They chose their Causality.

"Oi, Chief. Wake up." Falco's blurry vision was opening up as he found himself in a bar. Groggy from the alcohol, Falco turned to his left and right. Seeing men and women clad in olive uniforms with his coat being orange. Looking at the emblem. Section 3 Morning Star which as the name suggested was a spiked club as the logo. Memories began flowing in.

"We got a job in the streets. Chief Ashenworth of Section 3 will be leading the assault." Voice echoing in his ears as his vision showed Falco putting on a pair of gloves. Putting on the helmet. Heading inside as guns were aimed at his face.

"The Dogs of the Empire!" They fired their guns but Falco went close, punching their faces. Breaking chins, tearing jaws off as he went on a merciless beatdown as the others provided cover with firearms. The memories flowed in gently as Falco got on his feet. Seems like they were all blacked out drunk inside a military bar. One that only members of Section 3 would frequent. According to memory members of the Steobian Imperial Special Army had been different. It was peaceful but there were cases of gangs breaking in. Laws changed but the Steobian Imperial Special Army still had its own way of operating. They were the Empire's safeguards.

I wonder which section are the others in? Falco got up as he grabbed the members, throwing them into a truck and getting it. The truck would bring them to their residences where Falco struggled to get his act together. Everything was a mess, stepping into his small apartment, getting on the couch. It was only 1AM. So he had 6 hours of sleep left. Sleeping in.

A crazy alarm clock would wake him up, Falco got dressed for work. Putting on the coat of Section 3 as he found a cigarette pack in his pocket. Inspecting the pack, only seeing two cigarettes missing. So I'm not a chimney. Good to know. Leaving the apartment as he found his way into an urban area. Fully packed with apartments of all sizes, flats, terraces and even bungalows sandwiched between each other. No harmony. Just bizarre. The roads were perfect, a deep char rather than a worn out gray. No potholes. Streetlights that covered every single place. Even lights by the walls of the alleys.

No privacy at all. Falco moved to his workplace, the Imperial Special Army HQ. A large base that was guarded by the regular army members. A huge park within the base itself, with animals moving about. Noticing members of the 12 Sections taking a moment to play with cats, dogs, birds, foxes and several other fauna that had been moseying about. Changes that Durandal Chief Raven Ashenworth had introduced. Something to help the members to destress during their tougher jobs.

Morning Star. The name of the Emperor's third weapon. If Durandal was the first blade, then morning star was the third. Designed to completely destroy enemies in cases where Durandal would have trouble operating in. Falco continued on, heading into the office as he clocked in with his card.

"Morning Chief!" The members greeted as Falco got into his office, placing his coat to the side. Glancing at the operations for the day. The Imperial Army and Imperial Police had given plenty of work for them to do. There were some operations authorized from Section 5 Chief Aquila, with information vetted by Section 6 Chief Stervy. There was also the case of a protest from Section 2 Chief Dolores on some of the operations because it was not suited for Section 3 due to Section 3's gung-ho nature.

Picking and choosing the operations was key. Grabbing the dossier as he would pay a visit to Section 6 first. Section 6 Stiletto. Black coats with Stervy wearing the gray coat in his office. A pair of glasses as he filtered through the information. Three knocks on the door as Falco came in.

"Morning, Stervy. About these ops..."

"It feels a little surreal that we're here. 60 years after Raven's gone." Shutting the door as Falco took a seat in front of Stervy.

"Yeah but we got a job. So about some of these ops..." Then followed by Section 5 Spearhead's Chief Aquila along with Section 2 Hammer's Chief Dolores walking in. The members of Stiletto were feeling the stress. It was mainly because the 4 Sections were too busy trying to one-up each other with their achievements and operations.

"Memories flowing in like that. God no wonder all of us had hangovers. Makes it easy to step into these roles. What's worse is that we're glory seeking bastards. Tch." Aquila clicked his tongue, a little annoyed at the idea that he has to play such a role in a bizarre manner.

"So then let's change that. It's not as an issue to change the facts. The system told us that in some worlds we don't need to play by the rules." Falco interjected as the husband and wife took their seat.

