[Small Announcement: I will be moving the schedules of the two chapters in saturday due to the lingering impromptu schedules in the weekday.]
As the gavel hit the table, Canute stood up and took the lead, with Rafael in an observer role.
"Since everyone is present, including the Administrator himself, I'd like to start this monthly meeting with congratulations to everyone for making it into the UN Security Council!" he announced. Everyone clapped, and others nodded to each other.
"Okay, the agenda today isn't extensive. First, we will address the stinging petition. We will vote on whether Atlas should agree to the Vermillion Kingdom's petition to reopen our industries, at the behest of the Vermillion Kingdom's ambassador. Let's begin the voting," Canute stated. The council members began talking and discussing, while Rafael watched the process, his left hand resting on his forehead.
Soon, the screen in front of him displayed the votes, with some abstentions, some "Nays," and some "Ayes."
Five minutes later, the petition was denied.
On the large screen behind him, a poll showed the results. The previously anxious delegates, who had been tapping their feet repeatedly, stopped, their faces paling upon seeing the outcome. Rafael decided to explain the reason.
"The reason for this is that we have an existing treaty with your kingdom that lasts 100 years. Since only three years have passed, the treaty is and will remain in full effect. I recall this treaty was non-negotiable and will not be open for discussion," Rafael said in a measured but cold, stern tone, his face covered by shadow, so the delegates could only see a silhouette and his suit.
Canute, seeing the matter concluded, signaled the people controlling the conference calls to end their lines. On the other side, in a location far away from the Citadel, the ambassador looked as if he had seen a ghost, his last remaining hope lost.
"So, we're done with them already. Onto the next agenda," Canute said, signaling the staff.
"Next is Project Nautilus," Canute announced, and the staff handed out copies of documents. Graves appeared behind him, presenting some papers and a picture of a submarine unlike any other design or class.
"Currently, the proposed budget is over 150 billion dollars, and these three models show us the three results," Canute explained. A holographic video displayed one of the three designs, resembling a fighter jet outfitted with jet thrusters that could operate underwater. The other two resembled sci-fi warships.
"Ladies and gentlemen, including the Administrator, I'd like to introduce Project Nautilus: the new generation of underwater vehicles. These three ships represent a new generation of underwater combat, as water is almost like space, but with different propulsion. I'm hoping you approve of this so we can further explore its use in space," the head scientist said with a slight bow.
"Tell me, how long will this project take?" asked 05-2, the man in charge of weapons entering warfare, whose background was that of a high-ranking commander.
"With an estimation of three years, since we need to conduct trial tests before showing the finished product to the council. Thanks to the stolen Atlantean blueprints, we were able to create our own design," he replied.
"Okay, I'm somewhat convinced. Explain more about the three ships or planes you've shown us on that hologram," Rafael said, very interested in the project and willing to fund it out of his own pocket.
"The first one you see is designed to be a fighter jet. It's a multirole vehicle that can carry medium underwater-designed bombs and fire kinetic energy weapons, which, yes, is almost at a sci-fi level, but it's possible due to the multiple technologies and projects Atlas has been developing," the scientist said, moving to the second hologram and enlarging the image.
"This is a Neptune-class battleship, fit for underwater combat, outfitted with strong defenses and firepower. It has weapons that can provide supporting artillery for our ground or sea troops at far distances and houses over 5,000 personnel," he said, then switched to the largest design.
"This is the Nautilus class, which acts as a carrier/troop ship. It houses 65 land and sea-based aircraft and can carry a single division of soldiers. If we lessen the amount of aircraft, the number of soldiers can increase. Currently, we have plans to add drop pods and even launch them behind enemy lines," the scientist said with an excited tone, as creating these three would pave the way for more other classes and categories of vessels.
"Okay then, seeing that it will be feasible, I will triple your budget, and I want to see a prototype in three and a half years. So, no cutting corners; I want one that can truly go toe-to-toe with Atlantis," Rafael said with a serious face. The other councilors looked at him with raised eyebrows, but they couldn't complain anyway, since all of Atlas's money was tied to Rafael one way or another.
