It seemed time stood still after the video recording ended. There were no whispers. No words.

  Dreadful silence filled the meeting room after that final gruesome scene of a crowned faceless nightmare leading his equally faceless army in slaughtering the civilly disobedient Central Atlanteans. The shuffling of combat boots underneath the massive meeting table was audible as some commanders nervously suppressed shaking their legs in fear.

  Nobody expected it to function in this manner, and the results produced no longer fazed them. The report was accurate: zero casualties.

  “ME6 Newton, sir.”

  “Yes, Major Kingston?”

  Major Kingston lowered his head and rested it on his hands, forming a prayer-like pose supported by the table. “What did they say?”

  “It’s been cleared for more than a year.”

  “They permitted the use of this? They are aware of its…modus operandi? Do they know the full extent of what constitutes its form?”

  “They are aware of it,” Ivan slapped his pocket before continuing, “All of it. My blueberry is buzzing as we speak.”

  “Of course, they are present even as we speak.” Major Kingston knew the watchful eyes of the Federation were always watching…and observing everything–every detail.

  “You need not worry about clearance issues because I’ve cleared everyone here before I got the green light for ME4 Smith to present it.” Ivan glanced over at his mentee. “This is a lesson for you, too.”

  “Yes, sir.” Neptune lowered his head, always fascinated by his mentor’s ability to plan one step ahead of everyone–even in this scenario.

  “Sir, before we end this meeting, let me have an exchange with your mentee.”

  “Since when have we ever disappointed anyone? It was worth the wait, wasn’t it?” Knowing he had one up on Major Kingston again, Ivan carried on his dominance by giving him one more jab at his ego.

  “A word. With your mentee.”

  “Of course, I’ll extend that privilege.”

  The atmosphere in the meeting revolved around three people after that horrific showcase. After a lengthy pause, Major Kingston sat up from his seat at the head of the table and walked toward the screen. As he did so, he felt his subordinates’ eyes observing his every move. He couldn’t blame them because he knew that chaotic scene had sucked every reaction out of them.

  For years, he had wondered why the survival rates of their combatants had never dropped while the Lupus Squadron had only sent one soldier to the frontlines. The answer became clear as day after he understood the overwhelming capabilities of those soldiers.

  “Help me understand something, ME4 Smith.”

  “I would gladly do so, sir.”

  “We have been discussing South Atlantea for months, and the decision hangs in the balance. In your opinion, judging from a technical viewpoint, what justifies our invasion of South Atlantea? Central Atlantea, as a strategic location, will give us enough leverage in terms of combat to stage aerial assaults. Also, from our recent operations’ successes, the Federation has secured the rich mineral deposits and natural resources all over Central Atlantea and expanded our usable land mass for industrial purposes. Aside from the revolutionary army siding with the Drazen Empire, that possibility is almost zero per cent. With that in mind, Project Faceless, even as it stands incomplete in your eyes, would suffice against the Drazen Empire.”

  “You are sorely mistaken, sir.”

  The Major raised his eyebrows as he did not expect any retort to his rationale.

  With a solemn, passionate demeanour, Neptune raised his hands like a high priest interacting with his subjects. “Project Faceless is missing one last component that South Atlantea has. So far, you have noticed that our soldiers lack something crucial regarding combat readiness. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, sir.”

  “I can deduce that it regards the ability to conduct night missions. That is why our S4 branch is experimenting with something–is this accurate, Captain Jessory?”

  “He doesn’t know. Yes, it’s accurate. If you need an update from the S4 branch, you can ask me; our S4 updates the progress monitoring sheet frequently.” Neptune answered instead, causing Captain Jessory to click his tongue. “And on the other point, correct, sir. What does South Atlantea have that we desperately need to achieve and sustain constant combat readiness?”

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  South Atlantea possessed the two legendary minerals that would solve Project Faceless’s only problem, but if he were to commit the SMCTF to this–

  “Thank you for sharing your viewpoints. The invasion of South Atlantea is still under consideration even after we secure Central Atlantea as part of our wartime strategy–”

  “Sir, with Project Faceless, we can take the South. Anytime and at any place.”

  The last thing Major Kingston expected was for the Rogue Scientist’s progeny to interrupt him. However, he could feel his ace’s lack of compassion and empathy. To expect someone who had never seen the carnage firsthand on the ground and who treated the test subjects like discarded toys to feel empathy and compassion for others was impossible. Nonetheless, he knew certain concessions were necessary for victory.

  “Gentlemen.” Every commander stirred from their shocked state toward attentiveness. He then turned to the screen and hovered over it to push the recording back before facing Neptune again. There remained an elephant in the room to be addressed. “Let me raise another. How is the Faceless going to deal with the Temporeans?”

