Behind the Mask (Part 1)

Chapter 11: True Identities (Part 2)

“Everyone get into your positions!” Siel ordered. The E and R series ran through the short role call, all saying that they were awaiting his orders. Siel adjusted his battle helmet on his head. He anxiously watched the mini map on his front dashboard, waiting for the red dot-units to appear on the mini map. There was a hushed silence among the troops as they waited for their commander’s orders.

There was movement on the map, and Siel’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Roaquen troops sighted!” one of the R-2 squad troops called through the general intercom.

“Await my command… E-1 and E-2… begin moving forward. E-3 and 4, move to the left and right positions accordingly. Make sure you all force them into Section 1 lands. Section 1 army, are you ready for combat?”

“Ready,” the section leader responded.

“They’re moving quicker than usual,” an R robot man observed.

“They are,” another confirmed.

“Concentrate,” Siel scolded. “R squad, prepare for air combat.”

“Understood,” Gabriel’s voice said.

Always on task, Siel thought of him. Good. Things are moving smoothly as of now. Not that the battle has started anyway.

Then a Roaquen middle-aged man called through a loudspeaker transmission, “Siel! I request meeting with you.”

Siel was silent for a few seconds. “Reject it,” Gabe advised. “It’s time for war, not negotiations. Who knows what that man is planning to do when you two are alone.”

“Very well,” Siel said to Gabe. Through a megaphone amplifier, he told the Roaquen, “Request denied unless you explain your reasons.”

“If you don’t meet with me immediately, I’ll reveal a certain identity to the world as we speak.”

“Very well, you may have audience with me once you cross the borderlines and step out of your battle robot with no weapons in hand.”

Siel turned his transmission off and stood up. He reached over to the left dashboard and grabbed a remote from the top of the counter. His eyes swept over the cameras on the right dashboard for a second, briefly checking that everything was under control. Then he walked out of the room, his cape flowing after him. Immediately after the door locked behind him, he headed towards the science and technology wing, where Hugh was waiting for him.

“You sure you want to go into battle?” Hugh asked, handing him the key to the RG battle robot.

“Yes. I will be there when I set the explosives off.” Siel went into the platform, which lifted him to the top of the RG-850 robot. He activated the machine, and it awoke, lights flickering on one by one. Not minutes later, he flew out of the battle complex, towards the battlefield where the Roaquen and Saesean troops were engaged in combat. They’re approaching the area, he thought with anticipation. And they haven’t said anything yet. His battle robot was standing on top of the roof of a building, overlooking everything that was happening. Only a few more minutes… lead them closer and closer. That’s right.

Minutes later, the same voice said, “We have crossed the borderlines. I request meeting with Siel.” The battle continued as if the man hadn’t spoken. Siel smiled to himself. “Very well, it seems as if you aren’t willing to speak privately with me.”

“All troops fly to the air,” Siel ordered trough the voice transmissions. Instantly, all of his troops’ battle robots’ wings spread outwards. They all receded into the air. Siel pressed the single button on the remote. Under the battlefield, Section 1, where the Roaquen were left, explosive after explosive ignited, forming a circular shape. All the battle robots fell down the large ditch and crashed into the ground with a collective crash. There was a small fire, but dust flew into the air, obscuring the view of the Saesean troops watching from above. Nevertheless, there were cheers from the Saesean men, and the intercoms were flooded with comments.