Last Game In Town

"Last Game In Town" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread started on [IRL DATE] and finished on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
A portal opened on the island and a representative made her way towards the great hall where Grey was presumed to be. If not there he would try her house before starting to ask around.
May 3, 2021
To say that the week or so following Grey’s discharge from the Rebellion, all ties between the Rebellion and Haligan Island being severed, and Sven leaving to join the Rebellion in Grey’s place wasn’t easy for the Chief herself…would be an understatement. When Sven left with Lila, Grey and Brandt only made sure to see their eldest child off as he embarked on his adventure, but they avoided Lila and anyone affiliated with the Rebellion. Grey and Brandt battled the trauma from being held captive for 2 weeks…with nightmares…and restless nights, but they did it together by spending time with their daughters, with each other, and in their work as leaders of Haligan Island. 
It seemed as though things were slowly getting better, and even Grey appeared to enjoy the quiet. Brandt noticed this as he and Grey sat in her office in the back of the Great Hall. Dagny and Kari were off flying on their dragons while husband and wife spent time together catching up on paperwork. Captivity for 2 weeks tended to delay things like that. 
Brandt couldn’t help but smile as he watched his wife work while Shadow was curled up next to her sleeping soundly. He could see the bags under her eyes, but he could see that there was a calmness about her… She was slowly working through it just as he was and becoming stronger for it just as he knew she would. Perhaps, she could find the will to work things out with Lila.  
“What?” Grey said as she looked up at her husband with a small smile. 
“Nothing,” Brandt said as he smiled at her. “I just love you so much.”
Grey smiled in return. “I love you too,” she replied. 
May 4, 2021
The representative came into the hall and approached the throne. “Chief, I bring a message from the Rebellion.” He said simply.
May 4, 2021
The Chief felt a cold feeling rush over her at the mention of the Rebellion…feeling the shame and guilt over what happened with her and her husband’s former captor…Ai Kauri…and the Commander of the Rebellion discharging her from the Rebellion because of it. She noticed Brandt out of the the corner of her eye shifting his body so that he was in a way…protecting her. She put her ink quill in the bottle and grabbed Brandt’s hand. 
“I…seem to recall that I was discharged,” Grey said coolly, “and that L-the Commander…cut all ties with my island. So, unless this pertains to our son, I don’t see what’s so urgent that the Rebellion needs to send me a message.”
May 4, 2021
He frowned a little at her seeming dismissal. “The Commander asked specifically to deliver this message. The factions have banded together and are now working together. To our knowledge everywhere except the area around the Jaw and the Wilderwestern territories are under High Central control, and beyond that, all half-breeds are now considered kill on site. She wanted you to be prepared as they may come seeking refuge, or worse, Central forces may come.” With his message relayed he turns and begins to walk away.
May 4, 2021
The Chief and her husband widened their eyes and looked at each other in shock and at the representative as he began to walk away. 
“Wait, what?!” Grey and Brandt shouted in unison in complete shock.  
May 4, 2021
The rep turned briefly. “I’m sorry Chief but I have to return. I was ordered to relay the message and I have. I mean no disrespect, but the Commander needs all hands in deck right now. Excuse me.”
May 4, 2021
“And we understand that,” Brandt said quickly, “but please, can you wait a few minutes while my wife and I discuss this? We may need a message to go back to the Commander.”
“Do you know when this happened or how many refugees or where they are coming from?” Grey asked quickly. 
May 4, 2021
He shook his head. “I’m sorry ma'am, we really don’t know. And besides, I’m just the messenger.”
May 4, 2021
“Right, of course,” Grey said sadly looking down. This was definitely news she had not expected to hear. Then again…this was High Central. Of course they wouldn’t go down without a fight. There was bound to be repercussions for the damage the Rebellion had done. She couldn’t sit back allow this. Haligan Island was already a safe zone for half-breeds, but now more action needed to be done. “Well, like my husband asked, please give us a few minutes to discuss before you go back. I may need you to give the Commander a message, and…I have no way of accessing the portals once you leave, please.”
