_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5" style="border:0px solid">Morning light filtered through specialized porized windows as Baron Cassian Bckwood conducted his inspection of Blood Farm Seven. Only weeks into his new role as Baron, the changes he had already implemented were evident throughout the facility. Where once the farm had operated with the typical focus on immediate yields, Cassian was systematically restructuring operations based on military resource management principles.

  "Production metrics for the past month, sir," Eliza reported, handing him a precisely organized clipboard. The human supervisor had quickly adapted to Cassian's new protocols, recognizing that his approach, while demanding, resulted in markedly improved conditions. Unlike many in her position, she maintained eye contact when addressing vampire nobility—a privilege Cassian permitted as it improved operational efficiency.

  "Blood quality indicators are up three percent," he noted, scanning the charts with military precision. "Expin."

  "The modified feeding rotation you implemented st week, sir. Extending recovery periods from forty-eight to seventy-two hours has improved regeneration rates."

  Cassian nodded once. "Sustainability through proper resource management. Continue implementation."

  The inspection proceeded with methodical precision—feeding stations checked for hygienic conditions, medical monitoring systems verified, housing facilities assessed for appropriate maintenance. Unlike other nobles who delegated such inspections, Cassian personally verified every operational aspect of his newly acquired territory's primary economic engine.

  The central processing facility still showed signs of transition. The equipment remained rgely unchanged, but the protocols governing its use had been completely overhauled. Humans in white medical attire—newly trained under Cassian's directive—attended to donors in recovery phases, monitoring vital signs and administering iron supplements. The donors themselves—Cassian preferred this term over "stock" or "cattle" used by his predecessor—already showed improvement compared to the facility's previous condition, though many still bore signs of the former regime's harsher practices.

  "Dr. Jenkins began implementing the medical protocols you authorized three days ago," Eliza informed him as they continued through the facility. "The previous extraction schedule was discontinued immediately, as ordered."

  The medical wing operated with newly imposed efficiency, though signs of the previous administration's neglect remained evident. Dr. Jenkins, a human physician who had survived the outbreak by making himself valuable to the new vampire order, was examining blood samples when they entered.

  "Baron Bckwood," he acknowledged with a respectful nod. "The supplemental iron and protein regimen you ordered is already showing preliminary results." He gestured to a row of test tubes containing blood samples of varying richness. "Even in just these few days, we're seeing improved cellur counts compared to the baseline measurements from before your appointment."

  "Show me the comparative data," Cassian instructed.

  Dr. Jenkins dispyed a chart comparing blood recovery rates between their current measurements and those from the previous month. "Under the previous extraction schedule, donors were reaching critical anemia by week six. Your modified schedule should extend viable production significantly, though we'll need more time to quantify exact improvements."

  "And long-term sustainability projections?"

  "Based on simir models I've studied, a donor under these protocols should maintain production for approximately five times longer than under the previous regime. The former baron's approach was... shortsighted."

  Cassian absorbed the information with grim satisfaction. His methods would be vindicated not by moral arguments but by production data—the only metric that mattered to the vampire hierarchy.

  The living quarters section of the farm showed the most dramatic evidence of Cassian's recent takeover. The cramped, cage-like conditions were being systematically repced with dormitory-style housing featuring adequate space, proper sanitation, and basic amenities. Construction was still underway in many sections.

  "We've begun implementing the community structure you outlined," Eliza reported as they observed humans being relocated to the completed sections. "Family units are being kept together as instructed. The previous system of random grouping created unnecessary psychological stress."

  "And the breeding program status?"

  "We've discontinued the forced breeding protocols and implemented your voluntary family pnning system instead." Eliza's tone remained professional despite the obvious improvement in human conditions. "The medical team believes natural family units will produce healthier offspring with better blood quality."

  Cassian nodded. "Ensure proper maternal nutrition supplements. We're cultivating the next generation of resources, not depleting the current one."

  As they completed the inspection, Cassian reviewed the transition metrics one final time. "The sustainable approach shows promising initial indicators. The Marquis has granted me permission to observe Baron Victor's facility this afternoon for a comparative study. I need to evaluate other production methodologies directly."

  His expression remained neutral, but the tactical assessment was clear—Blood Farm Seven had been functioning well below optimal capacity under its previous administration. His military reorganization was already demonstrating improved efficiency, even in these early stages of implementation.

  The journey to the neighboring blood farm took less than twenty minutes by car. Baron Victor's facility had been established around the same time as Cassian's but had followed a fundamentally different philosophy—maximum immediate yield with minimal investment in human maintenance.

