The Little Prince in the Ossuary

# Change (10)

Esther. With the mind of the girl guarding, the United States has gained the ability to decode all communications from a mutant group. This meant that none of their aggression could be an ambush.

Nevertheless, the reason why the US military suffers defeat at a fixed rate……. More precisely, there was a reason to suffer defeat. To keep the cunning out of Esther's presence. Once they realize that their conversations are leaking, the Tricksters will change the nature of the radio waves used to communicate. The cipher system is changing.

Of course, the spread of the renewed trait to the rest of the variants would take time to re-infect, but it would never take long. This is different from the time of Boar Hunt. By that time, the variants had been thoroughly compromised and rushed to conserve population numbers, but at this point, they were able to maintain sufficient organizational strength. The rate of reinfection will outpace the rate at which the plague spreads.

After that, Esther loses her ability to decipher their conversations until she captures the Trickster on the front line and acquires a new propagation trait.

What happens if that happens again?

'Trickster as a Special Variant could be eliminated. ’

Like Acryd, who appeared in the middle of a boar hunt and vanished in an instant, good abilities are not often removed.

Alternatively, South American variants should consider the possibility of alternating wires divided into a plurality of groups that share different radiographic characteristics. Whenever the U.S. military shows signs of decrypting propagation, a group with a new characteristic comes forward. Tricksters only communicate on separate channels. It was a possible strategy because the entire South American continent was the backdrop of the variants. How many new variants are being conceived at this moment in the vast mountains, forests and plains.

Winter put more weight on the latter. Trickster's cunning should not be ignored.

This thought was a secret I could not keep out of my mouth. However, Commander Capston's reasoning, a capable commander, had already stumbled upon the contours of the truth.

Here's what I think.

Captains' words.

Upstairs, they're probably deciphering Trickster's transmissions.

“ ……. ”

I don't know how that is possible. Even during Operation Burning Valley or Operation Boar Hunt, we were only able to mimic the signal of a rally. Their transmissions have completely changed since then, and I can't believe you let them get away with that.

“It's a little early for that. ”

Agreed. But it is clear that the decryption is taking place. Otherwise, there's no way to explain the situation. And I feel terrible about it.

“…… because you think you deliberately sacrificed some of your allies to deceive the sly? ”

"That's it.

His voice becomes heavy.

Given that it is true to decode their transmissions, all of our losses must be pre-planned. In other words, at the command's discretion, the living and the dead are predetermined. Well, that's hard to take personally. Even though you know you have to accept....

Winter, the position of keeping secrets, was accepted with proper words.

“Still, defeat doesn't mean unconditional death. ”

Even if it is a deliberate loss, there will be no severe defeat or rare enough that the buoyancy sign itself will be erased from the map. Though many troops are condemned to perish after losing more than three men.

The captain sighs.

"Most of the time, yes. Sometimes it's not. Even though I know it's a limb, it doesn't change how many soldiers I push around. even if it's the only way to minimize loss of life and maintain strategic dominance. As a soldier, I think it's more right to have a fight where everyone shares the risk. It's also the virtue of a commander. You can't always keep it, but you have to try to keep it...... that kind of thing.

“I understand. My mind always does. ”

After all, it was a question of how few sacrifices could be justified for many. Some would call it the duty of a soldier, but every sacrifice that is not a self-sacrifice is no more than necessary evil. No, it shouldn't be. It reminded me of a conversation with General Sierra Roo. Didn't she tell you? It's never natural to have to sacrifice yourself. I agree with winter here.

‘This makes it harder to declare Esther's existence. ’

What is inevitable and what is right is not synonymous. If the facts are known, some of the surviving families of the fallen sergeant will grumble against Esther, as well as the military leadership who made strategic judgments. It was hard to think that the number would be small. Sadness paralyzes reason. And given the people who would sympathize with it, there was a high chance that it could be a powerful political scandal.

Therefore, information about Esther must remain confidential for your own good.

At least not while she's alive.

Winter suddenly felt a grief. No matter how much she devotes herself to humanity and suppresses her stony hatred, very few people will recognize her work in her lifetime. It was a good thing Esther had faith. If there were no religion, how would she keep that heart? Faith was the power to let a girl swim out of the water.

…… Decree. Commander Han, do you copy?

“Oh, yes. I'm sorry, I'm just having second thoughts. ”

Winter, when I was wet with depression, came to my senses.

“What did you say? ”

"I asked if D.C. had any other information.

“No. Nothing special. ”

"Hmm…….

Capston revealed a pale regret. However, the secret Winter knew was not in need of him. He's almost certain of his own conjecture.

“I wish I could fight there with you. ”

Thank you for saying that, but you are already helping enough.

“Is that so?"

You have no idea how much the soldiers of the Southern Front were shaken when the coup exploded there. If the rebellion had lasted just one more day, it would have caused all kinds of trouble. From small deserters to large conflicts with commanding officers of the crucial task force.

There is nothing more fragile than an army that is unsettled in the rear.

"The war hero's name is heavy. Be the limestone there. Let us fight with peace. First of all, it's been less than half a year since you left the wire.

“Very well. Tell Jeffrey not to worry about this, either. No, I think I'd better take the time to speak to him. ”

There are many who want to see you.

“Thank you for that. ”

Winter smiled faintly.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry to call you on a day like today, but all I'm saying is that it's dark.

