Disclaimer- The following is a work of Fanfiction inspired from characters and world setting from DSMP credits to which goes to its writers
FILE 002- BOOTING UP FOR BATTLE
December 15,6:00 P.M (12 Hours Before the Negotiations)
Techno's POV
After the group had finally settled their tirade of hysterical screams and shouts, they had a moment of tense silence that was enough for them to sit down and talk like civilized beings. Jack and Puffy were still pointing their weapons at him but Techno didn't care enough. They were too predictable to be a danger to him.
If Techno was honest with himself, he was wasting his time being here. He could take Michael back, even without any help from Snowchester. The Syndicate was more than enough for Las Nevadas. But he also understood Phil's argument to take Tubbo with them as he was the other parent of Michael and quite close friends with Ranboo. And honestly, Techno knew that bringing back a child without traumatizing him even more was not under his skill set.
Besides, Tubbo had some inside information of Las Nevadas' structure and building plans. Without those plans it would be near impossible to orchestrate their rescue mission.
Now that was why Techno ended up in this hell hole, reasoning with two blubbering idiots who couldn't get over past events.
Just as he was lost in these thoughts, Jack's voice broke his rivière.
"Tubbo, if this is the help you want to use, we might as well use the nukes. Either way, everyone is against us. But at least, the nukes can't backstab us like him." Jack said stiffly. "I usually respect your decision but this going too far."
Puffy agreed. "This is too much of a risk to take. I am all in for a war but not with him."
"You two trusted me with the nukes." Tubbo reminded them although he did understand where the distrust was coming from.
"It was different at that time. We were making nukes to defend ourselves and our sovereignty. You made a good call on that." Came the response of Jack.
"But here, you are asking us to trust someone as unpredictable and dangerous as him!" Jack pointed towards Techno disdainfully. "For God's sake, HE was the one who broke Dream out. HE was the reason Ranboo is now DE-"
"You will regret finishing that sentence Jack, don't do it." Techno said calmly as Jack's voice was getting louder and even more forceful by the second. The threat was quite clear to everyone in the room when he casually summoned his crossbow in his hand. Phil shot a look of disapproval at this to which Techno responded. "What? They too have their weapons pointing at us. And I find it quite humorous Jack, that you forgot to mention that I was the one breaking Ranboo out of that prison, while his so-called friends didn't even bother searching for him."
"Wha- that's not true!" Puffy exclaimed.
"Sure, it is." Techno scoffed disbelievingly.
"Techno we came here to make an alliance. Can we talk about that now?" Phil said, trying to bring everyone back on the topic they were on before.
"Exactly, thank you Phil." Tubbo exclaimed. "Okay, so we prepared a plan befo-"
"Hang on now." Jack interrupted "This is not all Tubbo. Technoblade still broke Dream out of the prison. This whole fuckin' thing has gotten the server into a frenzy. And more importantly it has put us in grave danger. Or else, we could have gone to war with Las Nevadas without having to worry about Dream blowing us up. How do we know it isn't some elaborate scheme from him to do just that and you are just helping him in that?"
"Getting accusatory, are we Jack? You are sounding like one of those crazy conspiracy theorists that exist out there." Techno said dismissively.
"I noticed you didn't answer the question there. Adding more to Jack, how do we know you aren't affiliated with Quackity in any way?" Puffy said suspiciously, staring the masked man down
"Oh, for God's sake!" Techno was extremely exasperated at this point. "I just had a favour I owed to Dream and needed to repay it, so, I broke Dream out, and immediately told him to get out of my property when we reached my house. Why the hell would I help Quackity? That bastard imprisoned me for three months and almost killed me!"
"A likely story." Jack scoffed. He stopped for a moment, something clicking in his brain. "Wait, you were imprisoned and almost killed? When did that happen, and how?"
"Tubbo, did you know about this?" Puffy asked, eyeing the president.
"Wh- of course I didn't!" Tubbo said, affronted by the mere suggestion of it. "Techno how the hell did you, of all people, end up in the prison?"
"You mean to say I disappeared for three goddamn months and nobody thought something was off?" Techno responded incredulously. "I am not that irrelevant, am I?"
"It wasn't the first time you disappeared for that long Techno, stop being so dramatic. Remember, that time you went to train for a month without telling anyone? You shouldn't be surprised if people think nothing is out of the ordinary with that." Niki replied, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, and Techno, how did Quackity of all people imprison you? You killed him and took out a tooth earlier just with a pickaxe. He couldn't have improved that much." Jack said, still trying to wrap his head around the new information that was presented to him.
