Short and Incomplete Stories

The Beginning
The young man takes the necklace from the Emperor watching the life fade from his eyes, slowly he reaches out his hand and closes his eyes. He sits there staring, knowing that he should be on the move right now, unable to believe what has just happened. He is awoken from his trance when he hears footsteps behind him, quickly he draws his blade and turns around looking for a figure to appear in the passage. Every second seems like an hour, until a shadowy figure appears. He recognizes the figure it was one of the guards who escorted him and the Emperor, Baurus. The adventurer stares at him for a few moments before speaking to him. Though confused and frightened his voice is calm and firm.
"We were ambushed. I couldn't protect the Emperor, there was nothing I could do... but he gave me this necklace and told me to bring it to Jauffre. If you would like to do it than that is fine with me, I know you don't trust me. But he said that there is one more living heir and that Jauffre knows where he is."
Baurus' look shows that he had no idea of this and even more it shows he believes him. "No, you will do it. The Emperor saw something in you and I think it would be best if you did this. Here take this key," Baurus pulls out a small rusty iron key and places it in the Adventurers hand, "it is the key to the sewers gate. By the looks of it the Ambusher came through that way, though how they knew about it is frightening. It will be dangerous but it will be the quickest way out of here. Take this map with you," he reaches into his armor and takes out a crumpled and old piece of parchment handing it over and placing it in the same hand with the key, "without it I doubt you will find your way out of this place. I will stay here and take care of what needs to be taken care of with the Emperor dead. Good Luck."
The Adventurer nods goodbye and steps into the passage the Ambusher came through, slowly. He walks through the passage and opens the door at the end, then takes a look around. He is at the top of a stairway, at the bottom is a narrow walkway. One on side is the wall, meeting the cieling in an arch,and on the other a canal filled with murky water. Though he can't tell how deep he knows it is roughly 10 ft wide with another narrow walkway at the other end. It seems to spand limitlessly in both directions, but to his right he sees a faint outline of a bridge. He walks towards it and, after a moment of trying to figure out if it is safe, crosses it. Then he pulls out the map, looks at it, and finds out his current location. Noticing a dark black line drawn on the map, going through his current location, he assumes that is the path he must take. Carefully he folds up the map and places it back in his pocket, draws his sword, and heads off to the right. After a few hundred feet or so he runs into a wooden door and, after consulting the map again, opens it and gingerly walks into the dark tunnel. His eyes grow used to the lack of light and he picks up speed. The tunnel ends and he enters into a large room with a single door at the far end. He continues along his way through it and many other passages, backtracking, sneaking past Goblins, and finally he reaches two large iron doors that signify his trip is nearly over. With alot of confidence and excitement he walks towards the doors and pushes the rusty iron key into it, turning it slowly till he hears a click. Pushing the doors open he feels a cool breeze hit his face, hears some crickets chirping and identifies that it is is night. The Adventurer walks through the final tunnel and out into the cool night air. He looks to his left and sees a river and a large object coming at him.
"What the He--"
An agonizing pain in his head and the fading vision tell him something is wrong, but he is unable to comprehend it before sliding out of conscienceness.


Alright that is the first chapter. I hope you liked it. Also I would like to have your opinions on the Adventurers name and race.
Go here for info on Races.
http://www.elderscrolls.com/codex/races_map.htm

