Alex and Claire took their places at a long, polished conference table, its dark wood surface gleaming faintly under the flickering light of overhead lamps, casting subtle reflections of the gathered councilors. Although the council officially comprised only thirteen members, the room was prepared for growth, with additional chairs arranged neatly along the table's edges, their cushions untouched, awaiting new voices in the Greenridge base's governance.
"Alex, what's Claire doing at the council table?" Ethan's voice cut through the murmurs, sharp and probing, as his narrowed eyes fixed on Claire, who had claimed a seat with quiet confidence. A flicker of suspicion danced in his gaze, as if he were weighing the implications of her presence.
"Claire has achieved a breakthrough to the third-level Awakened," Alex responded, his tone calm and measured, betraying none of the tension that simmered beneath the surface. "According to the base's regulations, she is now fully entitled to participate in council deliberations."
His announcement sent a ripple of surprise through the assembled councilors, their whispers swelling into a low hum of intrigue and speculation. Several exchanged knowing glances, their eyes darting between Alex and Ethan, well aware of the longstanding friction between the two—a rivalry that had become something of an open secret among the base's leadership.
"That's a remarkable development," a councilor interjected, his voice steady and diplomatic, seeking to diffuse the undercurrent of tension. "The addition of another third-level Awakened bolsters the strength of our Greenridge base, a cause for optimism in these perilous times."
His words found agreement among others at the table, who nodded thoughtfully, their expressions a mix of approval and cautious neutrality, as they sought to maintain harmony in the face of potential conflict.
Uncle Lee, seated to the side with a demeanor that suggested both wisdom and weariness, produced a crystal measuring device, its sleek surface glinting as he aimed it at Claire. The device hummed softly, its display flashing a precise reading of 100 crystal points, confirming her status as a third-level Awakened. With a curt nod, Uncle Lee acknowledged Claire's eligibility to join the council, his weathered face betraying no emotion. Turning to Ethan, he spoke with deliberate authority. "The pressing matter before us is the strategy to confront the zombie horde. That is the sole focus of today's assembly."
At his words, a somber gravity descended upon the councilors, their earlier curiosity replaced by the weight of the crisis that loomed beyond Greenridge's fortified walls, an ever-present threat that cast a shadow over their every decision.
For nearly two months, the zombie horde had encircled the base, a relentless siege that, while not yet an assault, choked the lifeblood of their operations. Supply runs had become treacherous, and training missions for Awakened teams were fraught with danger, the constant presence of the undead stifling the base's ability to function. The councilors' faces reflected the strain of this prolonged stalemate, their eyes clouded with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
"What is that leader-type zombie scheming?" Tony, a broad-shouldered councilor whose voice rumbled like distant thunder, leaned forward, his thick arms crossed tightly against his chest. "Two months, and they neither attack nor scatter. They just linger out there, like a guillotine poised above our necks, waiting to fall."
His question captured the collective unease that gripped the room, articulating the mystery that had baffled them all. Ordinary zombie hordes, driven by instinct, typically dispersed within days, their chaotic momentum fading without direction. But this horde, orchestrated by a leader-type zombie, defied such patterns, maintaining its vigil with an eerie, almost calculated patience that set everyone on edge.
The councilors debated at length, their voices rising and falling as they speculated on the leader-type's intentions, each theory more convoluted than the last, yet none yielding a definitive answer. At last, Ethan raised a hand, his gesture commanding silence with the authority of the base's leader. "We cannot unravel the zombie's motives," he declared, his voice resolute, cutting through the fog of conjecture. "Our objective is singular: to dismantle this horde and end the threat it poses to Greenridge."
"Since you've summoned us, Leader, have you devised a plan?" another councilor inquired, his tone expectant as he leaned toward Ethan, his fingers drumming lightly on the table's edge.
Every councilor turned their attention to Ethan, their gazes fixed on him, waiting for the strategy that might turn the tide against the undead menace encircling their home.
"Over the past weeks, I've dispatched numerous Awakened teams to scout the horde's movements," Ethan began, his words deliberate, each one carrying the weight of lives lost in the effort. "At great cost, we've located the leader-type zombie." He unfolded a detailed map across the table, its creased surface marked with a bold red circle. "It's concealed within the Silverlight Tower on the outskirts of Ashen City. If we can eliminate the leader, the horde will collapse without its guiding will."
The councilors crowded around the map, their eyes tracing the marked location, analyzing its significance with practiced scrutiny. "The Silverlight Tower is strategically positioned," one observed, his finger hovering over the map's edge. "Perched on Ashen City's border, it commands a clear view of Greenridge base. That zombie chose its lair with cunning precision."
"A direct assassination is unfeasible," Uncle Lee added, his voice measured but firm, his gaze still fixed on the map as if it might reveal some hidden truth. "The leader-type is surrounded by a writhing mass of zombies, an impenetrable barrier. It's as intelligent as any human, guarding itself with meticulous care."
"Then we must execute a two-pronged assault," Ethan countered, his tone brimming with determination as he seized the opportunity to outline his vision. "First, we rally the full might of Greenridge's forces to engage the horde head-on, clearing a path and drawing the zombies' attention. Simultaneously, we deploy a swift, elite strike team to infiltrate the tower. Leader-types rely on their control over others, not their own combat prowess. Speed is the key to this team's success."
As he spoke, Ethan's piercing gaze settled on Alex, a silent acknowledgment of his unique qualifications for the mission. Several councilors followed his lead, their eyes turning to Alex with a mix of expectation and confidence, their thoughts unspoken but clear.
The memory of Alex's sparring match with Lightning lingered vividly in their minds, his Shave technique had left onlookers stunned. For a mission hinging on unparalleled speed, capable of outpacing the undead swarm and striking at the heart of the horde, there was no one better suited than Alex.