AndrewCrisp
Sergeant
Reged: 11/22/02
Posts: 176
Loc: MilCom Centre, Outpost One, No...
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The Flight
#91031 - 05/04/04 11:35 PM (156.34.221.126)
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Given the way Neveron works, I've come to the belated conclusion that shorter stories work better than long, drawn out epics, like what I attempted earlier. Easier to alter storyline to actual Nev-events. Hence, future tales of Mycros will be following this pattern. Consider the following to be the effective replacement of "The Art of War" that I initially started. -- Andrew
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing."
-- attributed to Edmund Burke
Theodore Ross, Chairman of the Mycrosian Provisional Government, was not happy.
He had just finished a "conversation" - argument would be more accurate - with Etienne Charest, the commander of the Mycrosian military. As with previous discussions, Charest was not happy at all with the growing strength of the Sovereign Guard, Ross' hand-picked force. Charest had insisted that the Guard be placed under the standard military chain of command, as the Constitution dictated.
The Constitution - one of a series of idealistic blunders Ross' predecessor had made. Charest had even made a reference to what Councillor Crisp had wanted for the nation.
What Charest failed to realize, Ross had countered, was that Crisp's initiatives had caused the revolt in the first place. A weak central government allowed for the lack of control among Mycros' diplomats during the Two Moons crisis, and for the full-blown rebellion that claimed over two thousand lives. What the people needed, was to fall in line and obey orders from a strong central government, and that was what Ross intended to provide.
Charest had stormed out of Ross' office. He had made the appearance of backing down, but Ross wasn't fooled. The man was ready to lead a revolt. Fortunately, Ross had a contingency plan in place.
He took a moment to compose himself before entering the council chamber where the other members of the Provisional Government waited for him. Though, after today, they would strike the "Provisional" from the name.
"Gentlemen, ladies" - a nod to Alicia Peterson, the only woman in the group - "I've finished talking with our military commander. I'm afraid he won't be part of our new order."
"If he's planning a revolt, he won't get far," the Minister of Peace stated. "We've got almost total control of the army. And I can have Sovereign Guard units lock down his Battlemech."
"Do it. Once we have Charest out of the way, you'll be taking his place. And make sure we have someone to take over piloting that Thorn of his." Ross turned to the Minister of Safety. "Did you compile a list of civilian sympathizers?"
"I did. About a hundred people could form the core of a resistance movement and run it well, if Charest gets his message to the public. Here are their names." He handed Ross a list.
"Good. Issue orders to Sovereign Guard units dispatced to the cities - they're to round these people up at dawn. No warrants. Arrest them and anyone who attempts to resist."
"We might have a problem with some of the police in Williamston and New Sussex."
"Then replace them. The Sovereign Guard is meant to replace the police anyway, so we might as well start now." Ross turned to a third man, the Minister of Propoganda. "I want you to create enough evidence to have our courts put these people away for life. We still can't get away with death sentences just yet, but a nice little detention camp should take care of the problem."
"Consider it done."
The expressions on the faces of the others was eager, almost predatory. Ross chose his council well.
Almost - Alicia was looking distinctly uncomfortable. Ross's expression hardened. "Is there a problem, Peterson?"
Alicia Peterson gulped. "Uh, no sir."
"Good. Let's make it happen, people."
***
Alicia Peterson watched the others file out. She stood, trying to keep from shaking.
How many times she had toed the line, wrestled with her conscience every time Ross issued another decree? Before, she convinced herself that the hard line was for the best. Nobody was being hurt, really.
Until now. For all Ross' claims of life sentences, Alicia knew that tomorrow a hundred people - maybe more - would die.
Her eyes rested on a piece of paper where Ross had been sitting. The list! Ross had left the copy on the table.
She walked over to it, and skimmed the names. Could she live with this? Speaking out would probably get her added to the list, but staying silent...
Her eyes stopped on one name: Peterson, Tabatha
My sister.
Suddenly, it was no longer a case of numbers, or even names. She now had a face to go with the people. And with that, all moral ambiguity crystallized into certainty.
Alicia looked around to make sure nobody was watching, and stuffed the list into her pocket. She had very little time.
***
(more after I've gotten some sleep - Andrew)
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"Why is that we always break up our history by the .. the wars, not the years of peace?... Because it's exciting, and because on some level people like to see something big fall apart and explode from the inside out. And right now, John, we're that something."
- Micheal Garibaldi
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FallenAngel
Corporal
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 68
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Re: The Flight
[Re: AndrewCrisp]
#91859 - 05/19/04 05:19 PM (67.162.65.140)
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Post another these are good reading
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