AN: A little something different
"So you're saying that you have failed?" Big Brother's voice boomed through the room. Romeo flinched at the harsh sound.
"We did what you asked, but nothing came of it. The Magicat did not show any signs of housing Prime's consciousness." He defended.
"So you did fail, and then you disobeyed my orders."
"I just thought that since she wasn't showing any signs of reverting that there was no point in further interrogation." Romeo admitted.
"There is the root of your issue, little brother. You thought. That is not your place." Big Brother decried, hands resting back on the armrest of the throne. "We exist in service of our leader, our master. Has so long among the primitive lifeforms made you forget that?"
"I know we are destined to serve, but when you put me in charge of this mission, I th….. assumed I would have to make some judgment calls."
"When you obey the Hive Mind, you never have to make such decisions. If you had a leadership position, you could have been trusted to 'make judgment calls,' but you are still a drone. You had a simple job: purify the Magicat, see if she has some remnant of Prime that could be awoken, and then return here with her." Big Brother growled. "Do you need me to tell you where you failed, little brother?"
"No, Big Brother."
"Tell me what you did wrong."
"I experienced…. an emotion." Romeo wrung his hands. "I enjoyed my work."
"Purification is a sacred rite, not time for you to have fun with a strung-up toy."
"I know, but she helped destroy Prime. She betrayed us. I found her suffering cathartic."
"You have begun to feel again-"
"Forgive me, Brother, for I have made a grave error. I will work to quell these deformities." He swore.
"Do not interrupt me!" Romeo fell silent.
"You will quell your deformative, I'm sure. Begin with that fear you feel right now." Big Brother instructed. Romeo swallowed and cast thoughts of his fear from his mind with difficulty. "Perhaps, you cannot help yourself. You have lived among the Etherians for some time, and their impurity is bound to rub off on you."
"The Brotherhood has protected me from such occurrences. I will work to eradicate my emotions before Prime's return." Romeo promised.
"You will succeed. Or you will be the one suffering as Prime burns away your impurities for you."
"Glory be to he."
"Yes, all glory to our Lord, but in order for his return to go smoothly, you need to start following orders better, little brother. Luckily, in the absence of Prime, I am the deliverer of mercy. You can still correct your mistake."
"Thank you, Big Brother." Romeo breathed out.
"Go to the medical wing of Brightmoon. One of our planted Brothers has spotted the traitor there. Do not return here without her."
"What if she has not survived her injuries?"
"Then we have no choice but to move on. The operation cannot be halted because you decided to kill her instead of bringing her in."
I thought it would be better to get rid of loose ends. Romeo thought before he could catch himself. From beside Big Brother's throne, there came a whispering. Oops.
"Keep your remarks to yourself, little brother. Do as I ask without thinking. That is what failed you lost time!"
"I know, I know, Big Brother-"
"Has my advice about speak out of turn escaped your hollow head?"
"No-"
"Silence!" Romeo clenched his jaw shut.
"Go get the Magicat, Romeo." Big Brother knew that Romeo still called himself by a name, a most terrible affront to Prime. "And maybe I can absolve you before our Lord returns. But I don't want to hear a word of you having fun again, understand?"
"Yes, Big Brother."
"Excellent. Now, go do good work so that we may put this behind us." That was Romeo's- little brother's – cue to go. "Your redemption has already begun. Continue, and your incompetence may yet be overlooked. Compensation may even be in order."
"Prime's return is the only gift I require for my actions." Little Brother bowed.
"Do not underestimate our Lord's generosity. Perhaps your assistance in his rebirth will convince Lord Prime to let you keep the Magicat. Her traitorous actions will need much purification in return, after all."
"If Prime wishes to bestow such an honor upon me, I will not complain."
"Glory be to Horde Prime and swiftness be to his return." Big Brother said.
"Glory be to he."
"Complete your mission, now. The great age of our Lord waits for no one."
Little Brother bowed and hurried out of the room.
"Follow him." Big Brother hissed, the command going through the Hive Mind to six Brothers standing by. "When he fails, remove him. There are no third chances."
"They are on their way." The figure next to the throne whispered.
"The rest of you know your mission. Bring me the Princess. I will oversee her purification myself." the sound of marching came from the next room over. The Brotherhood was on the move.
"Your will be done, Vessel." The figure whispered once more.
AN: I really liked writing this chapter. Feels good to shake things up.