13. What Do I Mean?

The next day, according to schedule, they met again to determine when Victoria and Sean could leave.

"From here to Lophi it takes quite a long time, about two to three hours. If there are no obstacles."

Victoria and Sean's attention was focused on the map shown by Commander Hendy. From where they were now to their destination, it took quite a long time.

"You have to pass this border, near there is a forest, and not far from there you can find a small settlement, then in that area, the plane is. To the south of the plane, there is a large river. That's where our three soldiers are hiding, across the large river," Hendry continued while pointing and marking the map that would be Victoria's task.

"Okay. We understand. Is there a detour to get past where the creatures gather and get to the other side of the river? Our priority is to make sure the three soldiers are okay," said Victoria.

"Yes, there is. After passing this border, you take the right path, and from there continue straight, but you have to be more careful because there are more creatures guarding this area. As for the left, the path is winding and turns to get to where our friends are. So the right direction can reach it in a short time, but it is full of risks," Hendry continued.

"Whether to the right or the left, both are equally risky," Victoria grumbled.

"That's it. So, are you still going or not?" asked Hendry, hoping that the girl would cancel her intention to go.

Victoria herself was silent staring at the map for a while.

"I'm still going," the girl answered firmly.

Hendry sighed, there was no point in persuading the girl.

"Okay. This is the map that we have marked. This is a long-distance communication device, so keep communicating through this device. And this is a small camera for spying. You just bring your cell phone to monitor. But because the electricity there is out, so use this. A multi-purpose watch, you can also check the surrounding conditions through this digital watch," Hendry continued explaining the device that Victoria would bring later.

Victoria and Sean tried the camera and watch, checking whether they were still in good condition. The watch was waterproof, so it was safe for any situation, unless it was damaged by gunfire, or hard impact, the screen was cracked and so on, then it could not be used.

"This too, this is the weapon that you will use for close and long range," said Hendry while showing the gun and its bullets.

The weapons were of various sizes, there were small, medium, and also long ones.

"These bullets are filled with liquid. The central laboratory has sent a report that the copper liquid can kill the big ones, that's all for now. At the point that I circled in blue on the map, that is the area where the medium to large creatures are. According to the assumption, the biggest one is guarding near their plane," Hendry explained again.

Victoria focused on listening, and Sean also listened but was busy checking all the preparations on the table. First, they had to prepare combat and communication equipment. Second, the vehicle that had to be brought was an armoured, specially-made car. Third, food, and other survival equipment. All preparations were complete.

“We have prepared as many logistics as possible so that you can survive longer. However, it all depends on the situation. So, take good care of yourselves,” said another commander who was present at the meeting.

“We will try our best,” added Sean.

“Yes. Come back safely, and bring our three comrades there,” added the commander again.

Sean, who was the leader, nodded his head. However, Victoria could not do it alone. With Sean’s experience, he would be the rescue commander.

They both shook hands with the commander wearing the two-star uniform. The superiors in the camp began to stand up to say goodbye to Sean and Victoria after the preparatory meeting.

“Anyway, come back safely. It doesn’t matter if your mission is not completed, just come back. Do you understand?” The female officer named Margareth stared sharply at the two of them.

“Yes, Ready! We will come back safely, Ma’am,” replied Victoria jokingly.

Margareth rebuked the girl’s joke.

“I’m serious, Victoria. If you weren’t here, who would invite me to eat delicious food in that boring head office?” the woman replied jokingly and they laughed.

After that, they hugged.

Everyone shook hands to see Victoria and Sean off. They chose to speed up their departure because the situation out there could change at any time, so they didn’t want to delay it any longer.

“We’ve prepared everything, including medicines, medical equipment, and everything else, and anything you need too, Vic,” Bella said as they faced each other.

“Thank you, Bella. I’m counting on you here,” Victoria replied.

Bella took a breath.

“Whatever you two will face out there, I really hope you can come back in better condition,” the girl said while looking at Victoria deeply.

“We’ll try. Pray for us, Bella,” Victoria said.

Bella nodded her head and the two girls hugged each other.

It was Bella’s turn to say goodbye to Sean, they stared at each other for quite a while and Victoria saw it. Not wanting to disturb, the girl left, pretending to take something.

“I know you two can’t get along for long, but I beg you to take care of each other and come back safely,” Bella said to Sean.

“We will try,” Sean replied shortly.

“Please take care of Victoria. We may have had a good relationship in the past, but I hope that doesn’t become a barrier for us to stay close. I like Victoria, and I always want to be with her. However, I know you like her too. I’m sure you’ll take good care of her, right, Sean?” Bella’s gaze fell on Sean with hope.

“I understand what you’re saying. You don’t need to worry, I’ll take good care of her,” Sean replied.

Bella nodded her head again, and they shook hands.

“Victoria is my best friend, so don’t hurt her. If you hurt her, I won’t hesitate to beat you up,” Bella said before they parted ways.

Sean laughed.

“I’m sure her punches are deadlier than yours, Bel,” Sean said, and they both laughed.

Sean approached Victoria after talking to Bella. Everyone was waiting for them. They would leave in ten minutes.

While putting on the equipment that had been prepared, the two of them had time to chat. Sean helped put on the bulletproof vest on Victoria who was having a little trouble, and realized that the girl looked a little upset.

“We’ll have time to talk on the way. I’ll tell you something later,” Sean said.

“No need, what do I need to hear?” Victoria replied shortly.

“There are many things, and one of them is what you mean,” Sean said again.

“What do I mean?” Victoria replied while busy checking her weapon.

“Yes,” Sean replied shortly.

Victoria snorted and finally didn’t care.

The two of them prepared to leave the room in full uniform and weapons. They both looked at each other with determination, then nodded ready to carry out the mission.