Chapter 262
“What do you mean, wild beasts?” D’Oillelat snapped.
Before Suierrillax could respond, an outcry sprang up from D’Oillelat’s council. “Your Majesty!” Ner’has exclaimed. “We just received a report from commander Ra’Zel, dozens of shrikes have engaged the Council’s forces! Preliminary information makes it sound like they were caught disorganized and unaware.”
The Resistance Queen turned and glared at Kyle. “Did you have something to do with this?” she demanded.
[WE DETECTED SOME SHRIKE MOVEMENTS IN THE HILLS; HOWEVER, WE DID NOT STOP TO INVESTIGATE OR INCITE THIS BEHAVIOR.] C.H.A.D.D. replied.
“I see,” D’Oillelat said, voice trailing off as a thoughtful look crossed her face.
Why does everybody trust C.H.A.D.D. more than they trust me? Kyle complained internally, feeling the drone’s smug satisfaction at her reaction.
“Well, good luck with the shrikes or whatever they’re called,” Suierrillax said through the nav bracelet. “Kyle, your ride is here.”
No sooner did Suierrillax finish speaking did the shuttle descend, eliciting gasps and excited chatter from the assembly. Legs extended from the base as it landed, and the moment the doors opened 4 powerful D Grade goblins stepped out. They wore Verdant Republic patches, though they had distinctly different armor and equipment. From the auras they gave off, each was near the peak of the grade, and powerful enough to fight Kyle head-on if they needed to.
One of the goblins stepped forward. “Greetings. We are official representatives of the Verdant Republic, here for the Courier. We trust that will not be an issue?”
The awakened among D’Oillelat’s leaders showed immediate tension, including Drokh. The Verdant Republic had casually sent 4 individuals that outstripped the best the Resistance had, with the exception of D’Oillelat herself.
Kyle smiled and began to walk toward the goblin. “No issue whatsoever. I was just saying my goodbyes.” He turned back to the assembly and waved, before locking eyes with Drokh. “Be safe, and no shrike hunting for a while.”
The quip seemed to snap the ogre out of his thoughts, and he gave a toothy smile. “You as well. Thank you for everything you’ve done here, friend.”
“It’s a rout!” Ner’has shouted, interrupting the conversation as he raised up his communication crystal. “Ra’Zel is reporting a full retreat! The shrikes appear to be raiding the supply tents, so far no movement at all toward the wall.”
Given the lack of powerful awakened encamped outside the walls, Kyle was hardly surprised that the coordinated attack from the shrikes was enough to drive the attackers away. It was suspicious that they arrived in the first place, though he had some ideas about why they did. The Matriarch was no joke, Kyle thought. Her final command to the other shrikes was still clear in his mind, and he was certain that the ones who attacked the Council troops were following in his footsteps.
Kyle nodded to each of the goblins as he boarded the shuttle, settling into a seat and reducing his use of Ignition to an absolute minimum. He didn’t want to deactivate the skill and collapse, lest an unfortunate misunderstanding occur, after all.
“Wait,” D’Oillelat called after him, causing the goblins to stop in their tracks before they could finish boarding. “How are we supposed to stay in contact? You will be back to finish the negotiations, yes? Do you have another of those bracelets I can have?”
Kyle gave the Resistance queen a weak smile. “I’m sure the Verdant Republic has a plan.”
The lead goblin looked at Kyle with a pained expression, then turned to D’Oillelat. “We can certainly work out a plan for continued contact, if that is your wish. However, it will be quite some time.” He paused, choosing his next words carefully. “There were some… irregularities that will make it difficult for us to return quickly. Hopefully you can resolve issues here, and we can connect on better terms.”
“I thought that your leaders wanted to discuss incorporation?” D’Oillelat asked. “Why risk unnecessary delays, when we can keep the lines of dialogue open now?”
“That’s above my pay grade,” the goblin responded smoothly. “Now, unless there’s any other business to tend to, we wish you well.”
