RAA, not CIA

Lukas and Bell surveyed the command center's latest office. Lisa entrusted all tasks related to recruiting intelligence personnel to Lukas, given her greater trust in him than in herself, and the results were evident. Lukas gathered individuals from various alphabet soup organizations, some of which Bell had never heard of in his entire life – CIA, MI6, BND, ESA, ISIN, and many others.

A diverse array of experts from these organizations was brought in to contribute to the intelligence and counter-sabotage operation they were about to undertake. The emphasis was not on their origins, but rather on their valuable skills. Lukas designated Gerhard Kesselring from ISIN as the head of the newly established organization, with David Brennan from ESA serving as his deputy. Sylva Rossovento, the pink-haired woman, took on the role of the organization's POO (Personnel Operations Officer), showcasing the diverse leadership at play.

At least, by design, the organization was designed to achieve multiple objectives, including:

- Intelligence Gathering and Analysis.

- Counter-Intelligence and Sabotage Prevention.

- Security and Information Warfare.

- International Espionage and Diplomacy.

- Terrorism and Extremism Counteraction.

They operated under military command, though they had the capacity to act independently as a cohesive entity. Lukas allocated six million exchange points to summon three seasoned professionals, accompanied by thirteen others from diverse backgrounds. This group included the two earlier ESA agents, now upgraded into intelligence specialists, along with a psychologist forming a tandem. Half of them were assigned to the Personnel Operations Officer (POO), while the rest handled office work.

Currently, Lukas convened with Gerhard and Sylva, coordinating efforts to uncover the regional mole and locate the chancellor. Sylva provided an update, narrowing down the search to a specific location on the eastern side of the continent. However, finding the chancellor required more time. It became apparent that Bell wasn't the sole survivor, but he stood out due to the rapid development of the federation.

"At least there are ten small villages in that area, but it seems Hanna is keeping quiet, unlike you," Sylva added.

"What kind of king would I be if I can't protect my own people?" Bell responded, highlighting his visible presence as a means to attract refugees seeking protection, aligning with his duty.

"Anyway, sir, we're going to set up our network, and hopefully, we can identify threats before they fully emerge," Gerhard spoke with a slight Germanic intonation. "Our initial focus will be on counter-sabotage until our team expands. Each POO agent will monitor their assigned sectors, keeping an eye out for any activity from the Southern Coalitions. Sylva, I trust you can coordinate your people efficiently."

"Well, if that means I don't have to traverse the entire continent to find one person, that's fine by me," Sylva shrugged.

"Sylva, please," Bell smiled. "The chancellor is an important asset."

"Don't worry, sir, I understand the significance, especially given your 'Empire's' paternalistic ideals. And let's not start on the apparent diarchy in that triarchy system," Sylva added with a hint of sarcasm.

"It's necessary to break the social classes," Bell responded. "But that's not why we are here. I need to know the source of the outbreak in the elven village, as well as who's behind Aurora's assassination. If we have solid proof, we can leverage it to persuade the other elven villages to join us, significantly increasing our population, alongside getting cheaper troops."

"Aye, understood," Gerhard acknowledged.

Bell gave the room a final once-over, his eyes lingering on the maps and screens that adorned the walls. "Thank you, Gerhard, Sylva. Keep me updated on any developments," he said before opening the door to the newly established office, stepping into the quiet hallway of the command building.

Outside, the hallway offered a brief respite from the day's demands, providing Bell with a moment of solitude. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of leadership and the impending challenges. Aware that the safety of his people and the success of their mission rested squarely on his shoulders, he recognized the delicate balance they were navigating—the federation grew daily, but so did the looming threat from the southern coalition.

His gaze shifted to the bustling streets below, observing an array of new vehicles lining the roads, from sturdy Hilux trucks to various other brands. It intrigued him how the husbands, serving either in the Strategic Reserve Force or the 120th, not only provided for their families but also modernized them simultaneously, all thanks to the system. Demons, both teenagers and children, walked alongside the streets with backpacks, returning from schools. New establishments, from recently opened restaurants to a pizzeria across from the command center, signaled a sense of normalcy.

Despite this semblance of everyday life, Bell ensured that individuals returning to work underwent the same high-resource specialized training as Aurora and Eldrin, despite its costly nature. Imperial healers collaborated with Lisa and others in hospitals, while magical engineers joined Amelia in The Facility for weapons research and development. Former soldiers found a place in the 120th, maintaining a complex web of roles.

The streets vibrated with the hum of engines and the rhythm of daily life. People moved about at various paces, some in a rush, others more leisurely. The air carried a palpable sense of normalcy, albeit juxtaposed with the constant threat of potential genocide. Bell observed a convoy of military vehicles, comprised of JLTVs and LAVs, passing by—a reminder of ongoing efforts to maintain security and order. Occasionally, helicopters took off and landed on the ground helipad near the command center.

Standing near the grand entrance of the command center, Bell sought out a place to sit, eventually settling on a bench. To his surprise, Lisa joined him on the bench, prompting him to wonder if she had completed her daily duties.

"You've finished the hour?" Bell inquired.

"Yup, only two patients today, both elves, one with pneumonia and the other with tuberculosis," Lisa replied. She was in her usual combat uniform, sans all the tactical gear as it wasn't typically necessary inside a hospital. "On the matter of RAA, is it solved yet?" she asked.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Because that organization is vital," Lisa emphasized.

"It's all accounted for," Bell nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good, that's great. Sooner or later, we'll encounter many different sabotage attempts," Lisa added.

"No doubt."

"Still, I've got one thing on my mind. Do you think the husk presence is vital to our cause? I mean, that thing is a nuisance, or even a threat, but since we've got them under control for now, wouldn't our income disappear if we suddenly kill all of them?" Lisa questioned.

"At that time, hopefully, the people are ready to be taxed, or we have income from an alternative source, as simple as that," Bell replied.

"Or worse."

"Worse?"

"You know, what if the system throws something more at us, much much more than mere husks," Lisa added, a tinge of concern in her voice. Despite the worry, she couldn't help but entertain the idea that something stronger might result in more money and, consequently, increased income.

"Then we prepare more." Bell responded with determination.

"I doubt any of our preparation could deal with a mute pilot, no offense," Lisa added. "But, if the system could summon literally anything as our enemies, what makes you think that we won't eventually face a peer opponent with equal power, if not more?" Lisa explained her point.

"I think the increase in threat will be very… linear," Bell said.

"I hope so."

"The system might be unpredictable, but it's also a tool we can leverage," Bell mused. "We've managed so far, haven't we? And with the intelligence network expanding, we'll be better prepared for whatever comes our way."

Lisa nodded, her expression thoughtful. "True, but there's always the human element to consider. Our people, their morale, their well-being... these are factors no system can fully account for."

Bell agreed, his gaze drifting back to the bustling street. "You're right. That's why we need to focus on building a strong community, not just a strong military. We need to ensure that our people feel safe and valued, that they have a stake in the future we're building. After all, successful people mean a successful nation, right?"

As the afternoon waned, Bell and Lisa rose from the bench, their conversation drawing to a close. They parted ways, each returning to their respective duties.