The Ghosts of Atrix
Atrix's defenders
Hochenthes adjusted his cloaga’s neck sash tighter 'round his mouth. The damp of an early Meissan morning could go right to a man's lungs. He changed his helmet’s taint lenses to a lavender hue to check the air temperature... yeah, cold. For the thousandth time he praised Caudachos’s name. He was the Ghost credited for turning the helms into what Hochenthes wore. All Ghosts went through two years of study of the historical details of the army. He would probably not know the Vast inventor’s name otherwise. The Ghosts kept their past and heroes of the army, to themselves.
His eyes flicked to the left, looking sidelong. Next him, Dantrene stood stiffly, making Hochenthes straighten slightly. No need to be too rigid though. Neither of us are tyros! They’d been paired together twelve years ago. Seen action in many districts, ‘skirts and ‘verges. Dantrene has made his own life in the service of Bellatrix the same duration but not easier, Hochenthes thought. The Ghosts had developed the tactic of pairing ghosts, near to its inception. Binaries, that was the official name. If you were trying to start a fracas you’d call the pair, Sympathettes. A Meissan slur. Hochenthes and his partner had been in some of the bloodiest fighting at Nebthet Cloudbankught. . That was their last action. Dantrene was still getting over the worst of the damage to his back. Hochenthes glanced again at him.
“You might as well use the spur.”
“I would, Hoch but I haven’t had time to have the leant's works fixed. Maybe this week?” Dantrene shrugged.
“Well here, let’s swap then.” Hochenthes leaned the haft of his slender spear toward Dantrene.
“Okay.” The human and veer exchanged spears without looking at each other. Time together had made their interactions as though made by one person, not two. 'Brothers who are closer than brothers'. Dantrene put the spear's end into a groove in the cobbles. Twisting released the spur, down close tot he ground, allowing Dantrene to use it to provide additional support to his heel, taking the weight off his right side.
Hochenthes smiled within his helm, “Remember that wrestling match when we were at that taverna?”
“Yeah, yeah. I recall. You had that ‘rider in a choke and then the truce got declared.”
“Pretty awkward.”
“Was, when you decided to celebrate the peace by throwing him out the door.”
“Momentum. A good follow-through is important.” The two Ghosts did not laugh. Hochenthes knew that Dantrene was grinning though. Dantrene had received a commendation and a raise in salary for his actions after the fight that had ensued at the taverna had been won. Without Hochenthes, Dantrene wouldn't have got the echs to buy his land.
The two infantrymen returned their attention to scanning the installation. Watching over this Meissan factory was nothing to be distracted from. . .
To be continued
Composition
Manpower
50000
Equipment
Noted for its cloaks (cloaga) which in their voluminous manner, gave rise to their unit name. They are a special weave of materials that provide astounding protection from the environment both on land, sea, air and void. The cloaga is comprised of both colour and shadow, from which it gains its supernatural abilities.
The shield is called the Bel. It is a multipurpose item: used for shelter from the weather, signalling device, a collector and magnifier of colour.
Weaponry
The long spear of the Ghosts, is known as the Leant. This weapon can be broken down into a fighting staff and a slender longsword. The Ghosts have learned to dual-wield to take advantage of this fact. The Ghosts will likely only do this if their large, round shields have been broken or lost, however.
Vehicles
As infantry the Ghosts only use vehicles as transport to and from their assigned missions. They do not act as pilots or drivers.
Type
Infantry
Overall training Level
Professional
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