I love the progress I make each and every week. It’s such a relief to do something that I enjoy in life, even if people seem to despise the fact that I do so for no apparent reason other than the fact they are entitled and privileged scumbags who did not endure the struggles I have in life. I am not insinuating or insulting any of you, but there are people in the world I absolutely despise.
With that little rant out of the way, things keep looking brighter for my novels. Each week I learn some different technique or see something in a different light and it hearkens back to a conversation I had not too long ago. The fact that I am working on so many novels at the same time opens up a lot of doors for my writing. I might have an idea that does not work for a particular novel, but I keep it in mind for use in one of the others and it is a rewarding cycle. It means that nothing I think of goes to waste and improves every single thing I write. That is the goal after all. Improvement.
The prior report can be found here, maggot: Ascension: Hitting the Ground Running
- What I Did
For today, I focused on some of the more gritty moments that would occur in a military scenario where people are stuck aboard a ship for countless months at a time. These people need to entertain themselves, so as part of the world of not only the Avenger, but Ascension as a whole, I introduced the reader to the region affectionately known as “The Grunts.”
The Grunts is exactly what it says on the tin; a place for soldiers to congregate and do things without worrying about rules or regulations. It serves as a place to mimic the experience of battle to keep everyone ready.
The focus of the scene was proving that Kile was not only the Captain of the Avenger, but that she is a certified badass outside of the vessels she loves to pilot so much. Yes, it did involve having a male make physical contact with a woman, but that is a part of the New Expoletian Empire. I want to establish this is a place where gender does not matter, so long as you have skill, drive and passion to be the best you can be. I think I showed that today.
- Today’s Best Work
For today, the fight between Kile and one of the more arrogant soldiers she meets takes the cake as the best sequence. It highlights how Kile thinks in the heat of a battle and how she is not someone to be taken lightly.
I will give a minor content warning as there is a point in this sequence where the male Mu’un does strike the female Kile with a powerful punch. I know this scene might affect some people negatively, so I need to say that I do not condone violence against women in any form. I intend for this scene to be a showcase that, even though the Expoletian Military is rather conservative, they are still more progressive than the modern world in that they are unafraid to have females perform the same duties as males and they treat both genders with equality.
A cheer erupted through the crowd as I pushed past Mu’un. I stripped out of my outer layer of clothing. While regal armor might be appropriate attire for being Captain, I needed to be fluid in a fight. The best way to be fluid was to wear as little clothing as possible. Sure, I might be half-flashing the soldiers in the crowd in shorts and a top that exposed my midriff, but it also revealed I was no slouch when it came to being at the top of my game.
“Not a bad look, for a woman. There’s a reason that the military relies on males to do most of the grunt work, Captain. We’re tougher, faster, stronger and smarter. I’d surrender now if I were you. I don’t wanna mess up that pretty face,” Mu’un said.
I glared at Mu’un and raised my fists. He rolled his eyes and cracked his neck. The crowd cheered us on as we began to circle each other. I noticed that Mu’un was trying to present an unintimidating presence to me in the way he moved his feet in a casual manner. It was an old tactic. Mu’un wanted me to make the first move and make it seem like I had a chance. It would be something I intended to make him regret.
“Perhaps you should go back to the academy, Sergeant. Your movements are sloppier than my shits when I get sick. I know more than you realize as well. You’re trying to coax me in, hoping that I take your bait. That’s your first mistake with me. I won’t fall for the old tricks, but I have some new ones up my sleeve.”
Before Mu’un had a chance to ingest my words, I kicked my left foot up and sent my boot flying toward him. He staggered backward as it hit him in the chest. The crowd reacted with the appropriate heckling. All I did was enrage Mu’un. He was quick to give up trying to force me into making a move.
I admit that Mu’un was quicker than I expected. I ducked his first swing but I felt the air brush my forehead. I responded with a fast body jab. It did not phase Mu’un. It made sense, given he was wearing his armor. I backpedaled as I continues to avoid Mu’un’s strikes. He had a clear focus on hitting hard but without much accuracy. I got in a strike where I could. I was not trying to hurt Mu’un at that stage.
Then he landed a heavy blow to my side. I staggered backward with a loud gasp. Mu’un drove most of the air out of my lungs with that one blow. It was enough for Mu’un to lower his guard as he tried to pander to the crowd. I was quick to pounce. My first strike stunned Mu’un. He did not expect me to hit with such force. My second fist dropped Mu’un to a knee. He blocked my third attempt with his forearm, but I was a step ahead as I raised my own knee into his jaw. The sickening crack of bone rang out and the crowd were collective with their pained response.
Mu’un tried to respond with a strike of his own, but I was deft enough to sidestep it. A solid kick laid out Mu’un. I stood over his limp body with bloody fists raised. His head flopped to one side and I could see the starry look in his eyes.
- How Productive I Felt I Was
While I might continue delaying Rainer, it was for a very good cause. The slow burn to Rainer’s appearance is something to savour. As such, what I wrote today will only add to the mystique of Rainer. I have showcased the strength and will of the Expoletian soldiers and set the standard for the reader, so when I do finally get to Rainer, there is this dissonance and shock for the reader.
- What I Intend To Write Next Week
I will continue building to Rainer’s second major appearance next week and with any luck, I will be able to showcase the full range of his power in the coming weeks. For now, there is very little for the protagonists to fight for (outside of the entire universe and their home, but that’s not important) so I want to give some value to what the crew of the Avenger are doing.
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