The battle to retake Base Zero continued. They were losing many soldiers, but they were also killing many. At that pace, they could take control within four hours, even while losing a considerable number of combatants.
Meanwhile, at the Legion base on Earth, Camila was anxious. She moved her legs restlessly, thinking about many things.
(Did they just throw him into a prison without giving him any treatment? Knowing a place like that, it's very likely they simply locked him up.)
Major John then walked through the door, looking at a file while rubbing his forehead.
Camila looked down shyly. She was afraid of what could happen to her for helping someone from the enemy troops.
"Do you have any idea what you just did, girl?"
"I-I just wanted to help… I'm sorry."
"I just don't like seeing people die, even my enemies."
The major then placed the file on the table and slid it toward Camila.
"I'm not just talking about that. The man you brought here is Blizzard, one of Zero Earth's Rank-5 pilots. He is bloodthirsty and shows no mercy to anyone."
She couldn't believe it. She might have put the Legion at serious risk of being attacked by Zero Earth. But how could someone so young — maybe only two or three years older than her — be so cruel?
"What happened to him? Where is he now?"
"He was sent to prison. Don't worry, we took care of him. He had injuries not only on his hands but also on his head and shoulder. He's lucky we have a competent medical team here in the Legion."
"And Xin? What happened to him?"
"He went back to battle. This time he's fighting alongside the rookie."
He rubbed his forehead again and said, in a disappointed tone:"Look, I know you're a good person, but you can't be fooled by them.
They're inhuman. They kill like animals for energy. Millions of us Earthlings have been killed by them. They are terrorists."
Camila knew that among a population of nearly 40 billion people, it was impossible that no one was good.
They had already proven themselves strong and resilient. Still, she desperately wanted to understand why there was no peace even after the agreement to divide Area Zero. Maybe it was the greed of powerful men. They were the ones who moved the world — Zero Energy was the pinnacle of their century.
"Let's make a deal. If you go back to fighting and stop trying anything funny, I can make sure the higher-ups don't put you on a blacklist."
She nodded in agreement and left the room without saying anything. Little did he know her plans were different.
The base was empty, which allowed her to enter the prison without being seen by other soldiers.
Blizzard was being held in a prison far from the main base, near a forest. Only two guards watched the front entrance, but Camila managed to sneak in through the back using a ventilation duct.
Inside, the prison was poorly maintained, covered in slime along the walls and badly lit.
Blizzard lay on a bed, bandaged from his hands to his torso.
Camila threw a small stone to get his attention, but it accidentally hit his head.
"Ow."
"Sorry! I want to talk to you, Blizzard."
He could barely move his head, only enough to see who was speaking.
He didn't feel like a hero, but rather a captive forced to fight for someone else's ambition.
"I don't want to talk to filthy Earthlings."
He turned his head back toward the wall.
"Listen, I don't want this war anymore. It only causes problems for both sides. It only brings hunger and misery to everyone."
"You were very brave saving me… but why didn't you just let me die there in the smoke?"
"I lost many friends in this war… and many died for things they didn't even do, right in front of me…"
Camila's silence said the rest — she saved him out of pure altruism.
"You're a good pilot for a girl. By the way, what's your name?"
"Camila."
"Hey, I'm Dan. Blizzard is just a nickname they gave me."
Dan had changed a lot after his wife's death. He rarely spoke to others unless it was about work.
He saw everyone merely as coworkers who could lose their lives in battle at any moment.
"I have to go, Dan. We can talk another time. If I get caught here, I'm done for."
She waved at him and ran back toward the air duct.
Back at the base, she went to check her armor, which was heavily damaged.
The repair crew said it would require extensive repairs.
She let out a disappointed sigh.....