Temporary Name: Bruce

The Choice
People are argueing but Bruce couldn't figure out who, he was sore all over and with every breath he took pain spread over him. His eyes slowly opened, his vision blurry, the room dark, and he was extremely disorientated. It was too painful to move his head so he didn't try. Instead he focused his eyes on the scene in front of him. He could just make out people in red cloaks pacing back and forth in front of him argueing about something, Bruce had a pretty good idea it invloved him. Suddenly another man comes forward and with a shock Bruce recongizes him. It was the man who ambushed and killed the Emperor. But there was no way he could still be alive, Bruce remembers killing him, stabbed him right through the heart. There was no way he could survive that, even if he did Bruce remembers, though very fuzzily, that he was still lying there when he left Baurus. Unless it was a differen't man, is Bruce could hit his head with his hand he would, but he was tied up and such movement would be excrutiatingly painful. They must be a cult of some sort, enemies of the empire, Bruce wondered why they kidnapped him though and they couldn't know he was involved. Although they might've been there to capture and/or kill the Emperor and his guards if they managed to escape the assasins they sent. If memory served Bruce correctly he was hit in the head with a metal object, probably an ax, but after that it was all black.
His eyes had finally adjust to the lack of light and Bruce starts paying attention to the conversation.
"Tell me why, why you brought me a stranger. I don't want to hear that you were told to capture anyone who came out of that exit. Because your orders were to CAPTURE THE EMPEROR IF HE EXITED FROM THERE!" The man yelled that last words with such a force that Bruce cringed, causing him alot of pain.
The man in the armour, like that of the Emperor's Assasin, back up hastily obviously afraid, "Sir it can't be a coinicedent that he walked out of there. He had to be connected to the Emperor."
"Or he could simply be an escaped prisoner. Everthought of that?" This time the person who spoke was off to Bruce's left, or possibly his right he was after all disorientated, and Bruce didn't dare to move his head in fear his captors would notice he was awake.
"I highly doubt that. The Imperial guard would have increased security heavily. Even more he escaped around the same time as we predicted the Emperor would if he managed to escape our assasins. Above all a key is needed to get out or in the last door, a key that only the head guard would have. Our assasins entered using a fake key that we had taken alot of time to make. They were let in and then we locked them in. If they killed the Emperor and his guards then they would escape through the way the Emperor and his guards had come in to raise the alarm and spread panic. We have heard nothing from the Palace, no uproar, no fighting, no reinforcements being sent in, and none of our men leaving. We have the entire place under watch and we still have men at the Imperial Sewer exit, just in case the Emperor does come out." The man breathes a shaky breath and takes a moment to calm down, "If a prisoner had somehow escaped from his cell then he would have to take the same route as the Emperor did. The escape route is inside another cell, I doubt the guard would have had someone in the cell at that time. Even if they did they would lcoked the cell door behind them. They would be fully armed. He wouldn't. They would forbid him from seeing them open and close the secret passage. Even if he did manage to open it I highly doubt he could fight anyone on his escape route. He was unarmed. Now even if he somehow did pass all these obstacles he would still have to fight someone at the end. Our Assasins probably since the Emperor never came out. How would one man be able to fight so many enemies? My theory is that he went along with the Emperor and was the only one who made it out alive."
"Aren't you the smart one? In case you didn't notice, even though you brought him here, he isn't wearing Imperial Armour. You said yourself, he was like that when you found him. He looked confused when he saw your warhammer swinging at him, as though he didn't expect it. He also had a look of happiness when he got out of the tunnels. We wrote down everything you said during your report, so don't try to deny it!"
Bruce hears a sigh, though he has no idea who sighed nor the direction it came from, then an old man spoke and horror came over Bruce, "Why don't you young one ask him youselves? He has been awak and listening to your arguement for quite sometime." Bruce could hear sharp intakes of breath, moving of chairs, and saw all three men in front of him turn to look at him. The man in armour shifted around and let out a sigh of relief. He saw the first man's face, the one who yelled, only get angrier at this news. While the other had a look of utter bemusment. Bruce couldn't close his eyes and pretend to be asleep, the damage had been done all three men had seen him with his eyes open and fear was written all over his face. He didn't know what to do. Tell them everything and get what death? Or refuse to tell them and get tortured to death? Maybe he could bargain with them to untie him, let him rest, and give him medicine for his head in turn for getting the information. He could then steal a weapon and escape. He could tell they hadn't searched him yet, if they had they would have found the necklace. Bruce knew the necklace was important by the way Baurus and the Emperor had spoken of it. But he knew they wouldn't let him leave their sites. There was no chance for him to take a weapon. He was defeated. But then he thought to himself, why not tell them? Its not like they are your enemies. You were just attacked by mistake and since when was he allies with the Imperial Empire? He was put in jail for doing something he hadn't done. Sure he had killed people before but never was he the first to strike. he decided he would tell them.
The same voice from before, the old man, spoke in a calming voice, "Alright then i guess I will ask. Since you still haven't looked around I am assuming it hurts. First answer me this, will you answer our questions and tell us the story on how you got involved in this situation?"
"Yes."
"Wonderful! And not even a moments hesitation you even sounded quite calm as though you had accepted this situation. Though I would like to tell you that you made a very good choice agreeing to tell us. So will you first tell us your story, then we will ask you any questions we may have."
"I will tell you." And so Bruce recounted the entire story, beginning with how he was in fact a prisoner that had been placed in that particular cell because there were no other cells available. He then went on telling them how the Emperor wanted to bring him along with them because, after talking to him for awhile, he though he saw something in him and trusted Bruce. How he followed them the entire way unarmed until the first ambush. After that the guards agreed to let him have a sword because he had helped fight off some of the attackers with only his hands. That he continued following them and fight off all attackers until they came to a door. The guards opened the door and entered first getting ambushed again, while another man came out from a hidden passage and killed the Emperor and that then he, Bruce, killed him. he told them about the Emperor talking to him about Jauffre and that he had another Heir that was hidden and unknown to everyone but him and Juaffre. Finally he told them about how the Emperor gave him a necklace, telling him to deliver it to Jauffre and then dying in front of him; and then the Head Imperial Guard, Buarus, giving him the key to the gate, a map, and saying he would stay to take care of what had to be done with the Emperor dead. Concluding of course about him escaping through the sewer's secret passage, finally making it outside, and then getting hit by something.
"Well that is quite the story." Murmers and discussions were breaking out quickly. One of the men in front of him was muttering lier under his breath. The old man cleared his throat and silence fell. "May we see this necklace?"
"Yes, but you will have to untie me first."
"Of course! You two please untie him gently and bring him a comfortable chair." Two men appeared in Bruce's view and carefully untied him then placed him in a chair.
"Thanks, I guess. Could one of you reach into my front left pocket? I would but it is painful to move." One of them did and pulled out a necklace. Its pendant was a golden rhombus with purple gems around the edges and a large rhombus shaped, deep red gem set in the middle. As the man held it out the room quickly became filled with shouts and arguements. But was quieted again by the old man who beckoned for the men to bring Bruce to a seperate room where he would talk to him seperately.

