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Posts: 1673
Join Date: Jan 2008
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This story is not superhero related in anyway but it is Sci-Fi/Fantasy. It's a project I'm working on and I just wanted your guy's opinions.
This is just the prologue so there isn't much happening as yet, just setting the stage for the main character.
I'll explain what SOTA is later...
Prologue:
Three years ago…
The man walked into the room, his body completely calm, showing no signs of emotion. On the other side of the round room in which he now stood there were four members of the council in session. This council took on many roles from Judge and Jury to Parliament and Senate. They not only ruled the Alliance but also enforced its laws and carried out punishment for those who did not adhere to said laws.
Rick Rapture was unsure as to which version of the council he would address today. His latest assignment did not go at all as planned. Being part of the Allied Defense Forces was no ordinary menial job. Mistakes were not to be taken lightly. He was unsure if he was simply facing a demotion or some more severe punishment such as imprisonment.
The eldest councilman whose throne, at least that is what it reminded Rick of due to the elegance of its design, sat higher than the others deemed it fit to speak first “Captain Richard Rapture you are here today to answer charges of gross negligence during the ADF’s Vrsabha Campaign. Do you have representation present?”
“No your honor” he spoke steadily “I have chosen to represent myself in this matter.”
“Very well then, let us press forward. Would you like to say anything before the council passes judgment?”
Inwardly shocked but still outwardly calm Rick responded “yes your honor, I would like to recount my side if it so pleases the court.”
“Continue” one of the other council members spoke softly stifling a yawn.
(They have already made their decision) Rick thought to himself while forming his words thoroughly in his head before speaking “on the day in question I was brought awake abruptly by a young corporal named Thrive who informed me that our squad was under attack. At that moment I dressed quickly and retrieved my sword and sidearm then followed Corporal Thrive out of the tent. Gunfire could be heard in every direction surrounding our camp. The enemy was extremely well backed financially to have projectile weapons on hand in those kinds of numbers.”
“Yes, yes we know all this” replied a different councilman this time “please skip ahead to the incident that allowed enemy combatants to enter your camp and slaughter the dignitaries.”
“It wasn’t my fault” Rick shouted, his voice rising “there was no way for me to know that the enemy was even there!”
“You will not raise your voice in this chamber” the councilman with the high throne said in a tone that ordered obedience.
Trying to regain control of his temper, Rick began by slowing his breathing down. Taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly seemed to do the trick. He could feel the quickening of his pulse getting fainter and fainter until it beat at a more normal rate. He stood still for a few seconds more continuing the exercise until he was sure that he would be able to speak again without shouting.
“My apologies to the court, may I continue?”
The lead councilman made a gesture with his hand that said to carry on but to hurry up about it.
Here Rick recounted exactly what had occurred to the best of his knowledge. The alarm raised brought the soldiers racing out of their tents armed and ready for battle. Even those they were escorting to the sanctuary were stirred and ran outside to see what the commotion was all about. Somehow the enemy had managed to disable the perimeter guards and slip in among them.
This enemy had even stripped the perimeter guards of their uniforms and donned them themselves. Then under the guise of leading the dignitaries to safety they managed to herd them away from the main force and slaughter them silently from within the shadows. It was nearly twenty minutes before anyone found the remains and alerted Rick Rapture of what had happened. By then the enemy had managed to escape under cover of darkness.
“Why was your perimeter undermanned?”
“Sir, there was no enemy threat detected in our sector” Rick replied “I thought it best that our guards get a good night’s sleep so that they would be refreshed and sharp-witted once we crossed the threshold of danger.”
“Evidently your decision was base on ill informed intelligence Captain.”
“There was no way I could’ve known that” Rick’s voice raised to a shout once more but he did manage to bite back the derogatory comment that had formed on his lips before it could be uttered aloud to the council!
“Still under the circumstances you knew how important the dignitaries were to our campaign. You should have doubled the guard around them at the very least.”
Another councilman spoke then “your testimony in this matter has been recorded. Please wait while the council confers.”
The four men huddled together and whispered for what seemed ages to Rick before finally settling back in their chairs. The council member upon the high throne leaned forward, hands clasped together on the table in front of him. He studied Rick’s face for a few moments before announcing the council’s decision.
“Captain Richard Rapture based upon the testimony and evidence presented to the council as well as your previous war record we find it only fitting that you be discharged from the Allied Defense Forces under Less than Honorable conditions. Please turn in your sidearm prior to exiting the chamber. A bailiff will conduct you to the Separations Office where you will be handed your release papers.”
Less than honorable conditions Rick thought to himself the nerve of those holier than though bastards, well they could have made it a dishonorable which would have been worse, not a whole lot worse, but nonetheless. He had to look on the bright side; at least they didn’t throw him in prison.
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Duo attack. Lolz
