Your platoon emerges into another square, smaller than where you landed but still a vulnerable stretch of open space. You see scatterings of civilians, but when they see you, they hurry to get clear. On the far side of the square, a small group of what look like officials stand and wait, watching you. You order your platoon into a jog and cross the square on alert. As you approach the officials you signal a slower pace, then finally a halt. The civilians stare back at you. The woman at the front is dressed well and you recognize her as one of the local administrators and your main contact for this morning.
"I'm Sublieutenant Vasanta," you say, stepping forward. "My platoon is here to check for any signs of MacMillan's Disease and to educate the population on how to counter it."
"I am Councilor Reena De Silva of the north ward of Free Lhasa," she says coldly. "Be forewarned, many of my people don't trust or welcome you. We will escort you, but only because it has been mandated that you be allowed access."
You bite down your frustration. If the locals would stop provoking the Astral Force, there'd be no need for any kind of unpleasantness. Can't they see that you're here to help? And if the reports of the outbreak are true, you don't have much time, whether they like it or not.
"Please lead on," you say politely.
De Silva motions you forward and steps in beside you. Her retinue fans out on either side of your troopers. They appear unarmed, but there is a tension in the air.
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