The journey had been grueling—hour after hour of endless roads stretching before them, punctuated only by the mechanical hum of engines and the occasional turbulence that made Arthur's stomach lurch. They had traveled by car first, the landscape gradually shifting from familiar territories to unknown terrain, before switching to aircraft for the final leg of their expedition. Arthur had pressed his face against the small window, watching the world shrink below them as they soared through clouds that looked like cotton candy against the azure sky.
When they finally touched down, the coastal military base sprawled before them like a concrete fortress against the horizon. The salty tang of ocean air mixed with the acrid smell of jet fuel and metal, creating an atmosphere that was both invigorating and intimidating. Arthur could hear the distant crash of waves against the shore, a rhythmic reminder of the vast ocean that would soon carry them toward their destination.
