From: Corbow6 | Posted: 9/17/2005 8:36:02 AM
The golden morning sun had just peaked over the horizon, Veteranople was still in a deep slumber for the most part, but some activity was beginning to stir just outside the city gates. Two shadows loomed drearily on the freshly painted walls that guarded the precious city, but the city isn't safe, not from those that protect it...
*Beep*
*Beep*
*Beep*
"Alright, we got the last one set. They'll never even know; they blend in perfectly."
"They look so real, you could never even begin to guess what they really were."
"Alright, let's head out, we still have a few hours before starting the fun."
"Why so long?"
"You know how he is, can't even wake up early for such an important event. Guess it is just the way he will always be."
"Hah, that is true, fashionably late."
~~~
It is yours for the taking...What is stopping you? It is an opportune time, just go for it all. You have the backing, you have the people, and you have the manpower...just do it! All the cards are in your hand, every roll of the dice will land 7's, and you can put your money on double zero, cause you can be damn sure it will land on it every time....Now stop hesitating and take what is rightfully yours!
"AH! What the!?.... Damn, I know! I know! Today is the day!"
The handsome figure stood from his lush, king sized bed and took a long, deep stretch. His angelic wings spread out even further as he closed his eyes and released a relieved breath. The time had finally come, all the pieces were falling into place, and the hand was in his favor. The afternoon light was cascading through enormous window inside the beautiful marble framework of the palace. The dark, cherry wood of the floor felt cold on the bottoms of his feet as he slid from his bed, and he tensed slightly from the unwelcome feeling. He then made his way to the bathroom to clean up, and after spitting out a mouthful of toothpaste, he smiled slyly and returned to his grand dresser, pulling out his Imperial Uniform and slipping it on quickly. The black, long-sleeved shirt accented the golden insignia of the Imperial Family, the majestic dragon, wrapped in a deadly dance with the cunning snake, but instead of the usual snake head, a raven was attached to the snake's body. It was a slight adjustment he had made to match his beloved sword Fallen Flame. The same dragon was wrapped around a beautiful raven, where they each met in a near kiss, the Kiss of Flaming Passion...
As he slipped on his black khakis, he pondered the reactions of all that were to be involved; how she would handle it when he was gunning for her throat, how the hated one would squirm under his powerful fist, and most of all, how it would feel to finally have it all to himself. He then slipped on the ruby-studded ring that finished his attire, and kissed it gently for the luck of the family. As he headed out the door, he tapped his side to make sure everything was in place, and then clicked his fingers together to feel the warmth they could create. Everything was in line as he hopped down the stairs and into the courtyard that was the palace....
~~~
"Atten-tion!"
The elite unit known as the Imperial Guard was at his command. The six brave men would fight for honor under his name, when it came down to it, he was glad to have them behind him. His usual bunch was nothing more than mercenaries and rebels, but not this time; these men lived for the thrill of battle, and the honor of the fight. They would do well in their careers; that he was sure of.
"Men, follow me if you would."
He led them outside the gates of Kloster and closer to the old city of Sapphira, home to Brother Reed's VDC. The once grand city was now just a memory of its former self. The bombing run lead by Singha during the Formation Wars had leveled all but a few buildings, but it did serve as a good lookout into Veteranople. As they stepped up onto a hillside, the new capital city came into view.
"That my friends, is our target. If you would be ready for a show in about twenty minutes, that would be for the best. A grand diversion will alert us when to begin, I suggest you have you swords ready, and you souls prepared. This is the beginning, to a The New Way."
From: Tier Bladesinger | Posted: 9/17/2005 11:22:40 AM
Tier stood off to one side as he awaited Corbow's entrance from the grand doorway that led from his home. Around him stood the imperial guard, his elite command. Each warrior would be tested in the coming battles and some would fall to the pressure while others rose in glory and skill. Everyone one of them had accepted that they would have to throw their lives away in defense of the imperial family but this duty did not weaken them but strengthened their resolve.
