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Post by Rommel on Aug 27, 2010 21:24:37 GMT -6
Corny title, but it seemed to fit. HnM is a series of snapshots, drabbles and ficlets spanning the length and breadth of the Terra Ascendant saga.
They are going to be kept short and off the cuff if you will, added whenever I can. I plan to put them here as well as on FF.net. (I'll get to that later)
As always questions, criticisms and commentary are welcomed.
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Post by Rommel on Aug 27, 2010 21:28:10 GMT -6
Setting: Early in the First Contact War. Ambassador Hiraldo, representative of the Batarian Authority has just been summoned by the Citadel Council.
Citadel Tower, The Citadel. November 7th, 2158. (Terran Date)
"We must present a united front against these aggressors. As such we order the Authority to resume your attacks
against the Terran Empire." Councilor Jullinia finished.
Ambassador Hiraldo was speechless, "You cannot be serious!"
"You are addressing the Council Ambassador, remember your station." The Turian Councilor Terax warned.
Hiraldo shook his head, "You are mad, all of you! You either have not seen what the Humans are capable of, or are
simply too stupid to understand what they are capable of. They surpass us in almost every technology, they use
ENERGY WEAPONS AS STANDARD! Do you even comprehend how they fight? Batarian Intelligence projects that a single
Terran is worth 8 Batarian soldiers in combat. Council Soldiers? 12. Ships? There is not even a comparison, they took
down dreadnoughts with STRIKE-CRAFT! Your fleets are torn apart by their forces! You ask us to fight an enemy that
we have no hope of defeating, that YOU, and the entire Citadel, have no hope of defeating! We are not fools, we
shall NOT throw our lives away for you, for the Council, for any of you. The Authority will stay neutral in the
fight, as promised by the ceasefire we have signed with the Terran Empire. They could have ended us, instead they
accepted our overtures of peace and chose to treat us in an honorable fashion. We will not betray that." He finally
finished, taking in a deep breath.
"Then the Batarians shall be cast from the Citadel. No world under the authority of the Citadel will trade with you,
and we shall not support you in any way." Councilor Jullinia stated.
Hiraldo snorted at their arrogance, "Do so. Are you even capable of understanding where in history we are? This is
an Epoch, the end of an era. Your era. Do you know what you face? Annihilation, I will answer for you. They will not
stop, they will not give up, they will not tire, they will not falter. They will keep fighting, they will keep
killing, until they stand HERE, on the Citadel. And believe me when I say they will stand here. Do what you must,
but know this: You are leaving us with two choices: Go to our deaths for those who have never done anything for us,
or join with an unstoppable, invincible enemy? You fools." He finished.
Salarian Councilor Leero pressed a button on his console, and a number of C-Sec officers entered the hall. He looked
right at Hiraldo, "As of now your Embassy is closed. You have four days to remove yourself, your personnel and
effects from the Citadel before we will consider you in violation of the law. Officers, escort him back to his
Embassy."
As an officer moved to take his arm he shrugged them off. He was an official and representative of the Batarian
Lords and People, he would retain his dignity, not be drug off like a common beggar trying to sneak onto a
plantation.
"That will not be necessary." He turned bodily back to the Council, "I shall leave peacefully, and I promise you we
shall be off the Citadel by dawn tomorrow." He raised a hand then, pointing a finger at the pedestals where they
concealed themselves, "But know this: You are forsaking us simply because we refuse to needlessly throw our lives
away, so be it. You are in this war simply because you cannot imagine giving up the scraps of power you jealously
hoard, even though you know you can't win. A day of reckoning is coming. When the Terrans come here to send you to
hell we will be standing beside them!" He finished, turning and walking out of the hall at a quick but dignified pace.
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Post by convicter on Sept 1, 2010 0:15:55 GMT -6
Impressive as always Rommel. Keep it up!
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Post by Rommel on Nov 16, 2010 0:06:32 GMT -6
Setting: An Excerpt from the publicly published version of 'Matriarch Gilessia's Report to the Asari Republics. On the curious species of Humanity' First Edition, 2171.
"I will conclude this section with something I was told 2 Terran years ago, by the former Turian General Archaex, famous (or infamous) for being the Turian Commander during the Battle of Shanxi. He provided me with an insight into their public mind that has been invaluable to this report.
We met during a diplomatic function on Mars, the industrial capitol of the Terran home system. I was quick to engage him in conversation, very eager to understand what he went through for being what he was. He was close-mouthed at first, but soon opened up and began telling me his views of the Terrans and their ways. Archaex had become a somewhat of a self-taught expert on Human culture, absorbing any scrap of information he could get his talons on. He shared one observation with me that I have not gone a day since without it entering my mind. He was speaking at length of Terran entertainment, their popular culture in the form of books, holovids and 'video games': Simulations usually played by the younger Terrans, almost always involving warfare and varied forms of combat.
"The most common theme in Human entertainment is by far the concept of the Humans fighting against a species so much more powerful than themselves and succeeding through sheer force of will, sacrifice and ingenuity." Archaex was quiet for a moment, then he turned to me, staring into my eyes.
I doubt I will ever be able to adequately describe the look upon his face as he finished his words: "There is something terrifying about a people who have to make-up a species tougher than themselves just for the sake of challenging entertainment."
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Post by kalaong on Nov 20, 2010 14:36:11 GMT -6
"The most common theme in Human entertainment is by far the concept of the Humans fighting against a species so much more powerful than themselves and succeeding through sheer force of will, sacrifice and ingenuity."
