Kill The Dragons - Chapter 62
Han made a new communication channel in the Ark Network for the second year squad leaders. The squad leaders were in the middle of going around Ark grounds to capture the inspectors. They collected spare R-2 guns and any ammunition they kept in their dorms.
-Squad 5 reporting, we’ve arrived at the shooting range. We will be securing the spare ammunition in this area.
Dimitri transmitted over the communication channel.
Han drew a map of the second year campus grounds and marked the positions of all the second year squads.
“Good. Dimitri, secure the ammunition. How many inspectors has everyone secured?
Squad 1 reporting, four inspectors.
Squad 2 reporting, two inspectors.
Squad 3 reporting, six inspectors.
Each squad confirmed their status. Han became the temporary head squad commander.
Nobody protested because Han had already proved himself in their recent past battles. There was no fool amongst the second years whose pride was bigger than their ego and the objective for the newly formed chain of command.
“We’ve found a lot of inspectors. Right now, mobile warfare is not possible.”
Han thought of the fourth mock battle ground. The enemies were unfamiliar with the terrain while the second years had already long become accustomed to the forest battle field.
‘We need to secure a place where we can both detain and protect the inspectors.’
He thought of various spots around Ark. The enemy intruders were too close to the second year dorm buildings. Their hideout would be found immediately. The forest terrain was harder to locate and advantageous tactically
“We will be assembling at the fourth mock battle grounds. Secure extra battle gear and items while we make our way to the mock battle ground.”
The squads confirmed in succession.
Han checked his squad members’ conditions. The youths looked calm outwardly, but their eyes reflected anxiety and fear. Everyone had one question in mind.
‘Why would humans, that aren’t minions, attack us?’
Ark was established for the sake of humanity’s continued existence. They were the top stronghold with the best chance at defeating dragons on earth.
The youths thought that there was no reason for people to attack those who had yet to finish Ark’s military training.
“They are from True Humanity, an activist group.” Inspector Rue, who remained tied up, said.
It seemed he had come to understand the current situation of Ark.
“The True Humanity group?”
A few of the squad members murmured questioningly. Inspector Rue let out a light chuckle.
“I see that Ark’s drill instructors have not bothered to mention this at all.”
Jose frowned and muffled Inspector Rue’s mouth.
“It would be better to be quiet. Inspector.”
Jose was a year older than the other kids in the squad, and was much more knowledgeable about the outside world. He knew of the True Humanity group.
“Jose. We must confirm our enemies.” Han said while observing Jose.
Jose sighed.
“The True Humanity Group is usually referred to as the True Group. They believe psykers are not humans, but are instead those who have become insane. They believe that all psykers should be killed. They frequently appear in the news for terrorist-like behavior. I’m not too sure on the specific details myself.”
They were all humans, but the other party wished death to all psykers. This short explanation had many connotations.
“Their military strength is strong enough that they have the guts to attempt an attack against Ark?”
Han did not have a deep understanding of the outside world. The little information that he had was only his street smarts. Everything else was only the ideals that Ark had lectured them about.
Inspector Rue began to speak once again as if lecturing them.
“The True Humanity Group is a bigger existence than what you imagine them to be. It’s not like every nation of the world has agreed with Ark’s existence. There are countries that would outright execute humans that develop psychic powers. There are three countries that have denied Ark’s existence. They hold fear against the mysteriousness of psychic powers. Blind faith moves the True Group. They believe that the existence of psychics is the reason that dragons are attacking this world. These are all baseless rumors, of course. Psychics only appeared after the formation of the dimensional gate and dragons had already invaded Earth. However, the True Group continued to reject factual evidence while blindly believing in the teachings of their own cult. Whatever their reason might be, they do not agree with the existence of psychics.”
The squad members became increasingly agitated as they listened. This went against what they had been taught all this time in Ark. It was hard to believe.
“They are crazy. Dragons will invade again in three years time! Yet, they want to kill us?”
This was the reason Ark had been built on an artificial island, which was constantly being moved around the Pacific Ocean. There was always top secret information being withheld from the youths. Their current enemies were not minions, but humans.
“The True Group believes that the prophecy of the Second Wave of Aggression is a lie that the psychic institutions have created. In some cases, there are those who believe the invasion of dragons could be stopped when all the psychics of earth are killed.” Inspector Rue calmly said.
Ark had not taught their youths these facts of the world.
The youths of Ark were only twelve and thirteen year olds. They had come to Ark before they could fully understand the ways of the world. Many others, as well as Han, were learning of the True Group for the first time.
