Chapter 16 – Operation Theta
It was the morning of the launch of Operation Theta. Tanion, along with a sore Jorann and Felirae, were seated around what he assumed used to be the table within the teacher's old conference room. Around them sat many other Synchro users, the leaders of the different squads that Yusei had been putting together over the past few months. Some of them Tanion recognised from their previous visit to the island, but many of the faces were new to him. He shuffled awkwardly in his seat. He knew that the only reason he was there was because he could Synchro Summon, and many of the others present glanced at him warily, knowing how little experience he had under his belt.
"Alright, let's go over the plan one more time before we move out,' Yusei said. "Eravand is surrounded on all side by mountains. We will use this to our advantage. Squads 2 through 11 will take up positions in a circle surrounding the city. The citadel in the centre is your main focus. We've been monitoring it for some time now, so you should all be aware of the usual movements made by those within. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call it in immediately. In addition to the 5 Synchro users present in each squadron, the Coalition has graciously decided to aid in this operation by sending an additional 10 duelists for each squad, bringing it to 15 in total. Even though your Duel Energy signatures will be cloaked, make sure to stay as hidden as possible. We cannot afford for you to be spotted or the whole city will be put on alert."
"What's the status on retreat if we are seen?" one of the women present asked.
"Thanks to the Coalition, we now have stealth fighters ready for use," Yusei answered. "Each squadron will have one, and should you believe you might come under fire, call it out over the radio. We will have units in the air as quick as we can."
"What happens to Squad 1 if we get seen?" another asked.
"Squad 1 will continue as planned regardless," Yusei said in a heartbeat. "The city will be put on alert, yes, but it is unlikely any shifts will be made to guards or the higher-ups if you retreat immediately. We've had men monitoring the place since it was built. It'll be seen solely as a scouting operation. If you are indeed spotted, then every group except one is to move out. I don't want any suspicions raised within the citadel."
"How long can we expect for Squad 1 to complete its mission?" Felirae asked solemnly.
"It will take at least an hour for us to reach beneath the city using their sewer systems," Yusei answered, indicating to one of the maps on the table. "Men will be positioned at every intersection within the system as we move through. There is a sealed door in the main pipeline here, which leads into a maintenance area. From there we can access this vent in order to move directly into the President's foyer. That process alone will take time, but we will keep everyone informed."
Tanion shuffled nervously in his seat. No one from the Coalition wanted this to go ahead, and yet here we are, he thought to himself. Is this really where it's all going to end? Many of the people here seem to have made their peace, but this can't be the end. What if Jaden was wrong and me being there changes nothing? What could I even do that the others around me couldn't?
"Is everyone settled on the plan then?" Yusei asked after a moment's silence.
"And you're sure about this, Yusei?" Jorann said. "Once we go in, there's no turning back."
"This is so that everyone left that's still fighting will have a chance," he answered gruffly. "Even if it means my life, I am willing to give them that chance. Now let's move out people."
Tanion, Jorann and Felirae waited behind as the rest of the men and women present filed out of the room. Tanion could feel the glances coming from every direction as people past by them, and his breathing tightened as he began to come to grips with the situation at hand.
"Relax, boy," Jorann said gruffly as they stood. "You will be fine."
"I could die today," Tanion snapped. "How am I supposed to relax?"
"You'll be with Yusei and I in Squad 1," Jorann answered. "We can handle whatever comes our way. Always have, always will."
"I have family left on Eden. I left everything behind just so they would be safe," Tanion barked angrily. "I don't want to die here and have it all be for nothing!"
Jorann put one hand on his shoulder. "You're new to this, I understand, but you're strong," he said comfortingly. "I'd bet you'd probably be able to take on many of the duelists around you, so don't worry. You'll have some of the world's finest at your back."
"And what if I let them down? What if I'm the reason this fails?"
"We wouldn't put you on the main squad if we didn't believe in your abilities, Tanion," Felirae reminded him. "We brought you through from Eden because of your Duel Energy and your abilities. You took down both Elise and Darrien before you even arrived here. Trust in yourself, and you will be fine."
