Major Faction Humbarine Dawn: V. Final Thoughts

The governor knelt before the shadow; fear overwhelmed his senses.

"You've summoned me. Explain." Commanded the shadow.

He hesitated to glance upward, settling on the figure's boots. Black ronto hide, he noticed, then felt a fool for considering such details in the gravity of their situation. It did, however, allow him pause to collect himself.

"Our long-range sensors have... detected a shadow, My Lord. A fleet too large to be anything other than an invasion force. The Mandalorians we've discovered... they may be an advanced party," he hesitantly explained.

There was an uncomfortable pause, and as the silence stretched - much to his surprise - the governor braved looking up. "You aren't concerned?" He questioned. It was difficult to read the shadow when their expression was hidden behind a mask.

"No." The shadow's reply lacked the anticipated urgency and rage. "This is an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

The shadow walked past him, their boots stepping softly along the polished floor. They stopped at the window, which overlooked the city below. "Yes."

Martial law was well in effect all across Humbarine City. Defenders took up positions at key checkpoints, with e-web nests, makeshift barricades, and armed vantage points. Above Humbarine, the Defense Fleet moved into a flexible formation around critical installations. Small buoys scattered between defense satellites began to emit noise across multiple frequencies; they were prepared to fire flares and heatsinks to flood enemy sensors, as well.

The shadow looked back at the governor, and dread - a sense of impending doom - washed over him when he made eye contact with the mask.

"I will protect your family. As promised."

The governor took a deep breath, steadying himself. He looked down at the small black box in his hand, an object he retrieved from his desk earlier that day, and had been holding onto as if it were everything to him. In his final thoughts, he deluded himself into believing that this choice, this act of sacrifice, absolved him. Then, he popped open the box and chewed the pill inside.