Sometimes, you can feel a lot from the heavy atmosphere felt in the silence. The silence that touches more than words pressured me even more, and my aimless gaze kept checking on the people sitting around idly.
The meeting room of Spacystro Seoul Branch Headquarters is always used by team leaders. Ordinary soldiers can attend meetings and use it as well, but no soldier voluntarily attends a meeting where all team leaders are present.
Occasionally, when a major meeting is held or specific personnel are needed for a meeting, attendance is compulsory. However, under circumstances where there is a choice to attend, no subordinate would directly enter a place where superiors are gathered.
Sitting in the meeting room, I sighed at the suffocating discomfort that squeezed my chest and took a sip of the water in front of me.
Esmeralda, Angelique, Luche, Siera. Four team leaders were seated inside the meeting room, and I was sitting opposite them.
And one more person. There was someone sitting next to me.
“I also want some water.”
“…Here.”
Red, who had been wearing a helmet, handed over water to Yubin, who then removed her helmet.
Once again, let’s clarify that this location is the meeting room of Spacystro Seoul Branch Headquarters.
To understand why Yubin, the leader of the HunterKiller Team, is here, we need to go back in time a bit.
Last night.
On my way home after work, I told my girlfriends to gather at SuA’s house, and while riding the subway home, I stared blankly at the scenery outside the window.
I had never called all my girlfriends myself before. We usually discussed things separately, and only met together by chance.
This time, I directly asked all my girlfriends to gather, and sensing that something unusual was happening, they agreed without asking why.
When I arrived home, my girlfriends were already there, waiting for me.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, we just got here too.”
After approaching the table where my girlfriends were sitting near the kitchen and taking a seat in an empty spot, Hayang passed me some water.
“Thanks,” I replied, grabbing the mug and drinking the water to soothe my parched throat.
“Let’s start with this first.”
Placing the laptop I had taken out from my bag onto the table, I displayed the data provided by Klugger on the hologram monitor.
None of the girlfriends said anything as they quickly reviewed the materials I presented. They seemed to understand the situation and were silently questioning what my plan might be next.
After clearing my throat, I stood up and glanced at each of the girlfriends’ eyes.
“First, I’ll report to the team leaders tomorrow. I think it will likely be reported directly to the higher-ups.”
“Are you okay with this, older brother?”
“I’m not sure.”
My girlfriends knew that I hadn’t reported matters related to them to the upper echelons before. However, to explain everything, their stories were essential.
During this process, there was a possibility of being disciplined for not reporting earlier, which worried everyone.
I responded “I don’t know” to Yubin, who asked the question, as this is the best answer I could give now.
In fact, I truly didn’t know.
“But I’ll make sure no harm comes to anyone.”
If it involves discipline, I’ve received enough of it to be tired. Receiving another punishment wouldn’t change much now.
However, I was concerned about how reporting might affect my girlfriends.
“We’re fine, but what happens if we report this?”
“I think they’ll send personnel to search the radio base. They need to confirm the unidentified signal.”
There’s no problem with a signal sent into space without any purpose. However, if a purpose is discovered and there’s a risk of future issues caused by the signal, preparations must be made to respond.
Naturally, this would involve investigating the Earth Defense Union, and I would gain more information about hyper-humans.
“I don’t mind getting scolded once. But what do you plan to do when Spacystro searches the radio base?”
Even though I haven’t reported yet, it’s obvious that Spacystro will search the radio base. With my extensive experience invading various planets, I am certain of this.
When Spacystro searches the radio base, I suspect I will hear about the disciplinary action. During this process, it’s crucial how my girlfriends react.
If a significant radio base is attacked and the Earth Defense Union, with its elite team HunterKiller, does nothing, it’s unlikely.
If the HunterKiller Team and Spacystro encounter each other at the radio base, a fight is inevitable.
If I reveal my relationship with the HunterKiller Team members during the report, I’d prefer not to create a fighting situation.
Should I mention that my girlfriends have expressed a desire to join Spacystro?
I shook my head immediately. Having been part of Spacystro for a long time, I trust the organization quite a bit.
But Spacystro and the Earth Defense Union are enemies. Naturally, the Earth Defense Union team, HunterKiller, is seen as an enemy by the upper levels of Spacystro, and joining might not be trusted.
While wanting to stay within the same organization, there’s a risk my girlfriends could become hostages.
Worrying about this situation is due to these reasons. Not wanting to report my girlfriends’ desire to join Spacystro is purely because of my feelings.
If my decision benefits me due to the support of my girlfriends, who trust and love me, I consider it a great thing.
But using this to gain an advantage is a different matter altogether.
