C243: Vanished

Chapter 243: Vanished

Shera Rigen's perspective

Hmmm... now I wonder what should I say first.

My husband's subordinates and some soldiers have now gathered in my house. Reimi also returned from surveillance outside the place. However, John is still on his way home. My husband seems to be... quite hurry.

I don't know what made him order us to start the escape so suddenly. I was chatting with my old friends. And now they are still here, but be confused and the things that are happening.

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!". - Yellings could be heard when I was standing at the worktable

They came from the WCA men soldiers. Some are officers and some are enlistees, and they're ordering their men to pack up things. From outside, carriages and horses for the escape are prepared quite many.

"These things are to burn!". - An WCA officer stopped two soldiers carrying a drawer that held "secret" papers. "This way!". - He pointed to the direction which leads to the backyard

Those soldiers later follow the route which is drawn by their commander. All of us are silent while standing in a corner of the worktable. Sarah and Hatano don't say anything at all. Sarah seems to be like me, she is also bewildered.

However... Hatano still keeps her emotionless face. She stands while putting her hands on both of her biceps. About my friends, Raptu and Akane... they're standing beside me. But they don't say anything too.

"What are you doing, sis?". - Sarah asked her older sister confusedly when she was putting down her Alrotz military backpack on the floor

Hatano doesn't say anything but opens the bag. She takes out her M21 sniper rifle, and attaches a magazine to it. Later she glances at her little sister, but with an empty eyeball look. As if... she is telling Sarah to prepare weapons like her.

After the battle, John and his subordinates lost the ammo supply. The ammo from the muskets cannot take the place of their rifles'. Somehow. They are lucky when their rifles still have some ammo, though the rounds are very few.

"What should we do now, my Highness?". - Reimi suddenly called me from behind

I reply to my servant by shaking my head. I honestly don't know what I should do. Now I only know to wait till my husband returns.

Somehow... when Sarah got here, she also brought two women with her. They are Litra - the Stansa Lord's Advisor and Paula - the maid. Those servants are standing beside Sarah. They're also confused like her, not knowing what to do.

"Shera! Shera!". - All of sudden, John's voice came out

I look at the way that leads to the front doors. My husband is walking inside, he is looking for me and others. John looks so nervous, according to me.

"Thank God, you're here". - He saw me. "We need to move right now, alright?". - He approached me, sometimes he looked behind

"Nod".

Then John comes to his Alrotz military backpack. It's placed near Hatano's position, she keeps it for my husband.

Later I look at the front doors, still nervous. Reimi taps on my shoulder, as if to tell me to stay calm and relax.

"No, they can't go with us". - John suddenly spoke up

"They will be safer if they stay". - Turned out he was arguing with Sarah. "Hatano, go check outside for me". - He ordered Hatano to leave the argument

Hatano doesn't do what my husband ordered her, but stays there. John keeps seeing Sarah's head shake, meaning she doesn't want to leave those servants alone.

Not so long after that, they part ways. Sarah doesn't care to look at John, while my husband approaches me. Reimi avoids facing him so she looks away. Then my husband hands me an M1911 pistol (which is taken from Sarah) as he reaches me.

"It'll be long if I explain". - He kept waiting for me to take the pistol. "Get in the car". - He looked around once again, as if to check on something

"What about my friends?". - I asked John while showing him my friends

"They will be safe if they stay her-".

"Why we cannot stay, my Lord?". - Reimi suddenly asked John

"The King is plotting to kill us, we need to move". - John explained to Reimi while his eyes were still focusing on me

"But...".

"We will be safe, Mrs. Rigen". - Raptu replied. "Your life is more important, safe travel".

"But...". "Urghh...". - John suddenly grabbed my hand, he squeezed it quite tight

Not so long later, we get to the front yard. Dozens of horses strapped to carriages can be seen quite many outside. John's eyes keep moving and then stop. We head to a big carriage and he opens the door, putting me inside.

"Stay with her, Reimi". - John ordered my servant to join

Reimi gets inside the carriage. She sits beside me. Later John stuffs his Alrotz backpack under a seat, which is an empty side that holds nothing. I look around the carriage, it's quite wide. Below our seats are boxes and things that are carrying food and tools.

