Mikaen was on his feet in an instant. “The Revs?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnWaU0hw77
“The person piloting the Breath of Fire wasn’t Galden.” One said, “He was human. A little poking around, and I found his insignia pin. The Revs were behind the attack.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaL764NueA
“The Revs are on Vinta?” It was Jyle who spoke, having finally found his voice, “How? When?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡa542GyutQi
“I don’t know,” One said, “But I think it’s safe to say they’re the ones who’ve been masquerading as monks.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjFhuzhL6o
“No wonder they were so interested in the Breath of Fire,” Mikaen said, “A combat dreadnaught would give them a major edge on Earth and Vinta.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlyFsFJf9Y
Jyle took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “This … this changes everything.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk4UnKsRdj
“I am not understanding,” said Shae, no doubt confused by the reactions of the Earthlings, “What are these Revs being, and also what is the extent of the impaction due to their involvement?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡayCQP6q6Sw
“Revs view humans as the only pure race. They’ve killed millions of non-humans and magi back on earth. Mikaen and Jyle will back me up on that.” One nodded at them both.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMR3rjJbzT
Mikaen asked One, “Do you know why they’re here?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pddjAYMsb
“Not yet, but a friend of mine’s working on scanning what’s left of the pilot’s gray matter.” One made a face. “It’s fried as the rest of him, but we might manage to get a little useful information.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CKIszOTGH
“In the meantime,” said Jyle, addressing the council, “I move that we take Daughter Myssohn’s suggestion and send a small team to infiltrate Ronisgald in a non-aggressive manner, for the purpose of discovering the nature of the connection between the Ronisgald Government and the Restored Earth Alliance. All in favor?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcthfVBZ6b
Most of the room signaled agreement, even if it was a bit reluctant in some cases.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgA6tUGrG9
Iniagus let out a sigh before finally relenting. “Oh, very well. We will go with the majority.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMLnueXj8D
“Then we are all agreed.” Jyle said, “Given the urgency of this matter, the rest of the Council will be postponed until we have the appropriate information necessary to make proper judgment.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xPuP5qq5x
As everyone got up to leave, Teria caught Jyle mouthing the words ‘stay here’ to Mikaen.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXNc3h6KJN
She bumped her sister’s arm, whispering, “Ten to one he asks Mikaen to head the team and tries to make us stay here.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmzFK4UHo2
When the other delegates had left, Jyle sighed. “Tirinia, would you mind stepping out for a few minutes?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpAbTpgkQl
Mikaen said, “Let her stay. I’m just gonna tell her about it later anyway.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsjFEnWL7G
Jyle frowned. “Fine. Teria?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡy128HNcCuB
“Don’t waste your breath.” She said, picking at one of her claws.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ0f1UFiev
Sighing, Jyle said, “I suppose you have a right to be here, seeing as the four of you snuck into the Galden camp in the dead of night and managed to sneak off with the prisoners.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6XXLCkIns
“Four of us?” said One, “I didn’t sneak into the camp until later.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVur4bfhOJ
“I know.” Jyle said, “Mikaen, Teria, Tirinia … and Jeronem.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡStzSIBMnT1
Mikaen smirked at the empty chair beside his. “Nice try.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx7RuTtPCQ
Jeronem popped back into existence, pouting. “That’s not fair! If you can be here, then so can I!”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1MMtQYI7M
“Fine. Everyone can stay. It’s probably better that you all hear this anyway. I’m going to be assembling a team to investigate what’s been going on at Ronisgald. Mikaen, I realize this is asking a lot, but I’d like you to head the team.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZf2SYDFlw
“I’m going too.” Tirinia said immediately.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe3O5yIzol
“I go where Tirinia goes.” said Teria. copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGmctP2rya
Jeronem waved his hand. “Don’t forget about me!”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0at22rFHN
“No, no, No, NO!” Jyle frowned at them. “I can’t send out a bunch of Council delegates on what is clearly going to be a dangerous mission!”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡco2fd8OVHc
“Oh really?” Teria put a hand on her hip. “You didn’t seem to mind when your daughter was concerned.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7SDjltmN1
“I asked you to make sure she didn’t get into trouble, not to actually go rescue her if she did.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡw11Gv4JXKq
Mikaen held up a hand. “Hang on a moment. If we hadn’t gone to save your daughter and the other captives, they would have died before your troops got there.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWPNc2V0XC
“I’m not questioning any of your abilities.” said Jyle, holding a hand to his head, “Far from it. I am grateful for what you did, but Ronisgald isn’t a little camp in the forest; it’s one of the biggest countries on Vinta, filled with the latest security technology. The entire country is built inside hundreds of subterranean enclosures, the smallest of which is easily the same size as Muonsol, not to mention Angela.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡceK5R3qkpe
“Who’s Angela?” Mikaen asked.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVfnCLslIc
“Angela’s the central intelligence construct that runs Ronisgald. She’s pretty advanced too; caught me hacking into her systems a few months ago.” Teria paused a moment and rubbed her neck. “Just thinking about it makes my datajack sting.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt9BglDclA
“This isn’t just about getting inside the city and sneaking around.” continued Jyle, “We need to know how deeply the Revs have infiltrated the government of Ronisgald. I hope to the Creator this hasn't gone as far as the Triumvates.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxPzCGC311
