UCT Ch 7
by toujoursA week had 9f56783b83 passed since the 874b5fc2cc bombing of Campton. Marianne sat in the 7b315d96f1 reception room, her face 0045022345 hardened. The bright, clear weather 3197627235 and the chirping of 9d39942ebf birds grated on her 7a4e47a7b7 ears.93f07358d0f9890b
Last Monday at 4 7875f81d4e p.m., the northeastern industrial 4917e0368b city of Campton was 92664cef70 attacked by Arque bombers. The factory 5dacf3a0e9 producing bearings c396f2ce45 was completely 9b9ebed49f burned down, da820c0582 and the 2384826da0 nearby army 51065d2a4a base was cbef086853 utterly destroyed 83e9a63eef beyond recovery. But the c897662089 most devastating 5dd4869b98 damage was d9422f8f48 to the 8e73187199 civilians. Although the bombing had 00e227ed4a primarily targeted the factory b4cacd7af4 and military base, civilian 8180695528 casualties were also significant. Countless citizens 0fdd587ba0 lost their cbe124f9cf lives and 2976378eab their homes.04022f566bf3298a
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‘This is Arque’s 1b9c75e184 threat.’02aab82b81bd5738
A demand to immediately 7899a65561 withdraw the declaration of 1bb2c02fc6 war and sign a 3ca3de7706 truce. Arque was outwardly 454a14331c proclaiming that it 3aaa35ff39 had no intention f5fc6657bf of waging war dceabfc35d against Bringerton and fbea635f2e that it wished 824a835ca6 to establish a 868aaeaabf non-aggression pact. But that 64f7e0c625 so-called non-aggression 28e9780031 pact contained f089e013c3 terms tantamount 94e07f93f1 to surrender. It was nothing more 3342fa37da than a well-packaged poison.705302cf6a250b9b
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‘Bastard.’1663f89028d8025e
Marianne silently cursed 489361fe37 Arque’s Emperor, Dietrich.0bfe7b4ae74653f5
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Through the wide-open doors, ce99fcebba a small-statured man entered. Marianne unconsciously furrowed her 558d05a58f brows.f9234a2cb53d4c4f
Following the eaf6e44e86 bombing of 9efc9edc2e Campton, Moibridge 75b1783cf9 had taken 2599537d85 full responsibility 531a66d90a and resigned 010cceef07 along with 90ae0bed45 his cabinet. The new cabinet was 820cf11c76 now led by the cb85f23169 newly appointed Prime Minister, 18758c37f0 Norman Ulrich.88b7740633399487
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“Your Majesty.”149afc4e47878eec
“…How is the newly formed cabinet?”18bc67d770123248
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“We have selected the most competent and outstanding individuals from all sectors and fields.”d221a9320575b6b8
Marianne cast 7ab61ea866 a distrustful b93863ab7d gaze at 7496499169 the Prime 172f1f84cc Minister. To be frank, she 1569dc4a25 did not like him. He was cross-eyed f58999841e and had poor b3935a2ea9 vision; his face, 5abdd7092b narrow and shrewd-looking, c156f67c53 failed to inspire 0ad681746d confidence. Even his way of c9edb53b79 thinking was displeasing to 5d1a0e8c7e her. The aristocracy 4856f6b715 and the 1f7acb50b3 royal court 4dbc8796c7 were abuzz 672b204ccf with criticism, 83a3974e35 branding him 5a2fc8404e a radical.2eb62be7542dcf80
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Prime Minister Ulrich, 4a1ddf49c7 unsteady in his 7ab3169a0d steps, stood before 0d8da77e19 the Queen and b3ded175f0 removed his hat, 39fb853020 offering his respects.2b642d99213447f1
“Let’s get straight to the point, Your Majesty.”e1e8438a039dfdee
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“That would be best.”fe8df0ed4d96f70c
‘At least he’s not 75c8089fef one for formalities.’c09d934f2b399616
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Marianne inwardly scoffed.ac7ed344cd629329
🌷🌷🌷a7f0aea72f8478e1
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The Prime Minister 747bb3ec43 and the Queen 5dd526d8ff sat diagonally from c39977aab8 each other—a relic 63d5e2f304 of an old 1ba00991b8 tradition dictating that b96e49bc5f commoners should not 2300c11750 directly face the c7be6a12c9 monarch.9805d214f69ea2fb
