The corridors were dark and somewhat foreboding; the light fell harshly through the wide windows that lined the walls. Outside, a thick layer of fog had descended on the city, covering most of it from view. Only the neon lights of South Town glared visibly through the haze.
The commander walked silently down the corridor, at a somewhat slow pace. He was trying to think of what he was going to say if certain questions were to be asked. He did enjoy the brief moment of peace he had before stepping into the Baron's War Room, however. He caught his reflection on the window pane as he walked by, noticing he was looking harried. With a small sigh, he ran a gloved hand through his hair, trying to smooth it down as best he could. The commander had been at the stadium for awhile, doing a few trial races before they started for the season; he felt it best if his superiors didn't realize this. The adrenaline had long since faded away, though his hands still trembled slightly. He relished the feeling of the wind in his hair, the smell of fuel and the potential danger that awaited him around every hair-pin turn. There was some kind of urgency he felt wile racing; a strange sense of belonging and excitement that being in the KG never gave him. The exhilaration that came from revving the motor of the Racer …waiting for the strange sound of the buzzer…the roar of the crowd as he crossed the finish line…
"There you are, Commander Errol. I was wondering if you would show up," growled a voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry, my Lord…I was running a little late," he stammered.
Baron Praxis snorted, folding his arms across his massive chest. He was much taller than Errol, dressed in traditional royal clothing of red, black and blue. A large sword dangled at his side. Praxis had an imposing look about him; he had dark hair and a beard striped with grey. He had seen his share of battles, one of which had taken his right eye and a portion of his face. In effort to heal these wounds, he had been fitted with metal plates to compensate for the lost appendages. If anything, it made him look more menacing than he already was; Praxis was the one man Errol was ever afraid of.
"See to it you are never late again," the Baron barked, "I should have known you to be like this. A quick look at your file would show you've paid the price for tardiness several times in the past."
Errol swallowed hard, not wanting to receive such punishment again.
"I was a fool back then, sir. I can assure you I meant no disrespect."
The Baron eyed him suspiciously as he turned and walked into a large room. Errol followed behind, feeling his pulse beginning to slow; he'd barely avoided that. The Commander straightened up in effort to regain his normal aura of importance.
A third man was standing in the room, leaning over a circular table, watching a hologram of the city intently. Errol stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Count Veger was not his favorite person to speak with.
"Good evening, Commander," Veger said oily, "So nice of you to join us."
Errol remained silent, placing his hands on the table. He gave the leader of the High Council an icy stare.
Veger was a man of great importance in the government; a religious man, often muttering about the Precursors to Errol's annoyance. He was tall and thin, balding as well, what was left of his dark hair circling around his head. He had large black eyes and a hooked nose. If Errol disliked anyone more than Torn, it was this man.
"What information have you?" Veger asked, his eyes still scanning the hologram.
"The child will be in the Bazaar tomorrow night," Errol replied, watching as the Baron paced back and forth, "Though our spy did not supply this information."
"Who did?"
Errol sighed, as if talking to Veger was so taxing. "My men captured an Underground Agent a few days ago- she told us where he was located."
"Are there any safe houses in the Water Slums?" the Baron suddenly asked.
"…Our spy wouldn't tell me," the Commander replied.
"Then we'll have to make him pay the price for defying me."
Veger laughed lightly. The dim blue light of the hologram cast angular shadows across his face, making him appear sinister.
"It is all coming together. Once we have the child, we will be able to fix the Dark Warrior Program, and be rid of the Underground forever."
Errol made a face. "We need more Eco, sir. And if you're still suggesting we use Light in favor of Dark-"
"-It is the key!" Veger interrupted, banging his fist on the table, "Your mind is unable to grasp the importance of such a thing! Light Eco can be much more powerful than Dark, if you know how to use it. The child is a Channeler, Commander; you have seen what they are capable of."
Errol chuckled, shaking his head. Praxis watched the two of them, slightly amused.
"You lack faith, Count Veger- of all men; I would imagine you could have some patience. It is my suspicion that you have no idea of knowing what the Program encompasses. The man Onin foretold of coming has yielded no new changes; with a few more tests he should be ready." The Commander thought for a moment, a scowl crossing his face. "And the greatest Channeler I'd ever seen is now dead!" Errol spat.
"She was a threat to us at any rate!" Veger shouted, "Never once would she have participated- it is better off she is dead."
Errol felt rage broil to the surface. He slammed his fists down on the table; Veger flinched. The Baron raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"How dare you!" Errol hissed, his eyes darkening with anger, "You have no right to-!"
"Enough!" Praxis boomed.
Errol fell into seething silence, glaring at Veger. The Baron walked up to the table, punching a button to make the hologram of the city disappear. A new image sprang into view, this time of the Wasteland.
"I will have no one speaking of that day. What's done is done," Praxis fixed his gaze on the dull landscape of the Wasteland, "We will take the brat as planned; I leave that to you, Errol."
"Yes, sir," he answered, dimly.
"Count Veger- everything is in place for you as well. We need that Eco for both the Dark Warrior Program and the bribes- do not fail me."
"Of course, My Lord. I will be waiting for the Commander," the Count replied, bowing slightly.
Veger turned to leave, pausing to glare at Errol before continuing on. When the door slammed closed behind him, Errol sighed in relief. The Baron chuckled.
"Such admiration I sense in your actions," he said.
"Oh, yes," Errol agreed with the slightest of smiles, "Such admiration…"