Cero sat in the central control room, his eyes fixed on a map of the region spread across the large table in front of him. Beside him, Sarah stood with her clipboard, diligently noting the latest updates from the reconnaissance team stationed in Windscar Pass.
A simple military radio in the corner of the table buzzed to life, transmitting the voice of a ground staff member assigned to relay field reports.
"Director, our reconnaissance team in Glynthar reports the movement of a group of adventurers. They're heading toward the Dralven region. Initial analysis suggests they may be spies sent by outside forces, likely to gather intelligence following our operation last month," the staff member reported in a firm tone.
Cero leaned back in his chair, twirling a small pencil between his fingers. "I see. Of course, they're spies. Our operation last month was far too large to go unnoticed. Someone must have escaped our sweep and reported the events to the nearest authority."
Sarah regarded Cero with her usual composed yet attentive expression. "Should we act immediately, Director? Adventurers like these can be more formidable than they appear."
Cero nodded slowly, pausing for a moment before issuing his orders. "Capture them, but proceed cautiously. Adventurers, while appearing relaxed, are effectively unofficial soldiers. They survive on real-world experience, not standard training."
"Understood, Director," the staff member on the radio replied. "We will initiate capture protocols as per procedure."
"Good. Ensure no violence is used unless absolutely necessary," Cero continued. "I want them alive. Their information is far more valuable than their corpses."
"Understood. I'll coordinate with the field teams," the staff member affirmed.
At Windscar Pass, the reconnaissance team received the directive from headquarters. Using short-range radios and military GPS devices, they quickly triangulated the adventurers' exact location. Sergeant Victor, the team leader, held a simple topographical map in his right hand, pointing to a specific chokepoint.
"We'll set up an ambush here," Victor said, indicating a narrow area in the pass. "It's their only way out. No need for direct confrontation—use an encirclement formation. Clara, you'll lead the diversion team on the western flank."
Clara, already prepared with her squad, nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure they're funneled into the narrow route."
Meanwhile, Garran Wulfhardt's adventurer group continued their slow advance through the winding trail. Their wagon creaked over the rocky ground, the wheels groaning with each uneven bump.
Suddenly, Lyria, the young mage, stopped in her tracks.
"Wait," she said softly, clutching her staff tightly. "Something's off."
Garran turned to her, his expression immediately serious. "What do you mean?"
"I can feel… something. It's like we're being watched," Lyria said cautiously. "And I don't mean birds or wildlife."
Aldrin, the archer, squinted as he scanned the surroundings. "I don't see anything, but she's probably right. This place feels too quiet."
Garran gritted his teeth and motioned to his team. "Stay ready. We might be walking into danger."
From their concealed position above the cliffs, Victor observed the group through his equipment. "They're starting to sense something," he whispered into the radio to Clara. "But it doesn't matter. They have no way out."
Clara responded promptly. "Understood. I'll initiate the diversion now."
Using tactical whistles and their radio system, Clara's team generated artificial noises from the southwest. The sounds echoed against the canyon walls, creating the illusion of significant movement in that direction.
The adventurers immediately tensed. Garran urged his group to quicken their pace, but the narrowing trail funneled them directly into Victor's ambush site.
When the flashbang detonated, a blinding light and deafening noise filled the pass. The adventurers staggered, disoriented and unable to regain their balance. Garran tried to raise his axe, but his trembling hands failed him. Lyria fell to her knees, clutching her ears as a sharp ringing consumed her senses.
Before they could recover, Kole, one of Victor's soldiers, emerged from the shadows with his rifle at the ready. Exploiting the group's confusion, he quickly incapacitated them one by one.
With a single blow to the back of Aldrin's head, Kole knocked the archer to the ground. He then snatched Lyria's staff and tossed it aside without hesitation. Moving swiftly, he kicked Kellen, the swordsman, to the gravel-strewn ground.
"Stop resisting, you fools!" Kole shouted, his voice filled with anger.
From their vantage point, Victor and Clara watched the scene unfold. Victor's eyes widened in shock at Kole's blatant disregard for protocol. He immediately stepped out of cover, his expression furious.
