“Ugh. I don’t feel like working at all…”
“If we push ourselves to get the work done this time, won’t we be able to add more staff to the office?”
“That’s true! But I’ve been so tired for the past few days…”
“Let’s focus on the meeting first.”
Well, that was true.
We were already preparing for a new operation.
Whether it was a blessing or not, this operation had a similar environment to one we’d conducted before.
“Since this operation will be in the mountains again, do we really need to hoard supplies like last time?”
“Yes, it can’t be helped. There are more trees now, so we can’t resupply easily from the air.”
“That… hmm…”
Midori, who was in charge of supplies, responded tiredly again today.
In fact, this time we really had to pay more attention to supplies, so we had no choice.
It was tough when contamination happened, but once the core was destroyed, the trees could recover.
We had no reason to destroy the mountains unnecessarily.
Last time, there were a lot of weeds, but they weren’t particularly useful, so it was possible.
“Besides, we can’t just burn down the mountains… so we definitely need to stock up on more supplies than before.”
“I get it…”
“Dolores, how is the training for the 2nd squad members going?”
“So far, so good. With Dirtstone leading, they are firmly holding down the enemies and advancing skillfully…”
It seemed that, while the number of bugs was lower than before, the beasts living in the mountains were contaminated, so they would attack with even heavier force.
We had no choice but to train accordingly.
Using Agni wouldn’t work either since it was in the forest, and we couldn’t burn things down like before.
“If we proceed like this… I think it will be fine. What do you think, Commander?”
“Since you’re handling everything, I think I’ve got nothing to do.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
What kind of nonsense was he talking about?
Maybe it was because he had been working so much lately; he seemed a bit off.
“I’m just saying it seems like this is enough. If anyone’s vice commander is so good at their job, then I wouldn’t have anything to do.”
“….”
Well, that’s true.
It did seem like I was performing too well.
Even I thought I was doing better than expected.
As a commander, he couldn’t help but think that way.
“Anyway, if we keep this up, I think this operation will be a smooth success. Dolores, please check on the squad members’ condition, and Midori, make sure the supplies are ready. Then we can wrap up today’s meeting…”
“I think we can finish it here.”
“Sounds good.”
This meeting ended surprisingly well.
After all, we still had a little time left for the operation.
Besides, we had to prepare the agents, and the equipment they ordered before was soon to arrive.
It was better to take it slow.
“Commander?”
“What is it?”
“Remember, you need to meet the 2nd squad members in two hours?”
“Weren’t you the one who reminded me this morning?”
“If you remember, that’s enough.”
I was worried he might forget, so I asked.
We had a lot to do today, and there was still plenty of time left.
“Don’t we also have a call with the boss after the meeting?”
“Yes, I’m glad you’re aware.”
“Man… there’s a lot of work today, this is exhausting.”
“That’s bound to happen. But since I’m helping you well, don’t complain too much.”
“I know.”
Just knowing that was enough.
Today wasn’t just a day of sitting in the office, after all.
Of course, even if he forgot, I would let him know, which would also be enough.
“Man… if you weren’t here, I think I would’ve been really stressed with all this work.”
“…If you think so, that’s a relief.”
It wasn’t really an impressive thing to hear, but if the superior praised me, I had to take it well.
Besides, if I answered vaguely here, he could get upset and make things harder for me.
It wasn’t anything too great, but I made sure to smile a bit while responding.
While the other two stepped out of the office for a break, the conversation between the commander and me was… well, ordinary.
Just plain ordinary.
“Commander? Would you like some more coffee?”
“Hmm… if you’re having it, can you make me just one more cup?”
“Of course.”
There was really no need to ask like that.
If he simply asked, I would’ve made it right away.
“Is four spoonfuls of sugar enough?”
“I’m glad you know. Dolores makes good coffee, but it’s a bit bitter.”
“…Since I’ve made it so many times for you, of course I know better.”
“True, you have made me a lot of coffee.”
Why was he saying such obvious things? I couldn’t help but think the commander was a bit strange.
Dolores was a maid, but she didn’t know all his preferences.
She had said she liked sweet coffee, but didn’t know how much sugar to use.
