Not too art-ish, but here we go:
Ainoa kuolematon asia on unelma kuolemattomuudesta - Juni 20.4.08
(The only immortal thing is the dream of immortality)
Possibly the only "wise" comment I'll ever say.
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Juni's art thread
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Juni Ori
, Apr 29 2006 06:57 AM
138 replies to this topic
#122
Juni Ori
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Posted 04 May 2008 - 01:00 AM
This tale is from darkest days of the history of the world where Tai Cara later on lived.
He was respected hunter. He was best with the javelin and one of the best in stonework. He, and his people, did vaguely understand that they weren't alone, that there were others, almost like them. But those others were suspectible, some were even evil. Hunters had to defend their people. He was among those few who had heroically defended his people and slain six of evil-doers. He was Meca.
Winter had ended. Finally. Their storages had ended and they were starving. They had lived on roots and small animals they had hunted near their cave the last days. Younger men, like Meca, were in quite good condition, but elder and children were suffering badly. Some had died. At least two handfuls. And they had only handful or so handfuls of people. Times were dire. Now he waved his hand to his woman and headed to the plains.
Big water was close. He could smell its bad water. In water lived strange animals, that were edible but very difficult prey. Running water was more to his liking, there they could push the animals to shallow water and pick them up or spear them. But it was womens job. He was proud hunter. He fought against the huge horned animals and gave his people food to eat.
He led only handful of men, but they were only searching the animals. They would call others with horn's magic. They did the most important job. And he was proud. But he was not their leader. That would change when their leader would get little older, so Meca could challenge him and take his position. But now he had to concentrate to the hunt.
Several days had passed. They had found only small animals and spent some time hunting them. But no big heavily furred animals. But it might take many days to find them, it didn't worry him yet. But the smoke in horizon worried him. There might be others, perhaps some of the evil-doers.
"Icaa!" he shouted to his companion. "We go there. Take food from others."
His companion nodded. It was risky, but they might have the chance to sneak in to their camp and kill them before they could react and take their food. They headed closer.
Near the smoke they heard noices from the camp. There were handfuls of others. Meca wasn't happy. He had hoped there would be only handful or so. Now things would be much more difficult. But he decided to go closer. They hadn't found yet big animals. He wanted to see what was in the camp. They closed in.
Only handful of hunters! Rest were women and children! They had good chances after all! Meca signaled his men to close in silently. Big light was shadowed in the sky, which might mean water from the sky. But it helped now him and his men. They were already very close and saw handful of women in front of some strange mound. Mound was covered with hides! What evil was this?
Then he breathed heavily, when mound gave birth to a woman! He was horrified and didn't even realize at first that the women looked at him. He won his fear and threw his javelin, hitting one of the women. Others attacked at the same time and their javelins slaughtered three more. He took his knife from his bag and attacked. Screams, blood and fierce combat filled the air for a moment.
And suddenly there was silence and blood everywhere. He had lost only one man and all of the others were dead! Only woods in fireplace kept some noice. Evil-doers were dead, but what about the mound? Would it give birth to yet another evil-doer? What could he do? Would it burn? He took a stick from the fireplace and threw it on top of the mound. No. It didn't burn.
Shouts from the ridge alerted him. Handful of evil spirits attacked! He was about to run, but there were only as many evil spirits and he didn't want to be coward. Spirits might curse his hunting arm if he now ran and then their people would be doomed! He threw his javelin and dodged one thrown at him. He didn't miss. Again knife in his hand he attacked, but it was damaged. Stone blade had chipped and lost third of it's cutting edge.
Wrestling his first opponent down his knife got stuck into evil spirit's side! Another attacked him and he only barely threw it aside and jumped after it. Clawing, biting and hammering it with his fist it finally stopped moving. His heart was bouncing, when he looked around. Only one of his men was standing! They had to be quick and discover where the food was fast!
But nothing. There was no cave, and bags lying around had no food. The mound hadn't given yet another birth, but something was inside. He heard crying. He shivered. This was evil. This was something spirits would had wanted him to destroy. But how? Frustrated, he kicked the mound and surprised when his foot went through it! Panicked he stumbled and fell inside!
Screaming, flailing his hands around he got up and took some distance to the mound. It was definitely wierd, but now he was curious. Icaa was the only one of his men standing and he stood frightened at some distance away. Taking a burning wood from the fireplace he approached the mound again. Screaming continued inside unpaused.
