Chapter 220: Covert Ops (1/2)
Mike dropped by the Almiran Scouting Corps, a sort of catch-all military organization that was once an esoteric knight order specializing in reconnaissance, but had evolved, like many others of its kind, into something else entirely. They handled most forms of intelligence gathering in Almir, covering everything from espionage to surveying.
While he didn't have complete access to their information, something that only the reigning monarchs and their direct representatives would, he could still request reports on almost anything. Unfortunately, like many other components of the Almiran military in the capital, they were woefully understaffed, with a majority of their personnel trapped behind enemies lines with the Western Army.
After a little trouble locating their office, since they had taken up in the basement of a chandler's shop across the street, Mike collected the dossier on the situation with the Second Prince. He tried asking for any further information about the Tenundians' activities, specifically about what was going on in the camp, but was told that nothing new had been uncovered.
Deciding that it would be better to head home and get ready for the mission, he went back to the dorm. He could use the time to plan and prepare. It also gave him a chance to brief the others on what was going on. Something which had surprising results.
”I'd like to go with you.” Tal commented once he finished his explanation.
”I'm not sure what she said, but don't think you are leaving me out of this one.” Sera chimed in as well.
He was about to categorically deny them, when he remembered his conversation with Brenden. Mere hours ago, he'd had a fight with him over just this sort of thing. Perhaps it was time to ignore his instinctive response.
[Yeah, it would keep them safer, but is it the best thing for them?]
”This is an infiltration mission at the center of an enemy fleet. If anything goes wrong, or I am incapacitated for any reason, you'd be trapped there. Are you sure you want to participate?” He asked, trying to appear solemn as he did so.
”That's fine. I have no intention of being a burden.” Tal replied without hesitation.
”Right. What she said. I think.” The Oracle chimed in.
Mike sighed, dropping the stack of papers from the Scouting Corps onto the table. ”Alright then, we have a few hours to work on a plan. Our target is the Huntsman, a mid-sized merchant vessel that was recently outfitted for wartime usage. Crew size is estimated around thirty, but its likely the Tenundians have several soldiers on board to maintain order. Thus, we can expect a mix of Almiran sailors and enemies in a roughly equal ratio.”
He lifted the first page of the document, ”According to this report, the Second Prince was likely in the process of returning from a meeting with the Ateshans when the boat he was on was captured. He was traveling incognito, and is believed to have been impressed along with the rest of the crew when the ship was captured.”
”That's a silly thing for him to do.” Lily commented absently.
”Well, its not all that strange...” Mike blinked at the newcomer who had snuck in while he was distracted. ”How long have you been here?”
”Since the bit about the prince getting captured.” She replied nonchalantly while sitting down in one of the open chairs.
Sera glowered at the woman. ”We're talking about something important at the moment, and it doesn't concern you. So, could you give us some space.”
Lily gave the Oracle a blank look, ”Why?”
Suppressing a chuckle at the vein that started throbbing in Sera's forehead, Mike cut in before this went too far. ”Lily, we're planning a mission. One that's going to be rather dangerous, but also require a degree of subtlety. I'm not sure if it really suits someone of your...proclivities.”
”Hm, that does make sense.”
[She's aware of it?]
”Wait, wait. Why are you even entertaining taking her. I know she's a martial arts student and everything...” Sera leaned closer and whispered, ”but she's kinda of crazy.”
”I heard that.” Lily commented with no hint of sarcasm or irritation.
Ignoring the cross chatter, he explained. ”I suppose with all the confusion during the attack yesterday, I forgot to mention. Lily has a rare bloodline which gives her ridiculous strength and the ability to negate damage up to a certain threshold. Together, they make her a combat powerhouse. So much so, she played a large role in crushing the last Tenundian offensive against the main gate.”
Sera frowned, ”Well that's all well and good, but if she goes with us, she could end up learning certain secrets. Specifically the big one, if you catch my meaning.” She waggled her eyebrow in an effort to communicate subliminally, but it ended up looking ridiculously obvious.
[Well, it had to come up eventually...]
”I don't think that's going to be an issue.” He replied with a sigh.
”What do you mean?” Tal asked in the ancient tongue, suddenly looking concerned, at least as much as she was able to. ”Did she discover your identity?”
”In same manner the rest of you did, actually.” He replied eventually, feeling guilty about it for some reason.
[This is probably how a cheating husband feels when introducing his mistress to his wife.]
Tal went stony, but remained silent. Sera, on the other hand, understood enough from context to make the logical leap.
”What? With her?! Why?!”
Rubbing the back of his head, he answered, ”Well, its not exactly like I have any control of who ends up getting the title, and she did help me out quite a bit while I was storming the Tenundian encampment...I'm not really sure how this whole thing works.”
”Only one?” Tal asked seriously. Despite her emotionless tone and face, the words seemed to carry an unseen pressure.
”The only one who got the title, yes.” Mike paused, thinking about it seriously, ”at least to my knowledge.”
”Oh great! So you could be spreading your destiny around, and you don't even know who might be effected!” Sera exclaimed.
”Look! I don't know how this all works! I don't know the requirements for acquiring the title, so I can't rule out the possibility that others are out there. However, I high doubt it. I haven't seen or felt any other evidence to the contrary.” He shot back defensively.
The Oracle glared at him for a few moments, then sighed. ”Fine, that's fair. Still, that doesn't mean we have to take her. You said yourself, she lacks discretion.”