Zhukov wrote [another] thing.

[Jacktheawesome]

Yeah, sounds about right. Or I don't know. Maybe more than 20 for this one. It depends.
I have not. In fact, I have read no Stephen King. I should probably fix that.
That's always the thing. I have a tendency to start all these large-scale grandiose projects and then move on to something else after a month. I have a big folder full of unfinished pieces.

[Korban3]

Huh, sounds vaguely like my modding habits. Although, to be fair, I did do a bad ass Princess Luna retexture of the assault rifle and outcast power armor in Fallout 3. Fuckin' sweeeeet.

[Jacktheawesome]

Hehe, yeah. I have a couple of short stories, a string quartet and a woodwind quartet (plus some minor sonatas and such), some rock arrangements for string quartet finished, and then a folder full of symphonies in progress. I'm on symphony number four, which is further along than number 1.

[Korban3]

Dear god, that's a lot of music. I'm under-practiced at composing, need o do it more often.

In fact, that shall make a marvelous late evening project! I shall write a quick song in...
<Looks at clock>
3 hours.
This is going to be the worst song ever written, mark my words.

[adwuga]

That's assuming you finish writing it, which, given your track record, is very unlikely.

[Zhukov]

This is unrelated to the previous piece, although it takes place in the same setting.

Honestly, I'm not too happy with it. So no guarantees regarding quality or entertainment value.

The italic text denotes the internal thoughts of the protagonist, just in case that wasn't clear.

Probably some more coming soon.

"Miss Leah Gretchen Roth-Keller. After due deliberation, this court deems you guilty of fraud, theft and embezzlement."

Well, that's that then.

Miss Leah Gretchen Roth-Keller found herself mildly surprised by just how unsurprised she was. Then again, it would have been positively delusional to expect anything else.

That's that problem with theft by accountancy. It might involve a lot less risk of life and limb than regular theft, but it tends to leave something of a trail.

Leah directed a quiet curse at the troublesome individuals of the world who insisted on hanging on to their receipts, then steeled herself for the sentence.

"You are hereby sentenced…

Leah's stomach clenched in a decidedly unpleasant manner. None of her crimes carried the death penalty, she had been exceedingly careful about that. She had consulted old Lawyer Lang before each and every endeavour. Whatever was coming, she would survive it. However, nothing that she had heard about the labour camps made the prospect of spending five years in one seem anything less than hellish.

"… to a period of indentured labour…"

Her stomach set out into previously uncharted regions of clench.

"… lasting no less than four months…"

Only four mon… what?

"… in service to the Office of Taxation."

Leah stood stock still, trying as best she could to keep her confusion from showing. Her stomach halted in mid clench, evidently just as unsure as she was about where proceedings were headed.

No. No no no. This can't be right. I know too-good-to-be-true when I see it.

The judge, a plump, swarthy woman of middle age, gave her a piercing look, followed by a wan smile. "Miss Keller, the Republic does not waste the resource that is its people, law abiding or otherwise, especially not in times such as these. A convict with an education is of more use chained to a desk than to a mining cart. Although, were I in your shoes, I would not celebrate until I was aware of the exact nature of the desk I was to be chained to. Now sit. You shall be escorted back to your cell shortly. There is one remaining matter…"

Leah sat, feeling almost sick with what she suspected was false relief.

"Captain Johann Uwe Sanger."

Johann stepped forward from the rear of the room, his armour creaking as he stood to attention. He was a tall, wiry man with a drawn face and slightly gaunt cheeks that made him look perpetually tired. Leah turned in her seat to glare at him but he didn't seem to notice.

"This court acknowledges your efforts in the arrest of Miss Keller."

I've always wanted to know if it's possible to induce a stroke by glaring at the back of someone's head hard enough.

"However, we cannot ignore the fact you broke several laws in doing so. Chief among them, bribing a Republic official and knowingly submitting falsified evidence."

Leah noticed Johann stiffen perceptibly.

Ha! I wonder if his stomach does the clenching thing too…

"Ma'am, my every action…"

"Spare us. We recognize that you acted with the best of intentions, Captain. That shall be taken into account. However, this city, this republic, functions and survives because its laws are followed by everyone from the lowest beggar to the most respected councillor. You should know this. You do know this."

"And it was those same damn laws that I was trying to enforce! If it wasn't for me, Keller here would still be cheerfully pilfering the fortunes of anyone unlucky enough to attract the attention of her and her miserable crew."

