|
(5.2) Voices of the Air
Liberty Radio
Taqcom Island
The Free Republic of Fra
Mid Rim World of Fra
The cold dry air of the room seemed to mirror the situation on Fra. The mood of the people beyond the western cities seemed to be chilled and left in a sense of darkness. The darkness of the room only magnified this mood across the world of Fra. The stillness within the room was shattered by sound of a motor attempting to be started. The low muffles of a man just beyond the door could be heard as he attempts to coax the engine to to starting. After a few sound efforts the engine finally turned over and fill the air with the humming of its operation. Without warning the sound is suddenly reduced greatly as the sound of a door being closed was heard. Still the low muffles of a man could be heard just outside the door. Almost as if the universe itself exploded to life, the lights within the room kicked on. One by one they flickered to life till all six lamps along the ceiling were on. The frost of the room was now exposed as a large blower started up blowing cold air in to the room. Within seconds just behind the blower a soft reddish glow signaled the end of the freezing temperatures within the room. Within moments the moving cold air was replaced by the warmth of the heater.
The only door leading in to this forbidding and cold room slowly opened. As it opened slowly it became clear that it was thick and made of a very heavy metal. The long dark shadowed corridor just beyond the door indicated that the room was buried deep in a shelter of some kind. The ice along the walls hinted at its frozen location. The sounds of waves washing up on some distant beach offered one more clue of the location of the room. The powerful guest of frozen air filled the room with a chill once more as the man who opened the door shivered. The lone man walked in and moved behind the heavy door and pushed it closed once more. His grumbling over the weight and the way he leaned on the door as he pushed it closed signaled its true weight. With a loud metal thud, the door would close no further. Once the door was closed he walked over to the wall next to the door and lifted a large metal tube. He struggled to drop the pipe in the waiting hangers on each side of the door. A pair of pins ensured that the pipe wouldn't fall from the hooks as the pipe bared the door closed.
With the door now bared and his location secured. The man turned while removing his thick mittens and hung them on the wall. He then undid the buttons on his thick winter coat and removed it. This two was hung on the wall along with a thick face mask. Even though he removed his thick winter coat he was still dressed in a secondary coat and hat with a bandanna under it. He took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. His breath was clear to see as he rubbed his hands together. He walked over to a control box next to the door and turned two knobs. He watched the box closely as two sets of six pairs of lights turned from red to green. As he watched the signals, which were telling him that the main outer doors to the bunker were closing, he pulled out a small box and flipped the lid open. Slowly the lights continued to change as he pulled a small white tube from the box. He placed the tube in his mouth while returning the box to his pocket. With his other hand he lit a small flame from a stick and put it to the other end of the tube. With a few short breaths the flame turned to a burning ash at the end of the white tube.
The heavy powerful sounds of two thuds shook the bunker as icicles fell from the ceiling. With the bunker now completely cut off from the outside world, he was free to start his mission. He walked over to a large stack of equipment. He pulled a thick blanket off with care as more ice fell off of the blanket to the floor. He pushed up two large switches and a low humming sound could be heard as the equipment started to heat up. He folded the blanket and carefully set it on an empty shelf. He walked over to another sack of equipment and repeated the same procedure. Once he placed that blanket with the first, he rubbed his hands once move while taking a heavy drag off the tube in his mouth. He let out a thick plum of smoke as he walked over to a table.
Placing a small pack on the table as well as his other things he took his seat. He reach forward and pulled the large mic till it was right in front of him. He yawned deeply as he tightened the bandanna round his head. Checking his watch then pulling out a small traumas, he reached over to a box on the table. He turned a dial and started to pour himself a cup of coffee. The hot liquid started to steam up almost immediately. He watched as the indicator light showed him that the massive antenna slowly being raised. About half way up, two more lights on the box kicked on. They told him that the powerful radio set behind him was ready for transmission. He took a sip of his coffee and waited for the antenna to be ready. Once the light turned green he nodded and flipped a switch. With that switch, lights around the room as well as a few throughout the little rebel base all came one. All said two simple words, "On Air"
"Brothers, Sisters, citizens of Fra. Those of you within occupied Fra and those of you fighting against the evil forces of the Usurper. I send you my respect and gratitude. This is Maximus Timock speaking to you from Liberty Radio. It has been over sevens long years since the day our freedom was stolen from us by the Usurper. The man who would claim to be our King had stolen our freedom. It was over seven years ago that the Usurper marched his forces in to power and in to our history. Our elected officials along with their families were dragged from their homes in the dead of night and murdered in the streets. Their blood was soon joined by loyal guards and protectors of our way of life. It was over seven years ago that freedom on Fra died at the hands of a military coup.
