"Dark Legion" - Ch. 1

Asha man · Post by **Asha man** » Sat Apr 08, 2000 2:32 am

Place: City of Aloc, on Obelisk one of the heart worlds in Diamond Sword territory Time: Just before dawn… The steel gray of morning was upon the streets of Aloc; a town that had grown up around a local military training school. It was a quiet place, except for the occasional brawl between drunken soldiers. The city had not seen a death in some years, due to the placid nature of its citizens. Although the hour was early, the streets were beginning to bustle with citizens moving about their tasks for the day and even the hawkers had already begun to peddle their wares. People milled about the streets, eyeing the goods that were offered and often stopping to look more closely at something that caught their attention. One particular individual, taller than most and broad shouldered, was doing just this; studying a stunning ring from a rather well-known peddler. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “How much does this cost again?”, asked the tall man. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “I told you I would sell it for fourteen. No less.”, was the reply. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Hmm…”, was all he said. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The man had been eyeing the ring for some time, making the peddler eager to close the deal. “I’ll take it, but only if you will let me have that pendant for ten.”, said the man as he pointed to a graceful silver pendant. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The peddler hesitated for a moment. “Okay, deal.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The two shook hands to symbolize closure of the deal. Then the tall man proceeded toward the central hub of the city. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp He walked for some time, noting how the city was built on the extremely ancient idea that defense should become stronger as one moved toward the center of a military facility. The city had high, thick walls to help defend against a ground assault, and batteries of rocket and plasma turrets placed strategically to provide air defense. It would be a tough shell to crack. The walls became higher and thicker and the air defenses became tighter as the man moved towards the center of the city. There was also a series of power cables that ran from generators deep within the local military base. The rumor was that each time a new district was added to the city, a new underground complex had to be dug to house the generators. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp As the citizen was walking, he picked up on the feeling of security that was radiated by the locals. He laughed to himself at how secure this place seemed. Then another thought came to him. He started to pay closer attention to the details of the local people, his fellow citizens. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp He noticed something that struck him as odd. All the citizens in his field of view appeared to carry themselves with a certain confidence. It was as if they were all warriors, yet at the same time, not. The shop owners stood at ease with those around them, but they also seemed wary of those walking past. The tall man made a mental note of this. He continued on his journey. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Walking all day was tiring, and the tall man found himself stopping by a small café to enjoy some hot food and drink. He had just ordered his evening meal when he noticed someone was looking at him. The tall man was wondering how he stood out, as the other person approached. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Mind if I join you, friend?”, asked a female voice. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Not at all, please sit. Do you wish for me to order a meal for you?”, replied the tall man. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Well, thank you. I’ll just have some water.”, said the woman. “My name is Joline. What is yours?” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The man thought for a moment about telling the girl a lie, but something about her smile told him not too. “My name is Jon.”, he said. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The woman was just about to ask another question as the waiter approached with the meal that Jon had ordered. “Pardon me, the lady wishes to have a bottle of water to drink.”, Jon said as he nodded towards his new acquaintance. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Thank you. May I also have a salad?”, Joline said. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Yes.”, replied the waiter, and Jon in unison. “So, what do you do?”, asked Joline. “I don’t mean to pry, but you look like an interesting person.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Well, I do many things. I’ve commanded troops in battle, written a book about plants, written a book about military tactics, I do some gardening, and I like to read and learn.”, said Jon. “Why? What do you do?” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Wow, that is an impressive resume. I am actually a senior student at the local military school. I am sort of on a week long break.”, Joline said with a hint of a smile. “I will graduate this spring. I am still looking for a job. Do you have any ideas?” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “No, not really. I just usually do what I want to do, and work some way out to get paid if I need any money.”, replied Jon. “I will stay aware for you. Is there any way that I can contact you?” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Joline smiled and wrote down her electronic address on a small napkin. “I can be reached here, from any place that has a computer and access to the local network here. I may not be able to reply right away, but I will get back to you when I can.”, she said. “Thanks.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The two continued their conversation over their meals. The evening quickly faded to late night when Joline said something about having to go back to school to check in. Jon didn’t quite catch everything that she said; the drinks he had were no longer water. He stumbled out the door to grab some night air. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Jon stood for a time, trying to regain his balance. He had also bought several liters of water to help his body metabolize the alcohol he had drunk. After a half hour, he felt confident enough in his abilities to continue his trek. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Another day was apparent as the tall man looked up and suddenly noticed the same steel gray light that he had noticed the day before. He stared as he suddenly noticed the throng of people around him. It was as if they suddenly appeared with the coming light. The tall man knew that the seemingly sudden appearance was only because he had some particularly strong drinks the night before. He proceeded to work his way more towards the center of the town. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The tall man added two large figures wearing myrmidon armor to his mental list of the city’s defense. There was also a score of hoplites moving in single file behind the myrmidons. Apparently, the group was practicing staying together. Interesting, that they are practicing in a crowded environment such as this., thought the tall man. I would have thought that they would do that in a field environment. Yet, the crowds don’t seem to move out of the way of the group. That constant pressure on the group to keep up with the myrmidons is an interesting way of training. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The tall man watched the group pass him by. His next stop was his most important one. The tall man turned towards the main campus of the school. It took nearly two hours to walk through the crowds to get to the main campus gate. He presented his ID when the guard asked. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Pardon me, which way to the main building?”, asked Jon. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Follow this road, turn left just after the big field.”, replied the guard. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Thank you.”, replied Jon. He started on his way. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The main campus of the school had walls that were as tall and thick as the ones surrounding the city. There were also several forcefield generators set into the walls providing extra strength to the school’s first line of defense. The layout of the school was simple. The campus was divided into cells. Each cell contained a barracks, cafeteria, classrooms, and an athletic field. Each cell was also designated with a purpose to train a specific specialty. The barracks provided housing for the trainees, who also served as a garrison. No one was allowed into the school who had not had prior experience with military skills. Surrounding each cell were forcefield generators, each with a dedicated generator. In theory, each cell could survive if the ones around it were destroyed. The usual rocket and plasma turret combination was seen in many places on the walls, on towers inside the campus, and on the ground. The school was basically a fortress. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The tall man could see why the local citizens felt so secure. Though if ecocidal weapons were used, there would not be much left of a defensive force, to hold against a ground assault. Then again, if ecocidal weapons were used, Obelisk would not be worth fighting over. The tall man proceeded to the commander’s office, where he would meet with the school’s dean. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The man was admitted upon his arrival to the office of the dean. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Hello, Jon. What brings you back here?”, asked the dean. “Last I heard you had written an impressive work on military tactics.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Hello, teacher. I was actually asked to do some…consulting work. I am here to let you know that I am evaluating your facility.”, replied Jon. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Well, that is impressive. I think the only reason that the sworders let this facility be built on a world deep in their territory was so that they could recruit military scholars from it’s ranks.”, said the dean. “It appears that way with you at least.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Thank you, Onshi-Shuurai.”, replied Jon with a smile. “It is strange to think that I am coming to you this way.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Oh? I am proud to have been one of your teachers.”, said the dean. The dean seemed to stiffen as Jon addressed him with that rank. “In fact, we have another student who seems to be as adept as you were.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Really? What is the name of the student?”, asked Jon. His curiosity was piqued by this announcement. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Well, her name is Joline. And she has a fixation with you.”, replied the dean. “You are one of her idols.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “I think I have met her already.”, said Jon. I knew that a woman just walking up to me was too good to be true. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Well, since you are here, I can arrange for you to give a small class of senior students?”, asked the dean. “They would appreciate it and so would I.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “I would be honored, Onshi-Shuurai.”, said Jon. “About the report I am suppose to give to the sworders…I will give you a copy of it also. Doing that is not part of my instructions, but if you are aware of things that need fixing now, it will help when the Diamond Sword engineers arrive.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Thanks, Jon. You honor me with that title.”, the dean had stiffened as he heard the title spoken. “Though ‘Shuurai-Onshi’? I have not been in battle for a long time, and my title is only honorary amongst the Diamond Sword. I was never a part of their blood.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “You were one of my favorite instructors”, replied a grinning Jon. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Well.”, said the dean. “I hope you can make it tomorrow then at 1000 hrs in the common room?” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Sounds good, honored teacher.”, replied Jon with a smile. “I will be there.” &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Jon left to explore one of the barracks he had seen on his way to the dean’s office. He wanted to get a closer look at the defenses for each cell. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp As Jon walked towards the barracks that he intended to examine, he thought about what the dean had said.  “In fact, we have another student who seems to be as adept as you were.” She was impressive if she impressed the dean. He continued to think about her as he walked. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Jon suddenly stopped, realizing that he had come to the barracks that he wanted to study. The building was rectangular, with rounded corners and sides that sloped upward to a roof that was smaller than the base. The roof even had a shallow slope to it, apparently to shed water in times of precipitation. It was a gray-white color, and it appeared that the base of the building was sunk into the ground. Jon decided to enter and get a look on the inside. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp There were four entry points into the building, all with stairways leading down into the ground at the base of the building. The steps were a smooth white stone, it appeared that they were carved out of the rock the building was built on. Yet there were no seams between the stairway and the building itself. Impressive engineering, thought Jon as he kept moving into the building. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Inside there were four turrets set into the walls. There were two ramps aligned along the building’s major axis. The ramps led up into the next level. Jon took the one to his right and followed it up. On the next level, there were four inventory stations, four ammo stations, and one command station on each wall. The equipment looked used, yet well maintained. Everything was in operational condition. Jon noticed an elevator to his right and went up to the top level. This was the sleeping area. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Each set of bunks had an accompanying personal stores locker. In the center of the room was a command station. Along the walls of the room, Jon noticed some odd bulges in the walls. He moved closer to inspect one, when a sudden motion caught at the corner of his eye. He turned to face the movement. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp “Who is there?”, Jon called out, moving towards where he had seen movement. There was no reply, only the quiet hum of the buildings power grid. Jon fully expected to catch someone spying on him. He did not expect what he saw. &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The muzzle of a plasma cannon was leveled at his face has he turned to look on the other side of a column. <center><img src=http://www.geocities.com/nesster/ashaman2.jpg> <a href=http://www.newfenecia.com>Citizen of New Fenecia</a> Member of XMEN <a href=http://tribesforum.sierra.com/cgi-bin/t ... gin=>Tales of Battle</a> Have a nice day! :)<center>