"I haven't seen this much green since my wife took me paint shopping...damn
that was a dull, crappy day."
"When were ever you married Eban?"
"5 minutes before we went paint shopping."
"Figures. Patience is not one of your virtues."
"Ah shut it Rico!"
"Pipe down both you" snapped the unit leader, shaking her head forlornly
"Sorry Ma'am"
The unit's agitation was understandable though. Thee was too much green in this forest...hell there was too much forest in this forest. Never in all her days upon Rubi-Ka had Lt. Turquoise seen such towering natural majesty. It bothered her deep down inside, one so used to towering steel and hardcrete.
The intermittent functionality of the unit's equipment added to their woes, something was fouling the systems. Their normally compliant power armor felt bulky and unwieldy. In the miniscule clearing ahead, a single Jobe technician swore as sparks spit from some machine
"Problems?"
"Of course don't ask stupid questions!" The Tech quickly snapped a sloppy salute upon noticing the speaker "Sorry sir...er Ma'am. This place, it's screwing the equipment up royally. One second it works fine the next it doesn't. I don't understand why."
"You're not the only one" mused Turquoise.
"The only thing I have noticed is that, the only supplies that are malfunctioning are the ones dependent on notum or some notum-based process. I would recommend your men switch over to projectile weapons, I believe your energy weapons will prove unreliable Also I-."
SGT. Razcheck to Lt. Turquoise Come in screeeeeeee ver squaaaaaaaaah Her suit Comm squealed
/What is it Sergeant? /
I'm getting some movement due north of my sensors. It's really fuzzy with all the malfunctions but I recommend we prepare for contact with...something
/ You're probably reading me and the Tech-boy, Sgt. /
(Music Fade in: "Toxicity": System of a Down)
Negative.. screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I realize its that time of the month, but I don't think you'll get that much bloating L.T. It's defiantly screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee -ot you
/ Remind me to demote you later. Have the men fall back to the evac point in the camp center and set the sentry guns, if they still work. Also switch the men over to projectile weapons./
Projectiles? Yes, Ma'am!
"We may have incoming, get moving to the camp center"
With typical scientist detachment for reality "You go on ahead Ma'am. It will only take me another half hour to finish my work."
A swift armored foot to the rear got the Tech moving.
L.T!!! Scanners lighting up like Omni-1 in the morning! All sides at.... No not now!!! Scanners down again!
Putting her muscle into it, the suit clunked into a fast clip the damp earth beneath giving unevenly to the foreign weight. Just ahead of her, Sergeant Razchek was pounding the fluctuating sensor. Across the otherwise quiet still air, light steady tones wafted along
Meep...meep
"How far till contact Sgt.?"
"60 meters and closing rapidly."
Scowling at the nearby Tech rubbing his rear "Any chance of the emergency recall working?"
"None whatsoever...ow... It's completely shot"
She let out a string of silent curses before taking a deep breath. "DUST BRIGADE LOCK AND LOAD!"
Meep... meep... meeep.... The sensor went.
"35 meters. God they are fast." The Sgt's voice was becoming noticeably shaken.
A slight whine of power up and then slow discharge emitted from her back. "Damn it Eban! Switch to projectile weapons! Projectiles are one of the few things that obey Rubi-ka laws, you stupid du-"
Meeep meep meeep meeeeeep
"15 meters!! ...That's past the sentry turrets!"
Meeep meeep meeep meeep meep
"Let me hear it Dust Brigade! ASHES 2 ASHES!"
"DUST 2 DUST!" The soldiers completed in unison
Meep meeep meeep meeep meeeep meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
"What...what the hell!?! 0 meters?"
"Are you reading it right Sgt.? That would place them right on.. top....of...us.... oh my god... The trees!!! Their in the trees!!!"
A roaring voice boomed through the clearing as looming shadowed masses plummeted from the treetops.
"Sruo nuir ton lliw uoy!! Sdnal nwo rouy deniur ev'ou!!!! Liah Rorepme CRUSH!!!"
Anarchy Online/EverQuest
Reality Storms
The elevator ascended into the sky, through the plasti-glass the black gunmetal expanse of Omni-1 shrank and faded behind cloud cover. Chairman Ross normally found this one of the most enjoyable parts of the day, soaking in the obvious fact that all of Rubi-ka and in fact all of colonies was within his grasp here in this great tower.
However this day was turning out for the worst, he did not appreciate being woken up, especially not early, and most especially not for science lectures. This intrusion had better be worth it; or else someone would be finding themselves in a polar outpost by the end of the day.
The doors dilated behind him and without moment's pause the bootlicking began.
"Chairman Ross! I am so sorry to have disturbed you. I truly hope you'll forgive me, but this just could not wait!"
Ross took a calming breath and spook evenly, still gazing upon the clouds slowly swirling around the protruding tower.
"Doctor, you found it prudent to disturb me from my sleep. Do not now take the time to brown nose."
"Ye-ye-yes sir. I'm sorry. Uh...I'm sure you're aware of the recent investments that have been made into Portal research."
The clouds danced a seductive dance with the strata-scraper.
"...yes well..sir.. With the discovery of the Shadowlands, it was only prudent to invest more energy into the portal technology. Unfortunately the project had been very unsuccessful, however in the last few days we seem to have struck pay dirt." The scientist stopped for a dramatic pause, the effort was wasted, as Ross was not paying any apparent attention.
"We discovered a new dimension sir. Much like the Shadowlands only vastly different, why the implications are immense. Research of a whole New World sir! It's an amazing opportunity!"
"Doctor, I am trusting that you are coming to some point that will keep me from assigning you to the nearest polar station for wasting my time."
"This world is vastly different from our own, operating on a system of physical laws different from our own, yet they are very similar. They both have an abundant energy source."
For the first time in the entire conversation Ross turned to face the scientist.
"Continue Doctor" Ross said going to his cool ebony desk.
"This energy source is much like that of Notum and Novictum. It's immensely powerful and easy to extract unlike that of Notum, it floats freely in the air. And sir, when its combine with the either Notum or Novictum..Well the results are exponential to say the least."
"Have you brought a sample back for testing?"
"Yes, Oh yes sir...Unfortunately we have only been able to return a small sample. Not nearly enough for through test or exploitation by the company."
"If it floats so freely in the air, then what is the problem Doctor." A small puff of smoke wafted to the ceiling. The Nano-hash was of a good vintage; it was Ross's personal favorite to smoke.
