chapter 26: siege simulation

The alarm blinked softly, casting faint pulses of light across the ceiling. Niri had been awake for a long time already.

Sleep had become something rare and difficult, broken by short, restless intervals that never truly refreshed her. The night had been filled with fragmented thoughts and uneasy memories. The plaza conversation replayed continuously in her mind, vivid and uncomfortably clear. The casual ease with which she'd confessed, "I'm the last of my species," echoed harshly. The raw silence afterward had spoken louder than any words.

They hadn't pushed further. That restraint helped, though it brought little relief. She carried secrets too heavy for casual discussion. Her truth was something even she struggled to grasp fully. Her memories were little more than scattered glimpses: empty sands, worms burrowing silently, relentless heat, and oppressive stillness.

Slowly, she sat up, feeling the cold air press against her skin. The dorm room was perfectly neat, carefully impersonal. Gray walls and muted surfaces reinforced a sense of detachment. Her uniform waited neatly folded on a chair nearby, looking starkly official.

She dressed slowly, mechanically fastening her gravity belt. The familiar, comforting pull of weight returned immediately. Without it, her body felt disconnected and insubstantial, as though she didn't fully exist in this reality. She couldn't tolerate that floating sensation—it reminded her too sharply of everything she'd lost.

A quick glance at her watchpad revealed nothing new. No messages. No alerts. Yet, she felt constantly watched. Someone's attention hovered nearby, unseen but unmistakable. Not paranoia, but an undeniable reality of her situation.

Exiting her room, she found Qiri and Ronan already waiting in the corridor. Qiri stood with feathers ruffled slightly, her gaze restless. Ronan leaned back against the wall, tense and preoccupied.

"Morning," he said, voice carefully neutral.

"Is it?" Niri replied quietly.

Qiri glanced sympathetically. "You look like you haven't slept at all."

"I haven't."

"You never seem to," Qiri murmured softly, concern clear in her voice.

They moved quietly through the hallways, walking side by side. Students drifted past them, some giving brief nods, others openly staring. The weight of their attention made Niri's skin tighten uncomfortably.

Breaking the silence, Qiri finally spoke. "Lu'Ka sent me a message last night."

Niri's head turned sharply, her curiosity evident.

"I thought it was disciplinary," Qiri admitted, voice low. "But he just said I was approved as your roommate. Officially. Immediately."

"That's sudden," Niri muttered.

"Yeah, too sudden," Ronan added, frowning deeply. "They're putting eyes on you."

"Surveillance under the guise of help," Qiri said softly.

Niri didn't answer. She knew they were right.

They reached the War Analysis Hall, its dark and imposing structure looming ahead. Reinforced and heavily secured, it resembled a fortress far more than a place of learning. The interior was dimly lit, tension palpable among the gathered students. Professor Rhiv stood silently at the room's center, rigid and unreadable.

The simulation activated wordlessly, projecting a heavily defended planet. Bright domes shimmered, anti-air towers bristled ominously, and planetary defenses glowed menacingly.

Rhiv's voice cut sharply through the silence. "You control orbital superiority. Fifteen frigates, four destroyers, no reinforcements. Limited window. Defenses active. Propose your strategies."

Niri studied the holographic display carefully, her voice calm and measured as she spoke. "I wouldn't land at all."

Heads turned instantly toward her, confused and wary.

"Explain," Rhiv prompted sharply.

"No ground invasion," Niri clarified, her voice steady despite the rising tension in the room. "Orbital kinetic strikes. Drop reinforced rods from orbit—let gravity alone dismantle their shield anchors and defense towers."

A Grounx cadet stood up abruptly, voice filled with outrage. "That's not warfare, that's mass destruction! It's criminal!"

Rhiv's gaze hardened, his tone severe. "That tactic is explicitly forbidden under Ascendancy doctrine. Absolutely unacceptable."

Niri met his eyes without wavering. "You asked for effective solutions, Professor. This one works."

The room was thick with whispered accusations, suspicion heavy in every muttered word.

Rhiv's voice was strained but controlled. "Alternate strategy, Miss Niri?" The professor studied the students closely, letting silence stretch uncomfortably long. Finally, his gaze settled on Niri, eyebrows slightly raised. "Miss Niri, any further input from you?"

Niri hesitated briefly, then spoke with cautious clarity. "Professor, do our ships have escape pods?"

Rhiv raised an eyebrow, visibly intrigued by her unexpected question. "Of course, Miss Niri. Standard on all Ascendancy vessels. But why?"

Niri leaned forward, voice steady, eyes sharp with intensity. "Modify them. Reinforce the hulls. Fill them with tactical strike units. Drop them silently through atmospheric blind spots, directly inside defensive perimeters. They'd land unnoticed, breach defenses internally, and disable anti-air systems from within. Follow up immediately with your main ground forces."

The room erupted into stunned silence. Rhiv stared, processing her words carefully. "Show me," he commanded quietly, activating the simulation again.

Pods fell quietly, like scattered raindrops. Precision chaos erupted. Planetary defenses collapsed rapidly, effortlessly.

A Grounx cadet stood abruptly, clearly outraged. "This isn't warfare! It's dishonorable slaughter! There's no honor in this tactic!"

Niri met his eyes without flinching. "Honor is a luxury. Survival is essential. You asked for results, not comfort."

Whispers filled the room again, but now sharper, harsher. "She thinks like a criminal," one voice hissed. "A monster," another muttered bitterly. "This goes beyond tactical brilliance—it's ruthless," a third added.

Rhiv's voice trembled faintly. "How do you know this?"

"I don't," Niri said softly, honestly.

Whispers erupted, rapid and accusing.

"She's lying."

"She's dangerous."

"That's not a student, that's a psychopath," a Grounx cadet spat, openly hostile.

Professor Rhiv dismissed the class abruptly. Students rose stiffly, avoiding her gaze, muttering their mistrust openly as they passed.

"She's a threat."

"Unstable."

Ronan and Qiri stood by Niri, visibly unsettled.

"You could've picked something less aggressive," Qiri whispered urgently.

Niri stared ahead, voice quiet but firm. "They asked. I answered honestly."

The walk outside was painful, each whispered accusation sharper than the last.

"She's dangerous."

"Not normal."

Ronan's voice was tense beside her. "You scared them badly."

She glanced at him quietly. "I scared you, too."

Ronan hesitated briefly. "Yes, a bit."

Qiri stepped closer, her voice low and urgent. "Niri, you terrified them. They won't forget this. You've marked yourself in a way that's dangerous."

Niri slowed her steps, eyes distant. "I know." She looked at Ronan and Qiri, genuine regret flickering briefly across her face. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

Qiri's expression softened slightly, though worry lingered in her eyes. Ronan looked conflicted but managed a faint, strained smile. "You didn't scare us—just surprised us. A lot."

Niri sighed softly, accepting their words. "Still, I should have handled that better."

They reached the dormitories, tension still thick between them. Qiri paused at Niri's door, glancing inside cautiously. "Guess I should officially move in today. It'll make things easier."

Niri offered a weary smile, grateful despite everything. "I'd appreciate the company."

Qiri nodded slowly, stepping inside. Ronan hesitated, then gave Niri a brief nod. "We'll talk later."