As I stood sipping a cup of green tea in the middle of the night, sitting on my porch and looking into the swamp beyond my house, sickly lights began to dance and flash in front of my eyes. I remembered my grandmother’s warning about the corpse lights.
“Teddie,” she said to me, sitting on the same porch twenty years earlier, smoking a cigarette and drinking a glass of wine, “do you see those lights? The ones that stay close to the ground, change colors and disappear or reappear constantly?” My small five-year-old self nodded.
“Yes, Grammie,” I said. “They’re pretty.” She nodded at this, taking another long drag off of her cigarette.
“Yes, they sure are,” she said gravely. “They’re also dangerous. You should never go into those woods at night, but especially when those lights are there. Where I’m from, we call them corpse lights. It means the fae are nearby. They like to hide behind the lights.” I nodded quietly at this. She had told me about the fae, how they sometimes kidnapped children and took them to their underground lairs, never to be seen again. She didn’t tell me what the fae did to those children, or why they wanted children at all. She simply said they were not to be trusted and that I should always avoid areas where they frequented, especially at nighttime.
“There are lots of fae haunting grounds near here,” she said to me. “It has been that way since before the Europeans settled this land centuries ago. The Native Americans used to consider that swamp sacred ground.”
But now I was an adult, and moreover, I was curious. I had looked up the scientific explanations for these lights that appeared and disappeared in flashes all over the forest and swamp, showing up in blue, green, red or white flashes that shimmered and vibrated. Supposedly it had something to do with the decomposition of plant matter and the resulting gasses that appeared. People had been seeing them for thousands of years, calling them by many names.
As I sat there, thinking about Grammie Greylock, who had died just a few years earlier, the old-style TV on the porch changed from some sitcom with too much fake laughter into the nightly news. A pretty young reporter sat at a desk, staring into the camera.
“And we start with some breaking news: the latest victim of the Westland Ripper was found today. Police say a woman in her thirties was found sexually assaulted and tortured to death by her father, who later told police he hadn’t heard from her in a week. This latest murder brings the known number of victims up to twelve. With us, we have Special Agent Ellis of the FBI. What can you tell us about this serial killer and the investigations?” The nondescript agent appeared on the screen, speaking deadpan into the camera.
“Well, unlike most known serial killers, this suspect targets both males and females. He is an equal opportunity killer. And he is extremely organized, planning his crimes in meticulous detail before…” I shut the TV off, rising and stretching out my arms and back. The news was always so depressing, and the latest crime had happened only a twenty minute drive from where I live, which made it even worse. My attention returned to those floating lights behind my house.
I got up out of my chair, chugging the last of my green tea quickly, and went inside to grab a flashlight. Without a second thought, I walked out towards the trail that wound its way through the swamp and deep into the forest.
At first, it was just a beautiful night hike. The stars were bright overhead, as there was no light pollution for miles in any direction. The moon looked nearly full, and my light caught many bats flashing through the trees, hunting bugs and squeaking in their eerie way.
Then I heard something that didn’t sound like any animal I had ever heard. It was a deafening screaming noise, but it wasn’t a fox or a fisher cat. I knew the cries of both of those animals, having heard them frequently living out here in the country. This was a sound like a woman overcome by the deepest grief, like the wail of a mother who just lost her only child.
“Hello?” I called into the darkness. The corpse lights began to drift towards me, floating a few inches off the ground and shimmering with colors. I stopped, an eerie creeping feeling coming over me. I immediately turned around and tried to walk back home as fast as I could.
But within a few feet of walking, the corpse lights started to cover the trail, smaller ones seeming to congeal into larger bubbles of flashing light. I saw flashes within, as if tiny bolts of lightning were flicking across the clouds.
Hesitating, taking a deep breath in, I put my right hand into the corpse light, the white shimmering seeming to lessen for a moment as I touched its surface. And then I could see every vein, artery and capillary in my entire hand.
Shrieking, I pulled it back out, looking down. My skin was back and my hand seemed totally fine. But my heart was still beating fast, and I felt eyes all over me.
“What in the hell was that?” I whispered to myself, regretting ever stepping foot in the woods.
I stared deeper into the corpse lights, and realized the surface looked like it was zooming into itself- as if it were a fractal image. I saw the same sparks of lightning arranged in the same way over and over as it moved faster, the white light on the outside shimmering as it moved towards the center.
And then a naked, sickly-looking woman stepped out of it, breaking my hypnosis instantly. At least, I thought it was a woman, until I looked at her face.
Her face was melting off, like candle wax. It deformed, beads of skin dripping off her nose and chin constantly, but it constantly reformed itself. Her eyes would be covered by the constantly shifting skin and muscle, but then reappear again, shining silver in the moonlight.
The body of the thing was thin and emaciated, looking like a cancer patient in the last days of life. I could see every single rib, and her hip bones stuck out over legs that looked like twigs.
But her hair was somehow the most disturbing part. It was stringy, black, and clotted together with what looked like blood. Drips of black fluid and dozens of writhing maggots constantly fell off the ends of each clump of hair, which was so long it reached nearly to her knees, being the only covering on her diseased-looking body.
Time seemed to slow down, and in a moment, I flashed back to a conversation I had with my grandmother.
***
“Never run from a fae,” she said as we sat on the back porch in the afternoon sunlight. “They will tear you apart. When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me the same thing, and it saved my life. I accidentally stumbled into one as a teenager.” I tried to think of her as a teenager, but my mind failed completely. I had always known her as a sweet, old woman. “And like my grandmother told me, you grab it, hug it as tight as you can, and it will hug you back.” I giggled at this, thinking of hugging a fairy. She smiled down at me.
“It’s not like a real hug, though,” she continued. “It’s like you’re hugging it with your mind, and its mind hugs you back. And it will take you someplace else, and if you keep hugging it long enough, it will be under your power. The fae cannot lie. You can even tell it to come to you if you ever need it, though I don’t recommend it. When it comes, it won’t be under your power any longer- it will be free, and it will be angrier and stronger than ever.”
“Why can’t they lie, Grammie?” I asked, snuggling closer to her on the bench, feeling her warm, comforting presence next to me. She shrugged.
“They worship the truth, live in the truth,” she said. “It’s like their religion. They don’t worship God, but they worship power, life and death and sometimes, evil. All those things spring from the truth- they have existed since the beginning of time. The fae cannot think except through that which has always existed, so it limits them and their minds.”
I shuddered, my small, five-year-old mind trying to comprehend it- and failing. I just hoped I would never run into one.
***
Trembling, a sickly sweet sweat starting to pop out all over my body as my adrenaline soared, I ran forward, arms out. I grabbed the thing across the chest, but part of me knew I was not grabbing it with my physical body at all. It was more like my mind wrapped around its heart. Its mouth widened into an O that took over most of its melting face, its silver eyes widened, and then I was out of my body completely.
We were descending through the ground together. I smelled the grass and leaves as we rushed through them like ghosts, and then we entered the dirt underneath. The corpse lights had expanded to become the entire world around us as we sped faster, forever going straight downwards. It felt as if I were descending through some gas giant, Jupiter or Saturn maybe. Multi-colored, thick gasses swirled all around us, huge lightning bolts sending white light shooting out in all directions, yet making no sound.
The melting face of the woman grinned up at me, lengthening fangs showing underneath the waxy dripping of her skin. I smiled back, even though inside I was terrified, and even thought I might die of a heart attack if this went on too long. I tightened my mind around her, seeing it like a rope twisting around her bony, naked chest, and I saw her grin turn into a grimace. She did the same back at me, and I felt my chest tightening, a suffocating feeling overtaking me. I couldn’t breathe, but the more anxiety and fear I felt, the more I kept tightening my consciousness around her body.
“Stop that,” she said in my mind, speaking telepathically instead of physically, her real mouth now opened into a silent scream. “You’re hurting me. You’re killing me. Release me now.”
“No,” I grunted through the suffocating tightness. “Not until you give up.”
“Release me, or I will drop you down here,” she responded, now yelling in my mind, sending all other thoughts scattering like scared fish in a pond. The corpse lights had begun to clear, and we were in some horrific landscape, deep under the Earth.
All around us, massive leeches crawled, ten feet long. Tortured beings of all kinds tried to run, but their tormentors were too fast. Some had massive holes on their chests and back and faces, clotted gore running out, but they healed again, and new swarms of leeches slithered over and lunged at them in turn.
Out of the ponds and lakes all around us, black water hid eldritch monstrosities underneath. But tentacles flew out anytime anyone ran too close to the water, fanged suckers ripping through the victims’ flesh, dragging them upside down and plunging them into the water. The echoing of the screams and the splashing of the water resounded back and forth across the light brown stones of the caverns, soft light spilling out from the rocks themselves. I saw other fae like the woman standing here and there, some of them sleeping in small nooks dug out in the cave walls, others helping to torment the beings and laughing about it as they did so.
“You… cannot…” I said through gritted teeth. She could not drop me unless I let go first. I felt her will beginning to give.
“I’m dying,” her voice screamed in my mind. “You’re killing me!”
“Then give up,” I whispered, though I also felt close to death. My vision was beginning to turn black, my head bursting with pain.
“I release you,” her voice said, and the pain was gone instantly. I kept hold on her for a few more seconds.
“Do you promise to do what I ask if I let go?” I said.
“Yes!” her voice said in my head, and I released her. Floating, I fell back a few inches, taking in deep, sweet breaths, my vision returning to normal, my heart no longer so tight it felt like a fist was closing over it.
“First, what is your name?” I gasped.
“My name is Lilin,” she said, her face melting faster, her eyes blazing with hatred and fury. Out of nowhere, an idea came to me- a dangerous one, but my instincts told me to go with it.
“OK, Lilin. Mine is Teddie. When I say ‘Come to me now, Lilin’ in the future, you will come.” She nodded, her eyes seeming to smile now, the look of hatred receding from her face.
“Yes, when you say, ‘Come to me now, Lilin,’ I will come.” Her voice sounded so spiteful and full of hate that I flinched slightly when she sent this message out.
“Now bring me back up!” I said, feeling relieved to have survived and not gotten stuck in this underground Hell on Earth. I drew close to her again, wrapping my mind around hers, seeing my mind’s projection of arms wrap around her strange, sickly body, and within moments, we were back in the dark woods. I was standing in my body at the same spot that I had been when I first saw her, hyperventilating as I swayed unsteadily on my feet.
“Get out of these woods,” she whispered in a low, demonic voice, “and the next time I see you, I will kill you.”
I walked out of there, pouring myself a huge glass of whiskey when I got home. But I still didn’t sleep that night. I was afraid of what I would see if I did. My hands were trembling so badly that, when I poured myself the fourth glass of whiskey around dawn, I dropped the entire bottle, seeing it shatter all over the porch.
***
A few weeks passed, and I began to wonder whether I had imagined the entire thing, maybe while sleepwalking or during some strange, isolated seizure event. After all, every day that passed made the encounter seem more and more like a dream.
The night that I saw Lilin again, I had just gotten home from work. I felt exhausted. It was Friday, and I just wanted to lay down and catch up on my sleep. I fell down heavily on the bed, and I was out almost instantly.
My dream was bizarre. I kept seeing that fae woman from the forest, her face dripping off the bones. When all the flesh was gone and puddled on the floor at her feet, she smiled at me, just a skull, and pointed up at the sky.
I looked up and saw a symbol I had never seen before- it looked like a backwards silver-colored seven with a diagonal slash through it, surrounded by a glowing white circle.
“Soon, I will be free,” she said to me, her skull chattering out of sync with the words, yet her voice still coming through loudly and clearly. “That symbol will guarantee it. And I will never stop hunting you until we are even.”
A crash brought me back to waking life. I sat up in my bed, looking at the alarm clock. 11:47 AM.
I heard footsteps crunching on broken glass in the kitchen. A few seconds later, a man with an executioner’s hood over his head walked calmly into my bedroom. On his forehead, he had painted the same symbol I had seen in my dream- the backwards seven with the circle around it. In his hand, he had an old-looking revolver, which he pointed directly at my face.
“Freeze, maggot,” he said, a tone of mirth in his voice.
“Who are you? What do you want?” I asked, now wide awake and frozen in terror.
“Well, the news calls me the Westland Ripper,” he said, giggling an insane, high-pitched laugh. “I guess it is as good a name as any.”
“Get the fuck out of my house,” I said coldly. He pulled the gun back, pistol whipping me across the jaw. I felt something in it give, my mouth filling with the warm taste of blood. I spit out a tooth.
“Why? What are you going to do about it?
“Now you’re going to be a good boy,” he said, his voice now as emotionless as a robot’s. “I’m going to tie you up, unless you want me to shoot your dick off first. Try anything, and that will be the result.” He pointed the gun at my crotch to emphasize his point, and then proceeded to pull out a coil of thick rope from his back pocket.
Though I rarely watched TV, even I had heard about the Westland Ripper. He had injected corrosive acids into the flesh of some of his victims, burned others alive, and the FBI allegedly believed he had killed dozens of people above and beyond his official body count. Not only was he a serial killer, but an extremely sadistic torturer.
I knew if he got me tied up, that would be the end of me. I did the only thing I could think of.
“Come to me now, Lilin!” I screamed, my broken, swelling jaw muffling my words slightly. I spit out small droplets of blood as I yelled. The killer raised his gun to pistol-whip me across the face again, but he never got a chance to bring it down.
The entire room filled with the corpse lights in an instant. Flashes of light shone on the insane, melting face of Lilin as she materialized behind the intruder, grabbing his gun arm and forcing it up higher with her bony, claw-like fingers.
In a flash, her mouth opened wide, and she bit into his armpit. Shaking her head from side to side like a rabid dog, she ripped off a huge chunk of skin and muscle. He was screaming now, blood pouring down his all-black outfit.
As she ate him alive, I got out of bed, sprinting out to my car. The screams of the man followed me, growing more and more desperate. When I reached the threshold of the front door, Lilin’s voice echoed in my mind.
“Where are you going, friend?” she asked in a mirthful voice. “I’m not done with you yet. You can run, but you can’t hide.” I pulled my phone out to call 911 and report the armed intruder, driving out of that town well above the speed limit.
The police only found a mess of gore in my bedroom when they arrived, an eyeball in one corner, a finger under the bed, and so on. Most of the body was just gone.
I never returned to that town. I sold my grandmother’s house that I had inherited, using the money to leave the state entirely. But I don’t think that will keep me safe.
Lilin isn’t gone. Despite moving three hundred miles away, I just looked out the window.
Under the streetlight outside, I saw the silhouette of a naked, emaciated woman with long, black hair.

What’s sweet, long, and 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units of fiery hot? That’s right baby, it’s tonight’s episode of Blitz! From last week’s Aether, we take a trip down to the pits of Hell with an absolutely searing card that’ll leave you sore from all the frenzied chanting as we hit up the famed Hodges’s Gymnasium in Raleigh, North Carolina, belonging to the mentor of our one and only Joshua Epps! With the killer main event that is in place, Death to Juniors will surely be appreciative of fighting on their own home turf, but don’t let that distract you from the 16 other fabulous talents in the running. Looking for a way to cooldown after the show? Hit up our latest stock of JOHN Bombs – the bath bombs that’ll peel all your worries off your skin! With grand matches and sizzling returns ahead of us, let’s dive right into the lava pool!
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Non-Title: FBE World Heavyweight Champion Inferno vs Sebastian King
The issues between the FBE World Heavyweight Champion and the youth have been a hot topic in recent months, bleeding into the headlines with his initial attack on current PROVINCE Leader T.M Imran. Whilst they’ve had two intensely personal matches since, a lot of bad blood still exists between the two sides, and tonight will be looking to take a deeper look at that when Inferno continues his crusade against the Trial Era as he takes on the Duke of Destruction, Sebastian King!
One of the figureheads of this new generation with his Cinderella run alongside Corey Youngblood as Tequila Inc. through last year’s Punish & Crush Tournament, the partnership producing a masterful duology against the reigning Tag Team Champions, and a promising continued rise up the ranks alongside his new stablemates, he’s everything people want to be, and equally everything Baba Blitz wants to hate. One of the better all-rounders this company has seen, Sebastian’s got the tools to go from cooking foetuses inside a Steel Cage to grappling it out on the mat, so when making a welcome return to these holy lands, you best believe he won’t be leaving until Inferno’s door is kicked off its hinges!
Prompt: Rebook ECW Barely Legal (Max 1000 Words)
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B Block: Joey Joey Siwa [0] vs Nate Matthews [0]
Despite a fantastic performance in his first tournament match two weeks ago, Joey Joey Siwa fell narrowly short of his first 2 points, and yet, it’s a defeat that should have his blockmates more concerned for their own safety. Already revealing once what he looks like when reaching his darkest depths, a JJS starved of success is not a JJS one wants to deal with, a pizza cutter primed to slice through anyone that defies him. With the Nebraskan now officially let loose in the wild, there is perhaps but one man who may boast the experience of putting down the world’s deadliest, and that’s his next B Block opponent, Nate Matthews!
Emerging from the plains of Tijuana, the Living Legend’s a product of one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and if his body of work over the last 4 years is anything to go by, he won’t hesitate to gut those standing in his way and bleed them dry. Rounding out the group of guys yet to make their Shining Light League debuts, Nate surely has his eyes on yet another championship and tournament win, but if Siwa has anything to say about it, it's going to be a bumpy ride to the top!
Prompt: Book Dragon Lee's NXT run (Max 1000 Words)
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Mark Steel vs Ferdinand Maxim
Fresh off a career highlight win last week, Mark Steel continues to stun the world with his ability to pull one off in a pinch, proving exactly why you should never count anyone out when Pure Rules are in effect. Blitz taking place around parts he’s rather familiar with himself, the Death to Juniors member has made a special request to wrestle on home territory to stay hot ahead of his final two block matches, so leave it up to none other than a returning Ferdinand Maxim to answer that challenge! A somewhat precursor of sorts to Steel with his time as part of the famed Collective, the Wild Wester is exactly the type of fella that Mark’s agenda wants a piece of, his Junior Heavyweight stylings meaning the guillotine is primed and ready. With a much lengthier tenure to his name though, experience lies in Le Prince de Paris’s corner, so expect nothing short of an interesting battle between two proud representatives of contrasting generations!
Prompt: Book FTR's WWE return if they lose to The Gunns (Max 1000 Words)
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D Block: Erick Koeman [0] vs Kentaro Sakamoto [0]
Even after just one night of it, D Block’s been nothing short of wildly competitive, in part owed to the level of talent brimming from all 5 of its components. It’s also been a prime location for faction warfare, everyone repping a different allegiance in the fight, adamant to bring home the trophy to their group. When it comes to Erick Koeman and Kentaro Sakamoto, one of each shimmering example from PROVINCE and PROSPECT respectively are tossed into the middle for a battle of supremacy between the leading ‘P’ factions of recent times, a truckload of pride riding on this one. El Cráneo has a lot on his plate at the moment, having to balance the Punish & Crush Tournament with the Shining Light League, which could potentially leave him stretched just thin enough for the Flying Dutchman to blow him out the water, though leave it to a hitman to fire two bullets at once, tonight about to prove whether his aim is as true as is to be believed!
Prompt: Rebook Jay White in IMPACT (Max 1000 Words)
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B Block: Hunter Maguire [2] vs FBE World Tag Team Champion Capital STEEZ [2]
Perhaps the most important match of the tournament thus far is the one up next as for the first time, two competitors with wins under their belt collide, making this a battle for the top of B Block! No shortage of history between Death to Juniors and Capital STEEZ, their animosities dating back to the Anniversary Show when King Capital teamed with surprising ally “Godfather of Pure Rules” Atlas Rogue against Hunter Maguire and Joshua Epps in winning effort, those issues were only punctuated last week as DTJ’s Misery stunned the FBE World Tag Team Champion in an upset, bringing his 2023 record against the group to 1-1. Fighting in their very home grounds here, there’s no better place for STEEZ to deliver a chilly helping of revenge, but when made to be a relative fish out of water, the burning question on everyone’s minds is whether Maguire knows something about this place that STEEZ doesn’t, Hunter’s cunning a massive asset to him here as traps lay abound!
Prompt: Rebook Edge and Christian's 2001 Rivalry (Max 1000 Words)
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ICON vs Happy
When the Pure Division was initially launched almost a year ago, one man that came calling back to participate was the Aviator himself, ICON, managing to net a shot at the throne in his short time here. One of the more accomplished to set foot in FBE, picking up the Television, World Tag Team, and Junior Heavyweight Championships in rapid succession back in the day, he’s fought for every active championship and each time given every champion a match they’ll never forget. But for a competitor like him, that’s not enough. Making his full-time return to Blitz action tonight, he’s got the Pure Championship on his mind, and he’ll stop at nothing to make it his!
But what lies ahead is perhaps the toughest possible first match back as standing in his way is a competitor that’s proven his efficacy under this ruleset many a time – Happy! A true Trial Era pillar, the Clown was the first of his batch to win the World Heavyweight Championship, that too as his first title in the company, which hasn’t been done since the first champion was crowned in FBE. Competing at an unmatched level throughout 2022, even main eventing BTE, he’s the perfect candidate to test what ICON still has in the tank after a lengthy hiatus whilst proving 2022 was just the beginning of what we’ll see from the monster that resides under your bed!
Prompt: Book the RAW after WrestleMania 39 (Max 1000 Words)
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D Block: Joshua Epps [2] vs FBE Junior Heavyweight Champion Misery [0]
One of the more exciting times in the year is when two factions go head-to-head with all their manpower to quell the debate of which one is undisputedly better. What’s arguably even more thrilling though are the rarer instances in which two members of the same fight are forced to put their friendship aside in their respective quests for championships. For Death to Juniors, that’s no unfamiliar situation, last year’s Gedo Classic Finals seeing Misery and Hunter Maguire come to blows over the vacant FBE Junior Heavyweight Championship in one of the division’s standout matches that year. By that merit, what’s to come between Joshua Epps and Misery right here can only be anticipated as something very, very special.
Both on unquestionably killer (pun intended) runs, God’s Greatest Athlete recording a recent brilliant Television Championship reign and continually being a standout fixture here on Blitz as seen with his fantastic performance in last week’s main event, and Misery mere days away from the breaking the title reign length record with her Junior Title, ruling over the division with an iron fist whilst proving herself just as competent under Pure Rules given her godly win in last week’s opener, there’s no doubt that something special is to go down here between the two. And fighting in front of Pop Hodges himself, expect no punches to be pulled between great allies but perhaps even better foes as both look to impress the legend in what’s surely to be an exhilarating showdown between DTJ’s leading members!
Prompt: Book Josh Alexander's return from injury (Max 1000 Words)
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Bookings are due on April 3rd at 11PM EST, so don’t forget to submit timely and/or report any issues with prompts and deadlines before then. But until then, keep up the fantastic work lads. Pure rules.

