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#Post#: 3237--------------------------------------------------
The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: October 4, 2014, 4:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I was going through some of my documents and came across this
story I had written a few years ago. I figured it would not hurt
to post it here for folks to read and discuss. ;D Enjoy!
[center]Prologue[/center]
[center] Roman Star System Caria,
Planet Nova Tarentum I[/center]
[center]3248 A.U.C.
(2498 A.D.)[/center]
Technician Principalis Appius Iulius Vilanus parked his
motorcycle behind a hedgerow and waited to see if his arrival
had been noticed. When no shouts of recognition came forth he
crouched down and moved carefully towards the small farmhouse.
The light from the crimson-tinted moon, in the darkening night
sky, gave the whole area a sickly hue that reminded Vilanus of
dried blood.
This is for the final payoff Iulius my boy. After this one you
can retire to Campania, or even Roma Mater herself, and spend
the rest of your life eating Helvetti cheese and drinking Gallic
wine, Vilanus thought with a sense of satisfaction.
The thought of beaches, booze, and broads brought a slight smile
to Vilanus’ face as he approached the front door of the
farmhouse. He knocked softly, waiting patiently for someone to
answer the door.
He glanced up at the stars and saw the yellow giant of Caria
sinking below the horizon. “I’m comin’ girls, so have the hot
tub warmed up,” Vilanus said softly.
The door opened up and Vilanus quickly entered, while Spurius
Vassinus Decianus quickly closed it behind him. They moved to
the kitchen where Vilanus was startled to find the presence of
someone else. This person who, up until now, had been unknown to
him, was also attending this meeting.
Vilanus turned angrily to Decianus, “What in the name of Pluto
is going on Decianus, this was supposed to be a private meeting?
Also, what’s your friend all dressed up for, the Festival of
Saturnalia?”
Decianus moved between Vilanus and the large hooded, and
cloaked, figure seated at the kitchen table. “This is my...
employer Iulius, he wanted to talk to you to make sure that
everything was done correctly, before he made the final
payment.”
The bulky figure behind Decianus made no sudden movement.
However, the rasp of his breathing filled the room. It was with
a labored breath that preceded each sentence. “You must
answer... I must ensure... that it was done... before I can
give... you your reward... tell me everything... that you have
done.”
Vilanus rolled his eyes and pointed a stubby finger at the
cloaked figure. “Look, Decianus hired me because I’m good at
what I do. I put the virus in the orbital castra’s command
sensor system, like you paid me to do.
“The long-range sensors will be out of commission for at least
three hours, starting at midnight, just like you wanted.
Moreover, I don’t really care what you smugglers want to bring
in and out of the system. I just want my money!”
Vilanus looked over at the kitchens wall clock. “As a matter of
fact, the system should have been offline for five minutes by
now.”
With a strange chirp, from something on the kitchen table,
Vilanus saw the figure reach out with a cadaverous looking arm
and pick up the strange object. The figure lifted the device and
looked at some sort of viewscreen.
The head nodded and a tired voice rasped out. “You have done...
as you have said... The plan is on... schedule.” A long shudder
went through the figures’ body. “Now, it... is time to find... a
new home.”
Vilanus got a very bad feeling when he saw the fear in Decianus’
eyes. Decianus’ voice whined out, “but not me, you promised! Not
me!”
Vilanus watched the figure stand up and start towards him. With
that he felt a grip of icy fear when the withered arm pointed at
him and the voice croaked out. “That one... will do...”
Vilanus turned and sprinted down the hallway towards the front
door. He clawed at the doorknob, finally grabbing hold and
jerked the door open. As he turned to look back down the hallway
he saw, over his shoulder, that Decianus was aiming a strange
looking weapon at him.
He turned and dove out of the doorway where Vilanus heard a soft
<pfftt> and felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. He felt
his limbs grow heavy as he got up and stumbled towards his
motorcycle. Vilanus crashed to the ground and rolled on his
back, looking up at the stars.
Vilanus rolled his head to the side and saw Decianus, and his
dead-looking master, move to stand over him. The large figure
shrugged off his cloak and Vilanus looked on in abject horror at
what lay beneath.
