Fantasy Kaizoic: Earth Reborn (Season 2)

[Da Doofus]

The history of life on Earth is, and always has been, a constant shift of life and death. Eons of evolution and domination of one successful species will eventually come crumbling down to either extinction or a complete renewal of the established natural order. This cycle begins again and again with no definite winners . . . Only survivors. For humanity, the end of their era as the dominant race came as a continuous theater of carnage on each other. Man waged war after war upon their own kind until the planet they had fought upon lay scarred and the nations they spilled blood for collapsed. A new order rose in the form if the United Global Republic, and for a time it seemed that peace and rebuilding would be the new goal of man. Nature, it would seem, would not sit quietly in the aftermath of centuries of mass destruction, and mankind would face a new threat that they could not destroy so easily. Tectonic quakes and continental shifts caused planetwide catastrophes, and gave way for ancient creatures to awaken and reclaim a world that they once ruled. Underground sanctuaries held dozens of species preserved from the extinctions that ravaged the planet in eras past . . . as well as slumbering giants that stand apart from the natural order as humanity knew it.
The Republic was founded in 2106, and by 2219 it stood little chance of surviving the onslaught of Apex creatures fighting for dominance over the planet. The Noah Program was launched, and ten ships large enough to function as small cities were sent into orbit to house thousands of survivors in stasis until the Earth was safe for recolonization. Noah 6 had returned to a planet devoid of human civilization for 10,000 years and an entirely new era had taken its place.
Earth was no longer the world of mankind.
After landing and establishing a first colony in the tropical wilderness of what used to be North America, now called Hennasia, contact was made with the new dominant civilization of the planet. Archosaurians and the species that fall in the category had evolved and advanced to found their own nations and cultures. A stowaway smuggler: Rufus Maye, and Noah colonist: Kairo Hunjan, were the two who had traveled across the jungle and learned of the peoples that lived in the lands the Republic hope to recolonize. In their journey, they had formed companionship with Darrek Kendalt: an Archosaurian of the Irokai species. The three survived a multitude of challenges and dangers the new Earth brought them with assistance from Republic Commander: Jacob Stryx, and Darrek's estranged older brother Dracon Kendalt.
A year had passed since the five held back the attacks of a mercenary gang targeting Noah colonists, and the paths of life had taken the five apart from each other. Darrek and Dracon returned to their village: Drafisl, which had remained hidden up until a few months ago from the Noah ship.
Commander Caffold now serves under Republic General Robert Arnst in a new colony further South, and Rufus Maye had fled the confines of Republic surveillance weeks after returning to the colonial vessel. Kairo, after training under Caffold, now works on the Security Patrols for the new roads being built to connect the settlements to the Noah for supply and travel purposes.
Life had been peaceful this past year, but not even Kairo could be certain about what would happen now that the human survivors were aware of the Archos around them.
***************************

"HUNJAN!" A scratchy voice pierced Kairo's ears as the blunt end of a shotgun knocked against his shoulder gently but firmly out of his slumber. The air was humid, and the tropical heat was just starting to intensify meaning it was still morning.
Standing over the young patrolman was a senior ranking officer of the outpost, so his name wouldn't be important at the moment since he only managed the shift changes.

Another nudge from the empty weapon. "Wake up, son. Your shift is coming up."

 

[Chai_T3a]

Another day, and yet another abrupt wake-up call. Kairo had been sure his body would get used to this by now, but the comfort of his bed was, and will always be something he'd find hard to give up. Thing's had been peaceful for the past year, but that didn't mean his life became any less busy. Now though, without the constant worry that came with survival, there was little to motivate him to wake up at such an early hour. With a tired groan, he lazily sat up, letting the cover's bunch up below his torso.

"It can't already be morning, can it?" He yawned, absentmindedly slipping on the standard issued uniform jacket over his tank top. The question he asked was rather rhetorical, considering he could smell the humid morning air of the Hennasian jungle.

 

[Da Doofus]

“Fraid it is, son.” The dispatcher grumbled. “And you’re late. The transport is leaving at 8:00 and it’s 7:53.” He knelt down. “And if you want to keep your job you’d best get yer sorry ass in gear.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

The sleep within Kairo's eyes was quickly replaced with unrequited horror at the realization that he was about to be late. He rarely overslept, and when he did, there was always someone willing to wake him up on time. How the hell was it possible that both his failsafe mechanism's decided to crap out on him now.

