By all rights, Niranira should have enjoyed politics. For those with the funds, it was an exhilarating game to play. Low risk, high reward, and always exciting. And he certainly had the money to play, these days. But sadly, it didn't interest him much. Partially, that was his own fault. He'd spent a long time as a Guild actuary, and it had been his job to make sure everyone played by the rules. That wouldn't make him friends in the political sphere. After all, bureaucrats made famously terrible politicians. But the other issue was everyone these days was such a damn idealogue.

It used to be people could be reasonable. Regulations could be lobbied, policymakers made to see reason, leaders given the appropriate incentives. But now? Now everyone had decided to pretend they had principles. That suddenly, people could hold hands and get along and everything would be just fine. It was an understandable reaction, in some ways. The Cataclysm had been a horrible tragedy, and people needed to cope somehow. But the idealism made it incredibly hard to conduct business.

As the summit dragged ceaselessly on, business was the only thing he could think about. The Osirian guildmasters were breathing down his neck to get results. Bana had embezzled a shocking amount of money from Argentum, and if Niranira couldn't make it back soon, half the guilds could go under. Doing business with the Coalition had been a smart move initially, but every week brought on more regulations. It wouldn't be long before he had to seek out other revenue streams.

"Chairman?" Chancellor Diarkis asked. "Something troubling you?"

"Thinking of other business," Niranira said. "Land concessions will greatly impact smaller merchants. In turn, greatly impact Guild profits."

"None of us are happy about it," the Chancellor said. "But Duthract is arming up for war. We need to do something to ease tensions, at least in the immediate."

Niranira sighed.

"Friends seriously intend to bargain with communalists?"

"We're going to avoid war, Chairman," Emperor Niall said. "Where we can, at any rate. If granting these land concessions means Duthract isn't looking to put a dagger in our backs, then we can focus our efforts on those that still intend to."

"Spessia," Queen Raqura noted. "You want to go to war with Spessia."

"Actually, I was thinking of the Praetorian loyalists occupying Leftheria. But yes, Spessia remains a concern."

"Cannot negotiate with Duthract," Niranira said. "Communalists will not be satisfied with simple concessions. Will not stop until our way of life is destroyed."

Niranira could feel the emotion rising in his voice, and he had to stop himself before he began shouting. Growing up, he'd always been taught that communalism was an ideology of the past. A mistake someone had used to take advantage of misguided Nopon with the promise of a life free from the one thing that made life worth living: struggle. An idea that generations of industrious Nopon had taken great pains to stamp out. And yet, here it was, alive and well in the hearts and minds of the Duthrish.

"They aren't telling us to starve," Chairwoman Moui said. "They want us to curb our growth. All things considered, it seems like a reasonable request."

"They have no right," Niranira insisted. "Guilds need that land."

Everyone else seemed skeptical, but it was the truth. Trade required production, production required resources, and resources came chiefly from land. And land was something the Coalition kept tight control over. Concessions to Duthract meant ceding land around Osiria to other Coalition nations, to maintain equity.

"We all need land," Emperor Niall said. "We all must make sacrifices."

"Duthract is Ardainian problem, Mor Ardain should bear responsibility. Why should Guilds have to give others handout?"

"You wanted a seat at the table," Queen Raqura said. "This is the price you have to pay for that."

Niranira wanted to refute that, but he couldn't. Officially, the continent of Osiria had been a protectorate of Indol since the signing of the Osirian Treaty. But with the death of Praetor Amalthus and the schism between the clergy and military orders, it had no official government. For all practical purposes, the Guilds filled that role now, as they had for the bulk of the Nopon diaspora for generations.

But getting the other Coalition nations to recognize the Guilds as a state had meant taking on additional responsibilities. Externalities he did not like to think about. Food, housing, healthcare, all things that drained Guild profits considerably when provided at scale. But nothing was more infuriating than the Elysian treaty. A pile of rules and regulations that bound his every action, it seemed. Unless he wanted to break from the Coalition, but that was currently a dangerous proposition.

"Duthract are not our enemies," Head Caretaker Nia said. "We already have a path toward a peaceful resolution. It would be foolish to abandon it over ideological concerns."

"Niranira cannot accept this tyranny," he said. He knew that, realistically, there wasn't much he could do to overturn the situation, but an appeal to their principles was the last option he had.