Expedition report from RG-5
Area of recon: Shore of Meilume due east of Galdush
Report carried out by Lieutenant Eric Ross
Report states: RG-5 has encountered an elven outpost on its way to the shore. The purpose of these outposts is to act as checkpoints for the Imperial army as well as to maintain surveillance within an area. The outpost encountered by RG-5 had thirty soldiers guarding it. RG-5 attempted peaceful contact, however, the elves engaged and RG-5 retaliated. All enemies have been neutralized and RG-5 has suffered no casualties and the outpost has been searched. Upon reaching the shore, RG-5 made peaceful contact with a local fishing village. They helped in local affairs, such as hunting down several feral welfen and repairing their equipment. In return, the locals gave them information on the coast south of the North Alston river. There are seven villages between the river and the Alston kingdom border and three more north of the river, which make up the fishing community of the southeast coast of the empire. The southeast coast and shore are patrolled by the Imperial third fleet with its center in the port city of Cheemo. Further information is required.
Other news: The airstrip has been finalized and drones have been sent to various locations. New findings include the official location of the river city Kuruk to the north and Imperial fort Mundus to the west. A large cluster of Imperial soldiers has been seen gathering on the opposite side of the North Alston river. Numbers count between one hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand, including auxiliary troops. No signs of any movement south of the river. Will continue to observe. The CIA has been able to establish a network in the Meilume capital and the leading agent, Edward Garcia, has confirmed that the nobility is attempting to flee the area. RG-3 is advised to speed up. As for the city itself, the population is estimated to be roughly six hundred thousand with fortifications and a force of ten thousand soldiers. No elements of any Imperial spy network have been discovered.
28th day of late yellow season, 3000th cycle
Meilume capital, Empire of light
General Laeroth's words reached the nobility of Meilume and they heed its instructions. Lord Bellon Belus rushed his family and the guard commander followed. Servants carried bags and soldiers formed a formation to escort them to Una, where they will meet with the army that will bring them to the other side of the river and then to the city of Imslone. Bellon was always a father and husband first, and lord second. Nearly two hundred thousand soldiers were slaughtered in less than a moon cycle. That was proof enough that he needed to leave the capital and save his family. Abandoning his city in the face of the enemy was an act of cowardice, often severely punished, but he would take any punishment for those he loved. He would not be like his father.
Bellon walked through the halls and double-checked every room. "Hurry up! Leave anything not of use! Leave the valuables, they are only dead weight!"
"Bellon!", a woman called him.
"Nimriel.", he said.
"Must we leave? This has been our home for cycles. And our family's home for far longer. Leaving it is-"
"It is the only way. The only way for us to live. We must, Nimriel. If we do not, the enemy will take us."
"But Bellon-"
"Think of our daughter, Nimriel. Think of Taria. What if those barbarians breach the walls? After they're done with the peasants, do you believe they will spare us? I will not allow such a thing to happen."
And speaking of the devil, Taria appeared from the corner, wearing a battle uniform with a sword sheathed on her left hip and holding a helmet in her right hand. "I am ready father."
Bellon couldn't say he was shocked too much. Since she was little she used to sneak into the courtyard and train with the guard commander. He knew and let her do what she wanted. It made her happy. But this was uncalled for.
"Stop fooling around Taria.", Bellon said, "This is a serious matter."
"Then take me seriously!", Taria responded, "The enemy is coming and I must be ready."
"You are not staying. You are coming with us to Imslone."
"I am not. I will not commit an act of cowardice and leave my post."
"Your post is beside me. I am your father!"
"I am not a little girl anymore! I have trained with Aego for over a hundred cycles! I am ready!"
"This enemy destroyed two armies and bested two generals! We stand no chance! Our only choice is to flee as far as we can and let the armies deal with them. The best we can hope to do is slow them down."
"You dare doubt our guard like that, father! These soldiers are just as strong as those of the Imperial army and our walls have held off the Rosians and ferals! We can-"
"Do you not hear me you stupid girl!", Bellon's voice boomed through the walls and made the servants and guards stop in their tracks, "I do not care for your illusions! The enemy is real! Wars are bloody and repulsive and not a place for you! You are the daughter of a lord! You are the heir to Meilume and a member of the Belus family! You will cease this foolishness at once and act accordingly!"
This was the loudest Bellon ever had to shout. He could feel his throat hurting. Taria could only feel tears falling down her cheeks as she lowered her head in shame. In truth, she just wanted to prove she was as capable as she claimed. That despite being a girl she could live in the world of men. But her dreams would have to wait. Bellon groaned and shook his head as he kept walking down the hall. Nimriel hugged her daughter and tried to reassure her everything will be alright, but her words fell on deaf ears.
As Nimriel left, someone else walked over to Taria from behind. As he placed his hand on her shoulder, Taria turned around and saw a man she thought of as her second father. "Aego.", she said through tears.
"Do not be saddened, my lady.", he said as he wiped her tears, "Your father said what he said because he cares. You are his only daughter, more valuable to him than this entire world. He only wants what is best for you. And right now, the best for you is to go to Imslone."
"B-But the enemy. What will you do?"
"I am coming with you, my lady. I left my first captain in charge. He will make sure these otherworlders bleed for this city."
Taria hugged him, still shedding tears, "Thank you Aego. Thank you."
Aego hugged her back.
---
29th of June, 2070
Since the Rift Groups programs have been initiated, soldiers all around have been eager to join. Some more than others, some less. But none were as stocked as sergeant Emma Davis. The second youngest member of RG-1, she was nicknamed 'Trigger-finger' for a reason. Great results in the shooting range, but not much else. Still, when she heard the 'Prodigy' was joining she couldn't control herself. Ever since they left for Alston, she's been clinging to Logan like a leach.
"Sir, how many people have you killed?", she asked.
"I lost count.", Logan answered.
"Sir, why have you joined the army?"
"It's a family tradition."
"Sir, have you been shot?"
"Yes."
"Sir, may I see it?"
"No."
"Sir, why did you leave the special forces?"
Logan didn't answer that one.
"Sir-"
"Emma shut up already.", Jacob said.
"Yeah, I think you're getting on the captain's nerves.", Michael said.
Staff sergeant Jacob Brown and corporal Michael Hoilman, Emma's friends since high school and pretty much the only reason she's not in jail. They've stuck by her side, being her big brothers for years, and kind of grown attached to her. It was like having a little sister.
"No I'm not.", Emma said.
"Yes you are.", Jacob said.
"You hold your captain in quite a high regard.", said Krolm, the leanoid, "Why?"
"Are you kidding me?", Emma said, "He's Logan Connors. All of Fort Bragg and the rangers know about him."
"Are rangers perhaps elites in your army?", asked Kai, the welfen.
"We're rangers.", said veteran sniper sergeant Nick Harper aka 'Bullseye', "We're a strike fast group made for quick attacks and quick action. We're not like the rest of the army that fights on the front lines. We fight in forests, towns, cities, forts, you name it. We hit fast, hard, and take care of our mission."
"Hell yeah we do!", shouted corporal Lamar Jones, the 'Heavy gunner'.
"Interesting.", said Clara, the lepian, "So that's why you have us with you. It makes sense, you don't really need us on the front lines when you got your large cannons and these armored carriages."
RG-1 wasn't just a normal group. It was the only group with sixty-six soldiers, a captain, and twice as many vehicles. This made them quite a force and that was necessary since they were being deployed to the border of Alston. After prince Bodin agreed to assist REC he chose three people who would aid him. Gregor Bachwich, son of Herwin Bachwich, the baron of the border town of Afa. He will be important in establishing first contact with the Rosians. Lieutenant Pallius Blazewing, son of Lor Blazewing, a great military figure in the Opherin army. The Opherin kingdom prides itself on great military history, having fought more battles than any Rosian kingdom or duchy in history. And finally, a youngster named Matheo Calo. There was nothing special about him besides being prince Bodin's personal squire. He's been with Bodin for years and the two became more than just prince and servant. Furthermore, Bodin promised Matheo he would bring him back to his mother in Olinor. Prince Bodin himself didn't choose to come along. His reasoning was that he wants to present himself in front of all the kings and dukes when they all gathered together. One more person did come with them. Ambassador Eugene Anderson. Together, they will establish peace. Or war.
Right now they were on their way to Afa, only several more minutes. In the LAV where the tribals were, private first-class Ethan Williams sat, writing in his journal. He was the youngest and newest addition to the group. Fresh off the academy, he graduated to be a sniper and was eager to learn from both Logan and Nick. But something kept him from them. Next to him sat Carla, who kept eyeballing him and his weapon. Ethan was nervous, he wasn't used to girls sitting near him, or even looking at him, and Carla seemed interested.
"What is this weapon?", she asked.
"O-Oh Ummm, this?", he stuttered, "This is a modified and modernized Mk22 ASR sniper rifle. I know there are older models but my granddad taught me how to use this one. It can hit a target from about twenty-two hundred yards away. In your measurements, that's four leagues."
Carla's ears went up, "Amazing! I bet I could hunt a lot of meat with it."
"Well, um. It takes a lot of skill to use it. I could show you, sometime."
"Oh?", Carla raised an eyebrow and moved closer smiling, "I think I would like that.". She purred a little which made Ethan stutter and sweat. Across from them, Lin watched with her arms crossed.
"What?", Carla asked, "Envious?"
"Not at all.", Lin said as she grabbed Lamar's arm, "I prefer strong males.". Lamar opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. He and Ethan just stared at each other.
"Before your boners brake your belts and that LAV becomes hotter than a pizza oven at Papa John's, I wanna let you know we're almost there.", said lieutenant James Wilson over the comms from the leading JLTV3, the most veteran among them, chosen to uphold discipline.
"Thank you.", said Logan.
"They seem to be getting along.", said ambassador Anderson.
"Indeed.", said Gregor, "I must say, you humans are more strange than you are frightening. The way you use words with one meaning for another. And your expressions as well. Definitely not the savages Canus described."
"I'm glad we could prove that to you. And it appears we are about to prove it to the rest of your kingdom.". They were nearly at Afa. This town serves as a fortified stronghold against the empire should they attack. Its walls were tall and thick, with bastion towers and a single entry gate. It would be difficult for the elves to take it.
"The town currently has a thousand soldiers protecting it. It's usually three thousand, but two thousand went with me through the rift. Most likely on the orders of the elves, my father would never allow it."
"Only three thousand?", James asked.
"Three thousand official soldiers, but should the need arise we can recruit militia fighters from the residents. The town itself has a population of eighty thousand."
"That's a lot of people.", Eugene said.
"Yes. Luckily, it is able to support them, even if barely. The elves aren't exactly sharing people."
"That will all change soon."
As the convoy approached the gate, a ballista javelin hit the road in front of them. The city defenders had assembled on the wall and aimed their weapons at them. While the vehicles are armored, the JLTVs have weak spots a javelin can pierce.
"Hold it!", shouted a man on the wall, presumably the commander, "Present yourselves immediately."
"I'll take care of this.", Logan said as he exited the JLTV with his hands raised, "I am Captain Logan Connors of the Rift Expeditionary Corps! We are from Galdush and have come to make peaceful relations with the kingdom of Alston!"
"Why should we listen to you!?"
"If not me, then how about someone more familiar!".
At that moment, Gregor stepped out of the JLTV3 and, to put it mildly, made the defenders' hearts skip a beat. "Commander Barion! It is good to see you!"
Barion couldn't even speak for moments. His young baron was alive. Against all odds, he made it back. "Y-Young baron!", he finally spoke, "You... You live! How!? And what are you doing with the enemy?!"
"I assure you, they are not the enemy! I will explain everything, but first, I need to ask you to open this gate and let these soldiers in!"
Barion hesitated for a moment, "B-But young ba-"
"Commander, do not make me order you!"
He immediately understood, "Open this gate immediately! Let them in! Someone inform the baron!"
The gate opened and the convoy made it in. Luckily, there was enough room to fit all of them in. Barion and his men, as well as the people, could only stare in awe at what was before them. Truly, people from another world. The commander stepped down and greeted them as well as Gregor.
"Young baron, you have a lot of explaining to do.", Barion said.
"All will be explained soon.", Gregor said.
"Gregor!", shouted a little girl as she ran towards him.
"Elora.", Gregor said as he hugged her, "My little sister. It is good to see you.". Behind her came his mother and father, who at first walked slowly with tears in their eyes, not believing it was him.
"My son.", Herwin said as he hugged Gregor, "By the heavens. You live."
"Mother. Father. I have returned. Let me introduce you to someone. This is Lord Ambassador Eugene Anderson from the land of America on the other side of the rift. He is here to represent his country and the humans."
Herwin immediately walked to him and bowed, "I am Baron Herwin Bachwich. Thank you for sparing my son's life. It is an honor to have you here, Lord Anderson."
"The honor is mine baron.", Eugene said, "I hope we will be able to discuss peace with you and your kingdom."
This confused Herwin, "Peace?"
"I have much to tell you father.", Gregor said, "The prince lives."
Completely frozen, Herwin took a few moments to process that before replying, "He lives?"
"Enemies!", shouted a soldier from the wall. Commander Barion and Logan rushed up the wall. Logan grabbed his binoculars and observed the enemy from a distance. They came from a treeline, their camp was behind it, otherwise, RG-1 would have spotted them.
"I count five hundred.", Logan said, "Various races. Elves, Rosians, ferals."
"How?", Barion asked.
"These are binoculars. They allow me to see things from a distance. Try it."
Logan handed the binoculars to Barion, who observed them for a few moments before putting them on his eyes and facing the enemy. "Incredible."
Barion handed them back but Logan refused, "Keep it, I have a spare. I get the elves, but why are your people attacking you?"
"Those bastards aren't our people. They are traitors and thieves who think the kingdom is done for. So they run to the empire and beg them for forgiveness.". He spat in disgust.
"And the elves. They don't look like the army."
"They most likely were. They call themselves rogues, those who stray from their so-called 'Path of light'. Both of these traitors sicken me."
"Then let us help you."
"Why would you help us?"
"If we're gonna be at peace with one another, we have to establish a certain level of trust, don't we?"
Barion pondered for a bit before answering, "Very well. I am eager to see the army that defeated the elves."
Nodding Logan walked to the edge of the wall and faced his men. "Jones, take your men and mount the machine guns! Davis, bring the ammo! Williams, Harper, get to higher ground and shoot anyone that looks important or a large threat! Wilson, take Green and set up the mortar! Move it, they'll be here in minutes!"
RG-1 immediately went to work. Jones and his men carried the machine guns from the trucks and mounted them on the walls, Williams and Harper climbed up the tallest tower they could find and got into position. Wilson set up the 60mm mortar in the town square.
"I think we should get to safety.", Eugene said.
"You are right.", Herwin said, "Follow me."
Logan got into position with his Mk4 SCAR chambered in 7.62mm. "Commander, I need a favor."
"What is it, captain?", Barion asked.
"If these guys fire arrows, we don't have shields to defend ourselves. You think your men can take of that?"
"Certainly. Get the shields ready! Protect their soldiers!". In moments, each ranger had a Rosian soldier behind him or her with a shield ready. It was time to fight.
The horde moved closer and closer. First, they walked and then picked up the pace as they put shields above their heads. Naturally, the ferals ran towards the wall like rabid animals. "Hold!", Logan said as he gripped his gun, "Wait for them to get closer!". There was one elf on a horse swinging his sword and giving commands. Not for long.
"It's all you kid.", Harper said as he watched Williams aim his shot.
Letting out a breath, Williams pulled the trigger and splattered the elf's brain all over the field. "Boom boom motherfucker."
"Weapons free! Light them up!", Logan shouted as the rangers opened fire on the ferals. The freaks fell by the dozens as bullets pierced their chest, heads, legs, and arms and turned them into cold, dead corpses. The mortar fired at the enemies behind them, who stopped in their tracks, clearly confused and terrified. The rangers aimed their weapons at them and started cutting them down.
"Get some, blueberries!", Davis shouted, "Come closer! I dare ya!"
The few dozen that survived retreated back to the trees. The rangers cheered, but the Rosians didn't cheer as much as they stared in awe. Now they see why the elves lost, these people are powerful.
Commander Barion walked to Logan, "Thank you for the assistance. But I doubt this is the last we have seen of them."
"I know.", Logan said, "That's why I'll have one of my guys scout those trees with a drone along with Lin and Clara.". Logan walked down to the two of them, "Scot! Get over here!"
"Coming!", Scot answered. Scot Green aka 'Mechanic', was the group's engineer. He was also their drone pilot. "Yes sir?"
"I need you to pilot the Fly into those tree lines and scout for the enemy.". The SPFD Fly was a small recon drone invented by DARPA to save both room and energy. Solar-powered and long-lasting battery, coupled with its long-range and small size made it a very useful tool to have in recon missions. "Lin, Carla, you two are also going. I need good eyes and ears over there."
"Sure thing, sir.", Lin said saluting the best she could.
"You two do know how to use a radio, right?"
"Of course we do.", Clara said, "We're not idiots."
"Good. Go.". Lin and Carla ran to the trees as Scott maneuvered the Fly.
The baron and his family, along with Ambassador Eugene walked over to the soldiers. The baron was first to speak, "That was... most impressive. But I must ask. Why peace? Surely you seem powerful enough to take the kingdoms by force."
"Because my people aren't barbarians, baron.", Anderson said, "If peace can be made, then we will do anything to make it a reality."
"I see. And the prince? What does he say about this?"
"You can ask him yourself.", Anderson said as he nodded to Logan who signaled his men to set up a desk and a large screen. "With this device, we can talk to the prince and even see him."
"Amazing.", said Herwin as he eagerly awaited to see his prince. After some preparations, the screen was ready and it turned on. The lights slightly startled the Rosians before the screen was clear and on it was prince Bodin himself. "My... My prince.", Herwin said as he knelt, "It is a miracle. You truly live."
"Baron Bachwich.", Bodin spoke, "Please, rise. I am not before you just yet. This is strange for me as well. Am I correct to assume the human soldiers have arrived?"
"Yes, my prince. They recently just helped us crush an attack from a bandit horde."
"Do you then see why I have chosen to make peace with these people?"
After a momentary pause, Herwin nodded, "I do, my prince. It is incredible to see that a nation so powerful is willing to make peace with its enemy and not subdue it."
"We are not their enemy, baron. The elves and their empire are. This is why they chose to make peace with us. They understand we are just vassals forced to fight. I suggest you hear Lord Anderson out."
As they were talking, Scot called for Logan, "Sir. I have a visual."
Logan nodded, "Alright. Commander Barion, would you like to see the enemy?"
"Yes.", Barion answered, "Show me."
Scot pulled up the video feed on his screen, "This is their camp. I count roughly three thousand. Lin and Carla confirm."
"Where are those two?", Logan asked.
"In the trees."
"Call them back and give me the radio.", Logan took the radio, "Galdush base. Come in Galdush base. This is Captain Logan Connors of Rift Group 1. Do you copy? Over."
After a few moments, the radio spoke, "Copy Rift Group 1. Sitrep. Over."
"Galdush, we have made contact with border town Afa. Upon entry, we engaged a third party, designated rogue elves, and bandit Rosians. Half a battalion attacked us but we drove them off. We confirm the enemy numbers in three thousand, various races. What's the status of our air forces? Over."
"Three air squadrons of Invictus ACs and a Boeing Stratofortress is currently being fueled and should be ready in half an hour."
"Galdush I request a tactical bombing run. The area will be marked via drone. How copy?"
The radio went silent for a few moments before speaking again, "Affirmative RG-1. Stratofortress will be up in the air as soon as possible. Make sure to mark the area. Galdush out."
"Copy that Galdush. RG-1 out."
"What was that?", Barion asked.
"You're gonna get another demonstration."
"Captain!", Carla shouted as she ran towards him. "I have eliminated an enemy scout.", she said as she extended a severed head toward Logan.
Logan smacked his lips before replying, "I see. Get rid of it."
"Yes sir.", Carla said as she tossed the head into a nearby pile of trash.
'At least she's helping', Logan thought.
---
(Two hours later)
The bandits and rogues were sitting in their tents, trying to plan an attack. The otherworlders were an unexpected problem, but hopefully a problem they could be dealt with.
"Alright, listen.", said an elf, "We'll strike at night. It didn't work last time because there were too many of them, but I reckon there can't be more than a few dozen of them."
"That doesn't matter.", said a Rosian, "I've seen what that few can do."
"You attacked with five hundred to scout their defenses. You were never supposed to win. Besides, we can use the tribals to deal with them. As we are attacking the front, they will go to the sides and strike."
"Are you sure this will work?"
"Yes. Soon, Afa will be ours."
At that moment, an elf rushed into the tent, "Sir, you must come and see this!"
They left the tent and came to the center of the tent. The one who called them pointed upwards into the sky. There they saw something flying. A wyvern? No, it was too big. Its wings didn't flap. What could it be? As it flew over them, something fell from it. Many egg-like things started falling and as they fell to the ground, they engulfed the camp in fire and shook the earth. In moments, the whole camp was on fire and everyone was either dead or dying. The ground was turned into a burning pile of scorched bodies.
If there were any doubts about the power of the otherwolders left, they were long gone now.
---
(Meanwhile)
Road to Una
The Belus family along with commander Aego and two hundred soldiers were on their way to Una. Taria did not wish to ride with her father and so she rode on a horse alongside Aego. Their hopes were that they would reach Una in several days and then cross the river.
"My lady.", Aego spoke, "Are you certain you should be riding alongside me and not in the carriage?"
"I do not wish to speak to my father.", Taria said, "At least not now."
"I assumed we cleared this matter."
"We have but... I still need time."
Aego sighed, "I understand. Still, you should not hate him for-", he stopped and halted the soldiers.
"What?"
"Something is not as it should be. This outpost is quiet.". The soldiers tensed up. They could also feel that something wasn't right. In a split second, Aego was shot by an arrow in the side.
"Ambush!", Taria yelled out. Suddenly, elves, welfen, and leanoids ran from the sides and the outpost. The soldiers prepared but found themselves overwhelmed by the enemies' numbers. Rogue elves fired arrows at them while welfen and leanoids exploited weaknesses and struck. Still, the soldiers fought hard, making sure the traitors and savages suffer. The enemy numbers were dropping, but not quickly enough. Taria used her training and cut down several rogues before crouching down to help Aego.
"Aego!", she yelled, "Aego hold on! You will live! Please!". She cried as he struggled to breathe. He grabbed her arm and pushed her to the side, just in time for her to dodge a spear from a leanoid. She watched as Aego spat blood before dying, his life leaving his body. In pure rage, she screamed and struck the leanoid in the side. Pulling out her sword she blocked a strike from a rogue, stepped closer, and headbutted him before slitting his throat.
Turning to her left she saw the rogues and tribals dragging her family. "Father!", she yelled, but couldn't help as a rogue hit her in the back of the head, knocking her down on the ground. Her blurred vision faded away as the rogue smiled down at her.
"Sweet dreams, little girl.", was what he said before she passed out completely.
End of chapter 9
​
---
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Expedition report from RG-5
