"Okay, so we have Innutukian backing. Cool." Ace remarked from where he sat on the couch with his leg propped up on a stool. "But what're we doing now?" 

Chariya inhaled and swept her gaze over the men and women assembled in the suite's common area. Before her stood all the people she'd brought along with her, as well as the newcomers who'd joined along the way. She'd just briefed them all on the diplomatic meeting she'd just finished, and now the time had come to decide on a new course of action. 

"Well," the princess finally began, "their first legion will be sent to our stronghold nearest their capitol." 

"I have no idea where that'd be." Ace said. 

Aaron sat up. "That's the unfinished one, right? In the Northwest Corridor?" 

Chariya nodded. "That is the one." 

Ace crossed his arms. "Sounds like a dangerous meetup spot, if you ask me." 

"Why do you say that?" the Kemarian challenged. 

"Isn't it obvious? You're all boxed in there! You've got Alconte itself right to the northeast. Odego a few miles northwest. And Jasmidian southwest!" 

"Yeah, really. You're just asking for a bloody ambush at that point." Wendy agreed. 

Chariya sighed. "What other choice do we have? We have no right to be picky, when we are the needy ones. It would be a far greater inconvenience for Innutuk to send its fleet all the way around the West Coast, just to reach our shores on the other side of the continent." 

Ace shrugged. "Still doesn't feel safe, but whatever. So that's where we're headed?" 

"Ultimately, yes. But I do feel we should make a stop in Jasmidian. We still have yet to verify what exactly happened down there, if anything at all." 

Aaron nodded. "Alright, so down to the Jasmidianite stronghold, investigate it, and then what? Cross the mountains into Kemaria to reach the rendezvous point in time?" 

"That is exactly what I was thinking." 

"Awesome." Aaron's gaze shifted to Brant. "And what about you, Artifact Boy? Are you tired of us yet?" 

Brant looked up from his folded hands. "That's what I've been thinking over. I was originally thinking of retrieving the Olive Branch, destroying it, and making my leave of you. But now, I'm not sure I can." 

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" 

"I still need your help." Brant admitted, "See, Dove counts me unworthy even to touch his artifact, let alone get close enough to destroy it. And the more I think about it, the more unfair I feel it is for me to ask so much of you guys, and not to give anything back." He tightened his lips as he glanced at Ace. "Especially in light of the...inconvenience...I've caused you." 

Ace shrugged. Can't be stressing how I needed help, or they'll never take my solo capabilities seriously again. he told himself before finally speaking. "Dude. I'll be fine. You just do what you gotta do." 

"This is what I've gotta do." Brant corrected before he turned to Chariya. "Is there any way I could help you?" 

The princess eyed him with no lack of skepticism. "We could always use extra hands on deck, yes. But if your intention is to join the ranks of the Kemarian Insurgence officially, you cannot be ideologically wishy-washy. Do you wish to join for the inherent merits of our cause, or only for personal gain?" 

Brant stared at Chariya's face for several silent seconds before finally answering. "Unwarranted and heinous as many of the other rebellions have proven themselves, I've come to realize your cause is unlike theirs. You fight for the wellbeing and happiness of the Kemarian people, and the preservation of their culture. If I'm correct, and that's the core of your ideology, then yes, I stand behind that and will fight for it." 

Chariya bowed slightly. "You have indeed grasped it. Purely for record-keeping purposes, you will have to fill out some forms to make your membership official, but I gladly accept you into our ranks." The princess glanced over at Baird. "And what about you, Mr. Amergin? You have faithfully assisted me thus far, but have sworn no allegiance I can count on." 

Baird sighed. "Well...my situation's complicated. I'm not exactly sure if I'm in this for the long haul or not." 

The princess nodded. "I can understand that. Well, I will still give you the forms, in case you do decide to sign them." 

"Okay, sounds good." 

"Alright, then." Chariya said, "I suppose we should waste no time. Let us begin preparing for a flight to Jasmidian." 

Aaron sprang up. "Sounds like a plan. C'mon, Sila, let's get moving." 

"Obviously." the robot replied. 

The two of them slipped out of the group and headed for the door while everybody else moved to gather up their belongings. 

******************** 

Brant stepped through the elevator doors onto the rooftop. There, he found Aaron strolling underneath the Butterfly, squinting and examining the exterior as he went. 

Brant sighed, approached the brawny mechanic, and cleared his throat. "How soon until the ships are ready for boarding?" 

Aaron glanced back sharply at the taller man. "As soon as I finish this inspection. Why?" 

"I was wondering if you could help me figure out a way to destroy that artifact." 

Aaron rolled his eyes as he rubbed his finger over a tiny dent. "Always worried about that, aren't you?" 

"There's no reason I shouldn't be. Surely you don't plan to bring it along with us on one of the ships, right?" 

"That's exactly what I was thinking." 

Brant frowned. "Don't you realize how dangerous that is?" 

"To me, at least, it sounds like Dove's only concern is worthiness. Well, the solution to that is simple." 

"What's that?" 

Aaron met Brant's gaze. "I'm taking it on the Sand Dollar, and you're not coming aboard with it." 

The blue-eyed man glared. "And why's that?" 

"Isn't it obvious? You're the one who's unworthy. I tested this, too. All six of us who're going in the Sand Dollar, I had them try to hold it. None of them got blasted like Keira said you did." 

Brant raised an eyebrow. "Ace is worthy?" 

"Yeah, sure. Why not?" 

"I dunno—wait a minute, how's a robot worthier than me?" 

Aaron guffawed. "Oh wow, Dove really knows how to make a burn hurt." 

