Ranger Archive
Thread: And the wind whispered in silence ...
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Chra
Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:17 pm
#1
Part I of III
In the darkness of the night, the twin torches of the small camp shine against the stars. Below him in the valley, the Pubam gather and hold their pre-war feast. He can hear the drunken revelry of frightened youth, how many had he sent to their deaths? But tonight they bolster their bravery to rise in the morn and take the old wookie down.
To the east he can hear the Bolle-bol horn trumpetsbeing blown to signal the arrival of the Donkuwah warriors. They come with their mystics at the fore. An eary glow radiates from them in their blessing over their heroes. In the morn, men and women, spiritmasters and ancient veterans alike will gather at the place of war and challenge the Old One as they have come to call him.
In the West the Korga also gather, keeping their distance from the other two. Rather than a large spectacle they are more solomn before battle. They burry their rage for a quiet night of silent mutterings and strategizing for the following day.
The three tribes have gathered. They have all come at once, to see the end of the Old One. To see the end of their most feared adversary and more hated enemy, the end of their boogy-man.The three tribes had gathered to destroy this plague upon them. They have come to avenge the brothers and sisters that have been lost. They have come to set to rest the spirits of their holy men not permitted into their holiest of places by his hand. they have come to set things right once and for all.
Many time have the three tribes tried individually. Many time have the three tribes failed. They don't know why he came, they don't know why he stays, but they know that his eyes seek out the hidden places and his hands bring death. His fur has been painted with their blood all too often. Never has any single tribe been successful. And so enemies with a greater common opponent gather to unite and crush the enemy at hand.
The Gondula and Panshee ... where are they? You would think with the animocity they have for the Dulok tribes, the Ewoks would gather along side the Old One. But no they would not. The made their excuses and the Old One understood. They had seen too much war by his side and were done with the others. Each said they would come if the other did as well ... but neither would be first ... and so niether arrived. The Old One was .... alone.
Under the torch light, upon the hill, surrounded by his enemies ... the old wookie watched the fire. His thoughts ran to the past. Images of his accomplishments. He had been many things on Endor. Guide, search and rescue, tracker, hunter, warrior, priest, farmer, fisherman, hermit. All of these terms would at one time or another apply to him. Much blood had been shed by him, and much of his own was spilt on this distant forest moon.
He was resigned to his fate, nothing would alter the path of the future. He had trained others to come after him, and he had prepared his things for his final rest. All that was left was to sit and watch the stars. He watched as the planet Endor crossed the night sky in all it's briliant colors. Just as his eyes were beginning to close ....
"krssssssssshhhhhhhhhhrrrrrgoeospjkgndlsdkdssshhhhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrK ...two five seven onecome ijirlsefjioshsssssshhhhhhhhrrrrrk" It was a sound he had not heard in a very long time. It was silent for a moment as he listened to try to see where it was comming from.
"krsssshhhhhhrg Harbor base to two fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive seveeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssshhhhhhhhhrhrrrrrrk"
He let through his pack and pulled it out quickly ... it had been forever since he had pulled out the old communicator. He looked at it. Indeed it was active. He made some adjustments and waited.
"krsshhhhhh" .. .more adjusting .. "sssssrk five seven one come in. Repeat: This is Harbor base to two five seven one come in."
He pressed the appropriate button and responded "Wraaa cheaaaarrrr chhaariiishii"
"Roger two five seven one ... stand by for transmition." The communicator burst into sound of static that accompanied the encripted data transfer. How strange that this should happen. This was the first time he had been communcated with since he had arrived on the moon.
"Transmission complete. Confirm reciept."
"wraaaachaara"
"Roger. Harbor base, out."
The curt attitude of Imperial reproter droids always bothered him. He Pressed the buttons on the communicator to see wht the hell was so important that it would interfere with his last night before his death. When he saw the title ... no ... two words in the title, everything stopped.
Mission Complete
Chra
Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:41 pm
#2
Part II of III
The morning dew was think amongst the pines. The smell of Dulok was filtered by the still fog that had come to rise just before dawn. It was time. It was that cold silent time before the breack of the sun over the hills, a dull grey everywhere. But they were moving.
