|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jun 23, 2018 7:56:27 GMT -8
If conquering a planet was difficult controlling a planet was a nightmare. Orchestrating an attack needed precise planning, overwhelming power and the oft lost aspect; luck. Controlling a planet not only relied on military strength but political savvy. The second was oft forgotten thus leading to ultimate defeat. Foremost among these requirements was the cooperation of the subject people. This aspect of controlling a planet has never been a problem for the IF. They managed the planet impeccably. And part of the reason for this was the near unanimous public support for the IF on Manaan. An Tiarna was loved. Few comprehended this fact. Now nothing of the old was left save small numbers
Ciarán stopped short turning to Laoch he spoke
-Ciarán-
“The graves…. We ain’t goin anywhere til I see those; what has become of them.”
Laoch solemnly nodded saying but a single word
-Laoch-
“Agreed.”
The two then proceeded towards the Dark sea
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jun 23, 2018 14:27:47 GMT -8
A complete roll call of the remaining troops. Manaan still had a large number of warriors, but these were disorganized. At present he had confirmed the 500 Scáileanna na Iarndóideanna ~ Shadows of the Iron Fists, and 1000 An Bligeárd ~ The Blackguard under Major General Sands still at full strength in the Thieve's Den
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28 
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jun 24, 2018 16:30:57 GMT -8
Inside the Island city a bustle of activity was noticed. But all was quiet. The death toll of those defending the island city was well know. If anything was to happen, these two would do so. All of the five agreed with that
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jun 24, 2018 17:19:24 GMT -8
The pair boarded their lonely ship and the Wayfarer rose up into the sky and was gone
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jun 30, 2018 21:51:30 GMT -8
The Selkath Rebel Elders worked diligently organizing and maintaining a productive systemic climate of chaos and disorder among the indigenous populous of Manaan. This was in their interpretation, following the richly celebrated time honored furiously xenophobic nature of the Selkath, self-preservation. They waged a continuous war ranging from passive civil unrest to brutally violent terrorist acts. Bombs went off quite sporadically across the island city with picketing lines of natives in mass cheered as they protested. Central to this campaign was bringing Kolto harvesting to a screeching halt. The infrastructure that held the community together was torn apart. Natives braced themselves for a long haul. Two of Selkath spoke
-Hhata Cyoki-
"Two things that we discarded following the exit the IF!"
-Mantu Reel- "What's that?"
-Hhata Cyoki- "Peace and security!"
Both Selkath broke out laughing
|
|
An Tiarna Dubh
Member
Is minic a bhris beál duine a shrón ~ It is often that a person's mouth broke his nose
Posts: 841
Affiliation: Are you joking? the IF
Traffic Light: Green
|
Post by An Tiarna Dubh on Jul 2, 2018 3:50:43 GMT -8
Cahill walked the city with ease, each step falling soft as his mind struggled hard and fast with the present state of things. The old murderer walked along gently
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 6, 2018 5:37:46 GMT -8
The Wayfarer docked in a bay of Ahto City. Ciaránand Laoch were immediately greeted by Selkath in great numbers. Enthusiastic welcomes met the pair
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jul 6, 2018 5:47:11 GMT -8
The Selkath rained greetings and gifts on the arriving Dubh boys. Familiar music filled the air, some even offered their wives. The IF were that respected and liked by the Selkath. The whole scene was an organised exhibition of loyalty. The Selkath elders took command of the reception and the pair were led to a great feast in their honour. Much needed saying but first the ceremony, befitting homecoming royalty was extended on the Dubh boys. The whole thing was breathtaking
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 6, 2018 6:02:05 GMT -8
Ciarán and Laoch humbly accepted the glowing acceptance quietly. The situation was discussed and plans bloomed. Collection of IF casualties and the telltale stench caused by burning bodies filled the air. Laoch and Ciaran were simultaneously sickened by the scent of mass cremation and revelled in the enthusiasm yet were not entirely swept up and lost in the atmosphere. Their was work to be done.
The meal was eaten quietly. When finished and all pleasantries exchanged all eyes seemed to be fixed on the pair
. At last Ciarán addressed the delegation
-Ciarán-
“My most esteemed friends. Your people and my family share a long history.”
Clearing his throat
-Ciarán-
“We are all accustomed to the ways of business.”
Hands moving slow as he spoke Ciarán continued
-Ciarán-
“Now if you have a pie your family is first you must consider eating it.”
Finger pointing to accent his words
-Ciarán-
“But if selling whole or part of the pie will put more food in your family’s mouth then you do such.”
A smile crossing his face
-Ciarán-
“And share the pie, or profits that it engenders with those friends who you consider of highest honour.”
Fashioning the word
-Ciarán-
“Friends… partners.”
Brushing that to the side
-Ciarán-
“We know that you have an arrangement at present and have no desire to dethrone those in question.”
Head nodding to the side
-Ciarán-
“We ain’t even asking for a piece of the pie; what we want is friendship and mutual cooperation between your people and our own.”
Voice now ice cold
“In turn we will always defend your interests.”
He stopped short there
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jul 6, 2018 19:19:53 GMT -8
This was a change of great consequence. What Ciarán was asking for was a cessation of any and all revolutionary movement. Shak Los spoke without delay, fast decisions being central to the Selkath’s endurance and success, in life and business which sustained life
-Shak Los-
“Consider it done.”