The gaunt body looked like it had been a healthy human being
once, but in the moon’s red light it resembled a cadaver dipped
in blood. The rock-looking thing attached to the walking dead
man’s chest, which was pulsing and had wrapped itself around the
man’s torso, looked like anything but human. It unwrapped itself
and scuttled down the legs of the once human figure.
As it finally detached its tentacles from the man’s back Vilanus
saw the hollow, horror-filled, eyes meet his and he read the
barely moving lips as he whispered, “Oh, thank the Gods,” before
the man toppled over backwards.
Vilanus could not move his arms or legs, but when he felt the
rocky, scaled tentacle of the thing wrap itself around his leg,
and pull itself up his body, he started to scream. When the
rocky horror had pulled itself up on to his chest the weight of
the pulsating creature slowly crushed the air out of his lungs
and made it more difficult to breathe.
Vilanus watched in horror as sharp, diamond-tipped, tentacles
wrapped around him and started to probe his back and neck.
Suddenly he felt those diamond tipped appendages insert
themselves into his flesh. The pain was agonizing in its
intensity, but slowly he felt as if a fog had begun to cloud his
thoughts.
Appius Iulius Vilanus, for one last time, gazed up at the night
sky and saw flashes in the night sky. He suddenly realized that
their/our ships were destroying the orbital forts.
The other flashes were, in all probability, the system defense
boats being engaged by our/their ships. Vilanus’ last conscious
act was to turn his head towards the stars, “Gonna be a little
late girls.”
The figure got to its feet briskly and turned towards Decianus.
It’s strong voice boomed out, “Ensure that the landing beacons
are all activated, so that the ships of the Assembly may land in
safety.”
The Siliconate watched the weak human Quisling run into the
building to check the transmitters. It reveled in the strong
body it now had.
“The Assembly will want to reap this world post haste,” The
symbiot said through its new host. He looked over his new host,
“Ahhh, it is good to have a strong host, able to process the
calcium and manganese that we need. These humans will make such
outstanding hosts.”
A long roar and a bright glow to the south marked the first
landing of ships from the Siliconate Assembly, they were coming
to reap the humans of Nova Tarentum.
#Post#: 3252--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: October 6, 2014, 12:01 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter One[/center]
[center]Roman Star System
Nabataea Inferior [/center]
[center]3248
A.U.C. (2498 A.D.)[/center]
Navarchus Marcus Quintus Helvius looked at his Legatus Classis
with irritation. “Permission to speak freely, sir.”
Legatus Classis Gnaeus Claudius Labienus looked him in the eye
and nodded, giving him permission to continue.
Helvius knew that he needed to carefully choose his next words.
“Sir, I wish to stress my objection, on the record, to this
mission.
“Any force strong enough to prevent all communications from Nova
Tarentum, and its moon Scylla, is not going to have any problems
dispatching my two Squadrons, not to mention the troop
transports that I am going to have to protect all the way to the
system.”
The Admiral picked up his pen and started stabbing the air as he
made his points. “First off Helvius, the fact is that we do not
yet know if it was a hostile force that is responsible for the
loss of contact.”
Labienus then held up his hand to forestall the Navarchus’ next
comments. “I know that the outer arm has never been fully
explored, and it has not been confirmed that any outside forces
had anything to do with it.
“Secondly, the Fumum Vendere are under the impression that it is
a just local rebellion that has spread to a few of the local
systems, and THAT is why you are escorting those troops. If it
is an uprising, you are to land and take control as the system’s
Praetor, until order has been restored.
“You also know that with the Medians holding their fleet
maneuvers on the border this was all of the ships that Classis
Command could spare. Be happy with what you have, I had to call
in a favor to get you as many ships as I did.
“So, Navarchus, can I count on you for this mission? Or do I
have to brevet Trierarchus Corinus up to Navarchus and have him
assume command of the mission?”
The mentioning of the name of the one man in the Republic that
Helvius despised, beyond all measure, had the proper affect.
Navarchus Helvius snapped to attention and saluted. “Orders
received and understood Legatus.
