5 hours later
After the successful cracking of the Zlocan files, a possible time for momentum is at hand for the UEF. One that can ensure that all the problems that plagued them for many weeks would finally come to an end.
Back in Sylvester's office, all while the sunrays from the outside reflect their light in the nearby windows on the left, there is a gathering of many officers and soldiers observing the screen showing the unlocked map of the "Hollywood Line". Most of the Warriors are also present, with Seiner and his pen drive connected to Sylvester's computer to show everyone what they're looking for. Some smiles and widened eyes are seen among the crowd, while others only cross their arms as they observe the map closely, namely for any potential flaw, if any, to be discovered.
"So, this is the full extent of the dreaded 'Hollywood Line', is it not?" Sylvester asks, still holding to a cane yet with a firmer posture than before while rubbing his chin.
"Technically, it's called the 'Shield of Krest' but yeah, you got it right there," Seiner replies while glancing back at him with a smirk. Sylevester only nods as he observes more of the map, as well as some of the typed named near the locations pointed in the map, scattered between the center of the barrier in Los Angeles, up to the borders that lead outside of it, even the fated San Diego.
"Must have been quite expensive to prepare this kind of shield."
"Yeah right, but I doubt it was money alone that led them to build this." Sylvester chuckles in response.
"True... What have you found out so far, Seiner?" Sylvester asks, which Seiner answers by clicking on the map to slightly enlarge it, all to make some of the dots in the map clearer to see for others.
"Based on what I've read, this barrier is part of a fail-safe mechanism built by the Zlocu in case they lost part of a territory they deem of high importance in terms of the scale of operations and manpower. I guess you can call it a way of 'coping' from potential losses." This leads to a handful of chuckles and laughs from the other soldiers present in the room. At least except Amira who merely tilts her side to side.
"That aside, if I'm reading this correctly, all these fail-safe mechanisms involve jammers of high frequencies, am I right?" Andrei asks while raising his hand in front of Seiner.
"Yeah, it's exactly what they're going for. It's the perfect way to distract all of their foes to deter any potential advance in their territories. However, for as strong as they are, they have a glaring weak spot," Seiner says.
"And that is?"
"A power station that supplies that main jamming facility in the main city. Los Angeles in this case." Seiner scrolls up the map and then amplifies it, showing a dot just near the town of Kernville, and northeast of Bakersfield. He clicks on it, showing images of a big power plant, which is full of tall antennas, pipes and cables, which connect to a series of smaller buildings in the center. Murmuring is heard from a handful of soldiers over this.
"Looks like a big maze, boy," Eddie says while leaning on his chair.
"You can say that again, old man. Now, this is what they call the Wolowitz Power Station. It's said to have been a re-purposed research facility regarding chemicals, but once the Zlocu came in, they used it to power the jamming in the Hollywood Line by using a handful of their machinery," Seiner says while zooming out of the dot pointing to the station, then scrolls to the left, around San Miguel Island.
"This is another biggie, a complex maximum security prison in San Miguel. Officially named the 'Dominion of Evolution', but we'll name it 'Illusion Island'." A fair-skinned male soldier stands up while raising his hand on the right side of the room.
"Why call it that? You mean it's not even real?" Seiner only waggles his index finger left and right while shaking his head.
"Wrong again, mate. It's because of the numerous false exits and routes it has in order to deter prisoners. They're even willing to sacrifice a handful of their own troops to make the deceptions more believable as well." Murmuring is heard from across the room from this revelation as Seiner scrolls back to the mainland, clicking on two dots, one below San Clemente island, and one near Skull Rock. It shows the images of the two fearsome machines that shot down the planes and other trespassing vehicles in the zones.
"I'm sure you're familiar with them, myself included. But these are the Akait and the Viekhardt, said to be named after mythical creatures from ancient Zlocan mythos. As usual, I prefer if we call them the Maria de Manta and the Ammit respectively. After all, they resemble some of the mythical creatures from our world." Murmuring once more as Seiner places the map back to its default position as he stands in front of the crowd once more. "I'd like to talk more, but we need to act fast."
