"The northern border post of Torrel Bend remains peaceful under the afternoon sun," Captain Kendra reported through the secure communications crystal, her gaze sweeping over the defensive palisades.
"We have held our positions along the perimeter line for eighteen hours without taking a single aggressive step forward," Lieutenant Valen stated, resting his arm against the wooden guard rail.
"The Directorate garrison inside the city has remained locked within their barracks since noon," Sergeant Ross noted, checking the optical tracking binoculars.
"Every soldier under my command understands that we are here to liberate, not conquer," Kendra said firmly, adjusting the silver insignia on her leather breastplate.
"If we cross that boundary line uninvited, the Directorate propaganda channels will label us an invading army," Kendra explained to her junior officers.
"So we wait for the citizens to make their own free choice," Lieutenant Valen agreed with a respectful nod.
