CHAPTER 81: OPERATION WATERFALL

Luke and Lyra returned from the village, arriving at the Baron’s residence where they saw Gideon and Lena relaxing together in the lounge. Their attention immediately shifted to the entrance, spotting their two friends.

"Captain? You’re back early," Luke said.

"Yeah, the discussion is over," Gideon explained.

"How did it go?"

The two grew curious and stepped closer, joining Gideon for the red wine on the table. Gideon began explaining many things about Bian’s decision to withdraw from the unification plan and Mitsuko’s idea.

But there were some parts of the information Gideon held back. Those were sensitive details that could lead to betrayal if the wrong ears heard them.

He trusted his team completely, but he was wary of the other residents in the house.

The main points of the discussion were clear enough to Luke and Lyra. Both of them felt concerned about what had happened to Gideon, but what Lena had said yesterday was true.

As a regional leader, Gideon had to choose between his Baron status and the side of the mythic races. Luke added his view.

"As a Baron, you can save far more people than if you side with the mythic races. This isn’t about power for profit, but about how to use power to help many lives," Luke said.

"Luke’s right. Choosing to remain a Baron isn’t a bad path. Maybe, in another time, you’ll find your own way to deal with their hatred," Lyra added.

"The hatred mythic races hold against humans has run deep for generations. No matter how hard you try, Gideon, it won’t fade easily," Lena said.

"It’s better to use your body and mind for the four villages under your care."

Gideon went quiet. He thought Luke and Lyra would judge him for failing the unification plan, but their response was different. Not at all what he had imagined.

"Thank you for your support," Gideon said softly.

"Relax, Capt. I’m here to help you. We’re family, remember?" Luke said with an easy tone meant to comfort him.

"Hey, you’re too close. You fell in a hole earlier!" Lyra said, pointing at Luke.

"Oh, right. My bad."

Their laughter filled the room, and Gideon felt more at peace than before. He turned toward Lena, something on his mind to share with her.

"Rockvalley Village has long worked in trade with the Kitsune, especially for herbs. Maybe you could go to the alchemist and use your connection with Mitsuko to start negotiating prices and selecting goods," Gideon said.

"Really? That would help me a lot. There are so many herbs I don’t recognize. I’d only buy the ones I consider necessary for the villagers’ needs," Lena replied.

She added that she would visit the alchemist tomorrow to consult about herbs and their properties, just in case the villagers ever faced chronic illnesses.

Gideon nodded. The issue of herbs was fully Lena’s responsibility. She had the authority to buy whatever was needed.

His attention shifted to Luke and Lyra. Luke explained that he was overseeing the digging of wells. Luckily for them, the soil was neither hard nor rocky. The work moved quickly with many hands helping.

"We already finished one well. The water’s clean and plentiful. We’re now working on the second and third," Luke reported.

"How many wells are targeted?" Gideon asked.

"Eight wells for the first phase," Lyra explained.

"Good. Don’t forget to watch over the workers. Pay them after each well is completed, and feed them," Gideon reminded.

"Of course, we wouldn’t forget that," Luke said.

"You’d better start getting ready," Gideon added.

Luke and Lyra narrowed their eyes, not sure what he meant. Lena glanced at them and explained Gideon’s plan clearly.

Operation Waterfall. That was the cover name for Gideon’s sabotage mission against the wolf village’s waterwheel technology.

He had decided to destroy it, preventing the waterwheel’s benefits from turning into a threat against his team.

"Electricity can be dangerous, especially if it runs through damp ground," Gideon said.

"Right. The power could be strong if the wheel spins fast enough. It could threaten many lives," Luke added.

"This will be a simple tactical op. Target the waterwheel. Clear the site after destruction and return," Gideon said.

"What are we going to use for this plan?" Lyra asked.

"Alright. Here’s the plan," Gideon said firmly.

The team grew serious, listening carefully to every word. They would split into two smaller squads. Gideon and Lena would handle the distraction, while Luke and Lyra would destroy the waterwheel.

Fire was the first option to destroy it. But since it was a waterwheel, flames would be easy to extinguish. Their last resort was frag grenades.

"The shrapnel could hurt people. I’ll make sure everyone is far from the blast site," Gideon explained.

"Understood, Captain."

"Escape route goes through the Kitsune village. There, you’ll meet Mitsuko and tell her about this mission," Gideon ordered.

"We’ll sync the time. Regroup at base once the target’s destroyed."

"Understood, Captain."