"Cry me a river," the Chancellor said. "We're all giving up territory here. You can either act like a grown up and contribute like the rest of us, or you can throw a tantrum like the Praetorians and the Sthenosi."

The other leaders seemed in agreement. Not that Chairwoman Moui was a political leader, technically, but she held more support with her people than the new Gormotti President did, so her decisions carried weight.

"Fine," Niranira grumbled. "Deal goes ahead with or without Guilds' approval, correct?"

"I'd prefer you endorse it willingly," Emperor Niall said. "I'd rather avoid the appearance of factionalism, as much as we can. If we show even a hint of disunity, our enemies are certain to take advantage of it."

"Guilds will approve measures. But do not think Guilds agree with them."

"You've made that abundantly clear."

"Good." Niranira stood from the table and headed for the door. "Niranira have business to conduct. Friends kindly send word when summit resumes."

Before anyone could object, he left the meeting. It had been a waste of time, anyway. A last-minute chance to talk strategy before finalizing talks with Duthract tomorrow. He'd send Pupunin to deal with the particulars, but he wasn't going to get a good deal out of the Coalition. Which was why he maintained backup plans. If the Coalition wasn't willing to ease up on the regulations and restrictions, then Spessia would be more accommodating.

It took him a few minutes to find the wing the Spessians were staying in. He fished out a Krustalos Guild emblem from his pocket and flashed it at the guards before they could stop him. As he thought, they let him through with no issue. And once he was inside, it was trivial to locate where their delegates were staying.

He knocked on the door, and there was a long pause before someone opened it. An older woman answered the door, a Spessian with deep burgundy skin and graying hair.

"You from Krustalos?" she asked.

"Need to see minister," Niranira said, dodging the question. "Urgent business."

"Fine." The woman sighed and opened the door, ushering him inside. There were two Spessian delegates sitting in the room, talking amongst themselves. They paused as Niranira approached. Clearly, they both knew he wasn't supposed to be here, but that didn't overly alarm them.

"Thank you, Herletta," the older gentleman said. He must've been pushing his eighties. Niranira recognized him as Naravis Coreial, Spessia's Minister Diplomatic. As he and Niranira stared at each other, the woman could clearly tell something was wrong, but she didn't do anything either. Likely out of respect for the Minister. That kind of trust in a politician was uncommon in Spessia, even among the military. Clearly, the Minister was a very capable man.

"Minister Coreial," Niranira said, extending a wing. "Good to meet friend in person."

"Likewise, Chairman Niranira," the Minister said, shaking his wing. The Minister knew who he was. Good, that would make things simpler. "I've heard tales of your exploits from practically every Nopon I come across."

"Going to introduce me?" the other man asked, a smile spreading on his lips. The Minister looked at the man, betraying nothing but conveying an obvious emotion. Likely anger or disappointment. By his mannerisms alone, this man wasn't a member of Spessia's martial or political classes. He was too unguarded. Which meant he wasn't a delegate, and consequently he wasn't supposed to be here any more than Niranira.

"A dangerous game," Niranira noted. "Bringing spies into Coalition territory. Chieftan Drognav tried, and Coalition did not take kindly. Niranira hopes friend's efforts will not be met with such force."

"Thank you for the words of advice," the Minister said. "But Saur isn't a spy. He's here in an advisory role. He knows the ins and outs of Coalition politics much better than I."

"Someone's got to," Saur said, shrugging. "As the expert, I'm curious why the Chairman of the Argentum Trade Guild is making courtesy calls to the Spessian delegation the day before the summit's supposed to end."

"It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out," the woman said. "He's here about the other Guilds."

"Nope," Saur said. "The Nopon Guilds don't generally interfere with each other's business. They might take action in the event that one of them threatens the others' profits, but why waste time bringing Krustalos or Voltis back into the Coalition fold? That's just more competition for Argentum. No, if I had to guess, I'd say this guy is the one who pushed them our way in the first place."

"Friend is right," Niranira said, motioning back at the woman. "Partially. Niranira want to discuss Nopon Trade Guilds. But friend Saur is correct as well. Niranira is one who advocated to Nopon Guilds on Spessia's behalf. Would not wish to break that relationship, but deepen it."

"Oh?" the Minister asked, leaning forward. "Does the Argentum Trade Guild wish to join the Federation?"

"No. Would be declaration of war. Argentum too important to Coalition. But can offer friends assistance in other ways. Intelligence, resources, all delivered securely through other Guilds. For proper compensation, of course."

"You want to supply your opposition," the Minister noted. He paused a moment to digest the information. "May I ask why?"

"Coalition bad for business. But war? War is very, very good for business. Would not do to have friends lose to Coalition so quickly."

"You think we'll lose," the woman noted.

"Niranira confident Spessia can succeed. With Niranira's help, of course."

"You clever bastard!" Saur shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "You sell us whatever we need to pad your balance sheet, and if we win, you get to be free of Coalition regulations. On the other hand, if we lose, you get a share of the spoils."

This man, Saur, had a very succinct analysis of the situation. But he was forgetting that if the Coalition went down, Spessia would be weakened in the effort. The Guilds, with resources invested in both sides, would be one of the only entities left with any real bargaining power. If that didn't boost the quarterly revenue, nothing would.

"There seems to be no downside," the Minister said. "For the Guilds, at any rate. What can you offer us in exchange?"

"Niranira already say. Intelligence and resources. Spessian military has dire need for both."

"We've got four Nopon Guilds already on our side, thanks to you. They can keep us supplied. What reason do we have to accept help from an ally who only seeks to use us?"

"In all transactions, parties attempt to use one another. Friend should focus on how they benefit, not the other way around."

"I can't afford to be reckless, Chairman. I need to ensure you won't turn on us the moment it's convenient."

"Niranira open to suggestions," he said, spreading his wings.

"Tomorrow, the Guilds aligned with the Federation are going to demand reparations from the Coalition, paid to both themselves and Spessia, as compensation for the damage inflicted by the Osirian War."

"That political suicide," Niranira said. "If Sthenosi still present, and if Duthract joined demands, then maybe. But Coalition will not pay reparations to Spessia for pre-Cataclysm war."

"Not without the endorsement of one of their sitting members, no. But with the backing of Chairman Niranira? The endorsement of the other Nopon Guilds? And with Duthract adding their voice to the mix? They'll consider it. They very much want to avoid a war right now, and if that means direct payments to us, then they'll do what they have to."

"Did not mean political suicide for friends," Niranira said. "Meant for Niranira. Would risk losing support of other Coalition members."

"Chalk it up to your conscience. The need for unity and healing. Your desire for peace. Whatever you want. But if you won't, then I can't trust you're going to honor your alliance once our war ends."

Niranira studied the man for a moment. He was completely serious. But he was clearly a fool if he thought the Coalition would pay such reparations. Still, Niranira would try his best. He could appeal to emotion like the rest of them, when he needed to. Whatever sealed the deal.

"Very well," Niranira said. He reached out and shook the Minister's hand. "Niranira look forward to seeing results of this investment."

"And this…" Tora said, whirling around and spreading his wings. "Is Poppibuster!"

He motioned back at the machine, beaming as his grandfather stepped forward to examine it. Niranira couldn't fault him, really. It was a work of art in many respects. To an engineer's eyes, it must have been one of the most beautiful things in the factory. But art didn't cut labor costs. Art didn't increase quarterly revenue. Tora had yet to deliver a prototype that was both functional and efficient for the purposes at hand.

"Marvelous," Soosoo muttered. "How is it powered?"

"Six ether furnaces threaded together with secondary power system. Furnaces power primary motor functions, while secondary system uses waste heat to drive power to internals."

"Marvelous," Soosoo said again. "Grandsonnypon truly is visionary."

"Poppibuster is nothing," Tatazo said, beaming. "Dadapon should see what Tora working on now."

"Project still need work," Tora said. "Esrafil nowhere near finished yet. They not in state to show off."

"Nonsense!" Tatazo clapped his son on the back. "Dadapon Soosoo would love to see improvements to Artificial Blade design, right dadapon?"

"Have not touched Artificial Blade in fifteen years," Soosoo said. "Would be honored to look at new designs. And who knows? Soosoo might have suggestions to help with progress."

"You would?" Tora asked. Soosoo shrugged.

"Can never tell until we see the work itself."

Niranira watched the three of them from one of the factory's upper walkways. Three of Nopon-kind's greatest minds. Three of Elysium's greatest minds, really, all working here in research and development. Even with the absurd amount of time they devoted to personal projects like the Watchers, they were still the ones responsible for getting the Coalition's industrial manufacturing up and running. Well, the younger two were. With Professor Soosoo on staff too, production could only increase.