“Never mind. I was just wondering about the news there. I feel like the information on the intranet is not enough. Maybe it's best to listen to someone in the field? ”

That's right.

“Have you had anything good for Thanksgiving? ”

"Well, I've received a lot of supplies..."

The sound of Commander Capston moaning.

"Frankly, turkey is not a delicacy. Except for my mother's cooking.

Winter smiled again because it was unnecessarily serious. The United States still has a healthy output in delivering the turkey to the 10 million army. Moreover, because it was difficult for field cooks, it was the amount that was sent to me in a timely manner.

“Be careful.”

Winter asked me.

“We don't know when the mutant attack will happen. If we can get through that safely, there won't be much trouble until we get to the Panama Strait. I hope everyone gets back in one piece. ”

"I'll try."

The conversation we had earlier is a conversation, so it is inevitable to pray for a safe return, to answer that you will try, or to sound a little empty. However, it was not appropriate for another word to express the same mind, but it was an exchange, knowing that it would be awkward.

A few minutes later, the winter after finishing the call, we looked at the new materials uploaded to the intranet. whether there are changes in their behavior, the appearance of new variants, and the frequency of the occurrence of each. I have never been lazy to confirm this even after being rearranged. Trying to push the end of the world, whatever it is, ultimately leads to the fight against the plague.

‘I'm scraping weapons and ammunition...' ’

Surprisingly, it's a story of mutants.

Winter played a video. A Trickster caught unmanned. In the video, the sly creature is looking around, holding a rifle. Caution comes from slow movements. There were also some magazines next to it.

What's unusual is that his rifle is not an American formula. A Russian assault rifle (AK103) was imported by a country in South America before the outbreak.

The vast majority of variants still remain below the level of animal intelligence. However, the probability of Tricksters selecting reinforced ghouls or other highly intelligent specialty variants was sufficient to grab firearms. They had plenty of time to explore new weapons.

The Air Force and Navy bombed every major military outpost in South America, but it was unable to completely stop mutants from getting their hands on automated weapons and ammunition. According to Pentagon forecasts, the ammunition obtained by a variant group in South America was more than three days on the basis of a massive aggression.

This means that there is a high chance that there will be a strong attack for at least three days at a time. During those three days, the soldiers will need to be alert to a surprise fire that may spill from beyond, in addition to a wave of living corpses. Even if a clumsy catastrophe doesn't kill an ally directly, it's enough to make the soldiers crouch for a while. It was a fight I had had once in winter.

This is the reality of the major toll in the call with Capston. With Esther's help, we should not lose in a frontal match, but it is clear that there will be more casualties in that period than usual. Thousands of people...... may die across the front lines.

Winter in D.C. had to be a bystander on the case.

Anne came to winter accommodation this evening. With her bags and luggage tucked away, she embraces the winter with a weary look.

“Work, but I was always with him, and he was so wasted. ”

It was about the mission being changed. The quest for heroes was tentatively cancelled and the reason for being escorted by the investigating authorities was lost even after winter was no longer hospitalized. Anne eventually returned to the FBI headquarters. It was a position I could not rest like Thanksgiving.

Winter and Alpha outposts have also changed. Now I'm staying at the White House visitor's quarters. There is only one road between us and the White House. In the event of a rapid catastrophe, it was also a short walk away. As a deployed force in case of emergencies, the only mission given is periodic patrol and standby. The squadrons spent the entire day indoors, with the exception of patrol and guard duty. It was better. After about a month of treason, there was a strange fatigue among the squadrons. Smokers also had a small increase.

Winter took care of Anne.

“I can't help it. It's weird that a soldier on a mission gets extra security, isn't it? ”

“Well……. But it's better than ever. ”

“Was?”

“The day I boarded the transport at Olema Node. ”

“Ah.”

“I felt really out of it at the time. I haven't slept without a drink in days. ”

“ …… ”

After a deep breath on the shoulder of winter, Nasin Anne fell shyly smiling.

“Phew. Thank you. I think I'll live now. ”

It's not a joke, but it's completely different from before. After a little cookout, winter looks at the paper bag she brought. Something smells fishy.

“What's that? ”

“Something to eat while watching the game. Dumplings of vegetables and a little salad in a generic sauce chicken. I had it delivered this way, and then I picked it up. I think it'll fit in the winter mouth. It's my favorite place to eat since I started working here. Oh, and I brought my own beer. ”

“Beer.... This is D.C., if that's your area of operations. ”

“You don't want to get caught. ”

“That's not what an FBI investigator would say. ”

“Don't worry. I'm not taking him. If you miss a beer in football, it's sad. ”

Winter laughed again because of a natural joke like stopping time.

Anne mentioned the NFL to be broadcast from 8: 30. She looks at a clean watch and asks.

“We still have time, but are we going to talk and eat first? ”

“Sure."

“You had a light dinner, right? I texted you.”

“Of course. I don't know who that is. ”

Winter was a good idea for these conversations to continue naturally. She was aware of the handshake at the reunion in Las Vegas, but her attitude to avoid treason disappeared. Seems confident and confident.

Anne said.

“As the holidays approached, the White House must have been under a lot of pressure. ”

“That way? ”

“I heard the vice president say something strange. ”

“Ah.”

The slow understanding of winter nodded.