The Akadian occupation, though not long, has made significant progress in its preparations for the long siege. The capital city has been fortified with high-tech defenses. Shield emitters surround the city to ensure its survival against orbital bombardments. The previously medieval stone walls were replaced quickly with high-tech metallic walls with bunkers built on top of each corner section of the walls.
As for the Armenthian citizens, many hid in various forests and locations, but those remaining in the capital city had no choice but to submit. The Akadians had not yet enslaved all of them with their control collars, as that would come later when the invasion was over. For now, their everyday lives continued, albeit with slight changes to their environments and many aspects of their usual days.
On the balcony of the former palace belonging to the king, Lieutenant Harkins was taking a break from overseeing the constructions, leaning on the fence rail. She wasn't wearing her gas mask and was smoking, showing a laid-back attitude rather than the usual uptight military behavior.
A comforting wind then blew toward her, blowing her beautiful white hair back. It was refreshing compared to the usual atmosphere she had felt countless times in Grestancia. The air here was much more refreshing due to the lack of pollution and technologies.
Harkins sighed and took the cigarette off her mouth, blowing a cloud of smoke up in the air.
For all the progress they made, she regretted sacrificing the natural environments of this world. Preservation wasn't at the top of the research priority within the empire, after all.
Aside from that, this assignment won't be easy, and it might even cost her own life. The size of the fleet and the number of the army stationed here won't last long. There are a lot of disadvantages on their side that make her uneasy.
They have only so many troopers and enslaved populations after all before she and the rest of the Akadian human soldiers will have to throw themselves into the fray.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she heard a footstep approaching. The familiar clanking of a trooper's armor that she had heard every day for the rest of her life.
She once again sighs, not even turning to look at the trooper.
"I'm on my break here, Trooper. If you have anything to report, file it on my desk and I'll look at it later"
"That's alright" The trooper took off his helmet, showing off his face and revealing himself to be Priad "I'm on my break too, lieutenant"
The trooper's strange behavior finally caught her attention. As Priad walked over to her and stood beside her, she lurked at him, observing him.
"I don't recall allowing any breaks for any of you"
"The others are doing fine without me, so I doubt my presence won't be needed"
"You're slacking off" Harkins once again blew a smoke.
It was clear to her that there was an ulterior motive behind his actions. She could simply report him and be done with it or have one of her bodyguards who were accompanying her to get rid of him quietly.
Yet she didn't. Despite the adrenaline of preparing for the inevitable, she was feeling rather bored with the tedious task. So, she would allow him to humour her with whatever he has on his mind, even if it's just small talk.
"Lieutenant. What do you think our chances are?"
The lieutenant raised her eyebrow "You want my personal opinion?"
"Of course," The trooper also leans to the railing, relaxing himself.
Harkins puts the cigarette in her mouth again while giving an accurate assessment "Not so good, to be honest. We won't last days or weeks before they defeat us. Not to mention the people here aren't too fond of us"
"I see. I came to propose something to you, instead. Considering our current situation and the situation the Harkins Corporation is currently in right now"
Piquing her interest again, the lieutenant lurks at him "What are you talking about?"
Priad already had his datapad on his hand and shows the information displayed on its screen "It seems your father is about to hand over the keys to the CEO position to your eldest brother"
Harkins then took the datapad from him, reading the news written on it. It was about the Harkins Corporation, and their internal political struggle. But most importantly, about her eldest brother taking over the company, despite her father having promised that it would be her.
"That old man" Harkins clenched her fist as she became angered after reading the news. She then looks back towards Priad, this time with a slight annoyance in her tone "You have some nerve digging up information about your superiors"
Priad smiled confidently "No one comes to the battlefield empty handed, after all"
Harkins returned the datapad while glaring at him with her full attention "So, you're just here for a business proposal?"
"Not just that, but our survival as well. I just need you to do something for me"
The next few minutes were then spent on him explaining the plans he had in mind to her. It sounded strange and she couldn't help but question the details of it. Nevertheless, her wariness of him grows, yet she knows she must seize every opportunity to survive and thrive. Even if it comes from a single lowly trooper
"Interesting strategy. I assume you also want me to keep this a secret from General Arundor"
"You catch on quick. Still, I leave it up to you whether you want to inform him or not. After all, you are quite the gambler in these kinds of situations, Lily"
That nickname. The only one that calls her that is her sister, Fleur.
Harkins sharpened her eyes, taking the cigarette, she had been smoking all this time out of her mouth and throwing it away "How did you know?"
Priad smiled innocently, yet through it was the face of a devil revealing his fangs "Didn't you know? Back then I was assigned to General Hirodinus' unit. Professor Harkins tend to call you by that nickname"
She sighs in disappointment "I really should scold her about using that nickname in public"
"That's about everything I wanted to propose"
He puts on his helmet again and walks away, waving his hand at her without looking back "I'm going back to my work now. Have a nice break, lieutenant"
After he left, Harkins was left there by herself. A smile formed on her face as she felt a bit of excitement from what had just happened.
She had heard about Priad, being the defective trooper who was accepted into their ranks, but she didn't think that the trooper would exceed her expectations.
Perhaps this is a gamble is something worth taking, or rather she had to take it.
"Alright, Trooper 117. I'll play along with your little game"
Lieutenant Harkins continued having her smoke there as she enjoys what little break, she had left before going back to work.
Meanwhile, After leaving the palace and walking through the streets, the mysterious goddess appears next to Priad, walking alongside him. She seems rather amused by how Priad handled that conversation with Harkins.
"From the looks of your conversation, she seems to be leaning positively towards your suggestions. But how will you know that she won't just report to General Arundor?"
"Like I said back there, she's a gambler. I just gave her the safest option she could have"
"But it will risk all of yours instead"
"Nothing new there. What matters is that everything is proceeding as planned, with or without me"
Norion pouts "Did you forget that if you die, I'll die alongside you as well"
Priad gave a teasing look "Quickest way to defeat our enemies"
Norion crosses her arms, pretending to be offended as she looks away from him "Meanie"
Priad chuckles quietly as Norion slowly disappears from his sight.
He then reaches a certain training area. It was ruined. There were lots of rubbles from the buildings surrounding the open fields, as well as holes from the previous bombardments. But luckily, the open field in the middle was still intact.
In the middle of the field was a lone Armenthian, wearing Akadian military armor. Without her helmet on, she could be seen wearing the control color on her neck, glowing bright purple as it controls her every action and binds her to stay there.
Priad stops in front of her "Sorry I'm late. I got some business to take care of" He then looked her in the eyes. Addressing her with full readiness "Ready to continue our training, Shinaka?"