Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Sanctuary ❯ The Proposition ( Chapter 5 )

I have been fortunate, General Leo Cristophe thought to himself yet another time. He had been repeating those words in his head for the past week. Celes is alive, and the emperor is at ease. Surprisingly, the terrible incident hasn't changed Celes's decision to be a temporary general. I worry about her psychological health yet the counselors and therapists report that she is well.

How can a young woman such as she be so calm about dying--about being singled out and murdered! Why does it not bother her? We haven't spoken about it since that day she woke up in the Military Infirmary. It's not natural. Most of all, it's not healthy.

Dare I bring this up to the Emperor? My objective was to make sure that she ascends to generalship. Mission accomplished! Mine is not to question why. Is that it? Would I be out of line to be concerned? Wh--

"I was under the impression that the emperor would want to see me alone," Kefka said, breaking the general's thought. He emerged from the shadows of an unlit corridor that joined the one that the general was traversing.

Leo, too, thought the same. He looked at him coldly and said nothing. He didn't even pause in his pace. He was summoned by the emperor just a few minutes ago. Was I to come in secret? he thought. The general looked away, ignoring Kefka like an inconsequential nuisance. He was ahead, and Kefka trailed just a few feet behind him. Kefka picked up the general's pace and followed him. They were headed to the same venue.

Kefka grinned and decided to have a little fun. "I hear you're being sent back to Doma," he started. He waited for a response from Leo, but the general was too disciplined to fall into Kefka's conversational traps of ridicule. "You know what this means, don't you?" Kefka paused. "The emperor has no need for you here any longer." He said the last sentence with a suggestive inflection of mockery. Leo frowned, but said nothing still. His pace remained the same. "Well, I suppose that's all right. Doma is where they need you right now. You should be relieved to know this since it takes less thinking to be waving your sword about. The mission there is just right up your alley." Kefka snickered softly, though Leo didn't seem to be reacting to his effrontery. "Which reminds me… what are you doing here anyway?"

"That's classified even to you, Kefka," Leo replied without glancing back or slowing his pace.

Kefka snorted. "Nothing's classified to me. You may only believe so. But I know everything that's going on in the Empire. Do you know why, Leo? Because I make it my business to know." Kefka twisted his ugly smile.

"If you are so all-knowing, then why do you still ask?"

"I'm curious to know what you were led to believe. Do you know why you were really summoned by the emperor in the first place?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," Leo answered.

"I doubt it," Kefka said. "You didn't even know that you were being sent back to Doma until I mentioned it to you."

"What is your point, Kefka?" asked the general, annoyed.

"Point? Why must everything have a point, Leo? I'm just trying to have a bit of chit-chat with you. It's been too long." Kefka laughed.

The truth was in Kefka's lips. Leo had heard of no such news from the emperor or anybody about him being sent back to Doma. The sadder part of that fact was that the general believed Kefka. He knew that Kefka was not at all making things up just to annoy him. Kefka did not need to lie to do just that.

"You will find, Kefka, sooner or later, that people aren't as predictable as you like to think they are," Leo said calmly.

"Goody!" Kefka exclaimed. "That sounded like a challenge!"

The two of them reached the entrance to the meeting place. An elite sentry guarded the entrance... or so it seemed. Kefka and the general suspected that there were more about in the shadows, hiding and invisible. They were capable killers. Those who would threaten the emperor's life in their presence would be complete fools. The emperor's elite guards were the best and most disciplined of the soldiers in Vector. They were privileged enough to be infused with magic and trained to use it proficiently.

The guard did not salute to the general. The elite guard did not need to. Out of respect, however, the sentry bowed slightly in Leo's presence.

"His Benevolence awaits within, good sirs," the sentry said quietly.

The sentry opened one of the doors for the general and the adviser. The two entered, and the doors closed behind them without a sound. The room was dimly lit, though the light present was comfortable enough to the eyes. It was warm and relaxing. The room almost looked like a dining room. A long rectangular table was situated at the center. The walls were of dark-colored, varnished wood. The floor was carpeted red. Blood-red banners draped half the room. A fireplace on the farthest wall, opposite the double doors cradled a comfortable fire with logs that gave off a faint smell of spice.

