The entire meeting room is in a state of frenzy with people running around to get things ready. It isn't very often the leaders of the alliance get together on such short notice, but considering the circumstances, an emergency meeting is needed at this point. The last thing they need was a crisis regarding the oil fields in Australian waters.
The doors slide open and at once one of the men looks up, his eyes widening as he spots the familiar form of the President making his way into the center of the room. Unlike most other alliances and leaders, the leadership of the Confederation does not use holograms to meet. They come together physically, often meeting within this very room inside the Meldney Complex, although sometimes they meet in Taipei, Manila, or Tokyo. Most everyone else thinks it to be strange that they refuse to use holograms, but Seph always argues - as do his fellow leaders - that it takes the personal, or human, aspect out of the meetings.
Seph personally feels grateful for the Empress calling a meeting. That means that they are on the same page with this issue, and it also ensures that the allies will be ready to support one another. He sits down at the table, eyeing the seats where they sit with a critical eye. He knows each of them personally, and it helps that the dossiers he received on them after taking office allow him to at least know more about them; at least in writing.
He checks the clock displayed on the wall and he smirks as he hears the doors open.
"So, you finally showed up..." he remarks teasingly.
"Well, of course, Matthews-san..." a female voice says seriously...
(The scene shows a small flame before darkness snuffs it out. But a small ember burns...)
Hikari ga tsudzuku... ! (The ember is blown away, becoming one of many as the sun begins to rise beyond a war-torn town.)
Hikari ga tsudzuku... ! (The light from the sun overcomes the camera and it fills the screen before fading to show the skyline of Sydney and the name of the series.)
Yami ga sono tochi o shuchō suru kamo shirenai (The image flares before it shows two people trapped in a ruined structure in what was once Shanghai. They are both shaking and are wounded from shrapnel.)
Shikashi, kibō wa enjo no te o kasu (A pair of explosions rocks the area and they huddle and whimper before someone lifts the debris off the two of them. It is a group of Australian soldiers.)
Sekai ga kawaru to (The soldiers help the two children to their feet before one of them grabs a grenade and throws it at some bandits coming to pillage. The grenade explodes before the debris falls away, exposing the ruins of Europe, Marshal Sergei Kudryavtsev's image over the continent, King Lawrence III opposing him over Europe as well.)
Furui risō wa moe tsudzukeru (The scene is engulfed in a bright flash as it shows Korean soldiers storming through city ruins in what was once Seoul, South Korea, carrying Panemian weaponry as rebels fight back desperately. Above them is Ahn Sun Pok, her face twisted into a sneer as she holds her hands upwards, as if mocking the world's helplessness. Behind her is the Panemian Vice President while President Kane is off to the side, gazing at the sky.)
Kieru hikarinonakade (With a wave of her hand, she commands the forces to open fire on rebel positions. Missiles rain down, the black smoke engulfing the area before it is blown aside by a hoverplane.)
Kurayami ga hirogaru ni tsurete (The hoverplane is painted in Arabian colors, and on top of the imposing palace is Muthasim V, the sultan. He looks back as it fades to a map, showing the Egyptian Union breaking away from them. But then it shows the country turning a bluish green as it fades to show a new figure in the shadows.)
Watashitachi no kibō wa tsudzukudeshou (The figure holds up its right arm before it lunges out, coming into the light to reveal Seph Matthews as he swings his beam saber mounted onto his right arm, cutting through a bandit before spinning and cleaving another's gun in two, following up with a left hook leaving him dazed. He turns, his left optics lens flaring red as it engulfs the screen.)
Watashitachi ga mada ikite iru kagiri (The light fades to show three other members, all of them gathered around in front of the Meldney Complex. To the left is Japanese Empress Yuki Minaguma. To the right is Filipino President Gueo Largina. And in the middle is Taiwanese President Chae Yang Un. Behind them the flag of the Australian Confederation flutters before the camera zooms in on it, only for it to fall away.)
Un, hikari ga tsudzuku! (The image of Sydney is revealed, above it Seph and his fellow leaders side by side with the sun behind them, the Australian Confederation flag above them all as the series name appears below them.)
Chapter 3: Against All Odds
Location: Meldney Complex - Australia
Time: 1800 hours
Date: Thursday, 11 May, 139 AF (2158 AD)
The President shifts in his seat as he casts his gaze over the meeting room, taking in the leaders gathered before him.
