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Could this be historical evidence of the actual events that leads the world into war? |
Ruins of the Great Library Larry Appleton  ************Monday September 3, 4127 If this story wasn’t fiction, then the events on the towers and Octagon precipitated an unwanted war brought on by the radical fundamentalist Shadow Masters. Eirelav was beginning to understand how this unconventional war came about. She wondered if the speech from President Shrub would be enough to rally his citizens into completing the task of destroying the Shadow Masters. The most important item from the chapter was the phrase, “We shall never forget.” Is this where the elders got their inspiration to survive and pass on the legacy? Is this why the New Order now lives by this phrase? Most of the citizens of the New Order are taught that this phrase refers to the use of nuclear weapons. This book implies that the phrase is used in response to a terrible terrorist action. Eirelav suspects that true meaning of the phrase may have been lost through the ages. She would need to cross-reference these events with other literary works, located in the archives at the University. Her professor may be able to help her accurately establish the time period of when the books were written. Eirelav has a fascination for ancient history. So little is known about the world before the war, and very little was written after the war. Her curiosity of the ancient civilizations is driven from her passion for knowledge. The more evidence she recovered in the ruins of the Great Library, the more her curiosity grew. ************ Legends of Legion The 17th Son Glen Brisco Chapter 5 Tales of Topographic Oceans ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** After finishing up the articles on the Presidential speeches, Glen leaned back in his chair exhausted. Things were happening at breakneck speed and he was having a hard time keeping up with it. He was just about ready to take his articles to the press room when the Editor approached. “Glen, how would you feel about taking a trip to Nahgfa?” Glen was stunned. “What do you suggest?” “I should think it would be a chance of a lifetime, replied the Editor. The Military wants to embed some journalists with the troops to report on the war against the Shadow Masters. I think this would be an excellent way to report the war effort, with a first person account . Our readers have an insatiable need for news from the war front as it is happening. What do you say?” Glen lit a cigarette and began to pace the floor, as tired as he was, he knew that he could not pass up this opportunity. Excited, but reluctant, he agreed to go. “Good! Go home and pack your bags. You will leave with the 2nd Marines Expeditionary unit at Klofron, in two weeks. They are going to provide you with some basic survival skills, and fit you with protective armor. They assure me that you will be protected from combat; however, you may find yourself under fire at times. they cannot guarantee completely your safety in the theater. I assume that you realize the element of danger involved ” Without commenting, Glen returned to his apartment to get some much needed rest. All across the land of Legion, the armed forces were preparing for the invasion of Nahgfa. Even those in the reserves were called up for duty and the invasion force utilized all facets of the military. The Sky Force would lead the way with large birds of prey able to travel the long distance to the faraway land of Nahgfa. They would be followed by great floating fortresses filled with combat units and their equipment. Special operation units would be dropped in ahead of the invasion to do reconnaissance missions and gather intelligence on the Shadow Masters. Floating military battle groups would accompany the combat troops as they sailed the topographic oceans toward Nahgfa. For the seafarers it would be a long trip. For their families it would be an eternity. At the Sea Force port city of Klofron, the great Floating Fortresses were loading their supplies as families said their goodbyes. The ocean glittered, bejeweled by the reflections of the morning sun. The rhythmic roar of the surf could be heard in the distance as troops filed onto the great warships. The sound of huge cranes, loading supply crates, was trumpeted by the many sea gulls flying overhead. The birds, dancing in the dawn, were as happy as the children who gleefully fed them some bread crumbs they had brought along with them. This was in stark contrast to the serious looks on the adult faces of those whose family members were about to be put in a perilously dangerous situation. They knew that some would not return alive and many would return broken or maimed by the weapons of war. The older adults, those who remembered the last war, dreaded the images of flag draped coffins of soldiers who gave their life protecting the freedom loving citizens of Acirema. Arriving at Klofron with his luggage, Glen began feverishly writing about his adventure. He met a soldier named John, whom he established a relationship for the purpose of reporting on the long trip to Nahgfa. John opened up immediately, and provided him with some background on his experience with the military. John Wilson entered the military at the age of nineteen. His dreams of being an engineer were stymied by a lack of funds to continue his education in college. He married his high school sweetheart and had a one-year-old son. His civilian job at a fast food restaurant was barely able to cover the bills and rent. Discouraged, he went to a local recruiting office for the armed services and discussed his options with the military. He was told that if he enlisted in the regular armed forces, the government would pay for his college expenses. They further explained that his housing would be free of charge on base or reduced for quarters off base. Additionally he could make purchases of goods, tax free, at the Military Exchange. Other benefits were explained to him by the recruiting officer who cheerfully added that he could attend college while serving his required three-year enlistments. Excited, he went home and after discussing it with his wife, decided to join the military. That was before the war. Now he found himself aboard a floating personnel warship heading to a faraway place. John never liked the ocean and dreaded the long journey to the Naibara Sea near Nahgfa. John didn’t like to think about death. Admittedly, he was scared and thought that those who claimed they weren’t, was in either denial or just crazy. He put faith in his higher power, trusting the revealing science of his God. The thirty-day journey was going to be a long time for him to think about what fate awaited him in Nahgfa. He decided to keep a diary of events in case he was killed or captured by the Shadow Masters, and shared these thoughts with me. October 5, Sick all day! I can’t keep anything down, not even water. The duty officer sent me to the infirmary for some meds. The medicine has helped some, but the nausea caused by the diesel fuel and the constant pitching and rolling of the warship is overwhelming. I’ve