11. Circuits And Sieges
---
Chapter 11: Circuits and Sieges
---
A week had passed since the formation of the Virelle Ministries. Within the polished steel walls of the Clocktower's sub-lab, Ashryn and Viktor stood over a central display table, surrounded by smooth crystal interfaces and softly blinking consoles. Above them, the quantum computer's core pulsed gently—cooled by liquid Virellite conduits, its power refined through converter logic.
Ashryn grinned, stretching.
"Alright, nerd squad, time to show off." she called out cheerfully, spinning a stylus between her fingers. "Gather 'round. Time to meet your new best friend."
The ministers and their key personnel trickled in. Vi, Sevika, Cael, Callum, Lynne, Viktor's assistants, even Claggor and Powder—all eyes fixed on the sleek black console behind Ashryn and the floating holo-screen pulsing faintly with energy.
While working on the quantum computer she also bought and designed many add-ons including holograms, tablets, and other miscellaneous blueprints.
She turned to the gathered ministers and key personnel: Vi, Lynne, Cael, Callum, Sevika, Claggor, Powder, Mylo, and Vander—who insisted on watching with a drink in hand. The core interface shifted, a soft ping echoing.
"Ladies, gents, misfits," she said with a grin, tapping the console. "Meet Jarvis. Our city-wide, real-time, adaptive AI interface. Courtesy of yours truly."
The interface flickered to life, a calm voice filling the room. "Greetings, ministers of Virelle. I am J.A.R.V.I.S.—Justified Adaptive Response and Virellite-Integrated System."
Ashryn tossed each of them a sleek black tablet—matte finish, lightweight, engraved with the tower surrounded but broken gear and silver phoenix wings- insignia of Virelle.
"Each of these is synced to Jarvis," she explained. "Real-time data feeds, ministry requests, automated reporting, encrypted channels, and smart scheduling. Treat it like your right hand—but smarter."
Callum blinked. "It talks?"
"Yes," Viktor replied. "And it learns."
Vi squinted at hers. "How do I turn it on?"
"It's already on," Lynne said, grinning. "It's reading your vitals."
Mylo yelped and dropped his. "It's what now?!"
Ashryn laughed. "Relax. It's not spying. Just optimizing interface calibration."
The group settled as Viktor explained the tablets' features in detail—calendar syncing, department communication hubs, emergency pings, and analysis tools. Jarvis guided them through a brief onboarding tutorial, projecting a hologram above the lab.
They took a few moments learning the interface. Powder was tapping away within seconds. Vi squinted, mildly frustrated. But didn't take long to get the basics.
Once everyone was mostly comfortable, Ashryn clapped her hands. "So, ministers. How are the new departments shaping up?"
Cael spoke first. "We've followed your draft structure—time wasn't on our side. Treasury, merchant guild, tax—it's all operational."
Lynne nodded. "Same. We kept to the basic layout. Can tweak later."
Callum grunted his agreement. "Training, logistics, foreign eyes. We'll refine as we go."
Viktor smiled faintly. "Structure's stable enough for progress."
Sevika raised a brow. "Justice draft's in review. I'm refining the chain of command before deployment."
Vi chimed in, "I've taken over enforcement bureau under her. It's… a lot, but doable."
Ashryn clapped her hands. "Good. Then apply the same to the Ministry of Culture. Consider this my official closure on our structure."
Jarvis chimed in, and a projected schematic unfolded above the lab table.
---
Virelle Government Structure – Finalized
Sovereign: Ashryn Virelle
---
Ministry of Finance – Cael
Treasury and Inventory
Merchant Guild
Bank
Tax and Audit
---
Ministry of Civil Affairs – Lynne
Citizen Services
Resource Management
Real Estate & Infrastructure
Employment Division (Government HR)
---
Ministry of Defence – Callum
Military
HR and Training
Logistics and Customs
Foreign Affairs
Secret Division (Spies & Black Ops)
---
Ministry of Justice – Sevika (Minister)
Enforcement Bureau - Vi (Head of Enforcement Bureau)
Legal and Court
Internal Affairs
Criminal Investigation
---
Ministry of Science – Viktor
Mechanical Engineering
Biological Engineering
Tech Support
Scientific Logistics
---
Ministry of Culture – [Oversight: Ashryn]
Educational Division
Religion and Faith Division
Medical Division
Media and Communication Division (inc. Events)
---
Sevika and Vi beemes at the display
Ashryn nodded at the display. "That's our skeleton. Make it walk. We'll start mass-producing computers for all the ministries so that all the paperwork would go through Jarvis and he'll make sure each document goes to the correct department. Also secure it—only the relevant ministry can access its documents. Don't worry, Jarvis will walk staff through it all. Our literacy rate is only 24%, but with 100,000 people, we've got enough to function cleanly."
Ashryn smiled. "I know it's tough building order in a warzone. But this deadlock won't last. Piltover will figure out our weapons eventually. Silco will upgrade shimmer. Until then, we have a window. Let's build during it."
A hum of quiet understanding passed between the ministers. In that silence, Virelle felt real—no longer a hopeful rebellion, but a functioning force.
She glanced toward Callum. "Status report?"
Callum stepped forward, a message flickering on his tablet. "We just intercepted a report from our spies in Piltover. Enforcers are targeting the Glimmerdocks. Operation begins in two hours."
Murmurs spread across the room.
Callum continued, "Glimmerdock personnel can hold defensively for three to four hours max. Reinforcements can arrive in two—if we move now. It's manageable."
Ashryn's eyes gleamed. "Then we don't move there."
She flicked the hologram to show a map of the outer sectors. "If they're focusing on the docks… then the main harbor is undermanned. We strike there."
Callum nodded slowly. "If we take it before the docks fall, they'll be forced to pull back to Stillwater Hold."
Ashryn grinned. "Exactly. While Piltover leans right, we punch left."
She turned to the others. "Every ministry—coordinate with Defence. I want a rapid takeover of the harbor. We're testing our political structure today. Let's see if our machine works."
A fresh hum lit the lab as ministers opened tablets, field orders streaming out like lightning over Jarvis' secure web. Virelle's heart had been built—now its limbs moved.
Ashryn stepped back, arms crossed.
"Jarvis," she said, "log this as Operation Silverhook."
> [OPERATION SILVERHOOK – INITIATED]
The city of Virelle was no longer just standing.
It was moving.
---