[Two Hours Later]
[Temporary Military Barracks in a Desert Area]
Near one of the large armored vehicles, Zeus was sitting with his team members.
There was a silence surrounding the squad... despite the scattered noise from the movement of armored vehicles, some mechas being examined for damage, and the howling winds of the open area.
In addition to a few helicopters and jet aircraft that were gradually departing.
...
An old man, the deputy commander of Division 293, approached the secret section members. After a contemplative glance at Zeus and the others, he spoke in an annoyed tone:
_ It was a different battle than the usual ones, wasn't it?... Our division's overall strength has increased in many ways, and more funding will be provided to us from the center... So you should expect more dangerous and important battles in your upcoming missions... Are you ready for that?
With a unified strong voice: "Yes, sir."
A transport aircraft approached the team, and the old man spoke again:
_ Our ride is here... Get on.
....
[About Half an Hour Later]
The aircraft landed at the division's headquarters. After ten minutes, members of the secret section and the leaders of teams and battalions from the official assault forces began gathering in the briefing hall.
The old man stood on the platform and waited patiently until everyone was present.
Beatrix, who was sitting next to Zeus, asked:
_ Are you writing down what I told you?
_ Yes, it's a new habit... I'm creating ID cards for the people I can't remember and need to remember.
_ Show me.
Zeus displayed the screen showing information about the old man named Brock.
[Brock]:
(Relation): Deputy Commander of Division 293
(Appearance): An old man, always carries a wooden cane... bald-headed and appears to be in his seventies
(Personality): Strict / Friendly / Patriotic
(Powers): Not a genetic fighter / Officer rank / His cane is a weapon
_ I think he looks more like he's in his eighties than seventies.
_ Whatever.
_ Did you make a card for me too?
_ I think it was the first card I made.
_ Show it to me.
[Beatrix Estack / Betty]:
(Relation): My partner on the team and a friend as she claims
(Appearance): Silver hair / Medium to tall height / Fair skin / Quite beautiful
(Personality): Calm / Intelligent / Quiet / Easily angered sometimes
(Powers): Third-class genetic fighter / Mecha pilot
(Beatrix): !!
_ What? ... No need for that look. I wrote this info for myself, I didn't expect to show it to you.
Before Beatrix could say anything, they both heard the sound of the old man's cane tapping on the floor.
After ten seconds, all sounds died down, and the old man began to speak:
_ The base explosion was unexpected... I think we underestimated the vileness and madness of our enemies... Tomorrow, a funeral will be held for those brave souls who shed their blood for their country, their children, their spouses, and for your country... For now, I want to review the battle events with you, starting with soldier Zeus.
Zeus stood up and spoke in a clear, loud voice:
_ Yes, sir.
_ You were the only one who encountered that bastard... Tell me what happened.
_ I got separated from my partner, Sorai, during the mission after confirming it was complete and discovering a secret tunnel near the enemy's command room... I followed the tunnel until I reached that part of the base, and there was a man...
The old man interrupted Zeus and displayed an image of the same man Zeus was referring to on the big screen.
_ Do you mean this man?
_ Yes, sir.
_ Continue.
_ There were also two guards, a woman, and a restrained man they were taking with them... I used my weapon to launch a set of grenades simultaneously toward the aircraft, then engaged in combat with one of the guards who had dodged the blasts... Neither of us could kill the other, and the enemy withdrew... After scanning the area, I didn't find the enemy leader, and the captive man was dying at the time.
_ Is that everything?
_ Yes, sir.
Sorai looked at Zeus, surprised he hadn't mentioned the conversation with the dying prisoner.
After all, Sorai was the only one Zeus had told about it.
_ I suppose we've lost them... Does anyone have anything to tell me before I close this meeting?
Everyone remained silent, so the old man exited, and the rest followed him.
Sorai approached Zeus and asked him to follow.
Beatrix watched them leave, then walked out too.
Aliya, Sam, and Katy went to examine Aliya's mecha, which had been heavily damaged in the explosion.
The twins George and John left together after saying goodbye.
Hanabi also left, alone.
.....
In the parking garage under the building
(Sorai): Wouldn't it be better to inform the investigation squad about that man, or maybe even tell your family... Don't you trust them?
_ No... I don't trust anyone, especially not my family... I don't know why someone is targeting us, but I've decided to investigate this case alone.
