Chapter 648 (2/2)
Not that Colonel Euthna was the type to accept that sort of behavior. She was from the Central Domain’s elite, but she had fought on the front lines for years. She was a practical, no-nonsense woman. But she had a family that had fallen on hard times, so she had conceded to having several less than stellar Lieutenants.
And when shit arrived, flies gathered around it.
There were mutters from the Captains of agreement. The Lieutenant gave Sergeant Platton an expectant smile. There was pity there, but also smugness. “Well then, there you have it. Your story is without merit Sergeant Platton, and therefore, I can’t waste the good Colonel’s time with this. In fact…”
After a pause, the Lieutenant’s face changed, as though something just occurred to him. “In fact… perhaps you just don’t understand the seriousness of your foolishness, Platton. No, I cannot condone such reckless lies. The Colonel would be aghast to learn of that. We need to set an example; this command structure will not stand for your lies. As such, we, the tribunal will have to punish-”
“You aren’t a Tribunal, Lieutenant,” Sergeant Platton bellowed with flashing eyes. “This is a debriefing. I am simply reporting-”
“And I am telling you,” the Lieutenant cut across, his face twisted in annoyance. It was clear to Sergeant Platton that these fools around him never challenged him or spoke over him. “That I sentence you-”
But then a sharp voice cut across all their attention.
“All hands, battlestations. Prepare for assault. We are being attacked.” The voice was almost a low rumble. Sergeant Platton had heard rumors about Colonel Euthna’s powerful command abilities, but this was the first time he had felt them. It was almost as if the Colonel could speak and the entire army heard. “I repeat, prepare for assault. It appears… a Propagator has come to Southpoint Beach.”
The Lieutenant seemed to deflate like a rotten tomato.
Sergeant Platton didn’t bother to deal with the Lieutenant as he left the report tent and looked around the kicked beehive that was the camp. Men and women holding spears were running to and fro, yelling and shouting at each other. A few carried some of the new tower shields that were being shipped to the front lines to keep the Psychic Poison off of the fighters.
It wouldn’t be enough. This place was a glorified supply depot. It was not made to withstand an attack. And it couldn’t be denied that the spear users of Tellus were much better at attacking than they were at defending points. Likely, Colonel Euthna knew that. If at all possible, she wouldn’t have their forces turn to fight against the Wights without fortifications.
Which meant that the attack was imminent. Sergeant Platton swore as a strange notion struck him. Did the Propagator follow them back…?
Instantly, he sprang into action. Including those two that survived their penetration into enemy lines, Platton had another 10 people underneath him. He sent messages detailing where they should meet and sought out his other four charges: the representatives from the tournament. They were waiting for him with their spears in hand, ready to fight.
Well, Randidly, Skarch, and Azriel were there. Silo was nowhere to be seen.
“Do we know where Silo is?” Sergeant Platton asked. The three looked at each other and shrugged.
“If he wanted to be found, he would have shown up,” Azriel said shortly. The other seemed to agree.
Sergeant Platton sighed and looked over Randidly and Azriel more closely. Even now, he had no doubt that his Skill was slowly eating at them. It might even be in such a small way that they wouldn’t notice for a while. A week, a month… but the System Rarity Skill would eventually catch up to them. Should he tell them…?
But no, he recognized the determination in their eyes. They would fight no matter what. If they wouldn’t slow down, then all Sergeant Platton could do is put them in a situation where they could make the best of their remaining time.
“Alright then,” Sergeant Platton grunted. “Let’s make the Wights bleed for every inch of land they try and take.”