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At the break of dawn, just as the weary residents of the Elysian capital of Metro Elysium stirred from their slumber, Prime Minister Fauna Ceres emerges from 1600 Downing Street, the PM's residence and crosses to the other side. Flanked by her confidant, Governess Sana Tsukumo, and a gaggle of bodyguards, she marches towards the INU embassy grounds.
Fauna turns to the tall, tan governess beside her and asks,
"What do you think, Sana? Can we trust her?"
Sana folds her arms and sighs. Her breath fogs up before her.
"She has the official paperwork, if that's what you're worried about Faufau. And Pavolian noble families don't go around giving signet rings willy-nilly."
"It's not her identity, though, Sanana." Fauna shakes her head, "It's the story she's telling. That's what I find hard to believe. It's… surreal."
Sana frowns and sighs again.
"I can't believe it either, Faufau… but it checks out with the intel we're getting from CONCOM on the Continent."
Fauna wrinkles her nose and snorts.
"Unfortunately so. But there's only one way to find out for real. Hopefully the coal mine canary is still alive to sing."
While they speak, the INU ambassador to Elysium, Flare Shiranui, emerges from the embassy ground with her own army of guards. Fauna's golden eyes meet with Flare's and the two ladies nod to each other.
"Welcome to the INU embassy, your Excellency. I've already been informed of the… business we are to conduct today." Flare speaks politely, but her eyes observe Fauna closely, "You've become a frequent guest as of late. We should start charging Elysium a processing fee."
"The INU's embassies are always open for business, aren't they, Ambassador Shiranui?" Sana interjects, "Not to mention that you're operating on Elysian land."
Flare wears a wry smile.
"But of course. As long as it serves the interest of General Secretary Korone Inugami and the people of the INU alliance."
While they speak, the bells of the clocktower of Metro Elysium's Parliament Hill ring six times. Ambassador Flare clears her throat and gestures to the Embassy.
"Shall we proceed to business, then, ladies?"
Fauna and Sana nod. They, along with their guards, enter the embassy. Flare's own guards follow behind them.
While they walk, Flare cuts in between Sana and Fauna and leans close to the Prime Minister, whispering to her.
"You must understand that the INU is a trading, economic alliance first and foremost - and we shook hands to prevent our smaller nations from getting swallowed up by Elysium or Pavolia."
"I didn't ask for a history lesson." Fauna answers flatly.
Flare doesn't flinch and continues hovering over Fauna's shoulder.
"Very well, let us talk about the present. The INU Alliance has gone through great lengths and shouldered great costs to make these long distance telephone calls happen, your Excellency. Not to mention the great pains we take to keep nosy news outlets like ECN from finding… well, the truth. I've had to pay out of my own pocket to make things work. The General Secretary has had to pull a lot of strings from our capital in Pekoland too."
"And Elysium thanks your and the INU's 'commitment to peace'." Fauna answers tepidly.
"We're simply following the most profi- I mean, the most beneficial path forward, your Excellency." reminds her, "It just so happens that our nations' agendas align today, but nothing comes free. We're not a charity, after all."
Flare leans even closer to Fauna and adds, "We haven't forgotten about the hijinks of your OSS agents - under your orders - either. Consider that a weight against you on your balance of payments."
Flare and Fauna glare at each other for a moment. Then, Fauna snorts.
"Please don't talk like the OSS doesn't spy on both Pavolia and Elysium."
Flare shrugs, "It's not spying. It's just business. Market research, if you will."
Fauna heaves a sigh.
"I know the INU's mantra well, Ambassador." Fauna assures her, "'All debts must be repaid, one way or another.'I already know what must be done. These debts will be repaid when the time is ripe. But for now, we expect the INU to support us to seal the deal on this conflict. Otherwise, you can consider your 'investments' as written off."
A smile breaks out on Ambassador Shiranui's lips.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you. May this coming peace be profitable for all sides." Flare nods pleasantly and gestures to a room in the embassy, "The Long Distance Telephone room is ready for you, your Excellency."
Fauna nods and waves to her guards. They take positions outside the room. Sana, on the other hand, lays her hand on Fauna's shoulder and smiles warmly.
"You can do this, Faufau."
"Thank you, Sanana." Fauna smiles back.
With that, Fauna parts with Sana and enters the Long Distance Telephone room alone.
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A single velvet couch, a standing lamp and a red, unmarked telephone are arranged there. Daylight peeks in through the curtains of a heavily draped window, illuminating the portrait of the INU General Secretary Korone Inugami in a pinstripe suit hanging from the wall.
Korone's gaze pierces Fauna.
"The dogs have their paws on every table, huh?" Fauna remarks.
She sighs, switches on the lamp and takes her seat. Then, she picks up the telephone.
Fauna takes a seat, switches on the lamp and picks up the telephone.
An operator speaks to her.
"Hang on, your Excellency. We're patching you through now."
Fauna takes a deep breath and holds the telephone handset in both hands. Even then the handset trebles. Fauna's heart beats hard against her chest and rings in her ears.
A choppy dial tone breaks the silence, followed by a click.
"H-hello…?"
A voice croaks sheepishly from the other end.
Despite the choppy connection and the nervous tone, Fauna recognizes it immediately.
"Empress Reine. That's you, right?" Fauna tests.
The Empress clears her throat and shores up her resolve.
"Y-yes. That's me. It's good to hear your voice again, Prime Minister Fauna. A familiar voice can be a great comfort in a time of crisis such as this."
Fauna exhales.
"I am pleased that you are still alive and well, Empress." Fauna smiles at first, but her expression mellows and she twists the telephone wire around her fingers, "I heard the news from my sources on The Continent. If I understand correctly, Pavolia has descended into a full-scale civil war."
A short pause follows before Reine speaks again.
"That is correct. I'm not actually speaking from the INU embassy in the Blue Throne. I'm calling from the headquarters of my allies in the Istana Mun'eo."
Reine gulps on the other end of the line.
"Speaking of Mun'eo… I sent an ambassador to Metro Elysium. Has she arrived?"
"Ambassador Ane'nis Ninomae, correct? A Mun'eo clan noblewoman. She has arrived here safely. Officially, she's not here. One of my allies, Governess Tsukumo, is harboring her in her office so she doesn't get detained… but she's safe. You have my word."
Reine heaves a sigh of relief.
"Is that so? I believe you. Please take care of her - and tell her that Istana Mun'eo still stands. That should offer her great relief in these trying times."
"I'll be sure to tell her."
"You have my gratitude, Prime Minister. Ambassador Ane'nis is a loyal servant and a dear friend. Before the war, she was rather fond of Xenokuni and Elysium. She isn't a fanatic hater of Elysium like many in my previous government had. Treat her word as my word and the word of Pavolia."
"Governess Tsukumo is a generous woman. Ane'nis will be treated as if she were you, your Excellency."
"I appreciate that. Aside from all that, though, this dire situation has… devolved significantly. I believe that we should speak directly again. Leader to leader."
Fauna crosses her legs and leans into her chair.
"You have my full attention, Empress. What's the situation?"
Reine pauses again. She takes a deep breath and exhales audibly before she begins her account.
"Roughly one week ago, the Angkatan Darat - mainly the Pavolian Army and compromised parts of the Imperial Guard - rebuked me and declared Zeta Vestia as the supposed true empress of Pavolia. The movement was orchestrated by Zeta Vestia of course, with support from her father Rajah Bazo of the Eastern Kingdom. All fourteen provinces were attacked immediately and fighting erupted in the cities."
"That sounds like a well-planned insurgency." Fauna assesses.
"Indeed. The loyal Imperial Guard units and provincial police forces were mostly caught off guard at first, but Rajah Bazo was killed in the Blue Throne when he revoked his vassalage and tried to eject me from the throne. That bought time for me and my allies to stabilize the Blue Throne, Mun'eo Province and parts of the surrounding areas."
Fauna starts counting on her fingers, naming the provinces of Pavolia in her head one by one.
"But that leaves ten… no, twelve provinces that are still under siege."
"That's right. Everywhere from the east of the Rajah Putih river along the Blue Throne all the way to Banda Puncak Biru at the Xenokunian border has become a battlefield."
"Will your loyalist forces be able to stabilize the situation in the rest of the country?"
"I believe that we can. My Imperial Guard still has the advantage of heavy equipment and armored vehicles over the insurgents… but if Zeta commits elements of the rebel Regular Army, we wouldn't stand a chance in open battle. Not against a committed force of tanks."
