Replying to Juni's art thread
Topic Summary
Posted 15 February 2011 - 08:00 AM
Traditional art. I try to pick up my tablet sometimes, but digital art gets too frustrating for me. And you cant really use digital art if you dont know how to use it. I prefer to use my markers and pencils any time.
Juni Ori
Posted 29 September 2010 - 07:22 PM
After reading TC's story after a somewhat long time, I realize how much I'm in debt to Frodo and greywolf: thank you. Nowadays I feel that parts 1-4 are potential, but everything after that isn't really. And yes, I'm going to write and edit it in finnish one day. But back to point: this has been important work behind the story and building the world and its myths and legends, so humble thanks to those who encouraged me to continue.
Juni Ori
Posted 10 October 2008 - 06:49 AM
Stopped by to mention that most if not everything is nicely wrapped together in here. If anyone happens to wander here...
Juni Ori
Posted 18 May 2008 - 01:10 PM
Then again the whole event is very unlikely on a disciplined military crew. Even on a common cruise ship captain doesn't pay much attention to small problems. Perhaps she just trusted her crew handles the situation.
Frodo
Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:34 AM
Yeah, the banging stopped. But if I was on that ship, I would still want to know what caused the banging, and is it really secure now. Otherwise, if the ship suddenly had to change course, brake, whatever, then whatever caused the banging could go flying, and cause a lot more damage.
Remind me never to fly on a ship with you!
Remind me never to fly on a ship with you!
Juni Ori
Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:24 AM
Well, one living quarters compared to the whole ship? Perhaps there are some reasons why changing course isn't an option and waiting any further would lead to too violent deceleration.
About the clanging: reread my quote above. The very first three words. But it stopped.
About the clanging: reread my quote above. The very first three words. But it stopped.
Frodo
Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:17 AM
She wasn't taking risks, but she just leaving D-2 to their own devices?
And then, with the clanging thing. Someone got hit, but if the object is still loose, then it is still a problem.
And then, with the clanging thing. Someone got hit, but if the object is still loose, then it is still a problem.
Juni Ori
Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:09 AM
D-2 was unimportant. But:
She wasn't taking risks. Green zone was the distance from the star where deceleration created less than three g's. Virtually everywhere else but the yellow and red zones. If D-2 wasn't prepared, it was their problem. But she turned to her adjutant:
"Captain, check out D-2."
Admitted, I meant to mention about it later.
Also:
But it stopped, but instantly the speakers shouted:
"Medical team to Core-4!"
*crapola*. Someone had been hit. Hopefully the one who had left the object loose. Well, better one of the crew than the ship.
So no more danger.
She is attacking because she is ordered to, though admitted it may be a little tricky part, but I think people can figure out why. It's actually hinted quite clearly in the text...
Immediate edit: As I said in shoutbox, this definitely wasn't my finest hour. Sorry for being bit hard to follow.
She wasn't taking risks. Green zone was the distance from the star where deceleration created less than three g's. Virtually everywhere else but the yellow and red zones. If D-2 wasn't prepared, it was their problem. But she turned to her adjutant:
"Captain, check out D-2."
Admitted, I meant to mention about it later.
Also:
But it stopped, but instantly the speakers shouted:
"Medical team to Core-4!"
*crapola*. Someone had been hit. Hopefully the one who had left the object loose. Well, better one of the crew than the ship.
So no more danger.
She is attacking because she is ordered to, though admitted it may be a little tricky part, but I think people can figure out why. It's actually hinted quite clearly in the text...
Immediate edit: As I said in shoutbox, this definitely wasn't my finest hour. Sorry for being bit hard to follow.
Frodo
Posted 18 May 2008 - 02:01 AM
Wow, dark story. A little hard to follow at times.
Why did D-2 quarters not report in? And if they had 90 seconds of green zone left, does it matter if D-2 is prepared or not?
If there was clanging, and something was loose, should Admiral Ruiz not send someone to investigate? Otherwise it could damage the ship.
And why is she attacking this planet anyway. I get that she has doubts, but it seemed like she invaded it for no reason.
Why did D-2 quarters not report in? And if they had 90 seconds of green zone left, does it matter if D-2 is prepared or not?
