Making their way through the city is the easy part. The recently built grand palace is visible from almost every section of the city. It’s a sprawling five story building, made of silver brick covered in a reflective coating with the potential to blind anyone who looks towards it whenever the sun hits the bricks at the right angle.
Flags of their country fly from the highest points and spreading out from there are the various flags from countries they’ve conquered. It's an ostentatious display, one meant to show how many have fallen to them and the blinding light, a subtle reminder to never go against Haithen.
Surrounding the grand palace is a smaller military compound, if only because a bigger one would destroy the view. The soldier’s barracks are behind the palace out of sight and only a few shorter buildings dot the front and sides. It doesn’t matter though, there are watch towers and soldiers all over.
This is the best part, the time when their own secrecy works against them. Ocher has changed back into his now clean army uniform and Azure watches as he walks right through the entrance and the guards give no more than a rudimentary glance at his uniform and badge. If the government wasn’t so unwilling to let any type of weakness show, all the soldiers would know to be on the lookout for a deserter fitting his description.
Instead it’s what makes this easy.
After the first bomb he delivered, a strict policy was put in place of no unauthorized deliveries. So, they rely on the soldier’s apathy to get inside.
Once Ocher is inside the compound, he heads into the city streets to meet Ocher near the back. Ocher’s next step is to take out one of the tower guards and from there he’d be in the clear to cut his way through the barbed wire fence and slip through.
When he’s circumvented the perimeter, he sees a single slash of red against the tower, the sign that he can enter. Azure crouches down in the spot closest to the tower, hidden from the other watchers, and deftly cuts a section free, just large enough for him to crawl through. He marvels at the ease in which they were able to get in. Either the capital is incompetent or arrogant enough to think that no one would try to confront them on their own territory.
Ocher appears in front of him and reaches out a hand to pull him up. “There are guards at the entrance to the palace, we can’t get in there without being seen.”
“That’s fine, there won’t be any where we need to go. Sara told me their weekly meetings are held in the third level receiving room. It’s exclusive access, only officials and top ranked commanders. Stand back.”
Azure uses the energy of several surrounding lights to coalesce a fireball and easily blows a hole through the palace wall. He grabs Ocher and climbs over the scorched brick, heading towards the second floor. The blueprints have long since been memorized through hours of poring over them in preparation for this.
He can already hear the soldiers rushing toward the source of the noise and they head in the opposite direction. With a few easy shortcuts, they manage to avoid being seen until they reach the receiving room. Azure nods at Ocher and the other boy pushes open the heavy wooden doors.
“We’re under attack!” He shouts. “They’ve already gotten inside the compound and blown a hole in the north wall! Please evacuate,” he adds onto the end, showing false respect for the higher ranking officials.
The group of men split into two, all the uniformed generals run towards the action while those dressed in suits hastily make their way in the opposite direction. Azure watches them go until he throws out an arm stopping the last man from leaving.
“Move!” He demands. “We’re under attack.” The man’s eyes sweep over him, taking in his lack of a uniform and something must catch in his memory because he goes pale.
Azure gives him a hard shove back into the receiving room and Ocher follows after him, locking the doors. There’s not a single window in the receiving room or any type of furniture save a throne in the far back of the room.
The floor is made of gray marble and there are multiple canals through which water gently flows by, dividing the room. Even more surprising is the line of lit torches down each wall of the room. Torches haven’t been used for centuries. He can’t see any point for anyone else other than aesthetic.
But, for himself, this room is a weapon. The canals and the torches are perfect energy sources. He can only wonder who designed this room and for what purpose.
Azure steps away and Ocher levels his gun at the leader of Haithen when he attempts to make a break for it. He falters and raises his hands in acquiescence, “What do you want?” He rolls his eyes in annoyance, “Who did we wrong this time? You want money? Restitution? You took quite a risk for something that’s likely going to end with you dead.”
“Yes, I’m here for restitution,” Azure answers. “Although I already have plenty of money.”
“So you’re here to see me suffer?” He questions, the first signs of fear beginning to creep onto his face.
“Yes...and no. About ten years ago, I lived with my family. We didn’t bother anyone and kept to ourselves. Then because we were unwilling to fight for you, you decided to kill us all by burning my town to the ground in one of your surprise attacks. First you gassed us, then you lit the whole place on fire,” Azure recalls tonelessly. “It was horrific, you showed no mercy for anyone.”
He goes pale, eyes darting around the room for escape. “You’re one of them.”
“I am.”
“We thought all of you were dead.”
“I guess you missed one.”
“Look,” He begins in a cajoling tone. “That was a mistake, it was wrong of us to do that. We became a little too prideful when your people refused.”
“Well,” Azure spreads his arms. “I’m glad you understand it was a mistake, so you’ll understand why I have to do this.”
“Wait! It wasn’t my choice,” he pleads, wise enough to know it won’t be a quick end. “I had no other option!”
“You’re the leader! Of course you had a choice, just like when you force people to submit to you or be killed!”
“No,” he shakes his head. “I’m not really in charge here. I do what I’m told.”
Azure narrows his eyes at the man kneeling in front of him, “I remember you being there, giving the order to kill everyone. Don’t lie to me.”
He flinches, “I did do that, but that was many years ago! Things have changed, I’ve done so many things that I regret now.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve changed now, you still gave the order.”
“I know! If I could go back, I would change it!”
A door creaks open, drawing his attention away before he can tell the soon to be former leader of Haithen what he thinks of his regret. Another man walks in. “Are you bullying our poor leader? He really does have no control here.”
Azure’s eyes widen in surprise, “You?” Odaius smiles at him pityingly and he looks much different than before. No longer is he in the nondescript clothes of before. Now, he stands regal in a navy blue suit with a simple gold chain around his neck. His confidence here says it all. “I knew I couldn’t trust you.”
“And you were right.” Odaius steps farther into the room, eyes sweeping over the scene. “I’m the one in charge here and you’ve caused me enough trouble. I had to see who was behind everything and end it. I was pleasantly surprised that I only had to worry about the two of you.”