"The mission of Operation: Exploration Instability is to primarily go to the ground zero of the location and explore around the area to search for any anomalies and hazards"
Chris tapped the table and the display changed. From the entire city of Los Angeles, the map rotated and panned towards the northeast side of the city, a few kilometers away
Chris already knows that Sheena upgraded the display, so he took advantage of that
The display became 3-dimensional and showed the high definition details of the area that was zoomed in
As the display finished rendering the area, the display showed peculiar trees, uneven terrain, tall spikes that ranges up to 100 feet, bizarre plants, and hundreds of holes in the ground
"This is the location where a temporary base was built to monitor the unstable Mana Hotspot that is growing there. The objects that you see here are currently unknown and it destroyed the base. Luckily, everyone managed to evacuate but the wreckage is apparent"
The display panned further into a more denser forest of peculiar trees and plants. Just then, the wreckage of facilities, buildings, and towers were shown
The trees grew into the structures and large vines wrapped around the towers and cargo. Vehicles were also flipped next to the uneven terrain and then wrapped around by the plants. There are also those spikes that went through the vehicles and buildings
"This is the epicenter of the unstable Mana Hotspot"
The display slowly panned over a large crater. At the crater, thousands of spikes protruded from the surface and a large gaping hole is located at the very middle. The mouth of the hole had more spikes and stones that are glowing
The crater is also constantly rotating like a whirlpool that changes the terrain around it. This is the cause of the uneven terrain outside of the crater. Cranes and beams are also embedded into the ground which are being warped and twisted by the whirling crater
At this point, every members of the squadron looked at the display with very serious and alarmed eyes, while Justine widened her eyes from surprise and amazement, and Philip had the most serious look on his face as he narrowed his eyes
Veronica then walked around and gave everyone files regarding the mission
===
Operation: Exploration Instability
Goal:
1. Explore and survey the unstable Mana Hotspot for any dangers that might harm the world
2. Collect as much Mana Stones that are collectible inside the unstable Mana Hotspot for research and supply
3. Eliminate any unusual entities lurking around the unstable Mana Hotspot if there's any
4. Evacuate immediately if an anomaly or disaster occured
5. Obtain the Divine Star at the core of the unstable Mana Hotspot
===
The files also include information regarding the temporary base, casualties that happened while the unstable Mana Hotspot grew, timestamps of every changes in the surroundings, and personalities involved in this case
"What is in there that needed the squadron to gather up and tackle that unstable Mana Hotspot with the person that was recognzied by the Old Man?"
Mark asked directly as to why the squadron was needed for this specific mission
"As I see it, this seems like a disaster in a level of a small town. This doesn't qualify the attention of our squadron, does it?"
Mark saw that the unstable Mana Hotspot disaster was nothing but a small disaster like a typhoon plowing through a village and questioned it
"The squadron was made to deal with events that are imminent to harm the world, is this one of them?"
Mark bluntly asked as he's considering this mission as a waste of time, even though Chris has already acknowledged that this mission is top secret
Before Chris could speak, Philip answered Mark's questions
"When Chris scouted and invited me, he told me that this mission will dictate the Fate of the world. I was skeptical at first but I now understand it after looking at the display"
Philip's statement was half right. The first he met Chris, he was skeptic about what he told him, but he understood why since yesterday. Seeing the display only made him more alarmed and tingly
"How so?"
Mark asked with pure interest and curiosity. It was the same for Chris as he wants to know what Philip thinks of the situation
"Seeing this type of Mana Hotspot is certainly unexpected and odd. Those spikes are actually Mana Stones and there are thousands of them..."
Mark and Chris' eyes widened in surprise. They didn't expect that the spikes were Mana Stones and they thought it was only stones or mineral that are very rare
"Also, the Mana Hotspot seems to be breathing. There is something down there, in the inside, and I don't know what. I would also consider this as an event that can harm the world"
"Why?"
Elaine asked
"Since this is an unstable Mana Hotspot, it might be connected to other Mana Hotspots around the world. What would happen if all Mana Hotspots became unstable and changed the ecosystem around it?"
Philip gave a valid point to which everyone nodded at. Chris and Veronica could only look at Philip with discerning and questioning eyes
Of course, Philip already know that the Mana Hotspots are already connected because of the Primordial Fission that he used Origin Seeker way back and Primordial Remnants that are under the Earth's crust ever since the formation of the Solar System
But Philip won't reveal that information as he only gave a clue
"You seem very knowledgeable about Mana Hotspots and Mana Stones for being new to this side of the world, aren't you? Like what, one month?"
