1320 hours, 25 June 0145...
After a week of rest and recuperation, Scott had recovered his strength. And fortune smiled upon us, as he was ready to resume the mission after the doctor's consent.
The briefing room was silent and tense as Axel, Christine, and I waited for the arrival of the commanders and the Red Cheetah squadron. Axel looked at his watch on his right wrist, and then he muttered in confusion.
"They told us to meet up in 1335 hours, but they're late themselves."
Shortly after, Commander Katoki and Commander Darrell of the Red Cheetah squadron arrived. Then, Commander Katoki came over, his voice severe and his hands full of paperwork.
"Good afternoon, Black Vulture Squadron."
In unison, we swiftly stood up from our chairs, nodding in agreement.
"Good afternoon, Commander!"
"Sorry that we had some unfinished business with the director, and our sincerest appreciation for allowing us to keep you waiting."
The rustle of papers reverberated throughout the room after Commander Darrell spoke, as he had piled his files high on the desk.
"We have good news and bad news."
Commander Darrell's voice carried across the room as he elaborated.
"The good news is that you'll all be doing field training with the Red Cheetahs."
"But the bad news is that the operators who are guiding you will be busy at an urgent meeting. So, it'll be better that you keep in touch with each other during the mission."
As he turned on the LCD screen and explained the objective, Commander Katoki's voice echoed around the room.
"We'll divide this task into three teams of two people each. Your mission is to hunt down the three greater infected androids who are lurking in an abandoned sugar factory in the northernmost part of the Harimal Forest. That was comprised of Taken-Ki, Kalbaroth, and Kotaro. These three infected androids reportedly killed 27 Authonoids, including seven from Minerva.
"Each group must eliminate one infected android to prevent encirclement by all three infectoids at once."
We nodded in unison, the motion almost mechanical as we replied. And then Commander Darrell ordered us.
"Now, onto the group divisions."
***
As discussions filled the room, we swiftly organized into groups based on our assigned duties.
The groups are comprised of:
1. Me and Joshua as the attackers.
2. Axel and Scott as the tankers.
3. Christine and Veronica as the supporters.
As Scott found himself in a group with his best friend, Axel, his pulse raced with anticipation. He jumped as he sprang his arm up and punched the air with enthusiasm.
"HELL YEAH! I can't tell how thrilled I am to be paired with you!"
Axel patted Scott on the left shoulder and laughed softly as he did so.
"Me too. As long as you don't mess up the primary aim."
However, Scott light-heartedly saluted, providing reassurance in a jesting manner.
"Aye aye, captain!"
There was an obvious increase in tension between Christine and Veronica. Christine felt a sense of wickedness as she considered the harsh remarks Veronica might use if she made even the smallest mistake.
The intimidation of Veronica's scarlet eyes caused her words to stutter as she spoke to her.
"Uhhh… Ma'am Veronica… I hope I don't disappoint you."
With a malicious smirk on her face, Veronica combed her fingers over Christine's side hair.
"It's alright if you make minor mistakes in the mission, sweetie. Unless you make too much, I'll fuck your ass until you're begging for help."
A shiver ran down Christine's spine as Veronica let out her psychotic giggle, but she quickly resorted to an 8th grade syndrome defense mechanism to keep herself safe.
"Thou shall not dare to meddle with me, for my Divinocchi shall unleash great calamity upon thy wicked deeds!"
Veronica laughed and patted Christine's left shoulder as she jokingly spoke.
"Hahahaha. I'm just joking, hahahaha."
Christine felt the flush of shame rise to her cheeks as Veronica teased her. With a furrowed brow, she pulled her arms to her chest and turned away. Veronica's vicious outlook was like a lurking, malicious presence that'd attack her anytime she was careless.
I recently gave Joshua an uncomfortable, piercing glance. His gaze hinted at a hidden intention to stab my back, despite my lack of wrongdoing toward him.
But suddenly, Commander Katoki came up to us as he was asking the briefing room attendees.
"Everyone already has a group."
After our unanimous agreement, Commander Darrell added some stern remarks.
