Red Planet Forums ™

[RinKou]

Posted by: RedActEd
Topic: Bannon General Discussion Thread

Anyone else notice the SpaceX signs around the new construction site off I-45? Wonder what they're building this close to Liberty.

[Flamelord]

Kenneth Brant, European Colonial Administration, Office of Foreign Affairs

On behalf of the Government of New Europa, our condolences go out to the family of Officer Jorge Alma, as well as those killed in the terrorist attack that took his life. Such actions are reprehensible and go against all common decency, and the New Europa government offers to assist the African Union in any way they can, so this matter can be brought to a swift resolution, with those responsible brought to justice.

[Gesar]

To: jaspernazari24@xiaoholdings.mars
From: <redacted>
Subject: Roll call?

Jazz,

I have to keep this short. There isn't much time before we move out, and the connection here's spotty anyways.

I'm sorry for not telling you where I went, but I guess you figured it out by now. I saw your post, had to go anonymous to do it and use a proxy, but you were right. I've always been a bit of an agitator, huh? My mom always told me about her grandmother, who fought in the Bengal Uprising with the Naxals. She said we have two things in our blood, Islam and rebellion. Guess which one I listened to more?

I wish there was more I could tell you about what I was up to, but I'm probably getting into enough trouble by just sending this. God, if there was a way I could cross the lines to tell you about all this...no, I'm sorry. Worry all you want, but this is too important to me. To all of us.

You should have seen us at the Dam. Our taggers got there first, you know, giving the fascists a little taste of what we were about to hit them with. Even still, when we got there, I knew I'd made the right choice. The Fumers thought we were in Tarsus...then with the miners...it's true what they say, hah. The Commando really is everywhere.

(That's another thing I shouldn't have told you. You should really be counting your blessings, Jazz.)

Still, the war's not over yet. Even when we take Unity, it won't be over. What we're fighting for is more important than just our city. The Director said as much...I know you're not really into politics or anything, but really, you should find a copy of Obey. I'd send you one if it wasn't for, well, everything.

God, listen to me. Rambling like we were back in school. Maybe we are, in a way. I'm learning new things every day...after the screening (I'm a sharpshooter now- picture that!) and putting me with the AAM, they partnered me up with some Maghrebi-Euro doctor. Maybe that's what I'll do, once all this is done with, if it ever is. I'll find that friend I was telling you about, the Ranger, and- I should probably stop there, shouldn't I?

...well then. Looks like my time's up anyways. (No, seriously, until you're on the lines, don't give me that. Internet is awful out here.) I miss you. Say hi to your parents for me.

Yours,

Jaddan
AKA Operative Shakti

PS: Delete this as SOON as you get it.

[Snacks]

Faces of Mars
This educational broadcast brought to you by the Institute for Emerging History thanks to the funding of the Donovan Foundation and the donations of viewers like you.

Hello! and welcome to Faces of Mars, where we follow the people shaping the tomorrow of Mars today. Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of journalist and historian Jacquelin Ava Bolin, we present the first installment of "Better Know a Ranger": a multi-part feature focusing on the I.A.R.A.S. Rangers, that remnant of the former UN government on Mars revered by some and reviled by others, and the personalities who make it what it is.

[Cut to picture of a young, blonde-haired woman dressed in the uniform of a UN peacekeeper. Though younger in the picture, she is immediately recognizable to those who have seen coverage of the Ranger response to banditry south of Clearwater.]

Though not the highest ranked officer of the I.A.R.A.S, the one person who undoubtedly has a finger on the pulse of the organization is former Major Charlene Bird, often known as the "right hook of the Rangers."

[Switch to footage of a Ranger battle with bandits in the western ag. settlements. The focus is on Bird, now sporting a dusty set of light riot gear, hair longer, and unloading a rifle into a truck full of bandits.]

Now going by the I.A.R.A.S.'s near-universal rank of "Ranger", she is widely recognized as the right hand of the group's commanding officer: "Chief" Roger Chavez.

Currently, Ranger Charlene is believed to be overseeing Ranger operations in the west of colonized Mars, following the beginning ot the major anti-bandit offensive in the agricultural settlements.

[Images and footage flash by of gun battles between bandits and farmers, of looting Caledonian and British soldiers, and the aftermath of raids on Whitecliff.]

