Sorry for the long absence once again, I've been swamped with schoolwork and various other things. But fear not for I finally got this chapter up! Another boring chapter filled with dialogue, but the next chapter (which I have halfway finished) is where some action occurs. I promise.
Jak Fan: Thank you, your kind words are greatly appreciated! Sorry for the wait, I'm afraid I only write when I have the time. I'm sure you'll be able to come up with an awesome Jak fic, just keep brainstorming! (I'm a dork I know...)
Sull89: Thank you for the fav, and for the review! I always found myself wondering about the members of the KG throughout the 2nd game, what were their reasons for enlisting, what kind of meetings and such went on inside the palace and what about the other ranking officers besides Erol? So eventually this came along. -heh- I'm glad you enjoy it, and I hope this chapter isn't too boring. (By the way, I adored your story Realizations!)
Chapter 6
The door slid open silently, and Keane entered the vast room. The walls were all painted a serene shade of light blue, completely devoid of any artwork or such. Cathedral ceilings rose high above his head, supported by seemingly endless rows of pillars that spanned the length of the room. The pillars were lined up against each side of the room, and they seemed to delineate a path that led to the center of the room. A vibrant and lavish red carpet that traveled in between the pillars also enforced this idea.
At the end of the carpet in the center of the room sat a large circular table made of glorious maple wood. Chairs covered in the finest plush cushions that matched the vivacious red carpet sat evenly spaced around the table. A velvet runner, also the same red hue, ran the length of the table, the ends of the runner decorated with golden tassels.
Keane's emerald eyes traveled over the table, until they reached the end where a large, stocky man sat with his back to Keane. The man, who was of course Baron Praxis, was staring blankly out the immense picture windows that lined the back wall of the room. The windows gave a crystal clear view of the city, which was displayed splendidly below them. They also provided the main source of light, as small rays of sunlight filtered through the glass, illuminating the room.
The man took no notice to the fact that Keane had entered the room, or at least he didn't show that he had. Keane placidly took a few steps forward clearing his throat softly. When he noticed the man did not stir, he moved to speak.
"Excuse me sir, Commander Erol said you requested me?"
At last the Baron shifted his weight, and turned his chair to face Keane, who found himself slightly taken aback by the man's appearance. The top right half of the Baron's face was made of some sort of metal, and his right eye was apparently gone. The bridge of his nose was also covered metal, as well as his right ear. This probably explained why he had been oblivious to Keane entering the room.
Baron Praxis took a moment before answering, his left eye seeming to size Keane up. Keane felt uneasy under the Baron's gaze, he was certain that he would take notice to his injuries, and with the addition of Erol's story he would probably demote him right away.
But instead of speaking harshly and demanding answers or such, the Baron's voice rang out in a calm and collected manner. Perhaps he was only keeping his anger in check for the time being.
"Well there Lieutenant, looks like you had quite the time with those Metalheads. Have a seat. Commander Erol was quick to inform me of what happened out there, so there's no need to elucidate."
Keane pulled a chair out across the table from the Baron and reclined in it easily. Once situated Keane sighed in spite of himself, sure that Baron Praxis must think lowly of him, especially after hearing Erol's tale. Keane was unsure of how to answer, and decided it was best not to say anything. He opted for simply nodding his head.
"Well, what's the matter Lieutenant? Certainly you must have something to say concerning the whole ordeal?"
Keane wondered just what it was that the Baron was looking for him to say. He had just stated that Erol had told him everything he needed, so why did he care what Keane had to say? Keane was quick to think of something, anything would be better than just sitting there in silence.
"We tried our best Baron Praxis; unfortunately I guess it wasn't enough. I'll be quick to start working on our weaknesses."
Keane kept his voice cool, emerald eyes staring off blankly into his folded hands as he spoke. He could only hope this was what Praxis wanted to hear.
"Yes weaknesses."
The Baron's voice suddenly seemed distant now, as if his mind had been focusing intently upon something else. Keane looked up and noticed the Baron was observing the bandages upon Keane's wounds in a thoughtful manner.
"Is something wrong Baron Praxis?"
Keane spoke out, hoping he wasn't be too audacious. Perhaps the Baron would find it none of his business. But Keane was a curious character.
"Your injuries look quite serious Lieutenant, who was it that fixed you up?"
Keane wondered why something as trivial as that would be important to the Baron. He was quick to recall the dim room he awoken in and the small green man. He wasn't able to catch his name, but he did know the name of the violent young man who had held him at gunpoint, Dorian he believed. He also knew the name of the large dark skinned man who had entered the underground building shortly after Keane left.
