Operations Control Room, Davy Jones MOB

0830, 23 Aug 2025

Over the past three weeks, Davy Jones had regularly received visits from some Riders. According to radar they were flying from Kingdom of Buriek. The four intruders who were caught at Bluefin were also Buriek Navy's personnel.

The interrogation indicated that Kingdom of Buriek was preparing to invade Sandhur Region, which was located 60 km west of FOC South 1750. Even so, it did not mean that TF Amethyst higher-ups had relaxed their guard.

Vex shifted his gaze from Kingdom of Buriek's map towards Nate and asked, "What do you think?"

Nate answered calmly, "Statistics show Buriek Riders conducted reconnaissance into Sandhur Region 30% higher than reconnaissance on Davy Jones.

But keep in mind that during World War II allies sent more aerial reconnaissance to Calais when their target was Normandy, and German intelligence that was dominated by statistical geeks deceived.

Also, it's possible that the captured intruders were deliberately fed with misinformation to trick us."

Vex immediately took a deep breath. "I want IDG to form three reconnaissance teams. Team A will collect data about Buriek Navy to the smallest detail. Team B will collect data on Buriek Air Corps, and Team C will analyze the priorities of strikes to cripple Kingdom of Buriek's military. So they are willing to talk peace as soon as possible."

"Do you intend to launch a pre-emptive strike?"

"No, I already proposed it to Old Man O'Neil but he refused." Vex was silent for a few moments before continuing, "The problem is, for the last six months TF Amethyst has not received shipments of spare parts and ammunition from earth. So if a conflict occurs, victory must be secured as fast as possible."

Nate tapped his finger on the display table before speaking, "I understand your concern. We are outnumbered and can only rely on firepower and an element of surprise. So taking a passive stance is not wise.

But if Kingdom of Buriek's target is Sandhur Region, then this is a good opportunity to see Kingdom of Makai's military capacity. Besides, who knows if Kingdom Buriek is willing to ally with us."

Vex nodded and even though Nate didn't tell him, he could guess that when Kingdom of Buriek launched the attack on Sandhur Region, Nate would order IDG personnel at Makai Royal City to spread the news about the invasion. And when either party was on the verge of defeat, Nate would offer to help.

Vex then casually asked, "What if Kingdom of Buriek attacks us and Sandhur Region simultaneously?"

A smile bloomed on Nate's lips. "If that happens then feel free to turn Buriek Royal City into desert."

- - - - -

Main Meeting Hall, Buriek Guard HQ

1005, 26 Aug 2025

Kingdom of Buriek was located on a small continent 355 km south of Amstell Continent. It had an area equal to 1/10 of America and supplied 40% of Amstell Continent iron ore needs. While 80% of the Kingdom Burieks' food needs were imported from Amstell Continent.

Of the 15 million of Kingdom Buriek's residents, 75% were at military age, and with an abundant military budget the Kingdom was able to form an Air Corps with a strength of 1200 Riders and Navy equipped with 3000 warships.

For the past two months, Buriek Guard higher-ups had been busy preparing for an invasion. Their target was Sandhur Region, a small Region located on a wide plain flanked by two cliffs.

All of Amstell Continent's southern coast were cliffs with an average height of up to 30 meters. Except, flat sandy beach in Sandhur Region and Ursu Canal in Sutt Region.

Like the previous days, today Grand Commander Keraz led Buriek's military high-ranking officers to hold a meeting. For a long time Grand Commander Keraz stared at the giant map on the table. Before finally, he pointed at the two cliffs flanking Sandhur Region.

"Whoever controls Levsait and Raisat will control 70% of Sandhur Region territory as well as the entrance to Amstell Continent. If we fail to seize these two cliffs from Sandhur Guard, then the invasion we launched is failed even though we succeeded in occupying Lagra City." Marshal Keraz then turned to Marshal Ducie before asking, "How confident are you?"

Marshal Ducie replied firmly, "Buriek Riders will neutralize Sandhur Guard strongholds on the Levsait and Raisat in three hours. At the same time Buriek Riders will slaughter their Riders."

"Ducie, I believe in Buriek Rider's ability. But I will still remind you, if you fail then Buriek Navy and Buriek Guard's elements will be in a fragile situation."

"It won't happen."

Once again Marshal Ducie replied firmly, and Grand Commander Keraz gave a small nod before turning his head towards Admiral Errez.

"Errez, I'm just reminding you. Our ultimate goal is to occupy Sandhur Region. Then move as many defensive assets as possible to defend it from Kingdom Makai's counter-invasion.

