Oblitus Magia: Verse 1 - Fateful Encounter in the City of Fools

[MrSandman]

Survivor Side
With a sudder, the docking clamps slide in place. The solid floor trembles a moment before the engine dies down...leaving only the confused murmuring, banging metal and the occasional scream of some confused or maddened soul. The sound sends a chill down the spine, triggering memory deep within the ruin fog that smothers your mind...but alas, to no avail. You know not how you got here, perhaps no more then all the others, but you know WHY you are here.

A-9 has fallen to ruin. Your home is no more...

You and your fellow survivors are ushered, or perhaps a better word would be shepherded, into single file and led through dimly lit metallic hallways flanked by armed solders. The feeling is oppressive...one would be forgiven in assuming by look alone that this was a prison transfer more then the survivors of some disaster. Shouts far in the back and far to the front of the line announce the intentions of others in seeking their loved ones...and are met with strict command from the guards to stay in line, and stricter punishment...if the crack of bone somewhere nearby was any indication.

The process takes well over 20 minutes, but slowly you and the others are brought blinded and blinking into the sunlight outside.



You've very little time to admire the vessel that bore you here....save for noting the unloading of human and cargo alike. Another plank further down bares what appears to be a much more traditional prisoners, several chained and secured to various degrees.

Single file, you continue on.

"Welcome to Urban Center A-11, One of...if not the oldest, of the great sheltered cities of Earth." You hear some insipid greeter announce proudly to someone ahead in the line.

"Halt." A cold voice orders. "You've been selected for express screening and debriefing.....please exit the line and follow me." A rather gruff looking solder takes you by the shoulder....and the heavy footsteps of two others remind you that obedience is mandatory. Now flanked, you are led off down a side and placed with several others who appear to be waiting for their own 'debriefing'.

Prisoner Side

A level below the docking platform, the holding Administration holding cells are abuzz with chatter as a row of heavily guarded men and women are led down from top side.

However you ended up here, this is the most action you've likely seen in days....assuming you've been in there that long. Nonetheless, several guards are now standing outside each cell giving the contents very dirty side glances as the row of prisoners are led through and placed in their own cells.

There is, however, two exceptions. Firstly, A man in what can only be described as a full body restraint and flanked by heavily armed guards. The man had a neutral expression, but cast quick glances at each cell as he was pushed pash....seemingly sizing up their contents.

Behind him was another prisoner.....or rather, a cell on lift. Save for their eyes, the prisoner in the rear was completely enclosed in restrains and secured in a small mobile containment cell......anyone with a remote inkling of Administratum security would know it was the type of cell reserved for particularly high risk threats.

"Whoa, steady.....Steady with that." The guard waved as the moved the cell into position. "....I wasn't told we'd be getting this many guests...."

"Ruin Conspirators." One of the escort guards responded. "We've received special authorization from Administrator Gretel to hold them here until she arrives...." He approaches the guard on duty and hands him a missive. "Witch support will be joining you soon."

The guard on duty cringed. "....surely we don't..."

"Its not up to us...order from the top. You know the drill..." The escort guard smiled grimly. "Don't give them an excuse and do your damn job."

"Yes......What about that one." The guard pointed to the cage, and the escort responded with a shake of his head. "That one is a Witch Killer.....The Administrator wants some time with it before it is sent to Einsberg......and more importantly...." The escort led the guard to the side and whispered something in his ear, eyeing the cells nearby. The guard nodded and mouthed something just barely audible.

"Right....no witnesses."

Returning to his post, the guard waves the escort through and then begins organizing the remaining guards as the heavily guarded man and the "witch killer" are both escorted to a cell at the end of the row.

Citizen Start
With all bad news....it began with that damnable chime.

On every TV, every slum issues public monitor(that wasn't vandalized), every loudspeaker. The chime meant two things......an important announcement, or the public relations arm of the administratum was gearing up for another round of pubic ego stroking. In either event, the average citizen knew nothing good ever came from it......

"Citizens of A-11, this is a public service announcement." The collective sigh of relief at it not being the latter nearly drowned out the announcers voice. "Please give your attention to the following message from A-11 Administrator Gretel."

There was a pause, then the monitors lit up with the figure of a regal young woman in uniform, arms folded behind her back.

"My Dear Citizens.....It is with my deepest regret, that I bare news of another city.....Our sister city, A-9, has fallen to ruin." Gretels stoic gaze, combined with her words, brings a halt to activity all over the city. "As I speak, transport ships bearing the survivors are arriving with news of what has transpired.....241 brave souls, spared by the Nephilims will. 241.....out of 23,011."

Her gaze grows sharp. "Once more humanity has been tested by the ruin....and we are left to bare witness to the horrifying results of failure. Humans who undermine the authority of the Administratum and consort with ruin once more bring it to our doorstep. I ask you....citizens of A-11, to share a moment of silence in memory and contemplation. To remember...always....that ruin cannot force its way in, it must be let in. A lapse in will, a seditious whisper, a loss of faith.....these are the cracks that allow it in."

Gretel lowers her head, and for a few moments allows an air of silence to take hold of the city.

"......Today, I grieve for our loss.....but justice will be served. The instigators and their leader have been captured and are awaiting transport....I assure all of you, they will be punished.....publicly." Her gaze seemed to soften, and something barely registering as a smile appeared. "Welcome our new friends with open arms.....and remember, we are all equal under the Nephilim."

The feed cuts, replaced with the Administratum Sigil.

Those close enough to the southern skyport at the border between the middle sector and slums, will see massive ships pulling in high above.....preparing to unload their precious cargo.

Perhaps...it'll be something worth seeing close up.