Beholders of the Promised Dawn of Truth: Tales rewrite
posted by Paradox @ 11:47 AM
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Tales From The Cafeteria
The online blog for the 2006 NaNoWriMo project written by BethanyK, entitled Tales From The Cafeteria. Inspired by True Events and Doctor Who.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten – The Plot Thickens (Finally)
Neal shook his head once more, “I’m sorry, Sigh. He’s not here; he’s gone out to the city for the day, checking over the archives in the main building.” Sigh scowled, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Jack was avoiding me.” Neal sighed, “I’m sorry, Sigh, I don’t know what to tell you, but that Jack’s taking the whole new mess we’ve gotten ourselves into very seriously and Jack being Jack, he’s going to research himself to death as much as is humanly possible before we get hit with the thing, so we’re not winging it.” “Yeah, and I understand that. It’s just that I kind of miss seeing him.” She told him with a look of resignation on her face. “Anyways, I just thought I’d check and see if he was available.” She checked her watch, “I have a class soon, so I’ll just grab a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria before it.” “Okay,” Neal stared worriedly after her, something was off about the latest addition to the Barker family and he had a niggling feeling that it had something to do with his sometimes idiot of a cousin. He’d see about mentioning it to Jack later on. For now unfortunately they had larger fish to fry. Neal grimaced at the sea reference, it hadn’t been intentional, but he had a feeling that with what they were dealing with, the evil alien penguins and all, it wouldn’t be the first such reference. Knowing most of the staff, once they were briefed in on this thing, they’d make sure of it. Sea jokes, ocean metaphors, bad puns, and the whole gamut. He shook his head as he turned back to some of the admin work he was doing. The next few days promised to be interesting, but then again they always were.
Sigh was a bit out of sorts; mostly it was because of the stress of the upcoming midterms and also the new job that she had accepted had turned out to be far more than she had ever dreamed. But even with all of the amazing wonderful things that she had seen during her short time with them already, there was always a price. In her case, it had been some of her sanity (not that she had had too much of that to begin with or that she really regretted losing any of it) and also the whole marriage things that was entangled with the whole prophecy and possible world ending thing. She finished doing some of her admin paperwork and then her cell phone rang. Apparently they were standard issue for Center personnel and she’d been told her had to accept one. Otherwise she’d have continued in her blissful cell phone free state, she actually kind of hated the stupid things. It was inexplicably irrational, she knew and she was fully aware of all the positive qualities they had, but she still hated them. Jack had had to order her to get one, and she’d only really given the number out to a few people, which was why she was quite surprised to have it ring while she was gathering up her things to leave for the day. She checked the caller id and was surprised to find that her cousin, Riordan was calling. “
Sigh quickly got her things together, and after speaking quickly to Zhann left the pit. “Something’s not quite right,” Upid muttered as he watched her leave. Kriss nodded, “You might be on to something there, Upid.” She turned to her keyboard and tapped a few keys. “Looks like some family issues, do we know where Neal and
It was by sheer happenstance that he looked up at just the right time and saw her. He watched as she greeted a tall redheaded man and then as they took a booth in the back of the restaurant. He motioned to
“Let’s find out,” Neal said as he surreptitiously took something from his pocket and casually placed it on the table. He fiddled with it for a second and then all of a sudden, he could hear Sigh’s and Riordan’s voices, clear as day. “Alright Little Sigh, spill. What’s going on?” “First off, Ri, I wanted you to be one of the first to know. I’ve made my decision.” Neal shot a questioning look at
Neal listened to Sigh explain in a roundabout way about the feast day and what had happened. There was a long moment of silence when she finished. “Ri, say something,” Sigh pleaded. “Oh Little Sigh,” was all that he could say before he broke out into laughter. It took him a couple moments before he was able to compose himself. “That’s hysterical, oh it fits, it does.” He wiped his eyes and smiled at her, “Ai, I never thought I’d see that day, Sigh, where you were old enough to realize that it had to be like this.” Sigh nodded, “I love both my parents and don’t want to lose either of them. Like you said, it was the only way and Jack is a good guy. But it gets better.” Riordan’s eyebrows shot up, “Oh no, the Delaphaine curse?” Sigh nodded “It strikes again and boy how it struck this time.” Back at the other table one of Neal’s eyebrows had quirked up and he and
Riordan signaled the waiter, “Hold that thought, little coz.” He said as the waiter walked up, “Mike, a double shot of wiskbaugh if you please I’ve a feeling I’m going to need it.” The waiter nodded and quickly brought his drink. “Alright Little Sigh. Hit me.”
“Not only have I chosen my name, Ri, or rather had it chosen for me in a way, but there is also a prophecy of sorts entangled in all of this. An apocalyptic sort of prophecy.”
“Oh no,” Riordan remarked, tossing back his wiskbaugh and signaling for another. “Can ye tell me what it is?”
“As far as I remember it, Spice wine or whatever it was that they gave us was pretty potent. Anyways it goes something like this, a girl of ancient name shall become Queen and she will take a King and together they shall rule our world and their son shall rule the galaxy. At least that is what I remember from it.”
“Your comment about the universe suddenly makes more sense. What are you are into, Sigh? Your mother suspects something, but she’s played this one close to her vest.”
Sigh arched an eyebrow, “From you even? That is a surprise, Ri. I figured she would at least have confided in you. After all, she is grooming you to take over the family business.” “That’s merely hearsay, cousin, but no she hasn’t confided in me. Not with this at least,” Riordan told her with an arch look.
“Interesting.”
“You’re not going to say anymore than that, are you?”
“Not at the moment, no.”
“Fine. Keep your secrets. Are you going to finish those fries?”
Neal fiddled with the device once more and then slipped it back into his pocket, “Well that was enlightening sort of.”
After the lunch at the pub and the startling revelations that had come up, Neal was more certain than ever that he needed to have a word with his cousin. But first he wanted to speak with Sigh, this family curse sounded awfully familiar, much like the one he and his cousins all knew about. The Barker family curse was legend and it never struck in the same way twice. Oh, there were oftimes similar characteristics between stories, but never the exact same circumstances in the exact same ways. It was far too coincidental and if there was one thing that being a Barker in this sort of job taught you, was that there were no coincidences and this latest information could very well turn out to bite them in the arse when they least needed it.
Neal caught up with Sigh just as she was getting ready to go home. “I’ll drive you home if you like. I’ve got something I want to talk to you about.” Sigh nodded and followed him. They got into the car and then he dropped it on her, “ So tell me about the Delaphaine curse?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. Sigh smirked, “ So there *was* someone there watching me, I thought there was.” “Actually it was completely by accident that we happened to see you in the pub.” “We?” Sigh asked, a smile hovering around her lips. “
She sighed, “Alright, pretty much it’s like this. The Delaphaine curse is mostly because of my great great great grandfather Josiah Delaphaine and how he had a Chinaman serving under him on his fleet ship, the Xerxes’ Treasure. Basically this Chinaman at the end of the voyage told my thrice great grandfather that he wished him luck in all his ventures, and that he would lead as interesting a life as was possible for a man in his position. Unfortunately as you’ve probably guessed this was a mixed blessing, because an interesting life is not necessarily a safe or pleasant one. Apparently this mixed blessing was not just restricted to my thrice great grandfather either; it has since been passed down to all of his descendants. And now it strikes again, first the prophecy and the wedding and it’s just all too much. You can trust Riordan, he won’t tell anyone; he values his own skin too much for that.” Neal nodded, “So I gathered. Where do we go from here?” Sigh turned to him, “Well we go back to my grandparents house and you wait while I throw some things into a bag and then you are going to take to wherever the frack my husband is. I need to speak with him, urgently.”
Somewhere in the Southern U.S
After having exhausted the archives on two different planets not counting this one, Jack had finally gone to the one place he knew he’d get the answers he was looking for. He’d left this place for last. For good reason too, he hadn’t been back here since…since Ruth had died. Great Gran Barker had a reputation for seeing and knowing more than was usual for a person of her age. Her little hunches were always spot on too, eerie in the way they seemed to fulfill themselves just the way she said they would. She’d told him when he’d introduced Ruth to her that they’d be happy but that it would be short lived. She never said why though and after that, he’d not darkened the door of this place since, until now. She would know what he needed to find out and if in the unlikely event that she couldn’t give him the information he needed, then she would definitely know where he could go to find it. Sighing once, he walked up the porch steps, “ Hello Gran.”
