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Burning Empires: Boldaq
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<blockquote data-quote="LostSoul" data-source="post: 4089001" data-attributes="member: 386"><p><strong>EXT. STAIRS TO THE PODALAH PALACE </strong></p><p>Vaylen Encoder... whose name I forget, Colour.</p><p></p><p>A man dressed in a high-quality plastic all-weather coat walks up the pilgrim's stair to the Podalah Palace. The sun is slowly setting behind the mountain's peak. At its base, Kofer Pyatt's army lays siege.</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. PODALAH PALACE - GARDEN</strong></p><p>Pali, Interstitial.</p><p></p><p>Kaeli sits on a stone bench in the Pali's garden, staring at the sky. She plucks petals off a gul janat, casting them awway in the evening breeze.</p><p></p><p>The Pali sits down beside her. "You are a gift to the universe, Kaeli," he says. "But that gift comes with a price. What would you give to bear a child?"</p><p></p><p>"I would not freedom. Wouldn't I just become a slave?"</p><p></p><p>"Not if you are he mother to a new line of emperors."</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. KADAATH'S ASTEROID BASE - THRONE ROOM</strong></p><p>Kadaath, Colour.</p><p></p><p>Kadaath looks over his men from his throne. They are comparing loot taken from the Temple and Lord Goss.</p><p></p><p>Kadaath stands. His men pause.</p><p></p><p>"The time of wondrous profit has come," Kadaath says. "Create chaos on Boldaq. Send the off-worlders scurrying to and fro like rats. And when they are weak, we will eliminate them."</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. SECRET VAYLEN BASE - CRYPT</strong></p><p>Kofer Pyatt, Colour.</p><p></p><p>Kofer Pyatt's Iron-clad feet ring out on the metal floor beneath him. A heavy blast door marked with an ancient burning wheel - the seal of the Ahmilak - blocks his path.</p><p></p><p>He levels his PaC at the door and blasts it to shreds.</p><p></p><p>Kofer Pyatt steps into the crypt. Dust settles in the stale air. A long coffin made of stone, bearing the Ahmilak's personal seal is in the middle of the room.</p><p></p><p>Aided by his Iron, Kofer Pyatt tears the lid off the coffin. A seal is broken, and centuries old air is released. Inside, dust is all that remains.</p><p></p><p>Kofer Pyatt removes his helmet. He cups a handful of the dust and breathes it in.</p><p></p><p>His bright mark burns red.</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. ANVIL GARRISON - OFFICE</strong></p><p>Lord Tovol, Interstitial.</p><p></p><p>Lord Tovol sits at his desk. He presses a button and a hologram of the Pali appears.</p><p></p><p>"Lord Edrene. I need to see you. You are a criminal in my father's eyes."</p><p></p><p>"I cannot. I do not have all I need."</p><p></p><p>"Come to Zagas with me. Speak to my father - settle this dispute."</p><p></p><p>"Come to me, Lord Tovol. We will discuss it." <not sure this is how it went...></p><p></p><p>The hologram disappears.</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. PODALAH PALACE - TEMPLE</strong></p><p>Vaylen Encoder, Interstitial.</p><p></p><p>"This is a suitable place for operating," the Vaylen encoder says to the Pali. He places a black bag on a stone table. "A little crude, but what can you expect?"</p><p></p><p>He removes a long metal probe from his bag. "Well, shall we get started? I hate to waste the day. Bring the girl."</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. ANVIL GARRISON - OFFICE</strong></p><p>Kadaath, Interstitial.</p><p></p><p>"Tovol. What did you want to see me about?" Kadaath asks.</p><p></p><p>"I need to know, Kadaath - can you follow orders?" Tovol asks in reply.</p><p></p><p>"Depends on the order. If I like it, sure."</p><p></p><p>"Could you hold yourself back from killing, if I asked?"</p><p></p><p>"Depends who I'd be killing. And for how much."</p><p></p><p>"I need to know if I can trust you, Kadaath."</p><p></p><p>"You can trust me - if you work with me. This little planet is nothing to you. You're Forged. You've got Hammer and Anvil. You can rule an empire."</p><p></p><p>"And let me guess - you want Boldaq for yourself."</p><p></p><p>"Work with me. Together, you could have it all. I'd get Boldaq. It's win-win. More profit for everyone."</p><p></p><p>"I'll need to think on this-" Tovol cuts his words short. He grips his head and doubles over in pain.</p><p></p><p>An image flashes before his eyes: Kaeli, screaming in sheer instinctual terror. The Pali on one side, Bortei on her other. Between them, a doctor - with a squirming Naiven worm in his hands.</p><p></p><p>"Kadaath - come with me." Tovol dons his Anvil.</p><p></p><p>"Where are we going?"</p><p></p><p>"After the Pali."</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. PODALAH PALACE - TEMPLE</strong></p><p>Pali, Building.</p><p></p><p>The Pali looks at the encoder standing over a struggling Kaeli. "How long will this take?"