The Elite (PG)

[The Commodore]

Authors Note: This story is one that I have had in the works for quite a while, but didn’t put down to paper until recently. You will no doubt notice it bears great resemblance to the story which has been created by Noctus Noir entitled “The Pagemasters” and the reason for that is that she was given permission by myself to use the same characters, locales, and elements that I was reserving for this story. Please note however that though at a glance the two will no doubt feel quite similar, this will be an original piece and take the characters and its related elements in a very different and unfamiliar direction to that established in Noctus’ own canon. I highly suggest you read Noctus Noir’s rendition of Athenos and Morphus as well, and hope you can find enjoyment in my first outing with these characters as well.

Prologue: Interrogation

Bright flashes danced before the eyes of Randall Cliff, producing a dazzling effect that left him near blind and with an earsplitting headache to boot. On instinct he tried to move his arms to block out the pervading light, but discovered he was restricted by metal vices. “What?!” he exclaimed, struggling against his restraints, eyes still adjusting to his shocking new surroundings. Randall’s last memories placed him in office at the Re-Ed facility enjoying tea and the post, he had the faint recollection of the secretary advising of a meeting with someone from an outlying division (who would keep track of all the departments in the expanding Imperium, when everyday His Grace saw fit to legislate a new division to oversee everything from waste disposal to the Peacekeepers Corps).

“Mr. Cliff, so pleased to see you awake.” A simpering voice addressed him, a voice that held familiarity though Randall was unable to place it. His eyesight had finally adjusted, and he found he was seated in the center of a room without any form of distinguishing feature. The walls were a sterile white, and the only thing in front of Randall was a dark mirror, through which he only caught his own frightened expression.

“Who are you, and what have you done to me?” Randall demanded, his voice taking on the same commanding tone he took with the prisoners that were sent through the doors of his facility for court mandated Re-Education. Although he was a man of diminutive stature (many of his underlings often comparing him to a bulldog when out of earshot), he managed to make up for it with his thunderous voice.

“My name is Athenos Draco, and you are being restrained by order of the Office of His Inquisition.” Randall felt his entire body go numb at the mention of the Inquisition, as everyone who called himself or herself a citizen of the Imperium knew of the Inquisition, and more importantly their so called “methods”. He was able to recall that it was the name Athenos Draco his secretary had given, but she had neglected (or more likely been forced to withhold) the department that Mr. Draco represented.

Sweat began to collect on Randall’s broad forehead. There was only one reason the Inquisition would seize someone like him, and they wouldn’t be wrong. How did they know? We had all the bases covered… His mind went through all the possible scenarios, meanwhile there was silence on Athenos’ end and he realized that the Inquisitor was…

…studying Randall closely from behind the anonymity of a glass screen, noticing everything from the way he had begun taking shallow breaths and even the trickle of sweat passing from his brow. The man was a nervous wreck, and it only showed the man was hiding secrets, secrets that Athenos was fully bent on dragging into the light at all cost.

Athenos Draco was the kind of individual you might pass on the street without a second glance. He was a man of thirty years or more, of an average height, dark haired and fair skinned. He had a lanky build, and this was only further characterized by his preference for tailored clothing that consisted of black and gray exclusively. His eyes were a smoky grey, and often gave him the appearance of complete disinterest, however one may have chanced to see a momentary glimmer when the Inquisitor knew he had his prey in a corner.

Athenos pressed a button on his switchboard, ensuring Randall Cliff only continued to hear silence and nothing else that passed outside the interrogation cell. “Roan, take note of how his own body betrays him, and all before a word has even left his lips.” Athenos took some of the focus off Randall to address his assistant, who was carefully taking note of everything that passed in Athenos’ interrogation of Randall Cliff.

Roan Blake was a youth possessing hard chiseled features and gold spun blond hair. He stood a head taller than Athenos, and possessed a lean well-muscled frame. Roan could easily have fit for the top biller in one of those war pictures put out by His Office of Enlightenment, the kind that His Grace was reported to enjoy. He was still a green boy, and had quite some ways to go before he became a full-fledged Inquisitor, but Athenos was convinced he would see it through. The boy was determined, and he had already shown commitment to the cause.