"I was lucky enough to be picked up by some interesting people living in the Slums. There was a short green man, whose name I did not catch, though he seemed to be in charge. A younger man by the name of Dorian was there as well, he seemed to be quite the aggravated fellow. Upon exiting a large dark-skinned man called Sig entered the building."
The Baron nodded as Keane spoke, a grim smile stretching across his face. Apparently what Keane had said was very important to the Baron, and he moved to speak.
"Excellent work Lieutenant. That green man you speak of is known as The Shadow. He is a traitor and the leader of an underground movement against me and all I stand for. He feels that I am unfit to lead this city in this devastating time of war, and wants nothing more than to see me kicked off the throne. Dorian is one of his followers in the Underground, a top agent and spy for them. We've ran into him on many occasion, but don't worry he will soon be out of the picture. As for Sig, I'm unsure about him, but anyone dealing with the Underground is a traitor and shall be justly punished!"
The Baron's face flushed with anger as he spoke, but he was quick to regain his composure. Exhaling he rose out of his chair and strode over to stand beside Keane. Placing a hand on his shoulder he spoke softer, as if someone might be watching them.
"In fact Lieutenant, I think you are just the man for the job. The Underground obviously doesn't think you a threat, for they graciously invited you right into their midst and cared for you. You've came face to face with Dorian have you not?"
"Yes sir."
"Of course you have, and this means that you know what he looks like. I'm assigning you the task of getting him out of the way. I don't care how you go about the job, just be sure to get it done without anyone seeing it. The last thing we need is for the public to witness a KG murdering an 'innocent' citizen."
Baron Praxis shook his head with disgust as he spoke the last sentence, stressing the word innocent. He stood upright as he finished and removed his hand from Keane's shoulder. He walked back over to his chair, hands clasped behind his back. Keane let his mind go over what the Baron had said a few times before he spoke. He had to admit he never thought he would be given the job of an assassin whilst enlisted in the KG.
"I'm to kill him?"
As soon as the words left his mouth Keane instantly regretted them. The Baron turned sharply on his heel, a smirk on his face.
"Well I do believe that is what I said. You will do it, won't you Lieutenant? Surely you wouldn't defy a direct order straight from the Baron himself would you?"
Keane shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but was careful to keep a vacant expression upon his face.
"Of course Baron Praxis, I apologize for my actions. Is there a specific time I am to carry this out, or a place?"
The Baron nodded in response to Keane's apology, a satisfied smile replacing the smirk. He seemed to take a moment in considering his options of how to answer Keane's inquiry, but soon turned and spoke in considerably calmer tones.
"I'd advise that you get the job done before the end of the week, we don't need him poking his nose into our business any more. As for location, I'll leave that entirely up to you. I believe you will be able to handle such a decision am I correct Lieutenant?"
"Of course sir."
Keane nodded firmly as he spoke, emerald eyes matching the Baron's. Keane found his mind was already contemplating a variety of little shadowed abysses littered throughout the city. Spots such as these were perfect for the task, hidden from the prying eyes of the public. But how to lead Dorian into one without causing a scene?
Suddenly Keane felt a strong sense of morality creeping upon him. Had he no decency? How could he sit there and honestly consider how he was to take another's life? While he might be unable to remember just when he had enlisted into the KG, he certainly knew he didn't join to have the job of killing an innocent person. Keane felt utterly disgusted with himself, and let his gaze drop to the floor in shame. The Baron however, obviously didn't notice, for he kept right on speaking in that matter-of-fact tone of his.
"Excellent. The only problem you might run into is keeping the public from noticing a murder occurring, that is if you chose to kill him in the streets. A more sensible approach would probably be to do it in his home, but again I'll leave that up to you. You are dismissed, and the next time I speak to you I expect to have Dorian out of the way permanently."
Keane vaguely heard the Baron speaking to him, but he did hear his dismissal. He rose slowly out of his chair, still sickened with himself. He certainly had some thinking to do once he reached the solitude of his room. Walking back to the door, he could hear the Baron chuckling heartily to himself. Shaking his head Keane stepped through the door and back into the hallway; the Baron's laugh still reverberating in his mind.
Yay for dialogue...or not. The next chapter has action as I promised. Hopefully I will be able to get it up quickly since I already have a good portion of it wrote.
As always reviews are welcome as well as constructive criticism. Have any ideas or opinions, I'd be glad to hear 'em!