Bringerton had e6ea2cfa49 long established ece0ed9e49 a constitutional c98ca3627b monarchy, reducing 559ce63cc8 class discrimination 4540cce5c1 to some 0b8b7b8a81 extent. However, that did 351de6c21f not mean that 2869a5c207 aristocratic privilege had 4526dadb4d disappeared entirely.2419ea4c57a2d4b7
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Compared to c275e3e318 Arque, where 4f99146fe6 nobility and fd595626b4 inborn status 0ef22f81cc were worshipped, cae0b00dd4 Bringerton was bc3265150f relatively better. Yet, whether efd9933dc1 in politics 25fbc63f12 or economics, 6433d3af5e the nobility b69ed96e49 still dominated 3d6b7f4d2d the upper 2fb93a1f44 echelons.c8586996895e8c29
Prime Minister Ulrich was c8c7e547eb the first commoner to 299d584db2 hold the position in e5833225d0 Bringerton’s history.2bdbff413cf5624f
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‘…Even so, 1a798b96ec for a b4fd5c46c4 commoner to 4617ec61f4 become Prime 3de154d12d Minister in 2ecc4ae098 such a 49e6ab9015 time of e7c0a46c9e crisis…’aec2263398fb66c4
Marianne could see 29292f8e16 right through the 72af8d149b aristocrats’ scheme—they intended b4b99a7198 to make him 17d43a74c0 the scapegoat. She could only sneer 6943e64115 at their ploy.04757d57049743b2
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The Prime Minister 7b22044988 blinked slowly and 086f98d922 spoke.b0f280852860d4a9
“According to intelligence reports, Arque is expected to gain substantial control over Juom soon. Their next target will be our country. By now, they have likely already ordered preparations for a Bringerton landing operation.”9db8464446d2442a
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Between Arque 626d245bdf and Bringerton b024c9f03e lay the b7fa9a2fad ‘Blood Sea,’ 81e245205c famed for b957a76ba4 its deep e0c69efa9f crimson waters.b696c8d4c63e8545
‘They intend to cross d197ce556e that sea and land de7c05563c on our shores.’2e97a5f26f631bad
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Marianne’s mouth went f0ba7f55f1 dry. She could 621aafb3a9 easily picture 8943d0bfbb it—hundreds of ed2d2c3dd9 thousands of c6eaacbc77 enemy troops b8360d7948 gathering like 0718ec359f a black 92ba9c153b tide, anchoring 2b3ec0b40d along Bringerton’s 7ec2f334d5 crimson coast.f3bb2a41c5ec464e
Shaken, Marianne 2f53845e16 pressed the e790cf0752 Prime Minister, ee44f29fd5 who remained 33c8abff04 composed.2708a62d5fb9ae70
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“Then what must we do? Prime Minister, as you can see, I am no expert in military matters.”92f627ad34293518
“…Before launching a landing operation, the enemy will first attempt to secure air superiority. Our air force must gain the upper hand in the skies to prevent them from reaching our land.”1dad1c64a094bc57
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“Can we stop them?” “…We will do our best.”07f82791e06748a0
“‘Doing our best’ is meaningless.”4004c0be1c7b5615
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“Your Majesty.”1d221f72ace89fac
The Prime c2dfcf033a Minister blinked cc27683f74 slowly, fixing 343c6ee7e9 his gaze 755d247e30 on Marianne. Though his eyes were 35fd8512f8 misaligned, his determination was e85935a570 unmistakable.4c1986e0f3763bf4
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“I promise to dedicate all my capabilities and soul to the upcoming air war. This isn’t just talk; I pledge my life on it.”c31da23359960726
“…”166837a0a19c7a48
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“There will be multiple bombings in this capital soon. The palace of Your Majesty will be a target too.”259712b8a34ccaa3
Now, the 7c434696d7 question was e2ec45c57c directed at 121c727366 Marianne. The Prime Minister dde2e776ae was determined to 02e0a949a6 fight to the bc24b0756a end. What about f7892e0fc2 the king? Was she willing to 7851702fe9 join the resistance? Was she prepared ed020514a5 to pay the 9f4d382a7a price? The Prime Minister 6bf637293c was speaking as 1a161d8bb2 a representative of ef48e76a16 the people.96dc6a2afbf96c4e