“Noted, Sir.” Roan then looked up from his tablet, his cerulean eyes focused on Athenos, who was still watching over Randall like a hawk watching its next kill. “I do however have a few questions sir, although I really hate to break your concentration—"

Athenos had a momentary pang of annoyance that manifested in the twitching of his left eye. “Speak Roan.” Athenos hissed, keeping part of his focus on Randall, while the rest was repurposed towards the budding Inquisitor.

“What has Randall Cliff done to provoke the Inquisition to transport him here for questioning? I scoured the files of Mr. Cliff’s activities, and it shows he has a history of dedicated military service serving as a Staff Sergeant within the Military of Defense, it also states that Mr. Cliff now holds the occupation of Overseer for the Re-Education Facility on Kings Isle and even shows he has won several awards for his work reforming criminals.” Roan scanned though Randall’s file again, thinking he had missed over some critical piece, but the man for all appearances was an upstanding individual, the very model of an Imperium citizen like the ones presented in the propagandist pieces churned out by His Office of Enlightenment.

“You will never find your answers digging through files, Roan. The answers lie outside these doors and on the very streets of this metropolis.” Athenos snatched up the tablet to illustrate his point.

“I’m afraid I still don’t understand what Mr. Cliff had done that would earn the attention of the Inquisition.” Roan was loathing to admit, feeling as though he had overlooked something utterly vital.

“It is not what Randall Cliff has done, but rather what he will do. The Inquisition has had suspicions that Mr. Cliff has repurposed his Re-Education Facility under the noses of the Administration.” Athenos returned to his post by the glass, his hands clasped behind him.

“Repurposed for what precisely?’ Roan asked expectantly.

“For war upon the very establishment His Grace has built.”

[Lovetheangelshadow]

Holy wall of text, Batman!

Ha ha in all seriousness, this is definitely a different take on my universe. *sigh* never been good at dystopian empires. ;)

[The Commodore]

Prologue: Interrogation (2)

“This sucks.” Frederick L. Glass hissed beneath his breath. The Peacekeeper along with the rest of his unit had been summoned to Kings Isle under special orders from an Inquisitor. Officer Glass was stationed at the foot of the only bridge that led onto and off the island. He and his partner were dressed in the standard stark white armor plating, but both had chosen to remove the helmets that obscured their face behind a mirrored visor.

“What’s wrong now Leslie?” his partner inquired, barely glancing up as he continued leafing through the morning post. At the use of his hated middle name, Frederick had to actively suppress the burning urge to rip the paper from their hands and throw it into the ocean.

“What sucks? The fact we get posted out here on this bog while everyone else is enjoying the V-Day festivities,” Glass nodded towards the distant city, which faintly carried the sound of the ongoing celebration sweeping through rest of the capital. “I was planning to take my little girl, to see that sweet little face light up at the sight of the Dragoons marching down Central Street would be priceless.”

“How old is that girl of yours now?” his partner inquired, flipping back a page.

“Rose will be turning four in March.”

“They sure grow up fast.”

“They certainly do.” The two Peacekeepers grew silent.

“So, did you see the guy?” His partner began, tossing the paper aside and taking a swig from the flask hanging on his hip.

“The one the Inquisition made off with? He was some fat guy, I think he was the Overseer of this Re-Ed facility.”

“No, I was talking about the Inquisitor.”

“Little spidery looking dude, pale skin, black suit?” Frederick could barely recount seeing the Inquisitor.

“That’s him. I heard that was Athenos Draco.” Now he knew his partner had to be pulling his leg.

“You’re so full of crap, no way that clerk was the Athenos Draco, the same Athenos Draco who just busted that contraband smuggling ring over in Westpoint.”

“By His Grace, I swear that was the guy.” His partner offered him the flask and Frederick accepted it. A quick sniff confirmed it contained hard alcohol, which was prohibited while on the job. He noticed Frederick cautiously eyeing the contents. “A little sip isn’t going to harm anyone, besides its only us out here until we get the all clear from our Inquisitor friends.”

Frederick took a quick swig and immediately began to splutter and cough, the stuff went down like burning pitch. “What you put in this stuff, rubbing alcohol?” he wiped his mouth with the edge of his sleeve and passed the flask back.

