Chapter 21
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21
The Empire initiated an information blackout.
The rebellion was downplayed as a mere riot, and the suppression began under the guise of a special military operation.
Three families had risen against the Empire. Aside from the Ramones family, the rest were none of my business. I had no connection to them, nor did I care about their motives for treason.
What mattered was that the Ramones family was slated for purging. Not just the family itself, but their employees as well...
Lillian Ramones.
She was also a target for elimination.
This was why Ilay had been so anxious. As a member of the Kartika family, he must have caught wind of the Ramones family's rebellion beforehand. We were the ones who had to purge a family—and a woman—with whom we shared ties.
In any case, since I was set to deploy to the battlefield, I was undergoing a detailed inspection and maintenance.
Whir, whir.
The maintenance android moved its four arms. Tools rummaged through my limbs. A checklist materialized as a hologram, and information on the replaced parts scrolled past.
On the hexagonal parameter display of my prosthetic body, the stats for durability steadily climbed.
Battlefields are harsher than normal environments. That was why I tuned my prosthetic body with a focus on durability.
"Master Luka, would you like to perform a test run?"
The android asked, having finished the basic tuning. I stood up and bounced on my feet.
I felt as refreshed as stepping out after a hot bath. My body moved smoothly, as if shedding layers of old grime.
Whir.
I thrust my fist forward, spreading and clenching my fingers. Moving at high speed, my fingers left afterimages. Normally, I would have been satisfied with this speed.
But not this time. For some time now, I had felt that my prosthetic body couldn't keep up with my consciousness. There was a latency between my thoughts and my actions.
I looked at the maintenance android and spoke.
"Increase the signal feedback speed of the prosthetic body and expand the bandwidth."
Accelerating the signals between the brain and the prosthetic body increases reaction speed, while expanding the bandwidth allows for finer output control and more delicate movements.
The android reacted negatively to my command. Its optical sensors blinked red three times.
"Warning. Going beyond this point exceeds safety regulations. We recommend attaching an auxiliary computing unit for direct signal attenuation."
An auxiliary computing unit converts sharp, artificial cybernetic signals into more natural bio-signals. Because it eases the burden on the brain, it is essential equipment for ultra-high-performance full-armor prosthetics like the Legion.
However, the downside is that as reliance on the auxiliary computing unit grows, one's senses become duller. Furthermore, it creates a sense of alienation, making the prosthetic body feel like someone else's.
"I don't need extra parts."
I said, lying back down on the maintenance chair. The android connected cables to my limbs and began tuning the system.
"The requested settings have been applied. However, you must pass a safety test before deploying to actual combat. If you fail, the settings will revert to safe parameters."
My brow furrowed involuntarily. I sighed, imagining smashing the face of this inflexible android.
"Run it."
"Increasing the cybernetic signal load level."
A hologram flickered to life before my eyes, displaying a circular gauge that indicated the signal load. The needle, which had been resting at the bottom left of the gauge, twitched and began to creep toward the right.
The gauge was divided into seventy percent green and thirty percent red. The end of the green zone was the signal limit I had set, while the red zone represented overload. To pass the safety test, I had to endure the red zone for over a minute.
The needle tilted and shot up to the twelve o'clock position. An unnaturally amplified dummy signal violently shook my head. Even though I was sitting still, the world felt like it was spinning.
I can do this.
This wasn't arrogant self-confidence; it was an undeniable fact.
I was compatible with the Akies Combat Style. That meant my brain's information-processing capacity was superior to others'. I could withstand values that exceeded regulations.
Pop.
A sound like a blood vessel bursting echoed in my head. I pulled my concentration together, compressing it into a single point. As if it had been waiting, the cybernetic signal clawed through my nervous system and raced to my brain.
Whir!
The needle on the gauge swept past the green zone. Next, a map of my central nervous system appeared beside the gauge. The areas entering overload began to flash a glowing red.
The moment my nervous system went into overload, my pupils darted wildly in all directions. My vision spun along with them.
Crunch!
The armrest gripped in my hand shattered instantly. The sound of grinding molars echoed from my clenched jaw. Tooth dust rolled grit-like over my tongue.
Pop!
Blood vessels around my eyes burst. Blood trickled down from my nose.
"The probability of permanent damage to the nervous system is rising. Would you like to abort?"
With only about ten seconds left, the android was spouting that nonsense. I barely managed to focus my eyes and glared at it.
"I-I'm warning you—if you stop this test on your own, I'll smash you to pieces with my own hands."
There was no way a threat would work on it. But I felt like I had to spit out those words just to endure.
I was heading to the battlefield soon. There was no telling what would happen there. If I had any latent potential left, I had to squeeze every last drop of it out right here.
Hiss!
The needle, which had reached the far right, rapidly sank back to the left. The amplified signal that had been tearing my head apart vanished as if it had all been a lie.
...I had passed the safety test. It was a relief for both me and the android.
"Are we done now, you bastard?"
I stood up, pushing the android's face away with my palm. The android stumbled but quickly regained its balance.
"Excellent work, Master Luka. However, please refrain from violent language and behavior, even as a joke. I am an asset of the Empire."
The android spoke flatly.
"I wasn't joking."
The android fell silent for a moment. Its optical light flickered as if communicating. The bastard had probably just transmitted my words to the upper command. There would be some demerit points.
But now, such a trivial game of points was... none of my business.
* * *
The Imperial Guard consists of highly versatile, elite soldiers. An Imperial Guardsman adapts flexibly to any formation within the Imperial Army. Even as a mere cadet, I had been trained to handle every role, from a common foot soldier to field command.
