Colossus By Choice: Book 1 Verse 10

3001 P.G.E. (Post-Godzilla Era)

[Universal Date: Day 118]
[Planet: Pyrestar]
[Capital: Silver Sun City]
[Location: Silver Sun City – Defence Watch Eastern Command Centre]

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In the heart of the eastern corner of Silver Sun City lies the Defence Watch’s eastern command centre. It’s here where one eighth of the entire city’s all-in-one police force and self-defence military are centralized; training, forensics, reconnaissance, mandated hunting, and more are managed at this facility. In the far end of the facility opposite to the front entrance are several interrogation rooms, the interiors of which are blank white with no defining features or artistic renovations.

And as of right now, Taum, Skrill, and Yun-Tao have just finished giving their testimonies on the events that have transpired in the past 2 days about the threat posed by the invading Iwi-ki assault force.


(Taum): And that’s everything we know, sir. Honestly.


The Defence Watch captain leans back in his chair after taking this all in and strokes his 3 long chin spikes with his dark green clawed fingers. He didn’t interrupt the trio at all as they gave their testimonies on the ape soldiers, only chiming in to clarify certain details. Now, he seems to be processing it all, thinking of what the implications are and how he should proceed. After a few moments of deep thought, he gets up out of his chair.


(Cpt. Gairi): Reports from the field corroborate your story, and it’s highly unlikely such a diverse group of escapees could conjure up the same story with exact details so easily as some kind of alibi. I fully believe you, former junior apprentice.

(Taum): I’m sorry sir, “former”?

(Cpt. Gairi): Afraid so. By military law, without your sister to act as your sponsor for membership in the City Scouts, you’ve been officially discharged from service and won’t be able to sign on again until a few more years when you’ve developed proper wings.


Compared to when he came to after being knocked out by Primatus Joa and went through the eastern business district, the current look on Taum’s tan and brown-striped face now shows disappointment and sadness beyond compare. However, true to Pianoto’s words, he doesn’t let out any tears and simply hangs his head in shame. Captain Gairi takes notice of this and comes around the table; he puts a hand on the Draconi youngling’s shoulder in reassurance.


(Cpt. Gairi): Don’t be so hard on yourself, Taum. You went above and beyond the call of duty, bringing everyone back safely and warning the Defence Watch about an imminent attack by the enemy. Already, we’ve begun preparing defences and setting up positions to meet these Iwi-ki while also evacuating civilians from potential collateral damage zones.


Taum looks up at the captain who gives him a short pat on the back before then heading towards the interrogation room door; he opens it up.


(Cpt. Gairi): We’ve gotten all we need. You 3 are free to go. My personnel will escort you and the other civilians out into the city.

(Skrill): Hot Lavasioth slide, I’m out!


The elderly Radent smuggler is quick to hop off of his chair and scurry out of the interrogation room. Yun-Tao is the next to go; she slowly gets up and heads through the door. She takes a look back at Taum briefly before then stepping out. The youngling Draconi sighs and gets up to walk out, but he’s stopped by Captain Gairi putting his hand on his shoulder once more.


(Cpt. Gairi): Just to let you know, I’ve managed to get the City Scouts to reimburse your losses in light of your dismissal. You’ll be given the entirety of what would’ve been your salary for the year as a lump sum, plus a large bonus thanks to your exemplary service and initiative.

(Taum): Thank you, sir. I’ll try and make the best of it.

(Cpt. Gairi): Best I could do. You’re young and skilled. I’m sure you’ll find a new calling with that little nest egg. Happy trails, youngling.


Captain Gairi releases his hand from Taum’s shoulder and allows him to continue on.

A Defence Watch knight comes by and escorts the former City Scout apprentice across the training courtyard towards the front entrance. Once the 2 of them reach the open doors, the knight hands him an enveloped notice addressed to the bank, no doubt for the reimbursement deal struck with the City Scouts. As Taum walks out through the gate, a patrol marches in past him; he takes one more saddened look at them before turning around and walking off into the eastern business district.

Before he can simmer in his sense of lost purpose and inadequacy, Taum hears some shouting in the distance. This gets him to perk his head up and turn slightly towards the right. The formerly sad-eyed Draconi youngling sees that Yun-Tao is shouting to him from the corner of one of the brick business buildings a few blocks away. Strangely enough, while she waves to Taum with her left hand, her right hand is holding up Skrill by his hood above the ground; his scowling expression and crossed arms thoroughly shows how unamused he is at this predicament.

The Draconi who recently lost his main purpose in life is quickly snapped out of his depressive stupor by this rather strange sight and hoofs it to the alleyway that his Oxbul ally standing in front of. When he arrives there, he finds that her, Skrill, and the rest of her surviving horde members have gathered there for reasons unknown. This is a shock to Taum, but an oddly pleasant one against all common sense given what people say about being in a dark alley with a gang of Oxbuls.


(Taum): Yun-Tao, what’s going on?

(Yun-Tao): I gathered up the rest of my horde to discuss our next move.

(Taum): But why call me over?

(Yun-Tao): Don’t you remember? I vowed revenge on that big ape, and you promised we’d work together to do so.

