"General, what's the status of that survivor?" The commander from Unit 209 seems eager to know about Theo's condition. I just glare at the superiors. 'Should I tell them about Private Theo Smith's condition?'...
'I'll stir the information, in case they do know him.' I tap my fingers on the table before I lean forward. "He has such a worrisome condition. He was severely injured and might be in a coma for several days."
I lied to them, and somehow, they looked relieved with the news. Disgusting. They have a smile on their face, showing how happy they are to know that the survivor might die someday.
"What's his name?" they ask to make sure they didn't try to kill the wrong person. I can see right through their facade; they don't even know how to act.
"Private William James from the Arnigwade Village." I lied again. William James is one of the deceased soldiers from Unit 109. I managed to see his name on the doctor's files when I visited Theo earlier.
It needed to be done if I wanted to hide Theo's identity. The superiors don't seem to know him either. It would be bad if they did know him, though I guess luck is on my side today.
"Wouldn't it be better if we sent him back home?" Commander of Unit 310 seems to be joining them on this dirty trickery, too. They start discussing how they should send the survivor back home.
Ah.. so noisy. When will they stop barking? I'm annoyed that I can't comprehend how it feels. I'm pretty sure they should've known the consequences of sending an injured soldier home without any proper treatment, but it looks like fear got the best of them.
"Sending a heavily injured soldier to their hometown without any proper treatment would count as breaking the rules stated in Act 196 according to Nebalble law. Do think before you speak, Unit 310's commander." I highly implied that talking about such things is a disgrace to the military.
They nod and quiet down. I already reported the whole situation to the higher-ups, so there's no need for anyone to check on the survivor, except the doctors who will change from time to time. But I'll make sure they keep their mouth shut no matter what.
"Now that everything was settled down, why don't all of you go back to your duty instead of slacking off here chatting about some nonsense?" I glare at them one by one. I no longer wish to see them.
They stand up one by one, bow down, and leave the tent. Even after they left, I can still hear them talking. How incompetent.
Once I make sure there's no one else around the area, I take out the documents about Theo Smith. I need to know him more if I wish to bring him to my side.
Theo Smith, the private appointed from the South. An exceptionally strong and agile soldier. He was the best at war back in the South thus the reason why he was sent to the North to be on a bigger, crueler battlefield. But it looks like he wasn't ready to fight yet, based on what happened to Unit 109.
No, I'm pretty sure there's a bigger picture in this situation. He was the only one with light injuries; he suffered only from scratches. Not to mention that his wound healed faster than a normal human.
There's not much about him on these documents except for the fact that he was the only survivor from Area 21 above the hills. His father and stepmother died from the sudden attack of the Mashitilk. The fact that he was left unscarred is still a mystery.
But that's what makes me intrigued about him. I'll be waiting to talk to you, Private Theo.