"This world it presents similar problems like the Shadowlands present us, it operates on a separate systems of universal laws, only much more so. Our equipment functionality is sporadic at best. We have lost 4 teams merely calibrating the portal activations and retrievals. Luckily we have devised a system to counter the distortions and began to collect the element. Sadly... this happened to the team."
A display materialized in-between Ross and the scientist. It showed a panoramic view of an immense lush forest, smack in the middle soldiers in heavy armor shoved and manhandled equipment around. The picture distorted and rippled.
"I'm sorry for the poor quality Sir, it's the interference from the other world."
The picture slowly coalesced into something viewable. Now the soldiers had drawn weapons, looking side to side for some unseen horror. The picture ruined itself again, when it restored... pandemonium. Guns initiated staccatos of fire; hulking purple beasts swung massive axes and swords. Red blood sprayed into the air as limbs were hacked off, the soldier's battle- suits meting no deterrent to the beast's fury. Red covered the screen and then the display distorted. It cleared one final time showing a girl covered in red and green blood. It was impossible to tell if she was injured herself. She merely crawled towards the screen, muttering something. One of the beasts picked her up by the hair dragging the girl off screen.
The holo dissipated leaving Ross contemplating the situation. A few keystrokes to his desk brought up some dossiers, which flashed on the wall behind Ross's chair.
"Doctor, I want these people found and brought to my office by no later then 5p.m."
"Yes, yes sir."
(Music Fade in: "Control" by Poe) ----------------------------------- Dossier File 11000567801 Filed by OT InternOps Head: Shamus Actus Assumed Name: Cliri a.k.a. Izgimmer Real name: Erased for security Age : Erased for security Skills: Infiltration, Unmatched Sharpshooter, Skilled Martial Artist, Nano Programming, and Quantum Mechanics
Summary: No one knows where Cliri originated from, In fact, her real name is unknown even to the Elite Intern-Op's intellegencia but to be honest, no one really cares. Her benefits to Omni-Tek, however, are legendary...though most people never realize it.
From a very young age, it was obvious that this girl had a lightning quick mind and a supreme gift with Nano Programming and Quantum Mechanics. So much so, that in order to save the ego's of other Omni-Tek employees that she was given the pseudonym "Izgimmer".
For several years she functioned under this pseudonym and a male body double for public appearances. Despite all of the precautions taken by Omni- Tek, Clan infiltrators learned the truth about this small girl and her brilliant mind.
The Infiltrator raped and beat Cliri severely one night, leaving her for dead. She survived , although she was psychically scarred for life about her massive intellect.
"Izgimmer" faded from public eye overnight and nothing was heard from this child for many years. Upon the resurgence of hostilities between Omni-Tek and the Clans, a mysterious and unfailing sniper emerged. Clan officials and top members where easily slain at ranges previously considered impossible for a mere projectile rifle. Yet again and again, Clan members were forced into Restoration Centers.
'Izgimmer' had returned, under the name of Cliri. A cold, calculating sniper of unequalled skill. Her mathematical skills as 'Izgimmer' gave her the ability to project in her mind the ballistic trail of bullet, computing in all the necessary factors for a perfect shot. Her record of 1 bullet per target has been unbroken since Cliri first appeared.
Her services are expensive to say the least, albeit not directly in credit form. She still carries with her a lingering hatred of not only the Clans but also her intellect. So she takes desperate measures to halt or at least slow the rapid firing of her neurons.
Nano-Hash (or as it is called by the upper class: Nano Enriched Hashish) a very potent, addictive narcotic taken in cigarette form. Just one package of the (illegal) NanoHash runs to the order of 50 Million credits. Cheap, she is not.
Despite her extreme price, she is an invaluable asset to Omni-Tek and its efforts against the terrorist Clans. -------------------------------------------------------
The Clan elections were going tremendously well, it was done to only a few hopefuls to replace the old defunct leader. A little over 20 miles away in the 100th floor of the Hotel E'tu Brut'e, a girl of Asian descent watched the happenings through her digital lens. The shot would be perfect, as always, it was merely a point of making it a statement to the Clans. The expected winner stood smiling in the rotunda center waving to his supporters, trying to charm his opponents.
She exhaled slowly, her heartbeat stopping through meticulous control. The trigger crept back and her phone implant rang.
This better be good Mike.
[It is babe, you just got a priority Comm from your numero uno client. They have a crash order for you. Get this, 65 mil and 4 packs up front. All you have to do is just show up to Old man Ross's office A.S.A freaking P.]
Sounds-- the trigger fell back and with an inaudible whiff a lone bullet streaked invisibly across the void --cherry.
"Yes Friends! Now is the time for the Clans to cast off the shackles of Omni-Tek! Long live the –" Blood and skull sprayed across the gathered attendants, a half second before the glass window erupted from the bullet's shockwave.
(End Music) ----------------------------------
Dossier File 1100059804 Filed by OT InternOps Head: Shamus Actus Assumed Name: Ki'lao Real name: Unknown Age: Biologically 17 Skills: Master of Martial Arts and Expert Nanite-Free Survivalist
Summary: Not much is known about Ki'lao aside from her immense skill in ancient martial arts. The first time she was encountered was during the initial exploration of the Shadowlands. It is unknown where she came from, or even how she made it to the Shadowlands before the research teams. What is even more surprising is that her complete lack of any nanites in her body. All of her remarkable abilities come with practice and discipline, a frightening thought indeed.
Additionally Ki'lao was the mentor and sensei of the mental prodigy 'Izgimmer' as part of Izgimmer's self defense programs. This obviously adds an apparent paradox of how Ki'lao can be chronologically older then 'Izgimmer' yet physically younger.
-----------------------------------
(Music Cue: Dragula (Remix) by Rob Zombie)
The Mortigs plummeted from their high leap letting loose a howl of fury. Ki'lao, her black robe and straw hat jouncing in the wind, stood unmoving as they fell. The Mortigs howled again, this time in excruciating agony, themselves flying one way and limbs in another, Ki'lao however had not apparently moved.
In response to the other Mortigs death rattle's, a larger more monstrous Mortig roared onto the scene. It swiped furiously with its claws, each time the attack was easily knocked away with a playful gesture by Ki'lao
Far off in the distance, enshadowed and sitting upon a large rock, a young shade watched the battle. Her diagnostic computer rapidly flashes statistics and datum.