The small hunched figures in leather and skins slinked throught he foliage with spear and sling in hand. The scouts were the first to be heard, but not seen. They moved quickly to find the spot where the Old One may be hiding. After they pass, like small rabits moving throught eh underbrush ... then the silence.
For a moment the silence is peaceful, before the small sound of the Chukitta, a small Endorian insect that has a distinct mating call, signaled the time to move. The entire forest floor came to life as if the plants themselves were walking. It rose from the ground and began to move, wordlessly and at great speed tot he fore. This started in one small place, but like the leak in the dam, the small hole of motion gave way to a large flood ... And the entire world was moving in, closing on the hill that the Old One was camped at.
They ran at great speed, and then it started. A single battle yell was heard ... followed by more and then an angry dissonant chorus of shreeks and howls grew to a defening pitch as they now came at full charge ... a thousand strong ... Priests and Warriors running to the great battle. With the sound of horrific thunder they descended upon the one place they knew he was, and their fear was replaced by blood rage.
Closer and closer they got, the fog suddenly lifting as if on que to reveal the greatness of the hoard. And then, as if by single thought ... it stopped.
The first line of scouts had made it to the hill top and stopped and stood in silence at what they saw. The others, seing this slowed and stopped behind them looking with more curiosity, at first full of rage, but then full of curiosity and more than a little fear. Some started to look around, and others whispered to one another.
A chieftan of the Donkuwahcame forward, cutting through the gawking crowd to see what they could. He was loud when he ordered the others to move aside, clubbing one dumbfounded warior who moved too slowly. He entered into the clearing, in front of the others ... now standing, alone ... in the Old One's camp.
The twin torches were burned out, and the fire had been cold for some time. The camp was empty save for the tent and an offering placed upon a stone.
Like a small alter there stood the great hunting armor of the Old One, resting quietly, as if at peace with the presence of war. Beside it on either side were the hammer and the sword, the two tools of death the Old Onemost favored. They were perfectly cleaned, and ready for war. The ceremonial colorations had been added. It was to be a great battle.
The chieftan looked around and then walked over to the armor. Upon the stone, etched into it was the symbol the Dulok had adopted in their skins and caves for the Old one, and above it was the symbol for the dead.
The chieftan looked at it for a long moment, then straightened and cut his hand and spilled a little of his blood upon the stone. He kneeled and placed his head flat upon the earth showing respect to one of a station above his own, an offering hitherto unknown for a chieftan to give to any.
With that display the shispered "song of mourning" rose from the crowd and remained as they turned as an army and headed home. Into the myst they returned, and faded away as if dream. Then there was nothing.
The sun rose and gave light to the hill top, setting aglow the crimson banners upon the armor ... and the wind whispered in silence ...
Chra
Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:57 pm
#3
Part III of III
"... and as you can see from the field reports, this location here at 1752 mark 347 is the one most highly recommended. The Strategical analysis suggests that it is quite defendable and our sources on the ground assure us that the population of local enhabitants at this region is low." The Intelligence officer looked at the gatheredhigh ranking officials and waited for the next question.
"You are sure about this?This could go very poorly if the location is not ideal."
"Sir, Opperative 2571is one of our best Master Rangers. He has been studying the environment for over a year andhis work has all been tripple checkedby independant operatives. We findhis recommendation to be the best we have evaluated. I am confident in this location for our purposes."
"Very well,Captain, thank you." The General turned to the others gathered. "Well then,inform Lord Vader that we have the location for theShield Generator on the Endor Moon."
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Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ranger Forums.
It has been a long road for us together, and I appreciate your company. Unfortunately this old ranger is finally going to findother pastures. I have loved this profession and taken pride in that which I have done with others and alone.I gave it my all and have no regrets.
But the timehas come that I must give upthis fine profession. I do so with a glad heart for the last 14 monthshave not been wasted. They have been glorious inthat silent way that only we really appreciate. I salute one and all that stay witht he profession.
But thisold wookie who spent way too much time on Endor ... is finally hanging up his tree dwellers hood and saying goodbye to the Ranger life.
I wish you well, and hope you all find the love of the profession that I have had, and still have. I hope that you see itfor the dream that it is and can be. I wish you all good hunting, safe journeys, andpeaceful moments of beauty and discovery.
With loving devotion and gratitude,
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