[size=150]Chapter 1: No Man's Land[/size]
23/04/2284
0946hrs
Tryliin geostationary orbit, aboard the Marlkindine Co. Headquarters Station
[color=#008000]“...No luck so far, sir. It appears we're having trouble with the local raiders, they're well fortified and showing no si-”[/color]
[color=#FFFF00]“I'll send another thousand men, plus equipment and supplies. We can't afford to slow down now. I expect you to be on the first ship down once we secure the area, Doctor Hendres.”[/color]
The man wore a three piece suit, fashioned in the older style of industrial Earth, around the early 2000's. His face was sharp, and his hair had begun to slightly grey. He was slightly wrinkled, and had bags under his eyes, obviously from staying up late into the nights due to work. He smoked a cigar, rare in these days of instant gratification via nicotine air injections, and continued to stare out the viewport, blinking slowly and observing the Markindine Fleet formations drifting to and fro. Beside him, a much older man, balding and bespectacled, wearing the classic uniform of a Markindine research director, anxiously stood beside him, trying to stand straight but finding it difficult with age. It appeared that Yanda Markindine was growing impatient. After a lengthy pause of time, Doctor Hendres spoke again:
[color=#008000]“I must warn you sir, that the data is only preliminary. It does seem to indicate that what we are seeking may be more intriguing than previously thought, but still... There is no way to be sure. I must advise against running straight into the fire like this. We should acquire assistance from S-GAF Science Division, a lot of the other species have been studying this particular phenomenon much longer than our corporation and it's subsidiaries combined... The data would prove invaluable.”[/color]
Hendres paused, and observed the motionless Yanda for what seemed like an hour. Then, in a low voice that surprised Hendres, politely inquired: [color=#FFFF00]“Doctor, do you know what our most profitable export is?”[/color]
Puzzled, Hendres brought up his PDA, and looked through the various files. [color=#008000]“I believe this quarter it was our Banshee - Class Light Assault Walker, which sol-”[/color]
Yanda chuckled lightly to himself, and turned to the aging scientist. [color=#FFFF00]“No no no, not by a long shot,”[/color] He turned, and walked down the bridge, placing his hands behind his back, with Doctor Hendres close behind him, [color=#FFFF00]“no, our greatest export is much more than that. It is the ideal we uphold, how we are viewed by the other races, what they believe we stand for.”[/color] He continued to walk along, absorbed in his speech and paying Hendres little notice. [color=#FFFF00]“We represent the might of humanity, that we are top dog. When the K'yaSynth threatened to bring the galaxy to it's knees, it was humans who led the charge against them, and ground them into dust. And in the soldier's hands, carrying those fine men and women like glorious chariots made of fire into the galaxy's finest hour, were Markindine weapons. Markindine battleships and tanks. It was all made by our family. By my father...”[/color]
Yanda placed a hand on Hendres shoulder, and began to walk back to the main view port. [color=#FFFF00]“I wouldn't be half the man I am today, were it not for you. We have had our disagreements in... Ethics, before, but I have always known best,”[/color] he released his grip, and turned to face him, [color=#FFFF00]“and I know, very well Hendres, that humanity is slipping. We're losing that power. Our image. But this planet holds the key. It is our greatest triumph, and our biggest threat.”[/color] Yanda motioned out the window, and smiled, staring at the yellow surface of the world which lit up his face.
[color=#FFFF00]“And you're going to help me, Hendres. Like always, you are a brother to me. I look out for you, and you look out for me. And this morning, you changed everything. What you discovered is truly what we needed to regain our status, our supremacy...”[/color]
Yanda turned to face the doctor again, placing both his hands this time on Hendres shoulders, and looked intensely into his eyes. [color=#FFFF00]“...And for that, Doctor: I thank you.”[/color]
Just outside Oasis city gates,
1410hrs
“God dammit Chomper, we are just outside the gates! You literally have to walk fifty feet! WHY DO YOU NEED TO DRINK SO MUCH WATER NOW!?!”
Chomper looked up briefly from the water spring, and honked at Kintya happily, spraying her with spit and water, before resuming to drink from the spring in loud, hurried gulps.
