Intelligent Neighbors
06-01-2006, 15:43
Prelude
The past few years within Intelligent Neighbors had been quiet to the casual observer, but to one who knew the intricacies of the political game, there had been a complete reshifting of outlook. Before the long-gone war with the rest of the region, the nation had been ruled almost without exception by mad dictators who sought to impose their world-view on those around them. After the allies, in conjunction with seperatists from within Intelligent Neighbors, forcefully ended the war, a new leader rose to power.
Marcus Brandt, head of the IN and now regional intelligence services. He was moderate in his outlook, embracing those nations around him, and rejuevenating relations damaged during the war. He ruled fairly, bringing war criminals to justice and ensuring that the IN military forces were brought back to their former strength. Indeed, the armed forces had not looked so strong since the days of the Emperors. But slowly Brandt had been changing, developing different views on the world...
The City of Krakk, Intelligent Neighbors
Sounds of heavy music rippled across the capital city, giant speakers giving those inside and incredible display. The concert was a 'public relations event', masterminded by the immensely popular Marcus Brandt, and paid for by the government. Hundreds of thousands of people were crammed into the gigantic park in the centre of the city, a space left after the demolition of several buildings linked to tyranny. Many more people across the city would be listening near screens linked up to show the event. Analysts had estimated the cost of such a show nearing $20 million, such was it's splendor.
As the latest band ends it's song, a hush falls over the city. Even the noise of the traffic seemed to stop as the mid-way speach by Marcus Brandt nears. The stage is cleared, and Brandt steps powerfully on from a wing. He is dressed in his trademark black trenchcoat, and flanked by bodyguards. He steps up to the microphone, pauses for a moment and begins his speach.
"Do you remember when we used to cower in the grip of oppression? Of terrorism? Of the evil dictator? We freed ourselves, shaking the shackles that bound us and look at our mighty country now!"
The crowd cheered, life was indeed much better now than it had ever been.
"And yet we stand idly by while other people face the same fears we once did. Why does no-one help them? They deserve to be free, to be great. Well I say that they will be freed, and we will free them! No more shall we stand idly by while crimes against humanity occur, crimes commited against our own, crimes that we did not stand for, and we continue to fight against!"
The crowd cheered, but with less passion than before. This was new to them, where was their great leader headed?
"Our armies are mighty once more, but instead of them causing pain and destruction, they shall be the ones who stand against it, fighting for the freedom of all. They will be the bane of all evil throughout the world, we are the rock of freedom, and when we roll nothing will be able to stop us. Let the concert continue!"
This time the crowd erupted into applause, and the concert continued.
Champion Secret Development Facility, Gildi Desert
Power surged into the hulking form that stood against the wall from numerous leads plugged in around them. Three doctors watched anxiously from an adjoining room via a camera. This was the final test, could they have acheived the impossible? Had they brought a SAVX Death Trooper from the brink of death, corrupting his mind until it obeyed whatever they said? All their tests so far had indicated that his loyalty had indeed changed, but no-one would know for sure until now.
Suddenly the power stopped charging. A voice played into the room from speakers mounted within the reinforced walls.
"Arise, Champion."
The hulking form blinked into life, and stepped forward from the wall. It was a monstrosity, constructed from parts of SAVX and IN's finest armour to produce something extra-ordinary. It was covered in what looked like rusty plate armour, but it could easily withstand a anti-tank rocket hit. The shoulders rose above the helmeted head of the figure, which had large fang-like protrusions on either side of the mouth. The eyes were red slits that burned with an inner fire. The champion's left arm had a long rod affixed to it, with one end disappearing into the arm and the other ending above the hand. The right hand held an unusual weapon, a huge gleaming sword.
The sword...
The sword, named 'Blade of the Titans', had taken almost three years to complete. it was forged from many many layers of the finest alloys known, and had cost billions to complete. Along the sharpend edge, tiny strips of metal were raised micrometers above the surface, with about two centimeters between each. These, linked to several large capacitors within the handle, would be able to discharge a huge electric shock when two strips were linked. The sword had a long handle, and was a weighting thing obviously suited to swinging attacks rather than rapier thrusts.
The Champion shuffled slightly, weighing up his weapons. The time to test them would come soon...
