I make my way into my office.

Despite having been gone for only the necessary time to get my needed hours of sleep. The work has already piled to a near foot tall stack.

”... Just hire someone else to do this… Its boring~ “

I would, If I knew anyone both competent enough and trustworthy.

I don't.

I must be certain that my plans are going through as intended, otherwise it might all crumble, after all, the current economy I am running is not much unlike an elaborate ponzi scheme.

“... Whats a ponzi scheme? :/”

...Not important.

… And  so. I tackle the mountain  of papers once more.

….

*Hours later*

“...Last..files …”

“Thank you Marionette.”  I say offhandedly as I take the last stack of documents for the day.

Ìrota is adjusting, slowly. I think it should be safe to move more units out from there again. And just in time too. The arcologies of Tempora and Hàoi are both showing an opportunity to strike.

“...Best not overdo it. Just take one of them.”

Agreed. It is more important to win than to be fast at this point, especially since Alicia’s condition is mostly stable.

For the time being I set the gears in motion to crumble Hàoi from within.

Hàoi is a rural Arcology, made mostly worthwhile by its vast farmlands. If I can take it, I should be able to drastically cut down the cost of food in my controlled Arcologies by having them give preferential treatment to sell mainly within the local area.

“...Meh, I suppose it would speed up the loyalty gains”

That, and further solidify pre-existing loyalty. At worst we are gonna piss off some food conglomerate types from over the pond so it should not be an issue.

….After finishing the preparatory work for taking Hàoi, I went to check in on the training of my new faceless.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

After allowing local recruits the number of Faceless has grown drastically, for the time being I took the slimy Brian that trained the original slaves that became Faceless, and had him teach a few...more militaristic personages some of the relevant tricks, after which I trained them a few more skills myself. I also borrowed aid from the local Pharmatics Hub in the form of various… narcotics.

For the time being the training structure of Faceless is as follows: Cardio phase (2 week,) early training (1 week), Breaking. (3 days) Training and last loyalty checks (2 week)

As such the first batch of the new Faceless should be ready in some… 17 days.

“...Time sure does fly huh?”

Indeed.

Looking at the Faceless trainees I could see a few familiar faces… Turns out Tolstoj & co have also signed up for the faceless. They are probably due for the mental breaking phase within the day.

...Well, they will be a good addition to the ranks.

“...Remind me to stay useful to you alright...?”

You aren't. You are a hallucination of someone who I cared for, that now keeps distracting me for no good reason.

“ ;-; “

...Why do I feel bad now… Damnit.

“ ^.^”

Just as I was about to berate the voice in my head further, I was interrupted by a message.

“....”

I rush my way to the C&C medcenter.

...I sit there… watching over Alicia’s frozen body.

Apparently Alicia’s artificial heart shut down momentarily, forcing the staff to act.

..Further examination revealed a bullet shrapnel that had gone unnoticed, dangerously close to the left common carotid artery, it had caused an internal bleed, which lead to the heart stopping.

...Due to the recent operations, her immune system is still too weak for another surgery.

They could operate, but the odds are, she would not make through it.

...For the time being I demanded them to put her into a medical cryostasis.

…Her heart is stopped and her body is being preserved by the cold… for all intents and purposes.

...She is dead.

… according to the doctors, her body should stay… “alive” by the cold for approximately 30 more days, beyond that will risk cell degeneration.

… 30 days…

… I must work faster.

First thing first.

Take Hàoi.

.

..

…

….

…

..

.

Enemy 2nd floor window.

Shoot. 3 shots.

Enemy from behind the corner.  Slam against the wall, 2 shots to torso.

Grenade. Ducking under cover. *BOom* Explosion. Out from cover. 4 shots.

Reload.

I make my way through the enemy fortifications.

*”* Units MU-6661-6665. Disabling grid *”* The Radio crackles.

….Lights shut off, letting the darkness return.

...Move,

I continue making my way through the  enemy defences.