Fauna takes a deep breath. She grips the telephone wire wrapped around her fingers.
"My generals tell me that Zeta's forces are concentrated in Xenokuni right now. There's only preliminary reports, but I've heard that she's laying siege to Xenokuni City. Indiscriminate bombardment. Slaying of civilians. Destruction of cultural centers…"
Reine snaps, interrupting Fauna.
"I'm aware of the crimes that Zeta is committing as we speak. Please."
She pauses and gathers herself before she speaks again.
"I'm aware… but I do not have the power to rein her in anymore. The only force that stands a chance to defeat Zeta is the Elysian Army. Your chess pieces."
Fauna furrows her brow and covers her mouth. She feels the gaze of Korone Inugami's portrait bearing down on her.
"I hope you understand that I'm a lame duck Prime Minister right now. I just barely survived a non-confidence vote days ago! I don't have the political power to commit any more forces or resources to fight this war. Hell - I've heard reports that the INU is already funneling funds to the opposition parties. Some rookie politician from Penacony province named Bloodflame is already jockeying for position."
Fauna catches her breath and adds grimly.
"You also have to understand that my country, too, has already been bled dry. Our youth is already toiling in our factories, and we're being left with no choice but to send them off to die too. We cannot stay on a war footing for much longer."
Fauna shifts in her chair and imagines the faces of her War Minister H. M. Taro and the opposition parliamentarians rubbing their hands and licking their lips with devilish delight. She clears her throat and thinks aloud.
"There are those in our Parliament that would say that we ought to celebrate Pavolia's civil war, claim victory in this war and declare Zeta Vestia as your problem, your Excellency. She is a beast of your creation, after all. You gave her Imperial Assent."
Reine raises her voice.
"And I regret that decision with every ounce of my being! Towa almighty…! I knew Zeta once when we were younger. That Zeta I knew died when she took a liking to the taste of blood and the lust for power. And let me ask you this. Do you think that Zeta would honor any deal that you offer her?"
Fauna falls silent. She unfurls the telephone wire from her fingers and chooses her words carefully.
"What would you have us do?" Fauna asks.
"Zeta Vestia must be defeated. She hasn't consolidated her power yet and her grip on the country is still weak. Give her space to breathe and she will devour me - and every Elysian and Xenokunian man, woman and child on the continent. Take decisive action, Prime Minister Ceres. On behalf of Pavolia, I implore you."
Fauna covers her face with her hand, digging her fingernails into her scalp and combing through her disheveled locks of green hair. She switches the telephone handset from one ear to the other and answers.
"I can't do this on my own. I'll need your help, Empress Reine Pavolia. Intelligence, troop movements, order-of-battle, MERAK codes… everything you have. If you're asking me to be bold, then I demand boldness from you too!"
Reine answers quickly, without hesitation.
"I will give you everything you ask from me. As a matter of fact, Ambassador Ane'nis has a great cache of intelligence waiting for you already."
Fauna sits upright and holds the phone firmly.
"I'll see to it that the intel is put to good use, your Excellency."
"Though, if I may give you a suggestion… there is one particular woman who would be able to wield that intel as the sword that will pierce Zeta Vestia's wicked heart."
Fauna blinks.
"Are you talking about Ollie Kureiji?"
"Indeed. Ollie Kureiji - and the force of 'undead armor' that she has nurtured in your ranks could turn the tables on Zeta with it. Of that, I am certain. Though... it is a blade that would be difficult to wield. Especially when Ollie, too, knew the Zeta I once knew."
Fauna leans forward on her chair and holds the phone in silence. Reine, on the other hand, waits patiently for Fauna to gather her thoughts.
"What I'm about to do will certainly cost me the election… but if it means doing the right thing and winning peace - true peace - once and for all, then I believe it's a small price to pay."
"… you're an honorable woman, Prime Minister Ceres."
"And so are you, Empress Reine."
Reine heaves audibly on the other end of the line.
"That isn't true. Here I am, pitting one old friend of mine against another - hoping that one triumphs over the other. My friends have been dying left and right because of me."
"Not all of them, Empress." Fauna counters confidently, "Ane'nis will be safe here in Elysium, after all. I will do everything in my power to ensure that Ollie Kureiji can pull off a victory. And, I don't know what awaits us at the end of this damn war - but I'd like you to consider me a friend too when all is said and done."