Back in
“But Darling, I had really hoped you’d be here with us for the holiday.” Lyssa Scott said as she helped Sigh pack hastily. “I know Gran, I’d hoped I could too, but something at…work has come up and it’s very important that I go. I’m sorry.” Sigh said as she grabbed some clothes out of a drawer. “Does this have anything to do with the twitchy lad downstairs?” Her grandfather, Colwyn wanted to know. Sigh smiled wryly at him, “Neal’s my ride, Grand, and he also works with me. Other than that, it’s nothing like what you might suspect.” Colwyn nodded, lips quirking up in a half smile, “Just be careful,” he told her as she finished packing and made her way downstairs. She hugged both of them while Neal put the duffel in the trunk of the SUV. Colwyn held her close for a minute and whispered something into her ear that made her chuckle before waving goodbye as she got into the SUV and took off.
“Oh Colwyn, she’s heading straight into danger, isn’t she?” Lyssa said as they stood there watching the car drive off. “I believe so, Lyss, why should our granddaughter be any different from the rest of the family?” He replied, eyes twinkling. “What was it that you said to her just as she was leaving?” she asked him. “A simple truth, love, I told her that good fighters make bad husbands.” “Oh, *Colwyn,*” Lyssa said, half despairingly. Colwyn looked as his wife of thirty years, “Don’t worry, Lyssa, she’ll be alright. She’s got her parents’ ability to land on her feet, no matter the trouble she’s in.”
Sigh waited until they were out of sight from her grandparent’s house before dissolving into almost hysterical giggles. Neal shot her a worried glance from the driver’s seat. She waved off his concern, “I’m alright, Neal, my grandfather just told me something funny, likely also significant, knowing him.” “What was it?” Neal wanted to know. She told him and then burst into giggles again. Neal furrowed his brow, he’d heard that phrase somewhere else, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember where. “So how long is it going to take us to get to where Jack is?” Neal thought for a minute, “At least sixteen hours if not more.” Sigh nodded, “Okay, well since I’m not in the remotest bit tired and I’m assuming since this is a company car, it’s not bugged by anyone but us, shall we catch each other up on where everything stands at the moment?” “I’m game.” Neal replied.
Kriss sighed; the recruiting efforts to rebuild what they had lost two years ago were coming along at a decent pace. Better than what the analysts had initially predicted for them and still well within their budget, all good factors, but she had this niggling feeling that something was not right. As part of Jack’s advisory staff, she along with the others had been warned that something was coming for them. As far she knew though, the only people who knew more than that was Neal, Upid, and Jack. She’d had her suspicions though with some of the things that Jack had asked her to look for. Pablo was often prone to muttering things when he thought no one was listening and some of the things he muttered defied all realm of human sense. Nothing new for them, the Center dealt with things that defied the realms of human sense all the time, but this was something more than just their mark one mod zero standard alien from another planet coming to visit Earth. The biggest sign of everything was that Upid had gone from bright green to a green lightly rimmed with dark purple, which in his particular species’ culture meant that he was, for lack of a better term, stressed. This did not bode well. It took a great deal for one of Upid’s race to become stressed. Upid being stressed made everyone else stressed, it was a vicious cycle of stressedness.
Back at the Barker residence in the
Jack gritted his teeth together. Nana Barker hadn’t told him a thing, save for the fact that he’d get his answers soon and that he had important business to settle before she would tell him anything.
That really should have been his first clue about what was about to happen. His second clue should have been all of his cousins and aunts and uncles had started to arrive. Bringing food with them, which was a sign that they intended to stay a while, which again made no sense unless his important business had something to do with the entire (just about) family being there to witness it. However, Jack was frustrated enough that none of this even occurred to him. At least not until the SUV pulled up.
As the doors of the SUV opened, Jack was suddenly very very aware of everything around him. From the fact, that save for a few members that were out of the state, his entire family was camped out on his great- grandmother’s front lawn to the fact that said great-grandmother was contentedly humming away in her kitchen. And also that the nine millimeter Beretta that he distinctly remembered having issued to his newest member was pointed directly at his cousin and second in command’s temple. His newest member who incidentally also happened to be his…wife, the wife that he’d disappeared on for two weeks with no word, he belatedly realized as he watched the two of them walk around the side of the SUV. He also remembered just who his wife was related to and for the first time in ages, Jack cringed. This had shot straight past awful and gone directly to horrifically bad. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw some of his other relatives tensing up as if they were preparing for a struggle. His mind whirred, trying to find a way out of this that didn’t involve anyone getting shot. Just then, his great-nana’s humming stopped, “Is that my newest great-granddaughter in law out there?”
Everything froze.
posted by Paradox @ 8:10 PM
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Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine – And Now We Return You To Your Regularly Scheduled Plot
Jack rubbed his hand across the back of the neck. Apparently the experiment had been a success and the Jareds were now coming back along with their girlfriends and apparently each Jared now had a ‘hatchling’ that they were now responsible for. That was in addition to having also married said respective girlfriends. The whole lot along with Tim Merton and Jules Gaylor were returning today. Apparently someone (he suspected it was either Sigh or Aden or Kriss or a scary combination of all three of them) had decided that there needed to be a party celebrating not only the return of the Jareds to human form but also for their respective marriages and hatchlings. So apparently everyone had gotten up at the crack of dawn to decorate the Pit for the Jareds’ arrival. There was an excessive amount of caffeine being consumed as the triumvirate of evil (coined by Hayden in reference to the unholy trio that was his wife, Sigh, and
“Apparently it does. Though I have a feeling that I’m going to be risking death and dismemberment shortly,” Neal commented, “I’m more alert than I have been in years, almost bordering on hyper and I’ve only had two cups of this.” Jack froze as he processed this last statement, he took in the lightning fast movements of the girls be bopping around the Pit and he almost choked on the coffee he was drinking. “How many cups have they had?” “When I got here an hour ago, they were on their second pot of this stuff.” Neal replied. “Oh frell,” Jack groaned, “I’ll help you cut them off. They obviously don’t need anymore caffeine or sugar. This brew has nearly equal amounts of both in it. Is Upid in yet? Cause he doesn’t need to have any of …” Jack’s voice trailed off when he watched a very awake emerald green skinned alien quite literally bounce into the Pit and then start to help to put up the decorations. “I thought the same thing, but I wasn’t fast enough to keep him from drinking the coffee.” Neal explained. Down in the Pit, the sound of cackling could be heard and both Barker boys instinctively shuddered. They’d been on the receiving end of one of those types of cackles frequently when they were younger. Kriss was like every other Barker, she didn’t bother getting mad, she just got even and she was scary when she got that way. They peered over the edge of the Pit just in time to hear Kriss say, “And that was how Jack and Neal were forever banned from ever singing in the choir again. That poor little old lady never got over the applesauce and flying fish incident.” Both Jack and Neal’s faces were bright red, they should have known that Kriss would pull this on them as revenge for all of the times they’d done it to her after she and Hayden had gotten married. Just then Melba, Kelle, Patrick, and Kaida walked into the Pit and joined with the others waiting for the Jareds to arrive. Jack checked his watch; they should be arriving any minute now. They had quite the welcoming party waiting anxiously for them.
The Jareds and their respective spouses and ‘hatchlings’ walked through the wormhole ring, closely followed by Tim (Merton) and Jules. Jared Blythe spoke up first, “Everyone I’d like you to meet my wife, Ashley and our daughter, Francine.” He gestured to the tall blonde beside him and the freckle faced blonde haired two year old she was holding. Then Jared Smith spoke, “I’d like to introduce to you my wife, Felicia and our son, Davin.” He gestured to the tall redhead standing to one side of him and the small brunette boy with a shy smile hiding behind his leg. At once, all of the females figuratively melted when they saw the two kids.
Hours later, Jack had to admit that when the three members of the unholy trio decided they were going to celebrate, that they threw one heck of a party. Sigh was currently curled up next to him, entirely tired out by all of the work she and the others had thrown into organizing this impromptu party, she was also coming down off of the massive caffeine and sugar high she’d been on. He ran his fingers through her hair as she all but purred beside him. “Mmm, that feels good. Can I just stay here for today? Just stay right here, curled up next to you for the rest of the day, that would be nice.” She spoke sleepily. Jack chuckled, “I have work, sweetheart, and you have class soon if I’m not mistaken.” Sigh pouted, “I don’t want to go to class, I don’t want to move, and I’m so comfy right here.” Jack snickered, “If you don’t go to class, sweetheart, then we can’t go out later with
Kelle and Patrick were laughing over the latest email Sigh had sent them:
Murphy's Laws Of Combat Operations
Military Laws
* Friendly fire - isn't.
* Recoilless rifles - aren't.
* Suppressive fires - won't.
* You are not Superman; Marines and fighter pilots take note.
