Director Kilbourne was reading a letter from a legionnaire that was stationed in the capital city of Aephon known as Aephus.
To Director Kilbourne,
Upon the discovery of new evidence there is enough to suggest that the Aephonites have developed a new kind of weapon. The nature of this weapon has yet to be discovered, however, it would seem as though it requires a bit more testing. General Mahkee has devoted a significant amount of resources to its development. Unknown target as of this time, or capabilities. Will send a full report by the end of this season.
From Sgt. Hyewon
Kilbourne looked at the map of Eris to try to deduce the Aephonites first target. Aephon shared its borders with five of the six nations. The two largest were Zul-Aman and Dol-Sur. Aephon had a bad history with Spyre since Victor Hugo's revolt in Spyre's thousand year domination. Out of all the nations that were conquered they felt the brunt of it. However, Spyre was surrounded by mountains on all sides save for a few passes here and there. Finally, there was Karash. The Karashians helped the Aephonites expel the Dolsurians from their land, but that was merely a ploy to expand its power. As soon as the Dolsurians left Aephon turned its weapons on them. Mahkee was an exceptional general. It was a shame she was an Aephonite.
Kilbourne threw the letter in the fireplace and watched it burn. If Aephon was building its own weapon then he had no time to waste. He grabbed the silver mask that was set on the small table, and put it on. The mask was made to cover his scars, burns, and bruises along with a missing right eye. All of these wounds were acquired through decades of distinct military service as a Karashian Legionnaire. He left his house, and was about to hail for a carriage when he noticed one approach him. A hand pulled back the small curtain revealing a woman.
"Director."
"Cid? What is the Champion doing here?" He asked.
"Came to pick you up. It's about our side project." She said.
"Any mishaps?"
"In a way. More of a nuisance really."
Kilbourne sighed in frustration. "Very well then let's go." The driver steered the carriage to the imperial palace in Kuzani.
"Is it Apollyon?" He asked.
"Not just her, but the emperor as well. Even several other generals are beginning to question where the money is going."
Money, in Kilbourne's eyes, was the most idiotic thing ever invented. The fact that a piece of paper or a coin had so much power, and could limit him to such an extent infuriated him. If it were up to him he would use his legionnaires to revolt, and take over the kingdom. Money was a disease.
"Yet the emperor did not question my motives with any previous projects."
"He's gotten old sir." Answered Cid rather coldly.
"Truly a relic of a bygone era. He used to lead armies back when we were still trying to assassinate the Dolsurian General Corinthus some forty odd years ago. Back when Director Isaah, my predecessor, was still in charge we still had problems."
"The more things change..." Cid began.
"The more they stay the same." Kilbourne finished for her.
The carriage stopped. Kilbourne pulled back the curtain to only to find put that they were still a ways away from the palace.
"Why have we stopped?" Asked Cid.
"Something's happening."
Part of Kilbourne wanted to wait in the carriage, and avoid meeting with the emperor and generals, but he knew that if he waited they would probably find some way to retaliate against him. He and Cid exited the carriage and saw a few soldiers surrounding a child with a bag. He walked towards the group as the citizens all turned to see them. Although in all likelihood most of those gazes were probably directed at Cid as she was Karash's sole Champion. She was one of Kilbourne's achievements, a legionnaire with a single focus in mind.
One of the soldiers saluted the pair as they saw a child holding a loaf of bread being detained by two more soldiers. Kilbourne walked towards the child for closer inspection. The child was a boy, probably no more than eight or so years of age. He looked emaciated, which explained the loaf of bread. Kilbourne looked around and saw one of the stalls with bread on display.
"Soldiers where were you when you gave chase?"
"We were just coming up around the corner sir."
"I see..." Had everything gone according to the child's plan he would have gotten away with it. Was it desperation or rotten luck that had gotten the better of him? Perhaps it was a mix of both.
Kilbourne looked at the child once again. He lifted the boy's shirt to see how much muscle he had. There was little to work with. He would need to be well fed, and even then there was the training and education to keep in mind.
"Can you read? Can you write?" Kilbourne asked.
The boy shook his head and replied. "I can read... writing is a little harder."
"I see..." Kilbourne then kicked the boy as hard as he could on his chest.
Both soldiers were taken aback by his actions and released the boy as he writhed on the ground from the pain. If he stood up he would become a legionnaire. If not... His death would at least serve as a reminder to others not to commit crimes against the empire. The boy struggled to get up to his feet. He clutched his chest from the pain looking up at Kilbourne as the tears flowed down his cheeks.
"Just like a broken toy..." Kilbourne whispered to himself. "Kill him, and put his head on display for the others."
"Yes sir."
