Even with my consciousness fading, I look at Vanessa van der Mann with the fury of a madwoman. They are better off killing me, if not I'll kill her myself.

She nods at Arman, and after that I feel my strength returning and my mind stabilizing.

As I look at the old man, still anger fueling my eyes, he raises his hands in the hair, half smiling.

- I’m sorry Miss Lilith, it was just a demonstration, no harm intended.

Well, I AM gonna intend the harm done later.

- As you can see, we are in a symbiotic relationship, you need us to live, and we need you to advance humankind to its next level - Continued Vanessa - You can see that our mission is the greater benefit and hope for your support.

- Also, I'd like to advise you - Chimed in Arman, rubbing both of his hands together - Please avoid self-harming actions, as the software in your craneal hardware is programmed to force shutdown in that case, so you’d be incapacitated for a while.

So you are even taking away the option of offing myself, not that i was going to but still pisses me off. Seems like they’ve planned this pretty well, but no wonder, they’ve had decades for that, and i just woke up yesterday.

- For the other point of the meeting, please continue Mr. Hyrvin - Said Vanessa.

The general straightened up, as if receiving a command from this bitch was the same as a head of state, truly disgusting. He looked at me first, as if sizing me up, as if i was just a tiny spec of shit in his sole.

- As per our agreement, we will accommodate Lt. Zsofia in a squad in the frontier, we’ve already selected a crew to serve with her, and I’ve personally sent all regarding information to your personal links - He motioned with his hand, as if inviting them to check out the data.

There was silence for a few seconds as several heads nodded in acknowledgement. I want to interfere again, ask what the hell is it now with this, but that would rather slow down the conversation and I really want to know what did he mean, a crew to serve with me, a squad in the frontier?

- Then proceed as planned. I trust you’ll brief Miss Zsofia afterwards, so we can finish this now, I have other people to talk to - Vanessa said, while directing her unnatural blue eyes at me. Not even her golden hair or inexpressive face had the same impact as those eyes, i had to admit.

- I still have things to talk with you - I tried to intervene, i want to talk to the head of the circus, not just the clowns and clapping monkeys.

- But i do not - And with that, her hologram disconnected, and thus followed the rest, leaving me alone again with general Hyrvin, Arman and Anne.

The three of them were looking at me, and I am already getting tired of being stared at.

- Mind explaining?

- You’ll get the briefing sent as well - Answered the general, his tone arrogant.

- I’m asking you now - My gaze locked on him, I then again try to convey my annoyance with my eyes. If they haven’t noticed, I'm really furious right now, and the only reason I haven't pounced on them already is because I want to stay alive for a bit more time, and they hold the only way for me to do that… for now.

The general looks ready to speak again disdainfully, but stops, like he got the words stuck in his mouth.

I don’t drop my stare, instead just focusing more on him.

He starts to look scared, and beads of sweat appear on his forehead. Anne and Arman seem to notice, and get somewhat altered as well.

[Do you wish to activate Combat Mode?]

The voice of Hallie sounds in my mind.

- Miss Lilith! Stop please!

- Miss Lilith, i’d advise you to stop

After they interfere, I redirect my gaze at them, and they also look like they have an invisible weight on them, and coincidentally, the general finally breathes.

I manage to notice that Anne’s eyes start to glow with a purple hue, and then my vision gets blurry, and I get a mighty headache coming from the place around my eyes. I close them in reflex, and then the pain is gone.

Anne just looks at me warily. What did she do to me?

- Miss Lilith! When did you learn Eye of Dominion? - Asks Arman, visibly excited despite the situation.

I look at him confused, what does he mean by that?

[User just used technomancy skill Eye of Dominion, a grade 5 skill from the Psychic category. Eye of Dominion has been successfully added to display for further study]

I did what now?