{Jeet Kill Dun Technique: Stance of Flowing Water. Execution Rating: Flawless}
The Mortig swiped once more, Ki'lao grasped its long black arm, hip tossing the Mortig unto the air with one hand and nerve striking with her other.
{Mai Chi Technique: Striking Wasp. Execution Rating: Flawless} flashed across the shade eyes
Behind Ki'lao, the very ground began to rip and crack. An immense Brink monster of stone and steel towered the scene, drawn to the spilling of Novictum enriched blood.
{WARNING!!! WARNING!!! BRINK MONSTER! MAXIMUM THREAT LEVEL! VACATE!!}
The Brink Monster raised its stone arms and sent them crashing down unto empty earth as Kilao parried the blow thoughtlessly. At the same time her hands pulsed as Novictum gathered upon them. The Brink Monster moved to attack again and was met with a fury of rapid punches, kicks, slashes, so fast they were felt but not seen. All culminating in one final blow which catapulted the beast up and back nearly 15 meters away, where it shattered into rubble.
{Unknown Martial Arts Technique. Final Rating of Subject Ki'lao: Flawless Victory}
"Are you going to sit there all day, or are you going to come out?" Ki'lao asked in hushed voice
Ryio fell from her perch upon the rock, so startled she was. "ow..." She whimpered rubbing her head "I'm sorry for being sneaky Ms. Ki'lao, I was sent to deliver a message to you." (End Music) ---------------------------------------
(Music Cue: Voodoo by GodSmack)
"Miss. Miss! MISS!! You can not smoke in the building!! This is Omni-Tek Headquarters! It is not tolerated here!"
Cliri paid no heed to the screeching desk clerk as she proceeded through the automated security and into a lift.
"Welcome! Miss ..." There was noticeable pause as the lift read the Triple- black classified rating on Cliri's nanite identification "Unnamed. To Omni- 1 Tower! Please state your desired floor"
She blew Nano-Hash smoke into the lift's visual receptor. "Security Code accepted." The door answered politely, eliciting a small smile from Cliri. Ross was learning.
The lift shot upward into the sky, unlike Philip Ross, Cliri was not interested in the scenic view. She was more interested in the toke, feeling it slip inside her embracing her, taking away the pain of her overactive mind. The lift stopped and the exit dilated revealing the dark and almost cliched office of Chairman Ross.
"Welcome Cli-"He was unable to finish as Cliri shoved an assault pistol into a nearby shadow.
"Perceptive as always" a soft voice spoke
It was a day of surprises indeed. "Master Ki'lao" She said bowing to her former master and sensei. "Who's the runt? New student?"
"Hey!! I am not a runt" Ryio growled out of the shadow.
"Ladies save it for another time. We have more pressing matters to attend too."
"For you maybe.." Cliri said with annoyance, giving him that pay me hand gesture. He placed several innocuous cigarette boxes on the table. She tried one of the tokes and sat down prepared to listen albeit half heartily. Ross recounted the story of the discovery of the new dimension albeit more to the point, then showing them the captured footage.
Ryio wide-eyed and teary at the screen "oh those poor soldiers."
Cliri was unmoved "What's the job?"
"Simple, take the portal and retrieve Lt. Turquoise. She may be still alive."
"What's in it for you, humanitarianism isn't your style."
"Ki'lao is right, you are perceptive. Simply put if she is still alive, she will have more experience then anyone about this new world. If she's dead oh well, double agents are expected to die eventually, however the Dust Brigade was the best unit in the Omni-Tek Black ranks. They shouldn't have been defeated so easily, find out more about what ever attacked them."
"So you can set up a base to exploit the new world for Omni-Tek."
"Have a problem with it?"
"None so what ever." She took another puff. "Why us though?"
"Your skills with somewhat archaic methods makes you unique."
"He call us archaic yet he still wants us to work for him, what a boob" Ryio muttered
"You three can operate perfectly without the use of notum or nano machines. Two things which do not work in this other world. Ryio is also a skilled linguist, which may or not help you. Most importantly though is that you are the best money can buy."
"I don't know whether to be proud or feel like a hooker." Cliri took one last puff and flicked the remaining toke rubble onto the floor. "When do we go?"
"Right now"
----------------------------------- Experimental Portal Research Lab Location: Jobe Research Facility Rubi-ka Construct
Several metallic crates sat upon a marble like floor, high above bright arc lights shined above. The cube shaped room was painted with 6 contrasting colors like a child's play pen. A disembodied voice spoke to them via hidden loudspeaker.
"Inside those crates you will find all the supplies you will need for 1 week. Food, ammo, and portable shelters. We made the supplies as uncomplicated as possible. In this other world, the more complicated and notum dependent an item is, the faster it stops working. In one week exactly, their time, from displacement we will open a return rift, everything inside the pickup area will be sucked back here and anything left outside the field...well, just try to make sure all of you is inside the recall field. Good Luck ladies. 10 seconds to shift"
The room seemed to grow hot and cold at the time. They sweated and shivered as the cool heat pulsed over them.
"5 seconds!"
It the pulse was growing faster and faster and then they felt themselves shatter like pottery. Blackness, light, life and death, everything and nothing and then green. Endless and unceasing green.
Ryio looked around, checked to make sure all her parts were in the right place. Finding everything in their proper spots, sighed in relief. "Guess we are here."
(End Music)
------------------------------ (Music Cue: "Get Low(Remix) by Lil john, Busta Rhymes et al.)
Banshie moaned slightly as she remembered last night. Raziel's touch was so delicate despite his rippling ebony muscles and it was so true what they said about Erudites. She felt herself flush red like a schoolgirl. Her mind began to wander back to Jainus, he wasn't nearly as strong as Raziel, but he was so much smarter and always knew how to fascinate her with wondrous tricks magicians could do. Oooh and what tricks they where indeed.
She dashed along the trail, a peppy traveling tune quickening her feet. One of these days, they were going to find out about each other, what was a girl to do? A flash of black hot light brought her feet and wandering mind to a halt. As the dazzle in her eyes faded, she gasped in shock at the damage to the clearing in the distance. Trees were bent at odd angles; grass was singed and smoking. In the center of it where 3 oddly dressed humans and some sort of crates that they were inspecting. Recalling some ancient notes for her lyre, Banshie faded into cool crisp air, the music notes becoming like a passing breeze. ----------------------------
Cliri inspected the array of pistols and rifles sent with them. "Not bad, not bad at all" she muttered slinging an Omni-Tek Special Issue X-3 Counter- Sniper Rifle upon her back. A gentle breeze blew through the camp. She looked up and gazed toward Ryio. Ryio nodded subtlety and stepped into the shadows.
