Date: 28 April of the Third Centum
Location: Sanctum Tower, General Administrative District
Subject: Hijacking of the Sanctum Tower
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Inside the Sanctum Tower's control room, files were scattered across the floor, and the steel door was wide open by sheer force. Light flickered occasionally from the ceiling as one after another stopped shining.
"…you know they're coming."
"We can hold them off."
Below them, chaos reigns as henchmen of Discord terrorized the area—plunging the political district into anarchy. The Peacekeeping Bureau gave their all in an attempt to contain the growing restlessness, however futile it was.
"My Lord, they have the military means in their arsenal, and the Seat of Eternal Consciousness is on her way. Only a fool will fight their army in an open field. How do you propose to stop them?"
"Send a raven to the Overlord. We will march this through. All, in the name of Discord."
...
"Copy 247, roger, descend and maintain 5000. Descend and maintain 5000 at 7 o'clock."
From a distance, the sound of multiple utility helicopters filled the air with the label 'C.U.C.' painted on the sliding door of the giant metal. And from the ground, armored vehicles ranging from vans, cars, and a singular leading Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) speed through the scorched road of the once orderly city.
[CONVOY NET — ACTIVE]
"Bravo-4, maintain interval. Approaching intersection Red-One in 5 minutes."
*Statics* "Copy. Holding fifty meters. The rear sector is clear."
"Thermal contact, second-floor east building. Possible observer."
"Visual. No weapon confirmed."
Suddenly, rounds of bullets hit against the passing armored vehicles from unknown directions.
"Contact front. Small arms, north alley. Continue movement."
"Continuing."
Yet the attack doesn't stop at mere indiscriminate fire. An explosive projectile was suddenly fired towards the APC, exploding upon contact.
*Radio destabilizing* "RPG impact, front glacis. No penetration. Gunner engaging."
The autocannon of the APC burst in response to the attack, firing at the enemies in sight. Some fled, others hid.
"Bravo-4. Enemy firing point suppressed."
"Convoy push through. Do not stop at the intersection."
*Statics* "Copy. Crossing now."
[EXTERNAL INTERMISSION IN PROGRESS]
The notification suddenly intercepted the convoy's private net, and the APC commander accepted the signal request as it reached the communication panel.
"Alpha-1, identify yourself."
The voice on the other side came out as mere statistics, and nothing could be made out of it, not even Morse code.
After a few moments, the connection finally re-stabilized, and the voice from the other party is finally audible.
"Coming in, Alpha-1. This is Director Anaelle; I'm inside an armored vehicle heading towards your point. Three souls on board."
The commander looked around at his crew inside the APC before returning his focus to the communication panel with uneasiness.
"Director, do you have orders?"
"Indeed. At the intersection, divide into two groups and drive towards the mission point. The APC will lead the first group into the red zone; I will merge with you. The second group will proceed through the yellow zone into the command point. Do you copy?"
For a while, the APC commander considers Anaelle's proposal—factoring the sudden change of tactics before nodding affirmatively in response.
"Directive received, we will diverge at the intersection."
The communication ended shortly after as the commander peeked through the slender windshield of the armored vehicle, looking out at the burning roadside with an unchanging expression. Thus, the convoy continued ahead, marching into the enemy's territory.
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My heart hasn't stopped hammering since we left the highway.
Approximately 50 seconds before the convoy reached the intersection, Anaelle's car was speeding through the Peacekeeping Bureau's barricades; we left the highway in haste and drove straight into the conflict.
"I can see them; they're nearing the intersection." Do not stop; it'll damage the car more than it should if you do."
Anh nodded, pressing on the gas pedal as the car navigated through the debris and properties set on fire by the Discord Makers.
Meanwhile, I was busy shivering in the back seat as my fingers fidgeted nervously. This is an actual live battlefield… and I'm being sent into a peacekeeping mission. Do I look like a soldier? I could barely lift my own body weight!
