Chapter 3: Duratai (5000 CE)
Duratai stood at attention. He was not as tall as the others in line, but he was much broader. His features were dark and his face sombre. The movement they were trying to start on the Seer's island had failed gloriously.
"Happens every time one of those bastards gets involved." He thought to himself.
The captains of the resistance were summoned with no additional instructions. Duratai did not know the commander which was in charge of starting the movement, but he knew that they were most likely demoted back to recruit after such an epic failure. He grinned to himself.
A young looking blond piped up: "What do they want with all of us. Is it even safe to assemble all our leadership like this?"
"It's safe enough. Those Island troopers need to wash the blood out of their jammies before they'll mobilise again." Came a reply from a well decorated grizzled looking man.
"I recon they're planning something big and need someone to fill those empty shoes." Duratai said.
They stood at attention in silence for a while. Then down the metal hallways of the base. They were nearly a hundred meters underground in the main resistance base. The outer walls were thick steel and every move echoed some distance down the halls.
The High Commander Timiril entered the room. She looked like she could cook eggs on their head. Duratai had never seen her in person. But her reputation for being the most decorated High Commander in the last 100 years preceded her. She was muscular and had her hair shaved short. She was dressed in full regalia with every award attached. She meant to make herself seen. She gave each of them a look in turn with the expression of someone trying to sniff out a turd. Finally she stood back and pinched her brow and spoke calmly and slowly.
"Ladies and gentleman. We got humped pretty hard yesterday. And I am sad to say we have naught to show for it." She composed herself and straightened her back, pulling at creases in her uniform as she went.
"Commander Herton, who was in charge of starting a movement on the island, decided to take matters into his own hands by getting blind drunk. This very nearly saw him killed by Kez Visat himself." She said shaking her head.
"Perhaps that would have saved us the trouble of righting his wrongs our self."
Duratai knew the lingo. Herton was a brave commander, but he was not particularly bright. Now he is most likely fertilising the fields.
"It has been decided," Timiril continued, "That a new plan is in order. We need to ramp up recruiting. We are authorising shadow dweller captures and conversion again for the first time in nearly 50 years."
There was a murmur, but it died as quickly as it started when she stomped her foot on the bare metal floor tiles.
"You are authorised to raid and capture. However, if you get caught, you will be on your own. As you know the last raid ended with the Seer's involvement. I would like to avoid this happening again. He has in the past destroyed our bases utterly. So no civilians will be allowed at the bases carrying out the raids."
She took a step forward and fixed her stare on Duratai.
"Commander. You will take over regional command from Herton. Congratulations."
"Thank you Mam." Duratai replied automatically. Not giving away that he dreaded the responsibility.
"Dismissed!" Timiril commanded as she left. Duratai was dazed. He wanted the promotion. But the sector he was gaining command of was cursed. The base was the over watch for the First Chosen's island. A dangerous place. Now to top it all off they were to raid right under that trigger happy motherfucker's nose. Duratai sighed with the mix of emotions tumbling through him.
The next morning there was a lot of saluting and congratulations as he made his way to his new personal air car. When he finally took off he relaxed. He had always enjoyed the solo flights. It gave him time to think. He would not be popular when he arrived and told all the civvies to bugger off, but that never bothered him anyway. It would be a 5 day flight and he would have to camp in the wastes at night. For the longest time as he flew there was nothing but wasteland as far as he could see. Then he spotted an opportunity. An old world city. It was barely recognisable as such. Only the largest buildings kept some shape. In the centre stood a gigantic carbon-plastic tower. He decided to camp in the ruins and explore a while.
The tower was magnificent up close. It looked almost like the central towers of the islands. Even after 5000 years it still looked like new. Structures like this were no longer in demand. But they spoke to him of a time when people had drive and freedom that they did not have after the Chosen came on the scene. He made a crude camp in the building's foyer. He had a decent fire going for cooking when he heard a boom from outside. Someone was there. He suspected a resistance aircar, but armed himself regardless. Duratai took aim at the door waiting to see if the new arrival was friend or foe. Then from behind him a voice came
"Rebel soldier."
Duratai turned and fired. The shot hit true and proceeded to do nothing. It was one of the Chosen. The spiritual brother the Kez Visat, Troketh the God of Minds. Duratai dropped his weapon and raised his hands in surrender.
The God walked closer calmly, as if nothing had happened. He picked up Duratai's weapon and handed it back, but first. Duratai unsure of what was going on took the weapon, but did not yet holster it.
"It would seem that you are a high ranking member of the resistance judging by your transport."
Duratai took a breath to speak, but was interrupted.
"Please, sir. I pride myself in knowing as much as I can. Duratai is it. Newly promoted commander of my brother's region." The Chosen said.
"I am just passing by. I don't know anything." Duratai protested.
"You're right, you know. You know comparatively little. But I think we can work on that together."
"For instance, I know that the failed revolution your resistance staged on the island was ruined with my brother's interference. Commander Herton was lucky that my brother is not as well informed as I." Keth made himself comfortable next to the fire.
"I think we both know what happens to rebels who cross my brother…"
Duratai now holstering his weapon raised an eyebrow.
"I'm listening." He said plainly.
"Good. Good. That's the first step in learning. And we are going to teach each other a lot, you and I." said the God of Minds as he took a seat next to the fire.
"Come future High Commander. Let us share a meal and talk."
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