| 10: Eleven Nine "Remember remember the Ninth of November The treasonous hijacking plot I see no reason why hijacking treason Should ever become forgot" -Pendinmortican children's rhyme On November the Eighth, at 11:57 PM, the guns fell silent. The soldiers climbed out of their trenches, Columnians all. In the middle of a barren no-man's-land, the armies of the Mages and the Loyalists met in brotherhood and embraced, knowing that in a day they would return to their fratricide and their war for Columnia's future. This temporary ceasefire was the result of an international holiday purchased with the blood of thousands in Pendinmortica one year ago to the date. In the wake of the incidents of November Ninth, all the nations of the world agreed to set aside the day as a moratorium on war, an international ceasefire to be observed by all. In the rebel headquarters of Earthbound, Timotheus and Chronos watched the tearful ceasefire on television. Tim cracked open a soda, and took a sip. "You know, it's ironic that the two of us are celebrating a ceasefire for this," Chronos pointed out. "What else can we do?" Tim replied. "They never did conclusively prove who was behind the bombings in Moderonlei and Yotinatia, after all..." "And it would be utter foolishness to elucidate them on the matter," Chronos agreed. "But it's funny-they memorialize something that they don't understand." "I know," Tim said. "But what can you do?" *** "Ant, isn't it great?" asked Angelique, watching the festivities on television from her apartment. "Look what we managed to do." "We upheld our end of the worldwide peace," he noted. "A funny thing, though... with all the armies of the world standing down for the day, you have to wonder if anyone is tempted to do anything... spiteful." "Yeah..." agreed Angel, wondering what he was talking about. "Anyone with any power whatsoever would have an enormous advantage if he merely struck on this day," Ant noted. "Why are you talking like this...?" "For instance, if one were an accomplished mage, he could hijack the airwaves, broadcast a magically-enhanced mind control charm and strike while the enemy is unprepared. One could depose the commander of an army and take direct contol." "You're starting to scare me, Ant." "As well I should, my dear. Volo tu sub imperium meum! Bellux ad populum, meum est!" When he said that, Angel's eyes went blank. "Excellent, the mind control works. Now, to put the rest of the plan in motion." *** Fearless Leader Eterniu was in his office, watching the peace on television when a knock came at his door. "Who is it?" "Your humble servant Formicus of Sioux, my liege." "Come in, come in!" Eterniu approved. "Come watch this-we're racking up major goodwill points here with this ceasefire!" "About that, my liege. I intend to depose you, take command of your army, and break the ceasefire." Eterniu looked at him for half a second and then burst out laughing. "Good one! Oh, your jokes are GREAT!" Formicus chuckled for a bit, and then shouted a spell in Latin and Eterniu vanished from sight. "You thought I was kidding..." *** Now, the entire headquarters was gathered around the set, and they were watching the ceremonies taking place between representatives of the Mages and representatives of the Loyalists. Bodies and POWs were being transferred, and smiling people all around were hoping for a peaceful resolution to war. Suddenly, a blaring noise invaded the airwaves and commands were being uttered in arcane tongues. "LOOK AWAY!" shouted Chronos, pushing Timotheus' and Nosferatu's heads down. Likewise, Vanana dashed to turn off the set. "What just happened?" asked Nosferatu. "The Corruptor has hijacked the television signals," Vanana explained. "That means that he's planning something bi-" She was interrupted as the sound of explosions boomed out in the distance. Everyone in headquarters ran out to see what had just transpired. It was hard to tell for sure, but from the looks of it, four whole neighborhoods in Generatoph had gone up in smoke. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, were now dead. As if by magic, a voice called out clearly to the countryside. "I am Formicus of Sioux! I have deposed the incompetent Eterniu and I now depose the Four Themselves! I will rule here, and I will ruthlessly and mercilessly destroy any who try to stop me! I have both armies of Columnia now under my command by the strength of my magic, and I will not rest until all opponents to my rule are silenced!" Timotheus gulped. "Remember, remember the Ninth of November..." he whispered. "We have to fight back," Vanana declared. "Surely not EVERYONE heard the mind-control message. There must be some left to resist... some who will join us." "We have been ousted," Chronos noted. "We have no forces; how do you propose to do any of this?" "You will see." *** "This is Lady Protector Vanana Loe, broadcasting by the strength of magic to the sundered land of Columnia. The Corruptor is upon us, and the days prophesied by Cale of Bass are here. Formal Columnian power has been ousted, and our only hope is to resist, to hold out, and by that maybe one day we can drive Formicus from our shores and avenge the innocent blood shed today. "I am calling for the formation of a grand Underground Army of Columnia. Any who are not under the mind control of the Corruptor, heed this call and save your nation. The Four need you, the Kyrios of Earth needs you. In the name of liberty, in the name of the Four; in the name of the Father, in the name of amour, fight." |