Teria snorted. “Seeing as the Revs had a contingent of the Galden Security Force with them, I'm guessing they're pretty well in.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnXxLzieV0
“That doesn’t necessarily mean the government knew they were Revs.” One told her. “They were in disguise, after all.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHuziKVVWg
Teria rolled her eyes at him. “Riiiight. Seriously, don’t you think someone in the chain of command would be a bit curious about a bunch of priests and monks wanting to excavate a giant robot?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLOlkq2Xu4
Jyle cut in before One could respond. “So I’m sure we can all agree that we should send a team of trained professionals. As such, I want Mikaen to lead the group.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMsWjewBsr
After a moment of silence, Mikaen said, “I don’t have a problem with leading a group, but wouldn’t I do better with a group whose abilities I’m already familiar with? I mean, Ronisgald isn’t just Galden, is it?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT97trRomO
“Well, no.” Jyle admitted, “It’s a melting pot culture; pretty much a little of everyone there, though it is mostly Galden.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡETAtfUUiSo
“Then what’s the problem? We can gear up and be on our way by the end of the day.” Mikaen looked to the others, who nodded in agreement.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRaPOt3l5v
“That’s not the point. Tirinia and Teria are Daughters of Longshore, and Jeronem’s the son of the vuestan Elder.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIpVPSnHgJ
“Oh, so you’re saying I’m more expendable?” Mikaen said, crossing his arms.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVD6pS1jaT
“Of course not!” Jyle said, “But you are more experienced. If the Revs are really up to something, who would be more qualified to go than you?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxKSmympTs
It was a good point, and Mikaen knew it. Sighing, he said, “Fine. You win, Jyle. I’ll head your little team.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGakC0cZHt
Teria and Jeronem looked at Mikaen, both clearly disappointed. Tirinia didn’t respond at all, which struck Teria as vaguely suspicious.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdpmjOfk7p
Jyle gave Mikaen a long, hard look. “Well, I’m glad you’re willing to listen to reason for a change. I’ll have the rest of the team ready tomorrow morning.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡePWYHix4Ir
Looking at Tirinia, Jyle said, “Don’t worry, Tirinia. I’m sending him in with my best; he’ll get home all right.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD8HXLH9Lp
Tirinia nodded silently, a strangely calm look on her face.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuD2RXR6iY
With a final nod to One, Jyle left the chamber.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwOsvwL3At
“What in Nocturnes is this crap?” Teria said, once Jyle was gone, “We can’t go because we’re Daughters? What kind of bullshit is that?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡu66DN3ovd9
“Yeah! What gives?” Jeronem's voice squeaked in the head of everyone present.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQExTvuKCM
Mikaen didn’t reply. About that time, Teria realized that he and Tirinia were counting silently on their fingers.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9jxCO4nRE
Once they reached the count of ten, Mikaen clapped his hands together. “Okay, he should be out of hearing range. Here’s the plan: we’ll meet up in the stables at midnight, hijack a few mounts, and head out before morning.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmLYZy2n3f
Teria's mouth hung open for a few moments before she let out a laugh. “Cute. Real cute.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY6bvZH0Kk
“Ooh! Come with us, One! That would be awesome!” Jeronem looked eagerly at the Dreamer.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtt615V5tM
One opened his mouth to reply when the chamber doors slammed open, revealing two men. Thinking it would be Jyle, Teria was surprised to recognize the perpetually slouching Narrator Number Two (mostly from that tasteless hat with the feather). The angry man with the spectacles was unfamiliar … and a little frightening.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl8vj83lw7
“One!” The bespectacled man barked, “Back to the Elsewhere, now!”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡA35HfBGXCq
“What’s wrong?” One asked, sounding genuinely startled.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpULwWRr1l
“Not here. Get back to the-”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMGnhZvlk1
“What in Nocturnes is your problem?” Teria interrupted, quickly stepping between the two, “You just barge in and-”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV5yClajiM
“Stay out of this, norm. It doesn’t concern you.” said Teach, not even looking at her as he spoke.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAcFmJBdbD
“Hey!” Now it was One who sounded angry, “Don’t talk to her like that! Y’know what? Teria’s right. What the hell is your issue, Teach?”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡyppeMHeh2z
“We can discuss my ‘issue’ back at the Elsewhere.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvup47Kfq3
“Fine, I’ll head back when I’m done here.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDeQZYrd9
“NOW!”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Myu1lbfDe
A tense silence fell between One and Teach. Even Two shrank back from the two Dreamers. Teria wasn’t sure what to think. She had witnessed first-hand what a Dreamer could do, and didn’t want to think what would happen if two of them started fighting.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWJjmOq63R
“Come on, One.” Two said, glancing worriedly between One and Teach, “All right, both of you just cool it already. We’ll get this cleared up back home.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ963NkTMjl0
One glared at Teach for a moment longer before nodding. “Fine.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqM0UOl64Z
An angry look on his face, One walked briskly across the room, making a point to brush past Teach. Two followed shortly after, leaving Teach.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSV4chSDoW
“I apologize to all of you for this interruption,” Teach said in a much calmer manner, bowing slightly, “Please, bear it no further thought.”copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx2ykns7GN
Without another word, Teach strode across the room, presumably following after One and Two.copyright protection122ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88dV98JveN
As the chamber doors closed, Teria looked at her sister and Mikaen and asked the question on everyone’s mind. “What in Nocturnes was that all about?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0EuzYR16y
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