Gaea's Retribution ~ Ashiaka & Skeith Takahata II

[Ashiaka]

The year 2057, the height of mans power, and the beginning of his fall.

Technology had advanced quickly, humans had achieved amazing feats. The beginning of laser weaponry, powerful wrist mounted computers, biological enhancements able to let a human live well best a hundred years, and prototype battle suits. However, progress towards conservation of natural resources had been sacrificed for advancements in human convenience technologies. This would prove to be the catalyst.

On October 14, 2057, a group called Gaea's Children revealed themselves. This group, called a cult by many, began an aggressive campaign against humanity. The humans fought valiantly, however, Gaea's Children claimed to have the blessing of Gaea, Mother Nature, herself. And although many found the notion ridiculous, the planet itself seemed to revolt. Under such destructive power and overwhelming force, the humans stood no chance. In under a decade, most of humanity had been wiped out, with bastions of civilization few and far between.

Interestingly, as the Human's numbers dwindled, the less aggressive the Gaeans became. Eventually, once reduced to singular fortress like cities separated by thousands of miles, the assaults almost completely stopped. However, they quickly learned that any incursions outside of the city were quickly quashed. And so, for over a century the humans lived within their new limits.

124 years later however, the Fortress-City of New York has reached maximum saturation. No longer able to sufficient support its population, nor growth of any sort, the council has been forced to create a division meant to find and create a suitable area so a new city could settled.

Reina Chipple is a soldier in this division.

 

[Skeith Takahata II]

Fresh out of the academy, the young and naive Reina Chipple had been given her orders. she was to join up with a new forward division meant to locate a safe place to build a new city and secure it. This was no simple feat, and for the young soldier, it was terrifying. She knew a little about the enemy from what she'd been taught at the academy, and from stories she'd been told. The only thing that allowed the young soldier to keep her courage was the thinking that most of what she'd heard were simply rumor and speculation. Magic? Turning nature against humanity? Really? It seemed rather unlikely to the logical young soldier. Still, fear ever gnawed at her. What if she was the one who was wrong? All rumors start somewhere, and all legends are based in some kind of truth.

Private Chipple had no real friends in the unit. She'd been divided from the few that she'd become close to from the academy. As such, she was rather quiet, only speaking when spoken to. She clutched her pulse rifle tightly as she quietly made her way through the forested region, having been asked to scout ahead. She jumped at almost every sound that wasn't made by her, the idea of having been sent ahead by herself terrified her, but perhaps this was some sort of baptism by fire? Like hazing or something. All she knew was she couldn't wait to be out of this dreadful forest and back in the safety of her industrialist metropolis of a home.

 

[Ashiaka]

As Lanaya hears from one of the city sentries that a large contingent of soldiers have been deployed, she wasn't surprised. They'd been observing this particular city for years now, watching as it seemed to grow to bursting, like a bulb ready to bloom. It was only a matter of time before the humans tried to settle another city. It was something that she and the Keepers couldn't allow. Gaea had graciously allowed them their metropolis to live in, however the greedy humans could never be satisfied with that, always wanting more than their lot deserved.

"Ready the Keepers," The leader speaks calmly, but with authority, to the young sentry. The boy bows his head before running off to inform the Keepers, the guardians of Gaea and her will, to prepare. Standing from seat, the woman looks over the lively forest from her tree top dwelling. This was her place to protect, her ideal to carry. Nothing would stop her. With her mind focused, determination in her eyes, she grabs Rovenex, the circular magic weapon granted to her by Gaea.

Stepping over the edge she falls to the forest floor with nary a sound, where she sees the Keepers waiting for her lead.

"The humans are making their move. As I suspected, they've grown past their limit, and are trying to settle a new city. We cannot allow this," Lanaya informs her warriors, who voice their agreements, "However, we cannot charge in blind. I, Galvanela, and Weshrec shall patrol the outer perimeter of the forward station, while Victoria and Zanzabic shall scout the forward station itself. The rest are to hide themselves and wait for the usual signal." She watches as her men nod with their understanding of their assigned duties.

"Good. We move now then." With that, the Gaeans scatter through the forest, moving with amazing swiftness through the tangle of the forest. Soon enough, none of the warriors can see each other, though they can sense the presence of the others near.

As Lavanya patrols the perimeter, she catches sight of a human soldier. Without making a sound, she drops to the ground, using the foliage as cover as she observes the young woman. The girl is in a heavy battle skin, signifying her as a soldier. Lavanya feels her eyes raise. Someone so young on such an expedition? Such an operation should call for experience. Lavanya feels something prickle in the back of her skull. Something isn't right here...

The matriarch shakes the feeling away for now. It was not the time to be distracted. Further observations of the girl reveal her to be exceptionally jumpy, her eyes darting all around at the sounds of nature.

This girl has never even been on assignment outside the city... Lavanya thinks with disgust. There would be no sport in slaying the girl. It would be too easy.

A ludicrous idea makes it to the forefront of her mind. Although the logical part of her brain says kill the girl and be done with it, another part says that she should be captured. After all, she could be a wealth of information. The logical part scoffs, pointing out the girl is a grunt. She would have no useful information that they couldn't discern themselves. Lavanya sneers, shakes her head and places her hand on the ground, channeling the gift of Gaea into the forest around her, projecting her voice from everywhere and no where.

"You humans should know better then to trespass into Gaea's forest," The commander of the Gaean's speaks, not entirely sure why she's communicating with the girl.