0722
Washington
D.C.
The senate and house representatives decided to meet up
early this
morning. Something yet again was demanding public
attention. Senator
Amanda Edwards couldn't get out of her head
it was always something or
another. How the sea would shift from
the outcry about mutants to
government corruption. All of this
was nothing new to anyone here. It
almost came to the point where
it was like doing any other chore that
would become habit. The
only difference was that what would happen here
would mean more
then just doing the dishes.
"I know I'm late ladies and
gentlemen. I apologize. No excuse."
It was so rare that
Amanda was ever late that no one was even going to
bring it up in
the first place as she hurried into the chambers.
Someone would
be expecting a dimly lit room filled with smoke when you'd
think
of the "chambers", but this was just an oversized office if
anything. And when you thought of the people within the chambers
the
thought of shadowed figures with menacing voices would spring
to mind.
Not someone such as Amanda who was wearing a simple red
dress suit,
white blouse underneath, and having her light brown
hair with gray hues
beginning to show to be one of those
people.
"Your seat is open as always. We have started
without you if you'll
forgive us Senator Edwards."
The
head of the chambers was Congressman Timothy McDaniel. He was a
prick. Well that's what Amanda thought at least. What probably
bothered her was the fact no matter how busy he was he always
seemed to
make every meeting on time, looked only slightly older
from his college
football days, and was in his early forties but
had made head of the
chambers. She really didn't have anything
against him. He was the
passive example of the men she always
pictured in her mind that held her
back when she first came into
politics.
Giving a slight polite smile and small wave to
everyone, Amanda took
her seat and sipped the coffee that was
already waiting for her.
Timothy started the proceeding up and
made sure that everything that was
to be said would be recorded.
Amanda always thought that part humorous
even after all these
years being part of this group. The fact that all
anyone had to
do was request a document and fill out the proper paper
work in
to have a copy of the recordings. But what was humorous is that
the
people that found conspiracy theories everywhere didn't want to see
the truth was in front of them. Typical.
"Now ladies and
gentlemen I am grateful all of you could make this spot
meeting
at the last minute. And I know that I bore most of you speaking
that
everything we deal with here is of the highest importance. I do
say
this too much but in this case I hope all of you will humor me."
Now
that comment did catch Amanda's attention as she raised a thin brow
under her mug. Timothy almost seemed sorry that he called this
meeting
so much at the last minute but it wasn't because of the
short notice.
It had to be something else.
"And if all
of you will spare a little more time I wish to show this
video
that came to my attention."
Video? The more Amanda heard of
this the more it put her on edge. A
large screen fell in front of
the half oval table as everyone looked on
towards it. Taking
another small slip of the coffee, Amanda pulled out
a pen and pad
to take down any random thoughts that may come to mind
during the
video.
"For some time now it has been a worry on this
country's mind about
mutants. But in all fairness I wish to
show our focus on something
else."
It seemed they were
now watching a satellite video. Amanda tried to
see the date upon
it but had some trouble as she forgot her glasses.
She'd kick
herself in the ass later for forgetting that. But pulling
her
full attention now she watched the screen. She was able to make out
the North Eastern portion of the United States. Then it zoomed
in. It
took her a moment but she could tell it was the state of
New York.
"Tim. What does this have to do with any-"
Right
as one of the senators was going to finish his sentence something
that almost resembled an explosion was seen. Half of those within
the
chambers gasped while the other just lowered their heads. The
half
lowering their heads knew exactly what they were watching.
The
destruction of Brooklyn.
The other half understood
when the video zoomed in again to display
portions of Brooklyn
appearing as a war zone. Not a soul said anything.
No one wanted
to say anything. It was one of those singular moments
when the
memory hit so hard that you felt a cold chill and a burning
anger.
A few more moments of silence were observed then the lights came
back on and the screen wheeled itself back up.
"Now what
I want to know is what is the first thing that entered your
mind
upon seeing this?"
The chambers became a mad house as every
opinion was given out from it
was what America deserved for
leaving faith to its values to the issue
about mutants. As soon
as Timothy heard the word mutant spoken he
slammed a fist upon
the head seat. All eyes shot to Timothy.
"I expected so much
more from all of you. I can understand all of your
responses but
if we want to place the blame on anything it can only fall
on one
thing. Us."
Amanda wasn't sure what Timothy was getting at
but she would listen for
now. Listen unlike her colleagues that
is.
"A blame does go to everyone that enjoys and loves the
freedom that they
receive for nothing within this country. But as
we are supposed to be
leaders to these people the blame falls
harder on us."
It was well seen that Timothy was worked up
on this issue. But what
struck her as strange was the fact how
long ago this happened and the
fact an emergency meeting was
called. After taking a sip of water
Timothy continued.
"Now
I know many of you are confused why I bring this one instance up
now
but I am going to explain now. If you look upon what is happening,
we are facing termination. Not from some all-powerful being or an
alien
race with enough weapons to destroy our planet countless
times. We are
facing termination due to the fact no one here is
willing to do what we
must."
"And what is that
chairman?" Amanda was actually interested in the
response to
this.
""We do not have to enslave or execute in order to
keep our way of life
alive. We have to do one simple thing. Raise
up from sheltered lives,
spit in the face of the challenge and
say 'By all that is holy, we will
not stand by and allow ruin
to come and rest here any longer.'"
