The Imperialis Broadcasting Network
Breaking News - Government shoot out during a routine meeting have the Nation on high alert! (News Report)
The reporter speaks from behind a makeshift barricade, echoing gunshots are heard from afar and several soldiers are seen in the background rounding up civilians
"In today's story, citizens walking by the military complex holding a confidential meeting fled in panic from the City center today as violence erupted from within the walls of the meeting house. Several eyewitness reports tell of armed combat teams swarming from the nearby bunkers and streets to invade the main meeting building, while other smaller firefights have broke out within the City center itself. One eyewitness recalls the scene". "I don't know what happened, I was walking my dog Max in the park over the road. Then suddenly I heard a gunshot, immediately I hit the ground thinking my life was at stake and realised it came from the Meeting house! Then several shots followed, and then this.. Well you can see it for yourself!" The man points off screen, the camera pitches to several dead and injured soldiers, along with several injured civilians and medical staff. "Near as we can tell, an assassination attempt was suspected and it caused an uproar amongst the officials. We cannot delve any further as we must await from an official response from Authority, as we've yet to receive any word from the Lords. I'm Erin Caern, IBN reporter"
The Kaitan Assassination (The Narrative)
The High Lords of the Imperialis Government entered the meeting house in an orderly fashion, as they've done countless times before. Single file, each Lord entering with their long overcoat, their district insignia emblazoned on a beret with their colours sporting their area of control. A single, armed guard accompanied each member into the room before sheathing their rifle, placing their right fist in the other open, left palm and bowing as they left; Such was the Imperialis creed of respect. The meeting room slowly filled up as each member arrived, one by one they sat in their designated seats in a horseshoe fashion around the main pedestal. The Last to arrive was Deran Kaitus, he was temporarily promoted to Militant Lord due to his General's absence. None knew where the Lord General was, and so Kaitus took his place. After they were all seated, the advisors came second. Dressed in monochrome, black robes carrying a small datapad and earpiece, again the insignia of the district they represented was stitched into their clothing. Kaitus' advisor quickly shuffled over and sat beside him, giving a stern nod, to which Kaitus replied and both set their attentions to the front pedestal.
"Gentlemen, Advisors and High Lords of the Imperialis Legio. We come here to meet over a matter of grave importance".
A coarse, deep voice echoed through the meeting hall. The figure, to whom the voice belonged to stepped out into the light and displayed himself on the pedestal. He looked around at the 15 Lords and their advisors, a keen grin on his face. Kaitus quickly cast a glance at the man, his face set in wrinkles and the callous eyes of a millenium old dictator, gazed back - Lord overseer Eldran Crestenfal, the self proclaimed title he gave himself upon assuming internal control of the government.
"We know not where Lord General Krellan is at the moment in time and can only assume an assassination. This is a time of grievance, my friends."
Crestenfal averted his eyes from the gathering, looking directly towards Kaitus with a sinister smirk creeping across his face. The murmerings of concern spread amongst the officials, and only the omnipresent voice of Cresetanfal himself hushing them in an instant.
"Fear not, gentlemen, for we have a new Lord in our company. General Deran Kaitus, Militant Lord of the Imperialis Legio, come forth and claim your right of Lordship"
Ha! Good riddance to that fool, Krellan. This dumbstruck puppet will be easier to thread along, I can already see his strings illuminating before my eyes.
Whispers became louder and some even erupted into audible shouts. "How dare you forsake our friend so quickly!" "What of the other associates?!" "You can't do such a thin-"
"QUIET!" Crestenfal exclaimed, his voice of power hushing the room oncemore. His fierce, white eyes searching around, his tongue flaring in his mouth and awaiting any fool who would dare face him. "It is in my right of authority that I grant this power to Kaitus, respect such a sermon as this and allow him the grace of this Nation's protection." Kaitus dipped his head politely, he raised to his feet and lingered a moment as he exchanged a look with his advisor, Enoris. He took his steps carefully and slowly, as to assert authority and caution as he aproached the pedestal.
"It is here, that I now appoint you. Deran Kaitus, to the Lordship and power over the Militant arm of the Imperialis Legio to protect us. To fight for us. To die, for us. The Empire Protects"
"The Empire Protects" Follows in unison by all present in the room.
"I thank you, Lord Overseer Crestenfal. I accept the power and responsibility you bestow upon me and swear to Protect, fight and die in service to the Imperialis Legio. The Empire Protects" He bows in the Imperialis way, his breaths become deeper and his heart beat quickens in his chest as he rises.
