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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 1:48:01 GMT -5
The wind swirled over the groud, lifting the hard desert sands of Kalee into the air to create blinding storms that swept over the dry planet continuosly. The twin suns beat down on the small battalion that stood on a sand dune, silenting standing watch. In front of them, a particular soldier stood out, an odd air of pride and nobility surrounding his lithe frame.
The Kaleesh General, known as Grievous, sat upon his Ollabac steed, intense yellow eyes gazing out into the simmering distance. His autumn red skin was damp with perspiration and mottled with the dry desert dust. The silvery beads of sweat moistened his hard, battle worn body, gleaming over his musle toned arms and broad chest. Save for his bare chest, his body was a menagerie of tribal clothing, passed down through generations of his family. Tatooed strips of cloth wound from his wrists to his elbow, swathing around them the bandages of a mummy. His personal insignia was burned into the skin of his shoulder, a mark each Kaleesh warrior had, each one the symbol of their family. Moderately tight black pants, woven from the hide of a native reptile covered his legs, an Ollabac hide belt hanging loosely from his waist to his right hip.
His thin neck was covered in a similar fashion to his arms, the tattoed cloth winding up near his chin, where his sharp features were hidden beneath a tribal white mask. The skull like appearance was hollow, emotionless, and chilling, even more so with the blood stained markings that streaked up from the eyes to the tip. Carved ivory colored tusks pointed upwards on either side of the mask, two false ones pointing straight down at the bottom of it.
Grievous' intense gaze flickered back towards the troops who were with him, glancing at the younger soldiers under his command. He knew for a fact that many of the young warriors were excited for the comming battle, where as others were nervous, possibly fearful of the coming fight. They had a right to be afraid though, so he did not judge them. This battle was to be differant than any other they had ever fought.
On the verge of ending the War between the Huk and the Kaleesh, which had lasted for Seven long years so far, something underhanded and unexpected happened. The Huk went to the Republic for help, making a similar plea that the Kaleesh had made some years ago. The Elders had truely thought nothing of it, believing the Huk would receive the same answer. The Republic had refused to give assistance to Kalee, claiming that they decided to keep out of the Outer Rim affairs...they lied. Unlike the Kaleesh, who were now a poor and broken species, the Huk came with things to offer. Leverage. They offered resources such as Oil, territory, weapons for their war with the Separatists, anything they wanted.
The Republic agreed. They now supplied the Huk with weaponry, training, troops, food, supplies...and now...now they supplied them with Jeedai. Ancient warriors who had upheld honor and truth, Grievous had learned about them when he was very little, and had used them as role models to become a respectable officer. He now loathed and despised his child hood heroes, and had relished in killing his very first one in the Battle of Ra'stanbul. Grievous ran a hand over the fallen Jeedai's lightsaber hilt, admiring the craftsmanship. Those lieing self righteous bastards. They were murderers and opportunists, just like the rest of the corrupt republic.
Now he and his troops stood at the Battlefront, the onslaught of the Huk armies prepared to wipe out the Kaleesh capitol. Inside the city behind him were hundreds of thousands of troops at his command, each and every one prepared to die for their Planet. A tinge of regret panged his heart, he was sorrowful that such young ones had to waist their youth in a War, instead of leading normal lives. But Grievous would not let this City fall, no matter what the cost, and he was thankful to have them by his side.
They had three days at best, before the first of the Huk armies arrived, and Grievous was prepared. The Huk had unleashed their little tricks, now he would unleash his. The use of what he intended was typically forbidden in War, as he heard it was a horrible way to die...and yet he felt he had no choice at the moment. Grievous tightened his grip on the reigns of his Ollabac mount, turning away from the desert expanse. Slowly he entered the City gates, his first battalion close behind. He and his Second had much to discuss.
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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 1:56:44 GMT -5
((For those of you who need Pictures: Grievous: Kaleesh: Kaleesh Infantry: There ya go. Credit goes to the Beatiful and Talented Masurao for the amazing pics, that have helped more than any one could ever know.))
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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 1:58:28 GMT -5
((You may notice that I modified Grievous slightly, but hey, you get the idea))
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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 2:02:13 GMT -5
((Huk:
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Post by Redeemer on Nov 25, 2005 2:26:10 GMT -5
The hot sun glinted off of his sweating body. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches,General Nalio's red skinned build showed off.He paced as he waited for Grievous.
"Hmmmmm, were is he? We need to prepare now." Nalio spoke with a slight raise in tone. As he walked to the table with his plan's he picked up his War Mask. He slid his hand across its smooth surface and looked at the black stripes etched off the sides, and along with red stripe going down each eye hole.
As he watched over it he looked down at his battle plan's. All of the arrows and circles of attack. He knew the casualties that would be made, as did the rest of his troops.Thinking of it, he felt his curved sword on the back of his hip. And in the corner were his robes of clothing were his Naginata stayed. Its plain grey staff ending in to incredably sharp edges.
As Nalio began cracking his back a soldier made his way infront of him. "Sir, the left platoon is starting to freak sir. I dont know if they will make it through the night without running away or something worse."
Nalio's eyes widened as he thought about it, "Grievious and I shall pay a visit to them Colonel. Proceed to your post."
As the Colonel left Nalio was left to think about what to say to the soldiers of the left platoon.But he was interupted as another soldier, of lower rank came in. "General, " He began panting as the sweat dropped from his forehead and soaked his clothing. " The Brigadier General is here."
