Crin clasped his hands behind his back, staring at the large viewscreen inside the Central Command room in the Hall of Valor. He stood in his crisply pressed charcoal uniform, yellow eyes studying the streaming data. Borealis slowly orbited him in a figure-eight.

Officers, a mix of men and women, sat working diligently at computer consoles in the rows behind him. He could hear clearly hear their hushed conversations with his enhanced hearing. Usually, they spoke freely but were afraid to disturb Crin's concentration. Soldiers always worked harder in his presence. The entire Warrior Sect was on high alert and getting ready to be mobilized at a moment's notice. The search for the Inheritor and Kormel was well underway.

He was refreshed after a night's sleep and breakfast. He still wasn't the Sovereign and every minute ticking by tried his patience. Part of him was ready to take on the task of finding Kormel for himself. Sometimes delegating tasks and relying on others could be agonizing.

The earlier part of his morning was spent in a press conference with the media. They had pummeled him with questions, most of which he couldn't divulge, as the information was classified. The worker and scholar classes were easy to panic during trying times. They could never be real leaders in Ophani society.

The reinforced doors to Central Command swished open. Crin could see behind him with Bond-sense. Prime Sky Marshal Ulana entered and descended the ramp towards him. The woman had a stern face, even when she was smiling. She nodded at her direct subordinates before falling in beside Crin.

"Knight Commander," Ulana said, taking a similar stance. "Last night, two of our border scouting fighter-drones were destroyed when hunting smugglers piloting an illegal Nightskimmer. After reviewing the footage, it appears they were destroyed by Phasematter projectiles. Our salvage teams are recovering the drones now."

We're they now.

Kormel was headed to Ordon. To be all the way at the mouth of the Goldmarsh didn't make sense. Another Bonded was involved. Could the Inheritor truly have escaped via car and crossed the border alone? Or was it some elaborate diversion?

"Mikla," Crin said to his secretary. She sat nearby tapping away on a laptop computer. "Inform Porinel to have her Shades canvas Zele. Look for any rumors about a Bonded."

Crin wouldn't count on them. Shades were the best spies on Promise, but Zele was a blackhole, easy to disappear in. He had another plan in mind using the Shades anyway.

"If you'll excuse me, I have another meeting." Crin spun on his heel with smooth grace. "He marched out of Central Command. Mikla scrambled after him, typing furiously on her laptop with one hand.

He retired to his office, which was located on the first floor of the Hall of Valor. Mika went to hers across the hall, laptop open, and closed the door with her foot. Many of the other officers had their own private suites deep underground. He referred to a smaller office with a window. Being in the lower levels of the Hall could be claustrophobic.

The walls of Crin's office were decorated with plaques of achievement, ornate ceremonial weapons and armor, and a wall-sized map of Promise with exquisite topographic details. He sat at his black cherry desk and flipped open his computer, checking recent messages and signing documents for approval.

His comm rumbled in his pocket, and he flipped it open. There was an encrypted message. After a retina scan, he opened it. Varn Scarl.

Crin, what happened to checkmate? Remember our agreement. I won't be happy if you fail to deliver. Ophan will pay.

Crin balled his fist, anger swelling. Varn was taunting him, an expected tactic from a slimeball of a man. He had promised the Scarls a return to Ophan. Where they belonged anyway, despite their stupid rebellion. It's why they sent Retrik to assassinate Elohon. A simple exchange benefited both parties.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Of course, he had helped direct the blame for the assassination to the Free States. The Scarls would never be suspected of regicide. Varn had no right to threaten him. His hands were clean, while Crin had to get his dirty to get what they both wanted.

He typed a quick reply. Patience is a virtue. Remember your place.

Reuniting with Scarleon was to be his first official act as Sovereign. The second would be dissolving the pointless Forum. Argent Knights and Crimson Guard would be united against the corrupted Free States. They would easily annex the territory after a short war.

