4. Three Types of Monsters

Sean pulled the girl to sit on the chair. Victoria could not focus because her gaze was fixed on the projector screen, an optical device used to display images on a projection screen or similar surface such as a wall or infocus screen.

"Since the joint team has arrived, we will begin the meeting."

A man in a military uniform standing in front of the room began to explain the chaos that occurred in the picture. Bodies were strewn on the streets with a dark red colour scattered. Not only that, public facilities were also damaged. Several buildings were burned, vehicles were scattered on the streets, and people were running. A video showed several residents running and being chased by a strange alien creature.

"This is the image obtained this afternoon. As you can see, this frog-like creature with a ball-like body moves quickly, sometimes it is not even visible from which direction it will attack. The past two days, the residents of Flophi Village have been afraid because of attacks from this terrible little creature."

Everyone listened to the explanation carefully, especially Victoria because she came there for a secret mission that she thought was unreasonable.

“In addition, those creatures prey on humans for blood,”

A short video showed a group of small creatures swarming a man and they appeared to drink his blood and then leave their victim.

“From what we know, those creatures not only target humans but also animals and drink their blood. They seem hungry.”

“What is the reason they came here?” Victoria asked while raising her hand.

“We are still investigating it. However, it is suspected that they came down because here they can get food, which is blood. They came from somewhere using a spaceship shaped like a ball,”

The image on the screen showed a giant ball lying on the ground causing damage to its surroundings.

“They also caused a lot of damage to the facilities. We do not yet know the exact purpose of the creatures’ arrival other than the assumption that they are hungry.”

“How many victims died?”

“For now, the data on the victims who died is around five hundred out of two million six hundred and eighty in the Neo, Joephi, and Zor areas. The three areas that were worst hit by the attack. Flophi itself has several areas, there are about ten areas that are part of Flophi, and four out of ten villages were attacked. While the other villages managed to escape, it was only a matter of time before the creatures spread throughout the Flophi area.”

The screen displayed quite a lot of data on the Flophi population, which was damaged in certain areas. Who knows where the attack started, but in the last two days the victims have continued to fall, that does not include victims with serious, minor, or critical injuries.

“What is the creature’s weakness?” Sean asked.

“It is not yet certain what the creature is weak against. However, they will die if shot. For now, gun bullets have managed to kill them, but some are immune to gunfire. There are about three types of creatures, the size of a tennis ball that can be shot. Medium size like a soccer ball or large size like a basketball. As you can see, they have frog-like legs, are slimy, and have sharp teeth.”

The screen displayed several images of strange creatures and several sizes.

“So, the small to medium ones are vulnerable to gunfire, but the small ones outnumber the other two sizes. So for now, both types must be watched out for until we get a powerful weapon to kill them. We are currently researching in the laboratory. Their sudden arrival means we don’t know their exact weaknesses. For now, firearms are effective against the small ones.”

“So for now, the firearms we have are enough? However, what if the big ones attack? When will the research results come out?” Sean asked again.

“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow at the latest. So if you encounter that big creature, avoid it as much as possible.”

“But that’s impossible,” Victoria said.

“Indeed not. But what can we do? Become prey? Then who will guard and save the residents? Our job now is to evacuate the residents,” the one-star man said firmly.

Everyone fell silent at that moment.

“That’s all for now,” said the man explaining the situation there.

Everyone seemed focused.

“Today we managed to secure the residents, of course not all of them. There are six evacuation points around Deol, Guaphi, and Ghanpi. We will patrol again tomorrow. Since the joint team has arrived, we will create teams to be spread out,” said one of the commanders sitting at the very end.

“Will the medical team also be deployed?” Victoria asked, raising her hand again.

“Yes, of course. After all, the medical team is important. But we will try our best to protect it. However, we don’t know what the situation around us is like.”

“That means it’s not reassuring.”

“According to the situation, the war is still going on. Our job is to save civilians. Some reports say that there are still people trapped in school buildings, houses, and apartment buildings around the city and other places. So for the medical team, we hope you can protect yourselves.”

Victoria sighed, any defence meant nothing considering the situation was still at level three, which was alert.

“You’re the fourth team commander, right, Sean?”

“Yes.”

“Then, you give the instructions. We will take turns combing the surrounding area.”

“Alright.”

“For the medical team, please condition them. As the captain, you will also be deployed, Victoria. So, put aside your empathy.”

Victoria looked up as her weakness was pointed out by her superior.

“Did you hear that?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Today’s meeting is over. You guys get some rest. Tomorrow we will distribute the schedule to each team. Good night.” The man in the high position stood up. “And for your information, there are refugees in the north building,” the man added before leaving the room.

Everyone left the room one by one. Soldiers were trained to be strong and resilient, but even so, a person’s empathy would not be easily put aside, especially in a heartbreaking situation like this.

“It’s not what I thought. I thought only one area was attacked, but it turned out to be more than this,” Victoria said as she lowered her head.

“That’s why we were assigned to the battlefield. After all, this is war,” one of her colleagues chimed in.

Victoria sighed and lifted her face to look up.

“Let’s go. We have to inform the others.”

Victoria had no choice but to get up from her seat, and staggering out of the room. Suddenly Victoria thought about the mission. How could Victoria get close to the alien ship?

“I guess I should find out more information first,” Victoria thought.

What could Victoria possibly do, and did the girl realize who would help her on the mission?