Chapter 6: Strategic Planning
By the time Chandra and Jaya arrived at the office of the Living Guildpact in New Prahv, the others Gatewatch members and allies had already begun to strategize. She opened the door to see them standing around a large oaken table, a map of the city unfurled across it with myriad objects weighing it down.
Dammit! she cursed at her luck. I can't believe they've started without us. I guess even with pyromancy, we weren't going to outpace Teferi's time magic or Gideon or Ajani's speed. But how the hell did Jace beat us here?
She cut her inner tirade short as Gideon beckoned them over. Chandra ran to join them, nearly tripping over the rippling rug in the center of the room. Jaya closed the door behind her, a runic sound following as Jace's protections sealed it from uninvited guests.
As they joined the table, Chandra felt Jace's psychic link reattach to her mind. It's safer to do this instead of talking, he explained. I haven't been here in a while. There's no telling what kind of bugs Bolas or his cronies could've put in here.
Chandra nodded in affirmation.
And if you must know, I got here faster because I know the back alleys better than you.
The color flushed from Chandra's face as she looked to Jace's smirking countenance. She looked around the table, and the others were all unsuccessfully trying to stifle their laughter. Mortified, she turned her attention to the map in front of her.
She recognized the map of the Tenth District and its adjacent sectors. There were seven colored pushpins, representing their group, huddled on top of the Azorius-controlled section of the district. Chandra pointed to the inkwell situated across the district from their pins and to the stone paperweight in the middle of the Transguild Promenade.
I take it those are that black tower and that eyesore of a statue.
Indeed, thought Gideon, it seems that Bolas has been hard at work within his short time on Ravnica. No doubt he has other planeswalkers in his employ.
That citadel looks like Tezzeret's handiwork, added Karn, whose robotic tone unnerved the group as it passed directly through their brains. He will surely be skulking around somewhere with the Planar Bridge.
And the Immortal Sun, interjected Jace. If you all feel that tethered sensation on your spark, that's the Sun's doing. None of us can planeswalk until that thing is shut down. I dealt with it before, on Ixalan, before it was stolen by Tezzeret.
And Vraska. Jace wanted to tell his teammates the entire truth, but he couldn't bring himself to mention Vraska alongside their enemies.
Maybe she our enemy now, thought Jace, compartmentalizing his thoughts away from the Gatewatch. I should have come back here sooner to see how she was. It was her idea for me to wipe her memories of our time on Ixalan, but the plan was always for me to come back and restore them. Now she might be working for Bolas again, just like before. Before I told her what he really is, before we teamed up to fight him, before we…
Jace let this thought trail off, shaking his head in frustration. After a moment he rejoined the group's telepathic link as they continued to figure out the pieces of Bolas' puzzle.
So, Chandra thought as she waved her hands in vague gestures, it's clear that Bolas built some sorta device to bring us all to Ravnica so that he could trap us here with the Immortal Sun. But why would he do that?
I'm not sure, Jace answered, his voice faltering. The only thing that could possibly pose a threat to Bolas are other planeswalkers, so I don't know why he would bring them all to one place.
It doesn't matter, came Gideon's voice, unwavering in resolve, the more allies he's brought us, the better our odds are. All I need to do is stick Blackblade between his ribs and whatever plans he has laid are done.
It's not that simple, Jaya countered, her voice unflinching in the wake of Gideon's heroism. Besides the fact that we don't know where the damned dragon is, he's not just going to let you walk up to him and stab him with the one thing in the Multiverse that might kill him.
Gideon's face curled in frustration, but Jace stepped in to offer something. We may not exactly know where Bolas is, but it's a pretty safe bet that he's holed up in the black pyramid in the Tenth District. Not sure what's inside, but I can sense a powerful aura coming from it. It's evil, and definitely something I've felt before from Bolas.
Gideon nodded, stone-faced. Good, then we should travel there and strike as soon as we can. Bolas hasn't shown himself, so I doubt he knows we're here. Jace, you can cloak me and get me close enough for the kill.
That's asinine, even for you, Jaya shot back. We all know how powerful Bolas' magic is. As soon as you step too close to him, no matter how cloaked, he'll know you're there.
Then I'll jump at him.
