The Order and the Promise

Gigi-1's infirmary was an anomaly. Its walls were not the utilitarian metallic gray of the rest of the base, but a warm, soothing white. The lighting was soft, and the air smelled of antiseptic and a calmness that seemed completely alien to Lion.

Dr. Aris Thorne, a middle-aged man with a patient smile, removed the medical scanner from Lion's head. "Well, Commander, physically you're in great shape. Reflexes above average, red blood cell count perfect.... If it weren't for those dark circles under your eyes, I'd say you could fight an elite squadron by yourself and win."

cLion straightened up on the gurney. "So, there's nothing?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," the doctor confirmed.

Lion hesitated a moment, choosing his words with the care of a bomb disposal man. "Doctor, last night... I had an experience. The lights flickered, and I saw.... something. Someone. It felt incredibly real, like a waking dream. And my eye..."

"A waking dream?" interrupted Dr. Thorne, his smile becoming a bit more clinical. "Hypnagogic hallucinations. Common in individuals under extreme stress and sleep deprivation. Commander, when was the last time you took a leave of absence, a vacation?"

Lion was silent. The answer was "never."

"Exactly," the doctor said, as if he had read her mind as he typed something into his terminal. "Your record is impeccable, almost inhuman. Years of service without a single day of protocol rest. Your mind is simply sending you a warning signal, Commander. You're on the edge." A small printer whirred, spitting out a prescription. "This is not a suggestion. It's a doctor's order. Two weeks mandatory leave on Earth. Starting tomorrow."

Lion took the paper, his face an impassive mask. He said nothing, but the tension in his jaw said it all. It wasn't relief he felt, but frustration. They had reduced him to a simple case of combat fatigue.

Back in the hallway, Lion looked closely at the prescription. The words "Cumulative Stress" and "Psychological Fatigue" seemed like a mockery. Was it really just fatigue? The sensation of the presence in the hallway, the sadistic smile of his doppelganger, the black eye? could his mind manufacture such horrors?

His concern was diverted to his team. If he left, who would take command - Prince of Vael, Airen? It was the most logical choices, but....

"A heavy burden for such a young man, don't you think, Commander?"

The voice, deep and serene, interrupted his thoughts. Lion turned and found himself squaring up almost by instinct. It was Commander Valerius, one of Nepantla's highest ranking officers in the system. His white uniform was impeccable, adorned with insignia from forgotten campaigns. His blond hair, combed meticulously back, contrasted with the brutality of his face: one eye was a steely gray, pierced by a thin white scar; the other was completely black, a prosthesis that made no attempt to hide its artificial nature.

"Commander Valerius," Lion saluted.

"Relax, Lion," Valerius said, starting to walk and Lion following in his footsteps. "I heard about your medical checkup  trouble sleeping?"

Lion briefly explained the situation, omitting the more bizarre details. Valerius listened attentively, nodding. "It's normal. This place, so quiet, so far from home... it's a hostile zone by definition. And you have bypassed all mental health protocols. Your dedication is admirable, but dangerous." He paused and looked at Lion. "I know you refuse to leave. So I'll make you a proposal."

Valerius continued. "There is a situation on Kalisto's mining moon. An insurrection. I need your unit to take charge. A quick, clean mission. And when they return, the leave won't just be for you. It'll be for the entire Quetzal team. Two weeks on Earth, all expenses paid. It's been years since you've seen home, hasn't it?"

Lion quickly declined. "Sir, with all due respect, my equipment is needed here..."

"Your team is the best I have, Lion, and that's why I want them to be in top shape. Go, finish the job, and then take your well-deserved rest. That's an order."

As he said that, Valerius handed him a thin folder of data. "Here are the details."

Airen had been right again.

"Yes, sir," Lion finally said, taking the folder. He gave a martial salute, turned and headed straight for the waiting room.

As he entered, the atmosphere of lethargy evaporated. All eyes were on him. Corinelle stopped sharpening her knife. Prince of Vael turned off his holo-screen.

Lion stood in the center of the room, his face serious, his voice ringing with renewed authority. "Get ready. We leave in two hours."

A surge of energy swept through the room. Corinelle flashed a genuine smile for the first time in days.

"We are heading to the Jupiter sector. Kalisto's mining area. We have a rebellion to crush."

Everyone stood up, the excitement of impending action was palpable.

Everyone, that is, except Airen. In his corner, as if nothing had happened, he calmly turned the page of his book.