Later John closes the carriage's door. He mounts on one of two horses that are strapped to the carriage. Sarah and the servants shortly reach us. They also take seats, so we have to sit nearby the wall.

"It's quite cramped...". - Reimi saw the space inside the carriage wasn't enough for all

"What are you doing?". - I asked her when she suddenly got outside

Turns out she mounts on the other horse. She is now beside my husband, but both of them don't speak with each other. About me. Because of the boxes stocked inside the carriage, it makes the space to be quite cramped.

John Rigen's perspective

Now I must do something to escape fast. I can't move with large groups of carriages, more troops, more slow. Hmmm... but I can't let Hoster track me down. The soldiers deployed here will be the decoy, and I need some groups to fake ours as well.

"Hatano!". - I looked around to find Hatano, I yelled to call her name

She later appears before me, still very calm. Hmmm... I must set up different carriage groups, they will be moving on different routes that lead outside of the Kingdom.

About my group, we'll head out of here by using the route of Veta's border gate. When we get to No Man Zone, our carriage will move in a secret path, to the backside of Krieg Base in the forest.

After that... we will move inside the tunnel. We will move in the tunnel lines till we reach the village of Zaira. When we get to the elven's border, we will be safe and Hoster can't do anything to stop us.

"Twelve groups, 12 different directions out of Warsaw". "Make them as decoys, alright?". "Return and join us when you finish, do it now".

She doesn't reply to me but walks away. Hatano heads to some men and women soldiers who are guarding the area. Now I just need to wait till she finishes.

I later get my hands on the rein tightly. I look at the scenery ahead, thinking about the sudden action I had just committed... no going back. Hmmm... I try to calm down my nervousness. I overturn my hand and observe Advisor's screen, trying to make sure everything is fine.

"Everything is done... Commander...". - Hatano informed me casually

She doesn't say anything else anymore. She opens the door and joins the people inside the carriage that I'm driving. Doubting her words, I look behind a bit. From what I see, 12 different carriages can be seen rolling on the path, they're getting out of here.

"Run now when we still can, John...". - Hatano spoke up when she was inside the car

"We must move now, Reimi". - I ordered Reimi to ready

"Nod".

Both of us later ride the horses forward. The carriage's wheels start rolling on the road, and I hope the good thing is waiting for us.

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It's been a while since we started heading out from my house. We're now in the town, about to reach the border gate of Veta. During the travel, I told my wife and others everything to let them understand the situation.

Advisor's sensor has been scanning from the beginning till now. He hasn't found anything suspicious... but it doesn't mean he won't find it. Hmmm... the border gate is very close now.

From the view on my horse, it is very near. To work more on the disguise, we have worn casual clothes for safety. However... seems like the civilians are watching our movement. I don't know why.

"Something is not right, Commander". - Go on, Advisor

"I just had spotted 'em... I mean strange dots". "Away from you about 450 meters (1476 feet), at the border gate". - You meant Hoster's guards were waiting for us over there or what?

"Could be...". - I must do something... not good

I should've thought wiser instead of choosing this route to escape. I could've chosen to head to Stansa, then get out of its border gate to reach NMZ. But no. I decided to go this way... what a stupid decision.

"What's wrong, John?". - My wife asked me in her confusion, she was worried

"I see guards with His Majesty's insignia over there". - Reimi informed me, she lowered her binoculars. "What should we do, my Lord?". - She gave me the binoculars

I must decide fast. Even if anything happens, my wife's and Reimi's life should be always be prioritized. Somehow... I must somehow find a decoy. I cannot betray my subordinates, I can't do that... they're my friends.

We only have two horses... we have two horses. Carrying belongings is not important to me anymore, not anymore. Hmmm... carrying three people in a horse, huh? Somehow it's worth trying.

But we can't go without food and water. To reach Krieg Base, we need at least... hours of traveling there, and it also depends on the good weather. If the weather goes bad, we can't reach there. Hmmm... what should we do now...?

"John, please listen...". - My wife later asked me to listen to her

"I'm a Princess, I will use my authority". - She suddenly went silent for a few seconds. "I'll order them to leave us... and we w-".

