The Zodiac Cycle

3.1 Rebellion

"Maybe if we send a squad in to stock extra weapons, we could have some in the castle when we start the raid." Mark suggested, moving some plastic markers across the table to demonstrate what he had said.

"We don't have the extra weapons available." Stormy scratched the back of his neck.

"Could I make them?" Mark asked him.

Stormy shook his head. "not enough material."

"Could we get more?" Mark checked the table again, counting the pieces. He did this a lot, he counted everything. There were 12 pieces that symbolized weapons.

Stormy revealed one more weapon piece and set it on the table. "Thirteen's the most we could scrounge together."

"That's not enough." Mark ran his hands through his navy blue hair.

"Mark." Vel finally spoke, done quietly listening to the conversation and finally jumping in. "We are at a standstill. We are barely surviving here, let alone prepared enough to do anything else."

"So what, we just give up?" Mark asked her.

"Of course not." Vel shook her head. "There is one more option." she turned her head slightly toward the vampire in the corner of the room.

The vampire looked at her, shocked she would even suggest such a thing. "No."

"Olive, we have no choice."

"I don't care, they are not an option. We can have a covert operation to get Sakura close if need be." Olive had heard what happened two years ago and got news from the mainland quite often about the team of so-called heroes.

"And if that doesn't work then we lose Sakura and the only chance we have." Vel responded.

"We are not asking the Zodiacs to help, they had their chance and they failed." Olive crossed her arms.

"That was over two years ago," Mark huffed, "I'm sure this time they'll be more prepared and stronger."

"You don't know that." Olive nearly growled.

"And you dont know that they'll lose." Vel raised her voice a bit. "If nothing else, we at least ask if they can help."

"And if they say no?" Stormy asked pessimistically.

"Then we haven't lost anything we had before." Vel stood up.

"Our dignity." Olive mumbled.

"We are a rebellion, Olive. A rebellion you started, might I remind you." Vel crossed her arms, her wings shifting a bit on her back. "Any dignity we had was abandoned the moment we joined. All in favor of requesting assistance from the Zodiacs, say aye."

"Aye." Mark said.

"Aye." Stormy also agreed, raising his hand, realizing that that was kinda useless with Vel, and immediately lowering it again.

"Aye." Vel finished, not expecting a vote from Olive.

Olive didnt respond. She did not want to ask the Zodiacs for help, but she'd basically been out voted already anyway. "Fine, on two conditions."

"Okay?"

"One; you need to talk to Sakura and make sure she's okay with this. She's involved and needs to have a say in it." Olive put one finger up.

"That sounds fair, I'll talk to her." Vel nodded.

"And two;" Olive continued after Vels approval, "if you are going to ask for their help, you need to get all of them, not just some."