Laying the Road

[Guest]

It was finished. The whole of it. The war was done as fast as it had begun, with far too many casualties in the middle. The Chancellor had been kidnapped. She had ultimately failed in her mission to ensure his safe approach into South. She did not let the guilt bog her down, however, for the Chancellor hadn't even arrived near South City at that point. He hadn't even made it outside of Central. If she had been there.... would it have been any different? No. No she definitely couldn't think like that! Shula was right, this was her post and despite her brief thoughts during that war to leave her dear South City, she loved it here. She never would want anything to happen to it. So as much as she may wonder at the "what ifs" of the situation, there was no point at all to it. What was done, was done. No use crying over spilled tea as her father would say. It was time to move on.

Her parents were safe. Her father was laying low with the mob in Xing, but he had sent her a message that he was healthy and uninjured. Her mother had found her charges and kept them safe. Things in Creta were slowly stabilizing. And Amestris? She had to sigh as she sat there at her desk reading report after report about the damages, the casualties, the call for restocks, how much it would take to fix what had been broken. But they were not destroyed. They would rebuild. She could only imagine what Central and Briggs were like at the moment since they took the brunt of the blow. South had barely suffered anything compared to them. At the moment she was focusing her attention on the refuges from Central that had been evacuated to their warm city. For the moment though? She didn't have all the answers.

Closing the folder as she closed her eyes, she rubbed the lids after staring at so much text for so long. It was enough to give one a headache. No matter. She pushed herself up, smoothing out the suit skirt that she wore, a dark blue that matched the blazer she wore over top the baby blue shirt. Per usual it was unbuttoned to a point, the ring dangling from her necklace hiding in her cleavage from view. Her long hair hung free as always, the golden snake earrings peeking out from between those black locks. Matching heels covered her feet, made of a soft suede that were relatively low to the ground. She never saw the point in skyscraper heels, all it did was fuck with your ankles. Her blue eyes scanned the few folders before she gathered them up into her arms, walking out the door of her office to stride down the hall towards her superiors. Brigadier General Shula Brighton. Slowing to a stop, she rapped softly upon the doorframe, "Brigadier General? Can I come in?" She called, hoping that she wasn't interrupting anything.

[Shula Brighton]

Steam rose off the tea in the porcelain cup like misty ghosts on the morning lawn in September before the sun rose. Things were "back to normal," but what did that even mean anymore? Shula sipped at the deep red-brown tea in her cup, the blood-like colour almost matching her eyes as she looked over the files in her hand. South City had returned to peaceful state, the world recovering from nearly falling in on itself that spring. But what was normal in Amestris? In this world? The illusion of peace that only lasted until you rolled out of bed to start your day? The pauses that you took to have some tea and catch your breath? Or was it the constant state of being okay for now but ultimately preparing for the next wave? A few years ago, Suhla would have answered that normal was the most peaceful state, that it was the blanket-like ignorance of the problems of the world being perceived as too far away to touch her in her cage. But that Shula was gone. When had she been replaced by the woman who held the rank of Brigadier General and occupied the privelege of being the first Ishvallan General to command an Amestrian base?

Over the course of things, Shula had changed drastically from the shy and innocent girl that was bullied at South and who stayed invisible and useless until she was shluffed onto Central as their problem. For better or worse, Shula had changed and grown, and now South City was her responsibility, as was assisting in keeping Amestris safe. Safe, like peace, was a perceived feeling that was fleeting, but she would do anything she could to maintain that feeling for the people she cared for in her city. From its destruction to its rebirth, South had held her heart. It always would. This was home. And mistakes had been made in that most recent bloodbath that Shula could not overlook. South had been helpless as Central was overwhelmed, doing their best to protect the millions of innocent people who had evacuated there while trying to gather their forces for possible attack from Aerugo at the south and from RIOTE north of them. They wouldn't have stood a chance. Even as Hans had been taken, Shula knew that they would have been all that was left to save Amestris if Briggs and Central had fallen completely.