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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 2:42:55 GMT -5
Grievous slid off of the Ollabac, patting her scaled flanks with affection. He whispered to her soothingly as they walked, guiding her by the reigns. He rubbed a hand over her snout, tethering her up in the stalls, and placing a fresh trough of water in front of the Beast. Some founf it odd, Grievous' affection for the creature, and yet he paid no attention to it. She had saved his life more times in battle than anyone could ever believe, and for that, he held himself eternally in her debt.
As he walked away, Grievous was flanked by two soldiers, each one falling into pace with him. They both bowed their heads politely, preparing to give Grievous their report.
"So far," The one on left, named Nak began. "We have found no traces of the Huk near here. It may be possible that they were delayed by yesterdays sandstorm. Hopefully they were, the troops could use the rest."
Grievous nodded, motioning for them to continue.
"Also, we found an underground spring, we already have workers tapping into it for water."
At this, Grievous let out a sigh of relief. They had been running low on water, and although they could live for up to two months without it, he preferred his troops to be well taken care of. A happy soldier, was a willing soldier.
"Just one more thing, General Nalio wishes to speak with you."
"Very well. You two, take a break. Go ride around, or rest in the bathing spring. Take a nap if you like, and get something good to eat. You've earned it." Grievous said, grabbing both of their shoulders. The two grinned beneath their masks and shook their heads, bowing once more, then ran off.
Grievous hid a small smile, and continued on until he saw Nalio walking in his direction, he fell in line with Grievous, and they both lowered their heads in acknowledgement. "What is it that you wish to speak with me about, Nalio?"
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Post by Redeemer on Nov 25, 2005 3:07:53 GMT -5
As Nalio lifted his head after the acknowledgement he began, "Well, we have a bit of a problem." He said as he brought Grievous to his office.
"You see sir," He pointed at the many circles around platoons all around the city. The civilians were located in the middle structure in the basment.
"We have just enough troops to defend everyside of the wall. But i was looking and the pipes of waste give the Huk's an opening to the city underground and they can get anywere from it. If we send soldiers we wont beable to defend another part." Nalio seemed to have a bit of worry in his voice but it dissapeared as quickly as it came.
"And, not to mention that the walls will give at the slightest strike. And with the new weapons the Huks have gotten." Sitting down Nalio sighed, "All the simulations i run in my mind lead to one conclusion, and you know what i mean. I havnt even calculated the Jeedai yet ether. We jhave a chance to win Sir, but it is slim. And getting slimmer. Wich reminds me, we need to go to the left platoon. They are starting to get edgy and scared."
Standing and placing his mask on with his shirt like clothing he nods and says, "Shall we go?"
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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 3:35:26 GMT -5
Grievous sighed, his mind racing. He finally looked up at Nalio, an idea coming to mind. "Follow me." Grievous said, waving his hand for his comrade to follow. As they exited, Grievous signalled for the demolitions unit to follow him.
"Here is the plan. I want all of you to set charges at the foot of each building closest to the wall. When everyone has evacuated the area, blow the charges. Rally up the troops to move the rubble to walls, brace the wall with anything you can find, and I mean anything. I want that fortified and strong as soon as possible."
The troops nodded and immediately went to work. Grievous looked to Nalio, and winked slyly. "That handles the Wall problem for now. We'll make improvements and perfections on it later. As for the tunnels...that's going to be a more difficult matter."
Grievous walked towards the nearest man-hole, lifting the grid off of the ground, to stare into the dank sewer. He grimmaced slightly, then looked back up to Nalio. "Well, I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures." Without another word, he lept into the sewer, landing waist deep in the murky water.
As Nalio landed shortly after, behind him, Grievous turned to look at him. "Our job is so glamerous, no?"
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Post by Redeemer on Nov 25, 2005 3:51:07 GMT -5
"Took the words from my mouth, how was patrol?" As the murky water rippled to Nalio's walk he held his Naginata in the air.
"What do you have in mind sir, maybe blow this with charges, that would clog it though. Then the whole city would be in such a "Glorious" place.
As Nalio listens to the General he hears the water splash up ahead. "Sir im sure you heard that aswell. It must be spies Grievous."
Nalio began to walk slowly to the corner.
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Post by The General on Nov 25, 2005 4:06:01 GMT -5
Grievous slowly unsheathed the two ceremonial daggers from their resting places. The blades were a shimmerin silver color, about seven inches in length, and slightly curved. The hilts were oddly shaped, like a blasters, but area where the trigger would be was replaced by a jutting hand gaurd. The hilt was pure black, and clearly made from the carapace of some kind of insectiod creature, they even looked particullarly uncomfortable, and yet Grievous seemed at ease with them.
"Oh yes, it must be spies, couldn't possibly be small aquatic lizards, or furry little rodents." Grievous said wryly, twirling the blades slowly. As he finished, the first creature erupted from the water, arms outstretched wide. Arching his arm, Grievous hurled one of the blades at the creature, impaling it against the wall. "Damn that was close..." Grievous said, an uneasy feeling creeping over him.
As if to mock him, the walls suddenly became alive with Huk bodies, at least twenty of them swarming from the passage way. Greivous grabbed his blade, and began to speed down the tunnel, Nalio right behind him. "For the love of God," Grievous hissed, "Why, for once, can't it just be rodents?"
