Surprise Attack 2

Island Cluster 2, July 20.

In the heart of Island Cluster 2, on the verdant planet of Zeoter, a bustling city thrived amidst sprawling fields of wildflowers, verdant farms, and lush orchards. Rivers meandered through the city, lending it a picturesque charm.

This was the city of ZA1.

Within the ZA1 Military Command Center, a tense meeting unfolded in the conference room.

"How many casualties did we suffer today?" inquired General Rick, his voice resonating with gravity.

"Sir, we lost 1 million and 37 thousand soldiers," reported one of the commanders solemnly.

The room fell into a heavy silence, burdened by the weight of their losses and the daunting presence of the Leviathans on the battlefield. For Ten long months, they had stood on the front lines, facing the monstrous creatures that seemed invincible. Despite their efforts, victory remained elusive, gnawing at their resolve and morale.

General Rick's gaze sharpened as he turned his attention to the state of the civilian population.

"What's the status of the civilians? I've heard reports of unrest and rumors circulating," he inquired, his eyes narrowing with concern.

"Yes, sir. We're experiencing some trouble. People are becoming increasingly anxious, and there are rumors spreading that worshiping the Entomons will grant them safety," reported one of his officers, his voice tinged with apprehension.

General Rick's commands echoed through the room, casting a grim shadow over the officers gathered within. His orders were clear, decisive, and uncompromising.

"Identify the source of these rumors and eliminate them," he commanded, his voice resolute. "We cannot afford distractions or divisions among our people. Hunt down every Notata sympathizer and eradicate them. I will bear the responsibility for these actions."

The officer began to interject, but General Rick silenced him with a raised hand.

"In times of crisis, we must enforce strict measures," he continued, his tone unwavering. "Anyone found associating with the Notata will be treated as criminals, facing the full extent of the law. It is a military state now, and we dictate the rules. Dissenters will be apprehended."

Colonel Mason, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, saluted sharply before departing to execute the orders, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

General Rick acknowledged the report about the Notata and their influential connections with the Overseers and powerful merchants. This posed a significant challenge as the Notata seemed to have a level of protection and influence that made them difficult to confront directly.

As he received word about the higher-ups wanting to speak with him, General Rick left the meeting room and entered a secret chamber where he connected to the military virtual network. In the virtual room, he found Marshal of the Air, Colton, waiting for him.

Offering a respectful nod, General Rick took his seat, preparing to hear what the higher-ups had to say. The situation was dire, and decisions made in this meeting could have far-reaching consequences for their war effort and the safety of their people.

General Rick expressed the dire situation in Perseus and Island Clusters, highlighting the challenges they faced due to limited resources, societal disruptions, and the ongoing casualties. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, indicating that they might not be able to sustain the war effort for much longer.

In response, Marshal Colton acknowledged the difficulties they were facing and informed General Rick about Lord Adril's decision to recall everyone back to the Sol Cluster. He assigned General Rick the task of commanding the evacuation and bringing everyone outside of the Sol Cluster back to their Solar system within 5 days.

General Rick, understanding the gravity of the situation and the importance of following Lord Adril's orders, stood up and saluted Marshal Colton, ready to carry out his assignment promptly.

After the conversation with Marshal Colton, General Rick found himself tasked with enforcing a police state and overseeing the evacuation efforts. He was reminded of the importance of maintaining control and order, even in the face of challenging circumstances.

As he exited the virtual room, a notification appeared on his wrist device, reminding him of a lighthearted promise made by someone. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there was still room for moments of levity and connection amidst the chaos and uncertainty of war.

General Rick's thoughts raced as he processed the implications of Marshal Colton's seemingly innocent message. The request for the ancient wine and the mention of wealth were veiled hints at the true nature of their mission: to deploy the X-UVA Bombs in a last-resort effort to combat the Entomons.

Understanding the gravity of their situation, Rick felt a mixture of determination and resentment towards Colton's apparent nonchalance. The responsibility of wielding such devastating weapons weighed heavily on his shoulders, but he knew that desperate times called for drastic measures.

As he contemplated the impending actions, Rick couldn't shake the feeling of being manipulated by Colton's cryptic message. Yet, in the face of an existential threat, he had little choice but to carry out his orders and do whatever it took to ensure the survival of humanity.