“Then I look forward to the Courier’s expedient return,” she said, shooting a glare at the goblin leader.
For somebody who didn’t want to be in charge, she’s sure used to getting her way, Kyle mused.
“Allow me to clarify,” the goblin leader said, unmoved by D’Oillelat’s expression. “With the Courier’s return to the Collective, his contract is over. With you choosing to remain, we intend to handle future diplomatic affairs internally, as we had before discovering your claim to leadership. You are choosing to stay and fight a war of succession, so that will lead to an acceptable result as far as our policies and procedures are concerned. We’ll deal with the victor once it’s done.”
“But they are the aggressors,” D’Oillelat protested.
“And they claim they’re overthrowing a tyrant,” the goblin replied coolly. “We offered you asylum and an opportunity to collaborate, yet it seems you would prefer to stay and defend your throne. To be clear, that’s fine, and your right. When the dust settles, we’ll reestablish a connection. Until then, our protocols are clear.”
“Fine,” D’Oillelate said, steel in her expression. “Then be on your way.”
“Ancestors above, girl,” Drokh growled, his patience clearly worn thin. “Get on the damn shuttle.”
A gasp of horror came from the gathered Resistance leaders, and D’Oillelat looked like she’d been struck.
“I’m serious,” Drokh continued. “Go, negotiate what you need to, and trust that we can handle things here until you get back. We’ll all be better off for it.”
“How dare you-“ D’Oillelat began, before Drokh interrupted.
“I dare because I know you. I don’t want to see the little girl I saved all those years ago drenched in any more blood. If we end this with violence, we’ll need your power. You’ll be slaughtering hundreds. And that’s not who you are.”
“What will you do?” she asked, a note of vulnerability in her voice as she addressed the towering ogre. For a moment, just a moment she didn’t look like the regal queen Kyle was used to seeing. A tired and hurt young woman stood before the ogre, pleading and concern in her eyes.
“I’ll be happy that you’re somewhere safe, and securing a future for the rest of us,” Drokh’s voice was surprisingly gentle, and he walked over to the Resistance Queen and put a hand on her shoulder. “Go. Negotiate. And when it’s done, you can be free from the shackles of leadership, if you want. You can pursue whatever opportunities you want. You deserve it.”
She only hesitated a moment, then threw her arms around Drokh. Kyle could barely make out a whispered “thank you” before she let him go, and approached the shuttle, the mask of the Resistance Queen back in full force. “I find your proposal to be unacceptable. I will return with you to find a better solution. I will not leave our conversation with a handful of maybes and uncertainty, but if you allow my people to be killed, you’ll find the negotiations to be quite unfavorable.”
“That’s fine,” the goblin leader said as he got settled into his seat. “But if you’re going to join, then get on the shuttle. We’re leaving now.”
She gave a final smile to Drokh before calling out to the Resistance, voice projecting over the assembled crowd as the shuttle began to rise. “I will come back for you! I will secure us a place, and a future! Hold on, and don’t lose hope. Brighter days are ahead for all of you, and for all the people of Er’Mithren!”
Kyle saw a wide range of expressions on those below; fear, anticipation, anxiety, for sure. Most importantly; however, he saw smiles of pride and affirmation. The Resistance trusted D’Oillellat, and a sense of awe and resolution seemed to work through the crowd as they saw their Queen rise into the unknown to fight for their future.
That’s all Kyle was able to witness, as he finally deactivated Ignition. He slumped into his chair, the exhaustion overwhelming him. The last thing he heard before he drifted into unconsciousness was C.H.A.D.D. explaining that he’d be fine, but could probably do with some healing.
A few hours later, Kyle was awoken by a rough shaking. His eyes flew open, though that was all the movement he could manage. His entire body felt needle-sharp pain, the backlash from overusing Ignition. He activated Adaptive Regeneration, and felt a gentle soothing, though he noted the skill working slower than he’d like. More damage to my mana pathways, he realized.