Area of recon: Shore of Meilume due east of Galdush
Report carried out by Lieutenant Eric Ross
Report states: RG-5 has encountered an elven outpost on its way to the shore. The purpose of these outposts is to act as checkpoints for the Imperial army as well as to maintain surveillance within an area. The outpost encountered by RG-5 had thirty soldiers guarding it. RG-5 attempted peaceful contact, however, the elves engaged and RG-5 retaliated. All enemies have been neutralized and RG-5 has suffered no casualties and the outpost has been searched. Upon reaching the shore, RG-5 made peaceful contact with a local fishing village. They helped in local affairs, such as hunting down several feral welfen and repairing their equipment. In return, the locals gave them information on the coast south of the North Alston river. There are seven villages between the river and the Alston kingdom border and three more north of the river, which make up the fishing community of the southeast coast of the empire. The southeast coast and shore are patrolled by the Imperial third fleet with its center in the port city of Cheemo. Further information is required.
Other news: The airstrip has been finalized and drones have been sent to various locations. New findings include the official location of the river city Kuruk to the north and Imperial fort Mundus to the west. A large cluster of Imperial soldiers has been seen gathering on the opposite side of the North Alston river. Numbers count between one hundred and one hundred and fifty thousand, including auxiliary troops. No signs of any movement south of the river. Will continue to observe. The CIA has been able to establish a network in the Meilume capital and the leading agent, Edward Garcia, has confirmed that the nobility is attempting to flee the area. RG-3 is advised to speed up. As for the city itself, the population is estimated to be roughly six hundred thousand with fortifications and a force of ten thousand soldiers. No elements of any Imperial spy network have been discovered.
28th day of late yellow season, 3000th cycle
Meilume capital, Empire of light
General Laeroth's words reached the nobility of Meilume and they heed its instructions. Lord Bellon Belus rushed his family and the guard commander followed. Servants carried bags and soldiers formed a formation to escort them to Una, where they will meet with the army that will bring them to the other side of the river and then to the city of Imslone. Bellon was always a father and husband first, and lord second. Nearly two hundred thousand soldiers were slaughtered in less than a moon cycle. That was proof enough that he needed to leave the capital and save his family. Abandoning his city in the face of the enemy was an act of cowardice, often severely punished, but he would take any punishment for those he loved. He would not be like his father.
Bellon walked through the halls and double-checked every room. "Hurry up! Leave anything not of use! Leave the valuables, they are only dead weight!"
"Bellon!", a woman called him.
"Nimriel.", he said.
"Must we leave? This has been our home for cycles. And our family's home for far longer. Leaving it is-"
"It is the only way. The only way for us to live. We must, Nimriel. If we do not, the enemy will take us."
"But Bellon-"
"Think of our daughter, Nimriel. Think of Taria. What if those barbarians breach the walls? After they're done with the peasants, do you believe they will spare us? I will not allow such a thing to happen."
And speaking of the devil, Taria appeared from the corner, wearing a battle uniform with a sword sheathed on her left hip and holding a helmet in her right hand. "I am ready father."
Bellon couldn't say he was shocked too much. Since she was little she used to sneak into the courtyard and train with the guard commander. He knew and let her do what she wanted. It made her happy. But this was uncalled for.
"Stop fooling around Taria.", Bellon said, "This is a serious matter."
"Then take me seriously!", Taria responded, "The enemy is coming and I must be ready."
"You are not staying. You are coming with us to Imslone."
"I am not. I will not commit an act of cowardice and leave my post."
"Your post is beside me. I am your father!"
"I am not a little girl anymore! I have trained with Aego for over a hundred cycles! I am ready!"
"This enemy destroyed two armies and bested two generals! We stand no chance! Our only choice is to flee as far as we can and let the armies deal with them. The best we can hope to do is slow them down."
"You dare doubt our guard like that, father! These soldiers are just as strong as those of the Imperial army and our walls have held off the Rosians and ferals! We can-"
"Do you not hear me you stupid girl!", Bellon's voice boomed through the walls and made the servants and guards stop in their tracks, "I do not care for your illusions! The enemy is real! Wars are bloody and repulsive and not a place for you! You are the daughter of a lord! You are the heir to Meilume and a member of the Belus family! You will cease this foolishness at once and act accordingly!"
This was the loudest Bellon ever had to shout. He could feel his throat hurting. Taria could only feel tears falling down her cheeks as she lowered her head in shame. In truth, she just wanted to prove she was as capable as she claimed. That despite being a girl she could live in the world of men. But her dreams would have to wait. Bellon groaned and shook his head as he kept walking down the hall. Nimriel hugged her daughter and tried to reassure her everything will be alright, but her words fell on deaf ears.
As Nimriel left, someone else walked over to Taria from behind. As he placed his hand on her shoulder, Taria turned around and saw a man she thought of as her second father. "Aego.", she said through tears.
"Do not be saddened, my lady.", he said as he wiped her tears, "Your father said what he said because he cares. You are his only daughter, more valuable to him than this entire world. He only wants what is best for you. And right now, the best for you is to go to Imslone."
"B-But the enemy. What will you do?"
"I am coming with you, my lady. I left my first captain in charge. He will make sure these otherworlders bleed for this city."
Taria hugged him, still shedding tears, "Thank you Aego. Thank you."
Aego hugged her back.
---
29th of June, 2070
Since the Rift Groups programs have been initiated, soldiers all around have been eager to join. Some more than others, some less. But none were as stocked as sergeant Emma Davis. The second youngest member of RG-1, she was nicknamed 'Trigger-finger' for a reason. Great results in the shooting range, but not much else. Still, when she heard the 'Prodigy' was joining she couldn't control herself. Ever since they left for Alston, she's been clinging to Logan like a leach.
"Sir, how many people have you killed?", she asked.
"I lost count.", Logan answered.
"Sir, why have you joined the army?"
"It's a family tradition."
"Sir, have you been shot?"
"Yes."
"Sir, may I see it?"
"No."
"Sir, why did you leave the special forces?"
Logan didn't answer that one.
"Sir-"
"Emma shut up already.", Jacob said.
"Yeah, I think you're getting on the captain's nerves.", Michael said.
Staff sergeant Jacob Brown and corporal Michael Hoilman, Emma's friends since high school and pretty much the only reason she's not in jail. They've stuck by her side, being her big brothers for years, and kind of grown attached to her. It was like having a little sister.
"No I'm not.", Emma said.
"Yes you are.", Jacob said.
"You hold your captain in quite a high regard.", said Krolm, the leanoid, "Why?"
"Are you kidding me?", Emma said, "He's Logan Connors. All of Fort Bragg and the rangers know about him."
"Are rangers perhaps elites in your army?", asked Kai, the welfen.
"We're rangers.", said veteran sniper sergeant Nick Harper aka 'Bullseye', "We're a strike fast group made for quick attacks and quick action. We're not like the rest of the army that fights on the front lines. We fight in forests, towns, cities, forts, you name it. We hit fast, hard, and take care of our mission."
"Hell yeah we do!", shouted corporal Lamar Jones, the 'Heavy gunner'.
"Interesting.", said Clara, the lepian, "So that's why you have us with you. It makes sense, you don't really need us on the front lines when you got your large cannons and these armored carriages."
RG-1 wasn't just a normal group. It was the only group with sixty-six soldiers, a captain, and twice as many vehicles. This made them quite a force and that was necessary since they were being deployed to the border of Alston. After prince Bodin agreed to assist REC he chose three people who would aid him. Gregor Bachwich, son of Herwin Bachwich, the baron of the border town of Afa. He will be important in establishing first contact with the Rosians. Lieutenant Pallius Blazewing, son of Lor Blazewing, a great military figure in the Opherin army. The Opherin kingdom prides itself on great military history, having fought more battles than any Rosian kingdom or duchy in history. And finally, a youngster named Matheo Calo. There was nothing special about him besides being prince Bodin's personal squire. He's been with Bodin for years and the two became more than just prince and servant. Furthermore, Bodin promised Matheo he would bring him back to his mother in Olinor. Prince Bodin himself didn't choose to come along. His reasoning was that he wants to present himself in front of all the kings and dukes when they all gathered together. One more person did come with them. Ambassador Eugene Anderson. Together, they will establish peace. Or war.
Right now they were on their way to Afa, only several more minutes. In the LAV where the tribals were, private first-class Ethan Williams sat, writing in his journal. He was the youngest and newest addition to the group. Fresh off the academy, he graduated to be a sniper and was eager to learn from both Logan and Nick. But something kept him from them. Next to him sat Carla, who kept eyeballing him and his weapon. Ethan was nervous, he wasn't used to girls sitting near him, or even looking at him, and Carla seemed interested.
"What is this weapon?", she asked.
"O-Oh Ummm, this?", he stuttered, "This is a modified and modernized Mk22 ASR sniper rifle. I know there are older models but my granddad taught me how to use this one. It can hit a target from about twenty-two hundred yards away. In your measurements, that's four leagues."
Carla's ears went up, "Amazing! I bet I could hunt a lot of meat with it."
"Well, um. It takes a lot of skill to use it. I could show you, sometime."
"Oh?", Carla raised an eyebrow and moved closer smiling, "I think I would like that.". She purred a little which made Ethan stutter and sweat. Across from them, Lin watched with her arms crossed.
"What?", Carla asked, "Envious?"
"Not at all.", Lin said as she grabbed Lamar's arm, "I prefer strong males.". Lamar opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. He and Ethan just stared at each other.
"Before your boners brake your belts and that LAV becomes hotter than a pizza oven at Papa John's, I wanna let you know we're almost there.", said lieutenant James Wilson over the comms from the leading JLTV3, the most veteran among them, chosen to uphold discipline.
"Thank you.", said Logan.
"They seem to be getting along.", said ambassador Anderson.
"Indeed.", said Gregor, "I must say, you humans are more strange than you are frightening. The way you use words with one meaning for another. And your expressions as well. Definitely not the savages Canus described."
"I'm glad we could prove that to you. And it appears we are about to prove it to the rest of your kingdom.". They were nearly at Afa. This town serves as a fortified stronghold against the empire should they attack. Its walls were tall and thick, with bastion towers and a single entry gate. It would be difficult for the elves to take it.
"The town currently has a thousand soldiers protecting it. It's usually three thousand, but two thousand went with me through the rift. Most likely on the orders of the elves, my father would never allow it."
"Only three thousand?", James asked.
"Three thousand official soldiers, but should the need arise we can recruit militia fighters from the residents. The town itself has a population of eighty thousand."
"That's a lot of people.", Eugene said.
"Yes. Luckily, it is able to support them, even if barely. The elves aren't exactly sharing people."
"That will all change soon."
As the convoy approached the gate, a ballista javelin hit the road in front of them. The city defenders had assembled on the wall and aimed their weapons at them. While the vehicles are armored, the JLTVs have weak spots a javelin can pierce.
"Hold it!", shouted a man on the wall, presumably the commander, "Present yourselves immediately."
"I'll take care of this.", Logan said as he exited the JLTV with his hands raised, "I am Captain Logan Connors of the Rift Expeditionary Corps! We are from Galdush and have come to make peaceful relations with the kingdom of Alston!"
"Why should we listen to you!?"
"If not me, then how about someone more familiar!".
At that moment, Gregor stepped out of the JLTV3 and, to put it mildly, made the defenders' hearts skip a beat. "Commander Barion! It is good to see you!"
Barion couldn't even speak for moments. His young baron was alive. Against all odds, he made it back. "Y-Young baron!", he finally spoke, "You... You live! How!? And what are you doing with the enemy?!"
"I assure you, they are not the enemy! I will explain everything, but first, I need to ask you to open this gate and let these soldiers in!"
Barion hesitated for a moment, "B-But young ba-"
"Commander, do not make me order you!"
He immediately understood, "Open this gate immediately! Let them in! Someone inform the baron!"
The gate opened and the convoy made it in. Luckily, there was enough room to fit all of them in. Barion and his men, as well as the people, could only stare in awe at what was before them. Truly, people from another world. The commander stepped down and greeted them as well as Gregor.
"Young baron, you have a lot of explaining to do.", Barion said.
"All will be explained soon.", Gregor said.
"Gregor!", shouted a little girl as she ran towards him.
"Elora.", Gregor said as he hugged her, "My little sister. It is good to see you.". Behind her came his mother and father, who at first walked slowly with tears in their eyes, not believing it was him.
"My son.", Herwin said as he hugged Gregor, "By the heavens. You live."
"Mother. Father. I have returned. Let me introduce you to someone. This is Lord Ambassador Eugene Anderson from the land of America on the other side of the rift. He is here to represent his country and the humans."
Herwin immediately walked to him and bowed, "I am Baron Herwin Bachwich. Thank you for sparing my son's life. It is an honor to have you here, Lord Anderson."
"The honor is mine baron.", Eugene said, "I hope we will be able to discuss peace with you and your kingdom."
This confused Herwin, "Peace?"
"I have much to tell you father.", Gregor said, "The prince lives."
Completely frozen, Herwin took a few moments to process that before replying, "He lives?"
"Enemies!", shouted a soldier from the wall. Commander Barion and Logan rushed up the wall. Logan grabbed his binoculars and observed the enemy from a distance. They came from a treeline, their camp was behind it, otherwise, RG-1 would have spotted them.
"I count five hundred.", Logan said, "Various races. Elves, Rosians, ferals."
"How?", Barion asked.
"These are binoculars. They allow me to see things from a distance. Try it."
Logan handed the binoculars to Barion, who observed them for a few moments before putting them on his eyes and facing the enemy. "Incredible."
Barion handed them back but Logan refused, "Keep it, I have a spare. I get the elves, but why are your people attacking you?"
"Those bastards aren't our people. They are traitors and thieves who think the kingdom is done for. So they run to the empire and beg them for forgiveness.". He spat in disgust.
"And the elves. They don't look like the army."
"They most likely were. They call themselves rogues, those who stray from their so-called 'Path of light'. Both of these traitors sicken me."
"Then let us help you."
"Why would you help us?"
"If we're gonna be at peace with one another, we have to establish a certain level of trust, don't we?"
Barion pondered for a bit before answering, "Very well. I am eager to see the army that defeated the elves."
Nodding Logan walked to the edge of the wall and faced his men. "Jones, take your men and mount the machine guns! Davis, bring the ammo! Williams, Harper, get to higher ground and shoot anyone that looks important or a large threat! Wilson, take Green and set up the mortar! Move it, they'll be here in minutes!"
RG-1 immediately went to work. Jones and his men carried the machine guns from the trucks and mounted them on the walls, Williams and Harper climbed up the tallest tower they could find and got into position. Wilson set up the 60mm mortar in the town square.
"I think we should get to safety.", Eugene said.
"You are right.", Herwin said, "Follow me."
Logan got into position with his Mk4 SCAR chambered in 7.62mm. "Commander, I need a favor."
"What is it, captain?", Barion asked.
"If these guys fire arrows, we don't have shields to defend ourselves. You think your men can take of that?"
"Certainly. Get the shields ready! Protect their soldiers!". In moments, each ranger had a Rosian soldier behind him or her with a shield ready. It was time to fight.
The horde moved closer and closer. First, they walked and then picked up the pace as they put shields above their heads. Naturally, the ferals ran towards the wall like rabid animals. "Hold!", Logan said as he gripped his gun, "Wait for them to get closer!". There was one elf on a horse swinging his sword and giving commands. Not for long.
"It's all you kid.", Harper said as he watched Williams aim his shot.
Letting out a breath, Williams pulled the trigger and splattered the elf's brain all over the field. "Boom boom motherfucker."
"Weapons free! Light them up!", Logan shouted as the rangers opened fire on the ferals. The freaks fell by the dozens as bullets pierced their chest, heads, legs, and arms and turned them into cold, dead corpses. The mortar fired at the enemies behind them, who stopped in their tracks, clearly confused and terrified. The rangers aimed their weapons at them and started cutting them down.
"Get some, blueberries!", Davis shouted, "Come closer! I dare ya!"
The few dozen that survived retreated back to the trees. The rangers cheered, but the Rosians didn't cheer as much as they stared in awe. Now they see why the elves lost, these people are powerful.
Commander Barion walked to Logan, "Thank you for the assistance. But I doubt this is the last we have seen of them."
"I know.", Logan said, "That's why I'll have one of my guys scout those trees with a drone along with Lin and Clara.". Logan walked down to the two of them, "Scot! Get over here!"
"Coming!", Scot answered. Scot Green aka 'Mechanic', was the group's engineer. He was also their drone pilot. "Yes sir?"
"I need you to pilot the Fly into those tree lines and scout for the enemy.". The SPFD Fly was a small recon drone invented by DARPA to save both room and energy. Solar-powered and long-lasting battery, coupled with its long-range and small size made it a very useful tool to have in recon missions. "Lin, Carla, you two are also going. I need good eyes and ears over there."
"Sure thing, sir.", Lin said saluting the best she could.
"You two do know how to use a radio, right?"
"Of course we do.", Clara said, "We're not idiots."
"Good. Go.". Lin and Carla ran to the trees as Scott maneuvered the Fly.
The baron and his family, along with Ambassador Eugene walked over to the soldiers. The baron was first to speak, "That was... most impressive. But I must ask. Why peace? Surely you seem powerful enough to take the kingdoms by force."
"Because my people aren't barbarians, baron.", Anderson said, "If peace can be made, then we will do anything to make it a reality."
"I see. And the prince? What does he say about this?"
"You can ask him yourself.", Anderson said as he nodded to Logan who signaled his men to set up a desk and a large screen. "With this device, we can talk to the prince and even see him."
"Amazing.", said Herwin as he eagerly awaited to see his prince. After some preparations, the screen was ready and it turned on. The lights slightly startled the Rosians before the screen was clear and on it was prince Bodin himself. "My... My prince.", Herwin said as he knelt, "It is a miracle. You truly live."
"Baron Bachwich.", Bodin spoke, "Please, rise. I am not before you just yet. This is strange for me as well. Am I correct to assume the human soldiers have arrived?"
"Yes, my prince. They recently just helped us crush an attack from a bandit horde."
"Do you then see why I have chosen to make peace with these people?"
After a momentary pause, Herwin nodded, "I do, my prince. It is incredible to see that a nation so powerful is willing to make peace with its enemy and not subdue it."
"We are not their enemy, baron. The elves and their empire are. This is why they chose to make peace with us. They understand we are just vassals forced to fight. I suggest you hear Lord Anderson out."
As they were talking, Scot called for Logan, "Sir. I have a visual."
Logan nodded, "Alright. Commander Barion, would you like to see the enemy?"
"Yes.", Barion answered, "Show me."
Scot pulled up the video feed on his screen, "This is their camp. I count roughly three thousand. Lin and Carla confirm."
"Where are those two?", Logan asked.
"In the trees."
"Call them back and give me the radio.", Logan took the radio, "Galdush base. Come in Galdush base. This is Captain Logan Connors of Rift Group 1. Do you copy? Over."
After a few moments, the radio spoke, "Copy Rift Group 1. Sitrep. Over."
"Galdush, we have made contact with border town Afa. Upon entry, we engaged a third party, designated rogue elves, and bandit Rosians. Half a battalion attacked us but we drove them off. We confirm the enemy numbers in three thousand, various races. What's the status of our air forces? Over."
"Three air squadrons of Invictus ACs and a Boeing Stratofortress is currently being fueled and should be ready in half an hour."
"Galdush I request a tactical bombing run. The area will be marked via drone. How copy?"
The radio went silent for a few moments before speaking again, "Affirmative RG-1. Stratofortress will be up in the air as soon as possible. Make sure to mark the area. Galdush out."
"Copy that Galdush. RG-1 out."
"What was that?", Barion asked.
"You're gonna get another demonstration."
"Captain!", Carla shouted as she ran towards him. "I have eliminated an enemy scout.", she said as she extended a severed head toward Logan.
Logan smacked his lips before replying, "I see. Get rid of it."
"Yes sir.", Carla said as she tossed the head into a nearby pile of trash.
'At least she's helping', Logan thought.
---
(Two hours later)
The bandits and rogues were sitting in their tents, trying to plan an attack. The otherworlders were an unexpected problem, but hopefully a problem they could be dealt with.
"Alright, listen.", said an elf, "We'll strike at night. It didn't work last time because there were too many of them, but I reckon there can't be more than a few dozen of them."
"That doesn't matter.", said a Rosian, "I've seen what that few can do."
"You attacked with five hundred to scout their defenses. You were never supposed to win. Besides, we can use the tribals to deal with them. As we are attacking the front, they will go to the sides and strike."
"Are you sure this will work?"
"Yes. Soon, Afa will be ours."
At that moment, an elf rushed into the tent, "Sir, you must come and see this!"
They left the tent and came to the center of the tent. The one who called them pointed upwards into the sky. There they saw something flying. A wyvern? No, it was too big. Its wings didn't flap. What could it be? As it flew over them, something fell from it. Many egg-like things started falling and as they fell to the ground, they engulfed the camp in fire and shook the earth. In moments, the whole camp was on fire and everyone was either dead or dying. The ground was turned into a burning pile of scorched bodies.
If there were any doubts about the power of the otherwolders left, they were long gone now.
---
(Meanwhile)
Road to Una
The Belus family along with commander Aego and two hundred soldiers were on their way to Una. Taria did not wish to ride with her father and so she rode on a horse alongside Aego. Their hopes were that they would reach Una in several days and then cross the river.
"My lady.", Aego spoke, "Are you certain you should be riding alongside me and not in the carriage?"
"I do not wish to speak to my father.", Taria said, "At least not now."
"I assumed we cleared this matter."
"We have but... I still need time."
Aego sighed, "I understand. Still, you should not hate him for-", he stopped and halted the soldiers.
"What?"
"Something is not as it should be. This outpost is quiet.". The soldiers tensed up. They could also feel that something wasn't right. In a split second, Aego was shot by an arrow in the side.
"Ambush!", Taria yelled out. Suddenly, elves, welfen, and leanoids ran from the sides and the outpost. The soldiers prepared but found themselves overwhelmed by the enemies' numbers. Rogue elves fired arrows at them while welfen and leanoids exploited weaknesses and struck. Still, the soldiers fought hard, making sure the traitors and savages suffer. The enemy numbers were dropping, but not quickly enough. Taria used her training and cut down several rogues before crouching down to help Aego.
"Aego!", she yelled, "Aego hold on! You will live! Please!". She cried as he struggled to breathe. He grabbed her arm and pushed her to the side, just in time for her to dodge a spear from a leanoid. She watched as Aego spat blood before dying, his life leaving his body. In pure rage, she screamed and struck the leanoid in the side. Pulling out her sword she blocked a strike from a rogue, stepped closer, and headbutted him before slitting his throat.
Turning to her left she saw the rogues and tribals dragging her family. "Father!", she yelled, but couldn't help as a rogue hit her in the back of the head, knocking her down on the ground. Her blurred vision faded away as the rogue smiled down at her.
"Sweet dreams, little girl.", was what he said before she passed out completely.
End of chapter 9
​
---
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Welcome to Celebrate! Saturday

