Location: UNSC Forward Operating Base, Virek
Date and Time: June 23, 2553 – 1800 Hours
The briefing room is packed when I arrive, with Lieutenant Baird already standing at the front, going over the latest updates. The air feels different now—more relaxed but still focused. There's no urgency like there was during the URF conflict, but we're still a military unit, and that means there's always work to be done.
"Glad you could make it, Kowalski," Santiago mutters with a grin as I slide into the seat next to him.
I give him a quick nod, my mind still on Em and the conversation we were having before I was called away. She was right—there's more to think about now that we're not constantly fighting for our lives. And for the first time in a long time, I'm starting to see the possibility of a future beyond just surviving.
"Alright, listen up," Lieutenant Baird says, her voice cutting through the low murmur of the room. "As most of you know, with the URF threat neutralized, we're shifting our focus back to our primary duties. That means securing key infrastructure, maintaining stability in the region, and assisting with rebuilding efforts where needed."
She pauses, glancing around the room to make sure everyone's paying attention. "For now, that means routine patrols, security details, and working with local contractors to help rebuild what the URF damaged. It's not the most exciting work, but it's important."
There's a collective nod from the room. After the intensity of the last few months, no one's complaining about a bit of routine.
Lieutenant Baird continues, going over the assignments for the coming weeks, but my mind is drifting again. The routine patrols, the rebuilding efforts—it's work we've been trained for, but now that the urgency of combat is gone, I can't help but think about what comes after. What comes next.
After the briefing wraps up, Santiago catches up with me as we head out of the room. "Seems like we're finally getting back to normal, huh?"
"Yeah," I reply, glancing over at him. "Feels strange after everything we've been through."
He chuckles, shaking his head. "Strange, but not bad. I'll take patrolling roads and standing guard over getting shot at any day."
I nod, though my thoughts are still elsewhere. It's not just the return to normalcy that feels strange—it's the fact that I'm starting to think about a life beyond this. A life with Em.
"You seem distracted," Santiago says, giving me a sideways glance. "Something on your mind?"
I hesitate for a second, then shrug. "Just… thinking about the future, I guess."
"The future?" He raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You mean after this?"
"Yeah," I say slowly, my thoughts catching up with my words. "With the URF out of the picture, things are different. We're rebuilding. People are talking about staying here, making a life after all this."
Santiago nods, though there's a hint of uncertainty in his expression. "Yeah, I've heard that too. A lot of people are thinking about settling down, especially the locals. You thinking about doing the same?"
I pause for a moment, considering the question. I hadn't thought about staying here—not really. But now that things are calming down, and with Em being a part of my life, the idea doesn't seem so far-fetched.
"Maybe," I say, more to myself than to him. "I don't know. It's something to think about."
Santiago gives me a knowing smile. "You've got someone keeping you here, don't you?"
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Yeah. Something like that."
He claps me on the shoulder. "Well, good for you, man. After everything we've been through, you deserve something good. We all do."
I nod, though my thoughts are still on Em. It's strange, thinking about a future that doesn't involve moving from one fight to the next. But the more I think about it, the more I want to see where this goes.
Later that evening, after finishing up the day's tasks, I make my way to the small apartment Em has been staying in just outside the base. She moved there a few weeks ago, wanting a bit more space and privacy now that the worst of the conflict is over. I knock on the door, and she opens it with a smile, her eyes lighting up when she sees me.
"Hey," she says, stepping aside to let me in. "How was the briefing?"
I shrug as I step inside, the comfortable atmosphere of her place immediately putting me at ease. "Routine stuff. Patrols, security details, that kind of thing."
She smiles, handing me a glass of water as we sit down on the couch. "Sounds like things are settling down."
"Yeah," I say, taking a sip. "Feels like we're finally getting back to normal."
We sit in comfortable silence for a few moments, the warmth of her presence grounding me. It's moments like this that make me realize how much has changed in the past month. How much she's changed things for me.
"I've been thinking," I say after a while, setting the glass down on the table. "About what you said earlier. About staying."
She looks at me, her expression soft but curious. "And?"
I hesitate for a second, then smile. "I think you might be right. There's no reason I can't make a life here. With the rebuilding efforts and everything going on, it's starting to feel like there's something real here. Something worth staying for."
Her smile widens, and she reaches out, taking my hand in hers. "I'm glad to hear that. I've been thinking the same thing."
We sit there, hands entwined, the quiet between us filled with a sense of understanding. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.