Post by Silva, J. on Jan 18, 2016 4:15:49 GMT -5
"For us the storm has past, the conflict is over." The words of the Governor of New Paris Gabriel Petia, echoed across the still courtyard, the building cracked and shattered by the fires of war, the ground uneven churned up by bullet and bomb. The wind whistled mournfully through shattered buildings, the New Paris Militia Division stood before their planet's leader, many still showing the scars of the fighting, the wounds, blooded bandages, battered armour, missing limbs. "But let us never forgot those who stood against the darkness and did not return." Silva fought back tears, everyone lost someone in the New Paris Uprising. The darkest point of the war for the citizens of New Paris and the Militia was when the Innies stationed on Napoleon Ridge destroyed a school. The images of that terrible day were forever seared into the minds of every New Parisian, none could forget the cost of the victory over the traitors.
The Governer was a short man, rather plump but a good leader instead of fleeing like most leaders did he stood by his world, by his people throughout the dark days of the Uprising. Behind him fluttered the banner of the UNSC and the battered banner of the NPMD, a torn light blue banner with an white eagle over a white outline of a world, the letter NPM underneath in white. "Their decision to fight took courage beyond all worldly measure, sacrifice and stubborn belief in our planet and their duty to protect our freedoms and our way of life." In the distance a bird quietly called out, perhaps it too joining the long lines of New Parisians searching for lost family or friends.
"Now as we begin to rebuild, repair the damage dealt by the cowardly Insurrection this courtyard will remain as it is, an eternal memorial to heroes fallen, they gave their lives for our world, their sacrifice will never be forgotten nor will we forget the price which we paid for our victory, the lives lost as a result of terrible war." From where Silva stood she could see the glistening tears sliding down his smooth plump face, dripping slowly onto his dusty suit. The Governor snapped a salute, behind him two dozen militia men and women lined up as a Sargent barked. "Present arms." Assault rifle barrels aimed skywards, in unison the assembled NPMD saluted as well, the guns barked three times, before falling silent. As the units broke up, with the UNSC marines on the planet most of the militia headed home to deal with looters, find family or attempt to rebuild, Silva watched as the Governor stared at them all, looking grief stricken. For a moment it appeared that he might feel responsible for the losses which their world endured for so long. He disappeared flanked by four militia guards.
As the militia moved away like the disorganised mob of fans exiting a match where their team was soundly defeated, few spoke, all were silent in their shared grief. Overhead Pelicans roared as marines hunted down the last few stragglers of Innies who stubbornly refused to surrender. At first the NPMD fought along side their marine brethren yet to all it became clear that the NPMD was demoralised, exhausted and simply incapable of effectively assisting the marines.
Most of them were not soldiers, part timers she heard a marine call her squad one time, in a normal year the NPMD trained for two weeks if that. The Militia fought a bloody war for over a year, suffering horrendous losses and bearing grim witness to countless crimes committed by the Innies. Some might have dared to call her own family lucky, they had not lost a single family member during the war, well related by blood. Janet lost her boyfriend, killed during the third assault on Napoleon Ridge. The pain from the loss had lessened over time but still persisted. As she moved away, the marks of war became more obvious, spent shell casing, a wrecked warthog, a burnt out husk of a building, propaganda and recruitment posters, the hung rotting corpse of a Innie Sympathiser being cut down by grim faced marines. The New Paris Militia Division failed in its duty to protect the citizens, it failed to restore order and would have lost the war had the UNSC not arrived in force. As if to reinforce that fact a UNSC frigate flew over head.
Though officially all drafted for the conflict still, the Governor announced prior to his memorial speech that the militia could go home and return to their families. That was precisely what Janet intended to do. Numbly she said good bye to her friends as she walked down the broken streets till she reached her own home. She barely recalled taking in her home, the door was flung over and her mother rushed out pulling her youngest daughter into a hug, whispering joyously in French. She returned the hug, surprised to find tears falling down her own cheeks. Her mother ushered her inside, closing the door behind them. Her mother called out to her family, who emerged, Janet hugged each one in turn, they said little but they were all delighted that she still lived. Janet was just glad that the Uprising happened to be over now.
