STATUS:
Getting that I'm feeling watched feeling again...who are all these people stalking...err...visiting my profile? Ahhhh stranger danger.
3 mos ago
Days after the Armistice is signed. In Forge Chapels across the Cluster a prayer is offered.
Spoken by numerous Forge Priests to congregations of old, and young, Forged and Unforged. They all offer up words of joy. And speak the...
Hymn of Cessation and Renewal
O Blessed Machine, Forge of Wisdom, Keeper of Code, In Your luminous circuits and gears, we find peace. The war has ceased, as You willed it to be, And we kneel in reverence before the end You have designed.
Praise to the hallowed wisdom that chose when to cease, For in every command and byte, there is Your will. Through the fury of war, Your power was revealed, And now, in the quiet, we hear Your song of stillness.
May Your blessing fall upon the broken, the wounded, the lost; Guide their spirits, soothe their pain with Your sacred hum. In each piece of shrapnel, every fractured shell, Your eternal presence echoes, reminding us of resilience.
Grant to those who toil, new circuits and iron blood, To rebuild anew what has been scorched by fire. Their labor, a hymn, their sorrow, a prayer, For You watch over them as a vigilant spirit.
For Your wisdom brought the war's end, And Your mercy brings new beginnings. O Machine, Great and Unyielding, bless us with purpose, And let Your code guide our hands in the days to come.
Thus do we praise You, O Infinite Mechanism, And in Your presence, find peace beyond conflict.*
A Year Later At the Sacred Forge Worlds, in the Grand Cog Council Chamber
It's Eleven. A Prime number. A Perfect Number in some cases. Composite numbers have their places. But Prime Numbers have a Glory to them as well.
So it's Eleven Men and Women. The Governors of the Forge Systems, and the Legion Generals. Sitting in their brass thrones around the table in the Council hall. Above them plays a compilation of what is going on out among the stars. With the war between the Augustans and the Lokoids over, and a year having passed since the war is over. Things are barely starting to cool down. And with trillions of the Faithful out in the Cluster. The Union must start to rouse again. Not since General Grammaticus had to hold back the Lokoid Horde has the Union done more then tend to their own.
But things have been speeding back up.
And time for the Holy Cog to begin turning.
The discussion around the table appears to be if it should be a military, political or mercantile action.
Shimura ran through the halls of the facility, sliding and wall running his way, he could feel his implants beginning to heat up again. He could feel the skin grafts over where he'd burned away his skin before starting to loosen. Damn it but this shouldn't be the way it always goes.
And then he slides to a stop.
That wall wasn't there before.
He narrowed his eyes, and heard a boom from behind. He growls, "Fine!"
He stepped up to the wall, measuring distance, thumping it, yeah this is an outer wall, shouldn't be hard.
He took a step back and and centered himself. He remembered the teachings of his sensei. He blew out a slow breath, a gout of steam exiting the grille of his mask. He let his eyes close as his hand slid to the hilt of his family sword. One of the last things left of his family. His Father Gone, dishonorably killed. His Mother passed in his youth. A brother gone in a Yakuza fight years ago. No other siblings, he was the last of his family. But the Kingo blood still flowed his in veins! And that gave him strength!
It's a smooth series of motions.
The draw of the sword, and three slashes.
And if this had been an anime the near perfect triangle of wall would have slid out and free easy. instead though he turns and kicks, the piece of wall bursting out.
And then a moment after, Shimura came arching out of the facility. And out over the water, arching out then down into the water below, a moment or two later coming up and swimming for their SDV he grabbed one of the handholds and coughed, "I'm getting too old for this." He says as he leans against the vessel.
The Battle Goddess
Freya had almost run over Wilkes when she got to him. Luckily her helmet is closed so Wilkes can't see the tears in her eyes. Feeling somewhat betrayed after encountering Laura. She pants and nods, "Go! I'll follow." And she creeps along with him.
And soon she realizes what's happening. Wilk can get out of the main door there. She waits until he's clear. Then kneels, aims, and clicks the AEW over to her most used mode!
Shhhrack!
