BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

1160  Planning the Assault (1)

Erik took his seat in the living room, gesturing for Amber, Mira, and Emily to join him on the nearby sofa. The three women quickly found their spots and understood that whatever Erik wanted to talk about was no simple matter. Erik brought a computer with him, and he had already turned it on by the time the three women arrived. In fact, Mira and Amber had taken quick showers before joining the group, while Emily had spent the time making neural links. Holographic maps and tactical displays hovered above the wooden coffee table Erik made. There were also photos of the Law Gate the Chimaeric Demons made over the past three months.

Erik and the clones had already devised a strategy to tackle the Law Gate, and the clones started its preparations. The battle there wasn't going to be the same as the one on Maynard Island, because this time Erik could prepare, and not just an army at that.

He sent the Chimaeric Demons to prepare the battle area, creating long tunnels going around the base and ready to be used to breach the Law Gate's walls when needed.

"I think we're ready to go to Mur," Erik said, activating a holographic display of the fortress. "But first, we need to deal with this."

The Law Gate materialized in glowing blue lines before them. A massive city-like fortification built close to Hin's western shores, its walls rising over 100 meters high. Multiple defensive rings formed a layered security system. Not that anyone had ever needed to breach it. The Law Gate served only as a blackguard stronghold, and as far as Erik knew, its primary purpose was to provide access to Mur. Few would be fool enough to launch an assault on such a fortress, and even fewer would have a reason to do so. Erik, however, was cut from a different cloth—the kind of man who'd saunter into a dragon's den armed with nothing more than a toothpick and a cocky grin. He was going to be that guy attacking such a place.

"The outer wall houses their anti-aircraft defenses," Erik said, highlighting sections of the structure. "Automated turrets, missile systems, and energy shields that can repel most attacks. The blackguards have enhanced these further since getting Etrium's technology."

"Who made this?" Mira asked, referring to the presentation Erik was using to explain the situation.

"I did, why?"

Mira remained silent, only a smirk appearing on her face.

"What about the tunnel network? Is it done already?" Amber asked, leaning forward to study the underground sections of the display. "These were the tunnels you sent the Chimaeric Demons to complete, right?"

Erik gestured, and the image shifted to show a complex maze of passages beneath the fortress. "Indeed. We've been working on this for three months. The Chimaeric Demons made three major tunnel systems." Red lines appeared, showing their diggings. "Each large enough to move substantial forces unseen."

"How haven't they noticed?" "They have, partially," Erik said. "But they think they've found all our tunnels. What they don't know is that these obvious tunnels are just decoys. The real network..." He pressed a button, and dozens more passages appeared in green, "lies much deeper."

The women studied the underground system with growing appreciation. The tunnels created a web that would allow their forces to emerge anywhere within the fortress-like city, but most importantly, that would allow Erik's troops to reach the area safely. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

If not for the barrier, at least.

The Chimaeric Demons were also secretly doing something else. They were eliminating all the thaids in the area surrounding the Law Gate to bolster their own forces. Erik didn't want to lose more Chimaeric Demons, so he planned on using the undead thaids as cannon fodders, while the clones would take care of key targets.

"Each Chimaeric Demon will control their own undead force. When we strike, we'll have armies emerging from every level simultaneously."

"What about the division commander?" Mira asked. "After what happened here on Maynard Island, they'll be expecting something like this, knowing you can steal their powers."

Erik nodded, switching the display to show the fortress's central command structure. "That's where you three come in. "

"The division commander's chambers are most likely here," Erik pointed to a heavily fortified section near the top of a towering building. "We are not sure about that, but our scouts reported they have often seen the guy around that area. Unfortunately, they couldn't go too close, or they would be found by the Veritas Lenses. But everything suggests those are his private quarters." He paused.

"But that's not where we'll likely find him when we attack. Intelligence suggests they've prepared multiple command centers throughout the facility, so the guy might be anywhere, really."

"Like a shell game," Emily noted. "Exactly." Erik manipulated the display, creating a simulation of their planned assault. "What we are going to do is infiltrate the place using the tunnels. It will be the five of us going in."

"Are you sure you want to give this task to us? The Chimaeric Demons might be better suited for this."

"I know, but I want them on the main battlefield. What we are going to do is a covert operation. You will also have to tell us when the blackguards send something against us." "Besides," Erik turned to her. "At this point, I can't keep you in the rear anymore. You might not be as powerful as the Chimaeric Demons in terms of physical might, but your mana is much higher than theirs, meaning you stand a better chance in a brain crystal powers' fight."

"We never said we weren't willing," Mira said.

There was a pause.

"Now." Erik highlighted multiple hangars around the fortress. "I told you where the Division Commander might be. As for our main target, the aircraft, they've concentrated on the remaining ones here. We need to keep them safe."

"What about their Vindicators? Based on what you said, you expect us to join in the fight, but what if those guys come?" Amber asked.

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