May 4, 2021
He mulled it over for a few minutes, turning it back and forth in his mind before letting out a deep sigh. “Very well.”
May 5, 2021
The Chief nodded before grabbing Brandt’s arm and pulling him aside so that the representative was out of earshot.
“You heard that too, right?” Grey asked her husband frantically.
“I did,” Brandt said gently grabbing Grey by her shoulders trying his hardest to remain calm.
“Kill on site?” Grey asked. “And the factions are banding together?”
“Yes, I know,” Brandt said trying to stay calm for his wife as best as he could. However, even he was getting a little unnerved. The remains of the Conclave…and the other factions of High Central standing together and killing half-breeds…there was no way they could continue to stand by and allow this cruelty to go on. “Look, we’re still a safe zone for half-breeds.”
“And we’re not changing that,” Grey quickly cut in. “We can’t. I-I can’t…I won’t.”
“I’m not saying that we should,” Brandt quickly replied. “What I am saying is that they will likely want to go to the Jaw first since it’s closer and easily accessible. Perhaps, we can…send this guy back to tell Lila to send any elderly, disabled, young children, families, any families, anyone who is unable or doesn’t want to fight here.”
The Chief nodded. Despite what happened between her and the Commander, she would never take that out on innocent half-breeds, who were trying to escape High Central’s cruelty, and she knew the Commander wouldn’t either. Surely, she would see the reasoning. “Okay, yes, we can do that,” she said.
“But…there’s still Central forces that could potentially show up here…or at the Jaw,” Brandt said raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, and we will deal with it if that happens,” Grey said, “just as the Rebellion will.”
Brandt crossed his arms hoping that his wife would understand. “And what if either Haligan or the Rebellion is attacked?”
“What do you mean?” Grey asked. She already knew the answer, but she needed to hear Brandt say it. 
“You know exactly what I mean,” Brandt replied. “We had a way for someone to get to the Rebellion…when…she attacked, but…this time…only the Rebellion has a way to access back-up if they need it. If we’re going to have these half-breeds come, then we need assurance that help will be available.”
“And if you think I’m going to grovel and beg for forgiveness from the Commander, you’ve got another thing coming. I have more dignity than that.”
“I’m not saying you have to grovel,” Brandt replied. “The Rebellion doesn’t have enough men and neither do we, They outnumber us, and if there’s a chance they can attack us and the refugees, I would sleep better at night knowing we have an agreement between us and the Rebellion.”
“I’m not against that,” Grey said, “but who’s to say that the Commander will actually agree with that? She had no problem discharging me because of what I did. There’s no way she would be willing to change that.”
Brandt closed his eyes. He knew that not referring to their niece by her name was one of the ways Grey was trying to process what happened with Ai Kauri…both the captivity and what happened in the interrogation room, but it still didn’t make this any easier. He sighed. “I think the only way we’ll know for sure is if we ask,” he suggested. “We’ll go with this guy and talk to her. She’ll see reason.”
“It won’t change anything,” Grey said crossing her arms. 
Brandt gently pried her arms away…as if he was breaking down her walls and holding her up…just as he had always done. “It won’t,” he said gently, “but it will get things going in the right direction again. Once we ask, it’s in her hands.”
Grey sighed. “Okay,” she said before leaning forward and hugging her husband. 
May 5, 2021
The representative stood there, waiting for them to finish as he tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the two to finish their conversation.
May 5, 2021
“I’ll be right by your side the whole time,” he said whispering it into her hair. 
“I know,” Grey said. “I just…I can’t handle looking at her…and feeling all that shame…and anger…and judgment…”
“We’ll make it as quick as possible,” he said. “I promise, and like I told you…one action doesn’t define who you are. You’re still you. She doesn’t control that…neither the Commander or Ai Kauri.”
