As it turned out the meeting involved more parties than Mark had first expected. It seemed like a full-scale debriefing and planning. Mark was here as an advisor on matters relating to Prana which was a neutral position.
Or at least that was the excuse Jonathan had given him in case anyone asked.
It seemed Major Liam Grantwood had invited him as a potential military asset. Sam had advised him not to use this as his excuse as it gave the major power over him.
According to her, these things were about how one was seen and where one drew the lines.
Mark didn't care either way. As long as he got to sit in and hear what was happening in the surrounding areas he was happy.
Both Major Karter Dureal and Major Liam Grantwood were already in the tent when they arrived. Surrounded by first lieutenants, several captains, and military personnel.
Dividing the room in half, like two opposing parties. That was until a third party arrived. Lead by Ethel and Boe. Behind her Mark saw department heads from all over the camp. Some were employed civi’s and others were soldiers in key positions they took up a section making up a neutral party.
Bringing the tent almost to capacity. Ethel winked at Mark when he caught her eye.
Major Liam Grantwood was an older gentleman but his hair had not yet begun to gray. He wore thick lenses and a neatly trimmed mustache giving off the air of an analyst.
Something that Mark could not miss was the well-dressed man standing behind Major Liam. It was the very same man he had traveled here with. The man with the wife and kid. Mark didn't even know his name.
Jonathan and Sam stood next to Major Karter.
Mark stood by the department heads in the neutral section, but he was nearer to Major Karter’s side of the room.
Major Liam Grantwood began the meeting by calling everyone's attention to himself
“Right, We have little time and we need to make a decision as to what to do with it. Report First Lieutenant”
A man stood up and addressed the room.
“Right, as of 1100 hundred hours this morning a new threat has been detected within a half an hour's journey to the camp. The surrounding earth near a subway metro has shown signs of becoming a dungeon.”
The lieutenant produced a couple of enlarged pictures, which he passed around. Putting another on the large center table.
Craning his neck to see, Mark could make out an entrance into the ground below. Only it was not a normal staircase. The surrounding stone did not match the area around it. Almost as if something had placed a large ill-fitting feature into their world.
The architecture was definitely human in nature but it looked like someone had just pieced together a bit of ancient Greek masonry and called it a day. It looked unnatural.
The lieutenant continued.
“We believe it looks this way as a guide from the system. Our people have studied the wording the system used during the announcement and believe that if we do not deal with this particular threat it may have consequences to the surrounding area. We have determined that bombing the location is ineffectual. This meeting was convened to figure out what to do about this.” he said, sitting back down.
Major Karter Dureal stepped forward. Until now he had allowed others to talk, but when he began speaking he commanded people's attention.
“I believe this situation calls for a scalpel rather than a hammer. So I’ll be the first to put forward SAGE for an exploratory mission. I believe it's paramount that we clear out whatever is hiding in there. Our success rate has been second to none during these trying times. The dungeon's eradication now will save us from future problems”
From what Mark could tell SAGE had at least a decent amount of support from the expressions of the surrounding parties.
Major Liam Grantwood chose this point to interject.
“We all know how the last mission turned out. It was a great success, but the casualties to the unit were devastating. You sent twenty-five high-level individuals into that den and only came out with two excluding your support unit. Which I’m told only survived because of a separation from the main group, during a complication with the cemetery drop-off. That type of resource loss is costly and one of the main reasons I think a different course of action should be taken”
He paused to let that sink in.
Mark had only just met him, but he could already tell the man was a master manipulator. The way he had turned a positive statement into a negative just screamed politician.
“My suggestion is the same as it has always been. We need to preserve our strength so that when the main base in Manhattan sends reinforcements, we can rejoin them en mass. If we do so humanity's chances will increase dramatically. This type of threat will not be a problem when true evacuations begin. I’m not saying we should ignore it, but prepare for the increase in pressure we will no doubt receive.
So in the meantime, I propose we build our walls stronger, and with a heavy heart, I propose drafts. These are war times and while we are holding strong at the moment, the increased danger at our doorstep will require more soldiers. Voluntary numbers will not be enough to replace the projected losses on the wall.”
A round of quiet murmurs went throughout the room.
Mark already disliked the man. He gave Mark a slimy feeling, talking about projected losses. Like that's all they were to him, numbers.
The problem was there was a decent number of people who were entertaining the idea.
Major Karter did not let him do as he pleased though and spoke up.
“That premise is based on the fact that command will still be able to send a battalion in two weeks. The world is changed so much in just five days. Who’s to say the dungeon will not wipe us out before then.”
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
One of the Captains on Major Liam's side said.
“But sir, taking into account the support staff alone for that kind of mission will severely drop our numbers on the wall”
“Don't interrupt the Major while he is speaking!” one of Major Karter’s Warrant Officers growled.
The room was quickly devolving into two opposing sides. With fewer and fewer valid points being made by the minute.
Eventually, the floor was free for all. Where everyone was shouting ideas that got shot down by the opposing side.
Half a dozen Aura’s were beginning to fill it air as tempers raged and they unconsciously released them. Mark wrapped himself in [Shape Mana]. A lot of the district heads on the neutral side were not fighters and as such were suffering under the collective pressure. Mark went over to Ethel and expanded his construct to cover the group.
Ethel didn't look like she needed it but seemed thankful for the others. Mark smiled at her.
Mark looked up in time to see Sam leaning over to Jonathan and saying something.
The next thing he knew Jonathans Arua exploded out into the tent and crushed all opposing ones.
