Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Colonial Clockwork Marine

Vol1: Chapter 3

Lieutenant Valkyrie's facial expression scorned me and simply grunted in disgust as she said, "Fat chance, there was no heroic battle surrounding your death... Colonel." An afterthought came from her as she blurted out, "Now if you expired during the D-day landings, now that was quite an exceptional day, yes?" For some reason I got weird vibes from Lieutenant Valkyrie on that last comment as if she was slobbering in thought over a memorable gourmet meal that she had. In fact to my surprise, she was in deed salivating from her thoughts about D-day, that only the gods would know about!

I backed down slowly a bit from Lieutenant Valkyrie, as she might sprung loose like a rabid animal towards me, if I said anything more to incite her demeanor and left her to her own devices. Turning my attention, now that I have a full set of marbles in my head surrounding the events of my death towards this time, I addressed the Field Marshal. 

This one shows an aura of exponential respect. Like being in the presence of a great warrior or someone who commanded formidable armies in the field. Compared to the angelic allure of being with Lieutenant Valkyrie's presence, which speaks volumes on the identity of the one I am now addressing . Hence the need for me to be further cautious and respectful in spite of my foreseen duress. "Sir, I believe I am entitled for a full explanation from this charade and on the nature of this mission that you so speak about?"

"Yes, right you are Grimes, but can I call you Kevin?" as the Field Marshal turned to extinguish his cigar.

"Fine by me, please get on with it. Sir." I replied, maintaining a respectful tone.

"Very well to the business end of our discussion Kevin. First my name is Neit, but for some others they call me Neto. I don't blame them, blame the Romans perhaps?" smiled the elderly officer.

"Neit? Is that not the name of the Irish God of war?!" I gasped. Now the stories of Ireland began to seep into me especially with the Fae and of the Tuatha Dé Dannan. Still from what I know I'm supposed to be dead so why am I in this fancy place and not in some sort of peace? I dared to ask further, "This all seems surreal to me to be engaging with beings from myths and legends, is there a reason?"

"I will get there Kevin, just be patient and hear of our proposal later." replied Neit as his eyes glowed in amber light. "This period that you exist in is quite an extraordinary one to say the least. Heroes and villains are forged under varied circumstances by the very fires of this war. Becoming remarkable individuals to be remembered for their deeds in all eternity. Sad to say that someone like you is not a believing man, hence your abilities and experiences will be of no benefit for you or any pantheon. Your soul will just be dismembered in the hereafter and into oblivion, making your experiences or achievements moot at the very doorstep of mortality, that is if you should not accept my offer."

"Sir."as I continued to speak to Neit, "Is it not normal for one to end one's life and be done with it after a lifetime of war?"

"True, but there is supposed to be the next step in everything, Kevin." Continued Neit in a more fatherly tone, "Like ascending to a higher plane after you succeeded in all that you can be from a previous life and be deemed worthy. Much like the scientific progress human kind has embarked on to make things better. Same with one's life as you progress and die you should have made yourself better during the course of your existence as you lived . I can't go into the deeper philosophies on what makes a life worthy or what makes you exist. I'm a war god not a god of philosophy, go ask them Greek Gods if you wish to engage in such banter."

"But hear this Kevin, what is offered to you is very special and the rewards would definitely be worth the trouble compared to what's dreadfully in store for you after we part with your rejection, so are you going to take the deal or not?"