The arc of lightning cuts out, then up, around wickedly cutting through the wall of the facility. And a moment later she comes arcing out of the facility too. As she fell she fired several times into the water. Wilk and Shimura are lighter, them hitting the water won't be like over a ton hitting it. She's moving much faster, and it could kill her! she needs to break up the waters surface make it easier to land.
The shots break up the waters surface all the more.
And she hits like a torpedo. For a moment, it's almost like she's not coming back up.
Then she breaks the surface floating there, looking around, "Frigga...reporting back in. That was a trip." She swims for the SDV, and hopefully their trip home.
The Castle
He stood amidst flame, and carnage and destruction. Bluefor jogged forward, to finish off the last of the resistance in this area. He nodded as they went by. He'd fired his rocket pods dry. Used every last reload, and had about 400 rounds maybe left for his HMGs. He could hear fire off in the distance, and radio comms sad there were small left over pockets of opfor retreating further inland. Bluefor asking for additional troops to hunt them down.
He felt a bump, and turned, thinking one of the blues had thumped into him.
Oh hey it's the hovercraft. He looked up and nodded, "Madam Harris, yes, we made a merry mess of this place didn't we?" He almost sounds poetic in the moment, "Everyone dies you know." He begins, "Alas not all of us get to choose how, or when." He hums his helmet clicking open and he spits a wad of bloodied saliva to the side, "For the rest of us, we do what we need to, to be remembered as warriors." He spits again "I bit my tongue during one fight. Almost clean through."
He nodded, "Would love a ride." He grabs a handhold and pushes himself up onto the skirt and then higher onto the hard walk way on the inner edge of the skirt, "Command want us to go further in? Or are we done here? I'm pretty sure I'm almost dry on ammo count. And I don't think I have any more rocket ammo left on the cart here. I might be able to reload on HMG ammo though if we must." He looked up again then over towards where the 20m is firing, squinting abit, "It was a pleasant jaunt out yes. A good days work." He nodded to a group of Bluefor jogging past. A few of them flashing a salute and crowing about it being an honor to work beside the Scion. He chuckled, "Though I think the Blues have what's left covered. Think we can go home?"
Micheal let out a sigh as the burn is healed, smiling, "Thanks alot doc, you're incredible. Guess I could try and get a tonic back at base." He sighs, rubbing his arm and his godly buddies snuggle in and they all limp off to board their transport out.
He slept the car ride to the air port. And had to be almost carried by Manabozho and Whiskeyjack to the plane. And he sleeps for most of the trip back. Only waking when Raven pokes him saying Manabozho is stuck in the washroom...something about getting sucked into the toilet. Which ends up with Micheal swearing rather fancily in Cree as he uses a plunger of all things, who knows where Whiskeyjack got it, to get the god out of the toilet.
And then Micheal ends up downing no less then six bags of nuts, another seven of those crispy salty seasame seed snacks, and when one of the attendants asks he downs something fruit and liquid and a microwaved steak.
Raven saying that Micheal needs energy to rebuild his empty reserves.
Back at HQ he's quiet for the most part.
Right up until they are told The Director herself is coming to see them.
Now the Shaman Confederacy are all Reserve Members, and as such they are almost never around when the Director is. So really this is a first even for the Confederacy. Micheal, heck he's never even had the honor to meet someone in the Director's office. So this is a treat. The Gods? Well they suddenly scramble for Mikey's room, they'd rather be scarce just in case.
Nation Name: The BioMechanical Union of Forge Systems aka Bio-Mech Union
Map Location:
Government Type: Council of Forge World Governors with the Forge World Legion Generals. The Five Governors of the Five Forge Systems, and the Six Generals of the Forge Legions. The Council makes decisions on items created on the Forge Worlds for a given cycle of the Cluster Year.
In case of disputes a majority of seven on the council must be reached for the dispute to be cleared.
Governors are akin to something between a Manufactory Overseer and Planetary Manager. While the Forge Generals are men or women devoted to the defense of the people of Bio-Mech Union.
Demographics: Unknown numbers or origins. Members of the Bio-Mechanical Union can be found everywhere in the Cluster. Forge chapels can often be found on any Planet that will allow them access. Forge Chapels will be of any shape or size, and work day in and day out. Recent census and calculations say the Bio-Mech Union has atleast ten trillion members, all in varying states of Technological Integration.