Almost everyone knew
what Timothy was speaking about. It was the game
of politics when
politics first started. Play it well and do what you
have to
do.
"And for those of you wondering what I speak of let me
indulge you. We
will not use excuses. We will do one simple
thing. Face our challenges
as they come. If an alien race wishes
to come and do what they will
then we pull up our sleeves. If
some mystical or powerful creature
wishes to make our home into
it's own sick playground then we push them
off the monkey bars.
I would rather die unknown and in pain then be
another play toy
to anything."
Surprised would be the least to explain how
Amanda was feeling. She
could tell all of this had been burning
within Timothy for some time
now. She wasn't sure to cheer him
on or be afraid.
"How many more times are we going to have
to have our noses bloodied
until we decide no more? What I am
asking here is a simple request.
For all of us to take
responsibility for the wrong that happens within
this country and
act righteously upon it. America fears mutants not
because of
power but because of ignorance. America doesn't trust it's
government because America won't educate themselves. How about
we take
the first few steps by educating everyone and taking the
blame."
And for once Amanda could see what she didn't like
about Timothy. It
was the fact he could do a better job then she
could. It was envy. She
knew it. She accepted it. And she was now
more then willing to back
Timothy up.
"Now tomorrow we
will speak about the sudden influx of hidden budgets
and the high
rise of mystic like entities. I expect anyone that does
not agree
with what I have spoken upon to do one of two things. Vote to
have
the seat I honorablely hold given to another or leave. Leave so we
can make our home a better place."
Timothy left it at
that. He moved around the half oval table and right
out the
double oak doors. Amanda felt as if something else had taken
her
over, as she did not wait for the meeting to be concluded and
hurried out to follow Timothy.
"Timothy. Tim! Just a
minute bucko. Want to speak with you for a
second."
Timothy
saw this coming. He stopped right outside the glass doors that
would
take him down the ivory stairs to the street below.
"I
willing to hear what you have to say Senator Edwards but I am
busy."
"Good. Just one question then. Where the hell did all
of that come
from?"
Timothy looked to the ground below
as if working to explain himself
then looked back up and right
into Amanda's eyes.
"It's something that has been
bothering me for a time now Amanda. But
what set it off was the
fact that two days ago one of my cousins was
killed."
"I'm
sorry Tim. I hadn't heard of it."
"It was personal. My
sister was the one that told me. She was on her
way to our
cousin's wedding. When she got there she found that the
church
was in ruins and our cousin was crushed. We found out later it
was
due to some large creatures fighting it out or something like that.
Two things hurt were the facts that it was in my home state I
represent
and the other was the fact there was nothing I could do
about it. I was
in a rage. I was guilt ridden. The reason why was
because I always
spoke of being a leader but really haven't
acted upon it."
Amanda could understand everything he was
speaking about. Those that
haven't sold their souls yet in this
city felt the same thing everyday
as well. But for it to actually
happen to you was another situation.
Looking up, Amanda
placed a hand on Timothy's shoulder. Their eyes met
again and
an understanding came to light. Timothy knew that Amanda
would
support him up to death and vice versa. It was as if they could
sense nothing from the world around them as this understanding
took
over. Maybe if this understanding wasn't so strong one of
the two could
have seen what was to happen next.
"You
can't hide the truth whore monger!"
And with that
Timothy's eyes broke contact from Amanda's as they slid
to
the back of his head. The lovely blouse that Amanda was wearing now
matched the suit she was wearing the unheard projectile
penetrated
Timothy's neck and tore a large chunk of flesh and
muscle from it.
"Help! Someone help!"
Timothy
slumped to the ground and Amanda held him as so he wouldn't hit
the ground. The fear for her own life seemed as nothing.
Something
more important was in jeopardy right now.
Being
overshadowed by the one that had fired the round, Amanda slowly
looked up. She was speechless. She wanted to fight or cry or
curse or
anything. But all she could do was stare at this other.
This other
wearing a ski mask and holding a simple semiautomatic
pistol.
"He dies because of his crimes. He dies because he
hid the truth. He
wanted to play us like most of the rest of you.
Not tell the people
that some kinds of bleach can cause a skin
infection that eats away at
you."
Amanda knew what she
heard but just couldn't deal with the answer for
what this
person had said. The sound of sirens came about and the
hooded
one soon began to run down the stairs and into a beat up station
wagon. She would look down to Timothy but she knew he was already
dead.
None of this stopped her from putting pressure on his
wound. Though no
more blood was coming out. Something more
important was at jeopardy.
Not Timothy's life so much but
America's life. A new life that never
had a chance to take its
first breath because of Timothy's last breath.
0347
North
Point, AZ
How is it someone could hate their life so much?
That's the question
James Burgess has been asking himself. How
they could go along with so
many twistes and turns and still have
the same hate.
For some people the idea of being immortal
would be a blessing. James
saw it only as a curse. Something that
he hated about himself more each
day that passed. There was no
reason for it. No dramatic explosion of
higher forces. No rhyme
or reason. He just was.
Today James is about to see how
immortal he is. And his lover is going
to try everything she can
in order to help him. Now is the part where
everyone asks who his
lover is. His lover is the living embodiment of
life.
"Sugar
plum, this better work. You have no idea how pissed I'm getting.
You're acting like a tease with me now."
