Author's note: Most major characters belong to Capcom, rest are mine. Watch out for lines pirated (pardon the pun) from movies or television sets-I disclaim them, while I try to figure out where they came from.

Megaman Legends: The Lariozan Connection
Chapter Eleven: War Plan

The morning had already been eventful-the recovery of the keys to El Cono and the next ruins, the siege of Zona 25, the battle with Glyde. Now, the van (miraculously intact) was cruising along the desolate pavement of Avenida Fonacier, one of the main thoroughfares of the city. They passed by the Plaza dela Republica, this time near the imposing Cathedral, and through the diplomatic quarter. This time, they went to the embassy gates.

"Halt! Who goes there?" asked the Marine sentry, repeating it later in Spanish.

"Cedric Burnley, ALPRA, and I bring the guys with me," the reporter responded, and the sentry looked inside.

"Fine, get in," the leatherneck replied after looking around the passengers. "And change the van, for the love of God! This sure took a beating!"

The van parked on the left, and was promptly checked by security personnel. As Tacio and Megaman helped the wounded Esteban out, Burnley and Roll got out what was left of the equipment. Soon, three men in suits and ties came out. One of them greeted the reporter.

"Mr. Burnley," said the Ambassador in a dry tone, "welcome back. We missed you."

"Same here, Greg," he replied, as though he knew him for years. "Hell, a lot happened since last week. Got me on my toes for most of the time."

"Yeah, sure. Why don't you rest here for a while? Barrell's in the library."

"Sure. OK, kids, get those rears a-moving!"

"Sure," replied Megaman, who then turned to Roll. "He knows the ambassador?"

Roll matter-of-factly said, "He's Mr. Burnley's brother-in-law. Both of them worked in journalism school before the ambassador went to the State Department to work. Told me about this before we left the Flutter for the ruins."

"I see," replied her younger companion.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At the Defense Ministry, not all was going well. Moran had just convened the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and had just finished the order of business for the day. The first thing that came into his mouth was...

"That son of a gun! That Volnutt will end the conflict sooner than what we would want! All those people will slight the Armed Forces out in favor of that Althirian Digger! I want him stopped!"

"But Señor General-en-Jefe," said the Army chief, "look at this as a positive development on our part. The rebels have lost some of their most potent divisions thanks to his effort, and only because he got rid of the robots that protected them. Who knows what will happen if-"

"I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT, EIGENMANN!" Moran shouted, and then calmed down a bit. "While their setbacks are welcome, he may defeat them before the election, which happens in six months time, and I will not allow their immediate defeat to result in ugly revelations about our operations! I will not be one to see the President pack his bags and leave Almaceda, and bring the rest of us with him!" He was seething with rage.

"I don't know, General-en-Jefe Moran, if we delay their defeat, the Democrats will lose the elections to the Popular National Coalition," the head of the Gendarmerie spoke out. "They've been exposing our activities, and some of the liquidations have leaked out already through them."

General Eigenmann looked at the police chief. "Now Santos, that would be very bad indeed. And if that young Althirian prevails, due credit will belong to him instead of our troops. I agree, Señor Ministro. He must be stopped." And with that, the session was concluded, and the five general officers left.

"Hello, Linea Uno," the defense Minister said as he reached for the excom, "Señor Teisel Bonne, por favor."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Back at Cedric's office, the gang was watching television, watching the report they just made on the news network (cable services were restored). Burnley, meanwhile, was poring over the large map hanging on the wall. He had an erasable marker with him.

"What are you doing?" asked Megaman as the reporter was marking important sites on the map.

"These are places where the other ruins are located, and nearby localities," he replied. "Zona 10 is near the Northern Fleet HQ, so it's partly safe, but as it is on an island, we have to fly to the damn place. Zonas 15 and 20 are on rebel territory, but as they don't have the keys, they have no idea how to get in. And of course, they couldn't get past El Cono's Central gate either."

"So what do we do?"

"Certainly not ask that burly buffoon Moran for help. He's a shady man, but controls the entire country by proxy. Thanks to the civil war, he's in his position as General-in-Chief and Defense Minister. He is rumored to have made secret contacts with the rebels, some of which being his former subordinates, and would sell them some arms. In turn, the rebels would spare him, his family, and some businesses of his friends. Romero's a nice, well-meaning fellow, and favors negotiation, but his presidency depends on Moran, and is powerless to stop the army's conduct in fear of a coup."

"The embassy, then?"

"Hell no. The last time they involved themselves here, they tried to start a peace initiative, the previous ambassador was assassinated by alleged FLNL hitmen at a town square in Ciudad Pelaez. Besides, the rebels hate us Althirian 'imperialist bourgeois capitalists' for our alleged subjugation of their country. It looks like we have only ourselves and some honest folk to depend on. And I'm not good at finding them."
"But they'll come," Barrell joined in. "As long as we do what we can to improve conditions here, despite the fact that it just sucked us in due to engine problems, anything is possible."

"I agree on that, ki-ki" Data concurred. "As far as I know, I'm sick of these people fighting for power. Makes me feel sorry for those in between."

"Count me in to that remark, Gramps," added Roll. "Just look hard at the clouds, and the silver lining will be visible."

Inspirational! But where will it land them? And what is Señor General-en- Jefe Moran doing calling Teisel Bonne? Find out on Chapter 12: Offshore Storm!

P.S. What would you like the pirates and the Defense Minister to plan behind closed doors? Send suggestions at ceig13@yahoo.com. Winners will be credited!