CHAPTER 55: Unknown Meetings
There was a somber mood in the meeting. The room they had chosen to meet in was small but well-guarded. His aide had gathered all the intelligence reports and General Gervin had reviewed them personally. This issue was too important for the top of the hierarchy to pass it off to others or to depend on biased summaries. Unfortunately, while General Gervin had read all the files and notes, there was nothing of substance.
Since the [System] had appeared, all military focus had been at figuring out what it was and what the undescriptive but cryptic messages meant. What would the direct implications of them be? Was it a war? Would it be an infiltration? What would they need to know to be able to stand up to invaders.
There had been tons of meetings at all levels of the military and national defense agencies. Some agencies were trying to horde what they knew while more were pushing everything they collected onto others to make sure it reached as many people as possible. Opinions were written, thousands of memos sent, experts searched for, no matter how crackpot they ended up. All that time wasted because the entirety of what they could prove was what was in front of them. It was only four pages long.
Those measly pages were boiled down from thousands of opinion pieces, briefs, news articles, meeting notes, discussions, wire taps, and domestic and foreign intelligence agencies. Thousands more man hours were spent on it over the last week as it was an all-hands-on deck situation. Yet only four pages could be proven. Most of those four pages just repeated the words everyone had seen in their message windows.
As the latest video posted came to an end, the general turned to the Army Intelligence officer that he worked the best with. “Do we know if these are real yet?”
“Sir, every program we run through says they aren’t doctored. We can’t figure out how they would have faked it. The group working on it are arguing though. Even though it’s high-speed footage, several of the kids move too fast for our programs to really break down well, leading to smudged footage. That leads some analysts to think that it is faked, just because movement that fast isn’t possibly by a living creature.”
“Could it be using some alien technology that they found?” asked the general’s aide.
“Since no one has seen aliens, let alone their tech, I don’t know what is possible.”
That statement was only partially true. Troops from one base in Afghanistan had been on patrol in a nearby city and had found a black spot that none of the equipment could see into. They had tried to push their way in using tools that they had when some large bugs, shells as high as the soldiers’ knees, had come out from the black area and attacked. The bugs had been a cross between a cockroach, scarab, and rhino beetle. Nothing previously seen on Earth, according to Entomologists who reviewed the retrieved camera footage. The soldiers had barely managed to kill a few of them, when two of the troops were ordered to retreat to make sure the video footage got back to base. That footage had been nowhere near as decipherable as the videos posted on the website for the Sentinel Army.
The videos at first seemed like a gag, some kids trying to monetize on the fear in the world. Yet the videos kept being released. Those videos were horrible. If they weren’t faked, then the world was in trouble. The things those kids did and saw were worse than most soldiers in war experienced. The brutality of the leader of the kids was right up there with what the monsters they fought did. How terrible must “The General” be to kill so easily and calmly. Not to mentioned how he kept finding different invaders.
General Gervin spoke. “We are left with either a bunch of super powered kids that are amassing technology that we have never seen before, or we have fake videos that our technicians can’t figure out. Either way we are still left without what we need to know. We’ve encountered several of the enemy nests, but all fighting has been minor, without seeing the invaders themselves, and all but two of the people involved were killed. If these kids have had success, then they must have found something to allow it, and we need to get a hold of it.”
“We found a report from the FBI that one of their agents claims he led a raid on a nest, and the kids stole the alien technology. He claims that they snuck it out and he has requested more agents to help retrieve it. The report submitted by his partner had a much different conclusion though he described similar events during the raid,” said the Intelligence Officer as he pulled out a folder and handed it over.
So many unsubstantiated reports had come through that it was hard to find anything. What had flagged this report for them was that it was in the same area as the Sentinel Army kids and used their names.
“Hm…that can give us some ground to get involved. We can use the possible theft of foreign or dangerous materials, and the fact that they’re claiming to be an army, to inspect or take what they have. Why hasn’t local law enforcement gotten involved in this?” asked the aide.
