The Counterfeit Coin and The New Revolution
After the decision to destabilize the Royal Nebu's economy with counterfeit gold coins, General Setka summoned the original coin makers responsible for crafting the Royal Army's authentic currency to meet Jack Sterling.
The chosen materials for the fake coins were copper and brass, serving as the base for the replicated gold coins. Using the authentic coin molds, they began by creating a shell for the coins, ensuring perfect shape and no deformities. Yet, something crucial was missing—the distinct smell and feel of genuine gold.
Discovering this shortfall, Jack opted for gilding, a technique involving layers of gold leaf and dust mixed with adhesive substances like animal glue applied to the metal's surface. After meticulous work, the first forged gold coin was created, possessing 24 percent of the real gold coins' value while remaining virtually indistinguishable.
Rushing to Setka's quarters, Jack proudly displayed the counterfeit gold, announcing, "General, we've succeeded in making the coin."
Seated beside Setka, Menes smiled, encouraging further progress, "Keep up the good work and produce the rest."
Kamil, concerned about the costs, voiced his worries. Setka acknowledged the concern for expenses but prioritized the safety of their people and soldiers. However, he had a request for Jack.
Setka explained Queen Nefetari's proposal to subsidize the cost of creating the fake gold and distribute it among the promised people. He clarified that the goal was to use these funds for future projects benefiting the populace, emphasizing the importance of this act.
Understanding the genuine intent, Jack gladly agreed, appreciating the genuine honesty within the group. He acknowledged that if the money helped those in need in the end, it was a worthy cause.
Setka expressed his gratitude to Jack for understanding and accepting the proposal, concluding their discussion on a positive note.
Arriving back at the workshop, the group initiated the production of the counterfeit gold. To ensure utmost secrecy, the mission was carried out in the subterranean passages beneath the Royal Palace, concealed from other soldiers. Collaborating with the original coin makers and blacksmiths, they commenced the production process.
Presenting various plants and liquids, Jack announced, "Now, for the main event: the Veridium Solution."
"Verida... what?" stumbled Ramon, struggling to pronounce the name.
"Veridium Solution," clarified Jack. "It's what my friend and I used to verify the authenticity of the fake gold. We need significant quantities to distribute. So, we'll start with a small-scale experiment and then move to a larger production."
"Alright, let's begin," Kamil responded, producing a bowl.
"First, we need to extract the liquid from this plant," Jack explained, presenting a spiky plant with a whitish texture on top, resembling salt. Khonsu volunteered, saying, "I'll handle that. Leave it to me." Taking charge, Khonsu proceeded to extract the liquid from the plant.
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While Khonsu handled the plant extraction, Jack began adding ingredients. He poured water into a bowl and added salt, followed by a curious bluish powder. Ramon, curious, asked Jack about it.
"This is copper sulfate. It helps us get the coin's color right when it reacts with the plant solution."
Jack then turned to Kamil, asking, "Hey Kamil, could you get me some vinegar from Chef Tarek?" Kamil agreed and left the room on the errand.
"Jack, it's all done!" called out Kasib suddenly.
Surprised, they all looked at his bowl and the plants nearby. Silence fell over the room as the torch flickered due to the sudden gust of wind, causing their shadows to glitch for a moment.
"That was quick," remarked Kasib.
"It wasn't hard," replied Khonsu.
"Well, that's good. Now we wait for Kamil with the vinegar," said Jack.
"Wait no longer!" announced Kamil as he re-entered the room, holding a bottle of vinegar. He handed it to Jack, who promptly opened it and mixed it into his solution.
"Now that we have everything, Jack, are we ready?" asked Ramon.
Jack mixed the liquid he prepared with the jelly-like plant extract that Khonsu had created. As he stirred, the mixture turned more liquidy.
"Okay, Ramon, put the coin in this liquid," commanded Jack.
Ramon picked up the fake gold coin from the table and dipped it into the liquid.
"Wow! What's this?" exclaimed Ramon, astonished.
"It's changing its colour to green," observed Kasib.
"No way, it worked!" exclaimed Khonsu.
"Of course, it did. This brings us one step closer to destroying the Royal Nebu," declared Jack.
"We need to make this solution in large quantities," commanded Jack.
"How do we do that? Surely, we can't manage it alone," questioned Kamil.
"You're right. We need more people's help," worriedly replied Jack.
"I know just the people for this job—Menes Squad, the soldiers under the commander. They'll surely help us," affirmed Ramon.
"Ha, not a bad idea. Lately, you've become smarter," teased Kasib.
Annoyed, Ramon asked, "What do you mean by that?"
The group chuckled as they prepared to seek help from the soldiers. Ramon said, "Kasib and I will ask them."
Kamil offered his help. "I'll gather the ingredients from the Royal Army's vendors," he said.
Khonsu added, "I'll get the equipment we need. Jack, hold tight."
"Absolutely," Jack smiled, grateful to see his comrades ready to help at a moment's notice.
The group gathered the people, materials, and equipment they needed. Everyone pitched in to make the veridium solution. Jack demonstrated the process, instructing about 50 soldiers. Each soldier replicated Jack's tutorial, mixing the ingredients with the plant extract. Meanwhile, another 20 soldiers who had just finished training helped bottle the solution. In total, about 200 glass bottles were filled, and the remaining solution was stored in large wooden barrels in the underground storage area of the Royal Palace—around 150 bottles' worth.
As the helping soldiers left, the group lay down on the floor, exhausted. The room was dimly lit by three fire lamps, with brick walls and floors. In walked General Setka and Commander Menes, announcing the completion of the 3,000 fake gold coins.
"Yay," Ramon exclaimed, his voice filled with fatigue.
"I'm done. I want to go home," Kasib groaned.
Struggling to sit up, Kamil remarked, "I guess all our work is done, then."
Jack, nearly sprawled out on the table, managed to respond in a flattened tone, "Yeah, in a squashed way."
Men, some of you are my soldiers. We don't get tired this quickly," remarked Menes with authority as he grabbed Kasib, Jack, and Ramon by the collar, effortlessly carrying them to their rooms.
Dropping each exhausted body off, the last one remaining was Jack. Menes escorted him to his door and stated firmly, "Be ready, Jack."
Emerging from his state of exhaustion, Jack inquired, "Ready for what, Commander?"
"Remember, Jack, this is going to be your first war," Menes emphasized.
"A war?" Jack was taken aback.
"Yes, Jack. A war. The Nebu won't stand. We are preparing for another revolution and a shift in the formation of organizations. It won't merely be a contest between a couple of organizations at the top. Even the weaker groups are rising to power. This is the fight for power, the war of a new GENERATION."
Under the veil of night, a cadre of figures draped in enigmatic cloaks advanced toward a grand carriage, emblazoned with the emblem of an arrow. As they neared, an Anubis member pounced, yet met a swift, merciless fate at the hands of one cloaked figure. Each strike from this shadowy assailant felled another Anubis member, the approach unforgiving and resolute.
"You will pay," snarled the Anubis member, but before he could finish, his own fate was sealed, his neck severed with precision. The assailant, a member of The Vanguard, drew back his hood, revealing piercing eyes radiating intensity, framed by a mane of black hair. With a calculated air, he re-cloaked, leaving behind the Anubis, the stolen spoils, and an aura of chilling enigma lingering in the night's embrace.