"Very true. As I said, that shall be taken into account. Given your motives and that no undue harm was caused, no legal punishment shall be brought to bear. You will, however, be given a temporary transfer. If you conduct yourself well you shall be allowed to return to your current post with no further sanctions.

"Transferred to where exactly, Ma'am?"

"I'm getting to that. You shall be transferred," At this point she gave an ironic little smile, "… for a period of no less than four months, to the Office of Taxation."

If Johann had been stiff before, he was now looking positively rigid.

"You are to report tomorrow to…" The judge glanced down at her papers, "To a Major Engel of the 4th Cavalry."

She stood up, surreptitiously stretching her back as she did.

"I believe that brings an end to proceedings. You are both of you dismissed. Guards, kindly see Miss Keller back to her lodgings."

[Korban3]

I liked it. You did a good job with making something out of the characters in so small a time.

[Jacktheawesome]

Agreed. As usual, I saw the setting of your story, and the characters, and all that from even this short excerpt. I like the poised writing style, and the little witticisms, but I would be careful about being too florid. Nicely done!

[Assaultman67]

I just got around to reading this thread.

I liked the first. The imagery is good. If it was longer, in a more literary form rather than a script form, and maybe sketched old school looking illustrations. It would be really damn good.

I especially like the description of the inbetween. How everything is living and how in that world you referred to living as "enduring".

The second story I feel as if some sort of sub context whizzed by my head. Was there supposed to be some sort of deeper meaning to the Captain getting the same punishment as the criminal he caught? I was expecting some sort of "edgar allen poe"-esqe turn of events but the story ended abruptly. Is "The Office of Taxation" more than what it sounds like?

[Korban3]

I got that the punishment thing was a play on irony.

[Zhukov]

The second story I feel as if some sort of sub context whizzed by my head. Was there supposed to be some sort of deeper meaning to the Captain getting the same punishment as the criminal he caught? I was expecting some sort of "edgar allen poe"-esqe turn of events but the story ended abruptly. Is "The Office of Taxation" more than what it sounds like?

Oh, it's just not finished yet. It's meant as an introduction. There will be more that follows on from it.

Suffice to say, Johann getting the same sentence as Leah will become important, but it wasn't some big ironic statement or anything (you give me too much credit if you think I could come up with something like that).

The Office of Taxation is exactly that, but there's a reason why being sent there is considered a punishment.

[Assaultman67]

...The Office of Taxation is exactly that, but there's a reason why being sent there is considered a punishment.

Is it because doing taxes is boring as fuck?

"filling out a tax form OH GOD JUST KILL ME!"

[Zhukov]

Direct follow-on from the previous one.

All too early the next morning, Leah was roused from her cell cot and presented with a bucket of what may once have been warm water. This was followed by a bowl of what seemed to be pea and ham soup with every scrap of ham meticulously removed. Her ablutions thus performed and fast thus broken, she was shepherded from the courthouse and out into the streets.

With dawn just breaking, the streets were still fairly quiet, populated mostly by morning delivery wagons seeking to beat the crowds and the occasional group of bleary workmen, none of whom payed Leah and her escort more than a passing glance. The walk was not a pleasant one. The cobbles were damp from a night of rain, Leah's shoes were all but falling apart and the shackles chafed abominably about her ankles, even through the fabric of her trousers.

The Office of Taxation turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant building, an ancient but well maintained affair of rendered yellow stone, on the east bank bordering the rich end of town. There were four armed men outside and Leah noticed at least a dozen more scattered about the hall as she was led in. The interior was pleasingly warm and gave an impression of quiet industry. Numerous clerks sat perched behind desks piles high with parchment, scales, abacuses and more money then Leah had ever seen in one place. The whole place smelt strongly of fresh paper and old gold.

She was led to a cramped and dusty office near the rear of the building. It was occupied by a small, wrinkled woman of advanced years and, to Leah's disgust, Captain Johann. She glared at him out of habit, but he didn't even meet her eyes. At her entrance, the old woman leapt to her feet and shook her hand enthusiastically, causing her shackles to rattle.

"Ah, you must be poor Stan's replacement. Such a relief. I thought they'd never find anyone." She spoke rapidly and with a mild slur. "Miss Keller, isn't it? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jana Vogel, appointed head of this fine office. The captain here I believe you already know."

There was a prolonged and awkward pause.

"Well, yes, anyway, er… have you eaten?"

