STGOD 4 fic: Nathan's War

[frigidmagi]

Nathan's War, chapter 1

It has been 100 years since the crash on the harsh world of Lastport. Fifty of those years have been spent in cival war. Twenty years ago a regilious movement took power backed by a large group of House Lords and the heir to the Protectorship. The regilious movement put heavy esphapis on nonviolence and peaceful negotations. It is ruled by a heirarchy of female priestess. Our story opens in the underground hold of Danielsgrave, the capital of the Priestesshood.

Nathan Mattews was walking in the garden. The lamps shined down on it, carvings made it look like various priestess were holding them aloft. The carvings were rather novel, most walls were left blank in the various underground holds. Nathan rather liked the idea of having cravings on the wall, made them less boring. He wasn't alone, he was shadowed by 3 men in black formal armor, his father's men at arms, a Mattews was never really alone. Even in a day and age where they held little real power.
He could see in the distance white robed priestess going through various rituals, the chosing of a new head priestess was coming and that seemed to require alot of activity. Nathan was rather indifferent to it, he didn't hold the priestess' in high regard like his father, some of his brothers, Greg and Charlie for example. He understood that peace was better than war, but some of their beliefs just rubbed him wrong.

"Nathan! Come look at this pool, they got Goldfish!" Call out Andy Ryan, one of his friends and heir to House Ryan. House Ryan traditional fostered out the heir to the Mattews and the Mattews returned the favor. Nathan hurried over, his guards jogging behind. With Andy were his own guards and their armsmaster, Nash. Nash was grinning his teeth shining in his dark face as he observed Nathan scurring over to the pool. The boy was tall, over 6ft with the dark hair and grey eyes that marked his family. It was no wonder he hurried, goldfish were all but extinct.
"Whoa, those are real aren't they?" Nathan asked.
"Yup." Andy answered. A chime sounded and Nash looked down at his wrist, his clock face glowed for a second before he hit a button on the side.
"Time to go boys, early day tomorrow." He stated. Nathan sighed, he knew there was no point in agruing with his armsmaster in this. Even if he was 18, he could 50 and still lose the agruement. They left the gardens heading for the rooms provided by their host, the House Daniels. On the way out they passed a group of House Armsmen from 3 different houses, arrayed around their lord. The Mattews and Ryan armsmen bristled a little at the close contact, peace be damned.

House Lord Godfrey made a small bow toward the young Mattews, behind him House Lord Dunmire and Boren also bowed. Godfrey was a large bulky man, his hair cut down close to his scalp. Dunmire on the other hand was lean and rangly, Boren looked like a favored uncle, a cherub cheeked man whose eyes were twinkling.
"Greeting young Mattews and Ryan. Enjoied the garden, I trust?" He asked with a dry, dead seeming voice.
"Yes, sir. Have you come to view it has well?" Nathan asked.
"Amoung other things, my young lord, amoung other things." With that Godfrey straightened, clearly considering the conversation at an end. Nathan shruged at what could be considered a minor insult and walked out.

Godfrey waited at the pool until he was sure that the Mattew's scion was gone, along with his armsmaster and armsmen. Once he was sure he turned to House Lord Dunmire.
"Your assests are in place?" He asked.
"Yes, all over the hold. It can be done in a few hours on your word."
"Excellant"
"When should we go?" asked Boren.
"If I may suggest?" said Dumire.
"Go ahead."
"We should go tonight. We know where everyone is and what they will be doing. The longer we wait the more likey the surprise is ruined." Dunmire explained.
"I agree. You have the word to begin in one hour, when the Priestess began their main prayers." Came the order.

