Four hundred separate encounters. Four hundred victories, and still the bio threat continued. It seemed to Trezlan despite using the awful weapons at his disposal it didn't matter how he blased the creatures they'd just keep coming, and they were getting smarter. Each encounter the damnable creatures adjusted to his tactics and so he had to rely more and more on Hanlon's exalted dead's tactical expertise to win the battles
So far all of that had been enough, but the damned bio's were getting smarter and smarter. Setting up ambush's and attempting to board the ship multiple times. Thankfully Hanlon's creepy death properties had kept the creatures from having any kind of chance, but Trezlan figured that could not last forever. Nor could he expect his groups expertise to continue. He had no idea how Morley was doing, but he assumed he was running into the same problem. That at least brought a smile to Trezlan's face.
He was kind of surprised he hadn't run into imperial military or corporate fleets aside from Morley's, but he figured they had pulled back to their more developed planets and were setting up a blockade. Leaving the outer worlds to Trezlan playing the most aggravating game of smash an infection he'd ever been involved with. He figured there had to be some kind of central intelligence somewhere. He just had to get there and kill the damned thing. Or talk with it, or whatever.
Rolando had an idea on where it could be based on where he originally encountered the creatures, but unfortunately he wasn't much for star navigation, and the deeper they went into the Rim, the more infested and dangerous with Bio's it became. So either they would find the bio group, or kill them all on the way to finding it. Either way Trezlan liked the plan better than what they had going on anyway.
Unfortunately for Trezlan, Morley also had the exact same idea, and both men were on another collision course this time a lot nastier than the first one.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
And Now You Know
Trezlan and Morley were seated across from each other. Though it was in a holographic display in both ships, the hatred was palpable. Rolando could tell from his father and Morley's demeanor neither man even pretended to like the other. Morley did not appear to have a second in his room wherever it was on whichever ship his signal was coming from.
"Glad to see the Death God has gotten involved in this little dispute." Morley didn't have time to play games with Lorentino, he needed to stop the bios, not dick around with an insect like Trezlan Lorentino.
"He's not directly involved, I'm just borrowing his ship and resources."
"Right so he's not personally leading it, but he has his number one disciple out front." Rolando was continually surprised at how all the bullshit about his father was seemingly true. He always just suspected the old man was a huge liar. And yet here people were saying he was the real deal which was terrifying. His father's file alledged a lot of terrible awful things, and if all of them were true well Trezlan was truly an awful awful person.
"Morley lets cut the shit shall we, these things are your problem, and you're claiming to help so you can try and avoid the shit storm that will fall on your company when you're horrific science experiment come to light with the general public." Morley could barely contain his rage at Trezlan, mostly because he was right, but also Lorentino's perfect health just infuriated his failing body.
"And?"
"And I just want you to know that I will not go along with whatever bullshit you've got cooked up, I'm going to kill those things my way and you can do it your way, and neither the two of us shall meet." Trezlan turned off the holo communication device.
"What did that accomplish father?" Rolando was perplexed by the hostility, but Imperial government had little on Morley.
"Just wanted Morley to know I still hate him, now come on we have a galaxy to save." Rolando followed his father and they made their way to the bridge and into history.
****
"Damned idiot Lorentino." Morley was fuming, not only would Trezlan be a thorn in his side, with his support by the Death God he knew Trezlan's inability to be afflicted by the Rot was because of that god. It was enough to make him spit were he still capable. Still maybe one of those bio's would get lucky and kill him for Morley, they were after all designed to kill Trezlan in the first place.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Never Enough Time for the What's
"I don't even know where to begin." The ship was massive, made out of some kind of metal Rolando had never seen, and staffed by a dizzying array of people dressed in clothing of all walks of life. How his father had acquired it, what he planned on doing with it, and just what? Were constantly on Rolando's mind. He knew Trezlan was dangerous, he had no idea he had the kind of resources on display.
"Thank you is a start son." Even when Trezlan was correct he was still a dick.