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Post by Redeemer on Nov 25, 2005 13:13:36 GMT -5
Running close behind Grievous, Nalio still held his blade high. "Its just ot our luck," He said as he turned around to see two of the Huks fly at him.
Smiling under his war mask Nalio spun his blade around him and caught both of them in his attack. The first one was hit in the neck were its green blood splattered onto its friend who also got hit by the attack. Hitting it in the abdomen,cutting clean across. Both halves dropped as the others screeched and reched for something in their loins.
"I think we better hurry," Nalio said as he ran faster. He could here the loud explosions and the dull thumps of the buildings falling above him. Well there is one less problem,Nalio thought. But he was soon to worried with getting out. As blaster bolts launched around them from the walls.
Nalio pulled his blaster from his robes and twisted his body as he tapped the trigger three times. The burst hit two enemies, the first was blasted in the shoulder and chest, while the other got it to the forhead.
Nalio was tired of running, "Grievous let us stand our ground yes? We can defeat them, there arent THAT many."
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Post by Masurao on Nov 28, 2005 8:42:27 GMT -5
((F*ck if I can resist something like this! Oh, and General, you give me too much credit, but thanks anyways))
The faint sounds of life were a welcomed change from the dead silence of the night. The rising suns lit up with a warm glow over the ruins of an old temple in the middle of a sea of golden sand, the larger of the boulders creating the eerie shadows that easily stretched over to the other side of the world, if they could. Tattered tents peppered around the more stable structures, circling the large fires, still burning, and even more tattered clothing hung from posts to be sand-whipped during the day. What was left of an old wall would provide the people there with what little protection from the unmerciful twin suns when they reached their highest points in the sky.
Loud , creaking sounds of a cart could be heard as a worker led a mount animal out of the city of tents to grab water from a nearby well a few miles west and distribute it among 143 refugees of war that called this place home. Most were civilians forced to evacuate their tribe-towns to live here, in this make-shift camp the army had set up for them; mainly the too old, the too young, and the women. The healthy young men were immediately recruited by the army as soon as they came of age. There was once a time when coming of age meant the young boy would don an ivory colored mask, and that mask made the boy into a man. Now the path to adulthood started with the head of a Huk in their hands.
With little food and even less morale, hope was dwindling as quickly as the embers in the dying fires.
Then they came.
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“Achde, I’m hungry…”
How many times had she heard this little phrase today? It must have been twice already from Vogel…Everret was pretty quiet; only once from her, while she lost count with Jae, the youngest of the three. And she didn’t even count the many times the two ollabacs – salvaged from the camp raid along with the three surviving children – when they snarled or nipped in dissatisfaction at the lack of food.
As if she could do anything about it.
“I’m hungry, Acdhe.”
“I know, Vogel. I know. I – I don’t have anything though…”
“But I’m hungry!”
She sighed, holding on to her traditional veil over her head and face when a strong gust blew in their direction. “I know, Vogel! There’s nothing to eat, ok? Nothing I can give you. So just, please…shut up.”
Vogel crossed his arms, trying to keep balance on the ollabac the two other children and he were riding behind Achde's. “You can’t talk to me like that. I’m a man, you know.”
“Boy, you’re less than half my age.”
“I’m still a man. See? I have a mask and everything.” He held up an ivory colored mask with a large crack down the center, one of its protruding teeth missing, charred in a few areas, and clearly a few sizes too big for the child.
“That’s not even your mask and you know it. Why don’t you earn your own trophies from now on, huh? Like a real man. I mean, how much of a man were you when I found you behind that bush back there, crying? Were you a man then?”
Vogel snapped his head away, shamed, his tiny frame hunched over, and Achde couldn’t help herself as if she would have taken heed to the soldier’s words and had her tongue cut off.
“Oh geesh…I-I’m sorry Vogel. I really am. It’s just that…this heat, the hunger…the raid….I was scared back there and I’m still a bit shaky. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that…”
“Achde…” This time, it was Everret.
“Yeah?”
“I’m hungry too…”
The ollabac the children were riding on gave a loud bellow as if unifying the feelings for the entire group.
Achde sighed. “I know…” Then she perked up a bit, hoping to cheer up the children also. “…But we’re going to be fine, see. These ollabacs belong to soldiers, from the grand army, so they’re smart, real smart. They know their way home so they’re taking us to their home where they’ll be food there and –”
“The inner cities.” Vogel interrupted.
“Huh?”
“My big brother is a soldier, when he came to visit us at the camp he would tell me and my friends how they would sleep on their ollabacs because they knew the way to the inner citites and back by heart. Since we’re not at camp we’re going to the inner cities, where the Capital is.”
“The Capital?” Achde repeated, her face paling. “B-But the Capital was evacuated…the inner cities too…”
Frantically, she grabbed the reins of the Ollabac she was on and tugged hard towards the left. The creature snarled, clamped on the bit, and pulled its massive head against her, insisting on not deviating from its usual path. She tried with the ollabac the children were ridding on, but the mounts would not yield to such an inexperienced rider.
“Damn.”
“I want to go to the inner cities.” Everret chirped happily.
“No, no you don’t. The inner cities are bad, ok? A bad place to be, very bad. Soldiers, lots of soldiers…Oh damn. C’mon, you beast of burden! Left! Left!”
“You don’t like soldiers, do you.”
