The lights on the ceiling buzzed.
Faint light lit the simple room.
On the bed, the commander leaned on the backrest.
His brows furrowed, expression stoic, but his arms trembled as he held a document. Trembled excitedly.
He had woken up not long ago.
Creeeak!
The door screamed.
Vivian walked in.
"Commander,"
Her face lit up.
"I'm glad you are alright,"
She breathed a sigh of relief.
The commander's heart softened, and his brows relaxed, but he didn't show more affection or emotion.
He wasted three days sleeping.
Each hour, each minute spent sleeping is a minute less working towards the base's advancement. Each moment spent sleeping is a moment less he could've spent on securing their future.
Luckily, he had Vivian. She shouldered his worries.
But his heart ached when he looked at her beautiful face.
Her short red hair was disheveled, and her eyes heavy with massive dark bags. Exhaustion painted on her face.
A frown appeared on the commander's face.
"Vivian, summon the council."
The commander threw the documents on the bed.
Vivian glanced at them.
The documents contained a report of all the events that took place since he fell asleep.
"Marek,"
She called softly.
"Why don't you rest a bit?"
Her voice carried nothing but concern and affection.
The commander's face softened again.
"I wish..."
Words escaped his lips as he leaned his head on the backrest, staring at the ceiling.
"I truly wish..."
His words tore the air, carrying a unique heaviness—the heaviness of responsibility, duty.
"I wish everything were just a dream."
His pupils trembled. Memories flashed in his mind. Memories of the bustling city before. The leisure work he had as the commander in the peaceful world.
"How did things end up like this?"
Vivian frowned.
A realization befell her.
'He is using work to cope with everything. To distract himself.'
She analyzed seriously.
"Marek, get a hold of yourself," She warned sternly. "You are falling into despair,"
Swoosh!
The commander's half-closed eyes snapped open.
'Indeed,' A realization dawned in his mind. 'I started despairing unconsciously,'
A newfound determination flashed in his eyes.
"I'm sorry for allowing you to witness such a side of myself."
But Vivian shook her head.
"I'm glad,"
Vivian smiled; her heart jumped in joy.
She was glad he showed this side only to her.
"Summon the council,"
The commander repeated once again. He restrained his emotions and returned to his usual self.
"Yes,"
Vivian obeyed.
"Commander, Scientist Alpha wanted to meet you when he delivered the report."
The commander nodded.
"Then summon him here."
Vivian nodded and left the room.
A sight escaped the commander's lips.
"I'm doing everything I can, yet..."
He clenched his chest.
His heart felt heavy.
"What is this feeling?"
He couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt as if it was not enough. As if he were falling behind. As if an unknown danger approached. The future was uncertain.
But he could only face things as they came.
.
.
.
Knock! Knock!
A few minutes later, a knock rang on the door.
"Enter,"
The commander permitted.
Scientist Alpha walked in.
"Commander,"
He saluted respectfully.
"Scientist Alpha,"
The commander locked eyes with him.
"My name is Elias, sir. Please call me Elias."
The scientist demanded
The commander nodded.
"What brings you here, Elias?"
"Commander, I want to report the progress."
The commander glanced at the documents.
"I'm here to report something I have not included in the report."
Elias added before the commander could even say anything.
The commander only nodded. "I'm listening,"
"The plans with subject Beta are progressing well. Two days ago, we took him out of the tube, and since then, I have personally been with him."
"So you personally brainwashed him?"
The commander spoke bluntly. Clearly, he didn't like manipulating an innocent child. Especially after everything he has gone through, but he had no other choice.
The existence of those test subjects threatened the base. He had to.
"Cough." Elias lowered his eyes. "I wouldn't say it like that, but...yes."
"How is it?"
A smile flashed on Elias' face.
"We successfully manipulated him. He harbors hate for test subject Alpha. As time goes on, the hatred would only grow."
The commander's forehead wrinkled.
"I see."
He didn't like it at all.
"Take him around later. Let him get familiar with his surroundings. Don't make it seem as if we are restricting his freedom."
Elias nodded.
"Also, continue researching the awakened and ways to strengthen ourselves. That is our priority now."
Elias nodded again.
"Yes, I intend to do so,
The commander waved his hand dismissively.
"You can leave now."
Elias left the room.
The commander's fists tightened, but ultimately, relaxed.
Only a heavy, helpless sigh escaped his lips.
