Shock and Awe II

Meanwhile

"You want me to do what?" Selene asked as Nikola was on coms trying to tell her about an odd plan he had concocted with Robert.

"Use the shield emitters on the bow to fire off this frequency pulse we're providing, quickly."

"Alright, alright… Admiral, get to it." The Admiral on the bridge ordered his soldiers to alter the emitters as was explained, then charged them back up. A high-pitched pulse blasted out, rippling across the land beyond visual range. "So… what did that do? Is it supposed to close the portal?"

"Not exactly. Interesting… so it did work…" Nikola responded as he seemed to be looking over data collected from the pulse.

"You didn't just have us do that just so you could get readings did you?"

"No, on the contrary, That was to make sure the portal couldn't be transported somewhere else. We… guessed that if we could somehow alter the polarity in some way, then the king couldn't pick up and move it to wherever he deemed fit to plop the exit for the demonic forces."

"And that just happened to be the correct frequency?" she asked.

"I… hate to admit it… but that was a theory that needed a little more testing before it could be used in open experimentation…" Robert slowly said as he picked his words carefully.

"So, we got lucky."

"Yes, we got lucky. That's not something you hear a scientist usually want to say," Nikola replied as he seemed to sigh in shame. More demons kept trying to come out in waves, though they were quickly cut down by high powered weapons as her military set up a cordon and defensive perimeter.

"Did that do anything to their respawn capabilities, if they even have those?" The dev questioned.

"No, that's going to take quite a bit more effort, more than likely take longer than understanding how to close the hell gates. However, using biological warfare inside to control the different species should make it easier to ward off the continuous waves. We've only known about this for less than an hour," Robert told her.

"I understand. Priority is to close the portals; all other subjects of research involving the demons are secondary" the empress commanded.

"Yes ma'am." The coms line ended with them as another one opened with Selene getting in touch with her Generals.

"How is it near the south Bryn?"

"Easier to deal with, though there are quite a few fast-moving demons that resemble animals. At least they get distracted by all living creatures, not just humans. It's helping with allowing us to advance quickly, should be just at the borders of Tal Salunbal by tomorrow evening. There is a problem… I've been informed by one of the Commanders you provided me, Selene. Two villages are already wiped out."

The dev blew air out of her mouth as she weighed the death toll. They weren't Clockworkians… yet. The effect still held sway on her though.

Lazarus Systems will be needed; this is why I built them in the first place… that's if the demons don't pull something. All it will do is destroy any undead in the area. Oof, their families elsewhere are not going to like being notified once all of this is over… if it ever will be over… Nikola, Robert, I hope you can pull a miracle on this.

"Ma'am, the perimeter will be completed in four hours, would you like to head down and meet with the officials of Silvinholm?" the Admiral asked. Drop bunkers were already prepped and launching, setting up a free-fire zone around the gateway.

"No, no I wouldn't, not one bit… but I'll go regardless. I didn't get dressed up just to sit here." She did just that for the next five minutes, mulling over questions the people below might have that Gala had helped coach her on. An ambassador would be right with her the entire way, along with Adesha staying at the helibot. The empress finally stood up and walked slowly off the bridge, continuing to practice her words carefully. What they had just seen would have them speechless, their minds not working correctly once she arrived. They'd have countless questions for her, none of them anywhere near as suspicious as the dwarves. They'd want answers she couldn't give or ignore them altogether, such as was she a goddess. At least she could let them know they were safe and control their fear, keep them from harming each other.

Her trip was far quicker than the walk to the air pad as she just sat there with her assistance group sitting all around. As she felt the ever so slight vibration of landing, barely even noticeable to herself and her automatons, the door slowly opened with her honor guard stepping out in full display. There was silence as Selene got up and stepped one foot outside, looking at the masses of disheveled people all staring, silence completely enveloping the district as they just watched. A cough was heard as they all in unison kneeled to her, a few of them lying on the ground wounded. There was a sea of faces, most of which stared at her with trembling hope.

Well, shit. This is going to make it more difficult to find this Commander.

"Is there a Commander Alfred Dalonas among the people in front of me?" she shouted with assistance from a voice spell, one of six. Some of the soldiers looked at each other as there was the sound of running and a little jumping over debris from a nearby building, with a man trying to stop on one leg as he scooted a few more feet attempting to balance and not tip over, gulped and slowly tried to maintain his composure.

"I am he." Sergeant Marin came pushing through the crowd and stopped almost right next to him along with Lieutenant Wertham.

