UNDER HIS RULES

Anne took over the control room at Flown, replacing Eland. She watched as each car was equipped with weapons. The main control for her was in the Jeep that the boss and his two trusted men were riding in.

While continuously monitoring the road they would pass through, Anne also had to ensure that the Savannah area was safe for them to cross. The District Leader of Savannah, especially the Southern Division and the Twin Dragon Clan, was not on friendly terms with them. They had only minimal interactions, and if Anne could conclude, Sam didn’t want to have a special relationship with them.

As long as it didn’t disrupt the mobility of any shipping routes using the land and sea routes that passed through Savannah, Sam didn’t mind. Their relationship had been limited to observing each other for years. For this ambush on Gerald and Bella, Anne only hoped that the Savannah faction wouldn’t take their side.

“All roads are clear, Rulli,” Anne informed after receiving visuals from the surveillance cameras that had been airing for two hours, monitoring their convoy.

“Okay.”

Jack’s room was no less spacious and well-equipped than the headquarters. If Anne could be honest, the equipment in this room was much more advanced. Perhaps because Flown was considered an important place for Sam. There was one more place they could use in case of an emergency. Anne didn’t know for sure about that place since she had never been in a critical situation. She felt that Flown and the headquarters were already secure enough.

Her large monitor displayed three main focus points. The headquarters, the road Sam would pass through, and Flown from the main angle. The rest were small screens that Anne could still pay attention to. Feeling safe and with little demanding her focus, she sat back in a relaxed manner. A glass of soda with a few of her favorite snacks was served as her treat.

Other members of Sam’s team were still cleaning up the remnants of Gerald’s attack yesterday. They continued to work until the place returned to its original state.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

The bread that Anne was about to enjoy was thrown aside. The sound was an alarm indicating danger that she intentionally set within a one-kilometer radius of the headquarters. Thanks to the technological advancements and Anne’s skilled hands in creating shields, she could see an object flying rapidly towards the headquarters. The only thing Anne quickly grabbed was the intercom, which connected directly to Ute.

“Ute… there’s an attack!”

Anne’s heart seemed to stop upon hearing Ute’s shout. The atmosphere at the headquarters suddenly became tense. The only thing Ute shouted and chased after was Beatrice. Anne knew that for sure. Anne tried to stand up but couldn’t move her body at all. She was terrified, truly terrified.

This attack was truly… deadly.

The explosion was quite loud. Even on the screen, which she couldn’t divert her gaze from, it looked horrifying. Anne was sure that the attack had been planned. Flames were seen in several spots, followed by the sound of shattering glass and continuous small explosions. Not just one, but the attack was carried out at a constant distance. It didn’t give Sam’s men a chance to counterattack.

Or at least protect themselves.

Anne clearly heard a series of gunfire from above. The screen also displayed an unmanned aircraft continuously aiming its weapons at the headquarters. It was black with no insignia. It attacked for less than two minutes and then disappeared just like that. Anne couldn’t even blink, so disbelief washed over her at what she was witnessing.

This attack felt like a painful nightmare that also instilled great fear in her. It left her head empty, unable to think about the next step she should take.

Who could have done all of this?

“Ute?” Anne trembled. She even held onto the edge of the table. Memories of the short-haired woman flashed through her mind. Not to mention every corner of the room she knew was engulfed in thick smoke. Through the still-connected intercom, she could hear heartbreaking screams and shouts.

God, please don’t let this attack cause Anne to lose Ute. She couldn’t bear to lose her best friend. And the people inside the headquarters too. Surely… oh God! Anne even covered her mouth, suppressing the anguish that started to engulf her.

“Hey Anne!” One of Sam’s subordinates forcefully broke down the door. Their faces looked shocked. They must have known what happened because from the upper floor of Flown, they could see billowing smoke rising high. “Is that… our headquarters?”

Anne couldn’t answer. Her mind was in turmoil. Her heart was pounding erratically. She needed to hear one voice: Ute’s and Beatrice’s.

“Hey!” Deni, one of the bravest ones, approached and shook Anne’s shoulder. It wasn’t just the girl who was startled. If the smoke indeed came from the headquarters, they all had to go back. Their headquarters was attacked precisely when their leader wasn’t present.

“To the armory,” Anne immediately started manipulating her work screen. “Take everything you need. We’re going back to headquarters.”

“Got it!” Deni quickly coordinated the remaining members of Sam’s team.

“Deni,” Anne called before the figure left the forcibly broken room. Without needing a response from Deni, Anne spoke firmly. “Bring Ute back no matter the condition. Take Beatrice and leave. I’ll give you the coordinates of the hiding place. Everyone else, withdraw. No counterattacks until I know what we should do.”

“Okay, Anne!” Deni nodded obediently. What Anne said was right. He left Anne, who returned to busying herself with her work screen.

After Deni’s departure, Anne collected the remains of her confusion. She couldn’t succumb to fear. She had to focus in case something unwanted happened. Everyone had to be prepared to face this sudden attack.

“Ute,” she called once again.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I’m safe. Beatrice too. Don’t worry about me. Keep monitoring the movements, Anne. Inform Sam that we’re under attack,” Ute said from the other end. Anne also heard a hiss of pain, which Ute probably received from the recent airstrike. “Who sent the attack?”

A sigh of relief immediately escaped Anne’s lips. “Thank God.” Anne truly didn’t know what to say. Her shoulders sagged with relief, but after that, she quickly gathered all her determination to move forward. “My surveillance is from the southwest. The eastern border of the southern region.”

“Damn it!” Ute cursed.

“It seems like it’s a drone attack, Ute. I’ve recorded all its movements.”

“Good. Don’t let your guard down, An.”

“Okay, Ute, but are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just got hit by glass fragments while protecting Beatrice.”

Anne whimpered softly. “I’m scared, Ute.”

“Don’t be afraid!” Ute snapped. “Focus, An. Beatrice and I are going to save ourselves. Can you walk, Beatrice?”

“I can, Ute. But what about your injury? Should I get some cloth?”

“No need. We won’t have time. We don’t know if another attack is coming or not. What’s certain is that I have to take you to the safest place.”

“I’ll ask Deni to head to headquarters. You take Beatrice there.” Hearing Beatrice’s voice also filled Anne with immense relief.

There was a moment of silence from Ute, who might be considering whether that course of action was appropriate.

“I’ll follow you, Ute. I’m sure this attack isn’t only targeting the headquarters. I’m backing up the data as fast as I can. I’ve already opened the underground room in case Flown gets hit by a missile.”

“Don’t do anything reckless!” Ute scolded. “I’ll wait for you there, An. Okay?”

“Okay!” Anne hastened her work. What she said was indeed true. But before that, she immediately contacted Sam.

“Boss!”

“Anne, the hospital is under attack.”

***[]***