He rose the hide a little and realized there was a child inside! Quickly grabbing it and dropping outside he continued discovering. There was odd stick with a strange knife in it! And food! He had found the food they had been looking for! And more children? What was this place? It had ground... Finally he began to realize. It was amazing thing. Most amazing he had ever seen - except perhaps for the northern lights in the sky.
He dragged two more children out from the mound, because they had to be saved. What evil might the evil-doers do with them, if left behind? Icaa was still standing cowardly aside, but had at least took the child to his arms. Meca had hands full of food and children, burdened with his load.
"Icaa! Take food!" he shouted and glanced around. Everywhere was silent. "We go!"
They disappeared into the slowly beginning rain.
Several days later Ami, proud and able hunter, just like Meca, mourned on the remnants of his camp. His people dead. All women and most of hunters dead, and children gone. Evil spirits had attacked his camp...
Edit: Fixed couple of things...
Edit2: Handful of handfuls sounds better than twenty handfuls...
He was respected hunter. He was best with the javelin and one of the best in stonework. He, and his people, did vaguely understand that they weren't alone, that there were others, almost like them. But those others were suspectible, some were even evil. Hunters had to defend their people. He was among those few who had heroically defended his people and slain six of evil-doers. He was Meca.
Winter had ended. Finally. Their storages had ended and they were starving. They had lived on roots and small animals they had hunted near their cave the last days. Younger men, like Meca, were in quite good condition, but elder and children were suffering badly. Some had died. At least two handfuls. And they had only handful or so handfuls of people. Times were dire. Now he waved his hand to his woman and headed to the plains.
Big water was close. He could smell its bad water. In water lived strange animals, that were edible but very difficult prey. Running water was more to his liking, there they could push the animals to shallow water and pick them up or spear them. But it was womens job. He was proud hunter. He fought against the huge horned animals and gave his people food to eat.
He led only handful of men, but they were only searching the animals. They would call others with horn's magic. They did the most important job. And he was proud. But he was not their leader. That would change when their leader would get little older, so Meca could challenge him and take his position. But now he had to concentrate to the hunt.
Several days had passed. They had found only small animals and spent some time hunting them. But no big heavily furred animals. But it might take many days to find them, it didn't worry him yet. But the smoke in horizon worried him. There might be others, perhaps some of the evil-doers.
"Icaa!" he shouted to his companion. "We go there. Take food from others."
His companion nodded. It was risky, but they might have the chance to sneak in to their camp and kill them before they could react and take their food. They headed closer.
Near the smoke they heard noices from the camp. There were handfuls of others. Meca wasn't happy. He had hoped there would be only handful or so. Now things would be much more difficult. But he decided to go closer. They hadn't found yet big animals. He wanted to see what was in the camp. They closed in.
Only handful of hunters! Rest were women and children! They had good chances after all! Meca signaled his men to close in silently. Big light was shadowed in the sky, which might mean water from the sky. But it helped now him and his men. They were already very close and saw handful of women in front of some strange mound. Mound was covered with hides! What evil was this?
Then he breathed heavily, when mound gave birth to a woman! He was horrified and didn't even realize at first that the women looked at him. He won his fear and threw his javelin, hitting one of the women. Others attacked at the same time and their javelins slaughtered three more. He took his knife from his bag and attacked. Screams, blood and fierce combat filled the air for a moment.
And suddenly there was silence and blood everywhere. He had lost only one man and all of the others were dead! Only woods in fireplace kept some noice. Evil-doers were dead, but what about the mound? Would it give birth to yet another evil-doer? What could he do? Would it burn? He took a stick from the fireplace and threw it on top of the mound. No. It didn't burn.
Shouts from the ridge alerted him. Handful of evil spirits attacked! He was about to run, but there were only as many evil spirits and he didn't want to be coward. Spirits might curse his hunting arm if he now ran and then their people would be doomed! He threw his javelin and dodged one thrown at him. He didn't miss. Again knife in his hand he attacked, but it was damaged. Stone blade had chipped and lost third of it's cutting edge.
Wrestling his first opponent down his knife got stuck into evil spirit's side! Another attacked him and he only barely threw it aside and jumped after it. Clawing, biting and hammering it with his fist it finally stopped moving. His heart was bouncing, when he looked around. Only one of his men was standing! They had to be quick and discover where the food was fast!
But nothing. There was no cave, and bags lying around had no food. The mound hadn't given yet another birth, but something was inside. He heard crying. He shivered. This was evil. This was something spirits would had wanted him to destroy. But how? Frustrated, he kicked the mound and surprised when his foot went through it! Panicked he stumbled and fell inside!