‘Is this, truly, our enemy’s identity?’ Han gradually accepted the truth.
Many people working for Ark shared the same ultimate goal of destroying the dragons, yet worked against each other. It was much easier to understand the intruder’s points of views.
There was no gray area at all. The True Group is a clear enemy force.
“Let’s move out. The other squads already took off,” Han commanded Squad 13.
The drill instructors gave commands to the thirteenth squad leader first before the other squad leaders.
‘A member of the True group has infiltrated the inspector’s group as a mole.’
The traitor leaked the whereabouts of Ark to the True Group military stronghold. In turn, the True Group decided to lead a frontal attack with their full force. Everything fit like a puzzle.
The main task was to defend against the surprise attack and weed out the traitors amongst the inspectors.
Canute rejoined Squad 13 with many guns lugged on his back.
Each squad member took a gun and loaded their hip pockets with spare magazines.
‘Each person has 60 total bullets.’
Han loaded his gun. The breechblock shut smoothly.
Chk! Chk!
The sound of the squads loading their guns rang in consecutive order.
“Continue forward for 1.5 kilometers. March.”
The next moment, the end of the island exploded from a bomb, everyone felt a cold chill run down their spine.
BOOM!
The squad members looked up. The enemy planes were getting shot down one after another.
Ark’s military forces were currently in battle against the enemy. Ark’s anti-aircraft guns barraged against the planes. The planes fell down like a flock of birds.
Woooong!
A subtle earthquake shook Ark. Ark was usually kept in an incredibly slow and constant motion, which went by unnoticed by those living on the artificial island. The current speed of Ark was however many times faster. Han could visually see the horizon moving with his naked eye.
“A plane is coming this way.”
A plane managed to squeeze through a wall of fire and penetrated into the inner island of Ark.
o the plane, the soldiers marching along below looked like mere dots.
-The enemy infiltrated into the second year zone of Ark. Kill on sight.
The instructors said through the data bracelets. Han bitterly smiled. The enemy’s invasion was progressing faster than he originally thought possible.
-Squad 2 reporting, we’ve encountered the enemy. Engaging battle.
Background noises of gunfire muffled the audio message. The expressions of the surrounding squad members darkened. Their enemies were not minions, but fellow humans.
“Canute and I will lead the front. Jose and Kuro protect the inspector. Stay in formation while moving forward.”
Han kept a cool head. He only understood a fraction of the current state of Ark. He was put in charge of the second year zone. All the drill instructors were at the outskirts of Ark, fighting to stop the enemy invasion, and the only people present in this area were the second year squads, inspectors, and their entourage.
Requesting for additional military support was not possible.
‘The enemy’s battle power is unknown.’
It is unknown how well trained and armed the enemy forces are.
‘We will refrain from battle to the best of our ability, joining the other squads should be prioritized.’
Han sent the same message to the other squads. Join with the nearest squad, assemble at the fourth mock battle ground. Squad 2 seemed to have barely managed to scrape past the enemy.
‘This goes for the enemy as well. They will prioritize assembling their team together before coming to attack us.’
Han and Squad 13 marched toward the urban city, squad mock battle zone. This place would have the much needed battle gear and equipment necessary to make cover shelters before permanently settling into the fourth battle ground.
“Haa, haa.”
Kuro’s breathing was erratic. He didn’t feel physically tired, but fighting against another human stressed him out to the degree that his chest began to hurt.
Fighting against minions was much easier. It was distressing fighting against another human like himself. His hand wouldn’t stop trembling.
“Do you think you’ll be able to shoot at all in that condition?”
Inspector Rue said while watching Kuro. He had noticed Kuro’s eyes shaking in fear.
‘I see, everyone is not like Han.’
Inspector Rue continued to take note of Squad 13 as battle ensued. His keen eyes caught the smallest details and changes in his surroundings.
‘Han could fully withstand the stress of battle. A handful of children can also maintain calmness, but there are also a few whose skills and judgements grow dramatically worse from nerves. Kuro’s condition is the worst amongst everyone.’
Inspector Rue’s hands were tied, but at the same time, was pretty much the same as any other free person.
He could easily oppress Kuro at this moment if he wanted to.
‘They’re stronger than normal soldiers due to their psychic skills, body strengthening, and a higher standard of military training. The main problem right now is that their enemies don’t consider psykers as humans. They are veteran assassins who are trained to kill psykers on sight. These youths, however have not fully hardened their hearts for this type of war.’
