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Chapter 12

The captain called for an emergency meeting. Wooyoung was able to perform everyday activities much to everybody’s relief. The past few days consisted of bland food. Yeosang by now was able to walk around but advised to limit physical activity. The whining didn’t lessen though.

We all huddled around the table to view the papers that laid on top. All the papers addressed the ambush and threats. There were other threats that had been printed afterwards which only aggravated the captain even more. The whole room was tense. 

“We’ll be officially putting business on hold till we get a whole scope of the situation first. Business between the alliance would still resume.” 

“How long would that be?” Mingi asked. 

“As long as our supplies permit us. Update on the inventory?”

“During the attack, not once did they target the supplies. I didn’t have time to count up-” 

“It should last four months at most.” Yeosang interjected. 

“I have contacted the alliance and arranged a meeting in a few days. We all need to be there.” There were collective groans around the room. 

“Alliance meetings are so boring. It’s just a bunch of two-faced people yapping away.” San complained. 

“You’re going whether you like it or not.” 

With those final words, the meeting came to an end. I dawdled a little behind and sat down opposite of Hongjoong who had anticipated questions. He slid forward writing materials. 

“I presume the questions are about the alliance?” 

I nodded. 

“The alliance is a bunch of groups under the agreement that we offer help if a group is attacked. There is guaranteed trade between groups with less conditions in the transactions. In most ways possible, it is beneficial to join an alliance theoretically.” 

Then what was San talking about?

Hongjoong let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. 
“Well, each group representative has their own interests and different idyllics of how they lead their groups. The alliance is a political and economical decision but it doesn’t exclude personal interests."

There’s a chance that there are groups who don’t adhere to alliance agreements? 

“That’s the concern. Sovereignty lies in the power of individual leaders of each group. I have suspicions that some have teamed up with the Black Tigers. How else would they have intel about our activities? That’s why it is safer to attend the meeting as a whole team. Nobody can publicly attack there.” 

I fidgeted with the pen in hand. It meant I had to make an appearance in front of a lot more people. Hongjoong noticed my unease. 

“You’ll be fine if you stick with the others.”

I returned the writing material and shortly dismissed. I wandered down the hallway in deep thought. I had a sudden thought which solidified an impending decision. Coming to a firm resolve, I made my way to find Seonghwa.

Soft singing could be heard from Seonghwa's regular workroom. I was drawn to the melodies and entered the room. He swivelled in his chair and halted his singing, clearly startled by my unannounced presence. 

“You’re going to need to make noise so you don’t induce heart attacks.” 

I raised both my arms in a joking manner. Seonghwa smoothed out his jacket and regained his composure.