"I will carry out the mission as directed.” Under his breath he
whispered, “if only to keep that gloryhound from commanding
anything larger than a garbage scow.” Labienus had a smirk
spread over his face at that last murmur.
“Was there something else Navarchus? I didn’t quite catch the
last part.” Helvius said as he growled out, “We will be coming
home with our shields, or on them, sir.” He did a perfect about
face and left the Legatus’ office.
[center]Roman Star System Phrygia, Troop
Transport Marcus Aurelius[/center]
[center]Enroute to Nova Tarentum I[/center]
[center]3248 A.U.C. (2498 A.D.)[/center]
Marine NCO Lucius Suetonius Scaevola was in the process of
assembling his gauss rifle when he heard a low snore come from
his right. He picked up a cleaning rag, knotted it, and pegged
Titus Cassius Varus in the forehead.
Varus jumped up in surprise and the pieces of his gauss rifle
scattered all over the deck. He looked around and when he saw
Scaevola staring at him he dropped his eyes.
Scaevola, normally, would have let it go, but not right before
they were going to be dropped into who knows what.
Scaevola cleared his throat, “Varus, if Principalis Metellus
catches you racking out like that, you ain’t never gonna wake
up. He is just gonna slit your throat and be done with you,
especially with the situation as serious as it is.”
Varus looked up at him, hesitated, and then asked the question
that he had been holding back. “You think it’s E.T’s, or do you
think its just some kind of rebellion like the scuttlebutt says
Optio?”
Scaevola did not get the chance to answer, a rough voice caught
the whole Squad’s attention.
“It don’t matter to Manipularii Varus, whether they are facing,
animals, E.T’s, or rebels. We kill ‘em all and let Classis
Command sort ‘em out before burial.” Senior NCO Aulus Metellus
Placidus snarled out as he looked at the men of his Squad.
Metellus’ eyes halted on Varus and his upper lip rose in a
snarl. “Varus, you have exactly thirty seconds to find all of
the pieces to your weapon and assemble it, or you get to be
numero uno on my garum list, starting... NOW!”
Varus scrambled to get the scattered pieces of his gauss rifle
and started snapping them together. Metellus barely looked at
him as he took out a pouch of tobacco. He pinched a large wad of
it and packed it in this right cheek.
Without looking at his wristwatch Metellus just shouted out,
“Time!” He said as he held out his hand and Varus placed his
gauss rifle in it.
The entire Squad watched as Metellus did a quick inspection of
the weapon. He flicked on the power switch and quickly threw the
weapon to his shoulder, aiming it directly at Varus.
The Squad hit the deck when they heard the sound of a discharge.
Varus looked himself over, searching for a wound. He looked at
his Squad Leader in shock.
Metellus just stared back at him. “Next time don’t forget the
power transfer conduit, or I’m gonna stuff you into the matter
recycler.” Metellus said as he spit a stream of tobacco juice on
the deck near Varus’ foot and threw the weapon to Scaevola.
“Make sure he gets it right this time Optio, I gotta talk to the
Centurio.” The Squad stared at Varus as Metellus walked out of
the squad bay.
Decimus Cipius Macer laughed for a moment before speaking, “I
thought for sure you were dead my friend. Good thing you’re such
a screw up.”
Scaevola threw the weapon back at Varus. Varus disassembled his
rifle down to its guts and saw the vacant space where the power
transfer conduit should have been.
Varus looked over at Scaevola and whispered, “How did the
Principalis know that it was missing, without pulling it apart?”
Scaevola just shook his head. “Do you think he really cared?”
Macer leaned over and touched Varus on the shoulder. “The
Principalis is crazy, but not that crazy.” He said as he pointed
at the deck. Varus looked down and saw a power conduit lying
there, covered in tobacco juice.
Scaevola just shook his head and pointed at the power conduit,
“get that cleaned up and get yourself squared away, ASAP.” Varus
was picking the power conduit up when the general quarters alarm
went off.
[center]Roman Star System Phrygia, C.A.R. Octavianus[/center]
[center]Enroute to Nova Tarentum I[/center]
[center]3248 A.U.C. (2498 A.D.) [/center]
Navarchus Helvius quickly recorded a message for the message
pod. “Legatus, we have taken the following course: Nabataea
Inferior, to Saraceni, to Palaestina Salutaris, to Bithynia, to
Phrygia, en route to Caria.