Kintya huffed, wiped her face with her cape, and placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow at Chomper. “You're such a charmer... I know it's been a while since you last wet you whistle, buddy, but frankly, you can get a drink at the pens. We. Are. Moving. Now.” She first pulled with all her strength against his bit, but he just yanked her effortlessly into the water with the bit rope. Kintya got out of the pool, soaked and angered, and stomped around behind him. She now pushed against the side of his rump with all her might, and Chomper shifted slightly, but quickly regained his composure. Kintya stood back and yelled at the skies, frustrated beyond measure.
So, I guess I'll have to wait, she thought to herself. Kintya sat under the shade of a small spiky tree, grumbling to herself, and watched the road for others. A passing family came through, tired and dirty from their journey, so she waved them down and asked if they needed anything. After five minutes, they had been talking, and she traded a water purifier with them for some credits. The family were eager to get inside the gates, where they claimed it was safe. Kintya huffed in amusement, and asked why. They promptly explained: Entire settlements had been going missing lately, or rather, the people in them. No damage to anything, except animals scrounging through their food, and no signs of struggle. Just empty.
Puzzled, she bid them farewell and sat back under the tree, eating a jar of nutrient paste, mulling over the previous conversation and trying to distract herself from the grainy, earthy food paste. She waited a further five minutes, craving the cool air conditioned streets of Oasis, before Chomper waddled over to her, and nuzzled her chest with his snout, looking for pats and bellowing softly.
“Really?” That was all Kintya could muster, as Chomper looked at her almost sheepishly. She pushed his face away gently in playful annoyance, and rubbed his side. She could never stay mad at him, no matter how much of a pain in the ass he could be.
“Okay, Chomper, let's go get you some food!”
Chomper honked in response, and walked along side her, eager to lose all this stuff he always had to carry on his back. They walked up to the gate, paid the fees necessary to gain entrance, to the gatekeeper (some weird alien species Kintya had never met before, with a triangular head, two eyes on stalks that hung low over it's cheeks and a bizarre enlarged sac instead of a mouth, like some bizarre slug man from hell) and walked into Oasis. The air was cool, but smelt heavily of smog and chemicals, as people walked and bustled through the streets of various shapes and sizes. Chomper sneezed, head shaking violently, and the two walked through the dimly lit streets, looking for the animal pens.
23/04/2284
0946hrs
Tryliin geostationary orbit, aboard the Marlkindine Co. Headquarters Station
[color=#008000]“...No luck so far, sir. It appears we're having trouble with the local raiders, they're well fortified and showing no si-”[/color]
[color=#FFFF00]“I'll send another thousand men, plus equipment and supplies. We can't afford to slow down now. I expect you to be on the first ship down once we secure the area, Doctor Hendres.”[/color]
The man wore a three piece suit, fashioned in the older style of industrial Earth, around the early 2000's. His face was sharp, and his hair had begun to slightly grey. He was slightly wrinkled, and had bags under his eyes, obviously from staying up late into the nights due to work. He smoked a cigar, rare in these days of instant gratification via nicotine air injections, and continued to stare out the viewport, blinking slowly and observing the Markindine Fleet formations drifting to and fro. Beside him, a much older man, balding and bespectacled, wearing the classic uniform of a Markindine research director, anxiously stood beside him, trying to stand straight but finding it difficult with age. It appeared that Yanda Markindine was growing impatient. After a lengthy pause of time, Doctor Hendres spoke again:
[color=#008000]“I must warn you sir, that the data is only preliminary. It does seem to indicate that what we are seeking may be more intriguing than previously thought, but still... There is no way to be sure. I must advise against running straight into the fire like this. We should acquire assistance from S-GAF Science Division, a lot of the other species have been studying this particular phenomenon much longer than our corporation and it's subsidiaries combined... The data would prove invaluable.”[/color]
Hendres paused, and observed the motionless Yanda for what seemed like an hour. Then, in a low voice that surprised Hendres, politely inquired: [color=#FFFF00]“Doctor, do you know what our most profitable export is?”[/color]
Puzzled, Hendres brought up his PDA, and looked through the various files. [color=#008000]“I believe this quarter it was our Banshee - Class Light Assault Walker, which sol-”[/color]
Yanda chuckled lightly to himself, and turned to the aging scientist. [color=#FFFF00]“No no no, not by a long shot,”[/color] He turned, and walked down the bridge, placing his hands behind his back, with Doctor Hendres close behind him, [color=#FFFF00]“no, our greatest export is much more than that. It is the ideal we uphold, how we are viewed by the other races, what they believe we stand for.”[/color] He continued to walk along, absorbed in his speech and paying Hendres little notice. [color=#FFFF00]“We represent the might of humanity, that we are top dog. When the K'yaSynth threatened to bring the galaxy to it's knees, it was humans who led the charge against them, and ground them into dust. And in the soldier's hands, carrying those fine men and women like glorious chariots made of fire into the galaxy's finest hour, were Markindine weapons. Markindine battleships and tanks. It was all made by our family. By my father...”[/color]
Yanda placed a hand on Hendres shoulder, and began to walk back to the main view port. [color=#FFFF00]“I wouldn't be half the man I am today, were it not for you. We have had our disagreements in... Ethics, before, but I have always known best,”[/color] he released his grip, and turned to face him, [color=#FFFF00]“and I know, very well Hendres, that humanity is slipping. We're losing that power. Our image. But this planet holds the key. It is our greatest triumph, and our biggest threat.”[/color] Yanda motioned out the window, and smiled, staring at the yellow surface of the world which lit up his face.
