Soon after the defeat of their commander, 24, the base at Mt. Pyre fell to the NAA forces aided by the Queen's Guard. Although the NAA was successful in their capturing of the base, it also created a variety of new issues which needed to be address, leading to the calling of another meeting of NAA commanders.
"OK let's begin our post- battle briefing shall we?" Light said. "I'd like to start out by welcoming our guests of the Queen's Guard to this meeting."
"Thank you for having us." Silver responded. As she spent more time around the members of the NAA, specifically Light and his lieutenants, Silver began to grow more comfortable around them and able to speak to them directly without the use of LIzardcrap as a translator.
"You're welcome." Light replied. "Now to business, how much were we able to salvage from Mt. Pyre?"
"A nice little bit." Nate said. "Although we destroyed most the cannon defenses surrounding the base, some were left intact along with most of the other technology that was being researched within."
"Speakin' a those cannons, how did they work?" Grunt asked, curious as to whether he could upgrade his Knight with even more firepower.
"They were somehow able to store highly condensed energy into crystals of some kind and used these giant monstrosities to extract all of it at once." Momo explained.
"We should see if we can have our own people repair those damaged during the battle." Light said. "They were an effective deterrent to attack."
"Perhaps that won't be necessary." Silver broke in.
"What do you mean?"
"Rather than waste time trying to replicate it, I have contacts in the business world who may be able to give us a line of supply."
"Really!?" Grunt cried excitedely.
"Uh…yeah." Silver replied, caught off guard by Grunt's sudden outburst. "It would dovetail nicely with our efforts in Lilycove."
"That's very generous of you." Light commented. "What's the catch?"
"Light!?" Momo began, "How can you be-"
"I… would like to merge the Queen's Guard and the New Age Alliance."
"Why do you want to merge?" Light asked. "I thought you didn't approve of my methods and thought I had no regard for my troop's lives."
"It is precisely because of this that I want.. no, NEED to join the NAA. With your larger infrastructure, I can help more Pokemon while protecting your troops from you."
With that heated statement, the room went quiet for a few seconds before someone decided to speak.
"We both want to help as many people as we can so I see no reason why our two organizations shouldn't merge. Right Light?" Momo said, trying to break the tension.
"Yes." Light said tersely. "The Queen's Guard may merge with the NAA but they will remain under your command."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
"She's just protective of her people." Lizardcrap broke in. "It was in no way a comment on your leadership! Heh heh heh."
After another awkward silence, the conversation began once again.
"Where are we attacking next?" Nate asked, desperate to diffuse the tensions building in the room.
"Since we have obtained a presence in commerce, I believe it is time to try and monopolize the supply lines." Light said.
"So that means… Slateport?" Grunt asked, having trouble drawing a conclusion from Light's reasoning.
"Correct." Light replied. "We can use our newfound naval power to blockade Slateport and then proceed to attack from the mainland, leaving them no place to escape."
"Nice!" Grunt cried. "If we're fighting on the ground that means I'll be able to beat more of 'em this time!"
"The blockade is a great idea but you also have to take into account the air power that the Pokemon have. What would prevent them from launching a squadron of flying types and completely wiping out the blockade?" Nate asked.
"It may take a little extra time but if Silver's contact can come through with those cannons.."
"We can equip some boats with the cannons to use as a defense! That's great!" Momo said.
"I'm normally against this sort of thing but even I have to admit it is a good plan." Silver admitted.
Lizardcrap, who had been silent for most of the meeting finally spoke up asking "Do you have any information on the Pokemon commander?"
"Unfortunately, no." Light replied. "Most of my information on the Pokemon forces is from before they were able to capture Slateport. I have no idea who they could have put into command."
"Could we ask Genma?" Momo asked.
"He wouldn't be of any help either." Light said. "The Pokemon were only able to take Slateport because of the weakness the loss of Mauville brought about. The information is too recent for him to know."
Ever enthusiastic, Grunt responded, "Information or not, we'll beat 'em back either way, 'cause we have Light on our side!"
"Now for your assignments," Light began. "Silver if you could ask your contact for those cannons that would be very helpful."
"OK."
"Nate, I want you to take the remaining cannons from Mt. Pyre and begin equipping them to the naval vessels we acquired."
"Sure thing boss."
"Grunt, do an inventory of all the research that was being done here. I wish to know if anything else can be used to our advantage."
"Right-O"
"What about me Light?" Momo asked.
"I want you to focus your efforts on recruiting soldiers to our cause. Perhaps Silver can join you after acquiring those cannons."
"Our recruitment numbers are pretty good though especially with the conquering of the eastern mainland. Why the focus on recruitment?"
"One can never know when the enemy might strike, and besides we now have a new public image for the Alliance."
"You mean Silver?" Lizardcrap asked.
"Correct. Even though I've been the figurehead of this Alliance since the beginning, my past, or lack of, isn't very conducive to a good public image. With the Queen of Queen's Guard joining our cause, we now have a suitable face to use in recruitment."
"Good idea, Light!" Nate commented.
"Now that that's settled, this meeting is adjourned!"
Exiting the meeting hall, Momo began to lose herself in though over what had just occurred in the meeting.
It's great that we now have the Queen's Guard on our side but I almost feel like we're playing with fire right now. The way Silver and Light get along could tear the Alliance apart.
"Hey, what's up?" Silver asked. Being the two highest ranking women in their respective organization, the two had quickly hit it off after the battle ended.
"Oh, it's nothing!" Momo said, trying to dissuade her new friend from worrying about her.
"Come on, now I know something's up!" Silver replied.
"OK, I guess it's just the task I've been assigned is bothering me a bit."
"What do you mean?"
"The way Light spoke about his lack of a past and how he's pushing you to be the public face of the NAA, it seems as though he never intends to tell us the truth about his past."
"I'm not particularly fond of Light-"
"I've noticed." Momo cut in sarcastically.
"Yes well, even though I'm not a big fan of his, perhaps he needs a little time before he can open up. I mean look at me."
"Yes but look at how comfortable you are around even just me in this one week's time. Nate had the same idea as you that Light would open up eventually but it's been nearly three months since he showed up and saved us at Fallarbor and I haven't seen him open up to anyone."
"If he isn't open about who he really is, maybe he isn't deserving of leading this Alliance."
"But everything he's done for the Alliance!"
"Even with everything he's done for the Alliance. If he can't put his trust in the NAA, they shouldn't put their trust in him." Silver said before walking off.
First Tara, now Silver. All of these people think that we're crazy for following Light. Momo thought. At what point do I stop dismissing these people and start considering what they have to say?
AN: Dun Dun DUN! A little bit of filler with some more plot simmering in the background! Sorry about the blandness of the beginning part of this chapter. I just had some writer's block that didn't seem to go away until the end of the chapter. Leave a review with your thoughts on the chapter. Happy reading!
Two MORE things-
1- Character submissions are still open- check out Chapter 18 for details. I have a character prepared for Slateport just in case.
2- While suffering from writer's block, I started writing a new story where the ideas were flowing much easier. Even though I have started this other story, my main focus is still on Pokemon New Age, so don't worry about updates to this story. Be sure to check out The Adventures of the Slash, my, sort of, prequel to Pokemon New Age.