Dark Crow Rising

"No... I don't think that this will do a whole lot to convince them." I remark quietly, looking over the quick tablet I prepared. The arguments and points to make, it's all here, I just need to memorise them. Get used to it.

The tablet comes down onto my lap and I blow hot air out towards the ceiling. What I am about to ask for is certainly an extreme measure to take but it's also the best thing on hand. If this giant is vulnerable to magic that is too strong for it to brush aside simply. Then, what we have within these walls is strong enough to destroy it.

I'm sure I can appeal to their greed or something, an intact country is worth it. Compared to having a massive public relations scandal, anyhow. We can lie or make our case honestly. Lies about a dragon or proudly standing upon the broken body of that giant, it makes no difference to me.

All that matters is that I have the tools needed to do my job. And, for once, I am glad that there is an option I can at least depend upon. A bomb with magic shielding managed to make it through. A super weapon that fires concentrated magic will be more than enough.

My secretary steps out the door and she leans around to me, "They're ready for you, Grandguard Inerish."

I nod in thanks and send her on her way without entering the chamber. Staring at the sealed door, old, bitter memories come to the fore and I freeze up. Non-stop belittlement and degradation has happened beyond this point. All because one problem was beyond my reach and I couldn't solve it.

No one else was trying to stop it but I got all the blame anyway...

But now I can stop the big problem from escalating, I can do my job with swift efficiency. The newstablets have always been wrong. I am not some clueless foreigner nor am I a bumbling idiot dependent on some monster I dragged out of a dungeon. I am the Grandguard of this city and its territories because I made a name for myself that went beyond my homeland.

I've survived and conducted wars before, I can do it again.

I push the button and enter the chamber with my eyes remaining firm and still even as they all stare. Unlike so many times before, I have their full attention. No looking at brought-in work, no idle, bored stares. I have the floor and I -must- speak.

"Members of the Clockwork Council, we are in a time of great worry. We currently have an unidentified giant wreaking havoc in the south of the country."

I take the projector controls and divert what footage I sent this way earlier. Our problems come up along with some annotative boxes explaining the threat so I don't have to. All their little desks light up with smaller, more readable versions and they mutter. Little conversations start up and they quickly die off with taps on the shoulder putting the attention back onto me.

"This unknown entity outscales anything previously known across all departments I have been in contact with. Outside of considering something purely mythological, I believe we may be looking at a foreign superweapon."

The claim gets them muttering about such a thing and who could possibly have the strength to do it. The Union is considered but with their war against the Theocracy, all of it is dismissed out of hand. It's much the same when they consider Founder's Point as while an ancient and capable power, this is out of character for them. It's a confusing riddle we have yet to figure out, but, it makes more sense than assuming divine intervention.

"At the giant's current rate of progression, I feel we will be looking at it being on top of Thrurstradtur-Suhurlodst in a few months should we fail. But, we have managed to make some progress with trying to bypass this magic-eating aura it has."

The image and progress of that one bomb comes up and is shared between them. They're not versed in military matters so I can only assume their mutterings are gibberish. I will have to get my hands on a recording of this meeting, though, maybe there is something intelligent to be found. An idea that I would not dare to think of or something, who really knows...

"To clarify, the bomb used in that image was a magic-shelled deep penetrator. It's something we use to handle hard targets such as deep-core bunkers or against foes hiding within their mountain-states. The magic shielding keeps the bomb intact for however long we need it to be and then it detonates its high-yield load. We believe that we will be able to reach the giant should a strong enough source of magic be used." I explain to them and they seem to catch on quickly. Their eyes turn again and again to the highest official closest.

"You wish to call upon the Order of the Guiders of the Gnomon." the Stroke of High-Noon takes point in saying.

"I do, with what we are currently aware of, our best course of action may simply be right now the most extreme one. In order to prevent more devastation to the lands of the Dual Republic of Thrurstradtur-Suhurlodst, we must use the very Gnomon itself and the weapon system within to wipe out this giant."

"To do so will mean handing over all authority to you and put us on a total war footing. You will become a figure of authority unseen since the overthrow of the monarchy and other times of a needed dictator." the Stroke of High-Noon points out, his mouth behind his curled-up hands.

"It will, I am aware. However, to address any concerns you may have, I cannot use the tool I need to fell this giant without such powers."

"And if it fails?" a council member at the edge of their long, curving table asks. I turn to him with solemn eyes and meekness in my stance.

"I would rather not consider what that means. We know magic, pure magic not bound by material objects can make their way through the aura. We just do not know how much we need to reach the giant. We're currently testing such means out in the field with various probing attacks and our battlelines are being adjusted accordingly." I say, returning to my prior posture.

"Then let us not waste any time and get on with the vote. We shall stay behind afterwards and handle the necessities and tradition." the Stroke of High Noon explains as he sets the chamber up for this vote. It locks down and alarms go off with a small amount of security coming in as is required. All previous information vanishes and simply put, terms and conditions replace it all.

I clench my fists and start to bounce a leg in anticipation, all the votes must agree, I need unanimity.

"Let it be known to all in the Chamber of the Clockwork Council and let them bear witness. The Dual Republic of Thrurstradtur-Suhurlodst is in grave danger and the current means of government are ineffectual. With the passing of this act, the currently standing Grandguard, Inerish Dakrid of the continent of Errakur will be granted unassailable power. Her word will become law and order in its entirety and anything she decrees will be enforced with utter compliance. Failure to obide allows her to act as she sees fit, with the penalty of death being the standard in the event of her absence."

The Stroke of High Noon pauses.

"...This vote requires the agreement of all members of the Clockwork Council. Under no condition other than full agreement shall such powers be handed out. We will now cast the vote. Yes. Or, no." he finishes and each council member's individual failsafe is initiated. They all start to input different codes and solve unique puzzles before then finally pushing the final button.

It's not the same place, each person is pressing a different key in order to prevent planned synchronicity and the coups they bring. A screen flashes up with a rising counter. The total number of yes' keeps rising until only one member is left. It's the Stroke of High Noon.

I meet his eyes and furrow my brow while he stares back, he nods and pushes a button, "Head on back to work, please, Grandguard Inerish, we will send over what you will need to sign at a later date."

Full agreement, it's all in my hands now. I smile a little.

"Of course, I will prepare the city for the Gnomon's firing." I answer, turning away and leaving with a very subtle skip in my step. That giant is going down!