Even in the simplest-looking room of the Vector Fortress, elegance was no stranger. The ceiling was plastered and painted entirely of murals illustrating an obscure, age-old battle. The light came from two small chandeliers above the tables, burning with pine-scented candles. The table, polished and uncovered, was about twelve feet long. At one end sat the emperor himself, waiting patiently. A glass of red wine stood in front of him.

Leo and Kefka went around the table to greet the emperor in reverence. Kefka kissed the big ring on the emperor's hand that bore the Empire's insignia. The General knelt before the emperor until the emperor gave him permission to stand up. After the greeting, the two sat closest to the emperor, opposite of each other at the table. The emperor's face remained as calm as stone. His eyes sparkled with much intelligence in the reflecting candle lights. He was no ordinary old man. It was as though he was determined to live forever.

"How is my Empire faring?" he asked, addressing the question to no one in particular.

Leo and Kefka both looked at each other uneasily, unsure of what to say or who to speak first. Kefka decided to take that charge. "Everything is going well, my lord. The rebel attacks have not compromised our goals in the least."

"The Military's resolve is not shaken. They are eager to march to battle to defend our cause. If any, my lord, the recent attacks have made us stronger. The Empire still stands behind you. They only await your orders," added the general.

"We have allowed these rebels to get too close to us. They are within the Bronze Compound, and, quite possibly, within the Bronze Fortress as well," said Emperor Gestahl.

"Nonsense, my lord! I have my own sentries, invisibly guarding the fortress. They do not tire. There has been a breach in security for sure, but the fault really lies in the slipshod sentries of the outer defenses," Kefka replied, his voice suggestive of how the military had been careless in their duties.

Leo glared at Kefka before speaking. "The steps to driving the wolves out of the fences have been in play since you summoned me, my lord. It has not paused nor slowed for any reason. Not even after their assassination attempt," reassured Leo.

"The assassination attempt succeeded, Leo. What have you to say about that?" the emperor asked. His voice was still calm as always, yet the challenge was clear.

Leo bowed his head and was solemn. "I… shall make no excuses, my lord. The assassin struck with disregard. We shall not be caught unprepared again," he said apologetically.

"Like how Colonel Blaey and Colonel Ranger fell for the trap that the rebels setup for them?" Kefka added with a grin.

Leo's face grew red. Kefka's impudence was starting to get to him. "I say, 'good riddance to those two!'" Leo asserted. "They did not follow procedures properly. They moved in without my authorization. Rest assured, my lord, that they have been replaced by two new and competent leaders, carefully evaluated by the New Military Council."

"But they were still your responsibility, were they not?" Kefka continued to argue.

"And was it not your responsibility to fully secure Magitek Lab Omega from outside threats?" Leo retorted.

Kefka's grin vanished from his painted face. "I have corrected my mistake. Subject A lives again, does she not? Come to think of it, the saboteur actually aided us into bringing Subject A back to life. How ironic!"

"How convenient!"

"What are you suggesting, General?"

"If the two of my most trusted servants are done bickering with each other, I will start with the purpose of this meeting," Emperor Gestahl interrupted. Leo and Kefka fell silent and eyed each other spitefully. "You two have done very well in controlling the damage. Celes Chere lives again. Good job, Kefka"

"Thank you, my lord."

"And she is still a general. Good job, Leo."

"Thank you, your majesty."

"This is but a beginning. I want the rebels driven out of Vector."

"Give me a week, my lord, and your authorization to fully search every house and office in Vector Capital, and to detain those who questionably reside in them. I will guarantee you that I will drive them out!" Leo offered.

"Give me three days, my lord--"

"Three days! That's impossible," Leo remarked with a snort.

"Three days…" Kefka said louder, "… and your authorization to use one functional slave crown."

"No, Kefka!" the emperor replied adamantly. "I shall authorize no such request until Cid has come up with a way to reverse the process!"

"But it works perfectly, my lord," Kefka insisted. "Why spend time to research such a thing?"

"Because a great empire is one that has the ability to undo her mistakes should she make one... which is precisely what the two of you should be concentrating on right now!"

"I entirely agree with you, my lord," Leo concurred. Kefka frowned and fell silent on his chair.

"Besides," the emperor continued, "I have a better idea."

As if on cue, the double door opened to let the emperor's personal messenger inside. The messenger bowed before the three of them, and then he addressed the emperor. "Lady Chere waits outside for your word, my lord."

