Chapter 244
Alex woke up earlier than the usual time, since for some reason he just couldn't calm down . Today was the day of the play, but he wasn't squeamish because of something like stage fright it, he just couldn't calm himself down from something else entirely . He just couldn't help but feel something bad was about to happen . Right now he didn't sleep in the mansion, he slept in the safe house where the Harimas were staying .
He came last night to tell number one the time when he will be punished was moved to another date . Alex explained that he needed the ten of them in their best condition this Friday . What added to the ominous feeling was that today was Friday the thirteenth .
. . .
Alex woke up the ten Harimas, and did some morning exercises with them . After they were done with their exercise, they had a quick meal then went straight to once again memorizing the layout of the school . Alex had all the ten Harimas memorize the new layout of the school, and showed them were the safe rooms where located .
He explained that if something happens, they should immediately help the civilians head to the safe rooms . He gave a detailed explanation of what positions to be wary of in case there were snipers . He even allowed the ten Harimas to use lethal force if necessary .
He gave each Harima a role to play, and handed out equipment which complimented their role . As Alex was doing this, he remembered what his dad said last night, when he told him about this ominous feeling .
. . .
"I felt it too, but don't worry too much Alex . Leave this kind of problems to the adults . Why are looking at me like that, don't you trust your dad?"
. . .
Alex even after his dad told him to leave it to him, just couldn't . This time he really felt like his dad was underestimating the situation . Even Emily who was usually ahead of him by a few steps, wasn't taking this as seriously as he wanted too . Even though Emily was already trying her best, Alex just couldn't shake the feeling that they needed to do more .
While Alex and the ten Harimas were checking their equipment, Alex received an email from Kei .
"Mercenary Club members, I have discovered something weird please check this out . " In the email there was an attachment . It was numerous pictures, with some people that had been circled, which pointed out suspicious .
"Everyone head to the clubroom, A . S . A . P . " Alex also sent a message to the members of the mercenary club, in which they responded with an okay . Alex also forwarded the pictures to his dad .
"All of you gather around . " Alex gave a command to the Harimas, and sent them the pictures .
"I have sent you some pictures of suspicious people . I want you to stay within the Cromer's school perimeter, and report to me if you see anyone from this pictures hanging around the school . Am I clear?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" The ten Harimas answered in sync with each other . Seeing this Alex gritted his teeth, and spoke in a loud commanding voice .
"I must warn you . In truth I am unsure what the threat is, or how strong the enemies forces are . I cannot guarantee any success in this mission, and as your commanding officer I cannot force you into a mission that even I have no full understanding of . So to those of you that wish to leave, may leave now . "
When Alex said this, he saw that none of the ten even moved an inch . their expression remained as emotionless as his . Yet their eyes showed their unbreakable determination .
"Are you sure? You have no obligation to do this . I have already given a way out, and you still wish to stay?" This time, Alex's indifferent tone of voice was actually breaking, and you could hear the emotion in his voice . This surprised the ten greatly . The commander that they thought would never change, someone who was as hard and steady as steel was actually showing such a vulnerable side of himself .
Ever since they were trained by Alex, they no longer saw Alex as a teenage boy, but someone with far greater experience than them . Yet now he was actually looking like a boy his age . Number one seeing his command officer, as well as his mentor like this, spoke up .
"Sir, permission to speak sir!"
"Permission granted . "
"Sir, we do not do this because we have no choice . We do this because, we do have an obligation, and it's to you . We do this because we are your students . We do this because you have shown us how to become proper humans . You sir are the one who gave us a true purpose in life . " Number one looked at his comrades and they all nodded to what he said .
"Knowing that we might be able to save a lot of people, made it clear that it is truly worth following you . Who knew that I a failed merc, and former gangster would be able to do something so noble, and I owe that all to you sir . We your subordinates, will once again pledge our loyalty to you . " The other nine stepped forward and gave a military style salute .
Alex was confused as he saw this . He wasn't expecting these guys to be this loyal . He was actually expecting the opposite from them, running away in the first chance they see . He was expecting something like that, since he was aware of how much he pushed this men to the brink . Yet here they stood with undying loyalty to him, and they were even grateful .
Seeing this made Alex feel something warm in his chest . Alex responded to their salute with his own salute . He smiled at his subordinates, he smiled to stop the tears from flowing . Once again the ten Harimas were surprised to see Alex show so much emotion .
"Very well, let us go men! Let us go towards our battlefield!" Alex commanded with a firm voice .
"Sir, yes sir!" In which his subordinates responded in kind .