Japan's head of state also happens to be their current Empress, Yuki Minaguma. She is in her late fifties, with a variety of scars crisscrossing her face. While she may seem intimidating, she is in reality a down-to-earth, rather homely, kind of woman. It's tempered though with a harsh outlook on reality in regards to politics and piracy attacks. Her most startling feature, aside from her bright orange hair and shocking blue eyes, is the mechanical prosthetic leg. Like Seph's, it's modeled after one of the mecha from the Gundam franchise, which has started to make a comeback in the Confederation. In her case, it's the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam her leg is modeled after.
Off to her side sits Filipino President Gueo Largina. Unlike the other leaders here, he is in his seventies, and he looks like his age, if not older. His hands are clasped on his cane, and his grey eyes are locked onto his fellow leaders. But the most shocking thing is the metallic facemask which conceals his lower face. Seph's optic is able to penetrate the metal covering, and he grimaces to himself at the sight of the hideous burn beneath it. Gueo lost his lips and lower nose in a firebombing of his town when he was in his forties. Ever since then he has to wear a facemask to protect his sensitive flesh, as well as hide it from the people. He also happened to receive a shrapnel wound to his left leg, but since it's embedded so deeply, it's considered impossible to remove. So now he walks with a pronounced limp and has to use a cane as a result. But that does little to stop his patriotic spirit.
The final chair is taken up by the oldest, and perhaps the most ruthless, man in the group. Taiwanese President Chae Yang In is in his nineties, but he still has a full head of silvery grey hair, and keen blue eyes. He leans forward as he eyes his fellow leaders with a critical gaze. His face is slightly grizzled, taken up by a beard and mustache combo that adds a grandfatherly look to him. Yet despite being an avid supporter of Seph and his policies, there is no doubt the man has ambitions. And big ones. He is intent on conquering mainland China, giving back to the people of his island their native homeland. His skill on the front lines is also something to commend, Seph muses.
"So... I heard that the incursion was... effective?" Un asks in a calm manner.
Seph nods. "Yeah. It was, mate. But I will admit, I was hesitant about using them."
"This black ops project of yours... what is it?" the Empress asks. "You never did say."
"Well, may as well spill it," Seph mutters. "But first, remember the piloted mecha you guys built? For construction and emergency efforts?"
She nods. "Yes. But what does that have to do with this special weapon?" the Empress asks.
"Everything," Seph admits. "It was just a crazy idea some bloke had, but... it actually had some truth to it. Turns out as soon as I took office, I was informed of a project in the works code-named MECH. So..." He shifts in his seat. "I moved it to priority number one for our black projects. All others which were underway or being done, were scrapped and put into storage for future use."
Seph sighs as he runs a hand through his hair before he reaches down under the table and pulls out three manila-colored folders. He hands them out to his fellow leaders. "This was bound to come out sooner or later. So... may as well tell you before the conspiracies start."
The three leaders blink before they open the folders and scan over their contents.
The reactions they give are varied, ranging from wide eyes to utter disbelief crossing their faces as they look them over.
Within the folders are detailed blueprints and data on the ACSW-X109 Eagle Gundam.
Minaguma's eyes are wide as she lowers the folder, gaping in shock. She looks at Seph, rage taking place of the shock on her features. "You... You didn't even tell us?!" she cries, slamming her hands on the table in anger. "We're allies for God's sake! Things like this are supposed to be shared amongst us as equals!"
"Sorry, mate. But it was for your own protection as much as anyone else's," Seph admits. "To be honest, I wasn't sure, but..."
"So you developed this... Gundam... in an attempt to try and overcome our naval discrepancies, correct?" Un asks.
Seph nods. "Yeah. Since they have hundreds of ships and we do not, despite the shipbuilding boom, we needed an edge that could give us the ability to take them down. And since some of the populace were muttering about how Gundams could be an asset, the government actually took them seriously and the project got underway. But now..." He shifts as he looks down at his right hand and flexes it. "Something tells me we'll be needing Mobile Suits more than ever."
"Mobile Suits..." Minaguma frowns. "And you neglected to tell us you had such a project in the works."
"Because I wanted to keep it secret until the time was right," Seph insists. "And... to be sure you all would have one."
"Huh?" All three fellow leaders gape at him in mild shock.
Seph looks at each of them in turn. "There are three other Mobile Suit prototypes in the works. One is the Eagle Gundam. The data and specs are gifted to you to do with as you see fit. There is also data on the other three prototypes in the works as well, and as I said, you each will receive a prototype Mobile Suit to reverse engineer and do with as you see fit. However..." His optic flares red as his green eye turns into an emerald. "You must not - I repeat, must not - reveal it to Panem, let alone anyone else."
