The Emperor leans on to his golden hand

in the depths of his metal tower.

With face like stone he recites a story from the times immemorial 

the empty walls of his palace as his only listeners

-Mythologia, Book VI, Prophecies


Near the palace

Perched on a rooftop, a lone figure was zooming in on the probably destruction of the most visible symbol of the Imperial might. Wearing a peculiar looking armor, yet appearing transparent to any observers, he was having a conversation with someone.

''Sir, the Federal forces are battering the palace. Have you got confirmation that he is still alive?''

''Invictus has the palace's systems in its grasp. He is still there, alive and well, for now. Maintain position. Should the Federals choose to move in, I will give you the order to go ahead with the plan.'' came the distorted voice from the other end of the line.

''And if they don't?''

''Then Invictus will finish this. For now, it will make certain that the Emperor stays within his quarters. For his own safety, of course.''

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Palace

The Praetorian Prefect, Arminius Roka, was having a bad day. He was trying to scramble the guard to defend the palace as best as he could but he wasn't exactly sure whether or not the Federals would just try to level the whole thing. Therefore, some of the guard was dispatched to neutralize the advancing Federal troops and they did reasonably well until the enemy's tanks came in the picture. The guard, as advanced as they were as infantry, had no vehicles, and thus were suspectible to high calibre vehicle mounted weaponry. Against infantry though, they slashed and shot their way through hordes of enemies before succumbing.

Many of the palace's systems were malfunctioning, defense turrets and the like. The enemy bombardment couldn't have penetrated so deep, so Roka suspected jamming, yet he had doubts of the enemy capabilities to mess with the highly advanced AI that controlled the palace's systems.

''Sir, we can't reach the Emperor!'' one of the Praetorians reported.

''What?'' said Roka, turning to the holographic image.

''He has barred himself inside his quarters.''

''Is this some kind of a failsafe system or has he gone mad? Tell him that he needs to move his Imperial ass out of there if he is to evade death or capture.''

''Yes sir, we'll try to bypass the systems and reach him.''

Arminius turned back to the tactical screen. The enemy would soon overrun the Praetorian barracks, despite their heavy losses, and from there on, they had a clear way to palace proper.

______________________________________________________


Near the Emperor's quarters

Taras Solomon, a Praetorian Guard, was leading the contingent of troops trying to reach the Emperor. Someone contacted him.

''Solomon, this is Lanius, do you read?''

''My lord.''

''Secure the Emperor at all costs. If you fail and the communists reach you before you get in, fall back.''

''Understood.''