"You do realize my career is..."
"Effectively over, yes you keep telling me this even when it wouldn't be the worst thing ever, and its not like after we save the galaxy they'll punish you because you worked with your supremely competent father and his crew of undead mercenaries." The two made the bridge and a man in a uniform from at least three hundred years earlier (according to history that Rolando had studied) saluted Trezlan.
"Sir the bio's space force has been annihilated."
"Excellent, not a problem I assume?"
"No sir, the destabilizing weaponry worked as advertised."
"Of course it did, there's a reason it was banned in the first place, but desperate times, and its not like anyone alive cares." Rolando was a bit appaled, not only was his father in charge of a warship they were using banned weapons? He knew his career was most definitely over.
"Sir we have another cut opening up near by."
"Bios?"
"Negative corporate identifier, Morlatech ships, a lot of them." Trezlan frowned, he was under orders to destroy the bios and not take the ship on any kind of vengeance mission against Morley. Which unfortunately meant not killing Morley even if he showed up.
"Unidentified ship, identify yourself or be destroyed." Morlatech's officers order made Trezlan laugh, he didn't know much about the ship Hanlon had given him, but he knew that even though Morley had sent fifteen ships he doubted they could destroy his.
"This is Trezlan Lorentino of the Profit Margin, I'm well aware of who you assholes are, so you might want to state your business before we destroy you." Trezlan felt quite smug about that, it was nice to be in power if only for a little bit. The morlatech ships did not send a signal back, most likely conferring among themselves. Eventually a signal was sent back.
"This is Morley, nice to see you decided to do Trezlan, we have come to help."
"Thank you is a start son." Even when Trezlan was correct he was still a dick.
"You do realize my career is..."
"Effectively over, yes you keep telling me this even when it wouldn't be the worst thing ever, and its not like after we save the galaxy they'll punish you because you worked with your supremely competent father and his crew of undead mercenaries." The two made the bridge and a man in a uniform from at least three hundred years earlier (according to history that Rolando had studied) saluted Trezlan.
"Sir the bio's space force has been annihilated."
"Excellent, not a problem I assume?"
"No sir, the destabilizing weaponry worked as advertised."
"Of course it did, there's a reason it was banned in the first place, but desperate times, and its not like anyone alive cares." Rolando was a bit appaled, not only was his father in charge of a warship they were using banned weapons? He knew his career was most definitely over.
"Sir we have another cut opening up near by."
"Bios?"
"Negative corporate identifier, Morlatech ships, a lot of them." Trezlan frowned, he was under orders to destroy the bios and not take the ship on any kind of vengeance mission against Morley. Which unfortunately meant not killing Morley even if he showed up.
"Unidentified ship, identify yourself or be destroyed." Morlatech's officers order made Trezlan laugh, he didn't know much about the ship Hanlon had given him, but he knew that even though Morley had sent fifteen ships he doubted they could destroy his.
"This is Trezlan Lorentino of the Profit Margin, I'm well aware of who you assholes are, so you might want to state your business before we destroy you." Trezlan felt quite smug about that, it was nice to be in power if only for a little bit. The morlatech ships did not send a signal back, most likely conferring among themselves. Eventually a signal was sent back.
"This is Morley, nice to see you decided to do Trezlan, we have come to help."
Thursday, November 5, 2015
It's Like Everything I Never Wanted
The bios had given up taking the port, and with it securing the planet. They had already signaled the fleet to leave behind a token force and move on. Their calculations could not account for Rolando's sporadic shift movements, and despite repeatedly sending overwhelming forces his way he destroyed them. The creatures logged what they had learned and added it to their previous encounter with this life form. Space cut drives were initiated and then halted, a large ship appeared behind the bio force and in one opening salvo annihilated them. Their last message to the collective was one of warning "The dark is coming."