Reine is silent for a while. Then, she answers warmly.
"I'd like that. Maybe, Holy Mothers willing, you could teach me that strange Elysian sport with the ball and the stick that Ane'nis told me about once. Moona Hoshinova too."
"It's called 'baseball', your Excellency." Fauna smiles at the telephone, "And when the guns finally fall silent, I'd be happy to teach you."
Reine chuckles on the other end of the line.
"I'll look forward to it. May Mother Towa bless you, Fauna Ceres."
"And may Mother Kanata bless you, Reine Pavolia."
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Half a world away, on the bomb-blasted walls of the Elysian Exclave on The Continent, radio static crackles briefly in the dead of night. The static mellows and shifts into a radio broadcast.
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"Good evening, dear viewers. This is Gavis Bettel of Elysium Commonwealth News coming to you with breaking news from The Continent. We've got a lot to go through, folks, so you'll have to sit tight for this one."
"Starting off with our headline - A CURIOUS CEASEFIRE. Prime Minister Fauna Ceres addressed Parliament today saying that she and the Pavie Empress, Reine Pavola I have reached a preliminary agreement wherein the Commonwealth of Elysium and the Empire of Pavolia will cease offensive operations against each other on the battlefield. Effective immediately."
"Cheers filled the halls of Parliament. Calls for order by Speaker Yatagarasu fell on deaf - or rather, deafened - ears for a good minute. All seemed well and cheery. But then came the sobering news from the Prime Minister."
"The Prime Minister has been told, apparently, that battles have broken out in all fourteen Pavolian provincial duchies. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of the Pavolian Armed Forces have denounced the Empress and have sworn allegiance to Zeta Vestia - calling her their Empress. The gray cat now seeks to dethrone the great blue peafowl herself!"
"So, while forces loyal to Reine Pavola I apparently will reportedly honor the ceasefire, forces loyal to Zeta Vestia are eager to continue the fight. Prime Minister Ceres, thusly, said that Elysian troops will remain on The Continent and will be reinforced by erstwhile homebound troops still docked at Shi'eoh Naval Station in Sicaria."
"Protests erupted immediately on the Parliament floor, led by the rising star of the opposition parties' JUSTICE coalition, Ms. Elizabeth R. Bloodflame. Sources within Parliament say that another Ms. Bloodflame herself will call for another Non-Confidence Vote against Prime Minister Ceres within the coming days - triggering an election that the JUSTICE coalition is poised to win."
"Thus, the war on The Continent continues and another battle right here in Metro Elysium is just about to erupt in Parliament. The chessmasters have changed, but the chessboard is poised to remain the bloody mess it has been for eight years."
"We will have details on these stories - and much more - after this commercial break with me, Gavis Be-"
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CLICK!
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Back at the furthermost docks of the Elysian Exclave, just as the sun starts to rise in the East, Admiral Jurard switches off the radio on the communications panel in the bridge of the docked battleship ECS Metro Elysium with the flick of a switch. He and his adjutant, Commodore Crimzon Ruze, turn to their many guests present that early morning.
Colonel Nerissa Ravencroft sits on the captain's chair of the bridge while Shiori serves her imported INU tea. Lieutenant Colonel Baelz Hakos and Lieutenant Ollie Kureiji share a bench with the OSS Lieutenants Gawr and Watson. Meanwhile, the drafted Xenokunian artillery captain Kiara Takanashi and Sergeant Altare Regis stand and lean against the walls.
Jurard buries his hands in his pockets and addresses his guests.
"Well, there you have it, folks. ECN Evening News, straight from the submarine cables." Admiral Rexford says, sitting on the communications module of his flagship, "Parliament Hill's about to go up in arms, but we've got our marching orders from the Prime Minister herself."
Commodore Ruze stands in attention and faces the guests gathered on the battleship's bridge.
"That's why we've invited you all here today. We have to be on the same page on what's going to happen next - and we need to see it through to the end."
Colonel Ravencroft crosses her legs and sips poshly on her tea, albeit with a sour expression on her face.
"My office back in Metro Elysium is much bigger than this 'bridge' of yours. My seat is bigger than this… leatherette-topped stool too." She attempts to mutter and whisper, but her voice echoes in the bridge.
