STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Brothers

Melkor thinks about Einar`s words, looking at the landscape is beautifu.

"I must say I forgot about beauty of our fields, brother. Know that much as I decided to deal with the greater galaxy, I don`t want Erengard to be harmed, and I agree these demands are too much. But if we refuse them, they will have no choice but to strike, or lose face. We need a compromise. Perhaps we can send most of our division under command of Imperial High Command, but with retaining the ways of our military, at least on the unit level? Or perhaps we could get away with sending some recuits to Stormtrooper Corps, but retaining enough forces to ensure Erengard`s defence?"

No chance that Esgabath knows this Perry from academy?

You have never heard of Perry until now.

"The Commissariat has specified that all soldiers of Erengard must comply with summons to the Empire," Einar says. "Then Erengard will be placed under the protection of the Imperial forces. But yes, perhaps we can bargain for a small supply of soldiers to remain here, as our guardians..."

Einar hops out of the landspeeder, going around to the back to retrieve the hunting rifles.

It doesn`t seem like Einar is happy with the last option?

Melkor wonders if he can be sent to negotiate with this Perry... but suddenly he is worried, because he is quite vulnerable here, alone with Einar.

If Einar had it his way, Erengard would be going to war with the Empire. Any other option seems unpatriotic and sullen.

"You would try to negotiate with this man?" Einar asks.

"Yes, this is what I would do."

"I am not familiar with the Commissariat," Einar says. "But I can assure you that his mind is most firm, though very obviously brainwashed to serve as a mouthpiece to the Emperor. His will is unswaying and he is not beyond invasion, I am sure, though mandate will say recruiting rather than murdering..."

"Imperial policy is firm yes, but Imperial beaurocracy is hardly a monolithical constuct- fortunately Emperor usually gives broad tasks to his subordinates and doesn`t micromanage, so we just need to deal with this Commisar... I say you send me to talk with him."

"I wish I could," Einar says.

He lifts up the hunting rifle from the storage compartment and pulls at the bolt, letting gas into the firing chamber of the rifle. He aims the weapon at you.

"But I have heard you are plotting against me."

Melkor observes Einar`s motions with certain dread, but tries to appear composed.

"Oh, please, brother. We both know you are not going to murder me in cold blood, and with your own hands." -He tries to grin dismissively.

"Besides, I was too concerned with mother`s death and then with Anastazia, to plot against you."

"I am no fool, brother," Einar snarls. "You have been insinuating that it is I that murdered mother. I don't know how you did it, but I'm positive that this was all your doing. I will not take chances; even for being away you are well-liked, and I know you. You take after mother, I take after father. Father is militaristic and brave... mother was manipulative. Like I said, not taking chances..."

He seems serious, Melkor.

"My doing?!"- Melkor seems stunned.

"Listen, could you really believe that I am capable of killing her. I loved her more than anyone else.... maybe someone manipulates events to turn us against each other, have you considered it?"

Einar is hearing none of it.

His finger slides down onto the trigger...

Is there any cover around, does Melkor have a weapon?

There IS a giant black rock behind you...

Depends, did Melkor keep his pistol on him?

Hmm.... yes, he wanted to have a weapon after recent events, though this is not his usual approach.

But first he will seek cover behind this rock. Einar is better shooter than him, I quess.

Einar is a trained soldier, but Melkor is no flake in shooting capability! But you know where you are lacking.

There is a delay in Einar's shot as he charges up the rifle for a more devastating payload. He lifts the bolt up on his rifle to allow more gas into the chamber, feeding the power cell more fuel to burn into his shot. It gives you enough time to duck down and throw yourself towards the rock.

But when he lets it off... there is a powerful crack as the bolt zips out of the rifle barrel and bursts against the rock. It slices through a section and showers you in shards.

"Hold still, brother!" Einar says. "There is no escape from this!"

"Have it your way!"

Melkor wil try to use what remains of rock as cover, shooting with his pistol from behind it.

Shooting back from around the rock will expose yourself to him. He is a very precise marksman. Will you risk it?

What are alternatives? I have nowhere to run, right?

Running away on an open field may simply be asking for Einar to use you for target practice. On top of being a stellar marksman, that rifle is not going to have much problem with range.

But that landspeeder could get you out of here, the one that you took to get here with Einar.