They have a
love hate relationship. He hates the fact he is still
alive and
she loves the fact that she got to him before Death. But the
end
result is he wanted to cheat death. James is ornery like that.
"It
will James. I can feel him getting closer. Just wait and be
patient."
"That's what you said when I left the gas on
in the apartment. And what
came from that? I lost my favorite
Zippo lighter."
"Well how were you to light the gas?"
"I
can hear you nagging now. 'James. This will do you in. But you
have to light the gas.' That really helped."
James
finally took a seat on the bench of the mall he was waiting at.
He
appeared to be in his late thirties. He was surprisenly well groomed
for a man that almost always tried to kill himself. He had light
blonde
hair cropping down to give off that movie star image with
his bangs and
rather dull but catching green eyes.
Life
took on the form of a young lady that seemed to appear as if she
were just barely eighteen. She had a pair of hip hugging jeans, a
white
spaghetti string low cut shirt, and wore a pair of black
leather calf
boots under the jeans.
"And why the hell
did you decide to take on that image?"
"I thought it was
cute."
"It looks like I'm some Russian mafia guy trying to
pimp a young girl he
took from the mother land. That's real
cute."
"Like it's not in the back of every man's mind, and
some lesbian's mind,
to have a barely legal type attached to
his arm."
"Not if it gets him arrested. Thank God were not in
Arkansas."
Life just narrowed her eyes at James as she sat
next to him. For the
longest time she just stared at him shooting
daggers until James took in
a deep breath and turned around to
face her.
"I'm sorry okay. It is a cute image."
"You're
just saying that so I won't be mad at you."
"No. I'm just
saying that because I don't want to spend the end of time
having
to deal with a pissed off woman. If I wanted to go to hell I'd
ask
Mephesto to take me down there a time ago."
Life gaped her
mouth at what James just said as she was speechless
until James
couldn't hold it in any longer and broke to a grin. Life
narrowed
her eyes at him again but a hint of a grin was seen as she
slapped
him up side his head.
"I so hate you some times."
"No
you don't."
"Yes I do James."
"You love me and you
know that."
"You are so full of shit."
"You love me and
you just want to beat your sister to the punch. I know
how
siblings can be. You just want something to put in Death's
face."
"Well maybe."
James looked at his watch then
began picking at the bench as Life took
his hand into her own. He
looked over to her again with a raised brow.
"You know we're
breaking the rules here James."
"I didn't know they had
rules for this."
"You know what I mean."
"I know. But
fuck 'em. You and me. 'Til life do us part."
James
smiled over to Life and she looked down but revealed a warm smile
in
return. Then her hand tensed and grasped his own.
"It's
time."
James just nodded to her and moved over to her as he
placed a soft kiss
upon her forehead. This is what they've been
waiting for. And not
spending anymore time to discuss it or say
any lasting goodbyes, James
stood up and started to cross the
street.
"See you in the next life hun."
Right as he
was standing in the middle of the street a stream of
hellfire
flew across the sky. It ended up fall coming closer and closer
to
the street until a figure could be made out from it. A man. A man
that seemed to be dressed as a shaman. James watched as the man
came
slamming down to the asphalt and could tell that he must
have used some
kind of protection spell to save himself from the
impact.
A demoness came lightly walking out of a portal
spewing hellfire and
the dimension past her tortured souls could
be seen screaming pleas of
mercy. She seemed to have a crimson
scaled skin that covered her from
head to her knees, where
something such as horse or goat legs where
shown. Her hair was a
wild flow of both red and black and flickered
from one color to
the next. Horns could be seen upon her as well that
spun around
like that of a goat though not as curved and longer.
The
demoness came closer to the fallen shaman on the street and a
silver
blade was seen in her right hand ready to strike down. James
knew
this was his only chance and didn't want to have to try tracking
this demoness again.
"Hold up there
toots."
"Toots?"
The demoness was not expecting that.
She saw as James ran to be in
front of herself and the shaman
upon the ground. He placed a hand out
as if to halt her then
continued what he was going to say.
"Whatever your name is.
I don't care. The point is is that I want you
to try and kill
me."
"Away with you."
"Hey. Away my nuts in your mouth.
You're not getting any further until
you kill me."
The
demoness was actually in shock. Here was some man that was
challenging her. She could tell no weapon he was branding or any
knowledge of magic. There was nothing out of the normal with
him.
"Men such as you are nothing more then an appetizer. I
have no time for
you. So unless you wish to find out how your
manhood can be inverted
you will move mortal."
"Thanks
life. Another femenist type all powerful creature."
"You have
been warned."
"Looks like you need a little motivation puss in
hooves."
James pulls his arm back and releases it to back
hand the demoness.
Holding her jaw more out of shock she just
stares at James with a
growing hate.
"Now try and kill
me before I pimp smack you again. Or do I have to get
all Norse
and say it. Killeth thee or else thou shall be whore wrecked
upon
another time wench."
The demoness needed nothing further as
she pointed her sword in James'
direction. The sky above her
opened and a mist to it began spinning.
Bolts of lightening shot
from the sword until finally a massive pipeline
of hellfire
spewed down where James was standing. The buildings around
them
shook about as if a child angered at its building blocks and soon
fell upon the position of James.
"Foolish
mortal."
Life, still standing on the bench, just sat there
totally passive. The
demoness took her attention back to the
wounded shaman upon the street
and a glitter of wickedness came
from those pure black orbs.
