Dewy's Nightmare

Chapter five: Trust and Treachery

“Sixth to Command, come in. Do you read me ,Command Base.This is Calvary, en route to your location, requesting permission to enter your marine abode, over.” Dewy’s voice, a crisp, professional tone honed by years of active duty, echoed in the comms.

The response was immediate and precise, a voice, devoid of personal emotion . “Command base to Sixt, we read you loud and clear. Security evaluation complete. The Calvary is cleared for entry into Command territory. Welcome abode , sixth Division. Over.”

The massive, reinforced hatch of the Command base groaned and hissed, a mechanical serpent swallowing the sleek, heavily armored Calvary submarine.

The ROA’s HQ , the Command base ; a marvel of human ingenuity, a technological fortress burrowed deep beneath the ocean. It's a massive network of passages and access points connecting every global division, making it a final stronghold of security and a sanctuary for a world on the brink, an unimaginable feat of human engineering.

As Dewy and her troops stepped onto the sub docks, a formidable figure emerged from the Command's central tower. Director Deimos, the Chief Director of the ROA, a man whose presence alone commanded respect. A former Navy Colonel in his forties, his immense frame was a living testament to his past life. He was a menace disguised as a benevolent father figure, a man Dewy had known since childhood. He was her father's comrade and best pal, a pillar of support after his death, and the one who had personally trained her in combat.

“Captain Elias Dew,” Deimos bellowed, his voice a low rumble. “You sure are a sight for sore eyes. What trouble did you drag in with you this time?”

Dewy’s face, a mask of professionalism, softened. A faint smile touched her lips as she approached him. The surrounding personnel watched in stunned silence, their Director’s formidable demeanor dissolving into a warmth they’d never witnessed.

“Sir,” she replied, her voice losing its formal edge. “Just the usual. Saving humanity one bad decision at a time.” She hugged him with a familiar ease that surprised them both.

“Glad to see you, you tough old man,” she murmured into his shoulder. “How’s life treating you?”

“What can I say, life treats me the worst ways imaginable, Bunny,” Deimos said, his voice softening. “I’m not dead yet, so there’s that. So, how are you and the Sixth? Heard you got a promotion.”

“I’ve got a lot to brief you on, sir, but first, can you assist with unloading? There’s a mystery inside this metal monster you’re going to want to see.” Dewy replied Deimos, displaying playful gestures of friendliness.

“Of course, Bunny. I have it covered.” With a simple gesture, Deimos’s men swarmed the Calvary. A fleet of cranes, forklifts, and heavy-duty military grade transport vehicles descended, salvaging crates, containers, and a small group of weary refugees. The rest of the Sixth settled into their designated quarters, awaiting their Captain's orders.

Hours later, Dewy and Deimos sat in his office. It was a stark contrast to the utilitarian spaces she was used to, adorned with flashy holographic maps and tactical displays. Screens flickered with data, and the faces of the Veterans, were displayed, waiting for the impending briefing.

Deimos picked up a tablet, his eyes widening in disbelief as he scrolled through the data. Meanwhile, Dewy, completely at ease, was busy sipping orange juice and devouring a jumbo-sized pie.

“Unbelievable,” Deimos muttered, scratching his neatly trimmed beard. “You mean to tell me you and the Sixth did all this in less than four hours, navigating through an enemy cruiser? Bunny, what superhuman stimulant are you on?”

Dewy let out a light laugh, her mouth full. “Nothing serious, old man. Just my usual tonic water, some wits, and a healthy dose of confidence.”

He shook his head, a genuine smile on his face. “ So how's your mother doing, and little Oma? Haven't seen them in forever.”

“They’re doing great, momma's a tough one,though her health is declining rapidly. The medics are proving ineffective.” She finished her pie with a satisfying gulp. “Anyway, these meals down here…the flavor is on another level, compliments to your chef , ol' man. Hey, aren’t we supposed to have a meeting? The Veterans are all on display, right?”

“They’re on hold for now,” Deimos replied, still absorbed in his tablet. “And you’re eating like a typical untamed animal. You can’t go into a meeting with the Veterans looking like that. It’ll ruin your reputation. Plus, I wanted to brief you on something before we went all formal.”

“What do you want to brief me on, old man? I’m still starving. What kind of chicken do you have here? I’m dying to try some.”

Deimos chuckled. “The sea-type, I’m afraid. Eels and squids come in family sizes, I hear.”

Dewy’s face fell. “What?! No chickens? Not even the lab-grown ones? Man, you’re no fun. How hard can life hit me today? Fine, I guess I’ll go hunt for some eels.”

Just as she was about to get up, Deimos raised a hand. “Wait up, Bunny. I’ll have my secretary order you as much chicken as you want. I have a serious discussion to have with you, and only you, before the Veterans join us.”