"I'll be right there beside you," Jorann added. "If you're ever in trouble, just look to me for help. I'll be there."
"Okay," Tanion said as he attempted to control his breathing. "I'm sorry, it's just…"
"We all had to adapt pretty quickly when the war started," Jorann said. "I'm sure you will manage."
"We had better get moving," Felirae said. "You're transports will be leaving soon."
Tanion followed the other two out of the room and through the winding halls of the Duel Academy ruins to the makeshift helicopter hangar that had been hidden away at the back of the island. As they entered the hangar, they could see many of the various aircrafts were being packed or were already launching. As they covered their ears as best they could from the noise, they approached their designated transports. Felirae would be heading back to the Coalition base to keep an eye on Theta from afar, whereas Jorann and Tanion would be loading up into the same one as Yusei and the others. Much to his surprise, though, Elise dropped out of Felirae's transport as they approached and made their way over to them.
"The transport is ready for departure sir," Elise said with a slight bow.
"Thank you, Elise. Be ready to leave shortly," Felirae said before heading for the transport.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Tanion admitted.
"Felirae has me on a mission in Mexico after this, but he wanted me to help out with making sure everything was prepared for Theta first," Elise explained.
"Heard from Darrien?" Tanion asked in a more serious tone.
"No," Elise said sadly.
Shortly after Tanion's meeting with Jaden, Felirae had told the two of them that Darrien had requested a leave of absence from duty and that it had been granted. He had left Stromberg Castle almost immediately, but neither Elise nor anyone else had heard anything from him since. Whatever happened in Darrien's head during the clash with Yusei a few days previously had stirred something with him, and he had been acting like a man possessed ever since.
"I'm sure he will get in contact with you," Tanion said reassuringly. "He will be fine."
"I know," Elise said, but she was obviously pained by the situation. "He can take care of himself, I just wish I knew why he's doing all of this."
"He seemed very shaken when he saw you taken out by Yusei," Tanion reminded her. "It'll have to do with that."
"I know," she whispered, before regaining her composure. "Anyway, best of luck. Make sure to get some rest on the flight over. You'll need it."
"I will," Tanion said. "I'll be sure to tell you all about it once we're done."
"Of course," Elise said with a fake smile. "May the Three guide you."
Tanion smiled a little. "I'm with one of them," he reminded her. "I should be fine."
They parted ways, and Tanion followed Jorann over to the transport that was awaiting them. Tanion stepped inside to see Yusei as well as over a dozen other duelists already seated. It was obvious from the look on their faces that they knew that this could very well be a one way trip.
"Before we depart, if anyone wishes to back out, now is your last chance," Yusei warned. "If you want to leave, then do so."
As much as Tanion wanted to just scream and jump out, he knew that he couldn't. Both Yusei himself and Jaden had told him that he needed to be here, and he wasn't about to undermine their judgement. He was going to stick by Jorann and make sure that he could help out, no matter the cost.
"Alright then," Yusei said with a satisfied nod. "Pilot, let's go."
A few hours later, shortly after night had fallen, their transport dropped down in the middle of nowhere, its cloaking tech having been activated long ago. To the west lay a mountain range, which Tanion could only assume was the one that Yusei had spoken of back at the meeting. He was dressed in all black, his duel disk at the ready on his left arm. He followed the lead of Jorann who exited the transport with slight difficulty, but the look on his face was one of cold determination. He was ready to give his all for this mission, and Tanion was ready to follow suit.
- Radio test Alpha, copy Alpha -
- We hear you loud and clear, Beta. All Alpha in position, over -
- Roger that, Alpha. Moving into position over -
- Roger -
Through his earpiece Tanion was able to hear clearly the conversation between Yusei and the scouting squadrons already looking out over the city. They had decided to go with All Alpha in reference to all squads in case The Grand Order was somehow able to hack into their secure frequency. If they did, they'd have no way of knowing how many people were a part of the operation.
"All good so far," Jorann muttered as he but his deck into his duel disk. "Let's see how long that holds out for."
"The entrance tunnel to the sewers is five kilometres ahead," Yusei whispered. "The cover on it should already be down. Let's get moving people."