Ever the intelligent one, that Vogel…
“Soldiers are stuck up brats that won’t listen to a boy, and even less to a woman. That’s all we are. Two boys, one girl, and one woman. A bad combination. They’ll just send us to another camp…and it’ll all happen again… Do you want it to happen again?”
Vogel shook his head, holding on to the broken mask harder. “No…”
Then Achde got an idea, an impossibly crazy idea, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Hungry, heated, and scared, this was as desperate as things could get.
“…Then give me that mask.”
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“Well, how do I look? And…be honest…”
Everret cocked her head to the side, trying at the same time to holda squirming Jae in her arms while keeping her balence on the ollabac, but it was Vogel that spoke first and loudest.
“Like a crazy cross-dresser.”
Acdhe looked down at her tattered disguise. Manipulating clothing while riding on an animal with a sloping back was a small skill to be proud of, and it had served her well now. The many layers on her skirts were ripped and practically mutilated to make it look like a man’s tunic, while her veil was made into a scarf to muffle her voice and make it sound lower. Her chest was wrapped tightly under a layer of bandages and covered under baggy shirts…but the only truly negative was the lack of vision from those tiny eyeholes of the mask.
“Crazy cross-dresser…But cross-dressing as a man, no?”
“Oh yeah. If the gods don’t punish you for this blasphemy, then the soldiers will. I’m not sure whether you’re really brave, or really stupid.”
“Then we better make sure the soldiers don’t find out, do we?” Then tightened up the bandages wrapped around her head a little bit tighter before she turned to the children. “Alright, listen carefully, this is what we’re going to do: We’re letting these guys take us to the Capital. We’re going to tell the soldiers about what happened at the camp. We’re going to eat there, get some rest, and leave as soon as possible. We’re going to stick together, and we’re going to be fine. We’re not going to tell them anything more than we have to, for example, that I’m a woman. We’re not going to be scared, and we’re not going to mess up. Ok?”
The three children nodded. Achde trusted them, she just hoped they would stay quiet long enough to get in, get out, and get on with life somewhere else. Farther out, in the horizon, the tallest of the buildings in the inner cities could be seen reaching out to the red sky. With one last prayer to any god that was as crazy as she was to help her get through this alive, she grabbed the reins of both creatures and urged the ollabacs faster
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Post by The General on Nov 28, 2005 18:05:49 GMT -5
Although it was nearly suicidal, Nalio may have been right. Grievous quickly scanned the small mass of Huk hurtling after them, and sighed. Fourteen. Fourteen of those multi-limbed, segmented bodied bastards were making their way towards them. If they continued running, they would lead them straight to the city. If they stopped and fought, they would most likely die, depending on how well armed they were.
He now had a decision to make. He fumbled around his waist for a moment, pulling a small silver orb from a pouch at his side. "Nalio?"
"Yes sir?"
"Run," Grievous commanded, knowing that Nalio would never agree. However, Nalio was an honorable warrior, and that is why he respected him. Before his second had time to protest, Grievous looked back at him. "That's a direct order, General." Nalio hesitated, but still, he ran.
Grievous twisted a small red knob on the device, and instantly a red light went off. With a flip of his thumb, a small clip flicked off, and the orb opened slightly, glowing a deadly faint red. "One..." The noise from the Huk grew louder, more intense.
"Two..." He could see their frames skittering towards them, he could hear their curses in their native tongues, even see some of their weapons flashing in the dim light.
"Three!" Grievous announced, just as the faces of the Huk could be seen. He hurled it at the mass, not bothering to look back as he sped down the tunnel. It was too late for the Huk, and it was going to be too late for him if he didn't get the hell out of there. For a split second, the world seemed to go silent, time slow down...and then the storm came.
The cries of the Huk were drowned out as the white energy tore through their bodies, liquifying them where they stood. Grievous had used a rather nasty method to kill them, and would rather not face the same fate. He pounded through the tunnel, his eyes focusing on the sliver of sunlight ahead.
Without even taking a breath, he hurled himself into the sewage, grabbing the rust covered bars to haul himself up the ladder. When he finally reached the top, he grabbed the metal grate and slammed it over the top, sealing it off. Grievous fell to the ground panting, slipping off his mask to reveal his battle worn features.
At the end of the city, where the final weakness of the city was, a thunderous crack filled the air, as buildings collapsed to crush and close off the area, the ground caving in where the detonator had gone off. Grievous turned back to grin at Nalio, who was looking at him sternly. "What? At least I solved our bug problem."
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Post by The General on Nov 28, 2005 18:06:54 GMT -5
(Glad to have you with us Mas
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Post by Masurao on Nov 30, 2005 12:57:57 GMT -5
((Glad to be here, General))
The suns were low in the pale blue sky, just a pair of orange spheres above the western hills, buts the day’s heat still covered everything like a thick blanket on a warm night. Achde held the reins of the ollabacs near her chest as the edge of the city grew larger. Sweat dripped off her forehead and she could feel it soaking through her undershirt. It would be a relief when the cool of the night finally arrived.
She wiped her face with the back of her hand, her knuckles scraping against the mask. The mask was her permit through the Inner Cities. As long as she did not remove it and talked little, there would be no reason for anyone to suspect her as more than what she simply appeared to be. Food. Get food. That was the main priority. If the camp rumors were to be believed, then the best supplies were being reserved for the army and its soldiers.
