I'll be the Red Ranger

Chapter 123 – Operation Needle

- Oliver -

Alex stepped forward to the front of the room, his posture erect and his expression all business. "Let's begin the briefing," he declared.

He didn't wait for everyone to settle into their seats before launching into his explanation. "A few weeks ago, we identified a small outpost to the south," he began. "With the help of satellite reconnaissance, we've confirmed that there's no longer any Ork activity in the area—the site has been completely abandoned."

With swift motions, Alex tapped commands into his gauntlet. Holographic projections materialized above the central table, displaying a detailed region map. Oliver leaned in to examine it. The outpost was situated deep within a dense forest, the canopy so thick it appeared almost black on the display. A slender river meandered just a few kilometers away, its blue line cutting through the emerald expanse.

"The location is approximately 100 kilometers from the Half Wall," Alex continued. "This distance and the difficult location reduce the chance of any immediate support. However, given current intel, this is considered a low-risk mission. Ork movements suggest they're concentrating their efforts in the northern regions of Olympus, particularly near the Z Crystal mines."

As Alex spoke, a Ranger seated toward the end of the room raised her hand. Her armor bore the medal of a distinguished Ranger, and her eyes were sharp with suspicion.

Alex acknowledged her with a nod. "Yes?"

"Where exactly did this intelligence come from?" she asked plainly.

Alex met her gaze. "The intel came directly from higher command," he replied.

"Isn't it a bit convenient," she pressed, "that we discover an abandoned base just as the Orks focus their efforts elsewhere? Could this be a diversion—a tactic to split our resources?"

A murmur rippled through the room. Alex took a moment before responding. "Your concern is noted," he said evenly. "That's why we're deploying a minimal team. We'll be nine in total: three Red Rangers to lead the rapid advance, three Yellow Rangers for logistics and navigation—you know this terrain better than anyone—and three Blue Rangers specializing in re