Army Expansion: The Poor Director
The futuristic elevators leading to the fifth floor of the Cerberus Headquarters slowly opened. Several Sentinels emerged from its metallic doors and swiftly marched towards the Director's office. They had been called upon by their Director for their promotion in the organization.
None of the Sentinels ever thought their promotion to be so quick. But they could never fathom the mind of their Director. He was beyond the mortal scope of intelligence and wisdom. For them, the Director was the greatest commander of the Cerberus. His actions always have meaning.
When the Sentinels arrived at the Director's office. They immediately kneeled with their Director sitting on a luxurious chair in front of them. The Sentinels took a quick glance at the office and felt it was lacking compared to the gloriousness of their Director.
But it wasn't their duty to question the taste of the headquarters. They only needed to heed the Director's orders no matter what. After all, they were the warriors of the Cerberus. The Sentinels.
Duke calmly gazed at the kneeling Sentinels with an aloof expression plastered on their face. They seemed to be awaiting further orders, which was to be expected from zealots such as the Sentinels. He took a deep breath and smoothly questioned.
"Was the headquarters up to standard, Sentinels?"
Hearing the words of their Director, the Sentinels froze and looked at one another. They understood that this was a test of loyalty from their Director. The Sentinels must tell the truth about their opinions and not tarnish the resolution of their Director.
"The Cerberus Headquarters is adequate, Director."
"It is a captivating structure, Director."
"Lacking, but useful for our current circumstances."
"Can have a lot of improvements, Director."
"Too small."
"Lacking of some compartments."
"Enough."
"A bit better than a settlement, but lower than a real military compound."
The Sentinels were merciless and uttered truthful responses about their opinions regarding the Cerberus Headquarters. But their words almost made Duke cough up blood. He never thought his precious subordinates to be so ruthless. Was the headquarters so bad?
'You bastards! Sorry for not building a goddamn bigger base!' Duke silently thought while maintaining a smile on his face. It was better to hide his real emotions and not let his annoyance be seen by the Sentinels. Besides, at the very least, they were truthful.
"I see... Thank you for your opinions about the headquarters. I didn't have a long time to build the Cerberus Headquarters, so it might be small. But in all honesty, it has personality." He wryly smiled and responded to the kneeling Sentinels.
In his heart, he wanted to smack their heads and teach them the importance of having a roof on top of their heads. These fellow bastards' standards were too high. Though, there was nothing he could do about it.
He understood that compared to the actual headquarters of the Cerberus. The current Cerberus Headquarters might seem small. But what could he do about it? It hasn't been a week since he got the Doomsday Base Building Procotol.
Give him a month, and he'll construct a much larger base.
Anyhow, instead of dwelling on their goddamn insul- Ehem, opinions. Duke continued with the current subject at hand. There was a reason why they had been called to the Director's office. And it was none other than about their promotion.
As a kind and responsible Director, it was his duty to reward the Sentinels under his command for their achievements. Since they had successfully delivered him to the headquarters and also upgraded to become a first-ordinance unit. Their promotion was to be expected.
"Sentinels, stand."
Without any hesitation or delay, the Sentinels stopped kneeling and stood up. They saluted their Director with respect all over their faces, hidden by the black gas mask. Seeing their energetic movements, Duke couldn't help but unveil a smile and continued.
"The ten of you Sentinels have gone through a long journey with me. You have protected me with utmost care and terminated a monster for my safety. One of you even almost sacrificed themselves for my life. I appreciate your hard work, and since you have been upgraded."
"A promotion is to be expected."
"As my one and only group of first-ordinance units. I will be promoting you to newer ranks. I have already thought about the hierarchy of the Cerberus and decided to continue with the military system."
"So I'll be separating the ten of you into the two platoons of Cerberus, Alpha and Bravo. Two of you will become a first lieutenant and lead the platoons. While most will become a staff sergeant and lead the squads under Alpha and Bravo."
After the long declaration, Duke pointed at two Sentinels and signaled them to come forward. The Sentinels took one step forward and kneeled once again at their Director. It was almost an animal instinct for them to kneel before their great Director, the lord of Cerberus.
"The two of you are the subjects of Cerberus and are the most significant presentation of a Sentinel's code. Leadership and sacrifice. I will give the two of you a codename and promote you as the first lieutenants of Cerberus." Duke calmly stated and pointed at the left Sentinel.
"You will be Aleph, the platoon leader of Alpha. I expect great things from you."
"I will not fail you, my Director!" Aleph deeply bowed and almost cried his heart out. If possible, he would like to procrastinate. But as the newly-promoted Sentinel, he must maintain an image to his fellow Sentinels.
Afterward, Duke pointed at the right Sentinel and smiled.
"You're sacrifice is appreciated. I owe you my life. You will be Bet, the platoon leader of Bravo. I know you will fated for greatness."
"Your desire will be my command, my Director! I will forever be under your throne!" Bet also bowed deeply towards the Duke. He never thought that he would come from an almost dying Sentinel to the second platoon leader of Cerberus. Fate really was mysterious.
With the promotion of Aleph and Bet, it was time to promote the remaining Sentinels. He glances at them with a smile and utters. "I believe many of you will have a chance to become first lieutenants."
"The Cerberus relies on merits to increase your rank. Whether it's leadership or sacrifice, you will be rewarded. Your achievements are correspondent to the Cerberus's glory. So, work hard as the warriors of Cerberus. The remaining of you will be promoted to staff sergeant."