"Good. Now that everyone has joined the group and comprehended the mission's objective, let's move forward with the mission. Dismissed!"
"Justice for freedom!"
Hastily, we all filed out of the briefing room and made our way to the hangar to board the osprey, which headed for the abandoned sugar factory in the northernmost part of Harimal Forest.
***
Once an hour had passed, we were all standing in front of the abandoned sugar factory in the northern part of Harimal Forest. Insects flooded the air with their buzzing sounds. Clouds obscured the sun's rays and hung low in the sky, producing a dark and ominous feeling that rain was imminent.
We huddled together under the tree, listening to the wind in the branches while Joshua gestured his hands to remind us.
"Our operators are at an urgent meeting and cannot guide us. In case any worst-case scenario happens during the expedition, we need to keep in touch."
After we had all nodded in agreement, Scott abruptly presented us with an option.
"Okay, so which infected androids do each of us go after today?"
"There's Taken-Ki, the notoriously large and bulky android armed with a greatsword; Kalbaroth, the android archer; and Kotaro, the android armed with a katana."
Without any prior warning, I raised my arm and spoke my mind.
"How about if me and Joshua go after Taken-Ki?"
The tone of my voice surprised Scott, knowing that I was prepared to choose the most powerful infected android from the options. Worry tinged his question to me when he asked me.
"Are you sure you can take that infected android out and make it back alive?"
I then nodded and decisively stated.
"Yes, I insist."
Scott suddenly expressed his frustrated worry as he elaborated.
"Isn't it funny that you, attacker-type Authonoids, are about to engage the tanker-type android in combat? Doesn't it make sense for us to take on an enemy that corresponds to our role? This will ensure a level playing field."
His fear-inducing sermon got on my nerves and prevented me from reaching my goal. As a gentle admonition, I shook my right index finger at him.
"Higher risk means higher rewards! And if you no longer take the chances that's existed in front of you, you don't deserve to live longer!"
Veronica suddenly interrupted our dispute and had us all on edge with her frustrated tone.
"Can't you idiots hurry up and decide which infected androids you're going to pick? We gotta get going!"
I straightened my position, looked Veronica in the eye, and pointed to Joshua with my left thumb as I spoke.
"Me and Joshua will hunt down Taken-Ki."
I looked over my left shoulder and saw Joshua nod in agreement with my choice.
"Ok, anybody else?"
Scott was at a loss as he considered which of the two infected androids to choose. But when Scott was ready to speak, Axel suddenly interrupted him with a dismissive wave of his right hand as he responded to Veronica.
"Scott and I will hunt down Kotaro."
Scott's voice wavered as he described his fear about the infected android he would shortly be facing.
"Wait a minute, Axel; how are you so sure about that? Don't you know Kotaro has lightning speed for Katana's attack?"
Axel looked at Scott and touched him on the right shoulder as he spoke.
"Role has never mattered when confronting any adversaries. Timing is key while fighting that kind of infected android."
Scott looked around in frustration as he replied in defeat.
"Well, your call, Axel."
Then, in a strong voice, Veronica expressed her confidence in her decision.
"Ok. So Christine and I will hunt down Kalbaroth. Is everything clear?"
Christine's words came out in a stuttering whisper.
"Y-yes, ma'am, everything's clear."
Christine seemed timid around the new people. But when she is with her closest buddy, she reverts to her middle school antics. Nothing could alter Christine's essential character, as this is what set her apart and impressed me the most.
Veronica smiled encouragingly as she patted Christine on the left shoulder.
"No need to sweat about that. Ranking doesn't mean a thing in battle, though."
I couldn't conceal my elation and told anyone within earshot.
"Alright, guys, shall we start the hunt?"
The grass' blades brushed across our legs as we trudged through the field toward the derelict sugar plant. The lineup for the hunt included the following:
1. Joshua and I will hunt down Taken-Ki.
2. Axel and Scott will hunt down Kotaro.
3. Christine and Veronica will hunt down Kalbaroth.
And so, the hunt began.