In the meeting room within the Magisterial in Grashire, Csaga swiftly performed a series of gestures on her tablet's screen. As her fingers glided across the surface, the blue glowing particles floating above the glass table began to disperse and reconfigure, gradually taking the form of the AI Empire's national emblem. The holographic display showcased a radiant star encased within an intricate network of gears and electric circuitry.
The room's attention shifted from the chaotic discussions to Csaga, who stumbled over her words, trying her best to answer the barrage of instructions from the council members. The shouts and interruptions finally ceased as Esmeray intervened, scolding the others and offering a reassuring smile to Csaga. She was always good at putting people to ease; too good some will say.
"Unfortunately, all attempts to locate the origin of the spyware were unsuccessful," Csaga began, her voice still quivering slightly. "But we were able to determine the locations to which the stolen intel was transferred.
The council members, now focused and attentive, eagerly awaited the final details of Csaga's report. While they had lost the opportunity to identify the culprit behind the breach, there was still hope of retrieving the stolen information by uncovering its destination.
"The culprits must have been incredibly skilled at hacking. They managed to hide their traces exceptionally well, but they did make a mistake during the transmission. We were able to trace the spyware's two delivery points," Csaga explained, her voice gaining more confidence.
The council members leaned in, eager to hear the full extent of Csaga's findings. She continued, "The first delivery point encountered an error. It seems that something disrupted the transmission, causing a crash error. As a result, the intel did not reach its first intended destination."
A wave of murmurs and raised eyebrows swept through the room. The notion that there was an error in the transmission intrigued and puzzled the council members.
"So that renders the first destination point meaningless to us for now, right? Since, as you said, it means the intel wasn't able to arrive there"
"Y-yes, it's exactly as you said. However, we successfully traced the second delivery point. The second destination was traced to a local server in a small settlement in the westernmost region of the…Revolutionary Empire."
"_____________________________"
The room went silent, the atmosphere so thick it could be sliced with a knife. The revelation sent shockwaves through the council. The implications were profound.
Some council members wore expressions of disbelief, struggling to reconcile how a technologically inferior nation could breach their advanced security systems. Others exchanged knowing glances, feeling their suspicions had been validated now having even greater reason to voice their disdain towards the so called "peace attempts" the empire was making.
Slowly some faces in the room began to smirk, their suspicions were accurate, some raised their eyebrows, unable to comprehend how such a nation they deemed inferior to them was capable of breaking into their advanced systems without immediate detection while the others just sat dumbfounded that a nation, they were so called trying to make peace with allowed for such a thing to occur.
Prime Minister Siegfried, observing the room's reaction, raised his hand to regain control of the situation. "Let us not jump to conclusions just yet," he cautioned. "We must examine all angles and consider the full extent of this revelation before deciding on our course of action."
His words resonated with some council members, who nodded in agreement. They recognized the need for a measured response. Others, however, remained steadfast in their desire for immediate action, their emotions overriding their caution.
"Now you can't honestly expect us to sit back idly anymore Mr. Siegfried! We have enough evidence to support our claims". One of such people being Raegan.
Siegfried stroked his chin, deep in thought, catching the attention of Ichinose and a few other members. Something didn't sit right with him about the whole ordeal but he couldn't place his finger on it.
"Alright, this back-and-forth banter will get us nowhere! That is why I say we undertake an official council vote to decide what course of action must be taken."
Reagan, impatient with the deliberation, demanded an official council vote to determine the next steps. In cases where the council could not come to a decision, a vote would be cast to decide which path to take.
The councils odd numbered seating prevented the occurrence of a tie and as such a final decision could always be decided upon.
"If for a request for a vote has been put forward, it cannot be neglected. We will need an impartial body to validate the vote. In most cases, it is the duty of the Alliance Master but since he is not here but rather being represented, Tetteh Csaga, would you take up that role?" Deputy Prime Minister Esmeray proposed.
Csaga, taken aback by the sudden responsibility entrusted to her, stammered, "Y-y-yes, ma'am... err, I mean, sir!"
"Excellent, then we shall begin the voting." Esmeray declared.
Deputy Prime Minister Esmeray Ekuwah, still wearing her radiant smile, spoke up to initiate the council's vote, handing the duty of presiding over the votes cast to Csaga Tetteh.