“It’s a concoction of my own making, I’m afraid it’s a trade secret boyo.” His partner said with a grin as he tossed back another drink from the flask’s crude contents.

“Hey you see that?” Frederick pointed towards the city skyline, which was difficult to make out amidst the clouds of rolling fog. The Peacekeeper seemed to revert to his childhood, excitement was written clear across his soft boyish face.

“See what?” his partner squinted.

“One of the airships just pulled in, probably carrying all the Imperium elite,” Frederick held a look of wonder that was quickly replaced by longing and disappointment. “I wish I could be there to see it, it’s not fair.”

“Life is never fair Leslie.”


The leviathon class airship Twilight glided over the city like a massive bird of prey, supported by its four massive wings that each held six propellers strong enough to rip through several acres of forest. It was the pride of the fleet, and though usually reserved for military use, it had been repurposed for the V-Day celebration as a luxury liner exclusive to the Imperium’s elite. Although several decks had been turned into areas of entertainment, there were still more to spare and many of these remained reserved for military aircraft.

Standing by the massive skylight that offered an impressive and breathtaking view of the capital was the Chief Inquisitor. He was a man in his late fifties with shoulder length chestnut red hair and a sharp goatee streaked with white. Behind his gold wireframe glasses were a pair of indigo eyes that held cunning, and his lips always appeared pressed into a wry smile. In his right hand he held his cane which was topped by a coiled copper dragon.

The Chief Inquisitor had been one of the invitees to this exclusive event where all the rich and powerful of Imperium rubbed shoulders. It was so rare to find so many heads of the various ministries in one room, and without a shouting match taking place, as was often the case when two Chief Ministers of rival factions met. Everyone was too caught up in their revelries, as the alcohol flowed freely, so did the conversation.

On his path to the Skydeck, he had seen many of the societal elite gambling away their fortunes at the casino which had been erected on deck thirteen. Inside he had managed to spy the Minister of Finance himself with his massive bulk squeezed into a seat by the craps table. What a scandal it would be if word got out that the man who kept the economy flowing was throwing a sizable income away. Of course, your average citizen of the Imperium would remain in ignorance with their feet planted firmly on the ground with only the ability to gaze up in wonder.

“Refreshment.” A liveried waiter materialized beside the Chief Inquisitor, breaking him from his silent reverie by the skylight overlooking the city’s vast expanse.

“No thanks.” The waiter was swallowed back up by the milling crowd, but before disappearing the Chief Inquisitor took notice of the puckered scar peaking out from beneath their periwig.

“Reynard.” The Chief Inquisitor turned at the sound of his name and found the source was a small bespectacled fellow who he immediately recognized as Stefan Duskeyes. The Professor looked severely out of place among the other party goers, with his cheap fraying suit and unruly mop of grey hair. His thick lensed glasses gave Stefan a perpetually surprised look, and it also reminded the Chief Inquisitor of an owl.

“I didn’t expect someone of your…repute to receive an invitation. Tell me, did you grow wings and fly aboard Stefan?” The Chief Inquisitor sneered, however the Professor appeared to overlook the slight and gave a small chuckle.
“I have my sources, Reynard.” The Inquisitor chose to ignore the familiarity of the Professor, his interest was peaked by their offhand mention of some potential new patron.

“Our little Stefan is certainly moving up in the world, and here I thought you were finished after the accident.” Stefan’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. The Chief Inquisitor knew the truth behind events of Devil’s Night, and he wouldn’t allow the Professor to escape it either.

“That is why I have chosen to approach you, Chief Inquisitor. I have managed to perfect it, and this time things will be firmly within our control.” Reynard was now fully invested in what the Professor was saying. Despite the complete disaster that had turned into the now infamous Devil’s Night, there was no denying the brilliance of Stefan Duskeyes, and it was a brilliance that the Chief Inquisitor intended to keep closely to himself.

“Perhaps we can discuss this later in my office.” He feigned apathy, but secretly the Inquisitor was positively bristling at the opportunity to add a new card to his growing arsenal.

“Thank you, I promise you will not regret it.” The Professor gave Reynard’s hand a vigorous shake and withdrew, leaving the Chief Inquisitor alone for only a brief period before another set of familiar acquaintances arrived onto the scene.

