BXBX NOVEL Chapter 77 About to Discover Something New
Chapter 77 About to Discover Something New
The night had fallen, and the Oriental Military Camp was veiled in darkness, illuminated only by artificial lights. Inside the Blackwatch command center, Sara was engrossed in her task. The live feed from her Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout drone displayed on her monitors, revealing the desolate landscapes of the districts surrounding the camp.
With meticulous attention to detail, Sara recorded every piece of data she gleaned from the drone\'s exploration. The document on her table was filling up with entries, each observation noted, offering insights into the eerie silence that had fallen over the once bustling neighborhoods.
In the midst of this routine, Richard approached Sara silently. The quiet within the command center allowed him to observe her for a few moments unnoticed, noting her intense focus and the steady rhythm of her keystrokes.
When Richard placed his hand on Sara\'s shoulder, she started, her attention abruptly pulled from the drone\'s feed. She spun around quickly, her heart racing from the surprise. Richard stood there, an apologetic smile softening the sudden intrusion.
"I didn\'t mean to scare you," Richard said. The amusement at her reaction barely concealed.
Sara\'s heartbeat slowed, and she quickly regained her composure. "Sir Richard…"
"I thought we had an agreement that we will call each other by our names yesterday? Have you forgotten?"
"No I didn\'t," Sara chuckled sheepishly. "It\'s just that we are in the middle of the work, and so it\'s only normal that I call you sir during work hours. Because you are still my superior and I\'m the subordinate."
Richard was momentarily speechless upon hearing that, his heart beating in a rapid pace as he scrambled for a response. He tried to keep the conversation light. "Well, I suppose we can make exceptions during work hours," Richard conceded with a smile, trying to brush past the sudden awkwardness.
Sara returned to her monitor, her focus momentarily divided between the drone\'s feed and Richard. She was professional, yet the slight flush on her cheeks betrayed emotions Richard\'s presence elicited.
"I see you\'re busy," Richard remarked, trying to steer the conversation back to a familiar, comfortable terrain. He glanced at the document Sara was working on.
"Yes, just compiling the data from the drone\'s latest reconnaissance mission," Sara replied, her tone businesslike, yet not cold. The professional boundary, though momentarily blurred, was quickly re-established.
Richard nodded, the commander in him taking over. "Anything unusual or noteworthy?"
Sara shook her head. "The usual silence and desolation, though we\'re always on the lookout for any changes or potential threats."
The professional exchange allowed both to retreat to the familiar roles that defined their interactions within the command center. Yet, as Richard prepared to delve deeper into the drone\'s findings, another matter tugged at his thoughts.
"Actually, Sara," Richard began, hesitating for just a moment. "I was hoping you\'d accompany me to speak with the four new survivors admitted this morning. I thought it might be beneficial to get your perspective, given your position as the Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance."
Sara looked up, her initial surprise giving way to a nod of agreement. "Of course, Sir… I meant Richard. Just give me a moment to wrap this up."
As Richard watched Sara wrapped her work, he was internally surprised. Wait, that was easy! He had expected more resistance or at least some hesitation, given the unusual hour and the impromptu nature of the request.
Sara quickly finalized her entries, saved the documents and secured the drone\'s feed.
"Alright, I\'m ready," Sara announced, breaking through Richard\'s musings. They left the command center together and went to the rooftop where a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk was stationed for rapid transport around the camp and nearby locations.
Richard extended a hand towards Sara. "Let me help you."
Sara took his hand and climbed into the helicopter. Once seated, Sara put on her headset. Once seated, Sara puts on her headset and so does Richard.
"Her hand was so soft," Richard mused inwardly.
The helicopter\'s blades began to spin, cutting through the quiet of the night, and they were soon airborne.
***
Meanwhile, at the unit of the four survivors.
"There is no way our boss could raid this place, it\'s too impossible!" Renato said, and the other three were feeling the same way.
"They have attack helicopters! They have Apache! Not to mention an Abrams tank, a LAV-25, and enough manpower to easily overwhelm us," Mateo added. They had been observing the camp\'s military assets and defenses since they were brought in, and the level of security was beyond anything they had encountered before.
"This camp has a literal army!" Juan exclaimed.
"If this doesn\'t change you, Emilio. I don\'t know what will. It\'s best that we don\'t mess with them. You have seen it yourself, even if our boss is a former general in the Philippine Army and has over five hundred men working under him. They are no match against Blackwatch. They\'ll literally bomb the World\'s Resort Manila via air and crush them easily."
Emilio bit his nails. Even though the base offered a lot of amenities that are worthy to raid on, they don\'t have the firepower, let alone manpower to defeat the Blackwatch. It\'s the truth, and his dream of having a good life in the World\'s Resort Manila slipping away.
"I will defect here, Emilio," Renato said. "I\'d rather live here than go back there and do menial tasks while the upper-ups are having the time of their lives."
"Me too," Mateo added firmly. Juan nodded in agreement. The conditions in the camp were far superior to what they were accustomed to. Here, they saw structure, order, and resources; a stark contrast to the scarcity and inequality that defined their previous existence.
"Well I can\'t blame you for choosing to stay here," Emilio said. "I am not oblivious to the fact that our boss would be utterly defeated should there be a conflict between Blackwatch and him."
"So boss? Are you going to stay here?" Mateo asked.
"I am, but I don\'t want to be just a survivor alone, I want to rise up in whatever hierarchy this camp has," Emilio said.
"What are you planning?" Juan inquired, and the two looked at him expectantly.
"It\'s simple, if we are going to defect, we might as well tell the Blackwatch that there is a huge camp with thousands of survivors six kilometers from here. To be honest, I was quite envious that those in the upper ranks have sumptuous lifestyles while we are in the low. Let\'s end it. I\'m sure, if they heard atrocious stories about that camp, Blackwatch would surely retaliate."