Mikaen was on his feet in an instant. “The Revs?”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqi2a22IVz
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyfGBVj6eU
“The Revs are on Vinta?” It was Jyle who spoke, having finally found his voice, “How? When?”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi4nOvtPaU
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmkDovGreC
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zbggNbzTp
Jyle took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “This … this changes everything.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡurHyOw3ime
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHAxlZ21rh
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsQOI7CUGv
Mikaen asked One, “Do you know why they’re here?”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbX1JLyN3U
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fCDNXDPZ4
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DxXsg44aL
Most of the room signaled agreement, even if it was a bit reluctant in some cases.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuXxvGi4um
Iniagus let out a sigh before finally relenting. “Oh, very well. We will go with the majority.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxCBapzNfy
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmbpkEFoIP
As everyone got up to leave, Teria caught Jyle mouthing the words ‘stay here’ to Mikaen.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡaik7PQO8Uj
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTQ6v0w4OL
When the other delegates had left, Jyle sighed. “Tirinia, would you mind stepping out for a few minutes?”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG7P5rtKQb
Mikaen said, “Let her stay. I’m just gonna tell her about it later anyway.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1uV9jLYrF
Jyle frowned. “Fine. Teria?”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWy8349z8X
“Don’t waste your breath.” She said, picking at one of her claws.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLDsBIU4tK
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4MK0V4LTw
“Four of us?” said One, “I didn’t sneak into the camp until later.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbsZjw3t5c
“I know.” Jyle said, “Mikaen, Teria, Tirinia … and Jeronem.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqY3SzMMDg
Mikaen smirked at the empty chair beside his. “Nice try.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUlkElfJ69
Jeronem popped back into existence, pouting. “That’s not fair! If you can be here, then so can I!”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxlIxFeB8j
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzKLDCkppY
“I’m going too.” Tirinia said immediately.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXT2hynxhu
“I go where Tirinia goes.” said Teria. copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw22fzHtaQ
Jeronem waved his hand. “Don’t forget about me!”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXpxJ2a4sA
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38xWaPuymL
“Oh really?” Teria put a hand on her hip. “You didn’t seem to mind when your daughter was concerned.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33i56xFN0P
“I asked you to make sure she didn’t get into trouble, not to actually go rescue her if she did.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡEON3lx5vBx
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EGDARs4qP
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtS8zYGeMG
“Who’s Angela?” Mikaen asked.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qvRuQozm0
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sEN5fFxk5
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡmazfj8eZm1
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqsbiW1Hwo
“That doesn’t necessarily mean the government knew they were Revs.” One told her. “They were in disguise, after all.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDQmrVC7tW
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ7M6qUlqh
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6HOh0LjHh
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpVyMnuouY
“Well, no.” Jyle admitted, “It’s a melting pot culture; pretty much a little of everyone there, though it is mostly Galden.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHOttVTngj
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡECqmrInd25
“That’s not the point. Tirinia and Teria are Daughters of Longshore, and Jeronem’s the son of the vuestan Elder.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKuqjhONGi
“Oh, so you’re saying I’m more expendable?” Mikaen said, crossing his arms.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡL10AvtvoRL
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwo9TQRg3T
It was a good point, and Mikaen knew it. Sighing, he said, “Fine. You win, Jyle. I’ll head your little team.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyEPZX7NKN
Teria and Jeronem looked at Mikaen, both clearly disappointed. Tirinia didn’t respond at all, which struck Teria as vaguely suspicious.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wP66kzCJq
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡorXMBQCs6G
Looking at Tirinia, Jyle said, “Don’t worry, Tirinia. I’m sending him in with my best; he’ll get home all right.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡmre0hdXo1I
Tirinia nodded silently, a strangely calm look on her face.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7e1elmNY5
With a final nod to One, Jyle left the chamber.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡemxc982LA8
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXAGXRUVgV
“Yeah! What gives?” Jeronem's voice squeaked in the head of everyone present.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt3TuheQ5d
Mikaen didn’t reply. About that time, Teria realized that he and Tirinia were counting silently on their fingers.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkztwIByuc
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW9hD79x3q
Teria's mouth hung open for a few moments before she let out a laugh. “Cute. Real cute.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTwAnOPeU
“Ooh! Come with us, One! That would be awesome!” Jeronem looked eagerly at the Dreamer.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aeCDLkfkP
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1MBjpIsWM
“One!” The bespectacled man barked, “Back to the Elsewhere, now!”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡTptMW3aLTp
“What’s wrong?” One asked, sounding genuinely startled.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWzUydGTs1
“Not here. Get back to the-”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU2vvmUePQ
“What in Nocturnes is your problem?” Teria interrupted, quickly stepping between the two, “You just barge in and-”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IgtudxFZr
“Stay out of this, norm. It doesn’t concern you.” said Teach, not even looking at her as he spoke.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FnEAVRgPk
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyek3KHXYw
“We can discuss my ‘issue’ back at the Elsewhere.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYf5sKi0pi
“Fine, I’ll head back when I’m done here.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtXP8yK0PA
“NOW!”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡk78zsbj99i
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXhV2KFlK4
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcyB1G9LGY
One glared at Teach for a moment longer before nodding. “Fine.”copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡm15uByGVHP
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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnMviPfXaZ
“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 protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ObBpcizYZ
Without another word, Teach strode across the room, presumably following after One and Two.copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl0EPCcvxT
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?”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAVGblTtUS
copyright protection76ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKg7fzWvx7