While since the conclusion of the anti-bandit offensive, she has been almost as hard to get a statement from as her notoriously camera-shy mentor Chavez, thanks to the cooperation of the Rangers we have recieved permission to include an interview of Ranger Charlene by Jacqueline Bolin.

[Footage taken inside a makeshift apartment studio begins to play. Seated across from J.A. Bolin and flanked by an uncomfortable-looking young man in a Ranger 'uniform' is Charlene Bird, wearing a tidy set of fatigues and her iconic wide-brimmed hat.]

Bolin: So, I guess we should get down to business. You're originally from the Settlement of Christ-unless I've been mislead, you come from one of the founding families. Would you be willing to talk about that?

Charlene: [She smiles a little, shrugs.] Sure, though it's probably not as interesting a story as you might be hoping. Yeah, I grew up there: it's where I learned to fight. They're closer to the bandits than most people, so it's pretty much a way of life- it's what got me into the Rangers, at least.

Bolin: How did that go over: Joining the I.A.R.A.S, that is? The Settlement never was much of a fan of the UN.

Charlene: [a chuckle] Yeah, well, it was always going to be something or another. I didn't see eye to eye with my fair share of people there, my family included, but not more than most people. I know a lot of people thinks that up there it's just a bunch of crazies who hate the world- and psychos like that Alfred Pleath don't do them any favors. But most of them just want to be left alone to live their lives. I think most people want that, even if they don't share the same values, but most of them are good people.

Bolin: Are there any hard feelings between you and people there, still?

Charlene: A few, yeah: like I said, there's always people like Alfred Pleath. Most people get that what I do is just my way of loving my neighbor as myself, though. My family wanted to find someone, settle down, and they weren't happy I said no but we've come to terms in our own way.

Bolin: Well, I guess if you can find a way to bury that hatchet you really are cut out to be a peacemaker.

Charlene: [laughs] Come on, now, that was terrible.

Bolin: By the way, how does it feel to be a celebrity?

Charlene: Celebrity? I know we've been in the news a lot lately, but you don't exaggerate that much, Ava.

Bolin: Hey, maybe the internet is easily pleased, but they seemed impressed with the "Lady Spartan" leading the Rangers when you gave that statement south of Clearwater. If anything, I think the knowledge you're from the Settlement only makes you seem more legendary to a lot of these fans of yours.

[At this point, the Ranger flanking Charlene looks even more awkward. Not that anyone pays him much mind.]

Charlene: Well, everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame, right? I guess if nothing else, they'll remember to stay out of trouble. If they didn't, I'd just feel awful about it.

Bolin: Would you now?

Charlene: Oh, yeah. [smirking] For them.

[OYID]

Posted by: PabloNeruda2138
Topic: Book excerpts and other pedantry


This is from a really interesting book I just read, It was given to me by a friend who says he can get more if I need. PM for info.

My home is a target



Every day a dozen satellites scour the landscape of mountained Mars looking for the slightest flaw in our cloaking devices, because my home is a target.

The watchers and the scouts report of small drones that fly by and try to get a glimpse at Nueva Cumaná. A dog died the other day because we couldn't afford it to wander off and lead anything back into our caves, because my home is a target.

My brother escaped with me after mom died screaming and he didn't want another night of shocks and lashes. Once he was too scared of the Inspector and the boots and the solitary confinement to ask for his deserved rations but today the rumble of his motorcycle shakes the crucifix on his neck and I watch the dust cloud disappear downhill into the world of murder and captivity when he returns because he must come back down and save a hopeless boy crying scared at night of his captors. He returns downhill bearing the fire of righteous anger and the knife which spells out the Truth in the cages with the oppressor's sickened blood. Let him slay the men who kept us in shackles and even now profit off a curtained soul's despair. O Lord, let my brother not falter in his mission, let him die and murder without mercy, because the horrors return at night and my home is a target.

We share our work and I toil under the sun like the others. This silo must be done before the harvest, this soup will be ready in time and the recordings are being uploaded as we speak. In the meeting I was congratulated for my labor, but I told el padre that I only got my strength from the Lord. God should always be the first we thank after we triumph, he's the one watching over us hidden in the Mountain even as the Bear strains to see, he's the one that put everything into place so that in the arid heights of a rough desert our oasis of freedom might flourish, he's the one who will never leave us and will never forget our plight. I pray to him every day and know I will be heard, because my home is the devil's target.

