Chapter 28: Housekeeping

* The crisis cell that I had gathered, gathered not only the best I know but also all the elements capable of fulfilling the kind of mission that I was going to entrust to them. Troy and Swan have been my longtime friends. They know about my projects in the broad outline as in the small ones and they adhere to it. Lancell is my foal and I intend to make a man of power out of him. He must learn to get his hands dirty, otherwise he will remain the innocent little kid in the family. Caroline Barclay is something else, strangely I felt ... Alchemy between her and me. From the moment we met our minds connected, I quickly understood that she and I, in addition to being on the same wavelength, have practically the same goals. Only downside I'm just afraid that his military career encroaches on mine. In addition, she is older and therefore has more experience than me *.

-I think I understand why most of us are here. * Said Swan * but that does not explain the presence of this pig.

* Ophelia gave him a distorted smile that hid her aggressiveness very poorly *.

-If you want the pig to make you emasculate it can be arranged.

- That's enough you two. If Müller is here it is because she has the skills and the profile. And between us it's that or she joins the Mafia. With her skills it would be a mess in the streets and I don't want Aether to become the new capital of crime.

* He sighed and regained his composure as he walked over to her then held out his hand *.

- I'll make the effort to believe you. *He told me*. we're going to say that none of this happened.

* She looked him up and down then smiled, looking away *.

-I want to forgive you because you're Handsome.

* Swan returned to his seat, crossing his arms. Personally I lied, if Muller is here it is pure chance. I have no doubts about her skills but her versatile side risks messing everything up. And I need to keep an eye on her to keep her under control *.

-Major Hook here will be our direct link with the staff.

- Hello young people. * He said quickly *.

-Does that mean that our operations from now on are state approved? * Asked Troy *.

-As I said, nothing must come out of here in other words it is classified confidential and secret defense. If we succeed, so much the better if we fail we will be simply beheaded.

-And who in the general staff supports us for such a project? * Asked Ophelia *.

-General Baldra Lineberg. * I replied *.

* Everyone remained silent without saying a word upon hearing his name. Somehow it was reassuring that a 4-star general was covering us, but conversely it put a lot of pressure because we could be fooled at any time. I walked over to the board, pointing my finger at the photos *.

-This cell will have two objectives. The first will be to assess the threat posed by the North and seek to know if it to be taken seriously.

- In other words at the general staff it continues to think like Mongols. * Said Troy *.

-Exactly. Even with such a defeat, they want something solid, something concrete.

-And what's the second? * Barclay asked *.

* I had a slightly sly smile that crept onto my lips *.

-Identify who this SEB bastard is ?

* Seb, if I were paranoid I would think of Sebatian directly, but then I ask myself a lot of questions. Questions like what do these 3 letters mean? Why do I have the unpleasant impression that the longer I wait, the more dangerous this guy becomes. Is it a man or a woman? Has anyone seen him before? *.

-Well our first task is to identify how far we have been infiltrated?

-Infiltrate ?

-Yes during the prisoner exchange some of them had to discuss above all with the enemy to make them adhere to their cause and since either they roll for them, or they want to make us sympathize.

-Do you think that purebred Elysians have become spies of the enemy? * Barclay asked *.

-Everything depends on the perception we have of this said enemy. If that happens Seb just wants to negotiate hence his merry-go-round with the prisoners. *I said*.

-If so, that would explain why he treated them so humanely. * Said Lancell *. It would even be a very good thing if we managed to negotiate peace with them.

* Everyone turned to Lancell with a little disgusted look. To hear it, life is a fairy tale. But he is right on one point making peace with the North would be more than beneficial for us *.

-Ok Zell, that gives us 35 thousand potential suspects. * Said Swan *. And they are all going home.

-I'm not sure I have conducted 35,000 interogatory in my career. * tell Hook while lighting a cigarette *.

* Friedich calmly stepped forward and stapled the newspaper to the board *.

-No need to have them all under your arm. Just gathered their leader and stopped them from acting. * He said *.

* He showed pictures in the newspaper where we saw several soldiers in uniform manifesting *.

-The fooools. * Said Troy who was almost smiling *. They don't even try to hide.

* The newspaper reported on recent activist movements fighting for the rights of people of color in the country. Me, despite my reforms, I just managed to get them a stable job and the right to join the army without being forced. The right to citizenship was far behind *.

-Our primary targets are Sergeant Pit Carter, Captain Jefferson Travis and Lieutenant Sean Harris. He is a noble. * Friedich explained *.

-Harris did you say Harris? * Asked Decken *.

-Yes why ?

* Troy's gaze grows harder *.

-The nobleman who burned Shina's coffee is called Tom Harris.

- Who would that be? His father, his brother? * Fried asked *.

-He was young so go for his brother. * Supported Troy *.

-We will proceed methodically and find out what is behind this masked propaganda campaign.

* I hit the board with the palm of my hand *.

-If they want to negotiate, we will negotiate. * I say in a deep voice *. If they want war then war they will have. And between us I sincerely hope that they choose the second option.

* We all began to put on a dark, sly, almost demonic smile. To tell the truth everyone in the room was great bellicose, but it was only Lancell and Friedich who remained calm. But that I had not noticed because I was in a hurry to do battle to save Arianne *.

-Now here are the teams. Swan and Lancell your target will be Captain Travis.

-It's OK.

-Troy and Friedich Sergeant Carter seems the most dangerous so you'll take care of him.

-It works.

-Barclay and I are going to visit the Harris.

-And me and me ? * Asked Ophelia *.

* Oh yeah I forgot. I pinched my nose and indicated the Swan and Lancell * team.

-Here is. And you major ...

- I'm going to go have a drink and come back when it's all over. Let's go young people.

-How shameless. * Thought I *.

* Seb's plan is extremely screwy but it is likely to work as long as only one of the conversion centers achieves its objective. Where the bottom line hurts is that it can't control how people react once they're started. His plan is surely to change mentalities by using the captured soldiers as an ambassador. Normally they should ask for revenge but these guys just want us to negotiate the release of prisoners and in the long term let the North become independent *.

-Haha what a joke eh. * Said Tom *.

- Indeed it is a joke of very bad taste.

* Yes I found myself drinking tea with Tom Harris, Sean's older brother, in a luxurious room in their mansion. I had dressed in a costume for the occasion and had curled my hair again. At first glance he seemed like a good person but something in his wavelength told me he was a man full of vice *.

-In any case it is an honor for me to receive a hero of the nation such as you Lord Cailum.

-The pleasure is shared.

-You know I also wanted to enlist myself to our forces in accordance with the family tradition but my father, not wanting to lose his heir, decided to send my younger brother instead.

-And that's even if he dies.

-Don't say it like that. * He said with an embarrassed smile *. Listenint to you, it is like he didn't love my brother. Which is very wrong. But that was me or him. Where do you have a head injury?

* I covered my forehead reflexively and lowered locks of hair to hide the scar left by the shell *.

-Ah, let's say that's the price to pay to keep his brother alive.

-I think I know who you're talking about. * He said taking a sip of tea *.

-But tell me more about your brother. Is this someone influential?

-Influencable I don't know, but when he got enlisted he gave off an indefectible aura on him, this will and this conviction as we see little. A true patriot, there is no denying it is this kind of young person that our army needs.

* I see, among other things, the perfect little soldier *.

-But when he came back here it was as if my little brother had been exchanged for another. He said he had finally opened his eyes and started campaigning for the rights of these pigs.

* These pigs as you speak are human beings motherfucker *.

- Realize he has completely changed and the worst thing is that I can't do anything about it, he doesn't listen to me.

- Did you talk about his experience there?

-No except that he was invited by SEB. Who could it be anyway?

* The gate bell sounds. The servant was heard arguing with someone, then footsteps or rather boots *.

-What's going on ?

* In a short time the place was invaded by several military police officers. And at their head Lieutenant Caroline Barclay. Tom did not understand well what was happening began to sweat, and I did not understand anything either because she had taken this initiative on her own. But either let's see what she had planned *.

-Diandre what does all this mean? * Harris asked *.

-Lord Tom Harris, I am arresting you for the murder of Djela Okoye.

-But ... But what are you talking about? Who is hr....

* Caroline pointed to a pistol locked in a plastic bag that she was holding *.

-We found this weapon with your fingerprints on it. Do you confirm that it is indeed yours?

-Yes, it's mine, but ...

- Lock him.

* One of the soldiers overpowered him quickly and put him in handcuffs *.

-Wait there is a mistake I'm sure there is a strong mistake. Isn't that true Lord Cailum?

* I got up and walked over to her while keeping my calm *.

-What are you doing, lieutenant. * I whispered to her *. I was supposed to cook it and bring you the evidence.

-It will take us too long, I decided to change tactics. *She says*.

-What are you doing Barclay? Obviously it is not the vincomte who would have committed this murder as you say. * I said aloud *.

-Is that so ? And why this ?

-First what kind of criminal would abandon his weapon at the crime scene ? Then what would be the motive?

-Exactly. Why would I have to kill a lousy dying of starvation in the street? * Tom added *

-In fact why you would do that you need a motive. A clear and precise mobile. *She says*. Like hatred, for example.

* One of the officers came into the room and saluted *.

-My lieutenant, we found corpses in the basement. Most of them seem to have been tortured to death.

* It is appalling how the criminals of this era did not make the effort to hide their victims. I, who was hoping to play Sherlock Holmes, will have to wait for the arrival of a first Jack the ripper. However, the cops also have teeth *.

- Dear Vincomte, you are not very smart. Not being able to go to the front frustrated you more than anything I felt in your eyes. *I said*.

* In its wavelength especially *.

-So to externalize your violent impulses you have decided to take revenge on the racial minority that makes up this country.

-Lord Cailum I thought ...

- That I was like you? Don't put me in the same bag as garbage like you. * Tell him giving him a look full of disgust *. Besides, there is no Djela Okoye and this weapon is not yours but just a model that looks like it.

* Barclay walked over to his chest *.

-Cailum the combination. * She said dryly *.

-One turn to the right 3 half-left and a full turn.

* She did so with precision and opened the safe. The weapon was still there *.

-You see ?

-My weapon ... It's still there. H ... How do you know the combination of my safe?

-You let a lot of information leak you know? It's very easy to pinpoint yourself with a little observation.

-And when the other weapon we just took a similar model. * Explained the young woman *. It served as our motive for arrest.

-Cailum little motherfucker. You trapped me.

-Only half. * I replied with a shrug *. She didn't know the combination of the safe and I didn't know the corpses in the basement. Even if it was easy to guess.

* He continued to yell as the soldiers boarded him. Barclay smiled and sat down on the couch, crossing his legs in a masculine fashion. I sat down opposite, taking off my jacket *.

- What do you think of my new house. * She asked *. I'll get lazy if I end up living here.

* She gave the maid a piercing look and then smiled *.

-A coffee without sugar.

- Immediately madam.

-And ... Not a word to anyone.

-At your service.

-Haha look how she's shaking. * Said she had to look me in the eye *.

-Ok you took me out of speed. I bow. * I tell her with a sigh.

-Funny way to admit your defeat say so. * She said haughtily *.

-Come tell me. How did you know about the corpse in the cellar?

-Of two things one Cailum. The first ... instinct. The second most of the blacks who disappear in this neighborhood are around his property. The rest was pure coincidence.

-Instinct ? I was beaten by something so trivial.

-Everything does not always follow a logic diagram Cailum. Sometimes you just have to trust your guts. Accept it and you will discover new horizons.

-Haha I admit that you intrigue me more and more.

- Come see me when you want, I will give you lessons.

* She sat down again normally and stared at me *.

-Tell me Cailum what is the perfect Elysion for you?

* Her wavelength was weird at the time but without thinking too much I answered *.

-A system based on merit and not on social status. A country that advocates meritocracy and not birth status.

-A responsible population and a government with integrity.

-A strong and efficient army.

* A maid came to poor us a glass of red wine. We got up and put our elbows in a cross like a young bride, then we each took a sip *.

-Hail Elysion.

-Hail Elysion.

* I love war but there are certain types of war that I hate and these are tribal or interracial conflicts. This kind of war is leading nowhere and handicaps the country. Harris must have thought he killed a lousy one, but to us he was just another Elysian citizen. What I want above all is a united Elysion who will be able to turn to the rest of the world by saying "we are the greatest nation in the world" *.

-I think I like you. Alfar. * Said she smiling *.

- Me too Caroline.

* End of chapter *