20) Lightning’s Swift Sword (Tock)

Had it not been for the accurate supporting fire from the Legions’ Heavy Arc Light batteries, Empress Victoria II’s entourage and the supporting elements of the First Amazonian Legion would have been over run without even a chance to resist.

In addition to the Black Kilts, and the small group of newly set straight members of Calador, two companies of the First Regiment of the First Amazonian Legion were engaging the company of about a hundred Shadow Sentinels and other elements of the Grand Regiment of Calador. Arc Light support was about the only thing making it a holding action, which was the best Her Eminence’s forces could hope for and only for a short time.

Between the pouring rain, the sound of gun fire, and the defuse streaks of blue electrical plasma renting the air, the sound was deafening. The only reliable form of communications at this point were hand signals and flags. Even the various buglers were hopeless in conveying their commands, their sound lost in the maelstrom of noise.

As Captain Indiro led her forces around the gazebo, it was clear it was being quickly destroyed by gun fire. She signaled to Her Eminence’s troops to pull back and get to the bridge.

One of the Companies on the move was Company C, which were following up on the other Company’s flanking action, was sweeping to the north of the gazebo and coming online with Company A’s left at the leading edge of battle with the oncoming sentinels. Company C’s commander, Jenna McPherson, a fiery redhead, who was newly promoted to her Captaincy and Command was almost overcome by emotions at seeing her beloved Empress on the battlefield and reflexively ordered her second platoon to escort Her Eminence off the battlefield as the rest of her command moved forward and engaged the Shadow Sentinels.

Both these orders were immediately countermanded by a superior. The superior in question had a far greater rank than Captain. It was a ringing order coming from Her Eminence herself, the tone piercing through the din.

The Second Platoon leader was very frustrated and in honesty terrified for her Sovereign and could see going down in history as failing to keep the Empress from death. Her line would be damned through history. She also realized she must obey and then ordered her platoon to take up guard of Her Eminence.

Victoria II understood the gazebo she was now taking cover in was beginning to disintegrate around her. She then ordered her Sentinels to move forward and become a three-facet shield for her, Sister and Mousy. This was when she was thankful she had followed her instinct and kept Willis with her. This didn’t happen a second too soon as the gazebo’s heavy roof fell in on the platform.

To the north of the plaza normally one could see a long way off, however, in the rain and gray mist one was lucky to see 100 feet. Suddenly there was a shift in the wind creating a twirling of the mist and rain making it easy to see a long way off. Lieutenant Pappy McTavish saw about a mile away another, larger, element of sentinels forming up and were beginning to move south in their direction. He estimated the new force was around 500 strong. He signaled to Her Eminence the newest information expecting her to finally decide to pull out. He was surprised when she simply smiled and nodded her head and began to direct the troops to shift their formations. Not to cover her withdraw but rather to improve their hold on the plaza and open up an avenue for the approaching sentinels from the north.

He shrugged and thought ‘In for a penny, in for a sovereign’ and shifted his own troops according to her commands.

The continual Arc Light Strikes, coming from the other side of the river, so ionized the air around the Sentinels and the Arc Light batteries alike it started drawing actual lightning strikes in both areas. Captain Joshua Grimma, the Company Commander for the Arc Light batteries, knew they were covering Her Eminence herself, so even though S.O.P. directed a cease fire in a lightning storms he ordered his batteries to continue to pour on the fire.

His artillerymen understood their mission and the danger. They bent to their weapons grimly to continue fire despite the mounting casualties from lightning strikes. Their rubberized uniforms only provided minor mitigation from the lightning strikes.

Sargent John Pedersol, Gun Commander 2nd Gun, 1st Battery was muttering an incantation to provide protection from the lightning when he felt a sudden surge of mana the likes of which he had never experienced. He had no idea where it came from, but it was very welcome because his limited skill and power normally only lessened the damage caused by the lighting strikes. Now with the new surge of mana came a reshaping of the direction of the spell. Not only did a hardened magical shield form above his battery but it somehow redirected the incoming lightning’s energy into their arc light pulses.

