The Machine
The following takes place following: Eve of Destruction
High in the Citadel, the Master is escorted by a civil servant through the halls toward the Prime Minister’s office. Coming the other way is Jamie McDonald, his attention buried in a stack of papers. He looks up, sees Master Devlin, and freezes—surprise flashing across his face, quickly replaced by outrage. Neither man speaks. As they pass, Jamie turns to look back, but the Master continues forward without a glance.
The Master sits on a seat outside the Prime Minister’s office for about ten minutes.
Secretary: "Master Devlin, the Prime Minister will see you now. Please follow me."
They go through the door into the office.
Secretary: "Mr. Prime Minister… Master Devlin."
The secretary leaves the room and closes the door. The Master and the Prime Minister shake hands.
Master Devlin: "Prime Minister Konrad… Kyle. It’s been a while. Good to see you."
Kyle: "You too, Master Devlin. Nice to see a friendly face."
Konrad breaks the handshake and gestures to a chair opposite his desk. The Prime Minister looks visibly weary, the lines under his eyes deepening in the harsh office lighting.
Master Devlin: "You’re a difficult man to reach these days. Even for a representative of the Council. I had to be quite... persuasive to get an audience."
Kyle: "Yes, apologies. Had I known sooner, of course I’d have seen you. Unfortunately, some of my staff believe strongly in keeping me in the dark... compartmentalisation, they say. Plausible deniability and all that."
Master Devlin: "You mean like Mr. McDonald?"
Kyle: "Yes... yes, he’s quite gruesome, isn’t he? Yet I believe he means well, in his own way. If it weren’t for him, I doubt I’d still be in this chair. Though I’m not sure what good it does... Anyway, I’m guessing you’re here about Mr. Travers?"
Master Devlin: "Indeed. So you were aware of that, then?"
Kyle: "Of course. I saw your publication. The situation is very unfortunate, but I’m afraid I can’t help you."
Master Devlin: "Unfortunate? Forgive me, Kyle, but you’re the Prime Minister..."
Kyle: "I think you’ll find that title means less than you think!"
The Prime Minister suddenly stands, pacing away from the desk toward the large bay window. Staring down at the city, his reflection seems smaller, diminished by the scale of the glass.
Kyle: "You think I’m not aware of how wrong this all is? Of course I am. It’s monstrous. But don’t sit there and pretend like I owe Travers anything! That little goblin—used me, abused me... exploited my own legal troubles for his own gain for years!"
Konrad turns sharply, his eyes burning with frustration and lingering bitterness. But as he meets the Master’s gaze, the searing intensity in his expression falters. The Master isn’t scolding, accusing, or demanding. He’s just watching with that same quiet, understanding disappointment. It cuts deeper than any reprimand.
Kyle: "Damn it, Steven. Don’t look at me like that. And don’t think the irony is lost on me either. The Justice Party that I founded now overseeing the most obscene injustice imaginable..."
Master Devlin: "Then why let it happen?"
Kyle: "Because it’s bigger than you can possibly imagine. Bigger than Travers. Bigger than me... This government—this entire country—is drowning in their influence. It’s in every corner of the system. In the courts, the prosecution, the legislature… hell, even my own bloody party! I’m Prime Minister in name only. Most of my MPs wouldn’t hesitate to back a vote of no confidence if I even hinted at standing against them."
Master Devlin: "Them? You mean VAMP..."
Kyle: "Yes. They’re not just an advocacy group. Not anymore. They’ve seeped into everything. Politicians, the media, big business—they’ve bought them all. Those who can’t be bought are… persuaded. Or silenced."
Master Devlin: "Silenced?"
Kyle: "You don’t know the half of it. Even The Chronicle doesn’t know. I was thinking of leaking it myself, but I thought it too risky... People aren’t just disappearing into holding cells or sham trials, Steven. They’re being taken to places… places no one talks about. Blood banks."
Master Devlin: "Blood banks?"
Kyle: "Newly converted. They’ve kicked the sick out of hospital wards to make room... You see, they don’t kill outright. They keep people alive—barely—draining them slowly, over weeks, months. It’s efficient, you see. Sustainable."
The Master’s expression tightens, his calm exterior beginning to crack. But he lets Konrad continue, sensing there’s more.
Kyle: "It’s not just that. Every institution you think is safe, every ally you think you can trust… they’re compromised. Deals struck behind closed doors—editorial boards instructed to kill stories, CEOs donating millions to VAMP in exchange for ‘favours.’ As you’ve seen, even the judiciary isn’t immune..."