“Reynard, you’ve been hiding from us.” Piped the Chief of the Peacekeepers Corps with a nauseating giggle. She was past inebriated, the fumes coming off the woman were enough to burn the Inquisitor’s eyes.

“Kitty, I thought it was a breaking code to drink on the job.” Reynard replied with smirk, earning raucous laughter from the hulking Minister of Judgment who stood in attendance beside her. The Magistrate looked more like hired muscle than the ranking member of the law-making body, he was practically bursting from his suit.

“We saw you getting friendly with someone earlier, I hope I don’t have competition.” Kitty said with a playful wink.

“Just an old friend I haven’t seen in quite some time.” Reynard wasn’t a fool, he knew she was trying to pry him for information under the cover of behaving like a lush. Knowledge was a powerful piece of ammunition amongst the feuding Ministers, and even among ones supposed allies, it was never good to grow lax.

“I didn’t think you had any friends.” Kitty replied with a sniff.

“Don’t look now, but it appears we have a unique brand of entertainment this year.” A man had walked onto the stage dressed quite dramatically in an opera cloak, his face was one Reynard thought he recognized from the papers. As the man surveyed the hushed crowd, he dropped the cloak and revealed he was in possession of several extra appendages.

“They have brought one of those subhumans aboard? I thought we had taken care of that particular problem.” Kitty had a look of pure disgust as she watched the unusual musician kick off his rendition of danse macabre.

“I think I have lost my appetite.” Snapped the Minister of Judgment.

[The Commodore]

Prologue: Interrogation (end)

Randall struggled against his bonds, his veins growing taught beneath his flabby flesh. “This is inconceivable, I’m a loyal citizen of the Imperium!” he barked, spittle flew from his thick lips.

“That remains in question, Mr. Cliff.” Came Athenos’ clipped response.

“Enough of this nonsense, must I remind you that I’m closely acquainted with the Chief Inquisitor himself.” Randall hissed.

“I’m afraid that won’t be enough to save you should it become known that you have close ties to insurrections and terrorists.”

Randall’s left eye had developed a pronounced twitch. “I know nothing of what you speak, I demand you release me by my rights--”

“Tell me about Laurence Lemon.”

Randall immediately went silent, he licked his lips and found a voice barely above a whisper“I don’t know of anyone by that—”

“Laurence Lemon, age 23, arrested in connection to contraband possession and sent to the Kings Isle Re-Education Facility on the 110th year of His Grace, November 22nd.” Athenos interrupted, throwing Randall once again into somber silence.

“He was a patient in my facility, I still don’t see how this implicates—”

“Lemon was released from the Kings Isle Re-Education Facility only a month back, and according to reports bearing your signature, he had passed rehabilitation and was ready to reenter society,” there was the sound of shuffling paper. “However, only a few days later, we found your man Lemon peddling literature encouraging outright rebellion.”

“Clearly I misjudged—” Randall squeaked.

“Lemon was not the first, nor would he have been the last had His Grace in his wisdom not asked the Inquisition to step in and begin its investigation. Mr. Cliff, it became quite evident to some that you may just be an incompetent buffoon with no business rehabilitating the deranged and deviant.”

“That is pure slander, I have been recognized for my work—” Randall began to snap back, until his words turned into a low howl of pain as several volts of electricity passed through his body.
“I won’t suffer any more of your outbursts, is that understood?” Came Athenos’ cold response after the electrical impulses had subsided. Randall hung his head low and had begun muttering incoherently beneath his breath, a thick ropey line of drool hung from his lips.

A seam appeared in the wall, and slowly slid away as Roan entered the interrogation space. The young Inquisitor had drawn a stun baton, and he brandished it as he approached Randall, who appeared otherwise incapacitated, failing to acknowledge Roan’s presence within the room. “Mr. Cliff, do you acquire medical attention?” Roan glanced at the glass panel, somewhat encouraged by the fact that Athenos was standing vigil behind it and watching all that would transpire.

Randall still had his eyes downcast, and his entire body appeared rigid. Roan cautiously edged closer to the man, his baton still at the ready. Laughter came pouring out of Randall, Roan was so startled by it that he nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to retreat from the ghastly sight of the former Overseer with his face split by a Cheshire grin.

