Somewhere in the Caribbean:
A woman with gold curling hair strode quickly into a fair-sized war room. The centerpiece of the chamber was the large table designed specifically to show a map of the world with colored pieces carefully positioned. Various other papers and more detailed maps were tacked to the walls on either side of the table.
Two men stood over the table eyes focused in concentration. One was an older man, pale, tall with thin white hair and beard. He wore a simple gray suit with a navy tie. And though wrinkles defined his face and thin fingers a veritable hardness in his stance proved him not one to be messed with.
The other man was far younger, somewhere in his late twenties. He was shorter, with tanned skin and a neat square jaw. His hair was dark and styled back which coupled with his expensive blazer and relaxed posture gave an aura of inflated importance.
At the end of the table, a middle-aged woman with cool beige skin and long wavy russet hair, stood strong in a stunning gold skirt suit. She was beautiful and easily commanded the room, though not through her beauty. She had an air about her that demanded respect. It was this third person who brought attention to the newcomer.
"You're late for our briefing Chancellor."
"My sincerest apologies My Queen. I was ensuring the preparations for tonight's full moon ceremony were in order. The leadership council will be expecting your appearance soon."
"Placating the superstitious masses will have to wait. This takes priority."
The blonde knew how the queen felt about the moon ceremony, and she honestly couldn't blame her. They had had no sign from the moon goddess in centuries. But the common people appreciated the tradition. These were the people who would fight in the war, so it was important to appease them.
It was one of the reasons why she had come to respect the queen. She was logical and saw the world in a way that others didn't. Yes, they were magical beings, but they lived in a largely non-magical world. They needed a smart head that could navigate them through that world willing to make the tough decisions.
However, this emergency briefing on the night of a full moon was unprecedented. She couldn't help but be concerned when she realized that only the queen and her two head generals were there. Unprecedented indeed.
She looked over at the men before hesitantly turning back to the queen, "If I may ask though your majesty, why the council were not invited to this briefing?"
"The matters we are about to discuss are time sensitive Aquella. With the ceremony this evening we don't have the time for the council to sit on a vote."
"But the agreements- "
"-Allow for authoritative action in an emergency." The older man responded firmly.
"Don't make this difficult Chancellor." The queen stared her down with such seriousness that she didn't dare try arguing with.
She gulped down any remaining hesitancy, "What's this emergency then?"
The queen then nodded to the younger man, "General Taylor."
Taylor leaned forward to ensure that the pieces he required were in the correct positions on the map. "As you well know we have been fighting a two-pronged war for years now, with General Krause heading the front against the Northern pod and myself leading our forces in the South. With the efforts going as well as they are in the North, I requested last assembly that a third of Krause's forces be reassigned."
"Which I refused." Krause interjected. "We cannot slack off. We may have them outnumbered and cornered but we are still at a disadvantage with the colder waters. As far as I know they'll be able to dig themselves in and ride this thing out indefinitely."
"Which the council agreed with." Aquella pointed out.
"Yes, but the circumstances have changed," General Taylor continued. "My sources tell me that Veridia has been in talks with aligning with the western pod."
"Unlikely." Krause interjected. "The western pod hasn't been centrally governed in over a hundred years."
"True." Said Taylor, "But we have witnessed a rise in smaller subsidiary pods over the last few decades. If they decide to realign themselves and then join the southern pod… Even just a couple of these smaller pods would give Veridia the numbers."
"But why would the West join the fight now? They've remained neutral for decades!" Aquella questioned.
The queen stared at the board pensively but was silent.
When no one responded Aquella continued. "I know they have a particular fondness for the humans, but we haven't been subtle about our motives. It just doesn't make sense."
The queen and General Krause shared a pointed look both remaining silent. However, Aquella managed to pick up on the tension. "Okay what am I missing?"
The queen sighed, "A few months back I privately requested General Krause set up a task force to investigate a lead on a Moonpool. We've suspected that the Northern Pod had access to one for years now but were unsure of its location. If it did exist only the leaders knew about it."
"A Moonpool? But I thought they were all either lost or destroyed?"
"Well, the Northern pod had kept theirs active and a secret." The queen spoke. "It's partly why they've held out for so long."
"They start running out of people they can just make more." Aquella reasoned.
"Exactly, only, not anymore." The queen smiled up at General Krause.
Krause looked to Aquella, "Three months ago my team managed to locate the pool among the western cliffs of Ireland. It was practically unguarded so as not to draw attention to it. However, that left it easy enough for my team to secure."
Aquella stood there with her mouth agape. "We've had access to a moonpool for three months? Why was the council not told of this?!"
"Again with the council…" The queen sighed in exasperation. "Telling the council would have made things messy, and as General Taylor has pointed out, decisions needed to be made quickly."
Aquella's mind raced as she tried to put the pieces together an overwhelming suspicion rose in her. "What did you do?" She spoke low and dark.
"What needed to be done to turn this war!" She shouted slamming her hands on the table breathing heavily. She took a moment to regain her composure. "Our land-born cadet program has been training young warriors since they were old enough to walk, they made perfect candidates."
"Subjecting land-born children to a moonpool has been illegal for centuries! They could die!" Aquella roared before instantly paling, "My daughter is in that program."
