An angry expression was seen on Vladilena Milizé's face as she entered the temporary government building. People guarding it gave up trying to stop her, recognizing one of the most polarizing faces in the capital. Their savior. Their executioner. The brave one who fought against the Legion despite everything. The vile woman who sold her country to the enemy. No citizen who survived would remain impartial, with her scandalous trial making the headlines even before the attack. One thing was sure though, with Federacy's army now here, under her command, soldiers of the Republic no longer could treat her dismissively.
"Who is in charge here?" She demanded to know, who ruined her meticulously crafted repair plans. No guard was eager to respond, so she marched past them further into the structure. Lena was fuming, but she did her best to compose herself before entering what looked like a conference room.
"I'm so glad you're back, Lena." A woman standing in the center of the room put on a sickeningly sweet smile, acting like the person who came in was close to her like a daughter. Yvonne Primevére, a distant relative of sorts, was a strict, despotic elitist, fighting to bring back the old order since day one of renewal. Lena never knew her personally, only from the tales of how she ruled the food factories with an iron fist. Her family had the monopoly on what the Republic ate and had amassed an immense fortune, with Yvonne as the head of the family for the past six years. When they met face to face a few months ago their personalities instantly crashed, as the woman harbored intense loathing for Lena's close relations with the Eighty-Six. She regarded them as sub-human, demanding they do all the manual labor, in the meantime guarding the capital from any attacks. Their so-called Queen just scoffed at this proposal, forcing Primevére to resume food production with the work of previously untouchable Alba. It was the start of a long feud between the women, deepening with each day of their necessary collaboration. Lena had hoped other people would hold Yvonne on the rails, but it had seemed that their plan had failed. All their history made her more disoriented as to why the arrogant woman suddenly referred to her with such care.
"Mrs. Primevére, was there a change in plans? Where is Major Lombardy? She was supposed to act as my proxy during my absence. Most initiatives that should have been finished by now are not started yet from what I see." Colonel tried her best not to sound outright hostile, but the situation wasn't looking promising. Republic's Para-RAID was made with an embedded range limit, preventing her from direct contact with her new Federacy limitless model.
"No need to rush, she is safe and sound in the city. We had irreconcilable differences, so the decision was made to resolve it in the Democratic Republic's spirit! There was a general election and as the leader of The Holy Magnolian Order of Pureblood, Pure-White, and Patriotic Knights I'm proud to announce we won the majority of the seats. That being said, we re-prioritized our objectives, deeming the previous plan irrational. I'm happy the Federacy decided to send some of our workforce back, but we need all the livestock available to proceed with reconstruction. They are the rightful property of the Republic of San Magnolia, pillaging our resources is preposterous!" Yvonne stated as if she was talking about some mules or machines, not living people. It enraged Lena, making her lose all the remaining composure.
"What bullshit are you spewing again? There is no 'livestock', they are the citizens of the Federacy of Giad, which the Republic has no claim to. All the troops are here solely to escort refugees, not playing your slaves once again. You're delusional if you really think everything will go back to how it used to be." She had no patience for the ruthless woman stuck in the past. If it were up to Lena, she would drag her to an international court to pay for the Republic's crimes. There were many people doubtfully deserving saving, but she had no heart to forsake the more innocent in the name of revenge.
"Fierce as always! I've loathed you for this stubbornness, Margareta's daughter, always fraternizing with the pigs, bringing shame to the family's honor. But I have gained a new perspective when you were gone! You have your eccentricities, indisputably, but it is your Celena's superiority that allows you to utilize those subhumans in an unparalleled way! Some are beginning to see a second coming of San Magnolia in you!" Primevére rambled fanatically about her supremacy and how Lena was the new face of their regime. It was at this moment that the girl knew, why the sudden sweetening and pleasantries.
"This country is doomed exactly by the people like you. Fine, use your magnificent government and organize the population, we are marching in two days. The elderly and wounded might get some help, but the rest must walk on their own. Make that clear, we won't be carrying their trash, so leave anything but the necessities." With that, she exited while slamming the door. What did she expect? The years-long bigotry to change magically? The wave of weariness hit her mercilessly. Why did she fight so hard with all the Eighty-Six, if this country preferred to erase all their achievements? The thought of resigning from her position filled her with gloom, but if her presence reaffirmed Alba's intolerant views, stepping out seemed like the only option. Lena sighed, postponing the worries for the night, and connected her resonance to someone in the capital.
"Lena! You're back! I've heard the commotion, b-but I figured you must do all the commander stuff first. Sorry I failed you, that wench expelled me from the congregation with some nonsense. I'm currently watching over Nathan, you're welcome to come and visit!"Charlotte tried her best to sound cheerful, but the shame from failure entered Lena's consciousness.
"Hi Char! I've already met the snake, venomous as always. Now she plans to use me as a new Saint, imagine. Don't worry about getting lost in her charades, she's been doing it her whole life. Is Sophia feeling any better?" The woman was someone who Lena owed a lot to, but she was tragically injured during the attack, leaving her bedridden. When she was leaving her country, Sophia was in a near comatose state, but she had hoped there was some improvement.
