[UNITED STATES – IHA]
[THE SAME DAY]
"So let me get this straight…the negotiation mission turned into a rescue mission?" Adam White said as he rubbed his eyes. Sleep had evaded him for the last four days.
Suho returned to the IHA office and delivered his debriefing report on the current mission. The situation had evolved into a more complex rescue mission with many unknown variables. Adam and the IHA did not like this…it felt too risky.
"My team all agreed…they all want to help rescue the prisoners." Suho said with a determined face.
"You are taking a big gamble…but…I trust your judgement." Adam said with a sigh.
"Your mission has been approved…good luck and come back home in one piece." Adam said.
[RULER'S DOMAIN]
[THE SAME DAY]
"The mission is a go." Suho said to his team.
Gaia, Kavar and Liu Zhigang were busy organizing the army. The Rulers had approved a small force of 50 soldiers to join the mission under Liu Zhigang's leadership.
"It's time to begin Phase 1 – Reconnaissance. Arsha and Thalia, are you ready?" Suho asked.
Both women nodded.
Unfortunately, the Empire's castle was very far away which made it difficult for Thalia to see. She would need to get closer.
Phase 1 – the plan was for Arsha to transport Thalia and Suho closer to the target. Arsha would also create "nodes" along the way using her void insects. Thalia would gather intel on the stronghold and relay that intel via the insect-node network. Suho's job was to protect Thalia while she was busy gathering intel.
Suho, Arsha, Gaia, Kavar and Liu Zhigang gathered close to Thalia.
!ALERT!
[MAIDEN'S DOMAIN activated]
[PERCEPTION skill used]
["Wow…this is freaky."] Liu Zhigang said as he experienced the share-senses connection for the first time.
["It's best if you close your eyes…it helps cut down the noise."] Arsha said…out the entire group she was the most accustomed to a hive-mind experience.
["Let's go."] Suho said.
Suho and Thalia departed with Arsha. Moments later, they started receiving mental images via the shared-sense link with Thalia.
Thalia showed them the stronghold along with the corridors, garrisons, mana signatures belonging to the various guards.
["Can you please zoom in there…no, to the left…ok, there…zoom in there."] Liu Zhigang said.
["Can you show us the garrison?"] Kavar asked.
There were a few other requests from the group. After about an hour, they had seen everything they wanted to see. Arsha, Suho and Thalia returned to their base.
"Is that how you see the world?" Suho asked Thalia upon arrival.
Thalia nodded.
"Beautiful…absolutely beautiful." Suho said.
Thalia fought hard to avoid blushing.
About an hour later a plan had been formulated and a meeting was called to brief the soldiers on their mission and assignments.
"This is an image of the stronghold. As see the stronghold does indeed have a considerable force…we estimate about 100 million, maybe more." Suho said.
The room grew deathly silent…the soldiers were shocked they would be engaging in such a suicidal mission.
"The numbers are against us…but there are some flaws with the stronghold. First, it was designed as a prison…this means it was made with the intention of keep beings in…not for keeping beings out."
"In addition, the prison currently holds more than 500 million prisoners. They seem to be prisoners from many different universes…they include Cherubims, Seraphims, captured Apostles from defeated Itarims, giants, titans, and dragons." Suho said.
He continued, "our goal is not to defeat all 100 million enemies…rather our goal is to rescue the prisoners. Our top priority, is the Seraphim with the artifact."
"Kavar and his troops will breach the stronghold here. They will force their way down to the prison through this corridor…the path is lightly guarded. You shouldn't have any trouble."
"Liu Zhigang and his troops will breach the stronghold from the opposite side. From here. Their mission will be similar…they will force their way through this corridor."
"Once you reach the prison, release as many prisoners as you can…there are far more prisoners that guards…which means we have plenty of additional allies. Let's incite a prison riot!" Suho said with a whimsical tone.
"But…wont the Empire's army overwhelm us with numbers once they discover we have breached their stronghold?" A soldier asked.
"That's where we come in." Suho pointed at himself, Gaia and Thalia.
He added, "our army will breach the castle through the center…through the front door and create a distraction. Trust me…they will be too busy to send reinforcements after you."
"A three person army?" Another soldier asked in disbelief.
Suho smirked…then he commanded,
"ARISE!"
In an instant, over 10 million shadows materialized right in front of them.
"Will this do?" Suho asked.