//------------------------------// // One. Four: The Outline // Story: Sins Never Die // by CodenameOne //------------------------------// One. Four The Outline Idly staring out the window Captain Kuyaki didn’t so much as see Equus as he looked through it, sitting in silence on the bridge. There was only the sound of computer processors ticking and some beeping. The planet turned as it went along its yearly cycle. The sun and moon went through the days and nights as usual, but rather strangely Princesses Celestia and Luna had to assist in the raising and lowering of their respective celestial bodies. The country of Equestria rotated halfway out of view and a neighboring country came into view, which Kuyaki stared at as it edged out more and more. The planet was so green and blue* that it reminded the Captain of pictures of an older Earth. Suddenly remembering the situation down on the surface Adam leaned forward and said “Excalibur, online. I need surveillance imagery of the surface of Equus”, turning the monitors on to see as the AI launched short-range unmanned satellites. Within seven minutes the feeds came on and Kuyaki zoomed in, knowing the country he was looking at was Griffonia, the home of the Griffon Republic. Since no race native to the planet had any idea what a satellite was all their military projects and weapons were stored above ground, with very few top secret endeavors stowed away in secret bunkers. Even these could be pierced with UNSC surveillance technology. Looking down on the military bases spread throughout the country Adam admired the Griffon’s considerable might. It came absolutely nowhere near the power humanity or definitely the Covenant had, but compared to Equus’s standards the Griffons were a military superpower, with the technology and means to field tanks, primitive by human standards, and other mechanized war units in addition to state-of-the-art body armor for its soldiers, fashioned and forged from the strongest steels available. “Busy, busy, I see. I wonder just why they’ve really started expanding their military” Kuyaki said, watching an entire division of troops on a march. Tanks grinded the dirt beneath their treads and underground primitive military airships and other aerial projects were slaved away at. Looking down at his holstered M6D Kuyaki thought about the evolution of military sidearm’s over the generations. A sort of military prodigy Adam had studied issued weapons from the days of musket balls and percussion caps to semi-auto powerhouses. The Single Action Army, the M1911, the Makarov PM, the M9, the Desert Eagle, and on to the M6 series. And those were just the pistols. The MA5 rifle was worlds away from the Sturmgewher 44, the world’s first mass-produced assault rifle. Humanity had evolved and were constantly perfecting war, and were willing to impart their knowledge on any willing to listen. Looking back up at the land below him Adam Kuyaki leaned back and stroked his sideburns, pondering his options. The Equestrians were out; they were pacifists by nature. And Adam knew nothing about the other nations and races, but the political situation on the surface below was growing hot. I think the Griffons would be willing to listen to our knowledge. -=-=-=-=- Captain Kuyaki turned the engine to the demilitarized Warthog off and popped the door open, stepping out before the capital hall of the Griffon republic. He was not expected by Steelbeak, but he knew the stalwart leader would be happy to see him. Ascending the steps and proceeding through the building Kuyaki made his way to Steelbeak’s office, the many guards and secretaries waving him through each checkpoint. Arriving at the double doors the two honor guards sent him through where he found Steelbeak reading a newspaper. “Ah, Captain Adam, welcome. I was just reading about you, coincidentally enough” the Griffon leader said, setting the newspaper down where Kuyaki read the title. ‘UNSC delegate Adam Kuyaki expresses nonchalance at Griffonia’s ever-expanding army’ “Well, at least that part’s true. What’s the sum of the article?” Adam asked, sitting down in the chair before the Chancellor’s desk. The Griffon pulled out a cigar and offered it to the Captain, who declined. He didn’t smoke, and even if he did, he would never smoke what the Griffons smoke. Immediate onset of lung cancer came to his mind when he saw Griffon cigars. “They are saying your neutrality is a sign of disdain towards continued peace, and that by remaining neutral you are encouraging the other races of this world to become paranoid military states” Steelbeak replied. “Aaaand there goes the rational thinking. WOOSH! Out the damn window.” “Indeed. Anyway, what brings you down here, Captain?” the Chancellor said, letting out a billow of smoke from his cigar. “The Equestrians, coincidentally enough” Kuyaki started. “Of the two races, I believe the Griffons are more up-to-date. More reasonably-thinking. More intelligent. And less naive. It is like what I told Princess Twilight; the Equestrians have a deluded mindset about them. They believe they can live in love and peace forever.” “Should a war come, I want to aide the Griffons in it. The UNSC would be able to impart unbelievable support, both physical and logistical. I have studied your army’s might from orbit, and while I commend your emphasis on ground vehicles, I have noticed a deficiency in aerial support. This is the slack that the UNSC would be able to pick up” Kuyaki explained, conveniently omitting the fact that he spied on the Griffon’s secret projects. “UNSC Pelicans and GA-TL1 Longsword fighter jets would be able to rain a hell that the Equestrians would be completely unable to counter or hide from. For total safety, we could strike Equestrian positions from orbit using the Kabato’s Archer and Hyperion missiles. And, if extreme force is necessary, both of it’s Magnetic Accelerator Cannons” Adam explained. “I would like to see a display of these weapons. IN atmosphere.” -=-=-=-=- Captain Kuyaki and Steelbeak stood on the upper balcony of the capital hall, just outside Steelbeak’s office. The Kabato hovered some miles away, preparing to target a nearby island that was completely unoccupied by any significant kinds of life. An Archer and Hyperion missile fired and streaked into the island, blasting huge plumes of dirt into the air. The 70mm point-defense cannons following up, splitting any remaining trees into toothpicks. Finally both MAC cannons fired, completely obliterating any trace of the island. Kuyaki had been hesitant to fire the cannons on soil but the Chancellor assured him that no ill effects would come of it. “By our lords, that was impressive” Chancellor Steelbeak declared, thoroughly astounded by the Kabato’s power. Just then a wing of Longsword fighters streaked over; five in a flying ‘V’ formation, their engines easily pushing them past Mach 1. “VERY impressive indeed!” Steelbeak clapped, looking around the sky for the Longswords. His attention was grabbed by the Kabato turning towards the capital hall, a nervous excitement in his belly. The destroyer eased forward as the Longswords came back around, splitting up. The lead came over the Kabato as the two on the port and starboard sides streaked along the sides of the ship. The Longswords came back together at the nose of the vessel and screamed overhead. “By the lords they are fast” Steelbeak exclaimed, his attention turning back to the Kabato as it came to a stop. “The speed of your fighters and the power of your vessel will be unmatched by the Equestrians.” “Indeed they will” Kuyaki commented, leaning on the rail. “Which brings me to this; the Equestrians have invited leaders of all the races of the world to a committee in which we will discuss renewal of the Demilitarization of Equus Act. They have recognized the human race as a legitimate party and have invited you as well. No doubt that the majority of races will reject the act but I want you to bring the Kabato along. I WANT continued peace with their kind, but should that fail then I would like you to remind them that military expansion is the future of all races, and that aggression towards our expansion will be met with unwavering destruction” the Chancellor said. “Sounds risky, but it may be the best course of action to ensure the continuity of your interests. When is the committee gathering?” Kuyaki asked, folding his arms over his chest. “Tomorrow.”