Imperial Sins: Zero

"My name is Hyperion Xi Lunaria. I took up the name of Dusk Xi Lunaria for the great Empire I fight for. That Empire is The Highpearian Empire within Felheim. I’ve lived in the Inner Sphere all my life, and I am eighteen thousand years old if you ever see or hear this log. This is how I fell from a hero or champion of the Inner Sphere into something... Worse." The audio log ends with just silence in the darkened Archive chamber. 

Ever since I began studying the Wild Age and read about Hyperion, his feats against The Commonwealth, and Nidhogg, honestly, I thought those stories as mere legends more than anything, but I had the High One's Name. But what was I? I was Terrordex, a weapon made for war. Something to move the Highpearian Empire forward- it was my duty, my calling. My daily training consisted of live-fire exercises and daily Gene treatments. 

I kept seated in the Archive chamber, reading more on the Wild Age. Although I,did feel someone watching me from the dark corners of the room, the space itself was silent, as no other Lorekeepers were working away at the catalogs- the organization of Indexes. It wasn’t like the books were needed in an Empire like Highpearia- everything was already digitized and organized in unison with Lorekeepers and Collective A. I, as they’re called. These beings are created from a willing soul that wished to serve the Empire for war. Information gathering, fleet movement, and logistics are all within the A.I’s capabilities.

I kept silent and reading the information that my eyes scanned over, then switched to another log. Whoever watched me knew something was a sunset, but this one didn't feel like dusk or like me. "He or she? " I thought to myself. The aura alone was unique, it felt close. Did this unseen person know my origin or just another assassin to deny my influence? It didn't matter now, knowledge called me. I needed it, the feeling of learning about the past of the empire to me was exhilarating…

I kept scanning through Archive logs until I managed to find it,It was a rare sight. The Index itself had a nearly obsidian-colored rim on the back. When I pulled it out, the cover was gold with a ruby highlight that shimmered slightly when the light lit upon it. It had a sigil of a crimson moon. I wanted to open it, but I didn't. I placed it on my right hip using the chain to fasten it to my tactical belt tightly and securely. When I did it I noticed the keyhole . Once I got full sight of the index, I didn't know what it was about, but something drew me to it. The feeling of someone watching me made my body tense as I glanced around the archive complex. After minutes of searching, I heard the ignition of a plasma saber and the hum of someone exiting a stealth cloak from behind me. I rolled forward dodging the swing from the man.  His uniform was of the United Sol Federation or U. S. F. Humanity. Damn animals didn't realize that the Highpearian Empire is moving them into a new age and a new era. 

I drew my seeker blade in a reverse grip parrying then I quickly dashed back dodging the man's plasma blade that had a cross guard he moved to strike me. I spun my seeker blade around in a simple deflect when I moved in to strike the man. He tried to sidestep but I shifted with him my blade entering the man's chest. he choked in pain before going still,without a word I pulled it out of him and ran the blade ever so slightly over my shoulder taking off the blood I sheathed it as the dead man fell to the ground. 

I turned and activated my psy-com reporting in"Command, I downed a U. S. F. Assassin within Segmentos-01 Archives…"hearing a reply from the command "Copy that DS-0. Sending a team to do clean up. oh Dusk Xi Lunaria, You're needed in the Grand Council Chamber. The Crimson Wolf wishes to speak with you.." didn't know how to react to the reply from command. shouldn't question but something in me made me ask "May I know why?" I thought silently to myself "Damn... I shouldn't have gone against my conditioning… why am I questioning an action from command? What is this." My thoughts were interrupted by a simple answer from command "Anubis Xi Hyperia's orders. For a Sunset." I went silent for a while before saying with a simple: "As you wish." I exited the Archive chamber two fireteams of five Seekers each passed, as I walked the sounds of the lively city of District Alpha. It was good to hear Solket and Warkin walking the streets with some Terrordex as well talk about the war from nobility. The smell of honey wine filled the air with fresh cooked meat in tandem with sounds of Veran cleaving away at live prisoners in their Skimmers,the screams of agony and sorrow would be heard before going silent,in a deep dream. As my eyes wandered,I caught sight of Arca'ian women, fair in figure as well perfect in complexion. The two women were built for war but my knowledge of how Arca'ians are instinctively, stubborn in their own political views. After my sight became fixated on Terrordex women, three of them, fair figures and heavenly in their own right, but I saw Sirens and Banshees in the field. Each movement was a dance, each attack upon the enemy from what I witnessed had perfect ferocity. But the Arca'ians were stubborn in their views on order and other political factors that ran the Empire.

