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| Author |
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Noras Ellan
Caldari
Ermiones
    |
Posted - 2008.07.13 10:12:00 -
[1]
Hi everyone, it's only my 2nd story here, but I'm thinking of putting it up on EVE-mag.com , if they're willing to have it.
So do have a read here, and take a look at website while you're at it... Any comments are certainly appreciated! 
'For the Love of Many' tells the story of a Caldari Navy pilot caught in the middle of the re-invasion of Luminaire VII, Caldari Prime.
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***
ôYou will fire without hesitation. Is that understood, Captain?ö
ôBut, siràö
ôWhat is it, Henin?ö
ôàNothing, sir. For û for the Stateàö
***
Luminaire VI, Gallente Prime
ôWHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRàà..ö
A siren broke the mountain solitude, forcing the tall man to freeze in his tracks and secure his fluttering cloak from flying away. His training kicked in immediately, and the broad-shouldered man calmly scanned the immediate vicinity, watching the mountain ridges that loomed above him for the source of the constant wailing.
ôWHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEààö
Nothing caught his eye. So he raised his head to the orange sky, and resigned himself to the only thing left he could do: he prayed this was going to work after all.
ôWHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOOOOOP!!!ö
The sirens voiced their disagreement. Yet Maj. Cßel Tredjens knew what he was there for. He knew what had to be done. Finally, the last scream softened in protest, finally conceding to the howl of the mountain wind. The Caldari man tensed up, his eyes glued to red rock and sandstone, when a voice suddenly came from behind:
ôState your business.ö
***
The young woman in the No. 4 outfit carried herself well. She strolled casually towards the bartender, amidst the howls of male intoxication, and ordered her usual poison. She took a few sips of the brown liquidà
ôHey lady, yer gonna buy me another drink?ö
Her head swung sharply to the right, just in time to catch a fellow marine giggling furiously into a half-drunk glass of spirits. She studied the man, who was blowing bubbles into his alcohol.
ôShouldnÆt it be the other way around?ö
ôOh no, maÆam, noàö The young man banged his glass on the table and grinned foolishly, ôWay I see it, IÆm the only marine in this god-forsaken pub who has had the courage so far to talk to someone as beautiful as yourself. Now, I think that deserves some sort of recognitionàö
The young man took a final swig at his glass, before shoving it in the ladyÆs face.
ôDonÆt you?ö
The woman furrowed her brow.
ôWhatÆs your name, Marine?ö
Mashing his empty whiskey glass against his forehead, the young man replied, ôCorporal Cßel æWillyÆ Tredjens, maÆam, reporting for duty!ö
She smiled, leaned in a little closer to his ear-splitting grin.
ôWell, Corporal æWillyÆ, you know what I think?" She paused for dramatic effect. "I think youÆre going to have to do a whole lot better than that.ö
With a proper salute of her own, the lady-in-uniform plunked down a 50-dollar bill on the counter, before marching out the bar and letting the Corporal freefall the ground.
***
con'td->
_______________________________________________
Anyone informed that the universe is expanding and contracting in pulsations of eighty billion years has a right to ask, "What's in it for me?" |
Noras Ellan
Caldari
Ermiones
|
Posted - 2008.07.13 10:15:00 -
[2]
***
ôMuch better than thatàö
The ruffian grinned through his misty mechanical goggles. ôYouÆre telling me that you flewall the way from the Caldari Prime, millions and millions of miles, over all of LuminaireÆs god damn mountain ridges, to this exact locationà just to buy some ammo?ö
Cßel held up a finger.
ôPlutonium ammo, actually. I heard you guys sell cheap.ö
The burly man with the goggles grunted, as murmurs broke out among the rest of his companions in the cave-like room. It was one of the many caverns Cßel had passed through earlier, but this one had the most people carrying high-powered rifles. The Caldari man felt these Gallenteans looked scrawnier than usual.
ôWhat ship?ö the leader of the brigands enquired further.
ôIÆm sorry? Is that relevant?ö
ôI should think so. You see, we do sell our ammo cheap, but whatÆs a simple pilot like yourself gonna do with all of these charges,ö the leader gestured to the various boxes stacked about the room. ôEspeciallyà if all youÆre flying is a little Caldari Velator,ö the burly man continued to jibe.
Cßel frowned.
ôAndà What if I told you I represented the Caldari government?ö
Roars of rage. Chairs shifted back and guns ****ed, as several men in the room sprang from their seats. But the mercenary leader continued to grate his yellow teeth, grinning calmly back at the seated soldier.
