Some screenplay-type scenes for a game I’m working on got cut, so I figured I’d post them here! Late draft quality.
Background: Academy, local terrain below it
Characters: Blair, Juniper
Summary: Blair and Juniper are in the academy with graduation fast approaching. They discuss the rumors they’ve heard about impending conflict, and the consequential likely deployment. The two express their desire to stay together.
JUNIPER (triumphant): And… Hah! I rolled 11! That’s three damage to your castle.
BLAIR (grimace): That’s three... out of three… maybe I can-
JUNIPER: Nope, you’re in a corner! Just admit it, I’m the better strategist.
BLAIR (mock angry): Hardly, I was winning that entire match.
BLAIR: I don’t know how you managed that, honestly.
NARRATOR: The two continue bantering over their game until there’s a lull in the conversation. You lean in and drop your voice to a whisper.
BLAIR: Did you hear about [Velgari, unless playing velgari, then Tsubin]?
JUNIPER: Nothing concrete, most of it probably exaggerated.
BLAIR: You know Anoka? She runs the Clearwater Bakery? She told me yesterday that both of her kids were called back home. In not so many words, conscripted.
JUNIPER (curious): Anoka? Isn’t she [If not playing velgari: “Velgaran? They have regional conflicts from time to time don’t they?”. If playing velgari: “Tsubin? They have mandatory military service, don’t they?”]
BLAIR (smile): So you do pay attention in classes besides tactics!
BLAIR: But it’s true, they do. It could be coincidence. But with everything else going on…
JUNIPER: Well, the brass will let us know soon enough.
NARRATOR: Juniper’s voice quickens with excitement.
JUNIPER: Getting to see action this early in our careers is a real treat! You better not blow it - winding up as my subordinate would be pretty embarrassing.
BLAIR (smile): You? My CO? Come on, we both know you’re gonna mouth off and get yourself blacklisted.
BLAIR: It would be nice to be together though. After all these years I don’t think I could trust any other strategist to have my back.
JUNIPER (smile): You know they can’t put all the rising stars on the same force. Strategists aren’t _that_ common.
NARRATOR: Juniper is suddenly serious.
JUNIPER: This isn’t the sort of job you get old in.
BLAIR: Hey, we both knew what we were getting into when we came here.
NARRATOR: A clock tower sounds in the distance
BLAIR: it’s getting late, wanna play one more and call it a night?
JUNIPER (smile): You’re on!
NARRATOR: It would be several hours before either of them slept.
Summary: Bruno calls Blair in, tells them that conflict is brewing. Superior then gives the player a choice of which country they want to be deployed in. Blair explains their decision, Bruno cautions them and gives some advice.
NARRATOR: Bruno has just called you into his office. He looks tired, but smiles as you enter.
BRUNO: Blair, good to see you. Sit down, close the door behind you.
BRUNO: Permission finally came down to tell you this: You’re being deployed. Everyone is, really.
NARRATOR: Blair tries to look surprised.
BLAIR (surprised): Wow, conflict, who’s it with this time?
NARRATOR: Bruno looks away, avoiding your eyes.
BRUNO: That’s actually why I called you here. I put in a good word for you, and general Sweyn agreed to let you pick a force to lead.
BLAIR (surprised): Really? That’s awfully thoughtful of her.
BRUNO (smile): Your name carries more weight than you realize, Blair. The generals expect quite a bit from you.
BRUNO: You’ve been assigned to lead a distraction force. The general plan is for you to divert our foes’ attention while a primary force of, ah, less expendable-
BRUNO: It’s the truth! Anyways, the main force will be moving… in a different direction.
BLAIR (curious): Oh? Am i not trusted with our esteemed generals’ secret plans?
BRUNO: I can tell you where we’re going. [Direction of the center of the continent]. I don’t know why we’re going there. Officially it’s defensive maneuvers in response to [Velgari’s, unless velgari, then Tsubin’s] recent mobilization.
BLAIR (suspicious): That seems like kinda the wrong direction.
BRUNO (grimace): All I know is what I’ve been told.
BRUNO: I’ll give you a moment to think about where you want to be deployed, but I do need your decision tonight. They’re expecting your response sent by tomorrow.
(Cut to choice screen, with pros and cons of each choice bulleted out. Blair lays out their reasoning, Bruno points out some drawbacks, but approves)
BRUNO: Either way, watch your back out there. It’s easy to forget, but even the smallest of engagements feels nothing like a practice skirmish.
BLAIR: I’ll be safe and I’ll keep my units safe, don’t worry. We’ll crush any [target country player just picked demonym] forces that come after us.
BRUNO: I trust you. Just remember you’re there to draw their attention, not martyr yourself taking out ten [target demonym]s for every [your country demonym].
NARRATOR: With that reminder Bruno bids you goodnight. You return to your room, mind racing.