"What about us?" Luke asked.
He clearly understood Gideon's orders, but he was confused about their current position, considering the rising tension between Gideon and the wolf elders.
"Act normal. If we leave now, they'll get suspicious," Gideon said firmly.
"Alright, I'll stay alert."
They both nodded in sync. They headed back into the wolf village and tried to calm down the wolfmen, telling them that Gideon and his team would watch the twelve wounded Moko soldiers.
Bian nodded. He dispersed the crowd and told them to get back to work. Night was approaching—they needed to start hunting for dinner.
Gideon turned around, sensing someone watching him. He looked at the conical building's door—it was closed.
The elders hadn't come out since the argument earlier with him. That triggered suspicion in Gideon.
Lena stood up after completing the bullet removal surgery, took off her bloodied medical gloves, and tossed them out. She saw the serious look on Gideon's face—it was different than before.
She walked over to him to check on his condition. Gideon reflexively turned and smiled—there was nothing Lena needed to worry about.
"I'm fine, just tired."
"Really? Your face says otherwise, Captain."
"Of course. You don't need to worry about me," Gideon said, gently patting Lena's shoulder.
"Alright then."
"What should we do about them? They can't exactly move after the surgery," Lena added.
"Luke and I will set up a temporary tent for them," Gideon answered.
"Understood, Captain."
"Make sure they get food," Gideon ordered.
"Copy, Captain," Lena and Lyra replied.
The sunlight slowly faded, and the chill of night crept into the village. One by one, the villagers began lighting torches to brighten their homes.
Lights hadn't been installed yet—Luke had hesitated because he couldn't find enough materials. The limitations of the wolf village left him with few options.
The emergency tent was set up. The Moko soldiers lay inside, resting on the ground. Lena and Lyra shared their MRE rations with them. It was more than enough to help them recover.
Gideon and Luke were inside the tent when Lena distributed the food. Again, Gideon's face was tense, and he remained alert like he was expecting something to happen.
Lena knew she wouldn't get anything by asking Gideon directly. Her best option was to talk to Luke. He might give her an answer.
"Can we talk for a second, Luke?" Lena asked.
Luke looked confused and glanced at Gideon. He nodded. Gideon already knew what Lena was up to—she wanted to know what he was feeling by going through Luke.
Gideon didn't mind.
Lena looked shocked, speechless, and clearly worried about Gideon. She didn't expect things between Gideon's team and the elders to worsen like this.
Luke explained what he knew, though he didn't have all the details—only what Gideon had shared.
"We can start moving all our logistics at midnight. No one will suspect a thing," Lena said softly.
"That's what the Captain suggested. We're going to start moving the ammo and rifles out of here tonight," Luke explained.
"I understand."
They returned to the tent to find Gideon still standing in full military gear. He hadn't set down his M4A1 or his loaded mags—still on alert.
Lena and Lyra, in contrast, had already stored away their equipment. Luke and Gideon were still on standby.
"Can you watch them for a bit? Lyra and I have to go back to the house to get something ready," Lena said.
"Yeah. Be careful," Gideon replied.
Lena cleared her throat. Normally, Gideon wouldn't say something like that just for a walk back home. But now, it made sense, considering how tense things had become between both sides.
"You told her everything?" Gideon asked, still peeking through the tent flap.
"Just the important parts. She gets it."
"Be careful," Gideon said, glancing sharply to the side. "I feel like we're being watched."
"This tension in my body... It feels like we're on a mission deep in enemy territory," Luke said.
"If something goes wrong, what's our plan?" Luke asked.
"We leave and cut all ties with them. If it turns into a fight, focus on their warriors."
"We can't put women and children in this conflict."
"Understood, Captain."
It didn't take long before Lena and Lyra returned, geared up like they were heading out on a mission. Gideon turned and smiled, impressed by their initiative.
"Gather up. Speak English!"
Lena and the others nodded. The three stepped into the center of the tent to receive instructions from Gideon. Everyone was tense and alert, ready for the possibility of a rebellion led by the village elders.
"Lyra, launch the drone and scan the village. Report if you see anything."