"To prevent them from getting their hands on it, yes?" Un asks.
Seph is silent as he nods.
Largina narrows his eyes. "How can we be sure that your little incursion and revelation won't spur Panem to develop their own mecha?" he asks.
"That... we can't confirm," Seph admits. "But we did not reveal the full capacity of the Eagle Gundam to them."
In is silent before he looks Seph in the eye and optic. "Yet a picture can reveal a thousand words," he says. "As an ancient proverb from my people goes. Such a revelation can lead to unexpected, and often, unintended consequences."
"I know, mate," Seph says seriously. "But as another proverb says, father's debt, son gives back. And that is what we're trying to do. Put right the mistakes our forefathers have made almost a hundred and fifty years back."
Un nods. "Yes, and such a mistake was also performed Before the Fall with my people's old country."
That gets Seph. His eye widens as he sees the glimmer in Un's eyes. "Wait... You mean...?" He leans forward. "You did it?"
The Taiwanese President smirks. "We have. Taiwan has a foothold."
The Australian smirks a bit as well. "Heh. Guess your ambition is finally started," he remarks.
President Un nods as he looks down at his clasped hands. "Yes. But... I'm afraid I may not live to see it completed." He is silent for a moment as he ponders his fellow leaders and allies. "My age is starting to catch up to me, despite the advances in medical technology we have made..."
Seph is shocked for a moment. "Un... Chae... I..." He falls silent as the Taiwanese man looks him in the eye and optic.
"President Matthews, can I count on you to make sure my dream comes true for my people? That they are given back their homeland? And that their legacy can be reborn in a true Republic of China?" he asks. "And that my descendants know that it was my dream to return China to her people?"
The Australian President hesitates, but then he reaches out and clasps Un's hands with his own. "Chae... I will do my damned best to ensure that it happens," he says. "As an ally, and as a friend."
President Un smiles, for the first time in forever a genuine one crossing his face. In all his career as a soldier and politician, he has never met anyone as honest and determined as Joseph Matthews. And personally, it makes him feel glad for that. At least this generation can fix the mistakes of the old under his leadership.
Minaguma finally clears her throat and draws their eyes back to her and Largina. "So, back on track. You say we'll each get a Mobile Suit?"
Seph nods as he sits back in his seat. "That's right, mate. Got an issue with it?"
She shakes her head. "No. Just making sure you're not trying to skimp out on us." She leans back in her seat, placing her hands in front of her on the table. "We got other troubles though, too. Remember Pok? She's threatening to make a move into our waters."
Seph snorts. "Figured. That test though should keep them back. Just beam the footage back to them with a message. That always works."
"I don't think it will work this tine," Largina muses in his raspy voice.
"Why not?" Minaguma asks. "I mean, it worked before."
The Filipino nods. "Yes. But that was before. They know we have the missiles. But they also know, based on us showing them this footage repeatedly, that we're not going to use them. So far they've lingered behind their borders, not because they're fearful of us, but because they're trying to test us." His eyes harden. "Or rather testing our resolve to not use them."
Seph's eye narrows as he ponders his words. "Then we'll have to show them something they will be fearful of for a while..." he mutters. He leans forward, his hands in front of his mouth. "The only problem is we don't have anything else, and I don't want to risk exposing our black ops project to them."
In is silent as he scans the table. "There is another way," he says. "And you know what it is, do you not?"
Seph's teeth grit as he remembers the deal. "Yeah... But I don't want to put the beachhead and its troops at risk for war right now. Not when we have Panem encroaching on our territory."
The Taiwanese President smirks. "Not in the way you fear, President Matthews," he says. "If you think about it, if such an action is taken, we could use it as an ultimatum. If they do not wish their 'ally' to be attacked, they will back off and leave us alone until we are in a better position. And with the alliance just established with the Egyptian Union, it could give us some leverage."
"Not in the way we need, Un," Seph shouts back. "They're low on every asset imaginable for defense: tanks, jets, guns, ammunition, fuel, supplies... It's a disaster zone there. Even with everything they salvage, it's not enough."
"True. But they have something that the Caliphate does not." Un's blue eyes glimmer. "Remember... the Suez Canal runs through Egypt. And since the end of the Apocalypse... it's been in their hands..."
Seph's eye narrows. "So? I know what that means. But you gotta remember, Un. They could find a way to get around the canal."
"As well as the Strait of Gibraltar," Un finishes, a smirk crossing his face.
Seph's eye goes wide at that last statement. "Wait, what?"
