After the recruitment for the new candidates of each division in the United of Sagitarius concluded, the training phase finally began. Meanwhile, military activity seemed to be intensifying once again, as reports suggested an imminent threat was looming on the horizon.
At 8 p.m. local time, inside the Command Center of The Haast, two figures sat around a table with a hologram of the Sagitarius galaxy flickering in the center, deep in conversation.
"Kryos, I think they'll make their move soon!" Vorta's eyes narrowed as he looked at Kryos Graves, the first-ranked High Sentinel.
"I suspect so as well, Vorta. But remember, we are currently weakened due to the incident 700 years ago. We lost comrades." Kryos looked gravely serious, crossing his arms and bowing his head in thought.
While they were talking, nine other people arrived; these were the other High Sentinels.
"You've arrived," Vorta said, his gaze shifting to his comrades, all of whom wore cloaks identical to his own.
The newcomers immediately took their seats and began the discussion.
"Yes, we heard they are moving again... huft, it's been several months since they last surfaced," said Raiden, the tenth-ranked High Sentinel, his arms crossed and his gaze sharp.
"But our combat strength is declining. The third position is still vacant, and the Primes have yet to choose who will fill it!" Heliostra, the fourth-ranked High Sentinel, placed both hands on the table, displaying data that showed their current military power was at a low point.
"Heh, for now, all we can do is wait. I hate this!" Seth Amotis, the ninth-ranked High Sentinel, looked visibly annoyed.
"Hey Vorta, do you even have a plan to face them while their strength is still intact, huh?!" Siegfried, the fifth-ranked High Sentinel, asked Vorta sharply.
The room grew tense. Silence filled the air, broken only by the hum of the cooling and ventilation systems.
"I believe we must wait until the Primes appoint someone worthy of the third rank. That is all we can do now!" Vorta's answer caused everyone to lower their heads in resignation.
"Why haven't the Primes appointed a new candidate yet? Shouldn't a vacancy be filled immediately?" Fang Lucient, the sixth-ranked High Sentinel, questioned the Primes' seemingly strange behavior, his face clouded with confusion.
"I think it's because the Primes are busy with other matters. You remember how many incidents have occurred across the Sagitarius galaxy lately," Haedeus, the seventh-ranked High Sentinel, replied while tapping his fingers on the table.
"True... and lately, our soldiers have been dealing frequently with 'Abyssium' monsters. I believe the Primes are prioritizing the safety of the citizens first," Foxana, the eighth-ranked High Sentinel, pointed out, showing data on the frequency of Spartan soldiers clashing with Abyssium creatures.
Foxana displayed more data regarding these monsters.
"They are people who have suffered from corrosion, slowly transforming into those things. And there is no way to return them to their original form." Several images appeared, showing normal, medium, and large-sized monsters.
As everyone reflected on the situation, Kryos suddenly opened the files of the new Spartan division trainees. After checking for a moment, his eyes landed on a girl who, according to the data, possessed impressive abilities for a recruit. Kryos then showed the data to the others.
"Huft, perhaps we have to wait until the training for these new Spartan recruits is finished. Then we can see who is worthy of filling the third rank," Kryos said with his eyes closed, surprising everyone in the room.
"Are you sure, Kryos?! Promoting a new soldier to become a high general like us?!" Siegfried was shocked, staring at Kryos, who remained in deep thought.
"You've seen her, right, Vorta? The blonde girl with the remarkable abilities?" Kryos directed his gaze toward Vorta.
"The blonde girl... you mean the one I met back then? It's true, according to the reports I've received, she has great potential, but I think it's far too early for her to become the third-ranked High Sentinel!" Vorta shook his head, thinking it was premature.
"Are you insane, Kryos? The pressure of being a high general like us is immense! What makes you so sure about that girl?!" Seth asked sharply, glaring at Kryos.
Suddenly, the hologram in the center showed a red dot in the Delta Sector. Heliostra checked the situation and, after a few moments, updated the others.
"There's an indication of an attack on a mining planet. Abyssium monsters are emerging from cracks in the caves!" Heliostra magnified the hologram of the planet, her finger pointing to the mining site's location.
"Very well. Seth, take this task and clear the problem," Kryos typed in some data and handed it to Seth.
"Chh, fine, I'll do it. I'll tell my troops to get ready immediately!" Seth pulled out his tablet and began barking instructions to his forces.
"Need backup, Seth?" Siegfried asked, watching Seth's busy movements.
"No, I don't! I can handle this with my own squad." Seth shook his head arrogantly.
"Huh, suit yourself then!" Siegfried crossed his legs and went back into silent reflection.
After a while, Seth stood up and left the others in the Command Center.
"He's so annoying!" Foxana muttered, watching Seth walk away.
"Let it go, Fox. That's just how he is. We should just monitor the progress," Vorta instructed the others to stay alert.
"The monster intensity isn't that high this time, but it's still dangerous," Heliostra noted, showing the waves of monsters appearing on the planet.
"At least Seth won't have to get his hands dirty this time; his troops should be enough!" Raiden watched closely, his eyes on the camera showing the starships carrying Seth and his men.
"Heliostra, have you sent the emergency signal to the mining planet?" Kryos asked Helio, who was still busy typing.
"Just a moment, Kryos...." Heliostra's fingers flew across the interface, then she stopped.
"Done. The emergency signal has been sent. Now we just wait for them to receive it. Huft, I hope they respond quickly." Heliostra wiped the sweat from her forehead with her hand.
"Good. Now we wait for Seth and his troops to take action." The holographic screen then showed several starships carrying Seth's squad—a total of three ships departing.
"Estimated arrival is in two minutes. Everyone, stay sharp!" Vorta ordered.
"Understood!" everyone in the room shouted in unison.
Kryos stood, observing the hologram. Vorta moved to the communications station with Heliostra and Foxana, while Raiden, Siegfried, Fang, and Haedeus busied themselves monitoring other systems within the Command Center.