This was unacceptable.

Bracelets tinkling on her wrist, Shula changed papers from one of her own orders to those of blueprints and schematics, looking over the numbers. This would be expensive, and keeping it secret would be hard. But it was necessary, as much as she liked to be the one who kept her people as informed as possible to help maintain trust between the Amestrian people and the military that they didn't know to fear or love anymore. Fear them when something bad washes up, love and run to them begging for help when danger came. Sheep. They were the dogs of the military for a reason, and the people they protected were sheep. Just as she'd watched from her window for years, the little black and white dogs would nip at the flock and keep them grouped while they grazed peacefully, the sheep wary of the dogs since they were so like the wolves that would eat them. But when wolves ever dared to come down from the mountains and their thick, black forests to try and pick one off? Those dogs were their only hope. It was a thankless job. Shula knew that now.

Plans in hand, Shula took another sip of the rooibos tea, looking up as a knock came to her door. "Brigadier General? Can I come in?"[/i] Ah, her Second had come to visit. She smiled softly to herself. Excellent timing. She drained her cup and stood, walking to the little cabinet in her office that Shula kept her stash of tea and treats/ Though the cupboard was mostly full of apple juice for her little Sal, there was plenty of tea and a few stronger things in there as well. Shula pulled down another cup, turning the water kettle back on. Water perking, she moved to her desk and poked an intercom button to her secretary in the little room outside her own door. "Rose? I'm in a meeting for a bit."

"Come in, Colonel," Shula called, waiting for her second to enter the large office. Her own cup and a second waiting, Shula moved back to her desk, gathering the orders she'd written so carefully and the files of schematics. Some things needed to be kept secret from the public, but these were things South HQ needed to know. Well, some people here, at least. Lisbeth was a good second and would need to know the important new changes to South's defenses lest they continue to be a liability for their country in the future. The files were dropped onto the coffee table in a light stack as Shula moved back to the kettle, watching her office door shut. "Colonel, turn on the sound diffuser please? Little box by the door." The little gray box by the door only had an on and off switch, the noise generated sounding like a box fan mixed with static. A cheap trick used by most counselors to keep people from overhearing therapy sessions, or in this case, private military conversations in the General's office. With a bright smile, she filled her mug with water, the pot hovering over the empty cup. "Tea, Colonel? I was hoping you'd coe by, I needed to talk to you. But first, what can I do for you?"

[Guest]

"Rose? I'm in a meeting for a bit." Oh good, Shula wasn't busy at the moment. Lisbeth straightened up a bit more as her hand lowered to her side from knocking just as the Brigadier Generals voice reached her ears, "Come in, Colonel." Nodding once, Lisbeth slid past the door and closed it quietly behind her, the files getting clutched just a little tighter to her chest. It never ceased to amaze her how welcoming Shula's office was, her sapphire eyes sliding over each surface with a soft smile upon her lips until she came to rest upon her boss standing by a counter with the smell of tea filling the room. Mmm, what kind of tea was it? She was quiet used to such a sensation since it reminded her of her father which only caused her smile to widen slightly as her nose plucked at that delicious smell. "Colonel, turn on the sound diffuser please? Little box by the door."

Hm? Oh! Right. She had gotten so drawn in by the atmosphere and her thoughts, she almost didn't hear the request at all. "Of course Brigadier General." Turning to the small gray box, she flicked the switch and stepped further into the room, her heels soft against the ground. "Tea, Colonel? I was hoping you'd coe by, I needed to talk to you. But first, what can I do for you?" She had been expected? Or rather, Shula needed to talk to her? Now what could it be about? Was it because of what had happened during the war? No, no, if that were the case she would have spoken to her sooner. "I would love some tea, thank you." She should answer that question at least, and she would love some tea. She hadn't had a good cup in a while. But in any case, it was time to focus on work. "Some area's of the city has expressed its concern regarding the refugees that are in the city. They are wondering how much longer certain groups will be here, product demands, space, prices of things, safety, housing, etc."