Any science fiction fan is aware of this, but the next part hit me like a bag of wet sand behind the ear.
"There is something terrifying about a people who have to make-up a species tougher than themselves just for the sake of challenging entertainment."
That's something I've never thought of before. Awesome.
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Post by convicter on Nov 27, 2010 5:46:04 GMT -6
Very nice, falls into the "No Pain, No Gain" mentality. Humans fall into terrible state if we are not challenged. Aside from the slight dopamine release this is why working out is so addictive. It is also why men like to fight.
On a slightly more psychological level it is why persecuted religions, outlawed trade and enslaved cultures tend to thrive and only end up stronger in the end. The Romans tried to kill Christianity and look at it now. The Christians tried to kill Islam and look at it now. How about "The War on Drugs", thats working well...
Still very original Rommel, can not say I expected something so simple yet so original and cannon from you. /applause
On a completely different topic I finally watched Avatar last week for the first time. Was also the first 3D bluray I have seen I enjoyed it. I like your version of the Na'Vi better though. How tall do you think they were in the movie? I know they are better than 8ft in fact I would say they are pushing 10+
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Post by Rommel on Nov 27, 2010 18:46:11 GMT -6
I sincerely wish I could take credit for that stroke of brilliance, but the original quote's not mine. It's slightly different, though not by much and I'm not sure where it's from, I found it in a bundle of quotes on a forum I frequent and put it in my 'If I ever give a public speech find a way to work this in' file. Seemed to fit nicely.
I think the canon height for the Na'vi is right at 10'-11', close but not quite twice as tall as a normal Human, I really don't know though, my knowledge of Avatar is quite limited, mostly by choice. Though I'm probably going to be delving into the intricacies for a couple of stories later on.
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Post by convicter on Nov 28, 2010 5:30:20 GMT -6
Right on. Some of the details of the Na'Vi are difficult to comprehend. The whole "melding" thing they do with other lifeforms is... odd. Their for lack of a better word religion is full of holes. A natural Deity like the earth only works until you realize their are other "worlds" that supported life. When the life forms from another planet land on yours and start tearing the place up you stop worshiping the "earth mother" and start chambering rounds. =) In short I like your version better, less whining, more change, no bullshit.
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Post by Rommel on Feb 17, 2011 21:17:07 GMT -6
Yeah I know, not much for my first piece of writing of 2011, I'm working on the bigger stuff.
Setting: The Dolphin Palace, a few days after the victory celebrations.
John found the Empress sitting on a lounger on top of the center turret on the east wall of the palace, it had an unmatched view of the coast and then the ruins of Fort Sawgrass further out in the water.
He stared in awe at the scene for a moment before Sativia acknowledged him.
She turned to him, "Cousin. Please." She said with a smile, gesturing toward another lounger.
He nodded his head and took the seat. They sat in silence for a time, watching the waves crash along the rocks and ruins. The orange blaze of the evening sky, the sounds of the water and the gentle coastal breeze lulled John into a state of relaxation, and before he knew it he was closing his eyes, simply enjoying the moment.
"It is calming. I come here simply to sit as often as I can, which is not very." Sativia commented.
"It is calming." John agreed, watching the Empress. He wasn't used to seeing her like this, relaxed. It was at this moment he truly realized what it must be like for her, the weight of so many worlds on her shoulders.
Sativia knew well what he was thinking, "You have no idea. I am the Alpha of the entire known galaxy. None but we Terrans can understand what that means." She sighed, "In a way, I didn't want you to accept becoming my Heir. I'm fond of you cousin, and I would not wish this burden on another soul."
"You say that as if I had a choice. We do not choose this life because we want it, we do so because we must. We are the best, and if we do not lead, none will." John replied.
She smiled again at this, turning her eyes back toward the sea, "And this is why I trust you. Return to your estates Crown-Prince, attend to your wives. Gods willing, you won't have to carry this burden for many, many years."
He stood and bowed, turning to leave. As he passed the threshold he stopped and turned back, "Sativia."
One she had turned back toward him he spoke again, "You do not have to shoulder it alone. You have people that care for you." He finished and turned again to leave, nodding at the two Household Guards as he passed them.
The Empress watched until he left the long hallway, then turned back to the view with a small smile on her face.
She felt a hand on her shoulder a moment later, then a gruff voice, "He's right you know."
Sativia reached up and laid her hand over the larger one, "I know Jeris." She said softly.
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Post by Rommel on May 14, 2011 3:43:42 GMT -6
Just something quick I wanted to write down.
Setting: Mil-Net Advertisement, circa 2195.
They said it couldn't be done...
They said that the Oliphant was the largest tank capable of being fielded by mobile forces...
...They were wrong.
Two Capital-Class Long Range Beam Projectors, 5 Quad Laser Cannon Turrets, SLAM Missile Launchers 4 times the size of anything fielded before it... and that's just on the turret.
Super-Heavy Assault, Planetary Defense, or just for when something absolutely, positively has to be destroyed in a spectacular fashion, accept no substitutes.
M-175EX (Export) Land Dreadnought, available now for purchase by select Mercenary commands, Noble House forces and other approved customers, exclusively from Jorman-Dais Military Contracting, a joint subsidiary of Jormangund and Rosenkov Materials.
M-175, because sometimes you're just tired of holding the line.
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Post by convicter on May 14, 2011 4:44:13 GMT -6
Nice man =)
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Post by kalaong on May 14, 2011 19:30:07 GMT -6
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Post by anna18 on May 31, 2018 1:47:17 GMT -6
Interesting
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