Chapter 18: Epyon de Telos

"Who are you people?!" Relena cries out in anger at the violent intruders. They were all wearing masks and dark black sunglasses. There were more than a dozen men, but Relena didn't stop to count. The one nearest to her, reflecting her face in his dark sunglasses, was staring her down.

His pale blonde messy bangs covered the parts of his face that the black scarf mask did not.

But she could tell that behind all that--this was a dangerous man. Her eyebrows knit at him and his team of thugs that had just moments ago stormed in, frightening her peaceful guests and friends for their own purposes.

Reasons of which were about to be laid out before the Pacifist nation's leader.

"We, 'Epyon de Telos', have now taken occupation of the Sanc Kingdom Castle. Our demands are as follows:"

Yet another army fatigue wearing man in a mask calls out, his voice deep, husky and loud, yet was as undistinguishable as his covered face.

The man continues stating his faction's demands without so much as an explanation as to the 'why'. But Relena was certain they would all be hearing that soon enough, considering the lofty ransoms she was listening to in exchange for their safety.

"...We demand:

The right to bear arms.

The release of our imprisoned comrades.

One-third of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation's budget as ransom."

The darker tanned blonde man states these three weighty claims, knowing full well that they were heavy, but if the lives of Miss Relena Peacecraft Darlian and her fellow pacifist political friends meant anything to the rest of the world out there...

The demands of the rebel faction group, now known as "Epyon de Telos" or "The Goals of Epyon" had just better be met--or else.

The blonde, paler man near Relena takes his cue and sticks the barrel of his gun in her fearful face.

"Make the call to the President of the E.U.N., Foreign Minster Darlian. And remember, no tricks, or else." He says threateningly, then aims his loaded gun at the ceiling again blowing several more berserk bullets into it. Plaster again showers down on the frightened, shrieking party-goers again. They all look to Relena for her answer--

And her protection.

Relena suddenly feels the weight of the responsibility she was hoping to embark upon bearing down upon her thin shoulders.

"If these demands are not met within 24 hours, we will detonate a NUCLEAR WARHEAD. That's all. Make your call."

Another dark haired man makes his voice heard, and hands Relena the receiver of the telephone in his gloved hand.