548 - (FREE TO READ) "Bloody Scorpio": Achilles, Nathan Bedford Forrest & Harald Hardrada vs Richard Francis Burton, Dioxiphous and Shaka Zulu
Vunak Of Antares continues! Chapter Ten...
Copyright 2025 LaFond & Randolph
A Casting Darts Publishing Original
Written by LaFond & Randolph
Vunak leads “The Dirty Dozen you always wanted” against an opposing team lead by non other than Bruce Lee!
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Click to read Chapter one: “Like Water”
Click to read Chapter two: “Stardust Express”
Click to read Chapter three, part one: “The Galactic Fix is In”
Click to read Chapter three, part two: “Charon’s Song”
Click to read Chapter three, part three: “Best and the Blessed”
Click to read Chapter four: “The Dawning Of A New Sun”
Click to read Chapter five, Part one: “Upon the Scales of Right”
Click to read Chapter 5 (Part 2): “Where’s Charlie?”
Click to read Chapter 6: “自由”
Click to read Chapter 7: “Knives Of Scorpio”
Click to read Chapter 8: “Flags Of Scorpio”
Click to read Chapter 9: “Champions Of Scorpio”
“Bloody Antares” / Vunak Of Antares #10
Afternoon: Achilles, Nathan Bedford Forest & Harald Hardrada vs Richard Francis Burton, Dioxiphous and Shaka Zulu
After Blaze and LaFond’s deaths at the hands and claws of Araahk Omega, the sands were cleared of their bodies in time for the half -time show. Following which, each Team Captain leads two of his fellows, chosen by lot, against their foes, armed with their traditional weapons. Once a Captain is slain, a replacement Fate’s Captain is chosen by Lot. A team must have a Captain, as the Lords of Scorpio demand accountability.
The multitude of fists punched the air in time with the beat of the music, all eyes fixed on the glittering female form of T’Wrk as she screamed out the words to her hit “Antarian Woman” while floating on a elliptical metallic platform, some ten feet off the ground. Surrounded by drone cameras, she paused to breathlessly call out; “In honour of our Most High Lords, my band and I, along with our sponsors PharmaCon, are proud to introduce our special guests today! Please be standing for our brave veterans of Ophiuchus campaigns one and two who fought to keep us free!!”
She then adopted an affectation of a salute as a barrage of coloured fireworks erupted and the armed forces parade entered the ellipse to deafening cheers and trumpets. The huge screens strobed a corporate logo of two claws holding a heart inscribed with the word PharmaCon, this then alternated with a flag bearing the barbed Scorpio pyramid, fluttering in the wind.
Gyrating and pausing only to clear her synthetic blonde hair extensions from her face as they were caught by a jet of air from the wind machine pipe at the base of the platform before throwing herself on all fours, T’wrk waved wildly at the crowd from the gliding personal stage as it slowly led the saluting veterans to the exit gate.
Her agent Scorpstein, paced nervously in the press box his eyes calculating the profit return from the buttock enhancement surgery that had been purchased by his company solely for this event.
‘Yess! Judging by that last camera shot, money well spent!’ he enthused, and allowed himself a somewhat repressed air punch with his manicured hand. (1)
‘What on Earth?’ thought Vu as he watched the gaudy spectacle from the Blue Team area. He then paused, before starting to laugh as he realised that “Earth” was just a second rate imitation of this place, which was after all, the original template. Looking up at the strata of the crowd, his eyes squinting to make out the creepy scum Grays, high in the stands and then higher still, almost it seemed to the heavens, where the Scorpio Elite sat obscured by the glare of the suns, indifferent and cold to the miniscule life forms below.
He thought of “Home”, San Clemente, California, USA. Would he have been able to see Antares in the night sky above his place?
‘As below, so above, eh Vu? Nothing changes buddy, it’s all the same big fix.’
At the Red Gate antechamber, Lee was impervious to the outside display, the noise from which shook the walls around him. He watched intently as Achilles positioned the Aspis shield on his left arm, his fist clenching its leather straps before reaching with his right hand for the spear that his father had given him, it’s ash wood shaft so heavy that only he could lift and throw it.(2)
He turned and walked towards the gate followed by the intense form of Nathan Bedford Forrest, armed with sabre and Bowie knife, and towering over both men, the huge frame of Harald Hardrada, his teeth bared as he beat his huge sword (3) against the heavy shield that barely covered his left side.