Her footsteps thudded as she continued onward up to her bosses desk, glancing over the various papers that were in the folders she held. "The grand majority have been moved back to Central, East, or wherever where people were from, but some families are stranded here after hearing about damages caused. I had a few more patrols added in the city to help with the concern about safety, much to the relief of some businesses. There haven't been any issues, but people can't help but be concerned. As for the ones that are stranded here, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the matter. I can work it out myself, but I wanted to ask." She placed the folders down on the desk, tilting her head slightly as a rather calm expression took her over. It amazed her though how people could be so distrusting of folks that were escaping a crisis, it just seemed so very selfish. Perhaps that was just her though. "That can wait though. You said you needed to see me?"

[Shula Brighton]

A second cup was poured, deep red tea steeping, foreign and exotic floral notes of the rooibos bush lingering above the cups. Shula smiled. This was one of her favourite teas, especially this blend since there was dried vanilla pod in the mix. A touch of honey or sugar and the tea was perfect in her mind, especially since rooibos was so good for you. Two cups on a tray with a tinypot of sugar, Shula took them to the coffee table. She loved her office, how she set it up. It was homey and meant to put people at ease, regardless of rank or office, especially since she liked to keep everyone on an equal standing with her in her office. ”Join me,” came the warm invitation, two plush sitting chairs facing a tiny three-cushion sofa. Her own stack of paperwork to show her Colonel were on that coffee table with the steaming cups of tea.

Shula waited, calmly taking a sip of her own cup for her second to explain what the issue was or update her on what issues had been averted. "Some area's of the city has expressed its concern regarding the refugees that are in the city. They are wondering how much longer certain groups will be here, product demands, space, prices of things, safety, housing, etc." Listening intently, Shula was quiet. Yes, she'd heard that there was some malcontent about how many people were lingering in South in some areas, despite there being room enough for everyone. It was the food shortages again that were a main issue, and housing. South City was constantly building as people migrated, and the influx of people having to stay there until their own homes were repaired were more than what was currently built. Currently. She nodded quietly, already trying to work out where to put everyone in order to ensure safety and food for all, despite South already straining to push its growing resources to supply the rest of the nation with enough food from their alchemical fields. "The grand majority have been moved back to Central, East, or wherever where people were from, but some families are stranded here after hearing about damages caused. I had a few more patrols added in the city to help with the concern about safety, much to the relief of some businesses. There haven't been any issues, but people can't help but be concerned. As for the ones that are stranded here, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the matter. I can work it out myself, but I wanted to ask."

Ah, the Colonel already started padding security, good. It didn't help that South was understaffed as it was, but the city as a whole needed more of everything, especially as their population grew. She'd have to have someone start checking their police, fire, and rescue services to make sure they were staffed enough, or at least had a large volunteer pool. Things like this were difficult, and her life of homeschooling had never prepared Shula for having to make decisions that would affect the entire populace of the city she was born in and that her father's family had populated for generations. There were millions of people, more every month, and people needed food, housing, work, and money. The food and housing Shula could help with and planned to, but the work and money was something hard up on all of Amestris as they were forced to borrow from other countries that fared better than they did. But at least they wouldn't starve if Shula could help it. "That can wait though. You said you needed to see me?"

She shook her head, taking another sip of her tea before putting the cup down. ”What I wanted to go over will affect South as well, but the peoples' needs come first.” Shula didn't care how many corrupted military officials and sadistic alchemists warped it and made it harder for those who really cared. Be Thou For The People would always be the first order of business. ”South is big enough for everyone, it's just not all where everyone else has settled. Our lake alone is a hundred miles in any direction... We still have under and undeveloped areas to the north and east of South Lake. On the east is where our fields are for South and Amestris as a whole; if we have more people to feed, we'll simply have to add to those fields. Send our Agricultural Development department that way and have them clear a few miles for more fields so there's enough food for everyone. Get some civilian workers if need be, and if they don't know the mechanics of my plant growth alchemy for the other fields, let me know and I'll go out there myself to help put the arrays in place. Vegetables, corn, and wheat. Have them get that ready, and let me know if I need to go out there to assist the process.”

