BXBX NOVEL Chapter 171: | 171 | The Meeting of Superiors
In the western seas between the archipelago and the island of Crescere, UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas sailed through the morning tides with relentless force. The lightning carrier was returning back to the Port of Dawn, with it were the revolutionaries of the Liberation Front.
"I-I can\'t believe we have been called by the fleet admiral." Hermona muttered with a dumbfounded expression, unable to face the reality before her. Tora and Leonidas, although wanting to maintain a brave front, couldn\'t as they would be meeting the highest authority of the United Navy.
Hermona thought of the Liberation Front as nothing more but a small group of revolutionaries wanting to free all slaves in the hands of tyrants. They haven\'t even liberated an entire colony on their own yet. They required the assistance of the United Navy to even stand against their adversaries.
Nevertheless, the truth was already in front of her. There was nothing she could do about it, so the only path she could take was forward. She must endure, improvise, and adapt to whatever comes up her way. Though, Hermona glanced at the two beastfolk chiefs behind her.
Her heavy heart enveloped with pressure felt the lightening glow of having her comrades with her. With them around, it felt as though nothing was impossible. But, she didn\'t want this feeling to cloud her judgement and mind. After all, they will be heading to the capital of the United Navy.
"There\'s no need to worry. As long as we don\'t do anything problematic or troublesome in their land, they shouldn\'t do anything bad to us." Tora uttered with a brave expression, not wanting to back down before the challenges of destiny.
"For someone so brave, you sure are shaking." Leonidas remarked, staring at the trembling tiger beastfolk. Well, he was also slightly trembling since it seemed that they were entrapped in this place the United Navy calls quarters. It was akin to a false imprisonment, where it felt like they were shackled.
"Bravery isn\'t about not having fear. But having the ability to face it regardless of how much the odds of fate are against you. We are entering the capital of a powerful force. We must tread carefully if we wish to return home." Tora responded with the most sagely-answer possible.
"Okay, brave one. Let\'s see where this bravery of yours go." Leonidas sighed, not wanting to bother with the tiger anymore. Hermona chuckled at the conversation between the two. With them around, it wouldn\'t be a boring voyage.
Before anyone of them could continue their conversation, a knock resounded from their metallic door. *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* It resounded throughout their quarters, attracting the attention of the three. Tora and Leonidas gazed at their rebel leader as if signaling her to open it.
Hermona felt astounded by the gaze of her two most trusted subordinates. But it was also understandable. She must be the first one that steps forward while the others follow behind. With this in mind, she mustn\'t lose sight of their path as liberators.
She stepped forward with the weight of her fellow liberators on her shoulders. Arriving in front of the metallic door, she slowly opened it and what emerged from it was none other than the commanding officer of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas, Rear Admiral George.
"Good morning, Miss Hermona. I\'m sure you already know of my identity. I have called upon you to converse in the bridge of this vessel. You can bring your friends along with you if you\'re comfortable of being alone." Rear Admiral George was straightforward.
He immediately stated why he was in front of her, knocking on her quarters. Out of respect, or perhaps a tinge of fear, Hermona immediately bowed and responded. "Thank you for calling me, Rear Admiral."
Rear Admiral George lightly chuckled at her actions and shook his head. "There\'s no need for you to bow, Miss Hermona. You are a guest of the United Navy, there\'s no need for you to act in such a way." Bowing wasn\'t that popular in the United Navy.
Though, if the fleet admiral was in front of them, everyone in the UN would be willing to bow and maybe kowtow to the highest authority.
"Besides, you are the leader of the Liberation Front. The Fleet Admiral expects a lot from your organization." Following such a statement, Rear Admiral George walked away and soon disappeared at the end of the metallic hall.
Hermona closed the door to her quarters and looked back at her subordinates. Each of them began coughing as they just let a girl, even though she was their leader, move onward into what they perceived as danger.