“From different reports, the local law enforcement has gotten involved,” said the intelligence officer, perking up the aide’s attention. “Only, it’s working with this Sentinel Army. It looks like they’re doomsday prepping on a city-wide scale, while working with the Sentinels. The mayor and the police chief have been spending suspiciously huge amounts of money, both from their budgets and personally.
“They’ve also been releasing information about the invaders that no one else has been able to confirm, and most agencies and other police are ignoring. It barely made it to us due to everyone thinking it sounds like a hoax. The one FBI report complained about them being paid off, which is why we received it at all. Blackmail seems possible, though would be odd. A quick financial tap showed the flow of money seemed legitimate. The kids are getting tons of people to spend the money as soon as they receive it.”
“Are we sure this is being orchestrated by kids?” asked the General, his face wrinkled with confusion.
“We’ve identified adults helping them, but it looks like the kids were the start. Though really, we don’t have enough information or operatives locally.”
“Who do we have in the area?” asked the general.
“Colonel Davian is in a training facility in the region,” answered the Aide after running a search on deployment software. “He’s close enough to be there tomorrow and we can assign him enough troops from the nearby bases. The database shows that a meeting was scheduled with the local police, but due to logistics issues no one was selected for it.”
“Have him go with a large show of force. Troops and weapons both. Intimidate these kids and get whatever they have. Beg, borrow, or steal. We need more information on all of this. Also, air lift in the two survivors from the attack in Afghanistan. I know they’re recovering and on edge, but they’re the only living soldiers to walk away. Maybe they’ll notice some tell with the kids. Plus, they are the only ones who have managed to gain levels so far. We have confirmed the increased status does make them more powerful. Maybe that can test their so called general.”
The other two picked up their phones and began making the necessary calls. There would be a flurry of activity, and still new reports to review. The General let out a sigh and then turned back to his computer. New videos had just been posted about a raid in a scrapyard. Even if they were fake, at least they were more entertaining to watch than the memos that were waiting for him.
***
Commander Grthk shifted in his chair as he looked over those assembled. Comfortable but common seats were in a semicircle beneath his own chair. It was an ornate and elaborate chair, raised off the floor so that his feet were at a supplicant’s chest. That allowed for quick response should punishment be required.
The chair was made from the second-best materials available in the empire, crafted by the second greatest crafters available. To go any higher would be to denigrate the Elders. That is also why his chair could never be called a throne, for though he was a leader, he did not rule.
A divot cut out of the side and center of the back of the chair allowed his long tail to move comfortably on the cushioned pedestal behind it. As a Tier 5, the Commander had earned his status and position. There were few at Tier 5, and they all had prominent positions in the military. Among the Scyrric, to reach Tier 6 was to receive entire worlds to control. The Elders were the most powerful and longest living of the Tier 6 and they decided who controls each world under their dominion.
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The planet that the Commander was currently in charge of conquering had been found by his own forces. Coordinates had been given to the Elders, and they had blessed him with the responsibility of conquest. It was the third world that he had been allowed to conquer. That demonstrated the approval and favor that the Elders showed towards him.
Being allowed to conquer worlds under the [System] allowed his forces to gain in power as they fought the natives and other races that were allowed to participate. The [System] insisted that as many races as possible be included during the conquest. The [System] even gated the power levels so that even the lowliest warriors had a chance to become stronger and to influence the world in the beginning of the campaign.
To be the Commander also meant an advantage when it came to moving towards Tier 6. At the end of the invasion, he would personally go down and cause havoc on the strongest armies there, reaping the massive XP. This would steadily move him closer to Tier 6. Another eight worlds and he might reach that mighty tier.
If a commander of a force lost the favor of the Elders, then their growth would be halted, for there was no source of XP strong enough outside of the new worlds being fought over. Older worlds could be eradicated, but the [System] did not approve of wiping out whole races from established worlds. Whatever it wanted came easiest from newly created worlds. Unfortunately, no one knew what that was.