Slowly, he stood up from the bed and with the report in his hands, he walked out of the room, towards the council room.
.
.
.
In the council room.
The weak lights lit the room.
The cold, stone table was clear, with no documents this time.
Everyone had already gathered, except the commander.
Creeak!
The door opened.
The commander walked in.
"Commander!"
The council members stood up and saluted.
The commander walked to his seat and sat.
"Everyone, sit down."
The council members respectfully sat down.
"Commander, are you alright?"
Marcus asked in concern.
But the commander only raised his arm and shook his head.
"Marcus, it's not the time to ask about my health, nor is it important."
He dismissed the question entirely.
Swoosh!
The commander tossed the report on the table.
"Let's start the meeting."
The commander leaned forward, crossing his fingers.
"First, I want to introduce some changes to the council."
The eyes of everyone widened.
They glanced at each other, confused.
"As you know, before, we decided to let everyone earn their stay."
The commander started.
"Thus, we have been sending awakened civilians outside with the soldiers."
The council members nodded.
The commander's face grew darker.
"Now, it's time for you, the council members, to earn your stay."
The confusion deepened.
"What I'm about to say is not up for debate or vote. I'm neither seeking your opinion nor anything; I'm informing you of your duties."
The commander's voice weighed on the room, his tone commanding.
The atmosphere in the room shifted. It grew serious, heavy.
The council members straightened their backs.
"Vivian and I have borne most of the responsibilities of the shelter," the commander said, glancing at Vivian's exhausted face. "It's time for you to help and earn your place on the council."
So far, the council members sat comfortably in their council seats , leaving everything to Vivian and the commander while they basked in the glory. But in reality, they contributed nothing.
Vivian's eyes widened in shock.
Even she hadn't been informed of those changes.
She tugged on the commander's clothes underneath the table. She understood where he led the meeting, but he didn't respond.
"Marcus,"
The commander turned to Marcus.
"Yes, sir!"
Marcus locked eyes with the commander.
"We'll form a special training facility. You'll be responsible for training the civilians and exploring their abilities."
"YES, SIR!"
He accepted wholeheartedly.
Helping the commander and easing his burden was his wish. He grew frustrated with watching the commander overexert himself. But now, he finally got the chance to help him.
"Vivian will later guide you through the battle formations and what you need to keep an eye on."
"Yes, sir,"
The commander shifted his gaze to the elderly man next to Marcus.
"Sareth,"
The elderly man's eyes shone in excitement.
This was what he waited for. Responsibilities. And as long as he had responsibilities, he wouldn't be just a figure in the council, as long as he shouldered problems, the commander would have to account for his voice.
He would have real power. The commander wouldn't be able to control the entire council on his own. They would have to ask his opinion.
"You'll be responsible for controlling the people, the civilians."
Sareth's eyes widened. His heart tightened. A shiver crawled down his spine, and a thought flashed in his mind.
'He knows,'
But the commander paid no mind to his reaction and continued.
"You are responsible for calming them and preventing a revolt. You must inquire about their needs and opinions. In other words, you will be the spokesperson of the civilians on the council. Am I clear?"
Sareth lowered his head.
"Yes, sir,"
The commander's gaze swept past the governor.
Everyone knew his position and role. Nothing.
The only reason he was on the council was his past glory. His past identity as the city governor.
A frown appeared on the governor's face. He felt insulted, but it worked in his favor. He didn't want to be troubled with responsibilities anyway.
Finally, the commander's eyes landed on the charming woman. She wore a purple dress decorated with white flowers. A violet smoking pipe played in her fingers. But it was not lit. She showed respect to the council.
"Leila,"
The commander called her name.
She gazed at him. A gaze alluring enough to boil the blood of any man.
But the commander remained stone cold. Red flashed in his eyes.
"Leila, you'll help with the medical ward. Help expand it and oversee the use of healing abilities. You'll also be responsible for checking the supplies and managing the ward."
"As you command, commander,"
Leila agreed confidently, her ocean blue eyes pulsating with intelligence and mystery.
"Next, let's commence a vote."
Another shock to the council members.
They all leaned forward, except the governor.
He seemed slightly disinterested, still insulted. Yes, he didn't want responsibilities, but the commander could've done it in a less insulting way.
The commander paid no mind to him. His gaze landed on the person behind him. Lucian.
"Let's vote for Lucian joining the council,"