ôJust how many ships does the Navy have over there?ö
ôOooh, I think youÆll enjoy the number. WeÆve got a Titan orbiting the ****ing planet.ö
Both their smiles widened a little. Cßel leaned in closer.
ôI promise. IÆll clean you guys up.ö
***
He wondered for a moment, what it would be like to see her cleaning dishes in an apron. So he wondered out loud, and received a playful smack on the shoulder in kind. No one could really blame him thoughà the dinner she cooked tasted awful, like carbohydrates mixed with poly-textiles left to stew on a stove that ran out of gas midway.
She smiled at the description, and repaid his kindness in the only language she thought he thought she thought he understood: with a tasty kiss. And soon, they were no longer on the kitchen counter, nor the mess table, but sprawled all over some other relatively uncomfortable surface their tiny barracks could contain.
He breathed in deeply. She did the same. Lying across his chest, she asked him if he loved her. His heart told him æyesÆ, so he hesitated and simply nodded. She smiled. It was good enough.
Bells suddenly rung in his head. Church ones. Big, church ones. The happy ones, perfect in black and white. Yet it scared him a little. He preferred the small bellsà and he got what he wished for.
The room flooded red with alarm sounds and whistles. They were calling for them both. She was already on her feet, but he wasnÆt even in his pants. She shouted, but then whispered and everything was okay.
He unlocked the blast doors. She pulled him back one last time, and said æI love you, tooÆ.
He blinked at her and went, æOh, what the hell.Æ And shut the doors once more.
***
_______________________________________________
Anyone informed that the universe is expanding and contracting in pulsations of eighty billion years has a right to ask, "What's in it for me?" |
Noras Ellan
Caldari
Ermiones
|
Posted - 2008.07.13 10:19:00 -
[3]
***
The scene before them was ordered jubilance. Soldiers and marines stood in straight rows from one end of the room to the other, raising glasses of wine in the direction of the large, televised image of the man they called Mr. Tibus Heth. Live from New Caldari Prime, of course.
ôàMy brothers and sisters! Today is more than just a day. We mark this day as thousands of soldiers gave their lives for glory, to return glory to what should have long been glorified past. Today shall be remembered, for the millions of oppressed on the surface below, long having lived in such fear but scant hope of such a day ever befalling their pale eyes. Today, my friends! BILLIONS of proud citizens take back their honor! Proud citizens seize pride by the throats, and regain the very reason they call themselves Caldari! TODAY, ladies and gentlemen of State, I am proud to give you Caldari Primus!!ö
Roars of approval filled the room. All except for oneà
***
Caldari Navy Headquarters, Fleet Actual Orbiting Luminaire VI (Gallente Prime)ôBut my wife is still somewhere on that planet!ö
Cßel Tredjens fell to his knees in desperation, right smack in the hustle and bustle of Caldari central command.
ôColonel, we canÆt just leave her there to die!!ö
The frowning white-haired man immediately marched forward, and without hesitation back-handed his officer across the face. Cßel reeled sideways from the blow.
ôPull yourself together, Lieutenant,ö the colonel growled as he reached down, grabbed his officer by the scruffs and pulled him to his feet. ôShe was on a stealth recon mission, and it FAILED. Your wife failed her mission objective, Lieutenant, and now you wish to endanger the lives of the entire Caldari race by breaking this cease-fire agreement to rescue ONE woman--??"
ôYES!ö the pilot screamed, his voice almost shaking with resolve. ôYes...ö
ôIÆm sorry, Lieutenant. But IÆm not.ö The Colonel continued his glare, but calmed his voice. He looked straight into CßelÆs eyes and said, ôWives come and go, Lieutenant. The State remains forever.ö
With that, the older man simply turned and walked away, allowing the defeated pilot to sink to his knees once more.
ôàunited we stand! Together, the Caldari people shall move forth as one entity: unflinching, uncompromising, and unrelenting. Glorious citizens of the State, this future is yours!ö
***
The stone corridor narrowed by itself. In front of Cßel marched the bulky leader of the brigands, maneuvering between the cracks and jagged edges with surprising agility.
ôSo, you havenÆt mentioned the ship you fly, Mr. Tredjens.ö
ôCaracal, Navy issued.ö Cßel replied with a little hesitation.
