SoS B1 C4 X2: Winner?
Breakfast was served in the King’s Wood. There were three empty seats: two from the Federation and one from the Valuselu Pact, the remainder of whom seemed very somber, more-so than even the Syndicate. The Somnancy seemed upbeat, as did Hedon, competitively so.
Lady Venistasia sat at the head of the table, plate unserved and untouched before her. She had sat discussing quietly with Sal-Khef, the groundskeeper, while they had eaten.
“I suspect you’ll all want to know how you fared, then?” She asked, addressing them all at last. She stood, and beckoned for servants to push in a metal cart with a sheet over it.
She drew it back, revealing placards with the name of each faction upon it before a pile (or lack of) energy cells.
“The Valuselu Pact: two, the Jupiter Syndicate: three, the Church of the Somnolent: seven, the Apple of Hedonism: five, the Federation of Free Planets: seven. The energy cell challenge was a test of use of resource, and of leadership. After some deliberation I have decided to name The Federation of Free Planets as it’s victor. Immuena, you are the leader and you chose to go directly, to place yourself in the same danger as them. Your team suffered injury, but you got everyone else out alive, and even helped those outside of your faction. For this reason, I am appointing you as the leader of the mission to Abisk.”
The factions stirred. Everyone looked to Immuena with every fathomable reaction. They looked at their new leader.
“Do you have any questions?”
Immuena stood, keeping her composure the best she could after Lady Venestasia dropped an anvil in her lap. "I have no questions. I thank you greatly for this opportunity, Ma'am." She gave a slight bow of thanks and returned to her seat, hoping that her shock didn't come through.
Allarah stood and bowed. "Excuse me, Lady Venistasia. With all due respect, that isn't right. When we left Grit'm, we left with 12 energy cells in total. I personally had six in my bag, and the Hedon representative returned with six in his." She frowned to Immuena as if to apologize. "I realize this puts our team at a loss, but it would be an insult to Hedon if I didn't speak up for the efforts that were put forth in recovering these cells." She bowed her head. "I apologize greatly, but the count is wrong."
Was that sudden chill a breeze? Doubtful, Starcrest was high in the sky but force field generators kept the raging winds at bay. Lady Venistasia's gaze swept over Allarah and the rest of the assembly as she folded herself back into her seat.
"Then you will lead it." A pause, then, "Will there be any questions?" She tipped her chin to Allarah, as though daring her.
Immuena looked up at Allarah, arm raised and horror struck, not because she lost the leadership position, but because she questioned the likely most destructive force on this planet. Her arm fell as Allarah responded.
The Faeo bowed again, seemingly unphased. "Thank you for the honor. I'll try not to disappoint." She sat down and clamped her hands together, struggling to keep them steady. Outwardly, she exuded peace and confidence, yet that couldn’t be more contrary to how she truly felt.
They finished their meals, though most of them found their appetites sapped by all that had happened. Only one person seemed in good cheer: the blond-haired Ireheart from the Somnancy.
After eating, they were given ample time to pack and prepare for leaving Starcrest for the city below.
Allarah was hardly ten seconds departed from the breakfast before Synna's body pressed up near to her own, touching hand to hand to establish a secure connection.
<What the hell were you thinking?>
<That I wasn't going to discount Laemon's efforts.> A wave of emotion washed over Allarah. Confusion, fear, stress.
<That was Laemon's effort. He was supposed to swap two of ours into yours but he was almost caught switching the one. We didn't want the Somnancy to win.> It wasn't anger radiating from Synna. Concern? Fear? Panic? Relief? It all mixed together in a strange way. <I think Venistasia suspects him now. Or at least us... Hedon>
<Didn't consider that. I just wanted to help.> Regret. <I suppose I'll have to make a bigger fuss then. Keep her mind off of it.> Tense, but jokingly.
<Thanks... but let's keep our head down for now. I'm glad you got the leadership, at least.>
The image appeared just for an instant. A dark room, similar to a great hall. A young male Faeo, his leg trapped in a mechanism, and a group of fearful Sazashi caught in a net. Fear saturated the image before it was shoved away again. <I wonder if you should be.> Her hand began shaking in Synna's.
<We've all got regrets> Allarah felt Synna's like a lead weight in her gut. A panicked face, a clenched hand, a cliff, an apology from Synna before she let go of their hand and let them fall. <That's what makes you good.>
Calm began working it's way through her. <Thank you.> Warmth welled up in her chest that began untangling the knot in her chest. <I'll try not to make any more mistakes.>
<Don't say that, it only makes it worse when you do. Just start making backup plans, if you don't already.>
She broke the connection, and was gone.
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