_ Then why do you trust me?
_ I need your abilities... You could say I'm risking trusting you out of necessity.
_ So once you no longer need me, you'll stop telling me anything?
_ That's not certain. If I confirm your honesty and loyalty, you'll find me always coming back to burden you with my problems.
_ Alright, I get it... Actually, I admire that you're being appropriately cautious... So, what do you plan to do now?
Zeus paused for a moment... then shared his idea.
_ That prisoner knew the story behind what's happening.
_ But he's dead now.
(Zeus): Then we need to find the bastards who were with him... He also mentioned they'd send someone else after me... Maybe we can catch him.
(Sorai): We've got a few leads to follow... The Raktes family... The Green Lotus... What's the connection between them?
Zeus and Sorai got into the black car and drove onto the main road.
Sorai stopped in front of the tailoring shop belonging to little Sally's family.
(Zeus): See you later.
(Sorai): If you find out anything, let me know immediately... And be careful.
_ Don't worry... I'm not an easy opponent... If I'm free tonight, I might call you.
_ No problem, I have no plans today—let's meet tonight.
Sorai and Zeus said goodbye, Sorai left, and Zeus entered the shop.
(Zeus): Mr. Lopez, I hope you're having a good day.
_ Welcome, young man... I expected you earlier.
_ I was on a mission.
_ The mountain battle? ... I heard the raid didn't go well.
Zeus scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, and replied:
_ Yeah, sort of.
Then he sighed in surrender and spoke softly:
_ I'm not sure if our gains were worth the losses, but that's war—you don't get anything without paying a price.
(Mr. Lopez - Sally's father): The Green Lotus organization is like a chameleon—even if you cut off its tail, it moves on its own, and the main body doesn't die... It's a highly branched and mysterious organization.
Zeus thought deeply, then asked what he truly came for—beyond clothes.
_ Is there any connection between the Green Lotus and the incident involving my grandfather's and father's squad?
Mr. Lopez rubbed his chin and fell into deep thought for a few minutes.
(Sally's mother): You're here! ... Sally will be so happy to see you... What would you prefer, coffee or a glass of cold juice?
_ Anything made by your hands is welcome, ma'am... Where's Sally? I brought her some gifts.
_ You didn't have to trouble yourself... < louder > ... Sally, come here!
(Sally, shouting from afar): Coming!
(Lopez): We didn't find any traces of that organization when we examined the crash site... But I heard something unconfirmed... I think the Green Lotus had something to do with the mission that your grandfather and father disappeared during.
_ Tell me everything you know.
_ That's all... I told you, the whole thing is mysterious... There's heavy censorship on the incident, and we don't know much... Even the higher-ups, I doubt they know everything.
Zeus thought for a bit and decided to tell Mr. Lopez about the prisoner he found and their conversation.
[[ Half an Hour Later ]]
(Lopez): My knowledge is limited... But I'll give you one last tip... Look for a man named Thorfinn—he was the first investigator to arrive at the incident site, and I believe he knows something.
_ Why do you think that?
_ He was discharged from the army because he went mad... I haven't seen him myself, but I think you should meet him.
_ Where is he now?
_ In a village near the capital.
_ That's far, and I don't have time right now... < the sound of small footsteps approaching from behind Zeus—Sally covers his eyes with her hands > ... Okay, let's guess who's behind me... I know who! ... It's an ugly chimpanzee.
Sound of a slap on the back of the head *
_ Ouch, that hurt... < Zeus said laughing >
(Sally): You're the monkey!
_ I'm a monkey?... < Zeus asked, shocked, before faking great but realistic sorrow for a child like Sally >
(Sally, frowning): You're not a monkey—don't cry.
_ No, I am a monkey... * suppressed sobbing sound *
_ I said you're not a monkey! < Sally yelled >
When Zeus saw she was about to cry, he instantly stopped pretending and picked her up into the air.
_ Wheee!
_ I'll bring her back in half an hour... Is that okay, Mr. Lopez?
_ I'll give you an hour, but not a single minute more... If you're late... Well, you know what'll happen.
_ Yes, sir!
...
Zeus left with Sally on his bike. They went to every candy and toy store—and even to a clothing shop—before returning with many bags.
Before Mr. Lopez could see him—fearing the old man would reject the gifts he brought for Sally—Zeus escaped quickly, riding off into the streets on his black bike.