And at that moment, across the sands of the arena, Vunak stood with his three fighters: Burton, Dioxiphous and Shaka Zulu. The latter, covered in red ochre and snorting snuff from a small wooden box, his eyes blazing.(4 & 5)
Vu started: “Guys, Achilles and his team are going to come out of there strong from the get-go – we gotta have a solid gameplan; we need way to enter to get the pressure on them and finish as fast as possible as a unit. Any ideas?”
Dioxiphous earnestly started, Burton listened intently to the Athenian dialect:
“ἡμεῖς ἐν μάχῃ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἀντιμένους ἐλεύσομεθα”
Vu nodded to Burton; “Rich?”
“Mr Vunak,” Burton said, “He said, ‘Hēmeîs en mákhē toûs echrûs antiménous eleúsometha’, meaning the idea of facing the enemy directly in battle.”
Burton then translated to Shaka, who stood wide eyed, his nostrils flared surrounded by traces of snuff. The Zulu chief then spoke;
“No, sithi sengqoba abantu nge impondo zenkomo!”
Burton nodded, “Yes of course! Gentlemen, Shaka suggests we engage the opposition in battle using the Zulu military tactic known as ‘Impondo zenkomo,’ or ‘The horns of the bull.’ I am familiar with it and believe it to be our surest route to vanquish our adversaries!” (6)
“That’s it! That’s our Gameplan!” Vu agreed with a clenched fist. The four men’s eyes met and the time for talk was at an end.
The trio left the Blue Gate to the roar of the crowd and Charon began his announcement, adopting a Victorian English accent that was not lost on Burton for it’s subtle mocking tone as he traversed the sands.
“Ladies, Gentlemen, my Lords, a Triumvirate of titans for the Blue Team!
In what promises to be the most extraordinary coalition of skill and prowess since the days of old, we present to you the Blue Team, a gathering of historical luminaries, each a paragon of their era:
With sabre and cudgel, Sir Richard Francis Burton - A name is synonymous with adventure returns to the sands for your entertainment! As we saw earlier, Burton is not merely a man of letters but a master of strategy and subterfuge. His mind, sharp as the finest blade from Damascus, brings to the Blue Team an intellectual might as formidable as the physical!
With him, the mighty Shaka Zulu - a military genius and man of unyielding leadership. The architect of the Zulu Kingdom, Shaka transformed the art of war with his tactical innovations, of particular note being the deployment of the short Iklwa spear which he uses today in unison with his Isihlangu shield, weapons that spoke death in close quarters. His presence here adds a martial spirit, a tactical depth that promises to outmanoeuvre any adversary with both strength and cerebral acumen.
And from the ancient sands of Greece, with Aspis and Xyston spear, we welcome a man whose might was celebrated in the sacred contests of the Olympics and upon the fields of war; Dioxiphous!
His legendary triumph over Coragus, with nothing but his own might and determination in the presence of Alexander the Great himself, speaks volumes of his combat prowess. With Dioxiphous, the trio gains not only physical power but an indomitable spirit that has been forged in the fires of both gymnasium and battlefield.
Together, these three gentlemen have united under the banner of the Blue Team and are prepared to engage in what can only be described as a contest for the ages. Their combined talents offer a spectacle of human excellence, and strength, strategy, and spirit, which time itself cannot erode!”
---
Lee shouted above the din at Achilles, “Remember, never hesitate to change tactics if you ...”
The tall Greek met his eyes and then raised a sinewed arm and motioned for the wine that stood on the nearby table.
Realising that this was what the man needed now more than words. He nodded and handed the cup of wine to Achilles, “Here my friend.”
The Pelian spear was briefly set aside and the wine slaked the thirst of the slayer of Hector and at that, the gate abruptly started its rise and the Myrmidon called out “ Alala!” as he seized his spear once more and took to the sands with the other men in close formation.
Lee watched them with admiration as they left but a recognition lingered of the difficulty he faced leading these men.
‘No second takes, this is life and death baby!’
So much now rested on this contest, he felt sure of Achilles, Forest and the giant Hardrada but handing the wine to Achilles had hurt his pride:
‘Do what is best, not what is of the ego. Non – attachment. What is, is.’
Even in this strange life after death, there were lessons to be embraced, he told himself and took a breath and let it go.
