Three
Basilone Military Academy
New Kilrain, Fuercon
Brigadier General Ashlyn Shaw stood at the window that lined most of the wall behind her desk, her gaze fixed on the parade ground below. The sun slowly rose above the horizon, painting the sky in shades of bronze, orange, and yellow. The buildings surrounding the parade ground cast long shadows across the well-manicured grass. In another minute or two, the color guard would appear to raise the flag, something that never failed to move her. Memories of every battle she fought in, every brother- and sister-in-arms she lost fighting to protect that flag and all it represented washed over her. Their deaths still hurt, some more than others. But seeing the cadets making up the day’s color guard marching onto the parade ground reminded her it had been worth it to keep Fuercon and its allies free.
All activity on the parade ground stopped as the color guard came to a halt. Without conscious thought, Ashlyn braced to attention, holding the position as the flag was raised. A slight smile touched her lips as the squad saluted the colors before leaving the field. A moment later, the remaining cadets returned to their activities under the watchful eyes of cadet officers and Academy staff members.
Twelve months.
What a difference a year made, not just for the cadets but for her as well.
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