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// Something I wrote up for SCG at the time. Not canon, but I just wanted to share with those interested. Set after the events of Episode 2. Listen to the music for maximum immersion.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
"But what about the 24th?"
The Orator had expected that question. The hints of a smile played on his lips. He turned away from the congregation, taking a drag from his cigarette as he did so. The radiant lights of the various computer consoles around the dimly lit war room caused his eyes to narrow. The Orator turned back to the gathering, smoke slowly gliding from his nostrils.
"They are being monitored. We have a man on the inside. Not even they can stop City Eighteen from falling." The Orator explained, his gaze slowly drifting toward each of the twelve individuals sitting around the strategy station. The holographic display emitting from the station was the only noteworthy source of light in the room. Each of their faces were only partially visible to the Orator, though that partial glimpse was the only thing required to distinguish them from the rest of the remainder of the human race.
Their skin looked healthy and smooth, the fullness of their faces indicating that they were extremely well-fed. A sharp contrast to the faces of those who had fought and died. A sharp contrast to the faces of those that were still fighting, or those trying merely to survive. These individuals were the patricians; the elite that were carefully tucked away before the Seven Hour War had even started.
"We should find out who is launching the attack on Eighteen. Perhaps we can provide aid or find new allies." One of the councilors suggestion. The statement was met with an equal share of nods and sneers. Another argument was threatening to break out, but before it managed to reach its critical mass, the Orator's voice rang out stern and confidently.
"We are already investigating the assailants. Rest assured, we will find out who they are. But until then, there are more urgent matters to decide." The Orator paused briefly, keeping the gathering in suspense as he pondered his next words. "Ladies and gentlemen of the congregation. For many years, you have been at the forefront of the advancement of human civilization. Thanks to your efforts, in the last days before the War, mankind was prospering. You have dedicated your lives to guiding the many nations of the world towards incredible achievements. Some of you already know about what I am about to reveal to you. To those of you who do not, I have come here today to lay before you a choice."
The holographic display flickered, displaying a virtual image of Earth. Several markers that displayed detailed information appeared around the globe, ranging from details about the Cities to tactical data about the Combine fleet in orbit around the planet.
"The capital of the invaders has already fallen, with Eighteen soon to follow. It will cripple the Combine presence on Earth beyond repair. The liberation of our home is an inevitable fact. This, however, leaves their fleet." The Orator adjusted the holographic map. It zoomed out, showing a compact map of the Sol star system.
"Ladies and gentleman of the congregation, we stand before a crossroad." The Orator explained, holding up two hands to emphasize the two choices. "On one side, we, as a race, face total and uncompromising annihilation." He lifted the other hand, slightly higher than the first. "On the other... an endless sea of stars, and the manifest destiny of our species." The hand curled into a fist.
The display changed again, this time showing a gargantuan spacecraft. Next to it, several dozen visualizations of what looked to be Combine space-cruisers. Though superior in numbers, the simulated fleet paled in comparison to the enormous scale of the first vessel. The fleet began to fire on the juggernaut, but its hull remained undamaged despite the barrage of laser projectiles. Something on the ship blinked, then several smaller, lightning-fast lasers emitted from its weapon systems in an arc over the Combine fleet. The enemy ships exploded in unison.
"Its name is Invictus." The Orator said calmly, taking another drag from his cigarette. He let the smoke drift from his mouth and smiled a knowing smile.
"And I need your help to build it."
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
~ William Ernest Henry
The Orator had expected that question. The hints of a smile played on his lips. He turned away from the congregation, taking a drag from his cigarette as he did so. The radiant lights of the various computer consoles around the dimly lit war room caused his eyes to narrow. The Orator turned back to the gathering, smoke slowly gliding from his nostrils.
"They are being monitored. We have a man on the inside. Not even they can stop City Eighteen from falling." The Orator explained, his gaze slowly drifting toward each of the twelve individuals sitting around the strategy station. The holographic display emitting from the station was the only noteworthy source of light in the room. Each of their faces were only partially visible to the Orator, though that partial glimpse was the only thing required to distinguish them from the rest of the remainder of the human race.
Their skin looked healthy and smooth, the fullness of their faces indicating that they were extremely well-fed. A sharp contrast to the faces of those who had fought and died. A sharp contrast to the faces of those that were still fighting, or those trying merely to survive. These individuals were the patricians; the elite that were carefully tucked away before the Seven Hour War had even started.
"We should find out who is launching the attack on Eighteen. Perhaps we can provide aid or find new allies." One of the councilors suggestion. The statement was met with an equal share of nods and sneers. Another argument was threatening to break out, but before it managed to reach its critical mass, the Orator's voice rang out stern and confidently.
"We are already investigating the assailants. Rest assured, we will find out who they are. But until then, there are more urgent matters to decide." The Orator paused briefly, keeping the gathering in suspense as he pondered his next words. "Ladies and gentlemen of the congregation. For many years, you have been at the forefront of the advancement of human civilization. Thanks to your efforts, in the last days before the War, mankind was prospering. You have dedicated your lives to guiding the many nations of the world towards incredible achievements. Some of you already know about what I am about to reveal to you. To those of you who do not, I have come here today to lay before you a choice."
The holographic display flickered, displaying a virtual image of Earth. Several markers that displayed detailed information appeared around the globe, ranging from details about the Cities to tactical data about the Combine fleet in orbit around the planet.
"The capital of the invaders has already fallen, with Eighteen soon to follow. It will cripple the Combine presence on Earth beyond repair. The liberation of our home is an inevitable fact. This, however, leaves their fleet." The Orator adjusted the holographic map. It zoomed out, showing a compact map of the Sol star system.
"Ladies and gentleman of the congregation, we stand before a crossroad." The Orator explained, holding up two hands to emphasize the two choices. "On one side, we, as a race, face total and uncompromising annihilation." He lifted the other hand, slightly higher than the first. "On the other... an endless sea of stars, and the manifest destiny of our species." The hand curled into a fist.
The display changed again, this time showing a gargantuan spacecraft. Next to it, several dozen visualizations of what looked to be Combine space-cruisers. Though superior in numbers, the simulated fleet paled in comparison to the enormous scale of the first vessel. The fleet began to fire on the juggernaut, but its hull remained undamaged despite the barrage of laser projectiles. Something on the ship blinked, then several smaller, lightning-fast lasers emitted from its weapon systems in an arc over the Combine fleet. The enemy ships exploded in unison.
"Its name is Invictus." The Orator said calmly, taking another drag from his cigarette. He let the smoke drift from his mouth and smiled a knowing smile.
"And I need your help to build it."
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