"By the way. Aquila and Dolores. You two are dating each other in this world right?"

"No. Just drunken one night stands. Apparently this Dolores is quite a heavy drinker and Aquila is a lightweight. So we all know how those go." Dolores spoke as she touched the scar by her cheek. Something she had earned as a result of her work. The four of them began to discuss the operations of their choosing, delegating with one another to make it efficient. Aquila despite the name Spearhead was using a pair of sabers while Stervy maintained using a katana. Dolores was using a longsword and a shield. Despite the name of their units but there was a unique aspect.

Stervy was able to inflict a new status effect 'Fissure' that causes damage by leaving cuts on the enemy, when snapping his fingers. The wounds would burst, leaving even greater damage.

Dolores's new ability was called 'Breaching' which meant that she could break through armor with her longsword.

Aquila gained the ability to use 'Second Pierce' which meant his sabers piercing attack can go through the target twice. All he needed to do would just be to position the tip of his blade on the target.

Falco's new ability was '50 Caliber Punches' essentially his fists had the same damage output as a bullet.

"We should practice the new skills. Having this is quite broken to be honest."

"I think Misha's sword technique was Fracture. Leaving weakness in the targets because she leaves the bones fractured with her attacks. Maybe we can learn that?"

"It's difficult since Raven said the Dead Flowers Sect only had him remaining and he wasn't a grandmaster. He might not have been able to take on disciples. I don't think we can learn that skill, Stervy." Stervy groaned because he must've thought Fissure and Fracture would have good synergy.

"Either way. We'll start our ops today. Dolores. I'll let go of that op you protested. Think Hammers can handle it?"

"They should be. We're good at crowd control since having Morning Star might agitate them even more. Shall we start?" The three of them left Stervy in his office as Falco headed over to his Section. Seeing the members of Morning Star filing out documents.

"Morning Stars. Gear up. We got a job."

"Yes, Chief!" Heading into their armory as they put on their equipment. Their helmets, light body armor made up of special material that was light. Some of his members wielded the morning star as per their name but Falco just readied his gauntlets. Putting on his helmet which only had slits for the eyes but his entire head had been covered. The members of Morning Star got in the trucks as they read the details. Radios within their helmets and a secondary radio in the earpiece.

"Chief. What's the operation?"

"Just a regular beat down. Seems like some gangs began encroaching in the slums. But don't go nuts, yet Morning Star. We need to find out what's actually happening."

"Yes, Sir!" Stepping out of the trucks in the slums, where Falco could see how the people here were malnourished and seeing the gangs who were running a soup kitchen. The gang members were agitated at the sight of Morning Star.

"It's the Empire's Dogs!" One of them drew their weapon, going after Falco. Only for Falco to break the sword with his fist.

"We came here to talk. Not to fight. We got news that some citizens here died from poisoning. We're here just to confirm the news."

"Who is it?" Falco turned to a young man with a snake tattoo on his left eye.

"Red Viper Leader?"

"That's me. How can I help the great Morning Star?" Sarcasm that agitated Falco's members but he raised his hand.

"Heard about a few citizens in the slums dying here. You're not selling drugs right?"

"No. We're running soup kitchens and trying to find ways to sort out the mess in the slums. You can't blame people for being hateful of you. Since..."

"Durandal wiped this place clean. I know, I know. But if it's not you, it might be another gang. If you're going to keep the soup kitchens running. Then I won't stop you."

"The other gang that operates here is Luxenri. They've sold drugs with some nobles. It's one of the better ways to hide their income." The Red Viper Leader spoke up as he brought some documents to prove his claim. The receipts for the ingredients of the soup kitchens and the like. Falco took out some money from his wallet, passing it to him.

"What's this?"

"My personal salary. Get these people some more meat. If you're going to do good, I'll support it. This is Duchess Margo's territory. I'll get her on the horn. Bruce."

"Yes, sir?"

"Inform Duchess Margo on the line and tell her that her slums will be cleaned up and if she has a shortage of workers. It's best if she makes her way here."