"The Usurper did control the military and some of the navy. But with the help of a few loyal commanders and naval officers we were able to stop the expansion of the illegitimate government cold. There were hard fought battles in the swamps, the low lands, the dense forests, the out lining cities and in the hearts and minds of our people. For over seven years we fought and bled for Fra and her release from the grip of a evil dictator. We marched, we organized and learned how to fight our own military. To fight against the same men and women who swore to protect us from evils like the Usurper. And my Brothers and Sister, we won battles. Lots of battles. We won not because we were paid more, not because we were trained better, not because we had better equipment. We won because we had a goal. It was a simple yet glorious goal. To free Fra from the tyranny of the Usurper. As the Army retreated we gained much needed equipment and supplies. Then something happen my Brothers and Sisters. Something wonderful happened. The government soldiers started to see through the lies and deceptions cast by the Usurper. As their eyes were opened, they started to see the horrors that they were fighting for. Driven by their own guilt and anger at the Usurper, they come over to our side. It was a few at first but then the tides started to shift.
No longer my Brothers and Sister were we only holding the illegitimate Government at bay. We were fighting them back, pushing them back. Back past the shores of our great sea did we fight the dark army of the Usurper. Back past the foot hills and further back did the forces of the Usurper retreat. All the while our Brothers and Sisters on the other side started to see that they were lied to. That their false King was nothing more than a ruthless, murdering dictator. As they crossed the lines, we welcomed our lost family members with open arms. There was no harsh words being said. No one held ill will against them. We welcomed our family back to our side. No longer blind to what has happen. No longer fooled by the lies and confused by the false witnesses. Our Brothers and Sisters left the ranks of the Government forces and joined the cause of returning Fra to a world of Freedom. It almost started to seem like once more, we could speak that word freely again. Once more off our lips did we say the word out loud. We spoke the word Democracy. It became our battle cry followed by Freedom!
The moment of truth did come for both sides. We who started out as a rag tag army of outcasts and displaced scholars had become reformed in to a fighting force to be reckoned with. Thanks to the help of our Former Government soldiers turned freedom fighters, we learned the skills of war and the art of tactics. We met the Government on the stepped plains in all of our might. I was there, my Brothers and Sisters. I saw with my own eyes the might of the people screaming out in one voice so loud that surely the False King could hear in his palace. They were calling out for him to leave, and leave now. The battle was epic and lasted for ten long, hard days. The men and women fighting for the Government fought hard. They fought with courage and died bravely. I shall always give them this. Our lost Brothers and Sisters on the other side fought with honor and courage. A far cry from the evil monster that they fight for. However, you can not resist the very will of the people. On the tenth day, the Government forces were forced to withdraw from the field. They were beaten and the joys of the people could be heard across the battlefield. Finally there were no other Government forces between the Liberation of Fra and our fighters. The day was at hand for the False King's rain to come to an end.... Or was it?
“We ordered the King to step down or by disposed. He actually dared us to march on his new Capital City. So we did march. With our heads held high we marched for our Freedom. For our Democracy. I actually saw with my very own eyes, the False King standing watching us from the walls of his city. Little did we know we were marching straight in to a trap. It was a trap forged in Hell and cast between demons. Little did we know the horror that the False King would unleash on us. There was no warning as the sky turned to fire around us. The winds unleashed fire storms within our own ranks. I saw our Bothers and Sisters turn to fire right before my own eyes. The winds cast our trucks and horses up like they were toys of some angry child and tossed kilometers away. Still the fire storms continued as I saw giant flaming clouds raise up where our forces once were massed. I tell you my Brothers and Sisters, I have never in my life saw such death and destruction before. It was our shame, but we ran in the face of this new horror. I saw later, some of our Brothers and Sisters sick with the kind of illness that our doctors could not understand. I remember sitting next to one of our Sisters as she lay dying. Her long hair laid about the bed and floor. Her skin burned as if it was on fire. But she was no where near the flaming cloud or the fires. Our victory had been stolen from us. Not by the Usurper, who claimed to be our King. But by off world demons brought here by the Usurper.
