Drabbles and Dreams

[Centergg]

A\N. This is a scary dream I had after watching one and a half episode of Madoka Magica, after which i can not make myself watch the rest or anything linked to it.

It was an ordinary summer morning. I was on my way to work, dozing in the train carriage. It looks like we've reached the next stop, because the noise has stopped. Dust motes danced in the warm sunlight. Strangely, I couldn't feel the movement of people around me through my slumber. Did I suddenly oversleep my stop and end up at the depot? Again.

With a great effort of will, I opened my eyes and looked around anxiously. At first, I didn't understand what exactly I was seeing. It took me a moment to realize that the specks of dust were not moving. I was just suddenly mesmerized by their golden beauty. The fact that the front of the wagon looked like a special effect from the Matrix - like an explosion frozen in time, huge razor-sharp metal sheets twisted like the petals of a blooming giant flower - did not deserve my attention at all.

"...you will become a magical girl and you will be able to save them all!" – someone's cheerful voice continued to convince the eight-year-old girl sitting on the bench to my left in the carriage. I remembered how she and her mom sat next to me before I dozed off.

"Really? Really, really?" she asked.

I continued to watch the shimmering gold dust with fascination. At the very edge of my field of vision, to the left of me, I could barely see a strange, moving white spot.

"All you need to do is to sign a contract with me," the white spot continued convincing the girl.

A vague doubt arose in my heart and quickly blossomed into a real horror. I knew what was going on right now. I saw it in a dream. In one of those dreams that show me the future, but forgot about. Until now. I was not someone like Dresden, I was not a real wizard, no one took me as an Apprentice, but the Power, inherited from many generations of my ancestors, bubbled in my blood. And here, now, in this magically distorted place, I could do a lot more than usual.

This Power allowed me to turn my head slightly and look at the little white creature. I felt the blood of the millions crying out for revenge from the shadow, spreading from his paws. They shouted to me in disembodied voices about the true nature of this creature. About the Price that is taken for the fulfillment of the Wishes. The vengeful voices of millions of dead magical girls told me what Kyubey is really doing, what his Operators want, why and how exactly they do it.

My horror continued to grow far beyond what I thought I could feel.

The girl started talking at the same time as me.

"I agree," she said.

"I remembered everything," I said.

I said the next words at the same time as Kyubey. I didn't listen to what he said. I was just screaming internally. But I whispered out loud: "God help me!" because in this situation I could only hope for His help.

White light flooded everything around, time slowed down even more and in the light of the poor girl's annihilating body, I saw a flickering black dot of microportal.

Kyubey rushed towards it, and my left hand shot forward, trying to grab his tail. I do not know what motivated me. It seemed to me that he stopped, at least he turned his head and looked at me. But I couldn't say that I had managed to catch him. Everything was melting into white light. Only the silhouette of Kyubey, his black eyes and the indescribability of a rapidly expanding portal, shining with impossible colors of magic, remained visible. I was quickly losing the feeling of my body and couldn't feel anything below my neck.

Kyubey raised his paw and was about to do something, I don't know what, but he didn't have time, because from the other side of the portal something ... someone began to watch us. I felt his Gaze. I remember the gleam of his golden armor, I remember the rustle and soft feathers of his six wings, I remember the light of his face. I felt countless hands lifting the three of us and placing us on idea of the floor, in the middle of an immense White Hot Room.

Despair and insane hope blossomed inside my soul, I turned to what was left of the poor girl's body – just a few white sparks. Her soul was visible as a vague silhouette around them. The unfortunate girl does not know that she sold her Soul, her body and all the magical potential not only of herself, but also of all her descendants! All so that Kyubey could gain access to the "Control Panel of the Universe" and cancel Entropy for the race of his Operators for another century or two. Her body will be burned in the process. And replaced with an artificial infertile clone, created by the Operators. Her soul will be torn out of her body and placed in a phylactery. Her magic will be spent fighting Entropy and she will receive the pitiful remnants from the process of annihilation of her own body. The energy costs of fulfilling her Wish and teleporting an artificial body through space and time are negligible for the Operators compared, to their fight against entropy.

