Although it sounded like a suggestion, it was actually a notification, and I had no right to refuse it.
Having been part of Spacystro for so long, I knew well what it meant for someone from the Military Security Bureau to show up.
Not to boast, but I’ve caused a lot of trouble and received quite a few disciplinary actions. Even so, I’ve never encountered the Military Security Bureau before.
They are the department that controls the leakage of classified information within Spacystro. Their appearance meant either there was a serious issue with the individual in question or there had been direct orders from the higher-ups.
It could be either, and since I had anticipated some instructions from the higher-ups after the training, I didn’t feel like refusing, even though I had no right to do so from the start.
This is just my situation. For my girlfriends, it must be utterly bewildering.
We had just finished eating out and came home lightheartedly, only to find people in black suits standing there, suddenly suggesting we go to a Spacystro spaceship.
“Let’s go.”
At Yubin’s single word, everyone nodded. They seemed to have understood my situation to some extent and thought they didn’t need to feel anxious seeing the youngest leader accept the Military Security Bureau’s proposal without hesitation.
Part of me could feel the anxiety. But looking at me and the people around me, my girlfriends realized. Spacystro may be invaders and enemies of Earth, but they don’t do cowardly things.
Moreover, they seemed to feel there was no need to be hostile to the Military Security Bureau people who clearly stated their affiliation and didn’t take a coercive attitude.
“We’ll wait in the underground parking. Please come down when you’re ready.”
The person presumed to be of the highest rank bowed his head in greeting, then took the elevator we had just used and went down.
A brief silence lingered. We didn’t know what to say first to each other.
We could sense that everyone found this situation bewildering, but I thought it best not to show any signs of being flustered here.
“First, we need to pack clothes and other essentials, right?”
Murmuring to myself, I headed into the room, and the momentarily dazed girlfriends also began to follow, one by one.
“Oppa. Do you know these people?”
“Not exactly. I think they were sent here on orders from above.”
“Are they trustworthy?”
Trust is important. The only people who know I belong to Spacystro are my girlfriends and Team Guerrilla.
It’s been a while since Team Guerrilla’s threat was neutralized, but that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. However, the reason I can trust that they belong to Spacystro is that they announced their affiliation openly.
There may be similar institutions in many countries on Earth, and some might even share the same name. But Earthlings shouldn’t know that there is a Military Security Bureau in Spacystro.
“For now.”
Above all, the timing of their visit was just right. It was as if they predicted I would have some story around this time and came for me casually.
“How long will it take to get to that spaceship?”
“Getting there won’t take long. We’ll fly to the spaceship located in the central Pacific.”
When I came to Seoul from the spaceship, I had used a plane. But it’s been about ten years, so I couldn’t remember exactly how long it took.
I only remember that it didn’t take too long.
When I was injured during the terrorist incident, I used an airship that moved much faster than a regular plane, and on the way back, I used the warp device on the spaceship, so there was no way for me to know how long a regular flight would take now.
“The Pacific… That’s so sudden.”
There was nothing I could say to SuA, who sighed as if it was absurd. I also thought the same as her. All I could do now was prepare to go to the spaceship without knowing what would happen afterward.
“Don’t worry. Nothing big will happen.”
“How can I not worry? We’re entering the heart of enemy territory.”
Yura also had a point. Even if the girlfriends decided to enter Spacystro, this wasn’t something publicly known, and for the moment, they are affiliated with the Earth Defense Union.
Going with the people who came under higher orders means we’re bound to meet high-ranking officials. And among those high-ranking officials, there’s no one who wouldn’t know Team HunterKiller, currently one of the top combatants among the Hyper-humans.
“Still, they won’t suddenly attack us or anything.”
Not sure if it was reassuring, but I tried to say something soothing as I packed clothes into the carrier. Since I didn’t know how long we’d stay, I packed plenty of clothes and other essentials.
“Still, I didn’t expect them to come without a word.”
At least I thought they’d contact Seoul headquarters and inform us through the team leaders.
Judging by the absence of any contact from the team leaders, it seems headquarters is also unaware of the current situation.
As evidence, there has been no communication on my smartphone since the Military Security Bureau people arrived.
“I’ll wait in the living room. Come out when you’re done packing.”
After packing, I pulled the carrier out and sat on the living room sofa.
As time passed, everyone came out, pulling their carriers. The uncertainty of the situation still showed in their tense eyes.
Since we’ve decided to go, there’s no turning back. There never was a place to retreat.
In fact, anticipating quicker instructions from above, I found it rather welcoming that someone had personally come to call us to the spaceship.
“Let’s go.”
Everyone nodded.
The atmosphere in the elevator was completely different from when we came up. Small talk disappeared, and except for breathing, no sound was heard until we reached the underground parking.
The Military Security Bureau people were easy to spot. Two cars were parked side by side, with people in black suits standing nearby.