"And you should be thankful that of the nine sent so far she was one of three strong enough to survive."
"How could you? They're children!" Aquella raged.
"They're soldiers." Said Taylor. "They swore to train, prepared for war, and knew they might one day die for their queen."
"That's why the West is joining now, "Aquella spoke coldly, "You've committed war crime. Everything else they can ignore, but they won't let this go."
Aquella glared at her queen, seething.
"Be careful Chancellor." The queen sneered.
Just as Aquella was about to respond, a wave of energy knocked the wind out of everyone in the room. She was disoriented for a moment but sobered from it quickly when a piercing scream rang out in the room.
"NO!" The queen cried.
"Your Majesty?" Taylor questioned cautiously.
"Do you know what that was!?" The queen raved and the room now focused on their leader's fury. "The Moon goddess has chosen new royals!"
Aquella found herself shocked for a moment trying to remember her history. After everything that had happened just before the wave a small part of her was glad though she ensured that relief was hidden from the steaming queen.
"Eight hundred years of nothing! Eight hundred years and not a sign from her and she chooses now?!"
"So what do we do?" Asked Taylor tentatively. "If people deny you as queen…"
"I am Queen!"
"We don't know what side they're on." Krause spoke calmly. "The Eastern temple fell with the pod a decade ago. And the old northern temple was destroyed before this one was even erected. Which means the new royals must be here."
"Unless the southern temple still stands, and someone found it." Aquella spoke quickly regretting her words as she said them.
"We have no reason to believe Veridia knows its location." Taylor spoke up with conviction. "Trust me she would have lorded that over us if she could have."
Aquella reasoned, "So they're unknown. Is that better or worse?"
A palpable tension settled as everyone looked around unsure of the answer to that or how to move forward.
"This doesn't change anything." The queen spoke coldly. "We have to assume that they are the enemy. That even if they don't stand with Veridia now, they will eventually."
"But your Majesty," Taylor spoke up, "To go against royals…"
"General Taylor, are you insinuating that you and your men are not prepared to fight for me?" The queen asked while raising her hand out to him, electricity dancing across her fingers making her threat blatantly clear.
"Of course, not your Majesty. I'm simply pointing out that we are back to our original problem." He responded nervously.
"Indeed. How would you suggest we proceed?"
"We double down on the cadet program." Krause cut in. "If they're coming for us it's not going to matter how many we send through. And god knows the only thing that stands a pretty chance against royals are twice blessed mer."
"Do you have anything else to say about that Chancellor? I would especially hate it if your little girl couldn't make it through her training."
"You'd threaten my daughter!" Aquella seethed.
The queen laughed, "I'd kill my own sons before I let this great pod fall."
"I could tell the council. Tell them what you've done. With new royals chosen they won't be hard to convince."
The queen kept chuckling, "You think Veridia is going to differentiate? That anyone will be pardoned? No. We may all be damned, but the council will know I'm still our best chance." She smiled. "And it's true, as long as your daughter is in my control, you can't risk anything."
Aquella glared unable to hide the searing hatred she had for this woman, someone she had once bowed down to. She had once supported her vision to unite all mer against the increasing threat of humanity. As crazy as it sounded, Aquella believed that Aurora could actually do it. By building on the groundwork set by her father and grandfather and pushing the war forward. Aurora seemed to have the wherewithal to finish the job. Unfortunately, that thought now terrified her.
Aquella had overlooked things: poor decisions, cruel moments, mysterious disappearances, and especially the sudden demise of the Eastern pod. But no more. And yet, she realized that she had come to this conclusion far too late. Because it was true, she couldn't risk anything. Not while her daughter's fate was in the queen's hands. Tears began to form despite her hardest efforts to keep them in.
The queen turned to Krause, "General, send the order for the cadets. Tonight. As many as possible."
"Of course, your majesty." He gave a short bow before exiting the room to carry out her orders.
The queen then turned to Taylor, "You'll have your reinforcements general. Though I have one request, I'd like to send a little greeting to our new rulers."
Taylor smiled too, "I understand your majesty." He then walked out as well leaving Aquella alone with the manic queen.
Aquella found herself completely numb, her shock preventing her from even feeling worried. The queen stepped around the table and behind Aquella before putting her hands on Aquella's shoulders.
The snake leaned in, "Oh you shouldn't worry. She's twice blessed now." She hissed before slinking away.
All Aquella could feel is cold.
A/N: Hey Friends!
I'm really sorry this took so long! (Not totally sorry the first chapter after a long break is a dark one).
I kept going back and forth on what part of the story I should tell next. I hope this all made sense. I realize I introduced a bunch of new characters, but its necessary to establish the threat the crew will be facing.
I told you all this would connect to Mako Mermaids. (So yes, it is the same Veridia). But the story is going to be different. (Because the Mermaids vs. Mermen storyline made absolutely no sense. Like how do they reproduce then?)
The Next Chapter should see us back with our main cast, and hopefully a little more light hearted, but seeing as this is the threat they are going to be facing, prepare for a bumpy ride ahead.
As always, stay safe and well. You all mean so much to me!
Much Love,
Odd Lady :)