024. An Advice

"Get up, soldier!" a deep voice commanded.
Dmitry, still reeling from everything that had happened, looked up with a hopeless gaze. Standing next to him was a man in a black torn jacket, his disheveled brown hair partially obscuring a face hardened by countless battles. It was Andrei.
Without hesitation, Andrei grabbed the collar of Dmitry's jacket and hauled him to his feet. Seeing the young man's eyes still clouded with guilt, Andrei slapped him hard, the sharp sting cutting through Dmitry's daze. He then yanked Dmitry closer until their faces were mere inches apart, his voice a low, growling reminder of the reality they faced.
"One second of hesitation brings your comrade one step closer to death." Andrei's tone left no room for doubt. "So get yourself together and help the others take the wounded to the car!" Without waiting for a response, he shoved Dmitry away.
"Y-yes, Sir!" Dmitry stammered, snapping out of his daze as he immediately obeyed his mentor’s command.
As Dmitry and the other six members began evacuating the wounded, moving with hurried precision, Andrei turned his attention to his phone, his focus unshakable. He barely glanced at the two SUVs that arrived on the scene, escorting a small box truck. Eight men and four women, members of the OCK’s Recovery Unit, swiftly joined the evacuation effort, their movements seamless as they assessed the situation and assisted in transporting the injured.
While the others gathered the corpses of the nine headless beings, a woman from the Recovery Unit approached Andrei as he finished his phone call. Her expression was unreadable, her voice low as she asked, "Cleanse or stand?"
"Stand until this whole mess is finished," Andrei replied without hesitation. His gaze then shifted to the seven remaining members of the Field Operation Unit, his voice carrying the weight of command. "We’re going to circle this area. It seems what we were facing were just pawns."
"Da!" they replied in unison, their voices steely with resolve.
Andrei's eyes narrowed as he pointed at Dmitry, his tone firm. "You, stay close to me."
Dmitry nodded, falling into step beside his mentor, Andrei. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The night would soon be over, but the darkness wasn’t done with them yet. He understood the true enemy was still out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike again. And as Dmitry glanced around, he knew that the battle they had just fought was only the beginning.
As soon as the vehicles carrying the wounded members and the nine corpses departed, the remaining operatives gathered around Andrei. The modest light of dawn provided a somber backdrop as Andrei swiftly organized them into groups for a strategic meeting. His voice was calm but commanding, cutting through the early morning chill.
The priority was clear: protect the workers and civilians. The Recovery Unit was tasked with finding plausible explanations for the earlier gunfire and chaos. They also had to devise a suitable reason to close and barricade the mining and factory areas without causing widespread panic.
Meanwhile, the Field Operation Unit was to spread out and stand guard at key points designated by Andrei. Their mission was to prevent another wave of attacks. These beings weren’t mindless beasts; they were calculating, aware of their enemy’s capabilities. If nine of them had been sent to avenge the death of one, who knew how many would come to retaliate for the loss of nine?
"Do not engage first," Andrei reminded them firmly, his voice carrying a weight of authority that demanded attention. "And do not expect any reinforcements. Report to me immediately if anything happens."
"Da!" all the members affirmed in unison before swiftly dispersing, each moving with purpose to execute their tasks.
Left alone with Andrei in the now-quiet space, Dmitry felt the tension settling in his chest. He looked at his mentor, determination etched in his young face. "What can I do to help, Sir?"
Andrei turned to him, his expression unreadable but his tone decisive. "Show me how you drive. Take me to Drevnie Skazaniya in less than fifteen minutes."
Dmitry's heart skipped a beat at the command, but he quickly nodded, understanding the urgency. He knew the route well—every shortcut, every turn that could shave seconds off the clock. He didn’t need to ask why they were going; he could sense that something critical lay ahead. Without another word, Dmitry led the way to the nearest vehicle, his resolve hardening. This was his chance to prove himself once again.
"Who told you to come to Karabash?" Andrei's tone was casual, even though Dmitry was driving like a madman.
"Mr. Raskolnikov ordered me to meet you," Dmitry replied, his eyes fixed on the road. "He said you wanted me to finish my training directly in the field."
"Not by risking your neck in a fight on your first night," Andrei countered. "And I know Anna would never want to be slowed down by a new recruit. Who convinced that hot-headed girl to take you in?"
Dmitry was silent for a moment as he sharply turned the car at a ninety-degree angle at an intersection. "Mr. Wardhani ordered her, Sir," he finally admitted.
"That old wolf!" Andrei chuckled deeply. "He has a keen eye for potential. Testing newcomers in the crucible of real combat is a Division 96 tradition. Kusuma must have seen something in you, just as I do. Remember, potential is a seed—nurture it, and you might just grow into something remarkable."
"I'm nothing but a disappointment, Sir," Dmitry countered. "Because of me, Miss Morozova is on the verge of death."
"I witnessed what transpired," Andrei said, his tone now weighty with wisdom. "Let this be a lesson etched into your soul. In our line of duty, no matter how broken you become—physically or mentally—you must never falter. Our lives are mere vessels, insignificant compared to the greater purpose we serve. We are the shields of humanity, forged to endure and sacrifice. It is our destiny to bear the brunt, so that others may live peacefully."
Dmitry was stunned into silence. Andrei's words cut deep, like the sharp tip of a blade carving into his heart. Yet, ideology and principles couldn’t be anchored by mere advice. A seasoned veteran like Andrei knew that all too well.
"Anna and the others are being treated at Drevnie Skazaniya," the man said. "We are not alone in this struggle. You'll soon see that the OCK and other EPCU task forces are more than just organizations—we care for each other like one big family."