----------------------------------
Banshie watched as one of the strange humans slung some sort of weapon. So strange the weapon was she never noticed one of the three disappear. She never even heard the human appear behind her and place a knife at her neck. The human barked something in a foreign tongue. Instinctually Banshie let out a bellowing scream
-----------------------------------
The infiltrator let out a piercing bellow that made them grab their ears desperately trying to block the sound. The female using the distraction broke free from Ryio and dashed away. The girl began to inexplicably sing and what was even odder was that the song tripled her speed.
Cliri still wincing from the scream nonetheless leveled an OT Desert Eagle at the girl. Ki'lao having shaken the effect of the blast quicker then the others, signaled not to shoot. Ki'lao vanished.
---------------------------------------
The driving rhythm of the runner's song urged Banshie too terrific speeds, it was for her own distress sadly, as another of the strange humans appeared. Before she could react, the human performed a roundhouse sweep, sending Banshie crashing to the dirt. (End Music Cue) --------------------------------------
"Parlevous Francios? Hobolan Espneol? Kynchiwo? Do you speak freaking standard!?!" Ryio shouted finally.
"I thought you were an expert linguist." Cliri chided a small trail of smoke swirling into the sky.
"I am! She's just not speaking at all. Can't say I'd blame her though." Ryio sighed and turned back to the girl. "Can't you say something? Anything?. This is just big misunderstanding. Come on! Just one or two words!...I know! How about some water?"
------------------------------
"Hwo ahhhbot symum WAT-ah?" The small one said, it was almost like High Elvish, but the pronunciation was all-wrong. She was rather thirsty, and they didn't seem mean. More like they were just protecting a secret or something. Banshie, if you want to those guys fight over you some more, it's time to try to talk.
"Water please" She said slowly
----------------------
"Waaayte pwelase" The girl said.
"Goody !" Ryio cheered "She does understand! It's going to take a while to get the phonetics down, but I should be able to talk to her."
"Oh Goody gum-drops." Cliri said feigning enthusiasm while sipping some coffee. "See if she knows anything about the other team or those purple guys. Elsewise we are wasting time."
"Yes master" Ryio stuck her tongue out at Cliri, which was ignored.
"Have any inclination which way they went, or what could defeat an elite unit like the Dust Brigade, Sensei?"
"Their tracks end mysteriously only 30 meters away. It looks like whatever they are, they travel by treetop, across the branches. The way the wind blows here, they will be impossible to track beyond 50 meters. That seems to be their only advantages, surprise and fast movement. Strong, yes they are, but if it wasn't for the notum problem, It would have been a different story."
"It must have hurt to say that much in one day, Sensei" Cliri smirked. Ki'lao responded merely by making a naughty gesture. --------------------------------
Seven hours later, laughter woke Cliri and Ki'lao.
"What's so funny?" Cliri grumbled with one eye open.
"Just guys. Hehe, I caInNT bEleiivE yOU diD thaet, BAnshYYe"
"I take it, you've cracked the language problem"
"Yeah, it was a simple matter of-"
"I don't care. Find out anything useful?"
"Yes grumpy. Those purple things are called Orcs, they have been sending out large raids looking for war material. The scout unit had the misfortune of meeting up with an exceptionally large raiding force. There have been reports of strange objects and bodies being scavenged by the orcs, upsetting much of the local populace."
"And where do they take the loot?"
"Crushbone Citadel, according to Banshie it's sheltered behind a mountain range due north of us. In fact, its only 2 day's hike from here"
"Good work, Ryio"
"There's a problem though. It's the home of ALL the Orcs in the Continent of Faydwer."
"That's all?" Cliri grinned a plotting smile.
-----------------------------
Ryio slipped easily past the outer orc guards and made way back to the safety of the trees. Hanging upside down off a branch, the shadows dispersed from her.
"Did you find Lt. Turquoise?"
"No, but I did find the area where they keep slaves and other prisoners. I didn't want to risk getting any closer. Some of those orcs are gifted with some kind of alter sensory perception. They seemed to sense something wrong, even if they couldn't see me directly."
"Shame. We do it the hard way, give me the directions to the prison"Cliri smiled shouldering her rifle. --------------------------------- (Music Cue: "Shake ya Tailfeather" by P.Diddy)
The legionnaires head shattered in a silent explosion, a second and equally silent shot took out the partner. One eye through the scope, another scanning the surroundings, Cliri strode out of the tree cover. An unfortunate Orc wandered near by the cave entrance, it never even felt the bullet rip through its brain and splatter it across the cave wall.
The cave was short and surprisingly unguarded, following the directions she turned left towards a rickety wood bridge passing over ditch. Two more shots dispatched the bridge guards; the rifle now spent was discarded for two OT Eagles. Across the bridge and around a rock outcropping, one of those Orcs with the supernatural senses stood defending the path between the rocks. It started to chant something but was cut short by a bullet through the mouth.
Around the path she went into a clearing several log buildings stood in front of her. The Orcs standing guard shouted a warning and surged forward weapons at ready. One orc, One bullet that was her mantra and her result as she tossed away the empty pistols. One remaining legionnaire flung a heavy spear at Cliri; with a wrist flick the spear was caught and returned to sender. The legionnaire gurgled to death in the distance while Cliri walked into the slave house...which was completely empty.
Cliri muttered harsh expletives as dozens of Orcs summoned by the alarm swarmed into the slave hut.
(End Music) ---------------------------- (Cue "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz)
The Gaunt Man gazed into the darkness device Heketon. It's normally obsidian color now translucent with a vision. Two worlds slowly overlapped each other inside the obsidian heart. One of lush green and magic, another of steel and science. The images slowly became one, making Heketon glow with a terrible black light.
The board was now set, and all was going to plan. The pieces obeyed his subtle machinations perfectly like the pawns they were. Soon, it would be time to let loose the maelstroms and capture the possibilities for himself. With the power from this vision, his destiny would be complete. The Gaunt Man would drink deep of Heketon and become a god. No, not a simple god. He would become the Torg.
---------------------------------------------- To Be Continued: End Chapter 1 ----------------------------------------------
Orc to Common Translation: You have ruined your own lands! You will not ruin ours!! Hail Emperor CRUSH
"When were ever you married Eban?"
