Why do I keep using foreign languages? The world will never know.
Why do I keep adding characters? The world will never know.
Edit: Added the Eyecatch! I think those are cool.
Edit2: And edited out more typos. Grammar checking at 3:00 a.m. sure is hard!
Previously on UNTITLED:
…Besides the sluggishly rotating planet, the skies were empty. The light frigate DSCS-IO and Battlecruiser DSCS-LIVERPOOL had warped out of the system yesterday, responding to increased Wheel sightings near Andyal, the moon of the DSC-aligned and strategically important, but largely independent world of Kaisari…
…The briefing was a plan of action for the Ganymede’s next few weeks. As soon as possible, the Ganymede would move out to support (if necessary) the DSC at Andyal. The Battlecruiser DSCS-PRETORIA was present there at the moment, and the DSCS-IO and DSCS-LIVERPOOL would arrive soon, as you all should know. The carrier DSCS-PORTUGAL should arrive shortly to pick up the DSC troops on the planet…
…The second lieutenant made a take-off motion with his hand. “Bunker class fighter flies off right above him. He’s only got helicopters that are no good for space flight. And get this, the Liverpool? It was supposed to be watching the planet for that fighter. Too bad though, because it’s gone! You’d think this Scott guy would have organized this better, but he’s not really in control of anything.”…
GARRETT SCOTT AND THE KAISARI CONNECTION
PART 1
The world of Kaisari was one of the earliest colonized worlds in the galaxy, and one glance at the day to day life on the planet would tell you that. The first settlers of the then-unnamed world lost all contact with the outside after a breakdown of their communications systems. The many colonists, unable to settle their petty differences, expanded outwards across the surface of the planet, drifting apart culturally and linguistically over many generations. Eventually the planet’s landmass was divided amongst several rival warlords. Without any access to modern technology, the planet entered a medieval state, where wars were fought not with guns and elite troops but with large armies of swords and spears. A bloody period of warlordism followed.
One warlord, whose territory was based around the city of Austis, grew increasingly tired of the unstable situation on the planet. He gave himself the name “Kaisar”, crowning himself Imperator – emperor – of his domain. He instituted in the city of Austis a legislative body: Senatus Populusque Kaisari, translated as The Senate and People of Kaisari and commonly referred to as the SPQK. This democratic body brought the new Imperator Kaisar great support from the people and allowed him to levy grand armies from the population. While the SPQK governed the state, Kaisar formed his armies into twelve legions and set out on the warpath from Austis. In a series of campaigns he conquered and subjugated all other warlords on the planet, naming himself Imperator Mundi: Emperor of the World. He named the planet after himself and the first legion, Legio I Kaisari, still bears his name.
A few centuries later the DSC discovered the lost planet. The Imperator Mundi at the time, Augustus III, was shocked and awed by the DSC’s space ships and automatic weapons. Emissaries from the DSC informed him that the DSC has conquered hundreds of worlds while even the mythical Imperator Kaisar had managed to control just one. Realizing the might of this trans-galactic organization, Augustus agreed to join the Deep Space Confederacy. What followed was the Kaisari modernization era as the planet was rapidly brought up to speed technologically with the DSC. Even with the power plants, factories, and television sets that modernization brought, Kaisari had managed to preserve much of its old culture, mainly by refusing to construct the DSC’s factory farms, limiting their population through agricultural practices.
The DSC, in its early stages at the time, was amazed at how the Imperators could keep eight provinces of an entire planet under control without modern communications. True, there had been rebellions against the Imperators, but the planet was held together by the idea of one people, one language, one emperor, so thoroughly touted by the SPQK.
What the planet was (and is) mostly known for was its skilled warriors. Since their arrival the DSC often recruited Kaisari legionnaires to serve as auxiliaries in their fleets. Due to the planet’s military tradition, Kaisari troops are considered the best-trained and most reliable in all of DSC space. If the DSC allowed its member worlds to construct their own navies the Kaisari would probably field the greatest ships, as well.
Of course, this high demand for soldiers did not come without concession. Kaisari holds unprecedented autonomy within the DSC. Other than the military recruitment the DSC had extremely little involvement on the planet, and while the DSC flag was required to be flown in canton on the Kaisari flag, the soldiers did not have to show it on their war standards.
