Mankind

Underlines are supposed to be italics, representing someone's thoughts. Or they might just be emphasis.

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Mankind

            The planet's only city had no name. As the last of its kind, it needed none. Six massive nuclear reactors surrounded it, providing power to the lone establishment.

            Within the city, the Warden spoke to his son. “Soon, you will take my place,” he said. “You will become the Warden, and it is you who will oversee the workings of the Earth. Do not be lulled by the simplicity of your task. If ever any component of the world fails and cannot be repaired by Caomhnóir, you must repair it and ensure that it can be repaired should it fail again. In the meantime, study the knowledge stored by Caomhnóir.” He coughed suddenly, and then a rasping chuckle clawed its way out of his throat. “After all, only you remain to continue the legacy of mankind.”

The Will of the Enemy

This is probably the first short story I've ever written of any quality.

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The Will of the Enemy

            The Head of Council grasped his staff, gazing down at the other members of the Council from his seat at the room's pinnacle.

            “Brothers,” he said in a grave tone, “we have a cause for concern.”

            Those councilmen who had not already felt the ominous air of the Council Chambers were set upon by unyielding silence. Sensing this, the Head continued.

            “The Enemy, after the long period in which their sights were set on other prey, is once again turning their gaze to us. Their target this time is our mining facilities, which have long provided us with the defenses we need to resist them. Rather than attempting to take the mines by force, having already seen why that is unwise, the Enemy is taking another approach. The following is a letter recently delivered by one of their messengers.”

            The Head pulled a paper from the folds of his robe and read, his thunderous voice heard by all.