  Administrator Pascal met them at the entrance, clutching an absurdly oversized ledger to his chest like a shield. Where Cassian's military background had created a culture of streamlined efficiency, Pascal embodied the worst aspects of bureaucracy transpnted into vampire society.

  "Baron Bckwood! Such an unexpected honor!" Pascal's voice carried the perpetual nervousness of someone who spent more time documenting work than performing it. "Had I known you were conducting an observational visit, I would have prepared Form 27-B/6 for interdomain courtesy protocols!"

  "This isn't a formal visit," Cassian crified. "Comparative analysis of production methodologies only, authorized by Marquis Devereux."

  "Of course, of course!" Pascal fumbled with his massive ledger, nearly dropping it before catching it with a dispy of uncoordinated vampire speed. "I'll have you know we've implemented seventeen new documentation protocols this quarter alone! Our administrative efficiency is unparalleled!"

  "I'm interested in blood production efficiency, not paperwork."

  This distinction appeared to confuse Pascal, who blinked rapidly before recovering. "Yes! Production! Right this way to the administrative center where we track all production metrics with our revolutionary seven-tier cssification system!"

  The administrative center proved to be a cluttered office space where three elderly human clerks struggled with mountains of paperwork while Pascal presided over the chaos from a desk elevated on a small ptform. The walls were covered with unnecessarily complicated charts, color-coded in a system so complex it rendered the information functionally useless.

  "As you can see," Pascal began, retrieving an even rger ledger from beneath his desk, "every extraction is categorized by volume, quality, donor source, time of day, barometric pressure, and phase of the moon! We've found the lunar cycle has a statistically insignificant but nonetheless documentable effect on solute levels that we track across seventeen variables!"

  One of the elderly clerks—Jacob according to his name tag—caught Cassian's eye and gave an almost imperceptible eye roll before returning to his meticulous record-keeping.

  "I've pioneered a revolutionary blood cssification system," Pascal continued, oblivious to Cassian's waning patience. He heaved open the massive ledger, releasing a cloud of dust that made no sense in a vampire facility where dust shouldn't accumute. "Eighty-three distinct categories organized into twelve meta-categories with cross-referential indexing!"

  "And the purpose of this system?" Cassian asked.

  Pascal looked momentarily baffled. "Purpose? Documentation, of course! How else would we know which extraction falls into category 7-G versus 7-H? The difference in trace mineral content is nearly two parts per million!"

  Jacob, the elderly clerk, spoke up quietly. "If I may, the system primarily serves to track inventory, Baron. Though a somewhat... simplified approach might achieve simir outcomes."

  Pascal clutched his ledger defensively. "Simplified? Absolutely not! Baron Victor himself has praised the comprehensive nature of our documentation system!" He pulled another massive tome from beneath his desk. "I've prepared a seven-hundred page quarterly summary detailing our organizational methodology. Would you care for a copy?"

  "That won't be necessary," Cassian replied. "I'd like to see the actual production facility now."

  Pascal's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "The facility itself? But we haven't reviewed the Form 32-A production variance tracking protocols or the donor cssification nomencture system!"

  "The facility," Cassian repeated firmly.

  The contrast between administrative extravagance and facility conditions became immediately apparent as they entered the production floor. Where Cassian's operation maintained clinical cleanliness, Baron Victor's facility had a pronounced odor of neglect. The feeding stations were overcrowded, with humans showing clear signs of over-extraction—pallid skin, lethargy, and concerning levels of weight loss.

  "Our extraction schedule maximizes immediate yield," Pascal expined, his bureaucratic enthusiasm returning. "Three extractions per human per week, with specialized supplements to accelerate blood reproduction."

  "The supplements are primarily stimunts," Cassian observed, noting the telltale signs of chemical dependency in many donors. "Short-term production boost at the expense of long-term viability."

  Pascal waved dismissively. "Donor repcement is a natural part of the production cycle! We maintain detailed records of reduced productivity curves and implement timely resource cycling!"

  "Resource cycling meaning disposal of depleted humans," Cassian transted ftly.

  "Well, I wouldn't use such imprecise terminology, but yes, non-productive units are removed from the system according to Protocol 118-D, subsection 7."

  As they continued through the facility, the efficiency differences became increasingly apparent. Where Cassian's farm operated with quiet precision, Baron Victor's featured harried vampire overseers shouting at exhausted humans. Medical monitoring was minimal, with focus entirely on extraction rather than recovery.

  "Our production numbers for the first three months of any donor cycle exceed regional averages by twenty-two percent," Pascal decred proudly.