Grey nodded and hugged Brandt just a little tighter before pulling away and turning to the representative. “Allow us to accompany you to the Jaw,” Grey said as they walked over. “I…I need to speak with the Commander.”
May 5, 2021
The rep seemed taken aback at this. When they asked for time to talk it over he had not expected such a request. “I… Don’t think the Commander would like that.” He replied, unsure.
May 5, 2021
“I’ll take full responsibility if she doesn’t,” Grey said quickly. “It’s something to benefit the half-breeds and the Rebellion. Please, I won’t be for long. My husband and I just want to discuss it in person.”
He thought it over for a moment, turning over the repercussions of this before sighing and shaking his head. “I am going to regret this.” He murmured. “Come along.” He began to lead the pair the way he came. The Nix looked confused but after a brief explanation their expression became that of exasperation. They shrugged and shook their head in resignation before opening a portal beneath them all.
In a moment they were outside the Jaw. As they took a moment to look around they saw that tents and temporary shelters were being erected everywhere. They also noticed the dramatic shift in the atmosphere. Where once there was hope and optimism, now there was fear and desperation. The representative, gestured for them to follow as he began to make his way into the city towards the Commander.
May 6, 2021
As soon as they arrived, Grey immediately felt the knots twist in her stomach, and she hated it. She already felt like a criminal for being anywhere near the stronghold of the Rebellion…where her niece was…where their former captor was being held prisoner…with that stupid smirk of hers. She breathed a shaky breath as the representative gestured for her and Brandt to follow him, and as soon as that happened, she felt a hand wrap around hers. She looked only to see that it was Brandt smiling gently at her.
“It’s okay,” he said. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. You’re doing the right thing. I promise.”
Grey could only nod as she gripped Brandt’s hand just a bit tighter promising herself that she would not leave his side, and with that, they followed the representative. She closed her eyes steeling away the fears…the anxiousness…She was the Chief of Haligan Island, and she was here on behalf of her island…to protect her people…to talk to the Commander of the Rebellion. What happened with Ai Kauri did not define her. She knew who she was. Nothing more, nothing less. She opened her eyes again.
May 6, 2021
Inside the Jaw was not as bad as outside, but the air was tense. People walked with purpose and we’re on edge, this whole situation was not what anyone had expected. The representative led them down into one of the bunkers that Lila had converted into her war room. She was hunched over a table, on too of which sat a map as well as various reports from their scouts, all saying pretty much the same thing, and it was nothing much. “Commander.” The rep said as he entered.
As the half-breed turned she was visibly tired. This sudden flip in the script had left her scrambling to organize the relief effort as well as their scouting parties. “Aunt Grey, uncle Brandt, what are you guys doing here?” Her tone didn’t suggest that she was angry, more that she was surprised to see them.
May 6, 2021
Brandt squeezed Grey’s hand a little as if to say “See? She doesn’t hate you.” The Chief felt a pang of guilt in her heart…probably from what happened with Ai Kauri…or her being dismissive earlier. She wasn’t sure.
“Uh…w-well, uhh…” Grey began trying to think of how to bring this subject up without angering Lila.
“We received your message about…you know…the kill order,” Brandt said, “and…we wanted to talk about it in person…rather than send the messenger. See if maybe you learned anything new.”
May 6, 2021
Lila sighed and rubbed her face with one hand as she turned back to her map. “Nothing. And that’s the frustratingly strange part. We know, quite literally, nothing beyond what I’ve already told you. I sent sent scouts into High Central itself, but they were discovered almost instantly every time. I figured it was just a state of heightened alert, or some kind of spell or something. But look at this.”
She begins pointing at several cities across the map, each stuck with a red pin. “I’ve sent scouts into each of these cities and each time, without fail, they are discovered. The really bizarre thing is that the further they go out from High Central, the longer it takes, but inevitably the result is the same.”
May 6, 2021
Grey squinted her eyes as she listened to the Commander’s explanation. “They must’ve learned somehow, which…shouldn’t be happening…” Grey began. “If they’re so far from High Central…how could they possibly get the information that quickly? And how would they possibly know who these scouts are?”