"5 minutes before we went paint shopping."
"Figures. Patience is not one of your virtues."
"Ah shut it Rico!"
"Pipe down both you" snapped the unit leader, shaking her head forlornly
"Sorry Ma'am"
The unit's agitation was understandable though. Thee was too much green in this forest...hell there was too much forest in this forest. Never in all her days upon Rubi-Ka had Lt. Turquoise seen such towering natural majesty. It bothered her deep down inside, one so used to towering steel and hardcrete.
The intermittent functionality of the unit's equipment added to their woes, something was fouling the systems. Their normally compliant power armor felt bulky and unwieldy. In the miniscule clearing ahead, a single Jobe technician swore as sparks spit from some machine
"Problems?"
"Of course don't ask stupid questions!" The Tech quickly snapped a sloppy salute upon noticing the speaker "Sorry sir...er Ma'am. This place, it's screwing the equipment up royally. One second it works fine the next it doesn't. I don't understand why."
"You're not the only one" mused Turquoise.
"The only thing I have noticed is that, the only supplies that are malfunctioning are the ones dependent on notum or some notum-based process. I would recommend your men switch over to projectile weapons, I believe your energy weapons will prove unreliable Also I-."
SGT. Razcheck to Lt. Turquoise Come in screeeeeeee ver squaaaaaaaaah Her suit Comm squealed
/What is it Sergeant? /
I'm getting some movement due north of my sensors. It's really fuzzy with all the malfunctions but I recommend we prepare for contact with...something
/ You're probably reading me and the Tech-boy, Sgt. /
(Music Fade in: "Toxicity": System of a Down)
Negative.. screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I realize its that time of the month, but I don't think you'll get that much bloating L.T. It's defiantly screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee -ot you
/ Remind me to demote you later. Have the men fall back to the evac point in the camp center and set the sentry guns, if they still work. Also switch the men over to projectile weapons./
Projectiles? Yes, Ma'am!
"We may have incoming, get moving to the camp center"
With typical scientist detachment for reality "You go on ahead Ma'am. It will only take me another half hour to finish my work."
A swift armored foot to the rear got the Tech moving.
L.T!!! Scanners lighting up like Omni-1 in the morning! All sides at.... No not now!!! Scanners down again!
Putting her muscle into it, the suit clunked into a fast clip the damp earth beneath giving unevenly to the foreign weight. Just ahead of her, Sergeant Razchek was pounding the fluctuating sensor. Across the otherwise quiet still air, light steady tones wafted along
Meep...meep
"How far till contact Sgt.?"
"60 meters and closing rapidly."
Scowling at the nearby Tech rubbing his rear "Any chance of the emergency recall working?"
"None whatsoever...ow... It's completely shot"
She let out a string of silent curses before taking a deep breath. "DUST BRIGADE LOCK AND LOAD!"
Meep... meep... meeep.... The sensor went.
"35 meters. God they are fast." The Sgt's voice was becoming noticeably shaken.
A slight whine of power up and then slow discharge emitted from her back. "Damn it Eban! Switch to projectile weapons! Projectiles are one of the few things that obey Rubi-ka laws, you stupid du-"
Meeep meep meeep meeeeeep
"15 meters!! ...That's past the sentry turrets!"
Meeep meeep meeep meeep meep
"Let me hear it Dust Brigade! ASHES 2 ASHES!"
"DUST 2 DUST!" The soldiers completed in unison
Meep meeep meeep meeep meeeep meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
"What...what the hell!?! 0 meters?"
"Are you reading it right Sgt.? That would place them right on.. top....of...us.... oh my god... The trees!!! Their in the trees!!!"
A roaring voice boomed through the clearing as looming shadowed masses plummeted from the treetops.
"Sruo nuir ton lliw uoy!! Sdnal nwo rouy deniur ev'ou!!!! Liah Rorepme CRUSH!!!"
Anarchy Online/EverQuest
Reality Storms
The elevator ascended into the sky, through the plasti-glass the black gunmetal expanse of Omni-1 shrank and faded behind cloud cover. Chairman Ross normally found this one of the most enjoyable parts of the day, soaking in the obvious fact that all of Rubi-ka and in fact all of colonies was within his grasp here in this great tower.
However this day was turning out for the worst, he did not appreciate being woken up, especially not early, and most especially not for science lectures. This intrusion had better be worth it; or else someone would be finding themselves in a polar outpost by the end of the day.
The doors dilated behind him and without moment's pause the bootlicking began.
"Chairman Ross! I am so sorry to have disturbed you. I truly hope you'll forgive me, but this just could not wait!"
Ross took a calming breath and spook evenly, still gazing upon the clouds slowly swirling around the protruding tower.
"Doctor, you found it prudent to disturb me from my sleep. Do not now take the time to brown nose."
"Ye-ye-yes sir. I'm sorry. Uh...I'm sure you're aware of the recent investments that have been made into Portal research."
The clouds danced a seductive dance with the strata-scraper.
"...yes well..sir.. With the discovery of the Shadowlands, it was only prudent to invest more energy into the portal technology. Unfortunately the project had been very unsuccessful, however in the last few days we seem to have struck pay dirt." The scientist stopped for a dramatic pause, the effort was wasted, as Ross was not paying any apparent attention.
"We discovered a new dimension sir. Much like the Shadowlands only vastly different, why the implications are immense. Research of a whole New World sir! It's an amazing opportunity!"
"Doctor, I am trusting that you are coming to some point that will keep me from assigning you to the nearest polar station for wasting my time."
"This world is vastly different from our own, operating on a system of physical laws different from our own, yet they are very similar. They both have an abundant energy source."
For the first time in the entire conversation Ross turned to face the scientist.
"Continue Doctor" Ross said going to his cool ebony desk.
"This energy source is much like that of Notum and Novictum. It's immensely powerful and easy to extract unlike that of Notum, it floats freely in the air. And sir, when its combine with the either Notum or Novictum..Well the results are exponential to say the least."
"Have you brought a sample back for testing?"
"Yes, Oh yes sir...Unfortunately we have only been able to return a small sample. Not nearly enough for through test or exploitation by the company."
"If it floats so freely in the air, then what is the problem Doctor." A small puff of smoke wafted to the ceiling. The Nano-hash was of a good vintage; it was Ross's personal favorite to smoke.