"Oh my…" she muttered out as her voice left her, the view of the empress standing there staring at her commanding officer. He looked at her and nodded in uncertainty, trying to let her know it was alright as he walked towards the auburn-haired woman. Her honor guard kept watch on him as he stopped ten feet in front of her, then kneeled.

"I need you to rise and speak with me in private. My next words are for you alone." A small tent was set up by some spare automatons with the flaps opened for them to enter. He kept his head bowed as his eyes glanced up every so often, seeing the size of the Mediums tracking his every movement. Just one of them could wipe out everyone within sight, the Commander included. "Please, have a seat." Alfred sat carefully in a provided chair, still in awe at her armor and beauty. She was the goddess that had answered his plea for help. He didn't know that she was wearing a small amount of modern makeup that helped accentuate her fairly blemish-free complexion, as the makeup that most nobles seemed to wear was… it was just hideous in both of their eyes. She smiled at him, which softened his rigid form; from what he could see, her looks were well beyond that of an elf even right now, maybe even a nymph if he had ever had the chance to see one. "Relax. You are safe now."

"Th… thank you, you're… um…" he winced a little from the wound in his shoulder.

"I am Empress Selene of the Clockwork Empire to the west. We've noticed that Artinia is now crumbling under the choices made by your king, Teiyan Erelius II. You are also rebelling against his leadership, and now need someone to guide you, or you will soon fall to infighting. The trade routes are sealed, with many of the previous connections to towns and cities now wiped away. and in time this city would eventually become a shadow of its former self."

"You… you intend to… to add Silvinholm to your own empire?" he asked softly as if raising his voice would anger her.

"That is the intention, though I had wished for it to enter under… better… terms. I'm sorry you've had to go through a siege, I'm also sorry you've been assaulted by demons now bent on your destruction. Had we not arrived when we did, you-"

"We would be dead, your… your holiness." He didn't know how to address her. Majesty? She was a goddess in his eyes right now. No mere human had this much power, a military that could defend against the monsters from hell. She wasn't anything other than a deity that listened when others wouldn't have attempted to or couldn't.

"Your imperial majesty or your majesty is fine, Commander Dalonas." His left hand slightly twitched as if he had slighted her. "Calm yourself, breathe." He did his best to relax as he took a deep breath and chuckled slightly. "Now, I need you to do something for me. I'm well aware that you have been the deciding leadership of this city while the Rikter Family has been gone. I need you to agree, in public, that you will enact my will here as I deal with the remainder of Artinia and defend the remaining population."

"Does… ahem…" he cleared his throat and collected his thoughts while she just waited patiently. He was weary from the fighting and still had the arrow stuck in his shoulder. She looked over at the small stick poking out and stood up, walked to the side of the table he was sitting at as he held his breath. As she pointed to the projectile lodged in his muscles, it dissolved. He gasped in awe as her hand glowed, the wound sealing almost instantly. "You… it…" He was expecting her to rip the arrow from his shoulder then heal it, though this way was completely painless.

"I'm sorry that it took me this long to notice that, I've got quite a few things on my mind right now so sometimes my train of thought doesn't fall immediately to your wounds. I didn't mean to look uncaring." His mouth moved to make words, but nothing came out, his mustache splaying out a little. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and realized he was making a fool of himself, a battle-hardened Commander who had thousands of men and women follow his calm and composed visage, though the constant battle with Galdin's now destroyed army had worn on him.

"Does the empire… your empire… is it… is it glorious?" he asked, unsure what to question her on. What was there to say to her, to gain answers about? He didn't perform negotiations in the past, he let someone well trained in his army scribe a declaration of surrender for the opposing force.

"It isn't heaven, and I won't lie to you about that. I know what you're thinking, and no matter what I say, nothing will change your mind on what I am. I can, however, answer questions about how you will be within my borders from here on out." Selene slowly turned around and sat again, gazing at him quietly. He took another breath and regained his composure, his shoulder no longer causing any grief. The ambassador sat next to her empress, smiling calmly and willing to step in if her creator needed any help or just didn't want to speak anymore.

"I'm not saying that it wouldn't be… marvelous… to be a part of the Clockwork Empire, but… do we have a choice?" he asked her calmly.