"Chairman?" Pupunin asked. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing," Niranira said. "Does Pupunin have production report?"

"Yes, Chairman. Production backlog has increased by two days over the last week. Housing supply is increasing in city, but manufacturing has not kept pace. Demand has risen steadily for furniture, appliances, heating equipment, and various other goods. As food stores running low, need for agricultural equipment rising too."

"Prioritize infrastructure," Niranira said. "Heating, power, agriculture… Citizens of Mor Ardain eager to avoid repeating winters of years past. In several weeks, demand will spike sharply as temperature drops and harvests begin."

"Yes, Chairman. How should we deal with drop in production in other areas?"

"Double shifts for salvage teams. Alba Cavanich have plenty of reusable materials."

"The Coalition will not authorize more salvage operations to Mor Ardain, Chairman."

"Pupunin…" Niranira turned and glared at his assistant. Technically, the man was on the Coalition council, but first and foremost he was still a Guild employee. Niranira's employee.

"Skirting regulations is dangerous, especially now. Guildmasters not want repeat of Bana's chairmanship."

"Coalition regulations are my concern," Niranira said.

"All the same. Pupunin will draft statement just in case. Blame overeager salvage captains?"

"As good an excuse as any," Niranira muttered. Not that the excuse mattered much. Mor Ardain needed the Guilds' resources to feed and house its citizens. The Coalition needed the Guilds' resources to build their new city. They would look the other way.

As Niranira and Pupunin went over the weekly reports, he saw Director Ladair step onto the factory floor. His leash, as it were. The Coalition had insisted the Restoration Department and the Guilds' new headquarters share the same complex while the city was under construction. Cost-cutting, they had said, but he knew it was so she could keep an eye on his activities. Though he could hardly blame them. His predecessor had ended his career a terrorist, so it was only natural they keep a closer eye on the new Chairman. Still, it made conducting business difficult.

"Tora," she said, walking up to the workshop. Her Blades weren't with her, but Rex was. He was supposed to return home weeks ago, but with the Indoline nationalists occupying Leftheria, he couldn't. Not that Niranira minded, per say. He helped out where he could. But ever since he'd arrived, the talk of pay raises had only gotten worse. He meant well, obviously, but the Aegis Driver emboldening a strike would grind the factory to a halt. And that wouldn't do anybody any good. Niranira began heading down to the workshop, just in case he needed to step in.

"Mòrag!" Tora shouted, waving her over excitedly. "Friends met grampypon Soosoo, right?"

"Yes," the Director said. She extended a hand to the gentleman all the same, shaking his wing. "We spoke briefly when Zeke brought him in."

"Nice to meet you," Rex said, doing the same. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the man behind the Artificial Blades."

"Please," Soosoo said. "Mostly, Soosoo design ether furnace. Sonnypon and grandsonnypon do all the hard work."

"Professor Soosoo," the Director said. "I know this is sudden, but I was hoping I could speak with you about your time in Spessia."

"Of course," Soosoo said. "Though, there not much to tell."

"How did you end up there?" Rex asked.

"After attack on laboratory, woke up on Guild ship. Someone had treated Soosoo's wounds. There was a man on board, tall and built like Titan. He told Soosoo family was dead, research destroyed. It tore Soosoo apart. But he also said there was important work to do. Machine he needed to reproduce, needed Soosoo's skills to do it."

"This machine," the Director said. "Is it the same one as described by the schematics you brought back?"

"Yes."

"Its description matches some old Ardainian records from the Osirian War. The Empress had commissioned a scientist to design a weapon capable of cowing Uraya into submission. According to the Grand Marshall, it worked by converting the mass of a whole Titan directly into unstable ether."

"Yes, initial design was unstable. Soosoo made adjustments. Creating bomb will perhaps solve immediate problem, but not wider issues. The man thought the machine could be used to generate power. Perhaps instead of ending one war, could end all wars. Or so was the thinking. Overhauling machine designs took many years. The initial team cared very little for the weapon's long-term stability."

"You woke up on a Guild ship?" Rex asked. "How did the Guilds manage to find you?"

"Never said." Soosoo shrugged. "Soosoo never asked."

