003 [audio]
I knew a man once. They called him the Iron Dragon. He was a general in the army of the Union when I was still a pup. There wasn't a man alive who could match his skill with a blade, or his compassion and generosity… He was a good man, a kind man, famed for his heroism.
Eighteen years ago, when the war between the Union and the Empire finally ended and all his men were dead, he dedicated his life to doing everything in his power to help the people, to saving as many as possible. The remnants of the Union-stragglers mostly, a poor excuse for an army-formed a new band, the Knights of the Seal, and he became their general. This man… Oror was his name. He took in those with no place to go, trained them to fight, and raised more good knights with his ideals, who would give their lives to protect people. Children who were orphaned in the war, people who'd lost their homes and families, or wanted to protect whatever little they had left… men and women who wished to make a difference. He gave them a home, and a purpose. He was like a father to them all.
One of them betrayed him. He saved the life of a coward, and that coward fled and left him to die. I suppose being a hero is a thankless job.
[There's a length of silence, and it might almost seem that the feed had ended.]
…There's nothing like the Knights here. Well, you have your… police, was it? But most of the people I've spoken to say they're twisted, under the thumb of the corporations. I can't say I know much about that, but I can see for myself that they're happy enough to ignore what goes on in these poorer districts. I wonder… Is there any room in this city for something like that? The Knights, I mean. It seems as though there are a lot of people here in dire need of help. I'm no General Oror, but I was raised with his ideals. I suppose… I suppose it can’t hurt to try, eh? What do you think?
[Private to Re-l]
How are you faring, miss, if you don't mind my asking? I… ah. I heard what happened. I'm sorry.
[Private to Liquid]
Thank you. For knocking some sense into me. I think I needed that.
Eighteen years ago, when the war between the Union and the Empire finally ended and all his men were dead, he dedicated his life to doing everything in his power to help the people, to saving as many as possible. The remnants of the Union-stragglers mostly, a poor excuse for an army-formed a new band, the Knights of the Seal, and he became their general. This man… Oror was his name. He took in those with no place to go, trained them to fight, and raised more good knights with his ideals, who would give their lives to protect people. Children who were orphaned in the war, people who'd lost their homes and families, or wanted to protect whatever little they had left… men and women who wished to make a difference. He gave them a home, and a purpose. He was like a father to them all.
One of them betrayed him. He saved the life of a coward, and that coward fled and left him to die. I suppose being a hero is a thankless job.
[There's a length of silence, and it might almost seem that the feed had ended.]
…There's nothing like the Knights here. Well, you have your… police, was it? But most of the people I've spoken to say they're twisted, under the thumb of the corporations. I can't say I know much about that, but I can see for myself that they're happy enough to ignore what goes on in these poorer districts. I wonder… Is there any room in this city for something like that? The Knights, I mean. It seems as though there are a lot of people here in dire need of help. I'm no General Oror, but I was raised with his ideals. I suppose… I suppose it can’t hurt to try, eh? What do you think?
[Private to Re-l]
How are you faring, miss, if you don't mind my asking? I… ah. I heard what happened. I'm sorry.
[Private to Liquid]
Thank you. For knocking some sense into me. I think I needed that.