I thought about how terrible and unfair it was. That Humanity should not lose kind little girls so that an alien civilization of Kyubey Operators could prolong its existence at such a bloody cost, and I wanted to shout this to an Angel. But he's already read my mind. I felt the soothing touch of His palm. I still could not wholly perceive it completely.

I felt that at the same time, Kyubey was telepathically telling to the angel what he was in the right. About their right to the girl's magic, that they had signed a contract. We were both assured in our righteousness.



Kyubey got the access. He did something that I couldn't see, couldn't perceive, couldn't wrap around with my mind, but I realized that he had postponed entropy for his Civilization for another couple of centuries.

"Can't I do anything about it?", I asked the Angel mentally, "Can't all of this be solved?!" I couldn't express my feelings, my righteous anger, my impotent fury, I couldn't put them into words.

The angel looked at me. And in the next moment, I saw the world around me as if through his Eyes. I raised my six wings. I raised my angelic sword and looked at Kyubey, I saw his true nature and opened a portal through space and time to his City. Sparkling with crystals, metal and magic. I hovered above it and did not feel any strong emotions from it's inhabitants. My Legion hovered behind me. I condemned this City and found no reason to let them live after all they had done. I have unleashed my wrath, the Orbital strikes of the Heavenly Cleansing Flame and the Legion of Angels on this City.

An indefinite time later, in the burning ruins, I has found the Last Operator, who placed his spirit, his phylactery, in the body of another Kyubey clone and whispered in his long ear, raising my fiery sword: "The Cycle must end."



I opened my eyes. The train has reached the next stop, mine will be in two more. The girl who was sitting next to me, was enthusiastically telling her mother something, following her to the exit of the carriage. Everything was fine, there were no strange distortions, or a smell of magic in the air. Everything that happened was just a strange crazy dream, clearly because I didn't sleep enough last night and watched too much anime instead. I folded my six wings more carefully so as not to touch people around me and got more comfortable in my seat.

 

[Centergg]

A/N. Crazy idea born after reading some good Battletech fanfics, while naping on metro.

This story of mine has started typically for such kind of Isekai. A random meeting, a suspicious offer, there was some booze involved. Except I denied what I wish adventure. I said what I was too old and fat for that.

And now I have found myself old and fat and in very different place and time and body.

I am Chancellor Maximillian Liao and I am absolutely screwed. I was doomed from the very the beginning.



Then I regained my conscious for the first time in this world full of suffering, death, petty nobles, endless war and beautiful giant battlemechs, it was onboard of dropship on the way to Terra.

The ships doctors diagnosed me with a stroke and pumped me full of good drugs and some emergency implants, to quickly help me regain fighting conditions. For a fat politician.

I do not know what went wrong, I could not remember circumstances of the Isekai process fully, but I suspected some petty grievances.

Anyway, me and the old Crazy Max was smashed together into a single person and none of the halves was at full 100%. Honestly, not even 50%. I didn`t remember enough to run Successor state from the Liao half. And I was sure what the many campaigns in Stellaris from my 21st​ century-self would not help.

I knew a little about this world. I knew what The Wedding was coming from the Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries playthrough, I knew about coming Clan Invasion from some lore video by Tex about Tukayyid – God that was fun, I played HBS game, but that was almost entirety of my knowledge from 21st​ century.

Chancellor part knew more. And it was horrified at what was coming.

Good thing I was already in medbay, so I was saved from cardiac arrest.

Due to medical concerns, my existential crysis and horrified realisations was seen as consequences of my illness. I was half delirious when we landed on Terra and let my wife to arrange things. The fact what I couldn`t remember her name was a clear sign of my "stroke" and bringed great worry to her and my staff.

But the Duty of the Chancellor can not be evaded. It must be upheld, no matter how ill I was. Our enemies shall not learn about my condition.

The Capellan doctors may have performed miracle behind the closed doors of my terran mansion. I think it`s mine. Eh, the State and Me are interchangeable.

I fully regained my senses and control over my body only when it was Time. I was about to be sat in my limousine to travel to the Wedding of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner.

I stopped and gestured to head of my security to come closer.

"The security of my discussion with my wife shall be ensured", I said to him quietly.

