Going Rogue

Jol was cursing himself all the way to the elevator. Hote had stolen a baton from the armory for some starforsaken reason. He hoped that this was merely some argument that had gotten out of hand. Something he could keep on the down low and not report. Anything worse, he was going to find himself scrubbing toilets for the rest of his life.

The lonely elevator provided Jol with enough time to wonder what had happened. His hands trembled as he wondered if the guests were more trouble than Jani had indicated. After all, he had grabbed a baton for himself, just in case. He looked at the screen of his wrist computer, which had a ping for the weapon's tracking chip. It was moving down the hallway, which made Jol hope its user had no intent of using it.

When the elevator came to a stop, Jol rushed down the hallways to find Colonel Bravi and Princess Kira talking. Upon seeing Jol, Bravi grabbed the princess' arm and pulled her in front of him.

"W-what are you doing?" Kira cried, her face falling into a shocked expression.

Bravi locked eyes with Jol. "Stay back."

Instinct kicked in for Jol, who entered a bladed stance, pointing his Pneumatic Baton at the foreign commander.

"You're the new boy, aren't you? The Raider they spat on for doing his job."

"Where's Hote?" Jol shouted.

"Hote is dead. Join us or join him."

"Join you in what?"

"In overthrowing the King."

Kira began to struggle so Bravi pulled her in. His eyes burned with fanaticism. He might have been an old man, but he was still a trained killer willing to die for his cause.

"Let me go!" She cried.

"Quiet you harlot." Bravi snarled. The distraction allowed Jol to take a step or so further until Bravi turned to Jol and pointed his baton at Jol.

"Stay back. You take one more step and the Princess dies." Bravi said.

"Do you really think you can get away with this?"

"Of course. You can join us if you want. Serve a ruler who deserves it, rather than a fat fool of a king and his slut daughter."