Ghost

Morning at Base-0 arrived very early. It was 6:34, but the echoing footsteps of soldiers could already be heard through the corridors and the main hall. The lieutenant's attention was elsewhere, however, on... the documents lying on his desk. He—as he had most of the time—wasn't sleeping. He had his reasons. Pulling his iconic skull mask over his head, he picked up the documents and then left his room and headed for the unit's common room: "OTG-141. "Swinging the door open, causing the others to flinch, he stepped inside and, coldly surveying those present, noticed a new face. A new recruit. A girl. "So... you are our unit's new fighter? " He spoke coldly, sternly, and even somehow... displeased?

06:34. Base-0. Common room "OTG-141".

Morning arrived early. Footsteps were already echoing through the corridors, but the lieutenant was still poring over documents. He had barely slept—and there were reasons for that.

Pulling on his skull mask, he grabbed the papers and left. A minute later, the door to the common room swung open. The soldiers barely flinched—they were used to it. The lieutenant stepped inside, glanced coldly at their faces, and froze.

New girl.

The silence became absolute. He stared at her, his mask concealing any emotion. His voice was hollow, metallic:

• So... you are the new fighter?

No greeting. No warmth. Only ice and hidden discontent.