Tribourne, Present Day, Day 4
Foundry
Foundry entered the Circle's meeting room, flanked by guards. Quakezone and Laserbolt were already there, seated around the long mahogany table. Each of them had their own guards, one or both of which would be Epics. He felt a growing annoyance as he laid eyes on them. One, or both, he did not know, had sabotaged his food supplies, and a number of his factories. “No-one sabotages MY factories….” He thought to himself, clenching his fists. Thankfully, his expression of anger was hidden behind the fireman’s mask that he always wore on public outings. Appearances were important, and more than that… safety was important.
Laserbolt leant forward, a smug smile on her face. “Now gentlemen, apparently a messenger from another city has arrived to make contact with us. I have not spoken with him myself, of course, but apparently he represents Necropathy, in Adelaide.”
Foundry scoffed. “How stupid do you think we are, Laserbolt? Of course you spoke with him, he stayed in your territory last night!”
Laserbolt’s smile ran away from her face. “Your accusations have no merit, we all agreed to only conduct audiences with messengers from other cities ONLY when-”
“Well if I may be frank, you have broken the Unification treaty yourself multiple times, and-”
“I have NEVER, you have no proof!”
Quakezone rolled his eyes and allowed them to bicker for several more minutes, before slamming a fist down on the table. No damage was done, but the other two looked at him. “Enough with your petty squabbling! The messenger is just outside. Lets let him in and present a united front, shall we?” They grumbled in agreement, and with a gesture from Quakezone, the messenger was let in.
“What do you have to say, messenger?” Foundry asked. But he noticed something…. strange about this person. An Epic?
Legolas faced the three leaders of Tribourne, letting his eyes rest no longer or shorter on Laserbolt than either of the other two. Once more he did his best impression of someone who actually cared enough to be courteous, bowing to each of the three in turn before adressing them. “Greetings to the Triumvirate from Necropathy of Adelaide.” He began. “My lord Necropathy has sent me as an envoy to discuss potential… benefits to both parties. Quite simply, he seek to form an alliance with the city of Tribourne against the rest of the Wastelands. With the might of five High Epics and the military forces of both cities he believes that there isn’t another city that could pose a threat.” There was slightly more to Necropathy’s reasoning than that, Legolas had been stationed on the island where the intelligence Epics of Adelaide resided once and he knew that their predictions were rarely off. Necropathy and Severance had likely made this decision to ally with the Triumvirate based off of those predictions. And if this was a part of the Plan then Legolas had better not screw anything up. He produced a small book from a back pocket before laying it on the table in front of him. “A summary of our intelligence on some of the other cities.” Legolas explained. “As well as some drafted strategies for how to deal with them.”
Foundry leant forward as the messenger gave its report. “An alliance? To conquer the rest of Australia? This is a brilliant opportunity!” And the promise of information on the other cities? Even better.
Quakezone leant back, apparently almost… disinterested. “A tempting offer. But what does Necropathy have to offer us, besides this information, that other cities could not? I have already have overtures from other parties. Isn’t Adelaide rather…. small, as cities go?” A smirk formed at the edges of his mouth.
Foundry’s eyes narrowed. “He must be bluffing…. I will wait and see how this messenger responds. Adelaide is hardly small though, you are layering it a bit thick Quakezone….”
Legolas felt his gaze narrow at the insult to his home city. Adelaide wasn’t quite as big as Sydney or Melbourne had been but it wasn’t what you’d call small. That one would be Quakezone, Legolas tried to let none of his feelings show through his expression as he responded. “Information is only one of the aspects that we excel at. We have a large standing army, more professionally trained than most of the other cities, Severance and Necropathy themselves though form the core of our city, jointly they provide an impenetrable defense combined with a completely lethal offensive.” All this negotiating is not what I was trained for. Legolas sighed internally. “But perhaps of equal importance are our special operatives. I take it you’ve heard of the Immortals of Adelaide?” No need to reveal that he was one of those Immortals to anyone but Laserbolt, not yet anyway.
Foundry watched Quakezone, the black-cloaked tyrant’s expression unchanging in its contempt as the messenger ignored his insult. Turning to the ambassador, Foundry raised his voice. “Yes, we have heard of the Immortals. Their abilities are certainly formidable. Perhaps an alliance would be in our interest, my friends?” He desperately tried to prevent emphasis from forming on the last work, but he wasn’t sure he succeeded. He also had no clue as to what these Immortals were, other than that Necropathy gifted his powers to them, but it did no good to reveal ignorance.
Quakezone and Laserbolt looked thoughtful, but Laserbolt seemed to come to a decision very quickly. How far had her clandestine meeting with the messenger gone?
Quakezone turned to the messenger. “I would like to ask about these…. Immortals. Obviously I am aware of their powered nature, but what specifically are they capable of?”
