Lifetime of War
Chapter 4: We Know
Saran took one of our fastest ships into Human space. Days passed before he was allowed to land on their home world. In that time we prepared our vast armadas and armies.
We weren't expecting anything grand or luxurious. From what we gathered from their other worlds we would see nothing but choking smog, extreme wealth surrounded by extreme poverty, poisoned waters, a starving; and demoralized populace, and not a single inch of untouched nature.
When the doors to Saran's ship opened, the first thing we saw were the clear blue skies. The air was clear and perfectly safe to breath. The guards meeting Saran escorted him to their capital building. All four of them wore gold colored armor- it reminded us of the old design our troops used to wear.
Along the way, through our hidden camera in Saran's helmet, we saw porcelain white sky scrapers, glimpses of natural wildlife, the people were healthy and happy. The weather itself reflected this with a bright sunny day, something rarely seen on other human worlds.
They entered the largest of the government buildings. The group walked onto a small bridge; big enough for two people to comfortably walk side by side. The bridge itself was suspended over a large courtyard where armored men and women were training hand-to-hand under a glass roof.
All components of their armor were colored mettle black except their helmet's eye pieces which are bright red. They looked fierce in the training area, on the battlefield with chaos raging everywhere and confused troops they would look like daemons.
One of the guards motioned to them and spoke.
"You see them? We call them Legionaries. One-million men and women per legion. Every legion a self-sufficient army unto itself."
"Impressive. I don't suppose you will tell me how many legions there are."
"More than one." The guard then turned around and led the group into the main hall.
Pure, white, and highly polished marble made up the walls, floors, and part of the doors to this room. On the opposite end were two golden handles indicating two perfectly seamless doors. Engraved on the doors stood a black onyx bird, possibly an eagle, sat perfectly in the center, its wings spread wide, and head looking up into the heavens, and talons open for the kill.
The doors opened and a tall, sinfully beautiful woman wearing an elegant white dress that slightly brushed the ground as she walked stepped through the doors. Her golden-yellow hair woven culminating into a layered circle on the back of her head. Beside her stood another gold armor clad guard.
She walked over to Saran, extending her right arm in a form of greeting. For a moment no one moved. Then Saran took her hand. Smiling she spoke first.
"Welcome to Terra, capital of the Human Republic. I am its leader, Empress Serana. I trust my personal guards didn't give you too much trouble."
"None at all... Empress. You have an impressive world here, are all your other worlds so luxurious?" The guards went from surrounding Saran to standing beside their Empress who let out a small sigh.
"Unfortunately no. But it has been a long day for you, coming from the... Council, yes? You should rest and we can continue tomorrow." Before anything could be said Serana and her guards turned their backs to Saran.
It was a chance he had to take. He wouldn't come out alive but as the Salarians said: One shot would defeat a single nation. Saran knew this and immediately pulled out a hidden plasma pistol. He took aim, squeezed the trigger, and nothing. Again, a third time and nothing came out. Serana and her guards turned around, smiling Serana spoke calmly.
"Too bad isn't it? Your little assassination plan I mean." Growling Saran launched himself at her, hoping to break her neck, strangle her, anything as long as she was killed. A guard smashed his body against Saran's throwing them both to the ground. Two of the guards dragged the dazed Saran up from the ground and onto his knees.
Serana smiled and kept talking.
"This room was specially made to prevent any kind of electronics and for any visitor to be checked for weapons. Think of it like a security check point when using civilian transport."
"What do you want us do with him Empress?" Asked the lead guard. The Empress walked over and gripped Saran's jaw with a single hand. Staring into his eyes she replied.
"Take him to an isolated cell, keep the door locked. Put the prisoner in chains until his trial tomorrow. No one is to speak to him." Her tone softened to that of a mother comforting a scared child, "don't worry. Unlike your leaders we don't send assassins disguised as diplomats to kill heads of state. You will be given a 'fair' and 'honest' trial."