BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

1121  Preparations for War (2)

"Are you sure about this, Monica?"

Monica's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenching slightly as she responded. It wasn't like she had many alternatives, at least in her opinion.

"I am," the woman said. Her voice carried a steel edge that brooked no argument.

Monica was currently in touch with the second division commander. Many kilometers and a stretch of ocean separated them. She was on Maynard Island, while Bill, the second division commander, was at the Law Gate, on the western side of Hin.

"Time is a luxury we can't afford, Bill," Monica stated, her voice devoid of emotion. "Our progress is at a critical point, and Romano's interference could jeopardize everything we've worked for."

"That's if we fail to capture the boy," Bill said. The project their research team was working on was meant to substitute the research they wanted to do on the biological supercomputer. They knew already they couldn't make a new biological supercomputer yet, but at least they could get to something close. Everything would have been much simpler if they got their hands on the biological supercomputer, but Erik Romano proved too hard to catch.

Bill remained silent. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, something Monica couldn't see—the wooden chair creaking beneath him.

"We need to give Vania enough time for her and Dr. Lena to complete their research. If they do, even Erik Romano won't be able to stop us anymore. If we do, getting our hands on the biological supercomputer will be a joke. You've seen it yourself. The amount of physical enhancements we get from the new powers is higher than what he can get."

"That's if he doesn't defeat us first."

Monica's expression darkened. Bill had faith in her, who decided to stay on Maynard Island to try to defeat him, or at least to give Dr. Lena time to complete her research, but it was also true there was a slight tint of skepticism in his own words.

"Levium… He was powerful," Bill said. "You know that. All of this is making me think. Romano might be more powerful than we assumed, or he is simply growing so strong that whatever we achieve is not enough to offset the power imbalance. If even Levium's plan didn't work, I don't know. Maybe he can really kill us three."

Bill struggled to admit this. "It depends," Monica said. "Our troops on Mur are stronger than those on Mannard or on Maynard Island, at least on average. They might be able to do something, even stall Erik enough for Dr. Lena to do her job."

"I know that... But it's not like they are strong as us; they are at best strong as Vex."

"Vex is not weak," Monica said. "He is a Vindicator. The only reason he is not on Mur right now, and he is not focusing on his training, is because of his loyalty towards me."

The division commanders, the only three Justicars, were the strongest fighters within the most powerful organization in the world. Even if no one knew about them, it was still true they knew they were stronger, even more than the Fierce Lioness, when she was considered the most powerful human on the planet. Bill's eyebrows went up in surprise at the woman's words, but he quickly hid his reaction.

"You are too confident, Monica."

"Why wouldn't I? Erik Romano focuses too much on his physical prowess. It's true it served him well until now, but there are ways to offset that advantage without having multiple brain crystal powers. Levium died; that's true, but he showed us the way."

They both fell silent for a moment. Neither spoke. The room seemed filled with the soft buzzing of machines.

Bill broke the silence with a question. "I don't get it. How did Romano become so strong?"

Monica frowned as she thought about how to answer. She was trying to make sense of the situation, too. The biological supercomputer turned Erik Romano into a monster, into a demon. While that thought was frightening, since they were fighting against such a demon, it also made their greed for power surge. If they could get their hands on the biological supercomputer and study it, they might be able to replicate it.

"Erik Romano…" The third division commander said, her voice taking on a contemplative tone. "It's actually not that powerful. He is, if we talk about physical terms only, as I said, but someone with four brain crystal powers might reach his strength easily with time. Think about it. He showed more than four of them, yet he was not significantly stronger than Levium. The biological supercomputer, despite how overpowered it might look, doesn't power up its host in the same way our techniques do."

They knew it gave power, and they wanted it badly. But they still didn't understand what it could do in its entirety. The biological supercomputer was a mystery to them. That was true, yet certain things could still be inferred. "Maybe there is a reason for that," the second division commander said. "Maybe, but we will never know unless we get our hands on it." "Shit…" The second commander sighed, a note of regret coloring his tone. "If only Doctor Hayes didn't die back then..."

The mention of the late doctor seemed to cast a pall over the room. "It was unfortunate. With her, we lost most of our research, and no one had been able to do again what she did. She was a genius, and the fact she didn't even have our same level of technology and knowledge. Yet she still created the biological supercomputer." "There is no point in thinking about stuff that happened centuries ago," Monica said. "We weren't even born back then."

"Yeah…"

There was a pause then. "Well, if you are so hell-bent on staying there and trying to defeat Lucius' son, then be my guest. You might actually succeed," he said. "How are the preparations going?" He asked.

"I'm almost done. I just need to inject some more mana, and I will be able to use it. Erik Romano is going to arrive soon, but Vex and the others told me they will give me as much time as they can."

"Are you sure you don't want to come here? I still think the Law Gate is the best place to make a stand against him. I doubt Romano will be able to fight against two of us together."

Monica shook her head. "Maybe," the woman said. "But if he can, we will die together, meaning we will lose precious time. If I get defeated, he will have to reach the Law Gate to go to Mur, meaning he would have to go through you, and you can try to prevent that. If nothing, at least I will reduce the number of troops under his command. He would certainly need time to find new people. "

Monica's plan made sense, but it was obvious she didn't like the idea of losing. She didn't want to think about Bill losing either. As the leader of the blackguards, someone who made herself, someone who stood on the top of the most powerful organization in the world, and as a very confident person, she struggled to imagine being defeated. It was humiliating.

"How long until he arrives?"

Bill nodded. "Then go back there and prepare a welcome for him."

"I will. Who do you think you are talking to?" Both grinned, and after a brief pause, it looked like Monica dissipated the last of the doubts she had but didn't voice.

"All right… I will prepare for his arrival, then."

Monica leaned forward, her voice dropping to a near whisper. She looked at the holographic image of Bill.

"Make sure to stir trouble with the thaids near the coast and tell Vania to do the same. I don't know what Romano wants to do, but he would have to take a plane if he wants to get to Mur safely. Keep this option away from him, destroy the planes, and make the journey to Mur impossible to be taken."

"That's a good idea... But I don't know how well it will work. He still has the shapeshifters," Bill said. "The shapeshifters can at best stay in the flying thaids' living area. They can't go higher than that, contrary to planes. It means that to reach Mur, they will have to fight their way through Mur's flying thaids," Monica said.

"Yeah… I will start working on it soon, then."

A moment of understanding passed between them.

"Then hope to see you again, Bill."

"Try not to get yourself killed, Monica."

Their words sounded like a goodbye. Both commanders knew this might be their last talk.

Monica turned off her computer. The call ended, and she ended up alone in the dark room. It was quiet, but the silence felt heavy. "Now… Erik Romano… Let's see if you can even fight against 'that'…"