(Taum): Oh yeah…. Well, what did you have in mind—


One of the Steel Crushers members throws Taum a basic weapon compact; he only barely reacts in time to catch it in his hands. He isn’t so lucky the second time when a Slinger is thrown to him; he’s downright unlucky when the horde throws a bunch of other miscellaneous expedition items at him and cause him to fall down on the ground. Taum is left groaning from the weight of all this equipment having knocked him on his ass.

Yun-Tao walks over to him and plops him back up on his feet.


(Yun-Tao): That’s all your gear for when we head out.

(Taum): Head out? What do you mean?

(Yun-Tao): The 3 of us are gonna go track down that hoof-slobber and take him out. Simple as that.

(Taum): Okay, 2 things. First, just the 2 of us alone taking on what amounts to a small army? And second, 3 of us? As in Skrill as well?

(Skrill): I’m not doing this outta the goodness of my heart, if that’s what you’re thinking. I wouldn’t have even agreed if it didn’t turn out some of these big oafs weren’t previous business partners who’d rat me out if I didn’t join you 2.

(Yun-Tao): Don’t worry, Skrill will be our scout. He knows how to lay low, and he’ll recon those Iwi-ki so that we can safely kill him.

(Taum): Just like that? Are you absolutely sure?

(Yun-Tao): You don’t have anything better to do, so are you with me, or are you gonna break an Oxbul promise?

(Taum): Alright, alright, fine. We’ll do it your way first. But if we run into complications that make your way unfeasible, we follow my lead, got it?

(Yun-Tao): Deal.


The 2 unlikely companions shake hands to seal their deal. The Draconi youngling sets out on organizing all of his scattered gear and squaring it away either in his old backpack or on his Leather armour set’s equipment slots. Meanwhile, Yun-Tao sets down the old greying Radent smuggler onto the ground and starts packing up some of her things, in particular a large Greatsword that is none other than the classic, if a bit low level, Giant Jawblade.

While the forge-wife squares away some pouch items and straps her Greatsword to her back, Skrill goes up to her leg and gives her a strong kick to her shin. However, her impressive size, bone density, and developed musculature means she barely even feels the kick. She then returns the favour with a lazy back-kick, sending the old man right into the opposite wall and knocking the wind out of him; her and her fellow brothers and sisters in forge have a good little chuckle at his expense.

One of the horde members helps Skrill back up to his feet and hands him his backpack and a carving knife; he quickly takes them and puts them on his person with a bit of a scowl. Soon enough, the 3 of them are fully packed, equipped, and ready to go.


(Taum): Alright then. The Iwi-ki were heading to the eastern gate like we were, so we should head there first if we’re gonna track that man down.

(Yun-Tao): Sounds like a plan, Taum.

(Skrill): Alright, let’s kill this idiot so that I can find a bed and sleep off all these damn hits.


Yun-Tao’s remaining horde members wave their goodbyes to their comrade and family member as the most unlikely trio heads down the road together; they slink back into the alley and head for safety while Skrill, Yun-Tao, and Taum run ahead. Before the 3 of them can even make it a few blocks, the sounds of sudden explosions and gunfire in the distance catch their attention; they all look to each other. Taum and Yun-Tao nod to each other and show no hesitation in heading straight towards the danger; Skrill sighs and runs after them, clearly not as up for a fight as they are.

The 3 unlikely allies and companions rush down the empty streets of the eastern business district, making haste toward the gate where the invading Iwi-ki have almost certainly appeared at now. As they run down the road, they’re joined by members of the Defence Watch flying overhead and riding in Herbivore-driven carts and on tamed raptorial Bird Wyverns.

One of the flying Draconi knights swoops down low and flies directly in front of Taum, Skrill, and Yun-Tao.


(Cpt. Gairi): Already heading into the fire, are we?

(Taum): You know it, sir! We’re aiming to cut the head of this invasion!

(Cpt. Gairi): Roger that! We pull through this, and I’ll try and fast-track your reinstitution into the City Scouts! Good luck to you all!

(Taum): And to you as well, captain!


Captain Gairi Fire-clan Pyrestar ascends and flies on ahead.

Meanwhile, the dastardly trio continues running to join the fight. In the distance, the eastern market district can be seen and is coming closer into view as Taum and his comrades make their way up the road. As expected, it looks to be a full-scale warzone as Iwi-ki soldiers engage the Defence Watch in battle. Despite the preparations made by the self-defence force in light of the intel provided by the survivors of the ape army’s imprisonment, the Iwi-ki are still hitting the Defence Watch hard and slowly advancing forward.

Taum, Skrill, and Yun-Tao soon join the fray at the very edges of the market district, sliding into cover behind some ruined shop stalls. The 3 of them ready up their ranged weaponry while huddled up behind cover; the sounds of numerous firefights taking place simultaneously across the district ring loudly around them.


(Taum): This is it.


Taum undoes the safety on his compact, Yun-Tao reloads her caster and chambers it, and Skrill checks the sights on his compact.


(Taum): Ready?

(Yun-Tao): Ready!

(Skrill): Not at all, but I have no choice, now!