"URAH!" The remaining eight Sentinels kneeled and followed the suite of Aleph and Bet. Duke was delighted with the reactions of the Sentinels. What he said wasn't a lie. The Sentinels only needed to work hard so they could be promoted. But obviously, he'll have to create requirements.
'Though for now, this is enough.' Duke thought to himself and waved his hand towards the Sentinels. "All of you return to the second floor and meet your rookie comrades. Brief them of our circumstances and prepare them for an operation."
"I will be waiting for you in an hour."
With his words, the Sentinels left the office with grateful expressions plastered on their faces. Although he couldn't see it, their body movements couldn't contain their excitement. The Sentinels were simple-minded and skilled. They were also loyal and intelligent.
Duke appreciated their existence as his precious subordinates. So, as the Director, he mustn't hesitate to summon more of them to command under the banner of Cerberus. It was time to hire more Sentinels. The formation of the platoons Alpha and Bravo shall be done.
| The Director has purchased 70x Sentinel(Military) with the price of 700 Source Points! |
| The Director has purchased 8x Squad-Level Weaponry Supply(Military), 8x Squad-Level Ammunition Supply(Military), 8x Squad-Level Equipment Supply(Military), 4x 100-People Food Supply(Utility) with the price of 320 Source Points! |
| Total Source Points Expended: 1,020 Source Points! |
"Hmm... 10 Source Points for a Sentinel, huh? Cheaper than I previously thought." Duke mumbled while gazing at the notification display. He glances at the supplies, ammunition, equipment, and armament he had bought and calmly remarks. "The supplies are also cheaper."
"The squad-level weaponry cost about 10 Source Points. The ammunition is about 5 Source Points. The squad-level equipment is double the weaponry cost, about 20 Source Points. And the 100-People Food Supply cost 10 Source Points." He was satisfied with the prices in front of him.
However, he also understood that sooner or later, he'll have to buy tons of supplies to fund his army of Sentinels. Perhaps it might not even be the Sentinels under his command. Though only the future could tell. At the moment, he spent two-thirds of his Source Points.
The purchase punched a large hole in his wallet, but he didn't regret it. His Sentinels needed supplies so that they could work. The operation he planned to start later will need efficiency and quality. He also didn't desire any casualties, so preparations were paramount.
Duke thought about the legendary status since he wanted to know the current information he had. In mere seconds, a digital display materialized in front of him. It was his status display, which reported his contemporary info in the Doomsday Base Building Protocol.
――<◉>――
|| Duke Shepherd ||
●| Rank : Director |
●| Doomsday Base : [Level 0] |
●| Domain : [1 square kilometer/ 250 acres] |
●| Summoned Unit(s) : [80/200] |
●| Constructed Building(s) : [1/10] |
●| Civilian Population(s) : [0/0] |
――<◉>――
The number of summoned units under his command had risen. There were about 80 Sentinels within the headquarters, arming themselves for the operation. The construction buildings stood at one, and the civilian population was zero. After the operation, he'll have to expand the base.
"I already have a domain of a square kilometer surrounding the headquarters. This means I can build anything through the Doomsday Mall within this area." Duke aloofly mumbled with thoughts surging inside his head. A square kilometer was a large area.
But somewhat small compared to a city.
After checking the status display, he also opened the Doomsday Mall to check the current funds of Source Points under his control. The Doomsday Mall soon emerged before his perception, and its information was displayed in its full description.
―<◉>―
|| Doomsday Mall ||
●| Building(s) |
●| Unit(s) |
●| Vehicle(s) |
●| Supply(s) |
➤| Source Point(s) : 444 |
―<◉>―
"444 Source Points... Can't believe my over a thousand funds became this... No wonder businessmen love profits. No one wants a hole in their wallet." He remarked while shaking his head. After all, he still hadn't bought one of the main requirements needed for the operation.
The transportation.
Not wanting to waste more time, he opened the Vehicle Tab of the Doomsday Mall and bought two more Vanguards. It was painful, to be honest. He felt like a hammer was smacking his heart. His Source Points, which numbered hundreds, became mere dozens.
How could he not be in pain?
| The Director has purchased 2x HMMWV Vanguard(Military) with the price of 400 Source Points! |
| 44 Source Points Remaining! |
"*Tsk!* No need to remind me that." Duke clicked his tongue and grumbled at the amount of Source Points he had. He closed his eyelids while sitting on his luxurious chair, and time continued to pass. Half an hour later, he opened his eyes upon noticing the elevator door sliding open.
An hour had passed since the newly-promoted Sentinels left to brief the rookies about their circumstances. Since the briefing had been done, it was time to discuss the operation. Duke stood up after yawning and walked out of the Director's office.
As he walked towards the round table where the Sentinels stood, a new notification materialized in front of his perception. It was a mission, an intriguing one. A Termination Mission.
―<◉>―
| Cleansing the Surrounding Land(Termination Mission) |
●| The aberrant waste has covered the vast land beyond the headquarters with its stench. The Cerberus must cleanse the waste of the land through firepower and will. The Sentinels need to terminate a thousand aberrants in the surroundings and return to the headquarters with less than 50% casualties. The mission reward is [1x Hero Unit Capsule, Extra 1,000 Source Points, and 1x Vulture Gunship]. |
―<◉>―