The Council of the Underground City

21:06

Now seems like it's the time for the meeting of the Council. As for what the Council is, it is said that it's the most powerful group of people from this city. All the Leaders and one of their Officers standing together to discuss about the problems of the Underground City. Besides them, there should be also the ruler, the Great Leader, the one responsible for anything that happens in these lands and with His people, even ruling over the Leaders themselves. All of them, they work together to protect the Underground City at all costs. As for the names, each of the Leaders are using a formal name to address themselves in this room, even if each of them have a simple name as well.

The Central Base Leader has the name EM3RY, specialised in all the equipment the military bases have. Each sketch made by the soldiers arrive in this base's hands, which later on is made into a real equipment given back to the other bases. The North Base Leader goes by the name of M1SH4M, specialised in the rescue missions around the City of Above. All the survivors of the executions that now live in this city were once people that got saved by his team. The Northwest Base Leader is N3MES1O, specialised in justice. Anybody that doesn't obey to the rules of the Underground City is punished by his base, and put "behind the cells". The East Base Leader goes by R4YMOND, specialised in protecting the entrances to the City of Above, the direct ones and the ones from the tunnels. Since each entrance is being hidden in the City of Above, his people are making sure each day that nobody from the people who live there manage to find these entrances. The South Base Leader is M4EK0, specialised in spying around the City of Above to collect information of what's happening around there. Most of the missions and all decisions depend on what her people find around the city.

And lastly, the Southeast Base Leader, who is supposedly RY4N LENKOV in this room, even if in reality, his brother is the actual Leader. They are specialised in collecting official documents from the M soldiers from the City of Above, a reason behind the dangerous missions of theirs, even though nobody from this room knows exactly how are they getting their hands on the documents. But strangely, for them, the one that rules over this entire city is just a simple man that the room knows by the name of M4TTH3W LENKOV, the Great Leader of the Underground City. Even though, this is not the truth, because the true current ruler is someone else, that being CHE5TER LENKOV. Besides all of those names, there are the Officers from each base that are only assisting to help the Leaders, as well as the Clan Leaders with the same names of their clans, the XANTH3 Clan and the EZR4H Clan.

But as you look at it, it's just a room full of people that don't seem to get along that well. You can notice the Leaders of each base along with one of their Officers as said, as well as the important clans that help with the balance of the city, arguing between each other by any kind of subject possible. To think that this is the legendary Council of the Underground City... It just gives you the vibe of a school class where the students hate each other no matter the case.

The people seem to argue about something before the Great Leader arrives, ending even in chaos. Seems like even the people from legends can be childish in the end. But as time passes, three figures enter the huge room. From them, you can notice Officer RY4N and Officer KYR4. But alongside them, there is an unknown figure, not seen before, at least by us: a tall man with white hair and blue eyes, with a long white coat with the symbols of each military base that exists, as well as the clans from the Council. When He enters, the chaotic atmosphere becomes one quiet and organised, almost as if people fear Him.

["M4TTH3W"]-It seems that everyone is present. Should we start the meeting then?

Everyone approves silently. They do seem to respect this man at all costs, for whatever reason.

["M4TTH3W"]-Very well. So, Mr. M1SH4M, you informed me this morning regarding a problem with the North Base and demanded an urgent meeting of the Council, refusing to give me any more details. Mind explaining yourself?

[M1SH4M]-With pleasure, Master M4TTH3W!

The Leader of the North Base gets up and points at a man that seems to be the Leader of one of the clans.

[M1SH4M]-Mr. XANTH3 here informed us a while ago that he will stop the productions of Verha for our base until a certain date, which he didn't specify. Our base is in need of new equipment for the rescue missions at the moment, and when I asked him for at least the emergency supplement, his answer was simply negative, without adding any kind of detail!

A woman gets up and starts talking as well, which seems to be the Leader of the South Base, pissed by the situation.

[M4EK0]-That's because our spies told us that the M soldiers got their hands on our secret currency and we suspect the reason behind this problem is your base, Mr. M1SH4M! They seem to know about the Verha currency ever since the last time the money got into your possession! We immediately told the XANTH3 Clan and asked if they could shut down for a while the transportation of supplies to confirm our theories!

[M1SH4M]-Are you seri... Mrs. M4EK0, you can't just shut down our supplies' transportation out of nowhere! Every military base depends on them, as well as we do! We already have new weapons at the Central Base that need to be paid so they can be delivered! We cannot just wait until we have approval from Mr. XANTH3 on the money!

[XANTH3]-Mr. M1SH4M, the XANTH3 Clan will reestablish the supplies' transportation in your area when we find out who was the betrayer behind all of this. Now that the General from the above knows about this secret currency, he will suspect that the C borns are currently hiding and try to make their own plans to dethrone their ruler, which will put all the missions in danger. Besides that, you already know that our people are giving a lot of their energy just for this reusable devices, and the fact that my own son refuses to take the clan's business in his hands doesn't help us either. I am sure that he doesn't do anything at the Southeast Base as well. So, we do benefit from making less money until we find more clues.

["M4TTH3W"]-Okay, enough with the arguing! We are here to solve the problem, not to jump at each other's throats!

