RuneScape Forum Archive | Draconic Interactions (3)

Basileus257

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The majority of the Imperial fighters and escort aircraft broke away from the bombers to engage the enemy aircraft. Though the arrival of the enemy was unexpected, the pilots were well-trained; many of them were veterans of previous wars. A small group of fighters stayed with the bombers to protect them as they made their way to the city.

It wasn't long before the Imperium had prepared a response. Around a half hour after Peter's broadcast had ended, television sets around the world suddenly projected an image of the Imperial Crest and a single sentence: A Message from the Emperor of Neuva. This message remained for several seconds, long enough for a triumphant fanfare to finish. The screen changed to an image of Emperor Romanos sitting at his desk, and dressed in a long, red robe. "Greetings Peter." He began. "Yes, I know who you are and I also know that this comes as no surprise to you. Warmest greetings to your supposed friends from beyond the mountain. It seems that we have much to discuss. So I will not waste time with petty small talk. Lets to other matter. To begin, let us discuss this little clash in Glaruindem. I imagine that your masters from across the mountain must feel some measure of satisfaction at how this battle is going. After all, you've halted an empire that spans continents and has colonies across this world, and even several in the other, lesser world. No doubt you believe that you have me entirely at your mercy. Unfortunately, this is where you are wrong. Did you really believe that I had no idea of your plans? I knew about your plot. I know of your undercity filled with civilians. I even know of the Tempest army that guards it. On that note, please send my warmest regards to Argentus. He must feel rather embarrassed at his inability to defeat a number of 'mere' humans such as myself, and the soldiers that are fighting to defend the sacred soil of the Imperium. Tell him that I am thinking of him in his time of struggle."

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

13-Feb-2017 23:37:20 - Last edited on 16-Feb-2017 20:44:41 by Basileus257

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The Emperor paused to take a sip of water. "I also knew about your alliance of nations and how they would respond. In this age of technology, how could I not? What an interesting band of nations you have collected over there! Yes, I know of them, and I know of the combined military might of your nations. I suspect some of what I have revealed comes as no surprise to you. Now allow me to share something with you that you do not know. I have eyes everywhere, even across the mountains. I have been awaiting a moment like this for some time. As such, I have a surprise for you. Warriors of humanity, unleash your fury."

Within seconds of this phrase being uttered, a series of bombs went off in a crowded mall in one of the nations that were allied against the Imperium. As the bombs exploded, several agents with assault rifles opened fire on the panicked crowds in the mall, killing indiscriminately.

The Emperor continued. "The blood of so many innocents is on your hands Peter. The human people of your city made a choice. They chose a life of under the loving embrace of Al'Lumia. You could have allowed them to exercise their will, yet you chose to fight the inevitable. Now you offer me a peace which forces my children in Glaruindem back into a life of slavery that they have risen against. I cannot ever accept such terms. However, I appreciate your attempt to bring this conflict to a peaceful conclusion. I will thus offer you my terms for peace. In exchange for peace, you and your allies will acknowledge Imperial dominion over both halves of Glaruindem. In addition, your Tempest allies will pay the sum of ten thousand Aureus for each Imperial soldier that has given his life in defense of the Fatherland. Finally, you will deliver Argentus into the custody of my soldiers so that he may make amends for this unprovoked attack. If you do this, I will be generous and allow your inhuman filth forty-eight hours to leave the city. If you refuse, the attacks will continue."

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

14-Feb-2017 00:10:59 - Last edited on 16-Feb-2017 20:43:49 by Basileus257

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The Emperor allowed the slightest of smiles to appear on his face. "If our demands are not met within... let us say a days time, then Glaruindem and all the lands beyond it will cease to exist. Fire back on my lands if you so choose. My people will gladly die in holy fire if the Goddess wills it to be so. Can you say the same of your people? Are you really willing to exterminate all life on Neuva for the sake of your city? We shall see. Twenty-four hours Peter. That is how long you have to decide. Until then, I bid you good day." With that, the broadcast cut out and the regular programming resumed.

Matt smiled. "I'd like to see what your definition of revelry is. Considering what you have told me of your clan, I am sure that it is a sight to behold. You also have me curious as to how one can excessively enjoy a kill. We should sneak out once we finish with Soul and go hunting so that you can show me. I know you well enough to know that you'll likely be plenty hungry by the time Soul finishes her ritual. Speaking of which, how far would you say we are from her clan?" Matt asked.