The Journey
I was running as fast as my legs could carry me, glancing behind me every so often praying I wouldn't see anyone. I escaped from them and was going to set everything right. I betrayed the Emperor's trust just because I wanted to live, I was nothing more than a coward. But now I was gonna make it up, make up for telling them about their assasins' deaths, the Emperor dying, him having a heir, and that Juaffre knew where he was. But I hadn't told them about the Necklace, which he knew was important, so I knew that not all hope was lost, I wasn't a complete traitor of ones trust, or a complete coward.I stopped to rest. I couldn't move any farther due to me running non stop since midnight and it was well past midday now.
"I don't think anyone is following me. No one would be crazy enough to chase someone for over twelve hours. But how am I suppossed to find this Juaffre he could be dead by now, I might be running in the wrong direction. This is bad, some hero I am. I cheat out the trust given to me just because I don't want to die, I escape, and then I can't even find this Juaffre. Though if I remeber correctly he is located in Weynor Prior."
I lean against a tree and close my eyes thinking. Something isn't right, I don't know what but something seems wrong here.... Suddenly my eyes snap open and I look around worried, but all I see is darkness. It was night, I had fallen asleep. I quickly gather up my things and started walking again, no idea where I was going. Then minutes later I saw lights! My walk became urgent as I left the forest, then I was running towards a small village. What luck, I have managed to make it to a village. Thank the Gods! Looking around I saw that it wasn't a village, it was the outskirts of a city. A city I knew even more, Skingard!
I walked towards a guard, "Hello sir. Do you know where Weynor prior is?"
"And to you sir." He nods, "Yes I do. Head along the Gold road to the Imperial City. Then take the road to the north, head along that until you reach the Black Road, which you will take until you reach the Edge of Chorrol. Your destination is located on the South East side of Chorrol and should be located near where the road forks."
"Thank you sir."
"Your Welcome."
I leave the guard t his duties and find an Inn to rest in for the rest of the night. I buy a room and map of Cyrodiil from the Innkeeper, then head upstairs to the room. Unlocking it with my key I enter, closing and locking it behind me, then place my equipment in the corner and sits at the desk with the map and a quill. I then begin examining the map and the journey I shall take to it. Quite long. About two or three days on foot, maybe one or two if I were to buy a horse. But I have no money, though upon reaching into my pocket I pull out a pouch. To my surprise it is full of coins and not just any coins. They were all gold. Where I had gotten this moeny was a mystery and once again I though to myself that something wasn't right. My memory was messed up. I must've been hit on the head during my escape or the previous hit to my head was a bit worse than I expected. After i get to Wynor Prior I will have a doctor examine me. I get up leaving the map where it was and begin examining my equipment. I had a rusty old shield, old worn leather armor, and a bronze sword. Not exactly very good equipment though considering the fact I stole them during my escape and they were the only things I could find they were pretty good. I might be able to sell them and get newer equipment. No, I had better save my money. By the looks of it there is only 1000 sets in the pouch. A horse cost about 4000 sets, a pony 3000 sets, and a mule around 2000. Looks like I will be walking then. I place the puch back in my pockets. Then I go to sleep.