Of all the failed alchemical experiments Shula had done, her plant growth was really the most useful of them all. Initially she only used it to bolster her own back yard garden in Central, blooming massive flowers like a hothouse. But when she and Spade came South following Central's initial destruction, Shula had worked carefully to introduce her growth alchemy to the nearest villages and farms, and then used it to help develop South and root them all in deeply. Adding a few more fields would be good, and they had plenty of room to spread the fields out a bit. Even though the alchemy killed off the plants sooner, it meant people ate sooner, and that was rather important. Fingers around her cup, Shula took another sip, trying to think of where to put people. The north of South Lake was still part of South City, even if it wasn't as densely populated and more of a drive to get to where the majority of people were. Hopefully in doing this, more people would start spreading their shops out and open up the suburbs some.

”As for housing... I know we're short on homes for everyone, and the building companies can only go so fast, given that the whole nation is a bit short on funds.” She thought for a moment. Homes were traditionally made of wood, plaster, metal, and.... And.... Aha. ”Send a team to find some civilian earth alchemists here in South. I know there's bound to be at least a handful. But take them to the north of the lake, and a few architects and planners, and a small building crew. Low-cost housing out of natural resources that won't cost anyone a fortune to build or let out to refugees. Earthen homes are already good for heating and cooling in this climate... Let refugees help in the construction if they can to help it go faster and get homes for their families. That should help get everyone situated for now since South can't do much for the areas in Central's and Briggs' jurisdictions.” There were bound to be a few snags, but it was enough of a plan that people would make it work, and people who wanted a place to stay and not feel so paranoid about scrunching in South's more densely populated areas. Her Colonel would be able to oversee both operations, Shula was sure, and anything that needed her would be brought to her attention hopefully.

Shula reached down to her own papers, pulling out the blueprint and spreading it out gently. It was a tunnel with the outlines of Amestris itself laid over top on that page. She turned the page for Lisbeth to look over and absorb quietly, waiting to gauge her second in command's reaction and first impression before Shula explained what it was. ”And this, Colonel, was what I wanted to speak to you about. There were errors made in that last war I will not see happen again... This may help prevent them again, and I wanted your thoughts before I started hiring secret crews to work. This... must be kept quiet.” And was why the sound diffuser was turned on, humming loudly at the door to prevent eavesdroppers, Rose guarding Shula's office from anyone that needed the General or didn't need to hear about this project. ”This is a tunnel I have planned out; it will connect directly to Central City, and then to Briggs. They will not be for civilian use, or even something they know about, but it will allow for troops to move under where traffic will be, quickly and quietly from one base to another. Troops, supplies, or most importantly, the Chancellor.” When word got to Shula that the Chancellor had been intercepted and hadn't even made it out of Central's city limits, the little Ishvallan was more than pissed about it. ”I already have the plans sorted and perfected, and teams assembled to begin construction and keeping it quiet. And I wanted your thoughts.”

[Guest]

”Join me,” No need to ask twice, not with tea that smelled that heavenly in the office. Nodding her head once, Lisbeth headed over towards the couch and chairs that her superior officer gestured towards with a hand, her blue eyes resting upon the stack of papers that were lying there. Aye... there was no getting away from paperwork for any of them at this point in time. There was so much that needed to be done at the moment that rest was a luxury for them. It was while she sat that she began to regale the Brigadier General with her concerns and whatnot, taking a moment to sip at the tea that had been given to her. Mmm... now that was excellent tea that she had there. It made her miss Xing a bit for they did have the best tea leaves there of great and vast variety. Was her father enjoying one such cup right now? Was he safe? No... No she could not worry about her family at the moment. They were the Triads, they would be fine. They had outlived worse crisis than what had happened there.