[color=#FFFF00]“And you're going to help me, Hendres. Like always, you are a brother to me. I look out for you, and you look out for me. And this morning, you changed everything. What you discovered is truly what we needed to regain our status, our supremacy...”[/color]
Yanda turned to face the doctor again, placing both his hands this time on Hendres shoulders, and looked intensely into his eyes. [color=#FFFF00]“...And for that, Doctor: I thank you.”[/color]
Just outside Oasis city gates,
1410hrs
“God dammit Chomper, we are just outside the gates! You literally have to walk fifty feet! WHY DO YOU NEED TO DRINK SO MUCH WATER NOW!?!”
Chomper looked up briefly from the water spring, and honked at Kintya happily, spraying her with spit and water, before resuming to drink from the spring in loud, hurried gulps.
Kintya huffed, wiped her face with her cape, and placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow at Chomper. “You're such a charmer... I know it's been a while since you last wet you whistle, buddy, but frankly, you can get a drink at the pens. We. Are. Moving. Now.” She first pulled with all her strength against his bit, but he just yanked her effortlessly into the water with the bit rope. Kintya got out of the pool, soaked and angered, and stomped around behind him. She now pushed against the side of his rump with all her might, and Chomper shifted slightly, but quickly regained his composure. Kintya stood back and yelled at the skies, frustrated beyond measure.
So, I guess I'll have to wait, she thought to herself. Kintya sat under the shade of a small spiky tree, grumbling to herself, and watched the road for others. A passing family came through, tired and dirty from their journey, so she waved them down and asked if they needed anything. After five minutes, they had been talking, and she traded a water purifier with them for some credits. The family were eager to get inside the gates, where they claimed it was safe. Kintya huffed in amusement, and asked why. They promptly explained: Entire settlements had been going missing lately, or rather, the people in them. No damage to anything, except animals scrounging through their food, and no signs of struggle. Just empty.
Puzzled, she bid them farewell and sat back under the tree, eating a jar of nutrient paste, mulling over the previous conversation and trying to distract herself from the grainy, earthy food paste. She waited a further five minutes, craving the cool air conditioned streets of Oasis, before Chomper waddled over to her, and nuzzled her chest with his snout, looking for pats and bellowing softly.
“Really?” That was all Kintya could muster, as Chomper looked at her almost sheepishly. She pushed his face away gently in playful annoyance, and rubbed his side. She could never stay mad at him, no matter how much of a pain in the ass he could be.
“Okay, Chomper, let's go get you some food!”
Chomper honked in response, and walked along side her, eager to lose all this stuff he always had to carry on his back. They walked up to the gate, paid the fees necessary to gain entrance, to the gatekeeper (some weird alien species Kintya had never met before, with a triangular head, two eyes on stalks that hung low over it's cheeks and a bizarre enlarged sac instead of a mouth, like some bizarre slug man from hell) and walked into Oasis. The air was cool, but smelt heavily of smog and chemicals, as people walked and bustled through the streets of various shapes and sizes. Chomper sneezed, head shaking violently, and the two walked through the dimly lit streets, looking for the animal pens.