Chapter 757: The Last Night Before it Strike, A Gathering in the White Space (1/2)
Day 156 - 6:51 PM - Mountain Base, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Province of Quezon
Arriving at the base, the reaction of everyone from the New Infanta Settlement was the usual surprise and amazement. They were just regular humans before the outbreak, and they would think that something magical as Mark's base could exist.
However, the moment they arrived, Mark led everyone from New Infanta Settlement to the meeting room. Although Mark brought them here by the guise of a request, they still needed to know the actual reason, considering the ones present were connected with the people from his base in one way or another. Of course, the only thing Mark told them was about the incoming planetary debris hitting Earth. Other information about the Hidden Gods and Eyes intercepting the debris were not included, however.
The ones present were the people Mark had in mind to bring here.
First and foremost, Emika's family. Her mother, Rosamie, her younger brother, Mikio, and her uncle, Chervil.
The second one was Major Alfonso Bautista, Karlene's father.
Lastly, as a pair of bodyguards, the two former teammates of Karlene and Alana were present, Joash and Tyson. They were the ones that General Faustino sent as escorts. Well, they volunteered upon hearing what was happening instead of being ordered by the General. These two were competent enough and passed Mark's criterion of being familiar to him.
After the two volunteered, General Faustino decided not to push any other soldier as escorts. It was evident here that he did not want to be on Mark's bad side. Giving too many escorts on a supposedly safe endeavor would offend Mark was definitely what the General had in mind.
The two seeing Karlene and Alana after a while surely was a happy occasion. By what it seemed, Joash had already given up on trying to chase after Karlene. The way he looked at the latter was different from before. It was a good thing, considering that the man had no chance of succeeding.
Mark revealed what was really happening to the people in question. It was not surprising that they were shocked by Mark's announcement.
”Are you telling the truth? Why are you just saying this now?! Shouldn't we announce it to everyone? What about the people in the settlement?!”
That question would surely pop out in such a situation. This time, it was Joash who asked it.
However, before Mark could answer, Major Bautista stopped Joash from asking more with a shake of his head.
”There is no point in it.” Major Bautista spoke. ”This is a catastrophe on a worldwide scale. There is no way we would be able to do anything other than making people panic if it was known to everyone. In the worst case, the settlement would fall before the catastrophe even struck. Knowing that something they could not do anything about was to happen, it would create chaos.”
That made Joash fall silent. What the Major said was true. Even so, he was unsatisfied with the answer.
Still, the Major had one question for Mark.
”Where did you get that information?”
”It's not something I can tell you.” Mark shook his head. ”While what you said is true, it's not the main reason why I did not report such a thing to the military. It's because someone else would have done it if any of you fit certain criteria.”
This made Major Bautista and the others confused.
”Why so secretive? Is the person that told you this some sort of oracle giving God or something?”
Tyson, the most carefree of the group, spoke out loud.
His words, however, made the people in the know inside the room react. Those reactions served as a clue.
”No, way.” Tyson was surprised. ”You guys are joking, right?”
Of course, no one answered. However, it was clear to their reactions that Tyson was getting unto something.
Ignoring what was going on, Mark spoke.
”In any case, there's nothing we can do about it this situation. It's not like anyone of us can stop space debris from falling on Earth. All we can do is wait for a miracle. In the least, here, you guys are safer.”
”If it's safer here, can't you rescue people from the settlement?”
Tyson added another question. This question, however, made Mark look at him as if he was an idiot.
”Why are you looking at me like that? I'm asking a proper question.”
However, it seemed that even Joash understood the answer to this question, and he tapped Tyson's shoulder, shaking his head.
As Mark had better things to do than explain things to people who were technically not under him, he decided to end it here.
”I already told everything that you all needed to know,” Mark spoke. ”Just stay here for a few days. That is if we can pass the day tomorrow safely.”
Seeing that Mark had no plans on telling more, Major Bautista urged Joash and Tyson that they should just stop here. With the conversation ending, Karlene and Alana guided everyone to where they would be staying.
Of course, there was someone who did not question Mark at all. She approached Mark with a slight bow.
”Thank you for allowing us to stay here.”
Rosamie said before bringing her children with her and following Karlene and Alana.
Seeing the group leave, Mark sighed. He then turned to Mei.
”Mei'er, did you tell Odelina everything?”
”I did,” Mei replied. ”She also went and announced it to everyone while you were gone.”
”Good.” Mark made another sigh. ”I'm already tired. I don't want to go gather everyone and tell them everything.”
Hearing that, Aephelia, who was waiting at the side, spoke.
”If you are already tired, Master, I should then tell Morgan to meet you another time. It seemed that he wanted to personally thank you for saving them.”
”Yeah, you do that.” Mark nodded. ”After a while, I wanted a peaceful sleep.”
Receiving the order, Aephelia immediately left the room to inform Morgan, who was the inheritor of her former ally.