Having finished discussing with everyone except Yubin about joining Spacystro, I don’t rush to report and push forward.
Rushing now could lead to me missing important details in the report and receiving discipline, or my girlfriends becoming hostages.
“Older Brother.”
While everyone was thinking, Yubin spoke first.
“I want to join Spacystro.”
Yubin and I hadn’t discussed moving to Spacystro. It had slipped my mind and I had forgotten.
“Yeah, sure.”
Since four girlfriends had already said they wanted to join Spacystro, I wasn’t surprised. However, I wasn’t indifferent either.
I thought Yubin hadn’t considered joining Spacystro until she brought it up herself.
“And I’ll go to the meeting tomorrow.”
“Yeah, sure… Wait, what?!”
Listening carefully and responding, I suddenly felt something was wrong and widened my eyes.
Yubin shared my concerns about the situation. There was a good solution to address my worries.
Going with one member of the HunterKiller Team.
If we both report, it will strengthen my report and support Yubin’s wish to join Spacystro.
It’s a great idea, but it still makes me worry.
For me, it’s a workplace, but for Yubin, Spacystro Seoul Branch Headquarters is like an enemy stronghold.
“Will it be alright? It’s surrounded by enemies.”
“It’s fine.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if we all went together?”
Yura, concerned about Yubin going alone, asked, but Yubin shook her head.
“Going together would make it worse. Even doing nothing, we might appear hostile.”
The HunterKiller Team’s presence is intimidating. When facing them, the first thought is whether I could successfully attack.
Within headquarters, the HunterKiller Team holds a high status. If all members suddenly walk through the headquarters corridor, it could be mistaken for an ambush.
“Don’t worry. I’ll contact immediately if there’s a problem.”
Currently,
When Yubin appeared at headquarters, chaos ensued. Most people prepared for battle, assuming the HunterKiller Team had found their base.
Guiding Yubin to the meeting room, when the door was kicked open, the team leaders’ eyes turned toward her. Surprisingly, she didn’t seem flustered.
With Yubin beside me, I reported all that had happened to the team leaders. Despite knowing my situation roughly, Luche and Siera listened attentively without interruption.
“So, why did you come?”
Esmeralda, who had heard the story from Yubin and others, asked without changing her expression.
“To prevent you from doing anything to him.”
“I don’t think it’s solely for that reason.”
Though touched by Yubin coming to headquarters for me, I also looked at her, suspecting other motives.
“The HunterKiller Team wants to investigate the radio base.”
Hearing this for the first time, I was speechless, as were the team leaders.
Regardless of what information comes out, it will surely be useful. Hearing such a request was understandable.
Understanding the team leaders’ expressions, I also understood Yubin’s words. After learning I was investigating hyper-humans, my girlfriends didn’t show any resistance.
As hyper-humans, they had many questions about unknown hyper-humans. Investigating a radio base, even if not directly related to a research lab, could provide new information about hyper-humans.
“How about it, A?”
Esmeralda asked me, the central figure in this matter.
It was a difficult question. Whether given to the HunterKiller Team or not, I would be in a bind either way.
Suddenly, an idea came to mind. Although it was almost impossible, and unprecedented in many invasions, it wasn’t without value to try.
“Let’s form a task force.”
Task Force. An organization temporarily formed to achieve a mission or goal.
In other words, working jointly with the HunterKiller Team.
No one had ever considered cooperating with the opposing side, so everyone looked surprised.
Even I found it surprising to suggest this.
Usually, task forces are formed by individual organizations with common goals. It’s unheard of for adversarial organizations to form a temporary task force for a common goal.
But as someone who understands both sides, I couldn’t think of a better proposal.
There’s no guarantee this will succeed. My statement will be included in the report and sent upwards, but if rejected, it will likely proceed independently within Spacystro.
“Task force… Okay, I’ll review it and report back.”
Perhaps it’s my mood, but Esmeralda’s voice sounded disappointed.
It’s not certain, but the feeling comes from keeping my situation a secret from those I’ve worked with for a long time.
It felt like a stab to my conscience, and it would be best to inform Klugger of this soon.
“Let’s take a break?”
Esmeralda stood up, seemingly wanting a cigarette. Though we had a break, the atmosphere remained tense.
Everyone was silent, and I constantly felt like holding a bomb ready to explode.
“Ahem!”
In the silence, Luche’s cough sounded louder than anything else, drawing everyone’s attention, including mine.
“Do you think it’s a bit reckless?”
Luche finally spoke, staring at Yubin.
Naturally, Yubin’s eyebrows furrowed, and the tension gradually turned to unease.
“Please don’t fight. Please don’t fight…”
I hoped this situation wouldn’t escalate into a fight.