“Sire,” said one of the Scyrric seated before him. He was a lieutenant that was quite loyal to the Commander and literally lived to serve him. “We have the updates on the new world.”
“Have the invasions started?” asked the Commander.
“No, Sire. The [System] decided that we must wait 10 extra days before beginning.”
“Odd. In the other planets that we’ve taken that has never happened,” said another of the Battalion Captains in the room. While there was no table in front of the attending military leaders to ensure there was nothing between them and the Commander, each chair had a platform to the side as well as a display for them to review information on.
“Yes, sir,” said the Lieutenant. “It was odd to us too. However, there are other oddities going on and we suspect they are related.”
“Is the [System] aiding this world?” asked the Commander, wondering what would cause the [System] to change things now. Waiting 10 extra days did not impact the invasions much, but it was certainly concerning that something unprecedented had happened. With how much say the [System] had in things, and how mysterious it was even after thousands of years, deviations could cause catastrophic changes.
“Oh, definitely not, sire. Our agents show that the leaders and forces of the world are clueless and will be easy to destroy. There is one noticed anomaly though.”
Silence sat for a minute before the Commander ordered the Lieutenant to continue.
“And the anomaly is?”
“There is a native who has already taken over three Dimensional Convergence Rifts. Low level ones, but it is still unheard of before the invasion bases are deployed.”
Gasps echoed in the grand hallway where they sat. All the leaders were paying attention to the Lieutenant. The Commander chuckled inside. He knew this Scyrric well and knew that there was no reach for attention or grandstanding in them. If this was how the lieutenant was talking, then the anomaly was something even more unusual.
“Never in our records has a Dimensional Convergence Rift been taken by natives before the invasion is allowed and the bases are deployed.”
“The barriers should easily keep out the natives.”
“Is he really from that world?”
The Scyrric sitting there each took their turn to make a statement. They knew that order must be maintained, and no one was brazen enough to interrupt another. That would cause them to be demoted or executed.
“Sirs, I have not been there myself so I am relying on the reports. According to one we hired from the Red Clan, there is a native who has the strength of a Tier 3.”
“How can a native be at Tier 3 without the start of the invasions?” asked the Commander.
“She did not say he was at Tier 3, she said his power was equal to Tier 3,” the lieutenant clarified.
“Are the rest of the natives also powerful?” asked the Commander.
“No, Sire. They are rather on the weak side. No outstanding features or abilities. They are spread out and lack unity or proper information gathering abilities. There are also no specialties in stats among them. Except for this anomaly.”
“What class did the [System] give him? Is he a [Warrior]?”
“No, Sire. According to the Red Clan agent he has no class label. She has reported that he uses [Berserker] skills, though they are crude and incomplete. He uses them as one who does not understand what they are meant for.”
Gasps and tongue hisses filled the room. The Commanders tail came around his chair and pounded against the floor.
“That truly is an anomaly,” said the Commander thoughtfully, the room returning to silence. “How is it that he hides his class, or even has a class to begin with?”
“Unknown, Sire.”
“Then was he a battle-hardened warrior before the [System]?”
“No, Sire. According to the agent he is a child from a society that knows no war or power struggles.”
“Then how is he Tier 3 and able to find and defeat Dimensional Convergence Rifts?” asked the Commander, truly involved in this query. He couldn’t remember the last time something as interesting as this had come up. This would need to be reported to the Elders to make sure it went into the Archives. Hopefully it wouldn’t get their attention enough to take the invasion from him. “Even a Tier 3 shouldn’t be able to breach the Dimensional Convergence Rifts.”
“Unknown, Sire. I asked the Red Clan to research it further, and in the short term they said it wasn’t possible, regardless of whether it has been observed.”
“Is the agent trustworthy?”