"Ah! Perfect timing," the emperor noted. "Send her in."

The messenger left the room quietly. Leo and Kefka exchanged puzzled looks.

Seconds later, General Celes Chere entered the room looking smart in her less ornate leather armor--dark brown, polished, and custom-fitted just for her. Her leather gloves and boots matched the color of her leather armor. A blood-red cape attached to her bronze shoulder plate pronounced her rank on sight. A pair of bronze shin plates completed her attire. She neither wore nor carried a helm. Her hair was tucked behind her head neatly by a silver hair pin, allowing no lock visible in the front.

Celes's eyes focused on the emperor and held them in a reverent stare. Her face was calm. Leo remembered the same calmness back on the platform where she was attacked by Beigeletter--stone cold and almost unfeeling. Leo could no longer find the cheerful, young lieutenant in her. It was as if she were… transformed. Mine is not to question why, he thought to himself again to extort whatever comfort he could find in that old military adage. He found none.

The emperor stood up from his chair and started towards Celes. The newcomer knelt down on one knee and bowed her head saying, "My lord, I am honored to be in your presence finally."

"Rise Lady Chere," the emperor said, smiling warmly. "Stand tall and proud so that I may have a good look at the new leader." Celes stood up with her chin up, looking straight into the burning hearth. Leo noticed that she was avoiding his eyes. Kefka looked indifferent at the new general's arrival. He leaned back and slouched on his chair with a yawn. "Ah, yes! The Military will not see it coming," the emperor said gleefully. "So young. Innocent-looking. They will be in for a surprise!" The emperor pulled out the chair from the other end of the long table for her to sit on. Celes looked unsure of how to react to such a humbled act. "Come now, Lady Chere. Take your place with us at this table. We have much to talk about."

"Thank you, my lord."

The emperor walked around the table to get back to his chair. "I've heard promising prospects about you," the emperor started as he sat back down.

Celes nodded and replied, "So have I, my lord."

The three men fell silent all of a sudden. Celes sounded disrespectful. Kefka raised his brows while Leo feigned a cough to disperse the awkwardness in the room. The emperor was speechless for a moment until he spotted a slightly twisted smile on her face under the dim light. The emperor's look of surprise was replaced by a smile. He laughed heartily, and Leo followed with his own nervous chuckle. "Such charm, too! Leo, you never mentioned that to me."

"She is full of surprises, my lord," Leo said as his excuse. "That much we have ascertained." Leo stared at her. She was still avoiding his eyes. Her eyes remained in contact with the emperor almost unblinkingly. Her twisted smile was indeed a charming one--but also smug.

Kefka stifled a yawn and stared into the fire behind his emperor. Leo had a feeling that Kefka was trying to hide his face from Celes.

"How do you feel, Lady Chere?" the emperor asked the question in a sudden serious tone.

She was not exactly sure how he meant the question so she carefully spoke her answer. "My recovery from the infirmary was swift. I feel just as strong now as I did then. My resolve is not shaken by the incident. I stand eager and ready for my first assignment, my lord. Command me."

"Well said, Lady Chere," the emperor delightfully noted. "And give you your first assignment, I shall." The emperor paused and stroked his mustache. "I shall not send you into battle just yet, Lady Chere, for I am aware that you are still to complete your advanced training. But I have found the perfect mission for you--a mission fit for a general.

"Lady Chere, you are to continue the temporarily decommissioned general's assignment. Do you know what that is, General?"

"Yes, my lord, I do. He was in the process of investigating the first Magitek reactor's unfortunate malfunction," Celes Chere answered.

"Very good, General. But what you do not know is that he was the first to uncover the tracks of our saboteur."

"I was under the impression, my lord, that the saboteur has been captured."

The emperor sighed. "Yes. Unfortunately, the saboteur has proven to be quite useless in revealing critical information regarding rebel operations…" the emperor said as he deliberately glanced over to Kefka. "… due to some complications." Kefka flushed in embarrassment and controlled anger. "Nevertheless, my most trusted servants," the emperor said, motioning to Leo and Kefka, "are in agreement. They each have plans to drive these rebels out of Vector. How to do this is a matter of debate at the moment."

"I would like to hear of this plan, my lord, if you do not find it too inquisitive of me," Celes asked. Her voice was clear and not withheld.

