Revolutionary - Elaina H (each kindness read aloud txt) 📗

Prologue

            “Soldier, I’m going to ask you once more. Where did you place the stolen firearms? We know it was you, no use denying it. It’s all on tape.”

            Of course, Veronica was bluffing, but nobody besides Derik, her most trusted advisor, knew that. Most importantly, the soldier was unaware.

            “I…I can’t tell you!” Sweat glistened on the soldier’s brow, and a hint of a smile played on Veronica’s lips. He was about to crack. Soon she would have the information she needed.

            “Listen, Carl, I promise you,” Veronica leaned towards him, and was close enough to feel his rotten breath on her face, “I will torture the words out of you if you don’t tell me now. It’s your choice really,” she turned on her heels and walked to the cabinets at the back of the dark cellar.

            She slowly dragged the edge of a blade along the tabletop, a large screech echoed through the room; everyone cringed, but not Veronica.

            The soldier in the chair took a shaky breath before speaking again, “The guns. I took them because my family needed them! My home,” he immediately notice how those two words made Veronica’s nostrils flare in anger, and he changed them, “The house I once lived in, it’s been repeatedly attacked, and my little brother, he was only ten, was killed in the last raid.”

            Veronica clicked her tongue, “Carl, can you answer one question for me? Why did I discontinue the sale of firearms? Huh? Carl, answer.”

            “I…I suppose it was because you needed them, ma’am.”

            She cocked her head to the left, and ran a hand through her long platinum hair, “Yes, I suppose that is true. But more so, Carl, people, regular people, cannot handle that sort of power. The power to kill. You see, isn’t that what ruined our beloved nation in the first place? The common man having so much power.” Veronica drew the blade across the soldiers upper thigh, and he whimpered, but she didn’t care.

            “Who should have the power than? Who does the power belong to, Carl?”

            The soldier swallowed hard, and he looked into his ruler’s eyes, “You, my queen.”

            “Ah, ah, ah,” Veronica teased, “flattery will get you no where. Don’t you know that silly boy?!” Veronica was growing impatient with her game, and had quickly decided to the end it.

            “No matter, I’ll have qualified soldiers retrieve the guns from your family. Of course, I imagine they’ll have to use force…” Veronica let the thought brew in the soldier’s brain for a moment before she spoke. “Don’t worry, Carl, I’ll show you mercy.” The hope that glittered in the soldier’s eyes made Veronica giddy, “I won’t make you watch as your family is beaten.”

            A smile spreads across her face, and Veronica pulled the handgun from its holster before neatly placing a bullet in the middle of the soldier’s forehead.

2382 April 10: 1400 hours

            “I don’t think you understand, Veronica, the people aren’t happy. I wouldn’t put it past them to do something about it!” Derik slammed his fist on the strategizing table, and Veronica’s heart leapt.

            It wasn’t often that Derik got angry. She remembered the last time, and bit her lip. That could not happen again. That situation was entirely out of her control.

            This time would be different. She would allow Derik to get angry, but it would be under her terms. She would stop it when ever she wanted.

            “Derik, you must be joking! A small group of poor, filthy people trying to beat their way through to our fortress with their own grimy fists? Let’s be serious here, you’ve obviously lost your touch.”

            Veronica, played with the pen on the table, and Derik grew angrier. The moment was coming where he would burst, and Veronica knew exactly how to contain the explosion.

            “Veronica! I’ve been advising you for two years! Just because you’re nineteen now, doesn’t mean you’re ready to make all the big decisions! You’re just foolish if you think that’s the case.”

            She had intended to stop the argument there, but something about his words made her angry too, and she snapped at him, “Oh please, Derik, you’re only twenty-two. You can’t even legally drink alcohol yet!”

            “Really? Veronica, you’re turning this into a child’s argument! I find this disagreement quite pointless if you’re only fighting against yourself.”

            Somewhere along the way, Derik had kept his head and Veronica had lost hers. She didn’t like the way it made her feel to be so out of control.

            So, she did something completely sporadic and unanticipated. She kissed Derik.

            Veronica had always known that Derik wanted her, and she assumed he always would. To her, this was simply a game.

            Derik kissed her passionately, but Veronica merely did what the game required. Once she thought the kissing time had been sufficient, she pulled away and glanced at the clock.

            “I have to get ready for dinner with the General of the West Republic. I imagine it will be a long and boring dinner, but you’re welcome to join us, Derik.” Derik stared at Veronica, and she smiled to herself. He was right where she wanted him.

            Derik stuttered, “I…I will…I’ll come.”

            She saluted Derik, and left the room.

            She had a dinner to prepare for.

2382 April 10: 1600 hours

            With the dinner being so late, Veronica had plenty of time to prepare herself for the evening. She decided on her signature color, black, and usual hair style, a high pony placed perfectly centered on her head.