"Excellent, now be seated so we can continue our work."
"I cannot. Crestenfal" The uproar that usually follows such breach of respect was not heard, silence and shock settled in to all who observed such a defiant act.
"What?! How DARE you undermine my authority!"
"Lord Overseer Crestenfal." Kaitus unsheathed a pistol from underneath his overcoat and aimed it at Crestenfal "By order of the Imperialis Legio, and my right of power as the Militant General of the Imperialis Army, I hereby decree a Dominus Execution for treason of the highest degree. I hereby sign the death warrant of a traitor against our Empire, may you burn in whatever pit you fall to." The words seemed to take a lifetime to reach the minds of all those in the building, even the cold, perverse stare of the Lord Overseer withered away at the sight and words of Kaitus.
Crestenfal had no time to protest, the words reverberated around his brain as though a God had declared righteous death against him, and he knew he wasn't far from the reality. The bullet connected with his forehead and sent blood spewing onto the Imperialis Logo on the wall behind him, the body fell onto the pedestal as a lifeless stump, he turned his pistol to greet everyone who observed. "Blasphemy! You dare decree an oath then murder the Overseer?! TREASON! I DECLARE TREASON!" Medicae Lord Farthing's words were lost to the uproar. "Who put you up to this?! General Krellan no doubt, you're too foolish for such an act!" High Lord Eston exclaimed, again to no avail. All voiced their rage and were silenced by the single, powerful utterance of General Kaitus. "Ask yourselves, who would be so devious as to put me to such a task?" Once again did the deadly silence encapsulate the High Lords, whispers of traitors, alliances and backstabbings floated around. Tensions and old hatred boiled under the skin of all those in the room, all the advisers thumbed their ear piece. The underlying paranoia and suspicions of the High Lords finally arose to the surface, much to Kaitus' expectation; Who merely walked casually back to his desk alongside Enoris, flipping it over and taking cover behind it.
Within a few minutes, squads of armed forces poured into the Meeting hall. Each Lord, surrounded by their privatised soldiers who formed a protective circle around them. Screeches of distrust and years of loathing surfaced as Lord verbally assaulted Lord. Kaitus and Enoris were without protection however, though from behind the desk he removed a combat knife provided to him by Enoris. He carved open the false bottom to reveal a hidden compartment underneath the Desk, he replaced his pistol within his overcoat and removed the assault rifle - Easily slamming a magazine in and loading the chamber under the noise of the meeting hall.
The final moment before the Storm, The Empire will protect.
By this time, guns were raised and many of the "poor" Lords took refuge, either with stronger Lords or behind their desks as Kaitus had. As several intense moments of mental preperation passed, Kaitus listened to the swirling screams of anger and bitterness the enveloped him; it only served to fuel his divine purpose of eradicating such corruption. In what seemed to be a heartbeat, Kaitus raised himself to a firing position on the desk. His military prowess providing him with the speed and efficiency to align his ironsight with one of the guards and squeezing the trigger, only to cower oncemore and discard the assault rifle. One of Farthing's soldiers fell to the floor, his visor shattered from the impact of the bullet, he searched around at the other guards. One of the Lords, damn it. Damn it to hell!. Lord Farthing's soldiers retaliated viciously against whoever they assumed was the assailant; most aimed amongst the other guardsmen, suspecting their rifles to be the cause.
Small firefights immediately broke out as more soldiers rushed in from the complex to defend their Lords, the screaming of gunfire drowned out the screams of the dying as all hell broke loose. Farthing's soldiers dived behind splintered desks and railings as they came under fire from most of the other soldiers, being the more powerful Lord had made him a vital target. One of Farthing's guards quickly gripped Farthing's old, frail body and lunged him over to support him over the guard's back, sprinting towards the nearest exist as the rest provided covering fire. Kaitus and Enoris picked themselves up, after a smoke canister ricocheted towards them and exploded at high velocity. Through the blinding smoke, the two militants choked and coughed as they dropped to all fours and crawled towards the emergency exit, obscured underneath the massacre of the battle. Hours past since the assassination, the meeting house lay bloodstained and desecrated by small arms fire. Most of the High Lords were escorted out, some were killed outright by the carnage, not even with their guards' protection. It was by this time the meeting hall become a battlefield for bloody melee, shock batons and combat knives drew blood and shattered bone as brother fought brother for control, or for their very survival in the savage close combat.
The revolution has begun. The Kaitan rebellion is upon us, I swear that I will see this oppressive regime ended.
