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I just found this AAR...Fantastic. I like how you make the steampunk a little more subtle than most stories like this. I don't think I would read it otherwise to be honest. ;) I don't of course mean that as an insult-- the writing and story are fantastic-- I just don't like fantasy and stuff like that. I think this story has the perfect balance: just fantastical enough to make it VERY interesting without going over the top. :D

I like the political situation too. Any chance that we could see a map? :cool:
 
Ignore those who cannot appreciate Steampunk! Give us steam powered airships off such size that the Hindenburg goes off to hide in the corner, vast counting engines such that Babbage never dared dream of and elaborate mechanical statues of Nelson and Byron to smash any upstart German states!

I realise you've already said you wont, but I'm hoping you might change your mind if repeatedly asked. :D
 
Jape: ...“As long as is necessary. You will be questioned, tried and then convicted by a military court”, the certainty with which he spoke sent a shiver down Arthur’s spine.

hmmm. not many options for our heros ! ! makes one wonder if the heat of battle changes things at this location ? ? :D

Jape: ...“I only asked for the toilet”!

perhaps barbarians don't see the need for such things ? ? ;)

awesome AAR ! !
:cool:

. . . i'm in ! ! :)
 
how could i have missed this awesome AAR????

brilliant so far. keep it up! :)
 
rcduggan: how could i have missed this awesome AAR???? . . brilliant so far. keep it up! :)

agree with all comments, however, it seems that much time has lapsed since the last update ! ! :eek:
 
Havana, Cuba
Spanish Empire
May 5th 1898

cabana-01.jpg

The three had an uncomfortable night’s sleep. Hard bunks with no blankets proved terribly chilly, even in the Caribbean. A harsh gale whistled through the cell all night, keeping Arthur from sleeping. At one point, possibly around three or four in the morning, all three had been startled awake by the sound of screaming. No doubt the cries of a Cuban prisoner undergoing interrogation. Although in the pitch black none of the men could see each other, they all sensed each other’s fright at the sound of flesh hitting brick, over and over again. The incident was brief but it took them what seemed like hours to return to their slumber. Finally, Arthur awoke just after sunrise, a veritable blade of white light, piercing through the slit window onto his face. He rolled over in protest, still half dead to the world. Then, as he returned to full consciousness, his ears pricked up at the sounds outside. He could hear the sound of literally hundreds of boots stomping across concrete, and the rumble of heavy carriages on cobbles. Something was assuredly going on. Arthur rose from his bed in pain, his tired fellows still deep in slumber. He heard the yelling of officers near his door.

“¡Rápido! ¡A armamentos”!

“¡Redondo arriba los hombres, a las paredes como rápidamente usted puede”!

“¡Es los confederalistas! ¡Mande recado al Gobernador”!

‘Confederalistas’? He thought, ‘Oh my’! He immediately jumped to, and began excitedly waking his comrades. “Chaps! Alf! Stanley! Wake up! Wake up for Christ’s sake! The Confederates are here”! The two began to rouse from their sleep, confused in their state by Arthur’s frantic yelling.

“What”! Grumbled Stanley as he sat up

“God damn, what are you yelling about Lambert”! Groaned Alf, hardly impressed by the disruption of his meagre kip.

“The Confederates”! Slowed Arthur, trying to control himself “The Spanish are under attack”!

Suddenly the cell door burst open as a Guardia officer entered, his eyes blazing with adrenaline, whether it was fear or rage, none of them were sure. He brandished his black revolver menacingly at the prisoners. “Silence”! He demanded hoarsely over the din that now flooded the room.

“What the hell’s going on out there”? Alf demanded back

“It’s none of your concern Anglo. Now shut up”! He cocked the pistol. “The Capitan will be here momentarily to escort you away from Havana”

“Why”, queried Arthur “Is the city under attack! Has it fallen”?

“I said”!

“Attack”? Mused Stanley. “I can’t hear any”-

Suddenly the sound of conversation, of barking orders, bugles, boots, horses and clattering crates was extinguished by a chorus of dreadful shrieks and almighty roars, as the power of the CS Navy was unleashed upon a helpless La Cabaña Fortress. The foundations shook and great walls torn asunder: men and animals flung, thrown, torn and vaporised in moments as the giant guns of a dozen battleships sent volley after volley, far from range of retaliation. Soldiers were slaughtered by their own bullets as recently opened ammunition cooked off, while pack animals streaked through the bastion’s avenues, their bodies aflame and their keeper’s dead. The three prisoners dove to cover as soon as their senses could muster. Arthur lunged for the thick cell wall, while Alf grabbed Stanley and flipped his bunk over. The building rumbled, as chunks of masonry rained down on their heads. Arthur yelled in horror but it was barely even registered in his own brain alongside the devilish cacophony.