"Be ready men," ordered Tier as he shifted his battle garb around.
He was dressed in his guardsmen uniform that fit perfectly and accented Tier's muscular frame. Over top was a shimmering vest that was crafted in times now long lost by an elven smith. The mithril armor had saved the warrior from many things before and he knew it would help him again. It was so light that it didn't slow Tier down at all and gave him his flexibility. At a fifteen degree angle behind his back at his waist sat Tier's favored weapon the Lynblad. Sparks danced down the sheath in anticipation for the inevitable bloodshed that would follow this maneuver. At either hip rested a short sword that had been taken from the imperial armory and were well made. The final accent to Tier's uniform was a large sword that was slightly longer then the four foot Lynblad and had the imperial family crest on the hilt. This was meant to show his rank as captain of the guard but the weapon was anything but ceremonial.
Finally Corbow walked forth from the door and his voice was augmented by Tier bellowing the exact same order. Slowly they began the march to the hillside and Tier fell in-step behind their commander. When they arrived at the hilltop the majestic sight of Vetranople made everyone realize what they were fighting for. As they waited for twenty minutes to pass Tier walked over to Corbow.
"May your blade sing true today," intoned Tier a look of determination on his face. "We'll need it too."
From: Corbow6 | Posted: 9/17/2005 4:54:26 PM
"My men, as the afternoon sun gently drifts off for another days rest, that is when our blades shall strike. We shall take them by the hail of night, and when we are through, it shall all be ours.
You know your duties, no citizen is harmed, for those are our commonfolk, but any government official shall be slaughtered quickly, and any outsider looking to interfere, shall also meet the exact fate. The time draws closer my brother, but I bid a few more hours for you to wait. Use this time to prepare, we shall need it."
~~~
A sigh of relief exited the tightly drawn lips of the Imperial Son. Night had begun to fall, and all was in place; his two operatives had radioed a few hours ago that they were all set for the show, and he was about ready to please them. He stood from a crumbled piece of foundation and looked upon his men, smiling with anticipation for the coming fight.
"Hear me my brothers, we are mere moments away from what this night has been all about. In a hail of explosions, it will all begin. We shall be a storm of shadows in the blazing night, and before the sun opens its eyes on us once again, our job will be done, and it shall all be over. My family, we shall hold what is rightfully ours, it shall no longer be shamed of those unworthy, for the righteous will have what they deserve! Now, load up, and let's get this show on the road!!!"
As the final shout left his mouth, he pulled a laptop from his bag. The LED screen illuminated the ever-darkening area, and the taps of the keys echoed off the fallen walls of the once famed city. He clicked a few folders, and came upon an encrypted document, and after a length password, he confirmed the program inside. A few moments later he latched the lid back down and tucked it away for safekeeping...
~~~
*Beep*
"Password accepted, Phase 1 complete, beginning Phase 2."
"Detonation in...3...2...1..."
~~~
The stars that dotted the dusk sky disappeared in flash; the brilliant moon that blessed the earth with its glorious rays was dwarfed for an instance by the purely brilliant spectacle that was the explosion. The gallant city was covered by a blanket of fire and pitch black smoke, and Ares beckoned his men forth to strike during their most opportune time. He led them to the south wall, where the only penetration had been made into the precious city. This was the plan, to create a magnificent display, but to not harm a soul, just merely frighten them, herd them...
A jagged hole, three feet in diameter, had been blasted out by a smaller unit than used elsewhere, but other than the concrete that formed the barrier, nothing else had been even remotely affected. The passage led to none other than the Government District of Veteranople, and was nearby to the VSF barrack. Ares already had his knife out, ready to strike.
"Men, we split up from here. Tier, I need one man to accompany me to the VSF; you are to take the Secretary of Defense and the Parliamentarians. I need them both gone as soon as possible. I'll handle Kraaken and his army, they shouldn't be a burden. Radio in within the hour to update your situation, further orders will be given from there. I trust you General, take care of these boys, I want ‘em all home for breakfast in the morning. Over and out soldier!"