“It took us a long time to even figure out who they were let alone how to fight them. Even though the will of the people demanded the Usurper to step down, he brought in off world demons to fight his battle for him. We learned a new phrase in the falling days, Death by Panzer Battalion. These off world demons pushed our forces back from the King's Capital and crushed our supply lines. We fought hard against these new Invaders however, we stood no match against their strange weapons. Just as the skies brought the Demons, they brought us allies as well. A few days ago, we were contacted by a group that exist only to oppose these demons from off world. We learned that these invaders have a name. They are called the Reich and they make it their mission to crush the wills of worlds just like Fra. Our new friends gave us new weapons and helped train our people to fight the Reich. However, this is taking time. Time we simply don't have.
“Now, thanks to the Reich, our navies have been destroyed in their ports. Ports that were before out of reach of the Government air forces. Not out of reach of the Reich. Thanks to the Reich, many of our best units have been laid to waste by their flaming cloud bombs. Even now, it is hard for me to express my disbelief that one bomb could murder thousands of our Brothers and Sisters in mere seconds. I had seen it myself. With my own eyes. And I still can't believe what I saw. I know this is hard to believe my Brothers and Sisters, but the flaming cloud bombs are REAL! And these bomb fall on our cities turning them in to ruins in a matter of minutes. The Government doesn't want you to know the truth. But its real, we, your Brothers and Sisters are dying in mass flaming cloud attacks. I have never asked anything of you, My Brothers and Sisters. But we need you now more than ever. Take to the streets, let your voices carry in to the wind. Demand that the Usurper King step down and leave our world and take his Off World Demons with him. Show them all that they are not wanted here. Show them that no matter what they do, they can not win on Fra. Your family needs you, Brothers and Sisters. Take to the streets and let loss your voices. Before its too late for us all.”
“My Brothers and Sisters, you must listen to me now. Even though our cities are in flames. Even though the Usurper King has his off world demons crushing our forces. Even though the Flaming Cloud attacks continue to rain down on us. We will never stop fighting for our freedom. They may take our lives, burn our cities to the ground. Drop all the Flaming Cloud they wish. Freedom is not just a thing to be held one day and gone the next. Freedom is a place in our hearts. It is who we are, my Brothers and Sisters. For hundreds of years, we were looked to by our stellar neighbors to help them settle their disputes. Life under the Usurper's boot is not what was meant for our people. We are a respected world and deserve better this having our rights stripped from us by a murdering dictator. With the help of his Off World Demons, the Forces of the Usurper have reached our coast lines and are matching on what remains of our cities and towns. Now is the time to act! Act for Fra! Act for your own Freedom!”
Evening with Roali-Del
Stephinopulous
Captain City
Mid-Rim World of Fra
"Good evening, once more I Roali-Del, your Hostess, would like to welcome you to tonight's show. Tonight I have a special guest for all my listeners. As many of you have known, our world is playing host to the brave soldiers of the Reich.”
“Since the first moment they landed on our world and defended our homelands from the advancing rebel armies there has been many questions. Questions of who they are and why are they here, where did they come from. After that heroic battle at the gates of our very city, they took up an encampment just beyond the city walls. They kept to themselves and aside from regular meetings with Government no one was permitted to enter their encampment. Since that day, they kept to themselves and remained outside of the city. There were a few sightings of them conducting training beyond the plains with their impressive military hardware. Only recently did they venture in to the city where our citizens had first hand contact with these soldiers of the Reich. Sadly that weekend long experiment ended with the cowardly bombing carried out by rebel terrorists. The authorities are still looking for a female Togruta, possible feral, in connection to the bombing. While the soldiers of the Reich have returned to their encampment and took with them their spending, public outrage over the bombing has become painfully clear.”
“Till today, the our request for an interview with the Reich commander has been flatly denied with all further requests were forwarded to the Crown. However, to my surprise when I walked in to work this morning, sitting on my desk was a hand written letter from no other than Field Marshal Erich Von Kessler. Field Marshal Von Kessler is not only the ranking Officer among the Reich on our world. He is in fact the Cousin of the Leader of the Reich its self, the most honored Emperor Adalwulf Koehler. In his letter, he not only agreed to an interview, he allowed us to ask the hard questions we so richly desired to ask of him."