Having taken there places near the centre of the sands, Blue Team turned as one to face the direction of the Red Gate as Achilles led his men toward them and Charon began once more.
‘Ah, in the style of Homer, if I am not mistaken?’ Burton, thought as the giant’s neck pipes blared forth:
“Sing, O Muse, of the spectacle fierce and unmatched, where genius in tactics and ferocity in battle are laid bare! First this day and for Red Team, we unveil to thee a warrior whose name resounds through the ages, echoing in the storied halls of military lore. Behold, a man whose dread presence on the field was matched only by the cunning of his mind—Nathan Bedford Forrest, the "Wizard of the Saddle", a marshal of the Confederate legions, whose feats in the War Between the States are woven into legend's fabric.
Now, not upon the blood-soaked fields of Shiloh or Brice's Crossroads does he stand, but upon the eternal sands of our Antarian arena, where he brings forth his singular valour, his spirit unbreakable, and his thirst for supremacy.
His gaze, sharp as the eagle's, once pierced the hearts of Union men with fear. Armed with the cavalry sabre, swift and deadly, and the Bowie knife, fierce and close, he prepares to meet his fate.
Will the strategy of "Charge 'em both ways," famed in tales of old, breathe new life here in this foreign realm? Will his indomitable will, which has conquered all before, again triumph over the odds?
And at his side, Oh dear citizens of this grand arena! Witness a warrior whose name is carved deep within the ancient sagas, a king whose fame stretches from the frostbitten fjords to the heart of battle—Harald Hardrada, the final great king of the Viking lineage!
From the craggy shores of Norway, where the land meets the sea in rugged embrace, came this giant among men, known for his lofty stature and his combat prowess, unmatched in ferocity. He embodied the Viking spirit, a chieftain leading his kin from the forefront, wielding sword and shield, his war-cry rising above the clamour of conflict.
Behold, this king, named "Hard Ruler," who once brought terror to three vast continents with his fierce heart and iron will. Will the skills, forged in the fire of countless battles, serve him well within these new confines of the arena, as they did on the blood-soaked fields of yore? Can the warrior, who once stood guard in the Varangian ranks of Byzantium, weave his battle strategy anew upon these gladiatorial sands?
And finally, the leader of of the Red warriors, Achilles, swift of foot and stout of heart!
From the distant shores of Phthia, where his lineage is divine, he was famed for his fleetness, his strength, and his rage, a tempest that could shift the course of war. He stands above all Greek heroes at Troy, his exploits sung by bards and etched into memory.
Not at Ilion's towering walls do we summon him this day, where once he felled Hector in a duel that made the skies tremble, but here, in our sacred arena, where his renowned abilities shall encounter fresh trials. Achilles strides onto the sands, bearing the same fierce ardour and might that once scattered the ranks of Troy.
His spear, a marvel beyond mortal grasp, and his shield, a work of divine craftsmanship, both catch the sun's rays, as does his piercing gaze, ready to skewer any adversary. Will the wrath of Achilles, which once stayed the advance of entire legions, show its face anew in this place? Can he, who has challenged both gods and mortals, lead Red Team in a battle to the limits of this arena and for the glory of our Most High Lords?”
At the command to fight, both groups of men charged each other without hesitation.
Achilles with his readied spear and his shield low, was slammed into by Dioxiphous who had lifted his Aspis somewhat so that it impacted the head of Achilles, concussing him instantly.
Towering over them and roaring was the Norseman Hardrada, his Berserkergang trance(7) was at it’s height, and there seemed to be only rolled whites of his eyes visible as he attempted to corral Shaka Zulu with his heavy shield looking to attack the Chief’s shield arm with a cut of his heavy sword.
Sensing the attack, Shaka raised the Iklwa high and thrust over hand, spearing the huge Nowegian’s left collarbone, snapping it in the impact and tearing the spear head free through a large laceration to Hardrada’s shoulder, leaving his shield arm hanging useless at his side.
General Forrest charged Burton in a bluff and backed him off enough to enable him to come to the aid of Achilles. The Confederate then reached for Dioxiphous with a glancing sabre blow that sparked as it traversed the top edge of the Greek’s shield but failed to injure, leaving Forrest with his sword shoulder next to Achilles who lunged forward from him in the next instant, and thrust his spear viciously at Dioxiphous, it’s cruel tip missing his face by mere millimetres.