"Alright, now the next step is to figure out the strategy to cripple and secure all these places in so we can pave the way to Los Angeles. Based on the scale we have seen so far, it appears that using the most covert means is the best way to go. This is what I propose to be an eight-step plan for this operation," Sylvester says as he walks near Seiner while looking at the map on the computer screen.
"The steps are..."
"Easy, first one is what I call; securing the keys. It's what you did when you managed to unlock files with the quantum computers back in Langley. Given how troublesome the jammer is, this is what I propose for step two; ascend from darkness."
"Oh, going for one big fish first, right?" Eddie replies as he steps up from his chair yet doesn't raise his hand.
"Yes. Going any further in other of these bases, no matter how big and small, would hinder our forces a lot, even with the miracles present by Seiner and G.o.D. squad. As such, I recommend that the next course of action is taking care of Wolowitz. By using a select group of operatives, we will carry out the next step on our road to liberate the city. And once it's all said and said, we continue by heading to the rest of their toys so we can prove to them not to screw with us any longer. Am I right, ladies and gentlemen?" Sylvester is answered by many calls of "Yes sir!" across the room, all with clear and firm tones as they stand up with proper postures. Sylvester smirks at this.
"You're goddamn right we can as long we have everyone we can rely on. You're dismissed until further notice!" Another round of "Yes sir!" are heard, and from that, all the soldiers, officers and Warriors step up from their seats, ready to continue with their usual routines until further notice. Sylvester approaches Seiner and taps him on his shoulder.
"You show quite some promise, young man. If anything happens, you can rely on us or your fellow teammates," Sly says. Seiner only shrugs while growing at him, for such things like that can look risky for someone like him. As such, he departs without replying to him. He then eyes Amira as he's about to reach for the exit, in which he steadily walks to her.
"Amira, can I talk to you for a moment?" Sylvester asks.
"Oh, I sure will." Amira then heads to Sylvster's place while holding to a table next to him while holding the cane with his right hand. "What is wrong?"
"You know, I heard about what happened between you and Walter. You nearly came to blows, at least mainly on his part. I'm glad it didn't escalate but..." Sylvester gazes to his back, as he breathes steadily from what he's trying to deliver to Amira. Perhaps something that concerns her kind of nature.
"Are you referring to the fact that I tried to talk with Walter?"
"In spite of all the shit he did to you? Yeah, about that... I'm honestly impressed." Amira's eyes widen, not expecting this type of compliment from Sylvester, less when talking about a member of a squad with someone like Walter. She places her left hand on her chest while keeping her position.
"I was only trying to resolve the conflict, it is nothing special," Amira replies with a quiet tone. Sylvester only makes a slight smile in response as he gazes back at her.
"Well, when it comes to people like us, even with normal civilians and such, trying to dialogue to someone who could have nearly killed you and treated you like shit is like the best of bravery and compassion I've ever seen in my life. Both from a Human and an Alien like you."
"I feel that all living beings can have reason in what they are doing, and what they mean for others. And if it stems from a hurt story or just sadness, I want to make sure that they can know that whatever past they had, it is not too late to turn things around and be better with others." She turns away for a second, her eyes narrowing for a bit while taking a deep breath.
"There's always this kind of person that just wants to understand and love anybody if they show it, even if it's not obvious at first. And I can see Logan could share the same wavelength as yours," Sylvester says. This makes Amira cover her mouth while glancing away from Sylvester. Even with her mouth covered, a faint chuckle can be heard from it, which makes Sylvester laugh as well. "Hey, I know it too well."
"Perhaps so..."
"And with that in mind, would you be willing to try and make connections and even forgive the Zlocu once this is all over?" This question makes Amira widen as she gasps in response, then turns away from him once more.
"It could be a matter of time. Maybe I could try it... But if I keep seeing horrors..." Amira says with a shaky tone, only for Sylvester to place his hand on her shoulder, tapping it for a bit.
"Most Humans also wondered the same whenever they see all the news about horrors and everything. And it is hard, no doubt about it. But you're strong, Amira. Nay, most of us are. I'm sure of it." Amira only nods in response while trying to keep a smile for Sylvester, even if the situation doesn't call for it. Whatever answer she may find next, it would all depend on how further she progresses in this war.
