Thu, Jan 9, 5:05 PM CST

The White Raven, Chapter 37, Rescue

Writers Science Fiction posted on Apr 18, 2015
Open full image in new tab Zoom on image
Close

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.


Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description


*****Audio File***** "Chapter 37 - Rescue - Rescue" *WARNING* This Chapter is very Raven like and should not be read or listened to by anyone. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. [The White Raven, Chapter 37, Rescue] [House Eagle, Eagle Province, Planet Darai] “You lied to us,” screams Peli. “I didn’t lie,” says Lord Struthio. “I just didn’t tell you.” “That’s the same as a lie,” shouts Clap, holding the weeping Gini. “You used us, and the orphans,” shouts Vas, his eyes growing dangerous and his hand hovering over the Talon dagger at his side. “It’s not as bad as you think,” says Lord Struthio. “I have the fertility reports.” Mergan throws the stack of paper at Lord Struthio. “Calm down, Doctor,” says Lord Struthio. Vas loses his temper and draws the Talon dagger from his side. “I should cut your throat, you low-life scum.” “Put your dagger away,” orders Raen coming through the door of the theater. Raen had liked the theater so much he had moved his office to his box seat on the second floor. With the benches moved aside the theater main floor gave more room for the growing number of business owners and House dignitaries coming to Eagle Province to wait for a meeting with Raen. The box seat was modified with removable walls to give privacy, and was more comfortable than the office over the Eagle Mercantile had been. The owner of the Eagle Mercantile had been happy to get his office back. “Raen, we’ve been used,” shouts Clap. “Nothing new there,” replies Raen approaching the group. “Welcome back Doctor, I assume this has something to do with your trip to Struthio Province.” Raen holds his hand out to Lord Struthio. “Greetings, my friend. So, what is this trouble all about, and why does General Vas want to skin you alive?” “We’re infertile,” shouts Peli. “You’re not infertile,” says Lord Struthio. “There hasn’t been an egg hatched on the Struthio Continent in twelve years,” says Mergan. “He just wanted our orphans,” shouts Vas. “That’s why he agreed to run all the Orphan Annexes.” “You don’t own the orphans,” says Lord Struthio. “First thing first,” says Raen. “Doctor, tell me what you’ve found.” “Only that there hasn’t been any hatchings,” replies Mergan. “I got hold of the fertility reports and then Lord Struthio showed up at the Medical Center and refused to give me the research findings and then we came back here.” “Lord Struthio?” asks Raen. “I will not stand here and explain myself like a school boy,” says Lord Struthio. “I came out of courtesy to speak with you about the situation. I assume you have an office?” “Out of courtesy?” Raen lifts an eyebrow. “So, the gloves come off?” “Don’t be naive, Lord Raen,” says Lord Struthio, the steel beginning to show in his voice. “You willingly signed a treaty agreeing to be a subject House, but I have placed no leash on you and your gilded cage is wide open, enjoy the freedoms I have given you, or return to the Ravens.” Vas turns bright red and Raen has to hold his hand out to restrain the General from attacking. “Will you start levying taxes against us now?” shouts Vas. “Perhaps I should bend a knee to you.” “Don’t act like a petulant child,” scolds Lord Struthio. “There is a simple reality that must be obeyed, and you know full well I don’t require taxes from any House on the Struthio continent. But, everyone is expected to provide for the common good. House Cassoway provides cattle, and independent ranchers and farmers are sworn to provide militia defense, and I provide political protection in the Senate.” “And we provide slaves?” shouts Vas. “Is that why you wanted to run our Orphan Annexes?” “Alright, everyone calm down, we did sign the treaty and it’s not appropriate to demand the ruling Lord to explain his motives,” says Raen. “My lord, we are not questioning you like a school boy, just a few hot tempers because we’ve been consistently raked over the coals by manipulative Houses. Please tell us what you can?” Vas and Lord Struthio glare at each other for an uncomfortably long pause before Lord Struthio speaks. “General Vas has a point,” says Lord Struthio. “I did not tell you my entire plan, and perhaps I should have, but the orphans are not slaves. I would agree to asking the Tarlocks to form an agency independent of any House but empowered to visit and evaluate the health and well-being of every orphan, and to remove an orphan if abuse is discovered.” “I would agree to that,” says Raen. “We have discovered that even the most gentle of us can cross the line.” “I am aware you punished The White Raven for hitting her acolytus,” says Lord Struthio. “Your House gained much respect across the continent for the swift action you took to protect the hatchlings.” “Okay, so can you tell us anything about the fertility rate?” asks Raen. “Shortly after my great-grandfather settled here we began to notice a decline in reproduction, anyone that stays for more than three-months is affected. We have found something, but I assure you, nothing is physically wrong with any of the females. We send couples back to the mainland and within four months they bare an egg.” “Are