"This world it presents similar problems like the Shadowlands present us, it operates on a separate systems of universal laws, only much more so. Our equipment functionality is sporadic at best. We have lost 4 teams merely calibrating the portal activations and retrievals. Luckily we have devised a system to counter the distortions and began to collect the element. Sadly... this happened to the team."
A display materialized in-between Ross and the scientist. It showed a panoramic view of an immense lush forest, smack in the middle soldiers in heavy armor shoved and manhandled equipment around. The picture distorted and rippled.
"I'm sorry for the poor quality Sir, it's the interference from the other world."
The picture slowly coalesced into something viewable. Now the soldiers had drawn weapons, looking side to side for some unseen horror. The picture ruined itself again, when it restored... pandemonium. Guns initiated staccatos of fire; hulking purple beasts swung massive axes and swords. Red blood sprayed into the air as limbs were hacked off, the soldier's battle- suits meting no deterrent to the beast's fury. Red covered the screen and then the display distorted. It cleared one final time showing a girl covered in red and green blood. It was impossible to tell if she was injured herself. She merely crawled towards the screen, muttering something. One of the beasts picked her up by the hair dragging the girl off screen.
The holo dissipated leaving Ross contemplating the situation. A few keystrokes to his desk brought up some dossiers, which flashed on the wall behind Ross's chair.
"Doctor, I want these people found and brought to my office by no later then 5p.m."
"Yes, yes sir."
(Music Fade in: "Control" by Poe) ----------------------------------- Dossier File 11000567801 Filed by OT InternOps Head: Shamus Actus Assumed Name: Cliri a.k.a. Izgimmer Real name: Erased for security Age : Erased for security Skills: Infiltration, Unmatched Sharpshooter, Skilled Martial Artist, Nano Programming, and Quantum Mechanics
Summary: No one knows where Cliri originated from, In fact, her real name is unknown even to the Elite Intern-Op's intellegencia but to be honest, no one really cares. Her benefits to Omni-Tek, however, are legendary...though most people never realize it.
From a very young age, it was obvious that this girl had a lightning quick mind and a supreme gift with Nano Programming and Quantum Mechanics. So much so, that in order to save the ego's of other Omni-Tek employees that she was given the pseudonym "Izgimmer".
For several years she functioned under this pseudonym and a male body double for public appearances. Despite all of the precautions taken by Omni- Tek, Clan infiltrators learned the truth about this small girl and her brilliant mind.
The Infiltrator raped and beat Cliri severely one night, leaving her for dead. She survived , although she was psychically scarred for life about her massive intellect.
"Izgimmer" faded from public eye overnight and nothing was heard from this child for many years. Upon the resurgence of hostilities between Omni-Tek and the Clans, a mysterious and unfailing sniper emerged. Clan officials and top members where easily slain at ranges previously considered impossible for a mere projectile rifle. Yet again and again, Clan members were forced into Restoration Centers.
'Izgimmer' had returned, under the name of Cliri. A cold, calculating sniper of unequalled skill. Her mathematical skills as 'Izgimmer' gave her the ability to project in her mind the ballistic trail of bullet, computing in all the necessary factors for a perfect shot. Her record of 1 bullet per target has been unbroken since Cliri first appeared.
Her services are expensive to say the least, albeit not directly in credit form. She still carries with her a lingering hatred of not only the Clans but also her intellect. So she takes desperate measures to halt or at least slow the rapid firing of her neurons.
Nano-Hash (or as it is called by the upper class: Nano Enriched Hashish) a very potent, addictive narcotic taken in cigarette form. Just one package of the (illegal) NanoHash runs to the order of 50 Million credits. Cheap, she is not.
Despite her extreme price, she is an invaluable asset to Omni-Tek and its efforts against the terrorist Clans. -------------------------------------------------------
The Clan elections were going tremendously well, it was done to only a few hopefuls to replace the old defunct leader. A little over 20 miles away in the 100th floor of the Hotel E'tu Brut'e, a girl of Asian descent watched the happenings through her digital lens. The shot would be perfect, as always, it was merely a point of making it a statement to the Clans. The expected winner stood smiling in the rotunda center waving to his supporters, trying to charm his opponents.
She exhaled slowly, her heartbeat stopping through meticulous control. The trigger crept back and her phone implant rang.
This better be good Mike.
[It is babe, you just got a priority Comm from your numero uno client. They have a crash order for you. Get this, 65 mil and 4 packs up front. All you have to do is just show up to Old man Ross's office A.S.A freaking P.]
Sounds-- the trigger fell back and with an inaudible whiff a lone bullet streaked invisibly across the void --cherry.
"Yes Friends! Now is the time for the Clans to cast off the shackles of Omni-Tek! Long live the –" Blood and skull sprayed across the gathered attendants, a half second before the glass window erupted from the bullet's shockwave.
(End Music) ----------------------------------
Dossier File 1100059804 Filed by OT InternOps Head: Shamus Actus Assumed Name: Ki'lao Real name: Unknown Age: Biologically 17 Skills: Master of Martial Arts and Expert Nanite-Free Survivalist
Summary: Not much is known about Ki'lao aside from her immense skill in ancient martial arts. The first time she was encountered was during the initial exploration of the Shadowlands. It is unknown where she came from, or even how she made it to the Shadowlands before the research teams. What is even more surprising is that her complete lack of any nanites in her body. All of her remarkable abilities come with practice and discipline, a frightening thought indeed.
Additionally Ki'lao was the mentor and sensei of the mental prodigy 'Izgimmer' as part of Izgimmer's self defense programs. This obviously adds an apparent paradox of how Ki'lao can be chronologically older then 'Izgimmer' yet physically younger.
-----------------------------------
(Music Cue: Dragula (Remix) by Rob Zombie)
The Mortigs plummeted from their high leap letting loose a howl of fury. Ki'lao, her black robe and straw hat jouncing in the wind, stood unmoving as they fell. The Mortigs howled again, this time in excruciating agony, themselves flying one way and limbs in another, Ki'lao however had not apparently moved.
In response to the other Mortigs death rattle's, a larger more monstrous Mortig roared onto the scene. It swiped furiously with its claws, each time the attack was easily knocked away with a playful gesture by Ki'lao
Far off in the distance, enshadowed and sitting upon a large rock, a young shade watched the battle. Her diagnostic computer rapidly flashes statistics and datum.
