Chapter 5

"I was just a lowly castle guard, who would believe me? Now I am the captain of the Castle Guard and can prove your innocence, my lord. Duke Jonas is hosting a feast tonight. I know the passageways and guardsmen who support you. I can help sneak you in today. I am loyal to you my lord, I swear."

The sturdy man in front of me was the contact, Captain Charles Lemure. My comrades had brought him to the rendezvous after searching him thoroughly. I would have been more cautious but he had shown me the audio recording he had of the night the Grand Vizier had been murdered. Conferring with Cassandra and the remaining Knights, I decided to make a last assault on Jonas.

Nodding appreciatively, I said "We will sneak in just after sunset. We will first go to the call centre and secretly contact the other feudal lords and show them our evidence. Then a group will stay and operate the gadgets there while the other infiltrates the dining hall. After that, it's all acting on the go."

This proclamation was greeted by grim nods. The atmosphere was charged with grief and anger at the death of our fallen comrades. Cassandra nodded her acceptance.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I turned away, mentally vowing, "I will avenge you, guys. I will make the future we longed for a reality."

*****

"Sneaking in was the easy part. Now for the second stage of the plan; Jake, Mark," I signalled to a pair of twins, "Lead the way. Robert," I ordered a sandy-haired teen, "Take the rear. Don't talk and please set your weapons to stun mode. Cass!" I called softly.

"Yes?" Cassandra asked. I had introduced her by the nickname I used to call her and nobody seemed to suspect that she was nobility...yet.

"Don't use your Laserbades unnecessarily. They are military-grade rapiers forged from concentrated lasers. Use your Laserknives or a sidearm; it will make you less conspicuous. Also, stay by me at all times."

She inclined her head and we set off at a steady pace. Captain Lemure was waiting for us at the call centre's entrance with two men. They bowed and opened the door. Quietly, the Oppressed Knights entered and surrounded the employees and held them at gunpoint.

Closing the door behind me and sensing the tension that enveloped the room, I spoke, "We are not here to hurt you. I would just like to contact the feudal lords through Jonas's comm systems. If you help us, none will be harmed but any attempt to raise alarm will result in a swift stun shot. I do not ask you to believe that I am innocent but for your and your colleagues' sake please don't do anything stupid. Know that we can operate these machines without you."