Even now with all their locks and schedules, captured brothers still take the risk of jumping. "The essential leap of faith", so goes the sermon, happens out of a moving slave transport and into the harsh rock of the barren Martian landscape. Upward, tovarisch, always upward. The guards will find you and deliver you home. Soon you will recover and work, and soon you will ride upon those who in their vanity once thought they could own you. Soon I will watch the dust cloud receding and I won't grieve for you, brother, for even as you lay dying you leap out the transport and climb upwards again. I have died many times defending this camp, dear brother, because I want to keep helping my brothers that in the struggle are being born. They will always know to climb upwards when they hatch, because my home is their promise and target.

Warrior monks and slaves and poets. When I die a cross will mark the spot of my burial and my name will be engraved on the armor of my brothers. Each of their stories is burned into my heart way deeper than any serial number could ever be etched into my skin. There is no silence left between these mountains, the air is filled with song and labor and the preaching of Love. At the end of the ceremony he walks up to me and smiles. The young man is at peace with his death, and in that moment the blessing of the Maroons gives him much more strength that mighty power armor ever could. Tomorrow I will rise earlier than I have to. There's a lot of soup to be made by midday and files to upload. I know, I volunteered. But I want to be there at the East gate at dawn. When he arrived he cried out in fear every night, and now the dust cloud bears my brother.
I can't be too long to enter, the outside isn't very safe. Even near we must be careful and vigilant of the sky's movement, for we are the Maroons of Mars, and our home is a target.

[BgKnight]

(I have a lot of work on the turn, so here is a teaser. No addendums after this point)

"...I think we can both agree, John, that the Dusters are not human." the Debater dressed in a fine tailored suit said in his calm expression his opposition.

"Well, yes and no, none of their actions seem human by any measure, that I can agree, but I have seen them, they are unsettlingly human. You can see it in their actions and movements, their formations and the way they fight." The Anchor guiding the discussion points towards a holoscreen "Let us go to Kate on the ground, she is attached to the soldiers fighting the Dusters." The camera shows the reporter sitting before the trenches, where shots ring out from time to time, the ground is filled with bodies of Dusters and the Russians calmly stroll through the fields of dead, killing anything left moving with their bayonets or downright shoot them with pistols. All the soldiers seem tired, but the situation is calm.

"Hello Jessica, thank you. The past 24 hours have been calm, with only a few stragglers left it would seem the Duster migration is over, thanks to the valiant efforts of the combined multinat..." Her words are cut short as the camera turns towards the foothills where the Mandate is situated. A huge mushroom cloud slowly rises from the city, the Reporter seemingly losing all words. "Kate? What is happening?"

"I am getting information from our Orbital personnel that the a massive explosion has enveloped the Russian munitions factory in the center of the city. We don't know yet if it is an accide..." Her words are cut short as a platoon of Russians rushes past her in a hurry, yelling in Russian "Давай! Давай!". One of the Russians strays from the group and calmly walks to the Reporter, grabbing the microphone from her hand, he proclaims in a very aggressive tone and a deep voice "An attack is commencing on the All-Russian nation, we will respond in full force to the invader. What you saw was an attack, let this not get lost in your propaganda and let the people hear it, someone has attacked the Triune Nation with a MOAB type weapon. When we find who did it, we will eradicate him."

As he says that he throws the microphone on the ground and spits at the ground before the Reporter, before walking away. The woman, clearly confused, manages to regain her composition and grabs the microphone on the ground. "We are receiving conformation right now, the Russians have indeed been attacked with a MOAB type weapon. Speculation is rife who could do it, but it seems that luckily Russian casualties are light, with only about 100 soldiers present in the complex at the time of the detonation. The Russian ministry of war is declaring full mobilization of the Martian reserves. We have received news from the European Battle Group, that full mobilization has also been called, with the Euroshuttles scrambled. The Chinese National Army is already in full mobilization following the recent tensions in the outskirts of the Mandate between them and the Triune Nation. We are also receiving news of the North American Arcturus Security Services' emergency contract being activated, with the American bots deploying outside the city."

Mars is gearing for war.

[Smyg]

The air waves of Radio Gorchakov's secret military channels are crackling with acitivity, words thrown across space and time at a rapid pace. Something has gone wrong in the Mandate. The news are sketcky so far, but the satellite imagery speaks for itself. Pylons of dark smoke, spreading across the thickly built urban city center. Significant casualties. Arms production halted. No word from Colonel Konev yet. A message soon interupts all other transmissions, reaching every Triune military frequency in the Camp.

