An Untitled Novel

Basil and two maintenance drones pulled Spiro in a wheelchair up the last of the spiral staircase. Spiro’s expression made it clear he wasn’t enjoying the act of being helpless, being pulled up steps he couldn’t climb under his own strength due to his injuries. Basil felt he should say something, remind his friend he was glad to help him, and that there was nothing to be ashamed of about not wanting to re-open freshly treated wounds and bleeding to death. He couldn’t think of a good way to express the thought in a way he figured Spiro would appreciate, however, so he moved along silently while avoiding eye contact.

Reaching the top of the stairs, with the maintenance drones taking over, Basil walked down the hallway; a shadow cast by the gunship hovering above stretching across the wall. Rocks dotted the bottom of the gunship, ready to be flung by the artificial gravity of the drives at anyone who’d intend them trouble; the closest thing to ordinance the gunship could possess before further repairs. ACE had said that, with the gunship so close to complete, it could be finished in the air where it stood - maintenance drones assisted by artificial gravity, finalising its assembly and the repair of the damaged side panel. The ominous machine, hovering menacingly over the Arkepello hotel, would certainly be a deterrent to anyone who’d intend them harm - even if it possessed very little firepower.

Two maintenance drones, each bearing an automatic rifle, positioned themselves on both sides of the door frame. They looked comical, the little robots holding rifles larger than they were, but Basil had no doubt ACE could use them effectively. The lower floors and surrounding areas of the hotel were surrounded by Arkepellian soldiers, but Amigioso could have infiltrated the ranks of Arkepello, so the nearest guards would have to be ACE using mobile platforms and the people attending the meeting themselves.

Basil took a seat, two maintenance drones pushing Spiro to the table, before one left and the other took a spot at the table itself. Basil took notice of that, then wondered why he took notice. ACE was always effectively present, through a cell phone speaker, PDA, or intercom. But this time, he’d chosen to take a physical presence, even if only by proxy through a remotely controlled platform. The more he thought about it, however, the entire meeting itself was surreal. Aurora, Spiro, Cicero, Casio, General Edwards, the Redcap Queen, the Lizard King, General Tobias, Gina, ACE, and himself all gathered together; all about to decide the fate of a continent. Basil felt unease; perhaps the only thing more terrifying than lacking control of one’s own fate was to control it, but lack the omniscience required to dictate outcomes.

Edwards cleared his throat, but the Redcap Queen sitting between him and Cicero was the one who spoke. “We” she began hesitantly. “We would like to thank everyone in this room for coming together. We have received reports from,” she continued, gesturing to the Lizard King with a conflicted expression, but retaining her diplomatic tone. “Your son and Forrest County troops independently, that the capital has been retaken and is secure. Restoration and security will take some time, but we have won this war. ACE, I believe you have some information to share?”

Basil was surprised to hear that ACE was about to share information that he presumably hadn’t heard himself. “Yes, it appears this attack was largely organised from the Northern Plateau families and Long Shore County. We have observed excessive radio activity between them, and our gunship and drones have recorded traffic and soldiers retreating to those locations.” Edwards continued where ACE left off. “The Long Shore County governor will be apprehended shortly, and the remains of the Redcap Navy have regrouped and are en route to blockade the Northern Plateau.” The Redcap Queen interjected as soon as Edwards had finished.

“Basil, we have a proposal for you. We would like to grant you the Northern Plateau as an independent location for you to establish a force. We also intend to re-annex the land surrounding it, restoring order in former Old Oak county that we lost during the final war with the Lizard King and his men. You would also be granted governorship over Old Oak, but in name only. You would not be required to take the oath of governorship, and the county would be patrolled and policed by the Redcap Royal army, but you would be granted a share of tax revenue to use towards establishing your force. There is already a band of soldiers who refer to themselves as ‘The King’s Men,’ who are deeply patriotic, despite no longer being in official Redcap territory. We foresee minimal resistance to the re-annexation, outside of the traitors on the northernmost plateau region, which is populated by several powerful and traitorous families and what appears to be several mercenary bands.”

The top part of ACE’s maintenance drone did a facsimile of a nod, as if to signal approval; an oddly human gesture from the little robot, but still an effective nonverbal emote. Aurora, however, shook her head and began speaking in Elthrice. “(This is dangerous, a command independent of councillor authority is standard of a Rejected-Death. This is a path you should not go down.)” Basil shrugged, replying in Elthrice, whispering to avoid the whispers that often accompanied his voice in Elthrice. “(They’re not even my government. I’ve never answered to any Domum government, and the old Elthrice order has been dead for a thousand years.)” Aurora looked uncomfortable. “(That’s not better.)”

“(This won’t be a force that could tear a gash across a galaxy. It’ll probably be a couple hundred guys or so, and with the right weapons and training, they’d be able to apply a lot of force in a very specific spot while working alongside other governments here.)” Aurora seemed to mull things over. “(Okay, I trust you. Do it if you think you need to, but I fear this is a bad idea.)”

“Okay” Basil replied to the group, everyone fixated on the two speaking in Elthrice. After a short pause Basil added “Toby, I know you let Miles Barker go recently, would it be okay if I asked him to help me raise a small force?” Tobias nodded. “I trust you, Basil. You’re permitted to enlist former Arkepello officials.” He paused for a moment, before adding “And I’m certain Miles will be glad to accept the position. His retirement was encouraged because of his repeated pushes for military action outside of the island.”

“There’s one final matter-” Cicero added, changing the topic of conversation, before being interrupted by the Lizard King. “Monetary needs?” Cicero nodded as the Lizard King continued. “I would be capable of providing a loan to cover the salaries of your soldiers and builders. My advisors and subordinates may not be appreciative of the idea, but I can sell it to them as promoting stability and assisting our biggest trading partner. If that fails, well, I am still their king and they’ll hold no sway in the matter.”

“Good, thank you” Cicero replied. He made a gesture with his hands as if he was about to say more, but Gina began to speak instead. “The coastal federation will be willing to provide food for the Redcap capital city, with payments deferred in exchange for a guarantee of sovereignty.” The Redcap queen nodded, replying “Thank you. All of you, for coming together in a time of our greatest need.” Cicero looked through the window briefly, as if to observe the mid day sun. “Now, before we continue, let’s let the cooks back into the building. Most of us haven’t eaten since yesterday, and I think it’s about time we do.”