I peeked around the doorframe and slowly took a step in. Everyone's
attention quickly turned towards me. I observed the conference table. As
usual, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros and King Zidane sat at the head of the
table. On the left in order from farthest from me to closest sat Captain
Adelbert Steiner of the Pluto Knights, Regent Cid and his wife, Lady Helga
Guarde representing Lindblum, Doctor Tot here for Treno and an anonymous
Burmecian soldier, no doubt her to report on the reconstruction of
Burmecia. On the right sat many other anonymous representatives of the
Forgotten Continent. Among them were a few dwarves from Esto Gaza(who
immediately when I entered stood up with their "Rally Ho" and I returned
the gesture out of pure sympathy), Vivi II and Vivi III(descendants of Vivi
who inhabited the Black Mage Village with the Genomes) and Eiko for the
Summoner's Village. My place was to the left of Sedan, across from
Steiner.
I sat down. In front of me, as in front of everyone, sat a sheet of paper, pen and some ink. I looked at the faces of the many guests, who all looked back at me anxiously, most likely frustrated for the amount of time it took me to simply walk down a hall. Steiner didn't make eye contact with me, neither did Zidane or Garnet. I broke the deathly silence with something I was sure they were all waiting for. "I am quite sorry for my absence, I was deeply effected by the very recent events and time slipped my mind"
Garnet seemed satisfied. "That is alright General. However, speaking of the recent events, the disaster we shall call it, I am sure we were all shocked and this needs to be resolved. First of all, we need a course of action. I am sure this was not put up by any of you or any parties not present that stands at royal or representative status. This was a completely independent act and being so, shall be harder to figure out. I ask each of you to return to your territories and further investigations there as you see fit." She gestured towards the dwarves and to Tot. "As for the Treno-Gaza war, we are deeply sorry, but may have to reschedule our meeting and discuss those matters then. This requires utmost importance. Thank-you to the rest for coming on such short notice. Please report anything you know or find out to either General Beatrix or Captain Steiner."
Garnet stood up and walked out the door, never taking a second glance at anyone. She had grown to be a fine Queen. Zidane looked around and his stern stare stopped at me. "General, do you have an alterative course of action in case of further attacks?"
A million plans ran through my head, but none of them workable. I shook my head "However, I do have some vital information. After the explosion I saw an airship heading to the west of us, maybe they are heading to their next target, or if we're lucky, their lair. Either way, I assure you sire, we will stop them."
For some reasons unknown Zidane completely ignored that, or he chose not to address it. He moved on to Steiner "How about you Captain?"
Steiner had fallen asleep.
Zidane rolled his eyes and continued the meeting. He went down the line "Cid, Helga, I have heard your town was finally back to normal and the airship docks were at their busiest, please report"
Lady Helga spoke for them "Quite right, even more so than before the attacks of Kuja. The Economy could never be better."
Zidane didn't seem satisfied with her answer but moved on "Tot, will you give us a short briefing on Treno?"
Tot fiddled with his fingers as he spoke. "Same as every meeting, plenty of thieve to steal from the nobles.a perfect mix."
Zidane was started to get irritated by the answers "And how is Burmecia coming?"
The soldier's smile grew from ear to ear "My turn? Ok, the construction is all done and I have come to inform you that we may take back our citizens at any time, just give us the word"
This seemed to be the only thing Zidane was happy about. "I have good news too! You may round up your citizens at any time and I'll even let you use our airships to transport them back." And with that, he changed subjects "Dwarves, do you have a preferable time for the meeting with Treno?"
They shook their heads in unison. Annoyingly, they spoke in unison too "We Dunnae 'ave any bad times. Just 'ive us the word and 'll come. We're 'ere 'til Friday."
He nodded and had one final survey of the guests. "Eiko and Vivi's II and III, will you please stay after? The rest of you are dismissed. Beatrix, please find Garnet and Locate Freya. Freya should be somewhere in the castle, I asked her to come for the second conference."
I sat down. In front of me, as in front of everyone, sat a sheet of paper, pen and some ink. I looked at the faces of the many guests, who all looked back at me anxiously, most likely frustrated for the amount of time it took me to simply walk down a hall. Steiner didn't make eye contact with me, neither did Zidane or Garnet. I broke the deathly silence with something I was sure they were all waiting for. "I am quite sorry for my absence, I was deeply effected by the very recent events and time slipped my mind"
Garnet seemed satisfied. "That is alright General. However, speaking of the recent events, the disaster we shall call it, I am sure we were all shocked and this needs to be resolved. First of all, we need a course of action. I am sure this was not put up by any of you or any parties not present that stands at royal or representative status. This was a completely independent act and being so, shall be harder to figure out. I ask each of you to return to your territories and further investigations there as you see fit." She gestured towards the dwarves and to Tot. "As for the Treno-Gaza war, we are deeply sorry, but may have to reschedule our meeting and discuss those matters then. This requires utmost importance. Thank-you to the rest for coming on such short notice. Please report anything you know or find out to either General Beatrix or Captain Steiner."
Garnet stood up and walked out the door, never taking a second glance at anyone. She had grown to be a fine Queen. Zidane looked around and his stern stare stopped at me. "General, do you have an alterative course of action in case of further attacks?"
A million plans ran through my head, but none of them workable. I shook my head "However, I do have some vital information. After the explosion I saw an airship heading to the west of us, maybe they are heading to their next target, or if we're lucky, their lair. Either way, I assure you sire, we will stop them."
For some reasons unknown Zidane completely ignored that, or he chose not to address it. He moved on to Steiner "How about you Captain?"
Steiner had fallen asleep.
Zidane rolled his eyes and continued the meeting. He went down the line "Cid, Helga, I have heard your town was finally back to normal and the airship docks were at their busiest, please report"
Lady Helga spoke for them "Quite right, even more so than before the attacks of Kuja. The Economy could never be better."
Zidane didn't seem satisfied with her answer but moved on "Tot, will you give us a short briefing on Treno?"
Tot fiddled with his fingers as he spoke. "Same as every meeting, plenty of thieve to steal from the nobles.a perfect mix."
Zidane was started to get irritated by the answers "And how is Burmecia coming?"
The soldier's smile grew from ear to ear "My turn? Ok, the construction is all done and I have come to inform you that we may take back our citizens at any time, just give us the word"
This seemed to be the only thing Zidane was happy about. "I have good news too! You may round up your citizens at any time and I'll even let you use our airships to transport them back." And with that, he changed subjects "Dwarves, do you have a preferable time for the meeting with Treno?"
They shook their heads in unison. Annoyingly, they spoke in unison too "We Dunnae 'ave any bad times. Just 'ive us the word and 'll come. We're 'ere 'til Friday."
He nodded and had one final survey of the guests. "Eiko and Vivi's II and III, will you please stay after? The rest of you are dismissed. Beatrix, please find Garnet and Locate Freya. Freya should be somewhere in the castle, I asked her to come for the second conference."