"If we fail?". - I didn't have any hostility toward my wife, but I was just too afraid

If we fail to persuade the guards, our fates will surely go unknown. But if we don't try, we won't know if it works or not... yeah, I must try it.

"Stay right behind me, Reimi". - I ordered Reimi to follow me from behind

Then... I pull my M9 bayonet out of the holster. I cut the rope which strapped my horse's neck to the carriage. I'll be the vanguard. If they're targeting me, I just need them to keep me alive, that's all I want... I don't want to die.

"If something happens to me, run immediately".

"Wait...". - All of sudden, Shera pulled out the carriage's door

She doesn't say anything but just jumps right on the horseback. My wife holds my back, she doesn't want to see me go there all by myself. Hmmm... to be honest, my wife is annoying. She is a kind of sacrifice woman... but she doesn't need to sacrifice too much for this bad husband.

"Hmmm...". - I moved my horse onward in silence. "Think back, Shera".

"I will go with you everywhere you go, John".

I don't reply to her. While moving my horse to the border gate, I glance behind a few times. Reimi is still following me, but she keeps a certain distance from me.

With this distance, she can manage to escape with the carriage, I think. If things go bad for me, she can manage things at that distance.

That's about Reimi. Now I'm worried about my wife... what can I do to save her if things get bad?

Hmmm... I'll dismount from the horse to face the troops, and ask her to run away if things get bad?

Hmmm... those are just things in my thoughts. I keep thinking about the way to escape, and somehow I reach the guards before I can realize it... now it is worse.

I look around to see these Warsaw guardsmen. They're armed with long spears... about 50 to 60 of them. Hmmm... Gen. Dunkel can also be seen. He is fully armored, and is on horseback. His armored horse approaches us slowly. The aged General shortly draws his sword out of its scabbard.

"Lord Rigen...". - Dunkel talked to me, while his sword was being drawn.  "You might have known... the reason why we are here, aren't you?". - Then he lowered the sword to the right side

I don't answer his question, but try to be calm. I can feel my wife's hug getting tighter than before... she's sure, very afraid of him.

"What does he want from us...?". - I sharpened my voice, I gazed at the General straightly.  "Surrender...?".

"Anyone who submits me will be well treated... those who are against me will be... dead". - The General slowly said out the King's favorite quote

"We are here to take your life, or I should say...". - I raised his open palm above.  "All of you". - He closed his hand

The Warsaw spearmen immediately form a long horizontal line. They point their spear lines at my horse. Slowly, I notice something on the watchtowers. Turns out they are musket guards hiding up there... they're targeting me with their muskets... I'm doomed.

"Even his little sister?". - I asked the General

"...". - The General didn't reply, he kept squeezing the sword

"John, should I ask Reimi to run away?". - Shera asked me in her fear.  "She is hesitated to come to us... should we...?". - Her voice was full of tremble, she looked behind a few times

"Cold your mind...". - To be honest, I'm very fucking tense

"Then why don't go and get me? I'm right here...".

I should distract these men as long as possible. If Reimi runs right now, there may be a high chance that they can keep up with her and kill her. From the beginning, I shouldn't choose this route to escape... shit. I want to return!

"Lord Rigen...". - All of sudden, Gen. Dunkel called me once again

"Would you mind if we have a duel... just two of us?".

"Why?".

"In return, my men will let you pass". - The General shortly raised his palm

The Warsaw spearmen and musket guards immediately line up. They step aside, showing me a long path ahead, the exit door to us.

"I will be against His Majesty's order this time". - Gen. Dunkel pointed his sword to my face.  "You and your servants helped us".  "We have this day, thanks to all of you...".

"It will be bad if I become a dog that bites his saver... it doesn't worth it". - He kept pointing his sword at my face.  "John Rigen... fight with me".

"Deal".

"Good, right and away!". - The General held the rein tightly

"Bang!". - In a blink of an eye, I drew out my M1911 pistol and shot his chest

Dunkel keeps trying his best to be on horseback. His left hand touches his wound, the hole in the middle side of his chest which is draining out blood. He tries to look at me, trying to speak out. But the pain is too much, beyond the toleration... of a warrior.

