My Lost Soul

Chapter 27 - Artificial Blood

The air felt dry in the giant International Conference room, which, despite it's decades long vacancy, was quite clean. The center stage was a round table with 5 desks, surrounded by a news crew that was having a pre-conference section. Outside of the middle was an auditorium the size of two grand theatres. Omega and the others sat near the center, where the air felt even drier with the concentration of people. Omega felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of voices in his ear. There was dozens of conversations that he wanted to block out, so he closed his ears. Uyama nudged him, pulling his hands away from his ears. "They're coming, get ready." Omega sat back up in his chair, which he was already shifting in, trying to find a comfortable spot.

From the entrance, six dark figures walked into the center, each of them with guards surrounding them. A see-through curtain dropped as they sat down and murmured underneath. Everyone became quiet, trying to listen in. The curtains raised and the lights came on, revealing the six men. Steele stood behind the seated Dawa of Shacia. In the other chairs, Gael of Eleftwald, Bertrouge of JanuEri, Yvas of the Magdala Federation, in which Ishbel resides, and an empty seat where Jaffe, ruler of Abadd, should be.

"Is there any explanation for Jaffe's absence this time?" Bertrouge asked with his hands crossed. His suit was tight, reflecting his tight position in his chair.

"Probably some "internal issues" again, you know how Abadd is," Gael laughed and slapped the table.
"It's not a laughing matter, "Gael" Yvas remarked.
"Please, everyone, have some manners. Although this may be our first time meeting, there's no need to tussle." Dawa chuckled nervously.

"Does that matter? I'll probably die before the next conference anyway. Hell, even now maybe." Bertrouge scoffed.
"Bertie, don't say that! I know you're a pessimist but I'd never let that happen to you!" Gael teased him with his pouting lips.

Bertie, huh. Bertrouge thought, crossing his arms in his chair.
Steele cleared his throat impatiently, "Gentlemen, the Vow for Truth."

They all silently made a vow to let go of all lies in the conference and only tell the truth. They then talked about boring things: foreign affairs with Abadd, economic issues, social issues, nothing that really mattered to Omega. Steele kept silent the entire time, his rigid frame still standing behind Dawa, watching them converse. An hour passed until he spoke up.

"I'm sure we all realize that there is something lacking from this conference." He stood still, and nearly yelled.  Dawa looked down at his desk and cleared his throat, "What would-What would that be, Mr. Steele?"

"Artificial relations," Steele said matter-of-fact like," Artificial's immigration, Artificial's civil rights, specifically dealing with those below Alpha-"

"Oh yeah! I was just going to say that! I've been trying to push it towards our parliament, but it's very hard to get to it when...um..." Gael started to whisper, "The non-Artificials don't really want that. The Hatchery orphanages are filled to the brim, nobody wants them."

Yvas spoke up, "Either way, what else would they provide for their nation?"

"Does that really matter, Yvas?" Steele glared at him from above, then met Gael's eyes."Thank you for your consideration and efforts, Gael, but I have already found a solution."

Steele walked around to each of them with his arms firm behind his back, whispering in their ears. Yvas's, Bertrouge's, and Dawa's faces contorted as he left their side, gazing up at him. When he finished circling around, he returned to Dawa's side in silence. The conference was quiet for a while.

"I suppose we can make that, em—we can make it work." Dawa tapped his pudgy lips. Everyone else nodded cautiously, aside from Gael, who nodded enthusiastically.