News of the departure of an assault unit led by a commander quickly swept through the capital, igniting a media frenzy. Coverage commenced immediately, with numerous news channels engaged in heated debates over the unit's desertion. This incident, however, was not the sole focus of the public's attention. In fact, nearly half of all channel broadcasts shifted to a significant and unexpected revelation: the discovery of a concealed research facility situated near a military storage site in the rugged mountains adjacent to the expansion zone F273.
The facility, marked only by the enigmatic letters "NGP," ignited a wave of speculation among the populace and experts alike. Some speculated that the marking indicated a covert organization dedicated to experimenting with advanced weaponry, while others proposed that it was simply one of the government's long-forgotten operations, shuttered due to lack of funding or interest.
In response to the growing unrest and public curiosity, officials from various governmental bodies expressed a strong desire to delve deeper into the military's operations. They announced a comprehensive investigation into all departments associated with acronyms similar to NGP, emphasizing that any significant evidence uncovered could help answer questions about the facility and its purpose.
Yet, this was merely the prologue to a larger story unfolding. Determined to counteract the embarrassment caused by the desertion, the military mobilized to demonstrate its capability and authority. They initiated a sweeping operation to locate any temporary bases the 701st unit may have established during their flight. Additionally, a stern warning was issued to corporations supplying Android parts, explicitly stating that they must not distribute goods to anyone outside the Empire's borders.
This extensive decree spurred a wave of dissent from the Empire's allies, who openly condemned what they perceived as an extreme overreach in response to an incident they deemed rather minor. Rumors began to circulate that if the Empire did not restore equitable access to android manufacturing technology, there was a real possibility that their longstanding alliance would be under threat.
Meanwhile, the unnamed unit remained at the forefront of public discourse within the capital for several weeks. Information and disinformation regarding their actions proliferated across the Empire, stirring both intrigue and ire. Soldiers from other military units occasionally labeled them as traitors and deserters, but these accusations often devolved into nothing more than heated disagreements on social media platforms.
Most of the derogatory posts aimed at the unit were swiftly countered when it became apparent that the last several assignments were not a matter of classification; deployments into exceptionally dangerous situations were increasing. The complexities surrounding the actions continued to evoke discussions about loyalty, bravery, and the moral implications of military duty, ensuring that the story would remain a point of contention for the foreseeable future.
"One thing is clear..." A man sighed as he put down his phone and moved the papers around on his desk.
"Traitor and conspiracy as usual..." A blonde-haired woman held a glass of brandy at his side. "Tough week?"
"Conspiracy? Maybe.... but traitors? I don't think that's what happened. Doesn't matter how much military officials say that, it doesn't mean it's actually the case." The man responded, turning his chair to meet the woman's gaze.
"True, they played that angle to have former vice minister Beckham executed on a technicality." The woman sat herself on the edge of the desk right next to the man's work. "Still, can't tell if Beckham really was guilty or not."
"Most likely set up by the majority party..." The man grumbled, leaning in as he relaxed in his soft leather seat.
"So, how sure are you that they didn't quietly snuff out VolStenthorn?" The woman sighed. "I heard some things about a new commander while in Niflheim... seems he found out about the Meteorn in secret."
"Ah..." The man picked up the glass and stared at the swishing amber liquid inside. "But Amalia? Nah she's too smart to get caught in the game of politics. Hmm... If I were her... then I'd be somewhere right under everyone's nose."
"There is a very important question you are not thinking about Commander." The woman spoke.
"What is it?"
"Does anyone realize what a Meteorn core can do? They just do not realize just how valuable it is to leave it lying around because with Meteorn out there, just think of what people would do to get it." She shrugged her shoulders as he mulled over her question.
"Of course it's known. Just the public doesn't know. While we have various uses for it, both the Republic and the Kingdom think our empire is playing with fire. For them, they believe it's why the empire's territories are targeted more often." The man answered confidently and proudly.
But the blonde shook her head, "What do you think will happen if someone were to leak the research and the methods of what the Empire has achieved...?"
