I try to open them using my fingers, but the gap is too thin to get a proper grip. I try harder to grip it, but I only managed to create small dents on the gaps with my fingers which made it even harder to open. I step back and try to look for other ways to pull out the tile but there is none. I look around the chamber once more. The only thing I can see is the rounded table in the middle.
I go to the table and inspect it thoroughly. I found some small and unusual rectangular notches at the sides of each chair. I push one and the surface of the table lit up to what seems like a screen. The whole table seemed to be a surface monitor for each council member. When the monitor opened, it required an access code which I don’t have.
I didn't have much time to think so I used the bypass tool on my watch which searched for the last used passcode entered on the monitor. It opened and the screen showed several icons. I saw a folder and a computer icon and I started from there. Upon opening the one with the computer design, I saw a black screen with a green box and text that read “DATABASE ARCHIVE”.
I typed Molina without a first name. The screen showed a loading window and extracted the numbers and folders that wore the name Molina in them and then suddenly, I hear a loud creaking sound. One of the wall tiles start to move outward. I rush towards it and inside I see a large number of drawers lined up on six rows.
Once the wall tile stopped moving, some of the drawers lit up. I take one and read the case number. It is case number 19801 codename “ShadowWeaver”. I open it up and browse the first few pages, and there it is. I saw a name, Levi Molina. I was thrilled yet unsure as I only have his last name to reference to.
I check on the other folders, but it seems that the Molina surname is common as there are others in the other folders who have that surname. I opened the other lit up drawers and grabbed some of the files and decided to go over them once I get out of here.
Suddenly, I felt something vibrate in my pocket along with a muffled ringing sound. It was the Imperial Communicator. I wanted to grab everything I could, but I can't miss this call. All Imperial Communicators in Ironhart City are connected to the Encephalon. Only the High Council has access to these communication lines as well as a hand-picked few.
Each communicator has a 5-inch screen and a noise suppressing microphone. These communicators are thin and can be measured by up to my thumb and pinky finger stretched out which equals to its length. Its width is close to my index finger and middle finger when put side by side.
Protocol is that anyone who has been called should answer within a minute's notice, unanswered calls requires the person who did not do so to show up in front of the Regal Court and explain their situation on the time of the call.
If the judges deem it fit, that person is free to go without a scratch, but if it's the latter, that person would probably do public service and would be suspend for about three months or worse, be locked up for three months in the Forgery depending on the judge’s decision to the insolence report. Pretty extreme for one call, and a very rare call as well but, as we all know, the rules are strictly followed within the Iron Colony.
I couldn't grab the last couple of files that were in some of the drawers. But the most important thing is that I'm not leaving here empty handed. I rushed outside of the Runic, making sure that everything was neatly put back and sealed in place. As I was rushing outside, I answered the call. I'm about 15 seconds off from the actual time it first rang.
“Hello, this is Reign, how may I be of service?” I said politely while slowly collecting my breath after I ran towards the exit.
“Hello, this is Head Arbiter Mina from the High Council, were you busy Commander Reign?” She said with a deep voice.
“I apologize as I was in the shower, I immediately ran outside to answer the call,” I said to her in a clearer voice than before.
Then suddenly, the sound of a large closing door creaking is heard as the Runic doors shut tight.
“What was that?” Arbiter Mina said in a shocked tone.
“Oh, that was the rusted fridge door I have. I'd like to apologize as I was getting something to drink,” I said out of panic.
“That sounded like— never mind, we need you here in the Encephalon as soon as you can. We have something urgent to discuss,” he said in a commanding voice.
“I‘ll be there in fifteen, Ma’am,” I replied.
“For Gold and Glory,” Arbiter Mina said in a strong tone.
“For Gold and Glory,” I replied.
I rush upstairs trying to catch my breath in the process. I race through the stairways and got to the basement one parking lot where I managed to put the files inside the trunk of my personal vehicle. I close the trunk and made my way to the elevator going up to the topmost floor.
