Deep Water

Alex awoke to the crying of a baby somewhere in the distance. She wasn’t sure whether it was day or night but she knew that she couldn’t sleep any longer. Carefully she got to her feet, remembering to stoop down so as not to bump her head again. Running her fingers over her clothes she was able to take inventory of her belongings. She found that her holster was empty and that once again she was without boots. For all she knew her things could be lying in a corner of the room but she just couldn’t see them. With outstretched hands she made her way tentatively through the room with the hopes of finding her way outside.

She let out a scream of pain and surprise as her foot stepped on something hot, no doubt she had just wandered into a fire pit. She hopped backwards bumping her head on another beam. With one hand holding her burnt foot and the other cradling the lump already forming on the back of her head she was quite a spectacle to see. Just as two women rushed into the little hut, Alex tripped over a basket and fell with a thump onto the dirt floor causing another cry of pain to escape her.

“’Ere ya go dear, take me ‘and.” Alex felt a rough calloused hand encircle her own thin one and with a slight tug she was back on her feet. “Now let me ‘ave a look at ya. Ya shouldn’t ‘ave gotten out of bed withou’ proper ‘elp.” The rough hands were very gentle as they examined her foot and head. “Not burnt too bad, lucky for you, you didn’ fall in the fire. Ya’ve got a nasty lump on the ‘ead but you’ll live.”

“Look at the mess she made, ma” Alex could tell by the voice that it was a young girl who spoke maybe of 10 or 11. She still had the high pitched voice of a child but was old enough to be her mother’s helper.

“Shh! Mind yer manners, Evilin, the poor woman can’t see.” The girl went about straightening up the room grumbling under her breath.

Alex strained in frustration to see the people who were in the room. She reached up to rub her eyes but found that there was a cloth bandage over them. She was about to undue the wrap but her hands were gently stopped. “Ya best be leavin’ that be, miss. Let the salve do its job, ‘opefully ya’ll get some of your sight back.”

Alex dropped her hands pliantly into her lap. “Where am I? What happened?”

“She’s stupid and blind!” came the quick retort from Evilin. There was a loud smack and without even seeing it, Alex knew that the girl had been disciplined for her remark.

“Overlook the girl; she thinks she knows everything now that she’s to soon be married off to the king. She’ll be wife number four but at least she’ll ‘ave food.

As for where you are – you’re on Antipodes Island. From best we can tell, a storm came up and the ship was pushed onto the rocks a ways to the north of ‘ere. ‘Ow ya survived is a miracle but ya washed up on shore tied to a beam from the ship. ‘Aven’t seen any others from the vessel but that’s not to say that they’re all dead. Maybe just washed up on a different part of the island.”

“Capin’ there’s a storm a brewin’. Best start battin’ down the hatches.”

A shrill whistle resonated throughout the ship as the warning was passed to make ready for rough seas.

“Ya best get below decks, miss. Tie yourself to a beam incase we take a wave or two. Don’t want our only passenger getting washed overboard.”

“Capin’, it’s gonna be a spinner.”

On that word the boat came alive with crew members running to and fro, strapping down anything that moved. Those that were not needed on top moved with Alex below decks to tie themselves to anything that would float and not move.

“Here ya go, miss, I’ll give you a hand.” One of the galley workers who had been so kind to Alex on the voyage set about tying her to a beam. He had just finished when there was a loud crack as a wave hit the side of the ship causing it to rock viciously from side to side. The man would have gone flying through the air but Alex grabbed him. “Thank you, miss. Now that I’ve got you secured, I best see to myself.” That was the last time she ever saw any one from the boat again.

In a matter of seconds the ship was being tossed about by the vicious storm. There was an earsplitting crack as the vessel struck a large rock. Water filled the haul of the deck and panic welled up inside of Alex. She struggled with the knot that secured her to the beam; if she couldn’t get loose she would drown. Suddenly the upper deck broke away and her beam was loose. She was afloat in the icy water, rain pelting at her face. A wave flipped her over causing her head to strike a rock that was just below the surface. Darkness mercifully enveloped her so that she was unaware of the punishment her body endured from the great sea.

“I remember,” she whispered

“Wha’ was that, miss?” The woman paused a moment in her cleaning to look at the patient who had been forced upon her.

“I remember the ship wreck.” Looking in the direction from which the woman’s voice came she asked, “Other than my vision, is there anything else wrong with me?”

“Well, you ‘ave a nasty gash on your back, but from the looks of it, your back is used to pain. The rest are just scratches and bruises, nothin’ too serious. We’ve ‘ad a time of gettin’ your back to close, but I think it’ll do ya right now.”

