because we learned Professor Lim had a secret stash of premium snacks in his office.” Kelvin grinned. “Simpler tis. When the worst trouble we could get into was academic probation instead of military tribunals.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a mont, watching ships move in the distance against the backdrop of deep space.
“You know what I miss?” Kelvin continued. “That feeling of knowing we could handle anything because we were too stupid to know we couldn’t. Like, we’d see sothing dangerous and just… go for it. No overthinking, no worrying about consequences. Just Noah and Kelvin against whatever the universe wanted to throw at us.”
“We were reckless,” Noah said.
“We were aweso,” Kelvin corrected. “And we still are. Tomorrow doesn’t change that. The tribunal doesn’t change that. We’re still the team that fought a four-horned Harbinger and won. We’re still the guys who saved two million elves. We’re still the absolute legends who sohow keep surviving things that should kill us.”
Noah’s smile grew slightly. “You always know what to say.”
“That’s because I’m the best sidekick in history.” Kelvin’s grin faded into sothing more serious. “But Noah, I need you to hear this. Really hear it.”
He turned to face his friend fully, his usual joking deanor setting aside for raw honesty.
“Parents are dicks. Like, objectively. The people who are supposed to love you most, supposed to protect you, supposed to be there? A lot of them suck at it. They make choices that hurt their kids and convince themselves it’s for the greater good or so noble cause. They abandon the people who need them most and call it sacrifice.”
Kelvin’s voice softened. “My dad built an empire and barely noticed I existed except when I disappointed him or didn’t want to build a fancy new toy for the EDF. Your parents left you for this place, for this institution that’s now trying to destroy you. Lucas’s dad got himself kidnapped playing political gas. Diana’s family probably has their own dysfunction she doesn’t talk about. Sophie’s parents are who knows where doing who knows what.”
He put a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “We all deserved better. Every single one of us deserved parents who showed up, who chose us, who made us feel like we mattered more than their careers or their causes or their pride. And maybe soday, when we have kids of our own, we’ll do better. We’ll be the parents we needed but never had.”
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with shared pain and hope for sothing different.
“But until then,” Kelvin continued, his grin returning, “we’ve got each other. And honestly? I’d take you as a brother over any blood relation. You’re stuck with , Eclipse. Forever. That’s the real life sentence here.”
He gave Noah’s shoulder a final squeeze and then stepped back. “Now I’m going to go attempt to sleep before tomorrow’s disaster. Try not to brood too dramatically out here, okay? You’re making the stars look bad.”
Kelvin headed toward the exit, his footsteps echoing in the quiet lounge. Just before the door, Noah’s voice stopped him.
“Kelvin.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
Kelvin waved without turning around. “Anyti, brother.”
The door slid shut, leaving Noah alone with the stars and his thoughts. He returned his attention to the window, watching ships drift through the void, tiny points of light against infinite darkness.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?”
Noah didn’t turn around, a small smile touching his lips. “I knew you were there.”
Sophie erged from the shadows near the entrance, moving with that quiet grace she possessed. She crossed the lounge and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her head against his back.
They stood like that for a long mont, neither speaking, just existing together in the quiet.
“Kelvin’s speech was good,” Sophie finally said, her voice muffled against his uniform. “He’s right, you know. About all of it.”
“I know.”
“Your parents made a choice twelve years ago. It was their choice, their loss. It doesn’t define your worth.” Her arms tightened slightly. “You’re one of the best people I’ve ever known. And tomorrow, regardless of what happens, that doesn’t change.”
Noah turned in her embrace until he was facing her, his arms coming up to hold her properly. In the dim lighting, her eyes reflected starlight from the window, and the worry etched in her features made his chest ache.
“We need to sleep,” Sophie said, though neither of them moved. “Tomorrow is going to be difficult and we should at least try to rest.”
“I don’t want tomorrow to co.”
“ neither.” She reached up to touch his face, her fingers gentle against his cheek. “But it’s coming anyway. So let’s face it together, like we always do.”
They made their way back through the quiet corridors to their quarters, hands linked, neither speaking but drawing strength from the contact. The station’s night cycle had settled into almost complete silence, the hum of life support systems the only constant sound.
Diana was already asleep, or pretending to be, her breathing steady from her bunk. Kelvin had claid his own space and was sprawled across it in a position that looked deeply uncomfortable but sohow worked for him.
Noah and Sophie settled into their respective bunks, the small comfort of proximity better than nothing. Sleep was elusive, coming in fits and starts interrupted by thoughts that wouldn’t quiet. Every ti Noah closed his eyes, he saw Admiral Kross’s face pronouncing their guilt, saw the evidence displays showing void energy signatures, heard the whispers from the gallery labeling him a planet-killer.
When sleep finally ca, it was shallow and unsatisfying, offering no real rest.
Morning arrived with brutal timing. The comm system activated at 0500 hours, far earlier than expected, with Commander Lein’s voice cutting through the darkness.
“Team 7, report to Conference Room 3 imdiately. The commanders need to brief you before transport to the Ark.”
Kelvin’s response was a string of creative profanity muffled by his pillow. “It’s not even dawn cycle yet. What kind of sadistic bastards schedule etings before the sun simulation turns on?”
“Move it, Pithon,” Diana called from where she was already pulling on her uniform. “They said imdiately.”
The team assembled with varying degrees of alertness. Diana looked ready for combat despite the early hour. Sophie had that focused calm she got when preparing for sothing difficult. Kelvin was still half-asleep, his eyes barely open as he fumbled with his uniform fastenings. Noah felt hollow, like sothing essential had been scooped out during the night and not replaced.
