Treachery, Faith, and the Great Reindeer
General Saikano reached the east wing of the installation in time to spot Chancellor Fishberry's arrival. A thick line of Soul Sentries divided the two figures. Fishberry could be seen gesturing and muttering to the reindeer guards. With a gesture of her hoof, a group of soldiers trotted up and gathered a dormant figure in her midst. Saikano watched as two bound figures—Duchess Arcanista and a pony servant—were placed, shackles and all, on a wheeled slab of metal. With punctuating squeaks, the gurney was rolled west into the heart of the facility, straight past Saikano.
The General studied them emotionlessly, then continued his forward trot. “I trust that you did not harm them?”
“That as far as you go,” was Fishberry's response.
“If you brought them pain, it will make it all the harder for me to interrogate them—”
“I said move no further!” Fishberry snarled from afar, this time raising a hoof. “Cease where you be!”
Saikano scuffled to a stop. His eyes narrowed.
Fishberry frowned. “Yes. Interrogate them. That is what you are good at, is it not?”
“I was not aware that you would be bringing them here.”
“You should be paying attention more,” Fishberry said. “I fear there has been a breach in the Soul Sentry perimeter.”
“I am... nnngh... aware of that.” Saikano rubbed his scalp, wincing. “I've ordered them inward to cover the norther capital. Two of the beacons have been damaged. It has... been a challenge.”
“It matters little. Keep your head in the game,” Fishberry said icily. “We've suffered too many setbacks to fall apart now.”
“Who's falling apart? I'm doing my best down here and...” Saikano nevertheless grimaced. He blinked, and in that blink he saw a charcoal-black coat bleeding in multiple places. “...just what has the Duchess done?”
“Hmmm?”
“Arcanista,” Saikano said. “Of the Province Bountiful. I presume that's who it was.”
Fishberry frowned across the distance between them. “Wasn't it her Constable who attacked this facility? Did you or did you not report that?”
“I'm certain that I did.”
“They are obviously working together. It was an attack on our operation from two fronts. Make that three.” Fishberry's eyes narrowed. “Sharp Quill has lost track of the Prince. Now... everything is in jeopardy. We cannot afford frailty now.”
“No, I suppose not...”
“Have you heard from the allies to the south?”
Saikano glanced behind him. Making sure the coast was clear, he turned back and shook his head at her. “They should be en route. I've instructed the Cartel's forces not to make their strike until two hours after the sunrise.”
“Then there may still be time to salvage this,” Fishberry said. “With the prince missing, we'll have to fall back on our secondary plan.” She frowned into the metal walls of the place. “If we can't appeal to the hearts of this kingdom's populous, then we can make sure to exploit its fear. We can still manifest her will.” She looked up, eyes narrowing. “Nevertheless, I need you to interrogate the Duchess along with your other prisoners. If they have an idea... any idea where the Prince may be located, then that could make a sizable difference here. Proceed with all the skills at your disposal.”
“Interrogate the Duchess...”
“Affirmative.”
Saikano's ears twitched. He heard himself muttering, “Why... must we do that?”
Fishberry's pupils shrank. “Excuse me?”
“Her will...” Saikano's head teetered slightly as he lisped, “Why is it so important...?”
Fishberry's jaw hung open. “I do not believe I am hearing this. Do you even hear yourself?!”
“I... I...”
“Her will is everything!” Fishberry snarled, her whispering voice echoing across the bulkheads. “She is the key to this country's eternal glory!”
“I... I know that, b-but—”
“Do you?!” Fishberry gritted her teeth. “Because, from where I'm looking, you're practically falling apart! This most recent attack has done something to you, Saikano! And I don't like it one bit!”
Saikano winced, teeth showing. “The Soul Sentries...” He shuddered. “I have them in my control. Just... so many...”
“They must be maintained at all costs!” Fishberry frowned. “If you can't interrogate the suspects, have somedeer assigned to the task who can. I can't do it for you! And neither can Sharp Quill!” She huffed, face red. “The Secretary let his guard down, and now the Prince is missing thanks to his ineptitude. I can't have you be failing too!”
“I... w-will not fail...”
“See that you don't! I'm having to summon an emergency meeting of the High Council tomorrow,” the Chancellor said. “It is my hope to have all representatives and dignitaries located within the High Council building precisely when the Cartel arrives. That should maximize the enforcement of her will. And her will is important. You know this.”
Saikano nodded, shuddering. “Right. But of course...”
“When all of this is done, we will be free. We will be liberated,” Fishberry said. “That's what she's promised us! So... hold on just a little bit more. Have faith.”
Saikano hung his head in silence.
Fishberry sighed. “If you have any trouble, just remember, you can contact me at any time. The Secretary as well. So long as we work together, we will not fail. We have too much on our side to collapse at this point.” She pointed before trotting off. “Interrogate the prisoners. Learn what you can. Add that to the collective memory of the Soul Sentries, and we might recover the Prince yet.”
“Chancellor, do you have children?”
Fishberry scuffled to a stop. She glared over her shoulder. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Saikano opened his mouth, hesitated, then ultimately said. “You... you are right.” He gulped. “I must have faith in her. She will liberate us all.”