“My task force then entered the Caria system and detected seven
unidentified ships. Those ships were of an unknown
configuration. Three were of Quinquireme size and four of
Trireme size. The Fifth Pila Squadron engaged the unknowns at
maximum range and scored numerous hits.”
Helvius paused momentarily before continuing, “The initial
analysis of the post battle data indicates that the enemy had
energy shields, and they added thirty-three percent to their
hull strength. Moreover, their actual hull strength was, at the
minimum, twenty-five percent higher.
“All seven of the enemy ships were destroyed, but it was at the
cost of three of my Mons (P) Class Sexiremes. Enemy Pilas were
also, unexpectedly, far more powerful than ours.
“We have detected signs of combat on the surface of the planet
Nova Tarentum. I have ordered the deployment on planet of the IV
Manipularius Classis Gothica and the XI Apollonaris Legio’s to
assist the local Cohors Urbanae.”
Helvius paused for a moment and hit the record button again.
“Legatus, I am concerned that, whoever they were, we may have
passed them in the Apollonian Gate passage. I think that they
dropped the troops here and left the seven ships we encountered
to guard Nova Tarentum, while their main body moved on towards
Phrygia.”
“You may relieve me at a later date, but I am heading back to
Phrygia to check on Nova Londinium, and then I will return to
Caria if everything there is ok. This doesn’t look good Legatus.
“You had better s-c-r-a-p-e all of the ships that you can get
together to guard Bithynia. If we lose our only Command Center
in this sub-sector I think that it will be very bad for the
Republic. Navarchus Helvius out,” He turned to his Comm Officer,
“get that sent out now!”
Helvius checked the board and saw the transports were landing on
Nova Tarentum. “Helm, once the transports have offloaded set
course to Phrygia, maximum speed.”
#Post#: 3915--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: MatthewMathay Date: October 20, 2015, 11:09 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Hey, Thor. It's been at least 120 days since you posted this
story and I know you completed the story, because the full story
is posted on Spacebattles. So, what gives, too busy with other
things to finish this up or did want to make revisions to story?
P.S. Sorry about the necromancy :-[ but I thought the question
should be asked. Furthermore, this is one of your best Space
Roman stories, and I would love to see the rest of it here.
#Post#: 3917--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: October 21, 2015, 8:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Jericho link=topic=175.msg3915#msg3915
date=1445400595]
Hey, Thor. It's been at least 120 days since you posted this
story and I know you completed the story, because the full story
is posted on Spacebattles. So, what gives, too busy with other
things to finish this up or did want to make revisions to story?
P.S. Sorry about the necromancy :-[ but I thought the question
should be asked. Furthermore, this is one of your best Space
Roman stories, and I would love to see the rest of it here.
[/quote]
Lol, NP bud. It is a valid question, and yes, I have improved it
a bit. Mainly in the mechanics, flow, grammar, and structure.
In point of fact, Haegan has been prodding me to re-post it
here. ;D
Cheers, Thor
#Post#: 3919--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Haegan2005 Date: October 21, 2015, 7:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
prod prod
#Post#: 3920--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: October 22, 2015, 9:30 am
---------------------------------------------------------
To get the ball rolling, I am gonna remove the old version in
the parts already posted and replace them with the new version.
Also, I am going to open a reply thread so the discussion will
not interrupt the flow of the story. :) Once I repost the
sections already posted I will add the rest, section by section.
:)
Cheers, Thor
#Post#: 3958--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: October 29, 2015, 8:32 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Troop Transport Marcus Aurelius[/center]
The cargo bay shook like a tin can in a stiff breeze as the ship
entered the atmosphere of Nova Tarentum. Metellus moved from man
to man of his Squad, doing one final check of them and their
equipment.
Metellus stopped before Scaevola, “keep your Numerus (fireteam)
spread out Optio, and keep a close eye on Varus. If he screws up
bad just get rid of him, you get me?” Scaevola met his eyes and
with grim determination nodded.
