Chapter 17: Report to the Commander-in-Chief
Heavy footsteps hit the cold steel floor as Varn entered the main command room. The room was simple but functional, lit by the dim yellow of emergency lighting and the blue glow of a holo-tactical map displaying troop movements, infection zones, and temporary safe points. The smell of burning metal and stale coffee lingered in the air.
In the center of the room, Lord Castellan Ursarkar E. Creed stood behind the command desk, his sharp eyes sweeping over the constantly updating visual reports. The legendary figure looked tired, but the determination in his gaze remained unwavering—like a mountain standing in the midst of a storm. Around him, staff officers and tactical analysts continued to work in busy silence.
Varn stopped in front of Creed and gave a military salute. "Lord Creed, the evacuation report from the Infection Zone has been compiled."
Creed simply nodded, curtly but with authority. "Report."
Varn took a deep breath, then opened his notebook. His voice was clear and firm, though fatigue still lingered in his tone.
> "We have successfully evacuated 45 refugees from the Delta-7 sector. Most of them are in a state of malnutrition, but are still within the limits of medical treatment.
Some of them are showing early symptoms of infection. Based on their testimony—especially from three individuals named Alice, Carlos, and Claire—this virus first spread from a city called Raccoon City in 2003.
They named a company called the Umbrella Corporation as the mastermind behind the creation and spread of the biological virus. They believe that Umbrella's research facility is underground and has been destroyed by a nuclear attack... but—"
Varn stared at Creed seriously, his voice slightly lower but sharper.
> "—according to our analysis, as we usually find in Genestealer Cult facilities or Chaos experiments, such a base would not be completely destroyed. At the very least, the remains or redundancies of the facility must still be hidden."
Creed sighed softly, his fingers tapping on the steel table. His gaze narrowed, indicating the strategic thoughts that were running through his head.
> "Your report makes sense. I will summarize all of this and review it for details.
For now, make sure the refugees are informed about the development of a global-scale antiviral. As long as their central nervous system is not too damaged or mutated, they can still be saved.
Coordinate with the Tech-Priests and Biologists of Lirae, convey any information they need."
Varn bowed his head. "Orders received, Lord Creed. I beg your permission to return to the medical sector."
Creed nodded slowly, then looked at the holo-screen beside him.
> "Hmmm… from the latest scans, only about a million humans remain on this part of the continent.
This world used to be home to three to four billion people. Now… only a shadow of it remains."
He clenched his jaw, then hissed softly, filled with disgust and suppressed anger.
> "This company… Umbrella… it acts like the Chaos Gods playing God. It disrupts the very fabric of nature, planting destruction in the heart of humanity.
Your Majesty never…"
Creed paused, staring into the distance at the screen—as if seeing the innocent faces that had not been saved.
A silence hung over the room for a moment, only the soft sounds of machinery and data transmissions audible.
Varn nodded, silently bowing his head in respect, then turned and walked away—leaving the room with a burden on his shoulders, and a war that was not over.