Chapter 18: Another Step To Take

20:19 – 14 A.E.

Vectes – Merris Farm

A faint chill had settled itself as the evening dragged, but still Bernie kept the window on her assigned Packhorse wide open to allow the wind passage, much to the delight of her borrowed dog Max in the back seat who would have stuck his head out had he filled her seat instead. He panted restlessly, clearly in recognition of the area. "Easy now boy, no jumping around." she called playfully and smiled as the Merris Farm gate came within view, next to which she parked, disembarked and let Max follow suit before she made her way into the property proper, the welcome committee already on approach – made up of a rather heavy-set man with a shotgun under his elbow, a pack of four dogs all around him that quickly greeted Max with yips and yaps. "Good evening partner. Sergeant Bernadette Mataki. Hope you don't mean to use that on me."

"Jonty. And this... this is just insurance." the farmer Jonty shrugged as he took a long look to the side, "Ever since that time when Stranded attacked my farm and put down one of my dogs I've kept my gun close. It's gotten safer for sure, but I'll just keep being carefully cautious."

"Wise." Bernie approved, "Seen many animals in my day, but the worst I've seen are Stranded. Society governed by the most violent, for the most violent."

He smiled, "I think we can get along."

She looked across his fields, so abnormally large for just one man, "Yes we will. You're one of the farmers who got them robots in service?"

"Sure did." Jonty beamed with carefully applied pride, "Got three of them at the barn. Just cleaned and plugged them in so they'll be ready for more work tomorrow. Aside from all else they make good scarecrows too."

"Only seen 'em at work a couple of times, but I don't doubt it." Bernie thoughtfully said as by now the dogs ran back and forth all around them, "How much of the crop-yield are you going to hand over?"

"A decent portion of the surplus. I'm guessing you'd like some for all them refugees."

"Pretty much. Most of our population are city-folk, but many among them are willing to dabble into agriculture. The matter's going to be put forward to Gavriel sooner or later, but I've taken the trip here to test the water."

Jonty hummed thoughtfully, "City-folk huh. Would be plenty of work just to settle them in, but I wouldn't object to more manpower. Might turn this into a really big business with time."

"Might just as well come to that. The impending rebuild of the whole world is a big theme of the time."

"Sure is." he chuckled, "No one here thought we'd ever be part of such an effort. Until recently we were just a forgotten corner of the world busy doing no more than our thing."

"And you did just fine. Never thought I'd ever see the likes of this community again, but Musashi was a surprise. A really big surprise."

"We were too, surprised that is. Were told they maintained isolationist policies, kept themselves locked away for a very long time."

Bernie nodded slowly, "Yeah, but policy's nowhere enough to keep a whole nation hidden from the rest of Sera. We still got surveillance satellites up there keeping an eye out for crying out loud."

"With all that nifty tech they got, what if they got some way to hide themselves? Like in all them old science fiction stories." Jonty glanced to the barn as the light inside likely caused by the exotic machinery slightly changed.

No more than a thought was applied to that. Given all the unknowns Jonty might just as well be right in his assumption. Instead of the topic of what could be she focused on the surprised expression on his face, "Something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing's wrong." he raised his shoulders, "Just surprised they'd be here so soon. Was downtown just a few hours ago to ask for help you see. A robot of mine fell down a ditch and hit a tree hard enough to have the whole mess fall on it."

It took her a moment to pick up on what that meant. That the robot was hardy enough to not be smashed by that string of misfortune played on the second row to; "You mean some guys from Musashi are coming here?"

"Aye, will probably be here in a few minutes. Give or take. Feel like trading words with 'em?"

Bernie was unsure and grimaced. "Maybe." was all she managed. A part of her said to leave, but a sort of very soft rumble in the air made Jonty's estimate of their arrival not much else than a guess as a low-flying airship manifested itself from the darkening evening sky and passed the small branch of the forest that surrounded his farm. It lowered itself just enough not ruffle the forest canopies and no further, and from a hatch ejected a long thick rope that touched upon the ground before a series of odd symbols appeared across its whole length, complete with Sign Frames that displayed arrows pointing to it, before a young woman then disembarked and proceeded to nonchalantly walk down the rope.