Captain McPherson was directing her troops to stay away from the wrought iron fence which surrounded the plaza which was now the site of their desperate stand. She knew with the increasing lightning strikes it was only a matter of time before the fence was going to be struck. She felt the familiar sensation of the hairs standing up on the back of her neck which always proceeded an arc light strike in the area. She gave the heads down signal to her troops when the brightest, broadest arc light strike she had ever seen came flying in from behind her. Luckily, she had her dark goggles on or otherwise she would have been blinded by the hit. She saw with awful fascination as the arc light bolt seemed to pause above the front line of the sentinel force which appeared to be rallying to charge her position. The energy of the bolt seem to pool into a large ball of plasma then it seemed to suck in several natural lightningbolts and then explode downward to incinerate 20 to 25 shadow sentinels.

The subsequent, horrendous thunderclap knocked her and several of her troops backwards from the fence line.

She wanted to get back on her feet immediately and get back to commanding her troops, but the wind had been knocked out of her and her arms and legs felt like rubber.

Corporal McDermott was positioned just behind Her Eminence with secret orders from Pappy McTavish if their defense were to begin to collapse, he was to physically carry Her Eminence to safety ignoring any objections on her part. He was considering doing just that as he watched the approaching shadow sentinels from the north, however, his keen eyes noted a singular detail which would have escaped anyone else.

In the front of the approaching column appeared to be a small man or teenager and to his left rear, one of the sentinels was holding a guideon flying Her Eminence’s personal pennant.

He looked to Victoria II who was smiling at him and nodding her head. He thought to himself, ‘I do not want to ever be on a side fighting against this wily devil... I mean Her Eminence.’

Victoria II took Gidget out of her satchel and whispered something to her and sent her skittering off across the plaza toward her master. She then sent another series of signals to her troops to fall back once relieved by incoming forces. She then ordered her flagman to signal the arc light batteries to cease fire.

At this point her surrounding staff were of differing minds about her leadership. It varied from ‘she’s an absolute genius’ to ‘this woman is insane’. However, even those who questioned her sanity did not even hesitate one moment to follow her orders.

Meanwhile, the Grand Regiment of Calador was joined by lead elements of two other Council Lords’ Regiments over on Imperial Avenue. Their purpose was that of counter attacking the First Amazonian Legion. Colonel Denny was receiving reports about the battle taking place in the plaza to the north. In the reports he was receiving there were conflicting accounts as to who they were actually fighting there. Some reports said Her Eminence, or an imposter was there whereas other reports denied this. The reports agreed, in addition to elements of the First Amazonian and the North Highlanders Black Kilts was a platoon of his own men fighting to protect the commander of this force.

The latest reports all agreed about the incoming unit of shadow sentinels coming in from the north. He had a sudden cold chill run up his spine as he thought, ‘What if this was indeed the Empress herself?’ He did not want to be a party to regicide, so he called his signals officer to order up a flag of truce and sent a similar order to his forces on his northern flank.

That chill doubled as he realized he had only marginal control over the shadow sentinels. They were under the control of the ‘Contractors’ which were working directly for High Lord James Baron of Calador.

He decided to also order his signals officer to send a wind up ‘Pigeon’ with a message to update Lord Calador as well as seek guidance on these issues.

He looked over to the corner of the makeshift shelter which was erected over the command post to see his Brigadier still curled up on a set of blankets mumbling to himself. Colonel Denny wasn’t very political himself, but this didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of the political ebbs and flows in The Civilization. He knew High Lord Calador was, most times, opposed to Her Eminence on political matters. He put two and two together and made a decision.

“Operations assume command here. I need to see the situation to the north, personally!” He then took out a piece of paper and wrote down a set of orders and said, “Execute these orders if I send up a red flare. Do this regardless of conflicting orders from his Lordship.”