"The Krustalos Guild," Niranira said, entering the workshop. "Chairman Bana initially came under suspicions during an investigation into Krustalos's illicit dealings in Spessia. Niranira knew they made several deals off official Guild records, but never imagined they involved in kidnapping."

"Chairman Niranira," the Director said. "Thank you for joining us."

"Director Ladair." He nodded. "Rex. Shouldn't friend be on salvaging mission today?"

"Sorry," Rex said. "The Department needed me. I hate to disappoint, but I'm probably sticking with Mòrag until I get back to Fonsett."

"Security needs tightening," the Director said. "After the break-in, and with the Watchers refusing to cooperate, I need all the Drivers I can get. I'm sure you understand, Chairman."

"Perfectly," Niranira said. "Is no trouble."

"Friends still have questions?" Soosoo asked.

"Yes," the Director said, turning back to him. "Were they keeping you against your will?"

"No."

"Then why did you never leave?"

"Life was in shambles after attack. Spent many months in recovery, then many more wishing could have died in sonnypon's place. The project gave purpose. Direction. When Soosoo started, work seemed important. Work still important. But family comes first. And would prefer to conduct work without threat of weaponization."

"Well, I can't promise anything," the Director said. "But I doubt the idea of weaponizing Titans will get through the council so long as the Gardens are around."

"You didn't want to make a weapon," Rex noted. "Did Spessia feel the same way?"

"Some did," Soosoo said. "Man from Guild ship, man who secured supplies, they both wanted power source. But military became involved eventually, made their intentions very clear. After that, future of project became uncertain."

"These men who helped you," the Director said. "The ones that shared your vision. Who were they?"

"First man never said. Only saw him the once. Soosoo never forget that face, though. Man was like walking mountain. Had more regular contact with friend called Saur. He got supplies, staff, funding, anything Soosoo needed. Was friendly too, to a point. Didn't stop friend from putting gun in Soosoo's face during escape."

"That's the man Zeke mentioned," the Director said. "The one behind the attacks on the Gardens."

"He's probably the one that stole Zedekul, too," Rex said.

"What makes you so sure?"

"Zeke said there was an Artificial Blade working with him. No prizes for guessing who that might be."

"No," Tora said. "Azaz would not work for criminals."

"Tora…" Rex sighed. "Who else could it be? I don't want to believe it either, but he's…"

Rex struggled to find a word. Niranira suspected he wanted to say "defected", or something similar. But the Watchers weren't soldiers, or at least they pretended they weren't. If one of them really had joined Spessia's ranks, there wasn't much the Restoration Department could do about it.

"Azaz is family," Tora said. "Friend Zeke must be mistaken."

"Maybe he's being threatened, somehow," Rex offered. "But Zeke crossed swords with him, and it definitely sounded like Azazel."

"Could be problem," Niranira said. "If Watchers discover friend Azazel is with Spessia, how many more will join him?"

"Watchers are not enemies," Tora said, glaring at Niranira.

"If they refuse to cooperate, are hardly friends either."

"Watchers are family. Tora have faith in family."

"An enviable quality. All the same, Niranira think this information should stay between friends present. Until situation is more readily apparent."

"Chairman," the Director said. "With all due respect, I would ask that you leave tactical evaluations of such matters up to the appropriate authorities."

"Of course," Niranira said. "Niranira should let friends work."

He gave everyone a wave and stepped away, but after a moment, he paused and turned around. "Professor Soosoo, the Guilds will provide whatever friend needs to restart work on energy project."

"Thank you," Soosoo said. "After Soosoo settled in, work should resume quickly."

"Authorizing this project without council approval?" the Director asked. Niranira suppressed a groan. Leave it to an Ardainian to insist on following regulations.

"Consider it matter of personal interest. Good investment need not be stymied by bureaucracy."

"Careful," Rex said. "You're starting to sound like Bana, there."

Niranira paused, considering what the boy had meant by that insult. Bana's only remarkable qualities had been his impatience and his inattention to detail, and his only noteworthy accomplishment had been murdering his father at the height of the man's wealth to maximize his inheritance. Given his history with the former Chairman, Rex likely meant to imply none of these attributes. But he was right, in a way. Openly admitting to skirting regulations in front of someone like Director Ladair could only be described as inattentive.

"Niranira send it up appropriate channels, of course. But if this machine really does what friends describe, then work should not delay."

