ajmucha
New Member
Finally I worked time into my college schedule to get this baby movin'. So here's my chapter. I believe i posted the first one already, so here's #2.
Chapter 2
Very few noises permeated the grave silence that accompanied the journey back to the planetary capital of Maeten. The flags attached to the front end of the car flapped wildly in the wind, the symbol of Terra being eclipsed by the twin suns of Alpha Centauri showing the first union of Terra and another solar system pronouncing the authority of the vehicle that they escorted. Of course, there were many more colonized systems, but the idea behind the flag was clear: mankind no long was restricted to Terra. Smaller civilian hover cars moved to the fringes of the crowded streets to allow the armored hover car to pass by. Canaan’s eyes scanned the area frequently, his eyes making Roland’s blood run cold as they passed over him.
The lights somehow seemed a little dimmer, reflecting less of the black leather seats after the arrival of the strange guests from Claiomh Solais. Finally breaking the deafening silence, Callista spoke. “So…who is the fighter pilot for your team? Most teams have two Esion pilots and one fighter at least.”
Canaan raised his head slowly and looked at Callista, his gaze penetrating and cold enough to strike fear into the heart of a survivor of the chemical wars that decimated the Seritta quarter. The few souls which survived the genocide were most often referred to as “those that went through hell and came out more or less alive.” “We are the team. I pilot an Esion, and Sarah pilots a fighter. Simple as that. I figure we’d even the playing field by there only being one active member on each fighting division.” Varick snorted derisively, and quite audibly. Canaan moved his withering glare to Varick, who returned the look in kind.
Deciding that the time for talking was over, Canaan stalked over to the mini-fridge and pulled out a drink, moving as though his joints were made of stone. Through the heavy bulletproof windows, the buildings grew from high-rises and skyscrapers to a massive walled development, the towers at every corner concealing at least two standard lasers. The palace loomed in front of the small vehicle, making it look like an ant marching towards a stronghold. Other hovering vehicles cruised leisurely across the palace grounds, hiding a dark secret of heavy weapons, more than enough to crush a vehicle twice its size. Slowly but surely, their hover limo glided to a flawless stop. The gull-wing doors hissed open as the robotic arms lifted them up. The sky seemed slightly less crowded than it did when they left, but it could not compare to the beauty of coastlines. Terraforming is a wonder…who would have known that this land was bathed in nuclear fire about half a century ago. Roland thought as he stepped out onto the pavement.
A fine red carpet was rolled down the stairs of the palace; perfectly following the edges as though it was painted on, not rolled. The nearly-extinct Cherry-Blossom trees lined the walkway on the grassy edge in full bloom. Extravagant dress uniforms clad the soldiers who stood at attention on either side of the carpet, quite similar to Roland’s, but minus the badge on his left shoulder that denoted him as royalty. The palace was made almost completely of marble, which had been mined from one of the satellites of Neo Terra. Shortly after Roland, Korit, and Varick stepped out, the driver announced in a booming voice, unbefitting of a man of such lean stature “Presenting, the fighter pilot from Luna, graduate of the LEMA with highest honors, Lady Callista.” She obviously tried her hardest to restrain her excitement, having not been on Terra for a good half year at least. No matter what planet someone hailed from, Terra always felt just like home. After some visual competing to decide who would carry her bags, a soldier from the end of the line moved to the vehicle’s trunk and removed her bag, trying and failing to make a show of strength in carrying it. After some brief humiliation, he vanished through the massive cherry wood doors with Callista in toe.
Once more, the driver’s voice broke the rehearsed silence. “Presenting, from the tournament world itself, the brother-sister team of Lady Sarah and Lord Canaan Faulkner.” Sarah emerged from the confines of the limo first, lightly pulling at her collar, seeming annoyed at the immense formality. Canaan stalked around to the back of the vehicle himself, removing all three of their bags simultaneously. He at least had the courtesy to allow Sarah into the building first, following without as much as a glance at any of the soldiers standing at attention. Korit moved his large form up the stairs next, head held high, back straight. He looked as though he could easily rival Canaan for sheer physical power. Callista let her hand brush against Roland’s as she headed up the stairs, a few of the soldiers briefly twitching in jealousy. Easily keeping stride, Roland followed approximately one and a half arm’s length behind Callista, the line falling in behind him in pairs. Their marching feet moved in flawless precision, making very little noise despite the pavement underneath.
