Chapter 16 – Border Base: A Place Between Hell and Heaven
The sky above the temporary base remained gloomy—a bluish-gray hue typical of the atmosphere of a polluted world. But compared to outside the walls, where death and destruction lurked at every step, inside here… it felt like a miracle.
The base was constructed of lightweight black adamantium-coated metal, with defensive turrets lining the corners, and walls of plasma energy protecting the perimeter. High-tech field tents stood in order, each with life-support systems and warm lighting that made it seem like a small home in the middle of a burning desert.
In the center of the base area, civilians were being examined by Astra's medical team. They were given clean clothes, synthetic nutritious food, and greeted with a professional hospitality that surprised many of them.
Claire looked around, transfixed by the giant combat units moving calmly like metal gods.
"These… are not ordinary humans," she murmured.
Alice stood not far from her, hugging her newly-received field jacket. Near them, a Salamander Space Marine—standing like a living statue, tall and sturdy with dark green armor and a symbol of fire on his shoulder.
A small child, a girl with messy curly hair, slowly approached him. In her hands was a shabby green doll, the color of which was very similar to the Space Marine's armor.
The child lifted the doll, then looked at it innocently. "You are... the angel of fire, huh?"
The Space Marine slowly lowered his head. His voice was deep, but warm like coals that did not hurt.
> "I am only a protector. But you... you are brave, little one. Keep guarding your doll. It will be strong... because you are strong."
The child smiled, then spontaneously hugged the large armor's leg before running back to his group. Several soldiers smiled slightly at the moment.
Carlos sat on the steps of the transport vehicle, watching the interaction.
"I still can't make sense of all this. We were saved... not by a mere human, but... some kind of god of war," he muttered.
Alice stared at the symbol hanging from the main tower of the base—a floating golden crown, surrounded by star-shaped flames.
And for the first time in a very long time, he believed: maybe there was hope in this world after all.