"A tad better, she cannot walk but is conscious and talkative. She had some great intel about Nicolas's secret stashes, so life was a lot easier with s-supplies outside the corrupt government. As you probably know, they ditched most of our initiatives, and they insist on getting the Eighty-Six back to do it. Goddess gracious, will they never learn?" The girl had a lot more confidence after serving under Lena for so long, greatly improving her social skills. She had a lot on her shoulders, but her superior's return made things easier.
"I'm glad, truly. We leave in two days, so contact every known ally. The rules are no different, we can't take their stuff, but I'll organize Sophia and Nathan's transport. The same goes for all severely injured. Rest will have to walk, we do not have the equipment to do otherwise. I'm sure Yvonne will try some scheming, so alert our people individually. I'll visit you soon." Lena reassured Charlotte and ended the call. It was soon time for her meeting with the Eighty-Six, but she had no idea how to look them in the face. To organize her thoughts, she first headed to the Brísingamen Squadron, as Shiden was the closest person who accompanied her during struggles in the Republic. She was remarkably loyal and devoted, so mentioning the thought of resignation was out of the question.
"Oy, the Queen is here, you punks! Tidy up here, there is no seat for her!" Cyclops yelled to her crew mates when Lena arrived at the door. "How can I help you, Your Majesty?"
"Nothing much, just checking if you had settled in. I wanted to see you, I guess. Sorry if I'm interrupting." She decided that honesty was the best, and seeing a familiar face after the confrontation with Yvonne was what she needed. Lena failed to notice that Shiden's ears and neck got red after hearing such endearing words.
"...me? Really? Wow. I'm touched." She faltered, still in awe of what she had heard.
"May I go in?" The girl asked politely, and her Knight keenly escorted her to the couch.
"Actually… I have something for you. It's nothin' grand, but I wanted to give you a good luck charm. I took those from that damned cave, but I don't know much bout stones." She gave her a purple bracelet, made with little variously shaped minerals. The wire was threaded through the small openings drilled by Shana, creating a cute home-made accessory.
"Gosh, Shiden, you didn't have to! It's so pretty! They look like little amethysts! Would you mind putting it on me, please?" Lena was incredibly moved by the gesture, appreciating every little detail. When Cyclops had put it on, the size turned out to be spot on. With the rush of emotions, the girl hugged Shiden as hard as she could."Thank you so much! You have no idea how much it means to me. I'll keep it with me at all times, to ward off any misfortune!"
"Glad you like it, Queen." Shiden was now red as a tomato, unprepared for Lena's burst of affection. She had no clue that the little gift warded off the dark thoughts clouding the girl's mind all day.
July 11th Republic Year 368 (Stellar Year 2149)
45 days until the Legion's Large-Scale Offensive
With no news from her friends, Lena sat on the floor of her cell feeling defeated. Is this the end? Not dying bravely fighting against the Legion, carrying the names of her comrades as far as she could, but in the shabby prison, accused mostly of made-up charges. A bitter taste lingered in her mouth, wondering if this would be the last day here. She wasn't afraid of becoming an Eighty-Six, but the judge seemed to opt for a more demonstrative punishment. If she were to die, her only hope was for her friends to continue what she had started. There was no way to know how things were currently going, as the prison was strictly tapwired and monitored. Charlotte tried to signal something during the last visit, but all she got was 'we're trying our best'. As the guard could come any minute, the hope of saving was dwindling. When the door opened she felt a rush of adrenaline, but the person who entered wasn't taking her to the trial.
"Hello, Darling. Missed me yet?" Her fiance asked with a charming smile, pretending to see his loved one after a long separation. There was no affection in his eyes, just a look of a predator at the end of the hunt, apprising his prey.
"I won't take up your offer, Nicolas. You've set me up once, you'll do it again. I prefer to die rather than humor you any longer." Lena glared with hatred festering in her heart for the past few months. She loathed every bone in that man's body, cursing him over and over in her head. The fate of becoming his wife presented itself as the deepest circle of hell, offering her faux life without living.
"Sassy as ever. I wouldn't be so sure, Honey, don't you have friends and family to support? If you just sign this piece of paper, all the worries would disappear. Like it was always just a horrible dream." He put the ferocious contract and a fancy pen on the table, looking at her with expectation. Nicolas was getting tired of this cat-and-mouse game between them, anticipating the ultimate triumph tonight. Lena hated herself for wavering. Becoming a phantom in real life wasn't a price she wouldn't pay for their safety. Selling the last bits of dignity was nothing in the eyes of the Legion War. The thing that had stopped her was the cold smile Pivot had on his face the whole time. This person wouldn't honor any promises. As soon as she signs it, the unwritten plea for her loved ones' protection would be broken at the first opportunity. He wanted to have her all for himself, rendering any of her remaining connections problematic and cumbersome. No, this man would kill them himself if he could frame it as an accident.