Metellus gave his Optio a grin, “I told the Centurio that you
should be made a Principalis, and he is gonna put in the
paperwork after this landing.”
Scaevola smiled briefly. “I won’t let you down Principalis.”
Metellus put his hand on Suetonius’ shoulder. “I know you won’t
Scaevola, you just keep your head screwed on straight and stay
frosty.”
Metellus moved to Optio Tiberius Sertorius Dentatus. The Senior
NCO looked him straight in the eyes. “How’s the leg Dentatus,
and don’t lie to me. That was a bad break and I gotta know if
you're one hundred percent and able to lead your Numerus.”
Dentatus just gave him a huge grin. “Its fine Principalis, it
aches a bit, but the Medicus gave me some ‘candy’ to knock the
pain back if it gets too bad.”
Metellus poked him with his finger in the chest. “Don’t take too
many of those painkillers, they dull your senses and I need
everyone frosty on this op.”
Dentatus just shook his head. “Don’t worry about me Principalis,
I can take the ache. I’ll suck it up and work around it.”
Metellus nodded to him and moved on.
Manipularius Classis Lucius Aelius Regulus was adjusting the
straps on his pack and body armor when Metellus came to a halt
in front of him. Metellus watched for a moment before speaking.
“New armor still giving you trouble Regulus?”
The young Marine looked up at him. “Principalis, I got the
straps adjusted in the same notches as my old set, but it just
feels wrong and it’s rubbing my left shoulder raw.”
Metellus turned him around and started adjusting a few clips and
straps. He lifted the pack and slammed his fist down on the left
shoulder plate of the Marine’s armor. After dropping the pack
back in place he watched Regulus check his movement.
“It’s perfect Principalis, feels just like the old set now. How
did you do that?”
Metellus let out a rough chuckle. “It’s a Principalis thing
Regulus. If I told you, everyone could do it.” Metellus was
still laughing as he moved on down the line.
Metellus stopped briefly in front of Marcus Licinus Volusus.
From the top of his helmet to the soles of his combat boots
every piece of Volusus’ equipment was in place. Every item
attached to his web gear was painted and there was not a glint
of bare metal anywhere on his person.
Metellus had been unsure of the young Marine when he was first
assigned to his Squad. However, Metellus knew that Volusus could
not help it that his people had been cut off from the rest of
the Republic for all of those decades.
Still, Metellus thought, religious fanatics are bad enough, but
military religious fanatics are just down right creepy.
Although, if they can produce Manipularii like Volusus, it can't
be all that bad.
Metellus quickly nodded at Volusus. “You ready for this Volusus?
This is gonna be your first time under fire with us.”
Volusus just clicked his heels together. “This Manipularii is
ready for duty in all respects Principalis. I will do the
Contubernium proud, praise Marius, and Mars willing, we will
prevail.” Metellus just nodded as he moved off.
The squatting Marine next in line was checking the power cable
attached to his weapon as Metellus stopped before him. Appius
Fabius Ursus’ hulking build, and massively corded muscles,
marked him as a Heavy-G worlder. “You keep playing with that
weapon Ursus and your gonna go blind.”
Ursus just grinned up at his Squad Leader. “I don’t like these
new gatling lasers Principalis, any chance we can get ahold of
an old heavy plasma rifle?”
Metellus just shook his head at his Squad’s heavy weapons man.
“No chance Ursus. They’ve all been sent to the scrapheap. What’s
the matter, don’t you like the ‘weapon of the future’?”
Ursus frowned. “The rate of fire is just fine, it’s just the
laser bolt is too weak to do any real damage to anything, other
than lightly armored troops. At least with the old Mk 5 Heavy
Plasma Rifle I could knock out buildings and light armor.”
Metellus smiled and slapped Ursus’ helmet. “If we see any armor,
you just throw a rock at them. With your arm that should
penetrate a foot of tri-titanium.” Metellus said as he walked
away from a now laughing Manipularii.
Macer had been watching Metellus move down the line and was
memorizing all of the things the Squad Leader did to put each
man at ease. He put them in his mental ‘when I am a Principalis’
file.
