REGIME (English Version)

Chapter 8 - A Little Red Dot

I was getting ready for another regional council meeting when I received an unexpected call. Still adjusting the insignias on my suit collar, I approached the table where my cell phone was, and I saw that it was my boss on the other end of the line, Commander of Sector C, responsible for the states located in the West of the country.

- Jaden. - Commander Carlson was not only a Commander but also my adoptive father. He took care of me and my sister when our parents became overwhelmed with work.

- Yes, sir commander, I'm five minutes away from the meeting.

- It's not about your punctuality that I want to discuss. - At that moment, I imagined Commander holding the phone while sitting in his orthopedic chair, sipping his whiskey.

- I became aware that a platoon was sent to complete a mission a few kilometers from the capital a few weeks ago. However, no soldier returned, much less gave a sign. Our theory is that they were killed by rebels and their bodies were burned or drowned because we haven't been able to track most of them through the signals of their marks.

- Wait, was it the same group that—

- Yes. It was the group that soldier 69 was sent with. However, the signal of her mark is still traceable, which may indicate that she is still alive.

- Alright, what do you want me to do?

- Your job. I will send you the coordinates of the location where our soldiers were last tracked via email. Eliminate any and all rebel life you find along the way and do not come back empty-handed.

- Alright, sir, I will bring her back alive.

- ...Although I admire your fraternal spirit, I am not referring to the rescue of your sister, Jaden. The platoon that included agent 69 was assigned to investigate the area where Miss Oliver's son was last seen.

- Excuse me... what are you talking about? Do you mean that the squad was sent to capture the son of that rebel who escaped from prison years ago? How many prison break cases do we have recorded? Why was my sister's life put at risk just to capture one more of them?

- Ruby is a trained soldier, Jaden. And as for the reason why the fugitive's son is so important to us, it is not clear, but carry out your orders without hesitation. See you at the meeting. Over and out. - Commander seemed like a executioner at times, but he sympathized with my concern for Ruby. Anyway, I couldn't think about that now, the meeting time was near. Arriving at the building where the council would be held, some well-dressed men were waiting for me, so after greeting them, I entered the meeting room and waited for it to begin.

Although Baldur is the sole ruler of the global government, the great leader has four ministers, each responsible for one hemisphere of the planet. The scheme was similar to how the old and backward form of government that the rebels love to call 'democracy', which was present in much of the globe decades ago, worked: Hemisphere leaders appointed trusted men to command a particular region, who then appointed other men to command a particular sector. The difference is that there was no room for dialogue or questioning. The main orders came directly from the Ministers, who passed Baldur's orders on to their subordinates and so on.

The Western hemisphere, where we live, is commanded by Mrs. Sarah Lilith. She has been here in the capital a few times, and this will be yet another time we welcome her for a meeting. She is a slender and very tall woman. About 1.90cm tall. White hair, big blue eyes, and always dressed in white. Everyone showed reverence when she arrived, and they received her with great respect, as if not, the lady could decapitate anyone she wanted without much concern.

- Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon - everyone in the room responded in chorus, in the same tone, at the same time. There were renowned and honored soldiers, battalion leaders, army commanders from all regions, and some district officials who were able to attend. They all responded in one voice to the lady's simple gesture of politeness.