"Well, it was technically Sam who imprisoned me in with Dream but he was doing it because of Quackity, it still counts." Techno gritted his teeth, trying to block out the voices' screams for blood at the reminder. "I was going to visit Dream as I haven't seen him since Doomsday, so I had to. I followed all those elaborate rules, took my armour off and followed Sam to Dream's cell. When I got near the cell to talk, Dream started screaming something about Quackity scheming with Sam and it went pretty downhill from there. And I ended up with the most boring roommate for three months."
"Although…" Techno said, looking pointedly at Philza. "..it could all have been avoided if someone had read a goddamn book properly!"
Niki giggled quietly into her hand the statement and Connor didn't even bother trying to hide his smile. Meanwhile, Phil sighed wearily and said "Are you gonna remind me that till my death?"
"You bet old man." Techno muttered contemptuously.
"Well, that was something." Jack said dazedly, processing the dump of information he just got.
"But this still leaves the question, why should we trust you? We are after all, a government ourselves. Why will you help? Doesn't this go against your principles or something." Puffy questioned.
"First of all, we aren't helping you.'' Phil said firmly. "Ranboo was a close friend of ours. Before his death he gave Techno this photo." Phil summoned the picture from his inventory and placed it in the center of the table for everyone to see. Michael was held by both Ranboo and Tubbo, happiness wild on his face.
"...and presumably wanted us to save his son. We got a trail on it which confirmed that Sam was the one hiding Michael in his old house, before abandoning it for Las Nevadas. The least we can do for Ranboo now is honor his dying wish."
Niki took the opportunity to pipe in, "And as for you being a government, Las Nevadas has grown into a much bigger problem than you by trying to fill the power vacuum created when Greater Dream SMP fell." she explained further.
"And we haven't been in much action lately right guys?" Connor said cheerfully.
Silence met his words.
"Don't make things more awkward than they are Connor" Techno said, pinching the bridge of his nose. God this was taking more time than he expected.
"For once I agree with Techno. You still didn't answer me, why the hell were you with them?" Jack questioned.
"As I said, it was a long story. Short version is that I got caught up in some drama and was imprisoned by Sam for months." Connor started. "Then a lot of shit just happened. It just passed in a blur, honestly. Ranboo got imprisoned next to my own cell I remember. He wasn't really talkative I tell you. After a day of that shit, Techno and Dream burst into my cell through a wall, and got me out of the cell with Ranboo. After the breakout I didn't really have anywhere to stay and go, moreover, my former friends didn't bother even looking for me or what was up with me so, I joined up the Sy- "
"That's enough Connor." Techno said abruptly. This idiot better have not spilled the beans somewhere else like this.
"Huh? Oh yeah sorry." Connor rubbed his head sheepishly. "So yeah, that's how I teamed up with the big baddy of the server I guess."
Puffy looked strangely at the two but then asked Niki," And what's your story? You used to be part of L'Manburg before. Why did you join those who destroyed it?"
Jack stiffened slightly hearing this. Ah yes, Techno recalled, Niki did talk about us to this guy. A decision Techno was not exceptionally happy with.
"L'Manburg was destroyed much before these two did anything to it. It was rotten to core till the time Dream formulated its demise. It was just a matter of formality when the battle started." Niki said impassively.
"But we aren't here to discuss the past now." Tubbo said and gave a look of warning towards Jack and Puffy. "We need to discuss out plan of action on how can we get Michael out of that hell hole, and how to bring Las Nevadas in control, we need to stop them or we will have another Greater Dream SMP breathing down our necks."
"I am still not sure about this Tubbo…" Jack cut in.
"If you still don't want to come, I understand. If you think that this decision will put our survival in jeopardy then I will resign, feel free to elect someone else." Tubbo responded "You guys were the one who elected me as your leader, now you will have to live with the consequences. If you don't want Snowchester to go to war, then I will sever all my ties to this nation and go alone with them to get Michael back with them." Tubbo pointed to the side walls where the Syndicate was sitting.
"You didn't exactly leave us with much choice here, Tubbo" Jack responded irritatedly." After a small pause, he finally gave in. "Fine. I will come fight with these misfits, but I don't have to like them."