That would explain the lack of food where it was really needed.
The wind began to pick up, kicking up sand and small pieces of debris in their direction. A nuisance. Kalee was known to have sandstorms that made hurricanes look like a spring breeze. Hopefully, this would not be one of them, and the weather indicated that that such a storm would not expected this late in the season, but sand in the air was never good.
Achde turned to Everret. “Everret, take off your veil and cover Jae and yourself with it. Don’t let him breathe the dirty air, ok? That’s good, yeah, like that; wrap it gently around his mouth and the other end over your own mouth. Good.”
Vogel was a step ahead and had used his shirt over his mouth to filter the air, covering his eyes with his arms, looking down. He was a smart kid, Achde thought, he will make a fine man one day…
The faint echo of a booming thunder reached their ears – making Achde and Vogel snap their heads up in the direction of the sound – like the sound of a deep heart-beat. The ollabacs bellowed nervously, their pace suddenly a little jumpy. Achde pulled on the reins. The ollabacs bellowed again. The wind grew stronger, and the air, thicker. From up ahead, where the tallest of the Inner Cities’ buildings could be seen, a large tower of dark dust and smoke rose towards the air. Black and brown, dark and murky.
An explosion…?
The uppermost part of the dark cloud began to bleed away, being taken by the force of the wind. The air got thicker and darker. A wind that blew towards them.
“Oh damn!” Hissed Achde, or the Kaleesh words to that effect.
Achde pulled on the reins as much as she could to slow the ollabacs to a halt. Then jumped down, grabbed the reins of her mount, and pulled on either side of the bit. Supposedly, with the right force, the ollabac – being that it was properly trained – would understand the command to lie down. It was a useful trick to pack hefty packages on that low back, and much easier to mount on, plus the animals much preferred to lay than stay on their feet all day.
“C’mon. C’mon! Lay down…Down…”
With a growl, the creature finally folded its legs and rested on the sand. Achde ran towards the second ollabac and grabbed the children off the mount’s back – first Everret and Jae, then Vogel – and placed them at the laying ollabac’s side. She then grabbed the second ollabac’s reins and guided it just behind the first, at a slight angle, and made it lay down also. The air began to grow thicker and darker, the wind picking up more speed and fury, making their clothes whip about like crazed serpents, the small debris now painfully peppering against her. Achde jumped behind the ollabac and wrapped her arms around the children. She grabbed Everret’s veil, plus her own, and wrapped them around their faces to keep the dust and sand from entering their lungs.
The wind roared on either side of them, the ollabacs protesting against being used as a pair of windbreakers, but Achde couldn’t thank the creatures enough at this moment. She dreaded the thought of what she would have done should they not be there to shield them from the storm.
As suddenly as the wind came, it died down. That dreadful roar now reduced to a dull whisper. Achdepeered over her shoulder, a light layer of sand cascading down her head, content that this ordeal was over.
“I got sand in my mouth…” Vogel said, exaggerating a gagging sound.
“Then spit it out. Here, let me see your mouth. Open up…wider…Did you inhale any sand?”
Vogel shook his head. “No, I don’t think so…”
“I-I think Jae did…” chirped Everret.
Jae was coughing hoarsely in Everret’s arms, trying to cry, but couldn’t breathe in properly to do so. Achde grabbed the toddler and placed him over her shoulder, gently patting him on the back. The child coughed even worse until she heard a certain improvement; he still breathed with a ragged rasp, but didn’t cough as bad. Achde placed him laying on his back on her lap and gently prodded a finger inside to wipe the sand out of his mouth and throat.
Everret seemed worried, and maybe with good reason. Achde had found them both cowering under a fallen tent, with the young boy in the girl’s arms. They could be siblings. Then again, they could have just found each other like Achde found them.
“Is he alright?”
Achde nodded. “He’s fine…I just…I don’t know how much sand he breathed in. This is all I can do for now…but I don’t think it’s going to be enough. If his breathing doesn’t improve…”
She let the words die.
Achde rose, Jae cradled in one arm, and helped Vogel and Everret on their mount with the other. The ollabac rose immediately and shook himself clear of sand; getting an excited laugh from Vogel and a frightened squeal from Everret. Her own ollabac had the courtesy to rise and shake before his rider mounted him.
Once seated and with both reins firmly in her hand, she dug her heels into the creature’s sides.
“Hyah! Teek, teek! Teek, teek!” The sounds were the equivalent of clicking the tongue to make any other mount animal move. The ollabacs recognized the noise and increased their speed.
Winding through the empty streets of houses and large huts that littered the outskirts of the Inner City in a random pattern, they walked through that labyrinth of dwellings like rodents in a maze. The only sound coming from the echo of the creatures’ feet as they stepped on random patches of sand, then cobblestone, along with the odd snort or two. Empty. Evacuated. The citizens most likely have been forced to leave their home to live in refugee camps in the middle of gods knows where with minimal security and even less supplies. Nothing but target practice for the enemy…
At least the enemy would be merciful enough to end their misery.
A shot cracked through the air and landed inches from where they were about to step. The ollabacs pranced and bellowed, nervous, but without a hint of trying to run off.
“Identify yourself!” A voice called out.
Only the silhouette of a soldier half-hidden behind a fallen wall gave any indication of their aggressor. He raised his weapon again, the metal gleaming from the low suns for one split, menacing second.
“I said identification!”
