Mikali : Part 5

The Way Forward

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The council meeting that followed was tense, to say the least. No one on the council was pleased that a surprise action had been taken without their knowledge. Yet there was undeniable progress forward as a result -- something they had not been able to achieve, until now.

``You are certain that all of their numbers have been captured? None have escaped or been killed?`` Jokath was asking. If he had visible flesh, his cheeks would be bright red with the mix of emotion flowing through him. Fury, indignation, humility, and a bit of hope that he could not ignore... but this was a terrible, terrible risk.

``There were eight of them in total. No more, no less,`` Quenacor responded with a wave of his paw. ``I captured two myself. They are all securely within our control, and their weapons are no more.`` A quiet nod went to Ocha, who said nothing in response.

``... but what if your foray had failed? Where would we be sitting now?`` Shinayi didn't like being the voice of doubt, but he didn't like being left out of the loop, either. ``If the humans came racing into this village --``

``They would not.`` Mikali stepped forward. ``Our defensive stations remained with the tribe. Had we been overrun -- unlikely, at best, given our advantage in the situation -- they would have been met with the same impassable, shifting environment that has thwarted them with few exceptions.`` It was true: The only times the humans broke through was when the barrier was too thin or it had failed for some reason. He looked at neither Qenacor nor Grekath; that part could be sorted out later.

``... until the next human comes along that can see through it all,`` Qoreth chimed in, ``like the young girl that started this whole conflict. What then?``

Qenacor cast a glance around the council circle. ``You feel we have learned nothing since that time? The first breach was impossible to predict, but we have tightened our rank since then. You all are aware of this. The patterns change, the guard keeps watch. It has not happened since, and it will not happen again.``

``So, what you are suggesting, then,`` Jokath spoke again, ``is that we all bound through the sacred pool and acquire these new skills, then gain an edge with this so-called bonding process?``

``Not all of us,`` Mikali started, but Qenacor followed up.

``It would be an undeniable advantage. If we are able to find someone even half as useful as Ochasmatia has proven, and if they are willing to come to our aid -- a big if, mind you -- yes, yes, I know,`` he said, waving Jokath's protests away, ``but we can not afford to lose any more ground, even by accident. We will have no negotiating power with these humans, nor with the ones who sent them, until we have recovered what has been taken; nay, perhaps even overtaken their own grounds.``

``Oh, sure,`` Jokath piped up. ``... and just which one of us do you plan to send on this suicide mission?``

Mikali stepped further into the clearing. ``Me.``

Every eye in the council turned toward him. He met each gaze, understanding what he had offered to Qenacor and Grekath to do, knowing it may not work at all... but the chance had to be taken. One potential wild card was not going to be enough.

It was Shinayi who finally broke the silence. ``Mikali. You are the only new member to come to the council after Grekath disappeared. You would take this upon yourself, to go out in search of help for our clan?``

``I must,`` Mikali responded. ``I would not be going alone, however. It would be foolish to tread alone where someone else has already been.``

Grekath felt their eyes upon him, and Ochasmatia drew just a little closer. She had expected to attract attention upon coming here, but this... was a little much.

The discomfort was short-lived, however, as Jokath threw up his hands, mostly in disbelief, turning half-away from the clearing as he spoke. ``Hah! Let's see what you can do, then.``

Everyone seemed to relax a little, and Qenacor gave a brief nod. ``We will surely hold our newfound position until their return. Any objections?`` He looked at each individual council member, but was met only with quiet nods or silence. ``Settled, then. Mikali. Grekath. May Kaiana be with you. ... and Atu, or whatever it is called.``

Grekath stepped forward, responding with Mikali. ``For the good of the clan... it shall be done.``

---

Thymeru idly sipped coffee, his mind flitting between the events of the day, as well as those of the past week. Grekath had been gone for a little over four days now, and Tym was starting to miss the big furball, despite their marked, yet amusing, differences. Even with sub-adult Ahzeon there -- okay, especially with Ahzeon, it just wasn't the same. He wondered how he and Ocha were doing, yet had absolutely no way to contact them. Nothing to do but wait...

He realized in that particular moment how much he hated 'just waiting.'

It was with no small surprise, then, that he heard a crash coming from the bedroom. His coffee going completely askew, Tym raced in there, Ahzeon at his heels, to find Grekath not-so-casually peeling himself from the floor after apparently having fallen through the same full-length mirror they used to depart. He cricked his neck and moved his limbs, trying to coax them to work. "... I even tried to jump through instead of diving this ti-- hey-- OOF!!"

His commentary was cut short as Ochasmatia came through behind him, landing squarely on his back. She jumped up and helped Grekath to his feet, then quickly shooed everyone back. "Make way, make way! Mikali's right behind me!"

Tym, who just about got shoved over Ahzeon's back, recovered enough to at least sputter, "Mik ... Mikali?! Who--"

He fell silent, stunned as another robed badger came through the middle of the mirror... sideways, unfortunately, and he waved his arms and legs uselessly before falling to the floor. ``Owww... Grekath... Grekath, you said you dived through, the first time!``

``I also said it did not work. You need to hear everything I say. Never quite learn, do you...``

``... and I cannot feel a blasted thing... you are sure this planet is not dead??``

``Reach down, Mikali. Way, way down. When you are done doing that, reach down farther. Trust me, you will know when you find it.``

Tym, the poor fellow, immediately proceeded to grip the sides of his head with both hands. "Oh... oooh, guys, I don't have the money for this...!"

"Nonsense," Ocha said. "I know your credit balance better than you do. Plenty there, trust me."

"Then the sanity! Oh, gosh... I need more coffee... and a carpet-cleaner, hang it..." He turned and started toward the kitchen. Ocha followed him.

"... a shot of 151 in the coffee, for you?"

Tym couldn't help but laugh. "Espresso... definitely espresso. Double." He'd need to renegotiate the lease, too... this was going to be quiiiite the ride.