"Zakharov speaking." A voice like cold steel, with an electric edge in the background, speaks quickly and quitely, silencing everyone else. "The Directorate is at war. Russian blood has been shed, and the time for retribution is upon us. Prepare for full mobilization. Remember the words of Saint Joseph: 'Not one step back'. God is with us, comrades."

For a moment, the silence on the internal radio network of Camp Gorchakov is deafening. Many miles to the south, a factory still burns, and some of the wounded have yet to even reach the hospital. "Motherland avenges. Zakharov, out."

[Gesar]

As the news of the attack spreads, another sort of air wave starts buzzing with activity. The frequency has become easier to find, especially with the Greater Movement's increasing presence just about everywhere. Soon enough, the cool, collected tone of Catiline chimes in with the Society's take on the bombing.

"...the reality of the situation is that atrocities such as this will continue so long as we allow the oligarchs of Brussels and Triune slavers any level of legitimacy. The sanctity of human life is disregarded by every elite, every bureaucrat, every general. So long as they think they hold power, they will pursue it with willful ignorance to any consequence.

Our hearts go out to any civilians harmed in the attack. We pray for the common man and woman of the Mandate, the real victims of the power plays and scheming between Russia and the European Union. If possible, we will devote every available asset to protecting and rebuilding those harmed by the attack. But as much as we grieve, it's the pain that reminds us of why we fight.

Friends, we must end this. The people of Mars must say no to Brussels and Moscow, Xi'an and Baltimore. The consequences of their rivalry are too dire, for when the wealthy declare war, it's the poor who are sent to die. Only when we've torn down the state, liberated the machinery and the farms, abolished their armies and their kangaroo courts, will tragedies like this end.

Solidarity."

[RinKou]

"Alright, Harry, we now have direct confirmation that a Russian military installation has been hit by something called a MOAB bomb. There's complete chaos across Mars right now as everybody's trying to figure out who would could be behind this attack."

"Thank you, Aya. Here's a shot of the mushroom cloud taken from the roof of our offices here in Liberty's Westshore - you can just see the type of devastation this type of attack could cause. We have with us here right now Lt.Col. Steven Kassem, a former Arcturus Security officer and L1N's in-house military affairs consultant. Col. Kassem, you called this MOAB 'nuclear lite'?"

"That's right, Harry, a MOAB's something we call the Mother Of All Bombs - it's without a doubt the most destructive conventional weapon in any arsenal. This isn't like a drone strike - this is a massive bunker-busting bomb. It's like bringing a tank to a knife fight."

"Wow. So it'd seem like this isn't a weapon just anyone would have, right?"

"That's exactly right. As far as we know, only the major players on Mars would have access to something this big and be willing to use it. We can obviously rule out the Russi..."

[Langben]

=MARTIAN NEWS MEDIA=
ESA Head Colin Quaid "Blindsided" by bombing in Russian territory


"...today. With more we go to Tracy Andrews."

"Thanks Morgan. Initial reports of the bombing reached Director of the European Space Agency Colin Quaid during a press conference regarding smuggling and weapon proliferation on and off the Martian surface. Quaid said he wasn't prepared to speculate on the origin of what is being declared a "MOAB" weapon, but acknowledged that other such weapons are "possibly already on Mars", citing a recent exchange between Europol and Ranger forces involving a Military grade 3D printer that was discussed earlier in his pres..."

[Snacks]

-A Statement from the Office of Roger Chavez, Chief Ranger I.A.R.A.S.

Today, we mourn the loss of soldiers and civilians to an attack with weapons whose use on Mars was, until now, unprecedented and as we mourn this further loss of innocence we come together in solidarity with those souls lost and for those who have left behind, and in our condemnation of those who carried out this attack. As we mourn, though, we do not absolve ourselves of responsibility to stop what we see happening all around us. Even now, as our nations gear up to turn Mars into a battleground, we must strive more than ever to come together in the spirit of international cooperation that once joined us.

I watch the coverage of this tragedy and I can feel nothing so much as a sense that I have failed the people of Mars and the rangers fighting for them. This is the kind of event that the Rangers have fought for years to keep from happening, even before we were called that name. I feel the forces that once tore Mars apart with nationalism gathering as if they were a noose around our necks.