"Before we proceed with the vote, I believe it would be beneficial for us to hear any additional thoughts or perspectives. We have the opportunity to carefully consider whether immediate action to retrieve our stolen intel aligns with our overall strategy or if a more cautious approach, allowing for further investigation, would better serve our interests."
Esmeray inquired, looking at all the members across the table. Despite her choice of words, which some might interpret as an attempt to downplay the prime minister's opinion, her friendly demeanour remained apparent on her face.
No one chose to speak up except for Siegfried, who raised his hand slightly.
"I want to make it clear that I'm not suggesting we let the Revolutionists or anyone within their borders get away with our stolen intel. However, I believe it would be wise to exercise caution and conduct a thorough investigation to ensure we haven't overlooked any crucial details or made any mistakes. This could prevent any potential repercussions and complications that may arise from hasty actions."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Siegfried, sir, but this is a case of national security, and as the Lieutenant General of our great army, it is my duty to ensure there is nothing that can hinder our national security or disrupt our peaceful nation. I agree that we must attack and retrieve what was stolen from us to secure our empire's security as well as deter any other person or organization from attempting such acts,"
Lieutenant Hendrixson countered, gaining the support of some other council members who also aimed to secure the empire's security and use the Revolutionary Empire as scapegoats to deter others from attacking.
"Rightly said, and besides, that nation is full of disgusting outlaws, criminals, and roaming monsters. If anything, they might just blame whatever happens on them, saying they went on a rampage. So, if we play our cards right and get what we want, there may be no initiation of war," another council member added, voicing agreement."
"Alright if there are no other comments you'd like to share, Miss Tetteh please lead the way"
"A-alright ma'am!"
She pressed a hand to her tablet, still in the slot in the glass table, drawing multiple circles on its screen, then slid her fingers to the sides. The glass table shone once more, but this time, blue specks of light did not appear. Instead, two greyed-out circles emerged in front of every member seated at the table, one with a cross and the other with a bold checkmark drawn on top.
"I-I-If you agree to immediate action being taken, please proceed by tapping on the checkmark if you disagree and side with Prime Minister Siegfried, please proceed by tapping on the cross.", Csaga instructed
"S-s-so all those in favour of postponing the retrieval please proceed to vote…"
The members of the council were silent contemplating what side to join with, whether to go against the wishes of their trusted prime minister or instead stay by his side and defend his opinions.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
The silence went for a while until finally, a sound broke the silence—a single chime echoed through the room. Someone had voted in favour of postponing the action, and it was none other than Siegfried himself.
Another chime followed, then another, as more members cast their votes.
The chimes continued for a while until they gradually ceased, leaving behind a heavy silence. All those who wanted to side with Siegfried had voted, totalling seven out of the fifteen members, predominantly comprising the elder council members, including the prime minister. They had chosen to advocate for a more cautious approach.
"O-ok that seems to be it, now all those in favour of an immediate strike on the perpetrators please cast your votes"
This time, the chiming sounds followed immediately one after the other, meaning the votes were being cast in quick succession. Clearly the other members who hadn't sided with Siegfried were no longer hesitant to voice their opinions.
The chiming continued in quick succession until finally coming to an end. This time it was the other remaining members of the council consisting of Reagan, Hendrixson, Dwayne, the younger members of the court and Commander General Ichinose.
"A-alright let's see…, wait, it seems like once person hasn't voted"
Translucent blue specks of light formed a rectangular a scoreboard showing the tally of votes cast. It was divided into two with the number seven on both sides, meaning a total number of 14 votes cast out of 15. One person hadn't voted yet.
Though two seats were empty, of which one belonged to the Alliance Master, Csaga had come as a representative of the Alliance Master and as such had voted for an immediate attack which would mean the quick retrieval of the stolen intel just like her boss had ordered for.
Csaga's eyebrows furrowed with concern as she discreetly approached the holographic scoreboard, her fingers hovering over the controls. With a subtle touch, she activated a hidden feature, amplifying the blue specks of light around the member who had yet to cast their vote.
All eyes turned to Esmeray, and the intensified blue glow enveloped her figure. Esmeray, calm and composed, met their gaze with an enigmatic smile. She tapped her finger lightly on the glass table, seemingly deep in contemplation.