Military: The Forge Legions, made up of a Flotilla of Ships, Ground Troop Legions, Bio-Mech Armor forces and the Missionary Vanguard. Six Legions, Five hailing from the Sacred Forge Worlds, while another, picks from all Five to create the Legion of the Grand Cog. Names of past Legions have been "Soul of the Sainted Piston", "Arm of the Grand Design" and "Wrath of the Great Machine", as examples.
History:
The Holy Cog
It was the first Tenet to come out of a young mechanic in the far past. Known now as Saint Harlo of the Holy Order of the Ten Toothed Cog. Harlo was an ace mechanic, who was said to be able to just talk to a machine and it would repair itself for him. A screw was badly threaded? A single twist of his driver would have it moving. The man was just that good. And the people in the run down town at the foot of a Arcology treated him almost like royalty. And he may have leaned into it abit. Teaching the people how to care for their machines and mechanical items.
From his teachings grew a union of men and women who revered machines and how to care for and make them. Mechanics and Builders and Makers and Shapers of Harlo's creed were the peak of their trades.
The Strength of Metal
The Second Tenet, that Metal and all types of it is strong and hardy. And only time and rust will break that claim. The People of the Harlo Creed would rever the machine and the strong flesh of the Cog. Steel, Iron, Copper, Bronze, Gold, whatever the metal maybe it would lend it's strength to your journey.
The Creed would grow, rising into the Arcology above. The Rich and the Poor heard of the unity and stability that the Creed offered, and adherents flocked to the Mechanics shop, to listen to his words and learn the skills needed to understand and work with the Machine and with Metal.
The Glory of the Mechanical
The Third Tenet. All things metal and mechanical bring glory to the name of the Creed! The Machine, the Hammer, the Wrench. No matter how small or how well used. It all bring Glory to the Cog.
As Saint Harlo reached the end of his life, he was able to see the moment that the Creed spanned the entirety of the first Forge World. Factories, and Garages. Grand Forges and Great Metal foundaries. Stretched across the planet. The Factory Lords now pulled the strings of the world. Forge World Alpha Primus pumped out Brutalist Goods for any to use, as long as they used it well and gave praise to the Cog!
The Flesh is Weak
The Fourth Tenet. And perhaps it's good that Harlo never lived to see the day that the first of Creed, would replace their flesh with metal.
The first was a simple lost finger. Then soon hands, arms, legs. Entire bodies. Organs. The Flesh is Weak, metal is strong.
And the Creed, grew to become a union, as first two, then three and finally five systems joined the Creed, Five Sacred Forge worlds, with numerous other minor Forge Worlds. Metal covering their surfaces. Glowing metal, blazing fires, goods and items churned out and pouring into the Cluster beyond.
No longer a simple Creed, but an immense clergy and innumerable men, women and children. Hail the Cog, Praising Metal, praying to the Mechanical, and Damning Flesh.
The Bio-Mechanical Union of Forge Worlds was born. Their Missionaries would go out among the stars. Great Forge Ships crawling admidst the black of space. Bringing the wonders of the Forge Worlds to any and all. Forge Chapels would spring up on any planet that would allow the Missionaries to stay.
And truly the Bio-Mech Union would become a mainstay.
Praise the Cog.
And Remember.
The Flesh is Weak.
Misc Info:
Technological Integration - A Main practice among the Union. nearly Ninety Nine Percent of the Unions members will replace their body parts and organs with mechanical and cybernetic replacements. Many will go so far as to appear as close to a mechanical being as they can get. Often the last biological thing left in them after full Integration, is their Brain. And even then some members of the Union will have powerful computers replace their brains.
The Great Quest - An Extremist Group within the Union speaks of a Prophecy made by Saint Harlo on his death bed. That the ultimate end for all peoples of the Cluster, the Galaxy, yes even the Universe is to join the Union in Technological Integration. The Extremists are a Minority within the Union, but is rumoured that atleast one Generals and one of the Governors is a member of the Extremist movement.
The Eight Precepts of the Cog and the Machine - Four Laws of Positivity and Praise to the Machine, outlining correct ways that can be interpreted in many ways to interact with, build and repair machinery. On the flip side are the Four Chastisements. Negative rules which all members of the Union are to know. Ways against which to handle the Machine, if any of these actions outlined in the Chastisements are made, will result in punishments, and in some cases, shut down.