Un grins. "You heard me, Matthews. The Egyptians have gotten their hands on the Strait as well as the Canal. They have complete control of the access to the Mediterranean Sea."
"How'd they manage that?!" Minaguma blurts, slamming her hands on the table. "I thought they were low on assets!"
"Last I heard from one of my spies was that they had talks with the remnants of Spain in the works. They agreed to hand over all control of the Strait in exchange for an alliance. And this brings another country under our protection as well," Un says, leaning back in his seat, confidence brimming in his eyes. "Isn't that what you wanted, Matthews?" He directs the question at Seph, who is now silent as his eye hardens.
"Not exactly..." he mutters. "An alliance with Spain... Getting the green oil to the Union is hard enough. But to get it to Spain... that's a whole new slew of problems."
Largina on the other hand is thoughtful. He leans forward on his cane. "We have no idea as to what the political situation in Spain is. It is a big risk bringing them under our nuclear umbrella," he rasps. "Especially as the others have nuclear missiles stored in that region as well."
Seph frowns. He knows the Filipino has a point. But then again, there are those who still live in what the world calls the Wastelands, or areas that are affected the worst by the radioactive fallout from the Apocalypse. Spain is one of those that were hit hard. And those in the Wastelands are fair game for Panem. And yet some people in those regions turn to fascism or dictatorships while democracy lasts only a short time. In contrast to the days of old, of course.
And yet here is a golden opportunity to try and start reaching out beyond the Eastern Hemisphere.
He closes his eye as he ponders the risks and consequences.
He finally looks at Minaguma. "What say you?" he asks.
She purses her lips, trying to think. This is a risk, but at the same time, it's a once in a lifetime chance. She sighs. "President Matthews... Seph... I agree it could be a risk, but then again, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. We have a chance to expand our range. We have a chance to start to restore old world ideals! Spain... they agreed to this because they seek protection from Panem, yes, but if this works... we could also deny Panem vital oil supplies from the Caliphate! As well as deny naval assistance to them! Think about it!" Her blue eyes are alight as she speaks. "This means we could control the Med, and they'd have to resort to other methods of getting their precious black sludge across territories! It would also mean we could control the amount of oil coming through those two spaces! We've got a chance, Seph! A chance to show the world we're not screwing around anymore! Those two locations give us the chance we need!"
"And what if Panem has resources that can be used against them?!" Largina hisses. "They're currently allied with the Union of Sovereign States! And they're a communist country!
Minaguma narrows her eyes. She knows he has a point, but he is overlooking something. "True. But if you think about it, there's the Swiss Confederation, and they as much as us and Britain, wish for peace, albeit a bit different from what we're working towards," she says. "And that means that the USS and Caliphate have to contend with British influence in the area. The Swiss, as you know, are neutral. And we have a standing treaty with them. If we do not get involved, they leave us alone. But as of recently, we've been becoming more active in global affairs. That brings us back to the point here."
Seph, however, has his head bowed and his eye is closed. There are many uncertainties regarding the Spanish remnants, and there also are possible risks to having control of both the Strait and Suez Canal. To be able to deny Panem the ability to transport that dirty sludge from the ground is one thing. But it also means that there is the chance of war breaking out. And yet...
There are just too many unknowns, and the Confederation has a tendency to be prepared for just about anything. But this time... it's beyond their imaginations. The possibilities are infinite, and so on. He finally lifts his head and opens his eye. "There are just too many risks," he says, catching them by surprise.
"Too many risks in general?" Un asks quietly.
Seph nods. "Yes. While the Union does possess the ability to deny the Caliphate and USS that sludge, it's also fraught with risk because it could lead to war. And the Spanish factor. That is the biggest risk." His eye hardens as his optic flashes in contemplation. "How do we know that they're not working for Panem? Who can we trust on that matter?" He pauses. "So we have to think."
Everyone falls silent at that.
They have reached an impasse. Two are for it, two are against it or unsure.
Un sighs. "But... there isn't another way?" he asks.
"Aside from a compromise, I don't see one," Largina rasps.
Minaguma nods. "We have no choice."
Seph is silent, but he nods. "Yeah. A compromise. We'll say that we accept the alliance with Spain and the Union, and that we'll do everything we can to protect them. But until we know more about the political situation in Spain, we cannot meet with them, nor establish a formal alliance until then. And as for the Canal and Strait... Well, they have to let Panemian ships deliver the sludge until further notice."
"I don't know if they'll take too kindly to that..." Minaguma mutters.
