Failure

I took Don Contreras' information with a lot of salt. Even with Nestor's realistic emotional distress, it could still have been some elaborate ploy.

But I immediately moved my hand, just in case.

I had sent scouts to Buenavista and Torrijos to confirm the information. I dispatched Capitan Roque and Mario Nepomuceno with his platoon to reinforce Sargento Guzman in Gasan and to set up basic defenses. At home, I tasked Pedro with posting sentries along the Boac River, which stretched toward Torrijos. Vicente, as always, was made commander of the Bulaqueño guards to secure the Casa Real.

I personally headed for Santa Cruz aboard the gunboat, accompanied by Colonel Abad, Dimalanta, and the remaining three platoons recently trained in Landi.