"Yes, Chief." Falco turned to the Red Viper Leader who was confused as Falco and the others went ahead. The reason why Falco left Bruce in charge is because Bruce is the Duchess's son. Among the few nobles who made the cut to be a member of Morning Star. The Special Army now recruited nobles and there was a reason. Chief Durandal... Raven made the declaration as he stopped the Empire from drifting into madness. Appealing to noblesse oblige and giving the nobles the right to join such a fierce army. The Emperor at the time gave in and his 12 children joined the Special Army. Later becoming legends in their own right, the late Emperor had served as a member of Durandal and one of Raven's last trainees of Durandal. He was someone who made it that Special Army had rights to do whatever they deemed fit for the safety of the commoners and the Empire. They serve the Empire which includes the people.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

That was how Falco remembered it during his training as a rookie. The other members of Morning Star headed to where the slums were a ghost town. Seeing the members of Luxenri with their clock tattoo on their necks glaring at them. Three of them were sniffing on drugs. Then more of them coming out from the buildings with weapons drawn. 30 men against what seemed to be against 300 or more. Just another day in the office.

"Confirmed that they have drugs, chief. What's the play?"

"Immediate execution of Luxenri members." Falco said as he went on ahead. His fist? Uppercut to the chin, sending a head with an intact spine flying off. Gunfire to his path. Weaving through the shots as he got close, a punch to the jaw. Blowing through flesh and bone. A knife to the chest, a chop that broke the arm as he threw the gangster down. Stomping the head as blood splattered over his boot. The Morning Stars readied their namesake weapon, swinging it fast. Some of them readied their guns to fire shots. Revolvers loaded with shotgun shells. Blasting away shots that grazed skin and some who were unlucky had their limbs blown off.

Falco proceeded with his onslaught. Tearing off a limb from a gangster then using it as a club to crush the poor bastard's skull. This was his job for now. So he might as well just go in with what he's got. A kick to push a gangster with a sword back, then punching the chest. Leaving a gaping hole at the back. Morning Stars swung their weapons that left holes within the targets as they swapped to their revolvers. Blasting 00 buckshots that shattered the gangsters as a whole.

"We got a runner! That's the leader!"

"Capture him. Alive. Doesn't matter if he's limbless." Falco lifted his mask a little, lighting a cigarette. Puffing out the smoke. A good way to ground himself, oddly enough. He didn't find himself drunk or caught in the madness. It seems Falco's time as an arbiter was similar to this. Though he slaughtered everybody for the bastard of an Emperor. Good thing that's a dead country now.

"All done, Chief!" Falco turned to the man with his limbs being broken, with a gag shoved into the mouth.

"Keep that gag on him. Bring him to Stiletto. That should be our only op for the day. I'm going to get some soup." Falco said as he walked back to where Red Viper's Leader was, where Duchess Margo and Bruce were now making a deal with the people of the slums. Getting a bowl of soup as he took a seat. Wondering how the others are doing?

Stervy was sorting out information in his office, when he got a notice. The Imperial Seal on it with the words 'In Matters Of His Imperial Majesty.' Ripping off the seal as Stervy read about some nobles who had conspired with some other countries to try and harm Steobia again. Including human trafficking cases that had reached his eyes. The members of Stiletto were off doing other things. Leaving Stervy with his two vices. Valeri and Matvei. Orders to eliminate the group, sanctioned by the Emperor, the Chancellor and Prime Minister.

"What's wrong, Chief?" Matvei inquired, seeing Stervy press the bridge of his nose. Thinking about what to do next. He got the location from the letter and all the documents to look for.

"We got a case. We'll handle this on our own." Stervy put on his coat and grabbed the katana, grabbing the masks of Stiletto which was a black mask with the emblem of Stiletto on it.

"How many of them?"

"Less than a hundred. Then we'll have to do our investigation work." Stervy watched Valeri and Matvei grabbing their swords and grabbing their pistols. The three of them got into the Section's sedan. Stervy sat in the back. Scratching the back of his head as they arrived at the location. An apartment that was being operated in the slums of some noble. Stepping out with their weapons in hand walking into the building as laser sights were aimed at them.

