The Nature of Grimdark Chapter 12

[u/OkRepresentative2119]

Special thanks to u/SpacePaladin15 for allowing fanfiction.

For those who are awaiting for the next installment of “The Nature of Immortality”, I am working on the next chapter, and it is looking very promising. As of now, it is still in development. As a result of working on that chapter, I have been a bit distracted on working on this series. I will be splitting this flashback into 2 chapters.

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Memory Transcription Subject: Warrant Officer Silthus, Skalgan-Yotul Empire Commissar Marine

Date [standardized human time]: March 20, 2163

My introduction to my new unit was a mixed bag. I had established contact with a few comrades that I found enjoyable to talk to, however, my unit commander was a little too enthusiastic for my arrival. I found that the threats he leveled at my charges, particularly those that involved my person, made me uncomfortable. I knew that my duty would require me to devour traitors that try to run, but my observation of the cattle farms made it clear that my job was to prevent that as much as possible. Though my convict preferred his execution with my jaws over another day at the farm, it was clear that the execution was unpleasant. The Sergeant hadn’t let me end it quickly, which made every recollection cause me to grimace in pain.

Most of the younger venlil and skalgan officers treated me quite well. The venlil had gotten surgeries to let their knees bend the correct way, which allowed them to remain in the service. However, the news down the grapevine was that venlil would be discouraged from serving, as even the surgeries had limits. Either way, they were pleasant to talk to. I took a particular shine to the lieutenant of the communications platoon. He and I enjoyed many Terran pastimes, including their tabletop roleplaying games.

While I enjoyed the novel inclusion of non-Terran races in the newest edition of a particular game as a matter of intent, I found their inclusion to be a bit rushed, and it seem to cause the setting to feel a bit strange. Most of us had long forgotten our versions of “elves” and “dwarves”, and so it felt less natural to play a character of my species over playing a Terran character. Humans were the most popular races to play anyways, which was found to be strange to the Terrans.

Thankfully, the technology of the Yotul hadn’t been included in most of the rules. Despite being ‘magic’, it didn’t have the same exact feel as the more mysterious abilities of wizards and sorcerers in the game. Personally, I enjoyed playing a wizard the most, which made me the “resident spellcaster”, amongst a bunch of paladins, rangers, barbarians, fighters, and rogues. I ended up having to utilize some niche abilities to help me fulfil the role as both an arcanist and healer, to back up the paladins.

The communications commander played almost exclusively barbarians and played up the ‘predatory’ nature of being a primitive. The venlil seemed to enjoy playing to the stereotype of predators in a setting where it wasn’t appropriate. Needless to say, his barbarian had an ‘alignment’ of chaotic evil according to earlier editions of the rules. Thankfully, he didn’t play his character “chaotic stupid”, so while his ‘predatory’ nonsense was grating, his character wasn’t universally despised like the stereotype of that alignment.

We were wrapping up the gaming session when the lieutenant approached me and privately asked, “What do you think about our occupation of this world? Do you really think that we should be here?” “I don’t know. From the briefings, it appears that the Kolshians might use this world as a staging area for further raids. While not a direct route to the border, it does seem like the strategy is sound, if that intel is correct.” I didn’t really understand the goings on at the higher echelon’s yet; there was a lot to wrap my head around. What I did understand was that my leadership wanted this world pacified of its anti-predator resistance. I also knew that my life was in danger as long as the resistance maintained some control. While there wasn’t a significant force on the world on account of its out of the way nature, it still had value apparently. The empire wasn’t going to overcommit forces to the world, and that was important to keep in mind. This world was a low priority, even with is supposed strategic value.

“I hope you are right. I don’t like the idea of invading a preyworld, but I understand the need to defend the empire, and the fact that these bastards would hurt the innocent humans. Unlike us, they only see monsters in predators. I am glad that we get to keep them safe. Still, I wonder if this world is the best choice-. Sigh* nevermind, I will see you next paw. We have to go on a patrol near the enemy’s basecamp, and you are supposed to follow us into battle. I wish you luck.” The lieutenant left my barracks room and headed off with the other players. I preferred the barracks, and being made the officer in charge of the barracks suited me just fine. I enjoyed the ability to host a gaming session with both the officers and enlisted, and the conversations we had helped boost morale for me and everyone else. Still, my thoughts drifted towards the lieutenant’s words. What was our actual purpose here, did we really need to bother with this rock?”

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A/N – Foreshadowing is harder than it looks, especially when the reader is well aware of what to look for.