Following Gideon’s orders, Luke and Lyra went upstairs, as did Lena and Gideon. Everyone returned to their rooms to prepare their gear.

For efficiency, Gideon planned to use a horse-drawn carriage to get there, even if it would only stop near the Kitsune village. The Kitsune village would serve as the escape route before heading back to base.

Gideon was the first to finish. He stepped out of his room wearing his vest and helmet, holding his M4A1, with a neck buff covering half his face.

To his surprise, Viviene was upstairs, just finishing her tasks. She looked shocked at Gideon’s strange outfit.

"What is this? What are you wearing? Why is it so dark?" Viviene asked.

"You don’t need to know," Gideon answered.

Not long after, Lena and the others came out of their rooms dressed the same way. Viviene grew even more confused, a bit panicked.

She knew Gideon and his people were ghost soldiers, famous for driving back Moko’s forces in the south without a direct battle. But this was her first time actually seeing them in their ghost team gear.

"Falcon Two. Comms on. Stay close."

"Roger, Capt!" Luke replied firmly.

Ignoring Viviene, Gideon and his team went down the stairs and into the back yard, where a carriage waited.

Gideon called the driver and asked him to take them south, near the Kitsune village. The driver was as shocked as Viviene.

But orders were orders. Once the carriage was ready, Gideon and his team climbed aboard. It rolled through the southern gate.

"We’ll arrive in thirty minutes. Sync your watches."

"Three... two... one!"

They pressed their watches, the countdown set to one hour. In short, they had less than an hour to destroy the waterwheel and return to base. If they failed, the wolves could regroup and strike back.

The sabotage had to be silent, unseen, quick, precise. Even the smallest mistake could spark an armed conflict they did not want.

"Avoid contact. Focus on the target!" Gideon ordered.

"Copy, Capt!"

Soon the carriage stopped near the Kitsune village, not too close to avoid suspicion. The driver was told to stay on standby for extraction. He understood, though still confused.

"So... am I part of the ghost team now?" the driver asked.

Gideon and Lena got down, moving slowly and using the trees for cover. Gideon himself had designed the patrol system and defenses here. Even without him, Bian still used the same methods.

There was some pride in that, and some regret. But what’s done is done.

His goal now was the waterwheel.

"Falcon Two in site. Civilians around target."

"Hold your position!" Gideon ordered.

He looked at Lena, who nodded. Together they moved closer to the wolf village gate. They needed chaos to draw people away from the waterwheel.

"What’s your plan?" Lena whispered.

He pulled out a frag grenade, holding it in his hand. Lena’s eyes widened. She thought he was going to throw it at the villagers’ homes.

"Cover me," Gideon commanded. Lena agreed.

He pulled the pin and hurled it deep into the forest ahead. The quiet surroundings amplified the blast. The sudden explosion would catch attention, pulling eyes away from the waterwheel.

BLAST!

The grenade exploded in the woods near the wolf village, startling many. Even Bian came out of the gate to see, howling loudly as a signal that the village was under attack.

"Civilians out of the area. Ready to detonate!" Luke reported.

"You’re clear!"

Luke nodded. He pulled the pin and tossed a grenade at the waterwheel. Not just once—he threw another. Two explosions shook the village.

Panic spread. Women and children hid indoors while the men grabbed spears, searching for whoever had attacked their home.

"Target destroyed. Moving to evac route!" Luke called.

"Copy. Wait for me."

Gideon raised his rifle as he saw shadows of wolf villagers advancing into the forest. They were beginning to sweep the area. He had no choice.

"Blind them," Gideon whispered.

Lena nodded, pulled a pin, and tossed a flashbang. It burst behind the wolves, stunning them with a ringing blast and blinding flash.

The effect would last only thirty seconds. Gideon followed with a smoke grenade, thick black clouds blocking their vision.

"Move on!" Gideon ordered.

Lena followed close behind as they sprinted through the forest, putting distance between themselves and the wolves.

The farther they got, the safer they were. Back at the gate, Bian howled furiously, sending orders for a massive patrol.

From the Kitsune side, Gideon spotted Luke and Lyra standing with Mitsuko. At last, he and Lena made it safely out, regrouping with the others.

"Glad you’re all safe," Luke said.

"They’re on high alert. It wasn’t easy," Gideon admitted.

"This is the second time you’ve struck the wolf village. Hopefully, this wakes them up," Mitsuko said.

"No time for regret," Gideon replied.

"Team, return to base!"