Paxton quickly rushed into the Medic tent, his gaze scanning the room for the maps. His memories had given him a vivid image of how the map of their area was, and the distinct landmarks that made it stand out from others.
One of those would be the floating Pyramids. The Pyramid of Black Disaster.
'I remember the Commander instructing us not to even go near it, claiming that those beasts were on the level of Disaster Class Glitches'.
He found one besides a comrade, who was sleeping after getting his torso and arms wrapped around in a white sheet.
'Team Leader Yama, was it? I remember he was tasked with mapping the area left unknown to us…and that was how we found him in this state'.
Sometimes, simple tasks don't appear simple, and difficult tasks don't appear as difficult as they may seem.
He picked up the maps from the table next to his bed and walked towards his next destination in a hurry.
'Let's break it down. We've been here for six months with no progress…In fact, we're beyond making any form of progress in our condition'.
He thought as he walked by some curious nurses.
'...the reason is simple. Spies are present, and our plans keep going astray. That must mean the spy had been with us from the very beginning of the War'.
If he had summed it up to that, then he was aware of the crisis at hand.
'Meaning it would be impossible to suspect anyone at a crucial time like this. In fact, it would be a seed of doubt, and perhaps destruction…'
So how does he catch a Spy or Spy without letting the army know that he's searching for them without their knowledge?
'Let's deal with Captain Rendo first'.
Just before he turned around a corner leading to his bed, his gaze landed on a scalpel, neatly cleaned and kept on a surgical tray.
He looked up at the nurses who were busy attending to other things, and then the scalpel once more.
'Perfect'.
A few minutes passed and he had finally arrived next to Captain Rendo.
The war veteran had been enjoying a slice of apple when he arrived, his gaze shifting towards him with delight. He glanced at the maps and smiled.
"I remember one of your subordinates was a map-drawer"
"Yes, Soldier Yuri and Soldier Flir, both have died in service, but they will become the cornerstone to my plan of catching those spies".
Captain Rendo glanced at him for a moment, sighed and finished the slice of apple before dropping it on the empty plate next to him. "What do you have for me?" He asked.
Paxton placed the maps on his bed, three in number, and opened one up first.
"This is the plains of our current locations, and here, here and here".
He pointed out three distinctive landmarks.
"These are vantage points for spies and the enemies to meet together".
Captain Rendo glanced at him. "Well, yes, the Strategic Squad figured that out a long time ago".
"Yes, but did they mention here and here?"
The map had landmarks of waterways, open caves, and lost cities. This time, he pointed at the waterway, the two used by the army.
"I don't think we're losing soldiers to just death. I think some of us are being captured".
Captain Rendo raised a brow, his brows furrowing deeply. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"Every meal, up till now before our defences were all breached, we had been using here as our source of water, but what if some of us are being captured and replaced?"
Captain Rendo held his chin in contemplation. "Yes, but that would go against the conclusion of the Strategic Squad".
Paxton nodded his head in understanding.
"Of course, the Spies…no, a single spy had been with us since the very beginning but the numbers had been increasing within our ranks since we got here…so more information is being leaked out now..…compared to the beginning".
Captain Rendo's expression hardened. His gaze flickered at the points he marked out on the map, and it lingered at one in particular before he looked away.
Subtle movements were something Paxton was good at spotting and he noticed it instantly.
You could wonder where he got the confidence in the manner in which he spoke, but his position within the Army for the past six months worked out well for him. Not only did he get information from his subordinates, but also his friends, especially the sergeant that was part of the Strategic Squad. Though, he died trying to protect him.
'All these war heroes…they shall be remembered for their sacrifice'.
Thanks to that, he had been able to pinpoint landmarks most suitable for Spies to meet up with their contractor.
It wasn't a difficult process since his subordinates marked out these maps themselves and spotted two areas that they found weird.
However, he had restricted it to just one, thanks to Captain Rendo. He had been suspicious of his behaviour since a week ago, and Paxton had been studying his pattern for a while.
'Games don't give you impossible missions if you're observant enough'.
He thought as he bowed to Captain Rendo.
"This is just my conclusion from the matter and I intend to let Commander Johnfry know right away".
He was about to turn around when Captain Rendo slowly stretched his hand for the kitchen knife.
"Hold on, Paxton" he called with his carefree voice, causing the sergeant to halt.
"Why don't you let me tell the commander?" He asked.
"Tell me what?". At that moment, a man vested in a thick fur coat, soaked in blood and five others walked towards them.
The man had grey hair and a scar that ran across his face, with a stern expression, a testament to his many years in battle. Commander Johnfry Rudge had made his appearance, finally.
"Commander…I was just about to come look for you" Captain Rendo said as he dropped the knife while Paxton stood at attention with a hand salute.
"Greetings, Sir!" he chorused as the man and the five lieutenants under Captain Rendo walked up to his bed.
"Sergeant Paxton. Did you have some business with the captain?" Lieutenant Xora, a fierce lady with Ashburn hair and black eyes asked with a heavy, tired tone in her voice.
They had just escaped the battlefield with their lives, after all. It was no wonder they were lethargic.
"I offered my help in finding the Spies, Madam" he replied, his posture still upright and his arm still raised to his forehead.
At that moment, the commander glanced at Captain Rendo and then at Paxton.
"your help? Do you think you can find them?"
"But Commander, what's the use? Our last line of defence has been breached. We should be thinking of retreating tactics to get away from the Slaves". Captain Rendo said in protest, but the commander shook his head.
"If we retreat, then the Spies retreat with us. It will bring chaos to our Kingdom upon arrival. We must deal with them now".
"But the Strategic Squad is on it. What could one man do?" Lieutenant Joffi, a jovial man similar to Captain Rendo asked with a raised brow.
At that moment, the commander glanced at Paxton, his gaze piercing a hole through him.
"Name and Task?"
"I am Sergeant Paxton Zen, leader of the Map and Reconnaissance Squad, Sir!"
The Commander raised a brow in surprise, glanced at the Captain and Lieutenant and then turned to Paxton. "At ease. Tell me your findings".
Commander Johnfry was an easy going man, despite his demeanour and would often allow his subordinates to have a say in his plans.
This was because he believed leadership is letting the masses have a say in whatever conclusion you arise to.
Paxton spent some time going over the details of what he had told Captain Rendo, with each point raising the curiosity in Commander Johnfry.
A good five minutes had passed, and not just the Commander but also the lieutenants were amazed by his conclusion.
"Did the Strategic team miss the waterways?" He asked Lieutenant Joffi.
"Um, the waterways weren't considered dangerous…in fact, we never assumed that some of us could have been replaced".
The Commander glanced at Captain Rendo and Paxton, his gaze flickering for a moment.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, or so I believe. We shall find the Spies first before we plan our escape…"
He patted Captain Rendo on his shoulder and slowly began to make his way out.
"Come with me, Sergeant Paxton. You will go over to the Fork Waterway and find out if your speculation is mere speculation".
"Yes sir". Paxton replied before walking after him, leaving the five Lieutenants and Captain Rendo to their devices.
Their gazes followed Paxton in unison, as they watched him walk away from their sight. At that moment, their eyes flickered, a black void cascading in their pupils before it disappeared like light.