Micca stood on the roof of a building and looked out over the city. He could see the teams of armed naval security forces sweeping over the city, but he didn't move. He knew he was in the area they had already encircled. There was no chance to escape; no chance to hide; no chance to avoid his fate.
Over the last decade he had built up his own domain. The people around him were loyal and devoted. His wallet was always full of money. When he sat down to eat his plate was always full.
He accomplished all of this himself. Now all that will go away.
The Holy Emperor's Navy constantly needed new recruits, if they could be called that. They were more of commodities that were taken when needed. Slaves taken and pressganged into service with no chance of escaping once selected. Only one man on this world could change his fate now, The Baron.
Barons tended to rule their worlds with an iron fist. The only way they helped you was if you were in their inner circle. Heck, some even took enjoyment in randomly making life harder for those under their rule.
Micca watched as his friends and underlings ran across the streets trying to run and hide. Some of them he had known since childhood and others were recent acquaintances. Whatever the case, they helped him build his organization and he wouldn't forget them.
Some of them were gunned down as they tried to resist the Naval Security Forces, while others went quietly once found. A few even took similar approaches to him and welcomed their fate as they were grabbed, hoping for easier treatment. Micca was under no such false illusions as everyone gets treated the same when captured. He just didn't feel like doing anything else.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Eventually Micca was approached by the NSF and he turned towards them and held out his hands. He was cuffed, shackled, then brought to a line of other people as a chain was connected to each of them. Then two of the officers flanked them as another led them from the front and they were walked through the city.
They passed through sections of the town which were now desolate now that the NSF had passed through it. Buildings left empty with all the belongings remaining inside. After everyone was hauled off to the navy ship above looters would run rampant in this area taking anything of value. Eventually new people would move in and take over the empty buildings.
Some of the buildings they passed even had signs of battle done to them. Bullet holes, explosive damage, barricades, and the normal things. These were from groups who either thought it was better to die fighting or those dumb enough to think they could actually resist.
Eventually Micca's group was brought to an open area where soon a shuttle landed and everyone was shoved into it. The shuttle was made to accommodate twenty people; Micca's group numbered around forty. They were pushed in as those in front fell over and were quickly piled onto by those behind.
The entire group ended up in a pile of living bodies on the floor of the shuttle as they raised the boarding ramp. As it closed Micca could even hear a crunch and then a yell as someone's leg or foot was crushed by the closing mechanism of the ramp. Those at the bottom of the pile gasped for air as they were crushed by those on top.
It was as morbid of a sight as Micca had ever saw. Their heavy breathing along with their pleas to be given more room slowly got quieter until nothing could be heard from them at all. Commodities. That is all they were. A few damaged goods in the process of shipping was normal.
Barely after the ramp had even closed they already begun their ascent to the sky. It was hard to pay attention to the movements of the shuttle when those around him were making so many noises, but from the sounds of it they were getting close to leaving the atmosphere.