bzarcher | (no subject)

Little story idea just hit.

Usza was hot, and tired. His rifle felt like it weighed 10 times what it should. The light cloth of his uniform, normally excellent at wicking away sweat, felt thick and heavy, sticking to him like a second skin. He felt conspicuously parched, and wanted nothing more than to lie down somewhere cool and quiet for a nap, and perhaps a drink.

Why shouldn't he? Here at the edge of the Rayyani desert, a harsh, expanse of shifting sands and terrible wind, with the only secure footing on plateaus of rock or heavy concrete placed there by man to hold back the force of the desert. Even worse, when in the presence of the Amir, whose coffee coloured brow seemed untouched by sweat, his robes a dazzling white? A man so strong of will and faith that the desert bowed to -him-. No wonder Usza found himself rather lacking as one of the soldiers he had brought to this godforsaken place.

The Gemani had placed troops on their side of the border. 'Merely a shift in defensive garrisons', they claimed. Certainly not a prelude to war after the long period of tense peace since the Amir had struck like a thunderbolt at their capital in the last war, forcing them to surrender. 'Nothing more than rotating fresh troops and new equipment', their emissary had politely explained in the Amir's court a few hours ago, inviting him to see for himself.

The Amir had happily accepted, but rather than arrange a state visit as the emissary offered, he'd smiled and simply stood.

"A fine idea, sir. Please, accept my hospitality while I travel there." How could the Gemani refuse? The Amir's hospitality was a thing of grace and legend. His needs would be well tended to while the Amir strapped himself into a hovercraft with a selection of bodyguards and tore across the bleak expanse.

Usza wouldn't have minded trading places one bit, as they watched the roar and thunder of weapons as the Gemani commander put on a demonstration, having a few units run their firing range, demonstrating the might of the Gemani army for their guest. Cannons roared and thundered, impacts kicking up massive fountains of sand. A few of the newer designs featured heat or beam weapons that left trails of sparkling glass in their path from the residual heat. Infantrymen leapfrogged the dunes in great charges, sweeping behind the heavier parts of their force, securing them from an imaginary foe...that just happened to look, speak, and move quite a bit like Usza and his fellow Ushabi.

No, he would most certainly not mind trading places.

After the demonstration, the Amir was offered a glass of cold juice, which he shared with the commander, pleasantries were exchanged, men on both sides commended, and the proper courtesies taken as the Amir returned to his hovercraft. Strapping into the armored passenger compartment, he continued to seem totally unaffected by the heat of the sun, or the stares from the Gemani soldiers. As the compartment shut, he looked around, taking the measure of his men, finally, his gaze stopping on Usza.

"You are Usza, are you not? You've served on this border before."

Blinking with surprise (the Amir knew him!), Usza nodded as best as he could against his restraints.

"Yes, Amir. I have."

"What do you think of the new Gemani troops?"

"They seem...well prepared, my Amir. But I wonder..." He trailed off, uncertain.

"Of what?" The Amir's gaze was warm, but searching. Usza could almost feel him taking a measure of his fears and weighing it against his words.

"I wonder about their new weapons. The tanks, the hovercraft. They don't seem quite what I would expect for a garrison."

"We use tanks. We use hovercraft." He gestured to the compartment around them, and after a brief laugh, Usza could feel the eyes of the other soldiers turning towards him, as well. He felt a knot bunch in his throat, and swallowed hard, forcing himself to clear it.

"That is true. But when we man a garrison post, they often carry weapons that hit hard, but have needs for ammunition, supply, and fuel that can easily be stored in our bases. We do not take smaller caliber weapons with large ammunition feeds, or weapons that need no ammunition at all. Such things almost seem more like the weapon of a raider or aggressor. Someone who intends to strike deep but fears stopping for resupply."

The Amir looked thoughful, then nodded, slowly. "I knew that their infantry seemed far more than would normally be required for a simple garrison assignment...I didn't consider their weapons." He smiled, reaching out to tap Usza on the knee. "An excellent observation. I think I will enjoy having you as my Aide."

Suddenly, despite the filtered, dry air, and the continuing heat, Usza couldn't help but smile. The weight of his rifle was no longer so burdensome. His uniform seemed a bit lighter, and perhaps he even felt a slight breeze coming into the compartment?

As the others clapped him on the shoulder or leg, a canteen was offered and he took a healthy swig. Perhaps the ride back to the Amir's palace would not be as comfortable as a quiet nap, but all things considered he felt quite refreshed all the same.

No, I have NO IDEA where that came from.