The following day in a silent room.
There were twelve chairs surrounding an elongated polished table; yet only four were occupied.
At the head of the table, sat Mentesh. Next to him, on his right, was Sanae Yaktine. On Mentesh's left was Geng Xuefeng and sitting next to Geng was Mae Yongsun.
The rest of the chairs were vacant
Mentesh's hands were clasped and positioned on the table as his eyes scanned the room while he opened his mouth to speak to the group.
"I realize that you were called to this meeting on short notice and therefore I won't waste your time."
Sanae shifted her body back in her chair as she crossed her arms.
"No problem at all First Squad Commander. I will always be here when you call."
Geng Xuefeng did not respond, she only gave Mentesh a slight nod, which contained no emotion whatsoever.
Mae Yongsun was quiet as well; she stood by the wall like a ghost.
Mentesh glanced at them for a brief moment before continuing.
"Okay, let's get started with the meeting."
Mentesh's eyes turned to slits as he continued.
"This meeting is regarding a matter we believed was impossible."
As soon as the words were spoken, a heavy air fell upon the room.
"Due to the failure."
At this point, the look of confidence on Sanae's face had changed. She dropped her head in slight defeat.
Mentesh's voice remained calm and composed as he continued.
"I don't believe all hope is lost for us yet…we may have another chance to prove ourselves."
Sanae's head snapped up when he said that.
"What do you mean by that?"
Mentesh thought for a minute before answering.
"I had spoken with Emperor Shim Ju-Won about the future of the expedition and if he still has plans to continue expanding the empire through conquering the targeted territory."
Sanae's expression changed when he said that.
"Initially, it was very clear to me that he had given up because, after fourteen failed expeditions, how could he not have? We have lost too many men and wasted too much money and time."
He turned away.
"But it is clear that Emperor has not been defeated because he still wants to give us one more chance…that's how the expedition received final approval."
As Sanae became agitated with what was going on around her, she noticed everybody looking at her, at the same time! As she figured that out, confidence was lost.
Sanae quickly dropped her head.
"I'm so sorry."
Once she had regained her poise and sat back down, Mentesh's laughter returned to the room, with no real care.
"Yes. "
His tone wasn't loud, or rude.
"The Nami Lan Expedition will go on for a final run."
Sanae's expression softened into a faint smile, she looked genuinely pleased.
"So it's finally happening. I can return… and finish what my father always wanted to do."she murmured.
Geng Xuefeng raised a hand just enough to interrupt the happy moment that was made.
Mentesh noticed immediately.
"What is it?" he asked calmly.
"Are you really sure this is a wise decision at all, given that the Fourth Squad almost didn't survive on the last mission?"
Geng Xuefeng held off for some time.
"Are you really willing to sacrifice the lives of the men we send to fight in a war that has failed fourteen times so far?"
Mentesh slowly rotated his neck toward Geng Xuefeng.
His eyes held true coldness.
"Mind how you're speaking. Speaking ill of the Empire may put you in a very precarious situation."
"Even asking a question is crossing a line. And just to be clear, no one is making the soldiers die for the Empire; they are choosing to die. They can either live out their lives without any meaning… or choose death for a greater cause."
Geng Xuefeng threw a light shrug into that comment of Mentesh.
"Pfft… whatever! I was just curious; I'm basically a cat. Don't be too judgemental towards me."
Mentesh did not confirm nor deny what Geng Xuefeng had said.
"Good. Now you're all dismissed."
There was a shuffle of motion as most of those present started to get up from their chairs. Geng Xuefeng left first with Mae Yongsun right behind her, Sanae stayed with Mentesh for a few moments.
As she and Mae Yongsun walked along the hallway, Geng Xuefeng kept her hands in his pockets and strolled casually. After about three or four steps, Mae Yongsun finally spoke up.
"You do know that you were pushing your luck with that question?"
Geng Xuefeng faced Mae Yongsun, who turned slightly toward her.
"Do you not see that you have not just spoken poorly of the Empire, but also revealed its true nature?" said he.
Xuefeng tilted her head, perplexed, but amused.
"I don't quite understand what you're saying, but it seems you took umbrage at the way I phrased things."
"Is that incorrect?" Mae Yongsun kept a forward gaze as they walked together.
"No, I am simply neutral, as always."
Xuefeng chuckled at this.
"Everyone knows this about you. Always in the middle. Never selecting a position one hundred percent. But you'll eventually have to make a decision."
There was a brief pause.
"Consider which is more essential: importance, or selflessness."
Mae Yongsun did not respond.
He continued walking ahead of Xuefeng and they were silent as they progressed through the corridor.