A guard knocked on the northern districts' conference door, "Pardon the intrusion, but it is time to meet for the emergency summit."
Aquine looked over towards the guard, "Thank you, please tell them we will be arriving soon."
The guard gave a curt nod and left them alone as he went about to relay the message.
A deep frown played upon Ryo's face, "You can not be serious about going. Especially when you know the whole thing is just to get all of you out of your respected districts so they can spring what they have in mind."
Maxon shook his head, "Ryo, we have to, there is no other way. We need to keep up appearances to everyone. All of the districts, north and south as well as the Capitol will be watching during the emergency summit."
"The people have to know we are doing everything in our power to not start another war. Even though in truth we are, but they have to be reassured no matter what." Cyna pointed out to them.
"Even if it means lying to everyone? Giving the people false hope? I do not call that being fair to them. They have the right to know the truth." Kaye asked when she looked over towards the head senator from her district.
Dyson shook his head, "Kaye, war is something which can not be avoided. War brings peace."
"War…Brings peace? Are you out of your mind? War brings nothing but suffering! The only peace you speak of is the kind of silence!" Kaye shot back at him as her eyes gleamed in anger. "Is that the type of peace you want?"
"We do not have time to get into a debate with you. The other senators and I are going to the emergency summit meeting. You and your friends are to do what you are meant to carry out. This discussion is over dream walker." Dyson replied as he glanced at the other senators and gave them a nod as he walked away from the table and towards the door.
One by one the other senators left their chairs and followed Dyson. They didn't bother looking at the small group as they left them alone in the room.
"It's turning out to be like the last war all over again." Kaye said quietly as she laid her hands on the table.
Cye looked at his friends with concern in his eyes. He walked over to Kaye's side and wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and drew her to him. His voice was firm but soft, "Kaye, let it go. Don't keep it in any longer, just let it all go."
Cye's words echoed in her mind, she clutched her hands into tight fists. Her head lowered to her chest as she felt her tears well up in her eyes. Kaye felt her body shake, she blinked a couple of times and felt a couple tears escape from her eyes and drop onto the back of her hands. She was not going to let herself lose control, not now, Kaye was not going to give Dyson the satisfaction.
"It's all right Kaye, we're here. We're not going anywhere." Cye told her quietly as he continued to support his friend. He glanced at the others, as he saw their concern as well.
Kaye started to take deep breaths in the process of regaining her control. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let it get out of hand."
"You were just telling them what they should have been told a long time ago. There's no shame in it." Kento replied as he crossed his arms. "Besides, you didn't do anything wrong as far as I'm concerned."
"Kento's right…" Sage started to say but was cut off.
Kento uncrossed his arms and looked at Sage, "Wait, you said I was right?"
Sage gave a nod, "Yes, and?"
Kento grinned, "Do you know how long I've waited to hear you say those words? Years man! Finally! Sage said I was right!"
A quiet laugh echoed in the room, it got their attention as they looked at one another and then turned their attention towards the source of the laugh.
Kaye lifted her fists and let them loosen as she wiped her eyes as she continued to laugh a little more.
"Kaye, are you…" Ryo started to ask with a concerned frown.
"I'm all right now, thanks. I wasn't thinking straight, I let my emotions control my judgment. It looks like I still have a bit of training to do yet." Kaye replied as she composed herself and faced them.
"There's nothing wrong with showing emotion," Sage said, "It just means you're human."
"So says the living stoic," Kento replied in a laugh.
"Watch yourself commander," Sage warned as he narrowed his eyes at him.
"Come on Sage, loosen up, I was only trying to lighten the mood." Kento replied as he elbowed him lightly in the side.
"Guys focus, we have more important things going on and we need to figure out where to go from here." Rowen said as he looked between them. "Cye, will the senators from our district be safe here without us to guard them?"
Cye gave a nod, "They'll be just fine Rowen. The peacekeepers will watch over them. They have orders to keep them in sight at all times."
"Besides, I don't believe the southern districts will be foolish enough to try anything during the live broadcast." Sage pointed out as they were leaving the room.