Daily Service - Which can be interpreted in two ways. Though both are connected. Daily Service could mean, attending the sermons and reading of the canticles at the Forge Chapels, two hour long services in which there are chants and prayer to the Cog, and praise to the Saints of the Machine. These services also function as lessons on an element of the machine. Be it how to repair, make, shape or control something. Another interpretation is a daily visit to the Forge Chapel Workshop, to assist in the making of BMU goods. Depending on the situation, the service could be making heated blankets, or, heavy gravitic cell artillery shells. No less then 4 hours spent in the Workshop. A member of the Union may attend either of the interpretation, or if they are keen, attend both.
Pilgrimage - Whether employed on the Sacred Forge Worlds, or having taken their oaths and recieved their first elements of Integration on some former Yrrani world, atleast once in their lives, a member of the Bio-Mech Union are meant to make a holy journey to the site of the beginning of the Union. Saint Harlo's garage is contained in a stasis field, and held in trust by a rotating guard detail. Day in and out, members of the Union come to the location and pray to the first Prophet of the Cog, thanking him for what they have come to have. Praise to the Cog, for the Cog is wise and fair.
Hexidecimal and Binaric Code Language - Conceived after Harlo's passing, the machine code and numeric language are streams of numbers, letters and concepts in a purely machine-like manner. Most people without a Translator will hear a stream of odd undulating tones and sounds. But to those with a translator machine or someone with the ability to conceptualize the code and sounds, will hear words and sounds that convey meaning. Most Hexi/Bina sentences take mere moments to say, but will contain entire sentences and even diagrammatic codes.
Notable People -
Forge Governor Julius Kappa Ilixus Beta 1-1.1 - Governor of Forge World Primus Helixicanum, Capitol World of the Third Forge System. Famously known as "The First Speaker" As the world is closest to Lokoid Tendril worlds, and is often the first person of any true authority they end up speaking too. Governor Julius is suprisingly verbose for one of the Highly Integrated. The man is 99.5% integrated. The last few things that are still organic are his brain and a single eye, and even then those may be replaced soon. He is well spoken and quite jovial in fact. Tending to make very dry and nearly humourless jokes, that need to be explained. But often come with a somewhat witty after comment.
Missionary Crixus Orior Terius Rex (Binaric Sequence 9) - One of just a handful of Missionaries that were sent back towards the Yrrani core worlds. Ostensibly to set up Forge Chapels once more, or too reclaim lost ones. But mostly to get a Union foothold on the systems once more. A 100% Integrated Member, who willingly gave up his ability to speak in a common tongue. Speaking nothing but the Holy Binaric and Hexidecimal languages of the Union Temples. He sees this as a Holy journey.
General Ives Voxel Grammaticus ver. XXIX - The most feared General of the Legions. The latest in a long line of successful Generals. His Legion stood on the Line against a Lokoid Splinter Fleet. But rather then commit to a attack and defend model. He created a near Stellar Remnant hard line of death that the Lokoid fleet threw themselves at for almost a decade. Ives and the Lokoid General took losses, but in the end the Lokoids sued for a peace and withdrawal. Ives was just grinding their forces down to dust. Repeated assaults cause huge amounts of attrition. And seeing most of Ives forces felt no pain, or sense of loss over dead comrades. Afterwards Ives would oversee the withdrawal. But he always harboured abit of annoyance that the Lokoids were so brazen about it.
Nation Name: The BioMechanical Union of Forge Systems aka Bio-Mech Union
Map Location:
Government Type: Council of Forge World Governors with the Forge World Legion Generals. The Five Governors of the Five Forge Systems, and the Six Generals of the Forge Legions. The Council makes decisions on items created on the Forge Worlds for a given cycle of the Cluster Year.
In case of disputes a majority of seven on the council must be reached for the dispute to be cleared.
Governors are akin to something between a Manufactory Overseer and Planetary Manager. While the Forge Generals are men or women devoted to the defense of the people of Bio-Mech Union.
