Book 2, Chapter 105 - The Mission (1/2)

Chapter 105 - The Mission

The three giants of Hell’s Valley and ten or so officers were waiting in the command center. Hell’s Valley outpost had been repaired following the attack by the Dark Atom, but their shame was not so easily erased. Underneath it all, the shock of their devastation still simmered. It’d been so sudden and unexpected.

The Dark Atom was an insidious and prudent organization.

Before this attack there was no precedent for a Dark Atom assault. Previous terrorist acts never put them in direct combat with elysian soldiers. They were carefully planned efforts of disruption, designed to inflate their presence or show off their capabilities.

This last effort was different.

Hell’s Army was a shadow operation run by the elysians. A shadow organization was synonymous with secret, and that fit this place just fine. Ninety-nine percent of elysians didn’t even know they existed.

So for optics, there was no benefit for Dark Atom to take a bite out of Hell’s Army. Still they brought out their big guns, even their mysterious leader Wolfblade. It seemed completely counter to the terrorist organization’s typical methods.

The Dark Atom was organized in what was described as kite-shaped. Leadership was the center of the kite, where its cells were the corners. Leaderships and the various divisions worked independently, and only worked in concert for bigger missions. Communication happened through envoys sent by leadership to the different cells. In this way, even if an entire division was wiped out, the elysian only snipped one corner of the kite. He only way to destroy an organization like this was to cut the string.

The Dark Atom was built around a single point, meaning leadership was very important – the one with all the secrets especially. He couldn’t accept even the slightest risk. Communiques from leadership were protected by a confidential system that had yet to be cracked. Because of this, despite every effort by the elysians, the organization’s leadership had never been revealed. Their talent for security was nothing short of genius, which has ensured they continued to this day.

Wolfblade and other core members of the organization practically never got involved directly with operations. It ensured that whatever the result of those operations, the Dark Atom would continue. Why, then, would Wolfblade take such a risk this time? All for some treasure they didn’t even know how to use? The artifact had been ruled out as a relic. But even if it was a legendary prize, it couldn’t have been worth the risk.

Was it an open declaration of war? Where did such confidence come from!

The Dark Atom was like a centipede, or a scorpion. Skycloud domain was a giant. The scorpion could easily hide in dark places, striking at the giant from time to time with its tail. However, if this scorpion should ever crawl out into the light of day, it would learn how inferior it was to the giant. All the elysians needed was a target, and their massive foot would crush it into paste.

The question had become a big headache for Natessa, Eckard and Dumont.

“We have a confidential communication from Skycloud domain!”

A man dressed all in black walked into the command center. The message he bore most likely had to do with the Dark Atom and their recent attack. Natessa motioned him forward, and the man in black presented her with a rolled up parchment.

“Two matters.” Natessa unfurled the scroll and looked over its contents. Her brows slowly rose as she described what she saw. “The first states that Skycloud’s retaliatory efforts on the Dark Atom have already seen results. Master Arcturus has taken control of the matter personally, and dispatched his disciple Frost de Winter to investigate. In a single stroke ten Dark Atom strongholds were obliterated, while seven cells were eradicated. Over two hundred terrorists lost their lives, accounting for nearly half the Dark Atom’s total forces. After returning from the wastelands he was appointed Major General of the Knights of Splendor. He was been given full authority to hunt down what remains of the Dark Atom, and can act without oversight from Skycloud leadership, reporting directly to Governor Arcturus.”

The envy among those in the command center was almost palpable. What made Master Arcturus think so highly of that twenty-something disciple of his?

What other excuse could there be except that the governor was grooming him as his successor? He was already a high ranking demonhunter, bearing the title of general. Now he’d stepped in to take command of the Knights of Splendor, a core segment of Skycloud City’s strength. Without a doubt, Frost was the most powerful man of his generation.

No one could deny Frost’s abilities. After all, his teacher was the illustrious Arcturus Cloude. A man like him would not bother to accept one without talent as his disciple. Frost also cultivated a sterling reputation, everyone knew of his strict self-control. He was poised to become the backbone of Skycloud’s dominance in the future.

Frost’s talents were clear from the contents of the message. In a handful of words the report described a success over the Dark Atom greater than any they’d seen in years. The terrorist organization’s leadership still remained at large, but a grievous blow was delivered to their forces. For the time being, the Dark Atom would be too crippled to cause any more problems.

“Well, at least it’s done. A shame I couldn’t get revenge with my own hands.” Eckard wore his regret on his sleeves. While the soldiers in Hell’s Valley didn’t seem much affected by what had happened, the truth was their pride had been sorely injured. Now there was nowhere for them to vent their anger. “The second bit?”

“In his briefing once Frost returned to Skycloud, he mentioned finding a clue while eradicating Dark Atom forces. He claims that through a decade of painstaking effort, the Dark Atom has infiltrated one of the cities along the domain’s border. They are a dangerous cancer in our home, he says, and has asked for permission to root them out.” Natessa put the scroll aside and looked toward the others. “Frost de Winter has been dispatched to the area, and has asked for Tartarus Squad by name to join him there.”

“Never good news. We’re only called when shit like this starts to roll downhill. Fuckin’ infuriating.” Eckard was visibly fuming. “If it were us then so be it, but Tartarus Squad? They’re still green. Everyone needs time to adjust, and they haven’t even started mission training yet. Dispatching them for something like this is asking for trouble!”

“Complaining isn’t going to solve anything, isn’t this why Hell’s Valley is here?” Natessa put the scroll away, keeping her face stoic. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. “Call Tartarus Squad’s captain, have him come here. This will be their first mission.”

Eckard continued to grumble his misgivings, but this letter wasn’t a request, it was an order. They had no option but to comply.

A few minutes later, Cloudhawk strode into the command center. The other squad leaders had already left, leaving him alone with the three instructors.