Re: Inexorable Altercation [Round IV - Hezekiah]
03-10-2012, 04:12 AM
Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.
A few cells on the Hezekiah were unusually large, intended for holding gargantuan prisoners.
It had taken Pteros's gang weeks to clean up the carcass of Giathikus Scarlowe. The whaleman hadn't been as much of a challenge to kill as they'd expected, but his remains smelled unbearable. Still, it had been worth it to have an adequately-sized base of operations.
The base had become even more adequately-sized a few weeks ago, when Pteros had sent Thrukk to lead an expedition into a theoretically-abandoned sector that one of his rivals had set up camp in. They still hadn't returned, and there had been no word of either their success or failure.
That worried Pteros. He flew down from his perch and looked over the map of the ship. It had cost him quite a few favors to acquire it, and indeed there were some he still owed, but the knowledge was essential if he was to dominate the entire Hezekiah.
It was simply bizarre. The layout was extremely straightforward, and Pteros could see very few plausible scenarios where a stalemate could have occurred. Yet if Thrukk's forces had been victorious, why had he not sent word? Conversely, if his attack had failed, why hadn't the Captain sent him a message boasting about his victory? He wasn't the sort to avoid doing that.
The most plausible explanation was that both sides had been wiped out. That would technically be a victory for Pteros, but it would have come at a great cost - the attacking force had been a third of his men.
He sighed, and put the map away. He had to do two things. One, find somebody expendable to investigate. Two, start recruiting, just in case he really had lost a third of his forces.
He flew over to Rex, one of his two remaining lieutenants. Rex was even larger than Thrukk, and usually walked on all fours. He had a great crest on his head, and three sharp horns.
"I have an important mission," Pteros said. "I need someone pliable and expendable. I believe you have a knack for finding such individuals, my friend?"
Rex nodded. He was a man of few words.
"Excellent. Let me know when you've found someone."
A few cells on the Hezekiah were unusually large, intended for holding gargantuan prisoners.
It had taken Pteros's gang weeks to clean up the carcass of Giathikus Scarlowe. The whaleman hadn't been as much of a challenge to kill as they'd expected, but his remains smelled unbearable. Still, it had been worth it to have an adequately-sized base of operations.
The base had become even more adequately-sized a few weeks ago, when Pteros had sent Thrukk to lead an expedition into a theoretically-abandoned sector that one of his rivals had set up camp in. They still hadn't returned, and there had been no word of either their success or failure.
That worried Pteros. He flew down from his perch and looked over the map of the ship. It had cost him quite a few favors to acquire it, and indeed there were some he still owed, but the knowledge was essential if he was to dominate the entire Hezekiah.
It was simply bizarre. The layout was extremely straightforward, and Pteros could see very few plausible scenarios where a stalemate could have occurred. Yet if Thrukk's forces had been victorious, why had he not sent word? Conversely, if his attack had failed, why hadn't the Captain sent him a message boasting about his victory? He wasn't the sort to avoid doing that.
The most plausible explanation was that both sides had been wiped out. That would technically be a victory for Pteros, but it would have come at a great cost - the attacking force had been a third of his men.
He sighed, and put the map away. He had to do two things. One, find somebody expendable to investigate. Two, start recruiting, just in case he really had lost a third of his forces.
He flew over to Rex, one of his two remaining lieutenants. Rex was even larger than Thrukk, and usually walked on all fours. He had a great crest on his head, and three sharp horns.
"I have an important mission," Pteros said. "I need someone pliable and expendable. I believe you have a knack for finding such individuals, my friend?"
Rex nodded. He was a man of few words.
"Excellent. Let me know when you've found someone."
There's no reason for this | Or this | Death is inevitable | You can't challenge fate | The smallest change | I'm overwhelmed
I'm serious | It makes perfect sense | Easy as ABC! | I can't even explain it | Cleaning up someone else's mess
I suck | I rule | I've got it made | Really, I'm serious | This bugs me | It's all lies | I want to believe | Beauty is a curse
I'm serious | It makes perfect sense | Easy as ABC! | I can't even explain it | Cleaning up someone else's mess
I suck | I rule | I've got it made | Really, I'm serious | This bugs me | It's all lies | I want to believe | Beauty is a curse