{Jeet Kill Dun Technique: Stance of Flowing Water. Execution Rating: Flawless}
The Mortig swiped once more, Ki'lao grasped its long black arm, hip tossing the Mortig unto the air with one hand and nerve striking with her other.
{Mai Chi Technique: Striking Wasp. Execution Rating: Flawless} flashed across the shade eyes
Behind Ki'lao, the very ground began to rip and crack. An immense Brink monster of stone and steel towered the scene, drawn to the spilling of Novictum enriched blood.
{WARNING!!! WARNING!!! BRINK MONSTER! MAXIMUM THREAT LEVEL! VACATE!!}
The Brink Monster raised its stone arms and sent them crashing down unto empty earth as Kilao parried the blow thoughtlessly. At the same time her hands pulsed as Novictum gathered upon them. The Brink Monster moved to attack again and was met with a fury of rapid punches, kicks, slashes, so fast they were felt but not seen. All culminating in one final blow which catapulted the beast up and back nearly 15 meters away, where it shattered into rubble.
{Unknown Martial Arts Technique. Final Rating of Subject Ki'lao: Flawless Victory}
"Are you going to sit there all day, or are you going to come out?" Ki'lao asked in hushed voice
Ryio fell from her perch upon the rock, so startled she was. "ow..." She whimpered rubbing her head "I'm sorry for being sneaky Ms. Ki'lao, I was sent to deliver a message to you." (End Music) ---------------------------------------
(Music Cue: Voodoo by GodSmack)
"Miss. Miss! MISS!! You can not smoke in the building!! This is Omni-Tek Headquarters! It is not tolerated here!"
Cliri paid no heed to the screeching desk clerk as she proceeded through the automated security and into a lift.
"Welcome! Miss ..." There was noticeable pause as the lift read the Triple- black classified rating on Cliri's nanite identification "Unnamed. To Omni- 1 Tower! Please state your desired floor"
She blew Nano-Hash smoke into the lift's visual receptor. "Security Code accepted." The door answered politely, eliciting a small smile from Cliri. Ross was learning.
The lift shot upward into the sky, unlike Philip Ross, Cliri was not interested in the scenic view. She was more interested in the toke, feeling it slip inside her embracing her, taking away the pain of her overactive mind. The lift stopped and the exit dilated revealing the dark and almost cliched office of Chairman Ross.
"Welcome Cli-"He was unable to finish as Cliri shoved an assault pistol into a nearby shadow.
"Perceptive as always" a soft voice spoke
It was a day of surprises indeed. "Master Ki'lao" She said bowing to her former master and sensei. "Who's the runt? New student?"
"Hey!! I am not a runt" Ryio growled out of the shadow.
"Ladies save it for another time. We have more pressing matters to attend too."
"For you maybe.." Cliri said with annoyance, giving him that pay me hand gesture. He placed several innocuous cigarette boxes on the table. She tried one of the tokes and sat down prepared to listen albeit half heartily. Ross recounted the story of the discovery of the new dimension albeit more to the point, then showing them the captured footage.
Ryio wide-eyed and teary at the screen "oh those poor soldiers."
Cliri was unmoved "What's the job?"
"Simple, take the portal and retrieve Lt. Turquoise. She may be still alive."
"What's in it for you, humanitarianism isn't your style."
"Ki'lao is right, you are perceptive. Simply put if she is still alive, she will have more experience then anyone about this new world. If she's dead oh well, double agents are expected to die eventually, however the Dust Brigade was the best unit in the Omni-Tek Black ranks. They shouldn't have been defeated so easily, find out more about what ever attacked them."
"So you can set up a base to exploit the new world for Omni-Tek."
"Have a problem with it?"
"None so what ever." She took another puff. "Why us though?"
"Your skills with somewhat archaic methods makes you unique."
"He call us archaic yet he still wants us to work for him, what a boob" Ryio muttered
"You three can operate perfectly without the use of notum or nano machines. Two things which do not work in this other world. Ryio is also a skilled linguist, which may or not help you. Most importantly though is that you are the best money can buy."
"I don't know whether to be proud or feel like a hooker." Cliri took one last puff and flicked the remaining toke rubble onto the floor. "When do we go?"
"Right now"
----------------------------------- Experimental Portal Research Lab Location: Jobe Research Facility Rubi-ka Construct
Several metallic crates sat upon a marble like floor, high above bright arc lights shined above. The cube shaped room was painted with 6 contrasting colors like a child's play pen. A disembodied voice spoke to them via hidden loudspeaker.
"Inside those crates you will find all the supplies you will need for 1 week. Food, ammo, and portable shelters. We made the supplies as uncomplicated as possible. In this other world, the more complicated and notum dependent an item is, the faster it stops working. In one week exactly, their time, from displacement we will open a return rift, everything inside the pickup area will be sucked back here and anything left outside the field...well, just try to make sure all of you is inside the recall field. Good Luck ladies. 10 seconds to shift"
The room seemed to grow hot and cold at the time. They sweated and shivered as the cool heat pulsed over them.
"5 seconds!"
It the pulse was growing faster and faster and then they felt themselves shatter like pottery. Blackness, light, life and death, everything and nothing and then green. Endless and unceasing green.
Ryio looked around, checked to make sure all her parts were in the right place. Finding everything in their proper spots, sighed in relief. "Guess we are here."
(End Music)
------------------------------ (Music Cue: "Get Low(Remix) by Lil john, Busta Rhymes et al.)
Banshie moaned slightly as she remembered last night. Raziel's touch was so delicate despite his rippling ebony muscles and it was so true what they said about Erudites. She felt herself flush red like a schoolgirl. Her mind began to wander back to Jainus, he wasn't nearly as strong as Raziel, but he was so much smarter and always knew how to fascinate her with wondrous tricks magicians could do. Oooh and what tricks they where indeed.
She dashed along the trail, a peppy traveling tune quickening her feet. One of these days, they were going to find out about each other, what was a girl to do? A flash of black hot light brought her feet and wandering mind to a halt. As the dazzle in her eyes faded, she gasped in shock at the damage to the clearing in the distance. Trees were bent at odd angles; grass was singed and smoking. In the center of it where 3 oddly dressed humans and some sort of crates that they were inspecting. Recalling some ancient notes for her lyre, Banshie faded into cool crisp air, the music notes becoming like a passing breeze. ----------------------------
Cliri inspected the array of pistols and rifles sent with them. "Not bad, not bad at all" she muttered slinging an Omni-Tek Special Issue X-3 Counter- Sniper Rifle upon her back. A gentle breeze blew through the camp. She looked up and gazed toward Ryio. Ryio nodded subtlety and stepped into the shadows.
