lilium hyde

Metalrealm Intelligence Service, Metalrealm

Descending radically was always better than lingering in between, and going too fast was always better than never reaching.

It was all about winning.

That was exactly why the senators hated me.

Or perhaps feared me.

Because I absorbed information, and condensed it into one huge blade; without laying a finger on a trigger, or unsheathing a dagger.

They would thank me later, or wouldn't. One day, they would realize, that they were shortsighted parasites who shouted about their right to sit in parliament.

Or they wouldn't. I didn't really care either way.

Fortunately, none of them could exist without the intelligence agency I rebuilt through psychological tests they never even noticed. But all they could do was to assume it was fear - of me - which kept the agents sharp and ready, and the spies fluid and agile - like veins through a body.

What made the agents straighten their backs were my eyes. I saw everything.

And some people made the right observation by whispering "she has eyes on the back of her head."

The red dot on the earpiece on my desk blinked a few times. Only my deputy chief called me through that device.

It was seven o'clock in the evening. Exactly on time.

I attached it to my ear.

"Chief Ombra." Midas, spoke flatly.

"I am listening." A wide map appeared on my desk.

"The Osh-Tekk guards dispersed the protests on the south borders of Kotal Kahn's palace." An image appeared before my eyes, showing only the legs of some people in a crowd

"Did anyone carry a weapon?" I asked

"No one. That was made sure of. Kotal Kahn gave a speech to calm them down. Even though the reconstruction of the buildings that were destroyed in Shokan war has been sped up on the east."

"Do not leave the protests in a halt."

"Outworlders do not support the idea of seeking aid from Earthrealm, so Kotals speech and efforts wasn't as efficient as he anticipated. For now, that is enough as a fuel."

I stroked my metal chin. Kotal Kahn rubbed salt to their wounds by collaborating with both Kano and the Special Forces, two tangible presences during the war.

I began twirling my steel rings with my thumb.

An ID emerged on my tablet. It was the department assigned for Kotal's palace. Though, it was only consisted of two people, for now.

I hung up on Midas to switch between earpieces.

Isar breathed slowly.

"Leaving my post only to make a call was a risk. Again." His voice was as rigid as the sergeant he was at the palace. He wore the role I assigned him with like expensive accessory.

"It wasn't worth taking?" I said

"I wonder when I will be compelled to say that aloud."

"It will certainly be put in discussion when the time comes."

"A discussion with lower chances for you to survive." He huffed.

"The lack of a core power is more appealing to you."

Isar went silent. I heard something rustle through the earpiece.

He continued after several seconds. "The number of guards has been increased on the eastern border due to Mileena's recent movements."

"How Many?"

"Twenty-three."

"Not enough."

"No." He paused. "Not enough. Some of the guards requested reassignment.

The Tarkatans under her command have turned bolder. Significantly."

"Osh-Tekk soldiers backed down?" I cocked an eyebrow, my gaze darted to the tablet again.

"Surprisingly so."

"Reason?"

“Officially?"

"Unofficially."

"They fear her."

I stared at the map as more images of Tarkatan camps showed up "And Kotal Kahn accepted that?"

"There are arguments going on. He probably won't answer their requests, especially when the reconstruction is progressing well on the east."

I zoomed on the east of the palace. "What did Mileena do that scared them?"

"Some of the supplies Kotal has imported were stolen. Possibly by Mileena. But there is still no evidence to prove that. I lead the investigation personally." His voice trailed down.

No evidence. No trace left behind. Mileena acted haphazardly most of the time.

If Isar failed to find anything, there likely wasn't any to find.

"I'm out." Isar said suddenly, and the call ended.

I sent a sign to the administrator to transfer the files to Midas' office.

After around five minutes, a message from Midas arrived.

[Bold is what the Tarkatans are.]

I refilled my tea cup from the old flask. Brave could be a more accurate word in this situation.

Another ID called - from Outworld again.

"Hi!" Asfel chirped.

"Asfel." The steam touched my lips.

"Guess what. She visited the eastern region yesterday."

I paused. "To?"

The answer was already clear.

"To visit the war-victim families there - and make sure they're warm and safe. I accompanied her. People were all like," His voice lowered to a hushed whisper. "we wish Kahn cared about us as much as you did. And then she said no, he does. I'm only doing my job."

I sipped my tea. "Did you talk to her about the charity network?"

"I did. But she seemed to be intimidated by the idea at first. I'll work on that. It's a lot easier to pursue her into acts of service than anything else." He let out a puff of air. "Feels less rewarding though."

The corner of my mouth almost quivered.

"Did the news about Mileena's movements reach you?" I asked.

Astel paused for a moment. "What news? That she's practically inhabiting the eastern region now?"

So it had reached him. No evidence was found, but the news of her moving to the east had reached Kitana's circle. Enough silence. Enough noise.

"Work on that faster."

"Yeah, let's fill people's pockets with money while Mileena is literally drawing weapons somewhere out there."

"Asfel." I deadpanned.

“Yes?”

"You're out." I pressed a button on the earpiece.

His observation wasn't wrong, in fact, he had the tendency to think out aloud most of the time. I didn't necessarily hate it. That only helped influencing someone like Kitana to take a less amount of time.

Everyone, especially Kitana, needed someone with a character as clear as the palm of a hand, and to speak with them directly without playing the opposite card under the table. That's why I chose Astel to get close to Kitana.

Asfel didn't take the table to Outworld with himself.

Isar's ID appeared on my tablet again. A direct call twice in a row.

I held back before answering it immediately. Five seconds were the normal amount. Then, I reached for my earpiece again.

"Chief." He exhaled roughly. "There will be a gathering at the palace. I'm not sure when, but probably a week from now."

"Contact Midas." I hung up on him immediately.

That was either an abrupt decision, or too much time had passed for it to spread around the palace. Both were almost equally possible.