Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 172: The Vanguard Squad

Chapter 172: The Vanguard Squad

On the desolate surface of Wyrmtrace, Mandy raced across the rugged terrain in her Lev, the sleek vehicle hovering inches above the ground as it zoomed forward with incredible speed.

Ahead of her, two giant bees—though not of the highest rank—darted through the air as if they were leading her somewhere mysterious.

"The queen bee wouldn’t just cut off contact like this unless something serious happened," Mandy muttered, her gaze locked on the creatures flying in front of them. "I’m afraid we need to tell HER about this."

She turned toward Caesara, who sat casually in the driver’s seat, looking completely at ease.

Caesara leaned against the window frame, her hand lazily dangling outside as the wind whipped through her braids, sending them fluttering like streamers.

"Beasts," she said with a shrug, "especially the big ones, have their own weird quirks."

A mischievous smirk crept across her face. "Anyway, isn’t SHE just doing her internship? You sure you’re not blowing this up by dragging her into it?"

Mandy shook her head, her tone unwavering. "It’s exactly because she’s on that internship that we need to keep her in the loop."

Caesara shot her a sidelong glance, her expression curious.

Mandy hadn’t been on Wyrmtrace for even a month, but she was already starting to show traces of Sis Marv’s sharp, hyper-cautious ways. A surprising shift in someone who usually acted so carefree.

Meanwhile, Lyra was receiving the latest update as her ship prepared to land. Around her, fellow interns buzzed with chatter, excitement thick in the air as everyone made their way toward the exit ramp.

The noise grated on Lyra’s nerves, and she frowned as she adjusted her earpiece to speak. "Any clue what caused it?"

Mandy’s voice crackled through, heavy with concern. "We’ve seen stuff like this before, but there’s no sign of a rank-up. Then bam—the queen bee cuts all ties with the base. Feels like she’s hurt."

The queen bee had been working with them for nearly three years, long enough to show signs of trust. For her to suddenly go dark was out of character.

Most high-level beasts only acted that way when they were wounded or protecting something precious, usually their young. But considering the queen was constantly in reproductive mode, the first scenario seemed more likely.

The ship trembled as it pierced through the atmosphere, a feeling that always made Lyra’s stomach lurch.

She stared out the window, taking in the sight of towering mountains and swirling clouds below. "Keep digging," she ordered. "If anything strange pops up, report it to me right away."

After a pause, her voice softened. "If things are still quiet after twenty days, pass the baton to Koros and join the internship. We need you here too."

Mandy’s reply came swiftly. "Got it."

...

The planet Demetra was everything the rumors said it would be.

Bathed in the radiant glow of twin suns hanging side by side in the sky, the landscape was alive with warmth and endless growth.

Rolling green plains stretched as far as the eye could see, a testament to the planet’s perfectly engineered design.

Perched high on a plateau, a massive military base dominated the horizon. Its imposing black-and-white structure stood like a sentinel against the lush green backdrop.

The base was wrapped in the Aegis Shield, a shimmering barrier that glowed like a colossal bubble, protecting everything within its bounds.

Inside, tall watchtowers rose like spikes into the sky, while fighter jets and surveillance drones buzzed constantly overhead, a reminder of the base’s unrelenting vigilance.

Lyra’s ship touched down just outside the military base in a bustling port city. This hub was the gateway for all goods flowing in and out of Demetra.

On a normal day, hundreds of ships would pass through without a second thought, but lately, the threat of space pirates had everyone on edge. The tension was palpable.

Once on the ground, Lyra and her crew went through a painstakingly thorough security check before meeting their liaison.

They were then escorted to the base in a massive transport vehicle, cruising through streets lined with greenery and vibrant flowers.

The buildings they passed were charming yet functional, their sandy-colored bricks designed to withstand the planet’s intense heat.

Everywhere Lyra looked, people had turned their balconies into lush little gardens, overflowing with potted plants and vegetables.

Automatic misters sprayed fine droplets over the foliage, creating tiny rainbows that glittered in the sunlight.

Demetra was a planet that celebrated life in every corner, from the carefully nurtured plants to the architecture that seemed to blend seamlessly with the environment.

The entrance to the military base boasted an intricate carving of a single rose, its delicate petals meticulously etched into the steel doors.

As soon as Lyra and the others crossed the threshold, they were engulfed by the familiar atmosphere of cold, polished metal and the hum of cutting-edge technology.

The lively energy of the outside world vanished, replaced by the stern, disciplined mood that ruled within these walls.

They were swiftly led to a vast training ground, where everyone assembled according to their assigned classes.

The air was thick with anticipation as the students stood at attention, awaiting further instruction.

The moment nearby guards snapped into a crisp salute, it was clear someone important had arrived.