Some council members shot irritated looks at her to which she simply glossed over acting oblivious to it all. Finally, Esmeray raised her finger from the table and pressed it against one of the two options. With a determined yet diplomatic gesture, she marked the checkmark—the symbol of immediate action.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the votes have been tallied," Csaga announced, her voice steady. "Seven members have voted in favour of postponing the retrieval, while eight members have voted for immediate action."
Deputy Prime Minister Esmeray, her friendly demeanour intact, looked around the table, acknowledging both the supporters and opponents of immediate action.
With a firm yet reassuring voice, she spoke, "I do respect your wishes and opinions Prime Minister sir but I must agree with Reagan and Hendrixson that this is a matter of national security and controlling future threats."
"We must take immediate action to defend ourselves and deter others. I say, let us retrieve our stolen intel. It is clear that the majority of the council also agrees with that", she continued not failing to miss a beat.
"I understand and respect the will of the majority. The council has spoken, and it is clear that immediate action is the course we shall take." Siegfried began, his voice carrying a tone of acceptance.
"While I may still have a different perspective, I recognize the responsibility that rests upon us to safeguard our nation and as such I shall honour this decision and entrust the mission to recover it to our ever-capable military"
"We will ensure the intel is successfully retrieved at all costs. Rest assured this mission is in the capable hands of the empire's most capable" Siegfried concluded. He had chosen his words carefully and those words held a touch of finality, indicating he would not pursue the matter any further.
Commander General Ichinose, having accepted the responsibility of retrieving the stolen intel on behalf of the army officials, turned her attention to the remaining council members who were still in the room.
She placed her right arm over her shapely chest and bowed slightly, her voice calm and reassuring.
"Please rest assured, esteemed council members, that we will personally ensure the successful retrieval of the stolen intel," Ichinose said, her tone firm yet respectful. "We understand the importance of this mission and the trust you have placed in us. We vow to carry out this task with utmost dedication and expertise."
The council members nodded, their expressions reflecting a mix of relief and confidence in Ichinose's capabilities. They had witnessed her exemplary track record and knew that, though quite very much young, she could complete the mission successfully.
"Which is why, if you'll allow me, though out of place, I request you all put trust in me and allow me to be the one to lead this important mission." A surprising request came from Lieutenant General Hendrixson who slowly rose from his seat and bowed to Ichinose before facing the remaining council members and similarly bowing.
"The safety and preservation of our empire's interest are of paramount importance to me and as such I will lead this mission with utmost care and precision if said request is granted".
Some of the council members looked on admirably but a bit surprised to see the great Lieutenant General of the military put forward such a request even after his great 'incident'. Which is why though some looked with admiration, some couldn't help but feel a tad bit sceptical and so turned their focus onto the Prime Minister.
"Commander General?" Prime Minister questionably uttered Ichinose's title. He was indirectly hinting she make the final verdict and decide whether he was capable to undertake the mission.
Commander General Ichinose, also taken aback by Lieutenant General Hendrixson's unexpected request, paused for a moment, her eyebrows furrowing in surprise but she quickly returned to a neutral expression before anyone could notice
She hadn't anticipated him volunteering for such a crucial role, given the shadow cast by his past incident. Nevertheless, she recognized Hendrixson's qualities as a soldier and his invaluable contributions to the military.
"Lieutenant General Hendrixson, your request is certainly surprising," Ichinose began, her voice measured. "Considering your history and the doubts that may arise, it is imperative that we approach this decision carefully."
She paused briefly, her gaze shifting between Hendrixson and the council members, before continuing.
"However, we cannot ignore the fact that you are a skilled soldier and a valuable asset to us. Your dedication and commitment to the empire's interests are unquestionable," Ichinose acknowledged, her tone conveying a blend of respect and something else lingering.
"I believe that, given your capabilities and experience, you are indeed capable of handling this mission. Therefore, I will grant your request," she concluded while maintaining a composed demeanour.
"I assure you all that I will give my utmost effort and dedication to ensure the successful completion of this mission," Hendrixson stated firmly, his voice resonating with confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.
After a long discussion the meeting had finally come to an end with a decision finally reached.
Csaga softly pushed down on her tablet screen which pushed upwards out of the table. The square panels which had covered the glass panes around the room receded to the edges of the walls once more allowing the rays of sunlight to shine through into the room.