If there was clanging, and something was loose, should Admiral Ruiz not send someone to investigate? Otherwise it could damage the ship.
And why is she attacking this planet anyway. I get that she has doubts, but it seemed like she invaded it for no reason.
Juni Ori
Posted 18 May 2008 - 01:17 AM
Tonights story is very dark and perhaps even oppressive, but hopefully people can either enjoy of it, learn from it or just finish reading it.
"Mam, we are approaching R-331-system."
Admiral opened her eyes slowly. Four months of space travel was dulling. Her whole crew and most likely whole fleet's crew was bored and thus tired. But they were finally approaching their destination. She nodded to the duty officer and waved him away. She released herself from the bed harnesses and floated to the doorway.
"Officer on deck!" duty officer shouted immediately as the door opened and she entered the bridge. Quick glance to screens in front of her chair revealed her that they were beginning deceleration.
"Admiral Ruiz taking command," she ordered and duty officer gave her the chair. She turned on the internal link and put her comlink on: "Ship crew, this is admiral speaking. Prepare for deceleration in ten minutes."
Yellow lights began flashing and reports started coming all over the ship in nice order. All but living quarters D-2 reported in.
"D-2, report in," she said internal link open and closed it. "Pilot, proceed phase one."
"Yes, mam."
Somewhat notable g-forces began effecting and even slightiest hint of gravity felt welcome. But it was all over too soon. Massive ship had turned facing to opposite and now her main thruster was awaiting for deceleration sequence. Ship had been moving in an artificial worm-hole it had created, but even still the velocities had to be huge. Even still the velocity had its safe maximum. She, even as an admiral, didn't quite exactly know why. Well, she didn't need to.
"D-2, report in."
No answer.
"Mam, ninety seconds of green zone."
"Proceed phase two."
She wasn't taking risks. Green zone was the distance from the star where deceleration created less than three g's. Virtually everywhere else but the yellow and red zones. If D-2 wasn't prepared, it was their problem. But she turned to her adjutant:
"Captain, check out D-2."
G-forces began growing steadily and she leaned to her harness. She focused on incoming reports from other ships:
"Valkyria Four to Valkyria Command."
"Valkyria Command," she replied automatically.
"We have minor damages in thrusters, we may be going wide."
"Copy that, report in in every phase."
"Phase one completed, starting phase two... now." Short silence. "Thruster in ninety percent, all systems clear."
"Maintain ninety, do not take risks. I repeat, do not take risks."
"Roger that."
Four would get ahead the others, but system was rated clear. There shouldn't be anything threatening. At least anything that Four couldn't handle herself.
All of the sudden creaks began echoing through the ship. Which was totally normal in deceleration sequence, but it always made people nervous. Then there was continuous, faint clanging. Someone had left something loose! Admiral Ruiz saw Vice Admiral Hiller's face, which reflected her fears. Something could go badly wrong, if it was heavy enough and if it hit something vulnerable! But it stopped, but instantly the speakers shouted:
"Medical team to Core-4!"
*crapola*. Someone had been hit. Hopefully the one who had left the object loose. Well, better one of the crew than the ship.
Several hours later ship had decelerated significantly and they already saw the exhaustion gas shining brightly through the virtual bridge window. It was significantly dimmed, but even still the bridge bathed in shadows from the screen brightness.
"Pilot, ETA?"
"Eighty four minutes, mam."
"Hiller, take command and inform me when ETA is fifteen."
"Yes, mam."
Admiral Ruiz was back on bridge. Knowing that ship engines were silent and even still she was standing made her smile. She could see it on everyone's faces too. It was longed-for feeling. Even though they were still surrounded by void, kilometers above the surface.
"Mam, I'm reading significant increase of surface communications."
"So the High Command was right. They have evolved too much."
Vice Admiral Hiller looked at her. Clearly awaiting orders.
"Bridge to General Ekman."
"General Ekman."
"Report in."
"91st ready and awaiting orders."
"91st, embark. General, visit me in cabinet two."
