CHAPTER 8

HARBOR

Back in the war room, Miles Mayhem is looking at a cork board but then Sly comes into the room.

Sly says, "Damn it boss, we could have had them all but they slipped through our fingers and that team of yours you hired they failed, along with your whole plan."

Miles looks back at Sly and says, "Be careful with your wording Sly, because they could be your last words."

Sly immediately clams up and Miles then continues, "It's alright, I had a contingency plan for this, in fact you can say it was my plan all along."

Sly says, "What do you mean?"

"You see one of the FANG members the fast one installed several trackers and hidden cameras within that ship while he was at running, the rest of the member's jobs were to keep everyone busy while he did it."

Sly says, "So, we'd know where they are, so what are we waiting for?

Mayhem says, "Exactly, we will get it into our hands in time."

"I'm still not following."

"Both Darrien and this girl Candy are special because they have a genius we lack, and it's that kind of genius that we vitally need."

Mayhem he then goes to the board which has pinned a few of the blueprints photographed. But also, a big map of what is the location of Gravity Falls, Oregon.

"You see Sly, Gravity Falls, Oregon they say is the hometown of mystery and secrets, and according to some legends they say it's a place that contains clues or even the treasure trove of lost and secret technology and weapons."

Mayhem continues, "With the help of both they'll be able to uncover them and make that ship even more powerful than before now that we know it works."

Sly looks down and says, 'This is an awful risk."

"Yes, but a calculated one, I know what you're thinking Sly why not get it now; well as an old saying goes, "Why just one piece of pie when you can get the whole damn thing."

Sly nods in agreement along with Mayhem and then Mayhem looks at some other pictures on the board."

Meanwhile at Edmonton, Canada where Bolder Hill is located deep within. it's luscious forests.

Gloria then walks and then goes to a room and hears some commotion in the war room, Gloria comes in and she sees Matt is watching on a computer screen what looks like an old video.

Gloria comes near him and out of curiosity asks, "Matt, what are you watching."

Matt puts the video on pause and says, "Oh, just some old video."

Gloria looks at the picture on the screen and then at Matt and says, "Looks like both you and Darrien are studying something together, which looks like a huge figure that is encased in a hard blue substance."

Matt says, "Yeah, it was both of us just doing some regular analysis and research onto that Metal Man we captured mouths back."

Matt looks back at that picture and says, "I remember that Darrien actually felt kind of sorry for that Metal Man."

Gloria says, "Despite the fact it endangered the lives of people."

"He said its intentions weren't harmful nor did this robot know how dangerous it was, it was probably trying to learn more about us by collecting data and only was sucking down power to refuel."

Matt then looks at Gloria and continues, "He wanted to find a way to communicate with it, on it's extraterrestrial origins and other things, the only problem was we still haven't found the right and safe way to do it yet."

"But we did, or should I say, you, Bruce, and Darrien were able to whip up the means to capture that robot."

"If you know enough about the chemistry of both amber and gel, you could capture and preserve anything."

Matt is looking down on the ground and Gloria notices this and sees a hint of sadness and says, "What's wrong Matt?"

"I don't know Gloria do you think I did the right thing giving him that Sphere and letting him keep that ship."

"You did what you had to do to save all our lives as you always do."

Gloria then comes close to Matt and touches his shoulder gently.

Gloria continues, "Besides Darrien and Candy did save our lives, so it's more than fair."

Matt says, "What about Candy?"

Gloria says, "I didn't have enough time to get to know her, well enough but for what she did for us and how sweet she is, I believe she's a good soul."

"And Darrien."

Gloria is silent for a moment and says, "I still don't know about him but one thing I'm sure about, he treats Candy right."

Matt says, "I know he's not using her; Darrien always despises users, he's had plenty of bad experiences with them."

Gloria says, "Would love to know Candy more."

"I'm sure you will, I know we'll see both again, may 'be sooner than we think; I just hope that Darrien knows, I'll always be there for now if he's really in trouble."

Gloria says, "I'm sure he does, he was there for us, and he believes in us, just as you believe in him.

Gloria then sits beside Matt. Matt then puts one arm around her as both watch the television seeing the video journal of one of the best times Matt spent with his friend.

Meanwhile at the lab of Candy's home, Darrien comes in with his black veil, blue jeans and a T-Shirt from the old pizza place called "Godfather's Pizza" where it's a photo of one of the old restaurants from Yakima, WA in the 1980's. Candy sees Darrien as she takes a break from building one of her robot miniatures.

Candy says, "You have interesting taste in your wardrobe."

Talon/Darrien says, "It was one of my favorite pizza places, someplace my family always went to."

Darrien see's Candy working and says, "Think we can hand up science for now, it's movie night. Candy nods and then turns the study lamp light off and then stands up and goes to a hanger to put her lab coat away. She then comes to Darrien and sees there are a couple of boxes on one of her tables.

Candy looks at the black lock box and says, "What is that?"

Darrien says, "Something I wanted to drop off here."

Darrien then fishes in his pocket and puts the keys in the lock box beside it.

Darrien says, "It's a sample of one of the strands of "The Metal Man" Candy she then is a little surprised at first but also then suddenly recalls something in her head.

Candy says, "Oh yeah, I remember a few articles on "The Log" from Adam and Dipper which reported on recent Metal Man sightings in Edmonton, Canada and an attack on the power plant.

