Murmurs rippled through the room.
The implications were stark, and the urgency of the situation was beyond dreadful.
Admiral Zach stepped in briefly. "These findings make it clear that this isn't just another stronghold. The Production Center represents a potential turning point. If it remains operational, we risk giving the enemy an overwhelming advantage."
Lady A nodded, taking over again.
"That's why I'm proposing a joint operation—an all-out assault on the Production Center. This isn't a mission for a single Squad or even a few elite units. It requires the full strength of the Resistance, with all available Squads qualified for such a high-risk mission brought in to coordinate efforts."
She gestured to a map projected on the wall, which displayed the Production Center's location.
"The facility is vast, with multiple layers of defense. We'll need infiltration teams, demolition units, combat Squads to hold the line, and reconnaissance experts to gather intel on the fly. Every role will be crucial to ensure success. This is a high-stakes operation, and we can't afford any missteps."
Rey's attention sharpened.
The magnitude of the mission was clear. This wasn't just another battle—it was a pivotal moment in the Resistance's war against the Dragon Emperor.
Lady A continued, outlining preliminary plans for the assault. "The operation will be conducted in five days. Supervising Officers, your immediate task is to summon the Squads under your command and coordinate their arrival at HQ within the next three days. We'll use the time leading up to the mission to strategize and train together for maximum efficiency."
Admiral Zach stepped forward again to conclude the meeting.
"The Board has already reviewed and approved the operation. This is our chance to strike a significant blow to the Dragon Emperor's plans, but it requires all of us working together. Prepare your Squads and ensure readiness. Dismissed."
As the officers rose and began discussing logistics, Rey remained seated for a moment, absorbing the gravity of the mission.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for—a chance to do something on a larger scale, to grow stronger, and to edge closer to his ultimate goal: the Dragon Emperor's defeat.
For the first time since arriving at HQ, Rey felt a spark of genuine anticipation.
His role in this operation wouldn't just be about commanding others—it would be an opportunity to fight, to learn, and to take another step toward finding a way back to H'Trae.
'But…' His gaze shifted to Lady A for a moment. '... I might have to add a little something to my list of goals.'
As excited as he was about what was to happen, he couldn't help but feel bogged down by the identity of this Lady A.
A thought kept coming to his mind.
'What if this is an alternate reality where Alicia is alive, and I'm not the only Otherworlder who returned? I mean, my corpse was still in the school bus when I arrived, and yet here I am.'
What if Alicia was the same?
'Maybe she doesn't remember me?' He wondered. 'Maybe she is an alternate version of Alicia that doesn't know me… ah, this is so confusing.'
Rey rose from his seat, his mind now racing with multiple theories that kept him restless.
'Focus, Rey… just focus.'
Right now, he had to prepare for the grand mission and that meant setting aside his personal thoughts. If this was indeed Alicia, it wasn't his Alicia.
'You can't replace her, Rey…' He had to tell himself. 'They're not the same!'
*********
[A Few Days Later]
The atmosphere at HQ was alive with a mix of tension and anticipation.
Squads from across the Resistance had gathered, and the once spacious halls now buzzed with activity. Rey moved through the crowd, nodding occasionally at passing officers or soldiers who greeted him. His mind, however, was preoccupied with the weight of the upcoming mission.
Eventually, he spotted familiar faces—Tess, Josh, and the rest of the Squad. Tess waved him over, her bright smile cutting through the tension in the air.
"Rey!" Tess called. "Glad to see you're still alive and kicking."
"Yeah, we were starting to think you'd gone all high and mighty on us with your shiny new rank." Josh chuckled.
Rey smirked, shaking hands with Josh and giving Tess a brief nod. "It's good to see you all again. Looks like we're in this together after all."
The group exchanged pleasantries, their camaraderie providing a brief reprieve from the looming mission. Rey took a moment to study their faces—Tess's determined expression, Josh's easygoing grin, and the resolute stares of the others.
These were the people he'd fought beside, the ones who had believed in him.
"We all have to make it through this," Rey said, his tone more serious. "No unnecessary risks. Stick to the plan, and we'll see each other on the other side."
Tess placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze steady. "Same goes for you, Rey. Don't go trying to be a hero."
Josh added with a grin, "Yeah, leave the reckless stuff to me."
They all laughed, the sound lightening the heavy air for a moment. Rey exchanged a few more words with them before excusing himself.
As he made his way back to his room, his thoughts grew darker.
'I wonder how many of them I'll see once all of this is over. Tess and Josh maybe. But the rest…?'
The reality of what was coming hit him hard.
War wasn't a game, and the odds of everyone making it back were slim. He shook his head, trying to push the grim thoughts aside as he entered his room.
Closing the door behind him, Rey summoned his System Window.
"Status Information."
The holographic display appeared before him, listing his stats, abilities, and the skills he'd accumulated.
[STATUS WINDOW]
- Name: Rey Skylar
- Race: Human
- Class: NIL
- Level: 59 (23.18% EXP)
- Life Force: 30
- Mana Level: 100
- Combat Ability: 45
- Stat Points: 34
- Skills (Exclusive): [Doppel]
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): [Grand Magic Application]. [Grand Magic Application]. [Grand Combat Application]. [Grand Weapon Mastery]. [Grand Battle Aura]. [Battle Sense]. [Mana Recovery]. [Health Recovery]
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
[Additional Information]
Unknown… no information has been provided.
[End Of Information]
'Throughout my stay here, I've been training to improve my base Stats, and I'm glad to see it has paid off…' He smiled. 'They've practically doubled.'
His gaze shifted to the section detailing his [Doppel] abilities.
Thanks to his role as Supervising Officer, he'd had the opportunity to observe countless training exercises and combat drills, copying abilities from the most promising recruits and experienced fighters.
Yet, as he scrolled through the list, dissatisfaction gnawed at him.
"Barely any A-Tier Skills," he muttered to himself, his fingers swiping through the abilities. "It's not enough."
He clenched his fist, the glow of the Status Window reflecting in his eyes.
The attack on the Production Center would be his chance to change that. With so many powerful enemies expected, he would have ample opportunities to grow stronger.
"All I need is patience," he told himself. "And to make sure I survive."
He closed the Status Window and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. The hours ticked by, and the hum of activity outside his room gradually grew quieter.
When the time for the general meeting arrived, Rey made his way to the massive assembly hall. Rows of seats were filled with Supervising Officers, HQ staff, and the numerous Squads who had been called to participate in the operation.
'Let's begin, shall we?'