Kairo jumped out of bed and rushed to get his gear on, he'd done this hundred's of times at this point. But yet at that moment, his fluid and the natural process was still too slow for him.

"Christ thank you for the early wake-up call, sir." He said, voice laced with sarcasm, but not enough for it to appear as disrespectful. Lacing his boot's, he rushed out of the barrack's and toward's the transport.

 

[Da Doofus]

The Republic outpost was still under construction, albeit nearing completion, so most of the activity aside from patrol shift changes were construction robots building the watchtowers and electrified fences barring the area from the outside jungle.
Synap-Unit foremen supervised the hulking load carrying builder robots. With themselves being a more sophisticated android, this was a suitable companionship.

One of the foremen, a feminine Synap painted for construction assignments, greeted Kairo politely as he passed.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo promptly greeted the Synap-Unit, but in his rush, didn’t seem to initiate anything more with her. Usually, he’d had time to grab some rations and possibly make himself a coffee before he left, but it seemed time wasn’t on his side today. That was something that bewildered him. With all this construction going on, how the hell did was he not able to wake up? He had places to be, after all.

Either way, he’d have time to berate himself about it later. Right now, he focus on getting to the transport on time. A routine which he had repeated so many times that it came to the man as second nature, and yet that might not even be enough for him today. He turned the corner towards the makeshift hangar, hoping that the damned vehicle would still be outside waiting for him.

 

[Da Doofus]

The Cricket was waiting in the half-constructed garage along with four other patrolmen who were currently boarding with gear slung over their shoulders.
One noticed the young man approaching and smirked.

“Getting your beauty sleep?” The older officer jested. “Ain’t gonna do you any good.”
He was a clean shaven man who appeared to be of Hispanic heritage. A stranger to Kairo except for the daily passings since they both covered the same route.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo was considerably more fit now then back at the beginning of all this, but the sprint had still taken quite a bit out of him. Hands on his knees, he caught his breathe as the older guard began teasing him.

“Ey....I’m here...aren’t I?” He countered, in between gasps for breathe. “Just...being efficient with my time.”

 

[Da Doofus]

“Well just watch that being late shit. Sooner or later, someone’s gonna notice.”

A bell rang, and the Cricket rumbled to life as the engine was activated.
“Sector 5-G officers now boarding for routine patrol.” An automated voice said from a speaker.

“Time to earn the bread.” The officer sighed as he stepped inside the machine.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo didn't fail to notice that concern in the other officer's voice, in which he gave the man a curt nod in understanding. He himself wasn't usually the late-type, so this regretful, almost guilty feeling came oddly to him. He'd rather not get used to it.

Thankfully, his tardiness wouldn't be a subject of debate for a long time, as the announcement warning of their departure sounded. Kairo visibly relaxed, knowing that he'd made it on time. He himself boarding the transport, making himself reasonably comfortable on one of the hard seats.

"Ey lighten up, the day'll be past us before we even notice" He added, attempting to cheer up the other officer who seemed just a bit annoyed that their shift would be starting.

 

[Da Doofus]

The interior of the Cricket was unlike every other of the Republic built land transports. Over the past year, Kairo had ridden in them regularly in his fresh career as a road patrol officer.
Thankfully, these rides were nowhere near as chaotic as his first one with Rufus a year ago.

The armored wheels began to turn, and soon they were on their way to the assigned destination.

 

[Chai_T3a]

The cricket trudged along the rough forest terrain. A feat which, for this certain type of vehicle, was nothing to gawk at. At the very beginning of Kari's career, each little bump would unnerve the man, considering his rather rough history with the cricket in general. But that fear was quickly grown out of. Now, just like every other day in his new life, he'd spend this time relaxing. Contemplation, useless chitter-chatter, or even just blanking out as a whole.

Though no matter how many time's he'd been in a Cricket, that first journey wouldn't fail to rear itself into Kairo's mind. He wondered how Rufus was doing. The man who had been his companion since day one, had so suddenly disappeared one morning. Leaving not a single trace of his whereabouts. Kairo wasn't surprised back then, and he wasn't now. The republic had treated him as if he was still some wanted criminal. And on the inside, he was happy for the man. Still, the past year had gotten rather lonely without much of the people he'd come to know so well. Maybe that was the price to pay for this temporary peace.

He sighed to himself, shaking the thought out of his head. Whatever Rufus and the other's were doing now didn't matter. He was working, and sulking about his perfectly fine life at the moment wasn't something that came with the job description. Rather, he spent the rest of the ride inspecting his issued rifle, making sure that the firearm was loaded and in working condition.

