A Leader's Descision

[vjockey]

[Cheng was surprisingly stoic despite the declaration from the insurgents. Despite having his wife kidnapped he was keeping everything together while he formed an action plan with his advisers. Clearly a small and elite force was required to foil them, but the fact that his choice was the White Chalice and not an entirely Gucun Contingent as the

Comments

[curseu_reflexes]

I take it you have a plan?

[vjockey]

I do.

[Cheng was looking dead serious here.]

I am arranging for a surrender.

[Wait... a WHAT?! Cheng's eyes were flicking about the room though... did the insurgents get this far in their infiltration?]

[curseu_reflexes]

[Yeah... Julia's kinda surprised by that.]

... Are you arranging for... their surrender? Or are you doing this to stall for time or...?

[Yeah, Julia's smart enough to guess Cheng's not going to give up easily... she just has no clue what he has in mind.]

[vjockey]

Things are problematic... so we need some time to organize...

The insurgents have the advantage with this...

[There was a 'but' here but Cheng wouldn't say.]

I plan on making sure they regret their decision.

[punches_vamps]

[And then a panicked mad scientist ran up to him. Though he's got a trenchcoat on this time, instead of his labcoat.]

DUUUUUUUDE

DUUUUUUUUUDE!

[vjockey]

Roads. I take it you've heard the news.

[Clearly there is something wrong when its the Husband of the kidnapped wife that is the calm one here.]

[punches_vamps]

[Well, this is Roads we're talking about here.]

Dude, how did...

..She's like a superhero or something!

[vjockey]

Anyone can be caught off guard. Clearly the insurgents must have contacts everywhere and have been planning this for a long time.

[Cheng is off his chair and now looking out the window.]

[coolblueiceman]

Devon is... not the sort to be captured so easily, am I right? And for the strength and prestige of the captive, your stepping down seems... too small, pointless. What are they after? They have to know that neither the State of Gucun nor the White Chalice will let this go unpunished.

[vjockey]

The full extent of what Devon is capable of is not widely known. As for my stepping down... there must be someone waiting for it to happen so they can take the reins.

[Cheng was thinking things through... this..]

Even if it is punished and the insurgents driven away they still would have made their mark. They can attack me directly. They are trying to show that I am unfit as a leader and have the people either throw in with their cause... or incite another civil war.

[coolblueiceman]

Mm. Of course, even if she wanted to break out, I don't think she could take on an entire revolutionary faction by herself. And honestly, you'd have to be suicidal to take the helm of the State right now. It looks like you've done a fantastic job with what you had, but any lesser man would have folded some time ago.

[The boy frowns.] Another civil war is not a good option. No matter what. You're right, too much of Gucun's own blood has been spilled. So... I understand the position you're in, but we've got to find another way.

[vjockey]

Clearly... There can be no alternative. These renegades need to be removed as soon as possible before the worst can happen.

[In all scenarios. Not just the worst in this situation.]

[chozo_girl]

[Samus comes in, stonefaced]

I heard about the kidnapping. [Straight to business as usual, seems] Do you believe they will be going after other members of your family to force your hand further?

[vjockey]

A possibility I considered. I've already begun making arrangements for my children to be moved onto the Chalice...

However given how easily Devon's guards were removed from the equation...

[Cheng was clearly worried here.]

[chozo_girl]

[A single nod] I understand.

I will guard them while you retrieve her. [Deadpan as always, but the offering is quite genuine]

[vjockey]

... Thank you. I'll notify my soldiers of this development.

[A truly generous offering. Of course Devon won't be pleased when she finds out.]

[zetahatsudo]

How badly do you expect this to go down?

[vjockey]

I expect much gunfire, large amounts of rubble and several bodies.

[Completely serious answer there Kamille.]

[zetahatsudo]

Sounds about right. Zeta Gundam is good for sortie, and I need to get back into the cockpit anyhow. I've got your back, Cheng.