War-free zone

Started by N-drju, November 08, 2017, 12:57:49 PM

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N-drju

From the dawn of recorded history the war has been, sadly, one of the most recurrent events of human existence.

The Terran world of Butarim III is no exception. It has witnessed SEVEN world wars over the course of its relatively short 6000 years of modern, industrial history. Though Butarimians have never developed nuclear weapons, the wars were devastating and brutal nonetheless. All that remains on this world are the ten great nations which survived previous conflicts. Though momentarily at peace, they have never signed any peace treaty or cease fire. It is only a matter of time before hostilities break out anew and engulf the "civilized" world in another bloody confrontation.

However, scattered around the globe and away from the national borders, countless communities and city-states exist where people attempt little more than to live normal lives. Away from the endless sabre-rattling. Let me show you one of such places...

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Pictured here is the town of Kaemdongtu - a settlement of peacfully-minded, resourceful people living atop the so-called Icon Mesa which is located deep within the boundless Angel Desert. Angel Desert, considered impassable to military hardware, and steep, defensible slopes of the Icon Mesa make Kaemdongtu a calm and relaxing sanctuary for the select few who are allowed in.

Life in the middle of the desert is not as harsh as it seems. Food and water are plentiful with the Edi-Fuju Oasis nearby. Also, a peculiar wind pattern and an unusually high elevation of the Icon Mesa cause temperatures to stick at a relatively decent level of 28 degree Celcius throughout the year. The town is self sufficient - most of the citizens work in the coal and bauxite mining industry just next to the mesa. Some are also employed in the polywater distillery while others work in the compact agricultural sector in the oasis. All excess goods are sold for profit and hauled away by nomadic merchants.

If you are tired of the precarious world, where war is a constant, looming threat, go to Kaemdongtu to escape this danger. The journey will no doubt be exhausting and long but if you truly love peace then, perhaps, you will be granted a permission to settle in this remote, quiet town.

And once you set your foot atop the Icon Mesa, see the hot orange sun setting beyond the Angel Desert and feel the warm, dry wind blowing through your hair, suddenly, everything will start to make sense...
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

luvsmuzik

Great combination of assets here! Good one!

Dune

Very nice to have the story along with a fine render, thanks Andrzej.

fleetwood

Enjoying both render and story.  :)

bobbystahr

Ah, it all makes sense now...lovely story and render...*****
something borrowed,
something Blue.
Ring out the Old.
Bring in the New
Bobby Stahr, Paracosmologist

N-drju

Thank you for all the nice comments guys. Glad you like it. :)
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

N-drju

Welcome back to Butarim III - the war-torn world where peace and reason are found only in small, independent communities of "Outnatives". An "Outnative" is a common Butarimian term for a person who rejects any form of recognized nationality and lives outside existing borders.

Name / community: "Forest Wall"
Location: Southern Breem


Today, we visit a secretive movement that goes by the name "Forest Wall". It has been established in some very unusual circumstances.

During the last World War, a terrible battle took place on a mostly uninhabited, deeply forested continent of Breem. In the aftermath, when the badly battered armies withdrew with no clear winner being determined, two soldiers from opposing camps have found themselves isolated from their own troops and were left behind in the wilderness.

And when the dust settled and eerie silence was all that remained, the two soldiers have accidentally met. However, instead of engaging each other as an enemy, they instead decided to share whatever food, water and medical supplies they had left and talked their differences over (peacefully) by a campfire.

Later that day, it turned out that both men were equally disillusioned with the ongoing war, marketed as a "just cause" in their home nations. It also turned out that, every now and then, they both toyed with an idea of deserting the army and building an independent community to live in. The following year, together, they fulfilled their dream along with their families. And when the word spread, other Outnatives poured in. Forming what is now known as the "Forest Wall".

The "Forest Wall" is the biggest Outnative community, controlling a huge area of about 580 square kilometers and having about 55 000 residents. With a backdoor access to advanced radar technology and ample reserves of reverse-engineered, jury-rigged (or simply stolen) marksman rifles, the "Forest Wall" is also one of the best protected war-free zones.

The mainstay of the "Forest Wall" consists of the protection force comprised of male and female guards (usually 18 - 38 years of age) who control the loosely defined border of the community. Senior military officers usually serve as commanders and EWR specialists in the radar stations.

"Forest Wall" marksmen and markswomen have to participate in five-day, non-stop patrols twice a month, keeping a watchful eye on the border. In case of any intrusion, they have three courses of action to choose from, dubbed "shoot-to-kill", "detain" and "SWD" ("see what develops"). Detention is most common as some people simply cross "Forest Wall's" border in an attempt to join it as Outnatives. These newly-arrived refugees are secured for a thorough background check.

Although five years ago a devastating raid have taken around 5000 lives of the "Forest Wall" members, the movement continues to stand strong and is always ready to defend its lifestyle and independence. Serving as a shining example of a well-organized resistance.

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Pictured: WO Valentin Zlatev (8 kills, 28 detentions, 35 years old) and 1st PVT Hope Lesimoore (1 kill, 3 detentions, 23 years old) - two of the "Forest Wall's" finest on their patrol, providing an overwatch to the newly commissioned listening station at an undisclosed location.

Note the gesture Lesimoore makes with her hand - it is a symbol reserved only to those who have escaped from some sort of slavery or imprisonment... Three extended fingers symbolize freedom of heart, freedom of mind and fortitude – traits that allow to overcome captivity. Hope spent four years of her young life in prison due to the activism back in her oppressive country. She joined "Forest Wall" six months ago and is currently one of the bravest souls to grace its ranks.




To be continued...
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"