The squad was busy and distracted, letting off steam and talking to each other. Finishing a rather suicidal mission for a squad that lacks any training, the young soldiers felt like needing to relax and let off any tension they are feeling. So, like there's no tomorrow, the squad is actively chattering, telling stories, and laughing together.
Two of the members, however, are quiet. It seemed that the conversation no longer includes them and that they are sitting, watching, and listening to their comrades.
But on a closer look, Niela is quietly observing Kirin. Kirin has been smiling on her own, leg resting over her other thigh, her feet playfully swinging back and forth. Niela knew she's thinking about something.
The others are glued enough to their topics at hand to notice the two's behavior, but Chirlin soon did. Niela saw her look. "Hey, Chirlin" She called without breaking contact with Kirin, bumping her lightly with her elbow. "Miss Kirin has been daydreaming for a while" She finally looked away to smile at her little sister.
"I noticed her become quiet and I just saw her smiling" She kept whispering as to not let Kirin notice. The two watched Kirin for a minute until she snapped back and see them. For a second, Kirin was about to be embarrassed but managed to keep her cool. "What are you looking at?" She asked.
"You were smiling" Niela briefly replied. Kirin was surprised. "I just happened to be lost in thoughts for a moment and you are already aware" She leaned forward towards Niela. "I hope you can use that ability somewhere else other than me" She and Niela both smiled at each other. "It was not that hard to notice" Niela said. Kirin just scoffed.
"Say, Miss Kirin. Now that you told us about your friend in Valorna. Do you know how is she doing right now? Are you planning on letting us see her?" Niela asked. Kirin gave a sharp look. "Heck yeah I want to introduce you to her. I have not been in contact with her for a long time. She still doesn't know that I'm leading my own squad. We were able to stay connected using the internet, but that's it. And it's been a while since I've used a computer. I hardly do, actually. I don't just sit around and use the internet" She answered.
"As to how she's doing right now... The last time I asked, she is doing incredibly great. She kept telling me that her fellow Creators and even the Manager are watching over her than ever. She's like, very protected by them" Kirin, despite the great news, scratched her head in confusion. "It's quite odd, I felt like she exaggerated there. I don't know what she had done that made her like a special person in the Krygstek" She said. "Maybe she had done another invention?" Niela asked.
Kirin shook her head. "She would tell me right away if she ever does" She said. They fell into silence for a few moments. "Either way, she's doing fine. It's all that matters" Kirin dropped off the topic.
Niela looks up, pondering something. "Having a friend off to another planet must have felt nice" She said. "Yeah, it did. It was difficult to adapt to their culture, though. But, I mean, it wasn't that difficult for me, but I figured it does to others" Kirin nodded. "Do you think I can make some friends there?" Chirlin asked, anxiously waiting for her answer.
"You have knowledge of gadgets and the internet, right? I'm one hundred percent certain that you will get LOTS of friends there. Plus their overwhelming acceptance of foreigners. They seem to love people outside their society" Kirin said. Chirlin let out a happy noise, jumping in excitement and hugging her sister. Niela pats her head.
"What are the Krygstek people in general?" Niela asked. Kirin thinks. "Aside from being nerds, their standards are high. They are strict, they are serious. They discourage laziness, they look down at those who do not participate or engage in technologies. These reasons alone are what made them strictly a society of highly technological people. ALL of them are face burrowed in technologies. Their lives revolve around inventions, something new to create. They are born to invent for the best of their proud country, and to continue the legacies of the Creators" Kirin leans forward.
"Can you imagine? Thousands of students are ready to take over their Creator's position whenever? They are prepared to inherit everything their Creators possesses" She said. The two are in awe. "That's pretty much the summarization of a Krygstek life. Of course, just like normal people, they engage in activities that don't involve inventing like fishing, karaoke, any kind of social activity. But you are sure as hell they will get ideas for research later"
"Just like what happened to Ariana when I spent my time with her in the library. I was just enjoying my book and she suddenly got all hyped over something. And she's not the only friend that did that" Kirin shook her head, smiling. "You had more friends?!" Chirlin almost stood up from her seat. Kirin slightly jolted. "Y-yeah, of course" Kirin replied. "It's not like we lived in isolation. Her house is located inside a residential area. I was able to befriend her neighbors, who are her friends as well" She added. "Wow..." Chirlin looked up and started imagining.