"I'll let the council know to expect another report," the Director said. "Please try to keep in mind, Chairman, that this workshop is jointly operated. The Coalition has a right to know what you make here."

"Yes, yes," Niranira said, waving her off. "Should get back to work now. Good day, friends."

As he walked back to his office, he began to wonder if the Director suspected something. He kept all the proper paperwork, made all the appropriate visits, paid all the right fees, but still she kept a close eye on him. Apparently, such was the price of accepting the Coalition's subsidies. Subsidies he'd lobbied for, of course, but he hadn't anticipated the oversight to be this maddeningly strict. He could barely work under these conditions.

As he got back to his office, however, there were other things on his mind. The Restoration Department was looking into Spessia, and they'd made a startling amount of progress. There would likely be a war soon, and if the Coalition won, he needed to ensure the Guilds weren't on the hook. To that end, he had calls to make.

"Saur," he said as the man's face appeared on screen.

"If it isn't my favorite Nopon," the man said. "What can I do for you?"

"Next time Coalition raids friend, friend could at least do the courtesy of letting Niranira know."

"Oh, yeah. That. Listen, things have been busy on my end. I haven't really had a lot of time to chat."

"This is much more than 'chat'. Department knows of friend. They suspect friend is their mystery thief. Sooner or later, they track friend down. Who else knows about factory break-in?"

"You really think the Restoration Department is going to come looking for me?"

"If Spessia starts war, then yes. There is little doubt. Who else knows?"

"No one, I'm not an idiot. I run a tight ship. You know that. Your secret's safe with me."

"Friend can guarantee not to speak of Niranira's involvement?"

"Yes. I'm a professional, Niranira."

"Friend's word not good enough."

"Ever the cynic," Saur said, sighing. "Listen, you're the one who pushed the Guilds our way. If I burn you, I'm burning that bridge too. My boss will kill me if I'm the reason Krustalos stops supplying us with Core Chips. Is that good enough for you?"

"Acceptable," Niranira said. "Niranira suggest friend destroy all records involving Guilds, just to be safe."

"Already done," Saur said. "Like I said, I'm a professional."

"Onto other matters, then. I hear—"

"No," Saur said. "No, I'm curious. What's got you so spooked?"

"Niranira already say. Restoration Department knows of friend's involvement. Involvement with project, involvement with Artificial Blade. Knowledge compromises us."

"Director Ladair suspects you, doesn't she?"

"She suspects something. This only natural, as she is also professional. But she will find no evidence here. Not of Spessian involvement, anyway. Business partners are always largest risk of exposure."

"Does this mean you're backing out?" Saur asked.

"Of course not. Trade with Spessia important to Guilds. Have enjoyed much profit since relationship began. But Spessia cannot guarantee victory over Coalition. Niranira must protect Guilds just in case."

"Oh, what are you so worried about? We've got the machine—"

"Which Thunderbolt Prince destroyed," Niranira said.

"Scratches. We'll have the prototype fixed up in no time at all."

"Without schematics?"

"Oh, you do know where they are. Good, I was just getting around to that. I'll need you to send a copy back to me before we can proceed."

"Of course," Niranira sighed. "Will take several days."

"That's fine, we've got time. We can't proceed until Leftheria kicks off anyway."

"Friends really think can succeed against Coalition military with so few numbers?"

"Ah, but we won't be fighting the Coalition military. We'll be dealing with the Restoration Department."

Niranira paused.

"Department not involved in Leftherian operation," Niranira said.

"Not yet, they aren't. But a little birdie told me that the Head Caretaker of the Gardens has been coordinating an attempt to resolve things peacefully. If you can get Director Ladair to start looking into it too, they won't be able to resist joining forces. And knowing her, she won't want the military involved. There won't be a better time to get all our most dangerous enemies in one place."

"But machine is damaged. Will not be able to detonate Titan."

"We don't need the machine to deal with the Restoration Department," Saur said.

"Friends not have firepower to take on so many experienced Drivers at once."

"Well, no, we don't. But that's why we recruited allies."

"Niranira cannot fight. Nopon Guilds have no standing army."

"Yeah, that much is obvious." Saur rolled his eyes. "I'm not saying you, per say. But we've got enough pieces on the board to deal with a handful of Drivers and Blades."

"Friend speaking of Duthrish Communalists?"

