Ron activated his invisibility and quietly lay down to sleep.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, everyone emerged from their rooms one by one. After breakfast, they made their way toward the meeting room.
Today, there was a new presence among them.
Future Lia had arrived — but she was no longer going by that name.
She introduced herself as Emma.
Jake had already briefed her on everything that had happened, so there were no questions or explanations needed.
One by one, everyone took their seats at the meeting table, the atmosphere calm but serious as the discussion was about to begin.
Jake stood in front of the large screen.
MISSION: END NACHIO
Was written on the large screen.
"Welcome everyone. I hope the night went smoothly." Jake said.
"First, we have to take down their intelligence-related bases," Jake said.
"What do you mean?" Lia asked.
"I mean that everything about us has been getting recorded. All of it is under Foster's control," Jake replied.
"How did you find that out?" Dream asked.
"I found a map in Locki's house," Jake said. "Sixty thousand locations were marked with an X. I didn't understand the reason at first — but then I discovered something else."
The large screen behind them lit up, displaying the same map. It was a detailed map of Earth, but scattered across it were strange monuments and locations marked by Locki with the letter K.
"The places marked with X are the sixty thousand sites I mentioned," Jake continued. "And the ones marked with K… I believe they are either underground, underwater, or possibly hidden by some form of invisibility. But-"
The screen zoomed in toward Antarctica.
Three points appeared, each labeled NI.
Behind the map, a list of symbols and their meanings faintly glowed — most of them erased or unreadable, except for NI.
"NI stands for… NACHIO's Intelligence Bases," Lia said quietly.
"Exactly," Jake nodded. "We strike them first."
The others exchanged looks, then nodded in agreement.
"I'll send my squad — led by Charlie," Carter said.
"No," Dream interjected. "I will send someone."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Do you have someone strong enough?"
"Yes. The ones who helped you against Larthur — the ones who were with Ron," Dream replied.
Carter nodded. "They would be valuable allies."
"But we should save them for the main battle," Jake said firmly.
Dream paused for a moment, then spoke again. "Fine… then I'll send someone else."
"There are more?" Jake asked, surprised.
"No… not more," Dream said calmly. "Just someone else. And you all know him."
Carter and Jake glanced at each other, trying to recall anyone who fit that description — but no clear name came to mind.
After a brief silence, Lia spoke up. "Alright… we trust you."
Dream gave a small nod.
"First, we have to take down their intelligence-related bases," Jake said.
"What do you mean?" Lia asked.
"I mean that everything about us has been getting recorded. All of it is under Foster's control," Jake replied.
"How did you find that out?" Dream asked.
"I found a map in Locki's house," Jake said. "Sixty thousand locations were marked with an X. I didn't understand the reason at first — but then I discovered something else."
The large screen behind them lit up, displaying the same map. It was a detailed map of Earth, but scattered across it were strange monuments and locations marked by Locki with the letter K.
"The places marked with X are the sixty thousand sites I mentioned," Jake continued. "And the ones marked with **K… I believe they are either underground, underwater, or possibly hidden by some form of invisibility."
The screen zoomed in toward Antarctica.
Three points appeared, each labeled NI.
Behind the map, a list of symbols and their meanings faintly glowed — most of them erased or unreadable, except for NI.
"NI stands for… NACHIO's Intelligence Bases," Lia said quietly.
"Exactly," Jake nodded. "We strike them first."
The others exchanged looks, then nodded in agreement.
"I'll send my squad — led by Charlie," Carter said.
"No," Dream interjected. "I will send someone."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Do you have someone strong enough?"
"Yes. The ones who helped you against Larthur — the ones who were with Ron," Dream replied.
Carter nodded. "They would be valuable allies."
"But we should save them for the main battle," Jake said firmly.
Dream paused for a moment, then spoke again. "Fine… then I'll send someone else."
"There are more?" Jake asked, surprised.
"No… not more," Dream said calmly. "Just someone else. And you all know him."
Carter and Jake glanced at each other, trying to recall anyone who fit that description — but no clear name came to mind.
After a brief silence, Lia spoke up. "Alright… we trust you."
Dream gave a small nod.
Antarctica
Amid a raging snowstorm, a small base stood alone, surrounded by endless white. Drones and robotic sentries patrolled every inch, guns swiveling to cover all approaches. A few human soldiers were stationed outside, tense and alert.
A figure emerged through the blizzard — a man in a hood.
"Someone's coming," one soldier muttered.
The man walked steadily forward, a calm smile on his face.
In NACHIO's headquarters, Eric sat in his office, deeply focused on his work. His thoughts were interrupted by a call.
"Boss, our intelligence sectors are under attack," a voice reported.
"I knew it," Eric said calmly. "I knew you wouldn't sit still."
"What are your orders, sir?" the voice asked.
"I'll send someone," Eric replied. The call ended.
He picked up another line. "Take care of the intelligence sectors."
"Yes, boss," came the reply.
Connor approached. "Boss, what happened?"
"I've ordered Crew No. 8 to move," Eric said.
"And my orders?" Connor asked.
Eric smiled. "...Bring that to me."
Connor's eyes widened, but he nodded.
"I will take care of this Foster. On Thursday." Eric said.
DAY'S PASSED AND THURSDAY CAME
In Jake's Base
"So," Jake said, "let's get ready. Aldrio will connect to all of you."
Everyone readied themselves. The plan was to strike NACHIO's headquarters at 3:00 AM.
The clock struck midnight.
Suddenly, a massive explosion shook the world.
"What happened?" someone shouted.
"Aldrio, report!" Jake said, one hand on his earpiece.
"Sir, a war has started between Fake Scars and NACHIO," Aldrio replied.