Dogs of War: Prologue: The Rally

It was twilight over Havez city.

Streaming through the streets, past the towering skeletons of girders that were slowly developing into new and majestic buildings, thousands of people moved towards the new Liberty Square. Not long ago they had been repressed, put down, treated as filth; now a new energy was in the air. They now had the power to guide and make their own destiny. Each figure in the streets, ignoring the drizzle, gave off an atmosphere of excitement and self-determination.

Moving along with the crowd was one such figure. Jaik Havel—not so long ago, just another dark-haired human statistic existing for the sole purpose of the glory of some empire. Now, he, like everyone else, had just realised that they were free. They could do what they wanted. And he had heard that former resistance leader Redharn was making himself leader, and was giving a speech in Liberty Square. He had come along to watch—out of curiosity. Everyone was talking about how charismatic and clever Redharn was, so how about seeing for himself?

Havel filed into Liberty Square, a large concrete expanse in front of a large citadel. Thousands of people were assembled into neat rows; many were in jackbooted leather uniforms; some carried standards or flagpoles. Banners with skull insignias were draped over the buildings overlooking the square. Probably best to fit in with the crowd, he thought, joining one of the lines. Hubbub and chatter buzzed around him. Searchlights lit up the darkened sky above them, dancing around on the clouds like ghosts.

Then suddenly the searchlights moved down to a large stone podium towering at one end of the square. There were gasps and hushes, and then quiet, as a uniformed figure moved to take his place at the microphones at the top of the people. His face flickered onto large plasma screens on the wall behind him—aged looking, but still determined, like a chiselled veteran soldier. A rippling cheer went up through the massed ranks. Havel cheered with them. No use in not fitting in with the crowd.

Redharn gestured for silence with a gloved hand. Then, he spoke.

“My people. My brothers.” His gravelly, authoritative voice boomed out of speakers placed around the square, drowning out all other sounds. “Today is a historic day for all—for us, for the galaxy, for the universe. For years we have been but dirt on the shoes of those who would oppress. For years we toiled, we were humiliated, and for none!

But that age is no more! Through our strength, through blood and toil, we persevered! We proved our strength, our brotherhood, our place of destiny! Our years of slavery were a test by the powers that be, a test of our worthiness! And we did more than pass! We proved that we can be the powers that be! We proved that we are worthy of deciding our destiny—the destiny of all creation!”

The crowd cheered—a cheer that drowned out even Redharn’s voice. Havel cheered—almost genuinely, this time. He could hear nothing but the sound of Redharn and the sound of the crowd. So he emptied his heads, and let the words flow through his mind.

“Across the galaxy, there are those like us—except that they lack purpose, they lack destiny! It is our destiny—our right—to provide purpose to those who lack it! The galaxy needs strength, it needs leadership, purpose—and we are the ones who will provide it! That is our purpose! THAT IS OUR DESTINY!”

Another cheer, louder than ever, from the crowd. Redharn began to speak louder and more emotively. Havel let the words flow through his mind. Yes, he was right. That was his destiny.

“We have proved our strength! We will sweep through the galaxy, and nobody will stand in our way! You will all be the fist of our brotherhood, the strength of my arm, the bringers of my vision! Will we conquer all! Yes, we can! Will we achieve victory? YES, WE WILL! That is our destiny! That is what we embrace! Our victory is inevitable, planned out! And we will hail to hit! Hail victory! Hail destiny!”

HAIL! Boomed the crowd. HAIL VICTORY! HAIL DESTINY! Gradually, they began to chant. Havel felt energized. He felt powerful. Passion surged from his heart as he suddenly found himself chanting with them. Gods help me, he thought. HAIL!

HAIL!

HAIL!