"No one's asking you to." Techno snorted, though if he was quite honest with himself, he was impressed by Tubbo. He remembered the former president of L'Manburg as a pushover, manipulated and used by everyone for their own benefit. It seems like after the fall of L'Manburg, he had grown a spine. About time really.
"You act rather recklessly for someone with just one life left, what's up with that?" Connor asked curiously, breaking Techno out of his thought stupor.
"He is a bit of an idiot being said." Puffy rolled her eyes ignoring the 'hey' of protest from Tubbo. "I guess we don't really have any choice other than to ally ourselves with you to get Michael back"
"Thank you, both of you," Tubbo said sincerely. He soon straightened up, "Well then ladies and gentlemen, let's get to planning."
As soon as this was said, Tubbo switched on a small button, almost indistinguishable from the spruce table present in the conference room.
There was some groaning and grinding of stones and wood before a secret passage revealed itself behind the 'Presidential Chair' where Tubbo was sitting.
"Follow me to the war room please." Tubbo said, turning around and making his way into the passageway.
They seem to be putting in more work than I expected Techno thought as he got up from his chair. Not a bad décor either I must say.
On entering the 'war room' there was a sign hanging above the door saying "PAX PER ROBUR" in capital words, whatever that meant by it.
The room itself was quite interesting, with an interior design primarily of crimson and warped woods, not unlike the Syndicate's meeting room, the war room had an overall dark aesthetic. There was a table made of crimson wood, and chairs around it made of warped wood. The walls were made up of Blackstone and crying obsidian forming a large and circular dome-like structure above them.
How the hell did they hide this from everyone? Techno wondered as he walked in the room, looking around it curiously, taking in every bit of room.
"Welcome to the war room everyone." Tubbo said "Please, take your seats."
"Dang this is good." Connor said looking around "I thought you guys were peaceful though."
"We created it for emergencies like this." Jack explained. "It was decided when we created the nukes, something like this was needed for emergencies."
"And for the record I designed it." Puffy said pridefully, taking her seat to Tubbo's left.
"Yeah, and Puffy has become more egotistical since this room's inception." Jack joked.
"As much as I would like this conversation to continue, we have more important things to discuss, everyone." Tubbo said, trying to stop the potential arguments his two friends were going to have.
As everyone settled down Tubbo placed the blueprints of Las Nevadas' buildings, the giant tower, the casino, the theater and the area surrounding them. As Techno looked over the blueprints he noticed that there were some smaller buildings present in the mix with some having a 'X' mark on them. A strange sense of déjà vu was present as he looked over the other blueprints containing the internal structure of the buildings. They weren't as detailed as the prison blueprints were, but given how they were created by the guy who built the prison it was hardly a fair comparison.
"How did you get these?" Techno questioned.
"I made most of these myself by snooping around Las Nevadas when it was new." Tubbo answered a bit hesitantly "That's why the maps are probably outdated, but these are the best bet we have."
"Not bad, they do contain the info of the area around the buildings. It will be useful to know the terrain in which we will fight on." Phil was examining the maps.
"Now this is the map we want to focus on," Tubbo said, bringing the blueprint which seemed to contain one of the smaller buildings that existed behind the giant tower. "These three spots here…" Tubbo pointed towards the 'X' signs on the map "...are the most likely places where Michael can be kept. They aren't known to the general public and they have that giant tower overshadowing them from the front, a convenient cover for shady business. They reside in the innermost part of country, so it will make sense for Quackity to hide Michael in one of these buildings."
"Do we know what purpose they were created for?" Niki questioned.
"No, we don't." Jack answered back. "But that's the point of it in my opinion. Unspecific spots about which no one knows about, perfect place to hide a kidnapped child"
"What is the plan then?" Connor asked.
"At first we will try to negotiate for Sam's extradition and Michael's return." Tubbo answered. "Of course, this has a high chance of failing. In the case of a fight breaking out we will split into two groups; one will fight the enemy and keep them distracted while the other will go and find Michael. It will be the first group's responsibility to make sure that no one comes onto the second's way."
"That's predictable, Quackity will see something like this coming a mile away if we give him a chance to negotiate" Techno said. "We know the negotiations will fail, why not just start a surprise attack if we are going to fight anyway?"
"We can't.'' Jack stressed. "If we do that, we risk looking like the aggressors here. We are already taking enough risk by allying ourselves with you, and if we act rash here, the people will unite against us."
