"It would have to be a unified assault. Our contacts in the Royal Guard say that that most of the military commanders focus more on muscle than strategy, but we can still expect a stiff fight. We'll have to hit hard and fast if we hope to do this with as few casualties as possible."
Mickey frowned in thought as Captain Dobermouse spoke, gazing down at the map spread on the table. Oswald and other Resistance leaders were also gathered around, solemn, focused looks on their faces as well.
"And Basset found a way t' get a message t' us," Oswald spoke up. "He's been workin' out which of 'em are willin' t' support the Princess. Most of 'em oppose a lot a' what the King's doin', they just don't wanna risk gettin' arrested."
Glancing at his older brother, Mickey nodded in agreement.
"And good thing… we're gonna need th' backing if this is gonna go smooth." He directed his look back at Captain Dobermouse. "And th' Princess is gonna have t' know when we're comin' at least… but I think it'd be th' best idea t' get her someplace safe before we move."
He was doing his best to sound like that suggestion wasn't personal, but he had a feeling it wasn't quite washing with the others. It certainly wasn't with Oswald, if his half amused, half exasperated look was anything to go by. But Captain Dobermouse frowned in thought himself for a moment before speaking.
"That may be a wise thing to do," he murmured. "It would be best to place her somewhere near a border, so in case this attack fails she can easily flee. I know that Her Highness has gained much support from neighboring kingdoms… most of them don't approve of what the King is doing here either, even if they hesitate to commit to full war."
Oswald snorted.
"Yeah, some help that is. Sayin' they believe in what we're doin', but not sendin' any troops t' help."
Mickey gave him a half smile, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder.
"C'mon, Os… the fundin' they send's been doin' a lot for us. Besides, they've got their people t' worry about. If they don't wanna risk 'em, we gotta respect that."
Oswald let out a soft huff as he crossed his arms.
"Yeah, yeah… I s'pose so."
Mickey gave his shoulder an encouraging pat.
"It'll be okay," he said. "Nothin's guaranteed, but we got a real good shot."
Oswald cast him a small smile of his own.
"Yeah, I know, I just…"
"Don't want anyone t' get hurt," Mickey finished. "I know how ya feel."
"We all do," Captain Dobermouse said, a sympathetic look on his face. "But that sort of thing comes with war. It's an unfortunate but unavoidable fact."
The rabbit didn't say anything but let out a soft sigh and nodded in agreement.
"Which is why…" Dobermouse went on. "We must do all we can to make sure civilians aren't harmed in this attack."
"Speakin' of which," Oswald spoke up. "I heard from my pal Felix this morning. It took some wranglin', but he got himself and his partner on guard duty at the southern gate for next week."
"That's great!" Mickey said with a grin. "So, he knows what t' do?"
Oswald nodded, returning his grin.
"Yep… at our signal, they start ringin' the alarm bell. That'll send any folks on the street inside, and then our guys'll move."
Captain Dobermouse nodded in approval, a small smile on his face.
"Excellent. And our network will be ready to bring news to other cities quickly… that should help keep our families as prepared as possible for either outcome."
Mickey saw the former Captain's face grow more solemn and felt a surge of sympathy. Dobermouse had a large family of his own, and one of his oldest daughters was expecting her first baby. One of the things he dreaded most, Mickey knew, was never seeing his grandchild and placing them all in danger. The mouse could sympathize… when he thought of anything happening to Oswald, Ortensia, or any of his nieces and nephews, it brought a sick feeling to the pit of his stomach. And the idea of something bad happening to Minnie filled him with a coldness he couldn't shake.
But that was why they were doing this… for the chance to give all their families a brighter future, a chance to live without fear. Minnie was a natural leader, with all the generosity and kindness that her father seemed to have abandoned after sealing himself up in his dark cloud of grief. That alone was enough to push any doubt out of Mickey's head.
"There is also the matter of the King," Dobermouse said, drawing Mickey out of his thoughts. The younger mouse nodded.
"We've gotta do everything we can t' bring him in without hurtin' him too bad," he said. His ears twitched as they caught Oswald's soft grunt of irritation, and he gave his brother a look.
"I don't much like bein' nice with him either, Oswald… ya know that. But we promised Min…" He caught himself just in time, remembering to use her title. "Th' Princess that we'd do ev'rything we could not t' hurt him. She knows he's gotta answer for all th' bad he's done, but he's still her dad."
"And if she is going to rule us," Captain Dobermouse said somberly. "We must learn to respect her wishes."
Oswald let out a quiet sigh and nodded.
"Yeah, I know… sorry."
Mickey gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don' worry about it. Believe me, yer not the only one who thinks that way."
Horace spoke up from the other side of the table.
"F' that's th' case, we better be careful who we send t' get 'im. If we send someone with a big grudge 'gainst him, it might get th' best of 'em."
Oswald nodded, a thoughtful frown on his face.
"'Course, we might be hard pressed for that. Don't know if there's anyone in th' Resistance who hasn't got some kinda grudge."
A few of the others couldn't hold back a grim chuckle at that, and Mickey allowed himself a small smirk.
"Then we'll hafta settle for whoever's got a less personal one," he said. "And who look b'fore they leap."
Dobermouse nodded, his expression still calm and formal. Despite being retired, his military experience had never left him.
"I've put out the word," he said. "And I have several candidates who have put themselves forward for consideration. All have good qualifications and a record of being trustworthy."
Mickey's smile widened.
"Great. And ya worked out th' times we can talk to 'em?"
"Yes," the older mouse said. "They all agreed to them."
"We'll have t' make a decision over this week," said Oswald, frowning in thought as he scanned the map on the table. "If we're gonna be ready t' move in time."
"Don't worry, Os," Mickey replied with a reassuring look. "It'll be fine."
One of the other leaders spoke up then.
"We'll also have to decide where to place Her Highness."
The urge to volunteer sprang up in Mickey, but he pushed it down; it wasn't just his decision, Oswald had his family to think of. Much to his surprise, though, the rabbit gave him a knowing glance before speaking up.
"Ortensia's fine with her stayin' at our place. She can be ready t' get outta Anaheim with her and th' kids if this goes bad."
Mickey stared at him for a moment before remembering himself.
"An' if it does, we all know th' plan. We send out th' word for our network t' go underground, an' us leaders get outta Anaheim with th' Princess and our families. Then we work out a good time t' regroup."
All the leaders nodded.
"Very well, then," Captain Dobermouse said. "Our next meeting will be the last before the strike. Until then, stay safe, all of you."
Everyone else around the table murmured acknowledgements, then the group began to break up. Walking over to Oswald, Mickey opened his mouth to speak but the rabbit raised a hand to cut him off.
"B'fore ya ask, yes, Ortensia's really fine with it, an' so am I." He looked at Mickey with a small smile. "If we gotta run, I think th' Princess would feel safest with us, an' I know you'll feel better 'bout it too."
Mickey looked at him in slight surprise for a moment, then a teasing grin came to his face.
"So, ya finally warmin' up t' her? I figured it'd take a year yet."
"Ha, ha," Oswald said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Mickey laughed, then gave the rabbit's shoulder a nudge with his fist.
"Thanks, Os. Really."
"No need t' thank me," Oswald said, smiling. "If she's important to ya, she is for me too."