I'm opening my eyes to the sound of the Innkeeper banging on my door to get up. I hope out of bed walking to the door that I unlock.
"I'm up, its about dawn right?"
"Yep just about dawn." The Innkeeper walks back downstairs.
I close the door and prepare for my journey. Having told him last night to wake me up around dawn, I wasn't very happy he remembered at the moment. I secure my shield to my back and my sword to my side, fold the map up and puts it in with my money, then take a last look around making sure I had everything, and seeing that I did I opened the door and left the room heading downstairs. I order some food and eat breakfast, then leaves the Inn and heads to the East gate. I reach it and leave the city just as the first rays of light hit the sky. I'm making good time I think to myself as I set out on the Gold Road. I walk at a brisk pace hoping to wake myself up fully and hopefully be able to make it to Weynor Prior with in a two days. I continue walking as the sun rises above the horizon, I am thinking over about the events that have happened over such a short time to me. Trying to find out what is with my memory. There are more gaps than there should be. My walk slows as the sun moves across the sky reaching a midpoint, I have find nothing on my memory and I decided to start thinking about my life before all this. Not all that exciting until news of Gates of Obivion started opening, but around that time I was accused and sent to jail. My walk speeds to a slight jog as the sun moves from the mid point and across the sky until it once again hits the horizon, I am bored to death, tired, and hungry. Even more I can see no human establishment at all and not wishing to wander off the road I decided to eat leftovers of my breakfast on the roadside and continue on my journey until I find a place to get some sleep. I stand up and stretch a bit then head out again. I walk for a bit until I get the feeling I am being followed. I glance behind me casually but see nothing, human or beast. So I continue along watching the sun set, though the feeling doesn't leave me. I must be getting tired. I slow down to watch the last rays of light leave the sky.

Only seconds after this I hear movement behind me and see a glint of metal behind me. Quickly I take my shield of my back and raise it instictively. Just in time too, a sharp sound echoes throughout the air and vibrations are sent from the shield to my arm. Dazed i stand there unable to grasp what just happened.
"Quite lucky are you? Half a second later and you would be lying on the ground blood pouring from your chest."
I lower my sword a fraction and see a man, probably in his forties, with his sword drawn. Behind him I make out a couple other shapes of men, "Bandits. I thought I was being followed."
"And you thought right." He swings his sword again, only to have it blocked. This time much more effiecently, my shield deflects the swing and I draw my sword as well.
"Well your awefully brave now aren't you? Ganging up on unsuspecting travelers at night?" I stab at him and he dodges.
"Well it is much more effiecent than one one one." The men behind him walks forward and begin circling me.
"I guess. But your too weak to be able to beat someone alone." I launch myself at a bandit to the right of me with my sword aimed to his chest. Startled, he dodges clumsily and falls over; he swings his sword helplessy and I bash it out of his hands with my shield bringing down my sword into his heart. While I block an arrow that soars through air towards me I pull it out, watching the blood that pours from it and him starting to suffocate on blood now filling his throat. Shaking my head i return my attention to the remaing bandits, five left. Two archers in the back, two with swords currently engaging me, and one in the middle, the leader by the looks of it, the same one I spoke to. I walk to the left with my shield raised until one bandit is directly infront of me, carefully I engage him. Our swords connect numerous times, as we both try to strike a killing blow. My shield is held up to block any possible attacks from the archers or second bandit. The man raises his sword above his head bringing it down swiftly, I dodge to the left and bring my sword up through air; just as the second bandit charges me. Blood is flung into the air as the man screams in pain dropping his sword and grabbing the bloody stump where his other arm previously was. Wasting no time I kick him in the chest and turn 180 degrees to the left with my sword struck out. The bandit blocks my blow but is knocked back a bit by the strength. I step forward raising my shield up in front of me and charge him, he regains his footing and dodges. Once again I spin around, he prepares himself for the blow with his sword raised, but at the last second I drop my aim from his chest to his knees. Unable to react in time I slice clean through both his knees and he falls back howling in pain. I duck as another arrow flies towards me and pierce the man's heart ending his howls. Then I barrel roll to the right getting back on my knees and ending the life of the bandit who lost his arm. "You guys still wanna die?"
"Your good. But I doubt you can fight me and fend off two archers." The leader raises his sword and beckons me. I begin to circle him until he blocks one of the archers from view and the other archer is directly behind me. Silence, then I hear him draw the bow, and then release it. The Leader lowers his guard smiling and I turn around fully, ducking below the arrow. The Leader dodges and leaves the archer behind him unaware of the arrow sailing towards him until it embeds itself in his choulder with a soft thud. I am already charging the other archer, who is fumbling with notching an arrow. He notches it, draws his bow, and releases it. The unaimed arrow soars over my head as I behead the archer, his head falling and hitting the ground. Blood comes out of his neck like a fountain. I take a second to admire my work before knocking over the body and turning back to the Leader.
"I doubt know about that. it seems like I needed some help from one of your archers. But now it is only you and me by the looks of it. That archer is done he can't even lift up his arm now. Such a pity." Calmy I walk to him, raise my sword and deflect his first attack. The move my shield to block his second, drop my sword to block his third, dodge his fourth and disarm him. " You have lost me valueable time, so I will make you pay accordingly. Got it?
He scrables for his sword but right before he grabs it my boot connects with his face sending him flying back. I place my shield back on my back and pick up his sword, weighing it in my hands. Then I turn and smile at the remaining archer, lift the sword up and throw it. I watch as it spins through the air towards his terrified face and, to my dismay, the hilt connects with his head with a dull thud. Blood flies from the impact point, the sword embeds itself in the ground next to his body. Then turning to the Leader I stab his knees and elbows. Finally I sheaf my sword and continue along my way leaving him lying there bleeding and in great pain.