"Urrrrrgggghh...". - He moaned in pain.  "Not yet...". - He magically got up, although the sword had slipped out of his hand

"Urrrrrgggghh... not yet...". - He reached for his dagger

"Bang!". - I shot him once again

The General immediately lies on the horse. His hand manages to hold the rein for a few seconds, Dunkel is about to fall from his horse.

"Let's move!!!!!". - I roared to Reimi, asking her to join me

"Whinnies! Whinnies! Whinnies! Whinnies!". - I immediately rushed my horse through the guards

After having the path to go through, I stop my horse. Reimi and the carriage should be escorted, her horse moves slower than mine. I wait till she shows up with the carriage, then we move on.

"You go first". - I told Reimi to lead the way.  "Use Advisor". - I told her to use the device on her wrist, that Advisor would guide her the way to the Base

We move behind Reimi, I look behind a few times to check on the situation. Shera also looks behind a few times like me, as if she wants to help.

"I will take that part, John". - She told me to keep my eyes on the road

"You better return to the car, Shera...". - My wife will be safer if she is inside the carriage.  "C'mon, get in".

However... she doesn't listen to me at all. Although my wife is a bit annoying, I'm not mad at her at all. I love her. Well... I must focus on the escape situation. Gen. Dunkel ordered his men to not chase us... but it doesn't mean all of his men would listen to him.

"Keep moving, Johnny".  "They're not following you, take this opportunity". - Alright, Advisor

"Hey, Reimi!". - I wasn't focusing, I lost my concentration a little bit

I was verifying the direction to the Base earlier. I didn't know that Reimi had driven the carriage to the wrong road... it was a terrible mistake.

"Eh?". - Reimi stopped the carriage

"This way, not there". - I pointed to the left side route

Apparently, the route can be considered as unsafe if we just look at it. It doesn't follow the dirt trail, so people tend to think the road is unsafe to go. However. This road is very good for camouflage... its terrain is not too hard to travel... unless the rain days.

The route is full of trees surrounding it. A wide green color from four sides, that's the "secret" route to our Krieg Base. Hmmm... Reimi seems to be a bit struggling to divert the carriage.

"What's wrong?!". - I rushed my horse to Reimi, later asking her the problem

"The wheel...". - Reimi got off the horse

From what I see, one of the wheels has been broken quite heavily. We must've picked a bad carriage... this one must be an old car. Shit... but we don't have time.

"Fuck fuck fuck...". - I checked on the wheel, and realized fixing it was helpless.  "Leave it, leave it, get the horse". - Then I approached her horse, pulling out my short sword

"Slashes!". - I cut the rope

"Hatano, Sarah". - I ordered my subordinates.  "Store anything you can inside the bags, we don't have much time to wait". - I ordered them to store food and water inside our Alrotz military backpacks

"How do we go now, John?". - On foot and on horse, Shera!

"Three people in a horse...". - Oh shit... I forgot something

The members of the escape have 7: Shera, Reimi, Sarah, Hatano, Litra, Paula and me. Let's say if a horse can carry three people to be maximum, then one must be on foot. Hmmm... but three people in a horse is not good. That's a dumb idea, to kill someone.

Then the "unnecessary people" should be left behind. Especially Paula and Litra, they're not important, they should stay. Hmmm... but I can't use the violence way, the group will be shattered if I do that selfishly.

"You must hurry, Johnny...".  "They're not chasing you yet, but must be fast". - Give me some advice, Advisor

"I think you know what is the best to deal with".  "You make plans, I make ways to go". - You shitty piece of crap!

"Done, Commander!". - Sarah later informed me

She is carrying a large Alrotz backpack on her back. Its size has shown me proof that she had stored lots of things in it. Hatano's Alrotz bag has also been filled too much. Only my Alrotz bag hasn't been filled.

"Hmmm...". - I glared at Litra, telling her to fill the bag with food and water

Hmmmm... the route to the Base by using a carriage takes hours to come. But on foot to the place takes at least... a day. And I count that in the situation when the weather is good and has no predators in the journey.