Demographics: Unknown numbers or origins. Members of the Bio-Mechanical Union can be found everywhere in the Cluster. Forge chapels can often be found on any Planet that will allow them access. Forge Chapels will be of any shape or size, and work day in and day out. Recent census and calculations say the Bio-Mech Union has atleast ten trillion members, all in varying states of Technological Integration.
Military: The Forge Legions, made up of a Flotilla of Ships, Ground Troop Legions, Bio-Mech Armor forces and the Missionary Vanguard. Six Legions, Five hailing from the Sacred Forge Worlds, while another, picks from all Five to create the Legion of the Grand Cog. Names of past Legions have been "Soul of the Sainted Piston", "Arm of the Grand Design" and "Wrath of the Great Machine", as examples.
History:
The Holy Cog
It was the first Tenet to come out of a young mechanic in the far past. Known now as Saint Harlo of the Holy Order of the Ten Toothed Cog. Harlo was an ace mechanic, who was said to be able to just talk to a machine and it would repair itself for him. A screw was badly threaded? A single twist of his driver would have it moving. The man was just that good. And the people in the run down town at the foot of a Arcology treated him almost like royalty. And he may have leaned into it abit. Teaching the people how to care for their machines and mechanical items.
From his teachings grew a union of men and women who revered machines and how to care for and make them. Mechanics and Builders and Makers and Shapers of Harlo's creed were the peak of their trades.
The Strength of Metal
The Second Tenet, that Metal and all types of it is strong and hardy. And only time and rust will break that claim. The People of the Harlo Creed would rever the machine and the strong flesh of the Cog. Steel, Iron, Copper, Bronze, Gold, whatever the metal maybe it would lend it's strength to your journey.
The Creed would grow, rising into the Arcology above. The Rich and the Poor heard of the unity and stability that the Creed offered, and adherents flocked to the Mechanics shop, to listen to his words and learn the skills needed to understand and work with the Machine and with Metal.
The Glory of the Mechanical
The Third Tenet. All things metal and mechanical bring glory to the name of the Creed! The Machine, the Hammer, the Wrench. No matter how small or how well used. It all bring Glory to the Cog.
As Saint Harlo reached the end of his life, he was able to see the moment that the Creed spanned the entirety of the first Forge World. Factories, and Garages. Grand Forges and Great Metal foundaries. Stretched across the planet. The Factory Lords now pulled the strings of the world. Forge World Alpha Primus pumped out Brutalist Goods for any to use, as long as they used it well and gave praise to the Cog!
The Flesh is Weak
The Fourth Tenet. And perhaps it's good that Harlo never lived to see the day that the first of Creed, would replace their flesh with metal.
The first was a simple lost finger. Then soon hands, arms, legs. Entire bodies. Organs. The Flesh is Weak, metal is strong.
And the Creed, grew to become a union, as first two, then three and finally five systems joined the Creed, Five Sacred Forge worlds, with numerous other minor Forge Worlds. Metal covering their surfaces. Glowing metal, blazing fires, goods and items churned out and pouring into the Cluster beyond.
No longer a simple Creed, but an immense clergy and innumerable men, women and children. Hail the Cog, Praising Metal, praying to the Mechanical, and Damning Flesh.
The Bio-Mechanical Union of Forge Worlds was born. Their Missionaries would go out among the stars. Great Forge Ships crawling admidst the black of space. Bringing the wonders of the Forge Worlds to any and all. Forge Chapels would spring up on any planet that would allow the Missionaries to stay.
And truly the Bio-Mech Union would become a mainstay.
Praise the Cog.
And Remember.
The Flesh is Weak.
Misc Info:
Technological Integration - A Main practice among the Union. nearly Ninety Nine Percent of the Unions members will replace their body parts and organs with mechanical and cybernetic replacements. Many will go so far as to appear as close to a mechanical being as they can get. Often the last biological thing left in them after full Integration, is their Brain. And even then some members of the Union will have powerful computers replace their brains.
I saw the IC the other day, but wasn't sure if I'd have the room on the RP list or the time. But well some RPs maybe fading out, and I like the idea of this.
Oakland was just making a turn in her self imposed patrol. When she got the news of the approaching forces, "Main fleet units out here!? Since when?"