Legolas found himself frustrated once again as Quakezone queried him. Such details were not something that he would divulge before an alliance was even formed. He almost ignored the question completely to try to gain further approval from Foundry, the third member of the Triumvirate. But he had been asked to make sure that negotiations went well so he have something of the truth to the Epic. “As the name suggests they are immortal soldiers my lord.” He began as he tried to decide how much to reveal. “Their wounds heal in seconds and any wound that they inflict on another becomes instantly lethal. They are perfect soldiers, unkillable but able to inflict untold destruction upon our enemies.” A slightly sterner than was smart stare told Quakezone that he did not want to be one of those enemies. “Other than that they are given the most severe training of any military unit in the world, they carry a wide variety of weapons and can use any of them to destroy their opponents, even something seemingly harmless can become a deadly weapon in the hands of an Immortal.” Probably a little over the top but Epics are all like that aren’t they?
Foundry frowned, but his frown soon turned to a smile. “These Immortals seem incredibly useful. What army could stand against invincible soldiers? We need to get Adelaide on our side. At least until the other cities have been subjugated.” And he was feeling increasingly sure that this was no human messenger, not with that look that he had given Quakezone. No human would be so bold.
Quakezone looked irritated, but Laserbolt spoke up before Foundry could. “Thank you for this offer, perhaps we could have some time alone to discuss our decision in private? Then we will give Necropathy our answer and we will happily escort you back to him in one of our own helicopters.”
Legolas nodded at this final offer. “As you wish.” He said before exiting the room. He looked down at one palm, tiny black lines rapidly receded as his fingernail was removed from the flesh. Luckily it had been hidden during the meeting but if one of them had taken offense at that display of emotion and refused an alliance… Well there was no point pondering what might have happened. Just focus on the now. Laserbolt would of course support the alliance, although he didn’t know the exact nature of her political struggles so she might need to disguise it at first but ultimately she would be supportive. Foundry had also seemed to want an alliance, his eagerness could be useful while he remained alive. Industrial trade was something he hadn’t even considered going in, but it was something that would no doubt be useful. Adelaide had been steadily increasing its power and stability and had even started some infrastructure projects lately, almost no suburbs had reliable power yet but it might be possible in the future. Yes, he could definitely offer something to Foundry. He would need to have one of his men contact home to discuss terms.
The trio turned to each other as the door closed behind the messenger.
“I don’t like that ambassador. Far too impudent.” Quakezone grumbled. “Either Necropathy instills as much fear into his subjects as a six-year old running a tea party, or it was an Epic. Or… it was an Immortal.”
Laserbolt rolled her eyes. “You are imagining things Quakey, why would anyone send an Epic as an ambassador? Unless it was one of those hilariously weak ones, they are all too useful to put in danger like that.”
Foundry interjected. “Regardless of who the messenger is or isn’t, I think that an alliance has merits. We are secure in our power in Tribourne, and as Quakezone proved by seizing Melton and Sunbury, we are ready to expand our influence.”
Quakezone smiled. “Indeed. In fact, I have a number of plans being drawn up as we speak to annex and neutralize the major powers in Victoria. Wendigo and Warplock will be particular challenges, but do not trouble yourselves with that. I will personally take the responsibility and difficulty of bringing these wayward factions under our control.” Laserbolt rolled her eyes.
Foundry spoke up. “We will discuss the specifics of invasion later, currently we need to provide an answer.”
Laserbolt spoke next. “I agree. Perhaps we simply offer trade routes, send some permanent representatives to each other, and and discuss less drastic methods of cooperation than a full alliance at first?”
Quakezone nodded. “Indeed, I want to take this slowly. Bring the messenger back in!”
The servants obeyed, and the messenger entered once more.
Quakezone spoke up. “We have an answer for you, ambassador. We are hesitant to commit to a anything as binding as a formal alliance thus far. But we do desire increased cooperation with Necropathy and his kingdom. We propose that our two cities convene joint meetings to discuss ways in which we can help each other. Perhaps by opening trade routes, or swapping soldiers for training. We also offer to send permanent representatives to Adelaide to speak for the Triumvirate in all matters, and open our city for Necropathy to do the same.”
Legolas arched one eyebrow slightly as he heard Quakzones offer. It wasn’t a sealed alliance but it was certainly something. An opening for negotiations to continue. And sending soldiers for training? Well that was quite the unexpected bonus, an easy method to insert more operatives. “That… should be acceptable.” He said hesitantly. It shouldn’t take too much more for something more concrete. A few more meetings with Laserbolt, some new trade opportunities for Foundry. Perhaps a few missions to create a bit more friction between the three. Nothing like a new ally when you’re planning to kill your old allies. “I will need to send a message back to confirm that these terms are agreeable. But I doubt there will be any problems. In the meantime I hope you won’t mind if I intrude on your city’s wonderful hospitality for a short while?”
Quakezone began, smiling politely, “I am afraid that-”
“You would be perfectly welcome to stay, of course.” Laserbolt interjected, and Quakezone turned a furious glare towards her. Laserbolt just smiled back at him.
Quakezone tried to seize control of the meeting back. “Of course, you may stay for as long as is necessary. I will send some of my men to make sure that you are adequately protected in Laserbolt’s territory. The gangs have been particularly rowdy over there, after all.” Now it was Laserbolt’s turn to scowl.
Foundry broke in, cutting off her retort. “I think this meeting is at an end. Let us adjourn for the day, and await Necropathy’s response.” The other two nodded, still glaring daggers at each other. The messenger too was escorted out of the room, and all three stood, exiting through the back door, their bodyguards following them.
