After two months away from Fortex Headquarters, Furqon and Zafran returned to the command center to a very different atmosphere than when they had left. As soon as they stepped out of the main hangar, they were greeted with cheers and applause from the members of the Unified Division who had been waiting eagerly for their arrival.
"Welcome back, Captain Furqon and Captain Zafran!" shouted Gibran, standing at the front of the crowd with a wide smile.
A small banner reading "Welcome Back" hung from the ceiling of the main hall, and long tables filled with food and drinks lined the room. The entire headquarters came alive, filled with a rare joy that broke away from the usual day-to-day routine.
Furqon and Zafran looked at each other, surprised by the overwhelming reception."What is all this?" Furqon asked, half-laughing.
"It's just a small celebration from us," answered one of the Unified Division members. "You've both worked hard at the time machine facility. It's time you took a break and enjoyed being back."
Zafran nodded, offering a small smile."Seems like we were really missed."
Gibran stepped forward with two drinks in hand."You know, without you two, the Unified Division felt more like a 'division' without the 'unified.' We lost the energy your leadership brought."
Furqon chuckled as he took the drink."You're exaggerating. But thank you for the warm welcome."
"That's not all," added one of the technicians from another division. "A lot of people are curious about your time at the time machine facility. You'll have to share your stories soon."
"After we eat," Zafran replied casually. "We've got enough stories to put everyone here to sleep."
Laughter and cheers filled the room once more.
As night fell, the celebration became more relaxed. Furqon sat in a corner, quietly observing the room. He watched division members laughing, playing holographic games, and sharing stories. For the first time in months, he felt at ease.
Zafran approached with a bottle of soft drink."You look like someone deep in thought, Furqon."
"I'm just… touched by all of this," Furqon said, sipping his drink."I forgot how kind everyone here is."
"That's because you're hardly ever around," Zafran teased. "But seriously—they really did miss you. Even I did, to be honest."
Furqon laughed."That's not something I hear from you often."
"Don't get used to it," Zafran replied with a sly grin.
The night ended with a warm atmosphere, leaving behind a renewed sense of camaraderie within the Unified Division. For Furqon and Zafran, this welcome wasn't just a celebration—it was a reminder that they were part of something much greater.
The next day, they would return to routine, ready to face new challenges. But for tonight, they savored the togetherness and the positive energy that once again made them feel truly at home.