"Eh…" Saur made a face at that. "Duthract is kinda touch and go at the moment. I doubt they'll show up to Leftheria, but assuming my meeting later today goes as planned, they'll at least have our backs for the rest of the war."

"What did friend expect, working with communalists?"

"Beggars can't be choosers, Niranira."

"Have said this would happen," Niranira continued. "Working with Duthract only liable to sink whole alliance. Are unreliable and likely to betray at a moment's notice."

"Your complaints have been duly noted. But if it makes you feel any better, our plans in Leftheria don't rely on Duthract's support. Sthenos is leading the charge there. As long as things go according to plan, then after Leftheria, the Coalition won't have much capacity to fight back."

"What is purpose of machine, then? Niranira under impression machine was meant to serve as weapon to suppress Coalition."

"You don't need to worry about that. Once you get us those schematics, and so long as the Watchers keep out of the picture, then all you need to do is sit back and watch the chaos unfold."

"Niranira detest chaos. Once war against Coalition begins, make sure Spessian forces do not interfere in Guild business."

"Who said anything about war?" Saur asked. "If everything goes to plan, then we won't even need to go to war."

"No war?" Niranira asked. "How will Guilds profit without war?"

"Trust me, Niranira, you'll have plenty of opportunity to profit. All you really need is for someone to remove your political opponents in the Coalition council. If everything goes to plan, we should be able to take care of that no problem."

"This was not agreement," Niranira insisted.

"Take it up with Navaris, then." Saur shrugged. "He's the one in charge of working out those particulars. My job is just to keep the ship running until that happens. And speaking of which, there was one more thing I needed, if you don't mind."

"Speak."

"The Aegis Driver. Is he still with you?"

"Yes. With Praetorian presence, friend Rex cannot return to Leftheria."

"We need him dead. Make sure he's on the Department's mission to Leftheria."

"Already done," Niranira said. "Thought this might occur, so pushed Rex to join Department's efforts more full time."

That was a lie, but Rex was joining the Restoration Department until he got back to Leftheria anyway. Niranira might as well take credit for it, given the chance.

"Man, you're good, you know that? A man after my own heart. When this is all over, we really should go out drinking sometime."

"Niranira pass."

He glared at Saur, and the man put his hands up. That wasn't the first time he'd made friendly overtures at Niranira, but he preferred to keep relationships like this strictly professional. Friendships only made situations harder to evaluate objectively.

"One thing bothering Niranira," he said. "Why need friend Rex dead?"

"It's not anything major," Saur said. "But he's the Aegis Driver, y'know? He stopped the Cataclysm. As long as he's alive, people have hope."

"That not reason," Niranira said. He'd gotten pretty good at reading Saur over the last few weeks. He knew when the man was lying.

"It's not the only reason," Saur said, correcting him. "We also need the Aegis."

"Friends need Aegis? Aegis is dead."

"Even if the core's inert, it's still the Master Blade. That thing is probably still the most powerful weapon in the world. The boss needs it for the last stage of the plan."

"Friends' plan require many important pieces. Eye of Genbu, Aegis Core, Morythan Herald… Not commonly found objects."

"What can I say? I keep my ear to the ground. You can pick up a lot of stuff when people think no one's listening."

"Very privileged information to gain through use of spies."

"Well, I can't take credit for everything. The bulk of the plan was put together by my boss. My job was to fill out the particulars. Like, that Herald unit you tossed my way? How we got our hands on that was basically up to me. But plugging it into the Aegis Core? That one's the boss, one hundred percent."

"Interesting." Niranira folded his wings in front of him. Outside the Tantalese royal family, only perhaps a dozen people knew the Eye of Genbu even existed, much less what it was capable of. And Niranira didn't know anyone in Elysium—other than the Aegis Driver's companions—with enough knowledge of the Aegis Core to know what it could do. Niranira had heard rumors, but the only one who'd really known its secrets had been Amalthus, and he was dead. Whoever Saur's boss was, he had access to knowledge he shouldn't.

"Would very much like to meet friend boss one day," Niranira said.

"I'll pass along the sentiment, but he doesn't do very many in-person appearances. I'm sure you can understand, we need to maintain some discretion."

"Of course," Niranira said. "Will send schematics as soon as possible. Friend have a good day."

