Council room

12th March 2162

Noon time

The dimly lit council chamber bore witness to the weariness etched on Karl's face as he stood before the austere assembly. The Council, a panel of high-ranking officials, looked at the reports on their desks and observed Karl with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. Karl took a deep breath, steadying himself for the weight of the report he was about to deliver.

Karl (clearing his throat) - Esteemed members of the Council, I bring tidings from the recent mission beyond the dome. It was a journey fraught with challenges, but we persevered.

Councilor 1 (nodding) - Proceed, Karl. We await your account.

Karl (straightening his posture) - Our primary objective was to locate and extract the researchers, a mission that demanded navigating through hostile territories and overcoming unforeseen obstacles. Despite the adversity, we did make some significant achievements.

Councilor 2 (leaning forward) - Elaborate on these achievements, Karl.

Karl (nodding) - Firstly, we successfully located researchers. They, along with our soldiers, have returned safely to the base. Our soldiers' determination played a pivotal role in the success of this aspect of the mission.

Councilor 6 - (raising an eyebrow) And the losses?

Karl (grimacing) - Regrettably, not all members of the expedition made it back unscathed. We encountered fierce resistance from the headhunters, resulting in casualties. Some of our elites were found to be KIA (KILL IN ACTION). Including Captain Dutch.

Councilor 1 (solemnly) - May they all rest in peace. What about the others?

Karl (pausing) - some sustained injuries during the mission, and while they have returned, our medical team is providing urgent care. The toll on the soldiers, both physically and emotionally, is substantial.  The ones left on the Ardonia base are majorly the new soldiers.

Council shows silence as they mourn.

Karl (continues) - Whereas the secondary objective of securing the research of headhunters physiology is a great success. With zero casualties under the leadership of Captain June.

Councilor 3 - Is the mission considered a success, Karl?

Karl (hesitating) - Well the safe return of our assets is undoubtedly a success, but the cost weighs heavily on our collective conscience. The barriers beyond harbor unforeseen dangers, and the repercussions of our actions may resonate for a long time. I can assure the Council…

Councilor 8 - What about the Status mining operations?

Karl - I can assure that we can continue the operations. However, we will need people. I suggest we take help from the outsider to Mine in that particular area.

Councilor 5 - I don’t think we need to proceed with mining on this big scale as the demand of the resources by Foreigners have stopped and the only need we have of those resources is to refill our weapons and equipment.

Karl - Well I suggest, since we have the opportunity….

Councilor 6 (Interrupting Karl) - Your report is duly noted, Karl. The Council will convene on the next course of action. Rest assured, your efforts are appreciated. Now coming to the actual matter. What about the mysterious headhunter?

Karl - The Soldiers have confirmed its existence.

Councilor 8 - This mysterious headhunter poses a significant threat. We need it eliminated. Send every elite soldier for his hunt.

Karl (nodding) - Understood. I've been tracking its movements. It won't escape our reach.

Councilor 1 (leaning forward) - Karl, Kill him with any means necessary.

Karl - You Council need not to worry. I've already sent our greeting to our mysterious friend.

In the base

11th March 2162

9:00 Pm

The group was sitting around the fire, the air thick with a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Hugo, Mark, Arthur, Samuel, Sophia, Maria, Lana, and Victor  watching each other's faces as they exchange the myriad emotions from the recent mission.

Sophia - It's so cold and muddy.

Samuel - what? You are now gonna blame the storm for making you all dirt up?

Hugo - Guys, why don’t we enjoy this moment and not spark any conflict.

Arthur (nodding) - Yeah. After all, we made it back in one piece. That's an achievement in itself.

Mark (Looking down) - But we can't ignore the losses. Dylan didn't make it. 

Maria - As per the reports, The headhunters seem to be getting smarter. Their tactics were coordinated. 

Lana - Emma told me that She and Claire encountered a massive horde, and they were on their tail for a long time. She told, It was like they were chasing them not as animals but as hunters. 

Maria - It's a harsh reality out there.

Hugo - How is she? Lana?

Lana - Recovering? Her wounds are not that deep.

Samuel (throwing stone in fire) - We need to figure out an effective way to fight back. So that they don’t become a serious pain in the ass.

Sophia - We stick together and survive. So that no one gets left behind.

Victor (interrupting) - Speaking of sticking together, I saw something out there. Something I need to share.

Everyone turned their attention to Victor, sensing the gravity of his words.

Victor (somber) - Dylan, I found his body. Or what was left of it. Headhunters got to him. 3 bullets. He was shot in the back. Someone shot him, there are traitors among us. We need to be more vigilant. 

Sophia (murmurs) - Is he concerned about us?

Hugo (Concernedly) - Have you reported it?

Victor - No. It doesn’t matter. He is already dead.

Ben comes to the group.

Ben - Hey guys! Dinner is ready.

They all stands up and move to the Dining hall

Mark - Has anyone seen Liam?

Arthur - Haven’t seen the guy all day.

Mark - Where the fuck is that guy?

Hugo (Putting hands on Victor’s shoulder) - I know how it feels to lose a dear friend. We will find the one shot Dylan.

Mark (Calling hugo) - Hey Hugo, you coming or what?

Victor (Looking at Mark) - And what if that guy is already dead. 

Hugo shows silence

Victor - It doesn’t matter. (sighs) don’t exhaust your energy here. We are soldiers in a war, we don’t have time to waste on our selfish actions.

Victor moves forward.

Exoz factory, Life enterprise, Dome City

June is waiting for Sarah in the EXOZ production Factory. Sarah, A Biotech specialist and Doctor Karl’s assistant, approached with a tablet in hand, ready to discuss the updates.

Sarah - What’s the hurry June?

June - Sarah, you're just in time. I was thinking about postponing our meeting, well I don't think it's necessary. I've got a list of modifications we need to implement on the EXOZ units.

Sarah (nodding) - Great, June. Let's go through the details. What's the latest intel?

June (handing over a set of documents) - Here are the reports from the recent mission beyond the Dome. soldiers have encountered some unexpected challenges, and we need to adapt the EXOZ accordingly.

Sarah (scrolling through the documents) - I see. Increased headhunter activity, harsh terrains – got it. What are the specific modifications you're thinking of?

Sarah also looks at the statement, ‘Sign of Combat intelligence shown by the headhunters.’

June (pointing to the schematics) - First off, we need to enhance the armor. The headhunters are getting more aggressive, and we can't afford any vulnerabilities. Reinforce limb components. And should add a chestplate for protection of the Vital organs, normal body armors just don’t work anymore.

Sarah (noting down the changes) - Got it. What about mobility?

June (tapping the tablet) - Mobility is crucial. I've marked areas where we can improve the joints for better flexibility. We need the soldiers to move swiftly, especially in unpredictable environments.

Sarah (nodding) - Agile and robust. I can work on that. Any other critical updates?

June (pausing) - Yes, communication. There was a soldier whose transmitter was broken due to a fall. She wasn’t transmitting anything, not any message, not even her Life sign. It was her luck that she survived, But we don’t know how many didn’t.

Sarah (making notes) - Communication is the backbone. I'll prioritize that. Anything else?

June (smirking) - Well, I have an Idea of a little surprise for the headhunters, a pulse emitter that can disorient them temporarily. It might give our team an edge in tight situations.

Sarah (grinning) - I like the sound of that. A little payback for the trouble they've caused. 

June (smiling) - Exactly. Let's make sure the team is well-equipped for whatever comes their way.