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This has gone on long enough.
You know that Hwat is doing this because he truly believes it is important. As for Kerjak... well, he is the one pointing a knife at you. The guards here were supposed to arrest you and force your compliance, you feel, but you won't let them stop you. Truthfully, your own reign has not been perfect; compromises have been made here and there to keep the peace- the same is true of any Supreme, but you cannot allow direct insubordination and a direct threat to your position to go unchallenged. You cannot allow a permanent loss of status to the office of the Supreme Ruler- to do so betrays the very foundation of the Hegemony and will cause incurable rot that will slowly eat away at you and your successor. The two may even have a point when it comes to this empire's growth; but it's gone beyond the point of simple political debate- they have made themselves enemies of the state. It's time to <span class="mu-i">end this coup</span>.
Your knife is ready, and you advance.
<span class="mu-r">”No! Cijan, don't! Alavis- hit Cijan with a stun probe!”</span>
“I will not do that. You are not the true Supreme Ruler.”
<span class="mu-r">”Dammit- you're too smart for your own good! Enforcers- arrest him- but don't kill Cijan or Kerjak!”</span>
The first guard to put his hand on you has his throat slit. He falls, before Kerjak loses his patience. He advances forward with his knife drawn. Given his highborn status- you know he's had training. With a quick flick of the wrist, you deflect his meager attack and then counter with a quick cut to the throat. He's been eliminated- easily, you might add. He was no match for a real Supreme.
In the background; you can see one of the guards watching. His hands are on his rifle, but he does not fire. You almost wordlessly feel a connection to him; as though he understands what you are doing is right. Perhaps its an innate sense of respect; this is politics as usual in the highest level of the Hegemony- he will do his duty and clean up afterwards.