"Yea, but what about the ones who rule over them? What makes you think they won't use this as a distraction?" Kento asked glancing at them.
"Maybe we should split up and do a little recon on the ones from the south, as well as the Capitol." Rowen suggested as they made it to the pavilion.
"We'll be short on time, how are we going to find what we need to know in a few days?" Kaye asked studying them.
"With Lightning, White Blaze and their dragons. We understand Lightning can only teleport short distances, then White Blaze and the dragons will help with the rest." Ryo started to explain, "I'll take Anubis's districts. Kento, you take Dais's, Sage, your will be Cale's, and Cye will take Sekhmet's."
"Then it looks like I have the Capitol." Kaye finished for him. She caught Kento's expression, he was biting a bit on his bottom lip and his eyes showed concern as he frowned not liking the idea. Kaye turned and faced him head on. "Kento, don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, Lightning will be with me and I can defend myself if I have to."
"I just don't like the idea of you there alone." Kento replied with a deeper frown.
"I've been on my own since the last war, and you guys sent me away to the District of Dreams. So now won't be any different." Kaye shot back as her eyes gleamed in determination. "Look, someone has to keep an eye on the Capitol, and the rest of you are covering the others. So what's the real reason you don't want me to go?"
Rowen frowned, he could see this was going to not turn out well. They could not afford to fight among themselves, their enemies would take the advantage and try to split them up more. "Hey, I'll go with her, then that way we'll get twice the work done with both of us there, and we can meet up sooner."
Before Kaye could even say a word Ryo jumped in, "Good idea Rowen, do you still have your connections there?"
Rowen nodded, "Yea, they'll be in hiding though, but I have an idea where they might be."
"Alright now that's decided, everyone be careful, and keep in mind Badamon's spies will more in likely be watching. They'll keep the warlords and Talpa informed as well." Sage interjected as he glanced at everyone.
Ryo frowned a bit, his voice strong and firm, "Remember this is only a recon mission. Try to keep out of trouble. We don't want to start something we can't finish. Once we get the information we need, let's meet back at the District of Justice. We'll go over what we found and figure out another plan."
Kaye glanced over at Ryo, she knew he made up his mind. She gave an internal sigh and summoned Lightning. Kaye knelt down in front of the tiger and told him what they had in mind. She watched him look over the others and when he was done, he gave a nod. Kaye rubbed the tiger's head and stood. "He's ready."
One by one they were teleported to the districts Ryo designated to investigate until the only ones left were her and Rowen. Lightning gazed at the two to see if they were set to go. He saw them nod, and a loud roar resonated through the air just before the three vanished from the pavilion.
All the while one of Badamon's spies kept close tabs on them. He did not get close enough to hear, so he could only guess what they planned or where they teleported. None the less he had to report to Badamon of what just transpired. With a blink of an eye, he vanished.
The senators from the northern districts arrived same time as the senators from the south. Each side were seated in their designated spots. No one spoke as they continued to wait in silence until the live telecast started.
Cameras and signal feeds were being tested in order to make sure there would be no problems during the broadcasts. As the time grew near for the live shoot, they showed past clips of old summit meetings. Televisions in every district were tuned to the main station. If they didn't have a television in their homes, then they were gathered into the square for a public viewing.
The past clips faded to black as the setting for the current emergency summit came into view. The cameras went down the line on each senator with a caption at the bottom of the screen identifying who each senator was and what district they represented.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the districts of the north, the south, and let's not forget our wonderful Capitol! I welcome you to the public viewing of the emergency summit!" the announcer said as the sound of applause filled the room. "Thank you everyone! Now, with no further a due, I give you the district senators!"
Ming glanced towards the southern senators, and then broke his gaze, "I'm sure everyone heard about the bombing attempt at the District of Justice. I am here to assure all of you no one was hurt and an investigation has been launched, and the rebuilding is well on its way."
'He wasted no time making his opening statement.' Finitia thought to herself as she narrowed her eyes. "Senator Ming, has there been any arrests as of late in regards to the attack?"
"We have one suspect already in custody. But don't worry, we will find the ones responsible, and justice will be served!" Ming replied with strong conviction.