From: Lady Murasaki | Posted: 9/17/2005 11:46:34 PM
Sirens began to wail throughout the City of Veteranople. Fire fighting units rolled in a flurry of activity, almost all of the city buildings were protected by automated fire suppressors, the firefighters need only attend to the random brush fires and such.
The piercing shriek of V.I.A.'s warning screen in the presidential quarters interrupted the late dinner and drinks she was lingering over with the "man who was in a coma". Murasaki strode over to the computer and watched the alert flash across the screen. A breech in the south wall, explosions in the City, intruders. She punched in a series of keys and V.I.A. went silent, tasked now to send a red alert code for the defenders and prepare for invasion. The alert would call her cabinet and advisors in to the high security war room. She turned and walked back to her still recovering lover and gently escorted him to her private elevator which would take him back to his underground safehouse. Kissing him gently, she smiled into his eyes as the elevator doors slid shut. She palmed the controls for the elevator and spoke her passcode into the speaker to secure it.
Turning, she hurried to her bedroom, pulling off and tossing the evening dress she was wearing as she walked. Opening her closet, she slipped on her alien spidar silk bodysuit and put on her dark purple uniform jumpsuit. She opened her weapons cabinet and strapped on her twin swords Kourimizu and Kazeiki, along with her utility belt. Tying a knife sheath to her thigh, she slid in a couple of dirks then selected various potions to insert in her belt. Murasaki tied her hair back into a braid and stuck in her jeweled tanto, and a couple of throwing knives as barrettes. Stepping into her high-heeled boots, she was as ready as can be. With a glance around the room, she walked out of the bedroom door and palmed the controls to call the war room elevator.
Dammit, this whole thing better be worth the interruption.
From: Tier Bladesinger | Posted: 9/18/2005 5:13:50 PM
Tier gave a cynical smile as Ares issued his orders. He could keep these pups in line without having to expend too much effort. Motioning for them to follow him Tier slipped through the hole in the wall into the government district. The two short swords whistled out of their sheaths as Tier came through and went at a dead run for the secretary of defenses offices.
"One of you goes with Ares," roared Tier as he turned to see who had come with him. "I don't care who just do it."
Turning around again the captain growled low in his throat as a squad of enforcers moved towards the building. They wouldn't be a threat but they could become annoying. A slight grin came across Tier's face as he stepped from the shadows his swords drawn.
"Have you seen the intruders?" asked Tier as he walked in among the dozen men.
"No sir," replied a brave man. "We're just moving to protect the secretary of defense."
"Good to hear," growled Tier as he plunged his swords into the throats of two men.
The reaction was amazing as everyone drew blades and lunged at the now unarmed Tier. They were good but no one could compete with Tier without enough experience. A man fell to a throat jab and his sword quickly finished off his comrades. The battle had been short and sweet and now the secretary was wide open.
Kicking in the door to the building Tier drew the Lynblad and let its sparks play across the room. He would wait for the next batch of soldiers before moving in further.
From: Link555 | Posted: 9/18/2005 5:41:16 PM
Thorin woke with a start, laid out beneath a leafless oak tree. He rouse to the sound of deafening explosions frighteningly close. Raising to his feet he looked out across the horizon, the night sky glowed red with anger, and parts of Veteranople were immersed in flames.
"
Ares you devil."
He muttered as a he let out a muffled noise which most would recognize as a chuckle. Thorin looked down and saw, to his pleasure, that he hadn't been robbed during his sleep. A very likely thing to happen in this day and age. Reaching down he grasped hold of his quiver's strap, and strung it to his back across his chest. Being careful to keep it at easy access at times of need.
Then he looked back toward the old oak tree, and reached out, taking hold of his bow, stuck far into the tree's bark, partly to keep robbers from taking it, but mostly because he was bored that morning, before sleeping away the day. He quickly jerked it out of the tree's wooden hull, making sure not to injure himself with its sword like edges. The bow itself was remarkably crafted. Made from a weld of 2 swords. The details on it would be to long and drawn out to list here, but just know that this was not just a ranged weapon.