Conference Room 3 was small and utilitarian, designed for quick briefings rather than extended discussions. The commanders were already there, looking like they’d been awake for hours. Brooks had coffee in hand, i was reviewing a tablet, Cassandra stood with military rigidity, and Volkov’s expression suggested the news they carried wasn’t good.
“Sit down,” Cassandra said without preamble.
Team 7 took the available seats around the small table. Kelvin imdiately put his head down on the surface, earning a look from Diana.
“We received word from the Ark two hours ago,” i began, her voice carrying professional calm despite what was obviously stress beneath. “The tribunal has reached a preliminary verdict and they’ve authorized us to present their… offer to you before the formal proceedings.”
“Offer?” Sophie’s voice was carefully neutral.
Volkov moved to stand at the head of the table. “The tribunal recognizes that you’re valuable assets to the EDF. Your combat records, your survival rates against Harbinger forces, your docunted capabilities. Despite the charges against you, they understand that losing your services would be detrintal to humanity’s defensive efforts.”
“They’re not discharging us?” Diana asked.
“No,” Cassandra replied. “But the terms of your continued service are… restrictive.”
Brooks pulled up a holographic display from her tablet, projecting text into the air above the table. “This is the deal they’re offering. I’m going to read it exactly as written.”
She cleared her throat and began.
“Article 1: One mber of Pathfinder Team 7 must accept full public responsibility for the destruction of Lilivil and all resulting consequences. Said mber will receive a dishonorable discharge from the Earth Defense Force and will face criminal prosecution for negligent destruction of inhabited planetary bodies. Sentencing to be determined by military court following formal admission of guilt.”
The room went silent except for the hum of the ventilation system.
“Article 2,” Brooks continued, her voice steady despite the content, “The remaining mbers of Pathfinder Team 7 will accept imdiate reassignnt to separate units under direct Ark command. Team cohesion will be dissolved to prevent further unauthorized collective action. Individual assignnts will be determined based on combat specialization and strategic need.”
Kelvin lifted his head from the table, suddenly very awake. “They want to split us up?” He said like that was the only bad part he heard.
“Article 3: All reassigned personnel will undergo a probationary period of twenty-four months during which any violation of EDF regulations, regardless of severity, will result in imdiate court-martial and dishonorable discharge. No appeals process will be available during probationary period.”
Sophie’s hands clenched into fists beneath the table.
“Article 4: All reassigned personnel are prohibited from unauthorized contact with mbers of the original seven families during probationary period. This includes but is not limited to Grey, Ares, Sterling, Leviticus, Marrick, Durn, and Veyra family representatives. Violation of this article will result in imdiate court-martial.”
“They’re cutting us off from our allies,” Noah said quietly.
“Article 5: All reassigned personnel will undergo mandatory psychological evaluation on a monthly basis to assess ntal stability and fitness for continued service. Evaluation results will determine mission assignnt eligibility and may result in extended probationary periods at evaluator discretion.”
Brooks paused, scrolling to the final section of the docunt.
“Article 6: Acceptance of these terms must be unanimous among all four mbers of Pathfinder Team 7. Refusal by any mber will result in imdiate prosecution of all mbers for desertion, unauthorized military operations, and negligent destruction of inhabited planetary bodies. Standard sentencing guidelines suggest minimum imprisonnt of fifteen years per charge.”
She looked up from the display, eting each of their eyes in turn.
“Article 7: Response to this offer must be provided within six hours of presentation. Failure to respond within the designated tifra will be interpreted as refusal and prosecution will proceed imdiately. The tribunal reconvenes at 1100 hours to receive your decision.”
The holographic text hung in the air, each article glowing with the sa cold blue light.
“One of us has to take the fall,” Diana said slowly. “They want a scapegoat. Soone to bla publicly while the rest of us beco their controlled weapons.”
“They’re breaking up the team,” Kelvin added, his voice lacking its usual humor. “Separating us, isolating us, making sure we can’t work together or support each other.”
“And if we refuse, we all go to prison,” Sophie finished.
i leaned forward. “You have six hours to decide. I know this isn’t what you hoped for, but it’s better than the alternative. You keep your lives, you keep serving humanity, you just do it under significantly more restrictions.”
“Restrictions,” Noah repeated. “They’re offering us chains and calling it rcy.”
Volkov’s jaw tightened. “The tribunal believes this is a fair compromise given the severity of the charges. You’re getting a second chance. Most people accused of planetary destruction don’t get that.”
“Most people accused of planetary destruction actually did it,” Diana shot back.
The commanders had no response to that.
Cassandra pulled the display down, closing the projection. “You have until 1100 hours. Use the ti wisely. Discuss among yourselves, consider the implications. Understand that this is likely the best outco you’re going to get.”
“And if we say no?” Noah asked.
“Then you face trial for all charges, and based on the evidence the tribunal has compiled, conviction is almost certain.” Brooks’ voice was gentle but honest. “You’d be looking at decades in military prison. Your lives would effectively be over.”
“So it’s accept the deal or lose everything,” Sophie said.
“Yes,” i confird. “I’m sorry. I wish we could have gotten you better terms. But this is what they’re offering.”
The commanders filed out, leaving Team 7 alone with the weight of an impossible decision and six hours to make it.
Kelvin stared at the space where the holographic text had been. “So who volunteers to have their life destroyed? Anyone want to draw straws?”
Nobody laughed.
Outside the conference room, morning cycle was beginning. The station was waking up, personnel heading to their assignnts, the machinery of war continuing its endless operation. Sowhere in the Ark, the tribunal was preparing for their formal proceedings, confident that Team 7 would accept their generous offer.
And in that small conference room, four young soldiers sat with the ruins of their futures spread before them, trying to figure out which version of destruction they could stomach.
The clock was ticking.
Six hours to decide.
Sothing big is coming.
Get ready.
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