Sergeant Barry Smith sat alone in the waiting area outside Captain Robinson's office, back straight, fingers loosely clasped in his lap. He wore his full dress uniform—crisp blue with polished buttons and a neatly adjusted tie. If he was going to be suspended, he figured he might as well look like a bloody war hero while it happened.

Or maybe—just maybe—they were actually taking him seriously. Maybe someone upstairs had finally read the intel he'd submitted: the odd reports, the Satellite blackout zones, the defences.

He didn't know which possibility made him more nervous.

The door opened with a soft click.

"Sergeant Smith," called the captain's assistant. "She'll see you now."

Barry stood and walked in, boots clicking sharply against the linoleum. He found Captain Ainsley Robinson behind her desk, leaning back in her chair with a manila folder open in front of her. She glanced up—and paused, one eyebrow arching.

"Dress uniform, Barry?"

He offered a calm smile. "Figured I'd dress for the occasion, ma'am."

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She didn't smile back, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "At ease."

He stood at parade rest as she flipped the folder shut and folded her hands atop it.

"Well, I've reviewed your report. Thorough work. Unorthodox, but detailed."

Barry gave a tight nod.

"I'm sending a four-man team out to the Riders' property," she continued. "Standard tactical loadout. You're welcome to go with them, if you're still that invested."

Relief flooded his chest—but it was brief, fleeting.

"Only four?" he asked. "With respect, ma'am… you've read the report. You know what's out there."

Captain Robinson's eyes narrowed. "I'm aware. But this isn't a warzone, Sergeant. It's one rural property with... unusual circumstances. This is a recon and containment op, not a full-scale deployment."

Barry didn't flinch. "Ma'am, if what I saw is even a fraction of what's happening out there, four men and a ute aren't going to cut it."

There was a pause. Her fingers tapped once on the folder.

"If you don't like the decision," she said coolly, "you're free to sit this one out."

Silence filled the room. Barry met her gaze without blinking.

Finally, he nodded once. "No, ma'am. I'll go."

"Good." She stood, picking up the folder and walking around the desk to hand it to him. "The team will be ready in two days."

Barry took the file and turned to leave.

"And Sergeant?"

He stopped at the door.

"You're not crazy," she said. "But you'd better hope you're not wrong."

He gave a grim smile over his shoulder. "I hope I am, ma'am."

Then he stepped out, already running through everything he'd need in his kit. Because if they were walking into the Riders' land with only five people… they were walking into something they weren't ready for.

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