The Former Fourth Lieutenant

Inside the tent Yun learned quickly that the attack had been an ambush and that the guards had been silently killed without anyone noticing. After the attack began and the camp began to respond Lieutenant Mao had exited his tent in a flurry and begun issuing orders that caused chaos among the fighters, leading to a number of deaths until a few leaders managed to string together a defensive formation in spite of Mao's orders.

"Unforgivable. As a commander this is utterly shameful." Yun spat venomously at Gao Mao, causing his face to turn green as he shook.

Furious, he roared out at his own men, "How dare you traitors accuse me of causing such an issue! If you all had followed my orders we would have dealt with those lizards before these two even arrived!"

In return all he received was an icy glare from over half the remaining soldiers, who were witness to his idiocy.

"Additionally, Commander, Lieutenant Mao did not participate in any formations, instead standing in the open like a fool, which is how he was attacked by a Fire-Eater who had broken free of the fight."

Yun nodded, raising her hand to cut off any further comment from the remaining 4th Corps soldiers.

"Gao Mao, you will be remanded to the containment cells back in Myhrrwar. There you will stand in a military tribunal and be judged. This Yun will personally testify of your idiocy that cost the lives of over four of our complete squads of fighters."

Pausing here, Yun looked at Gao Mao to see he was about to speak, as a result she spat out at him, "I pray you know better than to open your mutt mouth in front of me right now, Mao. My patience for you has worn thin months ago, but this Yun has let you stay in your position until you could see the rankings for your squads."

Yun shook her head in disgust before contacting the four observers the Sect had given them and requesting them to escort Gao Mao back to the sect to stand trial. Afterwards, in light of the attack, she gathered all three other camps and prepared them to return to the sect as a single group after they collected up the fallen soldiers.

Yun walked around and collected the Volvaka corpses and weapons at this time, preparing to give them to Zhu Cai at a later time as gifts. Volvaka metals were renowned for their incredible strength.

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Two days later the entire group had finally returned to the secure walls of Myhrrwar and the caverns of the Hunting Hall Sect. On returning Yun first went to her quarters to give the materials to Zhu Cai before continuing down the stairs to see Elder Lei and inform him of what had happened.

After a few minutes of waiting Yun finally saw Elder Lei exit his cave. Standing respectfully to the side she waited for him to address her.

"You're back a little sooner than anticipated, young Yun. What's wrong?"

"Master, this Yun needs to call a tribunal. Please arrange it for me."

Elder Lei raised an eyebrow, but nodded in assent. "I'll call them now, where is the accused?"

"He's in the cells, I'll send for him now."

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A short time later the three highest ranking Elders were gathered and a cage was placed in the center of the cavern. Each of the Elders stood back in the shadows so that their faces were not visible to the accused, but so that their gestures could be seen.

Yun brought Gao Mao in and placed him in the cell, arms still bound behind his back.

"Elders, this Yun has brought the accused before you. He is accused of negligence and the deaths of many of those under his command."

A high ranking Core Disciple stood off to the side and received the questions from the Elders, relaying them in a booming voice.

"Who bears witness?"

"This Yun bears witness to his crimes, as well as the five squads that remain alive of his original nine."

"Explain the crimes."

"When the camp was raided by around 18 Volvaka he was the last to respond, after he responded he returned to his command tent to put his gear on. Once he finally joined the mayhem he began issuing orders that caused many fighters to interfere with each other unintentionally, directly causing the deaths of dozens of his subordinates. He continued trying to issue orders that were dangerous and would cause mayhem until he was wounded by a strike from a Volvaka Fire-Eater who managed to free itself from combat due to his errant orders. Following his incapacitation a number of his subordinates managed to organize a resistance and preserved the rest of the remaining lives until myself and Commander Wuying arrived to turn the tables."

"Please stand aside, Commander Yun. This Tribunal will deliberate before passing judgement."

Yun respectfully stood to the side for a few minutes while the Elders unmovingly discussed the issue in secret ways.

One minute passed.

Two minutes.

Three.

Gao Mao was visibly shaking in his cage waiting on a verdict. He knew by now that there was very little chance of him getting out of this with just a slap on the wrist.

One hand raised among the elders after six minutes of deliberation, indicating they had made a decision. Then another after another minute, and finally the third reluctantly raised after a few more moments.

"The Elders of the Tribunal have made a decision. Gao Mao, please heed the words of the Tribunal.

"The accused, Fourth Lieutenant Gao Mao, stands guilty of dereliction of duty and directly causing the deaths of over half of his subordinates. In consideration of their lives, which they willingly placed in your hands, we will give you a chance at life. You may choose from these three options.

"First, summary execution to be carried out in full view of the entire sect by your commander.

"Second, a duel to the death with Commander Yun do absolve your crimes.

"Third, a mission into the heart of the Volvaka hive that attacked your camp to retrieve valuable intelligence and exact revenge.

"Make your choice."

Gao Mao's face fell. This was ten thousand chances at death and only one chance at life. He knew the only hope he had of survival was to take the mission to the hive, but he also knew if he did he would either survive by abandoning his mission or fail and die inside the massive tunnel complex beneath the surface of Foska Vakaal.

"I choose the third option, honored Tribunal. There is no other chance at life."

"Very well, but this is not an ordinary request. You will be under a binding oath to complete this mission, and this oath will also protect the sect from the possibility of you revealing information should you be captured."

Gao Mao's eyes emptied of any hope at this statement. He really had no chance left to him. This was likely a suicide mission that he would never return from.