The emperor smiled. "Not at all, General. I expect all of my most trusted servants to be inquiring when it comes to the important matters of the Empire." The emperor paused briefly and then continued. "Leo thinks that I should grant him authorization to scour every household and building in Vector, detain the suspects, interrogate them, and eventually execute those who are guilty."

Celes thought. "Quick, direct, but short-sighted," she commented bluntly.

Leo cleared his throat and smiled. "Short-sighted, General? Please explain."

"Consider for a moment, General Cristophe, the difficulty of the challenges that a rebel--presumed to be a foreign person--would encounter in operating within Vector. This person would need the following essential elements.

"First is a base of operations. The rebel would either choose one in a highly-populated area so as to cover their movement in the hustle and bustle of the streets. Or, they could choose one that is isolated from the general populace. A suitable location for the latter is hard to find in a lively city as Vector. They would want to be close to where they could hear and see what is going on within the Bronze Compound. Not to mention that a sudden increase of activity in an isolated place would rouse suspicions. So it is most likely that they would settle for an inconspicuous location closer to the Bronze Compound. The problem with this is that, though they could hide from us behind the hubbub of the streets, they would need some degree of protection to hide themselves from the hubbub itself.

"This brings us to the second of their essential elements--the sympathizers. I can spot a foreigner rather easily in Vector. A foreigner in Vector have a lot of things to be mindful of--laws, economy, politics, social interaction, awesome, strange and intimidating technology--you name it! And it is that mindfulness that make them stick out like a sore thumb each time. A wise rebel operative would most likely recruit one of ours to stand under their cause." The emperor shifted his position and stroked his beard. He was very interested to hear more of what the new general had to say. "To say the least, this isn't a very easy thing to do. But it is quite possible. They would lie, threaten, bribe and do everything in their power to gain silent supporters. Perhaps, in doing so, they secure funding from local merchants or from outside sources. I do not wish to sound so blatant, my lord, but we haven't been exactly watching our borders very closely."

"Indeed!" the emperor agreed. "Please continue."

Celes nodded. "The truth is… the Empire has underestimated the corruptibility of its own civilians. We have put too much protection in the military, thinking that in turn, that would be enough to protect the civilians. We have not taken into consideration the inverse of this fact, and that was our mistake. Though our military protects the general populace, it is from that very same population that we get our military from. Day after day, I used to train new recruits, my lord. I've seen all sorts, shapes and sizes. Rich and poor. Men and women. Strong and weak. But what I was not able to see was whether they were loyal… or treacherous.

"The third element is intelligence. Spies. No longer do the rebels satisfy themselves with mere sympathizers. They will mobilize themselves. They will need information gatherers. They start looking for talented people or people who have access to certain areas of the Bronze Compound. People whom they can manipulate subtly or forcefully. Disgruntled employees, power-hungry personnel, sons or daughters of important people who have access to their briefcases--"

"You forget about our security measures, General Chere. Identification cards, checkpoints, scanners, Magitek Drones…" Kefka interrupted. It sounded almost as if he had been itching to say something.

"Bypass codes, unmanned stations, unwatched access ducts, vents and sewer access… accomplices--" Celes argued, but Kefka interrupted her again.

"Preposterous! You honestly think that--"

"How else would you explain the saboteur who denied you the use of your very own Magitek Lab Omega reactors, Adviser Palazzo?"

Kefka was struck speechless with rage. If it weren't for the paint on his face, they would all see the redness. Leo snickered silently. "Don't be too hard on Kefka, General Chere. You simply cannot rule out simple incompetence on his part."

Kefka turned his head abruptly towards Leo's direction and hissed, "Shut up! I will not stand here and be insulted by--"

"Enough! Both of you!" the emperor shouted irritably. "This interruption is most disrespectful in my presence!"

Kefka and Leo both apologized, and let Celes continue.

"I did not mean to sound--" Celes started to apologize, but the emperor interrupted him.

"Your apology is not needed, General. Your theory has captured my attention. Go on. What is the fourth element?"

"The infiltrators--saboteurs and assassins. They are the ones trained and given specific missions. Their missions usually comprise of three steps: Get in, be done with it, get out. Unfortunately for us, a mission success is counted after the second step. The third step is optional. More alarming is that fact that the first step is a fall-back position. Once they're in, they stay in indefinitely.

