NonstopGarbage6

(novel library)

Your people roam the Great Steppe, chased and challenged by the fearsome Tribe of the Black Wolf. Their leader, the shaman Zhan-Ukhel, calls forth savage magic from Chernobog, the god who rules their tribe. Your tribe must have a leader who can call down protection from the gods. That leader is you, and this is your saga.

Rule your tribe as an iron-fisted chieftain or as a benevolent guardian. Will your allies support you on the field of battle? Will the gods come when you need them most? Do you even need the gods to smite your enemies, or will you seize divine power for yourself?

Horses in the Falcon

"It's not us who are setting the tone, Jessica," you say. "It's the rebels. If they make trouble, we have to respond."


"I know. I just wonder if…" Her voice trails off in thought. She looks up at you for a moment, then waves her hand dismissively. "You're right. We have to keep the peace."


You're curious what she's really thinking, but you don't have time to chat right now. You have to see to your platoon.


You sling your rifle and make your way back through the drop ship, amazed at how familiar it already feels. As you descend the ramp you see your platoon starting the regular routine of handing in weapons. Amori is waiting for you and he offers to take your rifle.


"After a mission like that," he says, "I always just want to burn off some energy. Care to join me in the gym, sir?"


Before you can answer, Shah strides up and gestures Amori away. He leans in close.


"Second Platoon took some heavy casualties, sir. Permission to send one squad to assist in getting them up to sickbay?"


"Yes, Sergeant." He motions to one of the squad leaders and gives a thumbs up. Ten of your troopers break off to jog across the hangar. You grip Shah's arm before he can walk away. "How bad is it?"


"More than a dozen wounded," he says. "Improvised bomb went off right as they were walking by."


You think about that for a moment. It could just as easily have been your platoon that was blown apart. You shake your head.


"Yep," Shah says with a frustrated sign. "But apparently no-one in Second Platoon has practiced their marksmanship lately. They blew an entire block's worth of brick down but didn't get their targets. I'm heading straight to the range after this."


You let him go, still churning the mission over in your mind and comparing it to what the other platoons were reporting. You spot Karim giving orders to his own platoon: at least his mission to educate had gone well. He casts a single glance across the strike deck to where the Second Platoon casualties are being dealt with, then turns his attention toward you. Your legs are already in motion and you meet him half way between drop ships.


"Hey Nubes," he says. "Another day, another mission."


"Yeah, we don't slow down much, do we?"


"Nope. Commander Celi's postponed our post-mission debrief until this afternoon so no rush there. But today is still a working day, so don't even think of heading for your rack."


48