A. Penguin
@graniteghost.bsky.social
Some days I prefer the mountains to the sea.
I'm going to be God's perfect Communist, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me.
Warning: Subject matters covered in my fiction may include death and violence.
I'm going to be God's perfect Communist, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me.
Warning: Subject matters covered in my fiction may include death and violence.
On the other side of the door, a scuffling sound is heard and after a moment the doors are pushed open by an ant. The team enters the building and makes their way towards underground access.
December 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
On the other side of the door, a scuffling sound is heard and after a moment the doors are pushed open by an ant. The team enters the building and makes their way towards underground access.
The Private Eye tries the door and finds it barricaded. He says to the others, "Stand back, I'll blow the door open."
"There is no need." Says That-Came-From-Before.
"There is no need." Says That-Came-From-Before.
December 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The Private Eye tries the door and finds it barricaded. He says to the others, "Stand back, I'll blow the door open."
"There is no need." Says That-Came-From-Before.
"There is no need." Says That-Came-From-Before.
Leonie, the Private Eye, That-Came-From-Before, and Ailuros dip low in flight, riding just above the Western Wall as they enter the Academy with fires everywhere. The team touches down at the doorway to a building on the edge of campus near the wall.
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Leonie, the Private Eye, That-Came-From-Before, and Ailuros dip low in flight, riding just above the Western Wall as they enter the Academy with fires everywhere. The team touches down at the doorway to a building on the edge of campus near the wall.
"This situation has been brewing for years, decades. Now everything falls apart. Let's keep our eyes out front now." Responds the Private Eye.
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
"This situation has been brewing for years, decades. Now everything falls apart. Let's keep our eyes out front now." Responds the Private Eye.
"The Witch and the others conscripted from the Southern District are the ones who keep the tunnels maintained and the trains running, and from my own investigations the Maintenance Corps is now predominantly sympathetic to the Witch's cause."
"Just how big is this?" Leonie asks.
"Just how big is this?" Leonie asks.
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
"The Witch and the others conscripted from the Southern District are the ones who keep the tunnels maintained and the trains running, and from my own investigations the Maintenance Corps is now predominantly sympathetic to the Witch's cause."
"Just how big is this?" Leonie asks.
"Just how big is this?" Leonie asks.
The Private Eye says, "Don't worry, the Witch knows her way around campus and the tunnels, especially between the Western Wall and the Southern District. Both us and them will have some help down there from the maintenance crews."
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The Private Eye says, "Don't worry, the Witch knows her way around campus and the tunnels, especially between the Western Wall and the Southern District. Both us and them will have some help down there from the maintenance crews."
That-Came-From-Before says, "We have already secured the landing site. There will be no trouble until we get underground. It will get difficult down in the tunnels."
"I hope the others have a path out of this mess too."
"I hope the others have a path out of this mess too."
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
That-Came-From-Before says, "We have already secured the landing site. There will be no trouble until we get underground. It will get difficult down in the tunnels."
"I hope the others have a path out of this mess too."
"I hope the others have a path out of this mess too."
"How are we going to avoid the fighting and the all the attacks?"
The Private Eye answers, "Many of the buildings on campus have access to the underground. There is one close to the Wall not far from the Western Gate we'll use that'll allow us to avoid the worst of the fighting."
The Private Eye answers, "Many of the buildings on campus have access to the underground. There is one close to the Wall not far from the Western Gate we'll use that'll allow us to avoid the worst of the fighting."
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
"How are we going to avoid the fighting and the all the attacks?"
The Private Eye answers, "Many of the buildings on campus have access to the underground. There is one close to the Wall not far from the Western Gate we'll use that'll allow us to avoid the worst of the fighting."
The Private Eye answers, "Many of the buildings on campus have access to the underground. There is one close to the Wall not far from the Western Gate we'll use that'll allow us to avoid the worst of the fighting."
Leonie watches with fascination the dance in flight between the ants and the Academy defenders, "This would be quite a beautiful sight if it weren't for the death."
"No one should want to see these sights. It's quite ugly to those who've been in the thick of it." Says the Private Eye.
"No one should want to see these sights. It's quite ugly to those who've been in the thick of it." Says the Private Eye.
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Leonie watches with fascination the dance in flight between the ants and the Academy defenders, "This would be quite a beautiful sight if it weren't for the death."
"No one should want to see these sights. It's quite ugly to those who've been in the thick of it." Says the Private Eye.
"No one should want to see these sights. It's quite ugly to those who've been in the thick of it." Says the Private Eye.
Leonie wonders aloud, "What are they doing, the Sky Corps knows there are people on the ground still."
The Private Eye answers, "The Academy's philosophy towards this sort of situation has always been kill them all, we know some of those are ours. That callous attitude comes right from the top."
The Private Eye answers, "The Academy's philosophy towards this sort of situation has always been kill them all, we know some of those are ours. That callous attitude comes right from the top."
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Leonie wonders aloud, "What are they doing, the Sky Corps knows there are people on the ground still."
The Private Eye answers, "The Academy's philosophy towards this sort of situation has always been kill them all, we know some of those are ours. That callous attitude comes right from the top."
The Private Eye answers, "The Academy's philosophy towards this sort of situation has always been kill them all, we know some of those are ours. That callous attitude comes right from the top."
From further back, larger magical attacks launched by rearguard Sky Corps flyers begin arching over the Western Campus Between the Walls, pelting the campus in devastating magical attacks that tear ant, building, and Academy defenders alike apart.