But a few words were uttered and a notable change among the people was evident in but minutes. The fiery words of rebellion were fast replaced by a calming mood that could almost be seen as it rolled across the city like dominos toppling one by one. It was an arresting display of power. The city minutes before on the edge of exploding into an uprising became once again the calm, peaceful industrious environment it was by norm. Power
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 6, 2018 19:21:39 GMT -8
Ciarán was impressed by the show of power he watched. These people could easily fight a war. But business was what they did and did well. He spoke
-Ciarán-
“Now… as we say, you have our solemn word of support… what we need is a place where we may find sanctuary; a place to find food and rest when need be.”
They were securing small interests. And as consequence the interests of big business and empires really did not effect him, unless that these interests did not conflict. Better if they coexisted; better yet if they shared a mutual benefit. He had sworn protection to some and would prove it to any but only if his hand was forced. He looked around him. Even with all of the things gone that he knew and held dear he still loved the planet. Laoch sat quietly, his observation fixed on the delegates
An Officer had the ships in orbit alerted. Many a wild affair he had been a part of in his time among these crazed savages. Been able to announce "S'all peaceful." was rare in his experience in the IF. Truthfully he didn't know if An Tiarna understood the word. The officer laughed then returned attention to his men
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jul 6, 2018 19:34:15 GMT -8
The Selkath were not privy to the inner thoughts of the two, nor did they concern the group as a whole. Shak Los cut in fast with a simple statement of fact
_Shak Los-
“You have always enjoyed that here.”
So history is made on small events that cumulatively form big history. Such was the case here. The ability of the oft underestimated Selkath to mobilize and act had been demonstrated and accented by the speed and efficiency by which it was quietly cleaned up and brought to a close in the flash of flashes
But what of fragmented units of IF troops spread wide across the city, with even communication between each other broken down? They were like some tragic movie about lost soldiers in jungles still fighting a long gone war oblivious to cessation of hostilities. Or were these merely an urban myth? Time would tell on such. Then it would be dealt with
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 6, 2018 20:38:28 GMT -8
So another part of the puzzle fit in place and another place where the two could find a meal and a cot on their travels was established. Ciarán and Laoch rose in a freakish synchronicity, bid quiet farewells and boarded their Wayfarer with the crew. Then they lifted up departing
|
|
Gráinne Mhaol & Fiach Dubh
Member
Is mimic a bhris beal duine a shron - often a person's mouth gets their nose broke
Posts: 715
Affiliation: Oglaigh na Irandoideanne - Warriors of the Iron Fists
|
Post by Gráinne Mhaol & Fiach Dubh on Jul 18, 2018 0:09:41 GMT -8
A vessel docked gently and the engine died down as the hatch dropped. Boland, followed by Morrígu, Fiach Dub on shoulder and Maureen, tagged by the giant wolfhound exited. All was silent for a city once so vibrant. They gazed around them.... Nothing could stop the city. It was magical, so she thought. Boland had heard of Manaan. Fables some would say. Crazy was the word that he'd elect to describe it all. Truth or wild tale? Of that he had no idea but it made for a rich story. Maureen looked at the dog and yawned. The beast gave out a yawn of his own, showing off a mean set of teeth. The Raven sat on the woman's shoulder wondering when these people would bore with looking at this nonsense and get him and the dog off this cursed puddle that stained the universe
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 18, 2018 4:02:53 GMT -8
Ciarán Dubh. Laoch Bán Dubh. The two stood with the others and they too wondered. They wondered little about where the others minds wandered. People transpire and buildings crumble and fall with time. The beach too had been raised. But the spirit should not be, could not be removed. Laoch looked down for but a fleeting moment then up again as Ciarán stood eyes up into the light so as to not see the shadows. He howled sudden hand shooting up defiantly
-Ciarán-
“Óglaigh na Iarndóideanna go bragh!!!”
This inspired Laoch did the same
-Laoch-
“Óglaigh na Iarndóideanna go bragh!”
Then both stood momentarily frozen in memories, some of their own many belonging to others. The final cry rallied no immediate reply. The Selkath were welcoming but reserved. Quite predictable among a generally reserved people but a subtle change from not so long ago. A small congregation approached
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jul 18, 2018 12:00:18 GMT -8
The group arrived. Elders. Those who spoke the mood of the Selkath masses. They idntified themselves as rebels but true to their kind they were as a rule quiet. One spoke -Elder-
"We are unified and unified we stand. The general mood among us is.... |
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 18, 2018 12:03:57 GMT -8
Ciarán interupped
-Ciarán-
"Subdued?"
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jul 18, 2018 12:06:53 GMT -8
The response was slow -Shak Los-
"Yessc. That defines our stance quite diplomatically"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ciarán Dubh & Laoch Bán Dubh on Jul 18, 2018 12:09:10 GMT -8
Laoch was set to retort but it was Ciarán who interrupted
-Ciarán-
"A dish best served cold; we can appreciate that."
|
|
Selkathl Elders
Member
Posts: 28
Affiliation: The Progenitor, An Tiarna and Clann
|
Post by Selkathl Elders on Jul 18, 2018 12:10:18 GMT -8
The Elders all quietly finished the thought. An understanding was born. The response came quickly Shak Los
"Thank you."
Pausing a moment Shak Los
"You have our support....."
|
|
