Changing of the Guard

[Zack Asiv]

"You are correct. Another issue we have is Territory 2. Damien Blaze originated from this territory and during a battle on academy grounds as you remember... He turned on us and not only fought against us, but tried to steal from us. I personally took the hit for what I saw as my friendship with the Dragons, and their families. Namely David Blaze and Arianna Barrial. So instead of executing him for turning traitor I deported him to territory 2 as a prisoner. Not long after that Territory 2 marches a massive army to our border and challenges our academy students to martial combat to the death. The are a neutral territory and thus not held to the accords. I see both instances, even if they helped in the battle right after that, as highly suspect."

Asiv allowed the information to sit in.

"Once again I took the hit politically from Prota due to Territory 2's relationship with the Dragons. Now it is a problem I can not ignore. The head of my black ops suggests assassinating key figures before openly assaulting the territory. I will be sending a declaration of intention to the counsel of Leaders so they know of what we will be doing. Thoughts?"

[Preston Salabim]

"Is the declaration of intention a declaration of war? Or an Ultimatum of terms?"

[Zack Asiv]

"It's something we have to do when moving large forces anywhere between the Big Four... Or I should say Big Five at this point. Its to let them know what I'm doing, what Territory 2 will be getting is more along the lines of a declaration of war with an ultimatum."

He'd take a breath.

"I'd rather not have a blood bath on my hands, but Territory 2 is not one to back down easily from a battle."

[Preston Salabim]

"What are the terms you are offering?"

[Zack Asiv]

"Surrender for open trial and to sign under Cabal or suffer severe consequences. Including trade barricades and military occupation."

[Preston Salabim]

"Surrender Damien Blaze specifically? Or their entire leadership structure?"

[Zack Asiv]

"Entire leadership structure. In the most basic way I can explain it, I want to annex Territory 2 under Cabal as quickly as possible to help us get some better footing."

[Preston Salabim]

He clicked his tongue.

"That won't happen without bloodshed then. I would advise caution. They have enlisted people in the outskirts of the surrounding territories to act as guards and scouts. As we discovered on my own mission there. They will know you are coming long before you get there, and will likely have parties ready to flank and harry you when you attempt to set up a siege. Furthermore, the information I had hinted at underground tunnels leading in and out, making a blockade inefficient. However, it could be possible to locate one of those tunnels and get a team inside the walls."

[Zack Asiv]

"Unfortunate."

Asiv would frown. He was the one that called the end to the great war. He was growing old, and tired of the bloodshed. Now he would have no choice but visit on this land similar atrocities as before to maintain that same peace.

"I must have missed that report somehow, but the information is appreciated. I will have black ops teams prepared for recon and information gathering missions prior."

[Preston Salabim]

"The mission was assigned to us by David Blaze. After the first attack at Cabal."

[Zack Asiv]

Asiv would sigh and close his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose and the corners of his eyes.

"Right... Who knows what he wanted that information for."

[Preston Salabim]

"It was because I overheard the leader of the attack on Cabal mention that they were going to head back to Territory 2. When reported he wanted us to go and work out something with their leadership. However, before we could even arrive the second attack happened."

Turning it all into a giant goose chase.

[Zack Asiv]

"I see... I'm not liking this more and more."

Asiv would fold his arms and stand up to pace, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket.

"You mind?"

He'd hold them up for Preston to see.

"It may be prudent to force a sit down rather than an assassination plot. While we have our meeting we would be more likely to get black ops inside territory 2 and dig up some dirt in case David is or has actually been working with them behind our back."

[Preston Salabim]

He'd shake his head. He didn't mind if Asiv smoked.

"If we can handle it diplomatically without bloodshed that is always ideal. It would mean anything we come up with to deal with these problems we can just keep in our back pocket as a trump card."

[Zack Asiv]

Asiv would light up a cigarette and take a drag walking back and forth with his eyes closed.

"We will be having a meeting with the big 5 shortly. In case you didn't know Aurora what was once Territory 63 has advanced far enough to join our ranks. So I will bring this up in that meeting since 73 and it's co conspirators are also on our shit list we have to approach this differently. Even Prota is taking time to look at the facts."

He'd continue walking back and forth before stopping.

"Would you join the meeting with territory 2 as a representative of both a survivor of the attacks, and a diplomat of Cabal?"