Heavy breathing echoed through the silent corridor as the young officer stared, stunned, at Old Man's profile as he drank tea.
Old Man seemed not the least bit surprised by what was happening. He simply sat there, like a director of fate who had arranged this outcome from the very beginning.
Bang bang bang--
Hurried footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.
The young officer looked up and saw Mide running toward them.
At that moment, Old Man in the office set his Black Tea back onto the tray, gently closed the book in his hand, and slowly rose to his feet.
"Mr. Lynn."
The young officer looked up at He Ao, who had already walked to the door with his book in hand.
His gaze instinctively flicked toward the book in He Ao's hand and settled on its title—Lost City-States of the Great Disaster Era: An Archaeological Record of Ruins in the Federal Central Region.
"Mm."
He Ao glanced at the young officer, smiled, and nodded. Then he looked at Mide, who had rushed over. His gaze swept over both men as he said quickly, "Pass on my orders. Assemble the troops near the North City Command Center and activate the defensive systems inside the high wall. Our General Scott should be arriving soon. He must be very anxious right now. We should help cool him down."
Mide and the young officer both froze for a moment, then immediately placed a hand across their chests, stood straight, and saluted. "Yes! Commander!"
--
Wick District
"General, there's no artillery fire from the high wall."
The long-haired officer's projection appeared on the Floating Fighter's control console. He looked up toward the distance. "Kepesi Mining's Mercenary Group hasn't begun attacking the city yet. We still have time."
"When does the