500 A Visitor, The Disturbance at the Great Island Military Base (2/2)
Hearing that somewhat illogical reason, Sherry agreed and lowered her gun.
”Everyone, lower your weapons.”
Sherry commanded.
”But Captain.”
One of the elite members tried to protest.
”It's an order.”
Sherry firmly said.
”Yes, Ma'am.”
Finally, that elite member reluctantly lowered his gun.
”You don't have to be that reluctant.” Mark suddenly spoke. ”Even if you continue pointing that gun at me, it doesn't mean that you will be able to do anything if I tried to do something.”
The elite member could not accept what he just heard. Even here, their group was respected by these lower-ranked soldiers. The ridicule from a single beggar-looking man was too hard for him to accept.
Thus, getting overwhelmed by his emotions, the elite member raised his gun once more and fired to everyone's shock.
”STOP!”
Sherry and Major McGuire shouted. However, it was already too late.
A burst of three bullets fired from the assault rifle that man was holding, flying towards Mark's direction.
But then, who knows when did Mark take out one of his swords. With a wave of the whip-like blades...
TANG! TANG! TANG!
Three bullets fell dented to the ground.
Then... Mark vanished from where he stood. The next thing that everyone knew...
Mark was already standing behind that elite member that fired his rifle. The blade of the whip-like sword curved around the neck of the elite soldier.
”So, how many pieces do you want to turn into?”
Mark asked without looking at the soldier behind him. The soldier could not speak as he was already overwhelmed in fear.
On the other hand, the other soldiers readied their weapons as conflict suddenly rose. Mark did not care about them, though.
”Not answering?”
Mark said as the curved whip-blade tightened around the soldier's neck.
As the blade connected with the soldier's skin, blood started to drip.
”Stop! Stop! I surrender!”
The soldier was finally able to blurt out his words.
”Do you think that I will accept that?”
Mark smiled sinisterly as the blade continued to tighten.
”Please stop, we apologize for his conduct.”
The Major tried to intervene.
The blade loosened a bit, but Mark did not let go.
”Apology? Think about it. A subordinate did not follow his boss' order and shot his gun to kill you. You managed to turn it around, but the boss stopped you with an apology. Will you accept?”
That question made everyone speechless and understanding at the same time.
”Just what do you want?”
Sherry spoke with a frown.
”What are you asking about? He tried to kill me, so I'm trying to kill him. What is wrong with it?”
It was against the law either way, but no one could refute it now.
”Tell us what you want in exchange for his life.” The Major asked, making everyone look at him as he continued. ”When I told you that I have some questions for you to ask, you said that you will answer if we answer your questions. Then maybe, you can trade his life for something.”
Many soldiers did not accept that, and they were ready to fire their guns if needed.
”Trade, huh?” Mark spoke with his index finger tapping his chin.
And then, he gave a shocking offer.
”The research you people are conducting here. I want to see it along with the reports.”
That made both Major McGuire and Sherry freeze.
”Major, you dropped us into the pit.”
Sherry whispered as she panned her eyes through the soldiers around that were present.
Hearing that sentence, the Major could only have a bitter expression. Sherry was right, he dropped everyone into the pit.
Handing over the research they painstakingly studied for the life of a single soldier was not worth it. Furthermore, even if he was an elite soldier...
After he fired his gun, he was already subjected to insubordination.
Nevertheless, Major offered a trade for the life of that soldier, in front of everyone here. If he declined, even if it was the most logical answer, the morale and trust of the soldiers to their superiors would be broken.
It was a double-edged sword. Either side that hit the soldiers would wound them severely.
Thus, there was silence as everyone waited for the Major's answer.
”Major, just agree to him. I don't mind if others learn about our research.”
A voice interrupted. As everyone turned their heads towards the source of the voice, there was a young man in scientist clothes walking from the direction of the school building.
The young scientist turned at Mark, and the latter did the same.
Sure enough, a troublesome character appeared.