I'd always been a thinker.

Sat towards the back of the classroom, my mind elsewhere in thought. At the same time, the teacher rattles on about their mandated lectures, each word spoken carefully chosen beforehand to avoid a slip-up. After all, saying the wrong things could have you branded infectious, and no one wants a visit from the Incendium Medicus.

Yet even with all the planning in the world, mistakes still happen. A fact that became apparent as Mr Wilson was promptly replaced the next day.

He was deemed infectious, a part of the rebellious King's Guard who infiltrated the school looking to gain new recruits.

Their plan worked, judging from the three students that were missing today. Almost certainly deemed infected and carted away for reeducation.

Now, in his place a new teacher stands. Behind her, two armed sentinels waited, daring us to challenge her.

Some of the students were scared, their bodies visibly shaking, creating an annoying rattling noise as their movement caused the stools to scrape against the marble floor.

But not me, no - I was envious.

I’d been at the end of those barrels, felt the fear cascade throughout my body.

Never again, I swore.

Never again would a gun rest upon my head, my life an inch away from ending.

But those soldiers, did they feel fear covered beneath their armoured carapace? The reinforced mask sheltering their eyes and hiding their emotions?

Is fear even possible when you hold a weapon capable of liquidating hundreds?

How does it feel to have that power? To have that security?

As long as they followed orders they could rest easy knowing no harm would come to them or their family.

How I envied them.

But if it's to become like them, then it must be done?

I had always been a thinker, yet sometimes it pays to stop.

And this was one of those times.

"Well then students, that's all the time we have for today. You are dismissed and I do hope you enjoy the rest of the day in the glorious British Authority of Earth."

That line again, said over and over hoping to trick us into thinking that we still ruled ourselves. We were freer six hundred years ago under the Romans even with their neverending wars with the east.

I wonder if anyone believes it?

I was halfway down the stairs when a hand touched my side. I turned and saw Felix.

Speak of the devil, I mentally said. Felix was probably the only real zealot in the entire school, or at least the only one I knew of.

"Hey, are you alright? You seemed kinda spaced out in there?"

Concern... How touching. Though I should cut him some slack, he always seemed to have a sort of sixth sense when it came to others.

You'd think that meant he could spot lies and propaganda but when you want to believe something, you'll find a way too.

"I'm fine Felix, just in thought about how best I could serve the Princeps Knight."

I had to squeeze that last part out through my teeth but Felix ate it up, so it was worth it in the end. He was so easy to play.

"Oh, of course, May the Princeps Knight lead us eternally." He said, following up with a swift salute before running off.

Knight was such a foreign word, never in our Latin textbooks had it ever been mentioned. But whatever it meant, the First Knight was still our conqueror and defacto leader.

A new softer voice spoke up to me now.

"He's still trying, isn’t he? Gosh, it's been two years and he still can't get over his little crush. Boys are so pathetic."

Cecilia was often like this, a bit too sheltered for her good. Not that I was much better with my parents being a bit too caring for my liking, though I'd choose that over the alternative any day.

Nevertheless, Cecilia became naive due to praise while I became numb to it.

I wasn't looking down on her, she was my best friend and I loved her all the more for it. I was merely pointing out the truth.

Her brown eyes viewed me with suspicion. I had taken a little too long to answer her and now she was worried.

A hand moved to fiddle with a lock of her black hair, a clear sign of her nervousness that dispelled any doubts of her emotions that remained.

"Sorry," I replied, my tone more meek than usual. "I've been feeling a little off today."

She flashed a smile of relief, "For a moment I thought you were mad at me. Anyway, what's wrong? Is it Felix? I swear I'll kick his ass if it is!"

There she goes again, it was amusing how such a small and cute girl would always choose violence as her first reaction to every problem.

"It's not Felix and please don't go and beat him to a pulp. I hate having to explain to his parents how a 5'1ft girl was bullying their son."

"Hey! I'm 5'2ft, not one."

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say missy."

We left the school rather uneventfully if you excluded the gazes on my skirt from a group of loitering boys near the gate out of the school.

I say gate but it's more of a checkpoint, barbed wire wrapped across the fence that surrounded the school. A squad of soldiers were stationed here 24/7, tasked with checking the IDs of each and every person who entered or exited.