Once I reached the Prime District where I could see the Grand Spire seen in the distance…. When I reached the Grand Spire two Solket Riftcallers glanced at me. Solket stood around 8ft in size,higher Solket of the warrior class stood 9ft in most cases including genetic enhancements and cybernetic augments. They were taller than a Terrordex Knight and Dragonlord as well as Seekers and Death Seekers. The Solket themselves were made for combat; some of them were bred for it. The Riftcallers gazed at me. I kept my posture formal and closed aura with my mind staying empty. One asked me "Name, Reason, Blood?" I replied "Dusk Xi Lunaria, Reason: Anubis called for me and I don't wish to keep him waiting…" 

Both Riftcallers glanced at each other then stepped aside with the door behind them splitting in two and opening as I walked through. 

There was a Dark Eternal standing by Anubis Xi Hyperia his sigil was of Bloodmoon design and he had a Dark Eternal woman with him who looked like she was in her teens at least 18 years of age the Dark Eternal male was around his 40's? It was hard to pinpoint because of Immortality keeping the look of youth seen in his eyes and hair even though the hair itself had a hint of white and grey. The Imperial Council stared at me. I bowed my head respectfully towards Anubis with my conditioning taking control of my movements as I said "You called? Your Highness." Anubis replied with a smile "I did. His Majesty Fenron Bloodmoon has a task for you. Follow him." Azrial and Xuron glanced at me, one of them chuckled by the voice pattern, it was Azrial. "I wonder what your next incursion is, eh?" Xuron spoke after both not waiting for me to reply ''Ah the duty of a Sunset is never done, after all we do have the United Sol Federation to keep at bay. Damn humans have to learn that we're Superior…. "

I took a breath then replied to both statements "Whatever Anubis and I speak about is classified until he says otherwise." then I stated to Xuron "I took the burden of Sunset because I felt it as such. For the United Sol Federation they won't last because Highpearia won't fall nor will it submit to the will of humanity…" my tone grew cold with the ending of the statement. Anubis said nothing nor did the Dark Eternal male speak with a smile on his face. "I see that this Sunset knows how to state his piece, I just hope he can help us build up into something more." I said nothing else when the Male Dark Eternal spoke the conditioning kept control over my body and my mind. 

I was Terrordex, I was made to fight against emotion and the feeling of humanity even though it kept fighting and biting me to let it out. Fenron glanced as the Chamber door opened he smiled at the sight of my Blademaster "Eclipse Blackheart how are you?" Eclipse glanced at me then replied to Fenron as his son Azmodeus stood by his side "I am doing fine,more interested how the Sunset will do even with his record before the name change it was above the standards of the others in the Imperial Legion." His voice pattern alone with tone was respectable. Coming from a line such as the Blackhearts they're Known for using words like second nature like poison in wine, in a fight they toy and taunt prey. 

I kept silent knowing how the Blackhearts are but I knew if a Moonblade was in the room they would have spoken an insult, I waited Anubis got up from his throne motioning for me to follow. I followed as Fenron did a bow to the others before following beside Anubis and I with the Female. I glanced at her. I asked "Who is the woman?" Fenron replied "Her name is Lysa. She's my daughter. Interested in her?" I said nothing then kept my eyes straight ahead. Fenron smiled and Anubis chuckled "Testing the Sunset already?" Fenron replied back chuckling "I am just making sure that he knows a blossoming flower when he sees one. My daughter is something more than just a flower; she's someone who can be like the others before her." We entered another room that turned from Pure white in the walls to something that had the color of a Sunset on a world but with a hint of darkness in the middle of it. Anubis took his seat. Fenron took a seat with Lysa. I stood at attention. 

Anubis asked me "Do you know why I called you here Xi Lunaria?" I replied "An Incursion of some kind that isn't on the Keeper's Covenant grid." Anubis replied leaning against his chair "You can say that but I won't be giving you the order." He said as he motioned over to Fenron "His Majesty will be granting the order…." I kept silent upon the answer then I looked at Fenron. Fenron fixed his hair then adjusted something on his left hand. 

It was a Gauntlet, a very ornate one with hints of gold and dark grey on the lining before speaking "I need you to enter Drunian territory. You will have two Fireteams covering you that are under my control. I have a flower I want you to recover. She might be of use to you." I nodded "As you wish your Majesty…" Anubis asked "When will he be heading out?" Fenron replied to Anubis "He will be heading out now." I didn't say another word, I just turned and left to the Grand Spire hanger. There were three Skimmers and a Monolith docked Veran Engineers were working, other Veran mainly Marauders entered their Skimmers heading in and out. I looked at the layout of the fireteams. One had Three Seekers, Four Death Seekers and a Dragonlord. The other had Three Seekers, Six Knights and Two Dragonlords. I had no one. The Marshal of the operation looked at me and asked "You're the Sunset his Highness speaks so highly of?" I replied simply "I am and I'm the best Death Seeker around…" The Marshal chuckled as he stated "We'll see about that…."