An unusual device indeed. He couldn’t even properly call it a sword. It was unlike any sword he had ever seen… or known. The hilt, as long as his forearm, was a little on the thin and narrow side. A large red orb made the pommel. The width of the cross-guard was half the length of the hilt and no scabbard to speak of. Instead it was sheathed into some kind of ring.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdl3aaggP8
That's where the bizarre began. Drawing it out revealed no blade to speak of. It was far worse, than a mere blade. Memories of its chance discovery swirled before his eyes as he sat there waiting in the clearing. It was only two years ago when it had happened. An odd feeling, almost nostalgic, settled upon him, as if it had been ages since then, as if time had flown so fast. These were odd planets after all, time was difficult to track.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDxwCxSLdh
Two years since his crash landing on one of the Four Brethren as the four planets were known. Two years since the brutal Federation had annexed his little out of the way home planet of Scythe. Two years since he met the war lord Hao Desqan and his horde of militia on Strato. It seemed like only yesterday that his bunch were hunting him across Claver infested desert and through endless catacombs and caves. Two years ago he had wiped out half of Number 2 Squadron, the battalion directly under Desqan's second in command Primerius Tors. 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2QTw5KZAp
‘Aah Tors!’ He let out a breath as his thoughts veered towards the dead Warlord general. He wasn't going to be forgetting him. Not any time soon at least, considering his demise in the end. No, not any time soon he grimaced, remembering the fateful day. Tors had cornered him in that cave and nearly hacked his head off. He had overpowered him, his huge scimitar and blinding speed proving just too much for Lothar in his injured condition, and he found himself lying flat on his back, frantically flailing about for anything to parry Tors’ finishing blow. Somehow, through some miracle, his hands found what he thought was a stick or steel rod. As the blade descended he swung with the desperation of a man staring death in the eye.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNes6Wx6Sy1
Neither wood, nor stone, nor steel rod met with Tors’ blade. Instead his scimitar forearms, belly and the debris the device had been buried under were sucked into its swirling black depths--and It dismembered him in one viciously gory stroke. Both men mirrored each others shock as Primerius Tors crumpled to the ground and the dark device swirled in his hand.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOHp0fHzuh
The bleeding stumps of his arms couldn’t even attempt to hold what remained of his bloody entrails and pelvis, whilst he lay there labouring for breath. No, not a sight he would ever forget. He sighed. That and Tors’ very last words.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBUv5yo940
“Make… them …pay...tears of blood.”503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTsZdaZBGq
In the end, despite their differences there was one thing that he had had in common with Tors. That which every exile on the Four Brethren shared with each other – a deep hatred for the Lowman Federate. 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrcvnakESJ
This vast solar system had gone from one evil and thrust straight into another with the demise of the Empire. Anyone forced or born into exile, thinking they could return to their old respective worlds and possibly lives, quickly learned the old Scythan saying. ‘There was nothing new under the stars.’ Oppression was oppression, whether it was the Federation or Emperor Davius Nebulon III, last of his line.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkgtoqZYdB
Many would say, the treachery came as no surprise. That it was to be expected. That it was either that or a great warring mess. That the Federation had to stamp its authority. That they all needed a powerful head that dictated what all did… even if it wasn’t always palatable. He clenched the pommel harder as the cold anger silently coursed through him. He didn't need Tors to tell him to bleed the powers that be. He had been betrayed. Scythe had been betrayed. The entire Solar System had been betrayed. 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtwj7Iee5O
More exiles than before found themselves on the Four Brethren with their never ending wars, deadly and peculiar life forms and thousands upon thousands of invisible monitor droids--one of the few remnants of the Empire that the Federation had not destroyed. So it could further it’s own ends.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkCx9JnNoe
Without a revolt across the solar system, The Federation could focus on searching and investigating the remnant ruins of a vast alien civilisation that had occupied the Four Brethren nearly nine centuries ago. Something the Empire never quite got round to doing. Everyone knew they were after new technology. That’s what the Empire had been as well and to add an unbelievable spice to it all it was all telecast on public holovision across the system as reality entertainment. Such a huge industry had been built around it, all to keep the masses distracted. All they needed, were exiles.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wQ48BidNK
This was a lot more profitable than sending in the army into near inhospitable conditions, wiping out a sizable chunk of the armed forces by either the planets themselves or this potentially still existent alien race. The reasoning had been that beings that have attained this level of sophistication don't just roll over and die, no matter how long they’ve been out of the picture. Instead let society’s outcasts deal with them. 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt398dy18p
Lothar swore. By Scythan justice everything would even out. ‘The stars right their own scales.’ Another Scythan saying. ‘I’ll end it all. Once I find the Iron Starlance this will all come to an end.’503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEml380URvF
A noise alerted him of someone’s approach, and he spun round now on his guard, it wasn’t Mhyrsy come back from foraging.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhltYjymJrz
Lothar Grieves cursed something about monitor droids and drew his sword with its swirling black nebula.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsCuQXNLjA
Like their last encounter the Federal Agent just smiled. “I’ll be taking it now if you don’t mind.” 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYM5CYP1h6
“You’re welcome to try” he replied. 503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBNh98X05q
Halfway across the system viewers cheered.503Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcc2JJ7YY5
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