Recently, under the Imperator Mundi Marcus Postumius Tacitus, Kaisari had withdrawn considerably from the DSC, greatly reducing the numbers of soldiers it provided to the Confederacy. DSC Colonel Garrett Scott hoped to change that.
The carrier DSCS-PORTUGAL exited the fourth dimension, the rift in space closing behind it, screeching and crackling all the way. A few seconds later, the viewscreens flung themselves open. Garrett Scott wandered over to one to get a view of the planet. He was, as always, dressed for combat. His armour fit snugly over his form, his pauldrons impeccably clean. The only off part of him was his trademarked red scarf, but he felt it added a sort of flair to his character, differentiating him from the great mass of colonels the DSC fielded.
He got a good look at the world of Kaisari and its moon Andyal, not that he had not seen them before. He always enjoyed examining planets from space, little drops of land and civilization amidst a vast ocean of emptiness, like a bubble trapped in a field of ice. He had read the DSC history books, of the times when all of humanity had somehow managed to live on just one planet. Strange how that now, even though humans had hundreds of worlds to stretch out across, they still found new ways and new reasons to murder each other. Humanity, he thought, was always seeking out the latest exciting ways to destroy itself, and some day, it would succeed.
A communications officer walking past stopped near Garrett and took a look out of the viewscreen.
“See any Wheel around, boss?” He asked.
“Can’t say that I do.” Garrett answered.
“All the better for us.” Chuckled the officer. “Ever been to Kaisari?”
“One before.” Said Garrett, examining the blue and green planet before him. “I took a tour of Austis as part of a DSC diplomatic mission. I was just a corporal back then.”
“Neat. The Kaisari have changed since then. Don’t want to deal with us as much any more.”
“You know,” Garrett said, turning to the officer. “I’d like to change that.”
The officer raised an eyebrow.
“Sounds like you’ve got your own reasons for coming here, boss.”
With a twinkle in his eye, Garrett answered the officer’s unspoken question.
With a twinkle in his eye, Garrett answered the officer’s unspoken question.
“I’d like to recruit one of their legions.”
“You’re crazy!” The officer gasped. “An entire legion? Well good luck, pal.”
“No, okay, I’m exaggerating. Just a century-100 men.”
“Even so.” The officer chuckled. “That ain’t gonna be easy.”
At that moment a second officer entered the hallway, saluting. Garrett motioned for him to be at ease.
“A message for you, Colonel Scott.” The newcomer spoke.
“What is it?” Garrett asked.
“You’re being transferred to the DSCS-Pretoria.”
Garrett’s sly smile dropped.
“You’re kidding.”
“No sir.” The bearer of bad news continued, somewhat confused by the Colonel’s reaction. “Most of your troops are staying on the Portugal, but you’ve been left with three platoons for your mission.”
“Hah!” Laughed the comms officer. “Looks like you’re going to need those Kaisari now!”
Externally, Garrett gave a curt nod. Internally, he screamed. Why the Pretoria? Why that pompous braggart of a captain?
“We’re making the transfer in an hour, sir. The Portugal’s captain requests that you and your men report to the docking bay at that time.”
Garrett dismissed both officers. He turned his back to the view screen and slowly allowed himself to slide down to the ground. He sighed. Garrett was the DSC’s man of the hour, its poster boy. Short, well cut blond hair, hauntingly beautiful blue eyes, red scarf fluttering heroically in the wind, his sword, outstretched, catching the sun’s rays and reflecting them straight into the eyes of the bedazzled viewer – JOIN COLONEL SCOTT AND THE DEEP SPACE CONFEDERACY MARINES TODAY!
The problem was the DSCS-PRETORIA’s Captain Stefan Sonett played the same role. Long blond hair, mysterious grey eyes. His uniform a sparkling white, his medals catching the sun’s rays and reflecting them straight into the eyes of the bedazzled viewers and swooning women – JOIN CAPTAIN SONETT AND THE DEEP SPACE CONFEDERACY NAVY TODAY!
Yes, Sonett and Scott were both heroes. The issue was, Garrett thought, was that Stefan was also a massive douche.
The escaping air hissed as the airlock opened, connecting the shuttle and the DSCS-PRETORIA. Garrett shuddered. There he stood.
Sonett was as perfect in the flesh as he was on his posters. His smiling face revealed teeth as white as his uniform. His hair was cut just long enough to attract the attention of the women while remaining acceptable to navy standards. His arms were opened wide in a gesture of friendship.