Suddenly it stopped. All was silent for a moment, expect for the sound of crackling flames, and wounded horses. Arthur gasped to see the Guardia lying prone, looking for all the world as if he had been mauled by a lion, minced by shrapnel. He glanced over towards the upturned bunk, its thin mattress embedded with countless chunks of rocks and metal. The iron-sprung bed tipped over to reveal an extremely startled Alf staring off into the middle distance, and a petrified Stanley clung to him like a small child.

“Chaps”, whispered Arthur, pausing as he heard a far off clatter “Are you all right”?

“Ye…yes”, stated Alf with an authority hardly present in his wide-eyes and wild hair. Stanley didn’t respond, clinging for dear life to Alf’s shirt, his own eye’s shut tight.

Arthur moved across the floor, peering outside into the courtyard, glancing back constantly he inched his hand over to the guard’s, grasping at the revolver. Pulling away the blood-slick pistol, Arthur once more threw himself against the thick prison wall. After struggling with Stanley, Alf finally wrenched free and moved up alongside Arthur. Sounds were beginning to emanate from outside: far off yelling, the stomping of boots, and the distant crack of gunfire.

“Do you think… do you think the Confederates have made landfall”? Asked Arthur tentatively

“I wouldn’t imagine so, not so soon any way”, chanced Alf “Anyway I”-

The Canadian was cut short as a ragged volley of rifle fire opened up. The sudden noise made all three jump, partly out of pain for their ravaged eardrums and partly out of shock, for the firing was too close for comfort. The men pushed themselves up against the wall as several soldiers ran past their cell, yelling. More firing and the screams of injured men quickly followed them.

“There must be Marines inside the Fortress”! Said Stanley gleefully, running for the open door.

“Stanley you dithering idiot”! Yelled Arthur, jumping up to grab him. But he needn’t have bothered. As Stanley crossed the threshold, a smashing blow to the stomach met him. He was sent reeling back into Arthur and both hit the floor hard. Alf instinctively leapt for Arthur’s fallen gun and turned it on the doorway, only to hear the sliding of a bolt. He looked up to see the barrel of a Spanish Mauser Rifle bearing down upon him. However the owner gave no barking commands or even move, he just stared. Alf quickly realised the bare-footed, bearded man was certainly no pompous Guardia. After a moment, the man lowered his gun and ran off down the avenue.

The three raised themselves up and looked outside, slightly dumbstruck. Their attacker was just one of a good dozen or so similarly ragged men battling with the remaining troops.

“It seems the inmates aren’t content to escape”, said Alf, picking up a rifle from a nearby body “So I think its best we don’t miss the opportunity ourselves. Come on”
 
Oh the irony! Not only do I miss my voluntary deadline for updating Seed of Destruction, I update this AAR first :p

I am again sorry to anyone whoes been waiting for updates, but such is that evil thing called the real world, I'm going off in about 90-different directions at present so I can't promise anything spectacular but more than one update a month hopefully :eek:o

Cheers for all the support!
 
But it was a fantastic update so it was worth it. Yes.
 
A very good update indeed. All go.
 
A Jape update! Like a fine whisky it is marvellous to behold but takes ages to arrive. Probably, on balance, worth the wait as it was an excellent update if spectacularly late. :D

An interesting situation for our heroes, one suspects Arthur will not have trouble filing interesting articles for quite some time, if only he could find a way to send them. :)
 
Jape: ...“There must be Marines inside the Fortress”! Said Stanley gleefully, running for the open door.

stealth, Stanley, stealth ! ! stealth is the way to leave prison ! ! :D especially since you are in enemy country ! ! ;)

Jape: ...“It seems the inmates aren’t content to escape”, said Alf, picking up a rifle from a nearby body “So I think its best we don’t miss the opportunity ourselves. Come on”

well said ! ! :)

awesome update ! !
:cool:
 
El Pip: A Jape update! Like a fine whisky it is marvellous to behold but takes ages to arrive...

so very true ! ! however, the mentioned update is just as difficult to be without ! ! :eek:



UPDATE please ! ! :cool:
 
*Pokes AAR*

I think it's dead, Jape appears to have got bored and moved on again. He does a good start, I'll give him that, but appears to lack stamina.

*Insert innuendo of choice here*
 
Gentle readers, the thread is for discussion of the work. Jape will update - or not - when he chooses. If you want to encourage him, please send him a PM, don't ask for updates here. Repeated calls for updates begin to look like spam, and we don't want that.

Jape will update - or not - when he chooses.

Thank you. :)