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'''From the Front''' is a [[Lore]] book introduced in ''[[Season of the Chosen]]'', with entries acquired by completing seasonal [[Triumphs]]. | [[File:LoreFront.png|300px|thumb]] | ||
'''From the Front''' is a [[Lore]] book introduced in ''[[Season of the Chosen]]'', with entries acquired by completing seasonal [[Triumphs]]. It details the perspective of various characters as they deal with [[Empress Caiatl]]'s arrival in the [[Sol System]] following the [[Fall of Torobatl]]. | |||
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==I. The Hopeful Legion== | ==I. The Hopeful Legion== | ||
[[Val Ma'rag]] had been "stationed' in the place the [[Human]]s called a [[European Dead Zone|dead zone]] for years now, though he had no commander, no handler . He held the territory on his own, defending it from the stinking, vermin [[Hive]]. They reminded him of the tiny red beetles that crawled around in the dust where he'd come up; the ones that swarmed war beast pens and crept into woven clothes. The best way to get rid of them, his mother taught him, was to hold a flame close to the seams of their shells. They snapped and popped in the heat. | [[Val Ma'rag]] had been "stationed' in the place the [[Human]]s called a [[European Dead Zone|dead zone]] for years now, though he had no commander, no handler. He held the territory on his own, defending it from the stinking, vermin [[Hive]]. They reminded him of the tiny red beetles that crawled around in the dust where he'd come up; the ones that swarmed war beast pens and crept into woven clothes. The best way to get rid of them, his mother taught him, was to hold a flame close to the seams of their shells. They snapped and popped in the heat. | ||
He found the same to be true for the Hive. | He found the same to be true for the Hive. | ||
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By now, he'd stopped expecting anyone to come for him. Their invasion had become a death sentence; one he had accepted by the nature of his position. He would die for the [[Red Legion|Legion]], with or without the promise of reward. | By now, he'd stopped expecting anyone to come for him. Their invasion had become a death sentence; one he had accepted by the nature of his position. He would die for the [[Red Legion|Legion]], with or without the promise of reward. | ||
As Val Ma'rag listened to a transmission from the | As Val Ma'rag listened to a transmission from the Empress Caiatl, he thought about how far he'd come since he was recruited. Since he was pulled out of the poorest rural district on his planet. With this new challenge—with the new empress sending her call out into the system—he could go a lot farther. | ||
/// | /// | ||
[[Europa]] was cold. [[ | [[Europa]] was cold. [[Basilius the Golem|Basilius]] was no stranger to cold—he'd been stationed on [[Mars]] before it disappeared, before his [[Valus]] sent him and his reports off-planet on a recon mission. He didn't care for intel or resource gathering, but a Valus is law. Or at least, he was. | ||
After a false start on [[Nessus]], they'd brought the cruiser to Europa. The icy moon was crawling with thieving [[Fallen]], but there were secrets buried in the ice. Dainty Human technology. It didn't interest him, but the [[Psion]]s loved to tinker, and they insisted there was something here worthwhile. | After a false start on [[Nessus]], they'd brought the cruiser to Europa. The icy moon was crawling with thieving [[Fallen]], but there were secrets buried in the ice. Dainty Human technology. It didn't interest him, but the [[Psion]]s loved to tinker, and they insisted there was something here worthwhile. | ||
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/// | /// | ||
As the voice of their so-called empress droned on from a beat-up radio, the soldiers ate. [[Commander Dracus | As the voice of their so-called empress droned on from a beat-up radio, the soldiers ate. [[Commander Dracus]] picked at the bones of a roasted bird, gun laid across his lap. The little red-violet winged creatures on Nessus didn't have much meat on them, but they were challenging and satisfying to trap. | ||
"What's she mean, 'ancient rites'?" a young [[Legionary]] asked. | "What's she mean, 'ancient rites'?" a young [[Legionary]] asked. | ||
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"Old-timer traditions?" she went on. | "Old-timer traditions?" she went on. | ||
Dracus snorted. "An honored tradition," he said. "Beloved by the [[Praetorate]]. Warriors take on challengers to prove their battle-worth." He eyed her. "Calves like you wouldn't remember that." | |||
"Is it open to anyone?" the Legionary asked. | "Is it open to anyone?" the Legionary asked. | ||
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"Well," she growled. "Are you taking challengers?" She squared her weight. "You can start with me." | "Well," she growled. "Are you taking challengers?" She squared her weight. "You can start with me." | ||
Dracus looked the bold youngling up and down, calculating the effort. He had no great desire to impress the [[Emperor Calus|disgraced emperor]]'s pampered daughter. The leader he knew and served was the [[Dominus Ghaul|dominus]], dead or alive. But maybe there was money to be gained from this. He wouldn't turn his nose up at the prospect. | |||
He tossed the bird bones aside, lifted his gun, and fired a shot right into the Legionary's belly. She fell. | He tossed the bird bones aside, lifted his gun, and fired a shot right into the Legionary's belly. She fell. | ||
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Despite Caiatl's contempt for the bygone relics of the failed Cabal Empire, Taurun had prevailed upon the empress to honor them. Not for her own sake, the counselor reasoned, but for the sake of the survivors. | Despite Caiatl's contempt for the bygone relics of the failed Cabal Empire, Taurun had prevailed upon the empress to honor them. Not for her own sake, the counselor reasoned, but for the sake of the survivors. | ||
"Taurun. I've made my decision. We'll put forth [[Ignovun, Chosen of | "Taurun. I've made my decision. We'll put forth [[Ignovun, Chosen of Caiatl|Ignovun]] as our champion… inside the [[Halphas Electus]]. We'll see how much Light the smallmen have left once they fight their way inside." | ||
"Yes, My Empress." Though the wily counselor's face remained implacable, she continued. "It's my duty to mention that this decision will not be universally welcomed." | "Yes, My Empress." Though the wily counselor's face remained implacable, she continued. "It's my duty to mention that this decision will not be universally welcomed." | ||