"Fair enough." Phil said, shooting a quick look at Techno as if saying not here. "What do you propose the groups to be?"
"I think it's safe to say you guys are better at fighting than us." Puffy said "Don't look at me like that Jack, you know it is true. I suggest me, Tubbo and Jack go and try to find Michael in the three locations while you distract the enemy."
"I think I have something that will surely distract him, you wouldn't mind if I use that ender chest would you Tubbo?" Techno said standing up before Tubbo even said anything.
"You are gonna give me PTSD, aren't you?" Tubbo said grumpily as Jack and Puffy watched nonplussed at how Tubbo was reacting.
"He likes his dramatics more than he should." Philza shook his head.
Ignoring everyone Techno moved towards the ender chest, moving his hand towards the sensor and then opening it. He put his hand on the chest, letting it sense his essence. With a slight push he opened the box and-
Inside was a ghastly scene, skulls upon skulls of wither skeletons staring emptily at the room, skulls that Techno collected all that time ago. They were as intimidating as they were the first time. He still had the ability to summon legions of withers, causing havoc and destruction in their wake. These were probably his most valued items in the whole server.
"YOU STILL HAVE THOSE BEASTS WITH YOU." Jack yelled out in shock.
"I think I understood what you said Tubbo." Puffy said, looking sick at the sight of the horrendous creature heads who were responsible for her former home's destruction.
"I think these are more than enough distraction for Quackity and his goons to be distracted." Techno said, acting as if he hadn't heard the others, hiding his smirk at all the reactions he was getting. "What do you all say?"
"Can I summon them this time? Niki did it last time." Connor said excitedly.
"We aren't playing a game Connor." Nikki chided.
"Well, I guess you guys have a clear vision of what you will do." Tubbo said bit overwhelmed by the sight of the wither skeleton heads. "Techno can you please close the chest?"
Techno complied, though the more sadistic side of him wanted to take one skull out of the chest to just see the reactions. But that would be a step too far with his new allies.
"Alright, so." Tubbo said after getting his bearings down. "Our friends here have a solid plan to keep the enemy engaged, so it will be our job to get to the buildings marked with 'X', hopefully find Michael in one of them and then retreat back to here immediately."
"And if we have a chance of destroying Las Nevadas?" Techno asked.
"You are free to take it, but I will make it clear that we will be retreating the moment we get Michael." Tubbo said firmly. "I want it to be crystal clear that getting Michael back is our first primary mission, otherwise he can be used as leverage against us in quite an effective way."
"Works for me." Techno dismissively said. "Those two clowns will regret imprisoning me and killing Ranboo in no time."
"Glad to see we have that cleared up." Tubbo said "I will be calling Quackity in a few hours after the points of negotiation are finalized, you can review them here." saying this, Tubbo passed a stack of paper towards where the Syndicate members were sitting.
"You can finalize these points." Phil started, "Though you do realize this is a waste of time, right?"
"No one can say that we didn't try to be peaceful if we 'waste our time on this'." Tubbo responded. "It will be worth it."
"Very well, we will leave you to it. We will be around this place so call us when you give Quackity a call." Niki said as the syndicate members started to move out.
"Wait, where are you guys going?" Puffy asked
"To make the final preparation." Techno answered without elaborating. Moving out he saw Connor was still sitting looking at some interesting patterns in the front. With an exasperated sigh, he pulled him up from it and started dragging him towards the exit.
"Will see you guys soon." Connor cheerfully said as he was pulled physically out of the room by Techno.
"Remind me why we agreed to take this idiot in?" Techno said grumpily as they got out of the main building.
"Stop acting grumpy Techno, Connor didn't do that bad." Niki said, ever the kind person she is. "And isn't anarchy supposed to be inclusive?"
"I am thinking of changing that rule now." Techno said to Phil quietly as the latter snorted a response.
"Where do we go now guys?" Connor asked as they moved out of Snowchester's territory.
"Just follow me." Techno grumbled.
They all walked with him as the sun was starting to set in the horizon.
The Outpost 11:00 P.M (7 Hours Before the Talks)
After a few hours of traversing through rough terrain and jungles, they had finally reached their destination. Aside from Techno, only Philza knew what was about to come.