This is the weekly hype thread, a place for you to share your excitement about in-game achievements, lucky drops, and upcoming projects. This is also a space for the community to celebrate you!
While the subreddit is already a positive, celebratory space, this thread is meant to be especially so. For those of you who might hesitate to post something to the subreddit, because you worry it might be too beginner, too redundant, too low-effort: it's not. Come share with us here!

(Note: this thread is not meant to replace posting directly to the subreddit. You are still welcome to do so!)

Non-exhaustive examples of things to celebrate:

• Marrying your spouse!
• Getting a giant crop!
• Perfecting your farm or house design!
• The mushroom hat! The tiger hat! The living hat!
• Meteorites, Stone Owls, and Strange Capsules!
• A dinosaur egg from fishing or hoeing!
• Hooking a legendary fish!
• Getting triple Stardrop at the casino
• Beating Lewis at Junimo Kart!

If you want to share screenshots of your achievements, upload them to an image-sharing site like Imgur and drop a link in your comment.

This is also a thread where mods might lurk and offeaward prestige userflairs. These are animated icons that go next to your name as a way to celebrate particular achievements in the vanilla game. Note that posting in this thread doesn't guarantee you'll get the flair—you'll want to send us a modmail if you want to apply directly!

Achievement	Flair
Complete the community center!	A prismatic dancing Junimo
Fund all Joja Community Projects	A prismatic Joja Cola
Complete the museum collection!	An artifact trove busting open
Reach level 100 in Skull Cavern!	A flying serpent
Complete all Monster Slayer goals!	The prismatic slime
Cook every meal!	The Queen of Sauce herself
Craft every item!	Robin hard at work
Catch every fish!	The Legend, swimming
Beat Journey of a Prairie King	The King himself
Collect every hat in the game!	Magic Cowboy Hat
Reach Perfection!	A walking golden chicken

Get hyped!

This thread is for all Public Service Announcements for today's date. If you want to offer a service or an opportunity for an experience or visit, please post in this thread instead of posting separately with the [PSA] tag.
This thread is for people who are offering services. If you are looking for a service, check here first. If you don’t find what you want, you may post a [LF] thread. Make sure to offer something [FT] as payment.
What are services? A PSA is used to announce a service in your town that you would like to invite people to participate in. These things include:

• Special Visitors in your town (eg Celeste),
• Offers to craft in exchange for materials,
• Premiums at Nooks’,
• Villagers giving out recipes,
• Offers to let people use your shops,
• Hosting for fishing or bugs in a different hemisphere. If you are offering an experience, or an opportunity to pay to get an item (eg Saharah, shopping), rather than a trade for items or bells, it belongs in here. Payment for services The general expectation is that people will tip for services. If you want to ask for specific tips, you may. If you want to ask for specific payment, you may. We’ll let the market dictate whether that’s sustainable. NB If you want to do a [GIVEAWAY] for a service like Celeste or villagers giving recipes, you may post a separate thread, but you may not ask for any tips or payment if you do so. All posting guidelines still apply to the Daily PSA Thread. Posts in this thread do not count against the spamming rule. You may have an active PSA in this thread and a second active post outside this thread. NOTE TO HOSTS: WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED HOSTING/NO LONGER AVAILABLE, DO NOT DELETE YOUR COMMENT. Simply edit it to say you have gone offline. Deleting the top comment makes it difficult to figure out what happened and so will invalidate any RMM reviews left for you.

RMM Reviews from this thread may be valid.
NOTE TO HOSTS: WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED HOSTING/NO LONGER AVAILABLE, DO NOT DELETE YOUR COMMENT. Simply edit it to say you have gone offline. Deleting the top comment makes it difficult to figure out what happened and so will invalidate any RMM reviews left for you. If you wish to review someone on /RateMyMayor for participating in this thread, please link to the host's original top comment for the event (click "permalink" under that comment to get the correct URL), to make the trade easier to find in the thread. Failure to do so may result in the review being removed if the trade cannot be found easily.

I work in tech sales and am relatively new to my company. It is large and well known. In my role, I am meant to have a solution architect partner that works with me on customer opportunities and meetings.
I was originally assigned to a guy (let’s call him Paul) that has an unusually high number of reps he already works with. Upon learning he would get another rep (myself) he immediately let me know he can’t support me and to work with another guy (let’s name him tim).
I let my manager know about this and we all agree that I should just work with Tim officially since he only has 1 other rep he works with and can accommodate my customers. All the managers agree to make it official on paper. Things proceeded to be great for the next few months.
Now the solution architect management is backtracking on my formal alignment, completely blindsiding all of us on the sales side. They want to adhere to some dumb program that leadership is pushing on them, dictating that I should be aligned to Paul because we both are hires that fall into the program they have apparently been trying to push for some time.
No one was communicated to about this change. Leadership decided and everyone else went ahead with it. The problem is, Paul is still not going to work on my accounts or even try to for that matter. The guideline has been for me to continue working with Tim for “support” when I need it. What they don’t seem to understand is that Tim and I have been working on these accounts for a few months, building relationships and are close to deals on some of them. He has put in all the technical work and Paul couldn’t even name my customers if I asked him. But Paul is going to get the quota retirement and compensation if these deals close (although Tim’s manager told him he would get compensated - nothing is on paper or in a contract).
So Tim is pissed and doesn’t want to work with my customers anymore because he’s not being incentivized and doesn’t even know if he’s going to get paid. Any of our deals at this point won’t count towards his quota.
So I’m furious for Tim and also angry for myself - my customers have no technical support and Paul is not willing or able at this point to support them especially in these complicated poc cycles. We have customers that have several billion dollars of revenue,so not small fish.
I have of course spoken to my manager expressing all of this. There is no urgency from him or care. He said “I’m working on it” but then asked me to hide this information from the sales leadership and my reps, who are NOT aware of these changes that solution architecture is making behind our backs. My manager is concerned about saving his face instead of addressing the multitude of issues here including breach of ethics and business/revenue impact to our customers.
The person who was asked to approve this alignment change is two skip levels above my managers counterpart on the solution architect team. The equivalent of a VP. I have met him in person before at a social gathering.
I need advice on how to navigate this. The vp is the approver and I’m guessing he can just as easily renege. I have asked him this evening (after no acknowledgment from my manager for an update) if he could find time to speak with me. We have a 15 minute call next Wednesday. No one knows about that the call and I can have his assistant cancel at this point.
Should I go through with the meeting despite the implications I may face for going over many peoples heads? I plan to propose a simple outline of the business impact that a change in my alignment would cause to our company’s customers. I am not interested in bashing or complaining about anyone. I just want to make it clear what this arrangement would actually mean at a business impact level. The email from the solution architect team was misleading and hides a lot of the issues with their proposal.
In my head I don’t see how it would do any harm to seek reconsideration for the best interest of our customers. I am also wary of building my reputation here and don’t want to damage it potentially. But I can’t sit back and allow people who have no knowledge of what Tim and I are building here throw it into disarray for the sake of a program
Reddit what is your advice for me? Cancel the call or stick with it?

They say you never know what to expect when you’re in a new place. Meeting dogpeople, catpeople, racoonpeople in lab coats and suits were all unexpected things. Finding myself plus one pair of boobs was another. But you know something?
In a way, those are all pretty small. Thanks to my genre savviness, the idea of magic and interworld travel wasn’t too shocking. I mean, I’m not saying I expected it or anything. But if you’re at least familiar with the concept, then it’s not hard to deal with.
But what really shocked me was my first step outside. I touched the panel and watched the segments of the door rise up, then stepped outside. Overhead I heard a wild scream and nigh jumped out of my skin. All of my tails bristled and my head snapped straight up. A wyvern with scales painted in a bright yellow pattern. I have to assume that since I was able to read the word ‘Airferry’ and I hadn’t had an issue with the letters or numbers from before, that the transition process gave me the necessary access to communication in this world.
But it sure didn’t give me the means to cope with the shock! The wyvern was ridden by a little yellow skinned norm wearing leather clothing and a pair of goggles secured to a leather cap on his head and strapped under his chin. From the wyvern’s body hung what might best be described as a long rowboat, but beneath the boat…or maybe barge? Was affixed a set of thick springs. It swayed a little, and the air picked up and carried their scarves and hair to trail behind them. But they too wore goggles on their faces to compensate for the speed of the air.
Far above I saw an airship. Literally. A god damn ship. Right down to the keel and rudder, secured by what I hope were metal cables that were secured to a net which bulged as it was pressed by a massive balloon longer than the ship itself.
The street was fairly ordinary, simple cobblestone, but I did not expect to see a pegasus and an eight legged sleipnir hitched outside of a round domed building. In the street, elves and humans mingled freely with each other, seemingly not even noticing their differences. In the stories I knew, hostility was the norm, but this place seemed rather cosmopolitan about everything.
A dwarf cobbler in what I can only describe as ‘old timey’ heavy boots and overalls made of canvas and wearing goggles with multiple lenses that were raised out of position, was looking up at a wolfman in a suit with a puffy snow white kerchief beneath his jaw bristled and growled, enduring the thunderous dwarven shout, “I don’t care what yew offerah me! Ah cannae finish when yew wawnt! Greatness takes time yah damn furry fool!”
People holding swords and wearing bits and pieces of armor were as common as scales on a fish, their shouting and noise wasn’t the only thing. A woman with long high elven ears was leaning out of the upper floor of a shop and hawking wares, “Fresh batch’a potions! Heal’n or skin peel’n, if you’ve got the gold, our potions will hold!”
‘At least jingles and slogans are the same in every world.’ I thought while my eyes bugged out of my head. The buildings were not the usual blocky boring brick squares I was used to. The buildings were of a spiral shape with rail lines that wove and curved around them left and right, and on the rails were glowing ‘miniature trains’. No. Trains is the wrong word. They were more like roller coaster cars, simple open cars in which people were riding to get from one place to another.
Bridges that crossed from one floor of a building to another were not metal, but rather they were vines that grew down from pointy green roofs, and they did not raise, they unrolled from one another and lowered or rose out of the way of the little chugging cars before binding together again, including little green armrests for safety or comfort. Strangely, there was no smoke from the engine car, and even stranger, it was pushing rather than pulling.
The buildings themselves were arranged in various designs from spiral shapes with winding staircases and doors every dozen paces or so going up, to ‘stacks’ of irregular blocks where each cube had a bridge between itself and its neighbor, with zigzag pattern steps going up from one floor to the next.
All those on the ground jostled together, though they made a clear path for those on horseback, or flowed seamlessly out of the way of landing air ferries, and I never saw any indication that the wyverns landed close to people. With their ferocious looking claws and oversized mouths with sharp teeth, I expected it could eat a child whole and a grown child… a grown up, in two or three bites.
‘Thank you internet, for you have blessed me with weebness that has translated into genre savviness, that I may live and not die of goddamn shock in the face of my long dreamt of transition to a new world full of adventure.’ I uttered a weebs prayer that I recalled from an anime group, and it felt good.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the air. It wasn’t as crisp as I hoped it might be. There was a definite odor of smoke, but it was more like burning wood than foul coal, and it was touched with the scent of pastries and fresh baked goods.
Sweets are a bit of a weakness of mine, so I scrapped my first plan to go join the adventurer’s guild and placed my hand on my slate, then I said, “Show me the way to a bakery.” I watched as a streetmap faded into view like a person stepping out of a thick fog, gradually becoming clear.
I was staring down at the map indicator, which was really nothing more than building shapes and a road, nothing intricate, when I decided to try an experiment. I was represented by a little green dot, but there was no color elsewhere. Just little black lines. “Increase realism by one hundred percent.” I instructed it, and the top down view of the city grew exponentially more complicated. I could see the rooftops and the many people passing by, at least the tops of their heads. I still had a black line pulsing on the screen as my guide, but… “Damn. If things worked this well back home then people could just never look up from their devices.” I mumbled and said, “Remove people.”
For a moment I panicked, ‘What if that killed everybody?!’ My head snapped up to look at the street. Everybody was alive. I gave a heavy sigh of relief and looked down, the realistic street and rooftops were there, but the ‘people’ and their mounts, thankfully, were gone.
You know, if I had to pick the seminal moment of this whole… whatever this is, it wouldn’t be showing up when and where I did. It wouldn’t be getting my slate or leaving the doctor behind. It wouldn’t even be stepping out the door of the building.
It would be this. The world was ‘real’ now, you know? I was about to actually move among the general population, all the dangers and experiences I wanted, were starting with ‘this’ one step more than any other.
It might seem strange to think of my life in genre specific terms, like a video game or an anime, manga, or light novel series. And I admit, it probably wasn’t my best idea. What made me realize it wasn’t the wisest thing was my epic trip to the bakery which, according to the map, was one block away.
What danger did I face?
What plot hook caught my eye?
Was it a mugging by a stranger?
Did I see a pair of pretty girls being mugged in an alley in need of some sexy rescuing?
Did a stranger grab me and whisper in a hushed and raspy voice, “I have been told by the gods that you would come, follow me, they’re looking for you…”
Or perhaps a military or bandit raid on the city that gave me a chance to be a heroine?
Hell no.
Nothing freaking happened.
Nobody stared at me with wonder and awe, I wasn’t totally unique, I saw two other kitsunes in just that short distance. I just tried not to bump into too many people, though I seemed to be the only one in the crowd like that. Pedestrians bumped shoulders a lot, without so much as an apology.
I quickly realized that it was so impossible not to, that there was no reason to apologize for doing it.
So I got over that fairly quickly, but I was mildly annoyed of the unfortunate reminder that I’d actually have to put in the work to have an adventure. There was no call to it for me, not that I really saw. ‘Summoned as a Janitor’ was the worst title I could possibly think of, and if I ever wrote this down, I’d be damned if I’d give my life story that title.
Anyway, the bakery… I really didn’t need directions for it after a little while as the sweet and savory scents tickled my nose before I was halfway there. I just leaned forward, following the tantalizing smell and soon found myself staring into the window of a shop. A line of baked goods, breads sprinkled with sugar, little green cakes with what I had to conclude was some kind of dark honey, and some little round crispy things with what was definitely melted chocolate, all caught my eye.
The door to the shop was open and I hastened within, a portly orc was wearing a giant oversized chef’s hat with a bronze clock face on it. One look and I knew it wasn’t decoration.
Whatever it was counting down for, it reached it before I reached the counter. It made a quick, ‘ding!’ noise and he said, “S’cuze me.” And disappeared into the back. He was a pretty standard orc, with thick muscled arms, greenish body and tusks for teeth below a porcine nose. His one distinguishing feature was that he was quite fat.
‘That’s how I know I can trust him. He’s eating his own work.’ I concluded and looked around. While what I saw of the city could be described as at least somewhat ‘dirty’ the shop itself was surprisingly clean. The racks were wood, except for two on the far wall which were of silver with even fancier items than on the wood, and I realized that probably represented a higher cost. The deeper you went inside, the more you paid.
“Fresh baked rumbldumplins!” He all but shouted, holding out the hot tray with his bare hands. Orcs were notoriously thick skinned, it was no surprise that his hands weren’t burning, but it was still weird to see one as a baker. He tilted it so I could see, and a little round pastry with an unfamiliar flower shaped ‘fruit’ I think? Sat in the center dripping with liquid sugar from what passed for leaves, landing on the flakey crust and drizzling down to the pan.
“You buy fresh, I give you discount on buying the old.” He said and his deepset amber eyes gave me a conspiratorial wink. “You my first customer of the day, so what you say eh?” He boomed at me.
I noticed the clock on his hat was ticking down again, and wondered what else was there.
“Yes. I say yes!” The rumbledumplins smelled great and looked even better.
“You make a good deal, I give you half off, eh? On any of the old but the sanziberry pie. We short of sanziberries.” He said and grabbed a newspaper from behind his counter.
“Why is that?” I asked. ‘Is this a plot hook? A quest beginning? Alright it’s a fetch quest, but still, it’d be my first!’ I could feel the excitement building and my heart starting to race.
“Oh, contract dispute. The bastards want triple the creds for the same thing. So I’m getting a new supplier and it takes time to get started. Fool too! Big fool. Sanziberries last a long time. Pie stays fresh. Do something like that with rumbleberries and I might have to pay first. Big fool.” He repeated with a shake of his big round head. “How many you want?”
The transaction was completed in a heartbeat, just like the doctor said. I paid ten creds and walked out with six rumbledumplings and a dozen chocolate crisps all wrapped up in old newspapers. I munched on one when I stood outside the shop.
“So much for a plot hook.” I mumbled while my eyes popped at the rich flavor melting on my tongue. When I realized at that moment, at the completion of my first ‘journey’ that literally not a goddamn thing had happened, or would happen, or could happen in the way it did in games and books and visual media, I snapped back to reality.
“I’m not getting a call to adventure. So… I’m going to have to pay it a visit instead.” I said, then swallowed my first purchase, and stowed the remainder under my arm for a moment. I touched my slate and said, “Show me to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Looking to start building badges for my profile. I'll sell/trade anything here for half the current value on gg.deals. Cards/boosters I will count as their current price, and not the after fees price.
Trading for cards I'll be a little picky on. I don't want a bunch of random badges for the sake of xp, but I do have a fairly long list of games I want cards for.
Has card drops:

• 10 Second Ninja X
• 112 Operator
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 911 Operator
• Agatha Christie - The ABC Murders
• All-Star Fruit Racing
• Anomaly 2
• Anomaly 2
• Anomaly Warzone Earth Mobile Campaign
• Anomaly Warzone Earth Mobile Campaign
• Arcade Spirits
• Autonauts
• Autonauts
• Autonauts
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• Beholder
• Beholder
• Beholder
• Beholder
• Caveblazers
• Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious!
• Deadly 30
• Death Squared
• Deponia
• Don't Disturb
• Don't Disturb
• Doorways: Holy Mountains of Flesh
• Embr
• Everhood
• Five Dates
• GOAT OF DUTY
• GOAT OF DUTY
• GOAT OF DUTY
• Going Under
• Going Under
• Going Under
• Guilty Gear X2 #Reload
• Hellbound
• Hellbound
• In Between
• In Between
• In Between
• In Between
• In Between
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Just Die Already
• Just Die Already
• Lawn Mowing Simulator
• MirrorMoon EP
• Monaco
• Monster Slayers
• Monster Slayers
• Monster Slayers
• Monsters' Den: Godfall
• Murder by Numbers
• Narcos: Rise of the Cartels
• Narcos: Rise of the Cartels
• Out of Space
• Out of Space
• PAYDAY 2
• PAYDAY 2
• Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic
• Project Chemistry
• Redeemer
• Remnants of Naezith
• Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
• Rover Mechanic Simulator
• SPACECOM
• SPACECOM
• Safety First!
• Safety First!
• Shady Part of Me
• Silver Chains
• Slain: Back from Hell
• Space Crew: Legendary Edition
• Space Crew: Legendary Edition
• Stacking
• Stealth Inc 2
• Stealth Inc 2
• Stealth Inc 2
• Steel Rats
• Survivalist
• Survivalist
• Syberia
• The Amazing American Circus
• The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Inner World
• The Inner World
• The Inner World
• The Innsmouth Case
• The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
• They Bleed Pixels
• Ticket to Ride
• Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War
• Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• 🧠 OUT OF THE BOX

No Card drops:

• Agent in Depth
• Alcatraz Builder
• Alchemist's Castle
• Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy
• Arcade Paradise - Arcade Paradise EP
• Backbone
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Bomber Crew - Deluxe Edition (Game + Season Pass)
• Bomber Crew - Deluxe Edition (Game + Season Pass)
• Brunch Club
• Brunch Club
• Calico
• CivCity: Rome
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Dead End Job
• Dead End Job
• Detached: Non-VR Edition
• Digital Eclipse Arcade: Q.P.I.D.
• Doodle Derby
• Doodle Derby
• Drink More Glurp
• Drink More Glurp
• Fallout
• Frick, Inc.
• Game Dev Studio
• Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
• Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
• Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
• Garfield Kart
• Golf Gang
• Golf Gang
• Guns & Fishes
• Hack 'n' Slash + Soundtrack (& Spacebase GIFT)
• Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire
• Hidden & Dangerous: Action Pack
• Hotshot Racing
• Hue
• Hue
• Hue
• Hue
• Hue
• Izmir: An Independence Simulator
• I’m not a Monster
• I’m not a Monster
• I’m not a Monster
• I’m not a Monster
• Kingdom Wars 2: Definitive Edition
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Lust from Beyond: M Edition
• Main Assembly
• Main Assembly
• Main Assembly
• MegaRace 2
• Meow Express
• Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
• Orbital Racer
• Pill Baby
• Pixross
• Pizza Connection 2
• Pizza Connection 2
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Quadrata
• Railroad Tycoon 2: Platinum
• Rune Lord
• STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
• STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic
• SWINE HD Remaster
• SWINE HD Remaster
• SYMMETRY
• Sid Meier's Railroads!
• Smoke and Sacrifice
• Soulblight
• Soulflow
• Still Life
• Sunlight
• Toki
• Toki
• Toki
• Toki
• Valfaris
• Valfaris
• Valfaris
• Worms Rumble
• Wounded - The Beginning
• Wounded - The Beginning
• X-COM: Complete Pack
• X-Morph: Defense Complete Pack
• stikir

https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/10cx1nv/derextremes_igs_rep_page/

Looking to start building badges for my profile. I'll sell/trade anything here for half the current value on gg.deals. Cards/boosters I will count as their current price, and not the after fees price.
Trading for cards I'll be a little picky on. I don't want a bunch of random badges for the sake of xp, but I do have a fairly long list of games I want cards for.
Has card drops:

• 10 Second Ninja X
• 112 Operator
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 12 is Better Than 6
• 911 Operator
• Agatha Christie - The ABC Murders
• All-Star Fruit Racing
• Anomaly 2
• Anomaly 2
• Anomaly Warzone Earth Mobile Campaign
• Anomaly Warzone Earth Mobile Campaign
• Arcade Spirits
• Autonauts
• Autonauts
• Autonauts
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• BARRIER X
• Beholder
• Beholder
• Beholder
• Beholder
• Caveblazers
• Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
• Cook, Serve, Delicious!
• Deadly 30
• Death Squared
• Deponia
• Don't Disturb
• Don't Disturb
• Doorways: Holy Mountains of Flesh
• Embr
• Everhood
• Five Dates
• GOAT OF DUTY
• GOAT OF DUTY
• GOAT OF DUTY
• Going Under
• Going Under
• Going Under
• Guilty Gear X2 #Reload
• Hellbound
• Hellbound
• In Between
• In Between
• In Between
• In Between
• In Between
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Iron Fisticle
• Just Die Already
• Just Die Already
• Lawn Mowing Simulator
• MirrorMoon EP
• Monaco
• Monster Slayers
• Monster Slayers
• Monster Slayers
• Monsters' Den: Godfall
• Murder by Numbers
• Narcos: Rise of the Cartels
• Narcos: Rise of the Cartels
• Out of Space
• Out of Space
• PAYDAY 2
• PAYDAY 2
• Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic
• Project Chemistry
• Redeemer
• Remnants of Naezith
• Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos
• Rover Mechanic Simulator
• SPACECOM
• SPACECOM
• Safety First!
• Safety First!
• Shady Part of Me
• Silver Chains
• Slain: Back from Hell
• Space Crew: Legendary Edition
• Space Crew: Legendary Edition
• Stacking
• Stealth Inc 2
• Stealth Inc 2
• Stealth Inc 2
• Steel Rats
• Survivalist
• Survivalist
• Syberia
• The Amazing American Circus
• The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Indie Mixtape
• The Inner World
• The Inner World
• The Inner World
• The Innsmouth Case
• The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
• They Bleed Pixels
• Ticket to Ride
• Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War
• Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
• 🧠 OUT OF THE BOX

No Card drops:

• Agent in Depth
• Alcatraz Builder
• Alchemist's Castle
• Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy
• Arcade Paradise - Arcade Paradise EP
• Backbone
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Black Moon Chronicles
• Bomber Crew - Deluxe Edition (Game + Season Pass)
• Bomber Crew - Deluxe Edition (Game + Season Pass)
• Brunch Club
• Brunch Club
• Calico
• CivCity: Rome
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Curse: The Eye of Isis
• Dead End Job
• Dead End Job
• Detached: Non-VR Edition
• Digital Eclipse Arcade: Q.P.I.D.
• Doodle Derby
• Doodle Derby
• Drink More Glurp
• Drink More Glurp
• Fallout
• Frick, Inc.
• Game Dev Studio
• Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
• Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
• Garfield Kart - Furious Racing
• Garfield Kart
• Golf Gang
• Golf Gang
• Guns & Fishes
• Hack 'n' Slash + Soundtrack (& Spacebase GIFT)
• Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire
• Hidden & Dangerous: Action Pack
• Hotshot Racing
• Hue
• Hue
• Hue
• Hue
• Hue
• Izmir: An Independence Simulator
• I’m not a Monster
• I’m not a Monster
• I’m not a Monster
• I’m not a Monster
• Kingdom Wars 2: Definitive Edition
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Leisure Suit Larry 7 - Love for Sail
• Lust from Beyond: M Edition
• Main Assembly
• Main Assembly
• Main Assembly
• MegaRace 2
• Meow Express
• Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
• Orbital Racer
• Pill Baby
• Pixross
• Pizza Connection 2
• Pizza Connection 2
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Pumped BMX Pro
• Quadrata
• Railroad Tycoon 2: Platinum
• Rune Lord
• STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
• STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic
• SWINE HD Remaster
• SWINE HD Remaster
• SYMMETRY
• Sid Meier's Railroads!
• Smoke and Sacrifice
• Soulblight
• Soulflow
• Still Life
• Sunlight
• Toki
• Toki
• Toki
• Toki
• Valfaris
• Valfaris
• Valfaris
• Worms Rumble
• Wounded - The Beginning
• Wounded - The Beginning
• X-COM: Complete Pack
• X-Morph: Defense Complete Pack
• stikir

https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/10cx1nv/derextremes_igs_rep_page/

A homeless teenager reaches out to the Shil’vati on first day of the invasion of Earth.
This is a rewrite of my original story ‘Loyalist’.
Credit to u/bluefishcake for writing the original SSB story.
Pizzaulostin who has been beta reading since the beginning.
and u/BruhMomentGEE
Credit to u/HollowShel for getting me started with this!
This story is based in the SSB universe.
Previous
First
next
as always, comments are welcome.

Chapter 17:

Thanks to the author of Alien-Nation for editing this chapter!

Ruhal:

“We are sorry about the restraints. Your dossier has a security lock from the Office of Interior that I can’t even read, and all our supervisor could tell us was ‘interview with caution’,” one of the two agents explained.
I regarded my handcuffs with professional disapproval. They had a longer than regular chain for ambulatory movement and inmate processing, by the deep, I could even use them as garrote if needed. They had revealed the limits of their rank with that apology.
“No need to worry. I am sure this will be a formality in less than an hour,” I told them, if there was one thing that was in abundance on the planet Sky it was Interior and undercover commando trainees. I hoped this would probably be their most interesting case all month.
“So, would you care to explain how you are raising a human, that is also considered a military asset?” The agent inquired as she pulled out her slate.
“Of course, Klein surrendered himself and requested medical aid and refugee status. He was willing to answer essential questions regarding human culture that aided in liberating humanity into the Shil’vati Empire. He wouldn’t be safe on Earth anymore, and I mentioned that he was still important in writing my reports. If I had my slate, I could give you the relevant documentation,” I said in a conversational tone, without any of the emotions that weighed the story, and glossing over the specifics.
“No need. I have everything you submitted to the Interior, including his asset designation, the interrogation transcripts, and even his doctor’s contact info. To be honest with you it’s the only reason we haven’t interviewed you yet, even after a dozen calls about a ‘possible trafficked human’ since he arrived. Your information is corroborated with several other departments. The issue now is what the medivac scans found.” The agent pushed a slate towards me with medical notes bolded for emphasis ‘probable severe abuse’.
“The report shows a recent history of blunt force trauma, abrasions, and even muscle tearing, in short. It looks like the human has been systematically tortured for months. You also have recently requested restricted training armor in the human’s size.” The agent explained.
Ah, that was my mistake. I had been treating Klein as another child, just with some unique needs. It looks like there were other considerations, ones that I failed to see.
“I really do need my omni-slate to illustrate this, it’s on my desk right now if one of your assistants could get it?” I asked, hoping they got the suggestion to not leave me with only one interrogator in the room so they wouldn’t be graded too harshly.
They thankfully acquiesced without comment, and with my omni-slate in hand I pulled up the latest video of Klein practicing with me, the speed and brutality was difficult for me to sit through. Then, Klein pulled off his helmet seconds later, laughing in the rain. Unconcerned that, without armor, we could have just killed each other- I was grateful he had, else it might’ve been interpreted quite differently. “The bruising mostly from everyday participation at a Rakiri gym, and some remnants from before I got proper gear for baton practice. He heals extremely fast, and more so, he isn’t happy unless he exercises for at least an hour or two a day.”
I pulled up another video. Klein was sitting at the table bouncing his leg at an ever-increasing pace while trying to focus on a decently complex equation. He finally stood up and started pacing mouthing words as he skipped in time to an unheard rhythm.
“W-what’s he doing?” The agent asked, looking just a tad disturbed by the display of what seemed erratic behavior.
“A sort of dance while playing the song ‘a fine mesh net’ on his headphones. There was a monsoon that Shel weekend, and even I’m not crazy enough to fight in a thunderstorm like that. He does that around the house for an hour, and then finally settles in on a video game,” I explained to the agents, who were looking at me dubiously.
“So, you oversee an adolescent who is an intelligence asset, but also seems poorly fitted for Shil’vati life. Why the baton practice? Wouldn’t that make him even more dangerous, more of an outsider? Are you trying to sabotage his integration? Why not take him shopping, instead, or teach him beauty and self-care routines?” They were antagonizing. Countering every argument to see how I reacted. It seemed they could at least interrogate decently well.
“I hardly call a few quirks ‘poor fitting’. The baton practice is for obvious self-defense. Its intention is to make him dangerous,” I explained, letting the interviewers lead the conversation.
The back and forth went on for a while, but I presented a highlight reel of the last few months. Including a Rakiri gym video when Klein tried to flourish a wall climb and smashed his shoulder on the ledge while face planting into the mud.
The agents would not be arresting me today. They would need medical reports, and would require Klein, Hario, and Compassion Through Deeds to attest while truth scanned that these were sports injuries, and not some conspiracy to commit torture. We were also going to need to see an ICAD agent every two weeks for counseling. I had no idea what ICAD was, but I would investigate them later.
Finally, the agents appeared they were closing up the interview. I tried not to brace myself as they asked the complicated question. “One thing we need to know is, what is Klein to you? If he is just a crucial asset, then why haven’t you contacted a local volunteer family foster? Or was the military asset just a cover to find a male heir?”
I sighed, the truth wasn’t incriminating, but if I didn’t word it right, I would look like the worst sort of military tourist. “I had, originally, taken care of Klein as a key intelligence asset. Within that first week though, I had found that despite the decades of preparation, there wasn’t a process for someone to claim asylum as a child during first contact. He would be in military bureaucratic limbo without an advocate. We both know where he would end up.”
The room cooled by several degrees, which was a pity, I almost got the talkative agent to laugh at Klein’s antics. “Out of duty I investigated ways I could bring him home until I could find resources to place him in a stable situation with all the resources to help a xeno without a community. I found someone who was willing to help in exchange for reports on Klein’s adaptation to Shil’vati lifestyle. That’s Klein’s purpose as a military asset in my home.”
I continued. I was saying more on than I needed to, but if they did a follow up investigation later for some other incident, which was a when, not if, then I wanted this on record. “Klein has become part of this household though, despite, or maybe because, of his oddities. He may not be Shil’vati, but he seems to have integrated well. It’s why, while it was never my intention, when he is an adult, I will offer him full adoption, and title of home guardian.”
I watched the agents exchange looks, then the agent made a few taps on her slate. ‘Upper left, middle center, probably a message app’. I then listened for the telltale taps of a yes as a micro expression of a self-satisfied smile crossed the agent’s face. I decided to stop playing interviewee.
“So, you won the bet on if I would claim the human as my son, how long has that pool been building?” I asked folding my hands together.
The agent answered before she could think. “Two months… Wait!? How did you-”
The agent was cut off by the squawk of the slate’s speaker. “Agents you did well enough with the interview portion, however; you absolutely failed to secure the subject. Could you please illustrate to them why I stressed caution {petal of death’s veil}?”
The code name wasn’t one I had heard in decades, but I wasn’t going to snub an old handler. I kicked on my fast reaction mods to max speed and lunged over the table past the still sitting agents. I pirouetted and twisted the restraints into a loop as I brought them down over the left agent’s head and pulled back carefully, lightly touching the chain of my restraints around the neck of the agent before she could even react.
I kicked off my mods and caught my breath as time returned to normal. Both agents’ eyes went wide with shock as the one not about to be strangled tried to get away to pull out her weapon. “W-who are you!?”
“I’m going to slowly release you and put my hands up, is that everything you needed {hated old friend}?” I directed my question to the slate, using the code High Shil word to show I was playing along.
“More than enough. Agent! Holster your weapon and come back to the safe room. We need to go over security procedures,” the slate responded, and the very brief confrontation was over.
The agents walked out, and Siltan stomped in looking like she could bring about a thunderstorm by pure force of will. “We weren’t the only ones to get visits from the ‘majesty’s’ Interior today. Cee let me know that the Interior is also interrogated Reqellia as well.”
I now understood why these two rookies were here. It was a distraction for me. I grumbled as I picked up my slate and called Reqellia. Her face appeared a second later.
“By the Deep, it’s been a long day,” Reqellia breathed out as I heard a door slam, then she cursed some more.
“Tell me everything. Is Klein ok?” I asked.
“Cee says he’s fine and is waking him up. Klein might be getting a mod himself before she closes him up though because, oh- looks like it’s my day is going to get longer still. ICAD is here, and it’s a Hydrean in a Gearschilde clinic.” Reqellia hung up, and I stared at the phone in confusion.
It was time to find out what ICAD was.

Klein:

I blearily came to, as high powered, piercing white light flooded my half open eyes. I tried to move my arm to shield my face and found I couldn’t. Actually, I couldn't move or even feel anything from the neck down.
I started to panic as I turned my head, focusing on lettering on a terminal, tried to sigh, and felt what few muscles I could control turn to lead as I sank back on the medical bed. Thank the goddess, it was Shil and Gearschilde lettering on the slate and medical supplies.
“Good afternoon Klein, are you okay? Your heart rate spiked.” I heard Cee, or full name Compassion Through Deeds, speak and turned my head to see her. She wore a dark red lab coat and regarded me with unblinking cybernetic eyes. Most of her orange skin had been replaced with dark steel etched with stylized waves and swirls of silver. Her face still emoted in a pleasant smile, but had that uncanny valley look of unblemished synth skin. I looked down to see a dozen micro surgical tools still inside me.
I should have been screaming at the sight, but all I felt was relief and joy. “Yeah, I just worried for a half second that I had hallucinated the last few months and was actually on a back on Earth on some black-market operating table getting my kidney stolen.”
Cee was aghast. “Does that happen on Earth?”
I would shrug, but again, I couldn’t move, instead I responded. “Rumors of it happening, but I never knew anyone personally.”
Cee reassured me. “Well, good news Klein, you are on Sky, you are in a Gearschilde clinic where stealing vital organs is a legal, moral and religious crime of unrepentant severity. What I have done is remove your appendix, and let the sedatives wear off so we can discuss what you want in its place.”
“In place of my appendix? Why?” I asked, it wasn’t like I really needed the vestigial organ turn internal hand grenade.
“Customary in Gearschilde for surgery is to be about giving a better life than just taking from the body. So, any ideas of what would make your life better?”
I thought about the bruising, the constant having to put healing patches on, and the annoyance of doing so. I thought about the near fatality of almost blowing my appendix, and if something could have fixed the issue before it got out of hand. “What about a healing dispenser? I keep having to put on patches and gel at the end of the day, and if I miss a spot, I will pay for it later.”
Cee gave me a grateful expression. “That’s a perfect first implant. I was worried you were going to ask for something more aggressive. When I was your age, I got my first defensive mod, a retractable forearm knife. Of course, my next surgery was being stitched back together after accidently stabbing myself with it.”
I tried to chuckle, but I didn’t have control of my diaphragm for it. “So, what’s next?”
Cee explained. “Well, the fabricator in the other room is right now creating your implant. It shouldn’t take long; are you ok being immobilized for the next hour or so?”
I thought about it, and honestly, I was still surprised I wasn’t panicking. “No, but I’m going to get really bored just laying here, do the Gearschilde have any good myths or stories?”
I knew I was fishing in an untapped pool that was guaranteed to have something. I wasn’t expecting my doctor to be gleeful at the thought though. “Oh blessed be you child, I am a surgeon priest, half the reason I am in this vocation is to tell stories. I take it you know nothing about Gearschilde mythology, or even our history?”
It was on my list of rabbit holes to get into, but instead I binged the rest of Prince Of The Stars and cried, it was nice. “No, but I would love to hear them.”
“Well if you want to, every Shel we have open services and brunch. But since you are new to Gearschilde mythology we should start with one of my favorites. The story of the Hopestrider.”
The ceiling lights dimmed, and the sterile operating room felt surprisingly cozy as I leaned my head back. Listening to Cee starting up the tale. “Our sect requires us to lead what can best be called ‘child technician classes’. Learning to take care of machines, which includes us by the start of adolescence, if not before. It’s a critical life skill, and teaching it is considered an important part of our religious studies.”
‘Cyberpunk VeggieTales’ Squirrel brain chittered.
No one wants your opinion squirrel brain. I thought back.

Cee’s story: Hope Strider

“Long ago our world was full of harsh life. The valleys were often filled with poisonous mists and deadly predators that could rip apart even the strongest of our people. The mountain kingdoms were brutal fiefdoms that sent many to their deaths mining precious metals from the dangerous wastes of the valleys. Drilling into the heart of the mountains provided the power necessary to purify water, and later, steam engines turned those fiefdoms into empires. Expanding into the wastes using the lowest class of people as its foundation.”
Cee paused for dramatic effect. “Then, everything changed.”
“The ground shook, and the mountain kingdoms erupted in fire and molten rock. Radioactive dust from these now volcanoes made the centers of civilization barren and deadly. Only the wasteland colonies in the poisonous mists provided any refuge, and so king and commoner alike huddled in the once disposable outposts of a ruined world. Our story starts a generation after the calamity with an unlucky child.”
I heard a ding, Cee stopped as the ceiling lights came up. “Oh dear, let me stop for a second to get the implant.”
I leaned back and thought about her nightmare world. When Cee returned, I didn’t even bother to open my eyes, too engrossed in the imagery of the story. “What happened to the child?”
I could hear the whirring as she started to work. Her voice I realized had taken a more scripted cadence. She must have automated her voice so she could focus. “In a metalworker’s home, a child was born with broken legs and brittle bones. It was common in those days for such a child to die that way. It was their first born and the parents did everything they could to save them. A surgeon was called. The child lost their legs, but kept their life.”
“The child lived in the workshop. Kept warm by the hearth’s fire, even unable to walk, they were curious. Day in and out, they watched their parents construct machines that helped the community make food, filter the air, and defend the homes from the starving, mutated, monsters that circled the fortress walls. The child felt helpless though. Only able to crawl within the confines of the home or be carried around like cargo about the maze-like town of winding stairs and narrow passageways.
“They spent much of their time learning, sitting near the hearth to keep warm, they did the careful work of filing gears and wheels needed to control what could be automated as each hand replaced was another that could be spent doing something else critical to keep the community alive. Still, the child wanted to do more. They could not deliver what they made, and had to rely on others to help them at every turn in life.”
“Little did the child know that in the hearth a machine spirit lived, getting by eating scrap metal that fell in and sleeping at night on the bed of embers. The machine spirit saw the child’s wish, an invention without form, and turned it into a dream for the child, since new machines would mean new machine spirits to play with.”
That night the child saw themselves flying over the cold gray landscape on a pair of machine legs. Traveling the dangerous paths to other towns, and giving the isolated towns hope and community. The child awoke with joy and crawled over to his workbench littered with scrap metal, now children….”
Cee stopped talking and her voice went back to an unscripted rhythm. “I just realized we can’t do the practical part of this story. In class each kid gets a hope strider stuffy with snaps to attach legs they make. We give them bits of copper. Show them how to bend and hammer it, and how to bond it by wrapping the joint in solder and then applying heat with a soldering iron heated in their own toy ‘hearth’ with a safety cover. Still we get a daily small burn or cut, but that in itself is a valuable lesson in tool safety.”
It sounded adorable in a weird, steampunk way. “Sounds fun, so, new legs?”
Cee got the que, as much as I loved the story, and the talk about kindergarten metal shop, I was still immobilized on the operating table. I heard surgical whirring, and the scripted voice came back. “Yes, the child works all night until they fit the new legs on, and for the first time stand up on their own! The parents are overjoyed as they watch them move about the house and that afternoon, with the help of an iron bar as a cane, they walk around their community by themselves.”
“However, it isn’t long before the legs start to see wear and tear, but the child persists, not wanting to stop and fix the creaking joints, until one day the legs stop working altogether and they fall down in a twisting staircase. Carried back to the workshop, they rest for days to heal before they are able to work again. Constructing a new set from the remains of the old. Now…”

Klein:

Cee stopped again, but this time she had moved away from me and was putting the now bloody surgical tools into a sanitizing system. “We're done! I am going to start removing the nerve blocks, so you’re going to be sore, but if things get too painful, let me know. Please, try not to move anything but your hands right now, even then I would advise against it.”
My whole body had that pins and needles feel and I tried to move my fingers, but it was sporadic and jerky. Cee distracted me by explaining my new implant. “So, this implant is very basic. It can only be requested to send diagnostic data. The implant only administers more healing serum at a safe, steady rate if, and only if, it doesn’t detect any in your bloodstream. There is an injection site with a color change circle around it. It uses standard go, caution, stop colors to let you know if it’s functioning. I want to wave your omni-pad over the site and check the diagnostics at least once a day. It should hopefully catch if something like this is happening again.”
I tried to not move as I felt my body twitch. My gut felt like I had been run over, repeatedly. I asked, “why didn’t my medical monitoring implant catch this?”
Cee explained. “That’s only good for basic vitals. Near universal indicators of life and activity such as heart rate and blood pressure. The new implant will be able to scan for elevated protein counts. So, if one of your other internal organs starts to malfunction you can get a more unambiguous message that I hope you won’t ignore before getting medivac’d through the city.”
I chuckled a little at that, and it hurt. “Ow, ok, no movement. I thought it was just a pulled muscle or something.”
Cee looked down at me sternly, and her voice took on a deeper, more authoritative tone. “Child, more than enough Gearschilde have died thinking they can just, push themselves past their organic parts failing, if you have a torn muscle that hurts after you’ve used healing gel, then it’s serious enough you need to come see me, or another xeno-doctor, immediately. That’s why I hope your new implant can fix things before it gets to that point.”
Cee brightened after that and went back to the explanation of my implant. “Now that I scolded you, there is a color changing circle over your implant’s location. It will change color when the healing serum runs low, or and will start to flash in color, and try to ping your omni-pad if it detects a malfunction. The implant uses a standard Shil’ implant autoinjector, and it will reject anything not meant for red blood standard biology, but still be careful, it’s not a perfect filtering system. Today I’m giving you a set of autoinjectors I want you to use throughout the week. It's fortunate that your implant’s primary function will speed up your recovery time.”
Ok, that’s cool to know, but.
‘What happened to Hopestrider?!’ Squirrel brain demanded.
“So, the story, what happens next?” I asked as Cee helped me sit up. My stomach still hurt, but the feeling was in the overworked muscle category rather than a gut punch.
Cee started to explain as I put on what was essentially gym clothes. Soft, baggy pants and shirt with easy pull away tabs if they needed to remove the clothes quickly for checkups and surgical intervention. “Well, we don’t have time to go over the Hope Strider as a story, or even a summary, but if you want to, my husband teaches the child technician class during open services on Shel, you could sit in and listen.
Right now, I will give you a family crafted picture book that tells the core story of Hope Strider growing up, and making their first delivery. After that it’s a loose selection of legends that are attributed to Hope Strider as they grow older and more accomplished, but while I get that book, I need you to speak to someone.”
Cee led me out of the operating room, and into a comfortable looking lounge where a… Hydrean was sitting in an Imperial business uniform reading an omni-pad. My brain pulled everything I knew of Hydreans out. A rabbit hole I had dug into one rainy Shel on the public information repositories.
She, they, single gendered I reminded myself, looked up and smiled at me calmly, mouth closed for politeness. Their skin was grass green with artful patches of bark on her face and neck, the result of cosmetic scarification. They looked human, or Shil’oid, but that was purposefully done. Even the somewhat standard looking ‘desert walker’ Hydreans normally had more, or less, limbs than standard. Biological modification was at the root of all Hydrean technology, ancient as the stone ax to other species.
I thought about how contentious Hydrean/Shil relationships were said to be. Their arid home planet was off limits to all but certified personnel who had been trained how to handle the dangerous mix of flora/fauna that instead of being different groups, was just a single taxonomy that had no distinction between predator and prey. With their complex biology, a Hydrean needed to undergo extensive body modification just to exist off their home world.
Cee left the room with a friendly goodbye and offered assistance “Hello Klein, I am Ka’tel. It’s wonderful to meet you. I am with the Imperial Child Assistance Division, or ICAD. My job is to help interspecies fosters and adoptions. How are you feeling today?”
I caught a glimpse of her teeth as they spoke. Triangular, and made of burnished metal meant to tear off chunks of animal, plant, or even rock, whole and let their stomachs’ mix of acids dissolve it into something the rest their body could use.
‘The agent in charge of your welfare is a plant/animal hybrid with a diet of ‘yes’, your doctor is a wholesome orange 40K mechanicus, and your crush is a were-lion, you are not ok .’ Squirrel brain remarked.
“I’m actually pretty good, despite the surgery, it’s actually a common issue for humans.” I said to Ka’tel, because my life was weird before the aliens, squirrel brain was just being a pessimistic asshole.
“Really? Do you know what caused it?” Ka’tel asked.
“It just, happens? Gets irritated or infected and then you need to get it removed.” I said nonchalantly. Ka’tel made a mark on her omni-pad.
“How did you know? It seems dangerous if it can happen suddenly, and you mentioned it before you passed out.” Ka’tel asked tone friendly and conversational.
“Oh, the side of your stomach hurts. I was hoping it was just a pulled muscle bec- Dammit!” I just remembered what happened before I woke up here.
“The raid game! Ko’tasa would have had to substitute for me and she’s not well balanced for our team mix.” I said with a exasperated sigh.
Ka’tel cocked their head to one side, but the tone in her voice was humorous. “You were willing to ignore a possible life-threatening condition for a game?”
I explained, though I felt idiotic now. “I couldn’t tell. I get sore muscles all the time from gym, and sparing, and even from the auxiliary work, honestly my commandant doesn’t really know where to put me sometimes. Last week I helped with road clearing for the new town to go up a few [miles] away, and the girls could barely keep up with me.”
Ka’tel seemed to be enjoying my rambling. “Sounds like you really get put to work.”
“Not really? The auxiliary is the only work I do, and if I wanted to stop I just, can. It’s not like I need to worry about buying food.” I knew what I was saying seemed strange while living in the Imperium.
It was the first hint that Ka’tel was controlling her expressions when she seemed more attentive and… relieved? “That’s delightful news to hear! Is there anything about your living situation that bothers you?”
I paused and thought about it, and really couldn’t see anything. “Not really?”
“Anything, or anyone, you miss from Earth?” Ka’tel asked, stressing that last bit, dropping a mental bomb on my head and I froze, mouth partly open with a half formed response. When was the last time I even thought about Earth as more than an abstract concept? It hadn’t been [six months] since I left but…
I didn’t feel anything.
The last year I lived on Earth, it was like being a ghost. I saw people, I even talked to people, but it was like a thick plate of glass all around me. Today I felt color, and life, and things, but that last year on Earth?
Like radio static.
I looked at Ka’tel, and their expression was one of controlled neutrality. Why was I not freaking out?
I had a sensation of the room spinning. I asked, “No, I don’t really feel anything about Earth, is that normal?”
“I don’t know Klein, by most sentient standards what you went through was unusual, and from what little I know about humans that isn’t propaganda, it’s unusual for humans as well. What I do know is right now you seem happy and healthy, and that’s my top priority.” Ka’tel said as they stood and offered me a stiff plastic card with their contact details on it.
“We will be chatting every other week to see how you are adjusting. I might ask to visit you at the youth auxiliary depot, the gym or at home. I really am glad to see you are doing just fine, but if you ever need a way out, that card has an emergency signal function, just pull the plastic tab.” Ka’tel told me, and was about to open the door before I spoke up.
“How should I refer to you?” I asked, and once they realized, Ka’tel gave me a genuine, toothed, smile that was both menacing and goofy at the same time.
“Most people don’t learn enough Hydrean biology to ask. Her, that’s how everyone in the office sees me, and it’s more convenient socially.” She said, opening the door to an anxious looking Itaro standing next to a serious Ruhal and Reqellia.
“I need to speak to you Ruhal, and Reqellia, you should join us for this conversation as well.” Ka’tel said as she ushered me out.
Cee led us into a gaming room with a long table on one side, and a set of couches facing the wall to wall display on the other. She handed me an overloaded plate of cookies with bottle of water, and stepped out, closing the door behind us. “Eat those, your stomach has healed, but it’s going to need calories to fuel the recovery.”
Only then did I realize I was salivating at the smell of warm sugar, and flour made of Kasan grain, if I was identifying the green color correctly. I put the plate of cookies on the table, and snarfed them as I sat down.
After swallowing the fourth cookie semi-whole, I looked up to see Itaro’s face fighting a war between impatient, apprehensive, and hopeful. I stopped, realizing what I was doing, and sipped some water to stall for time.
I was about to pull my omni-pad out from my pockets when Itaro suddenly put her hand out to stop me. “Wait! Klein, I need to tell you something…”
She was silent for a long moment, what was she worried about?
“I… Like you, as, I find you…. Attractive, and I may have gotten a little…. overprotective when you got hurt.” Itaro said, her voice stuttering.
‘Oh, that makes things easy.’ Squirrel brain was for once, right.
“I like you too.” I said as I leaned over and kissed her.

///// Author’s Commentary

Wow! I couldn’t find a good stopping point so I just kept writing and writing and… It turned into something over 5 thousand words. I spent the last day trying to figure out clear up a few parts. This week I have some time off! So there will probably be another chapter sooner rather than later.

A homeless teenager reaches out to the Shil’vati on first day of the invasion of Earth.
This is a rewrite of my original story ‘Loyalist’.
Credit to u/bluefishcake for writing the original SSB story.
Pizzaulostin who has been beta reading since the beginning.
and u/BruhMomentGEE
Credit to u/HollowShel for getting me started with this!
This story is based in the SSB universe.
Previous
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as always, comments are welcome.

Chapter 17:

Thanks to the author of Alien-Nation for editing this chapter!

Ruhal:

“We are sorry about the restraints. Your dossier has a security lock from the Office of Interior that I can’t even read, and all our supervisor could tell us was ‘interview with caution’,” one of the two agents explained.
I regarded my handcuffs with professional disapproval. They had a longer than regular chain for ambulatory movement and inmate processing, by the deep, I could even use them as garrote if needed. They had revealed the limits of their rank with that apology.
“No need to worry. I am sure this will be a formality in less than an hour,” I told them, if there was one thing that was in abundance on the planet Sky it was Interior and undercover commando trainees. I hoped this would probably be their most interesting case all month.
“So, would you care to explain how you are raising a human, that is also considered a military asset?” The agent inquired as she pulled out her slate.
“Of course, Klein surrendered himself and requested medical aid and refugee status. He was willing to answer essential questions regarding human culture that aided in liberating humanity into the Shil’vati Empire. He wouldn’t be safe on Earth anymore, and I mentioned that he was still important in writing my reports. If I had my slate, I could give you the relevant documentation,” I said in a conversational tone, without any of the emotions that weighed the story, and glossing over the specifics.
“No need. I have everything you submitted to the Interior, including his asset designation, the interrogation transcripts, and even his doctor’s contact info. To be honest with you it’s the only reason we haven’t interviewed you yet, even after a dozen calls about a ‘possible trafficked human’ since he arrived. Your information is corroborated with several other departments. The issue now is what the medivac scans found.” The agent pushed a slate towards me with medical notes bolded for emphasis ‘probable severe abuse’.
“The report shows a recent history of blunt force trauma, abrasions, and even muscle tearing, in short. It looks like the human has been systematically tortured for months. You also have recently requested restricted training armor in the human’s size.” The agent explained.
Ah, that was my mistake. I had been treating Klein as another child, just with some unique needs. It looks like there were other considerations, ones that I failed to see.
“I really do need my omni-slate to illustrate this, it’s on my desk right now if one of your assistants could get it?” I asked, hoping they got the suggestion to not leave me with only one interrogator in the room so they wouldn’t be graded too harshly.
They thankfully acquiesced without comment, and with my omni-slate in hand I pulled up the latest video of Klein practicing with me, the speed and brutality was difficult for me to sit through. Then, Klein pulled off his helmet seconds later, laughing in the rain. Unconcerned that, without armor, we could have just killed each other- I was grateful he had, else it might’ve been interpreted quite differently. “The bruising mostly from everyday participation at a Rakiri gym, and some remnants from before I got proper gear for baton practice. He heals extremely fast, and more so, he isn’t happy unless he exercises for at least an hour or two a day.”
I pulled up another video. Klein was sitting at the table bouncing his leg at an ever-increasing pace while trying to focus on a decently complex equation. He finally stood up and started pacing mouthing words as he skipped in time to an unheard rhythm.
“W-what’s he doing?” The agent asked, looking just a tad disturbed by the display of what seemed erratic behavior.
“A sort of dance while playing the song ‘a fine mesh net’ on his headphones. There was a monsoon that Shel weekend, and even I’m not crazy enough to fight in a thunderstorm like that. He does that around the house for an hour, and then finally settles in on a video game,” I explained to the agents, who were looking at me dubiously.
“So, you oversee an adolescent who is an intelligence asset, but also seems poorly fitted for Shil’vati life. Why the baton practice? Wouldn’t that make him even more dangerous, more of an outsider? Are you trying to sabotage his integration? Why not take him shopping, instead, or teach him beauty and self-care routines?” They were antagonizing. Countering every argument to see how I reacted. It seemed they could at least interrogate decently well.
“I hardly call a few quirks ‘poor fitting’. The baton practice is for obvious self-defense. Its intention is to make him dangerous,” I explained, letting the interviewers lead the conversation.
The back and forth went on for a while, but I presented a highlight reel of the last few months. Including a Rakiri gym video when Klein tried to flourish a wall climb and smashed his shoulder on the ledge while face planting into the mud.
The agents would not be arresting me today. They would need medical reports, and would require Klein, Hario, and Compassion Through Deeds to attest while truth scanned that these were sports injuries, and not some conspiracy to commit torture. We were also going to need to see an ICAD agent every two weeks for counseling. I had no idea what ICAD was, but I would investigate them later.
Finally, the agents appeared they were closing up the interview. I tried not to brace myself as they asked the complicated question. “One thing we need to know is, what is Klein to you? If he is just a crucial asset, then why haven’t you contacted a local volunteer family foster? Or was the military asset just a cover to find a male heir?”
I sighed, the truth wasn’t incriminating, but if I didn’t word it right, I would look like the worst sort of military tourist. “I had, originally, taken care of Klein as a key intelligence asset. Within that first week though, I had found that despite the decades of preparation, there wasn’t a process for someone to claim asylum as a child during first contact. He would be in military bureaucratic limbo without an advocate. We both know where he would end up.”
The room cooled by several degrees, which was a pity, I almost got the talkative agent to laugh at Klein’s antics. “Out of duty I investigated ways I could bring him home until I could find resources to place him in a stable situation with all the resources to help a xeno without a community. I found someone who was willing to help in exchange for reports on Klein’s adaptation to Shil’vati lifestyle. That’s Klein’s purpose as a military asset in my home.”
I continued. I was saying more on than I needed to, but if they did a follow up investigation later for some other incident, which was a when, not if, then I wanted this on record. “Klein has become part of this household though, despite, or maybe because, of his oddities. He may not be Shil’vati, but he seems to have integrated well. It’s why, while it was never my intention, when he is an adult, I will offer him full adoption, and title of home guardian.”
I watched the agents exchange looks, then the agent made a few taps on her slate. ‘Upper left, middle center, probably a message app’. I then listened for the telltale taps of a yes as a micro expression of a self-satisfied smile crossed the agent’s face. I decided to stop playing interviewee.
“So, you won the bet on if I would claim the human as my son, how long has that pool been building?” I asked folding my hands together.
The agent answered before she could think. “Two months… Wait!? How did you-”
The agent was cut off by the squawk of the slate’s speaker. “Agents you did well enough with the interview portion, however; you absolutely failed to secure the subject. Could you please illustrate to them why I stressed caution {petal of death’s veil}?”
The code name wasn’t one I had heard in decades, but I wasn’t going to snub an old handler. I kicked on my fast reaction mods to max speed and lunged over the table past the still sitting agents. I pirouetted and twisted the restraints into a loop as I brought them down over the left agent’s head and pulled back carefully, lightly touching the chain of my restraints around the neck of the agent before she could even react.
I kicked off my mods and caught my breath as time returned to normal. Both agents’ eyes went wide with shock as the one not about to be strangled tried to get away to pull out her weapon. “W-who are you!?”
“I’m going to slowly release you and put my hands up, is that everything you needed {hated old friend}?” I directed my question to the slate, using the code High Shil word to show I was playing along.
“More than enough. Agent! Holster your weapon and come back to the safe room. We need to go over security procedures,” the slate responded, and the very brief confrontation was over.
The agents walked out, and Siltan stomped in looking like she could bring about a thunderstorm by pure force of will. “We weren’t the only ones to get visits from the ‘majesty’s’ Interior today. Cee let me know that the Interior is also interrogated Reqellia as well.”
I now understood why these two rookies were here. It was a distraction for me. I grumbled as I picked up my slate and called Reqellia. Her face appeared a second later.
“By the Deep, it’s been a long day,” Reqellia breathed out as I heard a door slam, then she cursed some more.
“Tell me everything. Is Klein ok?” I asked.
“Cee says he’s fine and is waking him up. Klein might be getting a mod himself before she closes him up though because, oh- looks like it’s my day is going to get longer still. ICAD is here, and it’s a Hydrean in a Gearschilde clinic.” Reqellia hung up, and I stared at the phone in confusion.
It was time to find out what ICAD was.

Klein:

I blearily came to, as high powered, piercing white light flooded my half open eyes. I tried to move my arm to shield my face and found I couldn’t. Actually, I couldn't move or even feel anything from the neck down.
I started to panic as I turned my head, focusing on lettering on a terminal, tried to sigh, and felt what few muscles I could control turn to lead as I sank back on the medical bed. Thank the goddess, it was Shil and Gearschilde lettering on the slate and medical supplies.
“Good afternoon Klein, are you okay? Your heart rate spiked.” I heard Cee, or full name Compassion Through Deeds, speak and turned my head to see her. She wore a dark red lab coat and regarded me with unblinking cybernetic eyes. Most of her orange skin had been replaced with dark steel etched with stylized waves and swirls of silver. Her face still emoted in a pleasant smile, but had that uncanny valley look of unblemished synth skin. I looked down to see a dozen micro surgical tools still inside me.
I should have been screaming at the sight, but all I felt was relief and joy. “Yeah, I just worried for a half second that I had hallucinated the last few months and was actually on a back on Earth on some black-market operating table getting my kidney stolen.”
Cee was aghast. “Does that happen on Earth?”
I would shrug, but again, I couldn’t move, instead I responded. “Rumors of it happening, but I never knew anyone personally.”
Cee reassured me. “Well, good news Klein, you are on Sky, you are in a Gearschilde clinic where stealing vital organs is a legal, moral and religious crime of unrepentant severity. What I have done is remove your appendix, and let the sedatives wear off so we can discuss what you want in its place.”
“In place of my appendix? Why?” I asked, it wasn’t like I really needed the vestigial organ turn internal hand grenade.
“Customary in Gearschilde for surgery is to be about giving a better life than just taking from the body. So, any ideas of what would make your life better?”
I thought about the bruising, the constant having to put healing patches on, and the annoyance of doing so. I thought about the near fatality of almost blowing my appendix, and if something could have fixed the issue before it got out of hand. “What about a healing dispenser? I keep having to put on patches and gel at the end of the day, and if I miss a spot, I will pay for it later.”
Cee gave me a grateful expression. “That’s a perfect first implant. I was worried you were going to ask for something more aggressive. When I was your age, I got my first defensive mod, a retractable forearm knife. Of course, my next surgery was being stitched back together after accidently stabbing myself with it.”
I tried to chuckle, but I didn’t have control of my diaphragm for it. “So, what’s next?”
Cee explained. “Well, the fabricator in the other room is right now creating your implant. It shouldn’t take long; are you ok being immobilized for the next hour or so?”
I thought about it, and honestly, I was still surprised I wasn’t panicking. “No, but I’m going to get really bored just laying here, do the Gearschilde have any good myths or stories?”
I knew I was fishing in an untapped pool that was guaranteed to have something. I wasn’t expecting my doctor to be gleeful at the thought though. “Oh blessed be you child, I am a surgeon priest, half the reason I am in this vocation is to tell stories. I take it you know nothing about Gearschilde mythology, or even our history?”
It was on my list of rabbit holes to get into, but instead I binged the rest of Prince Of The Stars and cried, it was nice. “No, but I would love to hear them.”
“Well if you want to, every Shel we have open services and brunch. But since you are new to Gearschilde mythology we should start with one of my favorites. The story of the Hopestrider.”
The ceiling lights dimmed, and the sterile operating room felt surprisingly cozy as I leaned my head back. Listening to Cee starting up the tale. “Our sect requires us to lead what can best be called ‘child technician classes’. Learning to take care of machines, which includes us by the start of adolescence, if not before. It’s a critical life skill, and teaching it is considered an important part of our religious studies.”
‘Cyberpunk VeggieTales’ Squirrel brain chittered.
No one wants your opinion squirrel brain. I thought back.

