Meteor Kingdom lags behind its neighboring counterparts in technological advancement, most notably the powerhouse of innovation, Akrion City. As the continent's leading manufacturing hub, Akrion spearheads global technological progress, continuously pushing the boundaries of modern development.
Despite Akrion's repeated efforts to establish trade relations, Meteor Kingdom—under the leadership of Mother Nature—has steadfastly declined their offers. This reluctance, however, predates her governance. Long before her arrival, the kingdom was renowned for its fertile soil and diverse ecosystem, home to exotic plant and animal life found nowhere else in the world. To protect these natural wonders, Meteor Kingdom has resisted the widespread adoption of motorized vehicles and other disruptive technologies that might threaten its balance.
Beyond environmental concerns, the kingdom embraces a slower, more deliberate way of life, valuing harmony with nature and the present moment. This cultural philosophy is not a limitation but a conscious choice—one that defines the Meteor Kingdom's identity and reinforces its commitment to preserving the beauty and rhythm of its world.
Despite Meteor Kingdom's generally peaceful nature, there are moments when truly rotten individuals surface, wreaking havoc and compelling the kingdom to take decisive action—escorting them to a private prison known as Purgatory.
The atmosphere shifted abruptly as shackles clanked and scraped against the hot concrete. A lone prisoner was loaded into the back of a transport truck behind the CPD, marking another dark chapter in the kingdom's otherwise tranquil history.
"Commander Fortier, radio in once you pass through the gates of Purgatory Prison," instructed Chief Nkosi.
"Yes, sir," Fortier replied crisply. "Officer Daniels, Newbie, you'll be tagging along with me today."
Stammering over his words, Newbie jumped to attention. "Y-yes, sir! Right away!"
"Sheesh, Newbie, calm down. The Dread Hunter is getting locked in Purgatory, not you." Officer Daniels patted him on the shoulder as he jogged past. "I call the front seat!"
"Well, I guess that means you'll be sitting in the back with me and the transfer, Newbie," said Officer Braun, walking up beside him.
"Officer Braun, you're coming too?"
"Got that right. I'm one of the constants in the prisoner transfers. I'm always one of the guards aboard to make sure nothing suspicious happens—things the personnel up front might miss."
"Enough chit-chat; let's get this over with," Fortier snapped, clearly irritated. "Daniels, you're driving." He tossed the keys to Daniels without a second glance.
"Yes, sir!" Braun and Newbie replied simultaneously as they hastened their pace, loading into the back of the armored truck with Theo.
Daniel's eyes lit up with childlike wonder. "Aw, snap! I always wanted to drive this thing!"
With two resounding bangs on the roof from Braun, signaling the sealed closure of the doors, the crew was off.
THE NARROW ROAD LEADING OUT OF THE KINGDOM UNFOLDED BETWEEN EXPANSIVE CROP FIELDS CLAIMED BY METEOR KINGDOM. Despite its seemingly straightforward path, the road stretched endlessly, gradually obscuring the view of civilization itself. The hum of the transport truck's tires against the ground filled the air with a sense of anticipation.
"So, how long does it take to get to Purgatory from the kingdom?" asked Newbie.
"About–"
"About ten hours there, ten hours back. But I heard the vehicles from Akrion are so fast they can make it there in half the time, and they're just about the same distance away," Theo interrupted, adding his unsolicited input.
"Hey, shut up. He wasn't talking to you." Braun crossed his arms as he spoke, his eyes closed in indifference.
Newbie wondered how he could be so relaxed in the presence of a dangerous prisoner, especially one with such an unsettling aura. The armored truck's interior felt cramped, and the air was thick with a sense of confinement and uncertainty. Every jolt of the vehicle sent a shiver down his spine, making him question the wisdom of being assigned to this particular task.
As the kingdom disappeared from view, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was entering a realm where the rules were different—a place where there was nothing but open land for miles, leaving them at a disadvantage. A land where, if danger came, help wouldn't arrive—not in time, at least.
Theo leaned back, a wry smile playing on his lips. "No harm meant, Officer Braun. I didn't hear him say any names, so I thought I'd answer the question."