* A sucking chest wound is Nature's way of telling you to slow down.
* If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.
* Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo and not want to waste a bullet on you.
* If at first you don't succeed, call in an airstrike.
* If you are forward of your position, your artillery will fall short.
* Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.
* Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.
* Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
* If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.
* The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.
* The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready. & when you're not.
* No OPLAN ever survives initial contact.
* There is no such thing as a perfect plan.
* Five second fuzes always burn three seconds.
* There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.
* A retreating enemy is probably just falling back and regrouping.
* The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.
* The easy way is always mined.
* Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.
* Don't look conspicuous; it draws fire. For this reason, it is not at all uncommon for aircraft carriers to be known as bomb magnets.
* Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.
* If you are short of everything but the enemy, you are in the combat zone.
* When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows it too.
* Incoming fire has the right of way.
* No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection.
* No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.
* If the enemy is within range, so are you.
* The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.
* Things which must be shipped together as a set, aren't.
* Things that must work together, can't be carried to the field that way.
* Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support.
* Radar tends to fail at night and in bad weather, and especially during both.
* Anything you do can get you killed, including nothing.
* Make it too tough for the enemy to get in, and you won't be able to get out.
* Tracers work both ways.
* If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will get more than your fair share of objectives to take.
* When both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're both right.
* Professional soldiers are predictable; the world is full of dangerous amateurs.
* Military Intelligence is a contradiction.
* Fortify your front; you'll get your rear shot up.
* Weather ain't neutral.
* If you can't remember, the Claymore is pointed towards you.
* Air defense motto: shoot 'em down; sort 'em out on the ground.
* 'Flies high, it dies; low and slow, it'll go.
* The Cavalry doesn't always come to the rescue.
* Napalm is an area support weapon.
* Mines are equal opportunity weapons.
* B-52s are the ultimate close support weapon.
* Sniper's motto: reach out and touch someone.
* Killing for peace is like screwing for virginity.
* The one item you need is always in short supply.
* Interchangeable parts aren't.
* It's not the one with your name on it; it's the one addressed "to whom it may concern" you've got to think about.
* When in doubt, empty your magazine.
* The side with the simplest uniforms wins.
* Combat will occur on the ground between two adjoining maps.
* If you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs, you may have misjudged the situation.
* If two things are required to make something work, they will never be shipped together.
* Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.
* Whenever you lose contact with the enemy, look behind you.
* The most dangerous thing in the combat zone is an officer with a map.
* The quartermaster has only two sizes, too large and too small.
* If you really need an officer in a hurry, take a nap.
* There is nothing more satisfying than having someone take a shot at you, and miss.
* If your sergeant can see you, so can the enemy.
* You'll only remember your hand grenades when the sound is too close to use them.
* Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
* Well .. It could be worse: It could be raining .. and we could be out in it.
* So he said, "Cheer up: it could be worse!" So we cheered up. And it got worse.
* The side with the simplest uniform wins...
* The spare batteries for the PRC-whatever your troops have been carrying are either nearly dead or for the wrong radio.
* The ping you heard was the antenna snapping off at 6 inches above the flexmount, while a fire mission was being called in on a battalion of hostiles who know your position.
* Why is it the CO sticks his head in your radio hooch to see if anything has come down from DIV when you are listening to the VOA broadcasting the baseball games?
* How come you are on one frequency when everyone else is on another?
* Why does your 500-watt VRC-26 (real old) not make it across 200 miles while a ham with 50 watts on the same MARS frequency can be heard from Stateside?
* Know why short RTOs have long whips on their radios? So someone can find them when they step in deep water.
* The enemy "Alway's" times his attack, to the second you drop your pant's in the Latrine!!
* The ammo you new "NOW"!! is on the "Next" airdrop!!
Murphy's Law
The Army Weather Corollaries
* Inclement weather always begins AFTER you've already done PT.
* A sudden downpour always occurs at the end of a summer field exercise--just in time coat all your equipment and camouflage with mud.
* The best beach weather always occurs when you are in the field wearing MOPP 4.
* There is no such thing as a blue sky during a company picnic.
* There is no such thing as a cloudy sky when your unit needs to infiltrate enemy territory.
* Road conditions are always red when it's time to convoy home.
* Motor pools are always 20 degrees warmer than the rest of the post during the summer and 50 degrees colder in the winter.
* Army training areas exist in a constant state of weather flux controlled by a deity with a truly cruel sense of humor--How do you think we got them so cheap?
* The
* Hell really would freeze over if someone decided to conduct an exercise there.
* The Port-a-Potty Postulate states that the likelihood of a hurricane, sandstorm, tsunami, or blizzard occurring immediately over your location is directly related to how bad you need to get to the portajohns at the other side of the campsite in the middle of the night.
* The temperature always rises to 70 degrees AFTER you put on two layers of polypros, your bear suit, and all of your Gortex.
* If you whine about the weather, someone else will always whine louder.
Rules of the Rucksack
1. No matter how carefully you pack, a rucksack is always too small.
2. No matter how small, a rucksack is always too heavy.
3. No matter how heavy, a rucksack will never contain what you want.
4. No matter what you need, it's always at the bottom.
Phillip's Law:
Four-wheel-drive just means getting stuck in more inaccessible places.
Weatherwax's Postulate:
The degree to which you overreact to information will be in inverse proportion to its accuracy.
Least Credible Sentences:
1. The check is in the mail.
2. The trucks will be on the drop zone.
3. Of course I'll respect you in the morning.
4. I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.
Brintnall's Second Law:
If you receive two contradictory orders, obey them both.
Pavlu's Rules for Economy in Decision Papers:
1. Refute the last established recommendation.
2. Add yours.
3. Pass the paper on.
Oliver's Law:
Experience is something you don't get until after you need it.
Lackland's Laws:
1. Never be first.
2. Never be last.
3. Never volunteer for anything.
Rune's Rule:
If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost.
Law of Supply (also known as the Law of Gifts):
You get the most of what you need the least.
Hane's Law:
There is no limit to how bad things can get.
Both of them were rolling in laughter by the time they finished the email along with the rest of their regular cafeteria table denizens. Patrick got up to get a drink of water from the water fountain, still laughing and in his distraction, tripped over the multitude of laptop power cords and crashed to the floor, hitting the small pool of spilt water and thus electrocuting himself. The lights fizzled and dimmed for a bit and then as Patrick started to stop twitching. The blue and red lights of the local paramedic’s truck breezed into the parking lot as the paramedics came bustling in, setting up and trying to ‘revive’ Patrick. By this time of course, most of the paramedic trainees there at the college knew about Patrick’s little gift and they welcomed the practice. So they did their thing, Patrick came back to life, and they wheeled him out into the truck, where they’d take him back to the other side of campus and then buy him a Coke to replenish whatever sugars and salts he may have lost. Unfortunately today was the day that college’s marching band was having their dress rehearsal. Patrick eventually got fed up with waiting and started to get out of the truck. On his way out of the truck, he got whapped in the side of the head by the Trombone player’s slide. He trips and managed to fall directly into the path of an on coming bus. After the bus passed, he jumped up, and shouted to the stunned Paramedic’s, “I’m okay!” and then he went to turn to walk to the side walk and the promptly got mowed down by the other bus going in the opposite direction as the other gone. Buddha was there snapping pictures by the dozen and also gleefully cackling about that fact that this will make the best flipbook yet.
Meanwhile Sigh and
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.
So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
Life's a piece of crap
When you look at that
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...
The real kicker was when Neal’s solo came up; he decided to do the Lumberjack song, which had everyone down in the Pit rolling in hysterical laughter.
I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK
I sleep all night and I work all day
(He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day)
I cut down trees, I eat my lunch
I go to the lavat'ry
On Wednesdays I go shopping
And have buttered scones for tea
(He cuts down trees...)
(He's a lumberjack...)
I cut down trees, I skip and jump
I love to press wild flow'rs
I put on women's clothing
And hang around in bars
(He cuts down trees...)
(He's a lumberjack...)
I cut down trees, I wear high heels
Suspenders and a bra
I wish I'd been a girlie
Just like my dear papa
(He cuts down trees...)
(He's a lumberjack...)
It was now time. The time for their attack had come. Everything was in readiness and the fleet was getting underway. Soon the planet would be theirs, the planet of the bountiful resources. Squeambo, their iron fisted penguin dictator had sounded the call of battle and their penguin armies were fired up for the fire and blood and glory of hard core war fare. They were coming and no one could stop them.