****
Death. Death was everywhere. Rolando looked among the creatures, he'd stabbed, shot, impaled, and ripped apart with his bare hands. They were scattered around the remnant of the town center. He had shifted so much, so fast, he was twitching almost uncontrollably. For a moment he'd worried he'd just gone and given in to the corruption and he was lost to the blood disease. But he was in control what little that mattered. His equipment had fallen apart, too many shifts had destroyed the buckles on his armor and pants, he was down to his under ware holding a knife covered in the black blood of his enemies and an empty pistol.
They had stopped coming, Rolando did not know why. One moment he was surrounded and everyone around him was dying or becoming the biomechanicals. And then he had murdered them all. Just giving in to the death. He fully expected to become corrupted, but instead he just felt invigorated. He didn't even notice the drop ship land behind him or the men in black that exited it. He almost turned around and killed the first one until his father's voice shook him out of it.
"Rolando, my god son what have you done?" Trezlan's voice was more in awe than fear.
"I took care of things, who are these men, what in the gods name are you doing here?"
"I'm here to fix things boy, get in the ship we've got work to do."
"Yes this seems like a great idea father, just super." Rolando got into the ship all the same, He didn't know Kyriac and his group were still alive, nor did they know he was still alive. But at least he was off the planet, even if it was to nebulously "fix" things with his father. Yet again the Lorentino's were back together like the universe hated him.
****
Death. Death was everywhere. Rolando looked among the creatures, he'd stabbed, shot, impaled, and ripped apart with his bare hands. They were scattered around the remnant of the town center. He had shifted so much, so fast, he was twitching almost uncontrollably. For a moment he'd worried he'd just gone and given in to the corruption and he was lost to the blood disease. But he was in control what little that mattered. His equipment had fallen apart, too many shifts had destroyed the buckles on his armor and pants, he was down to his under ware holding a knife covered in the black blood of his enemies and an empty pistol.
They had stopped coming, Rolando did not know why. One moment he was surrounded and everyone around him was dying or becoming the biomechanicals. And then he had murdered them all. Just giving in to the death. He fully expected to become corrupted, but instead he just felt invigorated. He didn't even notice the drop ship land behind him or the men in black that exited it. He almost turned around and killed the first one until his father's voice shook him out of it.
"Rolando, my god son what have you done?" Trezlan's voice was more in awe than fear.
"I took care of things, who are these men, what in the gods name are you doing here?"
"I'm here to fix things boy, get in the ship we've got work to do."
"Yes this seems like a great idea father, just super." Rolando got into the ship all the same, He didn't know Kyriac and his group were still alive, nor did they know he was still alive. But at least he was off the planet, even if it was to nebulously "fix" things with his father. Yet again the Lorentino's were back together like the universe hated him.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
I Do Not Grovel
"And so I need your help." Trezlan looked at Hanlon with disdain. He was currently in the middle of six conversations about arming several different groups all across the galaxy, and here comes Hanlon acting like Trezlan should drop all things to help him. Sure Trezlan's entire existence and arms business was tied up in Hanlon, but the profits were not going to make themselves!
"I feel like we've had these conversations in the past, except I didn't know you were the death god before, and now that I do..."
"I can't directly interfere you ingrate, and recall I've done several things for you over these hundreds of years including allowing you to live." Hanlon had long hair, it was disturbing to Trezlan. He couldn't put his finger on why, but it did.
"So you want me to do what to destroy a mechanical race of creatures that threatens to overwhelm the galaxy?" Trezlan was beyond skeptical, though his previous efforts at saving the galaxy had been equally ridiculous.
"Sooner rather than later, they are getting stronger by the day."
"Sure Hanlon and how will I accomplish this fact? I mean I'm good, but I'm not a god like you are."
"Oh you sell yourself short Trezlan, but don't worry I've seen fit to arrange for some folks to help you, you'll know them when they get here."
"Delightfully vague, still haven't said yes."
"If you are expecting me to beg for your help you'll find yourself wanting, but do this and you'll be rewarded in the usual way." Hanlon went to leave and Trezlan didn't stop him.
"Money?"
