《Jacob's War》Extract from Jacob's Diary, June 15th 1916
Advertisement
10pm.
Tonight they confirmed we will go ‘over the top’ tomorrow at dawn. For the past two weeks we found out nothing but rumour and speculation, with tales as varied as the men who repeat them. If we ever asked the officers, they said nothing but that we should carry on with our tasks as usual, this despite the obvious and constant stream of reinforcements and supplies pouring into the village.
Messages come and go by rider and pigeon at all hours; us mere Tommies do not know what they say but even the least observant of us can tell something is afoot when double the number of couriers are scurrying about at haste.
God willing it will be better than that accursed raid in May. Our artillery has been firing without pause for a week; day and night our dugouts shiver with the sounds of bombardment. They tell us this will cut the Hun’s wire and their machine-gun posts cannot survive such a barrage. On both counts I have my reservations. I feel the best hope comes from the mines laid beneath their trenches. When they go up, we shall see a nice space in the lines through which to march! Harry and I have that role, as our spot on the fire-step aligns with our buried bomb. We can at least be confident any German mining is not so close to ours that we might have a surprise of our own in the morning.
We know our duty. We raised a toast at dinner to The King, and we all cheered his health. I hope he did the same for us.
3am
None can sleep. I wrote a letter to you, my darling, by candlelight, and pray it finds you safe. I could tell nothing there about what we face tomorrow for the censors would never allow it. But if something should happen, I trust these journals will illuminate my final days and prove my heart and thoughts were always with you, my love.
Advertisement
5am
Breakfast was a solemn affair. Not a one of us didn’t reflect on the knowledge it would be the final meal for many of our number, though none dared speak this thought aloud. Now we wait; some men are feigning sleep to put on a show of the bravery they do not feel, others are writing a final letter home, to deliver in case of their sacrifice. Most check their kit over and over as if possessed, ensuring they are ready for whatever dawn reveals.
7am
The guns are silent, and we hear the sweet sounds of birdsong somewhere behind us. Such a hope it gives me that the world will continue on after this madness ends and is long forgotten.
They have given the order to stand-to. I must do my duty, my love. I pray we see each other again soon.
Advertisement
- In Serial29 Chapters
World in Ruins
Enter Alex, pretty normal guy, budding interest in girls, good grades, sadly orphaned. He knew what he would do after graduation. He had hopes and dreams, mostly unfulfilled, like every other teenager there is. He knew what life would give him. Until a decisive morning changed everything. Congratulations Humanity, your greed and destruction of Nature has corrupted your worldcore. While your parents fight at the front, you, the children, are given a grace period, until you turn 20 years old. Then you have to join them and clean the corruption.It can’t be cleaned through simple means, but fear not, we, the most esteemed and paramount council, have given you tools to grow in power. Your world may crumble to ash and dust, but you will rise like a Phoenix or decay in timeless strife.Rise, grow and conquer your foe. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] - 04.22 Updates Monday & Thursday
8 102 - In Serial10 Chapters
The Dawn of Blood
As the saying goes, "Ignorance is bliss." That is a good way to describe us. We are constantly seeking to improve, to evolve. Coming up with laws and theories to better understand the world around us. But what if it was all for naught. What if what we think is truth is nothing more than the actions of higher beings, far beyond our reach. Upon the discovery of an entire new reality, remaining ignorant is certain death. The only way to live is to grow, to evolve, to adapt. This is my first novel so any feedback and criticism is greatly appreciated. I hope that I'm able to grow as a writer through this and hope that people enjoy my work. Credit for the cover image goes to Richard Luong. Check him out at https://tentaclesandteeth.deviantart.com.
8 138 - In Serial6 Chapters
Jason Flynt And The Phoenix Sapphire
Jason Flynt, teenage businessman and sole heir to the Flynt fortune, is the richest man in the world. After burying himself in work and brutal training in every profession he could get his manicured hands on, he is taking tremendous steps in fulfilling his late parents' dream. To make humanity great. While that is to be done, naturally. There seems to be something anomalous brewing up in a lab on the North Pole. You can only hope Jason Flynt is ready to handle adding 'Being a Father' to his unending list of responsibilities.
8 97 - In Serial6 Chapters
Contact First
2039 - Earth A narrow beam energy signal appeared aimed squarely at earth from the TRAPPIST system. The communication consisted of a layered set of repeating data over several thousand wavelengths. Over the next few months scientists discovered that the lower wavelengths carried an encoded numerical language which could then be used to interpret the more complicated messages carried on the higher wavelengths. After half a year of painstaking work the signal was fully decoded. It described a small satellite launched along a precise trajectory towards the fourth planet of our solar system. Included was a package of advanced research that humanity would need to have ready in order to receive the satellite and decelerate it safely. The alien data provided the kick that humanity needed to turn from petty squabbling and unite to explore the final frontier. Major government and corporate leaders worked together to create the framework for the United Federation of Sol. UFS spaceports went from scaffolding to daily launches in every major city around the globe. Ships floated like dandelion seeds, spreading on solar wind to grow into colonies. 2397 - Mars orbit, Egeria Station The command center was a hive of activity as checks were conducted and systems initialized. Scientists flitted by like mayflies as communicators beeped and holoscreens spat out green tinted readouts. Nervous energy was thick in the air as everyone anticipated the culmination of over three hundred years of work. Massive fusion reactors under the planet's surface thrummed with barely restrained power as energy fed into a gleaming metallic maze criss crossing the planet. Metal fingers reached up, overshadowing the mighty olympus mons and trying to grab the stars. All over the solar system, people quickly turned to look as gigantic energy lances shot from the dusty fourth planet. Two years later. The same people that clapped loudly at the successful activation of project Hermes now wait with baited breath. A silver capsule trailing bright photonic sails is captured by a net of grav beams and guided with care bordering on reverence into the station. Holoscreens across the headquarters project an image of the sleek craft settling in the bay. Data connections are established and the holoscreens blink to white. Slowly an image forms on the screen. Across the headquarters people stare in wonder as a wholly alien face stares back. "Contact established. Welcome to the universe."
8 155 - In Serial62 Chapters
Forbidden Percabeth
Annabeth Chase has had a decent life-until she met Percy Jackson. The irritating yet handsome demigod grabs her heart from the start. But Annabeth's mother, Athena, doesn't take to that kindly. However, this little feud is one of many, and small compared to what is happening in Greece.Someone is threatening to overthrow Olympus, and the threat is escalating quickly. Can Annabeth and Percy, with the help of Percy's group called the Questers, be able to find and end this threat? Troubles, obstacles, and love rise up with this journey, and danger is their constant companion on the way. But they are stubborn and determined and won't give up.But they're going to have to fight their way to the end, and it won't be easy. Will Annabeth and Percy be able to stay with each other and safe? Or will their world fall apart? The two demigods start a new chapter in their lives together, and they hope to see the end of the story with the other still at their side.-------(Slow editing, sorry for the suckiness-this was my first story, so bear with me, folks)
8 127 - In Serial7 Chapters
Wanderings
From a clearing in an ancient forest an old man departs. Where he wanders he encounters people who find themselves telling of events far greater than themselves. The Hamlet... where a shrine stands, a memorial to a missing sibling. The Village... where a priest tells of the world's creation, and more than he may wish. The Town... where a great pilgrimage is starting, and a nobleman is more than he seems. The Graves... where monks tend to countless fields of the dead. The City... which stands in the shadow of a giant cannon. The War... the start and end of which are lost in time, and people are thrown into battle without regard.The stories of people thrown into events far greater than themselves, in a world spun on war and tragedy.
8 152
Prev Chap
Next Chap
Chap List
Boy
Girl
