Infiltration

12 June

06:55

Female Dormitory Building - 2, Housing District, New Eden

Elana turned to the table and pulled her laptop closer. She turned it on and opened a document titled "Operation Juggernaut: declassified."

She then scrolled to the combatants section.

———––––—————

Commander in charge:

Name: [Redacted]

Callsign: Ghost

Rank: Captain

2nd in Command:

Name: Mei Watanabe (edited)

Callsign: Medusa

Rank: 1st Lieutenant

Overwatch and air support:

Name: [Redacted]

Callsign: Princess

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Heavy gunner:

Name: Jacob Williams (edited)

Callsign: Blast

Rank: Sergeant first class

Medic:

Name: Mitali Roy

Callsign: Bravo-5

Rank: Master Sergeant

Other combatants:

1. Name: [Redacted]

Callsign: Shadow

Rank: Major

2. Name: Lola Yu (Non-military)

3. Name: Mimi Yu (Non-military)

——————————

Elana stared at the screen for some time before mumbling, "Urgh. If only I had some hints. One day, I'll find out everyone in this list. Just one hint."

At that moment, a notification pinged on her phone. She picked it up and saw that it was a message from Luca.

"You up?"

"Been up for a while. What's going on?"

"Well, I heard a rumour that I think you should know about."

"Oh? What's the tea?"

Luca sent a picture to Elena. In the image, Luna was seen enjoying dinner with Jacob and Mitali at a stylish restaurant in the entertainment district. All three were caught in a moment of shared laughter.

Luna responded, "Ohh? She seems pretty close with them. Who is she?"

"Luna Choudhury. A 1st-year recruit."

"Wait, 1st year? Their classes just started yesterday, right? Then how—?"

"That's exactly what the rumour is about. Judging by the situation, it's clear that the girl already knew the Undeads before coming to New Eden. She might even be a family member, but their surnames don't match. So, the speculation is that she could be related to one of those three mysterious Undeads."

Elena sprang from her chair, her face alight with excitement as she typed, "That's the hint I've been waiting for. Let's go meet her!"

"Right now?"

"Right now."

"Are you crazy? Didn't you read the notice? Everyone is to stay indoors unless ordered otherwise."

Elena's excitement faded as she slowly sank back into her chair and typed, "Yeah, there's that too. OK, I'll text you when the order is lifted."

"You know, I can actually talk to her right now. Should I?"

Elena's expression turned to one of confusion as she typed, "Huh? How?"

"Right now, I'm sitting in a patrol car, parked right in front of the female rookie dormitory building."

In a split second, Elena's look of confusion shifted to irritation as she typed furiously, "HUH! Why do you get to be outside today?"

"Haha. It just so happens to be the 10th Infantry Regiment's turn to patrol the administration district today."

"That's cheating."

"Hey, don't blame me. I don't make the schedule—the administration does."

Elena sighed and replied, "OK, I get it. No, we'll talk to her together. You focus on your job now."

"Haha, alright. See ya later."

"😒 Later."

She put the phone down on the table, looked at her bed, and said, "Guess I'll go back to sleep."

17: 35

Sea of Japan, a mile from Joseon Naval Base, Busan, South Korea

A Japanese fishing boat was floating on the violent sea with all its lights off. On the deck, Mei was standing with 3 other people. She was wearing a black diving suit while the rest of them were wearing casual clothes. They were putting the diving gear on her. After she was done getting ready, one other person came up to him and handed Mei a combat knife and a small clasping belt with 3 throwing knives attached to it.

As Mei put the knife in a holster attached to the back of her belt and wore the belt to her right thigh, the man asked, "Are you sure you don't need a ranged weapon?"

Mei replied, "I'll be fine."

She wore her diving helmet, sat on the railing with her back towards the sea, and said, "Don't wait for me. Go back to base."

The man who handed her the knives asked, "But you?"

"I'll look for another route to escape. If you get caught here, that might compromise me too."

"Understood."

Mei nodded and dove in the sea.

18: 07

Joseon Naval Base, Busan, South Korea

Mei slowly raised her head out of the water and tried to look around the shore. The shore line was guarded with a 8 feet tall wall with watchtowers every 100 meters. Each watchtower had a giant spotlight attached to its roof which was pointed towards the sea. Although the stormy weather meant the light couldn't go more than 50 meters before dissipating.

Mei dove back down and swam towards the shore. She raised up again, just under a watchtower. She looked around, and after being sure that she wasn't spotted, she took off her heavy diving gear, tied them with a Kevlar and hung them with a rock in a way that the diving gear went underwater.

She then looked up at the watchtower, sighed and then slowly got up. She pulled on a small ring attached out of her belt buckle, and a thin cord came out. She took a throwing knife and tied it to the cord. She then aimed up at one of the watchtower's roof supports and threw it while pressing on a small button close to the right side of her hip, on her diving suit .

The knife reached the support pole and wrapped around the pole. Mei then pressed on another button right next to the previous one and the cord started repelling back to her belt quickly, pulling Mei up in the process.

The guard on the watchtower noticed the knife and the cord and came forward to inspect it. He looked at the knife and then tried to look down to see the source of the cord. But the moment the guard put his head out, Mei punched the guard in the face, knocking him out.

She then quickly climbed on the watchtower, and took back her throwing knife. She picked up the guard's unconscious body and sat him down on his chair in a way that made it look like he was sleeping.

She then said as she climbed down the watchtower, "I'm in."