Felix had the unfortunate regret of having not created a Dimitry here in Tilen. Even if Legion had to board up its windows, Dimitry would be able to function and provide almost all the same functions that could be done legally. It would have just been catering more to the unsavory types, rather than the general public.
“A cult fits,” Kit said from her chair. She was slouching in it, her fingertips pressed to her temples. “The simple adoration that everyone thinks towards you is overwhelming at times. The constant praise. The unyielding determination to be noticed and move up. One of the big benefits to a meritocracy, I suppose.”
Felix shrugged and started writing a response back to Dimitry. Wondering if he could get someone he trusted to start up operations here in Tilen.
Dimitry had a Telemedic on duty after all. It was a bit late to start, but it didn’t hurt to try.
“Now that word has spread about Legion world, everyone is asking when they can put in for a transfer,” Kit continued. “A world built from the ground up from a Legion point of view seems to fit with a lot of view points. Since we have too many mouths to feed here, I’ve approved a large number of temporary transfers from both Tilen and Skippercity. Michael is drowning under resources right now. I imagine the next time we visit that tiny outpost might be a fortress. Or so I—”
Kit went silent as Victoria trooped in, still dressed in her combat armor. Her blade was sheathed at her hip, the click of the baldric as it swung back and forth as she walked was audible.
It was the look of her that’d gotten everyone’s attention, however.
Blood was splattered up one side, and ash and soot down the other. She looked very much the picture of someone who’d gone through hell and back.
“We fought off a government incursion that wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Victoria said. “Then bounced back an attack from Skipper. I think both sides will leave Legion territory alone. I sent your communication to both sides, per your orders.”
Felix finally broke his attention completely from his computer and turned to face Victoria.
One must give respect where it’s due. And the greatest respect must be given for a hard job done well.
“Thank you, Victoria. You and your department weren’t meant for combat duty on the front line, but you’re performing extremely well. Please give everyone my gratitude, and that I’ll not forget this,” Felix said, meeting Victoria’s eyes evenly.
She blinked twice and then nodded her head slowly. “Of course, Felix.”
“Great. If they listen to the message, and actually heed it, then we’ll be in the clear without anyone worrying about us. I’d like to play the neutral party if possible, and let them blast away at each other until they tire of it,” Felix admitted. Sighing he shook his head and smiled ruefully. “I should have been celebrating my successful bid for governor by now, rather than worrying about military matters.”
“Isn’t that why Skipper attacked?” Andrea asked. She was leaning over her terminal, poking at something with one finger. “I mean, the day before you were more or less guaranteed to become governor, and take ownership of the city. Perhaps not in a purely contractual sense, but certainly as a temporary caretaker. I can only imagine the resources you’d have at your disposal then.”
Everyone in the room went still.
It makes sense. She wasn’t ready. Her takeover of Skippercity was so much more planned out. So much more… ready.
Already set in place. It was merely a matter of springing the attack.
This time was nowhere near that level.
“I really wanted to ride on a helicopter, too,” Andrea Prime whined. “That or go to a fancy five star restaurant with the governor. See if they can make better pancakes than me. I bet they can’t. I’ll turn Skipper into a Sausage and then feed it to a dog.”
“Not to mention how many of me have died,” Adriana Prime said from Felix’s other side. “It’s a fortunate thing we don’t have to create Death Others anymore. We’d have three more already.”
“Stupid Skipper!” the Elex sisters said in unison.
Stupid Skipper? Stupid me! I’m the instigator in this whole thing. If I had taken control of Tilen as a whole, could I have leveraged it to take Skippercity?
Maybe? It’s possible.
The better question here, though, is would I even want to?
I just wanted to live comfortably. The idea of being anything more than Legion is… terrifying.
“What do you want to do with all those civilians?” Lily asked him. It was in the small hours of the morning. Everyone else had shifted off at this point to grab some sleep.
With how much was going on, Felix didn’t feel like he could actually sleep right now.
“Dunno,” he said honestly. “Everything is just… going to hell. And so quickly. It’s only been a day and already it’s becoming clear that this isn’t going to be a victory for either side. I think this’ll become a city under siege, with the citizens losing, no matter who wins.”
Felix was sitting on the couch in his private room. He was tired of looking at screens, reports, and files. The only thing he wanted to see right now was the back of his eyelids.
“It does seem that way,” Lily agreed. She flopped down onto the couch next to him, her skirt slipping upward with the movement. She went to adjust it, then sighed and let her hands drop. “I think I’ve recruited more magic based Powereds today than I have in my entire career in Legion. If anything, I can certainly say that this war is certainly driving our recruiting.”
Felix nodded his head a bit at that. “Safety in numbers, and Legion has a track record for taking on the odds and winning so far. We’ve matched against Powereds and come out on top. It’s only fitting, really.”
“Oh, there were a few spies in those reporters you brought over with your new pet Beastkins, who are desperate to speak to you by the way. The Fixer on duty dropped the spies off as soon as there was time. Last I heard they were under the fine ministrations of the Death Others.”
“Hm. Those really are rather separate from Andrea and Adriana. Maybe they need a third sister after all.”
“Maybe. They seem to split the Death Others between them and let them circulate freely. I get the impression they’re acting as information carriers and welcomed between both. Still surprising that they separated into two, though.”
“Yes and no. Andrea Prime wasn’t actually the original Andrea. Or Myriad, as it were. I get the impression that Myriad was the original personality, and Andrea… Andrea was what was left over when a horde of Myriads converged on a location and lost. Died.”
Lily frowned, her eyebrows lowering over her eyes. Leaning to one side, she rested her head on Felix’s shoulder.
“That makes sort of sense. And also why Andrea is… well… different. She’s the remainder… so to speak.”
“Somewhat. Definitely makes you think. I think them separating into two different personalities is probably a good thing in the long run. We’ll see. Good, bad, neutral. It’s done, and she was the one who wanted it.”
Felix sighed and laid the back of his head on the couch, staring up at the ceiling above.
“I find myself wondering how Skipper managed to do all that she has. Is she seeing the future? Alternate universes? What ifs? And if that’s the case, how does she not lose herself in it. I imagine I’d probably chain a what if scenario to a what if scenario to move ever further into the future and find my path.”
“Does it matter? Whatever her power is, she uses it to her advantage in all things. She also keeps a tight lid on it from others. I imagine the guild has some thoughts on it, but not the reality. As does the government,” Lily replied.