  “The answer lies in the video recording you just watched.” Neptune placed his hands behind his back and nodded at Lieutenant Uroyles, who knew what to do as though they had choreographed this presentation.

  “Explain yourself.” Major Kingston looked over at Neptune intriguingly. The way he responded this quickly without hesitation felt strangely confident despite the first Atlantean’s legend.

  Neptune clicked his tongue confidently. “I think none of you have ever seen the Lieutenant in combat, right?”

  “No…we have not.” Captain Jessory nervously answered as he felt a cold chill fill his lungs.

  “Lieutenant Uroyles, play the other recording,” Neptune commanded. “It’s time for…Exhibit B.”

  Silence descended upon the room again as they watched a feral beast in human form unleash a manmade catastrophe upon the living. Not even the fortified buildings and natural landscape could withstand the supernatural powers augmented by the genius’s innovative marvels. The one-minute video encapsulated everything the commanders needed to know about their chances of claiming the South and unifying it under the Federation.

  Every reservation they had. Every doubt they harboured. It all dissipated when the feral beast commanding the undead soldiers removed his mask.

  “Impossible…” Captain Jessory finally understood the reason behind the Atlantean Coil’s recent mishap and held his tongue in shock. “Damn you, Neptune Smith…Sir Ivan Newton!”

  “Silence, Captain Jessory.” Major Kingston seemed unfazed by the events and clapped his hands. “Gentlemen, thank you for attending today’s mission debrief. Please excuse yourselves.”

  “But, sir!”

  Before the commanders could leave their seats, the door to the meeting room barged open, with Corporal Silver rushing in, her face conveying concern for an urgent matter.

  “Corporal, why did you–”

  “Sirs, this is an emergency!” Corporal Silver lifted the bags of white boxes and bellowed hastily. “Your lunches are expiring in the next fifteen minutes. Kindly finish them before they pass the recommended consumption time!”

  Out of goodwill, the commanders approached Corporal Silver and helped themselves to a box as white as their pure hearts. Even though they had lost their appetite, they still had to respond kindly to her motherly-like behaviour.

  “Thank you, Corporal.”

  “Thanks, Corporal.”

  As the meeting room emptied, only five people remained.

  ME4 Neptune Smith as he stood next to his mentor, ME6 Ivan Newton and Dr Boris Pavlov. On the other corner, Captain Satoshi Jessory.

  “Captain Jessory. You and the Signals Corps will work with the Lupus Squadron, our researchers and engineers to further implement the Atlantean Coil and Project Faceless to integrate seamlessly. Carry on your duties with pride because I expect great results from everyone. You are excused” The last man, Major Kingston, commanded.

  “Sir! Do you know what you’re talking about?!” Captain Jessory cursed under his breath. “Please reconsider your actions, sir! There’s hell to pay…if not now, then–”

  “Carry out your orders without question.”

  “Sir, if word goes out–”

  “Do it.” Major Kingston’s unflinching command made Captain Jerroy choke.

  Captain Jessory had a pained expression as he clenched his fists in defiance.

  “If you can’t, then I will process your removal from the task force with immediate effect. I’m sure somebody else would be willing to step into your shoes–everyone seeks greatness…after all.”

  “Sir…”

  “Captain Jessory, everything we do from here on out would justify the cause we serve. You’re either in with us or out. We cannot allow second-guessers in the most crucial period of the Federation’s history. Let our future generations be the judge and carry out your duties…like a good soldier!”

  “Smith…!” Captain Jessory stepped forward and stood mere inches away from his fellow engineer, who nonchalantly stared back with his emotionless black eyes.

  “Captain.”

  “You…how could you…”

  “I’m doing what my homeland needs to survive another day. This is the choice I’ve made for honour and duty.”

  “Lies! You’re just a morally-depleted–”

  “Enough, Captain Jessory, and you, ME4 Smith, no more fighting.” The Major reprimanded his subordinates, causing them to step back from their confrontation.

  “Let’s make a move.” Ivan used his hands to distance his mentee from the Signals Commander. “Now.”

  The fact that the Signals Commander was a stakeholder in an innovation worthy of challenging his genius did not sit well with Neptune. He wanted to claim the Atlantean Coil as his; he knew a change in algorithm and documentation would land him its copyright.

  Muttering under his breath, he knew he had to schedule an accident soon.

  “I’ll deal with you soon.”

  As he spoke those words, his lips curled into a sadistic grin as the wailings only he could hear started to intensify and subconsciously guided him toward hell.