Chapter 149: Attack In The South
After his discovery, Jayden took it upon himself to get to the root of everything.
There was a certain fact that someone must have helped Sofia because no typical civilian was allowed to enter the island except if they were working in one of the Units.
Jayden would never employ Sofia, and it wasn't as if she was experienced in any fields. He kept wondering how she sustained a several-month stay in the Defence Unit and wasn't discovered to be unqualified and unwanted.
There was a thorough questioning of all workers, especially the ones working in the Defence Unit, and the External Affairs Teams, who were to be most suspected.
The Security Teams were on probe too; however, Jayden had to do things gradually.
It started with the Defence Unit workers, where Harper played a big role in making them speak, but unfortunately, it was more than certain that they knew nothing about it in the end.
It was when Jayden met the External Affairs Team that the investigation became significant.
A total of eight men were called up to a room where Jayden, Harper, and some armed men sat. Jayden wasn't putting on a friendly look at all, unlike other days, which made the workers believe that it was a serious one.
"We just discovered that an imposter was on this island for five good months. We set rules and stated that only the hired people confirmed by me are to be allowed into the island. But then..."
Jayden showed them the frame image, with Sofia showing clearly on it.
"One of you let an evil figure in. One of you must be working for her here, and it's high time you speak, or it's gonna get ugly," Jayden added.
The men appeared to freeze after seeing Sofia's picture. It was certain that they had recognized her and remembered what happened exactly five months ago when they saw her floating atop the lagoon.
They all appeared silent for a while until it looked like the boss was losing it...
At that point, it turned out that all of them couldn't be quiet anymore.
"It was Alfred," one of the men said.
Alfred, who was right amongst them, suddenly flinched. It was that moment he realized that he was cooked.
With a look of panic, he went on his knees.
"I never knew she was a bad person. Forgive me, Mister President. She... She was drowning in the water, so I had to save... We all went and saved her," Alfred begged.
Jayden chuckled in doubt, taking that statement as a lie.
"You saved a lady from drowning. That's good work, but why was bringing her here your best choice?" Jayden asked.
"We were trying to deliver Lady Trigger's message before it got late. We were closer to the island than the mainland, so we had to bring her here," Alfred replied, his face completely soft, sincerely in plea.
"That's no excuse enough to stop me from believing you were working with her," Jayden cut in.
"No, Mister President. Believe me, I never worked for her. I swore to be loyal to the empire and I have always been doing that," Alfred said.
Jayden looked away and turned to the other guys.
"We all were there. Be certain about what happened," he said.
Another man, visibly older than the rest of the crew, stepped up and spoke.
"Alfred is right. We were all there when he saved her. We don't know how she got there, but she was almost about to drown after passing out. Alfred took it upon himself to save her, even though most of us disagreed, and in the end, she had to come with us because we were closer to the island than the mainland, just like he had said."
"She might not have made it if we decided to take her to the mainland. Plus, we really needed to meet up with the message at that time," the man added.
Jayden gave Harper a look, as she shrugged.
"That still doesn't change any fact. The straight fact here is that you broke the rules, Alfred. And you know the penalty for that, do you?" Jayden asked.
"Ye... Yes. I know the penalty," Alfred said with a breaking voice.
"I warned him. He refused to listen. I told him that he was committing a great crime against the rules but he wouldn't listen. Mister President, I think Alfred here was working with her!"
"They must have had a plan or something... Because there was no way she would survive a minute on the lagoon without being devoured by a shark or even drowning. She was never a swimmer after all."
One of the men, Poliver, suddenly stepped up and said this.
The whole crew flinched at his strange approach, as he was the only one who was going against his own workmate.
"He must die for what he did," Poliver added.
"You son of a bitch?" The older man, Kevin, angrily stood up and tried to hit Poliver as he cursed, but the group made sure that there wasn't any fight right in front of the President, as they were both held.
Poliver had clearly betrayed them, and that was certain.
"Enough of this!" Jayden bellowed.
"Everyone has the right to bring their opinion, and until the real truth is discovered, we aren't laying any penalty on anyone," Jayden said as he stood and left the room with Harper and the securities following up.
Poliver gave an intimidating smile at all of them after the boss left, and then left right after.
When he reached his apartment block, he locked both the doors and windows and grabbed his phone.
After a short dial, there was a pick on his call, as a feminine voice sounded.
"Yes, Poliver?"
"He already discovered you were here. I would advise you not to come back after the Leave," Poliver said in a mutter.
"Of course, I wouldn't, Poliver. Not after I started the party," Sofia said from the other end and laughed.
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[A/N: Your opinion on Alfred. Should he be punished or pardoned?]
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"I swear to God, Becky. I don't think coming with you for this is a good idea. You should be able to handle it."
Camilia and Becky conversed as they walked towards the Orion V SUV.
"Come on, Cammy. You are going to love it. Would you rather love to stay idle at home?" she asked.
Camilia didn't respond, but Becky clearly sensed her response with the way she acted.
They soon entered the car and drove off, with the smart security follow-ups as usual.
After landing at the Spring City airport, they would have to journey about twenty-five kilometres to Wethland, a state well close to the sea, and the right spot where they had discovered crude oil.
Their job there was clear. Becky was to talk to the people, who had promised violence to whatever force tried to steal their resources from them.
This same region of Nortasia had the highest record of terrorism and violence, but today, Becky believed she could change that, and with Camilia's help, she was even more confident.
Upon reaching Wethland, they were about to head to the South Land Protection office, a board known to be the protectors of the state's resources.
Becky's plan was for Camilia to talk to the Leader of this group, while she took the role of talking to the people.
However, just when they had stepped out of the car to head into the building...
TARR! TARR! TARR!
Gunshots rose from nowhere, as loud shooting sounds enveloped the entire area.
They had it in mind that the South could be a dangerous place, and they might not have the chance to reveal their intentions before they got attacked.
Camilia had thought about that in particular, and now that this was happening, she realised that she had guessed right.
At one moment, they already concluded that it was the people of the South who were attacking until they realised that the gunshots were completely coming at them as well.
Sure, the Leader of the SLP was initially informed that Lady Camilia and Lady Becky would be coming for a meeting with him, although he had stated that he wouldn't cooperate with them, but that didn't mean he wouldn't give them the chance to speak.
Not when they were the ruling bodies of the country.
The gunshots went haywire, as the ladies rushed back to the Orion V while the securities covered them by gunning back at the attackers.
However... unfortunately... it turned out that these security men were not covering enough.
The attackers took them out one by one, and the cover was getting even weaker before the ladies could reach the car.
And when they finally reached... when they were just about to jump in...
Taar!
A single shot hit Becky...
Not the shot that could claim her life instantly, fortunately for them, but the one that could claim it gradually.
Becky got shot in her left leg, but thanks to Camilia's pull, she was helped into the car despite her not being able to stand.
The car drove off instantly, leaving some men behind, dead or injured.
That way, the mission in Wethland was left in chaos.