Metellus placed his hand on Macer’s shoulder. “You ready for
this Macer?”
Macer nodded, “I’m ready Principalis, I even managed to sweet
talk the Opima Principalis out of a couple of extra pilas for my
launcher.”
Metellus turned him around and checked his pack and launcher.
“You gonna be able to handle this kind of load Macer? I need you
to keep up with me and the Contubernium.”
Macer vigorously nodded his head. “Can do Principalis, I may not
be as strong as Ursus, but I will keep up, no matter what.”
Metellus smiled at him. “I know you will, you just stay near me
and you’ll be ok. By the way, how did you get the extra ammo out
of that **** of an Opima Principalis?”
Macer gave him a sly grin. “It’s a Hispanian thing Principalis,
if I told you, everyone could do it.”
Metellus looked at Macer for a moment before bursting out in a
hearty laugh. “You’ll do Macer, you’ll do.”
Metellus’ laughing came to a halt when he came to the last
member of his Squad. He did not say a word, he simply stared at
Varus. Nearly a full minute went by while Metellus remained
silent, just staring at him. Varus began fidgeting and opened
his mouth to speak but stopped as Metellus held up his finger.
Metellus’ voice was cold and clear. “You have a clean slate
Varus, all of your **** ups to this date don’t matter. However,
you **** up just one time during this op, and I'm gonna stuff a
grenade down your throat and have Ursus throw you at the enemy.
You get me Manipularii?”
Varus nodded and was about to say something when Metellus held
his finger up again. “Don’t speak, just listen and understand.
You got a fresh start, and this is the last one you’re gonna
get.”
Metellus turned and looked back down along the lined up Squad.
“Listen up First Contubernium, we are the best Contubernium of
the best damned Century in the Legio. As usual, we are gonna get
picked for every garum flavored mission Classis Command can come
up with. “We will probably be in the thickest part of every
firefight and told to ‘volunteer’ for every suicide mission that
the Legati Legionis can think up. So you better stay awake,
‘cause we still don’t know whom the enemy is.
“The Century’s job is gonna be to hit a small farming village
and gather Intel on what and whom, we are facing. Stay alert,
and stay alive. You got me Manipularii?”
A chorus of voices came back. “Ave Principalis!”
Metellus tapped his ear. “Is this the Third Contubernium that
I’m looking at? I said YOU GOT ME MANIPULARII?”
A louder chorus shouted out, “AVE PRINCIPALIS!!” The shout was
drowned out by the sound of the landing retros firing and a loud
thump as the troop ship landed on the surface of Nova Tarentum
I.
#Post#: 3962--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: October 30, 2015, 8:41 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Chapter Two[/center]
[center]Roman Star System Caria, Planet Nova Tarentum I[/center]
[center]3248 A.U.C. (2498 A.D.) Landing (L+ 10 min)[/center]
Principalis Metellus packed a wad of tobacco into his right
cheek as he waited for the cargo bay to open up. The cargo doors
made a shrill whine when they finally rolled into position. Cold
rain almost immediately began blowing into the bay.
Of course it would be raining, Metellus thought bitterly, Why is
it that every planet I land on it’s either snowing or raining?
Metellus noticed that Centurio Gallius had turned towards his
ten Squads. “First Century, move out!”
Metellus spat a stream of tobacco juice on the cargo deck just
before he ran down the landing ramp. He watched as the Centurio
checked his compass and pointed off towards a set of low hills.
Metellus checked his own compass and nodded to himself in
satisfaction. The Centurio had the right bearing, so First
Century would not be getting lost today.
A large splash occurred behind him, and it caught his attention.
Metellus turned around to see Varus getting up from the large
puddle he had fallen into.
Metellus just sighed as he shook his head. He turned back and
called out to his Squad, “Spread out and follow me! We’ve got
miles to cover and not much time to do it in!” The Squad
followed Metellus as he started jogging towards the hills.
[center]***[/center]
The Century had been in a slow jog for over an hour to get clear
of the landing zone. The Centurio had First Squad on point, with
Second on the left flank, while the Third was on the right
flank. The Command Section, and the rest of the Century, was
bringing up tail-end Charlie.
