I went straight to the base, the secret base built under my orders five years ago. It was the backbone of our entire defense system, buried deep enough beneath the district that most people didn't even know it existed. Only my brother, I, Uncle Joe, and a handful of trusted scientists knew about it.
Tonight, however, the place felt different.
Perhaps because I knew what was coming.
I sat at the center of the long table, surrounded by scientists. Five occupied the seats to my right, and three sat on my left, while Uncle Joe was directly across from me. Documents, maps, and screens covered the table, but none of them seemed particularly interesting anymore.
We all knew what we were preparing for.
A war.
Scientist 1 cleared his throat. "Madam Rose, things might not be the same when you return there this time."
I looked at him.
Scientist 3 continued, his expression grim. "They might not even allow you to return. They could use you as a hostage or, worse, use you to blackmail District Ten, us."
"I know." I leaned back in my chair. "I've considered that possibility."
Uncle Joe folded his arms. "District One has increased its security considerably. They're clearly preparing for something. We don't know what yet, but it doesn't look good."
"They're preparing," I said quietly. "So we prepare too. Are all the cameras installed?"
Scientist 2 nodded. "All of them. We didn't leave a single blind spot."
"Good. How many people are going to monitor them?"
The scientist hesitated.
"Well…"
I narrowed my eyes. "Well, what?"
"We haven't decided yet."
"You installed dozens of cameras without deciding who would watch them?"
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"It's not exactly a one-person job, Madam Rose."
"I know that." I tapped my fingers against the table. "How many people do we need?"
"More than twenty if we want proper surveillance."
Scientist 3 leaned forward. "There's another option. Since the civilians will be evacuated through this area and will eventually pass through the base, we could assign some of them to monitor the cameras."
Uncle Joe immediately shook his head.
"Civilians? They might not take the responsibility seriously."
"We don't have enough manpower," I replied. "Most of our trained personnel will be needed on the front lines. Besides, we're not keeping the civilians here permanently. Once they're safely moved through the base, they'll have to leave anyway."
I looked around the table.
"If a few of them can monitor the screens under supervision, we use them. We can't afford to waste trained soldiers on something civilians can handle."
Scientist 1 nodded slowly.
"I suppose that settles it."
Another scientist, Scientist 4, shifted in his chair before speaking.
"There is one more matter."
I looked at him.
"What is it?"
He exchanged a glance with the others.
"If you go to District One, there's a possibility they won't let you leave."
"I'm aware."
"We're not asking you to reconsider the mission."
"Then what are you asking?"
He pointed toward one of the diagrams displayed on the screen.
"We want you to carry an emergency escape pod."
I blinked.
"An escape pod?"
The words sounded ridiculous coming from him.
Scientist 4 nodded. "A compact one. It won't be large enough for much, but it can get you out if you're detained somewhere without another exit."
I stared at the screen. "So you're expecting me to walk into District One carrying an escape pod."
"Not exactly carrying it openly."
"Then where?"
"We're still working on that."
Uncle Joe sighed. "They're only suggesting it because we don't know what District One intends to do with you."
I looked down at the map spread before me.
They weren't wrong.
That was the irritating part.
I was walking straight into the territory of the most powerful district, knowing perfectly well that I might not be allowed to walk back out.
I lifted my eyes again.
"Fine."
Scientist 4 looked relieved.
Uncle Joe gave me a tired look.
"Rose…"
"I know."
I looked around the table.
"If they're planning something, I want to be prepared for it."
My fingers closed around the edge of the map.
"We're not going to survive this by hoping they'll show mercy."
The scientist opened a projection of the device above the center of the table. A small, three-dimensional model appeared in the air, rotating slowly as its different components were highlighted.
Scientist 4: "It's compact enough to fit inside a small bag. For you, it will essentially function as an escape pod, but that isn't its only purpose. It has several other features that may be useful if you find yourself in a difficult situation."
The projection shifted, revealing the interior of the device.
Scientist 4: "If they attempt to restrain you, take you hostage, or you simply sense that something is wrong, you can activate it. Once activated, it will transport you from District 1 back here in approximately thirty minutes."
I frowned at the projection.
"Thirty minutes?"
Scientist 3: "At maximum speed, yes. It can travel at roughly 300 kilometers per hour."
He enlarged another section of the projection, revealing what appeared to be a reinforced outer shell.
Scientist 3: "It also has a defensive system. Nothing extravagant, but enough to protect you during the journey. Its strongest performance is underwater."
"Underwater?"
