Taking full advantage of being back to 100% I have made a
lot of progress on the novel this last week.
I have chapters 1 to 6 pretty much done, with 40’000 words now
written. Chapters 7 to 12 have a lot of
major scenes already completed, I just need to fill things out and that’s
it. I hope to have the whole novel
completed on schedule at the end of May, in which case I shall at last be sending
off to various proof readers!
That’s the plan anyway.
Meanwhile, I’ve been doing other writing projects as well
just to keep me occupied. I had 3 little
ideas during the week which I have taken note of and hope to be developing
further once I sit down properly and figure them out. 2 novel ideas and a short story. Right now, the short story is more likely to
get developed given time available.
Novel ideas are nice but time is very restricted!
I also did a little fiction for the Paradiso infinity
campaign which has got back on track at our local gaming centre, which I
present to you all below.
So only a small blog update but hope you guys enjoy the
little story below and progress has definitely been good!
* * * * *
“Sergev! You look
like hell!”
Dimitri Trencov walked from behind the folding table and
embraced his old comrade in a bear hug.
Sergev Vortravic hugged his old fighting companion back, glad to see a
familiar face.
The two Ariadna veterans were in Dimitri’s work tent, an old
and battered affair that had seen its fare share of war, off-planet and
on. The Veteran Kazak had earned the
nickname of ‘old bear’ referring to his huge stature and veteran status amongst
the line Kazak’s. In comparison to
Sergev’s shorter but no less muscular form, he was indeed a bear; a bear
meeting a wolf.
For Sergev was a Stavka operative, nick named ‘wolfcub’ for
his youthful appearance yet ruthless efficiency. The wolf, the hunter, let lose on the planet
Paradiso.
“Dimitri” he said as they broke off. “It has been too long Old Bear.”
“Ha! Old Bear is
right, and getting older!”
Dimitri was in his fifties now, a true veteran, with a well
groomed greying moustache and bright blue eyes.
He indicated a folding chair and crossed the tent space to a metal
cabinet.
“How long’s it been?” Dimitri asked as he opened the cabinet
and retrieved the expected clear bottle of quality Kazak vodka and 2 small
shoot glasses. Sergev took the offered
seat.
“3 years” replied Sergev.
“3 long years with too much time behind a desk.”
“That’s what you get for joining Stavko! I warned you!”
“That you did. What
was it you said? ‘Too much paperwork and not enough action?’”
“Certainly sounds like me!” replied the Old Bear
boisterously as he set the two glasses on the folding table and poured the two
of them drinks.
“To fallen comrades and dead foes!” intoned Dimitri, raising
his glass. Sergev copied the gesture.
“May the fallen be remembered and our enemies stay dead!”
replied Sergev in the time honoured manner.
They both downed their glasses
Sergev did his best not to cough but Dimitri smirked
regardless.
“They must be serving you the watered down stuff da?”
“Very funny you old ruffian.”
Dimitri refilled the glasses regardless, his grin widening.
“Well I take it your not just here to talk just of old
times?”
Sergev nodded, taking the now refilled glass as his expression
turned serious. “Regrettably yes my old
friend. I’ve a prisoner with me, an
engineer from the Haqqislam. He has
information and we need that information fast.”
“So you come to the Old Bear because you know the Old Bear
can get that information fast.”
“Exactly.”
Dimitri nodded “What do you need to know?”
“Specifically, coordinates of an alien artefact and what, if
any, research they have conducted on it.”
“You think this engineer will know?”
“We hope so.”
They downed glasses again.
Sergev had to wipe a few tears from his eyes.
“It’s good stuff.
Brewed it myself!” declared Dimitri in triumph.
“That explains a lot.”
The Old Bear laughed, having downed his own glass to little
effect. He refilled both drinks again.
“I take it when you say Alien you mean the Combined army?”
Sergev shook his head.
“Not this time Old Bear.
This…this is something new.”
The Old Bear frowned.
“Now you have me intrigued old friend.”
Sergev, having recomposed himself, raised his glass. “That was my intent.”
He downed the powerful tasting concoction, again doing his
best not to cough as the liquid burned its way down his throat. He was aware that his vision was blurred
slightly but felt sure he could survive at least a few more glasses. It was a tradition of the Old Bears; the
drinking of a lot of vodka during briefing’s.
He respected you more, the more you drank.
The Old Bear downed his glass likewise, before nodding
sagely.
“Alright Sergev, I’ll try.”
“Please. We are up
against it. The Pan Oceania, Nomads and
the Japanese have all captured similar individuals. Not to mention other forces we have not
identified yet. The race is on to see
who will get to the device first.”
“I will do my best.
Let’s just hope this engineer you have acquired can help us.”
He had by now refilled the glasses yet again. Sergev was thanking a variety of Gods that
they hadn’t been talking too long else he strongly suspected he would be on the
floor in only a few more servings; the old man was right, he’d not kept the
practice up during his time with Stavko, a failing he was now paying for.
“I will do as you ask.” The Old Bear raised his glass. Sergev, recognising the gesture, did
likewise. The glasses touched and both
men drank deeply.
“Ypa”
“Thank you.”
Business concluded, Sergev got carefully to his feat, head
swimming.
“Gods Dimitri, what was in that?”
“What else but damn good Vodka!”
“Next time.” Sergev suppressed a cough. “I’m bringing my own bottle.”
The Old Bears laughter followed him as he made his way out
of the tent on unsteady legs. He
reserved to himself to find a cot to collapse in, at least for a while.
