You made them yourself? wow. Is it something you don't can?Singleton Mosby said:I made them all myself indeed. And maybe I will one day become some sort of artist. Whom knows
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The path of the future
The but of a rifle buried itself deep between Rudolf's shoulders and made him scramble for his feet once again. ”Don't push, I can walk myself.” Rudolf knew he should not have said it as he received another crushing blow on his right shoulder blade. It had been bruised already but this time he was sure it would turn black or maybe even purple. The sting and pulsation of the bruises was trying him. Next to that he had not eaten for over twenty four hours and only 'drank' a few handfuls of snow. 'We are almost there' they had told him time and again but every time he had to drag himself, chained feet and hands bound on his back, up another hill. Panting he fell another time, tripped over a loose piece of rock. Before one of the mounted guards was could get to him he was on his feet again and he walked at a stiff pace, hoping to avoid another hit.
”Not much longer now sir.” It was the older of the four, the one whom had practically saved Rudolf's life back when he was captured. But Rudolf did not care anymore, he could not stand the pain and they had to leave him behind once. In peace so he hoped. Thus, he snorted: “that is what you say time and again, we have walked an entire day, where is this damned camp of you, filthy rabble dogs.” Expecting a blow on the back of his head the only thing he received was a smirk. If this man had not been their commander he would have died hours ago. But, apparently someone named, 'the Colonel' needed men. And thus he was still alive. ”We are there within the hour. And I think you will even like it once we are at the camp.” Rudolf looked at the proud man, sitting straight in the saddle. His hair had once been brown but it was now gray, almost white on some spots. He did not answer and stared at the ground instead. The snow had melted this morning as the sun had been able to puncture the low lying clouds.
The group crossed a corner in the path, went uphill for a few moments and then left the thick forest to look into a deep valley, down below they could see a few wooden buildings which had once been a miner camp. Small persons, men, women and children where walking around, washing, mending the horses. Further down the road smoke appeared from behind the trees. Another part of the camp must be there, this was big. Rudolf estimated its size at something between a 1,500 and 3,000 men village. This Colonel was really running an army, no, a nation.
As they walked downhill, towards the camp the elder man bowed down from his horse, silently talking to Rudolf. ”The Colonel should want to see you as soon as we are there, he always wants when we found some new recruit. I will ask you to behave. Behave and everything will be all right. Look, I have lost some valuable men over the last few weeks and I could use some good fighters in my platoon. You could be one of those good fighters, I have seen your handiwork and I admire it. Most of my man will easily die in a one on one encounter with you, no doubt about it. So, please be kind to 'the Colonel' and I will make sure your kid is threated as a guest in stead of cattle. Do we understand each other. Do you understand I am offering you a bright new future, a new start?” Rudolf knew he could not reply sarcastically now, he had to answer in the right way if it was only for the sake of his beloved boy, Jeremiah. And so he nodded his head in approval, he would behave himself and his son would be threated as a guest.
1500-3000 is considered a nation! things must be really bleak...hmm...a new start...
It is better then nothing, with the hard times the world has fallen upon, anything organized is a nation.lifeless said:
it does not look like this 'nation' will have the medical treatment that Rudolf will need...Singleton Mosby said:
even so, all is not lost.
awesome! ! ! !
So Rudolf will soon meet the Colonel that will be very interesting. My guess is he will be forced to take party of the colonel’s army and maybe the boy will become a soldier as well. Good update, I am looking forward to the next one
I wonder what kind of society it would be.
Religious fanatics?
Sadistic dictatorship?
Diehard military faction?
Hippie commune?
Religious fanatics?
Sadistic dictatorship?
Diehard military faction?
Hippie commune?
Lurken said:
Righty indeed.
At the moment the whole world is devided into small waring factions. A bit like the warlords of Afghanistan but then on a smaller scale. This 'community' is actually one of the larger one around. Most of the groups are fortress-like farming communities which try to protect themselves by 'fielding'a few dozen men to protect themselves from being raided or whiped out. One layer above those farm-fortresses are the warlords. Men, like the colonel, leading a small army and terrorzing all around into submission. Those farmers have to pay taxes in order to be protected as well as send their first born son to serve in the army.
These armies are the new government and there are hundreds of them, most of them not controling more then a county but some controlling a few. the state of Oregon, for example is 'ruled' for almost three quarters by a single warlord.
Warfare is savage, beyond savage, there are no compromisses.
In this setting we will continue our journey. Rudolf and Jeremiah will be followed troughout their first months at the colonels 'catpial' and, we will also look back at the pre-post-apoc world, the world of aliens and X-com. Next to that we will see what is left of the 'alien menace' and I can assure you, you will be surprised
.On the pictures, as you might have seen I have ran a bit out of steam, I do not have very much inspiration at the moment, I am sure it will come as things like that come in waves
. If such a wave breaks I will spit out a few new pics, until then I hope you are satisfied with the pics I use to illustrate the story now. (for some different pics look at my other AAr )And...thanks for all the suppport!
warfare has always been savage, with some types 'beyond savage'. this, however, is probably beyond 'beyond savage'. the really bad (and, sad) thing about this aspect of the story is that cooperation is what is needed to raise the standard of living for all.Singleton Mosby said:
as for the pictures, just remember that genius cannot be forced!
so, sit back, relax and lets all of us enjoy the ride!