"So with out further ado, I would like to official introduce Field Marshal Von Kessler. Welcome Field Marshal to my show."
"Good evening Madam Roali-Del. Please call me Erich."
"Okay Erich. I have to admit that once the um well racist view point of you and your troops became known, this was the last place I would have expected to find your first interview...."
laughs, "well you are correct, we do hold a homo-superior attitude. Which is justified might I add. And it is because of this very attitude that your show was high on my own very short list of programs to began our Public Relations campaign on your very lovely world. Might I add, that I have visited so many worlds in the last year. I have come to see such a beauty on Fra that reminds me of my own homeworld. The Eastern Seas remind me of the same coast lines that I grew up with. There are so many things that Fra and my own homeworld has in common. However, back to where to hold my first interview, I have listen to your show very intensely over the past three weeks. And might I add enjoyed your voice. I find your ability to look beyond social and political blinders and see the larger truth to be very appealing to my goals. My advisors felt that a more human friendly setting would be more appropriate. In the end Madam, you were my first and only pick. After all, being in command has its privileges."
"I am not sure if I should be honored or terrorized by your comments Erich. I have seen first hand the affect of your Government's view point on our own. There had been new laws in the past month written that reflects your own raciest views. I won't lie Erich, it scares the hell out of me what changes you are bringing to our world. Can you explain why your government hold alien races in such low regard?"
"I can not, because we personally don't view other races in a lower status presa. We just view and value human life so much more than others. Think of it like two glasses of water. Each is half full. One is other alien races while the other is humanity. Each are equal in our view point. However through our eyes we view the human glass as half full with all the potential that comes with it. Where we view the alien glass as half empty. We know that there is no difference between the two yet only we view them as different. But because we view things differently, doesn't mean we devalue other races. Consider this, I could have held this interview on a number of human run programs. I choose you knowing that you were not human. I did this because of your abilities and that you are a very lovely woman. It was clear to see in your eyes why your husband choose you as a mate. I hope you can see what I am saying."
"I think I can see where you are going with this."
"it is simple a matter difference in prospective. We value all life equally, human and alien alike. But, we view human life a more important than others. In fact just before we arrived here we were on a mission of mercy to the world of Kelleroa. Drought had sweep the world and millions were starving. While there was a small human population, the vast majority of them were alien. Did this stop us? Certainly not. Did we only help the humans? Clearly not. We rendered aide as best as we could to all those in need. This is the way of the Reich. We will help all those in need regardless of their race. Because we of the Reich understand that while there are nonhumans out there, need is need no matter how you look at it. All we ask in return is that you honor our beliefs as we honor your own. Because mutual understand and respect is paramount to a peaceful cohabitation of the Galaxy."
"It is just very hard to take any of this seriously when the rumors presets that you eat sentient beings and preach hateful messages against alien races."
"would you prefer that I told you these ugly rumors are not true?"
"Oh my god, yes. But I fear they are true.
"Your fears are well founded. Yes there are a number of alien races that the Reich hates like no other. The Varl, a nasty worm like gastropod race that invaded our region of space over fifteen hundred years ago. They enslaved our worlds and nearly snuffed out humanity in that region of space. The first raise of the Reich fought the Varl in a central long war. They were sadly defeated and many humans living during that time suffered horribly. The second raise of the Reich drove the Varl out of our region of space once and for all. The Varl are now hunted like the monsters they truly are. We have found other races like the Varl in and around our space. These races use other races up and cast them aside once their done with them. So yes there are aliens that the Reich will not tolerate to exist. However generally, this is a very small number of races. We have befriended a large number of alien races and have positive relations with most of them. As for Togruta, it is a prized delicacies among my people. Though I would hardly call them sentient. Might I ask you, do you eat meat?"
"No, I don't. I am a vegetarian."
”Such a petty, I have a servant that can make a Togruta stew that is so tender that the meat literally falls off the bone as you enjoy its flavors. However, during our travels out beyond our space. The scientists we brought with us have categorized six different types intelligent plant life species. How do you know what you consume was not at one time a sentient life form before it made its way to your table? For that matter who has the right to call what sentient? If we go around and point fingers at each thing saying, you can't eat this or that. Guess what happens, people go hungry. I am sure that many planets would rather not be eaten. However, you have to eat to survive. The difference is how you respect the life that you are taking.”
"I have never considered it that way."
Yes there are a large numbers of domesticated Togruta within the Reich and even out here. In fact I have a mating pair on my estate back home. I have seen them mirror human emotions and even shown remarkable ability to learn and figure things out. My male is so very smart. The female not so much, but he is very clever. However as much as we (owners), love our pets. They will never become more than just that. Beloved household pets. As for the feral Togruta out there. If we don't hunt them and help keep their populations in check. Then we risk over population, disease, and unwanted and needless suffering of the entire populations. It is our duty to ensure that these wondrous creatures do not become over populated. I am not sure how hunting is carried out beyond our boarders. However within the Reich, the six worlds that have been set up for these beautiful creatures are heavily regulated and monitored. There are members of the Animal Protection Committee who ensure that these creatures do not suffer from outbreaks of diseases. These steps were taken to ensure that we respect these graceful, lovely creatures while in their natural, feral, environment. Listen to the words I am speaking. Do you hear anything but praise and respect for these creatures. Would a cold blood killer see such beauty in these simple creatures?"
"Yes I hear your words. I really can't condone what you are doing. But I can hear in your voice how much respect you hold for them. I have a friend of mine who is Togruta. He is a very bright and a witty man. He is someone I call friend. I could never, never think of hunting him like an animal or even eating him. Here is where we will never see eye to eye."
"is this so? How do you know this Togruta?"
"He works in the estate I live at."
"He works at the estate you live at? Or is he owned by the landlord?"
"he....um.....both...." sighs "but we wouldn't eat him!"
"Yes I am sure you wouldn't eat him. You see this is the kind of image that has caused a great level of mistrust between the Reich and our friends that we meet. The very reason why my unit and I were sent out this far from home. Slavery here is just as wide spread as it is everywhere else. Even before we landed on this world, Togrutas were enslaved here as well as many other races. The only difference between us and you is that we draw our lines differently. For us, human slavery is a crime punishable by nothing less than death. However murdering a slave with out just cause is also a crime where we come from. Tell me, if your landlord so wished it. Could your friend find his live in the balance should he displease his Master?"
Sighs once more "y.....yes....."
“And is this considered a crime here?”
“no” she paused for a moment, "moving on now. Tell me about your culture. From all that we can see of your people. They are all members of the military."
"No, not all of our citizens are members of the military. Serving the Reich is an honor that is reserved for few. Most do try, but only the best reach the goal of serving in the Reich Military. However, being in the military does not mean being at war. In fact, the mission I was sent on which landed me here on this lovely world was that of exploration and peace. We were sent out to discover new worlds and find new trading partners. The reason why all my troops seem to be in the military is that they are. While we are on a mission of peace, we are not fools and know the risks. So yes there is a military operation being conducted as well. Civilian ships are not permitted to leave the Reich space. It is simply too dangerous for them beyond our boarders."
"If you are on a mission of discovery and peace, then why wage war here?"
"We were not looking for a war to join. Like I said we were carrying a mercy mission nearby when we were approached. Officials from your government contacted us. They asked us to come and help your embattled world. They offered to pay us to fight your battles for you. The Reich military is not a mercenary outfit. We only agreed to lend indirect support and help train your own forces. In exchange your world would resupply our ships. As it happened we arrived in the nick of time. Though I am sure others will argue this point. I know many people can not see the difference between firing from our ships or dropping bombs from our fighters compared to using our own land forces. But to us this is a very real difference. We are not here to fight your war for you. We will help train your military and soften your enemy up some. But the rest must be carried on the backs of your own military. That was our agreement with your government. Nothing more.”
"You have been labeled a monster by the Rebel leaders. Even the Council of Free Worlds has been rumored to have sent one of their best commanders here to offset your presence."
