Chapter 1

CHAPTER I

Pendragon Imperial Palace, Pendragon, Capital Region of the Philippines

            Pendragon Imperial Palace; is a magnificent Palace where the Emperor resides, it is enormous, it can house millions of people at once if the Emperor allows them to enter. It is dubbed the “City within the City” because of where it is built. Pendragon was a city of the wealthiest people in the Empire, but Pendragon Imperial Palace has a wall that spans almost engulfing the whole Capital Region. Outside the walls resides the “common wealthy people” whilst inside the wall resides the High Lords, Military and Government High Officials and also the Royal Family. Pendragon Imperial Palace before the Empire’s time is named the Grand Chancellery of the Republic, but before the Republic is the time where the Philippines is just another ordinary country; the Republic of the Philippines, but the old country’s seat of government is called Malacañang Palace.

            Count Clavio’s plane landed at Pendragon Private Airfield. Two men covered with their trench coat and wearing their sunglasses are waiting for him at the runway. “Excellency,” one of the men said “the Emperor is waiting for you.”

Great! G-Men are here. The Count and the two men got inside a black sedan. The driver then drives the car to the front gate of the Palace where other men are standing carrying their Halberds. The men escorting the Count opened the gate and went through the courtyard, then inside the Palace. He went in front of the reception desk and asked where the Emperor is. The receptionist replied that the Emperor is at his study; which is at the top – the Imperial Family’s residence. The Count therefore enters the private elevator that will lead straight to the Emperor’s floor.

            After the elevator doors opened and he got out of it, he was greeted by two Agents. “Excellency” one of the agents said, “the Emperor would be very pleased for you to meet him at once.”

I always answer the Emperor’s Callings. “I’m just doing my service for His Imperial Majesty.”

“Good, then I presume that you’re not against the regime?”

“What question is that? Of course I’m not against the regime. Why would you even ask me such a question?” What an imbecile you are.

“That is classified information, but for now, you may enter.”

The Count entered the room, there he saw Lady Marianne; the Emperor’s wife, their two sons; Clause and William, they’re twins with the age of 17, and a charming girl. The mother and children are busy with their own business; the twins are fighting over the affection of the beautiful girl, Lady Marianne is busy in reading the newspaper and the girl is smiling at the twins. The Count cleared his throat and continued to walk to the Emperor’s study. “Ah, Count. I’m sorry I didn’t felt your presence earlier.” Lady Marianne puts down the newspaper and sat up. “No, it’s quite alright milady.”

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here to see His Imperial Majesty, madam.”

“Oh, well he’s at his study.”

“Thank you, madam. And as always, you’re lovely and elegant as a rose.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Count.”

“Well then, I’ll be going to see your husband.” With that remark from the Count, Lady Marianne continued with her reading. The Count bowed and goes in front of the Emperor’s study. Just as Count Clavio is about to knock on the door, he heard a voice saying “Count Clavio, you may enter.” The Count was surprised then he opened the door. Inside, he saw the Emperor standing and looking through the window. “You’ve sent for me, Your Highness?”

“As a matter in fact, yes. I am in a tight spot and I want to hear your answer to the question that I’ll be asking you.”

“What would you ask of me?”

The Emperor turned around and glared at the Count. “Where does your allegiance lies?” The Count flinch when he saw the Emperor’s eyes glaring at him like he is looking through his soul. The Emperor’s iris shrank too small it look as if a black dot is what remains on his eyes; looking directly at the Count. He clears his throat, “it lies with you and your regime, Emperor.”

“Really, then how can you prove to me that you are loyal to me?”

“I’ll do anything you asked, I am at your disposal.”

“Good, then you’ll swear your allegiance to me.”

The Count did so, and then the Emperor continued speaking. “Good, look at the list I am about to show you at the screen.” The Emperor grabbed a remote and click on it; turning on the screen and a long list of names shows up. The Count looked at the names and saw many familiar names; including his own name.

“Do you recognize any of them? I am pretty sure you do, they’re the names we are all heard of.”
“I recognized some of them, sir.”

“Then do you think that they are all insurgents?”

“With all due respect, Emperor, but some of these names are from a prominent family, loyal to you.”

“I know that, but they are also suspected of aiding many insurgents.”

“Emperor, I assure you that the names I know in this list are all innocent.”

“I understand, Count… I understand. Then you are free to go.”

“That is all, sir?” That was fast.

“Yes.” That is the only thing the Emperor said after that. The Count bowed and went on his way. He left the Palace and the sedan drives him to his private plane. He boarded the plane and sat on his sit. “The ‘despot’ almost caught us for a moment there.” He said to himself, he then reached for the built-in phone to contact the pilot. “Land the plane at ‘the location,’ pilot.”

“It will be done, milord.” The pilot replied.

Moments later, the plane’s cloaking device is activated; the plane is no longer detectable by both radar and the naked eye.

                       

Secret Base, Somewhere in the Ural Mountains

           

The plane landed afterwards at the secret hanger somewhere in the Urals. The Count wears his coat and got off the plane. The secret base is vast, almost as if the whole mountain is hollow, making room for the countless equipment, vehicles, and personnel. “Ah Excellency, you came.” An engineer said with a thick Russian accent; he is wearing a white coat complete with a yellow hardhat, top it all up, he is wearing ballistic glasses, your typical engineer stereotype. “What news from mainland, my friend?”

“Not going well, Yuri. The ‘despot’ almost discovered who are supporting the Master’s cause.”

