Chapter 43: "Should We?"

While Eric and Lucianna went to report the ambush, Charlotte sat quietly while listening to their exchange.

"Will you be departing soon to your assigned area?" the main informant asked, his figure was shown on the other side of the screen.

"Yes sir, we plan to rest for a bit before heading out again," Lucianna replied.

"You all know what to do. The ambush was unexpected, meaning they had successfully infiltrated our territory. We will contact the bases nearby with the newly founded information," the leading commander sounded.

Everyone was warned of a few cautions before nodding and saluting the two farewell.

They all stared at each other, all falling deeper into their thoughts.

Charlotte didn't feel afraid nor incredibly nervous about their recent attack. It did happen out of the blue, but everything passed so quickly, she didn't get to fully process what exactly happened. Her brain hasn't caught up to what was happening yet, making her calmer as the situation hasn't fully hit her.

Although a bit dazed, she was tired of the silence. It was a very comfortable silence, where everyone was trying to re-adjust their mentality according to the situation. However, she felt nothing would proceed if no one spoke to disrupt this peaceful silence. There needed to be a voice to lay out everything that happened. At least, she felt it was right for someone to do so.

That was why she was secretly glad another spoke up.

"We should quickly plan out our course of action to ensure our safety," Luna said while giving everyone a look.

"I agree. We should lay it out now so that we could just do it later," Armand nodded.

"Well, considering our attack, we should widen our scoping area. Everyone would spread out a bit wider, and be more alerted in case of any hidden ambushes. Once we are completely sure of our safety, we can start setting up our base there," Eric explained.

"You should let the informants worry about setting it up. There are a few signals that need to be stationed further away from camp, so I think you all should take one and lay them out while you scout. We could save time this way," Lucianna commented.

"It might not be as safe if we do so. Shouldn't we wait until after we are completely ensure of safety?" Bert asked.

"Then we will wait until your signal then. It would be a bad idea to be half finished to only be warned of attackers," Charlotte answered.

"Hm. In case of attackers after we are done setting up, should we handle it as normal?" Lucian asked.

"Yes. However, we should be more alert tonight. We will be interchanging shifts. Two informants and two fighter scouting. We will switch until morning so we all will get some rest," Eric nodded.

"We will be here for a long while so we might as well adjust our sleeping schedule. I think it would be better to have shifts in the morning as well, as opposed to everyone being awake while a bit tired," Finnian suggested.

"Yes, it was a problem last time. We will work on that once we settle down," Lucianna agreed.

"No matter what, we won't be fighting unless ordered to do so take advantage of the time now," Eric nodded.

It was once again filled with silence.

"Um... does everyone think we will be ambushed again? A few seem to have come near our territory," Lucian hesitantly questioned.

"Well, to be fair, we were near the site of fighting. We were a bit unlucky that we encountered a few on the way," Armand replied.

"If you are worried, you don't have to fret! We are very well trained!" Finnian cheerfully smiled.

"I... also think we will be okay. From experience, they usually won't ambush again when they failed to do so," Bert comforted.

"Besides, we aren't exactly without protection. We might have a bit of action of our own," Lucianna patted her back.

"But what is the purpose of the ambush? They did it for a reason after all. Now that they know that we know they have the ability to go farther, isn't that concerning," Lucian asked.

"We are calling it an ambush, but I don't think it really is one," Armand cocked his head.

"Again, we were near the site of fighting, so they must have noticed us passing by. It might not have been anticipated, but they changed courses toward us to weaken a traveling vehicle driving by. In doing so would weaken our defense and create an opening toward the main base. By the time they would be done with us, reinforcement would probably come, escalating things," he continued.

"That is if we had failed, right?" Lucian nodded in understanding.

"Correct. Our forces are strong. That is why we are stationed a bit closer to their base. In a sense, it was a mistake for both parties. The people from our side made a miscalculation and allowed them to come to us. They underestimated our forces and were defeated. Overall, nothing was lost from both sides besides information of a new vehicle reaching the base," Armand shrugged.

"But that is big. They now know we have come to strengthen our defenses and attack force," Lucian pointed out.

"That is why it was a mistake on our part," Armand gently smiled.

"Then, what would they do with the information?" Lucian turned to Charlotte. Everyone followed his gaze and proceed to stare at her.

"I thought I won't be doing the talking," she joked.

"You are the analyst," Lucianna chuckled.

"Well, I would imagine they do one of two things. If they believe in their strength being superior to ours, they would immediately attack before we could station our forces. The peace pact is only in name, it doesn't actually have any restraint on them. Meaning, they could do anything before we station our forces. Two, they would also strengthen their forces or gather more supplies to be ready for an attack from our forces. We are stationing more soldiers to both defend and attack, meaning we could wage an enormous attack on them. It's better to assume our resources are both just as versatile, who moves first is all that matters," she laid out her thoughts.

"Then who would move first?" Lucian questioned.

"That is not for anyone of us to decide," Charlotte firmly answered.

"Or that is what we are told to do. Do you think it's better to act on our own?" Charlotte stared at the ceiling.

"Well, we shouldn't meddle in right?" Lucian tilted his head.

Charlotte only let out a small chuckle in response.