Chapter 526 (2/2)

Randidly glanced over his shoulder. Tatiana was brought by Gregory to a group of 3 young women and men that she would be leading. Very quickly Tatiana said something, and the whole group was laughing. But while the group laughed, she glanced over their shoulders at Randidly and winked at him. Then she turned back to her group.

Randidly shook his head sorrowfully, looking at his group. How did she do that? She made leadership look so easy.

“Let’s… uh, do our best,” Randidly said awkwardly. The group waited as if they expected more, but Randidly didn’t have anything else to say. They stood in awkward silence until the operation began.

*****

Alan’s hands were clasped tightly together. “You have the footage of this group from East End fighting against that Tier III Raid Boss. What can you extrapolate from that in regards to the strength of… this Rawlands.”

Ghost was silent for at least 10 seconds, which was a very long time for his predictions. “...in a war, we would draw. In anything less than a war, we would be crushed.”

Alan frowned. “How does that make sense? And give me some context. I need to speak in front of Congress in an hour.”

“Allowing me to speak at these sessions would be much more efficient,” Ghost said almost sullenly. Alan just closed his eyes. Again, ten seconds passed, before Ghost’s oddly metallic voice was heard.

“...most of our research has been with an eye towards this final point in the System. We have prepared the equivalent of a nuclear option, based upon manatech. For this reason, an all-out war against them would have a much more favorable outcome for us. However, if we do not rely on the nuclear option, their individual strengths would inevitably suppress our military.”

“-the difference in population,” Alan began, but he was interrupted.

“LIkely, it would not be so much of a factor as you think. As people grow stronger in the System, they become not only more efficient but also gain a higher window of operational efficiency. Let me lay this out in terms you can understand. If we were to place these Squad Leaders, Kayle and Paolo, onto the Tier system, they would be Tier 6 citizens. That is simply the Skill they have shown. Based on observation, I estimate them to truly be something near to a Tier 7 citizen.

“These are individuals that are worth as much as a few hundred well-trained men. And people below Tier II will likely by of little to no use in handling these characters. In addition, through conversation and inferences, my analytics suggest there are at least 20 of such Tier 7 individuals. And one Tier 8, this Alana. Randidly Ghosthound is also somewhere between those two Tiers. We do not have anyone above Tier 5.

“Further, our weapons were created as tools, not as enhancements, due to your predecessor’s shortsightedness. We have not developed equipment to provide stats, it solely adds more of a barrier for the wearer. They are better equipped better trained and have better Skills. Their Classes are diverse and effective. Although they fight in an archaic manner-”

Alan’s eyes opened. “The decision wasn’t just made by the former President. It was also heavily influenced by Dr. Karman.”

Ghost fell silent.

Sighing, Alana asked. “You haven’t thought more about Father Foster?”

“Your concern is amusing, but rest assured I have every processor at my disposal carefully analyzing data regarding his murder. If I so much as find a hint of a clue-”

“If you are using all of your processors trying to catch the killer, how are you making these grand predictions about Rawlands?”

For the third time, Ghost fell silent, and this time it was a silence that continued to stretch. It seemed that the robot truly didn’t know how to respond to its figurative speech and Alan’s literal criticism. Alan shook his head; this is why machines couldn’t speak in Congress. Aside from not being an elected official.

“... so you recommend the political route. Peaceful trade. And in the meantime, we engage in an arms race for control of the danger zones,” Alan said slowly.

“Affirmative.”

Shaking his head, Alan stood. That was the expected outcome. It seemed that not all things had changed with the arrival of the System. As always, individual power took a backseat to the strength of an entire nation. Although each Zone was powerful in its own right, they were ultimately working together against the System. There was not yet proof that it was worth it to waste their resources fighting each other.

All was not lost, however. Ezekiel’s reports indicated a rift between the different cities in Rawlands. There was no monolithic authority, just the long reach of power.