any eggs produced on Struthio?” asks Raen. “Yes, every fifteen years half the females will produce an egg,” explains Lord Struthio. “We have three more years until the hatcheries are full again.” “I see, and you can’t maintain a population like that,” says Raen. “That’s why you wanted the orphans, you should have just told us, I don’t care where the orphans go, provided it’s a family that will love and care for them.” “Your idea to adopt orphans has never been thought of before, mate” says Lord Struthio. “I saw an opportunity, and yes, I exploited the idea for my own benefit. At first, I thought you were only using the orphans to gain power, which would have been a very normal Daraian thing to do, but by the time I realized you genuinely cared about them, well… it was too embarrassing to admit I didn’t live up to your level of ideology.” “Very well then, a simple misunderstanding,” says Raen, rather pleased with how well he diffused the situation. “Doctor Mergan, are you satisfied?” “I would like to see the research,” says Doctor Mergan. “Cyclic reproduction affecting an entire population is unusual and potentially harmful.” “No, I will not give you the research,” says Lord Struthio. “Our research conclusion is so unbelievable that I would like a completely independent study done so that we can compare the results. I will make all our research facilities available to you, and I would like for you to bring in your own research staff. I’ll pay for it.” “Sounds reasonable,” says Raen. “Doctor Mergan, do you agree?” “I agree,” says Mergan. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting with Master Savage to discuss purchasing some of those fishing boats,” says Lord Struthio. Lord Struthio begins to walk towards the door and stops. “One other thing,” says Lord Struthio without turning around. “General Vas, this evening behind the Eagle Mercantile, no weapons, we need to discuss your remark about me being a low-life scum.” Raen rolls his eyes, so much for diffusing the situation. He should have known Lord Struthio wouldn’t let the insult go, on Struthio such insults were taken seriously. Raen was about to say something when an explosion rocked the building, and then was followed by another explosion. Lord Struthio made it outside first with Raen and the others just a few steps behind him. Someone was sounding the emergency horn, and hatchlings were laying on the ground looking around frantically. Lady Swan was standing in the middle of the street looking up at the sky. Raen looked up, trying to comprehend what he was seeing. An aircraft was descending erratically, it’s entire tail section missing and smoke trailed behind the doomed plane. “Lady Swan, is that one of yours?” shouts Raen. “Dartarion was leaving early to prepare our accommodations at House Struthio,” cries Lady Swan falling to her knees and weeping. “It’s going to crash in the ocean,” shouts Clap. Raen runs to the edge of the cliff and watches the burning aircraft falling, the nose of the plane kept jerking up. The pilot was trying valiantly to save the plane, but probably was not even aware the tail was missing. The plane was going down and there was nothing the pilot would be able to do to stop the disaster. “Gini, get the hatchlings to find anything that floats and have them glide out and drop it to any survivors,” orders Raen. “Clap, get over to the Grackle Vid-Station and call Master Savage, I want his entire fishing fleet up here. Vas, Cargo Ships can float, go get our extra one and get down in the water. Mergan, take your hospital ship down to the beach and get ready for the injured.” “I’ll go with General Vas,” says Lord Struthio. “I might be the only Daraian that knows how to swim.” Raen spread his wings and leaped off the cliff. The aircraft only had seconds left before it would hit the water. Raen watched as the pilot tried to pull the nose up before hitting the waves. The left wing dipped into the water first and Raen thought perhaps the plane would be okay and skid to a safe stop, but then the left engine hit the water and the wing broke apart. The nose section hit next and broke off and disappeared under the plane as it flipped over and somersaulted into the air. The right wing snapped off and the right engine was thrown over the main body of the plane. An explosion flared bright and the plane began disintegrating, twisted metal and bodies were thrown from the plane. The main body of the plane came to rest upside down and floated among the wreckage. Raen reached the plane and landed on the belly of the fuselage and slid down the side to stand on the remains of the wing that formed a small ledge, he could see inside one of the windows, people were still struggling desperately inside. A door was in front of Raen, but unless someone opened it from inside, the door would be useless. Raen beat on the window and pointed at the door. The people inside were too panicked to respond and open the wing exit door. Raen leaped off the ledge and flew around to the jagged hole where the tail had been. There was no place to land, and water was pouring inside the plane. Raen could see the people, but he couldn’t land, his wings were permanently attached bio-mechanical wings, he couldn’t discard them. If he went into the water to try to save anyone, his wings would water-log and pull him down. All the people had to do was come to the