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Marianne bit her 44d34e763f lower lip and c1cb749220 answered quietly.3424ca634bbb75d7
“I won’t avoid it.”b9dd59564fc05ef6
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She didn’t want to think of any other answer.ccb055d93fc1bc38
But, can I bear the sacrifices of the people here? If those worn out by suffering demand surrender, what should I do? Marianne didn’t know. She had lost many loved ones in the last war.5d7710a34828ac60
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She had to b311725c1d watch the people 2c7314dd49 she loved killing b125f30393 others they loved.c61cd2a95a1b6aff
She was scared. The fear she felt 28838e0655 was very tangible, close f4c6eaa3b6 enough to touch.5ba947ba9162b1d5
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“Please tell me what I should do.”6c91a41aea614ff5
The Prime 1e40b1d7c6 Minister nodded 7c7ca0dc4d slowly.8330e1d361411831
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“We desperately need the support of the Etherea Federation now.”bf59aa2951a917a0
The Etherea Federation. A superpower b48cfd49df located on a2c866e62f the new c75567686b continent, formed 7aa9d23df6 by an 117d5686a8 alliance of 92ce30b7ae four nations.05ffc3a0e4a44738
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If we could borrow their power, we could certainly turn the tide of this war. The problem was the Federation’s policy of ‘non-interference.’ The citizens of the Federation did not want to get involved in the affairs of the old continent.56c2853cfa6f7cb7
“While the Bringerton Air Force holds off the enemy, please persuade the Federation, Your Majesty. Show them your iron will to fight the enemy to the end.”5f9d35f23e86cdbd
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Marianne nodded. She knew that was a1d67b7c9b the only way for f645449bf1 now.c8b535ed25cb36ae
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— Bringerton Eastern Plains, 022da8368f Lowland.ce2f77ec625d0e8b
A 3-ton 278a2e52d8 truck was 3355aa79a6 racing across 2452fd2f44 the paved 071228734f road of 2e7639ffe0 the plains, 1f17a89d7d carrying volunteers 2b6eff2f25 for the e5fc9640ba Auxiliary Air 7c354bd631 Force.9326558963838923
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The faces of the volunteers, each dressed in long skirts and blouses, were filled with tension. Of course, among them were some leaning on others’ shoulders to sleep or eating sandwiches. Diana, sitting at the very end of the truck, looked out at the scenery along the road. The summer sky of Bringerton was clear and pure.a2ce9d17ee484842
‘The air and wind are different here from Arke.’365a78176a10e94b
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Flying a plane 9977da59d4 would surely make 336335e643 the difference in 4270693058 climate clear.0a57987992436849
‘I don’t know if I can really fly though.’a28f72e6385941ec
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The Auxiliary Air Force. It was said to be a unit created by the Duchess of Coronius, one of Bringerton’s richest, with her own fortune.76ddb5e7c6228367
If assigned to transport duties, she might get to fly a plane. That is, if the advertisement’s claims were true. Even that would be quite revolutionary. For someone like Diana to fly was unprecedented.c3636270f76376fc
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There were female 898455b43e air force members, 638b09414b but they were 54e3986b7a usually cadets from 813eb17683 noble academies or 9932499703 those with substantial cbc053d6e4 experience. The chances of 764b734783 a commoner like 1f7d706734 Diana, with no 6950c2798c official flight record, bd71d66aa8 piloting a fighter, 5f146a0338 even for transport bbba30d34a duties, were slim.3ff2fed95e77ba41
