Premortal

Chapters 54 - 55

Chapter 54 – Jubilant

When first division left Michael, they were jubilant. They had exacted revenge on one who richly deserved it. The colonel's pride had been restored to all of its former glory, and his men now had a new level of respect for him, having felt in battle the heightened level of aggression that his encounter with Michael had invoked. While his men were ecstatic, there were two things troubling the noble leader.

The first was the fact that Michael had somehow repelled them just as it appeared that they would completely destroy him. Whilst he was not the brightest of sparks, by any stretch of the imagination, he did manage to deduce that there was something in this that did not bode well for the future. His second concern was more immediate. Since his promotion to colonel, he had been 'favoured' to interact with Lucifer on a few occasions, and consequently he had already learned to fear him, principally due to his unpredictability. One never knew whether Lucifer would reward or punish. So, on the one hand he was excited that Lucifer may reward him handsomely for this victory, but on the other hand he feared that he may be punished for overstepping his authority.

His sensitivity to Lucifer's whim and fancy was heightened by the fact that he now had so much to lose. He could think of nothing worse than to be demoted from his esteemed office. In a very short time, his brittle self-esteem had attached itself entirely to his position of authority. After much toing and froing he made his decision. Ultimately his fear overcame his optimism, as is common for the wicked. He resolved that Lucifer must not know of their victory until such time as he was able to ascertain that it would be a reward, and not a punishment, that would be forthcoming. Before they arrived back at barracks he commanded his troops to gather round so that he could put this proposal to them.

'Men, we have won a great victory today,' he started.

In response to this statement his men cheered so loudly that an outsider may have been deceived into thinking that the regiment had won a battle in which they had been hopelessly outnumbered.

Once they had settled from this raucous show of emotion he set to work on them.

'Despite this, I suggest that we keep this victory quiet for a little.'

There was strong dissent to this suggestion, particularly from the major.

'That's ridiculous! Why wouldn't we want to publish our victory so that we can be rewarded?' the major said sharply, already eyeing off an appointment as colonel of one of the other divisions.

'Because we may be punished, not rewarded,' the colonel replied aggressively.

'Why in heaven would we be punished?' replied the major, almost as aggressively.

'Because Lucifer may feel that we should have cleared the attack with him!' screamed the colonel, gnashing his teeth and getting right in the major's face.

The major was infuriated but backed down, having just experienced the full aggression of his leader in battle.

Having obtained his purpose, the colonel caused each of his troops to swear an oath that they would not reveal anything of the attack. The colonel himself, as their commanding officer, was to decide when and if to report the matter. Not trusting the integrity and good character of his division, the leader did what all tyrants do to maintain control, he issued a threat.

'Alright men, I expect your obedience. Rest assured that if any of you do not keep this covenant then you'll be dealt with in a manner that would make even Snab shudder.'

Snab wasn't on the mission, being totally incapable of it, but the point was well made and the unit knew precisely what their indiscretion could cost them. With the matter settled, the colonel returned to barracks with his division, feeling somewhat comforted. During his debrief with the Generals he advised them that nothing unusual had taken place during the course of the mission, and this was the message that the Generals conveyed to Lucifer.