Continued…
| Giest Admin Support Staff | No. 3421 |
“I can’t believe you are still here! We looked all over for you, and the commander was ready to report you missing!”
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“Huh? Who are you, and where am I?”
The medic said while rubbing his tired eyes as the support staff dragged him out of the restroom.
| Giest Cleaning Support Staff | No. 1401 |
“Get your ass back to your dorm and catch some rest there. With the city in flames, they'll call you soon enough.”
Another angry staff member threw the medic’s pants back at him. He was urging the medic not to streak outside with only his shirt.
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“Flames?”
The medic put on his pants and stepped outside.
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“Is it night already? Was I asleep that long?”
The medic started at the pitch-black sky.
More bizarre was that the entire base was chaotic as men and women rushed all over the place with airships constantly landing and taking off.
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“Hey, excuse me? What’s going on here?”
| Giest Landing Support Staff | No. 0348 |
“Huh!? Where have you been? Just look behind you. Don’t you see the flames?”
Turning back, he saw what the man was talking about—the entire city was engulfed in flames, spewing a ton of ash into the sky and darkening it.
The medic then checked his watch.
-11:18-
He had been out for 4 hours since getting back.
The sky was clear when he boarded the ship. In that much time, had the situation changed that much!?
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“...don’t tell me there have been more bombings!”
What on earth is going on? We took their head, so shouldn’t it all be over?
That’s when the medic saw the mechanized infantry from Psycorps boarding an airship.
| High Commander Giest |
“Doctor, are your toys capable of finding all the residual charges left by Anti-psycho?”
Is that high commander Giest?
He seems to be pissed about something. Maybe it's the man he’s talking with. I better not make eye contact and just head straight to my dorm.
The last thing I want is for him to wonder why I am loitering.
| ??? |
“My machines are all top-of-the-line, Mr. Giest. Each unit is worth at least 50 of your best men.”
This guy seems like bad news as well.
The man that the high commander spoke to carried an air about him. He wore a lab coat, covered his eyes with red-tinted light-sensitive glasses, and sported a crude goatee.
Whoever he is, best not to get involved.
| High Commander Giest |
“My men retrieved all the lost prototypes. You’re on my base. Don’t you dare—”
| ??? |
“It’s obvious that a fool like you wouldn’t recognize me. Is that fire also your men’s doing? What a sloppy job. The ministry of defense has certainly fallen, huh?”
| High Commander Giest |
“I don’t care who you think you are. I’ll have you court-martialed for—”
| ??? |
“I don't remember giving you the right to speak. Shut up and obey. Let me tell you how it works. I'm commandeering your airship commander. Here, why don’t you ask the M.O.D himself?
M.O.D was the Minister Of Defense and the head of the Ministry Of Defense. I really shouldn’t eavesdrop, but I can’t help myself.
The man then dialed a number and handed the high commander a listening device with an annoyed expression.
Commander Giest took the device with a furious expression, not believing a mere researcher would have the minister of defense on speed dial. I wouldn’t believe him either.
| M.O.D |
“Who’s the asshole who’s calling me!? Look, I’m on my way al—”
The M.O.D was on loudspeaker.
| High Commander Giest |
“Sir!? It’s me Commander Giest.”
The high commander’s eyes were ready to pop. Illicitly calling the M.O.D was a major offense. The poor commander was debating if he could hang up and pretend this never happened. Don’t worry, sir, I won’t tell if you won’t!
| M.O.D |
“Commander Giest!? Hold on…isn’t this Dr. Akai’s number? What business do you have with me?”
| High Commander Giest |
“THE DR. AKAI!?”
The commander turned to the man who was busy tinkering with the captain of the mechanized unit.
Each of the mechanized units had an armband and formed a 12-unit squad. On each of their arms were armbands denoting their rank and role.
OMEGA
The rumored Omega squad!
An all-mechanized android infantry unit under the department of science and the man tinkering with them was even more legendary; the one and only Dr. Akai, the Minister Of Science himself.
The high commander looks just as dumbfounded as I am.
The doctor is seldom seen in public. For him to come out himself must mean that the leader’s patience is running out and the leader was not a forgiving man.
The leader’s will is absolute, and suddenly the flames are starting to look tame compared to what the leader might do to us for failing to protect his beloved city.
The high commander looks shaken up as well. Is he thinking the same thing?
| High Commander Giest |
“Sir, the M.O.S has requested a—”
| M.O.D |
“Look, whatever he wants, just give it to him.”
| High Commander Giest |
“But what about the search & rescue operation?”
| M.O.D |
“...what a mess! I don’t like this either. But, my hands are tied. I’m on my way, and the leader is not pleased. Leave it to Dr. Akai and his department. Instead, focus all your efforts on controlling that fire.
| High Commander Giest |
“Sir, we’re very fortunate that it’s still the abandoned area and all our efforts are focused on keeping it that way!”
| M.O.D |
“Let’s hope it stays that way. Get Commander Whitefox, her men, and the Gungir. I’m at the south airstrip, and I’ve scheduled a press conference in less than an hour, and I want all commanders, captains, and vices on standby.”
| High Commander Giest |
“Yes, sir!”
Commander Giest closed the call, thinking of how to apologize to the M.O.S. After all, his head is on the line, and I’d wager that he is pretty attached to it.
| High Commander Giest |
“M.O.S, I beg you for your forgiv—”
The high commander went on all his knees and tried to grovel before the doctor. But while he knelt, I put my hand on his shoulder.
Time to win some brownie points with my superior!
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“Sir! I think he just left. I saw him get on the airship with those units.”
I nudged the kneeling high commander to raise his head as I pointed to the airship that had just taken off overhead and was flying towards the city.
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“In my humble opinion, sir, I don’t think a man as great as Dr. Akai is all that interested in niceties. I believe he was only interested in his research.”
The high commander rose to his feet, quite embarrassed to be seen by a subordinate in such a vulnerable state.
| High Commander Giest |
“Ahem. Are you from the beta squad? What are you doing out here? Go and get some rest. We may need you soon.”
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“Yes, sir! Heading back straight away.”
I saluted, and the high commander headed back into the central building.
Best head to my dorms. I could use some proper rest. My legs still haven’t fully woken up from sitting on the toilet for so long.
So I headed to my dorm with a funny stride, hoping no one would notice.
Home, sweet home!
I always utter these words as I go in. I learned this habit from my roommate. But it looks like he still isn’t here. Maybe he’s still on some mission?
I took a quick shower, put on my pajamas, and went to sleep. Soldiers like me have to sleep whenever we can since we don’t know when we might be summoned.
| Beta-squad Medic | B-011 |
“...vice, so who’s the traitor? Tell me everything….”
I mutter those words as I sleep, dreaming of interrogating vice until he tells me everything I want to know.
***
𝓟𝓡𝓞𝓛𝓞𝓖𝓤𝓔 𝓕𝓞𝓤𝓡
𝐓𝐡𝐞 fight to survive
—𝕰𝖓𝖉—
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠~
(ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥
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