NOVEL WEB Sahaad VII: Responsibility
In a dimly lit chamber deep within the heart of the Federation's capital spire, a hologram of the Princess flickered to life, casting a cold blue light across the room. Her regal features were unmistakable—sharp and calculating, with a grace that belied her ruthless efficiency. Across from her, the chief Conflagarator Halvex stood, his body covered in machinery, only the faintest traces of his once-human form visible. His eyes glowed with a soft, eerie light as he listened to her in silence.
"The Imperator program has been a costly endeavor," the Princess began, her tone matter-of-fact. "Billions of children from colonies spanning the galaxy were recruited. The trials were supposed to produce a new generation of warriors who could surpass even the Praetorians, the perfect guardians of the Federation. Yet, after centuries, only six remain."
Her expression did not change, but there was a tension in the air, as if she were delivering a death sentence.
"The cost of maintaining the program, combined with its abysmal success rate, cannot be justified any longer. The Praetorians have proven to be far more cost-effective. Their mortality rate is lower, and their training does not demand the same exorbitant resources." She paused, her eyes locking onto the mechanical man. "The Imperator program is, by all accounts, a failure."
The man's voice grated like metal scraping metal. "They are not failures, Your Highness. The six who survived... they are beyond even the Praetorians in potential. Their power, their capabilities—they are the future of warfare."
The Princess waved a hand dismissively. "Six individuals cannot change the course of galactic history. The Praetorians are the backbone of our military, not an experimental program that has cost the lives of countless children and drained our resources. They will continue to serve as our elite warriors."
"But the King..."
"The King... my father is not in charge anymore. You answer to me and me only do not mention the old regime, again"
Halvex remained silent, the faint whirring of his internal systems the only sound as the Princess turned away from the hologram. "The decision is final. I expect the Imperator program to be quietly phased out. Those six... they will serve in whatever capacity you see fit. But there will be no more resources allocated to this project."
With that, the hologram flickered and disappeared, leaving the mechanical man alone in the dim light of the room. His metal fingers clenched into fists.
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Meanwhile, back at the training barracks, Sahaad, Zara, Ji, and the others were engrossed in their data pads, scrolling through news updates, games, and digital books. It had been a rare moment of quiet, though the tension of their most recent training exercises still lingered in their minds.
The door to the barracks slid open with a hiss. A Praetorian soldier entered, her blue, decorated armor gleaming under the light. The entire room fell silent. She was not just any Praetorian, but a Company second-in-command, and her presence meant only one thing—orders.
"You six," the Praetorian barked, her voice echoing through the room. "Training's over for now. Time to suit up."
The Imperators-in-training quickly put down their data pads and rose to attention. They could tell from the Praetorian's tone that something serious was coming. They followed her out of the barracks, walking with the heavy thud of their armored boots echoing in the hallway.
After a short walk, they arrived at the training area, a large open space that had served as both their battlefield and their crucible over the last century. They lined up in formation, standing side by side, their towering forms making the space feel smaller than it actually was.
The Praetorian second-in-command stood in front of them, scanning their faces with a critical eye. "You've been selected for a mission. It's time to prove yourselves."
Sahaad felt a surge of adrenaline as the Praetorian continued. "We're sending you to a jungle planet in the Vraxos system. The local human population has rebelled against the Federation, conducting guerilla warfare from hidden encampments. Your task is simple: locate the rebel forces, dismantle their operations, and destroy their encampments. No survivors."
Zara exchanged a glance with Ji, her hand resting on the hilt of her combat blade. Sahaad remained silent, his mind racing as he processed the mission. It wasn't the first time they had been sent into hostile territory, but this felt different—more serious. There was no room for failure.
"There's something else you need to know," she began, her voice lowering as if the next part of the briefing carried even more weight. "The Red Tail Company of Praetorians has already been deployed to the jungle planet. They've been engaged in heavy combat with the rebels for weeks now."
Sahaad's brow furrowed slightly. The Red Tails were a renowned company of Praetorians, known for their guerilla tactics, and stealth capabilities. If they were already on the ground, it meant that the situation was more severe than initially implied.
"You six," the Praetorian continued, "will have full authority to operate any equipment stationed on the planet, including vehicles, heavy weaponry, and air support. You're also granted command authority over the Red Tail Praetorians. Despite their experience, you are of a higher rank within the Federation's hierarchy, and they will defer to your orders."
Sahaad's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. Despite not being fully promoted to Imperators yet, the training they had undergone—and the extreme lengths the Federation had gone to create them—put them above even the seasoned Praetorians. It was a reminder of the program's intent to shape them into something beyond ordinary soldiers.
"You'll be leaving immediately," the Praetorian added, her voice cold. "Gear up. You're to strike hard and fast. The Federation will not tolerate rebellion."
With a final nod, the Praetorian turned and left the training area, leaving the Imperators-in-training standing in silence.
"Well," Sahaad said, breaking the silence. "Looks like we're calling the shots now."
"Yes, what do you think the situation is like over there for us to be involved? I mean is it not just normal people we are up against?", wondered Nate.
