Chapter 3

King Gadianti, King of the lavabirds was in a meeting with representatives of his spy networks.

“Wonderful news, my king! We’ve found a power source for the Jacobugath Devastator.”

“Excellent. Where is it?”

“It’s still being developed by the freezebirds. But once eyes are off of it, we’ll take it from them!” Another spy said.

King Gadianti was less than pleased. “That plan sounds too simple to work.”

“We just haven’t worked out all the details.” Another spy reported.

Gadianti slammed his fists against the table. “Then work them out now! Every minute we waste is increased chances that we’ll be stopped by the freezebirds!”

The spies left. Gadianti massaged his brow. His intercom came to life. “Sir? Queen Sairona is here to see you.”

...****************...

Big Man sat in his office. “Sir, we’ve got a bill.” a file was slapped onto his desk. He opened it, and saw that it was a request to increase funding to Dr. Sycamore’s projects. He sighed. “Does he really need more money? He received like a quarter of the Empire’s GDP.”

“Well, making a hybrid nuclear reactor isn’t the cheapest thing.”

“I know, but this is the third time!”

Big Man tapped his cigar against his ash tray. He sighed. “Put it on hold for now.”

The assistant set the file into the ON HOLD section. He returned to Big Man. “Your cigar isn’t lit, and hasn’t been for the 6 months you’ve had it.”

“I don’t want lung cancer! Is that bad?!”

“Why’d you get a cigar anyway?”

“Good question.”

...****************...

General Johnston sat calmly in his quarters. This campaign of guerrilla warfare wasn’t very successful. Chirp Team 9 hadn’t captured any useful outposts. He didn’t like playing the waiting game, but Freezo insisted on it.

“General! We’ve captured the fourth outpost.” SGT. Stevenson reported.

At this point, Johnston wasn’t very surprised. Not wanting to come off as rude, he nodded. “Great, let’s see if we can capture Outpost 7 by dinner.”

He hoped that kind of challenge would help take away the dragging feel of the campaign. “Sir, dinner is in like 15 minutes.” PVT. Craig said.

“Then you best get moving!” Johnston ordered.

...****************...

“So, Queen Sairona. Or do you prefer, just Sairona?” King Gadianti asked.

Sairona looked at him coldly. “Only my husband can refer to me as, just Sairona.”

Gadianti cringed in his mind. “Understood.”

Sairona crossed her legs. “So, what brings you here?” Gadianti asked.

“The Empire of the Four Tribes fears an invasion.”

Gadianti’s eyes received a glint in them. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sairona’s eyes narrowed. “Over in the Iron Bubble, we’ve heard reports of your ships performing military exercises.” She slapped down pictures of the sightings.

Gadianti felt relief. He feared that the EFT had found out about the Jacobugath Devastator. “I will order a cease and desist to the Navy in the region.”

Sairona shook her head. “Not enough.” The Butler came over, and offered her a drink of Angel’s Blood. She accepted it. “We need reassurance that there’ll be no bloodshed, anywhere.” She took a sip of the wine.

Gadianti knew what Sairona was doing. He was going to war anyway, but breaking a treaty would be a war on peace. That would get other Empires involved. Treaties couldn’t be broken formally except with another one, but that would trigger a military response. But if he refused the treaty, the EFT would suspect his secret works. But, he gave in. “I accept.”

Sairona took another sip of the wine. “Good. My Butler will print off a sheet with the terms.”

The Butler began printing.

...****************...

General Johnston’s men had successfully captured Outpost 7 before dinner. His men felt accomplished. His plan to add something interesting to the campaign had worked. The soldiers were celebrating, some playing poker on a table formed by 2 prisoners.

“General, the enemy is retreating. Our scouts show a whole 4 kilometer area empty.”

General Johnston took a sip of soda he took from a mini-fridge. “Rain artillery down. Let’s fish out any stragglers.”

Paul nodded, then left.

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