As he strung his bow to his back also, Thorin began to sprint down toward Veteranople's wall, where the explosions had just ruptured the city. Seeing the last man enter through the gap in the cities wall, Thorin hastened his run toward Ares' regiment. He reached the wall in no time, being not even a half a mile away, and walked through the crevice in the now penetrated wall jut in time to hear Ares' last orders.
"......from here. Tier, I need one man to accompany me to the VSF; you are to take the Secretary of Defense and the Parliamentarians. I need them both gone as soon as possible. I'll handle Kraaken and his army, they shouldn't be a burden. Radio in within the hour to update your situation, further orders will be given from there. I trust you General, take care of these boys, I want 'em all home for breakfast in the morning. Over and out soldier!"
"
You always make such a grand entrance into cities Ares? No matter, you have yourself an archer here. Orders sir?"
From: RAYClovis | Posted: 9/18/2005 6:34:08 PM
"People! Hustle! We have an intruder-- Repeat, an intruder!"
The task force captain glanced back at his puny squad jogging behind him, seven heads following him. Growling, he returned his vision to ahead of him as the squad sped down the path, stopping only to inspect the conditions of their downed brethens. Cursed were whispered before continuing on, rushing to catch the enemy.
"Oh dear... I'm late again..."
Someone from his task force muttered, noticed but ignored by the lowly ranked leader. Soon enough, they reached the building with its entrance violently violated. The offender waiting for them, the captain glanced back to assure his eight men. Brandishing his sword, he cried out for the offender's attention, ready to break into a sprint. Filled with the murderous intention, he leaned forward to dash. Suddenly, he received a boost of speed, a powerful shove from behind sent the burly man flying like a ragdoll in the air. Travelling through the air, limbs flailing, mouth screaming, he completed the impressive arc with a backflip before landing on his stomach with a hand crushing his head into the ground. As the merciless law of inertia declared, he skidded a good distance on the pavement to a stop just before the intruder's feet. A long line of pretty red marked the distance traveled on ground as his body twitched lightly, barely alive despite a flattened face.
The only one standing from the disabled man's squad muttered apologetically, smiling nervously as he took light steps past the squirming bodies. Wearing a dark green safari hat with matching overcoat, the man didn't possess a threatening statute at under six feet. Underneath the coat was but a black T-shirt with Japanese animation graphic printed on the front and a baggy jean. Holding an approximately four-feet long cylinder wrapped in blanket under his arm, he removed his head to reveal his ear-warming length blonde with green streaks dyed into it. His face was surprisingly boyish, like a carefree teenager. His long ears drooped, conforming to the hat. Other than the ears and the concealed tail, he looked perfectly human.
The Day Werewolf gazed around, his green eyes curiously searching for hostilities.
"Oh, sorry I'm late!" Wyen nodded apologetically at Tier, stepping into the building. "What are we going to do next, anyway?"
From: super1mm | Posted: 9/18/2005 8:47:29 PM
"W-wuzzup?" Dalam murmered as he rolled over in bed.
"We're being attacked, sir!" A man standing over him yelled.
"Keep yer voice down, will ya?" Dalam snapped, swinging his arm up and slapping the youthful officer. Now that he took a good look at him, he recognized the man as one of his officers. "Can't ya see I'm tryin' ta sleep?"
"Sir, you're supposed to be in charge of our division." Another man, standing behind the first, said. "It's your obligation to take charge at times like these."
"Obligations...what?" Rolling out of bed and slamming into the much too hard wooden floor, Dalam pulled himself to sit up on the bed and glared at the two officers in his room, running a hand through his short, tangled brown hair. "Can't you see I've had a busy night? Isn't there some second in charge you can take this too?"
"No, sir. He died in the explosion." The second officer said.
"Died? Explosion? What the hell is going on here? And how'd you two get into my house?"
"We're being attacked, sir!" The first officer yelled again. "Somebody blew through the south wall and now they're charging in at us!"
