Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Mist Town, Acting Battalion Commander
"Hello, this is the Silver Gray Star Special Warfare Management Office. Major Qin, based on military task requirements, after upper-level research and decision, Major Qin Tian is specially transferred to Mist Town to serve as Acting Camp Commander. Please complete your report within three days. The specific transfer order has been sent to your personal backend through official channels. Please check it promptly."
A deep, emotionless voice came from the communication device.
Before Qin Tian could reply, the call was already disconnected.
"Acting Camp Commander?"
Qin Tian immediately opened the Military Department’s official app and indeed received a new transfer order in his personal backend.
Special Warfare Management Office, Mist Town, Acting Camp Commander
Qin Tian frowned slightly, feeling that something peculiar was revealed in this matter.
Firstly, his files are managed by the Seventh Bureau. Although the Seventh Bureau is still a subordinate unit of the Special Warfare Management Office, his transfer should be issued through the Seventh Bureau.
Furthermore, given his special status, currently studying at the Eagle Military Academy, if there were a transfer, Yan Qing would certainly notify him in advance.
Despite his doubts, after all, military orders are as solid as mountains, Qin Tian still immediately packed his bags, preparing to set off for Mist Town the next day.
Before leaving, Qin Tian sent a message to Yan Qing to inform him of this matter, but even when he arrived in Mist Town, there was no reply from Yan Qing.
Due to military confidentiality principles, Qin Tian did not disclose his transfer order to anyone else.
...
Before arriving at Mist Town, Qin Tian checked the information about this small town.
Mist Town is located in the southeast corner of the Andes Continent, with a humid climate. During certain seasons, the town is shrouded in mist every few days, hence the name Mist Town.
Thanks to proper promotion, Mist Town has become a famous tourist town in the region, attracting many tourists and boosting the local economy.
However, just over a month ago, it seemed some changes occurred in Mist Town. Many tourists mysteriously disappeared and have yet to be found, causing the town’s tourism popularity to plummet, though there aren’t many news reports about it online.
Qin Tian speculated that his transfer to Mist Town was likely related to this incident.
After all, his position as Acting Camp Commander implies the former commander was either transferred or—
Had an accident.
The flying device landed on Mist Town’s helipad.
Qin Tian, carrying a backpack like a young tourist, walked onto the town’s streets.
The streets were very desolate, with hardly any passersby. The shops on both sides were sparsely open, and when Qin Tian passed by, the shop owners rarely tried to attract customers.
Qin Tian strolled around, and the whole town was shrouded in a faint air of deathly silence, devoid of any vitality, not at all like a once tourism-style city.
The eerie atmosphere of the town made Qin Tian increasingly feel that the incident a month ago was not simple. However, he did not choose to investigate immediately, instead choosing to head to the military camp to complete his report.
...
The military camp was less than twenty kilometers from the town, with drones patrolling the skies, forming a seamless surveillance coverage.
When Qin Tian walked into the camp area, a drone quickly descended from above, and a stern voice came out.
"This is a military restricted area, tourists are prohibited from approaching."
Qin Tian looked at the drone above and said calmly:
"I am Qin Tian, the newly appointed Acting Camp Commander of the 137th Battalion, reporting today."
The drone remained still.
In less than three minutes, several military vehicles quickly drove up, stopping five meters away from Qin Tian.
A figure jumped out from the passenger seat, wearing a military uniform, taking large strides to Qin Tian, and gave a formal salute, saying in a sonorous voice:
"Reporting to the Camp Commander, I am Zhao Nuo, Deputy Camp Commander of the 137th Battalion, representing all soldiers of the 137th Battalion, welcome to our command."
Qin Tian returned the salute, then extended his hand, saying:
"Hello, Camp Commander Zhao."
Zhao Nuo hurriedly shook Qin Tian’s hand, a hint of enthusiasm on his face:
"Hello, Camp Commander Qin. I heard a few days ago from the top that our battalion would welcome a young and promising commander, and you are even younger than I imagined."
Qin Tian smiled faintly and glanced at the soldiers behind Zhao Nuo.
These soldiers wore military uniforms and carried weapons, each standing upright, exuding a military demeanor. However, from these soldiers’ eyes, he could see various emotions, such as curiosity, indifference, doubt, and aloofness.
The sudden arrival of a commander, especially one so young, probably made these soldiers doubtful of his background and abilities.
"Let’s go, Camp Commander Zhao, I’ll first complete my reporting procedures," Qin Tian said.
"Yes, yes, please come inside."
Zhao Nuo acted as the driver of the military vehicle, with Qin Tian in the passenger seat, driving into the military camp.
As they entered the camp, Qin Tian silently observed.
Several neat and orderly barracks stood, with beige walls emitting a warm and solemn aura under the sunlight. The windows of the barracks were polished to a shine, the glass reflecting the sunlight, like small sparkling mirrors.
On the open ground in front of the barracks, soldiers were performing physical training, with powerful and robust shouts echoing throughout the camp.
"Camp Commander Zhao."
Qin Tian spoke up, "How many soldiers do we have in our battalion?"
Zhao Nuo: "A total of 835 people."
Qin Tian: "How many Spiritualists and Superpower Users do we have respectively?"
Zhao Nuo: "10 Spiritualists, 3 Superpower Users."
Two special operations teams’ formation
Qin Tian nodded slightly and asked again:
"Are they all currently in the camp?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Nuo’s expression suddenly became a bit strange, as if there was something unspeakable.
"What, is it inconvenient to say?" Qin Tian asked.
"It’s not that it’s inconvenient to say."
Zhao Nuo hesitated for a moment, then finally said:
"To be honest, there are only 4 Spiritualists left in our battalion right now."
Qin Tian frowned, "What about the other nine?"
Zhao Nuo sighed and said, "All missing."
Missing
Again, missing
Qin Tian’s eyes sharpened, tourists missing, extraordinary beings in the camp missing, how many secrets are hidden in this small Mist Town?
Why would the Special Warfare Management Office assign him, a Major with no management experience, to serve as Commander here, and the procedures were so rushed?
"How did the higher-ups respond to the missing people?" Qin Tian asked again.
"The higher-ups told us to stay put, they would send people to investigate the situation, but over a month has passed, and not a word has been heard. Who knows what those people are doing?"
There was a trace of anger in Zhao Nuo’s tone, but he quickly realized he shouldn’t complain in front of Qin Tian, hurriedly explaining:
"Camp Commander Qin, I meant no disrespect, it’s just that I’m anxious. The nine missing people are my comrades, my brothers, and our former Camp Commander is among them too."
"You see, with the Camp Commander missing, how can I, as the Deputy Camp Commander, not be anxious?"
Qin Tian looked at him, thoughtfully saying, "Yes, you would certainly be anxious."
Soon, Zhao Nuo brought Qin Tian to the personnel department to go through a series of procedures.
Henceforth, Qin Tian officially became the Acting Camp Commander of the 137th Battalion in Mist Town.