 

[Da Doofus]

Elsewhere . . .


In the denser parts of the jungle, a village lay that only a handful of Noah colonists knew about.
Drafisl remained hidden over the past year, despite the humans of the remnant Republic now having knowledge of the other civilized races that now occupied the planet.

Along the main road into the humble abode was an inn Kairo had spent much time in. The Traveler’s Rest had gone into a different business schedule now that the Kendians had arrived. The festivities of the New Year had long ended and so the inn did little to no trade with the visiting farmers and merchants. Now it served solely as the home of its owner; Cräga Amante, her sister Crina, and the two Kendalt brothers Darrek and Dracon.
Cräga herself was brewing a scented tea for herself as she relaxed for the morning. Darrek and Crina were in the village assisting in the local Vindav tribes’ day to day chores, and Dracon remained upstairs asleep after patrolling for most of the night.

Ever since the half-wild Irokai had made the inn a lasting residence under advice of his surrogate sister’s advice to remain closer to his brother, he had stayed in the area regularly. Unfortunately, his habit of being a hermit kept him secluded in his room when he wasn’t out hunting or patrolling the hidden paths surrounding the area.
This was partially due to the presence of the Kendian clan in their seasonal occupation of this part of the jungle. They would not welcome a Feral as warmly as the Vindav do. His brother, Darrek, was fortunate to be favored by one of the clan’s scouts; Talom. A childhood friend and grandson of the clan’s former chief, Bom. As long as his younger brother could remain safe, Dracon cared not for his own image in the eyes of others.

Now however, the Feral of the Traveler’s Rest was dreaming old dreams and reliving memories of a childhood seldom revisitied . . .
***********************

Dakovis, Hennasia. 18 years ago . . .


“Dracon!” Theron Kendalt called from outside the family manor. “Dakheva and I are going to the market. Come along.”

Father had always insisted that the firstborn son of the Kendalt family be present and known to the people of the town. The Rithian colony was founded and named after his grandfather, and so the people came to view the noble family as the leaders of sorts. Unspoken was this rule, but Theron had come to live up to it.

Much to the young Irokai’s frustration, he struggled with social outings. Mostly due to a low self-esteem from being the runt of the family. He had been teased by other children due to his small and frail body on more than one occasion.
Yet, his father persisted in ensuring his son had social outings along with his twin sister; Dakheva.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Dracon groaned in irritation of his fathers request, a gesture that wasn’t unusual for someone his age. He’d been lazily lying around in his bed this morning, having played too hard with Dakheva just a day before. All tuckered out, the last thing the young irokai needed now was to be dragged outside. Even the very thought of dealing with all those people made him cringe in anxious anticipation.

He heaved himself out of bed, and called out from the window in his room that he shared with Dakheva. “Father! I don’t want to go!” He complained. “There’s too many people there, and they all give me weird looks.”

 

[Da Doofus]

Theron scoffed from below Dracon’s position. He and Dakheva were beside the front gate looking up at the young male.
“Dracon, no one gives you weird looks.” He crossed his arms and smiled. “We’ll be visiting the Amantes after.” He coaxed.

The Amantes were close friends of the family, practically kin themselves despite their being human. Romero Amante was a childhood friend and companion to Theron, cementing their honorary kinship that passed onto their children. Romero’s wife, Miya, was a merchant working in one of Dakovis Kendalt’s businesses when they met in the town’s founding.
The firstborn Amante daughter; Cräga, was born months after Dracon and Dakheva and so the three were raised together. Dakheva and she were particularly close, but Dracon too trusted and loved her as though she were a second sister. Her mother had given birth to a newborn daughter, Crina, weeks prior and ever since then the Kendalt mother; Aileene had spent more time there as she too was tending to a recently laid egg bearing a sibling for the twins.
Dracon always enjoyed visits to their home, and coupled with the fact Mother was most likely there too made the venture tempting.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Dracon's previous apprehension quickly disappeared at the prospect of being able to see the Amantes. Sure, he still hated the idea of heading to the market, but the prospect of being able to see Craga and his mom definitely outweighed his fear of other people.

"Okay! Fine I'll come."

He called out, trying to mask how excited he actually was. But that facade would quickly be broken as he closed the window and began rushing down the stairs. Even with his small frame, the irokai practically broke through the door as he ran to catch up to Theron and Dakheva. "We won't be staying for too long at the market, right?"

