Chapter 14: The Fool’s Role

Were they aiming for the Bubbles? Or were they after the humans?

I didn’t know. I didn’t know, and honestly, I didn’t care. So let’s skip straight to the conclusion: we lost.

The mining site we’d reclaimed from the Bubbles was, in less than three hours, retaken—this time by the Insectum.

Some brushed it off, saying it was a site slated for abandonment anyway, so no real loss. They were the ones who, like me, had been stationed at the perimeter and managed to escape unharmed. But not everyone had been so lucky.

“Rat Unit.”

“Beep!”

Escape report: Shinzo and twelve of his siblings are missing.

Not everyone made it.

“Got it. Thanks.”

That was all I said before I started walking. What to do? The answer was obvious: save them. And what did I need to do that? Information. The conclusion was clear.

“Rabbit Unit, Rooster Unit, Dog Unit, you three keep gathering intel. Rat Unit, compile everything. Ox Unit, Horse Unit, start building a temporary base. Snake Unit, Monkey Unit, guide Shinzo’s siblings and their Monoz to the base. I’m heading to HQ.”

***

Moths swarmed the lights, throwing themselves into them over and over in suicidal waves. It was midnight.

Survivors of the attack were gathering inside the hastily assembled headquarters tent. At the center of it all stood Alex.

“Rookie. Over here.”

The bald giant gestured me over in his usual tone. I stepped closer, joining a few veterans around a large table with a map spread out across it. It looked like a map of the mining site. I recognized the building at its center—the Tree Crystal storage vault.

So that’s where Shinzo’s group had taken refuge.

As a sniper, I’d been trained to read maps reasonably well. I picked out a few good sniping spots and mentally circled them.

But the terrain was a problem. The basin-like geography was a serious handicap. I could secure sniping positions on the outer rim, sure, but space was limited. And with all the buildings clustered inside, blind spots were everywhere.

Sniping wasn’t the only issue. Attacking at all would be difficult. A rescue operation would be messy, costly, and dangerous.

And yet—

“Well then, everyone. Let’s talk business.”

Alex’s voice was bright, cheerful, even as his sunglasses hid his eyes. I had a really bad feeling.

“Our company, Company×Company, will abandon the rescue of the personnel left behind.”

“Figures,” one of the men muttered. He left the tent, already gathering his belongings. He could accept it.

But I couldn’t.

I silently raised my hand.

“Yes, Rookie?” Alex’s smile widened, almost like he was daring me. I took a deep breath.

“May I ask… why?”

“Cost versus benefit,” Alex said smoothly. “We weighed them. Taking a base from Bubbles, who lack strategy, is one thing. But retaking a base from Insectum, who strategizes? That’s another matter. The risks of reclaiming a decommissioned facility aren’t worth it. That’s all.”

“But there are employees still inside.”

“Yes. Sleepers were left behind.” He deliberately stressed the word.

I understood what he meant. In other words: slaves aren’t worth saving.

“Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”

I clicked my tongue, scratched my head, and gripped my bone necklace. Think.

“Shinzo has a Rank 4 skill.”

“Indeed. Which is why, if it’s just him, he should be able to escape. That’s what I’m counting on.”

“You’re not concerned about losing a Rank 4?”

“Oh no. Talented people are treasures. I’d rather not lose him if I can help it.” He paused, then added, almost lightly, “Ah, speaking of, you’re a Rank 4 too, aren’t you, Rookie?”

His smile deepened. A pasted-on grin. What he was really saying was clear: You’re not that rare.

It was hopeless. I had no more cards to play. I had to give up.

“One more question. What’s the penalty for disobeying orders?”

If I had to give up on persuading them, then I’d just do it alone.

“A fine.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep. That’s all.”

I see. That’s all? Then fine.

“Are you going to attempt a rescue, Rookie?”

“Yes.”

At my answer, Alex finally took off his sunglasses. Beneath them was a beaming smile.

***

No one else volunteered to go.

Why?

Because of the sixteen people left behind, twelve were Shinzo’s people. In other words, they were the ones I wanted to save, not necessarily anyone they wanted to save. And given the odds that they’d holed up in the storage vault, that possibility was even lower.

If we’d been a regular team, maybe it would’ve been different. But this was just a temporary patchwork unit. Nobody owed me or Shinzo’s people anything. Not enough to go into debt for them.

That’s how it was.

But did that mean all our mercs were cold-hearted? Not quite.

“Snipes. What ammo you using?”

“Uh, 12.7.”

“Your Monoz use 10mm?”

“Yes, why?”

“Listen up, Snipes. We’re gathering supplies over in that tent for the evac. That includes 12.7 and 10mm. Also, building materials, rations,and grenades. All of it’s company property. Meaning we can’t officially give anything to someone violating orders. So don’t go anywhere near that tent.”

“…Understood.”

“But hey, Snipes. If, by chance, we forget some stuff or can’t carry it all anything left behind is yours.”

“…I see. That’s what you mean.”

“Yeah. That’s what I mean.”

The rugged middle-aged man gave me a thumbs-up. He was incredibly cool. If I were a woman, I’d have fallen for him. But alas, I was a man, so I simply gave him a thumbs-up back.

Others, too, left small gestures of support: adjusting my rifle, tuning the Centipede, handing over blueprints for my Monoz. Tiny acts of rebellion from debt-laden slaves.

It helped. A lot.

But not everyone was a gentleman or a lady. There were troublesome ones too.

“Give it up already! I wanna save them too! But we can’t! Don’t you get it? The people you’re risking your life for, would they even smile if you died?”

He had me by the collar, shaking me. Stretching my shirt. I wished he’d let go. That was about how much I cared.

I’d learn later he was my fellow rookie, ranked second among the new hires. And his missing teammates were his close comrades, now unaccounted for. He’d decided not to go after them, and was taking out his guilt on me. A huge nuisance.

“Say something, dammit!”

I couldn’t respond. I just let him shake me.

“Oi, Snipes. You not gonna fight back?”

A voice called from the crowd. I glanced over.

A muscle-bound guy stood there. Yeah… a guy like him probably couldn’t fathom why I wasn’t.

“I’d like to fight back.”

“Then why don’t ya?”

“Probably lose.” I struck a pose. “Not great at close combat.”

Muscle Man stared at me, dumbfounded.

“Alright then.”

He stepped forward and punched my classmate square in the face. A clean right straight. Without even a scream, my classmate crumpled, rolling until he hit the wall. Groaning, he sat up, blood dripping from his mouth. Ah. Tooth’s gone too. Rough.

“Thanks.”

I ignored the guy on the floor and thanked Muscle Man.

“Eh,” he grunted lazily.

“Dammit! You idiot! I wanna save them too! But we can’t! Don’t you get it?! You’re strong! You shouldn’t die for this! I know you’re frustrated! But now, now’s the time to endure! To retreat!”

Even with broken teeth, he shouted.

I was a little impressed by his guts. Just a little.

“…I see. Grin and bear it now. Live to fight another day. That’s what you’re saying?”

“Yes! You could save so many more later! That’s why, please! Run! Hold back, Snipes!”

“Smart people would probably do that.”

“Yes!”

I see. I see.

“Then you should run. Go cower in a corner somewhere. Shake and shiver and whimper like a little mouse. ‘Mee-mee, nee-nee’—make your cute little noises. Good boy. Wise man.”

Because—

“I’ll be the fool. The reckless, idiotic clown. The Don Quixote.”