The rebels had agreed to meet in Xyrolith this time, more specifically in an abandoned warehouse in Dig-under-Montyne.
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Valerie hated Xyrolith: It was cold, had unusual weather patterns because of all the mountains, and all the machinery frightened her. However, it would take more than that to keep her away from meeting the four rebel leaders in addition to a fifth.
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Ironically, the new rebel leader was actually a former Covenant of the Void cultist who had defected after learning about the death of Æcordia the Temptress. He had learned that not even the Æbyssal Triumvirate were infallible or invincible, and so had rejected the dogma as well as the poisonous teachings of the Void, so that he may become devout Techno-Spiritualist.
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There were several layers to the irony of this man. This is mainly because he currently held a Stratocracy (Dig-under-Montyne) and, therefore, was quite important in Xyrolith.
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Stratocrat Pic De Mine of Dig-under-Montyne was really the leader of the new Gloucestershire based rebel cell for the administrative subregion of Worcestershire.
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But first, Valerie had someone else to meet, hence why she was so early.
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“Rainer?” She whispered at the boulders.
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“I thought I was waiting in vain!”
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“No, I have an offer for thou, one that simply can not be refused.” She said hesitantly.
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She had noticed Rainer's new uniform and was worried.
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He noticed her staring and made light of it.
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“I could get the army to fit Miss Valerie for a new addition to her wardrobe if it only came in her size.” He said cheerfully before adding, “Malum made me Lord General of the Grand Narcissian Army. Apparently, he trusts me.”
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“Oh?” Valerie was unsure if she could still trust him.
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“Fear not, I heard about an offer I must not refuse.” He reassured her playfully.
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Valerie took out a small, black box and handed it to him. The Lord General examined it before sarcastically stating the obvious, “This is a wedding ring, Valerie, and quite an expensive one at that.” He muttered, the meaning having flown right over his head.
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“Rainer! Art thou stupid?!” Valerie asked in exasperation.
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“Enlighten me, Adeptus of Matrimony.” He said with a smirk as he knew he was annoying the Viscountess.
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“I offer thou my hand In marriage upon the death of my brother and sister, along with the title of Guardian of East-Northeast!” She told him while desperately hoping it would be enough.
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Rainer was dumbstruck by the lengths she was willing to go to in order to ensure he helped her and not Malum.
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“Me....as His Eminence, the Earl of Narciss?” Spluttered the army officer in utter shock that she had been the one to propose such a thing.
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“Can thou not see it? Earl Rainer of Narciss, Sovereign Exarch of the Subregions of Worcestershire, Luxequinox, Valerium, Xyrolith, and Chalcrystis; Lord Stratocrat of all Stratocraties, Listener of the Conclave of Viziers, Regional representative of the Earldom, and Guardian of East-Northeast.” Valerie recited.
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“This...”
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“Is my insurance. Now get out of here, I have a signal to plan.”
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“A signal?”
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“Fear not, it will be very obvious.” She told him.
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Rainer turned and was gone just like that.
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All five rebel leaders were ready to hear her plan when she entered the abandoned warehouse.
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“Let us not waste any time. I am sure we all know about the Dreadnought GNA Firestorm?”
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Five heads nodded bitterly. The Firestorm was a symbol of Malum's stranglehold over Narciss.
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“I have a friend in the army who will help me storm Château Ego when he sees a signal. He has given me stolen uniforms of Skögul Marines, three in total. I need a trio of rebels willing to sacrifice everything for the cause.” She told them.
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The Stratocrat smiled at this. “I have been invited aboard the Firestorm in two days time, if the Viscountess Valerie wants a suicide attack, then I will distract the officers.”
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Valerie was surprised that someone like Stratocrat Pic De Mine of Dig-under-Montyne would be willing to do such a thing.
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Everyone looked at him with equally stunned expressions.
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“To answer the question that no one is bold enough to ask, there will be a lot of important people present. Such people as Lord Admiral Blackwing, the Stratocrat of Amethyine and Jade, and unidentified Ætharch who has brought a High-Priestess of the Void from Aquiloria. I have an airship that has stolen military grade cloaking devices from an old mark two Wraith that will fly under radar systems too modern – and specialised – to detect this dated sort of stealth technology.”
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“I trust that thy teams will ensure that everything goes smoothly in two days?”
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“Of course.”
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“I look forward to the finale, but it is time for me to bid all of thee adieu.”
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