"As I said, I have to sweep up the now crumbling Artinia, its king now mad with the power of a demonic artifact and its people in peril. That very threat would also arrive at my borders. I'm going to end him and his tyranny. That means Artinia will be no more, no kingdom or government but the local one still here. No trade with villages, you have no farms that I can see, and the nobles are still in their bunkers ready to crawl out and attempt to usurp power. Yes, I know about them." He nodded as he agreed. Her borders would just surround Silvinholm; there was no reason not to join. If her military could protect them like the awe-inspiring display he had just seen, there was so much more that they probably could provide. Her economy was probably massive and could breathe new life into this new home of his.

"I… I see… well, I… I believe I can speak for everyone after the siege is now ended… thank you." She nodded at him.

"Do you have any other questions? I'm probably going to need to make a speech. I'd like you to be standing there to agree to this." Alfred sat silently as he looked at the table.

"Do you… do you really need me? I mean, to lead?" he asked her. She sighed out a silent chuckle as her eyes closed for a few seconds.

"I'd be lying if I said otherwise. No, I don't necessarily need you, but I am offering the position. You've done well holding everything together, keeping the citizens fed without trampling on their rights that you believed to be held by all here. You kept Artinia from slaughtering half the population, kept crime down without assistance from the mercenaries, you-"

"Your majesty, forgive me for interrupting but… how do you know all of… I mean, I'm very sorry, you obviously are omniscient to know everything that is happening, of course, I'm speaking to a-" she brought up a hand gently for him to stop.

"You just saw my military defend this city from a demonic invasion. No, I am not omniscient, though, given the display of strength, it should tell you that my empire is capable of doing more than fight. Would it not be reasonable to assume I can gain knowledge of a situation in interesting ways you do not yet know of?" she asked him softly.

"Yes, of course… my mistake, sorry."

"It's alright; you were just curious, I understand." He sighed in relief as his eyes glanced towards the tent flaps.

"Are you worried about your Sergeant Marin?" she asked. His eyes shot back to the empress as she smiled softly. "I can heal her wounds as well if you need me to, though it will be taken care of soon by the doctors I'm bringing here, as well as food, supplies, portable shelter for those with no home." Alfred's mouth fell agape as he could see she was providing them everything to survive the winter without fear of anyone being hungry or fear of a blade ramming through their backs from loyalists, no freezing to death in the streets.

"Could you… could you please… let me know of other advantages that the empire can provide… I… my apologies, I'm not exactly the best at diplomacy, that was never my forte… I can lead an army and control security, but speaking to a ruler of an empire… not exactly what I was expecting to ever do."

"I understand. Let me see…" she explained simple facts, such as free education and medical aid, assistance for homeless to gain jobs and to be productive members of society, no fear of monsters attacking anywhere within their borders, crime rate at a critical low with well-paid police and fire departments, ample food and clean water with the capability to grow their own easily with magical education, civil rights far beyond what they ever had in Artinia; slavery was abolished, women and other races had equality, the average life expectancy was almost doubled with child deaths becoming almost nonexistent now.

One important question he asked was, did the government require much from them like Artinia. While she expected loyalty from all, she informed him that bar her directly intervening, she expected the mayors of each village, town, and city to uphold the rights of the people and maintain the peace along with the commissioner of the police force. If the empire's federal government ever had to step in, the citizens needed to listen and obey, with state government a close second. The dev also told him that they provided funding or commissions for special projects, provided contracts for trade routes and exploration teams, as well as rewarded the top productive municipalities with spare income to help the people grow. Taxes were lowered from 60% to 50%, with most going back to the city to maintain the infrastructure, along with tariffs that were fairly high to keep any labor force internal. There would be no need for a wall anymore, the security staying out of visual range would keep anything from harming them. She just needed them to go on with their lives and move towards a better future.

It seemed almost perfect, though that could never be true as there were always issues everywhere. However, compared to Artinia, it was far closer to heaven than he ever thought possible. No fear of an incursion from orcs and goblins, no Minotaurs trying to attack with an army led by him needing to defend, dragons were even citizens instead of flying death! There was also no mad king to conjure up crazy plans that everyone had to obey. This empress seemed to know exactly what she was doing, though, from her point of view, most of the work was being done by her administrative cabinet and governors. The Clockwork Empire had everything under control; there was no need to be afraid or paranoid. The only thing that puzzled him was just how did she have so much of a surplus of funds to not need most of the taxes for herself.

"What… what happens if someone has a complaint? What if a law does not work for the people?" he asked. She smiled at him.