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

14-Feb-2017 00:23:21 - Last edited on 16-Feb-2017 20:42:33 by Basileus257

Darlantan

Posts: 3,189 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The return broadcast took several hours to send, largely due to the deadzone currently surrounding Glaruindem. The aircraft avoided the area above the city, skillfully engaging the Imperial forces as reinforcements arrived.

"You seem to misunderstand me, dear emperor. I am but a humble servant of Glaruindem, not some great military commander capable of ordering a retreat or handing over the officers of our sovereign allies. I had hoped you might wish to preserve the lives of innocents but recent reports tell me you truly are little more than the bloodthirsty demon your reputation portrays you as. No doubt the demons on this side of the mountains will have enacted their vengeance before this message reaches you; I only hope some of your people understand these are actions wrought by the worst of us, just as the worst of you have murdered our innocents. I am saddened you have chosen war, for I alone fought for peace with your nation. So have your war, face extinction of all beings on this half of the world. I have tried, and you remain ignorant. We will not speak again."

All throughout the Imperium, rifts tore open haphazardly as troops spilled out, killing as indiscriminately as the Imperial agents had done. Shouts of "For the Dawn!" filled the air amongst the sound of gunfire as highly-trained armies filled every Imperial-controlled across the empire. The Imperial palace was surrounded in less than a minute, dragons barreling through the halls from portals to Elune. Sleeper agents across the empire were activated. An elderly man working a water treatment facility for decades poisoned the water supply with a potent toxin, feebly whispering about the dawn rising.

18-Feb-2017 23:33:47

Darlantan

Posts: 3,189 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Let's just say we lose a lot of barrels when we're enjoying ourselves. Some of them we end up finding later but they are of course always empty." Caelidorus grinned, his tail flicking at the thought of emptying a barrel of ale. "I'd say we're about an hour or so away. Assuming she hasn't moved too far from the last spot, if at all. So not too long."

"The Dawn is Rising! The Dawn is Rising!" An aid ran through the dark halls, shouting until stopped by a superior.
"Boy, what are you shouting about?" The man growled, wincing with a hangover.
"Sir! It's the Ended Dawn! The Imperial emperor flushed them out, they're attacking the Imperium in full force!"
"So they're... undefended...?"
"That is what I've been told!"
"Go to Francis immediately with this news, we need to strike and we need to strike now. And stop that bloody shouting, somebody who doesn't need to know is bound to hear you."
"Sir yes sir!" The aid resumed running through the halls.

18-Feb-2017 23:41:32

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Attacking the Imperial Heartland would prove to be a deadly mistake. The Imperium often liked to refer to themselves as 'The Fortress of Man.' This label would prove to be accurate. All but the smallest of towns and villages were built with defense in mind. Not even the commanders of the town and city garrisons were aware of all the numerous traps and hidden defensive emplacements within each location. As soon as the enemy attack, they themselves were set upon by a counterattack. The counterattack was spirited. Each and every soldier fought with a rage and determination that likely had not been seen in Neuvian warfare in centuries. This was not a recently conquered city they were fighting for. This was their home. The men and women, and even the civilians who lived within these lands would be damned before they let their sworn enemy take it away from them. While the enemy made some progress in the palace, their offensive would soon begin to stagnate as well when the Emperor's Guard, who were notorious for being made up of the best of the best within the Imperium, launched a stunning counterattack.

Shortly after Peter finished recording his final speech, one of his guards, the Deputy Chief of Police in Glaruindem approached him. "Sir," He began, offering a slight bow. "You were absolutely correct. You will never speak to Emperor Romanos again. Long live the Imperium!" With that, he pulled out his pistol and fired at the man.

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

19-Feb-2017 02:58:19

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

As the battle for the Imperial Palace (which had quickly made the Battle in Glaruindem look like a minor skirmish) raged on, the Emperor once again seized control of the airways across Neuva. Despite the seemingly grim situation, he had a slight smirk on his face. "Good day to you, my enemies." He began. A loud BOOM could be heard in the background. "It appears that I did not make myself clear when last we spoke. My intent was to show you that I would do whatever is needed to defend my lands. Yet you have foolishly chosen to continue this little conflict."

The Emperor paused and looked to his right for a brief moment before returning his attention to the camera. "It appears that you overestimated the strength of your forces. Already your little campaign grinds to a halt. Oh, I have no doubt that you have still more tricks up your sleeve. I remain confident in the abilities of my army, and in the devotion of my people."

Romanos leaned in slightly. "Did you know that each citizen of the Imperium has received several months of military style training for the past forty years or so? It's one of my proudest achievements as Emperor. I believe it has and will continue to pay off as this incident continues. I suppose time will tell, won't it?"

"Now, let us once again return to the issue of peace. I've been in contact with my advisors. They tell me that you do not deserve peace. If I listened to them, I should crush this little force of yours, then drive you back across the mountains and take the fight to your cities. I happen to disagree. I feel that the defeat you are in the process of suffering is punishment enough for you crimes. Thus, I continue to offer peace at the same terms as before. Oh yes, I will require compensation for the lives that were needlessly lost across my cities today. As before, I demand ten thousand Aureus for each soldier who gives up his life today. I also demand twenty thousand Aureus for every civilian death."

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

19-Feb-2017 03:13:37

Basileus257

Posts: 1,584 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The Emperor leaned back. "Now let us discuss the time you have to agree to my terms. Previously, I offered one day to agree to my terms. Obviously, I can't continue to give you that much time. Like a dutiful parent or boss, I must punish a failure to comprehend and follow orders. Thus your time is to be reduced. Given the amount of time that has already passed, and given the grievous nature of this failure, I give you... an hour and a half to accept my terms. I have already given the order for a launch of my combined atomic arsenal at the end of this time if I have not received confirmation of your acceptance. In a days time, my people in Elune shall unleash a similar weapon of destruction upon those lesser lands if I do not call them off. I hope that this punishment will finally show your people that it is foolish to attack the Imperium. The time when such an assault could have succeeded ended centuries ago. Regardless, I will leave you alone now and give you time to consider my offer. Perhaps we shall speak again. I suppose that is up to you. Farewell." The broadcast ended.

Matt laughed. "Well, I know how we will have to celebrate once we find a town with a tavern. We'll have to see if a small dragon like you can handle a barrel or two of this mead by yourself. Of course, we have to complete this ritual first. Speaking of that, how are you feeling? I'm feeling a number of emotions right now. Excitement is the primary one, of course, but I'd be lying if it wasn't mixed with feelings of curiosity and even nervousness."

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

¯ Aristotle

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

19-Feb-2017 03:27:49

NarBloodwolf

Posts: 8,239 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

''I am curious as well Umbra and I've thought of precautions but without testing them, there is no way to know if they work or not. Everything I've learned or come up with about the void is either hearsay or hypothesis nothing more. But you said there was something that reminded you of an Ancient lurking there....I wonder....'' Rhen trailed off into thought, the gears in his mind turning as they worked upon a new theory.

~Umbra said the one called Chaos sought to destroy and apparently was destroyed himself. He also said the Void is corruptive or destructive whatever enters it. There is also the fact that there is something there that reminded him and an Ancient in the Void. Something he could not place....but brought up memories. Could it be that the Void is the Nexus for the one Umbra called Chaos? Is so....then I am toying with things I can't even begin to comprehend. But perhaps this is all just coincidence and I am thinking too much into it. Who knows for sure.~ Rhen thought to himself, trying to piece things together in some reasonable fashion.

27-Feb-2017 01:51:11

Darlantan

Posts: 3,189 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Peter, not one to go unarmed in the middle of a warzone and quite thoroughly trained himself, shot the traitor through the head. He shook his head, letting out a sigh. "You're supposed to announce yourself after you shoot, not before. Idiot." A contingent of guards surrounded him, ensuring no other attack would have a chance.

The attackers were entirely unphased by the resistance they met, fighting with a sort of religious fervor just as zealous at the Imperials were known to fight with, if not more. It was a fanatical attack, the mysterious attackers shouting about the dawn with every casualty. They attacked everybody in sight without mercy or hesitation, almost as if aiming to do as much damage to the Imperium in as short a time as possible.
Nobody responded to the Emperor this time, nobody claimed responsibility to the attack. Glaruindem remained silent for now, none of the new fanatical forces making an appearance in the ravaged city.
Amidst all of the chaos, the Emperor received a call from Plasmid Biotechnology.

"I'm feeling... nervous for the most part," Caelidorus admitted, tilting his head slightly. "But for other reasons. Something just doesn't seem right... and I get a feeling it has something to do with Soul. Call it intuition if you wish... or perhaps insanity. Sometimes dragons get feelings like this and they're rarely wrong. Although I hope I am wrong this time."

20-Mar-2017 00:04:10

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Draconic Interactions (3)