Chapter 655 - As the Night Deepened, The Dispute Among the Rebel Leaders (2/2)

Renz said as he went out of his room, followed by the messenger.

”Actually, Sir, there's nothing much to report.” The messenger said. ”Aside from a few noises from the forest, no one noticed anything else. There was no battle that happened either along the walls.”

”So, are you saying that they vanished just like that?”

Renz asked, making the messenger fall silent.

With a frown, Renz asked the messenger another question.

”What is the possibility of them escaping or turning over to the military?”

”Very low, Sir.” The messenger thought about the answer for a second before replying. ”The members of the assault party consisted of people who had relatives under our custody. We also handpicked those that seemed to have stronger bonds to ensure that they will not mess things up.”

That was how the assault party, which was obviously a suicide mission, was created. The members could not decline, escape, or betray them. If they did, their loved ones would be implicated.

Then, the assault party vanishing like that was definitely an odd situation.

Renz and the messenger made their way towards the comms center of the base. The place where communications between the deployed armed squads were centralized.

Opening the door, however, Renz could only frown.

”You are finally here, Renz.” A woman was already waiting inside. ”What is this assault party I'm hearing about?”

The atmosphere inside the comms center was quite cold. It was clear that it was because of this woman.

This woman, without a doubt, was the leader of this faction, Emellynn Aguillera. She was a woman in her early thirties with a strict looking face. Just a stare from her fierce eyes could shake a person with a weak heart.

Being started by those questioning eyes made Renz feel unpleasant. However, being an older man with a trained body, Renz would not back down from such a stare.

”A plan I made to ensure success in our attack at the settlement,” Renz replied, staring straight at Emellynn's eyes. ”This time, the settlement is under attack by the infected. It is the perfect opportunity to deploy such pla-URK!”

Renz was not able to finish his explanation. It was because, by the time he knew, his neck was already grasped tightly by Emellynn's cold right hand.

More than just a woman with stature, she was also an [Evolver] and a [Level 3 Mutator]. That was why, even though she had lesser influence over the rebels, no one would try to confront her face to face. It was especially because of her hot temper in contrast to her cold abilities.

”Calling it an assault party like an icing in a cake even though you just pushed them to suicide. I already told you, Renz. I don't want unnecessary deaths in our camp. Our goal is to overturn the government. Not to dispose of people who would be under us after we achieve that.”

Emellynn's tone was extremely chilling. No, it was not just her tone. Even the surrounding temperature was decreasing.

”I-I understand.” Renz tried to reply even though he was lacking air. ”I will recall them.”

But then...

BAM!

”AGH!”

Renz was slammed into the wall beside the door.

”You really think that I'm stupid? They are already missing. How the f*ck are you going to recall them.”

”Ma'am. Please calm down.”

A few people started to appease the angry woman.

Emellynn took a deep breath and begrudgingly released Renz, causing him to collapse to the ground and release a few loud coughs.

”Recall the remaining soldiers there,” Emellynn ordered. ”As for the disappearance of the assault group, send someone to investigate it.”

”Recall?” Renz argued. ”The settlement is under attack at the north and west sides! It's our opportunity to take them down!”

”You're already late.” Emellynn glared. ”The people I planted in the settlement already sent a message. Their battle already ended. The government settlement is safe. That is why there is no point in attacking anymore.”

Renz was surprised as he turned to his messenger.

”Didn't you say that the government settlement is under threat?”

”I-I did, Sir!”

Renz could tell that his messenger was not lying. Then, as he looked at the other people in the room, their expressions showed that something odd had happened.

”I tell you,” Emellynn spoke once more. ”Recall our forces that you mobilized.”

With that command, their cold tigress left the comms center, leaving Renz disgruntled. He was also a Mutator. However, compared to Emellynn, he was weaker. That was why he could only scheme behind her.

”This is not over...”

Renz murmured as he grit his teeth. But for now, he told the people in charge of the communication to recall their soldiers. There was no point in making them attack anymore.

***

Day 147 - 11:26 PM - Abandoned Farmhouse, Catanduanes Circ.u.mferential Road, Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes

It should be just an abandoned house near the roadside in a small village northeast of Catanduanes Settlement. Now, there seemed to be human activities at present in the middle of the night.

A shadow of a huge winged lizard could be seen guarding the place, especially a small cottage where several men were tied up inside.

Inside a room in the farmhouse, Michael lay down on a slightly dusty bed. Soon, he abruptly opened his eyes, remembering that they were supposed to be on the way to attack the government settlement. It was a suicide mission, but there was nothing else he could do.

As he woke up abruptly and immediately sat down, he felt a little dizzy. That was when he noticed that he was in an unfamiliar environment. And at the opposite side of the room near the door, he saw a silhouette of a person.

And then, while recovering from his dizziness, he heard the person spoke.

”Hey, you. You're finally awake.”

In an odd voice.