"Glad you asked. You can request assistance with a letter to your mayor, well… given you'll be in charge here, I guess that would go up to your state governor. The letter could be given to one of my automatons that will always come by every day for a minor report on the city. They will retrieve the letter and bring your issue to one of my subordinates, that will then try and provide assistance and attempt to rectify any situation you have. We've quite a few laws now in place to keep the peace, to make things run smoothly, though there is always room for improvement; nothing need stay stagnant as the empire keeps moving towards a new future.

Though they will listen to the complaint, please let the people understand that their request may be denied for what they feel is needed. Many of my laws are for the benefit of the people, not to their detriment. To alter one of them would be to alter it for everyone, which could take away some rights that many enjoyed. I can only acknowledge that they will be listened to, though warn that some may be ignored if they are… how should I put it…"

"Crazy? Audacious?" he chuckled out, then thought better of how he was speaking to her. He closed his mouth and looked away, worried what he had just said was out of place.

"More considered of ill intent or poor knowledge of how everything runs. Know that my empire is strong because it bows to no one except the chain of command I have set in place, and my subjects will not be cowed by an entitled noble or wealthy merchant all the way down to a demanding farmer. There is no classism here; I expect many to rise to a new life befitting them if they just try to reach for their dreams. We're not here to squash those. We want them to flourish."

He couldn't believe what she was saying. It all seemed too good to be true. He had to be dead already, lying on the ground with none of this happening. But it was all real. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the tent flaps once more, wondering if anyone outside had heard them speak. What he didn't know was that there was a soundproof system in place just outside. "I… I think… well, I… I don't quite have any other questions at the moment" he said with a trembling smile, his hands clasped together on the table.

"Good. I'll understand if you think of some new ones in the near future. Only fools don't ask questions. Now, I should speak to the citizens of Silvinholm." Selene stood up slowly and walked to the entrance, waiting for him to head out with her. A small stand was placed for her to step onto, with ornithopters coordinating throughout the air and acting as speakers.

"Ilana? Is that you?" Dina asked as her team was among the crowd in the street. All eyes were on the empress as she gave her a simple smile and started.

"People of Silvinholm, hear me. I am Empress Selene of the Clockwork Empire. Many of you may wonder why I have even come here. It turns out that we have been your neighbors for a short time, integrating your western cousins carefully as they have been unhappy with the ruling class that has suppressed all of you. There have not been dark and foreboding shadows carrying away your children or extended family, but a nation accepting those who are tired of being pushed into the dirt by those who believe they are worth more than you.

Even now, your king has unleashed a demonic invasion on your lands, believing you are not worthy of his attention, casting his own humanity away in favor of hopefully becoming one of them. This travesty, this bold action would cause the deaths of everyone you have loved. However, we have not stood by idly. Look at what my forces have done to protect this city!" Selene pointed towards the direction of the portal, explosions and gunfire with pulses of lasers and plasma heard in the far distance. "We are more than a match for those who would utterly annihilate you! Stand with us, be a part of my borders, and I can guarantee you will never have to fear something like this again! No sieges! No demons or monsters! Better lives for all! Your cousins, your friends, every other town and city is waiting for you to be a part of our world!"

The crowd cheered and applauded where they could, weary and barely able to stand with the rush just to escape; however, some seemed a little worried that their lives would be altered too much, afraid of change. Slavery would be long gone, causing those who expected to have easier lives to have to work for an honest living. The free education would help them aspire to new goals and a new profession if they just found the energy to work for it. Sergeant Marin was standing in front of the crowd and smiling up at Alfred, in which the dev looked down at her and motioned for the blonde woman to come up. Everyone watched as she seemed a little timid and slowly ascended up the steps.

With a light touch from the empress's hand, her wounds were quickly healed, multiple spells cast at the same time. Her arm regrew, pushing out from the bandages before everyone's eyes. The wrap around her right eye fell away as she just blinked back at both the auburn-haired woman in golden armor as well as her Commander. She was whole again.

"A goddess to be sure! Blessed be!" they heard whispered among the crowd. No one noticed the sigh of annoyance escape her lips or the frustration in her eyes at being called that. Anyone with sufficient power was considered a deity from their standpoint, incapable of being understood, and bowed to due to their capabilities. Most wizards should have been considered demi-gods from their point of view, or priests. These people were desperate for change, to cling to something that would give them a better future. In their eyes, it didn't matter what story Selene gave them; if it didn't fit their view of her, they'd change it to fit something better. Mayor Dalonas seemed to already fall for the religion built around the dev.

