Scheming against Stalemate (Part 1)

Just when Proxer was about to express his words of bewilderment, he came to realization that that wasn't his priority, but instead it should be the victims of the "mind-tampering" - the soldiers who were still in an arc formation. Those on the ground and still hovering alike were all looking around at their comrades, occasionally at the aftermath of the firings before them, with somewhat frowning looks of confusion with a little disgust mixed in.

'If what Jogrin said were the truth... do they remember what happened just now? Wait... tampering minds... isn't that basically mind-control? Does that include mind-reading? Then wouldn't that mean divulged military information? Who would do such a thing... There's a high possibility that this inscrutable turn of events be related to Jogrin. There's also the case where Jogrin is lying... but he did protect me from the firings... Why would he do that?'

Without knowing, his chain of thoughts came to be about what Jogrin said and just kept elongating without any sign of stasis, until it was interfered by Jogrin.

"Proxer...? You are really anxious now, are you still worried that they're going to keep shooting? It should be fine now since the tampering effect has worn off," Jogrin attempted to counsel Proxer while not knowing why he was disconcerted.

"Um... Are you OK?

"All the damage inflicted is completely gone."

"I see... I need to handle the situation first... Let's just hope you're right about what you said..."

Taking this prime opportunity, Proxer decided to step up and put the soldiers at ease, at least that was what he'd hoped would happen. Proxer sat up, and with some struggling and groaning due to pain, he managed to stand up, albeit barely. He scowled, his faced turned to a stern one, as he cleared his throat, readied his stance by straightening his back and closing the gap between his legs. And there, he took a deep breath, and opened his mouth.

"Attention! My comrades! Fret not, for I, your Commander, ensure you that everything is alright! This boy right here, may have unknown powers, but he will not come to harm any of us! I can promise you all!" A staunch voice came from Proxer as he covered the wound on the side of his abdomen with his hand in a glove.

'That's a rather bold statement.' Jogrin stared at Proxer as he thought.

There was no guarantee what Proxer could actually come true. Leaving the fact that this unknown power of Jogrin's, it wouldn't be so believable if one were to be told that that unknown was safe with words alone.

Indeed, Proxer knew about that as well, that was why, he also had the intention to reveal this "mind tampering". However, though he could think a step ahead, he couldn't think far enough.

"Mind tampering" is another unknown power, after all... Nothing else needed to be said.

"Stop. If you tell them that, they'll start to panic again. The 'fear' inflicted by 'mind tampering' may be dwindling, but you can't be sure if the fact that they'd been 'mind-controlled', the bombardment may start all over again."

Before Proxer could raise his voice again, Jogrin put a stop to it, predicting what he was about to say to the soldiers

"Mind-controlled? This whole time? Then... they'd passed out and... have no memory of what just happened?"

"Being mind-controlled is how they'll interpret it once you spill it out to them, but the matter of fact is that their 'fear' had been amplified, the actions were a result of that. And yes, they have no memory of the bombardment just now."

'But then, what do I do to soothe them? I can't think of anything!'

"Those two soldiers... If I can apologize to them, I believe it'll help you reach your current goal."

He was referring to the soldiers whom he'd intimidated because they were pointing their guns at him back in the cubicle out of fright, although they should've been more guilty than Jogrin for what they did.

"I see... I do hope so..."

"It may sound silly after all that I've said, but... should you really be trusting every word I said without any suspicion?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, you don't know me too well, and I'm just throwing out claims about things that are just confusing to you... Say, do I look like someone you know? Knew? Or is this situation reminding you of something in the past?"

Jogrin'd hit the nail on the head, as Proxer's eyes widened and froze for a moment. He couldn't believe that Jogrin was able to surmise that much when nothing about any of that was mentioned. Perhaps that was the prowess of "emotional perception"?

"Whatever the case, get those two soldiers before and I shall apologize to them... One of them is near the far end, 34 to the right, and the other is hovering up there, 5 to the bottom, 21 to the left."

"... Y-you're right... How-"

Leaving the fact that he could locate them so easily aside, he was also able to pinpoint and instruct how to find them with very specific numbers. That undoubtedly left Proxer in a trance.

 As he was about to ask Jogrin how he was able to do that adeptly, he was interrupted by his own fatigue. He began to collapse, but somehow, he was able to hold himself with his last ditch effort while panting.

"Lie back down, you'll die if you keep pushing yourself... They seem to getting hostile again. Looks like they think I did something to you."

"I have to... bring those two here... and-"

"I didn't actually want you to bring them to me, that'll just stress them out. I was merely locating them. Anyway, they've been met with a time skip essentially, so they wouldn't know why there's a huge crater right in front of them."

What Jogrin said was indeed what was occurring with the soldiers who had their fixed on him. Jogrin turned to look at Proxer, and started to close the distance between.

"You know what, it's actually fine if I don't apologize to them. Here's what you should do: sit down and lean against that wall so you're in a relaxed position while still looking like you're conscious. Once I get away from here, blame everything on me, and have me expelled from this planet. I need to go back to my own planet."

"What? How..."

"I don't know, but I can't be staying here. Don't worry, I don't need oxygen like you do. I just need one thing to sustain myself... Anyway, do as I tell you, and-"

"Ordering a Commander around, a most abhorrent act indeed, young man. Stand back, and stay away from Maladin, unless you wish to incur severe consequences."

A man's voice which didn't belong to Proxer resounded in both Proxer's and Jogrin's eardrums. Proxer shuddered a little before turning to look at the man with Jogrin.

It was a muscular man with silvery-white hair, who was in a green camouflage military uniform, unless Proxer who was in blue. The notable feature about him was the white mustache. He had a mild scowl as he glared at Jogrin. With his solemn face and straight posture, it was as if he was someone of great importance, one who held much authority.

"... Grand Commander... Kapel..."

Looked like Jogrin's intuition wasn't off.

"Take a rest for now, Maladin. I will deal with the aftermath." Kapel maintained his glare.

'Sounds like trouble.' Jogrin griped internally, as if the bombardment just now didn't amount to anything at all...