General Rick's entrance into the meeting room commanded attention, his presence evoking a sense of authority and resolve among the assembled officers and advisors. The weight of their current predicament hung heavily in the air, urging Rick to make decisive decisions that could shape the outcome of their battle against the relentless Entomons.

With a steady gaze, Rick surveyed the room, taking in the expectant faces of his comrades-in-arms. Their collective resolve mirrored his own determination to confront the looming threat head-on and devise a plan that would safeguard their people and their home.

Clearing his throat, Rick addressed the room with a measured tone, conveying both strength and determination in his words. "Gentlemen, we find ourselves in the midst of unprecedented challenges, facing an adversary unlike any we have encountered before. The situation is dire, but it is in times such as these that our mettle is truly tested."

His words resonated with conviction, instilling a sense of purpose and unity among those gathered. "We must remain steadfast in our commitment to defend our planet and its people, no matter the cost. Our actions today will determine the fate of Zeoter and all who call it home."

With unwavering resolve, General Rick prepared to lead his forces into battle, knowing that their courage and determination would be their greatest weapons in the struggle ahead.

"Lieutenant Amelia!" Rick's voice echoed through the chamber, commanding attention.

Amelia, his aide, entered the room with a sense of urgency, ready to receive her orders.

"Sir?" she responded, her demeanor poised and attentive.

Rick met her gaze with a steely resolve, his mind already calculating the intricate details of their forthcoming strategy.

"I need you to coordinate with our intelligence network and gather as much information as possible on the movements and vulnerabilities of the Entomons in the three targeted planets," he instructed, his voice firm and unwavering.

Amelia nodded, understanding the gravity of the task at hand. "Consider it done, sir," she affirmed, her determination mirroring Rick's own.

"In addition," Rick continued, his tone resolute, "I want you to liaise with our engineering corps and prepare a detailed plan for the deployment of the X-UVA Bombs. We need to ensure that every aspect of the operation is meticulously planned and executed."

Amelia's expression faltered momentarily, taken aback by the sudden intensity in Rick's tone. She understood the gravity of the situation and the need for concise communication in times of crisis.

Amelia's expression remained composed as she absorbed the weight of her responsibilities. "Understood, sir. I'll ensure that every detail is accounted for," she affirmed, her commitment unwavering.

With a nod of approval, Rick acknowledged Amelia's dedication to their cause. "Excellent. Time is of the essence, Lieutenant. Our success depends on swift and decisive action," he emphasized, his words resonating with purpose.

As Amelia prepared to exit the room to begin her assignments, Rick turned his attention back to her once more and asked.

"How much meat reserves do we have?" Rick asked directly.

"Sir, we currently have 14 billion tons of meat reserves on planet Zeotar," Amelia responded. "Additionally, we have 27 billion metric tons of meat from all five planets in the Zeotar solar system. However, we don't have any meat farms on the other remaining planets. They are solely designated for mining minerals, as the atmosphere is inhospitable and unsuitable for terraforming," she elaborated.

Rick felt annoyed with her detailed explanation. "Do I look stupid?" he asked with stern eyes.

"I'm the highest in command here, and I'm in charge of this whole cluster. Do you think I wouldn't understand the situations in my own backyard?" Rick's anger was palpable. She could have simply provided the numbers, but instead, she delved into farming conditions and terraforming, which were clearly unrelated to the question.

"Whaa Whaa... !!" Amelia was startled. Feeling the stern eyes from General Rick, she was frozen. She didn't know what to do, and she was panicking inside. She was new to her job and had only been transferred here 3 months ago, so she didn't know General Rick's temperament.

'I'm in trouble!' She screamed in her mind.

She had never been in this kind of situation. She was very confused and started tearing up.

"This woman?" General Rick was surprised.

"Stop crying!" Rick shouted. She timidly wiped her tears.

He wondered why he flared up all of a sudden. Maybe he was too stressed because of the war, or because she reminded him of someone. Rick was having doubts. Everyone in the headquarters knew he didn't like babysitting inexperienced soldiers because they were just a distraction to him. So, who sent her here? Not many people could enter his Army Group because the bar was set so high that it was almost impossible for ordinary or inexperienced soldiers to enter his Army Group.