"It shall be done," maskirovka Captain has answered.

I nodded and get into car.

There was many things I could do in the current situation. There was many things I wanted. But after days if delirium and inner crysis one emotion burned brighter than others in my breast.

It was Love. Love to my Country. To Capellan Confederation.

I was Crazy, I know.

But I knew what I couldn`t win through reasonable means. The canonical divide into several countries was the best possible outcome and it was achieved only with Comstar fuc*ry. And even that was agony for decades.

And I wasn`t up to the task in the current state, if I was honest with myself.

The Captain get in the car, when we started moving he engaged some anti-spy tech, filling the salon with white noise and closed window to the driver compartment. My wife became even more nervous and wrung her hands. She tried to say something, but I stopped her by speaking first.

"I shall tell you why this has happened. Why the stroke, why I almost went into cardiac arrest." I held my hand stopping her questions, "When we entered the system, on our way to Terra, I received a critically important information from a source that shall remain undisclosed. My gambit against Hanse Davion has failed and I didn`t received information about it, until it became too late. This… this whole charade, this wedding, is a trap. Their first target, at which both States will strike, will not be Draconis Combine.' She gasped at my words, but I continued, "It will be our beloved Confederation. And I do not need to tell you what we will unable to stop them with the forces we have. Especially, considering what we are here and we will be unable to coordinate the answer efficiently. We…"

She took my left hand fearfully. And I covered hers with my right.

"I have a plan. Desperate one. But it shall work. It will break their momentum. You… you will not leave this limousine when we will arrive to Comstar Cathedral. You will remain in the car and will go to the dropship."

"But!.."

"Promise me," I bring her hands to lips and kissed them, the remnants of Max in me really loved this haughty woman, "Promise me, what you support Candace as my Heir. In this new circumstances, only she can save Confederation." I carefully, tenderly, took both her hands in mine, "Now, allow me to see you, for the last time."

She was smart woman, she got the implication what I did not expected to return form The Wedding alive. We spent the rest of the time until arrival in silence. This tender touch was all I could afford for her. For Max. And their love.



When we arrived, I got out of the car, received a ceremonial vibroblade from the Captain and put it on my belt. The weapon was functional and perhaps the only thing I arranged right, while in delirium.

"The circumstances has changed," I informed the Captain, "My wife will not join us."

I looked around and flinched. How could I forget? Candace was here with us, she has arrived in a different car. No matter, the plan still should work with minimal correction. I looked at my secretary, who quickly joined my side and said, measuring path to the doors of Comstar cathedral.

"Arrange for press when I arrive at the top of the stairs," I said looking at the big stairs. I`ve noticed Coordinator Kurita and Jaime Wolf starting a scene, luck was on my side, "I wish to tell few words. Ensure immediate broadcast."

The aide bowed, but I already started to move. Jaime Wolf can be a funny addition to the scene I has planned.

I have come closer when their confrontation has already ended. The furious Wolf has gave the swords of his fallen friend to Coordinator to deliver to his family, figuratively kicking him in the "face" of his honor. Takashi Kurita definitely was on the edge of the stroke of his own.

"Impressive. Colonel" I greeted him.

"Chancellor," said the magnificent bastard.

"I am in need of additional bodyguard today and I wish for you to accompany me. Can I hire you for today," I smiled at him, "The price I offer is the prank I am planning, it's gonna drive Coordinator mad or to stroke." I smiled again at the taller man.

He huffed and thought for a moment.

"Bargained well and done. Contract accepted. But you better deliver on your promise. Chancellor."

"Oh, I will. Colonel."

We nodded at each other and continued our rise up the stairs, I was satisfied to see press gathering in greater numbers up there.

When we finally reached the platform before the doors of the cathedral, my secretary has directed me to the prepared stand. My bodyguards, Wolf and Candace trailed behind. She was hiding her worry well.

I saw reporters from many news channel. Mainly for the Capellan Confederation, but all was ready to catch my words. The secretary signaled what broadcast will start. Now.

