The soldiers imdiately exchanged glances that reflected both confusion and growing panic as they processed Arthur’s demand. Their expressions carried the helpless uncertainty of personnel who had suddenly found themselves far beyond their operational clearance levels.
"Sir, we’re just a scouting crew," the sergeant replied with obvious distress, his voice carrying the strain of soone trying to maintain composure despite impossible circumstances. "We don’t have access to information about Australia’s strongest awakened personnel. That kind of intelligence is classified far above our security level."
The pilot, still focused on maintaining stable flight while listening to the conversation behind him, added his own confirmation of their limitations. "Our mission paraters only cover tactical support for local defensive operations. High personnel locations aren’t included in our briefing materials."
The youngest soldier, barely out of basic training and clearly overwheld by the situation, nodded frantically in agreent. "We’re just following patrol routes, sir. We don’t know anything about high-level awakened individuals or their operational assignnts."
Arthur’s expression remained unchanged as he processed their responses with consideration. Their denials seed genuine rather than deliberate obstruction, suggesting these particular military personnel truly lacked access to the classified information he required.
"Well... find out," Arthur stated calmly, his tone carried non-negotiable expectations. "I’m on an important trip, and there is no ti to waste on bureaucratic delays. The more ti you waste, the more lives are lost to preventable conflicts."
Sensing their clear hesitation. Arthur decided to increase the threat level. Suddenly, a smile appeared on his face.
An expression that sent chills down the soldiers’ spines as they recognised sothing predatory in his seemingly friendly deanour. The temperature in the helicopter seed to drop several degrees as the atmosphere beca charged with barely contained nace.
Before any of the military personnel could fully process the implications of that unsettling smile, Arthur continued speaking with a voice that had shed all pretence of courtesy.
"If you don’t... You can say goodbye to your families now."
The threat was delivered with such casual certainty that it took several seconds for the soldiers to fully comprehend what they had just heard. This wasn’t bluster or intimidation tactics—this was a statent of simple cause and effect that carried the conviction of soone who possessed both the capability and willingness to follow through completely.
Arthur was threatening to kill them or potentially their loved ones if they didn’t provide access to information they genuinely didn’t possess. The helplessness of their situation beca imdiately apparent as they realised they were trapped with soone whose power exceeded their own and whose patience had clear limitations.
"Y-Yes, I will imdiately try to find out. Please, calm down."
The sergeant’s training kicked in despite his terror, leading him to reach for the helicopter’s communication equipnt with hands that trembled slightly as he activated ergency contact protocols.
"Control, this is Transport Seven requesting imdiate priority connection to command authority," he spoke into his headset with a voice that carried barely controlled panic. "We have an... unusual situation requiring imdiate command intervention."
The response ca within monts, indicating that the communication equipnt had been monitored for exactly such ergency situations.
"Transport Seven, this is Command. State the nature of your ergency."
The sergeant looked directly at Arthur before responding, seeking so indication of what information he was permitted to share. Arthur’s slight nod suggested he had no objection to honest reporting of their circumstances.
"Command, we have an unidentified individual aboard who possesses high-level awakener power. He’s requesting imdiate access to personnel information regarding... a high-level awakened. He’s indicated that non-cooperation will result in casualties."
The brief silence that followed suggested command personnel were rapidly consulting with higher authorities about appropriate response protocols for such unprecedented situations.
"Transport Seven, maintain current position and establish direct communication link. Command authority will speak directly with your passenger."
Arthur accepted the offered headset casually.
"This is Arthur," he stated simply. He didn’t state his full na or his nickna.
"I need imdiate contact with Leroy for matters of public safety and importance. Ti is a critical factor."
The voice that responded carried the weight of significant military authority and careful political consideration. "Sir, we’re prepared to facilitate communication with our strategic personnel, but we need assurances regarding your intentions and identity."
Arthur’s patience remained steady as he addressed reasonable security concerns, though his response carried deliberate limitations that reflected his strategic priorities.
"My intentions are mutually beneficial cooperation," Arthur stated with a calm tone. "As for my identity, that information will be shared directly with Leroy during our eting. Ti is a critical factor that makes extended verification procedures... inadvisable."
The subtle threat underlying his final words suggested that prolonged bureaucratic delays would result in consequences that command personnel wouldn’t find acceptable.
The silence that followed Arthur’s response stretched longer than the previous pause, indicating heated consultation among senior leadership about how to proceed with soone who possessed obvious power but refused standard identification protocols.
"Sir," the command voice returned with obvious tension, "our security protocols require identity verification before arranging etings with such high-status personnel like Leroy. Surely you understand the necessity of such precautions during the current crisis conditions."
Arthur’s tone remained diplomatic but carried undertones of diminishing patience. "I understand your concerns. However, my identity carries implications that require careful handling. Leroy will receive full disclosure during our direct eting. Your alternative is to continue wasting ti while preventable casualties accumulate."
The implied threat was clear—Arthur possessed both the capability and willingness to pursue his objectives through less cooperative ans if diplomatic channels proved insufficient. Command personnel found themselves caught between security protocols and the obvious danger of refusing soone whose demonstrated abilities exceeded their conventional response capabilities.
Another extended silence followed as military leadership weighed their limited options against the potential consequences of each choice.
"This is... highly irregular," the command voice finally responded with obvious reluctance. "We cannot guarantee eting arrangents without proper identity verification. However, given current circumstances... we’re prepared to make an exception."
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