TFA3 4.4 – Next Phase
While carrying a cup of black coffee, Colonel Meyer walked towards underground Command Center. He only slept for three hours, from three in the early morning until six, but it’s more than enough. Moreover, even if he stayed in his personal quarter, he wouldn’t be able to sleep more than that.
And so, after taking a morning bath and having a light breakfast, he immediately went to Command Center. As soon as he entered the room, he went straight to Captain Holmes in the air warfare section.
“Holmes, how is our situation?” Colonel Meyer calmly asked.
“So far all is good, Sir,” Captain Holmes calmly replied. “Our Vipers completed all combat sorties they had to carry and had just landed.
The ground crew is on the way to tow it to underground hangar, while Major Alfred debriefs the flight crew.”
“I see.” After taking a sip of his coffee Colonel Meyer asked again. “What about the Net-centric Tower? Is there any issue with it?”
“Not at all. The engineer platoon did a remarkable job for the whole night.”
“And our new missiles are ready for action, I presume.”
“Armed and fully ready, Sir.”
“Glad to hear that. Thank you for your hard work, Holmes.”
“Sir.”
Without further ado Colonel Meyer then went to intelligence section, and Lieutenant Reznik casually welcomed him.
“Colonel, please forgive my rudeness, but you still have another three hours of break time. Are you sure you don’t want to use it to rest in your quarter?”
“My mind refuses to stay put. It keeps returning here,” Colonel Meyer calmly replied. “It will only stress me out if I force myself to stay in my quarter.”
“Understood, Sir.”
After taking another sip of his coffee Colonel Meyer asked, “Do we have an update on King Makai XXII’s whereabouts?”
“Not yet,” Lieutenant Reznik dejectedly replied. “For the last 24 hours, my men have checked every important building and mansion using our long-range eavesdrop device, but no one mentioned anything related to King Makai XXII’s whereabouts.”
Colonel Meyer nodded and then asked another question, “What about Petrov’s Humint network?”
“They also got nothing so far.”
“LT, keep looking,” Colonel Meyer firmly said. “Capturing King Makai XXII is our best ticket to end the war as soon as possible.”
“Understood.” After a moment of pause Lieutenant Reznik said, “Colonel, an hour ago, Major Petrov sent a message. He wants to know when you will give him the green light to take action against Makai Guard’s chain of command in the city.”
“Tell him, he can start it,” Colonel Meyer casually replied.
“I will send the message right away, Sir.”
After nodding his head, Colonel Meyer then went to his desk.
---
In the remote corner of commoner district, just behind the red light district, Tallmerk Grill stood peacefully. As a tavern that opened 24/7, and had good beer, grill, and soup to offer, Tallmerk Grill was almost never empty of visitors.
Most of all, after the assault on Makai Royal Palace, Tallmerk Grill somehow became the hub for information and whispers regarding the battle between Makai Guard and TF Amethyst’s element on Penna Hill.
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People who wanted to know about the battle only had to come to Tallmerk Grill to get the latest update. At the same time, the waitresses would silently listen to the chats, assumptions, expectations, and even gossip that circulated in the tavern’s dining hall, and then send it all to underground intelligence quarter below the tavern.
And so, for the last 24 hours Major Petrov and his men were busy carrying out rotations to organize the raw intelligence they managed to gather, both from the tavern dining hall and the Humint network they had established in Makai Royal City.
“So, still no clue on King Makai XXII’s whereabouts?” Major Petrov calmly asked his men.
“No Sir, we have nothing so far,” Tulla replied.
“Sneaky bastard,” After taking a sip of his tea Major Petrov continued, “We have to locate him as soon as possible.”
“Definitely.” Tulla nodded before letting out a deep sigh. “However, what will we do to their plan to sell some of the residents to slave traders, Sir?”
“Ending the war as soon as possible is our top priority. Let’s stick to it for now.”
After a moment of silence Tulla dejectedly replied, “I see. We will do nothing to it.”
“Tulla, I don’t like it either, but Colonel Meyer said it was a direct order from Chief Nate to not disturb their plan to sell their own people.” After taking a deep breath Major Petrov added, “Not to mention, right now our hands are full of vital objectives we have to clear.”