Admiral Ruiz stared the table screens. The planet below looked lovely. It was so natural, pure, clean of pollution. Even still she was about to order a cleanse. Of course she understood the logic behind it all, it had been repeated to her from the earliest youth. Human race had no other choise but subdue or in some extreme cases wipe out other intelligent life forms. It was still... somehow... she couldn't quite express it even to herself.
"Admiral?" she was surprised. General Ekman.
"Yes, right. Have you everything ready?"
"Yes, mam."
"And the targets are?"
"Computer, run briefing R-331d."
Table main screen focused to one part of the planet and started offensive demonstration. Admiral Ruiz didn't really pay attention to it, but it seemed to be okay. General had clearly noticed her absent-mindedness, but didn't dare or bother to ask anything.
"What would you consider as their most significant invention?"
"Nuclear power, definitely."
"And how far could they go to stars?"
"Nowhere outside their system of course, but..."
"When could they? What would you guess?"
"Oh... Well, mam, I'm not proficient even to guess..."
"Go ahead, say something."
"Centuries, definitely. Perhaps thousand years."
"And we are sending them back to stone age?"
General stood still, looking her strangely. She knew she had crossed the border. Had she turned the recording on? Hopefully not. She'd be in deep *crapola* if so. Inquisition would take her into thorough examination and she wouldn't survive it. She better hope general didn't want to take risks and challenge her without being sure there were recordings confirming his words.
"Are troops ready?"
"Yes, mam."
"Proceed." She grabbed her com-link and contacted bridge: "Hiller, send in the squadrons. Codename Hailstorm."
Hailstorm aimed to power plants, industry, oil fields, chosen mine types, located warehouses storing sophisticated equipment, goods and resources. There were two other options too, but she cringed to use them: Blizzard, which levelled higher than two floor buildings; and Oblivion, which aimed to destroy the infrastructure.
Luckily General Ekman had left. She wiped a tear from her eye and swallowed hard. Those below there didn't even know they were monitored. And they were about to face an apocalypse of certain degree. She wiped all weakness aside and entered the corridor.
"Mam, your debriefing."
Admiral Ruiz nodded and glanced the debrief. All she noticed were their own casualties and estimated "enemy" casualties. Three bombers were shot down - which was surprisingly much! - but all crew had been recovered safely. Rough estimation of native casualties were several millions. Several millions. How many were there on the planet? Several billions? From that point of view it was far more tolerateable.
Secondary casualties were totally different issue. Economy had crashed. Farms were mechanized and wouldn't be able to harvest after running out of fuel. That would lead to a catastrophic famine. Tens of millions dead. Hundreds of millions. And General Ekman's forces were down there securing that every attempt to recover would fail. By use of force. People down there were being executed.
"Mam, Valkyrie Four reporting in."
"Take it."
She changed one of the screens to show live footage of one randomly picked unamnned surveillance craft. Surprisingly it didn't focus to any large city, but an ancient temple, heavily over-crowded. Were they so primitive after all? Heading immediately back to their superstition when things went impossible to handle? That was surprising.
Other footage in mini-screen caught her attention and she switched to it. Local armed forces were attacking in industrial ruins. But whom? Why was the screen on alert? But of course, there were her own marines down there, tactically withdrawing. Why hadn't Ekman informed of her about the resistance? She took it to the main screen, switching "natural" view to forward off and set to the tactical view.
Situation was clearly in control, even though the enemy had huge numbers compared to her marines. The enemy was fighting fanatically. Of course they were. Off-world invader had destroyed their whole world. Well, cultural world, but still. But they didn't stand a chance. Even though casualties grew, they grew slowly. Superior equipment and weapons dominated. Air superiority meant that enemy ground forces were continuously bombed.
She felt bad and switched the screen back to normal. Sun was raising behind the planet and she focused to that. Screen dimmed automatically. She sighed and glanced her own casualties at the moment. Little over three thousand. Three thousand! Enemy was surprisingly effective and fought furiously.
"Mam, Valkyrie Four has finished her repairs."
She nodded. She felt exhausted and she headed to sleep.