[XANTH3]-I was just saying, Master M4TTH3W.

[M1SH4M]-Oh, yeah? How come you listened to Mrs. M4EK0 here instead of waiting for the Great Leader's approval? You have no authority to make decisions in this room without even informing Him first, Mr. XANTH3!

While everyone argues about the situation, the figure seems to have stopped listening to get rid of the annoyance caused by the chaos in this room and starts thinking of something. When he notices that, RY4N turns to see Him and tries to whisper.

[RY4N]-What is it? Something on your mind?

["M4TTH3W"]-The thing that Mrs. M4EK0 said just now... The last transportation of supplies to the North Base happened exactly when the new recruits came. If my theory is correct, we might got ourselves a clue of some possible suspects.

[KYR4]-So... there should be one of the recruits at fault, Master?

["M4TTH3W"]-It is very possible, but we do not have any proof just yet. And I actually have someone else to investigate on already.

[RY4N]-So? What do we do?

["M4TTH3W"]-I do have a plan in mind, but this time, I will execute it alone.

[RY4N]-As you always do?

["M4TTH3W"]-Hmph.

The man turns then to the people that argue, starting to speak once again.

["M4TTH3W"]-If I may, Mr. XANTH3, Mr. M1SH4M is correct. Everything regarding the supplies' transportation is only decided by the ruler of this room. I do understand your intentions, but you had to inform me first before anything done. As for your son, he is doing fine in his position. Whether he decides to continue this tradition or not, it is his decision alone on his own future life. The XANTH3 Clan can also continue with one of the members as holder of the XANTH3 name, no need of the tradition of bringing and adopting kids in the family to continue. You have nothing to worry about regarding this subject. As long as the person is a member of the XANTH3 Clan since a specific time, they can get the name of the clan as well. After all, we are not talking about the Great Leader title. Now, Mrs. M4EK0, do you have any suspects regarding the situation in cause?

[M4EK0]-Unfortunately, no, Master M4TTH3W. We didn't manage to figure out anything about this problem just yet. No matter how many times my spies went to investigate, nobody managed to find any kind of clue about what's happening. As I said, it's just a theory for now.

["M4TTH3W"]-And Mr. M1SH4M, were you in touch with this information regarding the Verha currency before the meeting started?

[M1SH4M]-No, Master M4TTH3W. I'm afraid we only found out about it now.

["M4TTH3W"]-It is very possible that the reason behind the ignorance may be because both the XANTH3 Clan and the South Base kept it a secret from you as they thought that you are the betrayer, but without evidence, Mrs. M4EK0 finally decided to speak about this problem so we can work together and solve it. I do not blame you, but we surely need to find out what is happening soon. If anything, try to keep it a secret from your soldiers. If they know that we are investigating the case, we might as well get rid of any chance of getting our hands on some evidence. I don't think anybody is stupid enough to blow their covers after the investigation is revealed.

[M1SH4M]-I understand. I am truly sorry for the trouble caused, Master. My Officer and I will keep an eye on every soldier from now on and tell you if we find something suspicious so Mrs. M4EK0 can send a spy and supervise the movement of the suspect.

["M4TTH3W"]-Very well then. I suggest we end this whole conversation now until we find more clues. The Southeast Base will provide your people some equipment until everything is over, so you won't have to worry about that matter either. Any other problems encountered?

Everyone stays silent though. The man looks around for a few seconds, then comes to a conclusion.

["M4TTH3W"]-Then I think it's better we put an end to this meeting now. I'm sure many of you already have some work to do, so no need of losing time here if we do not have any other difficulties that trouble us. But before we leave, may I ask you to do me a favour, Mr. XANTH3?

[XANTH3]-Yes, Master M4TTH3W?

["M4TTH3W"]-Maybe it will be something strange to ask you in person, but may I get around... let's say... 500 Verha?

[XANTH3]-Oh? Of course, of course... But I thought that the Verha supplies arrived in the Southeast Base's possession a few days ago. May I ask why?

["M4TTH3W"]-Oh, this does not involve the economy around the Southeast Base. Let's say it's a... personal matter. I will give them to you back later if it bothers you, but I have something to solve with them.

[XANTH3]-I see... Then I guess I can assist you this time with this requirement. But no need of me to get them back. I have no use of them if they are such a low number.

The Clan Leader was a bit confused of the man's request, but he did as He asked. He created for Him personally exactly five pieces of their currency and gave them to Him. Then, everyone starts leaving the room, while the two Officers and the man stand a bit behind. RY4N was confused as well, He didn't understand the plan either.

[KYR4]-Well, that was a quick meeting... I swear, we didn't have such a blessing in years. Not expected, but welcomed for sure.

[RY4N]-Why the sudden strange request though?

["M4TTH3W"]-What's your guess?

[KYR4]-Master CHE5TER, even I don't understand what's in your mind right now. The request is a bit random, don't you think?

["M4TTH3W"]-Oh, what a pity... Well, to put it simple... The M soldiers do not make any kind of problem nor information public to their people. Only the military is allowed to know what's happening around the city. If the people of the above truly got their hands on this currency, the only ones that are suppose to know about it are the General, his soldiers and...

[RY4N]-...the people that got it in the first place.