"Oh I just can't believe
this."
The muffled sentence came from some of the debris.
One of the rocks
rolled over as James seemed totally as he was.
Well besides the clothes
he was wearing in nothing more then a
few select rags.
"Can't you do anything right? All you had
to do was kill me."
"This can't be. I just killed you. I...
I... I..."
"You you you just fucked up is what you did. Could
I have made it any
easier for you? Shit you suck at this!"
A
mist once more was forming, but this time around the body of the
demoness and the shaman. James knew exactly what she was doing
and
tried to hurry over to her.
"Don't you dare leave!
Don't you d-"
But before James could say anything further
the demoness and shaman
teleported away. James kept running as
fast as he could to the position
of the teleportation and slid on
his knees to where the two were.
"I didn't mean it! C'mon!
Try again! I know you can do it if you put
your mind to
it!"
Life stood up from the bench and more floated to his
direction then
walked. She resemebled a ballet how her form just
glided over to him
and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's
over sweetie. She didn't have what it took."
"This bites
life."
"I know it does. Let's try and get you some clothes
before the police
show up. Don't want you spending the night in
jail do we."
"No."
James almost sounded like he was
pouting as he was speaking. Life gave
him a hand up and he just
sighed at the whole situation. Placing an arm
around her slender
form, the two began down the street.
"Maybe I should become
a super hero. What do you think of that Life?"
"I don't
know. Sounds passé."
"I could be called Not Dying Man.
Or Take Your Best Shot Man."
"How about we get you some
clothes, pick up some beer, and go to
Shoney's for
breakfast."
"Okay."
James looks over his shoulder to
the destruction that came about and
rolls his eyes. Life quickly
moves his jaw around to look back forward
and she places an arm
around him as well.
"What would cheer you up besides
dying?"
"Can you still take the image of that IRS woman
agent?"
"Yes. Why?"
"They been fucking me for so long
think it'd be nice to do the same
back."
Life slaps
James up side the head again and the two join in a small
laugh.
They had a love hate relationship. She would hate to be without
him
and he loves the time they are together. Life is strange like that.
2156
Arlington,
NJ (Kind Of)
Heather could feel how cold the night was. And
though it sounded like
some cheap first line, it was more due to
the wind then the actual air.
It did not help matter much that
she was running into the wind and
second of all the air was
filled with so much of that light rain, one
would be soaked
without actually feeling a drop.
Heather liked the woods of
Arlington. She also liked the rain. Two of
the things that she
loved the most, but right now that was not on her
mind. What was
on her mind were the last images she saw. The sight of
her
mother, father, little brother, and husband gutted open and nailed
to the wall. What made this even more a terror come to life was
the
fact they were still alive. She had no idea how something
like that
could be possible but they were.
She could
remember her husband and her driving up the old dirt road and
the
sun just then setting. Her husband had turned on the lights as they
creped closer and closer to the rather nice summer home, which
was used
for mini vacations as well. She could remember holding
her husband,
Rick's, hand as she was thinking of the love that
was in the air and
having their first real time off since the
honeymoon. She loved the
fact that he loved her family and they
embraced him as family as soon as
he met them.
She could
remember all of this but at the time all she could think
about is
that something was behind her. She knew she was next. The two
things
that were breaking her sanity were why anyone would do something
like this and being hunted like this. Heather had ripped her
white and
green turtle neck sweater with her frantic rush for
life. The branches
catching the material and the flesh under.
Droplets of blood tinkling
down to the ground. Whatever was
hunting her did not have to try hard
as she was leaving a well
enough trail for it to follow.
She wanted to look back so
badly now. But she remembered her husbands
pain filled words. To
run and not look back to just run as fast as she
could. And she
was doing just that. She was also cursing herself while
she was
running. Cursing that she was so insistent that they all head
off
this weekend. If she had just waited another week it all might have
been different.
"This way."
Heathers ears
perked just slightly to the voice that sounded almost
less then a
dream. How many there were behind her knew which direction
she
was going. Heather was exhausted but a second wind came to her as
panic was reinforced. She couldn't think at this time but
amazing
enough she was praying. Praying first of all this was all
some sort of
nightmare. God she wanted this to only be a
nightmare. At least she
could wake up with her husband's warm
body next to her and have the
biggest worry be if she would make
it to work on time.
She shook her mind free once again as she
heard rustling in the woods
coming closer to her. The run that
she was keeping up became a slow
trot now. Whoever was after her
would catch up. And if they could
track her to this point, hiding
would be a lost cause.
"Just get it over with."
And
that's the last thing Heather could remember before blacking out.
When she awoke she found herself in a cold sweat and lying in a
bed.
"It was a nightmare. How thank you God."
Heather
was about to lift herself up when she felt held down. But it
wasn't
just being held down. She was tied down to the bed. Worse yet
no
Rick. She felt something around her neck as well. It felt metal.
All
she could think is that some kind of cult or something along those
lines must be involved in this. She knew her fate was sealed. It
was
the waiting now that bothered her.
"What are they
waiting for...?"
She could not see anything in this room.
She just knew she was lying
on a bed and could not move. She
couldn't feel the ropes that held her
down but she could feel
herself strapped to the bed. All she knew to do
was cry. And as
the tears slowly came down to the side of her face the
one that
was following spoke, though she could not hear the one that was
trying to reach her.