The attempt was instantly answered by Dioxiphous who returned attack with an overhand spear stab that found Achilles’ left shoulder, skidding down into his lowered shield arm, opening it to the muscle in the process. Blood droplets flecked faces and shields as the spear was retracted.
Hardrada brought the heavy sword across in a backhand slash at the Zulu warrior, attempting to behead him as Shaka raised the upper tip of the Isihlangu hide shield and met the blade at equal speed, passing the forged tip as he threw his head back but not far enough as the sword lacerated the Chief’s chin from left to right lower lip where the right teeth of his jaw showed white against the crimson blood.
Breathing hard as he threw himself forwards, Captain Burton was three paces now from Forrest and strode towards the Southerner just as he was launching his attack at Dioxiphous.
The general raised the sabre, and stabbed overhand towards Dioxiphous but was thwarted by Dioxiphous’ shield violently ramming Achilles into him just as Burton closed the distance, his sabre point seeking the confederate’s heart and instead scoring a cruel trench across his chest as he was knocked backwards by Achilles.
“Uuunngghhh!”, Forrest uttered as the scored wound sent him reeling backwards.
Achilles recovered from the ramming attack and steadied himself while launching his spear viciously in an inward slash that ripped apart Dioxiphous’ chest armour from right to left but the Athenian braced his spear against his body and surged inwards towards Achilles burying the forged tip fully into his chest where it exited his back, jamming it’s barbed head irretrievably.
As Achilles sank to his knees, Dioxiphous snatched his spear from his loosening hand as the light left his eyes.
Charon turned to the crowd and sneered; “It would seem that heel being his only weakness was just a myth after all!” and then mockingly began singing “Achilles last stand” by Led Zeppelin in a high falsetto screech:
“Ooooohhhhhh!! ooh! Oohh!”
Hardrada’s sword tip sought the Zulu heart but missed again as Shaka side stepped, his spear once more held high and returning for the Norseman's neck but finding only the skidding defeat of his chain mail.
Nathan Bedford Forrest rallied himself and pressed on dauntless, extended his left arm and slashed inwards with his Bowie knife, narrowly missing the face of Burton before the general instinctively carried the motion on into a stabbing attack that caught the evading Dioxiphous against the breast plate and careened off, slicing the skin high on his right bicep with an audible ripping sound as it’s clipped point exited through the torn skin.
Without stopping Dioxiphous, saw his opening and launched the tip of the Aspis shield with a pronated thrust of his left fist, obliterating Forrest’s jaw and snapping his neck, sending him instantly lifeless and forwards chest-first to the ground, his head following after at a strange angle.
Now the lone survivor of Red Team, Hardrada hefted the steel and thrust straight once more for Shaka Zulu, his strength faltering as he did so and missing, as did Shaka with his repeated attempt at the Northman's throat, the Iklwa finding only air.
Dioxiphous raised his spear high and threw back his shield to drive the lethal point forward towards the turning face of Hardrada with lethal acceleration. The gleaming tip deflecting upwards off of his helmet, Hardrada staggered back with the impact. The Norwegian pushed the heavy blade forward to balance himself, and then brought it across his body in a backhand slash to Shaka’s head, again missing as the Zulu ducked.
Shaka rose fast from the downward evasion and in doing so thrust for the groin of Hardrada, his exhaustion causing him to miss.
He was then joined by Dioxiphous who threw a head punch with his Aspis at the Norseman's head , missing and lurching to the side.
The crowd loved Hardrada! Their bloodlust eclipsing his weakening Berserkergang as his likeness flashed on the screens and klaxons sounded around the arena.
The weight of the armour, shield and weapon was now being felt by the lumbering giant as he hacked at the slender Zulu, missing, and he strained to decelerate the weapon, and bring it back to the combat space. The African's spear again finding only chain mail on it’s umpteenth attempt at his throat.
The opportunity finally presented itself to him and Dioxiphous threw himself, full weighted behind his spear and it plunged catastrophically into Hardrada’s chest, through his lower heart and deep into the spine with a geyser-like spray of bright scarlet.
The champion of Athens released the traitorous spear of Achilles, leaving his stricken team mate momentarily standing, though dead, like a grotesque tripod before slowly falling sideways and crashing down to the eagerly awaiting sands with a loud crash, along with the morale of the members of Red Team who watched from the gate.