May 6, 2021
Lil shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know how they know our scouts. It’s been a different team of scouts each time, but the results are always the same. As for how they are able to get messages so fast… You remember when I ordered the Conclave soldiers to be scattered across the continent?” She asked as she crossed her arms and scowled.
“Yeah, apparently I fucked up. They had a mental network, like we have set up here, except theirs wasn’t anchored by objects like ours. It’s anchored by their people. So by sending their soldiers everywhere, we spread their network everywhere.”
May 6, 2021
“No, I fucked up by beating a prisoner when I could’ve ignored it,” Grey said taking a step closer. “That’s fucking up. How could you have possibly known about this mental network of theirs? None of us knew about it. We…You can still fix this.”
May 7, 2021
She shakes her head. “If there’s a clean way for me to do it, I don’t see it.” She replies before turning back to her map. “The only thing I can think to do is to just go for an all out assault on the city.” She says as she runs a finger from the Jaw to High Central. “I hate to do it without intel, but we don’t really have a choice. The longer we wait, the more like it is that they’ll bring the fight to us, and that is not a fight we can win.”
May 7, 2021
The Chief nodded as she let this all sink in as she stared at the map. She thought about volunteering herself to go and investigate this mental network, but the same thing would just happen again. That was too huge of a risk. She thought Ai Kauri would know more, but one encounter with her already got her discharged from the Rebellion. A second encounter would likely make things worse, and she wasn’t too keen on being in the same room as Haligan Island’s former captor anytime soon. Lila was right…a full-on assault seemed to be the better option, but…
“The last time something like that happened…was when we faced Vidar,” Grey said mentally kicking herself for saying “we” even though she was there. “But…we were outnumbered then. How many men do you have now…without the refugees?”
May 7, 2021
Lila sighed and closed her eyes. She did that a lot these days as the situation got progressively worse. The Half-Breed put up a good front, but it was becoming evident that this war was getting to her more and more with each day. “Without, about 10,000. Probably more with. Doesn’t matter though Central out numbers us 6 to 1.”
May 8, 2021
The Chief looked at her husband, who simply gestured to her to say something to their niece, and they both knew what she should say. So…Grey took a deep breath. 
“Look…I…I know…” she took a deep breath, “I know what I did to Ai Kauri was wrong. I…wasn’t in the right mindset and should’ve ignored everything she was saying about our family and our island…hel even what she said about me being unworthy…and her capturing the island…and me doing what I did are the biggest failures of my life, and I shouldn’t have even been in there to begin with…I know that, and…it’s something that I will regret for the rest of my life. I deserved to be discharged. But…I…we…Uncle Brandt and I…with everything going on…we can help. We can…send the refugees…any elderly, disabled, young children, and their families to Haligan Island keep them there, and whatever refugees want to join…let them…train them…and…maybe…even Haligan Island army… There’s only 500 in all…but…with an army as big as High Central’s…you’ll need all the help you can get, and I’m not about to stand by and watch my nieces, nephew, and son go off into battle…”
May 8, 2021
Lila chewed on her bottom lip as she considered this. It hadn’t even been two weeks yet and she was already considering reversing the biggest decision she had made with the Rebellion under her leadership. “It would be… Temporary, and you would not be given a position of authority in the Rebellion. At this point I’m not really in a position to refuse help.”
May 9, 2021
The Chief nodded. As much as it hurt not to have the shared authority with her niece, this was certainly much better than nothing. She would get to help, and that was more than enough for her. 
“All I want to do…is help you take down High Central and take care of the refugees,” Grey said. “Nothing more, nothing less.”
May 9, 2021
She nods. “Alright then. I’ll start making preparations on my end, you should go to Haligan and start preparing your end of things.”
May 9, 2021
Grey nodded. “Of course, send me word once the refugees arrive and when you are making preparations for battle,” the Chief said with a small smile.