A mystical aura surrounded the emperor's throne room. Apogee, as he was called, the messiah, the one who rose above his humanity, the saviour of this cursed world. Through his great revolution, the world will know unity and peace once more. Within his throne room, he was far removed from the lowly ground where his subjects stood, sitting atop a throne held above a pyramid so tall that one could barely perceive his true face. Through heaven and earth, only he stood above them all.
Even as the Grand Knight, a man only second to the Emperor himself, sharing the same blood as the man above, Mike could only kneel at the very bottom of the throne as he greeted his Emperor. In a perfect line around Mike, rows of Imperial Marines in golden armour stood guard with their spears tightly held against the floor.
On both sides of the throne were golden statues of Atlas, but instead of carrying the Earth on his back, he effortlessly held it at the tip of his finger. On top of Apogee's throne is written in Latin: "pax est fortium" (Peace is for the strong). It was the core value of Apogee's empire that peace cannot be enforced upon individuals, and could only be obtained through war and suffering, through will and determination. Peace and freedom taken for granted will never be appreciated and will become corrupted and rotten, just as humanity has demonstrated before Apogee's crusade.
As Mike kneeled, he could feel an oppressive aura surround his body. It felt as if he carried a heavy weight on his shoulders; a force that forced his very soul to submit. Any man, no matter their worth or devotion, will find himself accepting the fact that the man above him sat justified on his throne. You were a mortal, a worm, looking up at a God who could crush you if he so desired.
[Apogee] - "Grand Knight, I presume you understand the role of the cyberknights within this Crusade. There could be only one God on this earth, and he could only be me. "
Apogee's voice echoed through the room uniformly like a command from heaven, invading the mind of every man with the same intensity, no matter their distance.
[Mike] - "As you instructed, Lord! Greater Knights will only use their power to manipulate the destiny of humanity, outside of witness or knowledge of those outside the order. Lesser knights will use their power to assist in the Crusade. However, no knight is allowed to create a situation where they become the center of mortal worship. You are the only God, and others are beneath your greatness! "
Said Mike while pressing his arm against his chest.
[Apogee] - "And what if someone steps out of line? "
[Mike] - "Then they shall be purged! The order of the Cardinal Knights and I will make sure of it. "
[Apogee] - "Even my own sons and daughters? "
Said Apogee abruptly, intending to test Mike.
[Mike] - "That's correct, Lord. Aside from Michele, who also stands as your most loyal servant, others are but poor mimicries of your true might. They do not deserve to stand at the same height as you. "
Said Mike without hesitation.
Satisfied with the answer of his most loyal tool, Apogee smiled slightly. Out of the 17 children he had, the only one blessed with his divine powers was his first son, Michele, who led the prestigious 3rd fleet, Chosen of the Emperor. Meanwhile, his other 16 sons and daughters, even though each was still blessed with power and control over a fleet, were no more powerful than those at the top of the Cyberknight Order. As for Mike, though not of direct lineage to Apogee, he still carried the blood of the family in his veins, as well as their reality-bending abilities between his hands.
[Apogee] - "Go on, then! Spread my greatness, enlighten humanity and exterminate the rot. "
[Mike] - "It shall be done, Lord! All hail the Emperor and the National Empire! "
Yelled Mike, full of bravado and determination.
With a nod, Mike bowed to the Emperor once again before he turned and left the throne room.
Meanwhile, in London, Karson woke up in the hospital in a cold sweat. Looking around, he initially believed that all he had experienced was a nightmare. Yet, with the burn scars visible on his arms and the reality around him settling in, he could only slowly accept the grim truth with increasing nihilism. Gone was his house, his last family member and all that he ever owned; he was in a worse spot than the homeless dwelling in the streets.
After pulling out the tubes and instruments connected to his body, Karson slowly snuck out of his room, intending to escape before he could get charged with the medical expenses. Sneaking past Jerry, who was sound asleep on the bench, Karson quietly pushed through the emergency exit door and disappeared without making a sound.
Once outside of the hospital, Karson walked barefoot while still in his hospital gown until he stood right in front of the spot where he had spotted the dead homeless man. However, instead of removing him from the street, he was simply swept into the bushes by the side and unceremoniously decomposing into the dirt. With a look of disgust, Karson, now left with nothing, stole the dead man's shoes and clothes. As he put on the slimy jacket and shoes, he couldn't help but gag at the horrible stench. Then, like a zombie, Karson began walking without a direction or a destination, becoming a part of his city's rot.
For the entire day, Karson wandered inside the city without a goal or purpose, just like those goggles-wearing civilians. In his heart, he finally understood why people appeared emotionless in the streets. What is there to be excited about inside an obvious illusion? What is there to feel aside from the constant torture of a rotten system? What hope is there when one's life is as valuable as a dollar bill? The total feeling of despair is what clawed at the sanity of the common people, day after day, until one comes undone. Why smile, if you couldn't eat, couldn't find a place to sleep and couldn't even live a single day without being on the edge?
As the rain poured onto the street, Karson raised his head and opened his mouth. However, as soon as the rainwater hit his tongue, he began to convulse and spat out water in his mouth. Due to pollution, even the rain became a bitter mess of chemicals and debris. Then, with another few steps, his gaze was attracted by the sight of a beautiful holographic woman. The colourful hologram stood out inside a world composed of grey and dark.
[Hologram] - "You seem lonely. Why don't you follow me for a good time? "
The colourful projection, combined with its charming voice, caught Karson in a trance as if he were a moth who saw light. Slowly, she guided Karson toward a store before phasing out of existence right in front of an android which was designed to look like a real human girl. At first glance, Karson immediately recognized the model to be the same as the one he saw inside his father's apartment.
[Karson] - "You ain't just a prick... You are just lonely. "
Karson slowly realized how he rarely visited his father despite knowing that his father had no one left in his life besides him.
[Karson] - "Maybe I was the prick all along... A bloody wanker who failed at life. "
Uttered Karson with bitterness.
Just behind Karson, a massive crowd blocked the street in a peaceful protest against the government's enforcement of the curfew due to war. With the overwhelming number of protesters, the police force was standing on its last leg as it desperately tried to push back against their weight. At this point, news stations began to show up in the area. Just as the cameraman prepared to film, a policeman smashed the reporter's microphones and the camera in an attempt at censorship.
[Crowd] - "We had enough! Down with the government! "
The crowd grew even more frantic as the policeman who smashed the microphone then detained the reporter and her cameraman. With excessive violence, the policeman slammed the young reporter against the ground before crushing his armoured knee against her back. In reaction, many in the crowd attempted to help the reporter, only to be held back and pushed away by more policemen in riot shields.
[Policeman] - "STAND BACK! WE WILL USE FORCE IF NECESSARY! "
Yelled one of the riot police while flaunting his electric baton.
Suddenly, one of the protesters threw a firecracker at the police. In a panic, one of the policemen responded by firing a shot at a protester whom he suspected had fired a shot. This single shot sparked a chain of events which increased the chaos of both sides to the point where every policeman began to draw and unload their weapons. As the rain of bullets cut through the protesters, Karson remembered the way the gang members executed his mother. As a woman lay peppered with bullet wounds on the floor, the similarities became too vivid to ignore.
At that instant, something inside his mind snapped. This time, instead of being frozen in fear, a feeling of primal rage slowly built up inside his mind. The fire, the unfiltered violence, they tore away at Karson like the hands of the devil. Then, with a guttural scream, Karson charged into the chaos and stole one of the policemen's pistols. Before the policeman could even react, Karson fired a shot into the man's face, killing him instantly.
At that moment, Karson didn't feel guilt or disgust; he instead felt liberation. Karson laughed as the dead officer's blood slowly rolled off his hand and face. Suddenly, Karson was hit on the head with a heavy object before his half-conscious body was dragged into an alleyway. Although his vision was blurry, he saw a row of protesters being lined up and shot by a row of policemen.
[policeman] - "Caught this terrorist! Put him up with the rest! "
The voice of the policeman was blurry in Karson's mind as he attempted to fight back with uncoordinated fists. As two officers dragged him toward the wall, Karson tried to reach for their guns but was shoved back before he could do so. After several more protesters were thrown beside Karson, a row of policemen then pointed their barrels at them.