“The penguins are coming! The penguins are coming!” Pablo started screaming hysterically, “The penguins are COMING!!!” Jack and Neal traded a look and then bolted off to find Upid. “What are these penguins? And why are they coming for us?” Neal asked in a hurry. Layne spoke up, “penguin from Welsh - this word originated in
Stranger still, in Welsh, pen means "head" and gwyn means "white," so penguin means "white head." But on a penguin, the head is mostly black. How did it come to this?
The solution to the mystery goes back to the late sixteenth century, when nautical adventurers from the
There must have been Welshmen among the sixteenth-century British sailors, because they called both the island and the bird pen gwyn. Why they called it "white head" we can only guess. The bird had large white spots next to its eyes, though it did not have a white head. Perhaps the island itself looked like a white head.
In any case, when English explorers ventured as far south as the Strait of Magellan later in the century, they found birds that reminded them of the ones they had encountered in
The northern bird, which we now call the great auk, was such an easy catch that by the mid-nineteenth century it was extinct. The southern bird, living in remote places, escaped that fate. And so when we speak of penguins today, we mean only the birds of the south.
Welsh, like Scottish, Irish, and Breton, is from the Celtic branch of Indo-European. It was spoken in the
Then Kriss added, reading off from a website, “penguin, originally the common name for the now extinct great auk of the
Underwater they can swim up to 25 mi (40.3 km) per hr as they pursue the fish, squid, and shrimp that form their diet. They do not eat while on land, subsisting on a layer of fat under the skin; this results in weight losses of up to 75 lb (33.8 kg) during the two-month incubation period. Their chief enemies are the leopard seal, killer whale, and skua gull. Penguins are highly gregarious, and a population density of half a million birds in 500 acres has been counted at a colony in
There are 17 species of penguins, 10 of which are considered endangered or threatened. The largest penguins, the emperor and the king (3–4 ft/91.5–122 cm in height), incubate their eggs between their feet in a fold of skin. The smaller jackass penguins, Spheniscus demersus, are named for their braying cry, and crested penguins are distinguished by yellow plumes on either side of the head. Smallest of all is the little blue penguin, Eudyptula minor, of
Penguins are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae.”
Then Melba chimed in, “Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are an order of aquatic, flightless birds living in the Southern Hemisphere.
Species and habitats
The number of penguin species has been and still is a matter of debate. The numbers of penguin species listed in the literature vary between 16 and 19 species. Some sources consider the White-Flippered Penguin a separate Eudyptula species, although today it is generally considered a subspecies of the Little Penguin (e.g. Williams, 1995; Davis & Renner, 2003). Similarly, it is still unclear whether the Royal Penguin is merely a colour morph of the Macaroni penguin. Also possibly eligible to be treated as a separate species is the Northern population of Rockhopper penguins (Davis & Renner, 2003). Although all penguin species are native to the southern hemisphere, they are not, contrary to popular belief, found only in cold climates, such as Antarctica. In fact, only a few species of penguin actually live so far south. Three species live in the tropics; one lives as far north as the Galápagos Islands (the Galápagos Penguin) and will occasionally cross the equator while feeding.
The largest living species is the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri): adults average about 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) tall and weigh 35 kg (75 lb) or more. The smallest penguin species is the Little Blue Penguin (also known as the Fairy Penguin), which stands around 40 cm tall (16 in) and weighs 1 kg (2.2 lb). Generally larger penguins retain heat better, and thus inhabit colder regions, while smaller penguins are found in temperate or even tropical climates (see also Bergmann's Rule). Some prehistoric species attained enormous sizes, becoming as high as an adult human; see below for more.
Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater. They spend half of their life on land and half in the oceans.
When mothers lose a chick, they sometimes attempt to steal another mother's chick, usually unsuccessfully as other females in the vicinity assist the defending mother in keeping her chick.
Penguins seem to have no fear of humans, and have approached groups of explorers without hesitation.
Evolution
The evolutionary history of penguins is poorly understood, as penguin fossils are rare. The oldest known fossil penguin species are the Waimanu, which lived in the early Paleocene epoch of New Zealand, about 62 million years ago. While they were not as well adapted to aquatic life as modern penguins (which first emerged in the Eocene epoch 40 million years ago), Waimanu were flightless and loon-like, with short wings adapted for deep diving. These fossils prove that prehistoric penguins were already flightless and seagoing, so their origins probably reach as far back as 65 million years ago, before the extinction of the dinosaurs. Penguin ancestry beyond Waimanu is not well known, though some scientists (Mayr, 2005) think the penguin-like plotopterids (usually considered relatives of anhingas and cormorants) may actually be an early sister group of the penguins, and that penguins may have ultimately shared a common ancestor with the Pelecaniformes.
During the Late Eocene and the Early Oligocene (40-30 MYA), some lineages of gigantic penguins existed. Nordenskjoeld's Giant Penguin was the tallest, growing nearly 1.80 meters (6 feet) tall. The heaviest known species was with at least 80 kg the New Zealand Giant Penguin. Both were found on New Zealand, the former also in the Antarctic.
- Palaeeudyptines
Traditionally, most extinct species of penguins, giant or small, have been placed in the paraphyletic sub-family called Palaeeudyptinae. More recently, it is becoming accepted that there were at least 2 major extinct lineages, one or two closely related ones from Patagonia and at least one other with pan-Antarctic and subantarctic distribution.
Anatomy
Penguins are superbly adapted to an aquatic life. Their wings have become flippers, useless for flight in the air. In the water, however, penguins are astonishingly agile. Within the smooth plumage a layer of air is preserved, ensuring buoyancy. The air layer also helps insulate the birds in cold waters. On land, penguins use their tails and wings to maintain balance for their upright stance.
All penguins have a white underside and a dark (mostly black) upperside. This is for camouflage. A predator looking up from below (such as an orca or a leopard seal) has difficulty distinguishing between a white penguin belly and the reflective water surface. The dark plumage on their backs camouflages them from above.
Diving penguins reach 6 to 12 km/h (3.7 to 7.5 mph), though there are reports of velocities of 27 km/h (17 mph) (which are more realistic in the case of startled flight). The small penguins do not usually dive deep; they catch their prey near the surface in dives that normally last only one or two minutes. Larger penguins can dive deep in case of need. Dives of the large Emperor Penguin have been recorded which reach a depth of 565 m (1870 ft) and last up to 20 minutes.
Penguins either waddle on their feet or slide on their bellies across the snow, a movement called "tobogganing", which allows them to conserve energy and move relatively fast at the same time.
Penguins have an excellent sense of hearing. Their eyes are adapted for underwater vision, and are their primary means of locating prey and avoiding predators; in air, conversely, they are nearsighted. Their sense of smell has not been researched so far.
They are able to drink salt water safely because their supraorbital gland filters excess salt from the bloodstream. [1] [2] [3] The salt is excreted in a concentrated fluid from the nasal passages.
Mating habits
Some penguins mate for life, while others for just one season. They generally raise a small brood, and the parents cooperate in caring for the clutch and for the young.”
The three males just stopped and stared at the three females. “Thank you for that, gals. That was quite informative.” Jack said with a very strange look on his face. Upid thought for a minute, “If Pablo was freaking out about it, then you better take it seriously and if he’s talking about penguins, then there’s only one race that he could possibly mean. The ZifferZitherPenguins and let me tell you, Jack, if you thought the other alien races were bad, these guys are worse. They are downright feral when they go after something and they have no conception of mercy, they never give up, and they never surrender.”
“You’re kidding me right? The evil alien menace we’ve been so worried about is penguins! Evil alien penguins!” Neal looked at Upid incredulously. Jack just nodded once grimly, “Alright then how do we prepare for the attack? What are their weak points?” Upid thought for a minute, “I will get you all of the information that my people have on them. This is not a race you want to fight if you can avoid it, but if push comes to shove, I doubt if anyone would mind you wiping them from the face of the earth.” “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Jack replied grimly, “For now let’s just try to gather as much information as we possibly can on these bungers.”
posted by Paradox @ 7:38 PM
1 comments
Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight – The Chapter That Has Really Has Nothing To Do With The Rest Of The Novel And The Author Has No Idea Where It Came From.
It was a slow day. The rain was pouring outside and the college’s normal hustle and bustle was muted. It was the same situation down in the Pit. There weren’t any landings or departures scheduled for today, no shipments coming in, nothing at all. Kriss was alternately reading a novel and running a diagnostic of all of the Center’s computers. Hayden wasn’t in today; he and Richie were taking the day and going to go do manly bonding things, like video arcade games and funny movies at the local mall. Most of the lounge was taken up by members of the staff working on administrative stuff and or homework. Sigh was curled up in the oversize computer chair she had in front of her desk, oversize headphones on her head, jamming away as she finished up writing her next part of the massive round robin collaborative story she’d been working on with a friend.