</p><p></p><p>"Not long. Delicate work. Keep her down. I've got an old friend I'd like to talk to again - I'd hate for anything bad to happen to either of them."</p><p></p><p>The Pali's bright mark burns. Kaeli stops her struggles.</p><p></p><p>A boy with the painted bright mark enters the temple, head bowed. "A message from the signal tower - grav sleds are coming."</p><p></p><p>Bortei looks at the Pali. "Kofer?" he mumbles through mangled jaw.</p><p></p><p>The Pali shakes his head. "Lord Tovol." He looks at Kaeli. "She must have forged a connection with him during the raid on Lord Goss." He turns to Bortei. "Jam all contact between their ships. I will arrange our escape."</p><p></p><p>Bortei nods and runs out of the room.</p><p></p><p>The Pali turns to the Vaylen. "Give her a sedative. We'll have to perform this operation later."</p><p></p><p><strong>EXT. PODALAH PALACE - COURTYARD</strong></p><p>Same.</p><p></p><p>Bortei climbs the Podalah Palace's fragile signals tower. The signals operator sees him enter and nods, leaving the psychologist to work.</p><p></p><p>Bortei places a helmet full of wires on his head. His bright mark flares, and the wires spark.</p><p></p><p><strong>EXT. BOLDAQ - BADLANDS</strong></p><p>Same.</p><p></p><p>Eight anvil grav sleds race over the broken Boldaq landscape. The mountains on the horizon appear closer and closer each second.</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. ANVIL ASSAULT SLED</strong></p><p>Same.</p><p></p><p>"Lord! We're getting some high-energy pulses across all frequencies! It's - arrgh!" Lord Tovol's sig man rips off his headset. Blood trickles from his ears.</p><p></p><p>"Report!" Tovol orders.</p><p></p><p>"Contact with entire company - cut off!"</p><p></p><p><strong>INT. PODALAH PALACE - COMM ROOM</strong></p><p>Same.</p><p></p><p>"Lord Edrene, Cousin, Pali," the hologram of Lord Edrus, Karsan League Hammer Lord says. "I had a feeling I'd be hearing from you."</p><p></p><p>"Lord Tovol?"</p><p></p><p>"Lord Tovol. His Anvil are on their way here, and his Hammer are maneuvering to threaten my own."</p><p></p><p>"I need a favour."</p><p></p><p>"Anything, cousin."</p><p></p><p>"We need a shuttle to get us off Boldaq - and cover until we do."</p><p></p><p>"Consider it done. I'm sending a shuttle down now, and powering up my cannons."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, cousin."</p><p></p><p>The Pali turns off the hologram. He stands, and leaves the room, walking slowly.</p><p></p><p><strong>EXT. PODALAH PALACE - GARDEN</strong></p><p>Same.</p><p></p><p>The Pali walks through the courtyard. Around him, in slow-motion, sound muffled, his men prepare for battle. Assault lasers are handed out; shoulder-launched missiles are loaded, ammunition stockpiled; Anvil armour dressed; monks saying their final blessings.</p><p></p><p>The Pali enters his garden, a calm in the storm around him. He sits in the middle where the last few rays of the setting red sun still touch down. He sits, crosses his legs, closes his eyes.</p><p></p><p>"Universe. Am I doing the wrong thing?"</p><p></p><p>He looks deep into himself.</p><p></p><p>He does not like what he sees.</p><p></p><p>Sounds crash over him like waves. Everything speeds up as his trance ends.</p><p></p><p>Next: Firefight.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LostSoul, post: 4089001, member: 386"] [b]EXT. STAIRS TO THE PODALAH PALACE [/b] Vaylen Encoder... whose name I forget, Colour. A man dressed in a high-quality plastic all-weather coat walks up the pilgrim's stair to the Podalah Palace. The sun is slowly setting behind the mountain's peak. At its base, Kofer Pyatt's army lays siege. [b]INT. PODALAH PALACE - GARDEN[/b] Pali, Interstitial. Kaeli sits on a stone bench in the Pali's garden, staring at the sky. She plucks petals off a gul janat, casting them awway in the evening breeze. The Pali sits down beside her. "You are a gift to the universe, Kaeli," he says. "But that gift comes with a price. What would you give to bear a child?" "I would not freedom. Wouldn't I just become a slave?" "Not if you are he mother to a new line of emperors." [b]INT. KADAATH'S ASTEROID BASE - THRONE ROOM[/b] Kadaath, Colour. Kadaath looks over his men from his throne. They are comparing loot taken from the Temple and Lord Goss. Kadaath stands. His men pause. "The time of wondrous profit has come," Kadaath says. "Create chaos on Boldaq. Send the off-worlders scurrying to and fro like rats. And when they are weak, we will eliminate them." [b]INT. SECRET VAYLEN BASE - CRYPT[/b] Kofer Pyatt, Colour. Kofer Pyatt's Iron-clad feet ring out on the metal floor beneath him. A heavy blast door marked with an ancient burning wheel - the seal of the Ahmilak - blocks his path. He levels his PaC at the door and blasts it to shreds. Kofer Pyatt steps into the crypt. Dust settles in the stale air. A long coffin made of stone, bearing the Ahmilak's personal seal is in the middle of the room. Aided by his Iron, Kofer Pyatt tears the lid off the coffin. A seal is broken, and centuries old air is released. Inside, dust is all that remains. Kofer Pyatt removes his helmet. He cups a handful of the dust and breathes it in. His bright mark burns red. [b]INT. ANVIL GARRISON - OFFICE[/b] Lord Tovol, Interstitial. Lord Tovol sits at his desk. He presses a button and a hologram of the Pali appears. "Lord Edrene. I need to see you. You are a criminal in my father's eyes." "I cannot. I do not have all I need." "Come to Zagas with me. Speak to my father - settle this dispute." "Come to me, Lord Tovol. We will discuss it." <not sure this is how it went...