I can see hesitation on the faces of Clevis, Lucksonlay and Mara. But Sylas and Snowfa get down from the mini van immediately with a smile on their face. Snowfa comes to me and says "We will follow you to the end of the world if we have to." To which Sylas nods his head like a hen pecking rice.
I look at Jack for his approval. He shakes his head gesturing me to board the mini van. I see the red flare still sparkling in the sky and reluctantly board followed by Snowfa and Sylas.
When I sit at the back of the mini van, I look through the window to see the other team moving in the direction of the flare.
BANG BANG BANG
To our surprise, we could see more flares shot from the nearby locations from where the 1st flare was fired from.
The team which was about to go towards the flare, stops and comes back to the mini van urging the driver to take them back to the defense wall with us.
I am a little confused at 1st, but I realised the flares that are fired at this close can mean only 1 thing. There is a animal swarm or horde or tide coming this way and we should be within the defense wall before it hits us or it will sure be a ticket to the other world for us.
A swarm can be easily defended as it will have about 1000 to 2500 animals. A horde can be defended, if the Defense Corp can assemble all it's warriors to the defense wall as it will have about 2500 to 5000 animals.
But if it is a tide, it will be difficult to defend as it will have more than 5000 animals and th3 Defense Corp alone can't handle it and will ask for volunteers who are strong enough and brave to help them.
Anything below that are considered as a defense problem and is handled by the companies in Havet like the mission I went to exterminate the Steel Teeth Rats.
The driver starts driving like hell and reached the defense wall in less than 20 minutes where I can see many warriors of Defense Corp already assembled and still many pouring in.
We go to the company tent and find it is swam of about 1900 animals rushing towards the town. They say there ate enough people in the Defense Corp to handle the defense and we are not to intervene. I want to stay behind and help the corp, but I couldn't as I am now affiliated with the company and can't do anything as I wish.
When I come out of the tent with my team, I see my mother and sister standing opposite to the tent. They start rushing towards me after seeing me, but they still maintain professionalism as they are wearing the Defense Corp uniform and they are still giving me the punishment as they didn't know I have started talking with Dawn again.
I just nod at them and try to move away as I am feeling guilty of unable to help then in the defense. My mother grabs my arm trying to hold me and I see my entire team surrounding me, standing between me and her.
"What is your business with our team leader?" Sylas was the 1st to speak in this tense moment. I could see confusion on my mother and sister's face changing to a surprise. Which I could have recorded their expressions as it looked funny.
I just place my hand on his shoulder saying "Relax man. They are family." To which he looks at me with a confusion at 1st and them understanding what I said moves away with an apologetic smile.
"You are a team leader?" Zaana asks me with smile on her face to which I just nod as it was not a big deal. My mother let's my hand go amd regains her composure and professionalism saying "My apologies Mr. Saad. I just wanted to check if you are okay."
"I am fine Luitenent, thank you for your concern." I reply and then introduce them to my fellow teammates and them to each other. At 1st I wanted to tell them about me selected to lead them, but later I decided not to.
After a few minutes, they leave to take their positions in the defense wall to hold it against the swam that is approaching. Looking them going, my guilt increased even more as I can't join them in the defense.
At that time, I hear a few notification sounds coming from my watch indicating a new highly important email has been received. I immediately open it. I am surprised to see I have been given permission by the company higher officials to join the defense if I wish to.
I look at my team and notice they are also checking their watch. I guess they might also received the same email I have received. I can see a smile on Sylas's face as he is about the get what he wanted from the morning, to fight.
I couldn't control myself from smiling looking at his reaction. It took me a minute to control it and keep a straight face and ask them "So, who's coming to the wall?" Sylas immediately steps forward looking at me like 'Do you even have to ask?'
Following him I see my entire team taking a step forward volunteering to join the defense. I am not sure why volunteers are needed when we were informed it is just a swarm that is attacking us and don't want to put my team in danger on the very 1st day of our mission.
"This is not going to be swarm team, but a horde. Think about it before stepping up." I tell them with a stern voice and a serious face. They are taken a back by my sudden change, but Sylas gains his composure and says "Nice, I will get more experience in battle then." With a smile on his face.
I nod at him and look at the rest and ask "Anyone else?" To my surprise everyone in the team comes forward volunteering to defend the town.