Finally it was all over and they were heading home. Overall casualties were four bombers, no crew and little less than seven thousand marines. Admiral Ruiz felt regret, but how could she had done anything differently? At least her career would had been ruined, most likely whole life. Living in penitentiary planets mining resources led to death. She shook her head and decided she'd try to forget the whole trip. Luckily her weak moment with General Ekman wasn't recorded.
"Mam, we are approaching R-331-system."
Admiral opened her eyes slowly. Four months of space travel was dulling. Her whole crew and most likely whole fleet's crew was bored and thus tired. But they were finally approaching their destination. She nodded to the duty officer and waved him away. She released herself from the bed harnesses and floated to the doorway.
"Officer on deck!" duty officer shouted immediately as the door opened and she entered the bridge. Quick glance to screens in front of her chair revealed her that they were beginning deceleration.
"Admiral Ruiz taking command," she ordered and duty officer gave her the chair. She turned on the internal link and put her comlink on: "Ship crew, this is admiral speaking. Prepare for deceleration in ten minutes."
Yellow lights began flashing and reports started coming all over the ship in nice order. All but living quarters D-2 reported in.
"D-2, report in," she said internal link open and closed it. "Pilot, proceed phase one."
"Yes, mam."
Somewhat notable g-forces began effecting and even slightiest hint of gravity felt welcome. But it was all over too soon. Massive ship had turned facing to opposite and now her main thruster was awaiting for deceleration sequence. Ship had been moving in an artificial worm-hole it had created, but even still the velocities had to be huge. Even still the velocity had its safe maximum. She, even as an admiral, didn't quite exactly know why. Well, she didn't need to.
"D-2, report in."
No answer.
"Mam, ninety seconds of green zone."
"Proceed phase two."
She wasn't taking risks. Green zone was the distance from the star where deceleration created less than three g's. Virtually everywhere else but the yellow and red zones. If D-2 wasn't prepared, it was their problem. But she turned to her adjutant:
"Captain, check out D-2."
G-forces began growing steadily and she leaned to her harness. She focused on incoming reports from other ships:
"Valkyria Four to Valkyria Command."
"Valkyria Command," she replied automatically.
"We have minor damages in thrusters, we may be going wide."
"Copy that, report in in every phase."
"Phase one completed, starting phase two... now." Short silence. "Thruster in ninety percent, all systems clear."
"Maintain ninety, do not take risks. I repeat, do not take risks."
"Roger that."
Four would get ahead the others, but system was rated clear. There shouldn't be anything threatening. At least anything that Four couldn't handle herself.
All of the sudden creaks began echoing through the ship. Which was totally normal in deceleration sequence, but it always made people nervous. Then there was continuous, faint clanging. Someone had left something loose! Admiral Ruiz saw Vice Admiral Hiller's face, which reflected her fears. Something could go badly wrong, if it was heavy enough and if it hit something vulnerable! But it stopped, but instantly the speakers shouted:
"Medical team to Core-4!"
*crapola*. Someone had been hit. Hopefully the one who had left the object loose. Well, better one of the crew than the ship.
Several hours later ship had decelerated significantly and they already saw the exhaustion gas shining brightly through the virtual bridge window. It was significantly dimmed, but even still the bridge bathed in shadows from the screen brightness.
"Pilot, ETA?"
"Eighty four minutes, mam."
"Hiller, take command and inform me when ETA is fifteen."
"Yes, mam."
Admiral Ruiz was back on bridge. Knowing that ship engines were silent and even still she was standing made her smile. She could see it on everyone's faces too. It was longed-for feeling. Even though they were still surrounded by void, kilometers above the surface.
"Mam, I'm reading significant increase of surface communications."
"So the High Command was right. They have evolved too much."
Vice Admiral Hiller looked at her. Clearly awaiting orders.
"Bridge to General Ekman."
"General Ekman."
"Report in."
"91st ready and awaiting orders."
"91st, embark. General, visit me in cabinet two."
Admiral Ruiz stared the table screens. The planet below looked lovely. It was so natural, pure, clean of pollution. Even still she was about to order a cleanse. Of course she understood the logic behind it all, it had been repeated to her from the earliest youth. Human race had no other choise but subdue or in some extreme cases wipe out other intelligent life forms. It was still... somehow... she couldn't quite express it even to herself.
