"Miss Darjeeling, a letter for you" Pekoe said, placing down a stack of envelopes and papers on Darjeelings desk. Darjeeling eyed it cautiously, then looked at Pekoe, "Don't worry, its been checked" pekoe assured. Taking a small knife, she cut the envelope open. and a small piece of frayed paper fell out. It was emblazoned thick the big black cross of Kurmoromine.
'To the Crown Protector of the Gloriana Commonwealth,
We humbly invite you to a meeting, we believe this war has gone on for too long and with too many lives lost...
Thousands have been killed for the sake mere miles and now, the time has come to rebuild.
Together, we can lead our land to a new, prosperous future. The Gloriana Commonwealth, The Saunders Federation, Peoples Republic of Pravda and the Fourth Empire of Kuromoromine, together at last.
Don't you believe this war has gone on long enough?
Signed with cordial regards,
The Leader of our people,
Maho Nishizumi'
Darjeeling chuckled, "apparently they wish to meet".
"Yes, they sent an ambassador with it, they said that it is to happen tomorrow" Pekoe replied, Slowly pouring a cup of tea and placing it with a small clank onto the desk.
"Hmm, what did Saunders make of this?" Darjeeling queried.
"They agreed to mee-" Darjeeling shot an intense glare at pekoe
"Get Assam in here" she barked, looking back at the letter.
A few moments later they heard a loud bang at the door, the guard grabbed the bolt and bellowed "Password".
"James Bond" a soft voice replied, as the guard slid the heavy bolt and let Assam in.
"What do the reports from the front say? is it safe?" Darjeeling probed.
"All reports indicate, Kuromoromine and Pravda forces have pulled out. We saw the personal staff car of Maho coming into the city around 4 hours ago" Assam said, pointing at a large map on the desk.
"Was it occupied?"
"Inconclusive. Though, she was missing the usual escort" Assam said. "Saunders air division also reported seeing a group of Pravda ships moving to the coast".
"Ok, order commonwealth planes to monitor them, but not to engage unless they are fired upon. Pekoe get my coat, we'll head out shortly" Pekoe nodded softly.
The next morning, darjeeling awoke in a start, her surroundings, the sights and sounds hit her, as she memories of where she was going. She looked around the car, a young woman sat in the front, she wore a grey uniform, with black gloves, her brown hair tied back in a small bob tucked neatly into her cap.
"Rukuriri?" Darjeeling whispered softly as rubbed her eyes...
"Darjeeling" Pekoe placed her hand darjeelings arm, as Assam, snored quietly next to the driver. Darjeeling snapped to attention. Noticing the drivers hair had suddenly changed to a crimson red, an intense feeling of sadness gripped her stomach.
"Yes Pekoe?"
"Something concerns me, and please forgive me for overstepping my mark". Darjeeling yawned and stretched.
"Go on".
"There was no escort on Mahos car, and those Pravda ships were confirmed to be part of the 7th Battery Fleet..." Pekoe swallowed...
"Don't you remember the story of Hercules and the Hydra?"
A look of confusion and then shock took over Darjeeling's face.
"He couldn't kill the snakes, so he took out the head..." Darjeeling whispered. "...And when were all at the meeting..."
Darjeeling bolted upright, "Stop the car!". Rosehip slammed the breaks, Assam, rudely awoken as she flung forward, the pillow she rested her head on, luckily cushioning her against the dashboard. "Ow..." she rubbed her head.
"Come on, answer!" Darjeeling gripped her phone...
"Office of the President, Naomi Spearking" an authoritative voice answered.
"This is Darjeeling, no time to explain, get Kay out of there now!" hanging the phone up and redialing, "Earl Grey, Link up with Saunders forces, Ensure they get Kay out of there".
"Yes Ma'am" her commander answered.