Nukledeus

Gili quickly found two of her faithful aides. She knew exactly where to look for them. Not that they were especially predictable but the army of Ark City was not so large, they had been together for years and, without really trying to and almost without realizing it, Gili knew everything about them.

She ordered the section chiefs of her squadron to gather together and felt that those who had failed to join the rescue party because of the confusion in the city would be present and doubly motivated to make up for this mistake. She could definitely trust her men. Moreover, her new status as a Capitan gave her a boost of confidence. They were totally devoted to her and it strengthened her resolve, her whole mind was focused on her one and only goal: to find Chloé.

She decided to hold the meeting at the Capitans' pub but she had to notify Dolick beforehand. The survivors deserved to clear their name with an incredible feat. Finding Chloé was a crucial mission. They absolutely needed to join the group. Finding her alive would be a true reward for everyone. Like the others soldiers, Gili had seen the bodies of the comrades who had fallen under the blows of the No-Lights. There was little hope of finding her friend alive.

The young Capitan tried to remember whether Chloé had told her where her men were living, but nothing specific came to mind. Deep in thought, her steps led her to the neighboring district where her dormitory was located. She didn't need to go back to her room and had no d.e.s.i.r.e to pass by Chloé's. She was about to make a U-turn when she saw Dolick heading her way.

His face was serious and his smile was a little strained, which contrasted with his youthful and slightly chubby looks. Moreover, his rounded and perfectly smooth head seemed incongruous in Ark City where everybody was extremely thin and bony. The food portions were prepared with great care, even in pubs and restaurants, in order to save the city supplies. The meals in Ark City were frugal, to say the least, but the small frame of the arkians perfectly suited this diet.

– I saw you walk into the district. I need to talk to you, Capitan Gili, we can't sit back and do nothing.

– I was looking for you. Come with me, the others are waiting for us at the Capitans' pub. I'll tell you my plan.

– We are with you. The whole section will follow you to rescue our Capitan.

They walked silently, side by side in the empty streets. The pub stayed open all through the night. At this late hour, the place would be quiet and discreet enough to hide their plot. Gili hoped she could sit at the table where her friend had been during their last drinks together. It was a meaningful memory for her, when Chloé had spoken the words that had inspired Gili's plan and that would seal her fate, whatever the outcome of her quest might be.

She was grateful to Dolick for his unconditional support. No need to speak, they had the same goal. They completely trusted each other, and yet they had just met. A friendly silence had settled between them and Gili found great comfort in it. She did not doubt the commitment of others either. What she needed were new ideas to fill the gaps she saw in her plan.

Raising her head, she caught sight of their destination in the distance. She wavered, the place seemed very noisy and packed to the rafters. A blinding light shone through the windows as if Nukledeus Itself had taken up residence inside the pub. This was unexpected and she stopped in her tracks. She felt a slight pressure on her arm. Dolick was holding her gently and was leading her towards the entrance. She let herself be guided, well aware that self-preservation commanded her to turn around and flee, it was time to run for her life.

Of course, she had never been fond of crowds, but that was not what petrified her. She had a bad feeling, a hazy belief that a disaster would befall her as soon as she walked through that door.

They were near the pub and Gili could hear the continuous rumbling of voices. It wasn't laughters, nor talks, but rather a heated argument or a very lively discussion that showed signs of discontent. Gili and Dolick came in and had to make their way through. The pub was so packed that everyone had to stand.

After a few steps, the crowd recognized them and a wave of silence spread in the great hall. A narrow corridor opened before them, like a guard of honor. Some well-known faces greeted her with respect. Gili was the focus of all attention.

Unused to such display, she paused to scan the crowd. Dolick stopped as well, waiting for her. There were only soldiers from the Elite Police. The assembly didn't seem hostile towards them. The quiet atmosphere was of a rare and strange quality, no noise disrupted the meeting, no one coughed, no one moved, people barely dared to breathe. Gili and Dolick continued their progression and came to the center of the room.

Some space had been arranged around a table. Eight people, men and women were already sitting comfortably. Two empty seats were still waiting.

– Capitan Gili, welcome to your first council. As an exception, everyone gathered here in general assembly. Please be seated.

Gili recognized the man who had spoken, he ran the pub occasionally. Tonight, he chaired the meeting even though the round table seemed to set all the Capitans on equal footing. She stealthily watched Dolick. He had just been clearly dismissed. Without blinking, he took a step back, bowing slightly in salute to his superiors and fell back into line, whispering to Gili, "Our Capitan needs them and she is counting on you." He was right. Gili focused on her goal and entered the circle alone. She felt out of place, sitting with the other, much older, Capitans and surrounded by standing soldiers.

The meeting lasted for several hours. Gili listened carefully at first and then let her mind wander. It was mainly about politics. There was a revolution brewing. The Capitans had been plotting for a long time, and saw in the city's unrest the opportunity to overthrow the religious authority in power.

Gili suppressed a yawn. She looked at the other Capitans. Everyone's reputation far exceeded her own. Some of their exploits were taught by the Academy and the young Gili felt she didn't belong to this prestigious group. She noticed that she was the only one of her generation. Heroes were becoming rarer and rarer. Only Chloé had really made an impact in the last decade. The empty seat was probably saved for her but no one had even alluded to it in the slightest. There was no mention of the missing woman, and the young Capitan did not dare to interrupt the debates to discuss the subject, much less to expose to everyone her plan, which she knew was imperfect. In addition, it would have been easy for a spy – for example an agent of the Special Forces, well-versed in camouflage and infiltration – to slip into the meeting room.