Cee’s story: Hope Strider

“Long ago our world was full of harsh life. The valleys were often filled with poisonous mists and deadly predators that could rip apart even the strongest of our people. The mountain kingdoms were brutal fiefdoms that sent many to their deaths mining precious metals from the dangerous wastes of the valleys. Drilling into the heart of the mountains provided the power necessary to purify water, and later, steam engines turned those fiefdoms into empires. Expanding into the wastes using the lowest class of people as its foundation.”
Cee paused for dramatic effect. “Then, everything changed.”
“The ground shook, and the mountain kingdoms erupted in fire and molten rock. Radioactive dust from these now volcanoes made the centers of civilization barren and deadly. Only the wasteland colonies in the poisonous mists provided any refuge, and so king and commoner alike huddled in the once disposable outposts of a ruined world. Our story starts a generation after the calamity with an unlucky child.”
I heard a ding, Cee stopped as the ceiling lights came up. “Oh dear, let me stop for a second to get the implant.”
I leaned back and thought about her nightmare world. When Cee returned, I didn’t even bother to open my eyes, too engrossed in the imagery of the story. “What happened to the child?”
I could hear the whirring as she started to work. Her voice I realized had taken a more scripted cadence. She must have automated her voice so she could focus. “In a metalworker’s home, a child was born with broken legs and brittle bones. It was common in those days for such a child to die that way. It was their first born and the parents did everything they could to save them. A surgeon was called. The child lost their legs, but kept their life.”
“The child lived in the workshop. Kept warm by the hearth’s fire, even unable to walk, they were curious. Day in and out, they watched their parents construct machines that helped the community make food, filter the air, and defend the homes from the starving, mutated, monsters that circled the fortress walls. The child felt helpless though. Only able to crawl within the confines of the home or be carried around like cargo about the maze-like town of winding stairs and narrow passageways.
“They spent much of their time learning, sitting near the hearth to keep warm, they did the careful work of filing gears and wheels needed to control what could be automated as each hand replaced was another that could be spent doing something else critical to keep the community alive. Still, the child wanted to do more. They could not deliver what they made, and had to rely on others to help them at every turn in life.”
“Little did the child know that in the hearth a machine spirit lived, getting by eating scrap metal that fell in and sleeping at night on the bed of embers. The machine spirit saw the child’s wish, an invention without form, and turned it into a dream for the child, since new machines would mean new machine spirits to play with.”
That night the child saw themselves flying over the cold gray landscape on a pair of machine legs. Traveling the dangerous paths to other towns, and giving the isolated towns hope and community. The child awoke with joy and crawled over to his workbench littered with scrap metal, now children….”
Cee stopped talking and her voice went back to an unscripted rhythm. “I just realized we can’t do the practical part of this story. In class each kid gets a hope strider stuffy with snaps to attach legs they make. We give them bits of copper. Show them how to bend and hammer it, and how to bond it by wrapping the joint in solder and then applying heat with a soldering iron heated in their own toy ‘hearth’ with a safety cover. Still we get a daily small burn or cut, but that in itself is a valuable lesson in tool safety.”
It sounded adorable in a weird, steampunk way. “Sounds fun, so, new legs?”
Cee got the que, as much as I loved the story, and the talk about kindergarten metal shop, I was still immobilized on the operating table. I heard surgical whirring, and the scripted voice came back. “Yes, the child works all night until they fit the new legs on, and for the first time stand up on their own! The parents are overjoyed as they watch them move about the house and that afternoon, with the help of an iron bar as a cane, they walk around their community by themselves.”
“However, it isn’t long before the legs start to see wear and tear, but the child persists, not wanting to stop and fix the creaking joints, until one day the legs stop working altogether and they fall down in a twisting staircase. Carried back to the workshop, they rest for days to heal before they are able to work again. Constructing a new set from the remains of the old. Now…”

Klein:

Cee stopped again, but this time she had moved away from me and was putting the now bloody surgical tools into a sanitizing system. “We're done! I am going to start removing the nerve blocks, so you’re going to be sore, but if things get too painful, let me know. Please, try not to move anything but your hands right now, even then I would advise against it.”
My whole body had that pins and needles feel and I tried to move my fingers, but it was sporadic and jerky. Cee distracted me by explaining my new implant. “So, this implant is very basic. It can only be requested to send diagnostic data. The implant only administers more healing serum at a safe, steady rate if, and only if, it doesn’t detect any in your bloodstream. There is an injection site with a color change circle around it. It uses standard go, caution, stop colors to let you know if it’s functioning. I want to wave your omni-pad over the site and check the diagnostics at least once a day. It should hopefully catch if something like this is happening again.”
I tried to not move as I felt my body twitch. My gut felt like I had been run over, repeatedly. I asked, “why didn’t my medical monitoring implant catch this?”
Cee explained. “That’s only good for basic vitals. Near universal indicators of life and activity such as heart rate and blood pressure. The new implant will be able to scan for elevated protein counts. So, if one of your other internal organs starts to malfunction you can get a more unambiguous message that I hope you won’t ignore before getting medivac’d through the city.”
I chuckled a little at that, and it hurt. “Ow, ok, no movement. I thought it was just a pulled muscle or something.”
Cee looked down at me sternly, and her voice took on a deeper, more authoritative tone. “Child, more than enough Gearschilde have died thinking they can just, push themselves past their organic parts failing, if you have a torn muscle that hurts after you’ve used healing gel, then it’s serious enough you need to come see me, or another xeno-doctor, immediately. That’s why I hope your new implant can fix things before it gets to that point.”
Cee brightened after that and went back to the explanation of my implant. “Now that I scolded you, there is a color changing circle over your implant’s location. It will change color when the healing serum runs low, or and will start to flash in color, and try to ping your omni-pad if it detects a malfunction. The implant uses a standard Shil’ implant autoinjector, and it will reject anything not meant for red blood standard biology, but still be careful, it’s not a perfect filtering system. Today I’m giving you a set of autoinjectors I want you to use throughout the week. It's fortunate that your implant’s primary function will speed up your recovery time.”
Ok, that’s cool to know, but.
‘What happened to Hopestrider?!’ Squirrel brain demanded.
“So, the story, what happens next?” I asked as Cee helped me sit up. My stomach still hurt, but the feeling was in the overworked muscle category rather than a gut punch.
Cee started to explain as I put on what was essentially gym clothes. Soft, baggy pants and shirt with easy pull away tabs if they needed to remove the clothes quickly for checkups and surgical intervention. “Well, we don’t have time to go over the Hope Strider as a story, or even a summary, but if you want to, my husband teaches the child technician class during open services on Shel, you could sit in and listen.
Right now, I will give you a family crafted picture book that tells the core story of Hope Strider growing up, and making their first delivery. After that it’s a loose selection of legends that are attributed to Hope Strider as they grow older and more accomplished, but while I get that book, I need you to speak to someone.”
Cee led me out of the operating room, and into a comfortable looking lounge where a… Hydrean was sitting in an Imperial business uniform reading an omni-pad. My brain pulled everything I knew of Hydreans out. A rabbit hole I had dug into one rainy Shel on the public information repositories.
She, they, single gendered I reminded myself, looked up and smiled at me calmly, mouth closed for politeness. Their skin was grass green with artful patches of bark on her face and neck, the result of cosmetic scarification. They looked human, or Shil’oid, but that was purposefully done. Even the somewhat standard looking ‘desert walker’ Hydreans normally had more, or less, limbs than standard. Biological modification was at the root of all Hydrean technology, ancient as the stone ax to other species.
I thought about how contentious Hydrean/Shil relationships were said to be. Their arid home planet was off limits to all but certified personnel who had been trained how to handle the dangerous mix of flora/fauna that instead of being different groups, was just a single taxonomy that had no distinction between predator and prey. With their complex biology, a Hydrean needed to undergo extensive body modification just to exist off their home world.
Cee left the room with a friendly goodbye and offered assistance “Hello Klein, I am Ka’tel. It’s wonderful to meet you. I am with the Imperial Child Assistance Division, or ICAD. My job is to help interspecies fosters and adoptions. How are you feeling today?”
I caught a glimpse of her teeth as they spoke. Triangular, and made of burnished metal meant to tear off chunks of animal, plant, or even rock, whole and let their stomachs’ mix of acids dissolve it into something the rest their body could use.
‘The agent in charge of your welfare is a plant/animal hybrid with a diet of ‘yes’, your doctor is a wholesome orange 40K mechanicus, and your crush is a were-lion, you are not ok .’ Squirrel brain remarked.
“I’m actually pretty good, despite the surgery, it’s actually a common issue for humans.” I said to Ka’tel, because my life was weird before the aliens, squirrel brain was just being a pessimistic asshole.
“Really? Do you know what caused it?” Ka’tel asked.
“It just, happens? Gets irritated or infected and then you need to get it removed.” I said nonchalantly. Ka’tel made a mark on her omni-pad.
“How did you know? It seems dangerous if it can happen suddenly, and you mentioned it before you passed out.” Ka’tel asked tone friendly and conversational.
“Oh, the side of your stomach hurts. I was hoping it was just a pulled muscle bec- Dammit!” I just remembered what happened before I woke up here.
“The raid game! Ko’tasa would have had to substitute for me and she’s not well balanced for our team mix.” I said with a exasperated sigh.
Ka’tel cocked their head to one side, but the tone in her voice was humorous. “You were willing to ignore a possible life-threatening condition for a game?”
I explained, though I felt idiotic now. “I couldn’t tell. I get sore muscles all the time from gym, and sparing, and even from the auxiliary work, honestly my commandant doesn’t really know where to put me sometimes. Last week I helped with road clearing for the new town to go up a few [miles] away, and the girls could barely keep up with me.”
Ka’tel seemed to be enjoying my rambling. “Sounds like you really get put to work.”
“Not really? The auxiliary is the only work I do, and if I wanted to stop I just, can. It’s not like I need to worry about buying food.” I knew what I was saying seemed strange while living in the Imperium.
It was the first hint that Ka’tel was controlling her expressions when she seemed more attentive and… relieved? “That’s delightful news to hear! Is there anything about your living situation that bothers you?”
I paused and thought about it, and really couldn’t see anything. “Not really?”
“Anything, or anyone, you miss from Earth?” Ka’tel asked, stressing that last bit, dropping a mental bomb on my head and I froze, mouth partly open with a half formed response. When was the last time I even thought about Earth as more than an abstract concept? It hadn’t been [six months] since I left but…
I didn’t feel anything.
The last year I lived on Earth, it was like being a ghost. I saw people, I even talked to people, but it was like a thick plate of glass all around me. Today I felt color, and life, and things, but that last year on Earth?
Like radio static.
I looked at Ka’tel, and their expression was one of controlled neutrality. Why was I not freaking out?
I had a sensation of the room spinning. I asked, “No, I don’t really feel anything about Earth, is that normal?”
“I don’t know Klein, by most sentient standards what you went through was unusual, and from what little I know about humans that isn’t propaganda, it’s unusual for humans as well. What I do know is right now you seem happy and healthy, and that’s my top priority.” Ka’tel said as they stood and offered me a stiff plastic card with their contact details on it.
“We will be chatting every other week to see how you are adjusting. I might ask to visit you at the youth auxiliary depot, the gym or at home. I really am glad to see you are doing just fine, but if you ever need a way out, that card has an emergency signal function, just pull the plastic tab.” Ka’tel told me, and was about to open the door before I spoke up.
“How should I refer to you?” I asked, and once they realized, Ka’tel gave me a genuine, toothed, smile that was both menacing and goofy at the same time.
“Most people don’t learn enough Hydrean biology to ask. Her, that’s how everyone in the office sees me, and it’s more convenient socially.” She said, opening the door to an anxious looking Itaro standing next to a serious Ruhal and Reqellia.
“I need to speak to you Ruhal, and Reqellia, you should join us for this conversation as well.” Ka’tel said as she ushered me out.
Cee led us into a gaming room with a long table on one side, and a set of couches facing the wall to wall display on the other. She handed me an overloaded plate of cookies with bottle of water, and stepped out, closing the door behind us. “Eat those, your stomach has healed, but it’s going to need calories to fuel the recovery.”
Only then did I realize I was salivating at the smell of warm sugar, and flour made of Kasan grain, if I was identifying the green color correctly. I put the plate of cookies on the table, and snarfed them as I sat down.
After swallowing the fourth cookie semi-whole, I looked up to see Itaro’s face fighting a war between impatient, apprehensive, and hopeful. I stopped, realizing what I was doing, and sipped some water to stall for time.
I was about to pull my omni-pad out from my pockets when Itaro suddenly put her hand out to stop me. “Wait! Klein, I need to tell you something…”
She was silent for a long moment, what was she worried about?
“I… Like you, as, I find you…. Attractive, and I may have gotten a little…. overprotective when you got hurt.” Itaro said, her voice stuttering.
‘Oh, that makes things easy.’ Squirrel brain was for once, right.
“I like you too.” I said as I leaned over and kissed her.

///// Author’s Commentary

Wow! I couldn’t find a good stopping point so I just kept writing and writing and… It turned into something over 5 thousand words. I spent the last day trying to figure out clear up a few parts. This week I have some time off! So there will probably be another chapter sooner rather than later.

Age and Sex: 27, F
Weight/Height: 110lbs, 5’5”
Medication: Vyvanse, Accutane, Lexapro, Propranolol + Lorazepam (both only as needed for social anxiety), Ambien, Kyleena IUD
OTC Supplements: Magnesium, NAC, Fish Oil
Previous Medical Conditions: Gestational Diabetes - Currently at risk of developing Type 2 in the future, but in the clear for now
Current Medical Conditions: Nothing physical aside from acne, but have ADHD, social anxiety disorder, insomnia, and mild depression. Chronically stressed.
Reason for Blood Work: Monthly blood work required by doctor while on Accutane. Two months into treatment, currently on low dose (20mg/day)
Link to photo of full results: https://imgur.com/VckC215 —-
Today I received my results for my recent monthly blood work that I am required to get as a standard protocol while on Accutane, and I checked it out online as I usually do. I won’t be able to see my doctor for another week, and Googling this was a mistake that led to some worrying. I’d like to ask if these numbers are high enough to be concerning and what they may indicate.
I noticed that my white blood count and neutrophils were flagged as high. The numbers were as follows (full results in photo):
WBC: 11.2 x E9/L (Normal range = 4.0-11) Neutrophils: 8 x E9/L (Normal range = 2.0-7.5)
For reference, only a month ago in my previous blood work they were shown as normal at:
WBC: 7.3 Neutrophils: 4.1
This seems like quite a significant difference in such a short time! What could this change mean? I’m a tad worried. I know that it can indicate having a virus, but I felt perfectly fine the day the blood was drawn.
Any input would be highly appreciated!

This is REALLY LONG. If you just want to know the numbers, here they are. If you want some detail, read the entire document.
THE MEN

1. Nathan....March 2021 (First viral video about her TT crush meeting)
2. Rusty.....April/May 2021
3. Josh......June 2021
4. Daniel....August 2021
5. Dusty.....Nov / Dec 2021 to NYE
6. Derrick...February 2022
7. Jonathon…Feb / March 2022 – August 2022
8. Dakota....August 19, 2022
9. Kev......(Maybe) Sept 1 - 3, 2022
10. Kyle.....September 17 – 21, 2022
11. Tommy.....October 1 - 26 (edited)
12. Manny.....December (mid month)
13. MikeIV.....December 20’ish to December 26’ish

13 ½…MikeIV......January 17,2023 to January 22, 2023
13 ¾…Tatted something in TN – Just visited – no whoopee.