"Pretty crazy huh?" Jonty nudged the Pendulum war veteran, the touch a faint one.

Unable to wrap her head around how in the world one can walk down a vertical surface, Bernie decided to shut off her brain and just roll with it. Rather she focused on the young woman in question as she came to ground and approached them, a busty brunette who like other girls from the mysterious nation dressed in a rather shockingly form-fitting attire. Still she looked really composed and put-together, her most unique feature being the large prosthetic arm and the huge wrench that hung low on her back, neither of which put any visible strain on her. For a moment the woman's brown eyes were fixed back on hers with a healthy amount of professional stoicism, only sign of reaction being the allen key held in her mouth being tilted far to the side.

The woman of Musashi gave her a once over, but in contrast to Stranded who would have flown furiously up in her face by now turned her attention right back to the farmer who took off his straw-hat and greeted the arrival, "When I asked for technical support, I did not expect you to come, Chancellor Board's sixth seat, Naomasa."

Naomasa shrugged idly with hands rested on her hips, "Been a while Jonty."

By the sound of it, this woman's highly ranked on Musashi's hierarchy. For all the opportunity of it Bernie could not help but wish someone else were here to deal with this sudden turn. No doubt someone would throw a fit soon as this become known. Jonty, ignorant of her thoughts, replied, "Likewise, even if it feels like it was just yesterday that you were here to show us how to use those robots."

"So are you going to introduce me to your friend there?" Naomasa looked on her head-on, devoid of any obliqueness.

"Oh right." Jonty nodded and gestured politely to each of them to one another's benefit, "Bernadette Mataki, Naomasa."

"Nice to meet you." Bernie smiled and put effort into being cordial, "Quite the arm you got there."

Naomasa's reply was blunt, but not unfriendly, "Needed a new one after I lost the other. Decided I might just as well gun for functionality." as she flexed the powerful mechanical limb across every joint without even a squeak, "I do a lot of heavy work in my trade, and it's decent for fighting on the side."

"I don't doubt it." she remarked and thought of the many crippled Gears. Of most forward note was Donneld Mathieson who lost both his legs and took over as Head Controller after Anya opted for field duty. He did not care for the job one bit, but what else was left to him? "Out of curiosity, how would you rate the availability for prosthetic limbs to people out there who need them?"

The brunette swung the allen key thoughtfully, not at all off-put by this line of questioning from a non-constituent, "Not particularly high at the moment. But we can probably provide such services at a later date..."

"A lot of people out there who would sure appreciate it."

Naomasa considered that even as she not so covertly looked to Bernie's armor and probably already guessed that most of those she referred to are Gears. A military that has been stuck in a genocidal war against near-impossible odds for more than a decade would doubtlessly include tons of disabled. "I'll pass that along." she finally said.

"Great." Bernie said, and honestly wondered how many more words she could trade before they tread the territory of something best left to Prescott.

Fortunately the youth made that decision for her as the attention fell back on to Jonty, back to business; "So what was the issue you wanted help for?"

"Oh yes." the farmer patted his forehead as he led on to the barn, and the old sergeant as it went found herself tagging along, "One of the robots fell into a ditch and had a tree put to it. Since... I think it's gotten rather fidgety."

It did not take them long to arrive, and for Jonty to pull the door open to reveal the large robots within, each one pretty box-like and large enough to slightly dwarf a Berserker. What counted for optics seemed to be that long thin slit near the top of it that right now stared blankly. Not one comment was made before Jonty approached the right-most machine and patted its frontal casing, "Here it is. Looks all fine on the outside, but I figured a checkup's called for."

Bernie looked on the large robot with mild disbelief. To say it looked fine was an understatement as she could not see the faintest hint that it had a tree fall on it at all. Still, she observed as the young brunette approached the machine.

