Of the loot that Clark gained, he surprisingly discovered a well-packaged bunch of exotic explosives among them, which excited him to no end. “My luck is simply off this world for even getting such stuff from a random 1st rank high-grade soldier”. He muttered excitedly while rubbing his hands together like a gambler who just hit a jackpot. As his excitement bubbled, he also thanked his lucky stars that the Mocan soldier refused to use these gadgets of mass destruction. If such a cheat was used in the previous battle, even if he survived, he would have been seriously injured. “The man probably thought he could escape without using them. He was probably sent on a crucial mission, that was why he could carry such expensive gadgets around”. He thought in a more serious note, as he carefully kept his new goodies. Knowledge was why the scholars said that no battle was a waste to any soldier. Through this small-scale battle that he fought; he just learned a new lesson that he would never forget. No matter how strong you are, never be overconfident. The Mocan soldier had such situation turning gadgets, but he refused to use them because he was overly confident, which resulted in his death. Now, he would gladly help him to utilize them well. Any of these lethal explosives that he got, is enough to down the durability of his armor with one explosion. And the bunch contained a total of 20 explosives, he was a few hundred thousand richer from these. “The cost of this alone is probably more than 500,000 Spartan credits. Looters are winners’ man, anyone who says otherwise is a liar”. Clark cheered joyfully, as he finally relaxed after taking stock of all his new loot. The energetic explosives were made to be very portable. It looked just like a small mobile phone battery when comparing in terms of shape. Despite its small size, underestimating it is just signing your death warrant. It was as dangerous, if not more dangerous than a full-powered shot from his newly acquired car. After settling all the other matters of the day, he finally returned to the military division base in the evening. On returning, he quickly filled in his time of returning, before describing the happenings of the day in writing. As he was getting ready to go back to his apartment, a message from Captain Daniel came to him. The captain asked to see him directly when he learned that he was back. He already expected a summon from one of his higher-ups after such an eye-catching battle, so he was not surprised as he calmly left to meet his leader. … On arriving at the luxuriously decorated office of Captain Daniel, Clark greeted him respectfully before listening for an order, if there was any so that he would know what exactly he should explain. “Tell me exactly what happened, I want to know everything”. The Captain finally spoke in his deep voice fit for a boss, as he complimented it by relaxing backward in his multi-purpose chair. On hearing the order, Clark let out a small breath to calm himself before he described the whole encounter to the captain. After telling him everything, he finally showed him the picture of the Mocan soldier that he took. Captain Daniel fell silent after Clark showed him the picture, as a contemplating expression came over his face. After 2 minutes of doing this, he finally spoke up again. “Clark, you did well this time. This particular soldier has proved very difficult to kill, to various checkpoints and high-grade soldiers of our Python military division”. “Check your military achievement points later, you’ll receive a surprise soon if things go according to plan. We never neglect soldiers that perform exceptionally”. Clark stood up and saluted the Captain rigidly, before going out of the large office. He took the main path leading to his apartment, as he had nothing else pending to do. … Leo and Benny already heard about Clark’s encounter, as the news already circulated everywhere in the military division. The shock that they felt on hearing this was palpable, their friend now looked like an alien to them. They bombarded him with different questions when he returned, as they were curious to know what exactly happened. They were further astonished, after listening to the full unadulterated story. Fighting and killing a high-grade soldier of the same rank in a direct battle was simply an incredible achievement to a new high-grade soldier like Clark. The thought of how fierce alone the battle was, gave them goosebumps. The high-grade soldiers that they killed in their graduation training, was not through a direct battle. It was planned sabotage; an ambush, that was what it was. An ambush is a different thing entirely in comparison to a direct battle. The former can be likened to when a chicken is going head-to-head with a hawk, to secure the life of her chicks. While the latter can be likened to when a mother hen, in conjunction with the father, the cock, and all the family relatives join hands to go head-to-head with a hawk, to secure the life of the hen’s chicks. The