Succession: Heir to the Empire

Clara/Brighe

"Such a pity that she has to snap at people so badly. Then again, she was never very good at dealing with personal tragedy." Clara commented as she sat down, unperturbed by Susanna's insults.

Brighe simply sat back and watched the dramatic display, her lips pursed in dissatisfaction as she tried to stay out of it.

Maul

"Most times, an eye for an eye never solves things." Maul stated. He descended from the throne and paced around Wallace, carefully observing the man. Then, Maul made his decision.

"For the time being, you shall be sentenced to life in the dungeons of Mordor for your crimes. In the meantime, the Order of the Shadows will investigate your claims of corruption in your country. If there is any evidence, the Order will find it. It is our job to weed out corruption such as you claim was done. Even if your claims are found to be true, however, you will not get off free. If your claims are found to be of the truth, then your life sentence will be reduced to twenty years in Mordor. An Order member will take control of your country indefinitely, to make sure no such acts of terrorism against the Gaborian people are committed, and to insure that the Gaborians do not harm your people as well. In time, the Order will slowly intergrate your people into the Empire. However, this will come to pass only if your claims are found to be true. And if they aren't..."

In a flash, Maul extended the end of his double-bladed sword under Wallace's neck, nicking the flesh. "Then I will kill you myself, and I will insure rebellion never takes place in your land again. That is the judgement of Maul. May the Spirits have mercy on your soul." the Kaleesh put his sword away and walked back to the throne, taking a seat once more.

"If you say so," Sir Wallace told him as he was dragged away, presumably to be taken away to Morder.

"Hmm... Interesting judgment," Baruti noted, disappointed that the throne hadn't influenced Maul as much as he thought it would. Gabor would be most displeased. Indeed, he felt the seal on his forehead prickle as he felt the man's anger.

"What motivated you to keep him alive or to investigate his claims?" the Steward asked.

Maul

"Any claims or charges of corruption is a serious matter to the Order of the Shadows. Our job is to protect the Empire, even from those who run it. That means weeding out those who abuse their power for their own gain. It is my duty to make sure his claims are fully investigated." Maul said.

"So, is there more or is my part of this challenge over?" he added.

Rein

"I didn't expect for him to make that choice." Rein commented.

"No. You may rise. Heir Kegan. It is your turn now," Baruti announced, "I have to say that you will be the first elf in a long time to sit upon the throne to judge Imperial subjects. It should prove interesting."

Kegan

"Neither did-" Kegan whispered to Rein before being cut off by Baruti. The Half-Elf stood and walked towards the throne. "I better not screw this up, wouldn't want to disappoint anyone after all." He quipped before sitting down onto the throne. The temptation to prick his finger and accept the powers of the previous rulers was overwhelming. So much power, saying it was tempting would certainly be an understatement, but even so, Kegan resisted.

"I never though I'd hate and love a chair this much." Kegan muttered before looking up at Rein and flashing her a smile to show he was ok. "Lets do this."

Maul, Rein, C.C.

Maul stood up from the throne and allowed Kegan to take his seat. The Kaleesh descended the stairs and went to join the other Heirs. Rein gave Kegan a thumbs up, and silently wished him good luck.

C.C. turned to Nebi as Kegan began his challenge. "Nebi, could you go check on Susanna for me? I'm worried about her, and I doubt she'd want to listen to me right now. I'll let you know when your turn's up."

Baruti smirked to himself and signaled for the guards to bring the next victim. It was a noble-looking man, dressed in a military uniform, a lower-ranked officer.

"This one refused to follow orders. The penalty is death, according to the laws of the Empire," Baruti noted.

*

Nebi nodded at her, "Okay. But you have to tell me what this is about. I don't like being left in the dark."

With that said, he ran in the direction Susanna went.

Kegan

"Hmm. Surely this case isn't as simple as you make it sound though, right Baruti?" Kegan asked as he raised an eyebrow in question. "what were your orders Soldier, and why didn't you follow them?" Kegan asked as he leaned forward to look down at the man.
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Susanna/Carlisle

Susanna ran down the hall and up the stairs as she headed back towards her room, tears beginning to stream down her face for what must have been the hundredth time that week. As she ran down the hall she passed an equally disturbed and very haggard looking Carlisle, though a small beard did disguise his face.

"Why does it seem like bad things always happen to that girl on challenge days? I would have moved away if I were her." The Doctor heard a maid whisper dryly to another Servant.

The Heir looked up at the Maid and opened his mouth to chide the elderly woman for her insensitivity, but he quickly thought better of it and instead turned around and continued to walk down the hall towards the challenge room.

"I refused to burn down a village on the frontier. The natives there were peaceful. There was no point in it," the officer stated.

"He refused a direct order from his Commander. The official strategy was a Shock and Awe Campaign. It has proven effective," Baruti stated, "His disobedience may have cost Gaborian lives."

*

Upon catching up to Susanna, Nebi spoke up, "Wait! I want to talk to you about something! What's going on?!"

Kegan

"The Shock and Awe campaign? Why was it being used Baruti? And where is the Commanded who gave him this order? I believe it necessary that he be here as well." Kegan stated, visibly disgusted after hearing about the orders the soldier had been given.
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Susanna

Susanna stopped, her body still shaking in anger as she turned around and looked at Nebi. Tears were streaming down her face as she looked at the Heir, though a disturbing smile resting on her face as she spoke. "And what, is it exactly that you are referring to Heir Nebi?" Susanna asked, her tone very diplomatic.

