imperial_stage | Better War Council

Who: All military officers and specialists of Zeon. Mitsunari Ishida, Light Yagami and their guests are also invited
Where: Char's receiving room in Sweetwater
What: Also a war council
When: Probably the exact same time as Amestris's.

Char sends a short written message over Crystal to all of his retainers, including his sister and Georik Zaberisk despite them not holding military rank, to meet in the capital. He sends a slightly more polite message to the new King of Sawa and his assistant asking them to attend and bring anyone they felt should be brought with them for a summit.

Once everyone arrives, Char has his guards lock the door and begin magically monitoring for any eavesdroppers, to the best of the Riftguard's ability. He begins almost abruptly as soon as he's sure everyone's listening.

"The largest concern we have right now is Amestris. Without the need to hold back, they'll strike out as quickly as they can to increase their territory, if not seize the throne by force," Char begins, looking notably at whatever Sawan representatives arrive. "They're likely to simply annex Sawa, perceiving them as militarily weak. Our forces in Chaodan led by General Chere and Colonel Zala will stop them, whatever the cost."

He turns to his own people. "As of right now, the Kingdom of Sawa and King Mitsunari are our allies, tied to us as much now as they will be by blood soon. We will support them in any way possible, and work out our standing in the Empire once we've worked out who's going to succeed Terenas."

"As for the rest of you...Lord Branthèse, I want you supporting the army in Chaodan. I think you'll work well with Celes and Athrun. This isn't technically Riftguard work, but if you can track down Millennium and give them a bloody nose we can claim it is," Char says with a meaningful look.

"Suo, I'm attaching you to the Shinsengumi for now. The three of you," he says, indicating the ranking officers present, "will be in charge of defending the islands against any incursions. Right now, that means working with the navy and wiping out any warships not flying a Zeon or Sawan flag on this side of the continent. Admiral Nanai will lead a task force in the Rewloola, which you can use to get around if you don't feel like getting wet. Oh, and kill any opportunistic Riftspawn you see. Sara, Georik, you're not commanders so I'll send you wherever I feel you're needed. Maybe a battlefield, maybe the Roman, British, or Nameless Courts. We'll wait and see there."

He leans forward, putting his hands on the large table that forms the center of the room. "This is going to be all-out war, ladies and gentlemen. It's not going to be pretty, but it's going to be necessary. Are there any questions? Objections? Would our Sawan brothers like to speak up on what they know before we go any further?" he asks, standing up straighter and relinquishing the floor.

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Georik nods in response, looking at the Alchemical Array on his gloves. "Very well - any wounded will be in my hands," The man bows his head, giving a brief glance to the commanders in the room before touching his forehead, feeling a strange kind of pressure.

He ignored it and hope it would pass.

"While I would normally be loathe to accept a combat assignment, the situation is urgent enough that I have no objections. Research can always wait."

Roswell glances towards his new colleagues.

"...Are your officers aware of my capabilities or should I discuss the matter with them privately?"

Char waves a hand.

"Roswell's a necromancer. He's responsible, and a member of my army. Anyone with a problem can leave."

Char doesn't have time for arguments.

"...I see tact can always wait, too." Roswell assumes a slight smile as he declines his head in acknowledgment. "It will be a pleasure to work with the both of you. I can brief you further if you'd like to hear it."

What of the Imperial City? While Sawa appreciates the assistance of Zeon in securing her borders, what are the chances that Bradley will simply seize the throne by force?

"Sawa has the better position to defend against that, but I already have cavalry riding out of Chaodan to intercept any potential attacks. Bradley will have a vulnerable supply train if he tries to go that far, and we'll hamstring him."

I must say that's a pleasant thought.

"Don't get too excited about war, Yagami," Char replies. "That's the soldiers' job."

"Trust me, I am no stranger to death and war. If this could be avoided, I would certainly take that opportunity, but Bradley is a Warmonger. Amestris's history is drenched in blood, and I have no doubt that we will see more killed before this comes to an end."

"How's the disposition of Sawa's militia?" Char asks. "I can send cavalry out at a moment's notice once Athrun and Celes are back in Chaodan, but your people are going to be the ones holding the cities."

[Lelouch keeps up an impeccable act of neutrality. In professional matter befitting his duties as Light's assistant, he has not spoken a word during the entire meeting, simply taking notes of resolutions and stances, that he may pass them to his superior later. Internally, however, he's unable to fully believe his luck at being privy to such information.]

Sara nods and looks around the room. "I'll do what I need to do to make sure we win quickly. Don't worry about me, Brother."

"I won't. You can handle yourself. Just no charging off on your own."

"I won't!" Sara looks a bit enthusiastic about that. "I know how to do this."

"Yes, sir. General Chere will have my total support in this campaign."

After speaking, though, he paused and took a deep breath. "There is another matter I'm concerned about, though. It's not a major one in the grand scheme of things, but it will have an impact on my own life."

"Oh? Which is that? Because I think your engagement is actually pretty important to the grand scheme of things, if that's what you're talking about," Char says seriously.

Char's reply caused a look of surprise to form on Athrun's faced. He stared at his leader, dumbfounded. "You do, sir? How so?"

"A union between Zeon and Amestrian nobility could stall or even head off the war, once it goes through," Char says. "Even disregarding her nationality, having a negotiator like Lady Euphemia in our camp can only help. We're going to have to fight until then, but your wedding might get the three of our kingdoms to the negotiating table."

"I see." Athrun knew that Euphemia distrusted Char, but she loved the people of the capital -- and, presumably, the other settlements of Zeon. And she also cared about him. She would want to see war averted, too. "If that's the case, then you may have to convince my father to refrain from calling it off."

"Once I explain the benefit to Zeon, even a man like your father will see things in a practical light, I'm sure," Char says.

"Now, if your father were anyone else I'd also point out that his son is in love, but I think I'll stick to practical arguments..."

"Whoa, wait a minute! I never said--"

Athrun protested, but stopped himself. This was a war council, not a time to react to teasing. He just shut his mouth again.

"I told you."

And if even Sara can see it, you have a problem.

Athrun brought his hand up to his face. "Can we please focus on the matter at hand?"

"Do please continue. Being relatively new to Lord Aznable's court, a full understanding of the international, ah... relationships at play is of no little import."

Roswell smiles blandly.

*Souji was present with his army (or Koyo Chinbutai) clothes. In a serious situation where everybody looked attentive and ready to mobilize, Souji was able to smile.

"Amestris? Sounds fun. Is riding a ship fun?"

"You stay-at-home types need to get your feet wet more," Char replies with a tone only someone who's fought at sea can give. "I'm counting on the three of you to take down anyone with special capabilities that gets sent our way, like Millennium or the State Alchemists. If things are quiet, just occupy yourselves with any troops they try to send around the coastline."

"Sure thing. We'll storm the decks and coasts, and give everybody hell." Souji says casually with his smile.

Better War Council

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