"So now that's sorted out, next on our agenda is dealing with the Administrator's love life, which is getting a bit more complicated by the day," Canute said, and now all of them were curious about the Administrator's love life situation during off-work hours.
"Well, if I may speak on that problem, currently the agency is experiencing a lack of manpower because of that, and it's insane!" 05-3 shouted, since many newly inducted agents and most who had finished their previous missions and training were sent to fill the gaps created by those sent to infiltrate the ongoing list of families.
"Well, I can't argue with that, but it was his father who started it, so we can just reduce it and begin removing the easier ones before the harder ones," Canute suggested, and Rafael nodded at the idea.
"Sure, 05-3, how many families have you successfully infiltrated?" Rafael turned to the councilman.
"Over 30, sir, and the majority, by my estimation, are easy. But with your approval, sir, I can mobilize a task force to deal with them once we figure out the difficulty level," he replied. Rafael soon allowed the operation, and the discussion shifted to the top vassal organizations under Atlas: Glory Organization and The High Table Services, both of which served Atlas to the fullest.
"Okay, the two of you, what are the current problems you're facing and dealing with?" Canute asked from his seat. This time, the atmosphere was more relaxed, and Rafael was already drinking coffee.
"Well, the Dragunoca family is trying to expel my influence and control in Russia and have been trying to take over facilities under Atlas but failed miserably but are gaining progress, and lastly, I'm losing valuable men by the month," 05-10 said, also known by his title as Autem Imperator of The High Table, speaking with a refined but aged voice.
"Canute, order the deployment of the Warden and active Ghost units and begin eliminating their small strongholds. Make sure it's connected to the local gang, and transfer some of our heavy weapons and vehicles to the High Table armory. Ensure some of the best units of the Russian military are under our control, and make sure we separate those with different loyalties," Rafael said as his strategic mindset kicked in.
A few minutes later, "So how about Seoul?" Canute asked, turning to 06-9, who was clasping his hands together like in prayer, his train of thought stopping after Canute posed the question.
"Oh, nothing much, but the gangs around the Korean peninsula have been getting more rowdy, thinking they can play around in our territory, while some conglomerate families are having internal conflict, but their battles have been spreading to the streets. So I have deployed the Disciples to save anyone who is caught in the crossfire, and currently, the President is helpless and can't do anything, so we are awaiting further orders from you," the pastor said, as he led Glory, and Rafael came up with a band-aid solution.
"Okay, so if the situation escalates, we will deploy an 'exterminator' to deal with it. Since some of your Disciples are deployed in the locations under your control, and the only available one is your son, but he's against me and your organization," Rafael said, referring to the pastor's adopted son, who was intent on turning the organization into a full-out assassination empire, which did not follow the intended path since their mission was to serve and protect people in need, and their missions focused on extraction and protection.
"Also, if he steps out of line, I will personally deal with him, Pastor, whether he's your son or not," Rafael said in a serious tone as he remembered the boy who was almost the same height as him and was very arrogant due to his position and had the strength to back it up. And yes, it's half true that he is a superhuman, but he's not independent from Atlas.
"And I know that he's creating his own unit of Disciples around the world, but what he doesn't know is that an agent of Atlas is already within the ranks, and I'm already eager for him to mess up," Rafael said with a bloodthirsty smirk, and everyone nodded in agreement that if anyone thought they could go against Atlas, they would be shown why it was the apex predator.
"Hmm, since this meeting is about to end, we need to fix a few things in order," Canute said, and soon the nearby staff handed the council and Rafael a paper filled with a summary of orders for their respective departments and units.
One hour later, Rafael slammed the gavel on the soundboard, signifying the end of the monthly meeting. This cleared up the schedule for a few more months, meaning there was no need to hold another one unless something urgent came up.
Hangar
Rafael sat down on a military crate while his guards and Graves stood nearby. Michael was on another crate, scrolling on his phone, while nearby soldiers and airmen wanted to snap pictures, but MPs assigned to keep an eye on things immediately warned them that taking pictures of officials whose identities were protected would result in imprisonment, so the men lost the will to argue back and returned to their duties.
To be continued.