"He is at the Front, but the man that ordered the strategy to be used is sitting right here in this room," Baruti noted, tapping himself on the forehead, right where the seal was.

*

"I'm talking about you getting upset all the time and not speaking with C.C. Something must have happened," Nebi told her flatly.

Kegan

"Why am I not surprised." Kegan said rhetorically as he looked at Baruti. "May I ask you, Steward, what the point of the strategy is besides scapegoating purposes?"
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Susanna

Susanna looked at Nebi silently, the smile she had used to try and shield her emotions breaking away almost instantly after the Heir had finished speaking. "Katie's dead, C.C. helped the man who killed her." She explained before glancing back down the hallway as though she were worried that someone might be listening in.

"The Greater Good. The native population was forming a rebellion so they had to be put into place. It's an old strategy. It precedes even the Empire," Baruti said with a smirk, trying to goad Kegan into tapping into the throne's power.

*

Nebi blinked in surprise. He shook his head, "No. She couldn't have. Even if she did, there's bound to be some sort of story to this."

Kegan

"Ah, of course." Kegan replied, obviously not amused with what Baruti was saying. "Sounds like a barbaric yet effective strategy. Perfect for the lazy and calculating man who values little."

"This man will not be executed." Kegan stated before turning to look at the soldier. "But he will be punished for disobeying orders, cruel as they were. You will be stripped of your rank and forced out of the military. And you will be given twenty lashes before being sent home."
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Susanna


"I already questioned her about the issue, she couldn't even deny it!" Susanna shouted back at Nebi. "She helped the monster who killed my cousin escape this castle. I cannot forgive her, Nebi."

"Very well... If that is your decision," Baruti noted before gazing at the guards before him. They released him momentarily and the man looked up gratefully at the half-elf. Pity. He so close to making Kegan lose his temper. Still, there might be another way. He spoke up, "There is a wonderful thing about the throne. It retains the consciousness of a previous Emperor or two and their words supersede an Heir's."

The withered Steward touched the throne delicately and the seal on his forehead glowed bright. He spoke, "I am compelled to do the Emperor's will. Any Emperor's."

With that said, he cackled cruelly and released a torrent of lightning at the soldier, killing him before his body hit the floor.

*

"Why didn't she, though? What did she have to gain? She could have easily hid her involvement," Nebi pointed out, the story not feeling right to him. He continued, "In all my years living in the slums of the Empire's capital, I've never misjudged a person and I know there's more to this. You've been part of the Emperor's Court. Don't you learn that on Day 1?"

(Baruti's supposed to be evil. And rather cruel... But he is following orders. Even now, an Emperor is telling him what to do. *spoiler alert*)

Susanna

Susanna glared at Nebi before lifting up her hand and tapping her eye. It was hardly a noticeable tic, and in fact it just looked like she had scratched her brow, but the damage had been done already, and her eye was now a light shade of pink. "I order you to leave me alone, Nebi, and to stay away from me." Susanna commanded as she made eye contact with Nebi.
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Kegan

"What... What the hell is wrong with you!" Kegan shouted as he looked up at Baruti. "You couldn't just let it be? Was it because I mocked your bloody strategy, or was my order just too soft for your sick tastes?" Kegan asked as he took a step closer towards the Steward.

"I... I..." Nebi grunted, trying to resist Susanna's will. A vein on his forehead was visible and throbbing and he was shivering.

*

"It was because you were weak," Baruti told Kegan simply, "And the previous Emperors agree. Prove us wrong. Win at this. Show no mercy. Only then will you be strong enough to make the Empire into what you wish to shape it as, "Until then, I am still under orders from the previous Emperor to keep the Empire strong and ruthless. His policies cannot be changed by anyone except another Emperor."

Susanna

"Thanks Nebi, I probably wouldn't have even remembered this gift if it wasn't for you. Goodbye now." Susanna replied with a false sweetness before turning around and walking away down the hall.
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Kegan

"Correct me if I'm wrong Baruti, but wouldn't it be weak of me if I just gave in to your demands and started acting like every other crummy Emperor before me?!" Kegan asked, his anger becoming more apparent the longer he went on.

"Damn you, bitch. I was trying to help!" Nebi shouted as he was forced to walk in the opposite direction.

*

"That's all well and good, but you have to win, first," Baruti told him with a smirk, "That's the most important thing, now."

Kegan

"Hmm. I suppose you are right about that part. Looks like I'll have to be getting clever then." Kegan replied, frustrated that he had to play along with the Emperor's dastardly games for now. "Good Day, Steward." Kegan added before quickly walking away from the throne back towards the Spectator seats.

Baruti bowed before the throne, laughing inwardly, Soon, milord, it will be over. You shall have a new body from among your Heirs, as you have done for centuries. Truly, you are lord even over death.

Tsuba

"So, who's next?" Tsuba asked.

Rein

"You ok Kegan?" Rein asked with concern as Kegan joined them again.

Kegan

"Not really. Pretty ticked off actually." Kegan said honestly as he sat down beside Rein, looking malcontent as he looked up at the throne. "But I'll be fine, no need to worry." He reassured Rein as he began to calm down. "I just need to figure out how to win this thing without compromising myself." He explained before giving Rein a weak smile to emphasize that he really was fine.

"Well, since you've asked, my dear Tsuba, you are next," Baruti told the girl with a bow, "Sit upon the throne and you will have a decision to make."