[ Intercept Six – Maresigh Node - Story Prompt 153. Sunset
He sipped his steaming hot mug of coffee as he stood on the top of the
With a heritage like theirs, Voldemort couldn’t afford to have them on the fence for this coming battle. They’d always been neutral before this, their roça de Candomblé, dedicated to the worship of the loa and no other. But now it had come down to the Choice. His mother, the iaorixá of their house had taken the safe way out, chosen a half-life under the half-blood Dark Lord rather than be executed out of hand for denying him. He, he still had no idea which path he would choose. Ogun and Lemanjá give him strength, give him wisdom. He wanted his freedom; he wanted the chance to live without constantly having to guard himself from those that might destroy him on a whim. He’s heard the stories about such things from the others in his House and he’d do almost anything to avoid that fate. Blaise Zabini was not bred to be anyone’s bootlicker, any mortals’ that was. He served the Guédé and no other. His Tante and his Maman had brought him up to fear the Guédé and love them. His mother would pay for the services she performed for the Dark Lord. The Baron was a jealous fellow, he did not share easily.
He wrapped his hands around the still warm mug and let the steam from the mug warm up his face. He drained the last of the coffee as he watched the sun, Legba, come up. The bright streaks of the sky in all its glory with the reds, oranges, and pinks brightened the day as he turned to go back indoors. His mother’s gifts were useless in the daylight; the Inferi liked the sunlight about as much as they enjoyed fire. That was why he enjoyed the sunrise, he thought to himself with a small smile. He preferred the light of Legba and of Lemanjá next to that of the Baron. ]
That one had been interesting; she thought to herself, developing this fictional character’s background had required some serious research into Haitian mythology and the real practices and beliefs behind what was commonly known as voodoo. She hit the back button on her browser and reviewed all of the little and not so little prompts she had finished that day. That one had been the only fan fiction one, she thought to herself, the rest had all been original fiction.
[Intercept Seven – Maresigh Node - Dragon Sworn Prologue and First Chapter
There were once three children by the name of Steyn. Katarina was the eldest and she loved books and writing and playing soccer. Then there was Alexandra who loved animals and softball and playing games in the dark. And then there was Nico, the youngest and only boy of the three. He loved playing outside, history, and other boy things. The three children lived quite happily with their parents in their lovely little town of
In order to help facilitate things with the move and everything, their eldest cousin, lately returned from her daring adventures in South America, had come up to spend some time with them, as well as help out where she was needed.
Little did they know what was about to befall them.
It had all started one day when their mother was out and the three children were bored. It was raining so they couldn’t go outside and they’d done just about everything else. They’d watched everything on TV, seen all of the films they had at home, played all the computer games they could until the storms had forced them to shut the computers down. They were quite frankly, bored out of their minds. So they told their cousin, in charge of keeping an eye on them for the day. It was she, who after a few minutes thought, came up with this marvelous idea.
Quickly the three children gathered up all the blankets and pillows and snacks they would need and settling themselves in the room above the garage, they burrowed into their blankets and snacks, listening rapturously as their cousin began to tell them this wonderful story. Princes, Princesses, a magical world fraught with dangers untold, creatures of fabulous design, and winding pathways that always would lead you to where you needed to be, if you were steadfast and true.
A world of sorcery and delights indescribable, but a world with one very serious problem; their race of guardians was dying out. The brave souls who had been blessed by the Presence and that served the Balance in all that they did, who were chosen specially at birth were slowly dying out. Hardly any more children were being born with the gifts, magic, foresight, the list went on. With this decline in the birthrates, the older magicians and sorcerers noticed a horrifying trend, with so few children being born with the gifts; the world’s magic was slowly dying out.
They needed help badly, but not even the eldest and wisest of them knew where to look for it. They beseeched the Presence to give them back their magic, to show them a sign that things would be restored to their former glory.
The Presence, being all-knowing and wise, provided them with the signs of the Dragon and the Unicorn. Soon they will come, the children of blessed fate would will restore the magic and set right the Balance. This is what the Oracles prophesied.
Years passed and the world fell under the control of a vicious tyrant. He made a sport of hunting down and killing all of the remaining guardians that he could find. For with the Balance so distorted, his true masters, the Lords of Chaos could sweep in and distort everything to their liking.
Still the people remained faithful and in small patches, they clung to the two sacred signs and their promise that one day, their saviors would come….
The story was interrupted by the return of the children’s mother, who brought groceries and movies and two old friends to play with. The sun was finally peeking out of the clouds and they were no longer bored. With promises to continue the story later on, their cousin shooed them all outside to play while she helped their mother with groceries and then dinner.
Kat, the eldest had darted back in to get her drink after they had all been sent off to play and she inadvertently saw her cousin tucking something away in one of the crawlspaces that led up into the attic. Resolving to ask about it later, she joined her siblings and the two friends and they had a merry old time in the backyard…
It was another day and Kat was bored. Their cousin was babysitting them again while their mother was out arranging for more moving whatever. Kat hadn’t really been paying attention at that point. Right now, her cousin was sitting downstairs playing a game with Alex and Nico. She hadn’t wanted to play so she’d come upstairs but now she couldn’t think of what she wanted to do. Actually that wasn’t true, Kat knew what she wanted to do; she wanted to curl up with a good book and lose herself in its pages. Herein lay her dilemma, she’d read and reread everything that there was in the house. She needed something new, something fresh, something exciting, something like the story that she had heard two days ago with the Dragon, the Unicorn, and the Balance. She remembered that she had seen her cousin tucking something away in the attic crawlspace. She opened the crawlspace door and inched her way inside, poking through some of the various things that had been stuffed or stored in there. Crawling through the entrance and over a few trunks, she thought she espied the parcel. She reached out and grabbed it and all of a sudden, she fell. As she continued to fall, she clutched the parcel to her and the last thought she had before surrendering to unconsciousness was a spark of mingled curiosity and humor. The tag on the parcel she’d grabbed read, “Kat.”
Gareth the grand vizier of Iithilii looked up in alarm, there was something not quite right. He listened intently for a moment, and then the confusion cleared from his face. The slight nagging presence he felt through the life force toward which he was bound was the sound of one of the old books of prophecy aging. Going into the old vault where the eldest tomes and books of prophecies were kept, he followed the nudge that he’d felt and it led him to the proper book. His gray-brown eyebrows raised in surprise as his hand landed on a particular book, an old leather bound book. Rich purple vellum with gold and silver designs on the front, it looked like some of the others save for one very important characteristic. This book was the only book with the Sigils of the Unicorn and the Dragon imbedded on the front of it. This book held the most ancient prophecies that the Presence had bequeathed to the Oracles who had in turn bequeathed to the Scribes and the Guardians. This copy had been salvaged from the
Kat rubbed her eyes as she sat up in the field of wildflowers? Where on earth was she? Last thing she remembered was being in the crawlspace, reaching for the parcel. The parcel! Kat looked down to see that she still had it with her. Breathing a deep sigh of relief, she opened it up and stared at the contents of it. Where on earth did her cousin get such things? She wondered to herself as she admired the gown she’d pulled out of the parcel. Digging deeper into it, she found that there were matching boots and leathers and a pendant that seemed to go along with a type of leather bound journal, she thought it might be. She remembered seeing her cousin carrying around similar ones in the time that she’d been with them. Placing all of the things back into the parcel and making sure to tie up the ends of it, so it formed a sort of satchel, she picked it up and getting to her feet, began walking towards where she thought some sort of civilization might be.
Back at the house, the cousin had gone looking for Kat, it was getting close to dinner time and she’d wanted to know what Kat would like to have for dinner. Walking into the room where she’d been staying and seeing the hatch for the crawlspace open, her heart sank. Hurriedly, she went to the crawlspace and went searching for the things she had stashed in there. Seeing that the great book was still there, she breathed a sigh of relief, but her relief did not last for long. She realized too late that she was a parcel short, Kat’s was missing, and the other ones were still there. She closed her eyes, silently asking Dana and those above and below to give her wisdom to know where to go from here. Quickly reaching for the small leather bound book she always kept by her side, she scribbled down, “She is there. Her name is Kat. She has the book with her.” Sighing as she scrambled out of the crawlspace, she went back downstairs to see Alex and Nico. The first piece in place, the rest are sure to follow soon, was her last thought, Dana be praised. ]
She finished up reviewing the last couple entries she had posted onto her writers website. Then turned around to see that some of the more musical members of their little group had cordoned off a section of the Pit all for themselves and they were tuning their instruments and laughing and discussing which piece to play first. They made quite the eclectic group,
Both
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Remember me to one who lives there,
For she once was a true love of mine.
