Chapter 25: Moving Preparations

-Alexander POV-

Life went on after the attack from C.U.I forces, people were gradually becoming used to their accommodations while my paragons invested all their effort into the city. A more prepared attack was likely inevitable so Taizong had ordered the outer districts of the city to be fortified in preparation.

I personally thought it would take many more attacks before a method of breaching into the city was devised, but I guess it was good to start early.

The skyscrapers in the city centre had been repurposed to become the nerve centre of the entire city, a place for the city government to plan and implement policy. Taizong practically never left, only occasionally leaving to give a short speech or two before heading back inside.

The day to day production of drones had tripled, although the newly made drones fresh from the factory lacked the magical abilities of their predecessors. No doubt those early works would be husbanded carefully, and only used if the situation required it.

The city felt alive now, more lived in.

The clinical silence and cold beauty had been replaced by the chaotic bustle of a newly forged people. Still nervous and uncertain, many still glanced behind them and expected the worst, but improving by the day. I, at once, loved and bemoaned the change.

On the one hand the people brought a beauty that no city on it’s own could, but unfortunately they also came with a few issues.

A discarded can was picked up by my abilities and sent careening towards a recycling bin, clanging against the lid slightly before falling inside.

Most of the people gathered were conscientious and tidy, but when you gathered a few thousand people together there were going to be a few bad apples.

Most of them were simply depressed and angry, the scars from the outside world not healed by a new home and luxuries. Only time could help with that.

Some were just assholes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the first trials began soon.

It’s an uncomfortable topic, if a frankly necessary one.

‘Speaking of uncomfortable topics’

I surreptitiously glanced at Renji, the man still walking a few steps behind me on my right.

The conversation we had had prior was a mix of confusing and enlightening. It had opened my eyes to the workings of the city and the necessity of my involvement at a crucial turning point, but it had also left me troubled in regards to my companion.

The shift from compliant and dutiful to directly challenging my decisions had been jarring, enough that for a small shameful moment I had been struck by indignant rage.

That had passed but the moment remained, looming over their every interaction like an ever expanding gulf.

Now whenever I looked at him I felt that shameful mix of confusion and fear. What had caused that outburst? Has he already grown sick of me now that he’s met actual people?

It was embarrassing but I had actually grown to appreciate Renji’s company. His silent support as I worked, the way he would dutifully listen as I blathered on about a topic he had no knowledge of and the occasional word of wisdom were all things I had grown to cherish.

And now that relationship seemed set to crumble.

Why did that scare me so much?!

This wasn’t the first friendship of mine that had withered, the slow death of communication as distance and time made once strong bonds into nothing but a memory. I remembered simply accepting it, choosing to cherish the memory and not seeking to rekindle old flames.

Was it because Renji was all I had in this world?

Or could it be because of Golden Morning hanging over me like the sword of Damocles?

I just didn’t know.

But regardless of how terrified I was, Renji still had a choice. Looking back and wondering what I had done wrong had opened my eyes a bit. My relationship with Renji was more than a little one-sided. Renji followed my every whim and while I had been discomforted by his servile behaviour I had never directly discouraged it either, too desperate for connection.

Renji continued looking dead ahead as he walked, his blank face giving me no idea what he was thinking of.

There was no one else currently present in this stretch of the city, ask him now!

“Renji,” I began nervously, “what do you think of the city?”

Fucking damn it! Why am I such a coward?

He takes a moment to look me over, eyes flickering across my expression as he smiles.

“It’s beautiful and it serves it’s purpose well,” Renji states before hesitating a second and continuing, “Though I will admit it’s not to my personal tastes, too much chrome and bright colours. From what I saw on the internet I think I prefer your last city.”

I leaned back a bit.

That was… good?

He had engaged with the conversation more than I had expected, before he likely would have either given one or two words or he would have waxed poetically regarding my capabilities. Instead he had simply given his opinion and criticisms.

That last part however made me nervous.

He had criticised me. Was it a subtle way of insulting me? Or was he just giving his honest opinion?

Ugh, this was the worst.

“I’ll likely be leaving soon. The city is complete and the people are thriving. I’ve set up the structures and people necessary to allow them to grow to yet greater heights, my work here is done.” I state, the question of whether he’ll be coming with me left unsaid.

He nodded serenely at that, offering me no words in response.

“Taizong will likely do well by them, though I will admit to being worried for their future,” I continued.

And it was true. The decision to strike against the C.U.I had been a popular one, more than I had ever expected. The plan to do so was clever enough, and unlikely to seriously jeopardise the safety of the citizens. But I still worried, the conditions the people here had been forced to endure were horrific.

Those conditions hadn’t just been physical abuse either. Psychologically the people here were damaged, and I wasn’t sure throwing them into battle was the right idea.