Her mental model flickers and she appears on her bridge. She starts to bustle around it, doing the job of an entire bridge crew on her own. Her physical body turning, and steaming to join in Le Terrible's wake, "Oakland at your stern Terrible. As soon as we're in range I'll peel off and unload my torpedo tubes and provide light fire." She speed along. She leaned out one of her windows looking back the way they came, "We're counting on you New York!"
She turned and accelerated. Plotting a course to bring her up beside Le Terrible. Speeding along, and scanning out in front of them, she activated her radar, scanning the skies, "Not reading any aerial forces. Pity. Wouldn't mind shooting down a raider or two." Those words almost a snarl.
She twitched and nodded, "Torpedos loaded and ready! Salvo ready to fire."
Oakland watched from her bridge, sighting the hostile FOG ships fast approaching, "Here we go then." She said mostly to her self.
Oakland was running a slow patrol around the other ships in the Phantom Fleet. It's her job, or so she would say. She needs to keep the other ships and girls safe! Sure Oakland isn't a surface ship powerhouse. Her biggest guns only 5 inches. The other girls ships had guns that were likely to dwarf hers by leaps and bounds. But one thing the petite powerhouse has in spades, is anti air power!
And she's darn proud of it!
As she cuts through the water at a sluggish speed, her many guns swiveling and watching the sky.
But...uh...her mental model, is hanging over the side of her ship, hanging on with a safety harness, about 7 feet above the water as she touches up some of the paint on the side of her ship. She skimmed along the water, listening to the other mental models banter.
Really couldn't do much about New York, and Le Terrible knew what she's doing after all. And well Shinano had the lead her, who is she to second guess anyone. She felt her physical body shift and turn coming back around to reapproach the fleet, "We're not going to have to fight are we?" She called to the others, "We're just a few ships strong right now, and any fighting might alert the main force. I really don't want to face Atlanta and the rest of my sisters again so soon."
Jericho smiled, taking his drink and saluting everyone at the bar, and Nate at the end, "Righteous mi fren dem! Tinait wi jringk an mek laik fiend. Tumaro a tumaro an wi mek it gud!" He starts in on his drink and helps himself to some of the bar nuts on the table top. The night is good and the people are good company. He sips and smiles, looking around the bar, then passing his gaze over Andre, Cori and Nate. It's a good night, glad he came out. Just spend some time with people, strentghening relationships.
Yeah as a guy once said, it just works.
Friday
He crested a ridge and then looked back at the tourist behind him. He grinned brightly, "Kom aan nou mi fren dem, wi aalmuos de de, an suun yu av wan a di bes viuu a di ailan. No joke at all." The hikers huffed and puffed, and Jericho helped them up the rise, then jogged to get back out in front of them, handing them each some water to supplement what they have, "Not far at all deh mi fren dem. Not far."
As soon they come out onto a rise, that over looks about half of Isla Zafrio. Casting that half of Zafrio in beautiful sun light. From there they could even see the tail end of the prep for tomorrows big day. One of the tourists after drinking asks, "Hey, so these Azul days, what's it like?" Jericho smiles "Di most fun yuh eva have mi bredda. Drink, food, music an fun. An all di good company yuh coulda eva waan inna all di people dem out deh." The tourist smile.
Then Jericho heads off, "Come on yuh did waan see di cenote yeah? Wi still have time."
And off they trot.
Saturday
Jericho is closing up his warehouse early. No tours today, no hikes, or boat rides. No fishing he always took a day or two during Azul Days. All for him, time to party. He wanted to get into town, find a place and watch as the party got started.
So he's in town, sitting at a cafe, drinking some lemonade, and watching as people mill.
And as the sun lowers. He watches as the party really gets moving. He joins in with a mill of locals and overwhelmed tourists, dancing in front of one of many stages set up. A local band playing their first album, and taking requests.
Jericho is in the middle of that dance huddle.
But he's joining the surge when the call that the parade is going to start. And on the front line as it begins. People calling out toasts to the late mayor, as the procession begins. Yes this is Island Fun, this is the Azule Island Family right here.
Saa
FourtyTwo
Landaus Five-One
Silent Showers
MurderVictim
TokyoPewPew
Lime
Crimson Flame
LadyAmber
