Chapter 3: Last Operation

The whole room fell silent after our leader said those lines. This is then followed by some murmurs amongst the soldiers. "Pipe down!" The commander sternly said loudly which promptly enticed the soldiers into silence once again. "I know I said that if we fail, humanity will be lost. This is not a hyperbole or some figure of speech." He continued. "Because this plan is of such magnitude that it would determine the fate of both races. Human or Magistoid alike. Whoever wins at the end will be the victor at the pinnacle of life itself. The last species standing." This briefing is starting to put us on the edge of our seats due to the gravity of his statements. This means the end game on either of us. The last war we'll gonna fight. With that thought in mind, I proceeded to glue my full attention to this briefing unlike anything before.

The commander continued the briefing with an unflinching stoic demeanor "Now, this plan has been in many stages of development before it reached its final form for it to be foolproof." As he continued, his eyes locked up onto me, a gesture that didn't gone unnoticed, but my concentration is still sound. I knew what he's thinking by then and it makes my resolve unflinching. "You will be briefed carefully about the plan and I expected all of you to drill this onto your minds so you wouldn't falter on our last operation. You will go under numerous rigorous trainings for a simulation of the plan in order to execute it flawlessly. After 3 days of training, the operation starts at 0005 A.M. I expect a peak physical condition to all of you." He explained it in such stoic stance that the soldiers in the room never failed to be impressed, including me.

The screen above then flashed, showing us an image of an intricate glowing blue crystal, the likely target of our mission. Its importance is evident enough by looking at it, as it seemed to exude an aura even though we're just looking at an image. This is when Ardugo spoke "This is the Regulus Crystal. A very powerful artefact of our people and with no exaggeration, the source of our magic and our lives." We got tempted to murmur as we heard this piece of information but managed to hold out our tongues as we listened.

"I'm sure that even in this image alone, you would see and feel its importance, leading credence to my earlier statement." Ardugo then continued, now with eyes more attentive than before "An ancient artefact of divine power, the Regulus Crystal is responsible for the birth of a Magistoid into the world. This is enacted through magical means in which two Magistoids of different genders channeled their magical power into the crystal, where they coalesce and forms a new life within which then it emerge out of the crystal after the process. This also holds out connection to magic that we possessed and a reason why we hold it as sacred."

That explanation from Ardugo opened up a new perspective on what our enemies had and this realization is the key to our success, that's I'm sure. The screen then switched to an another image, featuring a schematic of something that has inhuman proportions and design. "Due to its sacred and powerful nature, the Rex Regulus the ones that only has access to it. It is also subject to high security and secrecy that a normal Magistoid wouldn't able to have access to. But..." The intonation of his slightly changed after that before he continued. " we've managed to acquire a highly important intel on where it is located. We've also learned on how high the security of it had. And suffice to say... It's undeniably hard."

Ardugo lifted a finger, pointing at the present image, zooming it closer. "According to our Intel, the Regulus Crystal is located at the Varasgomo, a General-class floating vessel of the Galiveri fleet. It is one of many vessels that has detailed security, which wouldn't warrant any attention from us if it weren't for our Intel." The mood of the room is still as consistent as before, the resistance fighters are diligently listening to every word.

"The increased security in these ships was a ploy to discourage any assumptions that there's anything important within them. It could be argued that if we're indeed searching to something important, it would prolong the search due to the vessels' quantity. It can be also to spring a trap to anyone who search." Brilliant indeed. Monsters as they are, they're undeniably cunning on every corner. It makes my blood boil.

"The Varasgomo itself is staffed with many high powered Magistoids serving as guards, infantries and leading generals. The ship itself was also equipped with many magical arsenals that would prevent any attacks on the outside and infiltrations on the inside. The guards and infantries are positioned on the outer and inner sections of the vessel, while the generals are in the inner chambers." As he highlights the different sections of the ship to point out its security, he stopped his finger at the center at the center of the innermost chamber: a circular room with a small circular space within.

"And that's is the chamber room where the Regulus Crystal is stored. It is in the middle of several levels that surrounds the chamber room, akin to a multi-layered fortress with several within and the Magistoids that I've mentioned are guarding and commanding each of the levels." Ardugo then proceeded with a flick of his hand to turn off the screen. The commander then proceeded forward. "This is why I implore for this mission to be as foolproof as possible for it to succeed. And through that reclaim what is left of of our planet. This is the mission that will pour out our lives in earnest. Be ready and strong! For our future!!" From these sentiments that cave echoed from the cry of the soldiers. The commander, with a stern demeanor, nods and proceeded to the last word of the briefing. "Dismissed."

All of the soldiers walked out of the briefing room, all filled with brimming determination and looking forward to the training and mission to come. That includes me. I would not be deterred.