The Free States were crumbling, and their military would be slow to respond. He imagined it taking a few weeks at the most to snuff out any resistance. A blitzkrieg would make the rest of Promise's nations tremble.

Knight Vivana entered a brief time after, well presented in her uniform, hair tied in a bun.

"Sir."

She stood at attention, awaiting his command. Her chrome-shelled Caster floated behind her, spinning slowly. As if spotting each other, the two Casters met in the air, orbiting each other slowly. Both immediately recalled their Casters to stand at their side. They could be unruly machines at times; had to reign them in.

Crin closed his computer and smiled. He gestured to the chair across from him. "At ease, Knight."

Vivana pulled a chair out and sat, back straight, amber eyes forward. She was an exemplary soldier, natural leader, and brilliant fighter.

She reminded him of his younger self, the peak of his Knightly career before the weight of leadership was thrust upon him. Those were the days when he had nothing to worry about. Only the next mission. He had been far too talented to simply remain a Knight. The Halorans had always been an ascendant House, producing a fine stock of leaders. Command was a burden he now held willingly, as he loved Ophan and wanted to see it prosper.

"I appreciate you making the quick trip back here on short notice," Crin said in a warm, inviting voice. He knew many of his subordinates found him intimidating. It didn't do any good. It was better to be approachable as a leader.

"Not a problem, sir. The Sovereign is dead, and the Inheritor missing is about as urgent a situation there can be."

Crin gave her a grave node. "I hope you read my report."

"Yes, sir, I'm all caught up on our movements and plans. How can I assist?"

"This is about a dire situation, as we've seen. We're now on the brink of war without our leader." Crin steepled his hands. "I have a mission in mind for you. It will be an excellent chance for you to showcase your abilities."

She didn't appear nearly as eager as he anticipated. She merely nodded. "I am honored, sir. Whatever you need."

A leader must be able to read their followers to turn their doubts into resolve.

"What is it, Knight? You may tell me."

"I can't help but feel responsible. If I hadn't left the morning before…I would have been close enough to the Inheritor to protect him from harm."

"You did your duty, exactly what I commanded you to do. You taught the Inheritor the basics of being Bonded. It is not your responsibility to see to his protection as well. A Bonded should be able to defend themselves. Unfortunately, he couldn't."

Vivana exhaled and nodded. He could see the guilt in her eyes. Despite her talents, she hadn't been hardened by conflict like Crin. Hopefully, this mission would be a remedy for that lack of experience. They would soon be at war, and he needed capable commanders in the trenches.

"He is a faster learner," Vivana said after a moment of thought. "I was surprised by his progress in a short time. With more practice, he will be ready."

Crin lied, "Perhaps. We'll have to focus on making him a proper Sovereign. His Bonded training is not nearly as important as how he responds to this attack on our country."

He would see the Inheritor dead before ever returning, even if he had to do it himself. Nothing would get in his way. He was close enough he could taste the power.

"This is all a moot discussion unless we get him back." Crin waved a dismissive hand. "I believe the one who knows the Inheritor's location is Kormel. You defeated him once. I'll have you do it again. You're to track him and bring him to me. I sequestered a team of Shades to assist you. Use them to your advantage. They are the best spies we have."

She sat forward, alert. The excitement of the mission finally snagged her. "I will join them right away."

Crin smirked, glad he had her hooked. "They're waiting for you at the skyport. You'll be going incognito for this mission aboard an airship registered to the Free States. It will deliver you to Ordon, where Kormel was last known to be headed."

Vivana stood straight, backed, and saluted. "Thank you for the opportunity, sir. I'll be going now."

"Vivana," Crin said, causing her to pause at the threshold, turning back.

"You're going have to do things gloves off. Our enemies, the Syndicate, are spineless slimes. They will do everything in their power to test your limits. Be ferocious, and stay on the offensive. Do not give them any quarter for what they have done to our great nation."

"I will make the Syndicate bleed, sir." Vivana gave a short bow of respect and walked off.