"Better that than not at all," Seph tells her coldly. "Unless you wanna be the one who starts WWIV..."
Her eyes widen and she pales. "No!" she squeaks.
The President nods. "Thought so." He then addresses the group as a whole. "So, it's all agreed then?"
Un nods his head. "Yes."
Largina rasps, "Yes."
Minaguma hesitates, but nods her assent. "Yes."
"All right. I'll issue the compromise soon via hologram." Seph finally leans back and sighs. "I just hope things work out for us..."
"It's a step in the right direction, President Matthews," Largina points out. "We do wish for this, do we not?"
He nods, his eye drifting towards the window to look out at the city-like complex. His gaze softens as he remembers what's coming up. "Yeah... And... hopefully, we won't have to remember the damn Games... or those children who were murdered like so many bloody sheep..."
All three leaders wince at that. "I take it everyone will be getting ready then?" Minaguma asks.
The President frowns. "I'm sure they well, but as you know, it's tradition for the President to issue the announcement, and then the preparations begin. In the winter is when the memorial takes place, during the so-called "Victory Tour." He grimaces at the thought.
"It's nothing but a parade celebrating a murderer..." Un muses, his eyes hard like diamonds. He leans forward a bit, his mouth hidden by his clasped hands. "And that... is not right. It's basically saying 'here is who you could be: a serial killer. Take pride in murdering children. Train for it. And be celebrated for it.'"
Largina's face is unreadable due to the mask, but the harsh intake of breath through the two slats indicates he is also disgusted. "So, what's the plan this year, Matthews?"
Seph shrugs. "Not sure yet. I have to make the announcement to the whole Confederation. And then we'll begin the preparations. I'll inform you once we have it in place."
His fellow leaders nod in agreement. "Right," Un says. He stands up, pushing his chair back. "I have to get going. My granddaughter is coming over with her newborn son."
Seph's eye widens. "You're a great-grandfather?"
Un nods with a small smile. "Yes. And I have to admit, I'm kind of proud to be one."
"Well, congratulations," Minaguma says. She smiles. "Hope you have fun with your great-grandson."
Largina stands up as well. "I also have to go. I am supposed to give an announcement on the state of affairs in a few hours."
"Very well. I'll see you all next meeting, mates," Seph says.
The three leaders file out, and Seph follows after.
Location: Press Office, Meldney Complex - Australia
Time: 1845 hours
Seph feels immensely relieved to be away from the hustle and bustle of the government for a while. At least now he can focus on what's to come: preparations for this year's Christmas festivities.
Normally Christmas is not associated with the Hunger Games, but after the first fifteen Games, the Australian President back then, Gerald Oppenheimer, started a new tradition that quickly took root. In place of the festivities after the actual holiday, there were to be six days of remembrance for the dead children. At first it had started out as a minor thing, with only brief photographs and snippets of the dead tributes, and people mourned them. It was a somber event, and some people couldn't take it at first. So it was turned into a quiet moment, with people choosing to remember if they wished to. In recent years however, after the failure of the second rebellion twenty years ago, it became something of a festival in its own right. Sure it was still somber, and sad, but this time it was more of a defiance of sorts, with people starting to gather out in larger crowds and carrying with them menorahs with candles in them. Candles that had been dubbed "Katniss Kandles" after the failed Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen. The menorahs were also heavily modified to be able to hold twenty-four candles, each with a tribute's name on them. And all twenty four were supposed to burn for six days. When the candles finished burning, it was always followed by a moment of silence before the real event, the concerts, took place.
The concerts tend to be the biggest event of the year, with millions of people turning out all across the Confederation, to hear the songs intended to defy the Capitol and Panem's secularism.
A small smile crosses his face as he straightens his uniform and runs a hand through his hair. "Well... here we go..."
He steps out into the press room as the cameras start flashing. The entire room is filled with people from every news agency in the Confederation, including a few from outside in Britain, he notes with mild surprise.
Seph shifts before he opens his mouth and begins to speak.
Across the entire Australian Confederation, in homes, businesses, schools, and military bases, TV screens and tablets, smartphones and laptops, all light up with the announcement. People all stop what they are doing, gather around the screens, and start to listen intently. After eighty years of this, they know what to expect when the President comes on all news channels.
"My fellow Australians, and all people in the Confederation. Today, as you know, marks the beginning of the Ninety-Fifth Hunger Games. Ninety-five years of unbridled murder, glorified serial killers, and worst of all, violation of civil and human rights for children.