"The Empire's D-" Before the words could be said, Stervy was already close. Smiling as he struck the head of a gunman with the hilt, drawing the katana as he left cuts on the bodies. Snapping his fingers as the wounds burst open. Blood splattering his gray coat and face. A blank expression but for Stervy, this was time for him to carve new masterpieces. The corpses of these gunmen were canvasses awaiting for his blade to brush into them. Valeri and Matvei used their swords to leave slashes by the throat and limbs, a snap of their fingers. Fissure kicked in as the wounds began to burst open. Splattering the walls of the apartment with blood.

The three of them were artisans in their most natural element. Running up the stairs one by one with Stervy leading them. He didn't use guns. He preferred being up close. The Constellation that chose Stervy, True Painter Of Blades had deemed his style similar. The techniques of the Painter would be how Stervy crafted his best work. Slashing through the targets. Snapping their fingers occasionally, forcing the fissures to burst right open. Killing their foes. Walls painted with blood. Screams haunted the air as the three of them reached the top.

"You... How dare you! Y-" Stervy went for the jugular with his blade, watching the woman's life slowly drain from her eyes. Whatever she was going to say, Stervy did not want to hear it. Pulling the blade out as he snapped his fingers. The fissure blew her neck, separating the head from the body. Now they begin their investigation. Going after to find the details. Sifting through every nook and cranny. Getting documents that had been signed by a few nobles. Seals of different houses in colored letters. Wax used by certain noble houses, collection of images that were linked to human trafficking. Phones that had revealed all the information with codes. They just needed to decipher it.

The devil's in the details, grabbing what was necessary. It was time for Stiletto to drag the devil out of the piles of information they gathered. Heading back with Matvei driving the car as Stervy was thinking about piecing information together. The how? The when? The why? The Why was obvious. They want Steobia to fall that much is elementary. The how is what concerned him.

"Valeri, Matvei. Take time off. I'll need to write the reports."

"But Chief..."

"Go. Besides. I'll be meeting the other Chiefs later. You wouldn't want to be around a borefest." The vice chiefs gave a nod, leaving Stervy alone. Typing away into the documents for the after action reports. In the background, Stervy had something playing. Something called a Virtual Streamer? A streamer that uses an avatar to interact with their audience. Reading the tags which included 'Interesting Facts'.

"The Steobian Empire's Special Army. An army of a hundred years ago. They're something unique. According to some of my friends who are in the regular army. Some of you in my chat will know them as Weapons of the Steobian Empire. They are considered as the last resort. Each Section is named after a weapon used by the founding Emperor of Steobia. Whenever a war breaks out, all 12 Sections will be deployed to handle it. The most notable was the Legendary Section 1 Durandal. Who managed to unite all the 12 Sections 50 years ago. Destroying their foes and terrorist attacks against the Steobian Empire but Durandal had a mantra. Fear the First Blade..." That was the moment when Stervy took a note of the streamer.

'LadyBurns' a streamer. Information needed to be checked because she mentioned the mantra and its meaning. She needed to be investigated and he would have to keep in mind who she was. 2.5 million followers on the streaming platform with 50 thousand people watching her right now. Her chat? Exploding with texts telling her to stop before she would be marked by Section 6. A little late for that.

"But this is all public knowledge. Everyone knows that the Steobian Empire's Special Army has gotten their details revealed. With interviews of former members who talked about their work. They can't tell anything about their operations but they can talk about what it was like. Besides that, we also have the pictures of the members of the Sections in action! These images are public use and it has been sent to me by newspaper photographers and journalists." A photo of Aquila apprehending groups of criminals with Spearhead. Dolores lighting a cigarette before entering Hammer's truck. A photo of Morning Star crushing the Luxenri. Catching Falco's orange coat taking a cigarette break.The last photo was of Stervy who came out an apartment with blood on his clothes.

