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Chapter 81 - Situation
"What happened?"
"We're still investigating..."
"Tell me now who went down." Tommy, who was part of the chain of command, had just been informed about the helicopter that had crashed a few minutes earlier.
"It was the commander. He was on a reconnaissance mission when engine damage was reported in the first communication logs we received."
Tommy listened to the recordings and furrowed his brow. He quickly said, "Send an immediate response team."
"That's not possible," said Tobías, who was among the communications staff, stepping into the conversation.
"Why can't you save your leader?" Tommy recognized Tobías, so he expected a clear explanation.
Tobías was nervous. He knew more about the future than anyone else, so he said, "If we're discovered by other military unions, it will lead to conflict. Alan ordered us not to go beyond Texas, so you can't send a rescue team."
To avoid conflicts with other states, Alan had focused on reinforcing all of Texas to avoid fighting with humans who lacked proper reasoning.
Of course, they knew what FEDRA was doing and the enemies it was creating by issuing such questionable orders, but that was the result of their own choices.
And Alan's organization had no intention of getting involved.
Expansion plans and refugee zones were being established, which already kept their hands full—getting involved in anything else was unnecessary.
That's why Alan, even if it involved himself, would not use the full extent of his military force.
"He didn't go down outside of Texas. You heard it yourself."
At that moment, when the discussion was at its peak, Riya's voice came through the central radio: "Zz... We'll get to safety. We'll report our situation when the time comes, and if we don't make contact within a few weeks, you must activate the Winter Plan."
Tobías clenched his fists because he knew exactly what that meant. The Winter Plan involved the destruction of key points where enemy organizations gathered. Without proper control of its deployment, it could create serious problems for the leader of this base.
"Orders received," Tobías replied, not giving Tommy the chance to object.
Tommy looked at Tobías and shouted, "Everyone out. Except you."
"I'm just following my friend's instructions."
Boom!
Tommy grabbed Tobías by the neck and asked, "What is the Winter Plan?"
"I can't tell you."
"Alan trusts me just as much as he trusts you. Now tell me what I'm asking."
Tobías closed his eyes for a moment, and after a long pause, he murmured, "The Winter Plan means a large-scale attack on zones previously selected by Alan, in case of his death. You don't know it, but my friend isn't very enthusiastic... Well, I don't blame him. No one is enthusiastic."
"A chain of destruction?"
"There are enemies you don't know about—people who develop their power just as we do—and they are a threat to our future. Alan knows all of them, and if he's not here to handle them, the best solution is to eliminate them."
Tommy let go of Tobías. His eyes scanned the map painted on the wall and saw dozens of red dots marking targets, unnoticed by most. The Winter Plan meant destroying those sites—but the real question was: how did Alan know about these enemies, and what were they waiting for to wipe them out?
What Tommy didn't know was that Alan didn't really need to destroy anyone. But if he was no longer around, then that would be the best option. All this time, Alan had been indirectly putting himself in danger—seeking death like an emotionless machine. That was his goal.
"Tommy, what happened?" Joel entered the command room after hearing that the helicopter had crashed.
"I don't know if it was intentional. Send an elite team and an inspector to investigate the soldiers at the base where Alan was stationed."
Joel nodded, and just as he was about to leave, Tommy said, "Wait. I'll be the inspector."
"I'll take care of it." Joel was eternally grateful to Alan. He had helped him tremendously and had saved his loved one when they'd been bitten. Regardless of whether the crash was intentional or not, he would find those responsible—and kill them.
"You go and tell the others."