Naomasa took a trip around the thing and checked it up and down, and nodded as she returned to stand in front of it with Jonty, "No visible structural damage." she confirmed lazily, then applied a finger to the front casing, and unlike Jonty summoned with the act up a dozen frames filled with exotic iconographs and diagrams.

Computers never were her strong suit, so Bernie zoned out most of it as the younger more tech-savvy woman went diligently to work until she seemed to finish up.

"Done." Naomasa announced with a clap of her hands as she dismissed the frames, "That must have been some impact. It managed to somewhat throw off the machine's sense of balance."

Jonty blinked, "You mean it got dizzy... like a concussion?"

"...You could say that." she quirked a corner of her lips upward, "Just needed some calibration and good as new. It should be fine now."

"Plenty thanks, miss." he applied in visible gratitude as they followed her out, toward the rope with which she came down.

"Not a problem." Naomasa replied in a business-like manner, "Call us again if the quirk remains."

The farmer nodded, "Will do."

"Later then." Naomasa smiled with a look that included the sergeant and started to walk up the rope as they watched. A scene Bernie honestly believed she would never grow used to seeing. All the while that rope did not retract until finally she stepped aboard, and the ship of hers slowly lurched in preparation for the return trip.

At that instant, Bernie decided she needed to return herself, "Time for me to head back too. Thank you for your time, Jonty."

"Anytime, Mataki."

"Just call me Bernie. All my friends do."

"Okay," Jonty smiled, "have a safe trip."

"Thanks." Bernie turned nearly on her heel and walked at a near-military pace back to the packhorse, head full of impressions she needed to share with Hoffman. "Max, come here!" she shouted and whistled. To which the trusty dog broke from the ongoing plays with Jonty's dogs and returned to her side for the trip that inevitably would this turn around be spent in silence, to decide on how to convey what she had seen.

11:27; 1st July; 1648; Testament Era

Quasi-Bahamut Class Aerial City-Ship "Musashi" – "Okutama" – Ariadust Academy – Seran Studies

Marcus paid little attention to what went on as he leaned on the side wall and browsed through the stack of paper in his hands. Paper used as a medium because these people aren't about to have him and the rest of Delta use those Sign Frames just yet. On those the test he had made with yesterday's summation of what they told this class of the COG and UIR – just to make sure it had all sunk in before they went on to the next subject. A rather small one that would not take much more than the remains of the time relegated today to explain the gist of.

And the teacher in the lead for this was Baird as he crassly scribbled away on the blackboard with a crayon held like he intended to snap it in half, "Now that we've rammed home the basics of the major factions up in power early this century, it is about time you get to know what was the aggregate for the war that would rock the world for more than seven fucked up decades to come." and punctuated that with a prod of the crayon that resounded a hard boom throughout the room's silence. He wore the kind of countenance that said he would bash the skull in on anyone who interrupted him like it was a suit of black armor.

He continued, "If there is one thing Sera has always had in short supply, it's energy. There was always a crisis. Forget about petroleum, there were nowhere enough in the world to feed our power plants. Wind turbines and solar panels were out. And let's not even begin about nuclear fuels, those reactors that barely got past the 'public outrage' bullshit could not deliver the goods. So what was left...?"

This time he looked on the students expectantly, and the black armor came off for a moment long enough for an answer to come. The bespectacled girl Adele was the first of five hands to reach up and thus got the first say; "That was when that 'Imulsion' came in?"

"Not at first." Baird pointed out, but handed a rewarding nod, "When Imulsion was discovered during drilling attempts to find oil," before he took up a glass filled with orange juice and held it up, "imagine their surprise when that discovery was made. Imulsion is a luminescent, highly volatile, and low-viscosity liquid that emits a distinct yellow light. It was a real novelty, but useless until someone with more than a few brain cells put together named Dr. Helen Cooper invented the Lightmass process that could take the liquid and refine it into something useful that did not cause adverse health problems to those exposed to it."