“You can call off your pup, Draco. I am quite well…in fact I’m feeling better than that. I feel free, liberated, and it is to you I owe this pleasure.” Randall looked past Roan, as though seeing Athenos Draco for the first time since their interrogation had begun.

“I’m afraid I don’t follow.” There was now the first hint of unease in Athenos’ voice, he hadn’t expected this. Usually those who fell into the hands of the Inquisition would beg and threaten, until eventually their will broke down and they confessed all, but never had Athenos encountered anyone who was for all appearances grateful to be strapped down and forced into a confession.

“I was growing tired of the entire charade, playing the part of the loyal citizen tasked with the duty of making others see past their own weakness and transforming them into what our society deemed normal…it was all too much!” Randall bubbled over with laughter, before regaining his composure. Tears streamed down his round cheeks.

“Athenos, I think he has gone mad.” Roan hovered near the edge of the room and flinched when Randall turned to address him in a soft gentle voice.

“I am not mad, I am at peace. You are still young, perhaps there is a chance for you yet.”

Roan appeared perplexed. “Chance at what?”

“Don’t address him.” Came Athenos’ retort, but the young Inquisitor ignored his warnings.

“A chance at redemption. My eyes were opened to the truth, and I performed the same service for all the charges that wound up in my care, and perhaps, if you’ll allow it, I may render you that same service.” Roan found himself unable to tear his eyes away from Randall’s gaze, there was a mesmerizing quality to the man’s eyes and in conjuncture with his voice it rendered him immobile. Roan’s surroundings disappeared, and it felt like he and the Overseer were the only two beings in existence.

“So, we come to the terrible truth at last.” Athenos’ voice drew Roan out of his reverie. He gave a shake of his head, trying to ward away the feeling that cold fingers had been sifting through his thoughts.
“Indeed, I knowingly released those patients, and furthermore I was the one who placed those rebellious thoughts into their fertile young minds, knowing each would go off to stir up resentment against the establishment,” Randall confessed, grinning all the while. “Do you feel once again assured in your skills as an Inquisitor, Draco? A renewed confidence that you were right all along?”
“I only feel relief in the fact that you are no longer able to dole out your treason, Overseer.”

“A shame you weren’t able to act quick enough, Inquisitor.” Randall returned with a knowing smile.

“Athenos!” Roan had returned his attention to his tablet, much to Athenos’ ire. How he hated the confounded technology.

“Later, Roan. Now what is this nonsense your spouting, if your referring to those patients you corrupted, we have them all within our custody.” The Inquisition had spent the last few weeks working closely with the Peacekeeper Corps to round up those in suspicion of acting out insurrection under the influence of the Overseer, and all of it had been kept quiet to avoid arousing any suspicion from the latter. Athenos himself had kept close tabs on Randall himself, only acting when the time felt appropriate.

“Sir, there has been an attack on the Twilight!” Roan exclaimed, unable to quietly contain himself to a corner while Athenos continued his pointless debate with a madman.

“What?” Athenos recalled some mention of the airship being repurposed in the celebrations as a luxury cruise for those who counted themselves among the Imperium’s elite ruling society, but he had been too caught up with the investigation into Randall’s activities to pay it much due otherwise. An attack upon the ship seemed inconceivable, and with so many dignitaries aboard (including the High Inquisitor) it was practically an act of war. Sure enough, as Athenos pulled up a monitor, there was several incoming reports that the ship had been attacked by hostiles, but further information was forthcoming.

“As I said before, Athenos Draco. You were too late; the revolution has begun!” Randall announced, descending into laughter.

[The Commodore]

Sorry to disappoint those who thought this would be a new episode. I just wanted to give a quick update as I know it has been months since I posted, and I have several reasons for that, the one major problem being my work schedule and another being the end to my subscription to the program I was using for writing. I am not making any concrete promises about getting a new update for the story in the next few weeks, but I am also not abandoning this project. I have every intention to complete it and maybe even see some spinoffs down the road, a guy can dream. Anyways just wanted to give anyone still interested in this a heads-up and hope to see you around soon.