She should focus upon what her boss wished to speak to her about and the country that she was partially responsible for. ”What I wanted to go over will affect South as well, but the peoples' needs come first.” Oh? It wasn't very surprising to hear that Shula had also been thinking about what to do with their city, she was the Head of their military here. ”South is big enough for everyone, it's just not all where everyone else has settled. Our lake alone is a hundred miles in any direction... We still have under and undeveloped areas to the north and east of South Lake. On the east is where our fields are for South and Amestris as a whole; if we have more people to feed, we'll simply have to add to those fields. Send our Agricultural Development department that way and have them clear a few miles for more fields so there's enough food for everyone. Get some civilian workers if need be, and if they don't know the mechanics of my plant growth alchemy for the other fields, let me know and I'll go out there myself to help put the arrays in place. Vegetables, corn, and wheat. Have them get that ready, and let me know if I need to go out there to assist the process.” Yes... this was true... What if they were to expand some housing out upon the lake? It was true that the pirates had settled there with their ship, but would they be opposed to exploration there? They could even.... Hm... yes.

She nodded and laid her folders out on her lap as she pulled a small notebook out of the pocket of her jacket, making a note to speak to the Agricultural Department. She had an idea that she wanted to run by them as well. "Yes Brigadier General." She said softly as she took another moment or two to write down all that her superior had just said. That would definitely help and hopefully produce a surplus just so they could add to their storehouses. And if her idea worked.... then they would certainly have a surplus. It would just matter the budget at this point. How much it would cost and whatnot. Perhaps she should also look into the research department that wasn't just the alchemical one. Those folks always had new innovations on their minds. ”As for housing... I know we're short on homes for everyone, and the building companies can only go so fast, given that the whole nation is a bit short on funds.” That... would be the biggest issue. So much of their money had gone towards renovations from all the wars, not to mention funding them, that there was so little left for other things.

”Send a team to find some civilian earthalchemists here in South. I know there's bound to be at least a handful. But take them to the north of the lake, and a few architects and planners, and a small building crew. Low-cost housing out of natural resources that won't cost anyone a fortune to build or let out to refugees. Earthen homes are already good for heating and cooling in this climate... Let refugees help in the construction if they can to help it go faster and get homes for their families. That should help get everyone situated for now since South can't do much for the areas in Central's and Briggs' jurisdictions.” Earth Alchemy.... yes there were a few scattered about. Another note was made in her little book as her own mind flittered about on a rush of ideas. See, it was usually good to speak with others (especially your superior officer) for it was great for brainstorming. "Aaand... yes ma'am. Thank you." She smiled softly as she raised her head, smiling to Shula. Excellent. Her questions had been answered.

Papers were shuffled before her and extended over the table, her eyebrow raising in curiosity. Blue prints? Her eyes darted over the lines for the tunnels, the numbers and symbols that were written there on the page. Her eyebrow lowered as she appeared more focused, her lips tightening slightly. ”And this, Colonel, was what I wanted to speak to you about. There were errors made in that last war I will not see happen again... This may help prevent them again, and I wanted your thoughts before I started hiring secret crews to work. This... must be kept quiet.” Now this was quite serious indeed, causing those sapphire orbs to dart upwards to meet Shula's ruby eyes. So this is what the Brigadier General had been spending her time on lately. ”This is a tunnel I have planned out; it will connect directly to Central City, and then to Briggs. They will not be for civilian use, or even something they know about, but it will allow for troops to move under where traffic will be, quickly and quietly from one base to another. Troops, supplies, or most importantly, the Chancellor.”

So an underground train system of sorts. A brilliant plan, but also highly risky. Her lips tightened even further, ”I already have the plans sorted and perfected, and teams assembled to begin construction and keeping it quiet. And I wanted your thoughts.” Lisbeth's eyes slowed, truly examining what was before her. "While this will certainly help with transport and discretion, there are some precautions that should be taken. It is extremely helpful for us, but should our enemies find it, it will be even more helpful for them. I am sure you are already aware of this and have thought of it, so you must already have some counter plans in place." That was her biggest concern with this idea, not about funds or anything. "Are there measures in place to blow the tunnels should our enemies get ahold of it? Or flooding it with the lakes water perhaps?"

