"Wait… what?"
Aectaeon blinked, bewildered at what he just saw. He then rubbed his eyes before reading what was stated once more.
[[ Player's progress: "_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S : _ _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ _ _ _N" ]]
[[ To View Progress: recite "Jus ad Bellum" ]]
Once he was done, Aectaeon let out a shallow sigh.
'Ah, so a 16% chance will give me this much? Or will this be the end of my luck?' He thought, his fingers fidgeting all the while. 'I hope it's not. I want to get out of this game as soon as possible.'
At that moment, he heard someone rasping their throat. He quickly woke up from his musings and realized that the Commander was looking at him.
Aectaeon bowed his head and uttered, "I apologize, Commander. Was I disturbing you? Should I leave?"
"No, you're not disturbing. I was asking about the shootout. You suddenly went quiet on me."
"That… I thought you've already received a report and I was only reiterating it."
The Commander breathed out his discontentment, concurrently arranging the documents on his desk. When the center of his desk was cleared, he slammed his hand on it and again, exhaled deeply.
"I'm also wondering about that. No one had reported to me yet. The men stationed there are the ones who were chasing you as well. If it's still out of my radar at this point in time, Then it was only a small shootout incident."
Aectaeon contemplated for a short while, trying to make reason with the matter. There was no way that the Commander wouldn't know of an incident that happened within such a small island.
Every single one of the soldiers was provided with a radio transmitter. One of the soldiers stationed by the bay should've already informed the Commander about the matter.
"Even if it was a small incident, you should be made aware of it.'
"Do you reckon that there are casualties?"
"I don't think there were any casualties. Although I wasn't able to survey the surroundings once I got out of the barn, I would've immediately noticed if there are dead bodies."
The Commander's forehead wrinkled, his suspicions growing by the second. Right then, their conversation was interrupted by the knocking on the door.
"Come in," The Commander said as he stood up.
He proceeded to take a seat in front Aectaeon and watched the medics enter his office. The medics readily tended to the injured, even offering him a change of clothes.
While that was happening, the information that Aectaeon was waiting for appeared.
{{ Union of Baratias Capital, Dartalum City; April 09, 2040 }}
{{ First Lieutenant Igor Vali -- under the alias of Private Tavor Barter during the undercover mission -- was caught in the act of rummaging the office of the Chief of Command of Union's Army. }}
{{ Time Stamps }}
{{ 03:15 Ante Meridiem : 31st Infantry Division was ordered to assemble in the field }}
{{ 03:35 Ante Meridiem : Entire Infantry had assembled }}
{{ 03:40 Ante Meridiem - 04:56 Ante Meridiem : the Commander elucidated on the details about a new directive. }}
{{ 05:10 Ante Meridiem - 07:20 Ante Meridiem : Morning Drill }}
{{ 07:30 Ante Meridiem - 07:40 Ante Meridiem : Morning Meal }}
{{ 08:47 Ante Meridiem : The Commander departed the camp because of an emergency summon }}
{{ 09:00 Ante Meridiem : The entire infantry was to partake in a war drill }}
{{ 10:21 Ante Meridiem : First Lieutenant Igor Vali slipped out of the formation }}
{{ 10:37 Ante Meridiem : Arrival at the Commander's office }}
{{ 10:42 Ante Meridiem : Discovery of the documents containing the new directive }}
{{ 10:46 Ante Meridiem : An officer catches First Lieutenant Igor Vali in the act }}
{{ 10:47 Ante Meridiem : Beginning of the escape }}
{{ 11:55 Ante Meridiem : First Lieutenant Igor Vali stole a boat and drove it towards the neighbouring nation }}
{{ 02:14 Post Meridiem : First Lieutenant Igor Vali escapes the surveillance of the Union's Armed and Naval Forces }}
{{ 02:14 Post Meridiem - 08:56 Post Meridiem : Keeping out of sight of the surveillance }}
{{ 09:10 Post Meridiem : Bought items for disguise }}
{{ 09:15 Post Meridiem : Rode on a boat en route to the Island of Tarik }}
{{ 11:20 Post Meridiem : Arrival at the Island of Tarik }}
{{ 11:45 Post Meridiem : Rode on a boat en route to the Island of Mahak }}
{{ April 10, 2040; 03:15 Ante Meridiem : Arrival at the Island of Mahak }}
{{ 03:46 Ante Meridiem : Found refuge at the barn }}
Aectaeon couldn't believe what he was reading, so he started to laugh. The Commander noticed the sudden turn of Aectaeon's emotions.
"Lieutenant, I will sort the matter regarding the shootout myself. I want to hear what went wrong with the mission."
"Well, you see," Aectaeon drew a breath, heavy and exasperated, "I was quite reckless. The Commander suddenly departed the camp, so I took my chance and went to his office while the war drill was ongoing."
The Commander shook his head, speaking, "That was truly reckless of you. It would've been better if you waited for another opportunity. Of course, they will also be vigilant when things are like that."
"I apologize, Commander," Aectaeon said as he bowed his head. "It seems that my impatience has gotten thro…"
{{ Would you like to view the details of the New Directive? }}
{{ Yes }} {{ No }}
A smile slowly crept up Aectaeon's lips, tapping on the 'Yes' icon right away.
{{ Operation Megalodon }}
{{ Commencement Date: May 06, 2040 }}
{{ In cooperation with the Republic of Lavortas, the Union of Baratias will conduct an operation to claim the Island of Mahak }}
"Commander, that attempt wasn't for naught now, was it?"
The Commander narrowed his eyes on Aectaeon, intrigued by his words.
"Pray to tell, Lieutenant. What have you discovered?"
Prior to responding, Aectaeon thanked the medics and motioned for them to exit the office. Once the two were all alone, Aectaeon took a stand, still donning the uniform of the Army of the Union of Baratias.
"Commander, we might have to brace ourselves for an all-out war with not only the union but also the Republic of Lavortas. On the 6th of May, that's when hell will descend in this small island."