1. JeromyKelly…March 30, 2023 to ???

The start... Faith joined TT around February 2021 “A strong independent single woman” with 5 children. One lives with her while the other 4 live with their respective fathers. At the time she worked nights, 12 hour shifts at a local hospital in the ER. Where she said she was the Charge Nurse. In the morning after work, she would come home, get on live and feed the ducks at the park across the street from her apartment. It was fun, calming and made her seem like a really endearing person. This is how she cultivated her initial following. (edited)
2021 March to June She has a "platform" - what is it really??? Drinking, crying. lip syncing, Ranking, flirting, playing word games with a cheater app? GRWM as I sit around and drink beer and cry
Somewhere between the time she got on TT and met Nathan, she met her "Best Friend" who has kept telling her she is picking losers. She ignores him every time. I think she blocked him recently. He has not been around. Maybe he got smart!! I like him and respect him enough not to blast his name here. He surfaced the again after she broke up with #7. There is a lot of speculation about them having a physical relationship. Can't be substantiated, I'm not adding it.
Mar 2021 There was her TT Crush - Nathan - mutual not a thing - clout for her for sure - I sat there watching them cuddle and as the number of her followers rose higher and higher. Always use #FYP, It was her first viral video.
April or May 2021 then the dude in PA with false teeth - Rusty he drank as much or maybe more than her! It was not a good relationship. She drove up to see him twice, he drove to her once (with his son) and that is when they broke up. She insinuated he was abusive towards her and she demanded he leave. They spent a lot of time on their own Lives complaining about the other. He has since fallen onto really hard times. (9/21/2022 living in his car)
June'ish 2021- Several nights after breaking up with Rusty, she was drunker than she had probably ever been on a Live. There were teenagers across the street in the park, playing on the swings that had a terrible squeal. The squeal was so bad you could hear it over the Live. Josh came to rescue her from the abuse of the teenage boys. She called the police on them, and she stood in the middle of her street, drunk off her ass, telling the police she could not tell them the address because "she was live on TT with over 1000 viewers". Josh lived about 1/2 a mile down the street from her and he heard all the stuff happening on the police scanner. When they talked the kids into apologizing and going home, she invited him in for a beer and a "Movie" at 2am. All she had was warm beer.
A couple of weeks later FGF moved into his house with all most all her stuff and her son who was living with her at the time. (She had to keep her apartment because the lease was not up until February 2022) He really enjoyed the time he spent with all her kids. Made cute happy videos with them. He bought groceries and cooked FGF's favorite meat (rib eye) on the grill with her older daughter. He grew to have a special bond with the older daughter. He gave her attention, talked to her like a parent would and generally was a good example of what an adult should be. Josh got FGF the nose piercing she desperately wanted so she could be like all the other TT Creators.
Poor guy, it was down hill from there. Anyone remember the night FGF got super wasted and vomited Taco Bell all over his computer room? She pressure washed HIM on Live instead of the side of the house and DID NOT apologize. She laughed and thought it was funny. Eventually he got smart. Tired of her being drunk all the time. Told her to leave. He called the police on her because she would not leave. She whined and complained that he would not help her move her things back to her apartment.
((Shortly after they broke up, he married some woman (with children) he met on TT. She left him several months later. Last I saw him online he was with another really cute girl. Wonder how long that will last. Poor guy, I think he just wanted to be a father. - 9/2022 He apparently is off TT, which is good for him. His FB page is still active. (edited)))
August 2021'ish There was Daniel from Denver who seemed to be a nice guy, but turned into a really angry man (her story/perspective). Her cult paid for their vacation to Florida where they fell in love. After the vacation, she could not wait to see him so she flew to Denver. This is where they decided he would move to WV. He was supposed to move there around Thanksgiving.
They decided he would move to WV sooner. The would look for a larger place, but in the mean time they would live with her in her nasty 1 (2?) bedroom with his two dogs, He didn't give them proper vet care (which made me really mad). The squad contributed money so they could pay for the move. During the time he was there, he never really held a job, he drank beer and smoked all day. Got money from her to pay for it. While she was actually working a 12 hour day. That turned into a HUGE drama with police, pods and puppies. Anyone remember her laying on the couch with the “cold sore” blaming it on the stress of the drive from Colorado.
*Update- I left out the part where she wrecked his car. He tried to get her to pay for it and she said "F NO!" He left her and went to Iowa to see his "daughter" who was an ex's daughter, who was not even an ex. But, apparently was an ex. He left his dogs at FGF's house and one of them, poor guy had a bad ear issue. Made me even more angry. People offered to pay the vet bill and he still didn't take him until the poor dog was crying in pain. She blames Dan for nude photos of her being spread all over TT and other places. He has since moved on, has a new attractive adult woman in his life. Sadly he had to put 2 dogs down, I don’t know if they are the same ones, but that is never anything you wish on anyone.
Nov/ Dec 2021 The dude in Nashville “Dusty” who couldn't carry a tune but had all of TT convinced he was a real singer, had big bucks and a pending recording contract.
She drove from WV to Nashville to meet him at the hotel where he was a night auditor. She and Dusty went to "play hotel" while he left his friend watching the front desk. (He said in one of her lives while she was crying over one of her many men "I might as well shoot my shot"
In December he held a M & G in Nashville for her fans and his fans. They charged people to attend. They both got so drunk they had to leave and they drove the wrong way on the freeway.
This is also where she left her children with a woman she had never met in person. It is also where she met sweet Sarah in person and hoodwinked her into thinking she was really her friend. ((2022) Some people think that Sarah has become just like FGF. If she has it is because people have shown her how easily they can be duped into giving away their money to people they do not know)
She (FGF) and Dusty crashed and burned after NYE 2022. She was angry and drank and cried and drank and cried… She then began her search for the next man. Don't forget Dusty wrote a song for her. Nighttime Lifetime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6_8LfvJS3M (9/2022 Dusty posts video sobbing about losing THE ONE, the LOVE OF HIS LIFE, rumor has it he did her wrong too)
Dec 2021 – Christmas - Oh, and let's not forget Troy who paid her $200 and bought her a new Christmas tree in return for some nudes. Also, "The Squad" gathered $ to get her Jeep fixed in November /December and bought all her kids Christmas presents. Roxanne even bought her a KitchenAid Stand Mixer in her favorite color. This gift was appx $500/$600 depending on where it was purchased. (edited)
2022 January - February
January 2022 was filled with crying, drinking, man bashing and flirting... She blasted Dusty let everyone know how terrible he really was. She told her squad ALL about how Dusty did her wrong, used her for bail money, about his arrest and secret family.
February 2022 - Derrick – almost immediately after breaking up with Dusty, she fell in LOVE with Derrick before even meeting him. She flew to Houston to meet him. He had to drive 4 hours from Lake Charles LA. to pick her up from the airport and when the visit was over, another 4 to take her back. Which was the longer drive? They seemed ok the first night. The 2nd night they wer drunk. The 3rd night she went home. She had to get back to work. She was still a working as an RN then,
When Derrick broke up with her, he said he was 100% catfished. She was very, very dramatic about it, she made FB and TT posts referencing “un-aliving” herself, clearly she didn't do it. I am not adding all the info in this section because it references her son. She did delete the posts on TT and on FB. During her visit, She got a matching heart tattoo with a fishing hook on it, with D (He has since has his covered up)). This turned into the most toxic of all her breakups (so far).
**Update - It was brought to my attention I left out the HP drama. I'm leaving it out of here. this is mostly for her "man drama" someone else can document that.
2022 THE EXTRA MEN - *Update - After Derrick she strung along a lot of "innocents ". Except I think they just wanted a piece of a$$ and to live in her clout bubble.
Mr Kentucky 1 – Kyle They were going to meet and then they weren’t. She blocked him and told her squad, “we are not going to talk about him”. It turns out that he was not ready to meet her in person. "He was new to TT" and "realized he was in over his head". He has since met several / many people from TT and is not afraid of FGF now. (9/17/2022) There is so much more to this. He was potentially involved with other women as well as his “BabyMama” and was very busy playing the field. Also, for the 2nd time, she has said she was going to quit smoking because he does not like kissing a smoker.
ToothPick Boy – You almost never saw him without a toothpick. Jordan (8/2022 -tried to get back in her good graces. Not sure what happened) He is still around. One day he will get to "shoot his shot". (9/2022 – Jordan has joined Reddit and left the Cult)
Mike Ivie - Saw through her and was not interested in the unwashed. He rejected her and he named her roach Pedro. He was very gross and rude to her in their dual lives. She blocked him when she and J became a couple. (9/21 Mike is unblocked) He hangs around - making what would normally be vulgar comments, except that they pertain to her lack of hygiene. She has a clear lack of hygiene. Falls asleep drunk, in the makeup from the day before. Goes to her jeep for a smoke and TT. 12/6/2022 he’ssssssss baccckkkkk!!
Then there was Hunter who managed to dodge the bullet before meeting her. He had his own dating drama happening and FGF felt like he was cheating on her before they ever met.
Millie is her new Bestie. They flirt a lot and he even posted a picture of his Abreva so that if she had a flare up, they could share meds. How sweet? (1/1/2023) They seem to be on the outs.
(BACK TO THE TIMELINE)
End of Feb or Maybe March 2022 - Poor Jonathan who should have known better, but hey... to each his own. He was still married. She acts like they are forever couple. Not until he is divorced or figures out the cash cow is going to run out of money!
2022 - April - August
April - Jon flirts with her while she is flirting with the other guys...
May 2022 Met Jonathan in Person - One very drunken night, Jonathan said he would "like to shoot his shot" It was the same time she was flirting with Hunter and Jordan. She even said in one of her Lives, while she was basically incoherent, that she would rather meet Jonathan than Hunter. So, she drove down to NC to meet him and also to house hunt. (Her plan was to move to NC to be closer to her family.)
He joined her in the Rankings stuff. When she was going hard and heavy to "WIN, WIN, WIN," he and Sarah would take over while she worked. They went on their first date to a turtle sanctuary and later on in their relationship they got matching turtle tattoos and she got that nasty puss oozing face piercing, again to be like the other TT Creators. In August, she ended up moving further from all her family and close to him.) and blamed him. If she had known he was going to break up with her, she would not have moved there. She screamed this several times during her drunk lives. She also claimed she gave him a laptop and $10K Heck if I spent that much time helping someone go high up in the rankings, I better well make some of the money!
June 2022 She spends a lot of time with Jonathan, brings her kids to his house, swims in the neighbor's pool. Gets COVID, takes her kids to GWL and probably becomes SuperSpreaderFGF. Makes and deletes tic tok posts about being fine and then sick and asks people to pray for her. All while her children are at her apartment.
July - The littles leave for their dad's because he goes on vacation EVERY YEAR on the 4th of July.
(7/2022 Dusty and Daniel are TT Besties now. Partying, drinking and posting TT Videos together.)
July 2022 She takes her two older children and their (half?) sibling to Florida for a trip. They go parasailing, riding jet skies, out to seafood and steak restaurants, lounging on the beach with no care in the world, swimming in the pool at an AirBnB. Her followers paid for this trip. How many of her "followers", "squad", "sycophants", "fans" take this kind of vacation? And brag about other people paying for it "because they know what I have been through. " The only things she has been through are drama of her own making. Neither J or his children participate in the Florida trip.
J's morning coffee talk used to be cool. Now it is filled with her people asking him questions about her. (7/6/2022) On this morning someone asked if they had broken up. He said "NO, there has been no breakup".
August 2022 She has banned/blocked as many people as she can possibly think of that are on Reddit and still spends more time on her phone than with her children.
She is making plans to move to North Carolina. She had originally planned to move there to be closer to her family that lives there. She changed her mind and put down 6 Months rent on a house very close to where J lives.
All the while She flirts openly with men while doing battles and makes comments that any self respecting woman would not say in public.
Jordan tells her he misses her and loves her.
She is falling apart mentally. She can't muster enough support to do the rankings. She can't admit to herself that she has messed up.
Three days before she made the move, Jonathan broke up with her via text. "He screwed me over!!! I have Kids!!!" - There are two sides to every story and Jonathan respectfully and very much in public, told his story via 2 lives on 9/17 and 9/18. (edited)
2022 August Her apartment in WV is paid for until the end of August, but she decides to move the first weekend of the month. In the middle of packing up the U-Haul truck to make her move, she claimed Josh wrote her letter asking her not to move, he still loves her and wants her call him. The handwriting is very feminine. She also claimed that during the night or maybe it was the drive, someone vandalized her Jeep and cut the serpentine belt.
She made her move to NC the weekend of the(Aug) 5th. She wouldn’t tell anyone where, then asked for help unloading the U-Haul at the storage area. She ended up doing most of it alone. She hired someone to help for 2 hours to move the heavy items. She even bragged bout how she got the storage space for one month free! Of course her location is secret. BUT!!! Several times in a very inebriated state mentioned where she was moving. Probably to throw us all off her trail. She was staying in an Air BnB on the beach until her rental home is ready. Jonathan was being an adult. He explained the “why” in one of his coffee lives He said he is basically not ready emotionally and most of all mentally and is seeing a therapist. More importantly, his children come first!!!!
8/18/2022 SizeMatters - (Mr Kentucky 2) She drove 11 hours to meet him for the first time in person. This is after dropping her children off (I think) and spend a couple of nights there. They made several videos together. She taught him how to create a wish list and drove the 11 hours home. All the while, texting (TT'ing) and talking to her Squad while driving. Dakota has a very troubled past and associating with her was not good for his mental health. She went to spend another weekend with him a couple of weeks later. This weekend just happened to be the one before school starts. She may or may not have taken her 14 year old daughter on that trip. If she didn't take C on the trip, the speculation is that she left her at home alone or dropped her off at her grandfathers. People in her chat were confused about which lie to perpetuate and a couple insinuated that she was with them.
After that weekend, people were even more toxic in his Lives and he and FGF stopped being “Official”. He had to step away for his sobriety. He appears to be doing very well now and leads some sobriety chats a couple of days a week. She has said several times it if wasn't for the ugliness in his chat they would still be together.
September 2022
(9/1/2022) FGF needed help moving everything from her storage to her new rental house. KevTrain was kind enough to offer during one of their ranking battles and she took him up on it. We are not sure if they did the deed, but we do know she was totally drunk outside of a hotel room doing a Live while he was inside the room walking around. It looked like he was pacing back and forth. He did help her move that weekend. Afterwards she verbally abused one of his Mods which was the wrong thing to do. Given the choice of his Mod or her, he chose the Mod.
Then they mutually told people (when asked), that they were both cool people. Since then Kev has made it very clear in several video comments and Lives that he has nothing to do with her at all.
No Specific Date here – Just September 2022 - She is visiting her "Loyer" (s) to see about shutting down the Reddit group. “It is all lies” She has never tried to cancel or harm anyone’s reputation on TT, she has never done anything the Red Eye Snarks said she did. She is very upset all the big creators are not rallying to support her. She has never driven after drinking, she never drive while not paying attention to the road. She never did all these things that there are many videos of her doing.
9/10/2022 She created another count down video series. For meeting her new TT Crush. (She has to stay relevant somehow.)
(9/17/2022 – Kyle comes to visit. The have never met in person. Already calling her "Babe" and "Pumpkin" in chat. He is coming across as if he is a kid in high school talking to his sweetheart. Originally he had a time off of Mon to Wed, as of 9/18 he has an open return to home date. Speculation is he either quit his job or got fired. When he went home, he did go to work, so he was not fired.
Friday or Saturday night - Three of his Ex's went Live to discuss him. They called him a womanizer, user and he even hit one of their children in the mouth.
He owes a lot of back child support. One of those ex's was his BabyMama who he still has a very close relationship with.
Sunday they went fishing, got drunk and went live after they got home. They drank all night long. When they pulled up to the house, Kyle ranted that her Daughter left all the lights on in the house.
Her daughter was home since it was a Sunday night and she had school the next day. FGF and Kyle drank all night. They got off Live at about 5:30AM Monday.
9/21/2022 – Kyle left to go home for a "dentist appointment".
On 9/22 FGF said he is going back to his BabyMamma. SMH! Was it just for clout? to raise money? was his BM involved?
She is back in all her mens chats, but when it comes to gifting during a battle... Her "Battle Cry" is "I can't reload"so she is unable to send them gifts.
2022 October 10/1/2022 FGF has been using her alternate account and while flirting with Risk it 4 da bizket (Tommy) she changed it to include part of his name. He changed his backup account to something like hers (I'll fix this later) – Tommy DROVE from Oklahoma to North Carolina to visit with her. He said he would not get out of his truck unless his subscriber numbers went up.
They attended on-line church together and she made sure people knew they were there by demanding to be in the box
They have also gone fishing where she told their followers that if anyone sent them a lion they would eat a worm. If his follower - he would. If her cult member - she would. They spent the evening making emotes for his subscribers. No sign of her child being home for this visit.
They “appear” to be a "solid" couple on the outside. Attending online church, taking tithes when sent…
There is a lot of concern that fgf is leaving her teenage daughter ALONE with T more than is appropriate. He is also talking to her as if he is has "stepfather". He called himself her "Bonus Dad". When FGF went to pick up the Littles, she left them alone. He spends the majority of his time in his truck on TT and the Daughter is in the house.
(((Total side note, the daughter created a hidden TT account. When her Mom found out, she took the phone away. Many RRs saw the videos and agree that this is one time that FGF did the right thing by taking the phone away; BUT has not given her much more attention. She is in her vehicle on TT while T is in his vehicle on TT.))
10/14/2022 FGF held a DV Awareness Live" and spent the majority of the time talking about herself and her issues and feelings. The people in the box all had an opportunity to speak, but most were squad members who allowed her to talk over them.
10/15/2022 FGF alters 2 different dresses for the Daughter to wear to Home Coming. She spent all day doing it and made a big production on live about her sewing skills.
T appears to be restless and bored. Speculation is that as soon as he has the funds (from battles) he will be leaving. They have both been coy when asked when he is leaving. The answer is always "Christmas".
October 28th something happened, He left her house and moved into a hotel. He stayed there for several days. He finally left after much harassment from her. She even said if he came back just to BOINK her she would meet him somewhere because he was “that good”
She has spent the month of November pining over phantom men. Crocheting, Knitting on expensive knitting machines *again her cult pays for everything. She has no real job. If asked, she says “TikTok is my job”. Her money comes from “gifts” from her cult.
She was on live 11/19 and went to a bar. She told the guy who tried to talk to her that there were 689 people there with her and she was “working”. He touched her jeans and she flipped out.
An hour or so later (3am) she is ready to leave and gets in the UBER and the driver calls out her address and says “is this where we are going” and FGF says Yes. She doxed herself.
When she got home, she smoked on the front porch then went inside and got her karaoke microphone out and started to sing into it. LOUD. Her daughter was asleep in the other room. She drank several beers and then brandished a pack of small fireball bottles and said she was going to drink them too.
At 5:30am she is in her chat with 3 other people and they are trying to convince her to log off and go to sleep. She screeches out several times that all she wants to do is get BOINKED. Keep in mind … 14 year old daughter in the other room.
She has repeated the “go to bar, act important, come home get trashed and make an even bigger fool of herself on TT” several times – it could be her new Saturday night thing.
12/6 Mike I told her he is into her in the middle of the night. She mocked him in a live a little later in the day. He keeps calling her Bruh and Dude. She really is one of the guys.
Manny MAY be figuring her out. In the mean time she keeps talking ab out all the nasty pictures they send back and forth. Regardless he is in it for the $$ and the clout and they have plans to get together sometime during the Christmas break.
Sometime in mid December she drove to visit Manny. This was before the planned date. It was not a good visit. Rumor has it he felt catfished. He has been a polite man so far and has not “spilled the tea” on their visit. There are videos of his slapping her upside the head with some slice ham. YES, lunch meat. SHE says they “did it” several times and then she realized they were not a good fit. She left in the middle of the night, after drinking a lot while live on TT
She got a hotel room and called Mike I. At 3:30am for sympathy. She (who just climbed out of some strange mans bed) is mad because Mike said he was talking to someone named Megan. She went home the next day, worked on her knitting and planned her future with Mike I.
She apparently told Mike he was always the one. They made plans for him to actually fly to see her. Her plan was to fly to him first (as a surprise since he had never flown before) and they would then fly back to NC together. Because there were ice storms forecasted all over the country, she went a few days early.
She “tried” to do rankings. She never had enough people who were gifting her to get very far. She did get to # 4 once. It was enough to pay rent. While Mike was there, and she was sleeping, Mike did battles on her account. He did very well and when she woke up, he had progressed pretty high. That may be the day she got to #4. Apparently there is/was an issue with her not giving him some of the money from the battles he participated in. He did work hard.
2023
She suffered alone for almost a month. Then she and Mike talked and decided they were meant to be together. He flew back to NC and lasted less than a week. He was sick when he got there. Went to ER, had bronchitis. She cooked for him when she rarely cooks for her children.
Then she got sick and he spent all his time on line and did nothing for her. Then she took him to a bar to watch the Cowboys game (they lost) and she decided she was going out. She needed alone time. With Mike she left her 14 year old daughter alone in the house with him. This is a scary pattern. She came home. They argued. She kicked him out somewhere between 3:30am and 4:30am. Got him a Uber and a hotel room. Now (1/25) they are talking about each other and acting like children. She posted the argument in 10 parts on one of her accounts.
1/25/2023 She is on the prowl again. Hair done, new nails and wearing a shirt that exposes her boobies. All while telling her squad and whoever else will listen, how much she appreciates them for all they have given her. “It doesn’t matter how much or if you gift her at all.”
February and March were filled with the SheFish on the prowl. She had a couple of close calls. One flat out told her he would not sleep with her. Another even said he caught a Catfish and then did not get involved with her.
She also tried several times to Rank and failed. Her content is filled with defending her choice in men and saying that everything posted on "Reddit" is a lie.
Her step-brother chose not to live any longer and she used that for as much sympathy and views as she possibly could. Streaming the funeral cars, the “wake, the strife internally in the family and showing everyone drinking and then possibly getting in their cars driving. "Reddit" spent a lot of time discussing her children’s lack of appropriate clothing for a funeral.
A group of people from "Reddit" formed yet another Discord to keep their activities private and then went live on TT, spending many hours bashing her and her lifestyle. Bringing her ex-fishermen into the lives and having them tell their stories. I’m not sure how successful that was. I only watched one time. She talks about Reddit as if it was on person...
March 30th, she was successful. She suckered a new victim into her bed. When she asked him (when they met) if he was happy, he said “you look different”. He didn’t leave or run…YET!

Extreme Rules 2014:Daniel Bryan (C) Vs Randy Orton:Extreme Rules Match
The brand split occurs 2 years earlier than in real life, because it allows more talent to make a name for themselves. The Authority is removed from power, and William Regal is installed as General Manager of Raw, with Teddy Long returning to the Smackdown General Manager role. Therefore, Daniel Bryan vacates the World Heavyweight Championship and that championship is passed over to Smackdown. Batista also leaves after Wrestlemania 30, because his second run was doomed as soon as he won the Royal Rumble.
On the last Raw episode before the brand split, Daniel Bryan is forced to find a mystery partner to face Randy Orton and Kane in the main event. It seems that he has been unable to find one, until Rob Van Dam appears for the first time since Battleground of the previous year. Bryan and Van Dam win after Kane taps out to the Yes Lock. The next week, after both Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton are picked 1st and 2nd for the Raw brand, William Regal announces that Randy Orton has invoked his WWE Championship rematch clause, and the title match will take place at Extreme Rules. A week later, it is announced that the match will take place under the Extreme Rules stipulation. On the go-home Raw before Extreme Rules, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton have their contract signing, and it is going by calmly, until Randy Orton hits an RKO, leaving Daniel Bryan lying into the ring going into the PPV.
The main spots in the match are when Daniel Bryan Roundhouse Kicks Randy Orton onto a Table set up near the top rope. Daniel Bryan goes for the Flying Headbutt, yet Randy Orton moves out of the way. He then hits an RKO for a two count. The end comes when Randy Orton hits the DDT off the top rope, and looks to hit the Punt Kick. However, Daniel Bryan hits the Running Knee, and both men are down. Daniel Bryan gets up first, grabs a kendo stick, and absolutely wails on Randy Orton with it. He locks in the Yes Lock, yet Randy Orton gets to the ropes. However, Daniel Bryan pulls him into the middle of the ring, and re-applies the Yes Lock, with a Kendo Stick around Randy Orton's face. After a minute of struggling, Orton taps out, and Bryan retains.
Bad Blood 2014:Daniel Bryan (C) Vs Bray Wyatt
On the Raw after Extreme Rules, a Battle Royal is scheduled for the following week, where the winner would face Daniel Bryan at Bad Blood for the WWE Championship. Bray Wyatt wins by last eliminating Randy Orton, due to interference by The Wyatt Family. The following week, Bray Wyatt says that he envies Daniel Bryan, because he is able to delude the fans to cheer for him, when deep down, he's just as bad as everybody else on the roster. He says that at Bad Blood, he is going to expose the illusion that Bryan is doing good by them, and he is going to unleash the beast within Bryan, before taking the WWE Championship. The following week, The Wyatt Family interrupt one of Adam Rose's promos, and beat the absolute piss out of him. Bray Wyatt is about to hit the Sister Abigail, until Daniel Bryan comes out of the crowd and hits him with a Running Knee. He immediately leaves again through the crowd. Once Bray Wyatt gets up, he says that Daniel Bryan cannot cower at Bad Blood, and will need to unleash the beast if he doesn't want to end up like Adam Rose. The following week, Daniel Bryan teams up with Rob Van Dam and Kofi Kingston to face The Wyatt Family, as Van Dam and Kingston have been feuding with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan for the World Tag Team Championships. Wyatt gets a clean pin over Bryan after a Sister Abigail, being the first person to pin Daniel Bryan since Elimination Chamber in February.
The match immediately starts with Daniel Bryan laying into Bray Wyatt with kicks in the corner. He goes for a Dropkick in the corner, yet Bray Wyatt lays him out with a Clothesline. He throws Daniel Bryan out of the ring, and goes to Irish Whip him into the barricade. However, Daniel Bryan reverses and hits Bray Wyatt with a Dropkick into the barricade. Daniel Bryan throws him back into the ring and goes for the Yes Lock, yet Bray Wyatt counters and drops his face onto the top turnbuckle. He then hits the Sister Abigail for a 2 count. For the rest of the match, it is fairly even, with Bray Wyatt having a slight advantage. The match ends after Daniel Bryan goes for the Flying Headbutt, yet Bray Wyatt moves out of the way. Bray Wyatt goes for the Running Senton, yet Daniel Bryan gets the knees up. He goes to lock in the Yes Lock, yet Bray Wyatt gets to the ropes. Both men run for each other, and Bryan goes for the Inside Cradle and gets the 3 count. Bryan immediately grabs his title and leaves before Erick Rowan and Luke Harper get their hands on him.
Battleground 2014:Daniel Bryan (C) Vs Randy Orton
After defeating Dolph Ziggler at Bad Blood to end a small feud of theirs, Randy Orton demands to be inserted into a WWE Championship match at Battleground. William Regal accepts, as long as he defeats the winner of a fatal-four way match between Bad News Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Bray Wyatt and Kane. Bad News Barrett wins by pinning Kane after a Bull Hammer. During the match the following week, Bad News Barrett hits the Bull Hammer accidentally on the referee. Randy Orton hits an RKO. However, he doesn't attempt to pin him, and goes for a chair. However, Daniel Bryan makes the save. He goes for the Running Knee on Orton, yet accidentally hits Barrett. Randy Orton hits an RKO on Bryan, wakes up the referee and pins Barrett for the victory. The following week, Bad News Barrett asks William Regal for a rematch against Randy Orton. After Regal refuses, Barrett interrupts Orton's match with Bo Dallas and hits the Bull Hammer on both men. The following week, Daniel Bryan and Bad News Barrett team up to take on Randy Orton and Kane. The end comes when Bad News Barrett enters the ring when he's not the legal man and Bull Hammers both men. Both men get up at the same time, and Randy Orton hits the RKO on Bryan for the pin and the win.
The match is back and forth until Daniel Bryan starts to take advantage towards the end. He goes to hit the Roundhouse Kick yet accidentally hits the referee. Randy Orton then hits the RKO. Again however, instead of going for the cover, he goes for the chair. Bad News Barrett comes out however, and climbs onto the apron. Daniel Bryan gets up, and goes for the Dropkick on Randy Orton, yet Orton ducks and Daniel Bryan instead hits Bad News Barrett. Randy Orton hits another RKO, and goes for the chair. As he turns around however, he is met with a Bull Hammer. Daniel Bryan gets up, and hits the Running Knee. He wakes up the referee, and successfully pins Orton to retain.
Summerslam 2014:Daniel Bryan (C) Vs Cesaro
On the Raw after Battleground, Cesaro wins a Battle Royal to face Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at Summerslam, last eliminating Jack Swagger. Later that night, Bryan defeats Randy Orton in a two out of three falls match for the WWE Championship. Daniel Bryan wins the first fall after a roll-up, Randy Orton wins the second fall after an RKO, and Daniel Bryan wins the final fall to retain after a Bull Hammer by Bad News Barrett when the referee is distracted due to Daniel Bryan's knee, which he injured earlier on in the match. The following week, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro and Rob Van Dam defeat Randy Orton, Kane and Jack Swagger, with Cesaro pinning Orton after a Neutraliser. The following week, Cesaro defeats Randy Orton via disqualification after Randy Orton uses a chair. Orton is about to hit the RKO on the chair, until Daniel Bryan makes the save.
This match is largely submissions, with both men even stealing each others submissions at one point. At one point, Daniel Bryan hits 6 kicks to Cesaro's chest and Cesaro fails to register it. It takes another 2 Clotheslines to take Cesaro down. Daniel Bryan goes for the Flying Headbutt, yet Cesaro moves out of the way, and takes clear initiative from here. The end comes when Cesaro locks in the Sharpshooter. However, Daniel Bryan gets out of it and locks in the Yes Lock. After lots of struggling. Cesaro is able to counter it into a Powerbomb, and both men are down. Both men get up at the same time, and Bryan hits a Running Knee for the pin and the victory. After the match, both men shake hands.
I decided to change the dynamic so that Raw has become the brand that produces young talent, and Smackdown being the brand with the established stars, with Bryan, Orton, RVD and Kane being the only fully established stars on the Raw roster. Let me know what you think of this booking.