Another time I might have called it unreasonable but not today. The King's Guard had a habit of targeting the schools that they were discovered within and after Mr Wilson's failure, I imagine they are planning something extra special for us, no doubt assuming us all "complicit" in his exposure.

We passed through without issue, the guards were long used to our appearances and gave our IDs a one over and that was it.

Cecilia lived two streets down from me, we'd been friends for as long as I can remember. Our parents first introduced us as babies and that was that, from then on till now we'd been together in some form or another.

A car was waiting outside for the two of us, neither of our parents would leave our safety up to chance if they had other options.

And options they did, a compliment of being Nobility, another foreign term introduced to us Romo-Britons.

My mother was awarded the title of Baron after her performance in the First Reconquest wars aiming at taking the city of Shield.

Shield is a large military city in the northwest of Hibernia. It was to be the primary landing ground for the Imperial Federation ground forces in the First Reconquest war. But their navy was battered by ours before coming to ground, which promptly ended that attempt.

Obviously, they lost that war. And ten years later in 2038, they tried again, the result was essentially the same. But my mother earned another title from that, her Baron title being upgraded to Earl. The only change I noticed was that I was now a "Lady", whatever the hell that meant.

Cecilia's father had a similar experience to my mothers but he was only a part of the Second Reconquest war; thus his title was Baron.

Of course, the real main character of those wars was the Imperial Federation. The losses have more or less crippled their Federation and forced them on the defensive across their many borders.

Not that I can blame them for trying, the British Isles used to be what they called the "Home Isles". Honestly, I'm more shocked that their Federation survived losing its capital and its founding territory.

Guess democracy is more resilient than we give them credit for. Then again, it didn't win them the wars now, did it?

I do wonder if they'll try again soon; it's 2048 now, ten years since the last war, so they're long overdue for another go.

The car pulled into a checkpoint that led onto the motorway. The guards took one look at the number plate and opened the gates, letting us through without a word.

Motorways were mainly reserved for military personnel and special occasions. A procedure put into place in the early days of the occupation. Controlling transport makes it far easier to track and contain rebellion, a point that has been proven time and time again.

The plates on our black Uzbera Hyper-Sedan were military plates that marked us out as important. Since all Uzberas were only available to military officers, you'd be hard-pressed to find a soldier anywhere who dared to pull us over no matter how fast we went.

Not that the butler, Charles, would test that theory, his caution was more pronounced than Governor Triarius' head surgeon. A trait that my mother deeply valued, as she would often put it, "In this day and age caution is the gift of the living; impetuousness is the bane."

Nevertheless, his caution was a good thing. Soldiers might let an officer break a few traffic rules but a butler of an officer was another matter entirely and even with me present, he'd be punished.

An armoured convoy made up of black flatbed trucks and escort vehicles drove past, their energy cell engines releasing their iconic whistling cry that shattered my concentration.

In my annoyance, I turned to Cecilia to express my displeasure only to find that she was gone.

Charles noticing my confusion in the rearview mirror, explained.

"Madam, Honourable Cecilia has already departed at her estate."

"Ah, I see..."

Not the first time this has happened, I've always hated it when she leaves without saying goodbye but whenever I bring it up to her, she shyly waves it away, claiming she doesn't want to distract me or something along those lines.

"We will be arriving momentarily at the estate. Earl Octavia has informed me that she would like to converse with you in the garden after your return." Charles announced.

"Notify her that I shall attend... Charles, is there a chance you are aware of something I am not?" I queried.

Naturally, I knew he would know what my mother wished to converse with me. And if I were to make a bet, I would say it's related to the recent troubles at school.

"I do believe the less than savoury individuals discovered at Alvudinum Academy are the main topic of discussion within the household."

"That is to be as expected but of course, this is only amongst the servants, correct?"

"Yes, Madam."

It always requires a little bit of word games now and then. After all, Charles only told me what the servants were discussing, never what mother was going to.

The car pulled up to the fortified entrance of the estate.

Four armed guards were present and after verifying our identities, they opened the gates and waved us through.

We passed the large front lawn full of all of flowers and trees from across the world. This garden was managed on behalf of my father while my mother overlooked the rear one.

Father had a preference towards eastern plants sourced primarily from China. That's not to say he does not enjoy Japanese plants, it's simply that the Qing Dynasty is a more reliable trade partner for us. The Japanese have been adverse to any commerce with the British Authority as it would threaten their far more luxurious deals with the Imperial Federation.

