Chapter 3: The Reckoning
She looked out the station health bay window with her left hand on the glass. The knot in her stomach had been twisting ever since they rushed Overlord3 in.
“Razbot”
Yes Sasha?
“Cancel my meetings for tomorrow” she said as looked over the cryo health regeneration tube Overlord3 lay asleep in.
Sasha, I must advise against this as you have a chair meeting, two congressional events to attend and a…”
“I don’t fucking care Raz. I’m staying with Overlord3” She felt eerily bothered by the lack of compassion Raz would sometimes display. “Send me hourly status updates on his fleet revival state”.
She briskly walked outside the health bay towards the elevator. Her shaking fingers pressed floor 3 for the intre-botanical garden. Sasha loved the outdoors so much that she had commissioned every station in TDZ with a botanical garden system to mimic the incredible gardens she saw when she traveled the planets of SZG long ago. She remembered how Bablo$ had adored her affection for planets and classical arts. It cost well over 20 billion JEX but she thought it was well worth the price since she and most of her commanders spent their time in space. She arrived the floor and the doors opened to the beautiful terrarium. She walked along the pathway past the cascading waterfall towards the lookout view. The smell of smoke vaper filled her nostrils and she knew she was not along. Erfan had been sitting just under her favorite cherry blossom tree which overlooked the man-made station garden.
“Hey Fish.” Erfan has always had a unique ability to determine if even the lightest of footsteps tip toed behind him. She gently sat beside him and reached out her right hand for a cigarette.
“You got one for me?” She swallowed deeply as she let out a heavy sigh. He flung out a case and popped a cigarette to her in a suave and steady manner. She delicately grasped and pull it from its slot and brought it her lips. He clicked his thumb on a built in lighter he created for his suit to light it for her. The flame licked the edges and Sasha inhaled deeply.
“You always buy the best tobacco”. She said halfheartedly.
He looked at her with mild concern and sorrow. Erfan always held a calm and collected composure. He wasn’t much of talker but would always lend an ear to listen so long as the speaker didn’t mind his immense chain smoking.
“Fish. Its not your fault. Tr0N has always been…a problem”. He looked off into the distance and they both sat in gloriously crisp silence as they admired the beauty of the garden.
She began to recall the overview of their meeting regarding the reallocation of territory from BTD to TDZ. She could remember Malsi’s prudent confidence as he stood up to talk to the majority of the northern leaders. She trailed off into her thoughts of their meeting.
“We are here to discuss the territory separation of BTD being allocated to TDZ one of the northern federation's most trusted allies” Malsi said as he attempted to hold the undeniable favoritism behind the grin of his teeth. “It is clear that over time there have been tenuous problems that have arisen between the two alliances: BTD being a sub Alliance of IBL, we would like to see how Gunnar black feels about the situation” Malsi nodded his head towards Gunnerblack as though he was granting him permission to speak.
Gunner was slouched back in his chair, looking off in the distance, distracted by the great view of their council room. The eyes behind his thick glasses looked pensive. Gunner had a prince like charm to him. He was medium height but felt big when you were around him. Something about his presence made you recognize his importance, but you could tell by his intense look that he was preoccupied. He shrugged as he looked up at Malsi with an eerie look of discontent.
“I believe the territory should go to those who deserve it most he replied”.
Malsi responded, “And do you believe that BTD is worthy of such FINE territory with the lucrative resources that could be dedicated towards an army build of TDZ?”
Gunner Shrugged his shoulders as he continued staring out the great glass wall towards the vast empty space. “Not sure..”
Malsi turned his attention towards Kotori who had been sitting in his usual calm and observant silence thus far. “…and Kotori what are your thoughts on the matter?”
Kotori took off his thin glasses delicately off his nose. One of the soldiers behind him quickly stepped forward with thin handkerchief for him to wipe them clean of their imperfections. His carefully wiped the glasses in a circular and precise motion. He returned the handkerchief and gently returned the spectacles to his face.
“Territory is granted to those who display good competition. If it is in the best interest for the northern alliance, then I do not see why it would be an issue. In fact, BTD have sometimes shown that they act cowardly”. The two commanding war officers Shadowsong and Chinaping nodded their heads in the background as they displayed approval of every word Kotori had muttered.
Sasha looked at Shadowsong and they caught each other’s eyes in a determining stare. They harbored an unusual past but regardless of how cautious she was of Shadowsong, Sasha had preferred to focus on the task at hand.