Major Michael Rhodes looked at his colonel, clearly confused for a moment until realization dawned on him as to what he was implying. Major Rhodes turned white as the blood drained away from his face and he nodded slowly in a daze. He then remembered himself and snapped to attention, saluted and said, “Yes sir!”

Gidget quickly found Ouihan at the head of the column of sentinels. The creature climbed up him and proceeded to latch onto his shoulder. Then she began clicking out the brief message whichwere Her Eminence’s orders. He understood immediately and he led his command quickly past the defending troops to intercede himself between the shadow sentinels and Her Eminence.

He stood up just past the wrought iron fence, looked at the remaining shadow sentinels which were beginning to rally as the arc light strikes ceased. He then held out his hand and bellowed forth, “You will cease your attack and come under my command!”

There was a moment, a strange and wonderful moment where all things seemed to pause on the battlefield. The only sounds whichcould be heard at that moment were the soft clicking and clacking of the combined sentinels as they shifted into a position of attention and the soft white sound of the rain.

Then in serendipitous synchronicity with a clap of thunder the enemy shadow sentinels did an about face and stood ready to attack the forces of Calador and other elements of the Regiments whichwere forming to their rear. They had been readying to advance of, until a moment before, their allies the shadow sentinel company.

At that same moment Colonel Denny strode in front of his remaining troops yelling, “Cease fire, cease fire!” his aid walking at his side bearing a white flag tied to his saber. Of course, this was what Colonel Denny was originally planning to do, set a truce in order to get some answers. He was remarkably stunned to see the remainder of the Shadow Sentinels turn to face him.

It took him a moment to recover from his surprise but when he did, he began to stride forward toward Her Eminence’s forces confident the flag of truce would be honored.

The human commander of the shadow sentinel company, dressed in the typical Shadowman armor, stepped forward to the Colonel and said, “You cannot do this. Our Lord Calador has ordered us to attack these forces and take no prisoners!”

Colonel Denny looked at the Shadowman coldly and said, “Then you shall do so over my dead body!”

The Shadowman Commander reached for his pistol only to realize the Regimental soldiers suddenly shifted their aim from the Legion forces to him. Needless to say, this gave him pause. He then turned to the nearest sentinel and said, “Don’t just stand there, stop him!”

The Sentinel just stood there at attention ignoring his command.

Colonel Denny then shrugged and said, “It would seem powers greater than the ones which we command are at work here Shadowman.” He then strode past the Shadowman, through the ranks of sentinels toward the ‘enemy’ lines.

He came up short when he saw the other column of sentinels were being led by a teenage boy, dressed in street rags, standing just in front of the wrought iron fence which demarked the beginning of the plaza. He saluted the boy after a moment pause and asked, “May I address who is in command here?”

“That would be Us” came the commanding voice of Her Imperial Majesty, Victoria II as she was striding forward through the ranks of the newly acquired sentinel force.

Once she stepped out of the ranks of Sentinels, Colonel Denny recognized her immediately and fell to one knee as did his aid a moment later, “Your Eminence!” he said crisply.

“Yes Colonel?”

He rose back to his feet as protocol dictated and said, “We were informed you were dead. We were also informed there was an attempt to put an imposter on your throne.”

“Yes, We are aware of this Colonel. Be assured this is not true. We are indeed alive and well.”

“Yes, Your Eminence, I can see this. However, there is a problem. How can I be sure you are not indeed the imposter I was warned of?”

The Empress replied with a smile as cold and harsh as the polar wind. “You, and the other Regimental commanders will accompany Us to the throne room and witness Us donning the Breastplate of Arkan, which is how you can be assured.”

Colonel Denny said, “Then Your Eminence, I will now order a cease fire.” He then turned to his aid and said, “Send up the red flare Patrick.”

“Yes sir!” the Lieutenant standing by his side said, reached into his pack and pulled out the flare.

