Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Foreboding Horizons

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ophia awoke to the soft hum of the base's ventilation system, her body heavy with exhaustion. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was mid-morning, and the debrief was only an hour away. She had slept longer than she intended, but the rest was much needed.

After a quick shower, she donned her uniform and made her way to the mess hall. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast filled the air, a comforting reminder of normalcy amidst the chaos of their mission. She grabbed a tray and joined Ethan and Zoe, who were already seated and deep in conversation.

"Morning," Sophia greeted them, her voice still a bit groggy.

"Morning, boss," Ethan replied with a nod. "How'd you sleep?"

"Better than expected," she admitted, taking a sip of her coffee. "Any updates?"