In an hour the white robed priestess gathered in a single large carven, the back of it had a series of tiers craved into it. They filed into the tiers until the stood a long wall of white covering the back wall. They began a quiet chant. It was soft and melodick and filled the whole area. Thanks to design the carven projected sound out, it filled the majority of the hold. Invoking a peacful, quiet mood in most. They had a small audenice, made up of various House Lords and the Lord Protector and his wife. The prayers/chanting were suppose to countue until dawn.
There were those who were not in a peaceful mood. All over the underground city men were arming themselves in secert, clading themselves in buckly power armor and grabing high powered rifles and vibro blades. They filtered out of there hiding places, it was late and most were asleep or in chapels, praying on the eve of the crowning of a new spiritual leader that was to take place come that dawn. They meet in central areas all over the city, servel thousand armed men had appeared has if by magic. In the largest gathering area, the 3 House Lords meet togather in front of a group several hundred strong.
"Gentlemen, let there be no surviviors." Lord Godfrey spoke before turning to go. He to was armored, but wore no helmet, he wanted the other House Lords and the Mattews to know who had did this to them. He carried a vibro blade naked in his hand, reveling in the low buzz and slight quiver in his hand. The armored men formed up marching toward the carven that was the source of the chanting. No one chanlleged them on route. In fact it took only 15 minutes to reach the enterence to the carven. Godfrey stopped to take a second to breathe deeply, he was after all standing on the thereshold of history, a rare event in any man's life.
He strode in at the head of over 400 armed and armored men. House Lord Daniels, the supposed ruler of the hold was first to chanllege him.
"Godfrey, what in the hell do you think you're doing? You can't bring armed men here!" He hissed stalking over to stand in front of him. It was a pity that he couldn't understand what was happening Godfrey thought, then again, House Lord Daniels had never been quick of wit.
"What am I doing? Why, taking power." Godfrey smiled gently, like a grandfather to a grandchild who has asked a silly question, and ran Daniels through with his blade. House Lord Daniels gasped one as the massive blade tore him almost in half. He was dead before he hit the ground. The chant died has the screaming began.
Lord Protector Dungan Mattews grabed his head armsmen, Alistair Sterns. As soon has the armed men had he, his wife and his armsmen had moved to secure an exit.
"Get the boys out. Nash can help." He snarled.
"But, I can't just."
"You can and will, GO!" The Protector commanded pushing his armsman away. The rest of the armsmen drew and armed their pistols, of little use against armored men, but better than nothing. He was handed a vibro short sword, also of little use, but better than bare hands. He looked over and saw his wife had the face, she was standing at his right shoulder.
"You should go to." He said to wife.
"No." was all she said with a small, sad smile. Dungan just nodded, there was little time left, he didn't want waste it in a fight with her.

Nathan jerked awake, something was wrong, very wrong. He got up and staggered to his closet pulling on a dark tunic and leggings, a quick thought later he tied on his boots. He was about to open his door, when someone started pounded on it. He swung it open to see Nash and Sterns, along with Andy and a group of men of arms. Several of them wounded, one being held up.
"Who?" Nathan asked to cover his confusion. His head seemed to spin, in front of him was a scence right out of the wars.
"Godfrey, Dunmire and one other I didn't get a look at stormed the carven, Your father sent me to get you out." Alister Sterns reported.
"What about my brothers?" Nathan asked, all 3 of them had come here.
"They gathered some men and went to get your father, they said they meet us at the capital." Sterns said.
"Well, then we'll go help them." Nathan said with a nod.
"No." Nash voice broke.
"What. What the hell do you mean no?" Nathan asked in a cold level voice.
"Your parents are dead, your brothers may be also. You are the Protector, I will not allow the whole Mattews clan to chase each to death." Nash said quietly. Sterns nodded and Andy just gave a sigh of relief.
"Will not allow? It is not for you to dictate my actions, if you are afraid, fine, I'll go alone." Nathan steped forward to push his way through them. Nash must have been hiding a club or a mace because at that point a heavy weight crashed into his diaghram, knocking all the air out of his lungs and bending him over in pain and shock.
"Don't... Leave.. Them..." gasped Nathan staggering as Nash whipped his fist around into his temple, knocking him out cold.
"He's going to be mad." Andy Ryan predicted soberly.
"If he's alive to be mad, then fine. Let's go, he'll be awake sooner than he should." Nash ordered. With grim nods Nathan was gathered up and they fled.

Nathan came to about 20 minutes later with a headache. He felt a cold wind touch his cheek, they were outside. He sat up and saw they were in a rocky bowl behind a upcropping. They couldn't be to far from Daniel'sgrave front gates.
"I can't believe this. It's barbarism." Andy hissed.
"He's setting the tone right off isn't he." Sterns said. Staggering up Nathan moved to see what they were looking at and was almost sick on the spot. He saw a rows of headless female courpse wearing white. A pair of armored men were trying to force his father to his kness in front of a armored Godfrey, he wore no helmet and even had a purple robe over his armor. Even with one arm his father was resisting. Above it all his mother was nailed to a cross. Nathan tore his eyes away from the scene and saw one of the armsmen had a rifle with scope.
"Give... Give me your rifle." He growled.
"My Lord, it's to far..."
"GIVE ME THE GODDAMN RIFLE!" He screeched. The armsmen quicky handed it over, unnerved. Nash turned and saw him, he grabed Sterns by the arm and pulled him away from the rocks. Nathan had been trained with rifles first and most, swordsmenship was a useful skill but unnescessary in the face of good marksmenship. Andy had trained right next to him.
"Wind and range." Was Nathan had to say. Andy gaped at him for a bare second, before gulping and reporting the numbers. Nathan forced himself to go cold and not think of the target, as if it was just a picture on the range...

