History in Action, Wednesday, 3rd Period
Students entered this time, struck immediately by the weight of the air, heavy with humidity. The sky above them was bright blue -- almost like an ocean -- and wide-bladed green leaves stretched toward a rolling horizon; soft green moss padded each footstep. In the distance, over the far mountains, a storm could be seen, the thunder echoing in the silence.
Following the footpath, they climbed to the peak of a hill. It was there that they found their professor. She stood silently, her eyes tracing the horizon. As they looked over that same horizon, however, a flash of light could be seen...followed in quick succession by another...and another. Thousands of people in the city below scrambled for cover; the high-pitched roar of machinery began to be heard, though the cause was not immediately evident.
Roslin's eyes did not move from the confusion below as she spoke.
"Today will be a quiet day," she said. She clutched a worn, leather-bound book to her chest. The title had been long since worn away, and as her thumb traced over the cover, she gave a rueful smile. "Today, we will be witnessing the exodus of the Twelve Tribes of Kobol."
Turning now to her class, she removed her glasses, grasping them in one hand. "As we've been noting, war can create a great, pivotal point in history, be it human or extraterrestrial. In this case, it shapes the future.
"What you see before you is a small town, believed to be part of the Caprican tribe. The flares of light are mortars, laser cannon, and various other ranged ammunition, fired by another tribe. War has broken out between the tribes, and they can no longer co-exist on the same planet. So...everyone has been planning their journeys -- packing their things, and developing their ships. In the next few moments, as we watch, they'll make their departure, seeking out entire planets for themselves."
She gave a rueful smile. "Feel free to ask questions; I'll answer them as best I can. If not, I might be able to find it." Holding up the book, she nodded to it. "I brought reinforcements."
Laura once again became quiet, watching as the residents of the city filled ships; the smaller of the fleet began rising, hovering just above the horizon as they waited. Soon, the sky was filled with transports, all ranging in size. As the noise became unbearable, a lone figure could be seen standing on the horizon. The wind blew, and the white, flowing robe clung to the figure; it was only then it became apparent the figure was a woman.
The white-robed figure watched as the sky clouded with ships, each beginning a slow ascent into the clouds. She waved and remained there until the last ship vanished. The thunder rolled again, bringing the rain with it this time. As lightning flashed across the sky, the white figure herself was gone. It was impossible to say whether she'd jumped...or if she had ever been there at all.
And then there was silence once again. It was broken only by the pitter-patter of rain on the leaves surrounding them, or the occasional question by the students.
[A little reserved tonight, as I didn't get all the research done I wanted to. So, it'll be saved for next week. Please feel free to ask questions about the significance, how it all started, etc. I'll be available to pick up pings tomorrow afternoon.
OCD threads coming are up! And it always said tribes. Really. ::handwave::]
Following the footpath, they climbed to the peak of a hill. It was there that they found their professor. She stood silently, her eyes tracing the horizon. As they looked over that same horizon, however, a flash of light could be seen...followed in quick succession by another...and another. Thousands of people in the city below scrambled for cover; the high-pitched roar of machinery began to be heard, though the cause was not immediately evident.
Roslin's eyes did not move from the confusion below as she spoke.
"Today will be a quiet day," she said. She clutched a worn, leather-bound book to her chest. The title had been long since worn away, and as her thumb traced over the cover, she gave a rueful smile. "Today, we will be witnessing the exodus of the Twelve Tribes of Kobol."
Turning now to her class, she removed her glasses, grasping them in one hand. "As we've been noting, war can create a great, pivotal point in history, be it human or extraterrestrial. In this case, it shapes the future.
"What you see before you is a small town, believed to be part of the Caprican tribe. The flares of light are mortars, laser cannon, and various other ranged ammunition, fired by another tribe. War has broken out between the tribes, and they can no longer co-exist on the same planet. So...everyone has been planning their journeys -- packing their things, and developing their ships. In the next few moments, as we watch, they'll make their departure, seeking out entire planets for themselves."
She gave a rueful smile. "Feel free to ask questions; I'll answer them as best I can. If not, I might be able to find it." Holding up the book, she nodded to it. "I brought reinforcements."
Laura once again became quiet, watching as the residents of the city filled ships; the smaller of the fleet began rising, hovering just above the horizon as they waited. Soon, the sky was filled with transports, all ranging in size. As the noise became unbearable, a lone figure could be seen standing on the horizon. The wind blew, and the white, flowing robe clung to the figure; it was only then it became apparent the figure was a woman.
The white-robed figure watched as the sky clouded with ships, each beginning a slow ascent into the clouds. She waved and remained there until the last ship vanished. The thunder rolled again, bringing the rain with it this time. As lightning flashed across the sky, the white figure herself was gone. It was impossible to say whether she'd jumped...or if she had ever been there at all.
And then there was silence once again. It was broken only by the pitter-patter of rain on the leaves surrounding them, or the occasional question by the students.
[A little reserved tonight, as I didn't get all the research done I wanted to. So, it'll be saved for next week. Please feel free to ask questions about the significance, how it all started, etc. I'll be available to pick up pings tomorrow afternoon.
OCD threads coming are up! And it always said tribes. Really. ::handwave::]