Month 9 of the Two-Year Plan

  The battery had caused something of a renaissance in the province. Although most of the electricity was being used to power the massive industrial complex around the bunker, Kyle had installed streetlights in both Altrai and New Brasilia. Reducing crime was always a good thing, and bright streets allowed for commerce to continue for as long as needed rather than ending right after sundown.

  The first industry created by the new electrical era was electrolysis. By running massive currents through either molten salt or saltwater, materials could be separated and refined. The process was complex and involved a whole lot of ionization, but suffice it to say it was important.

  The first thing he produced using the process was separated hydrogen and oxygen gas. The oxygen could be used to improve the efficiency of his foundries and furnaces, and the hydrogen would be used to make ammonia, a potent fertilizer. It could also produce the lift for a zeppelin.

  The other main use was for refining copper and aluminum. Copper for building an electrical grid and making motors, and aluminum for that zeppelin and other lightweight frames.

  Mills, lathes, presses, and looms had all been electrified immediately, along with some conveyor systems in the new factory that specialized in steam boiler production. Steam power would soon enough become a thing of the past, and that factory would be retooled to make electric motors.

  A radio network had sprung up, mostly for military use, but someday soon the general populace would start buying radios. Literacy was up, support of the government-meaning Kyle-was up, the food surplus was huge, and the army was ready for seemingly anything.

  Once mass-refrigeration was put in place, food would essentially become a non-issue forevermore. The summers on the plains were mild, the winters were short and rather temperate, and the region's former status as a volcanic sea had led to amazing soil fertility.

  Just as Kyle was about to bring his technological advancement rate up to 11, disaster reared its ugly head.

  Kyle’s complement of high-altitude drones had continued to survey the region and monitor megafauna. They had spotted an army moving west from the mountains-an army of orcs.

  ———

  At the manor in New Brasilia, Kyle and his cabinet held an emergency meeting. Losus, Carkh, Bariyon, and a few other heads of industry and experienced officers were present. Kyle slapped his hand on the table to start the meeting.

  “Something wicked this way comes. Orcs, thousands at the least, moving southwest from the mountains. What can you all tell me about orcs? We, uh, don’t have them where I come from.” Losus spoke up. “8-foot-tall green bastards that care for nothing more than looting, killing, and mating. Mountain orcs at least, sea orcs are a rather amiable and mercantile race in comparison. Without equal numbers, most human forces not defending a city stand no chance.”

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  “Are they known for having ranged weaponry?” “No, unless you count very primitive slings.” “Well then. They’re quite a ways away, so I’ll have enough time to ready my new weapon. Carkh, in the meantime, gather up as many volunteers as possible. It’s going to be a war.”

  ————

  Kyle walked through the streets of Altrai. He was out of his armor for a change, wearing the noble suit he’d ordered months ago. It was a good way to take a break and admire what he’d built. People occasionally greeted him or waved on the streets, although a few gave him angry looks. Probably adventurers or someone else who’d lost their job at his hands.

  As he passed a couple with a newborn child in their arms, he stopped for a minute to talk to them. Amidst their happy conversation about life in his province, Kyle lost himself fully. That’s why, until the last second, he didn’t see the glowing dagger flying straight for his forehead.

  It was a close thing-only inches away when his cybernetically enhanced arm snapped up and grabbed the dagger. He had to grab it by the blade, but due to his composite graphite-diamond self-healing skin, it didn’t penetrate. Quickly jumping around the confused couple, he sprinted towards the thrower.

  A male figure in beggar's clothing had been sitting at the roadside. The moment Kyle moved towards him, his rags were replaced with a black leather bodysuit in a flash of light. Stupid! How did I miss him? I made sure no one in the cities was actually homeless, he should have stood out like a sore thumb to me!

  The man lithely sprinted up the side of a building, and Kyle didn’t follow. After quickly checking the street for any injuries, Kyle had every single drone above Pechemvar track the man as he sprinted across the rooftops. They trigonometrically extrapolated his path and found a few other people in black suits with horses ready on the outskirts of the city directly ahead of him.

  ———

  A now-power armored Kyle and nearly 50 guardsmen slowly closed in on the group of would-be assassins. After meeting up with their failed killer, they rode west on the roads towards the Bolur Barony. Kyle and his men laid an ambush and simply waited for the assassins to cross their path.

  The group consisted of 2 women and 3 men, all of whom wore the black bodysuits that seemed characteristic of their organization. All of them wore satchels of throwing daggers on their hips, which glowed with clear enchantments. One of the women wore a staff of white wood on her back.

  Kyle made a simple hand motion, and 50 rifles echoed out across the small forest as one. In an instant, 4 of them fell dead, except for one man. Kyle sprang up from the well-hidden camouflaged position he had kneeled in, and grabbed the man with one arm. With the other, he pulped both of the man’s hands.

  Now screaming hysterically, Kyle threw him to the guards who’d followed him. They gagged and handcuffed the murderer, and one smacked him with the but of his rifle. Unlike in the media, punching someone in the face doesn’t knock them out, no matter how hard it is. The guard had to hit him something like three times to finally knock him out cold.

  “Bring that one back with us for interrogation. Someone go grab those horses, and bring the bodies as well.” The guards spread out to follow his orders. Kyle looked down on the bartered face of the assassin. Now that his facemask was removed, Kyle could see that he was a young man with curly brown hair and a rather handsome face. It was a shame Kyle wasn’t a more merciful man. Someone so young had their whole life ahead of them.

  Time for the secret police to get some practice.