Godfrey stood, sneering has the former Protector of Lastport spat and cursed at him. No screaming or pleas for mercy from him, or his damn wife, who killed 5 of his men before Dunmire had almost strangled her. Even his whelps had done more damage then they should have, Goddamn Mattews training. They trained themselves from the cradle to kill. He opened his mouth to mock the man a little more, rub salt in his wounds. As soon as they found his youngest son they whole family would finialy be removed from existance.
He heard a shot ring out, he looked up. The Mattews women had been struggling one minute and was now dead, her heart shot out cleanly. His eyes widened has the realization of what was happening hit him. Moving faster than a viper Godfrey grabbed a nearby solder and jerked him in front of himself. The second shot took the solder's head clean off. Godfrey decided to leave the area, he could not strike back at the sniper and risked destorying his victory if he stayed. Holding the dead boy that was his shield up, he jogged throught the gate, followed by his solders.

"Run you coward! Run from my son now and know you'll be running form him for the rest of your short cursed life." Dungan Mattews howled at the retreating man before spinning to present the shooter, it was his son, he was sure, with his chest. He was not disappointed the next shot thundered through his heart exploding it.

Nathan droped the rifle from his numb hands. His shoulder was in pain, he barely felt it. He gritted his teeth togather, he couldn't do this now.
"Nathan?" came a far away voice.
"Has you taught I have done, Father forgive me." Nathan whispered holding back tears. It would have to be later.
"We need to go." Nash said. Nathan nodded, it was almost 5 weeks walk to the capital and they had to hurry, there was a war now.

[Alyrium Denryle]

not bad at all. Helps us understand the UP

[Darksider]

And understanding is the first step on the road to Conques....um peace. That's it, peace.

[Rogue 9]

And understanding is the first step on the road to Conques....um peace. That's it, peace.

Okay, don't make me recant my debt of honor for the help with the Covenant of God, now.

[Darksider]

And understanding is the first step on the road to Conques....um peace. That's it, peace.

Okay, don't make me recant my debt of honor for the help with the Covenant of God, now.

Um.......

:::::Flashes Rogue 9 with neuralizer::::::


You did not see any invasion plans or marching orders for my troops.

::::Evil Grin::::::

And you're a woman, who likes to wear lot's of dresses in public.......

[Rogue 9]

*Wears sunglasses.* See?

[consequences]

Um.......

:::::Flashes Rogue 9 with neuralizer::::::


You did not see any invasion plans or marching orders for my troops.

::::Evil Grin::::::

And you're a woman, who likes to wear lot's of dresses in public.......

"I am a woman, who likes to wear lots of dresses in public"

*helpful minion applies de-neuralizer( aka large mallet to head)*

Be careful where you fire that damned thing.

[frigidmagi]

Nathan's War, Chapter 2:

It had been 3 weeks. Three weeks of marching through the hills and rocky paths, of drinking from shrinking melt streams and eating spider squirrels and darkberries. They had lost 4 of the 5 wounded men. Nash was sure that internal bleeding was the primary cause. They had been unable to bury them, there just was no time. So they stripped the bodies of Dogtags and any other marks of identication and kept moving.
It was safe to say they were being hunted, Godfrey had to much to lose to let the Protector and the Heir to House Ryan get to safety or link up with their forces. So they moved primaryly at night starting right before sunset and stopping a little after dawn. They stayed away from the ridge lines and the valley floors, marching along the slopes of the mountains and hills. It was noon, most of them were curled up in the small cave that they had found before deciding to halt. They had no blankets and so curled around each other for warmth.
Nathan and Nash were awake and on guard, they chewed some leftover meat from a recent kill that Sterns had made the night before.
"We can't make it like this." Nathan observed.
"Maybe... Maybe not, don't have alot of options right now." Nash replied.
"It's getting colder, summer is ending." Nathan pointed out.
"We have plenty of time until winter. That's not what bothering you."
"No, not really. But it is a point. Is there anywhere closer than the capital?"
"A few guard post and aid stations, can't be sure that Godfrey and his men haven't taken them by now." Nash said.
"I think we'll have to risk it." Nathan said quietly.
"Is that an order?" Nash asked.
"Does it have to be?"