A slightly tired-looking Naomasa held up an arm, "In what manner did it cause health problems?"

"Imulsion can vaporize into gaseous form toxic to those who inhale too much of it. Too much result in what we call rust lung – Imulsion sickness. It got its name from the rusty brown liquid victims of it coughs or throws up."

"Treatable?"

"Depends on the severity of it, but yeah. Definitely." Baird answered flippantly before he settled an annoyed glance, "Any more interruptions while we're so at it? No?"

The class was largely silent, and Suzu most of all fidgeted.

"Good." the blonde Gear turned back and continued to scribble, "Cooper's little innovation was the major breakthrough. Efficient, clean, and abundant, Imulsion was just the thing an energy-starved world needed. A gold rush started, and power shifted to the countries with Imulsion."

Baird tapped the blackboard, "Even led to a brief golden age. But shit always finds a way to go down, and that time was no exception. Imulsion speculations on financial markets ran rampant and entire currencies and economies became linked to its value. This of course led to a massive financial collapse across Sera when low Imulsion prices crippled the financial sector. And this economic crisis sparked military actions, and those countries with Imulsion found themselves at war with those who didn't."

Rapt attention reigned, especially from their treasurer and his assistant/girlfriend who listened with a controlled amount of fascination. Baird turned, and though he kept a serious expression Marcus could see that somewhere in there he rather enjoyed the attention. "And that conflict became known as the Pendulum Wars."

There was something different though, as that bespectacled boy, Neshinbara, looked on a newly opened Sign Frame with a couple of fingers placed on his left ear. His distracted side-glance sharpened in an instant, a motion that was followed by his rise from the chair. He shot a meaningful look to the Vice President who raised en elongated brow at him. "Excuse me." he addressed both Baird and Oriotorai who leaned on the opposite wall, "Something of great importance has just come up. May I and Masazumi be excused?"

"It cannot wait?" Oriotorai asked plainly.

"No, it can not."

She and Baird exchanged a look before he applied a, "Fine, go."

"Thank you, sir." Neshinbara bowed before he headed out with a confused Vice President in tow – and followed by a rain of figurative nails as Shakespeare glared piercingly at their departure like only girls who just watched their boyfriends go someplace with another girl would.

Girls and boys are what they are, no matter where they go.

Baird coughed to stop the whispers, "Now, the Pendulum Wars won't be covered till next class. Instead I'll have you know how exactly the lightmass process works, and the reason why you don't go and feed crude Imulsion to a lightmass engine. Be sure to write this down!"

And the show goes on.

11:41 – 14 A.E.

Lesser Islands – Vectes – Pelruan – Town Hall

Prescott kept his cool as he waited for the much belated response. After all the planning, and what Sergeant Mataki told of their approachability, he decided there was no longer a reason to delay. Contact would finally be made with this strange new nation. Since they learned of its existence they had used what little remained of Sera's satellite surveillance grid, and was mystified by the utter lack of results... until the theory that these people could somehow hide it cropped up together with Sergeant Mataki's report.

Which made a terrifying amount of sense.

Quietly he sat at the table, for the moment alone with his thoughts while Hoffman had the town hall surrounded with Gears, two of their men – one Corporal Rivera and Private Lowe – at guard just past the door. After what seemed an eternity, the wait ended and the door opened to reveal the town's mayor, Gavriel, a strange item in hand.

"They will be ready for you in a moment, sir." Gavriel announced formally as he came over.

Prescott nodded in gratification, "Thank you for the assistance, mayor. If this goes well, it might very well be the start of a new age."

"It will." he agreed without a shred of doubt, "Ever since we first met with them, they've proven very dependable and reliable."

"So they sound." he mused and eyed the item as Gavriel put it down on the table, its lone button facing him. "Is that it?"

Gavriel nodded, "Aye it is, sir. Now we just wait for them to get ready."

"I understand."

"And it would seem they are just about so."

Prescott wondered briefly how the mayor noticed before he saw the light that ran along those geometric lines now pulsed at a steady beat. He took it for what indication it was and assumed a full formal posture practiced throughout the war years.