The click of the gun readying echoed slightly. Achde grew nervous. What was the proper response to this? Was she supposed to say something…anything? But what to say?
“Don’t shoot!” Were the only words that escaped her mouth, raising one hand. Hopefully he would listen to them. For a moment, it was quiet again, dead silent. The soldier did not respond, but his weapon wasn’t lowered either. “I…I…There are children with me!” She said. Maybe that would give him second thoughts. “Three children. From a camp. In the outskirts…W-we were attacked…By Huks. Just don’t shoot, please.”
The soldier straightened a bit, the end of his rifle lowering minimally. “What’s your name, boy?”
The costume had worked! From afar he was unable to recognize her as a woman and had identified her as a man…well, a boy, a young man, but one of the male gender nevertheless. That brief moment of absolute satisfaction was suddenly replaced by the alarm of not having thought of an alias before.
One name was as good as any.
“G-Gat…My name’s Gat.”
Technically her grandfather’s name was Gat, but she was sure he wouldn’t mind it too much if she borrowed it for now, you know, as a matter of life or death.
“No you’re not. Your name is Ach –” Vogel’s mouth was suddenly clamped by the adult’s hand.
Don’t you ruin it now, boy!
“Any of you hurt?” The soldier asked. He sounded more at ease, though still a bit apprehensive.
“No injured. A toddler inhaled sand though, and needs some medical attention to clear his lungs. And food, we need food.”
“Well, you about came at the worst possible time. This area has been fortified for when those insectile bastards come, any time now. You can go on in and see if you can find anyone willing to help, but I won’t guarantee immediate attention. You know, war can distract a man.” He shrugged his shoulders as if saying, what did you expect?
What did she expect? She didn’t expect past waking up this morning, much less cross-dressing to get food and help.
Gat urged the ollabacs to start walking again, careful to avoid eye contact as they passed the soldier. The armed man nodded a greeting and pointed with the end of his gun where they could head inside the Capital.
“You’ll find a crude entrance at the end of this road. It should be wide enough for the animals, but I would suggest dismounting because it’s not that tall. Once inside, do what you must.”
One obstacle down, how-many-the-hell-more to go.
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Post by Redeemer on Dec 2, 2005 17:51:38 GMT -5
Nalio grinned back, "Maybe so, now we have one more thing to do before we can rest and get everyone else rested." Nalio turned to a worker, "Go to Colonel Yense and tell him to gather all of the soldiers together in one place for a....battle speach."
Turning to Grievous, "What we have to bring hope now dont we?"
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Post by Redeemer on Dec 2, 2005 17:52:07 GMT -5
(Sorry it sucks but i just have so many other things to do right now)
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Post by The General on Dec 3, 2005 5:10:50 GMT -5
Grievous was only half paying attentin to Nalio as he spoke. He listened to the report from one of the wall runners, then turned back to his Second as he finished his sentance. Grievous merely nodded, then placed a hand on Nalio's shoulder, shaking it slightly. "It looks like you'll be the one giving the pep-talk, Old Friend, I have another matter to attend to at the moment. Don't worry though, I'll hopefully be back in time to give a few closing remarks."
Grievous walked along the dusty pathways making his way towards the city entrance, and soon enough he found what the messenger had been talking about. A small group of refugees, from the looks of it, a soldier and a few children. It was an odd bunch, and odder still was the young male soldier. He looked male, that was plain as day, and yet there was something about him that seemed off. Was it the scent? His scent was lighter than a typical male his age, and his figure was slightly less chisled.
Grievous broke out of his thoughts and stare, not wanting to make them feel uncomfortable in their new home for the time being, or to seem plain rude. He eyed the soldier lightly as he appraoched the group bowing his head slightly. "Welcome to the capitol city," He said, greeting them warmly. "I realize it's not nearly as glamerous as before, but we do what we can with what we have, no?"
He paused for a moment, then smiled slightly. "I appologize, I didn't mean to ramble like that. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ishtaar Malior Grievous, however, most people merely call me Grievous. You may call me Grievous if you wish, or General, even Ishtaar, whatever suits you."
"But enough about myself," He concluded, leaning down to the children, a kind gleam in his eye. "What are your names, little ones? And here, I'm sure you must be hungry." He produced to small morsels of bread, and handed them each to the children.
As he handed them the bread, one of his officers pulled him off to the side, looking slightly furious. "What are you doing?" He demanded, quickly adding 'Sir' after a moments thought.
"What do you mean?"
"We're already low on rations and your giving your share to civilians?" The officer questioned, immediately knowing by the look in the General's eye that he had over stepped his bounds.
"Those civilians are the Heart and soul of this world. If they die, so does this planet. Now I believe my job is to prevent that, Sergeant, as is yours. Perhaps you should spend less time trying to rush a promotion and do you God Damned duty, hm?" Grievous replied with a slight edge in his voice.
Fumbling, the Sergeant looked at his feet, avoiding Grievous' gaze. "Of course sir, my appologies...I'll just go tend to the troops now..." He swiftly turned and walked away, shooting a venemous look at Achde before leaving. Grievous watched him go, then turned to the small band.
"I'm terribly sorry about that...things are harsh here and sometimes the more hasty officers forget their place. Now, I never got your names. Introductions?"