"With the Arkula having a positive alliance with the Krygstek, those friends made me feel like I was some kind of special friend. They share their silly little ideas daily, offer me help almost anytime, or even invite me to eat outside almost frequently" Kirin winked. "Mind you, I'm one of the few Arkula that have visited their planet. Unlike these days, Arkulan people never visit Valorna because of the distance and the Narukh'za and Zakana"
"Have you had any friends from the Narukh'za?" Sterling asked who apparently overheard their conversation. "I'm surprised you haven't known the answer to that question" Kirin laughed. "I know it's a stupid question, but maybe you had at least befriended one" Sterling said. Kirin was amused and leaned back. She thinks back.
"Hmm... Now that you have mentioned it. Every Narukh'za soldiers we rescue on the battlefields are grateful to us. But, being Narukh'za they are, they will just say that it will be an honor to fight us on the battlefield once again, as respected warriors" She frowned, arms crossed.
"Well, no matter. If they think we are worth showing their good side it's fine, right?" Niela said. Kirin nodded. "Yes, but that's far from 'befriending' them" She said. "It's not like they will be willing to sit with you and have a good time together" She said.
Sterling chuckled. "Maybe next time, they won't kill right away if you're ever got captured" She said. "Might be true" Kirin nodded. "But I ain't taking that risk" She added. She finished her coffee and took a deep breath.
"I think if we ever, by whatever reason, got the Narukh'za on our side, it won't be as smooth as it is with the Krygs. There will be heated arguments there and there, almost every day" Kirin confidently refused to believe in a peaceful alliance with the Narukh'za.
"What do you think, Niela?" Kirin asked and they all waited for her answer. Niela quickly jumps into thinking. "I can't disagree with you, but think on the positive side" They got interested in her response. "We are now united and the only threat now is the Zakana, which is actually not a threat anymore because our alliance is even stronger" She said.
"Yes, Niela. We are all aware of that. What I'm asking you is how do you think will they behave in our alliance?" Kirin said. "I'm pretty sure we can think of a way to properly communicate with them, and we will just get used to it" Niela said.
Kirin started twirling her hair with a finger. "I'm sure we will. But I bet it will take everything to put them at bay" She said. "Well, have you argued with a Narukh'za before?" Sterling asked and Kirin shook her head.
"I don't think so, but you can safely guess according to how they act out there" She said. "They will be like, destroy this, kill that, literally every situation" She added. Sterling giggled. "If that is so, we wouldn't be here, Miss Kirin" She said, making everyone laugh.
Kirin scratched her head. "I swear the WHOLE Narukh'za is like that. ALL of the years I spent fighting them? This first Loyalist is just something" She said putting the squad into silence. "If you really think she's different, why don't we try approaching her?" Sterling asked. "When we destroyed one of their outpost and one of their new space fighter? Nuh-uh" Kirin shook her head.
"You know, maybe we could work some things out and get back to our original plan" Sterling said. "To Valorna!" Chirlin looked at her, eyes wide. Sterling smiled. "I don't..." Kirin stops mid-sentence. "Having second thoughts?!" Chirlin happily asked. Kirin sighed. "Look. It's dangerous. I had only felt like she's quite different, but who knows what is actually up. She might be plotting something" She said.
"Have you not met her in battles before?" Sterling asked. Kirin shook her head. "No. The Loyalists were rarely seen in the field. But I have seen some of them. That time when that first Loyalist talked to us, that was the first conversation I had in all my years with a Loyalist" She said. "Why are you not saying her name?" Chirlin asked, slightly pouting.
"And why are you bothered about it?" "Yeah!" Kirin and Niela stared at her. "I-I mean, she introduced herself before everything else, right?" "Yeah, so?" Kirin quickly replied over her, making her squirm. "Don't you think it's easier to say her name rather than Loyalist?" She asked. "I dunno, what's her name again?" Kirin smirked. Chirlin quickly noticed Kirin's intention and became red.
"W-whatever..." She looked away, refusing to answer. "She also said she is a second Loyalist" She mumbled loudly. "First, Second, tell me the difference? They're both killers" Kirin sways her hand. "I don't know what your deal is with that lady, but you're really interested in her to the point of defending her on how Miss Kirin refers her" Marve said. "Yes! Don't you think you're really going obvious at this point, Chirlin?" Terra giggled. At this point, everyone takes turns to tease the child.