What the people of Mars feel strangling them now is greed. Corruption. Boundless self-interest. We must always fight these things when we see them, however we may be able. If we do not do that, and if we do not demand our leaders be held to a high standard, if we do not force them to abide by that standard, then we have only one thing to expect.

More killing. More bombings. Attacks with bigger bombs. Nukes. Spiraling out of control until we leave the surface of Mars as lifeless as we found it.

But every single Ranger, myself included, is prepared to fight with everything we have to stop that. Even when we fear we might fail. Even the times we do fail. We fight for the people of Mars. But we can not do it without you. We must all take a stand together against the evils threatening us, or we will suffer apart. Events like this inspire the best and worse in us, but I hope to see a lot more of the former.

Goodnight, and stay safe

-Chief Chavez, signing off

[OYID]

ASV4F6V4F894V_MONTANHA_MOAB.mp3 (Damaged)

[OYID]

Posted by: SeñorCatfish
Topic: Recent Events and Solidarity General (Sticky) (NOTE: DO NOT DISCLOSE YOUR LOCATION AT THE MOMENT, COMPAÑEROS. STAY SAFE)

This is it, everyone, the big change we've all been waiting. Time to find ourselves and take a stand. I won't judge those who do not join us, I do not know what each of us is going through, but I do know that prayer and La Raza saved my life, gave me a way when all was drugs and pain... Montanha Vermelha will be free, my brothers. Do not weep from the strain, it's only natural to feel overwhelmed during labor.

Spoiler

Show

La era está pariendo un corazón / The Age is Birthing a Heart


Le he preguntado a mi sombra/ I've asked my shadow
A ver como ando para reírme, / To see if I'm fit for laughter,
Mientras el llanto, con voz de templo, / As the crying, with the voice of a temple,
Rompe en la sala /Breaks into the room
Regando el tiempo. / Spreading time.

Mi sombra dice que reírse / My shadow says that laughing
Es ver los llantos como mi llanto, / Is to see crying as one's sorrow
Y me he callado, desesperado /And I've fallen silent, desperate,
Y escucho entonces: / And then I hear:
La tierra llora. / The Earth Mars cries.

La era está pariendo un corazón, / The age is birthing a heart,
No puede más, se muere de dolor / It can't go on, it's dying from the pain
Y hay que acudir corriendo / And one must attend running
Pues se cae el porvenir / For the future's falling down

En cualquier selva del mundo, / In any jungle canyon of the world,
En cualquier calle. / In any street.

Debo dejar la casa y el sillón, / I must leave home and the couch,
La madre vive hasta que muere el sol, / Mother lives until the death of the sun,
Y hay que quemar el cielo si es preciso / And one must burn the sky if needed
Por vivir, / To live,

Por cualquier hombre del mundo, / For any man in the world,
Por cualquier casa. / For any home.

[RinKou]

