49. Chairman : Debrief

Walking towards the command center I filed through all the reports I’d been given. I hadn’t even had the time to read through one of them. Continuing regardless I’d have to catch up during the debriefing but I knew what the overall situation was. For the first time in years we took leaps and bounds towards being able to take the fight to the arbitrator itself.

Picking up the pace to a jog It wasn’t long before I made it to the secure glass doors. Noting my reflection it was always hard to believe my age looking only to be forty five. With effective treatment my aging process was mostly halted even if chronologically I was ninety seven. Being here from the beginning of the task force I still possessed enough strength to fight alongside my soldiers if need be. My predecessors might have died doing the same but I would fight on regardless. Besides I was too stubborn to die to the arbitrator after surviving so many of it's plots. The doors swung open to a guard saluting me.

“Ma’am.”

Returning the salute putting the guard at ease I sat at the table surrounded by a collective of advisors and scientists all chatting amongst each other preparing themselves. They hadn’t the time to prepare either. Conversing quickly to make sure we were all on the same page one of the scientists spoke up reporting on our findings.

“With the operation successful one of the pioneers recovered a prototype cybernetic design. Quickly going through the schematics the design should be able to be integrated into our R.E.A.P.E.R. unit to provide psionic potential to the critically wounded recovered asset 'Flux'.”

The reconnaissance assault pioneers. Those who fell could now be venerated in cybernetic ensuites to fight on with unparalleled capability. Though those who were to be integrated in the suits would give up everything the R.E.A.P.E.R.’s were the only technological advance we had over the arbitrator thanks to the effort of a group of genius scientists. Unfortunately one of the scientists had been critically wounded, Sparrow, but prosthetics would return her to duty at least. One of the captains spoke up.

“Can we integrate this device into all of our R.E.A.P.E.R. units?” Shaking his head the scientist confirmed otherwise.

“Unfortunately not. The energy would most likely corrupt the mind of the bearer. The asset is the only one capable at this point in time.” Another scientist took his turn to speak.

“Another asset was recovered. A self aware device from the laboratories. Listening to how to came to be it doesn’t sound to be a part of the arbitrators experiments in itself but preserved by it’s creator. The potential it holds in computer science could see our automated mechanized division finally bear fruits.” The advisor at the opposite side of the table scoffed.

“The resources involved in creating autonomous quadrupedal tanks and support drones far exceeds our resources.” The scientist quickly rebutted.

“When the influence expands outside of its current boundaries countries will happily provide us the materials we require to protect them.” Interrupting their squabbling I asked the question to confirm our findings from the operation.

“So the influence will expand beyond the zone. Is that correct?” Looking towards me he confirmed all our fears.

“Yes. The influence has been confirmed to be a singularity of sorts named Entity. We already know that psionic energy resides in self aware beings that are organic at least and it has been found Entity is becoming larger as it absorbs more of this energy attracting it with greater force. Studying the asset only further supports our findings and we are already receiving reports of fluctuations of psionic force on the boundaries of the zone as of today.”

Nodding it seemed the final phase of our conflict was coming into effect. The next couple decades would decide the fate of our planet and possibly the universe. Going over our reports we concluded on anything else of note before one of the captains at the table looked towards me disgruntled. Continuing on for awhile before noticing his gaze again I decided to confront him.

“Is something bothering you.” Quickly the captain took the opportunity to lay out his concerns.

“The helicopters that landed in Pripyat. They could’ve been maneuvered somewhere safer surely. The arbitrator would have known of our extraction point regardless. Did you push our men through unnecessary torment?” Unphased I confirmed his concerns

“It was necessary. Tell me again how many commanders have died over the years fighting for this organization.” He replied instantly.

“Three, ma’am.”

“Three commanders who had seen a lifetime of battle who laid down their lives in operations like that. Situations you think to be a pointless. Why did they do that?” Silence held over the room before I continued.

“To prove that we will not go quietly into the night. That we are a threat and will continue fighting no matter the cost. Through surviving or even attempting these situations we prove to the arbitrator we are willing and able to fight regardless of the odds. After being at such a disadvantage for so many years I can tell you for a fact it at least buys us time in giving it something to worry about other than being cast aside as a nuisance.” Frustrated the captain continued disagreeing with what I said.

“We lost two entire squads throughout the final days of the operation. The operation as a whole cost us fifteen percent of our current manpower how does that prove anything-” Cutting him off raising my voice the captain returned to his place.

“The arbitrator believes itself above all and if we don’t take such risks it will simply ignore us continuing his scheme unfretted and uninterfered. I will not let him consider the fallen simply as background noise in it's plan.”

The room going quiet I could tell the others didn’t agree with my methods but with no other veterans from the creation of the task force they believed that it was the best course of action. Done with going through the folders and summing up the operational results we finished on the high note that all objectives were completed with massive additional gains before consulting the next phase in our campaign.

“With the attritional phase at an end we can now start directly attacking the arbitrator by responding to expansions of Entity. During the endgame phase we will seek out to reduce the loss of human life to inhibit Entities growth while learning how to destroy it. It is apparent now that Entity is core to the arbitrators plan and must be delayed until we can excise it from this world.” Looking around at my advisors, captains and researchers they all agreed it would be up to us to determine how everything would end.

“You all know our operational objectives. Begin preparation for all out war with the influence and warn the world of the storm to come. Dismissed.”

With everyone leaving the table quickly I remained alone in the consultation room. Moving over to a computer I clicked through the files until I came across the digital memorial. So many names flicked up the screen until I reached the bottom. Going over the few names listed there I bolstered my resolve and reinforced the reasoning behind my methods. They will not have died in vein. No matter the struggle or the cost, we will at the very least bleed for you to be given the chance to rest in peace outside the abyss.