“Colonel Scott!” He shouted. “Great to see you!”
Garrett gave a very obvious and exaggerated groan. Sonett laughed in response.
“What, no reciprocation? Come on, come in. Welcome to my home.”
Garrett and his entourage entered the docking bay of the Pretoria. The bay was as gun-metal grey as the rest of the ship, yet Sonett seemed to treat it as if he were welcoming them to a seven-star hotel. The shuttle Garrett had flown in on undocked, beginning its journey back to the DSCS-PORTUGAL.
“The rest of your troops are arriving shortly, yes?” Asked Stefan. Garrett nodded.
“You have space for three platoons?” Garrett asked in return.
“Of course! I am an excellent host. Come, I’ll show you around.”
“I’ve been on a Battlecruiser before, Sonett. They’re all laid out exactly the same.”
“Ridiculous! It’s the thought that counts. Come on, let’s go. I’ve arranged for some men to show your troops to their quarters.”
Begrudgingly, Garrett left his men and followed Stefan out of the docking bay. The overzealous captain dragged him around the ship, showing off his crew quarters, battle stations, armouries, mess halls, and many other prime visitation areas. Garrett remained silent throughout the tour, trying perhaps a little childishly to annoy Stefan in any way possible. The tour eventually brought the two of them to the Pretoria’s bridge.
“…And that is Kate, our Junior Engineering Officer. That’s everyone!” Stefan was saying, but Garrett didn’t really care. He gave the brown haired girl a curt nod, then turned to the captain.
“Thank you for the introductions, Sonett.” The condescension was clear in his voice. “But how long am I here with you for?”
“Why, until the mission’s complete, Colonel Scott!” Sonett replied, either missing or choosing to ignore the contempt in Garrett’s voice. Garrett was shell shocked by the reply.
“You’re kidding.”
Sonett gave a quick glance at his bridge officers, then excused himself and his guest. He led Sonett out of the bridge and into one of the Pretoria’s many hallways. Kaisari twirled around its axis behind them on the other side of the viewscreen. He leaned in close to Garrett, his voice approaching a whisper. Garrett was understandably uncomfortable by the proximity.
“Listen, Garrett.” Stefan hissed. “I’m not the happiest about this arrangement, but despite the celebrity treatment DSC central command is giving me, they’re really angry. They’re holding me responsible for Carnegia and all the hardware and people they lost there.”
“I thought you got a medal for your heroism, Sonett.”
“That’s because the DSC needs to keep its public image alive. Now they want me to go looking for this stolen battery too. It’d be the perfect PR campaign for them, the two of the outer rim’s greatest heroes recovering a priceless piece of Wheel technology.”
“This is bullshit. I’m supposed to be the one to find the battery.”
“Yeah, Garrett, I know you are.”
The captain leaned out, clapping a hand on Garrett’s shoulder.
“So, old chap, how does heading planetside in about two hours sound?”
“Sounds great.”
“Splendid! I’ll show you your cabin, and you can meet me on the bridge then.”
A short while later Garrett sat in his cabin. A member of the Pretoria’s crew had brought his bags up beforehand. He reflected on the day’s events. Yeah, Captain Stefan Sonett was a douche, alright. Had always been and always would be. A pompous and pretentious imbecile, all the way through. Although he couldn’t go as far as to say he hated the man, Colonel Garrett Scott certainly held no love for Captain Stefan Sonett.
Although, he did have a point. The two of them were in the same boat. If anything, Garrett had the upper hand since the DSC supported him both publicly and privately, while Stefan only held the Confederacy’s public approval.
“Looks like I win that round, you haughty asshole.” Garrett muttered. He’d have to get used to Captain Scott’s presence, though, and the quicker the better. It looked like they’d be spending a lot of their time together in the near future.
The city of Austis, capital of Kaisari, held its own province within the much bigger Kaisari Centralis and was governed directly by Imperator Mundi Tacitus. Garrett and Stefan descended to the city’s spaceport in a Kaisari shuttle. They were alone in the passenger area, save for the three burly Kaisari legionnaires flanking them.
“Well isn’t this nice and awkward.” Garrett finally spoke, halfway through their trip.
“It’s only awkward now that you said it is.” Sonett noted.
Garrett remained silent for the rest of the descent.