Although Tanion was decently fit, he struggled to keep up with the pace set by Yusei and the others. He was used to sprints more than endurance running, and so by the time the group of around 40 men and women made it to the sewer opening, he was struggling for breath. He glanced at Jorann, and noted that he too was struggling a bit. Whether that was because of his bout with Yusei or just because of his age was something Tanion couldn't tell.
"Masks and night vision goggles on," Yusei ordered.
- Beta at Position 2, copy -
- All Alpha copies. Proceed to Position 3, over -
As Yusei communicated with the scouting squadrons Tanion fitted the gas mask goggles over his face. They really are taking every precaution with this mission, Tanion thought to himself. The entire reason for the gas masks was in case they needed to use sleeping gas on guards or other interlopers. Dueling, much to his surprise at the time, was to be used as a last resort. Although he now realised the noise it would create and the attention it would draw, it still felt weird having three gas canisters tucked away in his outfit's pockets. The night vision goggles, on the other hand, were a no brainer.
"Enter one at a time," Yusei ordered. "You all know your numbers and you all know the positions you must take. Let's do this as quickly as possible."
Tanion waited alongside Jorann as the vast majority of the group entered the sewer one by one. Eventually he took his place in the line, turning on the night vision as he entered, with only Jorann and Yusei behind him. It felt wrong for him to have taken such a high spot on the list, but it was an order that had come directly from Felirae that Yusei had agreed to. Tanion was still unsure that he was meant to be on the mission in the first place.
The sewer water came up to their ankles, but fortunately for them their outfits had been tested to make sure that they were waterproof. Despite this, the sound of them sloshing through the sludgy water made Tanion cringe a little, and it made him painfully aware that such a sound could hinder their ability to unnoticed as they made their way towards the citadel. There wasn't much they could do about it however, and so they continued forward with the front few members with their duel disks at the ready as an extra precaution.
The front of the line came to the first break off point in the sewer system, as another pipe joined onto this one, its contents slowly trickling into the main pipeline and out into the middle of nowhere. As they had been instructed to do, the first person in the line took up guard at the point where the two pipelines met. In doing so, there was no way that the Grand Order could sneak up on them through the sewers, especially with the transport still cloaked and watching the entrance. As they passed by the first pipeline, Tanion couldn't help but feel as a sense of admiration for the people around him. They all knew the risks involved with Operation Theta, but not one of them had backed down. It took a certain kind of courage to agree to this, although to him, Tanion felt as though he hadn't had a choice.
And so they continued through the sewers for what seemed like an eternity, winding their way past innumerable different pipelines as they made their way closer and closer to the underbelly of the Grand Order's capital. The number of people in front of Tanion dwindled as they went, as one member was placed at every junction that they came across. Eventually, with around a dozen members left in the line, they made it to the maintenance door that they had been heading towards. Almost immediately, Yusei was on the radio.
- Beta at Position 3, copy -
- All Alpha copies. Nothing to report. Proceed to Position 4, over -
"Proceed with upmost caution," Yusei whispered. "We don't know who's beyond that door."
Just as they had planned, one of the more tech savvy members of the group had ended up at the front of the line, and she quickly got to work hacking into the key card system that locked the door. The remainder of the group had their disks at the ready in case of a surprise attack, but just as they had hoped, no one came as the woman got the door open in a few moments.
The door clicked open and the two men behind the woman slid past her into the room. However, much to their fortune, there was no one currently in the room. Receiving the all clear, the rest of the group entered the small maintenance room, the first two that had entered watching the entrance door in case people came through. Once they were certain they were secure, Yusei was on the radio once more.
- Beta at Position 4, copy -
-All Alpha copies. Clear. Proceed to Position 5, over -
"Nothing interruptions yet. We're doing well," Tanion said softly.
"That's what worries me," Jorann said grimly.
Yusei nodded in agreement. "We have to hope its just good fortune," he said. "Until then, we stick to the plan. We're close. The President of The Grand Order is within our reach."
"Proceed into the vent," Jorann ordered. "There's no turning back now."