Chapter 683 - Layers of Deceit, Making Others Hands Dirty and Reap the Rewards After (1/2)

Day 150 - 12:41 PM - Military Settlement, Codon, Municipality of San Andres, Catanduanes

Lunchtime came in the Military Settlement. But instead of eating lunch, many soldiers were busy preparing things.

The General's convoy had just arrived with more than a hundred refugees. Although the preparations started last night after confirming the number of refugees, the time they had was still not enough to prepare dwellings for those people.

Usually, they would only create a tent area for the new refugees. They would use small camping tents since the refugees only needed places to sleep. The other facilities were already provided by the military.

However, it was different this time. For some unknown reason, General Padilla ordered the living spaces to be properly made this time.

It was the reason why the soldiers were now setting up larger tarpaulin tents. These tents had two-meter by two-meter space. It was enough for a small family to live in. However, it did not end there was each tent was placed with a double-size folding bed and mattress.

This large-scale development sparked the curiosity of everyone in the settlement. Soon, the news about the refugees spread out to everyone.

Their sudden arrival led to different opinions from the populace, both good and bad. And the obvious difference in treatment of these refugees from the military caused most of the negative ones.

Some people were happy the see that there were still survivors on the island. Unfortunately, it was only a minority. More people were concerned instead. After all, before these new refugees could adapt to the life inside the settlement, they would need to rely on the military for food and other necessities. As such, the supplies would take a hit for the sudden influx of people. Furthermore, there would be more work for the people in charge of taking care of people that were yet to be capable of taking care of themselves in the settlement.

However, the previous issues were not the gravest circ.u.mstances.

The greater issue was the obvious difference in treatment of the new refugees compared to the previous ones. In fact, there were still a number of refugees still living in small tents as they were incapable of working for a living in the apocalypse. For example, people with disabilities, orphaned children, and the elderly that did not have any remaining relatives.

There were still a lot of people relying on the military's compassion to keep living. For the newcomers to have a more privileged treatment would definitely impact those people.

It was the military that controlled the settlement. Thus, none of the bottom feeders dared voice their complaints about the situation.

Nonetheless, it did not mean that some people would not use this to their advantage.

***

”General Padilla. What is happening? The people are already spreading rumors about this unfair treatment!”

An angry voice could be heard shouting inside the office of General Padilla.

The Army General had just returned to his office after the tiring travel. It was not exaggerated that he was very tired. Yesterday, they rushed a convoy to Santo Domingo Outpost. At night, they had a meeting with Mark. After about only three hours of sleep, they had to wake up early. They had to see Mark off and prepare to bring the refugees back to the settlement. Then, there was another hour of travel on the danger-stricken road.

General Padilla's eyes were already droopy. He was not getting any younger as time passed by.

And yet, here he was, listening to someone's complaints with a shrug.

”General, are you listening?”

The soldier in front of the General asked aggressively.

General Padilla looked at the man. If he was not trying to maintain his image and status, he might have ordered his men to throw this garbage out of the room.

The soldier complaining inside General Padilla's office was Colonel Sergimiano Sabino. Being a General from the Army, none of his subordinates would have the guts to complain like this.

And that was right. Colonel Sabino was not from the Philippine Army but from the Marines. In fact, he was the late Marines General's, right-hand man.

Now that the Marines General was dead, the Marines were now following the instructions of General Padilla. However, it did not mean that they were already under him.

Now, being the second in command of the Marines in this settlement, Colonel Sabino had the guts and position to complain about the circ.u.mstances.

The worst thing about this guy, however, was that he was extremely cunning.

Colonel Sabino was against General Padilla for sure. However, he was not doing it like how the Marines General Seguerra faced the Army General directly. Instead, Colonel Sabino would only move with rational things that were hard to refute or would not put him in a tight spot.

Right now, Colonel Sabino was taking advantage of the complaints of the populace. Being on the side of the populace, it would be hard for General Padilla to just push away this guy without any answer. If General Padilla did such a thing, it would not take long for it to reach the people, and he would lose face.

This was how this Colonel work.

With a sigh, General Padilla stared at Colonel Sabino.

”I know what you are getting at.” General Padilla replied. ”However, this situation could not be helped.”

”General, what do you mean?” Colonel Sabino cried out. ”The people are complaining about this unfair treatment and you say that it could not be helped?”

General Padilla glared at the colonel. He was getting annoyed with this person since the start. Going back to the past, a lot of the things that the deceased Marines General did had Colonel Sabino lurking in the background.

However, Colonel Sabino always worked clean. It was hard to make him take responsibility, especially since he mostly avoided direct involvement in those activities.

In short, this Colonel Sabino was a cunning bastard.

If there would be no repercussions, General Padilla would not mind eliminating this guy. If there was no evidence, then make one. The armed forces of the Philippines were not spotlessly clean. Such things happen every now and then.

”Colonel Sabino, you already heard who took down the Antis and rescued the captives, right?” General Padilla replied to the Colonel's question. ”The very same person requested the new refugees to receive this treatment. He even offered [Mutagen Stones] in exchange.”

”Are you saying that it's because of that criminal that killed General Seguerra?” Colonel Sabino bellowed. ”General Padilla, you are still cooperating with that criminal?”

General Padilla could not help but frown.