021
The empire has entered information control.
The rebellion was reduced to a simple riot, and suppression began with special military operations.
There were three families that rebelled against the empire. Except for the Ramones family, the rest were not my concern. I had no connections. I was not curious about their motives for rebelling.
The important thing is that the Ramones family is the target of the purge. Not only the family, but even the employees… … .
‘Lillian Ramones.’
She was also a target for elimination.
That was also why Ilay was so anxious. Since he was a member of the Kartika family, he must have heard about the Ramones family’s treason before anyone else. We must purge the families and women who have connections.
Anyway, I was undergoing a thorough inspection and maintenance because I had to go to the battlefield.
Creak, creak.
The maintenance android moved its four arms. Tools slid across my limbs. The checklist appeared as a hologram, and information on the replaced parts scrolled past.
In the hexagonal parameters of my body, the durability values have been gradually increasing.
The battlefield is harsher than the general environment, so the body was tuned with a focus on durability.
-Luke, would you like to do a demonstration run?
The android said after completing the basic tuning. I got up from my seat and jumped up.
I felt refreshed, like going out after taking a bath. My body moved smoothly as if old dirt had been removed.
Squeak.
I stretched out my fist, opening and closing my fingers. The fingers moved at high speed, leaving an afterimage. It was a speed that I would normally be satisfied with.
But not this time. I have been feeling like my body is not keeping up with my consciousness for some time now. There is a delay between consciousness and action.
I looked at the maintenance android and opened my mouth.
“Increase the signal feedback speed of the body and increase the bandwidth.”
Accelerating the signals between the brain and the body would allow for faster responses, while increasing the bandwidth would allow for more precise output control and more sophisticated movements.
The android reacted negatively to my instructions. The android’s eyes blinked red three times.
– WARNING, this exceeds the safety limit. Attachment of auxiliary processing device is recommended for direct signal attenuation.
The auxiliary processing unit is responsible for converting sharp, artificial cybernetic signals into more natural bio-signals. It is essential equipment for high-performance armored vehicles such as the Legion, as it reduces the burden on the brain.
However, as the dependence on auxiliary processing devices increases, there is also the disadvantage that the senses become dull. Furthermore, a foreign feeling occurs, making the prosthesis feel like it belongs to someone else.
“No additional parts needed.”
I said as I lay down on the maintenance chair. The android connected cables to my limbs and began tuning the system.
– The settings you specified have been completed. However, before going into actual use, you must pass a safety test. If you fail, the settings will be restored to within the safety range.
My face crumpled involuntarily. I sighed as I imagined myself smashing the inflexible face of that android.
“Do it.”
-We will increase the load level of the cybernetic signal.
A hologram appeared before my eyes. A circular gauge indicating the signal load appeared. The needle that had been sunk to the lower left of the gauge slowly moved to the right, bouncing around.
The dashboard had 70% green and 30% red. The green point was where I set the signal limit. And the red point was overload. The safety test had to be at the red point for more than a minute.
The needle on the dashboard tilted and soared to the twelve o’clock position. The unnaturally amplified dummy signal shook my head unpleasantly. Even though I was still, the world seemed to spin.
‘I can do it.’
This is not arrogant confidence, it is an obvious fact.
I am a qualified Archieus combat specialist. That means my brain’s information processing ability is superior to others’. I can even withstand numbers that exceed the regulations.
Splash.
I heard a sound like a blood vessel opening in my head. I focused my attention as if compressing it into a single point. As if waiting, cybernetic signals clawed at my nervous system and raced to my brain.
Kick!
The needle on the dashboard passed the green point. Then a map of my central nervous system appeared next to the dashboard. The areas that were overloaded began to glow red and blink.
As soon as my nervous system went into overdrive, my pupils started moving in all directions. My vision also started spinning.
Wood crack!
The armrest I was holding in my hands suddenly shattered. The sound of teeth grinding came from my clenched mouth. The tooth powder rolled around on my tongue.
Bam!
The blood vessels around my eyes burst. Blood also flowed from my nose.
-Permanent damage to your nervous system is increasing. Would you like to stop?
With only ten seconds left, the android was already babbling like that. I glared at the android, barely able to focus my eyes.
“I, I guarantee it, if you finish the test like that, like that, I will destroy you with my own hands.”
Threats wouldn’t work. But I felt like I could endure it if I said something like this.
I’m going to the battlefield soon. I don’t know what will happen there. If I have any remaining potential, I have to draw it all out here.
Cheeeeek!
The needle, which had reached the right end, quickly sank to the left. The amplified signal that had been tearing at my head also disappeared as if it were a lie.
… … I passed the stability test. It’s a good thing for me and for Android.
“Are you done now? You son of a bitch.”
I stood up, pushing the android’s face with my palm. The android stumbled for a moment, but quickly regained its balance.
– Excellent, Lord Luca. But please refrain from using violent language or behavior, even in jest. I am an asset to the Empire.
Android said blandly.
“I wasn’t joking.”
The android was silent for a moment. Its eyes flashed as if it was communicating. It must have just transmitted my words to its superiors. There will be some deduction.
But now, these petty score games… … are none of my business.