The rest of my journey was quite uneventful, besides learning that on my first day I had travelled much further than anticipated. I met the bandits only an hours walk away from the Black Road. It seemed I was too distracted with whatever I was thinking at the time to notice I had left the Gold Road. At the crossroads I bought a room for the night in an Inn and in the morning continued on my way. Finally, I made it to Weynor Prior. And only in 1 and a half days. Such a wonderful thing. I walked up to the house a local had told me was Juaffre's home and knocked.
"Who is it?" An old mans voice replied. And a sharp shock hit me, I stumbled and cried out then hit the ground. Vision going black I saw the door opening and the man picked me up and brought me inside.

Quest
That nagging feeling in the back of my mind, the one that was always saying something not right here, disappeared as the shroud over my memories was lifted. The Elderly member put it over me saying that I would be more likely to go to Juaffre with the new memories, that i wouldn't betray my new allies as quickly. he said for such a mission of this caliber it was needed. There was little trust from other members in me, what if I betrayed them as easily as I did the Empire? So before I left my memories were temporarily rewritten. Though it wasn't really neccessary, I would have come here anyway. But cautions were neccassary. The Elder said I was to act normal, follow what Juaffre say, find the heir, and escort him safely to where ever he is to escorted.
I woke up to find myself in a bed within a small room. Slowly i got to my feet and walked out of the room, looking about. A middle aged man was sitting at a table reading a book, without out looking up he addressed me quite formally, "Hello young Sir, i see you have awoken. I am Juaffre and who might you be?"
I was quite taken back by his calm demeanor. The news must not be public yet, if the Emperor asked for him directly he must be important. Therefore he would probably have been told already. "I am Bruce, but that isn't important. I am here on urgent buisness, the Emperor has been assasinated."
"What? That is nothing to joke about! Bruce was it?"
"Yes and I am not joking. He told me to give you this," I pull out of one of my pockets a necklace, The Necklace of The Kings, to show Juaffre who jumps up and begins examining it, "and said that you knew where the last heir was."
"This is grave. By the looks of it, you are telling the truth. This is the real necklace so I shall tell you what you need to know and I will be quick about it. The last heir is named Martin. He is a young man who works in the church within Kvatch. he knows nothing of him being the last heir or being related to the Emperor. Go to Kvatch and explain everything to him. He should understand, bring him back here and I will explain in more depth. Do not bring the necklace, if the Emperor was assasinated then carry this around could be dangerous. You might even be being followed, I will keep this safe until you return."
"Alright, well I guess I will be off quicker than I thought. May I ask for some supplies for the trip?"
"Of course. We have plenty of time, get ready for the trip. I will pack you supplies and give you a horse. Rest up some more and plan your route accordingly. I shall leave you alone for now, Take the study, upstairs first door on right."
"Thank you very much." I nod to him and head to the study. Entering and closing the door behind me. I pull out my map and sit at the desk. Marking my current location with ink and looking over to Kvatch. It was directly to the South West, no direct route to it, I would have to travel through the mountain side if I want to get there quickly. It should be easy with a horse and I will use my map, marking everything I come across so it is easy to find my way back. Looking over the map I notice another marking between Skingard and Bravil. Marked as, "Order Hidden Base" remembering that he was told the location and that there were many of them located throughout Cyrodil.

