Post by Dominion of Zabéara on May 28, 2014 23:39:57 GMT
Za’hum Zelazizkii’gidudga of the first line waited patiently for the shuttle’s ramp to open. With a click followed by the sustained whirl of strained machinery, the back-end of the shuttle opened, instantly being filled with an initially a blinding red light. They had arrived on Silcasa Prime, homeworld of the Keshek.
A line of Xin’hala awaited the Za’hum with a military escort, which also included Aalien officers as well as a Norak attaché. Despite the recent fighting and the non-official nature of the landing, all were in impeccable, pristine dress, as if just about to be led on parade.
The Xin’hala lords knelt. After a nod by the Za’hum, one spoke. “Welcome honoured master. If you shall follow us but a short way, the chosen Keshek civilian collaborators have been assembled for the planned meeting.”
“Collaborators…” Zelazizkii’gidudga stared into the redish-purple sky. In the visible distance a line of tracer fire softly and almost slowly rose to the sky before gently arcing back down to earth. “Presumably, some Keshek still refuse to collaborate?” Zelazizkii’gidudga turned to one of the Xin’hala lords, a very large and dark specimen by the name of Tuttihte of the 7th line “…or perhaps some of your warriors are still having a bit of amusement with the locals?”
Lord Tuttihte contracted his abdomen and lowered his mandibles in shame, but said nothing Some warriors of his had massacred a couple hundred Keshek “warrior” prisoners who had surrendered without a fight. The truth was, for the most part, precious little resistance had been given by the poorly equipped and trained Keshek defenders, who mostly were formed by ad hoc militias and irregular guerillas. While major population centres and targets of value were generally seized without incident, boredom and the Keshek use of annoying irregular hit-and-run tactics caused some Edifice troops to express their frustration in rather unfortunate ways.
They continued to the meeting site, a functional but ornate Keshek ministry building. It was covered in elite Xin’hala special forces and Aalien infantry units, covering every window, entrance, door and balcony. In one of the grand rooms, meant for large functions, they found a party of Keshek coiled on mats and waiting.
The Keshek were well-kept, but showed the clear physical manifestations of stress. They hardly came off as one would expect senior officials. An aide explained to Zelazizkii’gidudga that most of the senior Keshek leadership of the planet had either fled, committed suicide, or simply refused to participate in collaboration. The act of working with the occupiers had thus been left to lower-ranking members of the Keshek bureaucracy.
With translator in tow, Zelazizkii’gidudga addressed the Keshek party: “As punishment for your genocide against the Norak, we Xin’hala and our Aalien allies have come to occupy your homeworld and destroy your hierarchy. So far the lack of destruction and general cooperation bodes well for the future, and we appreciate it. However, you need not owe us indefinite deference, for it is not our interest to permanently occupy your world.”
At this, the Keshek party members raised their heads in curiosity and interest. Their relief was palpable. And about to be crushed.
“Rather,” continued the great Xin’hala lord, “once order has been fully restored, we shall hand over your homeworld to the Norak Remnant, as payment for your wanton destruction. The Edifice expeditionary force shall continue mop-up operations before returning home. In the meantime, I suggest you ingratiate yourselves with your new Norak lords...”
A line of Xin’hala awaited the Za’hum with a military escort, which also included Aalien officers as well as a Norak attaché. Despite the recent fighting and the non-official nature of the landing, all were in impeccable, pristine dress, as if just about to be led on parade.
The Xin’hala lords knelt. After a nod by the Za’hum, one spoke. “Welcome honoured master. If you shall follow us but a short way, the chosen Keshek civilian collaborators have been assembled for the planned meeting.”
“Collaborators…” Zelazizkii’gidudga stared into the redish-purple sky. In the visible distance a line of tracer fire softly and almost slowly rose to the sky before gently arcing back down to earth. “Presumably, some Keshek still refuse to collaborate?” Zelazizkii’gidudga turned to one of the Xin’hala lords, a very large and dark specimen by the name of Tuttihte of the 7th line “…or perhaps some of your warriors are still having a bit of amusement with the locals?”
Lord Tuttihte contracted his abdomen and lowered his mandibles in shame, but said nothing Some warriors of his had massacred a couple hundred Keshek “warrior” prisoners who had surrendered without a fight. The truth was, for the most part, precious little resistance had been given by the poorly equipped and trained Keshek defenders, who mostly were formed by ad hoc militias and irregular guerillas. While major population centres and targets of value were generally seized without incident, boredom and the Keshek use of annoying irregular hit-and-run tactics caused some Edifice troops to express their frustration in rather unfortunate ways.
They continued to the meeting site, a functional but ornate Keshek ministry building. It was covered in elite Xin’hala special forces and Aalien infantry units, covering every window, entrance, door and balcony. In one of the grand rooms, meant for large functions, they found a party of Keshek coiled on mats and waiting.
The Keshek were well-kept, but showed the clear physical manifestations of stress. They hardly came off as one would expect senior officials. An aide explained to Zelazizkii’gidudga that most of the senior Keshek leadership of the planet had either fled, committed suicide, or simply refused to participate in collaboration. The act of working with the occupiers had thus been left to lower-ranking members of the Keshek bureaucracy.
With translator in tow, Zelazizkii’gidudga addressed the Keshek party: “As punishment for your genocide against the Norak, we Xin’hala and our Aalien allies have come to occupy your homeworld and destroy your hierarchy. So far the lack of destruction and general cooperation bodes well for the future, and we appreciate it. However, you need not owe us indefinite deference, for it is not our interest to permanently occupy your world.”
At this, the Keshek party members raised their heads in curiosity and interest. Their relief was palpable. And about to be crushed.
“Rather,” continued the great Xin’hala lord, “once order has been fully restored, we shall hand over your homeworld to the Norak Remnant, as payment for your wanton destruction. The Edifice expeditionary force shall continue mop-up operations before returning home. In the meantime, I suggest you ingratiate yourselves with your new Norak lords...”