"And you left the door open, sir." The second one added.
'Hmm. Must've had more to drink than I thought.' He thought. "Well, don't just stand there," He snapped at the two soldiers. "One of you get my sword from the living room! You, go get the other soldiers! Don't just stand there gawking at me! Go!"
Getting to his feet as the officers left, which was obviously done far too quickly, as his head suddenly felt like it was going to explode, he reached under his bed and pulled out a box that contained his armor. Tearing it open, he found there was nothing inside. It was then he realized that he'd fallen asleep in it. Well, that was a small favor, sort of.
Stumbling out into the living room, he was greeted by the first, panicked officer, who thrust his sheathed sword into his hands. Clumsily slinging the sash attached to it over his shoulder, he positioned the sword at his waist, then marched toward his front door and out into the streets. It had taken a minute, but he was back in charge and ready to fight. He was surprised to be greeted by about ten of his officers, not including the one he'd sent off, who seemed to be awaiting orders. Apparently everybody in his division had reacted to this sudden attack in time except him. That wouldn't look good on the reports.
Looking around the city, his annoyed attitude was not eased when he saw the screaming citizens running every which way, along with the wave of smoke floating above and through the streets. 'It makes sense, if there was an explosion,' he thought.
"Well, don't just stand there!" He bellowed, looking back at his officers. "Get a move on! We've got an invasion to stop!"
Storming past his officers, his right arm moving to his sword ahead of time, he took off in what he hoped was the south direction. Apparently it was, as his officers followed behind, a few more running down the streets after him. Hopefully there would be enough of them to stop whoever had broken in.
From: scottydontknow | Posted: 9/18/2005 9:18:38 PM
"*Intruder Alert*!" blared the sirens all over the VSF headquarters. Good thing Scott was working an all-nighter down at the office. The VSF base had been disturbingly empty for the past few days, and Scott figured that it wouldn't hurt to do a lengthy computer analysis of the city. Unfortunately, he hadn't found the invading army in time. They had already taken out part of the city's defense.
Scott had already called all of his soldiers to the VSF complex, and he was preparing to meet Captain Dalam at the scene of the attack. He went to his office to change into his battle gear. His armor was made of a very light, foamy material that hardened drastically whenever it was penetrated. His helmet covered his entire face and head, another ridiculously expensive gadget provided by the Veterans Government. His swords were his most prized possessions. A bastard sword and a rapier with magical qualities. They were both light enough to be duel wielded. He also packed an assortment of goodies that were sure to come in handy later on.
"Dalam, I'm on my way."
Changing the channel on his headset, he sent another message to the President.
"Mrs. President, I don't think Dalam and I can defeat this force by ourselves. We'll need reinforcements."
From: Lady Murasaki | Posted: 9/18/2005 11:57:30 PM
"That's Ms. President, Scott," she murmured automatically while her attention was focused on VIA's screen watching the citizens rush around to their shelters and those who knew to man their defensive stations.
"Scott, the government buildings will be secured in a moment," she said into her headset, "Take them in the streets."
"
VIA, activate perimeter defense shield and commence lock down. Put out the rest of those fires and clear the air. Announce to the citizens to hurry to the shelters and stay put."
"Scott, keep them occupied until our allies arrive, please," she snickered a little. "Keep me informed. Murasaki out."
From: Bara | Posted: 9/18/2005 11:58:36 PM
The Emperor sits idly on his throne, tapping an ornate armrest with his fingertips. His sword sits in his lap. All is silent save for the hurried footsteps of a single servant.
The figure draws near and drops to one knee, his head bent. Wiergraf raises an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"My lord, we have fighting inside the city."
The Emperor yawns. "I see. Find Lady Murasaki and bring her here. I'd like an explanation."
"Yes sir."
The servant leaves. Wiergraf yawns once more and shifts his weight.
"Amateurs."
It's going to be a boring day.
Juryrigged > Works > RPGs > Wars > A Breath in the Darkness: The New Way