Chapter 29: The Governor’s Speech

At Deville's command, the corpse collectors from the logistics division resumed their grim work, efficiently dragging bodies and packing them onto the transport vehicles. Soon, another young soldier collapsed into unconsciousness, his injuries too severe. A collector approached, opening a body bag, ready to take the man away.

But this time, he was met with resistance.

"Please, I beg you! My son's injuries aren't that serious! Just one med shot could save him!" An old soldier, his hair gray from years of service, clung desperately to his son, refusing to let the corpse collector take him.

The old man's pleas fell on deaf ears. In the current dire circumstances, even the most basic med supplies were far more valuable than the lives of these defense soldiers.

The black-armored guards of the logistics division surrounded them, their mechanical voices cold and unfeeling: "Warning! No interference with logistics division collection operations will be tolerated. Stand back from the protein source immediately or face execution!"

The old man, seemingly oblivious to the warning, continued his desperate begging. "Please, don't take my son... I'll take his place! I beg you..."

The black-armored soldiers ignored him. This scene was all too familiar, and their regulations left no room for mercy. They were bound by the strict rules of the logistics division: failure to uphold the protocols could mean their own execution.

Deville, watching the scene unfold, remained emotionally detached. His years of overseeing these operations had hardened his heart. He saw not people, but pure protein, which could be processed into rations to keep the workforce alive and maintain control over the territory.

To him, it was simply a matter of survival. The Court District's rule had to be preserved, even if it required harsh measures.

The black-armored guards raised their guns, now pointing at the old soldier and his unconscious son. "Final warning! Execution imminent!"

Around them, the other soldiers, their faces red with fury, gripped their weapons tightly. They could no longer bear to watch this injustice unfold.

On the other side of the scene, Kaes noticed the determination in Arye's eyes. He knew there was no stopping his old comrade now. Nodding in silent agreement, Kaes prepared to back Arye up as tensions reached their boiling point.

The entire battlefield felt like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Deville stood protected behind his shield-bearing guards, sensing the escalating tension but making no effort to de-escalate. The law had to be upheld without exception. Any sign of weakness could lead to chaos, undermining the authority of the Court District.

Deville had already shown restraint once; now, all that remained was to enforce the rules with unwavering resolve.

Click!

The sound of safeties being released echoed through the air. Everyone held their breath, bracing for the bloodshed to follow.

Suddenly, the piercing noise of a loudspeaker blared through the air. "Warning! All units below, drop your weapons immediately, or you will be deemed traitors to the Court District!"

A black-and-gold strike ship, flashing red warning lights, hovered overhead. Its speakers continued to broadcast the warning, while two heavy cannons trained on the crowd below.

"All units below, drop your weapons immediately, or you will be deemed traitors to the Court District..." The warning played on repeat, leaving everyone confused.

Why was the strike ship aiming its cannons at its own personnel?

Deville recognized the golden lion emblem on the ship and quickly ordered the black-armored soldiers to stand down. "All of you, drop your weapons! That's a ship from the Spire!"

The Spire? The Governor!

Years of ingrained fear made the logistics personnel immediately comply, dropping their weapons and standing at attention before the strike ship. The defense soldiers, equally terrified, followed suit.

Arye and Kaes exchanged tense glances, both watching the strike ship above with apprehension.

Everyone waited, their fate hanging in the balance.

Finally, the ship's loudspeaker fell silent, before announcing in a formal tone:

"The honorable Governor Eden Grant has officially repealed Article Nine of the protein collection protocols. No living person may be harvested for protein. All logistics personnel are to cease use of force and assist in the treatment of the wounded. After completing their tasks, they are to report back to headquarters for further orders and retraining."

The voice paused, letting the gravity of the statement sink in. Everyone was in shock, especially the logistics personnel, who stood frozen in disbelief.

The loudspeaker crackled once more. "The following is an address from the great and merciful Governor Eden Grant. Silence is mandatory. Failure to comply will be considered treason."

Everyone held their breath, standing at attention. Deville quickly straightened his clothes, ready to listen with the utmost reverence to the Governor's words.

"Zzzt..."

The recorded speech began, Eden's voice filled with authority.

"Soldiers! I am Eden Grant, your Governor.

You have protected the Court District and made great sacrifices. I offer my deepest respect to all members of the defense forces!

At the same time, I must express my guilt.

You have not been treated as you deserve, and for that, I am sorry.

I vow to you that from now on, your efforts will be rewarded, and your contributions will be honored!

A rescue team is on the way. The Court District will do everything in its power to ensure no soldier is abandoned.

The Court District stands with you!"

The recording ended, and the strike ship rose back into the sky, joining several other ships as they returned to the Spire.

At the same moment, rescue vehicles arrived on the scene. Medics rushed out, immediately tending to the injured soldiers.

The old soldier, still holding his son, begged for help. A medic injected his son with a precious med shot, and the young man's breathing began to stabilize, finally out of danger.

The old soldier, overwhelmed with relief, collapsed to his knees, sobbing in the direction of the retreating strike ship. "Thank you, Governor!"

The soldiers around him felt a surge of emotion. Many had tears in their eyes.

For so long, they had been treated as less than human, mere fodder for the war machine. Their lives were meaningless, their deaths unnoticed, their sacrifices unacknowledged.

But today, they had been recognized by the most powerful man on the planet.

They were heroes.

Arye, unable to contain his excitement, nudged Kaes. "Did you hear that? The Governor called us heroes! Let's see those logistics bastards dare mess with us now!"

Kaes glanced at the others, smiling slightly, but chose to remain silent.

Meanwhile, the logistics personnel stood in stunned silence, unsure of how to proceed. They turned to Deville for guidance.

(End of Chapter)