Fishberry slowly, slowly nodded. She squinted at him, shrugged it off, and trotted for the distant exit.
Saikano stood on his own, a limp expression hanging off his weary muzzle.
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The Dark Side always promises.
It never fulfills...
It's like arousing game of dominoes. Hit the bullseye and it all falls down like a house of cards.
Checkmate.
Ye Gods...
Something Bastion's said to him has broken through.
Well one, they are very stupid to think she will give them what they want, and two its good to see that Saikano is having doubts. She got through to him.
Saikano appears to be weakening. Either by interruption...
...Or by his own heart breaking through.
Also, "in that blinked".
It would be super nifty if Saikano turned against Chrysalis. Might cause the whole tripod to tip over. And then where would Bugbutt be?
Three things never to discuss with others. Nice chapter title, Skirts.
hmm, yes
this going well
saikano is crumbling
the King lives
Eine is safe(ish)
and Haman is about to be royal fucked by a soon to be royal and a bunch of lizardmen
Liberation from what, though?
This is important.
But I don't know what to think anymore.
Cute reference in the title.
For those unaware, "Treachery, Faith, and the Great River" (difference bolded) was an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine revolving around an enemy general who wants to defect from his changeling leaders and help the protagonists win the war.
whoisshewhoisshewhoisshe
Okay, this is good. Even if he doesn't help the Jurist or defect or what have you, he is still vulnerable. His humanity (deerity?) is poking through, and if that is exploited then the whole plan fails.
This is Chrysalis we're talking about. It would be very o.o.c. for her to actually let them go free. My guess is her 'liberation' is actually death, or something to that effect. Fishberry and Sharp Quill are obviously going to keep true, but Saikano... this is certainly an interesting development, especially with him in control of the Soul Sentries.
I'm really excited for how this'll turn out, Skirts. Bravo on how far you've gotten so far, and I look forward to so much more adventures!
Also, good job with that title. I really wonder how long you've been sitting on that one.
5456821 Wow, what a mixed metaphor.
5457160 Geekiness for the win! I feel like we just stumbled across IC's battle plans. Except knowing him, he sends out fifteen decoys and never writes down the actual plan.
5457160
One day I will be able to get the reference without help. One day...
Breaking enemies is generally superior to killing them.
I can already see Saikano pulling off a heroic sacrifice/martyr death.
Ah yes, through all the disaster I wasn't even aware of how well things were going for the crew.
5456821
Lets go saikano. Break on through.
5457880
That actually was intended. Dominoes are sexy.
Dis gon be good.
i.imgur.com/ZpQRlZU.jpg
Reminds me of intresting times.
Back To Life, Back To Reality.
Is it Fishbury who is always saying for others not to approach her? or has the others stated it at other times?
Two hours after sunrise. The sun is going to be over the horizon, but will it be over the mountains? After all, when the goblins get a free pass to nuke the High Council, coming out of the sun is just a bonus.
We bring fire, clensing fire.
Chrysalis, Fishberry, Sharp Quill: Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.
Saikano: I don't want your friggin cookies anymore!!
I dunno. I just had this thought for some reason xD
So the Cartel are going to wipe out all the council members in one single strike? Oh damn.
Sheesh. At least Midnite has a way out, unless she's been broken already.
So, he has been set on the course of The Atoner
Odds are it'll end in a moment of Redemption = death (or perhaps a death=redemption instead)
5457599 Don't give me too much credit. I remembered the title and what series it was from (and I know off the top of my head what the Great River is), but I had to look up the episode summary on Memory Alpha (the Star Trek Wiki).
5460111
Either way, I will one day.
For now.....
ALL HAIL THE INTERNET!!
FIGHT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!
Saikano is changing. His daughter is getting through to him!
-Spirit
5456821
Well, in that case, king me.
It seems that Saikano is feeling remorse for doing what he's done to his own child. Moreover, he no longer feels the influence as much, meaning he is gaining more control. This is all good all around. I hope Saikano will be the key to this whole things falling apart.
They are slowly falling apart, No longer are the three of them in perfect sync and harmony. Bits and pieces are slipping, Anger, sadness, confusion, remorse.
It may seem that Midnite Bastion has somehow broke through Saikano, but... I think it also has to do with Ebon. I mean, he did break through the Soul Sentry dude's mind or whatever, and since Saikano is the one connected to them, it makes since that he is slowly breaking free, and that Fishberry, who isn't connected to them, is not being broken. Also because Midnite.
Why do I get the feeling he isn't thinking of Chrysalis.
The cracks are showing...
5916246 bingo
6792256
Yahtzee.
Avoid the shoals of bankruptcy!...
And seek the strong winds of prosperity...
7030131 Uno!
10:47 a.m. MST 6/26/2017
8259886
Connect Four!
8606495
Sorry!
8707572
Jinga! (And we aaalll fall fown)
Hmm... innnnnnnterestingggg....
Oh so now you feel bad Saikano.
Maybe being apart from the main bug queen is messing with him.
8870679
CLUE!! Cause we have some.