"Continued existence." And just like that the God was gone, Trezlan sighed a bit, though he would be lying to himself if he hadn't looked into stopping the mechanical creature threat. He had a couple ideas, most of them magical and dangerous, but what wasn't with him. It wasn't living if he wasn't almost about to blow himself up in a horrific way.
"I feel like we've had these conversations in the past, except I didn't know you were the death god before, and now that I do..."
"I can't directly interfere you ingrate, and recall I've done several things for you over these hundreds of years including allowing you to live." Hanlon had long hair, it was disturbing to Trezlan. He couldn't put his finger on why, but it did.
"So you want me to do what to destroy a mechanical race of creatures that threatens to overwhelm the galaxy?" Trezlan was beyond skeptical, though his previous efforts at saving the galaxy had been equally ridiculous.
"Sooner rather than later, they are getting stronger by the day."
"Sure Hanlon and how will I accomplish this fact? I mean I'm good, but I'm not a god like you are."
"Oh you sell yourself short Trezlan, but don't worry I've seen fit to arrange for some folks to help you, you'll know them when they get here."
"Delightfully vague, still haven't said yes."
"If you are expecting me to beg for your help you'll find yourself wanting, but do this and you'll be rewarded in the usual way." Hanlon went to leave and Trezlan didn't stop him.
"Money?"
"Continued existence." And just like that the God was gone, Trezlan sighed a bit, though he would be lying to himself if he hadn't looked into stopping the mechanical creature threat. He had a couple ideas, most of them magical and dangerous, but what wasn't with him. It wasn't living if he wasn't almost about to blow himself up in a horrific way.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
There Are Rules, Or Not
They were seated across from each other. The Fire God without her pomp, just wearing a simple business suit her hair short. Hanlon had on a more elaborate suit, and he now wore his hair long and black. The Fire God didn't care for his long hair, which is probably why he had it like that. They were playing a card game, the rules were never said aloud and they changed all the time. It was the kind of game gods loved to play because it meant to an outside observer there was no form or function. Not like in the place they were in anyone was around, but the sentiment remained.
The place was a swirling darkness. One of Hanlon's creations. Just an endless black cloud. The Fire God found it a little cliche for the death god. But Hanlon was all about Cliches. Especially since he re-arose to prominence all those hundreds of years prior. She still wasn't sure how he managed to do it, especially with a smattering of necromancers and death magic still thought of as something you never ever do. Still she had to respect him for managing it with all the restrictions, even if it infuriated her.
"It's your turn." Hanlon was showing all the cards in his visible hand, but according to the rules they were playing on now he had another true hand elsewhere.
"Are we doing turns today?" Her answer was another chance to change the rules.
"Sure, I like turns." Hanlon smiled back, though there was no warmth to it.
"Do you enjoy all the death being caused right now?" The creatures Morley had created were causing quite a ruckus. The Fire God looked on them with disgust, but the conflict was helping her every day.
"No, that bastard Morley causes me so much turmoil everyday. His creatures don't even kill things most of the time, just convert them. So much suffering, none of it ending. If not for our arrangement I would have already destroyed their metallic asses already." The Fire God smiled.
"So kind of you to claim to honor our arrangement when I know for a fact you don't honor anything."
"It is the rules of the game."
"Which is to say there are no rules, but still those creatures do irk me so. And I worry they will destroy the people who offer me worship."
"To be a god ruling nothing would be to be nothing."
"So it has been, perhaps I'll look into their destruction, or not, that is what it is to see all things." The fire god played her hand and Hanlon smiled and played his, he had the winning hand.
"Looks like you lose today."
"Did I Hanlon? Or did I win and I just haven't found the rule to say it yet."
"Sure." The Fire God left and the table disappeared with the cards. Hanlon smiled to himself, he would need to contact Trezlan, it always came back to that old necromancer when he needed something done.
