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Mare Eternus: Storytime

Started by Nomadic, October 04, 2009, 07:36:01 AM

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Nomadic

[ooc]This has been sitting here for awhile as a little scrap. I figured I'd morph it into my short stories archive. Anyhow, hope you all enjoy a small glimpse of Mare Eternus. My goal with this thread is to help people get a feel for what exactly the setting feels like, and if I can do that then I've succeeded.[/ooc]

[ic=Getaway Driver]She wasn't looking his way, yet he could tell she was grinning. Even without looking at her reflection in the cockpit glass he knew it. She always grinned. She grinned smugly when teasing you, coyly when she knew you were up to something, and broadly from ear to ear when she was about to do something crazy. He could see her reflection in the glass, she was grinning broadly. Ah hell, he should of known better than to get into this mess. "I should of just let those guards take me," he drummed his fingers anxiously, "I'd be safer rotting in jail then in this rust bucket."

Her smile shifted slightly, "aww don't give Jeni a hard time, she does a fine job." She obviously was completely missing the source of his anxiety. Her cluelessness and recklessness seemed to ebb and flow together. "Don't you worry, I said I'd get you to safety and I will. After all I got you past those brownosers didn't I?" She twisted in her seat, looking back at him. Sure, he thought, and look where you put me now? Straight in the middle of some hunk of junk hothead with almost as many bolts loose as its pilot. "Well anyhow hold on, we're not clear yet", she reached up and toggled a few switches. Lighting flickered on and the clank of gears engaging echoed through the vessel. He instinctively clutched tight to his chairs armrests.

There was a churning sound as the external props picked up speed, turning over and over as they lifted the ship off the cave floor. "We'll be fine in a minute, just need to get past that patrol ship." The old submersible creaked a bit as she edged it forward to the cave opening, the external lights playing across the kelp that masked the entrance. "Here goes," she tugged down on the throttle sharply and the ship accelerated through the green fronds, exploding out into the open ocean.

They were clawing for freedom, he knew pretty well how close their pursuers were likely to be. They were probably sitting right on top of them, even now lining up a volley. As if to emphasize his thoughts, twin bubble trails blew past the front of the cockpit, near misses from a couple torpedoes. He flinched away "Darkness take me! Watch out!"

"Don't be a ninny," she jerked the yoke and the submarine slewed to port, narrowly missing another volley. "These deadbeat lackeys couldn't hit your fat head if their life depended on it." Considering how close those shots were he was inclined to disagree, but he said nothing further. The vessel bobbed and weaved evasively as the projectiles continued to streak past, exploding on the surface below them. "AHA! There you are you ugly tin can." The bulk of the enemy vessel was now visible as they turned straight into its path.

"Blast it, what do you think you're doing?!" The words were quick and panicked and he could see by the reflection on the cockpit glass that it only made her grin wider. "You can't take on a warship with a two person lighter you idiot!"

"Can so! It's called free will," she thumbed her nose at him and continued on resolutely, the enemy ship growing larger by the second. "Besides I wrapped a gift for them and it would be a shame to not deliver it." It was only then that he heard the sound of a turbine spinning up. Looking back into the engine compartment he could see several disks inside a covering rapidly turning, the friction making them red hot. It took him a second to realize what it was. Which was about a second longer than it took her to pull the trigger.

The blast was enormous, spinning the little ship like a top as a surge of water blew out from beneath the cockpit and slammed into the approaching submarine. He had a split second to watch the command section windows implode before the force of the blast spun them around completely. "Choke on that!" she grabbed the controls again and accelerated even before their spin had stopped.

He completely lost it. "What kind of incompetent moron puts a shockwave generator on a two person submersible?!" He was fuming, that could of killed them. More importantly it could of killed him, he didn't really care so much about her anymore.

"The same incompetent moron who would do this..." she flicked a switch and there was a thunk as something detached from the ship. "Nobody fires at my ship." As they accelerated there was the rumbling sound of a warship grade mine going off followed quickly by the blast of its shockwave. She leaned back into her chair, "like I said, I'd get you to safety. Now its just a smooth ride to Port Alesk."

He covered his head and moaned, "Where's the airlock? I think I'd rather take my chances with suffocation than stay here with you."[/ic]

Steerpike

Very cinematic!  The piece reminds me greatly of scenes from Star Wars or Firefly.  I like that so much of Mare Eternus is underwater - so often underwater realms in settings feel very sealed off, whereas in this one the underwater sections are seamlessly integrated.

I get a very steampunk, 20000 leagues under the sea vibe.

Nomadic

Quote from: SteerpikeVery cinematic!  The piece reminds me greatly of scenes from Star Wars or Firefly.  I like that so much of Mare Eternus is underwater - so often underwater realms in settings feel very sealed off, whereas in this one the underwater sections are seamlessly integrated.

I get a very steampunk, 20000 leagues under the sea vibe.

Excellent, those are all the exact sorts of feelings I'm trying to evoke with the setting :)

Nomadic

[ic=Ballroom Blitz]Soothing tunes whispered through the air, carried on the light touch of tinkling chimes and flutes. The baron certainly knew how to make his guests feel at ease. It did seem to have a calming effect for Derrik, especially after all the gutter sifting he'd been forced to do in the past two days. Well regardless of the pain, his employer did pay quite well. Derrick reflected on that thought with a grin, swirling fine wine in an even finer crystal glass.

"What ya thinkin on Derrik?" his partner in crime startled him out of his reverie with typical gruffness, a cigar held loosely in his mouth and his booted feet up on the table. Derrik glanced up at him, typical Feemis with his typically uncouth manners. Anyone else would have been warned by the baron's servants not to place their dirty feet on his lords expensive tablecloths. Feemis though didn't give a damn. They'd long since figured that one out. As for the baron himself, Feemis did his job well and that was more important than soiled fabric.

