Chereads / Operation Invasion / Chapter 25 - A Familiar Face (Part 1)

Chapter 25 - A Familiar Face (Part 1)

"How about you join these two guys and get outta here? I need you for an important task."

Bleed, my former leader, was talking with me through a walkie-talkie from two guys I caught breaking into the military base where I was training to become a War-Knight. Both of them had apparently broken into here to find me and coincidently, I encountered them as I stood outside. I wanted to know more about why they needed me for their "important task" and about some "bombing" that had occurred in Tokyo.

"First, I need you to clarify some things to me."

I responded. I had let go of one of the guys who had broken in, and I had in a chokehold.

"Sure thing. Come outside and I'll tell you all there is to "know" about."

Bleed responded in a flash.

I then proceeded to follow the two guys, who led me outside the fence to come meet Bleed. I was a little worried that I could be caught deserting, but I had not seen any soldiers posted up anywhere since the afternoon. Even though this seemed a little sketchy, I trusted Bleed. Or at least, I thought I trusted him. 

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"I can't sleep today for some reason. Maybe taking a breather and looking at the sky will help!"

Emi had walked outside the barracks in her pajamas, trying to distract herself, as she could not sleep. She didn't know why, but she always walked outside by herself, even if it wasn't allowed. Maybe it was because her gut told her something wasn't right that day. Nonetheless, she looked at the sky. A few visible stars could be seen illuminating the dark sky. Emi spent her days training to become something she never thought shed become, a War-Knight. But looking at the night sky showed her that whatever the world was to become, a global war or not, the stars would still be there. Watching over us.

"I wonder if I'll be able to continue being an influencer. My destiny is to become a War-Knight. But I still have my own dreams and desires…"

Emi said as she sighed. 

Suddenly, Emi caught a glimpse of someone walking towards the fence that protected the military base. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she had seen someone that was familiar to her. Whoever it was, they were accompanied by two other people, dressed in dark clothing. She felt the need to investigate, as she knew no one was supposed to be outside at this time.

As she peeked closer, the people she was looking at had crossed the fence and started to walk towards the trees that surrounded the base. Emi proceeded to get closer, sneaking up close to them to see where they were going. She was completely silent, as to not alert them of her presence.

As she looked at them from a closer standpoint, she got a better look at who was that "familiar" person she had seen. Noticing the War-Knight training uniform, looking at their hair and their height, she had her suspicions on one person. Hiro Saito. Her War-Knight partner.

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"You look tougher than before, Hiro. They got you as their star cadet, I bet!"

It was Bleed. He was sitting in a chair in some kind of camp full of tents. He wore his usual baggy attire. In his lap, he held a long scoped rifle that looked like one of the rifles some Shooter class War-Knights used. Other men, wearing dark clothing and green camo, as to camouflage in the dark forest, sat around the camp. 

"Why are yall trying to break in the base to find me? And what bombings are you talking about?"

I told Bleed in a serious tone.

"Damn, your not even gonna compliment this baby I got here? Whatever, let's get to the deal."

Bleed said.

"You know that Antonov guy who is trying to unite the world and make a "Utopia" or something like that? Apparently this country doesn't want to be part of his plans. Well, we at the Young Killers gang got "hired" by his supporters to help "enforce" Japan into joining Antonov. I didn't care about all that, but they gave us guns and money, so now we help them."

Added Bleed.

I didn't understand why Antonov or his supporters would hire a small gang of criminals to help them with uniting the world. This was new to me, but I had prioritized knowing more about why they were looking for me or the bombings they mentioned.

"So why do you need me?"

I asked.

"Well, you are our best member, of course! I told these Antonov guys that you were an unrivaled fighter and that you could take out dozens of guys by yourself. After you disappeared, they tried to find where you were, and they found out that you had been taken here. So basically, we could use your fighting skills and also gain some intel about this little "War-Knight" program you are part of."

Bleed said confidently.

So the Young Killers gang had been helping these "Antonov supporter" guys, and Bleed told them I was a valuable asset and that they could use me, so they started looking for me and found me. I fell into a dilemma, as I was faced with a tough decision. I had to decide whether I would join my former leader Bleed, or be loyal to the government and become a War-Knight, leaving all my friends behind in the process. As hard as this sudden decision was, I bought more time for myself, and I asked Bleed about the big bombing that they had mentioned earlier…