The five lords and their respective staffs were standing around a table at the Academy listening to the captain which was reading the latest report, “…and finally, Colonel Denny has just ordered a cease fire and has put into custody all the Shadowmen attached to the Grand Calador Regiment. Brigadiers Markham and Samuels have also followed suit...”

“Excuse me, what happened to Brigadier Snyder?” High Lord James of Calador asked with a definite look of distaste on his face.

“He is in dispose My Lord.”

“In dispose?”

“Yes, My Lord. He had some sort of mental break down when his son died.”

“I see.” Calador said while nodding.

The young captain then went on, “So we are directed to attend Her Eminence in the throne room to witness her don the Breast Plate of Arkan along with the rest of the lords of the Grand Council, the Legions’ Major Generals and the Regiment’s Brigadiers. This is to determine once and for all she is indeed the Empress and not the imposter which is said to be from the Kingdom of Ugalla. Colonel Denny also reports the proceedings will be protected by over five hundred sentinels.”

Lord Calador looked thoughtful then asked, “Curiosa, can you explain how Her Eminence was able to turn the Shadow Sentinels to her purpose, especially since you said they were specifically programed with a mandate to kill her?”

A rather disheveled looking white-haired man wearing a white lab coat and frumpy suit with a tool belt with all sorts of tools and other accoutrements hanging off rubbed his unshaven chin and said, “Could be some sort of artifact in programing, but I do not really know. It may have something to do with the mysterious boy whichis reported to be helping the Empress.”

“Boy? This is the first I’ve heard about this.” Calador snapped.

A young woman wearing a long black coat, top hat and bearing a remarkable resemblance to Mr. Alexander said calmly, “This is because we have only now received reports on him ourselves.”

“I see. It would seem, Miss. Alexander, your brother’s organization has proven to be somewhat less than reliable!” Calador said sharply.

Miss. Alexander smiled a cold smile which could freeze one’s soul and said, “If you recall, it was you who moved up the timetable. My brother did caution you this was unwise.”

“I should never have trusted your brother’s organization for something so delicate!” Calador yelled with spittle flying and his face turning red.

With the same cold smile which seemed to be permanently fixed on her face she said, “This operation had all the delicacy of a bull in a glassware shop. Again, had not you moved up the timetable we would have had all the needed information. As it is, the costs of this operation, in both resources and monies has risen ten times the original estimate.”

“Well since the objective has not been obtained, I will not be paying you!” Calador said with a definite air of disgust in his voice.

Miss Alexander tipped her smoked color glasses in the same stylistic way her brother did and said with the cool certainty of granite, “Payment will be exacted, one way or another.”

Calador turned red and sputtered something incoherently then it seemed a realization hit him, and the color fell away from his face which then matched his white silk shirt. He then closed his eyes and nodded. Then he turned to his major domo and said, “Very well fetch the eye, Samuel and the black leather bag which is next to it in my safe.”

“Yes, My Lord!” Samuel bowed and left the room.

After a few uneasy minutes Samuel returned with a silver tray with a small box and black leather bag on it.

Calador took the items and set them down on the table in front of Miss Alexander.

She opened up the box to reveal an eye shaped, glowing, diamond with many facets on it. She nodded and closed the box. She then upended the bag’s contents onto the table to reveal twenty thumbnail sized diamonds, thirty like sized rubies and around a hundred varied sized emeralds.

She then picked up a random diamond and reached into her pocket took out a jeweler’s glass and examined it.

While examining the diamond she said, “So, with this payment, then I am to understand our business together is concluded?”

“Yes, it is. Please tell your brother when you see him I am not pleased.”