"Yes I have heard the same rumors. I would love to know which mystery commander they sent to counter me. You can't imagine my disappointment when I learned that the Council of Free Worlds had reached its wicked hand this far beyond their own boarders. They have been a thorn in our side for decades. I make no attempts to lie to you. Yes the Reich has her enemies and made mistakes that has created her own enemies. We are many things, prefect is not one of them. Unlike the Council of Free Worlds, we don't pretend to have all the answers or the best means of reaching goals. We have gone to war a number of times in support of Human Rights across our region of space. And we would gladly do it again, and again, and again. However each time we did, these wars could have been avoided by our enemies by accepting that human slavery was simply not worth the war. That honoring Human rights as equal to others is a must. The Council of Free Worlds stemmed from one of these wars. During that war a Field Marshal did get out of hand and many innocent lives were lost to our horror. We regretted this deeply and we acted fast to remove said Field Marshal from command but the damage had been done. It was because of these horrible acts which the Reich accepts complete responsibility for, that the Reich annexed the world in question. Had we not moved in and took over directly, the suffering would have been so much more worse. The loss of life would have been a hundred or thousand times worse.
“The Reich spent a fortune rebuilding and cleaning up this world. I was personally placed in charge of the reconstruction effort. My cousin, the Emperor of the Reich, in his wisdom, gave me a blank check and told me. 'Cousin, do what you must to rebuild this world to its former glory.' And so I did complete this glorious mission. Technologies were used and some were even created for this very task. Technologies that had never been considered possible were created almost over night to save this world from a environmental disaster. Never before had anything been done like this on this scale. It was our finest and boldest hour. You should see this world. Before the skies were toxic and the landscape was simply hellish to view. Today it is remarkable. Skies so blue that your imagination is carried away on the soft breezes. Plant life that is so rich and vast that nearly every world within the Reich contributed to the effort. There are seas now that are filled with life, instead of seas of toxic chemicals. We took deep space commits and used the ice to create vast seas and oceans. Rivers and lakes spurred as the first rains took place. Seasons, I tell you, there are seasons now. In just under ten years I created a paradise world that anyone would be proud of. I personally know the family that rules the world now. I could arrange a visit, if you and your husband would like."
"Yes, I have read the report that your office sent over. I also noticed that the original inhabitants can no longer live on your paradise world. For them, the world became toxic. Thanks to your efforts."
"Yes it was an oversight on my part. When the war was waged, we only knew of one population group on the world besides the large number of other alien slaves, to include humans. We didn't know of a second race hidden in the mountains. Once our efforts began, the new atmosphere became so toxic to the mountain race that they had to be transplanted. However had we not acted, they would have died due to the chemicals released during the war. So clearly either way they were dead. In the end they have a lovely new home within the same system. We created a large group of bio-domes on a nearby world. Once more I oversaw this massive transit operation. I made sure that they had the very best offered to them. It was a far cry from their primitive living conditions back on their home world. Their children are receiving the best education the Reich can offer them. Over ten years later, these citizens of the Reich has proven their loyalties to us. Now they have access to the best education and the best construction jobs from a new nearby space yard. The year before I left on this mission, the Emperor granted them citizenship within the Reich. Something that every alien within the Reich could look up to and strive for.”
“In fact, all of my space cruisers were built in their yards. Our power armored suits were also built on their world. I would have never guessed how fast these creatures could pick things up. Their level of matching human intelligence is remarkable. When I look at them today compared to the sad situation that they were in before. I am so proud that we were able to have such a positive affect on their culture and way of life.”
“As much a I would love to continue this interview, I am being told that we are out of time. Is there anything else you would like to add or say before we end our show?”
“Yes there is, as I have said before. We didn't come here looking for a fight. As you mentioned the bombing just two days ago, I am left with the images of my soldiers, dead. The attack was uncalled for. And I would like to issue this warning to these Rebel leaders and their Council of Free World advisors. I am not taking sides in this war at this moment. However, if these attacks continue against my soldiers. I will find a fight here, and unleash my troops. The only possible ending in this situation would be your loss. We are not here to fight in your war. Keep us out of it.”
“Powerful words from a powerful man. I would like to thank the Crown for allowing this interview as well as my new friend Field Marshal Erich Von Kessler for taking the time from his busy schedule to share his thoughts with us. I think I can speak for all of us on Fra when I say, we are a people of peace and respect the peaceful mission that the Reich is here on. I only hope that they are not drawn in to our war.”
|