Chris gave a remark while suspicious about Philip. This also earned the other's suspicion as well
"I studied a lot"
Philip has thought of an excuse to which the squadron members accepted
"I understand..."
Mark spoke
"Then, I would gladly accept the mission to ensure the safety of the world. How about you?"
Mark looked at the rest of the squadron members
"..."
"If leader says so, I also accept"
"I also accept"
"I wouldn't leave the squadron behind, so I accept"
Celine nodded and everyone else answered respectively
"How about you, Philip?"
Mark directly asked Philip to which everyone was surprised. Mark addressed Philip with his name when he couldn't even say it directly to his squadron members unless it's needed
This just shows how Maek recognizes and respects Philip the first time they met
"I accept, this is interesting anyways"
"Same as for me, I'll accompany Philip"
Philip and Justine answered
"Very well then, even if you all refused, I will force you all to accept"
Chris warned everyone but he was glad that everyone accepted
"So, the departure will be tomorrow. Everyone will board the H-22 Osprey that will be upgraded by Sheena. The Osprey will land in a safe area and that's where everyone will start the mission"
Chris gave the mission brief and Philip caught on a few of his words
Philip was confused about the Osprey that will be upgraded by Sheena. He looked at her in curiosity to which she felt his gaze and turned her away with a blush
"For now, everyone will have a free time then at dusk, we will start the mock battles between all of you"
Every members of the squadron nodded while Philip squinted his eyes. He never signed up for a mock battle and that will only reveal a few of his abilities
Anyway, he will just cross the bridge when he gets there
"By the way, I forgot to ask, what is everyone's ability? I shared mine, shouldn't everyone else also share?"
Philip asked with genuine curiosity. The squadron members were skeptical and they turned their heads towards Chris. He nodded and gave the signal to tell Philip about their abilities
"My ability is Fusion Matel Transmutation. I can change properties of metal into another kind of metal that I know of with no limitations. I can also change a nonmetal object into metal"
As Mark is explaining his ability, he demonstrated the Metal Transfusion ability on his glove. The glove turned Platinum, that has the metallic white color resembling the white glove
Philip was genuinely impressed and interested. Mark was the one responsible for the high-tech vehicles that he saw earlier, as well as the guns and motorbike inside the trailer of the truck
In Philip's mind, Mark is like the Philosopher's Stone but only for metals. He immediately thought of thousands of ways that Mark's ability could help regarding the development of the world or for their personal needs
If Mark would like it, he could turn a simple katana into the strongest and sharpest sword in the world
Speaking of Philosopher's Stone, Philip wondered if the mythical tool exist in this world, now that the Mysticism Age has already passed. He thought of Vanessa and it would help her dramatically if she had that
"I don't have any ability, I'm a Martial Grandmaster"
Celine spoke with less words and Philip nodded to her
Philip was curious as to why Celine is in the squadron. He has no idea how powerful a Martial Grandmaster is to a Sword Grandmaster and others
Unless, Celine has an entourage of martial techniques up her sleeves that she's recognized to be a part of the squadron
If that's the case, then Philip's interest on her grew even more. He would like to see how powerful she is without using any abilities. He became slightly excited for the mock battles
"Hi, my name is Tenshi, one of the greatest gamers in the gaming world, all-time champion in every competition and tournaments on mostly every genre of gaming"
Tenshi introduced herself first and flexed her achievements. Philip was slightly confused but it didn't bother him. He let the cute-looking girl speak proudly
"My ability is Heavenly Guidance. I can harness the power of the heavens and enhance my weapons and items with holy and divine attributes"
Tenshi waved her left hand and a blue-white-yellow light swirled around her palm
"Also, I can manifest the eight levels of Heavenly Prayers"
"Tenshi! You're not supposed to say that!"
"Tenshi!!! What are you doing?!"
Mark raise his voice and shouted at Tenshi while Chris slammed the table. They are angry that Tenshi just blurted out a secret of the squadron of Los Angeles Division to an individual that's not part of the squadron
Tenshi frowned and turned her head at Mark and Chris' direction. Her eyes were cold and domineering