Posted by: [deleted]
Topic: She Comes



T̤̭̰̩̟̻͔͛̍ḧ̹̞̝̠͓ͣͅė̜͓͖̲͖̱̫ ͙͉̜̩͍̩̯̆̊̓B͓̹̞̳͕͎ͧ͂̽́̆u̠̮̘ͮͭ͆̓ͬͩ̚r̝̙̺͇̜̭͖ͭ͑n̻̼͔̻̦͉ͣͅe̫̝ͥ̿̈́ḏ̒̓̓̽ͪ͑͗ ̭̀͒̿W̮̫̳̒o̻̞͙̘̪̜̍͆m̫̪͍̦̲͛̃̓̅a̗̩͙̓ͧ̓̈́̆ͬͬn͚̺̠̬̫̻̤ͥ̓͆͆ͬ̓̾ ̅ͨ̒͌̍̀w̦͙a̎l͎͍̥̠̲̬͓̑̆ͥͤ̾̃̀k̗̘̜͍̻̝̟ͨ̍̐ͫͩͮs̺͉͚
̹̗͇͗͗ͮPͮ̎̅̉̓̆h̯̞̻̯͓̼͓͊̎̋͊o͖̮͊ͭ̒̓̇b̫̤ͨͩ͋͐̆õ̠̖̼̤̱̞͂͋s̱͕͈͈͚̀̽̾̿̆ ̝̼̺̠͎̝ͣ̎̇w̤̣͍̆̇ͯͬa̦͌̋s̳̦͈ ̻͙̖̠̰͙͍ͣ̔j͉̩̆̏̒ͬ̐ͬ̚u̝͓ͭ̆͂ͩs͚ͫṯ͉̼̦͚̉̑̓̅̃̂̓ ͉̟̄t͖̤ͦ͋ͧ̃ͦ͆͗h̯͖͔̗̥͑́̐ͫ͂͒e͍̰̖̼̻ͤͭ ̻̦̙̙̏̐b̤̼̙̏ͦͧ̅ͅe̻̬͖̟̤̻ͧ̄͑̆̽̍͑ḡ͓̬̹͉̼̥͌̑̋̀̌̊ͅi̯̠̱̠͊̎ͬnͮ͑n̟̞͋ͤ̿̃̾ͩ̄ȉ͕ͧ̍n̤͒ͭ͆g͇̯̗̯͋̾̅ͭ̃
T̤̭̰̩̟̻͔͛̍ḧ̹̞̝̠͓ͣͅė̜͓͖̲͖̱̫ ͙͉̜̩͍̩̯̆̊̓B͓̹̞̳͕͎ͧ͂̽́̆u̠̮̘ͮͭ͆̓ͬͩ̚r̝̙̺͇̜̭͖ͭ͑n̻̼͔̻̦͉ͣͅe̫̝ͥ̿̈́ḏ̒̓̓̽ͪ͑͗ ̭̀͒̿W̮̫̳̒o̻̞͙̘̪̜̍͆m̫̪͍̦̲͛̃̓̅a̗̩͙̓ͧ̓̈́̆ͬͬn͚̺̠̬̫̻̤ͥ̓͆͆ͬ̓̾ ̅ͨ̒͌̍̀w̦͙a̎l͎͍̥̠̲̬͓̑̆ͥͤ̾̃̀k̗̘̜͍̻̝̟ͨ̍̐ͫͩͮs̺͉͚
̹̗͇͗͗ͮPͮ̎̅̉̓̆h̯̞̻̯͓̼͓͊̎̋͊o͖̮͊ͭ̒̓̇b̫̤ͨͩ͋͐̆õ̠̖̼̤̱̞͂͋s̱͕͈͈͚̀̽̾̿̆ ̝̼̺̠͎̝ͣ̎̇w̤̣͍̆̇ͯͬa̦͌̋s̳̦͈ ̻͙̖̠̰͙͍ͣ̔j͉̩̆̏̒ͬ̐ͬ̚u̝͓ͭ̆͂ͩs͚ͫṯ͉̼̦͚̉̑̓̅̃̂̓ ͉̟̄t͖̤ͦ͋ͧ̃ͦ͆͗h̯͖͔̗̥͑́̐ͫ͂͒e͍̰̖̼̻ͤͭ ̻̦̙̙̏̐b̤̼̙̏ͦͧ̅ͅe̻̬͖̟̤̻ͧ̄͑̆̽̍͑ḡ͓̬̹͉̼̥͌̑̋̀̌̊ͅi̯̠̱̠͊̎ͬnͮ͑n̟̞͋ͤ̿̃̾ͩ̄ȉ͕ͧ̍n̤͒ͭ͆g͇̯̗̯͋̾̅ͭ̃
T̤̭̰̩̟̻͔͛̍ḧ̹̞̝̠͓ͣͅė̜͓͖̲͖̱̫ ͙͉̜̩͍̩̯̆̊̓B͓̹̞̳͕͎ͧ͂̽́̆u̠̮̘ͮͭ͆̓ͬͩ̚r̝̙̺͇̜̭͖ͭ͑n̻̼͔̻̦͉ͣͅe̫̝ͥ̿̈́ḏ̒̓̓̽ͪ͑͗ ̭̀͒̿W̮̫̳̒o̻̞͙̘̪̜̍͆m̫̪͍̦̲͛̃̓̅a̗̩͙̓ͧ̓̈́̆ͬͬn͚̺̠̬̫̻̤ͥ̓͆͆ͬ̓̾ ̅ͨ̒͌̍̀w̦͙a̎l͎͍̥̠̲̬͓̑̆ͥͤ̾̃̀k̗̘̜͍̻̝̟ͨ̍̐ͫͩͮs̺͉͚
̹̗͇͗͗ͮPͮ̎̅̉̓̆h̯̞̻̯͓̼͓͊̎̋͊o͖̮͊ͭ̒̓̇b̫̤ͨͩ͋͐̆õ̠̖̼̤̱̞͂͋s̱͕͈͈͚̀̽̾̿̆ ̝̼̺̠͎̝ͣ̎̇w̤̣͍̆̇ͯͬa̦͌̋s̳̦͈ ̻͙̖̠̰͙͍ͣ̔j͉̩̆̏̒ͬ̐ͬ̚u̝͓ͭ̆͂ͩs͚ͫṯ͉̼̦͚̉̑̓̅̃̂̓ ͉̟̄t͖̤ͦ͋ͧ̃ͦ͆͗h̯͖͔̗̥͑́̐ͫ͂͒e͍̰̖̼̻ͤͭ ̻̦̙̙̏̐b̤̼̙̏ͦͧ̅ͅe̻̬͖̟̤̻ͧ̄͑̆̽̍͑ḡ͓̬̹͉̼̥͌̑̋̀̌̊ͅi̯̠̱̠͊̎ͬnͮ͑n̟̞͋ͤ̿̃̾ͩ̄ȉ͕ͧ̍n̤͒ͭ͆g͇̯̗̯͋̾̅ͭ̃