Without anything else to add, she shakes his hand, nods and heads back to the exit so she can go back to her fellow Warriors. Sylvester then walks back to his desk while placing the cane on the back of the seat while wincing for a bit as he sits down. Even after weeks have passed, the scar is felt even to this day. One that can be hopefully healed soon.
Same time, unknown location.
In a regular-sized room with two beds, some monitors show nearby activities in the region, some canisters and boxes with either weapons and reports, as well as one box full of equipment used in sports like a baseball bat and a cricket bat, and packs of card stashed with each other, two individuals take a rest from what they have done. They're the Quripeno twins, with Mora sharpening her arm blade with her other one while Rioso bounces two sports balls. One is a tennis ball and a baseball one, almost in a synchronized manner.
While it's all calm for now, it can't be helped in keeping the memories of what happened in San Diego, especially the fates of Thomas and his companion. A sight they will never forget in their lifetime, no matter how much leisure they take in their break time.
After a while, Mora turns to Rioso as he bounces the balls, right as her blades enter inside her arms once more.
"Hey Rio, I need you to ask something."
"Yes, sis?" Rioso asks as he catches the balls and puts them near a desk next to his left while glancing at her.
"I know that this could be something complicated for you and me to understand but... Have you thought of giving another look at Humanity?" Rioso is silent for a moment, gazing at the floor as he thinks of Mora's words while thinking of an answer. Even if he wanted to, such a moment can't be erased from his erased after what happened, not easily anyway. After a moment, he glances back at her.
"I guess so...? But what if they're just another secretly malicious one, or would die on us? Don't you think it would be better... if we don't interact with them at all?" Mora sighs while keeping her posture.
"It's a hard thing, yes. But come to think of it, there are these two that I think could be worth knowing more. You know, those back in the train?" Rioso shudders for a moment as he glances away again, but not before making a sudden turn back to her.
"Wait, are you talking that 'comrade' guy and that elegant and...how do I put it?"
"Quite skilled and sharp, I'd say so."
"Yeah, those two! Well, it could be worth it, but I'm not sure if we're on the right time for it, we haven't been assigned for a while and, as much I don't want to admit it, I'm yearning for more." Mora crosses her arms while raising an eyebrow in response. Maybe there's something to it? Rioso then sighs again. "Alright you got me, only if it means I get to see more things I can try to like and such."
"It's fine. And maybe, we can-" Before she can answer any further, a knock is heard from the outside in the door in front of them.
"Wait, someone's calling," Mora says as she stands up and heads for the door. She presses a button to slide it open. It shows a male Knight, rifle and such, holding a pad in his left hand while standing firm.
"Yes, Superior Sergeant?"
"I'm delivering you a new update regarding your activities. A breach has been detected in the Zlocan controlled network in the Mariana's Web. One of our teams discovered that the files containing all the secrets for the Shield of Krest has been unlocked."
"Someone unlocked the most secretive files? Must be one hell of hacker... a codebreaker, perhaps?" Rioso says. Mora raises her hand which makes Rioso stop in his tracks from saying anything else.
"And now what?" Mora asks.
"As a result of the breach, additional reinforcements have to be called in many of our bases and posts in anticipation for any potential attack or infiltration. You two will be assigned to one of the bases we believe could be the best for your type of skills."
"Right then. Where do we go?" Mora asks.
"It is still unknown. We're still planning all possible defensive maneuvers and strategies we have in order to deter any potential attack. In the meantime, you stay on guard until you're called for the Kujar's duty. Understood?" Mora and Rioso nod in response as the Zlocan Knight salutes at them.
"You two better hope you fulfil your duty as the Zlocu intends to. Dismissed!" After that, he marches back to the hallway on the left, most likely ready to inform any other report in the sector. The door closes again as Mora turns to Rioso who is leaning forward while keeping a rather unnatural sitting posture. From that, is enough to make More sigh in response.
"Well, there you have it, a new assignment for us, and probably fun for you," Mora says. This is enough to make Rioso slightly grin in response to whatever mission he can anticipate.
Hopefully, it could be a cakewalk too.