"This is a tradition that Panem has come to glorify and celebrate. But it is not a bloody celebration. Nor is it a bloody festival. It is nothing but a barbaric tradition that stems from the sick man who sought to make the rebels suffer by having their most precious people killed by their own hands. It is a tradition that calls for people to ignore the fact that children are the next generation. This calls for people to forget that children are to be protected, not slaughtered like lambs! And that is why we have this event of our own during the so-called 'Victory Tour.' It reminds us of the fact that each child that died was just that: a child.
"I have to admit, I'm getting damn sick of this. Having to remember the dead like this. But how else can we remember them? The answer is, we have no other way. Right now, as they are preparing them for the slaughter, so we too should start preparing for the coming Days of Remembrance. Those six days where the children are never forgotten.
"So let us focus on that, but also, despite everything, we must go about our lives. It is hard, I know, but this time of year is a somber one for us. This is a time of year for letting ourselves get in touch with our humanity. Do not lose sight of that. To remember the dead children is only right. It marks us as human. Unlike so many others abroad...
"The event will, as usual, culminate in several songs sung by our most famous singers. And this year, I hope we have something different, not just the usual religious and holiday songs. So until then, let us focus on the things to come. God Bless the Confederation."
With that, the screens shut down and people everywhere start to get to work.
But for Seph, the work has just begun.
Now he has to answer several questions. He raises a hand and points to a woman with long black hair and dark brown eyes in the back of the room. She raises her mike in his direction.
"Mr. President, my name is Vân Phạm of World News Australia Late. Is there anything you can tell us so far about the Games this year?"
Seph shakes his head. "Unfortunately we do not have any information as of right now. But what we do know is the current roster of this year's tributes. Some of them are from outlying districts and have caught the eye of some of our spies, so we'll be keeping tabs on them."
"Any that seem like they'd be good assets?"
Another shake of the head follows this question. "Negative. We're not going to risk it."
A man in the front row shoves his mike towards Seph. "Mr. President, I'm with The Australian. I'm Kostya Fyodorov. I heard about the incursion in the Pacific with Panem's Grand Pacific Formation. Is it true that they were driven off by a black ops project you had in the works?"
Seph's eye hardens as he faces the man directly. "Mr. Fyodorov, that information is classified. I can say we did have something that drove them off, but I can't say lest Panem overhear us via our news stations. All I can say though is that we did have a bit of a surprise when they tried to take over the rigs. I guess my choice to let the rig commanders arm them to the teeth was a good idea." A few chuckles echo in the room and he feels the tension lighten in the atmosphere.
"Mr. President!" a few others cry out. Seph pauses, looking around before he points at a woman with a thatch of bright green hair and dark brown eyes.
"I'm Mei Yuen with ABC News. Is it true that Panem is not going to retreat from drilling for oil in our territory?" she asks, shoving her mike at Seph.
The President frowns. "From the looks of things, it may not be happening any time soon," he said seriously. "And frankly, it worries me. I can only hope that someday things will work out for us... and we can get Panem to remember what they lost."
She frowns at his response, but nods. "All right."
The question and answer session continues for ten minutes, during which Seph answers questions on Panem's drilling, the Hunger Games, and even the upcoming Days of Remembrance.
When the press finally leaves, he heads back to his quarters and shuts the door behind him.
Only to see the one woman who he has expected.
Sister Nina Aleksandrov.
He knows who she is, from reports and prior events.
Born into a family descended from the last of the Vatican members, she was raised Catholic. But when she was fifteen she discovered the Christian Church and never deviated from it. She became a well known priestess, preaching the gospel in lands that often ignored it, like mainland China. Sure there had been some success there, but not to the extent that her parishioners had hoped. By the time she was in her thirties, she had a following of over one million across the country, with five million in the Confederation. Her powerful words and ability to draw people to her made her a very popular figure. But when she was forty two, she had also discovered the power of music to pass on her messages. Her popularity skyrocketed, and Nina became a household name.
She is now one of the most popular singers in the Confederation, and she often sings at the Remembrance Concert.
She is now in her late sixties, but still going strong. Her hair, while as white as snow, is still braided in her signature hairstyle, and she wears her usual priestess garb, complete with the cross around her neck. She also wears her headband with the twin V-fins of Wing Zero Gundam: Endless Waltz version. Her blue eyes sparkle as she sees Seph step into the room.
"Mr. President," she greets.
"Sister." Seph bows respectfully as she flitters around to the other side of his desk and takes her seat. "I didn't expect you for another few hours," he adds as he sits down in front of her.
