Ambrosia Software Web Board: Cythera Chronicles: Collusion, Prologue - Ambrosia Software Web Board

The Leader Maximus of the Confederation looked out over the immense, cotton-like clouds, which were presently fringed by the golden light of the Cytherian sunset.

From the study of the new air-castle, it was said that someone could see the Gunnises mountains and the great equatorial sea in one minute. The leader firmly believed this, he’d already treated himself to the view many times in his still young career.

For two years now, he’d been the commander of nine-tenths of the sentient population of the world. In those two years, he’d gone from governor general of a remote island chain in the east to this proud office. The high council had selected him as leader for life almost unanimously, so he enjoyed the benefits of being a relatively popular leader with the council. At his core, though, he knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

All was not well in the lands, dissent brewed and festered among the alleys and back streets of Cademia, in the beer halls and guilds of Tolten, in the homes of the freshly money-fattened industrialists of Tatrinas, and in the newly recolonized villages of Surmourdac.

There was conspiracy afoot, even in his own family. Yes, his cousin. His cousin was scheming against him. Her fraternizing with his rivals had not gone unnoticed. And the infernal governor of the Tundra protectorate, he was definitely up to no good. They thought they were fooling him, but they weren’t! Did they not realize they trifled in the affairs of the most powerful mortal alive?

He’d have to punish them, to drag them before the judges, and expose their treachery!

But could the Judges, even those of Cythera, be trusted? Why should they be exempt from utmost scrutiny? No, he’d noticed something strange about the visiting judge that had traveled here from Catamarca. He was hiding something, too. He could feel it in his bones, those judges were planning something behind his back.

Treasonous, that’s what they were. The traitors, they were no doubt planning to dissolve the Confederation, and install themselves as dictators!

The leader stood, feeding his mind with black thoughts of conspiracy and plotting, growing more paranoid with every passing moment.

There would be no treason in his empire, he’d see to that. Even if it meant the death of every would-be dissident, conspirator, and rival in the lands.

A purge was imminent.

There would be no plans against the face of the leader.

(to be continued)

[This message has been edited by Slayer (edited 04-18-2002).]

Though this chronicle was a bit on the short side, I did rather enjoy it. I could really get a sense of the leader's paranoia. I can hardly wait to see what happens.

------------------
Slayer's guide to Cythera:
[url="http://"http://www.macclassics.com/cythera/cythera.htm"]http://www.macclassi...era/cythera.htm[/url]

Quote

Thanks! I know it was short, this was the prolouge. And I'm glad I got it across that the leader was very paranoid, 'cuz, well, he is
He also has a fanaticly loyal secret police, and those two things are never a good combination.

------------------
 
Rebellion without truth is like spring in a bleak, arid desert.
 
 

Yup, small size is about the only thing I have to complain about in this one; the way you portrayed the Leader's paranoia is masterfully done. There is just one little niggle, and it's aimed as much at Slayer for missing it - it's 'alleys', not 'allies'

------------------
Kobayashi Maru!

Now, if only I can get my main account working again, I can post the next part...

------------------
 
Rebellion without truth is like spring in a bleak, arid desert.
 
 

Quote

You must be seeing things, cache. If you'll look again, you'll see that does say 'alleys'.

------------------
Slayer's guide to Cythera:
[url="http://"http://www.macclassics.com/cythera/cythera.htm"]http://www.macclassi...era/cythera.htm[/url]

[This message has been edited by Slayer (edited 04-18-2002).]

Not bad. At first it almost seems as if he had found out about the treachery somehow, but failed to mention his reasoning. Later it seems to progress into paranoia. I like.

------------------
-TheDarkDragon
[shameless IRC plug]Go to #cythera on IRC for the rock-hard-abba-dabbas #ev3 just can't do. [/shameless IRC plug]
[url="http://"http://homepage.mac.com/thedarkdragon/"]http://homepage.mac.com/thedarkdragon/[/url] (My new homepage)