[Karson] - "Shoot me, you bloody wankers. Does it feel good to execute a civilian? I know it felt good when I shot one of you! "
Yelled Karson with spite in his voice.
However, as Karson closed his eyes, he never felt the sweet release of death or the agony of his body falling apart. Instead, he heard a loud thud followed by a splash, almost as if there was an explosion that reduced several people into a smootie.
[Jerry] - "Why the hell did you escape? You're damn lucky I found your ass in time. "
Said Jerry as he stepped toward Karson.
Opening his eyes, Karson saw to his shock the five policemen meant to execute him squashed into meat paste against the brick wall behind them by a support pillar protruding from the building behind them. The sight was unnatural, as if he was looking at surreal art being brought to real life. A pillar isn't supposed to behave this way, yet the reality before him didn't show any illusion.
[Karson] - "How... How did ya do that? "
Mumbled Karson as he fell forward.
As Jerry helped support Karson's weight, the other protesters quickly slipped out of the alley, terrified but thankful. Looking at Jerry's arm, Karson immediately noticed the glowing blue crystal that glowed like a window to the glimmering ocean in the morning.
[Jerry] - "That's exactly why I am here. To give you an answer and a chance to start anew. "
Jerry quickly helped Karson stand upright before tapping the dust off him.
[Jerry] - "The Empire is a place of opportunity, of rebirth and order. My master saved you last night and told me you show potential to be one of ours. Unless you have other reasons, I believe you should take my offer and join us. "
Said Jerry as he extended his hand toward Karson.
[Karson] - "I have nothing left either... But I have one condition– "
Said Karson as he took Jerry's arm and shook it.
Pointing at the dead police officers behind Jerry, Karson gazed in that direction with a flame of revenge in his irises.
[Karson] - "If joinin' ya and your Empire allows me to do that, then consider my service eternal! I want retribution against those bloody cunts that ruined my life! "
Said Karson in a murderous voice.
[Jerry] - "Aren't we all here for revenge, my friend? The same world that abandoned you is the one I seek to deconstruct. Our goals align. "
Said Jerry, a grin of recognition on his face.
[Karson] - "Then, I, Karson Tristram, swear my loyalty to you, friend. "
Said Karson, a dark determination manifesting within his eyes.
[Jerry] - "The name's Jerry, but you will call me 'master' for the foreseeable future. You will train under me, learn the ways of the cyberknights and serve as a son of the 2nd fleet and National Empire. "
Said Jerry with a satisfied smile before turning away.
With a gag, Jerry took in a few fresh breaths of air to cleanse his nostrils of Karson's scent. Bringing his armband to his mouth, Jerry connected to the 2nd fleet's command.
[Jerry] - "This is Martial Knight Jerry, Champion of the Storm. I request an extraction vehicle at my coordinates and bring a fresh set of clothes with some deodorant! "
Said Jerry into his intercom.
Not even a few seconds later, the sky grew dark as the fleet carrier of the Ashen Storm obscured the sky above London. Under its sheer size, the day turned into a total night as street lamps began to glow. For a moment, the protests stopped as both sides stared up at the behemoth that devoured the sun. Then, like a light show straight out of the rapture, hundreds of small shooting stars descended from the ship's hull, landing scattered in the city.
Suddenly, as the ground shook violently, one of the meteorites landed down the road, smashing through buildings before erasing a car beneath its body. In a loud pop, the pear-shaped capsule opened its sides before eleven tall warriors in ash-covered armour stepped out of their entry vehicle. Without hesitation, the first Ashen Marine fired his carbine at one of the stunned policemen, his round ignoring all forms of protection before splashing the innerds of the man across the whole length of the street.
In an instant, as everyone finally came to their senses, panic immediately overtook everyone. While the civilians and protesters fled, the police quickly grouped up and fired back with frantic desperation at the warriors that took their sweet time approaching them. However, the bullets didn't even dent the Marines' armour as the rounds simply shattered into dust when impacting their plates. Meanwhile, though not targeting civilians and non-combattants, the Marines weren't mindful of them either.
