83 Omen 3 (2/2)
”Your squad members have already been selected. Silence, Corporal Zhai, and Simon. You will wait on standby at the second take off hanger.
Simon was a second year, but was already confirmed to be transferred up as a third year. Han and Simon had worked together in the same Squad once before, and so was put together. Han's squad consisted of people with whom he was familiar.
”Understood.”
Han said and looked to Silence. Silence nodded.
”Your Squad code is 'E'. Echo or Easy. Take your pick. Well, there is no need to choose.”
It would be unlucky to take on the name Echo, when the team that had been eliminated was dubbed Echo. They would be jinxed. It would only be used once again after some time had passed and the event forgotten.
”We will go with, Easy.”
”Easy Team, assemble within twenty minutes at the second hanger. Afterwards, you are to move according to the command sent to you through your data bracelet.”
The housing officer shouted commands to the soldiers. The soldiers moved to fulfil their individual duties. Support assist teams moved around busily helping to gear all the troops. The patrol planes deployed out first.
'Psychoframe…'
Han stared across to the high altitude stealth plane, Black Crow. The engineers were loading the psychoframes into the plane. Just behind the team were the first generation psykers gearing up. Four Black Crows would be simultaneously deployed for this military operation. The reserve soldiers out on other long distance military operation were commanded to evacuate their current missions for an urgent emergency.
”You're already a squad leader. That's a very quick promotion. Is your father a military commander?” Corporal Zhai joked while laughing.
”Everything is temporary,” Han said. Han predicted he would need a lot of support from Corporal Zhai this time around. Amongst all the squad members, the member with the most varied experience is Corporal Zhai.
”Well, well, this is a pleasant surprise,” Simon appeared saying, already fully geared. The British youth arrogantly raised his eyebrows. He'd been urgently recruited without prior notice, but he still didn't look the slightest bit nervous.
”So you're Simon Dell, the last genius of England. I'm Zhai Zun.” Corporal Zhai offered a handshake to Simon. Simon nodded. Simon didn't speak high handedly like he had done during their initial years in Ark. After all the training and drills, his personality had become very prudent. Racial discrimination had no place in a multination military organization. Even if one had such thoughts in their heart, nobody would dare to utter their true feelings out loud.
Squad Easy greeted one another. Corporal Zhai was familiar with everyone except for Simon.
'The higher-ups most likely intentionally set up the squad like this. I'm familiar with everyone in this squad, and I can't find a single flaw for this match of people for the squad. Silence is one of the most exceptional amongst the psykers, Simon has vast psychic skills which adds flexibility to military operations, and lastly Corporal Zhai has a lot of experience in actual battle so he can make up for my shortcomings.'
Han burned his squad members' specialties and abilities into his mind. He worked with them once before so he didn't feel especially burdened. Han used his data bracelet to share the present condition with the rest of his squad members. The squad members projected a hologram map.
”8 squads will be deployed to Tirania, the capital of Albania. Currently, additional squads have not been confirmed for the mission. The Balkan Alliance currently occupies the Tirania dimensional crack, but they requested for Ark's support after the minion's surprise attack. Team Delta and Echo worked together with the Balkan Alliance to kill the minions, but failed and everyone has been annihilated…. The Balkan Alliance also failed to shoot down the minions, they're currently moving their military base. Our goal is to reclaim the dimensional crack zone and block further opening of the crack.”
Simon furrowed his brows while listening.
”Is it a similar situation as last time? They're doing something strange at the dimensional crack zone again.”
”Yes. The minions, more specifically the Elu mages are currently trying to reopen the dimensional gate. We stopped the opening last time, but they seemed to have prepared beforehand and they're dead set on opening the gate again. This means that we don't have much time left. The minion numbers are rising every day.”
Though Han said this, it was a mystery whether the minion numbers were indeed rising or not.
”There are that many minions remaining in that neighborhood?”
Simon couldn't understand the situation. Corporal Zhai who was listening quietly all this time, explained.
”Some Elu mages are able to distort space and summon warp tunnels. Two Elu mages must work together or else it isn't possible. The two Elus must have a close relationship like lovers to manifest it. This is one of the main reasons minions are able to move in an organized fashion without any particular transportation skills. Get familiar with the other additional data on our way there, kid.”
Corporal Zhai smoothly laughed. Han nodded and lead his squad. They sat in their designated seats on the Black Crow. Other squads were also traveling on the same plane.
The Major sat on the front seat. The Major reviewed the outline of their tactic once again and stressed the important aspects.
”There are only seven psychoframe pilots to assist you gentlemen. However, only three can assist at one time. No more than three psychoframe pilots may be deployed at one time. We need to reserve a batch of psychoframe pilots in case the military operation fails and dragons appear from the dimensional gate. I stress again, we have 7 psychoframes, but only 3 will be used to support the ground troops.”
Psychoframes could only be piloted for a limited time. It's the end once the psyker's psychic energy level depletes. It's impossible to switch out the pilots as well because there are so many specific gears and adjustments to be made. First generation psykers could pilot a psychoframe for a maximum of one hour. Even with all these flaws, psychoframes were essential to take down dragons. They were the ultimate weapons of mass destruction.
Han listened to the Major and got lost in his own thoughts. This will be another large scale battle. However, his heart didn't feel as heavy as the time before. He slowly opened his eyes and tightly gripped his trembling hands. He suppressed the upsurging tension. Fear and anxiety… these were emotions which Han didn't need.
'The minions are the enemy.'
Han sat down and buckled his seat belt. The enemy was clear cut this time. They were not fighting against humans, but the public enemy of humanity, the minions. Han had been training all this time for the sake of exterminating them. He was ready to kill.