"What?! That does not make any sense, how can a peaceful sea mammal suddenly attack a human!?"
"It is true that we got a man downed, but it is not from my unit…"
"Then which unit was he in?"
"It was in mine. Phoenix two is his codename…" I took the answering handle from Yeon's hand.
"Is that you, Grey Phoenix? So the casualty was Captain Park Bum Dong? Of the Korean People's Army?"
"Yes, the very same person."
I tell the base in details of what I had seen before the incident up to the point where both Dong and the sea creature could no longer be seen. Of course, I did not mention that there was something wrong with my left hand.
"Then what should we do now? Do we still stick to the original plan or-" I was about to ask our next order, before the base cut my words.
"No, we have a few changes of order."
Conducting the investigation is still the first priority for my unit, and while there will be no additional man, the base ordered Yeon to assist us with our task. What was just an optional cross-unit cooperation earlier turns into the real deal now.
There is no other way to describe it-things just suddenly escalated very quickly. Two or three men from his unit are to assist my unit in conducting the investigation. The matter of whoever to assist us however, is entirely up to his discretion.
"Vulture? Are you still there? You are listening to the whole details I just gave to Phoenix, do not you?"
"Yes. Loud and clear." Yeon cleared his throat.
"Good. Do not forget to turn on the radio communication installed in your helmet when you depart. And address me as 'Nest' from here on out. Nest out."
.
Both I and Yeon are completely at lost for words. Not even a single syllable occurred in my head to say to him.
On one side, I do not really know each of his men's capabilities that may be suitable to replace Dong's, yet he may be waiting for me to handpick them by myself. He just closed his eyes with his right hand before slowly moves it towards his hair and graze them.
Great, now… I do not know what else to do or say…
"Let us just get out from the tent and group up outside for now…" he sighed as he goes outside.
Good grief, like there is anything better to do inside here anyway…
Not a single word comes out from his mouth once the both of us group up with the rest of the others, standing pretty far away from the large crack hole that was created by the creature and sent Dong down to his demise. All eyes are on us, waiting for any further orders from Nest.
"Mayor? Lieutenant Colonel?" Alek opened up his mouth and took a step closer towards us.
"Right…" I nodded.
"There has been a change of plans. The base, Nest, said that some men from the Crimson Vulture unit are to assist us in our investigation. No, we did not suggest that to them. Instead, it was a direct order, a clear warning to us that there is indeed an extremely high level of threat awaiting us deep in the darkness and further in this wilderness."
Everyone's expressions immediately grim, even Yeon's. I cannot say that I am not anxious about this either anyway, but that said I still have to try and speak up what I have in mind to continue onwards…
"Look, all of you received the documents with detailed guides on taking down the extraterrestrial creatures, right?" everyone nodded right after I paused.
"Then, I am sure that everyone here paid attention to the mentioned statement about their weakness is the barrel of their own weapons?
Again, everyone nodded without even a blink. For a moment I feel a little relieved as all men start to progressively calm down, and so do I since I can feel my mind start to be able to think clearly…
"There is one thing that was not mentioned in that guide, but did happen back in Chicago." all of the men looked as if they were holding their breaths.
"It is the weakness of their bodies, including their heads to armor penetrating bullets. Back then, we did not find any but instead, I found and used a .30-06 Springfield."
"So as long as we are armed with anything chambered with those kinds of bullets, we still have a chance to exterminate them…" Yeon followed up.
"Exactly…" I nodded.
"But, Major…" one of Yeon's men responded.
"What attacked us just now, was not an alien was not it? It certainly looked like it was a Narwhal."
"That is…" I turned to Yeon, who is just closing his eyes.
"I will be honest with you all, I still do not know what could cause it to attack, and kill a human."
The young soldier only nodded, looking as if he is disappointed that I was not able to bring up any possible answer…
But he has a point, there is no way that such a peaceful sea mammal will attack and kill a human, unless something forces it to…
Could it be that the actual threat was actually somehow controlling it from somewhere far away to attack us?
If so, where could they be, and how in the hell could they do it?
.
