General Luena was heading for a meeting room with the other members of the Phalanx and President Ojwang. His satisfaction at his own success was oozing out of his pores. The revenue from the operations of the Grand Arena fighting tournament had exceeded all her expectations.

What made her curious was that Ojwang only held meetings of this kind when there were big announcements. The organizational chart of the projects and stipulated goals were forwarded to the intranet, which was exclusively accessible to his three generals and himself. Although it was almost impossible to doubt the loyalty of Gahiji and Jitujeusi, this type of meeting posed greater risks than those held in a controlled virtual environment. Luena was wary of the worst.

Personal meetings could be spied on by eavesdroppers and infiltrators. People could be bribed or blackmailed to steal information. For these reasons, she made a point of spying on her subordinates to avoid such problems. If she suspected someone, she would retaliate before they turned against her and Ilu Nla.

For this efficiency and prudence, which bordered on war paranoia, she had become the most ruthless head of the State Intelligence Service. Ojwang spared no resources in her sector, and showed no reticence in her strategic capabilities.

Her self-confidence made her enter the room in a tone of triumph. Ojwang gestured for her to sit down. Luena watched the others, Gahiji looked nervous, although he didn't want to show it, his biocybernetic muscles were tensing. His fists clenched and unclenched in involuntary contraction. He noticed Jitujeusi's tired countenance, he was working hard in the military laboratories after his failure with the Circle of Sages.

Ojwang puffed on his cigar and looked at all his generals. He put out his cigar with irritation.

"Looking at the Phalanx that day, I have ambiguous feelings."

General Luena looked at Gahiji, but he couldn't help feeling some satisfaction at seeing him in a corner.

"So far, we've raised a trillion Credibits, an eighth of our annual Gross Domestic Product. Isn't that incredible? There's nothing more profitable than bread and circuses! Hohoho."

Only Luena followed Ojwang's smile. The other two generals looked at her as if they wanted to shoot her in the eye. The president was keen to create an internal competition between them. Prevented from beheading each other, the way they had found to bury their opponent was to become even more efficient.

In this way, the man kept them engaged in the execution of his plans. In his various stages, he needed these pieces. The board without the knight, bishop and rook leaves the king too vulnerable. Ojwang occupied a privileged position, and one of double danger: he was the player and the king. His moves were even more calculated than any chess player.

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"It's good to know that someone is doing their job properly."

"Thank you, sir. My sector and I will do everything in our power to bring about the new world free of mediums and oppression that you once envisioned."

"General Luena, about the rumors of members of the failed Ilu Nla Liberation Movement at the tournament, how active are they?"

"None whatsoever, sir. So far, their presence has not been identified."

"The Circle of Sages hasn't shown up either?"

"Not at all! Even if they did, we'd be ready for them. They're a bunch of cowards and arrogant bastards. They would never dare infiltrate the tournament, it would be counterintuitive. Tomorrow the fifth round starts, I'll shake things up a bit."

"That's fine, I trust you. Genera Luena, General Jitujeusi, you're dismissed. As for General Gahiji, I'd like him to stay."

Ojwang turned his back on them and walked back to the window. He crossed his arms behind his back.

Before he left the room, Jitujeusi bumped his shoulder into Gahiji and snarled between his teeth:

"It's because of you that the Phalanx is becoming a laughing stock among its enemies. Even the head bitch is doing better than you."

"Don't you dare challenge me. We already know the outcome of a dispute between us."

"A battle in a virtual simulation is not the same as on the real battlefield."

Jitujeusi left through the double door and closed it with his clawed hands. Finally, Ojwang turned to Gahiji.

"I've made up my mind about you, general."

The man swallowed. He had already proven his loyalty; he would not accept being treated unfairly.

"Mr. President, I'd like to take responsibility for my little slip-up in relation to your orders. A single failure cannot erase a career of successes…"

"I'm tired of excuses. You come to me with the news that you've lost your entire Phalangeta, four of our best special operations men. The loss of those human lives was overwhelming for us, General Gahiji."

"I understand the extent of my failure, sir. You know I can remedy that."

"I don't want palliative treatments, let's remove a cancer that's gangreneing Ilu Nla's body before it metastasizes."

"Are you referring to the sages?"

"No, this is another cancer that we have to wipe off the face of the earth. I'm talking about the Ilu Nla Liberation Movement. We are neglecting this internal threat."

For Ojwang, although the urban guerrillas were outnumbered, they were a political-ideological threat. As for the Circle of Sages, holding the Seven Keys of the Spirit, they formed a much greater power threat, although there were only five of them.

"It's true, they channel popular tensions in favor of their cause."

"We need to keep public opinion trending positively in our favor, otherwise we'll always be back to square one. I need you to take care of that as soon as possible."

Ojwang ordered him to coordinate the operation of total suppression of the guerrillas with the Intelligence Service. All subversive agents were to be executed for the good of Ilu Nla. There were to be no witnesses or survivors. He would have as many cybersoldiers and equipment at his disposal as he needed.

"I want this operation to start after the Grand Arena tournament, General Luena will supervise the actions."

"One general overseeing another… that's dispensable, Mr. President."

"No, it's not! You're dismissed, General Gahiji. Ah, if you fail a second time, you'd better not return to Ilu Nla."