Like most military units at the Company level, Pine Co has only 160 personnel and is led by a Major. However, when in a state of martial law, Pine Co can mobilize 6000 hunters in Pinetown to become a local militia unit.

This mobilization can be done in a matter of hours because every hunter is always carrying their weapons. So there is no need for a procedure to open the armory and weapons distribution.

Once the hunters arrive at the gathering point, they can immediately receive the mission and are integrated with Pine Co personnel.

Also, despite its modest number of personnel, Pine Co is a light infantry unit that can operate independently without the support of artillery or cavalry elements. Therefore the members are equipped, trained, and paid above the standard of regular infantry units.

From the lowest rank soldiers to the highest officers, all Pine Co personnel are required to maintain Combat Qualification at a score of 8.6.

Major Jovic had just finished leading the afternoon Physical Exercise when a Lieutenant ran over to him carrying his chest rig, Sig Sauer P226, and Sig SG 553.

"Sir, there was an incident at Villa Ezter. Sir Dekker and his three personal bodyguards were killed last night."

Major Jovic immediately put on his chest rig, at the same time 2 units of SUV double-cab approached him.

"Ask Captain Jaret to come after me."

"Sir!"

After grabbing the SG 553 offered by the Lieutenant, Major Jovic then climbed into the back seat of the second SUV.

- - - - -

Initially, Villa Ezter was a compound built as a shelter for Pinetown pioneers, and was designed to ward off invasion or infiltration. Therefore, infiltrating Villa Ezter was not easy, let alone killing four people inside without being detected.

After observing Sir Dekker's body for some time, Major Jovic then turned his head towards Villa Ezter's Security Chief.

"There were no screams, gunshots, or any other trace."

"Yeah." The Security Chief took a deep breath before continuing. "I also don't understand how the killer got past more than 120 guards, workers, and servants in this villa as he carried out the items from the armory, Sir Dekker's personal safebox, and other items."

Major Jovic didn't care about what the killer took, except for the items of the armory. "What items did the killer take from the armory?"

"24 AK-102, 10 AK-102SD, 10 MP9SD, 8 M14, 8 Ultimax 100, 50 Glock 19, 8 GP-36. All are non-serialized products purchased from Pine PX Store."

The Security Chief paused for a moment before continuing.

"Tens of thousands ammunition, various types of grenades, Semtex, TNT, and other equipment."

Hearing the details mentioned by the Security Chief, dizziness immediately struck Major Jovic's forehead.

'Hopefully the killer will sell the weapons and equipment, and not form a band of marauders in Pinetown.' Major Jovic then turned his head towards the platform in the center of the basement.

"What's Sir Dekker doing here?"

"I don't know. Sir Dekker hardly ever talks to the locals he hires."

Major Jovic immediately contemplated. Two months ago Sir Dekker arrived in Pinetown with three personal bodyguards and a Magic Engineer. He then rented Villa Ezter from Pine Co and employed more than 100 local people.

Major Jovic knew Sir Dekker was using an alias. But he did not dig too deep because the newcomer had a solid connection.

Last week, the Magic Engineer brought by Sir Dekker slipped on the stairs and broke his neck. His spies reported some irregularities in the incident, but he decided not to interfere.

'Are the two incidents related?' asked Major Jovic internally. However, in the end he could only sigh.

"I hope you and all the people in the villa will not mind being interrogated using Truth Scroll."

"Of course not." The Security Chief answered confidently.

- - - - -

After lit a Kamel, Major Jovic then turned his head towards Captain Jaret.

"What did you find?"

"Nothing, no matter how I combed the outer wall, I didn't find anything."

Major Jovic instantly took a deep sigh. If the best tracker in Pinetown didn't find any traces, then there was nothing he could do.

In a low voice Major Jovic then said, "Interrogation using Truth Scroll also did not result in anything?"

A big question mark instantly filled Captain Jaret's forehead. "No trace, no insider, then what are we going to do?"

"Send what we find to Regimental HQ and let them decide."

"Then I'll go back to Sawmill 55, can't leave the place for too long."

Without waiting for an answer from his superior, Captain Jaret left Villa Ezter.

- - - - -

At dusk Glue Pub is not crowded. Most of the visitors come only for late lunch before continuing their activities. Behind the counter, Milev is engrossed in wiping a wine glass when Major Jovic enters and walks over to him.

As a fellow Pinetown pioneer, Milev was very familiar with Major Jovic's habits. If he comes with a glooming face, then he doesn't come to drink.

While handing a glass of iced lemon tea, Milev greets Major Jovic, "What news have you brought?"

"Weird news, a very weird news."

"I'm listening."

After sipping the iced lemon tea, Major Jovic then recounted the incident at Villa Ezter, and slowly but surely Milev's forehead wrinkled.

"Jovic, you're not spitting bullshit, are you?"

"Have I ever bullshitting you?"

After pondering for a moment, Milev shook his head. "I'll post the news on the bulletin board then."

"Thank you."

Knowing that hostile elements are operating in an area can increase the chance of survival of allied elements. Therefore, Pine Co is actively looking for intel regarding the Hostile Race movement and openly announcing it.

It's just that, for an unknown reason, most hunters in Pinetown are reluctant to visit the bulletin board at Pine Co, and prefer to exchange information at a drinking place like Glue Pub.

Therefore, Major Jovic took the initiative to create a second bulletin board at Glue Pub.

When Milev returned to the counter, Major Jovic immediately said, "Now, can you prepare an extra-large lunch for me?"

"Roger."

Cheerfully, Milev then delivered Major Jovic's order to the kitchen.

*****