She glanced at Dolick and those she could see from her seat. They remained impassive and waited patiently, even though it was clear that they were concerned about a completely different subject than the Revolution.

The chairman of the meeting said a few words as a conclusion and the soldiers left. They sometimes whispered with their neighbors, but thanks to their military discipline, they all left quickly and in an orderly way.

Only the people seated at the table, the Capitans, remained in the great hall of the pub. As none of them had been moving, Gili stayed as well, not daring to leave. The chairman stood up and, taking off his uniform jacket, went behind the counter. He dimmed the lights. The place became cozy and pleasant again. The Capitans seemed more relaxed. He then came back with a few glasses on a tray and a bottle of Cognac.

He sat down with a sigh of relief and poured the liquor in the nine glasses.

– Well, now that everything's in order, we can start the meeting.

The smile on his lips when he saw Gili's stunned face gave him a predatory look that she had never noticed in all the years she had visited this pub and mingled with the bartender and his patrons.

As soon as he uttered these words, a Capitan stood up and headed towards the door. He came back, followed by Dolick who immediately stood at attention.

– Relax my friend. It's just us now.

The chairman gave him his predatory smile and went on.

– You will temporarily represent Chloé. We want a detailed account of the events and everything you saw outside.

Dolick carried out his task minutely, then sat down on the remaining chair. Gili's turn came after that. She started to stand up to make her report when she noticed the chairman's fixed stare. Changing her mind, she sat more comfortably on her seat, hiding her embarrassment, and reported her version of the events.

Around the table, the Capitans listened carefully, sometimes nodding their heads. Most looked serious and attentive. Gili finally introduced her idea of getting in touch with Mona and it was received rather coldly with frowns and skeptical faces.

When she had finished, the chairman emptied his glass in one gulp and dismissed everyone, asking them to think about how to get out of the city. Disappointed, Gili was about to go back to her room when the chairman stopped her. At his invitation, she sat at the counter while he served her a glass of Gin, Chloé's favorite.

– If you find a way to contact the rebels, I'm interested. We must reach an agreement otherwise our revolution will be a failure, nothing more than a vast slaughter. The Temple will win, supported by the frightened population. They are very good at manipulating minds.

– If the Shadow Girls support you, everyone will think you made an alliance with the Darkness.

– That's right. That's why we have to act in secrecy to get a truce with the rebels.

Gili shrugged. Her faith was one of her unshakable pillars, the other being her friendship for Chloé. Both kept her sane and strong. Therefore, she was unable to fit in with those soldiers who were planning a coup against the Temple. Her faith in Nukledeus would never allow it. She was seriously considering forsaking the Capitans' help and going by herself to look for her friend but didn't know where to start. She drank a sip and frowned as she swallowed the liquid.

– Anyway, I don't know how to contact them.

– You should ask this Dolick. He was a member of the Special Forces early in his career.

Gili was stunned. The Special Forces had a bad reputation among the other soldiers.

– How can you indict him without proof?

– Calm down. That was a long time ago, the rascal's older than he looks. We had to cooperate with the Special Forces and Dolick was part of it. The operation was targeting the Shadow Girls' leader.

– Mona?

– No, that was before Mona. Her name was Charlène. We had set a wicked trap and lured the Shadow Girls with a group of children from the nursery. The youngsters had supposedly been kidnapped and sold on the black market, and the smugglers were about to deliver the goods. When the girls saw our soldiers, it was too late. Charlene sacrificed herself so that the rest of the rebels could take the kids away. Mona was one of the baits and now she's become their leader. Talk about a failed operation ! The funny thing is that the children were expensive experimental stuff from the Materna, designed specifically to be able to live without chimiocs. The priests did not want to hand a group of Nukledeus' children over to the Darkness!

He was lost in his memories, smiling kindly as if he had freed innocent people from their doom. Gili should have been horrified but for a long time she had been aware that there were good guys on both sides, a little like Chloé and Daphné, similar but serving opposite causes.

– And you let Dolick attend this whole meeting?

– You think I'm careless.

It was not a question. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying his joke, and his delighted expression aggravated Gili, who felt like she was being laughed at.

– Don't worry, he's reliable. I conducted a quick investigation. Chloé was ready to answer for him and that's a sufficient guarantee.

– You're not gonna help me find her?

She immediately hated the begging tone of her question and wished she could take her words back but it was too late. Fortunately, he did not puff up with arrogance even though he got the upper hand over the conversation. On the contrary, he gave up his somewhat paternalistic and laughing tone to resume the serious and attentive look he had earlier when he had been listening to the account of the events that led to the Chloé's disappearance.

– We're all looking for solutions, but I think you're in the best position to succeed. Just like Chloé is the only one who can survive out there for so long. She's a hard nut to crack, so to speak. If you wish to contact one of us or take messages, this is where it happens. There's always someone at the pub. It is the Capitans' pub, after all.

Gili just nodded and went out to look for Dolick, once again.