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  • 1 year ago
HFY Stories_ The Barbarian War - Book 2 - Chapters 31 & 32- Peace Failed. War Answers
We're thrilled to introduce "The Barbarian War" by author u/Hewholooksskyward to our channel, the prequal to 'Barbarians'. We've collaborated to adapt his captivating stories for our channel, and we eagerly anticipate sharing them with you.
Transcript
00:00The Barbarian War, Chapters 31 and 32, Trial by Fire and Steel
00:05Chapter 31
00:08The races of the Old Triumvirate were about the furthest thing imaginable from the notion
00:13of wild-eyed radicals. Until the First Konheim War, their society had gone unchanged for
00:19millennia, and even its introduction to humanity had caused barely a ripple. Stability, order,
00:24tradition, caution, and an almost ruthless preservation of the status quo had been their
00:29watchwords for as long as anyone could remember. The war changed all that, as wars tend to
00:35do. With humanity's star in now in ascension, change came at a breakneck pace, as one revered
00:41institution after another came crashing down. Even by human standards the metamorphosis was
00:47a radical one, driven by the need to create a military force from scratch, as well as the
00:52necessary support structures essential to keep it supplied and operational. For species long
00:58used to the static civilization of the Triumvirate, the Tetrarchy came rushing at them like a fever
01:03dream. As predicted, many were unhappy with this turn of events. It was that same frustration that had
01:10fueled the ministers' coup d'etat, as well as the attack on Earth. When Admiral Matavosian destroyed the
01:16Triumvirate fleet, the ministers lost their greatest offensive power. Still, they had the support of
01:21masses, those same individuals who had chafed against their society's upheaval. Except, those same
01:28individuals had spent ten years growing accustomed to the new changes. They still didn't care for
01:33them, but they were at least used to them. They had learned to grit their teeth and, in the parlance
01:39of humanity, go with the flow. It was an adjustment, but one they were slowly coming to terms with.
01:46And then the minister's coup came along and upended the apple cart. Again. The irony of the situation was
01:53as thick as molasses. By giving the people what they'd thought they wanted, a return to simpler times,
01:58they had attacked what the masses truly craved. Stability. The chaos that followed the coup left
02:05them simmering with rage, but it was a rage without direction or focus. Leandra Singh's speech gave them
02:11that focus, pointing it straight at the ministers with the intensity of a laser.
02:16This has to be the most well-behaved riot I've ever seen, Leandra remarked, thoroughly nonplussed.
02:22She and the other ministers stood in the plaza in front of the ministry building,
02:26flanked by security officers they knew they could trust. Beyond them, thousands of Tetrarchy
02:31citizens milled about, drawn to the heart of the government by her words, but unsure what to do
02:37next. The ministry had security forces of their own guarding the entrance, and so far,
02:43no one had been willing to attempt a breach. At the moment, it was a standoff.
02:47I thought this is what you wanted, Thrasoth said in confusion. They did take to the streets,
02:53after all. She fought the urge to bury her face in her hands. This is supposed to be a revolution,
02:59not a Volksmarch, Leandra lamented. If I'd known they were just going to come out and enjoy the fresh
03:04air, we could have had it catered. Bezagab shrugged helplessly. You must understand this is all new to
03:11us. We have no experience in overthrowing governments. Leandra pointed an accusing finger
03:17at the ministry building. They managed to figure it out, she shot back. Why can't you?
03:23Prime Minister, while we understand your frustration, the situation is unlikely to change.
03:29Omega 445 Intersect Gamma said cautiously, unless, of course, someone were to go out there and lead
03:36them. The three ministers looked at her expectantly, as she raised her head to the heavens.
03:42Vishnu, grant me strength, she groaned before looking back at them.
03:47Fine, she said through gritted teeth, before marching over to one of the security officers.
03:53Several were carrying handheld voice amplifiers for crowd control, devices much more compact than
03:59the bullhorns of old. Within minutes, she had claimed one for herself, and had clambered up on an
04:04abstract sculpture, surveying the crowd. Listen to me, she shouted, her voice echoing
04:11across the plaza. What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think they will just give you back
04:16your freedom? Do you? The crowd stared back at her blankly, though those nearest to her began
04:22shaking their heads. Do you, she screamed again, and this time she could hear muttered nose coming
04:28from her audience. Do you? She howled as she cranked the volume to maximum.
04:34No! The mob shouted back, finally finding their voice.
04:39Damn right they won't! She snarled, dialing the volume back down. Let me tell you something humans
04:45learned the hard way, long ago, that freedom isn't free. It is bought and paid for with the blood of
04:51those willing to fight for it. No one will give you your freedom. You have to reach out and take it.
