Within the Eye

Chapter 10

The Paladin Order General's office was much like the man himself—bare of any unnecessary decoration. The furnishings were utilitarian: a sturdy desk, two chairs, and a display of awards and medals on the walls. General Vinzen Tag, seated behind his desk, was bemused, his eyes flickering briefly to the report I handed him, then back to me.

"I'm a military man, Director Pandora," he began, leaning back in his chair, his rough voice filling the empty spaces of the room. "All this science gobbledygook jargon doesn't mean much to me. If you told me times. Dates. Quantities. I can get behind that. Scientists like numbers, right? The military likes numbers, too."

He waved the report dismissively as if the intricacies of Project Harbour could be boiled down to simple figures. I remained silent, my mind immediately assessing the potential implications of his words.

Either he was supremely cunning, pretending ignorance to draw out more specific details from me... or he was genuinely not that bright. The thought lingered as I studied his impassive face. Vinzen had essentially just admitted that he didn't understand my report. What he was really asking for was how the project would affect him, in plain and simple terms.

"Very well, General," I said smoothly, adjusting my posture. "I'll break it down."

His eyes stayed fixed on me, though there was a slight shift in his expression—something akin to amusement. Still, perhaps it was irritation. It was hard to tell. Vinzen Tag wasn't an easy man to read.

"Project Harbour," I continued, keeping my tone measured and calm, "is, as you know, about bridging the gap between our technological advancements and human adaptability. Currently, the Sona is a wearable device. Convenient, practical. But limited."

I let the pause hang in the air for a moment, watching him process my words."With Project Harbour, we're going a step further. We are introducing a port directly into the body. It will function like a data gateway—a direct input point that allows for real-time data transmission, whether that's vital information, direct updates from the Society, or even medical inputs. Vitamins, medications, treatments."

His eyebrows rose slightly, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind now. I suspected his military instincts would latch on to the potential uses of such a port, even if the full picture eluded him.

"In practical terms, General," I added, "this means that individuals will be able to receive orders, updates, and instructions from the Society without need for physical devices. Instantaneous and efficient."

"And..." Vinzen prompted, his eyes narrowing slightly, "What's the catch?"

Of course, he would ask. His lack of understanding was overshadowed by his instincts. The benefits of Project Harbour could prove to be advantageous if applied correctly.

"No catch," I said, though I wasn't sure if that was entirely true. "The project will allow Society to streamline communication and ensure compliance—essential for efficiency. For you, General, this means your men can receive instructions without delay or confusion. Think of it as... an upgrade. An improved method of maintaining order."

His lips twitched as though he was trying to suppress a smile. "So, more control then."

I nodded, though inwardly I couldn't help but consider how much control Society truly intended to exert with this new development. Project Harbour wasn't just an upgrade; it was a mechanism for manipulation on an entirely new level. The port would become a gateway to the mind, the body, the very essence of the individual, and yet here I was, simplifying it to placate a man who thought in terms of drills and battle formations.

The silence between us hung heavily for a moment, but Vinzen seemed satisfied with my explanation. He let out a short grunt and pushed the report away like he was done with it now that it had been 'translated' into his language of times, dates, and quantities.

"Well, I suppose that's clear enough," he muttered, resting his chin on his hand. "You've done your part, Director."

I inclined my head slightly, sensing the dismissal in his tone.

"But..." Vinzen's voice broke through as I turned to leave. "Before you go, I'd like you to talk some sense into your Pair. Lieutenant General Merritt."

I paused, turning back to face him, my face an unreadable mask.

"He hasn't stopped drilling the new recruits for several days straight now. Men are exhausted. Morale is low. And frankly, it's becoming a problem." Vinzen's expression darkened slightly, though his tone remained casual as if this were merely an inconvenience.

I processed the information. Merritt hadn't mentioned anything about his recent activity. Then again, we barely spoke about anything outside of duty. Still, the General's concern was... unusual. Merritt was disciplined, yes, but always reasonable. Drilling the recruits without pause was unlike him.

"I'll speak with him," I said, my tone neutral. "Thank you for bringing it to my attention."Vinzen grunted in approval, his attention already drifting away, as if the conversation had ended before I had even stepped out of his office.

---

I left the Paladin Order headquarters feeling strangely detached from the interaction as if the entire encounter had been more mechanical than human. Vinzen's dismissal of my report had been expected, yet something about it felt unsettling. Not because I feared the General's lack of understanding, but because of how easily the entire project—its magnitude, its implications—could be reduced to numbers. Dates. Times. Quantities. All of which I had eluded informing him of. It was not my place to say yet, and I would not comment on that which I had such little certainty upon.

I walked through the marbled halls of the Order's headquarters, my steps steady, but my mind elsewhere. Merritt's face flashed briefly through my thoughts—his sharp jaw, his intense gaze. Why had he overworked the recruits to such an extent? Was it simply his dedication, or was something else driving him?

---

Outside, the car was waiting for me once again, the same driver from before standing at attention. As I slipped into the back seat, the familiar hum of the engine brought me back to the present. My mind, however, kept returning to Project Harbour. To the port. To the countless people who would have their autonomy chipped away, piece by piece, all in the name of efficiency.

Was that my role now? To oversee this slow erosion of the individual? A sharp pain lanced through my head, and I winced. 

It didn't matter anyway. My task was complete.

I closed my eyes as the car pulled away from the Paladin Order building, the quiet hum of the engine lulling me back into that familiar haze of half-consciousness. For a moment, I allowed myself to drift, to detach from the weight of it all.But even as I tried to escape the thoughts gnawing at the edges of my mind, I knew they would return. The Project, the Society, Merritt... All of it would eventually come crashing back.And I would be there. Somehow, in some way.