I picked up Rimworld about a week ago and have found it so compelling. I've tried a few different scenario's but the one that has lasted longest started with 3 characters: Beau, J-Mac and Bluebird. Too much has happened to recount it all, so I have taken a couple events and turned them into very short stories:
Danny - Kill
One pirate remained; she emerged from a flaming mound of destroyed sandbags and turret parts, giant and terrifying in the mid-morning sun. She bore down upon Beau with her iron club, who deftly swung back with his sword, the two clashed and circled each other, neither gaining enough ground to finish the fight. J-Mac stood back with her assault rifle, afraid to shoot lest she hit the wrong target.
"DANNY" she yelled - "KILL".
The huge timber-wolf slipped from her side like a shadow and crashed into the pirate as she raised her club. For a moment it seemed that the battle was over, but she managed to steady herself and knock the wolf back. She swung her club wildly to keep her enemies at bay and in her rage she caught Beau in the chest, he fell to the ground stunned... and vulnerable. Danny moved swiftly around the pirate, nipping at her heels to give Beau time to recover.
With Beau on the ground J-Mac finally had a clear shot, she stared straight down the iron-sights of her rifle, took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger.
At the same moment Danny saw his chance, the pirate's throat was exposed and he leapt upon her with all of his strength. J-Mac had fired three shots - two found their mark, the third did not... it struck the timber wolf, it struck her beloved Danny. Danny, who she had found in the wild, trained and loved unconditionally for these past two years. He had become her truest and closest companion in a world that could be so lonely.
Bluebird heard the terrible scream and could no longer stay hidden inside. She ran out into the courtyard to find J-Mac on her knees, cradling the wolf she had loved so much. Bluebird was a skilled Doctor, she could heal just about anything if she had the time and the tools... but she couldn't resurrect the dead. It was too late, the battle had been won, but J-Mac would never be the same again.
Danny - Kill
One pirate remained; she emerged from a flaming mound of destroyed sandbags and turret parts, giant and terrifying in the mid-morning sun. She bore down upon Beau with her iron club, who deftly swung back with his sword, the two clashed and circled each other, neither gaining enough ground to finish the fight. J-Mac stood back with her assault rifle, afraid to shoot lest she hit the wrong target.
"DANNY" she yelled - "KILL".
The huge timber-wolf slipped from her side like a shadow and crashed into the pirate as she raised her club. For a moment it seemed that the battle was over, but she managed to steady herself and knock the wolf back. She swung her club wildly to keep her enemies at bay and in her rage she caught Beau in the chest, he fell to the ground stunned... and vulnerable. Danny moved swiftly around the pirate, nipping at her heels to give Beau time to recover.
With Beau on the ground J-Mac finally had a clear shot, she stared straight down the iron-sights of her rifle, took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger.
At the same moment Danny saw his chance, the pirate's throat was exposed and he leapt upon her with all of his strength. J-Mac had fired three shots - two found their mark, the third did not... it struck the timber wolf, it struck her beloved Danny. Danny, who she had found in the wild, trained and loved unconditionally for these past two years. He had become her truest and closest companion in a world that could be so lonely.
Bluebird heard the terrible scream and could no longer stay hidden inside. She ran out into the courtyard to find J-Mac on her knees, cradling the wolf she had loved so much. Bluebird was a skilled Doctor, she could heal just about anything if she had the time and the tools... but she couldn't resurrect the dead. It was too late, the battle had been won, but J-Mac would never be the same again.