Austis had earned the nickname “Civitas Marmore” : the city of marble. While Jazeera, the jewel of Ostra, glittered white by the paint of its buildings and the brilliance of its glass, Austis shone by the reflection of the sun off its marble buildings. Downtown Austis was dominated by a five-story high coliseum, the tallest structure in the city. The fights to the death that were once held there had been banned by the DSC, and it was now used for other cultural events such as theatre or concerts.
As Garrett was driven through the streets of the city, he was once more reminded of its peculiarity. While the coming of the DSC had brought wireless communication, motor vehicles, movie theatres, and all sorts of other technologies, the people of Kaisari still dressed according to their cultural traditions. The weather was warm year round in Austis and so the men and woman, many of whom were behind the wheels of a cars or chattering away on a cellular phones, still wore the togas and dresses so common in Kaisari’s history. Likewise, the police of the city – the Cohortes Urbana – carried modern DSC rifles and pistols while still clad in their classical steel armours. Garrett had no doubt the original designs had been reinforced with bulletproof materials, but the external appearance remained just as daunting.
The escort eventually brought them to the Imperator’s Palace, just outside of the city proper. The palace was an impressive edifice by anyone’s standards, three stories of marble trimmed with the finest gold and silver, the many columns of its grand entrance drawing the eyes towards the remarkable dome standing overtop the throne room. Their legionnaire escorts left them to the palace’s Praetorian Guard, who took the two through its halls and passageways to the seat of the emperor.
Lavishly decorated with all manners of gold and jewels, the throne room was by far the largest and most dazzling room in the palace, as should be expected for the throne room of the emperor of the world.
“Ave, amici Kaisari.” Spoke the Imperator Tacitus1. A man getting on in years, Tacitus was nevertheless hailed across the planet as a wise and benevolent ruler. He preferred not to dress in the diamond encrusted robes of Imperators past, but rather wore the traditional white Kaisari robes with a simple red sash over one shoulder. Likewise, he found the emperor’s crown extremely uncomfortable to wear while on the throne and instead had a sceptre forged to represent his royal status. Both Garrett and Sonett knelt and bowed their heads at his words.
“You may rise.” He continued. “You are the emissaries from the DSC?”
“Yes, Imperator, that would be me. Colonel Garrett Scott.” Garrett spoke.
“As well as me – Captain Stefan Sonett.” Stefan added, shooting a dirty look at his partner.
“Grata Domo.” The emperor smiled warmly2. “Thank you for answering Kaisari’s call.”
“The DSC is always supportive of its allied worlds.” Garrett said.
“We look after our own, Imperator.” Sonett added.
“Yes, of course, I am glad to hear that.” The emperor stood, stepping off of his throne. The two Praetorians near the throne moved to his side. “Would you like a drink? Something to eat?”
Garrett shook his head.
“No, well-“
“Nos honorare, Imperator.” Stefan interrupted3.
“Your Latin is excellent, Captain Sonett.” The emperor smiled again. “Let us go, then.”
The Imperator, surrounded closely by his guards, brought the two of them to a fine dining hall. A short while later Garrett Scott picked idly at a cutlet of veal while a cup of wine sat untouched. Stefan meanwhile was having a riveting discussion with Imperator Tacitus on the minutiae of running the planetary empire.
“So how much work does the emperor actually do?” Stefan was asking.
“Ego sum regno.” The emperor answered. “In SPQK decernit planeta consilium, quod oportet ratificamus. Provinciae habet ramus SPQK. Consules provinciarum etiam commeatus ad me eorum menstrua consilia.4”
Stefan smirked.
“You alone have to ratify the monthly policies of each of the eight provinces? That sounds like a lot of legislation.”
“Now I am impressed, Captain Scott.” The Emperor chuckled, pausing to chew a piece of his own veal. “Yes, I am always present at the ratifications, though I have a team of scribes read over the policies beforehand to notify me of anything that might warrant my full attention.”
“I see.” Nodded Stefan. “How has that worked out for the empire so far?”
“Well, mi amici, the-“
“Excusare, mi Imperatori.” Garrett coughed5. While Stefan was flabbergasted at Garrett’s interruption, Imperator Tacitus appeared not to mind.
“What is it, Colonel Scott?” He asked.
“While it is extremely pleasant to be in your company, I’m afraid we- or rather I have an ulterior motive for visiting you here.”
