Rheinland's Starquake I

[Backo]

Eliza did not expect to be proven wrong on her previous statement. Her azure eyes glued themselves on Kat, carefully scanning each contour of the Rheinlander's visage. What was the Bureau's game in provoking hostilities between Malta and their own nation? Was this even the Bureau's plan or just a personal machination of Laurenz? But what did she planned to gain from all this? Instead of providing answers this meeting had only produced more questions for Eliza. She reached for her rum again, her eyes barely breaking contact with Kat's.

The two of them met entirely on the Kommissar's terms. This was blonde's home turf and there was no telling what the consequences were going to be if Eliza declined. Then again there was no telling what agreeing to any of this would lead to either. Valdez's glass of rum slowly made its way to her lips. Washing down the severity of her situation with alcohol was likely a bad decision but she went with it anyways. The liquid went down her throat but the burning sensation wasn't enough to eliminate her troubles, not even for that mere moment.

Eliza adjusted herself in her seat anxiously. She always preferred direct and open approaches to her own problems. Subterfuge and political backstabbing were not something she felt all too comfortable with. In fact such plots were much more fitting for that other blonde woman that Valdez once held very dear. Was Kat like Loyola? The Maltese had no way to know what true intentions stood behind those hazel eyes, the agent's mind was an enigma for her. What worried Valdez the most was the fact she felt drawn to that, as if it was a puzzle or riddle that she just had to solve.

Her concerned expression suddenly turned into a smirk, she let her head back and closed her eyes in self amusement. She fell for it again - clearly she never learned her lesson that she should stay away from mysterious blondes. Last time it almost costed Eliza her life and given the severity of the situation she doubted this time it could be much different. Valdez exhaled before turning back her attention to the Kommissar.

"You remind me of another blonde who was close to me, Kat, you really do. You played me just as well as she did. If I decline this proposition I doubt it would be much trouble for you to pull the correct strings and put Rheinland back into hostilities with the Legión and Malta as a whole as this conversation here between you and me has never happened in the first place."

Eliza paused for a moment as she leaned her posture forward towards the Bureau agent in front. The self amusement was just as prevalent on her expression as before.

"And if I accept I will be a tool in whatever enigmatic plans you might hold behind those mysterious eyes of yours. You've already won this either way so I can't help but ask - what would I get if I go down this road willingly?"

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Republic of the Sword and Sun