Brant's brow wrinkled. "And tell me, how's Wendy worthy, with her foul mouth and—" 

"Of course she's worthy!" Aaron answered quickly, "And I dunno what you're talking about. Her words are music to my ears." 

"If that's music to you, your tastes are strange indeed." 

"It's all subjective. Anyway, no use discussing this further. I've made up my mind, and I already stowed it aboard." 

Brant sighed and pivoted on his heel. He walked several steps away before a thought struck him. He turned back around. 

"Did you see if Hannah's worthy enough?" 

Aaron chuckled. "No, I didn't, because I was only evaluating everybody who's coming with me. She's not. But I'm sure if she tried, she'd be so good the branch would start making her fly or something." 

A smirk jumped to Brant's lips. "Probably so." 

"Okay, everything checks out here, so we're ready for boarding. How about you go down and let the others know?" 

"Will do." he replied with a nod. 

Brant headed back inside while Aaron strolled over to the Sand Dollar. 

******************** 

Zoko stood in a line with Eagle, Albatross, and Cormorant, spectating the rituals of an annual festival to Buzzard. Emperor Emil had just given a speech, declaring the proximity of the discovery of Buzzard's artifact and his festival only two days later to be a sign of blessing from the gods, and a token of impending Alcontean success and prosperity. 

Zoko found it increasingly difficult to stand still in his ceremonial posture, while watching the entire crowd lauding Buzzard with honor. They hurled wilted flowers at him from where he sat in a wooden throne, constructed from moist, bug-infested boards. 

"Zoko, are you alright?" Eagle asked as he leaned ever so slightly over to the black-haired man's ear and studied him with concern. 

He gagged as a whiff of the rotten pork burning on the altars invaded his nose. "I am perfectly well, yes." 

"You can't lie to me, not successfully, at least. What's bothering you?" 

"If I had a word to speak with thee, would I not have already spoken it?" 

Eagle shook his head. "Not necessarily. You've been...cold, lately. Colder than even normal." 

"Or so thou perceivest it." 

Albatross leaned over with a finger on his lips. "We're supposed to be quiet, aren't we?" 

"Technically, thou art correct. But I foresee little offense Buzzard can take at our lack of silence, as his focus shall soon be upon his own baptism in the maggots." Zoko replied. 

Eagle unsuccessfully stifled a grimace at the mention of the grubs. He paled as both Zoko and Albatross stared blankly at him. "Frankly, I find many of the rituals in this festival quite disturbing." he spat out with an ingratiating grin. 

Zoko nodded. His brow furrowed as he witnessed Buzzard take a mold-covered cut of meat and gnaw into it. Green liquid dripped from the flesh and into his lap. 

"I find myself inclined to share that sentiment with thee." Zoko finally answered, too disgusted to continue watching. "I cannot help but wonder if the public will prove less favorably disposed to the gods' return now, seeing that Buzzard arriveth first, and his practices are so universally revolting." 

Eagle sighed. "I certainly hope not, or else, all we've strove for—" 

"Will have been entirely in vain, yes. I sympathize with thy concern." 

With that, the two fell into silence. Zoko struggled to ignore the rancid stench of the decaying flesh on the altars as he retained his ceremonial bearing. Then he perked up as a fresh, leafy smell sliced through the air, which he immediately identified as olive. 

The white-robed man scanned the area with narrowed eyes. Nothing in his field of vision appeared capable of giving off a scent so pleasant. Even the objects that did emanate delightful scents, such as the flowers bordering the walkway, had by now become permeated with an atmosphere of decomposition. 

Zoko jumped as a voice spoke in his ears. "You are a man of greater verbosity than even myself, Ararantes." 

The black-haired man's head darted back and forth as he searched for the speaker. "Who art thou? Where art thou?" 

"I am at once present and absent, near to you in spirit, but far from you otherwise. Indeed, it is I, Dove, god of peace and mercy, that speak to you." 

Zoko's features brightened. "At long last, blessings have been bestowed upon me! Thou hast visited me!" 

"Indeed I have. Now, I have not come merely to tickle your fancy. Nay, I have instructions for you to follow." 

Zoko glanced at Eagle, who eyed him questioningly. Ignoring him, he said, "Whatever thou hast for me to do, that I shall, and gladly." 

"I have allowed my artifact to be taken from where it was laid to rest in Forbache, and now it lies in the hands of our enemies, the Kemarian Insurgents." 

"The insurgents?" the man echoed, "What interest possesseth they in these matters?" 

"Your fallen brother Brant Nayan is among them, and he seeks to destroy us. You must make haste to the fallen stronghold in Jasmidian to take my artifact from their vile hands. Then I shall reward you with my power." 

Zoko's eyes brightened. "This command shall I obey! How long do I have?" 

"Three hours from now, they shall arrive." 

"In that case," he began, glancing over the necrotic festivities below, "I may very well have to depart from this ceremony early." 

"What valid objection can they bring forth against you, when it is I who have commanded it?" 

"Thou hast made a valid point. I shall set out shortly."

******************** 

A/N: Wow, so everybody's on the move! Don't you hate when you're just sitting at a weird religious cookout with rotten meat on the grills, with a tub of maggots in view, and then a spiritual voice starts speaking in your ear? 

Not relatable? Yeah, I can't say I relate either. But nonetheless, if you enjoyed the chapter, please let me know by voting and commenting. Thanks! 

As I announced, I'm gonna do a double update today to make up for my inability to post yesterday. So I'ma just skedaddle real quick and get to polishing up that next chapter. See you there, hopefully, and if not, still have an awesome day!