It was the usual lunchtime. Lately, it had become part of my daily routine to avoid the mess hall food and head over to Talulah’s house instead.
Yelena frequently gave me the side-eye, asking where I was disappearing to during lunch, but the food Alina prepared was delicious enough to make the scrutiny worth it.
"I heard the state of the nearby Nomadic City has been suspicious lately," Alina said.
I chewed on her words as I swallowed a bite of my sandwich.
The biggest difference between the Guerrilla and Reunion was the information they gathered from the outside world. Due to the Guerrilla’s insular nature, they only heard rumors from nearby Infected villages, whereas Reunion was already reaching out to the Infected within the neighboring Nomadic Cities.
Naturally, this made it easier to grasp the current international situation.
"Suspicious, how?"
"According to our comrades inside the city, the core has been activated, and it’s moving further south than usual."
Nomadic Cities are cities built to avoid the Catastrophes that frequently occur on Terra. Massive caterpillar tracks and wheels are attached beneath a giant city, allowing the entire weight of the urban land to be moved as one.
"Does that mean a Catastrophe is about to occur here in the tundra?"
"There's a very high probability of it."
This was not a good situation. Reunion was just beginning to find its footing, and the wheat harvest was not far off. The timing couldn't have been worse.
"I’ll have to contact the Guerrilla first."
The Guerrilla would also have to move their encampment. No matter how powerful their warriors were, they were helpless in the face of a Catastrophe—a natural disaster that brought Oripathy in its wake.
"The problem is that we don't know the exact location where the Catastrophe will strike."
Without a Catastrophe Messenger to investigate the geology and the concentration of Originium in the air to pinpoint the strike zone, any move we made would be fraught with anxiety.
"This won't do. I’ll infiltrate the city myself."
"Isn't that too dangerous?"
"I’m the only one here who can infiltrate the city as a non-Infected. If I’m caught, it’ll likely end with deportation, but for any of you who are Infected, it would mean immediate execution."
At my words, Talulah clamped her mouth shut. Her silence was a form of protest, showing she didn't want to let me go.
"...Is it really necessary to infiltrate the city? We could just follow behind the city, head south, and then come back up later," Alina suggested.
"Miss Alina’s point is logically sound, but if we consider the future, it’s nothing more than a heavy burden."
"I’m not a very learned person, so I don't quite understand. Could you explain a bit more?"
In response to Alina, I began counting off points on my fingers.
"First, if we commit to a long wandering life to the south to avoid the Catastrophe, the identity of the Reunion that Talulah has worked so hard to build will be threatened.
The Infected came to Talulah looking for a place to plant their feet. If they start a wandering life right at the beginning of the organization’s formation, Talulah’s position could be challenged."
Alina flinched at my words. As a supporter of Talulah, hearing that her power might be threatened was likely unpleasant.
"Second, there’s the issue of the wheat, which is nearing harvest. This wheat is the fruit of the labor the Infected put in with their own hands. It’s also the solution that will provide breathing room for Reunion’s rapidly growing food problem.
Giving up on the wheat is more fatal than you might think. It would crush the morale of the Infected, and we’d have to face a food shortage. Of course, we might eventually have to abandon the wheat, but giving up when we don't even know the timing or location of the Catastrophe is far too wasteful."
Talulah grit her teeth. She wasn't unaware of this. Both the wheat and the housing were things she had promised the Infected. If she abandoned them now to wander, she would face fierce backlash and her standing would weaken.
"Finally, it’s an opportunity to collect resources. Currently, the Ursus military is withdrawing from this tundra along with the Nomadic City to avoid being caught in the Catastrophe.
Conversely, this is an opportunity for us. If we can pinpoint the location of the Catastrophe, we can collect food and resources across this vast tundra without interference from overseers. We can also scout for land with good soil for the next farming cycle.
And after the Catastrophe passes, we can collect the Originium before they do. Of course, we’ll have to be careful of Oripathy during collection, but Originium is still an excellent fuel and a source of income."
I finished my statement as I extended my third finger. As soon as I finished, Talulah immediately countered.
"I understand everything. In the end, it’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy. You’re just talking about the numerous benefits."
"Exactly."
"I’m opposing it because your life is the one on the line for that 'high risk'!"
She suddenly shouted. My eardrums were going to burst. I could hear her perfectly well, so she could afford to speak a bit more quietly.
