Location: Earth Protection Force HQ, Manhattan, New York City
Time: Morning
A large transport helicopter was hovering over the helipad on the rooftop of a tall building of fortified and near-featureless walls of concrete. It slowly descended onto the pad with a gentle grace despite the loud chopping sounds of the spinning blades levitating it. A side door opened and deployed a set of stairs that helped connect the passenger deck with the helipad itself. Out of the door, a man dressed in military garb stepped out of the plane and made his way down the steps. As he proceeded, he looked up to find someone standing at the bottom waiting for him: a tall bipedal rat of brown fur and white patterns marking facial details. A dark reddish burgundy robe draped around the rat's chest and reached down to just above his hand-like feet. On his back was a dark red sigil that resembled a flower, with each petal dotted with a circle of lighter hues.
"Hamato Yoshi, what a surprise," the man greeted loudly, having to shout over the noise of the helicopter's blades.
"General Griffin," the rat known as Hamato Yoshi replied in turn, bowing his head and arching his back forward slightly in respect.
"This must be important if you went through the trouble to see me yourself," Griffin quipped. "Come with me. We'll go somewhere quieter."
The two calmly and patiently stood side by side as they rode the elevator down, taking in the view of the city through the full glass pane in front of them.
"So what brings the patriarch of the Hamato-Division to the Earth Protection Force headquarters?" Griffin spoke up.
Yoshi was brief and direct. "I need to ask you about the secret talk set to take place in Tokyo tomorrow."
"Procedural as always," Griffin huffed quietly. "Well, the Triceraton regime that took over Sectoid 1 after the revolution demands financial aid, supposedly for colonization efforts. They boast of moderation, but they're no better than the last lot. Now they feel entitled to funds because of our own history in exploitation. Somebody hand these guys a mirror…"
"What is the Earth Protection Force going to do?"
"Well, there's a problem. The former leader of the Vreen that controlled the hive planet is here seeking political asylum."
"You mean Lord Dregg, correct?"
"Yes, and that means we either deny the Triceratons the funds and treat Dregg as a political refugee or help them and kick him out." Griffin turned slightly to look Yoshi in the eye, prompting the rat to do the same. Griffin continued, "Personally, I'm inclined to deport him, forcibly if necessary, but I'd have to come up with a politically acceptable reason for it."
Yoshi, briefly taking a moment to process the general's words, turned his head away to look back out to the cityscapes. The elevator stopped gently, having reached its destination. As the double doors on the other side slid open, Griffin proceeded to walk out, but stopped short of the doors to briefly turn back to Yoshi.
"By the way, I want to thank you for your help with that other political asylum situation. Oroku Saki from the Oroku-Division wasn't so grateful. But you realize that we in the diplomat business must avoid messy situations." He turned back to leave the elevator, leaving Yoshi to keep his eyes on the general's back until the doors closed again. As the elevator resumed its descent, Yoshi returned to gazing through the tall window.
"Messy situations," he thought to himself, leaning an arm against the rail separating him from the glass. "Why did Saki have to involve himself in this way again?"
*My apologies for the extended delay. Other things (aka-life) just got in the way and I just had a hard time mustering the will to keep going. Hopefully it won't be the case further down the line. Hope you liked the chapter!