Busan greeted the international coalition with sea fog and the silence of a ruined megapolis. A "Dragon" had passed through here a year ago, and since then, the city had turned into rubble. Now, this dead city was to become the cradle of humanity's new army.
In the port, where some piers still remained, an incredible fleet had lined up. US aircraft carriers, Russian heavy cruisers, and Chinese destroyers stood side by side—a sight that seemed impossible just six months ago.
Mira's Assistant stood on the observation tower of the temporary headquarters, squinting against the cold wind. In his hands, a tablet glowed dimly with the final lists of the United Cleanup Group.
"Never before has the earth been so united... and so divided at the same time," he whispered, scrolling through the data.
Registry of Participants for the First International Exercises:
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China: 8 operatives (the largest group, a demonstration of regional leadership).
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Russia: 7 operatives.
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USA: 7 operatives.
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European Union: 5 operatives.
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India: 3 operatives.
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South Korea: 3 operatives.
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Japan: 3 operatives.
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Arab Countries: 2 operatives.
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Brazil: 1 operative.
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Canada: 1 operative.
The Assistant gave a bitter smile. Even on the brink of destruction, the great powers continued their endless game of "who is more important."
"Look at this," he said to Yanu, whose voice rang out from the communications terminal.
"Russia fielded seven people. The US immediately revised their lists and fielded the same number—not a single person less, just so as not to yield in prestige. And India? Who did they send? Judging by the medical records, this isn't even the second tier of their corps. Apparently, they decided to save the best for protecting their own borders and sent 'cannon fodder' here just to check a box."
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"The human factor," Yanu responded. "For them, this is an arms exhibition."
"Even this kind of help is better than nothing," the Assistant said softly. "Let them be weak, let them be selfish. But today, they stand in one rank. This will create the illusion of control that we need."
He checked the time. He flipped the page on the tablet, where the list turned into a name-by-name registry.
"September is getting closer. We have eight months to turn this gathering of political ambitions into a functioning mechanism. Well, let's see who our 'allies' sent us."
He began reading the dossiers of the Japanese group.
"Japan fielded the heavy artillery," the Assistant muttered. "Lucida from the 8th Legion. Logical—her regeneration and 'Typhoon' power are our main trump cards. Mon Fun from the 3rd... an old fox. And Sato Nak from the 2nd. Young, but according to reports, a real butcher in close combat."
"Russia isn't lagging behind either," Yanu chimed in, projecting data onto the Assistant's retina.
"I see," he nodded. "In first place is Ivan. In terms of physical power, he seems capable of headbutting a Kaiju without a suit. Then Istan, Ruslan, Vladislav, Maria, and Anastasia. And who is this? Albibek?" The Assistant frowned, peering at the small print. "Strange name."
"A glitch in your biological vision," Yanu commented snidely. "It says Alibek. He's seventh on the list, a master of heavy ordnance."
"Well, fine," the Assistant moved to the next tab. "USA. Group 'Vanguard.' At the top is Agnes, followed by Anna. Both are top-class masters. Then someone named Strogonov... amusing. Globalization. Then John, Archibald, Eisen, and closing the list is Akraam. Quite a diverse bunch."
He sighed, scrolling further. China's list was the longest—eight people, and each looked like the perfect soldier.
"China sent an entire delegation. The group leader is Wei, followed by Meiling. Further down the list: Zheng, Lin, Bo, Xiao, Feng, and Yun. Rigid discipline, no personal life, only service to the party and the destruction of monsters."
"India sent three," Yanu reminded him. "As I said—not their top-tier."
"Yes, I see. Arjun, Priya, and Raj. We'll see if they survive the very first sortie. The EU fielded five: Marcus, Clara, Lukas, Elena, and Viktor. A mixed bag, but Marcus is considered one of the best in the EU."
The Assistant quickly scanned the rest.
"South Korea, as the hosts, fielded three: Jin, Hana, and Min. Arab countries sent two: Omar and Layla. From Brazil, one—Tiago, and from Canada—Sarah."
He closed the tablet and looked at the fog enveloping the ruins of Busan. Somewhere out there, among the wreckage of skyscrapers, shadows were already beginning to stir.
"So many strong people in one place," he said quietly. "So much mana, so much ambition. It's scary to even imagine what kind of spike this causes in the Kaiju field."
"The probability that they will start fighting each other before they kill the first monster is forty-two percent," Yanu interjected. "The probability that Lucida will decide to take out the American Strogonov for a bad joke is fifteen percent."
The Assistant adjusted his shirt collar. "Too much is at stake. We don't need heroes."
He turned and headed for the elevator. The exercises had officially begun, and the first cleanup sector was already waiting for its "liberators."