'To pull this kind of trick, they must be someone above me in the ranking. The Lords of Union High Council won't dare to play this kind of trick on me. Lord Adril is 100% out. He doesn't play these types of childish tricks. It must be those 3 old fogies.' He came to the conclusion.

"I'll pay them back when I return." Rick clenched his fist. He had the temperament of a magnificent untamed wild stallion. He was too dazzling to be left alone, and everyone wanted a piece of him. He was also the youngest General whose combat power was on par with Field Marshal Brayden.

Somewhere on a corner of Earth, three old men suddenly felt a chill run down their backs.

'Such heavy killing intent, and with such animosity. Who could it be?' They wondered. They looked up at the sky in the direction of the Island 2 cluster. Suddenly, they felt a little restless.

-----------

In the room, Rick could be seen holding his head and sighing continuously with a confused look on his face. Standing in front of him was a girl with puffy cheeks, trying to hold back her tears and snot. She looked comical and cute.

Rick sighed and took a deep breath. At the end of the day, she was just an innocent girl who hadn't done anything wrong. She was just doing her job and trying to fully explain all of the situations, afraid to miss out on anything.

"Sorry about that! I don't know why I lashed out at you. I suddenly got annoyed with your over-explaining because it reminded me of some annoying bastard," Rick said, apologizing and explaining the reason behind it.

"No, no... General! It was my fault. It was because of my poor choice of words," Amelia stammered, hurriedly explaining.

"Enough!" Rick interjected. "Let's leave everything behind. Instead, I'll ask you some questions. Who is your father?" he inquired.

"Aiden Balfe, Sir!" Amelia replied.

"And your grandfather?" Rick asked again.

"Aizel Balfe, Sir!" Amelia replied once more.

Rick was startled. "So, you are the granddaughter of that annoying old bastard," Rick murmured to himself. 'That explains everything. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,' he thought. 'I should have known when Amelia's last name is Balfe. I haven't closely paid attention to her before, and she must be from the new batch.'

"Alright, sit down," Rick ordered. Amelia sat down timidly with her head down like a puppy.

She was thinking, 'This is too shameful. I cried and almost snotted in front of General Rick.' She screamed in her mind.

Rick looked at her and thought, 'She is too comical. Just like her old man.'

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Somewhere on Earth, in a science laboratory.

"Achoo... ." Aizel sneezed loudly, prompting his colleagues to glance in his direction.

"Who's talking about me behind my back?" Aizel exclaimed, suspicion clouding his gaze as he scrutinized his coworkers, who were engrossed in their respective tasks.

"We weren't, Professor," reassured one of the younger colleagues, exchanging a perplexed glance with his friend. "What's up with Professor Aizel?" he whispered to his companion, named Arnost, a scientist newly arrived from another planet.

"It's rough on him lately," Joe chimed in, shaking his head with a wistful smile. "He's heading the time machine project, shouldering the weightiest responsibilities, and he's been going without sleep for days. His temper's getting pretty short."

"Should we escalate this to the higher-ups? He's not taking care of himself, and the lack of sleep is taking its toll. If this goes on, it could spell disaster," one of the scientists voiced, concern etched on his face.

"I agree. It's the best course of action. We can't let this continue," Joe responded, nodding in agreement.

That day, Lord Adril issued a strict order for Professor Aizel to take a mandatory 7-day break, as a form of punishment. It was a severe consequence for Aizel, particularly because he understood the value of every passing moment. In those 3 days, he could have achieved significant progress on his projects.

He pleaded with Lord Adril to lessen the punishment, but the response he received was firm and uncompromising. "You're the one causing problems for others. This is a collaborative effort, and you mustn't be self-centered. Working tirelessly for days without rest is detrimental to everyone's well-being. You've caused worry among your colleagues."

"Working like a madman is detrimental, especially to you. Do you know what mad scientists are good at? Failure and explosions to their face. The success rate falls below 5%," Lord Adril admonished sternly.

"A proven theory doesn't guarantee success in practice. Nothing can be accomplished without a clear mind. Now go, reflect upon your actions, and stop wasting everyone's time," Adril concluded with a harsh reprimand.