No word… it had been hours since the designated report time. This mission was supposed to levy the fight in their direction, but it was quickly turning into the biggest failure to date. It seemed that eager in his willingness to fight for the colors they wore, another soldier was lost to the night. Now it was time to decide if they should continue trying to achieve this mission, or to cut their losses and accept the defeat.
Jiro Sasaki sighed “The risk is too great. We’ve attempted this mission twice already and have not heard back from either of our operatives. Sending in more will just incur more losses.”
Shoici Kimura quickly replied “It is a difficult mission sir. But if we give up now those losses were for nothing, a true tragedy.”
Being the head of operations planning was the most challenging job that Jiro had ever attempted. When things went smoothly he shared the praise with his men. But when plans failed, the blame was his alone. Perhaps he had been too ambitious in his latest plans. After commandeering Freebooter Keep and establishing a beachhead on Nyr’leha it seemed these troops could not be defeated. Maybe his over-confidence had cost the lives of those two brave warriors.
“Sir those men believed in the mission as much as they believe in you. We all believe this mission can be a success. We just need the right person. The previous volunteers were rife with eagerness, which masked their lacking skills. Jiro, we must try at least once more.”
As he looked at his second in command, his most trusted of friends, Jiro realized that not only was Shoici sure the mission could be completed but he had also already found another candidate. Shoici had been with him through many trials over the past year and he had learned to trust his judgment. Jiro wouldn’t even be here to make this decision if it hadn’t been for the dedicated actions of Shoici during that catastrophe early in their careers.
“So you have picked the new candidate yourself then?”
“This is one of the most highly skilled individuals in the society, with skills proven on many fronts. From the Graveyards of Rytheryn, to the shores of Freebooter Isle, if this one can’t succeed then no one else can.”
Jiro waited for the candidate to be brought before him. The question was whether to be direct and let the soldier know how much of the future depended on the outcome or to hide the importance of the endeavor. If this one was as strong as Shoici was convinced of, performing under the weight of the truth would not become an issue. The door opened and the candidate entered with confidence, Shoici followed in behind, shutting the door as he entered and watched for Jiro’s reaction. Jiro Sasaki looked up to see the face of the one who would either be called the failure, or the hero. Unlike the previous candidates it was not excitement that Jiro saw, but determination and intelligence. The future looked brighter already.
“I am sure you know why you are here so I will get straight to the point. This mission you must perform alone. If you should be captured, do not expect to be rescued. The successful completion of this mission is of the utmost importance. Do not fail us.”
The soldier nodded, turned, and then left the room with as much confidence as when he entered, and without uttering a single word. All Jiro could do now was wait.
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