Chapter 129: Strategic Resolve

The echoes of the Ettemakse campaign still lingered in the minds of the coalition's fighters as they regrouped in Valeris City. The weight of the recent battle and the sacrifices made pressed down on everyone, but amidst the grief was the flicker of a shared determination. Ettemakse was free. Raeth and Vela Drasik were no longer threats. The path to Drakor Krenna and the Syndicate's ultimate defeat had been cleared, but it was far from over.

The secure underground chamber at the Mercenary Guild headquarters was a stark contrast to the chaos of the battlefield. Dimly lit and fortified with thick steel walls, the room had a single circular table in its center. Holographic projectors surrounded the chamber, their glowing blue lights casting shadows on the faces of the gathered leaders.

Ethan entered alongside Eliara and Zyrix, his movements steady despite the exhaustion etched into his features. His armor still bore the scars of the battle in Ettemakse, and his plasma dagger hung at his side, a constant reminder of the fights to come.

Darrik Voss, the Guild Branch Master, stood at the head of the table. His expression was a mix of grim determination and quiet pride. To his left, Captain Alrik Thorne of the Federation guards leaned over a datapad, his brow furrowed in thought. The hologram of Joran Kren flickered to life across the table, the Resistance leader's rugged face projected with sharp clarity.

"Let's begin," Voss said, his voice cutting through the silence. "We've got a lot to cover and not much time to spare."

Ethan stepped forward, placing a small data disk onto the table. The projectors flared to life, displaying a rotating map of Ettemakse City. The image shifted to show the aftermath of the battle: collapsed buildings, hastily constructed medical camps, and lines of displaced civilians waiting for aid.

"The mission to liberate Ettemakse was a success," Ethan began. His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of weariness. "Commander Raeth and Warlord Vela Drasik have been eliminated. Their forces have been routed, and the city is under coalition control."

He gestured toward the hologram, which now displayed a detailed casualty report. Names scrolled across the screen, accompanied by ranks and affiliations. Ethan paused, his gaze lingering on the list.

"But the cost was high. Resistance fighters, Federation guards, mercenaries...they all gave their lives to make this victory possible. We've lost good people. And the survivors…" He hesitated, then continued. "The survivors are stretched thin. The city is in ruins, and its people need our help more than ever."

Joran Kren's hologram nodded solemnly. "Ettemakse was Kynara's second-largest settlement. Losing it would've been catastrophic. The fact that we took it back means we've struck a serious blow to the Syndicate. But you're right, the battle's over, but the fight isn't."

Thorne, his tone unusually measured, added, "The Syndicate's presence in Ettemakse is eradicated for now, but it won't stay that way unless we stabilize the area. They'll want it back. And if Drakor's involved, he won't hesitate to send his forces."

Joran Kren spoke first, his hologram shifting as he leaned closer. "The people of Ettemakse need more than just peacekeeping forces. They need food, medical supplies, clean water, and shelter. We can't just celebrate the victory and leave them to pick up the pieces alone."

Captain Thorne straightened, nodding firmly. "I've already sent word to our supply depots. Federation guards stationed in Valeris will provide reinforcements to the guards who survived in Ettemakse for peacekeeping and medical aid. We'll rotate troops regularly to ensure stability."

"And the guild will contribute as well," Voss added. "We've got the resources to supply armored transports, construction equipment, and basic provisions. I'll assign a logistics team to coordinate with both the Resistance and the Federation."

Ethan listened quietly, his arms crossed. The cooperative tone in the room was a welcome change from the friction that had marked earlier meetings. The battle for Ettemakse had unified them, at least for now.

"We need to prioritize rebuilding," Ethan said. "Without stability, the Syndicate will see Ettemakse as an easy target. And if that happens, everything we fought for will be for nothing."

The holographic map shifted again, zooming out to display Kynara as a whole. A bright red marker highlighted the Syndicate's northern stronghold, a fortress buried deep within the cliffs of the northern territories.

"This is our final target," Voss said, pointing to the map. "Drakor Krenna's stronghold. Every bit of intel we've gathered points to this location as the center of the Syndicate's operations. It's where they're developing their most dangerous weapons, and it's where we'll end this war."

Iris's voice cut through the room, projected from a small console beside Ethan. "Based on the data collected from Ettemakse and previous battles, the Syndicate's remaining forces are concentrated in the northern region. Drakor's weaponry, particularly his psychic ore devices, poses a significant threat to coalition forces. Neural dampeners must be upgraded to withstand its effects."

Eliara frowned. "If those new weapon's are as powerful as the intel suggests, it won't just disorient us. It could turn the tide of the war in Drakor's favor."

"That's why we can't rush in," Ethan said. "We need to be stronger, smarter, and better prepared than we've ever been."

The leaders discussed their plans to bolster the coalition:

The guild would secure advanced plasma rifles, upgraded armor, and heavy artillery. Federation engineers were tasked with improving neural dampeners to withstand Drakor's psychic attacks.

Recruitment efforts would expand across Kynara, targeting mercenaries, Resistance fighters, and Federation troops willing to join the final campaign.

The coalition would also stockpile medical supplies, vehicles, and ammunition, ensuring they could sustain a prolonged assault on the northern stronghold.

"This is it," Joran said, his hologram flickering slightly. "We're all in now. No half-measures."

The map zoomed in on the northern region, revealing potential Syndicate supply depots and defensive positions.

"We need to clear the path before we launch the main assault," Voss said. "If we can locate and destroy these supply depots, we'll cut off their resources and weaken their defenses."

"I'll lead one of the scouting teams," Ethan volunteered. "We've done this numerous times before. We can do it again."

Voss nodded. "Good. The Syndicate's stronghold is their last bastion. We hit them hard enough, and we end this war."

As the meeting adjourned, the leaders exchanged final words of encouragement. Thorne, who had been unusually reserved throughout the discussion, spoke up. "The Federation hasn't been perfect in this fight. But I promise you this, we'll see it through to the end. No more mistakes."

Joran's hologram flickered one last time as he responded, "We've come too far to have doubts now. The Resistance's stance towards your side will not affect this final campaign, rest assured."

The room grew silent as the last of the coalition leaders departed, leaving Ethan alone in the dimly lit chamber. The holographic map continued to hum softly, casting a faint blue glow across his face. His eyes locked onto the red marker of Drakor's northern stronghold, a stark symbol of the darkness they were preparing to face.

His thoughts drifted to the journey that had brought him to this moment. When he first arrived in this universe. He never could have imagined the path he'd take. The listless man who had once sat behind a desk, worrying about deadlines and mundane office politics in Tokyo, was now leading a war effort on an alien planet. The weight of his decisions, the lives he had saved and lost, had etched themselves into his soul, leaving behind scars both visible and unseen.

The battles had stripped away his naivety, replacing it with a hardened resolve and a deeper understanding of sacrifice. This wasn't just about his own survival anymore, he didn't want to fall again into his previous thinking from Earth. It was about justice, about ensuring that no one else had to endure the horrors he'd witnessed on this planet.

As the end of his first major conflict in this universe loomed, Ethan realized he was no longer the man who had stumbled into this strange new reality. He was a mercenary now, forged in fire and loss, standing on the brink of a final reckoning.