~Status~
Theme: Puppet Master ~ Caulder's Theme (Advance Wars: Days of Ruin)
Location: Mobliz
Time: Midmorning, about a month after the Battle of Lete River
~Status~

With a sound drowning out even the perpetual thunder of Mobliz, the great bulk of the warship DMC-010X Industrious Mako appeared in the main departure route of the treetop city, broadside, blocking the departure of several large cargo ships, a few merchant liners, and in fact sinking a completely unprepared Shadow Clan destroyer, which the warship had rammed upon entry, killing most on board.

"LONGCOM, Message New Balamb. ENGAGED STOP. MOVING ALONG ORIGINAL SCHEDULE, STOP."
"Roger, Director."

A deep frown was upon the face of Dominic Kindheart, a face freshly scarred from last month's battle over the nearby Lete River. The last month of the war had passed quietly for Figaro. Too quietly.

"Order Firing Control to begin bombardment frame one... now."

A few shots fired easily destroyed the lifts servicing the city, and a few more destroyed the bridge crossing the Lete River, allowing the citizens of Mobliz access to the Tzenwood.

"Live broadcast."

His wavering face would appear before the captain of every ship in the country, before every air traffic controller, and before anyone else with the right equipment to receive the transmission.

"In fifteen minutes, Mobliz will become a biological hazard zone for one month unless the Shadow Clan forces there unconditionally surrender. For the attack on the Glorious Tiger in our own waters and the original attack on our Foundry which started this war, I have been authorized to inflict the crushing blow of a plauge upon the city of President Vril's choosing. Please understand that your surrender can save countless innocent lives. End transmission."

As the light indicating a transmission went dead, he sighed. He did not like this at all, "... Load the munitions into the air cannons. Stand by to fire on my mark."

~~~Mobliz Base~~~

Tetran cursed under his breath. How was it that Dollet had gotten into Mobliz so easily? And what was all this about a biological hazard zone? It didn't make any sense to the Bangaa.

Dascar stepped up behind him, obviously ready to go out and fight if needed, but Tetran held up a hand. He soon realized that Dominic had a point; they knew nothing about this "plague", and either way, Cluny would have their heads for losing such a strategic foothold.

Sighing, he pressed a button, causing a similar transmission to appear before Dominic. Dascar frowned as the Bangaa spoke.

"Given the circumssstancesss, we have little choice in the matter. ...We sssurrender Mobliz to you."

Dominic breathed a sigh of relief, "You have made the correct decision. Please begin evacuating your forces to Khonligen."

"Underssstood. If you would give usss a few momentsss to gather our belongingsss..."

Dascar, begrudgingly, had gone to round up the troops and citizens.

"Stand down from arms. Secure from red alert, and clear this lane."
Even as most of the crew shifted to obey, the LONGCOM officer frowned, "Sir, this may be a trap."
"I choose to disregard your advice on the grounds that you seem overly eager to fire our load."
"We WERE ordered to fire, regardless."
"I don't care. I will take full responsibility. This battle is already won."

After a few moments, another transmission came in.

"We've begun moving everyone to Kohlingen. Over and out," came Tetran's voice before it promptly shut itself off again.

"Sir, I'm going over your head." the LONGCOM officer touched a button, "Order from President Vril. Commence bombardment pattern B."
"NO!" Dominic stood up, throwing the young woman bodily from one end of the bridge to the other, drawing his sword even as she stood.

Even as the glass shells started to rain down on the city, bursting open. The shards would cut, and the silver fluid within would mix with blood, and then...

Nothing. Minor cuts and scrapes to all present.

And it was thus that Dascar, in retaliation, dashed back to grab a fighter airship while Tetran just stood there dumbstruck. He pondered why the Dollet airship would go back on their word as he continued ushering people out of the city.

As the Longcom officer's blood became fresh paint on the bridge decking, Dominic ran for the radio, "Kindheart to the Shadow Clan. Cease Evacuation immediately. An accident has occurred, repeat, accidental discharge of biological weapons. Evacuating now would spread contamination to other cities. Repeat, DO NOT evacuate."

The bombardment ceased, and the other bridge officers stared at their captain, and his blood-stained white coat, "... You all have your orders! Move!"

A few minor Shadow Clan officers got the memo, and kept their soldiers and a good chunk of the citizenry in the city. However, Tetran did not receive this last transmission, and kept herding his flock toward Kohlingen.

Dascar sent a response transmission to Dominic, consisting solely of a frown that practically SCREAMED "Oh, there's NO way that was accidental."

Dominic gestured Dascar's attention toward the slain officer, and turned his attention to the matter of Tetran.

"Helm, block the passage of those persons fleeing the city. They pose an immediate hazard to Khonlingen."

"..."

The Dark Paladin landed the fighter.

Tetran looked up to see the Mako attempting to block their path. He was genuinely perplexed.

"What'sss all thisss, then? We're trying to get out of here, jussst like you told usss to!" he yelled at the ship.

A short man tapped Tetran's shoulder, "Can I speak with you a moment, sir?"

The Bangaa turned around and looked down.

"Hmm?"

"Mr... Tetran? Right. Anyway, I happen to be familiar with the contents of those shells... they're right to confine the city. Anyone who was injured by them is carrying some kind of disease."

He winced, "I'm not sure what it is, yet, but I'll find that out soon enough."

Tetran's eyes narrowed, as if he was going to yell at the man, but they soon returned to normal.

"...I sssee. Ssshould we quarantine the injured, then?"

Almost as soon as he asked this, he realized it would be rather pointless; the injured constituted about three-fourths of the crowd he was leading, including himself.

"Yes. And get me a line to your boss; I'll need Shadow Clan permission to buy the equipment I need."

Dascar had come running back at that moment, heard the request, and indicated for the man to follow. He then began making a beeline for the base again.

The man followed, tapping a teenage boy on the shoulder as he passed. This got the other's attention, and the younger man loped along after the pair.

Eventually, the three were at the base. Dascar pressed a few buttons, opening a transmission to Cluny. As if anticipating the Nu Mou's first question, he bowed, then pointed to the two men.

The Nu Mou had been adjusting something out of the transmission's view, turning sharply, "... What is it, Derrida?"
The man bowed smoothly, "Your town is infected. I've come to cure them."
"... Make it so, then."
"... I need a government permit."
"Done. I don't send innocent people to their deaths. Dascar; take this man to one of the financial offices and have him order whatever he needs on the government dime."

The Dark Paladin nodded, bowed, and ended the transmission. He then made another motion to follow, and headed for the nearest bank.