“Yes, Sire. I ran a validity check on the agent. The Red Clan said while not an outstanding specialist, she was sound of judgement and ability.”
“She should be Tier 3 as well, right? Her specialty should be perfect for taking down a [Berserker].”
“I thought so as well, Sire, however the next part of the anomaly comes into play here. She has reported that there must be a mentalist involved greater than Tier 3, along with this native as well. She has not seen the mentalist, however there is evidence of one that she reported. A memory manipulation that she did to the local peacekeepers was broken rather easily, and when she tried to affect the companions of the [Berserker] she found there was too much resistance built up for her to enact her skill fully.”
“What did the Red Clan say about this?”
“They said it was likewise impossible to their knowledge. It seems that most likely there is a Tier 4 or higher traveler hiding on this planet. We queried the [System] and it informed there are only natives on the planet. It would not answer us regarding how it is possible to hide a class label.”
“Hmm…this does sound interesting. It is unfortunate. Keep me updated on what is happening with this native. Maybe he is someone worth recruiting or fighting directly.”
“Yes, Sire. We still have 5 cycles until we can bring stronger combatants, though even at Tier 3 strength it is unlikely that he will survive.”
“Actually, pay the extra to transport one of our Tier 3 [Berserkers] to work with the Red Clan agent. Observe the native for longer, and when she thinks it is appropriate, the two shall capture the native and try to lure out the mentalist. Maybe inspecting the anomaly will lead to new research possibilities for both us and the Red Clan.”
“As you will, Sire.”
***
The tension in the room was high. No one could deny that their day had push everyone to the brink of what their minds and bodies could handle. Adam was hosting the team in his penthouse condo inside their base rift, but each person was still on edge, unable to forget the terror they had felt inside the Testudinate base. To a single person discontent was building even as Adam was trying to make things feel normal.
Lucas looked over at Tom, who winced but nodded. The couch they were on was crowded but it seemed like they agreed on this.
“After what he’s put us through today, I think it has to be done,” Lucas whispered to Tom. Brandon heard and looked down at his feet. He wasn’t feeling good about this even if he understood their point.
“He’s become too much. We can’t live like this anymore,” added Nick.
“I mean, the boss is the best, but at this point he has to go,” Tom said sadly, heartbroken at the betrayal he felt. “All he has done for us…but the boss needs to die.”
“I agree. We need a way to kill Adam for any of us to move forward,” said Nick.
Lucas glanced around the room to make sure no one else was listening. “He’s too powerful in a direct contest. We’ll need some way to distract him so we can take him from behind.”
Tom made eye contact with Abbey, who slid over to them. “Yes?”
“We need a distraction. Any ideas?” asked Tom.
“I know exactly how to distract Adam. This hurts me to do, but there has to be an end,” Abbey said mournfully, looking determined. “This isn’t the Adam I fell in love with.”
They split up then, acting normal. Each of them continued, waiting for Abbey to bring the distraction. It only took a few minutes until she was in position. As Adam sat on the floor, she leaned over to Adam’s ear. In a breathy, sultry way she whispered into Adam’s ear, “We’re out of pizza.”
Adam’s head shot up and he turned his body to look at the counter where all the food was. “What?!”
While Adam was turned, gunshots rang out behind him. Multiple shots were fired at him and continued on for a few seconds. Adam fell as he looked up at Abbey, confusion on his face.
“Player 1 is dead,” the large TV announced.
“What the hell? You helped them kill me?” Adam demanded of Abbey as his Call of Duty character lay dead.
“Well, you were kind of being mean by not giving them a chance.”
“It’s not my fault I’m better at it. I wasn’t even trash talking.”
“Then sit out some of the games.”
Adam sighed and looked around at the angry faces watching him. “Fine. But before that there’s something I really need to know…” Taking a deep breath, Adam looked into Abbey’s eyes. “Are we really out of pizza? I’m still hungry.”