As a man blindly collided against one of the Marines, the warrior didn't even bother or flinch as the man fell to the side. Then, the next Marine simply walked on the man's leg, crushing the bones and flesh into a bloodied mess as the man screamed in agony. Then, as the lead Marine reached the policemen, he abruptly reached in and grabbed one of them by the face.
Despite being barely taller and decently bulkier than the average policeman, the Marines demonstrated a monstrous level of strength. With one effortless squeeze, the policeman's head exploded into a mess of gore and pulverized flesh. Then, as another policeman tried to hit the Marine with his baton, the Marine simply swung his hand at the man before his head went flying onto the sidewalk.
[Commissar Marine] - "Enough toying around, we have a job to do! "
Said the commissar as he held the first Marine from continuing his rampage.
With an annoyed grunt, the first Marine backed away while shaking the blood off his armour. However, what greeted the rest of the frightened policemen was far worse, as their livid eyes were suddenly met with the reflection of a green rectangular barrel strapped to the Marine's wrist. Then, in an instant, an orange gas burst through the ranks of the policemen.
[Commissar Marine] - "Death is the only outcome for servants of the old world. Burn for you had sold your soul to the devils in charge. "
Said the Commissar Marine as he turned around and stepped away unbothered.
As the orange gas spread, Jerry quickly covered Karson's mouth and nose before beginning to back away from the mist. Retreating deeper into the alley, Karson only saw the blistered and melting bodies of the policemen as they crawled and choked on their blood. The worst part? The men couldn't even scream in agony as their lungs filled with fluid that made breathing impossible.
[Jerry] - "Echoing Verdict: Holmes' Murder Castle! "
Yelled Jerry as his crystals began to glow.
Just before the gas could spread to him and Karson, they suddenly fell backward into a building through its wall. Once safe, Jerry immediately let go of Karson before grunting in disgust as Karson's scent was now smeared all over him.
[Jerry] - "Jesus! Fuck! Did you fall into sewers when you escaped? "
Cursed Jerry before covering his nose.
[Karson] - "I took these off some dead guy on the street. "
Said Karson in a nihilistic tone.
[Jerry] - "Well, don't ever do that again. We, the cyberknights, have standards! "
Said Jerry before looking around the room and finding an alcohol cabinet.
Smashing through the glass, Jerry gulped on a bottle of whisky to hopefully rid his mouth of the horrid smell. After finally drowning some of the stench in alcohol, Jerry finally could breathe without edging on puking. As he finally calmed himself down a little, Jerry stared at Karson and analyzed his expression for a moment.
[Jerry] - "Say, Karson, buddy, how did you feel about what you saw earlier? "
Said Jerry while judging Karson by his eyes instead of his response.
[Karson] - "I feel vindicated. I feel like I made the right call to join you. "
Said Karson, his eyes filled with conviction.
[Jerry] - "Ah! That's great! I can feel it in you– that energy, the type of conviction only present in a man who truly believes in our cause. "
Jerry adjusted his composure before he shifted his expression from friendly to serious.
[Jerry] - "And how do you explain what we do? When you see such scenes in the future, what will you do? "
Said Jerry as he stared at Karson, judging his every motion and reaction.
[Karson] - "These men did what was necessary to rid this world of those bloody pests. I will stand by their side, on the right side, and watch as our enemies burn. "
Said Karson with a hollow expression in his eyes, indicative of the eyes of a killer.
The stare even made Jerry flinch as it struck him like a shard of ice that was felt even in his spine. That was the gaze of a man who will be loyal until the very end, never asking questions, only awaiting orders.
[Jerry] - "Yes– Right! That's very... good! You'll make a great servant of the National Empire! "
Said Jerry as he fumbled his words while trying to defuse the tension.
[Karson] - "I will serve as a son should serve his nation, until my last breath. "
Said Karson in a cold voice.
Even Jerry grew unsettled by Karson's attitude as his serious composure began to slip. For a moment, even Jerry, a man who'd occasionally let morality take the backseat, considered whether he had made a bad choice in accepting Karson as a disciple. Yet, as they heard the rumble of a gunship hover above their building, Jerry pushed his thoughts to the side.