"My lord, I contend that the rebels are at a comfortable striking stance right now. This is how I've come to the conclusion that General Cristophe's plan is 'short-sighted.' The real threat is no longer out there in the streets. The essential base of operations that the rebels started with is now but an inconsequential relay post."

"I don't believe I follow, General. Relay posts?"

"My lord, once the rebels successfully infiltrate Vector Compound--and they have--their hideout will then only be used like… like… like a 'post office' for spies. Orders from the outside come in, reports from the inside go out. They become mere communication posts."

"And you don't think that these posts are important?" Kefka asked.

"That's not what I'm saying at all, sir. I'm saying that these posts are like mushrooms. Stomp on one of them, and another will simply pop up. These posts are much easier to establish than a real base of operations. At this point, my lord, gentlemen, they have no real use of a base within our borders. Why else did you think they used it to set a trap for the two Colonels?"

"I think I understand," the emperor said, nodding.

"As do I," Leo said. "How very enlightening! Never have I fought an enemy coming from within long enough to understand them. But you!" Leo motioned to Celes. "You speak with wisdom and insight!"

"Perhaps!" Kefka added bitterly. "But I do not hear from you a better plan to eliminate the threat."

"Neutralize," she corrected. "And no I haven't made a proposal yet."

"Do you have one, General?" the emperor asked expectantly.

"I do, my lord," Celes said. She took a deep breath and glanced at Leo. Leo caught her stare. She looked very distant. "Fall back to our previous state of emergency--back to yellow alert. Let us give them breathing space once more. Allow them enough leeway to continue with their next operation while I embark on this investigation. The trail will be fresh. I will have no difficulty locating the leaks. Once we find these leaks, we will watch them very closely. Another infiltrator will show himself or herself sooner or later. The successive attacks are sure to have made them overconfident to attempt another one."

"I must say that I disapprove of this, General Chere," Leo started to say. "This is too much a risk. You know what happened last time. As a result, General Fencross is in a coma, two of our top colonels are dead, and you… were assassinated right before the eyes of the Military. Who's next?"

"You are correct, General. Which is why we must narrow down their targets. As much as possible, I want them to come after me again. I will be ready for them this time."

"And how do you intend to narrow down their targets?" Kefka asked, dubiously.

"You must leave Vector," Celes said as a simple statement.

The three men were speechless at the proposition. Finally, Kefka started to laugh. "You have some nerve asking the three most important people of Vector… to leave Vector!"

"I did not mean it literally, Adviser," Celes explained. The emperor listened intently. "At least, not for all of us," she added, looking at Leo. "My lord, you could announce to the public that you are leaving Vector on a diplomatic undertaking to an undisclosed location in the far North. We'll make it look like that you've left. Only your most trusted servants would know the whole truth.

"In the meantime, I respectfully suggest that General Cristophe continue his mission in Doma. Adviser Palazzo could pretend to join you, my lord--"

"I will not hide from these rebels. If they--"

"Let the general finish, Kefka!" the emperor said in reprimand.

"I want them to see me while I do my investigation. I want them to look at me and see a perfect target."

"Sounds dangerous, General," Leo noted. "I'm beginning to wonder that perhaps you are underestimating them."

"Not at all, General," she replied calmly. "I believe it's safe to say that I am now more aware of what they are capable of more than anybody in this room today." She said the words without as much as a shudder. "Oh, and General Fencross is still a vulnerable target. We must announce his fake death and move him to a more secure and secret location."

"So with us out of the way, you think that the rebels will come after you again?" Leo asked.

"There is one other military figure whom they might go after besides me. Colonel Harold Llurd," Celes pointed out. Kefka frowned at the mention of Llurd's name. Celes noticed this but said nothing about it. "As much as I would like to have him leave, I'm afraid that the rebels would get suspicious. Therefore, I think we should just let him stay. With General Cristophe gone, Colonel Llurd will be under my direct command." Celes paused briefly. She was at the end of her proposition. "My lord, I am aware of the risks. But I am confident that we can catch the next infiltrator this way. I do not see how else it can be done, my lord. The enemies are inside. And inside is where we should start!"

