Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Shock
"Thanks to the newly employed staff at Atlas, we’ve been able to revive the tower and repair damages in exactly four days," Commander Ellen spoke with a confident voice, standing on a podium. She addressed a crowd so large it spanned an area bigger than three football fields.
"The operation to find the Nebulux Core will now commence, and all teams will assume their positions immediately." Her words were sharp and direct, carrying the weight of her authority.
"We will go according to plan, but with a new goal, to destroy the Nebulux Core on sight. Due to Blackmoor’s irresponsible actions, there are no longer any plans to deactivate it once found."
A thunderous round of applause erupted from the crowd as she finished her speech. Soon after, they began to scatter, taking their positions for the mission.
"A hundred teams prepared in total, one hundred and fifty soldiers in each team. With this amount of force, I’m certain the Nebulux Core will be found in no time," the Fleet Marshal said, walking briskly alongside Commander Ellen and the Strategy Admiral.
"If that’s the case, then it’s good news," Ellen replied. "While a planetary power source, the Nebulux can also be a weapon of mass extinction, as we’ve seen. So we need to find and destroy it as fast as possible."
"Commander Ellen!" a loud voice called from behind them.
The three officers turned to see Strike Officer Harley Stanford standing at attention, offering a crisp salute.
"Strike Officer Harley, how can we help you?" Ellen said, setting her gaze on her.
"If I may, I’d like to make an input into the operation."
"What kind of input, Officer?" the Strategic Admiral replied, his eyes narrowed in an unimpressed expression.
"Sir, I’m well aware the Nebulux Core is the main goal of the operation, but are we going to ignore the existence of the unknown individual who took the Core without authorization and took the lives of billions?" Harley’s voice was bold and sharp, her head held high in a sign of respect.
"Plans have been made to address the problem. You need not worry about it," the Commander said, already turning to leave.
"I’m sorry, but as far as I’m concerned, the only plans made are to retrieve the Nebulux Core, which doesn’t include a plan to locate the violator," Harley immediately retorted.
Stunned by her words and confidence, the Commander turned back and walked toward her.
"Are you implying that everything I do must be known to you or anyone else in order for it to be confirmed?" Ellen’s voice was filled with annoyance.
Harley could feel the negative energy radiating from the Commander. "My apologies if my words were inappropriate, but my duty as a soldier is also to tackle problems such as these and not let them go unnoticed."
"Your duty is to follow orders, and right now that order is to find and destroy the Nebulux," Ellen replied, her voice filled with heat.
"I admire the responsibility and actions you’re willing to take, but the violator isn’t yours to handle. The only reason you have direct contact with me is because of your outstanding achievements and consistency as a soldier and an officer. Don’t misinterpret that as an opportunity to feel like you belong. Let this be the last time something like this happens again. When I give you orders, take them."
With that, she turned and walked away, the Admiral and Marshal following close behind. Harley continued to stand at ease, watching them leave, an uncomfortable look on her face before she, too, turned and walked away.
Meanwhile, in deep space, Eric and Jimmy were on the spacecraft, traveling at an incredible speed.
Jimmy continued to tend to the unconscious Yelena. He had placed her at a corner and a warmer beside her while Eric put the ship on autopilot to work on other things.
"It’s been three days, and she’s not awake yet," Jimmy said, a worried look on his face.
"Well, those are the consequences of pushing yourself through light-speed madness and then slamming into the ground like a bloody wrecking ball. Frankly, I’m amazed she’s still breathing." Eric replied, pulling a cable from an electrical distribution point.
"I hope she’ll be okay. How long until we get there?" Jimmy asked.
"In another two days at most," Eric replied.
Jimmy sat comfortably in a corner, watching Eric move about, carrying various pieces of equipment. As he watched, a thought hit him. He was standing face to face with a legend, someone with so many great achievements that were impossible to ignore.
But then again, he thought of why people didn’t speak of these achievements or hold Eric in high regard as he did. He remembered why he had initially wanted to see Eric.
"What happened eighteen years ago?" Jimmy asked.
"What?" Eric replied, continuing his task.
"An event happened eighteen years ago, and you were removed from NEXUS. Is it connected to the reason why no one knows who you are?" Jimmy asked again, watching Eric and awaiting his response.
"Where the bloody hell did you hear that? Who told you that?" Eric replied, dropping what he was doing and turning to face him.
"I was there at your interrogation. I heard everything you and the sector commander said."
Hearing Jimmy’s response, Eric massaged his forehead, a sigh of frustration escaping his lips. He now recalled seeing Jimmy that day.
"Aiii... so you’re that dumb kid I saw behind the glass. What a bummer," Eric said, rubbing his forehead as he remembered. "Tell you what, I’ll give you all the pep talk you want when I’m done here. Now, help me grab that." He pointed to an object next to Jimmy.
Jimmy stood up, retrieved the object, and walked to hand it over to Eric.
"What are you doing?" Jimmy asked, fascinated but confused by the mess of interconnected cables and a large flat surface that Eric had built.
"Trying to bring your friend here back to life. You’re welcome," Eric replied, taking the object from Jimmy and adding it to his creation.
Jimmy looked at the creation and then at Eric, "How?" he asked, still confused.
"Electrocution!" Eric said, raising his eyebrow and smiling.