[Jerry] - "Alright then, it's time to go. "
Said Jerry as he put down the whisky bottle.
With a silent nod, Karson moved toward the door. Yet, after thinking for a few seconds, Jerry helped himself to another swig of his whisky before following Karson out of the room.
Later, as Karson and Jerry returned to the Midnight Decree, fleet carrier of the Ashen Storms, the situation on the ground kept getting worse. Though the 5000 Ashen Marines deployed had not suffered any casualties while slaughtering the enemy in the tens of thousands, sporadic resistance kept emerging from the different districts. With speed in mind, the 2nd fleet needed the conflict to end so they could move on to their next target in North America.
At midnight, orders rang through the city, recalling all Imperial Marines back to the ship. As gunships carried the last squad of Marines back to the carrier, the resistance in the city began to believe the enemy had given up. Yet, their delusion was soon shattered as one of the town-sized hatches on the carrier opened, letting a war machine of titanic proportions fall into the middle of London.
Standing at 300+ metres tall, the Storm-class titan was the world's first encounter with one of the Empire's most apocalyptic weapons. Walking on two legs while carrying a whole city on its top, the war machine would've put the likes of Godzilla to shame in sheer spectacle. Yet, what was most horrifying was the massive Apocalypse Siege Mortars on its back at a diameter of 30m and the twin 50m Ragnarok Siege Plasma Cannons mounted as its arms.
With a single blow of its warhorns, the sound of thunder and eldritch screams filled the city's every corner. It was the machine's way of conveying to the city that resistance was futile. Below, many resistance fighters couldn't help but lay down their arms before kneeling at the titan that stood like a mountain in the storm. Yet, when no direct surrender came from the British Government, the horn of the titan soon began to carry a tone of anger.
Lifting one leg, the titan turned around with surprising agility before burying a whole neighbourhood below its massive foot. Then, taking aim with its plasma cannon at the British Parliament, the city was painted in a hue of crimson before a column of plasma carved a dark scar across London, taking the parliament building with it. Where the beam touched, only ashes and steam remained. The land, reduced to how it was in prehistoric Earth.
Minutes later, the British Government in hiding declared its intention for an unconditional surrender. By morning, Britain floated its flag alongside that of the National Empire. For the first time in decades, civilians, poor or rich, stepped out of their homes as equals, as people who curiously investigated the streets they once walked as if they entered a new world.
Gone were the policemen, the military or the cameras. Instead, Imperial auxiliaries and Red Cross volunteers walked the devastated streets. Yet, even as the homeless tasted proper food and wore proper clothing for the first time, there was an unsettling aura still lingering in the air. Were they truly free, or were they simply under new management?
Many didn't question their new rulers and wholeheartedly accepted the National Empire with open arms by flooding the recruitment tents and cheering its name. Yet, others saw a darker side of things. Those who gratefully stepped toward the smiling volunteers without looking up will carry the bliss of ignorance.
However, those who look up will see the still-hanging corpses of the executed politicians, policemen and soldiers on every available place in the city. A closer look shows them all mutilated beyond reasonable explanations and humiliated with a plate around their neck displaying the word 'traitor'. That and the devastated civilian structures, streets wiped off the map as a show of force, and the burning air that smelled lightly like mustard. One must ask: are these the behaviours of a totally benevolent Empire?
On the other side of the world, while Michele's 3rd fleet liberated Murmansk and began to deploy its Marines to help rescue people in the city stuck in an apocalyptic snowstorm, the Knight Marshal of the 15th fleet, in his attempt to pacify Minsk, used his ability to plunge the city into an icy hellscape at -120 degrees Celsius. While Mike's World Forgers were already working to repair the damage they caused in their conquest of Mars, the 11th fleet had just finished massacring a whole village in coastal Pakistan in the name of retribution for opposing their conquest.
The day when someone could definitively utter the answer to that question is the day when the dream shatters. While Mike stared right ahead from the bridge of his carrier, already planning the conquest of the next colony, Michele stopped briefly as he stepped on blood-soaked snow. Then, following a feeling inside his heart, he was compelled to look up only to see the ugly truth of it all.
To be continued...