17.[]: Captain, 1930 Förderung

Die Hauptstadt, Capricorn “Where… are they?” The question was barely audible above the commotion echoing around the dome building of the convention. Kleine and Fischer exchanged looks. Heimler and Marionette remained silent. The group was sitting collectively, stiffly together on the black leather cushions lining the reception area as civilians, diplomats, and conductor engineers rushedContinue reading “17.[]: Captain, 1930 Förderung”

17.4: Prince, 1700 No Longer Human

When Olive cracked open his eyes, he was met with gentle, pale rose light. A dimly lit ceiling hung low over his face, and something soft was cushioning the back of his head. It took him a moment to realize his head was resting on Trystan’s lap, and that the light was emitting from aContinue reading “17.4: Prince, 1700 No Longer Human”

17.3: Princes, 1100 Truce

Yuseong Haneul—though he preferred Claire—still remembered the very first assassination attempt on his life. A servant from the Hoshi Clan had disguised themselves as one of his clan’s servants and had not only slipped themselves into the kitchen staff but also sorrowheat into his morning tea. When he’d finally broken out of the fever inducedContinue reading “17.3: Princes, 1100 Truce”

17.2: Royal Guard, 0620 Guidance

Ariesian Royal Guard Trystan Carter had always desired change. From the days when he’d toil away working in the paddy fields governed by the appointed feudal lord to the days when he’d attended school lectures held by passionate, underpaid teachers—change was always on his mind. Perhaps it was because of the passion of those teachersContinue reading “17.2: Royal Guard, 0620 Guidance”

17.1: Prince, 0400 Mandate

In-Transit, Capricorn Ariesian prince Olivier Chance had no idea what was going on. The last two things he remembered before waking up face-first on the cold metal roof of the train were fluttering book pages and Trystan and Marta looking down at him in alarm. Now he was cold, nauseous, had an ELPIS leader ringedContinue reading “17.1: Prince, 0400 Mandate”

16.3: Swindler, 0707 Homebound

Aquarius  Cadence Morello couldn’t believe her luck She wasn’t the type to swear, but as soon as she laid eyes on Cvetka Akulova, she had to suppress her inner sailor. If it weren’t for her profession constantly forcing her to be in situations like these, she might’ve turned tail and run. Hell, if it wasn’tContinue reading “16.3: Swindler, 0707 Homebound”

15.5: Second Lieutenant, 0310 Captured

Unoccupied Territory, Argoan-Capricornian Border  Death was like a bad whiskey. Drink enough of it—get exposed enough to it—and you got used to it. Sometimes forgot about it. The bitter taste of it lessened into something shrugged at, maybe grimaced at lightly in passing. The line, smudged. Until it was someone you knew. Someone you reallyContinue reading “15.5: Second Lieutenant, 0310 Captured”

15.3: Lance Corporal, 0610 Enemy Encounter

Unoccupied Territory, Argoan-Capricornian Border Grenadier Klaus Kleine was accustomed to seeing dead bodies. He’d seen his first five years ago in his city-town of Buchstadt before he’d even been officially deployed. That day, the newspapers had praised Capricornian victory against an Argoan onslaught from Abschnitt 45 to 51, pushing forth celebrations all across the country.Continue reading “15.3: Lance Corporal, 0610 Enemy Encounter”

15.2: Combat Medic, 0705 Head Trauma

Unoccupied Territory, Argoan-Capricornian Border  Underground doctor-turned-combat medic—Sanitäter as the rank was called in Capricornian—Nico Fabrizzio’s mind was always full of ‘what if’s. For example—what if Cadence was his little sister? What if flowers fell from the sky instead of snowflakes—instead of ash? What if conductors didn’t exist? What if the pictures at the theater wereContinue reading “15.2: Combat Medic, 0705 Head Trauma”

14.4: Soldier, 0000 Miscalculation

Unoccupied Territory, Argoan-Capricornian Border  From his perch in the trees, Capricornian Oberleutnant Werner Waltz scanned the clearing through his scope. Bodies littered the marshy ground below, painted over with silver from the moonlight slithering in between the skeleton forestry. The light could not pierce through the fog that crept along the fallen leaves and branches.Continue reading “14.4: Soldier, 0000 Miscalculation”