Kill The Dragons - Chapter 58
Vrooom!
An unfamiliar colored plane made a landing onto ark. Inspectors dressed in suits filed out of the plane.
The people were of and from various ethnicities and countries. The executives of Ark made small talk with the inspectors while keeping courteous smiles. Their words carried a sharp eloquence, which vastly contrasted the smile he wore.
In the latest committee meeting, the situation had been looked at with much pessimism and negative opinions. A fourth of the Ark second years had died.
Each individual second year had been invested in very heavily. They were youths that had already finished their body strengthening procedure. The budget would need to be much greater than normal in order to make up for all the lost lives amongst the second years this time around.
The inspectors requested a much more detailed report for vast increases in budget.
“These are your personal data bracelets. You will find all the necessary information in here.”
The executives of Ark handed out the data bracelets while they spoke. The inspectors shook their heads.
“We already prepared all the necessary equipment. We will be the ones to conduct the inspection of this site.”
The inspectors independently used their own devices to read the data. The data that Ark would provide them would only be the tip of the iceberg. The executives of Ark frowned and retrieved their data bracelets.
“Where is Squad 13?”
An inspector asked a drill instructor. This question was so matter of factly that the instructors had no way to ignore him.
“If they are training, as we have reported, they should be in the shooting range.”
The inspectors took out the map from their data bracelets. They ignored their attendants and headed off to find the shooting range on their own.
The sound of guns blasting shook the nearby premises of the shooting range. There were a little more than ten youths at the shooting range while a drill instructor watched over them from the control tower. The inspector looked over Squad 13’s profiles once again.
‘The key members of Squad 13 are Han and Kuro.’
Kuro would soon become one of the strongest psykers. He was also frequently mentioned by Ark. The supreme council was also informed of this.
‘Han is well known for another reason.’
Han was not well known from his official data reports, but through word of mouth.
He is a new squad leader, but he had lead his squad to victory eight consecutive times, an unbelievable feat. His name had only made it to the committee’s ears because of the happenings around the dimensional crack. He rallied the surviving second years and lead them to survive the catastrophe.
‘There were rumors that he had participated in Ark’s latest secret military operation.’
Ark had always hidden unfavorable information from the committee.
‘They’re just children. It shouldn’t be hard to get some information out of them.’
The inspector reached the gate of the shooting range. He looked toward the youths.
“It looks like an inspector.”
The man was dressed in a suit that couldn’t normally be found in Ark. The 13th squad immediately noticed the inspector. Han calmly looked towards the inspector. He took the initiative to walk down and salute the inspector.
“Squad 13 leader, Han Lee, reporting sir.”
“I’m Inspector James Rue.”
“I will refer you to as Inspector Rue.”
Inspector Rue observed Han. He was a youth with a robust build. His eyes carried a calmness that seemed impossible for a youth his age. Inspector Rue leaned against the shooting range wall and watched the squad.
“Continue on with your training. I’m just here to observe.”
Han divided his squad into two groups and repeated the shooting exercises. After the event, Han put more priority to the shooting exercise drills more than ever.
‘Shooting skills turned out to be much more useful than I originally thought.’
Modern weapons had been useful against the minions. Weapons made of dragon bones were made to be used with psychic powers. Against minions whose psychic powers were near nonexistent, modern weapons proved to be much more useful.
‘Though everything would be different if we were to be geared with psychoframes…’
Han had seen Sergeant Red’s psychoframe in action for himself. It was a different class of modern soldier all together.
The gloves were made of a highly flexible alloy which neutralized most physical attacks. Though the suit was very heavy, the mobility became exponentially faster than if one were to move around without it.
“Commence fire!”
Han completely ignored the inspector’s presence and finished the shooting exercise. He ended the training momentarily and allowed everyone to take a break at the shooting site.
“That was nice. Squad Leader Han.”
Inspector Rue approached while clapping.
“Thank you.”
“It seems to be the perfect time to have a short chat with you.”
Inspector Rue’s spoke with a smooth voice. He didn’t seem high handed or forceful in the least. Inspector Rue had waited quietly and patiently until the end of training. Han accepted his invitation for a chat.
“Is there anything you’re curious about?”
“I wish to hear about your active participation in the latest event around the dimensional crack. Your commanding skills are well known even amongst the committee. I heard you won against the werewolves and hunters without proper gear?”
“We could have been wiped out as a final outcome. If the rescue team had not arrived, none of us would have survived.”
Inspector Rue was recording this conversation. He sat down and spoke to Han.
“Please tell me about some of the detailed circumstances of your story.”
“I have already written everything I know in the report.”
“I want to hear it again, personally from you.”
Han sat down as well due to the inspector’s persistence. He told the story from when the plane fell until the time when they were rescued. There was no reason to hide information of this event. All this information had already been published.
“Oh, I see.”
Inspector Rue’s reaction was excellent. He reacted to all the important and surprising parts of the report. It made reporting that much more exciting.
“Indeed! You’re amazing!”
Han told the story of when his squad dug the trap and formed a barricade. The inspector opened his eyes wide.
“To have formed such a plan in that situation! Brilliant.”
Han concluded his report when his squad was rescued. Inspector Rue closed his eyes and nodded.
“I see. So what happened next?”
Inspector Rue opened his eyes wide. Han almost spilled the beans unknowingly. Han paused momentarily and followed up the question with another question.
“What specifically are you referring to, by ‘next’?”
“Does your story end there?”
“Yes. If you wish for more details, they should be in the report.”
Inspector Rue looked to Han and smiled with a troubled look.
‘He’s much more mature than I heard him to be. He isn’t easily swayed by conversations. What a clever kid.’
Han thought Inspector Rue was greatly annoying. He was the persistent type. He wasn’t one to be oppressive but would stick persistently to the person until they got what they wanted.
‘If Kijo was a bit more well rounded as a person, he would have probably been someone like him…’
Han had quick wit to catch onto small details. When he had lived as an orphan on the streets, he had used this skill to beg for food. He could easily understand an adult’s mood.
“I must continue with our next training drill, will it be okay to be excused now?”
Inspector Rue didn’t hold Squad 13 any further. He took out some candy and chocolate from his pocket.
The youths of Ark lived a very restricted life in Ark. As for sweets, they always had a short supply of sweets. This was inspector Rue’s bribe to win over the youths.
“Everyone enjoy some on your way back. You guys remind me of my young nephews so I can’t help it.”
Squad 13’s eyes all shined brightly. Han looked over at his own squad.
‘If I were to reject this bribe, my squad would probably beat me to death.’
Han reluctantly nodded. He divided the candy and chocolates for his squad before transferring to the next place on their schedule. As the youths marched, they enjoyed their candy and chocolates.
“That inspector is probably a good guy.”
Kuro said while rolling candy around in his mouth. Han laughed listening to Kuro.
‘He probably brought it over because there are always guys like Kuro.’
Sweets lift a person’s mood, and also lowers a person’s wariness.