Leah shook her head optimistically. "Not a bite". One of her escorts snorted, but kept his mouth shut. Leah silently thanked him.

We poor may take what we can, but that's no cause to ruin someone else's luck.

"Well, we can't have our guest starving to death now can we? That would never do!"

She went to the door and yelled down the hall, then turned to address Leah's escorts. "That will be all, gentlemen. We shall take her from here. I can sign for her key."

Key and signature were exchanged and her guards left without further ado. Jana pocketed the key with an apologetic look. "I am sorry, but the shackles, uncivilised things though they are, must remain, at least for another day." She sat down at her desk and leaned back. "Well then, I dare say you wish to know how exactly you will be spending your indentured period?"

"Very much so. I wasn't told anything at the courthouse. I assumed you were after another clerk."

"Err… yes. In a manner of speaking."

They were interrupted by the entrance of a thin man in an apron bearing a plate on which sat a sandwich of truly glorious proportions. He set it down in front of Leah and left. Jana grinned impishly at the look on Leah's face.

"No need to stand on ceremony. Tuck in."

Leah did so with relish. It tasted as good as it looked. Slabs of bacon dripping with fat, slices of cold roast potato and some kind of flavoursome cheese Leah didn't recognize. More than enough to make up for the soup. As she ate, Jana explained her situation.

"Tell me, have you ever been out of this city?"

"Twice", Leah answered between mouthfuls, "Both times to Altenberg."

Jana nodded. "Do you know anything of the Almani highlands?"

"Only what I've heard. Whole lot of mountains and valleys. Farms in the valleys, mines in the mountains. Don't know a thing about the people. We conquered the place, oh… must've been eight years back."

"Yes. It's the conquered part that concerns us. As a dominion territory, the highlands are subject to Republic taxation. What you would not have heard is that their taxes are due. Overdue, in fact. Desperately so. What's more, the local lords are proving unhelpful to an almost suspicious degree. So we will be sending a collection expedition. That expedition shall necessarily include a clerk."

The pieces suddenly fell into place. Leah froze in mid chew.

"Me."

"Precisely."

"You're going to send me a long way away, to a place full of people that hate us, so I can knock on their doors and demand that they hand over large portions of money." The clenching in Leah's stomach returned with a vengeance.

"There is a reason that you were sent here as punishment for your crimes." Jana sighed. She looked genuinely regretful. "However, it's not as bad as all that. You will be accompanied by a sizeable number of cavalrymen. They will handle the door knocking and demanding. After all, we would not send a convicted thief to collect our dues alone. You are only required to handle the accountancy. Also, you will be responsible for logistical matters. Supplies, payrolls, hires and so forth."

Leah's mind raced, mostly in unpleasant directions.

"What happened to Stan?"

"I beg your pardon."

"When I came in, you said I was "poor Stan's replacement". What happened to him?"

"He died."

"How?"

There was a movement behind Leah as Johann stepped away from wall he had been leaning against. He had been so completely silent thus far that Leah had completely forgotten he was in the room.

"Stan Ritter's expedition was ambushed. His escort was cut down, almost to a man. Only four of them survived." Johann's voice sounded flat and dead. "As for Stan himself, his throat was cut and his innards were scattered to the crows. What remained of him was found lashed to a tree branch overhanging the road." Having said his piece, Johann stalked over to the door and left without another word.

So much for avoiding the death sentence. I thought I was being so very clever.

There was a very long pause. Leah felt sick. The glorious sandwich in her stomach felt like it was attempting a rematch. She stared at Jana who refused to meet her eyes. At last she said, "Captain Johann has been charged with leading your expedition. He is… less than happy with the arrangement."

"I should say so! I'm not too cheerful about the prospect myself!"

Jana, all business now, reached under the desk and withdrew a large purse which she dropped on the desk with a thump. This was followed by a large, ugly brass badge.

"Criminal or not, as a representative of the Republic, you will be expected to maintain a certain bearing. Those miserable rags will not do. This purse is yours. You will be escorted to a nearby marketplace. Outfit yourself as you see fit. Be aware than anything you buy belongs to the Office and must be returned at the end of your service. Good day."

Still not entirely happy with it. Leah is way too passive as a protagonist and not as defined as I'd like. Also, "because they told me to" makes for a rather uninteresting character motivation.

Ah well.

More coming. Quite a lot of it, actually.

[Assaultman67]

Now I'm liking it.

[Jacktheawesome]

I wish the real IRS was like this.