# S410: WARBADGER

By [Andrew Shanahan](https://paragraph.com/@shanahan) · 2023-04-19

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The animals gathered in the moss-quiet wood at the base of the eldest oak. In badger’s memory – the longest of all the animals in the wood – this was only the third such meeting. The first was because of the fire. The second was because of the death of Old Mam, a rabbit whose life had extended to nearly 20 years. The third was because of the men.

“It’s unacceptable! Unacceptable!” cried the peacock in the shrill voice that secretly enraged most of the other animals.

“We know,” explained Fox patiently. “We all agree it’s unacceptable – what we’re trying to establish is what we can do about it.”

Badger sighed and looked as he always did when he was feeling hopeless to the tops of the trees. The canopy of this great wood had sheltered animals for generations. And generations before that, but now it seemed that the relentless encroachment of the humans would send them forth from their home.

“I just want to have it on record that it’s unacceptable,” finished the peacock.

“Fine – it’s on record,” said the rabbit who pretended to make a note in the moss. All the animals fell silent as badger ambled towards the stump – the traditional speaking place of such meetings.

“If you will permit, ah, permit me a moment. I want to welcome you all – my friends, my fellows. I want to bid you welcome to this sacred place and give you some options. We all know that the humans are coming closer every day. We all agree it’s unacceptable,” a look here in peacock’s direction – “but the question remains – what can we do about it?”

A flurry of “yes, yes” and “indeed” met badger’s opening remarks.

“We know that the humans bring their machines of destruction and rip up our land. We know that food is scarce and that water is nearly gone.”

Here the animals were silent but badger could tell that they were with him.

“I have heard tell of a new wood. A place where humans may not enter. I think this place sounds like the heaven that we seek.”

Many of the animals looked brighter – gleams of hope playing on their face.

“But to dream of such places is to overlook the fact that this place is our home. It has always been our home. And I believe it will always be our home. I think we should fight.”

The animals at his feet looked shocked.

“I think we should kill all humans. I think the humans should bleed.”

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S410 stands for Starter for 10 and it’s a daily live-writing meditation that I do in 10 minutes. Each piece I write teaches me something. Sometimes what it teaches me is that I suck. Other times it opens up an entire universe.

Each S410 is a 1/1 original. Owners of S410 pieces will have access to a range of benefits, from story airdrops, special performances and even the opportunity to be killed in my longer fiction works.

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*Originally published on [Andrew Shanahan](https://paragraph.com/@shanahan/s410-warbadger)*