The wait was agonizing.
Wen Xishu had no idea how the others were doing without him.
His worries were not unfounded.
The squad had indeed run into trouble.
An unknown area.
It was hard to imagine that such an intact, densely packed mechanical district could exist in a place full of ruins.
After hiding in a container unloading area and avoiding the cameras, the group had begun arguing before they even started fighting.
"The commander is doomed. You don't seriously think he can survive, do you?"
"The Balance Curse... once it reaches its later stages, even a fly coming in means someone has to die."
"I've seen what that curse can do back home. I don't believe he'll survive."
"What are you all thinking?"
Borg, the hacker, looked at the others.
All three shook their heads, rejecting his claims. Colonel Devin said:
"What you need to do now is hack the cameras here before we get caught in concentrated fire. As for the commander, we believe in him."
Borg had to admit that their final farewell had been stirring, but he was used to thinking for himself, and he had truly experienced the power of the Balance Curse.
"I think he's a good commander, but he made one mistake. He shouldn't have taken that curse for you."
Devin said:
"If I could die for him, I wouldn't mind doing it. But the choice has already been made. What we need to think about now is working together to clear this area."
"Not standing here questioning the commander."
Devin took out the Compass.
"The commander also gave us the Compass. This is his guidance. I believe that if we follow it, we'll find crucial information."
The Compass pointed the way, but that direction made Borg question things again.
Borg