"Kole! What the hell are you doing?!" Victor yelled, his tone sharp and commanding.
Kole turned, his expression indifferent. "Finishing the job, Sergeant. You know they'll fight back once they recover."
"They're already neutralized! We only needed to detain them, not assault them!" Victor stormed toward Kole, his face flushed with anger. "You've violated protocol! Do you want to jeopardize this entire operation?"
Clara joined them, positioning herself between Kole and the subdued adventurers, who now lay sprawled on the ground in varying states of disarray. "Victor's right, Kole. Your actions were unnecessary. You know the Director's orders were to capture them alive and without undue violence."
Kole scoffed, shrugging his shoulders as if unbothered. "You're too soft. They might look weak now, but once they recover, they could turn on us. I'm just ensuring we don't take any risks."
On the ground, Garran, still groggy from the flashbang, squinted toward the soldiers. Though his body was weak, he noticed the tension between his captors.
"Lyria… Kellen…" he muttered hoarsely, trying to rouse his companions. "We're… in trouble."
Lyria, despite her pain, observed the soldiers' body language closely. She didn't understand their words, but the disagreement among them was palpable.
"Do you think they're going to kill us?" Lyria asked in a raspy voice.
Garran clenched his teeth, trying to muster his strength to reply. "Not yet. But whatever they're planning, we need to stay alert."
Victor glared at Kole, his tone cold and firm. "You're off this operation. Return to the main post, now. I'll be reporting your actions directly to the Director."
Kole smirked faintly, though he clearly understood the gravity of his situation. "Fine, Sergeant. But don't regret this when they turn on us."
"Leave. Now!" Victor barked.
Reluctantly, Kole withdrew, his heavy steps echoing as he made his way back toward the main post. Victor exhaled deeply, turning to Clara. "Make sure the group isn't injured further. We can't transport them in this condition."
Clara nodded and signaled the other soldiers to check on the adventurers. "Assess their condition. Ensure no one is seriously hurt."
Victor activated his radio to report back to headquarters. "Targets secured. There was a minor incident, but the situation is under control. We'll bring them to the main post for interrogation."
At the main command post, Cero listened to Victor's report through the tactical radio in his office. His expression remained calm, though his eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of Kole's actions.
"So, there was an incident?" Cero asked, his voice low but heavy with authority.
"Yes, Director," Victor replied. "One of our soldiers, Kole, acted out of line. He used unnecessary force against the targets before we could secure them. I've removed him from the operation."
"Good," Cero said, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table. "Bring the group to the main post without further complications. As for Kole, ensure he doesn't touch a weapon until I decide what to do with him."
"Understood, Director," Victor replied before the radio fell silent.
Cero turned to Sarah, who stood nearby with another set of reports in her hands. His expression remained icy, his tone sharp as he spoke. "Kole made a foolish mistake," Cero said coldly. "But it reveals something significant."
"What would that be?" Sarah asked, her curiosity evident in her measured tone.
"That even our forces have psychological limitations," Cero replied. "They might be trained with advanced technology, but their mentality is still shaped by traditional conflicts. I'll need to consider implementing retraining programs to instill stronger discipline."
Sarah nodded thoughtfully, her pen poised above her clipboard. "A comprehensive psychological assessment could also help identify weak points in their behavior under stress."
"Agreed," Cero said, leaning back slightly in his chair. "They're skilled fighters, but Kole's actions show a lack of control under pressure. A soldier who can't follow orders in critical moments is a liability."
Cero's gaze returned to the map on the table, his mind already working on solutions. "We'll start by revising the training regimens. Mental conditioning will become as important as tactical drills. These soldiers need to function as extensions of a single command, not individuals acting on impulse."
"I'll coordinate with the training division to draft new protocols," Sarah offered.
Cero nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Do that. And as for Kole, he's to remain disarmed until I decide whether he's worth keeping."
"Understood," Sarah said, jotting down notes swiftly.
As she left to carry out his orders, Cero remained seated, his thoughts lingering on the complexities of leadership. The incident with Kole wasn't just a failure of one soldier—it was a reminder of the balance required to lead effectively. Power, after all, was only as strong as the discipline behind it.