  "And after those three months?"

  Pascal shifted uncomfortably. "Well, that's where our revolutionary donor repcement program demonstrates its value! Why worry about declining production when fresh resources are constantly being integrated into the system?"

  The living quarters, when they reached them, were little more than cells—humans packed into minimal spaces with no consideration for psychological welfare or even basic comfort. The contrast with Cassian's dormitory-style accommodations was stark.

  "Space utilization efficiency is maximized through our innovative stacking system," Pascal expined, gesturing to the triple-bunk arrangements. "Every square foot dedicated to donor storage has been optimized for maximum capacity!"

  "And the mortality rate?" Cassian asked.

  "We prefer the term 'resource depletion percentage,'" Pascal corrected, reaching for yet another ledger he'd somehow brought along. "It's all documented in our quarterly attrition reports, categorized by cause of non-viability across twenty-seven distinct cssifications!"

  "The percentage," Cassian repeated.

  Pascal cleared his throat. "Approximately thirty-seven percent quarterly turnover, though that figure includes both depletion cases and productivity-based recycling initiatives."

  More than a third of their human popution died or became unusable every three months. Cassian kept his expression neutral, but his military mind calcuted the catastrophic inefficiency of such a system. No wonder Baron Victor's territory required constant acquisition of new humans—their approach was fundamentally unsustainable.

  "I'd like to review your blood quality metrics," Cassian said.

  This request sent Pascal into a flurry of activity, producing yet another massive ledger from seemingly nowhere. "Our quality cssification system is second to none! Seventeen primary quality indicators tracked across ninety-four sub-variants with daily fluctuation monitoring!"

  Jacob, who had accompanied them with a much smaller notebook, quietly offered Cassian a single sheet of paper. "The simplified summary, Baron. Average quality indicators across standard measurement protocols."

  The data confirmed what observation had already revealed—initial high production followed by rapid decline, with overall blood quality significantly lower than Cassian's farm even during peak periods. The sustainable approach produced better results by every meaningful metric.

  "I'll need copies of your production data for the past year," Cassian stated.

  Pascal's eyes widened. "All of it? But that's contained in seventeen separate archival volumes with cross-referenced appendices and supplemental notation addenda!"

  "The summary data will suffice," Cassian replied, nodding toward Jacob.

  The elderly clerk quickly provided several neatly organized pages. "Consolidated quarterly figures, Baron. I maintain these for... internal reference."

  "This administrative assistant takes unauthorized initiative," Pascal sniffed disapprovingly. "The comprehensive documentation system is the officially approved methodology as per Baron Victor's Administrative Directive 42-J!"

  "Initiative improves efficiency," Cassian noted, accepting Jacob's summary sheets. "Perhaps Baron Victor would benefit from reviewing these comparative outcomes."

  The implied criticism hung in the air for a moment before Pascal hurriedly changed the subject. "Would you care to see our seventeen-category filing system for tracking donor disciplinary incidents? The color-coding alone took three months to develop!"

  "That won't be necessary," Cassian replied. "I've seen sufficient evidence of your... methodologies."

  The return drive to Cassian's territory provided time for analytical reflection. The contrast between approaches couldn't have been clearer—his sustainable resource management versus Baron Victor's exploitative consumption. The military strategist in him recognized the long-term implications: territories following Victor's model would eventually face resource crises requiring territorial expansion or acquisition, while sustainable approaches ensured stability.

  As they passed through the gates of his estate, Cassian reviewed the comparative data one final time. The transition to his methods was still in its early stages, but already the indicators suggested his approach would produce higher quality blood over sustained periods with significantly lower resource turnover. The military precision of his approach demonstrated clear superiority over both bureaucratic excess and exploitative consumption.

  "Schedule a meeting with Dr. Jenkins," he instructed Eliza as they arrived. "I want to accelerate implementation of the recovery protocols based on these comparative observations."

  "The enhanced nutrition program he proposed yesterday?" she asked.

  Cassian nodded. "The investment will yield improved sustainability metrics."

  His approach was purely practical—healthy humans produced better blood for longer periods. If this happened to result in less suffering, that was merely an efficient alignment of production goals with resource maintenance. Military logic applied to resource management, nothing more.

  As evening approached and vampires throughout the territory prepared for their scheduled feeding, Baron Cassian Bckwood reviewed his production projections with satisfaction. In the economy of blood that underpinned vampire society, his sustainable approach would prove superior through cold, hard data—the only argument that truly mattered in his newly acquired domain. He also wondered why that administrator didn't use computers instead of so many papers.