Nash had been carrying a map. After a quick session of pouring over it, a plan was made. When it was time to start out the announcment was made. They would trek over a outpost maintained by House Childs. It was possible that it was seized by Boren troops, but that was just a risk that they had to take. It would take 4 days to get the outpost.

The Outpost was a small square fort at the top of a hill commanding a pass that led into the heartlands of House Childs' holdings. It was also drilled within the hill, giving it a better chance of holding out against siege. The area around it was heavily wooded up to 70 meters away where the plant life had been cut away to make a killzone.
The group gathered togather. Nathan made a head count, he had 10 effectives. He sighed, nothing was ever easy.
"Give me a weapon and round count." He ordered. The men began to sound off quitely, the main armament was the 15 mm pistol and they had about 20 to 30 rounds each. In a world full of Mega Fauna and armored troops, the large bullets were a must. Even then it wouldn't kill a armored man, just knock him around a little. There were 3 rifles and 9 vibro blades, short swords and knivies.
"Not much to storm a fortess with." Andy observed.
"Good thing we're not storming a fortess then. That outpost has been reduced to 30 men, but we're not storming them." Nash replied.
"Thrity, are you serious? That's insane." Nathan hissed.
"That's Peace, Sir." Sterns replyed. Nash and the men at arms around Nathan nodded. Nathan stared at them for a moment before waving his hand.
"Alright, alright, how do we get in and get the supplies we need. I suppose we could walk in, but what if Childs has decided to side with Godfrey? He should be broadcasting his great 'triumph' by now. Hell I'm sure the armies are marching, there should be a relief column due here any day now..." He said.
"I'll slide ahead and scout it out. Follow me when you hear a direhawk call." Nash replied.
"That's 30 meters of ground to cover there. I think the motion detectors were turned off a few years ago to cut down on power compusation, but..." Protested Sterns.
"I'll be alright." Nash said slipping away into the night. They waited for 15 minutes in silence. Tense and alert, sure they would hear gunshots soon. However they did not, instead the night was tore by the sound of a direhawks call. The group hustled forward toward the wall. The wall was a little over 4 meters tall. Two men at arms stopped putting their backs to the wall cupping their hands. Nathan stepped into their hands and was boosted up, reaching up he managed to grip the top the wall and proceed to pull himself up. A pair of strong hands reached down and pulled him up.
It was Nash, he pulled Nathan over the wall and onto the walkway. About a meter away there was a slumped over body, it wore unpowered body armor. Nathan looked back at Nash, who shrugged.
"I asked nicly, but he just wouldn't play." Nash said with a shrug and a bright grin. Nathan snorted quietly. They reached down and began hauling more poeple up. The last 2 men would have to wait.
"There only 3 guards up. They're all down. The remain 27 are all in their beds like good children. How the hell House Childs ever manage to hold the Kanas valley Buddha only knows." Nash reported to the group.
"This fortress was meant to hold 300. Another one like it held off Mattew armies for 6 months in the Sharpsburg Pass. Where are the supplies?" Nathan quired.
"Above ground, almost all the underground levels are unused expect in winter, where it'd be sudice to stay aboveground."
"You did all this in 15 minutes?" Andy asked.
"They didn't pick me has your teacher for my stunning good looks." Nash pointed out.
"Enough let's go." Nathan ordered. Two more men were left behind to guard the down and out House Child's solders, as well has maintain communications with the 2 men at the foot of the wall. They stalked forward silently, moving down the stairs that led to a small central courtyard, Nash led them to a 5m by 7m room, stuffed with packs and other suppiles. They did a quick check, combing the room for what they needed.
"Looks everything we'll need. Blankets, warmer clothing, food, canteens, I even found a pair of game rifles in the back. No combat weapons, but not surprised at that are we?" Andy Ryan noted with a loped sided smile. The game rifles would come in handy if they ran across a Dire Bear or a Frost Wolf.
"Alright, load up and get out. We need to get out of dodge." Nathan replied. They began grabbing and packing supplies rushing to finish before their luck ran out. Just has they finished up, one of the men that had been guarding the wall came running through the door.
"There are muzzle flashes in the woods. Cannon muzzle flashes!" He yelled. His words were comfirmed by impacts, has the shells slammed into walls shaking the fort. They could hear the surprised yelps of the garrison has they woke up under fire. They turned to each pale faced.
"We gotta go, we gotta now!" Andy yelled throwing on a pack and grabing an extra one. Nathan, Sterns and Nash did the same, everyone just grabbed a single pack. They ran out of room and a frightening sight greeted them. The walls had been torn apart. Huge gaps ripped out of the solid reinforced concrete. It was... Impossible.
"What the Hell!?!"
"No cannon is that strong!" Sterns cried.
"The evidence disagrees with you. Let's go people! Everyone out!" Nathan hollered. They ran out through the rents in the walls the House Childs garrison awaking behind them. A few of the quick raisers even firing off a few shots at them has they fled. In the woods 70 meters away, they could see the shapes of armored men advancing. They peeled off sprinting into the night.
Behind them riflefire lit up the night. High pitched screams and deep cannon roars killed the silence. The fort was doomed, the only ones who didn't know it were the troops of the garrison.

