Chapter 199 — The First Division Missions Begin
S.C. 1512 — Early Dawn
Hidden Island — Meridian Command Hall
The morning mist curled low around the newly built Command Hall—a rectangular stone-and-steel structure overlooking the three major sectors:
Industrial Sector
Shipyard Sector
Residential Sector
Inside, a long table stood beneath hanging lanterns.
At its center was a large map, drawn by Ren's own hand:
East Blue coastline.
Village-to-village trade routes.
Naval patrol paths.
Safe currents.
Hidden reefs.
Smuggling channels.
And three symbols marked three divisions:
New Dawn — Gold lantern.
Silver Moon — Silver crescent.
Crimson Hand — Red imprint.
Zemo sat beside Ren's chair, tail tapping the wooden floor.
Mira, Leo, Bram, and Kiro stood at their designated sections.
Ren placed a thick stack of sealed mission envelopes on the table.
"Today," Ren said quietly, "the Meridian Group begins real operation."
Everyone leaned closer.
"This isn't practice anymore. Not theory. Not preparation."
His gaze sharpened.
"These are our first missions."
1. New Dawn — Mission Orders
Kiro stepped forward first.
Ren handed him four sealed envelopes.
"New Dawn will handle our high-value trade.
Expensive goods.
Private buyers.
Elite clients."
Kiro opened the first envelope and read quietly.
Mission ND-01 — Deliver first batch of premium wine to Briss Town.
Leo whistled.
"They're paying a fortune for that stuff."
Ren continued:
Mission ND-02 — Secure jewelry supply from offshore miner in Conomi waters.
Mission ND-03 — Establish long-term trade contact with Oykot Village.
Mission ND-04 — Map noble trade preferences in three nearby islands.
Kiro closed the envelopes, eyes steady.
"And combat protocol?"
"Minimal conflict," Ren replied. "Avoid attention.
But if someone pushes…" His gaze hardened. "Push back harder."
Mira smirked. "Good luck dealing with nobles."
Kiro shot her a calm, smug smile.
"I'll handle them."
2. Silver Moon — Mission Orders
Next, Mira stepped forward.
Ren slid seven mission envelopes toward her.
"Silver Moon will cover essential goods.
Large-volume trade.
Logistics.
Base expansions."
Mira opened the first.
Mission SM-01 — Supply fruit, grain, and salt to the River Delta route.
She nodded.
This was expected.
The next ones were bigger:
Mission SM-02 — Deliver industrial tools to three friendly island groups.
Mission SM-03 — Identify land suitable for secondary outposts.
Mission SM-04 — Train twenty recruits into logistics units.
Mission SM-05 — Begin construction on Remote Base #1.
Mission SM-06 — Secure shipyard-grade wood supply from offshore forests.
Her eyes paused at the last envelope.
Mission SM-07 — Establish rotating patrol routes around Hidden Island.
She looked up.
"Is someone suspicious already?"
Ren shook his head.
"Not yet. But suspicion doesn't start with invaders.
It starts with mistakes.
We won't make any."
Mira nodded sharply.
"I'll handle all seven missions."
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"That's a lot."
Mira simply said:
"I'm strong enough now."
3. Crimson Hand — The Sleeping Division
Ren walked to the third symbol.
A red hand.
The division with no members.
Leo tilted his head.
"Boss… is Crimson Hand still empty?"
"Yes." Ren answered calmly. "And it will stay empty for now."
Bram blinked. "Why? Don't we need spies?"
Ren traced his finger along a naval patrol route on the map.
"We will—but not yet."
Kiro crossed his arms.
"Because we're not ready?"
"Because the East Blue isn't ready," Ren said.
"People vanish.
Rumors spread.
The Navy reacts.
We cannot afford unknown shadows yet."
He placed a single sealed envelope on the Crimson Hand section.
Mission CH-00 — Observe. Do not act.
Monitor Goa Kingdom movement from a distance.
Nothing more.
Ren added:
"The Crimson Hand will wake only when I say so."
Mira nodded quietly.
Leo swallowed.
Bram looked relieved.
Crimson Hand would be the most dangerous.
For now, it would sleep.
4. Roles & Responsibilities
Ren pointed at the map again.
Kiro — New Dawn captain.
Mira — Silver Moon captain.
Bram — Heavy Support & Escort Unit Commander.
Leo — Recon & Navigation Specialist.
Zemo — Island perimeter scout.
Leo scratched Zemo's head.
"So he gets a job too?"
Ren smirked.
"He's the only one who can sense unfamiliar presence on the island instantly."
Zemo barked proudly.
Bram laughed.
"Zemo might be more responsible than me."
"No," Mira said calmly. "Not might."
Bram pouted.
5. The First Orders Issued
Ren lifted a small gavel.
"One by one… step forward."
Kiro stepped up.
Ren slammed the gavel gently.
"Kiro — Captain of New Dawn.
Your missions begin today."
Kiro bowed with crisp discipline.
Next came Mira.
Ren struck the gavel.
"Mira — Captain of Silver Moon.
Guide our people. Build our routes."
Mira placed her fist on her chest in silent salute.
Then Bram.
"Bram — Commander of Heavy Support.
Protect them. And keep your temper in check."
Bram grinned sheepishly.
Finally Leo.
"Leo — Recon Specialist.
Your eyes become our map."
Leo smirked proudly.
The hall filled with quiet energy.
Determination.
Readiness.
Purpose.
6. Departure Preparations
Outside, dozens of workers loaded crates onto two newly built cargo boats.
Food.
Tools.
Wine barrels.
Metal gear boxes.
Fuel.
Rope.
Uniform bundles.
Mira inspected each crate.
Kiro ran final math checks.
Leo adjusted navigation charts.
Bram hauled a massive wooden beam onto a wagon like it weighed nothing.
Zemo sniffed newcomers to memorize their scents.
Ren walked among them, silent but observant.
7. Evening — Final Words Before Departure
The sky turned deep blue.
Lanterns lit the dock.
Waves lapped against the hulls.
Kiro approached Ren.
"We'll be gone at least two weeks."
"I know," Ren said.
Mira stepped forward.
"Anything you want us to bring back?"
Ren looked out across the sea.
"Yes."
They waited.
Ren's voice was soft but firm.
"Bring back success.
Bring back experience.
Bring back trust."
Leo grinned.
"And no trouble?"
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Trouble only if necessary."
Bram laughed loudly.
"That means trouble will happen."
Mira sighed.
"He's not wrong."
Ren stepped back from the dock.
"Meridian Group's first missions begin tonight."
Kiro lifted a hand in salute.
"We won't disappoint you."
The boats pushed off.
Masts caught wind.
Sails billowed.
Lantern-light flickered across the dark water as the first official missions of the Meridian Group set sail into the East Blue.
Ren watched until the boats became small shadows.
Zemo sat quietly at his feet.
"Let's return," Ren said softly.
The island's lamps glowed behind him like stars.
Tomorrow, the island would wake as—
a true power under the sea's quiet surface.
End of Chapter 199