00:32
Sector - 14, Inventory District, New Eden
15 men entered the dark warehouse one after the other. All of them were vigilant and holding their fire. They were wearing the same uniform as the Korean soldiers Mei had sent photos of and had the same emblem on their sleeves too. But the flag on top of the emblem was different. It was an American flag.
The man in front, the rank velcro on his plate carrier said, "1st Lieutenant", he silently indicated to the men behind him to spread out.
Just as the men tried to move, suddenly the lights of the warehouse turned on, and De Luca's voice came from a speaker attached to the ceiling of the warehouse. He said, "I'd recommend you all become statues if you want to live."
The lieutenant quickly looked around him to find De Luca but failed. He indicated his men to stop and asked with a wary tone, "You're three, and we're fifteen. Even if you shoot, we'll find you the moment you do."
De Luca replied through the speaker, "Oh, please. I'm not dumb enough to pick a fight I can't win. Unlike you lots. Look around you. 20 sentry turrets have their barrels aimed straight at you and will shoot the moment I say so. So, be good boys and drop your weapons."
The American soldiers stood silently. The lieutenant still tried to find De Luca even though he had already realised he had walked straight into De Luca's trap.
De Luca yelled, "Are you lot deaf? I said, Drop your damn weapons."
With the lieutenant's indication, all fifteen of them dropped their rifles to the ground.
De Luca said, "Sidearms and knives too. Drop every weapon you have on you."
The soldiers abided calmly. Then De Luca said, "Slowly walk to the middle of the warehouse."
The lieutenant indicated his soldiers to move. But just as they started walking, the two soldiers closest to the warehouse door turned back and tried to run out. But the moment they turned around, a metallic whirling sound was heard followed by gunfire. Two sentry turrets aimed at the gate from the 2nd-floor railing of the warehouse turned the bodies of the two soldiers into shredded cheese. The other thirteen could just watch in horror, as there was nothing they could do.
De Luca clicked his tongue and said, "Are you guys seriously dumb? Can't you even follow basic instructions?"
The soldiers remained silent. De Luca said after a few moments, "Now you know what will happen if you don't follow instructions. So, no funny business. Get to the middle like good boys."
The soldiers silently followed. Once they reached the middle of the warehouse, De Luca, Sifat and Elina and their K-9, Shero, came out from behind the crates. Sifat and Elina were aiming their rifles at the American soldiers while De Luca was holding a laptop as his rifle hung from his back.
De Luca said, "Elina, tie them up. I'll contact HQ and ask for instructions. Sifat, keep an eye on the gate. Anyone gets in not wearing SNA colors… You know what to do."
Sifat said with clear excitement in his voice, "Man, do I love our anti-theft systems. You're a genius for coming up with the plan to use em."
De Luca didn't laugh or smile. He just replied with a serious tone, "I know. Get to work now."
They nodded and started working. De Luca too was about to get to his work, but he stopped for a moment as he noticed Elina's face. He had known Elina since day one. In the three years they spent together in New Eden, he had never seen Elina make a face like that before. Elina's cheerful smile was gone. What dawned on her face was an expression of pure depression and hopelessness.
De Luca sighed and focused on his work as he thought, "She should resign… For her own good."
00:45
Cadet dormitories, Academy District, New Eden
Jacob was firing away at the oncoming wave of attackers from behind the reception desk of the female dormitory with five other SNA soldiers. The glass wall gate was shattered to pieces by the bullets, and the front compound of the building was littered with dead bodies of both SNA and the attacking forces.
Jacob peeked out and shot a few bullets but quickly ducked back down as a bullet hit the back wall after scratching his left cheek and tearing off his helmet strap.
He quickly pressed on the injured spot with his left hand as he yelled, "FUCK!!! Where's the backup when you need it?"
A soldier replied, "The island is very short-staffed right now, sir. The soldiers are having a hard time themselves everywhere. HQ said that they've contacted our bases on the Japanese mainland but are yet to receive any news back."
Another soldier said, "Sir, I'm out of bullets. What do I do?"
Jacob was getting overwhelmed by the situation and tried his hardest to think of something, but he felt helpless as nothing he thought of was going to help him against the horde of incoming attackers.
Just then, the elevator door at the end of the corridor to Jacob's left opened.
20 Minutes Ago
Luna peeked through her curtain and looked out at the ongoing fight. She looked as the sound of jets, gunfire and missile explosions deafened her with a poker face. As she looked down, suddenly a concerned look appeared on her face as she saw the attackers slowly closing in towards the building.
She quickly closed the curtains and looked back at her roommate. She was sitting on her bed with her hands covering her ears.
She went to the girl and said, "Shirley, come on. Come with me."
The girl raised her head and looked at Luna. Her face looked like she was about to cry.
She said, "Come with you? But where?"
Luna pulled her hand as she said, "To help our instructors. Come on now, don't be a wuss."
Shirley looked at Luna with awe as she pulled her out of the room.