Post by Darzul on May 4, 2010 23:24:27 GMT -6
Etrah: 0900 hours, M13D17, 8008 AV
Haven: 13:00 AO, M8D14, 4078 I
As Darzul stood behind the podium set up outside the command center, he looked out at the group of soldiers before him. The vast majority of the army stood in the open field to the north of the command center; only the soldiers on patrol or guard duty were unable to attend, and Darzul had made arrangements that each of them would recieve his message at the earliest opportunity.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I brought you together this day because of two major developments in the Vorcan Army," Darzul began. "Both will be familiar to those of you who have been with us from the beginning. Many of you will understand nearly as well, while some will only realize the gravity of these developments in time."
"Firstly, I would like to announce, effective immediately, the launching of the Vorcan Army Empowerment Initiative. This new program will allow for those soldiers desiring Unique abilities to attain them."
The murmurs began immediately. All of the Reyone Army veterans remembered the fate of any involved in that supersoldier program. They had shared this knowledge with several of the greener soldiers; by and large, the army knew instantly what was going on.
"Many of you may remember, or know of, the Reyone Army's supersoldier program," Darzul quickly conceded. "Those of you who do know of its high mortality rate." Darzul refused to sugarcoat it more than that, but he also wasn't about to say the program had a 1% survival rate.
"However, thanks to the ingenuity of Thonciri scientists, along with the blessed gifts of a handful of Uniques, I am proud to say the program is immeasurably safer now than in the past," Darzul continued. "In spite of that fact, I cannot in good conscience leave this podium without telling you the program is still highly experimental, and quite dangerous. As such, the Vorcan Army is asking for a single volunteer to test the waters of this new program. No monetary compensation will be given, no promotions offered. The only incentive to this lone volunteer is the desire to gain Unique abilities, and the risk is death. There is a sign-up sheet outside my office. Any soldiers willing to take that risk in the name of the Vorcan Army, and of scientific progress in general, need only sign their names to be considered eligible to be the volunteer."
Another ripple of low chatter went through the assembly. This was a big deal, and even though the risks were obviously great, so was the reward - even if it wasn't on paper, whoever underwent this process (and survived) would gain prestige beyond their rank, and superpowers. It was obvious by the excited tones audible among the general drone of the crowd that Darzul's volunteer list would not be empty.
"The next piece of news may prove more...disturbing than the last," Darzul said. "There is evidence..." Darzul immediately chimed in once he heard the waves of chatter rising again, and his authoritative tone worked well for silencing the crowd. "There is evidence," he began again, "that the White Death has come to Thoncir."
The crowd immediately fell deathly quiet. After a few seconds of stunned silence, a cacophony of concerned soldiers became as deafening as the silence that had preceded it. Undertones of panic were clearly noticeable to those who could read a crowd with even a modicum of skill.
"Okay, everybody calm down," Darzul told the crowd in his kindliest, most fatherly tone. He wanted to avoid further aggravating the troops by barking angrily at them if he could help it.
"This threat..." Darzul uttered, trying to get everyone's attention again. But this bombshell had done its damage; those who knew about the White Death wasted no time in filling the heads of those who did not with horror stories about an unkillable wraith who struck without leaving either traces or survivors.
Darzul's patience had finally reached its breaking point. "Ten hut!" the general roared, loud enough that the hastily erected speakers and microphone set were totally unnecessary. The crowd began to quickly quiet down and straighten up; within a few seconds everyone was standing at attention, focused on Darzul once again.
"As I was saying," Darzul said, "There is strong evidence to believe the White Death has come here. Now we don't know if he is an enemy of Thoncir, or the Vorcan Army. The White Death has not yet made contact, either with a message or an attack beyond the slaying of a civilian. However, in response to what is potentially a serious concern, all manpower on city patrols or guard duties is to be increased by 50 percent until further notice, effective as of the next shift change. Your CO's will notify you as to which assignment you will be joining, if any."
"Any questions can be answered by, or given to, your commanding officer," Darzul concluded. "God bless you, and God bless Thoncir. Dismissed."
Darzul then stepped down from his podium, and headed to his office to finalize the new duty rosters for the increased manpower. "God, don't let this situation get too out of hand," he muttered as he pored over the schedules before him.
Haven: 13:00 AO, M8D14, 4078 I
As Darzul stood behind the podium set up outside the command center, he looked out at the group of soldiers before him. The vast majority of the army stood in the open field to the north of the command center; only the soldiers on patrol or guard duty were unable to attend, and Darzul had made arrangements that each of them would recieve his message at the earliest opportunity.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I brought you together this day because of two major developments in the Vorcan Army," Darzul began. "Both will be familiar to those of you who have been with us from the beginning. Many of you will understand nearly as well, while some will only realize the gravity of these developments in time."
"Firstly, I would like to announce, effective immediately, the launching of the Vorcan Army Empowerment Initiative. This new program will allow for those soldiers desiring Unique abilities to attain them."
The murmurs began immediately. All of the Reyone Army veterans remembered the fate of any involved in that supersoldier program. They had shared this knowledge with several of the greener soldiers; by and large, the army knew instantly what was going on.
"Many of you may remember, or know of, the Reyone Army's supersoldier program," Darzul quickly conceded. "Those of you who do know of its high mortality rate." Darzul refused to sugarcoat it more than that, but he also wasn't about to say the program had a 1% survival rate.
"However, thanks to the ingenuity of Thonciri scientists, along with the blessed gifts of a handful of Uniques, I am proud to say the program is immeasurably safer now than in the past," Darzul continued. "In spite of that fact, I cannot in good conscience leave this podium without telling you the program is still highly experimental, and quite dangerous. As such, the Vorcan Army is asking for a single volunteer to test the waters of this new program. No monetary compensation will be given, no promotions offered. The only incentive to this lone volunteer is the desire to gain Unique abilities, and the risk is death. There is a sign-up sheet outside my office. Any soldiers willing to take that risk in the name of the Vorcan Army, and of scientific progress in general, need only sign their names to be considered eligible to be the volunteer."
Another ripple of low chatter went through the assembly. This was a big deal, and even though the risks were obviously great, so was the reward - even if it wasn't on paper, whoever underwent this process (and survived) would gain prestige beyond their rank, and superpowers. It was obvious by the excited tones audible among the general drone of the crowd that Darzul's volunteer list would not be empty.
"The next piece of news may prove more...disturbing than the last," Darzul said. "There is evidence..." Darzul immediately chimed in once he heard the waves of chatter rising again, and his authoritative tone worked well for silencing the crowd. "There is evidence," he began again, "that the White Death has come to Thoncir."
The crowd immediately fell deathly quiet. After a few seconds of stunned silence, a cacophony of concerned soldiers became as deafening as the silence that had preceded it. Undertones of panic were clearly noticeable to those who could read a crowd with even a modicum of skill.
"Okay, everybody calm down," Darzul told the crowd in his kindliest, most fatherly tone. He wanted to avoid further aggravating the troops by barking angrily at them if he could help it.
"This threat..." Darzul uttered, trying to get everyone's attention again. But this bombshell had done its damage; those who knew about the White Death wasted no time in filling the heads of those who did not with horror stories about an unkillable wraith who struck without leaving either traces or survivors.
Darzul's patience had finally reached its breaking point. "Ten hut!" the general roared, loud enough that the hastily erected speakers and microphone set were totally unnecessary. The crowd began to quickly quiet down and straighten up; within a few seconds everyone was standing at attention, focused on Darzul once again.
"As I was saying," Darzul said, "There is strong evidence to believe the White Death has come here. Now we don't know if he is an enemy of Thoncir, or the Vorcan Army. The White Death has not yet made contact, either with a message or an attack beyond the slaying of a civilian. However, in response to what is potentially a serious concern, all manpower on city patrols or guard duties is to be increased by 50 percent until further notice, effective as of the next shift change. Your CO's will notify you as to which assignment you will be joining, if any."
"Any questions can be answered by, or given to, your commanding officer," Darzul concluded. "God bless you, and God bless Thoncir. Dismissed."
Darzul then stepped down from his podium, and headed to his office to finalize the new duty rosters for the increased manpower. "God, don't let this situation get too out of hand," he muttered as he pored over the schedules before him.