Norman: You're going to do half of my paperwork as punishment...
The worst part about what he said was that, he wasn't kidding. I was stressed enough already, doing assignments, squad accomplishment article and so much more.
Me: Are you positive you don't need help with your bowel movement..? ~sarcastic whisper
Norman: You mind repeating that..?
Me: Nothing Sir..!
I'll get to it right away sir..!
Norman: Yeah do that.
Blokes like you need to take their office work as seriously as their training and field works...
Me: Aye Sir..!
I took half of his paper load, which was enormous I might add. Then I went to my chamber. I saw Aliza trying hard to tie-up all the loose ends from our budget report. I avoided talking to her, as I knew I'd get scolded for giving the squad a party.
I sat on my table and looked outside. The day is quite mundane. Sunny sky with all three of the Moons visible. Then I turned my attention towards the mountain that was the paperwork.
Me: Ugh, why is it so much..! ~Groan
Aliza: After the annexation of Moor Theocracy our Empire has been really complacent...
They didn't even think twice before declaring Moor Holy Church obsolete...
It gave the High priest enough fuel to cause a turmoil...
Me: I knew from the start that Ludwig shouldn't have been the emperor...
He doesn't know jack about politics...
Constitution be damned..!
Aliza: Watch what you say in public Jack...
Also did you just pun your own name..?!?
Me: How could I ever..?!? ~Smirk
Aliza: Anyway, as I was saying...
This turmoil is why you're struggling with this paperwork right now...
Me: That's not the worst part though...
Aliza: Yeah this conflict is making our Empire vulnerable to the Principality of Energia...
Me: Don't forget about the Northern-Alliance...
Aliza: That reminds me...
How's Raisa..?
Me: ~Shrugged my shoulders
Aliza: I miss her...
I haven't seen her ever since she went to work as a spy on the Alliance territory...
Me: We'll have enough time for reminiscing after we are done with the paperwork...
Aliza: You're right...
We started digging into our files. It's been a while since I last lied to Aliza. But I had to lie today. I knew what happened to Raisa. It was obvious. If a spy doesn't report back to their commanding officer in every 3 days, they are pronounced dead. She hasn't report back in a month. All files and records related to her has already been burnt to a pile of ashes.
I knew that because, Bob her commanding officer is a buddy of mine. But I didn't had the heart to tell Aliza about it. They were inseparable since the academy days. I know she'll find out eventually. but I can't be the one to tell her that.
Aliza: Hey doofus close the window..!
The papers are flying everywhere..!~Yelling
I snapped out of the daze and quickly shut the windows close and started picking up my papers.
Aliza: What's the matter with you..?!?
I ignored that. As I was arranging the papers I found a rad envelope with the writing "DOCUMENT: 2401". My frown was visible across the desert. Now I had to walk all the way to Norman's office and give it back. I decided to give it to him later. So I put it into a corner and focused on the task in front.
As I was going through my work files, my temptation to see inside the envelope grew. Imperial Military Archive stated that document leveled 24 is only accessable for the Commander level officer or higher. I was one rank short of that. Although there was talk for my promotion, nothing was finalized yet.
Anyway after struggling with my inner self, I decided to open the damn thing and look inside. So I waited for Aliza to leave the chamber. After sometime she left saying she'll be with Naila and the other girls. I locked the door, and took the envelope. It wasn't that heavy, maybe one paper thick. I cut the wax seal and took out the paper inside then started reading it...
"Norman
15/04/1728 I.C.
It is a sunny day. I am walking down the
lanes and discovered a cafeteria. It serves a
very strong type of coffee. You should check
it out too. Someone waved at me. I will be
going now...
Enigma"
It was a standard military encryption code. The date was from yesterday. I began to decrypt it- *Knock* *Knock*
Norman: JAQUELIN STONE, OPEN THE DOOR IMMEDIATELY!