Chapter 123: The scientist.
Holy Britannian Empire, 4:45 am
Nina Einstein, in the company of two of her colleagues (Sophie Randall and Rakshata Chawla) had just witnessed the first experimental detonation of a FLEIJA warhead from a bunker located at a safe distance. All three wore protective goggles.
"So, what do you think?" She asked, turning to the other two.
"Extraordinary ..." Was Sophie's comment.
"Today we made history ..." Rakshata said.
Nina smiled smugly. Those two would finally start treating her as their equal, after three months of skepticism and veiled irony.
You thought I was a brat, right? That the FLEIJA, my creation, would be a failure, wasn't it? You were wrong, and I just proved it to you!
She thought, satisfied as never before. Not even that sex between her and Princess Euphemia had given her such immense pleasure.
You worked on it together. You three and other scientists.
Her conscience reminded her.
Yes, but they, unlike me, did not believe that the Eowyn project would be successful. Only now do they open their eyes ...
Suddenly Sophie held out her hand to her, looking at her with eyes full of respect and admiration.
"I congratulate you, Nina. Thanks to your exceptional skills you have just made a new weapon, which will be useful in the fight against the reptilians. "
"And sorry for our distrust of you. We were wrong to judge you only on the basis of age." Rakshata added.
Nina smiled, and shook hands with her European colleague.
"Apologies accepted. Indeed, thank you for your contribution. Without it I would have taken perhaps longer. Three great minds work better than one. "
She held no grudges towards them. Simply a deep satisfaction for having shown them her worth as a scientist.
Both Sophie and Rakshata smiled flattered.
"If this war ends with human victory, rest assured that the three of us will make history!" She exclaimed the glasses.
" The aliens are in trouble, and they are losing ground. It will take time, but in the end we will be able to drive them off the planet. " Said the blonde.
Hoping they don't have some tricks up her sleeve ...
She thought.
Earth orbit
Atvar was getting more and more nervous, and he could barely hide it. The war had taken a bad turn for his species: not only the Terrans were gaining ground on various fronts, but in various areas there were riots, attacks and guerrillas. This case of things had generated discontent among the soldiers, who had been promised a quick victory and instead found themselves in a long war. At this rate he would have lost credibility in the eyes of the emperor, and would have been replaced in command of the invasion fleet by Straha or some other ambitious subordinate of his. And this in a warrior society like his was a reason for ridicule and dishonor ...
At this rate the Earth will become the grave of my career and my credibility.
He thought, casting a furious glance at the planet.
"Commander?" He called it a familiar voice.
"What is it, Straha?"
"We have revealed a big explosion somewhere in North America."
In response, he waved a hand.
"It must have been a volcanic eruption. And speaking of explosions, if the campaign continues in this way we will soon have to draw our secret weapons ... "
"But we only have two."
He turned away, a grin on his face.
"We actually have a couple more. They never hurt, you know?"
"I understand…"
"Keep them ready, in case you need to use them."
"Yes sir."
London, 12:15 pm
After hours of bitter fighting, the joint Euro-British military forces had managed to liberate the great metropolis, forcing the reptilians to retreat to the northwest. The area was essentially under the control of the land armies, and numerous enemies were captured or killed. Buckingham Palace, the seat of the English sovereigns until 1807 and then the seat of the governor of the island after the birth of the United Republic of Europia, now housed the headquarters of the joint command of the two armies. Two flags hung from the facade of the building, plus one waving on the roof. The first two were from the Holy Britannian Empire and the Grand Duchy of Euro-Britannia, the third was that of Europia. It was also manned by European (Ariete, Leclerc, Leopard) and British (M1 Abrams, Challenger) tanks, as well as the knightmares of both nations. Leila at that moment was in the ballroom in the company of Akito and Shin.
"Is this the famous Buckingham Palace?" She asked the latter, looking around.
Leila nodded.
"Seat of the kings of England from 1703 to 1807, the year of the Humiliation of Edinburgh. After Napoleon took London he established his headquarters here. Then, after the birth of Europia, this building became the seat of the governorship. " She explained.
"And this room?" Akito asked.
"The Ball Room. Court dances and receptions were held here. "
The Hyuga brothers carefully observed the room: the floor was covered with dusty red tiles; in the center stood two long tables with dozens of chairs around them, some of which were overturned. A couple of paintings (including one of Napoleon on horseback) hung crooked on the walls or lay on the floor, damaged or destroyed.
"This place needs a fix ..." Shin said.
"It is already a miracle that it is still standing, after the bombings and the battles." His younger brother answered.
"I can't say the same about the rest of the city ..." He added, with a melancholy tone.
Leila frowned. Unfortunately London had suffered heavily from the effects of the invasion first and then of the liberation. The various battles and bombings had devastated the metropolis, reducing the buildings to ruins or piles of debris.
"We need to find the surviving humans ..." She stated.
"Assuming there are ..." was Akito's reply.
She gave him a dirty look.
"There must be some. It had almost nine million inhabitants before the invasion. "
"True ... But surely that number will have decreased."
"Only six months have passed since the start of hostilities. They can't have eliminated so many. "
"Yet until now we have not found any ..."
"We will find them. Be sure."
Akito was about to reply but at that moment Ryo entered the room, closely followed by Yukiya and Ayano. The girl brandished her katana, Ryo a shotgun, Yukiya a Beretta M9 pistol. With them was a reptilian, 1.5 meters tall. He had emerald skin, intense yellow reptilian eyes and wore a kind of white suit.
"Who is he?" Leila asked them.
"We caught him as he wandered around the University of Westminster. He is not a soldier, those are pretty big." Was Yukiya's reply.
"And he's not even a worker." Ayano stated.
"In fact, I'm a scientist." He declared, not a little surprising the Terrans.