Terry Boren, 3rd son of House Lord Boren, gazed out at the burning wreckage that was one of the famed House Childs border forts. They had held out armies in their time. However, this one had falled in a single night. It's night watch had even failed to sight his army moving into place. Pathetic really. His adujent interputed his train of thought.
"Congratulations my lord! The way into the Kanas valley is open, the richest farmland in the world lies open to us, House Childs will kneel in weeks!" He declared.
"It was a worthless victory. They've allowed peace to weaken them, it is not a fair contest. Makes me wish I could test their strength at their height, when they held out against Mattews, Ryan and Daniels armies all at once." Terry replied.
"Victory is victory my lord."
"Is it? Is it really?"
"My Lord?" The adujant asked.
"Nothing, gather the men I want to reach IronPoint before the end of the month. The current House Lord is unlike his forefathers. He believes in the Priestess' dogma, he will have no stomach for a seige, or a long war. He will kneel to my father and then the rest will fall." Terry Boren, General of the army of the House spoke.

[frigidmagi]

Chapter 3:
The city of Daniel'sgrave was has quiet has a tomb. Lord Godfrey looked out over from the chamber where he had begun his coup, almost a Terran month ago. The city was mostly constructed in a open carven, unlike the enclosed tunnels of his home and other cities. It made him feel... Exposed. There had been purges carried out, the Priestess heirarchy had been hunted down and slain. Only the young Mattews and his party had escaped. The was a crunch of loose stone, the battle had caused damage to the room.
"Lord Boren." He said in a tired voice, he had not slept well. Only one of his two allies would bother him here and Lord Dunmire never made a sound in his movements.
"Lord Godfrey, you stopped the purges?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Boren sounded a might peevish, like a child being told no he couldn't go play in the mud.
"Because there no longer any point to them. All the Priestess in the city are dead, the Daniels are either dead or in our power, their men are serving us or dead." Godfrey replied, this could be diffficult.
"The Jews and Buddahist are still roaming the streets. There are still those who pray at the heretics shines." Boren snarled.
"So what?"
"It is our duty to wipe out such perversions."
"You are an idiot. You know Mattews lives, you know the Andersons and Nickles are already armed and moving. You want me to waste time in a new inqustion? We do not have the manpower to fight the war and kill hundreds of thousands of civilians." Godfrey whirled around his teeth bared.
"God aides those who do his will." Boren stated with complete conviction.
"God does not tolerate fools." Godfrey replied just has sure. They stared at each other before Boren bowed his head in submission.
"Very well, for now." "Lord Boren, none of this nonsense in the Childs terroitories either. I have need of your son Terry and of the Childs men. You may kill every Priestess you find, but other than that, leave them alone!" Godfrey ordered in a iron voice.
"What makes the heretic Priestess so special?"
"Their beliefs are like a virus, spreading to the young and defendless. If they are allowed to live teaching their pacifism, they will unman us, joining us in a toothless Union. That must not be allowed, they must be earsed. I agree with the priestess and the Mattews on one thing. We must be united, we are one nation not many. However the Union must have teeth. The Mattews bowed to the priestess and their beliefs, by doing that they have lost the right to rule. I will sieze it from them." Lord Godfrey explained.
"Well said my Lord." whispered a quiet voice. Lord Dunmire, completly unnoticed by either of them had walked into the room and stood a bare 3 feet from them. Lord Boren's head snapped towards Lord Dunmire and he unthinkingly took a step back from the sealthly House Lord. Lord Godfrey showwed no reaction, he just turnned a his heavy gaze upon Lord Dunmire.
"You have news." Lord Godfrey declared in a sure tone.
"Yes, my lord. House Childs has fallen by the hand of Terry Boren, 3rd son of our ally, Lord Boren."
"I see, he did something useful for once. It was against a weak foe however." Lord Boren noted.
"It was a most masterful campaign, Lord Boren. I would commend him." Lord Dunmire said quietly.
"I will judge when to commend my son, thank you Lord Dunmire." Lord Boren said grandly.
"Enough. Lord Boren I would send Terry and the Daniels and Berry armies to FirstHold to bring Mattews to heel." Lord Godfrey asked.
"No, he is not strong or worthy enough for such a victory. Send my eldest or Lord Godfrey's nephew." Lord Boren announced. Lord Dunmire rocked forward slightly, a bare centimeter has if he would speak in disagreement, only to be cut off by Lord Godfrey.
"My nephew has already marched to fight Mendoza before they can chose which cousin to replace the Lord they lost. Send who you will, however if you have no futher use for young Terry, I have a minor task that might be within his ability. With your permission?"
"Has you see fit, Lord Godfrey." Lord Boren waved his pudgy hand dismissing the manner.
"Excellent, I'll excuse you then has you will have much to plan Lord Boren." Lord Godfrey said. Lord Boren blinked in surprised at being for all intents and purposes dismissed. However there was little he could do, so he turnned on his heel and left.
"I'll want to speak to young Terry. We may find him useful, sooner and later. We will need to raise more troops after we lose the men going after Mattews. For right now I'll sic him on House Nickels"
"You do not believe that Boren's eldest son will win?"
"What do your spies say?"
"My son's tell that Douglas Boren is reckless and slightly foolhardy."
"Your son's? How many do you have?" Lord Godfrey asked amused.
"Two hundred."
"What? Correct me if I'm wrong but you only have one wife."
"Yes, my Lord. 198 of my son's are cloned."
"You are aware that is a violation of the Emperson Decree." Lord Godfrey noted.
"That disgusting decree was crammed down our throats by ungratful men. All the House Lords are stronger, faster and tougher than normal men, who did this but my forefathers? What was our thanks but to be confined by their fear and narrow morality, to have the priestess' set has our watchdogs. We were sciencist who sought the very sercerts of life itself and we were denied by petty fools we made into supermen. By what right is the Emperson Decree held over our heads? It holds us back, it limits us unnescessarly, it is a chain not a protection." Lord Dunmire said. His voice was passionate, but haven't risen above it's low, whisper-like volume.
"Is that where your hatred of the priestess came? Because they were chosen to oversee the Emperson Decree?"
"Yes, my lord. That is why I swore to follow you as well you will free us of the priestess and of the foolish chain of fear that is the Emperson Decree."
"I see."
"On another note my Lord, we have found the Daniels' heir. The boy is in good health and is housed comfortly." Lord Dunmire reported.
"Excellant, I will want to speak to him has often has possible." Lord Godfrey replied.
"My Lord?" Lord Dunmire's face furrowed in confusion. He had thought the boy to be used merely has a hostage.
"He is what? Six? Five years of age? Very Impressable age, isn't it..."



The city of Firsthold was in the grip of fear. Rumors flew like crazed Direhawks, Lord Godfrey had siezed power and killed the Protector, House Childs, Daniels and Berry had fallen. No, the Protector had allied with Lord Godfrey to overthrow the priestess and estblish a duo monarchary. No, Lord Daniel posioned all the lords in attendence and was using Godfrey's name has a cover to throw everyone off until it was to late. No, Lord Anderson had risen in revolt and was besieging Daniel'sgrave. No, the Protector had killed Lord Dunmire in a duel...
Men had been armed and wore their power armor. The gates were thrown shut and small groups whispered in corners and deadends. Chaos was a just a breath away. Nathan and his men were just arriving.
Nathan carried Men at arms MacMicheals, he was last living injured man in the party and Nathan did not want to lose him, he was tired of the death. Of waking up and finding another one dead in his sleep...
They had moved at a killing pace for almost a week, racing just ahead of the conqearing Boren army in the Kanas valley. They had seen the army encircling Childs capital city. They had no hope that it still stood against it's attackers. They were numb, they moved like the living dead, shuffling while staring down blankly. Nash looked up and saw the gate, he gave a half howl, half gasp of victory.
"We made it!"
Nathan and the others stared at him for a second before it hit them. Nathan laid Macmicheals down gently and starigthen himself up. He strode to the gate and pounded on it.
"Open, Damn you, OPEN!"
The massive gate was over 7 meters tall and 6 meters wide, it creaked open slowly. A black armored man poked his head out hestiatly. He stared for a moment in sheer disbelief before calling out.
"It's Young Nathan!!! Nathan Mattews is alive." He cried.

The news of the real events spread quickly. Andy and Nash took charge organizing the poeple to keep watch over the city, MacMicheals was taken away by the doctors. His chances were not good. Nathan however had a duty to perform, he disappeared from public view quicky heading within the secured area that only a few would set foot on. Inside that area was the family quaters of the Mattews and inside that was a corridor, with an elevator that led down.
It took him deep within the bowels of the planet, he was deeper than even the bunkers of the city. Almost 40kms, drilled with anicent techonogly from the colony ship. There was a hum of machines, air coolers, keeping the depth livable. Ironic since this was the Mattews family crypt. It was drilled on the orders of Lady Claudia, wife of the first Mattews. He was buried here, along with his sons and daughters, all of them, save Nathan father, mother and brothers. Lost has no other family member had been.
The guilt of it press down on Nathan, has did the guilt of leaving his men behind. The guilt of leaving the people of Childs and Daniels to suffer at the hands of Godfrey... So much guilt for so little time.
He arrived at the chapel, a cross engraven on the wall before him, 2 stone pews in front of the cross. Pass this point he could only go with a dead body and he had none. Instead he knelt on the stone floor. He knelt and prayed. He prayed for several hours before exhastion claimed him.
A hand shook him awake. He started coming fully awake and alarmed. He looked up and saw a man about his height, with dark hair and grey eyes. He wore a black monk like robe and was sitting on a pew.
"You should not sleep here, not yet." He said.
"I will end up here soon enough."
"Yes. But not now. What troubles you?" The robed man asked.
"Godfrey has killed my father, mother and brothers. I have abadoned their bodies to his mercy..."
"Are you a pagan to forget that the body is a mere vessal? Be at peace, thier souls go to where they belong."
"But there is still Godfrey." Nathan snarled quietly.
"So you fight him for revenge?"
"I need another reason?" Nathan asked astonished.
"Perhaps not, but the Houses have battled for generation now and for what? Men have died and for what? Privilage for the few? Monarchary under a another name? For one man venagence? Or something else?"
"Something else? What else is there? We can't go back to priestess way anymore I see that. So what else is there?" Nathan asked.
"Don't you remember your history lesson? There are other ways to rule than by being an autocrat. Dictatiorship is Godfrey's way isn't it, shouldn't you try to rise above him?"
"Yes... But how could I..." Echoing sounds distracted Nathan in midsentence, his head snapped around tracking the sounds. He couldn't pin them down and they faded quickly. When he turned back, the robed man was gone. He put his hand to his head, what had he been doing? He remembered praying...

He shook his head, inhaling sharply. He had to get to work. He walked back up the corridor to the elevator and head back up to the family chambers. There he showered and changed his clothes. He was pulling on fresh shoes when someone knocked. Nathan opened the door it was Andy.
"The Ryan Army is marching, they'll be here in a couple of weeks." Andy reported.
"Your father?"
"Is dead, assassins. I'm it. I have 7,000 men, Protector." Andy said stone faced.
"I'm sorry Andy."
"I know, Protector." Andy replied.
Nathan stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He added up figures in his head. He had about 12,000 trained men under arms. At least 4,000 would be needed for manning defenses, that gave him a total of 15,000 men for attacking Godfrey, who by now would have at least double if not triple that in his armies.
"I've been thinking Andy. We need a change in how things are done. I'm going to set up a Congress."
"Nat... Protector, what do you mean?"
"I mean, elections for lawmakers, a Congress. I'm not going to take away anyone postion but, we shouldn't be autocrats, that's Godfrey way." Nathan said. Andy thought for a minute and nodded.
"It seems a good plan, elections now however?" He asked.
"No, after we stablize things."
They entered the war room, the center was a table with a relief map of Lastport on it. Troop postions were mapped out. Nash and Sterns looked over it with officers from the army. Also there were city officals and men at arms. The room was filled with men and women rushing in and out carring reports from the radios down the hall. The updated troop postions, posted weather reports on the wall, wrote notes on supply levels.
"Gentlemen, has of this moment, formality is suspended in this room. Report." Nathan ordered. One of the Generals went first.
"Sir, General Whiston reporting. We have refugees streaming across the Childs broder, I'm sending another 1000 men to the pass to get everything under control. We've gathered about 5,000 Mattews troops, 1200 Ryan troops, with nescessary supplies, here so far. The rest should be here before the week runs out."
"Sir, General Matterson. We have about 700 men along the broder with Mendoza, they have only 200 from reports. I'd like to take 300 men from there and bring them in."
"No General, we may need to keep our defenses strong in case of a surprise attack. Also we have no word on where Mendoza stands do we?"
"No Sir."
"Until I am assured of Mendoza's standing, we maintain the garrison in the pass." Nathan ordered.
"Understood."
Nathan looked up at the city officals and beckoned them closer. There were 3 of them, all old men. Nathan would have
prefered you
nger men, but you took what you could get. They had all ran in and won elections and understood the systems, that was what was important.
"I need you to get started on laying the groundwork for an election that will cover all of Mattew's territory, as well has one in House Ryan territory." Nathan said.
"Your will Sir, but... Why?" Asked one, the mayor of FirstHold.
"I intent to form a national Congress. This has been a war between nobles for long enough, time to give the citizens a stake in their governece." Nathan answered.
The officals, the Generals, everyone in the room stopped and stared. They were unsure if they were staring at a hero or a madman. Finially the mayor bowed at the waist.
"Your Will Be Done." He said and turnned to go. The warroom returned to a level near it's former activity. Nathan scanned the map tracing his fingers over various passes, valleys and plateau's that made up the various territories of Lastport.
It was a mountainous planet, in the grips of a growing Ice Age. There was only a single land mass surrondded by a shallow, cold sea. It was farther from it's sun than Terra was from Sol. It's winter was a full 3rd of the year, 8 months. A man out in winter would die in hours, if he was lucky, warm clothing or not. This fact made warfare possible for only 16 months of the year. There were only 2 months before winter began, not much time to plan a strike, gather men, supplies and carry it out. Where to hit?
An aide ran in, his breath ragged, his hand gripping a piece of white paper. He stopped shaking slightly has he handed his message over to General Matterson. General Matterson read the papers and hissed.
"Protector. Lord Ryan, I must report that at 1645 hours, a enemy army made up od Daniels and Berry solders lead by Douglas Boren broke through the Childs broder and are marching upon Firsthold. Estimates of the army's strength range from 10 to 12 thousand. They will be within range of their new guns in 4 days. I will perpare siege postions and supplies, we can still evacuate most of the children and women."
"There will be no siege. Send out scouts, they will have to split their army." Nathan ordered.
"Yes, he's right. They'll have to come up the Sharpsburg plateau for their guns to get here in that time. But if they send a large enough group up the Alberta valley then they can have blockers around the city in 38 hours, to prevent any escape." General Whiston pointed out.
"But halfway through the Sharpsburg plateau is the rock garden, it's a damn maze for outsiders."
"But it's not on the map. The rock garden was never put on the map." Andy Ryan pointed out.
"A security measure that we're going to reap now. I've met Doug, he would never think to check anything beyond pulling out an offical map. The Alberta valley narrows down to a quater mile here, Andy you and Whiston take a blocking force of 2000 men, take all the artillary guns and other heavy weapons. The rest with me and Matterson, we're going to throw a little party for Dougie's guns here. They've been running wild, time to rein them in and we're going to do it hard." Nathan hissed pointing on the map, his grey eyes glittering.

Hasten thy feet toward your destined path, for surely it will meet thee whether thoust apprehened it or in vain flee toward another day's dawn.
David Curry.

[Thirdfain]

Very nice, as usual. May I ask what time is this tale set? I believe STGOD 1 was about 2300 AD....

[frigidmagi]

Well it's 500 years before whenever STGOD 4 is.

[Thirdfain]

That puts it around 1900. Well, s'all good.

I could also be wrong, and the STGOD1 could have been later, like AD2400 or so.

[Thirdfain]

On second thought, "A long time in the future " is prolly a more exact estimate. I'll stop bitching.

[frigidmagi]

No problem, the wormhole the colony ship fell through was temporal has well has spatial.

(See UP OOB).

[Straha]

Very nice, as usual. May I ask what time is this tale set? I believe STGOD 1 was about 2300 AD....

2800 actually