            The dress she wore went down to the floor, yet left little to the imagination. A slit cut up the side, and ended abruptly at her upper thigh. I deep plunge in her neckline showed plenty, but she was sure the crusty, old general from the west would wish to see more, as he usually did.

            Although Veronica wished anything but to marry the old man, she knew it was necessary for the time being to let him believe he had a chance with her.

            Veronica made her way toward the dining room in her bright, blood, red stilettos. The click the shoes made on the cold, tile floor warned her soldiers and guards she was on the move.

            The eerie silence that sat like a lurking monster in the hallways made Veronica anxious, and she nearly tripped over her own feet.

            What was wrong with her? She never tripped. It felt as though she hadn’t made a mistake in years.

            Of course, her father would certainly argue the point saying Veronica hadn’t done a single thing right.

            Veronica’s father, General of the Northern Republic, had always been a hard man, and she had always known so. There was only one person The General had ever loved, and she had been her mother.

            Her mother had died only a week or so after Veronica was born, and the General had always blamed Veronica. It was hard for Veronica not to blame herself, but she pushed the thought away from her mind.

            She needed to focus.

            Her father wasn’t here breathing down her neck as he usually was. He had left Veronica in control of The First Territory. She was one of the three Lieutenants in charge.

            Lieutenant Darren was in command of The Second Territory, as he had been for ten years. Lieutenant Simon had gained control of The Third Territory only in the last month or so.

            Both men were completely foolish, and clearly ruled their Territory with a weak hand.

            Veronica knew better, and she proved it too; even if her father didn’t always see it.

             Two guards stood on either side of the ten foot steel doors that led to the dining room. Both men bowed slightly in acknowledgment of her status, and opened the doors for her.

            Veronica immediately noticed the General of the West. He sat at the far end of the table munching on breadsticks. His large belly pushed against the table, and a small pile of crumbs sat on it.

            “General!” Veronica called with a grand flourish. The General looked up, startled, and smiled at her. His grimy teeth were visible from ten feet away, and Veronica felt herself swallow with disgust.

            “Lady Veronica O’Neil! How is your father doing?” the General was obviously fishing for important information, but he would find it here. She replied simply, “Fine.”

            He nodded his head, and pulled a velvet covered chair out for Veronica. She gave him a smile. The General grinned back, and he hadn’t even notice how fake her’s had been.

            “How is the Western Republic, General? I’ve heard rumors or vagrant attacks. Is it true?” Veronica already knew the answer. It was most definitely true, and it was quite obvious he was here to ask for her help since her’s was the nearest Territory beside the Southern Republic, and everyone knew how weak they had become lately.

            “Well, it’s sad to say, but the rumors are true. There aren’t too many rebels, but there is more than anyone could have expected. It appears No Man’s Land is no longer empty. The rebels have taken to calling the land their home.” The General wiped his mouth. “I haven’t simply come here on a social call, Lady O’ Neil. I’ve come to ask a favor. I’m in need of help with my Second Territory. My First is helping, but the numbers aren’t enough.

            “They come in the night when we’re least expecting it, and they never kill large amounts of men. They’re basically causing ruckus…”

            Veronica held up her hand, ending the man’s lecture, “If your problem is annoyance, why do you need be?”

            The General licked his lips, “You see, they’ve been revealing things to the public. There hasn’t just been uprising from the rebels, there’s been revolts from the citizens; especially those with less money than most. We’ve also realized that a number of people have dropped off the grid completely. We’ve searched over No Man’s Land repeatedly, and seen nothing. There’s been rumors of impossible things. One person even said they saw their sister brainwashed into leaving.”

            Veronica sighed heavily, she knew the General was making up lies to save his own butt. No one wanted to look like an idiot in front of a more powerful empire. Veronica simply asked the General, “Are you trying to tell me your people are running off with the rebels?!” Her anger was evident, and the General cowered. Some General he was, weak.

            “Lady, you must understand. The people are hard to control. The riots have gotten out of control, and I’m only asking that you send 500 hundred soldiers to patrol the borders of The Second Territory,” the General’s smile had turned into a frown, and his eyes were darting back and forth across Veronica’s face, searching before the answer before she spoke the words.

            She picked up the steak knife from the table, and played with the tip while she spoke, “You expect me to send 500 men to your Territory, and leave mine so unprotected? What do I get out of it? What’s my benefit?” For Veronica, there always had to be something in it for her. It was just a fact.

            “What…What do you want?” his fear was evident, and Veronica almost laughed at it. She didn’t, but she almost did.

            “I don’t know,” she said carelessly. “What are you going to do with these rebels you capture?” her question had two parts. One, what was this weak general’s plan for getting information, and two, when could she expect to here some information.

            He ran his sausage fingers through his graying hair, “I suppose we’ll kill them. On sight, of course.”

            This time she couldn’t help it, Veronica laugh out loud, “You’ll kill them,