"Even though this is not my first time of entering the city but anytime I see this gate, I am always amazed", Captain murmurs as they neared the gate of the Level 1 city.
004 has returned a while ago and they all seat in enthusiasm, ready to disappear once the identity card is being asked for.
Luckily, as a result of resumption of the only secondary school in the region which is of course available for the elites in the society. The gate keepers would not want to offend people without knowing their background as there had been an issue like that when one guard using the medium of check and identification to molest the daughter of a baron, the betrothed wife to one of the sons of one of the biggest Dukes in the kingdom which resulted in the death if himself and his entire relatives. So it had became an unspoken rule not to check very close to resumption and few days after school vacation.(No one wants to die right)
The fleet of buses entered through the gates along with other buses of different shapes, making their way into the hustle and bustle of city life.
"Somewhere that looked like a city", Zero said aloud as some of the passengers turned back trying to identify this young man who spoke like he had seen more advanced cities.
"Boss, we have arrived safely", Zero said.
"Okay. That's good to hear", Louis said halfheartedly as he focused on analyzing the genetic structure of the centipede compared with other evolved species in his space.
Zero could imagine Louis with two microscopic glasses plus an electric microscope viewing slides where tissue have been placed. "Such a nerd", Zero commented as he looked at the team.
"It's time to disembark".
Soon the busy road got busier as passengers alight from the bus for their various destinations. Many who were traders who came to buy goods to resell in their various cities were fast about it as the buses to different places returns by at most two days after their arrival so they have limited time to shop. The military could not afford to travel often, they only travel when school is resuming and when the school is on vacation.
The school bus was available to convey their students to the school premises the school prepares for resumption.
A lot of young men and women dressed casually were engaging the people they spot to be first timers to be their guide for few hours.
As soon as all passengers including Zero and his team got down, the drivers drove to the city garage and all the military trucks drove into the barracks where the Wall guards of Dusk City and all the city guards who accompanied the buses were lodged in.
(This kingdom uses the centralized military control system where all the Armed forces are controlled, regularized, posted and promoted from the Headquarters at the Capital. They just serve the kingdom in whatever city they are in and only obey instructions from the City rulers after asking for permission from the headquarters.)
So they were all familiar with each other as the lucky ones who were not attacked by beasts were thanking fate for their peaceful journey while the others who were attacked gritted their tooth wishing they were as lucky as their colleagues.
Almost all attacked guards were still bleeding with severe injuries on various parts of their body. They were transferred from to the Clinic hall where military doctors in the barracks have assumed duty, running from the seriously injured trying to stop the bleeding and cleaning to prevent infection.
"I need more methylated spirit over here".
"I need cotton wool and bandage".
"I need povidone".
Several medical practitioners were calling the attention of the health attendants as they need more materials and more hands. Soon the uninjured guards joined them to assist in taking care of their brothers.
Colonel Fracas walked into the big hall where guards were being cared for accompanied by his adjutant who was a female soldier. The uninjured guards stood in attention in respect of an officer of higher rank. Some injured ones tried to stand but Colonel Fracas signalled them to stand easy, not to complicate their wounds.
"The attack this time is a bit more severe than the past years", Captain Linda said.
"Very obvious. We have recorded more deaths and fatally injured than ever and we have to do something about. I only wonder why this kingdom is facing this type of calamity at this time".
"Yes Sir".
After walking for a while inspecting his men, he returned to his car and lead by his team of entourage he returns to his mansion in the inner city to place a call to the headquarters and report as it is usually done.
Unknown to him, he has being marked as a target by the Team Zero who planned to enter the core of the kingdom through him.
According to the information relayed by Louis, royalty only has a say in the military of the kingdom as the military had been trained to be loyal to the kingdom, loyal to the King. The other aspects of the kingdom including the Economic, Scientific, Education and Media who control public opinion are controlled by consortiums owned by the wealthy business men and the nobles on the Kingdom. The matter has remained in a delicate balance for years but currents are changing(reasons will be communicated later. But can you guess?)
The times have given the military a edge, but the numbers of wounded soldiers who are unable to fight is growing at an alarming rate while the strong ones who were are still very few in numbers.
A heavy gate made of solid metal about five inches in thickness, only a bit smaller than the gate of the City Mansion was soon in view. It opened as soon as the military entourage got close enough.
"Good day Sir. Colonel Fracas reporting from Level 1 Dusk City".
"Okay. Carry on", a deep voice responded.
"Numbers of bus.....".
The man on the other end cut him off apparently he had heard a lot of bad news already. "Go straight to the point. How many Guards dead? How many injured?"
Fracas who already got a hint that it seems he was not the only one reported the specific number and a grunt sounded from the other end.
"I have to call a meeting with the King and other higher ranking military personnel as things are getting tougher and we may soon loose contact with all other cities which will be very bad for the kingdom and for the people", Brigadier General Sebas gruntled as he disconnected the call.