Sudden Approach

The training grounds were silent but tense as Loria stepped onto the polished floors of the TSM facility. Day one loomed ahead, and the weight of her failure gnawed at her resolve. This time, she knew, there was no room for error. The TSM license was not merely a certificate; it was a key—a key to Wrex’s location, to answers, and perhaps to uncovering the truth that haunted her since childhood.

"You’ve returned," the administrator said, his tone neutral as he scanned her credentials. "Be advised, the recalibration process has intensified. You will face stricter evaluations. Any deviation will result in immediate expulsion."

Loria nodded sharply. "Understood."

As she moved toward the starting point, her mind flickered to Fozic. His absence was unsettling. They had faced the trials together before, yet now, he had vanished without explanation. Rumors swirled around his name, whispers of betrayal or clandestine dealings. But she couldn’t dwell on him now. Her focus had to remain unshaken—each step, each test, executed with precision.

Across the city, Wrex Stroggan paced in a dimly lit room. The walls, lined with maps and schematics, bore the marks of countless sleepless nights. The group of figures around him listened intently as he outlined his plan.

"We need the TSM license," Wrex said, his voice firm. "Without it, we won’t have access to the moon vehicle or the clearance to approach the border unnoticed. This is our only chance to bypass Touch Zero and surveillance."

An older man in the group, his face hidden in shadows, nodded. "The vehicle is prepared, and we’ve identified a way to deactivate the device’s influence for a short window. But you’ll need a team—people you can trust."

Wrex’s gaze hardened. "I don’t need just anyone. I need them. Loria and..." he paused, the name catching in his throat, "Fozic."

"Are you certain about him?" another voice asked. "Fozic’s movements have been erratic. There’s a chance he’s working against us."

"I’ll take that chance," Wrex replied. "He’s resourceful, and if he’s chasing something, it might lead us closer to the truth. We finish this together."

The grueling first day of training stretched Loria to her limits. The obstacle course, designed to simulate combat and survival scenarios, demanded relentless focus. By evening, her muscles burned, but her determination only grew. As she returned to her quarters, a small package awaited her. Inside was a simple note written in Wrex’s handwriting: "Finish it. We’re waiting."

Her heart pounded. Wrex was watching. Somewhere, somehow, he was still connected to her. She clenched the note tightly. "I’ll find you," she whispered.

Meanwhile, Fozic wandered the outskirts of the city, his face obscured by a hood. His decision to abandon the TSM path wasn’t made lightly. He knew the stakes, but his instincts told him the exams were a distraction. Something larger loomed, and he was determined to uncover it. His old contacts had led him to a secluded laboratory, where whispers of Montlaif’s true nature echoed in hushed tones.

"What do you want with it?" a technician asked, her voice wary as Fozic presented an encrypted drive.

"Information," he said simply. "Something that will tip the scales."

By the fourth day, Wrex’s patience wore thin. He stood outside the training grounds, watching the participants struggle through their challenges. His mind was already racing ahead, planning their journey to the True Residents’ territory. The invitation to the Raid weighed heavily in his pocket, a reminder of the perilous path ahead.

"We’ve got to finish this," he muttered, his hands tightening into fists. "The license is just the beginning. Together, we’ll reach the truth—whatever it takes."

Behind him, his old friend approached, a list of potential recruits in hand. "The team is shaping up," the friend said. "But you’ll need to act quickly. The Raid won’t wait."

Wrex nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "We’ll be ready."

As Loria faced her second day of training, doubts crept into her mind. The government’s motives, the mysterious nature of the TSM program, and Wrex’s cryptic note all pointed to something far greater than they had imagined. Her resolve hardened. If this was a trap, she would spring it. If Fozic was a traitor, she would expose him. And if Wrex needed her, she would be there.

The echoes of their shared goal resonated within her: To uncover the truth. To confront the unknown. To defy the shadows of the past.

Little did they know, forces far greater than their own plans were already in motion. The True Residents were watching, and the 8 Superentis were on the verge of an invasion that would shatter the illusion of peace forever.