“Oh?” The emperor asked.
“Yes, we are here as emissaries from the DSC, and our ships are here to protect your planet. However, I have a personal request to make.”
The emperor’s face became stern. Perhaps he saw where this was headed.
“I’d like to levy Legio XVI Noctus – the night legion. A century6 of men from any cohort.”
“E..excuse me?” The emperor stammered.
“It’s a DSC levy, Imperator. We require the men.”
“Y…yes, but a century…”
“Only four years ago the DSC levied full legions.”
“But four years ago was a different story! We were at war!”
“And I’m trying to prevent another war here!” Garrett raised his voice as loud as he dared. The Praetorians were always watching. “Wheel ships have been sighted around your planet’s moon. This is a move to protect you!”
The emperor sat silent for a moment, scratching the greying hair on his head. Finally, he seemed to make up his mind.
“You are right; the Wheel presence cannot be ignored. I need all the men I have to defend the planet in case of attack. Prevent your war. Remove the Wheel and you’ll get your century, Colonel Scott.”
Stefan shot Garrett another dirty look. Garrett bowed his head to the emperor.
“Sic, mi Imperatori. Si modo id necessarium.”7
Landover sat in his cabin, putting pen to paper absentmindedly, ticking away the hours of his journey to Extorris. He was in the process of doodling a peculiar masked figure when a knock came at the door. His hand on his sword grip, he called out.
“Who is it?”
“A message for you, sir.” Came the voice from the other side. Landover recognized it: one of the shuttle’s crew members. He relaxed his grip and slid open the cabin door.
“The bridge?”
“Yes, sir.”
Landover moved past the shipman, but instead of heading to the bridge he stopped at the cabin directly across from his. Taking a breath, he slid the door open a crack. The room inside was dark. Allowing his eyes to adjust, he noticed the form of Cass, sound asleep. He slid the door closed and exhaled. He turned to the crew member.
“Shall we go?”
The sender of the message was visible on the shuttle’s communications screen when he entered. Landover was greeted with a familiar face.
“Landover, old friend.” The aged gentlemen on the screen spoke. He smiled a somewhat toothy smile, his monocle catching the light. Landover recognized those bushy eyebrows and that thick moustache, as well as the many medals hanging from the man’s bridge coat.
“Admiral Schlieffen.” He responded with a smile. The admiral laughed heartily.
“Ha! I see we’re still not on that first name basis, are we?”
“Old habits die hard.” Landover grinned.
“And inside jokes die harder!” Schlieffen laughed again.
“You’ve heard the news, then?” Landover asked.
“Of course.” Admiral Schlieffen waved a gloved hand. “Who hasn’t? Terrible thing, what happened to you. I sure hope you catch the bastard.”
“Well I would, if foolish old men were not constantly interrupting my search.”
“Hah! Looks like you’ve still got an ounce of humour left somewhere in there, Landover. It’s a shame, really. I had come up with a little distraction for you.”
“Go on.”
“The one you’re hunting – he’s the captain of the DSCS-PRETORIA, is he not?”
“That’s the one, Admiral.”
“Well the Pretoria has been sighted by one of my ships, patrolling near a DSC world.”
“You don’t say. Do you have my co-ordinates? How far is it?”
“Oh, it’s quite unreachable from where you are. But another of my boys, the carrier EXTRICATION, is in your neighbourhood, and they could pick you up. A hop, skip, and a jump through the jolly fourth, and you’re there. How does that sound?”
Landover leaned back in his seat. Glancing backwards, he noticed Cass standing in the doorway to the shuttle’s bridge, an expression of curiosity on her face. He looked back at Admiral Schlieffen, who was awaiting his answer.
“It sounds perfect, Admiral.”
1: Hail, friends of Kaisari.
2: Welcome to my home.
3: We would be honoured, emperor.
4: I am the absolute monarch. The SPQK decides the planet's policy, which I must ratify. Each province has its own branch of the SPQK. The consuls of the provinces must also relay to me their monthly plans.
5: Excuse me, my emperor.
6: The Kaisari military was at present composed of twenty legions, three of which were currently abroad in the service of the DSC. Each legion numbered 3000 men and was divided into 6 cohorts of 500. Each cohort of 500 was further split into 5 centuries of 100 men each.
7: Yes, my emperor. If that is what it takes.
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