Chapter 3: End of Turn One
CHAK*
The sound of the large Feldreb landing on the fourth floor of the Royal Museum echoes through the building, and with their task completed the rear grapples of the mechanical wonder whir back into their holster with a zip.
The hybrid effort of the Feldreb Scanners and my trained eyes made it not even a chore to find the terrorist.
I find the man kneeling, with his hands raised up.
How dare he! He dares to claim mercy, when he had none for her!
He attempted to slaughter the Empress, a kind young girl who is barely six years old!
UNFORGIVABLE!
Out of anger I moved my finger over the trigger preparing to fire, before I reconsider.
People like you deserve to rot,
but I need information;
he'll get his just dessert,
sooner or later.
With a chilling tone,
I address the man before me.
You deserve to die for what you've done,
but it's my responsibility to know who you work for, and what you're planning.
So I can give you my word that if you surrender to me, and relinquish any information on your fellow conspirators, that you may yet live.
Under the authority granted to me under being subordinate to the crown, I will be the final judge of your crimes against the Empress.
By now, my emotions are once more fully under control, so I continue speaking to the quiet man.
So, if you have anything to say that you believe may lessen your sentence, speak now.
He says nothing. He's still kneeling and looking dead ahead.
If you don't,
your sentence shall remain unchanged,
and you, executed summarily.
The interloper finally looks at my Feldreb, and starts.
You, you seem quite invested in the empire, a bit more than a stupid kid your age should be; care to tell me why you're so loyal to it? The man's stoic demeanour shifts into an oddly sad look.
Who are you, to call me stupid, you're completely cornered, trapped, and in a few short moments, captured; who are you to call me stupid?
I say as a disdainful smile grows larger on my lips.
The old man closes his eyes and continues his thought.
I have a picture of who you are, yes, and an idea.
Top of the class, graduated a day before his peers. Is the one who stands before me, Kiriya Nouzen perhaps?
The boy who was found orphaned by the Institute, and later accepted into Clan Nouzen upon discovering genetic ties?
The old man sneered.
Your loyalty is a joke. Your 'family' despite 'accepting' you, left you in the boarding school along with those exactly like you.
And you chose to pursue a life in the military because it's really all you know.
The sound of growling can be heard coming from the Feldreb's speakers.
The old man chuckles.
And don't claim your convictions are valid because it's what your 'family' is known for, and would want out of you.
The man shook his head.
In a way, I suppose I pity you. You were abandoned by an empire that caused you to become orphaned, and like a whipped dog, you came crawling back to your master.
With a clipped tone Kiriya Nouzen issued his final statement to the man.
Watch yourself, your next words may be your last, if you don't tread carefully.
Very well. I have been around long enough to see many things, and I believe I have seen enough.
My name is Howard Lanze, and I've spent my life pursuing my ideals, but unfortunately I have never really met them.
I'm here today,
because of the rot this dying nation harbours within its putrid, corrupt soul.
Its wanton destruction will be the end of it like many others before it. I didn't want to fire theI know I'm not a good person, and I've made peace with that fact.
Now, I couldn't answer most of your questions, because if I had, I would die immediately due to the bomb implanted in my neck, but I tell you one thing.
The people that I am a slave to, lie not within the borders of Roa Gracia, or the Alliance of Wald; no, they lie amongst us. The man said, sounding as if he'd swallowed a bitter fruit.
The man stood up and continued speaking, though this time he spoke with a softer tone.
Now I can die knowing that while it may not happen in five years, or even ten years, the people that I love may yet have a future.
You've embarked on the path of blood, young man!
Be careful to make sure it doesn't claim you, as it did me.
Coming from the stairwells, the sound of many rushing footsteps fill the room and many more voices can heard. The first set of officers pours into the room and surrounds the man, and begins moving to arrest him.
A sound coming from the street could be heard growing louder, growing closer.
I suppose my end has come.
With his fist outstretched toward the ceiling the man, Howard shouted with all his breath.
Long live the Federacy!
The man exclaimed as a single explosion struck dead on and engulfed everything and everyone.
The damage done to the Feldreb is severe as a searing pain blazes through my chest.
Then, a series of explosions erupt from beneath me.
One moment I was on solid ground,
the next, the ground had caved in.
I don't care if I'm in danger, our Empress needs support!
Ernst comes running towards the place where Frederica is sitting.
Frederica!
Tell me you aren't injured.
Ernst says with a worried tone.
Frederica turns to look at him.
It's okay Mr. Ernst, I haven't been injured. She says to him before looking down.
Hans, he protected me. He died protecting me, what's going to happen now that he's gone? With eyelids and cheeks coloured red from the tears. She once again decides to turn to look at Ernst.
I'm just scared. I know I should be strong for his sake but I just can't! Cried Frederica.
Ernst takes off his glasses and with compassionate eyes offers her relief.
It's okay, I promise you are going to be alright. It's okay if you're feeling sad, it's not right for you to deny yourself that right. You loved Hans, and he loved you. You are sad because you truly cared for him. Recognize that your love for him doesn't end when he's gone, and take comfort knowing that his love for you lives on inside you, because you cherish him, and will always cherish him. If you can do that, I can do my part to make sure that you will find happiness again. I'm going to endeavour to make sure of that.
Frederica begins to get up, and is offered a hand by Ernst.
