Chapter 116: Rest?

Alex landing on a hard rocky surface, the temperatures were very high. He was already sweating, "It feels like I'm going deeper and deeper into the earth." Alex said as he looked around, not only were the grounds rocky but the walls and the entire room around him seemed to be made of some form of hard rock. Alex stood up and walked around the room. 

'I won't make the same mistake of not knowing my environment like last time… At times, I was cornered by those gremlins so It was a pain but I need to try and remember this room quickly so I don't get cornered as well.' Alex went around the room, it was another really big room, almost like a huge hall. Alex saw many long spikes on the walls, 'if someone were to be pushed towards those walls, they would be killed almost instantly… Or if they survived, it would be almost impossible to get up from this.' He noted in his mind. 

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Mary and Oj sat in a car, they two were heading towards the military base, "I still don't understand fully why they don't let us just handle the entire thing on our own. It's a case of mutiny in our ranks and another organization wants to take the mission of finding out the attackers." Mary sounded slightly annoyed. Oj smiled, "Well, You should know by now that we don't take any forms of attack to the people or towards us very well, If someone decides to attack us… There will be some strict measures." Oj looked at Mary. 

Mary nodded, "I get that but still, The bureau should have trust in us to conduct the investigation, shouldn't it? I get the doubts but there should be trust among each other. I can't be the only one thinking this?" She spoke. 

Oj shook his head, "Mary, you're very different from the others. You used to be a part of us that's why we trust you among the rest. That's the only reason we have you on this, as a form of respecting the opinions of the army, we let someone from the army join this. But The bureau has been very straightforward with it's standing with the army. We use our awakened powers to combat the reapers from the gates… And the army only sends their non awakened to take care of it, unless it's a special case like those crystals… Your entire team has top tier A-rank awakened and even two S ranks among your ranks. But we only know some of them, the rest only seem to have redacted in their files… I'm sure that you could understand how the bureau would find it difficult to support the military when things are being kept a secret from others…"

He took a deep breath, " That's why they didn't want to involve too much military personnel into this investigation, the last thing we need is someone to betray us while we conduct the investigation… Hell, I don't think you would have even been allowed to join this if not for your past… We would have done this secretly without the hand of the military, which was probably the original plan. Even now, it's mostly in secret. Only the general and the top captains know of it. I think that the top dogs got involved and were very adamant that we involve the military in this. That's the end of it." He sounded very serious. 

Mary nodded and smiled, "That's very true… I can't say much but it is true that the military is suspect about a few things which I don't agree with but I'm just their hound by this point. I only do as told by our captain so I don't have much say. I do want to join the bureau again but a contract is a contract. I can't betray what I swore to do so that's what it is. I apologize for being a bit angry before, I'm just annoyed by this entire thing. It's like the bureau and the military have some form of hatred against each other and if it continued, it might lead to something that could ruin both of us…" She looked at Oj, her smile turning into a worried expression.

Oj nodded, "I'm sure that the respective leaders know that, we all know it. It's at the back of our minds, This new Brotherhood of Freedom seems to be taking advantage of all this… I don't think that the military took any form of action and attacked us, no one does. But we still are careful about it. I'm sure that everyone knows that the brotherhood is behind the attacks, it's the only logical thing that makes sense. The use of military weapons might be to create some kind of friction between the two but once the investigation is done, we'll be able to figure this out." 

Oj smiled back Until then, why don't we go through with this and give it our all? I'll be going through the factory, watching the activity of the workers in the factory while you go over the barracks next to the factory. Just look for any suspicious people. The files have already cleared what you should do so all we can do is follow instructions. It will be a pleasure working with you again Mary." The car slowly stopped and Oj walked out. 

Mary nodded and waved Oj goodbye, she continued in the car, towards the barracks. 

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"You… Well, I guess I underestimated you. Well, the next challenge will be a difficult one indeed. I won't give you any hints but you will be going against two types of enemies at once. Survive, and you will move on to the second last challenge!" Alex nodded when he heard the voice and looked ready. However, nothing happened. After some silence, the voice continued, "however, I am no beast who makes people fight non stop. You can rest for now. This room will be your chambers." The voice seemed to be chuckling. 

Alex, a bit confused by the words, nodded. He didn't know what to do or think as the situation seemed to be a bit special.