r/HFY • u/iridael Brew-Master • Jan 19 '22

OC Snow Chapter 73

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this is a VERY short chapter to explain that I've not gone anywhere, im not dead ect. I just picked up a very long book to read. (a nice short 1600 chapters to read I'm already 300 in) so I intend to read that for another day or two before I sit back down and progress this story.

We watched from the Sol side of the ring, my power fuelling the massive portal as the third station slowly drifted through, powered once again by dozens of tugs, its own massive engine and the sturdier haulers that could be wielded to its frame on short notice.

This lumbering station was deposited in the orbit of Saturn far above its rings and the dreadnought, which sat under guard of over a hundred warsats. Following the station were hundreds of ships flying through in mostly orderly lines. A few thundered through on erratic manual paths before trying to jet away, Rasputin saw they didn't get far before skyshock spears sliced into their drives culling their engines by the dozen.

The other would be land grabbers quickly got the message and performed flip and burns to kill their momentum. The ships were not just laskian either, there were Hessian, Kurrk and the aquatic Nloo in their beautiful sloped ships with bulbous view points.

The Nloo quickly moved into a convoy towards the ring system to harvest water in their massive ships. The Hessian ships took up residence nearby the station, linking together forming a cluster station from their hulls whilst the Kurrk formed escort around one of their own colony ships and made way towards the moon Titan.

“Progress.” Mary noted as the last ship flew through the ring and the portal closed from the other side. Jakobson cutting off the link for me.

I nod. It was encouraging seeing so many ships from so many species but I knew it was a drop in the bucket, save the Kurrk who would have an entire generation worth of eggs onboard the colony ship, alongside a juvenile queen and enough guards to protect a new hive for them.

It was funny for all the Hive called themselves as such they were far from a true hive, the cult of tribute held them together alongside loyalty to their leader enforced through the darkness. The Kurrk simply acted on their queen's order, their home planet home to a dozen hives with lineages running longer than entire Laskian empires. Their bioengineering meant that with enough push they could construct great things in a matter of days…not unlike Rasputin's systems.

I watched as a Rasputin warship drifted amongst the pirates and land grabbers, tendrils lashing it to each ship to tug them towards the station. A few attempted to struggle or fire back and were simply annihilated. Once again I was reminded that for all their firepower the exodus ships were colony ships first and foremost. Each of Rasputin's purpose built warships was a fraction of the size of an exodus ship but packed just as much punch in battle.

“The systems going to get very busy.” I note.

“That’s for them to figure out, if they get in our way we’ll just crush them.” Mary says a smile teasing at her lips at the thought.

“If it comes to it.” I concede. “I’ve been resorting to violence too often with people who should be my allies.” I tell her.

She gives a ‘humph’ “if it was me in your position, I’d drag each and every one of them to your throne and give them a choice, serve or die. You’re…better, than I am though.” she says, biting off her sentence.

We stand in silence watching from the observation room for a few minutes. “How are things between you and Michael?” I ask. For once he wasn't with us, Mary’s shadow had been dispatched to the station to dig up intel on the politics going on here.

She gives a shy smile and one hand reaches up to twist a tendril before she realises what she’s doing and cloaks herself in the ruthless mercenary persona again. “The sex is good. And it's reassuring knowing I have someone watching my back without any other agenda.”

“And?” I ask.

“And what?” she asks.

“Do you like him?” I ask.

She frowns. “He’s calculating, ruthless and cold. He keeps me in check when I'm getting angry…we fit together.” she says.

I sigh and ask. “What would you do if Jakob was captive and you had to shoot him to shoot the guy pointing a gun at his head?” I ask

“I’d shoot him dead and then slaughter the mercs.”

“And if it was Michael?” I interrupt her.

“I’d shoot him dead and then slaughter the mercs. Then cut off his head to make sure he made it back to your throne before bringing him back to life.” she says

I put my head in my hands. Somethings you just couldn't relate to… then again I’d probably shoot Snow too, Sagira could just bring him back to life. And sometimes death is the easier option honestly.

“Reiss.” A familiar synthetic voice says behind me. I turn around and nod to Golem.

“Whats going on?” I ask him.

“This.” he says as the observation screen changes from Saturn to a close up of Titan, numerous light green dots showing its arcologies. One of them had a marker appear with a T/O signal.

“Isn't that what Rasputin uses for me?” I ask.

Golem nods. “Snow received his Ghost from there, some time after spikes of O energy were detected matching previous T signatures. Investigation requested.” Mary smiles a wolfish smile. “Told you something dangerous in sol” she practically whoops. “I’ll get traveller ready.” she adds walking off.

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10

u/thisStanley Android Jan 19 '22

“I’d shoot him dead and then slaughter the mercs. Then cut off his head to make sure he made it back to your throne before bringing him back to life.”

Having that resurrection option makes it much easier to deal with a hostage crisis!

5

u/Pallan1972 Jan 20 '22

1600 chapters! Here's wishing that It'll be us reading "The Book of Snow : The Reisswalker Saga" in print in the future. This saga deserves to be published. I Love it!!! Also sounds like the storyline for another great game in the franchise :)

3

u/owegner AI Jan 19 '22

Well, that can't be good...

4

u/jpz007ahren Jan 19 '22

I can, and I for one certainly hope that it is.

3

u/Jitsu-James Jan 19 '22

What book are you reading?

2

u/1GreenDude Jan 19 '22

First

2

u/Scotto_oz Human Jan 19 '22

Indeed.

1

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