"Are you just some ordinary person? You’re the Staff Officer and Communications Chief of the Guerrilla, and the talent who will eventually become the Staff Officer of Reunion! Did you even get permission from the Guerrilla?"
"...No. I was planning to tell them when I got back."
I had only just heard about the Catastrophe, so how could I have told the Guerrilla already? It was a bit unreasonable, but since Talulah was fuming, I figured speaking up would only be counterproductive and kept my mouth shut.
"Everything you said, except for the third reason, is for the sake of Reunion, not the Guerrilla! Do you think you can convince them with that? Do you think they’ll use a strategy that treats you, a core member of the Guerrilla, as a disposable pawn?"
She surprisingly poked a sore spot. Indeed, excluding the resource collection, there weren't many attractive reasons for the Guerrilla.
The Guerrilla was a group already accustomed to a wandering lifestyle, and since their food supply relied on hardy Originium Slugs, they could just graze them with a few guards while on the move.
"Don't worry. Convincing the Guerrilla is my job."
"Fine, I get it. I think it’s a decent idea. You’re not the type to go off and die somewhere. But you absolutely must get permission from the Guerrilla. Otherwise, just give up quietly. I’ll be hurrying the evacuation preparations as well."
"Understood. The next time we see each other will be after I’ve come out of the Nomadic City. See you then."
"...Come back safely."
-----------
"I will not allow it."
My father’s voice echoed through the meeting hall. I could feel the members of the Guerrilla stirring.
"Why is that?"
"The risk of this operation is far too high. The Guerrilla is already fully capable of preparing for a Catastrophe. It makes no sense to send you, the Staff Officer of the Guerrilla, into a death trap for the sake of small gains like resource collection."
At Patriot’s words, everyone in the Guerrilla was watching for his reaction. Until now, whenever I proposed an operational plan, my father usually remained silent or took a stance of agreement.
This was the first time he had opposed me so strongly since I took the position of Staff Officer. The atmosphere among the officers was one of confusion at the clash of opinions between the first and second-in-command of the Guerrilla.
"Do not be so impatient. Aren't the things you've done so far already bearing fruit? This Catastrophe is a problem we can easily overcome by marching south for a short while. There is no need for you to go that far."
"No. We cannot afford to stand still. Father, compared to the benefits we can gain, this level of risk is nothing.
It might be dangerous for me to infiltrate the Nomadic City, but in reality, even if I, a non-Infected, am caught at a checkpoint, the punishment will be nothing more than deportation from the city."
The clash of opinions was tense. The officers' opinions were split roughly down the middle. Those filled with concern for me sided with my father, while those who believed the benefits I would bring would help the Guerrilla sided with me.
"May I speak?"
The person who raised their hand was none other than Yelena. I was filled with anxiety, wondering if she would also side against me out of concern.
"Speak."
"I also think it’s absurd for Earth to carry out this mission alone. However, his words also make sense. So, how about selecting a small elite force to escort Earth and infiltrate with him?"
It was a compromise. Both I and my father before me fell into thought. I didn't know what he was thinking, but I wasn't satisfied.
The core of this operation was that there was no risk because I, a non-Infected, was the one infiltrating. The Infected would undoubtedly be exposed to the threat of the soldiers.
After considering in silence for a long time, my father asked Yelena flatly.
"Who do you think is the right person for this job?"
"Earth, with his brilliant mind; myself, with my high individual combat power; and Uncle Tom, the master of stealth Arts. I think the three of us would be enough."
"That’s nonsense! It’s a mission I can easily do alone; you’re just increasing the risk for no reason!"
I didn't understand why she was trying to follow me. It might be fine for me, but for Yelena, an Infected, it was practically a death trap.
However, many of the officers besides me agreed with Yelena’s opinion.
"Even so, he is the Staff Officer... it’s a bit much to have no escort..."
"In the event that something happens, we must ensure the Staff Officer returns alive."
"If it’s FrostNova, it seems like the perfect selection."
"Quiet, everyone! ...Yelena."
Once again, it was my father who silenced everyone. He questioned Yelena.
"Can you handle this?"
There were likely many meanings implied in Patriot’s words. Whether she knew that or not, she spoke with a solemn expression.
"I’m already prepared."
After meeting Yelena’s eyes—which I couldn't see from my position behind her—my father slowly nodded.
"Very well. Since many officers agree and the parties involved are motivated, I approve the operational proposal."
And so, the operation for me, Yelena, and Tom to infiltrate the Nomadic City began.
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