Chapter 15: Chain of Command
I entered into an old, empty warehouse with General Kull and KR-01. I fully expected him to kill me, but I felt like I did my duty. However to my surprise, he didn't plan to do that.
"Leave us," Kull said to KR-01. And it obliged.
"General...?" I was about to ask what he was planning to do, but he fell silent.
He breathed a heavy sigh.
"Tell me... do you know why there is such a thing as a chain of command?" General Kull asked calmly. I was quiet and unsure how to respond. All I knew was that I had to obey the Queen. That was all that either of us needed to know.
I said with an honest tone, "Sir, I know I disobeyed your orders. I don't expect mercy. But if I had to do what I did again, I would."
General Kull continued without giving any heed to my words, "Let me tell you about the chain of command, then. The Queen will always be on top, but underneath her are her many generals. And underneath them are the soldiers. A very simple structure in our case. However, I know that outside of these shadowy walls, the chain is twisted. The generals have no real power when the Queen can order her troops from atop her all-seeing tower. We are middle men when there is no such need for middle men. At most, we are advisors. At our lowest, no different than a soldier - albeit stronger. That is true outside of these lands, but inside this dark place, that chain must be preserved. You were lucky this time - swooping in with that dragon - but what do you think will happen if everybody does whatever they wanted?" General Kull looked outside the window and stared at the celebrating roaches. "It would turn into chaos. Every roach going around like chickens. One team of roaches trying to blow up the wall, while another climbs it. We would be no different than the animals outside our realm."
General Kull looked back at me. I listened and understood every word he said. What he said was true to my ears.
He asked, "Tell me. Would you still consider doing it again after what I told you?"
I was frozen for a second, but I still nodded my head. I would still have disobeyed orders if it meant saving lives. General Kull looked at me with sad eyes.
"I see," he said, "It's too bad you were born as a roach. You would have made an excellent general if you were born in the right family." He sighed once more. "I will not punish you. Or more precise, I cannot. Unfortunately, I'm going to need you. When we are finished with occupying this city, you will be sent to directly to the Queen to be judged. She will decide your fate. Do you understand?"
"Yes, general."
"Good. Any more disobedience or failure to comply will result in your immediate execution. Do I make myself clear, bug?"
I stood straight and replied quickly, "Yes, sir."
"Good. We took the city, but now we got to hold it. Get every roach to scour this place for the leader of the dark elves and put him on a pike. You have your orders. Now, get out of my sight," General Kull commanded.
I marched away and right before I left the warehouse, the general coughed, "And... good work, Roach."
I smiled. I could tell with his voice that he wasn't just calling me a bug or a roach, but my actual name. It seems he was just as impressed as anybody else. General Kull looked out the window and continued watching. I left to continue my duty to the Queen.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone