The War Arsenal was a wide, Neoclassical-styled building with a central gate shaped in an arc. Lieutenant Mendes stopped the car and lowered the window. The sentinel, upon recognizing Captain Barthel, saluted them and let them enter. The cars quickly went through.

They passed by the interior courtyard and stopped at the back, next to the enormous balcony that flanked the building. They got off and were led by two other officers to an elevator, large enough to fit everyone with ease.

Airu, who didn't like closed spaces, though of complaining, but maybe that wasn't the best idea for an indian surrounded by military officers.

Túlio didn't see the button that one of the officials pressed but felt the elevator descend. A few seconds later, the door opened and they all got out, going to a wide meeting room. An oval table with several chairs around it took the central part. On it, small triangular devices, which seemed to be some type of telephone.

Captain Barthel asked that the Professor sat down. He beckoned Túlio towards a chair and solemnly ignored the indian. Airu sat down next to Túlio without waiting for an invitation.

While the other men settled in their places, a low whistle came from the devices on the table, followed by a metalized voice with a background hiss: “Good afternoon, gentlemen. I know that most of you still haven't had lunch and, therefore, we will be brief. I am the War Minister, and here with me is Emperor Laércio Naves.”

Túlio tensed up on his chair and instinctively placed his right hand over his chest, as they did in school upon hearing a mention to the Emperor's name. As nobody followed him, he let his arm fall slowly.

Another voice came out of the devices: “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Firstly, thank you for presenting yourselves so promptly. You are already aware of the state of things, despite the official press still not having said anything. The radio communications are codified since a few minutes ago. Captain Barthel, please, explain your plans.”

The captain stood up as an assistant handed folders with several pieces of paper, maps, pen, and pencil to those present.

“As you all already know, we need to act with urgency while the Germanics believe we have a functional atomic dismemberment reactor. They know that, either way, our bombers are no match for the new ‘Superkomet’ models, but our numerical superiority still gives us an advantage. Besides, based on the Oklo mine's explosion, it is more than likely that they think that, somehow, we have managed to create war devices with the ore found there and in the region of the pyramids, which also weighs on our favor.

“Against us there's the fact that the Germanics’ reaction engines are much more efficient than our best explosion V12 and ‘double V’ 12. They have also developed submergible ships, about which we have little information.

“To summarize, Your Excellency and Your Imperial Majesty — we have clay balls and slingshots against grenades and machine guns.

“Our sources in the East say that Russia, Turkey and the Japanese Empire are likely to support Germania, providing supplies and ore. Our cargo ships have already been notified to return to the harbors.”

There was a brief silence, heavy and deep. The tension was almost palpable, and Túlio asked himself what he was doing there. He looked at Airu and she seemed calm, despite attentive. Self-assured, indeed.

The War Minister's voice came from the telephones again: “Our troops in Europe and in the north of Africa are mobilizing. Several armored units are lined up on the border with France, awaiting official confirmation so they can cross the territory. There has been news of explosions on the frontlines, caused by suicide bombers or flying bombs, but we still haven't confirmed this piece of information.”

One of the officers, sitting farther at the end of the table, couldn't hide his surprise: “Flying bombs?”

The voice in the telephone replied, “It seems so. Apparently, they are far more advanced that we had foreseen. Which takes us to the motive for the meeting, gentlemen — in how much time can we have access to the Amazon Forest Area reactors?”

They all turned to the Professor, who looked a bit bewildered.

Captain Barthel came to aid him: “Professor, a cargo plane can take us to the Forest Area still today. A team of twenty-five men is ready to accompany you. As you have already been preparing for this expedition for weeks, it seemed more logical to keep you. You will be the scientific consultant of the expedition, but I, personally, will conduct it.”

This time it was Airu's entrails that twisted. Her stomach felt in flames and her urge was to jump over the table and kick that idiot's nose, who now seemed to think he could command the expedition that she and the Professor had been planning for so long.

Captain Barthel noticed the indian's irritation and with a cynical smile, added, “Don't worry… Maria de Fátima… you and Túlio will be very important. You can make the map annotations and the topographic survey. Oh! And if any aboriginal shows up, you will serve as interpreter…”

Túlio held the girl's arm tight and whispered in her ear, “Calm down. It's not worth it. He just wants a motive to leave you stranded here.”

Sweat was running down Airu's forehead, who tried to control her hatred the best way possible. The Professor argued, “It's not a good time for jokes, captain. If anyone can guide us through the forest, that's Maria de Fátima. And Túlio, besides having earned the vacancy for the expedition, has a good experience with machines and electricity.”

“The Army will fulfill its word to take them on the expedition, Professor, of course. We will depart in two hours, after you have had your meal. To conclude, gentlemen, I suggest that the Official Press launch a new humor program and that on next Monday, the weekly magazines print some scandal. We may have to burn someone highly-placed in order to avoid that the journalists search around and we're forced to… control them. Thank you gentlemen, Your Excellency War Minister, and Your Imperial Majesty.”