Major put his hands on his hips and sighed. Elke noticed this and asked in a worried voice.
"You stressed? What's on your mind?"
"No…I'm just wondering what we will do if we don't find the buffaloes." Major replied.
"Eh, it'll be nothing. We can just lure them with some food or something. I heard they like tall grass."
After hearing his mates rant, Major suddenly had an idea.
"You're…right!" He smiled.
"What? Wait! Where are you going?"
Major left Elke confused as he exited the tent. He entered the research tent and called out.
"Hey, is anyone there?"
As he spoke, Charles peeked around the corner. He puffed his cigar once before approaching Major.
"What are you doing here? This tent is meant for scientists."
"Right. So, I'm a part of the strike team that's going to hunt the buffaloes. Do you have something that could lure them in?" Major questioned.
Charles puffed his cigar. "Something to lure them in…Ah, you're looking for a mineral block. I'm sure we've got one of those in the back. Come with me."
He led Major to one of the large trucks. He pressed his finger against the scanner and it unlocked. Cold air breezed past them, refreshing their mind. Charles stepped into the cold truck filled with black boxes and gazed around. Eventually he dragged a particularly large box to the entrance and handed it to Major.
"One of our buffalo traps we made at the start of the year. Should lure them in pretty neatly."
"I really appreciate it."
"No worries. Now go and get Sterling's sample."
Major saluted the man and rushed off. Charles trailed him with his eyes with a smile as he quietly closed the truck.
***
Major tightened the strap of his backpack. Harvey flipped through the pages on his clipboard and placed the pen on. He lifted his head and saw that the officers were prepared. They stood at attention in a single-file line.
"Okay, have you brought everything that you need?" He asked.
"Yes, sir!" They replied, in unison.
"Okay – okay. Now, listen. I'm judging you based on four criteria, Adaptability, situational awareness, teamwork, and plan execution."
They nodded furiously with excitement blazing in their eyes. Harvey smirked slightly and crossed his arms.
"What's the first commandment of the special ops?"
"We serve not to protect the nation but to protect humanity." Major spoke first.
"Why?" Harvey tested Major.
"After the world war, it was ordered that chaos incarnates not be involved for any kind of war. The emperor declared that, we were to serve humanity not our nation – no matter which nation, which world or time we are in, humans are our top priority!"
Harvey nodded, satisfied and asked another question.
"The second commandment?"
"We must give our all for the extermination of any threats to earth!" Jasper answered.
"Why?"
"…Uh, because…it's because we have to protect humans."
"Jasper. Why do think we are over here – still sealing chaos fragments if there are no humans to protect?"
"…the scientists are human…"
Harvey sighed. "No. It because the earth is our home and mother. To protect it is to make sure that the next generation and the current people have somewhere to call home. Remember that."
"…Yes." Jasper whimpered.
"What's the third commandment?" Harvey straightened.
"We mustn't fight against non-chaos incarnates nor should we abuse our powers." Frank said.
"And why is that, Frank?"
"We are privileged with power, money and fame. To abuse our power is throw our honor as humanities and earth's protectors away. To fight with others weaker than us is to show our inferiority."
"Good job. Now, let's get going." Harvey announced turning around.
***
They treaded past the camp and entered the forest. Crows and Ravens chirped loudly in the distance as the sun blazed upon them.
"So…sir, where do we find these buffalos?" Major covered his eyes.
"That's you job. I'm just the examiner." Harvey replied.
"We've got to find it on our own? Oh, man. We're gonna be here all day." Elke groaned.
"We can find them. Just wait." Jasper encouraged.
They walked through the dense forest, feeling like they were walking in circles. Finally, after hours of journeying; tiredness overcame them all and they sat down to rest. Harvey leaned against the tree and glanced at the officers.
'They've yet to find the buffalos and hours have passed already. It's almost noon. I might fail them if they don't find it by the end of the day…'
Harvey shook his head lightly and Major took notice of that.
'Shit, looks like it's time to bring out the buffalo trap…'
He unzipped his backpack and pulled out a massive box. The others looked at him – perplexed but Major ignored them. He pulled the box to a slightly open area. Jasper approached and questioned Major.
"So…what is this?"
"A mineral block." Major pressed a button and the box instantly disassembled. "Or a buffalo trap, whatever you what to call it. I got one of the scientists to make it for me."
The box began releasing the block's sent into the air. Major signaled Jasper to get out and Jasper followed. They and the other hid behind the trees, waiting… Harvey smiled, and picked his clipboard.
'Smart…I'll give points for adaptability and situational awareness.'
Harvey ticked it off. Minutes passed with nothing as the box continued to spray the scent. As their patience stretched thin, they heard a large number of footsteps rushing towards them. The gang of buffaloes appeared and halted at the mineral block.
Major smirked. 'It's gone time.'
As they began eating it, Major waved at Frank, pointing at the gang.
"Go."
Frank nodded, understanding his captains order and activated his attribute.