Fear Incarnate

Fear Incarnate Part 21

The conference in Bright Moon was tense, and everyone present did not wish to even look the Queen in the eyes. The Queen herself was taking the news of her daughter's capture as well as one could, her face was unreadable as always even if Innoak could tell from a small psychic brush she was harboring deep conflict. Finally, when no one decided to speak and begin the briefing Innoak took the stage. He strode to the holomap and began to speak, pushing his vox amplifiers up enough for him to be understood clearly. "We have all failed. We have failed as friends, as protectors, even as mothers." he let it sink in, and ignored the murmurs and Angella's worsening mood. "I will not sugarcoat my words here, I will not save face to protect your precious feelings. All of us have failed Glimmer and Bow, we were too engrossed in our own troubles to pay attention to the enemy. And because we lost sight of our true objective, we allowed the Princess and Bow to be taken." Innoak paused and observed the downcast faces surrounding him, a small part of him wished to join them. Innoak was an Astartes though, he was the shield that protected humanity from its ever encroaching enemies. He could not be weak, he could show only strength. "There is hope however, a chance our myriad wrongs can be set right. Before us lie three options, each will be difficult and may result in loss of life. These are our options; First, we let the Horde keep Glimmer and Bow." Innoak raised a hand to cease the swelling murmurs and questions.

"Yes, it is strange but an option nonetheless. We let the Horde keep the two and let them believe we do not want them returned. It is possible the Horde will give up and let them free. This in my opinion is stupid, but the least risky as we will not need to expend resources for a potential rescue mission. Now, we come to our second option: A full military attack, utilizing Princess Entrapta's new skiffs of which we possess five. We can use lightning hit and run tactics to draw Horde forces out of the Fright Zone and bring them straight into an ambush. We will then be able to send in another force capable of infiltrating the enemy compound and rescuing our prisoners. In my opinion this is the option with the highest chance of succeeding, but it is also a risky gambit and a large expenditure of our already waning resources. The final option however, proposes that we send in a small strike force of Princesses only. Led by Adora of course due to her knowledge of the Horde's prison layout. This plan is incredibly risky but a small resource investment and we may be able to deal a crippling blow to Horde morale. The choice is now in your hands Queen Angella, though I suggest you listen to the opinions of this room before you make the decision."

The room was sepulcher silent as everyone looked to the Queen for an answer, she took a minute and did something altogether unexpected. "Everyone leaves, Adora and Innoak will stay. I will not tolerate a single word from anyone else." As the room filtered out, Adora stood at Innoak's side as they both awaited the Queen. "I should have never let her leave the castle. I should have never let her leave my side." The Queen looked up, her eyes were holding back tears but only barely. "I trusted you two with her life, and I expected BETTER!" The Queen was standing now, her face red and streaming tears. Innoak could now see where Glimmer got her fury. But in this case it was misplaced, and it was time to bring the Queen back to her senses. "Mistakes are always made." he said simply, expecting a retort but when none came he wondered if the Queen was too furious to respond. "Mistakes are always made, I have failed your daughter and spent too much time deliberating instead of acting. That is my mistake, and I will atone for it once your daughter is safe. You however have become blinded by your loss, so much that you eschew the wisdom of your court and instead choose to yell at me and Adora! As though reprimanding us for something we have already suffered will bring your daughter back!" Innoak called upon his powers to dim the light of the chamber and make himself more intimidating, he drew upon Angella's fear to scare her into listening. "So go out there and act like a Queen, show your people the strength they need at this time, show them you will stop at nothing until Glimmer is safe and sound and they shouldn't either! Give them a decision on how to bring her and Bow back, give them leadership! Give them a Queen to follow, in life or in death." He drew his powers back, settling on one final sentence to end on. Surprisingly though, Adora took the moment herself. "Your majesty. I will do anything I can to bring her back, but not everyone wants to charge into the Fright Zone for two people. We need a leader to inspire us, someone who has our back." Angella slumped back in her chair, she took a deep breath and nodded. "Call everyone back in, we have a mission to plan."