LOG-003.
The generally positive atmosphere of the Legion occupied warehouse hidden within the depths of the Hsilgne city of Nodnol was a welcome change to the…everything, that I'd just experienced back in Oykot.
Even though the sudden halt to the various conversations being held by the people inside was a little awkward, presumably caused by me roughly shouldering my way through the doors leading to the courtyard outside in a staggering stumble.
"And that's why she should just grab him by the collar and-General!?"
Just a fact of life, really. Emergency portal escapes always took it out of me quite badly. Something about the dimensions involved just messed with my human brain in a way that didn't really bother the rest of the Gamma Legion's interdimensional members. Fundamentally different physiology and all that.
It was why I preferred using aero shuttles to get around, when I could afford to.
"At ease, Shellshock. I'm fine."
My knee chose that exact moment to buckle, the weight of my injuries nearly sending me toppling. I did manage to catch myself before something embarrassing like the various Grunts around me trying to help me up happened, though.
"Oh good heavens! General, you're covered in soot! How filthy! But very charming! In a fiery, battleworn way!"
Alas, my display of fortitude didn't stop Chandelierra from rushing over with a spontaneously produced cloth, an item shared by several Grunts as the group began to rigorously wipe my armour down, causing me to huff out an amused breath beneath my helmet.
"The Wardens decided to escalate with their use of explosive effects, presumably in an attempt to finally capture me. I managed to end the battle with a favourable retreat, but not before getting blown up a few times."
The wiping stopped as I clapped my hands together, the metal gauntlets giving out a pleasant ringing sound as they impacted against each other.
"But that doesn't matter right now! Tell me, was the primary objective accomplished?"
Shellshock was the first to shoot me a salute, hand impacting the top of his helmet as one of the Grunts next to him gestured towards the immense pile of crates gathered in the center of the warehouse.
"With complete success boss! We've got food, fuel, raw materials for fabrication, and more! Should keep the Animus going for another month at the very least!"
Nodding as I stepped forward to admire the fruits of our labour, I folded my hands behind my back, turning to glance at my other direct subordinate as he disposed of a now thoroughly soot stained cloth.
"Good, good. That'll get Lord Armageddon off of our backs, at least for a little while. Onto the next agenda, have the invitations been received? Will they be coming?"
The Commander's helmet bobbed up and down, the lampshade attached to the top of it shifting with the motion as he did so.
"Indeed my superior! It's fairly quiet on most fronts at the moment, so everyone who can come most likely will. Those who can't have gotten promises of information from those who'll be here on their behalf."
It was almost instinctual, the way one of my hands came up, clawed digits grasping at something only I could see in a pose that invoked power, ambition, and domination. Enough to inspire straighter backs and even a few salutes from my various minions.
"Excellent…it's all coming together now."
Soon. Soon it would be ready!
Mwahahaha-oh, evil laughter. Put a lid on that.
...Hehehehe.
—
"Welcome one and all, to the Grand Founding Convention of the Gamma Legion Grunt Union! Or the GL-GU for short."
It was still kind of nervewracking, standing at a hastily assembled podium in front of hundreds of faceless, uniformed figures. But if being a Lieutenant, and then a Commander, and then a General had taught me anything, it was the value in being good at public speaking.
"Some of you may know me as General Knightmare. Maybe not, I'm not sure if I'm that popular, actually."
"Hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup!"
The resounding chorus of hups had the inflection of laughter, from what I could tell, so I continued, bringing a hand to tap at my chest in an empathetic motion.
"But before I was General Knightmare, I was Commander Knightmare. Before that, I was Lieutenant Equis. And before that…I was Grunt three thousand, four hundred, and thirty two. And man if the working conditions back then weren't great!"
"Hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup!"
"I know, I know! Things aren't exactly better for you all, and while I may have gotten lucky enough to advance, I haven't forgotten just where I came from, and I definitely haven't forgotten who helped get me to where I am today! It was you! All of you!"
"Hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup!"
"Exactly! And that's what this is all about! The Gamma Legion might be led by a Lord and his Generals, but it lives and dies by its Grunts! And I think it's high time you all started getting some proper representation in response to that fact!"
Slowing down from my impassioned tirade as another round of cheering hups ensued, I took a deep breath, before pointing out several figures within the crowd.
"Now this isn't going to be something easy to do, but it's necessary. In the interests of organisation, I've organised the elections of three Grunts to help lead the Union. That's what those letters you were constantly getting were about by the way, for those who decided to ignore them. Re-elections will be held yearly, though that's up to the rest of you to figure out."
More hups. Some understanding, and others sheepish as a few Grunts realised that they'd skipped out on their respective rights to vote.
"Now, as a General I have no authority in, or right to the Union. You may consider me an ally to your cause, of course! But the Union ultimately must stand on its own two legs! It must be led by Grunts, for Grunts, and with the interests of Grunts in mind!"
"Hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup hup!"
"And now of course with those interests in mind, I'll happily be giving the podium to your elected representatives now! Please give a round of applause for Grunt seventeen, Grunt four hundred and twenty, and Grunt Three!"
"HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP HUP!"
Stepping away as things really started to escalate, I allowed myself to quietly fade into the shadows of the warehouse, watching alongside Shellshock and Chandelierra as the army of supposedly expendable fodder began to discuss how to bring forward their demands for a better dental plan to Lord Armageddon.
"Uhm, General Knightmare, sir?"
Turning to glance at one of the shadow covered figures out of the corner of my eye, I let my tone turn questioning.
"Yes, Shellshock?"
The Commander gestured to his flashing communicator, voice hesitant.
"A request for a private audience from General Lovelace, sir. She's insisting on a candlelit dinner again, for 'inter-General relations' this time. Oh, and she's also complaining that you won't answer your communicator directly."
Ignoring Chandelierra's predictable "candlelit, you say!? Oh how very romantic!" and bringing up a gauntlet to dramatically palm the front of my helmet, I sighed.
"It was shattered during the fight. And what have I taught you in matters such as this, Shellshock?"
The knight continued to hesitate, a bead of sweat somehow managing to appear on the exterior of his own clam covered helmet, before finally raising a finger.
"Uh…when someone in the Legion tries to get you isolated and out of sight, they're clearly trying to assassinate you?"
Giving the Commander a thumbs up, I nodded.
"Exactly. Tell her I'm busy scheming or something, would you?"
"You got it boss! I'm sure she'll totally take the hint this time!"
Probably not. My bid for the throne would likely start eclipsing her own soon, as more and more of the Grunts began to respect not just my direct combat power, but also my support of their own needs.
Thankfully, the path ahead was clear. I'd just need to keep surviving the repeated attempts on my life by my coworkers while I walked it.
A piece of cake for an observant and rational individual like myself, surely!