It'd been just under a month since Tousen and Katia became….a thing. He didn't necessarily know what to call it. Sure, they were together, and their intimacy had spawned numerous sexual escapades since that first awful night, but Tousen didn't love her. He didn't even necessarily find himself attracted to her. The only thing he did know was that every round in the bedroom distracted him from what he couldn't have. For a sweet moment, the pain was dull, and his mind blank.
Was that fucked up? Sure. But Tousen didn't care. The apparition was—in a morbid way—right. He couldn't be hung up on a man that most likely died months ago. There was simply too much to do. And, even if Isaiah was still alive, there was a very real chance that he'd be furious with the way Tousen had managed everything. If he wasn't outright disgusted.
"Hey, you still with us?"
Tousen's gaze returned to the matter at hand. Vert, Max, Shellan, and General Yvis had convened in the new militant headquarters to discuss a problem from earlier in the month. They knew starting this revolution that there would be push back from both sides. But, the military capital of Xishia was already on the move, a daunting force only a week away from Arkasia's furthest bunker. Luckily, the Domed Capitol seemed to be quite far from inciting any attack but still. This was far sooner than any of them had anticipated.
"Yes, apologies. I'm digesting the information given," Tousen responded, unwilling to disclose the truth. "Please, continue."
Vert seemed concerned. It was not uncommon, considering Tousen's childhood friend was almost always perturbed for one reason or another, regardless of importance.
"Okay, um, where were we?" Vert asked though the question seemed more directed at himself and the stack of papers in front of him rather than anyone in the small conference room.
Max rubbed at his eyes, visibly exasperated. "We were talking about ways to transport civilians."
Were they…? Ah, right, there was a dome being evacuated only a few days south that laid right in the Xishian army's way.
"Oh, yes. Thank you," Vert agreed, shifting a few papers out of the way. "So, it was difficult figuring out how to defend our transports with how meager our militant force is at the moment. Especially considering how many we need to evacuate from Dome 37 before enemy forces breach their barrier.
"However, Mr. Khatri is currently working with his team to develop a new carrier pyro drone. The vehicle will have six artillery cannons and seven machine guns. He plans on taking advantage of Dome AI systems to guide the weapons with minimal human resources. Hopefully, this will limit our military power for each transport while also ensuring the safety of incoming civilians."
By the sound of it, Khatri's team was using the designs Tousen had given them when the situation first arose. Good. It was about time they turned to more technologically advanced tools….
"Does Mr. Khatri have a prototype?" Yvis asked, a challenge in his voice. The old man was probably one of the more challenging people to convince.
Didn't help that Vert's reaction was saturated with uncertainty. So, his answer was unexpected. "Yes. Not only does Mr. Khatri have a prototype—one that has already gone through successful trials—but his team has already successfully produced three of these new pyro drones."
"But?" Max asked, his knowing gaze reading Vert like a book.
This was when Vert seemed to lose his tongue.
"Spit it out," Shellan ordered.
Tousen shot him a warning glare, one the ravaged veteran challenged with one of his own. Despite the young doctor keeping a close eye on Max and ensuring he won the man over to their side months ago, Shellan still seemed to hold reservations. No matter. The new Arkasian peoples would follow Tousen over anyone else in this room when it came down to it.
Vert looked nervously to Tousen, presumably seeking permission.
"It's okay, Vert," Tousen kindly urged. "We need to know what halts our endeavors. Whatever it is, we'll find a way to navigate it."
Vert nodded, a glimmer of his self-confidence returning. "Right…" Turning back to the group, he begins once more, this time with a far more confident demeanor. "We simply do not have the supplies necessary to build more than the three we have. Not without taking from the Domer Housing Complex or other important projects throughout the city."
That was a problem, indeed. The closest dome to Arkasia that potentially had those supplies—and wasn't on the brink of being attacked—was about a week and a half away by eyu. It was significantly less with the small fleet of pyro drones the city had produced, but there wouldn't be enough room for the number of soldiers needed to secure the district. Let alone the space required to haul back supplies.
"While we're on the subject of Domers, our stock of filters is also running dry," Max interjected. "They won't be able to work without them and, should any of their housing complexes malfunction, they'll have no backups to keep them from the toxins."
Tousen let out a heavy sigh. Max was right. He'd known the filters were running low for a while and, even though some had been brought back from Dome 37, it wasn't nearly enough for the expanding populace.
"I'll have Professor Katia put together a team to develop new ones," Tousen offered, scratching his goatee.
"You probably should have started with that if you were going to hold them hostage," Max grumbled under his breath.
Tousen ignored it. Max would always be resentful about how things turned out, despite the plan shifting from complete genocide to integration of the two cultures. That wasn't going to change.
Instead, Tousen tapped his pen against the table he sat at. "We'll put Mr. Olmeda at the head of the team."
Everyone's attention shifted to Tousen.
"Are you insane?"
The question was surprising, considering who it came from. Yvis and Shellan were two that usually had opposition with any Domer leading.…anything. Hell, they still weren't entirely comfortable with Vert, despite the man's drive and competence thus far.
Yet, it was the very man they doubted that had asked that question. And when Tousen's eyes moved to him, his best friend paled, probably recognizing what he said and how rude it sounded. Especially in a room filled with authoritative figures.
"I wouldn't have phrased it quite like that," Yvis stated, taking his eyes off of the nervous young man and returning his watchful gaze to Tousen, "but I can't say I didn't think something similar. I understand Wren is someone you were close to in the past. But the kid is openly hostile about the direction we've been going for months. And he doesn't seem keen on listening to you, either."
Tousen nodded. "I appreciate where you're coming from. However, Mr. Olmeda was top of the class back in college. Sharing multiple classes with the man, I can tell you from experience he is incredibly astute. I might have made a lot of advancements in this city, and I could probably develop a more efficient filter on my own. But I simply don't have the time. There is more that I must see to, and the list has only grown as we've taken on more citizens.
"Mr. Olmeda may loathe me and everyone at this table," Tousen continued, a mild ache rooting itself in his heart at his own, true words, "but his capacity for compassion and kindness towards his neighbors is steadfast and strong. He wouldn't hesitate to take an opportunity that would improve their lives and provide safety to those he's grown close to. Giving him this assignment—I feel—will give him more purpose than that of throwing up steel walls and hauling lumber."
Shellan scoffed. General Yvis seemed to contemplate the words. Max seemed wary, but he was absentmindedly nodding his head in agreement. Vert had a hesitant smile turning up the corner of his cheeks, likely debating whether this was a step in the right direction. Especially considering the spat he'd had with Wren not too long ago.
"Are we all in agreement? And, if not, please express your grievances," Tousen offered to those gathered around him.
"I agree. However, I believe it goes without saying that he should have a stringent guard observing him at all times," General Yvis decided.
"I second that," Shellan added.
Max shook his head. "Wren wouldn't be able to work confidently if he knew he was being forced by the people guarding him."
"No, he wouldn't," Vert agreed. "I think it's best to propose this to him, let him accept, and maybe monitor him via lab cams."
"That's still far too dangerous. The lab has a multitude of weapons in development. If he's as smart as you're making him out to be, the kid'll have an arsenal at his disposal," Shellan argued.
"A compromise," Tousen interjected. Tensions were running high, and he didn't want them escalating further. "I'll have Katia and the team of her choosing work alongside Mr. Olmeda. Katia is not just my assistant. Most of you know her background."
Silent nods came from the Breathless in the room, though Shellan still seemed dissatisfied.
"I'll make sure she includes a few others with similar training in the group. That way, he can be guarded by his assistants, possibly without even knowing it." Tousen knew that was a lie. Wren was quite sharp. He'd learn after the first few hours that those with him had more than one objective.
"Fine," Shellan seethed. It was clear he was anything but the answer he gave.
General Yvis and Max both gave their approval, and Vert hesitantly agreed.
"Alright, now that filters are taken care of, what construction plans can we cut to divert resources?" Tousen asked, returning to the original task at hand.
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