Dawning Skye C.568Feb 26, 2023

568 Overreactions(Part Three)

“What did you find?” Genie asked after flashing a glare at Yaris.

“Seems a hefty amount of weapons was moved ta a house just a few blocks from here. A...Senator Utani, ta be precise. He got three crates, which seems ta be one of the largest deliveries. Only one delivered ta Senator Nin’s property is larger. Five crates were sent there.”

Bai Lei sighed heavily at Skye’s words; “He lives right outside of the palace. If they can occupy that, then they will have control over the heavy-duty weapons that Sai keeps hidden away.”

Tidas and Skye whipped their heads towards Bai Lei, and asked in unison; “What weapons?”

“The ones that our ancestors decided should Never be used. They called them ‘nuclear missiles’, and said that each could ultimately wipe out half the continent. There’s only three, but those could easily destroy the world as we know it,” Bai Lei rubbed at his chin as he finished speaking.

“I had no idea that Sai had nukes. We learned all about those in the Highlands. They have some, too.. If Tokuga got his hands on those, he just might use one,” Tidas replied, his worry plain on his face.

“He canna be that stupid, can he?” Skye asked, genuinely shocked that someone would be capable of it.

Bai Lei thumbed the edge of a random paper as he replied; “If he couldn’t control Sai: I believe Chen would choose to watch the world burn.”

An uncomfortable silence filled the room for a few moments before Skye clapped her hands; “Aye! Let’s get ta work then! Gotta make sure that psycho canna get anywhere near those nukes.”

“How?” Hang interjected huffily; “If they take the senate building, then they may even be able to take control of the army. And they already have the weapons, so the chances of us being able to get to them first are slim to none.”

.....

Skye smirked; “Not necessarily.. I got a plan, but let me get all of the locations, and send Yaris on his way before we discuss it. He canna be trusted not ta spill our secrets if Tokuga catches wind that he was here.”

“Ignorance is bliss, and I do so love to be made happy,” Richard commented as he flashed Skye a sultry smile; “Although, there are many things aside from ignorance that can be...blissful.”

“Ya Really wanna die here, don’t ya?” Skye asked, her voice ringing with utter seriousness.

“He keeps talking like that, and he will: whether he wants to die, or not,” Tidas added with narrowed eyes.

“...You two really need to lighten up,” Yaris retorted, but kept quiet after that.

It took a couple of hours for Skye to go through all of Richard Yaris’ files and ledger, but it had been well worth it. Many of the senators that supported Tokuga were on Richard’s lists, and the weapons were being stored on their properties. Once Yaris was sent away with a large fuss, they began to talk about how to handle the situation.

If they could somehow prove that the weapons were there, then everyone involved would be stripped of their positions and titles..

“Tokuga may be smart enough to know not to keep the weapons on his own property, but if we can arrest his supporters, then it should be enough to make him concede his attempt for the throne,” Hang commented.

“But how do we prove it?” Mei asked; “You would not be able to gain a search warrant without proof of their existence first, and Richard Yaris will never allow us to use his records. And just attempting to get a search warrant would notify Tokuga of what we were up to, and he would most definitely have the weapons moved.”

As Genie started to pace, he began to mutter out loud; “So we need proof to get the search warrant, but can’t get the proof without a search warrant first.. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.”

Skye had been staring at her notes when she said; “Well, looks like we’ll just have ta go wit option three, then.”

“And that is?” Hang asked a bit hastily.

Skye smirked; “We get the proof from all the sites, and show it to the Senate: all at once.”

Everyone stared at Skye with dumbfounded expressions for a few moments before Hang began to sarcastically criticize her; “That’s an excellent plan. We can have our army of flying pigs distract them while we just stroll our way in, and collect a few guns and swords for evidence against them.”

Skye maintained her cocky grin; “Ye can do that, but it’d be pointless. We willna need distractions fer me plan ta work.”

“Well, don’t keep us in suspense! What did you think up, love?” Tidas asked enthusiastically.

After setting down the papers, Skye glanced at each member of the group in turn as she said; “If we can figure out a way ta find where they’re keepin’ the weapons, then I can use me Earth magic, and make a tunnel leadin’ to’em underground. We can have Bai Lei and Hang call a meetin’, and use video cameras ta show the weapons as we break through the ground..”

“The Senators involved will have ta explain on the spot why they all have illegal weapons.. Some may even turn on Tokuga ta save their arses. We can take’em wit minimal fightin’, and get catch’em all at once.” ƒ𝘳ee𝔀e𝚋n૦𝐯el.c𝗼𝓂

Bai Lei had been very quiet since the mention of the what properties had weapons being stored, but perked up at Skye’s plan; “That’s quite brilliant, Skye. How long will it take to make the tunnels?”

