Livian
With Kozuna under clan control, we can begin the next stage of our plan.
About an hour passed after the trial before we councilors were allowed to leave. Excluding Helix, the rest of us headed back to our headquarters promptly.
***
Beneath a seemingly regular house, underground, was the secret base of the High Council. A chrome labyrinth of passageways that weaved into one another connected to several different rooms with varying functions. We were headed to the lecture room.
The lecture room was giant, serving as the command center for our headquarters, bearing a set of computers and devices in the center of the room, between three sets of stairs. Below were a multitude of curved half-walls, creating a circular, multi-layer barrier between the entrance and the center. Explosives were littered within those walls and rigged to go off, though only the councilors knew how to activate them. A special design in case we dealt with intruders.
Upon arrival at the command center, we councilors paused momentarily before calling the division-wide meeting.
"So, Livian, have you decided on who will be the soldier for phase two?" questioned Melrose, walking behind the rest of the group.
"Yes. Shin Ozukashi. The spy within Zara's lab."
"Your nephew? Isn't he like nineteen?" Carmen stared at her nails, gently picking at them. "Sure that's a good idea?"
"Of course. Of all our soldiers, I trust him the most. And with the information he's provided on Nikai- Kozuna's squadmate- we can easily manipulate the situation."
The councilors gave me magnificently evil smirks, ready to hear me announce the next stage to the soldiers. Everyone was clearly in agreement. I went to the intercom and called the soldiers to the meeting room.
Roughly five-hundred people worked under us councilors, and there was enough room within the underground passages to house more. They arrived quickly while I stood in front of my companions, waiting patiently.
"Listen up everyone. As I'm sure you already know, phase one was a success. We now have Kozuna in prison, and he is under Izanai's absolute control. Now, we will go to phase two! Pitting Kozuna against Nikai."
Cheers and shouting filled the room. Several people yelled out questions without waiting for me to start explaining.
"What's the plan, Councilor Livian?"
"How do we pit Nikai against Kozuna?"
"When will we have control over them?"
"For phase two, we will be utilizing the technology Isakai and his scientists have been perfecting. Now then, Isakai, if you don't mind?"
I stepped away with a smirk, allowing Isakai to take the stage.
"As you've been made aware, my division has been working on anti-curse tech. I told Izanai we have fields that can keep curses deactivated, and this is true. However, I didn't tell him that we also have fields that can activate curses, and force their power to go haywire. Gio's spies stole blueprints from the scientist Zara's lab, and we made improvements. With this, we can make any curse activate. Whether it be against their will, or if they simply don't know how to use it, we'll be able to engage their curses at the press of a button."
As more talking spurred, Gio took his place at the podium. "Thanks to our intel, we have the knowledge that Nikai can't control his curse, he'll start attacking any and everyone he can find. And since Kozuna doesn't know how to activate or deactivate his, once he enters the field, he'll be at our mercy. Here's how it'll work. First, we'll trigger Nikai's curse. Then, Izanai will send Kozuna in to respond. Kozuna will be forced to face Nikai, for the safety of the clan. We'll string them into fighting, and once they're weak, we capture them. That brings us to announce our choice for the soldier who will undertake this mission."
Finally, I stepped back to the podium, just as Gio finished.
"Shin Ozukashi! I know you're in that crowd! After this gathering is over, you are to report to the war room. You will be briefed on the nature of this particular mission. Now then, I have only a few more words to say." Opening my eyes wide, I grinned down on my soldiers with pride. "Izanai likes to believe he has full control over the clan, but he is dead wrong! We of the council know the truth, however! The cursed are monsters! The world needs to see those infected, sadistic creatures purged! We'll use their own power against them! WE'LL TAKE THEIR POWER, FOR OURSELVES! And once we've squeezed them for all we can, and disposed of Kozuna and Nikai, phase three will be nearly ready! Almost all of the conditions have already been met. Remember everyone, this is our revolution." I raised one fist into the air, with the other councilors doing the same. "And it is only the beginning."
The crowd was filled with robust yelling, laughter, and cheering. All for the hatred of curses and the souls who bore them. I soon lowered my fist and waited for the crowd to calm down a bit, but I wasn't in much of a rush. We'd worked hard to make it as far as we did; a little celebration was in order.
However, when things quieted down, we dismissed the soldiers and proceeded to the war room.
***
The five of us sat at the large rectangular table, and to no surprise, Shin arrived only a few minutes later, punctual as always.
"Reporting in, High Councilors."
"Welcome, nephew." I strolled over and lightly grabbed Shin's shoulder. "We told the crowd the main goal of phase two, but not the mission itself. We will be temporarily setting up a field that spans across all of The Primary, but the fields won't stay active for long, not while covering such a large radius. We have no way of knowing, currently, where the battle will take place. You'll have to be ready to go, wherever it happens. Also, capturing those two at full capacity won't be easy. Preferably, wait until they tire themselves out. You are to only intervene early, if it is absolutely necessary, got it?"
"Got it. But, if I have to intervene, won't I get killed instantly?"
"No. You'll be wearing curse nullification armor, compliments of Councilman Isakai. Their attacks will have no effect on you."
"How do you know?" Shin slowly began to back away. "I-I thought the armor was untested."
Isakai opened his case on the table, pulling the gear out piece by piece. "We tested it, don't you worry. However, to have no weak points, you'll have to wear the entire set of armor, from head to toe. It may be a bit clunky. Don't expect to be speedy."
"I-if you think I can handle this mission, then I'll accept it."
Gio walked over, grabbing Shin's other shoulder firmly. "Don't start getting frightened, now. We can all tell you're scared. Either you trust us and do the mission, or we'll give it to someone else who wants that nice, savory reward."
Shin's face lit up immediately. "Reward? What's the reward?"
I smirked at Gio, then glanced back at Shin. "You'll find out, once you succeed in this mission, Shin. I have faith in you."
Shin took a long, deep breath. "Okay. Okay, I accept the mission. When is it?"
"Tomorrow at midnight. Be ready. Because once that field gets turned on, all of The Primary will not be safe. Now, Shin, take that ruddy cloak off and suit up."
Shin nodded and half-smiled without another word.
With my nephew on the case- our most capable soldier- we can't lose. Kozuna and Nikai will battle, Shin will capture them or step in early if necessary. And if things go the way I predict, he should be able to capture their other squadmate. She'll serve as our new guinea pig.
That foolish tomboy, Anari.