TFA2 13.3 – Silent Catastrophe

  With the help of dozen torches, Brigadier Haggar, the Commanding Officer of 1st Makai Construction Regiment, observed a spot on the underground tunnel's ceiling. Then, he turned his gaze to a thin layer of dirt and gravel below it.

  Previously, when he got a report that the ceiling in the branch to Levsait and Raisait vibrated and accompanied by a rather hard hum, Brigadier Haggar immediately rushed to check it out. However, when he arrived at the location, the vibration and hum that made him anxious had already stopped.

  "Are there similar occurrences in other locations?" asked Brigadier Haggar.

  “No, Sir,” a centurion firmly replied.

  In instant dark clouds filled Brigadier Haggar's face. "In that case, we have something we have to worry about."

  "Sir, maybe it's just a pack of large rodents digging a nest."

  "Rodents will make their nest far away from an area full of human activities."

  "Is it possible that TF Amethyst detect our present down here?"

  "Maybe, but I can say it for sure." Brigadier Haggar took a deep breath before continuing, "I can only say this branch is a vital location for attacks to Levsait and Raisait. When an odd thing happens in this location, I don't think it's a coincidence."

  "I will ask for immediate reinforcement then."

  "That’s a good idea." Brigadier Haggar lightly nodded before continuing, "As for now, I will check the ceiling personally."

  Wasting no time, Brigadier Haggar ordered a team of engineer to prepare scaffolding. It was made of bamboo cane that could be arranged to various sizes as high and as wide as needed.

  The engineer team swiftly arranged the bamboo canes. Then, when they were just about to finish the staircase, a big vibration suddenly shook the ceiling, followed by cracks right above the scaffolding.

  “Evade! Evade! Save yourself!!”

  Brigadier Haggar shouted as hard as he could to warn the engineer team. However, it was too late.

  Crack! Crack! C-craaaacckk. . . . CRUUSSHH!!

  The ceiling suddenly collapsed like a landslide and hit the engineer team below. Fortunately, it only consisted of soft dirt and gravel. Therefore, even though the volume was quite large and almost buried the engineer team alive, it did not cause fatality.

  “Go help the engineers!!”

  Brigadier Haggar calmly gave an order, and then approached the giant hole in the ceiling. It was about four meters wide, and perfectly round.

  As a CO of a construction regiment, Brigadier Haggar knew a lot of techniques to make such a perfect hole. However, none of the techniques he knew could match the speed of the techniques he just witnessed.

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  ‘Damn it, what kind of trick they use?’

  Slowly but surely, a sense of inferiority filled Brigadier Haggar's heart. Moreover, from his position, he could look at the night sky full of stars, and it reminded him of a story about a frog that views the world from the base of a well.

  However, Brigadier Haggar didn't have time to ponder much further. As ten pieces of 8-inches hoses suddenly descended until it reached the middle section of the hole. A moment later, water poured heavily from those hoses.

  "What are they planning?" Brigadier Haggar asked as he looked at the water that fell on the underground tunnel's floor with a loud splash.

  ---

  One hour after a giant hole was formed on the underground tunnel's ceiling and water pouring in like there was no tomorrow, General Issus, the Commanding Officer of 56th Makai Guard Division, finally arrived with his unit to check the situation. Without delay, General Issus and his officers approached Brigadier Haggar.

  “Brigadier, give us the latest circumstance and make it brief,” General Issus said in a calm tone.

  “Sir,” Brigadier Haggar started explaining, “The water they use is fresh water, and our healers have confirmed it contains no poison or other dangerous substance.

  The water has also reached our 2nd camp with a height level of 5 cm from the ground."

  "Do they plan to drown this tunnel from here to our second camp?"

  "No, Sir, I don't think it's their goal." Brigadier Haggar turned his gaze to the water that poured into underground tunnel as he continued, "With the current speed, it will take a few days to sink the entire tunnel from this place to second camp."

  In an instant a question mark appeared on General Issus's forehead. "If they don't plan to drown this tunnel, then what's their goal?"

  "Our Healer warns that when the water reaches a certain level, maybe TF Amethyst will put poison or other dangerous compounds."

  “I see.” General Issus paused for a moment before continuing, “Then, we must act before that scenario come into play."

  “General,” Brigadier Haggar took a deep breath before continuing in low tone, “Closing a hole this big in a short time is almost impossible.

  Moreover, I believe TF Amethyst puts some units to monitor our activities and they will definitely prevent any efforts to close the hole."

  “Who said we will close this hole?" After a light smile, General Issus continued, "We will use it as entry point for an offensive."

  "We will launch an offensive using this hole?"

  “Yes, it’s a direct order from Prince Makar. 56th Division will lead the assault, followed by war contingent from Rivek and Sviek Region.”

  “Understood, General. I will prepare the staircase as fast as possible."

  Wasting no time, Brigadier Haggar and his men began their work. Then, they just finished the first level of the staircase when the hoses stop pouring water. Slowly but surely, the hoses then moved up until they disappeared from view.

  Bad feelings suddenly gripped Brigadier Haggar's heart. Without delay, he warned his men, "Quickly, get away from the hole!"

  And the warning turned out to be accurate. Shortly, after the last person stepped away from the giant hole in the ceiling, an object suddenly fell from above and hit the tunnel's floor with a loud thud. It had a shape like a hammer, with a size as big as an adult thigh, and connected to a very thick black cable.

  ‘What is this thing?' Brigadier Haggar muttered as question marks filled his mind to the brim.

  However, Brigadier Haggar did not have time to think about it further as a massive jolt suddenly hit his body. Then, panic gripped his heart as his body helplessly tumbled and hit the ground.

  Even so, Brigadier Haggar was still able to conclude that the massive jolt which almost paralyzed his body was related to the water and the objects shaped like a hammer before him.

  ‘Dry place…’

  With every single drop of whatever strength left in his body, Brigadier Haggar crawled towards the staircase, passing several of his men who were lying in the ground.

  Even though his body almost had no strength, somehow Brigadier Haggar managed to reach the staircase and pulled his body up to the dry platform.

  Then, after taking a deep breath several times, Brigadier Haggar finally realized the eerie silence that blanketed the underground tunnel. Wasting no time, he checked his surroundings, and as far as he could see, he only saw bodies lying motionlessly on the ground.

  ‘It seems I was the only survivor,’ Brigadier Haggar muttered as chill ran through on his spine.

  *****