User blog:Dark dwarves 2/Conspiratio

Screams, shouts, yells, and jeers of gladiators and spectators alike fill the floor of the arena. While most are simply here to watch and enjoy a bloody spectacle, others are here for a specific purpose. High above, within one of the many viewing rooms, a plot is brewing. The Emperor has recently (in the past few weeks) refused to be seen in the open,  remaining at his bedside or on his throne, only letting in a select group of holy priestesses into his chambers.

“I tried to speak with the Emperor today, but one of those witches  stopped me, again.” 

“I fear his condition is worse than they are letting the public in on.”

“It must be bad, I’ve heard the high priest, extended family, and other important officials have been heading to his bedside for audiences. Meanwhile, the public is growing restless; I’ve heard rebellions and insurrections are brewing on the outer worlds, and the nobles back home are preparing to fight within a power vacuum. I fear the Empire may fall apart if this is left unchecked.”

“Yes, I sense it too. Another civil war may be in store for us.”

“Exactly, that’s why I’ve been talking with the other officers in my sector; and they would support me if I tried to take the throne by force.” The other general looks rather fearful and attempts to speak, but is cut off. 

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“Normally I would never even <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">consider <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"> such an option,” he continues quickly, not letting the other man get a word in, “to betray the Emperor is the most hideous of crimes, but in these dire circumstances I believe it necessary for the Empire to have a strong leader if your Emperor is to fail. Now, will you support me?” <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“I see no other choice.” <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“Good, I will need your legions. If we coordinate our armies, we will be able to occupy the capital before the pretorians and senate can call for reinforcements, thus putting the capital under our control.” <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“And what do you plan to do with this power, Commodus?”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“Give the rulership of this Empire back to the soldiers, and not those fat pigs they call politicians.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The other general chuckles a bit, “It would be fun to see those Senators dethroned.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">“Now, all of this will take at least a few months to set up; giving the Emperor time to recover. And let us hope he does, for if he does there will be no need for such rash actions.”