"I do not think we can reach
her."
"C'mon Emma. There has to be something we can do. Look
at her. She's
just staring off into nothingness."
"I
understand fully well Mr. Merzeski, but there is nothing I can do for
her."
"So we just leave her like this?"
"For the
time being? Yes."
"Fuck... She had nothing to do with any of
us. She was just our
insurance lady. Even though she was here
enough. Why the hell would he
do this to her?"
"I have no
idea. The insane are never simple to explain."
"Can she at
least hear us?"
"She can, but she does not wish to."
"So
there's nothing we can do."
"Sadly... no."
"But he
didn't touch her."
"You should know that you could be
scarred far worse inside then
outside. Did Kitty or you find
anything to show what his next plan of
attack may be?"
"No.
He was there and then out. Left enough evidence of it being his
style. But one thing I know is that it was Creed."
Maybe
if Heather could have heard this conversation she would snap out
of
this. But it would all happen again and again. Her running through
the woods, thinking of her husband and family, giving up, and
then being
strapped to a bed. She would always come across this
same cycle.
Heather remembering of her remembering.
2241
Venice
Beach, CA
Three hours, forty minutes and twenty-two seconds.
That's how long Max
Albridge has been waiting. Not that he was
counting or anything. But
that is how long he has been waiting
for a special someone to show up.
He'd be insulted about
waiting this long, but the other party did not
know he was
waiting for him. But that goes along with the job.
You see Max
works for the NSA. And being the National Security Agency,
many
elements factor into security. In this case it involves dark
forces
at work. And oh does that sound like the back cover of some
cheap
movie rental. But this was Max's primary occupation within the
NSA. It really wasn't something that Max had interest in as
well. He
found the idea alone of mystical and fairy tale like
elements to be
annoying. He would rather be dealing with the
chance of a coming alien
invasion, inner coups, or if anything to
work in the spy ring. The only
problem is that Max has on issue
with overkill.
So here we have Max sitting within one of
numerous surf shops that just
recently went out of business. He
brushed a leather-gloved hand through
red curly hair that seemed
long for someone in his field, but was rather
well kept and
stylish. Max shifted the hand to rub that smooth chin of
his. He
heard enough jokes about his baby face and that if he didn't
look
so young anyone would be able to put a good guess at his age. The
only thing that did give it away were the strands of gray just
beginning
to emerge. Bored out of his mind, Max finally stood and
stretched while
still keeping an eye out. He padded of the suit
he was wearing to dust
away some of the dust he was sitting on
then leaned against the window
frame as he continued to
wait.
Seems this part of job was never mentioned in the memo
or glamorized in
movies. The big bad men in suits that seemed to
appear out of no where
having to wait for God knows how long
before the other person showed up.
If he wasn't trying to keep
his location concealed he would have at
least ordered a pizza or
something about now. But no. Rules are rules
And finally he
saw what he was looking for. Or what he guessed was
what he was
looking for. A break in both light and dark came from the
beach
as if a tear in space. As the figure of a dark elf began to
emerge
it appeared like someone had cut a rather large painting and
stepped
from between it.
"No one act just yet. She's only a
scout."
While he was speaking he pressed against his neck.
He loved the
gadgets. It was like the kid inside of him got a
kick out of all of
this. To have toys and then play cops and
robbers. He knew full well
this was no game but everyone has that
little kid inside of him or her
that just screams for
attention.
"Wait on my mark."
He knew that the rest
of the party was going to come out soon. And as
he was waiting
they did. It appeared as if every type of mystical being
or
creatures he has only read about in fairy tales was coming about. He
noticed the one being carried on a throne of sorts with four
rather
robust trolls carrying her out onto the beach. At least he
hoped it was
female. She had all the qualities of a female. She
seemed to have the
perfect female form and carried a seductive
yet dangerous air around
her. Her hair was jet black but moved
along as if by some unseen air.
Those eyes just couldn't be
seen yet though. She was ready for battle
as what would appear to
be ancient armor adorned her body. But on the
same respect it
could have been just traditional attire for an occasion
like
this. Whatever occasion something like this would be.
"I
want you guys on the roofs to be ready. Set on the one being hauled
around."
He could tell now that the rest of the party
had now arrived. They
seemed to cover the beach like a horde and
Max wasn't exactly looking
forward to his next move. But it was
part of the damned Rules Of
Engagement. So upon taking a breath
and fixing his tie, Max stepped out
of the surf shop and towards
the beach. Now seeing the NSA thought
ahead of time and cleared
the beach, it goes without saying that seeing
only one person
coming towards you among the bareness would cause some
attention.
Though Max kept his game face and stayed professional as all
about,
including the leading one, turned to face him. Pulling out his
identification he began to finally speak.
"I am Agent
Max Albridge with the NSA and we are most honored that you
chose
to come visit our country out of all the others within this world.
But sadly I must ask if you have a DD form 307. If you are
unfamiliar
with this form it is used for illegal aliens without a
recorded country.
Now normally immigration would handle this
situation but to keep an
open mind national security could be at
risk."
"Mortal. I am Queen Rosuntah. Bow now and I may
forgive you speaking
to me in such an insulting manner."
Max
knew full well that this was coming about. It wasn't just these
people but anyone that was royalty. So as he looked up to the sky
he
took in a deep breath as he tried to smooth things out.
