The Mask

The two Triesenberg pilots, Hans and Dieter, stood silently just inside the entrance of the hangar, their eyes scanning the room as they waited. The Valorian military presence was everywhere—guards stationed at strategic points, eyes sharp, hands never far from their weapons. The tension in the air was palpable, though the pilots remained outwardly composed.

After a few moments, the heavy doors of the hangar swung open, and a woman entered. She was dressed in a sleek, dark navy uniform that was adorned with subtle symbols of authority. Her stride was purposeful, her posture commanding, but there was a calmness in her eyes that suggested she was accustomed to handling high-stakes situations.

The Valorian officer who had escorted the pilots stepped forward to introduce her. "This is Minister Emily Harris, Valoria's Minister of Foreign Affairs."