FortyJ
Deity
You'd think that a trained Jedi would have more control over his hunger pangs... 
<><><><><>
FortyJ couldn't believe his eyes. His new casino had been commandeered by this impotent upstart of an Indian commander, and he could do nothing but play the part of the disenchanted casino operator who had no loyalty to any nation's government, as long as the payoffs kept the soldiers off his back.
Since the Indian officers had occupied much of the hotel portion of the casino, and since their religious beliefs made gambling strictly taboo, the casino's cash flow was severely diminished. Of course, there are ways around that, and FortyJ and his executive staff were more than willing to conduct some discreet gambling sessions for the Indian soldiers, officers and grunts alike. The trick to survival in this dangerous game was in letting the officers win a little more than usual without making it too obvious.
FortyJ approached the Royal Suite, now serving as the Commandant's Quarters and the primary planning room for the Southern Indian forces. The door was open, indicating a meeting was in session (no one dared to even knock when the door was closed...), and was flanked by two Indian spear-wielding soldiers. FortyJ showed his papers to the guard on the right, who returned them almost immediately after a most-cursory inspection. FortyJ had come to expect this lack of security and knew that it would be very helpful when the time to evict these inhospitable guests finally arrived.
Entering the room, he saw the normal cast of characters. What was once the most luxurious suite in the casino, could easily be mistaken for council chambers, nice council chambers, but council chambers nonetheless. Certainly nothing anyone would pay 270g to stay in, that's for sure. Holding back curses and attempting to put on a smile for his guests, FortyJ surveyed the room.
Sitting in the King Eklektikos chair, which had been placed directly opposite the door and behind the long unsightly table that the Indians brought in, was Commandant Boris. He gesticulated wildly, as was his normal behavior. Flanking him on both sides were his Captains and Lieutenants, occasionally flinching as each of Boris' arms flailed nearer to them with each gesture. FortyJ had to hold back a chuckle as the thought of Boris accidentally knocking over one of his Captains crept into his mind.
Elsewhere in the room, he saw the usual staff of Indian manservants, scurrying about filling goblets and clearing platters from the table. These so-called staff meetings had degenerated into all-you-can-eat buffets and the chaos that resulted from such events have proven to be invaluable in assisting the resistance in gathering information.
"Come in master Dax", bellowed Commandant Boris. FortyJ had been using this name as a cover to further distance himself from his true identity during the occupation of the city. Since the real Gregory Dax had been sent out of the city immediately after the invasion, it was a reasobly safe name to use. The room grew quiet, and Boris continued, "I was wondering if you could arrange something for me....."
Boris left it hanging for what seemed like an eternity. FortyJ had expected this. It was Boris' way of trying to be clever. FortyJ played along, looking nervously from officer to officer, waiting for the inevitable "Ha! Do not trouble yourself good Dax." Boris chortled. "My request is most benign, I assure you. Morale is quite low since your former countrymen have secured alliances with our neighbors against us. We need something to inspire our troops. Prepare a show detailing the glorious history of the noble and persecuted Indian people."
Persecuted? FortyJ briefly considered showing this commander what real persecution was, but thought better of it. The day of reckoning was coming soon, and he knew it. "At once, Commandant. Will this weekend be soon enough?" He knew the game, and he would play along perfectly, irritating Boris at every move.
*******
The dice bounced up off the wall, coming to rest in the shadows of the deserted street corner, narrowly missing a rather putrid puddle of old rainwater nearby. Instantly the air rang with the muffled cheers and groans from the various Indian soldiers playing todays pickup craps game.
Gonzo settled the accounts. as he did after each round in the streets (too much risk to allow players a tab in an underground gambling game), and gathered the dice. A few of the luckier soldiers insisted that he continue with another round, but he had already remained in this place too long. The higher-ups have turned a blind eye to these games because they remained out of sight. If he were caught, there would be consequences.
He pocketed the dice and thanked all the players for their generous support of the underground gaming industry. Little did they know that their "contributions" would be instrumental in their eventual demise. He turned towards the casino to deposit his winnings (it's never a good idea to be caught roaming the streets with this much gold on your person - a straight-arrow soldier could undo in minutes what he had worked hours to accomplish), but realized that he was only a few minutes from the pub where his new wife had been working since they snuck back into the city. He decided to surprise her.
*******
Apu handed over his losses, confirming his belief that the only good luck you get is the kind you manufacture yourself. Three straight weeks now of patrol duty thanks to his little stretch of good luck. The other day, his squad leader almost insisted on mixing in a few days of KP or something else to hide their arrangement from suspicious eyes, but Apu would have none of that. He knew that his time in the lowly ranks of the military was coming to an end and would not let his sergeant's paranoia ruin it.
Apu glared at Gonzo for a long moment. When he realized that Gonzo had taken notice, he simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, oh well. Gonzo was a part of the resistance movement in this city and Apu knew it. Better yet, he was convinced that the entire casino staff was involved and Gonzo would be his key to blowing the whole organization wide open - his ticket to getting out of elephant duty forever.
Standing in the shadows, Apu watched as the other soldiers went their seperate ways and Gonzo started off on his own. Once Gonzo had left his view, he quickly pulled his tunic out of his sack and slipped it over his head and arms, covering his banded armor. Pulling the rope tight around his waist and making a mental note to return for his spear before the end of his shift, he stepped out of the shadows and began his clandestine surveillance of Gonzo, member of the Fanatikan Underground.
to be continued...
