After two decades in the fight, Cabe thought he was done. But when a young soldier spirals after a tragic mission, stepping back in might be the only way to save him. A military sci-fi novella of trauma, loyalty, and doing whatever it takes.

Cabe has traded front-line combat for a quieter role on Pike Station, helping wounded soldiers recover and recalibrate. It’s stable, structured—and just distant enough from the chaos he used to call home.

Mason was once one of Intergal’s best. But after losing his team and learning that his closest friend—the mission’s only other survivor—took his own life, he’s spiraling, and no one is willing to catch him.

Until Cabe steps in.

What begins as an unexpected encounter becomes a reckoning. For Mason, it’s a fight for his sanity and future. For Cabe, it’s a reminder that duty isn’t always about orders—and that sometimes, taking care of your own means doing whatever it takes.

Set in the Shadows of Peace universe, this origin story blends psychological depth with sharp military realism—perfect for fans of emotional sci-fi, trauma recovery fiction, and character-driven stories where loyalty is earned the hard way.