[Shula Brighton]

There it was, laid before them: Shula's tunnel. Something she'd spent months developing quite in secret and even started the zoning and construction for, so tightly-wrapped that the crew building it needed clearance and were sworn to secrecy lest there be legal action taken against them privately, or pirate-action taken against them more privately. It would be a great asset to Amestris' defenses, but it was a very dangerous move to take, like walking a wire in a room where the floor was rigged to explode. Only one path led to safety, and even it could be so easily cut. Shula took another casual sip of her tea, eyes red as her rooibos calmly watching as her second absorbed this new intel and processed it. She could see the gears in Lisbeth's head turning, and that was good; that meant that even if South was under-staffed that it was still staffed by keen minds who would do well with new things presented to them. Being adaptive over time had kept Amestris going; being adaptive and clever would keep them surviving.

Lisbeth was quiet, studying the plans for a moment before the Colonel responded. "While this will certainly help with transport and discretion, there are some precautions that should be taken. It is extremely helpful for us, but should our enemies find it, it will be even more helpful for them. I am sure you are already aware of this and have thought of it, so you must already have some counter plans in place." Shula nodded, leaning back in her seat calmly. This tunnel was a risky thing, and Lisbeth was very right; if any of their enemies, or Ishvalla forbid, RIOTE found a way into the tunnel it could be disastrous to Amestris. Like severing the femoral artery Amestris would quickly bleed to death before anyone knew what had happened. Shula was well-aware, and thankfully, had already brought that up to her head engineer. "Are there measures in place to blow the tunnels should our enemies get a hold of it? Or flooding it with the lake's water perhaps?"

Cup on the coffee table, Shula relaxed against the cushions in thought, recounting the many details the brilliant man had gone over with her in great detail. Anton was a strange man, and the laboratory Dr. Hosenfeld had made for himself in the basement level of South HQ was a dangerous and sometimes creepy place (no thanks to Shula constantly remembering Raistlin's lovely little windowless lab), but of all the minds that South employed nobody was better-suited to the task. Over colourful cocktails presented to the General as she came to call, Anton had given her every detail, thrilled at his own brilliance, the white turrets watching them from all over the lab, calling the doctor 'daddy', pleased to be of assistance in this plan. "Dr. Anton Hosenfeld from R&D has been head of this project, and we've taken all possible scenarios under consideration." And she meant all of them; that computer, Setsuna, had nearly broken Shula's head going over mathematical probabilities and calculating possibility of human expenditure down to mind-numbingly long equations that sounded more like formulas for talking to alien life forms than anything real. Shula had come to understand very quickly why the man greeted you with booze (not that she minded, really); it was needed.

"The tunnel has only one entrance at either end, but the specific location of each will be undisclosed until needed; getting in and out both require clearance." While that sounded almost standard, there were heavy precautionary measures discussed to prevent hacking. "Clearance codes will be given only by Dr. Hosenfeld, or Setsuna his, erm... assistant. And at all times, they will both be monitoring the tunnel." That was the best way she could describe the intelligent, analytical, bitchy program that ran the lab down there with Anton, helpful in every way and with a knack for insulting guests in the politest ways possible. Or the most blatant ways possible, if it thought you were too stupid to understand the subtle nuances of sarcasm. Reaching an arm out, Shula pointed at the walls of the tunnel on the blueprint, her fingers pausing every few spaces. "From end to end the tunnel will be monitored by Anton's sentries. They're small, white, controlled remotely, and very, very lethal. They'll be built into the walls themselves, functioning as lights. But they give constant streams of feed to the lab, and should the tunnel somehow be infiltrated, both sides lock shut as the oxygen supply is vacuumed out rather than flood it or collapse it. When this happens, his sentries will dislodge themselves from the walls and ceiling en masse and begin to fire. We'll have the advantage of a small army being deployed instantly in a closed environment while putting the enemy at a complete disadvantage. Chimerae and alchemists still need to breathe."