<><><><><>
FortyJ couldn't believe his eyes. His new casino had been commandeered by this impotent upstart of an Indian commander, and he could do nothing but play the part of the disenchanted casino operator who had no loyalty to any nation's government, as long as the payoffs kept the soldiers off his back.
Since the Indian officers had occupied much of the hotel portion of the casino, and since their religious beliefs made gambling strictly taboo, the casino's cash flow was severely diminished. Of course, there are ways around that, and FortyJ and his executive staff were more than willing to conduct some discreet gambling sessions for the Indian soldiers, officers and grunts alike. The trick to survival in this dangerous game was in letting the officers win a little more than usual without making it too obvious.
FortyJ approached the Royal Suite, now serving as the Commandant's Quarters and the primary planning room for the Southern Indian forces. The door was open, indicating a meeting was in session (no one dared to even knock when the door was closed...), and was flanked by two Indian spear-wielding soldiers. FortyJ showed his papers to the guard on the right, who returned them almost immediately after a most-cursory inspection. FortyJ had come to expect this lack of security and knew that it would be very helpful when the time to evict these inhospitable guests finally arrived.
Entering the room, he saw the normal cast of characters. What was once the most luxurious suite in the casino, could easily be mistaken for council chambers, nice council chambers, but council chambers nonetheless. Certainly nothing anyone would pay 270g to stay in, that's for sure. Holding back curses and attempting to put on a smile for his guests, FortyJ surveyed the room.
Sitting in the King Eklektikos chair, which had been placed directly opposite the door and behind the long unsightly table that the Indians brought in, was Commandant Boris. He gesticulated wildly, as was his normal behavior. Flanking him on both sides were his Captains and Lieutenants, occasionally flinching as each of Boris' arms flailed nearer to them with each gesture. FortyJ had to hold back a chuckle as the thought of Boris accidentally knocking over one of his Captains crept into his mind.
Elsewhere in the room, he saw the usual staff of Indian manservants, scurrying about filling goblets and clearing platters from the table. These so-called staff meetings had degenerated into all-you-can-eat buffets and the chaos that resulted from such events have proven to be invaluable in assisting the resistance in gathering information.
"Come in master Dax", bellowed Commandant Boris. FortyJ had been using this name as a cover to further distance himself from his true identity during the occupation of the city. Since the real Gregory Dax had been sent out of the city immediately after the invasion, it was a reasobly safe name to use. The room grew quiet, and Boris continued, "I was wondering if you could arrange something for me....."
Boris left it hanging for what seemed like an eternity. FortyJ had expected this. It was Boris' way of trying to be clever. FortyJ played along, looking nervously from officer to officer, waiting for the inevitable "Ha! Do not trouble yourself good Dax." Boris chortled. "My request is most benign, I assure you. Morale is quite low since your former countrymen have secured alliances with our neighbors against us. We need something to inspire our troops. Prepare a show detailing the glorious history of the noble and persecuted Indian people."
Persecuted? FortyJ briefly considered showing this commander what real persecution was, but thought better of it. The day of reckoning was coming soon, and he knew it. "At once, Commandant. Will this weekend be soon enough?" He knew the game, and he would play along perfectly, irritating Boris at every move.
*******
The dice bounced up off the wall, coming to rest in the shadows of the deserted street corner, narrowly missing a rather putrid puddle of old rainwater nearby. Instantly the air rang with the muffled cheers and groans from the various Indian soldiers playing todays pickup craps game.
Gonzo settled the accounts. as he did after each round in the streets (too much risk to allow players a tab in an underground gambling game), and gathered the dice. A few of the luckier soldiers insisted that he continue with another round, but he had already remained in this place too long. The higher-ups have turned a blind eye to these games because they remained out of sight. If he were caught, there would be consequences.
He pocketed the dice and thanked all the players for their generous support of the underground gaming industry. Little did they know that their "contributions" would be instrumental in their eventual demise. He turned towards the casino to deposit his winnings (it's never a good idea to be caught roaming the streets with this much gold on your person - a straight-arrow soldier could undo in minutes what he had worked hours to accomplish), but realized that he was only a few minutes from the pub where his new wife had been working since they snuck back into the city. He decided to surprise her.
*******
Apu handed over his losses, confirming his belief that the only good luck you get is the kind you manufacture yourself. Three straight weeks now of patrol duty thanks to his little stretch of good luck. The other day, his squad leader almost insisted on mixing in a few days of KP or something else to hide their arrangement from suspicious eyes, but Apu would have none of that. He knew that his time in the lowly ranks of the military was coming to an end and would not let his sergeant's paranoia ruin it.
Apu glared at Gonzo for a long moment. When he realized that Gonzo had taken notice, he simply smiled and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, oh well. Gonzo was a part of the resistance movement in this city and Apu knew it. Better yet, he was convinced that the entire casino staff was involved and Gonzo would be his key to blowing the whole organization wide open - his ticket to getting out of elephant duty forever.
Standing in the shadows, Apu watched as the other soldiers went their seperate ways and Gonzo started off on his own. Once Gonzo had left his view, he quickly pulled his tunic out of his sack and slipped it over his head and arms, covering his banded armor. Pulling the rope tight around his waist and making a mental note to return for his spear before the end of his shift, he stepped out of the shadows and began his clandestine surveillance of Gonzo, member of the Fanatikan Underground.
to be continued...
