NovelXXXChapter 409 As memories from the past surfaced, Citrine's expression grew unusually solemn.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Three years ago, there was a shootout in Magnolia. Several of our country's business leaders and a few young people were taken hostage by criminals there." "To rescue the hostages, our team lost three comrades, and another was gravely wounded. But the operation was at a critical point if we broke formation to help the injured, the criminals would have discovered us, and the lives of everyone on that boat-those business leaders and youngsters-would have been in even greater danger." "It was agony for all of us. On one hand, there were our brothers-in-arms, people we trusted with our lives. On the other, there were the civilians we'd sworn to protect. No matter what choice we made, regret would follow." "At the most desperate moment, our wounded comrade made the decision himself -he threw himself overboard. We were devastated. But in that instant, there was no tto grieve. We had to channel our pain into action and stick to the plan to take down those criminals." "In the end, we got the hostages out safely. But just as we were about to leave, one of the criminals who hadn't died suddenly fired at the hostages. For a split second, my mind went blank. Instinct took over-I threw myself in the way of the bullet. In that moment, only one thought echoed in my mind: 'I have to protect them."" When Citrine finished, the group stared at her, stunned into silence.
Most of them had only ever participated in training exercises. The other day had been the first tthey'd seen a comrade fall. Listening to Citrine's story now, their eyes shone, filled with respect and something like awe. "Instructor, you're a hero." "Instructor, I'm proud to have you as my mentor." "That comrade who chose to sacrifice himself... he was a hero too." "We want to becpeople like you." Citrine looked at them, silent for a moment before speaking softly. "As a soldier, you have to accept that life and death are always close by. You'll face moments like this again and again. The only thing you can do is stay true to your mission and keep moving forward. Whatever happens, don't let your emotions beca trap." "Instructor, don't worry. We won't let what happened before happen again." "We'll reclaim what we lost. Next time, we'll make sure those Magnolia bastards are the ones eating dust." Citrine's words rekindled their confidence, steeling their resolve.
That evening, after dinner with the squad, Hastings offered to walk Citrine home. She didn't refuse.
Finally, with the rambunctious recruits left behind, the two of them had a moment alone. Hastings was in high spirits the whole way.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe spoke up first. "Citrine, what made you cback to the squad today?" She gazed out the window and answered casually, "Had sfree time, thought I'd drop by."
The truth was, she couldn't set her worries aside. When it cto matters of national security, shem could never just stand by. Losing a training exercise was one thing, but watching a whole team lose themselves to doubt and trauma-she could never forgive herself for letting that happen.
Hastings hesitated, then finally asked what had been on his n his mind="ltya joined the army three years ago, why aren't you still serving?"
To him, Citrine was a rare talent-her skills, her professionalism, her om leadership. She was everything the force needed, and more. So he couldn't understand why she'd chosen to step away.
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