Author's notes:
Hey Tenno! Finally I am here again, and I have new fresh content for ya. Are you doing good? I am not. I played Kingdom Hearts 3, and there I saw something I didn't want to see. Something that... DESTROYED MY DAY AND MADE ME SUFFER!
Anyway, we are not here to discuss about the darkness of light that consumes the light of our being of darkness and light, we are here for Warframe. So, take this chapter and may your Warframe be your murdering machine!
The Empire Game
Chapter 13.5 - Executor
The lights shone brightly in the white hall. Every seat, column, pedestal or lamp adorned with gold and silver. The Orokin crowd, in person or through projection, acclaimed the Executors from the high of the theatre, while another life had just been taken by the Jade Light.
Lady Ilsia sat on the higher places, looking silently to the justice cycle. One after another, the unworthy and traitors, they all disappeared for the benefit of The Orokin Empire. The silver dress with golden designs shone so pure and perfect under the lights. Behind her, behind the seats, two Dax soldiers were watching over her, waiting where all the guards had to stay.
From her place, she could see every detail of the justice process. Lord Ballas stood on the highest platform, reserved to the Executors. At his side Lord Lares, Ilsia's father, was talking to the projection of another Executor who wasn't there in person. Their chat interrupted once Lord Balls' voice boomed in the hall, powerful and clean.
BALLAS: "The Jade Light has brought again justice in the Empire. Now, send in the next."
The white and golden door opened and another accused entered the ring beneath the Orokin crowd. Small, alone, impure, imperfect, in his silver and blue suit, his face half covered by black marks. Lady Ilsia noticed immediately such difference between that pitiful Corpus and her father, the great Executor Lares. Powerful, beautiful, the revelation of perfection, he was like a god looking down to an insignificant bug.
BALLAS: "Executor Lares, would you like to guide this sentence?"
LARES: "I would be honored, Executor Ballas."
Executor Ballas stepped aside with slow graceful movements almost like he was dancing on a gentle melody. Lord Lares got closer to the edge, bowing his head a little, smiling softly.
LARES: "Your graces, we all here are facing now one of the greatest sins in our realm. This Corpus has desecrated the authority of our respected Executor Ballas, and so the authority of our whole kind. This defiler, in his corrupted desire, in his contorted mind of commerce prayer, dared to examine one of our greatest creations, our weapons against the Sentient's threat."
A whirl of whispers rose from the crowd dressed in white and gold. In their eyes, indignation and disgust for the pitiful Corpus. Their bodies shone under the light, the diamonds and other precious stones they wore sparkled like many stars on every movement.
LARES: "I can see you immediately understood the situation and the gravity of such action. Yes, your graces! This Corpus has tried to examine a Tenno!"
Once Executor Lares' voice echoed in the hall, the whole crowd voices spoke in rage. The Corpus in the middle of the ring was struggling to not tremble in fear. He knew that nothing could save him for the inevitable fate now that Lord Lares had collected such consensus. Incapable to accept his destiny, he tried a last attempt to save himself.
CORPUS: "You do not understand, Executor Lares! My intention was to study the Warframes in order to find a way to improve them. Your graces, you all see what is happening! The Tenno lost their overwhelming power years ago!"
Lady Ilsia was surprised. She looked back at her father, proud on the high spot, wondering how Lord Lares would have faced the Corpus' words. Looking at the smile on Lares' lips, she knew her father had the situation under control, as always.
LARES: "Curious words from a Corpus who has been brought here because a single Tenno has disrupted his business."
The Orokin crowd whispered and laughed, pleased by Lares'reaction. This was a terrible shot for the Corpus, he already had small chances to be spared, but now his situation was even worse. He was going to die in shame, derided by the Orokin.
LARES: "The reports speak of almost three hundred robotic units and one hundred Corpus workers provided with armaments. All dispatched by one Tenno."
The Corpus bowed his head in desperation, he appeared like a crushed insect to Ilsia's eyes, ready to accept the last stomp that would kill it once and for all.
LARES: "Now, your graces, I will introduce the real motivation that pushed this Corpus to defy one of our most important laws. We let this trading corporation to grow in our Empire, and now they desire to take the power and the authority that is reserved to our kind. May this sentence remind to those profit hunters their place in our realm."
