Chapter 1-2
As most safe and powerful nations do, the island had attracted many immigrants. Unfortunately, the space on the island was much too tight. Precious farm-land was sold for housing. The only answer to the overpopulation was to expand and extend outward.
To the north lay rocky coasts of sterile land and water of brine. To the west lay larger islands of competing nations. To the east, however, was a supposed continent of enormous size.
In desperation, Queen Alexandra I sent a fleet of 10 ships: 5 of passengers, 2 of food and supplies, 2 of militiamen and one of government to settle a new colony of the continent named aptly for its beauty and bounty.
This is the story of that colony and what it became. This is the story of Verona.
Chapter I-i: New Beginnings
After a rough two weeks at sea, the troupe of ships had reached a potential land to settle. Checking their maps, the navigation crew had decided that the land they had reached was, indeed, the Verona they had been searching for.
A report left by the Deimos Exploration Committee had highlighted the most prospectus location for settlement: a sheltered bay of fresh-water (fed by a ground-water reserve) with sea-access and relatively fertile soil.
The location was set, and late one night the boats had arrived to the shore.
This land was astounding and all, but the settlers knew what they had come to do and had quickly began working on a sustainable city: brickworkers began to make streets of sandstone and homes of shale; blacksmiths worked on locks and grates and guns; architects planned affordable rowhouses and government structures. Within the first year, the city had a near-complete infrastructure.
A chapel was built across the colony's government caucus, Meloy Market Hall, and lawmakers quickly began to go to work on making sure the colony ran smoothly and effectively.
Several community gardens had grown to become collective farms, in which the owners would then sell crops at the local market.
And as a final commodity, the colony had set up its very own functioning port. Soon after establishment, Governor Meloy had sent out a messenger to Deimos, requesting the Queen come see the work accomplished.
Meloy: Those're they, no?
Brideau: I do believe they are. Three, yes?
Meloy: But of course. Tensions with Lyra are high. She needs protection. I had pictured the ships to be nicer looking, though. Ah, well.
Brideau: Indeed, these seem not too unlike our's.
Meloy: Looks can be deceiving.
With that remark, the queen's fleet had run ashore.
END CHAPTER 1
Man in White: In place of Her majesty the Queen, the Empire of Great Deimos presents Count Barron Dukeson Daufin III.
Dukeson: God save the Queen!
Meloy: Amen.
Brideau: ...I thought... Isn't Her Majesty supposed to--
Dukeson: --to be here? Haha, no, times are far too dangerous. She sent me, instead, to deliver you a set of guidelines and a premade parliamentary group.
Meloy: Really? That... doesn't seem to be like her. She sent me to be in charge, and---
Dukeson: Yeah, well, she changed her mind. Is there somewhere more formal we could meet. Err, safer than here, if any?
Brideau: Safe?
Dukeson: Yes, safe.
Brideau: Sure, I mean... the Governor's Quarters are just to the north of here.
Unknown to them, or, at least Morticia and Carter, something had happened just to the colony's west...
The Lyrans had assembled in the hills, after following the Deiman ships.
General: Ze Queen of all Deimos is here, men. We are to go into ze colony and bring her to ze Royals back home. Our war has gone on for too long! It is ze time for action!
The Lyran Navy had assembled in the hills of Far Verona, after following the ships of Deimos to the colony.
Back in Deimos, however, a memorandum had just reached the Queen:
To Her Majesty:
By the time you read this, Operation Trojan will be under way.
The plan to use your royal fleet as a decoy to attract the attention of the Lyran navy has an 80% chance of success. As they attempt to raid Verona, demanding full custody of you and your cabinet, the Trojan squad shall attack from the city's east side at the sea and the south side at the cove.
The cost of rebuilding the new installments in Verona will be miniscule in comparison to the gain of defeating the Lyran Navy.
-Dukeson
The next morning, political tensions had begun to form between Meloy and Dukeson...
Meloy: This is an outrage! Not even the mainland has a press devoted to propaganda for the war!
Dukeson: She appointed me to these rules, and I crafted them in mind of YOUR people's protection.
Meloy: It sounds to me like you're trying to set up a totalitarian system, here. Don't think that I don't know about Avery Colony. They're at the mercy of the General Assembley--- the office YOU run.
Dukeson: Are you implying that I'm imposing this Constitution for control? I could care less about what happens here! This is merely back-up, in case...
Meloy: In case what?
Dukeson: In case... look, just forget it. These are the rules.
Meloy: Well, then, how about the taxes? 22% higher than the mainland! We don't even utilize any social services!
Dukeson: Untrue. Were giving you a militia. You get to appoint a general, even, if all goes to plan.
The duo soon ended their walk and arrived at the Verona Affair's building. It was near dark now, and deliberation by the local Congress on the new Constitution was to begin, when...
A messenger barged in.
Messenger: Sir! There's smoke on the horizon! Lots!
Meloy: ...what?
Dukeson: ...
Sure enough, there was a fire at a guard tower to the west.
Shortly after the messenger's interruption, a call for the Queen was heard from outside. Meloy and Dukeson, now joined by Brideau climbed to the colcktower of the hall to adress the call.
Meloy: Who goes there!?
Brideau: Oh... my...
General: General T. Clint of the Grand Lyran Navy! Surrender the Queen!
Meloy: She's not here.
General: Rubbish!
Dukeson: You fell for it, Clint, you gullible bastarding troll.
General: Fell for what, might I ask?
Dukeson: Our little trap to lure your navy far, far away. A site for an execution, if you will. You see... if you look over towards the sunset... our entire army is at my disposal.
Sure enough, marching down the hill was an army roughly the size of the Lyran Navy.
Meloy: Wait a minute, here! Take this to the fields not he---
General: Damn eet all to ze Hell! Storm ze city!
And with that, the raid of Verona began... In one bright flash (hence the daylight in the next scene...), the city was engulfed in flames as the Lyrans scattered and the Deimans attacked.
0 Comments
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Sign In or register to comment...
To comment in reply, you must be a community member
Sign In
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In NowCreate an Account
Sign up to join our friendly community. It's easy!
Register a New Account