I pack up the map and take a short rest, woken by Juaffre. I gather up my supplies and bid him goodbye, securing his packs on his horse then mounting it and heading off into the mountains between Chorrol and Kvatch.

Raining, just like always. Every single damn day for the past two years it had rained, poured really, with no end. It didn't even let up for even a second. At first he hated it but eventually he stopped caring about it and sometimes he even found he was grateful for it. The torrent of water droplets on jungle leaves covering up his own sounds as he made his way through the thick jungle forest which made up the planet he was on. Which was good because it meant he didn?t need to worry as much about the planet?s inhabitants hearing him as he stalked through the forest. So long as he was careful enough not to make an excessive amount of noise he and his men could have some form of ease. Which everyone was more than grateful for no matter how little they got. Their job was hard, unending, and boring almost all the time.

"Nothing so far, sir. Just like always." A man had only just appeared before him to his left, having been concealed by the rain and thick forest vegetation just moments before. The man was young, probably in his early twenties, with dark skin, jet black hair cut short in a military fashion, and surprisingly bright green eyes. His face was cleanly shaven, his teeth slightly crooked and yellowed, and his cheeks showed faint frown lines. He was tall and lean but obviously well-built, standing straight showing signs of discipline. His voice almost monotone with only a small note of annoyance, "Should we continue searching or call it a day, sir?"

"Continue searching, I want to get this area finished up by tonight. That means we are going to have to scan the eastern part. Yes by the inhabitants settlement. We've ignored it for too long, it is time to get it over with so we can move on."

"Of course sir. Should we take all the equipment then?"

"Yes, just in case. Wouldn't want any more losses. Now get on with it, don't waste any more time."

The young man nodded and quickly strode off back into the jungle disappearing from the man's view in seconds.

The man's name was Axel Carius and he was the Chief Leggatus of the Second Legion, a very high ranking officer within the military and an unlucky one too. He had been put in charge of a very special mission and unit. An exploration mission and a unit of highly capable combat specialized soldiers. Normally sent on missions with terrible odds of success on planets deep in enemy territory or sent into the unexplored regions of space far removed from command with no chances of reinforcements or even contact from Central Command. Well their special mission was indeed very special, not only was it on a planet so far into an unexplored region that the maps didn?t even come close to ending near the planet's location but it was also special because the odds of success were so low one would have to think that Command had gone insane to even think about it for even a second.

Insane indeed... some of the best of the best soldiers sent to this forsaken planet not to fight like they have been trained for and excel at but to look for rocks.

Their mission for the past two years was to scan the entire planet for a resource called Kronosium. A resource that was incredibly valuable and important. It was so scarce that describing it as rare was an understatement, legendary was more fitting as not only were only a few grams of it ever found on a planet but also because a marble sized amount of Kronosium held enough energy to power an entire city for a decade. Three hundred years ago when mankind first came in contact with it they were able to fully enter the space stage. Mankind was able to not just put a few guys on the moon but to send an entire spaceship or people to the moon and then proceed to build a city. Three hundred years ago a small quantity of it was found, about two or three grams in total. But those two or three grams changed history. Unfortunately those two or three grams brought forth many problems.

Like any scarce resource Kronosium was coveted and sought after with much greed. Having sent mankind into space in leaps and bounds made it considerably more valuable compared to other scarce resources. Its scarcity brought forth an urgent need to expand out and scourge every single planet for even a single grain of it. Then when it was found there was a problem of what to do with it, study it, use it to power cities or further technological advances? Governments often chose to put it to use and neglected research of it, taking it for granted. This common choice giving scientists little chance to further their and mankind's knowledge of it. Forever limiting mankind to a few facts about it; Kronosium was an element not a compound whose periodic number was 176, it was however remarkably stable with no known melting point, it was incredibly hard, much harder than diamonds, was only ever found in solid form, and of course most notable it was able to contain massive amounts of energy, though how remained a mystery.