Now follow me, we have to get to safety. Cautioned Ernst, as he begins to lead Frederica down the stage and towards the entrance of Central Station. Halfway there, he noticed a man kneeling on the near the entrance of to Central Station holding a large object towards the Museum. As Ernst approached, he noticed it was a rocket launcher. He quickly covered Frederica's mouth before quickly pulling her with him away from the man's line of sight. Once they were covered by the third exit wall to the plaza, Ernst peeked his head around to see what was going on, with Frederica following suit. The first thing that they noticed was the Feldreb which had appeared to be apprehended a member of the group. The next thing they noticed was that the person that held the rocket launcher had disappeared presumably back down into the metro system. They were about to look away when they noticed the rocket that was on a course for the Museum.
They looked closer and recognized that rocket wasn't simply heading for the museum, but now colliding with the Feldreb.
Their expressions turned to horror as they watched as additional explosives reduced the building to rubble.
Frederica was the first to break the silence after the building had collapsed.
With concern in her voice, she had turned to me and ordered that we ensure that aid is provided for the many officers that had been surely trapped beneath the building rubble, along with that Feldreb pilot. I take out my phone to call the relevant authorities to ask for an update on the situation, and I get the news that the paramedics and firefighters have already been dispatched and are nearing the plaza.
The paramedics and firefighters get to building within three minutes of the Royal Museum collapse, and begin pulling people out.
Frederica has decided that she won't leave until she has seen at least one person survive.
Five people are found within the first thirty minutes, three those are found dead, and the other two terminally injured. Frederica asked the medics to tell her how many people can be saved, but the answer she got wasn't hopeful.
Your majesty,
I'll have to be frank, the situation is looking quite grim.
Most of the officers were on the third and fourth floor, and most were likely in the immediate range of the explosion charges that had been planted.
Those that survived the explosions, are buried under rubble with serious injuries.
As this night goes on, less people will found alive.
It's unlikely that with the way the rescue was going, that more than ten people will survive being caught in this death trap, let alone make it to the hospital.
At the forty-five minute mark, the Feldreb pilot is found buried in his Feldreb and unconscious.
It's looking like he's going to be the last, as the scanners are detecting no more vital signs... Said a solemn firefighter.
With a booming voice Ernst gave the final orders for the rescue operation.
Paramedics,
you are to dedicate every last bit of your energy to saving the ones that are before you! These brave men dedicated their lives to save the Empress, depend on you! They must to return home to their families alive! The firefighters will continue their diligent work throughout the night and till throughout the morning. The families of those who have perished this night will have closure.
That is all.
Frederica, this is the last living person that will be recovered. You've endured a lot today, you need to rest.
Ernst said with a worried tone.
Ernst, I will rest once I'm sure he will survive this ordeal. He saved me from certain death, the least I could do him is offer my company. Said Frederica with a smile and a tired face.
With an understanding and sorrowful smile, Ernst replied.
The boy sustained life threatening damage to his liver, and it's unlikely that he'll survive,
but if you wish to accompany him, I'll respect your wishes.
A helicopter has been dispatched to bring him to the Royal Hospital, and it will be arriving within the next couple of minutes.
When the helicopter arrived Ernst and Frederica followed the paramedics as the boy was lifted up via the stretcher into the helicopter.
The flight was short, but the waiting was agonizing long for Frederica, as she waited to hear back if the surgery was successful. I tried to lighten her mood, but to little avail. She seemed set on Kiriya's condition.
Hours passed, and eventually the boy was eventually rolled into the room Frederica and I were sitting in.
The first thing Frederica had spent her time trying to do was trying to use her ability to learn more about the boy, who by now she knew was named Kiriya. Unfortunately for Frederica, it appeared Kiriya, like some of the Nouzens, had a natural resilience to the ability of crown.
But, I guess I'm happy that she had something to occupy her time trying to do. I suppose it is a lot better than the constant uncertainty she must have been feeling earlier.
My thoughts were interrupted as vibrations in my pocket alerted to a phone call.
I stood up and kneeled before Frederica.
Frederica, I have a phone call to answer, I'll be back in a while. Do you think you can stay strong for me while I'm gone?
Frederica gave me a quick nod and I gave her a hug before I left the room.
I quickly answered the call.
To whom am I speaking to? I asked.
The caller responded with little delay.
Second General of the Giadian Empire, General Johanne Striker.
Johanne? I spoke with a friendly but surprised tone.
It's been a few months since we last spoke, it's good to hear your voice. I'm assuming that you're calling in regard to an urgent matter, so I'm going to let tell me what this call is about.
Likewise Ernst. I'm calling to fill you in on the information we've uncovered since the attack.
I mentally prepared myself for the news.
Striker continued.
We've found out that the group we've been dealing with has been operating underground and is known as the Giadian Federalists.
From the attack last night, and the statements taken from some of the conspirators, we now know what their goals are. Their first goal is to overthrow the Giadian Empire, the second is to kill the Empress, their last goal is to replace the monarchy with the state they refer to as: "The Federal Republic of Giad".
The was a moment a silence before Striker finished his message.
Now, I hope I don't have to tell you what the ramifications of a potential civil war happening at this time. So, I'll do my best to break the stalemate, and since you're already in the capital, I'll trust you to take care of the Federalists before this becomes a bigger problem than it already is.
I understand what you're offering to do and I can accept that, but remember Johanne, that you're offering to support the front, you're not issuing me an order, correct? Because I do not want potential insubordination added to my list of problems I have to deal with. Said Ernst in a stern voice.
Yes! First General Zimmerman! Striker responded loudly and without uncertainty.
Very well. Have a good evening old friend.
I hung up the phone.
It looks like my work never ends, well, I suppose it should be expected when I accepted the responsibility of assuming the role of the First General to the Giadian Military.
As I was about to open the door to the room, I heard the sound of Frederica, laughing?
Curious.
End of Chapter 3