"Commander Alfred Dalonas will become the new mayor of this city to keep the peace and rebuild it with my blessing. With that now said, I require a small tour to the areas that have been swallowed up in such misery up until now. Mayor Dalonas, would you please guide me to the locations affected by the siege? I need to see where the worst damage has been inflicted," she said as her blue eyes turned to him. All of the new citizens turned to Alfred as he straightened his back up as much as he could, a rod slamming up his spine as he could feel their gaze. He was their leader by decree of the new empress.

"Yes… your imperial majesty." Marin walked next to him as the three moved through the crowd escorted by honor guards, Dina confused with her old friend. Selene just winked at her.

"I'll speak with you later, adventurer." Pops just shot his fist into the air with a whoop escaping his lips while the ranger smiled and bowed a little. They somehow were piecing together their own story of why she had even shown herself before, coming to the rescue of another goddess in need of her assistance. Their piecemeal idea would most likely be shared by many if they ever told them.

The tour was somewhat short, with a few buildings completely repaired to house those who were no longer able to move towards the eastern side of the city. Food was passed out along with blankets and tents, doctors caring for the wounded as the priests were finally able to get some much-needed rest. There were still sounds of battle coming from over the small hills, frightening the citizens and making them jump, though they knew the Clockwork army was keeping the demons at bay. A noise cancellation system was set up to help the people sleep during the coming nights while the war waged on.

As the day turned towards evening, the sunset falling upon Silvinholm, for the first time in a while, they were content. Slaves were freed easily, though a few of the owners were unhappy with that. Even with it being winter and freezing cold outside, there were quite a few parties thrown to celebrate no longer needing to fight to survive. The number of families wanting Selene to bless their children was high, each hoping for her to touch their foreheads as if it would give them good luck in their lives. The dev preferred not to do that, as it would only encourage some of them to perform stupid stunts thinking they were now somehow indestructible.

At one point while walking to another district, a child ran up and touched her cloak, running away to her mother as the parent held her, fearful that the new ruler would strike her down just like the mad king had often done to those who would dirty his clothes. Selene just turned around, the honor guard not harming the child as she motioned for the young girl to come back. With a gentle touch on her small nose, the dev simply made golden butterflies fly around her with a quick cast of an emote spell she had learned a week ago. There was no telling when "dazzle" spells would become useful to awe anyone nearby or cause a distraction in this world, given that joke spells had an impressive effect of causing most to tell the truth or act under her will. Mundane magic that no one would normally use beyond getting a laugh out of a player in a game now had fully functional and reasonable effects on this planet.

The butterflies danced around her as the girl just giggled and ran back to her mother, waving at the empress as the woman waved back. The spell would wear off in a few minutes, but it at least cheered the child up and calmed the people down. This was not a tyrannical ruler who saw them as lower than dirt. She was willing to play with the children, at least a little.

Once the sun was behind the hills, the reddish tinge of dusk almost gone from the clouds above, Selene finally headed back up to her flagship to relax. "You did quite well your majesty" Adesha commented as the auburn-haired woman's cloak was unclasped.

"That doesn't stop me from being exhausted. My stamina is beyond anything anyone here could hope to have, and that was just emotionally draining. I have to put up a façade in their eyes that nothing can stop me, that everything is perfect in my empire. I can't even go down with my own army, with a warning by Gala that the visage I create would be of a ruler that will be destructive for a first impression." The empress sighed as the armor was removed along with her clothes, replaced by a robe and a cup of tea placed on her vanity. Out the windows of her bedroom could be seen streaks of rapid-fire anti-air weapons hitting multiple winged demons, two Red Tails streaking by. The shields were easily holding back any attacks flung at them, no need to pull back the Air Fleet, while the soundproofing kept any noise from keeping her awake once Selene went to bed.

"You did perfectly fine your majesty. They seemed mostly in awe that you were treating them as more than mere tools." As the empress's hand picked up the cup, she checked in with Hrist and Brynhildr with their engagements.

"I'm here, Selene. Everything is going according to plan here in the north, though… er…" Hrist responded as the coms added in Bronze Team as well as the empress's administrative staff.

"Why did I send you up there and not provide escort for myself? You are my General, after all; you'll need to lead my armies" the dev chuckled out as she answered the unasked question.