Zhann
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without any seam nor needlework,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never sprung water nor rain ever fell,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never bore blossom since Adam was born,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Ask her to do me this courtesy,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And ask for a like favour from me,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.
Both
Have you been to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Remember me from one who lives there,
For he once was a true love of mine.
Alissa
Ask him to find me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Between the salt water and the sea-sand,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
Ask him to plough it with a lamb's horn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And sow it all over with one peppercorn,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
Ask him to reap it with a sickle of leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And gather it up with a rope made of heather,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
When he has done and finished his work,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Ask him to come for his cambric shirt,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.
Both
If you say that you can't, then I shall reply,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Oh, Let me know that at least you will try,
Or you'll never be a true love of mine.
Love imposes impossible tasks,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
But none more than any heart would ask,
I must know you're a true love of mine.
That started them off with a round of various songs they all knew and enjoyed. Sigh smiled happily as she watched the musicians practice and play and in some cases, dance.
Jack smiled, whistling to himself as he straightened up his apartment a bit. Sigh was coming over again later and he wanted everything to be perfect for her. As he was straightening up the living room, he noticed a packet lying on his coffee table. Picking it up, he started to leaf through it. After reading the first two pages, he set the tray of stray coffee cups and the garbage bag full of trash down and he sat down on the couch, completely immersed in reading this story.
Prologue
“Go! Run!” yelled Cooper as the small company went sprinting for the helipad on the far side of the Nimbrathile castle ruins. As he looked up, he silently prayed that
As he freed her, he saw the two LeVoider brothers, Malvolion and Maximus, advancing towards them; Cooper swept the Princess into his arms and out of the corner of his eye saw the helicopter land and Myriad getting everything and everyone into the ‘copter. They had rescued a load of ancient family heirlooms that rightfully belonged to Dior and Niniel. Those would weigh the ‘copter down a bit, but he understood why they had to take them. He looked over his shoulder and saw the LeVoider brothers start after them. Niniel in his arms started softly muttering a chant or some sort of ancient incantation. He looked over his shoulder and his jaw dropped. The brothers were stopped alright; oh wait, just then Malvolion started forward, shook his head, and then snapped his fingers, then did the same for his brother. They started forward again, but it didn’t matter. They were at the helicopter; He put Niniel in first, and then hopped in himself, quickly shutting and locking the door.
“Go, Go” he shouted and they lifted off, Cooper looked down and to his horror, noticed that Mara was still on the ground and started yelling for them to go back down and get her. Shadow shook his head and pointed down to where she was, Cooper glanced down aghast and saw that the chemical mixture that Malvolion had so lovingly developed and then set loose on the grounds and in certain places of the castle( as they had already found out) was seeping closer and closer to the place where his beloved was. She apparently realized this and then took off in the direction of the thick forest, but it was too late, Malvolion had withdrawn a stun gun and he ruthlessly shot her with it. She twitched and kept on running, Malvolion fiddled with the voltage dial and shot her again, Mara kept on going, knowing that reaching the woods was her only shot at surviving this mess. Cooper, unable to tear his eyes away from the chilling scene below him, watched as finally his beloved crashed to the ground and bravely tried to drag herself away from the chemicals that would certainly eat away at her if they touched her skin. The last thing he was able to see before the copter had moved out of view of the inlet was Malvolion moving in for the kill, and then this piercing scream………
Cooper sat bolt upright in bed, panting, he hadn’t had that dream for at least 2-3 years now. Even still the memories of that particular event still haunted him. He got out of bed to change out of his sweat-soaked t-shirt and as he pulled a fresh one over his head, he noticed his hands were still shaking. Dang it, after 5 years, he thought he was over it, but deep down he knew that some part of it would always be with him. It had duly left its marks on him as it had with
Meanwhile in a small secluded beach house, Malvolion LeVoider was ruing the day that he had ever met Cooper Smith or Turin Turthalion. Had it not been for them, his plan would have succeeded. His one goal, to marry the Princess and become King of the vaunted Hidden Isle, but not only that, his greatest achievement would have been finding the lost, mystical treasure of Ancient Marelindon. “You do realize that if you hadn’t killed
Chapter One
Ring, ring the telephone at
“Listen kid, tell Cooper to turn on the TV channel eight now!” the voice on the other side of the line replied forcefully. “His past just came back to haunt him.”
“What? Who are you? How did you get this number?”
“Just tell him alright kid? This is way over your head; don’t get mixed up with this.”
“Who are you?” Brady thundered into the phone.
“Th’ name’s Shadow, Cooper’ll know who I am. Now go kid”
At this the mysterious voice hung up and Brady after doing the same sprinted for Coop’s study.
“Coop- channel eight-hurry” were his gasped out words.
Cooper shot his associate a puzzled look and flipped to the channel, it was on a commercial break, so he asked “What’s up Brady?”
Brady answered only slightly breathlessly now “A guy called on one of your private “business” lines and told me to tell you to turn to this station. He also told me not to get involved, that this was way over my head.”
Cooper puzzled by who it could have been asked “Did he leave a name?”
“Yeah, he said that his name was Shadow and that you’d know who he was.”
“Shadow! Are you absolutely certain that he said his name was Shadow?” Cooper cried in disbelief.
“Hey! Calm down Coop! Who is this guy? What’s he to you?” Brady inquired wonderingly because he had never seen Coop this shaken before. Mad yes, absolutely furious to the point where it seemed that lasers shot out of his eyes yes, but shaken never. It had seemed to many of their other colleagues that Coop was unshakeable, that nothing ever really “got” to him. Brady was absolutely blown away at this reaction from Coop, but then he reasoned it probably had to do with whatever had happened before he had come to work with him. Shadow he’d have to remember that name.
Before Cooper had a chance to answer, the morning talk show came back from commercial. Both men turned toward the television …..
“And here with us, Mark is Lord Malvolion LeVoider, renowned chemist; Lord LeVoider was instrumental in the rescue efforts five years ago concerning the mad scientist who unwittingly blew himself and some guests up at his castle in
“Well, Terry, we still are trying to figure out the exact components of what Dr. McKinney used to compose the solution that exploded and ate away at two-thirds of his own castle. But we have identified two major ingredients in what we could find of the McKinney Mix (as we now call it); nitroglycerine and sulfuric acid, which when mixed together create a reaction not unlike that which happened up at the
After hearing this, Brady glanced over at Cooper and saw surprisingly the barely restrained loathing that was smoldering in the eyes of his companion. Something about this guy had Cooper really really ticked off. The talk show interview blared on.
“Surely, Lord LeVoider, there must have been other ingredients that added to the power, to the oomph of the solution?” “Most certainly there were, we just have not discovered them yet. In the blast, most of the solution was incinerated along with its creator and the guests. So the minute parts of what we have found of the remaining solution have revealed very little about its ingredients.”
“Wow! That’s truly amazing at what forensic science can do nowadays!” “So Lord LeVoider, what are your plans for the future?”
“Well Terry, this summer my step-brother Maximus and I …..”
“That would be Max LeXoidar, the well-known artist?”
“Yes, that’s correct; we’re planning to go an archeological dig.”
“Wow, that’ll be exciting for you and your brother.”
“Yes, we quite expect it to be, I will also be married this summer.”
“Really?” the host’s eyebrows shot up “Who is the lucky lady?”
“A wonderful lady from my hometown of
“Well, Lord LeVoider, thank you for coming and congrats on your upcoming nuptials.”
“Any time, Terry”
“Back to you, Mark”
Click, the sound of the TV being turned off, Cooper swore under his breath, “I knew it, they’re going to try again, and I knew it. I told him, that blasted idiot that it would take more than that to bring a LeVoider down. Dang it! Why did I have to be right?”
“What’s up, Coop?” Brady asked concernedly.
“Whaddya mean Brady?”
“Coop, I watched you nearly lose it when that Shadow dude called, so obviously he means or meant something to you. When we watched that interview just now, I saw you go from shock to fury the minute you saw who was being interviewed and at the end there, your face was akin to something like murderous rage. Don’t get me wrong here, but you’re not the kind of guy to get this riled up over something as trivial as a TV interview. Ergo, something is up.”
The kid had a point, Cooper realized, he took a deep breath and then asked “You know how sometimes you’ll do something and it’ll come back to haunt you later?” Cooper waited for the kid to nod before going on “Well, it looks like my past just came back to bite me in the rear. With a vengeance.”