 

[Da Doofus]

Dakheva shook her head and shoved Dracon with her body teasingly. “We’re just buying some oil for the nursery heater. Father’s almost finished building it.”

For the past week, Theron had been converting a guest room into a nursery for the unborn egg. For now it was in the care of Miya at the Amante home. Aileene spent many nights there driven by Irokai maternal instinct, and rarely left the temporary nest’s side.
Soon it would be long enough to start to distinguish whether it would be a baby brother or sister.
Dracon and Dakheva spoke once about hoping for a brother.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Dracon braced himself for the shove. Living with his sister for such a long time meant he knew many of her tactics. But even so, the light shove made him stumble a bit too much for the little force that was put into it. He gave her sister a feigned pout, as if the tease had hurt him deeply. But it was clear that he was just messing around.

He didn't focus too much on that though, as what her sister informed him of was new's that made him beyond happy. "Wait, actually? Father's almost done building it?" He said, sounding pretty damn bewildered. He looked up at his father, giddy excitement piercing his muzzle into a toothy smile. If the nest was almost ready, that would mean. "Then is mom finally going to come back to live with us again?"

 

[Da Doofus]

Theron nodded with a smile and warmness in his blue eyes. “That’s exactly what that means. This was the only way to get around that stubbornness of hers.” He chuckled.
Aileene Kendalt had a skewed reputation for being nearly Feral. She was an oddity to the Rithian colonists since she was not from Rithia. Irokai native to Hennasia were often wild and dangerous people little more than savages.
Mother was formerly a chief of a Kendian clan, and further labeled her as a peculiarity. She trusted few and was not sociable to anyone not family unless Father was there to mediate. In fact, they did nit have any housekeepers since the first time Father hired a few they were driven out by Mother due to her territorial tendencies.
Thankfully she grew to trust and rely upon the Amantes as friends after a while. However she states often that she had enough friends, and so her social circle remained confined to the Amantes and the nomadic Kendians whenever they returned.

Needless to say, Mother’s protective instinct had been fierce as of late. It was all motivated by love though, and there was an understanding of that among the family and the Amantes.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Dracon's excitement only grew at his father's confirmation, to the point where containing himself seemed almost impossible to the young irokai. It had been quite some time since mother had lived with them. And with each day, the separation took its toll on the younger irokai. He knew why her mother had chosen to live with the Amante's, but that didn't stop a child from longing for a missing parent. It seemed that soon he'd finally have his wish granted.

"YES!" He exclaimed, seemingly picking up his pace. It was rare for Dracon to be the one in front. "C'mon then! Let's go! The fast we get the oil the quicker we get mother back!"

 

[Da Doofus]

Theron laughed and put a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“I guessed that would be enough to get you out of the house.”

Dakheva nudged against his back with her snout.
“Hermit.” She teased sweetly.

 

[Chai_T3a]

"You do enough socializing for the both of us." Dracon added gingerly, stopping slightly in his tracks so that his sister would have a harder time nudging him. "Besides! I talk to the people who matter!"

 

[Da Doofus]

“Dakheva, leave him alone.” Theron gently scolded. “Dracon . . .” He pulled the boy close and knelt down.
“You are right to hold us and the Amantes close in trust. But I don’t want you to believe that you should hide away from the world itself. I love you, son. Never forget that.” He patted his back.
“So I want you to be brave for your mother and the youngling. You and Dakheva will be looking after a new brother and sister soon enough.”

Dakheva stepped closer. “Father? Have you and mother thought of names yet?”

He smiled. “If it’s a girl; Aila. Boy . . . Then Darrek.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

The sudden speech from his father had caught the young irokai off guard. His reserved and shy nature was something that he didn't keep to himself, but it wasn't often brought up to him. At least never in such a serious fashion before. He looked at his father in the eye, seemingly weary for a moment at the sudden responsibility being placed on him. But his father's concern was genuine, and Dracon knew that'd he have to grow up sooner or later.

Maybe with his sibling coming along, it was his time to finally open up to the world. At least a little bit.

"Guess I can try and be a bit less shy." He mumbled, a slight, yet toothy grin on his face to hopefully instill some confidence within both him and his father.

Then, his sister would butt in, and at that moment the previous maturity had basically left the child. He was still young after all.

"I thought we'd be following the whole 'starting names with the letter D' thingy." He questioned. "Daila!"

 

[Da Doofus]

“Aila was your mother’s mother.” Theron said. “But we shall see.” Another gentle hand was run over the boy’s forming crest.