"I… I didn't mean…"

"It's alright. Another reason is you'll be advancing downwards and meeting up with my fleet near Aureos, as well as having the capability to assist the navy behind you. Silvinholm was a lynchpin for my advance, I've had it well planned. Most of the combat will be at the capital and at the harbors, which is perfect for an invincible bringer of the slain."

"I… I understand. I'll meet you at Aureos then. Stay safe." What Selene couldn't see was Hrist was blushing on the other side of the conversation and holding one of her plushies while sitting on the bridge of Empress's Conviction.

"I will. Bryn, how is it to the south?"

"After the previous report, running smoothly, though there are two villages that seem uninterested in our intervention to my disbelief. They would rather fall to the new world that their king is bringing as if their deaths will usher in a new age with their bodies acting as the foundation." The blonde shield maiden was gesturing while sitting in the royal bedroom of Goddess's Truth; both Valkyrja had been told to treat those quarters as their own until this war was won.

The dev grumbled in frustration, bringing her hand up to her forehead as Adesha prepared her pajamas. In the background, reinforcements were being loaded into the transports, ammunition for projectile weapons was being stocked, and capacitors were being charged while security defense lines were set up far below. The fleet would be ready to leave again as soon as the empress woke up in the early morning. This was planned from the beginning that they would move in waves just like the enemy, shoring up support lines and keeping logistics running smoothly. It was also meant to calm the people below, to let them know she wasn't leaving just yet.

"Leave them alone then."

"You… want me to abandon the villages?" Brynhildr asked her with some concern in her voice.

"They don't want us to protect them. We can't force them to somehow join the empire; they are overzealous in their view of their king. Frankly, that would cause trouble in the near future with constant refusal to adhere to laws and new rules. If that is how they feel, just move on. A security brigade will move up anyways to keep any push from continuing."

"Isn't that… harsh?"

"Bryn, I'm not going to spend resources and manpower on people that do not want to be saved. There is no point in wasting effort on them. They aren't my subjects. They never will be. Security will just clean up after."

"I meant for you. Frankly, Hrist and I are accepting of leaving them to their fate. Those who wish to fight and die for their beliefs, they can do so, even if they will die alone and be forgotten. Admirable, though foolish. We are all too used to that with the countless warriors who value their faith more than their families or honor. I don't have time to try and sway them to join in the middle of all of this, the ambassadors will just be turned away. Their fervor towards their screwed up king is just going to cause problems." The blonde Valkyrja replied.

"Selene does not need those who would bring that kind of stupidity into her empire. They would just be a drain on everyone," Hrist informed her sister as if she knew enough about her friend's mindset to answer in her stead. A winged demon attempted a suicide run on the bridge of the Valkyrja's flagship, shot out of the sky by an anti-fighter turret nearby. The shields would have flickered for a moment as it diced the creature into so many pieces before it could have even scratched the paint.

"As much as I want to argue about that… yeah. I'm not going to waste time and resources on those who would just throw it away. It may be the same with the dwarves too if they unleash destruction upon themselves. I can't fix stupid, and frankly, I don't want to. Trying to pull everyone's hand out of a fire just because it's hot… that's not what we're here for. They either learn or die and make room for those who can."

"Sometimes you have to let nature take its course with civilizations and societies" Bryn responded solemnly as she looked out of her own window. "I've got to go; the Admiral wants to brief me on the next village just ahead of us. We've so far moved fast enough to save about five… well… three if you don't include the two suicide sectors."

"Good luck, Bryn; just do your best."

"Always." Her 2nd General disconnected from the channel as Hrist just sat silently on her side. Then, as if unsure what next to say, mumbled out what she had done in town.

"I… I went down with my army."

"You wanted to get into the action and crush demons. I kind of figured you'd do that."

"You did?"

"Hrist, it's hard to keep you stationary or sitting down. It's one of your perks." The raven-haired woman blushed profusely at the compliment. "I take it the town (or was it a village? Hamlet?) above got front row seats to you obliterating those who would end their lives?"

"I… yes, I believe quite a few noticed me ride Asterion into the fray."

That must have been one incredible display for them to see. Still, I expected that to happen. They'll want to know what kingdom rescued them that had a Valkyrja General among its ranks.

"Good. You got a chance to unwind with a sword in hand. Feel better now?"

