The sounds of the city below filtered into Rae's room through the opened balcony doors. Upon landing in Daedoeshi, Adira housed the rescued members of Unit R with the soldiers from the unit she commanded in a secured skyreacher not too far from where the summit was to be held. The moon was nearing its peak as Rae stood just before the glass railing that enclosed his room's balcony.

The cold night wind rippled through the colonel's chocolate brown hair and flowed through the soft fabric of his shirt. The members of Unit R who had been taken under the general's wing for the moment had all been provided new clothes and equipment and were instructed to rest until given further instructions. Rae was antsy to begin searching for the lost members of his unit, but General Adira had instructed Rae that he was not to be dismissed until after the summit had concluded.

Why Adira was so keen on Rae attending the summit, he could not say. But he could not care less. What he cared about was finding Axel. So, as he stood on his balcony, Rae became determined to go and find the three.

Rae was about to spread his wings and take to the sky to search for his missing unit members when a knock on his door sounded. Not wanting to give away his intent to leave the skyreacher Unit R was currently stationed in, Rae folded his wings back against his back and hid them as he retreated into the room and answered the door. A major who served as Adira's righthand bowed his head upon Rae opening the door.

"General Adira wishes to speak with you. Follow me, please." After relaying the message, the major turned and began walking down the room-lined corridor.

Why does she need to speak with me? Did something happen? Rae released a short breath before reluctantly following the major to the lift. Rae and the colonel were silent as they boarded the lift and began ascending through the tall building. Rae stared straight on and began wondering why Adira had called for him. Hoping it was not for anything grave, Rae's eye twitched slightly as a quiet sound began to pulse in his mind.

Col...Colonel...

Rae's brows furrowed as he heard a staticky voice attempting to reach him. Kilo? Recognizing the voice, Rae closed his eyes and focused on the telepathic link with the lt. colonel. The more he focused on the guardian's voice, the clearer it became.

We have grouped with Unit K-4 of the EDF and are approximately fifteen minutes out from Daedoeshi. What is your location, Colonel?

The lift neared its stop as Rae engaged in silent conversation with Kilo. We are with General Adira in Daedoeshi. Find a place to lay low for now. Keep Axel with you. I shall contact you when it is safe to regroup.

Ae, Colonel.

With that, Rae quickly severed the telepathic link with Kilo and focused on the task at hand. Now that he knew Kilo, Castyr, and Axel were about to arrive in Daedoeshi safely, Rae could delay his search and investigate Adira's reasoning behind bringing him to the summit with her.

As the lift stopped at the top level of the skyreacher, the major brought Rae out of the glass tube where they entered into a luxurious restaurant with a 360-degree view of the city.

Adira was seated at a table beside a corner window with a fresh pot of tea brewing and two cups made of pearl. The major promptly left the restaurant upon delivering Rae to Adira, who motioned for the colonel to sit across from her. "Are you settling in nicely?" The general inquired as Rae took his seat.

"As best I can," Rae returned as he watched Adira pour the steaming tea into the two pearl cups. Adira slid one of the teacups toward Rae as she began, "I thought I would brief you on what has happened during the months you were training your unit in Nature's Preserve."

Hearing Adira's reasoning behind calling him to her, Rae remained silent and inclined his head slightly to signal the general to continue.

"The HDD sent reinforcements the moment news arrived of the invasion of Dexys. However, since the Transport Tower had been destroyed, it took three weeks before the first wave arrived." Adira took a sip of tea before adding, "Dexys was unrecognizable when Admiral Vendir reached Earth, and the angelic units that had been stranded, including yours, were nowhere to be found... We thought we had lost you."

Adira's voice had lowered as she recounted the many battles she and Vendir had fought to stop Hades from completely destroying the western regions. "We lost many angels..."

The general paused for a moment to steady her breath before continuing, "After fighting endlessly for nearly a month, I had begun to track your unit's movements and hoped to recover what was left. I had tracked you to the edge of Daedoeshi and was about to head west when I was ordered to return to the Heavens to escort a fresh wave to aid in the war. Upon my return to Earth, I received reports of a horde of demons that were heading southwest from Dexys and was scorching everything in their path."

"So, we took a small detour...and that is how I found you," Adira concluded with a small smile.

Silence fell between Rae and Adira as the general took another sip of tea. When Adira set her cup back on the table, she added, "The EDF moved their headquarters to Daedoeshi in an attempt to gather more support from the East. Grand Colonel Hendry has been the Heavens' ambassador for Earth and has aided the EDF greatly in gathering their allies for the summit. He is currently negotiating with Devyn Vaumyr to earn his support in the war and has invited him to attend the summit as well."

Upon ending her brief, Adira brought her teacup to her lips once more as Rae said, "Thank you for the update, General."

Rae's thanks brought a small smile to the general's lips, and she returned. "Ho, now. What's this? Colonel Rae thanked me? I shall have to mark the calendar. This is rare indeed."

Rae furrowed his brows at Adira's reaction, and she chuckled slightly at seeing his perplexed expression. "It is rare because you did not thank me even when I saved you and returned you to the Heavens. But you thank me for this small thing. I must say, you are quite the enigma, Rae."

Rae's light-hearted, perplexed face quickly morphed into a grave, distant expression. The subject of Rae returning to the Heavens was something everyone trod lightly and usually tried to avoid discussing. Adira noticed the shift in the colonel's demeanor and quickly shut her lips. She was aware that Rae always became withdrawn and cold whenever the incident was mentioned and was embarrassed that she had let her tongue slip.

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave," Rae voiced as he stood to his feet and bowed to Adira before quickly turning and leaving the table.

Adira released a sigh as she watched the colonel walk away from her. I wonder why he's still touchy about the incident; it's been so long. Is it because he does not know what happened? The general set her chin on the edge of her palm as she watched the angel enter the lift and leave the restaurant. You're an enigma, Rae. An enigma only I understand. An enigma only I know the answer to.

+++++

"Arrival in three minutes," Unit K-4's pilot announced as the speed craft neared the massive city of Daedoeshi. In reaction to the pilot's announcement, Major Iero took the co-pilot's chair and activated the comms on the ship.

"Contacting Tower at the Nest. This is Major Iero, Unit K-4, EDF. Requesting landing pad for SS-731. Over."

A short moment passed before a reply was heard. "Contact received. This is Tower. Please provide departure point. Over."

"Tower, this is Major Iero. Departure point is Branch Swallow. Over."

"Departure point of Branch Swallow is noted. Confirm destination, Major. Over."

"Destination is Nest. Requesting landing pad. Over."

"Request is being processed. Please wait for further instructions. Over."

Hearing the major's conversation with the control tower at the Nest, Unit K-4's pilot slowed the ship's speed and hovered just above the landing pads branching out from the Nest. Axel watched various ships and fighter jets land and take off from the pads and strips below, and he turned to Maelynn to inquire what was below them.

"What's the 'Nest' the major was talking about?" The curious hangel asked of the lieutenant.

Maelynn was quick to answer Axel's question. "The 'Nest' is the largest military air station in the eastern regions. It is the air station that services Daedoeshi and houses most of the EDF's aircraft now that headquarters have been moved to Daedoeshi."

Axel nodded his head in thanks for the explanation before returning to observing the ships coming and going from the Nest. He continued to watch the many aircrafts land, cruise, dock, and take flight until the agent at the Tower made contact with further instructions.

"Landing for SS-731 has been granted. Proceed to Pad D-18. Hover for five minutes before touching down. Confirm when landing is complete. Over."