“Just like that Shadow guy said” Brady stated wonderingly, “But yeah, I know what you mean.” Cooper sighed in relief and then suddenly leaped over to the phone, “I just remembered something” he said, hitting the speed dial button that would dial T.Turthalion Agency, CEO Turin Turthalion’s private number. “Blast!” he said “I forgot that
“Want me to track em down?” asked Brady. “Nah, he’ll be home tomorrow” replied Cooper.
“Coop”
“What! What?” Cooper replied skittishly. “Nothing, you just seem a little tense.” Brady observed.
“No, no I’ll be fine” Cooper assured him “you just go along and do whatever, I’m fine … really.”
“Oooooook Boss, whatever you say” Brady replied in an odd tone of voice as he got up and left the room. All Cooper needed was time to think and plan.
Two days later
It was a race that he knew, thought Cooper Smith. But towards what prize are they after, head of a Royal House and ruler of the remnant of an ancient people or the fabled treasure of that ancient people? You do need one to achieve the other and that could result in either kidnapping or marrying the Princess, perhaps both. This last thought he‘d spoken aloud and as he sat, thinking this over, he heard a voice say, “Yeah and you’ll need to get there ASAP before anything undesirable happens, not to mention finding it.” “Nah that’s not a problem, Turin will know where it is” said Cooper not really thinking about what he was saying or really paying attention to the figure that had now entered the room and was diligently studying the passers-by at the bay window. “Wow, I had no idea
Cooper shrugged his jacket on as he stepped out his front door into the chilly blast, remembering the last time he had gone off on one of these “adventures”. Yep, that’s what they were alright terrifying, hair-raising, amazing “adventures” the little voice in his head remarked wryly.
Chapter Two
Meanwhile on the hidden
Then she heard someone cry mournfully “Your Highness” and with a sigh she replied “what is it Mithae?” “Well Madame, the Lady Illa is here to speak with you and pardon me for saying this, but you’re not ready for visitors at all,” remarked Mithae. Mara rolled her eyes and said, “It is quite alright Mithae, I appreciate your candor and no matter what Lord Bromley says it is not sacrilegious to let my hair down. I rule here not him.” “ You’d never know it from the way he struts around this place, Your Highness” the Lady Illa remarked dryly as she stepped out onto the verandah. “You may leave us now, Mithae,” said the Princess. “Yes Madame” said Mithae and promptly scurried away. The Princess wandered back out to the balcony, the Lady Illa following. “You’re thinking about him again aren’t you?” It was more a statement than a question Mara knew, but still she replied with a sigh and a wistful look in her eyes “Yes Illa I am, in fact I was thinking how it must feel to be free like he and how much I wish to be with them.” “Have no fear Milady, I have a feeling you’ll be seeing them sooner than you think” Illa remarked casually. Mara shot her a brief, questioning look, wondering if her friend knew something that she herself did not. Then her eye caught sight of a figure storming toward them and she quickly composed herself and put on her serene diplomatic face. Lady Illa did the same, for Lord Bromley was of a trying nature and she really did not want to tangle with him on matters of state anymore today. It was enough that the man had ego enough to share with the rest of the continent, she would have had him retired to one of his many estates long before now , had his advice not always been sound. With one last wistful look at the sunset, she turned and went to meet her irate island governor.
Cooper and Brady parked the car and then walked into Miro’s Italian/Chinese restaurant and were immediately spotted by Lila Hirosion, Miro’s wife. “Hey guys long time no see, I gather you’re here to see
“Cause I’ve seen that same faraway look on Cooper a time or two. Another thing has either of you ever noticed that since they came back neither one of them has gone on a date or even seemed remotely interested in the idea?” Fly thought about this for a minute and it hit her like a speeding cannonball, Brady was right. He was absolutely, positively, one hundred percent right. She said “Oh my gosh, Gil, he’s right, Brady’s right” “I’m not following,” said Gil. “Think about it Gil, when was the last time you saw Cooper or
“Really?”
“Yeah, first off both of you know that I’ve been with
“Yes.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Ok, well this starts about two-maybe three years before their adventure.
“
“Um-hmm, Nina was about maybe seven-eight years younger than
“Wow, how’d they meet?”
“Nina was an investigative journalist. She and
“Anyways, like I said, Nina was an investigative reporter and one of the agreements that she and
“
“….under the condition that if there was any dirty work to be done, that she would let
“Ahhh, that makes sense now.”
“Well, Nina was onto this hot story about this guy. A very naughty mad scientist type only he was a chemist. He was performing some very nasty experiments on human subjects and she was going to expose him.”
“Who was this guy, Fly?”
“Like I said, this guy was heavy-duty. His name was….”
“… was Malvolion LeVoider, his name was Lord Malvolion LeVoider” Brady sunk back into the booth, his eyes closed, and his hands clenched, “Fly was right when she said this guy was heavy-duty.”
Fly shot a questioning look at Brady before going on with her tale, “So she was investigating this LeVoider guy and somehow he got wind that Nina was on his tail. Bam! She disappears and none of us noticed that she was missing until a couple of days had passed and she didn’t come home.”
“Come again, Fly? Care to explain that a little more?”
“See, Gil, it was like this. Many times during the course of Nina’s work, she had to drop out of sight for a day or two. That wasn’t unusual for her, but if she had to do that then she always, and I mean always let us know, especially if she was gone for two or three days. So the first few days after Nina disappeared, no one took note because we all figured that she was following up a lead on that hot story we all knew she was on.”
“Everyone knew that Nina was working on a hot story?”
“Well, we all knew that she was working on something big, just by the way she was. I mean sometimes she just got this look in her eyes, you know? Out of all of us, only
“Wait a minute, Fly. They had separate apartments?”
“Nina kept her apartment as a sort of base of operations, kind of like a glorified office.”
“Oh ok, go on.”
“So, we head over there and walk in to find a barely twenty something infant poking around the place.
“Wow, oh man that’s rough!”
“Yeah, that’s the kind of thing that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.”
“Hey, Fly, who was Nina’s brother?”
Fly stretched her arms and smiled, “Funny that you should ask that, Brady. I mean with working for the guy and all.”
Brady’s eyes grew to the size of teacups “Cooper! Cooper was Nina’s brother? Oh man, that explains a lot.” He closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the booth that certainly did explain a lot he thought.
Fly tilted her head, “Uh-huh, so tell us how you knew this LeVoider guy, Brady. What’s he to you?”
Gil nodded emphatically, “Yeah Brady spill.”
“Some other time guys, I don’t want to talk about it now.”
“Come on! Oh shhhh they’re coming back over.”
After they had gotten to a short distance away, out of hearing range,
Chapter Three
Later that night, as Cooper lay in bed, his mind wandered to the people that had helped him and
Meanwhile at a private beach house not too far from Cooper’s town house, a solitary figure was moving down the corridor and stopped in front one of the many doors in this part of the house. There came a pounding at the door and a muffled voice said “Maximus, get up, get up I say” repeatedly. Maximus sighed and rolled over, hoping that the voice would just go away. It didn’t. With a grunt, he got up and went to get his robe, calling out “Aww, just hang on a sec.” Shrugging on his robe, he opened the door and saw his diminutive half-brother, Malvolion. Bleary-eyed, he asked “It’s 2:30 in the morning, what do you want?” His brother replied indifferently” We have work to do.” Resisting the urge to just smash his half-brother’s face in, Max retorted “No way Malvolion, I’m going back to sleep, you’re the night owl. Figure it out without me.” His brother just stood there and sputtered for a minute and then retorted “You weren’t like this 5 years ago.” Max sighed heavily before he responded patiently “That’s because you had me on that messed-up turbo personality booster.”
“Well I could…”
“No, absolutely not!” thundered Maximus, making use of his bulky shape.
“I guess not then.” replied Malvolion sulkily slinking off back down to his lair. He’d been doing that a lot lately and for the thousandth time Max wondered what he had gotten himself into and why on earth he had responded to his half-brother’s insane plea. He had been perfectly happy living in his little cottage, in that quaint, out of the way little hamlet where he was simply known as an artist, painting, sculpting, he did it all. But mostly he missed the tranquility, the peace and quiet of the place. Idly he wondered if Corinna, his closest neighbor’s flowers had bloomed yet. He always used to help with the planting of them and whenever he called to chat or drop off another woodcarving or painting for her, she was his biggest fan and harshest critic he thought with a smile.
He always remembered to ask after the flowers. It always gave her such pleasure to take him outside and show him which were budding early, which were right on schedule, and which were destined to be late bloomers. as he slid back into bed, Max reflected on the fact that he really was going to have to confront those semi-unwanted feelings of his regarding her. He also had to come up with some way to let her know how he felt. Never having been particularly gifted with words, more to the point eloquent, flowery type words, Max knew that he was going to need help and advice. Just exactly from whom, he had no clue. His mind went over the people he knew that could help him; he decided that either Mara or Niniel would be his best shot. When he saw them next, he’d have to ask. That’s it, Niniel or Mara was his last conscious thought before sleep claimed him once more.
