Into the Lion's Den (PRIVATE)

[Bruke]

"You and the other Atomica employees are being evacuated by RNIS to a safe location, deep underground. You're going to Anibesa yegena- The Lion's Den. It's a network of bunkers that connects important sites like the Adminstration Building, Royal Palace, and Government Annex, designed to shield the Government in case of an invasion. It also connects to a second network of bunkers designed to be safe evacuation points for civilians. It's quite comfortable and all, but when we go down there, you'll have to not use your cell phones and other devices. Only use the devices issued by RNIS. They're encrypted anyways, so your government cannot find you."

[Bruke]

The Director stopped them as the group reached the elevator. "Get ready for a long ride down....." One floor, then 7, then 25, then 50. It seemed like it would never end. But it did, on the 101st floor. "Here we are ladies and gentlemen! Your home away from home."

[Elvectica]

After their meeting with the agents, they quickly poured over their cellphones, checking on their families and trying to get news about the crisis. A few went straight towards their quarters and rested after a long day of packing.

"Dr.? What're you doing?"
Ambrozy approached a researcher who was looking over frantically at papers sprawled over on one of the dinner tables

"Ah! Miss Ambrozy! I was just going to talk to you. These-- papers are of Atomica's highest secrecy. Why did we share this much information?"

"Well, doctor, in joining the INRO, we dedicate our time here to share valuable information so that others may progress in technology and advance their... uh, why are you asking me this? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I was merely curious. While we were partnered with VEXA, we shared information with them as well. Turns out some of these are originally VEXA documents. That's probably why they wanted to implant agents here. There might be more than we thought."

"Oh, dear. We'll have to wait for the CEO to arrive then. Maybe he's willing to share more? After all, we need as much help as we can get."

A brute gentlemen approached them sweating frantically,
"Apologies for the intrusion, but... we got word that our fusion reactors and research centre is at the hands of The Crown! Employees were shot on sight! Luckily the CEO managed to get clearance from Traffic Control just as the Queen started air and space restrictions, but... everything's lost"

The two were shocked. Ambrozy looked at some of the Lions Den guards,
"Would you please excuse us? We need to have some privacy."

[Bruke]

The two guards bowed, and then left. The two RNIS agents meanwhile, went back to their offices in another part of the compound.

[Elvectica]

The two were shocked and dismayed... they were certainly not prepared for a crisis like this. This was seemingly out of nowhere. Theories started to waver around the Lion's Den... from jealousy to outright greed from VEXA and Queen Marianne.

Ambrozy sighed in hopelessness "I'm afraid it's all lost... everything... What even happened? Has anyone even checked the Elvectican news in the last... 24 hours?" she looks at the doctor, who once again, started rummaging through papers, furiously.

"God damn it all. We were THIS close to getting positive relations with the Elvectican government," he says, gesturing his hand, "and now this crisis is going to take years off the schedule! And we can't set up a base here, in this--"

"Watch those words, doctor, these fine people are literally protecting us from... whatever's happening up there in Elvectica."

Over night, the team are sleepless and are worried sick about family. At about 2 am local time, Madison gets up from bed, and walks out to the kitchen area... where she promptly drowns her sorrows with whatever she could find in the refrigerator.

"Y'know, I've never seen one of these in person... these refrigerators, they called it? Interesting piece of history, wouldn't you say?"

"AH! W-what the- jeez, don't sneak up on me like that! I'm all jumpy after what's been happening last night... er, a few hours ago I guess."

"So what do you think will happen to Elvectica? I'm hearing that more and more nations are supporting The Coalition, maybe Bruke is one of them too."

"The Coalition? Wh-who-what are they?"

"Shoot, you really haven't been calling the right people, have you?"

"Well my family knows almost nil, they're vacationing, thank God."

The two sit by each other in the night, contemplating their current situation.

[Bruke]

Agents Kelile and Zewidu ate away from the others at breakfast that morning. They were discussing what had happened the night before.

The Government, in light of the changing situation, expedited bureaucratic hurdles, and....

"You all have been granted asylum, and if your citizenship is taken away by the Queen, you will be offered Brukean citizenship so that you will not be made stateless." They handed the Atomica employees a small card, about the size of a credit card, except with more security features and the emblem of the Royal Republic on it. "These are your proof of asylum, issued by the Foreign Ministry. If you need to leave the bunker for any reason, please have these on your person."

[Bruke]

Alarms blared throughout the Lion's Den. Agents Kelile and Zewidu shot up straight and ran over to where the Atomica employees were staying.

A message was broadcast twice: once in Amharic, and the other in English: "SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY! AN ATTACK IS IMMINENT!"

"Sorry to wake you all like this, but we have to get going. It seems like your government wants war. In under 24 hours, this wing of the bunker will be occupied to capacity by our civil servants from the Government Annex. We need to move to a deeper part of the bunker."

[Elvectica]

"What? War?! What happened, what's going on?!" exclaimed Madison, holding her quarter's door open,

"Looks like this is becoming more serious than we thought! Does anyone have someone to contact to keep up to date?"

"I do. I have family in the military. They say everything's fine, but it's really cryptic. I'm not sure if I trust them..."

It was the large man from before. Apparently he has contact with inside sources.