Scientist 3: "Yes. It is considerably more efficient there, and it is harder to detect. If you actually have to escape, I strongly recommend taking an underwater route."
I stared at the tiny machine rotating above the table.
So this was their solution.
A little metal box that could carry me out of District 1 if everything went horribly wrong.
"And you expect me to carry this around without anyone noticing?"
Scientist 4: "That's why we designed it to be small."
"Wonderful. So now I have to worry about being kidnapped and about carrying a miniature submarine in my bag."
Uncle Joe sighed.
Uncle Joe: "Rose, this isn't something to joke about."
I looked at him.
"I know."
My eyes returned to the projection.
For some reason, the tiny device didn't make me feel safer.
It only made the situation feel more real.
"I'm impressed. How many of these are there?"
Scientist 4: "Including the one you'll be carrying, we have eighty-three in total."
"Is eighty-three enough?"
Scientist 4: "For the current plan, yes. We have enough."
I nodded and looked around the table.
"Alright. I've heard you've already prepared a defense plan. So, please, present it."
The hologram in the center of the table changed. The previous projection disappeared, replaced by a detailed map of our district. Several sections around the borders began glowing one after another.
Scientist 1: "Yes, Madam. We have divided the plan into three primary phases, or, more accurately, three defense lines."
A section around the outermost border lit up.
Scientist 1: "Our first defense line is the border itself. The changes you ordered have already strengthened it considerably. Extending the border by several meters gives us an advantage before the enemy can even enter the district. Their forces will be forced to cross a longer stretch of exposed territory, which should slow them down and give our soldiers more time to respond."
I studied the map.
Scientist 1: "We also know that you don't want unnecessary bloodshed. So rather than killing the soldiers who cross the border, our objective will be to incapacitate and capture them."
"Incapacitate them how?"
Scientist 5: "Gas would be the simplest method. It's an old strategy, and you may remember that we've used it against them before."
"And if we don't use gas?"
Scientist 5: "Then we have another option."
Another portion of the hologram illuminated, this time beneath the border.
Scientist 5: "The waters surrounding our borderline have been equipped with a high-voltage electrical system. Any ships or watercraft attempting to cross through the area should become disabled before they reach the district."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Should?" I can't help with the doubt creeping inside me.
Scientist 5: "The system has been tested. We're confident it will work."
I decided not to question the wording.
Scientist 5: "Once their vessels are disabled, they'll have no choice but to approach on foot. That's when our soldiers will take advantage of the situation. Smoke guns will be used first to obstruct their vision and disrupt their formation. Once they're disoriented, our soldiers can use the zap guns to incapacitate them."
"And the possibility of death?"
Scientist 5 hesitated. "The chances are extremely low. Someone with a serious heart condition or particularly poor health could potentially suffer complications."
I gave him a flat look.
"So basically, we're putting them to sleep and hoping nobody wakes up dead."
The scientist cleared his throat.
"That's... one way of putting it."
I sighed.
"Fine. What's the second defense line?"
The hologram shifted again.
This time, several small mechanical figures appeared across the map.
Scientist 4: "Our second defense line consists of these."
"Escape bots?"
Scientist 4: "Yes. They are small, fast, and capable of moving independently across the battlefield. Their primary purpose is to reduce the number of soldiers reaching our inner defenses."
One of the bots moved across the holographic battlefield.
Scientist 4: "They can shoot."
"No killing." I almost doubted my people again.
Scientist 4: "Yes, I was getting to that."
He enlarged the weapon attached to the bot.
Scientist 4: "Instead of bullets, we'll equip them with darts. Each dart contains a specially prepared sedative serum. Once injected, the target should lose consciousness within a short period."
I watched the little machine move around the projection.
"So they'll simply fall asleep?"
Scientist 4: "Essentially."
"And you're expecting these little things to stop an entire army?"
Scientist 4: "Not the entire army. But if they function as intended, they can eliminate almost half of the enemy force before they reach the final defense line."
The way they were explaining all of this made it sound almost absurdly simple.
Yet when I looked at the hologram, watching the bots move through the simulated battlefield, it somehow seemed entirely possible.
Then the hologram changed again.
Scientist 5: "And that brings us to the third defense line."
A group of larger mechanical figures appeared.
I stared at them.
Then I stared a little longer.
One of the bots had a strangely frightened expression permanently built into its face.
Whoever designed these things deserved an award.
Or perhaps a lecture.
It looked as though the poor machine had already realized it was going to war and regretted its career choice.
Scientist 5: "These are our fighting bots. They're smaller than conventional combat machines, but don't let their size fool you. They're extremely effective at close range."