“Well then, this seems to be an easy decision” Malsi concluded. “The land of BTD will be granted towards TDZ to war and claim for their own. The capture of this land will be dedicated towards the northern Federation which will continue in its expansion of its ever-growing Army” Malsi slightly turned towards Sasha with an eager smile he withheld. “Sasha, do you accept this claim on the land?”
“Yes sir” In the most discreet way she could, she let a little wink to Malsi as she spoke. They had a unique code no one else could understand. She was surprised the meeting had gone so swimmingly.. It had been years of petty skirmishes between BTD and TDZ. The quarrels over poor trade deals, the insufferable encounters with Nogard… She could not understand how this gangly man rose to such power. She was finally excited to see a chance and opportunity for her team use their combative skill as they went to claim what was rightfully theirs.
“I'll be thrilled to tell the team of the council’s decision…” She continued. She recalled the excitement she harbored in her heart when she could relay the message of approval to her two trusted officers Podav off and Fab’R.
Malsi had looked around the room at each leader as he concluded the meeting. “Well since there is NO objection to the claim of the land on BTD of TDZ, we motion to the expansion of TDZ. All in favor of the BTD overtaking, say I”.
Kotori was the first to say I. Malsi the second. Sasha third and lastly Gunner. Malsi continued, “The meeting is adjourned. Thank you for coming. May the northern federation continue to prosper!”.
“That fucking rosé ….” Sasha murmured under her breath. Erfan turned to her with a confused look.
“You have a stash you want to share?” He inquired excitedly. She remembered the bottle of Rose she split with Podav and Fab’R when she delivered the good news.
“Oh…um.. actually.. I do have some fine cigars and a bottle of whiskey in the council room….” She responded. She was eager to let her worries melt from her mind and she had always felt comfortable with Erfan.
They walked down the corridors and arrived to the council room. She looked into the biometric system with scanned her left eye. She lifted her hand to place her thumbprint down but the door opened without any further security.
Erfan and Sasha entered the darkness. Erfan went to turn the lights on, but she shook her head in disapproval. The stocked cigars and whiskey were for diplomatic meetings in which the leaders felt it was necessary to celebrate. Sasha found the cabinet which held the goodies and unlocked the cupboard door. She grabbed the bottle and spun the top off quickly then began to take a swig out of the bottle. Her gripping fingertips stretched the bottle over to Erfan who took the bottle and followed suit. The door suddenly opened and the two looked over their shoulders like two fiending racoons on a hunt for treasure from trash.
“Forget something?” A calm collected voice said. A silhouette stood in the doorway of the council room leaned against the door with arms crossed.
“You want some?” Sasha took the gambol as she offered a shot of the galaxies finest Whiskey.
“Fuck yea.” The figure moved in the room. He closed and locked the door behind as he turned the dimmest light he could find on.
“Lars! You scared the shit out of me!” Erfan exclaimed.
Lars chuckled as he casually walked towards Sasha. He grabbed he bottle and took a large gulp. The drips of whiskey poured and dripped from his mouth. He wiped him face clean with his arm and handed the bottle back to Erfan. Lars was known to be a very even tempered individual. Seldom bothered him but when he was put to the test, he demonstrated the fiercest spirit the galaxy had ever seen. He was a force to be reckoned with. He had a unique rough hearty accent that the ancient text referred to as Irish. She looked at both Erfan and Lars with a slight warmth in her face. She enjoyed the feeling of being a tad buzzed but it still didn’t remove the feeling of angst from Overlord3 being hit.
“Don’t weerry Feesh” Lars said in an assuring tone as he placed his hand gently on her shoulder. Lars had the remarkable gift of understanding exactly what worries were running across Sasha’s troubled mind. “We need to fOhcus on closin our territory ya know. Overlord3 will be fieehn. Wee aRe stronggg as longg as wee steeck togetherr”.
“I know. I just, feel like. Its been overwhelming. It hasn’t been the easiest to merge with the Northern Federation and to be honest – I am not really sure if they have our best interests at heart” She paused feeling as though she had said too much while mildly inebriated. She added without pause, “…aside from GFN of course.”
“Its all gooingg to be fieehn” Lars repeated. “But I dohn’t think I can take anuther moment in the god for saken smOke!” He exclaimed as he looked at Erfan who had been silently chain smoking in a day dream.