----------------------------------
Banshie watched as one of the strange humans slung some sort of weapon. So strange the weapon was she never noticed one of the three disappear. She never even heard the human appear behind her and place a knife at her neck. The human barked something in a foreign tongue. Instinctually Banshie let out a bellowing scream
-----------------------------------
The infiltrator let out a piercing bellow that made them grab their ears desperately trying to block the sound. The female using the distraction broke free from Ryio and dashed away. The girl began to inexplicably sing and what was even odder was that the song tripled her speed.
Cliri still wincing from the scream nonetheless leveled an OT Desert Eagle at the girl. Ki'lao having shaken the effect of the blast quicker then the others, signaled not to shoot. Ki'lao vanished.
---------------------------------------
The driving rhythm of the runner's song urged Banshie too terrific speeds, it was for her own distress sadly, as another of the strange humans appeared. Before she could react, the human performed a roundhouse sweep, sending Banshie crashing to the dirt. (End Music Cue) --------------------------------------
"Parlevous Francios? Hobolan Espneol? Kynchiwo? Do you speak freaking standard!?!" Ryio shouted finally.
"I thought you were an expert linguist." Cliri chided a small trail of smoke swirling into the sky.
"I am! She's just not speaking at all. Can't say I'd blame her though." Ryio sighed and turned back to the girl. "Can't you say something? Anything?. This is just big misunderstanding. Come on! Just one or two words!...I know! How about some water?"
------------------------------
"Hwo ahhhbot symum WAT-ah?" The small one said, it was almost like High Elvish, but the pronunciation was all-wrong. She was rather thirsty, and they didn't seem mean. More like they were just protecting a secret or something. Banshie, if you want to those guys fight over you some more, it's time to try to talk.
"Water please" She said slowly
----------------------
"Waaayte pwelase" The girl said.
"Goody !" Ryio cheered "She does understand! It's going to take a while to get the phonetics down, but I should be able to talk to her."
"Oh Goody gum-drops." Cliri said feigning enthusiasm while sipping some coffee. "See if she knows anything about the other team or those purple guys. Elsewise we are wasting time."
"Yes master" Ryio stuck her tongue out at Cliri, which was ignored.
"Have any inclination which way they went, or what could defeat an elite unit like the Dust Brigade, Sensei?"
"Their tracks end mysteriously only 30 meters away. It looks like whatever they are, they travel by treetop, across the branches. The way the wind blows here, they will be impossible to track beyond 50 meters. That seems to be their only advantages, surprise and fast movement. Strong, yes they are, but if it wasn't for the notum problem, It would have been a different story."
"It must have hurt to say that much in one day, Sensei" Cliri smirked. Ki'lao responded merely by making a naughty gesture. --------------------------------
Seven hours later, laughter woke Cliri and Ki'lao.
"What's so funny?" Cliri grumbled with one eye open.
"Just guys. Hehe, I caInNT bEleiivE yOU diD thaet, BAnshYYe"
"I take it, you've cracked the language problem"
"Yeah, it was a simple matter of-"
"I don't care. Find out anything useful?"
"Yes grumpy. Those purple things are called Orcs, they have been sending out large raids looking for war material. The scout unit had the misfortune of meeting up with an exceptionally large raiding force. There have been reports of strange objects and bodies being scavenged by the orcs, upsetting much of the local populace."
"And where do they take the loot?"
"Crushbone Citadel, according to Banshie it's sheltered behind a mountain range due north of us. In fact, its only 2 day's hike from here"
"Good work, Ryio"
"There's a problem though. It's the home of ALL the Orcs in the Continent of Faydwer."
"That's all?" Cliri grinned a plotting smile.
-----------------------------
Ryio slipped easily past the outer orc guards and made way back to the safety of the trees. Hanging upside down off a branch, the shadows dispersed from her.
"Did you find Lt. Turquoise?"
"No, but I did find the area where they keep slaves and other prisoners. I didn't want to risk getting any closer. Some of those orcs are gifted with some kind of alter sensory perception. They seemed to sense something wrong, even if they couldn't see me directly."
"Shame. We do it the hard way, give me the directions to the prison"Cliri smiled shouldering her rifle. --------------------------------- (Music Cue: "Shake ya Tailfeather" by P.Diddy)
The legionnaires head shattered in a silent explosion, a second and equally silent shot took out the partner. One eye through the scope, another scanning the surroundings, Cliri strode out of the tree cover. An unfortunate Orc wandered near by the cave entrance, it never even felt the bullet rip through its brain and splatter it across the cave wall.
The cave was short and surprisingly unguarded, following the directions she turned left towards a rickety wood bridge passing over ditch. Two more shots dispatched the bridge guards; the rifle now spent was discarded for two OT Eagles. Across the bridge and around a rock outcropping, one of those Orcs with the supernatural senses stood defending the path between the rocks. It started to chant something but was cut short by a bullet through the mouth.
Around the path she went into a clearing several log buildings stood in front of her. The Orcs standing guard shouted a warning and surged forward weapons at ready. One orc, One bullet that was her mantra and her result as she tossed away the empty pistols. One remaining legionnaire flung a heavy spear at Cliri; with a wrist flick the spear was caught and returned to sender. The legionnaire gurgled to death in the distance while Cliri walked into the slave house...which was completely empty.
Cliri muttered harsh expletives as dozens of Orcs summoned by the alarm swarmed into the slave hut.
(End Music) ---------------------------- (Cue "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz)
The Gaunt Man gazed into the darkness device Heketon. It's normally obsidian color now translucent with a vision. Two worlds slowly overlapped each other inside the obsidian heart. One of lush green and magic, another of steel and science. The images slowly became one, making Heketon glow with a terrible black light.
The board was now set, and all was going to plan. The pieces obeyed his subtle machinations perfectly like the pawns they were. Soon, it would be time to let loose the maelstroms and capture the possibilities for himself. With the power from this vision, his destiny would be complete. The Gaunt Man would drink deep of Heketon and become a god. No, not a simple god. He would become the Torg.
---------------------------------------------- To Be Continued: End Chapter 1 ----------------------------------------------
Orc to Common Translation: You have ruined your own lands! You will not ruin ours!! Hail Emperor CRUSH