Derrick took a sip of the wine and leaned back in his chair. "Just the fact that despite your desire to treat everyone like scum we've still somehow managed to... to..."

"To get in bed with the baron?" Feemis chuckled. "Hey I take pride in my work, Vladmis knows that."

"True," Derrick commented, "but it would be so much easier if you didn't make a habit of insulting everyone you meet." He idly sipped his wine as the baron's personal musicians began to strike up a faster tune. The harpist seemed especially talented, he made a note to compliment her later. Feemis puffed at his cigar, wisps of smoke escaping from his mouth.

"Not my fault that most everyone is asking to be insulted," he pulled out his cigar and blew a thick smoke ring. One of the ladies of the house was sitting nearby and she looked at them with obvious distaste. Derrick shook his head and sighed.

"Perhaps, but then again it would be good to not go looking for trouble," Derrick knew this was an argument he couldn't win. They had this conversation all the time, and every time Feemis simply shrugged it off. Oh well, at least it gave them something to talk about. "Take for example that charming young lady you met, what was her name?"

"Rhiana? Ah yea that was entertaining to say the least. Her fool husband couldn't keep his nose out of my business though."

Derrick raised an eyebrow "I think from his position you were the one sticking your nose into other's business." The music tempo began to slow and the instruments faded away save for tinkling chimes and bells. Derrick eyed the musicians as servants somewhere placed filters over the upper windows. The room was filled with muted blue light. "You were your typical crude self and you got what you wanted from her as you normally do. Then when her husband found out, instead of an apology you insult him." Derrick watched as several couples began to dance out on the floor. "Now we have the undying hate of him and his kin and we..." There was a loud bang as the doors to the ballroom swung open.

"And the monster that we've been discussing makes itself known," Feemis stuck his cigar back in his mouth and stood up even as a shout rang out across the hall.

"FEEMIS YOU IDLE-BRAINED SCAG, I HAVE TRACKED DOWN YOUR COWARDLY SELF AND VENGEANCE WILL NOT WAIT. NOW COME AND TAKE WHAT YOUR DEEDS PURCHASED." The very man they had just been discussing stood in the doorway. All around him people stopped and stared. A servant tried to stop the man and was promptly punched in the nose for his trouble. With that the man saw them and quickly approached the table, sword drawn.

"My work is never done," Feemis cracked his knuckles and turned towards his assailant. Derrick leaned back, savoring the last drops of his 459 Amber D'vaule. He would love to see Feemis taken down a notch, but he knew at best he'd get nothing but a view of him pummeling yet another person into the ground. The man that approached was quite broad and muscular for a Maeri. But a strong Maeri next to Feemis towering Nicu frame was as a lizard alongside a crocodile. Though, Derrick reflected upon the drawn short sword, this lizard had very large fangs.

The man closed rapidly, his walk turning into a charge as he approached them. He had the dark light of rage in his eyes, but there was an obvious sense of sword skill in how he carried himself. Feemis was a totally different story, cigar between his lips, arms loose at his sides, and a blank look in his eyes. Derrick watched the sword thrust, very quick and aimed straight for the stomach. Most people without a weapon against that would have backpedaled or just turn and ran. Feemis instead stepped forward, meeting the attack. There was a look of confusion on the man's face as his foe rapidly disappeared to his left. And then he was flying through the air, limbs flailing. There was a massive crash accompanied by the screams of guests. Already the ballroom was a writhing hive of frightened and upset people.

"It appears you've broken another of the baron's tables my friend," Derrick stretched his arms and yawned as his co-conspirator strolled towards his downed opponent.

"We'll get him a new one, something fancy with lots of gaudy crap on it. Just like he likes it," Feemis reached his foe as he was struggling to his feet. There was a sharp slap as the man was lifted into the air by a nasty right hook. He tried again to stand up, sword still miraculously in his right hand. Feemis came in again and the man affected a drunken swipe with his weapon before a massive fist careened into his skull. There was a popping sound and he crumpled, sword clanging on the marble floor.

The big man stooped and retrieved the weapon before ambling back to their table. "Well," Feemis flopped down in his chair, rubbing his hands "who's hungry?"[/ic]

Nomadic

Don't mean to sound like a nag but I'd really love some feedback :P

XXsiriusXX

Is this a start to a much larger story? Or is it just a snippet piece?

If it is a start to a much larger story, it is an interesting and has a nice hook to it. I would like to see more if you have it.

Nomadic

Quote from: XXsiriusXXIs this a start to a much larger story? Or is it just a snippet piece?

If it is a start to a much larger story, it is an interesting and has a nice hook to it. I would like to see more if you have it.


Well it was just a snippet, but I could always write a bit more about them if you'd like.

XXsiriusXX

Quote from: Nomadic
Quote from: XXsiriusXXIs this a start to a much larger story? Or is it just a snippet piece?

If it is a start to a much larger story, it is an interesting and has a nice hook to it. I would like to see more if you have it.


Well it was just a snippet, but I could always write a bit more about them if you'd like.

i wouldn't mind reading more.

Nomadic

Quote from: XXsiriusXX
Quote from: Nomadic
Quote from: XXsiriusXXIs this a start to a much larger story? Or is it just a snippet piece?

If it is a start to a much larger story, it is an interesting and has a nice hook to it. I would like to see more if you have it.


Well it was just a snippet, but I could always write a bit more about them if you'd like.

i wouldn't mind reading more.

Awesome, I'll see about writing some up later. Right now I'm off to work but keep tuned in for another one. :)