*******
"I see that you're here, Team Leader Justin. Please take a seat," General Robert made a gesture for Team Leader Justin to sit facing him. Team Leader Justin bowed down to show respect before he sat down.
"I'm sorry about what happened to Unit 125. I had done my best to prevent something like this from happening again, but it seems nigh impossible to stop the massacre," General Robert started the conversation with an apology. It seemed like he knew it was going to happen in a way.
"I'm sorry general, but why does it sounds like you knew it would happen?" Team Leader Justin's cold expression turned into a frown.
General Robert stares at Team Leader Justin, he didn't respond to that, letting Team Leader Justin figure it out by himself. Team Leader Justin didn't want to jump into assumption, but the way General Robert just kept quiet implied that he did knew.
"So you do know..." he couldn't believe it. He lowered his gaze, couldn't bring himself to look at General Robert's face.
The tent was filled with silence. General Robert wanted Team Leader Justin to take a moment before he continued. He knew damn well that this was a heavy topic.
"Then.. why didn't you tell Commander Henry about it?" Team Leader Justin seemed upset about it.
"Why didn't you tell him that? Maybe if you did, there wouldn't be any more massacre. What was the reason for you to hide it?" General Robert knew that he would need to answer a lot of questions from Team Leader Justin, but he would keep in mind that this was just the same situation as Theo before.
"Team Leader Justin, had I known about the massacre, I would've ask Unit 125 to go somewhere else. It was not to my knowledge until one of the doctors told me. He heard about it when he went to the official department to check on medicines," General Robert answered sternly. He couldn't have Team Leader Justin being emotional, at least not right now.
Upon hearing that, Team Leader Justin gripped his hands tightly. That's right, he shouldn't assumed that General Robert would've known about it beforehand. He lowered his gaze before apologizing.
"I... apologize, sir. I shouldn't be too emotional, I should think logically before assuming, I apologize once again," he said in a humble tone.
"It's fine. I know you're still grieving, so I'll let it slide," General Robert answered with a sigh. He took out a document and placed it on the table before proceeding.
"Take this document," he said as Team Leader Justin took the document and observed it. This is... a document about Theo Smith, one of the 'deceased' soldier from Unit 109. Team Leader Justin wondered why he needed this document.
"The higher-ups will be sending your team to clear out the area near the Western Regiment again," General Robert said in a clear tone. Team Leader Justin's eyes narrowed, that was it. He knew very well that the higher-ups was behind the massacre after he realized that the devices they used that day was sabotaged, thus the reason why they didn't get any signals from the recovery team or the guarding team.
"So, instead of heading towards the Western Regiment, I want you to bring your team towards the Southern Regiment. Show them this document about their deceased soldiers, they will understand," said General Robert strictly. He clearly wouldn't excuse any mistakes this time.
"Deceased...you mean, this Private right here, Private Theo Smith, was the one from the South that people keep on talking about?" Team Leader Justin read the document. 'Our most agile, and fast soldier. Do take good care of him' was written on the document. It was an additional note by the Southern Regiment. Looks like the Northern Regiment messed up this time.
"Correct. The Southern Regiment still did not know about the massacre of Unit 109 and the 'death' of their appointed soldier. Showing that would practically means to break ties with the Northern Regiment, thus making it harder for Northern Regiment to make a move since a lot of units have been taken down by the machines," seems like General Robert already had a plan to weaken the Northern Regiment.
"I see... but General, wouldn't the military base here would be able to track us down if we stray from the previous location?" Team Leader Justin wanted to make sure that his team would be safe, from the Northern Regiment at least.
"Do not fret. I will send a signal when the time comes, and that would be before I cut off the signal of your devices," it seems like the searching team will need to go 'missing' for a while. Team Leader Justin didn't know much about the Southern Regiment, but he will trust General Robert.
"Would that work? I didn't mean to go against your plans but-" General Robert nodded, showing that Team Leader Justin need not worry about it. He already took measurement of what he could do, so it's not a problem now. He has the upper hand.
Team Leader Justin realized that General Robert was taking this seriously, more than he thought. So perhaps it would be fine to place trust in him.
"I understand. I will trust you, sir," said Team Leader Justin with a sign of respect.
"Good, I will send the devices that I created to your team after I discuss some things with the doctor. Now, you can settle the plan in the searching team's tent. Go before the higher-ups arrive," General Robert leaned back on the chair as he stared at Team Leader Justin's face. His eyes narrowed, giving Team Leader Justin a clue about something else.
"Yes sir," Team Leader Justin stood up as he saluted.
"Team Leader Justin, this operation will be called as the 'Menifes', remember this, it will help in the future," General Robert spoke up one last time.
Just after he walked out of General Robert's tent, he walked calmly to brush off any suspicions that might appeared from other units. He approached Assistant Team Leader John and whispered to him, that he needed everyone to gather in the tent. The Assistant Team Leader put down the information paper that he was reading before he signaled to the nearby teammates to gather up.
They all moved silently, with only eyes signal for their guides. After they entered the tent one by one, they look around to see if there was anyone that they accidentally left out. Assistant Team Leader counted them and realized that two people was not there.
"Where's Lieutenant Nebir and Private William James?" he asked as some of them shrugged and shook their head, showing that they didn't know the location of those two.
**********
"You did said the truth huh? Who would've guess that some newbie would have the extraordinary sight to scan bad omen?" Lieutenant Nebir said sarcastically. But there was some sort of seriousness in his voice. Him and Theo were hiding themselves in bushes, leaning behind a tree side by side.
"I'm not interested in your sarcasm," Theo answered bluntly. Lieutenant Nebir glance at Theo, seeing how bold he is, this ought to be a good conversation.
"Well, I'm here to ask you about something," Lieutenant Nebir replied. He had been waiting for this for so long.
"I don't feel like having a conversation with you," Theo said as he walked away from the tree. He should go back to the tent. Lieutenant Nebir followed Theo's movement with his eyes. Stubborn kid...
"Private Theo Smith," Theo stopped immediately when he heard his name being called out loud. He turned his head around, staring at Lieutenant Nebir.
"You will have a conversation with me. Right here, right now," Lieutenant Nebir glared at Theo, with his strict tone. He won't let this opportunity go.
Theo frowned after hearing that. There would be no way someone actually knew about his identity unless they eavesdropped on his and General Robert's conversation.
"You seems shocked. Did you really believe that no one could actually identify you?" Theo glared at him. Of course no one would've known about his identity... The spell he casted on himself to make him look different wouldn't be easily break through. Unless someone already knew about his identity before he casted the spell.
"I don't know what you did to yourself to make other people including Team Leader Justin saw you as Private William James, but that won't work on me," Lieutenant Nebir chuckled. He seemed to know more than just trying to boastfully speak about his ability to 'see' through the spell.
"Speak the truth, Lieutenant. How did you found out?" Theo won't be fooled by Lieutenant Nebir's word. He knew something was up. He already perfected his sorcery, normal being wouldn't be able to break that spell.
"Hah... seems like I can't even pretend to be someone who can read others," he scoffed as he approached Theo.
"Private Theo Smith, who did you think sent you to the medical tent when you were out cold after the Unit 109's massacre?" he asked sternly, leaning forward.
'Ah... so that was it...' Theo's eyes narrowed.
*******