"Neither did I. But something has come up you should be aware of," Nina says seriously. She grips the cross around her neck. "You are aware of the 95th Games, yes?"
"Always," Seph snorts, his optic flaring red as his green eye becomes a shard of emerald. "Don't think that we're unaware. Our spies have always informed us of this ever since the damn bloody Games began."
"Yes. But it has to do with the aftermath," Sister Aleksandrov says, her gaze locking with his. "You know the Lord acts in mysterious ways, correct?"
Seph's eye narrows as he remembers the history lessons of his youth. The Messages, as they are called, stand out in his mind clear as crystal. "How could I not know that? We're still trying to figure out the sender of the Messages."
The priestess nods. "I was touched by the Lord last night. Or rather, He showed me what could happen in the aftermath of the 100th Games." She is solemn as she speaks. "I do not know the entirety of the message He gave me, but it showed a nation torn asunder, blood spilled abroad and at home. The conflict's reach was unknown... and it worries me."
"So what you're saying is that a war may break out, and we'll need to be prepared?" Seph asks.
"I can only guess that that is what He meant. But His messages are pretty vague to me," Nina admits. "Regardless, it is something we must anticipate."
Seph nods. In truth, he doubts her words as to having received a vision from God, but he isn't about to forget the possibility of another war breaking out over the ending of the Hunger Games. Cold, rational logic is pointing towards that. "I'll keep that in mind," he says. He is about to reach for his phone when her next words stop him.
"Also, I have a request."
"Pardon?" He cocks an eyebrow.
"I wish that this year's concert is not just broadcast to the Confederation, but to the world as a whole." Nina's eyes are hard as he removes his hand from the phone and places it on his face in thought.
"A global broadcast, huh?" Seph muses. "Any particular reason?"
"Yes." Nina nods as she moves to smooth her robes. "It may help ease the pain of their spiritual rebirth."
Now Seph gets a vague idea as to what she is getting at. "A vision of a nation torn asunder... That's Panem, I take it?"
"I said we can only guess," she says.
Seph frowns. "Right." He ponders the situation at hand, and his eye narrows. "But what I want to know is... why? Why a global broadcast? There has to be a reason for it."
Nina nods. "There is. To broadcast our defiance of Panem and this 'new' world order that has persisted for decades. The old world order people have feared for years back Before the Fall. Also... what do you know of the education in Panem?"
Seph grunts. "Don't remind me. People are ignorant as to their full history. I quizzed the captain of the Grand Pacific Formation on what the date of America's revolution was, and she had no idea." He grimaces. "Being ignorant to world history is a recipe for history to repeat itself."
Nina shifts in her seat, gazing out at the buildings of the Meldney Complex. Her blue eyes soften a bit as she sighs. "Such actions cannot be justified unless it is to control their thinking. Similar to what Nazi Germany did back during World War II..."
"I know. But there has to be a reason you asked me if I knew the level of education in Panem, and the request for a global concert." His eye narrows a bit more as he leans forward, his right hand tapping the top of the desk. "Let me guess... You got something in the works?" he asks, pressing her for information.
The priestess smiles a bit. "Yes. A sort of history lesson. A song that may encourage them to start asking questions." She reaches into a pouch on her robes and pulls out her tablet. She does a few finger motions and then hands it to him. Seph takes it and looks it over, his eye widening.
"This... You thought this up on your own?" he asks, looking up in shock.
Nina nods. "Yes. It has taken me months to figure out the proper lyrics and beat. I only ask your permission to play it at the concert."
"So that's why you requested it to be broadcast globally..." Seph muses with a smirk. "I like your style. I really do." He handed her tablet back to her and she pocketed it. "You have my permission to play that song. And the concert will be broadcast globally too."
The Russian priestess smiles as she stands up. "I thank you, President Matthews. I can only pray that the Lord guides us in our darkest hours, as He has so many years before."
Location: Meldney Complex - Armed Forces Division
Time: 1845 hours
Hunter is glad for one thing: the damn Panemians aren't going to risk any more of their ships getting damaged after that one incursion. This gives him some time to ponder what is happening in the world, and the events that have led up to the current world order as they know it.
He still recalls the stories told by his grandparents and history taught by his teachers over the course of his schooling.
Back during the Before the Fall era, things had been better. Sure strife was common, but at least people had been, for the most part, at peace and tolerant of one another, respectful of human rights, and valued children as the next generation, not playthings in some bloody murderfest treated as a sporting event by the ruling elites. But then, the Apocalypse broke out in 2019, or 0000 AF.
