colonelC45’s Creative corner

*A steady gale from the ocean kept the thick smoke from creeping too close and perverting the scent of the storm. My mentor at the time had this longing look on his face as he gazed out over the vast fields of wheat, staring off into the far distance as the smoke danced before us.

“Rain always clears the mind… cleansing the air of pollutants, cleansing the grime and blood that cakes the treads of our boots, the stains on armor… Rain always cleanses.

It brings back memories of a better time. A time when souls were pure and families could travel unabated, without fear for their children. A time when most never had to know the wail one makes from loss— the sounds a parent makes when finding their baby… a brother finding their sister…

The rain cleanses many things… but it will never cleanse tarnished souls. It will never be able to fill in the cracks and breaks of a soul who has to bear the burden of witness.”

As the fires burn in the distance, the fighting is drowned out by the frogs and bugs singing. I look up to my Commander as I tried to make sense of his words, hoping he would look down and see my confusion. Yet he continued to gaze off into the distance, and preach his inner thoughts...

“An individual has a choice when they hit this point, they can either surrender to the will of others or they can drag themselves out… friends, brothers, and sisters in arms aid each other— for we all wish to be cleansed once more…”

… I wish I had understood his words better in the moment, I wish I had recognized this as a cry for help. I lacked the experience or wisdom of others to even imagine my mentor faltering behind the persona he displayed… fearless, compassionate, and patriotic. In the end, SPC2 Bright chose to surrender and went quietly into that good night.

—

WIP of Damian doing what he does best. A Weapon of the Gods is never truly relived of their duty…

.

Lady Death is not a cruel Deity, quite the contrary: Patron of the Lost, protector of children, and the guiding voice for those who pass on. She welcomes all with a warm embrace.

Picture (Left to Right):

Colt Skegg, Kennedy Skegg, Kyle Skegg

Kennedy’s Academic Exchange Program Celebration

Radio Free Jouqlin— the truth prevails… Earlier today Lieutenant Colonel Tearfallen spoke on behalf of the Armed Federation in regard to the developing situation within the Cascade Province.

“I am making this announcement on ||[REDACTED]|| of our year ||[REDACTED]||… There are many rumors circulating. Many falsehoods. And much Fear Mongering… This is an appeal for calm. I can confirm there has been an outbreak within the Cascadian Exclusion Zone. The ailment is, as of yet, unidentified. This sickness causes fever, confusion, and panic. There is **NO** evidence of fatalities from this ailment. There is **NO** evidence of fatalities within the Exclusion Zone. We are using measured and judicious force to maintain the border area. Warning shots have been fired. No civilians have been harmed. The No-Fly-Zone will remain in effect over the province. Everything is under control… we will not take questions at this time.”

~~~~

Speaker: Lt.Col. Izac Tearfallen, Federal Air Force Intelligence Bureau— ParaMilitary Operations Officer.

“TAU-8 to TOC, confirm visual scan.”-

- “TOC to Ground Element, Visual Scan faulty. Collect evidence and make audio report.”

“Wilco, TOC… Downed subject is a hybrid— human with kobold features, juvenile male. Initial point of infection, nasal… This one died quick, bloom overtook brain cavity.”-

- “TOC to Ground Element, confirm neural stem disconnection.”

“…. Neural Stem disconnected…. Should we bag and tag for pick up; or burn this one?”-

—\—“T.A.U.-.8… T.H.I.S.. I.S.. H.I.G.H… A.D.M.I.N.I.S.T.E.R.. C.E.P.H.E.U.S.. P.R.O.T.O.C.O.L…”

“… High Command, this is TAU 8 Actual. Administering Cepheus Protocol.”—/—

“… Cepheus Protocol confirmed. Burn everything, gentlemen.”-

……

“Think it was a mistake to release this, Chief?”

“… It doesn’t matter what I think, Specialist. What’s done is done… have you set the charges?”

“Yes, sir. Charges set… I think it was a mistake. A death like this ain’t natural, spitting on the Gods— Lady Death.”

“Don’t use Ain’t, kid. It makes you sound unintelligent.”

“What’s unintelligent is burning the evidence with hopes it won’t spread beyond the walls… you haven’t disagreed with me. You know we can’t burn them all, Chief. We’ll miss one, and then it’ll spore sooner than later.”

“… detonate the charges, Specialist.”

~~

Aragonite Isle Fourth Cordon 2011.

{Internal_Investigation_00313} Archives Division, Federal Air Force Intelligence Bureau, Armed Federation of Jouqlin.

“TAU 8”: SPC3 Levi Etzio

“TAU 8-1”: CWO3 Kennedy Skegg

“TOC”: Tactical Operations Center

{Begin Transcript}

Heart, Steel… Iron, Will… Rise, Up. Unto Dawn….. Fire, Ash… Molt-en Glass…. Fight, On. Unto Dawn.

Federation scum, try to knock us down. We fight on, until dawn!

FEDERATION SCUM! CANT keep us DOWN; We count down, THE NEW DAWN!

ARAG-ON-ITES! We UNITE! Cast them down, For The Dawn!

Jouqlinian Dogs push upon our city! They wish to BURN us like VERMIN— They poison the air with their Diseases; they try to flush us out with Bounding Flame; They HUNT us with HOUNDS! We have all lost pack mates, we may be struck with grief… But my brothers and sisters— my clutch mates: help will arrive soon! The Great Republic’s Army will arrive by the end of the week, I promise you! Help is almost here— dig into the trenches and keep the Federation Mutts from taking another meter…

~~~~~~

Aragonite Republic Propaganda Radio,

Battle of the Last Dragoon Walker, “Retribution” (T-199)

Forward Expedition Raiders from the Armed Federation of Jouqlin during the Invasion of the Aragonite Isles, Unification War (1996-2010)

TRK-100, Counter Insurgency Bureau, Ministry of Civil Protection. Armed Federation of Jouqlin.

Circa 1998, Sapient/Sentient Rights Protests / Anti-Unification Riots

~~

“The TRK(Turkmeni colony manufacturer)-100 is one of the first manufactured Walking Tanks. A spider like mechanism that has limited movement and mobility compared to wheeled or tracked vehicles. The main flaw for this vehicle are its legs, all 12 of them have weak spots located at the joints that can be damaged or weathered to cause loss of mobility. A second flaw is the limited use of the main Rail Gun turret on the top, the electro magnetic weapons can be refitted to fire exploding munitions(Phosphorus, CS Gas, smoke, flechette, etc).

This vehicle saw extensive domestic use by the Armed Federation of Jouqlin. The TRK-100 was deployed against Kobold and Elven revolutionists during the 1998-2000 Riots. The Counter Insurgency Bureau utilized the armored frame and stability of the vehicle against various revolutionary tactics.