Post by etarip on Nov 4, 2013 17:41:47 GMT -5
The brisk wind that ran through Joseph’s unwashed brown hair had an ominous quality to it. It was as if the wind itself was fleeing from something…something evil. And “evil” was exactly how Joseph would describe the events that transpired at B-2 not too long ago. Joseph had only heard tales of the events that had shook the whole Marine organization. The stories told of wanton destruction and indiscriminate murder. They told of extreme brutality and the complete lack of compassion. At first Joseph was instinctively skeptical. People had an inherent need to tell a “good” story, instead of aspiring to tell the unclouded truth. Therefore, stories would transform as they passed from person to person, in the end often ending up far from the truth. And yet, Joseph knew that all stories and legends held a core of truth. He both feared and anticipated the moment the Base came into the sight of the ship he was in.
Only a few days ago, a general order from the Marine HQ had been sent to all Marines in South Blue. It implored any Marine, occupied or not, to aid in the rebuilding of the South Blue Marine base B-2. By that time, most of the world knew what had occurred at B-2, so it came as no big surprise to most. Joseph had been on shore leave as the message reached his ears. He swiftly joined one of the many ships heading towards B-2, and was now in close proximity to Viktas, the island that housed B-2. Joseph stood at the deck of ship, watching the stern and focused expressions of his fellow Marines. The general mood on the ship had been grim since they departed. And as they approached their destination, the grim mood metamorphosed into silent dread. Joseph realized that many of the Marines aboard had friends and family that had died during the calamities. His cheeks turned red with shame. Just for a fraction of a second he had thought that he had been extremely lucky not to lose anyone at B-2. Such a selfish thought. The cold wind soon cooled his cheeks, and his focus returned.
As Joseph mused over the possible tasks he and his fellows would have to undertake to rebuild B-2, his thoughts were interrupted by an exclamation from nearby: “Viktas!” One of the Marines at the helm of the ship was pointing his finger at the outline of land that began to emerge in the horizon. Though some clouds covered the skies, it was a clear day, and the island of Viktas came into clear view as they approached. On the rocky cove of the northernmost part of the island stood the small town that every South Blue Marine knew for its three Inns. Joseph had personally spent many an hour playing cards, drinking ale and discussing the events of the world in all of the Inns. He felt his spirits shatter when he noticed that the docks on which the Inns were placed, were in rumbles. The familiar igloos that normally greeted incoming ships were also gone. On the shores near the docks floated the remains of the ships that had been destroyed. Squinting, Joseph could also see the backs of corpses that floated on the shallow waters near the docks. It was a sight of horror. Following the path up to the stone structure that was B-2 with his eyes, he noticed that many of the small training forts were destroyed as well. The massive stone structure itself seemed to be unharmed when looking at it from a distance, but Joseph strongly doubted that the same would be true for the inside. Joseph had heard rumours that the destruction had begun from within. But reliable information about the details of the events was scarce, and Joseph had no possibility of knowing the extent of the internal damages. Joseph was also curious about whether or not Vice Admiral Mozambia was present. As far as Joseph knew, Mozambia had survived the events and still reigned supreme over B-2. The only thing Joseph knew for sure was that the island was no longer toxic. The biological assault that had been reported was apparently dealt with. How, Joseph did not know.
As they approached the destroyed docks, more and more corpses became visible in the waters. Behind him, Joseph could hear an ensign throwing up his dinner. And in front of him, another ensign covered her eyes to shield her mind from the horror. Joseph observed how gentle tears poured down from underneath her hands.
Nothing would ever be same again for the South Blue Marines.
Only a few days ago, a general order from the Marine HQ had been sent to all Marines in South Blue. It implored any Marine, occupied or not, to aid in the rebuilding of the South Blue Marine base B-2. By that time, most of the world knew what had occurred at B-2, so it came as no big surprise to most. Joseph had been on shore leave as the message reached his ears. He swiftly joined one of the many ships heading towards B-2, and was now in close proximity to Viktas, the island that housed B-2. Joseph stood at the deck of ship, watching the stern and focused expressions of his fellow Marines. The general mood on the ship had been grim since they departed. And as they approached their destination, the grim mood metamorphosed into silent dread. Joseph realized that many of the Marines aboard had friends and family that had died during the calamities. His cheeks turned red with shame. Just for a fraction of a second he had thought that he had been extremely lucky not to lose anyone at B-2. Such a selfish thought. The cold wind soon cooled his cheeks, and his focus returned.
As Joseph mused over the possible tasks he and his fellows would have to undertake to rebuild B-2, his thoughts were interrupted by an exclamation from nearby: “Viktas!” One of the Marines at the helm of the ship was pointing his finger at the outline of land that began to emerge in the horizon. Though some clouds covered the skies, it was a clear day, and the island of Viktas came into clear view as they approached. On the rocky cove of the northernmost part of the island stood the small town that every South Blue Marine knew for its three Inns. Joseph had personally spent many an hour playing cards, drinking ale and discussing the events of the world in all of the Inns. He felt his spirits shatter when he noticed that the docks on which the Inns were placed, were in rumbles. The familiar igloos that normally greeted incoming ships were also gone. On the shores near the docks floated the remains of the ships that had been destroyed. Squinting, Joseph could also see the backs of corpses that floated on the shallow waters near the docks. It was a sight of horror. Following the path up to the stone structure that was B-2 with his eyes, he noticed that many of the small training forts were destroyed as well. The massive stone structure itself seemed to be unharmed when looking at it from a distance, but Joseph strongly doubted that the same would be true for the inside. Joseph had heard rumours that the destruction had begun from within. But reliable information about the details of the events was scarce, and Joseph had no possibility of knowing the extent of the internal damages. Joseph was also curious about whether or not Vice Admiral Mozambia was present. As far as Joseph knew, Mozambia had survived the events and still reigned supreme over B-2. The only thing Joseph knew for sure was that the island was no longer toxic. The biological assault that had been reported was apparently dealt with. How, Joseph did not know.
As they approached the destroyed docks, more and more corpses became visible in the waters. Behind him, Joseph could hear an ensign throwing up his dinner. And in front of him, another ensign covered her eyes to shield her mind from the horror. Joseph observed how gentle tears poured down from underneath her hands.
Nothing would ever be same again for the South Blue Marines.