Diplomacy was
not something he was really fond of. It was just a
must that would have
to be done.
"Queen Rosuntah, I am
already in the service for another. I am honored
to be accepted
among your ranks but must sadly decline. If it is in
your favor
can we still speak of the matter of you entering this
country?"
"It
is not in my favor. I have come to expand my kingdom mortal. And
this land shall be of my kingdom."
"I regret to inform you
that is an official act of war on your behalf.
Am I correct on
this?"
"You are."
"Very well."
And with that
he places the identification upon his suit's jacket
pocket and
takes out his issued pistol. It took the horde a moment to
understand that Max was actually ready to fight all of them. To
that
they all laughed.
"Mark."
But after that
one word was issued the laughter soon faded with the
sound of
weapons fire. The snipers upon the roof took their shot as
several
Beretta .50 rifles fired off. The power of this rifle to many
would
seem like that of magic. It is one of the few rifles that can
fire
over three football fields long, through a brick wall, and still
have the power to slice through a vehicle with explosive force.
The
result of this magic crippled the armor Queen Rosuntah wore
and back
flipped her to the ground a few yards back.
The
rest of her horde went to arms as soon as this happened. Blades,
axes, spells, and fire being spewed came down upon the block. Max
had
run for cover as soon as he gave his signal behind a concrete
barricade
and knew that the rest of the plan was already set into
plan.
Those that knew of magic were being picked off by the
snipers while
those upon that where warriors came to the fire of
artillery that was
called in for. The artillery was coming in
over a mile and a half away
but the concussive force could still
be felt within your body. Those
that were just barely making it
through the artillery were shredded down
as infantry and scouts
spread out and laid down fire with 240B2. No
matter how well
armored the horde was there is only so much you can do
when
rounds are fired off at three thousand rounds per minute.
The
only worry Max had now was if he was going to get the air support
and higher command support her requested for. At least one of
those
requests was answered when he saw the incoming Apache
AH-64's screaming
down as they came towards the scene. The
flying element of the horde
was only a slaughter. All Max needed
was one team to deal with the
hordes flying group, but he was
given a Squadron instead. The barreled
holds that carried
hellfire missiles fired off at such a high rate it
appeared as if
it were an automatic weapon firing off. The sky seemed
to explode
with blood and wings as that division of the horde was soon
laid
to rest.
"Enough!"
Queen Rosuntah stood as she was
witnessing the complete slaughter of
her people and army. She
placed a protective spell around her and the
rounds of the
snipers ricocheted off of her and flung in every
direction.
Calling forth the mass of her mystic abilities her form grew
in
size as she took on something of that like a monstrously large
sphinx. Fire spewed out of her mouth and
the scouts and infantry that
were laying down fire melted before
Max's eyes. Narrowing those brown
eyes he knew now it would end
if they could finish this woman off.
"Call for fire. Grid is
as follows. 52016308. Fire for effect over."
In ten seconds
flat the artillery came in. In the night's sky it
appeared as
if the on round was a long cylinder of light that gave off a
hellish
scream as it came closer and closer to Rosuntah. The round
slammed
into her paw, which on contact exploded and left a bloody nub in
its
place. Screaming in pain, Rosuntah shot out fire and began to move
off the beach.
"Grid is good. I repeat. Grid is good.
Full fire over."
The same sound and feeling was felt again
as now the night's sky was
filled with the same long cylinders
of light. Some of the rounds came
to land next to her and melted
the sand to a glass like state on impact,
though only a few. The
remaining rounds landed point on target. It
appeared like some
twisted version of a person getting shot, as the
rounds would
fall atop of Rosuntah. The penetrating forces pushing her
back
each time and causing large cavities along her body. Her body
began
to resemble what it would if she was damned to spend her remaining
time to be tortured by a perverse demon. No matter the form she
took
now she couldn't take this kind of punishment. Her body
soon fell to
the ground below.
"Cease fire. Cease-fire.
Target has been neutralized over."
The remaining infantry
scouts began to observe the scene for any more
hostile activity
as the AH-64's hovered over to keep support fire if
needed.
Seeing what was left of the horde and the horror-stricken faces
of
them he then stepped back up to speak.
"Now, as I was
saying, if you do not have a DD form 307 this will
complicate
matters. Now as you did take arms against the United States
I ask
that you now place your weapons on the ground and put your hands
over your heads as you slowly walk this way as so we can place
you as
prisoners and if need be to give you all a fair and speedy
trail. Thank
you for your help."
Turning his back on the
horde the platoon of scouts and infantry run by
Max with weapons
at the ready. Another man dressed slightly more
conservative then
Max heads towards him with a palm pilot jotting down
some
notes.
"You did an outstanding job."
"Don't give me
that line. Where was the support I requested?"
"It wasn't
authorized."
"It wasn't authorized? Come on now Jacob. I had
no idea what this
woman was capable of. I might have needed to
use one of the platforms."
"They were being used."
"For?"
"The
Avengers needed the use of them."
Just shaking his head, Max
walks past Jacob with a sign of disgust.
Jacob turns around and
follows as the horde can be seen being restrained
and having
metallic neck collars placed on them.
"Max. You completed
the assignment. No harm came about."
"We have two squads of
charred bodies that say otherwise."
"You got most of the
support you requested. What more do you want?"
"All of it. We
have so many of those damned platforms orbiting the
planet.
