A Matoran with sleek black and silver armor sat at a wooden desk, staring at the lit computer screen. Checking behind him to make sure that the door was shut, he let out a small sigh and turned back to the screen, tapping the microphone perched beside the keyboard to make sure that it was functional. Satisfied, he opened his mouth and began to speak.

“Journal entry one-zero-one,” he said. “Let’s recap.”

---

He blinked, and then he and Blade were sitting across from each other at a desk in an office, Voltex having evidently tried a futile attempt to bring the computer terminal online.

“Blade, there’s... something I need to tell you,” he said slowly, tapping the underside of the desk nervously. The words seemed to leave him of their own accord.

“What is it?” Blade asked.

“I’m the Detective,” Voltex started, causing Blade to burst into a smile that seemed disturbingly sinister.

“Don’t worry about it,” the Vo-Matoran interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “I’ve suspected that you were the Detective ever since we found your equipment.”

“No, it’s not that,” Voltex muttered, fiddling with the Repulsor Arm. “It’s... Xaeraz made me the Detective for a reason, Blade.”

The Vo-Matoran’s gaze narrowed. “And what are you ‘truly doing’, Tex?”

He took a deep breath, inwardly battling against the words that were preparing to tumble out of his mouth - he failed, and continued to speak. “I work for the White Council.”

That’s not true though, he thought blearily. What’s happening?

“You must be lying,” Blade breathed, his mouth hanging open. “How much do you know?”

His throat was dry.

“I-” Voltex coughed before speaking again, unable to stop himself. “They wanted to get rid of all of their enemies in one stroke, Blade. Anyone that could pose a threat to their rule, eliminated all at once.”

Blade shot up and Voltex just barely held back a flinch as the Vo-Matoran stalked towards him, shoving his finger into the Ba-Matoran’s chest and causing Voltex to stumble back.

“You disgust me,” Blade snarled, pushing him to the floor, his voice laced with lethal sarcasm. “Why are you here, Tex?”

---

Voltex shook his head wearily. “I don’t really care what you decide to do, Burnmad. I’m not even certain that I can lead a war anymore. Too many Matoran are dying on my account - dying at my command. How many did you lose just to reach me?”

“We… aren’t entirely sure,” Burnmad said.

“No? Because Portalfig gave me the numbers before he left,” the Ba-Matoran repled. “He said you’re missing nearly fifty. Almost half a hundred Matoran lost in an attempt to contact me. I’m not so sure that can be counted as a victory, Burnmad - or that it should have been done at all.”

---

“In a few hours, I leave to lead a small team of only three Matoran, including myself, to try and infiltrate the Coliseum. If we are successful, we may be able to win this war within the week. If we are not… well, I doubt I shall survive to see another sunrise."

Extermination begins TOMORROW, DECEMBER 12TH.

Here's how it's gonna work:

Dec. 12 - Prologue releases

Dec. 19 - Chapter 1 releases

Dec. 26 - we're all busy, NOTHING RELEASED

Jan. 2 - i'm away visiting family, NOTHING RELEASED

Jan. 9 - Chapter 2 releases

After the release of Chapter 2, it'll be a weekly thing; every Friday a new chapter shall be released. It's just those two weeks where nothing shall be seen.

Don't worry though, Chapter 2 will be a fun chapter to come back on.