Braun sucked his teeth. "I keep telling them we need to put you Purgatory transfers in muzzles."
"We're not mutts now, Officer Braun. We prisoners are humans, just like you. We might've walked different paths in life, but we still bleed the same blood and have the same vices. In fact," Theo paused, sniffing the air, "it smells like you partook in yours before we left, didn't you?"
Braun's jaw tensed as he shot Theo a stern look. "I said, shut it!"
Undeterred, Theo chuckled, his gaze fixed on the officer. "Alright, alright, no need to get all worked up. But, I must say, Purgatory is a dreary topic. A little conversation can make the journey feel much less... terminal."
Sliding open a small slotted window from the front, Commander Fortier intervened. "Hey! What's going on back here?"
"N-nothing, sir!" Newbie shouted, terrified by the commander's sudden presence.
"Officer Braun, I expect you to keep things quiet and under control back here. Do I need to get you transferred to patrol duty?"
"No, sir."
Patrol duty in Crescent Parish was probably the most boring job an officer could have. With the lack of action in the capital, the job mostly involved walking around and letting your presence be known. If you were lucky, you'd get a vehicle with a fan to sit in. The monotony of patrolling the calm streets contrasted sharply with the tension building inside the armored truck as it continued its journey toward Purgatory.
Yet again, Braun shot a quick glance at Theo, a stern expression on his face. "You heard the man. Keep it quiet, or you'll be dealing with me."
Theo, however, chuckled once again. "Like a stroll in the park, Officer Braun."
As the journey continued, the transport truck rumbled along the narrow road. Officer Braun's head leaned back with little to no fight, cradled by the rhythmic hum of the vehicle. The soft lullaby of the engine created a deceptive sense of calmness, and before long, the seasoned officer drifted into slumber.
The sight of his superior in a state of repose created a feeling of awkwardness for Newbie. He felt alone and unsafe in the presence of Theo.
"Uhh, Officer Braun?" Newbie stammered, attempting to stand, but was thwarted by an unexpected bump in the road that sent him back into his seat.
"An effect of the vice, kid," Theo chimed in from across the truck. "I gotta give 'em props for keeping his act together. If I hadn't smelled the hard liquor on his breath, even I wouldn't have been able to tell. Not at first anyway. Just look at his uniform." He nodded toward Braun as he spoke. "His top three buttons aren't even buttoned correctly, and he couldn't even manage to put his belt on properly, which is strange because it definitely took more time to knot it the way he did."
The revelation lingered in the air, shattering the naive notion that duty would consistently be a dependable companion in the realm of law enforcement.
"That's a big man right there, kid, put under by nothing more than a drink or two. I bet you he's one of the toughest cops in the capital's force, and yet, look at him. He's sleeping as sound as a kitten."
"Um, I don't think–"
"He's as solidly built as the truck we're riding in. I mean, just look at it—a mobile fortress, impenetrable and formidable. But you know what?" Theo asked Newbie.
Newbie didn't want to know, but he had a sinking feeling that his preferences didn't carry much weight in this situation.
"Even a fortress has vulnerabilities. Its effectiveness is only as reliable as the individuals operating it. An armored truck is similar to the government you and your buddies seem so fascinated by. It might look powerful, even imposing, but it relies on fragile individuals. And those individuals are the ones who define the nature of the beast it becomes." Theo paused, glancing at Braun. "But what happens when you remove the individual?"
Theo's eyes darkened as he looked back toward the front. "Well, you get stagnation. An empty shell. Just a suit of armor with no one to man it. Its intended purpose is gone."
His words hung heavy in the air, followed by the sudden, deafening crack of gunfire. A bullet pierced the windshield, its trajectory unerringly accurate, and struck Officer Daniels directly in the chest.
"Daniels!" Fortier's bellow reverberated through the truck. The shock of his officer's unexpected demise crashed over him as their blood splattered across his face. A metallic tang filled the air, and a wave of horror flooded his senses.
Newbie yanked open the sliding window, panic tightening his throat. "Commander! What's going on? Is everything okay?"