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Chapter 42 - The decision came quietly.

The request came the next morning.

Formal. Clean. Unavoidable.

Vineyard's command hall was full when Snow Team assembled, its stone walls catching the low murmur of voices that cut off the moment Victor stepped inside. The mood was different this time. No testing glances. No posturing.

Respect.

The commander stood at the head of the table, hands braced against scarred stone. His face was drawn, the kind of tightness that came from bad numbers and worse maps.

"There's a migration," he said. "Hordes moving west. Not wandering. Directed."

Voss leaned forward immediately, eyes sharp. "Toward what?"

"Survivors," the commander replied. "A settlement roughly a month's walk out. Scattered groups. Civilians. Low-level fighters. They won't hold."

Victor didn't hesitate. "We'll clear it."

A beat. Then the commander nodded. "And escort them back if possible."

Damien spoke for the first time, voice quiet but cutting. "And if not?"

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