Jaya pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. He'll just swat you away like what you've told me about your time on Amonkhet. Unless you can get to him when he's completely immobile, it won't work. Our best plan right now should be rounding up as many planeswalkers as we can and formulating a coordinated attack.
But Jaya, Chandra suddenly spoke up, we can't just give Bolas more time! His entire plan could be done by the time we come up with our own. I'm with Gideon on this. She gave him a quick nod, to which he cracked a gleaming smile. A few years ago, such a sight would have knocked her off her feet.
Jaya was not impressed by her pupil's conviction, and a deep frown creased along her face. You can't just go and die without thinking things through. Without a way to get to Bolas before he can react, any mission is just suicide.
Then I'll just have to hold him in place, Jace said.
All eyes turned to him as they recognized the timbre of his voice. It was how Jace sounded whenever he had come up with something that he was sure he could do. Chandra hated that voice, as it usually preceded some manner of smugness from the frequent know-it-all, but this time her heart skipped a beat upon hearing it.
How do you plan on holding him, Jaya balked, have you taken up wrestling in your spare time?
No, Jace said, ignoring her snark, I'm not really the one who's gonna hold him. Ravnica will do it for me.
I'm the Living Guildpact, holder of the laws and rights of Ravnica. As long as I'm on this plane and have access to its mana, any decrees I speak or laws I declare become reality. Bolas is already in clear violation of numerous Ravnican laws, the biggest one at the moment being wide-scale property destruction. All I need to do is declare that he's under arrest and the Guildpact will arrest him then and there.
Chandra's brow furrowed. Wait, why not just arrest him now? Keep him held until we gather the planeswalkers, then come and stop him. Chandra knew that the word "stop" wasn't entirely accurate towards her conviction and, she assumed, the conviction of the others. She wanted to say "execute," but thought it better left unsaid, lest Jaya reprimand her again for losing her cool.
As strong as Ravnica's magic is, Jace answered, arresting him won't hold him for very long. He'll rebuke the magic maybe a few seconds after it arrests him, then he'll follow it to its source. We need to get close, then I can arrest him.
I can extend whatever short time you give, Teferi added.
Jace nodded, clearly a step ahead on the plan. With that small window, it should be enough of an opening for you, Gideon.
It will be more than enough, Gideon said, his face hardening with anticipation. It's a good plan; one we can act upon now. We shouldn't waste any more time. The dragon will be slain today.
To Chandra's surprise, Jace agreed with Gideon's haste. We'll go immediately, but if we all go together, it will be even harder to maintain the cloaking. We should split into two groups, one to go and kill Bolas and one to inform the guilds of our plan. Tracking down Lavinia shouldn't be too difficult.
Jaya heaved a belabored sigh, but Chandra could see a small smile finally break through her mentor's face. I guess it is the best plan we've got. I'll go find Lavinia, I'd slow you down otherwise.
Thank you, Gideon beamed, a clear exhilaration undercutting his measured words, let's not waste any more time.
A smile broke out across Chandra's face. Finally, we're putting the words aside and getting to the action. Alright, I figure Jaya, Karn, and Ajani can talk to the guild leaders while the four of us go and stick it to Bolas. So, let's get going!
She took a few steps towards the door, then she felt a familiar weight on her shoulder. She turned, expecting to once again see Jaya's disappointed face, but was shocked to see Gideon's face staring back at her, his eyes stern.
I'm sorry, Chandra, but you're not coming with us.
Her face fell, happiness replaced with disbelief. You're kidding, right? The Gatewatch has gotta do this together.
No, he insisted, Jace, Teferi, and I are the only ones going to Bolas. You will aid in finding Lavinia and the other guild leaders.
Disbelief turned to anger. No, no, I'm coming too. Right, Jace? Her eyes darted to Jace, who kept his eyes shrouded beneath his hood.
Sorry, he said, voice trying to stay even, but I agree with Gideon.
"That's bullshit!" Chandra exclaimed, shattering the room's silence. Her eyes started to glow with a burning intensity, and she could feel her hair was beginning to alight.
Jace took a step toward her. Chandra, please calm down…
"NO! I'm not gonna be relegated to personal relations while the three of you get to be the heroes! I'm a member of the Gatewatch, an original member, and I'm not standing on the sidelines while you risk your lives!"
"Chandra," Gideon entreated, "you must understand that this is a delicate operation, one where deliberate and methodical stealth is crucial to its success. We cannot risk anything tipping Bolas off, it would spell the end of our plans, and of Ravnica."
"But I can help! What if you miss your first swing while Bolas is arrested, huh? I can just burst him down with fire, no problem."
Jaya stepped forward now, her voice and countenance walking a fine line between understanding and annoyed. "Chandra, setting aside the fact that your fire is too volatile to work in an assassination attempt, neither of us could produce a flame hot enough to hurt Bolas. He's an Elder Dragon, he's known fire longer than the soil beneath our feet has existed."
"But, b-but what about as a distraction? I can create a light show that'll…"
"Enough," Gideon spoke, trying his best to sound paternal instead of militaristic, "you are not coming with us. The less people our mission needs to succeed, the better chance that everyone walks away alive." He took another step towards her, arms outstretched in a gesture of compassion. Unfortunately, his sentiment fell upon deaf ears and blinded eyes.
Chandra let loose an enraged scream as she sent burst of fire at Gideon's exposed chest. Gideon's protective aura kept him safe from any damage, but the force of the small explosion sent him reeling across the room. He knocked into the table that the group had been standing around a moment earlier, a cascade of papers falling to the floor.
The room feel intensely silent, with only Chandra's heavy breathing breaking up the uncomfortable quiet. Ajani rushed to Gideon's side and helped him to his feet, but all eyes were on Chandra. She scanned the room, looks of confusion and consternation enveloping her field of vision. Slowly, the embers in her hairs extinguished, the light in her eyes died down, and she brought her hands down to her sides, fists balled tight.
"I-i-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"Chandra," said Jaya, her voice seething, "you are out of line. I don't want you anywhere near any part of this mission."
"No, Jaya, it's fine." Gideon stood up straight and brushed at the blast of soot now covering his armored chest. "This is a stressful time, a dire time. It's a time when we all are putting our lives on the line so that we can save Ravnica, save the multiverse, from the greatest evil it has ever seen. If any of you are calm and collected in this moment, then you are either lying through your teeth or you're not fully aware of how grave a situation this is."
Gideon's eyes scanned the faces of his compatriots, eyes burning hotter than any fire Chandra had ever felt. No one met his gaze, either choosing to stare at the floor or at the blast mark on Gideon's chest.
I guess I'm not the only one who needed to hear that, thought Chandra. She offered Gideon a small smile, and she saw his eyes soften slightly. Once his eyes swept over everybody, he continued speaking:
"We cannot afford to be disjointed at a time like this. No matter how anxious you may feel, no matter how much anger you have bubbling up, no matter how hopeless things might seem, we must remain united. Not just for our own sake, but the sake of every being that Bolas will destroy if his plans can unfold.
"Chandra, I know you want to fight the good fight. It's why you were there at the Gatewatch's inception. But you must understand that your strength is needed on the ground. There are planeswalkers all over this plane who can help us, ten guilds with limitless resources to defend their homes, but none of them will work together unless they know what is at stake. Your job is just as important to taking down Bolas as mine and as anyone else in this room. When I plunge Blackblade into that dragon's pitch-black heart, I will feel all of you, and hopefully all of Ravnica, pushing the blade as far as it will go. Can you do that, Chandra?"
Chandra bit her lip, trying her damnedest to keep the tears from bursting through her ducts. She managed to nod, and smiles started to wash over everyone's faces (besides Karn's immovable metal one). Jace looked to Gideon, and Gideon saw a new look in the mind-mage's eyes: hope.
"Well, I'm sure you're all sick of hearing me talk now," Gideon laughed. He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, embarrassed by the attention. This passed quickly, and he put his and firmly on Blackblade's hilt. With one swift motion, he unsheathed the obsidian sword and pointed it to the door. "Alright everybody, we all know the plan now. It's time to take Ravnica back, once and for a-"
Gideon's words were cut short by an earsplitting crack. Before any of them could react, an ethereal energy ripped through Jace's quarters. It was as if a hurricane had been tossed at the building itself. The room exploded in a fury of sound and light. Powerful forces tore across every surface. Everything was engulfed in light purple, then, as the building collapsed around the Gatewatch, everything went black.