As soon as we reached the meeting point, the APC didn't stop for the merging process. Instead, they kept on driving through the 'red zone' while a few other armored vans turned left into the 'yellow zone.'
Without wasting a single moment, Anh steered the steering wheel sharply and merged with the main convoy. By the time the divergence was made, we were already escorted by the C.U.C. armored cars into the core layer of the territorial dispute.
The main convoy proceeded through the abandoned street, searching for any sign of civilians trapped in the unrest of the event. Still, the firing hasn't stopped completely, but it was somewhat less than before.
I tried to stay calm, but my heart was pounding faster by the second. Every bullet means a certain death, and I couldn't risk being hit by a single one. I gripped the hem of my jacket—trying to pull myself together.
"Hm… strange, the further we go, the weaker the assault." Anh's voice cuts through the constant firing noises.
Suddenly, the communication connected once more.
"Director, we have identified an emergency barricade ahead, approximately 500 meters from our position. It seems to be the trapped officers. Your call, director."
Anaelle didn't say anything; she looked out the window at the vandalized infrastructures of the capital city. When she turned to the comms, she leaned in close.
"Very well, get into position. This means we are already close to the Sanctum Tower."
"Understood." The exchange promptly ended afterwards.
Upon reaching the 50-meter radius within the barricade's perimeter, the back of the APC suddenly opened as an armed task force stepped out of the armored vehicle. They marched in perfect synchronization as they moved alongside the APC.
"Move! Move! Move! Move!" The soldiers chant repeatedly as they march with the APC like an escort.
By the time we reached the barricade, the gunfire from above had momentarily ceased.
"We are not safe yet, so don't let your guard down. Come on, these people are probably injured from constant use of threat mitigation."
"W-wait what? You're just going to—" My protest fell on deaf ears as Anaelle stepped out of the car with ease. Meanwhile, Anh just shrugged while looking at me before exiting the car, leaving me all alone.
I guess I have no other choice then. I exited the car with trembling legs and caught up to Anh, walking behind him as we navigated through the barricade.
My eyes roamed all over the place; some officers were lying on the ground. Breathing — but barely. So… even the undead felt exhausted under constant pressure, huh... relatable.
"Commander, what's the current situation?"
The APC commander stood before us; there was a scar on his left jaw, indicating experience in combat or mere recklessness.
"Director, my units have confirmed that these officers belong to the Peacekeeping Bureau. According to them, the other constables have already evacuated the danger zone safely without mortal wounds. However…"
"However?" Anh interrupted.
The commander paused for a moment, searching for the right word.
"However, according to them. Some officers were taken hostage inside the Sanctum Tower. About two rookies who didn't make it out on time are trapped."
Anaelle placed her fingers on her chin; for a long while, the air was particularly quiet despite the obvious danger of live warfare. Yet the atmosphere felt tense and heavy like a crushing will.
"I see, it seems this mission is far more complicated than we anticipated. Prepare a countermeasure. No man will die today, and I don't intend to have any man dying for the next century."
As they were discussing the counter-terrorist attack on the 'Discord Makers,' a commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the emergency barricade, drawing everyone's attention.
"Drop your weapon! Identify yourself or we will use force!"
One of the task force members shouted orders loudly at the man standing at the entrance. He was wearing a mask that covered his face as a whole; his figure was tall but not bulky. And he was carrying some sort of… polearm…?
"Bureaucratic pests, you shall not pass through me. I will not let you interrupt our Lord's sacred succession. Withdraw, or all of you will die here. I swear it."
The task force members didn't flinch; they kept their weapons pointing at the man in black.
Everything felt heavy in the moment when suddenly Anaelle walked up to him with confident steps. Her face was neutral and unchanging as ever, showing no sign of fear.
"I admire your courage to take my blade. Well then, let's see how long you'll last."
Her fingers dangle freely in the air as the scabbard of a rapier gradually materialized in her slender hand. She took the scabbard and unsheathed the blade without ceremony—it gleams and radiates a bright color of black infused with violet with a screeching noise.
"En garde."