Mother was different; she had little care for the variety of plants in her garden and largely left management to the manor's staff. As long as it was elegant and presentable, she would be content.

The car pulled up the manor's main door. Two servants were waiting for me beside the red carpet leading to the lobby.

One of the servants, a young woman no more than thirty from her appearance, opened the car door for me.

After exiting the car, Charles bid me farewell and drove it to the parking area to the east of the manor.

The servant girl bowed and welcomed me.

"Lady Valentina, Earl Octavia is awaiting your arrival within the rear courtyards. Shall I escort you there now?"

"No, inform mother that I must freshen up beforehand. And if you haven't already, prepare some Luvoal tea for our gathering."

"Right away Lady Valentina."

Luvoal tea was my mothers favourite tea and if I was going to be meeting her over something this serious I wanted her as comfortable as possible and this was the first step.

Sure it might not work. Ok, it almost certainly won't work. If you could trick a Major General of the Atlas Armed Core of Earth, also known as AACE, so easily, then we'd have been defeated by the Imperial Federation long ago.

However, it should be remembered that I said this was the first step. The second step is to exploit a weakness that I only know... me.

My mother has always had this large soft spot for me and that's especially so when I look like a "Gorgeous young lady that doesn't lose to the sun in radiance," that's her words, not mine, in case you were wondering... oh and if you ever catch me saying that out loud I permit you to shoot me.

I reached the door to my room and pushed it open, hastily shutting it behind me. Honestly, my room has always been a bit of an embarrassing topic for me, it's a bit... how do you put it? Girlie?

It's not bright pink or anything, I'm referring more to old school girlie, big fluffy blankets, old stuffed animals and to top it all off there's a giant walk-in wardrobe full of dresses from all types of eras. I'm sure if I search long enough I'll find something worn by the old Princeps of Rome a thousand years ago.

Now, as I was saying, a big soft spot for my mother is me looking pretty, so the obvious conclusion is that I need to look pretty. More pretty than I am now, anyway.

It didn't take long before I'd found a dress that suited my needs, I decided to opt for a black mini shift dress, casual enough that it doesn't seem like I'm purposely dressing up and elegant enough that my mother will take notice.

The colour I chose was black to match my hair, plus it made my purple eyes pop, something that make-up would further enhance.

Have no worries, I don't plan to bore you with the woes and wows of applying make-up. Not when it's just a means to an end, all things have purpose, you see.

I resolved to forego any accessories other than the silver necklace that my father gifted me for my fifteenth for two reasons. One, my parents loved it when I wore their gifts, and two, it was actually a nice necklace that I held dear to my heart.

The dress was also a gift in case you were curious, not from my mother but Cecilia. She has a far better eye when it came to dresses. I still had her beat in make-up and shoes but you don't care about that.

Half an hour had passed now and it wasn't wise to keep my mother waiting any longer. It was time to face the music. I dreaded what she had to say and my stomach was tied in a knot because of it.

I hastily walk-ran through the halls, my white flats slapping against the wooden floors. It's times like this that I curse the size of this house, who thought hallways the length of running tracks was a good idea!?

Halfway down the stairs into the lounge, I spotted Charles who tried to flash me a reassuring smile. It didn't help in the slightest but I appreciated the gesture.

Pushing open the double doors into the rear courtyard, the female servant from earlier came into view, clearly agitated at my delay, she quickly came up to me and led me to my mother without a word.

I followed her through the garden without question, if she were one of the more experienced staff members, she'd have realised by now that I knew this place better than her and I could have arrived quicker without her.

But I was grateful for the longer journey, gives me more time to calm my nerves.

We rounded a corner into the rose gardens and travelled down a narrow path into a small walled seating area designed for tea parties. You'd think my mother would have guards on her 24/7 but she's far more capable in combat than her appearance suggests. Oh and she does have guards; you just can't see them. After all, her manor is considered one of the most fortified places in Camulodunum, which is a big deal when you live in a city with the second-largest concentration of soldiers after Londinium.

She was seated with a pot of tea and two cups nearby, I let out a sigh of release upon seeing her slipping a cup. The first part of my plan went off without a hitch, now for the big guns.

"Earl Octavia, Lady Valentina has arrived." The servant girl announced.

"Thank you. You are dismissed." My mother curtly replied.

The servant bowed and disappeared behind me without another word.

