Despite disposing her kind Laura was a lot like them, and that included their preference to be background characters. They tended to be the supporting cast while helping others with their goals. There are instances of her people taking a lead villain role in some words, but it wasn't often.
'They also usually end up dead.' Laura thought with a mixture of amusement and bitterness.
Their presence alone in any world would have the Universe breaking their own established rules they put on them to get rid of their presence. Laura couldn't blame it, but it must be frustrating messing up its own experiments just to get rid of her kind. Not that she cared about what the Universe wanted.
In her eyes it was just as bad as the Void, just in a different way.
These thoughts ran through her head as she stood at the end of the execution platform, where she wouldn't be noticed easily. She watched as Rachel announced the Generals execution, but made sure to remind the populace watching through their screens that anyone that surrendered was spared.
The White Ash General's head went flying. However Laura had already devoured their soul and was going through the information. She did inform Rachel of this action for practicality reasons, but the half cat seemed horrified and refused to get close to her after that.
"Where are you heading to next Ma'am?" Kathrin asked as they descended from the platform and walked away from the crowd of soldiers that came to watch, and from the view of the camera's. She didn't want to be there for any longer than necessary.
"I plan to do some espionage." Laura said.
"Espionage?"
"I call it that, but it's more of a terror and could be considered a war crime in another world."
"... Ma'am?"
"Kathrin, find me soldiers that are willing to do anything, and I mean anything if it means winning." She ordered. "Make sure they're loyal too."
"I'll… try." Kathrin responded hesitantly.
"Look through our spies first then try actual soldiers." Laura added.
=======
Two days later Laura found herself looking through a stack of about two dozen personal files. Most of them came from their list of spies, which was normally highly classified, with only Daniel and Zenesha having access to them. Laura was granted access shortly after she was appointed as Zenesha's second in command and as such could grant others temporary access to the files when needed.
Which is what she did with Kathrin. Did Laura trust Kathrin? Of course not, but she's going to anyway. This was a test to see if the maid was truly loyal, or if she was a threat to Zenesha. This entire operation that the wolf was planning was a test of Kathrins loyalty.
Laura realized she couldn't do everything herself and she needed someone she could trust enough to handle things in her place. Everything was for Zenesha's sake. Part of what made her decide to start testing her in earnest however was her use of magic.
'I don't believe she used any kind of components.' She thought as she looked through her memories. 'Then again I have never seen magic used in this world yet, so what do I know?'
Then there was her sword. It was an exact replica of the ancient sword she found in that cave. Sure it was blue tinted silver, indicating it was mithril and not a deep royal blue with a silver edge; but the orientation and shape of the weapon was the exact same. Coloring didn't matter.
"Also who the hell uses a sword in the modern world?" Laura wondered out loud, startling the subject of her thought who was standing nearby.
"Um… what do you mean Ma'am?"
Nothing, it's just weird for anyone to use a sword. Where would you even…." Laura suddenly had an idea and swallowed back her words. "Would you like to teach Zenesha hope to wield a sword?"
Laura was originally going to have the witch do it. Not how to use a sword, but how to connect with it and use its abilities. However if she was right about Kathrin using a different kind of magic, then she could teach her how to both wield the sword and use its abilities.
"It would be an Honor Ma'am." Kathrin answered.
"Of course that'll happen after we finish this." Laura said, waving one of the dossiers.
She needed to eliminate anyone that she didn't deem worthy, then meet with the rest. Whether that meant meeting up with them while they were undercover or summoning them back here, didn't matter, she would do it. It helped that she could alter her appearance at will. To a certain degree anyway.
"I'll wait till that time comes then."
"Of course you will."
=======
Meeting with the three Elite Forces she needed was easy enough. Once she finished speaking with them she determined they'll be perfect for the type of atrocities they were about to commit. As for the spies, she managed to get two of the five she wanted to come to her.
She'll need to travel behind enemy lines for the other three.
The spies part of this operation were distinctly different from the Elite's. While she and the Elites would be committing the deeds, the job of the spies was to spread misinformation. Not just to the White Ash civilians, but their fellow soldiers and spies.
None of the five will know who the other was, nor will they reveal their involvement to anyone else. However they would confirm that the information that the White Ash was committing scorched earth tactics was true and that the Zari nation had nothing to do with it.
They had their own way of leaving information for each other with no distinctions on who left what, just that it was one of them. They other spies will take that information and help the five under Laura's command spread this information throughout the Whit Ash.
Laura would of course need to kill everyone involved. But that'll happen over time instead of all at once, so it wasn't a problem to worry about yet. If she played this right, no one would discover the truth. Except for Zenesha and Kathrin of course. This was the rabbit's ultimate test of loyalty.
Laura looked at the maid in question after the Elites left the private soundproof room. She hadn't moved since the meeting started, nor after they left. Noticing that the wolf was watching her she turned her head to face Laura properly.
"Need anything Ma'am?"
"Just wondering what you thought about my scorched tactics plan." Laura said. "Any thoughts?"
While she had yet to explain the, 'kill everyone involved,' part of the plan, enough was revealed through the meetings with the Elites and the two spies for the rabbit to have a solid grasp on the plan. She studied the rabbit closely, looking for any fluctuation in the soul. However she didn't need to worry because Kathrin spoke without any discomfort.
"While the plan couldn't be considered good." Kathrin started. "I don't see why we shouldn't do it outside of moral reasons."
Laura stared at the rabbit with confusion. "You and Zenesha are… weird."
The wolf had of course mentioned this plan to the fox a long time ago at this point, but even before this Zenesha had always been weirdly accepting of Laura. Laura wondered if there was perhaps something in the water making these women crazy or something. Not that she could speak, but Laura didn't think she counted.
Not that she was complaining, another person that didn't mind her more cruel side was welcomed. She wasn't going to replace Zenesha though. Zenesha will always hold the top one-hundred spots in her heart. However, this did make her like the rabbit just a bit more.
"I'm well aware Ma'am. I wear a maid uniform after all." Kathrin pointed out.
The wolf considered this and concluded that yeah, she shouldn't be surprised the woman was strange in the head. It was a miracle she wasn't kicked out of the military for wearing such an outfit before.
"Well, I'm going to head out for a few days and meet with the other three spies." Laura said standing up. "I'll be back."
"Of course Ma'am. I wish you luck on your journey."
"Oh one more thing." Laura said before she truly left. "Make sure to gather explosives. If possible the essence powered ones since they're stronger even when small."
"Understood Ma'am. I'll get right on that."
"Late Kathrin."
With that Laura left. She'll need to head behind enemy lines for this part.