Jackson steps closer to Andreas and lowers his voice.

  “I’ve found something top secret,” he whispers.

  “I think we might have a spy among our group.”

  Andreas turns his head slightly, studying him.

  “A spy?” he asks.

  Jackson nods.

  “If I’m wrong, it could cause unnecessary drama.”

  “If I’m right… it’s dangerous.”

  “Could you clear the room? Just to be safe.”

  Andreas looks him over.

  His eyes drop to the name tag on the uniform.

  HANS REPIOR

  “And how exactly did you get intel about a spy among our own?” Andreas asks.

  Jackson answers calmly,

  “I’ll explain everything.”

  “But please — get everyone out first. It’s for the better.”

  Andreas exhales, then claps once, loud and sharp.

  “Alright,” he shouts.

  “Everyone out. Except you, Blake.”

  He gestures toward Jackson.

  “I have important information to discuss with this cadet.”

  The room begins to clear.

  As people pass, Jackson glances toward Andreas.

  “I trust him.”

  Jackson nods once.

  “Okay.”

  The door seals shut.

  Andreas turns back toward the window, eyes fixed on the stronghold outside.

  “So, cadet,” he says.

  “Talk.”

  Jackson walks toward the holographic tactics table and activates it.

  “You remember how we got attacked on our first day here,” he says.

  “By Group Two.”

  “Yeah,” Andreas replies.

  Jackson continues,

  “There were rumors afterward.”

  “That someone slipped into our base during the attack.”

  “Disguised as one of us.”

  Andreas, interest sparked.

  “Continue, cadet.”

  Jackson’s jaw tightens.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he snaps.

  “Look at me when I’m talking.”

  “Have some respect.”

  “You’re still a nobody.”

  He shoots Blake.

  Blake freezes mid-step and collapses.

  Andreas reacts on instinct, spinning and reaching for his pistol—

  A shot cracks.

  His wrist locks solid.

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  Another shot hits his left knee.

  Andreas drops to one knee.

  Jackson stands over him.

  Mocking.

  “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?” Jackson says.

  “Kneeling to me like I’m your Emperor.”

  “I’m honored, though.”

  Andreas looks up, furious and confused.

  “Who are you?” he shouts.

  Jackson smiles.

  “I’m only your best friend.”

  He reaches up, removes the cap.

  “Surprise.”

  “…Jackson,” Andreas breathes, emotion flooding his face.

  Jackson turns and fires into the entry panel.

  The door locks.

  “No one’s coming in,” he says.

  He turns back slowly.

  “So, Andreas,” Jackson continues.

  “What a pity — seeing you like this.”

  “You always talk so big.”

  “Didn’t you say you were going to eliminate me?”

  He chuckles.

  “I expected more of a fight.”

  “Didn’t think you were this stupid.”

  Andreas snarls.

  “So you fucking lied to me,” he shouts.

  “Cleared the room so you could take me out?”

  “Is that really your plan?”

  Jackson’s tone drops. Cold.

  “I never lied,” he says.

  “I don’t do that.”

  “I hate people who lie.”

  Cut — Red Rear Position

  Aladin’s comm suddenly rings.

  Sagoya’s voice bursts through, breathless.

  “Hey,” he shouts.

  “A group of Blue guys followed us.”

  “They took out everyone.”

  “I’m the only one left.”

  Lardes grabs the phone.

  “What do you mean everyone?”

  “Where the fuck is Julian?”

  Sagoya is running, breathing hard.

  “I’ll explain when I get to you guys.”

  The line cuts.

  Lardes lowers the phone, furious.

  “That Sagoya dude really pisses me off,” he shouts.

  “Lardes, quiet,” Jeff says sharply.

  “No,” Lardes snaps.

  “I’m not staying quiet.”

  “I’m going there myself.”

  Jeff grabs him.

  “No, you’re not,” he says.

  “That’s a suicide mission.”

  They struggle.

  In the background, Aladin watches silently, eyes darting between them.

  Sagoya stumbles into view moments later.

  Everyone raises their weapons instantly.

  “Talk,” Lardes shouts.

  “What happened out there?”

  Sagoya bends forward, catching his breath.

  “You remember Brody?”

  “No,” Lardes snaps.

  “Who the fuck is that?”

  “One of the Blue guys who got away.”

  Lardes narrows his eyes.

  “How the fuck do you know his name?”

  Sagoya exhales.

  “Can you calm down?”

  “No,” Lardes fires back.

  “You were in charge of the flag room.”

  “You’re the only one who survived.”

  “Same shit at the tower.”

  “You disappear, then come back clean.”

  “You’re always safe.”

  “Never in danger.”

  Sagoya clenches his fists.

  “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “No, you don’t!” Lardes shouts.

  Jeff steps in.

  “Enough,” he says firmly.

  “Everyone calm down.”

  Sagoya presses on.

  “They followed us.”

  “The remaining Blue guys.”

  “I was hiding when they ambushed us.”

  “There was only Julian in the room.”

  Lardes stares at him.

  “And why were you hiding?”

  Sagoya snaps.

  “You know what? Fuck you.”

  Jeff cuts in.

  “Okay. Thank you, Sagoya.”

  “Anything else?”

  Sagoya hesitates.

  “They called for backup.”

  “They attacked like they knew exactly what was happening.”

  Jeff nods.

  “Thanks.”

  He dismisses Sagoya, then pulls Lardes aside.

  “And you believe that bullshit?” Lardes snaps.

  “He literally did nothing.”

  Jeff lowers his voice.

  “Look,” he says.

  “Let me let you in on a secret.”

  Lardes glares at him.

  “Sagoya’s told me he had a really bad past with weapons and violence.”

  “Since childhood.”

  Lardes scoffs.

  “Don’t all of us?”

  Jeff looks him straight in the eyes.

  “His dad shot his mom right in front of him.”

  “Then abandoned him.”

  “Left him alone on a war-torn planet.”

  Lardes’ calms down.

  But still doesn′t fully believe it

  He says nothing.

  They walk back.

  Lardes stops in front of Sagoya.

  Sagoya meets his eyes.

  “I get why you’d be suspicious,” he says.

  “But I’m one of you.”

  Lardes just Looks at him.

  Cut — Instructor Observation Room

  Holo-screens glow with overlapping feeds.

  One instructor laughs softly.

  “Oh wow,” he says.

  “The tension’s peaking every minute.”

  “This is entertaining.”

  A holographic call comes in.

  They answer.

  We don’t see the face.

  Only legs propped on a table.

  A relaxed torso.

  “What an honor,” one instructor says.

  “Warlord of the Fourth Seat.”

  The man yawns.

  “No need for formalities,” he says jokingly.

  “What brings you here, sir?” another asks.

  The man replies,

  “I was just wondering…”

  “Have any interesting faces popped up yet for scouting?”

  Music begins to rise.

  Quick cuts:

  — Jeff regrouping his unit

  — Maximus entering the stronghold from the left

  — Jackson standing over Andreas

  — A Green cadet mowing Orange down with twin MGs

  — Samson Retchfield sitting at a holo-table, fingers pressed together beneath his nose, thinking

  Over it all, an instructor speaks.

  “Oh yes,” he says.

  “There are several interesting individuals emerging from recent interactions.”

  “There’s a lot of promise here, sir.”

  Final cut.

  Aladin’s phone vibrates.

  ANONYMOUS NUMBER