The perpetual snowstorm was sweeping over Boralis as it was sweeping over every other city in the southern hemisphere of the planet. There would be no trace of sunlight and no break in the clouds for months to come.
Kudra kept his eyes focused on the lights that flickered from the Compound, where the government buildings loomed over the city, three miles away.
After a moments pause, he turned to face the fifteen men who filled the room behind him – all fierce-looking and cold in a way that made Kudra nervous, despite the fact that they had all pledged their loyalty to him. He unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fist behind his back.
"We have thirty minutes to get into position- Make sure this goes flawlessly, gentlemen"
At his abrupt signal they moved out, leaving the room empty but for Kudra and his right hand man, Olis.
Olis waited for the door to close before he turned to his employer.
"Sir, our sponsors are becoming edgy, they're under the impression that we're keeping them in the dark"
"Well that's true enough" Kudra said as he walked to a table laden with an assortment of weapons – the best that Confederate money could buy. He tossed a handgun to Olis and strapped several on himself.
"Don't worry about that now. Our only worry is to make sure that their investment pays off. After that they'll be standing in line to kiss our asses"
He looked directly at his aide.
"And after all this is over, we'll be sitting at posh, formal occasions, waving our hands at servants and chatting with dignitaries. Better days are on every horizon for us, Olis. We just need to get this right first"
Olis allowed himself to smile now that they were speaking in private. Most of the formalities vanished when no one else was around. He noticed Kudra's voice rising and his eyes glazing over.
"By tomorrow, we will have Boralis. Then we will take the rest of the planet. We will have to wipe out those upstarts at Elysium. It will not be long before that rabble of uneducated natives is subdued for they will soon realize what they're up against and give in. But even when they have been defeated our work will not be done. There are other enemies that will appear after that, when power is finally in our hands. Nevertheless, if we play our part, we will prevail"
Olis listened in silence, accustomed to his commander's taste for drama. Kudra would not let the occasion pass without a tribute to its significance. Olis' only responsibility was to make sure that he did not get too far ahead of himself.
"Today will not be an easy battle" he said
Kudra nodded and took a deep breath.
"You're right. We have work to do. In a way I'm glad we don't have to skulk in the shadows anymore, Olis. Sometimes force has a way of simplifying things'