Last Resistance to Peace
Chapter 11

A/N: I some how forgot to include this section in my previous updates. Sorry about that!

A.C. 204

Late August

From a hallway window on the third floor of the Sanc Kingdom palace, Relena watched Dorothy climb into her gaudy golden limo. The young woman had finally been called back to Brussels by her grandfather. Relena was relieved to see Dorothy go. She was a strange woman, and Relena could not get a read on her personality. For the few weeks that Dorothy hung around the Sanc Kingdom, she had shown devotion to Relena and praised her ideals, in spite of her own opinions. And not once did Dorothy attempt to break into any secure areas. Relena knew this because she had Sally's people keep a constant watch on the woman.

And true to Dorothy's word, Duke Dermail Catalonia gave the Sanc Kingdom several million dollars to help fund the repairs caused when OZ used mobile suits to force Relena to join Romefeller.

But the money would never repair the damage her decision did to her reputation among her people. The news stations and various papers around the continent slammed Relena and her decision to join Romefeller, and many saw the decision as proof that Relena had given up her family's long-standing ideals of peace. Relena desperately wanted to comment on these claims, but Minister Darlian advised her against it. No matter what she said, they would find ways to twist her words. The only way she could truly clear up the problem would be to reveal what was hidden below ground, and that was not going to happen.

At the very least, in her heart, Relena knew she would always preach peace, even if some of her decisions made her appear a hypocrite. The golden limo disappeared from view. Relena turned away from the window and walked down three flights of spiraling stairs to the first floor.

The public receiving room was located off the throne room, an area which had been preserved for historical purposes. Relena smoothed out her blouse as she walked, her footsteps echoing in the large room. She glanced at the gilded thrones, above which hung many beautiful portraits of her ancestors. Their eyes seemed to follow her as she walked, reminding her of all the mistakes she'd made. Relena tore her gaze away from the portraits and stepped inside the receiving room.

Two guards were already inside, standing on either side of her chair. They bowed to her as she entered, and she greeted them. Sinking into her chair, she arranged the few items on the desk and waited.

A few minutes later, a balding, middle aged man appeared at the door, accompanied by two Sanc guards. Relena rose from her chair. His name was Arthur Jacobs, and according to the information that was discovered, he was the CEO of a mining company called TerraTek, based out of Brussels. That was enough to make her suspicious.

"Thank you for meeting with me, your highness," the man said, bowing to her.

"Of course," she said. "Please, have a seat."

The man sat down and dropped his briefcase on her desk with a thud. Relena tried not to wince. "I understand that you denied our permit to open mining operations in your country."

"I believe I have the right to do that," Relena replied.

"Oh of course, your highness," Jacobs said. "I was only hoping I could convince you to reconsider."

Relena leaned back in her chair and steepled her fingers. "You may attempt to do so, but I can assure you that my decision is final."

"I understand, your highness. You are an excellent and well-loved leader, and you must know that your reserves of chromite are the last on the planet."

"I've been told this before, yes," Relena said.

"And you must know how important and useful that metal is to the protection of Earth," Jacobs said. He pulled rolls of blueprints from his briefcase as he spoke. "Of course, we use the metal to make our mobile suits even stronger, since gundanium is difficult to find out in space. We also use it to reenforce shuttles, airplanes, and other vehicles, that help to protect our world leaders as they travel from country to country." He unrolled a blueprint of a space shuttle. Relena glanced at it. "We could promise you that the Sanc Kingdom would receive subsidies from Romefeller for the mining of the chromite, and we would be paying for you to receive a shuttle reinforced with chromite."

"What would I need that for?" Relena asked, staring at him pointedly.

"As a world leader, you are no doubt the target of anyone who might disagree with your views," Jacobs said. Relena noted that he was not very good at hiding his implications.

"I'm afraid my answer is still no." Relena said. "For generations, the Peacecrafts have preserved the natural beauty of our country. Any mining operations would destroy that natural beauty, upset wildlife, destroy other natural resources, to name a few."

She watched Jacobs' face color. "This is your final answer?" he asked.

Relena's stomach twisted. The look in his eyes was furious. "It is."

"I see."

Jacobs snatched up his blueprints and stuffed them back inside his briefcase. He barely waited for the guards to escort him from the room, storming out in a rage. Relena couldn't help a chuckle that escaped her at his childish behavior. But her amusement only lasted so long. She knew this would just be the next strike against her in the eyes of Romefeller.

-SE