Chapter 39: The Extraction BlueprintIn the secure pnning chamber beneath Valerian's northern fortress, the brothers studied holographic projections of Orlov's vast territory. What they contempted exceeded anything attempted in vampire history—not a limited raid or targeted extraction, but the comprehensive removal of millions of beings across a domain the size of a continent.
"Simultaneous extraction from all locations," Lucius stated, his finger tracing key points across the projection. "Any sequential approach would alert remaining facilities."
Valerian nodded, military precision evident in his assessment. "Daylight operations exclusively. Orlov's vampires will be completely incapacitated during the extraction window."
The brothers had been systematically collecting intelligence for centuries—gathering facility locations, security protocols, and popution estimates through their network of infiltrators. Now this data formed the foundation for their most ambitious operation: the complete extraction of all humans and common vampires from Orlov's territory.
"Manufacturing requirements?" Lucius inquired, studying transport capacity projections.
"Hundreds of aircraft based on the prototypes from Maximilian's secret boratory," Valerian replied. "Your car factories can be converted for production under cover of expansion projects. Estimated timeline: forty years minimum for sufficient fleet capacity."
The logistical calcutions were staggering: thousands of personnel including Valerian's unique vampires who could operate during daylight, comprehensive rehabilitation facilities for extracted humans, documentation systems to prevent separation of families, medical infrastructure for treating extraction injuries, and education programs to help those who had known only captivity.
"Once extraction is complete, Orlov retains his title but loses his resource base entirely," Lucius observed, contempting the projection. "With no humans or common vampires remaining, his governance becomes purely symbolic—a leader with nothing to lead."
"Creating perfect conditions for constitutional removal," Valerian concluded. "The unanimous vote requiring actual territory, subjects, resources, and dignity befitting an Archduke—all of which would be demonstrably absent."
This audacious pn would require decades of careful preparation, methodical resource accumution, and absolute secrecy. Its execution would fundamentally transform vampire society's bance of power without a single act of open warfare between Archdukes—Orlov's power eliminated not through combat but through the simple removal of his entire resource base.
As they concluded their initial pnning session, Lucius calcuted the probable timeline for implementation. "Two centuries minimum," he noted, revealing once again the extraordinary patience that defined his approach to vampire governance. For beings who measured existence in millennia, such preparation represented not dey but precision—timing each element exactly for maximum effectiveness when circumstances aligned perfectly for implementation.
