Gears of War:Va'asch and Torvaan's Story...

The following is the story of how Va'asch and Torvaan rose to where they are now. I have no idea how long I am going to make this, so keep that in mind. Torvaan will be introduced a little later, as Va'asch is indeed the eldest of the four. What ever I write here will likely be as new to me as it is to you. Enjoy.

The Hollow Needs You!
The trip was silent. Even with 50 locust soldiers on board, all that was audible was the breathing, which incidentally, was quite shallow in most cases. Va'asch's was no exception.

He had his head lent against his Hammerburst which he held in his hands. His eyes were closed, nearly in sleep, somewhere in between consciousness and a much needed slumber. All that broke his concentration was the occasional splash of water on the side of the boat. He opened his eyes to the sound of heavy thuds in near of him. Just in time too, as the Theron in command was not a forgiving one. He examined the gruesome warrior of death, clad in the crimson armoured coat that was trademark to all Therons, it did little to help his appearance. Underneath his ceremonial helmet showed a face covered in scars, and one eye missing, with so many scratch marks around it that it must indeed only be at most a few months old. A fearsome sight indeed.

"Sir?" The Theron spun so around so quick that his steel plated boots made scratches on the boats floor. He looked along the ranks to find the one that had addressed him, to find one that looked very sure of himself, a grenadier with the biggest, sharpest, toothiest grin you will see in a long time. "What is it maggot?!" Their commander bellowed. This reduced even the sound of the soldiers collective breathing to nothing, and almost completely wiped whatever smugness the locust's face had. Va'asch simply waited for the gunshot with closed eyes. There was none. All he heard was a slight 'plunk' of the water and when he opened his eyes, the locust who was formerly sitting in that seat, was gone.

He attempted to fall asleep again. There was a nudge in his side. He open his eyes immediately and straightened up. Expecting to see that Theron peering down at him in disgust. He wasn't there, and to Va'asch's relief, was at the front of the boat, conversing with the driver. There was a nudge in his side again. "Idiot it's me." He looked in the direction of the nudge. It was indeed his old friend Brork. "Did I give you a fright, little Va'asch?" He said in hushed tones, and then allowed himself a short chuckle. "No...of course not. I knew it was you." Va'asch replied defensively. This only furthered Brork's chuckling. Their commander heard the noise and his head turned, lightning fast. He didn't see the culprit, and returned to his conversation. Va'asch and Brork slouched again. "Anyway...I got a little extra Rockworm meat, ya want any?" Brork knew this was a rhetorical question. Va'asch eagerly took the tender meat which his friend had managed to smuggle aboard. This was a far sight better than any food they were given out here, on this extremely long boat trip.

After finishing stuffing his face, Va'asch wiped his mouth and turned back to Brork. "That was great st-..." He stopped. Brork was staring at the floor of the boat. Almost longingly. "Is there something wrong?" Brork shook his head "Just remembering stuff" Va'asch knew what was wrong. "It's Torvaan isn't it?" Brork nodded, and glanced towards Va'asch "He wanted so bad to come with me...but..." He went back to silently looking at the bottom of the boat. Va'asch chose not to speak. Torvaan - Brork's little brother - was 2 years younger than Va'asch, and 4 years younger that his brother. He was intelligent but...clumsy was the only it could be put. His sibling did not want him facing the fires of war just yet. It was too early. If Brork had it his way he wouldn't fight at all! A mind like his was hard to come by in the Hollow, but then Locust are not usually very accepting of the unusually bright. He had no choice but to simply accept it. He, and his brother, were going to die.

Soon after, their commanding officer addressed them. "Right." He started abruptly from the silence, "We are a about to arrive underneath the area known as-" He checked a map in his left hand, muttering to himself, "Formerly known as Vander Fields." He paused and pocketed the map. "You are not to be part of the garrison there, as such I have informed the troops there to drop your ugly hides if you loiter too long." He finished this sentence with a gnarly smile. "Your actual job is to patrol the surrounding 100km indefinitely." "Report back to the Vander's garrison if you find anything important. And if you don't come back..." He chuckled, but was still in control o himself, "They'll know anyway." He began to walk along the ranks of seats, examining each soldiers face. "You aren't being assigned to any particular squads so you get to choose who you die with." This earned a whispered remark from Brork. "Oh goodie..." "I'm glad you like it recruit!" He turned and looked at Brork, and the Theron allowed the remark. They neared the shore, which was littered with the rubbish of a Corpsers work. "Oh, and one last thing before you get off..." He did the most gruesome horrible look he could possibly muster. "Don't expect any replacements, your on your own." The Theron proceeded to the front of the ship, and kicked down the hatch at the front of the boat. "Now scarper before I change my mind!"