This is Orbis. Here, the Romans are a superpower.
Out here, there are many hills. It's very dry. There's not a house in sight. It can get lonely out here, if you don't prefer that.
The sun has gotten low. A chilling breeze blows across the land, throwing up some dust here and there.
Down a blacktop, a Hummer travels. It's got a kayak tied to its top. Its passenger window is rolled down. A pair of female bare legs hangs out of it.
From atop a hill, some sinister eyes watch, with night-vision binoculars. He's got a good body...
Onward, the Hummer moves. There's a liquor store up ahead.
Here, the Hummer rolls into the lot, and parks. The engines turn off. Both man and mistress dismount, and go inside. They ring a bell, tied to a spot just above the door, when they enter.
They're in there for a long time. Their car's the only one in this lot.
From beneath the shrubs, the saboteur slithers across the lot, and darts beneath the Hummer's undercarriage. While under it, he gets to work...
Moments later, the couple comes out. They're laughing. They mount the jeep. Soon, they're off. Crazy fools; they don't even bother to look both ways before pulling out of the car park.
In their wake, they trail brake fluid as well as exhaust fumes. Soon, they're surrounded by a dry softwood forest. They're speeding up. Their driver is panicking...
The Hummer rolls off the road, and down a hill. He's stopped by a pine...which totals the front of the car, and causes the air bags to inflate.
From a distance, their saboteur opens the lid on a detonator...and pushes the big red button.
As powerful as the explosion is, the saboteur would be surprised to find out that it didn't cause the pine to fall over. He would've loved to be there if the pine fell over on the Hummer. Alas, not all blazes of glory are meant to be remembered. O well; we can't all be heroes, right?
The sun gets lower. Soon, it's dark.
On a throw, surrounded by deep dark woods, the saboteur sleeps. Or rather, he rests. He's still not used to his occupation. If he could, he'd rather call it an obsession...
Meshech Sandbourne's a very long way from home. He doesn't miss it. Why would he? Seems like all it ever did was teach him how to cheat on hot chicks...
Meshech's not his father. He will NOT cheat on the Latina flame he's got back home...
At this, he pulls out a smartphone, and pulls up a photo he's saved. It's of the very Latina chick he loves. She's a little older than him...but not too much. Her hair is brown. She's a Madrid chica.
Meshech just can't wait to see her, the next time he can take a break. Alas, it seems like he never takes a break these days...
As Meshech stares at his flame's gorgeous face, an ant crawls up his bare arm. Meshech doesn't even bother to notice...
Bored from having to tap the smartphone screen every thirty seconds just to keep it from dimming, Meshech surfs to the net, to see if it works. Alas, there's no service out here...
About now, the ant bites him. And it packs a very powerful punch.
He swears, and shakes the ant off. By the time it hits the ground, it's dead.
Meshech studies the bite on his finger. It shines with yellow light. When it does, his eyes do, too. For a moment, he can't stop staring. Time slows all around him...
At last, he blinks. He's sleepy. He yawns, puts his smartphone away, and takes a break. Good; he needs one. And it's about time for one.
Around him, the forest doesn't do much. For Meshech, it's already too big. Alas, it's about to get so much bigger.
Over the horizon, the moon sets. The colder, deeper, and more secretive part of the night has just begun...