Dewy sank back into the swivel chair. “ What hell are you planning on shooting me with ol' man?Hit me with it, tough guy.”

Deimos tapped a few keys on his tablet. “Check this out, Bunny.” Dewy picked up her own tablet, going through all the items recovered from the Neméan cruiser. " Check this one out too old man" she tapped at an icon on her tablet. Deimos's eyes widened. On the screen was a high-resolution image of a Neméan, the humanoid-like creature , its obsidian body shimmering under a dissection light.

“Is that… a live Neméan?” Deimos whispered, his voice tight with professional awe. “We’ve never managed to capture one of this abominables before.”

“It sure is,” Dewy said, her voice a low whisper. “A milestone of a lifetime . The other Veterans are going to be shocked to the soul.”

“Have you checked the other items recovered from the enemy cruiser?” Dewy asked, a glint in her eyes. “It’ll blow your mind.”

Deimos leaned forward, his voice low and serious. “You make it sound so casual, Bunny. I’m so thrilled to the bone. These are out-of-this-world pieces of equipment. Our military greatly degraded by this. This is a breakthrough, Bunny. You literally just won the end-of-the-world lottery.”

Dewy’s playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a deep seriousness. She dropped her half-empty juice bottle onto the table. The plastic thudded with a hollow echo. “You said you wanted to talk about something serious. What is it? I know it's confidential if you don't want the Veterans to hear it.”

Deimos put his tablet down and sighed, bowing his head. His casual facade dropped, revealing a weary, troubled man. “Dewy, how much do you trust the Veterans? Do you think any of them by chance would likely sell us out to the enemy?”

The question hung in the air, a chilling weight. Dewy felt a cold dread creep into her stomach. The Director of the ROA, the man who built this impenetrable fortress, was asking if his own people were compromised. The thought was horrifying.

“I… I can’t say for sure, sir,” Dewy said, her voice tight. “I just met most of them, well, except for Major Obi. We served together. The Veterans seem to me like people of character than their words.Why do you ask? Is there any reason you think any of them is capable of betraying us?”

“No, I’m just pointing it out, Captain,” Deimos replied, his tone devoid of humor. “Look, Bunny, I’m not saying they’re rebels in the ROA, but at times like this, things can happen. I just want you to be cautious about how and to whom you reveal confidential informations to. Something just doesn't feel right to me.”

Dewy felt a knot tighten in her stomach, moreone a bloat this time. His words, his demeanor, the way he kept glancing at the monitors displaying the Veterans’ faces—it all felt dark and ominous. “Is there something troubling you, Sir?”

“You know me too well, Bunny,” Deimos said with a sad smile. He continued, his voice a low whisper. “Most of our well-planned and foolproof raids failed woefully. It’s like the enemy knew we were coming, every move, every strategy. Our secret routes, our maps, our hideouts… utterly anticipated . The failures and casualties we've accumulated is not a coincidence, it's more like a perfect pattern. God , I don't know,maybe I’m overthinking things. I guess I’m wrong anyways.”

“It baffles me, too,” Dewy admitted, anxiety creeping into her voice. “How every attempt failed, even though they were made by professionals, but I didn't let those thoughts linger on my mind.But is it wise to lay suspicion on our allies, even without proof? I see no reason why anyone would do that, given humanity is on the brink of extinction.”

“Some would for their own selfish gains,” Deimos replied, his eyes dark. “Listen, Dewy, for the time being, withhold all information about the cargoes recovered from the enemy cruiser and the live Neméan, it'll keep us on the safer side ,of my hunches are true . Do any of the Veterans know about this?”

“No, I haven’t told anyone yet, though I was about to inform Major Obi,” Dewy said.

Deimos sighed in relief. “Let no one outside your strike team hear of this. For now, allow me to handled things.In fifteen minutes, I’m declaring the board meeting open. The Veterans are on standby. If you’re asked, tell them the cruiser was nuked to smoke clouds, nothing more, I'll do the briefing myself. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” Dewy replied formally, giving a sharp salute.

Deimos chuckled, a flash of his old self returning. “Drop the formalities, kid, you're embarrassing me .”

“But before we commence, sir, I have something serious to ask,” Dewy said, her tone suddenly professional.

“Okay, Captain, what is it?” Deimos asked, leaning forward in anticipation.

“I mean, what the hell?!” she screamed, her frustration a tidal wave. “Old man! Where’s my chicken and eels you promised?! Why is your secretary taking forever to make an order?!”

Deimos threw his head back and laughed, the tension in the room breaking with a loud snap. “Relax, soldier, your chicken’s on the way. Jeez, did you need to scream that loud?” He tapped a button on his desk and spoke to his PA. “Make it a family size, Margaret. And add some rice with fine wine. I’m starving too.” Dewy sat back at her seat. The thought of the Director having doubts of his heads of states , the hunches made her uneasy,as she managed an obvious fake smile .