Onyx and his Stone Men Ch. 2

Chapter 2: The Revolution

Onyx's battle armor was covered in nicks and burn marks, even some full bullet holes and cracks. He looked out into the night sky as his artillery rained down upon the capital. bombers whizzed overhead, going to deliver their payload unto the remaining defenders.
Onyx opened the flaps to the tent where his commanders discussed the possible strategies they could use to make it inside the city. Auto turrets prevented them from getting past the walls, but the bombers should have destroyed the power plant, cutting off the power and leaving defenseless.

It had been only 5 months since the start of the revolution. The rebel forces controlled 3 of the 5 continents, and the last two were sure to follow after the capital fell.
"Is there something you would like to say, commander Onyx?" asked basilus, the leader of the ground regiments and tank battalions.
"The bombers are on their way to the city. I think we should begin to discuss attacking the city walls."
"Aye, and I've been blockin' the ports all the way from here to Damascus for a fortnight. They can't hold out for much longer." agreed Regis Tungsten, the Admiral of the (former) governor's navy.
"Then it's settled. We prepare the troops at dawn, and march right after the sun rises in the east. In the meantime, we continue the air raids until midnight. Now go and rest, I want you all well equipped for this offensive. We may yet have an end to all this violence soon."
Onyx retreated to his quarters in the makeshift barracks on the mountains he once watched the sun set upon. So much had happened in 5 months, It was hard to believe it had happened at all. But here he was, at the fringes of the capital, ready to bring the lord king to his knees at the foot of the rebellion.
His eyes shut and he drifted off into a dreamless sleep, as he had every night after that tragic day.

Onyx adorned his armor and loaded his stolen bolter turret he had torn from a police vehicle.
"Are you sure you do not want a better, uh, more suitable weapon, commander?" asked a young quartermaster.
"Waste not the things you have simply because there is a slightly better version in stock. If I use this for even just one day more until it finally gives out, not only will I have a shiny new bolter waiting for me back here, but I will have one extra day to use it."
Onyx walked with basilus along the front of the ground regiments. Tanks and armored troop carriers revved with diesel-fueled anticipation.
"The troops are fed, rested, armed, and ready to march at your word, commander." said basilus.
Onyx looked across the line of soldiers with a steeled expression.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Let us take this city from the wasteful lords and put in tje hands of the people!"
Cheering and hollering rang out across the regiments, and they marched on towards the capital.

As expected, the auto turrets were down, leaving the city walls defenseless. A couple of tank rounds blew a hole through the metal gates, and an infantry charge surged in. Onyx was around the center of the column, leading armored vehicles with gunners and tanks behind them. The defenders were few and weakened by the seige, so many surrendered at the first sight of battle. Eventually they made their way to the citadel of the city, the lord regent's palace. Suddenly auto turrets emerged all around the palace walls. The Infantry Regiments suffered heavy casualties before they could scramble to cover behind buildings.
"I THOUGHT YOU SAID THE AUTO TURRETS WERE DEALT WITH, COMMANDER" shouted Basilus from behind a small concrete roadblock.
"Apparently the good lord was more prepared than we previously thought. They must be running on reserve power, We can take them out while they're recharging."
Onyx picked up his bolter turret and pulled out of his cover, shredding the nearest auto turret. The others spun around, but began to hum and spin up before they could fire.
The tank battalions decimated the turrets, and Onyx lead the charge into the palace.

Onyx kicked down the giant ornate doors to the throne room to find the lord regent on his throne, shouting commands to his troops over the radio. He looked up at the armored giant before him and scrambled for his communicator.
"I need backup! Guards! Guards!" he shouted.
A wave of men with electrified batons poured from behind him. Onyx swatted them away like flies, their shock bats merely annoying him.
"My 'lord', decadent and pitiful as always." said Onyx in a mocking tone.
"You think yourself some kind of liberator? A hero of the revolution? The pinnacle of freedom? The same corrupt systems that developed under me will soon develop under your rule as well; it's simply a fact of human nature! If you were to lay down your arms this second I might be lenien-"
Onyx slapped him across the face, shattering his nose and teeth.
"Your words mean nothing to me. Begone."
The former regent was taken by a group of infantrymen to await a trial.
Onyx looked at his throne. Gold, wood, ornate carvings, electronic devices, and cushions covered it from top to bottom. It was weak, decadent, and superficial, even the materials it was made of where flimsy and malleable. Onyx tore it apart with ease, leaving a pile of rubble and dust.
"I want you to tear this down. all of it."
"E-excuse me sir?" asked a bewildered sergeant.
"This palace. It must be torn from it's foundation and rebuilt, from a good, strong material. Stone and marble, no precious metals. We have much work to do."
Onyx left the room and the soldiers got to work.