"Greetings, General Wolf Schneider. The forty sixth Resistance base wees your arrival."


    As he stood facing the soldiers that came to greet him, Alice steps forward and salutes her father.


    "I apologize for the sudden visit." Wold said, not taking his eyes off the white haired beauty. "As you already know a lot of things happened recently which didn''t allow for a more appropriate procedure."


    "We''d be happy to have you no matter the circumstances." Alice replied, doing her best to not crack under the pressure of his gaze. "Am I right to assume the reason for this visit isn''t something that can ne dyed?"


    "Indeed." Wolf replied. Just then his eyes seemed to catch Sam, turning to a sharp re that sent shivers down the Doctor''s back.


    "Then how about we discuss it in my office." Alice said, moving aside and motioning with her hand toward the administrative building.


    She was about to turn and start walking, however she noticed that the tall white haired man wasn''t paying her attention anymore. His eyes were on someone else, lowered into a sharp re as if he had seen the most despicable human in existence.


    Taking a step then another one, Wolf stood before Sam towering over him like a giant towers over an insect.


    "It''s very nice to see you again, Sam Sanderson." Wolf said his voice rough like a growling beast.


    "The feeling is mutual, sir." Sam saluted, stering a fake smile on his face.


    "I have read youtest research paper and I have to say…" pausing for a moment, Wolf to a breath then added. "It''s quite impressive, indeed."


    "Thank you, sir. Your words mean a lot to me."


    "In truth one of the reasons behind today''s visit is that research of yours. I would like for you to join our meeting, Sanderson."


    "It would be my honor."


    Ending their short exchange, Wold turned around and smiled at Alice.


    "Alright then." He said. "Let''s get going."


    The two walked away, followed by the new Valkyries then Sam. As he was about to take a step someone walked over to him and marched by his side.


    "It''s been a while."


    Sam let out a sigh, feeling an inexplicable urge to let his shoulders slump.


    "It sure has."


    It was a short woman with slightly messy hair as if she never bothered to treat it with care. Her eyes spoke of her exhaustion, hidden behind a pair of round sses that put a certain Potter to shame. Her uniform was proper, at the very least. Still she gave off the distinct air of wanting to be anywhere but there, more than any of the soldiers that gathered in the runway that day.


    "She sure is beautiful." The woman said, her eyes locked at the white haired woman ahead of them. "I hope it was worth it."


    Letting a long sigh escape him, Sam kept his eyes ahead and said.


    "Listen, Elina, can we leave it forter? This isn''t the time for such discussions."


    "Well, we can always get a room, if that''s what you want." The woman, Elina, said with a slight smile.


    ~◇~


    Once the door to themander''s office closed Wolf turned to face Alice. He stares at her for a few seconds before spreading his arms.


    Silence fills the room as everyone waits for something to happen, however no one said anything and no one moved.


    "What?" Wolf said. "You haven''t seen your father in months and you won''t even offer him a hug?"


    Themander mask Alice wore suddenly fell and her face turned red. She looked around her checking the reaction of those present. Sam was standing by the door along with the three Valkyries and the woman who apanied them inside. Though the person with the highest authority is saying that it''s okay, she still didn''t feel that it''s the right time to be casual with their interactions.


    "Don''t tell me you''re too old for this now." Wold said, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Papa feels sad."


    "Please stop, father." Alice said. "This isn''t the time for something like this!"


    "Well, we won''t go anywhere until I get my hug!" Said Wolf.


    It was as if the overwhelming pressure he emitted a moment ago was gone, turning him to a simple old man who wanted nothing but his little girl to show him some affection.


    Knowing how stubborn he could get, Alice reluctantly approached his and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head into his chest.


    "Oh how I missed this feeling." Wolf said, gently patting her on the head. "You grew so distant, and you barely talk to me anymore. Papa was worried you hated him."


    "Father, can you please stop it?"


    ? Very few have seen this side of the man and Sam was one of them. But while others might think it''s adorable or endearing, Sam found it terrifying. The old man still sees his daughter as the little girl he raised on his own, and he''s way too overprotective of her, especially against men who show interest in her.


    There is a reason Alice only ever had fiances and not a single boyfriend. All of them go through a very strict screening and the bar is set really high for them even if they pass, which might be a big contributor to why they always end up running away.


    Sam had failed the screening right from the start. While Wolf was like a mentor to him, the man made it clear very early on that he would never allow him to be with his daughter. He literally said it right to his face, which might''ve been another reason as to why Sam never had the courage to confess.


    ''Too bad, old man.'' Sam thought, grinning in his mind. ''I won in the end.''


    After a long warm embrace Wolf finally let go of his daughter and once again put on the mentel of a general, clearing his throat with a cough before beginning the serious talk.


    "A lot has happened recently, and things have changed in the Resistance."


    Sam didn''t know when but at some point one of the Valkyries standing beside him had moved from her spot, prepared tea and was now in the process of serving it.


    "We have lost quite a few Valkyrie in a very short amount of time. And thanks to the one making them disappearing we are now left with a very small supply. It doesn''t really look good for humanity at the moment."


    "So it is true that Odin had disappeared…" Alice said.


    "Well, it was our fault for relying on him in the first ce." Said Wolf, taking a sip from his cup. "We should''ve expected that this would happen at some point."


    "But… how is the headquarters going to handle this situation?" Asked Alice.


    "Well, at the moment we are doing our best to fortify our defenses. That said, there isn''t much we can do, especially with the appearance of those new Cmities."


    "I still can''t believe it myself." Alice sighed, remembering the footage brought back by Zero Three and the others. "A talking Cmity… I felt like our understanding of the enemy wascking from the beginning."


    "Indeed. But that doesn''t change our objective. Unless they show the willingness to negotiate we have no choice but to continue fighting."


    It was difficult to see the Cmitiesming to the negotiation table when they''ve spent thest decade making sure humanity has one foot in the grave. The talking Cmities had enough power to destroy the Valkyries with a single touch. That made everything they fought so far seem insignificant, and knowing that the one holding the bigger stick gets to decide the terms of the negotiation humanity had no choice but to continue fighting to the bitter end.


    "Alice… no,mander Schneider." Wolf spoke, not as the doting father but one of the generals leading humanity''sst line of defence. "Big changes areing to the Resistance in the near future. The frontline will be redrawn once more and many of the bases will be disbanded and merged with others."


    Hearing that announcement, Sam and Alice couldn''t help but gawk at the old man.


    "It was decide that, due to the severity of the recent attacks, the forty sixth Resistance base will be put out ofmission with all troops, including the three Valkyries stationed here, being relocated to the headquarters in preparation for the next big battle."


    There was a lot to unpack in the news that had just been delivered. The forty sixth base will be shut down. The Resistance has seemed its existence unnecessary and decided to relocate everyone back to the headquarters.


    Just like everyone else Sam was aware that all the big shots, beside Wolf of course, couldn''t care less about the rest of the soldiers and only want the three Valkyries.


    It wasn''t that strange of a decision as there isn''t much point in expanding the frontline too much. Still, shutting down one of the bases that managed to withstand multiple attacks from potential S ss Cmities doesn''t seem like the wisest of choices.


    ''Something isn''t right.'' Sam thought, ncing at Elina beside him.


    He wasn''t expecting her to exin anything, however when he saw her smile once more he felt that something was off about it.