I suppose this means that I have to suggest another way to them. I just hope that Yeon's unit has the considerably adequate firearms for it though…
"Yeon." I turned to him again. "What are the primary firearm that your unit are issued with?"
"Lee-Enfield rifle, with short magazine. Chambered in .303 British bullets." he answered right away.
.303 British… that bullet cartridge has the length of roughly 56mm. In comparison with .30-06 Springfield bullet cartridge, its length is around 63mm. The difference of the bullet case length is less than 10mm…
Yeah, I think it is safe to assume that the investigation unit will have more chance of survival against the aliens if they use those rifles. Now, about how to explain it to Yeon's men though…
"In that case…" I held up my breath a bit.
"May I have your permission to switch my men's guns with yours?"
As I have expected, all of his men raises their eyebrows and really seems like they are completely against it. Except for Yeon, who looks like he has somehow understood of what I am getting at. All of my men also seem confused.
I try my best to explain as simple as I can to all of them, and although I am sure that they can all understand quickly, hesitations are still clearly drawn on their faces as frowns are shown and arms are crossed anxiously.
"Alright…" Yeon gave out his decision.
And… seems like his men are even more surprised by his answer…
"But I will go with you…" he continued.
"And of course, some of my men who will also help your unit with the investigation will act under my orders as well."
Now that… is pretty much unexpected…
Sure, I am glad to know that another combat-proven comrade will be one amongst those filling the holes for my unit's task, but I never thought that it will be literally himself who will actually do the job.
On a side note, I guess the uproar resulted from his decision is to be expected as the consequence of his decision.
"Well? Jon?" he grinned a little.
"I much appreciate it." I nodded firmly.
.
Switching from their light machine guns to bolt-action rifles, my men received some crash courses on how to operate them from Yeon's men.
At the same time, he is currently talking with his vice commander, Captain Chrysler Carson of the U.S. Army, for him to assume command of this communication post while he is gone to assist us.
"Colonel… I am not sure that I-"
"But I am, Chrysler… the men trust you as well. I guarantee that…" Yeon tried to ensure him.
"I mean why should you be the one who go with the two other guys? Why not the other men? Why not me?" Chrysler was still anxious.
"Look." Yeon held his breath and gulped.
"We NEED to know what the hell it was that caused the sea creature to attack and kill Dong. Yes, I know I can also trust you to go along with them. But, I also want to give the men the feeling that their safety are more guaranteed."
Chrysler slowly raises his hand and wipes his face before he grazes his hair backwards.
At this moment, Yeon noticed my presence, who is standing on quite some distance from them, but then he turns to Chrysler again and starts to talk with a much lower voice that I can no longer hear what they are saying.
If I were Travis, who has a much better hearing than me, I might be able to hear their whole conversation.
But, at least I know for sure now that the young officer is both willing and determined to assume leadership since he nods in the end before Yeon pats him on the shoulder and starts to walk towards me.
He also nods towards me as he is getting closer.
"So, are your men getting adjusted to the rifles yet?" he stopped walking.
"Well…" I turned towards both Alek and Takeshi, who are loading the rifle rounds into the magazines.
"We shall see later on in the field, I guess. After all, adjusting to firearms can only be gained through real combat experience."
"Hmm. Fair enough." he raised his eyebrows.
"That aside…" I continued, "Who else will be coming with us?"
"Ah, right." he immediately turned to another direction and gave two men standing by near the tent the signal to come towards us.
"These are the selected two men, 1st Lieutenant Derek Fungarst of the German Air Force, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Irving Nigelson of the British Royal Navy."
"Major Xenov." The two of them gave me a salute.
"At ease, Lieutenants…" I nodded and replied their salutations.
Both Alek and Takeshi then come towards us, and seemingly already with some more understandings about their new main firearms.
"Wait, you have one more man with you, right?" Yeon asked all of a sudden.
Right, Flint. I wonder if all this time he was and still is in the truck.
We immediately head to my unit's truck, but not before Yeon talked to Chrysler one more time, and officially putting him temporarily in charge of the post.
But…
"What the-"
Alek was surprised when he saw Flint was just standing and leaning against the back of the truck.