It sounded so unlike Shula, even she was a little surprised, considering her own hesitation to directly hurt anyone. But for the sake of keeping everyone safe, this was the best way, and Anton had agreed that using his...children... would help ensure that Amestris would suffer the least amount of casualties. Anton could build more turrets, but human life was far more difficult to replace, and even if they gave the tiny General the jibblies, it was still the preferable option. Shula leaned back once more, giving her Colonel time to absorb. "There are more details that will be given to you in briefing when we're closer to completion, and you'll be fully trained in the ins and outs of this tunnel so that in an emergency we'll be alright. But... overall, what do you think?" There were still a few kinks and equations to go over, and Shula was sure Setsuna would have new slews of colourful insults to bait her with, but in the end, it would all be worth it.

[Guest]

Lisbeth's eyes followed her commanding officer before lowering towards her cup as she took a sip, enjoying the simple swirl of flavors that rolled along her tongue before vanishing down her throat. Shula was quiet for a few moments before answering, "Dr. Anton Hosenfeld from R&D has been head of this project, and we've taken all possible scenarios under consideration." Ah yes, Dr. Hosenfeld. She had heard some things about the man, though she had never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. Some of the reports that she had heard and seen though did intrigue her a bit. The man seemed eccentric from what she could tell, but there was no question that he was a brilliant scientist and inventor. Lisbeth nodded once, between all of their minds, the level of potential issues was far lower than it would have been before. Although... there was a woman that she had encountered who might be able to help them with this as well. She would wait to hear more before bringing her up to Shula. After all, it was likely that they had met before, even if only briefly.

"The tunnel has only one entrance at either end, but the specific location of each will be undisclosed until needed; getting in and out both require clearance." Of course, if there weren't codes required, then she would have been worried. "Clearance codes will be given only by Dr. Hosenfeld, or Setsuna his, erm... assistant. And at all times, they will both be monitoring the tunnel." Her eyes followed after Shula's tan one, her brows furrowing slightly as she began processing immediately. She noted where her finger stopped as it passed over the surface of the blueprints, "From end to end the tunnel will be monitored by Anton's sentries. They're small, white, controlled remotely, and very, very lethal. They'll be built into the walls themselves, functioning as lights. But they give constant streams of feed to the lab, and should the tunnel somehow be infiltrated, both sides lock shut as the oxygen supply is vacuumed out rather than flood it or collapse it." Her eyebrows raised, now that was an excellent thought. "When this happens, his sentries will dislodge themselves from the walls and ceiling en masse and begin to fire. We'll have the advantage of a small army being deployed instantly in a closed environment while putting the enemy at a complete disadvantage. Chimerae and alchemists still need to breathe."

Lisbeth wasn't phased by the Brigadier-Generals phrasing in the least bit, herself only smirking in response to her explanation. No, this was excellent. "This is very true, they do need that." And it wasn't like they were going to be bringing any space suits or oxygen masks with them, now were they? She stared at the map for a few more moments before leaning back in her chair as well, teacup in hand which was lifted to her lips as she drained the remainder of her tea. "There are more details that will be given to you in briefing when we're closer to completion, and you'll be fully trained in the ins and outs of this tunnel so that in an emergency we'll be alright. But... overall, what do you think?" Her glass touched the saucer with a soft clink as she folded her hands in her lap, her legs crossing as she smiled warmly to her CO. "I like it. I like it a lot." Now would be the time to speak up, after all a brillaint mind like that womans would certainly help as well. And though she had been a part of the pirate crew, she had a feeling that she could be trusted. "I have to ask though, have you spoken to a woman named Rebecca Wong at all? What with the turrets and surveillance, I can't help but think of her. She's a genius with tech things. I believe she was, or is, a member of the pirate crew?" She really hoped that Shula would not disapprove of her thinking of someone who was outside of their military.

[Shula Brighton]

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