Quick, repetitive taps echoed inside the small space of an elevator. As he glared at the digital screen displaying floor numbers like the countdown of a bomb, Nathaniel Carter felt his irritation rising. The elevator soon reached the lobby, and when the doors opened he found himself face to face with another one the council members.
"General Carter..." The look on the woman's face betrayed her anxiousness.
"General Walsh." Nathaniel smiled, his previous irritation seemingly gone.
Father time was especially harsh on Rosita Walsh. Wrinkles littered her face and white took over her hair if she went too long without dyeing it. Looking at her, one couldn't believe she was still in her forties.
Nathaniel felt pity every time he met the woman. Being responsible for the First Settlement was a constant source of stress, and though she did her best, some things were just too much.
'I guess the news has already reached her...'
The two stared each other in the eyes before the woman looked away, her jaw tightening a little. Nathaniel held back a scoff and walked past her. Their bodyguards kept a short distance as they followed behind them.
"I hear Head General Sanderson is up to something."
"Y-yes, he..." She contemplated his words for a couple of seconds before replying. "Something must've happened. He... he is moving the schedule forward."
'So you aren't going to mention it?' The corners of Nathaniel's mouth twitched. 'Rude, but understandable.'
"So much for peace..." He feigned annoyance with a sigh. "The youngster might be a brilliant scientist, but he barely knows anything about leadership. He could've relied on our help, shared more details with us. Instead, he treats us like henchmen."
Though the Council had several meetings since the sky turned red, most of them boiled down to the new Head General issuing demands and giving out orders. He listened to their opinions when they voiced them, but he never cared to consider them when making his decisions.
"The scope has changed." Said Rosita. "I doubt any of us are equipped to handle inter-dimensional politics."
"Inter-dimensional or not, it is insulting that he insists on keeping us in the dark. He treats us like civilians, unless there is unimportant work that needs delegation, of course."
The implications were clear, though neither Nathaniel nor Rosita could've predicted that the silver haired Valkyrie to come out and say it right to their faces.
"These are... enemy combatants." Nathaniel said. "He brings an army to our door and he doesn't even bother to inform us first? That's overstepping his authority!"
The Valkyrie stared at them for a moment, a little perplexed, then sighed.
"You are a smart man, General Carter. You are smart to have realized it by now." She said, her gaze forcefully causing the temperature to drop several degrees. "This matter does not require your input, and thus, we have no obligation to inform you of anything."
"Alright, that's enough, Nana."
Everyone turned to the right where they saw a man in a lab coat walking toward them, followed by two more Valkyries.
"Head General Sanderson." Nathaniel, still petrified by the words of the silver haired Valkyrie, was a bit slow to react when he saw the Doctor.
"What do you want, General Carter? I'm sure you can see we don't have the time."
His tone caused something to snap inside Nathaniel's head, but the former Head General was able to control his reaction, showing only the slightest of frowns.
"Head General, I'm not sure if you forgot already, but the Nephilim were our enemies until just yesterday."
"Get to the point, General. I have got places to be." The Doctor sighed.
"The wound has yet to heal. Bringing an army of them will only cause panic among the civilians."
"You don't say..." Heaving another sigh, the Doctor shook his head. "We are already past way that, General Carter." Pausing for a moment, he turned his eyes to Rosita next. "General Walsh, I have received some concerning news about your Settlement."
Rosita went a few shades paler. Nathaniel watched her age a couple more years in front of him, feigning confusion as he waited for her to answer. He then turned to the Doctor and was about to ask the question only to be met with a dark gaze.
"General Carter, have you ever heard of Jotunn?"