February 28, 2047: Chattanooga, Tennessee
"This meeting of the North Atlantic Council will now come to order," Wilson spoke as the face of General Rene Desjardins, the last to arrive, appeared on the view screen. "Now that everyone has arrived, we can get down to business. Is there anything that needs to be said that is not on this meeting's agenda?"
No one spoke.
"Right then," Wilson continued. "First item, border threats. General Hrekov, is there any news from your quarter?"
"No activity greater than usual reported from the Russians. We have confirmed this," the commander of Belorussia and Ukraine stated.
"Good. General Dragalina, what news from the Black Sea area?
"Low levels of activity. The usual," replied the Romanian.
"Excellent. General Hunyadi, how goes it in the western Balkans?"
The general in charge of Austria, Hungary, Transylvania, and southern Slovakia spoke up. "Some signs of increased Nod activity, particularly around old Sarajevo. Nothing we haven't seen every couple of years since Cairo."
"Good to know. You will keep an eye on it, though, I presume?" When Hunyadi nodded, Wilson moved on to the next general. "General de Cordoba, what news from North Africa?"
"There's some imam stirring up the populace to declare jihad. Appropriate measures are being taken," replied the Spanish general.
"Alright." Wilson turned to the leader of the West Indies Federation. "And you, Admiral Morgan?"
"The Bolivarans and the Brazilians are saber-rattling over Guyana. I think there may be some other items back of that, however. I will have more information at the next meeting."
"Thank you, Admiral. General Gomez?"
"There are rumors that Yucatan and the Central Americans may come to blows. Cuba is quiet, as is Jamaica; Hispaniola is restive—some priest who calls himself Baron Samedi. He will be dealt with as soon as we determine who is behind him," replied the commander of the Eastern Carribean.
"Alright. General Torrijos?"
"Panama remains quiet, though there are rumors of soldiers in the Darien. However, I am not precisely worried."
That produced a round of laughter from all present. The Darien was still one of the most hostile environments, not counting the Red Zones, on earth.
"I don't blame you," Wilson said dryly. "And, as to the NAU, Aztlan is being Aztlan. Are there any other border threats?"
When no one spoke up, Wilson continued. "Then on to internal security. General Gomez, I believe there were some problems in your area at the time of the last meeting?"
"There were. However, the troubles in Cuba and Jamaica have been dealt with. Hispaniola is proving rather more difficult—some voodoo priest that calls himself Baron Samedi is stirring up the populace. We are currently pinpointing his location, and are seeking to determine if Nod is involved."
"Excellent. Generals Kohl and Desjardins, have you come to an agreement on the Alsace-Lorraine matter?"
"We have," the German replied. "We ended up using General Herzog as a mediator, but the situation has been resolved."
"Finally," General Pilsudski growled under his breath.
Desjardins glared. "And how is your dispute with Hrekov going, General?"
"At least we have not had to take valuable council time with…"
"Enough, Generals," Torrijos snapped. "General Wilson, please continue."
"Thank you, General Torrijos. Now, in the NAU, we have increased Nod activity, especially in my region and that of General Reynolds. Is that the case for all of you?"
The generals nodded unanimously.
"In that case, then, I move that we compile our intelligence in a comprehensive briefing for GDI and send it off to them by the end of March?"
Desjardins spoke first. "You know GDI won't believe us, Wilson. Many of them think we exaggerate the threat of Nod in order to remain in power."
"Yes, Desjardins," came Gomez's reply, "But should Nod assault, and we predict it, it may cause GDI to listen to us during the war, and, indeed…"
"That is for pre-vote debate, gentlemen," Hrekov said. "I second the motion."
"Motion has been seconded," Hunyadi, current second-in-command of the council, called. "Is there a motion for a debate?"
"I so move."
"Seconded."
"The floor is now open for debate. General Zizka, you have the floor."
"Thank you, General Hunyadi. Commanders," he began, now addressing all present, "As we all know, there are many differences between this council and GDI. However, there is one thing we are both solidly in agreement on: Tiberium and Nod, in that order, are the greatest threats to human life on earth. We both know to act against Tiberium; however, we have not the resources to act against Nod should it arise, and GDI must often be reminded of this common interest. Therefore I recommend that this intelligence briefing be compiled, with full faith, and sent to GDI."
Torrijos, Pilsudski, Hrekov, and Wilson nodded agreement. Desjardins shook his head, while Cordoba, Kohl, Gomez, and Morgan all gave signs that they were unsure of the proper course.
"Thank you, General Zizka," Hunyadi said, then inclined his head towards the Frenchman. "General Desjardins, you have the floor."
"Thank you, General Hunyadi. Commanders, while it is true that both GDI and ourselves share the same antipathy towards Nod and Tiberium, there are certain elements within GDI that see us as a threat marginally below that. To them, we are foederati at best, mere mercenaries at worst, who want power for its own sake, and would overthrow GDI if we could. And if we compile this report, and nothing happens, that faction will be strengthened, and we may lose all support from GDI. That would not destroy us, but it would mean that there would be precious time lost in reintegrating in time of a Nod attack. Therefore I recommend that this intelligence briefing be compiled, but not sent to GDI."
Cordoba, Kohl, Gomez, and Morgan signed agreement, while Torrijos, Pilsudski, Hrekov, Wilson, and Zizka took the opposite tack.
"Then," Hunyadi sighed, "May I assume the council is deadlocked?"
The soldiers nodded, and Hunyadi sighed yet again. Wilson watched him carefully. Hunyadi was the oldest man on the council, and the most experienced general, having fought in the First and Second Tiberium Wars. Whatever he decided, the council would agree to.
"It has been long since the last war," he began, "And long since Nod stirred. Some say this is because Nod is dying, and we need only wait until it ceases to stir. Others say it is the quiet of a snake waiting to strike. I believe that the latter is what is transpiring, and that these initial incidents are the snake rearing its head as it sees an opportune time to attack. Therefore, I recommend that the briefing be compiled, in full faith, and sent to GDI."
Desjardins glowered slightly, but nodded, as did the others.
"General Pilsudski," Hunyadi continued, "I am assigning you to compile and send the briefing. I believe this order of business is concluded. General Wilson."
"Thank you general. I believe the business of this meeting of the North Atlantic Council is concluded." When no disagreement evinced itself, Wilson nodded sharply. "Meeting adjourned."