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
From further back, larger magical attacks launched by rearguard Sky Corps flyers begin arching over the Western Campus Between the Walls, pelting the campus in devastating magical attacks that tear ant, building, and Academy defenders alike apart.
On the ground, larger ants spit at the Sky Corps members, their acidic shots causing the Corps flyers to dodge and weave, a number of flying ants darting in the direction of the Corps in flight.
December 16, 2025 at 11:34 AM
On the ground, larger ants spit at the Sky Corps members, their acidic shots causing the Corps flyers to dodge and weave, a number of flying ants darting in the direction of the Corps in flight.
Just then the lift begins to shake, dust dropping out of the overhead. The shakes coincide with a low, pelting drumbeat resonating from above.
The Lead Man answers again, "Airstrikes."
The Lead Man answers again, "Airstrikes."
December 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Just then the lift begins to shake, dust dropping out of the overhead. The shakes coincide with a low, pelting drumbeat resonating from above.
The Lead Man answers again, "Airstrikes."
The Lead Man answers again, "Airstrikes."
Agent 17 asks, "If the ants are going to get in anyway, what use is it going underground? The ants will get there too. Where can we go?"
The Lead Man answers, "Some ants will get underground, yes, but it is imperative we get their first, and no later than right this second."
"Why?" Agent 5 asks.
The Lead Man answers, "Some ants will get underground, yes, but it is imperative we get their first, and no later than right this second."
"Why?" Agent 5 asks.
December 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Agent 17 asks, "If the ants are going to get in anyway, what use is it going underground? The ants will get there too. Where can we go?"
The Lead Man answers, "Some ants will get underground, yes, but it is imperative we get their first, and no later than right this second."
"Why?" Agent 5 asks.
The Lead Man answers, "Some ants will get underground, yes, but it is imperative we get their first, and no later than right this second."
"Why?" Agent 5 asks.
The three men wind their way through the building's corridors until they reach a freight elevator. The Lead Man uses his ID to badge open the door, and the three men enter, beginning their decent under the Academy.
December 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The three men wind their way through the building's corridors until they reach a freight elevator. The Lead Man uses his ID to badge open the door, and the three men enter, beginning their decent under the Academy.
The three men enter the building and barricade the door. The Lead Man motions the two agents to follow him further into the building, saying, "It's good for now, don't overdo blocking the door, the ants are going to get in through the windows anyway. We need to get underground."
December 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The three men enter the building and barricade the door. The Lead Man motions the two agents to follow him further into the building, saying, "It's good for now, don't overdo blocking the door, the ants are going to get in through the windows anyway. We need to get underground."
The Lead Man with Agents 5 and 17 run and fight their way to a building on the edge of the campus near to the wall. The Lead Man keys open the door the men gathered around, and the two agents fire plasma bolts at approaching ants, a pile of dead ants forming around the entryway.
December 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Lead Man with Agents 5 and 17 run and fight their way to a building on the edge of the campus near to the wall. The Lead Man keys open the door the men gathered around, and the two agents fire plasma bolts at approaching ants, a pile of dead ants forming around the entryway.
The most successful teams against the ant invasion are those who manage to set themselves up in choke-points with cover, with the various campus buildings holding out longer than those poor souls caught out in the open.
December 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The most successful teams against the ant invasion are those who manage to set themselves up in choke-points with cover, with the various campus buildings holding out longer than those poor souls caught out in the open.
On the wall, the sheer number of ants quickly overwhelms the watchstanding force, and within the Western Campus Between the Walls an ad hoc combination of Magic Men and Academy watchstanders fight to hold the ants back.
December 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
On the wall, the sheer number of ants quickly overwhelms the watchstanding force, and within the Western Campus Between the Walls an ad hoc combination of Magic Men and Academy watchstanders fight to hold the ants back.
The Witch speaks to the gathered party, "Everyone knows what to do, does anyone have any last questions?"
When no one raises a hand or speaks, the Witch motions again and the two groups fly their separate ways.
When no one raises a hand or speaks, the Witch motions again and the two groups fly their separate ways.
December 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Witch speaks to the gathered party, "Everyone knows what to do, does anyone have any last questions?"
When no one raises a hand or speaks, the Witch motions again and the two groups fly their separate ways.
When no one raises a hand or speaks, the Witch motions again and the two groups fly their separate ways.
The Witch motions and everyone splits into the two agreed upon groups, Leonie and the Private Eye join with That-Came-From-Before and Ailuros to go after the scroll in the Academy while the Witch splits off with Ernest and Bishop Clement to secure a magic lab to unlock and use the scrolls.
December 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The Witch motions and everyone splits into the two agreed upon groups, Leonie and the Private Eye join with That-Came-From-Before and Ailuros to go after the scroll in the Academy while the Witch splits off with Ernest and Bishop Clement to secure a magic lab to unlock and use the scrolls.
The Private Eye checks the device, listening to the message. Once it completes he says aloud, "If they're going to be this lazy about threat posture alerts they should just get a klaxon."
December 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The Private Eye checks the device, listening to the message. Once it completes he says aloud, "If they're going to be this lazy about threat posture alerts they should just get a klaxon."
With ants on the ground and in the sky pouring into the Academy, an alert goes out to all Academy and associated personnel holding official communication devices stating, "A creature of unknown type has been reported outside the Western Gate, threat posture set at three."
December 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
With ants on the ground and in the sky pouring into the Academy, an alert goes out to all Academy and associated personnel holding official communication devices stating, "A creature of unknown type has been reported outside the Western Gate, threat posture set at three."