"Admiral?" she was surprised. General Ekman.
"Yes, right. Have you everything ready?"
"Yes, mam."
"And the targets are?"
"Computer, run briefing R-331d."
Table main screen focused to one part of the planet and started offensive demonstration. Admiral Ruiz didn't really pay attention to it, but it seemed to be okay. General had clearly noticed her absent-mindedness, but didn't dare or bother to ask anything.
"What would you consider as their most significant invention?"
"Nuclear power, definitely."
"And how far could they go to stars?"
"Nowhere outside their system of course, but..."
"When could they? What would you guess?"
"Oh... Well, mam, I'm not proficient even to guess..."
"Go ahead, say something."
"Centuries, definitely. Perhaps thousand years."
"And we are sending them back to stone age?"
General stood still, looking her strangely. She knew she had crossed the border. Had she turned the recording on? Hopefully not. She'd be in deep *crapola* if so. Inquisition would take her into thorough examination and she wouldn't survive it. She better hope general didn't want to take risks and challenge her without being sure there were recordings confirming his words.
"Are troops ready?"
"Yes, mam."
"Proceed." She grabbed her com-link and contacted bridge: "Hiller, send in the squadrons. Codename Hailstorm."
Hailstorm aimed to power plants, industry, oil fields, chosen mine types, located warehouses storing sophisticated equipment, goods and resources. There were two other options too, but she cringed to use them: Blizzard, which levelled higher than two floor buildings; and Oblivion, which aimed to destroy the infrastructure.
Luckily General Ekman had left. She wiped a tear from her eye and swallowed hard. Those below there didn't even know they were monitored. And they were about to face an apocalypse of certain degree. She wiped all weakness aside and entered the corridor.
"Mam, your debriefing."
Admiral Ruiz nodded and glanced the debrief. All she noticed were their own casualties and estimated "enemy" casualties. Three bombers were shot down - which was surprisingly much! - but all crew had been recovered safely. Rough estimation of native casualties were several millions. Several millions. How many were there on the planet? Several billions? From that point of view it was far more tolerateable.
Secondary casualties were totally different issue. Economy had crashed. Farms were mechanized and wouldn't be able to harvest after running out of fuel. That would lead to a catastrophic famine. Tens of millions dead. Hundreds of millions. And General Ekman's forces were down there securing that every attempt to recover would fail. By use of force. People down there were being executed.
"Mam, Valkyrie Four reporting in."
"Take it."
She changed one of the screens to show live footage of one randomly picked unamnned surveillance craft. Surprisingly it didn't focus to any large city, but an ancient temple, heavily over-crowded. Were they so primitive after all? Heading immediately back to their superstition when things went impossible to handle? That was surprising.
Other footage in mini-screen caught her attention and she switched to it. Local armed forces were attacking in industrial ruins. But whom? Why was the screen on alert? But of course, there were her own marines down there, tactically withdrawing. Why hadn't Ekman informed of her about the resistance? She took it to the main screen, switching "natural" view to forward off and set to the tactical view.
Situation was clearly in control, even though the enemy had huge numbers compared to her marines. The enemy was fighting fanatically. Of course they were. Off-world invader had destroyed their whole world. Well, cultural world, but still. But they didn't stand a chance. Even though casualties grew, they grew slowly. Superior equipment and weapons dominated. Air superiority meant that enemy ground forces were continuously bombed.
She felt bad and switched the screen back to normal. Sun was raising behind the planet and she focused to that. Screen dimmed automatically. She sighed and glanced her own casualties at the moment. Little over three thousand. Three thousand! Enemy was surprisingly effective and fought furiously.
"Mam, Valkyrie Four has finished her repairs."
She nodded. She felt exhausted and she headed to sleep.
Finally it was all over and they were heading home. Overall casualties were four bombers, no crew and little less than seven thousand marines. Admiral Ruiz felt regret, but how could she had done anything differently? At least her career would had been ruined, most likely whole life. Living in penitentiary planets mining resources led to death. She shook her head and decided she'd try to forget the whole trip. Luckily her weak moment with General Ekman wasn't recorded.
