Chapter VI: The Contract II

32 Degrees, Jing Dynasty morning.

Cuifen Chen Wu, 6th May 1894, Xing Deng Bao;

"For now we should keep this a secret and continue with the meeting, we can't just assume this was the doing of Oreal." He nods getting back up.

"Is there something the matter?" Tao Ying made his presence known, my heart sank straight to the floor. Remain composure.

"Oh no, I dropped one of the papers again my bad."

"Come on now Yu Lee, you've got to stop being so clumsy. Now then, it appears we're already set to eat. Let's get to business." Tao Ying gestures us towards the table. After a while, we settle. Oreal landed himself at the end of the table.

"I thank you all for participating in this meeting, it's an honour to have the opportunity to work with the highly respected Iron Wood Company."

"Likewise, it's simply an honour that you decided to choose us for whatever proposal you have." Tao Ying leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, almost impatiently.

"Right as we all know I am the personal envoy of Empress Estallia. It is my job to successfully act on any order my Empress requests, whether that be dealing with foreign entities or diplomatic congresses. I represent the Royal Council as a whole, along with the other envoys within our system. I have set a contract for the Iron Wood company since they have the sheer capacity to construct what we need. And of course, you will be paid handsomely. Not to mention the prestige that'll be added to your company's name. All details are addressed within the contract." With a wave of his hand, sheets of paper fly out in front of him, dancing in mid-air, to which they land perfectly to each of us. In oddly perfect timing too, to which the double doors open up. Revealing a young lady with levitating plates at her command.

"Sorry to intrude, we have your dinner ready." Oreal raised his hand, signalling to come forth. The aroma making its way throughout the room. It was pleasant, exasperating the sudden hunger I had been keeping locked, old habits die hard I suppose.

"This is a Republique dish, Coq Au Vin. Chicken braised in wine. We hope you enjoy." The lady bows, and with her yellow ring growing further vibrant each plate follows its trajectory to each individual with success.

"Oh a traditional Republique dish, if I may ask; Oreal did you order this?" Yu Lee asked. I could sense the eagerness he had within him with his knife and fork at the ready. It must've been a while since he had the luxury of eating meat, it looks like he'll devour the whole thing. I hide the near chuckle I gave out.

"Ah no, unfortunately, I understand that you may not like our dishes, so I believed it would've been in the best interest for the rest of you to order. Although I am rather fond of this dish, who did order this?" Oreal looked around, yet not a single response was to be heard. If he hadn't then who did? Mo Zhong took the orb off its holder at the centre of the table, taking a look at it once more.

"Eh, how odd. I mean, when I tried to order with the orb it wouldn't allow me. Maybe they'd prepared it already beforehand?"

"Then why did Nikolai tell us we had the option in the first place?" I mean, I would assume Nikolai would have known prior... right? I didn't know how to feel about the situation. It just felt completely bizarre. Something doesn't add up...

"Maybe the cook took the initiative? Either way, it does look quite good." Tao Ying was the first to take a bite. We all stared impatiently, Yu Lee was the first to cave. No surprise there poor guy just wanted to eat. After a nod from him, I took a dive too. With a pleasant sigh from all of us, we all started eagerly eating.

Half an hour had passed. Even if it wouldn't be my first option to eat how did they call it? Coq Au Vin? I had been famished the whole day, so I had no complaints. Yu Lee certainly wasn't either, he was practically shining with delight.

"I believe we should get back down to business," Oreal was the last to finish, gently leaving his cutlery to the sides. The others complied with a nod. Anticipation finally swelled up within me looking back at the contract. As a company, we've grown to become one of the three largest conglomerates in the Jing Dynasty. This could be the opportunity I've been waiting for to tip the balance in our favour. If only Shao was here. With the urge of hunger gone, I started my read.

"The project is called O.O.S. Unfortunately, due to some circumstances, we can't offer you too much detail in regards to what the purpose of the project is; just the construction requirements. This project entails the construction of a massive levitating platform with the use of a T.S.G.M.C. We've inspected many candidates to take on this project and decided on you due to your recent partnership with the Orion Company. You both specialise in infrastructure and architecture of all sizes; with the well-renowned engineers from the Orion Company, you meet the criteria necessary to be successful. Of course, everything I'm currently telling you all is highly confidential." It all made sense why they choose us. No, they wouldn't have any other option besides us...

"As shown, you are tasked with the first half of the project, creating a massive frame that has landing capabilities and can fly at any distance necessary, the only information that I can lend is that we will bring in specialists to construct the necessities to ensure that it can stay in the air and much more, of course.." Looking through the paper more and more I am struck beyond with wonder, the supposed platform is the size of a capital city! Not to mention the T.S.G.M.C, is a Tetra Sonic Gyro-Magic Core. It's only been proven in theory to even operate, and building one takes a magnitude of resources. This is tech beyond certainty. The others were also either dumb founded or finding this near humourous.

"Uh, Oreal if I may call you?" Mo Zhong looked rather deterred.

"Yes you may call me that, what may I help you with?" Oreal replied with a sinister smile.

"What in the Tartarus is this? You are asking us to create something of insane magnitude, why on Terra would the Grand Republique need something of this size. To be more specific it's almost the same size as Roma, a hundred square miles is ludicrous!" His ring began to glow. Mo Zhong has an incredibly rare power; he can determine whether someone is lying or not. Although it has its limits, Oreal shouldn't be aware of his power.

"All I can say is that the Grand Republique is not the only one paying for the contract. You shouldn't worry as long as we pay you as long as construction continues. We entrust you." Mo Zhong looked in disbelief sighing in defeat. I continue reading through the sheer amount of work that needed to be done.

"Oreal, is it true you will be funding all the necessary resources for the construction site?" I ask without flinching or wavering.

"Yes as long as it is for the Operation."

"And if I may speak?" Even Yu Lee was curious.

"Yes you may Yu Lee, speak your mind." With a nod from me, he speaks,

"Although we don't know the project's function, what does O.O.S stand for?" Oreal chuckled.

"Oh, I forgot I hadn't told you the project's name, my apologies. It doesn't seem to be too important to hide. Operation Open Sky, is quite the fitting name wouldn't you agree? But do understand this is highly classified information, I have the utmost trust in all of you." He leaves us with some time to further evaluate all the specifics, albeit there isn't much information except what is needed to be built. A foundation of some sort for multiple, no hundreds of buildings on a long stretch of land that'll be carved and moulded. I doubt it would be a weapon of some sort. Is it for the World's Fair? Thats the only conclusion I could come up with...

"I am afraid I can't say much else about your potential contract, I am but simply a messenger from my empress. Please read through, and if you have further questions please ask. I will of course try to answer to the best of my ability, you have this entire ride to Baifong to accept or decline the offer."