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At the entrance of the tall glass building, Atlas stood for a moment, taking in the sight of it — a towering structure of steel and light that reached far into the morning sky. Civilians in neat business attire came and went through the revolving doors, their chatter blending with the hum of city traffic.
He stood out among them.
Clad in his military uniform, dust still clinging faintly to his boots, he looked like a misplaced soldier from another world. A few passersby gave him curious glances, some even stepping aside instinctively.
Atlas adjusted the duffel on his shoulder and stepped forward.
Inside, the cool rush of air conditioning met him, cutting away the lingering heat from outside. The marble-floored lobby gleamed under soft white lights. The walls were lined with digital displays showing company logos and Federation project banners — Li Industries: Pioneering the Future of Humanity.
Behind the wide reception desk sat a young woman with neatly tied hair and a polite, rehearsed smile.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted pleasantly. "Welcome to Li Industries. Do you have an appointment today?"
Atlas opened his mouth to reply — but before he could, a familiar voice called from behind him.
"Sir Atlas — is that really you?"
Atlas turned, startled. A broad grin spread across his face as recognition struck.
"Sergeant Miller!" he exclaimed, stepping forward and extending a hand. "It's good to see you again."
The man approaching wore a security uniform, his left hand gripping an access badge, his right sleeve neatly pinned and empty. Despite the missing arm, his posture was proud, his expression stern but kind.
Miller's face softened into a genuine smile as he clasped Atlas's hand firmly.
"It's been far too long, sir. I heard you were coming back, but I didn't think it'd be this soon — or with that rank!" He chuckled, gesturing toward Atlas's insignia. "Sergeant First Class, huh? I might have to start saluting you every time I see you."
Atlas laughed. "Only if you feel like making me uncomfortable, Sergeant."
Miller turned toward the receptionist, his tone shifting back to his old command voice.
"This is Mr. Atlas Li, the eldest son of the owners. He doesn't need an appointment."
The young woman's eyes widened in shock. "O–oh! My apologies, Mr. Li! I didn't realize—"
Atlas raised a hand gently. "No harm done. You're new, right?"
She nodded quickly, cheeks flushed. "Yes, sir! First week on the job."
Atlas smiled reassuringly. "Then you're doing fine. Keep it up."
Miller chuckled softly as the receptionist sighed in relief. He turned back to Atlas. "Still the same as ever, sir. Never could bring yourself to scold anyone."
Atlas shrugged. "Guess old habits die hard." His eyes drifted briefly to Miller's pinned sleeve. "How's civilian life treating you?"
Miller hesitated, then gave a small smile tinged with something bittersweet.
"It's… different. But I'm managing. Guarding this place is a far cry from the front lines, but at least no one's shooting at me here."
Atlas nodded solemnly. "You've done your part, Sergeant. You're a hero — always have been."
Miller's eyes softened at that, and he gave a quiet chuckle. "You always were too kind, Doc. Come on — I'll take you up. Your mother's in her office, top floor."
They stepped into the elevator together. As the doors slid shut, the hum of the city faded, replaced by the soft mechanical whir as the lift ascended. The digital panel above them ticked steadily upward — 78… 89… 96… 104.
Miller glanced sideways. "Your father's still down below, by the way. Practically lives in that lab of his these days. Says he's close to cracking some new energy source. Honestly, I've stopped trying to understand half the things he says."
Atlas smiled faintly. "That sounds like him."
"Your mother's been keeping the company side running. Between the two of them, I'm not sure who works harder," Miller said, smirking. "I'll bet she's been counting the days till you walked through those doors."
Atlas's expression softened. "Yeah… it's been too long."
The elevator chimed.
Ding.
The doors opened to reveal a wide, elegant reception area filled with soft lighting, glass walls, and marble floors. A secretary sitting by the entrance looked up, eyes widening in recognition before quickly standing.
"Mr. Atlas Li," she said warmly. "Your mother's expecting you."
"Thank you," Atlas replied, giving a polite nod.
Miller gave a slight bow of his head. "Welcome home, sir. And… it's good to see you again."
Atlas smiled, patting the older man's shoulder. "You too, Sergeant. Take care of yourself."
He stepped toward the large double doors at the end of the hall. Taking a deep breath, he pushed them open.
Inside, sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Behind a sleek desk of dark glass sat a woman with sharp eyes, her hair tied neatly back, her presence commanding yet graceful.
Selena Li, CEO of Li Industries — and Atlas's mother.
She looked up from a datapad — surprise flashing across her face before it melted into joy.
"Atlas, my son!" she exclaimed, rising from her seat. "You're finally home!"
Atlas barely had time to speak before she crossed the room and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
He froze for a second — then hugged her back, the familiarity of it both strange and comforting.
For a brief moment, the world outside — the war, the noise, the weight of duty — disappeared.
When they finally pulled apart, Selena held him at arm's length, her eyes studying his face. "You've changed so much," she said softly. "And you've gotten thinner! Are they not feeding you in that army of yours?"
Atlas chuckled. "Mom, I'm fine. We get plenty to eat — even if it's not your cooking."
She smiled proudly, brushing his shoulder as though dusting off invisible dirt. "I still can't believe it. Sergeant First Class, at your age! Your grandfather's been bragging about you to everyone who'll listen."
Atlas grinned. "That sounds like him."
Selena gestured for him to sit on the sofa near the window. "Come, sit. Tell me everything."
He did.
For nearly an hour, Atlas spoke — carefully, thoughtfully. He told her of Sector Four, of the endless battles and the people he fought beside. He spoke of Aegis Squad, his team who became family, and how they'd fought, bled, and survived together. He explained how the Aegis-01 and Aegis-02 projects came to be, and how the Federation now used them to turn the tide of war.
When he mentioned the Alien Computer and the captured Alien Spaceship, Selena leaned forward, eyes bright with interest, though Atlas kept the details vague — he knew his father would want every scrap of data firsthand.
By the time he finished, Selena sat quietly, her expression a mixture of pride and awe.
"You've done so much… and endured even more," she said softly. "Your father will be thrilled to hear about all this. You know how obsessed he's been with alien technology for years."
Atlas smiled faintly. "Then I'd better go see him before he starts taking apart something important."
Selena laughed. "He's been buried in that lab again — something about a new power source that could change everything. I swear, if I didn't drag him out for meals, he'd forget the sun exists."
She walked him to the door, her hand resting gently on his arm. "Go on, then. He'll want to see you right away. And make sure you come back up for dinner. I've already had the kitchen prepare your favorites."
Atlas nodded. "I'll be there."
He stepped into the private elevator that led down to the underground research floors — his father's domain. As the doors closed, he caught one last glimpse of his mother, smiling proudly at him.
For the first time in years, Atlas Li felt a strange, quiet warmth in his chest — something he hadn't felt in a long time.
He was home.
But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.
The war wasn't over. Humanity's future still hung in the balance.
And somewhere beneath this very building, another chapter of that future was waiting to begin.
PS: Please support me on patreon there 125+ chapters there)
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