Bab 96: Alistair - 013
Reaching out, I cut the comm link with a sharp motion, severing the connection to Phulnos. The screen went dark, and I felt a bitter sense of satisfaction. If Command wouldn't authorize the mission, I would find another way, but the strain from earlier prevented me from formulating any cohesive thought.
"BLAST IT!" I shouted, the echo of my frustration reverberating through the empty room.
My hands shook with frustration. Phulnos's refusal to authorize a retrieval operation for Kellan felt like a betrayal. I, too, had betrayed Kellan by allowing sleep to claim me at my desk.
When I awoke, I shook off the grogginess and focused. There was no time to waste. I had to save Kellan, and I had to do it now. I started piecing together a strategy. I had access to a limited number of resources, but I could make it work—I had to make it work.
First, I needed to rally the men who would be willing to join me on this unauthorized mission. I couldn't risk broadcasting my intentions over the usual channels, so I had to do this discreetly. I opened my personal terminal and drafted a secure, encrypted message.
"Men, this is Lieutenant Galen. Meet me in Hangar Bay 4 in thirty minutes. We have a mission to complete."
With the message sent, I geared up, ensuring every piece of my armor and equipment was in perfect working order. As I adjusted the straps of my exosuit, I couldn't help but think about the potential consequences of what I was about to do. But the image of Kellan, captured and alone, fueled my resolve. I couldn't abandon him.
Arriving at Hangar Bay 4, I found the men I had called upon waiting. Riley, Hayes, Paul, Tex, and their units stood ready, their expressions a mix of determination and concern.
"Lieutenant, what's going on?" Hayes asked, stepping forward.
"We're going after Kellan," I said, my voice firm. "Command won't authorize it, but I'm not leaving him behind. I won't force any of you to join me, but if you're willing, we can do this."
"Kellan's one of us," Riley said, his voice steady with resolve.
The others murmured their agreement. These men were willing to risk everything for a brother-in-arms.
"Thank you," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "Let's get ready. We need to move fast and stay under the radar."
We moved quickly, the clanking of armor and the hum of equipment filling the bay as we prepared the transport. As we descended towards the surface of Draconis IV, the landscape passed in a blur. I piloted the transport myself, my mind focused on the task at hand.
"Alright, listen up," I said, turning to face the men. "We're landing in the ruins of the prison. Kellan has been trafficked to some sort of black-site."
"Got it," Paul replied, his expression grim.
The transport touched down softly, the landing gear settling into the uneven ground. We disembarked quickly, our movements practiced and efficient. The air was thick with tension, but also with the determination that had brought us this far.
"Hayes, Paul, Tex, cover our flanks. I'm on point," I ordered, gesturing with my rifle. "Riley, stand guard with the troops."
The prison was eerily silent, the remnants of our previous assault still evident. We moved through the corridors, clearing each room with precision. I almost saw the movements of my men during the assault as the impressions of events formed a blurry image in my mind.
As we reached the deeper levels, I felt a sense of unease. Something was off. Footsteps leading to bare walls.
"Hold up," I said, raising a hand. "There's something here."
Paul frowned, tapping into his wrist console. "I don't know, sir. Nothing is showing."
I approached one of the walls and ran my fingers along its edge, feeling for anything. The air was thick with the smell of chemicals and something else—something metallic.
I gently pressed an area of the wall around chest level for the average person. A hidden reverse-hinge swung open a concealed panel.
"Paul, get us in this."
He connected his suit to the ports now revealed. "Give me five minutes."
As Paul worked, I scanned the area, my mind racing with possibilities. Every second felt like an eternity. Finally, the panel clicked, and a hidden door slid open to reveal a small, dimly lit room.
"Lieutenant, look at this," Paul said, holding up his datapad. The screen displayed a series of files, detailing gruesome experiments and transfers of prisoners to a location labeled "Umbral Eden."
"Kellan!" I muttered, clenching my fists. "Whatever they're doing... we're too late."
"What now, Galen?" Hayes asked, his voice tense.
"I don't know," I replied, frustration evident in my tone. "But we need to get this information back to Command. Maybe they can make sense of it."
"Lieutenant, we have to move," Riley urged, "We must have triggered something. Reinforcements are coming."
I nodded, knowing he was right. We retraced our steps, moving quickly but cautiously.
"Double time!" I ordered, pushing my men forward. "We can't get pinned down here."
We made it back to the transport just as the first wave of enemy troops appeared on the horizon. The cloaking mechanisms activated, shrouding our retreat in a veil of invisibility. As we ascended, the landscape disappeared beneath us.
Back on The Vanguard, we were met with an unlikely face inside of my hangar bay. Phulnos was waiting, his expression unreadable.
"Galen," he said, his voice stern. "You disobeyed direct orders."
"I did," I replied, meeting his gaze.
Phulnos studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Did you get your man?"
"No."
"There will be consequences."
"I understand, sir," I said, standing at attention.
"Dismissed."
As I walked away, I felt a sense of incomplete resolve. We had uncovered part of the mystery, but the mission wasn't over. Kellan was still out there. He was sequestered in Umbral Eden, and I have zero idea as to where that is.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone