Mikaen was on his feet in an instant. “The Revs?”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIfG6S0wQ2
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnSTfxs0Ao
“The Revs are on Vinta?” It was Jyle who spoke, having finally found his voice, “How? When?”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m0MDPxF1J
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTsFzyyA5o
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMLvF1271D
Jyle took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “This … this changes everything.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9ZwWCmtio
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIhFnRdVrj
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡk465zL6CT8
Mikaen asked One, “Do you know why they’re here?”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpheWeRiI9
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVRYAfPOag
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ukeAU0HwT
Most of the room signaled agreement, even if it was a bit reluctant in some cases.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLi7ZflRx4
Iniagus let out a sigh before finally relenting. “Oh, very well. We will go with the majority.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eZSdA72oi
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxNELnyL45
As everyone got up to leave, Teria caught Jyle mouthing the words ‘stay here’ to Mikaen.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUQY1QdnHL
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI0qAd0Igp
When the other delegates had left, Jyle sighed. “Tirinia, would you mind stepping out for a few minutes?”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AWNeIbNug
Mikaen said, “Let her stay. I’m just gonna tell her about it later anyway.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9aI7bzkyh
Jyle frowned. “Fine. Teria?”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZZ6qAkriA
“Don’t waste your breath.” She said, picking at one of her claws.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjaN7pwic0
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡz49JNhVnCt
“Four of us?” said One, “I didn’t sneak into the camp until later.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡEItDPUe9lx
“I know.” Jyle said, “Mikaen, Teria, Tirinia … and Jeronem.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcQV0Ykwhx
Mikaen smirked at the empty chair beside his. “Nice try.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQBHzpYuMB
Jeronem popped back into existence, pouting. “That’s not fair! If you can be here, then so can I!”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrjr59ljjH
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3THZUGjqX
“I’m going too.” Tirinia said immediately.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYNsFmSERF
“I go where Tirinia goes.” said Teria. copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP6zhbICv2
Jeronem waved his hand. “Don’t forget about me!”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm6d457Kpy
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgxuJcRBRI
“Oh really?” Teria put a hand on her hip. “You didn’t seem to mind when your daughter was concerned.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6yoGPAps5
“I asked you to make sure she didn’t get into trouble, not to actually go rescue her if she did.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMsx0wD8h2
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYiet1rlDi
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VpCj5rTuU
“Who’s Angela?” Mikaen asked.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWGrtGY6Og
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wfrKItb47
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡu82TKlZbft
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eqMGTtF0i
“That doesn’t necessarily mean the government knew they were Revs.” One told her. “They were in disguise, after all.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9OaBzT5LX
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf5e9PA81P
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡC743UKWnpX
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl7uvJ4oOP
“Well, no.” Jyle admitted, “It’s a melting pot culture; pretty much a little of everyone there, though it is mostly Galden.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡm05rfegQni
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0pK3kv0IV
“That’s not the point. Tirinia and Teria are Daughters of Longshore, and Jeronem’s the son of the vuestan Elder.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡYog5TMOXaD
“Oh, so you’re saying I’m more expendable?” Mikaen said, crossing his arms.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwERYT6eKu
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqvXbyhGzZ
It was a good point, and Mikaen knew it. Sighing, he said, “Fine. You win, Jyle. I’ll head your little team.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxnSDgEsdP
Teria and Jeronem looked at Mikaen, both clearly disappointed. Tirinia didn’t respond at all, which struck Teria as vaguely suspicious.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50mJRkDYyn
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6OY3ZwkF6
Looking at Tirinia, Jyle said, “Don’t worry, Tirinia. I’m sending him in with my best; he’ll get home all right.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhEHahYOJc
Tirinia nodded silently, a strangely calm look on her face.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPc0y4kc2T
With a final nod to One, Jyle left the chamber.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvZot2n0n3
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HlLpw3nlN
“Yeah! What gives?” Jeronem's voice squeaked in the head of everyone present.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZCMZbQjnT
Mikaen didn’t reply. About that time, Teria realized that he and Tirinia were counting silently on their fingers.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXpcmSfKTD
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0kaMKGP71
Teria's mouth hung open for a few moments before she let out a laugh. “Cute. Real cute.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH0euZqkjN
“Ooh! Come with us, One! That would be awesome!” Jeronem looked eagerly at the Dreamer.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡewLDJ8wZSp
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHqXRcHx2P
“One!” The bespectacled man barked, “Back to the Elsewhere, now!”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡzExzT1zjmT
“What’s wrong?” One asked, sounding genuinely startled.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AqTe92K9V
“Not here. Get back to the-”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLCBItOp1Q
“What in Nocturnes is your problem?” Teria interrupted, quickly stepping between the two, “You just barge in and-”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAvMapNKJ9
“Stay out of this, norm. It doesn’t concern you.” said Teach, not even looking at her as he spoke.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRK3KYdNJm
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT8kuQOjgQ
“We can discuss my ‘issue’ back at the Elsewhere.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vrFhB45mN
“Fine, I’ll head back when I’m done here.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZEZ3pXhcG
“NOW!”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUAMf5D4oT
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡUypmdGYhLk
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50kKZo9XFl
One glared at Teach for a moment longer before nodding. “Fine.”copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkgd7wjKAH
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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvf3RtKPLw
“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 protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQwuAwSKty
Without another word, Teach strode across the room, presumably following after One and Two.copyright protection131ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Sml0SELt
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?”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPGijhOc1i
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