Clark stayed in the meeting room the entire time. He wasn't going to go home and sleep there was nothing productive about that. There was no way he was going to allow any of the older council members to come up with a better idea than him. Even though the idea might be shot down it could be a good idea to send out messages to all groups in the area to try and gather a force to stop Crimson Judgment. Everyone had a price and perhaps they could convince some of the older pirate clans and crews to go up against this upstart crew.
One of the main things that made his father so successful was the fact that instead of just coming into a council meeting talking about what he wanted he came with examples and different situations and scenarios that could be implemented. Clark decided to take the lead on this one and wrote a message. This was a blanket message that could have the different names of captains and settlement leaders, and the like filled in offering them different things depending on what they needed or wanted. If the walled city seal was on the scroll it didn't matter who the receiver was, they would at least have to open it to figure out what was being offered to them. If the offer was good enough perhaps, they would give information or maybe even supply troops or weapons depending on the situation.
There wasn't much time left before the new meeting was to start. He had stayed in the bed near the chamber just to rest when he couldn't keep his eyes open. No one else came to the chamber for the entirety of the three days they were given to come up with some sort of countermeasure for Crimson Judgment. Clark was certain the council leader was going to have something up his sleeve. However, if the others didn't come up with any solutions there might be some trimming of the council. He wasn't positive that it would happen, but his father did tell him that the council member numbers fluctuate when problems arise.
Clark penned the message down onto a small scroll making sure to make it as broad as possible. He left blanks in the places to fill in the prizes and other rewards the recipients could receive. At the moment the walled cities were stretched pretty thin trying to bolster facility defenses along with creating patrols along trade routes so that other pirate crews were kept at bay. Of course, there was no guarantee that these things would work. The sheer number of enemies they faced continued to grow. The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. Clark knew the other council members were on their way since it was almost time for the meeting to begin.
The back door slid open, and the council leader walked into the chamber. His eyes widened to see Clark sitting in his seat. “How long have you been there Clark? Did you seriously stay here the entire time?” the council leader moved to his seat pulling his chair back and taking his seat not taking his eyes off of Clark even for a moment.
First Clark finished the message he was writing, setting the quill down on the table. “There was no way I was going to get any work done at home. I have a few ideas, and this scroll here could be of some use to us. At the very least we could get everyone out there who wants to either get us off their back or gain favor.” Clark gave the council leader a confident smile. He was hoping the leader would see this as initiative instead of thinking he was an arrogant youngster.
The doors swung open before the council leader could answer. The woods smacked up against the stone as the sound echoed through the chamber as the last council member closed the doors once everyone was inside. Everyone took their seats, and an uneasy silence settled in the room. The council leader cleansed his fists on the table, pretty sure this silence indicated that the only person in the room other than himself that had an idea was Clark.
“Judging from the fact that no one has decided to speak up yet none of you even in the three days you were given have come up with any type of useful idea?” The council leader gritted his teeth. It was infuriating to think that all of these men who had been sheltered inside this city for so long couldn't even come up with a way to protect themselves. Perhaps the virus wiping out ninety eight percent of the males on the planet was a decent idea. It would seem no one in this room aside from himself and Clark had any real value.
He decided to ignore the rest of the room turning his attention to Clark. “You spoke of some type of message to send out to everyone around us? Can you elaborate on your idea for this?” This wasn't the worst idea. However, if any of the parties that they reached out to choose to side with Crimson Judgment this could add more enemies to fight.
Clark could feel the rest of the council members' glares of hatred. It was as if he was being stabbed with a thousand little needles all over his body. He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment shaking off all of their negative energy. Clark turned his gaze to the council leader, opening his eyes and exhaling. “I drafted what I'd like to call a blanket letter. I've left some openings to insert people's names and gifts or other enticements to get them to join us. We explain the threat to the greater world and tell them that they're only salvation is to side with us and these things will be their reward for that alignment."
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Usually after something like this is said at a council meeting the room would erupt with questions and murmurs and all sorts of other sounds from the other members. However, this time there was complete silence. Even though no one else had a better idea they weren't going to say a single thing against Clark's plan. It gave him a sense of pride that he decided not to show on his face since right now the council leader was showing him favor and there was no way he was going to ruin it by being smug.
