V O L U M E F I V E

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Chapter 123: Three ends

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‎The meeting room was full for the first time in a while. The Golden Circle of Elysium sat together around the long table, the doors closed, the outside world pressing its case through the floor-to-ceiling panels, the sea running rough today, waves hitting the glass with enough force that it felt like the ocean wanted a seat at the table too.

The room had changed since its earlier days. The walls carried complex geometric carvings now, shapes folding into each other in repeating patterns. The table was covered in a long red silk runner with gold trim, the Eta symbol running along it at even intervals, part decoration, part reminder of where you were and who was running things.

At the head of the table sat Reaper, watching the room. Obsidian to his right, Infinity to his left. Further along sat Behemoth, requiring the chair that had been built specifically for him, and beside him 11, hood up, expression pointed. Then several E-PHONEUS. At the far end, Chrome in his black suit, the orange LEDs of his eyes steady, and Shelly beside him with her head propped on one hand, watching the waves outside.

Reaper leaned back. "This is an emergency meeting. I want to acknowledge how quickly you all responded, and the time you've each given up to be here. Your ongoing assignments are on hold until we've addressed the largest threat currently moving along our borders. But first, results."

He gestured toward Infinity.

She stood, hands behind her back. "The past two weeks were complicated, but productive. I was able to deliver what my father has described as one of the most significant gains Elysium has seen in recent months, fourteen thousand E-UNITs brought into our army, along with intelligence and technology that Metis found immediately useful."

Metallic applause moved around the table. Obsidian's was measured, deliberate. Behemoth's landed like small impacts on the table's surface. Shelly's was barely audible, she didn't even lift her head, just let her hand come down against the silk in a slow, unbothered rhythm.

"Perfectly executed. Elysium is in your debt." Reaper turned to the table. "The rest of what I want to acknowledge is quieter in nature, but no less important." He looked to his right. "Obsidian. You cleared the remaining spies without noise and without error. Managing the Automa reconstruction simultaneously was remarkable. As always."

Obsidian bowed slightly. "Thank you, Lord Reaper."

Reaper raised his head toward the far end, toward the orange visor that sat well above everyone else at the table. "Behemoth. Holding our entire border with a force of one hundred thousand mechs while the expansion continued behind it, that is a feat most commanders wouldn't attempt with twice the numbers. The next engagement won't be this contained, but I know what you're capable of. I intend to be there to watch it."

Behemoth struck his leg against the floor in a sharp salute, the impact rolling through the room. "We will make it worth your time, your majesty. Even if it doesn't last long."

"A clean win is more than enough. I have no patience for fights that drag past what they deserve. Keep your channel open, what follows is important." He turned to 11. "Our E-PHONEUS leader. The one I sent to move in the shadows."

11 pulled her hood forward slightly, hiding the smile. "Yes, Lord Reaper."

"Finishing what Obsidian started and keeping the intelligence line running without interruption, that isn't just valuable. It's the foundation everything else stands on." Reaper stood and saluted her. "Thank you for your service, Captain 11. You and your entire unit."

11 went completely still. Her eyes lit up bright enough to compete with the lighting overhead. She pressed her hand over her mouth. but the manic smile threatened to break her face. P102 beside her stepped in. "Thank you, Lord Reaper. As you can see, she's struggling to respond." She bowed deeply. "11 and all of us are grateful for those words."

Reaper nodded, then looked to the end of the table. "Shelly."

Shelly turned from the window.

"Your training under 11 is still ongoing, and your results are already worth noting. Keep at it, we'll need you sooner than you might expect."

She replied in a flat tone. "Thank you, brother. Yes, I'll continue—" She stopped. Sat up. Looked at him properly, eyes wide. "Wait. You need me? A specific mission?"

"Yes." He gestured to his left. "Chrome."

"As you wish, Lord Reaper." Chrome rose and moved to the large screen behind Reaper's chair. "Through the E-PHONEUS network, we identified ahead of time that the Western State plans to launch what they intend as a surprise offensive the moment Lord Reaper moves east to support Kasparia. Two of their senior personnel have since come over to our side, Albert and Jason, whose cooperation has been invaluable."

Across the table, 11's hands tightened against each other. Their photographs appeared on the screen behind Chrome, and she couldn't fully stop the reaction. A notification appeared in her HUD from Reaper. [They will be yours once the Western State falls.] She glanced at him. He wasn't looking at her, just watching the projection calmly. She faced forward again. The smile came back before she could stop it.

"Their strategy is to weaken us simultaneously on opposite ends of our territory," Chrome continued, advancing the display. "Our counter is already drawn. The new army Infinity delivered makes this considerably more manageable than it would have been two weeks ago."

He turned to Behemoth. "Our main force engages the Western State directly. Classic engagement, troops against troops. It requires the mechs' durability and their capacity to absorb sonic weapon fire. Lord Reaper will be present. He strikes first to breach their line and create safe passage for the main force. Our contacts inside the Western State will assist."

Behemoth rose from his custom chair to his full height, a sound that started low in his chest and became a full laugh rolling across the room. "Lord Reaper fights alongside us? We have already won. Someone inform those poor souls ahead of schedule." He looked at Chrome. "We won't need more than a hundred thousand. Production can slow, save the resources."

Reaper let out a dry, short laugh. "Save the enthusiasm for the field. I want your mechs ready to move into cleanup the moment we breach, I don't want a prolonged occupation."

"As you wish, Lord Reaper."

Chrome shifted his gaze to Shelly. "You will operate in Kasparia alongside the E-PHONEUS and the new E-UNIT army, facing the Remidican Republic. The E-PHONEUS will have additional members, they're already in training under P102. Your operation there is more complex than a straight engagement. You will need to intercept and dismantle incoming missiles using your brace while simultaneously running offensive strikes."

Shelly's jaw came loose. "There's no way my first field mission is—"

"You will also be frontline." Chrome's delivery didn't change. "We want the element of surprise. That means you drop first." A brief pause. "And per your own negotiated agreement with Kasparia, you will be defending their airspace simultaneously."

Shelly sank slowly into her chair. "They have nukes."

"They won't use them," Reaper said. "They're bound by the Protect-the-Globe agreement with the UNG. We hold the same agreement, and they know it. Turning this into a nuclear conflict would put their own territory at risk, they share a border with Kasparia."

Shelly folded her arms.

‘I wanted to look at those hidden protocols father added. I saw an entire arsenal in your system when I took down the memory wall.’

She said nothing.

Reaper stood. "Infinity and 11 remain here. You'll coordinate the capital's defense and hold it in case anything moves on Theria while we're split." He looked between them. "Keep searching for 02. The Omega body walking free is the largest unknown variable we have right now. Find her, she may choose to stand with us when the time comes."

Both saluted. "Roger, Lord Reaper."

Reaper looked at the sea through the panels. The waves hadn't settled.

‘The Western State won't end this quickly. But it will end. And it will be their last move.’