One after the other, the council members stood and filed out of the room after Csaga had given her salute and exited. Deputy Prime Minister Esmeray was the last to walk out leaving a contemplative Prime Minister and silent Commander General Ichinose behind.
Ichinose broke the silence, her voice laced with concern though she tried to hide it. "I know your main goal is the safety of the empire's security and the peace of the people, even those who stand against us. I don't consider you traitorous for considering a better way to resolve this issue without unnecessary harm."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Siegfried's lips as he responded, his voice filled with appreciation. "Ha-ha, I know you don't, Ichinose. You could always see things from different sides. Can you try to keep the destruction to a minimum, or null if possible?"
The two leaders, seated at different ends of the table, avoided eye contact, both aware of the immense responsibility they carried. Ichinose nodded; her gaze fixed on the table.
"It's a small settlement, so it shouldn't require a large troop. But we both know the empire's way of handling such matters."
Siegfried sighed softly; his weariness evident in his voice. "I know all too well. But I trust in your judgment, Ichinose."
If they try to stop us, we won't resist in the slightest. Our main objective is to retrieve the stolen intel at all costs. The safety of the empire and its people is always my top priority."
"I won't ask for promises, but please try. I trust your judgement"
Without giving a response, Ichinose rose from her seat, placing her blue military hat on her head. She walked out of the room giving only a subtle nod before stepping out, leaving Siegfried behind.
As the door closed behind her, a gentle smile crept across Siegfried's face. He admired the young commander's determination and understood that, in her own way, she hadn't refused to try.
Lost in deep thought, Siegfried reclined in his seat, the first rays of the morning sun casting a warm glow on his aged yet still handsome features. The wall panels retracted to their limit, revealing a breath-taking view beyond the window.
A gentle smile grew on the face of Siegfried as he watched the fleeting back of the young commander. He knew all too well that though she refused to promise anything, in her own way though she hadn't refused to try.
His mind wandered, imagining the astonishment that she would feel if she were present to witness Ichinose's growth and unwavering dedication. She had become a remarkable leader, far surpassing the expectations placed upon her.
(If you were here, you'd be amazed to see who she's become)
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Meanwhile, down the corridor on the floor above the grand meeting hall, Csaga Tetteh stood alone in a small private waiting room, away from prying eyes. Rays of light streamed through the glass panes, illuminating the room as she nervously paced in front of the short waiting sofa.
Suddenly, the sound of heels hitting the tiled floor echoed from across the hallway. Csaga's attention snapped to the closed door, her anticipation building. As the person approached the door, a light triple knock resonated, surprising Csaga.
Startled, Csaga placed a hand on her chest, trying to steady her racing heart before addressing the person behind the door. Her voice trembled slightly.
"D-d-did I do as expected, ma'am?"
A calm and familiar voice responded from the other side of the door. "You did just as expected, Csaga. Keep up the good work, and as long as you do, nothing will happen to you or them. Now, I believe you were able to assist Kwaku, correct?"
Csaga nodded, still quivering with nervousness. "Y-y-yes, ma'am." Her face turned a deep shade of red as she lowered her head in a pitiful looking way.
The voice continued; its tone filled with satisfaction. "Good work again. Now, pass under the door what I need."
Csaga's hands reached into her cleavage, retrieving a single flash drive. She placed it on the ground just in front of the door and carefully pushed it under with her fingers, ensuring it reached the person on the other side.
"Hahaha, he did well, and so did you. You can rest now, Csaga. Your job is done, and you won't have to worry about their returning there for now," the voice chuckled.
As the figure turned to leave, a sudden call from Csaga halted her steps. She had hurriedly come out of the meeting room and now stood directly behind the person. Trembling, she gathered her courage and spoke. "M-ma'am! I-I-I know it's not my place to know, b-b-but may I ask why you're doing all of this?"
The figure turned to face Csaga, a sinister smile spreading across her face. She chuckled softly before responding. "You're right, it's not your place to know anything."
Turning away, the figure prepared to leave, but she paused for a moment, her back still facing Csaga. With a chilling tone, she added, "But for now, let's just say it's the start of a much-anticipated game, and you—my dearest child—are going to play a major part in it."
The figure disappeared down the hall, leaving Csaga teary-eyed and filled with a mix of confusion and apprehension. Unbeknownst to both of them, a small red glint blinked faintly beneath the couch in the private meeting room, unnoticed by all.