Metellus had only seen a few buildings in the distance.
Moreover, all of them showed signs of having been burned down.
What ever went on here, it looks like it was nasty. Anything
that could burn buildings to the ground in this kind of rain
must have been bad. Kinda sorry we missed the fun. Metellus
thought to himself with rising concern.
The Centurio’s voice suddenly crackled over the Century’s comm
net, “According to my map there is a crossroads over the next
hill, with what looks like an Oppidum that has some large
buildings in it. The main body of the Century, along with the
Command Section, will take up positions on the hill.
"First and Second Contubernium’s will head to the bottom of the
hill. Second Contubernium will cover the First Contubernium from
the base, while the First checks out the Oppidum and its
surroundings.
“First Contubernium, this is just to recon the area and grab
whatever intel you can. If you encounter any real resistance you
are to pull back to Second Contubernium.”
Metellus keyed his comm mike, “Understood Centurio, are we
looking for prisoners?”
There was a pause before the Centurio answered, “If possible
Principalis, but no one gets killed in the attempt. Watch out
for the civis, but no hero crap from anyone.”
Metellus smiled to himself, the Centurio had more common sense
than any other Centurio he had ever served with. He keyed his
comm again. “Roger that Centurio, we will attempt a capture only
if the circumstances allow.”
The Century paused for a moment at the crest of the hill.
Everyone was peering through their image enhancers to check out
the buildings and the crossroads below.
The incessant rain obscured most of the details, but a cluster
of about a dozen buildings appeared intact. Unfortunately, the
buildings clustered below concealed the view of the crossroads.
When no movement could be seen anywhere in the village the
Centurio gave First and Second Squads the order to proceed with
their mission.
The grass on the hillside was slick with rain as the men
cautiously made their way down, and Metellus fully expected to
hear Varus crash down the hill at any moment. When they reached
the base of the hill safely, Second Squad spread out and set
themselves up to provide any supporting fire, if needed.
Principalis Proculus Florius Clodius came up to Metellus and
spoke quietly. “I don’t like this one bit Met. This place is way
too quiet. I saw two doghouses behind those buildings on the way
in, and the wind is blowing our scent straight towards them, but
I still haven’t heard one single bark. I have a real bad feeling
about this op.”
Metellus nodded after a second and spit into the grass. “I agree
with you Florius, but it’s gotta be done. You just be ready to
come support us if things get ugly.” At Florius’ nod, Metellus
motioned for his Squad to move out.
First Squad began moving up towards the nearest building.
Metellus saw a child’s swing set in the backyard and the wind
was blowing the swings slowly back and forth. They made a
metallic jingling sound as the chains slowly rocked back and
forth in the breeze.
The back door appeared to be open and Metellus motioned for
Optio Scaevola to have his fireteam cover them, while he checked
inside. Metellus signaled for Volusus and Dentatus to move
forward, and when they entered the building he motioned for
Macer to follow him inside. Metellus entered the back door into
the kitchen and saw the remains of what looked like a half eaten
breakfast on the table. He saw Dentatus come out of a doorway on
the left side of a small hallway ahead.
He looked at Metellus and just shook his head in a ‘no’.
Dentatus and Volusus then entered the living room in the front,
while Metellus and Macer entered another room to the right.
Everything appeared to be in place, but there was no sign of any
people. A partially folded basket of laundry was sitting on a
freshly made bed.
Metellus heard a creaking floorboard coming from the living room
when he heard his earpiece pop, “Principalis, Dentatus. Living
room clear. Heading upstairs.”
#Post#: 3972--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Siliconate War: Damnatio Memoriae
By: Thorgrimm Date: November 4, 2015, 1:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Metellus motioned for Macer to follow him into the living room.
He looked out the front bay windows and scanned the nearby
buildings. He saw no sign of any movement, anywhere, in the
small village.
A few g.e.v. cars sat parked in their driveways. A large
three-story building across the street caught his eye. The large
red letters read ‘LUCULLUS’ Grain and Feed’.
Metellus did a double take. He thought that he had seen some
movement near the large loading bays.
