8) An Army of a Thousand Nightmares (Tock)

​Johann stood frozen like he had all those many days since he took the 13 steps. His understanding was when he was to be executed by the Termination Machine his life force would be released into the ether and whatever fate awaited him. He, as most people, didn't realize High Lord James XVI Baron of Calador had clandestinely ordered the terminated life force would be trapped in spirit jars then released to him and his staff for use.

​ Now the time he spent in the spirit jar wasn't awful, though brief. It seemed nebulous and detached. Dream like. However, once his essence was transferred into the current automaton shell was when his hell began.

​Through experimentation and other trial and error a certain clockwork mage by the name of Curiosa, who worked for Lord Calador, was able to duplicate the automaton sentinels. No one before could figure out how to power or give life force to these intricate machines. Curiosa had experimented with animal life force and was able to get some limited results, however, once he was given permission to experiment with a human life force, he was able to finally near duplicate the magnificent sentinels. Although Curiosa knew the original creator of the sentinels didn't use life force, this was the only way he could get a working sentinel.

​Now Johann stood in a large room frozen into the cold machine still very aware of his surroundings. Unable to move or express himself. For a brief time, when he was first placed into this machine, he was able to move as his shell was put through a function check. Yet he had no control over his movements.

​So now he stood. Among an army of like automatons frozen yet his awareness, mind and memory still functioned. No sleep, no rest and no control.

​All he can do is let his mind wander and relive his life and his memories. The one thing which kept torturing his mind was despite the norm, he was indeed innocent of the murder which had earned him execution. He had plead guilty only to spare his daughter who had murdered her noble lover who beat and tortured her. Had she not killed him she herself would be dead.

​Despite many changes to the legal codes which the Empress had been slowly introducing over the last couple of years there werestill two legal systems. One for nobility and one for everyone else. So rather than see his own beloved daughter die undeservedly he confessed to the killing.

​As his mind went around and around for those many days since his walk up the 13 steps, he began to become aware of something. Slowly he began to realize if he tried and focused his will, he could feel his cold metal joints. This, although unpleasant, offered a mite of hope because with feeling then maybe control. So periodically he would take a time away from his spinning memories to focus on a different joint or appendage and feel the cold.

​These expeditions of feeling to his new body took a lot out of him. But it was still better than his tortured thoughts, for this way laid madness. So, on one of his many explorations of his new body he focused with all his thought and hopes upon his right pinkie. Then, could it be, it moved?

​He schooled himself to calm. He focused again, this time trying for more control and not some random movement. Sureenough, he was able to move his right pinkie to halfway of maximum extension. Then back and forth to various positions between maximum contractions back to maximum extension. The cold of his joint and arm was almost unbearable but still better than his tortured thoughts.

​“Alright,” he told himself, “Now for the ring finger...”

​Major General Kikola Ukahn, commander of the First Amazonian Legion of The Grand Army of The Civilization, stood at the head of her Legion alongside the many other legions which were called to form up on the immense parade ground to the rear of the Royal Palace. Her Legion's Sargent Major, Ukala Ukahn, her first cousin, stood at her customary post to her left and behind by a pace.

​The First Amazonian was one of four “Home” legions whichwere responsible for the defense of Grandeur City and the Empress. Since the announcement of the attempt on Her Eminence's life earlier that day she had ordered her legion, as did the other legion commanders, to stand too and be prepared to do whatever it was they needed to restore order or do whatever they needed to support Her Eminence. While they were gathering intelligence in their headquarters and preparing marching orders for all possible contingencies, they received orders from the Grand Council to form up in mass formation and await an announcement from Lord James XVI the President of The Grand Council. So, they spent the last two hours changing from battle dress to burgundy parade dress uniforms. This was a waste of time in her opinion. Then they spent an hour waiting on the pleasure of High Lord James XVI in the hot sun.

​Finally, Commander General Magnus came up to the microphone and the Command Sargent Major of The Grand Army of The Civilization called all to attention. General Magnus stood quiet for a moment with a very grim look on his face and finally said, “Please stand too for His Excellency, High Lord James XVI of Calador, President of The Grand Council!”

​He then stepped back and turned and saluted Lord Calador who then stepped forward without even a sideways glance at General Magnus, took a moment to look out at the legions which were standing at attention. After a long moment he said, “It saddens me to announce Her Eminence Empress Victoria II Arkanti, Empress of The Civilization, High Queen of the Northern Continent, High Lady of House Arkanti, Keeper of the Flame of Reason and wielder of the Glass Darkly, has succumbed to her injuries received earlier today when unknown forces attacked her Imperial Carriage.”

​

​Even though disciplined, there was an undercurrent gasp which could be felt more than heard among the standing legions. General Ukahn glanced quickly to her cousin Ukala to see she looked as if she was physically struck but righted herself quickly.

​Lord Calador went on, “There is evidence this attack was directed by our ally, until today, the Southern Continental Kingdom of Ugalla. Since the majority of the Grand Imperial Army are involved in the Western Campaign yours are the only legions available to answer this attack.”

​General Ukahn knew from the intelligence gathered in the time up to present there were no indications the assassination attempt/attack was from a foreign source. As a matter of fact, the preponderance of the evidence indicated only domestic entities were involved in the attack. Her mind raced to consider all the implications of this. Meanwhile Lord Calador continued, “Since there is no clear heir to the Imperial at this time The Grand Council will assume regency until an appropriate heir can be vetted and take legal ascendance.” she realized this too was a lie. By law the Empress must designate an heir apparent immediately upon taking the throne. The Council only had a say if the heir apparent was underage and then they could only decide on approving regency. “It is our duty to order the Home Legions to return to your quarters and prepare to march south on the marrow. You are to attack and seize the Ugalla holdings in the Palentia Peninsula! Worry not about your primary mission of protecting the Imperial City of Grandeur. I have ordered The Grand Council to take charge of the Enforcer Legion to be militarized and equipped accordingly! Extraordinary times requires extraordinary measures.”

