Chapter 26 - Zais Plan (1/2)
The messy haired man looked at Blair with hope, his dark eyebags distorting his look.
”Did the captain really say that?”
”Yes, she told me to tell you after this battle but, I guess it can't be helped. You seemed like you needed some motivation.” Blair turned away from his eager gaze. ”Anyways, Lieutenant Zai, what should we do about the blood wolf situation?” The lieutenant stood up and pulled out a small pouch, about the size of his hand and pulled out a map of the forest. He laid the detailed map on the table and reached back into his pouch to grab a hair tie. He grabbed his tangled hair and tied it in a messy man-bun on top of his head. A smile appeared on his face. His dark eyebags seeming less intense in the light.
”Well, obviously we must crush them. These animals don't know who they're fighting.” Seemingly becoming a different person Zai began working on a plan, eyes burning with a passion. He tapped the map and thought for a few seconds before clearly reaching a conclusion. He smiled and drew a couple of more lines on the map. Nodding in satisfaction at his work.
”What? Why the creepy smile?” Blair was feeling uncomfortable as she had seen it all happen. The moment Zai had taken out the map he scribbled a few lines on it and began smiling weirdly.
”The greatest offense is defense. Seems the captain was right to send me as the commander but, I do hope next time it's more challenging.” Zai called for the soldier who had not left yet. The soldier nearby had been sent out to send a message to the other members. Everyone was called except for a few scouts who remained on watch. In total there were about forty soldiers there, including Blair and Zai.
”I have a plan to defeat the Blood Wolves but it'll take a lot of work and no screw ups! Seeing as we have less than thirty minuets left, I've sent the plan to each of your devices, complete your mission without fail!”
””Yes sir!”” The soldiers saluted and left in different directions. Some dug holes, other's sharpened thick branches, a few used slyphir to make mounds of dirt while others rolled logs in stacks. Zai had also ordered all the surrounding lights to be focused in the open clearing. Within twenty minuets, Zai's plan was almost complete. Suddenly a loud whistle cracked through the silence followed by a series of howls that seemed to come closer. Zai touched and clicked a small device next to his left ear.
”All soldiers, equip your helmets. Kill all lights and get in positions.” A few minutes passed and Blair could hear the rapid footsteps of the Blood Wolves. Soon the wolves burst through the shadowed forest into a clearing. In the dark of night it was hard to see properly but their fur simmered slightly, making it easier to spot groups of wolves. With the added night vision provided by the helmets Zai sent a direct message to the soldiers waiting.
”Wait…” Zai observed the wolves some more and found that this group only consisted to about thirty wolves. He released his hand from his left ear and toughed the one on his right. ”Scouts, what's the situation?” A slight pause before the scout leader finally clicked in.
”S-1 reporting in. It seems that the pack leader and the rest have positioned themselves a couple of miles away and have sent in the younger wolves first. They number around thirty and should've met you already.”
”Yeah, they're here but why aren't the rest coming?” Another pause before the scout captain responded.
”I got word from one of my scouts who specializes in monster behavior and he seems to think that the pack leader sent the youngest here to either prove themselves to the pack or to weaken us before the main force arrives.”
”Interesting. Good work, keep on monitoring them and report any movements immediately.”
”Yes sir.” The comms clicked and went dead. Zai released his hand and clicked the left side of his helmet.
”All units, what's your opinion on the most humiliating thing a wolf can experience?” There were a few questionable grumbles and some sighs but a soft voice broke the silence.
”W-well… what if the wolves pride themselves on their fur like most furred animals, maybe we could cut or burn it off?” Zai registered the voice belonging to a new recruit who had only been with them for a few months and laughed quietly. Was his devilish thinking already infecting the new recruits? The other voices of the soldiers gave out groans and disgruntled mumbles.
”Here we go with a sudden, 'Zai changes the plan,' plan.” The gruff voice belonged to one of the more veteran members and though he sounded a bit mad there was some excitement hidden in it as well.