* * *
The Imperial Guard is a versatile elite force. The Guard members can adapt flexibly to any formation of the Imperial Army. Even I, a mere cadet, am trained to be able to play any role, from a simple infantryman to a field commander.
But this is just training. I have never actually commanded a platoon in a large-scale battlefield.
The guards’ superiors even took this rebellion as a training opportunity. They assigned a large number of cadets to the role of platoon leaders. For the first time in our lives, we will fight while commanding lower-ranking soldiers.
“My name is Luca, and I am currently the leader of the 21st Platoon of the Suppression Force.”
I looked down at the lined up platoon members and said.
——————
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The Empire formed a new suppression force to suppress the rebellion. The unit I was assigned to was the 21st Platoon.
By now, the other cadets have probably faced their platoon mates. Ilay, too. I haven’t spoken to Ilay alone since the news of the mutiny.
“……salute!”
The adjutant gave orders to his men with a measured gesture. I nodded in response.
It was a platoon that was used to the ritual. It looked like they were in good training. Well, if you think about it, it makes sense.
The longer it takes to suppress a rebellion, the more it will spread. The empire would have organized its suppression force mainly with veterans with extensive combat experience.
In particular, a platoon leader who was a cadet is a rookie on the battlefield, no matter how elite his training was. The higher-ups took care to appoint experienced adjutants.
I knew all about the personal information of the platoon members. The adjutant who came under me was a man who had been through a lot. His combat gear was fiercely engraved with the marks of actual combat.
‘Adjutant Sergeant Codelock.’
He was the one who would be my hands and feet throughout this mission.
The 21st Platoon’s organization included me as the platoon leader, and my adjutant and deputy platoon leader, Sergeant Cordlock. Below them were the 1st squad leader, Sergeant Bian, and the 2nd squad leader, Corporal Zolan, and each squad had 11 and 12 members.
Including me, there are a total of 27 members in my platoon.
Ssuk.
The platoon members were looking at me. They were watching me as I was watching them. Their gazes were so sharp that they felt impure.
I am not a very welcome presence to them. They know that they are being used as a training tool. And that too on a battlefield where they may die at any moment.
No matter how accustomed the soldiers of the Empire are to rank and obedience… …they are not so bad as to be unconditionally loyal to a new superior who has not proven his abilities.
This is also a test for the cadets. Even though they are junior soldiers, they are more experienced than me. I must be able to command them with my abilities.
“Sir, it’s our turn soon.”
The code lock boss came over to me and whispered.
I stared at the train station. The suppression force was going to ride the maglev train to the rebel area. I could see soldiers boarding one after another.
Soon it was our 21st Platoon’s turn. Codelock skillfully led the platoon members and boarded the train. I also stayed silent for a while and watched the situation unfold.
Creak.
The train had one platoon per car. The interior was equipped with facilities for everything from resting to light maintenance.
Knock, knock.
The platoon members packed their bags as if they were used to it and went to their seats.
“Here you go, Captain.”
Codelock gave me a seat at the top. He treated a young superior like me well. To be exact, he was a good manager. He treated me appropriately so as not to hurt my feelings and led the platoon as he wished.
Pusheeee.
The train doors slammed shut as steam escaped. With a low rumble, the train lifted off the ground.
Beep.
A number flashed on the electronic board. In two hours the train would arrive at the rebel area.
I sat down and stared at my platoon members. After the formal greeting, they ignored me and started talking amongst themselves. It wasn’t something I should be offended by. To them, I was just someone passing by.
So, what do we do now?
I had two options.
The first way is to delegate to the Codelock boss. I give vague orders and Codelock handles them. This would be the general choice.
The second way is to arouse their resentment and then suppress it with my own power.
Actually, I’ve already chosen it a long time ago. The first method? I can’t do it because of my personality. The only thing left is the second method.
“I am…….”
As soon as I opened my mouth, the platoon members’ chatter stopped. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me.
“… … I am superior to you. Therefore, you must absolutely obey my orders, and disobedience will be severely punished.”
A nursery rhyme lingered. The platoon members stared at the code lock in silence.
“Captain Luca, let me talk to you for a moment… … .”
Codelock grabbed my arm and tried to move to the next room, trying to stop me from making a rash move.
Whirl!
I just threw away the cord lock that was holding my arm.
Kuung!
The code lock spun around in the air and flew among the platoon members. The platoon members’ eyes were narrowing and becoming fierce.
Okay, this is exactly the kind of hostile environment I like. I hate people who are nice to me from the get-go. In my life, the people who have been nice to me from the get-go have mostly been of two types: They either made fun of me or they were trying to take advantage of me.
“I come from the same lower class as you. I grew up in a two-digit orphanage. But why is there such a difference in status between me and you, who are younger? If you’re not stupid, you’ll know it. It’s because I’m far superior to you.”
I opened my eyes half-heartedly and glared at my platoon members. Then I continued speaking through the cold silence.
“You may not understand it now, but you will soon understand. I will be the best platoon leader you have ever met. Corporal Codelock, how long are you going to lie down? From now on, do not touch my body without permission.”
Codrak stood up, shaking off his combat uniform. He didn’t even look angry, but smiled kindly. Codrak must know that I didn’t take the easy way out.
“I was rude. I will be more careful in the future, Captain Luca.”