The elevator ride was calming to say the least, but my sweat kept pouring as the adrenaline in my body was starting to burn out. My mind is solely focused on the files inside my car as I want to read them so badly like a child wanting to buy a brand-new toy. I start tapping the heels of my boots out of anticipation then I hear the elevator sound as the doors open.
Inside the top floor are the Magistrate, the Five Arbiters of Rule, Ironhart City’s most elite judicial body. Along with them is General John “Razor” Machida of the Regal Army. The room is large and the whole floor had glass walls. Everything was white and gray alongside the five arbiters who wears the same color tones. In the middle of the floor is a large rectangular table where people summoned by the High Council are seated.
“Please Commander Reign, take a seat so we can start conversing these very alarming matters,” Arbiter Mina said to me.
I take a seat as instructed by the Arbiter. Arbiter Mina used to be one of the lower branch Arbiters around the city. She went through three Iron cities before she settled here in Ironhart where she rose the ranks easily as she was already well known throughout the Colony’s Judiciary. With her short curly hair and petite stature, she rose the ranks without remorse for the people who do wrong and possibly even her Arbiter colleagues as well. It was once said that she forced two of her colleagues from Ironcore to step down from power themselves as they had taken bribes from local wealthy businessmen.
“Alright, shall we get started on this mission briefing?” General Machida said.
“Yes, General, please do the honors,” one frail man from the Magistrate said.
“We received word that there was a massive explosion near the outskirts of Coltan province. There, it is said that one of our main research facilities took a hit by an unknown individual,” General Machida explained.
“Could it possibly be the Demon, sir?” I asked with piqued interest.
“Probably your Demon friend, but we can’t be certain as there was no sightings of him from the security feeds we got from the site, which is very unusual even for the Demon,” he replied to me.
“Here, look at these files to have a better grasp of the situation,” he added as the files were handed to me by a handmaid.
I browse through the files and it seems that the explosion was seen over Duppy Village. People panicked and started to report the sighting to the nearby Ironbane City which reported the event to Ironhart so that the Regal Guard could be deployed.
“As you might not know, the research facility in Coltan houses has some of our more Top-Secret projects. I want to go there myself, but Udo and Xin are back in Extol to hand in their Tribunal Reports. The Arbitral Rules say that Ironhart is not to be left alone without a Regal General so I can’t leave this damn city,” He furiously said whilst looking towards the Magistrate.
“We understand your hunger for action, General, but the Arbitral Rules are law. So now, Ms. Reign, you will have the honor to investigate the site for us,” the old female Arbiter beside Mina said.
“Here are your orders, find any clues or insights about what had happened to the facility, if possible, find the culprit. Then execute anyone remaining besides you and your team,” Mina said in a serious tone.
“Execute? You mean save? Am I correct?” I asked her in a very confused tone.
“Execute. That is final as it has been decided by the other council members as well,” She strikingly said.
“Take my best men with you, use some as bait if you find yourself in a jam,” General Machida laughingly said.
“Can’t I bring my team, sir?” I replied.
“No, not with their recent performance. You’ll be dead even before you reach the facility if they were to come with you,” He replied with a snicker.
“Understood, sir,” I said to him holding back my anger.
“Now, go. You have 42 hours to get the job done. Use any resource you need. No need to tell your people anything, we will be informing them of the situation,” a large arbiter from behind said.
I stand up and pick up the files in front of me. I leave the room and directly go to the Ironhart Military Armory to obtain all the necessary equipment I need for the journey and possibly, an impending battle. I wanted to know about Molina badly, but I guess that has to wait for a while.
I already told myself not to be anyone’s warrior but my own, but maybe this will be my last service to Extol and to the Iron Colony as a whole. For now, I’ll follow my directives until the mission ends. Then leave my Noble Armament behind once I assure that the files I have are of Molina’s identity. Once I get what I need, I’ll leave the Ward Smiths and venture out to find my true self.
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