As they were laughing and teasing Chirlin, Kirin's voice feed activated. Lonara's voice reached out, quickly getting the squad's attention. "Kirin, whenever you're ready. Come outside to the Comms". Everyone quickly tries to finish their remaining meal. "Hey, hey, no rush" Kirin told them. "We will be there" She said to Lonara and the voice feed cuts off.
Kirin then turned to the squad. "Gracious, there's no need stuffing all those to your mouths! We can go once you're done, no hurries" She calmed them down. Even after what she said, they ate their meals at a hurried pace. Kirin didn't bother saying it again and just let them finish. After that, they went outside to the Communication Center.
The same dark interior with the lights of the monitors and the large screen in the middle as its only light source greets the squad. They are overwhelmed by how quiet it is inside once more. "Kirin" Lonara called out. "Hey" Kirin raised a hand. "Have you had your rest?" Lonara asked, looking at Niela. As she is, Niela felt answering. "Y-yes, I believe we had" She said. Lonara nodded, satisfied. "Great".
She then turned to Kirin. "Kirin. The outpost is large, too many structures and far more populated than the last outpost you attacked" She said. She then brought up an image. It is an overview of the outpost. "There are multiple stationary troops guarding the areas inside the outpost" Lonara encircled some areas. The image captured numerous soldiers on standby, watching their posts.
"There are active armors joining the guards" Along with them are few tanks patrolling and cruising around. Overall, the outpost is large with moderate to heavy security. "Are you sure this is an outpost?" Kirin smiled wryly. "Yes, it is. It just happened that they have the portal right here" Lonara pointed at the middle. "This isn't a building. It is their portal. When you were away, five armors came out and counting. As much I dislike asking to rush a mission, but I would like to ask you to deal with the portal as soon as possible" She then taps the portal twice.
"I'm prioritizing you the destruction of this portal. Do it before anything else, got it?" She said. "Roger" Kirin confirmed. Lonara nodded. "Don't be reckless out there, Kirin. I mean it this time" She then brought up another image. It is farther up the skies. She then started encircling some black figures on the surroundings of the outpost.
"Identity reports indicates that these Scourge tanks are the two squads of a platoon. We are assuming they came from the portal. That means you will have to expect heavy reinforcement flooding through the portal. Each squad is led by a Devastator, so watch out. If whatever happened that you alerted them, go for the portal quick" Lonara clenched a fist. "Wait, the Narukh'za is actually using a proper order of battle?!" Chirlin asked, getting their attention. "No, but I'd prefer using them so I can be clearer" Lonara answered.
"As for their routines, the soldiers there are quite busy. Make use of the noises to cover your tracks. There are no active transports going in and out, so you have less problem if you ever planned on taking out the main gate and moving in from there. The skies are clear of any vessels and there are no high ranking personnel present, but don't make that excite you" Lonara finished.
Before anyone can speak, a male personnel spoke up. "Miss Lonara, we just figured that the armors both inside and outside the outpost will stop to take their breaks. It happens every thirty minutes. We still don't know the reason of their frequent breaks, however" He said. "You heard him" Lonara nodded.
"Quick recap. The outpost is fairly large, with multiple troops and armors guarding inside, and two squads with Devastators of an armor platoon is guarding outside. If these squads are alerted, expect heavy response from the portal. Like before, we will send you the images in your eyes. Plan your own strategy and execute them right, got it, Squad?!" Lonara shouted and the squad jumped in surprise. "Yes, ma'am!" The squad responded. Kirin chuckled, amused of the sight.
"Once the portal is destroyed, sweep clean the outpost. Make sure to take any intel you can gather. With that portal in there, I'm sure there are documents lying around" She finished briefing them. "I'm giving you the authority to command the S-49 Gallant we have in our reserve" The squad, including Kirin, got excited.
"Use her wisely. While she carries our deadliest cannon, she will be very vulnerable in times of reloads. Make sure to secure her perimeter before thinking of shooting that cannon. She will take some time before she will be ready to fire again" Lonara said. "Wowow! We will actually have a tank with us?!" Chirlin couldn't contain her excitement.
"Yes, didn't I mention you about this earlier? You need the Gallant to deal with those Devastators" Lonara said. She then clapped. "I have told you everything we had observed given the time. You are free to observe them for further intel about their activities, but make sure every seconds are worth it. That portals sends in more troops as time passes, good luck" She looked at the squad and nodded.
"That will be all. Go meet the Gallant and her crews at the gate" Lonara finally dismissed them and they are filled with anxiousness.