never been so miserable in my life. I’m off to bed to see if I can sleep October 7, Everybody gathered around the Infobox today as the President declared war on Nahgfa. The recreation room was normally a noisy place with many conversations going at the same time. Now the stony silence was broken only by the constant drone of the diesel engines. Some sat in quiet resignation, realizing perhaps for the first time that this war was for real. Others clutched pictures of their loved ones, praying for deliverance. The President had made a powerful speech from the Peace room of the Presidential palace. I was emotionally moved when he read a letter from a forth grade girl. He said this “I recently received a touching letter that says a lot about the state of Acirema in these difficult times -- a letter from a 4th-grade girl, with a father in the military: "As much as I don't want my Dad to fight, “she wrote, "I'm willing to give him to you." This is a precious gift. The greatest she could give. This young girl knows what Acirema is all about. Since September 11, an entire generation of young Aciremians has gained a new understanding of the value of freedom, and its cost in duty and in sacrifice.” October 10, I feel better today, maybe I’m getting used to it. Went topside today for some exercise and was totally amazed with the scene that unfolded before me. The vast grey-green ocean stretched as far as the eye could see. The salty air was a refreshing treat compared to the stench down below. While leaning against the rail I observed a most unusual sight, flying fish! I had heard that these fish existed and now I was seeing them. They didn’t really fly though. They leaped from the top of a wave to the top of the next wave. The long fins at their side flapped like the wings of a bird as they leaped from wave to wave. Gazing outward, I am overcome by the flotilla of warships surrounding us. Battleships and Cruisers were accompanied by Great floating Skycraft Carriers, all traveling eastward toward Nahgfa. I saw a storm ahead in the distance, vivid lightning, followed by rolling thunder made everything seems surreal. It is almost as if I were in a beautiful dream, wandering this endless ocean. October 12, The storm tossed us around pretty good last night. Although I felt nauseous, I didn’t get as sick as when we first started. Most of my day yesterday was spent in tactical meetings, preparing us for the invasion. I went to the recreation room to view the Infobox on board, eager to get some news from back home. I wish the media would stop showing the images of the transport planes slamming into the towers; it’s just too painful to watch. The limited library on board has some good books. I’m currently reading one involving the adventures of a couple of young boys on a river. It reminds me of my own boyhood antics with some of my old friends and it allows me to recall the long forgotten yesterdays of my past. I used to love it when we played. The humor breaks up the monotony of this long trip. October 15, The duty officer allowed us to rotate topside again today. Our group was able to go in the late afternoon. I was not prepared for the chilly air after the storm. The sight before me was truly amazing. The sun, low on the horizon, had turned the twilight sky the brightest shade of orange I have ever seen. Small wispy clouds, remnants of the storm, were racing past the ships at an impossible speed. The ocean was now very choppy with white crests atop five to eight foot waves that swelled like giants under the Sun. The grey-green color of the ocean was lost in the shadows. What was most striking was the fresh air! October 17, We’re more than halfway now and most of us will be glad to get back on some solid ground. I can tell we are getting closer to danger by the amount of sorties the war birds are flying. The deafening roar of their afterburners can be heard both day and night while they patrol ahead of us. Most of the soldiers I’ve met are as nervous as I am. Our commanding officer tries to calm this by reminding us that we are the best-trained military in the world and that once ashore our training will take over leaving us with little time to worry. Still, I am not comforted by his words. October 20, We are only a couple of days from our destination and most of our days are spent going over tactical plans when we disembark the ship. I’m told that the enemy will not be like any enemy we have fought before. This enemy wears no uniform thus making it difficult for us to distinguish between them and civilians. The rules of engagement are strict and I fear many of us will be targeted before we can defend ourselves. The enemy would also seek refuge in places of worship where they would be able to shoot first before we can engage them. Shadow Masters were also known to shield themselves with women and children in schools or hospitals. Where does reason stop and killing just take over? I feel as though we are entering this war with one hand tied behind our backs. October 23, Finally, we have arrived in the Naibara Sea. Tomorrow we will be flown into Nahgfa. While I don’t look forward to combat, I will be glad to get off this ship. We are only allowed on the deck at night for security reasons. What I witnessed this night was awesome. The Skycraft Carriers were very busy. No sooner than a war bird took off another was landing. This continued throughout the night. Additionally, missiles fired by the Destroyers arched from the war ships toward the east. Each missile lit up the Destroyer against a backdrop of pure darkness. The eastern horizon flashed briefly as the missiles and munitions from war birds found their mark and distant thunder echoed the destruction of the enemy’s positions. If it were not an act of war, I would describe it as a most beautiful sight. Personnel Carrier war birds began ferrying in combat troops into Nahgfa after the Sky Forces pounded the country for more than a month. The plan the military had in mind was to form an alliance with the northern tribesmen who had been resisting the Nabilat government. After forming this alliance they would then push from the north toward Lubak, the capital city of Nahgfa, and capture the airport. This would pave the way for the heavy transport planes carrying the specialized combat troops necessary for bringing down the Nabilat government. ************ The Ocean! Eirelav had never seen the ocean. The community she lived in was not built near the ocean and she often daydreamed about what it would be like if she did. The ocean in her world was a formidable and dangerous place. Earlier communities built near the oceans did not last long. Most were destroyed by the fierce storms that appeared without warning. While the New Order did operate some fishing fleets for food, the work was seasonal and Fishermen were imported from communities far inland. The work was very dangerous and many ended up lost at sea. John’s descriptions gave her some insights to what it might be like traveling the oceans to far away places. She looked forward to sharing the restoration of the book with her Professor.
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