Chapter 24 - The Plan For The Mission

By the time new soldiers from the special infantry troop are deployed after training completion, they are still in the process of determining their rank. The average soldier in their first battle usually manages to rank in the lowest quintile group which includes those who ranks in the 200th up to 160th and will be under the command and leadership of Gunther Neumann.

And some cases that were trained in special circumstances such as Raphael Novick manages to reach a higher rank than the average, they become a part of the fourth quintile group that includes the ranks between 159th and 120th. Then through every battle, they are capable of hastily rising up through the ranks until they reach their peak.

That is how most of the top highest ranking fighters got their ranks and position, most especially for Raphael's case. That is how he managed to become number 1 and maintain his position for 5 years straight.

Though his winning streak will soon come to cease by this new rising star. The person who's determined and bound to replace him have made Captain Wright grin from ear to ear. "Well isn't that impressive!"

"Thank you." Claire replied with a satisfied smile knowing that her position in the team is secured.

"But she's only ranked 114th?!"

"It's abilities over rank, Raphael. I know some of you have witnessed my battle against her before, and I'm sure she have greatly improved during her training. I hope that's enough to convince you."

Most of the people in the office are already convinced enough, all except for two that disapprove of this. Obviously, Raphael is one that was against the Captain's decision and the other?

Staring at Claire with great envy, Julia kept her emotions under wraps, refusing to let them show on her face. She remembers this woman very well, witnessing how Raphael saved her from the time she fought Captain Wright. Julia never thought she'll ever see Raphael look at someone with such a caring expression.

And to add that Captain Wright regards Claire as someone exceptional. The world is so unfair, she thought. She maintains her composure as she spoke that favors Raphael's motives. "I agree with sir Raphael. She's still new, to go through a mission so sudden may put her at harm."

Raphael cheered for Julia at the back of his mind, his favorability of her has risen. Though there was also another person who had to oppose them. "...I don't think it's a bad idea to have her for this mission. Wasn't she rumored to have her shifter weapon on her leg?" Leon said.

"That's exactly the case, and that allows her to be at full speed which can be a huge advantage for us in retrieving the power source at the Rhombus District." Captain Wright finally told them about the mission. "As for you 13th, you are dismissed from here."

And so, the final team to execute this mission are Captain Wright, Raphael, Leon, Julia, and Claire. Although after knowing that it was just a retrieval mission, Claire wondered if this will even allow her to rise her rank.

Both Raphael and Julia were disappointed by the final outcome of their team while Wright and Leon were pleased. "Let's do our best!" Leon said to Claire with a wink.

"Yeah." Leon's flirtatious behavior did not fluster Claire at all, though he did not notice that Raphael was already glaring daggers at him.

And shortly after that, the Gamma Suits V3 have arrived for them to wear. It also came with a mask connected to an oxygen tank so they wouldn't have to breathe in the infected air at the Rhombus District. Wright reminds the whole team about further roles and details they have to do for the mission while moving forward to the dispatching area.

As they arrive, Captain Wright met with an exhausted Zahi. "Zahi..." he mentions his names like some kind of greeting. The other old man woke from his slumber on top of boxes storing ammunitions. "Mm, five more minutes."

"No time to lose Zahi, this is a direct order from Dr. Hilton herself."

Zahi yawns and sat up straight to stretch. "...Fine!..." He then mounts into the jet along with the whole team. They are to be transferred to the designated location aboard a jet plane which is operated by Captain Zahi.

Right after Wright gives Zahi the coordinates of their destination, he decides to repeat the plan for this mission to his whole team.

"Alright, I'll run over the plan again so beat it into your heads! The power source is located at the center of the Rhombus district, and it's 30 to 35 meters below the power plant area..." he continues, "...the power source is said to appear as a battery piece that contains a powerful substance and is connected to thousands of power house generators."

He glances at Claire and Raphael who were sitting next to one another. "We only have 35 minutes of protection from this Gamma Suits, and I'm assigning the two of you to quickly find and retrieve this power source by atleast 10 to 15 minutes."

Wright then glances at Julia and Leon, "And us three will stay on the look out for anything that might intervene this retrieval operation. When the other two comes back with the power source, we'll use the remaining time to retreat."

The incredible speed of Zahi's jet plane made it seem like the Rhombus District was only a few miles away from the base, he informs the preparing team that they are nearing their destination. "We're about to arrive at exactly 5 minutes."

Captain Wright takes a deep breath and checks on his team. "Is the plan aclear!?"

"Yes, sir!"

"We're about to reach the district's power plant, everyone on position now!!" Then as they all wait for Zahi to open the plane door, he gives them a heart felt message, especially for Captain Wright. "Try not to die kiddos, 'kay? Except for you Wright, go kill yourself."

Wright chuckles like the old man he is, "Maybe some other time. Just pick us up in about 35 minutes, got that?"

"Tch." Zahi finally opens up the door for them to leave. And on Wright's command, they all open up their parachutes on time and activates the Gamma Suit's protection when they are a few meters away from the ground.

When they finally landed within the grounds of the power plant, Raphael takes Claire's hands. "Let's go."