opening, but Daraians can’t swim - it was panic inside. There was nothing Raen could do to help them, they would drown; the most horrible imaginable death for a Daraian. Raen beat his wings and flew away from the people inside the plane, their fate was already sealed, he would have to concentrate on those that had been thrown from the plane. But how to get them out of the water? He saw a man flailing his arms wildly to stay afloat - a rope, Raen needed a rope, but the man wouldn’t last long enough for Raen to fly back to the cliffs to get one. “Of course, my Talon dagger belt.” Raen pulled his belt off and threw the dagger away, he could always get another. He buckled the belt into a loop and holding it below him swooped down in a glide to the survivor. The man saw the offered rescue and grabbed the belt. Raen beat his wings hard, but the man was too heavy even for Raen’s powerful wings to lift the survivor from the water. Raen pulled the man to a piece of debris floating nearby and the man let go and grabbed for the debris. Raen continued pulling survivors to floating debris, his back on fire from the exertion. Even bio-mechanical wings were primarily intended for gliding. The occasional beating of the wings were only meant to provide lift and thrust, not for the abuse he was putting them under now. Something dropped into the water near him, a small water barrel - the hatchlings had arrived and were dropping empty water barrels near survivors. Raen continued pulling the survivors to the debris and floating water barrels. He lost one woman too weak from injuries to hold on, and she slipped beneath the waves. Raen nearly went under the water himself trying to grab her. By the fifteenth person Raen had pulled to safety he was too exhausted to continue. A fishing vessel arrived and Raen landed on the deck and collapsed. The Demonians were jumping into the water and swimming out to retrieve survivors. The Demonians, with their cloven-hoofed legs might not look like they would be good swimmers but were in fact oddly graceful in the water. Raen caught his breath and helped pull survivors aboard the fishing boat. The boat moved around the plane searching for more survivors. Raen saw Lord Struthio in the water pulling someone behind him towards the Cargo Ship. Raen had been so busy pulling survivors he hadn’t seen the Cargo Ship arrive. Clap was also in the water pulling a survivor towards the Cargo Ship - when had Clap learned to swim? The Grackle News Ship arrived and hovered for a moment above the wreckage, and then landed in the water and started helping with the rescue, though they did take the time to deploy three automated hover cameras to record the rescue efforts. More fishing boats arrived and the boat Raen was on headed towards the shore. Mergan was already receiving the injured. Raen helped carry the injured from his boat to the hospital ship. Mergan grabbed Raen’s arm and whispered, “Come with me.” Raen followed Mergan to a treatment room at the end of the corridor. Mergan pulled Raen into the room and shut the door behind her. Dartarion was sitting on the treatment table holding a bandage over his head. “Lady Swan will be happy you survived,” says Raen. "He swam to shore on his own," says Mergan. "He was the first one here, nobody has seen him." "If you can swim, why didn't you help the others?" asks Raen. “That's not important," says Dartarion. "What is important is that you can’t tell anyone that I’m alive,” says Dartarion. “Why?” asks Raen growing angry at Dartarion's callous disregard for his own people. “Everyone on Darai will be glad you made it.” “You don’t understand,” says Dartarion. “My time is done, if you turn me over to Lady Swan this will happen again. This is how it’s done, it’s Calistian’s turn.” “What are you talking about?” asks Raen. “It was a bomb, I didn’t find it, so my time is over,” says Dartarion. “Calistian will be the new Star of Darai now.” “Who set the bomb?” asks Raen getting more confused by the second. “You’re not listening,” says Dartarion. “Calistian set the bomb, now he is the Star.” “How do you know this?” asks Raen. “Do you remember Tallion?” asks Dartarion. “Yes, he died in a train accident,” says Raen. “I was maybe eleven at the time. I remember all the girls crying.” “It wasn’t an accident, Lady Swan gave me the bomb to derail the train,” explains Dartarion. “That’s how it’s done. You can’t tell anyone I’m alive or this will happen again, Lady Swan has as much power as your Lady Raven does. Don’t worry, I have plenty of money, I’ll pay you. Just help me get out, I have a mountain retreat on Raunu where I can live comfortably for the rest of my life.” “Hundreds of people died in that train accident,” says Raen. “And there’s no telling how many died today. Are you saying you killed all those people just to be a Star, and Calistian killed all these people today so he could take your place?” “That’s how it’s done,” says Dartarion. “You’re a Raven, you take contracts to help people in these situations. Just name your price, I’ll pay it.” Raen smiles and nods. “Does twenty million sound good?” “Done, I knew I could trust a Raven,” says Dartarion. Raen walks to the door and pulls it open. “Mergan, make sure nobody finds the body.” “What… wait?” cries Dartarion, his eyes widening in fear. “I’ll pay more, how much do you want… wait… wait… you can’t do this… I’m a