"They're all filled!". - Litra yelled while showing me my filled Alrotz bag

"Help me!". - Litra asked Paula to lift the backpack with her because it was too heavy

Every of our Alrotz military backpacks must be about 200 pounds right now. Although carrying a large weight, these backpacks are hi-tech things. They help us to add more weight and carry them without struggles. However, this time I cannot be so sure.

"Johnny, I spotted some dots moving here". - Shit!

"Leave the car and follow me!". - Later I mounted on the horse while asking others to follow my lead

"I can be on foot, Commander!". - Sarah told me.  "Here, take them". - She gave Reimi the filled Alrotz military backpacks

Reimi is a bit struggling with the backpacks. She knows nowhere to put them on horseback, no space for her. Although the situation is quite bad, we are still good to go.

"They still have ammo, right?". - Sarah suddenly pulled down two backpacks.  "Okay... here". - She grabbed out two Alrotz turret guns

Sarah places the turrets on the entrance of the route as if to defend ourselves. Although there is not much ammo inside the turrets, they can still help us, even a little bit.

"What is she doing...?". - Reimi was following me in her horse, she looked behind a few times.  "She too, huh?". - She was wondering why Hatano and Sarah kept placing mines and explosives all over the area

I thought our modern weapons would be used up in the war. But no. This time, we'll be using up all of them. Litra and Paula are now staying with Sarah. They are assisting her in taking out things inside the backpacks.

"Slow down, Reimi". - I looked at Reimi, telling her to wait.  "We will move faster when they keep up with us".

Done ordering Reimi, I glance at my subordinates. They're still planting mines and explosives all over the place. Time goes on, and we keep waiting for 'em. They're still doing their jobs.

"Everything is done!". - A short moment later, Sarah yelled to inform us

She and Hatano carry their Alrotz bags and start running toward us. Litra and Paula are quite slow... they're doing their best to follow Sarah. Maybe... I should order Reimi to move up. We don't have much time to stay here.

I've seen the red dots on Advisor's screen. Must be dozens of them, some move faster than others... they seem to be horsemen or something. Their distance keeps getting closer to me.

In case they reach us earlier, we will have no choice but to hide from them. We will have to leave our horses and start moving on foot, in the forest. We'll use the forest, using the trees and terrains to hide from those men.

"They are coming closer, my Lord!". - Reimi suddenly yelled.  "Very near us now!". - She showed me her Advisor's screen

From what I see on the screen, the dots are moving faster than ever. Those dots must be horsemen, and they're about to reach us. Hmmm... except for Reimi's horse, all of us can't move fast as we want. Maybe leaving horses will be the choice.

"Off horse, off horse". - I ordered my wife to dismount from the horse

Reimi dismounts despite having no order given by me. Not so long later, Sarah and Hatano reach us. I immediately snatch an Alrotz military backpack. Hmmm... I must think wise, must think wise. Hmmm...

If they find the horses here, they may think we haven't gone far. They will search for us around and track us down.

"You, go up!". - I drew out my pistol and pointed it at Litra

"What the hell, Commander?!". - Sarah was shocked to know that

"Why, John?". - This is for our safety, Shera.  "There must be some ways else, so we c-".

"I do this for all of us, Shera!". - I turned the gun to the horse, later returned to Litra.  "Up!".

"I won't leave them!". - Sarah put her Alrotz bag on the ground.  "You're so mean...".

"They are not targeted, but we are". - I watched the screen a few times before looking up.  "We must hurry, they won't be harmed...". - What should I do to convince Sarah...?

"Ahh, sis?!". - All of sudden, Hatano showed up from behind. She locked her little sister's movement

I later glare at Reimi, hinting with her. Although she doesn't understand the proper meaning, she immediately stays close to my wife. Hmmm... I want to make sure my subordinates and others won't resist. Now it's my turn.

"Get on the horse now". - I pointed the pistol at Litra, threatening her colder

"You two please stop!".  "Urrrghhh...". - Sarah tried to resist Hatano.  "Stop right now... stop!". - She tried to find a trick to get out

I accidentally glance at my wife, I see her eyes which seem to be very disappointed. I make a serious look at Reimi, I want to make sure everything will be under my control.