"You look nice..."

"Thank you."

"...but you should discard any notions of changing my decision."

"Decision? I haven't been informed of any decision."

Mother's face had a genuine look of surprise.

"Oh, I was under the assumption that Charles would have told you beforehand. Clearly he's more tight-lipped than I give him credit for."

She brought her teacup to her lips, savoured the taste of the tea for a moment and then spoke.

"Take a seat, Valentina."

I did as ordered.

"What is this about?" I questioned.

"Oscar Graham, did you know him?"

"Oscar Graham?"

"Forgotten Mr Wilson already? No matter, your reaction tells me all I need to know."

"You thought I knew he was with the King's Guard!?" I shot back.

"Thanks to your previous antics, I had some suspicions. It wouldn't of been the first time you went behind my back on some childish journey of teenage rebellion."

"That was four years ago and might I remind you that it was you who put an end to that."

"No, in fact, my dear daughter, it was you who truly put an end to it and until now we'd believed the rebel cell within Camulodunum to be wiped out. Evidently, we were mistaken."

"Why are you telling me this? Last I checked, I lacked the credentials to know rebel movements, mother."

"I believe you're being targeted by the King's Guard. Either they know you were behind the previous Camulodunum cell's discovery, or they are attempting to reestablish you as a contact."

"You could just say you're worried about me?"

"Fine, if it makes you happy. I'm worried about you... therefore you are being transferred to the Atlas Goliath Armour Military Academy in Londinium effective at the end of this week."

"I refuse."

"You'll be entering into the new first-year class that starts in September, so you'll have two months to prepare. I should also add that Honourable Cecilia Hadriana will be attending with you and I've already procured an on-site residence for the both of you."

"You told Cecilia before me?"

"I discussed at length with Baron Hadriana last night. He and I both agreed it was for the best."

"I'm only sixteen and Cecilia just turned seventeen, you can't enlist at AGA before you're eighteen."

"Valentina... I'm a Major-General of the Atlas Armed Core, do you think that'll cause any kind of problem for me?"

"Fine, I'll go. But triple my allowance."

"Of course, anything else you desire?"

"I'll need a car, preferably the black Uzbera... please?"

"Done, but you'll need a driver too. I'll search through my military contracts and assign you one who also doubles up as a bodyguard. Furthermore..."

Mother reached down beneath her chair and placed a metal briefcase on the table. She unlocked and opened it for me, revealing two items.

"This is a UXT Tactical Smart Pistol, each bullet is tipped with depleted uranium and fed through a supercoil charged by a small-scale energy cell, applying enough force to penetrate a lightly armoured vehicle. You've already passed your small arms training, so I imagine it will prove of some use to your protection."

"Will I be needing a pistol capable of shooting through an armoured vehicle?" I asked sceptically.

"I doubt it, but its main effectiveness is against personal shields and body armour, both of which are far more likely to threaten you."

"Ok... and the other item?"

"A Tienin Frontline Personal shield. Ignore the name, it's a lot less impressive than it sounds. Compared to the pistol, it's low-grade equipment issued to battlefield Lieutenants. Processing a miniaturised energy cell that can supply the shield for up to fifteen seconds. It's best used as a toggle on and off to defect incoming small arms fire, anything larger than that, you're dead."

"Isn't this overkill for attending what is more or less the most well-protected Academy within the country?"

"You'll come to realise that nothing is overkill after your first assassination attempt."

"Spoken from experience?"

"Yes, and you'd do well to listen to my expertise more. I should also mention that I'll be providing you with additional instructors during your two months preparation time. You still haven't passed your Advanced Weapons training nor have you begun Personal Shield training which will now be listed as a priority. Any questions?"

"Just one... How much will you be babying me at the Academy?"

"If I had the option, I'd deploy the entire 1st Armoured Division to watch over you. Does that answer your question?"

"Couldn't make it any clearer if you tried."

"I must say, I didn't expect you to agree to this so easily?"

"You say that like I had a choice."

Mother let out a quiet laugh at that. She released a breath and placed her hand on mine with a serious and worried look in her eye.

"Valentina, I know this must seem unfair to you but I really do care for your safety, so listen to me. A lot of things are going to happen that you won't understand, I need you to keep your head down and avoid any trouble. Even if it's for just this once, please, trust me."

"Yes mother...."

I always have.