Chapter 186: Chapter 173: Females Must Never Be Exploited
Deep in the night.
Several snowmobiles pulled up to the main gate of the compound.
"Cyril, we’re here."
His subordinate, who was driving, turned and spoke softly to the superior resting in the back seat with his eyes closed.
The car’s interior lights were off, with only the faint glow of the dashboard providing any illumination.
Cyril was shrouded in darkness, looking as if he were asleep.
When he received no reply, the subordinate hesitated before speaking again. His voice was slightly louder this time, yet his tone was even more cautious.
Cyril opened his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off his exhaustion.
He hadn’t slept in nearly three days.
The King Seeds had mostly been eliminated, but a host of complicated follow-up tasks remained.
Andrew had moved the command center back to the East Wall. Cyril had spent the entire day leading the administrative department through various odds and ends, and only now had the time to relocate.
It wasn’t that he was exhausted—he was always swamped this time of year. In fact, this year’s Mutant Species cleanup operation had been completed remarkably quickly, especially considering they had faced four King Seeds.
Moreover, military casualties were lower than in previous years.
Logically, this should have been cause for celebration, and indeed, the various teams in the Military Department were pleased.
All except for the handful of people who knew the truth.
Cyril knew exactly how they had managed to crush the Mutant Species so quickly.
Alex had used the scent of a True Female to lure three King Seeds and annihilate them all at once.
This was to say nothing of the Beast Alliance’s explicit regulations, which strictly forbade such actions. Even using an object merely scented by a female was prohibited, let alone what Alex had done—bringing an actual female onto a Mutant Species battlefield.
A victory like this came with infinite risks. It was absolutely forbidden to use a female, even if it meant failing the mission.
Yet, Andrew had ordered him to cover it up, forbidding even the slightest whisper from getting out.
He was clearly protecting Alex.
Cyril’s hands rested on two classified files in his lap. Both documents clearly recorded the details of the Mutant Species mission, but they offered different explanations for the key to killing the King Seeds. One report cited a Mimic Mixed Species; the other, a True Female.
Andrew was protecting Alex, but he also intended to use this to keep him in check.
Cyril lowered his gaze to the files, lost in thought.
’Based on my understanding of Andrew, after an incident like this, Alex should have been detained and confined, even if the news was suppressed. Before winter’s end, he would have been sent to a military tribunal. He certainly wouldn’t be free to come and go as he pleased, like he is now.’
’It seems Andrew values him more than I thought. This black wolf must have some real ability to make Andrew concede so much.’
Staff from the administrative department got out of the vehicles in succession, carrying files and other supplies. A patrol squad approached and stopped them for inspection.
"We have to be inspected even at the main gate?"
The administrative staff exchanged glances. They had lost count of how many times they’d been stopped for inspection on the road from the West Wall to the East Wall.
The security was even tighter than the patrols during the Mutant Species cleanup.
The soldiers didn’t answer their questions. They simply used their terminals to scan and confirm identities, questioning each person carefully while wolves in full beast form circled and sniffed at them. A tense, stern atmosphere hung in the air.
"So strict?" Cyril’s driver couldn’t help but comment as he watched the scene outside. "Don’t tell me that now that the Mutant Species are gone, those wolves are starting to fight amongst themselves again?"
’But this is happening right under Admiral Andrew’s nose. He might turn a blind eye to the Wolf Team’s minor squabbles, but if it was real infighting, the Admiral would shut them down before a fight could even break out.’
Cyril’s gaze swept past the tight patrol of soldiers and settled on the building across the street to the right. The security there was even heavier. Figures from the Bird Team patrolled the sky, while on the ground, nearly all the guards were fully transformed wolves, looking as if they were ready to leap into battle at a moment’s notice.
Cyril rolled down the window and sniffed the air—
’Most of these wolves... they’re Alex’s men.’
Alex had performed exceptionally well during the Mutant Species cleanup, and many wolves had flocked to his banner. However, the guards around that building were all his trusted followers from Zone 5.
Cyril took the files and got out of the car without any hurry, entering the compound’s office building with the rest of the administrative staff.
It was three in the morning. At this hour, most people were either resting or outside on mop-up duty. The office building was deserted, and their arrival shattered its silence.
The staff headed for their offices, while Cyril, files in hand, made his way to the war room.
Just as he entered the hallway leading to the war room, he saw the door up ahead open a crack. Light spilled into the dark corridor as a shadowy figure strode out, brushing past him.
"Commander Alex," Cyril said, stepping aside to greet him.
Alex’s expression was grim, but he stopped and nodded. "Adjutant Cyril."
Cyril asked, "Still busy this late?"
Alex glanced at the files in Cyril’s hands. "Aren’t you?"
Cyril smiled. "We’re different. I handle the grunt work, so this is my busy season. You, on the other hand, should be resting. Even the Dog Team has stood down."
Alex paused for a moment. "Thank you, Adjutant Cyril."
Cyril was slightly taken aback. "Thank me?"
Then he realized Alex was referring to the matter of the female. "You don’t think I’m helping you, do you?"
"Whether you were helping me or not isn’t important," Alex said. "She’s safe, and for that, I still have to thank you."
With that, he gave Cyril a nod and turned to leave.
Cyril watched his figure disappear, a faint smile playing on his lips as he shook his head slightly. ’A man like that... no wonder he managed to hide the little female for so long.’
’If the King Seeds hadn’t been right on their doorstep, she might never have been revealed at all.’
’Although he knew Alex had broken a taboo, he didn’t truly believe Alex had intentionally used the little female to attract the King Seeds.’
’Alex had prepared the defenses for Zone 19 to perfection. The ultimate outcome of the Mutant Species cleanup was the Military Department’s responsibility, regardless.’
’Besides, as an Alpha Wolf—and one from Zone 5 at that—he wouldn’t be stupid enough to use a female to lure Mutant Species, no matter his objective. It was the worst possible tactic.’
’As for why he ended up using the little female’s scent anyway...’
Cyril glanced at the classified files in his hand and strode into the war room.
’The reason didn’t matter. The facts were already on record.’
...
Alex exited the main gate of the compound and started across the street when an incoming call on his terminal stopped him in his tracks.
Seeing the name on the caller ID, Alex accepted the call.
"Professor Watson."
Hearing his voice, Watson let out a sigh of relief on the other end of the line.
"I’ve finally managed to reach you."
Alex replied, "My apologies, Professor. I’ve been tied up with the Mutant Species cleanup. They destroyed most of the power grid, and repairs are still underway, so the network has been unstable."
"I know you’ve been busy," Watson said, then his tone shifted as he asked, "How is the little female? Did you receive the supplies I sent over?"