A man strode forward, ahead of the others, his look radiating authority. His eyes swept over the gathered recruits with a confident smile, then he turned slightly, speaking with a touch of admiration. "Vice Admiral Shedd, I must admit, I’m impressed. You’ve managed to gather quite the promising batch of recruits."

As the man stepped further into view, an audible gasp rippled through the crowd.

He was undeniably striking. His chestnut-brown hair was casually tied back, with a few loose strands framing his perfectly sculpted face.

His amber eyes gleamed like polished gemstones, catching the sunlight.

His features were so flawless they almost didn’t seem real—sharp nose, full lips with a slight rosy hue—yet, despite his beauty, his towering figure and commanding look left no doubt about his power.

He was dressed in a pristine white military uniform adorned with the insignia of a rose on his shoulder, a fresh rose pinned proudly to his chest.

This was Vice Admiral Leandro, commander of the elite Legion of the Rose. Beside him was Ansel, a quieter, more reserved man, yet no less impressive in his own right. His look, while subtler, exuded a similar level of authority.

Immediately, Andre and the other instructors snapped to attention, their voices sharp and synchronized. "Salute! To Vice Admiral Shedd and Vice Admiral Leandro!"

The students, momentarily stunned by Leandro’s appearance, scrambled to follow suit. Their legs clicked together as they lifted their hands in a hasty salute.

As silence fell over the training ground, two pairs of eyes drifted toward the front row of Class A.

Lyra could feel them—intense, analyzing gazes that seemed to linger longer than usual.

Ansel quickly averted his eyes, stepping forward to address the crowd, but Leandro’s stare lingered a little longer on Lyra. His smile returned, but his eyes had narrowed briefly, as though sizing her up, before he continued down the line.

"First of all, welcome to your internship with the Legion Skywalkers," Leandro announced, his voice smooth and charismatic. "Every soldier here is a mentor, someone you can learn from."

After a brief introduction, Ansel stepped up to explain their assignments. "Each of you will be randomly placed within different squads. Your leaders will give you specific tasks, and you’ll be expected to perform them to the best of your abilities. I will now read out the names."

Erin stepped forward. She glanced briefly at someone in the group with a flicker of irritation in her eyes, and then she focused on the screen in front of her.

"When I call your name, step forward and meet your leaders. Delta Squad 29: Finn Phlis..."

The list of assignments continued, and the interns were gradually dispersed across various divisions.

Some were placed in reconnaissance teams, others in logistics or support roles, with further specialization into mecha pilots, medical units, or fighter squadrons.

It was the typical process for interns, who were usually placed in safer, less risky roles.

The vanguard squads—the elite soldiers who were the first to engage in combat—were strictly off-limits for trainees due to the danger and skill required.

As more names were called and the pool of students dwindled, only a handful from AMAT remained.

An uneasy feeling settled over Andre as the realization hit him. Something was off.

Finally, Erin’s voice rang out eagerly, almost too quick. "The remaining five students will join Alpha 10."

Andre’s face darkened instantly. His voice was sharp as a blade as he spoke up. "I object!" His eyes bore into Ansel as he stood his ground. "With all due respect, my students are not equipped for the mecha vanguard squad."

A ripple of shock passed through the students. Thierry and the others exchanged worried looks, their minds racing at what they had just heard.

The mecha vanguard squad? For interns? That was unheard of. The vanguard squads were the military’s frontline warriors, and to place trainees there was essentially a death sentence for those unprepared.

All eyes shifted toward Lyra, now the obvious focal point of the situation. There was no mistaking it—this wasn’t random.

The Shedd family’s influence had clearly made its move, and it seemed Lyra was the target.

Thierry and the others watched anxiously, knowing that the vanguard was no place for a rookie, especially not one who was already under such intense scrutiny.

Lyra’s heart raced as she felt the weight of the situation closing in. The mecha vanguard squad wasn’t just dangerous—it was a proving ground for the elite. And now, it was clear: she was being thrown into the fire, whether she liked it or not.

Thierry and the others couldn’t shake their worry for Lyra. It was clear the Shedd family had plans for her, and it seemed like they were pushing her into waters far deeper than a typical internship.

"Andre, you’re underestimating them," Ansel replied smoothly, his voice like ice over water, calm and unmoving. His gaze was cold, unreadable, as he sized up Andre. "Alpha 10 operates at a level beyond what you’re used to. Even their lowest-ranked members have superpowers at level five. These interns need challenges that match their potential, not hand-holding."

The statement hit like a warning shot. This wasn’t just about any squad—it was about a squad that was beyond the elite, even surpassing the soldiers in the prestigious Alpha 1.

Andre’s jaw tightened. His voice, however, remained steady as he fired back. "Potential doesn’t replace experience," he argued, his tone unwavering. "Yes, they’re talented, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready for the frontlines. They need guidance, not unnecessary risk."