"Techno isn't it- "
"Yes. It is the outpost Niki" Techno answered before Niki even completed her question. "Follow me right in"
As they moved towards the Outpost bright lights could be seen illuminating the night sky ahead of their destination. It was coming from Las Nevadas, the country they intend to destroy tomorrow.
As they moved towards the mountain Techno could hear Connor distantly whining about having to climb another mountain. He ignored him and searched for the button that the contact told him about while Phil inconspicuously kept a watch around. Aside from him only Phil knew about their allusive 'contact' that helped them formulate their plans regarding this conflict. As an inside man from the heart of the SMP, he was a valuable and resourceful ally.
This was the man who gave them trails of Michael after all, he was important for their cause.
Techno finally found the hidden button and pressed it. Moments after the stone wall in front of them parted, sleekly without making much noise, to reveal an elevator. Without saying anything he motioned everyone to get in and this time, even Connor didn't make any ruckus.
As all of his comrades moved in, Techno got in the elevator chamber last and quickly pushed the lever to close the doors behind him. With that done he entered the elevator behind everyone else.
When he got to the top, the others were already there. Niki and Connor were looking around, wonder in their gaze, as it was their first time in the Outpost while Phil was gazing at Las Nevadas through the glass pains.
"Please tell me this is our new headquarters." Connor pleaded as he looked around the place in wonder.
"It does look nicer than the meeting room." Niki admitted.
It was indeed, nicer looking than the Syndicate meeting room (A fact Techno would never admit out loud to anyone). Entering through the elevator the Outpost looked much more majestic inside than the outside. While from the outside it was just made of dreary stone blending in the mountain, from inside was a whole nother story. Smooth quartz made up the shiny flooring, with walls made out of regal dark oak wood. Sections of walls were adorned with polished Diorite, adding to its beauty, the furniture itself was made from the best of birch wood.
Getting out of the elevator, Techno entered a big hallway which had a large section of its wall replaced by glass panes so as to make it into an observatory. To see the enemy for whom the Outpost was meant to be for, Las Nevadas.
"I guess you two like this place." Techno commented.
"Yeah, it is good but when did you two do this?" Niki asked. "We were all preparing for the coming battle, you two couldn't have done this."
"Oh hell no, Techno is terrible at building and I had to pseudo babysit Connor the whole time" Phil answered Niki ignoring protest from the other two members. "This is actually our secret friend's home."
"Huh- oh you mean Harpocrates?" Niki remembered the elusive syndicate member, who still hadn't shown his face.
"I must say he went all out for this." Techno commented.
"You are being very kind, Techno." a voice called out from the back of the room.
Immediately Connor and Niki started readying their weapons but Phil signalled them to stop. Confused, they both looked at the figure emerging from the back of the room, and immediately gasped as they saw whose face they were staring at.
"I was a bit surprised when you asked your identity to be revealed in front of these two, Harpocrates." Techno said "Or do you prefer Wilbur?"
"Enough with the formalities, Techno." Wilbur Soot said now completely showered with light. "And please, my friends call me Wil"
Spreading his arms grandly he spoke. "And you, my fellow members of Syndicate, welcome to my humble abode."
"Phil, I think we need to hear an explanation for this," Niki said in a frosty voice.
"I think we have some time for it, Niki." Wilbur spoke to his friend. "Well, get comfortable. We will be sitting here for a bit."
This better not turn into a heart-to-heart conversation Techno thought wearily. I already suffered enough in Snowchester.
Then again, he was always bad at conversations in general.
A/N
And the second chapter is done. The syndicate's first recruit has now revealed his identity, and the tensions and drama will soar up in the next chapter.
Once again credits to my wonderful beta readers Flippy and Lion Man, and thanks to Lunar Frost for helping with the story in general. Speaking of which-
Editor's note: YES, NOW ITS LION SPEAKING- so, I edited the chapter for cursus the WRITER OF THIS FIC UwU. Same ol' Same ol'. I tried to keep most of his writing in this and just edit grammar mistakes and shit(lots of that).AHAHAHAHAHAHA- poggy dnf uwu.
I'm flippy, a little more contained than lion over there and I edited this fic a ton :D. Also, dnf is supreme, #dnf4life /j.
Uh yes so these were two enlightening insights from my beta readers (my grammar isn't that shit, believe me). Unfortunately Lunar couldn't add on his bit.
Reviews and suggestions, opinions in them will be appreciated.
Update schedule: The next chapter will come on 21/01/2022 as a weekly update.
Cya!
