Deployment of the Red Eye
The shockwave spread instantly from the Opposition Command Room to the Strategic Command Office, where all barrier commanders were gathered. Related departments buzzed as personnel hurried in and out of the building. Countless helicopters sliced through Lumen Guard's skies before landing, while citizens on the streets murmured and watched the spectacle. Inside the management bureau, the chaos was no different from the clamor outside.
Sophie opened the conference room door. Jack was already waiting inside, arms crossed as he stared at the wall-mounted data panel before turning his head.
"Come on in."
"Sorry. Data organization took some time."
As she deftly operated the terminal at the desk, AI Aria's voice filled the space.
> Network connection complete. Sector data activated. Information deployment in progress.
Holograms spread throughout the room, visualizing time-stamped communication logs and unit biometrics.
"Communications were normal. They expressed intent to return during the dispatch mission and sent the encryption. For the next 43 minutes, all drone and unit connections were fine."
"Right, next."
"43 minutes and 17 seconds. All biometric signals vanished. Drone connections severed simultaneously."
Red dots blinked out all at once. Jack raised an eyebrow.
"Explosion?"
Sophie immediately handed Jack the related documents.
"No. No thermal signatures. No shockwave detection history. The data shows no sudden electromagnetic shielding response. No environmental changes detected."
Jack's expression hardened, and Sophie, in a gravely serious tone, brought up another set of data.
"Current hypotheses are two. First, combat occurred just after approaching a high-output radio jamming facility, during the moment drones couldn't record. Second, they fell to a coordinated attack, with the entire unit dying simultaneously."
Jack muttered lowly.
"Both hypotheses are shocking. It's the biggest incident since the total war."
"Yes. But fortunately, one biometric signal was captured. ID match estimates Lieutenant Ri."
On the map, a single red dot swayed side to side, moving slowly.
"Moving under cover. Path and reaction patterns suggest injury."
"We'll need to assemble a rescue team, then."
Sophie nodded curtly.
"Yes. It's stationary now, but the signal persists from a building in the urban area."
Jack clicked his tongue in irritation and asked in a heavy tone.
"Just to be sure. Has Aria outside the barrier reactivated?"
Sophie, as if anticipating the question, displayed the Intelligence Analysis Department's data screen.
"Drones were partially dispatched beyond all barriers omnidirectionally. But no Dists were definitively detected, and those near barrier zones are stationary—no signs of command structure recovery."
"Mysterious. Without a command structure, Dists are no different from zombies. How could this happen?"
After Jack's jab, he recalled that the Grand Marshal had already summoned all barrier commanders. It worried him slightly what the Grand Marshal, who had focused solely on internal consolidation since the total war, might say. External enemies? No, that didn't add up. Beyond the barriers had been left as wilderness for too long. Even if some movie-like faction existed, taking on a regular army unit armed to the teeth and a proxy was near impossible.
Jack tapped his temple with his finger. If it was Dists, would the Grand Marshal risk more bloodshed to sweep emotionless machines? No, there's no special gain right now. Dispatching a unit is best.
Jack concluded his thoughts quickly. At least, when forming the unit, it would be good to exclude the currently uneasy Bell.
"Thanks for sorting it quickly, Sophie. Your work clarified the situation."
"No problem."
"Alright, I'm off."
Jack stood, lightly patted Sophie's shoulder, and headed out the door.
Lumen Guard's central operations conference room was far busier than usual. Passing security-cleared corridors, barrier commanders and top strategic advisors gathered—an unprecedented assembly of all key executives and decision-makers.
In the center, Post F-36 highlighted on the 360-degree rotating holographic map, overlaid with severed biometrics after 43 minutes and residual comms logs. No one said it, but the cold data heightened tension for all present.
Lumen Guard's Brigadier General Jack William, Valhalla Disk's Director Annet, Fraction-6's General Hassel, Rain Code's Director Innocent Remar, Omotenashi's Advisor Minase, and the empty seat for absent Nantigar.
The side gate opened, and he appeared. His signature black uniform and golden eyes still radiating intimidation. Everyone had their own views and logic on the incident, but they held their breath at the Grand Marshal's entrance. His guard followed, taking positions beside him.
Chernenko sat in the central chair, reviewing data for a while.
"Recon squad nearly wiped out, one proxy survivor. Three hours since the attack. What are you barrier commanders doing?"
His heavy voice and overwhelming presence silenced the room briefly.
Breaking the quiet first was Valhalla Disk's Director Annet.
"Your Excellency, swift crisis judgment and response are needed, but committing forces without verified threat intel is difficult."
The 50s female general, elegantly pinned hair, exuded unyielding resolve rivaling any man. Proving it, she pointed to the holographic map's mission objective and infiltration path for Lieutenant Ri's squad.
"Recon and routine external science analysis are impossible for Valhalla Disk's operational capacity. To prevent this, structural improvements to inter-barrier collaboration are needed."
Lumen Guard's focus on combat, science, intel—like jabbing at it all being wrong.
Mikhail chuckled inwardly. The one who grudgingly bowed after the mercenary incident now pouncing at the chance. Such checks amused him.
