Empires of Saturn, Part One

Chapter 9, Anxious Voices

Chpt. 9 Anxious Voices

"In times of war, we can afford no such place for the decadence ya teach our future soldiers with, Remadir." The High Strategist snapped at the leader of Titan's military academy.

"We are not yet in e time of war, High Strategist." Remadir Monzroe replied in irritation.

"So ya intend to wait until we are to teach them properly?" The Battle Coordinator chimed in.

"That is quite enough." Birana said darkly, eyeing them.

They all wisely stopped talking, turning to her. They were in a secluded, round room underneath the Crescent Pillar in Crown, in a meeting about the seemingly inevitable calamity of war that was soon due, preparing for it. There was a circular holographic projector in the center of the room, sticking out of the floor, in a short, cylindrical table. The floor around it was arrayed in steps, each of those present- totaling 7- having a seat two steps back from the projector, allowing a space to walk on the bottom step, and a decent view of the hologram from their seats.

"If ye're all done arguing..." Draconis said dryly, leaning forward in his seat as he passed his gaze around the room. "We've e bloody battleplan to make!" His knuckles cracked as he gripped the sides of his seat, shouting at them.

They looked surprised, shrinking back into their seats, avoiding his gaze.

"Now tha's bloody bett'r!" The king continued, setting himself back in his seat again and letting out a sigh.

Birana was looking at him strangely, and she shook her head, turning back to the others. "Agent Karrinius, what've ya to report?"

Their master spy was none other than a man of recent Iedran ancestry, so he looked Iedran, though he sounded a Titanite, unless he didn't want to. Fyrras Karrinius was perhaps half again older than Castor, making him around 43, or in Earth Years, as many preferred, about 31. Despite being the youngest person in the room, he was very talented, and he oversaw all of the Royal Government's intel on the other moons of Saturn, and occasionally assisted his older sister Ahrvush, who was the head of Titan's Security Sector of government, and consequently earned herself a rightful seat on the War Council and her place as admiral of the fleet. Birana regretted that they even needed a War Council, but they had one, nonetheless.

"That... primarily depends on where ye'd like me te start..." Fyrras said.

"Torhindred, would be our biggest threat, so start there." Draconis told him.

He nodded. "That may not be true, but very well. To all available intel that's reached me ears, they plan for war."

"By gods, you were right..." Draconis whispered to himself.

"...I'm sorry?" Fyrras stopped, thinking he had been intended to hear that.

"Nothin'." Draconis waved a hand. "Carry on lad."

Fyrras looked at him sideways, but continued. "Torhindred plans for war. However... I cannot say I fully believe we are the target... I have... other news, about Alrotha. Me sources also 'ave been indicating for some time that Alrotha and Torhindred are at odds, as I've told ya about before. In addition to this, one of our spies on Alrotha intercepted a transmission straight from King Hasion to the Ruling Seat of Alrotha. She says Hasion told them this, and I quote, 'Your time has ended, and your decision is clear to me. Do not say I did not warn you. Because you did not ally with me, we will devour you.' End quote."