"Ehem, I didn\'t have the chance to open the door since you were too quick for me. But as expected of the leader. You didn\'t have an ounce of hesitation." Tora gave Hermona a thumbs up and a smile. Leonidas, on the other hand, kept shaking his head in shame.
"At any rate, I don\'t think we should keep them waiting." Leonidas uttered after reminding himself of how shameful he was. To think he would act like Tora, just the thought of it made him wonder whether or not his ancestors were disappointed at him.
Hearing him, Hermona realized that the rear admiral had just called for them. They shouldn\'t waste any more time and immediately head to the bridge of this warship. "We have no time to waste! Let\'s go!" Without hesitation, Hermona got out of her quarters while the two followed from behind.
"Isn\'t she quite an excited one." Leonidas muttered to himself while quickly following their leader into the maze-like metallic halls of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. Tora lightly chuckled and commented. "She\'s our leader after all."
As the three went through the interiors of the warship, it didn\'t take long for them to arrive in the bridge. This was with the guidance of the intelligence officers, of course. During most of time, they got lost and wasted more time in the seemingly never-ending hallways of the Lightning Carrier.
Rear Admiral George gazed at the three who were exhausted from their short journey in trying to find the bridge of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. Staring at them for a short moment, he couldn\'t help but release a chuckle and decided to begin their briefing.
The reason why they were called into the bridge was fairly simple. George needed to give them a briefing about what they should do during the entire meeting.
"Alright, I\'ll start the briefing. This will be about what rules you should follow before, during, and after the meeting." Hearing his words, the three firmly nodded, to which he continued their briefing. "You mustn\'t stray off the determined path. A Humvee will be picking you up, and if you want to explore the Port of Dawn..."
"You must ask for permission." George reminded the three of them the importance of asking permissions. It would prevent misunderstandings between the two and wouldn\'t cause trouble along with extra paperwork for those working in the security of the Port of Dawn.
"I\'ll do as you say, Rear Admiral George." Since she was stepping into an entirely new territory, it was better to maintain cautiousness and not act in a way that could cause misunderstandings. Seeing Hermona\'s understanding, George smiled in satisfaction.
"Good, since our short briefing has concluded. How about you look at our destination." Rear Admiral George turned his head towards the windows of the bridge. Beyond the glossy tinted glass was the famous Port of Dawn of the United Navy.
Hermona stepped forward, amazement evident in her eyes. The towering buildings in the coastline was an engineering marvel, especially when one remembers that no one in the United Navy could utilize magic. They built everything through their ingenuity and intelligence.
Leonidas and Tora also looked at the capital of the United Navy. It was grander than they had expected, reminding them of how small they were in this massive world.
...
In a Humvee heading towards the command center of the United Navy, located deep within the defense sector. Hermona calmly observed through the tinted windows and saw beastfolks along with humans living life together. It even looked more better in the inside.
Everyone seemed happy with their lives, content of what they had.
It was something she desired the most. Seeing it accomplished before her eyes made her realize that her dream wasn\'t as impossible as she had previously thought. She glanced at her companions, who also watched the scene in amazement.
"I didn\'t think that humans and beastfolks would be living together without much of a problem." Tora quietly muttered under his breath as it was a bit too astounding for him. Nonetheless, the truth dwelled before them and there was nothing he could do about it.
Hermona smiled as the Port of Dawn had become her proof of concept. She wanted the island archipelago to be like the Port of Dawn, everyone united in one banner.
It didn\'t take long before the Humvee arrived to its destination. Hermona opened the door and got out of the metallic car, gazing onward into the dome-shaped building. Near its entrance, she noticed the Minister of Minos entering the building and was reminded that she wasn\'t the only representative in the meeting.
\'Alright, Hermona. Keep yourself together!\' She resolved herself and moved forward into the entrance of the command center. Leonidas and Tora quietly followed her from behind, still dumbfounded by the grand and modern sceneries of the Port of Dawn.