Ch. 16 Rescue in the Ruins

[Jet]

"What am I doing here?" Rai demanded "Why was I transferred back?"
Everyone who hadn't returned to base already had been summoned back to the command room. Everyone was there, save for the two guardians which Elpizo had confined to their rooms until the mission was over. Disobedience was the official reason for the order, but Elpizo couldn't risk them finding out about the baby elves.

"I let you go to your tournament, but now I need you," Elpizo snapped, "As soon as the operators can input the coordinates I'm sending you right back out. Now everybody take a portable trans server and listen."

The resistance members did what they were told and Elpizo continued, "While you were out I sent two squads deep into the jungle on an important mission where they were attacked by Neo Arcadians. They have vital information and it is imperative that they return here safely but Neo Arcadia erected a jamming field and we can't transport them out. That's what the portable trans servers are for, once you find the squad you'll be able to send them back."

"Commander, I can't go, I'm injured." It was Flash. Despite his obvious injuries this time Elpizo wouldn't have it, he pulled back and backhanded the resistance member. "Then get a mop and start cleaning the place," Elpizo ordered, "If you're not going to fight you're going to be of some use to us or you won't be staying here."

The resistance members were taken back by the severity of Elpizo's actions and quickly picked up on the tenseness of the situation. The commander was clearly on edge.

"Transfer commencing," the operator interrupted.

The group materialized in the middle of a dense forest. Out of the trees ran a terrified looking resistance solder. "I'm so glad I've found you guys," he said, "Command sent us here to investigate something called a Baby Elf but we were attacked. The rest of my squad is back there... please help them!"

Raven moved forward and tagged the soldier who was transferred back to base.