Tactfully, the mayor formed up on his flank and reached down to press the button, "And here we go."

Here we go... Prescott parroted silently as one of these Sign Frames were formed up roughtly behind the item, its image a very clean white as it expanded to engulf fully half of the table, along with a considerable part of the scenery about it – almost like some separate space had come to overlap the native one. Just as quickly it cleared to show a room mundane in its crispness. The table he sat at bordered suddenly to another cleaner one of similar dimension. His attention though was focused on those at the opposite side. All reports said that they are young, but Prescott still found it startling. The dark-haired girl before him could be no older than eighteen, same for the bespectacled boy who stood at her side.

"Good day, and I believe a welcome is in order." she began and bowed curtly and briefly, "I am Masazumi Honda, Vice President of Musashi. This," before she gestured to the boy, "is our Secretary, Toussaint Neshinbara."

The boy bowed in similar a manner, but remained silent.

"Thank you." Prescott applied courteously, "We came here in the wake of a series of horrible events, but our eyes are fixed ever onward. I am Richard Prescott, Chairman of the COG. And given certain events, it is my hope that our co-existence can be an amiable one."

"We heard of the Hammer strikes from our Stranded partners in this region, but feel we should not judge you for it... given seeming circumstances." Masazumi replied tactfully, her head tilted slightly in thought, "Aside from that, Mayor Lewis and Pelruan have been very good to us. If all the COG share the same virtues I imagine we will have a prosperous relationship."

So far in his private observation of her, he admitted that so far she made a good impression of herself. "And it will be so. We have heard much about you, and I am gratified to know we share the same goal." he steepled his palms, "To rebuild this world has been from the start our greatest desire and intent."

"I can confirm that world restoration has of late become part of our agenda. The Protectorate was forged to facilitate that goal through aid to our constituents and expand from there." Masazumi explained curtly, and briefly resisted the urge to steeple her own fingers together. Instead she folded them on the table level. "If I may ask, how do you plan to go about it?"

"Our first priority for now is to get our own people situated. Eventually we will turn our attention to the mainland and remove the remaining Locust infestation by force of arms." Prescott said in utmost seriousness, "So long as the Locust exist, humanity will remain at risk. Peace will never truly come until every last one of the Locust are dead."

Obviously the thought of genocide did not seem to fit very well with the youngsters as a queasy look passed between them, a sentiment that no one who suffered in the war would share. Aside from all else about them, this was the most solid confirmation that the isolationist policies which was the cause of Musashi's absence up till now was the real thing. Prescott for one was convinced of that part at least. But now, he decided, was time to change tact.

From the onset of their conversation, Masazumi found herself a little intimidated by those eyes of his that oozed of experience honed by years of maintaining civilization amidst war of the most desperate kind. Prescott was far from the oldest or the most unique of those she have previously engaged in a diplomatic setting, but had a presence of his own that in its own right was overwhelming.

So very different from all the Stranded she previously conversed with.

But after the initial exchange of eloquent politeness and openness about one another's goals, she was startled by his outright admission of genocidal intent. Honestly with all that they have learned so far, it should not have come as a surprise... but she still felt uncomfortable with how direct it was. Involuntarily despite her best efforts, she squirmed in her seat.

"But where are my manners." Prescott shook his head without an actual transgression to list, "Now is hardly the time to embark on such grim a topic. Let us put that aside and move on to more pleasant business, and in accordance to that I would like to offer an invitation."

Masazumi blinked once, "... To the VNB I take it?"

He nodded, "New Jacinto, and yes, official and on record. An open meeting between our nations."

Uncomfortable parts aside, they expected to sooner or later be contacted, and that contact then would lead to an eventual situation where they will meet in person. The only problem was not whether or not Prescott could be trusted, but that they could not leave Toori out this time as the COG is entirely a different beast. No doubt the Chairman wondered why it was not the President who answered his call, but knew better than to be rude enough to outright ask. If Musashi's President did not show up for such an important function then there would be questions. Hands tied but determined to see this through, she applied her answer: "Jud. On behalf of Musashi and its constituents, We humbly accept your invitation. However given the schedule of ours, I would suggest that we convene in New Jacinto no less than three days from now."

