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Christiana's POV – Fortifying the Empire
The control room pulsed with quiet intensity. Multiple holographic displays floated mid-air, each tracking something—from heat signatures of approaching crafts to biometric data of every guest attending the Grand Ball.
Christiana stood at the center, arms crossed behind her back, her expression like carved marble.
She wasn't just overseeing security.
She was orchestrating a fortress.
"This is not a coronation," she said firmly, pacing the room. "It's the celebration of a god's birth. Let's treat it like we're guarding the throne of the universe."
Agents snapped to attention. She had no time for hesitation, no tolerance for mistakes.
"The entire perimeter of the Sky Palace must be sealed 72 hours in advance. No unauthorized personnel. If they're not cleared by the Blackwood Command, they don't breathe near the gates."
"Yes, Dictator!" the chief of defense barked.
Christiana turned toward the guest list. Over ten thousand elite names—presidents, monarchs, tycoons, even former enemies of the Blackwood Union—were attending.
And all of them would be subject to her protocols.
"Each guest must submit to full scans," she said. "DNA, neural, and emotional. I don't care if they rule a continent. One spike in aggression or deception—remove them. Quietly."
"Yes, ma'am."
She walked up to the holographic model of the Sky Palace, zooming in on the ballroom.
"This area," she pointed, "requires double the standard shield barrier. I want electromagnetic blockers around the entire event. No transmissions in or out. Not even from our own staff without clearance from me or my father."
The team nodded, taking notes in silence. She was precise. Ruthless. Brilliant.
"Snipers?" she asked.
"Thirty-two hidden across twelve strategic locations. Ready on command."
"Not enough," Christiana snapped. "Double it. And add pulse-blade units within the crowd—dressed as guests. They blend in. No one suspects them."
She stepped back, scanning the room again. Something still nagged at her.
"Also," she added coolly, "I want full behavioral profiles on Classic's associates. Anyone he's seen speaking to in the last 90 days—track, record, screen. I love my brother. But I trust no one."
A pause.
"And finally," she said, voice quiet but cold as frost, "triple the security around Skylar's gown. It is a symbol. A target. If someone dares attempt to touch it... I want them erased before they blink."
Silence filled the room. No one questioned her.
She wasn't just the Dictator.
She was Chris Blackwood's daughter.
And nothing under the Union moved without her say-so.
With a final glance at the data feeds, Christiana turned toward her personal guard.
"Prepare the black protocols. If anything feels off during the ball… initiate lockdown. No negotiations. No second chances."
She glanced at the countdown: 6 days until the Grand Ball.
Christiana smirked.
Let the world dress in diamonds.
She dressed for war.
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