"And they don't kill?"
Scientist 5: "No. They are equipped with the same incapacitating technology. Their objective is to put the enemy to sleep temporarily."
I leaned back in my chair.
The plan was actually impressive.
Too impressive.
Which meant my stupid brain had already found something to worry about.
"What happens if someone gets through all three?"
Silence.
I looked at the hologram.
I already knew what I was thinking.
If Logan came with District 1's forces, he wouldn't necessarily behave like the others. He was stronger, more experienced, and far more difficult to predict.
And somehow, the thought of him making it through every defense frightened me more than the thought of an entire army doing it.
Uncle Joe noticed my expression. "Rose, you're thinking too far ahead. There is one final defense."
"There is?"
He exchanged a brief glance with the scientists.
"Yes. But it isn't complete."
My stomach sank.
"Why isn't it complete?"
Scientist 6 stepped forward.
Scientist 6: "The fourth defense line consists of the X9 fighter bots."
The hologram changed again.
This time, an enormous machine appeared above the table.
It was considerably larger than the previous bots.
Scientist 6: "Unlike the other machines, the X9 isn't designed merely to incapacitate. If the situation becomes critical, it can use significantly stronger force."
I immediately looked at him.
"Meaning?"
Scientist 6: "Meaning we would only use it if the other defenses failed. They have the ability to rampage."
I nodded slowly.
"And you said it's incomplete."
"They're extremely difficult to manufacture. At present, only three X9 units are fully operational." Uncle Joe responded quickly before I could set my glares on the scientists present.
Three.
That was our final defense line.
Three machines.
Wonderful.
Just absolutely wonderful.
"They're still our most powerful defensive units. A single X9 can handle more than ten soldiers at once. We'll position them around the residence."
The hologram displayed the three machines taking their positions.
"One at the front," Uncle Joe continued, "one at the rear, and the third will remain mobile so it can be deployed wherever the situation becomes most dangerous."
I nodded, though I couldn't shake the uneasiness settling inside me.
The plan was good.
Very good.
So why didn't I feel relieved?
Was it because of the war?
Or was it because I knew Logan Hawk might be standing on the other side of it?
I pushed the thought away.
"How are we supposed to put all of this into place in such a short amount of time?"
Scientist 1: "Most of it is already prepared. All four defense lines have been constructed or assembled. We only needed your approval before putting the entire system into operation."
I looked around the table.
"Then you have my approval."
Everyone seemed to relax slightly.
I turned toward Uncle Joe.
"Go to the army base and inform everyone that the defense plan has been finalized. I want every soldier briefed before we begin deployment."
Uncle Joe nodded.
I looked back at the holographic map.
The glowing lines around our district represented more than walls and machines now.
They represented the people living behind them.
My people.
There was one thing left.
"And after that, we need to discuss evacuation."
The room fell silent again.
I folded my hands on the table.
"We can build as many defenses as we want. But if the civilians aren't safe, none of this matters."
The hologram continued rotating quietly in front of me.
I stared at it.
The war was coming.
And this time, I wasn't going to let my district pay the price for it.
"Is the drilling work complete?"
Scientist 2: "Yes, Madam. Everything is finished."
He hesitated before continuing. "But there's something we still don't understand. Why would District 9 help us? We've cut ourselves off from every other district for years. We barely have any relations left with them. Why would they risk themselves for us now?"
I understood his concern.
It was a reasonable question.
"They don't have to understand our reasons. They only need to understand the situation."
I leaned forward, resting my hands on the table.
"Listen carefully. If the attack actually happens, I want a team assigned specifically to civilian evacuation. Before the fighting reaches the residential areas, they'll move everyone through the tunnels."
The holographic map shifted, revealing the underground passages we had been preparing.
"Their destination will be District 9."
A few of the scientists exchanged uncertain glances.
"As for getting District 9's permission, leave that to me. I'll make sure they have somewhere safe to go."
I have to play my part...use him.
I looked at the map for another moment.
Everything had been planned.
The defenses.
The escape routes.
The tunnels.
The evacuation.
Now all we could do was hope none of it had to be used.
I really hope this goes exactly the way we've planned.
I straightened in my chair and looked around the table.
"The meeting is dismissed. Get back to work, all of you."
The scientists began gathering their notes and shutting down the holographic displays.
"And... good luck."
One by one, they nodded before leaving the room.
Soon, the meeting room fell silent.
I remained seated for a moment, staring at the map of my District.
We had spent years building this place into something worth protecting.
Now I only had to make sure there would still be something left to protect when this was over.