"Of course." Prescott agreed, "May I suggest the time of noon?"

"Most apt." Masazumi replied in due tact, "It will do."

"Then let that day be the moment we usher in a new era." the Chairman smiled as he let that piece of rhetoric loose, "Till then, Vice President."

Masazumi finished, "Till then, Chairman." and rubbed her temples as she let out a breath of relief once the Sign Frame closed at the conclusion of their initial talks, though her day on diplomacy was far from over.

"And now you will have to convince the Protectorate into thinking of this as a good idea." Neshinbara finally spoke his mind, his smile a wry one, "No pressure."

"I'm aware." the Vice President sighed as she stood and brushed her clothes across as though to wipe the stiffness from her limbs while a distinct parched sensation that already stained her throat since half an hour ago still persisted, at the moment she had no greater desire than to go fetch some water - but she being she all too frequently put duty first to her own detriment, "You may go. Recess just started and we can't have you too long from your charge."

"Understood." Neshinbara grimaced and quickly excused himself to make way back to class, and at a corner along the way just barely avoided colliding with a couple of students. But upon arrival he found Shakespeare and O'Malley absent. "Where did they go?" he asked of Noriki who was on his way out.

The serious-faced fellow student frowned, "Downstairs would be my guess."

He quickly nodded, "Thank you." and headed down the closest set of stairs. His immediate guess was that they returned to their assigned room, and without stop advanced into the dorms till he arrived at the place, situated right next to his room. For a split second as he motioned for their room, he stopped to wonder if she maybe stopped by his place in search for him, and shook his head in rejection of that thought, "N-no way she'd enter my room. I mean, not without me inviting her first... That is... as long as she's fine with it of cour..."

"I already went." Shakespeare's flat voice came as she opened the door to his room, a paper tag in tow, "So it's fine."

Neshinbara stared wide-eyed, "You went into my room?!"

The blonde girl shrugged, "I merely looked about for you, and sought out clues." and pulled from a pocket a small plastic envelope that held a couple of hair straws he was perfectly sure she plucked from his bedsheets. "See?"

"I was only out on some important business." he argued and eyed the bag of hers with a small trace of suspicion, "What is that?"

"This?" she held it up.

Neshinbara stepped in to take a look at its contents, and found some of his stuff in it, including some of his underwear. The discovery made him stand still for a moment. Long enough for her to lower the bag away from him and put a free hand to her hip, head tilted to imply this was nothing worth any trouble, "I replaced them with new ones. So it's fine."

Where did she even get replacements on such short notice? Neshinbara could not help but scream in his mind, "You'll return all of that, okay?"

Tiny spots of pink appeared on her cheeks, "Sure, once I've used them all."

"What do you mean use?!" he shook his head, "Never mind. Just warn me next time, so we might talk it over some tea."

"I understand." Shakespeare hoist the bag to her chest, "Now if you excuse me, I would like to retire for the time being."

Neshinbara scratched his head, "Alright. If you want to go out, remember to call me." and watched her head to her sleeping chamber with his things held close before he himself went into his and checked every drawer. In every place his stuff was just as tidy as he left it, except for a lot of it being the new objects Shakespeare said she planted during her raid through the place.

Finally, he had a cold pass down his spine and rushed to check the porn stash of his hidden underneath the table, and found every magazine had been taken away... except for those which front-pages included bespectacled models that shared Shakespeare's appearance however faintly – with a note on top:

Do please keep it in moderation with the big-breasted ones.

Normally he would have been very angered if someone messed with his stash, but in Shakespeare's case it was wholly different. From early on she had made known that she would inspect his things eventually, and now it had finally come to pass. The kind of action not done out of spite, but taken by a girl who wanted him to have eyes for no one other than her.