“That is very bad news indeed. Would you care for coffee? It is cold out here in this wasteland.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“Then let us get inside, shall we?” Yuri led the Count inside the control room; a security post was inside the room. Yuri dialled some code then the metal door slide open. They both went through the door then walked through the hallway to the elevator at the other side of the hallway. The elevator moved downward for many floors, finally the elevator doors opened; there they found yet another security post, and like last time: Yuri dialled some code then the metal door slide open once again. A cable car was at the end of the hallway; waiting for its passengers. They climbed the cable car and it finally moved. The tunnel was dark, but the cable car’s inner lights made sure that the insides are lit. After a while, a bright light is at horizon; it is finally the end of the tunnel. When the cable car got out of the tunnel, the Count was stunned by the sudden change of lighting. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw many tanks, fighter planes, and soldiers training. The Count looked through the window, “Are they ready, Yuri?”

“I’m no military person, my friend, but I assure you that Master’s forces are primed and ready. It is just a matter of time.”

“Well I hope you’re right, Yuri. Because I think our time for peace and quiet is about to end.”

The cable car then enters another tunnel. After a while the cable car got out of it and the Count then saw scientists and engineers are experimenting with some weaponry. It is a large artillery-like vehicle but it is quite large for a common howitzer, and the barrel is different than a common barrel for artillery, it only has three pieces of steel forming a triangular barrel with spaces on each one, the only thing holding them are three to four rings on its base. “What is that thing?” the Count asked.

“It is a new model of artillery; some of its designs came from Chinese’s Nuclear Cannon; with help from our European Union Allies’ Scientists and Engineers to perfect making Neutrons as destructive weaponry. In fact, Neutrons have been proven as a great source of Nuclear Power, It is, however, quite complex. You see, the Neutrons–”

“English, please.” The Count cried.

“It is a new weapon of mass destruction, my friend.”

“Well that isn’t so hard, is it?” the Count and Yuri laughed. The cable car went through another tunnel, then after it left the tunnel another section of experiments were shown. This time, the experimental weaponry is a colossal double-barrelled tank with auto cannons at the top next to the hatch.

“What monstrosity is this now?” the Count cried.

“This, my friend, is another experimental weapon of mass destruction. Our friends from European Union want us to perfect their dubbed ‘Manticore Protocol’ as they called it.”
“What’s a ‘Manticore Protocol’?”

“The ‘Manticore Protocol’ is focused on making hydro-powered machinery, making sure that it will bring efficiency, and speed to a whole new level. This ‘Protocol’ also focused on making their Armours as hard but light as possible, using–”

“English, Yuri.”

“Right… uh… It is a super heavy tank that holds the key to make hydrogen an energy source of new heights; replacing our use of various oils, and the secrets of making light but harder than the hardest material on earth.”

“That is much better to understand.”

“That is not all, my friend. European Union also gave us a bonus for helping them from countless crises; they gave us the undeveloped ‘Venom Protocol.’ It is about prioritizing exoskeleton suits that will make our infantry tougher and more combat effective. With an added bonus of two large battle suits; one is equipped with a large anti-material sniper rifle and anti-air missiles, while the other is equipped with a large tactical grenade launcher and anti-tank missiles.”

“Wait, if the colossal tank is dubbed the ‘Manticore Protocol’ and that exoskeleton thing the ‘Venom Protocol’ then what is the name of the first one?”

Yuri gazed to the window at a moment. “We will call it… ‘Pandora Protocol,’ I can tell that it is a great name for it.”

“Why did you call it ‘Pandora’?”

“Because Master only wants to use it for last resort, and because ‘Pandora’ has her box that means trouble, so ‘Pandora Protocol’ is quite suited for it.”

The Count went silent for a bit, he gazed to the side of the cable car. “The ‘Pandora Protocol…’ indeed… it does have a nice ring to it.”

“I told you.”

            The cable car finally reached the end of its journey, Yuri got out of the cable car first, and then he assists the Count on getting out of it. They both continued walking through the metal door where a guard wearing bulletproof vest and a helmet standing in front of the door; blocking their path.

            “We are here for Master.” Yuri said. The guard nodded and walked through the console at the side of the door. “So… what news can you bring me from the surface?” the guard types some codes. “It is not good, my friend. Count told me that ‘Emperor’ almost caught some of our fellow members, including Count himself.”

“Oh… that is very bad news.”

“Well, on the bright side.” The Count interrupted. “I’ve managed to make the ‘despot’ believe that we are all innocent. I’m pretty sure it will take another year or so before he can put his nose at us again.”

            The guard smiled and puts his eyes to the scanner. The door finally opened. “Thank you.” The Count said.

“No problem, what are you going to do inside after you’ve talked to the Master?”

“We’re going to have coffee, you want some?”

“Oh, I want a decaffeinated one, please.”

“I’ll make someone bring you the coffee later.” Yuri nodded then went inside with the Count.

            As they enter, another guard is sitting at the reception counter. “Welcome back, Count Andreas Clavio,” the guard said. He showed them where the Master is. Yuri and Andreas went through the directions given to them, “Hold on,”Yuri said. “We might as well get some coffee on the way there.”

“I agree.” And so they went through to the kitchen and got their coffee. “I’ll join you with Master after I gave this to our friend from other side.” Yuri went on his way, leaving Andreas alone to see the Master. He saw a guard at the end of the corridor; the guard bowed and opened the metal door. The Master is waiting.