Reporters were everywhere. Every single television channel wanted to be first in broadcasting the Freedom Fighters' opinion on the latest news. It was a good thing that Kjolmar had gotten used to the flashes of the cameras by now or he'd be afraid he'd get blind. Then again, did one ever really get used to them? The rather bulky reporter in the front decided to take his chances. "Coura, Channel 3. Mister Delacroix, what is the official stance of the Freedom Fighters on the Cyborg project in Frisk." Kjolmar moved his mouth a little closer to the microphones before answering. "The Freedom Fighters disapprove any form of Carrier repression, in particular aggressive methods such as the Cyborg project of President Steel. We are thankful that the people of Skylora also judge Steel's actions. We are trying to find a peaceful solution to this problem. Unfortunately, Steel is unwilling to accept negotiations with us." The crowd started to mutter and loudly expressed their concern. "However," Kjolmar continued, "Steel has agreed to dialogue with our very own President Dawnmist and we hope she can convince him to see the error of his ways and shut down the Cyborg project." The same bulky reporter from earlier decided to go for the question that was probably burning on everyone's lips. "And what if negotiations lead to nothing and the slavery continues?" The crowd got amazingly silent all of a sudden, all curious what Kjolmar would answer to this question. He swallowed before replying, trying to think of the best possible answer considering the circumstances. "I strongly believe in the power of words and reason and thus I hope we will come to some sort of agreement. If diplomacy fails, we will eventually have to resort to other measures." Nice and vague but everyone knew there was a context of battle hidden in those words.
A tall blonde woman raised her hand in order to ask a question. "Labasse, Channel 7. Rumor has it that the Carrier rebels known as the Rising Underground already have plans to invade Frisk. Do the Freedom Fighters support this initiative?" Kjolmar frowned, despite having expected that question. "The Freedom Fighters and the Rising Underground are two separate organizations, thus I can not speak for them or their ideas. I can only tell you that the Freedom Fighters will try every single diplomatic procedure before taking drastic measures. As for as the Rising Underground is concerned, we have a meeting planned with their leader to exchange thoughts on this matter. Thank you for your time." Kjolmar had decided to wrap it up and left the stage while President Dawnmist took his place in order to prevent the reporters from following Kjolmar. "Thank you, mister Delacroix. Dear Skylorans, we ask of you to report any sign of Cyborg activity in Skylora-..."
A few hours later, Kjolmar had changed into a more casual outfit and made his way to 'Club Medusa', a nightclub known for its many Carrier clients. A shirt and tie would not exactly blend in there and drawing attention to himself was far from what he wanted in such a shady place. He had plenty of that out there in the daylight world. Kjolmar walked past the long waiting line and as expected, someone in the line commented on it. "Hey, feeling better than the rest of us, humanlover?" Kjolmar wasn't particularly concerned about the man's frustration on getting ahead in line but he knew the insult was referring to the fact that he was considered a traitor to his own kind. The guard at the door motioned for Kjolmar to enter at the side entrance. The man in the waiting line spat in his direction. "We'll see how you feel about special treatment when they betray you!"
Inside, Kjolmar shook off the nasty comment and quickly made his way towards the guard outside the door leading to the manager's office. "I am here to see Nubius." The guard didn't seem to move a single inch. "Mr Nubius is busy. Please make yourself comfortable in the club and I will come get you when he is ready." Kjolmar knew better than arguing with goons, nothing would change their mind anyway. "Thank you." he said calmly and moved to the bar. "Gin Tonic, please."
A few drinks later, Kjolmar had moved on to the dancefloor. He had this mysterious air around him, much darker than his bright appearance during interviews. On the tones of an electro remix of a salsa beat, his dance moves could be considered rather dirty. Luckily, Club Medusa never allowed humans in and thus risk for exposure was minimal. Sometimes he felt a bit afraid that one of the Carriers would expose his darker side to the humans but even Rising Underground Carriers didn't risk damaging the reputation of a Freedom Fighter. Despite their differences, they all wanted Odox to be a better place for Carriers.
Suddenly, the guard from earlier came to get Kjolmar. "Mr Nubius is ready to see you now. Please don't comment on his appearance, he gets a bit sensitive about that." Kjolmar nodded and went through the door. As soon as it got shut behind him, he could barely hear the music anymore. Before him sat a person with darkblue fur instead of skin. His ears seemed to be much bigger than those of humans. On the upper side of his arms were sets of spikes. "Ah, Mr Delacroix, please have a seat. As you know, I am willing to discuss the Cyborg problem with you. As spokesperson of the Rising Underground, I wish to express my desire to work together with the Freedom Fighters in order to solve this.. inconvenience." Kjolmar carefully chose his words, he felt as if he was dealing with some sort of mafia boss. "Well, negotiations have started and-" But Nubius laughed right through Kjolmar's sentence. "Ahahaha, yes, negotiations. Do you honestly believe Steel is considering conversation? The man has build an army of Cyborgs for the sole purpose of eliminating Carriers. If we want to stop him, it will have to be by force. Spare me your useless attempts to convince me otherwise, Mr Delacroix, because we will go to Frisk with or without the aid of the Freedom Fighters." Kjolmar sighed deeply. "Look Nubius, if our negotiations fail, we will join you in Frisk. But until then, please give diplomacy a chance. We have reached so much rights here in Skylora because of it. If Carriers are shown to use hostile actions, it could have drastic consequences for Skylora too. Nubius clearly seemed to care little about such a thing but decided to give Kjolmar the benefit of the doubt. "You have till the end of the week to make progress. If Steel still hunts down Carriers like wild animals by then, the talking will be over." Kjolmar stood up and shook Nubius hand. "Thank you for understanding."
