CHAPTER 2: Plans
# = Author's Notes
#
Ah, notice the change in the title? I figured this story would
get too long to be simply the aftermath of the original Oni's story. So, I came up with this
long-winded name. Anyway, I brought back the older Chapter 2 to 3.
Oh, sorry for not updating for some time.
So, as usual, please read and review. Tell me what you think!
-WJTW-
#
TCTF Kyoto Headquarters
Board Meeting Room
Wednesday, January 05,
2033
The
TCTF Headquarters of Kyoto was one of the few that was unaffected by the
destructive explosions of Neo Japan's Atmosphere Processors.
The building is not as good-looking as the other ones, as it was the first to be
built (way back in late 2013*, when the TCTF was established.), but the facilities are as up-to-date as they can be.
It was really a surprise this building could hold up, but it wouldn't really be
once you check the maps. This building is not in close proximity with any
atmosphere processor.
This was now the headquarters used for the TCTF's board meetings, which was
still held once a week (and sometimes twice or thrice, depending on the
situation.).
********************
The lights of the Board Meeting Room flickered and lit the room. The room is not as spacious as its counterparts in other branches, but it served its purpose. A chocolate-brown table, with wood-like patterns stood in the center, with a projector sitting on it. The room looked boring, with a really boring shade of beige for the walls**.
The air-conditioning was turned on, and twenty or so people in business suits filed in loudly, carrying thick green files with the TCTF logo on it. Yes, these people were the top or near-the-top TCTF officials.
Commander Terrance Griffin*** sat at the end of the moderately-long table, and placed his arms on the table, waiting, noticeably, impatiently. The others soon followed, placing their files nosily on the table, still chatting, and sat down.
A few people groaned as they sat, shifting their weight about uncomfortably. With so many people around, and the chairs placed closely together, it was a wonder not to feel hot, even if the air-conditioner was at full blast (or so it sounded. It wouldn't be surprising if this air-conditioner is loud because of old age.)
"Now,
ladies and gentlemen, I apologise for this most uncomfortable meeting
place." Griffin said, "But we'll try to make it as fast as
possible." He did not sound at all happy, either.
He held out his hands to silence the people.
"I have called this meeting to discuss a few important matters."
Griffin cleared his throat, and continued, "Now, as you've all know, the
recent destruction of the atmosphere processors have left us very short of
agents. There are currently hundreds of locations around Japan that need our
attention.
"Apparently, the Syndicate have taken advantage of this period of chaos.
Just yesterday, several buildings were bombed. Only two of the Syndicate agents
responsible for these bombings were caught.
"Several of our patrol cars and agents, including hospital staff, died in
these explosions. This means we're even more short of agents as we'd
before."
Griffin
paused and waited for the people to digest what he said, before going on,
"However, this reveal an even more terrifying thing: The Syndicate, even
after the death of Muro Hasegawa, is still active, and we're not getting any
closer, save for the Mountain Compound, in knowing the locations of the other
Syndicate headquarters and bases. Whoever is the mastermind of this attacks is
still at large, and without knowing the locations, we cannot break the chain of
command and wipe the Syndicate out."
"Right now, I would need suggestions on what to do."
For
a moment, no one spoke.
Then, a young man in his late-twenties, stood up and broke the silence.
"Commander, I think I have an idea. My team, or, er, what's left of it (as
some were in the cleanup missions),
have been discussing this just yesterday, a few hours after the blast.
"We've all found only one Syndicate headquarters, and that is the, erm,
Mountain Compound. Just last year, Muro Hasegawa executed his plan, Project
Sturmanderung on the Compound. The senior officers," He turned
his head and glanced at the senior officers for a while before turning back to
Commander Griffin, "would know that important projects like these would
only be done on very important bases."
"So, what are you getting at, Captain Daniel?" Griffin interrupted.
"In these bases, important and top-secret records would definitely have
been kept there. Records of the locations of the other bases, for
instance."
People started chattering and discussing again.
Good, Daniel thought, the people are getting excited about this.
"Silence, people, let Daniel continue." Griffin said with an annoyed
tone.
"Now, since Project Sturmanderung can be considered a large-scale
project, it is, therefore, no doubt that the Mountain Compound is an important
base of operation. Commander, what I'm proposing is that we send a team of
agents into the base to recover these information."
"How would we be able to do that? We hardly have any agents left. We need
every bit of manpower right now," raised a senior officer.
"Yes, Daniel, in this chaos, we cannot afford to send our agents to such
missions." Griffin reasoned.
Daniel's face turned red. "But..."
"I'm sorry, Daniel,
but we really..."
Daniel slammed his palm on the table, breaking Griffin's sentence.
"Commander, we should really waste no time on this. If we delay this any
further, I shudder to think what the Syndicate will do next. What we're doing is
simply encouraging them. More people would die if we don't act now. Please,
commander, I don't think we should delay this."
