Drakissa advanced on the rebel soldier and, first, gave a lick and then a light bite on the soldier's hand, squeezing a little at a time while the soldier screamed more from fear than from pain.
"I don't think a bite will be enough to satisfy this beast's hunger, soldier. So, tell the truth quickly while you still have your whole hand."
"But, sir, I told the truth. I don't know anything."
Colonel Cleaner wasn't a fool; he himself had given lessons on how to resist interrogation in the enemy's camp. So, even in fear, the soldier would not give in easily.
The Colonel nodded again to Thilláila. Without needing a second command, the beast bit the soldier's hand a little harder, giving him the impression that she would tear it off with ease.
Around that strange show, the other soldiers had various reactions. Upon remembering what the Colonel had read in the red book, they realized that all of them would be killed or devoured by dragons being attracted to the base. Decisively, they chose not to lament if that monstrosity called Drakissa devoured that false friend.
"No, no, no, no, no, no! Stop, please! I will tell you everything I know."
While some of the soldiers rushed to bandage and apply alcohol to the bite made by Drakissa, the injured soldier babbled. What he revealed to Colonel Cleaner and everyone present was something they could never have imagined. According to that information, beneath the base Last Refuge, there was an underground area so large that it could comfortably hold more than 3,000 people. For a long time, this underground space had housed hundreds of people who had nowhere to go. They ended up becoming slaves for all sorts of services, especially the captured women. They acted with no mercy or pity, and it was not uncommon for them to let some die of hunger to set an example, all right under Colonel Cleaner's nose. Hearing such barbarity, he couldn't prevent his eyes from tearing up. Despite trying to hide it, many of the soldiers shared this sentiment, and not a few shed tears as well.
Kowalsk had a face that looked like it was about to explode from anger. Not knowing how to interpret his attitude, Thilláila asked Drakissa to return to her dreiki subordinates outside the base. Colonel Cleaner felt that the situation could get even more complicated if he didn't act immediately. Kowalsk, still fuming with rage, was the first to offer, along with Thilláila, to resolve the situation—specifically, to find the treacherous soldiers who did not deserve a second chance to live. What they did was unforgivable.
Colonel Cleaner apologized to Kowalsk, stating that this was something he needed to resolve. Quickly, several soldiers were mobilized by Lieutenant Builder. Under Colonel Cleaner's strict command, manhole covers that gave access to this gigantic underground area were opened simultaneously, allowing soldiers to enter in single file, ready for combat.
It didn't take long before some gunfire was heard. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Builder's subordinates had to retreat, as the traitor Dugger's soldiers were equipped with superior weapons. Of the 20 who advanced, only 12 returned, and even then, some were injured.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant Builder, but it's very dark down there, and the traitors are well-positioned at angles where we can't advance without being hit by them."
Colonel Cleaner knew what that meant. Kowalsk, in front of him, was saluting without needing to open his mouth. The other soldiers already knew what this meant. If Colonel Cleaner saluted him back, it meant Kowalsk had permission to act as he wished.
As expected, Colonel Cleaner was too anxious to let the situation go unaddressed, and knowing that his soldiers had been killed by traitors only heated his blood further, giving him a slight headache.
"Sergeant Kowalsk, I restore your previous rank, and you have my permission to eliminate as many traitors as you wish."
"Colonel Cleaner, before I accept your permission, I want to know if I should prioritize attacking the traitors or capturing them and using them in whatever way I want."
"As long as they don't kill any more of my men, you can do with them as you wish, Sergeant Kowalsk."
"Thank you, Colonel Cleaner. That's what I needed to know."
"But how will you combat them down there? It's their territory."
"Don't worry, Colonel Cleaner. In fact, down there is my territory. Everything I've done over the years was to sneak between the dragons and keep myself alive. It won't be a mere band of traitors that will kill me."
Sergeant Kowalsk even thought it might be a good idea to order some drakes to deal with those traitors, but he himself wanted to put an end to the situation. If only he still had that finger that made him unbeatable on the trigger.
It was then that he looked and couldn't believe it: his finger was back. It was a good sign and seemed even stronger. He tested it with a light bite to see if it wasn't an illusion. It hurt, so he said:
"Colonel Cleaner, please provide me with a long-range weapon with sedative or rubber bullets. I'm going on a hunt, and I'll bring them all back alive."
Five minutes later, Lieutenant Builder brought a long-range weapon, reminding Kowalsk of the times when he was a sniper.
"Open a manhole cover for Sergeant Kowalsk to enter."
But before he could enter, Thilláila ran to meet him and embraced him, sending him a mental message:
"Sergeant Kowalsk, are you sure you don't need my help or Drakissa's help?"
"Stay calm, Thilláila. I can handle this band of vermin on my own."
Then, one of the manhole covers was opened, and Sergeant Kowalsk advanced into the darkness below, orienting himself by the walls of the underground. Gradually, his vision adjusted to the darkness, giving the impression that he had put on infrared goggles, but he was sure he hadn't.