=======
I'm Back!
The past few years within Intelligent Neighbors had been quiet to the casual observer, but to one who knew the intricacies of the political game, there had been a complete reshifting of outlook. Before the long-gone war with the rest of the region, the nation had been ruled almost without exception by mad dictators who sought to impose their world-view on those around them. After the allies, in conjunction with seperatists from within Intelligent Neighbors, forcefully ended the war, a new leader rose to power.
Marcus Brandt, head of the IN and now regional intelligence services. He was moderate in his outlook, embracing those nations around him, and rejuevenating relations damaged during the war. He ruled fairly, bringing war criminals to justice and ensuring that the IN military forces were brought back to their former strength. Indeed, the armed forces had not looked so strong since the days of the Emperors. But slowly Brandt had been changing, developing different views on the world...
The City of Krakk, Intelligent Neighbors
Sounds of heavy music rippled across the capital city, giant speakers giving those inside and incredible display. The concert was a 'public relations event', masterminded by the immensely popular Marcus Brandt, and paid for by the government. Hundreds of thousands of people were crammed into the gigantic park in the centre of the city, a space left after the demolition of several buildings linked to tyranny. Many more people across the city would be listening near screens linked up to show the event. Analysts had estimated the cost of such a show nearing $20 million, such was it's splendor.
As the latest band ends it's song, a hush falls over the city. Even the noise of the traffic seemed to stop as the mid-way speach by Marcus Brandt nears. The stage is cleared, and Brandt steps powerfully on from a wing. He is dressed in his trademark black trenchcoat, and flanked by bodyguards. He steps up to the microphone, pauses for a moment and begins his speach.
"Do you remember when we used to cower in the grip of oppression? Of terrorism? Of the evil dictator? We freed ourselves, shaking the shackles that bound us and look at our mighty country now!"
The crowd cheered, life was indeed much better now than it had ever been.
"And yet we stand idly by while other people face the same fears we once did. Why does no-one help them? They deserve to be free, to be great. Well I say that they will be freed, and we will free them! No more shall we stand idly by while crimes against humanity occur, crimes commited against our own, crimes that we did not stand for, and we continue to fight against!"
The crowd cheered, but with less passion than before. This was new to them, where was their great leader headed?
"Our armies are mighty once more, but instead of them causing pain and destruction, they shall be the ones who stand against it, fighting for the freedom of all. They will be the bane of all evil throughout the world, we are the rock of freedom, and when we roll nothing will be able to stop us. Let the concert continue!"
This time the crowd erupted into applause, and the concert continued.
Champion Secret Development Facility, Gildi Desert
Power surged into the hulking form that stood against the wall from numerous leads plugged in around them. Three doctors watched anxiously from an adjoining room via a camera. This was the final test, could they have acheived the impossible? Had they brought a SAVX Death Trooper from the brink of death, corrupting his mind until it obeyed whatever they said? All their tests so far had indicated that his loyalty had indeed changed, but no-one would know for sure until now.
Suddenly the power stopped charging. A voice played into the room from speakers mounted within the reinforced walls.
"Arise, Champion."
The hulking form blinked into life, and stepped forward from the wall. It was a monstrosity, constructed from parts of SAVX and IN's finest armour to produce something extra-ordinary. It was covered in what looked like rusty plate armour, but it could easily withstand a anti-tank rocket hit. The shoulders rose above the helmeted head of the figure, which had large fang-like protrusions on either side of the mouth. The eyes were red slits that burned with an inner fire. The champion's left arm had a long rod affixed to it, with one end disappearing into the arm and the other ending above the hand. The right hand held an unusual weapon, a huge gleaming sword.
The sword...
The sword, named 'Blade of the Titans', had taken almost three years to complete. it was forged from many many layers of the finest alloys known, and had cost billions to complete. Along the sharpend edge, tiny strips of metal were raised micrometers above the surface, with about two centimeters between each. These, linked to several large capacitors within the handle, would be able to discharge a huge electric shock when two strips were linked. The sword had a long handle, and was a weighting thing obviously suited to swinging attacks rather than rapier thrusts.
The Champion shuffled slightly, weighing up his weapons. The time to test them would come soon...
=======
I'm Back!