"Arrrrrggghhhhhhhhh!". - Sarah moaned in pain.  "Urrrrrgggghh...". - She was crushed to the ground

Turned out... Hatano had broken her little sister's little finger. She was also the one to crush Sarah on the ground. One has been neutralized successfully. However, Shera and Reimi are still here.

"You two head here, now!". - I pointed to a forest path on the left, telling Reimi and Shera to go

"You follow them, Hatano". - While talking to them, my eyes were still targeting the targets.  "Go straight, I will follow y'all in no time".

My group doesn't speak up anymore. Sarah is too hurt so she cannot resist against us. Reimi nods before leading my wife to that forest path... so does Hatano.

"Alright...". - Right after seeing my group go away, I returned to look at the targets.  "Shit!". - Turned out Litra was running away from me

"Stop right there!".  "Bang! Bang!". - I pointed the gun to the sky, shooting twice

Litra stops running and is terrified of me. So does Paula. I did not intend to open fire, because it would likely tell my exact location to the enemy. But Litra was running back to where she went previously... that's why I stopped her.

That entrance area is now surrounded with full of mines and explosives. If I hadn't stopped her, she could've died because of those set-up traps. With the outcome in that scenario... I would also be dead for sure. I need those explosives to stun and delay the enemy's movement.

Litra returns to me immediately in her fear. That's good when she understood what I wanted her to do. Right now, I have two hostages that need to become decoys on horseback.

If they find us, they will track us down by following the horse's footprint. I need both of them to ride the horses, moving forward endlessly.

All of sudden, I immediately run to a horse. Due to previous gunshots, a horse had run away. Now I manage to keep the only horse... she was about to run earlier. Alright... one horse to be a decoy, huh? Still worth it.

"Get on the horse". - I held the rein tightly while ordering both of them to mount

These servants don't make any resistance. They follow my command, they get on the horse and sit tight on her. Now I recheck the screen... not good. The enemy is closer to me than ever, they may reach here in about a minute.

"Move move move!". - I ordered them to ride the horse.  "Move forward, do not stop! Move faster, faster!". - They finally drove the horse forward, but I kept urging them to move faster

Seeing my plan has succeeded, I immediately leave the area. I move to the forest path and start searching for my group. They're still near me, I must find them. I keep moving, my feet keep getting down to the low ground... the trees and the ground are just green.

"Over here... over here...". - Suddenly, a low voice called me

I look at the direction in which its source came out. Turned out that was my wife who called me. She's crouching alongside Reimi and my subordinates. I carefully approach my wife.

"We've waited for you...". - My wife said to me.  "Can we go yet?". - She hugged me

"You waited here for me?".

"Nod". - After nodding, my wife tapped Reimi.  "Go now". - Reimi nodded to receive her ruler's order

Reimi immediately leads the way, she moves carefully. Shera grabs my hand and starts moving, she seems to be quite worried. I look around and find my subordinates. However... both of them don't speak up but just keep up with Reimi. Especially Sarah.

She must be very frustrated with what happened earlier. Her temper will surely go down soon. She should be colder, instead of being too heartful... what I did earlier was to save all of us.

"Hmmm...". - My wife peeked at me a few times.  "I understand you did it was for saving us, John... but please". - Her voice got trembled and was a bit sad.  "I'm sorry... if I were you then... I wouldn't know what to...".  "I'm sorry...". - She held my hands tighter, as if she regretted saying that

Both of us don't say anything else but keep following Reimi and others. A few seconds later, my ears hear sounds like horses' footsteps running on the road. The enemy has finally come to us.

"It will be loud". - I told others to prepare for the explosion.  "Cover your ears".

We stop our movement and stand by a huge tree on the left side. The horses' runnings from afar are still sounding. We stay in the tree's shadow, Sarah and Hatano lie on the green grass. Reimi and Shera cover their ears with their hands, they're quite nervous.

I check on Advisor's screen. The dots are still moving very fast... but they sometimes stop by for a few seconds... hmmm. Maybe they haven't known our exact location yet, they're still tracking. But I should better cover my ears now.