A tall blonde woman raised her hand in order to ask a question. "Labasse, Channel 7. Rumor has it that the Carrier rebels known as the Rising Underground already have plans to invade Frisk. Do the Freedom Fighters support this initiative?" Kjolmar frowned, despite having expected that question. "The Freedom Fighters and the Rising Underground are two separate organizations, thus I can not speak for them or their ideas. I can only tell you that the Freedom Fighters will try every single diplomatic procedure before taking drastic measures. As for as the Rising Underground is concerned, we have a meeting planned with their leader to exchange thoughts on this matter. Thank you for your time." Kjolmar had decided to wrap it up and left the stage while President Dawnmist took his place in order to prevent the reporters from following Kjolmar. "Thank you, mister Delacroix. Dear Skylorans, we ask of you to report any sign of Cyborg activity in Skylora-..."
A few hours later, Kjolmar had changed into a more casual outfit and made his way to 'Club Medusa', a nightclub known for its many Carrier clients. A shirt and tie would not exactly blend in there and drawing attention to himself was far from what he wanted in such a shady place. He had plenty of that out there in the daylight world. Kjolmar walked past the long waiting line and as expected, someone in the line commented on it. "Hey, feeling better than the rest of us, humanlover?" Kjolmar wasn't particularly concerned about the man's frustration on getting ahead in line but he knew the insult was referring to the fact that he was considered a traitor to his own kind. The guard at the door motioned for Kjolmar to enter at the side entrance. The man in the waiting line spat in his direction. "We'll see how you feel about special treatment when they betray you!"
Inside, Kjolmar shook off the nasty comment and quickly made his way towards the guard outside the door leading to the manager's office. "I am here to see Nubius." The guard didn't seem to move a single inch. "Mr Nubius is busy. Please make yourself comfortable in the club and I will come get you when he is ready." Kjolmar knew better than arguing with goons, nothing would change their mind anyway. "Thank you." he said calmly and moved to the bar. "Gin Tonic, please."
A few drinks later, Kjolmar had moved on to the dancefloor. He had this mysterious air around him, much darker than his bright appearance during interviews. On the tones of an electro remix of a salsa beat, his dance moves could be considered rather dirty. Luckily, Club Medusa never allowed humans in and thus risk for exposure was minimal. Sometimes he felt a bit afraid that one of the Carriers would expose his darker side to the humans but even Rising Underground Carriers didn't risk damaging the reputation of a Freedom Fighter. Despite their differences, they all wanted Odox to be a better place for Carriers.
Suddenly, the guard from earlier came to get Kjolmar. "Mr Nubius is ready to see you now. Please don't comment on his appearance, he gets a bit sensitive about that." Kjolmar nodded and went through the door. As soon as it got shut behind him, he could barely hear the music anymore. Before him sat a person with darkblue fur instead of skin. His ears seemed to be much bigger than those of humans. On the upper side of his arms were sets of spikes. "Ah, Mr Delacroix, please have a seat. As you know, I am willing to discuss the Cyborg problem with you. As spokesperson of the Rising Underground, I wish to express my desire to work together with the Freedom Fighters in order to solve this.. inconvenience." Kjolmar carefully chose his words, he felt as if he was dealing with some sort of mafia boss. "Well, negotiations have started and-" But Nubius laughed right through Kjolmar's sentence. "Ahahaha, yes, negotiations. Do you honestly believe Steel is considering conversation? The man has build an army of Cyborgs for the sole purpose of eliminating Carriers. If we want to stop him, it will have to be by force. Spare me your useless attempts to convince me otherwise, Mr Delacroix, because we will go to Frisk with or without the aid of the Freedom Fighters." Kjolmar sighed deeply. "Look Nubius, if our negotiations fail, we will join you in Frisk. But until then, please give diplomacy a chance. We have reached so much rights here in Skylora because of it. If Carriers are shown to use hostile actions, it could have drastic consequences for Skylora too. Nubius clearly seemed to care little about such a thing but decided to give Kjolmar the benefit of the doubt. "You have till the end of the week to make progress. If Steel still hunts down Carriers like wild animals by then, the talking will be over." Kjolmar stood up and shook Nubius hand. "Thank you for understanding."