He recalls hearing stories of nuclear fire raining from the heavens onto towns and cities, with people dying in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, leaving only razed land and radioactive wastelands behind. True the world was starting to recover, but for the most part it was still destroyed or dying. When the climate changed sometime in the 0020s to 0090s AF, or around that date (it is often argued that the climate change was well underway prior to the Apocalypse, but it's still disputed even to this day, so no one really knows for sure), the people adapted, and many others still died when they failed to adapt or move to higher ground when the floods came.
He can remember the tales of the founding of the remaining power blocs in the world. The rise of the Union of Sovereign States after the Apocalypse was one of the big ones, as then Europe was threatened. Britain, the remaining democracy on the planet aside from Australia, started to clash with an old ally, becoming one of two holdouts. The Caliphate arose around the same time, taking control of the oil resources of the Middle East, while North Korea went on a bloody conquering spree and took control of the majority of Asia, save for the three future Confederation members, which took to fighting them as best they could.
The rise of Panem is another matter entirely.
With it came a hope for a better future, but then things changed for the worse after the First Revolution. Panem was turned into a barbaric state, and people started to lose who they once were.
But with it, came a new hope as well. Britain, which had by then started to expand its influence once more, made contact with their former colony and Dominion member, now a powerhouse in her own right. The Australian government by then expanded the armed forces to become the dominant military presence in the Easter Hemisphere, clashing with the UDPRK and Chinese remnants at sea, on land, and in the air. The country also became a green energy powerhouse, which surprised Britain's reigning monarch at the time. The two countries reforged an alliance, with the British crown accepting the Australians' newfound sovereignty and the oil they no longer used (although Australia is also selling them the green oil derived from algae as well.)
With this newfound alliance, Australia gained new military tech that they put to good use; such tech included plasma weapons which were swiftly adapted into many new forms, such as beam sabers, shields, and guns.
As Panem began to slide back into civil war again though, the world's most powerful nation in the Eastern Hemisphere decided to plan for the assistance of the rebels. Their plans included attacking the Capitol with a special ops team, killing Snow on live TV as well as his cronies in a brutal fashion, and wiping out the entire city with a nuclear hydrogen missile. Poison gas was considered as a means to make Snow die a very agonizing death, and one outrageous scheme included having the deceased children's families or descendants kill the tyrant himself. Yet after the failure of the resistance to topple the tyrannical government, the Australians scrapped the plans to assist the resistance and decided to wait and see what happened next.
By the time Kane was elected, people were starting to hope for a better future, even if things were still not as good as they could've been, considering the fascist nature of the government's Ultranationalists in power.
Hunter finally is drawn out of his musings and recollections by one of the officers tapping on his desk.
"What?" he asks, rubbing his head briefly.
"Sir, we have the satellites ready to track the 'tributes.'" The officer quotes the word with disgust in his voice.
Hunter nods. "Good work. Let's make sure that the blokes don't know they're being tracked. Panem is not stupid you know."
The officer nods. "Yes, sir." He salutes crisply. And yet he seems a bit uneasy. Hunter notices this.
"Something up?" he asks.
The young air force officer nods. "I'm concerned that Panem might notice we have spy sats directed at them," he mutters, dropping his salute.
Hunter purses his lips before he sighs. "Look. We've got sats aimed at what sats they have. So we'll know if they've spotted them," he says, trying to reassure the youth.
The man smiles faintly. "Yeah. I guess I forgot about that."
"We all make mistakes, mate. We're only human," Hunter says as he places a hand on the man's shoulder. "Now why don't you go get yourself something to drink? You look like you could use it."
The officer nodded and makes his way out down to the cafeteria, leaving Hunter alone with his thoughts once again. As he sits there, he begins to ponder their next move.
He glances out the window, his eyes narrowing as he remembers Seph's recent report. The new machine has worked as intended, and it does show that Australia is no longer messing around. Of course, Japan was the first one to pioneer the use of piloted humanoid mecha in construction and heavy labor, and since they were experienced in their construction, it made sense to ask the Japanese government to build it in secrecy. Only Largina and Un were privy to the secret, along with Hunter, Martha, and Tina.
But to actually have developed a real working Gundam of all things... it still blows his mind. So that means that they'd have something to think about this time. Well, Panem, anyway. He only hopes that Panem won't get too greedy for the technology.
And here we go, peeps! Here's the next chapter! :D And it is tied directly to Haus der Toten. :) So be sure to read and review, my peeps! :D
Ja ne! ;)