Loria’s determination carried her through the grueling first three days of training. She barely noticed the stares of her fellow participants or the whispers of doubt among them. Her mind was fixed on one thing: reaching Wrex. And on the morning of the fourth day, her resolve finally bore fruit.

As she stepped into the main hall of the TSM training center, her eyes immediately found Wrex. He stood at the far end of the room, his broad shoulders and sharp features unmistakable even among the bustling crowd. But it wasn’t just recognition that hit her—it was the look on his face. Wrex’s usual fire had dimmed, replaced by something darker, deeper. His jaw was set, and his gaze carried a weight that hadn’t been there before.

Loria’s heart sank, but she masked her concern with a bright smile. Striding toward him with her characteristic confidence, she called out, “Handsome, it is our destiny, don’t you think?”

Wrex turned, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, she continued, “After all, the past is within you, but the future is within us.” Her words lingered in the air like a gentle promise.

His lips twitched into a faint smile, but the shadows in his eyes didn’t fade. “Loria,” he said softly, “it’s good to see you.”

Before she could press him for details, the sharp voice of their old mentor Qoval cut through the room. “Ah, Stroggan, Loria. Welcome to Day Four.”

The group turned to face him. Qoval’s expression was as unreadable as ever, but his presence demanded attention. “Today’s drill is different. There are no time limits or restrictions. This is called ‘Trust the Process.’”

The participants murmured among themselves, curiosity piqued.

Qoval raised a hand for silence. “In this exercise, each of you will be paired with another participant. Your task is to find the most suitable object for your partner. However, you cannot reveal or exchange what you’ve chosen until the very end. This will test not only your observational skills but also your ability to trust and understand your partner.”

Loria’s gaze flicked to Wrex. Paired exercises had always been her strong suit, but she wondered how well they’d work together now, with whatever burden Wrex was carrying.

“One more thing,” Qoval added, his voice taking on a sharper edge. “The training ground has been specially designed to challenge you. Every forty minutes, the weather will change drastically, and the terrain will shift to oppose it. You may find yourselves in a desert under pouring rain or a field of flowers buried in snow. Adaptation is key. Now, let’s begin.”

The room erupted into motion as participants were assigned their partners. As expected, Loria and Wrex were paired together. She shot him a quick grin. “Looks like destiny’s working overtime today.”

Wrex chuckled, though the sound was muted. “Let’s make the most of it.”

The pair stepped onto the training grounds, a vast and ever-changing landscape that stretched as far as the eye could see. Their starting point was a dense forest, the air thick with humidity and the distant sound of thunder rumbling ominously.

Loria took a deep breath, her senses on high alert. “Alright, Wrex. If we’re going to do this, we need to move fast and stay sharp.”

“Agreed,” he replied, his voice steady but distant.

The first forty minutes passed in a blur. The forest transformed into a barren desert as sheets of rain poured down, turning the sand into treacherous mud. Loria slipped more than once, but Wrex was always there to catch her, his reflexes as sharp as ever.

“Thanks,” she muttered after the third time he steadied her.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied, though his focus remained ahead.

As they navigated the shifting terrain, Loria’s mind raced. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed in Wrex during their week apart. His movements were precise, almost mechanical, and his eyes held a guarded intensity that hadn’t been there before.

Finally, as they reached a brief respite in the form of a sheltered canyon, Loria couldn’t hold back any longer. “Wrex, what happened during the rest week? What aren’t you telling me?”

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Not now, Loria. Focus on the task at hand.”

“Wrex…” she began, but the ground beneath them shifted again, the canyon morphing into a windswept tundra. Snowflakes began to fall, and the temperature plummeted. The moment for confrontation was lost.

Loria bit her lip, forcing herself to concentrate on the exercise. But as they moved through the icy landscape, her determination solidified. Whatever Wrex was hiding, she would uncover it. For now, though, she had to trust the process—and him.