"My dear citizens," I has started my planned speech, "I shall confess. For many years has I led our beloved Confederation through perils of Succession Wars, I sacrificed much against improbable odds to achieve impossible victories. But, again, I shall confess, it was not enough. The state of the galaxy has changed. And for Confederation to survive the coming darkness, I shall sacrifice the only thing I still have in abundance. My pride," I turned away from pedestal and gestured to the Captain to come closer. I put my sword out of my belt and then shrugged my rich overcoat. I've put the overcoat in the hands of captain and turned to microphones again, "I shall fix my mistakes and atone for my sins," the auditory of reporters was very quiet, perhaps someone else come behind me, "I proclaim my daughter Candace Liao as my Heir. In this changed galaxy only she can lead Confederation to victory." I've turned to captain again and said quietly to him, "Colonel, bring my daughter to Sian, ensure what when the time comes, she will ascend to the Celestial Throne. Depart immediately."

The man was trusted for a reason and deserved a rise. He will fulfill my order.

"Yes, Chancellor," he bowed, turned away and proceeded to Candace.

But I already turned back to microphones and didn`t listened to commotion.

"The man can have anything if he is willing to sacrifice. The question is what to sacrifice and why, for what ideal. And here, today it is time for my final sacrifice. Of pride. To save my beloved country. Hear me, Inner Sphere! Hear me, the galaxy! I, Chancellor Maximillian Liao, officially rescind the claim of my House to the title of First Lord of Star League. And officially cast my vote for Katrina Steiner, Archon of Lyran Commonwealth, as the new First Lord of Star League. Because in the face of the coming darkness only united humanity can survive! I also, officially invite Eridani Light Horse regiment, in their role as the SLDF Remnant, to discuss taxes."

The crowd of reporters before me and the gathering crowds of guests behind me was starting to scream, but I continued at quickened pace.

"Now, I know what I have no trust from the other House Lords and accumulated quite a lot of hate by my actions. Therefore I end my term as the Chancellor of Capellan Confederation and rescind my citizenship. Let your hate and vengeance fall on me only and not on my former country. Now… now, it is up to you, Hanse Davion," I turned to look if he or other House Lords has snuck on me to listen to my speech. Yep, he was there. And now on cameras. "What are you ready to sacrifice, to see your future son on the throne of Star league?" I chuckled and ignored raised voices and turned to microphones and reporters again. "And finally, the reason why I am doing this!" The crowds somewhat quieted on my almost scream, "Five days ago I received critical information from a source that shall remain undisclosed. The aliens plan to invade Inner Sphere and enslave us all, "I said with normal calm tone, "And they are already among us."

Quicker then the eyes can see, I teared my sword from its sheath and throw it and nearby camouflaged Comstar' invisible Nighthawk powerarmor-wearing soldier. Operative? ROM-Operative? Doesn't matter. What matter is what my boons and gifts and skills was enough to nail them to the wall and their figure become to reveal itself in cascade of lighting and broken optical camouflage. On live TV. Then the armor catches fire, because at the death of operator inner pyropatrons started to fulfill their function to deny example of Lostech. But for audience it looked very different. There was silence.

I turned to Primus of Comstar who was nearby. Probably not the main one, but it will work.

"And it is your order fault what they has found us!" I screamed at him in full voice. Then, I turned to Hanse and Melissa. Oh and Katrina was there too! "In you place, I would have left immediately. Terra is compromised."

I took a glass of water from the speaker's stand and threw at other invisible powerarmored Comstar Operative I felt nearby. Water outlined them in their scary armor quite nicely.

"You`ll not take me alive!" I screamed again in full voice.

I have noticed another sword on one of my remaining bodyguards belt and went for it. Before anyone could react I've got my hands on it and prepared to decapitate myself. My crazy actions today will shatter the Cycle of Hate with fear and already has changed the history. And, honestly, I wasn't a good person and didn`t wanted to deal with consequences of my actions. Reincarnation was real, I have nothing to fear. And with my death I will drag the hate Liao name has accumulated into a grave.

I made a strike. It secretly reminded me about that episode of Frieren… and this was journey to end.

Jaime Wolf has catched my hands and started to drag me away amidst the panic. He was laughing.

"Sorry, Chancellor, but you have hired me and by Kerensky' blood, you have delivered the payment!"