​She felt this was wrong on so many levels. She glanced again at her cousin who had a look of serious incredulity on her face.

​The Amazonian Legion was manned almost entirely of the female descendants of the army which followed the great Arkan I who sailed his armada across the Channel of Despair a thousand years ago to bring civilization to the Northern Continent.

​Ironically as the Northern Continent became more civilized the Southern Continent fell into chaos. The Ugalla Kingdom, Arkan's country of origin, had remained the soul surviving kingdom in the Southern Continent. As Arkan I started the growth of The Civilization he maintained an alliance with his homeland. As a concession with his former king he granted the Ugalla Kingdom the city of Landing and the Palentia Peninsula.

​Since then The Civilization and the Ugalla have had the strongest of alliances. Through many of war, famine and other disasters the two empires thrived because of this alliance. Now High Lord Calador has announced the betrayal of this thousand-year-oldalliance.

​But who is betraying who?

​ Major General Kikola Ukahn felt in her very soul the Ugalla weren't responsible for this attack. Which left what? At this point she wished with her whole heart Empress Victoria II had survived the assassin's attack. Barring that, it was up to her and her legion to save the Empire and the Ugalla. But how? She couldn't just disobey orders and not be then arrested. So, when General Magnus dismissed the legions she ordered the Legion Sargent Major to assume command and prepare the First Amazonian Legion for war, have a Commanders Call in one hour and then she went over to The Grand Army's Headquarters to be briefed by her commander, General Magnus.

​When she arrived at General Magnus' office she was prepared to ask some blunt questions, however, when she got there she not only saw the three other legion commanders waiting but also a man in black long button up coat and top hat waiting for her.

​General Magnus said, “Generals, may I introduce you to Mr.Smith. He is the liaison to High Lord Calador's office. There will be liaisons assigned to each of your headquarters' staff. They are to be given the same level of respect you would High Lord Calador himself.” he then turned to Mr. Smith and said, “Mr. Smith.”

​Mr. Smith cleared his throat and said in an ironically high-pitched voice, “Because of our long-standing relationship with the Kingdom of Ugalla, we fear some of our officers and soldiers may betray The Civilization in favor of the Ugalla.”

​Major General Kikola Ukahn said sharply, “Mr. Smith I resent what you're implying. I have the utmost confidence in my officers and soldiers to obey all lawful orders!”

​Mr. Smith smirked and said in the most condescending tone, “I pray you are correct miss, but we cannot...”

​“It's General, Mr. Smith! She has quite deservedly obtained the rank and all respect which goes with it!” General Magnus said firmly in command voice.

​Mr. Smith shrugged and said, quite unconvincingly, “My apologies General,” with a small bow, “but as I was saying, we hope and pray our soldier's loyalties are without diversion, however, we cannot be sure and thus we must take precautions. Therefore, we will have a liaison assigned to every level of command down to company command. These liaisons will have the authority to assume command of their assigned units if they detect the slightest sign of disloyalty.” he then looked at General Kikola Ukahn with almost a leer, “This also includes yourselves the legion commanders.”

​General Magnus cleared his throat and said, “Now that that has been established, let us get down to the business at hand. We must be about following our lawful orders through the proper chain of command...” he went on to lay out the plan of march. As General Magnus droned on with the orders and plan of march, Kikola payed attention on a cursory level, however, her primary focus was busy parsing General Magnus' emphasis on the words 'CHAIN OF COMMAND' and 'LAWFUL ORDERS'.

​Johann was up to moving his whole left hand when the lights in the cavernous room he was standing in came on. This was the first time he saw the extent of the 'army' which he was part of. At least in front of him there were hundreds. He didn't dare to turn his head to see how many were behind him because two men in work clothes were walking into the room over on his right side.

​The men were in the middle of a conversation as they came in, “...I dunno about you but I get the creeps every time I come in here.”

​“That's because you're a coward Beeves. Look at the bright side. As long as these monsters are fighting for our lard, we don't have to.”

​“Liam I am no coward, but there is that.” Beeves conceded.

​The two men went over to a large chest over by the wall and opened it up and started pulling out robes, “Anyway our lard wants fifty of these blokes to be d'guised and stood up at strategical places near palace in case something goes wrong.”

​“I thought everything was going good. I heard it myself the Empress is dead. Not that I had any problem with her ta gin with.”

​“Don't let our Lard or Mr. Alexander hear ya say that.”

​“I know, I know, Liam. But tis true.”

​“Ya take da Lard's talon so ya do what he says.”

​“Yeah, yeah. I know. Jus saying tha's all.”

​While they were talking, they were moving among the mechanical monsters and were disguising them. Johann stood absolutely still, when they came to him the man named Beeves put pilgrim robes over him.

​After fifty of the automatons were dressed in various garb the man named Liam stood over to their right side and mumbled, “Now what was the word again? Oh yeah. Activate!”

​Johann felt his mechanical body come to life like it did when he was briefly given a function test those many days ago after having his essence put into his new body. However, it was different this time. He could feel every nuance of his body and even knew he could control himself.

​Liam went on, “Alright, only the fifty which we have dressed follow miself and Beeves.”

​Johann felt himself turn to face Liam and Beeves.

​After a couple of hours of Liam and Beeves stationing the last of the automatons at strategic positions along the approaches to the palace and each given instructions on what to watch for, Beeves turned to Liam and said, “I know we took fifty out but I only remember stationing forty nine.”

​“You don't know how to count Beeves. Leave the counting to those of us which are smarter than you...”