The Falcon's Counsil, Part 2 to The Reaction Options

[SpiralSpectre]

SOMEWHERE IN NORTH AFRICA

Ibrahiim hastily came out of his tent. He never particularly enjoyed his meetings with general Yuusuf, but the last thing he wanted to do was to keep the terror cell leader waiting. As Ibrahiim walked towards the "guest tent" the fresh air helped him reorganize his thoughts. Yeah he indeed had a meeting with Yuusuf planned that day, to strategize for the long planned and prepared attack to retake the currently ECA occupied territories in North Africa. But Yuusuf was way ahead of his schedule and Yuusuf being so excited could be a sign of a lot of things - all of them dangerous, most of them very dangerous.

As Ibrahiim approached the tent his escort almost whispered to him with a mix of fear and respect, “pardon me my general, but is the holy one here to address us in public now that his prophecy has come to pass?� Ibrahiim turned his head towards the curious man who slightly flinched at the sight. Ibrahiim had no answer for him but the question gave him more to think about.

He never paid much attention to Yuusuf's holy speeches (or propaganda spewing depending on how you view them). As far as he knew, a few years before the Russo-Euro war, on one such speech, Yuusuf declared that the day is soon coming when the infidels will unleash their devilish weapons of chaos and destruction upon each other. Many including Ibrahiim viewed that as an old man’s hollow gibberish to increase moral. But now that ECA have unleashed their most controversial arsenal on the Russians with the Russians preparing their own nukes, a good part of GLA are actually viewing Yuusuf as the messiah who correctly stated when their day will come so many years ago. It has dramatically increased every common rebel’s loyalty towards their most hardcore yet charismatic leader.

“The holy one is truly a remarkable man�, Ibrahiim’s subordinate continued, “to think how he has successfully evaded the enemy’s orbital eyes for decades, he has survived every missile the American ‘pinpoint’ lasers could point at him. Once the fascist Chinese blew up his camp with their nuclear missile when he was in there and yet he successfully escaped using the holes and tunnels to emerge a survivor. He is truly a miracle of our time.�

As the slightly troubled Ibrahim was about to enter the tent a familiar voice came from the entrance, “Tahar! It’s good to see you again my son.� The old leader came out to grab him in a tight embrace, instantly instilling unexpected joy to all the rebels around the area who cheered the warm moment between two of their most prestigious leaders. But it was quite uncomfortable for Ibrahiim who knew very well that Yuusuf pulled these stunts in front of the common soldiers mainly to bolster moral and his own image, nothing else. He had received warmer embraces from undercover MI 6 agents.

As the two men sat inside the tent the older began to speak, “the time is upon us Tahar. Years of preparation since the start of the European war is coming to it’s fruitarian. The local puppet governments of the European infidels have practically broken apart without the money and guidance of their masters. The people are furious, they wouldn’t mind us retaking what is rightfully ours.�

Yuusuf kept speaking but Iibrahim already knew all these. He also knew a few things Yuusuf wasn’t mentioning – he had quite a few of the opposing political parties of the country in his pocket that helped him stir up public anger. His agents were stirring up and secretly arming mobs even as they spoke. His men had also recently smuggled about a dozen buses out of the local bus depot to use those as the strangest troop carrier the history of war has seen. But seemed like, for some reason Yuusuf didn't want Ibrahiim to know what he didn't need to know.

“I will supervise this mission personally.� Yuusuf's voice suddenly became stronger and clearer. “but we will have to fight in urban territories so I need to requisition some of your most potent weapons to clear the traitors out of their hiding holes once open conflict breaks out.� “I am always eager to participate myself� Ibrahiim almost mumbled, “if you allow� he added quickly. Yuusuf let out a faint smile “it's alright my son, I know you haven't been at your best lately. We don't want to risk you for such an easy task.�

The calm words pierced through Ibrahiim. Yuusuf knowing about his current state was never a good sign. Everyone knew he had his spies everywhere but was he spying on Ibrahiim as well? Or was his just a correct deduction from Yuusuf's part? Either way Yuusuf was unforgiving to someone who would feel any remorse for people he barely considered human. The bio command general couldn't help think about the possibilities of Yuusuf having special plans for him. After all Ibrahiim never was a big fan of Yuusuf while Yuusuf never fully stopped considering him an outsider despite his usefulness. Seemed like the falcon had it’s talon around the snake exactly when it’s prey was most vulnerable, at least mentally.

“I will be on my way my son. Time to address the warriors in your fine camp and then I will be off with what I came for.� Yes, Yuusuf was indeed going to give his post prophecy speech Ibrahiim's subordinates so eagerly anticipated. But the sounds from the waiting crowd didn't reach him anymore as they stepped outside. He himself had a lot to worry about at that moment.

Again done when I was on a coffee high. So how did it go? I would rather leave this story here in a open ending situation.

[Spejjarn]

You have a good writing style and I like the fact that there were no combat in this fanfic: it might be as exciting without guns blazing and missile impacts.