Screaming, flailing his hands around he got up and took some distance to the mound. It was definitely wierd, but now he was curious. Icaa was the only one of his men standing and he stood frightened at some distance away. Taking a burning wood from the fireplace he approached the mound again. Screaming continued inside unpaused.
He rose the hide a little and realized there was a child inside! Quickly grabbing it and dropping outside he continued discovering. There was odd stick with a strange knife in it! And food! He had found the food they had been looking for! And more children? What was this place? It had ground... Finally he began to realize. It was amazing thing. Most amazing he had ever seen - except perhaps for the northern lights in the sky.
He dragged two more children out from the mound, because they had to be saved. What evil might the evil-doers do with them, if left behind? Icaa was still standing cowardly aside, but had at least took the child to his arms. Meca had hands full of food and children, burdened with his load.
"Icaa! Take food!" he shouted and glanced around. Everywhere was silent. "We go!"
They disappeared into the slowly beginning rain.
Several days later Ami, proud and able hunter, just like Meca, mourned on the remnants of his camp. His people dead. All women and most of hunters dead, and children gone. Evil spirits had attacked his camp...
Edit: Fixed couple of things...
Edit2: Handful of handfuls sounds better than twenty handfuls...
...70 years... LOL
#123
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
Posted 04 May 2008 - 01:29 AM
Good story Juni. I like how you tell it from Meca's point of view. Meca's people are the good guys, and the other side is the bad guys. Then at the end, you switch to Ami's view, telling how he found his camp attacked, and most of his people destroyed. It shows how there is 2 sides to every story.
Some things confused me though...
I'm not sure what you mean by bad water and running water. Is that a river and a waterfall?
If winter is over, how come Meca had so much trouble finding animals to hunt? He is a respected hunter, after all.
He goes to the other camp, and sees the mound. Is that entrance to an underground cave, where Ami's people live?
An excellent story though. Thanks for posting it.
Some things confused me though...
I'm not sure what you mean by bad water and running water. Is that a river and a waterfall?
If winter is over, how come Meca had so much trouble finding animals to hunt? He is a respected hunter, after all.
He goes to the other camp, and sees the mound. Is that entrance to an underground cave, where Ami's people live?
An excellent story though. Thanks for posting it.
Please click on my dragons to help them grow - 
#124
Juni Ori
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Posted 04 May 2008 - 01:33 AM
Hehe, I knew some would be difficult to understand - though I believed you'd guess their meaning. Bad water = salt water. Running water = river. 
Even though winter is over, they don't find big prey. They do find smaller animals and hunt them, as you can read.
But I'm shocked you didn't get that mound thingy! Perhaps my tired brains just roam their own ways of logic, but it's mound, covered with hides... what else could it be but tent?
Edit: DAMN! I used word sea!!! I meant to change it to big water...
Even though winter is over, they don't find big prey. They do find smaller animals and hunt them, as you can read.
But I'm shocked you didn't get that mound thingy! Perhaps my tired brains just roam their own ways of logic, but it's mound, covered with hides... what else could it be but tent?
Edit: DAMN! I used word sea!!! I meant to change it to big water...
...70 years... LOL
#125
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
Posted 04 May 2008 - 01:46 AM
Ah, I get the water thing now. He prefers the river cos it's easier to catch animals.
And, tents! Of course! *slaps forehead for not getting that*
Thanks for the explanations.
And, tents! Of course! *slaps forehead for not getting that*
Thanks for the explanations.
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#126
Juni Ori
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Posted 04 May 2008 - 01:51 AM
Plus... What else might be behind good and bad water? The most important thing to...
...70 years... LOL
#127
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
Posted 04 May 2008 - 02:05 AM
Umm... I would say pollution, but the animals are edible (although difficult prey).
Has the water not thawed properly? Or could the salt water be in enemy territory?
Has the water not thawed properly? Or could the salt water be in enemy territory?
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#128
Juni Ori
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Posted 04 May 2008 - 02:09 AM
Which you'd preferably drink?
...70 years... LOL
#129
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
Posted 04 May 2008 - 02:20 AM
Um, the non-salty water, thankyou.
*feels stupid*
*feels stupid*
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#130
Juni Ori
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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.
...70 years... LOL
#131
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
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.
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#132
Juni Ori
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Gaming Guru
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.
...70 years... LOL
#133
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
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.
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#134
Juni Ori
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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.
...70 years... LOL
#135
Frodo
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Your neck looks very... tasty!
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!
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