"Yes, Captain."
"Lena and Luke, move the ammo and rifles to the Kitsune village. Watch each other's backs."
"Understood, Captain."
"I'll stay here and monitor their movements," Gideon explained.
"Radio comms on. Report fast!"
Lena and the others nodded, pressing the button on their helmets. The radio transmission connected to the comms center at their house. This way, Gideon could receive updates in real-time.
"Weapons high. You are cleared to shoot!" Gideon said.
"Understood, Captain."
Lena and Luke exchanged glances and nodded. They left the emergency tent and headed back to the house. Lyra arrived and picked up three drones. She launched them and synced the video feed.
"Sync completed!" Lyra said.
"Switch to thermal," Gideon ordered.
Lyra typed quickly and changed the visuals to thermal vision. Gideon crouched down, squinting his eyes when he saw intense heat signatures coming from the conical building.
"That heat's coming from the villagers' bodies. Are they planning something there?" Lyra asked.
"I don't know exactly. Keep watching them."
"If a fight breaks out, what about them?" Lyra asked, looking at the twelve soldiers still lying down.
Gideon was silent. Their recovery had been his responsibility. If he left them behind, it would mean abandoning that duty.
He turned and addressed the twelve Moko soldiers. All of them opened their eyes and listened to Gideon's words.
"The situation in the wolf village is unstable. Can you walk?" Gideon asked.
"Are you going to use us as human shields?" one soldier asked.
"If you can walk, Lyra will lead you out of the village to rest outside."
"Your safety is my responsibility," Gideon said.
"Tch."
They went quiet, turning their heads side to side, glancing at their friends who were in better shape than earlier—thanks to Lena.
If Lena hadn't removed the bullets and stitched up their wounds, they would've bled out.
Those twelve soldiers owed their lives to Lena—and Gideon.
One of them stood with great effort, sweat pouring down his body.
"You hurt us, then healed us, and now you're telling us to leave."
"You're the worst commander."
Gideon laughed. Not just one, but all twelve Moko soldiers slowly got to their feet. They still had the strength to get out of a small village like this.
"Take us home, Captain!" they said firmly.
"Good. Listen to me and don't argue."
Gideon and Lyra began explaining the evacuation route. In their condition, they wouldn't survive a trip back to Mischo City. The best option was to stay near Kitsune Village and call for Norton's help.
Until Norton arrived, those twelve soldiers were Gideon's team's responsibility.
Through Lyra's laptop feed, Gideon saw that Luke and Lena were already moving the supplies out of the wolf village. No one was following them. They were secure.
Gideon had only told them to take essential supplies—ammo, explosives, and specific rifles.
If a conflict broke out, Gideon would fight the wolves and push them back until a negotiation was possible.
BIIP!
Lyra sat down and checked her laptop. Three people were approaching from the north, heading toward the tent.
"Someone's coming. North side!"
Gideon turned around, aiming his rifle forward and switching off the safety.
The tent flap opened. Bian stepped in with two patrol friends. When Gideon pointed his rifle at him, Bian instinctively raised his hands.
"Bian?" Gideon asked.
"Sir Gideon? Wh-What's going on?" Bian asked, panicked.
"Did he come out of that building?" Gideon asked Lyra.
"Negative. He came from the gate."
'Looks like Bian's not involved with the conservative group.'
"Clear!"
Gideon re-engaged the safety and walked toward Bian, smiling and gently patting his shoulder—relieved his friend wasn't part of the elders' plan.
"Glad you're here," Gideon said.
"Can you help me?" Gideon asked.
"Help with what?"
He explained the plan to evacuate the Moko soldiers from the village. Lyra would lead them to a safe area near Kitsune Village.
Bian glanced over—he could clearly see the twelve Moko soldiers were still injured.
"It's too risky to move them in this condition," Bian said.
"It's urgent. Can you help me?"
Bian narrowed his eyes. Gideon had never acted like this before. He'd only seen that expression on Gideon's face during military missions.
If Gideon was acting like that tonight, then something serious—something dangerous—was happening here.
"Is something going on?" Bian asked, curious.
"I'll tell you later."