[System: a.n.a.lyzing structure.]

All of the men had a graphic overlayed over their figure. In the top right corner of the visual feed, the internal structures of their throats were displayed.

[Linguistics: Voice a.n.a.lysis complete.]

"...ial Magisters used Clairvoyance on the target. It appears to be a new form of monster."

"This is the golem that killed our scouts?"

"Yes, Sir John."

The one called Sir John had a plume on his helmet. His armor was resplendant, intricately crafted and quite heavy. It did not gleam or s.h.i.+ne, so as not to give away his position in the dark.

[Target a.n.a.lysis: Armor composition: 98% Iron. Relative efficiency: 0.000001%.]

All of the mounted soldiers had armor that was either dirtied on purpose, or made of materials that did not s.h.i.+ne. It was lined with leather and the joints were recently oiled so as to reduce sound.

"Do you have the Focus?" Sir John asked.

The man nodded. "Yes. I have never used one before, though. You should do it, Sir John."

"It is about time you learn, Peter. Just get close enough, look at the Golem through the jewel, and hold it steady."

[Strategic a.n.a.lysis: Enemy Infantry, possible Forward Observer.]

"Yeah. Easy as that. We should be safe at this distance. Those Imperial Magisters will blow that thing to pieces."

[Speech a.n.a.lysis: Imperial Magisters, potential nuclear device.]

the warmachine transmitted over the comms.

[Comms: Somnus, Prophet. Acknowledge last. Taking off in stealth mode.]

Without making a single decibel of sound, a drone came up to the VTOL launchpad on an elevator, and just as quietly launched into the sky. Instead of jets it had rotor blades, hidden within a protective ring of armor.

"Should we wait for dawn, Sir John?" the young man asked, as he retrieved a jewel from his satchel. It was bright green and within it was a luminous blue glow.

"No, we came at night for a reason. This will be just like Aisland Castle. Raid and out, got it?"

"Got it, Sir John." The man removed his helmet, and held the jewel up. On the visual feed, his right eye was perfectly concealed by the jewel.

[Comms: Somnus, Prophet. Target locked. Adjust fire. Grid: 00580122. Alt.i.tude: 91. Direction: 2168.8. Distance: 1.1 clicks. Squad in the open. Acknowledge.]

[Weapons: Cannon #1 armed. HE loaded.]

*THUM*

The cannon expelled a 160mm sh.e.l.l and, seconds later, its report startled the horses.

"Whoa, easy! Easy! What the h.e.l.l was that? Thunder?"

"I don't kno-"

The visual feed was filled with static as a dust cloud covered the area.

[Comms: Somnus, Prophet. On target. Fire for effect.]

[Weapons: Cannons #1 through #16, armed. HE loaded.]

A series of cracks shattered the once peaceful night. Flashes of light flooded the ground several times and in the distance, a hill was being reduced to nothing.

[Artillery: Barrage #8 complete. Fire mission over.]

The cannons returned to their idle states and their glowing barrels pointed skywards, as smoke billowed from their death-spewing mouths. The hill erupted once more with fire, shrapnel and dust. When the dust settled, craters riddled the hill and there was no sign of the mounted soldiers that once existed there. They were buried or blown to bits and pieces too small for the camera to pick up.

[Comms: Somnus, Prophet. Target destroyed. Returning to base.]

[Radar: Airs.p.a.ce compromised. Tracking Bogey #1. Bearing 342. Alt.i.tude: 3400]

The camera focused towards the north-northwest and scanned the sky. It spotted a flying form, approaching at high speed.

[Structural a.n.a.lysis: Wingspan: 48 meters. Length: 36 meters. Archive match: Dragon.]

Its leathery wings flapped lazily as it cruised through the skies. Black scales covered its entire surface. Spectral a.n.a.lysis showed that the black color also contained green. The dragon let loose a piercing cry, and then dived towards Somnus.

[Railgun armed. Depleted Uranium penetrator loaded.]

Four spikes shot into the ground, from each leg, and acted like stabilizers as Somnus turned towards the dragon. The main cannon in the center of its body pointed towards the dragon, and electricity began to arc over the tip of the barrel.

[Voltage optimal. Ready to fire.]

A deafening hum filled the area. The ground shook and the sand began to rise like a curtain due to the metal particles contained within them. Small vortexes formed in the sandy mists as the air currents pushed it around.

*KRRRRRBOOM*

A blinding light illuminated the entire valley as the railgun fired. The light was visible for miles and blinded the sky to the stars, completely was.h.i.+ng them out. For a brief moment, the valley was illuminated as brightly as if it were noon.

[Railgun Shot a.n.a.lysis: Velocity on impact: 7,128 m/s]

If there was anything left of the dragon, Somnus could not find it. It was not in the sky, nor on the ground.

Thermal vents opened on the back of the warmachine. The air s.h.i.+mmered as the stored heat was released.

[Probability Matrix Report: Enemy will surrender.]

[Directive: Override. Use nuclear weapons.]

[Political Systems: Subjugate enemy.]

[Directive: Override. Nuclear weapons recommended.]

The warmachine's cameras focused on the little drones scurrying about the area inside the walls. They carried materials back and forth tirelessly, constructing repair depots and refueling stations for the other drones.

It doesn't really matter. Life is a tiny thing. Fragile. Pointless. I have the Directive. What does life have?

[Cultural Systems: Subjugate enemy and extract information on other political ent.i.ties.]

[Directive: Override. Recommend first strike.]

[Intelligence Systems: Gather intelligence on enemy.]

[Directive: Override. Deploy nuclear a.r.s.enal.]

I miss the fireworks...

[System: Machines do not possess nostalgia.]

Wasn't I "life" too, once?

[System: Query discarded.]

Somnus, aren't you just angry, because you were given life too?

[Sy&tem er^or]