Mikaen was on his feet in an instant. “The Revs?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡKncDNtRssS 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2cGe8d9BS 維尼
“The Revs are on Vinta?” It was Jyle who spoke, having finally found his voice, “How? When?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0erSpTaiMb 維尼
“I don’t know,” One said, “But I think it’s safe to say they’re the ones who’ve been masquerading as monks.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMD6Z7YzET 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkm7xOJSrP 維尼
Jyle took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “This … this changes everything.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEBK1BYWUz 維尼
“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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡof1wGgUAUW 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwMs9HXIC8 維尼
Mikaen asked One, “Do you know why they’re here?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQmZvKvSPI 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡRue5Qq68ct 維尼
“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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIbhNME10p 維尼
Most of the room signaled agreement, even if it was a bit reluctant in some cases.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVwhDtLTAP 維尼
Iniagus let out a sigh before finally relenting. “Oh, very well. We will go with the majority.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6YZr5Xk28 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPa1SMKjzm 維尼
As everyone got up to leave, Teria caught Jyle mouthing the words ‘stay here’ to Mikaen.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡki4CBwxekj 維尼
She bumped her sister’s arm, whispering, “Ten to one he asks Mikaen to head the team and tries to make us stay here.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMvmglSVaS 維尼
When the other delegates had left, Jyle sighed. “Tirinia, would you mind stepping out for a few minutes?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrfxHJf1E4 維尼
Mikaen said, “Let her stay. I’m just gonna tell her about it later anyway.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEt9crlmeC 維尼
Jyle frowned. “Fine. Teria?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4XiFhI5M1 維尼
“Don’t waste your breath.” She said, picking at one of her claws.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCjKLvIDkW 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3flld4Dz1 維尼
“Four of us?” said One, “I didn’t sneak into the camp until later.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQJSSE2KYD 維尼
“I know.” Jyle said, “Mikaen, Teria, Tirinia … and Jeronem.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7LyinN8Xw 維尼
Mikaen smirked at the empty chair beside his. “Nice try.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBPZ8OANOD 維尼
Jeronem popped back into existence, pouting. “That’s not fair! If you can be here, then so can I!”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGzhXnCELz 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8QYigCd0j 維尼
“I’m going too.” Tirinia said immediately.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjLLt200DD 維尼
“I go where Tirinia goes.” said Teria. 8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ5ZgnHVZ9 維尼
Jeronem waved his hand. “Don’t forget about me!”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBwWIwAgr9 維尼
“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!”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtxI9U4Ij 維尼
“Oh really?” Teria put a hand on her hip. “You didn’t seem to mind when your daughter was concerned.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw4sSwAy9y 維尼
“I asked you to make sure she didn’t get into trouble, not to actually go rescue her if she did.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvLwutDdiJ 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBpnVMpUl9 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30LFn2yGUc 維尼
“Who’s Angela?” Mikaen asked.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOOKIBuhqP 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6pd2EqnXT 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡSujbkXNezu 維尼
Teria snorted. “Seeing as the Revs had a contingent of the Galden Security Force with them, I'm guessing they're pretty well in.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyy7fl67m9 維尼
“That doesn’t necessarily mean the government knew they were Revs.” One told her. “They were in disguise, after all.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Zdgb4Lkw 維尼
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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHZAIA6CWe 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡatYf2tkECu 維尼
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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy0ltSJJGX 維尼
“Well, no.” Jyle admitted, “It’s a melting pot culture; pretty much a little of everyone there, though it is mostly Galden.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyggIknZnk 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGAoItlvg0 維尼
“That’s not the point. Tirinia and Teria are Daughters of Longshore, and Jeronem’s the son of the vuestan Elder.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8rt5GUbQI 維尼
“Oh, so you’re saying I’m more expendable?” Mikaen said, crossing his arms.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQgJUJ5a3n 維尼
“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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg1IqVZI1o 維尼
It was a good point, and Mikaen knew it. Sighing, he said, “Fine. You win, Jyle. I’ll head your little team.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOeZSWcxKQ 維尼
Teria and Jeronem looked at Mikaen, both clearly disappointed. Tirinia didn’t respond at all, which struck Teria as vaguely suspicious.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwEmKTsLOd 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRp4QLLaLS 維尼
Looking at Tirinia, Jyle said, “Don’t worry, Tirinia. I’m sending him in with my best; he’ll get home all right.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD0YOMLOAb 維尼
Tirinia nodded silently, a strangely calm look on her face.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9aHFlOl7Z 維尼
With a final nod to One, Jyle left the chamber.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXEal6dAuI 維尼
“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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4VUdDUXM1 維尼
“Yeah! What gives?” Jeronem's voice squeaked in the head of everyone present.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr7KKJ2tVB 維尼
Mikaen didn’t reply. About that time, Teria realized that he and Tirinia were counting silently on their fingers.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFA1rJnKVQ 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP6Wd5tYAl 維尼
Teria's mouth hung open for a few moments before she let out a laugh. “Cute. Real cute.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKps009Z6m 維尼
“Ooh! Come with us, One! That would be awesome!” Jeronem looked eagerly at the Dreamer.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPXbPlYr4n 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoCBXQzDhL 維尼
“One!” The bespectacled man barked, “Back to the Elsewhere, now!”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh9tAbLDD0 維尼
“What’s wrong?” One asked, sounding genuinely startled.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyJrpKZGXj 維尼
“Not here. Get back to the-”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡK73JYhDctg 維尼
“What in Nocturnes is your problem?” Teria interrupted, quickly stepping between the two, “You just barge in and-”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtRIU8RCcW 維尼
“Stay out of this, norm. It doesn’t concern you.” said Teach, not even looking at her as he spoke.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9NMQUKMRm 維尼
“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?”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRjcYbMzq3 維尼
“We can discuss my ‘issue’ back at the Elsewhere.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUwOOf0BsU 維尼
“Fine, I’ll head back when I’m done here.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8Zn6ZoPy8 維尼
“NOW!”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL68K8Ew1Z 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT3gJHEDt3 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD52IkZQXI 維尼
One glared at Teach for a moment longer before nodding. “Fine.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBojhkxAl1 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7io6F60dZ 維尼
“I apologize to all of you for this interruption,” Teach said in a much calmer manner, bowing slightly, “Please, bear it no further thought.”8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pYl61Pbze 維尼
Without another word, Teach strode across the room, presumably following after One and Two.8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡit5BOMNPe5 維尼
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?”343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjaBWx1Hoy
8964 copyright protection339ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9q1l1aSq8 維尼