"The environment is most likely harsh and the rebels know how to navigate through it. Still, too much resources have been invested in us to send us to die, I think we will be fine." answered Sahaad.
"Okay team let's go can't keep a company waiting on us, that's probably a crime", joked Kato.
The group dispersed, heading towards the armory with a silent intensity. The mission weighed on their minds—each step towards their lockers echoing the enormity of what lay ahead. Despite their seemingly carefree attitude in the training barracks, the reality of battle was something none of them took lightly.
As they entered the armory, the low hum of machinery filled the air. Rows upon rows of lockers containing their personal weapons and gear lined the walls. Their Praetorian-grade armor was functional but unadorned—a dull, matte gray that lacked the gilded embellishments of full Praetorians, yet its brutal efficiency was undeniable. It clung to their massive frames like a second skin, reinforced with layers of plasteel, ceramic composites, and power-assisted servo-motors that enhanced their strength beyond the limits of normal humans.
Sahaad moved to his locker, opening it with a practiced motion. Inside was his trusted long-range rifle, sleek and deadly. He lifted it, feeling the familiar weight of the weapon in his hands. Next to it, his sidearm, a plasma pistol capable of devastating energy output. As he equipped each piece of his gear, he couldn't help but feel the enormity of his responsibility pressing down on him like the armor itself.
Zara, standing a few lockers down, was already fastening her own armor in place. Her movements were precise, methodical. The combat blade strapped to her back gleamed under the dim light, and her expression remained stoic as she secured her helmet.
Ji, in contrast, moved quickly, his light footfalls almost unnoticeable despite his towering size. His armor fit snugly, designed for speed and agility. His dual plasma gauntlets hummed faintly as he tested their responsiveness, their energy fields crackling faintly with latent power. Ji preferred to get in close and strike hard—swift and decisive.
Sahaad pulled his helmet over his head, the HUD flickering to life as the systems powered up. He tested the rangefinder and scoped his rifle before clipping it onto his back. He filtered through the electromagnetic spectrum on his HUD, testing whether everything was intact. His breath sounded heavy inside the helmet, but he was used to it by now. Over the past century, this armor had become a part of him—an extension of his body.
The rest of the squad followed suit, each of them gearing up in silence. Nate, Kato and Sia, the other surviving members of their training cohort, double-checked their gear. Nate, a specialist in heavy weapons, hefted a massive plasma cannon over his shoulder, while Kato, known for his versatility, checked both his rifle and his close-combat knives. Sia equipped a standard Helios Mark IV, a small sidearm, and a phase sword- she was a stickler for rules and regulation, everything she did was by the book.
"Ready?" Sahaad asked, his voice muffled slightly by the helmet's comms.
Zara gave a curt nod. "Let's get this over with."
With their armor secured and weapons ready, the group marched out of the armory and made their way to the hangar bay. The sound of their armored boots reverberated against the steel floors, a rhythmic pounding that echoed their resolve. As they neared the hangar, they were greeted by the sight of their transport: a command vessel, a gargantuan ship nearly 10 miles long, hovering in the orbital docks above the facility. Its sleek, angular frame cut through the blackness of space like a blade.
The ship was a behemoth, designed to house not just soldiers but entire communities of workers, engineers, and technicians. These people lived aboard the vessel permanently, tending to its needs and ensuring that its systems ran flawlessly. Thousands of them scurried about in the hangar, their small forms dwarfed by the towering machinery and the massive bulk of the ship.
The hangar itself was filled with smaller dropships and vehicles, all ready for deployment. The Imperator trainees boarded their designated shuttle, a sleek transport that would carry them to the command vessel. The shuttle rumbled to life as it lifted off, carrying them into the void of space.
As they approached the command vessel, its sheer scale became even more apparent. The hull stretched endlessly in both directions, dotted with weapon emplacements, sensor arrays, and docking ports. Massive hangar bays yawned open, allowing shuttles and smaller vessels to come and go.
The shuttle docked inside one of these bays, its landing gear screeching as it touched down on the metallic floor. The bay was bustling with activity—workers, soldiers, and droids moved in choreographed unison, maintaining the ship and preparing for the upcoming mission.
Sahaad and the others stepped off the shuttle, their armored forms towering over the workers. Despite their imposing presence, they were still trainees in the eyes of the Praetorians. Their dull gray armor marked them as such, and they moved with the knowledge that their mission was not only to crush the rebellion but to prove that they were worthy of becoming full Imperators.
A senior Praetorian officer met them at the landing bay, his blue-decorated armor marking his rank. He gave them a brief nod of acknowledgment before leading them towards the briefing room, where they would receive their final mission details.
"You're about to enter a warzone," the officer said as they walked. "The rebels have been dug in for weeks, but with your firepower and command over the Red Tail Company, we expect you to break their resistance within days. Don't hold back."
As they entered the briefing room, Sahaad felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle over him once more. The mission ahead was dangerous, but it was also an opportunity—an opportunity to prove that the Imperator program was not a failure. The six of them were more than just soldiers. They were the future of the Federation's war machine.