"People will panic, obviously. If the public discovers that their comfortable lives are powered by Meteorn sacrifices, then there will definitely be a riot. The average person will only think about the surface level details and will reason that into why they believe the Meteorn attack us. The end of the Empire's current iteration of its civilization in hopes that stopping the perpetrator will remove the problem." He rolled his eyes, took a sip of the brandy, and returned the glass to its original place next to the woman's palm.
"Or will they not have been frightened when the world discovers that their entire civilization has been built by the Meteorn, using them as a living source of energy?" The woman's gaze betrayed him as her eyes subtly changed color, a deep sapphire blue.
"No, the minds of the masses are quite fragile." The man argued.
"Well... do we have any clients? We could use another payday. I need to replenish some stashes back home..." The blonde rested her eyes as she crossed her leg over the other.
"Same old rabble, same old crimes. I don't think I'll bother to deal with any of them." The man groaned.
"Really? Even with all the stuff going on in the news? Surely someone has a business proposition for you." She brought her long, sleek leg to him, slipping it down between his own.
"Julia, don't." He reached out, resting a hand on her knee and trying to remove her.
"Oh dear... have you not had enough, Victor?" Julia playfully winked as her eyes returned to a sparkling shade of blue.
"You know I'm married now, stop it." He paused, suddenly noticing an odd detail about her eyes. The momentary changing of her eyes wasn't the unusual thing, but rather the eye color itself that drew his attention.
The only thing he's ever encountered that could possess the same change in eye color that she did came from those who were subjected to high concentrations of resonance.
"Have you been around resonance facilities? Or worked on androids?" He asked with a vague idea of his query, although he believed it could have been something else, given how adamant she was about getting more 'playtime' with him.
"Does that have something to do with our next job?" She questioned.
"Possibly." Victor remained uneasy while mulling over whether it was her or him; she had never liked him being married.
"I've been having these strange dreams..." Julia began as she smiled.
The phone on the table suddenly began to vibrate, its insistent buzzing cutting through the air and stealing the attention of both Victor and the sapphire-eyed woman who sat across from him. With a glance that suggested a mix of curiosity and annoyance, Victor picked up the phone and turned his back on her, attempting to tune out the ongoing conversation.
"Charterstire Investigations, who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?" he answered, his voice smooth but slightly distracted.
"Is this the private investigator known as Victor Charterstire?" a voice on the other end asked, laced with urgency.
Victor's brow furrowed as he replied, "No, it's the chef Victor Gupta. Who the hell else would I be? Who's asking?"
"Have you been keeping up with the latest news? Your specialty is tracking people, correct?" the caller said, his tone shifting to one of expectation.
Victor hesitated, a frown etched across his face. "Depends on what you mean by tracking..."
"Hmm, well, I actually have a job for you regarding this 'NGP' that officials seem to be absolutely obsessed with lately," the caller continued, the intrigue in his voice piquing Victor's interest slightly.
"Alright, spill it," Victor replied, uncertainty mingling with curiosity.
"I'd prefer to discuss the details in person. Are you currently in the capital?" the voice asked, as if anticipating Victor's response.
"I can meet for one hour. That's the limit for any in-person discussion," Victor stated, a sense of determination creeping into his tone. "Now, send me the address."
"Wonderful," the caller replied cheerfully.
Almost instantly, a picture of an extravagant home on the west side of the capital flashed across Victor's phone screen, showcasing its immaculate landscaping and grand entrance. "Meet me here; the door will be left unlocked for you when you arrive," the caller instructed, a hint of authority in his voice.
Just as abruptly as the call had begun, silence filled the air as the connection was cut. Victor stared at his phone for a moment, the weight of the unexpected job settling in, punctuated by the lingering interest of the sapphire-eyed woman watching him closely. He could sense that this meeting might lead to something more than just a simple assignment.
"You can't be serious... I finally managed to take you away from the little missus for a whole afternoon." Julia complained in a whining tone in her voice.
Victor shook his head, "Duty calls." He made an effort to stand, but his arm was suddenly yanked by the blonde as she pouted with bright, alluring eyes.
"You know I won't mind you putting me in my place by stuffing me with more than just your pride."
"Didn't I tell you to stop that? Now's not the time." He replied without looking her in the eyes, turning around to grab his coat. "I'll be in the car."
Julia remained unresponsive and gritted her teeth in dissatisfaction, not because he didn't give her the answer she expected.