Alarcón waited for the continuation.
"However, the situation with the troops… is not looking good."
Acuña handed him a battle report that had just been received.
"The Mexican vanguard has already reached a point fifty kilometers from Quito. Three brigades, twenty thousand men, three hundred armored vehicles. Our troops… have dispersed."
Alarcón looked at the battle report, his hand started to tremble again.
"Dispersed?"
"The First Division has withdrawn eighty kilometers, now out of contact. The Second Division surrendered, the commander was captured. The Third Division is still fighting, but the ammunition will only last for two days. The Fourth Division…" Acuña paused, "the commander of the Fourth Division just called me, said he needs to 'reconsider his stance'."
Alarcón looked up.
"What does that mean?"
"It means he might defect."
The office was silent for a few seconds.
Alarcón put down the battle report.
"What about Sinopiquiar? How is Guayaquil?"
