I will be a war hero -3-

As noon approached, the trio was completely spent from their rigorous training. Only the thrill of the experience kept them from giving out earlier. Yuriy made his way to a back bench within the training zone. He observed a few trainees who had arrived before him, so he settled onto a nearby chair, trying to recuperate. He sipped from a water bottle he had brought, the coolness rejuvenating him. As he drank, a voice reached his ears. Someone had taken a seat beside him.

"A sense of masculinity emanates from you, Yuriy. How was your training day?" Yuriy glanced to his right and recognized the speaker: Anastasia, clad in her military-esque outfit, with black glasses that seemed to mask her true self. Her words were meant just for him.

"Anastasia, it's been some time. What brings you here?

Anastasia replied, "Yes, I tried calling your number several times, but it seems you left your phone in your room. There's a secret meeting waiting for you. The Committee wants to see you."

"The Committee?" Yuriy inquired. Anastasia continued, "The Committee is responsible for most of the movements that occur in the country. Nothing escapes its attention, as you know. So, there's something they want to discuss with you. Oh, by the way, the President will be present there. Isn't that intriguing? Overnight, you become known among the members of the secret state."

Yuriy hesitated and said, "Yes, I'm familiar with what the Committee means, but you mentioned the President? President of what?" Anastasia replied, "Hmm! Of course, I mean the President of the country, Vladimir Zelenko."

Yuriy was taken aback and stood on his feet, exclaiming, "What are you talking about? Why would I meet the president?"

Anastasia replied, "Yuriy, the technology we stole from the enemy is incredibly important, to the point where the President sees it as our refuge to defeat the enemy. So, it's only natural for the President to engage with those who will control it, and you are one of them." Yuriy responded, "What about Vasyl and Vladyslav?" She answered, "Currently, you are the only one summoned for the meeting."

Yuriy surrendered to the situation and said, "Alright."

"Now, let's leave before anyone sees us," Anastasia added.

Yuriy followed Anastasia's steps, taking a path he was unaware of within the facility. It seemed that SIAL deliberately concealed this secretive area from him. The place was pitch-black, and they had to walk straight on a path that could lead to a completely different part of the facility. The two walked along that path with no light at the end. Anastasia said, "Yuriy, we'll rely on your instincts to determine the right path." Yuriy asked, "How so?" Anastasia replied, "When you get the feeling that this path has no end, let me know. That's all there is to it."

They continued walking as agreed, moving down a path that seemed like a vast, abandoned storage area. The light gradually faded until it was completely dark. They kept walking and walking until doubt began to creep into Yuriy's mind about whether they were on the right path. He casually asked, "Are we really on the right path? Why haven't we reached the other side yet?" Anastasia smiled and said, "That's the signal. Now, let's turn left." They changed their course to the left in the pitch-dark path. After a few steps, a faint light became visible.

In the distance, there was something resembling a small lamp. Anastasia touched it, and a door opened before them. They walked through the door into a large hall that seemed like a private courtroom. They reached the center of the hall when Anastasia spoke again, "Yuriy, kneel down, and don't raise your gaze no matter what happens." Confused, Yuriy asked, "What are you saying? Am I going to encounter ghosts or something?"

Inside that hall, where the chairs were unusually tall, you wouldn't see those seated on them unless you lifted your gaze towards the sky. A group of individuals appeared on those chairs, but neither Yuriy nor Anastasia could discern their features.

Anastasia calmly spoke, having also knelt down, "To those who see us from above, I have brought Yuriy Kozlov, one of the chosen who will lead the technology we seized from the enemy."

Suddenly, one of them responded in a voice that wasn't quite understandable, "Oh, of course, we are well aware of who Yuriy Kozlov is, a person of such significance. It is our honor to have you here." As soon as Yuriy heard that melodic tone, he involuntarily lifted his head upwards, exclaiming, "W-What was that?" Anastasia forcefully pushed him down to the ground. "Have you gone mad? I told you never to lift your head."

That voice wasn't ordinary to him, to the extent that he even doubted its human origin. It was incredibly eerie.

Suddenly, another voice emerged, and this time it was a normal human voice, saying, "No need to be afraid, Yuriy. As soon as we inquire about your experience with the enemy's device, you'll return to where you came from. Oh, by the way, I am the President of this country. Greetings, soldier."

Yuriy responded with a firm voice, "It truly is the President's voice. My greetings to you as well, Mr. President."

Suddenly, another voice emanated from within the chamber, even more terrifying than the first, to the point that Yuriy's arms began to tremble.

"Yuriy Kuzlov, when you controlled the bear, did you feel like you were the bear, or did the bear feel like it was you? Describe your sensation," the voice demanded.

Yuriy responded, "What is the meaning of this question?"

They replied, "Answer the question as you understood it."

Yuriy felt a bit puzzled, but he answered, "Well, I felt like all the bear's senses extended to me, as if the bear was a part of me. However, it certainly didn't feel me, as it wasn't conscious."

A member of the committee replied, "So, you are the rational type, your understanding is correct, and you answer according to the scope of the question."

Yuriy hesitated, asking his question, "Can I know what that means?"

They answered, "Yes, of course. This means that your other companion gave a nonsensical, irrational answer." Upon hearing this, Yuriy understood that they were referring to Vasyl.

Another person asked a question, "What is your motivation behind controlling the bear?"

After a brief pause, Yuriy answered as if he had prepared his response, "Initially, I joined the army against my will, after being persuaded. But now, I've found my new purpose, inspired by my late father. I want to achieve peace for this country, no matter the cost. I will become the hero of this entire war and free everyone from the oppression of the enemy."

Someone responded, "Very well, that's all we wanted to ask you. Your answers have been intriguing and perfect. After your responses to our modest questions, we, the Committee, announce the establishment of the military squad that will operate the device taken from the enemy. The squad will be named 'Black Lotus squad,' named after your center, and also because you will undoubtedly represent the strongest squad in your military center. And you, Yuriy Kozlov, will be the leader of the squad."

Yuriy responded with surprise, "Is that all? But wait a moment, did you say I will be the leader? Will I really be? But what about the fourth candidate? I'm sure you've heard about my desire to confront him. If you've appointed me as the leader of the team, doesn't that mean you've rejected my one-on-one fight with him?"

Someone responded, "It's not a requirement. You are the leader now, Yuriy, and how you challenge the fourth candidate is up to you."

Yuriy felt elated by what he heard from the Committee. He had secured a legitimate place in the squad, and after being appointed as the leader, it was clear that his position in the squad was guaranteed. But as one of the Committee members continued, saying, "However, there's something you need to know. If any of the candidates manage to defeat you and join the group, they will have every right to take your position as the leader. The leader is the strongest and smartest in the squad, and if someone can prove themselves, you'll have to step down from the role."