Star.” Raen stepped into the corridor and pulled the door closed, sealing Dartarion inside with perhaps the most psychotic sociopath Doctor the Ravens had ever created - Dartarion’s day was not going to end well. Raen would take care of Lady Swan and Calistian personally. Raen left the Medical Ship wondering if he was being an Eagle and serving justice, or a Raven and indulging in vengeance. Either way, they had made him a Prince and it was his right to determine the fate of those in his Province that committed heinous crimes against the people of Darai. ***** [Train Platform, Snow Province, Planet Darai] Moeth stood on a small train platform somewhere on the border of Snow Province and Swift Province. The crowd pressed in around her and watched the Vid-Screen mounted on the outside wall of the Ticket Booth. “We take you live to a developing disaster in Eagle Province,” says the News Anchor commenting on the breaking news. The scene cut away from the News Anchor to a shaky video of an aircraft descending rapidly, the cameraman was obviously running towards the Eagle Cliffs. The cameraman tried to follow the burning aircraft with the camera as he ran - the entire tail section of the aircraft was missing. The cameraman made it to the cliff in time to catch the aircraft hit the water and disintegrate. The camera swung around to someone flying towards the crash. “Do we know who that is?” asks the News Anchor as the screen splits to show both the News Anchor and the person flying towards the crash. “Do we have audio, get me audio now, I need audio.” “This is Reporter Kena,” says a voice panting heavily. As usual, the cameraman was in far better shape than his reporter and had easily out-distanced him on the sprint towards the cliff. “Kena, do we know who that is?” asks the main Grackle Anchor. Moeth already knew who it was. “That is Lord Raen himself, the Heart of Darai,” replies Reporter Kena. “The only aircraft scheduled to depart this morning was a Swan aircraft… wait… I’m being told now it was Dartarion’s plane.” The camera zoomed in on Raen desperately pounding on the exit door of the aircraft. “It appears that Lord Raen is attempting to get the door of the aircraft open,” says Kena. “He’s pointing at something inside the aircraft… Oh Goddess, there must be survivors trapped inside.” “Kena, our expert in the studio is telling me that those doors cannot be opened from the outside,” says the Grackle Anchor. Moeth watched and knew the survivors inside the plane were doomed, Raen would arrive at that conclusion himself soon. Moeth pressed against the man next to her in the crowd and lifted his ticket from the pocket of his coat. She had been careful to leave no trail behind that she had left Eagle Province. The camera swung around and zoomed out to show scores of hatchlings in the air flying towards the plane. “What are we seeing now?” asks the Grackle Anchor. “Those are the Eagle Hatchlings,” replies Kena. “They appear to be dropping something to the survivors in the water, perhaps some type of flotation device.” Moeth’s heart swells with pride for her children. The reporters continue to comment and speculate wildly on what had caused the crash - everything from terrorist Ravens to an invasion of Hawk radicals. The scene cut to the inside of a ship, the camera was pointed a door hatch - a Grackle Reporter was outside the ship in the water, hanging on to the ship with one hand and pulling survivors in with the other. Another reporter crawled in front of the camera. “This is Eagle News Ship One,” says the reporter. “We have landed on the ocean and Reporter Brackae is outside in the water assisting survivors.” “Good Goddess, you will receive the Feather of Heroism for this,” says the Grackle Anchor. “Have you seen any sea monsters yet?” “We have not seen any yet,” replies the reporter. “But no doubt they are near and we are in great danger, we are working as fast as possible to rescue survivors before the monsters attack.” Moeth rolls her eyes, the only thing those reporters are in danger of is a mild sun tan. “May the Goddess be with you great heroes,” says the Anchor. The commentary continues for another hour, and the crowd around Moeth grows. The news cuts back to Kena now standing in front of a Medical Ship at the base of the cliffs. Moeth is mildly curious how he got to the bottom of the cliff, he would have had to run nearly five miles to get to the nearest path down to the shore, and she doubted he did that. “It has been an hour since the last survivor was pulled from the ocean,” says Kena, tears in his eyes. “I am told there are no further survivors. Twenty-seven of the fifty-three passengers were rescued.” “Kena,” says the Anchor, tears starting to form in his eyes. “All of Darai is waiting to know.” “It is my most profound sadness to report…” Kena’s voice breaks and he turns away for a moment.” Moeth raises a brow at the touching scene the Grackles are creating. House Swan couldn’t have put on a better performance. “I… I must report that Dartarion is not among the survivors,” says Kena. “We believe now that Dartarion has been lost at sea.” Every female in the crowd around Moeth collapses and a wailing rises. “This is a dark day for all Daraians, may our beloved son rest now with the ancestors,” says the News Anchor bowing his head. The Daraian National Anthem begins to play softly in the background.