Skye shrugged; “I’d have ta look at a map first, but makin’em willna be the biggest problem. It’s keepin’ this all a secret, and locatin’ the weapons. If we canna do that first: pardon the language, but we be fucked.”

“How are we supposed to locate the weapons, though? I have no doubts that shinobi are most likely guarding them, which means we can’t send in spies,” Genie added absentmindedly.

A small quiet settled in the room as everyone tried to think when Tidas snapped his fingers; “Brownies!” 𝑓re𝘦𝔀𝗲𝘣𝘯𝘰νℯ𝒍.c𝗼ｍ

Skye grinned, but Hana looked at the Alconian Prince with confusion; “What do sweets have to do with this?”

Bai Lei and Hang had the same confused expressions as her, which made Mei, Skye, and Tidas chuckle hard. After they’d all composed themselves, Mei apologized and explained; “Brownies are small Fae that live in houses and castles..”

“They protect the home, and do chores and such when given offerings. When they become offended, things tend to come up missing. Most homes have them, like here. I leave offerings once a week, but enough to last a week. I do it when we are at our home as well.”

Bai Lei smiled softly at his daughter; “How do you know all of this?”

“It’s those books, right? The ones in Rukia’s room?” Hana asked as she recalled seeing a Fae on the cover.

Mei smiled sweetly at Hana as she replied; “Yes. Plus, Skye has told me stories about the ones at her home, and at the palace. If we could somehow talk with the ones here, then maybe we could work out a deal?”

“That’s genius, Mei! They could easily scout out where the weapons be, and report back! We can leave a note wit yer next offerin’, and ask fer their help. I’ll write fer ’em ta check wit the Empress and Celestia, if they doubt our intentions,” Skye exclaimed as she patted Mei on her shoulder.

As the women started to celebrate their plan, Bai Lei flashed a dour demeanor; “I do not think that it is a good idea that we continue to stay here. Jin and I have decided to move everyone to my estate. Because I am a Senator, I can request more shinobi for guards, but we have to be at my estate to justify the request. Due to who Jin is, the senate will not approve any more being assigned here.”

“Well that’s bullshit. Why would the place matter if the people be deemed important enough to protect?” Skye commented with an annoyed expression.

“The Senate thinks that I should be capable enough on my own to protect my home and guests. But the weapon cashes change things. If a large group of people showed up to attack, I do not think I could protect everyone at once. Especially if they send in Magi mixed in with regular soldiers.”

“Magi? What’s that?” Tidas asked.

“It is the Saianese term from a shinobi mage. Since mages are rare-well, used to be rare, they’re similar to Alcon’s RMC. It’s a specialized group that have been trained to incorporate their magic into their...line of work,” Genie’s face had scrunched in thought as he he tried to word himself delicately, for Mei’s sake.

This was her first time being involved in the intrigues of politics. Both Bai Lei and Genie were worried that such harsh realities would make Mei become apathetic to the world. Or even worse, make her willingly choose to turn away from it, and ignore it.

But Mei had a completely opposite reaction to the brutality of the world.

Instead of hiding away or burying her head in the sand, Mei listened intently to the facts of the issues, and logically tried to come up with solutions. Bai Lei was extremely proud of how his daughter was handling herself, as were the others. While she started to talk about her father’s estate, Bai Lei placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder..

“I will leave the task of communicating with the Fae to you. I believe that this is a task well-suited to you, and that you can accomplish it. Do you accept?”

Mei’s heart felt like it was going to float away, it was so light. Her father had never trusted her with a task of this nature before, and it showed that his faith in her had grown exponentially. As Mei happily agreed, Skye watched the happy scene with a half-smile.

She was ecstatic for Mei, but something in her gut twisted every time she thought about moving to Bai Lei’s estate. Seeing that her happiness tainted by something, Tidas asked; “What’s wrong, love? Do you feel alright?”

Skye nodded in the negative, and forced her face into a massive grin. Tidas could easily tell that it was forced, but he didn’t want to push the matter.. ‘I wonder if she’s still angry about the door..’

As Tidas fretted, Skye took a sip of her tea.. ‘I hope Ima wrong, but I feel like somethin’ terrible is about ta happen.. I hope everyone at home is okay.. Yuletide is nearly here, I wonder how me parents will handle the gifts this year? They said they did well last year, but I dinna ken.. I miss’em..”

Looking up at her husband, Skye commented; “We best get ta the details and plannin’, or we’ll be here all night.”