“The UGNE has two Core Breaker units”. Trey sighed and said half convinced.
“They, too, will have to make the right choice”. Ariel said and got up.
In the underground network of tunnels and giant caves, humanity’s territory covered five hundred and thirty nine caves, and the beasts’ territory covered three hundred and seventeen caves. The ten most centered caves represented humanity’s headquarters. “Ten Lances Of Fate” they were called and numbered. The First Lance Of Fate was the cave surrounded by the other nine and where the actual headquarters’ buildings were located.
At the last floor of a forty-storey building was the UGNE’S conference hall. On each of the hundred black leather seats sat either a thirty to ninety years old man or woman. In front each man and women was a wooden table, on it were a glass of water, a bowl with a variety of fruits, a microphone and a gold name tag. All the black leather seats were directed to a square stage, four meters wide and long, and to seven men and three women, forty to seventy years old, who set on ten red leather high seats in front of black wood tables with the same tributes. These one hundred and ten have been living in private rooms inside the forty-storey building since their decision to cease fire.
“Honorable one hundred and ten leaders of the United Governments of New Earth, entering are the respectable First General Ariel Dauch, respectable Second General Trey Zoearth and respectable Third General Gid Chu Takeda”. A twenty something man that entered the conference hall wearing a black suit stood on the square stage and announced.
From the one hundred and ten seats some claps could be heard as two men and one woman sin green military uniforms approached the stage from the hall’s entrance. The announcer stepped down from the stage before the Three Generals took it.
“Three Generals, we, the United Governments of New Earth, thank you for your hard work”. An old woman, wearing a black and blue gown, seated on one of the red leather seats, opened.
The Three Generals bowed in unity. “Hundred and ten leaders, we stand here today before you with urgent matters to discuss”. First General said calmly, while some of the UGNE’s leaders raised an eyebrow. Although these Three Generals were much older and powerful than any of them, none believed that against their UGNE even the Three Generals will dare come with such a statement. It was not their place.
“We have gathered here because we were informed that you, Three Generals, have arrived today with a message”. A man wearing a pinstripe suit said.
“And that message is the matter we would like to discuss with you about”. Third General answered and the bald man frowned.
“We would not advice you on military matters, have you lost fate in us because we ordered a cease fire?” The old woman in the black and blue gown directed her question to Second General. Even though this old lady possessed an Earth’s Core she did not spend a day in her life training. She was able to read the air around the Three Generals only with the help of her intuition.
“Instead of advices, you will order us your desires without being concerned with how we implement them”. Third General snapped and behind him the one hundred began to murmur. “The order to cease fire was the smartest decision the United Governments of New Earth has made since it was established!” After going so far some of the leaders let their voices rise.
“How dare him?!”
“A mere general…”
“To question us!”
“Quiet!” Seated on one of the red leather seats, a big bearded man in a brownish suit slammed the palm of his hand on the black wood table and the hall fell silent. “Three Generals, please tell us the message”.
“The beasts seek to end the war”. Third General summarized in order to see what kind of reaction these one hundred and ten will have.
“Specify”. The bearded man immediately said.
“Crafty old man”. Third General thought to himself and revealed the whole chain of events.
“So strong…” Some said aloud.
“At least as strong as us three”. Second General answered.
“Not enough time”. Two men seated on the red leather seats said at once.
“If we won’t give them an answer in a few hours the offer will expire”. Third General reminded.
“Still…” One of the two said.
“We should put that to a vote”. Someone from the black leather seats proposed.
As far as the voting system of the UGNE goes, black leather seats count for one vote and red leather seats count for ten votes. A decision must have a majority of ninety percent of the votes.
“It won’t do, every decision must follow a twenty-four hours of careful thinking and understanding of the subject in all its aspects. We still don’t have the time”. In truth, these twenty-four hours are spent on forming alliances for mutual or personal benefits.