04:56From somewhere in the back, a chant began. It was muffled at first, but it quickly spread across
05:02the courtyard as others joined in, the sound rising and swelling like a tsunami.
05:07Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!
05:10Leandra threw out her arms, as if to embrace them all, before whirling around and pointing
05:16dramatically at the ministry building.
05:19And there in that building are those that would deny you your freedom. Are you going to accept that?
05:24Are you going to roll over like good little slaves and let them? Or are you going to fight?
05:29The roar of the crowd slammed into her like a hurricane.
05:33Fight! Fight! Fight!
05:35Then follow me! She screamed, hopping off the sculpture and striding purposefully towards the
05:41ministry, with the crowd swelling behind her. She could feel their fury as they swept forward,
05:47sweeping up everything in their path. And as they reached the steps, the ministry guards shrank back
05:53in fear, nervously eyeing the mob. Without pause, Leandra mounted the steps, heading straight for
05:59the guard commander, stopping mere inches from his position, with the throng pressing in close
06:04behind her. A hush fell over the crowd as she addressed the guards.
06:08You have a choice, she said evenly.
06:11Lay down your arms and join us, or—
06:14She turned to face the mob, a cruel smile on her face before returning her attention back to the
06:19commander. A cheer rose from the congregation as the guards hastily disarmed themselves.
06:25Her own security quickly snatched up the weapons, keeping them out of the hands of those that might
06:30be tempted to use them indiscriminately. Leandra turned and faced the crowd once more.
06:35Surround the building, she shouted. Let no one escape!
06:38The rest of you, follow me!
06:39The crowd surged forward yet again, sweeping her along as they raced for the elevators.
06:45The cars were packed to capacity and beyond, before flying up to the top floor,
06:50disgorging their passengers with Leandra still leading the pack.
06:54The ministry chamber was just as she remembered it. Apparently they hadn't quite gotten around
06:59to redecorating. She flashed back to all those times she had approached these same ministers as a
07:04supplicant years before, begging for scraps, only to be rejected at every turn. Her lips curled up,
07:10baring her teeth, as she marched confidently forward. She sure as hell wasn't begging this time.
07:17Amazingly, they were still in the chamber. Leandra had been certain they would have fled for safety
07:21by now. Maybe they thought they were safe here, untouchable. Oops! The trio stared at the crowd in
07:28panic, as Komzoisha actually produced a sidearm and tried to point it in her direction.
07:32His hand was trembling like a leaf, obviously unfamiliar with the deadly weapon as Leandra
07:37rolled her eyes. A bitch, please!
07:41With two long strides, she was on the dais, raising back her arm and slapping the weapon from his hand.
07:47It skittered away across the floor as the trio stood frozen in fear.
07:51Lock them up! Leandra commanded, pointing at the ministers. The mob reached out eagerly for them,
07:57as she was suddenly forced to interpose her body between the crowd and their new prisoners.
08:01In one piece, damn it, she growled. They'll stand trial, according to the law.
08:07There'll be no lynching on my watch.
08:09Mollified, the crowd dragged them away with minimum jostling, as Leandra sighed in relief.
08:15She walked over to her chair and collapsed in a heap, slowly shaking her head.
08:20Bloody amateurs, she muttered.
08:24Chapter 32
08:25Is all in readiness? Chugaz Uidan inquired of his aid.
08:30Yes, Dayaksh, the aid replied, as he handed over a plain black case.
08:35Your blade, as you requested, as well as the other items.
08:38Chugaz opened the case and removed the dagger, its steel glinting in the light.
08:43No hint of the Xabhox opiate could be seen along its edge.
08:47It wouldn't kill Jiajgu Yaz, for that would be far too obvious.
08:50Instead, it would merely slow him down enough to drop his guard.
08:54The former Dayaksh was a skilled warrior beyond par, and anyone who faced him in a fair contest
08:59was at a distinct disadvantage.
09:02Not that he had any intention of allowing the battle to be fair.
09:06The other items in the case were carefully secreted on his person, as well.
09:10Any one of them could easily tip the balance in his favor, as only a fool kept a single arrow in his quiver.
09:16There was only one way this contest would end, with the death of Jiajgu Yaz.
09:22Then let us not keep my challenger waiting, Chugaz said with a chuckle, as they headed towards the shuttle bay.
09:29Someone remind me again why I signed off on this insanity?
09:32Lin complained to no one in particular.
09:35It is a little late to object to the plan, Sergeant, Jiaj gested as they stood in the arena.
09:41Actually, I've been objecting all along, Lin pointed out.
09:44Not that it mattered.
09:46We had no other viable options, Nassat said in resignation.
09:50At least this contest gives us a fighting chance.