T̤̭̰̩̟̻͔͛̍ḧ̹̞̝̠͓ͣͅė̜͓͖̲͖̱̫ ͙͉̜̩͍̩̯̆̊̓B͓̹̞̳͕͎ͧ͂̽́̆u̠̮̘ͮͭ͆̓ͬͩ̚r̝̙̺͇̜̭͖ͭ͑n̻̼͔̻̦͉ͣͅe̫̝ͥ̿̈́ḏ̒̓̓̽ͪ͑͗ ̭̀͒̿W̮̫̳̒o̻̞͙̘̪̜̍͆m̫̪͍̦̲͛̃̓̅a̗̩͙̓ͧ̓̈́̆ͬͬn͚̺̠̬̫̻̤ͥ̓͆͆ͬ̓̾ ̅ͨ̒͌̍̀w̦͙a̎l͎͍̥̠̲̬͓̑̆ͥͤ̾̃̀k̗̘̜͍̻̝̟ͨ̍̐ͫͩͮs̺͉͚
̹̗͇͗͗ͮPͮ̎̅̉̓̆h̯̞̻̯͓̼͓͊̎̋͊o͖̮͊ͭ̒̓̇b̫̤ͨͩ͋͐̆õ̠̖̼̤̱̞͂͋s̱͕͈͈͚̀̽̾̿̆ ̝̼̺̠͎̝ͣ̎̇w̤̣͍̆̇ͯͬa̦͌̋s̳̦͈ ̻͙̖̠̰͙͍ͣ̔j͉̩̆̏̒ͬ̐ͬ̚u̝͓ͭ̆͂ͩs͚ͫṯ͉̼̦͚̉̑̓̅̃̂̓ ͉̟̄t͖̤ͦ͋ͧ̃ͦ͆͗h̯͖͔̗̥͑́̐ͫ͂͒e͍̰̖̼̻ͤͭ ̻̦̙̙̏̐b̤̼̙̏ͦͧ̅ͅe̻̬͖̟̤̻ͧ̄͑̆̽̍͑ḡ͓̬̹͉̼̥͌̑̋̀̌̊ͅi̯̠̱̠͊̎ͬnͮ͑n̟̞͋ͤ̿̃̾ͩ̄ȉ͕ͧ̍n̤͒ͭ͆g͇̯̗̯͋̾̅ͭ̃

[Smyg]

A man gazes at the stars. He is watching the little dots of light, spread out across the Martian skies, through a reinforced window far above the urban sprawl below. The dark night sky, not yet polluted quite as much as the one back home, reveal the galaxy in all its glory. Out there, in the cold darkness, lays the warmth of a thousand suns.

Behind him flashes audiovisual images, appearing on a screen by his desk. They show fantastic colours, spliced into the most violent of shapes. Red, predominantly. The office is large, but sparsely decorated - only a two-headed eagle above the entry door reveals anything worth mentioning. The cool dark grey of the walls provide a subtle air of coldness, despite the room being at room temperature. By the screen sits an opened bottle.

In his hand, a glass from which he slowly sips, as he watches sky. Had he been a smoker, there'd have been a cigar in his hand. As it now stands, there is nothing but a clenched fist there. His face is still and reveals no expression - except for his eyes, staring so intently out across the universe.

It is, finally, time for war.