One of the Captains near Major Liam Grantwood managed to hold out against Joanthan’s pressure, but he could see the man was sweating under the strain.
The room became silent once more.
“Right, now that we have all calmed down perhaps we have not heard all sides of this argument,” Sam said.
Indicating towards the bubble where their party stood. Jonathan's aura faded into the background.
Mark withdrew his shield but noticed Major Liam Grantwood was now watching him.
Ethel leaned in towards Mark and whispered.
“Got any ideas?”
“Only a compromise,” he said.
Ethel’s eyes twinked with mirth. Indicated for Mark to go ahead.
The entire room was watching their group now.
“Hello, my name is Mark Young, I represent a neutral party. Both sides have valid views, but we won't get anywhere if we spend our time arguing.
So I suggest a compromise.
Send a team out to the dungeon and reinforce the walls at the same time. If the mission fails then call for your draft, but if dungeon can be dealt with before it becomes a problem then there won't be a reason to have one.” Mark explained.
Right away one of the men on Major Liam’s side shouted.
“The point is we can’t afford to lose more men on the walls”
Sam chose this moment to speak up
“Then we will reduce the numbers and forgo a support team,” she said.
Mark watched the well-dressed man behind Major Liam lean forward and whisper something into his ear.
After a moment Major Liam said.
“A brave sentiment, civilian Samantha. However, you are only half right Mark Young. The dungeon has been seen producing evolved Corrupted at accelerated times. At the current rate, it will reach unmanageable levels in three days. The need for the draft is necessary for then.” Major Liam said with assessing eyes.
“So you are saying that if we can close it in two there will be no need for the draft?” Mark shot back.
Major Liam frowned at this.
“If it can be closed within two days with minimal numbers lost on the wall then yes. The need for a draft right now would certainly be reduced” He said in a cold tone.
“Then does this work for all parties?” Mark asked the room
“Am I to assume that you will be joining SAGE in the dungeon Mark Young? I heard you provide a strong defensive variable to the wall.”
He was using the situation to see where Mark stood.
“I have just reported my findings with regards to the wall and features I think will help. And I am a free party, if SAGE requests my aid and provides sufficient compensation, I’m of a mind to help them,” Mark said.
From Mark's viewpoint, this was a problem that needed to be solved. If joining the mission could get rid of this dungeon sooner then it was worth it.
Major Liam nodded and said.
Once more the well-dressed man leaned in and whispered something in Major Grantwood's ear.
“Then if Major Karter is alright with these terms so am I”
Mark had to admit he didn't expect him to agree so readily.
Major Karter was looking at Sam giving her the stink eye, but eventually, he nodded indicating his agreement.
After that things picked up, and Ethel stepped forward, negotiating the terms of the draft. The neutral party also now brought up problems that each department was facing.
When the meeting was over Sam called Mark over and they made their way back to Major Karter’s tent.
While they were traveling Mark suddenly thought of the well dress man in the meeting. Leaning towards Sam he asked
“Do we know the name of the guy behind Major Grantwood, the one in the suit?”
“Ah, he’s the Majors brother Mr. Joseph Grantwood, we are still trying to learn more about him but all we know right now is he was a very successful businessman before the fall,” she said
Mark didn't have a good impression of him so he warned her of the guy.
After they got inside no one spoke for a while, eventually Major Karter broke the silence.
“Samantha, what were you thinking back there? No support unit? Reduced numbers? Are you trying to get yourself killed out there?”
“Dad, I know what I’m doing. Please trust me.”
Major Karter seemed to mull it over and eventually grunted in surrender.
“Alright, but I want a list of everyone you take with you. We’ll limit it to one squad so ten individuals including Mark if you are still willing to go on this mission son. I’ll make sure it's worth your time when you return” he said.
Mark nodded. Showing his agreement.
He had to question his sanity, he had been here for all of one day and had jumped at the first opportunity that went beyond the walls.
“Alright if this is going to work you all need to leave as soon as possible. You have two hours to pick your team and grab the necessities”
“Yes sir,” Sam said while smiling.
Just as they were beginning to disperse Mark pulled Sam aside.
He had a promise to keep.
“Sam, I have a friend that has a stake in this. She’s strong, can you keep one position open so I can ask?”
Sam looked at Mark with an assessing gaze
“Is it the one from last night?”
He nodded.
Sam hesitated for a second and then nodded
“Alright, but you better be quick. You got an hour or I’m picking someone.”
She handed him a two-way radio.
Mark gave a thumbs-up and moved out of the tent.
Leaving the soldier's quarters and arriving in the civilian tents.
It didn't take long to find tent thirty.
He hadn't thought he’d be here so soon.
Outside a man and woman stood guard. They were civilians but wore white bands around their biceps. Definitely part of her group.
“I’m Mark, I’m looking for your boss,” he said.
The two looked at one another and the man gave him the go-ahead with a flick of his thumb.
He moved inside.
The tent was identical to his with the exception of it being busier than his would be right now.
Daphne and Ethel were sitting on one of the beds talking.
When he got to them Ethel was the first to speak
“Well that didn't take you long”
Mark looked at Ethel.
“Did you know I was coming?”
She just smirked.
“I had hoped you would. This involves us too”
Mark looked toward Daphne and lowered his voice.
“Right, so a dungeon popped up nearby. A draft is on its way. If we can’t clear it in two days, it will affect your people too. I can get you one spot on the team. Will you help me?”