497 We Come With Beer (1/2)
The Isles, The First City of the Fleet, Council of Masters' Chamber
The atmosphere was heavy as each Fleet Master was trying to come out with a plan to the recent news. The reports of sightings of a fleet of flying ships by merchants and fishermen had rattled the people and now all the Fleet Masters and anyone of importance had gathered in the Council Chamber to come out with a course of action.
First Fleet Master Kose Torke pulled his long jacket of office over his body as he felt cold. Recently the sea breeze has made his old bones ache easily and with the death of Dijon, made him age greatly. His greying hair and beard had now turned completely white in less than a year and his eyes sunken in. He looked to the side where Fleet Master Marshal, who too was already old and had already planned to retire in a year or so after grooming a successor to his seat.
Next, he turned to look at the other side of the table, where Fleet Master Akron and Fleet Master Tediore sat, clearly on the side of Fleet Master Megan. He knew without Dijon around to curb the ambitious Megan, and with his failing health, sooner or later, the seat of First Fleet Master would go to Megan.
He let out a soft sigh as clearly those two Fleet Masters were waiting for Megan to speak and support whatever scheme she came up with. Rather than drag things out as he was feeling tired and wanting to return to his own estate to rest, he started the discussion. ”So... no one has any idea or plans of how we should respond to this... flying fleet coming towards us other than preparing the people for an event of war?”
”We all know what happened to the Meccan city up north...” Fleet Master Marshal spoke in a raspy voice. ”There is a very chance the flying ships are hostile... I said... we ask the United Nations for help... since they managed to defeat those flying ships...”
”Hahaha!” Fleet Master Megan let out a mocking laugh as she snapped her fan open and covered her lips. ”Oh... How the mighty has fallen...”
Fleet Master Marshal's eyes narrowed as he glared at Megan. ”What do you mean?”
”Nothing,” Megan gave a shrug as she fanned herself. ”Just that... the once mightly Isles' navy could no longer even protect the Isles without needing the help of outsiders!”
”We are allies!” Marshal growled. ”And that is a force with magic and tek no lo gee that out surpass our very own!”
”That is why I said how the mighty has fallen...” replied Megan nonchalantly. ”We were once great... but now... any force comes up to our doorsteps we run off to our 'ally' to ask for help...”
She let out a dramatic sigh and shook her head, ”And what has our ally done for us?”
”They taught us tek no lo gee!” Marshal answered fiercely. ”Engines! Making our ships able to travel against the wind! Medicine! New ways of farming! Education!”
She referred to the four legged beasts that looked like a cross between a Terran rat and dog which scavenges midden heaps and trash. She cast a look of scorn at Marshal whose face turned red with fury. ”Do you think we would need their help if they had actually shared their REAL tek no lo gee with us?”
”Weapons that could shoot well over twice the range of crossbows and accurately...” Megan's eyes narrowed as she stared unflinchingly back at the red faced Marshal. ”Cannons that could sink ships with a single shot!”
”Their flying... aeroplanes...” Megan continued as she glanced around the chamber. ”Ships made out of metal!”
”They have all these... yet they only shared a measly few tek no lo gee that isn't even worth a gold crown in their eyes!” Megan's voice rose higher. ”Yet they demand food and resources in exchange for all that... junk of theirs!”
”I am not a scavg hound!” She spoke in a loud and strong voice and pointed at the gathered council members. ”Are you one? You?”
”NO!” The council members yelled out angrily back at her, their moods roused.
”So why must we bow and go scrapping before the United Nation for the scraps they throw to us like its a great favor?” Megan asked the council members who had their blood up. ”Why not we grasp our own future by our own hands?”
First Fleet Master Kose watched silently as Megan roused up the fighting spirits of the council. He knew she was right in a way that relying on the United Nations would not benefit the Isles in the long run. They must become strong enough so that the United Nations properly would treat them as equals rather than just paying them lip service.
He felt tired to the bones and cast a glance at Marshal who eyed him back with a sad smile on his wrinkled face and thought that maybe it is time to step down and allow the young to replace the old. He and Fleet Master Marshal both sat quietly in the midst of cheering and spirited calls and cries of the council as they supported Megan's words.
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The New World, ???, Cartel Expeditionary Force, The Acumen
”My Lord!” An aide appeared beside Lord Copperstone who was dining with the rest of the senior officers. ”Flagship Hammer of Resolute has sent a message, my lord!”
Copperstone put down his utensils and wiped cleaned his beard before he took the sealed scroll. He tore the wax seal away with his finger and read the message twice before he cleared his throat loudly, gathering the attention of all the officers in the dining room.