Checking his phone. Seeing the groupchat of the Section Chiefs sending screenshots of LadyBurns' stream over to them. Leaving emojis. In the chat...Well it was a mess.

Durandal Moron : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanthinking-AABA7mFPsww.png]

Scythe Asshole: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanthinking-AABA7mFPsww.png]

Sickle Janitor Guy: 🤣

Crossbow Research Egghead: 😦

Spiked Bowling Ball with Legs: How the fuck do they even have that?

Hammer Angy : It's a good shot but Stiletto...

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/RedDragon_TableFlip003-size-AAAA_2yQfA8.png?time=1617664107]

Scythe Asshole: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanlaugh-AACAqmpQsww.png]

Two Faced Knifehole: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanlaugh-AACAqmpQsww.png]

Durandal Moron: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/PenguinGirlEmoticon_Gentleman001-min-AABA64k8Xgw=.png]

Negotiator Who Can't Negotiate for Shit outside of Work: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanmoney-AAAAQlBQsww.png] time for me to start making money... BY LAWSUITS.

Pissed off Shield: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanglasses-AAAA_upQsww.png] I got the documents ready.

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanangry-AADA7exPsww.png]

Sickle Janitor Guy: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanpopcorn-AADASRdQsww.png] oh this'll be a shit show.

Failing Experimental Butterfly Sword: 🚬

Me [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanzip-AABARYJQsww.png] Can't tell you what I did. You know the rules.

Durandal Moron: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanwine-AABAXNRLsww.png] I'll treat you to a nice 40 year old bottle.

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanzip-AABARYJQsww.png] Can't talk about it. Wait for the meeting assholes.

Spy Who Can't Spy: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/peosinister-AABAtExUsww.png] It better be good, Stiletto. This sounds like propaganda against us.

Me: 🙄 Free speech. Can't simply just throw a cease and desist.

Pissed off Shield: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/peoshock-AAAA_4FVsww.png]

Spear but only Swords: It's just how these things go. Free Speech isn't bad but this is toeing the line a little bit too much.💯

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/RedDragon_Sweating001-size-AAAAEXKQfA8.png?time=1617664113] I didn't think we'd be exposed like this.

Durandal Moron: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smileys/reddragonowo001png-AAAAqfeL0w4.png?time=1606321541] I'm glad we still wear helmets...

Me: 🎣 This might be good bait for our work. So keep an eye out.

Sickle Janitor Guy: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakansigh-AAAAsJVPsww.png] I hope this doesn't take up our weekend... We need sleep too. 💤

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/RedDragon_angrynoises2_005-size-AACARToRfQ8.png?time=1617697872] IT MEANS OVERTIME FOR ME YOU DIPSHITS

Negotiator who can't negotiate for shit outside of Work: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanfascinating-AACAXwhRsww.png] I'll give you some good alcohol if you make it before the weekend.

Everyone else: :[https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanfascinating-AACAXwhRsww.png] +10.

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakancross-AABAXatNsww.png] Fuck no! Unless Section 10 and Section 7 can help me.

Two Faced Knifehole: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakansigh-AAAAsJVPsww.png] There goes my weekend. [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/PenguinGirlEmoticon_Angry001-min-AADA6R07Xgw=.png]

Spy Who Can't Spy: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/RedDragon_TableFlip003-size-AAAA_2yQfA8.png?time=1617664107] FINE. TOMORROW.

Me: [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanmelt-AADAT-ROsww.png] Thanks. I'll buy lunch.

Stervy had at least gotten Section 10 Knife and Section 7 Hatchet to join him. At least those two can help out. The whole deal with LadyBurns? It wasn't exactly dangerous but the issue lies with the fact that Stervy's recent operation that was for the Empire had been caught. That was the biggest and most dangerous piece of evidence. Section 7's Hatchet can come up with some bogus operations to fool the massive media but it won't be enough for the militaries involved. They would know that the Special Army is on their tails.

"What makes the 12 Section of the Imperial Special Army unique is their duties..." She highlighted what each Section was good for. Afterwards, she talked about the 12 Sections were mere shells of their past.