Kilbourne saw the looks of the people's faces as the axe fell on the child's neck. The fear on their faces served to remind him of why such actions needed to be taken. The people easily outnumbered them a dozen to one, but because they were too afraid they would not act. Like animals they cared more about themselves than the glorious empire he fought to protect. Still having this power over them served to remind him why he had the position he had. It was because he would do whatever it takes to maintain the integrity of Karash.
The rest of the trip was uneventful as they were greeted by Legarius Vitallion. "Kilbourne, Cid it's been a while."
"Vitallion how goes the war? Any news from the front?" Asked Kilbourne.
"Not even a hello?"
"No time for that. Not when the incompetence of the Karashian military and emperor stand in the way."
"Well in that case you're in for the fight of your life. General Karnissius Sulyvahn is here as well."
"The emperor's son?" Asked Kilbourne.
"Yep he's been talking to his old man for the past hour or so. In any case what's going on?"
"Need to know basis Vitallion. As I recall your position in the frontlines makes you a significant leak in Karashian military matters."
"You know it wouldn't kill you to just tell me to 'go fuck myself' or 'fuck off' just for future reference."
Kilbourne and Cid ignored Vitallion as they headed into the imperial palace ready to fight for their lives. They entered the grand hall and saw their usual enemies waiting for them. Kilbourne's eyes met with the armored Sovereign Knight Apollyon.
"Director Kilbourne, Champion Cid please have a seat." Ordered Emperor Kyvar.
Both of them sat down as Sulyvahn brought down an entire stack of papers on the table. "How many?"
"Could you be more specific?"
"How many have you kidnapped?" Asked Sulyvahn.
"Not enough." Answered Kilbourne. So far he only knew of the kidnappings, but not the why, at least not yet.
"There have been multiple reports of kidnappings in the past days. Not to mention your expenditure reports. So I'll ask this once Director. What are you doing?"
"Article 76 subsection 97 of the Karashian military protocol dictates that all information regarding legionnaire activities are to be passed on to the emperor, and him alone. In such time as the emperor has been briefed he may then decide what to do with the information. As I recall Karnissius you, and the rest gathered here are not the emperor. Needless to say that because all of you are being recalled to the frontlines you all represent a significant breach in security."
Karnissius looked at his father, who only sighed in exhaustion. There was a time when Kilbourne looked up the the man. He helped fund his legionnaire projects such as the one that produced Lieutenant Onyx Albion, the now famed hero of Tofar. However, whether it is old age or spending too much time with his son it made him soft. He had become much more democratic listening to every person that had a mouth. He was weak and pathetic something his son had also learned from him.
"Need I remind you Kilbourne that one day you will have to answer to him." Replied Apollyon.
"That day is not today Sovereign Knight." Retorted Cid.
"Your predecessor..." Apollyon began.
"Is dead. He may have been more amenable, but in the end he and I want the same thing."
"Leave us." Said the emperor.
They all looked at him as if to begin to protest, but left anyways. Kilbourne nodded in Cid's direction in order for her to follow suit. Soon they were the only one's left.
The emperor sighed. "You may now begin as per your directive."
"After the shutdown of Camp X and many others of its ilk I saw it necessary to continue that venture with several changes."
"Such as?"
"Candidates for one. Legionnaire mortality rates in regards to training and missions are still the highest among all."
"So you trained knights? Paladins?"
"Legionnaires sir. Knights and paladins always had a dual loyalty to their families and the empire that I never liked."
It was phrases like that that made Emperor Kyvar hate how effective the brainwashing was. On the one hand it made for effective and loyal soldiers such as Cid and Kilbourne. In the other it made them distrustful of the other military branches.
"What makes these legionnaires different from those at Camp X?"
"This venture of mine goes back even before Camp X sir. Director Isaah had previously made plans for the initiative, but the war needed soldiers quickly and was abandoned. I then followed up on a smaller scale."
"What do you mean? What initiative?"
"Do you remember Operation Daggerfall?"
"Yes legionnaires tasked with retrieving a control scepter from Liebe for use against the machines in Tofar. I still remember the legionnaires."
"There was more to that report than I had initially written."
"What do you mean?"
"Dragon Eyes."
Kilbourne sat at the edge of his bed tired from today's events. He had managed to buy some time, and was able to gain the emperor's favor if at least for a while. Everything used to be so much easier back then.
Kilbourne sat in the chair looking at Director Isaah sleeping. Isaah slowly awoke.
"Kilbourne what are you..."
"I saw the candidate you picked for Champion. I need to know why?"
Isaah sighed. "Times have changed Kilbourne."
"Indeed times have changed." Kilbourne then pulled out a needle, and showed it to Isaah.
"What have you done?"
"I will not let anything interfere with our work 'old friend' not even you. You've been dead for hours now. You just don't know it."
"Why you... Agh!" Isaah clutched his chest as he fell down the side of the bed crawling to Kilbourne.
"Just die with dignity old man."
If only he could assassinate everyone then he could fight this war on his own terms.