No one made any noise for the next thirty seconds.
"Ask
yourself, Daniel, even if I were to grant you the permission to send the agents
to the base, we still do not have the resources to sweep through the whole of
Japan now until everything else is settled. The Syndicate would still continue
with their activities whilst we're busy."
Daniel stood there silently. Yes, the commander is right... we're not really benefiting
from this.
"I hope you understand the dilemma we're facing now, Daniel."
Griffin said.
Young people today just like to jump to conclusions... and I'm suppose to
give up, sooner or later, my position to them. He shook his head, and heaved
a sigh.
Griffin looked at his watch, and spoke on, "Anymore suggestions?". He
looked around at the people's faces. Some were busy discussing something, while
others were seemingly blank.
"Commander,"
said yet another senior officer, "after some thoughts, I've come to think
what Daniel proposed is somewhat logical."
"And why may that be so?" Griffin asked.
"Well, you see, the Syndicate is waiting. Waiting for a chance to take back
that particular base. But since we've already discovered the location, I doubt
the Syndicate will think it is wise to do so. But remember the information?
"We've known the Syndicate for long, and it wouldn't be a surprise they've
already known what Daniel is planning to do. Right now they would not return,
for they know it is still not safe, with the groups of scientists and TCTF
agents checking out on the Sturmanderung Dish's condition every other day."
Another officer suggested, "Then, we should have teams of agents there
guarding the place, so, the Syndicate wouldn't dare go near."
"Ah," The senior officer said, "Have you forgotten our
shortage of agents? Having them go everyday wouldn't be feasible, right?
Why not just send a team, retrieve the information be done with it?"
"Wait a minute," Griffin stopped him, "All this
while, we have been making assumptions. We cannot be sure that this
really is one of the few headquarters with that information, and yet, all this
while, we've been assuming that it is."
Daniel stood up suddenly. "This is a risk we have to take, commander. We
have to take action before rejecting an idea altogether."
"Yes, he is right," added the senior officer, "and if I remember
correctly, a handful of agents have recently completed their training. They've
not been sent on the rescue and cleanup operations because of their lack of
experience."
He was right. These agents completed their training two days ago. Initially,
Commander Griffin wanted them to have them go on the field to help out with the
cleanup, but certain officers advised him against it. He accepted their advice,
and they agents are currently inactive.
"We don't need to have many agents, but enough to comb the entire compound
in a reasonable time-span.
"We'll need one experienced leader to lead them, though."
"So, commander, what do you think?"
Commander Griffin placed one of his arms on the desk, supported
by his elbow. He rested his head on it, with his fingers spread across his
forehead.
He was thinking hard.
Everyone looked silently at Griffin, awaiting his decision. Only
the churning and grumbling of the air-conditioner could be heard.
They could see Griffin was having a hard time from the frown he had on his face.
Daniel, too, was seated and waiting eagerly, hoping against hope for a positive
answer.
Finally, Griffin started speaking, the frown gone from his face.
"How many of the new agents you've mentioned are there?"
"Ten, sir." The senior officer answered.
"Alright, we'll go on with Captain Daniel's plan." He turned and faced
Daniel, "Daniel, you better hope this will work."
"Now, of the ten agents, send five out. This should be adequate for the
combing of the facility. As for the squad leader, I'll leave him to to be chosen
by you,
Daniel."
"Thank you, sir!" Daniel said, beaming with pride.
"So, if nothing else is to be said, dismiss." Griffin said. The
officers bowed and left the meeting room. Griffin was the first to leave. He was
thinking hard over his decision. He was still unsure whether it was right for
him to give the green-light to Daniel's proposal.
But it's certainly worth a try.
Footnotes
* A timeline for the events in Oni is being written... the timeline prior to the events in Oni's main story is not identical to the actual story's. But the timeline after would be the same.
** Notice why I've always said the walls are boring in, for example, Konoko's apartment and the board meeting room? The game's textures are boring, aren't they? :)
*** This full name is not invented by me. It is stated in the console at the bottom of the Office Complex in the Regional State Building level, on the other side of the 'Red Room'. You'll have to deactivate the laser-sensors to get to the console (unless you're really very good at Oni.)
# Author's/WJTW's notes #
# So, this is Chapter 2. Hope it is satisfying enough. I'm really not that good in making dialogues, but I'm willing to listen to your comments! Keep them coming!
# Anyway, I've completed Chapter 3 as well because Chapter 3 was initially meant to be Chapter 2. So, the wait for Chapter 3 wouldn't be long. I'll just amend certain parts before uploading it.
# As usual, visit OniChars - http://www23.brinkster.com/onichars/
# Oh, and visit my Oni fanfiction site too: OniFanFic - http://www32.brinkster.com/onifanfic
[yes, that's '32']