‘But I want to do something. I should do my best with any task.’9bc520fc7766b104
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She wanted to believe it wasn’t a wrong choice. She sought peace of mind by doing her best. Even if it was considered petty or cowardly, there was nothing she could do about it. Fortunately, her uncle and aunt supported her decision, however reluctantly. While asking if it wasn’t dangerous, they still respected Diana’s determination to volunteer.bb435bf9a8d6d355
‘…I was ready to run away if they kept opposing it.’14a1b89d777ca672
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Diana recalled 014a228d46 the moment f8ac6b3037 of farewell dc8d6de991 with the 9f529c41b4 two of e121386778 them and 76d22184b4 gave a 6ccca392e6 faint smile.1de8c165a08b7ecf
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“If that’s what you want, there’s nothing I can do about it.”9ed82be26abfd08b
Two days after 7715fc9cdf Diana had decided cc202055c7 to join the a8d3c415da Auxiliary Air Force, f20800bcce Uncle Ben responded 7347ee1945 like that. She expected a 3ffd3793c5 long persuasion, but 435c6b82d4 his surprisingly quick 56ddc98a5a consent caught her 23fcd16d79 off guard.e67558832b2cf8bf
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However, his deeply bloodshot eyes showed how much he had agonized over his answer. Aunt Gilda’s face, with a patch on one cheek, was also heavy with concern. She spoke with a voice full of tears.713f85eb520ab66a
“Diana, I know this is late, but Ben and I have been very worried about you.”85b0c414ac3eede3
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“About me?”f824d2ebcec29b9e
Diana looked at them with slight confusion. No matter how she thought about it, there was no reason for them to worry about her. Diana had been healthy since she fainted at twelve and had never caused any trouble. Her childhood was uneventful. What was there to worry about? Uncle Ben’s heavy words hit her like a rock.d3f759aa6cfb7244
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“You never talked about what you wanted or desired. You never even asked for birthday presents. At first, it was admirable, but at some point, I felt like we hadn’t provided a safe enough environment for you.”e21cbc13f6bffa84
Hearing this, Diana’s lips trembled slightly. She had always thought she lived brightly, but perhaps the shadow of her past life hadn’t completely vanished. And Uncle Ben, as her closest guardian, had managed to discern this darkness.7ebb7343f71658ae
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“But seeing your determination in your eyes now, honestly, it relieves me.”afdd6c42b111351a
“Uncle.”044d9de0df67029a
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“Go and come back safely. See the world, protect people. Our good Diana. Just promise this uncle that you won’t do anything too dangerous.”b7958760e2f44625
“…”1ceabfbc8adfdd5d
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When Diana didn’t respond, Uncle Ben pulled her into a tight hug. Aunt Gilda gently stroked her hair from behind.0232e85300f2176f
Diana rested her forehead on her uncle’s shoulder. Being held in his strong, broad embrace, she felt like she might cry. Many words bubbled up to her throat, but none she could say to them. She could only swallow her sobs.fb97f6367ad12987
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‘Uncle, I’m not good.’c4bc649a22ee98a5
‘I am, I am…’e6f3fac845f9cec9
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Diana could only 08fb2ac0f9 murmur one word f532bea708 while forcing her c04fa0cb55 emotions down.99a55361b468cd38
“…I’ll be back.”43fbc7e4d6c535bd
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She wanted 514bd07562 to leave dfa530fe2a all the a947b88db0 baggage of 48b110af32 her past 55a7351749 life on 5a76901486 the battlefield 97ff34c3f8 and return fb11ab3268 truly light-hearted. And then, she would cf7fc3a055 sincerely thank both of c8bd18f1f4 themc8e014bef7072705