Firebugs

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Opening speech at the Ashi Tngri Council of Nomadic Elders, by Zjarr Feuer, representative of the Ashfall Pyrophorini tribe of the Lower Barrens

There was a time the elements lived in harmony. A time before the splintering of the lands. A time when we lived among the earth dwellers, traded with air, water, and life. We were on equal terms with death, not beholden to their summoner, the brazen Zintar Mortalis, who now holds us hostage to his whims for our livelihood.

We used to be a simple species, before the cataclysm, wanting nothing more than to feed, mate and burrow, a time to idle with family in the deep winter between seasons. Yes, we swarmed, but not without reason or righteousness. We never used to be slaves to our hunger. We honored the Asha, roamed without borders, and the land was bountiful.

Now what have we? Our leaders would have us go to war and never rest. Our larvae never quite mature because we lack the resources to nourish them to the 4th level, much less the 7th. Seldom do they develop the wings to fly or the might of a true warrior, yet they are forced to serve the Commanders army. Their lights grow dim before their time.

Soldiers are promised the blood of the dead to feast on, yet never given the chance to mate or digest before being pushed off to the next battle. They decay in foriegn soil, replenishing it while our own soil is covered with the fire of volcanoes from constant war. Our precious eggs are taken by scavengers, raised as feed and sold off as delicacies in the Black Market of Necropolis.

Our forges never rest - our wonderous forges, which used to create desirable handcrafts and structural marvels, have been taken over by the Druj, purveyors of political machinations and greed. Our best artisans are making weapons and armor for other elemental armies instead of our own. Instead of creating goods for trade, we trade in death, destruction and deceit. We no longer honor the circle of renewal, in which we used to play a part.

The time has come to uprise against the Black City. General Belenius is accepted by many because of his reputation as a warrior, but he has too much Angramanyu, too much will for destruction with no purpose. He doesn't rebuild our cities or renew our lands. Our taxes go only to ...

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"General Belenius, Squad Commander Fuoco reporting, as requested!"

Lieutenant Bodji Fuoco knew that military strategy was tricky at best when dealing with an irate general. He was the top warrior in his class, known for his superior speed, ballistic range, samurai like killing methods and advanced flying skills, but that meant nothing when you were facing the High Imperial Commander.

The heavily armored fire warrior stood for long moments before his superior, his tarsal claws jutting out like scimitars on a serrated tundra knife. Earlier today that claw had pierced the thorax of his second in command. The minor bug had hesitated after a direct order to kill a hive of spidren. Mummifying the eggs and larvae of kinsmen for profit was repulsive enough, however robbing the Imperial army of new recruits was unforgivable.

Bodji's blackened lava encrusted armor reflected in the light of the flickering fire alter behind him, hiding his blood red inner wings. The poor ventilation in the old tunnels was notorious for triggering his infrared heat sensors, so he had powered them down, but allowed his bioluminescent dorsal panels a dim sheen - a small arrogance, but he had an image to uphold in front of the general. Finally the General spoke.

"Commander Fuoco, I was given this parchment from the nomadic tribes about an attempted uprising, yet I see no report to go with it. Where are the captives?"

Bodji Fuoco was no fool. He realized his answer might get him a quick beheading, but deceit would certainly bring a more painful demise.

"I apologize General, we have just flown in from the mission and we're dealing with heavy casualties. We were unable to capture any rebels alive."

Generals Belenius sullen clacks were deceptively civil, but Bodji knew from experience that could change in a spit.

"And all of the rebels are dead?! Commander, did I not give explicit directions to bring Zjarr Feuer and the Nomadic Council back for questioning?"

The General was the only bug he knew who could effect an icy click while his biolumes were pushing white hot.

"General, the water cannons they obtained from those Darthvaki pirates made our fire blasters useless. Not that fire has any effect on our own kind. If you would just consider..."

"No, I will NOT consider. Not now or ever. It's dishonorable. Damned pacifists these nomads"

"General Belenius, the rebels were well organized. I might be mistaken, but they fought as a military precision unit. I fear we have been decieved about the level of training their special forces have at their disposal. I suspect Morgaellian Orcs lent a hand. I sensed at least one Pit Ogre and a level 4 Fire Demon in their ranks. Furthermore, there were several escape tunnels with dead ended heat traps, and some of the Goblin mercenaries carried advanced portal relays. We searched the hall for the napalm cannons you mentioned, but .."

"Svarog's Anvil!! Inferno Firebugs are the most highly advanced military unit we have and you tell me they shook you off like a Forest Ranger??"

"I have no excuses General. I have failed my mission." Bodji dropped his antenna in remorse.

The General twisted his stoic face in the nearest thing to a grimace he could manage.

"Advanced weaponry for the northern campaign is essential. I cannot spare more troops to chase them down. Report at once to Mount Vulcanis. I want full time surveillance on the operations there."

"At once, General."

Bodji retreated hastily. Mount Vulcanis was no mate swarming, but his cephalic horn was still attached, and he now had the opportunity to requisition some of those handcrafted metal reinforced glimmer wings. As long as he wasn't dealing with gremlins or water elementals, he could kill anything.

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This is an introductory story for the Steem Monsters card series - fantasy lore contest launched by Aggroed. I give steemmonsters permission to use my content for the purpose of creating content for the deck.

Steem Monsters Story Contest

This particular story line was written specifically for the fire beetle, a common fire elemental monster card in the steem monster card pack. The storyline is my own, however I borrowed some concepts and facts from online sources.

If you enjoyed this fantasy story, please feel free to visit my other Steem Monsters story arch : I. Pangor - the story of the flesh golem