One was a regular midsize car, and the other was a very expensive-looking long black car.
“Please get in here.”
As we got closer, they took the carriers we’d pulled and loaded them into the trunk. They even went as far as opening the car doors for us, making me wonder if they were really here to take someone in trouble.
And when I got into the long car.
My eyes met with the team leaders.
“So that’s why no one contacted me.”
“You’re here?”
“Come in.”
Esmeralda and Angelique gestured for me to come in and sit. They must have known they’d come to SuA’s place to pick us all up, so they waited without prior notice.
Looking at the visibly tense Luche and Siera, it seemed that even the team leaders had no idea about the current situation.
“This is bewildering.”
The girlfriends also got into the car, and for the first time since the operation to attack the communication base, we were all gathered in one place.
“You were pretty surprised, weren’t you?”
“Totally surprised. What about you? Are you okay?”
“I’m also very surprised.”
While checking on Siera seated beside me, I casually glanced around the car. Although the word ‘luxury’ didn’t appear before my eyes, the car’s interior exuded an unmistakable high-end feel.
“Now that everyone’s here, don’t you think it’d be good to at least give an explanation?”
Esmeralda, seeing that everyone was seated, spoke toward the driver’s seat.
「Yes. As mentioned earlier, we are from the Military Security Bureau of Spacystro’s 6th Fleet. From here, we will head to Incheon Airport, board a plane, and move to the 1st Ship of Spacystro’s 6th Fleet.」
The voice of the person we had just met at the house came through the speakers installed in the car.
“Who called us, and where exactly on the spaceship are we going?”
「I apologize. That is classified information and cannot be disclosed at the moment.」
I understand why they wouldn’t say immediately.
Even though they’re people I can trust, just as the girlfriends couldn’t fully trust them, even though it was indicated to the higher-ups that I intended to join Spacystro, no one would trust Team HunterKiller unconditionally.
Hence, it’s necessary to be prepared for any situation that might arise on the way.
“Got it. Can we drink what’s here?”
「Yes. Feel free to use the amenities inside.」
As soon as she heard the word ‘freely,’ Esmeralda took drinks from the mini-fridge in the corner and handed them out to everyone.
“We don’t know the situation, and it’s frustrating. At least we can soothe our stomachs.”
“Team Leader, could there be someone at the top who would call us like this?”
While Esmeralda gulped down her drink, I asked if there was anyone she could guess, still using formal language. I’ve been in Spacystro for a long time, but as a mere soldier, I knew nothing about the higher-ups’ dealings.
Esmeralda had been a commander of a unit and had met many people due to her family background.
“There are a few people I can think of. But I’m not sure yet. Who would suddenly call like this?”
“Understood.”
I kept using honorifics in case the people in the driver’s seat were listening.
Since Esmeralda was also not clear on the situation, it’s futile for me to keep thinking about it.
“Did the match go well today?”
When I held the hand of Siera, quietly sitting beside me, she twitched her shoulder in surprise and looked at me.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. It went well.”
“It’s all right, isn’t it?”
“It’s fine. I’ve been all confused since meeting these people right after the match.”
As far as I know, this is also Siera’s first time meeting someone from the Military Security Bureau.
With no way of knowing why we’re suddenly being taken, it’s natural for her to be anxious.
“That’s a relief. You said you had a match with Team Endurance today, right? Drask, what’s he like?”
Due to the strange encounter I had had with Drask, he kept coming to mind, and I wanted to quickly determine that he wasn’t as dangerous as Team Guerrilla.
He could be as dangerous as Team Guerrilla. Either way, I wanted to figure it out quickly to avoid future worries.
“Should I say he’s fascinating? We see a lot of them when we invade. People who do their best to protect.”
“You know.”
I also had the same thought as Siera after meeting Drask. People who do their best to protect.
No matter which planet or civilization we invade, this type of person is always present.
As an invader, and as an individual, I’ve always had respect for them. It’s never easy to always sacrifice yourself and dedicate yourself to others.
Moreover, as someone who has experienced losing a cherished place, those who fight to protect always seem remarkable to me.
I felt that Drask was the same type of person.
“That’s the kind of person he is. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such people on Earth, so I didn’t think there’d be any. But don’t take my word for it.”
“It’s not someone else; it’s Siera’s judgment. It must be accurate.”
I tend to trust Siera’s perspective and judgment. Her ability to make cold, calculated decisions in crucial moments makes her thoughts undoubtedly more accurate than mine.
“Really? Okay.”
Siera smiled slightly.
She had judged so. As for me, I have no other information on Drask currently.
Hence, I decided to wholly believe what Siera said.
After resolving one curiosity, my gaze turned to outside the window.
The scenery passing by quickly as we drove to leave downtown Seoul.
The sky was dark under a night sky bright with neon signs.
To reassure my girlfriends, I’d said nothing major would happen, but honestly, even I wasn’t certain.
What was going to happen when we got there?