"We're over. Screw yourself, I hope when the Legion comes, you'll suffer the longest, remembering it didn't have to end that way." In this moment, a part of her made peace with her choice. 'I'm sorry, everyone. I have failed you. I gave up, I wasn't strong enough. I'm sorry guys I didn't take you anywhere, I have yet to find your final destination. Maybe we'll meet sooner than I thought. Mom, I'm terribly sorry we parted so soon after reconciling. Will you all forgive me for not protecting my people until the end?' Lena closed her eyes, to not show the man the tears forming within.
"Suit yourself, bitch. I'll take your head as a trophy then." An enraged man kicked in her stomach, causing the tears to flow. He didn't savor the moment, furious about his defeat. Without sparing Lena another glance he walked out of the cell, preparing to crush her in the court. If she didn't want to play nice, the whore needed to be taught a lesson. "Let's see who'll get the last laugh at the gallows."
The tears kept falling, but simultaneously she felt relief. She'll do anything tonight to bring this devil with her. She will scream about what's to come, with every citizen watching carefully. If this was her final battle, there was no need to hold back. There was something ironic that even without any hope, Lena had refused to give up entirely until the end. She planned on fighting with any strength left in her body to change the inevitable outcome. Like they once did. When the guard put on her cuffs, she felt calm, as if they were weightless bracelets complementing her outfit. This was the only armor she would get, stepping into the battlefield of wits. The judge was undoubtedly bought, so the only adversaries were the jury and the public. It was time to show the world what Vladilena Milizé had up her sleeve.
The courtroom was in uproar, with media outlets, journalists, and onlookers filling any available space. She had seen her mother's weeping face in the crowd, but Annette and Charlotte were still missing. Nicolas made no secret about the abhorrence he felt towards her, cutting her head off with his eyesight. The judge who had entered tried to uphold any resemblance of the peace, but the public wasn't cooperating.
"ORDER! ORDER! I will give out fines for disobedience in the court presence!" He tried to threaten people into silence, without any success. The farce continued for a few more minutes until the military escorted out a part of the crowd. "Good, we might begin now. Resuming the hearing about Vladilena Milizé, charged with listed offenses…."
The formula was similar to the previous one, foreshadowing a tediously long trial. The judge closed the argument by asking the defendant for their definitive plea.
"I plead not guilty. The man accusing me of those crimes, Nicolas Pivot, fabricated the evidence to wash away the blame for his transgressions committed over the years. I've been chosen as an easy scapegoat for my unorthodox worldview, disgracing the Republic's court system." The eruption of gasps, screams, and questions coming out of everyone's mouth brought rampant chaos into the room. After more people were forced out by the guards, justice decided to resume.
"Miss Milizé, do you have any evidence for the accusations you're making? We are in the court of law, and the unsubstantiated slandering will be punishable." He said sternly.
"The thorough analysis of the purported proof would have indicated the discrepancies between the alleged multi-year crime spree and my documented activities, military or otherwise. For some reason, the Justice Department insists on it being indisputable, refusing access for my attorneys. I demand further investigation into the evidence." She tried to argue rationally but knew what the answer would be.
"The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of San Magnolia has verified the validity of the submitted documents, undermining their genuineness would be to question the country itself. We have already gone through this conversation, Miss Milizé, I advise you not to stall for time if that is what you're trying to do. I gave you two more weeks, and your side has failed to deliver any reliable proof or solid explanation. If you plan to continue arguing with words only, I shall not waste anyone's time here." The judge was unyielding, cementing further that the outcome of this case was predetermined no matter what.
"If you ask me do I suggest this country is corrupt, there is nothing more holding me back. Yes, I accuse the Republic of San Magnolia of moral deterioration, widespread bribery, and ignorance towards the upcoming danger of the Legion attack. This case is a sham, created to corner me into submission and laundering Pivots' shady business practices. That is why the Republic vouches for the documents our side couldn't have seen before. Remember citizens, if they take my rights on their whim, they can do the same…." Vladilena Milizé didn't finish her speech, as the guards violently rushed to silence her. With her mouth covered by someone's hand, the situation must have been unsalvageable for the public media to show. The shouting in the building got louder, with some people cursing at her and others angrily asking the court to show solid proof. It could have erupted in violence at any moment, but what got everyone's attention was three gunshots fired from the back of the courtroom.
"ATTENTION EVERYONE! WE HAVE THE PROOF YOU WANT. NOW S-SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LISTEN." Charlotte yelled through the megaphone, with singed hair and a black outfit covered in ashes. She and Annette delivered a stack of documents in the blown safe carried on the stroller. It looked so ludicrously, that no guard tried to intervene.
"Here is the most recent dirty laundry of the Pivot family, including weapon dealing, forgery, unpaid taxes, and an unexpectedly large donation made to Jonah Goteborg, coincidentally today's justice. Do you want me to keep going, or would you prefer settling without all the tabloids directly on your face?" Annette, looking as charred as her partner, said to the judge while eagerly allowing the reporters to film their disruptive discovery. They barely made it in time, but with the whole ordeal on camera, the Republic had no way of sweeping it under the carpet. It meant they had won, and Lena survived the brutal crusade. The tears once again filled the captured girl's eyes. This time, she let them fall freely with joy.