But that was only training. I had never actually commanded a platoon on a large-scale battlefield.
The Imperial Guard's upper command even treated this rebellion as a training opportunity. They deployed cadets in droves to act as platoon leaders. For the first time in our lives, we would fight while commanding subordinate soldiers.
"My name is Luka. As of this moment, I am taking command of the 21st Platoon of the suppression force."
I said, looking down at the lined-up platoon members.
The Empire had newly organized a suppression force to quell the rebellion. The unit assigned to me was the 21st Platoon.
By now, the other cadets would have met their own platoon members as well. The same went for Ilay. I hadn't spoken to Ilay in private since the news of the rebellion broke.
"...Salute!"
The adjutant gave the order to the platoon with disciplined movements. I nodded as I received their salute.
It was a platoon with military discipline drilled into their bones. Their state of training looked excellent. Well, thinking about it, that made sense.
The embers of rebellion spread wider the longer suppression is delayed. The Empire must have organized the suppression force primarily with battle-hardened veterans.
Especially since a cadet-turned-platoon-leader, no matter how elite their training, is a greenhorn on the battlefield. The upper command had taken care to assign a seasoned adjutant.
I knew everything about the platoon members' profiles. The adjutant assigned to me was a man who had been through all kinds of hardships. His combat gear was fiercely scarred with the marks of real battle.
Adjutant Sergeant First Class Kodrak.
He was the man who would serve as my hands and feet throughout this mission.
The organization of the 21st Platoon consisted of myself as the platoon leader, and Sergeant First Class Kodrak as the adjutant and deputy platoon leader. Under him were Corporal Bian, the 1st squad leader, and Sergeant Jolan, the 2nd squad leader, with eleven and twelve squad members respectively.
Including myself, there were twenty-seven members in the platoon.
Rustle.
The platoon members were looking at me. Just as I was observing them, they were sizing me up. Their gazes were so piercing they felt almost hostile.
To them, I was not a welcome presence. They knew they were being used as training tools. And on a battlefield where they could die at any moment, no less.
No matter how accustomed Imperial soldiers were to rank and absolute obedience... they weren't fools enough to blindly pledge loyalty to a greenhorn superior whose abilities were unproven.
This was a test for the cadet as well. Even if they were subordinates, their experience far exceeded mine. I had to win them over and command them through my own capability.
"Platoon Leader, it's almost our turn," Sergeant First Class Kodrak whispered, stepping up to my side.
I stared at the train station. The suppression force was scheduled to travel to the rebel territory via maglev train. I could see soldiers boarding one after another.
Soon, it was our 21st Platoon's turn. Kodrak skillfully led the platoon members onto the train. For now, I remained silent and observed.
Clack.
Each carriage of the train housed one platoon. The interior was equipped with facilities ranging from rest areas to basic maintenance stations.
Rattle, rattle.
The platoon members organized their gear with practiced ease and found their seats.
"Over here, Platoon Leader."
Kodrak had prepared my seat at the head of the carriage. He was good at serving a young superior like me. To be precise, he was good at managing them. He treated me with just enough respect to keep me from getting offended while steering the platoon exactly as he wished.
Psssssh.
With a hiss of escaping steam, the train doors locked tight. The train rose from the ground with a low hum of vibration.
Beep.
Numbers flickered onto the display board. In two hours, the train would arrive in rebel-held territory.
I sat in my seat, staring at the platoon members. After the formal greetings, they were chatting among themselves as if ignoring me. It wasn't something I particularly took offense to. To them, I was just someone passing through.
Now, what should I do?
I had two options.
The first option was to leave everything to Sergeant First Class Kodrak. If I gave vague orders, Kodrak would handle them on his own. This would be the conventional choice.
The second option was to provoke their animosity and then crush them with my own power.
In truth, I had made my choice long ago. The first option? Given my personality, I couldn't stomach it. That left only the second option.
"I..."
As I spoke, the platoon members' chatter died down. Everyone's eyes locked onto me.
"...am superior to you. Therefore, you must obey my orders absolutely, and disobedience will be met with severe punishment."
A wave of agitation rippled through the carriage. The platoon members remained silent, looking toward Kodrak.
"Platoon Leader Luka, a word in private..."
Kodrak grabbed my arm, attempting to lead me to the next carriage. His intention was to stop my sudden outburst.
Whoosh!
I threw Kodrak, who was holding my arm, right across the carriage.
Thud!
Kodrak spun in midair and crashed down among the platoon members. The soldiers' eyes narrowed, turning fiercely sharp.
Good. This was exactly the kind of hostile environment I preferred. I hated people who were friendly from the start. In my life, people who were friendly upon our first meeting usually fell into two categories: they either looked down on me, or they planned to use me.
"I come from the Lower District, just like you. I grew up in a Double-Digit Orphanage. Yet why is there such a vast difference in status between you and me, someone far younger? Unless you're fools, you should all know the answer. It's because I am vastly superior to you."
I narrowed my eyes, glaring at the platoon members. Then, breaking through the cold silence, I continued.
"You might not understand it now. But you will soon. Because I will be the most outstanding platoon leader you have ever met. Sergeant First Class Kodrak, how long do you plan on lying there? Do not lay your hands on me without permission again."
Kodrak stood up, brushing off his combat suit. Without showing a hint of anger, he offered a good-natured smile. Kodrak must have realized that I hadn't chosen the easy path.
"I was out of line. I will be careful in the future, Platoon Leader Luka."