pappysoup

Plan of Action

2012-01-01T00:09:00.002-05:00

Artwork by Matt Doughty, Onell Design

After the MTs abrupt departure from Rilleco, Argen and the remaining four troopers resumed the task of bringing sentience to the gendrones wandering aimlessly about the Build Station. It was an arduous job, and Argen’s seemingly inexhaustible patience finally ran thin. He decided to take leave of the planet and head for Point Lannoc.

Now that Argen was gone, MT-09, MT-27, MT-48, and MT-106 wasted no time; they quickly made for the edge of the Black Ruins. Something had been weighing heavily on them, and the time to discuss it had come.

“This isn’t right,” MT-09 stated as soon as his squad had assembled. One of the first MTs to gain free thought, MT-09 was a natural leader and easily assumed the role. “We should have received word from MT-01 by now.”

“We all know what it’s like out there,” MT-48 replied. “Sometimes you barely have enough time to repair the damage you took during one battle before you’re moving out to fight the next one. They’re probably knee-deep in corpses right now and too busy to call.”

Grunted affirmations arose from the group, followed by an unsettled silence. Each trooper feared that the MTs had run into trouble and needed their help, but MT-01’s orders were clear: remain on Rilleco to support Argen. Should they stay and continue their duties until Argen’s return? Or disobey a direct order and leave to find their brothers?

“With a few modifications I should be able to boost the strength of our portable receiver,” MT-106 suggested. “The troops could be operating out of our range on the other side of Glyos. Give me some time to do the work, and if there is a signal out there from our unit, I’ll find it.”

Dead Time

2011-12-14T15:14:00.003-05:00

Artwork by Matt Doughty, Onell Design

He was vaguely aware of the MT Transport’s reactivation, but not because he could see the instrument panel or hear the steady drone of the propulsion system. Paralyzed, MT-01 sat motionless in the cockpit, the internal protection mechanism he created keeping him in a kind of coma. If he still lived, then so did the MTs.

That was the idea behind the failsafe system; spare the leader in an apocalyptic situation so he can rebuild the unit, making the MTs virtually immortal. Easier said than done, especially considering his current state. MT-01 drifted in and out of consciousness, his fragmented thoughts mixing with cryptic images.

I can hardly remember what I was, and don’t want to think about who I’ve become. I just wanted to be free, someone instead of something owned by another, but I didn’t know the price would be so high. None of us did. Battle after battle, kill or be killed. Living like that takes its toll on a -

A dark figure materializes out of the haze of his stupor. It feels like a memory, except MT-01 does not recognize the mysterious being. Or does he? It points into the fog as if it has something to show him, but nothing is there.

Funny...I almost said Glyan. I guess that means something, but I don’t know what exactly. Is that what we were fighting for, to be like them? If it was I’m not sure it was worth it. Maybe we were better off as programmable pieces of metal. At least we were together, a unit.

Light reflects off a metallic surface, blinding him. As MT-01 lifts his arm to shade his image receptors, a silver gendrone takes shape, its blue visor looking at him, through him. Behind him stand four MTs.

This journey has taught me so much but left me with so little. I am alone now; the others have vanished, sucked into that unforgiving void. I used to command an army, strike fear into the hearts of my enemies. Now I sit here, helpless in this floating tomb. If only...

As MT-01 slipped back into oblivion, his ship initiated its cloaking sequence and homing beacon. The signal, weak at first, will slowly gain strength as the MT Transport’s power collectors gather the small pockets of energy found moving throughout Glyos. By his own design, MT-01 now existed in a self-perpetuating state of suspended animation.

Heavy Casualties

2011-12-08T22:18:00.001-05:00

Artwork by Matt Doughty, Onell Design

Trouble came soon after Argen and MT-01 joined forces to liberate their Buildmen brethren on Rilleco. The process of granting free thought to the gendrones and training them for battle was a tedious one, and the MTs grew restless. Their impatience quickly turned to anger and fights broke out across the encampment, threatening to splinter the unit of elite warriors.

Sentience was both a blessing and a curse for MT-01 and his troopers; he knew it was the beginning of the end for the MTs if he allowed that behavior to continue. With his options limited, he made the decision to abandon Rilleco and continue executing covert attacks against the enemy. Argen’s philosophy of freedom through peace went against all that MT-01 and his unit stood for, and the strain of their conflicting ideals was showing. He was built for war, not diplomacy.

To keep the peace with Argen, MT-01 left a small detachment behind to assist with the assimilation. After lifting off from Rilleco, the MTs moved soundlessly across the system, slaughtering gendrone owners through an endless series of stealth missions. They left no evidence of their existence, only a trail of dead Glyans. The MTs were once again a killing machine, the short time spent on Rilleco almost forgotten.

Their clandestine quest led the MTs to the Relgost Sector where, according to recent intelligence, a huge Buildship filled with new gendrones was adrift and awaiting a repair ship. It would take the entire MT unit to commandeer such a large craft, but the reward was worth the effort; new gendrones were by far the easiest to convert. MT-01 had a bad feeling about conducting such a complex, visible operation in open space, but his MTs were eager for reinforcements.

As MT-01 watched in disbelief, a rift in space opened, swallowing the disabled Buildship and his approaching force of MTs. His first instinct was to fly in after his troopers, but the internal protection mechanism of the MT Transport picked up his thought pattern just before he could reach for the controls. Alarms sounded as the on-board systems switched to emergency shutdown mode. The stunned gendrone floated in absolute blackness, unable to follow his MTs into the abyss, unable to do anything at all. When his ship finally came back online, he found himself lost and alone in deep space.

Ted's Blog - Post Two

2011-04-04T21:09:00.002-04:00

Me again. This is my second blog post about my life as one of the undead. Figured I might as well keep writing stuff because boy, do I have time to spare. Plus maybe something will come of it. Let’s see…has anything interesting happened lately? Nothing worth mentioning – except that my pinkie finger FELL OFF on Tuesday. What the hell is that all about? Like things aren’t messed up enough already! On the plus side, it didn’t hurt or anything. Matter of fact, I didn’t even notice. Some dude in the movie theater let me know I dropped a digit in the lobby. Talk about an awkward conversation.

What else? Oh, I got a job as the night watchman at that refurbished amusement park in Amherst. It turns out that my “lifestyle” is perfectly suited for the position. Who better to shuffle around a dark park in the middle of the night, scaring off teenagers trying to sneak in to make out or cause trouble? My night vision is way better than it was before I died, and my eyes give off a kind of milky white glow now. The scientists and doctors can’t explain it (or anything else that has happened to me) but it saves flashlight batteries for the owners of the place and makes my job easier, so I’m not complaining. I do kind of feel like a cliché working there, though…the bad guy in a Scooby Doo episode or something. Whatever – it pays the bills.

I ran into my ex-girlfriend the other day. She wasn’t my ex when I killed myself, so needless to say she wasn’t thrilled to see me. Apparently she suffered some kind of breakdown afterwards, thinking that she was to blame. I didn’t bother leaving a note but in hindsight it probably would have been a good idea. In my defense, I didn’t mean to take anyone down with me. She’s dating someone new now and seems to be happy, so that’s good.

Well, that’s about it for now. I’ll put up another post when I have something interesting to say.

~ Ted

Father's Day

2011-01-19T17:20:00.000-05:00

It's hard to pick up your teeth with broken fingers, boy. That's what he used to tell me when I was little. I think he heard it in a movie but already knew it from experience. It's safe to say that I didn't have a fairy tale childhood. My father was a back alley bare knuckle brawler way before that ultimate fighting stuff became mainstream. The one rule when he fought was the last man standing gets the pot. Most times the other guy was knocked out cold; sometimes the other guy was dead.

Growing up it was just him and me so we were always together. As a child I saw too many terrible things happen behind seedy pubs. A man literally fighting for his life and a few bucks to buy food for his kid. That is real tough to watch. When that man is your father it's a lot worse. What I witnessed scared me half to death but despite that I was doing it myself by the time I was 17. We worked the circuit and made out okay.

Eventually one of the crime families in the area found out about the money that exchanged hands during the matches. The action was too good to pass up so they got involved. Most of us didn't complain because the take for the winner of one of their brawls was better and you were guaranteed to get paid. The down side was you had to agree to fight before you knew who you were up against. If you tried to back out after you gave your word then things would get ugly fast. My dad and I got used to beating up whoever they put in front of us.

I started making half decent money from my bouts but my old man always managed to burn through it. Boy, did he love his booze. Matches were set up over drinks and settled after last call. You could say alcohol was a part of the job. Too much of it made him accept his last fight. He was feeling no pain that night and didn't stop to ask who was setting it up and why the prize was so damn big. I didn't either and I regret that every day.

The prison psychiatrist says it wasn't my fault; he was drunk and violent and I did what I had to do to defend myself. Maybe he knew we would both be dead if we didn't go at it full speed. Or maybe he was worn out after all those years and wanted me to kill him before someone else did. Not knowing is eating me up...especially today. The shrink says this journal will help me get the feelings out so I can work through them. I told him I know a better way.

American Haiku 5-7-5

2011-01-12T01:15:00.002-05:00

Colors fall to death,
Naked before clearest blue,
Life will bloom again.

Scene III

2010-10-14T13:59:00.001-04:00

He came to on the hard soil, curled up under a patch of scrub brush. His clothes were torn and caked with dried blood, and he was sore all over. What happened? As his eyes focused and took in his surroundings, Manhkee began to remember. After all, this wasn't the first time he had woken up in the chimpanzee enclosure at the city zoo. A night of battling over females, violent sex, and eating warm meat still pulsing with life always left him groggy the next morning. He rolled over on his back, the mottled sunlight breaking through the foliage and playing on his gruesome mug. He heard pained whimpering nearby and recognized the sound of his favorite girl.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, Daddy's too tired to give you what you deserve."

Manhkee slowly got to his knees and crawled out from under his cover, making sure to stick to the shadows at the back of the pen. A young male sat with his back against a tree, watching him with teeth bared. He had lost the fight and knew to stay seated but still showed his displeasure over the intrusion of this man-beast. Manhkee scoffed at the chimp and flipped him off before moving stealthily across the back wall to the maintenance door. Luckily the key was still in his pocket; there had been times when he had to search the terrain for an hour or more before finding it. He unlocked the door and quietly slipped out of the enclosure.

Making his way through the zoo, Manhkee was careful not to spook any of the animals. The place wasn't open yet but the staff might be there for cleaning and feeding. He was hurting a bit more than usual and didn't want to deal with any problems. I gotta see the scientist for some more of that go-go juice! He had come to crave the strange elixir the scientist brewed for him and the other Murderers. It was almost magical the way it took his pain away and brought his energy level back up in an instant. Of course, it was also highly addictive, and Manhkee hated to be so dependent on anyone or anything. This will be the last time...

Scaling the outer wall with ease, he paused at the top to make sure it was clear before he dropped to the ground. The zoo was bordered on three sides by sidewalks and busy streets, but the fourth side backed up to a small, heavily wooded park. Manhkee climbed the nearest tree and deftly swung from limb to limb, his long, powerful arms propelling him forward through the tree tops. Before long he came to a huge oak and stopped. Reaching into a hollow in the massive trunk, he pulled out a ragged nylon gym bag. Inside was a long coat and wide brimmed hat, both wrinkled and worn. Manhkee quickly put them on and stuffed the bag back into its hole. Raising his collar and pulling the hat down over his protruding brow, he lowered himself to the grass and continued his journey to the scientist's laboratory.

Scene II

2010-08-30T15:02:00.006-04:00

"So, what would you like to replace your rotting arm with...a grenade launcher?" The scientist asked half-jokingly. He had actually planned to try just such a surgery, but his latest victim/experiment died the day before yesterday. "Or maybe something more subtle better suits your style?"

S-O-G looked around the makeshift laboratory, cunningly hidden in the basement of one of the city's many condemned apartment buildings. As she watched, a plump rat grabbed something red and pulpy from under the operating table and scurried into the shadows. "None of the toys you have here interest me, Doc, so let's cut the bullshit and put another arm on, okay?" Her gravelly voice was unsettling yet sexy. "I got six months out of this one and it worked well enough. Besides, you've already grafted enough hardware on me."

The scientist nodded and opened the old, stained refrigerator standing beside him. The rusted wire shelves held blood smeared plastic bags of various shapes and sizes. After a moment of thought, he reached to the back and brought out a long package. Laying it on a metal table, he carefully opened it and removed the muscular, heavily tattooed arm. Holding it out for S-O-G to see, he spoke with a hint of excitement in his voice. "You're going to like this one; it's strong, the hand has excellent manual dexterity, and the skull tattoos are right up your alley. Best of all...it's fresh! No graveyard leftovers for my favorite Murderer." A rare smile flashed across the scientist's face before being replaced by his usual serious expression.

"Awww, Doc, you shouldn't have!" S-O-G said sarcastically, but the scientist could tell she was pleased. "Enough chit-chat - I have people to kill. This won't take long, will it?"

"Not at all, my dear. Just remove your top and lay down on the operating table. I'll have you back in action in no time." As S-O-G got undressed, the scientist couldn't help staring at her. Despite what she was, he was madly in love with the half-dead homicidal beauty. He secretly hoped that, when all this was over, they could have a life together. Much to accomplish before that can happen, he thought sadly. Perhaps too much...

Scene I

2010-08-17T17:40:00.001-04:00

The night sky hangs heavily over the street corner as the crowd forms a circle, careful not to get too close to the peculiar juggling clown. Children cower behind their parents, peeking around legs to catch a glimpse of the freak show. Cracked, dried out rubber balls float in the air and mesmerize while strangled pipe organ notes ooze from an old portable radio. People start to shuffle forward unconsciously as they stare at the performer. Like magic, the balls disappear when they reach his hands, quickly replaced by dingy bowling pins. Higher and higher they go until the onlookers are craning their necks to follow them.

The pins meet far above the audience and burst into a shower of red confetti. They gasp in wonder, then clap a little too loudly as they watch the paper rain fall. A short, round man in the front row blinks and shakes his head, snapping out of his trance in time to see the blur of an enormous combat boot! His sternum explodes, puncturing his lungs with bone fragments when he leaves his feet, and he flattens the couple behind him. Across the circle, a woman drops to her knees and releases an inhuman wail as spikes slip out of her ruined eye sockets. Panic takes over and the mob scatters as Buzz Kill tears through them, laughing and screaming.

Rear tire sliding, a black motorcycle rips around the corner and heads straight for the mayhem. It jumps the curb and rams the killer clown, slamming him to the sidewalk as it rides across his back and skids to a stop! The dark rider slowly dismounts and turns to face his opponent.

"Get up, you twisted son-of-a-bitch, and fight like a man," Triple Zero growls.

Buzz Kill slowly raises himself to his feet and smiles at the figure in black, blood dripping from his battered face. "Now why'd you have to go and spoil a good time, huh? The fun was just getting started!" With a flick of his wrist, he produces a gore encrusted throwing knife and hurls it with incredible force.

Triple Zero barely has enough time to spin away! As he recovers his footing, Buzz Kill launches his formidable bulk and crashes into him full force. They fall to the cement and tumble into the street. Buzz Kill manages to gain the advantage, and pins Triple Zero's arms to the tar with his knees.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Buzz Kill sneers as he kneels on top of Triple Zero. "You're gonna pay for that little stunt you pulled!"

Lowering his arms, Buzz Kill lets his deadly spikes drop from their hiding places and into his sweaty grasp. Before he can deliver his death stroke a pair of short, powerful arms shoots out from under Triple Zero's long coat, one knurled hand closing off Buzz Kill's windpipe and the other crushing his balls! Completely surprised and in serious pain, he flails wildly with the spikes to try to free himself from that horrible grip. Bending his knees backwards like some sort of insect, Triple Zero gets his feet under Buzz Kill and pushes with everything he's got, sending the grotesque creature flying!

He rolls to his left and stands up as Buzz Kill lands hard against the curb. Triple Zero moves in to finish the job, but hesitates when he hears the sirens approaching. The brief pause is all Buzz Kill needs to escape; he throws a smoke bomb on the ground and vanishes. Triple Zero follows suit and speeds away, front wheel in the air.

The Clearing

2010-08-12T15:17:00.001-04:00

The sun gives warmth, asks nothing in return;
A dragonfly taunts me, circling my head.
Tall grass bleached to yellow, waiting to burn.
Wind carries fragrance of sorrow and dread.

No longer here, did not care to save me.
Broken promises, hopes dashed against stone,
Leaving me hollow inside. How could she?
Starting to crumble, gray dust and white bone.

Across the clearing, glittering treasure.
My present of silver tells the story;
Her betrayal brings pain beyond measure.
Life loses purpose, ends with no glory.

To wipe clean the past, never know this love,
Better than death? My soul weeps from above.

Plight of the Living Ted

2010-08-05T16:38:00.005-04:00

I sit on the couch and watch images that do nothing for me. The cameras deliver a new angle every few seconds but tell the same old story. Isn't that what you're supposed to do when you can't sleep - stare at a foolish box until you can't stand it anymore? Not much else to do in the middle of the night. If I go for a walk someone will probably call the cops on me again. I turn off the television and just exist for a while.

The expression goes "Life sucks and then you die." I know something worse. They call me lucky because I came back in one piece...sort of. Zoe Hendricks died in a horrific boating accident on Mirror Lake a number of years ago; the propeller chewed her to bits. When she woke up and hobbled into Murphy's General Store it was like the end of the world. Poor Zoe didn't know what the fuss was all about until she caught her reflection in the floor length mirror by the clothing racks. She just about lost what was left of her mind right then and there. They have her locked up with the rest of them over at the State Hospital in Greenfield.

Ever see a George Romero zombie movie? Yeah? Well, let me tell you, he doesn't know shit. Don't get me wrong; his movies are classics and very entertaining. It's just not the way it works. No satellite full of radiation came to our town from outer space. We didn't start shambling around, moaning and trying to eat people. We just came back, simple as that. To be fair to George, how could he have known what would happen? No one else did.

The biggest problem was that life kept moving while we were in the ground, and there wasn't much to come back to. Everyone except me had been dead for awhile and that wasn't so great, either. Needless to say, no one looked their best. I wasn't buried for too long but that rope sure did a number on my boyish good looks. How ironic is that? Ted, the one person who actually wanted to die, gets to live again while the rest climb the walls of their padded cells. Life just isn't fair.

Some day I might write everything down, publish my "memoirs" as they say. I doubt it would be good reading, though. Man kills himself, inexplicably comes back to life, and is bored to shit. The End. I guess for now I will just keep on going, alive on the outside and dead on the inside. Come to think of it, I know a lot of people like that, surviving but not really living, struggling to make it through each day. Maybe I don't have it so bad after all.

Profile: Triple Zero

2010-07-21T21:08:00.003-04:00

Attending college and in need of money, he answered an ad for a supposed medical trial, only to be kidnapped by the scientist. Unspeakable experiments were mercilessly conducted on Triple Zero, the very first test subject of the scientist's career. It is presumed that the crude methods and techniques practiced on the helpless student were later employed to alter Buzz Kill, Manhkee, and S-O-G. He awoke in a dumpster, forever changed and with no memory of his past, his single clue a paper tag affixed to his toe with the words "Test Subject 000" scrawled across it. Forced to live like a nocturnal animal due to his appearance, he scavenged food after dark and sought shelter during daylight, his rage growing with each passing day. A chance encounter with S-O-G and the scientist late one night triggered a series of memories about his suffering at the hands of that lunatic. Since their fateful meeting, Triple Zero thinks of nothing but revenge.

He rides the city streets and alleyways from dusk until dawn, searching for the scientist and his three loathsome accomplices, his blacked out motorcycle cobbled together from salvaged and stolen parts. Triple Zero will run down wrong doers with the ominous machine when his true prey is nowhere to be found. Only dead criminals have gotten a close look, but those who have caught a glimpse describe a being that isn't quite right. His silhouette and the way he moves make it obvious that something terrible is hidden under those dark clothes. A few citizens even claim to have spotted him during the day, lurking in the shadows at the scene of yet another bloodbath by The Murderers. Triple Zero is becoming more and more aggressive in the pursuit of his enemies, so the odds are good there will be more sightings. Hopefully, we will learn more about this vigilante and whatever "modifications" he received courtesy of the scientist.

The Murderers

2010-07-19T20:25:00.021-04:00

Once believed to be acting independently, we now know that the top three most wanted criminals have in fact been working together for some time. Why these homicidal maniacs chose to join forces remains a mystery, but all agree that the union of Buzz Kill, Manhkee, and S-O-G means death, destruction, and mayhem for our city and its inhabitants. According to recent intelligence, this alliance of pure evil called The Murderers is in league with a mad scientist of sorts. It is alleged that this scientist has physically altered each member of the organization to better suit their individual personalities and killing styles, and may very well prove to be the mastermind of the operation.

The efforts of law enforcement agencies and private security firms have thus far been ineffective against The Murderers. The only party to achieve favorable results against this gang of mutants is Test Subject 000. Although not working in cooperation with the authorities and often breaking the law himself, Test Subject 000, or Triple Zero as some call him, has a very personal interest in bringing the mad scientist to justice.

Profile: Buzz Kill

2010-07-19T20:20:00.003-04:00

His childhood idol was serial killer John Wayne Gacy, which accounts for his malevolent clown persona. Buzz Kill stands over six feet tall and has an overweight, pear shaped physique. The hair follicles on the top of his head have been surgically removed, the remainder of his hair worn long and dyed yellow. His ghostly white complexion makes a perfect canvas for the multi-colored facial tattoos that substitute for traditional clown makeup. The entire lower half of Buzz Kill's face is covered by a gruesome red smile, with a hideously bulbous purple nose sitting on top of his oversized upper lip. His beady eyes are surrounded by sloppy, green starbursts and two black diagonal slashes on his forehead act as eyebrows. His outfit can vary depending on the situation, but his favorite article of clothing is a bright orange, bloodstained prison jumpsuit.

Buzz Kill's passion for magic is second only to his love of murder. To further his craft, the scientist implanted tubes beneath the skin on the undersides of his forearms, leaving the ends closest to the wrists open. Victims may watch as a foam ball, silk scarf, or shiny silver dollar appears out of thin air. However, the last thing they will ever see is a pair of long titanium spikes that Buzz Kill reveals with a flourish before jabbing them through the eyeballs and into the brain. It is rumored that his comically large combat boots are actually filled with flesh (yet another surgical enhancement) and make for formidable blunt trauma weapons. More than a few poor souls have undoubtedly perished under the crushing force of that lethal footwear.

Profile: Manhkee

2010-07-19T20:18:00.004-04:00

Never considered a handsome guy, this already simian-looking slayer took it to the next level. Inspired by news stories of owners mauled by their pet chimpanzees, Manhkee made a few changes to his appearance with the help of the scientist. His legs were shortened and arms extended. Hair growth serum was applied to the skin with mixed results, producing a mangy, patchy coat of greasy black. Lastly, the jaws, teeth, mouth, and nose of some unfortunate chimp were shoddily grafted on to round out the twisted transformation. What you are left with is an abomination that is hard to wrap your head around, never mind look at.

As luck (or strange forces of primate destiny) would have it, Manhkee has been a student of Monkey Kung Fu, specifically the Drunken Monkey form, since he was a teenager. This style of martial arts uses ape-like movements and attacks usually directed towards the knees, groin, throat, and eyes of the opponent. His new body structure is perfectly suited for this ground based assault, and most people are unable to effectively defend against it. If all else fails, he will simply bite off whatever body parts he can sink his teeth into until you bleed out or run away screaming. Although not officially confirmed, it has been said that Manhkee tends to chew and swallow what he tears off, adding cannibal to the list of things horribly wrong with him.

Profile: S-O-G

2010-07-19T20:11:00.005-04:00

This raven haired gun-for-hire has left bodies scattered around the globe. As a paid assassin, she lived the life of a nomad, the pack on her back holding all her worldly possessions. Finding no real need for money, she started killing for free, asking her clients to merely cover travel expenses. The joy she got from a clean kill was priceless. A stray landmine in a war torn country ended her illustrious career...for awhile. According to the grapevine, the scientist gathered what parts he could from the blast and scavenged the rest from local cemeteries. He reanimated the patchwork killer and dubbed her S-O-G. No one truly knows what that stands for, but one theory is Straight Outta Graveyard. Could the mad scientist be an N.W.A fan?

Neither fully living nor completely dead, S-O-G exists only to take life from others. Unlike the classic movie zombie, she is highly intelligent and agile, and can essentially pass for a normal human being. Until you see her in a bikini, that is. Because of her massive scarring and slightly mismatched appendages, she covers herself from the neck down in black fatigues. S-O-G's eyes were damaged from the flash of the explosion, causing her to wear dark smoke goggles at all times. She still requires food (not brains), liquid, and sleep to survive, but she can get by on a minimal amount of each. The scientist made several secret upgrades to her anatomy that have yet to be revealed, but you can be sure they involve guns and knives, the tools of her trade.

Darkness Falls

2010-07-16T12:24:00.007-04:00

I sat with my son recently as he watched Legend for the first time via a DVD I picked up at Newbury Comics (I introduced my daughters to the movie years ago on VHS). Watching it again reminded me of just how cool the character Darkness is (see picture), especially when he asks "what is light without dark?" The following short verse is not about Darkness or the film, but was very much inspired by both.

I take to the sky, let my mind soar.
Thoughts of disease, of famine, of war.

And those who suffered such horrible things.
For I did much evil to earn these black wings.

With no hint of remorse, I fed my desire.
A world filled with death, my fate cast in fire.

All for nothing, betrayed by my master.
I laugh as I plummet, earth coming faster.

Right Angle

2010-07-14T20:44:00.002-04:00

I was barely keeping my balance on the very top of a step ladder, the exact spot the warning sticker tells you not to stand on. A nasty summer storm had torn through our town the week before, and a fairly large branch had broken off one of the pine trees and lodged itself in the crook of a neighboring maple. It was only a matter of time before it made its way to the ground. The tree in question was kind of tucked in a back corner of my yard where I didn't spend much time so I probably could have just left it there, but looking at it made me feel kind of depressed, like peering down through clear water at a shipwreck. A reminder of how bad things can happen unexpectedly, I guess.

As I teetered on the ladder, yanking on this pine branch that didn't want to let go of its new maple comrade, I happened to glance over my right shoulder. I'm really not sure why I did; my attention should have been focused on what I was doing. But I did it anyway, and it struck me that in all the years I had lived in my house, I had never looked at the yard from this angle. Was that strange? As a homeowner, shouldn't I know my property from every angle? I mulled this over, one hand gripping the broken pine branch and the other holding the base of the closest maple limb. Then I saw it, and my life was different, just like that.

It took me a few seconds to realize what it was, and more than a few seconds to believe it. There was a face in the grass. Not a mixture of dark and light spots that kind of looked like a face if you tried really hard, and not an actual human face that landed there from a plane exploding 30,000 feet above my house. It was a grass face, somewhat three dimensional, and it was looking right at me. We stared at each other for a minute, not saying anything, and then it spoke.

"If you're not careful, you could fall and hurt yourself," the grass face said casually. "Not supposed to stand on the top of a step ladder, you know."

"Yeah, I know," I replied. I was at a total loss for words. What does one usually say to a face in the grass? I had a feeling there was no precedent for this kind of thing. We continued to look at each other for awhile longer, that awkward silence building between us. The grass face had broken the ice, so I figured the least I could do was to keep the dialogue going.

"This branch was really bothering me and I wanted to get rid of it," I mumbled lamely. "Guess I should have gotten a taller ladder." That is really what I said. Leave it to me to be the first person in the world, or at least the first person I ever heard of, to speak to a face in the grass, and all I can do is talk about the stupid branch and my inadequate ladder. Luckily, the grass face was a much stronger conversationalist than me, and kept things flowing nicely. We passed the afternoon together.

********************************************************************************

I eventually got around to telling the face in the grass about how, just before we made eye contact, I was thinking that I had never seen my yard from this particular point of view before. We agreed that it wasn't a normal spot to be hanging out in, and if the branch didn't break off the pine tree and land in the maple tree, we would not have met. It seemed that of all the possible angles to look at my yard from, I had unknowingly stumbled upon the only one, so far anyway, that revealed the grass face. I have to admit, I felt pretty special.

Roger and I tested our theory over the next few months with a new ladder purchased for the experiment. We picked that name for him because "face in the grass" sounded sort of rude once we got to know each other better. I would position myself in different places in my yard, generally at least five feet off the ground. Roger decided that most of the angles below that level had already been viewed by me during the course of my normal activities over the years. No matter how much we searched, we could not find a second location that allowed me to see him.

"Do you think there are other faces in the grass out there?" I asked Roger one crisp, October day. The brilliant blue sky was broken here and there by drifting clouds, marshmallows floating in hot chocolate. I could feel the cold of the coming winter in the metal rungs of the ladder.

"I'm not sure, Tom," he answered softly. "I would like to think I am not the only one, but who knows? He sounded sad about the prospect of being the sole grass face on planet Earth. I quickly changed the subject to what I should wear for Halloween.

********************************************************************************

Every once in awhile we will try a new spot, but mostly we are content to just spend time chatting together. Roger has so many questions for me, and I have as many or more for him, so we never run out of interesting things to talk about. Some day I suppose we may get bored with each other, and maybe I will start looking for grass faces at the ball field or within the pristine lawns of that new industrial park. Or maybe I won't. It's hard to know what you will do once you're friends with a face in the grass.

PAC-MAN...Glyos Style

2010-05-21T20:46:00.000-04:00

I originally posted this story almost one year ago to the day, but thought I would resurrect it in honor of PAC-MAN's 30th anniversary. It's the least I can do for a game that has given me countless hours of enjoyment and is still lots of fun to play 3 decades later!

*******************************************************************************

They stood silently at a crossroads bordered by endless blue barricades of energy. Four space travelers from as many times and dimensions brought together for a common purpose. Arquem Pheyden broke from the group and moved slowly down a corridor. He paused at an opening in the partition and cautiously stepped into the void and out of view. A moment later his head appeared from behind the wall.

"It hasn't come this way yet. The power orbs continue down this passageway and around the corner." Arquem quickly looked back over his shoulder before rejoining his brethren.

"It must still be feeding around the perimeter," Red Guardian Pheyden said quietly. "We must split up and begin to drive it towards a southern corner of the labyrinth. Remember - do not let it reach one of the large spheres or our shields will be temporarily deactivated."

The other Pheydens nodded in acknowledgment and moved out. As Andromeda Pheyden made his way down the hall he heard something in the distance and stopped. From somewhere up ahead came the faint sound of metal on metal. It grew louder as he slid stealthily along one of the blue barriers separating him from his quarry. The noise built to a roar as the creature approached, its gnashing steel teeth devouring power orbs as it went. Andromeda ran to meet the circular being head on and saw that it was being pursued by Red Guardian! Despite its panic the half machine, half organic golden yellow monster continued to ingest balls of energy at an impossible rate. Just as the Pheydens were about to close in, it deftly turned into a warp zone and was gone.

On the opposite side of the maze, Pulse Pheyden was about to change course when the beast appeared out of nowhere right in front of him! It saw him and reversed direction, Pulse in hot pursuit. By the time he realized a large sphere lay up ahead it was too late. The creature swallowed it whole and spun on Pulse as his shield short circuited, encasing him in a glowing dark blue aura. Partially paralyzed, he tried to escape but was vaporized in an instant! The ghostly outline of his eyes floated eerily down the corridor and out of sight.

Andromeda and Red Guardian emerged from the warp zone as their shields were flashing back into operation. They sprinted after the yellow fiend, herding it towards a corner. The Pheydens struggled to close the gap but it managed to stay one step ahead of them, rounding the bend and continuing down the long southern passageway. As they came around the corner they saw Arquem leap out of an opening up ahead. The creature was surrounded! The trio charged mercilessly and rammed full speed into the beast's fleshy curved sides as it let out a high pitched death warble. Its mechanical jaws malfunctioned and opened on to itself as the monster imploded!

Pulse found himself whole again in a small rectangular chamber. The only break in the walls was protected by some sort of force field. Without warning, Andromeda and Arquem suddenly appeared on either side of him. Red Guardian spoke from just outside the room.

"We are not done here. There will be another..."

Union

2010-04-01T15:34:00.007-04:00

The ground was thick with Buildman parts, making his trek across the battlefield difficult. It looked as if every gendrone in Glyos had been transported to the Black Ruins and sacrificed before the unforgiving walls of the Build Station. MT-01 surveyed the scene with a mix of horror and excitement. It amazed him that only two were responsible for all this carnage. Well...three, actually. Much to his surprise, a powerful black and silver Armodoc came out blasting from somewhere inside the ruins just when Infiltrator and Hades broke through the ranks of misshapen gendrones. As they stormed into the facility to continue their slaughter, the Armodoc obliterated every last Buildman outside then disappeared as swiftly as it had come. MT-01 chose to keep his troopers out of the fight as their support was not required. Best to save our strength for what is to come...

As he worked his way to the main entrance of the building, MT-01 discovered a gendrone among the rubble that was twitching weakly. It could not communicate but he was able to interface with it directly. Strange code began to flow into his processor so he quickly broke the link. He had connected with countless gendrones during the Gen-Cog Offensive and never run into programming that felt so...alien to him. MT-01 now questioned whether he was on Rilleco for the same reason as Infiltrator and Hades. Are they here to eradicate instead of liberate?

An MT appeared in the destroyed hatchway of the Build Station and gave the all clear signal to his commander. As MT-01 crossed the threshold, he saw pairs of troopers staged at intervals down the dark hallway. Terminated gendrones in a multitude of shapes and colors were scattered everywhere. He approached a group of MTs waiting for him at the end of the corridor. Weapons drawn, they crouched against the wall on either side of a well lit opening.

MT-01 moved alongside his squad leader and nodded. Cautiously, they traded places to give him an unobstructed line of sight into the room. The space was full of standard configuration Buildmen, each one looking about as if seeing its surroundings for the first time. Infiltrator and Hades stood among them, engaged in deep conversation. From what MT-01 could pick up, it sounded like Infiltrator wished to stay and guide his lost brothers. As he watched, the dialogue ended abruptly, Hades vanishing in a flash of brilliant light. Seizing the opportunity, MT-01 stepped into the room. The silver gendrone calmly turned to face him.

"Infiltrator, my name is MT-01, leader of the M.A.I.M. Troopers. I come to you in peace as your ally."

"I have heard much about you and your troopers, Commander. Your courageous actions on behalf of our kind are known throughout the system. But please, call me Argen".

The two spoke of many things: past, present, and future. It was decided that Argen and MT-01 would work as one to free the gendrones of Glyos, and the former Build Station on Rilleco would become the new base of the MTs. Together they would declare war on the masters who unjustly enslaved their brethren!

Glyageddon

2010-03-23T15:31:00.012-04:00

They emerged from the shadows like mechanized phantoms, each one soundlessly carrying out his task. Within minutes, the MTs established a secure perimeter around the Black Ruins, home to the Build Station. Only Infiltrator and Hades would be allowed to pass when the time came. The troopers were given strict orders not to reveal themselves as MT-01 wanted to learn more before making contact. One thing he knew for certain; the masters he had faced in battle were nothing compared to these two veteran combatants.

The very planet seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the attack. Nothing stirred as tension grew and pressed mercilessly down upon Rilleco. MT-01 felt he may be crushed under the weight of it if something didn't happen soon. Come on...come on! His typically unfaltering patience was threatening to betray him when suddenly the silence was broken.

"Commander...this is MT-48", the trooper stated, his voice barely audible through the heavy static. Something in the area was
interfering with their communications equipment. "Targets are inside our perimeter and heading towards the main entrance of the Build Station. Advise."

Relief swept over him as he responded. "Do not engage under any circumstances. Maintain cover and await further instructions".

From his position, MT-01 had a clear view of the front of the building. The smooth, windowless facade gave off a dull glow not unlike the
head of Hades, its surface covered with intersecting lines. The structure appeared alive and a low, pulsing hum emanated from somewhere deep within. It looked abandoned but almost inviting,
daring you to enter.

*******************************************************************************

Infiltrator and Hades slipped out of the ruins and made their way towards the menacing structure. During their final approach to Rilleco they were attacked by bizarrely configured, flying Buildmen, and were forced to exit their ship to destroy them. The experience made them realize that conventional weapons were not enough. Using his backpack and right arm, the metallic gendrone had built a powerful blaster especially for the assault, and held it at the ready. Hades carried a glowing green phase arm with its power disc mounted
on his back.

Without warning, the Build Station erupted, spewing forth a mass of abominations. Hulking red and blue gendrones with heavy cannons swarmed, and sickly greenish white walkers picked their way across the terrain. Translucent, smoky Buildmen combined with their pitch black brethren to form large, arachnid-like figures, bringing to mind the ancient beings that once inhabited the planet. These gendrones acted differently than the standard Metran built units, as if they were programmed by some alien life force. Infiltrator and Hades traded knowing glances and opened fire.

*******************************************************************************

It was there when the fighting began, hidden amongst the crumbling dark rock of the ruins. The Armodoc's black body was barely visible against the stone, making its silver head and limbs float in the nothingness. It was sent to stop the atrocities taking place on Rilleco, and would let the gendrone and Pheyden eliminate the initial waves of Buildmen before joining the fray. The Armodoc stood and watched as two brave warriors battled an army of manufactured mutants.

Close Call

2010-03-17T00:02:00.004-04:00

He watched as the veiled spacecraft landed in a remote sector of Rilleco. MTs possessed advanced optical sensors that allowed them to identify virtually anything, even if it was cloaked. MT-01 was unsure if Infiltrator had this capability, but chose his camouflage based on the assumption that he did.

The ship was still powering down when the hatch opened, releasing a trio of auto probes. The small, spherical units split from each other and rapidly conducted a sweep of the immediate area. Finding nothing unusual, they regrouped and disappeared into the vessel. The hatch remained open and there was no movement of any kind for some time. MT-01 was motionless, anticipation welling up inside of him. Infiltrator exhibits great caution...an admirable trait.

Finally, a ramp extended forward and came to rest. A pair of shining, silver boots materialized in the opening, the rest of the form obscured by shadow. After a pause, the figure moved down the walkway and into full view. The metallic gendrone shone brilliantly in contrast to the dark vegetation, his blue visor glowing as he scanned his surroundings. He stepped on to the planet's surface and abruptly stopped, his gaze locked on MT-01's distant hiding spot. Neither Buildman stirred.

Never before had MT-01 experienced this feeling of trepidation. Has Infiltrator detected me? He had taken every precaution to make himself invisible! Time stood still as the warriors faced each other silently. Just as he was preparing to break cover and retreat, Hades strode down the ramp and spoke to the gendrone. He was fully clad in black with a scarf of some kind covering the lower half of his face. Deep, light green scars marred the surface of his faintly glowing head, one running across the darkness where his left eye used to be.

MT-01 was too far away to hear what was said, but it was enough for Infiltrator to turn his attention to Hades. He took this opportunity to withdraw unnoticed. As he made his way back to base camp, MT-01 processed what had happened. Did Infiltrator actually see him or just sense that he was being observed? Either way, he knew that he should never underestimate the formidable powers of his potential ally.

*******************************************************************************

"Something out there you do not like?" Hades asked as he walked towards Infiltrator. "I assure you, the probes are flawless. I programmed them myself."

The gendrone looked at his companion. He did not doubt the quality of the probes or believe a threat was lurking nearby. It was something else; a persistent thought forcing its way into his consciousness. Change is coming, and nothing I do will stop it. I can only hope it is for the best... Infiltrator quickly answered the perceptive Pheyden before he could question him further.

"All is well. We will begin preparations for the assault at once."

Strangers on Rilleco

2010-03-10T12:09:00.017-05:00

The atmosphere hangs heavy above the ancient planet, the haze broken by pulsing, greenish blue dots of light. Countless shades of purple and gray paint the shadowy undergrowth. Rising ominously above the landscape, mountains of the blackest stone cast their darkness. Legend speaks of an advanced, colossal race, long
forgotten by the inhabitants of Glyos, that still sleeps within the deepest recesses of the foreboding rock. A sensation of uneasy
peace pervades Rilleco: the calm before the storm. In the distance,
the silhouette of a large facility is barely visible.

I don't like it here. A feeling of dread crept over MT-01 as he waited in hiding. His previous reconnaissance of the area was brief and focused mainly on the Build Station, and the environment didn't impact him then. Now, however, he and his troopers were bivouacked in the heart of the gloom and it was taking its toll. It seemed as if they had been there for eons. The ability to think and feel is a doubled edged sword...

A ship linked to Hades and Infiltrator had recently been detected by an MT patrol in a desolate sector of Glyos, and a flash scan of its navigational system revealed a course set for Rilleco. Based on their last known location, they could touch down on the planet at any time. MT-01 would not engage the duo right away, but would observe their movements to better gauge their intent. His renowned combat record had not been attained through hasty actions and misplaced trust.

*******************************************************************************

As he deftly slid the spacecraft through a field of debris in Rilleco's outer atmosphere, Hades felt a foreign presence. It emanated from the planet in powerful waves that threatened to overpower his intuitive senses. Concentrating on the source, his mind brought forth startling imagery; Hades saw an organic being, a great warrior, encased in a kind of metallic exoskeleton. This warrior was struggling to break free of his prison-like shell, but at the same time was bound by his solemn duty to remain inside and fight for those who could not fight for themselves. Hades had received a vision similar to this once. It came to him just before his first encounter with Infiltrator.

The Pheyden thought hard about what he had just experienced. Telling Infiltrator would undoubtedly alter the gendrone's behavior and actions during the raid on the Build Station, but not telling him could leave him vulnerable to an unseen enemy. Hades was hesitant to speak and perhaps interfere with the destiny of another. Infiltrator can take care of himself well enough. Besides, I sense no evil in the stranger below...only torment. Just outside of radar range, Hades activated the ship's cloaking device and began his descent.

An Impending Convergence

2010-03-03T19:38:00.006-05:00

Going to battle because your master commands you to or programming forces you to is...wrong. But facing death by conscious choice, for something you truly believe in, is nothing short of glorious.

Much time had passed since the launch of the Gen-Cog Offensive, and MT-01 knew first hand what it meant to lay his life on the line for the cause. He had all but declared war on the gendrone masters of Glyos in hopes of freeing his fellow Buildman units. Squads of M.A.I.M. Troopers were fighting throughout the system to liberate their brethren and give them the gift of sentience. MT-01 led by example and could be found at the forefront of any given assault, his remarkable strategy and unfaltering courage now legendary.

As successful as he and his troopers were, MT-01 knew that things would only get more difficult as masters formed alliances and pooled their resources to protect their property. It was also rumored that the Metran government now planned to get involved. He continued to replenish his troopers with any suitable gendrones willing to join the MTs after gaining their independence, but it was not enough. MT-01 needed someone, or something, much more powerful.

Several Build Recon teams had reported crossing paths with a heavily armed, fully sentient Buildman unit known as Infiltrator. This silver warrior did not travel with a contingent of soldiers; he seemed to be in partnership only with Hades, a dark Pheyden from an unknown dimension. Together they moved throughout Glyos like shadows, attacking masters without mercy and granting freedom and consciousness to gendrones. It makes sense that we should join forces...unless their true motives are not what they appear to be.

A recent intelligence report indicated that the mysterious pair is targeting a Build Station on Rilleco. MT-01 had personally executed a covert operation on that world to gather information. From what he could see, it looked like the facility was heavily fortified and well prepared for defense. The operators of the station were even building and programming armored gendrones for additional security, so the MTs would have to terminate their own kind to accomplish their mission. We do what we must to achieve victory...

Based on the data he had compiled, MT-01 formulated his plan. He would recall as many MTs as possible from the field and amass a large force for stealth transport to Rilleco. Once there, he would take full advantage of the dark vegetation and black rock formations to camouflage his troops. They would reassemble into combat configurations and stand at the ready. He had a hunch they wouldn't have to wait long for Infiltrator and Hades to arrive. When they did, MT-01 and his troopers would be prepared.

Kranion's Curse - One (PG)

2009-08-18T12:58:00.005-04:00

Will it be exactly as it was before? Kranion stood among debris littering the floor of the abandoned tenement, rats scurrying away in fear of their visitor. Long ago, those who rule Aidoneus sent him to this planet because it was overrun with malevolent souls. He was to stay until the corrupt life energies plaguing the inhabitants were captured. Only then was Kranion allowed to go back and resume his duties as warden of the Containment Zone. It was an incredibly difficult task that almost destroyed him. Now he was here again thanks to treachery and a spell of the blackest magic, doomed to repeat that grueling period spent on Earth.

Phanost is a fool if he trusts that demented sincroid over me... He never expected another Pheyden to betray him as Phanost had. Kranion was so focused on defeating Govurom that he did not see the orb until it was too late. He needed to get back to Glyos as quickly as possible. Who knew what would happen when the battle for the datadisc began? It had already devastated Phanost and birthed a vicious monster in his image. Govurom believed it would free him, but what if it twisted him further? I must work swiftly to rid this world of its evil spirits!

Legend told that this curse banished its victims to their past, leaving them to relive the darkest parts of their personal histories. Most simply cannot bear the thought of experiencing something so horrible all over again and either lose their minds or take their own lives. Only a handful of beings have risen to the challenge and survived the trial, earning the right to return to their own reality.

He moved to the window and pushed the dingy curtain aside. Scanning the deserted neighborhood brought a flood of memories to the space traveler. Kranion looked down and, seeing that he still had the staff and breastplate, realized it would be different this time.

Glyos - Chapter Five (PG)

2009-08-04T15:12:00.009-04:00

The two Pheydens, nearly as old as the artifact Govurom sought, stood on either side of the porthole and peered out at his ship. I must get to the Parabatis! Kranion turned away and made for the hatch. "Phanost, do not tell him I am here."

Phanost found himself in a position he did not want to be in. That datadisc has brought me nothing but hardship! Without his malevolence he felt weak; hatred was a source of strength for him. Acting on impulse, he reached under the instrument cluster and withdrew a tiny, weathered orb. An amber glow within could be seen through its cracked exterior. Risky but...I cannot go on living this way. Phanost watched Govurom disembark and walk toward the entranceway.

Like a shadow, Kranion slipped back into the control room. He carried his collector in one hand and a long staff carved out of bone in the other. At the top sat a murky, multifaceted jewel. Kranion wore a dull black breastplate, crafted from the scales of a massive beast, with a matching stone mounted in its center. He moved to a dark corner and waited. Phanost tucked the sphere in the gauntlet of his glove when he heard Govurom approach.

"Greetings," Govurom growled as he marched to the middle of the room. "I have come to ask for your...assistance." He had lost any civility he once possessed but still held a deep respect for Phanost; they were alike in many ways.

Before Phanost could respond, white light shot out from Kranion's hiding spot. The collector's beam was on target but Govurom instinctively dropped and spun to his left. Up on one knee in an instant, he answered with a deadly blast. It struck Kranion and knocked him back to his corner. The purple energy was starting to engulf him when the gem on his chest turned a fiery red. Govurom stared in astonishment as the stone drew the venomous power out of Kranion and into itself. It began to flicker and fade as the jewel on the staff ignited in flame. The toxic force was now his to wield!

Kranion rose and pointed the staff at Govurom. He was about to let loose a torrent of energy on his stunned opponent when Phanost hurled the orb. It shattered at Kranion's feet and released a dirty yellow cloud. When the smoke dissipated, Kranion was gone!

"But how...why...?" Govurom stuttered.

"Because we desire the same thing," Phanost said. "You are two beings in one and I am half of my former self. We both long to be right again and the datadisc may be our only hope. Together we will find the thief who took it and regain what is ours!"

MTs - Chapter Seven (PG)

2009-08-01T00:02:00.006-04:00

The MTs were changing. As their personalities developed, each trooper modified himself to express his newfound individuality. Different heads and body structures, enhanced armor, powerful weapons configurations, and unique markings could be seen throughout the unit. It would not be long before they dropped the random identification digits in favor of real names. It was the natural evolution of the sentient gendrone and he watched with immense pleasure.

For the present, MT-01 would stay the same and act as a living reminder of where everything began. My day is coming... There would be time for his transformation after the Gen-Cog Offensive was in full swing. He cherished the idea of being someone instead of something and held it as his reward. The Metran owners will not release their servants without a fight. Many rough battles lay ahead of MT-01 but he felt no fear, even though he was now capable of it.

Earlier, MT-89 reported in from the field with interesting news. Bounty hunters had been engaged by the Metran police to track down fugitives and one in particular, a large sincroid known as Callgrim, employed a number of combat hardened gendrones. It was uncertain whether they were enslaved or operating under free will. MT-01 instructed the Build Recon team to learn the truth. If others outside of the MTs had gained sentience, he needed to know. Perhaps I was not the first?

Monsterforge does it again!

2009-07-24T23:03:00.004-04:00

My good buddy Charles Marsh of Monsterforge Studios has absolutely blown me away with his talent! He just sent me this masterpiece and I am speechless...

More MTs Action!

2009-07-20T21:58:00.011-04:00

A few pics from Matt. Each of his configurations below uses every one of the 26 parts that come with the MTs. He is a genius!

This mega warrior was built with all sorts of parts!

Hide your gendrones!

2009-07-20T15:17:00.007-04:00

The MTs have come to our planet in search of Buildman units to liberate. Gen-Cog gave them sentience and freedom of thought, and they have started to reconfigure themselves...

MTs - Chapter Six (PG)

2009-07-18T12:10:00.008-04:00

My sincere thanks to Jesse Moore of Callgrim.com for sharing his artwork, characters, and idea for the prisoner ship escape with me!

MT-89 listened intently as the Police Commander recounted the events to a group of bounty hunters. His Build Recon team was part of a gendrone work detail performing maintenance and repair on law enforcement vehicles. A ship carrying violent prisoners from across Glyos was en route to the Metran holding facility when it was attacked by space pirates. Six members of their crew had been arrested during a raid and they wanted them back. The officers on board were brutally murdered along with several buccaneers from rival outfits.

The remaining detainees were allowed to escape via the inmate transport. The whereabouts of the pirates and convicts were unknown. They were surely in hiding, and the Metran Police force could not afford to allocate resources for an exhaustive search of the entire system. They had assembled the best trackers and offered a substantial reward, dead or alive, for each outlaw. None of this concerned MT-89, however.

He was interested in the contingent of heavily armed Buildman units surrounding a menacing, skull-faced Sincroid. Their unusual coloring and massive blasters were like nothing MT-89 had seen so far. The gendrones stood perfectly still in ready positions, as if their master may be ambushed at any moment. They seem well trained for combat...

Were they the same as the others MT-89 labored among; not much more than machines serving their ungrateful owners? Or were they free thinking gendrones, making them mercenaries by choice? Attempting to communicate with them here was too risky. I must find out. We can use additional fighters for the offensive. He moved closer to MT-61 and MT-96 and merged his thoughts with theirs. The troopers turned to him in unison and nodded. The shared consciousness of those with Gen-Cog never ceased to amaze MT-89.

Glyos - Chapter Four (PG)

2009-07-15T13:06:00.005-04:00

The experience was beyond description. How do you express what it is like to have a piece of your essence, your very being, taken from you? There are no words for what has happened to me. Phanost now spent most of his time sitting here in the control room, staring at nothing through the porthole. The once great adventurer could not bring himself to leave the confines of his home, even though he knew what must be done. I do not want to face that...part of myself.

From out of the darkness came a small ship. Its elongated form and leathery black surface gave the illusion that it was alive, like the head of some hideous beast. A chill ran through Phanost as it flew past the exterior docking area and into the space station's craft hangar. He heard the rumble of the walls shutting below and turned his chair to the empty hatchway. A figure silently appeared in the opening.

"Is this a friendly call, or have you come to reclaim me?" Phanost tried to sound indifferent but was shaken by his surprise visitor.

"Neither," Kranion replied flatly as he stepped into the room. "I seek a rare datadisc, one capable of dividing entities. Do you have it?"

Phanost laughed hollowly. "I did, but it was stolen from me, along with...something else."

Kranion eyed the Pheyden warily. He sensed Phanost was in trouble and connected with his life energy. What he saw confirmed his suspicions.

"How long have you been this way?" Kranion asked.

"Since I held that cursed datadisc," Phanost stood and began to pace about. "I thought it was just another relic. I did not realize what it would do, or who it would create!"

"What do you mean who-" Kranion quit speaking and hurried to the porthole. He watched as the Dimension Jumper slid against the dock and stopped.

Vigilant - Chapter Seven (PG)

2009-07-11T23:07:00.003-04:00

Mephran stood upon the outcropping and glared down at the Horde. None of the creatures dared move for fear of attracting his attention. After what seemed like an eternity, he spoke to them.

"Our salvation is threatened, my children. There are those who wish to keep us here on Aeddonea, even though it means our certain demise."

The mob voiced their outrage with unintelligible cries and the rhythmic banging of weapons against armor. Segriath raised four of his misshapen limbs to quiet them.

"Tarthiun has summonsed an outsider, a human, to help him in his crusade," Mephran bellowed. "He is more concerned with protecting the feeble inhabitants of Earth than saving his own kind!"

The Horde erupted. Unable to control their anger, the beasts began thrashing each other wildly. Mephan allowed it to continue for a few moments before shooting a glance at Segriath. Once again, the malformed arachnid silenced the crowd.

"The time to act is now!" Mephran's followers were in a mad frenzy. "Go forth! Deliver this traitor and his conspirators unto me!"

Some distance away, Tarthiun, Draephas, and Jack were heading to the site where Vigilant's body was hidden, completely unaware that an army of mutants was coming for them.

Govurom - Chapter Three (PG)

2009-07-09T22:52:00.010-04:00

Artwork by Jesse Moore, Callgrim.com

He tore through the cargo hold one last time to be certain he did not overlook it. Nothing... Govurom had crossed paths with the salvage ship unexpectedly and seized the opportunity to feed. After absorbing the three crew members on board, he searched the craft on the off chance they had discovered the datadisc during their voyage. He found no artifacts, which was highly unusual for that type of operation. Unless they have already been sold?

Govurom scanned the chief's log to see where they were working. The recovery team spent the majority of the trip collecting equipment and goods left behind on Issaris. It was dangerous business and paid very well. The planet is extremely old...they could have easily stumbled upon ancient relics. The ship then made a stop close to Jentrache, but there were no details recorded. Instinct told him to investigate.

The Dimension Jumper disconnected from the lifeless vessel. Govurom was bursting with fresh energy and anxious to reach Jentrache before his power diminished. Unsure of who or what he would encounter there, he wanted his deadly blasts at maximum strength. He sensed that change was coming to the Glyos system. I must secure the datadisc! Little did Govurom know that it lay deep inside Toxar's lair on Alcray.

What will it feel like to be alone again? As much as he despised the Pheyden who dwelled within him, Govurom was comforted by the thought of sharing his anguish with another.

MTs - Chapter Five (PG)

2009-07-06T16:09:00.015-04:00

He gave them life and got undying loyalty in return. They will have ample opportunity to prove their fidelity... But to whom did he owe his thanks? If it was his maker's doing, it was unintentional. That tyrant had his own agenda which did not include granting total consciousness to his gendrones. Was it the work of a higher power, or just a simple programming error? MT-01 had many questions and few answers.

One thing he was sure of. It is my duty to pass on this incredible gift. MT-01 had formulated a plan to liberate the gendrones of Glyos and save them from an eternity of servitude. He would set them free, allow them to exist independently, and defend them to the death. Those who elected to join the cause would be welcomed. Preparations for the launch of the Gendrone Cognizance Offensive were already underway!

MT-01 learned of the capability to spread Gen-Cog by accident. During combat maneuvers, he began to combine with two troopers to form a phase cannon. As soon as they interfaced, he felt a strong surge of energy flow from his body into theirs. MT-01 assumed it was a minor malfunction and thought little of it. After the exercise was finished, one of the MTs came to him.

"We have received the transmission and await your orders," MT-09 said quietly before rejoining the formation.

Transmission? MT-01 was taken aback. What MT-09 did was inconceivable! Troopers never broke ranks; their encoding did not permit it. He thinks as I do! The realization that he was not alone induced a sensation MT-01 would later identify as happiness. From that point forward, he made it his mission to bring complete awareness to every trooper in his unit.

Unfortunately, MT-01 neglected to hide his ability from his commander and was exposed prior to devising an eradication strategy. The spontaneous raid on his living quarters was unsuccessful, leaving their operation vulnerable. The Build Recon teams were deployed to hopefully uncover information as to his whereabouts. If nothing else, they can record the coordinates of gendrones in need of emancipation.

The sentient being took a moment to enjoy the emotions he was experiencing: fear, excitement, impatience, and an overwhelming desire...for vengeance!

Kranion - Chapter Three (PG)

2009-07-05T12:26:00.009-04:00

He was not fully recovered but anxious to resume the chase. With one eye entirely black and the other out of focus, Kranion wondered if confronting the gendrone fighters would have been less painful than eluding them. He could barely feel Govurom now and realized much time had passed. I rested for longer than I should have...

Kranion was unsuccessful in capturing Govurom thus far and could not risk more failure. Tracking has proved to be futile. Perhaps I should bait a trap and lure him to me? It was known that Govurom sought an ancient datadisc for his own dark purpose. Kranion's fellow Pheyden, Phanost, had collected scores of relics during his wanderings through the Glyos system. There was a strong chance he possessed the artifact Govurom was after.

Phanost took residence in an abandoned space station drifting just outside the atmosphere of planet Jentrache. Kranion had not spoken to him in many ages but was confident he would cooperate. They held similar opinions regarding their Pheyden brothers and the paths they chose, and were on good terms. He was unaware that Phanost needed his help as well. Kranion would soon learn of the wretched existence of Toxar from his ally.

MTs - Chapter Four (PG)

2009-06-30T02:06:00.027-04:00

The gendrone was not expecting this. Perhaps I have underestimated him. Troopers had already searched the subterranean base and surrounding network of caves and tunnels, but discovered no trace. MT-01 ordered them to check the surface of the porous moon that served as their headquarters, as well as the lifeless world it once orbited. He knew they would find nothing. There must have been an escape pod hidden somewhere within the labyrinth. The Glyos system is vast...he could be anywhere by now. Where would he begin to look? More importantly, who was he looking for? No trooper, including MT-01, had seen their former commander in his true form.

The new leader of the MTs needed to focus on his chief objective. He would select six troopers and create two reconnaissance teams to gather intelligence about their maker. MT-01 did not wish to risk exposure on densely inhabited planets so he would alter their exteriors. We can uninstall the integrated phase arms and change their color back to brown and tan. They will behave like typical Buildman gendrones and raise no suspicions...

He thought hard about who he would select. MT-01 wanted the scouts to be highly proficient, yet hesitated to send his best troopers as he required their skill for the mission. The Build Recon units may be in the field for an extended period. He could not afford to wait for their return before launching the offensive.

"The following M.A.I.M. Troopers will report to the Assembly Floor immediately," MT-01 said into the central communications module. "MT-17...MT-36...MT-42...MT-61...MT-89...MT-96. That is all."

Monsterforge Magic!

2009-06-29T18:52:00.015-04:00

The incredibly talented Charles Marsh of Monsterforge Studios has bestowed upon me the custom of my dreams (or should I say my nightmares)...Kranion! He is an amazing artist, sculptor, creator of custom figures, and friend. Thank you so much, buddy!

Govurom - Chapter Two (PG)

2009-06-27T16:31:00.009-04:00

The Dimension Jumper lay veiled behind its cloaking pane. Govurom followed the gendrone fighters with his eyes as they passed. Who are they? He waited for some time before he dropped cover and moved on. When Govurom first learned that two small ships were coming he considered challenging them. He was glad that he chose to hide instead, even though he desired the life energy of the pilots. The styling of the spacecraft and their rigid flight formation said they were military. Govurom was already on the Lost Sincroid Army's most wanted list and did not need a second armed force gunning for him.

He promised himself he would resume his quest once he was at full force. If I can locate the datadisc, I should finally be able to separate myself from this Pheyden who steals so much of my power! Legend told that the relic held the secret to dividing two entities who occupied a single body. Govurom had scoured many of the archaic remains of civilizations spread across Glyos without luck. His constant yearning for life energy had taken priority as of late, but he knew he had to keep looking or eventually waste away. I will find it!

Govurom leaned forward to disengage the navigation system. He decided to change his destination and guide the ship manually. The Metran government had an observatory on remote Seleneai where scientists typically conducted space research. Their planetary maps might help him identify new places to search, and absorbing organic beings always gave Govurom a healthy boost. He nimbly steered through a field of floating space debris as he imagined holding the datadisc in his hands.

Seleneai soon came into view. To avoid detection, Govurom went to the side of the planet opposite the Metrans. He then flew just above to the surface until he was within walking distance of their facility and landed the Jumper between two bluffs. Concealing it with vegetation, Govurom left and made for the observatory. As he drew closer he spied two solo ships out front. Perfect...

He was planning to override the access panel but found the hatch ajar. Something is wrong. He slipped through the opening and down the long corridor towards a well lit area. Govurom pressed against the wall and carefully peered into the room. A pair of bodies clad in white lab coats lay on the floor. He saw the gaping holes from where he stood and knew they were dead. Anger from losing his repast gave way to speculation.

The scientists were shot with serious weapons. Why? Perhaps whoever did this feared being seen though their powerful lenses? Govurom wondered what type of covert operations could be taking place in the Glyos system to warrant these murders. No time to make sense of this now. I must go! He gathered the charts he needed and dashed out of the building.

Kranion - Chapter Two (PG)

2009-06-24T10:23:00.020-04:00

Artwork by Charles Marsh Monsterforge Studios

The Parabatis cut through space in pursuit of Govurom. He grew stronger for a time but he's fading rapidly. He will need to absorb again soon... Kranion felt a shift and knew Govurom was on the move. The Dimension Jumper's unusual shape made it difficult to identify and track with conventional equipment. Kranion would have to rely on his heightened awareness. Finding Govurom was always challenging; collecting and containing his venomous power had proven close to impossible.

A warning light flashed brightly in the cockpit as information scrolled across the display. Two fighter class spacecraft were approaching rapidly! Kranion recognized the life energy that was bearing down on him. The Buildman gendrones must have detected my presence on Alcray! There was not enough time to escape using the hyperspace drive and he couldn't chance a skirmish with a force of their size. His only option was to try visual transportation.

Kranion recalled his encounter with Cosmic Wave and the Gargethion on Botellias. He envisioned the Parabatis surrounded by the plentiful flora of the planet. The sensation of being stretched to the breaking point overwhelmed him. Slumping forward over the controls, Kranion lost consciousness. His vessel became translucent then disappeared altogether. The fighters reached the spot the Parabatis had just occupied and hovered.

"We have lost the ship," MT-68 reported. "Analysis shows no hyperspace trail or cloaking print. Awaiting orders."

"Conduct a final sweep and rendezvous with us prior to our destination," MT-52 replied. "Delete all data pertaining to your activities. Under no circumstances are you to return directly to base."

"Understood. MT-68 out." He relayed the commands to his fellow pilot and they skillfully executed the search flight pattern. Discovering no trace of a craft, the gendrones vacated the area.

On Botellias, the Parabatis lay unevenly on a bed of thick kryno bushes. Kranion's position had not changed. After a few moments he came to. Bolts of pain shot through his head as he struggled to sit upright. Kranion managed to initiate a full systems check while he gathered his thoughts. Evasion agonizing...but...necessary. Was right about transport...too risky.

Fortunately, no damage had been done to the ship. The same could not be said for him. He was completely exhausted and a blackish fluid oozed from the corners of his lifeless eyes. Kranion absently wiped it away with the back of a shaking hand. Once again his attempt to imprison Govurom's life energy had been derailed. He began to wonder if forces greater than those he served were at work in the Glyos system.

Vigilant - Chapter Six (PG)

2009-06-22T10:09:00.004-04:00

"Greetings, Jack." Tarthiun's back was to the entranceway. "Please sit down. We have much to talk about. Thank you for escorting our friend, Draephas."

Draephas bowed his head in acknowledgment but remained standing. Jack walked over to something resembling a chair and took a seat. He started to sweat in anticipation of seeing Tarthiun. Don't turn away...focus on his eyes. The Shaman spun around and faced Jack.

You look surprised," Tarthiun said with a warm smile. "You expected me to be a bit more evil?" He was in fact a kind and gentle looking sorcerer.

"Yes...I pictured you very differently," Jack admitted sheepishly

"The creature you saw was Mephran, but somehow you attached my name to him. It is no wonder he made such an impression; he orchestrated your murder and put a terrible curse on your life energy."

Jack was staggered. "My murder? I..."

"Allow me to explain." Tarthiun clasped his hands behind him and began to pace.

"You may be Jack on Earth now, but here on Aeddonea you were the immortal Vigilant for time beyond measure. That is, until Mephran and his henchman, Segriath, conspired against you. Jack, you are the eternal gatekeeper of the sole portal connecting our dimension to yours."

A puzzled look overtook Jack's countenance. "Okay...wait. If I am supposedly this Vigilant, then how was I killed? In my world immortal means you live forever."

"The word is the same here," Tarthiun replied. "Normally, when a living thing dies, its life energy returns to the source, called Origin. There it waits until it is tasked to inhabit a new physical form. I believe you would call that reincarnation."

Jack nodded. "Not everyone buys that theory where I come from. I always did, though"

"Well," Tarthiun continued. "I can assure you it is true. When an everlasting being perishes, its life energy travels to Origin but is instantaneously sent back. This is a completely natural occurrence and you have expired countless times. However, Mephran used an ancient talisman to cast a spell. The hex masked your life energy, making it unrecognizable. Origin then put it in a human newborn. That was you. It almost destroyed Mephran to do this and the amulet shattered in the process, so have no fear of it happening again."

"Why would Mephran go through so much trouble to get rid of me?" Jack asked.

"Because you were the only one who could foil his plan. Aeddonea is dying from abuse and Mephran intends to invade Earth using the portal. He and his army of mutants, the Horde, will make your planet their new home and your kind will suffer horribly. It is written that our world is meant to die. Yours will survive if humans continue their efforts to reverse the damage they have inflicted. A portal was never supposed to exist but somehow it opened on its own. Eons ago, when it was learned that it couldn't be closed, you were made gatekeeper by the higher powers of Xebolis."

Jack took some time to absorb all that he had heard. Finally, he spoke. "So what do we do now, Tarthiun?"

"We recover Vigilant's body and restore you to your rightful role in the universe."

"So...I'm never going back home, am I?" Jack knew the answer.

"We will speak more on the journey," Tarthiun said. "We must leave at once."

MTs - Chapter Three (PG)

2009-06-21T00:29:00.003-04:00

He left his quarters in costume and reached the landing pad as the ship arrived. It opened and poured MTs on to the hard surface. Gendrone after gendrone found its spot in formation and stood at attention. The clockwork precision of his warriors gave him great satisfaction. When every trooper was in place, MT-01 hurried over to the Sarvos imposter.

"All present and accounted for," MT-01 stated.

"Very good. Take them to the squad bay for repairs and cleaning," he replied as he studied his subordinate. The featureless battle helmet revealed nothing. "Make sure the M.A.I.M. Troopers are prepped for redeployment. We have work ahead of us."

The gendrone turned about and resumed command of the unit. The beat of their synchronized steps was all consuming as they marched away. When the last row was out of sight he walked up the large transport's ramp and into the cockpit. His hand opened to expose a tiny data card that he quickly inserted in a slot under the controls.

MT-01 watched from afar as his leader rushed out of the ship and towards the main base. He suspects something. Recalibrating his image receptors for standard distance, he joined the troopers in the service area. MT-01 gestured to MT-02, who nodded and repeated the motion to MT-03. In turn, MT-03 passed it along to MT-04. This continued until the last gendrone had received the signal.

Back in his room, he downloaded the information from the data card. On his way out of the spacecraft he noticed that the thrusters on two of the fighters glowed red from use. There was no documentation of their activity in the flight log he copied, however. It has been erased! MT-01 can no longer be trusted... He sprung out of his chair and into action, anxiously gathering the materials he required.

A small band of MTs stole down the hallway and silently approached the sealed hatch with phase arms drawn. The lead gendrone keyed in the code. It slid open and they stormed into the space, weapons blazing. Blast after blast tore into their creator until he was nothing but scrap metal scattered across the floor. The troopers methodically inspected the debris. The Sarvos suit was empty.

Govurom - Chapter One (PG)

2009-06-17T02:32:00.011-04:00

The desire was all consuming. Nothing else mattered. It seemed the more he stole, the less he was satisfied. The rush when he fed. The growing pressure as his shriveled head swelled and became whole again. He craved those feelings always. He needed them now. He was slowly atrophying while he waited in ambush.

Govurom watched the pair of sincroids search for him. He had taken one of their ranks the day before and the Lost Sincroid Army was on high alert. These two are nothing to worry about. The isolation and subsequent inbreeding had diluted the younger LSA troops dramatically. First generation sincroids such as Govurom were far superior and each possessed a unique trait. His was the ability to absorb a being's life energy. It had proved to be more of a curse than a gift.

His unending hunger for energy had turned him into a grotesque creature. Long ago, he had foolishly attempted to drain a renegade version of Pheyden. Instead he fused with the powerful space traveler and mutated horribly. Containing two personalities in one physical form took its toll on Govurom. He had all but abandoned his hunt for ancient ruins and the mystical artifacts held within.

"This is Sector Three Patrol," the larger LSA soldier droned into his communication unit. "No sign of enemy activity in our zone."

The soldier had barely broken the connection when Govurom attacked from behind. He clutched their bulbous heads and sunk in his gnarled fingers. Precious life energy flowed through his body as the sincroids withered. He loosened his grasp and they fell to the ground in a heap. Govurom's skull was inflated with power, making him look almost normal.

Artwork by Charles Marsh, Monsterforge Studios

It didn't last. He had walked fifty paces and the deep grooves were already returning to his face. His cadence slowed and his shoulders slumped. Govurom continued on, lost in thought. These watered down life forms are of no help to me. I need something better. Something more...filling. He donned his hood and wrapped the cape around his diminishing form.

He approached his hidden Dimension Jumper cautiously. The camouflage was undisturbed so Govurom exposed the hatch and climbed inside. He initiated the launch sequence and brought the navigation system online. The display requested coordinates. After a pause, he punched in a series of numbers and the spacecraft began its ascent into space.

Govurom's misshapen visage was hideous in the sickly green glow of the control panel. The Jumper cleared the planet's atmosphere and increased speed. The twisted sincroid sank back in his seat and stared at nothing. How much longer can I go on like this? A pained expression appeared on his ruined face. It was quickly replaced with one of determination. As long as I have to... The craft banked sharply as the onboard computer engaged the hyperspace thrusters. The ship flickered momentarily and was gone.

Kranion - Chapter One (PG)

2009-06-15T13:39:00.023-04:00

Something is not right. Kranion could feel it countless dimension away. He closed his eyes and reached towards the malevolent pulsing. His thoughts turned black as a retched murkiness engulfed his mind. Kranion knew this toxic life energy well. Govurom! He pulled back into his body and quickly got ready to leave. When they last fought, Kranion visually transported just himself and his collector and was ill prepared. This time he would take his ship, the Parabatis, and special equipment to neutralize Govurom's deadly energy blasts.

Kranion piloted the Parabatis out of its hangar and set a course for the Glyos system. Conventional space travel always frustrated him. Govurom never stayed in one place for very long and Kranion was forever a step behind when tethered to his spacecraft. If he could only convey himself and his gear using his powers! I could, but it may render me weak and vulnerable. I cannot afford another error. If I do not terminate Govurom this time, I may be forced to call upon-

He swiftly dismissed the idea. Kranion worked by himself and preferred the solitude. His role was a somber one and better left to him alone. He is warden of the Containment Zone in the Aidoneus dimension, a timeless cosmic underworld fed by the demise of all sentient beings. When an entity perishes its life energy naturally flows back to Aidoneus and merges with Origin, the central energy source it was created from. If it is contaminated, Kranion will quarantine the life energy to protect the purity of the source. Corrupt life energy can retain a level of consciousness and will sometimes avoid returning to Aidoneus as eternal imprisonment in a holding pod is a terrible fate. When this happens, Kranion must hunt it down and capture it. Govurom is like a virus and he is infecting the life energy of the ever growing number of creatures he absorbs. He has to be stopped before his actions cause a dangerous unbalance within Origin itself.

Artwork by Charles Marsh, Monsterforge Studios

After what felt like eons, Kranion finally entered Glyos. As the Parabatis flew over planet Alcray he picked up life energy from below that was unknown to him. It was far too powerful to be a single being yet it didn't seem to be disjointed like the collective energy of a large group. Kranion knew he had to investigate, even at the risk of losing track of Govurom. He reluctantly slowed and descended upon the sporian planet. The Parabatis touched down at the edge of a bog and Kranion disembarked with collector in hand. He never liked to take the life energy of living things but would in self defense.

A cacophony of explosions and phase arm blasts could be heard as he moved closer to where the foreign energy was radiating from. Kranion quietly scaled a small hill and cautiously peered over the peak. What...? The ground below him was carpeted with dead Crayboth! The ones that were still on their feet were being mercilessly slaughtered by a contingent of flat green Buildman gendrones. Kranion could see that groups of them had somehow connected and reconfigured to form huge battledrones, phase cannons, and combat vehicles. I have never known any life energy to come from a gendrone, never mind a unified force! If left unchecked...

He edged away from the ridge carefully. As soon as he was clear, Kranion made his way to the Parabatis and took off. He tried to make sense of what he had witnessed. Who is responsible? What could possibly be gained by killing Crayboth? He wanted to learn more but finding Govurom was his first priority. This new threat to the Glyos system would have to wait...for now.

Vigilant - Chapter Five (PG)

2009-06-13T02:03:00.004-04:00

"We're not taking a spaceship?" Jack's voice was muffled by the respirator he wore. "I come all the way to another dimension, befriend an alien, and have to walk?" He gave a short laugh but it sounded more like choking through the heavy filters.

"I am sorry to disappoint you," Draephas replied. "We have been without fuel for our vehicles for some time. The people of Aeddonea abused and wasted its natural resources. This is why the atmosphere is acrid and the landscape barren." He waved a hand at his desolate surroundings.

"That sounds a lot like what we're doing to my planet. I hope this isn't where Earth is heading," Jack said as he took in the devastation.

The bitter air hung heavy around the pair as they trudged across the infertile soil towards the home of Tarthiun. A few gnarled growths broke the otherwise sterile surface. Jack noticed that nothing moved; there wasn't a creature to be found. A dull light barely lit their way but Jack couldn't find the source of it through the haze.

Draephas slowed as he approached a shallow depression. Halting Jack with his hand, the alien crept cautiously in an irregular zigzag towards the center. Pinpoints of light seemed to dance within the crater. When he reached the middle, he crouched down and brushed off a thick layer of dust to reveal a small control panel. He lifted the cover and pushed a series of buttons. The bits of illumination blinked three times and disappeared. Draephas stood, took a step back, and waited. The ground began to shake as a metallic cylinder rose out of the dirt and rotated open to reveal a small transportation capsule.

"After you, Jack," Draephas said as he gestured toward the hatch.

Jack hesitated. He had spent so much time making Tarthiun evil in his pretend universe that he was actually scared to meet him! Let's go, Jack...man up. He took a deep breath, walked over to the tube, and entered the pod.

MTs - Chapter Two (PG)

2009-06-11T19:11:00.007-04:00

In the privacy of his chamber he shed the stifling disguise. The suit he had crafted by gutting a captured Sarvos unit was oppressive to wear but offered him total concealment and excellent protection. I cannot be careful enough. These are volatile times and I must not take any chances. He sat at the command console and viewed the events of the day as seen and heard through the artificial sensory receptors of MT-01.

What he watched told him his M.A.I.M. troopers had performed flawlessly on Alcray. His countless experiments with the blending of gendrone and sincroid technology had been well worth it. The MTs were a perfect balance and possessed the optimal traits of both beings. Soon he would be able to initiate the first phase of his plan. He was about to terminate the program when something he heard struck him as odd. He listened to it again.

"MT-01, this is MT-52. The CMRI tracked the arrival and departure of a small ship on the planet during our maneuvers. Data on any life forms is inconclusive. Advise."

"Check its signature against the database of known vessels in the Glyos system and dispatch two short range fighters to scan the standard search radius. Report back with any findings."

He played it one more time just to be certain but there was no mistake. MT-01 had received vital information and given orders without consulting him first! He found himself elated, irate, and...terrified. The embedded protocol dictates that he should have automatically contacted me. Instead he handled it himself and never alerted me to this potential dilemma. How can this be? He ran a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of MT-01's central processor. The results showed no malfunctions or modifications of any kind.

This is what I ultimately want, is it not? A synthetic life form with the sentience of a sincroid and the resilience of a gendrone? That may have been true but he had not yet given the trooper the behavior he was demonstrating. MT-01 had somehow developed the ability on his own! After much deliberation he decided that the best course of action was to say nothing and observe his second in charge closely.

Halfway across Glyos, the ship carrying the MTs made its way back to base. MT-01 had joined MT-52 in the cockpit and stared straight ahead into the blackness. An almost invisible cable connected the two gendrones via hidden ports in their upper legs. Data from the patrol he had sent out earlier streamed into him from the pilot. It was foolish of me to speak aloud. Now he will scrutinize me even more. I must be cautious moving forward...

MTs - Chapter One (PG)

2009-06-08T13:20:00.006-04:00

TROOPERS, MECHANICAL ASSAULT INFANTRY, MODULAR (M.A.I.M.)

"The training exercise is complete", the olive drab Buildman said flatly to no one. "The enemy combatants were not a problem. Our unit sustained no casualties and limited damage. All M.A.I.M. Troopers are fully functional and ready for deployment". The reply came almost immediately from a speaker hidden underneath its helmet.

"As I expected, MT-01. The added shielding prevented the Crayboth from disrupting energy and feeding. You killed them all?" The muffled voice sounded unnatural but not manufactured.

"Affirmative."

"Leave no trace of your actions and return at once." A short burst of static was followed by silence.

MT-01 strode over to the gendrones and stopped. Identical to him in color but still in their various fighting forms, the MTs patiently awaited orders. He spoke a series of commands and the group broke down and reassembled into individual troopers in platoon formation. They turned to their right as one and dispersed to sweep the battlefield for any evidence. Footprints were erased and fragments of armor removed from the piles of butchered Crayboth. The blast holes from their phase arms could have been made by any number of weapons so they left the carcasses where they lay. Unlike typical gendrones, the troopers moved fluidly as they carried out their duty.

When the task was done, several pairs of MTs began to combine. Dome shaped wheels appeared from within their backpacks as they morphed into vehicles. Troopers lined up single file, deposited the scraps they had collected into the ground transports, and marched in columns to the perimeter of a clearing. The vehicles joined them as a ship seemed to materialize out of thin air above the open area. It hovered close to the surface and extended a long ramp from its hatch. The unit deftly boarded and within minutes the spacecraft was gone.

The pilot engaged the cloaking device and studied the array of instrumentation before him. He docked with the Continuous Monitoring Radar Interface to review what it had recorded during their time on Alcray. There was trouble.

"MT-01, this is MT-52. The CMRI tracked the arrival and departure of a small ship on the planet during our maneuvers", the pilot stated to the empty cockpit. "Data on any life forms is inconclusive. Advise."

"Check its signature against the database of known vessels in the Glyos system and dispatch two short range fighters to scan the standard search radius," MT-01 answered. "Report back with any findings."

He considered the news MT-52 had just given him. I am not going to transmit this information yet. Better to wait and see what the patrol discovers. MT-01 didn't realize that what he was doing was unheard of for a gendrone. Independent thought and decision making was only for sentient beings...wasn't it?

Vigilant - Chapter Four (PG-13)

2009-05-31T11:22:00.004-04:00

He was not at all pleased and those around him cowered in fear. How did this happen? His long black robes seemed alive as he paced the floor of his chamber. Odd shapes shifted under the dark cloth. Mephran looked part reptile, part insect, and a bit humanoid. What he allowed you to see was four limbs and a head, but a sick feeling deep inside your stomach told you he was not revealing all of himself.

The room resembled a large cave with rubbery, pulsing walls in place of stone. In every niche could be seen some type of repulsive creature following Mephran with its glare. The walls were writhing with mutated life forms waiting anxiously for their master to react to the news carried to him by his spies. Mephran was the embodiment of malevolence and in the dull red glow of the voluminous room his face looked like evil itself. He stopped suddenly and spoke to the ceiling high above.

"Tell me something, Segriath. What do you think will happen to our plans if Vigilant returns to Aeddonea?

From the shadows emerged as grotesque a creature as can be imagined. Segriath had what appeared to be the head and torso of a man with eight long, fleshy limbs like that of a spider. His many eyes glowed sickly green as he descended on something resembling tendons adorned with ribbons of muscle and skin. Segriath lowered himself to the floor next to his master. A horrible grin spread across his impossibly wide mouth. "We won't be able to take over the planet called Earth, and you will be most unhappy?"

"Correct, old friend," Mephran affirmed. A look of dread flashed across Segriath's horrid visage.

"What would you have me do, Master?"

"Stop what has been put in motion by that meddling sorcerer, Tarthiun," Mephran spit through clenched teeth. "Gather the Horde at once!"

Vigilant - Chapter Three (PG-13)

2009-05-27T17:45:00.006-04:00

A sound came from inside the menacing helmet and it took a second for Jack to grasp that it was laughter. "And you think you have no imagination? Tarthiun is surely not evil," Draephas chuckled. "He is a being of the purest life energy and a protector of all that is good. He has been like a father to me. What makes you believe otherwise?"

Jack's face turned red with embarrassment. "I just assumed he was a bad guy after I drew him. I mean, his face just looks so mean. He is the villain in all my stories about Xebolis." Jack paused. "Is that what your dimension is called?"

Draephas moved to the side of the bed opposite Jack. "I will not tell him what you said, although Tarthiun may find it as humorous as I did." He extended his arms across the bed toward Jack, hands held palms up. "And yes, our dimension is Xebolis." Jack instinctively placed his hands on top of the well worn gloves. A great sense of relief came over him. Jack knew he was in the company of a trusted companion.

"It is time to go," Draephas stated as he withdrew his hands. "But first we need to get you proper dress for what lies ahead. I would not let my worst enemy step foot outside in those clothes."

Jack thought he heard another chuckle from the alien as he turned and strode toward the wall. Just as it appeared that Draephas would walk head long into it, the outline of a door materialized. It slid open and he was gone. Jack looked down and discovered that he was wearing the custom made Draephas pajamas a friend had given him for his birthday two years ago.

Draephas returned quickly with an armful of garments and some sort of mask. They were similar in height and build and it took only a few minutes to find something. Everything fit a little loosely but they would do. Jack decided on dark gray trousers with a multitude of cargo pockets, a long sleeved plain black shirt, and a gray utility vest with even more pockets than the pants. On his feet he wore tall black boots made out of a material resembling leather.

"Thanks a lot for the clothes, Draephas. What is this thing for?'" Jack asked as he picked up the mask.

"A respirator," Draephas answered. "You will need it to breath outdoors. This planet, Aeddonea, has an atmosphere that only its natural inhabitants can survive in."

"Then I'll make sure to use it! Hey, how come you don't wear this stuff anymore? It would be way more comfortable than all that armor."

"That is none of your concern," Draephas said sharply, surprising Jack with his tone. "We must be going. Tarthiun is waiting and you have much to learn from him before you begin-"

He caught himself but it was too late. Draephas quickly gathered up the remaining clothing and made to leave. Jack sat down on the bed, arms crossed. "So, what am I about to begin? I think I have a right to know."

Draephas stopped but kept his back to Jack. "Please be patient and save your questions for Tarthiun. We need to leave now. The sooner we do what is required of us, the sooner you may return home to your family."

Jack unfolded his arms with a sigh and sat staring at his lap. "I don't have any family. They're all gone."

In his haste, Draephas had not considered how taxing the recent events must be on his visitor. Tarthiun would tell me to show compassion in this situation... He turned to face Jack. "Tell me," he said quietly.

After a pause, Jack spoke. "When I was three my brother disappeared from our back yard. My Dad was supposed to be watching both of us but he ran inside to check the score of the football game. When he came out Patrick was gone. He was only five, so how far could he have gotten in a few minutes, right?"

Jack swallowed hard. "They searched for weeks but never found him. I was young but I still remember everything. I was playing with my Jawas and droids in the sandbox and Patrick was climbing an oak not 10 feet away. It was real windy that day and Dad told him not to climb or else he may get blown right out of the tree. One minute he was there and the next he...wasn't. I never even saw him leave."

"Mom could never forgive my father and he could never forgive himself. They separated about a year later and not long after that he was found hanging in his closet," Jack continued. "My mother and I survived pretty well considering. She passed away almost 4 years ago from cancer, so now it's just me. Hell...most of what I just said probably makes no sense to you, does it?"

Draephas walked over and placed the clothes on the end of the bed. "I, too, have no family." He put his hand on Jack's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Jack looked up at him and smiled weakly. Without another word he stood up and followed Draephas out of the sleeping chamber and into the unknown.

Vigilant - Chapter Two (PG)

2009-05-27T16:49:00.004-04:00

Jack's eyelids fluttered as he struggled to open his eyes against the harsh sunlight coming through the hotel window. His head felt as if it were about to burst and he was shaky and nauseous, but he didn't feel hot anymore. At least the fever broke, he thought. As his eyes focused, Jack realized that he wasn't in his room anymore. What he thought was the sun was actually some sort of artificial light suspended closely above where he lay. "Am I in the hospital?" Jack wondered aloud.

"No, you are in my spare sleeping chamber," said a gravelly voice that could have been human.

Jack sat up with a start and banged his aching head on the lamp. It made an angry beeping sound as it floated to the corner of the room. Rubbing his head, Jack took in his surroundings. He knew he had never been here before, yet it all seemed so familiar. He was lying on some sort of bed that was hovering a few feet off the floor. The room was empty with the exception of the lamp and a hulking form standing in the shadows. The walls and ceiling were dark and smooth but Jack could make out faint lines and shapes just under the surface.

"Who...who are you?" Jack asked nervously. "I can't see you."

The being stepped into the light. Jack immediately recognized Draephas, his favorite action figure from his Xebolis series of toys. Shocked, he slowly reached into his pajama pants pocket and took out the figure he always carried with him. Jack held it up and looked back and forth between the plastic and flesh versions of his humanoid alien. They were identical! The living Draephas was close to 6 1/2 feet tall, his muscular frame concealed behind dull black armor. A pair of two foot long horns rose up and out from the sides of his full face battle helmet. Draephas looked precisely as Jack had drawn him many years before.

"Oh, man, I'm sicker than I thought," Jack moaned. "That fever cooked my brain and I'm hallucinating!" He shut his eyes tightly and lay back down with a flop.

"Get up, Jack. We have no time for games," Draephas growled. He motioned to the lamp and it quickly took its place above the bed. Jack squinted under the glare as he raised himself up on one elbow.

"No time? No time for what?" Jack asked incredulously. "Why am I asking you? You're not even real!"

"Yes I am, and you know it. Look inside yourself if you don't believe me." Draephas marched over to Jack and grabbed the action figure from his hand. "Where do you think this came from?"

"A factory in China," Jack sneered.

Draephas slammed his sizable fist down on the bed, scaring Jack into a sitting position. He leaned in close to the startled toymaker.

"I am no fool, so do not treat me as such," the alien hissed. "You know damned well what I mean." He stepped back and stood facing Jack, massive arms folded across his barrel chest. Silence filled the room as Jack gathered himself and thought hard. After a moment, he spoke.

"I was in my workshop late one night sculpting a prototype for a new figure. I got sleepy so put my head in my arms on the table and took a quick nap. When I woke up, I grabbed my sketch pad and a pencil and drew...you," Jack finished with a puzzled look.

Draephas dropped his arms and began to pace slowly around the room. Several times he halted and began to speak, then shook his head and continued walking. It was some time before Draephas stopped again.

"I was hoping you would know more about here. It would save much time if you did, and time is precious," Draephas explained. "We do not have the luxury of lengthy conversations."

"This is really happening, isn't it?" Jack asked softly. Draephas nodded in affirmation. "So, I'm not feverish in a hotel room in Beijing. Instead, I am in a...sleeping chamber...having a chat with an alien I created. Am I right?"

"Not exactly, Jack. It is true that what you are experiencing is real. However, you did not create me. You beheld me in your sleep and sketched what you saw when you awoke. For reasons I do not fully understand yet, you are connected to our dimension. It seems that when you sleep that link can strengthen enough to give you sight into our realm."

Jack took a deep breath, letting it out in a rush of air. "All these years I thought my characters and stories were products of my imagination. Come to find out I'm nothing but an inter-dimensional plagiarist?" He abruptly swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. This time the lamp was prepared and scooted back into the corner before Jack could head butt it a second time.

Jack laced his fingers behind his head and sighed. "I understand what you've told me so far. I'm not sure why I understand it, but I do. What I don't get is how I ended up here."

"Your guess is as good as mine," Draephas replied. "Perhaps Tarthiun can tell us. It is he who told me of you."

"Tarthiun the Shaman? But he is evil!" Jack's expression turned to one of distrust. Keeping his eyes on Draephas, Jack put the bed between himself and the alien. "What's going on here? Am I your prisoner?"

Vigilant - Chapter One (PG)

2009-05-27T09:51:00.003-04:00

His imagination had been a thing of wonder since he was a young boy. Early on in life, he wrote fantastic tales and drew incredible pictures from the ideas blossoming in his mind. He fell in love with science fiction and fervently collected toys in all shapes and sizes to act out the stories he created. Soon the playthings he had were not enough and he started disassembling them for parts and making his own toys. His skills were almost magical! As he grew into a man his passion drove him to channel his powers into the design and sculpting of toys like no one had ever seen. Space travelers and fearsome alien creatures came to life in his attic workshop. The toymaker was meticulous in his art, and he cast and painted every toy himself to ensure its perfection. Collectors, enthusiasts, and children alike bought the toys as soon as the paint had dried and before long the toymaker had far more customers than toys to sell them.

He worked day and night to meet the ever growing demand, but the time came when the toymaker had to have his toys made in a factory. He toiled just as hard, inspecting and touching up each toy before he would pass it on to the lucky recipient. He was kind and generous and often gave away more than he sold. His reward was the look of joy on the face of a collector, or the laughter of a child playing with one of his creations. His craft led him halfway across the world to where his toys were being made. The toymaker wanted to improve the process and the final product even further. He was a tall, broad shouldered man full of energy, and his intensity was felt throughout the building as he worked side by side with the employees on the assembly line.

Before he could leave the foreign country to come home, the toymaker was struck with a mysterious illness. He tossed and turned in the grip of a raging fever in his rented room on the highest floor of a great tower. Hours and days blurred together in an inferno of dreams as a monstrous typhoon battered the structure mercilessly. The building swayed under the weight of the storm, yet the toymaker lay oblivious of the peril close at hand. Suddenly, the large window next to the bed exploded outward, leaving a swirling vortex in its place! In an instant the toymaker was sucked out of the room and into the darkness...

A Chicken Named Dinner (G)

2009-05-24T23:57:00.005-04:00

Long ago, in a time most have forgotten, in a place no one can remember, on a farm you have never heard of, there lived a chicken named Dinner. Now you might say that Dinner is a funny name for a chicken and you would be right. But if you had known Dinner you would agree that she couldn’t have gone by any other name.

Back then mother hens didn’t name their chicks right away. They would wait a bit to see what each one was like and then give a name that fit. Dinner was given her name for good reason. Every time her mother turned around, Dinner had gotten herself into a predicament with some sort of hungry creature and was in danger of being eaten. Dinner’s mother believed that her name would get her out of trouble one day.

Soon enough the time came for Dinner to leave her mother and live on a different farm. Dinner ended up in a quiet place with several nice chicks and a pretty little girl named Kaley as her caretaker. Over time, Dinner grew up into a beautiful hen and became Kaley’s favorite. She loved her so much that she made Dinner her pet and let her sleep in her room! Because of this, Dinner was the envy of all the other chickens.

Being around Kaley so much gave Dinner an understanding of her language, which proved very useful. Dinner could perform tricks, carry out tasks, and even fetch small items for Kaley, much to the amazement of everyone in the house. Living in the house also protected Dinner from getting herself into trouble with wild animals so she was very content with the arrangement.

One day, Dinner was in the living room with Kaley and her father and was listening to them talk.

“Daddy, I’m hungry. Can I have some chocolate?” Kaley asked.

“No, honey, I don’t want you to spoil your appetite. When Mommy gets home, she’s going to cook dinner,” Daddy said patiently.

Dinner heard this, let out a cry, jumped up, and ran out of the house! How can they cook me? She ran down the path, out the gate, across the road, and into the woods. She could hear Kaley calling but she kept on going, head down and feet moving fast! Just as she rounded a big rock, Dinner ran into something solid and furry – BANG! Looking up, Dinner found herself staring into the eyes of a hungry fox!

“Aha,” exclaimed the fox. “I have found myself dinner!” It looked like Dinner’s mother was wrong and her name was actually getting her into hot water!

Trembling, the terrified hen asked “H-H-How did you know my name was Dinner?”

At this, the fox let out a chuckle. “Do you mean to tell me that your name is actually Dinner, or are you just poking fun at me?” he questioned.

“No sir,” Dinner explained. “That really is my name – honest!”

Laughing heartily and licking his chops, the fox took a step closer. “Well, Dinner, you are about to live up to your name!”

Just as the fox was ready to pounce on Dinner, Kaley came running around the rock swinging a branch and yelling SHOO! Not knowing what to make of the situation, the fox turned tail and ran off into the underbrush. Dinner was saved! Kaley quickly scooped up the scared but grateful hen and ran back to the house, where her mother had just started making meat loaf for supper.

A little misunderstanding almost made a hen a meal, a fox very happy, and a little girl very sad. If it wasn’t for Dinner’s unusual name, the fox would never have stopped to chat and Kaley would have been too late! So you see, Dinner’s mother was right all along.

The End

Kranion Answers the Call (PG)

2009-05-24T09:45:00.005-04:00

The summons came through as Kranion was downloading the polluted life energy of a vicious Villser into a holding pod in the containment zone. Cosmic Wave was losing a struggle with a Gargethion on the far side of the Glyos system and needed help. What was he doing out there? He double checked his transmitter but there was no mistake; there was trouble on planet Botellias.

Kranion locked down the pod, docked his collector to recharge, and thought. Will this be the time? His worst fear was coming to the aid of battling Pheyden, only to find out that the opponent had pure life energy and he was helpless to defend his cosmic brother. Well, not helpless. I could still draw the creature's life energy, but what then? It couldn't join the central energy force after that, so innocent life energy would be doomed for all eternity to rot in one of those miserable pods. Could I live with myself after that? Could I live with watching a Pheyden die while I stood there and did nothing? The very idea of having to make that choice filled him with dread.

No sense in worrying about that now. It will all be over if I don't get moving. Kranion grabbed his collector from the dock, visualized Botellias, and he was there. A lush planet overgrown with vegetation and teeming with gentle wildlife, Botellias was not a place he found himself very often. The Gargethion were a higher life form with powerful telekinetic abilities but they were always peaceful, choosing to keep to themselves and focus on their gyrofarming.

As he made his way through the dense growth Kranion picked up the sounds of battle to his left. Moving closer and using a large kryno bush for cover, he parted the branches and found himself looking on to a small clearing. Cosmic Wave was pinned against a boulder with one of the Gargethion's hands around his throat, one on each arm, and one on each leg. With its remaining arm it was thrashing the poor Pheyden's head mercilessly. Cosmic Wave's blaster was on the other side of the clearing in 3 pieces. Kranion had seen a Gargethion use its numerous limbs to harvest with astonishing speed, but never to attack.

Concentrating on the Gargethion, Kranion reached out and joined with its life energy. A deep blackness filled his thoughts and there was no question. He stepped into the clearing, raised his collector, and pulled the trigger. A thick beam of energy shot across the clearing and engulfed the Gargethion in a cocoon of white light. A few seconds of writhing and it was over.

Cosmic Wave slid off the boulder and into a heap on the ground. As Kranion approached he noticed a strange mark on the back of the dead Gargethion's head. It was a small slash and its edges glowed green. Kranion had never seen a wound like this but he had a good idea what made it. Well, that explains why the Gargethion turned aggressive, but how did Cosmic Wave become its victim? This would continue to happen across the Glyos system if Kranion didn't eliminate the abomination he called Bio Villser and its two evil replicas.

Kranion knelt next to Cosmic Wave and felt for life. It was there but very weak. He took a regeneration capsule from his belt pouch and broke it over his fallen brother. A moment later Cosmic Wave groaned and slowly sat up, leaning against the boulder for support. He raised his head and looked into Kranion's eyes. Without a word Kranion nodded, visualized Aidoneus, and was gone.

In the relative safety of his dimension, Kranion processes what just happened. Cosmic Wave was a fool for trying to avenge Bio Pheyden and he is lucky to be alive. The next Pheyden who tries may not be so fortunate. I've got to put an end to this before Bio Villser spawns again!

Pheyden(s) vs. ? (PG)

2009-05-23T23:01:00.004-04:00

They stood silently at a crossroads bordered by endless blue barricades of energy. Four space travelers from as many times and dimensions brought together for a common purpose. Arquem Pheyden broke from the group and moved slowly down a corridor. He paused at an opening in the partition and cautiously stepped into the void and out of view. A moment later his head appeared from behind the wall.

"It hasn't come this way yet. The power orbs continue down this passageway and around the corner." Arquem quickly looked back over his shoulder before rejoining his brethren.

"It must still be feeding around the perimeter," Red Guardian Pheyden said quietly. "We must split up and begin to drive it towards a southern corner of the labyrinth. Remember - do not let it reach one of the large spheres or our shields will be temporarily deactivated."

The other Pheydens nodded in acknowledgment and moved out. As Andromeda Pheyden made his way down the hall he heard something in the distance and stopped. From somewhere up ahead came the faint sound of metal on metal. It grew louder as he slid stealthily along one of the blue barriers separating him from his quarry. The noise built to a roar as the creature approached, its gnashing steel teeth devouring power orbs as it went. Andromeda ran to meet the circular being head on and saw that it was being pursued by Red Guardian! Despite its panic the half machine, half organic golden yellow monster continued to ingest balls of energy at an impossible rate. Just as the Pheydens were about to close in, it deftly turned into a warp zone and was gone.

On the opposite side of the maze, Pulse Pheyden was about to change course when the beast appeared out of nowhere right in front of him! It saw him and reversed direction, Pulse in hot pursuit. By the time he realized a large sphere lay up ahead it was too late. The creature swallowed it whole and spun on Pulse as his shield short circuited, encasing him in a glowing dark blue aura. Partially paralyzed, he tried to escape but was vaporized in an instant! The ghostly outline of his eyes floated eerily down the corridor and out of sight.

Andromeda and Red Guardian emerged from the warp zone as their shields were flashing back into operation. They sprinted after the yellow fiend, herding it towards a corner. They struggled to close the gap but it managed to stay one step ahead of them, rounding the bend and continuing down the long southern passageway. As the Pheydens came around the corner they saw Arquem leap out of an opening up ahead. The creature was surrounded! The three Pheydens charged mercilessly and rammed full speed into the beast's fleshy curved sides as it let out a high pitched death warble. Its mechanical jaws malfunctioned and opened on to itself as the monster imploded!

Pulse found himself whole again in a small rectangular chamber. The only break in the walls was protected by some sort of force field. Without warning, Andromeda and Arquem suddenly appeared on either side of him. Red Guardian spoke from just outside the room.

"We are not done here. There will be another..."

Pheyden vs. ? (PG)

2009-05-23T22:57:00.004-04:00

As Pheyden materialized, he spied the fading outline of himself standing on top of a battered green tank. By the time he reached the rectangular junker it was gone. What part of me was here...and why? He quickly surveyed the noiseless surroundings for answers. The tank's laser cannon was pointed straight up and glowed red hot in the night air. Pheyden's gaze followed the barrel upward and fell on a partially demolished shield hovering closely above the tank. More barriers in varying states of ruin floated to the left and right. Upon closer inspection Pheyden saw that they had taken hits from below as well as above. That's strange...why would-

The eerie silence was broken by a thundering rhythm and the sky instantly filled with waves of space craft! Without pause the skull-like ships in the bottom row began their brutal attack, releasing bomb after bomb as they moved in unison. Pheyden scrambled inside the tank and manned the controls. Using the shields to his advantage, he deftly drove back and forth while returning fire. Laser blasts and bombs collided in midair and ship after ship blew to pieces.

Pheyden mercilessly unleashed a torrent of devastation on the approaching armada. Gaping holes in the vertical assault formation told him that he was making progress fast. A large red command saucer came out of nowhere and flew rapidly above its fleet in a blur of pulsing sound. Pheyden saw his opportunity and timed the shot perfectly. The saucer vaporized as the ships moved lower and lower at an ever increasing rate.

Relentless shelling had reduced the barricades to little more than fragments. Avoiding the steady stream of bombs took every ounce of Pheyden's concentration. He continued dodging and blasting with amazing quickness. The elimination of one multiplied the speed of the remaining ships dramatically. Only two triangular-shaped craft remained, their dangling mechanical appendages swinging in sequence. Pheyden knew he had to strike now or they would reach the surface and all would be lost.

He positioned the tank just to the right of the only serviceable shield and waited. As if on cue they appeared from his left and tore into the barrier. The lead ship showed itself for a split second over Pheyden but that was all he needed to destroy it. He fired again but the last ship was already gone. He tracked it as it abruptly halted, dropped and reversed direction. It was heading right for him!

The ground shook under the bombardment. Pheyden knew he could not outrun his assailant. He had one chance left and waited for the right moment to shoot. Steady...steady...NOW! The shockwave rocked him as the ship disintegrated. Pheyden opened the hatch and climbed out on to the tank. As he stood scanning the empty darkness overhead, he felt himself being pulled into another dimension.

As Pheyden materialized, he spied the fading outline of himself standing on top of a battered green tank. By the time he reached the rectangular junker, it was gone. What part of me was here...and why?

Tea Party (PG-13)

2009-05-23T16:14:00.008-04:00

A small round table and chairs in a corner of her bedroom. Plastic cups and saucers laid out for two. I watch her from just outside the doorway. She pours pretend tea and carries on her polite hostess conversation. I start to leave when she says something wrong. Or maybe she didn't. I listen some more. A few words escape me but the ones I hear sound all right. I stay for another minute before going downstairs to make dinner.

She comes down and sits at the table. I finish cooking and serve the food. We talk about the day for a while. She stops talking and looks down at her plate. I can hear her giggling softly. I ask her what is so funny and she looks up with a mischievous grin.

I have a secret, she says.

About what?

About you, Daddy.

Who told you?

Mommy did.

Oh...okay. Now finish your dinner, I say.

We follow the routine of bedtime. I kiss her goodnight and turn out the light. On the way to the living room I think about her secret. I wonder what it could be. Nothing good on television so I might as well go to bed. I hear her voice as I pass her room and take a peek. Nothing doing in there. Guess she was talking in her sleep.

More giggles at breakfast. She's up to something. I get her on the school bus and go to the study. On my desk is a picture she drew of herself holding hands with someone. Her mother. Something in her other hand that I can't make out. Too busy to think about it so I put the picture away and start working.

Afternoon comes and I go outside to meet her bus. She goes to her room to play. I bring up a snack and find her back at the table only not serving tea. She's paying close attention to an empty chair. I put the plate on the table and ask if she is going to share with her guest.

No Daddy, she doesn't eat.

What about tea?

She doesn't drink either, she says.

No laughing at the dinner table tonight. She looks serious. I ask what's wrong and she won't say.

Did something happen at school?

No, Daddy, she says.

Then what is it?

I'm not supposed to tell.

Why not?

Just because, she says.

She leaves to put on her pajamas and I go to the study. I sit down and take out the picture. Is that the dress her mother wore the day she was killed? She was only a year old. How could she remember that? I hear her slipper scuff the floor behind me as I feel something cold slide into my neck. I fall out of my chair and on to my hands and knees. The handle of a kitchen knife is quivering above my shoulder. Blood is pooling all around. I don't understand. She's standing there looking at me. I ask for help and she points to the hallway.

I can't, Daddy. Mommy told me not to.

Her mother is hovering there watching. She looks pleased. Payback is a bitch. I collapse into a spreading red puddle. My world is losing its color. Almost over so I close my eyes and let the darkness take me.

I'm next to her now. We go upstairs to our daughter's room. A small round table and chairs in a corner of her bedroom. Plastic cups and saucers laid out for three. She's waiting for us, big smile and fake pot in hand.

Anyone for tea?