EARTH WARRIORChapter 77: The Bait Is Set
The leak was subtle.
Not obvious.
Not dramatic.
Just a small notation in an internal audit file—one that Korrin's clearance level gave him access to.
CLASSIFIED REVIEW: FINANCIAL ANOMALY DETECTED
Subject: Civilian Oversight Fund Allocation Q3
Status: Under Investigation
Timeline: Resolution Expected 72 Hours
Mizuki had crafted it perfectly.
Vague enough to avoid suspicion.
Specific enough to trigger panic in someone with something to hide.
Now they waited.
Day One – 0900 Hours
Kurogane trained in the restricted arena.
Not because he wanted to.
Because stillness felt worse.
Lightning responded to each drill—precise, controlled, exactly measured.
The kind of discipline that proved Sector Nine wasn't accident.
Was capability.
Choice.
Raishin watched from the observation deck.
"You're different," he said when Kurogane paused.
"How?"
"More confident," Raishin replied. "Lightning isn't fighting you anymore."
Kurogane looked at his hands.
"We reached understanding," he said.
"What kind?"
"That deployment and precedent aren't the same," Kurogane replied. "If we choose carefully."
Raishin descended to the arena floor.
"Raiketsu thought that too," he said quietly. "After his second deployment. And his third. By the eighth—"
"He couldn't tell the difference anymore," Kurogane finished. "I know."
"Do you?"
"I deployed once," Kurogane said. "To Sector Nine. Defensive parameters. Limited scope. That doesn't obligate me to deploy everywhere."
"Doesn't it?"
Kurogane met his gaze.
"Not if I maintain the distinction," he said. "Not if each deployment is evaluated independently."
"And when the next crisis comes?" Raishin asked. "When another sector is collapsing? When two hundred more lives hang in balance?"
"Then I evaluate," Kurogane replied. "Like I did at Sector Nine."
"And if your evaluation says deploy?"
"Then I deploy."
"And if it says refuse?"
"Then I refuse."
Raishin studied him.
"You make it sound simple," he said.
"It's not simple," Kurogane replied. "It's just clear. I'm not refusing all deployment. I'm refusing institutional control over when I deploy."
"That's a dangerous distinction."
"Yes," Kurogane agreed. "But it's the only one that preserves both effectiveness and autonomy."
Lightning pulsed agreement.
Raishin exhaled slowly.
"Just remember," he said. "Clarity erodes under pressure. Make sure you can maintain it."
"I will."
"Raiketsu said that too."
Kurogane didn't respond.
Because the truth was—
He couldn't be certain.
Could only try.
One choice at a time.
1400 Hours – Archive Chamber
Mizuki appeared in the doorway.
Expression neutral.
But something in her posture suggested—
"He accessed the file," she said.
Kurogane stood immediately.
"When?"
"Twenty minutes ago. Spent forty-seven seconds reading. Then closed it."
"Did he—"
"Take the bait?" Mizuki finished. "We're monitoring his communications. If he contacts Valdris, we'll know."
"How long?"
"If he panics—immediately. If he's careful—he'll wait. Test whether the investigation is real."
"How do we know he didn't just see it and dismiss it?"
"We don't," Mizuki admitted. "That's the risk."
Lightning stirred.
What if he's smarter than we think?
Then we've revealed our hand without gaining proof.
And the war continues.
Yes.
Masako entered.
"Council is meeting in one hour," she said. "Emergency session. About your deployment."
"Already?"
"Korrin requested it," Masako replied. "Claims Sector Nine success validates expanded deployment protocols."
Kurogane felt cold.
"He's moving fast."
"Yes," Masako agreed. "Which means either he took the bait and is trying to establish policy before exposure—"
"Or he saw through it and is pressing advantage," Mizuki finished.
"Either way," Kurogane said, "I'm in the middle."
"Yes."
"What do they want?"
"Unclear," Masako replied. "But Korrin's agenda is obvious. Use Sector Nine as precedent. Establish deployment guidelines that transfer decision-making from you to Council."
"Institutional control."
"Exactly."
Lightning coiled.
This is what we feared.
One deployment becomes justification for structure.
Structure becomes obligation.
Obligation becomes control.
"What do I say?" Kurogane asked.
Masako considered.
"The truth," she said finally. "That Sector Nine was your decision. That future deployments will also be your decisions. That Strategic Reserve means exactly what it says—strategic judgment, not automatic response."
"They'll argue it's too much authority for one person."
"Let them argue," Masako replied. "Your actions speak louder. You deployed once, precisely, effectively, without losing control. That's evidence against institutional management."
"What if they vote to change my designation?"
Mizuki and Masako exchanged glances.
"They can't," Mizuki said carefully. "Not without your consent. Strategic Reserve was established as autonomous classification."
"But?"
"But Council can make conditions uncomfortable," Masako finished. "Reduce support. Limit access. Create environment where autonomy becomes untenable."
"Force compliance through pressure."
"Yes."
Kurogane felt the familiar weight.
Different now.
Not crushing.
Just... present.
"I'll attend the meeting," he said.
"Be careful," Masako warned. "Korrin is good at this. He'll frame everything as concern for accountability."
"While actually seeking control."
"Yes."
1500 Hours – Council Chamber
The chamber was fuller than usual.
Not just Council members.
Military advisors. Civilian oversight. Representatives from multiple agencies.
Korrin had assembled an audience.
Kurogane entered alone.
All eyes turned.
Some curious. Some calculating. Some already decided.
Valen stood at the center.
"Thank you for attending," he said formally.
Kurogane nodded.
Korrin rose.
"If I may," he said.
Valen gestured permission.
Korrin activated the central display.
Sector Nine report.
Same data Kurogane had seen.
But framed differently.
"Forty-seven minutes," Korrin began. "Two precision strikes. Zero friendly casualties. Defensive success."
He paused for effect.
"This is what we've been missing," he continued. "Coordinated elemental support. Professional deployment. Strategic advantage."
Murmurs of agreement.
"For too long," Korrin continued, "we've debated whether lightning should be deployed. Sector Nine answers that question definitively."
"It answers one question," Kurogane interrupted. "In one context."
Korrin smiled.