“You have hundreds of years of sitting on the side lines and watching this war. I would say that should suffice”. Third General tried to provoke the men and women around him and sure enough the hall became restless.
“We will decide now!” The bearded man once again silenced the hall. He looked in resentment on Third General, for him to push them so far! “Everyone, take ten minute to think and decide. Afterward we will vote by a show of hands. Nagasta, be prepared for the count”. The bearded man told the young attendant that stood beside the stage.
Ten minute later. All seven men and three women that sat on the red leather seats stood up. A woman in a red suite instructed. “We will now vote over the beasts’ proposal. First vote will be For. Second vote will be Against. The matter will be decided on a majority of ninety percent. All undecided votes will be counted as For”. The last part was agreed by all ten and had two objectives. First, to comply with what all ten believed the Three Generals’ opinion was, and second, to pass a silent message to all one hundred: “We ten are Against”.
“All rise for the voting”. Nagasta asked. “Those who are For the beast’s proposal, please show up your hands”. He then started counting. “Those who are Against the Beasts’ proposal, please show up your hands”. He counted again. “Thank you, everyone. You may now sit”. He turned back toward the ten sitting on the red leather seats. “One hundred and ten hands were raised and counted for the votes. No need to proceed for the undecided vote”. Nagasta confirmed.
Beside him, on the stage, the Three Generals already knew the results. Compared to Nagasta’s, a late phase Earth’s Core Holder, their senses were above and beyond.
“Tell us what has been decided”. The bearded man said with a hint of a smile.
“Ninety six percent Against, four percent For”. The four votes were merely a courtesy for the Three Generals.
Third General let out a heavy sigh. “Ladies and gentlemen of the United Governments of New Earth, you are all relieved from your duty”. His sharp gaze made the bearded man choke.
“A coup?” Some of the ten called in question.
“First General, Second General, are you really supporting Third General’s way of conduct?” The old woman in the black and blue gown asked.
“We do”. They both answered decisively.
“Can’t you understand?! By accepting the beasts’ proposal we will be throwing everything we fought for, every drop of blood that our soldiers shed through all this years! The cease fire was meant to reassess our current progress, not to reevaluate the purpose of this war. Do you know why the beasts didn’t attack during the cease fire? Because they are not humans. Even with high intelligence they still show the restraint of a wild animal in front of a weaker enemy that won’t give up a piece of the prey. They are frightened of our ability to adapt, and aware that it will make us stronger in the future”. Veins popped up on the bald head of the bearded man, his face was tomato red and in the conference hall all applauded.
“Pass our decision to the beasts and return to your posts, Three Generals”. The bearded man looked down from his high seat. “Nagasta, accompany them out”.
“Yes, sir. Respectable Three Generals, please-”
“Everything you fought for?” Third General said in a low voice and his aura lashed out. Nagasta, who was the closest to him, apart from the other two generals, jumped back trembling with fear he never felt before, the fear of being close to death.
“Striking Spear, Diamond Shield!” The woman in the red suit called in shock.
Instantly, two groups of ten men and women appeared between the stage and the owners of the red leather seats. One group’s uniforms were blue and the other were purple. All twenty hid their faces behind black masks with no features.
“Be reasonable, Ariel, Trey, Gid, you are our most loyal soldiers for so many years. Just wait a few more, the war will be won and all of humanity will rip the benefits of the entire New Earth! You will be heroes! And if then you will want to retire from the army and join us, I can guarantee that three red leather seats and three black wood tables will be waiting for you!” The bald bearded old man tried to persuade one last time.
“We have made up our minds”. Third General walked forward slowly. First General and Second General, for what they will need to do, blackened their hearts. They will not betray their little brother or let him carry the burden alone.
“You will take on twenty Core Breakers?!” Beads of sweat slid from the forehead of the man in the pinstripe suit.
No longer acknowledging his title as Third General, a faint smile appeared on Gid Chu Takeda’s face.
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