Darrien says, "Yeah, I was one of the sources for that story."

Candy looks at that box with fascination and Darrien says, "I know you can't wait to crack the case on that one, all in good time."

Darrien he then walks toward a table which has the blueprints of the U.S.S. Eldredge and the Beitz Sphere which is on a red towel on the table.

Darrien looks up and says, "And it is a good time, each of these things I have a feeling are going to be extremely important for what's to come in the future."

Candy looks at Darrien with curiosity and says, "Darrien, you said you'd give one reason why you wanted that ship; I don't need to know now but all the same would still like to know."

Darrien says, "After everything I owe you that."

The then looks at the recent photograph then turns to her and says, "Ever since I was a kid and I heard all the stories about "The Philadelphia Experiment" I wanted that ship, I wanted to sail throughout the seas to every place around the world I've never been on my own terms."

Darrien looks down and says, 'I know it's a simple childhood dream."

Candy then comes to him and touches his human right arm and says, "A dream that became real, much like my own."

There is a flutter to the black veil, Candy knows it's a smile. She then with her right hand on his human arm then slides up and she takes the black veil off. Darrien doesn't fight this as he lets it happen, it makes him feel a sense of comfort seeing she's not bothered nor looking at his facial scars.

Darrien then walks toward the serving plate with the cover on and then uncover it and Candy sees a steaming hot pizza.

Candy looks at it carefully and says, "I recognize this style, it's the one from Godfather's' but how were you…"

Darrien has small smile and says, "That is another of my famous magic tricks, I won't reveal at least not yet."

Candy shakes her head and says, "Why must you always be so cryptic, but then again that's one of the things I like about you."

Darrien then goes to get the pop and glasses, and Candy is getting the plates. On the desk there is the photo that Darrien looks at, it is a photo of both Darrien and Candy both on the front deck with the Atlantic Ocean behind them on a sunny day. Candy is smiling and so is Darrien without his veil covering his face.

Meanwhile on a coastline from Gravity Falls, Oregon, alongside their beach named "Blood Bay", there is from a small distance on giant imprint in the ocean in which a patch of water is completely still and all the small waves and tides never cross nor penetrate that patch. It's a patch of water that is big enough for a naval ship.

THE END

Authors Note: This is the second part of the "Ship of Destiny arc, but also my 15 cannon "Gravity Falls" story and third "MASK" story. And the story is my season finale for the Freshman year for Gravity Falls. But don't fret there will be several more stories or should I say as many stories as I want, so it's not the end yet. This is also my first two-part saga that I've completed and there will be plenty more to come.

As you can see part of the inspiration for the story was in "The Philadelphia Experiment" case which of course was one of the episodes for the YouTube program "Bedtime Stories". The whole thing about it always fascinated me when I was a kid. I even watched the 80's film, which I like and is an under the radar gem.

It was always that possibility that they could've created a technology beyond anything we've developed in the present, that always astounded me, and it makes you wonder. Though whether you believe the U.S.S. Eldredge really existed, and the experiment happened is up to you. I just thought of the possibility of what if someone ever possessed and got hold of it and what use it could be for them

Of course, this led to my character Darrien Macready/Crimson Talon knowing him he would want this vessel for personal reasons. The whole story is a simple action tale but also it was a way to get a little insight into the characters Darrien, Candy, Matt and Gloria. What they like personally, their bound, and of course their first crossover adventure together in my Falls Verse.

Yes, these characters are just like their adventures, have their ups and downs, rough tumbles and falls, and even a change or two that can happen faster than a heartbeat; but one important thing about them is that they remain the same. And that is the basis you can say of all of them in their own way, most notably Darrien/Crimson Talon who despite fighting for change is at the same time fighting to preserve the past, to find and claim his destiny. After this season/Freshman Year what does the course hold of everyone, what uncharted territory is out their waiting to be discovered? As usual, you'll just have to wait and see. This is me from the falls signing off.

ATLAS OF THE FALLSVERSE

Freshman Year

Sent of Evil

Unholy Night

Into the Demon Night

Sphere of Power

Ship of Destiny

Sophomore Year

Night Fliers

Dance Mania of Doom

Satan's Den

Shadow Knights: Book 1

Junior Year

God's of the Dirt

Mystics of the Falls

Evil Greetings

Senior Year

Journey into the Dreamscape

Hell's Depths

Red Christmas

Non-Canon/Connected Stand-Alone Stories

Lock Down

Deadly Games

Gravity Falls Ransom

Ship of Destiny Two Part Arc

Sphere of Power

Ship of Destiny

Christmas Terror Series

Unholy Night

Red Christmas

Evil Greetings

Crystals of Power Series

Gods of the Dirt

Mystics of the Falls

Shadow Knights: Book 1

Crossovers

Evil Greetings

Satan's Den

Shadow Knights: Book 1

Sphere of Power

Ship of Destiny

SAILOR SOLAR SYSTEM

Sophomore Year

Satan's Den

Shadow Knights: Book 1

Junior Year

Evil Greetings

MASK Road Map

Independent Circuit/Freshman Year

Sphere of Power

Ship of Destiny

First Circuit/ Sophomore Year

Knights: Book 1

Second Circuit/Junior Year

Track Line