Miss Alexander nodded absently as she picked up a ruby and gave it an examination similar to the diamond. She then scooped up the pile of gems and put them back in the bag, placed both the bag and the box containing the ‘Eye” in her pockets and said, “Very well. I bid you good day gentlemen. If you are ever in need of our services again then don’t hesitate to call.” She then fixed her cold gaze on Calador and said coolly, “Except for you my Lord. Your patronage will never be welcome again.” She then turned and swept out of the room attended by two armored Shadowmen.

Lord Murtaugh, who was standing opposite her and Calador at the table watched her leave with a calculating look on his face. After she had left the room, he turned to Calador and said, “So where does this leave the rest of us James?”

“Well you can go report to Her Eminence and then gain a date with the thirteen steps if you like, as for me I am taking the better part of valor.”

Miss Alexander and her escort were exiting the front gates of the Academy when a steam powered carriage pulled up in front of her. Since this was not her carriage, her escort both stepped forward to intercede themselves between the carriage and their mistress.

The Carriage door opened up as if by itself to reveal a dark interior. The dark figure in the back seat of the carriage said, “Miss Alexander, I would like to discuss a business proposition with you and your organization.” The man’s voice was deep, smooth and almost seemed to speak directly to the soul.

Miss Alexander felt herself push past her escort and steppedinto the carriage as if by her body’s own volition.

The Archbishop of Grandeur City stood over the golden chest which contained the Breastplate of Arkan, mumbling the incant which unlocked the very secure reliquary.

Victoria II stood at the foot of the steps which led up to the throne patiently waiting as the cleric performed his duty. Standing in a semicircle around Her Eminence were two brigadiers, one colonel and several other military officers from both sides of the conflict.

Off to one side of the throne stood 14 of the 21 lords of the Grand Council in their customary place for all such audiences with the crown. A few of these lords looked rather uneasy whereas the rest looked on with an expectant expression.

In the place for special guests of the crown stood Ouihan, Brother, Sister and Mousy. On both sides of the throne room, standing at attention stood the majority of the turned shadow sentinels as well as the regular sentinels. Several sentinels were stationed at key points outside the throne room. Standing in the position reserved for the Captain of the Guard stood Sir Johann keeping careful watch on all the members of the opposition.

Once the Archbishop finished the necessary incantation the golden chest slowly opened of its own revealing the Brest Plate of Arkan, the Scepter of Might and the Flaming Sword of Reason. The Crown of Wisdom was kept in another reliquary made of clear crystal right next to the golden chest. He then took up the shining, ornately designed, breast plate and held it up then said in a stentorious voice, “Who comes forward to claim this honor?”

“I, 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 do come forward to claim this honor.”

The Archbishop got a mischievous look in his eyes and said, “Oh well, since we are here to just prove your identity, we can forgo with all the other ceremonial rig amoral.” And he stepped forward and placed the breast plate reverently on Her Eminence.

Once properly placed and buckled on, the Breast Plate of Arkan shifted it shape to fit perfectly Victoria II’s curves and shape. Once this happened the Archbishop stepped backwards opening up the way for Victoria II to climb the steps up to the throne.

She climbed the three steps to the throne, turned and faced her subjects and then the Archbishop’s stentorious voice rung out, “I present to you 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!”

With this everyone except the sentinels fell to one knee in recognition and respect. The Archbishop then took up the Scepter, Sword and finally the Crown and appropriately gave them to Victoria II.

Once she accepted the trappings of office and allowed the crown to be placed upon her head she sat down on the throne.

With this everyone in the room rose to their feet as per protocol. She gazed out over those in attendance with a serenity whichprojected the epitome of confidence and surety of reign.

Once she appeared to have taken in everyone in the room with her gaze she said, “It saddens Us, but these last few days many have fallen to the acts of evil and greedy men. Let us take a moment to bow our heads in prayer for all those lost.” She then lowered her head and all in the room followed suit. After a customary amount of time she then looked back up and said, “We shall make several mandates and decrees at this time because of the unrest and treason which have ensued over the last few days.

