The conflict in the eastern coast still continues for more than half a year now. Forces in the I.E.A. are beginning to feel the strain from E.D.L.'s unwavering determination to drive them off their territory.
Gathered aboard the farthest naval ship from the coastline, I.E.A. generals convene for a meeting, aiming to devise a winning strategy for this prolonged battle.
"I SAY WE GIVE 'EM ANOTHER TASTE OF OUR STAR NOVA BOMBS!!" Said I.E.A. Lt. General David Petrov.
Another I.E.A. Lt. General, Erik Andersen, disapproves his suggestion. "For the third time General David, we can't just go dropping these dangerous attacks!! Can't you remember that we lost thousands of our soldiers that caught up from that bomb we launched at the Rhombus District before?!"
"I am well aware of that incident, but would you rather lose a few thousand in an instant or tens of thousands more in the long run battle!?"
"That logic is ridiculous! Don't speak of other peoples lives as if they're expendable resources!"
"There are times where sacrifice is necessary Erik!"
"No life must ever be used as a sacrifice!! Star Nova Bombs will also render the Serendipity District useless with its consequential aftermath!"
"If you oppose so much to my idea, then atleast suggest something useful than running your mouth on rejecting my proposals!"
For a moment Lt. General Erik fell in silence, making Lt. General David smirk. "...see? You can't even think of any! As for the rest of us here—" he glanced at the other officers within the room. "—I'm not hearing any other plans or suggestions. Or am I just faced with such useless stooges?!"
Then another gentleman have chimed in. "I must say, I'd have to agree with General Erik. Star Nova Bomb is a no-go, it'll also risk our chance on seizing a Power Source. E.D.L. might retrieve it again by the time we conquer Serendipity."
To have David's plan get rejected by another person had him annoyed. "Hah! About time you spoke, Joaquin. If you too are against my suggestion, then I take it that you have a strategy in mind?"
Lt. General Joaquin smirks. "...before we get to that, I'm quite concerned with your conclusive suggestions. Not everything can be simply solved by bombing everything down, though I'm amazed by your ability to keep it all so elegantly uncomplicated."
Everyone in the room were either grinning or giggled in silence at Joaquin's retort on David's arrogance.
"Y-You!..." David turned red from embarassment. "So witty now, huh. Your strategy must be as clever as your word play for you to speak in such way, then what do you suggest we do?" His deathly glare could pierce through anyone if it were a weapon.
Joaquin then gets serious as he shares his plan. "Very well then, though I'm a bit ashamed to say that this plan of mine might require a little sacrifice." He glanced at Erik. "However, I think this is way more better than a strategy of plain destruction or nothing."
Lt. General Erik only nods letting him proceed to share the strategy he came up with.
"For this plan, we won't lose as much as we did before. I also think it's an appropriate time that we use the sacrificial card Dr. Wolfgang have developed. It's already been finalized not long ago and I'm sure it'll be the one to help us seize victory."
Everyone was stunned by the words 'Sacrificial Card' as they never thought of putting it to use.
"So if anyone would come to agree with me on using the Sacrificial Card, raise your hands." He ordered.
All was neither supporting or against with the notion, still they had to make a choice. There were 3 lt. Generals, 8 Colonels, and 14 Captains altogether in that meeting room, making a total of 25 people.
When none of those 24 people moved, Joaquin started counting down from 10, forcing all of them to make a decision.
"10..."
No hands were currently raised.
"...9..."
No hands were currently raised.
"...8..."
2 hands are currently raised.
"...7..."
5 hands are currently raised.
"...6..."
7 hands are currently raised.
"...5..."
8 hands are currently raised.
"...4..."
13 hands are currently raised.
"...3..."
19 hands are currently raised.
"...2..."
22 hands are currently raised.
"...hmm." General Joaquin didn't bother mentioning the final count as most of his subordinated have already raised their hands. There was a total of 23 people, including himself, that have come to agree with his suggestion.
The only ones who never raised their hands were Lt. General Erik and Heinz, the Captain of I.E.A.'s Special Troop. He briefly glanced at the two and grins.
"Then that decides it, we'll proceed with my strategy. And I trust that the two of you will cooperate even if you haven't raised your hands." He told them. Several more details regarding the strategy were talked about before they wrapped up the meeting.
Then just as Heinz was about to leave the meeting room, she scowled at Lt. General Joaquin before heading out. She spots Reginald not too far off, waiting for her patiently. "That meeting took longer than I thought." He said as he saw her coming.
"Yeah, it was a fucking headache." It had Heinz pinching on the bridge of her nose.
"Should I call for the Platoons a little later then?" Reginald asks.
She waved her hands dismissively. "N-No, there's no need to do that. We can't have them delayed on the notice... rather..." she looked hesitant as she face Reginald. "I think I have something way more important to tell you."
"Alright, shoot away."
"...it's time." With just two words, Reginald realize what she meant to say right away. He was a bit overwhelmed but he quickly came to terms with the matter easilu as he already had himself prepared for this. "I see. I always knew this will come later on regardless."
"Yeah..." Heinz seemed down knowing what will happen, and Reginald tried to cheer his Captain. "You know, there's still an hour or two before we go back in battle."
"And what the hell are you trying to suggest here?" Heinz knew what he was trying to say, though she didn't feel like doing it when she's literally down in the drains at the moment.
"Oh come on now, for old time's sake." He chuckled and tugging on her sleeves, begging to accept his invitation. Heinz sighs and just simply nods before they made their way to the supply depot and snuck out a few snacks and liquor.
Although it wasn't enough to get them both intoxicated, they were too drunk on the thought of what's going to happen. Then by the time they returned to the battlefield, Reginald engaged in fights with a reckless disregard for self-preservation.
Every E.D.L. soldier that falls in sight were all destroyed in mere seconds. None of Reginald's victims were able to stand against his relentless attacks until he finally encounters his main target for this operation.
"Raphael Novick..." he calls out to him as he sees Raphael covered in blood and guts of his subordinates. A terrifying sight to find, but he was not any different to the monster before him as he also bathes in the blood of the people from E.D.L.