09:53And it allowed us to retrieve the other teams.
09:55The ones still alive, I mean, he said quietly.
09:59It had taken several hours, but Chugaz Uedin had finally responded to Jiaj's challenge.
10:05The protocol involved was rather complicated, filled with all sorts of arcane traditions and curlicues.
10:10One of the rights granted to the challenger was safe passage for his clan to act as witness, which in this case he asserted was the ill-fated unit that had accompanied him to the surface.
10:21It had caused some debate, claiming they were acting in loco gens, but finally they had wrangled the necessary permissions.
10:28He had also arranged for transport, and as the survivors began to arrive, they realized just how how seriously they'd been hurt.
10:37If this contest ended badly?
10:39Musashi raised an eyebrow at Nassat's comment, but said nothing.
10:43Instead, his attention was on the arena itself, as ancient as the Colosseum in Rome, as it filled with Konhim warriors.
10:51He stepped away from the others and spoke softly into his mic.
10:54Musashi to the team, are you in position?
10:57In position, Tango replied.
10:59Have eyes on the crowd and a good hide.
11:01The only way they'll find me is if they trip over me.
11:05System's up and running, Greybird chimed in.
11:07I'm tapped into their comms.
11:09They try and pull a fast one.
11:11I'll whistle for the cavalry.
11:13I thought we were the cavalry, Whisper laughed.
11:17Knock it off, Musashi growled.
11:19You all tucked in?
11:21Snug as a bug, Whisper giggled.
11:24Just say the word.
11:26Copy that, Musashi replied, glancing up as the sound of a shuttle on approach caught his attention.
11:32Target is inbound, he informed the others.
11:35We are a go.
11:37The shuttle eased down into the arena as the main hatch opened.
11:41Chuga's Uidan stepped down the short gangway flanked on either side by his retinue as he strode towards the center of the amphitheater.
11:48All traces of humor vanished from Jiage's face as he strode out to meet him with Nassat and Lin in tow.
11:55Musashi himself hung back.
11:57The tradition only allowed two others on the field to act as the Konhim equivalent of seconds,
12:02leaving him free to coordinate the teams if Plan A went to shit.
12:05As far as he was concerned, Plan A had gone out the window the second Chuga's Uidan agreed to their terms.
12:12There was absolutely no way that snake was going to play by the rules.
12:17After disgorging its passengers, the shuttle lifted off once more and settled a short distance away, just outside the amphitheater.
12:24The two groups stopped a couple meters apart in the center of the arena.
12:27Chuga's Uidan, Jiage said formally, inclining his head.
12:33Jiage Guyaz, the Diaksh sneered.
12:36It has been a long time.
12:39Far too long, Jiage agreed.
12:41This matter should have been settled years ago.
12:44The Diaksh glanced at Nassat and Lin as his sneer grew wider, consorting with the enemy.
12:50And yet you dare impugn my honor.
12:52You do not know the meaning of the word, Jiage fired back.
12:56I will, however, be glad to teach it to you.
12:59Chuga's scowled.
13:01Enough talk, he pulled his dagger from its scabbard.
13:05I have a war to win.
13:07Jiage held up his hand.
13:09Not so fast.
13:11He motioned to Sergeant Lin, who stepped forward with a case of his own,
13:14flipping it open to reveal a pair of matched blades.
13:18To ensure the contest is based purely on skill, he said knowingly.
13:23Choose.
13:23The Diaksh's scowl deepened.
13:26You insult me yet again, Jiage, by accusing me of deception.
13:30I accuse you of nothing, Jiage said calmly.
13:33It is, however, my right.
13:35Choose or forfeit.
13:37Chuga's snarled in quiet fury before handing off his dagger to his second.
13:42He stomped over to where Lin waited and plucked both blades from the case,
13:46making a great show of thoroughly inspecting both weapons.
13:49Finally, he made his choice, flipping the other knife at Jiage in a gesture of utter contempt.
13:56Jiage easily caught the thrown blade by its handle, nodding to Nasat and Lin as Chuga's
14:01gestured to his own seconds.
14:03All four stepped out of the ring, taking up positions at the cardinal points marked on the earth.
14:09Moving to a crouch, Jiage readied himself.
14:11The field of honor is clear, he intoned.
14:14Only one may leave it alive.
14:16You should have stayed in exile, Chuga's said mockingly.
14:20Instead, you will die impaled on my blade.
14:24One of us will, Jiage said calmly.
14:27Chuga's sneered at him once more, slowly working his way around him, sizing him up while Jiage pivoted in place.
14:34Without warning, the Diaksh screamed with rage, leaping into the air, driving the dagger straight at Jiage's heart.

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