The place was a swirling darkness. One of Hanlon's creations. Just an endless black cloud. The Fire God found it a little cliche for the death god. But Hanlon was all about Cliches. Especially since he re-arose to prominence all those hundreds of years prior. She still wasn't sure how he managed to do it, especially with a smattering of necromancers and death magic still thought of as something you never ever do. Still she had to respect him for managing it with all the restrictions, even if it infuriated her.
"It's your turn." Hanlon was showing all the cards in his visible hand, but according to the rules they were playing on now he had another true hand elsewhere.
"Are we doing turns today?" Her answer was another chance to change the rules.
"Sure, I like turns." Hanlon smiled back, though there was no warmth to it.
"Do you enjoy all the death being caused right now?" The creatures Morley had created were causing quite a ruckus. The Fire God looked on them with disgust, but the conflict was helping her every day.
"No, that bastard Morley causes me so much turmoil everyday. His creatures don't even kill things most of the time, just convert them. So much suffering, none of it ending. If not for our arrangement I would have already destroyed their metallic asses already." The Fire God smiled.
"So kind of you to claim to honor our arrangement when I know for a fact you don't honor anything."
"It is the rules of the game."
"Which is to say there are no rules, but still those creatures do irk me so. And I worry they will destroy the people who offer me worship."
"To be a god ruling nothing would be to be nothing."
"So it has been, perhaps I'll look into their destruction, or not, that is what it is to see all things." The fire god played her hand and Hanlon smiled and played his, he had the winning hand.
"Looks like you lose today."
"Did I Hanlon? Or did I win and I just haven't found the rule to say it yet."
"Sure." The Fire God left and the table disappeared with the cards. Hanlon smiled to himself, he would need to contact Trezlan, it always came back to that old necromancer when he needed something done.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Mostly Culpable
"Mostly sir." Morley was looking at the incursion of the biomechanicals displayed across the galaxy. They had hit corporate and RiG space evenly so far the damnable creatures. He didn't even have a fail safe against them, something he would have to discuss with the R&D division should everyone live through the crisis.
"And they can be traced back to us?"
"The young Lieutenant's report mentioned us specifically with these creatures."
"Gods damn it." Morley felt all the hundreds of years old right then. This was a crisis for his organization and it was mainly of their own making. He couldn't even blame Lorentino for it as much as he wanted to.
"Sir I think the best thing is for us to launch a massive counter offensive with our bots. We could save the galaxy."
"Or we could lose our entire force in one fell swoop," Morley held up his hand before the young man could respond, "Fine fine do it, better to save everyone and then get blamed than the idiots some how figure out how to kill the creatures and then come for us."
"You mad the right decision sir."
"I made the only decision, now get out of my sight as I watch my empire potentially implode." The young man didn't wait around Morley's temper was legendary among the corporation. In fact he only got the job after his last assistant was impaled by Morley after a disagreement. Morley just sat on his throne and watched the battle number rattle off and news casts talk about the doom of humanity, it would almost have made him laugh at one point. Now all he could do is hope, and that was the worst emotion in the world for him.
"And they can be traced back to us?"
"The young Lieutenant's report mentioned us specifically with these creatures."
"Gods damn it." Morley felt all the hundreds of years old right then. This was a crisis for his organization and it was mainly of their own making. He couldn't even blame Lorentino for it as much as he wanted to.
"Sir I think the best thing is for us to launch a massive counter offensive with our bots. We could save the galaxy."
"Or we could lose our entire force in one fell swoop," Morley held up his hand before the young man could respond, "Fine fine do it, better to save everyone and then get blamed than the idiots some how figure out how to kill the creatures and then come for us."
"You mad the right decision sir."
"I made the only decision, now get out of my sight as I watch my empire potentially implode." The young man didn't wait around Morley's temper was legendary among the corporation. In fact he only got the job after his last assistant was impaled by Morley after a disagreement. Morley just sat on his throne and watched the battle number rattle off and news casts talk about the doom of humanity, it would almost have made him laugh at one point. Now all he could do is hope, and that was the worst emotion in the world for him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)