Yet in her gut she could not shake the nagging sense of feeling that her skills in battle were still required. Though the Uprising distracted the people of New Paris significantly, the human-covenant war waged remorselessly on. Janet realised that the aliens might come to this world... She had already seen the peaceful life here shattered once by the storm of war. She would transfer out, to the marines or anyone who would take her on.
She needed to protect her home, her family and all those who meant so much to her. If New Paris fell to the aliens then the lives already shed in the defence of this world from the Innies would be wasted.
The thought of so many good men and women having died for nothing hurt her more than she could bear.
The Governer was a short man, rather plump but a good leader instead of fleeing like most leaders did he stood by his world, by his people throughout the dark days of the Uprising. Behind him fluttered the banner of the UNSC and the battered banner of the NPMD, a torn light blue banner with an white eagle over a white outline of a world, the letter NPM underneath in white. "Their decision to fight took courage beyond all worldly measure, sacrifice and stubborn belief in our planet and their duty to protect our freedoms and our way of life." In the distance a bird quietly called out, perhaps it too joining the long lines of New Parisians searching for lost family or friends.
"Now as we begin to rebuild, repair the damage dealt by the cowardly Insurrection this courtyard will remain as it is, an eternal memorial to heroes fallen, they gave their lives for our world, their sacrifice will never be forgotten nor will we forget the price which we paid for our victory, the lives lost as a result of terrible war." From where Silva stood she could see the glistening tears sliding down his smooth plump face, dripping slowly onto his dusty suit. The Governor snapped a salute, behind him two dozen militia men and women lined up as a Sargent barked. "Present arms." Assault rifle barrels aimed skywards, in unison the assembled NPMD saluted as well, the guns barked three times, before falling silent. As the units broke up, with the UNSC marines on the planet most of the militia headed home to deal with looters, find family or attempt to rebuild, Silva watched as the Governor stared at them all, looking grief stricken. For a moment it appeared that he might feel responsible for the losses which their world endured for so long. He disappeared flanked by four militia guards.
As the militia moved away like the disorganised mob of fans exiting a match where their team was soundly defeated, few spoke, all were silent in their shared grief. Overhead Pelicans roared as marines hunted down the last few stragglers of Innies who stubbornly refused to surrender. At first the NPMD fought along side their marine brethren yet to all it became clear that the NPMD was demoralised, exhausted and simply incapable of effectively assisting the marines.
Most of them were not soldiers, part timers she heard a marine call her squad one time, in a normal year the NPMD trained for two weeks if that. The Militia fought a bloody war for over a year, suffering horrendous losses and bearing grim witness to countless crimes committed by the Innies. Some might have dared to call her own family lucky, they had not lost a single family member during the war, well related by blood. Janet lost her boyfriend, killed during the third assault on Napoleon Ridge. The pain from the loss had lessened over time but still persisted. As she moved away, the marks of war became more obvious, spent shell casing, a wrecked warthog, a burnt out husk of a building, propaganda and recruitment posters, the hung rotting corpse of a Innie Sympathiser being cut down by grim faced marines. The New Paris Militia Division failed in its duty to protect the citizens, it failed to restore order and would have lost the war had the UNSC not arrived in force. As if to reinforce that fact a UNSC frigate flew over head.
Though officially all drafted for the conflict still, the Governor announced prior to his memorial speech that the militia could go home and return to their families. That was precisely what Janet intended to do. Numbly she said good bye to her friends as she walked down the broken streets till she reached her own home. She barely recalled taking in her home, the door was flung over and her mother rushed out pulling her youngest daughter into a hug, whispering joyously in French. She returned the hug, surprised to find tears falling down her own cheeks. Her mother ushered her inside, closing the door behind them. Her mother called out to her family, who emerged, Janet hugged each one in turn, they said little but they were all delighted that she still lived. Janet was just glad that the Uprising happened to be over now.
Yet in her gut she could not shake the nagging sense of feeling that her skills in battle were still required. Though the Uprising distracted the people of New Paris significantly, the human-covenant war waged remorselessly on. Janet realised that the aliens might come to this world... She had already seen the peaceful life here shattered once by the storm of war. She would transfer out, to the marines or anyone who would take her on.
She needed to protect her home, her family and all those who meant so much to her. If New Paris fell to the aliens then the lives already shed in the defence of this world from the Innies would be wasted.
The thought of so many good men and women having died for nothing hurt her more than she could bear.