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The ship docked smoothly at Kernel Tower\'s hangar bay, and the engines shut down with a hiss. Ashton let out a sigh of relief as he unbuckled his seat belt and stood up, stretching his arms and legs. It felt good to be back home, even if it was just for a short while.

As the doors slid open, the victorious team led by Ashton walked out. They stepped out one by one, their presence commanding attention amidst the hustle and bustle of the docking bay.

He walked over to the loading ramp and found Leon already there, waiting for them. 

"Welcome back, boss," Leon said, saluting Ashton.

"You\'re not going to stop doing that anytime soon, are you?" Ashton asked. Clearly, he had had enough of Leon\'s shenanigans. "Either way, how\'s everything been here?"

"Pretty good, all things considered. We\'ve been busy with the usual stuff, but nothing too crazy," Leon replied, shrugging. "Vimur and Viper have been diligently training the newbies."

"That\'s good," Ashton nodded and then turned to the rest of his team. "Alright, everyone. Let\'s get to work. We\'ve got a lot of materials to unload and sort through."

The team got to work unloading crates and sorting through the spoils of their recent battle. Ashton watched as they worked. He wanted to assist them, but his team didn\'t support his sentiments. 

In their opinion, he had worked the most, so he deserved a rest, and none of them wanted to hear otherwise. So Ashton made his peace by watching them work. 

Leon stood at the forefront, ready to assist as they unloaded the materials they had gathered from the fallen Drakonians. Vimur arrived just in time to help them. 

With his muscular physique and unwavering dedication, he swiftly organised the process, ensuring that the valuable resources were handled carefully, as anything relating to the Drakonian was impossible to come by, even in the black market. 

Ashton glanced around, taking in the familiar surroundings of Kernel Tower. The towering structure floated through the space using high-powered thrusters. 

Its sleek design was a testament to the power and influence of the organisation it housed. And thinking about one day it would belong to him made Ashton unnerved. 

Just as the team finished unloading, a familiar figure approached, followed by a couple of security guards. Mazton strode towards them with an air of authority. His sharp suit and confident demeanour conveyed a sense of professionalism, though his eyes sparkled with genuine admiration.

"Congratulations, Reaper," Mazton said, extending his hand in a firm handshake. "You and your team have accomplished a remarkable feat. The Kernel Tower is proud to have allies of your calibre."

Ashton reciprocated the handshake, a sense of gratification warming his heart. "Thanks, but what\'s with the official tone all of a sudden?"

"It\'s because of this," Mazton\'s eyes flickered with appreciation before he reached into his pocket and retrieved a sealed envelope. "On behalf of the Orion Empire, I have been tasked with delivering this invitation to you and your Lieutenants."

"Invitation from the Empire? What for?"

"Sorry, I\'m not allowed to read the contents myself."

"Fine..."

Ashton took the envelope, his curiosity piqued. He recognised the seal of the Orion Empire, an emblem of prestige and power. Breaking the seal, he unfolded the letter and read its contents.

"It seems the Orion Empire wishes to extend an invitation to a formal reception," Ashton remarked, a note of intrigue lacing his words. "They acknowledge our victory over Phantom and the Drakonians and wish to honour us."

"Hm... isn\'t that interesting. The Orion Empire recognises your potential and the significance of your accomplishments." Mazton nodded. "Attending the party will be an opportunity to forge alliances, deepen connections, and gain further support for your cause."

He continued, "Moreover, it would be a great opportunity to look into the Cult, as I\'m sure those fuckers won\'t sit idle for long. They might even be hiding amongst their ranks as we speak."

"That\'s true," Ashton mumbled. "From what I know about the cult, they aren\'t ones to not take advantage of a situation like that."

Ashton\'s eyes gleamed with anticipation. He understood the importance of such events—moments where political and strategic ties could be formed.

"We shall attend the party, Mazton. Please convey our gratitude and acceptance to the Orion Empire."

Mazton smiled, his approval evident. "I will make the necessary arrangements. You and your Lieutenants will be well-prepared for the occasion. 

It is a chance to showcase the strength and capabilities of the formidable team you have assembled and strike fear in the heart of those Cultists."

"Of course, thanks for the help, as always."

"Oh, before I leave, I heard you had quite the adventure out there," Mazton said, smiling.

"It was definitely an interesting trip," Ashton replied, returning the smile.

With that, Mazton and his security guards left the hangar bay, leaving Ashton and his team to finish unloading their materials. 

The team continued their diligent work, unloading crates and carefully organising the spoils they had acquired from the Drakonian battle. The hangar bay was abuzz with activity, the clatter of equipment and the occasional exchange of instructions filling the air.

As they worked, Anna approached Ashton, her brow furrowed with curiosity. 

"So, what\'s in the letter?" she asked, her eyes glancing towards the envelope.

"It\'s an invitation from the Orion Empire," he replied, handing her the letter. "They want us to attend a formal party as guests of honour."

Otiga chimed in, her voice filled with playful anticipation. "Well, if we\'re going to attend a fancy party, we must ensure we\'re prepared. We\'ll need the perfect outfits to match our status.

Kass, who had been silently observing the conversation, smirked. "I don\'t care if I have to go there wearing a bikini as long as they provide free booze."

Ashton couldn\'t help but chuckle at their banter. Despite the intense nature of their missions, moments like these reminded him of the comradeship he had found among his team. They had become more than just colleagues; they were like family.

As the conversation concluded, Leon approached, his steps purposeful. "The materials have been safely secured, Ashton. They will be taken to the designated storage facility for further processing."

Ashton acknowledged Leon with a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Leon. Oh, and could you tell everyone to be prepared for a royal feast?"

Leon smiled and nodded. "Rest assured, I\'ll teach everyone the proper code and etiquette they\'d need to follow."

"You\'re a lifesaver."