He slumps back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
Kyle: "I’ve tried, Steven. Behind the scenes, I’ve tried. Smuggling people out of the city, leaking classified intel to what few independent journalists we have left, even planting loyalists in key positions. But every move I make, they counter tenfold. My political capital is spent. I’m running on fumes."
Master Devlin: "I understand. They tried to worm their way into the Masters’ Council too, but I stopped it."
Kyle: "You did? How?"
Master Devlin: "I intercepted two VAMP agents who were trying to take control of the Senior Council. I dealt with them personally—with extreme prejudice—and the Council has wartime defences in place."
Kyle: "I see."
Master Devlin: "I understand the difficult situation you are in, Kyle, but we can’t just give in to this. We need to fight back. You have the Council’s full support… Now, is there anyone in your office—anyone at all—who is pulling the strings in this vampire business?"
Konrad exhales sharply, leaning forward with his elbows on the desk.
Kyle: "Gregory Blackwood, the Home Secretary... He was ambitious long before the vampires appeared, and now he’s their most loyal ally. He’s not a vampire—not yet—but he wants to be. He’ll do whatever it takes to earn their favour. You’ve heard his speeches, I’m sure. He’s their key operative in government—the one passing their laws, deploying their enforcement, silencing dissent."
Master Devlin: "I see. And if he were to be ‘removed’, that would allow you to be an actual Prime Minister again?"
Kyle: "If he were… removed from power, it could certainly destabilise their operations—but only temporarily. He’s a big cog in the machine, yes, but that’s just it—he’s part of a much larger machinery. Half of my ministers are unwavering supporters of this so-called ‘new order.’ The civil service? Nearly the entire apparatus is compromised, from what I’m hearing. Blackwood may be the face of their operations, but cutting him out won’t stop the rot that’s already infested every level of power."
Master Devlin: "Understood. You need to have control of your government once again. I can perhaps make this problem go away, but I need your blessing before I can proceed. This wouldn’t be on behalf of the Prime Minister—nothing official, so it doesn’t come back to you—but I need to hear it from you..."
Kyle: "He’s a traitor as far as I’m concerned. And this is war... You have it."
The Master nods and stands up.
Kyle: "Thank you, Steven. I will continue to do what I can from here. There are those still sympathetic to our side, but I suspect it will take some convincing to get them round the table... I know you and he didn’t see eye to eye, but I happen to know Mr. McDonald is one of them. He’s a rather gruesome character, as I said, but he’s not on their side..."
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Widdlington Post Exclusive: Prosperity and Peace – New Munitions Factory in West Widdlington to Bolster Jobs and Global Security
By Jenny Greene, The Widdlington Post
In a landmark step for both Waldonia’s economy and its role on the international stage, the government has approved construction of a new defence manufacturing facility in West Widdlington. Officials say the project will create hundreds of skilled jobs while strengthening Waldonia’s contribution to global security efforts abroad.
The announcement follows last week’s unexpected resignation of former Foreign Secretary Margaret Sinclair, citing “health reasons.” Her successor, Miriam Cohen, has already set a markedly firmer tone in foreign affairs.
“Waldonia stands ready to support its allies wherever freedom is threatened,” Cohen told reporters at a press briefing. “This project reflects that commitment — to peace through strength, and prosperity through purpose.”
The factory will breathe new life into one of the region’s most neglected industrial areas. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity,” said Councillor Sarah Wilkes. “Not only will it revitalise local employment, but it reaffirms Waldonia’s standing as a responsible partner in keeping the world safe.”
Behind the initiative stands David Rubin Goldenstein (DRG), a local businessman and philanthropist whose personal investment has underwritten much of the development. Goldenstein — recently the target of what he calls “a malicious campaign of falsehoods” — dismissed allegations about his business dealings as “tired conspiracy theories from the usual suspects.”
Observers note that the project comes amid renewed efforts to combat Vampirophobia in sections of the press, as Chronicle editor Harris Travers stands trial on charges including hate speech, disinformation, terrorism, and incitement—offences that prosecutors say threatened “national cohesion.”
Home Secretary Gregory Blackwood praised the court’s decision and said the government “would not tolerate hatred or extremism in any form.” He added that the West Widdlington development exemplified “Waldonia’s unity of purpose in challenging dangerous ideologies with work, prosperity, and truth.”
Construction is expected to begin within weeks, with the first line of production scheduled for early next year. The facility is projected to export primarily to allied nations engaged in “counter-terror operations” overseas.
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The Waldoverse continues in The Fang and the Gavel