Brady, after making sure that Cooper was soundly asleep, put on his jacket and slipped out. The brisk chill air helped him focus his thoughts a little, he finally knew the reason, the real reason why
“Not at all, always happy to help out a friend.”
“Where should I start…?”
“The beginning is always a good place, I’ve thought.”
“True, but this story will take a while to tell if I start there.”
“I’ve got time, besides I know this little place a little further ahead where we can sit. So go ahead and start with your story while we’re walking.”
“Are you sure you want to hear this? It borders on the unbelievable, impossible even.”
“I’m sure Brady, besides it can’t be all that bad, compared to some of the stories I’ve heard from
“Well, it all has to do with that guy we talked about at dinner. See…”
It was still a few hours before dawn when Mara awoke. Hurriedly putting on her robe, she slipped out of her bedchamber, carefully as to not awaken her attendants or alarm the guards. She stealthily crept down the corridor till she found the passageway that she desired, she hit the fake stone that triggered the door to the secret walkway then went down into the walkway, taking care that the secret door was closed behind her. It wouldn’t do for the entire palace to know about this hidden walkway for then they would begin to look for the others, eventually finding them. She hurried down the corridor, stopping at the entrance to the book vaults. She quickly bypassed the first, second, third, fourth, fifth vaults and went directly to the seventh vault. The seventh vault was the deepest vault in the palace and it was where the oldest and most important books were kept. To even enter the vault, one had to have the permission of the Princess herself and even then you also had to get past the Keeper of the Scrolls, Master Cypher. Even Mara herself, would not go into the sixth or seventh vaults with Master Cypher’s permission. She slipped down the long winding staircase leading to the seventh vault, resolving that once she was crowned, she would move most of these ancient tapestries and other forms of art now gathering dust in the attics and cellars of the palace. She arrived at the bottom of the staircase to see a lone figure bent over an ancient manuscript, muttering to himself.
She smiled and cleared her throat waiting expectantly, after a few minutes the disheveled gray head jerked up to see just who had disturbed his research. Keen blue eyes regarded her sharply for a minute then softened as the old man remarked “Come to see me have you, apprentice mine?” Mara bowed her head in acquiescence and replied, “Yes, my Master, I have come to see if you had divulged anything about the subject we discussed last time.” The bushy gray head nodded, “I have indeed found something of interest for you, Princess. Come, come and take a look at this ancient prophecy I found in one of the books that was on one of the shelves in the back.” He got to his feet and motioned her forward, “I’ve only been able to translate a few fragments of it so far, but what I’ve got is very interesting, yes very interesting.” Mara sat down at the medium-sized desk, littered with scrolls and bits of ancient parchment. She looked at the particular parchment that her master had indicated and read, “……and there shall come a dark time when the world knows not the Dajak’mari and then……
……the end of the dark times shall be marked by the presence of the true Belak ‘tiu’ Maru……”
“Belak‘tiu’Maru? I’ve never heard that particular phrase before. What does it mean? Do you know?”
“It is a High Merian phrase dating back to ancient times. As for its meaning, I do not know exactly what it means, but roughly translated it is the true brother and sister heirs or they who are similar, yet different.”
“Twins, you mean, like my brother and I.”
“Twould appear so, Princess, but please keep reading.”
Mara turned back to the parchment, “……and on that day the two shall come together at the sacred place and there the way shall be revealed……”
“Why this is a prophecy about Nimbrathile! We already know what happened! I was there!”
“Why are you so surprised, apprentice mine? Have you learned nothing from me at all?”
“Master Cy, the combination of the old style writing, the book itself written in High Merian, and the fact that you found it on one of the back shelves means that this book is over ten thousand years old!”
“Quite so, keep reading there is more, child.”
“……one thousand, eight hundred, and twenty-five days hence……. On the eve of the day the way was shown, the Key shall be revealed to them…… be forewarned, there are those who would seek to use the Key for naught but greed…….only one who is true will be able to unlock the true power of the A’lak’mari…….
…..the one who is dead yet lives will be reunited with her true love and the Maru will take up his rightful place as King…..”
“Oh, can it be?” whispered Mara under her breath, “Will we really be reunited?”
“………the Guardians, along with the resolute one and Ne’haka…..”
“Ne’haka? He who makes his own destiny?”
“Quite so, apprentice mine- that is the exact translation of that word. Referring to the one who is outside destiny, the one who’s path Fate cannot tell. Interesting that is…read on child.”
“…Ne’haka must go with the Belak‘tiu’Maru or else the light of the A’lak’mari will be sundered into the deepest depths of the earth and all shall be lost…….”
“So if Dior and I don’t unlock this thingie along with the resolute one and Ne’haka, then the entire world is lost?”
“It would appear so child, but you have more companions on this quest of yours than just those two. Look down, there’s a bit more to the prophecy than that.”
“…..the others than shall accompany them are the cold fly, the winged archer, and he who is not who he seems. One more shall join their company, one who is reformed and wishes nothing more than a life of peace, free from the demons that haunt him…..”
“Is that all of the prophecy or is there more?”
“I do not know, child that is all that I have been able to translate so far.”
“Very well, I must be going before some one misses me. Keep working on that prophecy please, Master Cy. I’ve got a nagging feeling that it’s vitally important.”
“I hear and obey, my Princess.”
Going back the way she came through the secret passage, Mara hurried down the corridor to her bedchamber. Her head was spinning, Dior was coming! And probably
“My thanks, Lord Aron.”
“It was nothing, Princess. May one inquire as to what your royal person is doing out of bed? Does not the Princess need her beauty sleep?”
“My sleep was restless and decided to go down into the vaults in search for something to read.” Mara held one hand up to forestall what would be his next comment. “I did not wish to disturb my handmaidens; they work far harder than me and deserve a few hours respite.”
Lord Aron nodded in assent, “I can relate, Princess. I have much preferred to stay at the country estate where I was raised, but unfortunately Palace affairs have kept me here in the capital.”
Mara smiled thoughtfully, “That’s right, you were faced with the same dilemma that I was.”
“Yes, Milady, the death of my uncle’s lady wife changed him and it was as if he no longer cares for anything……”
“…….save to live out the rest of his life in peace far away from the reminders of all that he had lost.”
“Quite so, Princess, quite so and thus the burden of Head of House Turthalion landed on my shoulders.”
“Out of all the Council members, Aron, you are probably the only one that I could turn to in a pinch for assistance. Do not worry about your uncle; I have a feeling that he will be turning up in the near future.”
“You are too kind, Princess. However I could do no less, House Turthalion has stood with House Gil-Andune for ages, dating back to the Golden Years. Really, Princess, you believe so?”
“Yes, I do. If I know your uncle, then he’ll come with friends too.”
“I wish that we could talk some more, Princess, but you will be missed if you are gone any longer. However will you go riding today?”
“Yes, in the afternoon, Lord Aron.”
“May I have the honor of riding along with you, Princess?”
“You may.”
“Thank you, Milady. I will be counting the hours until then.”
“As will I, Lord Turthalion.”
Jack was dragged out of the little world the story had pulled him into when the phone rang. Sighing once, he looked wistfully at the rest of the story before picking up the phone. “Yes?” he answered the phone and then listened for a minute, “I’ll be right in, Sir. You’ll have that list on your desk by sundown.”
posted by Paradox @ 7:37 PM
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Tales From The Cafeteria
The online blog for the 2006 NaNoWriMo project written by BethanyK, entitled Tales From The Cafeteria. Inspired by True Events and Doctor Who.
About Me
- Name: Paradox
- Location: Annapolis, Maryland, United States
An twenty-one year old INTP with stars in her eyes, her head in the clouds, and her feet firmly planted in the ground. A military brat and TCK (third culture kid), she's moved so much, she doesn't know where home is. Reading is her first love and writing is her passion. She's a bit of a paradox, not really fitting into any particular stereotype, but preferring to take a little bit of everywhere she's been and everything she enjoys and mix it together in a wonderful amalgam that she calls her life. Her life can be best summed up in this quote, "I saw a star, I reached for it. I missed. So I accepted the sky." -Scott Fortini
Previous Posts
- Beholders of the Promised Dawn of Truth: Tales rew...
- Chapter Ten
- Chapter Nine
- Chapter Eight
- Chapter Seven
- Chapter Six
- Chapter Five
- Chapter Four
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Two
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