The sound of laughs and applause grew, the crowd was delighted by Lares' words. He was guiding the sentence so well that the fate of that Corpus was already decided. Ilsia was so proud of her father, with a smile she joined the applause.
It was time to vote, and, as expected, the Corpus sentence was clear and irremovable: death. He was the next victim of the Jade Light. His life spent in following the opportunities, enslaving workers, all for his profit. But now all he collected was going to burn away with his existence. None would remembered him, none would have cried his absence, he was going to be lost forever in the Void.
The meeting reached its end, all the sentenced had been judged and many of them offered to the Jade Light. Few were the chances to survive the Executors.
On her way, Lady Ilsia had been stopped by other Orokin who want to bring greetings to Lares' daughter. She had learned the rules of common decency and graceful speaking, those were the bases everyone had to know in the Orokin society. She didn't like to have chats with the other grown-up of her own kind who were from the outside of her family. The Orokin adults were dangerous and capable manipulators.
She made her best to appear interested in the topics exposed by Ladies and Lords, she always kept a kind and soft language and a dignified behavior. She was considered respectful and graceful, but in truth, she had no interest in such matters.
Once she was finally free from the last conversation, she got the occasion to take distances from the Orokin crowd and get out of sight. Behind her, the two Dax were always following silently.
The lamps shone brightly with their golden light. The white halls and corridors were adorned with Orokin statues and portraits. Here and there, clean water passed through channels, under small bridges, reaching the vases of white shining plants and trees. Most of the benches were empty in that time of the day since other executions were still proceeding in other halls of the Orokin tower.
The last door on her path opened up on a stair that led the way into a circular hall. She reached the top of the golden stair and finally met her father. He was talking to Lord Ballas in the middle of the hall, next to a fountain.
LARES: "And how did they know about the archives on Mercury?"
BALLAS: "Through the interrogation, we came to know about a certain informer."
LARES: "An informer? Who?"
BALLAS: "They didn't know either."
LARES: "Typical. Only the Grineer are so foolish to not investigate such things."
BALLAS: "Since we are talking about investigations: what about Suvar?"
LARES: "I don't know. I sent him a message since he didn't answer my calls. Maybe he is handling the situation about the Uranus caves."
BALLAS: "Then probably he will join us later."
Ilsia and her guards approached silently, but their presence didn't go unnoticed by Executor Ballas. His sight fixed on Lares' daughter, on his lips a feeble smile.
BALLAS: "We have a graceful guest."
Lares turned his head, wondering who Ballas was talking about. His eyes got sweet once he saw her daughter coming closer. She was like a small beautiful silver flower in a sea of gold and immaculate white. The two Dax soldiers behind had no place in his vision.
LARES: "Ilsia."
The young Orokin's lips formed a pure and luminous smile. Once she was close enough, she bowed her head as a sign of respect to the Executors.
ILSIA: "It has been a memorable series of sentences, Executor Lares, Executor Ballas."
BALLAS: "Too much kindness, young Lady Ilsia."
Ballas placed his hand on his chest and bowed a little, answering theatrically to Ilsia's compliment.
Ilsia's eyes were filled with satisfaction, a happy smile shone on her lips once more. After her parents, Executor Ballas was the Orokin she estimated more than anyone else. She respected his authority and power, and also she felt for him a certain attraction.
LARES: "It had been a pleasure, Ballas. So is it settled?"
BALLAS: "Of course, I have still things to do, but I will contact you soon."
LARES: "Very well. Come Ilsia, we go home."
BALLAS: "Another thing: when was the last time you saw Suvar?"
LARES: "He was going to visit the Tenno that is in our custody, I didn't hear of him since."
BALLAS: "I see."
Lares got closer to his daughter, and with her at his side, he headed to the nearest door. The two Dax soldiers followed, behind them.
Once they reached the door, Ilsia turned back her head. Through the space between the two Dax, she saw Lord Ballas sat on the fountain's border. A small water sphere was floating upon the palm of his hand. On his lips a grin, different from his usual smiles, like he was having some savage fun.