My duties were numerous.
The reason Alicia cannot be helped further is due to the lack of quality in medical care after the revolution, we are able to produce and attach implants, even reproduce the connection sockets that Old Beasts used for Walkers. But we cannot perform precision surgery on the spine, the nerves run too close to each other there.
“But there is a way to solve that?”
Yes. Old Beast breeding vats.
The advanced surgery technology in those is more than enough to extract the shrapnel and repair Alicia’s spine. One of these vats exists near the Arcology, but we cannot take it, even with the added support of the C&C.
“Why?”
They are too well fortified. The vats are always in a constant state of producing more Old Beasts. To take it out would require an army. And I don't mean a petty few hundred soldiers. But a real army. At the bare minimum we need about the full military of Aurora, Ìrota and a few more nearby Arcologies.
“Then the goal is clear right?”
Yes.
Take Aurora
Take Irota.
Take them all.
I had Nastim explain the rest of the high ranking members that I would be assuming full control, after which I had them explain the C&C’s situation. I am no businessman, but after going through the data they provided even I can say that they are pretty damn prosperous. ...How I managed to cause all of this is beyond me.
For the time being, I decided to ignore the forces available beyond Aurora. For right now that is where this all begins.
C&C has a grand total of 1 training and 4 holding facilities in the areas near the Arcology, as well as 2 shell corporations, one a charity organization for victims of slavery (jesus fucking christ..) for cleaning their money and papertrail.
As far as the local “Groups” go (Commission’s Group, Mercantile Group. etc). The C&C more or less have the lower steps in the chain of command under their thumbs.
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For the time being I had them bring me to the training facility. I also had Alicia moved to a safe medical building that is working for the C&C.
The training facility had been set up in an old sewer system that had been cut off from the rest of the sewer system by cave-ins. Forming a perfect hideout.
There were guards nearly everywhere in the facility, wearing kevlar and armed with handprint locked assault rifles. I suppose the guns-trade cover story th- WE have comes with its perks.
I was guided around the facility by a slime-covered looking old guy, apparently his name is Bryan.
“He reminds me of a maggot. I am not even kidding…”
…
The “training” tools and details Bryan explained to me were indeed effective, albeit somewhat crude.
“...keheh… As you can see Master, MY training facility only uses the finest of tools on the market. I hope everything is to Masters pleasing ...kehehe..” Bryan told me.
...Even his words sound slimy somehow…
After inspecting the equipment I demanded to see the slaves that were ready to be shipped out.
...I was brought to a room with a black leather couch and a humidor full of cigars, after which they started showcasing the slaves one after another.
“...Can we leave yet? This place makes me want to burn it down…”
Soon.
...The slaves Bryan showed me were all broken. There was no light left in their eyes… Despite that they all obeyed and moved according to anything he said.
I concluded the visit after that, and gave Bryan some pointers, drugs that could expedite the breaking, certain tools ...knowledge that stuck to my mind from the… worse days.
“...Are you sure that was a good Idea?”
...This is for Alicia’s sake. When we lay siege on the vat city we will need all help we can get. Be it military or slaves…
“...I don't like where this is taking you…”
Whether you like it or not is not important.
I will heal Alicia.
Whatever it takes.
After my visit to the training facility, I began working on the priority one for the time being, taking Aurora.
The controlling element of any Arcology is essentially the same. The Arcology security and the Various Groups that inhabit it. If I want the Arcology to join me I must either disable them all and control the populace with force. Force we currently lack.
“...Or, you can push the controlling groups to obey, by using the populace.”
That is the alternative, yes.
That will not be easy though. There is no clean way to attract the populace without alerting the controlling groups. And the moment they notice, we would be evicted.
“Then… attract their attention uncleanly. And make it impossible to evict yourself. Your father was a politician. Make it work.”
“…”