ôHA! Such an important job the government entrusts you with, and thatÆs all yerÆ can afford?ö his laughter echoed throughout the shrinking tunnel, ôYou need to find a better job, mate. ItÆs gonna get you killed sooner or later.ö
ôThanks for the advice.ö
ôPleasure,ö the large man grinned, before gesturing suddenly to his right. ôAh, here we are.ö
A small metal blast door stood where he was standing.
ôIn you go then. Everything you need is through that door.ö
Cßel nodded. ôThe Caldari government thanks you and your men.ö
Cßel gripped the metal handle and pulled. Sunlight blinded him suddenly, and all he could hear after that were high-powered rifles being ****ed in his direction. Mountains and valleys filled his vision once more. The large man pulled out a side-arm of his own, smiling a jagged grin.
ôHeheh. ItÆs only a matter of time before your Navy decides to bombard this planet to smithereens anyways.ö He spit on a nearby rock. ôAnd thatÆs what I think of you and your governmentÆs gratitude.ö
ôWhat if I told you I didnÆt actually work for the government--ö
ôWell, I like you a little better already.ö
con'td->
_______________________________________________
Anyone informed that the universe is expanding and contracting in pulsations of eighty billion years has a right to ask, "What's in it for me?" |
Noras Ellan
Caldari
Ermiones
|
Posted - 2008.07.13 10:24:00 -
[4]
<-con'td
ôIÆm looking for someone who went missing in this area, about 3 months agoàö
The merc leader scratched his chin. ôGuessed as much. Who is it this time? In debt brother-in-law? Drunkard father?ö The large Gallentean sucked a cigarette between his curled lips, and exhaled deeply. ôOr beautiful, tanned brunette? About 5Æ9 inches tall? Late 20s, liked to tie her hair up like a little bundle of joy. You know what? She came up with the most creative insults IÆve ever heard.ö
Laughter resounded from all directions. CßelÆs lip quivered with rage as he found himself totally surrounded on all fronts, the rest of the captainÆs cronies popping up mountain holes like dirty bunnies.
ôIf you touch heràö
The slaver waved off the threat, cigarette still between his fingers.
ôAlready did, mateà Already. Did.ö
He took another long puff and grinned.
***
The roar of engines forced them to shout. So they just smiled at each other.
A loudspeaker added to the din: ôBzZzùAttention, pilots. Action stations in 3 minutes. I repeat: action stations in three. ûbzZz- For the glory of the State.ö
Cßel pointed to his chest first, then both his eyes, and finally to her. She grinned, gave him one long, lasting kiss, then turned and made her way to her ship in the background.
***
BHWAM.
Cßel grimaced and fell to one knee, whilst the piratesÆ pistol smoked from the discharge. The men laughed away their sympathies.
ôWhaùWhere is sheàö
ôOh now, donÆt worry your pretty head off,ö the leader began again, ôWe liberated her from the crash site, didnÆt we boys?ö
His followers murmured their approval.
ôAfter that though,ö he gave a dry chuckle, ôWe had our way with the little lass. Rest assured, we cleaned her up real good.ö
ôWhy you littleùô
BHHWAMM.
Cßel fell to all fours.
ôNot just me alone, lad,ö the pirate paused, gesturing to his surrounding mates, ôOoh, I think youÆll enjoy the number.ö
This time, the pirates responded with sick cheers.
***
His wife sat in her ****pit, helmet on and ready to go.
ô30 seconds to launch. Roger--ö
He waved one last time to get her attention, and patted his uniformed breast-pocket. She understood him, reached into her own pocket and pulled out a tiny, white envelope. They grinned at each other one last timeù
ôLaunch, launchà God be with you.ö
Her engines roaredà
***
ôSo whatÆs it gonna be, Caldari man?ö
The cloudless sky blinded CßelÆs eyes once again. He managed to sit up, and then slowly, he struggled to both his feet. The pirate leaderÆs smile was wide as ever as he raised his own pistol, leveled directly with CßelÆs forehead.
ôI shoot you now? Or we let the soldiers shoot you later?ö
Cßel wobbled on the spot. Gently, he raised his right arm to mouth-level, whispered something inaudible into his watchà
***
XXX
Dear Amanda,
I love my country. But, I guess I love you, a little more.
Best of fortunes,
Cßel.
XXX
***
The clouds turned blackà The mountains started shakingà And the pirateÆs smirk soon vanished. Amanda... She was still smiling though.
ôFire on position.ö
***
End.
_______________________________________________
Anyone informed that the universe is expanding and contracting in pulsations of eighty billion years has a right to ask, "What's in it for me?" |
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