Vunak turned to his men for at this moment they were very much his men and the group leapt to their feet and crowded around him at the gate.
“Fuck! Diox killed everyone! We should have just sent him out and ordered pizza!” He said as they all laughed.
Vunak, paused and looked at the others, before adding in a more sombre tone; “Men, this is for Charlie”
“For Charlie!” they roared with one voice as Burton, Shaka and Dioxiphous made their way back towards them followed by the mass chanting of the crowds:
“Vunak!
Vunak!
Vunak..!”
---
The screens flashed “Total defeat and loss for RED!”
“What will they bring to the table in the next round?” boomed Charon, arms gesturing questioningly. Through the din, he heard something that stopped him dead, and the noise faded to him he searched the ellipse for it.
His mind travelled to the source of the thought emanation and into the mind of Araahk Omega, who watched the proceedings on a screen, seemingly impassively and hidden from the crowd behind the arena walls.
Behind that cold facade however, Charon saw the growing treasonous admiration that Omega harboured for the human scum and the “honour” of their futile attempts at survival. The meat hook that hung now from his belt.
Hissing, the Master of Ceremonies narrowed his eyes to slits as he silently transmitted his report of this thought crime upwards to the heights of the arena, to the minds of the Lords of Scorpio themselves.
‘My Most Omnipotent Lords; Treason!’
Continued next week!
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NOTES
1 - T’Wrk and her music industry mogul husband were at the time of this performance mired in what was to become, a rape drug parties scandal and this show was a make or break test for her brand. The fate of her marriage being on the line, the set had included a new cover of “All by myself” and “Independent Sistah” to seed the minds of the unaware audience in case of links needing to be immanently cut.
2 - Diatrekhōn Astēr Lonkhē, translates to “Spear-tip of the Star Traversing the Skies” in Greek. Given to Achilles by his father, Peleus, who had received it as a wedding gift from Chiron, the centaur known for his wisdom. The Iliad refers to his Pelian Spear or spear of Peleus. It was so heavy only he could use it. It was made of ash.
3 – This was a heavy, modern style sword for Hardrada’s age, and would be richly decorated. Brazil nut and disk pommel swords were gaining popularity at the time in Western Europe, so one of these may have been his choice. It may also have been a sword acquired during his time with the Byzantines or Rus and larger than most.
4 - The Zulu warriors would paint their bodies with red ochre and chalk, and they also used other forms of adornment such as feathers and cow tail regalia. Warriors would often paint dashes of red paint on their bodies before entering battle, as a way of signifying their emotional state and intimidating their enemies. their bodies would be painted with various colours and patterns to signify their regiment and status.
5 - Zulu shamans gave their warriors powerful drugs that enhanced their endurance and chased away their fears. They included a cannabis snuff that was very high on THC, but very low in the sedative content that makes people on weed so relaxed and chill. So it made Zulu warriors high and hallucinating but did not leave them lethargic as usually happens with cannabis use.
Zulu warriors were also given an extract from a tumbleweed-type plant called Boophone disticha, with properties similar to codeine and morphine. It had both hallucinogenic and pain-deadening effects, further reducing the warriors’ fears of known dangers, and making them that much harder to bring down. The drug concoction was then rounded off by psychedelic mushrooms that contained muscimol, whose effects included enhanced perception.
The combined effect of all those drugs was to make the Zulu warriors highly alert and focused, with a tunnel vision on the task of charging their enemy no matter what, without the typical distractions of fear holding them back.
6 - The bull horn formation is more commonly associated with Shaka Zulu. This tactic involves dividing the army into three parts: the “horns” (younger warriors who encircle the enemy), the “chest” (seasoned warriors who pin the enemy in place), and the “loins” (reserve forces that protect against additional attackers).
7 - A state of uncontrollable rage and heightened strength that Viking warriors, known as berserkers, allegedly entered during battles. This condition was characterized by a frenzied, almost animal-like behavior where the warriors would fight with extraordinary ferocity. The term is derived from Old Norse and can be translated as "bear-shirt," suggesting an association with the bear, a revered animal in Norse culture.
Historically, berserkergang has been described as a state of fury where the warrior would experience a transformation, often depicted as a trance-like state where they would feel invulnerable and exhibit superhuman strength.
See also:
And:
‘Totemic Shock Troops’ - Author James Anderson on Berserkers