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Post by Masurao on Dec 5, 2005 16:07:26 GMT -5
((Lack of time is the reason I made up this long post, you know, keep you guys busy))
“Ach – ” She began to say, but just as quickly remembered the circumstances and immediately corrected. “Gat. Uh, my name is Gat…uh, sir.” The name was quite outdated, clearly a second or third generation too far behind. Maybe he wouldn’t notice the old-fashioned name and only focus on the fact that short names usually belonged to members of nomadic families; as it was easier to remember when with so many acquaintances on the road. No last names either, as was the practice. With luck she may just pass for just a boy from a tribe-town, or a nomad.
Vogel, on the other hand, was more than eager in being known in front of a man with title.
“I’m Vogel!” he declared, puffing his chest out like a male rhoc trying to attract a mate. “Kah Vogel Friere. My father is a soldier…uh, just so you know…”
When the youth had realized that his last statement had canceled out his gained momentum of gallant introductory, he fell quiet, slightly blushing from his embarrassment.
Everett remained silent, looking at the ground, possibly feeling a bit intimidated. Every now and then she nibbled off a piece of the bread that had been handed to her. Thus was why Vogel felt the sudden – and odd – urge to introduce her in her favor.
“That’s Everett,” he said. “Uh…I don’t know her last name, but she’s a girl.”
At that obvious statement, Everett glared at Vogel, clearly grimacing at being singled out like that, but Vogel paid no attention to her and had already begun to introduce the youngest of the group held in Gat’s arm.
“And that’s…Jae? Yeah, Jae! We came from a camp that’s really far away, that way, behind us… I-I can’t find my mother…Huks attacked…”
He fell silent. Those were hard words for a child to utter. An uncomfortable silence loomed over them in what Gat felt like an eternity. She should have said something…anything, that would have heightened her role as the protector, as a man, but she was Achde when the raid happened, not Gat. Maybe Gat would have stood and fought as the rest of the clearly outnumbered soldiers had, but Achde did nothing but run and pick up a couple of strays along the way. If that ever counted for anything, it was irrelevant now.
Young Jae began to cough suddenly. His breathing uncomfortable, he began to squirm in Gat’s arms. Gat silently thanked whatever deity had provided the welcomed distraction and used it as a pretext to excuse herself from the general. She grabbed Vogel’s hand, who in turn grabbed Everett’s hand – well, more accurately, her sleeve – and began to back away, her head low; not sure how to make a clean exit.
“I – uh…I have to…you know, the child, Jae, his lungs… Pleased to meet you, uh, sir.”
She could have kicked herself at such a faltering departure.
After a few direction changes, corrected by the soldiers that had provided the changes in their route, the group arrived at the makeshift hospital in what used to be a mechanic shop. The Capital had several large hospitals and medical centers within its city’s walls, but it was apparent that the locations of these centers were too far away to be used with efficiency. Only a dark flag with a large “X” high atop a pole indicated the site of these rudimentary establishments. Surprisingly, they were extremely well kept inside. Great care had been taken in maintenance. Only ghost traces of the building’s once true use peered from the masked sanitized feel of the place; cables that hung low from the ceiling while the floor was littered with rusted oil containers and random pieces of early-model droids and other outmoded mechanical beings tucked in corners. What were once rising platforms now served as beds for would-be patients, each separated by a curtain.
In one of those makeshifts beds laid a young soldier, strangely appearing more aged than he must really be, with one heavily bandaged foot lifted by a stool, looking at the group through the smoke of a cigarette between his lips.
He raised a brow. “You lost or somethin’, boy?” The cigarette danced up and down with each word.
The soldier’s gruff voice snapped Gat back to attention. “I – Where’s the medic…sir?”
The soldier didn’t seem impressed. “Uh-huh…” he said dryly. He took the cigarette between his fingers and turned to the far of the room. “Hey! Majew! Hope you’re any good at pediatrics!” Then turned back to the group. “You better hope he is. If he does the same job as he did on my foot, you’re in trouble.”
The response to the summons came from the back of the room. A large door opened and an elder soldier garbed in a medical coverall entered the room. His stance was slightly hunched, slow on the move, with tired on his face. As soon as he was within arms distance of the injured soldier, he slapped him behind the head.
“Think I couldn’t hear ya, huh? Heh, if your mind was half as smart as your mouth you would have aimed your rifle at something other than your own foot. Idiot…”
“Gee, and here I thought I was going home early. As if it were my fault the damn thing’s safety was defective; and don’t give me none of those maintenance suggestions crap, I clean them, it’s just that they issued us outmoded pieces of junk. I lose one part for every shot I give…” He put the cigarette back in his mouth. “Anyways, you got four more victims to attend to.”
“Just the child.” Gat was quick to add.
“Don’t pay attention to this fool.” The old medic said, approaching Gat. “Wiebke doesn’t even know how to properly apply an adhesive medical strip; much left fix his own foot. The child, you said?”
“Oh, yes. We were caught in a small sandstorm, and he managed to inhale sand.” Gat tried to explain as much as she could with few words.
Oddly enough, the medic seemed pleased. “That’s better news than what I usually get around here. Coughing, difficulty breathing; all those symptoms?”
Gat nodded.
“I’ve seen worse. I’ve found pieces of metal embedded into a soldier’s lung – from the inside. Amazing they can survive such troubles…and even more amazing is how quickly they get into trouble.” He looked at Wiebke.
The soldier threw is arms in the air. “The safety! It was the damn safety!”