And accordingly, Neshinbara leaned down on his bed and turned crimson across the entirety of his head.

11:51; 1st July; 1648; Testament Era

Quasi-Bahamut Class Aerial City-Ship "Musashi" – "Okutama" – Ariadust Academy

After the breather to collect her thoughts, Masazumi decided the time had come to take the bull by its horns. She came to stand at the very front of the empty classroom and initiated a call for every constituent aside from Pelruan. With her back to the blackboard she waved a hand and opened a number of Sign Frames equal to the numbers expected to attend her. Only moments passed before the black frames that each held the insignia of Musashi's Ariadust Academy winked to show one ragged face after another. Each of which took only a matter of seconds to understand this was more than just a meeting when on their respective ends her image was flanked by many more.

Some few among them briefly chatted, usually those who are neighbors. Conversations that dimmed till every last had checked in, even that Massy who was by a couple of other leaders met with derision, and faded altogether when Masazumi took a single step forward.

She spread her arms, "Honored members, thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Got something big for us?" the leader of Clan Tuktu inquired.

"Indeed. Today not even half an hour ago, we were contacted by the Chairman of the Coalition."

At once the predictable response came as muttered curses blossomed across the board. "What the hell did that bastard want?" a bearded man growled, his question by far the most eloquent one.

"A dialogue." Masazumi answered simply, "Chairman Prescott has offered a formal invitation to their naval base on Vectes. And in the spirit of decency I accepted."

"So you admit that you are in the cahoots with them damned COG now!" Massy pounced as the choir of the less than pleased resumed.

"You dare imply," Masazumi replied together with a stern glare, "that after all we have done to fund this Protectorate and provide you the means to better your livelihood, we would ruin it all with such petty betrayal?"

As one, the spontaneous mob that had agreed turned deadly silent as that set of logic figuratively smashed into them. In an instant the momentary support Massy had evaporated. One of the older female leaders glared at the formerly enraged bunch and huffed in distaste, "Idiots."

"I will make this clear to all of you." the Vice President continued in a steely tone, "I do not intend to have the Protectorate subordinated to the COG. We are a separate entity to be treated as equals."

Janet clapped her hands, "Hear, hear."

"On that at least, the Chairman has treated us as thus. And for all our differences we share similar goals. And," Masazumi measured her words as she spoke, "I do intend to grill the Chairman with a few choice questions... besides, wouldn't you like to have a closer look taken on what they are doing?"

Several among them looked placated and nodded interestedly at that, particularly the latter. One however raised a hand as he leaned to the screen, "What if it's a trap?"

"A trap would risk a war they can't afford at this juncture, especially if they paid any attention as of late." she dismissed it, but reassured, "Fear not, I don't plan to go to New Jacinto unguarded."

Several minutes worth of platitudes followed as Masazumi reassured and affirmed until certain that all parts but Massy alone had grown sufficiently comfortable, and concluded there was no reason to keep them any longer after she made sure there were no more questions, "Then this meeting is adjourned. Thank you for your time." and remained standing there will every last frame closed off before she went on to lean on the blackboard. "Now... we should be all set."

A few seconds of silence passed before she headed on out, her current most pressing need being a glass of ice-cold water before she would update the rest of class on the proceedings and consider who would be better suited to come along. Though a few had already come to mind, the key-word being defense. On the other side of the door she came nearly face to bust with Tomo who sported a kind smile and a very good-looking glass of water in hand that was promptly offered. Masazumi accepted it with a smile, and in a moment of undignified desperation guzzled down half its contents then emptied the rest on her head to help cool off. "You're a life-saver, Tomo."

"Most welcome." the Miko replied, "You looked thirsty back before Neshinbara dragged you away, so I took the liberty to bring refreshment – considering how hard you work for all of us."

"Thanks." she exhaled, relieved, "Did you get the gist of what will happen within the next few days?"

"Indeed I did." Tomo said in the affirmative, "And I understand there could be a certain level of danger, and thus would like to join the entourage."

