Hydra Heart

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter 26: Yogirl Made Yogurt On My Face

The door of the water plane opened, letting in a sharp glare. The pilot and crew escorted the Kit users down from the roof on which they had landed, into a building. One tried to shake Vesta's hand, but was dismissed by a smack instead. Onwards, the three continued until they could no longer hear the growl of the engine. They found themselves in a luxurious office with a woman pouring them a drink. The room was adorned with flowers that grew on the island no longer.

"I must admit," the woman began in a calm, prepared voice, "it's a surprise to see you here. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we could help you, but it's odd to see members of the organization so... stranded." She sounded pensive and distraught on the last word. "Anyway, what can we do for you?"

Shay immediately suggested, "I want 300 credits. It's for fighting Hirudenia."

Vesta waved a hand at her. "We need to get into Hirudinea undetected. Can you make that happen?"

"Yes, but, I need something from you in exchange."

"Of course you do, what is it?"

"A public appearance. It would do me well to be seen with some heroes."

"Heroes?" Vesta interjected. "I think my body count is in the low thousands."

"You are resisting Hirudinean tyranny. This little island has not forgotten what it was like under their control."

The three exchanged a look. The question in their heads that Priscilla eventually verbalized was, "Where are we, exactly?"

The lady smirked. "The small nation of Redwood. You've heard of our trees, but not of us. All these years we have gotten to keep our changing of hands, our revolution, because Hirudinea, and what used to be the Alogan government, thought we had no resources. Have you noticed they only send troops to 'restore peace and order' when there is something to be obtained?"

The three nodded. She was preaching to the choir.

"Anyway, I'll elaborate on our island's little predicament later. In the meantime, let's go chase some PR!" The lady seemed very unabashed about her goals.

"So, who are you?" Priscilla asked.

"I'm Nalend, Prime Minister of Redwood."

--

The cavalcade passed through the streets, and the members of the organization peered out of the car window like kids on a road trip. Through tinted glass, the city came in as a looming, dense, heavily urbanized area. The Prime Minister was serious about it being a small island, it took them only a few minutes to get to a room where a press conference was held.

Once they were there, the Prime Minister made an opening statement, while the Kit users stayed backstage, so as to conceal their identities. "Today, I am pleased to announce that we have conducted joint maneuvers with the organization of Cremsillian Kit users, and landed a blow against the Hirudenian Navy, which was encroaching on Redwood seas. We are very pleased to announce our allyship and cooperation with this group, and to set the groundwork for future diplomacy and further joint military operations."

The room went abuzz with reporters scrambling to record footage and ask questions. Priscilla and Vesta wanted to leave, but they had promised one more thing.

--

They sat down and had mics attached to them. It would be audio only, once again as a measure to protect the three's identity. However, the Prime Minister explained why she made sure the audience knew she was hosting the interview.