Depth Perception and a Heart of Copper

Prologue - Steel and Bloodshed

Rain has always been both a nuisance and a pleasure, in the days I've been able to experience it. The warm summer rain always has a way of warming my soul while cooling my skin. Accompanied by a gentle, temperate breeze, it almost reminds me of my years before. In the days when steel was a metal and not a term for a weapon. When red was simply a color, not something you hate to see your friends, brothers, sisters, or loved ones covered in.

Not to suggest my days thusfar have been all bloodshed and battle. More patience than anything else, it would seem. Hiding and hoping not to be seen or heard, praying to any kind of benevolent being to live another day.

I find it almost haunting that the smell of smoke reminds me more of bonfires and gentle times of being a mere child than it does the fear of being burned alive. We live in a time of industry and development, even if it is a time of corruption and death. Faint memories of coals in the stove help push me to live another day.

The year is 2164. The time follows the fall and rebirth of the known world. After the striking rise in population, the nuclear war, and the decades spent rebuilding, it's estimated less than five hundred million of the population are left. Of those that are human, anyway.

"Earth," if you can call it that, has been filled with other sentient races after the fallout. I'm not talking about the rise of the French or Russians. More of a sentient species of red and brown furred... men.

I use the term "men" lightly because of the lack of similarities between the two. The dog-men appear more along the lines of werewolf lore than actual humans. Minus of course their reactin to any effects of the moon, ability of changing shape, and the possibility of being a "shirtless boy toy."

The only other species that holds any contest among us are the Athenians. Or the "scales," given not for the texture of their skin but their affiliation with honor and judgement. Their faith in an ingrown system of morality guides them. They would be astute allies of humans if it wasn't for their belief that we are nothing but tyrants and greedy monsters, the dog-men being more savages and brutes in their eyes.

Dog-men oddly don't have a specific name for themselves. Or if they do, they have never told any humans or Athenians. But conversing is scarce between forces on opposing sides of the battlefield. Especially when over the sound of gunfire and clashing metal.

This is not a story of heroism and freedom where nothing is lost, and nothing is surrendered. With every action their is a price. War is a violent, monstrous, and cold art. And I stand to lose almost everything before this story is through.

Forgive me, I haven't introduced my role in this tale. Before the wars began, I attempted to unionize the scattered populace. That being before the envious and bloodthirsty decided to pool their resources and create dozens of provinces and pacts with malicious intent. Alike, the Taldon Guard; a city gang led by Rickard Taldon that robs anyone passing any roads they "control" in a ten mile radius of "their" city, just to name one of many.

I represent a minority. And I hope to survive.