Fortunately, he was in far better shape than he was after encountering Zierlan. A couple of days’ rest, and he was confident he’d be back to top form. The shuttle was basic, an uncomfortable silence settled throughout. D’Oillelat sat opposite Kyle, both with a D Grade escort on either side.
[WELCOME BACK, DR. MAYHEW,] C.H.A.D.D. said, slicing through the tension with all the subtlety of a battle axe. [I TRUST YOU ARE FEELING BETTER?]
“How long was I out?” Kyle asked, feeling the tingling pain across his body intensify as the shuttle shook.
[TWO HOURS AND FORTY-SEVEN MINUTES.]
Kyle winced as he glanced around the shuttle, not seeing any windows. The guard to his right, a goblin wearing thick plate armor, saw Kyle’s movement and grinned.
“We’re docking on a Verdant Republic Cruiser right now. From here, we’ll travel for a couple more hours, then get to the first leg of the mobile relay on our way back to the Hub,” he said. “We’ll have to wait for our escorts to follow behind us, so the trip back will take a while. Guest quarters have been prepared.”
“I just want out of this contraption,” D’Oillelat said. Now that Kyle got a better look at her, she seemed a little greener than usual. It’s her first time in a shuttle, or any sort of vehicle like this, Kyle realized. He remembered his first time looking out the window of the Corthian Mining shuttle at Earth in the distance, a dull pain in his chest that had nothing to do with his injury.
“I’m sure it will be smoother here soon,” Kyle offered.
“I should hope so,” D’Oillelat replied.
The goblin wearing robes sitting beside her gave a reassuring smile. “The Cruiser is quite comfortable. They are typically reserved for traveling dignitaries, and a royal suite was prepared if you decided to join us.”
“How long will the trip back to the Hub take?” Kyle asked.
“I would expect three days, four at most,” the leader of the squad said. “Once we land, a welcoming party will meet us at the docks for a basic debrief. I’ve passed along word that Her Majesty will be joining us, and they will have an ambassador’s residence prepared.”
Just as the goblin finished speaking, the side door to the small shuttle opened, revealing the hangar beyond. The goblins left first, with Kyle bringing up the rear. He winced in pain as he moved, his left leg cramping with each step. The massive chamber looked as though it opened up to space beyond, though Kyle could feel the thrum of a powerful mana barrier through Auric Perception.
D’Oillelat looked out at the vibrant green sphere floating silently in the distance. He recognized the expression of wonder on her face, and smiled. They’d have plenty to discuss on the trip, but for now Kyle was content to let her watch Er’Mithren as it slowly faded into the distance.
One of the goblin squad members, the one wearing robes, stood a respectful distance away, waiting for the Resistance Leader. Kyle limped after the other three who were making their way toward a large metal door. The moment it opened, Auric Perception warned him of two C Grade presences waiting on the other side.
One felt familiar, and he smiled as he stepped through the door. “Fernie, it’s been a while. How are you?”
The troll woman was standing with her arms crossed, and offered him a smile. Standing opposite her was a heavily-armored ogre wearing scarred and pitted shields on each forearm. Fernie looked to be about to respond when her breath caught, and her eyes focused on Kyle. The ogre shifted where he stood, and through Synaptic Barbs Kyle felt him take a casual stance, rising onto the balls of his feet as he prepared to spring into action.
“Well Kyle, it looks like you’ve been busy,” Fernie finally said, composing herself.
“You could say that,” Kyle replied, feeling mana gathering in the ogre’s body. “For now though, I could really use a nap. Are there quarters prepared for me, or should I go find a chair?”
Fern’elle shot the ogre a look, then turned her attention back to Kyle. “Of course we have quarters for you, but there’s something we’ll need to figure out first. Your aura is giving off hints of C Grade energy, and for security purposes, we need to know why.”