Ok, I know I said I was going to try and finish Uprising first, but that sort of got kicked in the head. So here is the sequel to Secrets Better Kept Secret!
Also, thank you VERY much to everyone who read Secrets Better Kept Secret, and thank you for reading this. There are several new content links on my profile page, so as soon as you are done reading this, please go and check those out.
Also, I am starting to take some content from the great video games I have played, you will no doubt notice that when you see the new links. This story is getting more Science Fiction-ish, but it's going to stay as close to reality as possible.
Disclaimers
I do not own the Vampire Academy series or any associated content, that belongs to Richelle Mead.
I do not own the name "Sovereign", that is take from the 2007 Video Game, Mass Effect by Bioware and EA. (This likely didn't need to go here, but I put it in anyways.)
Prologue
11:30 PM
Friday October 21st, 2010
Shavarishka Family Estate
40 Miles South of Tokyo, Japan
The Guard exited the stairwell and entered the hallway leading to the home's observation room, or as it was known amongst those who served the Shavarishka family, "The Dark Room." It had earned this nickname because of the well tinted windows that blocked most sunlight, and it's almost complete lack of lighting fixtures. It was now occupied by the family's head of security, a figure who went only by the name "Sovereign." They perferred to be recognized as "Lord Sovereign" when being spoken to, and they demanded the utmost respect. They always wore a set of pitch black robes with a hood and a crimson and black face mask. Their voice was menacing, it was a deep, commanding male voice with a strong computerized undertone. Everyone, except the family members, dreaded speaking to this dreaded figure.
The Guard approached the heavy industrial metal door at the end of the hall and keyed the intercom.
The voice that replied was not that of Lord Sovereign, but the lone woman who was always in the room with them. They allowed people into the room, and they were the only one who, aside from some of the family members, had seen this figure without their mask.
The voice was smooth, with a slight british accent, "Yes, Lefttenant, what brings you up here?"
The Guard stood straight, being wise of the camera that watched him, "Status report for Lord Sovereign."
"Ah, he's been waiting for this, please, enter."
There was a loud clicking noise as the door unlocked and split down the middle, with each half moving to the side as it opened. The Guard entered the entrance chamber and stopped as the door closed behind him, and the door in front of him opened.
There was a door to the right of the entrance, it led to Sovereign's private sanctuary, a room which absolutely nobody, Guard or family member, had entered. Aside from Sovreign themselves.
He entered the room and took no comfort in his surroundings. The room was dark, because of the afformentioned lighting, but there was little in the way of furnishings either. There was a small room, by itself, with a desk and a clear window, behind which the door watchwoman sat, a light flickering abover her as she typed into her computer.
She looked up at the Guard and waved him through. The Guard walked across the almost entirely empty room towards the raised platform where the imposing figure of Lord Sovereign stood.
The Platform was raised two or three feet above the ground, and had railing 180 degrees around it. The other 180 degrees were surrounded by tinted windows that gave a view of the outside of the home, and the beautiful gardens that greeted visitors.
As the Guard approached, he lowered himself to his knees before the platform, a tradition amongst the family, and adressed the figure in front of him.
"Lieutenant Garsikov here with the daily status report my Lord."
The figure spoke with that menacing voice that sent a shiver up the man's spine, "You may rise. What is the status of my device, have you made progress?"
"Yes my Lord, the device is operating at 110% capacity, beyond our expectations, and the barriers are holding nicely."
"So the energy flow is stable? The device is not showing any signs of fatigue?"
"No, my Lord, it is holding perfectly, just as you had hoped."
Sovereign was silent for several moments, and then spoke, "Good work, Lieutenant."
The Guard stood uneasily, waiting to be dismissed.
The figure turned, and the Guard could faintly make out their terrifying mask in the darkness.
"Is something on your mind, Lieutenant?"
"No, my Lord, of course not."
"Please choose your words carefully. Your predecessor was, ah, "dismissed" for lying to me, do not forget that."
"Oh, no my Lord, it is not something offensive, it's just that. Well, I was wondering if you believe there is a chance this device could fail, we don't want to have another incident, like last week."
"By 'We' I assume you mean 'I'. And don't worry, this device is not as unstable as the one we installed last week. Lord Shavarishka's calculations were off when that device was built, so it malfunctioned. I have worked with him to resolve the error though, and this one should function as expected. Tell me though, does delivering these reports make you nervous?"
"No, of course not."
"Lieutenant. Choose your words wisely."
"Oh, well. Yes, it does. You are an imposing figure, it is slightly disturbing to be here."
"Don't worry. So long as you do your job and do it well, you will not be harmed by me. I have no reason to dispense harsh punishment unless the failure warrents it. I do require respect, and a very high level of it, though. And I am pleased that showed me such respect today by speaking your mind. You are dismissed, Lieutenant."
"Yes, my Lord. Thank you."
The Guard turned and walked back across the room, waiting at the desk for a second before the watchwoman opened the door and, taking one last look at the room, exited.
So remember to review and let me know how it's going! Thanks to all who read my stories!