You're telling me they couldn't afford to lose one of them?
But
I'll be fair. What were they needed for?"
"Possible Phalanx
activity was noticed."
"I thought those mutant groups dealt
with them?"
"They can't see everything at all times."
"How'd
the Avengers know about it? I thought they didn't have the
clearance to even know about them"
"They don't still. We
made up some poor excuse about a solar flare.
From there we just
told them where and when it would hit. That way it'd
look more
natural."
"Fuck Jacob. That's one hell of a solar flare. All
of those things
firing are more like a super nova."
"We
just widened the broad band."
"So you reverted them how they
were during the Cold War?"
"Exactly."
"So how'd you
explain the solar flare coming from Earth?"
"We just told them
if they could ionize the ozone to a certain level it
would sling
shot the solar flare. So they entered an old communications
satellite that would 'ionize' the ozone."
"What did it
actually do?"
"Give most of the houses in China and Pakistan
the Spice channel."
Max just smirked at that comment. The
image of over two billions
people watching the news then "Forest
Hump" the next minute was enough
for him to at least break that
stone face of his. Looking back to the
charred bodies he came
back to reality though.
"Still..."
"I know."
"So
how are we going to explain having Venice Beach deserted and then
this massive destruction?"
"Flash fire due to big rigs
hauling an experimental jet fuel. They
already fell over and we
wanted to be sure that the fire wouldn't spread
so we cleared
this portion of the city."
"The Apache's can just fly out
unseen but what about the artillery?"
"The National Training
Center isn't far from here. We just say they
were on their way
there but got presidential approval for them to help
with the
mess. The soldiers that will clean up the mess are already on
their
way over here. By the time these guys head out of here they'll
have more then enough time to be gone and be replaced."
"What
about the mystical energies still within the air? Don't you think
those mages and all would be able to feel it?"
"So? They
have a thing about their privacy Max. You think they'll go
to
the press for this? They won't be able to even figure out
everything
that was involved. And if they do who would really
believe them? Have
you checked for any people that may have seen
the light show?"
"It's covered Jacob. We set up a psy net to
blanket the soldiers'
minds. On top of that we also had our own
psychics sweeping the area.
But if there was a chance of a Alpha
Class psychic around we set up a
scatter brain, which I know you
know basically makes them tipsy, and so
that would give us a
little more protection."
"Which reminds me. We made sure that
those ions would resend to your
area. Just in case someone wanted
to use a spy satellite."
"Thanks but I did have a highly
charged EMP."
"You've learned well."
"Like we can
afford to tell them people about things like this? A
person is
unique. People are like animals. If they found out the truth
they'd
go into a panic."
Max continued to walk on until her came to
his car. Pressing the car
alarm off, the car unlocked itself.
Opening the door he looked over his
shoulder back to Jacob who
was still writing on his palm pilot.
"Want to get a pizza?
I've been dying to have one for a while now."
"Thanks but
no. I'm on this diet that the wife insisted on. I'd be
safer
coming into the house smelling of some other woman's perfume then
pizza."
"Maybe next time. By the way Jacob, you ever
wonder about all the lying
we do to the public? I know we should
but you wonder who are we to
judge?"
"Nope."
"Why?"
"People
judge what to say everyday. A sin is a sin. Doesn't matter how
big
or small. So the people that would be mad at us are just being
hypocrites."
Max didn't know how to respond to Jacob
on that. Jacob was very sure
that it wasn't a good thing to do
but it was the best thing to do. As
he placed the car in first
gear and started to drive off, Max thought it
funny how he used
to speak about the "evils" of the government when he
was in
college. How "The Man" did what he wanted to do no matter what
it did to the people. But it was not the whole truth, if there
was one,
it was just an opinion. And Dirty Harry put it best.
Assholes are like
opinions. Everyone has one. Except some
creatures he came across.
That was just disgusting. But he wasn't
going to go there. He just
wanted his pizza.
1439
White
Bluff, OK
My name is Oliver Task. I'm better known around
the circles of the
criminal world as Ion. I'm able to generate
an electrical current
through my body and release it. I was going
to be known as The Electron
but that sound too close to Electro.
Asshole. He would have to take
that name before me. You know I
told him that I was going to be known
as Electron? And what did
that asshole do? He dropped the n and called
himself Electro.
But known of that is important now. Right now I'm on my way
to a new
job. It's been going around that some big wig is
hiring us super
powered types to be contracted out for some major
cash.
Well this looks like the place. Worn out factory
building. Check.
Some guys heading inside wearing trench coats.
Check. This must be the
place. So as I'm heading to the front
door I see one of them sliding
eye things that you see from a
movie about the 1920's. Oh cheesy.
"Password?"
"I
know it's you Jackal. Just let me in."
"Password."
"I
can't believe I'm going to say this... 'I'm a pretty pretty
pony'."
It doesn't help matters that the guy laughs like
a fucking jackal while
I enter the factory. Oh and for those of
you that don't, most of these
people that use animal names for
their code names, they don't have the
best hygiene. Just
because you have the name of an animal doesn't mean
you have to
smell like one. Get a life.
"Ion. Long time no
spark."
Christ. Electro. It would have to be that homo. You
know how hard it
is to get a job when you already have someone
there that has the same
powers as you? You normally don't see
more then one telepath or really
strong guy on a team. Now I have
to compete with a prick that has a
reputation just because he's
fought against Spiderman and the Avengers.