“Understood, Sir,” Tulla firmly replied.
Then, a communication specialist suddenly entered the room and reported, “Major, Jack Sparrow sends us the green light to target Makai Guard’s chain of command.”
“Let’s enter the next phase then,” Major Petrov firmly said.
““““Aye Sir,”””” Every man and woman in the room replied simultaneously.
---
Around 6 km west of Makai Royal Palace, right in the middle of high-class district, stood a medium-sized mansion. At a glance, the mansion looked like other mansions in the area, owned by a merchant who was almost always on business trips.
Other than commander of royal bodyguard and his most trusted officers, no one knew that the mansion was a safe house for King Makai XXII. Last night, King Makai XXII and some of his best bodyguards arrived at the mansion silently. And now, he enjoyed a light breakfast in the backyard garden.
The food was not as luxurious as what he used to eat. His clothes were also quite simple compared to what he usually wore. Even so, King Makai XXII could easily adapt to the new circumstances and environment around him. He heartily wolfed down the toast, paired with peanut butter. Then, Grand Commander Migal entered the backyard and went straight to him.
“Uncle Migal, please have a seat,” King Makai XXII said as he pointed at the chair in front of him.
“As you wish, Your Majesty.” After giving King Makai XXII a small bow Grand Commander Migal took the seat.
“So,” King Makai XXII swallowed down a piece of toast before continuing, “How is our situation?”
“Not good, Your Majesty.”
“How bad?”
“In the last 24 hours, we lost almost 3000 Riders in total.”
“Damn.” In an instant King Makai XXII let out a deep sigh. “Even when the last time our kingdom fought a dragon, Makai Guard didn’t lose that many Riders.”
“It seemed we underestimated TF Amethyst a little too much,” Grand Commander Migal honestly admitted. “The aerial battle in Penna Hill and TF Amethyst night hunting for Cloud Hawk’s pen will be remembered as one of the biggest tactical defeats the Makai Guard has suffered.
Not to mention, TF Amethyst scored a direct and fatal hit at Royal Palace, and even killed a prince in the line for the crown.”
“Uncle Migal, do you think we should start a peace talk with TF Amethyst?”
“No, not yet, Your Majesty,” Grand Commander Migal firmly said. “We still have a chance to turn the table.”
"How will we do it?”
“We can imitate the earth-scorching tactic used by Buriek Rider to defeat Sandhur Guard in Levsait and Raisait.” After a short pause Grand Commander Migal added, “We will have to sacrifice a few hundred riders in the process, but if they manage to drop enough lamp oil, it will burn down TF Amethyst’s combat capability to the lowest point possible.”
“Interesting,” After a small smile King Makai XXII continued, “How long before we can launch it?”
In a serious tone Grand Commander Migal replied, “We have no means to gather a massive amount of lamp oil in a short time. We also have to wait for the nearby Regions to send their second batch of Riders. It will take around two weeks before everything is ready.”
“Two weeks,” After slightly nodding his head a few times King Makai XXII continued, “It’s not that long. Let’s do it. Meanwhile, Uncle Murak will continue the plan to refill our treasury.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, but you have to temporarily leave Makai Royal City.” As deep concern filled his face Grand Commander Migal added, “We can’t let TF Amethyst capture or even assassinate you using their precise firepower.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle. I will leave Makai Royal City this afternoon.” After taking a sip of his tea, King Makai XXII asked, “What about Grand Admiral Shoel? Can he depart to take over Battle Group B’s command as scheduled?”
“He decided to put forward the departure time,” Grand Commander Migal calmly replied. “He will depart tonight with his carrier ship and a dozen cruisers as escorts.”
“Good, and as Dellan was dead, let’s disband Battle Group C and split their resources between Battle Groups A and B.”
“This servant will arrange it,” Grand Commander Migal firmly replied.
“Good,” After a satisfied smile King Makai XXII then said, “Uncle Migal, you may return to underground HQ then, and our next conversation will be done through crystal communicator.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Without further ado Grand Commander Migal took his leave.
*****