Let 'em rip.
Chapter 2
Very few noises permeated the grave silence that accompanied the journey back to the planetary capital of Maeten. The flags attached to the front end of the car flapped wildly in the wind, the symbol of Terra being eclipsed by the twin suns of Alpha Centauri showing the first union of Terra and another solar system pronouncing the authority of the vehicle that they escorted. Of course, there were many more colonized systems, but the idea behind the flag was clear: mankind no long was restricted to Terra. Smaller civilian hover cars moved to the fringes of the crowded streets to allow the armored hover car to pass by. Canaan’s eyes scanned the area frequently, his eyes making Roland’s blood run cold as they passed over him.
The lights somehow seemed a little dimmer, reflecting less of the black leather seats after the arrival of the strange guests from Claiomh Solais. Finally breaking the deafening silence, Callista spoke. “So…who is the fighter pilot for your team? Most teams have two Esion pilots and one fighter at least.”
Canaan raised his head slowly and looked at Callista, his gaze penetrating and cold enough to strike fear into the heart of a survivor of the chemical wars that decimated the Seritta quarter. The few souls which survived the genocide were most often referred to as “those that went through hell and came out more or less alive.” “We are the team. I pilot an Esion, and Sarah pilots a fighter. Simple as that. I figure we’d even the playing field by there only being one active member on each fighting division.” Varick snorted derisively, and quite audibly. Canaan moved his withering glare to Varick, who returned the look in kind.
Deciding that the time for talking was over, Canaan stalked over to the mini-fridge and pulled out a drink, moving as though his joints were made of stone. Through the heavy bulletproof windows, the buildings grew from high-rises and skyscrapers to a massive walled development, the towers at every corner concealing at least two standard lasers. The palace loomed in front of the small vehicle, making it look like an ant marching towards a stronghold. Other hovering vehicles cruised leisurely across the palace grounds, hiding a dark secret of heavy weapons, more than enough to crush a vehicle twice its size. Slowly but surely, their hover limo glided to a flawless stop. The gull-wing doors hissed open as the robotic arms lifted them up. The sky seemed slightly less crowded than it did when they left, but it could not compare to the beauty of coastlines. Terraforming is a wonder…who would have known that this land was bathed in nuclear fire about half a century ago. Roland thought as he stepped out onto the pavement.
A fine red carpet was rolled down the stairs of the palace; perfectly following the edges as though it was painted on, not rolled. The nearly-extinct Cherry-Blossom trees lined the walkway on the grassy edge in full bloom. Extravagant dress uniforms clad the soldiers who stood at attention on either side of the carpet, quite similar to Roland’s, but minus the badge on his left shoulder that denoted him as royalty. The palace was made almost completely of marble, which had been mined from one of the satellites of Neo Terra. Shortly after Roland, Korit, and Varick stepped out, the driver announced in a booming voice, unbefitting of a man of such lean stature “Presenting, the fighter pilot from Luna, graduate of the LEMA with highest honors, Lady Callista.” She obviously tried her hardest to restrain her excitement, having not been on Terra for a good half year at least. No matter what planet someone hailed from, Terra always felt just like home. After some visual competing to decide who would carry her bags, a soldier from the end of the line moved to the vehicle’s trunk and removed her bag, trying and failing to make a show of strength in carrying it. After some brief humiliation, he vanished through the massive cherry wood doors with Callista in toe.
Once more, the driver’s voice broke the rehearsed silence. “Presenting, from the tournament world itself, the brother-sister team of Lady Sarah and Lord Canaan Faulkner.” Sarah emerged from the confines of the limo first, lightly pulling at her collar, seeming annoyed at the immense formality. Canaan stalked around to the back of the vehicle himself, removing all three of their bags simultaneously. He at least had the courtesy to allow Sarah into the building first, following without as much as a glance at any of the soldiers standing at attention. Korit moved his large form up the stairs next, head held high, back straight. He looked as though he could easily rival Canaan for sheer physical power. Callista let her hand brush against Roland’s as she headed up the stairs, a few of the soldiers briefly twitching in jealousy. Easily keeping stride, Roland followed approximately one and a half arm’s length behind Callista, the line falling in behind him in pairs. Their marching feet moved in flawless precision, making very little noise despite the pavement underneath.
Let 'em rip.