In the Block B dormitory, the ranks of cadets stood in straight, neat rows with crisp posture.
"Everyone! Sector 03 has been attacked by external parties. I am placing you all on Code Red! Afterward, you may return to rest, but remember—always pay attention to the light indicators!" Sergeant Jean's voice echoed booming down the corridor.
"Please return to your respective rooms. Zilla, you stay here."
"What is it, Sergeant Jean?"
"Where is Nugia? What is wrong with that boy?"
"Nugia is experiencing overheating, Sergeant. He is lying helpless in his bed!"
"If anything happens to him, bring him straight to the medical barracks."
"Understood, Sergeant!"
"Use this ether as best as you can," Sergeant Jean said, handing the item over to Unit 009.
"Thank you, Sergeant." The silver-haired girl turned to walk away, but a second later she stopped. "What is actually happening, Sergeant?"
"I don't know. The crystal core is the source of life for us all, and this chaos is making many people suffer. Jep's death will be the key to uncovering the mastermind behind all of this," Jean replied without breaking his stride. At the end of the corridor, he added in a low tone, "I believe Nugia is at the center of it all."
"Wait, Sergeant! What do you mean by that about Nugia?"
"You will find out soon enough, Zilla. Aren't you their leader?"
While Zilla still stood frozen with a thousand questions in her mind, a storm of an even greater magnitude was slamming into the highest core of defense.
***
The Sector 01 Central Command stood still in a dead silence. Supreme Commander Pantas stood straight at the edge of the panoramic strategy table, gazing coldly at the sector leaders summoned under an emergency red code. Before him, tension immediately boiled over as the holographic table lit up, projecting the worsening anomaly data of Sector 03 on one side, and the massive wave of panic from refugees on the other.
Sector 01: Macro Military Command & War Strategy, led directly by Supreme General Supreme Commander Pantas.
Sector 02: Special Assassin Unit, base of Unit Vermilion, led by General Valky.
Sector 03: Logistics, Resources, and Energy Management, led by General Don.
Sector 04: Cyber Intelligence Technology Research & Propaganda Machines, led by General Desmon.
Sector 05: Domestic Law Enforcement & Constitutional Prison Complex, led by General Enrico.
Sector 06: Elite Economic Center & Genetic Engineering Medical, led by General Ricky.
Sector 07: Regional Defense, Weapon Development, and New Troop Training, led by Colonel Leon.
"The theft of the Azure Core in Sector 03 is a direct threat to the survival of PETERUMMAN. Chaos and looting are beginning to spread," Supreme Commander Pantas asserted, his voice reverberating across the vast room. "Based on direct mandate from Lord Harlin, Sector 01 is taking full control of this investigation. General Don, please explain the situation."
"A cadet was killed in the line of duty. Intruders exploited that gap to steal the Azure Crystal Core. Our CCTV and security systems have been breached—I am certain the perpetrator is one of the captains from our own sector," General Don reported. "Look at this." He displayed the recovered CCTV footage.
Before Pantas could respond, a heavy crash echoed across the table. General Desmon of Sector 04 immediately stood up, his eyes narrowing sharply. "Hold on a minute, Pantas! This is the domain of cyber intelligence and technology. Sector 04 should hold full control over tracking the digital trail of that core. Hand this case over to us!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Desmon!" snapped General Enrico of Sector 05, rising as well with a hardening jaw. "There has been a murder and a violation of domestic law within a vital facility! This is Sector 05's jurisdiction. Law enforcement and interrogation are our expertise, not the rotten experiments of your sector!"
The two of them traded barbs, fighting over the execution rights of the case under the cold gazes of the other high-ranking officials. Amidst the commotion, Colonel Leon of Sector 07 leaned back lazily, crossing his arms over his chest. He scoffed softly, looking with disdain at the two generals' argument.
"Pardon the Generals, are you quite done with the drama?" Colonel Leon's voice cut in sharply, causing Desmon and Enrico to turn around furiously. Leon stood up slowly, straightening the collar of his military uniform. "Sector 07 will not bow to the directive of the Sector 01 Central Command. We hold direct privileges from Lord Vier. We move in our own way, and not a single one of you has the right to interfere with Sector 07's territory."
"Colonel Leon! You are defying a direct directive from the Sector 01 Military Command!" snapped General Ricky, his eyes flashing with open threat.
"You're just a colonel, don't get arrogant!" snapped General Desmon.
At the corner of the table, General Valky raised her face. Her blonde hair gleamed under the reflection of the holographic light. She smiled faintly—a lethal smile implying that Sector 02's Vermilion troops were not ordinary forces. "Save that nonsense for later. My unit has its own special interest in whatever is hidden behind this chaos. Will you forbid me, old Commander?" Valky said in a soft yet bone-chilling tone.
Before Supreme Commander Pantas could slam the table to silence the dissidents, the side monitor buzzed loudly. An urgent field report came in.
"Reporting, Sir! A massive wave of immigration from the Eastern and Northern districts is triggering fatal chaos at the main gate!"
Instead of responding to the critical warning, several generals at the strategy table merely scoffed cynically, resuming their selfish arguments and ignoring the cries of the situation outside.
"EVERYONE, STOP!" snapped Supreme Commander Pantas, his voice booming to silence the room. "Listen, we do not have time to feed your egos!" he continued sharply, glaring at each general before him.
"That's why I hate men," Valky quipped lazily, toying with the ends of her blonde hair.
Pantas let out a short sigh, then softened while retaining his authority. "Enough. Valky, Sector 02... I grant you freedom of movement. There is a strong possibility one of us is involved, and I believe you are loyal to PETERUMMAN."
"Understood, old Commander," Valky replied with a faint smirk.
Pantas shifted his gaze. "General Don, find a way to stabilize our energy immediately. I trust Sector 03 can restore power for the survival of PETERUMMAN."
"Right away, Commander," Don answered firmly.
"Sector 04, recover that footage. Use all your personnel to check every corner across all sectors, both during the time of the incident and the day prior. I believe they left a trace. Understood, Desmon?"
"Understood, Chief," Desmon nodded in agreement.
"Sector 05, secure the citizens immediately and restore order to the chaos outside. Enforce Code Two—we do not know what will happen next. Remember, Enrico, someone is using this situation to destroy us from within."
"Understood, my Commander."
"General Ricky, you stay here. Observe any patterns happening behind this crisis. I believe the brilliant brain of your medical and economic sector will find a solution."
Lastly, Pantas fixed a sharp gaze on the end of the table. "Sector 07, Colonel Leon. Find the perpetrator. I suspect your unit has been starting to cause trouble too often."
Colonel Leon straightened his posture, a faint smile curving on his lips. "Commander, pardon the interruption. I guarantee the culprit will be caught within three days. And if it is proven that my unit did it, Sector 07 is ready to be hanged."