It was a breath of fresh air to hear something that may be considered an old trick could actually work in this situation. Crimson Judgement may be strong at the moment they don’t have the numbers for a long-drawn-out war. If they could gain enough allies that alone could halt Alexandria in her tracks. “I’m interested in reading the blanket message you’ve come up with. I could give you some pointers in order to make it better. That is of course if you’re willing to share it with me now?” He wanted to read what Clark had first before accepting the idea at face value. There was also the matter of his plan to consider which he still needed to bring up before the council.
A hearty chuckle escaped Clark’s lips as he passed the letter towards the council leader. “I have no problem with you reading over what I’ve written. However, I would like to hear your idea on the situation. The fact that you’re merely interested must mean you have a plan as well. Are you going to keep us waiting or share what it is you plan to do?” Clark looked around the room for a moment seeing the looks of shock on the other members faces. He might have gone a bit too far however there wasn’t any more time to lose. They needed at least a few solid plans and no one else had any input to add to the conversation.
He took the scroll from Clark setting it in front of him flat. There was some good verbiage, and it would seem Clark took his time carefully choosing the correct words to use. He was impressed and this letter could boost the effectiveness of his own plan. A hearty chuckle escaped the council leader’s lips as he looked around the room. “The rest of you have no right to look down on or glare at Clark. Even though you’ve had three days none of you have even tried to bring up a worthwhile idea.” He turned to Clark giving him a confident smile. “You’ve done a good job with this, and I can think of at least a dozen different groups we can send this message out to. Of course, there is no way it can be sent to the free pirate market. Those captains wouldn’t side with us for all the treasure in the known world. I will reveal my plan, but first I want to know who you think we should send this message to first?” The council leader was going to make sure Clark was all in with his plan. His next words were going to be extremely important to ensure his continued service within the council.
The council chamber erupted with mummers from the other members. Clark ignored them for the time being folding his arms in front of his chest closing his eyes and thinking for a moment. There weren’t many groups closed by them that would pose a threat to Crimson Judgement at the moment. However, a few pirate crews would be a nice addition to the walled cities forces if given the right incentive. Clark cleared his throat as the sound echoed around the room all the mummers ceased. All the members looked in Clark’s direction as the council leader let out a hearty chuckle. “Go ahead Clark what is your answer?”
He let out an exasperated sigh looking towards the council leader. “I would say a message to Fina of the Red Eye pirates would be a solid start. Even though she still attacks ships there is still the matter of her ability. She is a one-woman army and with her on our side perhaps it will draw others to the cause.” The mummers erupted again this time they were even louder. One of the senior members decided to respond.
“Captain Fina has done so much damage to our trade routes even the mere suggestion of an alliance with her is an insult to all the lives she has taken!” He was furious and even though he didn’t have a plan to offer there was no way he would sit by and listen Clark’s suggestion.
The council leader slammed his fist on the table bringing silence back to the room. “You have no right to mention anything of the past without bringing an alternative plan to the table.” He looked around the room fury burning in his eyes. “Even though every single one of you have turned a blind eye to all of these past events. You can’t bring them up now in order to shot down a plan because you fear losing your positions.”
Once he was finished speaking another silence weighted down the room. The council leader took a few deep breathes looking around the room once more. “My plan is pretty simple. We will release information on all the facilities around the world making sure this information makes its way to Crimson Judgement. There is no way Alexandria and her crew could resist it. Even if it seems like a trap. Of course, before we do that these messages will be sent out to at least half a dozen other groups asking them to protect the nearest facility to them. If they are successful anything they desire will be granted to them. I want all ships out one the water at once. I’m giving us three months to rebuild the fleet. No matter what the size is at the time limits end we will launch the operation. This is not up for debate. You all will do this, and Clark will take point.”
Shock was painted all over every council member faces. The only person who didn’t share the shock was Clark. His face was etched with excitement. It was finally his chance to prove the rest of these old men were useless and his spot on the council would be solidified for the rest of his life. “I will be honored to take this task. We will get everything done just as you asked and then the Crimson Judgement will be sunk to the bottom of the sea.” Now was the time for the walled cities to finally strike a blow that will reverberate to the very core of the pirate age in order to destroy it.