Jurard cringes, watching Nerissa disparage his seat. Nerissa notices Jurard's gaze and she turns away silently, feigning innocence.
Shiori, on the other hand, steps in between them, holds the teapot for Jurard to see and smiles diplomatically.
"Tea, admiral?" Shiori offers.
"I'm good." Jurard shakes his head.
Bae shakes her head and intercedes for her aristocratic boss.
"Thank you for inviting us here, Admiral Rexford." Bae speaks frankly to Nerissa, "Given how badly the Exclave's been bombed, this battleship is probably the most secure place for us to hold a strategy meeting. I'm sure that the madam Colonel will accept the Admiral's accommodations graciously."
Nerissa realizes that Bae was talking to her and shrivels up. She promptly turns away and doesn't interject, giving Bae free rein.
Bae, now used to being the one actually in charge of the Continental Army, clears her throat.
"I've already spoken with the Admiral about the Prime Minister's orders before everyone arrived aboard this ship. We have a number of key objectives. It's not going to be easy."
She turns towards Kiara and looks her in the eyes as she speaks.
"First. We must relieve the siege of Xenokuni City. What's going on there now is nothing short of a genocide - and we have to fulfill our promises to El Jefe Shinri Josuiji. Isn't that right, Miss Fenix?"
Kiara nods resolutely, saying, "Millions will die if we don't intervene. The identity and culture of Xenokuni as a nation will be erased too, scattered to the winds like ash. We cannot let that happen."
Bae nods back to Kiara and turns to Altare.
"Secondly, we have to prevent Zeta's rebel army from pouring into Pavolia proper. Consider the Empress and her loyalist forces are our allies. We're the only thing standing between them and their own extinction. I'm sure Sergeant Regis will agree."
Altare stands upright and declares, "Innocent Pavolians shouldn't have to suffer because of a rising tyrant like Zeta. We can't afford to ignore her now - not when we are the only ones who can stop her."
"Agreed." Bae nods to Altare as well. Then, she turns to Ollie, "And last, but not least. We have to defeat Zeta Vestia - the person - and shatter her myth of invincibility completely. Otherwise, the rebellion will continue. That task… falls to you, Lieutenant Kureiji."
Ollie falls silent and lowers her head. Bae sees this and marches towards her.
"Can you do this, Lieutenant Kureiji? Your Empress said that you were the key to victory here."
"O-oh…?" Ollie nearly jumps up from the bench, speaking with an uncharacteristic stutter. She scratches her head and apologizes, "What… were we talking about just now?"
Bae covers her face and groans.
"Do I have to repeat myself again?" She puts her hands on her hips and sighs, "I thought that you'd gotten your act together over the years, Kureiji… but I guess you can't change everything about you."
Ollie turns away from Bae's gaze, avoiding her commanding officer's eyes.
"I'm sorry about that." Ollie apologizes with unusual meekness, "I guess… I just have a lot on my mind."
Bae clicks her tongue, dissatisfied with Ollie's answer.
Just as Bae opens her mouth to lash out at Ollie, though, Altare steps in and intervenes.
"The Lieutenant will be ready to do what needs to be done when the time comes, Lt. Colonel Hakos." He speaks on her behalf and turns to Ollie, "Isn't that right, Lieutenant Kureiji?"
Ollie faces Altare. She tries to shore up her resolve, but all she manages to give is a tentative nod.
Bae shakes her head and grumbles.
"You'll have your time to untangle your nerves, Kureiji but don't take too long. We're counting on you and your 'undead armor' again to turn the tables on Zeta Vestia."
"Yes, ma'am." Ollie cobbles together a reply.
From where Altare stands, however, he can tell that Ollie doesn't believe her own words as wholeheartedly as she normally did.
"Lieutenant…" Altare tries to speak, but Bae interjects before he can call Ollie's attention.
"Let's put that aside for now. In the meantime, let's get down to business." Bae says, walking around the battleship bridge with a spring in her step, "Ladies and gentlemen, let's plot the finale of this war - and the demise of Zeta Vestia."
Admiral Rexford, Colonel Ravencroft and just about everyone else on the bridge cheer eagerly for Bae's confident declaration.
Everyone except Kiara, Ollie and Altare.
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