File 02 - Our Last Crusade or the Spy Mission Training
1
“There are traitorous spies among us!”
They were at an Imperial base. Commander Mismis had started off that day’s meeting with that rather dramatic declaration.
“Or at least, HQ wants us to make that happen during training,” she said. “Iska, what do you think we should do?”
“Isn’t this kind of coming out of nowhere?” The Imperial swordsman tilted his head quizzically. “If you could start from the beginning…”
“You already know the story, Iska. Some Nebulis spies tried to invade the Imperial capital.”
Two global superpowers were at war. The Heavenly Empire that Iska and his companions were part of had waged an ongoing, century-long campaign against the Nebulis Sovereignty, otherwise known as the Paradise of Witches. Since the conflict was currently at a standstill, they’d resorted to sending spies into each other’s territories.
“Yeah, of course I heard about that. It happens every year. There were two or three suspicious people caught on the surveillance cameras in the capital.”
“That’s right. We think they’re from the Nebulis Sovereignty’s intelligence unit.” Commander Mismis nodded.
Yes. Enemy spies had already invaded the Empire.
“The Empire is just too big. There are so many people within its territory that it’s impossible to investigate every single person who comes in from overseas.”
“We’ve got physical limitations…”
Since Iska was an Imperial soldier, the problem struck close to home.
Luckily, the Empire’s most important secrets—its military intelligence—had yet to be breached. The Imperial forces’ security had blocked all attempts at espionage.
“We can’t let our guard down, Iska. We need to assume that a Nebulis spy might even target this base.”
“Oh, so that’s why…”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s the theme of our training.” Commander Mismis pointed to a map of the Empire on the wall. “I christen this the ‘Betray the Imperial Forces Mission!’ We’ll become spies and infiltrate the Imperial base!”
“Well, that’s a very…novel idea,” Iska replied.
“I know, right?” Mismis said. “Jhin, Nene, did you catch all of that?”
“I got all of it. Sounds like an important mission,” replied Jhin, the silver-haired sniper who was sitting in a corner of the room, exuding confidence. “There’s a stray cat that’s taken up residence in the Imperial capital. Finding its parents takes top priority.”
“I’m not talking about stray cats!”
“Oh, so stray dogs, then?” he said.
“Just leave that to a humane society! Nene, you were listening, weren’t you?” Mismis asked.
“That’s right. I heard it all.” Nene, the red-haired girl sitting next to Iska, raised her hand. “I’m also frightened to hear that molestation incidents have been increasing year by year in the capital. If I have to walk around the alleys at night, then—”
“I’m not talking about that, either!”
“Okay, enough joking around. So basically, you want us to run a counteroperation.” Jhin leaned back in his chair as he spoke, his tone clearly indicating that he didn’t want to participate. “We have no idea when the Imperial forces’ security measures might fail. So you want us to play the role of Nebulis assassins and attempt to infiltrate the Imperial base.”
They—the three members of Unit 907 and their leader, Commander Mismis—had been assigned to be spies.
“Right, boss?” Jhin said.
“Exactly! HQ set up a prefab base for us to use as training. It’s in the business district, where there used to be an empty lot.” Commander Mismis pointed at a location on the map. “This is going to be an experiment. We’re part of the spy team. We can use any method we want to force our way into the base.”
“So anything goes as long as we don’t get caught? Well, what if…”
The first thing that sprang to mind for Iska was sneaking in from above. If they used a military helicopter, they could infiltrate the base without worrying about walls. All they would need to do was descend via parachute.
“Of course, we can’t use a helicopter, though,” he said, shooting his own idea down.
“Sure we can,” Mismis replied.
“You can’t be serious?!”
“But the base also has a defense team. They didn’t tell me how many people would be on it, but it’ll be more people than our team.”
Even if they got into the base by parachute, they’d likely end up caught by the opposing team.
“…I see. So they want us to figure out how to sneak past the defense team, just like real spies.”
“I wonder what equipment the other side will have.” Jhin rose from his seat. “Hey, boss, will the defending team have guns and stuff?”
“Of course. Their firearms will be outfitted with rubber bullets, like the ones used for riot suppression. They’ll also have access to handcuffs, nets, and traps installed at the base.”
As he listened to Commander Mismis make a list, Iska scowled slightly. “This sounds like it’s going to be tough… So the defense team will have anything they need at their disposal, while we’ll be limited.”
For example, Iska was a swordsman. While the Imperial forces primarily used guns, he specialized in close combat with blades. His skill set wouldn’t be useful for this training exercise. In fact, his swords would be far too conspicuous if he brought them along on their stealth mission.
“Commander, do you have any other information about the opposing side?”
“No. I asked about it, but all HQ said was that the defending team would have more people, and that they’d have standard Imperial-issued equipment… No different than usual.” Commander Mismis gave them all a strained smile.
They were completely cut off from any other intelligence, as though this were a real mission.
“We have three weeks. We’re supposed to come up with a plan and execute it in that time.”
“Three weeks? That’s absurd.” Jhin shook his head immediately. “Even the Nebulis intelligence unit hasn’t been able to penetrate Imperial security. We couldn’t do it in three weeks, even if we went with a reckless approach.”
“R-right, but…the training area is a prefab base they had to put together really quickly. And they also pulled together the defense team at the last minute.” Commander Mismis clenched her fists, as though trying to motivate herself. “It’ll be fine! This is the first time they’re trying this, too. The defense team probably has holes in their communication. If we exploit that, we’ll win this for sure!”
“Are you sure about that?”
Suddenly, the door flung open.
Someone had overridden the electronic lock.
“A hole in the defense team? Don’t think things will be that easy for you!”
They heard footsteps ring out through the room as a black-haired woman wearing glasses appeared in front of the unit. The woman, who was as small as Mismis, suddenly smiled.
“Hello, Mismis,” she said.
“Oh, it’s you, P. How have you been?”
“Who are you calling P?!”
Commander Pilie Commonsense.
She was a young member of the Imperial forces who had been promoted only a year ago. Her black hair and well-to-do appearance made her look like a quintessential member of the Imperial capital’s upper class. However…
“Her abilities are bottom-tier. Her grades are among the lowest of all the Imperial commanders. She’s got more ambition than anyone, and she puts up a good front. But as soon as you peer below the surface, she’s just—”
“Hey! Why are you going over my history?! And why are you doing it using an explanatory tone?!”
“She even looks childish, and her appearance is nothing to write home about. But our boss is the only person in the Imperial forces of similar height and academic standing to Commander Pilie, so she’s decided they’re rivals.”
“Stop it already!”
“I’m just stating the facts,” Jhin said brazenly when Commander Pilie pointed a finger at him. “I’m pretty sure that was all true.”
“Sh-shut up! My looks are a sore spot… At least call me cute instead of childish!” Strangely, Commander Pilie was willing to admit that Jhin’s assessment was the truth, though she still turned bright red.
“Ahem. Anyway, back to the topic at hand… I heard everything you said earlier, Mismis!”
“You mean what we were just discussing?”
“That’s right, I heard you talking about the training exercise. It seems like you’re hoping oversights will save your hide when you try to penetrate the base’s defense.” Her eyes glinted. She took a large step forward with her little legs. “But don’t count on it! Because, I, Commander Pilie, was selected as the general commander of the defense team!”
“…What did you just say?” Iska couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. “Is that true, Commander Pilie?”
“Heh-heh, I see you’re so alarmed that your jaws are hanging open!”
The commander was assured of her victory.
Meanwhile, Iska, Commander Mismis, Nene, and Jhin had formed a huddle.
“Wow, I can’t believe that happened. Commander, we’ve basically got a win in the bag now.”
“Right? I feel so relieved.”
“I’m kind of disappointed,” Nene said. “Forget looking for holes—there’s a huge one right there!”
“This is like a minigame,” Jhin said. “A little kid—no, a mutt—could break right through Commander Pilie’s defenses.”
“What are the four of you doing?!” Commander Pilie butted into their conversation. “I’m leading the defense team. You’re supposed to be despairing right now! Why do you all look relieved?!”
“Thank you, P…”
“You’re thanking me now?! Ugh! If you don’t get it even after I’ve spelled it out for you, you can see how terrifying it’ll be when we start!” the lead commander of the defense team declared as she gritted her teeth. “Compared to the thirty spies on your side, we’ve got three hundred people on the defense team. And we won’t let a single one of you rats get in!”
“Wow… So you’ve got three hundred people,” Mismis murmured. HQ had withheld that information.
Commander Pilie had divulged some critical information right from the start, but naturally, she hadn’t realized that.
“This is the end of the line for you, Mismis. We’ve been competing for a while now, but this is going to decide it all,” Commander Pilie coolly declared. “My defense will be impenetrable. See if you can break through it!”
“Cool.” Jhin nodded and confidently accepted the challenge. “Then we’ll start tomorrow.”
“What did you say?”
“The forces are huge, so they’ve gotta get lots of food deliveries. You should know that already. We’ll disguise ourselves as lunch delivery workers tomorrow and sneak in that way. Try to catch us if you can.”
“Sounds interesting to me!” Commander Pilie shouted with a competitive look in her eye. “I can only compliment you for the advance notice and your boldness in divulging your plans…but even if you have professional disguises, you’ll never be able to get past my discerning eyes!”
“Yeah, you better be ready for what we throw at you,” Jhin said.
“That’s exactly what I was hoping for. Well then, Mismis, I’m looking forward to our showdown!”
“Oh…wait, P!”
“Adieu!”
Mismis had no time to stop her. The black-haired commander left the conference room like a speeding arrow.
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