Then of course the biggest problem it caused. Kronosium united mankind when found however when the first two or three grams were used up it started a search for more. A search which had mankind scourging every single planet they came across for it. A search which brought out mankind?s greed and unending arrogance. A search which had mankind claiming ownership of any and all Kronosium found. A search which started war with another intelligent species. A search which separated mankind and brought on even more war. Kronosium was lusted after and when found it was greedily claimed and ripped from the planet it was found on.
Which was what was going to happen after Axel completed his mission.

Special indeed...

Two years spent systematically scanning every inch of the planet to find a single positive reading. Which had yet to be found. Meaning they were still only in the beginning stages. Of course two years wasn't that long when you considered the facts that they only had one scanning machine which could only process fifty square miles at a time, only about twenty or so men, and almost twice as much land to cover than planet Earth has. Actually two years was rather short when one thought about it from that perspective. But considering no one had seen the starlight in two years made it difficult to consider two years as short, most of the time it seemed dreadfully long.

"Sir!" The same young man as before pulled Axel out of his thoughts as he had many times before, yet this time something was different. His body composure and facial expression told Axel that for once the following report would be different. "We've gotten a positive reading in section D-5. We have set up camp two miles southwest of the reading."

"Well then we have finally made some progress, show me the way."

The young man turns around and heads back into the jungle, this time Axel follows. Though this time Axel does something he never did before. He takes his time and actually lets himself enjoy the scenery, minus the torrential downpour. There is no need for him to keep track of the soldier leading him as Axel was an expert tracker able to read the smallest of signs, such as the positioning of branches on the ground, to tell if one had been there, when they had been, and which way they were going. This skill giving Axel the leisure of taking a nice stroll through the forest without worry of losing his guide and for once letting his eyes wander over all the many unique vegetation. All it took was the knowledge of a positive reading which meant their mission just got a whole lot easier and hopefully with any luck it meant that he would soon be leaving this forsaken planet.

Soon Axel found himself on a slightly worn down path with the soldier only a few feet ahead of him and off in the distance was a clearing in which he could see the camp was set up at. Seeing this Axel picks up his pace and strides forward to walk alongside the young soldier leading him.

Noticing his commanding officer walking alongside him the young man nods in respect and, "Sir, I should have been a little more detailed in my initial report as you look somewhat hopeful and um... well there are a few complications involved. I apologize sir. I was a little surprised when I was told of the findings and when reporting it to you I forgot a few important details. I apologize again, sir."

Axel sighs to himself before responding to the young man, "Well I can't blame you after having spent two years here and finally getting news of a positive reading. It is only natural you would be surprised and maybe get you?re your hopes up to the point of forgetting to report a few of these important details. Regardless, of that go on and finish your report. Looks like we still have a little ways before we reach the clearing."

"Thank you sir! As I did report we have gotten a positive reading, section D-5. The downside is the section D-5 happens to be a large village of the inhabitants. Also there might be a chance of a, uh, mis-misreading." The young soldier turns his head away from his commanding officer in obvious embarrassment at his failure to add this in to his initial report.

"Well you certainly know how to crush a superior officer's hope." Axel shakes his head and chuckles a little, "The misreading is an unsettling thought. I would like to clear that up before I even think about sending men into the village. Hmm?"

Past encounters with the inhabitants had proven to be exceedingly dangerous and risky. The inhabitants are incredibly dangerous as one would expect on a planet with so many other dangers like massive reptilian carnivorous monsters, equally massive and dangerous beasts that share a certain likeness in appearance towards Earth?s panthers should the panthers be seven plus feet in height and fourteen plus feet long, and not to forget the giant man-eating plants. It would only be reasonable that the inhabitants are even more dangerous than the aforementioned dangers. And of course the main thing that set the inhabitants aside from the plants and animals was that they had intelligence. Granted they weren?t as advanced as mankind or the northerners instead they seemed to be in a tribal sort of stage but they still proved much a challenge. A challenge which Axel was not going to risk the lives of his men over unless he was absolutely positive that it was necessary to complete the mission.

"Alright then tell me what you know about this misreading then."

"Yes, sir!" The young officer took a few moments to organize his thought before continuing on. "Well according to the report from the technician it would seem the report was not completed, instead the machine stopped short as of getting a positive reading. As of why we aren't sure however the technician fears the worst being a broken machine or malfunction. After two years of constant use it is possible the machine has been damaged somehow and we just haven?t been able to notice. The technician believes the calculating systems are off and that some of the basic protocol programs too."

"Is there a reason as for why he thinks this?"