“First and foremost, for all those soldiers who fought against the Crowns interests, barring certain key officers, We grant a full pardon since you have acted in good faith to your chain of command and were misled by your lordships. Second, We hereby order all members of the Grand Council shall be detained until such time as a full inquiry can be conducted to determine their guilt or innocence in the attempted coup against the Royal Personage and the interests of the Crown. Third, We hereby and forthwith dissolve the Grand Council and take full charge and authority over the ruling of The Civilization. We do so until such time as a proper, parliamentarian government can be formed with representation of both the nobility and duly elected representation from the common born as well. With royal oversight.” This brought a gasp from most in the room.

From the members of the Grand Council there came shouts of outrage which was quickly silenced when Sir Johann ordered the Sentinels to take overt guard positions around them.

Her Eminence waited a moment for the collective responses to quiet down then she went on, “As for the members of the Grand Council who failed to obey the lawful summons, most notably High Lord James Baron of Calador, We order the immediate arrest for the charge of high treason and the seizure of all their lands, properties and funds which are in the Imperial Bank of The Civilization as well as all other assets available. Their lineages will be banned from high peerage and station in perpetuity, barring individual achievements. These funds are to be directed for restitution and repair of all the damages resulting from their treason.

“As for James of Calador, We find him guilty of high treason and issue a death warrant in his name to all officials of the Crown.” This too drew a gasp from the crowd. “I hear by allocate a reward for execution of said warrant of ten thousand sovereigns upon the provision of proof.

“Since the decimation of the Grand Palace Guard during this attack against the throne, We do now appoint members of the Black Kilt Company as well as other select soldiers which have proven themselves to Us during this crisis to replace them. They will be under the command of Major Joshua McTavish.”

With that, the new members of Her Eminence’s bodyguard snapped to attention with an audible click.

She smiled down at Pappy who appeared to be quite overwhelmed with emotions. Then she turned to Sir Johann and said, “As for the Crown’s Personal Guard I appoint Sir Johann of Grandeur City and Imperial Knight as Captain of the Guard and give him our trust, along with command of the now expanded Imperial Sentinels Regiment.”

Sir Johann bowed his head sharply in recognition and acceptance of his new position. He felt a flood of emotions himself. As if he had come fully to a point of renewal. It was almost as if the constant coldness in his joints and body seem to be lifted and replaced with a warmth and zeal he had never felt before.

Victoria II then smiled broadly and lovingly to the orphans standing in the place of honor and she said, “Finally, in recognition of certain individuals, without whom We would not be standing here today, We hear by take as Our wards the group of street orphans whowere under the leadership of Sister and Brother. We shall care for, guide and shelter them and they will henceforth be known as The Children of the Crown. The lineage of them is hereby established as a line of its own in perpetuity.”

This brought a round of applause.

Outside the Throne Hall on the palace grounds, Sally was stationed along with three other sentinels to guard the East Gate. She absently listened to the sound of applause as it filtered out of the grand looking building, but her mind was ruminating on her overall plan to bring down this poisonous edifice and all involved and cleanse Zahn of Clockworks.

As she was doing this a steam driven carriage pulled up to the ornate gates. She, being the appointed lead sentinel of this detachment stepped forward to see what this carriage was doing there.

The Carriage driver pointed to the door of the carriage and said in a hollow voice, “My master would like a word with you.”

Sally was surprised by this, so she stepped over to the now opening door. As she looked into the carriage, she saw sitting nearest to the door a pale skinned platinum blond woman dressed in a long black coat and top hat wearing smoked colored glasses. Beyond her she could barely make out the shape of another man sitting in the shadows. She asked, “May I help you?”

The deep smooth baritone voice seemed to speak to her essence, and it was saying, “No Sally. I’m here to help you. Please come with us and we will make your dreams come true.”

She felt her body obey the command as she climbed up into the carriage, but her soul elated, and she knew even without being physically compelled she would have willingly gone with the owner of this voice to anywhere on Zahn.