"Wait, isn't the military being controlled by VEXA- Queen Marianne, I mean?" an employee quizzically asked,

"Shoot! Drop all contact with them immediately! That's an order!"

"No, wait, miss-"

A burly gentlemen with a dark black business suit and blue tie interrupted the commotion, entering the bunker with a couple of security detail behind him

"That is right, that's an order. Everyone cease contact immediately. We don't want any information going out to Elvectica's enemies like that."

"Mr. CEO! Welcome! So sorry to have you on... erm, well this predicament..." Ambrozy says, as the employees quickly moving and following the directions provided by the agents.

[Bruke]

As they all moved deeper into the bunker, they could see hundreds of soldiers in a line of jeeps, escorting a convoy of armored trucks. Inside were thousands and thousands of remotely controlled mines. The deeper into the bunker they went, the more it changed. The walls were dusty, and there were no doors. Instead, a series of interlocking mechanisms opened and closed as they moved through each chamber.

Finally, they reached another elevator. 101, 200, 300, 500..... "We're here."



They had reached the oldest part of the Lion's Den. The accommodations were much more Spartan.

[Bruke]

The agents opened the door to reveal another hallway.



"This is as far deep as we can take you. Any futher below here, are restricted areas. The accommodations will not be as nice as before, but they'll have to do. As we speak, the rest of the country is being evacuated. You'll be seeing a lot of new faces down here soon. Mostly soldiers. Anyways, down here you will have to make some arrangements in regards to your living quarters. We'd suggest the men go on one side of the hall, and women the other. Bathrooms, showers and the like are available for each room on each side, and it'll be two to a room. Any questions so far?"

[Elvectica]

As they enter the hallway, the CEO and his aides quickly set up an emergency Board of Directors meeting in one of bunker's rooms. As they turn on a large portable tablet to access their secure line, the CEO comes forth towards the entrance of the room,

"If you'd excuse us, we'll be discussing some private affairs within Atomica."

[Bruke]

"Of course. If you need us, we'll be closeby."

The agents left, going deeper into the hallway to yet another pair of offices.

[Elvectica]

It was almost a month later. The meeting was long overdue. The employees had nothing to do but wait, and attempt to find any entertainment in the bunker.

It was like seeing a refugee camp, although without no actual camp. The general feeling is a bit of tension, and a bit of anxiety.

One fateful day, after many days, emerges the CEO from the meeting room,

"Mr. Davidson!" Madison pops up from a nap on a couch, somewhere in the mess hall, "It's been... uh... a long time since we've seen any of the Board of Directors, or you for that matter!" What's going on?"

"Oh dear, we're very sorry. We've been closely monitoring VEXA's movements and ongoing developments."

"So, are we relocating, or what?" a small awkward silence starts, waiting for the CEO's response,

"Well... it turns out we've been able to drive them out!" he shouts, clenching his fist in the air,

A rapturous applause starts from the employees, still tired, but generally overworked.

"All we have to do... is wait." the crowd stops cheering, and immediately sighs and groans,

"So why are we JUST getting this information? Why couldn't we have been in contact with our own coworkers, huh?"

"Peace is imminent, but it looks like they won't be giving up the upper hand."

"So, we all just continue to sit here, waiting for forces to try and stop their... what was it, offensive? Invasion? Why haven't you talked to us in--"

"That's enough. That's classified information for which we cannot disclose right now. I can tell you that it is now safe once again to go back, we just need full authorization and clearance. Even the Queen and Prime Minister are back on their international visitation runs now."

[Bruke]

Agents Kelile and Zewidu knocked on the door outside. "We hear you all cheering, we assume this means you heard the good news? In that case let us congratulate you for getting through this time with purpose and grace. Arrangements have been made to ensure the runways are clear for your departure. Let us know whenever you are ready to leave, and everything will be taken care of."

[Elvectica]

"Thank you so much, agents. I don't know where we could've been without you. Luckily now that the threat is over, we can presume business once the government starts reconstruction of international relations."

"On behalf of my company, I apologize for our burden. You see, even our own men in Elvectica did not know how long it would've taken. You have our sincerest gratitude. Consider those shared technologies a done deal."

"Wait, wait wait a minute. Are you seriously considering sharing all of our tech to Bruke? We owe them huge thanks, but I'm not so sure about this... We need to assess the situation first, rather than going all in and trusting these foreigners..."

The group nearby turn in bewilderment, for the doctor's reply was simply out of nature to most of their opinions,

"Doctor, certainly we can make a compromise? I thought you were all for this INRO? Why've you changed your mind?"

"Ambrozy, listen-- I know its naive for me to think like this, and believe me, I really hate it. But inside conflict and espionage must our top priority. If that battle has anything to prove, its that VEXA is willing to sacrifice its equipment and resources for Elvectican control. They even sent a spy here dressed as a researcher for God's sake!"

"Can we just discuss this later?--"

"This brings up an interesting debacle, certainly, Dr. While we want to share these tech, we don't want a risk in being tied up in diplomatic matters. I'll have a word with INRO.", he said, as he turned to Agents Kelile and Zewidu, "Is there someone from the INRO that is able to discuss this debate? We'd like to know the INRO's opinion themselves."