Bad Born Blood - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The Empire initiated information control.

The rebellion was downplayed as mere unrest, and suppression began under the guise of a special military operation.

Three families defied the Empire. Apart from the Lamones family, I had no connection with the others. No ties bound us, nor was I curious about their motives for rebellion.

The critical point was that the Lamones family was targeted for purging. Their entire line, including even the hired staff…

‘Lilian Lamones.’

She, too, was marked for elimination.

That was why Ilray had been so anxious. Since he belonged to the Kartika family, he likely knew in advance of the Lamones family’s rebellion. We were to purge a family and a woman with whom he had ties.

Regardless, I had to head to the battlefield, so I was undergoing a thorough inspection and maintenance.

Click, click.

The maintenance android moved its four arms. Tools worked over my limbs, prodding and probing. A checklist floated as a hologram, while information on replaced components scrolled by.

The durability metric of my prosthetic gradually climbed in its hexagonal parameter display.

The battlefield was harsher than ordinary conditions. That’s why I prioritized durability in the adjustment of my prosthetic.

-Luka, would you like to conduct a test maneuver?

The android, having completed basic adjustments, spoke. I stood up and bounced a few times.

It felt as refreshing as going out after a bath. My body moved smoothly, as though shedding old grime.

Squeak.

I stretched my fist forward, then opened and closed my fingers. Moving at high speed, my fingers left a faint afterimage. Under normal circumstances, I would have been satisfied with that speed.

But not this time. Lately, I had felt my prosthetic struggling to keep up with my awareness. There was a delay between my consciousness and my actions.

I looked at the maintenance android and spoke.

“Increase the feedback speed of the prosthetic signal and expand the bandwidth.”

By accelerating the signal between my brain and the prosthetic, the reaction speed would improve, and with expanded bandwidth, finer control and more precise movement would be possible.

The android responded negatively to my command. Its eyes blinked red three times.

-Warning, further increase would exceed safe regulatory limits. We recommend attaching an auxiliary processing unit to compensate for signal attenuation.

The auxiliary processing unit converted the sharp, artificial cybernetic signals into a more natural biological signal. Essential for ultra-high-performance armored prosthetics like the Legion, it eased the strain on the brain.

However, there was a drawback: the greater the reliance on the auxiliary unit, the duller the senses became. Furthermore, it created a sense of disconnection, making the prosthetic feel like it belonged to someone else.

“I don’t need additional parts.”

I spoke as I lay back in the maintenance chair. The android connected cables to my limbs and began system calibration.

-Configuration has been completed as specified. However, you must pass the safety test before deployment. Failure to pass will result in the settings being restored to safe limits.

I scowled instinctively, sighing as I imagined smashing in the face of that inflexible android.

“Proceed.”

-I will increase the cybernetic signal load level.

A hologram appeared before my eyes. I saw a circular gauge displaying the signal load. The needle, which had been resting in the lower-left corner, trembled and slowly began moving to the right.

The gauge was 70% green and 30% red. The end of the green zone marked the signal threshold I had set, while the red indicated overload. The safety test required enduring in the red zone for over a minute.

The needle tilted upward and surged to the twelve o’clock position. The unnaturally amplified dummy signal jarred my mind unpleasantly. Even though I sat still, it felt as though the world was spinning.

‘I can do this.’

This wasn’t arrogant confidence but an undeniable fact.

I was a compatible candidate for Akies combat technique. In other words, my brain’s information processing capability exceeded that of others. I could withstand levels beyond regulation limits.

Snap.

I heard a sound like a blood vessel opening in my head. I focused intently, drawing my concentration into a single point. As if on cue, the cybernetic signal clawed through my nervous system, racing toward my brain.

Creak!

The gauge’s needle passed the green zone. Then, a map of my central nervous system appeared next to the gauge, each overloaded region lighting up red and blinking.

As my nervous system entered an overdrive state, my pupils began darting in all directions of their own accord. My vision spun along with them.

Crunch!

The armrest I was gripping shattered instantly. My clenched jaw ground my molars, and the grit from my teeth scraped across my tongue.

Plop!

Blood vessels around my eyes burst. Blood trickled from my nose as well.

-The probability of permanent damage to your nervous system is increasing. Would you like to stop?

With only about ten seconds left, the android was spouting nonsense like that. Barely managing to focus my gaze, I glared at the android.

“If—if you end this test on your own, I swear, I’ll smash you to pieces myself.”

There was no way my threat would work. But I felt that saying something like that was the only way I could keep going.

Soon, I’d be heading to the battlefield. Who knew what might happen there? If I had any untapped potential left, I needed to draw it all out here.

Sssiiiik!

The needle, which had reached the far right, quickly sank back to the left. The amplified signal that had been tearing through my mind vanished as if it had never been there.

…I had passed the safety test. That was a relief, both for me and the android.

“Is it done now? You bastard.”

I pushed the android’s face aside with my palm as I stood up. The android staggered briefly before regaining its balance.

-Excellent, Luka. But please refrain from making violent remarks, even as a joke. I am an asset of the Empire.

The android spoke flatly.

“I wasn’t joking.”

The android fell silent for a moment. Its eyes flickered as if transmitting data. It had probably just reported my words to higher-ups. There’d be a point deduction for that.

But honestly… petty point deductions like this no longer mattered to me.

