Renegades

This Means War

I woke in a cold sweat. A sharp, shiver ran up my spine as I sat up. I checked the clock. 05:00 it read. It was still dark out, the only light came from the distant city. I rose out of bed slowly. I showered, brushed my teeth and got dressed.I left my room. On my way to the Science lab, I was interrupted by the King's ambassador, Desta Sitko. He was a tall, frail man. Always worrying about something or other.

"Ma'am," His voice, filled with panic. He was on the brink of screaming.

"Nope," My voice was the exact opposite. Calm and annoyed.

"Sorry. Professor, you are needed in the conference hall. It is urgent,"

"One. It isn't a hall it's a room that happens to be long. Two. Why? I'm never allowed in there. Why now?"

"Well if you follow me mmaa-professor, I will explain on the way,"

"Smooth recovery,"

So we walked together. I walked slowly, taking large steps. I was short but had long legs, just like I am now. Desta however, had tiny legs for such a tall man. He was doing a little dance to keep up. I can't remember exactly what he said but it was along the lines of...

"Panic!!! War!!! Crisis!!! You are our only hope!"

Well okay, it wasn't like that at all. But when you look at the bigger picture it might as well have been. 

We opened the doors only to be met with silence. All eyes turned to me and looked me up and down. 

Brown hair, styled and cut in the shape of a small, quiff-like mohawk. Piercing green eyes and pale, tattooed skin. I wore an old black tank top and dirty skinny jeans to match. Laced up combat boots, also black. I could tell they didn't think much of me. Though I worked and lived in the palace I was still a commoner, I hadn't forgotten my roots. 

"Hello my majesties, what brings us together on this joyous day to have a fine tea party," I bowed mockingly, I sank low and my arms stretched out far and never broke eye-contact with the king, Jamon Armstrong. When I returned to a standing position with a smirk on my face, I saw the faces of many, disgusted councilors.

"People are dying, Luna. We are at war," Armstrong finally spoke.

"What? But we were fine like, 5 hours ago,"

"As you know, the Meredson star cluster and The Armstrong Council have been quarreling for quite some time now. About 4 hours ago, they declared war,"

"But aren't they still under the council's command? They are still part of this system,"

"Not entirely," A new voice spoke. Jamon's youngest daughter, Rosa Armstrong.

"You see when our family first conquered this region of space we never exactly conquered Meredon entirely. We simply came to an agreement. The deal was that we would control the trade and law yet we  weren't allowed to colonize it. They receive trade benefits without carrying the burdens of colonies and losses of resources,"

Her voice was sweet and lively. It suited her personality well.

"So why the outbreak? Why wage a war if there is no problem?" I asked. The situation was very confusing.

"Well that's the problem," Jamon returned to explaining.

"The lack of a problem is a problem?" I retorted.

"No. The problem is that they think the laws have become too harsh on them, that we are draining their resources through "unfair" taxations and forcing them into poverty,"

"What sort of taxes are you talking about? Would they not receive fewer taxes if they are not our colony?"

"Many planets in Meredon have brilliant cores, filled with unknown minerals and ores. As they are so rare, miners must individually pay 20% of their income and 50% of their findings to the local government,"

"Which is controlled by us?"

"No. The government will then send the ores and income to us. It seems as if this confidential deal managed to find its way into the general public's ears,"

"Wait so others don't know?"

"Of course not. If they did no one would become a miner. Only the lower class and they don't work like the middle class does,"

That remark struck a little too close to home for me. My voice grew stern and my facial expression became serious, the first time in a while. I felt the room grow cold.

"Do the miners even know?"

"Well... not exactly,"

I felt all my respect for the crown leave.

"So, these people who work their asses off day and night for you, loose 1/5 of their income and 1/2 of their work and they don't even know it? And they work what? 16 hours a day? And they only get 42 Bhirs! And you want to act like the victim? You are robbing these workers!"

Before I knew it I was being dragged out of the room by a guard. I was brought to a part of the palace that I had never seen before. I struggled and the guard drove his arcicular, metal fingers into my should. I cried out in pain. He hauled me into an extravagant room. It was covered in Royal Family portraits, war medals and maps.  I was pushed down into a chair that faced the desk. 

In came Jamon again. Followed by Rosa and Admiral Thornton.

The King sat behind his desk. Rosa handed him a CHT ( computerised, hologram, tablet ). It was quite a show. The Admiral handed him some papers.

"Are we done the performance or do we need to burst into a musical number?" Though I feared for my life, I feared I would die of boredom first.

"For someone with five cuts in their shoulder you sure like to make unessecary comments," Jamon remarked.

"Sorry, sir. Should I go sit in the naughty corner?" 

I didn't see the King that often. But when I had the chance to talk to him it was fun to rile him up. Afterall, I was the best goddamn inventor in the entire Armstrong System. I was invincible.

"I didn't get to my point last time we spoke. I was interrupted by yelling,"

"Fine. The "oh so helpless victim" may speak,"

"On the planet Vttrium there is a research facility. This is the planet's largest source of income. We need to find out why. But of course, we aren't scientists. And none of the others now how to wield a gun. They don't have a history with gangs now do they?"

I sunk into the chair slightly. I could feel my stomach growing heavy and my heart sank. How did they know?

"We are going to send in a group of soldiers to infiltrate the facility. It is heavily guarded and we will need different squads in each area, carrying out different tasks. Your squad will be led by Rosa. You are to sneak in and find out  what is so special about the place. You will need to obtain the files. Don't worry you will have a navigational system built into your armour. Hopefully, you will not need to fight as you are the stealth team,"

"And if I say no?"

"Oh, Luna dear. We never asked. We simply orderd,"