The soldiers approached the people, demanding the queen. They lowered their bodies and heads, begging for mercy. They did not react, they continued to walk. The general, when he saw her, positioned the weapon over his shoulders.
Carolina slid with her wheels until she was facing him, accompanied by her brother, silent. The man stood at attention and introduced himself.
"I am General Hite. It is an honor to meet you and see you so willing in such little time."
"Spare me the formalities. I only demanded to be freed in advance..."
She moved her wheels until she was under the man's gaze. The woman raised an eyebrow.
"You came here to conquer my territory, didn't you?"
"No... never-"
"Right, Rito sent you to try to take advantage of our fragility to conquer us."
Then, she drove the blade of the spear into the ground. The brother immediately reacted trying to hold her, but Carolina gave him a look that made him retreat. With trembling legs and the veins in her arm pulsing, the queen raised her chin to look at him.
"I would advise you to withdraw from my land, Mr. Hite."
The man's forehead furrowed along with the grinding of his jaw. He pressed the weapon more firmly against his shoulder, puffing out his chest.
"Perhaps the lady did not understand. This is not a request, it is an order."
"And I refuse it strongly. I will not hand over anyone to give their lives for strangers. They are disabled, the last thing they are capable of doing is fighting."
"If that's how you wish..."
He raised the weapon with the barrel against the woman's head. However, a sword was close to his eye.
"A truly intimidating young man for such an age."
He lowered the weapon, turned his body and commanded his army to retreat. But, as he walked away, he looked at her over his shoulder.
"Think very carefully about your actions, Queen Silver."
When he was far away, she fell back into her chair with a sigh. The boy quickly placed his hands on her shoulders.
"You don't need to tremble those hands, my little brother."
She squeezed his fingers.
"Because, in the most necessary moment, you will no longer be able to tremble them."
Carolina saw his eyes fixed on hers. She smiled briefly before losing her expressions.
"Please, try to gather the most capable soldiers to prepare themselves."
***
In the tubes, the loud sound of the fans hammered her eardrum. The air passed through her body and the small spaces of vision revealed soldiers talking.
Both discussed the visit the general made to IceStorm and that the man would now summon them to attack the entire region. Aurora's fists closed with every word.
However, with her weight, the small space opened and she fell to the floor. In instants, they raised weapons to shoot at the unknown figure. But, when they fired, she stretched out her hands and the bullets stopped in the air.
"Aurora?"
"You... weren't you locked in your armor? What happened to you?!"
"One more word and I will kill you all."
The room absorbed the silence. Aurora stood up and closed her coat. As she walked slowly to the door, she saw several soldiers walking through corridors followed by their laughter.
She looked at them, and her words, cold as the air, demanded something from them...
Later, adjusting the uniform, the woman walked through the corridors. Hair tied in a bun under the cap. When she received the cold morning air, she took a deep breath after a sigh.
"That thing... must be in IceStorm."