Spies are usually people one would least suspect, but then again, they can also be people that you would highly suspect.
It's a confusing game of whack-a-mole where you could completely miss if you think one is the sure answer.
Paxton had always been an observant person. It was something he was forced to learn since his condition couldn't let him chat with others for fun before a form of medication was given to him.
Even after his hearing had been fixed to a subtle decree, he still learnt to be observant.
Taking the most subtle behaviour language into decree.
His memories, though of a mere Sergeant, served as a form of foundation for his plans. He could remember, not exactly vividly, the behaviour pattern of those he had grown close to over the past few months.
He made a mental list of them, and the few that had died as well.
'It's difficult already that I have to work with six months of memories that are not even mine, not to mention the way he changed behaviour'.
Originally, for the past months, Paxton was a laid-back, shy Soldier who only listened to orders.
'...but after acting this way, I'm sure a lot of people will start to suspect me'.
He thought as he got back to his patient's bed. There wasn't enough time either, three days. He was left to make an impact in one way for the other in three days, and he sure as hell wanted to achieve all four.
'It's an impossible task…but I'm sure the server wouldn't give us something we could never do'.
There had to be a key in achieving his goals from his memories, and his current condition.
A brief sigh escaped his lips as he sat down, and looked around.
'Let's start with the easiest…catching the spies'.
Though it might sound difficult on paper, with the right cunningness and wisdom it was possible to catch the rats.
'The easiest way would be for them to reveal themselves….and I can use Captain Rendo as a start'.
There were a total of one thousand and five hundred soldiers that went to the battlefield, but they had lost nearly half of their numbers to the war.
It was gruesome, to say the least.
'The Lieutenants are also involved in this…to be more specific. Everyone in the army is a suspect until proven innocent…this is the basis of catching a spy'.
A loud explosion erupted in the middle of his thoughts, causing a slight headache to brew in his head. It seemed like while soldiers were here resting and recuperating, a lot more were in the middle of battle.
He grunted slightly and stood up.
'Firstly, let's see what's happening outside…I can meet up with Captain Rendo once all is done'.
Paxton walked past the nurses, and the soldiers crippled on their beds. Some were still getting treatment and some others had already gotten it and were in a deep sleep.
The sounds of their pain-filled groans and moans filled the air as he walked past them towards the exit of the Tent.
Though he had regained his memories, he couldn't feel any form of remorse for the soldiers. This was war, something he never thought he would be forced to experience, until now.
'They say a human's best instinct strikes them in times of crisis. While some would run away from a fight, many more will stand to fight'.
All this was human nature, a subtle reminder of the fleeting nature of life.
He walked out into the open air, and the stale stench of the battlefield struck his nostrils.
He groaned slightly and kept walking, his feet stunning on ash as he did so.
The Medical tent had been pitched behind the battlefield, a long way from where the actual action was occurring.
Though, the noises could still be heard from there. It was a testament to the ferocity of the battle.
'I remember the Solack slaves were able to push through our first to the third line of defence.
This is our last, and perhaps our only hope. Once it's gone…we're all going to be left at the mercy of the enemies' hands'.
Thrown into the battlefield simply for goals and a single boost wasn't exactly a canvas for success, but it did mean something.
With slow and stealthy steps, he made his way to the battlefield.
The explosions continued, and the sounds of people clashing against each other echoed in the still air.
His gaze shifted upwards at the sun, and his eyes widened in shock.
The skies were blue, with four giant, floating pyramids, tilted upside down in a glorious splendour. Around each pyramid was a cascade of colours, and black clouds surrounding them.
The sun was high and hot, and so were their surroundings. It was evident that they were in one of the hottest regions of the world.
He didn't need to look twice to know that the black clouds weren't exactly black clouds.
'Glitches?'
He wondered as he glanced at the occasional large boulders that stood in his way.
Despite learning about them in history class, he never really got the chance to see them.
An image of the tentacle piercing his comrade like a rag doll played in his head.
'Okay, that doesn't count'
As he stepped on ash along the path to the battlefield, the ground trembled.
It was evident now, that the battlefield was close by.
Luckily, he was up on a hill, not too high but not too low either. There, he hid behind a large boulder and glanced forward, where a gruesome sight awaited him.
Sounds of humans screaming as large foreign creatures stumbled upon them like ants, crazed players sweeping through the battlefield like a tornado, and further ahead, sitting on a throne by his fellow slaves. The Slave King watched.
The battle was a one-sided massacre, with a mountain of dead bodies and a fallen barricade made of stones.
He could spot their commander, sending the rest of their forces back up to the rest.
'It's a forced retreat'.
There was nothing they could do amongst that many foes. As his gaze scanned the battlefield, counting the number of fiendish creatures, and the Players under the slaves, it landed on The Slave King.
All the slaves were bald, as it was customary for them to shave their heads. Their ears were pierced, and so were their nostrils, but the number of rings Paxton counted on the man's face was too inhumane to number. Their clothes consisted of rags
It was like a cushion of needles, with black eyes, devoid of light.
He glanced further trying to get a better view. After all, he was over two kilometres away, and just when he had gotten enough, he prepared to look away.
He was stopped midtrack when the Slave King suddenly tilted his head towards him, his dull, black eyes piercing holes in his.
'....there's no way'. Paxton thought in surprise. There were often Players who were capable of supernatural things or highly efficient jobs, but this was just….paranormal for him.
'If he's truly able to see me from there, then we have a problem'.
How were a bunch of army men, despite their large numbers, supposed to conquer a human akin to a demi-god?
His amber gaze, of course, remained fixed on the Slave King as they were locked in what seemed like a staring contest.
A warm sensation brewed in his chest when he noticed the Man slowly lift his fingers towards him. Paxton didn't need to think twice to know what could occur, and with a single motion, he turned away and rushed off back to the tent.
'After the rather Embarrassing defeat, the army would get desperate for a victory'. He thought as the warm sensation swelled down. For some reason, he was sure that whatever the Slave King had attempted to do would have caused problems for him.
'....let's focus on what I can do for now'.
He could hear the hurried footsteps of the retreating soldiers, their voices a tired grunt as they walked up the hill.
A meeting would be called soon, and then Paxton's plan would begin.