Actually imho the only ruling style that can effectivly work in a post-apocalyptic world is the diehard military faction. Atleast to a start. Give it some time and it might evolve to something better. But with the short timescale that has passed...the only option is the despotic rule.
Lurken said:
In my story some democratic movements will try to 'swim the current of violence of the despots'. You will see them soon, very soon. I had planned to install the next post this evening but I left the pic I made at work and so it will have to wait till tomorrow.
Ahh....some idealists did survive...looking forward to how they might show themselves as, and how the powers that is, will counter them.Singleton Mosby said:In my story some democratic movements will try to 'swim the current of violence of the despots'. You will see them soon, very soon. I had planned to install the next post this evening but I left the pic I made at work and so it will have to wait till tomorrow.
Becomming a 'rider'
Rudolf knocked on the door of one of the wooden barracks buildings, it was the smaller one. He had come to visit his son, Jeremiah. They had not seen each other for three full days, ever since they had arrived at the 'Bear-pit', capital of the 'Colonels' very own kingdom. An old lady, clothed in a pale blue, flowered dress opened the door with a smile. ”Ah, you must be Rudolf! Your son told us everything about you. About your heroics and how you have been a general before the day of the reconning. You must be some man I say. How is your wound healing? I recognized you because of it, Jeremiah told me about it. He is such a fine little lad, ain't he?' While the elder women jabbered on about everything she had heard Rudolf was startled. He, a general. The 'day of the re conning. What on earth was she talking about?
After some five minutes of chit-chat besides and opened door Rudolf gently pushed the woman aside and put his left foot into the barracks. ”Where can I find my son? Is he is alright?” The woman was quick to answer, ”He is fine, getting used to this place and the work he has to do. Not even that bad, he has to mend a set of horses and some of the weapons of the men. You have some good connections with the bosses.”
'Jeb', Rudolf's brand new overlord, the graying man whom had saved his sorry ass back up the mountain had made sure Rudolf could become one of the 'riders'. He was issued a one-shot rifle and a 'bowie-knife'. Nothing more, nothing less. He was now one of them but had to prove himself, he was only one of them on a provisional basis. Now, he had come to his son to say good bye for at least four days. 'Jeb', one of the 'Colonels' lieutenants would take him and four other 'riders' for a tour of the Pit river valley all the way up to the outskirts of Redding. Here on the very border of the 'Colonel's' kingdom we would try to persuade some folks occupying a fortress farm to become part of the kingdom and pledge fealty to the Colonel.
Jeremiah was sleeping and this was not surprising to Rudolf as it was the middle of the night. And, above all, the boy had worked hard all day. At first Rudolf had felt like a complete prisoner and a slave at the same time. But, as the urge to run from danger had gone since they had arrived he did not think too bad of it. Off course there where some problems, he did not like not to be able to see his son. But, that could be arranged once 'Jeb' had told him. Once he had shown the Colonel he could return the trust put into him he could see his son, until then he would be some sort of a hostage. Rudolf shook his little boys shoulder and then kissed the boy on his cheek. ”I am here, Jeremiah, it is me.” He only whispered but it was enough to wake his son.
After carousing his hair with a few strokes he took something out of his pocket, it was an old ID-card, from before the war. He gave it to his son and made sure the boys hands gripped it tight.
”It is the only thing I got left from your mother, it was her ID-card from back at the X-com force. We met each other over there. I will tell you everything once I will return but first I have to go for a little ride. I will be back in some four days or so.” Jeremiah looked at the fade photograph on the plastic card, it was the first time he saw the face of his mother and a tear appeared from his eye. ”Make sure you will come back dad. I can not do without you, I need you.” The two of them hugged. Rudolf kissed his son goodbye and then he left asking the woman to take care of his boy.
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excellent work with that card! ! ! it is really nice! ! !Singleton Mosby said:
excellent update! ! !
I am in the pre-stages of crying after reading the last paragraph...darn that was good!
Excellent update, man! I'm still sad that Rudoplh has to work as a slave soldier to this darned colonel so that Jeremiah is allowed to live... but let's see if things take a turn for the unexpected.
I wonder, also, now that they are captive of this kingdom, is it the end of the X-COM chapters and of the would-be expedition to the crash sites and vault?
I wonder, also, now that they are captive of this kingdom, is it the end of the X-COM chapters and of the would-be expedition to the crash sites and vault?
Impressive update, great work with the card. I wonder if Rudolf will survive and do well on this mission, and what he will tell us of his time in X-Com. Maybe we will even get to know what happened to Jeremiah’s mother…