The three men were silent once more. Leo sighed, shook his head slightly, and leaned back on his chair in thought. Kefka slouched again and directed his attention to the burning fireplace as if thinking that what followed next was of little consequence to him.

The emperor was silent for a long time. Not a hint of emotion was on his face. He stood up from his chair and paced slowly towards the heavily curtained window of the room. Looking out he saw the new recruits at the Assembly Ground, marching in formation at dusk. Their drill officers shouted angry commands at the new recruits. The marching formation was not perfect enough for them. Many made mistakes. They were uncoordinated in their movement.

Nearby were Magitek Lab employees exiting a nearby building as their shift ended for the day. The employees walked around the Assembly Ground, out of the soldiers' way, and towards their special civilian quarters within the Bronze Compound. They carried with them briefcases and documents. The emperor wondered whether those documents contained classified information. He wondered whether one of those employees or new recruits was a spy. What Celes had said all made sense. Her theory was plausible. The enemies didn't just find a way inside; they have established themselves inside somehow.

"My lord?" Leo interrupted his thoughts.

The emperor turned away from the window. The drapes covered it completely once more. He walked back to his chair and sat down. "Lady Chere, your proposition has been most informative… and inherently disquieting." The emperor sighed before he continued. "I must give this some thought," he said sincerely. "In the meantime, I want you to convene with Professor Brown and his team. His team and General Fencross were cooperating in the investigation of our first saboteur. Learn what you can from him and his team. I shall give you my word as soon as I have given your proposition some thought."

"Of course, my lord," she said, smiling haughtily. "May I ask what Adviser Palazzo had in mind about the situation?" she asked, recalling that she was only able to hear Leo's proposal.

"That is none of your--" Kefka started, pointing a finger at her. He was promptly interrupted by the emperor, however.

"Kefka thinks… that we should use a particularly untested technology, General Chere," the emperor obligingly answered, casting an icy glance towards Kefka.

Celes raised a brow in curiosity. "Untested technology?"

"A slave crown, General Chere. It is still very much into its developmental stages," the emperor lied. "But I have ruled out that option so it is of no importance at the moment."

Celes saw through the emperor's lie. She thought it prudent not to pursue her curiosity. "Very well, my lord," she said, standing up. "I shall begin with your appointed task and shall await your decision."

The emperor bowed slightly signifying that she has been dismissed. Leo turned to the emperor and quickly said, "My lord, if you would allow me to escort Lady Chere, it would be most gracious of you."

"Granted, Leo," the emperor said, swiveling his chair around to face the fire.

Leo hurried beside Celes who was still wearing the same smug smile. As Celes turned to leave, Leo made sure that her cape did not get caught in her chair. Leo walked with her through the door and once outside he said, "You surprise me each time I see you, Celes."

"Why, Leo! It is unbecoming of a general to always be caught off-guard with such trivial things," she said, jestingly.

"How true. But I meant that as a compliment."

"I am… flattered." She spoke with such formality that the sincerity of the words was lost.

"You handled yourself in there quite well, Celes. Your proposition was very impressive. But I do hope that you do not take the news too hard if the emperor rejects it."

"Do you believe that he would?" she asked in confrontation.

"Well, I do not wish to sound pessimistic, Celes. But he was right after all. You are still to complete your advanced training."

"That, I would. But I do not see how that has anything to do with my plan. I am confident that--"

"Pardon me, Celes," he interrupted with a smile. "But having great confidence in your self is not nearly enough to ensure a favorable outcome."

"I am aware of that, Leo. I shall meet my challenge after much preparation. It is unbecoming of a general to do any less," she answered coolly.

Leo smiled again then chuckled politely. "I'm just preparing you for the possibility of rejection. But always remember that when the emperor decides on something, it is only after great thought."

Celes smiled back and bowed in understanding. "I know, Leo. Goodnight." She turned and started her long walk back to her quarters. Leo stood by the closed door, watching her. As he was about to enter the emperor's meeting room again, Celes's voice was heard from down the hall. "Oh, Leo… I am prepared for my proposition's rejection. But are you prepared for my proposition's approval?"

The words were like a riddle to him. He did not give it much thought. Celes was out of sight now. Her personal bodyguards waited for her outside. She should be fine, he thought. Leo opened the door and entered the meeting room again. The emperor spoke to him almost immediately. "Leo," he began, "you are going back to Doma tomorrow."