Post by Sheng on Jan 30, 2024 18:39:46 GMT
The Office of the Grand Councilor
Mantle System, Core Sector
Mantle System, Core Sector
"And yet here you stand, calling me a monster when it is you who holds the gun."
Sarcerogon quietly raised the remote, and pushed down on the off button, killing the vibrant glow of the holo-vision with a quiet whirr and plunging her office into a silent darkness. Only a single, solitary candle lit it now, the small wax stick resting in a tin cup on her desk, casting a faint orange gleam over the aged wood and the small piece of parchment resting on it. But her focus was somewhere else, her mind presently was wandering through some far-off pond of memories. Mostly she was thinking about her tenure as Deputy, a chapter that had been steeped in a much different kind of power and responsibility then what most acquire. Unlike Satagon and Novaron, whose power rested in influence and might, hers had come from bureaucracy and word of law. About knowing when to apply precedence and when to let things go, it was a simpler time. A stable time. Leaning back in her chair, she shook the thoughts from her head before focusing back in on the here and now, there would be time to reminisce on the past later, but for now...
A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she turned and looked out the window to her right, staring out at the raindrops pitter-pattering against the windowpane with Mantle's nighttime backdrop beyond it. A thin golden line cutting through the night sky and giving the view an almost ethereal touch. This system had a particularly good view of the Golden Expanse, largely in part due to the fact it was supposed to be uninhabited, and it was, with only her inner circle having set up any sort of permanent residence here. But the lack of light pollution made the night sky just that much more... vibrant. It served as an almost therapeutic addition to her office, something she could stare out at when the world became too much to handle and find comfort in. Whenever things got too much, regardless of how bad the outcome looked, it was always there, sitting patiently almost as if it knew that she needed it. She let out a quiet chuckle before turning her head back down to her desk and the unwritten letter sitting on it, she didn't want to write it but... Well, she kind of had to. She didn't know if she would still be able to come back to this office after... well, her plan. So she had to ensure that if anyone had to follow in her footsteps, they'd know how- or at least have some sort of comfort? She didn't know, it wasn't exactly something easily explained.
She shook her head before leaning forward and picking up her fountain pen, dipping it in the inkwell before she finally began to write.
To whomever might find themselves in this chair.
Firstly; I am sorry. If you are reading this than I have, in part, already failed you. I tried everything in my power to prevent this from happening but my life is but a small cog in a very large machine. By the time you read these words, my actions may have set in motion a sequence of events that could alter the course of our history in ways previously unforeseen. And now the mantle of Grand Councilor, once draped around me, has now been passed on to you under circumstances largely beyond the comprehension of those around you, but regardless you must remain steadfast and find solace in the thought that the Second Dawn will endure, now guided by a steadfast leader such as yourself.
Know that this course of action was not taken lightly. It was born out of a desperate love for our people, a love that transcended the boundaries of titles and positions, and a necessity to finally put an end to a wrong decades in the making. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the strength of the Reborn lay in the unwavering determination of its leaders. And it is you who people will look to now in times of strife, of which I can assure you, there will be many. We are surrounded on all sides by chaos, and many forms does chaos yet hold. The Old Invaders, the Army of the Panopticon, Yog Narr. These are all forces of chaos that pose a threat the likes of which are incomprehensible to the average mind. And that's not even to mention the conventional forces who seek our subjugation for their own means, such as Orillia or the I-C-A. You may have to face all at once with nothing but the metal on your back and the bravery you cling to.
And that, despite everything, is why I still hold hope. Too many underestimate the power in the common good, what the average person is capable of when they set their mind to it. When I arrived in this galaxy I was a glorified secretary whose duties comprised of printing out papers that would likely be ignored and signing contracts for corporate executives too lazy to do so for themselves. Yet, I kept my mind pinpointed towards a higher goal and in time I did achieve it. I defied the odds and became one of the most powerful people in the galaxy, even for a brief time and managed to put some small measure of peace back into the hands of those who have been wronged. You, are just as capable of that if not more. I made mistakes, more mistakes than any man, woman or child alive. But this will not be one of them. You now have the power to bring peace to not only the Second Dawn, but the entire galaxy itself.
I trust that you will rise to the occasion, as the sun emerges from the horizon, bringing with it the promise of renewal. Your bravery will be the beacon that guides our people through this storm, and in your hands, we will find a new dawn, and a new hope. May you find the courage within yourself to navigate the complexities of this responsibility as I did. And as you step into the role I left behind, remember that the decisions you make shape not only the destiny of our realm but also the legacy you leave behind. But above it all, remember that at the end of the day, no matter how challenging things get, there are friends you can seek comfort in. Allies that can help you on this path, or even create a new one. No matter what, you will never be alone.
Take comfort in that, for there are few who are able to say the same.
With unyielding faith,
Sarcerogon
Former Grand Councilor of the Second Dawn
Sarcerogon let out a sigh as she scribbled down the last portion and gently laid the pen down next to it, taking a few moments to re-compose herself before she reached down and opened up one of the desk's many drawers and pulled out a black envelope lined with silver and a wax seal engraved with the Councilor's Star. She folded and slipped the letter into it before she held out a small white stick of wax above the candle until it slowly started to droop down and drip down into the pan before she pulled it back and pressed it down onto the now closed envelope. She held it there for a few seconds before she removed the stick and pressed the seal down upon the molten white blob for a few seconds and raising it up, staring down at the letter before a quiet rap sounded at the office's door. She let out a quiet "Enter." and nodded to Switchline as he entered, his uniform freshly pressed and covered in medals and ribbons. He looked over at the letter curiously as she took it and slid it down inside the drawer before pushing it close but ignored it as he looked back to her and said
"The fleet is in position, ma'am. At your order a decapitating strike will be launched against the other branches of the Executive Protection Agency and Alternative Operations Division. In addition, the Anaconda Continuity has been removed from containment and is ready for upload. Should everything go according to plan, you will have full control of the Second Dawn and its forces as soon as you will it. If you have any... family you'd like to contact or other preparations to make, now would be the time." Sarcerogon shook her head before standing up and looking down at her greatcoat, ensuring the silver star medal was in perfect view before reaching down and grabbing ahold of her peaked cap before gently depositing it upon her head. "No... let's... let's get this done, Switchline. Has Rubikon made contact with us yet?" Switchline shook his head and Sarcerogon waved a hand dismissively before saying "She knows the plan and her part in it. I'm confident she can do what needs to be done. Let's not delay any further and get a move on." Switchline gave her a brisk nod before raising his own cap to his head and stepping away, the wooden door swinging closed behind him with a quiet squeak.
She let out a nervous sigh before reaching up and adjusting her tie before marching out from her desk and making her way over to the door, the tap of her jackboots against the polished floor practically deafening in the silence that had quickly permeated the room. However as she came to a stop before the elaborate wooden double doors, she paused. And against her better judgement she turned her head slightly to glance back at the simple black and silver clock sat down at the front of her desk, noting the time present on the small little dial.
11:59. One Minute to Midnight.
How fitting.