Chapter 21: An Administrator's Interest
In the shrouding darkness of the Dark Cataclysmic Era was a group of warriors known as Sentinels. The Sentinels walked through the desolated road of the devastated southern shelter with the red gaze of their crimson lenses flickering amongst the pitch-black.
They were escorting the Director and Administrator of Cerberus back to the FOB. For them, the warriors of Cerberus, such a task was the highest of all honors. The Sentinels cautiously examined their surroundings while the ones they escorted silently traversed at the center of the defensive formation.
The Administrator, or by her newly given name, Aurora, observed the dark world before her golden irises. After being briefed by her Director, she had already expected such a terror-stricken scene of darkness. But seeing it for herself didn't deny its horror and magnificence.
Such a formerly beautiful world without light and warmth was but a never-ending nightmare of humanity.
Though, she didn't despair of the grave circumstances that encompassed them. Her Director has already given his words for a future in this world. And as the Administrator, his words were written deeply in her heart. If the Director doesn't give up in this world, so will they, the Cerberus.
"Director, may I know the situation of the Cerberus? I'm quite curious about our condition." Aurora calmly questioned with her soothing voice, echoing in the darkness surrounding them. Duke stopped moving and glanced at her while thinking for a moment.
Several seconds later, the edges of his lips rose as he casually answered. "The headquarters of Cerberus has been constructed. At the moment, we are currently in a military operation. It's an operation requiring all of our military power to act."
"An operation... Is it about the present invasion?" Aurora conjectured while placing her soft and pale fingers beneath her chin. Duke gazes at her with his sapphire-like eyes and softly nodded.
"It is a crusade of some sort, Aurora. The operation won't last long. I am planning to conquer infested locations for the future expansion of Cerberus. And, of course, I also want the Sentinels to become adapted to the Dark Cataclysmic Era."
"After all, I don't desire my warriors to stay holed up in the headquarters and continue being inexperienced. That would be disappointing, don't you think?" Duke's response was uttered with a smile on his face. What he said held some of the truth.
The main reason was obviously the mission given by the Protocol. The rewards gained from it weren't to be underestimated. The advancement brought upon by the Protocol's mission upgraded the Cerberus military leaped and bounds.
"I see... That would indeed be disappointing, Director. Inexperienced guards are disasters no matter how high their potential may be." Aurora squinted her eyes and gave the Sentinels a scrutinizing gaze before continuing. "But I'm sure they also wish to grow, my Director."
"The Sentinels hate the inability to protect the Cerberus more than anything else. Becoming useless is their bane, and they'd rather die than not be beneficial to you."
"I already noticed that. My Sentinels are strong and loyal warriors. But while their mindset of sacrifice is noble, too much of it isn't beneficial to the Cerberus. It would greatly harm logistics and would be too expensive to maintain." Duke shook his head since their mindset was still a problem.
To have a functional sentinel, he would have to buy a unit. Afterward, he needed to equip it with armament, ammunition, and equipment. A squad of Sentinels already cost him over a hundred source points. If these guys charge to battle without caring for their lives.
He would have to buy replacements every now and then.
"You understand my pain, Director. While any other army would love the Sentinels, the Cerberus has excellent control over its logistics. No one and nothing will be undersupplied or oversupplied in the Cerberus military. But if members kept fluctuating because of casualties..."
"I don't even want to think about it." Aurora sighed since dealing with logistics was always a nightmare, no matter who it was. Not even the skilled hero unit of governing and logistical agency was spared from its horrors.
"There's no need to worry, Aurora. I can try influencing their mindsets while I'm with them." Duke expressed while giving the Administrator a thumbs up. He didn't want his cheat to be alarmed by the office job he had to do. After all, who would replace him to handle all of it.
"Thank you for your warm words, Director. I appreciate it."
"Though, there's no need for my Director to say such words for me. I'll handle the office work even if you don't want me to." Aurora quietly whispered beside Duke's ears with her soothing tone.
"Then, I'll look forward to it," Duke replied with a wry yet relieved smile.
On the other hand, the Sentinels escorting the two could clearly hear their discussion. Even though the Director and Administrator weren't particularly praising them. The fact that the two talked about the Sentinels already brought them satisfaction.
They guarded the two with utmost determination, rivaling that of zealots. Duke and Aurora could only observe and shake their heads while smiling. The loyalty of the Sentinels was a bit tiresome but soothing nonetheless. Aurora finally understood why the Director looked at them highly.
Such loyal subordinates of Cerberus were treasures that must never be abused. The mentality of the Director was already rubbing off on Aurora.
'Never did I think that I, the Administrator, would care for the lower echelons. But I guess this is the views of the Director slowly influencing me. And it isn't that bad. In this kind of world, loyalty is a luxury.' Aurora quietly thought to herself and stopped appraising the Sentinels.
The escort group soon arrived at the FOB inside the southern shelter's entrance. Aurora noticed two Vanguards guarding the FOB along with a couple of Sentinels. Amongst them was a leading Sentinel who appeared to be the platoon leader.
Noticing their arrival, Aleph stepped forward and bowed at the respective higher echelon, the Administrator. Afterward, he kneeled before the Director and imparted the reports given to him by his subordinates.