The commander didn’t care much either; he just drank it casually.
Naturally, since I watched his expression while he drank, I knew best.
*
“Ah!”
“Seriously… where is Trion getting all this alcohol from…?”
“Alcohol can be found anywhere!”
“Ugh…”
“That person… keeps bringing alcohol while training!!!”
“Tomorrow it’s beer… no… wine…”
Well, what a cozy environment.
Yeah, it was cozy, and because we were training well, we could overlook this situation.
I had known Trion drank often anyway.
I wasn’t upset that Trion brought alcohol during training.
“What do you think we should do about this?”
– We shouldn’t hurt the forest.
“Right, other than that… what other points do you think we should focus on? We’re fighting in the mountains, so it’s obvious there will be damage around, but we won’t purposely destroy the trees, so let’s leave that aside.”
– We need to carefully search both above and below.
“Above and below?”
– The mountain. The living creatures. There are many. So we have to be careful.
I could roughly understand what Dirtstone meant while eavesdropping on his conversation with the commander.
Dirtstone had always been attentive to nature, and since this operation was in the forest, it made sense.
By now, I was no longer surprised by such things.
I was starting to know the unknown agents, one by one.
“Then… increasing the radar usage might be one method.”
– Yes, that sounds good.
“Hmm… then I think the usual radar should scan from above as usual, and we should use Bronnie’s radar.”
“Me~?”
“Yes, you.”
The 2nd Squad definitely excelled in strategy, even if they weren’t particularly combative.
They had scouting skills, counter abilities, and even sturdy tanks.
While Gumi was also a good tank, Dirtstone was just exceptional at holding the line.
“Beneath it is honestly hard to calculate, but detecting things flying above would be easier with drones, right?”
“That’s true, but personally, I don’t want to use it as a scouting tool…”
“Oh dear.”
“I get it…”
Bronnie grumbled but accepted it purely because it was the commander’s words.
Despite being a bit younger agent, it seemed looks really mattered the most.
If the commander were ugly… Bronnie wouldn’t have accepted it so easily.
Of course, it was still a rational comment from him.
“Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal next time. I don’t know what today’s kids like, though.”
“I, um, I’m not a kid…”
“Is that so? Well then, how about you choose the menu next time? That’ll be best for you.”
“Okay…”
Man… life is lived so easily.
That’s all I could think.
Even though Bronnie wasn’t technically an adult, it was amusing how easily he approached things.
There was likely nothing wrong with me feeling a bit uncomfortable about it.
Probably.
Anyway, we resolved Dirtstone’s advice through radar and drones.
The only thing left was the day of the operation.
“Commander? It’s time for your call with the boss.”
“Already time for that, huh?”
“…Yes.”
I decided to get the commander outside.
Since I’d had a good chat with the 2nd squad members, there was no need to stay here any longer.
“Isn’t there still a bit of time left?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“…?”
The commander looked puzzled, but my action made sense.
The phone call with the boss was indeed happening soon, and it was a fact that the commander was stuck with the 2nd squad members.
“If we stay here any longer, we might have to hurry and move when the call comes in, right?”
“Oh…”
“Plus, the call isn’t just a regular one; it’s a video call from the command room.”
“Right… you mentioned it should show our faces today.”
I actually thought this through.
If we stayed in the room with the 2nd squad members, it would be inconvenient in various ways.
So I had intentionally pulled him out.
Anyway, we walked slowly down the corridor to the command room.
It’d be fine to do a video call on our phones, but if we wanted to show operational materials while on the call, the command room was the best place.
“…Commander.”
After finishing our move and entering the office, I glanced at the commander and noticed something was off.
There wasn’t a major issue, but still.
“Please come here for a moment.”
“?”
“Your tie is off-center.”
I reached toward the commander’s neck, and started fixing his tie.
Since it was a video call, he shouldn’t be on screen without having his tie properly done, as that would just be uncomfortable.
It was purely because it was visually unpleasing to me.
I just didn’t want the commander, as the ship’s captain, to look off-putting.
“Thanks. You’re the only one I can count on.”
“…….”
What on earth was he saying?
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