Now, after experiencing the battle firsthand, they were struck by how much more challenging it was than they had ever anticipated. Standing in the wake of the fight, they couldn't help but feel small in comparison to the Winters' men of the HOPE Base. The disparity in their strength and abilities was undeniable.
"Great job, everyone!" Duke shouted, applauding himself as a gesture of praise for his men. Despite their exhaustion, they had held strong and emerged without any casualties. Their teamwork had been impressive, and though tired, they had learned valuable lessons—exactly what Duke had hoped for when bringing them out into the field.
Sparrow and Vulture also approached Eagle and Hawk, clapping them on the shoulders. "You two did great!" Sparrow said with a grin of approval.
