Ryssa stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the buckles on her combat suit.
Her long black gloves creaked slightly as she tightened them, eyes sharp with purpose. This mission wasn't just about exploration or escorting a flamboyant squad—this was about regaining control.
Control over Kael's respect.
Over her own identity.
Over her place in this ever-shifting chain of command.
She took a deep breath and turned.
Behind her, the Siren Squad was finally assembled.
Dressed in glossy, high-tech suits with custom detailing and armor flares, the five members were unmistakable—designed for war, marketed for fame. Three of them—Rynn, Ziya, and Misha—were known more for their social feeds and viral vids than any true battle accolades. But make no mistake: they were capable.
Just... too flashy.
Too loud.
Too unfocused for R22.
"Alright, listen up," Ryssa said, folding her arms. Her commanding tone sliced through their chattering like a blade. "You're here under my watch. This is not a runway. This is R22—hostile territory crawling with Kaiju that seem to be getting smarter."
That silenced them.
Rynn, the tall brunette with flame-styled plating, raised an eyebrow. "Smarter? We talking, like, pack tactics or—?"
Ryssa walked to the console and tapped it. A 3D projection appeared, displaying a dissected Kaiju brain from their last hunt. Tiny neural cores, previously underdeveloped in beasts of that kind, were now glowing with mineralized conductivity.
"Smarter," Ryssa repeated. "As in adapting. Evolving. Maybe even organizing. The metals they're feeding on are accelerating something—no one's figured out what yet."
Ziya, a silver-haired pilot with an attitude, leaned forward. "We'll be safe, right? I mean... we are with Ravager's pilot."
Ryssa's expression darkened. "Don't get too inspired. Kael doesn't babysit."
---
Back on R22
The landing went smooth. Too smooth.
Kael stood with Tyren near the new forward base, Ravager and Brawler gleaming under the thick, metallic atmosphere.
They weren't impressed.
Tyren muttered under his breath, "Here come the color-coded parade."
Five mechas descended like a pageant on jets—too polished, too delicate for this zone.
Kael remained quiet, his eyes cold.
When the Siren Squad finally dismounted, Ryssa introduced them.
"Squad R-73, this is Kael and Tyren—Unit 404."
Ziya gave a playful salute. "We've heard so much about you."
Tyren didn't respond. Kael only gave a glance and turned to check his HUD.
Ryssa cleared her throat. "Everyone gets one warning: do not engage without permission, do not split off, and follow all tactical protocols. One wrong move out here, and you're not getting a second chance."
Rynn frowned. "That serious?"
Kael finally spoke, voice low and emotionless. "You think this is still a game?"
That shut them up.
---
Mission Briefing
Inside the base tent, Ryssa uploaded the latest analysis from the last Kaiju carcass.
"The composition of these creatures has changed drastically. What we assumed was evolutionary randomness now shows signs of environmental amplification. The heavy metals found in the uranium mines are being absorbed... and are possibly upgrading their brain chemistry."
Misha scrolled through the data. "You're saying... they're learning?"
Kael nodded. "They're watching us too. Don't forget that."
A quiet fell across the room. Even the Siren Squad looked uneasy now.
Tyren added, "If we stay longer, it's not about if we're hunted. It's when."
---
After Hours
As the squads rested, Ryssa stood alone under the flickering sky. The gravity here made the air feel heavier—like every breath was earned, not given.
Kael was nearby, checking over Ravager.
She walked to him cautiously.
"You didn't say anything dumb today," he murmured, eyes still on the mech's armor.
"Neither did you."
"Guess we're improving."
She smirked. "You still don't like the Siren Squad, huh?"
Kael didn't answer at first. Then: "They're not built for this."
"They'll adapt."
"Or die."
His words stung more than she wanted to admit.
"Kael," she said, voice softer now. "I brought them because I want to prove that this planet needs more than fame-chasers and corrupted commanders. I want people who actually do the job right."
Kael looked at her. "Then stop trying t
o impress me. Just do it."
And with that, he walked away, his silhouette swallowed by the dim, eerie light of R22.