Chapter 25 - Resistance Conference

"Ma'am! The photos have been sent over!" A shout rang out within the Resistance Headquarters.

Vera stood by her small sleeping dorm room; one shared by 3 other people, her ears perking up at the news.

"Ivanna!" She peeked her head in to alert her twin, "They've got the photos."

The two sisters quickly jogged through the hallway between the dorm area and the briefing room, their red and black skin-tight uniform, a bronze badge pinned on their arm, displaying their status as a recruit as they entered the briefing room alongside 10 others, all wearing identical clothing.

"- displaying all photos on the board," Commander Rechi spoke as she fiddled with the laptop, a few dozen photographs popping up one after another behind her as she pressed a few buttons.

Standing up straight and turning around to look at the photos, she began to explain.

"Operation Golden Goose has been a success." She began, putting out and hitting at the board with a thin metal pointer, "Behind me are the images taken yesterday of the Rift's Territory Lords during one of their rare meetups. We have managed to identify over 50% of those photographed through spies planted within. Through these pictures, we will be able to gather a clearer understanding of their cooperation's operation and structure."

The images then began moving,

"I will begin by reviewing some of the newly obtained information." A certain image enlarged, "These two on the stage."

The image displayed the tall European man, Epsilon, and the cloaked figure standing on the large black stage.

"They are one of the highest-ranking members in Rift. The one they call 'Epsilon' is one of the 4 Rift Directors whilst the other cloaked figure, identity unknown, is capable of easily stopping a full-on attack by the Territory Lord, Eryx.

A wave of concerned voices whispered around the crowd as Commander Rechi waited for them to slowly calm down.

"Next," The image changed, this time to the image of Solon standing in front of the entrance of the meetup building, and beside it was another image of a map and the area he had taken over circled in red, "Solon Mavise, a new appointed Territory Lord. We have not been able to gauge his ability quite yet, but according to this photograph," The image of Solon inside the steel cage as he defended himself from Eryx's attack popped up, "He may be able to manipulate steel or create steel cages. We are not certain."

"Wait!" Vera suddenly pointed, "We've seen him before! Back at that place! He was that newbie!"

"Oh!" Ivanna's eyes flashed as she also recounted the memory, she nodded her head in agreement.

"Turns out he was a piece of trash after all…" Vera mumbled

"Next," Commander Rechi continued, the board changing once more, this time displaying the image of Richard leaving his car, Raina standing beside him.

"Richard Wilson… and his wife… Alice Wilson." The commander's eyes turn to the Everstein sisters, "Formally known as Alice Liddell."

A confused murmur sprung up from the crowd as eyes began to turn in their direction.

"Nothing is known about Alice Wilson except for the eyewitness testimonies of the two elderly couple. We know nothing about her motive or her identity. However, we have photographs of Solon and Alice chatting and bidding each other farewell after the meeting, suggesting possible connections with the two."

Photographs of the moment Alice leaning over and revealing her identity to Solon popped up on the board.

"Next. We have caught sightings of the Territory Lord of the Western Coast." Displaying the image of an overweight man wearing a suit with his buttons about to burst, in his hand holding a glass of some alcoholic beverage as he chattered with some other individuals, "Due to him scarcely leaving his territory, it is difficult to obtain images of him on the regular. We have discovered his ability to involve bets and gambling, dubbing his territory as Gambit's Paradise. Many of our agents have entered but never left that place alive. We have marked it as a high-risk location."

…

Flicking through the couple dozen images and giving a quick briefing about each and every important individual in the photographs, highlighting some unknown personals and updating some previously incorrect details of others, Commander Rechi patiently spoke through all 100 or more photographs to her squad members.

"And last of all on our agenda, we have discovered the reasoning behind the meeting." Commander Rechi continued, placing down the piece of paper with the presentation notes scribbled messily on it, "They have discovered the dead body of the Territory Lord Argo. The second Territory Lord to die in the hands of another."

Quiet gasps and confused voices washed through the members of the Resistance,

"But that's not all. Due to his death and his killer not being identified, this land will be fought and won over by the other Territory Lords. Meaning this entire area will become a battlefield soon."

Cold air rushed through the crowd as the atmosphere tensed up, a shiver running down their spine as they imagined the damage and danger that would come as a result of the conflict.

"Therefore, we must prepare." Commander Rechi spoke with a hardened voice, her eyes filled with resolution, "Reinforcements from other regions will come in a week. We must stand our ground and fight back, and isn't it about time The Resistance claimed some land of our own?"

A cheer sprung around as fists rose in the air, excited yet nervous smiles spreading around. Moral soaring sky high.