"You too," Saur said, waving as Niranira ended the connection. He pushed the monitor aside and leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to think through the situation. Saur's requests were easily granted, but he was hiding something. The Coalition's defeat wasn't their ultimate end-goal. If it was, they'd be pooling more resources into their ambush at Leftheria. He'd have to ask Minister Coreial for more details about this plan of theirs that was supposed to bring the Coalition to heel, but he suspected he would only receive more deflection. More half-truths. The Spessians were after something that went beyond simple political machinations.

The Titan machine, the Eye of Genbu, the Aegis Core, the Morythan Herald… How did all those pieces tie together? What were they planning to use them for? It didn't matter in the immediate, so long as the Coalition lost power. He did need to turn a profit out of all this, after all. But once that was done, Spessia wouldn't need him, and he had no guarantee their plan didn't include betraying him. Given Saur's general attitude, the idea actually seemed rather likely. When the time came, he needed to be ready to make the first move. Whatever they planned to do after they finished with the Coalition, he needed to ensure it wouldn't affect the Guilds' bottom line.

Unfortunately, Saur's information network was tight. Short of going to Spessia and knocking heads around like the Thunderbolt Prince had, Niranira wouldn't be able to get any of the information he needed. With one exception. Saur's spy in the Gardens. Niranira didn't know their identity, but he could assume they weren't loyal to Spessia. It would've been difficult to plant a Spessian Blade in a Coalition-run nation with security as tight as theirs. And besides, Saur's allies tended to be circumstantial. It certainly described his own relationship with the man. For the right price, the spy might be able to shed light on what Saur wouldn't—or couldn't—tell him. It was just a matter of contacting them.

Of course, Saur never let on who his source was, but Niranira had other ways of finding out. They had to communicate wirelessly, which meant they were using Guild technology. Even the Spessian cell-jacks and Ardainian beacons used old Guild encryption protocols. Protocols that the Guilds had designed with a backdoor for just such occasions. It made it very easy to collect dirt on the idiots he'd kept in line as an actuary, and now that he was sitting at the head of the table, there was no one higher up able to tell him no. Even if the other guildmasters found out, he was sure they'd understand.

At first, no one picked up. Which was understandable. They were a spy, after all. It paid to be naturally suspicious in that line of work. But Niranira was persistent. This was top priority, after all. So he dialed again. And again, there was no response.

Concerning. It was possible the spy might report that kind of suspicious behavior to Saur, and there was a chance they might trace it all the way back to him. Not ideal. Niranira set his communicator aside, considering his options for several minutes. He could destroy his communicator, but that would be a pain. Getting a new number out to all his business associates would be time-consuming, and unless his excuse was believable, it might only make Saur more suspicious.

After a while, however, he got a call. From the spy, of all people. No image, only sound. For several seconds, they didn't speak. Were they trying to gauge who they were talking to? Would they report this to Saur?

Not that it mattered, really. Right now, he needed to get information. Even if it meant taking a few risks.

"Can friend Rook talk?" Niranira asked. There was no response, but they didn't end the call. Good sign. "This is Niranira, Chairman of Argentum Trade Guild. Would like to speak about our mutual business partner."

Again, there was no response.

"Niranira knows friend's position is… Precarious. If our mutual partner succeeds, what guarantee does friend have they do not betray friend?"

"For one?" the spy asked. Finally, a response. Niranira could work with that. "He doesn't call me out of the blue. Around here, people tend to notice that sort of thing."

"Drastic measures. Partner keeping secrets from Niranira. Perhaps also keeping secrets from friend, yes?"

"What do you want?"

"Have offer for friend. Would like to know what secrets partner has told you."

"You don't have anything to offer me," Rook said.

"Everyone has price. Name yours."

Rook went quiet again for a moment. And then, just as Niranira was about to ask again, "You said you're with the Argentum Guild, right?"

"Correct."

"Then you should know you're at the top of the list."

"What friend—" The spy hung up, ending the connection. "—mean?"

Niranira sighed and slumped back in his chair. That was too vague. What list? What did Spessia plan to do to those on it? Kill them? Reward them? He didn't know. But it was information, nonetheless. Something he could act on.

For now, he had to assume Spessia had ill intent. Prepare for the worst outcome. This alliance would last as long as necessary to ensure the Guilds could be free of the Coalition's burdens. After that, though, they had to put themselves first. And it sounded like Spessia intended to do the same thing.