6:00 AM.
Cyril entered the conference building, clutching a stack of files.
His eyelids drooped; he was practically walking with his eyes closed.
Once the Mutant Species cleanup mission in Zone 19 was complete, the teams had nothing to do besides their daily patrols. All the miscellaneous tasks were dumped on the logistics department, and he was lucky to get three or four hours of sleep a day.
For the past two days, he had been busy processing the departure documents for Alex’s team and the others, and had barely slept a wink.
He had finally finished reviewing the last batch of departure documents and had just managed to nod off for two hours when a problem arose with the document handover from Zone 19’s top brass. The majority of the travel permits were held up and hadn’t been issued, so he had to run over to deal with it.
"Those bastards. They could have held things up any time, but they had to do it now. The Wolf Team and Dog Team are already assembled. If they can’t leave, they’re going to come and raise hell."
The subordinate to Cyril’s left complained with a yawn.
The subordinate walking to Cyril’s right said, "I heard those dogs... I mean, the Dog Team, were packing all night. I don’t know what they even have to pack. They’re filthy all the time. The moment they get cleared to leave the zone, they all swarm the showers. They hogged the bathrooms from daytime until the water was shut off and still weren’t done. I couldn’t even take a shower because of them."
The subordinate on the left said, "Forget you, even the Wolf Team was blocked out. But they didn’t pick a fight over it. They just went to Building 2 to shower instead."
At this, Cyril’s eyes snapped open.
The subordinate on the right said, "Building 2? Isn’t that where the Black Wolf Team lives?"
"Yeah," the one on the left said. "The two Wolf Teams have been on pretty good terms lately."
"Tch, if I’d known, I would’ve gone to Building 2 to shower too. Now with this huge problem, forget showering, we won’t even have time to eat."
"It’s not that big of a problem..." The subordinate on the left turned to look at his silent superior. "Cyril, for these rejected permits, we can get the General to grant special approval. We can skip Zone 19’s review and just handle the paperwork according to procedure later."
The follow-up would be a bit more troublesome, but it was still better than having to resubmit everything for review.
Besides, it was obvious Zone 19’s higher-ups were doing this on purpose. Even if they submitted the rejected documents again, they would probably find all sorts of other problems waiting for them.
"It’s too late," Cyril said, his brow furrowed with frustration. "Getting special approval also takes time to report, and it would just create extra work for the General. Sort out the permits that were issued and reorganize the teams."
The two subordinates glanced at each other. Only half the travel permits had made it to them. The teams leaving this time were all heading to Zone 5. Although the mission was confidential, the internal strife among the Zone 5 wolf packs was no secret, so everyone could more or less guess their objective.
Just being able to go to Zone 5 was already considered an excellent assignment.
Never mind how excited the Dog Team was—the vanguard that dealt with Mutant Species and dug trenches—even the logistics department, who handled rear-echelon tasks, was green with envy.
Once they joined the army, especially when stationed near the No Man’s Land and Zone 19, they basically had to stay there for several years. The chance for an external deployment to the Upper District, a temporary break from the Mutant Species, was something they’d do even without pay.
"Only half the permits..." the subordinate on the right said, his head aching. "The rest of them are definitely going to cause a scene."
As they spoke, they entered the office and drew up a list of the approved permits as quickly as possible. Cyril then took this list to the conference room and handed it, along with the relevant files, to Andrew.
Andrew had also been up all night. He massaged his temples, rolled up his sleeves, and picked up the list to read it.
Cyril brewed a cup of strong tea and placed it in front of him. "General, I’ve already resubmitted the review. The other half will just have to leave a few days later."
Andrew didn’t speak, his eyes scanning the list.
The rejected permits seemed to be random. Among the four team leaders, two of their permits had been denied.
His gaze fell on the names of the two captains who were denied passage: Alex, Vine.
’What a coincidence.’
’The ones being held back are the two pack leaders.’
Cyril followed Andrew’s gaze. "General, could it be that Zone 5 has found out something?"
Andrew put down the list, picked up his tea, and tapped his finger on the paper. After a long moment, he said, "You underestimate Zone 5. And you underestimate Alihot."
Someone as smart as Alex chose to steer clear of him and came all the way to Zone 19.
Even if he told Alihot directly what he was planning, that arrogant wolf wouldn’t so much as blink. He’d just bare his fangs.
’I’m afraid he knows more than just the fact that two pack leaders are heading to Zone 5. Or perhaps, someone else higher up has learned something.’
Andrew was lost in thought.
Cyril said, "Then it seems it was a coincidence after all."
Andrew’s finger stopped tapping. He gave Cyril a faint glance and handed the list back to him. "Do as you planned."
Cyril took the list and hesitated before speaking. "Alex and Miss Gu Ning seem very close. Is it a good idea to separate them? I’m worried she might stay behind to wait for Alex."
Andrew took a slow sip of tea. "Go handle it. Her little dog and fox’s permits have been approved. She’ll leave."
Cyril’s expression relaxed slightly as he took the documents and excused himself.
Andrew watched Cyril’s retreating back, then opened his terminal and sent a message to the two unlucky pack leaders: Come to the conference room.
Just as Cyril stepped out of the conference room, he ran head-on into a hurrying Vine.
"Wolf Team?"
Seeing him, Cyril was a little surprised. "Are you here to see the General? Is something urgent?"
’At this hour, Vine should be resting.’
Even though the Mutant Species had been dealt with, Vine hadn’t been idle these past few days. He’d been leading his team to clean up the gang organizations all over Zone 19. Yesterday, Andrew had ordered him to take a mandatory day of rest to recuperate his energy for the departure.
Cyril studied his expression. He looked terrible, as if he had something important to report.
Vine stopped beside Cyril, glanced at him, and opened his mouth as if to ask something. But after a moment’s thought, he held his tongue and pushed open the door to the conference room.
Andrew, who had sent the message to Vine just a few seconds ago, raised his eyebrows when he saw him enter. ’That was fast.’
Vine closed the door and strode to Andrew’s desk with a solemn expression.
Seeing his look, Andrew picked up his tea. "You heard the news already?"
’His information network is fast. Seems he didn’t listen when I told him to get some rest.’
Vine slammed his fist on the desk. "I want to accuse Alex of hiding a female!"
"COUGH..." Andrew nearly spilled the tea in his hand.
Vine said, "General! Even if Alex’s contributions to the Mutant Species cleanup mission were indispensable, you cannot cover for this kind of behavior!"
Andrew set down his teacup. "...Calm down and speak clearly."
Vine took a deep breath and asked, "General, you knew about this?"
Andrew raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression unchanged. "I knew a little."
"You knew?!" Vine looked at Andrew, full of doubt. "How did she... that female... end up in Zone 19? She looks like she has zero combat ability."
He still clearly remembered her weight in his arms from last night and... her attack.
’If you could even call it an attack.’
"Don’t be hasty," Andrew said. "Sit down. Tell me slowly, how did you find out she was a female?"