"Mhm. Oh… I… I've just received a request for a briefing as well. The trade town to the south of Caerel is our next stop; I need to make sure the demons haven't yet reached this far yet. We don't expect much of a force to have exited the Aureos portals to become a threat; however, controlling the land-"

"Will ultimately keep them in a more confined space that can be shelled from afar, I understand. We're going to leave for Garrington in four hours as well. Don't overextend, wait for security to set up behind you and keep your supply lines protected. When you feel the time is right, move to Caerel City and mines."

"I know. Be safe, Selene."

"You too." Another disconnect as the woman leaned back and sipped her tea. Garrington would be dealt with by an ambassador android; she didn't feel she had the energy to deal with another crowd of strangers all treating her as a deity. Despite her near-unlimited stamina, it wore on her to walk around prim and proper. There was enough to deal with from high above, and walking around in something an empress should always wear would just fray her nerves.

I miss being treated as a trader by Giles and Abby. Riding out from the fort with my wolf pack, selling wares, listening to Moira give me the skinny on all the gossip. It was simpler back then — no running an empire or being looked at as a cosmic force of the universe.

"Do you have time for us, ma'am?" Will asked quietly.

"Yes, of course I do. Bronze Team, what's the situation down below?" she asked as Adesha started a bath for her.

"Currently stable ma'am. The rapid dominance maneuvers we prepared ahead of time has wiped out most of the force heading towards Silvinholm. We're just mopping up, all things considered," Jorge reported.

"They never knew what hit them. I got a pretty high kill on the remainder" Deacon chuckled out as a number popped up on her Hud for a scoreboard.

"You still are lower than me, Deac" Ethan chimed in as his kill counter appeared, reaching 380 compared to the sniper's 343.

"Both of you need to shut up, or our Commander is going to add his in" Turnie warned. Both of them laughed then went silent as the clearing of a mechanical voice was heard, as another number appeared. 2,894. Jorge was a miniature juggernaut.

Who says a tank can't DPS?

"Get on my level" Jorge seemed to say in a half grumble with his British baritone voice. Turnie and Orlo applauded as both Deacon and Ethan were confused.

"Well, that's… you went melee for this…" Ethan tried to come back from that.

"And? He has the ability to keep everything near him. Don't start a pissing contest and not expect others to join in," Turnie replied as she posted her score so far of 327. For a healer, she was a little angel of death. Orlo's was a paltry 140, though he was supporting the rest of the team and assisting the army right beside them, improving their combat efficacy by a sizeable amount. For one fireteam, the total was an impressive number.

"You all did great. Thanks for your hard work. Are you able to break away from the battle down below?" Selene asked.

"Yes ma'am, just picking up a few loyalist stragglers that couldn't get away and are in need of medical aid. Perhaps they'll change their tune once inside the city and not lynched by the citizens" Jorge informed her.

"Alright. Once you're back on board, we just have to wait until we're restocked for another push." Bronze Team acknowledged and left the channel, allowing the dev to speak to her staff. "Please tell me there is at least some good news back on the homefront."

"I can tell you that a certain red dragon started a fight in a tavern" Grey chuckled out.

"She what?! Oh, no…"

"Apparently, it was to defend the owner against fairly aggressive drunks attempting to reach the kegs behind the bar without assistance. She willingly went into custody." The dev was shocked that she allowed cuffs to be put on her.

I guess she wants to abide by the laws.

"Set her free with a warning; there's no sense in keeping her in lock up."

"Involving the conversion of ranches into farms with the new trees, it will have to wait until springtime, though the owners of the land are all too happy to stop buying feed for their livestock" Felix, her Secretary of Agriculture, added in.

"So we can almost entirely go vegetarian? No need to have chickens or pigs? We can already ignore cows for milk production," Will questioned.

"Unfortunately, chickens are still required for their eggs, though I've heard the alterations to the genome of the trees is already hard at work getting that taken care of as well. As long as we slowly integrate the new florae, no one should need to eat an animal and only need to domesticate for renewable resources such as wool, though eventually even that will not be needed with synthetics once they have reached a sufficient tech tier."

"We have use for domestication, just not for many of the four-legged animals. Insects could be trained via ultrasonic frequencies to better take care of a biome. We're already working on using the drones to eat away diseased material from the plants near Azaltos Mountains" Robert informed them all as he chimed in. Another project that was on the backburner was to release a healing mist through a village or town that would cleanse diseases and provide a slow but soft regeneration effect. The ejection ports would be hidden inside the main symbols of the Clockwork Empire, the clocks emplaced in the middle of each municipality. That would combat epidemics if they ever got too serious, along with the education on vaccines and antibiotics in the near future.