Renji, for his part, looked up at me with wide eyes.

“Don’t worry my liege I don’t doubt the people will do well in your absence!”

Fucking ouch Renji! I know I’m not a good leader but you didn’t have to do me that dirty!

“Y-yeah, no doubt,” I say, still reeling from the psychic damage of that insult.

Renji looked at me in slight concern for a moment, before continuing his watch on the city.

“Where next then?” He asked.

I stopped to think at that. I had considered a few places, but I had winnowed them down fairly quickly. I had briefly considered Russia, before realising that the local climate would likely clash with the theme I’m planning for my next city.

“India, most likely.”

What little I had read of Worm hadn’t gone into detail regarding India. I recalled something about ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ capes, I think the difference was in how public they were with their powers? Hot capes being akin to the usual Protectorate hero while the cold capes worked behind the scenes.

Phir Se was an Indian cape, I think?

Then again I could be wrong about all of this, it had been a while since I read the source material.

Either way it was close enough that the travel time wouldn’t bore me to tears too much and the local climate would allow for my next big project.

My brief smile soured slightly as I realised Renji still hadn’t given me a clue as to whether he would continue travelling with me, was he being vague on purpose?

Screw it?

“So what do you plan on doing when we get to India?”

Renji’s face turned contemplative.

“Do you know if they have any interesting food?”

I almost sank to the floor in relief, only my inhuman control over my body masking my joy.

“Oh I’m sure they do, though I’m not sure how much of a chance you’ll have to try any. It would be a little weird to find a restaurant still open years after an Endbringer attack,” I laughed, still giddy in relief.

Renji, in contrast, slumped slightly.

“Oh, that’s a shame. I’ve been trying some of the local cuisine that’s been set up and I’ve taken a liking to eating, even if I don’t need it.”

Huh, Renji got a hobby. One he’ll likely not get a chance to see properly bloom if he continues following me around. The previous thoughts I had had regarding our one-sided relationship returned at full force.

Perhaps I should let him stay here?

Then it hit me, an idea so grand I could hardly believe I had thought of it.

“Don’t worry Renji! I recently picked up a biological specialty, and combined with my matter manipulation we should be able to cook a lot of dishes on our way to India!”

Renji’s eyes went wide, and I couldn’t help but preen. Renji had always been supportive regarding my city building hobby so it was only right I aid him in his own hobby!

Actually I should probably look up a few recipes now, I had never been much of an gourmand but I couldn’t help but feel a childlike excitement as I thought of the coming fun.

Huh, no signal?

Oh right, the barrier.

Wow, did I seriously not consider that?

With a simple thought the barrier shuddered, changed and a full three bars appeared on my nanoparticle device.

Huh, that’s a lot of variety.

As I share my findings with Renji I pay no more mind to the minor flaw I had just fixed.

-Jinzhou V.I POV-

It did not think. It only acted according to its directives.

So as a new connection emerged suddenly it did not panic, it merely investigated.

DIRECTIVE: Safeguard the people of Jinzhou

Information was catalogued and stored. Enemy societal information was forwarded to the relevant parties.

Military intelligence could not be broken into, anomalous defences present. Instead it used the shape of the absent data, as well as surrounding data, to form multiple conclusions in order of likelihood.

This too was forwarded to the relevant parties.

DIRECTIVE: Follow the orders of the leader of Jinzhou

Current policy revolves around the maximisation of chaos in the surrounding land.

And so it did just that.

Information was leaked.

Public scandals, both true and false, were identified and used.

Dossiers were put together on known parahumans and forwarded to their enemies.

Money was siphoned from influential Chinese Oligarchs ad redistributed to rebel groups and foreign countries.

Assassinations were planned and carried out.

Then it stopped. More data was required to refine models.

All that was left was to observe.

AN: Drama! Alexander having interpersonal conflict was not where I saw this going, but that’s what happened. He also didn’t exactly go about solving it in the best way, with the exception of encouraging Renji’s cooking hobby. That’ll let Renji contribute a lot more to conversations and allow the two to get closer.

Alexander also fixes his most heinous mistake and gives the people free internet. Naturally Alexander can’t even do that much without starting more chaos and conflict. Yeah the V.I is just smart enough to know the plans of the ones it’s supposed to listen to and how to carry out those orders while being too dumb to know why carrying them out immediately without consulting anyone is a bad idea.

Also the next location is revealed! It’s India! I’m sure they’ll appreciate having Alexander coming over, right? There definitely won’t be a massive fight, right? Ah, who am I kidding it’s going to be the first Endbringer fight of the story. Alexander has gotten away with being sneaky in the past but not this time!

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment!