AUTHOR'S NOTE

This is a re-upload of chapter 4, there have been several changes made to the chapter and its context.

Cole woke with a start at the sharp pounding of the front door, just audible through the cabin. It was still pitch black outside, so he sat up, groggily getting out of bed. As he began to walk for the door, he suddenly realized that it may be monsters at his doorstep. He instantly quieted his footsteps. He heard Julia's voice speak behind him.

"Cole?...What's going on?" She yawned as she spoke, and Cole put a finger to his lips, speaking quietly.

"Shh...I'm not sure...stay here for a moment…" He picked up the rifle, readying it towards the door as he moved to one of the windows. Again there was a fierce pounding against the door, and a gruff voice spoke from outside.

"Federal agents! Mr. Nelson, we need you to come to the door!" He peeked around the curtain, and he could just barely see through the thin fabric that there were two men standing on the front door, both holding flashlights illuminating the darkness. He sighed in relief. At least they weren't monsters. Setting the rifle down he walked to the door and opened it wide, speaking crossly.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?!"

"Our apologies Mr. Nelson". One of the men produced identification. "I am agent Donovan, from the Domestic iNvestigation Department, or the DND. This is my colleague, agent Robert. We have orders directly from Prime Minister Peterson to bring you in."

Cole was dumbfounded. "Right now? It's two in the morning!"

Donovan kept a professional tone. "The matter is very urgent, Mr. Nelson. If it weren't, we'd be knocking about six hours from now, and believe me when I say I asked."

Suddenly Julia appeared at the door beside Cole. "What's going on here? We have the right to know why Cole is being detained."

Donovan turned to Julia. "Ma'am, Mr. Nelson is not being detained. All I can say is that this is a matter of national security, and for that reason we cannot disclose the reason Mr. Nelson's presence is requested to you at this time."

Julia didn't back down. "Considering all that we've been through together, anything that's Cole's business, is my business. So if you're taking him in, you're taking both of us in." Cole looked over, surprised at Julia's sudden temper, but was grateful that it was present. He knew that whenever Julia was in this mood, if she wanted something done, it would get done no matter what.

Donovan pressed on, however. "Ma'am, although I am sure you two have a very strong relationship, it is of utmost importance that the information that will be shared with Mr. Nelson is kept secret, and the first step of doing so is reducing the number of people who are listening."

At this point, Robert nudged Donovan. "Eh, drop the issue Don; our first priority was to get Mr. Nelson back as early as possible, and we can't waste our time like this. Ms. Nelson, you can come; for now I won't promise that you can participate in the meeting. I can ask Peterson for permission on the way there, but if he doesn't yield we'll find a room for you at the base. Again, I want you both to know that this is not an arrest, it's because the PM wants to speak with Mr. Nelson personally."

Cole exchanged a curious glance with Julia before following the two agents out of the house. They followed them to the dirt road about ten minutes walk away from the cabin, where a black jeep was waiting for them. Cole and Julia both climbed in the back, and the car set off. Robert pressed a pair of earplugs into each of Cole and Julia's hands. "If you want to doze off, go ahead. We'll wake you if you need to get out."

Forty minutes later they were pulling up at a grassy field on the outskirts of Falkirk. There, a small two-engined plane was waiting. The jeep parked just off of the field, and Cole and Julia were escorted to the small plane. Immediately after sitting down the plane's engines roared to life, and seconds later the aircraft lurched forward. Cole looked out the window as the plane took flight, flying much lower over the moonlit landscape than a normal passenger plane. As he watched the trees fly past beneath, he found himself slowly drifting back asleep.

Cole jolted awake as the plane touched down on the runway of a small military outpost. He turned to Roberts, who sat beside him.

"How long was I out for?"

Roberts checked his watch. "Little over half an hour." Cole nodded, looking forward again as the plane brought to a stop, and the door opened. As Cole and Julia stepped down, they both looked around in amazement. There seemed to be a lot of commotion. There were several men in formal suits, which Cole assumed to be other federal agents like Donovan. There were soldiers everywhere, moving in small groups around the camp. Also of note were several artillery cannons attached to trucks. It could only be described as organized chaos. Donovan spoke to Julia as they waited at the steps of the plane.

"I've managed to arrange for you to be present in the meeting, however due to the nature of the discussion, it is requested you do not partake in the discussion."

Julia smiled. "Understood. Thank you."

Another jeep drove up to the bottom of the steps, and Julia and Cole stepped into the backseat. The jeep took them on a short drive to the other end of the camp. Soon, they approached a large meeting tent. When the car was brought to a stop, Robert opened the door for Cole, while Donovan opened Julia's. One of the other federal agents quickly searched Cole and Julia, before he pushed a flap aside for Cole. Julia followed Cole inside.

As Cole entered, the first two things he saw was Art sitting in a chair behind the table, and Asriel sitting in a chair across from him. There was a second chair next to Asriel, and Cole took his seat. Julia found an empty chair and sat down a couple feet away. Standing behind Art were two soldiers. Art looked to Cole, and gave a small nod of acknowledgement to Julia before speaking.

"Mr. Nelson, thank you for joining us. I do apologize for the late, or rather, early hour; I do hope you can understand my position here.

Asriel shrugged to Cole and spoke quietly. "Sorry, I had no idea they were going to come looking for you."

Cole sighed, and then spoke again. "I think I can understand why sir. May I ask why I've been brought here?"

Art responded. "Yes, you can. It's come to my attention you were once a member of the Torin Republic, the old resistance group that collapsed on Black Thursday. Is that correct?"

Cole nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Not for very long, only a couple months if memory serves me right."

Art replied. "Yes, this is what Prince Asriel has just informed me of. May I confirm what your role in the Republic was?"

Cole leaned back in his chair as he recalled his earlier days in the republic again. "Originally I was going to be a fighter. However when I was arrested and imprisoned underneath Mount Ebott, I was approached by King Asgore with a deal. If he would break me out of prison, I would return to the Republic and become his informant. I agreed, but went back on the deal and became a double agent, providing misinformation."

Art nodded. "Good. Now that that's out of the way, allow us to explain what this meeting is about. Asriel has informed us that King Asgore Dreemurr plans to invade in…" He checked his watch. "...147 hours, and in face of this we were planning our strategy."

"Specifically, a counter-invasion." Asriel added on.

Art straightened. "Correct. Asgore will be expecting resistance when he invades, but now that Asriel has provided us with detailed attack plans, he will not be prepared for the level of organization we are now capable of. He would expect even less so a counter-invasion. General Holmes, you have exact details?"

Cole looked up as one of the bearded men nodded, and walked to a map pinned to a mobile stand. The man held an authoritative stance, and had both hands clasped behind his back. His formal green shirt held several medals on it, and he had holstered pistol bumping against his hip. Cole figured that this must be General Holmes. He looked closely as the man picked up a presentation pointer, tapping a map on the stand.

"According to Asriel, King Asgore is planning to attack through the plains on the eastern half of the border of annexed Chodora, with an armada of tanks and close air support to overrun our current defenses. We plan to allow them to overextend their forces, before launching a flanking attack through the forest to surround the invading force. This group will be supported by a number of elite paratroopers, who will secure and cut off major supply routes quickly, and set up preliminary defenses as our main force catches up on land. From there, we plan on making our way down to Kester, and reclaiming it. After this, we will have a sufficient array of strongholds and choke points to allow us to reorganize and plan for an invasion into the monster kingdom."

Art interrupted. "For this first stage, Cole, you will be an important asset. First, you know the area of Kester and its surroundings much better than us, and can provide us with important tactical information. But the second, is far more important."

Art's voice took on a more solemn undertone. He looked away, stood up, and started pacing. "Although you may not be aware, the Niacan government has had close ties with the Torin Republic and its resistance efforts. We strongly disapproved of the monster government and its censored atrocities, and were aware of the potential for further aggression from them. Thus, when we were made aware of a resistance movement, we aimed to help them overthrow the monster tyrants. We supplied the Torin Republic with funding and munitions, and they in turn served as our informants. We believed that the Torin Republic had strong roots, and therefore found no need to send separate spies to the monster kingdom and potentially reveal our actions. What we didn't realize however was that the Republic relied heavily on inside information, something you could provide. When you disappeared shortly after Red Dawn, the Republic from what we've discovered had to rely on other sources. Prince Asriel told us that they managed to recruit one of Asgore's advisors who planned on defecting. However, this new informant was quickly discovered and has since been disappeared. This is why the Republic was so unprepared for Black Thursday."

"After the events of Black Thursday, the leadership of the Torin Republic was wiped out, and with it our points of contact. With the associated tightening of the border, we could not risk re-establishing an undercover presence. However, we are aware that the Republic still exists, although dormant." Cole flinched at this, although it was evident that he was trying to keep a straight face.

Art continued. "Cole, you've worked with the leadership of the Republic, and I suspect that you know, better than many others, the protocol for loss of communication with leadership. It culminates with fleeing to the nearest safehouse and awaiting further instruction. However, with the chain of command wiped out at the top, there is now a hidden network of sleeper agents across the monster kingdom, with all keys to them lost - except for, perhaps, you, Mr. Nelson. Having worked directly with the leader of the resistance for so long, I would not be surprised if you had the secret codes to reactivate the sleeper agents. This network could provide us with an overwhelming tactical advantage."

Cole's expression tensed a tiny fraction. But Art was observant, and narrowed his eyes. After a pause, he took a seat, stared into Cole's eyes, and continued.

"So, I'm going to have to ask you again. Are you willing to help us? The war will be bloody, and we'll need all the help we can get."

Cole took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought. He found himself thinking about Julia. She was the last family he had left, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to leave her again. To go to war would mean having to leave her behind. He wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. Then there were the remnants of the Republic. As far as he knew, he had been branded as a traitor. Even if he managed to find the sleeper agents in hiding, what would they think when they saw him? He knew all too well how quickly things could turn south.

On the other hand, he desperately wanted to get back at the monsters for everything they had done. They had taken everything. His parents, his home, and now they had destroyed the one thing that had given him hope - the Torin Republic. To go would be allowing for hope to be restored.

Finally, he made up his mind. "Alright, I'll help you fight in the war. But, only if I can be a part of the invading force. If I'm going to contribute, I want to feel like I'm doing more this time."

Art frowned. "But, you are! By being our informant you're not only a member of the invasion, but a key part to making it succeed."

Cole shook his head. "Not like that. I want to be able to actually fight. I want to be on the front lines."

Art nodded slowly. "I think I understand. Mr. Nelson, understand that you are vital for this invasion to work. Being on the front lines is not a glorious gesture of bravery or a noble display of sacrifice - it is a slaughterhouse, where life is snuffed out for little reason. If I put you on the front lines now, you will be putting your emotions in front of reason, and potentially dooming the attack - a mistake you will not want to make twice." Cole stiffened, and Julia couldn't help but give the slightest of cringes as she tried to imagine Cole's thoughts.

"I just can't risk you being on the front lines before we've taken Kester. However...after Kester is firmly in our control, then the matter can be put on the table for further discussion. Deal?"

Cole took only a split second to decide. "Deal."

Art cracked the smallest of smiles. "Lovely. Well, it's been a pleasure, the both of you. Prince Asriel, and Mr. Nelson, I'll let you finalize the details with General Holmes. " Asriel and Art shook hands, then Art made his leave. Cole stood up to stretch his legs, but Asriel's voice stopped him.

"I can't thank you enough for what you're doing."

Cole scowled at Asriel. "I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for Chara."

Asriel slowly nodded. "I understand...I do hope that your view will brighten with time on monsters. I know that my father speaks for the monster kingdom, but truthfully there are some monsters that don't agree with his actions. Though nobody will dare say so and incite his wrath."

Cole scoffed, then turned around and walked outside for some fresh air. Helpful or not, Asriel was still a monster. He couldn't deny that he still had his doubts about Asriel's integrity in all of this. Only time would tell.

Julia followed him outside. She looked anxious.

"So...you're going to war?"

Cole sighed. "It looks that way. I'll be thinking of you...alright?"

Julia took a deep breath. "Just...be careful, alright?"

Cole nodded. "I will, don't worry. It'll be fine. We've got a higher chance of winning this time since we've got the Niacan military backing us up. I believe we can do it!"

Julia tilted her head. "You know I was listening too." She cast a quick glance around her to make sure no one was listening. "The Niacan government was backing up the Torin Republic then as well, and look at where they are now."

Cole rested his head on his hand, and stared past Julia. "Perhaps so. But… it is said that in a game of cat and mouse, the mouse always wins, for while the cat runs for food, the mouse runs for life. Perhaps, with the fall of the Torin Republic, Niaca has joined the game as a mouse."

Julia nodded, then stood aside to let Cole disappear back into the tent to begin planning further with Asriel and General Holmes. As she watched them go, she still had a nagging feeling. While the war had a higher chance of succeeding, war always came with a cost. She couldn't help but feel like the price might just be too high.