The Commandant was turned towards the wall opening, not really paying attention to the construction that he oversaw daily for many years.
He did not sleep the night before. The parts of The Spire that embedded in his flesh allowed him to go weeks without sleeping. Only week humans needed sleep.
The Commandant heard the door open. SHE was here.
He continued to look out the hole in the wall, testing the woman's patience. He could feel her gaze on his back. She remained silent. Waiting.
Suddenly he turned, waiting for her to flinch at the sight of him as so many others before her had done. He was slightly surprised when her expression did not change.
He looked the woman over. Gone were the tresses he saw yesterday. Every new recruit was shaved bald and given a headband along with the uniform of a Spire recruit. The black uniform fit her loosely. The coat covered her womanly parts, making her look almost like a young boy rather than a woman. The boots were smartly polished and came to her knees.
"I am The Commandant," he said, motioning her to ascend the stairs to stand before him.
"You are recruit 273. That number is not random. It was assigned to you because I have broken 272 recruits before you. You are nothing more... than another link in the chain."
The Commandant paused a moment, trying to gauge her feelings, but she remained impassive.
"You have been brought here to oversee the reconstruction of The Tattered Spire... and to serve Lucien as he sees fit."
The Commandant noticed a slight change in the woman's eyes. What was it? Anger? Hatred? He could not tell.
"My job is to ensure the obedience of guards like you. You will do everything I tell you. No question. Failure to obey will cause the device around your neck to activate. This is not a pleasant experience. You will lose your willpower, your memories. You experiences will be drained away. This will continue... Until you submit."
The Commandant looked at Recruit 273 with interest.
"Perhaps you believe you will resist." He said. "Some try at first, a misguided sense of 'personal honor.' You must decide: Is your honor really that important to you?"
He gave her several moments to think about what he just said before he gestured to the spot before him.
"Now. Come here. Obey."
Recruit 273 moved with fluid grace, stopping just before him. She waited, saying nothing.
"Be still," he said, and electrical currents surrounded her. These currents did not hurt her. Whether they did hurt her depended on her. Rather, her actions.
"Good. Now, look over there," said the Commandant, pointing to the center of the spire.
"yet, our progress is not a miracle. It is a product of obedience."
The Commandant paused again before he drew his sword.
"Let us see how well you have learned. I am going to hit you and you are going to thank me... Because I tell you to."
He raised his sword high before using the flat of the blade to hit Recruit 273 in the stomach.
"Now. Thank me. OBEY!" he said.
Recruit 273 looked up at him with fire in her eyes. She licked her lips.
"Thank you, Commandant, sir." she said through clenched teeth.
This time he used the blunt edge to hit her on the left side of her head.
"Thank me! OBEY!" he snarled.
She shook her head back and forth quickly, seeming to shake off dizziness. "Thank you, Commanda..."
Before she could finish her sentence he used the sharp edge of the blade to slice open her arm.
"And once again, thank me. OBEY!"
Recruit 273 shook with effort. "Thank you, Commandant, sir." she panted.
He looked down at her, a sneer at his mouth.
"Very good. Dismissed," he said with a wave of his hand.