I fought against the
Avengers before. Okay. So it was the Great Lakes
Avengers. But
they were still the Avengers.
"Heh. Good one man. You been
seen yet?"
"Naw. Just got her not so long ago. But the
competition isn't that
bad. Look over there."
I know
that drunk Stiltman is not trying to get in on this. What kind
of
power is that anyway? Oooo. I can get really tall thanks to my
power
suit.
"He could have a chance."
"As what Ion? A
kiddy ride?"
"Still... So you seen any heavy hitters?"
"Brock
came by earlier."
"Venom? That psycho?"
"Yeah. But he
left."
"I don't like that guy man."
"Why?"
"Anyone
that speaks in third person or says 'we' that much has more then
a few issues."
"True."
And it was about that time
I thought I would mingle. It couldn't hurt
right? And that's
when I saw him. The Juggernaut. But what got me was
the group he
was hanging around with. I mean there was the Juggernaut
hanging
out with The Wizard and Omega Red. I thought Omega Red was dead
to
tell the truth though. But still these guys are first line batters.
So I figured I'm good enough to hang with these guys.
"So
how are you guys doing?"
Now I was expecting everything from
a slight nod from them to maybe a
fight. But they just stopped
their conversation right there and then
and just stared at me.
"My bad. I am known as Ion."
Nothing still. They
just stared at me. Now normally I'm a fairly well
tempered guy
but they could have said something. But finally The Wizard
spoke.
"Ion."
"Yep."
"Is not that just
part of an atom?"
"Well. Yeah."
"And what pray tell is
your ability?"
"I can release electrical charges."
"Like
Electro?"
"Well... yeah."
"And what does your ability
have to do with your name?"
"Well ions kind of sound like
something to do with electricity."
"Not really."
"I was
going to call myself Electron."
"Like Electro but without the
n?"
"No! I mean yeah but not really!"
You know how
much I wanted to smack that smirk off of The Wizards face?
He
didn't even respond after I said that! They just turned their back
on me was if I wasn't even there! Elitist pricks.
It was
finally at that time I my name was called off. And they were
damn
lucky too. If given the right amount of time I would have had a
great come back line. But that's beside the point. So here I
was
walking into a rather dark room with a light in the center of
it. Very
nice effect. Gave it more of a gothic look then the high
tech look. I
hear it's making a come back. Well I knew where my
spot was. So
walking to the light I thought that maybe if I gave
a fairly menacing
display of power along the way it would be a
nice extra. So here I am
charging myself up and you can see small
bolts flickering off of my body
and electricity running up and
down my body. I'm waiting for the first
question and then a
voice finally calls up when I get to the
light.
"Next."
"What?"
"Next. As in the one
after you."
"But you don't even know anything about me
yet."
"You use electricity as your power?"
"Well
yeah."
"We've already decided to have Electro for that
slot."
"You haven't even met him yet!"
"We knew he
was coming. All we needed for his interview was to discuss
his
pay."
"But..."
"Next!"
Did I mention I hated
Electro yet? If not then let me tell you I
really hate that guy.
It didn't help matters that as soon as I walked
out of the door
for the interview he had that same sure of himself look.
I just
couldn't look any of those guys in the eye. I mean there was
this
guy dressed up like a fucking mime. A mime! And his interview was
longer then my interview.
"Better luck next time
Ion."
"Suck my ass Electro."
As I headed out of the
factory I just couldn't shake the idea that no
matter what I'd
be playing second string to a bunch of dicks that just
had a huge
rep. I mean most of them weren't any better then I. It's
just
that fact is what kills me. And what makes matters worse is that I
didn't notice I had toilet paper on my boot the whole time.
It was about this time I was really down. I thought things
couldn't
get any worse. And I hate it when I think that because
they always seem
to get worse. Want to know how? Tough. I'm
going to tell you anyway.
Guess who I see flying down towards the
factory. The fucking Avengers.
That wouldn't be so bad but you
know who busted me? Speedball! Mother
fucking bouncing off the
walls stupid color blind Spiderman wannabe
lines giving
Speedball! I think he's special. As in he rides in the
Avengers
short yellow Queen Jet special. And that doesn't help
matters.
"Turn off the fucking light Task!"
"In a
minute Rhino!"
So here I am locked in this prison made for
super powered criminal
types called The Vault. And of all people
having to be my cellmate it
would have to be the Rhino. Remember
what I said about hygiene and
people with animal names? Whew! And
I thought Jackal was bad.
"If you don't turn off that
light and stop writing Task I'm going to
shove my horn so far
up your ass you'll get a nose bleed from the
altitude."
I
better cut this short. And not for one-minute think just because
he's the bigger and stronger of us there's any super powered
soap-dropping going on! He can't even take that suit off. Which
may
explain why he smells so much.
"Task!"
I'm
going to close now. But the last thing I want to say is that I
think
I've hit rock bottom. So at least I know there's only one place
to go from here. Straight up, baby. And seeing I wasn't really
involved with what was going on in the factory, I should be
getting out
sooner then Electro.
"Huh. Says here in the
paper the Avengers didn't catch everyone."
"I thought you
wanted the light out."
"Shaddup!"
"Well who got
away?"
"Some newbie that looked like a mime and
Electro."
"Aaauugh!"