Rain Code's Director Innocent Remar followed.
"Rain Code has only one proxy. Not even combat branch, currently assigned to intel analysis and emergency response due to recent protests."
Remar's calm words were diplomatic fence-sitting—neither intervening nor taking responsibility.
Chernenko stared expressionlessly at the holographic data. After prolonged uncomfortable silence, he waved a hand to expand the hologram.
"Current proxy combat branch: 14. Including science, intel, recon: total 20. Real-time deployable combat proxies: including me, Brigadier General Jack here, and guards—nine."
Officers' eyes turned central. Lumen Guard's count was notably high.
"Sounds like 'What has Lumen Guard been doing?' Doesn't it? Haha."
The Grand Marshal laughed, but the mood chilled further.
Fraction-6's General Hassel raised his hand. Massive build. Like Jack and the Grand Marshal, a battle-hardened veteran. Unlike Jack, he deeply respected the Grand Marshal.
"F-36 is Fraction-6's closest sector. Reported internally immediately, reviewed independent rescue team."
Chernenko's gaze flicked over.
"Excellent."
The Grand Marshal released his chin, fixing a sharp stare on Hassel.
"Fraction-6 is always independent. Trains special forces separately, moves units on barrier command. Could've launched rescue yourself?"
Hassel met his eyes directly.
"But we didn't. That respects the chain of command."
Chernenko gazed steadily, slowly stroking his beard.
"Not respect—playing it safe. Next time, show it with action."
Hassel's eyes didn't waver, but his mouth muscles tensed briefly.
Omotenashi's diplomatic advisor Minase Yotsuba, in lab coat, quietly raised her hand. The 30s woman glanced nervously through round glasses. Omotenashi's barrier head was an entrepreneur-tech lead, so she handled external meetings, but she struggled in this intimidating arena.
"Omotenashi promptly sent technical review results to you, Your Excellency."
The Grand Marshal regarded her kindly.
"Yes, as expected from the tech city—unique perspective in the report. Very helpful."
Jack noted "unique perspective," but Omotenashi was a corporate tech-neutral city. Neutral as always, defensively distanced.
The Grand Marshal surveyed the commanders, elbows on the table, interlaced fingers framing his cool gaze.
"Nantigar's commander absent again?"
Chernenko said quietly. The room froze. Nantigar's seat was empty.
"Still destabilizing? Tough job."
Some staff averted eyes. Post-total war massacre turned Nantigar into a headache barrier.
Brigadier General Jack spoke quietly.
"Your Excellency. Among Lumen Guard's ready proxies, I'm best suited for combat deployment."
Chernenko turned. Hassel scowled. Jack ignored it. No intent to score points—just highest risk of deploying Bell or Kelun otherwise. If hidden motives, he'd uncover them.
The Grand Marshal eyed him steadily, faintly smiling. Jack sensed a twist.
"No. Not you."
Jack scowled. Doubting his reliability?
"Risk is high."
"That's why someone else. Other proxies need experience. To prove they're proxies."
Chernenko smirked slightly.
"Among ready combat proxies, top performer waiting. The one called Red Eye."
Ah, Mikhail. Dragging her in relentlessly. Jack suppressed anger, feigning nonchalance. Arguing would just draw unwanted attention from the generals. He held back.
"Exceptional. Red Eye is."
"Yes. Indeed."
Mikhail spread his hand, lightly touching the hologram.
It fragmented, reassembling into a translucent female figure. Aria system's hologram. Identical to before—Jack furrowed his brow.
"Deploy Lumen Guard's waiting Red Eye proxy to Post F-36 immediately."
Always quick, inhuman Aria. But this time, it glowed briefly, voice delayed a beat.
The Grand Marshal addressed Aria like a person.
"Execute."
Satisfied, the Grand Marshal scanned the room.
"One proxy alone is risky. Regular army too high-risk. Thoughts, General Hassel?"
Silent pressure: commit your forces. But Hassel replied without hesitation.
"Orders received. Will support with subordinate special forces."
Jack sneered inwardly at the obsequiousness.
Bell stepped out of her quarters in her proxy uniform, wearing it as naturally as a school uniform. Even after training ended, Adolf's dumb face kept popping into her head. Was he pretending to be naive? But his actions so far suggested he'd never be that sly.
Ironically, post-training, Bell noticed subtle shifts in others' gazes. Always curt, she'd get cold shoulders or timid reactions—but now, same attitude, yet people greeted her without flinching. What happened?
What the hell.
Bell felt a bit scared, honestly. Half-worried she'd drop dead tomorrow, she watched her step, eyed the ground, checked drones for rogue dives.
Listening as she went, she belatedly realized it stemmed from Lucia's sociable bragging about her senior. Her ears burned for the first time in ages.
Bell felt disoriented by the changed stares. Grateful to Lucia, but after building distance from people, how to handle this? She felt dizzy.
From Adolf to Lucia. Having people without boundaries nearby made even her feel off.
As if mirroring her turmoil, Lumen Guard's morning was unusually noisy.