"Yes. The reason comes from the report from the machine. The report tells us of a positive reading then it gives us a number of fifteen grams... per square mile." The young man stops and lets that sink in, the two walk in silence for a few minutes.

Finally breaking the silence Axel ask, "How large is section D-5?"

"Just like all other section it is twenty square miles. Which would mean that overall it has at least three hundred grams of Kronosium. Which beats the current highest find by around two hundred and fifty. As you can understand it is only natural that the technician found reason to claim the calculating system to be off. He also thinks the protocol programs are off just from the report itself. I don't know enough myself but he said just from the look of it something else had to be off. I believe he mentioned it having to do with the averaged amount per square mile."

"Huh. Well we certainly have quite the problem. Either we have the single largest find in our history or we have a damaged machine. I do hope that it isn't the latter otherwise we are royally screwed. Going to have to start searching by hand starting with section D-5 which means we are going to be forced to confront the inhabitants."

The two walk in relative silence the last few yards through the forest and out into the clearing both lost in their own thoughts. When they do finally enter the clearing they are presented with a large camp spread our under two large dark green canvases. Surrounding the outer most parts of the camp are a few sentries lazily keeping watch with their guns in their hands. The sentries nod to the young man and give salutes to their superior officer but otherwise stay where they are with no change in their composure. After having past the sentries the two men enter the camp to a view of many scattered groupings of men. The men either at work at small tables stacked with various equipment and maps, playing games around small portable heaters, or asleep on small mats. But all the men no matter what they are doing are alert with their guns easily in reach some of the men asleep were even cradling their guns. For the most part the men didn't even acknowledge the two men as they walked by them, some did give a nod or salute but for the most part they continued what they were doing. Ignoring the two men entirely.

Axel didn't mind this at all after two years of working and fighting alongside him he could care less if they didn't snap to his attention every time they caught sight of him. He actually found it much more relaxing for not only him but the men as well. He knew that they respected him and would follow him to the ends of the universe or jump into a pool of lava at his command. And that was all that mattered to him, loyalty and respect.

It did not take long to reach the center of the camp where the two men found a small black machine reaching up to the average man's chest, around the machine were a few tables cluttered with various pieces of equipment; ranging from weapons to food storage units to small piles of books and papers. Standing between the tables and the machine was another man whose back was turned to Axel and the young man at the moment. Having reached the center of the camp Axel and the young man stopped. The young man nodded to Axel, saluted, and headed off towards one of the groups of men they had passed before leaving Axel with the man.

"Well then Xavier do help me out here and tell me your thoughts."

The man, Xavier, did not turn around or show the slightest amount of movement to show that he had heard Axel speak. Instead he remained with his back turned pouring over a piece of paper on the table before him. He remained over the paper for a few minutes before finally turning and leaning over the machine instead. Once again he paid no mind to Axel and instead continued to pour over the machine his face scrunched up in concentration. Again he poured over the machine for a few minutes letting Axel wait before he finally turned and faced his superior officer, Axel.

"Well I can't be too sure with what we have here to be able to tell if the machine is broken or even malfunctioning past the point where it would be useless." Xavier's face showed clear exasperation at the situation and obvious annoyance at his lack of assurance.

"Then no choice but to confirm its accuracy with our own hands." Axel sighs and frowns to himself thinking over his options. "Alright to start we will have scout it out. Do you have a map with you, a clear one?"

"Yes?" Xavier turns around and searches through a small stack of books for a short while before pulling out a parchment of yellowing paper. He looks over it shortly before turning back to Axel and handing it to him.

"Good." Axel takes the map then turns to address the men around camp, "Attention, all men forward!" Immediately all the men drop what they are doing, pick their weapons up, wake the sleeping men, and gather before Axel. Within only a few seconds all but the sentries are standing before Axel. "Alright soldiers today has been quite the day... we obtained a positive reading but as everything has worked out we are currently unsure of its accuracy. This puts us into a very difficult situation. Section D-5, everyone here knows that the area is 'their' territory, is where the reading came from. And section D-5 is where we must search, with our own hands. This means we need to be prepared. We will start the search tomorrow. Before then I want the outer area scouted, I want all your weapons checked, all equipment readied, and most of all I want every man here to be fully prepared for the fight to come." Axel takes a good long look at all the faces of the men before him, "It is my hope that after this fight I will see all of your faces again standing at attention, I do not want to bury another one of my men again. Make sure you don't make me, now get to your duties! Scouts split up and head out, engineers check all weapons and equipment, the rest of you get fed and get as much rest as you can. Dismissed!"