difference between the 2 scenarios can be easily imagined. The 2 soldiers’ admiration for Clark shot up another notch again after this, as they started chatting casually. Clark was now just like a childhood friend that they play with all the time, but during exams always shock them by taking 1st position every term. … The next day, Clark and his squad didn’t go to their checkpoint as the military division intelligence department discovered the identity of the Mocan soldier’s helpers. It was a pretty big company owned by a man called Tim Haaland. His company deals in providing security to people who can pay, it’s just like a mercenary company. Captain Daniel gave him a direct order to raid the organization. He was ordered to capture them alive if possible. But if not possible, he had the freedom, he could kill them. Betrayal was one of the bad virtues that the Spartan republic hated the most. If you betray your country, then you mean that you’re no longer a citizen of the country, and that is how they would treat you. That morning, he took his car out with his soldiers for the first time. He already started developing a bond with one of the soldiers, he was now his official second in command. He was the only one who had the opportunity and honor to stay with him in his 10 million credits car, as the other military vehicles trailed behind them. Leo during all this time was the only one who was still inert. At his checkpoint, every day, he only encountered small bandit attacks which were easily nullified by his soldiers, so he had not fought any battle for the whole week. But despite this dull schedule, his mind was not depressed about that, it was elsewhere as he thought of what his friend revealed to them yesterday. During their casual talks yesterday, Clark dropped another bomb which frightened the hell out of him and Benny. They stared at him in horror, when he revealed that he performed his battle art during the battle. Till now, the both of them were still bashing their heads against the wall. They were still groping in the darkness, as they couldn’t perform a tiny part of the battle art that they bought yet. Their expressions no longer remained the same after the confession, they now looked at this little man like he was a monster. Which planet did you come from? Even the Captain of the division was shocked when he learned that Clark could already perform a battle art after only one week of practicing it. He already started sorting out a position to give him, as one of the leaders of the division. This speed of improvement was simply mind-blowing. Clark didn’t know the waves that his actions already created, as he led his soldiers to arrest the people of the said company. They rode for over 30 minutes before they finally arrived at the huge compound housing the company. A huge signboard hung facing the highway, reading, “Haaland’s security company”. They stopped 2 kilometers away from the company, as Clark instructed his soldiers to surround the building before they continue. After all the preparations, he finally moved, driving alone in his car closer to the huge compound. He stopped and parked at the front of the company, drawing all the attention to his car. The car’s glasses were tinted, so people could not see inside. He finally spoke out, as his voice spread through the voice amplifiers installed in the car. “TIM HAALAND, this is the Delhi military division. I am sergeant Clark of the Python military division; we have evidence that points that this company secretly helps the Mocan republic”. “If you are a worker here and you are innocent, kindly come out with your hands raised above your heads. We are arresting every worker in this company and Tim Haaland himself, today”. His authoritative voice blasted out through the voice amplifiers, drawing all attention, as practically everyone kept silent to listen to what he was saying. “Do not try to resist, you will regret it. One shot from my car’s main cannon can obliterate a section of this company, so be obedient and comply to avoid casualties”. “Make your decisions quickly, you have only 10 minutes. In 10 minutes, if you are not out, we’ll storm in ourselves”. After saying this, he kept silent as he kept note of the time. Hearing his last authoritative words spurred the workers on as they all started walking out in panic. They did not know why, but from his tone, they knew that he meant business. Some were confused as they did not know what happened, but it was wiser to avoid death now and ask questions later. The company security brutes were also confused, but they obediently complied as the ferocious-looking cannon of the car faced the company’s gate. Clark didn’t have to wait for 10 minutes before his scanners confirmed that everybody was out of the building. Fear was really a factor that induces speed in the right circumstances when utilized well. Every soul in the compound was out, but things got complicated, as Tim Haaland and his high-grade soldier bodyguard were nowhere to be found.