Showing a hint of scepticism, Auren looks at Elder Kirda. "How can you say with certainty that that boat belongs to someone on the outside? I mean, our ships are huge with lots of smaller boats inside the cargo hold. How many tours have these large transport ships gone through already? Maybe it's a clerical oversight, maybe someone forgot to file it properly. Maybe someone donated it to the cause? Maybe someone rich thought he could bring his private boat with him and bribed someone to keep it hidden?"
Elder Kirda sighs for a second before responding, choosing her words carefully. "All these things are valid concerns, Auren, but we have checked them already. This ship does not belong to us. We only discovered it by pure coincidence because a few children played on the cliffs, trying to hunt for crabs to eat. One got hurt and couldn't walk anymore, so a small rescue troop went out of their way to pick him up. During the rescue mission, someone spotted the ship hidden in a small cave near the coast. The ship was hidden so well that we only stumbled on it through sheer coincidence."
Auren, now looks worried, unable to stop himself from asking. "That indeed seems... strange. What kind of ship was it?"
"It's a relatively small ship, only suitable for fewer than ten passengers, but it's extremely modern with a powerful engine. It's outfitted with expensive technology. It's literally the opposite type that Hollow Blade would use. We prefer old, reliable, and cheap ships for a large number of people. The best value, with mediocre output. This kind of expensive, high-performance ship is something we expressly forbid. Auren, we are certain this is a spy... or some kind of foreign person."
"I see," Auren says, nodding. "I am sorry for questioning you. Anything else you can tell me? I'll head to Landing Point B personally... right now. With my airship, it won't take me more than an hour. I'll do my best to resolve this situation—perhaps it is not too late."
"Right now?" one of the elders says. "You've been through so much already, and the sun is already setting. We will find that person... I am sure. Our people are already searching through the entire Landing Point B. We are even setting up roadblocks around it."
"This is bad... so by now that person knows he is exposed! They might find another way to escape... however, they can't escape through land... but they might steal an airship or another boat... but since the large boats can't be operated by just a few people, it can only be airships," Auren analyzes aloud. "They might try to escape, using an airship. Did you already address that possibility?" Auren immediately adds.
"There is a strict ban on airship travel. All airships have been partially dismantled by our workers—we even removed parts from the engines. Not a single airship can leave, and you correctly said it—land and ship is not an option, because of the extreme distance, in addition to the various fake-nature conservatories set up on the western part of our new territory, they can't flee by land. Whoever is here is now stuck," Elder Kirda explains, trying her best to remain calm
"I have to act now, then... I am good at snuffing out rats, I've had some experience," Auren says, smiling faintly. "Anyway, there is no time to waste, I'm leaving now."
"We can't ask you for more, Vice-Leader..." the other elder says, looking a little guilty. "You can maybe help tomorrow. This is all under control...."
"Are you insane?" Auren asks, his voice rising, full of anger. "You realise what happens if that information leaks?! The V5 will investigate! You have cornered the spy already?! We can't waste any time! By now, he might have reported the situation already! Beatle Phones are a thing, you know?! This could end in a war—one we can't possibly fight at this point! We need to find that spy right now. Even if we have to sacrifice a thousand people to find him, we need to do it. I don't have time for this. I am leaving right now, and I'll hunt that spy down and neutralise him, or I'll die trying! If you find out anything or have a hint, call me immediately! You'd better call Rakshala right now and explain the situation!"
Without waiting for a response, Auren dashes away to the airport, Vanessa, Neffi, and Eren following behind, leaving behind the three shocked and worried Elders, who stare at the ground in shame.
At full speed, Auren reaches the airport in just a few minutes.
As he enters it, Jolt is relaxing on the front deck, lying in a lounger, reading a book, and drinking a beer, the floodlights on the cabin providing him ample light.
"Auren?" he asks, closing his book, blinking like he's not sure if he's seeing things.
"Emergency, Jolt. We need to lift off right now. We need to go to Landing Point B," Auren announces, his eyes drawn to the beer for half a second before returning to Jolt. "Can you do it?"
"Heh, as long as I can still walk halfway straight, I can fly. No problem," Jolt says, emptying his beer and immediately heading back to the cockpit to start the airship. "My baby is ready. I always keep it in perfect condition, ready to lift off at any time."
Vanessa, Neffi, and Eren also arrive, barely in time. With them on board, Jolt lifts off immediately, the airship rising into the air.
"You look worried, Auren," Vanessa says, patting his shoulder "So what if there is someone here? Who cares? It's not like the V5 will do anything just because they spotted a small settlement on a wild part of the Yorbian continent? Like they left this place alone for so long, why would they care now? Also, didn't we actually buy some of the land? Arguably, the land behind should also belong to us!"
"Vanessa..." Eren says. "Do you even know the consequences if the wrong people hear about our operations? As Auren said... this could lead to war. The fact that we hid what we are doing is actually making it worse. One thing could lead to another, and Hollow Blade could become fully exposed. We could lose everything. We are essentially international terrorists."
"According to the plan, this shouldn't have happened. How could we have been discovered so fast?!" Neffi wonders, looking pale.
"We will find out..." Auren says in a cold voice. "Rest a while. Use Zetsu. I need you to be at your best... Jolt, you will just drop us off and immediately lift right off again. We can't risk the airship getting stolen, yet I still need you on standby. How long can you stay in the air?"
"Heh, the baby is full of gas and in great condition! I can stay in the air for weeks!" Jolt says proudly. "Don't worry about me."
"That will suffice... we were supposed to return home after the mission, but we're not leaving until we find whoever discovered us and this situation is resolved," Auren declares, then turns to the others.
"Are you capable of helping me out? This is not training, this is serious... you need to be prepared to kill and worse... die. Obviously, whoever is here is highly skilled. You know the stakes... I can't babysit you."
"We are ready," Vanessa says, without hesitation, staring right into Auren's eyes, causing him to blink and take a half step back, as her eyes are glued to his own. "Trust us."
She... for just a moment, she looked actually serious and like an adult. I guess she can be serious. She feels quite dependable now....
"Yes," Eren replies, trying his best to appear calm.
"Do you even need to ask? This is our job. Even if something happens to us, nobody will blame you. We all know the stakes," Neffi states, looking deadly serious as well.
"Good..." Auren replies.
Slowly but surely, the southern bay of Landing Point B comes into view.
Auren takes a good look. The harbour, and especially the camp, are much smaller than Landing Point A—not only because it was constructed later, but also because its purpose is not a transformation into a large city, but to become a trading port.
This could be an advantage... since Landing Point B is smaller, it should be easier to spot any intruder. More importantly, I have a surefire plan to find them—it all depends on a guess of mine, but I'd say my odds are fairly good... I'll find whoever has come here.
As the sun fully descends, Jolt steers the airship towards the small airport, descending swiftly.
"No need to fully land. Bring us down as low as you can and immediately lift off," Auren yells, already leaving the cockpit behind.
"Roger that," Jolt responds, carefully descending.
When the airship is hovering just slightly above the ground, Auren, Vanessa, Neffi, and Eren jump off. Jolt immediately reacts and skillfully lifts off, raising the airship back into the skies.
As Auren lands, two men accompanied by a handful of armed soldiers approach him.
"Vice-Leader," one says. "I'm Port Administrator Luha, and this is the Mayor, Trast. We've been called by Elder Kirda. If you need any support, please tell me."
Auren hands him one of his cards. "Give me your number. You have a phone that works out here, right? Call me immediately if you learn anything, even if it's just a rumor."
"Yes," Luha responds as he accepts Auren's card and hands him one of his own.
Time to do this!
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