Majew took the young child into his arm. “I usually don’t treat children, as you can see, there aren’t that many around here, but I’ll do my best. If you want, I’ll check the rest of your children.”
Gat accepted the offer and bowed her head with a nod and gave a gentle nudge at Vogel as indication that he should take Everett with him. The boy looked up at her hesitantly, but Gat nodded in approval.
“They your children?” The soldier asked half-heartedly.
Gat responded before she thought. “Yes.”
“Where’s their mother?”
Gat raised her head, realizing that the soldier had posed the questions as if the children were legitimate. She would have corrected herself had it not been for the fact that it’d be best to keep conversation to a minimum. Let him do most of the talking; let him believe what he wanted to believe.
“Dead.” She responded. Most likely, anyways…
“Oh…” He rummaged though his pant pockets and presented Gat a cigarette. “You smoke?”
Gat shook her head.
“Good. Don’t. They’re expensive. Hell, I’ll most likely die from these than in combat. I can barely afford these on this meager soldier’s pay.”
“They pay you?”
“Barely. It’s better than dying with empty pockets though. You think I’d volunteer for this? My grandfather? Yeah. My father? Him too. Me? They better pay me. Thirteen pieces a month is not much and even it’s even less when half of that goes to Cavecove. Heh, you’d think the wives and kids would appreciate getting something guaranteed to them every month. Though I bet they can’t wait until I die. That’s a hundred pieces right there for each wife. I guess that’s why I picked up this bad habit; just speeding up the process.”
Gat cocked her head, her curiosity roused. “What’s Cavecove?”
The soldier waited a few moments before responding. “You from a camp, right?”
Gat nodded.
“Yeah…You wouldn’t know. When you sell off your body and soul to the Kaleesh armed forces, your direct family gets sent to a protected city far from the hot zones. Cavecove, in my example. You know the Evergreen Mountains, just north from here? A full day in that direction and you’ll eventually bump into it. Two wives and five offspring are in my name there; seven pieces for them to divide amongst themselves each month. They get more food, better protection, and still they dare to complain. Maybe I should have sent them to a camp…”
“Thirteen pieces a month…?” Gat repeated. Even half of that would be more money than she’d ever get her hands on at the camp. The highlight of her refugee life was receiving two pieces from a soldier for being his ollabac’s groom during his stay. 13 pieces was a tempting offer.
The soldier sensed Gat’s interest. “You’re willing to sell off your body and soul?”
“For thirteen pieces, yes.”
He smiled. “That desperate, huh? Good. Nearly all of us are made of desperate fools like you. I could get to like you, boy.”
At that moment, the medic emerged from the far room once more, but this time he didn’t seem as tired as before.
“The youngest was not as bad as I was lead to believe,” he said. “Some scratches on his esophagus and lungs. I managed to expel most of the sand out, so he should be feeling much more comfortable in a few hours. Your eldest boy has a healthy amount of attitude though, but he’s quite healthy. The girl is fine also, bit malnourished, but that might as well be the standard of health these days. Overall, they’re fine. They’re in the back if you wish to see them.”
Gat thanked the medic for taking his time for them and immediately went to check on the charges in her care. Majew looked at the injured Wiebke who donned a devious smile.
“Alright, what did you say to him?” He asked accusingly.
“Me? Nothing important. Oh, but you do have another body to look after from now on.”
********************
“Aren’t you coming with us?” Vogel asked, sitting on an overturned bucket while Everett and Jae sat together.
Gat shook her head. “Not if you guys want to get any money. I can only get the money if I sign up; there’s no other way.”
“You could marry…”
The smile on Gat’s face could not be seen from behind the mask. “That’s not an option now. I can’t blow my cover now, not now. I’d be at the mercy of the soldier I’d be married to, and if he were to die then I have only a hundred pieces to help me get through until I can find another husband. And if this guy, Wiebke, was any indication of how these soldiers act, I doubt they would have enough money to pay the legal dowry.”
“Then marry a rich soldier.”
Gat chuckled. “From this batch? Not likely. Now listen, there’s a shuttle that will be taking a handful of soldiers to visit their families for two days to Cavecove that leaves at the end of the hour. Everett and Jae – and even myself – will take your name for any legal grounds, ok? So as of now they are your legit siblings. Vogel…?”
The young boy looked up.
“Take good care of your brother and sister. After all, you’re a man now.”
Vogel’s eyes widened in surprise, though he did not have a mask, a verbal acclaim of such maturity was enough to invoke a small sense of pride in the boy.
“So…” he started. “Do I call you mom, or dad?”
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Post by Redeemer on Dec 5, 2005 18:51:36 GMT -5
(Well the huks are attacking in a day or to so maybe the civilians are leaving to cape cove.Ill post soon)
Hey Red, it's Mas, just using your space here to clarify a few things. Hope you don't mind.
Yes, the Huks had attacked the refugee camp, but it was not always like that. Just recently had Huks been deliberately aiming at camps for the sole purpose of demoralizing and getting rid of as many Kaleesh as posibble.
Oh, and it's not Cape Cope, it's Cavecove. All together. That's not it's real name though, it's a nickname given to the city by the soldiers because of the area's uneven landscape and the fact that the city itself is located within the base of a concave cliff. There are at least two more large cities that serve as protected areas for soldiers and their families, and many civilians. Camps are for those in smaller tribe-towns or nomadic families. Hope I helped.
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