> The hologram disappears. [b]INT. PODALAH PALACE - TEMPLE[/b] Vaylen Encoder, Interstitial. "This is a suitable place for operating," the Vaylen encoder says to the Pali. He places a black bag on a stone table. "A little crude, but what can you expect?" He removes a long metal probe from his bag. "Well, shall we get started? I hate to waste the day. Bring the girl." [b]INT. ANVIL GARRISON - OFFICE[/b] Kadaath, Interstitial. "Tovol. What did you want to see me about?" Kadaath asks. "I need to know, Kadaath - can you follow orders?" Tovol asks in reply. "Depends on the order. If I like it, sure." "Could you hold yourself back from killing, if I asked?" "Depends who I'd be killing. And for how much." "I need to know if I can trust you, Kadaath." "You can trust me - if you work with me. This little planet is nothing to you. You're Forged. You've got Hammer and Anvil. You can rule an empire." "And let me guess - you want Boldaq for yourself." "Work with me. Together, you could have it all. I'd get Boldaq. It's win-win. More profit for everyone." "I'll need to think on this-" Tovol cuts his words short. He grips his head and doubles over in pain. An image flashes before his eyes: Kaeli, screaming in sheer instinctual terror. The Pali on one side, Bortei on her other. Between them, a doctor - with a squirming Naiven worm in his hands. "Kadaath - come with me." Tovol dons his Anvil. "Where are we going?" "After the Pali." [b]INT. PODALAH PALACE - TEMPLE[/b] Pali, Building. The Pali looks at the encoder standing over a struggling Kaeli. "How long will this take?" "Not long. Delicate work. Keep her down. I've got an old friend I'd like to talk to again - I'd hate for anything bad to happen to either of them." The Pali's bright mark burns. Kaeli stops her struggles. A boy with the painted bright mark enters the temple, head bowed. "A message from the signal tower - grav sleds are coming." Bortei looks at the Pali. "Kofer?" he mumbles through mangled jaw. The Pali shakes his head. "Lord Tovol." He looks at Kaeli. "She must have forged a connection with him during the raid on Lord Goss." He turns to Bortei. "Jam all contact between their ships. I will arrange our escape." Bortei nods and runs out of the room. The Pali turns to the Vaylen. "Give her a sedative. We'll have to perform this operation later." [b]EXT. PODALAH PALACE - COURTYARD[/b] Same. Bortei climbs the Podalah Palace's fragile signals tower. The signals operator sees him enter and nods, leaving the psychologist to work. Bortei places a helmet full of wires on his head. His bright mark flares, and the wires spark. [b]EXT. BOLDAQ - BADLANDS[/b] Same. Eight anvil grav sleds race over the broken Boldaq landscape. The mountains on the horizon appear closer and closer each second. [b]INT. ANVIL ASSAULT SLED[/b] Same. "Lord! We're getting some high-energy pulses across all frequencies! It's - arrgh!" Lord Tovol's sig man rips off his headset. Blood trickles from his ears. "Report!" Tovol orders. "Contact with entire company - cut off!" [b]INT. PODALAH PALACE - COMM ROOM[/b] Same. "Lord Edrene, Cousin, Pali," the hologram of Lord Edrus, Karsan League Hammer Lord says. "I had a feeling I'd be hearing from you." "Lord Tovol?" "Lord Tovol. His Anvil are on their way here, and his Hammer are maneuvering to threaten my own." "I need a favour." "Anything, cousin." "We need a shuttle to get us off Boldaq - and cover until we do." "Consider it done. I'm sending a shuttle down now, and powering up my cannons." "Thank you, cousin." The Pali turns off the hologram. He stands, and leaves the room, walking slowly. [b]EXT. PODALAH PALACE - GARDEN[/b] Same. The Pali walks through the courtyard. Around him, in slow-motion, sound muffled, his men prepare for battle. Assault lasers are handed out; shoulder-launched missiles are loaded, ammunition stockpiled; Anvil armour dressed; monks saying their final blessings. The Pali enters his garden, a calm in the storm around him. He sits in the middle where the last few rays of the setting red sun still touch down. He sits, crosses his legs, closes his eyes. "Universe. Am I doing the wrong thing?" He looks deep into himself. He does not like what he sees. Sounds crash over him like waves. Everything speeds up as his trance ends. Next: Firefight. [/QUOTE]
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