"Are you here all this time!?" he looked like he could not believe his eyes.
"What do YOU think?" Flint responded lazily as he smokes.
This was the least thing that I have expected, but with everything that had taken place I must make him to follow my orders and continue with the investigation.
"Flint, look you need to change your machine gun with-"
"With all due respect, Major." he threw down his cigarette and put it out.
"I will not work together again with a communist. ESPECIALLY with a North Korean."
The air immediately gets tense the moment he finally speaks up his mind. His eyes are sharp and determined, directing straight to Yeon's, who is surprisingly not flinched in the slightest.
I know full well that there is no way I will get this man to cooperate with my unit anymore, unless…
"Well. So I guess I will be staying at this post, saving me the trouble to-"
"You WILL follow my orders, Lieutenant Sawyer." I grabbed his arm hard.
I have no choice…
"I would rather retire myself out, than to cooperate with a North Korean, young man…" he sounded like he no longer holds any respect to neither me nor the rest of the coalition unit.
He tried to let his arm loose from my grip, but I have no choice other from waiting for him to force himself saying the opposite…
"Kid…" he became ruder, "Let my arm go."
I only squints my eyes as he keeps on trying his hard to break free from my grip…
Then, out of nowhere Yeon suddenly speaks up…
"You know… it is funny how one terrible thing that happened in the past could destroy someone so much." he grinned a little.
Flint slowly turns to him, suddenly with his eyes look like they are full of rage…
"For example a simple mission where you just have to transfer a prisoner between borders and then a terrible accident took place, wiping out every single man, save the team commander." Yeon stared back to his eyes, as if provoking him.
So something did happen between their countries in the past…
Also, I noticed that both of Flint's hands are now clenching very hardly…
"Is not that what had exactly happened to you and your whole team, EX-CAPTAIN FLINT SAWYER?!" Yeon suddenly moved closer to him.
Flint, who already has his neck muscles flexing at this point immediately kicked Yeon that he hit his back to the truck, and pulled out his handgun and aimed it right at Yeon's face.
My hand is however, quick enough to hold the handgun and forces it to fire away from Yeon and make the bullet hit the back of the truck instead. I then pull out his handgun hard, forcing him to make his hand release it.
"So… I was right after all…" still with his eyes full of anger.
"You are indeed the same Kim Dae Yeon who ambushed us back then!"
"What was your punishment again?" Yeon stood away from the truck and approached him closer.
"Demoted to 2nd Lieutenant, was not it?"
"YOU SON OF A-!!"
This time, I do what I believe is the last resort. It is to throw down a raging comrade when they are no longer reasonable and is in full heat. He sure looks like he is in serious pain once I have done so.
"Urgh!"
Just then, three men are running towards us. Takeshi gives a signal for them to stop and wait.
"2nd Lieutenant Flint Sawyer…" I lift him up by pulling his uniform up.
"I will file your misconducts later on after the operation is done, and you may as well expect an early discharge from E.X.T.I.R.T. I hereby put you on restrain within this post."
The three men quickly tied both of his hands and take away his machine gun from the back of the truck, switching it with one of their rifle.
But, before he goes there is one more thing that Yeon just have to say I do not know for whatever his reason is…
"Back then, you have your orders and I have mine, Flint." Yeon still grins.
"I guess at that time, the RAT knows that his life was not worth living after all, charging alone to the border guards and all that."
"Says the man who received his career boost thanks to the tip from his uncle who held the key position in the government!" the three men held Flint as he was about to charge towards Yeon.
"Well, there goes the words from a fallen military officer who is not grateful he still has his life." Yeon chuckled.
The men finally force him to look away before taking him to the post, leaving the six of us with my unit's truck.
"Let us just go…" I scoffed. "We have wasted some time here already…"
Once we are all inside the truck, Alek begins to start the engine and drive the truck with Takeshi on the front passenger seat as the navigator.
On the back of the truck–me, Yeon, Derek, and Irving are sitting, with no words to speak at all.
There are many questions that I really want to ask to Yeon, but not now. At least, not until I am sure that the air around us has already calmed down again…