Until we break Kingdom Makai's intention to reclaim Sandhur Region, we will ignore the foreigner on the southern side of Desolate Land. However, once we get hold of Sandhur Region, I will directly lead the negotiations for the release of four Buriek sailors who were caught during reconnaissance."

Admiral Errez took a deep breath before saying calmly but steadily, "Understood."

Over the past few days, aerial reconnaissance had shown that four captured Buriek sailors were still alive.

They were held in a 1x1 meter cage in an open yard. But there were no signs that they were going to be executed or badly treated. Therefore, for now Admiral Errez no longer asked for a permit to launch rescue operations.

Grand Commander Keraz was relieved after seeing the calm expression on Admiral Errez's face, an old sailor who was stubborn, fierce, and famous for always treating his men as his own family.

"Then, we will launch the invasion early in the morning."

As soon as Marshal Keraz gave the green light, the eyes of all high-ranking officers in the war strategy room instantly flashed.

- - - - -

Lady Tears Pub, Davy Jones MOB

2215, 26 Aug 2025

As a fanatical admirer of Lan Yan'er, Nate was really worried when his idol asked him for help to get Vex's profile.

Moreover, he later heard that Vex was quite close to the two cute little girls left by the late Specialist Hebert, who happened to be in Lan Yan'er's care.

There was a time when Nate was quite close to Keira and Seira. Considering that he often ate lunch with Lan Yan'er, and Lan Yan'er always took Seira and Keira wherever she went.

The problem was, a small incident destroyed his relationship with Keira, which resulted in the breakdown between him and Lan Yan'er.

One day, Nate brings honey pancakes for Seira and Keira. As he was cutting the pancakes, Keira suddenly looked at him with sparkling eyes. Then approaching him and opening her mouth wide.

Nate immediately grinned from ear to ear while bringing a piece of pancake to Keira's mouth. However, when Keira was about to eat it Nate deliberately pulled his hand and laughed cheerfully, while Seira puffed out her cheeks.

After three times successfully tricking Keira, Nate finally stopped his prank, and even though she was tricked several times, Keira still opened her mouth wide to welcome Nate's helping hand.

'Children are very innocent,' muttered Nate at that time, then he was screaming hysterically because Keira didn't eat the pancake. Instead, she bit his fingers as hard as she could.

From that day on, Nate realized the meaning of the phrase 'Never underestimate a cute little girl.'

Worse, Seira and Keira didn't want to play with Nate anymore after that. Keira would even show off her white teeth every time she met him, as if she were saying 'I'm going to bite you bad person.'

Lan Yan'er from then on also seemed to have avoided Nate, and would not have come to see him if it weren't for something of extreme importance. So it's natural that right now Nate considers Vex to be the biggest crisis in his life.

When Vex arrived at Davy Jones, Nate intended to find out how far the relationship between Vex and Lan Yan'er was. Unfortunately, Vex refused his drinking invitation.

But tonight, when afternoon aerial surveillance showed that activity at Buriek Guard HQ had dropped, Vex somehow accepted Nate's invitation to drink.

Nate downed a mouthful of brandy before turning his head towards Vex. "I wanted to ask you something, and I hope you answer it honestly?"

Vex accepted the second serving of peanuts from the bartender before casually answering, "Depending on the question, I can answer it honestly or no answer at all."

Nate nodded several times before asking the question that had been bothering him. "Have you done it with Lan Yan'er?"

"Done what?" a large question mark pops up on Vex's forehead.

"Of course..."

Nate did not finish his words, but clenched his right fist then tapped the top of it with his left palm until a 'Plock plock plock!' sounds were heard.

Vex almost choked when he saw that the way of how Nate confirming was similar to a high schooler when he asked if his friend was having sex with the girl he was interested in. Luckily, Vex managed to hold back his laughter.

Vex casually answering, "If you mean sex, then the answer is no and never will be."

A big doubt flashed in Nate's gaze. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Vex downed a mouthful of Amur Beer before continuing, "If I did it with Lan Yan'er, most likely what will I think of was not Lan Yan'er but my ex-wife, and I believe Lan Yan'er doesn't deserve to be treated like that."

Nate stared at the Vex with a gaze that was difficult to express before asking, "Are you still unable to forget your ex-wife?"

"Yupe."

Vex nodded while an officer from Operations Control Room approached.

"XO, Chief Nate, Reapers just caught the deployment of Buriek Navy 4th Fleet. They headed straight north at full speed."

Vex sighed deeply. "When I think we can relax, we just have to stay up late."

"Yeah."

Nate answered before downing the last sip of his brandy.

*****