Commandant and his Constructs [PGR]

Chapter 31

"Still nothing..."

Hours have passed now and Strike Hawk has yet to find their objective. Searching through tents, crates, and anything that can have a box. But they've failed to find anything. The sun has already set and nighttime came.

"Sheesh... Who knew finding a box can be so hard..." Wanshi yawned tiredly as he rubbed his eyes.

"Personal items have only been found. Look." Everyone regrouped together as Chrome showed a photo. "These photos are scattered or were kept in drawers."

"These seem to be the soldiers who lived here." Camu said. "But don't you all notice the same thing?"

"They look extremely young." Kamui said.

"No doubt about it. They look to be young adults. At best in their twenties." Chrome said. "Yet with the drawers, you see that there are also photos of themselves when younger."

"There's no group photos as well." Kamui said. "Just personal pictures of themselves it seems."

"It looks like they take pictures of themselves as the years go by." Wanshi said as he blinked at the photos that he has in his hand. "How horrible... Some of these soldiers were part of the military since they were kids. Look, five-year-olds, six-year-olds. The photos in red marker have a number written on the corner."

"The numbers seem to indicate their age."

"I always put my trust and believe in the Commandant." Kamui spoke up. "But Wanshi... Did the Commandant give you the right coordinates? We've searched everywhere for this box! From the cars to tents, to drawers! Hell, I even went over to the cliff to see if I can see anything from above the base here and there's nothing!"

"Above..." Chrome muttered at Kamui's words. "What if..."

Everyone looked at Chrome as he paused.

"What if we didn't look everywhere?"

"..." Camu remained quiet at the question but widened his eyes. "You don't mean... But that will take a long time..." He said with annoyance.

"What does he mean?" Kamui asked with confusion.

"What if it's buried?" Chrome asked.

"......." Everyone remained quiet.

"F*ck off..." Kamui let out a whine.

"So much for an easy mission..." Wanshi muttered as he sighed tiredly. Tears swell up in his eyes as he feels drowsy.

-~-

"I should have probably told Wanshi that the box is buried..." The Commandant continues to lay in bed as he wakes up not long ago. The next arrived as he looked at the clock to his side. He slept through the entirety of yesterday. "Nah... They must have figured it out regardless. A simple task like that is nothing for Strike Hawk." He got up from the bed tiredly. His bare feet touched the cold floor as he wore a white gown.

"..."

He walked out of the room as the halls were quiet. It's early in the morning, and not a lot of people seem to be awake it seems. He licks his lips, yet he was surprised at the taste of metal. Confused by this, he wiped his mouth and yet saw no blood whatsoever.

Strange...

"Was I bleeding from my mouth last night?" He muttered as he stopped walking. "That must be the reason why I taste metal... I guess it would make sense. I haven't taken my medication in a while." His heart feels fine and he's not short on breath. But to make sure that it's not his illness, his next destination is his room.