"Director, we have secured the entirety of the southern shelter. Following the walls of the fallen settlement, we have discovered a couple of breaches. For now, some Sentinels are working to secure them temporarily."
"We have also discovered the defensive fortification plan of the southern shelter. It was trapped under the rubble near a small watchtower. According to it, the wall of vehicles was a temporary fortification. It appears that they lacked materials to build more walls."
"Their economy couldn't handle more fortification. They needed to send their focus and budget to something else. Otherwise, the settlement would collapse under its own weight. One can consider the vehicle wall as an insurance of safety."
"Anyhow, the southern shelter has been entirely cleansed of any aberrants. The Cerberus has now conquered the settlement."
The report of Aleph was simple. It was primarily about the existence of the vehicle wall. The information was surprisingly handy. From it, the former situation of the southern shelter could be deducted with ease.
"Economic problems, huh... The southern shelter isn't that far in the wilderness. Supply runs shouldn't be a problem for them, so how could there be economic problems. Did the southern shelter take in too many people? That would make sense." Duke kept mumbling to himself.
But as he mumbled for a while, he noticed the enlightened expression on Aurora's face. He raised an eyebrow and decided to pass the baton to Aurora.
"Aurora, do you have something in mind?"
"If I may speak, Director. From the general overview of the southern shelter, this place might be a former military outpost." Aurora remarked while Duke found himself confused. He started looking around the surroundings and scrutinizingly investigated every part of it.
Though, he didn't see any signs of the military.
"As I said, the southern shelter should be a military outpost during the early days of the Dark Cataclysmic Era. It must have been where refugees evacuated under the guidance of the military. But since there are no military traces left, it can be concluded that they left after a while."
"When the military left, some may have left behind and stayed in the settlement. However, it should be problematic to handle large amounts of refugees without the help of the military. And perhaps... Along with the interior issues, there should be an exterior threat."
"Though, my words are merely conjectures of my observation. It might not be true, and the truth might be something else entirely." Aurora asserted that her thoughts about the matter might not be reliable. Since it was more of a half-ass theory.
"Your explanation does make sense. The aberrant population of the southern shelter is too much, especially compared to its size. It makes sense if the settlement was a refugee camp. The spike in population will be somewhat sensible. " Duke somewhat agreed with Aurora's conjecture.
The irregular population of the southern shelter becomes sensible when considered a refugee camp.
"New comrades have also appeared out of nowhere, Director. They are pilots who emerged along with the Vulture Gunship. At first, we were surprised by their appearance. But after noticing the gunship, we understood that the Director has summoned more reinforcements for the Cerberus."
Aleph exclaimed and swiftly pointed in the direction outside of the southern shelter's entrance. Hearing the existence of the Vulture Gunship, Duke's eyes widened, and immediately headed towards the direction of the gunship.
Meanwhile, Aurora was merely amused and began acting on her duty as an Administrator. After the Director left, she started ordering the Sentinels around her as if it were natural. She entered the main tent, where dozens of information-related materials were gathered, and began investigating it.
Outside the southern shelter's entrance were two Vanguards guarding it with a large conspicuous jet-black aircraft beside them. The large tiltrotor aircraft resembled a menacing flying beast, especially with the armaments it held under its wings.
This was the Vulture Gunship.
Alongside the gunship were two personnel wearing cerberus aviation uniforms. They wore a pair of transparent goggles and breathed on a coal-black gas mask. Like the Sentinels, the two pilots were incredibly intimidating.
Though, menacing looks were the usual aesthetic of Cerberus.
Duke was already used to it.
Upon seeing their Director, the pilots straightened their backs and saluted. Each subordinate acted differently, but from what he had noticed. Most would desire to kneel but didn't wish to waste the time of their Director. It was a strange performance, but it must be due to Cerberus's weird etiquette.
"Director, we have been called upon to serve you with utmost grace and dedication. We are the aviation pilots of Cerberus. We can fly and conquer the skies with any aircraft the Director gives us. Perhaps we can try attacking our enemies on foot if the Director wishes it to be done."
One of the saluting pilots introduced themselves. The aviation pilots should be a new unit he hadn't unlocked yet. They must have been a part of the Vulture Gunship since it needed pilots to operate. Otherwise, it would be problematic. After all, no Sentinels could pilot an aircraft.
"I expect great things from the two of you. Why don't you head to the main tent? Aurora will fill you up with our circumstances." Duke nodded in satisfaction and pointed in the main tent's direction. While he'd like to explain it himsel- No... He'd wish to not explain it himself.
""Understood, Director."" Not wanting to waste the time of their Director, the aviation pilots bowed and walked towards the main tent in the southern shelter's entrance.
Duke was left behind with the gorgeous metallic black beast of an aircraft. Such beauty bewitched him like nothing else. He never saw an aircraft so graceful and slick. Its body was sharp yet thick. Such beauty...
Before he could continue with his dangerous thoughts, a notification window materialized. Inside it was the information of the Vulture Gunship. Duke raised an eyebrow and started calmly reading it with his sapphire-like eyes.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Savant_Paragon
Savant_Paragon Wonder what it looks like?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone