A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Willowbend Tales - Chapter 4

2009-11-11T22:10:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER FOUR – COME TO MY WINDOW, JULIA DREAM…

Dream Journal Entry # 4

Mozart and I are walking down a street in Edmonton. We are talking about this new girl Julia that I met a few days ago. “Your friends are right about their doubts regarding her.” Mozart said to me. “Perhaps your carnal desires and emotional desires have clouded your judgment in regards to this supposed relationship that has not even become a relationship.” I said back to him, “Well there is no way I will know for sure unless I try, right?” To which Mozart replied, “True but outside of a common love for literature that you two apparently seem to share what else do you have to offer her?”
Julia then entered the dream, wearing what appeared to be an expensive designer dress and got into a stylish town care. I was wearing normal street clothes, while Rocco, Phil, Sally, and Emily were standing on the steps of an abandoned office building and sang the harmony part of Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”. For the sake of ease and future interpretation, I wrote the lyrics well after the dream ended which appear here for further investigation:

“Uptown girl / She's been living in her uptown world /I bet she never had a backstreet guy / I bet her mama never told her why / I'm gonna try for an uptown girl / She's been living in her white bread world / As long as anyone with hot blood can / And now she's looking for a downtown man / That's what I am / And when she knows what / She wants from her time / And when she wakes up / And makes up her mind / She'll see I'm not so tough /Just because I'm in love with an uptown girl / You know I've seen her in her uptown world / She's getting tired of her high class toys / And all her presents from her uptown boys / She's got a choice / Uptown girl / You know I can't afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in /She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
And then I'll win / And when she's walking / She's looking so fine / And when she's talking
She'll say that she's mine / She'll say I'm not so tough /Just because I'm in love with an uptown girl / She's been living in her white bread world / As long as anyone with hot blood can / And now she's looking for a downtown man / That's what I am…”

“So are you and Emily an item or what now?” Phil asked Darren as he lobbed a tennis ball across the court that the two of them - along with Rocco and a hobbit-esque man named Francois Rougeau, nicknamed “Frenchy” for his outrageous accent – were playing tennis. Phil and Frenchy were on one side while Rocco and Dean were on the other side.
“No, not really, I don’t know anymore. Really. Ugh!” Darren grunted both in frustration and in time to hit the ball back across the other side of the court in which Frenchie returned the volley back to Darren’s side, which Rocco promptly missed.
“Dammit! Stupid gay tennis!” Rocco said in frustration. “Why are we doing this stupid sport again, Frenchy?!”
Frenchy was another one of Rocco’s trainers for his budding career in the world of competitive cage fighting. Frenchy was a former amateur wrestling champion and helped coach the Canadian Olympic Team. Frenchy eventually moved into training and took up kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu as he almost had the foresight that mixed martial arts was the wave of the future. Sensing frustration from Rocco, Frenchy replied back “Patience mon ami, you need to ‘earn patience in any seechoration.”
“Gah! Fuck patience!” Rocco said as he threw his racket down in frustration.
“Rocco, vous need to work on beelding patience, to know when to best strike and submit your opponent.” Frenchy chided his trainee.
“Yeah, okay,” Rocco said, almost brushing off the advice and then moved onto Darren and Phil’s topic on hand. “As for you, like it or not I think you’re in a relationship, bro.”
“Why does everyone here seem to say that?” Darren asked defensively. “Hey, Frenchy, what do you think?”
“Well, perhaps de deux of you need to straighten theengs out before dey get too complicated in mah opeenion.” Frenchy said.
“He’s right,” Phil said as he took a swig of Gatorade. “I mean once was cute, twice was okay, three or more times – that’s a relationship. You gotta agree with that at least, right Rocco?”
“Philly boy is right, man,” Rocco said. “The two of you basically talk about everything like you’re in a relationship. Might as well drop the pretenses and get serious about it, bro!”
“It’s not that simple. I mean she just got dumped by another woman.” Darren said defending his actions and trying desperately to justify his no-strings casual sex relationship with Emily. “And I got Julia on my mind. Besides, you guys want me going back to blowing money on Nikki again when simply jacking it isn’t going to cut it anymore?”
“Too much einformayshawn there, ami.” Frenchy said. “Speaking of weech, Rocco, je need vous to abstain from yer pleasures this week before de fight Friday.”
“Meaning?” Rocco said rather confused.
“He means no booze and no sex, genius.” Phil said.
“Damn…” Rocco then paused. “Wait, does wine count?”
“Oui, mon ami.” Frenchy said. “Et non self-love either.”
“Dammit!” Rocco said. “How am I gonna make it through the week now?”
“Don’t worry, Rocco ol’ boy,” Phil said as he patted Rocco on his shoulder. “I shall come on as your lifestyle coach…”
“You’re not going to lay that holier-than-thou Straight-Edge crap on me, are ya?” Rocco asked
“Mock me if you must, but sounds like you need me for this one,” Phil said. “Unless you want your MMA career to die before it begins.”
Rocco grumbled under his breath. “Fine, but after the fight, we hit the peelers and get wasted.”
“Um, yeah, hi there? Straight-Edge? No booze? Hello there!” Phil said.
“Okay, fine, strip club only then! Sheesh!” Rocco said.
Darren looked at his watch and noticed the time. “Well, I’d love to stay here and listen to this wacky situation comedy scenario, but I gotta shower and get ready for my coffee date with Julia.”
“Sure, make sure she is cool with you having a bisexual lady fuck buddy.” Phil said.
“Well, maybe she is bi also,” Rocco said. “That’d be hot.”
Darren just sighed and shook his head as he packed up his tennis equipment. “I’ll cross that bridge should I ever get there. For all I know she’ll stand me up or have someone in her life anyways or won’t even get the job. Sheesh! And people think I overanalyze things!” Darren said, leaving in a slight huff.
“Maybe if those two chicks hook up, we could sneak a web cam in there and watch the show?” Rocco suggested to Phil, who only shook his head and replied back to the suggestion: “Dammit, Rocco, we tried that before and that was why for a while you were banned from our building and I nearly got thrown out too!”
“Wait, how did they know I was in on that scheme?” Rocco asked.
“I had to name names, if I was going down, you were coming with me.” Phil said back.

Darren Watson sat nervously by himself inside Tim Horton’s, tightly grasping his cup of Earl Grey tea. While he relied on the Canadian institution for a constant caffeine fix whenever a deadline for a new article or another chapter for “The Raven Effect” came up, today felt like a tea day. He sat patiently waiting for Julia Sanders to walk through the door and join him for coffee, or tea as the case might be. Maybe she was running late? Or the interview was taking longer than expected? Any further questions or doubts Darren had were quickly gone as Julia had made her entrance. Her hair done up in a stylish bun, Julia was wearing a dark blue satin blouse and long black skirt. She had a matching black blazer draped over her right hand as she made her way into the long line to make her order. She spotted Darren and gave a quick wave so as to garner his attention, even though he was already looking in her general direction. Once she got to the front of the line, Julia placed her order and then made her way to the table that Darren was sitting at. She hung her blazer on the back of the chair and sat down.
“Hey, so how has it been?” Julia asked Darren.
“Well, it’s been okay I guess.” Darren said. He then asked, “So how did your interview go?”
“Went well. Got a second interview next week and hopefully will know something shortly after that.” Julia answered as she took a sip of her coffee.
“Nice. Had a feeling you would do well.”
“How did you figure that out?”
“I don’t know, I just have a feeling, like a tell or a read on people.”
“I think you’re making that up.” Julia said with a smile on her face.
“No, it’s true. I think my agent at one point wanted me to go on one of those celebrity poker tournament thingies.” Darren said. “Either that, or he wanted to see how I react to losing money to professional card sharks for shits and giggles.”
“Hmmm, sounds like I may found an in with the local gambling community, eh?” Julia asked as she gave a light laugh.
“Well to be honest, I’m not a big gambler. Think the most I ever won was thirty bucks from a scratch’n’win ticket.” Darren said in a self-depreciating manner.
“That’s thirty dollars more than I ever won.” Julia said back.
“Huh, well then should you get the job, we meet every third Friday and loser has to buy dinner for the next game.” Darren jokingly said.
“Good to know. So are there any decent places to rent in this town or am I going to have to live out in my van like Jewel?”
“Well one place is secretly a front for the Church of Scientology, so unless you want to have free personality tests attached to your rental receipts, I would avoid that one.” Darren said, obviously stalling about Willowbend with not knowing how Emily would react after last night. However, it seemed that things were going to pick up a little bit as Darren noticed Emily walking inside the place where he and Julia were having an amusing conversation regarding gambling habits. Emily came in and picked up a bag of packaged coffee beans and noticed where Darren and Julia were sitting. She nonchalantly made her way over to the table as Darren expected this whole situation to explode.
“Oh,” Emily said very casually, “Hi Darren. How’s it going?”
“Fine I guess,” Darren replied back politely to Emily. “How about you? What brings you here?”
Emily replied back “Oh just getting some coffee for a co-worker…” Emily then spotted Julia and then asked Darren “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Julia took the initiative and extended her hand out as a friendly gesture. “Hi, Julia Sanders. And you are…?”
“Emily Moore,” Emily replied back and shook Julia’s hand. “I’m one of Darren’s friends here in town. He mentioned meeting someone who is thinking about moving here.”
“Well, I’ll know definitely know more so next week.” Julia said.
“Glad to hear. Listen, my roomie just bailed on me the last minute and I may be in search of someone who would be interested in sharing a two-bedroom apartment with me.” Emily said as Darren tried to hide the shock in his facial expression.
“Depends on the arrangements, I guess.” Julia responded back to Emily’s offer.
“Half of rent and utilities. I don’t own a land line, so that would be all yours unless you have a cell.” Emily answered.
“Well I’ll think about it.” Julia said.
“Great,” Emily said as she took out a pen and small piece of paper. She proceeded to write down her phone number on the paper and handed it to Julia. “Call me if you have any more questions or know for sure what you’re doing, okay?”
“Um, sure.” Julia said with a little hesitation.
“Great.” Emily said with a smile. “Well I gotta get back to work. Nice to meet you, Julia. Oh, and see you later tonight, Darren?”
Darren cleared his throat “Maybe. May have some writing to do. But I’ll definitely catch up later.”
“Nice, well catch you later then.” Emily said as she waved goodbye and began to walk away.
“Interesting person,” Julia said once she knew Emily was clear and out of hearing range. “So, are you two a couple or is she a crazy ex or what?” Julia asked matter-of-factly.
Using his best poker face, Darren once again covered the truth and replied “Neighbor and really good friend.”
“Hmmm,” Julia said, not fully convinced, but convinced enough to buy into the story for now. “Well like I said she seems interesting. How come she wasn’t out on your little night of mirth and mayhem?”
“Well, she was in the middle of something else” Darren said. “That and she was looking after my pet rabbit.”
“You have a rabbit?” Julia said, with her eyes almost lighting up like a Christmas tree. “That’s adorable. I love rabbits.”
“Well, you’ll have to come check him out. He definitely loves attention” Darren said invitingly.
“Maybe next week,” Julia said as she noticed the time. “I have to head back soon. So when I come next week, I’ll check out your place and maybe look at this Emily chick’s place too while I’m at it?”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Darren said.
“I’ll give you a call later and give you the details, okay?” Julia asked as she got up and put her blazer on.
“Sure” Darren said as he also got up at the same time. Julia gave him a quick peck on the cheek and said to Darren “Cool, see you next week.” All Darren could do was stand there with a slight look of confusion on his face and fighting the urge to not once again stare at Julia’s nicely shaped backside.

Emily Moore was busy stocking some shelves at the health food store she worked at. Humming to herself, Emily’s attention turned to the chimes of the front door opening. She looked over to the entranceway and noticed it was Darren. He calmly walked over towards her, not paying attention to a scruffy-looking white man with dreadlocked hair and wearing a Bob Marley t-shirt who sat behind the cashier area of the store. Emily looked surprised at Darren’s appearance but nonetheless walked over to greet him.
“Hey,” Emily said. “What brings you here?”
“Hmmm, I dunno, you got some time to talk?” Darren asked.
Emily looked over to the dreadlocked man and shouted, “Seth, I’m taking a break. Be back in five!” as the man simply nodded. Emily then took Darren by the hand and led him towards the back of the store.
“Won’t I get in trouble for being back here?” Darren asked.
“No worries,” Emily said reassuringly. “Don’t think Seth even knows what year this, let alone who came in here today.”
“Huh, why is he still employed here then?”
“Because he helps Anya with her off-the-radar garden I think,” Emily speculated. “Anyways, what can I help you with?”
“Care to explain your little stint at Timmies?” Darren asked right off the bat.
“Well, you’re the one who suggested her and I could be roomies, so I wanted to check her out for myself,” Emily said in her defense. “By the way, she is very pretty.”
“Yes, thanks. Glad she has your seal of approval,” Darren slightly said with some sarcasm.
“Hey, you kind of threw her into my lap. So I did what I thought was a good idea and get an initial read on the woman you seem to be in love with. Isn’t that what friends do? Look out for each other?” Emily replied back. All Darren could do was sigh
“I… guess so.” Darren said. “Sorry if I came off a bit rough there.”
“It’s okay,” Emily said. “I just wanted to make sure she wasn’t a psycho who was going to drag you to her mountain cabin and make you write the novel of her dreams.”
“And I guess she passed that test too, eh?”
Emily smiled and teased Darren by saying “Time will tell. Anything else on your mind?”
“Well,” Darren thought for a moment and recalled the razzing he took from the guys earlier in regards to Emily and him. Darren thought for a moment of pressing the issue so he could shut them up, but one of the rules they had was to not talk about any underlying feeling for at least two days after the fact. “The other thing can wait” he said, hoping Emily would not detect the hesitation in his tone.
“Okay then,” Emily said, looking over towards the sales area where Seth had seemingly fallen asleep at the till. “Crap! Guess I better go wake him up before he gets us both fired!” she said with panic.
“Guess I should go too, huh?” Darren asked.
“Yeah, I’ll come by later tonight and we’ll talk more, okay?” Emily said as she led Darren from the back room and back to the front of the store. Darren nodded goodbye as he exited the store. The chiming of the door woke up Seth, who was dazed and confused as to what just happened.

Night time was coming soon in the small Alberta town that was slowly becoming bigger in the last few years Darren had spent there. Darren sat out on the balcony of his top floor suite, watching the sun set down and glancing at the blank screen on his laptop that was followed by a few words. He had neglected his work on “The Raven Effect” over the last couple days as his brain was preoccupied with new thoughts. Julia was heavily on his mind, but then spending the night with Emily had made him confused as to where they truly stand with their friendship and - for lack of a better term – relationship. Darren sighed and rubbed his hands on his forehead in frustration, knowing the words that want to come out but not knowing how to make them come out. Those thoughts were not coming out easier as Darren was distracted from an faintly echoed “Dammit! This sucks!” coming from below as Darren noticed Rocco and Phil in the patch of green that laid across from the back parking lot. Rocco was standing on his head while Phil – donned in a white judo garb – sat across him in a meditative position. Though not as loud, Darren could hear Phil chiding Rocco with a fairly bad Yoda impersonation. Darren just smiled and lightly chuckled at the fact that Phil was taking his role as Rocco’s trainer in vice control. Clearly this was an amusing joke being played on by the fates. Though not as amusing as the next joke with Emily joining Darren on the balcony. She sat in a chair next to him – crossing her legs and watching the Phil and Rocco show below too.
“So, what are you up to now?” Emily asked Darren as he typed a few more sentences.
“Think I wrote a few more words between the last ‘Dammit!’ and ‘You suck!’” Darren said dryly.
“Hmm, do you think Rocco can make it to Friday?” Emily asked inquisitively.
“Here’s hoping so. It would be nice for one of us to finally break out of this mundane routine we’ve seen to fallen into.” Darren said.
“How so?” Emily asked.
“Well, I’m still stuck on finishing my first novel, despite wanting to finish it off and see if it’ll be accepted by the masses but afraid of rejection and having the one thing I am good at totally crushed. Phil was once again talking about his dream about starting up some kind of hybrid book, music, and movie store mixed in with a coffee barista, but he hasn’t shown any signs of making it a reality. And here is Rocco, living out his dream and gets a small break this Friday. Wish I could find that amount of courage he seems to have.” Darren sighed after his little rant was over.
“I dunno, for all of his bravado and confidence he seems to show, Rocco shows some signs of weakness.” Emily theorized. “Besides, one should be careful what they wish for, you know grass is greener on the other side and all that jazz.”
“Perhaps,” Darren said. “So, you’re coming to Edmonton with us on Friday?” he asked.
“Yeah, Phil and Frenchy thought they’d bring me in as a spiritual consultant and do some aural cleansing before Rocco’s fight. Least I hope that’s all I’m coming in for.” Emily replied back
“Cool. I’m going in earlier as I got another therapy session and am thinking of meeting Julia too. Maybe see if she wants to come to the fights as well.”
“Should be interesting,” Emily said, doing her best to hide a small tinge of jealousy that hopefully Darren didn’t pick up on. Thankfully he didn’t as he typed more words on the laptop and simply said “Indeed so. Maybe things will change after all on Friday."

Willowbend Tales - Chapter 3

2009-11-07T20:24:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER THREE – A CHANGE WOULD DO YOU GOOD, BRIAN WILSON

Dream Journal Entry #3

Mozart and I find ourselves in the gymnasium of my old high school. I am shooting free throws with a basketball as Mozart sits by a chalkboard, tallying the baskets I have sunk.
“You only met her and you think you are in love? Perhaps this is merely an infatuation you are experiencing.” Mozart said to me. I replied back “Maybe yes, maybe no. All I know is she made me feel something I haven’t felt in a long time.” “What feelings are those you speak about?” Mozart asked me as I sunk another ball into the basket. Then this new girl I met named Julia appeared and sunk a basket from halfway across the court. My friends Phil, Rocco, and Emily appeared as cheerleaders and accompanied me as I began to sing Genesis’ “Invisible Touch”. Focused on second verse: “Well I don't really know her, I only know her name/But she crawls under your skin, you're never quite the same, and now I know/She's got something you just can't trust/It's something mysterious/And now it seems I'm falling, falling for her…”

“Well at least you asked me first before totally offering her as a potential replacement roommate.” Emily said to Darren. as she was folding a pile of dry towels in the laundry room. Sunday was usually laundry day for either Darren or Emily and it became somewhat of a weekly ritual as one or even both would do their laundry at the same time and catch up with each others lives. This particular Sunday, Darren relayed his story of being ditched by Rocco and Phil; and him being saved by Julia from a drunken party girl. Darren mentioned to Emily how Julia may be moving to Vegreville, depending on the success of a job interview tomorrow. Darren had just proposed that should Julia be successful in her job hunt, she could move in as Emily’s new roommate.
“Well come on – she’s going to need a place to live, you need a new roommate. You do need a new roommate, right?” Darren asked as he placed a load of clothes into the dryer.
Slightly annoyed with being reminded that her now ex-roommate had skipped town without paying her half of the rent, Emily sighed and answered “I’m thinking so, but I dunno about letting a complete stranger right into my life right about now.”
“Well, she is coming into town on Monday and I’m planning on meeting her after the job interview she has. Why don’t you come along and get to know her a little bit?”
“I’ll be working all day tomorrow. Also, aren’t you putting yourself at risk for this complete stranger?” Emily asked as she moved onto sorting and folding another pile of clothes.
“Well, something about her made it feel like she wasn’t a total stranger. She just calmly moved in and got me away from that drunk girl. Then we talked for what seemed like hours, and she’s a fan of my little writing skills.” Darren said as he closed the dryer door and placed the appropriate coins into the slot to commence the drying process.
“Hmmm, you sure she’s not a Kathy Bates in ‘Misery’ stalker?” Emily asked jokingly as she tossed one of Darren’s towels which had gotten mixed up in her own pile somehow.
“Do I detect a hint of jealousy from you, Miss Moore?” Darren asked back as he caught the towel. “Besides I don’t think green is a color that suits you.”
“Please, we’ve talked about this before,” Emily replied back, placing her hands on her hips. “For me to be jealous would mean for me to have more than just platonic feelings for you…”
“… Right and that would be against the rules we set up for each other.” Darren interrupted. “But sometimes…” He then paused, “Naw, forget about it.”
“What?” Emily asked curiously.
“It’s kind of silly, really,” Darren said with some hesitation, making sure not to completely tell the truth about something that has bothered him quite some time in regards to his friendship and arrangement he and Emily had. “Are you sure you’re not jealous?” he asked back, hoping to return to topic back onto Julia.
“Trust me, my only concern is that you don’t get your heart broken by her.” Emily replied. “I’ve just seen you many times like this – you find someone you think is the one and something happens to derail those thoughts.”
Darren sighed as he placed another load of clothes into the washing machine. “Yes, thanks for reminding me about that. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should just quit while I’m ahead, huh?”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” Emily said. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt over and over again. Besides if things go well with my new love, I may be moving on and may not be here to make sure you don’t go totally over the edge like you told me when you and Gloria ended.”
“Wait a second, I don’t recall hearing about this new love.” Darren said slightly surprised. “When and how did this happen?”
“We met a couple weeks ago at a seminar in Calgary.” Emily said, beaming with pride. “I think between my roommate ditching me and now this proposal I got, I think it may be time to fly away and see how far I can go.”
“I see,” Darren said, slightly dejected, almost pouting in a sense.
“Aww, come on,” Emily replied back, giving Darren a comforting friendly hug. “You and me will still be tight no matter where I go, okay?”
Darren hugged back and said “Okay. At least Phil will still be around for anything major.”
“And don’t worry, I’ll still come along to your cousin’s wedding. Thinking about dying my hair pink with blonde highlights. Won’t that freak out your family” Emily said, playing with her current short-length jet black hair and smiled a mischievous smile.

“You don’t think she’ll really leave do you?” Darren asked as he sat in front of the computer, obviously either stalling for time to work on “The Raven Effect” or just simply hitting a wall of writer’s block. Phil was viewing some video footage he had previously shot earlier in the day, sitting on the couch behind Darren. Hearing Darren’s question, Phil promptly answered back “Who really knows. This is Emily Moore we’re talking about. Has she ever committed to anything longer than her current occupation and spiritual quest?”
“Good point,” Darren said as he stared at a semi-blank screen. “It’s just, I dunno, she’s become such an important part of my life. And now it could very well end.”
“Well, you may gain this mystery woman who only met twenty-four hours ago if things go good, right?” Phil asked as he began filming this conversation.
“I dunno, part of me sees something in Julia that I haven’t seen in a long time. Something that seems very right.”
“Whoa, slow down, tiger. Shouldn’t you first see if she even comes into this town before you make wedding plans?”
“Geez, you sound like Emily now.” Darren said as he rolled his eyes and struggled to come up with an opening to the next chapter.
“Well, this seems to be your standard modus operendi – meet a girl, bend over backwards to impress her, she does something to shatter your misconceived perception of a reality that only exists in you head, then ‘boom!’, I’m trying to knock a bottle of vodka from you or you end up going to cry to Emily.” Phil said
“Hmm, guess I have no real need to see a psychiatrist with the two of you pegging me so well,” Darren said sarcastically.
“Well, maybe that person can figure why you keep repeating history. We can make sure you don’t repeat history.” Phil said back.
“Really? And tell me what was the last successful relation you had?” Darren asked back.
“You know I am taking a break until this film project is complete,” Phil defensively replied back.
“I know, I know. It just seems a little ironic that the ones who seem to be concerned with my sex life are two people who are a little dysfunctional when it comes to giving advice.” Darren said as he began to type away.
“Funny, real funny man.”
“Think about it,” Darren went onto say, “Emily tries but misunderstands at times…”
“… Yet the two of you end up in each other’s arms if either one or both of you are wounded.” Phil interrupted. “Which really isn’t a healthy way to live by the way. You’re better off waiting until Mustang Sally finally calls in your number.”
“See? This is why I hardly talk to you about these kinds of things anymore.” Darren said.
“So you’d sooner take advice from the walking boner Rocco, eh? You do realize steroids reduce sperm count and testosterone levels?” Phil asked.
“I don’t know anymore,” Darren sighed with frustration. “Doing the same things so far haven’t worked out for me obviously. Maybe if I actually try to go out of my comfort zone I can finally prove those who doubted I could change wrong.”
“Like your father, right?” Phil asked.
“Yeah, him.” Darren said with a mild resentment in his answer. “Remind me why I am going to my cousin’s wedding in two months time?”
“Wait a minute, do they have a videographer for this joyous occasion?” Phil asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t even called them to confirm I’m going.” Darren replied with hesitation.
Phil leaped off the couch and grabbed the telephone. “What are you doing?” Darren asked, though it was obvious to him what was going on.
“I am RSVP-ing for you and looking to expand my film-making repertoire.” Phil said as he dial the number on the wedding invitation. The dial tone on the phone went into ringing on the other end as Phil patiently waited for someone to pick up on the other line. Perhaps fortunately and leading to a less awkward situation, the other line went to voice mail. But that did not stop Phil from leaving a message. “Hello, I’m Phil Brookes calling on behalf of Darren Watson, he would be honored to attend you pending nuptials and I would be honored to film the entire glorious day should you need someone to do a professional job. You can call either of us as seven-eight-zero-six-oh-three-two-two-six-three. Thank you for your consideration.” Phil then hung up the phone as Darren looked on, looking perplexed by Phil’s actions.
“Tell me why exactly you did this?” Darren asked.
“In case Emily bails out as your escort.” Phil said. “Plus I think there could be some money made if I expand my creativity.”
“Just great.” Darren muttered to himself as his rabbit Mozart stared up the two men while he quietly munched on a leaf of lettuce.

It was night time. Darren tried to sleep, but his mind was now racing what seemed like a million miles per minute. Julia was coming into town tomorrow and he was looking forward to meeting her. But what if Emily was right? What if Phil was right? Or what if they are wrong? Now Darren has to go to the stupid wedding because stupid Phil confirmed it, and now has to face his family. He was slightly behind on working on his novel, and what if that bombs? He’s got no real skills to fall back on and doesn’t want to go back and beg for his part time job back. A lot of thoughts rushed through Darren’s head, but one thought came up that needed to be addressed right away: he had to pee.
Getting up to go to the washroom, Darren noticed Phil had fallen asleep on the couch – something he did a lot while editing his films. He had the television still on as Mozart looked upon the screen to notice an infomercial for a new kind of high energy cooking device. Just as Darren went over to turn the television off, he noticed his cell phone buzzing and his ringtone going off. Darren went over to the phone to check it out and noticed there was a recently sent text message from Emily: “Come see me if ur still up pls.” was the message. Darren sighed and knew he probably could not fall asleep right now with all that seemed to be on his mind. He text-messaged Emily back: “On my way now. If you’re still up, I’ll see u soon.”

Darren walked down to Emily’s apartment, wearing a dark blue tee-shirt and red flannel pajama bottoms. Usually, Emily never wanted to talk to anyone at this time of night unless something really bothered her. Maybe their laundry day conversation really bothered her more than she let on? Or maybe there was something else on her mind? Or maybe she saw a spider and wanted Darren to kill it? Emily was fairly scared of the eight-legged arachnids. Darren took in a deep breath and lightly knocked on her apartment’s door. Emily opened the door slightly until she noticed it was Darren. Then she opened the door wider, revealing herself wearing a red silk Japanese kimono. She wiped away some tears from her eyes, smudging a bit of mascara that had run down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong, Em?” Darren asked with concern and caring in his voice.
“It’s, ugh! Stupid love!” Emily said, fighting back tears. “She decided to call it quits, over the phone!”
“Geez, that’s rough,” Darren said as Emily leaned her head into Darren’s waiting shoulders. “You gonna be okay,” he said with sympathy as Darren gently ran his fingers through Emily’s hair.
“I dunno anymore. Why do I always do this to myself?” Emily said as she raised her head up from Darren’s shoulder and wiping away more tears. She didn’t even notice her mascara had slightly stained Darren’s shirt.
Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Darren asked quietly to himself as Emily looked into his baby blue eyes. Darren stared back into her misty green eyes and wondered to himself what was going on here. “Because we’re human beings, Em. We all make mistakes.” Darren said as he helped wipe away more tears off her delicate cheek.
“I know, but I think I finally found happiness with one person and then it’s yanked away from me!” Emily pouted.
“You’re preaching to the choir, sister.” Darren said, knowing well in full that this was one of the common themes that ran parallel with Emily’s life and his own.
Emily sniffed and smiled. She playfully ran her fingers through Darren’s messy dark blonde hair and said “Yeah, I kinda figured I was. Maybe this is why you no longer put your heart out as much as you used to.”
“Not true at all,” Darren said. “I think I just choose more carefully how I do that now, even though I have some missteps on the way.”
“Well then,” Emily said as she lightly tugged on one side of her kimono to reveal a bare shoulder. “Maybe for one more night we can both feel like we’re loved in this cold cruel world.”
Maybe she was onto something, Darren thought. As much as he had so many things on his mind, maybe being in someone’s loving arms could take that away. And maybe for one moment, Emily could feel the gentle touch of another that she sorely needed at this moment of another heartbreak. It is indeed a very odd yet convenient relationship the two of them had. No real emotional attachment outside of platonic friendship. No real sense of commitment to each other. Just raw physical passion to get them through the night.
It is indeed a relationship, no matter how much they deny it

Willowbend Tales - Chapter Two

2009-11-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER TWO – DRUNK AND HOT GIRLS DO NOT ALWAYS HOOK UP

Dream Journal Entry # 2

Mozart and I were walking in a park I remember from my years living in Edmonton. I remember seeing this woman I know named Sally jog by in a red track suit.
Mozart said to me “Perhaps Rocco is right. The time to take chances is here and now. If you keep living in the past you can never go ahead into the future.”
I said back to Mozart as Sally jogged by us in slow motion “But everything about it scares me. I’ve been hurt too many times by people who say they care and love me.”
Mozart replied back to me “Yes but through pain strength grows. If you do not put yourself out again to feel anything, you may end up as the person your father claimed you are: bitter and never going to change.”
I try to ask Mozart what exactly I was supposed to do but Sally turned around and began singing Kylie Minogue’s “Red Blooded Woman”. Focused on the lyrics about never getting to heaven if you’re scared of getting high and the chorus of the song; “Let me keep freaking around, I wanna get down/I'm a red blooded woman, what's the point in hanging round/Don't wanna keep turning it down/When this girl wants to rock with you…”

Saturday was finally here.
Darren stood in front of the bathroom mirror and looked at his own reflection. Wearing a pair of blue flannel pajama bottoms, Darren took an electric shaver and began to shave. After he was done, Darren rubbed his hands across his now-shaven face making sure his face was nicely shaven for that night. He then turned on the hot water in the bathtub, allowing it to run awhile so the water would be the right temperature for the shower he was about to take. This was the first time in about three years that Darren attempted to do something remotely sociable like going out to a night club or bar to meet women. The last time he had done so, the night ended in confusion and hurt feelings for Darren. It truly was not one of his finest moments in his life. But now here he was, washing his hair and body; getting ready for a night of proposed debauchery with Rocco and Phil.

Moments later, when Darren stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry off, a banging on the bathroom door caused a pause in this routine. Darren wrapped a towel around his body and opened the door to reveal Phil – wearing a bright red dress shirt, black pants and a stylish grey fedora. “Come on, I’ve seen my grandma get ready for a night on the town quicker than you!” Phil jokingly said to Darren.
“Geez, sorry. You know, for someone who at first objected to this, you sure came around rather quickly!” Darren replied back. Darren then noticed Phil had his digital video camera bag under his arm. “Oh god, please tell me you’re not planning on filming all of this?” he asked with a bit of concern.
“Why not, it’ll be for either the main project…” Phil said and was interrupted by the buzzing of the apartment’s intercom. Phil paused in his thought and pressed the intercom button. Rocco’s voice was heard on the other end.
“You ladies ready yet or what?” Rocco asked. Phil pressed the button to unlock the main lobby door and picked up from his thought before being interrupted. “… Or I’ll have some excellent blackmail material.. Either way, this could be quite the night,” Phil said as he opened the suite’s door slightly ajar – and in almost near perfect timing, Emily walked into their apartment looking slightly annoyed.
“Ugh! Straight women drive me bonkers!” Emily proclaimed as she walked into the living room and promptly sat on a couch. Mozart the rabbit, who was let loose from his enclosed area as he occasionally was allowed to wander the apartment from time to time, hopped over to Emily, who had a pouty and disappointed look upon her face. Sensing this could work into his film project, Phil quickly took out his camera and began to film and interview Emily.
“So, issues with the room-mate, eh?” Phil asked.
“I guess now ex-roommate,” Emily replied back, looking into the camera. “Three days before she’s supposed to come up with her half of the rent, she decides to not only go on a trip with her boyfriend she then decides today of all days to announce she’s moving in with him on Monday. I hope when she comes back Sunday she’ll at least leave me the rent money.” Emily let out a sigh as Mozart stood up and placed his two front paws on the side of her lower leg. Emily petted the rabbit as a method of stress relief as Phil carried on with the interviewing-type scenario: “Isn’t there a spell in your little books to make money?” Phil asked.
“Well, first off – Wicca is more about being in tune with the elements, at least the path I’m studying,” Emily answered. “Second off, that would be counterfeiting and thus illegal.”
With the door still open, Rocco walked in. Sporting denim slacks, a tight white shirt to show off his slowly developing six-pack abdominal region, and black sports coat. Phil then turned his attention away from filming Emily and onto Rocco, who looked rather displeased with this fact.
“Please tell me you’re not bringing that with you!” Rocco protested.
“Hey, worst case scenario – I find a couple university girls to do a family friendly version of ‘Two Girls, One Cup’, complete with sh…”
“Eww!” Emily interrupted with disgust.
“… Sherbert? Ice cream’s low fat, healthier alternative?” Phil said, saving face from the disturbing image previously inferred.
Around this time, Darren emerged from his bedroom, wearing a basic black tee-shirt and khaki pants.
“Seriously, bro? You’re going with that?” Rocco asked Darren.
“What’s wrong with it?” Darren asked back.
“It’s too plain, doesn’t really make you stand out from the rest of the pack.” Rocco said. Then he glanced at Phil’s ensemble “And you are just trying too hard.”
“Well, sadly, this is the only thing I have in my closet that I’m not too ashamed to wear in a public setting.” Darren replied back. “And besides that I still like this look.”
“Me too,” Emily said in Darren’s defense. “Sometimes basic can work.”
“Guess if anyone else knows how to pick up women, it’d be you.” Phil said to Emily.
“Huh, never thought of that,” Rocco said, knowing. “Speaking of which – what is it this week, Em?” he asked Emily as she got up from the couch and began to walk out of the apartment. She playfully patted Rocco’s shoulder and said “Not you, big guy.”
“You’ll check on Mozart later right?” Darren asked Emily before she completely left.
“I shall. Besides if the rest of the night goes as well as the day did, think the two of us will just end up on the couch watching a sappy movie or something.” Emily replied.
“Thanks again,” Darren said as he gave a friendly peck on her cheek. “And if for some reason we don’t make it back tonight…”
“… I’ll alert the media,” Emily said with a smile on her face as the three men left the suite.

Perhaps this was all a mistake after all.
Darren sheepishly made his way through the packed crowd in the night club to the bathroom. It was going as he had envisioned so far: Rocco met up with some of his comrade-in-arms in the pursuit of cage-fighting supremacy and blew off Darren and Phil. As Darren stood in front of a urinal, relieving himself of excess urine, he thought about the last time he had ever been to a club like this in Edmonton. It was shortly after Gloria had broken up with him. As an attempt to try to dull the pain of the breakup, Darren tried to get acquainted with the myriad of drunk and hot girls with little success. So far the amount of success was similar. As Darren went to wash his hands, he took a look in the mirror. Perhaps the more things changed in his life, the more some things remain the same for Darren.

Darren made his way back from the bathroom, and found Phil, who was quietly observing the scene.
“Think you were right,” Darren said to Phil. “This was a mistake.”
“Yes, very much so.” Phil said as he spotted a couple of ladies of Asian descent standing up by the bar. “Listen? If I can’t convince those two to a little project I have been dying to do, wanna help me embarrass Rocco in front of the rest of his alpha male primates?”
“I guess.” Darren said unsurely. “Don’t tell me you’re ditching…” he paused as he watched Phil smoothly make his way over to the bar, “… me?” Darren just slumped back against the wall and sighed. “Perfect.”, he muttered.
Around this time, a petite blonde-haired woman noticed Darren all by himself. While the woman may not in real life pay attention to him, the copious amounts of alcohol consumed by her made Darren seem more appealing. She made her way over to Darren, as another woman with reddish-brown hair watched on.
“Hey cutie,” the blonde woman said with her speech slightly slurred. She wrapped her hands and arms around Darren’s neck as he looked on completely perplexed.
“Uh, hi?” Darren said as she moved in closer into him. “Do I know you?”
“Not yet,” she said as she planted a sloppy kiss on Darren’s lips. Darren kissed back but with uncertainty of what was going on. While this was something Darren had wanted for quite some time, one could see a plea for help in his eyes. Meanwhile, the auburn-haired woman who was watching made her way over to the two of them and lightly tapped on the blonde one’s shoulder.
“Get off my man!” the auburn-haired woman said to the blonde one. The blonde one, with judgment totally impaired, tried to take a swing but ended up doing a face plant onto the hardwood floor of the club. Looking confused, Darren moved to the side as the auburn-haired woman stood beside him and watched as a couple of bouncers help the blonde one up.
“Um, thanks?” Darren said, still confused as to what was going on.
“Don’t mention it,” the auburn-haired woman said. “Just sensed you didn’t really want to make out with a drunken gutter slut. By the way, name’s Julia – Julia Sanders.”, she said as she extended her hand in a introductory manner.
“Darren Watson,” Darren said as he shook Julia’s hand in return.
“So this really isn’t your scene is it?” Julia asked rather matter-of-factly.
“Pretty obvious, huh?” Darren asked back.
“Figured one of three things is possible: either your friends ditched you, you don’t do this often, or this whole aloof thing you’re pulling is part of an elaborate act as you creepily stalk an ex.”
“Mostly the first one, a little bit of the second one. No comment on the third one.” Darren dryly replied.
“Hmmm, quick-witted? I like that” Julia said. “So where’s your friends at?”
“Well,” Darren looked around and first noticed Rocco at a table with three other men, pounding back shot glasses and surrounded by a bevy of women. “One is over there with the Future Date Rapists of Canada…” and then pointed out Phil, who was still chatting with the two Asians, “… and the other one is over there – the runner up of the Joey Jerimeiah Look-A-Like Contest of 2008. And how about you? Where are your friends at, or do you just rescue random strangers from drunken hook-ups for the fun of it?” he asked back to Julia.
“Well, I think a couple of them are with your muscle-bound buddy, which means it’s gonna be a noisy night back home.” Julia said with resignation in her tone. “So since we’ve been basically left to fend for ourselves, wanna get out of here and go somewhere quiet where a more meaningful conversation can be carried out?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” Darren said with relief. As the two of them made their way out, Darren took out his cellphone and began to send a text message to Phil. “Going for a walk with someone I met. Txt me later” was the message he sent.

Darren had forgotten how busy and crazy the Whyte Avenue area of Edmonton was. Even back in his time living there, the neighborhood had not become quite the collection of eclectic stores and bars. Even the few times a month Darren would come into the city, he would always make his way down there and notice how much the scene had changed over the last ten years he knew of it. Now here on a clear and nice Saturday night, he was walking down the street with a complete stranger he only met a few moments ago. Not one of the strangest things to happen to Darren in Edmonton, but that would be best told another time.
“So, what brings you out to our fair city?” Julia asked as the two of them walked slowly, side by side.
“Was my friend’s idea.” Darren answered. “He figured I needed to get out more and try meet someone.”
“Well maybe I should have you and blondie alone then, huh?” Julia said jokingly.
“Nah, was glad you came in at the right time.” Darren said back.
“Your name sounds familiar. What do you for a living?”
“Right now, I’m a combination of a freelance bum and writer.”
“Wait a minute? You’re that Darren Watson? The guy with that musings column?” Julia asked somewhat starstruck.
“The one in the same.” Darren modestly replied back.
“Get out! Your column is the second thing I read in the local freebee magazine right after that gay guy giving sex advice to everyone.” Julia said.
“Um, thanks.” Darren said.
“Although now it makes sense why you were so uncomfortable back there. Remember that one article you wrote about how the old pickup bar scene was dead and internet dating was the wave of the future?”
“Yeah, that was before I had a couple bad experiences with some of those sites. Between nearly getting scammed out of money from some Filipinos and countless frustrating initail contacts, I just gave up.” Darren replied and then asked “Now I feel at a disadvantage since you seem to know so much about me and here I know nothing about you. So tell me something about yourself, Miss Sanders.”
Julia then went onto say, “Well, I’m a recently unemployed high school teacher who is in the middle of a job search and has an interview in some small town call Veger…something… ?”
“Vegreville?” Darren asked, trying to correct her.
“Yeah, that’s the one.” Julia said.
“It’s not as small as it used to be.” Darren said. “We now have a Tim Horton’s.”
“Oh yeah, read you were from there.” Julia said.
“And you thought I was a stalker?” Darren asked playfully.
“Well, I’m just a bit of a fangirl. Sue me.” Julia teasefully said.
“I just never met someone who was into my work as much as you seem to be.” Darren said as the two of them stopped by a street vendor who was selling pizza by the slice to the late night revellers.
“Well, I’m an English teacher and just love anything and everything that is in the written world.” Julia said as she proceded to order a soda from the Middle Eastern pizza vendor. “Didja want something? My treat,” she offered to Darren, who requested the same soda that Julia had in her hand. The two of them kept on walking until Darren felt the vibrating of his cellphone. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said to Julia as he took his phone out from his pant pocket and took the call. It was Phil on the other end of the phone.
“Hey, just got your text. Where are you now?” Phil asked.
“About two blocks away. Why?” Darren asked.
“Damn Rocco and his goons decided to get into a fight with some other goons. He got tossed out. He’s quite drunk and about to pass out in my car. We’re gonna be heading home. Stay where you are and we’ll pick ya up!” Phil said as the conversation got cut off. Darren sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Julia asked.
“Well, the good news is you’ll probably have a quiet sleep as your friends won’t be felt up by a bunch of roid monkeys. The bad news is I’m heading home soon.” Darren said, somewhat deflated.
“Well…” Julia said as she grabbed Darren’s cellphone. She promptly went into his contacts menu and added her name and phone number. She then took out her cellphone and did the same with Darren’s number. “… maybe when I’m Vegreville I’ll give you a call and you can give me a tour or something. Or maybe you can help me find a place to live if I’m lucky enough to get the job.”
Darren remembered overhearing about Emily’s roommate problem and slyly said to Julia, “I may know just the place.”
“Great, my interview is on Monday at two,” Julia said as a white Ford Escort pulled up beside her and Darren. Phil was in the driver’s seat with Rocco laying down in the backseat. “Looks like your ride is here,” she said as she leaned into Darren and gave a small peck on his lips. “Call me when you get the chance, okay?”
“Sure,” Darren said as he waved bye to her and entered the car. As Darren buckled up, Phil asked him “So, who was that young lass?”
“I have a feeling I’ll find out more about her on Monday,” Darren said as he looked at his cellphone and then glanced at Julia as she walked away with a slight cute wiggle from her backside.

Willowbend Tales - Dedications, Prologue, and Chapter 1

2009-11-03T21:44:00.001-08:00

DEDICATIONS AND AUTHOR’S NOTES

The following is a work of fiction. All names and events are fictional and any resemblance to any real persons or events are purely coincidental. Non-original content is used in a non-commercial and parodic manner.

The past two novels have had some interesting dedications, this year will be no exception:

To Barack Hussein Obama – because it would make the members of the fanatical right’s heads explode.
To my family – yup, still on the outs, still on my thoughts at times.
To my co-workers – thanks for tolerating me for another year.
To Kanye West – because I’m afraid he’ll interrupt me and tell me that Stephanie Meyer has the best books ever written.
To the voices in my head – they council me, they understand, they talk to me…
To the Canadian Winter Olympic team – because the commercials on all CTV-owned stations have gotten to me, okay?
To you – yes, you, the gentle readers, who none of this would be really possible.
To all the dead celebrities of 2009 – you all lived your lives like a candle in the wind…

That is all for this year. Enjoy

-Dane Woychuk
November 1, 2009
12:05 a.m.

Prologue: Guy Walks Into A Psychiatrist’s Office…

Darren Watson sat nervously inside the waiting room of Doctor Linda Welsh, the new psychiatrist he had finally agreed to see after years of going in and out of free clinics and ending what seemed to be years of frustration with the public mental health system. He adjusted his glasses and played with his hair. He picked up a magazine and leafed through its contents while a dark-haired young looking lady receptionist gave a quick look at him. The receptionist picked up the ringing phone that sat behind her desk. “Yes, your two-thirty appointment is here, Doctor Welsh,” the receptionist said with a slight Mandarin accent, “I’ll let him know your ready for him,” she said as she hung up the phone.
“Mister Watson? Doctor Welsh will see you now,” the receptionist said as Darren put down the magazine. He got up from the chair he sat in and walked towards the reception desk and the door on the right hand side. The receptionist got up and opened the door for Darren as he nodded in her direction, as if to say thank you. She smiled and went back to her duties while Darren took a deep breath and proceeded into the next room.

Darren sat down on an expensive black leather couch, tapping his fingers nervously again on his lap. A brown-haired woman - hair shoulder length and straight, and wearing a sensible gray business skirt and blazer over a gold dress blouse.
“Mister Watson? I’m Doctor Welsh”, the lady Darren would get to know as his new therapist Linda Welsh said to him as she extended her hand in a friendly gesture.
“Nice to meet you,” Darren said as he cleared his throat and shook Doctor Welsh’s smoothly-skinned hand. The two of them proceeded to sit down, facing each other.
“So?” Doctor Welsh started off, “What has brought you here today?”
“Many things I guess,” Darren answered. “I’m about to start writing a novel that is loosely based on my life and thought it may be beneficial to have someone to talk to about any of my old issues resurfacing and dragging me down like they seem to do.”
“Such as?”
“Well, I’ve been estranged from my family for the last five years. I haven’t had a significant romantic relationship in seven years, a relationship that left me a broken shell of a man that was on the verge of either a massive mental breakdown or suicide.”
“Sounds like you have a grasp on the issues that brought you here. I take it you have had experience in going through improving your mental health?”
“Yeah, and now that I am making some decent money I figured I could actually pay for someone who is decent enough and not going to leave me to another case worker because they got a new job offer.”
“That seems like quite the frustrating experience you’ve gone through.” Doctor Welsh said with sympathy for Darren’s plight.
“Yeah you could call it that,” Darren said. “Also lately I’ve been having some weird dreams.”
“What do mean ‘weird’?” she asked.
Darren took a deep breath and answered: “Well, one I remembered recently I was talking to my pet rabbit, who then talked back to me. Then I find myself in a parade in my old home town being pelted by small rocks and fruit by people I’ve know from that town while a marching band behind me played Bob Dylan’s ‘Rainy Day Women…’ Ya know, ‘they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good…”
Doctor Welsh cut him off there “Yes, I’m familiar with that particular song. Were you in any altered state of mind before this dream occurred?”
“No, not really. Probably the most potent items I inhaled that night were some incense or the scented candles a friend brought over to help me relax and focus on my writing.” Dean replied back.
“Well, while I wait for your files to come from your previous therapist, I would like for you to keep a journal of any further dreams. Write down whatever you can remember – people, objects, any other image you feel is important. When we have our next session, bring the journal in and I’ll try to help you interpret these dreams.”
Great. Darren thought to himself. More writing. He then looked at Doctor Welsh and asked “Was there anything from this one that stood out to you?”
“Well, it could be that for whatever reason, you feel that various parts of your life will forever be scrutinized by those that you have forgotten about or you are forever carrying the burden of those who you feel have wronged you.” Doctor Welsh theorized.
“Well then,” Darren said as he placed his hands behind his head, “Why am I having these musically-inspired dreams?”
“In time, we shall both know why” Doctor Welsh replied back as she smiled a reassuring smile to a confused-looking Darren.

CHAPTER ONE – IN THE FLESH AND TAKING CHANCES

Dream Journal Entry #1

Mozart, my pet rabbit, and I were walking into an empty gym of a school. Don’t remember what the conversation was about but we found ourselves coming across a woman who I have never seen before. Mozart tells me to go talk to her but then I end up singing Pink Floyd’s “In the Flesh?”. Woke up and looked up the lyrics. Not sure of total significance yet. Investigate further…

The sun shone brightly into Darren Watson’s bedroom, in spite of the blinds being totally shut. Between the turning on of the alarm clock radio to an Edmonton radio station and the sun’s rays, Darren slowly began to wake up but not wanting really to get out of the bed. That though stayed in his head until he heard the telephone ringing in the main room of his two bedroom apartment. Sensing it could be important, Darren hopped out of the bed and quickly put on a dark blue bathrobe. Darren then picked up the phone and spoke into it, “Hello?”
The voice on the other end answered “Hello, Darren Watson?”
Darren replied back, “Yes.”
The voice spoke, “Hello Darren, MacArthur Parker, your agent calling. Listen, I just got your initial manuscript for this novel you want to do? Raven Effect? Love It!”
“Um, thanks. You do realize it is a very early draft and needs a lot more work to be done on it, right?” Darren asked his agent.
“Yes, but if the final draft is as good as this, well my friend this could be the one. No more weekly musing columns syndicated in Podunk town papers. We’re talking major publications, book tours, maybe an appearance on Oprah.” Darren’s agent answered with enthusiasm. “I’m hoping you can get onto finishing it within our timeline.”
Darren looked at a calendar on the wall beside the phone. “I’m sure I can manage” he reassured his agent.
“Great, I’ll be mailing more information and legal documents for you to go over, okay? Great, gotta go now. Call me when you got everything, ‘kay? Bye”
“Um, sure, bye” Darren said as he hung the phone up and looked around his empty apartment, save for Mozart – a long-haired brown flop-eared rabbit – who sat in a penned-off area in the corner of the living room area. The rabbit munched on a dish filled with alfalfa pellets as Darren looked around to see what the time exactly was. Noticing the time was well past ten ‘o clock in the morning and knowing he had an appointment to make, Darren sighed as he walked into the kitchen to get something to eat. Opening a cabinet for a box of cereal, Darren found a sticky note on the cabinet door that read “All out of Corn Pops, sorry man” and was signed by his roommate Phil Brookes.
“Dammit, Phil!” Darren muttered under his breath, “I wanted my Pops!”

The past year had been quite the change for Darren Watson, now a syndicated columnist with a random musings-style piece that originally appeared in his current town of Vegreville, Alberta’s local newspaper. Being coaxed by his roommate Phil, a former friend from Darren’s botched attempt of higher learning at the University of Alberta, Darren submitted a portfolio of his columns along with an assortment of random poems and short stories to a publishing house. The poems and short stories were published as an anthology and got Darren a step up in his writing career. Now he was facing a new task: writing a full novel that was going to a fictionalized autobiography entitled “The Raven Effect” – a novel he intended to use as a form of therapy for himself. Nearly eight years ago Darren had his heart broken by Gloria James – his first serious girlfriend. During that time, Darren flunked out of university, got into a verbal and physical fight with his father over that particular issue, and also found himself practically disowned by his family. Making matters worse was the fact that he would end up moving back to Vegreville, a town that was about forty-five minutes away from where his family still lived. While Darren still talked to his mother, sister, and brother once in a while on the phone or if they happened to bump into each other in town, the entire familial relationship was strained. The struggles with all of this nearly broke Darren mentally, broke him to the point of near suicide until one day when he met up with Phil – who was also going through a crisis of his own as his parents were recently killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Both Darren and Phil felt the loss of family though brought upon through different circumstances, but it was that common thread that allowed them to help each other out.
Flash forward to today as the two of them lived in Willowbend Apartments, a pretty decent apartment complex in the town of Vegreville. While Darren worked on his writing skills, Phil worked on a myriad of hobbies which including photography and film-making. Films and movies had always been a passion of Phil, who worked the past five years as a clerk at a movie rental store, and Phil was always on the look for that one project that will take him out of small-town obscurity and into hipster indie film darling. After a short series of films that Phil placed on YouTube, Phil got the not-quite original idea of documenting the lives of those that dwelled within the twenty-seven suites of the place he and Darren called home, as well as filming Darren’s creative process as he worked through the final draft for “The Raven Effect”

Darren walked downstairs to the main lobby to check his mail and see if the latest in meager royalty checks from “Things Best Left Unsaid” – his short story and poem anthology – were finally sent out. Checking his watch to see how close he was to his appointment and leafing through the collection of flyers and envelopes in the mailbox, Darren noticed from a quick glance a pair of relatively toned and tanned legs. Darren stood up and saw one of his neighbors – Sally Goode – also checking her mail as well. Sally was wearing a pair of jogging shorts and a plain-white tank top, her long black hair done up in a pony-tail.
“Hey Darren,” Sally said with a bit of shortness in her breath as a result of her running.
“Hey Sally. Had a nice jog I assume.” Darren said, trying his best to make small talk with a woman he had secretly lusted over since she moved into the building.
“Oh yeah, totally felt the burn. You should come with me some time,” Sally said as she took a drink of water from a bottle she had in her left hand.
“Sure, only if you have a defibulator handy for the heart attack I surely would get within the first couple of yards.” Darren said with a bit of self-depreciating humor that he had been known for.
Sally just smiled and playfully punched Darren in the shoulder “Huh, well maybe talk to your friend Rocco and maybe between the two of us we’d get you into shape.”
“Yeah, maybe. Speaking of which, I’m off to meet up with Rocco. Catch ya later.”
“Sure, oh hey, before you go, could you or Phil babysit Cody for me this Friday? Going into Edmonton to meet up with an old friend?”
Cody was Sally’s ten-year old son. His father left shortly after Cody’s birth and Sally had been raising him practically by herself for most of her life. Darren occasionally looked after the kid for reasons that were two-fold and contradictory: one was that he was a nice guy who was one of the few believers in altruism; the second was that he wished it would somehow influence Sally into spending a night of passion together.
“As far I know one of us could,” Darren replied back to Sally as she made her way up the stairs.
“Okay, let me know for sure later tonight,” Sally said as she climbed up the stairs. Darren walked towards the lobby exit as he took a quick glance at the firmness of Sally’s backside and hoped to one day feel if it was as firm as it seemed.

“So just go for it already, man!” Rocco Davis said as he placed the three-hundred pound weights he was bench pressing down back into the holdings on the weight bench that Darren was helping spot for Rocco. Rocco was another friend of Darren’s, a man Darren met through his former job before quitting to pursue his writing dream. Rocco was now in the middle of pursuing his own dream: becoming a mixed-martial arts fighter. While not in the best physical shape of his own, Darren agreed to help Rocco with some basic weight training and unofficial coach. And in exchange, Rocco would try to help Darren regain some of the confidence that he sorely lacked from the day Gloria shattered his emotions into a million pieces.
“It’s not that simple,” Darren said somewhat defensively “You should know that about me.”
“It’s about confidence, bro” Rocco said as he sat up and wiped the sweat from his face and tattooed chest. “The ladies can sense how confident you are with the way you conduct yourself. They can sense stuff like that ya know? That’s the difference between me and you – you allow yourself to let things get you down too much and I say ‘two tears in a bucket, fuck it’ and move on.”
“Yes, and how has that helped you out in finding someone to spend the rest of your life with?” Darren asked.
“See? You’re too focused on finding the one who you wanna spend the rest of your life. Besides that concept is dead now. Nothing lasts forever, you gotta take what you get and roll with the punches.”
“I guess, but it’s just every time I read up on my old friends from school that are on Facebook, most of them are married, having kids, buying homes, travelling the world. Me? I’m nearly thirty sharing an apartment with a friend and a rabbit and no real prospects in love.”
“Don’t worry about others. Worry about you, yourself, and, uh… you?” Rocco said, slightly confused with what he just said.
“Thanks Rocco,” Darren said with a small tinge of sarcasm in his tone.
“Look, I’m meeting up with some other bros in E-town Saturday night, come with us and we’ll getcha hooked up.”
“What do you mean?” Darren asked.
“Well, we’ll hit the bars, pound back a few shots, and hopefully find some quality snatch for ya! Yeah” Rocco said as he pumped his fists in the air.
“Uhm, I really don’t drink and haven’t gone to a meet market in years.” Darren retorted back.
“Look, you gotta take chances, break out from your comfort zone, try something new. Trust me, bro!” Rocco said as he patted Darren on the shoulder.

“So, you’re going on a tail prowl with Rocco?!” Phil Brookes said as he and Darren conversed in the movie store Phil worked in. Phil was working on placing returned movies back on the shelves as he and Darren conversed.
“Didn’t give a definite answer, but maybe he’s right about some things…” Darren said with a pondering tone. “… things like taking chances.”
Phil stood in thought for a moment and did a mock shiver. “Well, he’s got you there. Maybe it is time for you to get out again and spread your wings grasshopper,” he said.
“Great, so you won’t mind coming along then right?” Darren asked
“Um, hello? Straight-Edge here!” Phil replied back “Don’t drink, don’t smoke…”
Darren interrupted: “Thank you, Adam Ant. Come on, Rocco is gonna probably bugger off with his fellow MMApes and leave me to fend for myself. Plus it could make for some interesting footage for your new project.”
“Hmmm. I do have a new fedora I’d like to break in.” Phil said. “All right, I’m in. Plus I have a feeling I’m going to have to be the designated driver and potential bail poster too.”
“Well, Rocco’s not going to be totally thrilled about you coming along, but I’ll deal with him,” Darren said. He then removed an envelope from his coat pocket. “Meanwhile today I got this, an invitation to a cousin’s wedding. I am contemplating going.”
“Why? To sit in a room with people you either barely know or people who have been convinced you’re the worst person ever?” Phil asked.
“I dunno, while I have accepted my role as persona non grata, I think I need definite closure to really move on.”
“Great, sounds like a brilliant plan. Now, are you gonna go alone or are you going to take someone with you?” Phil asked.
Darren thought for a moment. There was one person who might be willing to go along with this scheme: Emily Moore.

Emily Moore, another resident of Willowbend Apartments. She lived right across the hall from Darren and Phil. Emily worked as a practicing holistic healer and sales associate in the town’s only health and natural food store. The first day Darren moved into Willowbend, Emily brought over a welcome wagon-type basket filled with candles, incense, and homemade baked goods. Darren was drawn to her friendly smile and personality. The two of them always got along and in some ways, Emily was more of a closer friend than either Rocco or Phil was to Darren. But that was always Darren’s role with members of the opposite sex: always the good friend. It was like that through school and university until Gloria came in and ruined things for Darren. In some ways, Emily seemed to be a composite of every platonic girl friends Darren had, with the added twist that she was bisexual. That kind of intrigued Darren for reasons he had never fully understood in the sense in how someone could never know who they want to spend all of their time with. Though lately Emily seemed more attracted to women than men. With one exception: Darren. It was made clear though the first time they had sex, it was not going to be a typical relationship. It was going to be one based on no strings and none of the usual emotional trappings. Just pure physicality, whenever it seemed convenient for the two of them.
This night was not one of those nights as Darren and Emily sat outside on the balcony of her apartment, watching the summer sun set in the west Alberta sky. It was then and there Darren asked Emily about the wedding.
“I think that is against the rules we set for each other,” Emily said. “We agreed no actual dates.”
“Well, don’t think of it as an actual date,” Darren said in a timid yet defensive way. “Think of it as a friend helping another friend through a potentially hazardous scenario. That, and it could really freak out a bunch of square and narrow-minded people.”
“Hmmm, haven’t done that in a while”, Emily said with a smile. “What color should I dye my hair? Or maybe I could make a pass at the maid of honor? You know what? Despite the potential trappings of it being a proper date, why not?”
“Wow, to be honest I thought you were going to flatly refuse the whole idea.”
“Haven’t you learned anything about me over the past few years? Always expect the unexpected with me.” Emily said again with a smile on her face as she gave a little cute chuckle that reassured Darren that perhaps this whole wedding episode won’t be so bad after all.

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales #5 - No Subtitles Needed

2009-10-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

Scene opens with Rachel Mills, Benny Carlson, and Lucas Goldstein standing in the same white room all the previous meetings have occurred. At the moment they are the only three people in the room and in the scene...

Benny: Well this sucks.

Rachel: Tell me about it, I didn't even get an invite to the big female character confab.

Lucas: (looking around, nervously) I dunno, maybe being forgotten is a good thing...

Benny: (interrupting) You're just worried about Kevin finding out you got your cherry popped by a future version of his daughter, aren't ya Loverboy?

Lucas: Um, yeah! Besides, I thought you would want to avoid another whipping you got from future Mercy.

Benny: Well, I think the one who really needs to worry about her is proud papa Dean. Man, I can't wait to see that totally explode in his face.

Rachel: Will the two of you quit dwelling on past events and wonder why we have been forgotten about in this little cross-over thing we have seemingly been pulled into.

Mozart the rabbit then hops into the scene and all three simply look at him doing what rabbits usually like to do with their twitchy noses.

Benny: Great, so we're going to be arguing with a rabbit?

Lucas: This is totally embarrassing.

Benny: More embarrassing than getting caught reading that article about lolicon on Encyclopedia Dramatica?

Lucas: Oh come on! That was totally an accident!

Rachel: Um, can you guys focus on why we've been reduced to having our face-off with the pet that doesn't talk?

Mozart: (speaking with a sophisticated accent) On the contrary, Miss Mills, I do speak but only in the subconscious dreamworld of my owner.

Lucas: Did... did that rabbit just speak?!

Benny: And why does he sound like Dr. Manhattan?!

Lucas: Just be glad he doesn't look like him...

Rachel: Well, for one it's a rabbit, and two, I have never heard of this doctor in the books I read.

Mozart: They are referring to a character from a popular graphic novel recently turned into a motion picture. His appearance in both the novel and film seemed to focus on him being naked and massive male geni...

Rachel: (interrupting) Okay, now I get it, eww!

Benny: So, are you comic relief or what? Why aren't we speaking to any other real characters?

Mozart: At this time, only the six core characters who have been revealed are the only ones that the creator has given any thought about. There is one more character that is somewhat developed but the creator felt he would be better off revealed in the novel once it begins.

Lucas: So, there are only six main characters and no minor/background characters? Lame!

Mozart: There will be an assortment of background characters but as of this time they have yet to be given a physical form or even character traits. Once the writing process begins they will become known.

Rachel: I don't understand...

Benny: (scoffs) That's not unusual.

Rachel: No, I get what the rabbit is saying. How is he able to talk to us if he can only do so... (Rachel notices Darren Watson walking into the scene as he stands next to Mozart) in his dreams?

Darren: It's pretty simple. I'm having a dream right now and I think parts of your character essences are going to be transplanted into my story.

Lucas: Quit dreaming about us, weirdo!

Darren: I'm sorry, I wish I could control but...

A low bass sound is heard in the background as the instrumental part of Alice Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare" begins to play. The scene fades to black as a spotlight shines on Darren. Darren begins to sing...

Darren: Welcome to my nightmare, I think you're gonna like it
I think you're gonna feel like you belong.
A nocturnal vacation, unnecessary sedation
You want to feel at home 'cause you belong
Welcome to my nightmare, whoa oh oh oh!

Rachel, Benny, and Lucas all look confused in the background as Darren continues to sing

Darren: Welcome to my breakdown, I hope I didn't scare you
That's just the way we are when we come down
We sweat laugh and scream here 'cuz life is just a dream here
You know inside you feel right at home here
Welcome to my breakdown whoa oh oh oh!
You're welcome to my nightmare yeah eh yeah eh!

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK

Darren: Welcome to my nightmare I think you're gonna like it
I think you're gonna feel you belong
We sweat laugh and scream here 'cuz life is just a dream here
You know inside you feel right at home here
Welcome to my nightmare ooh ooh ooh ooh!
Welcome to my breakdown yeah!

INTSTRUMENTAL FADE OUT

Scene ends as everything fades to black.

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales - Ahhh! It's not hot!

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales #4 - Ladies Edition

2009-10-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Scene opens in the same white room, but with a few different changes. This time, a coffee table with a sterling silver tea set sits in the middle of two sets of couches which are facing each other. On one couch sits Dr. Sarah Bellum, Karen Williams, and Ariel Toroshenko-Brody. On the other couch sits Emily Moore, Julia Sanders, and Sally Goode. All six ladies are drinking tea.

Sarah: See? Isn’t this a nicer setting than the previous meetings between our respective universes?

Julia: I guess, but it doesn’t really give us a chance to evenly spotlight us. I mean you three already have your characters established and what about us?

Emily: I know, other than doing a quick snipet of our character traits, no one is really gonna know who we are.

Ariel: Please, you’re going to have about thirty days of character development! We’ve been patiently waiting for our story to end!

Karen: Look, I just want to get to the bottom of why my husband knocked up his publicist and seemingly has his illegitimate daughter thrown right in my face.

Sally: And here I thought I had men issues…

Emily: (scoffing) Says the town bicycle…

Sally: Least I’m not a flip-flopper like you! (directed at Emily)

Emily: Look, I sometimes the gentle touch of a woman and sometimes I want the rugged rough approach of a man. Is that so wrong?

Julia: Not really. Then again, I have a hard enough time deciding between two men in my life so I’m not one to really comment on it.

Sarah: Man, wish we had those problems.

Emily: We all have relationship issues, except ours are more based in reality while yours is stuck in some bizarre sci-fi campy thing.

Ariel: What is all of this harping on real life? It’s still real to us, dammit!

Sarah: Yeah, I’d like to see any of you three deal with the guilt of basically aiding in mass murders.

Ariel: Or almost witnessing your man die before your eyes…

Karen: Or wondering how long your husband has been unfaithful! Gah, I’m gonna kick Dean’s ass!

Emily: Okay, sounds like we touched a nerve here. Can we all agree that the men in our respective worlds are silly and we women rule?

ALL: (muttering at different intervals) I guess.

Scene changes into a dressing room where Willow Toroshenko-Brody, Faith Williams, Hailey Bellum, and Mercy Benz are seen standing around. Willow and Mercy look displeased.

Willow: So, Fearless Leader, why is it again we weren’t invited to this fancy tea?

Faith: (sighs) Because we haven’t been fully developed as characters yet, and someone had to punch the producer on the way in here. (looks at Mercy)

Mercy: Don’t get all huffy with me, boss lady! Besides that sicko deserved what he got after that comment he made!

Hailey: But still, did you really need to stuff him upside down in that trashcan?

Rocco walks into the room and smoothly tries to wrap his arms around Willow and Mercy

Rocco: Hello ladies. Interested in some sex followed by… sex?

Willow and Mercy: (together) Uh? NO!

Hailey: (pointing at a brown rabbit who hops into the scene. The rabbit's name is Mozart)Ooh, look a bunny!

Mozart: (looking at Rocco) Hello Rocco, guess what? Welcome to Bonertown! (jumps up and punches Rocco. Mozart then hops out of the scene)

Rocco: Ow, you sonuvabitchin’ rabbit! I’m gonna getcha! (runs after Mozart)

Hailey: (looking confused)Okay, what was that?

Faith: And I thought our universe was messed up…

Scene fades to black as Hailey says "Seriously. A rabbit with a mean hook? Inconceivable!". Groans of frustration can be heard from the remaining three.

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales - It's runnin' more wilder than Hulkamania, brother!

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales #3

2009-10-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

Scene opens again in the same white room with the same piano melody playing as the previous editions. This time on the left side, we see Donnie Bellum, standing and looking kind of unsure of what is about to transpire here. On the right side, we see Rocco Davis - who has a clueless look upon his face as well

Rocco: ‘Sup? I’m Rocco and I’m a Willowverser.

Donnie: And I’m Donnie Bellum from the Apoca… verse? Does that sound right?

Rocco: I dunno, you guys still don’t have a team name yet and this is the third one we’ve done? Lame!

Donnie: Really? Going for cheap shots right off the bat? I don’t even understand why we’re facing off against each other.

Rocco: Because we represent two different sides of the desires of our creator?

Donnie: Really, so I’m the stable family man and you are…?

Rocco: The strong alpha male who looks good and bangs a lot of chicks! Yeah!

Donnie: (rolls eyes)Yeesh! This is not going to end well. Clearly you would have been better matched with Kevin…

Rocco: Nah, your Kevin is too much of a weirdo, and this is coming from a guy who two of his friends are total nerds!

Donnie: Hey, sounds like me – except I can’t really stand Kevin.

Rocco: Which is why you tried to kill him when he was banged up, eh?

Donnie: Oh, I’m sorry, didn’t realized the fact that I got dragged into some war I never asked to be involved with was going to be scrutinized by some bizarre amalgamation of Biff Tannen and Chet from Weird Science!

Rocco: So, just walk away then, ain't nothing hold you back, right?

Donnie: Well, I’d like to, but now my wife who was basically forced into keeping a bunch of aliens loyal to some psycho politician who I never heard of before has some redepmtion desire, that and I want my daughter back as the little girl I know – not some future version whose also involved in this time war mess!

Rocco: Is she hot?

Donnie: Wait, what that does… you do realize in your timeline, she would be five, right?

Rocco: What?! You’re not secretly Chris Hansen are you?

Donnie: No! Ugh, this whole thing was a bigger mistake than first listening to Kevin!

Rocco: Well, it was either me or a bunch of chicks that my bro Darren is confused about and some freakin’ rabbit!

Donnie: Really? No other characters have been made yet?

Rocco: I’m sure there will be more bit players and minor characters, but yeah that’s all we got now.

Donnie: Hmm, sounds pretty sane and normal. Think I can come over here once our story gets finished?

Rocco: Sure, just bring the future version of your daughter too..

Donnie: (walks off and mutters)You know what? Forget it, I’ll take my chances back in whatever crazy thing I’m gonna get dragged into next. I’m done!

Rocco: Aw, come on, bro! You gotta chillax!

As the scene fades the black, Donnie is heard shouting "Call me back when Part Three gets going again!" Rocco then is heard saying "Gah! Stupid everything! Whose idea was this thing again! You suck, bro!"

Apocalypse Wow! vs Willowbend Tales - Because the voices in my head tell me it has to go down like this...

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales #2

2009-10-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

Scene opens once again in the same nondescript white room as previously seen. This time we see Kevin Brody on the left - wearing a hospital gown and at the moment sitting in a wheelchair. On the right side we see Phil Brookes, sitting in a director's chair and wearing a gray fedora.

Phil: Hi, I’m a Willowverser.

Kevin: And I’m a “Team Name To Be Determined”.

Phil: Really? You’re going with that?

Kevin: You know how hard it is to come up with a name for our little universe? Anyways, I’m Kevin Brody, assistant regional manager of Cargill AgriServices and general thorn in the side of wolves and the government.

Phil: And I’m Phil Brookes, retail monkey, film-maker, and co-founder of the Little Mosque on the Prairie slashfic fan site…

Kevin: (looking confused)Wait, what?

Phil: Just try and keep up, okay? So we’re both the best friends of our respectuve story’s main protagonist.

Kevin: And that seems to be where our similarities end. People think I’m a bit of a smart ass.

Phil: I *know* I am one and revel in that fact.

Kevin: I set up Dean with two women I knew.

Phil: Yeah, and how did that turn out?

Kevin: Well one botched his name but redeemed herself by apparently saving their asses from a zombie army. The other, not too sure yet, though all things point to it souring a little bit… which is more than I can say what you’ve done for Darren.

Phil: Hey, I keep him from going off the deep end and away from becoming an angry bitter drunk like his old man who he seems to resent every second – basically by having him try and live a Straight-Edge life…

Kevin: (sighs and smacks his palm of his hand into his face) Great, another one of you guys. Oh, and by the way, Joey Jeremiah called and he wants his hat back!

Phil: (shakes his fingers in a mocking fashion)Oooh, taking cheap shots at my look, eh? This coming from a guy who looks like he belongs in the loony bin!

Kevin: Well, sorry that I got roughed up by a combination of giant-assed alien shock troops, had my throat slashed by what I can assume is a parallel universe version of a woman I shot when she tortured me, nearly got strangled to death by a man who for some reason resents me, and to top it off, had by brain fried by a man who I’m pretty sure is some kind of demigod of all of time and space.

Phil: And yet you somehow found the wherewithal to rattle that rant off, eh?

Kevin: (pauses)Uh, I’d tell you how I was able to do so, but that would require people to read once our tale resumes, which should hopefully be very soon.

Phil: Around the same time Quentin Tarantino releases The Vega Brothers or Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair?

Kevin: That was a little harsh. Besides, the way things are going, things aren’t going to last that long anyways. Well, good luck getting yourself a sequel C.M. Chump!

Phil: (sarcastically) What a zinger! With such wit like that, maybe our writer just ran out of steam and forgot about you, which he hopefully won’t let that happen to us, right?

Both Kevin and Phil stare outwards as if they were looking at someone in particular. The scene fades with Kevin telling Phil "Corner Gas would have been a better choice.", to which Phil replies "Yeah, but Little Mosque is more sacrilegious and blasphemous." Kevin just then says, "Huh, good point..." as everything fades to black.

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales - at least it's better than TNA Impact!

Apocalypse Wow! vs Willowbend Tales #1

2009-10-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

Scene opens inside a nondescript white room, similar to the style of the "Mac vs. PC" commercials with a similar background piano-style music playing. In the room are two men, standing side by side. On the left side, is Dean Williams - one of the main protagonists in the Apocalypse Wow! series; on the right side is Darren Watson - central character in the upcoming Willowbend Tales. The two look at each other and slowly turn to face the off-scene camera. Darren is the first to speak...

Darren Watson: Hi, I’m Darren Watson.

Dean Williams: I’m Dean Williams.

Darren: I’m a Willowverser…

Dean: And I’m an Apocolypse… verser? We’ll need to work on a name that rolls off the tongue a lot easier. Anyways, I’m a representation of my creator.

Darren: Same here. I’m a freelance writer looking to do my first novel.

Dean: I’m a former retail monkey turned Hollywood screenwriter after basing a movie on events in my first novel.

Darren: Cheese'n'crackers! Holy Mary Sue Moment, Batman!

Dean: Hey, no way am I perfect! I got my own flaws that I try to deal with!

Darren: Okay, you got a family?

Dean: Yeah, a wife who more than likely hates my guts after a future version of my illegitmate daughter gave me a punch, and my own little girl who probably resents me too…

Darren: Um, wow! And here I thought I had women issues. I finally got over the one who got away and broke my heart, now I have to choose between a quirky holistic healer, a welfare mother, or the new girl in town who is torn between me and some British wanker.

Dean: And I’m the Mary Sue? Please! I suppose you get along well with your parents?

Darren: (deep sigh)Actually, been estranged from them for the last five years and finally came to terms with that, although thanks for opening up old wounds, asshole!

Dean: Whiny emo bitch! (pauses then continues)Of course, if I had that kind of closure, maybe I wouldn’t have had some of the burdens I have now.

Darren: And I guess sometimes not knowing could be the best way to cope as well.

Dean: Maybe we’re not so different, you and I.

Darren: Maybe not. You figure there’s room for two tortured soul writers with parental and women issues in our creator’s sphere.

Dean: Maybe. Wanna give this another go?

Darren: Sure.

Dean: I don’t come with young adult heartbreak…

Darren: … And I don’t have herpes.

Dean: Oh real mature! That was an ugly rumor and you know it!

Scene closes out

Apocalypse Wow! vs. Willowbend Tales - It's the first one, gimme a break... ;)

The Rise and Fall of Balloon Boy and The Bunnies From Dementia Five(or, more NaNo Preview Stuff!)

2009-10-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

I was going to comment on the now-revealed hoax of Balloon Boy, some poor child of an attention-seeking family from Colorado, but have now decided they deserve as much attention as the boil on my right ass cheek: not really bothering me yet, but may have to lance it and get on with life.

Anyways, in an attempt to flush out/develop my characters in the upcoming opus Willowbend Tales, a couple thoughts crossed my mind:

Do character vignettes ala Rocket Robin Hood (As seen here, here, and here.). Sadly, I lack time and resources to do something like this.
Something in the vein of Apple's smarmy "Mac vs. PC" ads, which inspired YouTube sensation "Marvel vs. DC" (example: Wolverine vs. Dr. Manhattan) Sadly, my action figure collection is not so diverse and would run into problems doing the female characters. (Not ALL of them can be Kate from Lost and Martha Jones from Doctor Who!). So yeah..
But then I realized I'm a writer dammit! Written words are used to create images. If you can't do that as a writer, well, you're kinda screwed... ;)

So yeah, coming within 24-48 hours: Apocalypse Wow! vs Willowbend Tales: Either One Writer's Own Entertaining Way To Develop New Characters And Refresh Old Ones, or the Biggest Ill-Advised Match-Up Since Mike Tyson vs. Secretariat. Stay tuned...

P.S. There is an easter egg in this post's title of something that will appear in the story when it begins. What will it be? Only one way to find out... ;)

A more detailed preview of "Willowbend Tales"

2009-10-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

Meet Darren Watson, a freelance writer in his early 30s. Beginning to write a novel called The Raven Effect – a novel which finds him coping with feeling of love and loss from his family and the one girl that got away – he now finds himself stuck in a love parallelogram. He begins to develop feelings for a girl named Emily, who the two had a “friends with benefits” arrangement; he also has an unrequited crush on Sally, a single mom in her early 40s with a questionable reputation, and then along comes Julia – a woman who he had an off-chance encounter in a bar in Edmonton, and all signs point to them being kindred spirits. If only he wasn’t seemingly competing for her heart with a British musician Liam.

Women aren’t Darren’s only problems. Living in Willowbend Apartments with his roommate Phil Brookes – a combination of smarmy and charming at the same time Straight-Edged filmmaker and confidant, the two of them aspire to open a book/video store in their home town of Vegreville once any of their big projects pays off. A bit of a recluse and misanthrope because of his past, Darren is also pestered by another friend named Rocco – a total musclehead training for mixed martial arts combat and womanizing cad – to live life to the fullest. And if that isn’t enough, Darren is plagued by surreal dreams involving his pet rabbit Mozart – who can talk in this subconscious state of mind and puts on elaborate musical numbers involving people from Darren’s past and present.

So, how will this all play out? Will Darren finally settle down and find true love? Or will he allow his past to drag him down? What roles will Phil and Rocco play in this tale? How many more characters will be profiled? And what other wacky shenanigans will occur? Only way to know for sure is to read Willowbend Tales – a possibly not-so original take on relationships and love in the modern world…

… with a talking rabbit.

Official Teaser for "Willowbend Tales"

2009-10-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

In 2007, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada got overrun by zombies and human/plant hybrids created by experimental nanotechnology from a shadowy government agency with access to potential alien technology…

In 2008, the same town sees a massive terror attack that left countless dead and the town’s main attraction blown up. Then the town is massacred by alien shock troops under the command of a megalomaniacal demigod who seemed intent on plunging the entire space-time continuum into utter chaos…

This year, the biggest challenge three men from this growing farm town in the middle of Alberta’s heartland will be dealing with normal life and the opposite sex…

… and a rabbit who has a love for all things musical…

… and a ferret, maybe… we’re still ironing out the details…

Willowbend Tales. Coming in November.

Blog Necromancy 2- Necromancy Harder (Or, the State of the Blog Address)

2009-10-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so after months of inactivity I realized I still had this thing on the internet where I can blabber on and on about various things. During this time I was busy moving, working, trying to have a normal life off the 'net. Too bad a lot of crazy shit happened during this time so it would be impossible to catch up with it all. So here's a summary of what will be the future of this blog. I know this may be some unwarranted self-importance territory, but screw it!

Infrequent postings will be a norm! - Yeah if I could I would sit on here 24/7 and make a lulzy comment everytime Obama sneezed or some celebrity kicks the bucket or a new internet meme is borne. But sadly I have this thing called a job and sometimes it keeps me away from this thing. So from this point on, I think I shall aim for quality not quantity. Don't worry, I am planning a "Year in Review" type series of posts in December because in November...
NaNoWriMo 2009 Project Revealed - Tentatively entitled "Willowbend Tales", this will be my project for the 2009 edition of National Novel Writing Month. Further details/preview will be forthcoming within the next few days. Which brings me to...
Blog content: more creative writing projects, less wacky stuff I've done before - Not meaning I'm bailing on the subtitled part of this blog, but I think the split is gonna be 60/40 in terms of the content being original/semi-original personal writing projects and typical blog postings. And on the subject of writing projects
Apocalypse Wow! 2! shall be finished within a few months! - Bascially, here's the sitch: November will be concentrating on "Willowbend Tales". After a self-imposed week break, I shall pick up where I left off last where with my epic tale (Thankfully still archived at this convenient link, It may take a while as I re-read what I wrote to get a feel of where I was going and how I intend to end it. Don't fret, your favorite characters may be making some cameos here soon, so stay tuned.

That's all I got for now. So yeah, big things will be poppin' and little things will be droppin'. Play me off, Keyboard Cat!

Blog Necromancy!

2009-10-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

Something interesting this way comes. Stay tuned for a completely self-indulgant post within 48 hours...

The First 15 days of '09 - Death, Awards, and the Slow End of an Era( and the rise of a new one...)

2009-01-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

Happy belated New Year, everyone! Although, those that still go by the Julian Calendar, the New Year begun yesterday - so welcome to 2009, ya crazy people! The rest of the civilized world has been in 2009 for the first 15 days. And if the first 15 days are any indication what the rest of the year is gonna be like, well, we're pretty boned!

"They've been fighting for thousands of years, what's another year or two?" - Yeah, so Israel is still continuing its attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, there is some outrage in the rest of the international communties, despite being potentially labeled as anti-Semites. Clearly there are two solutions: either let them just slug it out in a winner-takes-all death match, or we abolish all religions and embrace atheism. If option two is selected, consider this a preemptive warning: I'm not fighting ostrich-riding otters in an Atheist's world, okay?
"Care to see my Oscar and two Golden Globes?" - Yes, awards season kicked off with the Golden Globe Awards. No real big surprise winners as far as I could tell. Wall-E won for best animated film (Suck it, Igor!), some other movie I haven't heard of until now (Slumdog Millionaire) won the most awards for the night. Heath Ledger won for the role that pretty much killed him, Mickey Rourke won for best actor in a movie that hasn't been released nationally yet and my local movie store will get three copies of it while a bazillion copies of My Best Friend's Girl sit on the shelf, and Canadian Anna Paquin won like "Best Tits in a Premium Cable Show About Vampires" or something along those lines.
The Grim Reaper's been a busy lad - Some pretty high profile deaths have occurred so far. John Travolta's son Jett died from hitting his head in the shower after an apparent seizure. Part of me wants to grieve for the Travoltas, another part of me wants to go "LOL, $cientology!" since they were apparently using their kooky methods to treat this ailment. Ah well, his thetans are with Xenu now. Other deaths, caused by old age I think, include Patrick McGoohan (star of the short lived, yet classic show The Prisoner) and Ricardo Montalban (apparent great actor, will be best remembered by pop culture junkies for his roles on Fantasy Island and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan).
Speaking of other dead things... - George W. Bush's reign of incompentancy and evilness is about done. Talk about pissing away any goodwill and confidence in the American government since 9/11. Now with a looming recession, two different combat missions overseas, and that pesky Osama bin Laden possibly still alive if his latest trolling video is correct, ol' Dubaya sure is leaving quite the mess for the poor bastards movin' on up into the White House... which seguays nicely into:
Five more days, and Black Jesus is in control - Yep, in five days time, Barack Hussein Obama will be sworn in officially as the 44th president of the United States of America. While some people still might feel like those in the following scene from Blazing Saddles, these could be interesting times for the Americans.

That's all I got right now. Time to bounce on out, yo!

The 2nd Annual Lapsies. The Best of Both Worlds!

2008-12-31T18:31:00.001-08:00

Yes, it is that time again. 2008 is only a few hours away from being done. And with that in mind, I am doing the second annual Laspies. For those that are not in the know, it is just my own personal year-end awards to people who achieved fame and infamy in the previous year along with some top five lists of what I thought rocked tacos in the year. Last year when I did this I broke it into two parts. This year, I'm gonna mix it up and do both within one post. Why? 1) Because I ran out of time; 2)Because I can, that's why! Hopefully this will either kick ass or be worse than when they mixed up the format on the MTV Music Video Awards. So without further adieu:

THE 2ND ANNUAL LAPSIE AWARDS

Five Favorite Movies of the Year:

The Dark Knight
Wall-E
Iron Man
Tropic Thunder
Step Brothers

Five Movies I Need to See Yet:

Quantum of Solace
The Wrestler
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Pineapple Express

Concerts of the Year (aka the five concerts I went to all year...):

Foo Fighters
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Oasis
Sheryl Crow
The Austrailian Pink Floyd Show

Man of the Year: Barack Hussein Obama. Yes who would have thunk than the Americans would not only elect a black man to the Oval Office, but a man with such a divisive name. Unfortunately for Mister Hope and Change, he's getting the equivelent of a money pit house with a shitty economy and the whole Iraq boondoogle! Be well, Black Jesus!

Woman of the Year: Sarah Palin. Okay, so it was an obvious ploy by the Republicans to pander to women who felt slighted after Hilary Clinton lost out the Democratic bid for the presidency; okay, so she opened her mouth and pretty much sunk the entire McCain campaign; okay, she is pretty much a big joke now, but for one shining moment, Americans were close to having a woman in the presidency since my "John McCain is a Time Lord and would regenerate into David Tennant" theory panned out. Shine on, Moose Killa from Wasilla!

Albums of the Year:

Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV
Sam Roberts - Love at the End of the World
Metallica - Death Magnetic
McFly - Radio:ACTIVE
Guns'N'Roses - Chinese Democracy

Singles of the Year:

Foo Fighters - "Let It Die"
Rihanna - "Disturbia"
Britney Spears - "Womanizer"
Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl"
McFly - "One For The Radio"

Five Musical Acts I've Grown To Like and/or Just Learned of Their Awesomness:

Dropkick Murphys
Scissor Sisters
McFly
Paul Simon (Graceland is a wonderful album! Fuck you if you disagree! ;) )
The Monkees

Comeback of the Year: Britney Spears. Yep, who woulda thunk that this time last year we had a cross-dressing freak telling us to leave her alone and she was on everyone's death watch. Now she's back looking hot as ever and looks like she's put the past year of craziness behind her.

"Just Fucking Die Already!" Award: Amy Winehouse. For a while I dug that "Rehab" song. Then I heard Rihanna do a different version of a song using the same title for it and enjoyed it more. That and now it looks like she spent summer camp at Auschwitchz. Please just die already!

Five "WTF?!" Moments on Television:

Locke was "Casket Guy" on Lost.
Kizarny! Wizzho Izz Thizzink Izz Aizzn Eizzvil Carney. Aizzslo fizzrom wizzhat izz hizzeard hizze sizzucks izzn thizze rizzing sizzo izz eizzxpect hizzim tizzo bizze fizzutured eizzendevored izzn tizzhe nizzear fizzture.
The whole "Turn Left"/"The Stolen Earth"/"Journey's End" mini-arc from the fourth series of Doctor Who.
Spaghetti Cat
The whole Dwight/Angela/Andy love triangle on The Office.

Five Shows I'm Considering Picking Up To Watch:

Dexter
Mad Men
30 Rock
House
Fringe

Five Movies I Need to See Based on Their Trailers/Clips on YouTube:

Feuds of the Year:

Anonymous vs. The Church of $cientology
Rosie O'Donnell vs. The View
Oprah Winfrey vs OVER 9000 PENISES!!!
Israel vs. Hamas
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels

The "Chris Benoit Sick Fuck Memorial" Award: (three-way tie)"Greyhound Beheader"/"Satan Claus"/"3Guys1Hammer" Who could top last year's fake-fighter turned crazed murdered? How about a guy who lopped off someone's head on a Greyhound bus going to Winnpeg? Or a guy dressed as Santa Claus who kills himself after offing a bunch of loved ones? Or three guys who beat a whole bunch of people with a hammer. Whether they sung The Beatles' "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" or not doesn't mean they were not sick fucks indeed.

"LOL Politics~!" Award: Canada. Only in Canada could a minority Conservative government be nearly forced out of power by an alliance of left wing parties and a pro-Quebec independance party only six weeks after 30% of the country voted in a rather premature election. Then said alliance originally chose a leader who was a lame duck candidate only to be replaced by a guy who was parachuted into Canada two elections ago and hates Ukrainians apparently. I eagerly await the next general election in Feburary lest I have my way and overthrow this sham of a government and instill my will! ;)

Five Best YouTube Videoes of '08!:

Vampire Rankings:

Dracula
Blackula
Angel
Spike
Lestat

"I'm Too Old For This Shit!" Award: (three-way tie)Miley Cyrus/the High School Musical phenomenon/ the whole Twilight hype. I can't until Miley is legal and goes on a total Britney-esque skanky mode. Or for High School Musical: The College Years starring the fat girl, the black chick, and the fag with the hat (Since by this time Zac Efron will be all like "I was in Hairspray motherfuckers! I don't need this Mickey Mouse shit!", Vanessa Hudgens will have disgraced the Disney brand by posing in Playboy, Ashely Tisdale will be my trophy wife alongside Billie Piper, Salma Hayak, and Emily Deschanel in the New Canadian Order, and Corbin Bleu will be like "Sure, forget about the black guy! Fuck y'all!"). As for the Mormon fat chick who has violated her covenant with God, thus depriving her of endless celestial sex, well, you see my Vampire rankings, right? You see that Edward guy on there? Nu-uh...

Musical Rankings:

Hairspray
Oliver!
Pink Floyd: The Wall
Tommy
The Apple

Athelete of the Year: Michael Phelps. American swimmer who won like over 9000 gold medals at the Summer Games. Can't wait until he drowns his kids in the swimming pool in his yard and filets his wife...

Country of the Year: China. Between an awesome opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics and the constant poisoning of kids' toys, I for one look forward to being ruled by our slant-eyed overlords.

"Instant Karma!" Award": O.J. Simpson. Only in America can a guilty man of murder most foul be found innocent criminally, responsible for death civilly, and end up in jail for a long time for trying to forcefully retrieve precieved stolen property.

T.V. Shows That Have Suffered Since the Writer's Strike

Heroes
My Name is Earl
Heroes
Heroes
Heroes

Celebrity Crushes of '08:

Sarah Palin
Emily Deschanel
Billie Piper
Jenna Fischer
Katy Perry

"Don't you have better things to spend your money on?" Award: Darryl Katz. Oh, Darryl. You just had to buy the Oilers, eh? I intially supported your bid but still the Oilers suck ass! You don't see me bidding for the Maple Leafs, hmmm?

Now That Chinese Democracy has been released and the Americans elected a colored president, Five Things That Won't Happen in My Lifetime:

The Chicago Cubs win the World Series
The Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup
Canada elects a visible minority as Prime Minister
Duke Nukem Forever is released
Man colonizes on Mars. And I will be disappointed in lack of three-breasted women. (Confused? Watch Total Recall, fuckers!)

Matches of the Year (Worked and/or shoot)

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Coutour
Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra
Iraqi shoe thrower vs. George W. Bush
Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather
Israel vs. Hamas

Best Work-In-Progress Online Novel: Apocalypse Wow! 2! Electric Boogaloo. Look for an exclusive interview on this blog in the coming days. And by "exclusive", I mean "totally self-indulgent". ;)

That is all I have for this year! Happy 2009, y'all!

Five Better People To Be Prime Minister of Canada

2008-12-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

So, since the Liberals and the NDP are intent on ignoring the will of the people who didn't want them in the government position, might as well declare a free-for-all race for the Prime Minister's office like in that movie Rat Race. Without further ado, here it is:

A MOMENTARY LAPSE OF REASON'S FIVE BETTER CHOICES FOR PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA!

in no particular order:

1. George Washington - Freedom fighter/freak of nature

Pros: Kills for fun, fucks the shit out of bears, has like 30 goddamn dicks, makes love like an eagle falling from the sky, will eat opponent's brains.
Cons: American, won't save British children, invented cocaine, height is undetermined, made of radiation.

2. John Bradshaw Leyfield - fake fighter/legit businessman

Pros: Self-made millionaire, hates illegal immigrants, more than likely would kick opponents' asses.
Cons: Too conservative, would make Stephen Harper look like Mister Rogers, hates midgets, American.

3. Batman - pretty self explanatory there.

Pros: He's the goddamn Batman! What more do you want?
Cons: Bad dancer, American, not real, may have secret drug problem.

4. Jason Saxon - Apocalypse Wow! 2! villian.

Pros: Young, charismatic, able to unify a country in a crisis, outsources military to alien shock troops, resourceful.
Cons: True intentions not fully known, treads the line between everyday villainy and cartoonish supervillainy, country-unifying skills also suspect.

5. Me! - Aspiring writer/blogger/shit-disturbing monkey boy!

Pros: Canadian, not totally insane, has political aspirations, might be able to speak to the common man, self-described "poor man's Ralph Klein"
Cons: may get drunk with power, ideas include selling Quebec to France, revoking child labor laws, and using money from Quebec sale to buy Alaska and name Sarah Palin Queen of the North.

Now, don't any of these five choices sound better than what we got now?

Jesus, concentrate on writing a novel for a month and all hell breaks loose!

2008-12-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

The honorable member from the Mushroom Kingdom has the floor...

So here is what seemed to happen in Canada since I was busy with my NaNoWriMo project this year:

Back in October, 60% of eligible voters elected a Conservative minority government.
The world's economy is now in a recession.
The Americans elected Obama as president. What this has do with Canada, I'm not sure, but it is one of those "I thought I'd never live to see the day..." things that was up there with "Red Sox winning the World Series" and "Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy gets released".
Meanwhile, back in Canada, one of the solutions the government came up with to aide in the potential recession was to cut taxpayer's funding of all parties, and some other common sense spending cuts.
The opposition parties(Liberal, NDP, and the Bloc Quebecois) themselves got butthurt over this proposal and now are using the guise of "Waahh! The Conservatives aren't doing a huge socialist-style economic stimulus!" as an excuse to form a coalition to oust the minority ruling party.
The head of this proposed coalition? Stephane Dion, leader of the Liberals. The man who can barely speak English (and not in the charismatic good manner Jean Chretien used to either!), led his party to one of the worst loss of seats in recent history, and was being forced to step down because of such a poor showing in the October election. This is the man who this coalition wants to be prime minister? Think Capt. Picard here sums up my thought on that:

Truly, I am speechless. Suddenly I am liking the American-style two party electoral process better than our own mess here. I'll be back later with five potentially better candidates to run our country later today.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 24

2008-11-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: DECEMBER – SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL

Kevin Brody found himself tied up to a chair inside the office of Prime Minister Jason Saxon, or as the speech Kevin watched on a television now referred to Jason Saxon as Lord Protector of the North American Protectorate.
“… between the radical breakout of a suspect that would have brought all those responsible for the Vegreville Bombings of Twenty-Ten, the increased threats from a group calling themselves ‘The Angels of Mercy’, obviously maintaining order and safety within the rules has proven to be a failure.” Saxon said on the television. “Therefore, I am dissolving Parliament and the Government of Canada no longer will exist in its current fashion. In the coming weeks, I will appoint a new ruling committee for this the First Protectorate of North America, once our friends in the U.S. come along online. I will continue to keep us all safe and secure as your Lord Protector…”
The television was turned off by Claudia Daring, who was standing in the doorway. “Isn’t this a great moment in our history?” Claudia asked Kevin. “And in an odd way, we have you to thank for that.”
“What are you going on about, Barracuda Lips?” Kevin asked defiantly.
Claudia fumed at that unfortunate nickname She then went onto say “Well, thanks you to constantly being a thorn in Mister Saxon’s side all of this went down. This goes all the way back to you suing the government for being mistreated.”
“Oh, I’m sorry that my little lawsuit caused him grief, even though it may not have been as bad as being used as a punching bag for some demented cold hard bitch with anger management issues!” Kevin replied back sarcastically.
“Actually, Mister Saxon had forgiven you for the lawsuit, its destroying his property and having something he wants that now drives him.”
“And he responds by first trying to blow us all up and then has a replica of the same cold hard bitch slit my throat like a pig who leaves me for dead? Brilliant plan!” Kevin scoffed as Jason Saxon made his way into his office.
“In hindsight, you’re right.” Saxon said, replying back to Kevin’s mockery. “Obviously I didn’t think you were going to show, what with your problems with the Bellums. Would have made things easier in that regard.”
“Still don’t understand if you wanted us alive why you would go to great lengths to have us killed with everyone else on July Seventh,” Kevin stated.
“It was an oversight, but then once it was brought to my attention that you all got of there thanks to some powerful enemies of mine, I knew we had both a scapegoat for who to blame for the attack and that we would find you and have you lead me to the whereabouts of Project Looking Glass.” Saxon said
“Never heard of it,” Kevin said. “Though we came across something called the Gate of Osiris…”
Saxon’s eyes lit up at the mere mention of the Gate and then he looked at Kevin. “Really now. There is a term I haven’t heard for a long, long time.” Saxon said with delight. “And I suppose you know where it is, don’t you?”
“Maybe yes, maybe no.” Kevin said. “Before I even tell you anything more, I want to know who you exactly are.”
“And why is that?” Saxon asked.
“Because I want to know if you are exactly the man they all fear.” Kevin replied.
“You hear that?” Saxon said to Claudia Daring. “They’re afraid of me? Little ol’ me? I haven’t done anything to warrant their fear other than to explore the possibility of unlimited power, which I guess is a big no-no. You would figure for all their supposed omnipotence, gods would want that. Well, maybe this song will let you know who I may truly be.” Saxon said and then bellowed. “Sloane, come in here now!”
Sloane came into the room, carrying a karaoke machine and not looking impressed. “You got to be kidding me!” Sloane said coldly.
“Well, Agent White finally got on my nerves with his ‘I’m retired, dammit!’ spiel, so Agent Black took him out and capped him like Old Yeller.” Saxon laughed as he took the microphone and Sloane pressed “play” on the karaoke machine. The melody from the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy For The Devil” begun to play as Saxon moved and danced to the music before begging to belt out the words:

“Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste / I've been around for a long, long year / Stole many a man's soul and faith / And I was 'round when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain / Made damn sure that Pilate washed his hands and sealed his fate / Pleased to meet you / Hope you guess my name / But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game.”
Saxon paused and modified the next verse to suit his current status : “I stuck around Vegreville when I saw it was a time for a change / Killed Stephen Harper and his ministers, Obama screamed in vain/ I rode a tank, held a general's rank / When the Viisk rampaged and the bodies stank / Pleased to meet you / Hope you guess my name / But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game.
“I watched with glee while your kings and queens / Fought for ten decades for the Gods they made / I shouted out, ‘Who killed the Kennedys?’ /When after all, It was you and me / Let me please introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste / And I laid traps for troubadours, Who get killed before they reached Bombay / Pleased to meet you / Hope you guess my name / But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game.
Just as every cop is a criminal and all the sinners Saints / As heads is tails just call me Lucifer, 'Cause I'm in need of some restraint / So if you meet me, have some courtesy, have some sympathy, and some taste / Use all your well-learned politesse, or I'll lay your soul to waste, um yeah / Pleased to meet you / Hope you guess my name / But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game.”
Kevin shook his head in disbelief with Saxon’s little performance and glibly asked “So, you’re like a physical incarnation of the devil?”
Saxon motioned for Sloane to put the karaoke machine on pause. Saxon walked up to Kevin and bluntly said. “Please, the devil wishes he was me! I mean, all I had to do was scare an entire country to giving me near-absolute power and control of their lives. And to do so, I had to sacrifice a few thousand lives. And it took me nearly three years to do it all in. The devil had eons to put his plans into motion. Plus I did this with most of my true powers stifled until I came across this.” Saxon motioned for Claudia to bring forth the Lazarus Glove. “And I regained my immortality.”
“So is that the Glove of Midian?” Kevin asked.
“Well, aren’t you the clever one all of the sudden?” Saxon said. “Using terms and names only those a privileged few have known. Too bad, we could have been quite the team had you not embarrassed me over the mistakes of the old Section 31. Although in a way, I should thank you since the trial led me to read up on old projects that led me to rediscovering my own past.” Saxon said as he got ready to put the glove on, but was stopped short by Claudia Daring.
“Can’t I do this one please?” Claudia begged. “He was lousy in bed and keeps referring to me with that derogatory name.”
“You mean… this guy here? This is the guy?” Saxon said, doing a comical double take. “As much as I’m sure it would give you perverse joy in zapping out his existence, I think someone here is more deserving,” he said and then started looking at Sloane. “After all I need you to join us in immortality. Can’t keep pulling you out of any parallel universe when I choose to do so.”
Sloane coldly smiled as Jason Saxon placed the Lazarus Glove onto her hand. “Now this time, when we send you away, you stay away!” Sloane sternly said as she touched the forehead of Kevin Brody…

More pain. More confusion. More headaches.
That was what Karen Williams endured after another vision flashed before her. Nothing concrete came across, but it was enough for Karen to almost collapse to the floor from the pain in her head. Luckily, Dean Williams, Donnie, and Sarah Bellum were there to pick up Karen. The three of them escorted Karen into a chair. Donnie went to get something to drink for Karen as Dean and Sarah tended to Karen, who was wincing in pain and babbling somewhat incoherently.
“No… we must stand as one… no one can leave now…” Karen kept saying over and over.
“How long has this been going on?” Sarah asked Dean.
“Since she came out of her coma back in August.” Dean replied as he comforted and held Karen, so as to assure her things were okay.
“She’s been predicting dire doom and death for us all ever since,” Benny said, as he, Lucas, and Sullivan played “Risk”.
“Yes, thanks for reminding us, Benny!” Dean said sarcastically.
“Hey, just want that little factoid not to be forgotten!” Benny said, and then returning to the game, proclaimed. “Okay Lucas, I am going to attack Russia from the Ukraine…”
“… Seems like a poor strategy if you ask me.” Sullivan said,
“Please, it would be sweet revenge for a former Soviet state getting even with Mother Russia.” Benny said as he rolled the dice, only to reveal that his roll produced numbers lower than Lucas’ roll. “Aww, crap!” Benny lamented.
“No, we need to stay together!” Karen exclaimed, looking at Sarah.
“Wha-why do yo say that?” Sarah asked confused.
“You and Donnie are thinking about leaving all this behind now.” Karen said.
“We are?” Sarah once again asked, this time with Donnie returning with a cup of tea for Karen.
“We’re doing what now?” Donnie asked.
“Were we really leaving everyone here?” Sarah asked Donnie.
“Don’t let the hatch hit you on the ass on the way out, Donald.” Benny said as another roll of the dice turned into another victory for Lucas.
“You know, no never mind, it’s not worth it.” Donnie said. “I got what I want back and really see nothing worth fighting for anymore.”
“You do realize we’re still fugitives, right?” Dean asked
“That and with Jason Saxon pretty much becoming Big Brother, the second you appear, the two of you will be shot on sight.” Lucas chimed in.
“That and Kevin is now M.I.A.” Rachel added as she walked into the room. Ariel Brody-Toroshenko was also standing behind Donnie when she heard his previous claim. She decided to add in her two cents: “You son of a bitch!”
Donnie turned around and saw Ariel. Confused, Donnie told her “You knew the deal, the moment I got my family back, I wanted nothing more to do with all of this crazy shit!”
“So you just used us to get what you wanted, huh?” Ariel scoffed. “Well, let me tell you something. Remember when you decided to choke the life out of Kevin? A lot of people here wanted you gone from here. They wanted to punish you! But when Kevin made a more comprehensible speech shortly after his recovery, he chose not to press the matter any further. Whether you like to admit or not, you owe your life to him now! And now is not the time to return to your sniveling useless shell!”
“She’s right. We need to stay here.” Sarah said. “I’ve seen upfront what the Viisk are capable of. I know Jason Saxon’s intentions. I don’t want to run away from the lives I feel responsible for,”
“What are talking about, dear?” Donnie asked his wife.
“It’s complicated,” Sarah said. “All I know as long as Jason Saxon is in power, we will never be close to having a normal life again. We need to do what we can to fix as much of this as we can.”
Jericho walked into the room, accompanied by Megan and Molly. He walked in time to hear the end of Sarah’s impassioned speech.
“She’s right,” Jericho said. “Our work is only beginning. Kevin’s disappearance is part of a multiple timeline assault we have been working on to take out Jason Saxon one way or another. If he is in possession of the Glove of Midian, he knows that the glove is the only thing that could open the Gate of Osiris. And if he opens it, then who knows how much of anything will continue to exist.”
“Wait a minute. ‘Multiple timeline assault’?” Dean asked. “What does that mean?”
“Kevin Brody had volunteered to go into the future to learn more about Jason Saxon’s plans,” Megan said. “In exchange, four operatives from the year he has most likely gone to have agreed to come here to take the fight right here, right now.”
“These operatives are a special division. They are Cleaners, but are given permission to bend the rules of the Temporal Cold War Protocols. And now is the time to bring them forth.” Molly added.
Jericho added, “Ladies and gentlemen, may we introduce you all to The Angels of Mercy…”
Benny did a spit take “Excuse me? ‘The Angels of Mercy’? The same ones that been posting those pretentious videos on the internet?”
“Somewhat,” Jericho replied. “Those are only members that have chosen to take up the cause. Right here are the founding mothers, if you will…”
After Jericho’s dramatic pause, four women walked into the room. All four women wore matching brown trench coats. Three white women – one blonde, one reddish brown, and one brown haired - and one mulatto woman stood in front of everyone.
“I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen them all, and I’ll explain how this is all possible. But for now, let me reintroduce you to Willow Brody-Toroshenko…”
Benny and Lucas had a quiet conversation. “Is that, rave girl?” Benny asked Lucas, who was hyperventilating at an abnormal rate. It didn’t help matters that Willow recognized one of her many one nighters. “Hey, scrawny arms” she said innocently and blew a kiss towards Lucas, who fainted right on the spot.
“Sweet!” Benny said while laughing. “When Kevin finds out about this, I am so out of the dog house with him !”
“Yes remind me to tell Lucas to stay far away from my daughter from now on,” Ariel said.
Jericho went on with the introductions, pointing to the blonde woman next, “This is Hailey Bellum..”
Hailey squealed with delight as she ran towards Donnie and Sarah. “Oh my god! Mom! Dad! I’m so glad you’re all alive!”, Hailey exclaimed as she latched on a bear hug onto Donnie.
Jericho continued on, pointing out the brown-haired woman. “Faith Williams.”
Faith slowly walked forward and did a cordial handshake with her parents. “Mom, dad.” Faith said, but their reunion would be cut short as the mulatto woman lunged at Dean, punching him hard in the nose.
“Asshole! Why’d you give me up?!” the woman asked Dean, who was clutching his nose while blood trickled down his hand.”
“Ow! I think you broke it!” Dean exclaimed in pain,
‘What is she talking about?” Karen asked in confusion.
“Oh? So Mister Father of the Year never told you about his drunken rendezvous with my mom – Amy Benz?” the woman asked back.
“What?!” Karen said, while supporting Dean’s head she dropped him onto the floor with a disgusted look. “This had better been during my coma!” Karen stated as she stormed out in rage.
Jericho sighed and said “I guess by now you know this is Mercy Benz.”
Benny continued to laugh at everyone’s misfortune, but more so at Dean’s misfortune. However, the laughter stopped once Benny and Mercy locked eyes.
“You!” Mercy said, looking back at Benny. “You’re the one who got me stuck with this crapass name!”
“Oh shit!” Benny exclaimed as he jumped out of his chair and began to run away. Mercy took chase as Jericho hung his head in embarrassment. Willow leaned on Jericho’s shoulder as she cracked open a can of beer. After taking a drink from the can, Willow asked Jericho “Not exactly how you planned for our little family reunion to go down, huh?”
Jericho looked around and sighed. “Let’s just hope your father can be convincing enough to lure them into a false sense of security and victory. Otherwise, this will be all for naught.”

Author's note: just pretend the incidental music from Star Trek: The Next Generation that they played at the end of their cliff-hanger episodes. I would have had it here if I could have found it. And don't bother pointing out I'm using the "To Be Continued" title card from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine because I am fully aware of it... :-P

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 23

2008-11-30T19:54:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: NOVEMBER – NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER

Sarah Bellum sat alone in what could be best described as a makeshift prison cell. Sarah had gone from indentured servant to accused terrorist to bargaining chip over the last seventeen months. At least with her sitting in this cell, Sarah could no longer feel guilty over the Viisk and Jason Saxon’s victories. At least any of them after Sarah had spiked the napicin sulfite back in July. The nightmares continued for Sarah as she now laid upon a bed in her cell, not knowing in full what her fate will be. Will she be kept until whoever gives Jason Saxon this “Project Looking Glass”? Will she be finally executed as part of Jason Saxon’s promise to punish those responsible for the Vegreville Bombings? Or will she simply be left to rot in this cell, left with the guilt and memories of those butchered by the Viisk? Time would tell as Sarah simply sighed in exhaustion, unsure of what her fate would be.

On the outside of the building where Doctor Sarah Bellum was being kept prisoner, two Initiative soldiers stood guard. They quietly chattered amongst themselves until an unknown person walked towards them. The two guards saw the person, wearing a brown trench coat and a black ski mask.
“Remembrance Day!” the person said, the voice sounding gruff yet feminine. The two guards looked confused until the person whipped out what appeared to be a giant modified shotgun.
“No!” both guards screamed as the person fired upon the two of them. One shot, two shot. Both guards fell down dead as the person chuckled slightly and removed the mask to reveal Willow Brody-Toroshenko. She flipped her reddish-brown hair as she made her way to the gate. Securing a pass card from the two dead guards, Willow swiped one of them through a lock to open the gate. “Now, here’s hoping for some more fun.” Willow said as she made her way towards the main entrance of the building,

Dozens of blue coats marched in a hurry to the briefing room. Among them were Donnie Bellum and Ariel Brody-Toroshenko, both whom had been chomping at the bit waiting for a precise time of attack. From all indications, it appeared that they would be finally seeing an offensive mission. Everyone sat down and waited as Jericho and Kevin Brody made their way into the room and stood in front of everyone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a major attack. This will be a support mission.” Jericho said and continued on, “We recently learned that an unknown operative had initiated their own rescue mission of Doctor Sarah Bellum. That person is projected to succeed, but will be met with severe resistance on her way out. We had originally planned for ourselves to go in, but this recent act changed those plans slightly.”
“So we go and rescue Sarah and protect this unknown person?” Donnie asked.
“Sounds more like a trap to me.” Ariel pointed out.
“For what it’s worth, we have scoped out the situation. There appears to be nothing indicating it to be a trap.” Jericho said.
“And I will be accompanying you all on this mission,” Kevin said. “Like someone told me, time for me to quit feeling sorry for myself and take a stand,” he said looking directly at Ariel.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Jericho asked Kevin aside.
“More than anything,” Kevin replied. “Also it’ll cause some confusion among those of Saxon’s people who think I’ve been dead all this time.”
“Okay then,” Jericho said aside and then went back to address everyone else in the room. “All right, Kevin will be in command for this mission. Follow his orders as if they were coming from me. Once again, this is a support and rescue mission. The moment Doctor Bellum is safely in your possession, get out of there. Understood?”
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement and dispersed from the room. Donnie and Ariel both approached Kevin with the intent of confronting him.
“You’re not planning on playing hero with your current condition, are you?” Ariel asked with concern.
“I am going there solely as a support role. I intend for you two to lead the charge.” Kevin said to Ariel. “I am also going to make sure one of my major albatrosses gets removed,” he said looking at Donnie.
Donnie looked at Kevin and threatened him with “You better hope we get her out alive and in one piece, otherwise you will wish you didn’t come along at all.”
“I intend to do so, one way or another,” Kevin quietly snapped back.

Willow Brody-Toroshenko made her way through the hallways of the abandoned warehouse, keeping an eye open for any potential attackers. So far it was all quiet on all fronts. A little too quiet. Perhaps she should have kept one of the guards alive so they could take her to the exact spot where Sarah was being held. Too late now to dwell on that mistake. Again, Willow was a little suspicious of the lack of guards, until she came across another pair of Initiative guards standing in front of a door. Willow ducked behind a corner and removed a small incendiary device from her pocket. She discreetly threw it in the direction of the doorway where the guards stood. The guards looked on in confusion as the device went off and blew the guards up, along with the door. Sarah, who was asleep in that very room woke up and noticed the door was now missing and scorch marks were on the wall across the way. Confused, Sarah got up to look around and then found herself face-to-face with Willow, who she had met back in June.
“Let’s roll, doc!” Willow told Sarah.
“Why should I trust you?” Sarah asked with distrust. “Last time we met, you gave me that substance that caused more death than I can handle.”
“Yeah, I know,” Willow replied back. “I got the same amount of blood on my hands from that incident that you had. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want their deaths to be a complete waste. Plus, I’m offering you a sure way out,” Willow said as she reached into another pocket and pulled out a Chronometer, which she tossed over to Sarah. Sarah took the device with reservation and put it on her wrist.
“Great, now do you trust me?” Willow asked.
“If it means getting out of here, I’d probably go with the devil himself.” Sarah said as she walked out into the hallway.
“Close enough,” Willow said as she followed suit.

Willow and Sarah quietly made their way down the hall. Suddenly, Willow heard a series of footsteps coming from behind. Willow forced Sarah down a conveniently placed hallway and motioned for her to get down. Willow joined shortly after and in time as they noticed a legion of Viisks, marching down the hall in double file. Willow and Sarah remained motionless so as not attract the attention of the marching Viisks. When the last two were gone, Willow motioned all things were clear as she and Sarah continued their journey out of the warehouse, only to find out where the Viisk were heading – right into a combat situation with the Cleaners.
Willow and Sarah watched from a distance as the bluecoats and combined Viisk/Initiative troops exchanged gun and pulse blasts. “Huh, too bad we have to miss out on the fun,” Willow stated as she and Sarah tried to make their way undetected. Then two Viisks phased in front of the two ladies. Willow took one of the Viisks down with a roundhouse kick and was able to grab its pulse rifle, firing it at the other Viisk. Willow then shot the one she had taken down earlier and tossed the rifle to Sarah. “Hope you know how to fight, doc, because looks like we just got drafted,” Willow said
“I’m more of a pacifist”, Sarah said looking at the rifle and then at the ensuing battle on the main level. She looked at one of bluecoats, recognizing him as her husband Donnie. Feeling elated and overcome with joy, Sarah erroneously shouted out “Donnie!”
Donnie looked around, thinking he had heard his name. Then he noticed Sarah, standing on another floor. Donnie quickly looked for a way up there and saw a set of stairs that was heavily covered by Initiative troops. Like a man possessed, Donnie stormed towards the steps and fired away towards the Initiative troops.
“Donnie, get back here!” Ariel yelled out, which allow a Viisk to blindside her with an elbow to Ariel’s head. With Ariel dazed, the Viisk moved in for the kill, only to be shot in the back by Kevin, who hobbled over quickly as possible to ensure Ariel was alright.
“Took my eyes off the prize huh? Maybe I wasn’t ready after all,” Ariel said, groaning in pain.
“You’ve held out pretty well so far.” Kevin said as he looked into the direction Donnie was headed to. “I guess sometimes love makes us do foolish things, like hold back the ones we love, and running off to be a hero.”
Donnie made his way to the top where Willow and Sarah were standing. Sarah looked and saw Donnie standing at the top of the staircase. She quickly ran over and with tears in her eyes, leapt and embraced a man she thought she would never see again. The two of them kissed and held back tears, savoring in the moment they were together again.
“Let’s get out of here,” Sarah said, doing her best to not totally burst into tears.
“What about her?” Donnie asked, looking over at Willow.
“Ehh, I’ll be okay. You two lovebirds go on with and get it on,” Willow said as she took out a rifle and went to take a sniper’s position.
“Very well,” Donnie said. “Kevin? I got Sarah. Pull everyone out now!” Donnie said into a communication device as he and Sarah then phased out of the warehouse. The rest of the bluecoats followed suit, except for Kevin and Ariel, who did not get the complete message. One of the surviving Viisks snuck up from behind Kevin and Ariel and drew out a knife from its combat belt. Willow witnessed this from above and fired at the oncoming Viisk. Both Ariel and Kevin looked on in confusion, then realized they were all alone in the room. Ariel hit her Chronometer to phase out. Kevin would have done the same had someone not struck him from behind. Dazed and fading out, Kevin fell back, looked up and saw Jason Saxon and Sloane, clutching a shovel, standing over him.
“Why couldn’t you be a good little boy and stay dead?” Sloane asked and motioned with the shovel to further knock out Kevin. From above, Willow witnessed this all go down, but knew for once she was not to meddle in this part of the plan. After all, prematurely breaking out Sarah was enough damage for one day.

Back in the badlands, a joyous reunion occurred as Sarah was greeting with hugs and congratulations of enduring the past year and a half in the clutches of Jason Saxon. It was a bittersweet victory for all. Ariel did not partake in the celebrations, knowing Kevin did not make it out, even though from what he had told her in confidence it was part of a larger plan that was going ahead. It didn’t seem fair to her, from Ariel’s point of view, that she would lose Kevin so they could regain Sarah. Hopefully this plan that Kevin seems to have complete faith works out Ariel thought to herself, fighting back tears. Because I don’t feel like waiting twenty years to kick his ass for making me feel this way!

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 22

2008-11-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: OCTOBER – PERFECT SENSE, PART TWO

Donnie Bellum sat in a room, quietly reflecting on a picture he kept of Sarah, Hailey and himself. Sixteen months has been the longest time Donnie had been away from his family. Now here he was - daughter in protective custody and his wife a virtual prisoner for a crime she did not commit – fighting in a war he has no clue what exactly he is fighting for. Especially recently with Sarah being revealed as alive and any talk of freeing her kept falling on deaf ears. Just moments before this moment of reflection, Donnie was in a heated debate with Kevin Brody over any plans to go and rescue Sarah from the clutches of Jason Saxon.
“… Because a plan is slowly in motion. Anything we do now will jeopardize everything, including Sarah’s life!” Kevin had told Donnie.
“Well, everything has been going at a snail’s pace!” Donnie had protested. “When do we finally move more rapidly?”
“Very soon. We have rules to foll-“
“To hell with these ‘rules’!” Donnie had interrupted. “Maybe your wife is right! We need to say fuck to the rules and strike now!”
Kevin then got up and looked at Donnie. He quietly told him “Believe you me, if there was a way out of this that was a lot easier without dire consequences, I would have acted by now. In the meantime, if you want to make sure any of us will remain alive, you will be best to adhere to protocol.” Kevin then walked away as Donnie punched a wall in frustration. Donnie now had his hand wrapped in a bandage as he looked into the picture, sensing loss and was more resolved to make things right, despite things not going as he expected they would.

“It’s like we got lost in the shuffle or something like that,” Benny Carlson lamented.
“Who are you talking to exactly?” Lucas Goldstein asked to Benny, as the two of them were in the middle of a game of “Monopoly” with Sullivan.
“No one in particular, I think.” Benny answered back. “Sure you don’t want in on the action here Bones?” he asked, looking at Rachel Mills, who was engrossed in reading a particular file.
“That’s all right,” Rachel replied back. “Just reading something that we’ve all seemed to have lost focus on – that glove they mentioned the first time we came here. If what I read from the Section 31 files we procured back in April, it doesn’t look like it would be good news for anybody.”
“Explain yourself, Lucy!” Sullivan said as he moved his terrier game piece on the board.
“Well, from what I read, the glove – nicknamed ‘Project Lazarus’ – grants the wearer immortality. However, in order to do so, the wearer needs to absorb energy from the human cerebral cortex.” Rachel explained. “Also that the glove itself was one of the few projects that remained active after Project Looking Glass was decommissioned. In fact, one of the last two Section 31 agents in charge of looking after the Lazarus Project were… hmmm… Agents Black and White?”
“Wait a minute, the sexier version of Riggs and Murtaugh have this thing?” Benny asked.
“Quite possibly. I remember some of the projects and files were hijacked by those who worked on them as part of either self-preservation or for use in the private sector.” Rachel said.
“If I may ask, what does this glove look like?” Sullivan asked.
Rachel held up a picture of what was identified as the Lazarus Glove for everyone in the room to see. Sullivan’s face turned white with fear. “How did you find it?” he asked with a bit of a quiver in his voice.
Rachel replied, “Files were inconclusive on its exact date of discovery, but apparently it was found close… to where we are now.”
“I think we better show this to Jericho,” Sullivan added. “Not only would he be able to know for sure what it is, but if it is what it is, we’re all gonna be down Shit Creek with paddies.”
“Think you mean ‘up Shit Creek without a paddle,” Benny corrected Sullivan. “Either way, maybe Karen’s little prognostications of doom for us all are accurate.”

Jericho studied the picture of the Lazarus Glove and the same scared expression that Sullivan had earlier came across his face. “And you say it was discovered around the same time as your Section 31 found our Gate of Osiris and named it ‘Looking Glass’?” Jericho asked Rachel, who was joined by Benny, Lucas, and Sullivan.
“Everything indicates it being so.” Rachel answered.
“I guess it would make sense having the two together,” Jericho said as he put the picture down on a table. “Maybe the story was true after all.”
“Uh, what story?” Lucas asked.
Jericho looked at the four of them and began to speak “There was a legend among our people about a man that was one of the greatest men to ever serve on the Watchers’ Council. However, he became more and more obsessed with power and learning all the secrets of time and space. His obsession led to the very creation of the Corruptors and the first Temporal War. At the conclusion of the war, he was captured and put on trial as a war criminal. He was found guilty and sentenced to our most severe punishment – living out the remainder of his life as a mortal. Meanwhile, the Council realized that he really sought for control of all three objects – the Gate of Osiris, the Temporal Restoration Device, and the Glove of Midian – all three objects when combined would grant him total control over all the laws of time and space. So they chose the most logical solution and sent all three objects to a different time, hoping no one would ever learn of their true nature. One of the objects was destroyed by your Kevin Brody, the Restoration Device. We have the Gate, and now the Glove of Midian is the only one unaccounted for.”
“Well for all we know, the glove is among the govern… ment?” Rachel said with a dreadful pause.
“What do you mean?” Jericho asked.
“Two former agents of Section 31, apparently they now work for Jason Saxon.” Benny said.
“Then it is as bad as I thought it would be,” Jericho said. “When we first learned about Jason Saxon, we thought it was nothing more than a coincidence. Then as we learned more and more about him, we came to the conclusion that Jason Saxon was at one time – one of us.”
Rachel, Benny, and Lucas all had the same facial expression as they let out a collective “Huh?”
Jericho looked at them and went onto talk some more: “Some people on the Council feared that Jason Saxon could have been a reincarnated form of the man who sought too much power. Those same people feared that perhaps he had made his way into another time and retained some of his memories of power and would actively seek out the objects he needed to fulfill his self-appointed destiny. If he is in possession of the Glove of Midian, then more than likely he has regained his immortality. All this does now is confirm those fears and now we need a new plan of action.”
Kevin Brody walked into the same room, not hearing the whole speech. He asked at the drop off point in the conversation “What new plan of action?”
“Apparently Jason Saxon is a reincarnated demigod of time.” Benny matter of factly summarized to Kevin.
“Huh.” Kevin said. “That probably does change things, right?”
“Not necessary” Jericho said. “Kevin, stay here to discuss things with me. The rest of you can go,” Jericho said to Rachel, Benny, Lucas, and Sullivan. Kevin hobbled over to Jericho and asked him “So, is everything still going to go ahead according to plan?”
“Hard to say. Knowing now more about the true identity of Jason Saxon is going to make any plans of attack on him somewhat difficult.” Jericho answered. “But there is a contingency plan should our main plan backfire.”
“And what is that?” Kevin asked.
“In the event that neither one of us makes it out of our planned attack, the rules will need to be broken, but not by us. There is an elite team among the Cleaners and Watchers, a team that does not necessary adhere to the Temporal Cold War Protocols, but are nowhere near as evil as the Corruptors. Some of them have already begun a subtle attack on Jason Saxon, hoping to inspire an internal rebellion.” Jericho replied.
“And what is this elite group called?” Kevin asked.
Jericho answered “The Angels of Mercy.”

Apocakypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 21

2008-11-29T00:05:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: SEPTEMBER – COLD DAY IN THE SUN

Ariel Brody-Toroshenko found herself walking alone in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. She moved through the empty room, on alert and looking around as if she knew someone or something was watching her. Something was indeed watching her as two Viisks materialized in front of her. Ariel went on the attack, taking one of the Viisk down with a chop block. The second Viisk wrapped its arm around Ariel’s throat, only for her to counter the choke hold with a series of blows to the Viisk’s abdomen. The first Viisk came after Ariel with a machete-like knife. Ariel was able to wrestle the weapon out of its rhinoceros-like leathery skinned hand, and proceeded to slice the Viisk’s throat. The Viisk vaporized into thin air as the second Viisk lunged after Ariel, only to meet the business end of the knife in its abdomen. The second Viisk also dissipated into nothingness as Ariel turned around, panting in exhaustion. She noticed Kevin Brody making his way down onto the floor. Kevin gave a quick smile and nod of approval of Ariel’s effective way of taking down the two training holograms.
“Computer, reply Simulation Four C. Increase target numbers to four and difficulty by thirty percent,” Kevin instructed through an ear piece as four more Viisks materialized – forming a circle around Ariel.
“Huh, it’s gonna be like that?” Ariel said as she tuck and rolled out of the way of two charging Viisks. The other two came after Ariel, only to be stunned by a pair of rapid punches thrown by the feisty redhead. Ariel ran over and ducked behind a crate, only to find a well-placed rifle. Ariel took the rifle, aimed, and fired at all four of the Viisks. One of them disappeared before the other three were taken down with the rifle shots. The one Viisk reappeared behind Ariel and struck her in the back of the head. As the Viisk went for a finishing blow, Ariel threw a pen knife at a small intravenous tube that pumped the napicin sulfite through. The puncture caused the Viisk to convulse and dissipate. Ariel wiped a bead of sweat from her brow and looked at Kevin. She shouted to him “Is this the best you got to offer?!”
Kevin smirked and instructed the computer “Replay simulation. Only one target. Maximum difficulty.”
Ariel looked confused as another Viisk appeared and tossed her halfway across the room. Ariel stood up and looked dazed as the Viisk charged after her and the two of them grappled to the ground with Kevin watching along approvingly. The Viisk hip tossed Ariel onto the ground and tried to step on her neck, only to have Ariel block the attempt. Ariel proceeded to flip the Viisk onto the ground, but the Viisk quickly righted itself. The two of them then exchanged a series of punches and blows to their respective opponent’s bodies. However, the Viisk gained the upper hand once again by tossing Ariel into a pile of crates in the opposite corner of the room. Ariel groaned and winced in pain as the Viisk approached her, moving in for the kill. Ariel struggled to stand back up and was able to secure a piece of wood. She used the object to crack the head of her attacker and knocked the Viisk down to the ground. Sensing it was dazed, Ariel limped over and proceeded to bat away at the Viisk’s head – eventually kneeling down and punching the Viisk with her own fists. She continued the onslaught until Kevin concluded that he had seen enough. “Computer, freeze program.” Kevin instructed as the Viisk hologram froze in its position with Ariel continuing to pummel away. Kevin tapped Ariel on the shoulder as if to get her to relent on her attack, only to get greeted by an adrenaline-pumped flip from Ariel. Kevin landed on his bad leg and hip, still smarting from his own encounter with the Viisk fourteen months. Kevin winced in pain as Ariel rushed over to help him up.
“Jesus, you should have warned me before sneaking up on me like that!” Ariel chided her partner as Kevin used her shoulders as a makeshift crutch until Ariel handed him his cane.
“It’s all right,” Kevin grunted in discomfort as he shifted his weight off Ariel and onto his own cane. “Perhaps we have underestimated your combative skills after all.”
Ariel placed her hands on her hips after exhaling a deep breath. “Huh, if beating a bunch of holograms is proof I am combat ready, why is my idea of going on the offensive going way over everyone’s head?” she asked.
“There is a difference between being physically prepared and mentally prepared.” Kevin said as he slowly limped away.
“Bullshit!” Ariel fumed. “You know me better than anyone here and I think you’ve been holding me back on purpose!”
“I’ve just lost so much, I don’t know what I would do if I lost you next.” Kevin said sounding defeated emotionally.
Ariel slapped Kevin across the face and snapped “I told you before, enough of this self-pitying shit! You can’t put all of these burdens on your shoulders!”
Kevin sighed as he sat down, feeling the stinging welt from Ariel’s slap. “Perhaps so,” he lamented. “All I know very soon, something major is going to go down and we’re going on the offensive…”
“Well, great! Avengers assemble! What’s holding you back now?” Ariel asked.
“Karen is actually,” Kevin said. “Her and her damn visions. They believe she is acting as a conduit for the gate.”
“A conduit?! A conduit for what?”
“For everything that has existed, does exist, and will exist.”

Karen Williams sat outside in the cool October evening, watching the sun set down in the distance of the badlands of Alberta. Sitting in a yoga pose, Karen took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Listening to the Foo Fighters’ “Cold Day In The Sun”, Karen tried to focus more on the surrounding environment than anything that could flash before her eyes. Benny taught her a few relaxation techniques and had been serving as sort of a sensei and spiritual guide. Karen tried her best to apply the techniques handed down to her. Everything was calm…
Fire. Anguish. Defeat. In the sky, two suns were in the sunset. Jason Saxon stood victorious. Those visions came across Karen, who proceeded to scream and open her eyes. She breathed rapidly and clutched her forehead in agony.
“You okay, Kare Bear?” asked Dean Williams, who walked and appeared from behind. Dean had two cups of tea in his hand and offered one of them to Karen – who took it after dealing with the searing pain in her head.
“Mmm, thanks” Karen said as she took a sip of the tea after blowing on the contents of the cup to cool it off. “It’s just another headache. Maybe still suffering from the concussion. Maybe its these freakin’ visions. I don’t know anymore.”
Dean sat down beside Karen and wrapped his arms around her “Anything I can help with?” he asked.
“Unless you can find a way to take the pain out of my head, just being here is good enough.” Karen said, snuggling into Dean.
“Well, if I did, think all the coats here would freak out. Jericho thinks that gate thingee is using you to transmit pieces of the future.”
“Great. Probably not helping everything I’ve seen so far doesn’t indicate a happy ending for any of us.”
“Well, if what Jericho has told us, the future is not fully set in stone. There are different factors that could easily change the outcome. It’s just knowing which is the right way to go.”
“Sure a difference from that whole ‘free will’ speech he gave us when we first met,” Karen sighed.
“I think it all changed when we found this Gate of Osiris.” Dean added. “They’re very insistent in keeping it protected by any means now. Even if..”
“Please don’t say it…” Karen interrupted Dean, knowing for sure the sentence would end with “We all die in its defense.”
“I won’t then.” Dean said, now trying to think of something to change the conversation. “So, these visions, have you seen anything from the past?” he asked almost nervously
“It’s hard to say,” Karen replied. “So many things flash before my mind it’s hard to pick out every single detail. Only it seems the more dreadful ones stick around.”
“Huh.” Dean said, almost breathing a sigh of relief as if to know that Karen hadn’t found out about his and Amy’s drunken night of debauchery. At least until Karen asked “What happened to Amy?”
Dean just about spit out his recent sip of tea and nervously asked back “What do you mean?”
Karen answered “Well, I asked Benny and he totally clammed up on me on that subject. Rachel’s got her nose buried in those old files, and I can’t make sense what is up with Kevin, Donnie, and Ariel. So hopefully you can tell me what happened to her.”
“Amy died as a result of giving birth,” Dean said, covering up though the fact that the child was his. “She had a very beautiful girl…”
“Mercy?” Karen asked.
“How did you know?” Dean asked back.
“One of my visions. That name was said a lot. A black woman appeared with that name surrounding her. Does that even make sense?”
“I’m not too much into understanding stuff like that, not since all those old people came here spouting off nonsensical rhetoric about feeding sausages to a dragon and breaking the chain.”
“Wait a minute. What was that last one again?” Karen asked.
“A lot of them mentioned something about breaking the chain in the present,” Dean said,
“The chain cannot be broken in the past or the future, but in the present…” Karen said quietly.
“What?”
“I remember that from somewhere before. Any idea what it could all mean?”
Karen looked straight into the setting sun, somewhat frightened from her previous vision. She then said to Dean, while staring into the horizon. “Think it means we need to do some research of our own.”
“Thank god, here I was thinking I lost my place in all of this.” Dean said with a huge sigh of relief.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! - Part 2, Chapter 20

2008-11-26T22:52:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

The following is a work of fiction. Any real names, real events, non-original content, or likeness of celebrities are used in a fictitious and parodic manner. All other character names and events are fictional and any resemblance of real names or events are purely coincidental.

CHAPTER TWENTY: AUGUST – AWAKENING

A bright light shone into the eyes of Doctor Sarah Bellum, who found herself bound and tied to a chair in what could be best described as an interrogation room. Two Initiative troops and two Viisks entered the room, and were followed by Jason Saxon, Claudia Daring, and Sloane.
“She’s given us the location of your precious looking glass, why don’t we just storm in and take it?” Sloane asked Jason Saxon.
“Well now that wouldn’t be very sporting of us, would it?” Saxon asked back. “Besides the way I see it, someone has something I want,” he said as he looked at Sarah’s face - swollen and battered from a more recent altercation between her and Sloane. “And we have something they may want back.”
“Do we even know the rest of them are still alive?” Claudia Daring asked, motioning for a couple of underlings to touch up some of the bruises on Sarah’s face
“Hopefully we’ll find out soon once our little production is done here.” Saxon said while pantomiming a frame around Sarah’s head. “Perfect!” he exclaimed. “Now I assume everything is set up accordingly?”
“I brought my little bag of tricks as per your instructions,” Claudia said and smiled as he opened a small bag containing syringes and various bottles of sedatives and medications. “The script is all ready and being programmed into the teleprompter as we speak.”
“Excellent!” Saxon exclaimed as he stood behind Sarah. “Now, my dear doctor. All you have to is read what comes across that screen there and hopefully it gets across to whomever has my Looking Glass and the sooner they give me what is rightfully mine the sooner you can go home to your husband and daughter. They refuse to cooperate, well, we all know what the consequences are that one, right?”
Sarah spat in Saxon’s face and bluntly told him “Go to hell! You ruined my mother, you killed my father, and you threatened to further hurt the ones I love! The sooner this is done the better. I want nothing more to do with this!”
Sloane moved in, hoping to slap Sarah for her insolence, but was stopped short by Jason Saxon. “Relax, she needed little outburst,” Saxon said, wiping the spit off his face. “Now with that out of the way, places people, it’s showtime!”

Karen Williams walked through a field of wheat, holding the hand of her daughter Faith. The sun was very bright and shone down on the two of them as they made their way through the field, with the wheat as tall as the two year old girl.
“I can’t see, mommy” Faith whined.
“Here ya go, sunshine,” Karen said, picking Faith up and holding her safely in the comfort of Karen’s arms. The two of them saw a tree in the distance and walked towards it. As the two of them came closer, they saw Hailey Bellum – as a teenage girl – sitting on a swing being pushed by Jericho.
“He’s going to teach me all about being a Watcher,” the teenage Hailey said beaming with pride.
“In due time, girl. In due time,” Jericho said.
“Where is everybody else?” Karen asked the two of them.
“Over there,” Hailey pointed into the distance as Karen now found herself standing alone no longer in the wheat field, but now in a cemetery. Karen made her way towards a gathering of grey and blue coats standing around some freshly dug graves. Most of them ignored Karen as she made her way through them and read the markers for each plot
Dean Williams. Donald Bellum. Sarah Bellum. Amy Benz. Ariel Brody-Toroshenko. Kevin Brody. Six names. Six graves.
“We did all we could,” an adult version of Faith said to Karen.
“We are sorry for your loss,” Jericho said with a heavy heart.
“Why do I get to live?” Karen said, as she begun to cry.
Ryan Jeffries and Penny Fields approached Karen from her front. Penny said, “Do not let their sacrifices be in vain like mine seemed to be.”
Ryan added, “There is a way to make sure this does not happen.”
“How? Tell me!” Karen begged as everyone around her begun to say “Break the chain in the present..”

… A gasp of air. The first one in nearly thirteen months. Her eyes opened with a quick jolt once she inhaled and exhaled on her own. The lights were bright as she weakly moved her arm to try to shield the light. Karen Williams struggled to move, her limbs more than likely atrophied from a year of inactivity. But she was finally awake, awake and ready to see how much had changed in the year since she was gone. Karen turned her head to look around. She noticed her husband Dean asleep beside her. Quietly, she spoke to him. “Dean? Wakey wakey!”, she said as she gently squeezed his hand. The same hand he had used to hold her during her comatose state.
Dean woke up dazed and confused. He noticed Karen - eyes opened, looking at him, and smiling. “Please tell me this is not another dream,” he said nervously.
“Only if you tell me the same,” Karen replied weakly and gave a smile that assured Dean that this was no dream. Dean also smiled and swelled with tears of relief and joy that Karen was awake finally. Maybe now things could return to normal was what Dean was thinking as he embraced his now conscious wife.

Dean Williams left the room excited and elated as he made his way to tell everyone the good news about Karen. Dean came into a room where Benny, Rachel, Lucas, and Ariel were gathered around a computer monitor. All four of them looked rather grim and defeated.
“Hey great news! Karen’s finally awake!” Dean exclaimed to the four of them, who stared blankly at him. “Didn’t you hear me?” Dean asked, confused as to why none of them seemed to share the same joy he did.
“Think you should watch this,” Rachel said as she turned the monitor to face Dean. On the monitor was a video, showing Sarah Bellum, looking beaten and sounding monotone as if she had been heavily drugged. Dean heard an unknown male voice in the middle of a question: “… tell us your name again”
“My name is Doctor Sarah Bellum, head of the Alberta Research Council.” Sarah said in a trancelike tone.
The male voice then asked “Do you know why you are here?”
Sarah answered back “I am here because I am guilty upon the charge of conspiring to commit an act of terror on the nation of Canada.”
“Can we consider this a confession?” the voice asked.
“Yes. I, Sarah Bellum, do confess that on July Seventh, two thousand and ten, I acted with a group of individuals who did willfully commit an attack that saw the deaths of hundreds of innocent Canadian citizens, among them the late prime minister.” Sarah said.
“Who were you co-conspirators?” the voice asked and stopped as Rachel put the video on pause. Dean’s jaw dropped and he asked “Does Donnie know about this?”
Kevin Brody walked into the room flanked by Jericho and Sullivan. “No, not yet. He will see it though soon and we hope he doesn’t overreact,” said Kevin.
“Overreact? His wife looked drugged up and beaten! How do you expect him to react?” Dean protested.
“Hopefully within reason. This is obviously a trap.” Kevin lamented.
“What do you mean, boss?” Benny asked.
“We believe that somehow Jason Saxon has learned the locale of the Gate of Osiris.” Jericho replied. “We feel that he is using her as bait for us to give out the definite location so he can seize it for himself.”
“So, we just hop in, get Sarah out of there and hop out. No harm, no foul, right?” Ariel asked, hoping for a fight.
“Not as simple. If this Jason Saxon is aligned with the Corruptors, they could easily trace us down and bring the fight here.” Sullivan said.
“And with the Viisk on their side, it could be a costly battle for us to engage in.” Kevin added. “A fight we are not really prepared to fight…”
“Fuck that!” Ariel exclaimed. “I say we’ve been on the defensive side of this war way too much. Let’s go on the offense for once!”
Kevin sighed and said “It’s not that simple. We need to adhere to certain rules and proto…”
“Again, fuck that! You think Jason Saxon is sitting around thinking about rules and protocols? He sends those monsters anywhere to do his bidding! He gets to drug and beat down Sarah! He probably knows what really happened one year ago! You think he and his goons sit around debating about whether or not to strike?” Ariel took a breath after her rant and then stormed out. Kevin hobbled after her as Jericho simply sighed, as if he had a sense of déjà vu. Then everyone turned in shock as Karen Williams, being assisted by a couple of medical staff in her moving, softly said, “Caution is the best way to go. I saw things. Horrible things. Hopelessness.”
Dean walked over to his wife and wrapped his arm around her. He asked her “What are you talking about, Kare Bear?”
“Before waking up, I was in this place. All I left with was the knowledge that very bad things are going to happen. And there isn’t a thing we can do about it no matter what our actions are.” Karen said as Dean helped her move around.
“What do you mean?” Dean asked again.
Karen looked at everyone and said with a heaviness in her voice “We’re all going to die.”

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 19

2008-11-25T23:05:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER NINETEEN: JULY – ONE YEAR LATER…

Jason Saxon adjusted his tie while looking in the mirror. Today was a very important day for him. Today marks the one year anniversary of Jason Saxon’s ascension into the position of Prime Minister of Canada. A lot has happened since he had taken office: Canada flexed its new military muscle in hotspots across the world thanks in part to the Viisk. The Viisk and the Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative kept Canada safe and secure ever since the Vegreville Bombings of July 7th 2010, and people have been grateful for it despite having a lot of freedoms suspended until the culprits could be successfully captured and brought to justice. But now was not the time to worry about it. July 1st saw the celebration of Canada Day, and one week afterwards would be the first ever “Jason Saxon Appreciation Week”. The first day of such a week was today and to kick it off Jason Saxon was getting ready to make a “one year later” speech highlighting all the great things he had accomplished. The speech was to be broadcasted across the nation. A makeup artist made sure Saxon’s face was looking perfect before stepping out to address his nation. She simply shook her head in disbelief that a man who serenaded her with a rousing rendition of Kylie Minogue’s “Step Back In Time” is responsible for running an entire country.
Jason Saxon walked down the hallway as dozens of staffers and interns wished him well. Saxon made his way into a studio room where he was set to address the nation. More staffers prepped the desk and got the cameras ready for broadcast. Saxon sat behind a desk as a cameraman motioned they would be going live in sixty seconds. A makeup artist quickly made sure Jason Saxon’s face was looking as perfect as ever. Thirty seconds to go, someone handed Saxon his speech. Everyone else cleared out of the scene as Jason Saxon was now set to go live in ten, nine, eight…
“Good evening my fellow Canadians,” Saxon begun with a smile and warm introduction. “It has indeed been a roller coaster ride over the last year for our nation as a whole. As we look back upon the events of the last year, we as a nation have seen significant changes. A lot of those changes came because of the events of July Seventh of last year, but now one year later we can look back and realize that we have not let the thousands who died that day in Vegreville, Alberta die in vain. Since that fateful day, our Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative has successfully stopped any and all other attempts of terror on our home soil. We have boosted our own military strength thanks in part of our alliance with the Viisk. Thanks to them, casualty rates among our brave men and women is significantly down and we have made major in-roads in our conflicts in Iran and Afghanistan. We have stepped up our role as defenders against terror and tyranny and in a few short weeks, an new era of cooperation will begin between Canada and our neighbors to the south – the United States. An era where we will now be the forerunners of all military and foreign policy. For the first time in history, the U.S. will be following Canada in a bold new direction and we will be proud to say for once that the Americans will be the ones taking a back seat to Canada as…” Saxon paused as he noticed a television monitor carrying his speech had gone to static. One of the producers approached Saxon and told him “We lost the feed, sir.”
“Well, get it back!” Saxon ordered the producer.
“We’re trying to but someone or something has overrode the signal,” the producer added.
“Well, who would do such a thing?” Saxon asked as he looked at the monitor and saw the static fade out and then a clip from the classic video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” showed up on the television set. Saxon and the producer looked on in confusion as the video faded out and faded into another scene with an unknown person, dressed in a black robe and wearing a red-colored version of a Guy Fawkes mask. The person begun to speak through an obvious digital voice box so as to disguise his or her own voice.
“We are The Angels of Mercy,” the voice started off with and continued. “One year ago, Jason Saxon invoked our name in a series of alleged terror attacks in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. We never existed at all during that time yet over and over Mister Saxon abused the name so as to scare you all into submission. Now that one year has passed, the real perpetrators of July Seventh have yet to be identified and captured. Instead, you have all blindly accepted him as your new leader and a man who will keep you safe. But what has Saxon’s safety cost us as a nation? We have had our basic rights suspended and lost our sovereignty by allowing the Viisk walk alongside our troops, in essence fighting our battles. The choice is back into your hands, Canada. Rise up, make a stand, and let Jason Saxon know we are mad as hell and we won’t take it any more. We are The Angels of Mercy. We will never give you up. We will never let you down. Expect us, any where, any time, and any place.”
The screen went blank. Jason Saxon turned around and looked at two men in black trench coats. “Find out where this signal came from and have them dealt with. By any means!” Saxon ordered the two blackcoats. “Nobody cuts into my airtime and gets away with it!”

Vegreville, Alberta was mostly quiet on the anniversary of its disaster from one year ago. It remained quiet until dozens of armored personnel carriers pulled into the town. From each vehicle, Initiative troops and Viisk troops emerged and stormed onto the streets of the quiet prairie Alberta town. A jeep drove into the scene, carrying Sloane and two other human Initiative troops. “Spread out the search area!” Sloane barked. “Latest intel points to the broadcast interruption originated here!” she said, looking at a row of houses that the Viisk and Initiative troops moved in on and cleared out its occupants. Two Initiative soldiers entered the house as the occupants were held by gunpoint by the Viisk. The Initiative soldiers popped out of the house and indicated that it was all clear, and for the Viisk to allow the residents to return to their homes. However the Viisk, for reasons unknown, attacked and killed the residents. Incidents like this one became a common theme in Vegreville, more and more innocent people were wrongfully killed by the Viisk, despite not being given orders to do so. Concerned, Sloane spoke into her earpiece and asked “What is going on here?”
An unknown male voice answered back “Something has gone wrong so it seems. This happened once before, someone contaminated a supply of napicin and the Viisk resorted to a primitive…”
“How do I stop them?” Sloane screamed back.
“Unfortunately, these Viisks will have to be killed off. Order the human Initiative troops to execute Emergency Protocol Seventeen.”
“Right.” Sloane said into her earpiece. Then she commanded “Execute Emergency Protocol Seventeen!” The Initiative troops recognized the command immediately and all quickly activated a special switch on their guns and then fired upon the Viisk. A giant battle broke out as the Viisk fought back against the same Initiative troops that they were once aligned with. It would take a while and heavy casualty rates, but the task was completed. Fuming, Sloane looked around and kicked a deceased Viisk corpse. “Contamination, eh?” Sloan said, feeling like she knew who was responsible for this incident as she tapped a device strapped to her upper arm.

Doctor Sarah Bellum watched with a heavy heart the coverage of the carnage in Vegreville on one of the few independent stations that haven’t been bought into Jason Saxon’s propaganda machine. If only that stranger had told her this would happen, Sarah would not have gone ahead with the plan. Now this was the last thing Sarah needed: more innocent blood on her conscience, despite it meaning there would be no victory ritual tonight. The only thing Sarah hoped for now is that it won’t be traced back to her. Sarah’s hopes were quickly dashed as Sloane appeared in her office and violently slapped Sarah to the floor.
“You belligerent cunt!” Sloane yelled at Sarah, who tried to get up but was quickly knocked down to the floor again. Sloane threw herself on top of Sarah and began strangling her. As Sarah gagged and gasped for air, Sloane taunted her some more and yelled “You thought you would be so clever, huh?! Poison the Viisk and you thought we would let you go? Just give me one good reason why I should let you live now? Because you sure as hell haven’t done anything lately to prove your worthiness to our cause!”
As Sarah could feel her very life being squeezed out of her by an irate Sloane, she remembered something else that Willow had handed to her. That piece of paper. But Sarah was told to only use it if her life was in danger. Guess no better time than the present. Hopefully her claim will get through Sloane before the forceful grip she had on Sarah’s neck caused it to snap.
“Because I know where Project Looking Glass is finally located!” Sarah screamed in between gags. Sloane let off her attack and stood up. “Really?” Sloane asked.
Sarah coughed and wheezed to get her breath back. “Yes. Kill me now and you lose your only link to it. Is that something you want to take back to Mister Saxon?”
Sloane pulled Sarah back up, only to force her up against the wall. “Well then, guess just about ending your life was the way to go,” Sloane said. “But know this: I don’t give second chances to anyone ever. You foul this up, it will be the end for you!”
Sarah sheepishly nodded in agreement, despite her neck sore from having it squeezed to near death.

Willow Brody-Toroshenko walked through the now quiet streets of Vegreville. A town that was earlier drowning in screams of people dying and gunfire raining down now fell silent. Viisk, Initiative, civilian population, all lied down dead. Willow sat on a park bench on the main street of Vegreville. She cracked open a bottle of beer and took a sip from it as she looked around the carnage that was spread among the street. Jericho then appeared standing behind the same bench and placed his hand on Willow’s shoulder as to get her attention.
“Was it worth it?” asked Jericho.
Willow took another swig from the bottle and scoffed at Jericho’s question. “I suppose you’re going to tell me you could have stopped all this from happening, right?”
“Well, we could have. But this was all you this time.”
“What are you talking about?” Willow asked as she chugged the remainder of the beer and threw the bottle to the ground.
“We know you handed a vial of ‘Blackout’ to Doctor Bellum so she could try and poison the napicin supply. After we specifically told you doing so would result in this.” Jericho replied back.
“No no no, you’re not going to pin this on me! I never told the doc what would happen, this is her fault! She is the one who needs to deal with this!” Willow said, almost in tears and hysterics. Willow then tripped on a human body and fell to the ground. She found herself face to face with the dead. Willow looked into the eyes of a petite dark blonde/reddish haired woman. Willow screamed in terror and jumped back up in fear.
“Think about it. That could have easily been your mother there on the ground,” Jericho cautioned a now in tears Willow, who turned around and faced Jericho. Willow charged after Jericho and proceeded to beat her fists into his chest in frustration.
“You son of a bitch! You allowed them to all die! You allowed my mom to die! Why won’t you do anything?!” Willow screamed and cried in anger. “Why are you doing this to me?!”
“It… wasn’t all my idea,” Jericho sighed. “The Council was willing to terminate you unless you learned to control your use of this gift we’ve given you. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want you to learn this way.”
“You could have easily stopped me! I could have not done it!” Willow said in tears.
“I may have been able to, but what would stop you from interfering again? I had to this… this act of… tough love.”
“This isn’t love! This is torture! Why?!” Willow cried out as she clung onto Jericho, who awkwardly tried to calm her down to no avail. A familiar voice then chimed in. “We’ll take it from here.” Jericho looked and saw Faith Williams and Hailey Bellum, both in their early twenties and both wearing the same brown trench coat Willow had adopted as her own style. The two of them kneeled beside Willow, still sobbing away.
“Oh my god! What did you do, Jerry?” Hailey asked Jericho.
Jericho sighed in frustration in regards to Hailey’s pet name for him. “I did what I was told to do. I had no choice, the Council was about to terminate her along with the rest of you.”
“You told us we’re important in the upcoming battles, yet you were willing to sacrifice her?” Faith asked as she pulled Willow close into her body as to comfort the shaken mental state of Willow.
“I wish I could tell you more, but I told everything I could to Willow and now look at her,” Jericho said trying to justify his actions. “Maybe now we’ll have finally gotten through to her…”
“… But at what cost?” Faith asked back, looking at Willow.
“Where’s Mercy?” Willow asked quietly and in between sobs.
“You know little sister – not a big fan of emotional melodrama like this.” Faith said and let out a little laugh so as to calm Willow down, who also let out a little chuckle.
“Please, for the good of the upcoming days, keep a tab on the two of them.” Jericho said to Faith and Hailey, who picked up Willow and phased out of the scene. Jericho looked around and sighed at the results of what his act of tough love had resulted in. “I sure hope we did the right thing here,” Jericho said.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! - Part 2, Chapter 18

2008-11-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: JUNE – VISITORS AND INTERLOPERS

Dean Williams sat on the beach of a mountain lake. The sun was setting and the waves of the lake gently crashed back and forth. He was also holding baby Mercy in his arms, gently singing to her. Dean then sat Mercy on his knee so the infant can watch the setting sun. Ryan Jeffries then showed up and sat beside Dean.
“Hey Ryan, how’s it going?” Dean asked as Mercy fussed until Dean cradled her in his arms again.
“All right I guess. Bumped into Amy recently. She told me that she’s shocked that you’re actually doing something with the child since you ignored her all those times.” Ryan said back.
“Well you know why that went down the way it did,” Dean said defensively.
“Yeah, but still, doesn’t fully explain why you now show an interest in her.”
“She’s the only thing that is still here that can keep me relatively sane. Karen may never wake from her coma and god knows when I’ll see Faith again. Hell, she may barely remember who I am.”
“But she may wonder why her little sister has different color skin…” Ryan said.
Dean interrupted “… What? We adopted her. You think Shiloh asks Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie why she has a bunch of black brothers?”
“Possibly. Don’t know. Never really pay attention to them.”
“I thought you could see everything?” Dean asked.
“No, you’re thinking about Santa Clause,” Ryan replied back with a deadpan manner. “You do realize you’re going to have to give her up soon, right?” Ryan stated to Dean while looking at Mercy, who was now peacefully asleep in Dean’s arms.
“Why is that?” Dean asked.
“Because the powers that be want it to go down like that, yo.” Ryan said
“You know I’m getting rather pissed at these powers that be!” Dean said with frustration.
“Well, did they make you fuck Amy?”
“No.”
“Did they make you and Karen try and rescue Kevin?”
“No.”
“Did they allow Amy to die?”
“No.”
“See, you’re angry at the wrong entity. You should maybe talk to someone else and air your grievances.” Ryan suggested.
“And who do you suggest?” Dean asked.

Dean Williams then woke up in the same situation he was in the many times this had occurred: asleep in a chair holding onto Karen’s comatose hand. Now his surroundings have changed since everything was relocated to the bottom of the badlands of Alberta. Now they were protecting the Gate of Osiris from Jason Saxon. None of this made sense to Dean, who still remained in a daze caused by his continual abuse of anti-anxiety medication. Dean wiped some drool that dribbled onto his chin as he looked around the room. It was slowly coming to one year when everything changed in his life. And to think he had it all before then. Now here he is, wife is in a coma, both of his daughters – illegitimate and legitimate – are gone now, and his career as a writer is probably over now.

Jericho sat on a rock formation up on the surface near the entranceway to the Gate of Osiris’ home. He stared into the distance and watched the sun set down on another day. While the hard part of finding the Gate of Osiris before the Corruptors did was over, perhaps the hardest part was yet to come with keeping it out of their hands and out of the hands of Jason Saxon. Vedder walked into the scenery and approached the sitting Jericho.
“It can’t be good news, right?” Jericho asked his fellow greycoat.
“What makes you say that?” Vedder asked back.
“Because lately all you have brought me is bad news.”
“Once again, the Council is concerned in your handling of Willow.”
“In what way now?” Jericho asked with frustration.
“Word is that Willow had made physical contact with one of our guests.” Vedder said, referring to Willow and Lucas’ romantic tryst last month.
“Well, if you had bothered to look into it further, you’ll know nothing major was said by her and no major damages to the time stream occurred.” Jericho answered defensively.
“Also, word has it Faith made contact with her father a couple months ago too.” Vedder stated.
“Faith assured me she acted on her own volition and did nothing to damage the time stream. I am confidence in her being the more level-headed one amongst the four of them.” Jericho once again said defensively.
“Perhaps this confidence you have in her may be clouding your judgment. Clouding it to the point where they could do serious damage and you will be powerless to stop them.” Vedder warned Jericho.
“Trust me, I have learned from my past indiscretion when Willow first elicited those feelings from me. Feelings of an… almost human nature.” Jericho said with a sigh.
“Perhaps then the four of them should be put into the hands of one who is not easily tricked into feeling emotions. Perhaps apprehending Willow and making her see the error of her current path should go to one who has nothing emotionally invested in her.” Vedder suggested.
“We both know that Willow has made it explicit that she will only talk to me from this point on.” Jericho said. “Perhaps it is time for me to exhibit something that people call… ‘tough love’… on Willow the next time she tries to act out.”

Doctor Sarah Bellum walked around the vacant warehouse that has been her home for almost a year now. But she did not walk on her own terms. She felt something jerking her head upward and from the skyline she could see hundreds of Viisks, surrounding the walkways of the rafters. Sarah also saw Jason Saxon, using her as a marionette puppet who moved to his own delight. Suddenly, hundreds upon hundreds of dead bodies fell from the rafters, being tossed down by the Viisk. Sarah felt blood lightly splashing onto her as Saxon made her pick up a vial of napicin sulfite from the ground. A stream of blood ran past Sarah’s feet as she looked at her hands, which were covered in blood as well. Sarah was then forced to do an about face to turn and face Sloane, sitting upon a throne made from various severed limbs. Sloane walked down towards Sarah and stared right into her eyes. “Victory is life!” Sloane said to Sarah as she shoved her down into the sea of corpses that now filled the floor of the warehouse.
Sarah Bellum abruptly woke up and looked around startled at her surroundings. She had fallen asleep during another observation of the now common ritual of the Viisk returning from a battle and receiving their napicin sulfite as their reward for victory. Sarah probably could do the whole “victory is life” spiel in her sleep as she had heard many times over. “I got some work to do,” Sarah told one of the soldiers who watched over her, almost as if she needed their blessing to carry on with her indentured servitude. Sarah made her way back to an office that had become somewhat her only place of sanctuary in this maddening world. As Sarah opened the door, she noticed a woman sitting in her chair – feet kicked up on the desk and eating a carrot. Unbeknownst to Sarah, this woman was the future version of Willow Brody-Toroshenko.
“Ehh, what’s up doc?” Willow said as she took another bite of her carrot, imitating Bugs Bunny.
“Who the hell are you? I’m getting security!” Sarah said as she went for the door again.
“Hey, relax Brainiac, I’m on your side,” Willow said as she stood up from the chair and tried to reassure Sarah that she meant no harm. Willow added “Seems like we have a common dick who gave us both a bad rash.”
Sarah made a disgusted face and said “Disturbing visual metaphor notwithstanding, what are you referring to?”
“Jason Saxon. He’s taken your family away from you and he’s done the same to me” Willow stated.
“So, how do you intend to help me?” asked Sarah. Willow then pulled out a small test tube from her coat pocket and tossed it to Sarah.
“Mix this with the next batch of treats you make for his dogs there,” Willow said referring to the napicin sulfite used for the Viisk. Willow then walked by Sarah and handed her a piece of paper and told Sarah “Keep this on you. It may become useful in case your life is endangered.”
“Will I see you again?” Sarah asked.
“In time perhaps.” Willow said with a sly smile as she walked down and eventually phased out of the scene. Sarah opened up the piece of paper, which was neatly folded. The contents of the paper contained a map. A map to the locale of Project Looking Glass, or rather the Gate of Osiris – which Sarah was unaware of its actual name.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! - Part 2, Chapter 17

2008-11-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: MAY – LINES IN THE SAND

“Are you sure we didn’t go through here already?” Rachel Mills yelled as four bluecoats combed through the badlands of Southern Alberta. After acquiring files last month from a lost database, Rachel found what could very well be the location of an old Section 31 project code named “Looking Glass”. After reading over the contents, which did not fully explain what it exactly was, there was finally a definite idea of where it was located. So now here they were, looking for any signs of access to an underground facility that housed this “Looking Glass”. It took a while to convince Kevin to allow this search mission to go ahead, but once Jericho overheard that this could be the final locale of the object that his people have been looking for it became easier for this mission to go ahead. But it was made very clear: any sign of the Viisk or the Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative, get out. So far no signs of either of them, so it was business as usual.

Donnie Bellum and Ariel Brody-Toroshenko combed through another part of the desert-like landscape. “This seems pointless,” Donnie mulled as he scanned the ground with a metal detector. “Don’t fully understand why we’re going through all of this because it sure as hell ain’t getting us closer to getting Sarah back!”
Ariel just sighed and said “Look, if finding this thing gets them one step closer to giving us more information on what to do about everything that has gone down, I say the sooner the better we find it!”
“Why are you still relatively calm about all of this?” Donnie asked Ariel. “I mean, Kevin did almost die on us.”
“Kevin has assured me his revenge will come upon that bitch when the time is right.” Ariel replied back. “Me? I just want another shot at those fucking Viisks!”
“You know we were unable to determine any weaknesses that we could use, right?”
“Everything has a weakness. That was one of the main points in our first combat lesson. And the sooner we find those things’ weaknesses, the sooner we can finally take the fight right down Jason Saxon’s arrogant throat!” Ariel said with determination.
“There’s the old Ariel I know,” Donnie said to himself as he continued to sweep through the area.

Benny Carlson and Lucas Goldstein simply sat under a canopy tent, away from the surprisingly hot Alberta sun. They were in on the search as well, but seemed to take frequent breaks. So the two of them just sat back and relaxed while everyone else continued their search.
“So why exactly don’t you want me to seek her out again?” Lucas asked Benny, referring to his one night stand with the future version of Willow Brody-Toroshenko.
“Because from what you told me about her, she may not be the type to settle down,” Benny said, taking a sip from his glass of iced tea. “It sounds like she got what she wanted that moment and you got what you wanted – with the bonus of a wonderful anecdote that isn’t prefixed with ‘Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me…’”
“But I think I may love her.” Lucas whined.
“Please, you met a attractive woman while tripping on ecstasy and she rode you like a pony afterwards.” Benny scoffed. “Not exactly the way you want to tell the kids on how you met your mother.”
“You sure your friend the Wizard hasn’t seen her?”
“Nahh, Wiz is kind of shook right now. Something about narrowly surviving a mass slaughter, think he’s got survivor’s remorse. But he did say he’s seen her at a lot of raves he’s dee-jayed.”
“I just want one more shot with her, find out what is exactly on her mind.”
“Trust me on this one, you don’t want to do so. Dated this one girl back in ’08. Met her online and we chatted a few times, and then we started a relationship after that. Then she totally flipped out on me one day and I for the life of me couldn’t understand why. I think it was from that day on I realized that all women are crazy, and the ones who are totally insane are best not to be understood – you just roll with the punches and hope she doesn’t totally fuck you up!”
Kevin Brody walked by the two of them and gruffly said to them “If you are done with your ‘Sex and the City’ moment here ladies, we could use you back on the field.”
“We’ve been searching for days now. You sure this thing is buried beneath the ground?” Benny asked.
“Unless the files you all got were inaccurate, it should be here.” Kevin replied back.
“Well it isn’t like there a sign that says ‘Secret Underground Government Installation – Trespassers Will Be Shot’ sign.” Lucas said.
“Ooh, good one!” Benny said as he and Lucas high-fived each other. Kevin shook his head in disappointment until an unknown voice in the distance shouted “We got something!”. Kevin hustled as fast as he could with his handicap, while Benny and Lucas got up as well to follow Kevin.
“Think you did a good jinx there, Lucas!” Benny said.

Kevin, Benny, and Lucas made their way to a group of bluecoats who were digging away profusely. Rachel stood in the background as Donnie and Ariel also made their way to the site.
“What do we got here, Bones?” Kevin asked Rachel.
“We got readings of a large metallic object in this area,” Rachel responded. “So far all they’ve revealed is a large metal door. Could be an access panel to the compound, but the doors are sealed pretty shut.”
Kevin picked up a crowbar and passed it to Rachel. Kevin said to her “See if this will help.” Rachel took the crowbar and used it to pry open the doors. Once opened, the doors revealed a long and dark passageway with a ladder. Rachel then pulled out a flashlight from a pocket on her cargo pants and shone it down the hole. “It looks like it goes down about at least twenty, thirty feet,” Rachel said. She then started to climb down the ladder as everyone else slowly followed suit.

At the bottom of the ladder was a perfectly burrowed-out tunnel surrounded by metal walls to secure any possible cave-ins. Rachel shone the flashlight further down the corridor, showing it went onward for a few miles. Rachel led the way with everyone else following her down the tunnel. They continued down until reaching another door, which Rachel once again used the crowbar to pry open the door. Once the door opened, it revealed a cavernous room, shrouded in darkness. Rachel flashed her flashlight around the room, hoping to find a fuse box or master light switch. She eventually found a switch that was on the left side of the doorway and flipped it on. A low humming sound echoed through as lights turned on and revealed equipment and computers from the early 60s. At the end of the room was a large object, similar to a giant arch with a metal center.
“The Looking Glass?” asked Donnie
“More than likely” replied Rachel. Suddenly, everyone who was wearing blue or grey trenchcoats filed into the room and got down on their knees. They genuflected in from the archway, much to the amazement and confusion of Rachel, Ariel, Donnie, Benny, and Lucas.
“What is going on here?” asked Lucas.
“Looks like they’re praying or worshipping to that thing,” replied Ariel.
“Any reason why?” asked Donnie.
Kevin was the last to enter the room and heard Donnie’s question. He answered “Because we have found for them their equivalent to the Holy Grail. From what Jericho told me, this is the Gate of Osiris. A very sacred object to them.”
“What does it do exactly?” asked Rachel.
“It’s a portal that allows access to any timeline and any universe. Everything is accessible – past, present, and future,” answered Kevin.
“’Star Trek’ did it!” Lucas interjected.
“What?” Donnie asked.
“Sounds like the Guardian of Forever,” Lucas replied back. “From the classic episode ‘City on the Edge of For-OW!” Lucas’ rant was mercifully interrupted by a slap to the back of the head from Benny. “Jeez, thought getting you laid would make you not so lame!”, exclaimed Benny.
“No, all it did was make me confused and used,” Lucas whimpered.
“Welcome to love,” Kevin said. “Anyways, the Gate of Osiris has remained dormant for many years. Section 31 at one point tried to activate it but with no luck. They simply abandoned it and has remained here ever since.”
“Well that’s all great and all, so we let them take their Gate thingee back to wherever they came from and boom, end of story, right?” asked Benny.
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” replied Kevin. “This Gate of Osiris needs to remain here and we have a new objective – protect it.”
“From whom?” everyone asked in varying turns.
“The Corruptors and Jason Saxon.” Kevin answered. “From what I understand, if the Corruptors ever found it, they would create such chaos it would unravel every part of the space-time continuum to the point where everything will cease to exist.”
“Well that’s all fine and dandy like sour candy, but what would Jason Saxon want with it?” asked Ariel.
“The fact he is using the Viisk as his foot soldiers is evident that Jason Saxon is in at least an alliance of convenience with the Corruptors,” Kevin said. “Also recently we found out that the Right Honorable Jason Saxon is in possession of another object we’ve been sort of looking for.”
“Does it have to do with something code named ‘Lazarus’?” asked Rachel.
“Yes,” Kevin answered. “Which means if Jason Saxon has that object already…”
“… then he knows about this Gate of Osiris?” Rachel interjected.
“Exactly” said Kevin. “Which means by any means, we need to defend it. By any means necessary.”
“So, we better get used to living down here with the Time Tunnel, eh?” asked Benny.
“Precisely,” replied Kevin as he begun to walk away. Ariel followed behind as Kevin made his way back down the corridor that lead back to the ladder entrance.
“How long have you known all of this?” Ariel asked Kevin.
“Shortly after Jericho appointed me his consultant.” Kevin answered.
“And you chose to not tell us anything about this thing why exactly?”
“Because I wanted to make sure everyone was ready. Last time I went ahead not knowing the full story, everything fell apart. You just about lost me, Dean lost Karen, and Donnie lost Sarah…” Kevin said as he leaned up against the side. Ariel then slapped Kevin across the face and told him “You better quit this brooding act right now! There was no way you could have done anything to stop what went down. This right here, all of this moping and keeping secrets, this is not the man I fell in love with! So from now on, no more secrets and no more letting ghosts of the past drag you down into despair, got it?”
Kevin simply stared at Ariel. He looked into her eyes and told her, “I can’t promise anything with the brooding, but to this point, you’re right – no more secrets.”
“Good.” Ariel stated. “Anything else you’re keeping from us?”
“You all now know as much as I do,” Kevin said. “Anything that happens from this point on will be as shocking to me as it may be to you.”

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 16

2008-11-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: APRIL – LET FOREVER BE

Claudia Daring sat in the back seat of a moving car. Blindfolded, the driver was taking her to a surprise that Jason Saxon had arranged for Claudia on this day. For today was Claudia Daring’s birthday, and Jason Saxon had promised her something big for her birthday. But what could a man who has given her so much to this point have to offer now as a grand gesture of love and affection. But Claudia did indeed enjoy surprises. The car came to a slow stop and the driver informed Claudia that they have arrived at their destination. The driver also instructed her to keep the blindfold on and to wait to be escorted. Then two Initiative soldiers approached the car and opened the back door. “Miss Daring? We’re ready for you now,” one of the soldiers said as Claudia stepped out and the two men took her by her arms and walked down towards a giant office building in downtown Toronto. The three of them stopped and one of the soldiers removed the blindfold off from Claudia’s face. Claudia rubbed her eyes in disbelief as she saw Jason Saxon, blue power suit and all, standing in front of the corporate offices of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
“Well, my dear, what do you think?” Saxon asked, holding his arms out and presenting the building like a grand prize on a game show.
“It’s… don’t we already control it?” Claudia asked back.
“Well, yes we do. But lately, they’ve been getting under my skin with not presenting things the way I want them presented. It’s time for a change with Mothercorp here. I mean, what’s the point of having a state-owned media outlet if they won’t report what the state wants them to? So, phase one will commence with terminating all of those disloyal to us. Phase two is installing a new face to broadcast our ideals to the masses. A face as trustworthy as Peter Mansbridge but way hotter than Katie Couric. That face is yours, Miss Daring.”
“Really?” Claudia said, who at first seemed unimpressed but then became lit with joy. “That sounds so wonderful, Mister Prime Minister!”
“Indeed it is!” Saxon boasted. “Figured since you write most of my speeches as it is, the next step would be to communicate them further on the unwashed masses. You know how wonderful I am, now it’s time for you to further sell me to the rest of the nation.”
“I assume we’ll be cleaning out the deadwood in here, right?” Claudia asked
Saxon motioned for about twenty men in blackcoats to show up from the other side of the block. “Of course my dear!” he said as he took Claudia’s hand and held it with affection. “Shall we hand out some pink slips?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Claudia said with a smile that seemed like it would go on for miles.

“Why didn’t I think of it before?” Rachel Mills said as she slapped her forehead and put down another set of maps on the table. She then pulled open a laptop and begun typing away profusely. Benny and Sullivan, both engaged in a game of checkers, looked at Rachel – curious as to what she was doing.
“Whatcha doing, Bone?” Sullivan asked.
“It’s ‘Bones’ actually,” Benny said, correcting his bluecoated fellow game player.
“Can’t believe you got him in on it too now,” Rachel said as she continued to type away.
“Aww, come on! He’s one of the few of these people around here who seems interested in our little foibles, way of life, and pop culture.” Benny said in defense.
“Word up, ho!” Sullivan said as he motioned for a high-five. Benny just shook his head and said “Think we still got a lot of work to do. Anyways, whatcha got going on there, Bones?”
“I finally remembered there was a very archaic database within one of the Section 31 files. I tried for many years to crack it, but it seems to be encoded with a binary code that is beyond me.” Rachel said as she let out a sigh of frustration. Lucas walked into the room, sucking on a juice box and said to Rachel “Binary code, huh? Figured you would be able to crack in your sleep.”
“Normally yes, but some of the algorithms were done by a master code writer. You almost need two hackers to get the job properly done without tripping off any firewalls or silent alarms that would let the government know you’re trying to steal some of their secrets.” Rachel said.
“See, this is where allowing us access to your technology would be a lot more handier.” Lucas said to Sullivan, as Benny jumped some of his checker chips.
“We’ve been over this before. Full access to our technology is forbidden and could cause irreversible damages to the timeline!” Sullivan said.
“As opposed to Jason Saxon cloning an army of Viisks to ride roughshod all over the world?” Benny asked.
“Abiding by the rules is what separates us from men like this Jason Saxon.” Sullivan replied back.
“Wait, you said binary, right?” Benny asked Rachel, who nodded yes. “I think I know a guy.” Benny said.
“Oh Christ, not him!” Lucas bemoaned.
“Yes, let’s go kids! Gonna ask Principal Belding if we can go see the Wizard.” Benny said as everyone else looked in confusion. He just shook his head in disbelief “None of you ever watched ‘Saved By The Bell’?” he asked.

Kevin Brody was furious with Benny’s request. “Absolutely not!” Kevin said. “Last time you went back, Amy died. I have enough blood on my hands as it is!”
“Look, you keep harping on us about redemption and crap like that, give me this chance to redeem myself. At least for Amy’s sake.” Benny begged.
“So, you figure this ‘Wizard’ guy you know will be willing to aide us?”
“He hates the system as much as I do. Plus he’s an old school shit disturber on the internet. Remember that guy that convinced Oprah there was a child molestation ring with over nine thousand members?”
“That was him?” Kevin asked.
“No, but the Wizard got into a long drawn-out flame war with that guy. Things were said. Butts were hurt. Mothers’ names were flung around with degrading sexual innuendo attached to them.” Benny replied.
“You sure he can help Rachel with this file acquisition?”
“He’s one of the best,” Benny said. “Please, allow me to redeem myself.”
“Very well,” Kevin said as he slowly got up from his chair. “Take Sullivan with you. I’ll have a team on standby in case something goes wrong. This time, the second you’re in trouble, get out quickly,” he said with urgency.

Benny, Rachel, Lucas, and Sullivan found themselves standing in line in the front of a semi-abandoned warehouse in Darington, Alberta. The faint sound of electronica music came from the building as the four of them stood amongst a crowd of men and women, waiting to get inside the building. It was an underground dance club
“Okay, remember, if anyone hands you a drink or funny looking pills, don’t take them at all!” Benny instructed the three of them.
“Yeah, not making that mistake again.” Rachel said.
“Doesn’t effect me too much,” Sullivan stated. “We’ve developed a high tolerance of most narcotic and alcoholic substances.”
All eyes turned to Lucas, who seemed rather quiet on this subject. Benny slapped his forehead in anguish and said to Lucas, “Don’t tell me…”
Lucas interrupted, “… she told me it was like Tylenol.”
Benny shook his head “Crap! Okay, Bones, you’re gonna have to make sure he doesn’t start totally trippin’ balls on us!” he instructed as the line slowly moved ahead. Before long they were at the door and greeted by large bouncer.
“Is the Wiz dee-jaying tonight?” Benny asked the bouncer, who simply gave a low grunt like a gorilla. The bouncer opened the door and motioned for them to enter.
Once in the warehouse, the music pulsed and pounded as hundreds of men and women danced wildly and erratically to it. Strobe and multicolored lights were flashing as well. The four walked through the crowd, with Lucas bobbing his head to the rhythm of the beat. They made their way to the front where a husky man - shaven head and long red Jim Neidhart-like goatee – manned a computer and old style turn table. This man was Sheldon Blackburn, also known as “The Wizard”, a once prominent hacker and general nuisance on the internet. Sheldon was also a childhood friend of Benny and was the DJ to his once budding rap career.
“Wiz!” Benny shouted to his former friend. Sheldon looked and saw Benny standing with Rachel, Sullivan, and Lucas.
“Holy fucking ass crackers! Funkmaster!” Sheldon shouted back as he motioned for the four of them to come behind his work station. As they made their way, both Lucas and Sullivan focused their attention to a young woman with dark reddish-brown hair, dancing in the middle of a large group of people. The two of them watched her – sweat dripping down her body, her white tank-top somewhat soaked, and dancing very sleekly and seductively. Lucas had never seen such raw beauty in person and was feeling things he had only felt a couple times. Sullivan was more cautious and recognized her as the adult version of Willow Brody-Toroshenko. “Excuse me for a moment!” Sullivan said to Lucas, who remained somewhat oblivious to the goings on as the pills he was given seemed to be kicking in. While this went down, Benny and Sheldon shook hands and gave each other a friendly brother-like hug.
“What the fuck, man! Heard you died like twice already!” Sheldon said with a jovial tone.
“Eh, figured if Buffy could it, why couldn’t I?” Benny said back jokingly.
Rachel looked confused and interjected with “Is she another friend of yours?”
Sheldon just laughed and asked “Is she for real?”
“Very much so, yes.” Benny replied back as he gave Rachel a friendly tap on the shoulder. “But what she lacks in pop culture knowledge she makes it up with map reading and mad computer hacking skills!”
“Really?” Sheldon said with some curiosity. “I once posed as Chris Hansen on NAMBLA’s messageboard. Made the entire pedo community shit their pants in fear!”
“I kept records of a covert government agency and used it to write a book!” Rachel said.
Sheldon rubbed his eyes in disbelief and then realized who he was talking to. “Holy shit! Rachel Mills! You’re like a goddess to the modern hack squads!” he exclaimed and with enthusiasm shook Rachel’s hand.
“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m all that good.” Rachel said as she blushed with modesty. “Have some difficulty with binary codes.”
“Which is why we’re here,” Benny added. “Got an old government database encrypted with binary! Rach here says she needs help!”
“I dunno man, last time I heard someone broke into government property, they got their asses whipped by Saxon’s goon squad!” Sheldon replied, unbeknownst to him that Rachel and Benny were part of that particular caper that Sheldon referred to.
“Well, as far as I know, this piece of property is not well known, except for the very inner core of the now defunct Section 31!” Rachel replied back, trying to reassure Sheldon’s doubt.
“Well, it’s been a while since I stuck it to the man,” Sheldon said. “I assume you got everything you need, baby?”
Rachel showed an attaché case to Sheldon and answered back “Right in here.”
“Well then, let’s get to work!” Sheldon said as he placed on a new record onto the turntable – a super long remix of the Chemical Brothers’ “Let Forever Be”. As Sheldon, Benny and Rachel left the DJ booth, Lucas pulled Benny to the side. Dancing like an epileptic person having a seizure, Lucas pointed out Willow on the dance floor to Benny. “She’s hot, isn’t she?” Lucas asked.
Benny looked over and noticed Willow. Still wounded from Amy’s death two months ago, Benny patted Lucas on the shoulder and told him “She’s all yours.”
Lucas lit up like a Christmas light and was about to rush out onto the floor, until Sheldon pulled him aside and told him “Free word of advice kid – watch out for that one! Keep your hands on her waist and only grind into her if she does it first. Seen a couple guys get too friendly and liberal with their hands, and she laid them out with quite the left hook!” Lucas nodded, whether it was to the beat of the music or in agreement of Sheldon’s cautionary tale it was hard to say.

Inside an empty office of the warehouse where the rave was being held, Benny, Rachel, and Sheldon set up two laptops and prepared for their task at hand. Benny set up a network wire to connect Rachel’s laptop to Sheldon’s laptop. Rachel begun typing away on her laptop once it was booted up. Sheldon then got his respective computer up and running. Rachel pulled up a screen that showed a government website with a password box. She forwarded it over to Sheldon, who looked and then hooked up a random number generating device on his laptop’s USB port.
“Ready to rumble, baby?” Sheldon asked Rachel
“More than ever,” Rachel replied back. “Just do your best to keep up.”
Sheldon begun typing and said back “I was gonna say the same thing, baby!”

Lucas struggled to make his way through the sea of humanity on the dance floor. He kept getting thrashed back and forth, occasionally getting knocked down on the floor, due to the facts that he maybe weighed only 90 pounds soaking wet and the drugs he was given had totally thrown off his equilibrium. But he had made his objective – the young lady that he had no clue was an older version of his current employer’s daughter. Willow was dancing to herself with a circle of people surrounded her. Lucas squeezed his head in between a couple of people in the circle, which caught the attention of Willow – who proceeded to motion of Lucas to come forward. Someone from behind shoved Lucas, who now found himself the center of attention. Lucas begun to spastically dance, much to the amusement of the crowd. Willow simply smiled as she wrapped her arms around Lucas’ waist and pulled him in close to her.
“Never seen you here before! You new in town?” Willow asked loudly into Lucas’ ear, as the music made it impossible to carry a normal toned conversation.
“Guess you can say that! I’ve never done this before!” Lucas said back into Willow’s ear.
“You’re doing fine, scrawny arms!” Willow said as she took Lucas’ bony arms and placed his hands on her somewhat exposed hips. Lucas blushed as this was the first on-purpose contact he had ever had with a member of the opposite sex. Then two giant jock type men walked into where Lucas and Willow were dancing. One of the men shoved Lucas out of the way. “Get lost, McLovin!” the one man said to Lucas.
“Wanna be with some real men, sugartits?” The other man asked Willow while proceeding to feel her up. Unfortunately for him, Willow was not impressed with this and proceeded to flip him over her shoulders and onto the floor. Willow then took out the one man who pushed Lucas down with a roundhouse kick. The crowd cheered with approval and small chants of “Fight! Fight” broke out as Willow took a MMA fighter’s ready stance after pulling up Lucas.

“Sweet! Think someone tried to get too fresh with that siren!” Benny said, looking out a window in the office where he, Rachel, and Sheldon the Wizard were busy trying break into an old Section 31 database.
“I pity those fools!” Sheldon said in his best big-white-guy-imitating-Mister T voice. Just then a tiny “ding” was heard from his laptop and Sheldon noticed the “password accepted” prompt. “Wooo! We’re in now, motherfuckers!”
“Excellent!” Rachel exclaimed as she begun to search and look for files pertaining to what they needed. She came across two folders: one entitled “Looking Glass” and another one entitled “Lazarus”. “Think I found what we needed.” Rachel said as she saved the two folders onto a flash drive.
“Probably in the nick of time too,” Benny said, noticing some Initiative soldiers coming in from the front entrance of the warehouse.
“What?” Sheldon said and looked out to see one of the soldiers smash apart his DJ equipment. “Ugh! See, this is why I can’t have nice things!” he bemoaned.

The Initiative soldiers successfully deactivated the music. Shouts and groans of disapproval came from the crowd. Lucas stared into sea of faces, until someone pulled him down onto the floor. It was Willow, who remaining low to the floor and trying to remain conspicuous. “Stay with me scrawny arms, and you won’t get hurt!” she whispered to Lucas, who reluctantly decided to follow her lead as the two of them slowly snuck out in between the crowd.
One of the Initiative soldier took out a megaphone and addressed the crowd. “Vacate the premises immediately. You are all in direct violation of this city’s curfew laws. Please file out in a quiet and orderly fashion. Failure to comply will result in…”
A sullen looking teenage boy shouted out “Who are you to stop us, man?”
Another teen boy shouted out “We’re trying to have a good time here man!”
A scary looking teen girl shouted back “Go commit your hate crimes elsewhere! Hate crimes!” The girl lunged after one of the Initiative soldiers and took a swing at him. A huge melee broke out as the ravers all begun fighting with the Initiative soldiers. One of the soldiers made a signal with his hand and suddenly, about twenty Viisks phased into the room and started attacking the crowd.

“We better get the frack outta here!” Sullivan exclaimed as he burst into the office.
“Look Starbuck…” Sheldon said.
“…Sullivan actually,” Rachel said, correcting Sheldon.
“Whatever,” Sheldon replied back. “In case you hadn’t noticed, there are Homeland Initiative troops and Viisks all over the place!”
“Not a problem.” Sullivan said. “There’s no indication of a dampening field, so you two should be able to leap back with no problems,” he said looking at Benny and Rachel.
“What about Lucas?” asked Benny.
“I’ll find him and get him back in one piece. Promise!” Sullivan stated.
“Please do,” Benny said. “I’ll miss the little aspie if something should happen to him.” Then Benny and Rachel hit their Chronometers and leapt back to the command center.

It may end up harder for Sullivan to track down Lucas, who was now finding himself in a rundown motel room with Willow. The two of them were able to sneak out before the Viisk started massacring everyone in the warehouse. Lucas nervously sat on a bed as Willow was attending to herself in the bathroom. This had turned into an adventure Lucas was not expecting to happen. Still wearing her white top and hip-hugger pants, Willow stood in the doorway of the bathroom and smiled.
“And here I thought it was gonna be a boring night,” Willow said as she walked over and sat next to Lucas, who was breathing heavily from nervousness. “Relax, I don’t have cooties,” Willow whispered into Lucas’ ear and proceeded to lightly blow in it.
“It’s just…” Lucas said in-between breaths as if he was hyperventilating. “I’ve never… been… alone with…”
“How cute,” Willow said as she pushed Lucas down so he was laying down on the bed. She then proceeded to roll on top of Lucas, straddling him in the process. “Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it. I promise I won’t bite, unless you want me too…” Willow said as she sat up to remove her top and revealed her bare breasts to an elated Lucas, who nervously reached out for them. Willow leaned back down into Lucas’s body and planted him with a deep kiss on his lips.

Ten minutes later, it was probably the greatest ten minutes in Lucas’ life. He lied in the bed, staring right at the ceiling. Willow lied next to him, somewhat cuddled up next to him. The smile on Lucas’ face probably needed to be surgically removed. Willow then opened her eyes and got up to get dressed.
“Leaving so soon?” Lucas asked, still glowing from their encounter.
“Um, yeah. Just needed to let off some steam,” Willow said, as if the ten minutes of riding Lucas like a jockey on a thoroughbred horse meant nothing to her.
“Can I get your name at least?” Lucas asked.
“Just think of me as an angel of mercy.” Willow said, as she pulled her pants up and grabbed her coat. “It was blast, really. Catch you another time, love,” she said as she blew a kiss to Lucas, who still remained in bed.
“I just laid here and took it. Was there something else I did wrong?” Lucas wondered aloud and to himself in the room.
Willow walked the steps of the motel. Though not fully knowing he was there, atop of the steps was Sullivan. “He’s all yours, Sully!” Willow said not facing Sullivan.
“Can I ask you something?” Sullivan shouted down to Willow, who sighed and rolled her eyes. “Make it quick!” she replied back.
“How is it you said you cared for one man yet you went and made fuck with this guy?” asked Sullivan.
Knowing what Sullivan was getting to, Willow shot back with “Ask Jericho how he can tell someone he loves them and then turns around and takes it back!”. Willow then stormed off into the night scene as Sullivan went into the room to retrieve Lucas.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 15

2008-11-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: MARCH – PERFECT SENSE, PART ONE.

Dean Williams sat down in Doctor Kimberly Reese-Shaw’s office. It has been a long time since he saw his therapist. But Dean was not alone this time as Ryan Jeffries, still donning his dress uniform, sat on Dean’s right side. Penny Fields, looking battle scarred and pale, sat on Dean’s left side. Dr. Reese-Shaw saw down in front of the three and took out a notepad and pen and begun to write.
“So Mister Williams, it’s been a while,” Dr. Reese-Shaw said. “What is on your mind right now?”
Dean crossed his legs and began to speak. “I dunno. I mean still trying to wrap my head around possibly losing Karen. The pills you’ve given me seem to not work like they used to, and to top it off, these two have been following and harassing me,” he said looking at Ryan and Penny.
“Well, I’m here because the amount of Klonopin he’s taken since Karen’s current state has allowed me to become a more focal point on his subconscious mind” Ryan said.
“I just want to finally get why I died for these people.” Penny said.
“See? This isn’t helping me!” Dean said to Dr. Reese-Shaw. “I got these two, for lack of a better word, ghosts following me around. I’m having very lucid dreams, and none of this is making sense to me.”
Dr. Reese-Shaw made some notes on her writing pad and then said to Dean “Do you feel like you brought this upon yourself somehow?”
“Really? You’re going to try to psychoanalyze me now?” Dean scoffed.
“Well, if you didn’t want me to, why are you here now?” Dr. Reese-Shaw asked.
“Because I need some answers. I want to know how to get my family back. I want these dreams to stop. I want everything to go back to the way it was before all of this went down.” Dean answered.
“Think it’s too late for that, dude.” Ryan said to Dean.
“Well then, since you seem to be some kind of conduit to the powers that be, tell me where Karen is then? Is she alive or is she really dead?” Dean asked Ryan.
“She’s in limbo to be honest,” Ryan said. “Where she ends up is in the hands of the powers that be now.”
“Well, can you let them know I don’t think I can handle anything without her in my life please?” Dean pleaded to Ryan.
“Well, you still have that black chick.” Penny said.
“Yes, can you tell me about your relationship with Amy Benz?” Dr. Reese-Shaw asked Dean.
“Amy? I would say she handles a lot of my work-related issues well,” Dean answered. “I would be lost in Hollywood if it weren’t for her.”
“Would you say there is a slim possibility of more than a working relationship with her?” asked Dr. Reese-Shaw.
“No. I mean I think she’s attractive, but come on, I’m married. I have a beautiful wife and daughter. Why would I throw that all away?” Dean said.
“Because in a small way, you kind of did?” Penny said.
“What?” Dean said with confusion on his face.

Dean Williams abruptly woke up in the same spot he’s been every time one of these dreams occurred: in a chair next to Karen, still in her coma. Dean rubbed his eyes and tried to regain some sense of what had happened. Then it hit him, maybe Amy could help make sense out of this. Dean got up from the chair and staggered out of the room – staggering from a mix of exhaustion and the four pills of Klonopin he downed before falling asleep. Dean wandered into the wardroom, where he saw Rachel, Lucas, and Sullivan sitting at a table. Rachel still had her face buried in a series of maps and papers. Lucas and Sullivan were in the middle of a rousing game of “Uno”. Dean matter-of-factly asked everyone in the room “Where’s Amy at?”
An awkward pause filled the room. Dean had committed a major faux pas, as he was completely oblivious to what happened last month. No one bothered to tell him as his only thought was Karen. But now the white elephant in the room had to be addressed.
“We’re sorry, Amy died a few weeks ago.” Rachel said.
“What?” Dean said in denial, thinking that this was still a dream.
“Yeah, it was pretty heartbreaking.” Lucas said as he placed another card down on the table. “Her baby made it out okay though.”
“Baby?” Dean said, then remembering that one night in Vegreville. “Oh crap!” he said quietly to himself, then asked aloud “Can I see it?”
“Sure, I’ll take you down there.” Sullivan said, placing his hand of cards down and proceeded to escort Dean down the hall.
“Thank god Benny wasn’t for that.” Lucas said with a sigh of relief.
“He’s still taking it pretty hard, huh?” Rachel asked.
“I guess so. Though he blames himself more than he does Dean now, so I guess that’s a step in the right direction.” Lucas said.

Dean Williams stood inside the nursery and saw from a distance the infant Mercedes Benz, asleep inside an incubator. Dean stood in silent awe, feeling joy that he hadn’t felt since Faith’s own birth almost three years ago. A single tear rolled down Dean’s cheek as he watched the caramel-skinned girl slightly move during her sleep.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” A nurse asked Dean.
“Huh?” Dean said in a semi-drug induced haze. “Oh, I guess. But what babies are never beautiful?”
“Well, that’s one way to look at it,” the nurse said as she walked over to the incubator and picked up the infant. “Care to hold her?” the nurse asked Dean.
“I guess.” Dean said with some hesitation. The nurse handed the child over to Dean, who cradled the infant in his arms. He felt the same way the first time he held Faith in his arms. For the first time in a long time, Dean smiled and showed signs of hope. All it took was holding his newborn daughter in. Mercy fussed a little bit, but Dean rocked her gently to ease her up. Dean quietly sung to her the chorus to “Times Like These” as the nurse quietly walked out. The nurse then leaned on the outside wall and sighed with content. Then Jericho walked by the nurse and quickly recognized her.
“Faith?” Jericho asked the nurse. The nurse knew she was found out and dropped the façade. She was Faith Williams, twenty years old. “Please tell me Willow didn’t put you up to this.” Jericho said to Faith.
“No, she hasn’t talked to me since the two of you had your falling out,” Faith said. “I did this under my own volition. I have very few memories of my father being happy. Wanted to see for my own eyes if he was both happy ever in his life and if little sister’s birth made him happy.”
“Did you get what you needed?”
Faith looked back into the nursery and saw Dean smiling as he sat down with Mercy. “I think I did. That is all I came here for. Nothing more, nothing less,” Faith said.
“Good. Please, if you ever see Willow, let her know we are more than willing to welcome her back with open arms.” Jericho said with heaviness.
“Haven’t really talked to her much. What makes you think she’ll listen to anything I have to say?”
“Just please. For all of our sakes.” Jericho pleaded with Faith.
“I’ll do my best. You do realize it will have to come down to the two of you dealing with your feelings for each other, right?” Faith said as she slowly walked away and then slowly phased out of the hall entirely.
“Great.” Jericho sighed as he banged his head gently against the wall. Just as things were making sense in how to handle Willow, Jericho now realized he would have to start from square one. Again.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Chapter 14

2008-11-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: FEBRUARY – MERCY

It started off with good intentions, or that is how Benny Carlson tried to justify it inside his head.
Between the months of Amy Benz’s pregnancy, she and Benny bonded over a common interest. Amy had to give up smoking and drinking for the sake of her unborn child, but she lacked courage and support ; plus coupled with the fact she was also having a hard time informing the child’s father – Dean Williams – that the child was his. With Benny being straight-edge, Amy turned to him for guidance and support to quit her vices. But more slowly grew out of that relationship than its original goals. Amy and Benny got to know each other very well and shared a lot more than their new found life of sobriety and clean living. Amy found out that before becoming an anarchistic computer hacker, Benny was an aspiring rapper in the same lines of the Beastie Boys and House of Pain. And Benny learned that Amy had inherited an impressive collection of blues and soul music from her grandparents. The two of them spent countless hours together at night, listening to music and sharing other personal feelings, doubts, and fears. It was maybe within the last few weeks or so, Benny slowly saw himself being a father figure for Amy’s child – since Dean was more preoccupied with Karen’s health status.
Then one February night, Benny thought he would finally make his intentions clear to Amy and asked her to accompany him to a concert of a relatively obscure blues musician in Toronto. While everyone’s assets were frozen since July 7th on the account they were presumed to be dead, Benny did some creative and innovative ways to regain access to his bank account, and the date was set. The two of them leapt into Toronto and got the tickets at the box office of the small club that the concert was being held in. All they had to hope was that no one noticed them. Unfortunately for them, they saw Agent Black. The only thing Amy and Benny had to do now was to hope she didn’t recognize them. Obviously their hope proved to be futile as within minutes, four Initiative soldiers showed up at the club. Then the chase begun.
It was all with good intentions, as Amy and Benny found themselves on the run from the Saxon-Daring Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative. Benny was pretty responsive in the “flight” part of “fight or flight”, but Amy struggled to keep up with her extra weight. Benny knew that outrunning them was not a viable option as he quickly hailed a taxi cab. Maybe once they were safe, they could call for backup. That was the plan. The cab driver foolishly took Benny and Amy on as fares, despite having gunfire rain on his car.
“Just drive!” Benny screamed at the cab driver, who sped away from the Initiative soldiers. Amy was breathing rapidly and clutching her expansive stomach. She was in intense pain and discomfort as the driver drove somewhere between erratic and dangerous.
“Where the fuck are they?!” Amy yelled in discomfort.
“They’re sure taking their sweet time saving us!” Benny said, as he looked back to see four armored personnel carriers following them. “Turn right here!” Benny directed the driver, who rapidly made a turn at the next intersection. It was a turn the driver would soon regret as he came across ten Viisk soldiers, all blocking the roadway. The cabbie quickly hit the breaks to stop, only to proceed to run one of the Viisks over.
“Great move, Hassan!” Benny snapped at the cabbie as he and Amy quickly vacated the vehicle as one of the Viisks smashed through the driver side window and proceeded to squeeze the neck of the cab driver. One of the last sounds Benny heard sounded like bones cracking coming from the driver. So once again, Benny and a approximately six weeks from due date Amy were on the run, this time with the merciless Viisk now in on the hunt.
“Again, some backup would be nice right about, oh I don’t know, two minutes ago!” Benny shouted into his Chronometer. Obviously a dampening field has been thrown over the area and with limited access, Benny and Amy could not safely leap out. Their only hope now was that a special Extraction Unit was on their way. Amy seemed to have more and more difficulty keeping up with Benny’s flight response. Thankfully around this time Sullivan, Ariel, and Donnie phased into the scene. Ten other bluecoats also phased in and quickly took aim at the Viisk. Sullivan shouted orders, “Donnie, keep close and prepare to bag and tag! Ariel, get them back to central command now!”
“Sure, make me miss out on all the fun!” Ariel shouted back as she kept firing her pulse rifle into the oncoming Viisk platoon. Ariel made her way to Benny and Amy, who took shelter behind a parked car.
“Cutting a bit close, huh Red?” Benny said.
“It took forever to convince Kevin we were ready for direct combat duty again!” Ariel retorted as she pulled Benny and Amy close in and phased out of the scene. Donnie and another bluecoat moved towards the cab and noticed the Viisk that was run down by the errant cabbie.
“Huh, thought it’d be more of a challenge.” Donnie lamented. He then shouted towards Sullivan, “One’s already dead. Preparing for transport now!”
“Affirmative!” Sullivan said. “Transport cargo now! All other troops protect and prepare to leap out!” he commanded the rest of the bluecoats. Donnie and the one bluecoat first phased out with the deceased Viisk. Once they were gone, so too were Sullivan and the rest of the bluecoats.

Atop of a roof of an adjacent building, Willow Brody-Toroshenko watched the melee below. She had a rifle, cocked and ready for use, sitting upon a tripod. But she had not fired one shot. She simply stood beside it and spoke apparently into the air, but knowing she was being watched: “At least this time it was you here to bore me to tears.” Willow turned around and saw Jericho, grey coat and all, standing on the same rooftop she was.
“Hello, Willow.” Jericho said, “Vedder told me of his last encounter with you.”
“I could have easily saved them all, and you know it!” Willow protested.
“Yes, but here is something to consider. Every action you think could bring back your loved ones, it could very well lead to their demise a lot quicker.” Jericho replied back rationally.
Willow just flapped her arms in frustration and said “Spare me your Temporal War Protocol bullshit! We’re dealing with people who don’t give a fuck about these rules and protocols!”
“So much of your mother’s personality is in you.” Jericho said with a slight heaviness in his tone. The comparison to her mother set Willow off as she charged after Jericho and tried to take a swing at him. Jericho telegraphed the move and promptly blocked any of her shots on him. Frustrated, Willow then dropped down and beat her fists into the asphalt of the rooftop and broke down into tears.
“Bastard!” She screamed and sobbed. “You know what’s gonna happen and you’re not going to do a goddamn thing about it! Why can’t you let me save them?!” Willow continued to sob as she then wrapped her arms around Jericho’s legs. “I just don’t want to be alone anymore.” She said quietly in between sobs.
“I know,” Jericho said as kneeled down beside Willow, to give the impression he was sympathetic to her feelings. But it was really to jab her with a futuristic looking device that emitted a mild sedative into Willow’s bloodstream. Willow peacefully went to sleep as two more greycoats emerged from behind an air duct.
“Take her back to her own time, and please keep a closer eye on her.” Jericho instructed the other two greycoats as they, along with Willow, phased out. Vedder also emerged from the same hiding spot and confronted Jericho. “She’s going to keep coming back, you know that?”, Vedder said to Jericho.
“I know. But maybe next time I can reach her like I once did.” Jericho said.
“Maybe you’ve allowed this to get too personal?”
“You know we’re above that. Is this your own opinion or those on the Council?” Jericho asked defensively.
“I’d say about fifty-fifty. The Council did wish for her immediate termination, but realized doing so would greatly affect a greater outcome.” Vedder said. “If its any consolation, she seems to only trust you and dealing with you is the only way we can make sure she doesn’t cause too much chaos.”
“I know,” Jericho said. “It just feels like… I dunno, maybe dealing with these people, some of their ways of dealing with emotions, maybe its gotten to me as well.”
“Regardless, make another mistake with the other three like you did with Willow, and I’m sure the Council will take you off the project.” Vedder threatened Jericho.
“Understood,” Jericho said with a sigh as he watched again the aftermath of the carnage from earlier.

Ariel and Benny rushed Amy into the medical unit as medics quickly sprung into action. Apparently, the stress and chaos had cause Amy to go into premature labor. The medics chased Benny and Ariel out as they moved into emergency labor procedures. Benny simply stood and looked from outside into the operating room, only to be pulled away from Ariel. “Let’s go!”, Ariel demanded. “Not much we can do from here on out.”
Benny begrudgely went along with Ariel “It was all done with good intentions,” he sighed. Now all that was left to do was to wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.
The mood was tense and somber as Benny, Rachel, Lucas, Donnie, and Ariel waited for news on Amy’s condition. Conspicuous by his abs cense was Dean Williams, who was still sitting bedside by Karen.
“Why couldn’t you arrive sooner?” Benny asked, directed to both Donnie and Ariel, hoping one of them would respond.
“We did our best. Maybe had the two of you informed us where you were going…” Donnie quietly replied back.
Benny sarcastically interrupted. “Oh, sorry, dad! Didn’t know two consenting adults needed your permission to have some fun!”
Kevin Brody walked into the room, his limp not as pronounced as before and heard the debate between Benny and Donnie. Kevin threw in his two cents, “He is right. As of right now, no more random leaps. If you feel the need to spread your wings, let us know and take two bluecoats with you.” Benny stood up and did a mock “seig heil” directed at Kevin.
“You know, as a Jew, I find that rather offensive,” Lucas moaned.
“Nobody asked you!” Benny chided Lucas as he sat down, looking impatient. Just then, a medic walked in. He was covered in blood and addressed everyone in the room.
“Good news and bad news,” the medic said. “We were able to save the child. She is in critical but stable condition. The next twenty-four hours are going to be the most telling.”
Benny quietly spoke out, “Mercedes.”
“Come again?” asked Rachel.
“The name. Amy wanted it to be Mercedes if it was a girl. Mercy for short.” Benny replied back. “But I’m sure she mentioned it to you, right doc?” he asked the medic.
The medic let out a deep sigh and went on to say. “Therein lies the bad news. The stress caused massive internal hemorrhaging and complications with Miss Benz’s cardiovascular system. It came down to saving her or the infant. We did all we could to save her. My condolences.” Rachel and Lucas hugged each other in grief while Kevin sat down and place both of his hands on his cane. Benny stood up and tossed a chair across the room and stormed out.
“Should I go talk to him or should you?” Donnie asked Kevin.
“Go. You’ll probably catch him faster than I could.” Kevin replied back as Ariel sat beside him and leaned her head on Kevin’s slumping shoulders. Donnie quickly ran off as if to catch up to Benny.

Benny stormed off with a purpose. He briskly walked with intent. What he was going to do once he got there, who can tell. All he knew that there was one person who was responsible for what happened to Amy. Maybe had he paid more attention to her the past months, Benny wouldn’t have been bombarded with these feelings. Feelings of compassion and love were now consumed with anger, grief, and vengeance. Damn him for making Benny feel this way. Damn him for being so wrapped up in one life that he ignored the other life he foolishly made his way into with one mistake.
That man was Dean Williams, and may god forgive Benny Carlson for what he may do.
“Ben! Wait!” Donnie shouted. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Benny stopped and answered back. “Got some things to settle with daddy dearest.”
“I don’t think that is wise. You know he isn’t responsible for what ended up happening to Amy.”
“You’re one to talk,” Benny fired back with “Or did Kevin get his ‘Sorry I Flipped Out On You And Just About Suffocated You To Death’ card from you when I wasn’t paying attention?”
Donnie just froze as he got closer to Benny. He then simply told him. “I am slowly atoning for that action. Besides, hasn’t there been enough sadness around here lately? Why add more unnecessary grief on us all by taking it out on someone who has enough on his plate.”
“Amy never got around to fully telling him the kid was his.” Benny said, as he slumped down to the floor.
Donnie opened a door that showed Dean Williams, sound asleep in a chair, his hand holding the hand of his comatose wife. “I think having an illegitimate child is the last thing on his mind.” Donnie said as he closed the door.
“I was willing to be a father for that child.” Benny said as he sighed and did his best to hold back from crying.
“Who says you can’t still?” Donnie said.
“I dunno, we had it somewhat planned out: we’d go back to Kevin’s farm, plant a little garden, feed ‘em on peaches.” Benny lamented. “But I suppose they’re gonna take her away once this war is over, huh?”
“Wish I knew.” Donnie said, now feeling sad and lost without the two most important women in his life: Sarah and Hailey.

Mercedes Benz, all five pounds eight ounces of her, laid comfortably asleep inside an incubator that kept her warm. A feeding tube supplied her with the sustenance she needed to survive. A solitary nurse watched from about three feet from the incubator. The nurse walked over and planted a small kiss on the Plexiglas that covered and protected Mercy from the harsh elements that existed outside the safety of her now late mother’s womb.
“Be safe, little sister,” The nurse whispered quietly. “We’re going to need you in the coming years to save us all.”

Apocalypse Wow! 2! - Part 2, Chapter 13

2008-11-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: JANUARY - THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING

December 31, 2010
11:58 p.m.

Two minutes to midnight and the start of a new year. The atmosphere in Melissa Bennett’s bar in Vegreville, Alberta was filled with partygoers and merrymakers on this the last day of the old year, At one of the tables among those waiting to count down to the end of 2010, sat the Vegreville Six, all of them having something to celebrate. Dean Williams was celebrating Crazy Diamond now going into post-production and early buzz on it has it being accepted as a critical darling for the upcoming year. He also finally reconciled with his long-estranged family, who finally got to meet their granddaughter Faith, as well as news that Karen was expecting and very soon Faith would be a big sister. Donnie Bellum and Kevin Brody put aside their differences and also reconciled all of their ill feelings towards each other, especially when Kevin convinced Rachel to invest in the exploding market of online movie rentals – thus making more money for everyone involved. And new love was budding between Amy Benz and Benny Carlson – with Benny introducing Amy to the straight-edge lifestyle and both of them having a similar distrust of “The Man”.
It was now one minute to midnight. A hush fell across the room as 2010 was about to end and a new year full of hope and promise was about to come in. People watched on the television as the traditional big apple from New York came closer to dropping. As the seconds got closer, people began to count down.
10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2…

January 1, 2011
12:04 a.m.

That was the time Dean Williams noticed on his watch when he woke up. It was just another dream as he looked around and realized the cold hard reality of the last five months or so. His wife Karen was still in a coma after receiving a massive blow to the head back in July. His daughter Faith was in protective care by people who are in the midst of some kind of time war. And to top it off, he found out Crazy Diamond went back into turnaround since Dean is pretty much a top suspect in a massive terror attack back on July 7th.
Dean just stared at Karen, who seemed very peaceful as she lied their on the hospital bed. Dean took Karen’s hand and held it with affection. He let out a sigh of exhaustion as he began to talk: “Sure could use you right about now, Kare Bear. Everything around me seems to be falling apart. Seemed like the beginnings of our life in L.A., remember? Remember how I struggled with the whole change in our lives? We sat out on the deck and you held my hand. Then you told me ‘As long as we’re together, we can weather any storm.’ Then Faith came into our lives and I gotta admit, being a father made me scared shitless. Here was this little life that I had to be responsible for until she was old enough to be on her own. Here I was thinking on how I should raise her and try not fall into the same trappings and habits my parents had when raising me. Especially my own father. I always told myself ‘I will never be like him. I will never treat my own kids the way he did to me’ and now here was one more chance to do so, to try and live up to that promise. But then I had doubts about even living up to that, and dealing with my newfound success and trying to find a balance between devoted father, loving husband, and Hollywood’s new ‘it guy’. But now we are here, huh? Some crazed man is Prime Minister of our old home, some alien life forms are marching all over the place, and any success we had built up is now tarnished because people think we’re either dead or perpetrators of a heinous act of terror. *Sigh*, like I said, wish you were here to tell me things will be okay again.”
Amy Benz walked into the room, carrying two cups of coffee. “Thought you could use this,” Amy said as she handed Dean one of the cups. Dean looked confused, as if he was in a totally different world. “Oh? Thanks,” he said as he took the coffee. Amy then pulled a chair over to sit next to Dean. She somewhat struggled to sit down since being somewhere in the beginnings of the third trimester of her pregnancy had seen some massive weight gain on her part.
“How’s she doing today?” Amy asked Dean, trying to make small talk with the father of her unborn child. The father she has yet to tell, that is.
“Huh?” Dean said somewhat confused. “The same I guess. Not much has changed since July. Other than if we ever get out of here, my career is completely fucked.”
“Well, Roman Polanski continued to work in exile…” Amy said.
Dean interrupted her and added “…But Roman Polanski committed statutory rape. I’m a terror suspect accused of killing hundreds of innocent people, among them the president of the United States and the prime minister of Canada.”
“Well, at least you’re innocent.” Amy said, feeling a slight stomach movement as her unborn child moved around inside the safety of the womb. As a way to make Dean feel some kind of connection to his soon-to-be born child, Amy took Dean’s right hand and placed it on her stomach, as if to make Dean feel the movement the child made inside her. Dean felt something but was oblivious to everything going on except for the motionless sleep Karen was stuck in and the odd sounds made from the machines that both monitored Karen’s vital signs and kept her alive, if one could call it living. Amy felt slightly dejected by Dean’s apparent cold shoulder, but that didn’t stop her from giving Dean a kiss on the forehead and telling him “Get some rest, hun, you need it,” as she left the room. Closing the door behind her, Amy let out a scream of frustration and punched a walking-by Lucas on his upper arm.
“Ugh! That man is impossible to deal with!” Amy said in a huff.
“Um, ow?” Lucas said, clutching his now stinging arm.”
“Sorry,” Amy said, once realizing what she had done. “It’s just, argh! How do you tell someone something when they barely pay attention to you now?” Amy walked away, still fuming from another failed attempt to make Dean aware of her condition. Benny then came up from behind Lucas and leaned on the side that Amy had hit.
“She still hasn’t told him yet, eh?” Benny asked.
“I guess not. Wish she’d quit using me as a punching bag already!” Lucas answered back.
“Oh come on, if she wasn’t Black Juno right now, you’d want her to use her tongue around your little punching bag. And by ‘punching bag’, I mean…”
“Umm, eww! God, don’t even finish that thought!” Lucas protested as he quickly ran off. Benny just smirked at his friend’s rather bashful and disgusted reaction to anything involving sex talk.
“Lord knows I would,” Benny said quietly to himself.

“It's not easy having yourself a good time / Greasing up those bets and betters / Watching out they don't four-letter / Fuck and kiss you both at the same time / Smells like something I've forgotten / Curled up died and now it's rotten… ”
The mood was definitely more lighter in Ottawa as Prime Minister Jason Saxon celebrated the new year with a grand party. After a shaky start to his reign, people have come around to seeing things the Jason Saxon Way: events like July 7th haven’t happened again, the Viisk have been both brutally vicious and efficient in aiding Canadian soldiers in the Middle East, and while the Vegreville Six remain at large, Jason Saxon has reassured the Canadian populace that they will be made to answer for their crimes. But now was not the time to dwell on the past, this was a time to celebrate the year ahead as Jason Saxon quickly drank a glass of champagne and spotted Claudia Daring, sporting an elegant black cocktail dress with a very low neckline that accentuated her two best assets.
“I'm not a gangster tonight / Don't want to be a bad guy / I'm just a loner baby /
And now you're gotten in my way…”
As the Scissor Sisters’ “I Can’t Decide” played during this grand party, Jason Saxon and Claudia Daring danced a fast-paced waltz to keep up with the music. Saxon dipped his dance partner and planted a passionate kiss on Claudia’s luscious lips, who in turn reciprocated the favor. A roar of applause came from the rest of the partygoers as Saxon and Daring stood center floor and took a bow.
While a party went on in Ottawa, Doctor Sarah Bellum was hard at work inside the warehouse in Saskatchewan, overseeing the processing of a narcotic whose scientific name was “napicin sulfite”, or as she learned after the fact – an ARC project known as “Yellow Light.” A drug synthesized from canola and an experimental organic compound that was left over from the incidents back in 2007. If only she had paid closer attention to the goings on in her company, Sarah could have found a more productive way to stop all of this from happening. She wouldn’t have had to witness the death of her father and her mother’s loss of identity back in July. Now here she is, as some sort of indentured servitude to the Jason Saxon regime, getting a drug ready for a legion of Viisk soldiers, about to make their triumphant return from Iran.
“They’re waiting for it. Is it all set?” an Initiative soldier came in and asked Sarah. Sarah nodded yes as other soldiers walked in and took vials of the napicin sulfite. One of the soldiers motioned for Sarah to come with them. It became pretty much a routine around these parts: the Viisk go into battle, they come back victorious, and are rewarded for their success. Sarah watched from the top as Sloane stood on the ground floor, waiting for the Viisk to return. Twenty Viisks phased into warehouse, marching in unison. The first Viisk approached Sloane and presented her what appeared to be a decapitated head, almost like a dog presenting its kill to its master. Sloane looked at the head and took it into her hands. She then went onto make a speech that has pretty much become routine around these parts: “Accept this offering from Jason Saxon, our glorious leader. Accept it as his reward for your continuing loyalty to his cause. May you accept it in order to maintain our order across this land. Order leads to loyalty. Loyalty leads to obedience. Obedience leads to victory. Victory is life!”
“Victory is life!” the Viisk sounded off as the human Initiative soldiers administered the vials of napicin sulfite to the victorious Viisks. Sarah Bellum felt a heavy heart that she was aiding in what could be best described as an inhibitor for an addictive drug. “Score one for the good guys,” Sarah said quietly and under her breath, since showing any kind of disrespect usually got met with a slap across the face from Sloane.

Rachel Mills carried under her arms a bunch of rolled up papers as she made her way into the command center’s main wardroom. She placed the papers on a table and unrolled them to reveal a series of maps. She studied an area of the map that was circled and then looked at a smaller piece of paper. She studied the two with great intent and made notes on a separate smaller map.
Benny walked by and noticed his fellow Squint busy at work. “Didn’t know you were heavy into cartography, Rach.” Benny said.
“Actually, my father was one of the top orienteer in our home state.” Rachel said, still with her eyes fixed on a couple locations highlighted on the map. “It was one of the few things we bonded over the most.”
“So, whatcha looking for now?”
“Trying to pinpoint old Section 31 facilities and also trying to correlate them to the possible location of this lost project.”
“Thought everyone gave up on that looking glass thing?” Benny asked.
“Well, there seems to be some contention among our hosts and what’s left of our group. For some reason, Kevin thinks bringing in people who have suffered some neurological impairment will allow us to figure out where it is. The greycoats, not so much.” Rachel stated. By this time, Ariel Brody-Toroshenko and Donnie Bellum arrived, escorting a woman that looked like she had spent the last six months lost and homeless. The woman was Stacey Noble.
“People whose brains are fried like this one?” Ariel asked.
“Fried like sausages. Plump juicy breakfast sausages.” Stacey said, giggling uncontrollably.
“Still don’t see why we’re playing capture the loonies.” Donnie scoffed. Around this time, Kevin Brody – walking with a slight pronounced limp and a cane – showed up and addressed the concerns expressed by Donnie. “It’s because none of you are ready for anything major,” Kevin said weakly, his voice gravelly and hoarse as he was still recovering from his life-threatening injuries.
“Well, when will be ready?” Ariel asked. “Who are you to say when we’re ready?”
“Because last time, the two of you just about got yourself killed while chasing down a wild goose in a blown lead to the location of our objective.” Kevin told his life partner. Ariel just fumed and stormed out of the room. Donnie just looked at Kevin, who sat down and looked disheveled. “She does have a point. You can’t keep mollycoddling us with these simple in’n’out missions.” Donnie said.
“Had we played it safe from the get go, Sarah would still be here.” Kevin lamented. “Karen would be okay, too. If playing it safe means keeping the rest of us from getting badly hurt or worse, then so be it.”
Donnie just rolled his eyes, then slammed his hands on the table in frustration. “Fine, feel sorry for yourself!” he shouted, “Keep in mind, the longer you stall, the longer it’s going to take for you to make up for allowing Sarah to get captured by him!”
Kevin struggled to stand and coldly stared at Donnie. He then calmly replied, “Fair enough. Tell Ariel to increase training sessions with you. When she feels you are ready to go into the field again, you have my blessing. But, anything bad happens to you or her, it will be your own fault. God forbid I need more names to weigh down my conscience as it is.” Kevin then slowly walked away from Donnie as Stacey sat in a chair and spun around with the enthusiasm of child. “Out of darkness, the light will shine once our heroes endure through their suffering.” Stacey said, despite feeling dizzy. “Then we can all enjoy sausages again!”
Lucas walked by Stacey and shook his head. “Oh Christ, not another one! You know Kevin put the one who thinks he’s a dragon in with me?”
Benny smirked and said to Lucas “He didn’t try to fry you, did he?”
“No. But if I hear ‘Fuck you, I’m a dragon!’ one more time, I swear to god…” Lucas bemoaned.
“Sure it’s nothing personal.” Benny interjected, “Guy needs some humor in his life now. Doctor House and Donald here had their bi-weekly quiet agree-to-disagree moments.”
“Call me by that name again, and I’ll drop you,” Donnie said with quiet rage towards Benny.
“When did Kevin get his doctorate and change his name?” Rachel said with slight confusion.
“It was a television show reference,” Donnie said as he too walked away. Benny just shook his head and muttered “Such lovely people they’ve turned into the past five months or so.”

It was late at night as Jason Saxon and Claudia Daring made their way from the New Year’s party to their private limousine. The two of them were unaware of someone watching from a distance through a set of night-vision binoculars. The two of them were unaware that this someone kept an eye on the two of them making out and making their way into the care. This someone was a woman, donned in black cammo gear and wearing a brown trench coat. She reached into her pocket to reveal what looked like a remote denotation device. “See you in hell, fucker!” she said as she pressed the button. But nothing happened. In anger, she kept pressing the button like an obsessive-compulsive disorder sufferer.
A man’s voice addressed the woman, “Hello, Willow.”
The woman – a young adult version of Willow Ecstasy Brody-Toroshenko – looked at the man, who wore a grey trench coat and called him by his name, “Vedder. This does concern you.”
The man simply known as Vedder pulled out a small incendiary device from his pocket. “When it comes to directly interfering with events that have to occur in this timeline, then yes, it does concern us.”
Willow just scoffed and said “Come on, you know the second that son of a bitch and his little whore die, everything goes back to normal!”
“Not necessary,” Vedder said. “A lot of factors could lead to everything falling apart. This is not your time to strike.”
“Heard the same thing from Jericho. Why didn’t he come and stop me himself instead of sending a lower-rung errand boy?”
“You have no idea how much your actions have hurt him.”
Willow just lightly laughed “Please, you tell me you are all so above emotions, and now he’s too shook to bring me down himself?”
Vedder just looked at Willow and said to her “You know deep inside this is not the time or place. Act now, and not only will everything unravel before you, but you will become the one thing you hate the most – a Corruptor. Just like Jason Saxon.”
Willow watched as the limo pulled away from the party scene. Perhaps her former mentor was making sense. But not enough for her to take him down with a simple judo takedown. She straddled Vedder and held a gun to his head. “Let’s get one thing straight, pretty boy – you can keep sticking your nose into my business, but one way or another, I will get revenge on the man who took my family away from me. Next time you grey or bluecoats stand in my way, it’d better be Jericho, or I get to see if you guys really are nothing but concentrated balls of energy.” Willow then forced a kiss onto Vedder’s lips and then got up. “See you another time.” Willow said as she tapped a device on her left wrist and faded out of the area. Vedder got up and simply thought to himself At least she has mellowed out somewhat.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 2, Preface

2008-11-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

PART TWO: THE YEAR OF HELL

Preface: Hailey’s Dream (A Sign of Things to Come, Part Two…)

Year: 2020

Sixteen-year old Hailey Bellum tried in vain to sleep. She tossed and turned in the single mattress bed that she had made her home for the last ten years since she last saw her parents. When she was asked to look after Faith and Willow, one of the main things she took with her was her father’s words: “Be brave… you’re going to have to be their big sister…”. Those words still resonated with Hailey to this day, as she finally let out a tiring sigh and closed her eyes, hoping to finally get some sleep

An unidentified woman’s voice bellowed “Hailey! Faith! Supper’s almost ready!” Hailey Bellum and Faith Williams, appearing to be the same age as Hailey despite being four years younger than her, worked at making a bed inside a bedroom. The sun shone brightly in the attic bedroom as the two of them worked together.
“The sun is pretty bright today, eh?” Hailey said as she adjusted the top blanket
“Mmm, yes.” Faith said as she looked out the window, almost in a reminiscing way.
“Do you think they will finally come home today?” asked Hailey, as she sat on the now made bed and clutched a teddy bear that sat at the head of the bed.
“I hope so.” Faith laid down on the bed staring at the ceiling. “But at least we’ll be ready for little sister’s arrival.”
“Do you think she really is the way everything to go back to being normal? Willow tried and she failed.”
“Willow tried to do things that would have hurt my little sister.” Faith said “She tried to break the chain in the past.”
“But can we really break the chain without help?” Hailey asked as a sand storm blew through the bedroom. Hailey then found herself in the badlands of Southern Alberta, walking through the hoodoos that her parents took her oh so many years ago. Hailey shielded her eyes from the two suns that shined down on the arid land. Hailey then saw an old woman standing in the middle of the scenery. Hailey approached the woman, who then noticed Hailey walking towards her.
“The chain cannot be broken in the past or your future,” the woman said. “You need to look at the present to stop them!”
“Stop who?” Hailey asked the woman, who then collapsed to the ground. Hailey gasped as she noticed a knife sticking out in the woman’s back. Standing there was Sloane, dressed in leather.
“Do you really think you can stop us anywhere?” Sloane asked Hailey, who backed away in fear. Hailey then felt something behind her. She turned around and was then face to face with Claudia Daring.
“I’m afraid you’re just too late, little girl.” Claudia said with a sinister smirk. Hailey then felt someone grabbing her by the arm and forcing her to turn around. Facing her now was Jason Saxon, brandishing the Lazarus Glove.
“Sorry, game over. You lose. Now, let’s see what’s on your pretty little mind,” Saxon said as he placed his hand onto Hailey’s forehead…

Hailey abruptly woke up screaming. The scream itself echoed throughout the area she was in. Hailey sat up from the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. She knew it was a dream, but it still made her scared. The scream she let out brought Jericho into her room. Jericho did his best to calm down Hailey, who was in near hysterics, “Shh, it’s okay. It’s gonna be all right,” Jericho said as he sat down beside Hailey and gave her a comforting hug. Expressing human emotion had improved greatly over the years for Jericho as Hailey slowly stopped crying. She always seemed to feel the safest in Jericho’s arms.
Hailey tried to speak, but did so hysterically and in between sobs “It was just… Saxon was there… and he… eww!”
Jericho wiped away the tears that ran down Hailey’s cheeks and said “It’s okay, You’re safe here, remember? No one will hurt you. I’ll see to it myself.”
“But… they said… the chain… we’re too late!”
“Look, if it’ll make you feel better, I know someone who can try and help sort out these dreams of yours. We’ll go see her tomorrow, okay?” Jericho said as he gently gave her a kiss on the forehead. Hailey then laid back down and tried to go to sleep, knowing now that she’ll be protected by her Jericho. Jericho then closed the door to her room behind him as he exited down the hall. As he walked, Jericho was met up by Sullivan.
“She isn’t ready, you know that?” Sullivan said defiantly to his superior.
“I’m afraid we’re running out of options,” Jericho said back. “If she isn’t ready now, who knows when she’ll be.”
“From what I heard, you’ve been busy going back and forth in this timeline. Obviously you have a clue what is going to go down. Or are you making sure Willow didn’t try again to throw everything out of place again?”
Jericho paused at the mere mention of Willow Ecstasy Brody-Toroshenko and simply let out a sigh that was mix of disappointment and frustration. “She made her decision and thankfully we were there to stop her before it was too late. She will also come around when the time is right,” Jericho said with a heavy heart.
“And what if all of this doesn’t work out?” Sullivan asked.
“Then maybe we should finally take the advice of her late mother – break some of the rules. Just enough to finally gain a foothold in this losing battle,” Jericho said, reflecting back to the events from he remembered from what had gone down as “The Year of Hell”…

While waiting for Part Two to commence...

2008-11-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

... enjoy a rousing game of "Find the Fish"... ;)

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 1, Chapter 12

2008-11-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER TWELVE: WHEN IT RAINS… OR, IN WHICH THE REST OF CANADA IS INTRODUCED TO THE VIISK, JASON SAXON MAKES AN INDECENT PROPOSAL TO SARAH BELLUM, AND MORE THINGS GO DOWN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE VEGREVILLE SIX.

Darkness was all Doctor Sarah Bellum could see. Most likely she was blindfolded, but why she wondered. She felt her both her arms and legs bound together. Tied up, but again, why? She hadn’t heard too much since Claudia Daring and a solitary Viisk brought her to some abandoned warehouse. Then Sarah felt a small prick in the base of her neck and then nothing but darkness since. Possibly she was drugged but why go through of all of this secrecy? Then Sarah heard footsteps approaching her direction. Someone then removed the blindfold from Sarah’s eyes as a bright light shone directly in her face. It was too hard to make out who was all there as Sarah squinted, only able to make out very hard to define shadows. Once her eyes were able to adjust, Sarah saw Agents Black and White, Sloane, and six Viisk soldiers. Sloane approached Sarah, looked at her lips and mouth, and stated very coldly. “Such a pretty mouth. It would be a shame if someone did something to it if she doesn’t cooperate with us.”
Sarah groaned, possibly still feeling effect of being potentially drugged. Then she heard the sound of a metal door being opened, followed by two more sets of footsteps. Those footsteps belonged to Claudia Daring and Jason Saxon. Claudia stood to the side as Jason grabbed a chair and sat across from Sarah.
“Well, well, well, Doctor Bellum. I guess reports of your demise were greatly exaggerated.” Jason said as he let out a short burst of laughter at his own wit. “Anyways, here’s how this is going down – you answer my questions truthfully and to the best of your abilities, we let you live. Don’t play by the rules, well, I’m sure Miss Sloane is still itching for more carnage despite settling her cross-dimensional vendetta, right?” Saxon said looking at Sloane.
“Indeed.” Sloane said, referring to Kevin Brody, “Bugger has probably bled to death by now.”
“Or I could easily turn you over to my new friends here” Saxon said, leaning on two of the Viisks, both of which remained emotionless and still. “Oh, where are my manners? After all, you helped in their design vicariously. Doctor Sarah Bellum, meet the Viisk.”
Sarah looked in confusion at the life forms, only to see six set of cold eyes looking at her. Sarah then sat in awe as one of them spoke in plain English: “Why do we not kill this one as well?”
Saxon just laughed and patted the Viisk on its shoulder. “Always with the violence, huh? You have to admit, this is something special you are bearing witness to here my dear doctor. In just a few short hours from now, I will present our friends here the rest of Canada, assuring the public that they are indeed on our side and will continue to aide in my search for those that perpetrated the acts of July Seventh. Imagine if you will – an entire species bred solely for the purpose of fighting, killing, and defending our way of life. Plus, as a special bonus, I’m going to show exactly why we need the aide of the Viisk in this grand battle.”
Sarah kinked her neck and asked “What do you want from me? This has nothing at all do with me…”
Saxon sat down again. “Ah, the direct approach. Love it!” Saxon motioned for Agent Black to bring forth a television monitor. Agent Black turned the monitor on to show the moments before the explosion on July 7th. Saxon then plainly asked Sarah “Now, care to tell me where the nine of you went too before every went kaboom, hmm?”
Sarah sighed “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me,” Saxon said back “I mean, I got an army of cloned foot soldiers from an unknown galaxy ready to serve me. Trust me when I say I would be able to believe you.”
“We got transported out by some people who claim they could travel time. Happy now?” Sarah replied.
“Hmm. Time travel you say?” Saxon said as he stood up and laughed to himself.
“Now, I suppose these altruistic time travelers mentioned why they chose to save you, am I right?”
“Something about us being connected to events three years ago. I don’t remember.” Sarah answered.
“She’s lying!” Sloane snapped.
“Now, now, temper temper mademoiselle.” Saxon said as he motioned for Sloane to stop her impending advance. “I know when my black coat-wearing friends give me massive migraines when they go on about paradoxes and Temporal Cold Wars and whatnot. Your guys wear blue or grey coats, right?”
“Yes. What’s the point of all of this?” Sarah asked, getting tired of reliving pointless exposition. Then Sloane violently slapped Sarah across her face.
“Now, that was a little harsh, don’t you think?” Saxon asked Sloane, who simply crossed her arms. Saxon went on to talk more to Sarah “See? I think we are simply two people on opposite sides of a very long and bloody war that has been going on longer than any of us could ever comprehend. The only difference it seems, the guys I’ve chosen to side with, they’ve been upfront and honest with me since day one. Can you say the same for these.. Watchers?”
Sarah breathed in, trying to not show that the slap across her face stung and hurt very much so, and said “I don’t understand.”
Saxon stood up and walked over to the monitor. “Well, your guys played by their so-called ‘rules’ and ‘protocols’, and what did it get you? Captured, one of your friends bleeding to death in Calgary, and the rest of your merry band wounded,” he said, showing video footage of Ariel, Donnie, Dean, and Karen foolishly engaging the Viisk. “Me? We played with no rules and I am getting what I want and more!”
“Again, I ask, what does this have to do with me?” Sarah asked, getting frustrated with Saxon’s doubletalk and subtle gloating.
“Well, since you seem so eager, here’s the real kicker – tell me about Project Looking Glass.” Saxon said looking into Sarah’s eyes.
“I know nothing about it!” Sarah quietly shouted at Saxon. “That was a lost item from people I had no control over.”
“Oh I think you had more control than you let on.” Saxon said as he walked around the room. “I mean, you approved all the donations graciously given by the Daring Foundation, right? You okayed all of these new initiatives that you see now before you without so much blinking an eye. In a way, Doctor Bellum, you are as much of this as we all are in this room right now.”
“I deal in practical science, not mad science.” Sarah replied back sternly. Sloane moved in for another slap, only to be cut off by Jason Saxon.
“Now, now. Perhaps the good doctor needs more of a visceral reaction to give us the answers we need. Miss Daring? Shall we bring in our next guests?” Saxon said to Claudia, who remained quiet for most of this procedure. Claudia spoke into her earpiece, “Bring in the Hendrickses”. Just then, four Initiative soldiers walked into the room, dragging a man and woman into the room. The Initiative soldiers brought the couple in front of Jason Saxon. Sarah, meanwhile, was shocked to recognize them as her own parents – Bill and Judy Hendricks.
“Mom? Dad?!” Sarah exclaimed in shock.
“Sarah, what’s going on here?” Judy Hendricks asked.
“We thought you were dead!” Bill Hendricks said and then looked at Jason Saxon. He demanded from Saxon “What’s the deal here?”
“Well, Mister and Missus Hendricks, your daughter is guilty in conspiring in one of the most horrific acts of terror in the history of Canada.” Saxon replied. “And I’m going to give her a choice. She can either cooperate with us here, which in that case she lives, her husband lives, and your granddaughter gets to live also. Or she can refuse, we put her on trial, hunt down the rest of her co-conspirators and they are brought to justice.”
“Why’d you drag them in here?” Sarah pleaded, trying to hold back any tears.
“Because I don’t think you get the severity of this situation.” Saxon said as Agent White brought forth the familiar bag that held the Lazarus Glove. Saxon opened the bag to reveal the glove. “Impressive, isn’t it? Another piece of borrowed technology courtesy of your former associates at the Alberta Research Council. Now whose brain do I get to… you know, I don’t think I have it in me to do this in front of you,” he said looking at Sarah. Just then Claudia Daring intervened and said “Let me do this one, sir! Haven’t had a good jolt since Vegreville.”
“All right, if you say so.” Saxon said as he fastened the glove onto Claudia’s small and tanned arm.
“Now,” Claudia said looking at the Hendrickses, “Eeney, meeney, miney, moe” she said as she touched the forehead of Judy. A low electrical hum was heard as Judy convulsed and went into a seizure. Bill screamed “Leave her alone you monster!” and lunged at Jason Saxon, only to be promptly cut down by a blast from a Viisk plasma rifle. Sarah screamed and cried in vain as she watched her own father die before her eyes.
“Why are you doing this?!” Sarah screamed at Jason Saxon.
Saxon stared right into Sarah’s eyes and said “Simply put, to show you what you can lose if you refuse to cooperate with us further. Imagine next time I bring in Donald and have the Viisk use him for target practice? Or what if somehow we find your little girl? I have no idea what the glove would do to a six year old’s brain. It’s probably turn it into goop. The choice is now yours. We’ll give you some time to think it over.” Saxon walked back and nearly tripped over Bill’s body. “Someone clean this up! I got to go make more history!” Saxon ordered as he happily jumped over the body. Two of the Viisk dragged the body away as everyone left Sarah, now in complete tears, alone in the room except for Judy. Judy eventually woke up and did not recognize where she was or what had went down. All she did was say over and over “The chain cannot be broken in the past or the future…”

Rachel, Benny, and Lucas sat around a table, playing a card game with a bald-headed bluecoat named Sullivan. Sullivan was one of the members of the Extraction Team that helped with the rescue mission in Calgary. With Dean still maintaining a vigilant watch over Karen, Kevin and Ariel recovering from their injuries, the trio known as the Ryan Jeffries Memorial Squint Squad passed their time much like the old days before everything seemed to change.
“So, Sully, tell us more about these ‘Brisks’” Benny said as he dealt a new hand for the game they were playing.
Sullivan corrected Benny’s mispronunciation “Viisk, actually. All we know is that the Corruptors used them in the Second Great Time War as added muscle. They’re from a universe that is billions of miles from this one. They are simply cold and merciless killing machines. They don’t eat, they don’t drink, and they don’t reproduce like your species does.”
“Sounds boring if you ask me,” Benny said. “They live the straight-edge life like I do and they live the doomed abstinence life that Lucas has been inflicted with.”
“Yes, because a life of being a drunken sex maniac is a healthy way to live.” Lucas said.
“So how are they created then?” Rachel asked.
“They’re cloned actually. If only we knew if there were facilities on Earth we can estimate exact numbers, or who they’re exactly aligned with.” Sullivan said as he looked at his cards. “My turn right?” he asked. “Got any eights?”
“Go fish” Lucas said. “We’re playing this game why?”
Jericho walked into the room, ignoring the game but paid attention to Sullivan’s pondering of the Viisk’s allegiance. “Think you should all take a look here.” Jericho said as a view screen came on to show Jason Saxon, speaking in front of a podium in the halls of the House of Commons in Ottawa. It caught him in mid-speech: “… I will not be answering any questions at this time but at this moment in time, there are four individuals who stand in our way of knowing for sure what happened in Vegreville. Mark my word, those four people will be found and made to answer question we all have, like why? But right now, between these five people and these so-called ‘Angels of Mercy’ who have infected Canada with a cancer that the only way to save us now is something that I may regret. But it is because of the Angels of Mercy, Donald Bellum, Ariel Brody-Toroshenko, Dean Williams, and Karen Williams that I am going to have to kill what we have created…”
“What about us?” Benny asked at the monitor.
“He can’t hear you.” Lucas added.
Saxon went on with his speech, “… I’m going to kill it! I’m going to inject what people will consider a lethal dose of poison! If there is a way to make sure that the events of July Seventh never happen again and it means killing our old ways, then I will do it…” Saxon paused as ten Viisk soldiers phased into the hallway. Saxon continued on. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… the Viisk! In a few short days, thousands of these Viisks will be sent into current hotspots to ensure our Canadians victory in our conflicts overseas. And soon these Viisk will ensure that never again will something like July Seventh happen under my watch…!”
Jericho paused the video as the other four looked on in shock. “Guess that answers who has access to your friends there.” Benny bluntly pointed out.
“Impossible.” Sullivan said “The only way he could have learned about them was...”
“… From the Corruptors.” Jericho said. “Inform everyone to start research on who exactly this man is and how he got a hold of the Corruptors.”

Amy Benz leaned against the wall facing the room where Dean and Karen Williams were. Amy let out a sigh of frustration as she looked into the room to see Dean, once again staying bedside with Karen, who was in a coma and showed no real signs of waking up anytime soon. Megan walked by Amy and posed a question to her “When do you plan on telling him?”
Amy looked confused and asked back “Excuse me? What are you talking about?”
“Don’t worry,” Megan said, “You’re secret is safe with us. But don’t you think he could use some good news in his life right now?”
“I don’t get what you’re trying to say.”
“You’re carrying his child, right?” Megan asked frankly.
Amy looked in shock and asked back “How do you know?”
“I think you call it ‘woman’s intertution.” Megan said struggling with the last word.
“It’s ‘intuition’, honey. But still, how do you tell a man who may lose his wife ‘Hey, remember when we got drunk and fucked and said it’ll be okay as long as nothing comes back to bite us in the ass? Well, surprise!’” Amy said as she hung her head in uncertainty. “Plus I’m not sure if I can handle it.”
“You’re going to have to,” Megan said with urgency
“Let me guess. The dark skinned one will save us all?” Amy asked
“What?”
“It… it’s nothing. Some crazy person said that to me.”
Megan awkwardly patted Amy on the shoulder and told her. “I think its time we talk more to Jericho about this.”

Donnie Bellum walked down the hallway, stern-faced and with a purpose. A lot was weighing on his mind: possibly losing his wife, being away from his daughter, friends and family who think he is either dead or now a mastermind terrorist, and snapping and nearly killing Kevin. Donnie stopped at a door and opened it to reveal Ariel, sitting on a bed, facing away from the door and topless as she reapplied her bandages around her bruised and broken ribcage. Donnie shielded his eyes so as not to glance at her nudity. Ariel knew someone was watching her as she placed a simple cotton shirt gingerly over her naked torso. She turned and faced Donnie, still looking stone faced. Ariel shook her head and went off on Donnie: “So, couldn’t finish the job with Kevin so you’ve come to claim some twisted ‘eye for an eye’ vendetta with me, huh?” Donnie just stared as Ariel continued to rant “Do you think you’re the only one who lost someone they love out there? Dean’s in another ward, scared shitless that Karen is going to die any moment! The man I love got his ass kicked and was left for dead, only to have you take all of your anger out on him! And don’t even think about mentioning your kid because we all made that hard decision to give them up! So unless you have something else to say or have an explanation as to what the fuck you were thinking as you tried to squeeze the life out of Kevin, you’ve come to the wrong person to go ‘Oh, woe is me!’ to!”
Donnie took one step forward and still stared at Ariel, who crossed her arms in anger. Donnie then calmly and coldly said to Ariel “I want you to teach me how to fight.”
Ariel gave a small smile and kneed Donnie in the groin. “Consider that both lesson one and a message – whenever Kevin is fit for duty again you two better play nice or else.” Ariel said as Donnie doubled over in pain. Fighting through the pain, Donnie asked “When’s the next lesson?”
“As soon as I’m healed up.” Ariel said, wincing in pain as well.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 1, Chapter 11

2008-11-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER ELEVEN: WAR MACHINE. OR, IN WHICH KEVIN AND SARAH FIND MORE THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR IN CALGARY, AND SOME REALLY, REALLY BAD SHIT GOES DOWN, YO!

Dean Williams and Amy Benz returned to the command center of the Watchers and Cleaners. While it may have seen they were gone for a day, such concepts of time were not completely observed and it seemed they were only gone for a few moments. As the two of them reappeared, they saw Donnie and Ariel, both walking with a purpose. They were quickly followed by Karen, who got stopped by Dean as he asked her “What’s with the hurry?”
Karen looked at Dean and gave a brief summary “Well, apparently Kevin and Sarah took the nerds with them to Calgary to look for something I really know nothing about. Donnie and Ariel just found out about it and are on their way there now. Ariel is probably gonna kick Kevin’s ass and then have rough make-up sex with him afterwards – and Donnie is probably gonna just kick Kevin’s ass.”
“Huh,” said Dean after that brief expository summary. “And you’re going with them because…”
“Figured Kevin is going to need some first aide, one way or another.” Karen said with a smile.
“Well I guess I better come along too.” Dean said while taking Karen’s hand to hold with affection.
“Well, who is gonna look after the kids then?” Ariel asked as she stopped and turned around after hearing Dean’s declaration.
“Amy could.” Karen suggested as Amy just shook her head in disagreement. Then Megan and Molly showed up in the middle of this debate.
“Actually, we need to talk more about what you’re about to do.” Megan said with some urgency.
“Jericho would have our heads if he knew what we were going to tell you.” Molly chimed in.
“Well, are you two going to tell us, or are you going to keep this stalling tactic up?” Ariel impatiently asked.
“Well, we think its in the best interest if your children are put into the protective custody of the Watchers’ Committee.” Megan suggested.
The four of them let out a collective “What?” at Megan’s suggestion. “Give up our kids to you? We barely trust you as it is!” Ariel stated.
“Well we did save your lives earlier.” Molly said with a quiet yet defensive tone.
“But to be honest, you all haven’t fully explained why you did so.” Donnie added. Meanwhile Dean and Karen carried on a quiet and private conversation as Megan added “All we can tell you is some very bad things could happen to you if you go back to this ‘Calgary’. If something bad happens to you, some things have indicated that your children may play an important role in things yet to come.”
“Sacrifices may be needed to be made.” Molly said. With that sentence uttered by the blonde blue coated woman, Dean had a sense of hearing that from somewhere.
“They’re right, you know that?” Dean said to Karen as the two of them held back tears.
“Doesn’t make it any harder.” Karen said. “But I guess that means we all better make it back in one piece.”
“All right. We agree.” Dean said to Megan and Molly. The two bluecoats looked over at Donnie and Ariel. “Well, I’d rather Hailey go to her grandparents in Medicine Hat, but for now it seems that it out of the question.” Donnie said. Ariel just rolled her eyes and nodded reluctantly.
“Can we at least say goodbye to them?” Karen asked as tears began to trickle down her cheeks as Dean held her, trying to comfort her in making this very tough decision.

So it went down like this: three women in grey trench coats stood waiting as Dean and Karen Williams kissed their daughter Faith goodbye and tried to assure her that things were going to be okay. Donnie was seen in the corner talking to Hailey.
“Listen, I don’t know what exactly is going on or how long this will be going on for,” Donnie said to his daughter. “But right now I need you to be brave and be the big sister for Faith and Willow, okay sweetie?”
Hailey quietly told Donnie. “I will for Faith, but Willow scares me.” Ariel walked by and heard the comment from the six year old girl. All Ariel did was shake her head and said “Way to teach tolerance there, Donald!”.
Donnie just slapped his forehead in frustration as he and Hailey made their way to the trio of greycoats. While this was all going down, Megan and Molly watched from a distance.
“Such a display of raw emotions.” Megan said.
“Was this why we evolved to our current state of keeping ours in check?” Molly asked.
“From my understanding, yes. Hard to make decisions when one is a slave to their emotions.” Megan replied back.
“If only we could tell them everything.”
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t even think the rest of the Watchers know what is going to happen there.”
Jericho somehow sidled his way between Megan and Molly and added to Megan’s last sentence: “Correct. If we fully knew what was going to happen, we would have persuaded them not to go ahead with this at all.”
“So why are we doing this then?” Molly asked.
“We need to be sure what exactly we’re dealing with in this timeline.” Jericho said. “Speaking of which, I want you two to follow them and make sure nothing goes wrong. Any sign of trouble, get them all back here. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!” Both Megan and Molly said as the three of them now watched what could be the last time any of the four in the room would see their children again.

Doctor Sarah Bellum and Kevin Brody walked with a quick pace through the hallways of the Calgary branch of the Alberta Research Council. Kevin pulled out a walkie-talkie and spoke into it: “Okay, we passed the first checkpoint. May need your magic fingers again here, Bones.”
“I’ll do my best. They’ve really boosted security what with a national security crisis going on and all.” Rachel’s voice was heard replying back.
“Doctor Funkenstein, how’s your research going?” Kevin asked again into the walkie-talkie
“So far, all my usual sources have been quiet on all things regarding the Daring Foundation. Though apparently both Poppa and Sonny Boy died the same day and your ex fling is now the new CEO.” Benny’s voice replied back.
“Well, keep searching.” Kevin said back. “Captain Underpants? What do you got for me?”
“Well, first I object to the code names given for this operation” Lucas’s voice came across the walkie talkie.
“Well, next time don’t post your Halloween pics on your MySpace page!” Kevin said back.
“Well, if it helps, apparently the large amount of canola that has been planted on Daring-owned farms have been purchased by a shell company that by no shear coincidence is also owned by the Darings.” Lucas said back through the walkie-talkie.
“Not sure if that has anything to do with Yellow Light or Looking Glass, but it’s better than nothing.” Kevin said into the walkie-talkie. “Bones? Keep doing the techno-voodoo you do so well. Doc Funk? Let me know if your sources know more. Captain Underpants? Stay away from hentai sites and keep up the good work. Red Leader out!”

In the van that was parked about half a mile away from the main entrance, Lucas put down their walkie-talkie after Kevin’s last transmission. He bemoaned. “Sheesh, innocently download one file from 4Chan and I have to hear about it forever.”
Benny shook his head at Lucas. “Ahh, so you’re the reason that they put the Parental Lock on our stations back home. Thanks a lot, now I’ll never be able to keep up with the latest internet memes!”
“Well, I’m pretty sure like all memes, anything new will be ran into the ground and be declared old and unfunny within hours.” Rachel added in.
Benny did a double take and looked at Rachel. Then he said, “Huh. I saw what you did there.”

Sarah Bellum frantically searched through a filing cabinet in her office, looking for anything relevant to what they were looking for. Kevin Brody, meanwhile, sat at the desk, frantically typing away on a computer keyboard. Kevin switched from the walkie-talkie and was communicating with the Squint Squad via his Bluetooth earpiece. Rachel did her best to hack through the tightly secured network and gave Kevin the necessary passwords to access the network from the computer where now sat. “Hmmm,” Kevin said disappointingly “Looks like we may have been too late. Anything connected to the Daring Foundation has either been deleted or never on official records.”
“Well, I found a couple of memos from some guy named Tim from accounting.” Sarah said as she let out a sigh of frustration. “You know when I agreed to take over as the head of the ARC, I promised no more secrets and no more mad science-type projects. Looks like that didn’t last too long.”
“Patience, madame,” Kevin said. “Think I may have found something else that we all missed.”
“What is it?”
“Possibly the location of our Looking Glass”, Kevin said as she showed the computer monitor to Sarah. On there, a shaded in area of what appeared to be around the Drum Heller area. “Bones? I’m sending you a copy of a map. Save it and get ready to depart in five.” Kevin said.

Outside the perimeter of the Calgary offices of the Alberta Research Council, twenty Initiative soldiers held a standing position. Two other soldiers stood by a medium-sized rectangular object that resembled a microwave over covered with circuits. One of the soldiers pressed a button on the object as a low electronic hum was emitted. “Dampening field activated,” one of the soldiers said. “All communications in this area should be terminated or severely hampered.”
A man who was the commanding officer of this squadron acknowledged this development and motioned for everyone else to get ready to move in. Just before that went down, Sloane materialized from out of nowhere, flanked by eight giant life forms that looked like giant human-sized bearded dragons. All eight of them were armed with giant rifles and stood there, without blinking or making any other movements. The Initiative commanding officer approached Sloane as two of the creatures went into a defensive position.
“What are you doing here and why did you have to bring those things with you?” the officer asked Sloane.
Sloane replied back sternly “Mister Saxon wanted me to handle this situation personally and told me I could bring out the Viisk if I wanted to.”
“So we’re fighting alongside the Viisk now?” asked the officer.
“No,” replied back Sloane. “You’ll remain out here and act as support in case we fail.” She motioned with her hand to the creatures simply known as the Viisk followed suit.
“You’re going in with only eight of them?” shouted the officer.
“Not really,” Sloane said with a cold smile, “Two should be enough for my true objective.”

Kevin Brody frantically tapped his earpiece as the only thing he was getting on the other end was static. Hopefully Rachel was able to get the file he sent her as the computer itself now went dead. Sarah looked up from the filing cabinet as she noticed the lights flickering off and on. “What’s going on?” she asked with fear.
“Dunno, but it’s best if we made like hockey sticks and get the puck outta here!” Kevin said as he got up from the desk, only to notice Claudia Daring standing in the doorway. She was wearing a black beret, black trench coat, khaki fatigue pants and a olive green tank top that briefly exposed her midriff.
“I’m afraid neither of you are going anywhere,” Claudia said and then looked at Sarah. “Doctor Bellum? You look pretty well for someone whose supposed to be dead.”
“Hey there, Barracuda Lips.” Kevin interjected. Claudia Daring looked over with disdain for that nickname she hadn’t heard in over ten years. “I’m sorry, who are you again?” she asked her trademark arrogance.
“Kevin Jay Brody,” Kevin reintroduced himself to his old flame. “We first met at Rico’s party back in ’98?”
“Now I remember you,” Claudia said. “You’re the one with the clumsy hands and one-minute of pleasure. And that ridiculous Boba Fett standee..”
“Hey!” Kevin interrupted her assault on his character. “Criticize my sloppy drunken love making skills all you want, but never diss the Fett-Man!”
“Charming,” Claudia said sarcastically. “Another stunted man-child who somehow muddled his way out of his parent’s basement. Anyways, you are not important to me, she is.” Claudia said looking directly at Sarah.
“Look, I can explain everything… “ Sarah said but was cut off by Claudia: “Save your explanations for Prime Minister Saxon.”
“Did we hop into some alternate universe?” Kevin asked. “How did he become prime minister?”
“It’s a long story that only Doctor Bellum will have the pleasure of hearing. You, not so much…” Claudia said with a smile on her face.
“Really? You and whose army do you intend to use?” Kevin asked. In almost perfect timing, Sloane and two of the Viisk foot soldiers materialized into the room right beside Claudia Daring. Sloane replied back “Is this good enough for you?”
Kevin rubbed his eyes in disbelief, shocked to see his old nemesis from three years ago – a woman he personally shot and killed – alive and kicking. Foolishly, Kevin asked “Didn’t I kill you three years ago?”
Sloane just smirked at the question and replied “I was hoping you’d say that…”

Ariel, Dean, Donnie, and Karen appeared just inside the grounds of the Calgary branch offices. They were promptly joined by Megan and Molly, who were given instructions to protect the four of them at all cost. Everyone ducked down to the ground once they noticed six of the Viisk, standing guard of the main building’s entrance.
“Frack! We weren’t expecting this!” Megan said with a hushed tone.
“Okay, what the fuck are those things?!” Donnie said quietly but rather loudly.
“They look like giant reptiles.” Karen said quietly as well.
“They seem like…” Dean said.
“I swear to god, make a reference to a show I never watched and I’ll punch you in the shirt!” Donnie interrupted.
“Molly to Central Command,” Molly said into her watch. “Request Emergency Extraction Team assistance immediately! Six Viisk soldiers are in area…”
Jericho’s voice was heard replying “Viisk? That’s impossible! Their usage was outlawed as per Protocol…”
“We can discuss treaty details later! We don’t stand a chance if we get into a conflict!” Molly snapped back.
“Request approved.” Jericho’s voice replied back. “Hold your position…”
Ariel simply rolled her eyes after hearing to stay still and grabbed a small revolver-looking weapon she had concealed underneath her shirt. “God, for people from wherever the fuck you’re from, you are a bunch of scared pussies!” Ariel said as she fired the weapon which emitted a light pulse towards the six Viisk. The six Viisk got their weapons and fired right back at them.
“Great! You’ve probably killed us all!” Donnie shouted.
“Well, I ain’t waiting around for backup!” Ariel yelled back as she continued firing at the Viisk. Dean and Karen huddled together in fear as Ariel charged out to take the fight on the run.
“Just like old times, huh?” Dean said as Karen nodded in agreement.

Back inside, Sloane looked at Kevin, then glanced at Sarah. Sloane them looked at the two Viiisks that flanked her on either side of her. Looking first at the one on her left she commanded it “Go with her and take Doctor Bellum to meet Mister Saxon.”, motioning the Viisk to go with Claudia Daring. The one on her right got this simple command as Sloane looked at Kevin “Tear him apart for all I care.” The first Viisk approached Sarah and grabbed her by her arms and then walked over to Claudia Daring. “Best not to scream,” Claudia whispered into Sarah’s ear. “Violence and fear apparently gets these things excited.” Claudia Daring then pulled out a remote device, mockingly waved goodbye, and pressed a button on the device as she, Sarah, and the Viisk disappeared in a flash of light. That light distracted Kevin long enough to get sucker punched by the remaining Viisk. Kevin tried to land blows on the massive monster, but the Viisk blocked most of the shots and any that did land on it seemed not to faze it at all. The Viisk grabbed Kevin by his throat and tossed him halfway across the room, knocking himself silly along with a bookcase that landed on top of him. The Viisk walked over and tossed the bookshelf off Kevin and promptly picked him up. The Viisk placed Kevin in a choke hold as the two of them faced Sloane, who walked over and spoke to Kevin.
“So, you bested myself in this timeline, hmm?” Sloane said. “Now I could have my friend here snap your neck and you’d be dead within mere seconds. Or I could have him toss you around some more like a cat playing with its prey.” Sloane then removed a hunting knife from the side of her hip. “Or maybe you should be made to suffer like I have so far since being in this timeline,” she said as she motioned the knife up and down Kevin’s chest. “Let him go!” Sloane commanded the Viisk, who let Kevin out of the hold, gasping for air. But it was a setup as Sloane quickly and viciously slashed away at Kevin’s throat. Bleeding profusely, Kevin collapsed to the floor. Sloane kneeled beside him, watching him gasp for air in vain, and whispered in Kevin’s ear. “Either way, I wanted to personally end you myself.” Sloane then noticed the Chronometer on Kevin’s wrist and promptly removed it from his person. Sloane then stood up and phased out of the room with the Viisk, leaving Kevin to possibly bleed to death.

Ariel fared no better against the Viisk on the outside. She was able to wound one of them, but one came from behind and violently tossed Ariel into a parked car. Ariel rolled off the car, wincing in pain, as the five of the Viisk approached her like a pack of wolves moving in for the kill.
“I can’t stand to watch this.” Karen said as she grabbed a similar weapon Ariel had from Megan and rushed out to help Ariel.
“Oh for the love… Karen, wait!” Dean shouted as he too ran out. Donnie also followed as well.
“See? Slaves to their emotions.” Megan said with disdain. Around this time, about ten men and women in blue trenchcoats appeared in front of the main entrance. All of them revealed giant rifles and aimed them towards the six Viisk. A giant firefight between the Bluecoats and the Viisk broke out, which provided an convenient cover for Karen, Dean, and Donnie to get a badly wounded Ariel out of there. However, one of the blasts from the Bluecoats went awry and got redirected towards the rescue party. A powerful explosion occurred as Karen was knocked into the air and smacked her head very hard on an oak tree. Dean screamed in anguish and rushed over to see Karen, knocked unconscious and bleeding. Dean scooped her up and ran as the firefight continued. Donnie was left to act as a human crutch for Ariel. With the four of them now back with Megan and Molly, Megan spoke into her watch “We’re heading back now! Inform medical units we have wounded coming in.”
“But what about my wife?!” Donnie pleaded.
“Inform Extraction Team to search for Doctor Bellum and Mister Brody once Viisk are terminated” Megan said into the watch as the six of them vanished into the air. The Extraction Team finally was able to put down the Viisk and then ran into the building. While this went down, the Initiative troops watched as the commanding officer grumbled. “Hmph! So much for their supposed battle-ready endurance,” he said as he motioned for the Dampening Field Generator to be shut off. “Pack ‘em boys!” he then ordered the rest of the squadron.

Kevin Brody struggled to pull himself up to the desk. Still bleeding like a stuck pig, Kevin hoped this gambit pays off as he picked up the telephone and dialed a number. Kevin then slumped back down on the floor, the strain being too much as he more and more blood leaked from his neck, draining away any of his energy and life. His only hope now was that someone picked up the signal.

“Okay, what the hell happened?” Benny said as he whacked the tower of his computer. “Everything went dead for a few moments and now it’s back on rebooting everything!”
“I don’t know!” Lucas shrieked. “All I know is they should have been back by now!”
Rachel remained surprisingly calm until she noticed the cell phone in her pocket was vibrating. She quickly pulled it out and saw she a missed call that came from inside the offices. She stood up and said “I think something went wrong, I’m going in!”
“Slow your roll there honey!” Benny said.
“For all we know it could be a trap.” Lucas interjected.
“Yes, thank you, Admiral Ackbar!” Benny said after smacking Lucas in the head.
“I thought he was Captain Underpants?” Rachel said.
“I – nevermind. We all go in at once. Like the Three Musketeers!” Benny said.
“See? That I get.” Rachel said as the three of them activated their Chronometers and conveniently ended up in the office where Kevin was left to bleed to death.
“Jesus Christ!” exclaimed Benny, after seeing Kevin, blood gushing from his throat. Lucas nearly threw up at the sight of blood as Rachel took Kevin in her arms and pressed a button on her Chronometer. Benny did the same as he took a nearly passed out Lucas by his hand and leapt out too.

Back in the command center, everyone was gathered in the infirmary area. Medics attended to Ariel, who received a couple of broken ribs and some internal bleeding. Dean did a bedside vigil for Karen, who had received a severe concussion and was in a coma. From outside the room, Amy Benz looked on from the tiny window on the door and watched her client and one night lover basically get down on his knees and cry. Given their past, Amy wasn’t sure how to fully react, especially with her stomach not feeling the greatest since their night of drunken passion.
Donnie Bellum stormed down the hall and bumped into Megan. “Where is she?!” Donnie demanded to know the whereabouts of his wife.
“The team reported no signs of her. Our Chronometer detectors haven’t been able to fully track her down. Which doesn’t completely rule out that she is dead.” Megan said with little or no emotion. “But we did rescue Kevin…”
“Where is he, then?” Donnie asked with a calm demeanor.

Megan directed Donnie to a room where Kevin laid, wearing a cervical collar and hooked up to a machine that monitored his heartbeat.
“He just came out of surgery and isn’t able to talk. Least for a long time.” Megan told Donnie.
“That’s okay.” Donnie said with an almost creepy, yet calm tone. “I need to get something off my chest.”
Donnie entered the room and stood beside Kevin. Kevin weakly opened his eyes and tried to speak, but could not do so. Donnie looked at him and calmly said “Hey, how’s it going? Heard you’ve been through hell. You know, I can forgive you now for the years of tormenting me with your words and your actions. I can forgive you for making me look like a whiny wimp in Dean’s movie. I can even forgive you for not properly giving my share of the Doomtown income. With what has gone down lately, I realize that it is all petty and I forgive you for both of our actions.” Kevin painfully nodded his head in agreement with Donnie’s heartfelt speech. Donnie then noticed another pillow sitting on a chair. “Are you comfortable?” Donnie asked. “Would another pillow help aid your recovery?” Donnie said as he picked up the pillow. Donnie then stood over Kevin’s face and shoved the pillow as if to suffocate him. With the monitor beeping uncontrollably Donnie snapped and shouted at Kevin: “You son of a bitch! You cost me my family! Sarah is gone! Hailey is gone! You fucking better hope they all come back in one piece, because if they don’t… I… will… kill you!” Donnie continued to apply pressure to the pillow until Benny and Megan, who happened to walk by, jumped in and pulled Donnie away. The two of them struggled as Donnie continued to shout “You hear me, Brody! They better come back or you’re dead! You’re a dead man, Brody! Dead!”
All Kevin could do was cough and try to breathe on his own as Donnie got in one more shout of “DEAD!” after being tossed out of his room.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 1, Chapter 10

2008-11-11T21:19:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER TEN: EVOLUTION OF A WEAPON. OR, IN WHICH JASON SAXON FINDS A NEW THREAT TO OUR SECURITY, KEVIN AND SARAH LEARN A SHOCKING REVELATION, AND WE ARE SORT OF INTRODUCED TO “THE VIISK”…

July 10

Claudia Daring sat in the back of her luxury sedan, waiting for her chauffer to show up and take her to the Daring Foundation’s Darington offices. It was indeed a day of mourning for her new family. Robert Daring passed away in the middle of the night from an unfortunate overmedication done by a rookie nurse. And to add more to the family tragedy, her husband John was savagely murdered in the family estate after attempting to foil some would-be burglars. The police were still investigating the crime scene and thus Claudia was not allowed back on the property until their investigation. Thankfully the new man in her life had a spare bed for her to lie down in for the night. Now today was all about grieving for her enormous loss, but she somehow held her head up in pride – knowing that before the events of the previous night, Claudia Daring would become the new chairperson of the Daring Foundation’s Board of Directors. As the chauffer finally showed up and turned the key, Claudia Daring shed a solitary tear. Learning to show weakness on the outside while concealing feelings of joy was one of the many new skills she learned with the man who was Prime Minister: Jason Saxon.
The car drove Claudia Daring to the downtown core of the city where the Daring Foundation had made its central offices since being awarded the contract to rebuild on the grounds where Edmonton once stood. Despite it being a period of mourning between the deaths of the patriarch and son of the family – and compounded with the Vegreville Bombings – Claudia Daring thought it would be best to address the board privately and let them know that perhaps it will be business with usual with her now sitting at the head of the board.
The car pulled up to the front of the giant skyscraper tower that was the head offices of the Daring Foundation. As Claudia Daring stepped out from the card, she was greeted by a procession line of employees of all walks from the offices – offering condolences and sympathetic hugs for her darkest hour. Claudia swelled up with tears, making sure to carry on the façade that she was in no way connected to what really happened to her husband. As Claudia made her way to an elevator, two men outside watched with binoculars. One of the spoke into a cell phone: “Target has successfully made its way to destination point. Inform Mister Saxon that Operation: Extreme Makeover Business Edition is good to go.”
Claudia Daring made her way into the boardroom, again greeted with handshakes and wishes of condolences from the various members of the board. Everyone took a seat as Claudia made her way to the head of the table. She wiped away some more tears and cleared her throat as she read a prepared statement: “Ladies and gentlemen of the board, it gives me great pleasure to be your new chairperson. I only wish it were under different circumstances that this would have occurred under. But we need not to dwell too much on the past and instead focus on the greatness that the future holds for this corporation. However, in order to move further ahead, changes need to be made. Therefore, I am dissolving the current Board of Directors and offering each of you a generous severance package…” Grumbling and shouts of discontent permeated the air of the boardroom as Claudia Daring looked unfazed by their reaction. Just then, a buzzing sound came from a phone near her spot. Claudia pushed the speakerphone button as a female voice said “Missus Daring? There’s a disturbance down in the main lobby…”
Unbeknownst to the woman who called Claudia Daring, this was part of another elaborate plan as Jason Saxon, wearing a dark blue business suit, entered the building. He was flanked by Agents Black and White, four Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative soldiers and four men in black trench coats
“Gentlemen and ladies,” Saxon proudly boasted out loud, “Let’s broaden our horizons! Whitey? Hit the music!”
Agent White rolled his eyes as he pulled out a portable radio and pressed play as Prince’s “Partyman” begun to play. Saxon nodded his head to the opening beat as the four men in trench coats begun removing items from the lobby, pushing down any attempts of resistance.
“All hail the new king in town. Young and old, gather 'round yeah. Black and white, red and green, the funkiest man you've ever seen.”
Jason Saxon begun to dance as a young intern tried to stop him, only to be greeted by a pieface from Jason Saxon and a Rodney King-like beating from the Initiative troops. Two of the blackcoats went over to a wall where pictures of the Board of Directors hung. Jason pantomimed “Take ‘em down!” to the blackcoats as he continued to dance like any other white man in his mid twenties would trying to seem hip and cool.
“Tell you what his name is - Partyman, partyman. Rock a party like nobody can.
Rules and regulations - no place in his nation. Partyman, partyman.”
Four other blackcoats came in from the lobby door carrying a giant box. They took it over to where the portraits were and opened it to reveal a portrait of Jason Saxon, in all his heroic glory from Toronto. Another portrait was of Claudia Daring, smiling in front of an indistinct grey backdrop. One other portrait was of Sloane, looking stern-faced and emotionless as possible. The blackcoats hung them up with pride, eliciting an enthusiastic thumbs up from Jason Saxon. Then Saxon, Black, and White made their ways to the elevators and got into the cart. White pushed a button to their destination, which was the same floor Claudia Daring was holding her meeting with the now deposed board. Saxon kept nodding his head to the beat of the song as the elevator made its way up and stopped then at its destination. The three of them made their way to the boardroom as Black and White opened the doors for Saxon as if he was a king making a grand entrance.
The song continued to this point: “I rock the party, I rock the house. I rock the whole world, north, east and south. In the west - 17 horns blowin'…” as White put the radio on pause as everyone else in the room looked in hushed awe as Prime Minister Jason Saxon had decided to grace them with his presence.
“Mister Prime Minister? What are you doing here?” an old board member frankly asked.
“Well I heard about the recent passing of both of my biggest campaign contributors and wanted to offer my personal condolences to the entire board and to the now widowed Daring.” Saxon said as he blew a kiss to Claudia, who bashfully smiled. “And I am sure that the board, in order to maintain a high standing with a Saxon government, is willing to do whatever it takes to keep me happy,” he went on to say. “And Claudia Daring as the new chairwoman of this prestigious company will certainly keep me happy.”
“She just fired the whole lot of us!” the old man snapped back at Saxon’s peppy demeanor.
“Such seriousness here, people!” Saxon gently laughed. “We need to lighten up people, I mean yeah there were two good men who died, but no reason for this to be their wake yet.” Saxon looked at the man who seemed to be offering the most resistance. “You there? Wanna see a magic trick?” The board grumbled in confusion as Jason Saxon procured a pencil from inside his suit jacket and then slammed it into the table, making it stick standing up. “Now, watch me make this pencil disappear!” he said as he grabbed the man and slammed his left eye on top of the pencil with great force. The man slumped down with the pencil gone and gasps of disbelief came from the board. “Always wanted to that! Such a rush! Woow!” Saxon said very giddy like. Then he turned serious, “Now then, the way I see it, you have two options. Option one is you take up Miss Daring’s generous offer. Option two, well I didn’t bring enough pencils for you but… ” Saxon paused as Agent Black proudly showed off the bag that contained the Lazarus Glove. Saxon then went on. “… Doesn’t mean I’m willing to make you think you’re all presidents of jellybeans.”
The board reluctantly agreed to the terms with nods of their heads. Claudia then said “Now then, my receptionist will have the appropriate information for you as well as a reminder of the non-disclosures clauses you all signed. Now, dismissed.”
The board members left the room as Jason Saxon mockingly waved goodbye to them and feigned wishes of good luck in their future endeavors like an underutilized member of the WWE roster. Agents Black and White also followed suit, dragging away the body of the now deceased board member. With the door soundly closed, Claudia Daring breathed a huge sigh of belief and sat on the table, seductively crossing her legs. “Well, Mister Prime Minister,” Claudia said as Saxon walked over to her and placed himself between her well toned legs “The board yields the floor to you.”

An unmarked white utility van drove down the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, making its way to Calgary. Driving the van was Kevin Brody, along with Sarah Bellum in the passenger side, and the Ryan Jeffries Memorial Squint Squad in the back of the van.
“I still don’t know why we needed to go to your farm first. We could have easily leapt into Calgary and leapt out if what they told us was right.” Sarah said with a yawn.
“Stretching out the narrative? Or allowing room for other parts of the narrative to flow?” Benny chimed in with.
“What are you talking about? Or more importantly, who are you talking to?” Lucas asked.
“I dunno. No one in particular.” Benny said with a smirk on his face.
“Will you two knock it off or I swear we won’t go the zoo afterwards!” Kevin demanded from the two male nerds as Rachel quietly read the latest issue of MacLean’s magazine that bore Jason Saxon’s smiling mug and a headline “CANADA’S NEW PROTECTOR?”.
“Aww! I wanted to see the new lemur exhibit!” Lucas whined.
“I want to go settle a score with some smartass chimpanzee I met there five years ago. Try squirting water on a man who can limitedly defy the laws of time and space, you damn dirty ape!” Benny exclaimed.
“May I need to remind you that our hosts have allowed us to travel anywhere for the sake of finding out if our mysterious Looking Glass has anything to do with this object they lost – not to mock our lesser evolved cousins!” Kevin chided Benny.
“Still can’t believe you convinced me to do this, even after knowing how Donnie is going to react.” Sarah said as she rolled her eyes at the conversation between Benny and Kevin.
“Well, I guess if we weren’t declared legally dead after what happened in Vegreville, your passwords would have been still valid and we could have gotten what we needed either back on the farm, or in the comfort of our new hosts.” Kevin told Sarah.
“Still don’t see how this is going to make a difference. None of my files have anything on this ‘Project Looking Glass’. Until I took over, none of this mad science stuff wasn’t even in my area of expertise.” Sarah replied back.
“Well, since our new friends were reluctant in helping us hack into the ARC’s computer network from their locale, we had to go the next logical step: going there in person.” Kevin said.
“Technically, we could have easily done it from the farm.” Lucas bemoaned.
“Well we could have, but someone had to download some kind of file from Japan that contained a very well timed virus and it crashed my network.” Kevin said, quickly glaring at Lucas.
“Oh. Right.” Lucas said.
“If it’s any consolation - before Lucas downloaded his fresh batch of tentacle rape porn, I was able to pull something from one of my conspiracy newsgroups.” Benny said as he pulled out a piece of paper from inside his vintage U.S. Army combat jacket. He handed it to Sarah and asked her “Does this look like anything you’ve come across?”
Sarah studied the paper: a printed version of a molecular structure. “It looks like it’s some kind of formula. For what exactly, I’m not sure,” she said and looked at the bottom part of the paper, which bore both the Daring Foundation logo on the left and the words “Yellow Light” on the right. “Where’d you get this from exactly?” Sarah asked Benny.
“One of my online sources came across it from a former Section 31 lackey. Word on the street is she was last seen wondering the streets in Prince Albert babbling about sausages and chains.” Benny answered back. “Why?” he asked back.
“Might be hard to believe. We may not be able to find anything on this Looking Glass thing, but there may be another mystery for us to solve.” Sarah said. “And it may have to do with the Daring Foundation.”
“Even better!” exclaimed Benny. “I get to regain an upper hand with that chimp and we may get to prove that an evil multinational corporation really is evil!”
“We’re really not going to zoo, Skippy.” Kevin said dryly
“But, the lemurs!” Lucas whined.
Benny crossed his arms and muttered “Stupid monkey.”
“Chimpanzee, actually.” Rachel finally chimed in after putting down the magazine.
“Whatever,” scoffed Benny.

Sloane marched down the corridors of the Saskatchewan-based warehouse with a purpose. She opened a door to a room where three men were watching various television and computer monitors. Sloane went up to the one man in the middle and spun the chair he was sitting in to make him face her. And to make him answer her upcoming questions with quicker urgency, Sloane grabbed the man by his throat and sneered at him: “This had better be important.”
“Y-yes ma’am!” the man said in between gasps and choking sounds. “Mister Saxon wanted us to pour over all video evidence of the Vegreville Bombings and we found something that may be of interest.”
“Show me it now!” Sloane said, releasing her death grip and spun the man back to face the wall of monitors.
“Look right here,” the man said pointing at a screen showing the Vegreville Six sitting in the VIP section just as Megan sat down beside them. “Moments before the explosion, this occurred,” the man pointed out again as for a brief second a flash of light went over the ten people that Sloane was focused on, which was mere seconds before the explosions went off.
“Has anyone else seen this?” asked Sloane.
“No ma’am,” the second man from the left said. “We were wondering if this would be important to inform Mister Saxon…”
Sloane violently slapped the back of that man’s head and snapped “What do you think? Give me a copy now and I’ll bring this to his attention!”

Jason Saxon made his way back to his Hummer after his productive meeting with Claudia Daring. As he got into the back, he noticed his laptop was still open and was displaying a video conference request. “It’s always something,” Saxon said as he clicked the “accept” button and on the screen appeared Sloane. “Sorry to interrupt your private time, but I thought this may be of interest to you,” Sloane said as the video she watched earlier played on Saxon’s screen. “Hmm. That blue-coated woman?” Saxon pondered aloud. “Well, was hoping for them to be blown to bits with everyone else, but since they too may have survived, looks like we may have a new semi-legitimate scapegoat.” Saxon said to Sloane.
“There’s more, sir. Preliminary intel reports that someone tried accessing government computers using Doctor Bellum’s password.”
“Well, either she cheated death, or some prankster is using her password for shits and giggles.”
“Another report also has her and Mister Brody making their way to Calgary right this moment.”
“Well, that is kind of unusual. Maybe we can use this to our advantage. Take a team down to Calgary and bring back Doctor Bellum to me, alive.” Saxon commanded.
“And this Brody person?” asked Sloane.
“Do with him as you please.” Saxon said with a sinister smile.
“Speaking of which, permission to activate your special units?” Sloane asked.
“Well, that depends,” Saxon answered back. “I assume you watched the informational video?”
“Yes sir.”
“Are they even ready?”
Sloane pulled a man in a white lab coat into view and he stammered “The first generation isn’t ready yet. But the source material is ready as ever, Mister Saxon.”
“Well then,” Saxon said to Sloane. “If you feel you are ready, then by all means do it”
“Yes sir.” Sloane coldly smiled as she ended the video call. Sloane then looked at the man in the lab coat and told him. “I think its time I’m properly introduced to them. Show me these… Viisk.”

Claudia Daring finished buttoning up her blouse and readjusted her skirt. Just as she had finished doing so, her phone rang in the boardroom which today had seen a magic trick go awry and the most intense and passionate sex Claudia Daring had in months. Claudia pushed the speakerphone button and heard Jason Saxon’s voice. Saxon said “Hey, a couple of things I would like to do for me please.”
Claudia Daring, still in the afterglow of passion, replied back “Anything for you, Prime Minister.”
“Super. First, I need you to write me a stirring Old-Testament-God-Shall-Smite-You type speech for a big announcement I have planned for tomorrow.”
“Seems easy enough.”
“Second, well, how would you like to go to Calgary and serve as a non-threatening distraction to a couple of potential flies in my ointment?”
Claudia smirked and replied back “How soon can I get there?”
Saxon answered back with “Just ask one of the blackcoats, he’ll give you the right equipment. Oh, and tell them to go to Medicine Hat and pick up two targets for me. I’ll inform them later who they are. Just tell them to be gentle to them, they’re going to play an important role in convincing someone to see things my way.”

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 1, Chapter 9

2008-11-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER NINE: NOT NOW JOHN, THE BULLS ARE ON PARADE! OR, IN WHICH DEAN AND AMY SORT OF DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE OTHER NIGHT, CLAUDIA DARING AND JASON SAXON TIE UP SOME LOOSE ENDS, AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE WHEN DONNIE AND ARIEL REALIZE WHERE THEIR SPOUSES WENT…

Toronto, Ontario.
July 9

Police sirens and various crowd noise filled the air of Canada’s largest city. Police officers used their megaphones and urged the crowd of people to move along in a calm and orderly fashion out of the Rogers Center. During a baseball game between the Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers, everyone was told to evacuate the premise as a bomb threat was placed and the explosives were set to go off within the hour. By some bizarre coincidence, two other threats were made in Vancouver and Montreal. Allegedly the threats were made by a group called “The Angels of Mercy”, or so everyone would believe. No word on where the other two bombs were placed in their respective cities, but it was made very clear one was to go off during the seventh inning stretch of the Jays game. With nearly forty thousand people in attendance, police and military officers worked together to get everyone out in time so as to avoid another massive loss of life that would certainly surpass July 7th.
Timing seemed to be main enemy of those working to save as many lives as possible. Other soldiers and polices officers worked frantically to search the premises for any explosive devices and pray that they could diffuse them. All hope seemed to be fleeting until four black armored personnel carriers pulled into the scene. All four bore the Daring Foundation logo as ten heavily armed men and women marched out of each of the vehicles and quickly into the Rogers Center. Then a black Hummer H3 arrived on the scene and emerging from the opened sunroof was recently named Prime Minister Jason Saxon – wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, a calming light blue casual sweater, and casual khaki slacks. Someone from inside the Hummer handed Saxon a megaphone as well, to which he spoke into it:
“Ladies and gentlemen, please do not panic! These brave men and women here are doing their job.” Saxon said, motioning his hands to the members of newly activated Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative. “These people are here to boost our own safety and security! They are here to ensure that never again will the events that occurred in Vegreville on July the Seventh to any Canadian citizen – young and old, men and women, and all members of every race, creed, or color! And I will personally see to it that those responsible for July Seventh – and any other attempts at making us afraid and scared – are caught and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law!” A small smattering of applause and cheers came from the crowd, who were at the moment too confused at the moment to give full attention to Saxon’s words of encouragement.
Meanwhile, the members of the Daring Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative quickly and efficiently moved through the halls and areas of the Rogers Center, aiding the local authorities in the their frantic search for the bombs. One of the squadrons came across five indistinctive Arabs, who were crowded around what looked like a crudely-made circuit board. The Arabs tried in vein to escape but were easily apprehended by the Initiative’s troops. Two of the other Initiative soldiers went forth to the device and promptly defused it. One of the soldiers spoke through his Bluetooth headset: “Inform Mister Saxon that targets have been apprehended and incendiary device has been terminated.”
“Affirmative” a female voice, belonging to Claudia Daring, replied back. Sitting in the back of the Hummer, she gently tugged on the pant leg of her boss as he quickly ducked down to see what was going on. All Claudia did was give a smile and a thumbs up sign as Saxon popped back up and began to speak again – watching as the Initiative soldier came through the entrance with their prisoners in tow. “Ladies and gentlemen, this crisis have been successfully ended!” Saxon proudly boasted. “This is a historical moment when we, as a nation, shall take a stand and tell those who wish to harm us – NEVER AGAIN!” This time, the crowd built up to a thunderous applause. Cheers and a mix of chants including “Never again!”, “Thank you, Saxon!” and “Save us, Saxon!” permeated the air as the crowd chanted in unison, similar to a sports event crowd. Jason Saxon took a bow and blew kisses into the crowd, basking in the glow of their appreciation. “’Save us, Saxon’, huh?” he said to himself with a giant smile. “Kind of like the sound of that.”
Similar reports filed in from Vancouver and Montreal. Crudely-done explosive devices found at spots of high tourist volume only to be spared miraculously by the Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative. News of their triumphs spread across the country as people from coast to coast were willing to them a shot, as long as Jason Saxon lives up to his promise of keeping them safe and secure.

Dean Williams poured himself a cup of coffee and did his best to ignore the pounding headache he had acquired from the previous night of drinking. His eyes tried their best to remain open in the natural and artificial light. He and Amy Benz were still at Melissa Bennett’s house. Amy walked from the bathroom into the kitchen where Dean was sitting with his cup of coffee. Amy also followed suit and got herself a cup as well. She sat down at the kitchen table, right beside Dean.
“Shh! Not so loud.” Dean said in a hushed tone as the dragging of the chair across the floor seemed like he was in a heavy duty construction.
“Well, if it’s any consolation, it made my ears bleed too.” Amy said with a smile on her face, though smiling also cause some mild pain for her too.
“So, about last night? Do you think we, you know?” Dean decided to ask.
“I would say the evidence was there, unless there is another reason my bra was flung across the room.” Amy replied back.
“Well, that’s just great.” Dean said with regret. “Not that a drunken one night fling with you wasn’t terrific and all, but I’m married…”
“… And you’re my client.” Amy chimed in with. “Sure we may have very well rocked each others world, no one needs to know what may or may not have happened… oh shit! What about your friend here?”
“Melissa? Nahh, I’m sure she’ll keep it quiet. Besides, think she owes me one anyways.” Dean said trying to reassure Amy’s concerns - knowing full well that the many things Melissa confided in him the many years they knew it each other, it was time for her to do the same now for Dean.
“And what do we tell everyone else?”
“Well, as far as we know, nothing may have happened. And until something else pops up, we should keep it that way for all of our sakes.”
“As long as nothing does come back to bite us in our asses, that could be the best way to go.”
“Perfect. Guess ignorance is bliss after all.” Dean said dryly. “Just for curiosity’s sake though, if we were both stone sober, do you think we would have still hooked up if circumstances were different?”
Amy looked at him and gently caressed Dean’s cheek. “Maybe so,” she said with a smile.

Claudia Daring sat in amazement beside Jason Saxon as their Hummer drove down through Toronto. She had wondered what kind of a man she has now seemingly fell in love with. Here was a man who has pretty much orchestrated an elaborate plan to ascend to the offices of Prime Minister of Canada and everything seems to be falling into place. One would think a man with such devious intentions would be a little more grounded and treating the situation with class and seriousness. Yet here was Jason Saxon, munching on sunflower seeds and bobbing his head to whatever song was on his iPod. Then he started singing along with the song: “Hey, I'm looking up for my star girl. I guess I'm stuck in this mad world, with things that I wanna say. But your a million miles away! And I was afraid when you kissed me on your intergalactical frisbee, I wonder why, I wonder why you never asked me to stay…”
Claudia Daring just smiled and shook her head until a beeping sound came from her Bluetooth earpiece. “Hello?” she went on to converse “Yes?... How much longer do you think he has left?... Mmm hmm, has John been contacted yet?... He’s on his way back?... Good. I’ll update Mister Saxon then… Bye.” Claudia ended her conversation and then tapped Saxon on his shoulder to interrupt his rendition of McFly’s “Star Girl”. “Excuse me, Mister Saxon?” she said as Saxon paused his iPod and took the earphones out to address his assistant: “Yes? What is up?” he asked her.
“Got a call from Darington,” Claudia said with a bit of sadness in her tone. “Apparently dad is not doing well.”
“Ahh, how is Old Money doing lately?” Saxon asked.
“He’s apparently knocking on death’s door.”
“Hmmm. Perfect timing if you ask me.” Saxon said as he presented Claudia Daring a dry cleaner’s bag. Claudia unzipped the bag to reveal its contents: a nurse’s uniform.
“Really?” Claudia said with a sexy smirk on her face. “Didn’t realize things were boring already with us.”
“Oh no no no!” Saxon replied back. “Trust me, you’re like an animal in the sack, babe! This is just one more step to prove your devotion to our cause,” he said as he presented her with a syringe similar to the one used to off Patricia Harris.
“Well,” Claudia said as she took the needle. “I do have a minor issue to settle with Old Money. And what about John?” she asked.
“He’ll be looked after as well. I got a specialist to take care of him.” Saxon said with a winning smile. “Driver? Take us to the airport. Missus Daring? Inform the flight crew we’re doing a quick fly-in to Darington. Time to tie up some loose ends.”

Ariel Brody-Toroshenko walked down the hall of the Watchers/Cleaners headquarters with some fury in her steps. Fuming mad, she walked into Donnie Bellum’s room where he was there with his daughter Hailey.
“Oh great, the crazy one is here.” Hailey said to her dad.
“That’s just cute,” Ariel said as she rolled her eyes. “Now, care to tell me where the frell my husband disappeared to?” she asked Donnie.
“What are you going on about?” Donnie asked back.
“Kevin is gone! He took the Squints and your narrow-hipped wife!” Ariel fumed.
“Wait? What?” Donnie said confused as ever.
“Didn’t you even pay attention?” Ariel asked.
“Well, maybe we should go ask our hosts. If they can go anywhere in time, I’m sure they can tell us where our wayward spouses ran off too.” Donnie said trying to calm down a rather irate Ariel.
“All right then,” Ariel said as she took a deep breath. “Lead the way, big guy.”

Darington, Alberta.

John Daring drove up the driveway of his family’s estate in the city that now bears their name. John had been keeping low since the events of July 7th so as to protect the family name and any of their doings with Jason Saxon’s plans. Now that was the last thing on his mind as his father Robert Daring was dying from brain cancer. The doctors did their best to remove the cancerous cells from the elder Daring, but it may have been too late. John was now home, hoping his wife would be there to greet him and console him in his moment of grief.
The lights were not on in the house and all the curtains were closed to create a poorly-lit situation for someone to walk into. John looked around the study room he walked into. He said “Claudie darling? I’m home.”
“Such a cliché,” said Sloane, who was sitting in an antique leather chair by a fireplace. “Wish you would have called. Dinner’s cold,” she said as she got up and looked at John.
“Wh-who are you?” John stammered and ended up falling backwards.
“For someone who was in on the ground level, you don’t seem like you knew this was coming, did you?” said Sloane as she inserted a disk into a conveniently place DVD player and television set. Sloane then pushed play and on the screen was Jason Saxon, sitting in his office.
“Hi, Johnny boy!” Jason’s voice echoed around on the room’s surround sound speakers. “Slight change of plans, I’m afraid. See, I know you and your father thought it would be just a kick to convince me to hire your wife as my personal assistant. Have a family member inside the government and make sure we cater to all your whims? Sadly, there was something you didn’t account for in our grandest scheme – I actually fell for her. Now, since I’m an upstanding and moral guy, I’d figure the only way to make our future relationship public was to get you out of the way. That, and well, c’mon, you really thought you were going to remain my right hand man? So, Miss Sloane here has some anger management issue to work out, what with being plucked from a parallel universe and to find out that she is dead in this one. So she has been instructed to kill you. Whether it’ll be quick and painless or slow and methodical, that’s her ball to handle. Oh, and in case you think about running, I have members of the Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative convinced you are a prime suspect in the Vegreville Bombings, and have been given orders to shoot first. I’ll leave you with some appropriate music in the last few moments.” Saxon laughed as the screen went all black and Pink Floyd’s “Not Now John” cued up on the speakers.
“Fuck all that we've got to get on with these.”
Sloane grabbed John by his waist and tossed him into a glass coffee table.
“Gotta compete with the wily Japanese.”
Sloane then grabbed John by his neck and threw him over the couch.
“There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees.”
Sloane dragged John over to the fireplace and whacked him with one of the pokers used to stoke the wood.
“So fuck all that we've go to get on with these.”
Sloane then threw John up against a bookshelf and proceeded to land various blows to his body.
“Can't stop. Lose job. Mind gone. Silicon. What bomb. Get away. Pay day. Make hay. Break down. Need fix. Big six. Clickity click. Hold on. Oh no. Bingo! Bingo!”
Sloane then executed a flawless release German suplex on John as his head bounced on the hard wood floor.
“Make 'em laugh. Make 'em cry. Make 'em dance in the aisles. Make 'em pay.
Make 'em stay. Make 'em feel okay.”
Sloane then straddled herself over John’s badly beaten body ands slowly choked the life out of him.
“Not now John, we've got to get on with the film show.”
Sloane barely broke a smile as John took his last gasp of air.
“Hollywood waits at the end of the rainbow.”
Sloane ceased as John’s eyes rolled back and for good measure, snapped his neck to ensure death was certain.
“Who cares what it's about as long as the kids go.”
Sloane got up and dusted herself off. She then tapped her Bluetooth earpiece and spoke: “All troops stand down. Inform Mister Saxon target one has been successfully terminated.” Sloane then proceeded to exit the premise as the music played on still - “So not now John we’ve got to get on with the show…”

Robert Daring lied down on the hospital bed in his private room of a wing that ironically shared his name. He was now resting comfortably, knowing the last time he closes his could very well be the last time he does so. A nurse entered his room, concealing her face with a medical report file. The nurse eventually lowered the file to reveal it was Claudia Daring – Robert’s daughter-in-law.
“Hello daddy dearest.” Claudia said in a hushed tone. Weak from the cancer that had taken a once strong and vibrant man, Robert barely strained his eyes to see his gorgeous daughter-in-law. He became more of her father since Claudia’s own parents perished in the attacks on Alberta three years ago. Claudia continued to speak. “You and John both thought you were so clever, huh? Send the attractive wife and daughter-in-law to a man you were backing to run this country. You wanted me to seduce him and prostitute myself for the good of our family. Sadly, there was one thing you two didn’t count on – the natural charisma that Jason Saxon posesses. He showed me everything that the three of have conspired to do. He made me believe that he can truly lead us into a new world order. He also made me realize what I truly want – more power. Let’s face it, being married into the powerful Daring family is good, but how about running the entire Daring Foundation? Or serving as the right-hand woman to the man who will protect us from all our enemies? A man like Jason Saxon.” Claudia then pulled out the needle she was given by Jason Saxon for this moment. She injected the needle into the IV bag and watched as the liquid from the needle mixed in with the solution in the bag. She then watched the EKG meter slowly come to a silent beep and eventual flatline. Claudia disposed of the evidence in a medical waste bucket near the equipment and quickly fled the scene as “Code blue! Code blue!” echoed on the PA system of the floor and doctors quickly rushed into the room. Claudia Daring walked into a well-timed elevator and undid the top button of her top. “Remind me to save this for later tonight,” she said with a seductive smile as she pushed the button to the main floor.

Apocalypse Wow! 2! Part 1, Chapter 8

2008-11-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer

CHAPTER EIGHT: IN A NEW YORK MINUTE, EVERYBODY HURTS ON A LONESOME DAY. OR, IN WHICH THE VEGREVILLE SIX LEARN MORE ON THE TEMPORAL COLD WAR AND COPE WITH THE EVENTS OF JULY 7TH. ALSO, MORE OF JASON SAXON’S PLANS UNFOLD, AND DEAN AND AMY FIND A NEW COMMON BOND…

July 8, 2010

Why is it happening again?
That was the only thought that came across Amy Benz’s mind. She had lived through a similar situation almost nine years ago. September 11, 2001 was a day that shook a lot of her fellow Americans to their core when the World Trade Center in New York collapsed after two planes struck them. Her mother was working in one of the towers on that fateful day in one of many offices in there. One of her brothers was a New York firefighter who lost his life in the aftermath. She was just making her own life in Los Angeles when she was drawn to the television and watched the 24-hour news channels offer coverage on the events there and waited by the phone, dreading that call she knew in her heart would be happening soon. She felt helpless then. Now she had that same feeling of helplessness as she watched again from some unknown locale as people in Vegreville, Alberta did their best to cope with their own tragedy. All she could do was watch the coverage on the various computers manned by men and women in blue coats, and curse herself for leaving behind her cigarettes because she sure as hell could use one right about now.

This couldn’t be really happening, could it?
Both Dean and Karen Williams were thinking it as they laid down on a double bed that were provided to them by their current hosts. They were even generous to pipe in some music to ease their weary thoughts. Dean was on the right side with Karen in the middle and Faith in front of mother. Dean did his best to have his arms wrapped around the two most important things in his life. Right now, he could care not about whether or not he would ever write another script or have another hit movie under his belt. All that mattered right now that his family was safe and sound as the three of them kept close and quietly listened to the live acoustic version of the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These”.
“You do realize how lucky we were, right?” Karen whispered to Dean.
“Very much so, yes.” Dean replied back as he gently ran his fingers through Karen’s hair.

How is everyone else that we know handling this?
That was Donnie Bellum’s thought as he paced back and forth. All of his new friends in Calgary, his old friends from Lethbridge, his family, all probably thinking he’s dead. It wasn’t like Donnie could call them up and tell him he’s okay; that he is just been saved by a race of people who use time travel and are in some kind of perpetual war with their own people who abuse that privilege. Sarah got up from the bed where their daughter Hailey was now resting and stood by her husband.
“I’m sure everyone knows we’re okay. It’ll probably take days before they can do a proper casualty list.” Sarah told Donnie as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Yeah, that’s reassuring.” Donnie said. “Meanwhile everyone else is freaking out about our whereabouts,” he said as he sighed.
“I’m sure everything will work out.” Sarah said trying to reassure her husbands’ fears and doubts.

There has to be more to this than they’re letting on.
Kevin Brody thought that as he paced back and forth. Ariel held Willow in her arms while Rachel, Benny, and Lucas sat at a table, watching their boss walk back and forth.
“I still don’t understand how we’re connected at all.” Lucas bemoaned.
“Well, I assume Rach is because of her previous association with Section 31.” Benny surmised.
“Hey, I never had any direct involvement with their insane projects.” Rachel said somewhat defensively. “All I did was compile files on them and secretly leaked them out until everything got shut down.”
Hmm, yes, very true.” Kevin said as he continued to walk back and forth. “But it seems we may have missed something that could connect this all…”
“Project Looking Glass?” Lucas asked, hoping it was the right answer.
“Yes, Team Affirmative Action seemed very interested in knowing if we knew anything about it.” Benny said.
“But there was nothing on the files we have compiled on anything matching that title.” Rachel insisted.
“Well then, Bones,” Kevin said. “I think it’s time we pay Doctor Sarah Bellum, Director of Operations a little visit.”
“Or you could ask our hosts and learn more about the two alleged missing items also?” Lucas suggested.
“Hmm, that may be a better idea.” Kevin said. “Come along everyone, it’s time we get some answers.”

I’m on my way, I’m making it/I’ve got to make it show, yeah!
Jason Saxon thought that as he and Claudia Daring walked down the halls of the Canadian Parliament. It also helped that he was listening to Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time” in his office to get him pumped up for one of the biggest meetings of his life. Followed behind by Agents Black and White – and joined by a parliamentary page – they all made their down towards a meeting room where the Tory caucus was about to meet and discuss how to handle this fresh crisis. Saxon, Daring, and the page entered the meeting room as they saw an assortment of men and women, talking indistinctly. Saxon made his way to the head of the table - a spot usually reserved for the prime minister – and promptly sat down in the chair. Some of the people in the room looked a mild perturbed by Saxon’s subtle show of arrogance and assurance that could very well be his spot, since his main rival was now splattered along the Manitoba/Ontario border. Any grumbles of discontent would now be silenced as Saxon begun to speak.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen” Saxon said somewhat sternly. “What is our first course of action?”
An grizzled looking man that sat at the front left side of Jason handed him a folder and spoke “These are the standard parliamentary procedures in the event of something like this ever happened. Wish that day never had to come.”
Jason Saxon flipped through the document in the folder. He made a few “hmm” sounds, shook his head and proceeded to toss the document flippantly into the air behind him. “No, no, this will not do.” Saxon said with a mild dislike expressed in his tone. “That was all too stuffy, too old! What we need to do is go an entirely different direction. Missus Daring, please pass them out.”
Claudia Daring obliged her boss’ request as she motioned for the page to the same as the two of them handed out copies of another document. An air of confusion and uncertainty filled the room as Jason looked surprisingly optimistic.
“This seems rather… extreme,” the same man that handed the first document said.
“How is this different from the standard procedure?” another man expressed.
“Isn’t some of this unconstitutional?” a woman spoke up.
Jason Saxon stood up from his chair and began to slowly walk around the room as he spoke “Extreme? Yes, because we experienced a rather extreme act of terror and cowardice from a group that has yet to show us the courtesy of telling us why they did what they did. Different from standard procedure? We are outsourcing a national security force to a company that has ran a very successful private security firm and quite frankly three years ago the ‘standard procedure’ saw some crazy things occurring in Alberta. I mean, we all saw that ‘Doomtown’ movie right? Unconstitutional? Maybe, but right now there are guilty men out there who have shaken a small Alberta town to it core. Our beloved prime minister is dead. Our American friends lost their first black president, who now has the distinction of being the first president to die on foreign soil. Worrying about laws, ethics, and constitutional rights is the last thing we need to do in order to bring those guilty to face the suitable punishment for their actions.”
“The opposition parties won’t stand for it,” another woman spoke out.
“Leave them to me, I’m sure I can persuade them to see things my way.” Saxon said as he looked over to the doubting woman.
“And what makes you think you are the man to do so?” the same woman asked.
Saxon fired back “Because right now, this is a national security crisis. This is my portfolio…”
Just then, the door opened as a nerdish-looking man with glasses appeared in the doorway “Um, hi? Jason Scully, Co-chair of the Leadership Committee,” he introduced himself as Saxon waved for him to come in. He then spoke “The Leadership Committee has made a very unique ruling. Due to other candidates dropping out of the race and the disappearance of Patricia Harris, the Committee has decided to suspend the race and name the only person remaining as the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada – Jason Saxon.”
“I believe congratulations are in order for you, Prime Minister Saxon.” Claudia Daring stated with pride beaming from her enormous smile as she began to slowly applaud. Others in the room began to slowly applaud, which built up louder and louder until a standing ovation begun. Jason Saxon stood and bathed in the glow of applause and wishes of congratulations from the room that at first doubted him but now as a sign of solidarity, stand behind the man who now leads them.
After the meeting, Jason Saxon and Claudia Daring walked down to what was now his office. On the way there, Saxon gave some instructions to Daring, who promptly wrote them down. “All righty then, inform Sloane and the rest of the units that they are going live and into the streets now. That one Doubting Thomas was right about the opposition parties. So we’re going to give them something to come around to seeing things our way.”
“What do you have in mind exactly?” Claudia asked.
“Hmmm. Remind me to talk to our friends in the black coats. See if they can help us manufacture some threats only to be conveniently stopped in the nick of time by our new Strategic Homeland Defense Initiative.” Saxon said. “God it feels so good! It’s a real rush!”

Kevin Brody and Rachel Mills walked with a purpose down the hall of the building they were brought to. They were later joined by Sarah Bellum, who ran up to catch up with them.
“What’s going on?” Sarah asked.
“Actually, this is perfect timing,” Rachel said. “We were coming to – “
“We were coming to you to see if you know anything about Project Looking Glass” Kevin butted in.
“Look, I’m totally unaware of anything that went on there.” Sarah said defensively. “In fact I only ever heard of this ‘Looking Glass’ thing from a former staffer who has mysteriously disappeared and I had some accountant trying to alert me of some other weird things going on.”
“Wait, what weird things?” asked Kevin.
“I don’t know. Some organic compounds being transferred around from Vegreville. Large amounts of canola seeds being billed to the Daring Foundation.” Sarah said. “Wait, what does this have to do with anything?”
“Well, let’s see if our friends here in Torchwood know anything about this.” Kevin stated.
“Is that where we are?” Rachel asked.
“You know, I’d figure hanging around the other two would have helped you out with these references, Bones.” Kevin said as he and Sarah turned down an entrance way.
“Why does he keep calling me that?” Rachel asked aloud.

Dean Williams could no longer sleep. Karen and Faith were peacefully asleep as he quietly got up from the bed and exited the room. He began to slowly walk down the hall until he accidently ran into Molly.
“Oops, sorry there.” Dean apologized to the diminutive blonde woman.
“No worries Mister Williams.” Molly said as she reached into her coat. “I was actually on my way to issue you all these,” she said as she presented to Dean what looked like a souped-up digital watch.
“What is it exactly?” asked Dean.
“It’s a Chronometer. It allows us to jump to any time, any place, any where. Except you are all being issued ones with very restricted access. We had an incident with someone a while back. It’s something we don’t like to really talk about.” Molly said.
“Hmm, okay then. So, where can I go exactly with this?”
“Within your own present time. We already gave one to your colored friend.” Molly said
“Any idea where she went?” asked Dean, wondering about his publicist went to.
“Indeed we do. We always track our users.”

Jericho paced back and forth in the command room when Kevin, Rachel and Sarah showed up. “We need to talk.” Kevin said to Jericho. “We need to know more about these three items that got left behind that you all seem intent on locating.”
“I was wondering when one of you primitives would come forth and ask more.” Jericho said as he directed their attention to a giant monitor. “One of them you already encountered and disposed of, so we won’t worry about that. The other item was a powerful gauntlet that once belonged to some of the most powerful members of our people. However, that device was too powerful and led to madness amongst its wearers so it was tossed away into a timeline where we hope it would do no harm. The last one was a gateway generator, allowing people to watch the past, present, and future. In simpler terms, it is like…”
“… Like a giant mirror?” Rachel asked.
“Project Looking Glass” Kevin inferred.
“So, you know where it is?” asked Jericho.
“Not necessarily.” Kevin answered. “Though we may be able to find out if we’re allowed to go back.”
“It may be permitted,” Jericho said. “Though I should warn you in advance – some calculations we did do result in some very troubling results for the three of you.”
“I thought telling us anything about potential future outcomes were dangerous?” asked Kevin.
“Or saying free will is still allowed?” Sarah chipped in with also.
“Well yes,” Jericho said. “Or for all we know, you could all beat the odds and nothing will happen. The choice is yours.”
“Well, shall we saddle up then?” Kevin asked, itching for some action finally.

Dean Williams materialized somewhere on the main street of Vegreville during the middle of the day. Everything appeared to be quiet. He walked down the street and noticed everything was quiet. He noticed businesses all adorned Canadian flags and trees bore yellow ribbons tied around them as a tribute to those who lost lives. He then walked down the street and into a local lounge. The lounge itself was empty, except for the bartender who stood behind the counter. Dean recognized her as Melissa Bennett, a former friend and co-worker of his from his days of working at the video store.
“Dean? Oh my god!” Melissa exclaimed. “Thought you were dead! How’d you get out of there?” she said with a huge sigh of relief.
“I don’t think you’d believe me if I even told you half of what went down.” Dean said to the dark-haired bartender with a nice tight black t-shirt that accentuated her ample bosoms. “Seems very quiet in here,” he said as he looked around and then noticed Amy sitting quietly in the corner. She sat there gently swirling around the contents of glass.
“You two are the only ones who’ve been here all day.” Melissa stated. “Everyone is pretty scared to leave their homes. Boss thought it might cause people to come in here and drink away their worries but as you can see he greatly misunderstood.”
“Well, let’s see if I can help out then” Dean said as he pulled out his wallet and presented Melissa with a couple of hundred dollar bills. “Two shot glasses and a bottle of the best whiskey you got.”
“As you wish.” Melissa beamed with delight with the generous tip given to her by Dean. Dean then walked over to where Amy was sitting and sat down right across from her.
“You know, I always wondered how you people would handle something like this,” Amy said with a tired sigh from her breath. She also wiped away a single tear drop from her eyes, which were red from a previous crying spell. “I gotta admit that so far it seems like how we at first handled 9/11.”
“I always wondered the same too.” Dean said as Melissa walked over with Dean’s order. Dean then opened the whiskey bottle, poured the liquid into the two shot glasses and offered one to Amy – who gladly accepted the offer since she had recently acquired a taste for whiskey.
“Did I ever tell you I lost my mom and brother on that day?” Amy asked Dean.
“Don’t think so. Sorry for your loss.” Dean said as he downed the first shot.
“The funny thing is,” Amy said as she finished her shot as well “Two days before my mom and I got into this fight over the phone. Things were said, feelings were hurt. Little did I know that would be the last time I would hear her voice.”
“Know the feeling. Was estranged from my family years ago. When everything happened three years ago, I thought I’d try to make things right with them. Haven’t heard a word from then since. Wish I could tell them how life is going good for me now. Wish I could introduce Faith to her grandparents. Ah well, such is life. To family troubles.” Dean said as he poured two more shots of whiskey and held his glass up as if to toast his last comment.
“And to missed opportunities” lamented Amy who toasted back and quickly downed the brown liquid.
“And past regrets,” added Dean who motioned to Amy for another shot. Amy smiled and nodded in agreement.
A few hours later, the once full bottle of whiskey now only contained about a few ounces left. Business never really picked up as Melissa watched in amazement as Dean and Amy, whom both entered very somber, now were laughing and having a grand old time. She walked over to their table to clear their empty glasses.
“Think I’m gonna close early.” Melissa said to the two of them. “Suppose you two need a lift home?”
“I dunno Deany. Think it’s safe to drunk time leap?” Amy said drunkenly.
“Hell if I know!” Dean replied back, speech slurred and laughing uncontrollably.
“How about if I let you two spend the night at my place?” Melissa offered. “Kids are with their dad for the summer and Jack is out working.”
“You were always good people Mel.” Dean slurred as he stood up and tried to keep his balance. Amy also began to giggle uncontrollably as she tried to stand up and struggled to walk in her high heel shoes. Dean and Amy then wrapped their arms around each others’ shoulders as they tried to walk out with Melissa in tow to keep them balanced. The three of them made their way to Melissa’s minivan with Dean and Amy constantly laughing and playfully punching each other in their arms.
“Seems like old times.” Melissa said to herself as the two drunk patrons struggled to get into the back seats.

The rest of the night seemed to go by in a drunken blur. Neither Dean nor Amy remembered exactly what happened. All they remember was going into Melissa’s quaint bungalow. Neither of them remembered Melissa going to bed early as the two of them help themselves to Melissa’s private liquor stash, or going through half a bottle of tequila. Neither of them remembered sitting on the couch or playfully wrestling with each other on the living room floor. Neither of them remembered Dean’s hands sliding up underneath Amy’s skirt and eventually her blouse, or the fact Amy allowed him to do so while kissing him on the lips and her hands themselves made their way to his pants zipper. The only thing they would remember was that light purple was a lovely color that looked awesome on Amy’s chocolate skin, and that Dean did not have any protection with him as they made love on Melissa Bennett’s living room floor. It was only realized that is what happened in the morning, though, when Melissa woke up and saw the two of them cuddled together and naked. She put a blanket on top of them and thought it would be best to let them sleep it off, considering how much they drank.