Comments (15)


)

eekdog

10:40PM | Sat, 18 April 2015

just down right gripping! you sure know how to thrill your viewers. / Steve

)

giulband

11:03PM | Sat, 18 April 2015

Effectively an image of great effect !!!

)

bobrgallegos

11:54PM | Sat, 18 April 2015

Chapter 37 just pulled me right in and kept me captive until I was done reading it!! Great writing!!

)

UteBigSmile

1:41AM | Sun, 19 April 2015

Marvelous looking image as always (sorry for not reading always, but I bet that your storys are fantastic ones)!

Wolfenshire Online Now!

9:39AM | Sun, 19 April 2015

That's okay, I have the stories for those that read and the art for those that don't. Always something for everyone.

)

Windigo

2:11AM | Sun, 19 April 2015

A few swans are going to get their feathers plucked, me thinks! Lady Swan and the new 'star' should be introduced to the chair that so many Ravens have endured and with no mercy. But Raen, unlike me, will probably take care of them quickly! Wonderful art and story!

)

miwi

4:45AM | Sun, 19 April 2015

You made my sunday,excellent done as always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

)

ontar1

5:49AM | Sun, 19 April 2015

Wow, what a way to get rid of aging stars, unfortunately it seems many others die with them, fantastic chapter!

)

GrandmaT

10:45AM | Sun, 19 April 2015

Well Done! I'm sure Mergan will figure out what is happening with the fertility problems. House Swan is about to meet its match in Lord Raen.

)

netsuke

4:19PM | Sun, 19 April 2015

Go get um Raen!!!!!!

)

Cyve

4:45PM | Sun, 19 April 2015

Wonderful scene and composition... Outstandingly done once again my friend !!!

)

rhol_figament

9:46PM | Sun, 19 April 2015

Luv this image Wolf, just the right amount of detail showing a moment of reflection... :) 'May our beloved son rest now with the ancestors...'

)

renecyberdoc

3:17AM | Mon, 20 April 2015

intriguing indeed.i get back to my research lab and play with the replicants muahahahahaha

)

Radar_rad-dude

10:38AM | Tue, 21 April 2015

Magnificent creativity in both mediums. As always, your masterful skills in both areas are on fine display here! Bravo!

)

jendellas

9:30AM | Mon, 27 April 2015

Oh dear that is not good at all, lots of sadness. xx

)

auntietk

9:14PM | Fri, 01 May 2015

Love the manipulation. Your little bit too good at this! LOL! 😜


5 29 0

01
Days
:
06
Hrs
:
54
Mins
:
26
Secs
Premier Release Product
3D Scenery: Rocky Beach
3D Models
Top-Selling Vendor Sale Item
$15.95 USD 40% Off
$9.57 USD

Privacy Notice

This site uses cookies to deliver the best experience. Our own cookies make user accounts and other features possible. Third-party cookies are used to display relevant ads and to analyze how Renderosity is used. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Terms of Service, including our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy.