On their way home from school, children sang cheerfully:
"The Everglow arrives, pirates flee;
Build the base, raise the homes;
Till the land, harvest the fields!"
From her office window in the military base, Lyra squinted against the glow of the setting sun. The silhouettes of newly constructed buildings rose in the distance, filling the horizon with hope and the promise of progress.
Just then, Phelixes knocked on her door and stepped in, carrying a steaming bowl of soup. "Sis, dinner is ready."
With manpower stretched thin, Phelixes, in his role as adjutant, had also taken on the responsibility of preparing her meals. He embraced the duty with enthusiasm.
"This is sweet soup," he said as he placed it down. "I noticed your voice sounded hoarse during the meeting today. Drink this; it'll help."
Lyra nodded, took a sip, and raised her eyebrows slightly. "Make this again tomorrow."