* * *

The Imperial Guard was a versatile, elite force. Guardsmen could adapt seamlessly to any military division within the Empire. Even as a mere cadet, I’d been trained to handle everything from a basic infantry role to field command.

But training was only training. I’d never actually commanded a squad on a large-scale battlefield.

The Guard’s superiors decided to treat this rebellion as an opportunity for training as well. They deployed numerous cadets and assigned them to squad leader positions. For the first time, we’d be leading lower-ranked soldiers in combat.

“My name is Luka. As of this moment, I am the commander of Suppression Force 21st Squad.”

I spoke as I looked down at the assembled squad members.

The Empire had newly organized the Suppression Force to quell the rebellion. The unit I was assigned to was the 21st Squad.

By now, the other cadets had likely met their own squads. Ilray would have as well. I hadn’t had a private conversation with Ilray since we’d received word of the rebellion.

“…Salute!”

The lieutenant crisply commanded the squad to salute. I nodded as I returned their salute.

This squad had military discipline ingrained into them. They seemed well-trained. Well, that made sense, when I thought about it.

The longer a rebellion smolders, the more it flares up. The Empire likely organized the Suppression Force primarily with battle-hardened veterans.

Especially since, no matter how elite our training, cadet squad leaders are still green on the battlefield. The higher-ups had made sure to assign experienced lieutenants to support us.

I knew everything about the squad members’ personal details. The lieutenant assigned under me was a man who had seen it all. His combat gear bore the brutal marks of real battle.

‘Lieutenant Kodrak, Master Sergeant.’

He would serve as my hands and feet throughout this mission.

In the structure of the 21st Squad, I was the squad leader, with Kodrak as my lieutenant and deputy squad leader. Below us were First Squad Leader Sergeant Bian and Second Squad Leader Corporal Zolan, each commanding 11 and 12 soldiers, respectively.

Including myself, the squad totaled 27 members.

Srrk.

The squad members were watching me. Just as I was observing them, they were studying me. Their gazes were intense, almost to the point of defiance.

To them, I wasn’t a particularly welcome presence. They knew they were being used as tools for training—on a battlefield where they could die at any moment.

No matter how accustomed Imperial soldiers were to rank and command structure… they weren’t foolish enough to pledge blind loyalty to a new officer whose capabilities had yet to be proven.

This was a test for me as a cadet. Though these soldiers might be lower in rank, their experience outstripped mine. I had to prove my competence and command them effectively.

“Commander, it’s almost our turn.”

Kodrak approached me and murmured.

I turned my gaze to the train station. The Suppression Force was scheduled to travel to the rebel area by magnetic levitation train. I saw soldiers boarding in orderly succession.

Soon, it was our turn, the 21st Squad. Kodrak skillfully led the squad members onto the train. For now, I silently observed the situation.

Click.

Each train car accommodated one squad. The interior was equipped for rest and even basic maintenance.

Thud, thud.

The squad members moved with familiarity, stowing their gear and finding their seats.

“Here, Commander.”

Kodrak had prepared the head seat for me. He handled a young superior like me with finesse—or rather, he managed me well. He was courteous enough to maintain my pride while subtly guiding the squad to function as he wished.

Pssshhh.

Steam vented as the train doors locked securely. With a low hum, the train lifted from the ground.

Beep.

Numbers appeared on the display panel. In two hours, the train would arrive in the area where the rebels were located.

I sat in my seat, watching the squad members. After the formal greeting, they ignored me and chatted among themselves, as if I weren’t there. Not that I had any reason to take offense. To them, I was just someone passing through.

So, what should I do now?

I had two options.

The first option was to leave everything to Master Sergeant Kodrak. If I gave a vague order, Kodrak would handle it himself. That would be the usual choice.

The second option was to stir up resentment among them, then crush them under my own authority.

Honestly, I’d already made my choice a while ago. The first option? That didn’t suit my personality. So the second option it was.

“I…”

As soon as I spoke, the chatter among the squad members ceased. All eyes turned toward me.

“…am superior to all of you. Therefore, you will obey my orders unconditionally, and disobedience will be met with severe punishment.”

A ripple of unease spread through them. The squad members looked silently at Kodrak.

“Commander Luka, may I speak with you for a moment…?”

Kodrak reached for my arm, attempting to lead me to the next compartment. His intention was to stop me from acting impulsively.

Whoosh!

I threw Kodrak off my arm.

Thud!

Kodrak spun in mid-air and landed among the squad members. Their gazes grew narrow and fierce.

Good, this is exactly the hostile environment I like. I don’t care for people who are friendly from the get-go. In my life, people who’ve been friendly from the start generally fell into one of two categories: those who thought little of me, or those who intended to use me.

“I come from the same lower districts as you. I grew up in a double-digit orphanage. So, why is there such a gap between my rank and yours, even though I’m younger? If you’re not idiots, you should already know. It’s because I’m vastly superior to you.”

I narrowed my eyes as I stared down at the squad members. Breaking through the cold silence, I continued.

“You won’t understand it now. But soon, you will. I’ll be the most exceptional squad leader you’ve ever met. Kodrak, how long do you plan to lie there? And don’t ever lay a hand on me without permission again.”

Kodrak dusted off his combat uniform as he stood up. He didn’t even get angry; instead, he smiled good-naturedly. He knew, too, that I hadn’t chosen the easy route.

“I apologize for my rudeness. I’ll be more cautious from now on, Commander Luka.”