I immediately cover my ears, counting for the moment when the mines and explosives get exploded. Hmmmm... one... two... three...

"Booooooommmmmmmm!!!". - Shit... the explosion was louder than I thought.  "Urrrrrgggghh...!". - My ears ringed a bit, I lost my balance while crouching

"Arrrrrggghhhhhhhhh...!". - Sarah couldn't take it, she put her hand on the tree to keep her balance

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All of sudden... a long silence appears. The explosives we planted in that area were quite much... but the explosion only occurred that so short... they ended?

Or there's an explanation for this issue. Maybe... that time my subordinates were in rush, they could've planted those things uncontrollably. I mean... they could've planted the explosives, forgotten to set up a strategy.

Some of the explosives could've been planted far away, so the explosion did not trigger others. Or worse... some explosives were already broken... so they did not explode when the horses stepped on them.

"Is it over?". - Reimi looked up.  "My Highness, it's over". - She looked around to check on the situation

"But wait... why there is just a blank...?".  "All around us?". - She got up, being confused or something

"What the hell...?". - Sarah was quite bewildered too.  "There is just a blank...". - She dropped her Alrotz military backpack

Hatano seems to be a bit nervous right now. She also drops her Alrotz bag.

"I'll check around...". Hatano said.  "Only us on the sensor". - She looked at Sarah Advisor's screen and then informed us.  "Hmmm...". - She drew out her military flashlight, and started flashing the path

"Where are we, John...?". - My wife was quite scared of the current situation.  "Sobs...". - She sobbed a bit while wrapping my right hand, not letting it out.  "Are we in hell?". - Of course not, Shera!

"Only us on the screen, Commander". - Sarah confusedly approached me.  "Look". - She showed me her Advisor's screen

From what I see on the green screen. Only three blue dots (Which means people who wear the devices) are Sarah, Reimi and I. Beside us are two other green dots, which are Shera and Hatano. Except for my team, nothing else is spotted on the sensor of 500 meters. So strange.

"Advisor?". - I asked my device

"Nothing is in my sight either". - Hmmm... could it be Katia's setup? I'm always being brought to places like this one when I was dreaming

"Could be, Johnny".

I know I shouldn't be too relaxed this time. Although we have got rid of the chasers, our current situation is unknown. Must be careful. Alright. I also put down my Alrotz bag to lighter my back.

"I found nothing...". - Hatano returned to our position

"Bippp!!! Bippp!!! Bippp!!!". - All of sudden, some familiar sounds sounded in front of us

"What the hell?!". - Reimi was immediately on guard.  "Is that some kind of creature?". - She made her fighting stance, swiftly grabbed her sword's handle. While her other hand put behind her belt to grab the flintlock pistol

"A horn... of a car?". - Sarah was very confused, she kept looking at the thing ahead

"Bippp! Bippp! Bippp!".  "Bippp! Bippp! Bippp!". - Those horns kept coming.  "Sir...! We have intruders!". - A strong voice later sounded out

"How the fuck did you get in here?!". - Other voices also came out.  "On the ground! Surrender and we will let you live, motherfucker!". - Although surrounding us is just a blank of black, I heard voices, and sounds of firearms being drawn

"Immediately on the ground!".

I feel so confused, so I decide to look around. I accidentally look down at the ground... somehow our Alrotz backpacks have gone away. My subordinates, Reimi and my wife are all confused to hear sounds of unseen things.

"On the ground, right now!". - Somehow... the blank started getting brighter.  "Now!". - Some dark figures with rifles pointing at us started showing up.  "This is the Army! Surrender and we will let you live!". - I also heard a loud voice come out from something... seemed to be a loudspeaker

"Uhhhh...!". - My group was very confused and afraid, they kept looking around

"Colonel, do something!". - A woman's voice came out

Suddenly... everything around us starts getting brighter till we see it clearly. I find myself and my group standing in the middle of a grey stone yard. Surrounding us from four sides are soldiers... with rifles...? Wait wait wait wait!

There's a car in front of me, it's a black military car for officers. Somehow... I see the US Army logo on its door.