Masazumi's smile grew a little wider, glad as she did intend to ask Tomo to be part of it for a number of equally important reasons, "And you are more than welcome to. Until then, we best instruct Toori the best we can."

The Miko smiled rather stiffly, borderline frozen in a grimace, "So he...?"

"Jud. He must this time attend... I would prefer not to expose him to the grim native conditions, but the COG is a beast wholly different from the disparate Stranded."

"Will they not take offense if it's the COG our President comes out to greet first?"

"That is one of the more difficult parts of this whole thing." Masazumi whispered with a sense of dread as Toori's well-being depends on him being upbeat, always being merely one tear of grief from death. "But let us worry first about preparing him for what he might see in New Jacinto."

Tomo agreed solemnly, "Jud."

12:01; 3rd July; 1648; Testament Era

Coast of Tyrus – Kraken Class Warship Halcón

When she sent the report that described the revelation found in Halvo Bay, Gin believed they would soon be recalled to Anvil Gate for debriefing. Instead, Juana sent the order to lay low and generally hold position in wait for further orders. A task that so far had tied them up for days. Long days that proved to be an exercise in general boredom.

It had an outcome all too predictable to be even worth a commentary as Gin wandered through her ship, and sometimes passed by one or two who had decided to take an early siesta. She would have disciplined them but found her mind elsewhere as she made for her cabin, and there in sat by its lone table to briefly massage and nurse her legs. While the injuries have healed up nicely, it still stung somewhat.

Gin did not show it, but the wait had really gotten to her. It granted too much time to think. No doubt the catalyst of it was her report as the Council made deliberations on how to proceed with their limited resources.

Just when she contemplated a nap though, the wait seemed to be finally over as a Divine Correspondence demanded her attention. With what almost counted as excitement to her she brushed a prosthetic finger across the air ahead of her and was rewarded with an image: "Chancellor Segundo..."

"Hey Gin." he smiled kindly with a subtext of embarrassment written somewhere in the background, "Hope you are well."

"Do you have orders for us, sir?" Gin brushed through the formality in a blunt manner.

Felipe scratched his head while he threw a downward glance, "Tes. As you can imagine, your report opened up a can of worms on us and we struggle on how to proceed. While I feel sympathy for the Stranded plight, something simply does not match up."

"This overstep of their bounds is far from their first, Chancellor."

"So I'm aware, alas we need some solid evidence before we commit with what few resources we have on hand. That is where your mission comes in, Gin."

"Yes?"

"I will board a ship for departure tomorrow and go see this Griffin. During that time you will initiate a reconnaissance-in-force and bring every detail observed to my attention. We have already dispatched two more Frigates and a Carrier to supplement your flotilla. Rendezvous with them and enter the Island chain off the coast."

Gin appraised this information professionally. What she already got on hand are three Frigates supplemented recently by the arrival of a God of War of El Azul line. Aside from the bolstering of ship numbers, the carrier would as a matter of standard bring along a complement of Phoenixes and two more El Azuls. A considerable force multiplier, enough to wage a small war. "Anywhere in particular?"

"Focus your attention on the larger islands. Find where the COG is currently based."

From scans alone they have found there to be a huge number of islands out there. I will have to ask Pad... "Understood. When can we expect the reinforcements to arrive?"

"Best speed with the most direct course possible, I would say two days. Ready yourselves and prepare to move in on their arrival."

She snapped a salute. Though she was hardly thrilled with further a wait, now at least they got something to look forward to, "Tes. We will be ready."

Felipe nodded, "Good luck."

The Chancellor probably hoped this was all just a trick by the Stranded to get Tres España to fight this war for them. But privately as she stood and made for the bridge to make to the flotilla the announce of what will happen next, Gin silently admitted that she did not share the sentiment, for she had her own grudges to settle.

Author notes: It was a long hard battle to put this chapter together, large part because of a writer's block and struggling with how to proceed. So it wound up being a rather short chapter.