Metellus activated his comm gear, “Scaevola, move to the front
of the house until you can see a three story building down the
south fork of the crossroads. Dentatus, see if you can observe
anything from the upper windows.
“I thought I saw movement in the Feed and Grain store’s loading
bays.” Metellus said as he motioned for Macer to follow him out
the back door and around to the front of the house.
Metellus moved behind a small group of shrubs and keyed his
mike, “You see anything from up there Dentatus?”
Metellus heard some light breathing and then Dentatus’ voice.
“No movement Principalis, but the big loading bay doors are wide
open.”
Metellus looked at the ground for a moment before continuing.
“First Contubernium, we’re going to move towards the Feed and
Grain loading bays.
“Dentatus, you and Volusus stay up there and keep a watch on
that house across the street. If the Feed and Grain store is
clear we’ll scout outward from there.”
He motioned to Scaevola, who swiftly moved across the street,
with Regulus a second behind him. Metellus then signaled for
Ursus to cover them as he and Macer moved to the corner of the
building.
Metellus then motioned for Scaevola and Regulus to move up
towards the open bay doors. He watched as Scaevola covered the
door from behind a parked g.e.v. car.
The Principalis watched Regulus run up beside the closest door
and peer inside. A moment later Regulus threw himself backwards
and rolled behind a streetlight post.
Before Metellus could ask what the problem was he heard the
sound of static coming from his earbug. This indicated that
someone was using electronic interference to block his comm
signal. He then heard a strange high-pitched whine begin to
emanate from the feed and grain building, where a large vehicle
came floating through the open bay doors.
Metellus did not recognize the design, but the large turret and
stubby gun barrel made its purpose quite clear. He motioned to
Macer. “Grav vehicle, Papilio or Lorica, I can’t tell which.”
Macer unlimbered and loaded his missile launcher. Metellus
looked back around the corner just in time to see Scaevola and
the g.e.v. car he was behind engulfed in a wash of what looked
like plasma.
Metellus ducked back and motioned for Macer to fire. The rocket
fired straight up and made an abrupt turn and plunged straight
down on the other side of the building.
A massive flash and explosion rocked the area. Metellus glanced
around to see the wreckage, a huge glassy crater, and no sign of
Scaevola or Regulus.
The comm jamming ceased with the destruction of the vehicle and
he heard the voice of the Centurio. “What’s going on Metellus?
Do you need assistance or fire support? Do you...”
A sound like ripping canvas came from overhead. Metellus hit the
deck and yelled, “INCOMING!!!”
Metellus noticed smoke from a massive series of simultaneous
impacts that tore off the top of the hill, where the rest of the
Century had been. The Centurio’s voice had been cut off in
mid-sentence.
Damnit, Metellus thought bitterly, It figures, I just get the
Centurio trained properly and he gets smoked like that. He set
the comm frequency to the Maniple setting, just in time to hear
mass confusion about a major attack on the landing zone. An
override signal suddenly came over the Legio frequency.
“All Units... All Units... This is Command... LZ being
overrun... Massive chemical attack... Take precautions against
bio/chem warfare... All Units will follow plan ‘89 Polar
Sunshine’... Repeat, all Units will enact ‘89 Polar Sunshine’...
Good Luck and may Iuppiter be with you... Legati Litor...” The
Command net went silent.
Metellus checked his wrist comp and found the plan list. He read
down until he found it, ‘89 Polar Sunshine’: All units are to
execute guerrilla operations. Units will not gather in groups
larger than Century in size.
Make contact with the local Cohors Urbanae units and assist.
Units will fight at the commander’s discretion, until relieved
by Imperial Command authority.
Florius must have read it at the same time because he came on
the comm, “Are you there Met? Did you get that last
transmission?”
Metellus answered him immediately. “Yeah Florius, we better head
towards those woods to the north. Once we find someplace to hole
up we can try to find some locals and find out what’s going on.”
Florius replied just as quickly. “Well Met, you’re the senior
Principalis, so it looks like you are in charge of what’s left
of the Century.”
Metellus assembled his two Squads and set off towards the north.
Without orders First Squad took point.
*****************************************************