“And my things? Did anything make it to shore?”

“You’re boots and the guns you were wearing are in safe keeping with the elders along with the key that was about your neck. Nothin’ else from your ship has washed up other than drift wood.” Alex was relieved to hear this bit of news although she would dearly miss her larger weapons; at least she had her pistols.

“Evilin, take the lady outside for some fresh air while I get us some food cookin’” The girl gave an audible “humph” but did as she was told. “Walk slow now; she can’t see where she’s gonin’”

Although the girl had a sharp tongue she had gentle hands and carefully guided Alex out of the hut. The air was damp and heavy with heat taking Alex’s breathe away. She could hear movement all around but nobody seemed to be in close proximity to them. Evilin carefully lead her to a log where they could sit down. “Where were you going, anyway?” The girl was much friendlier when her mother wasn’t about.

“Here actually.”

“Why would you want to come here?”

“I’m looking for an old friend.”

“Who is it? Maybe I can help you?” The girl was all too eager for an adventure of some kind.

Figuring it couldn’t hurt to ask, specially seen as how she couldn’t exactly look for the man herself, Alex answered, “Jake Small. At least that’s what name he used to go by when I knew him.”

“Why that’s the king!” Exclaimed the girl.

Alex hoped she masked her reaction to this bit of news. “This might be more difficult than I had thought.” She would bide her time here for now, at least she was on the right trail but she needed to gather more information and devise a plan. “If only I could see!”

Alpha

"Sir, I have the readings you requested on Matrix.” a young lady said as she entered a rather lavishly decorated office.

Slowly the sole chair in the room spun around revealing a young gentleman holding up his first finger in the universally accepted "hang on" gesture. The look on the young lady's face changed from enthusiasm to something else as she waited for him to finish his telephone call.

"Camille I enjoy your enthusiasm but your decorum could still use some work.” he said as he hung up the telephone with one hand and extended the other across his desk.

Quickly she handed him her PDA.

"These are very interesting. Well done.” he said more to himself dismissing her with a wave. As she opened the door to his office to leave he stopped her.

By the way, you’re Fired!!” he screamed as he caused her total incorporation with a slight mental twist.

"Jaime"' he directed at his intercom.

"Yes, sir?"

"I need a new assistant."


Several months ago Thermo had been assigned a hit and run mission. As the only survivor he returned beat up and under suspicion. This was the last "desk" assignment he had to finish before he was reassigned as active. Tonight he was to evaluate and recommend the aptitude of a Sigma agent, Mydnyte. Collecting a headset recorder and a handheld tracker, Thermo walked across the hall from where his desk was and entered the mission room.

"Where you off to? asked Janet van Deem, Thermo's current love interest and third shift communications officer for Alpha.

"I've got a baby sitting assignment.” he mumbled as he stepped into one of the transport tubes.

"Luv ya, good luck.” she replied hitting the pneumatic switch for Thermo's tube.

Suddenly Thermo shot through the tube to the upper part of the complex and out a concealed hatch below the ring of gargoyles that decorated the top most portion of the building.

Flipping the recorder's switch with a movement of his right ear Thermo began to record the evening's events.

"All rightee then. Nice calm evening. Weather report says it's relatively warm, hard for me to tell since my temperature stays constant, but it looks warm. Now let's see if I can find this bitch and get this shit over with.” with that Thermo kicked up the wind current propelling him through the air. Thermo was born with the ability to control the various phenomena we lump together as weather. He could alter to his advantage everything from winds and moisture to lighting, so far. His abilities had only manifested themselves five years ago so there was probably more he could do, but he was fast losing interest. The major aspect of his current training regime involved exploring creative uses for his talents, rather then honing what was already present. So far not much had been achieved.

"Files say she likes to hang out on the dockside of the waterfront, guess I'll try there first."

After several hours of patrolling Themo spotted his quarry perched atop a water tower. Just as he settled in to watch he spotted a white BMW slow down on the street below.

"I've found Mydnyte. She seems interested in a white BMW that's slowing down on the street, plate reads "Titus". Damn, that's the Renegade's top dog. Wonder what's up? Wait a minute, where'd she go? There she is. She's down on the street trying to help two girls that got pushed out of the car. Now we'll see what she's made of. There are eight Renegades; the two that were runnin' point just grabbed the two girls. Two other guys, one with a handgun and one carrying a sword just broke away from the pack and are approaching the girls. Mydnyte just melted into the shadows and is attacking the two guys holding the girls. Damn, she just...wait a minute...she just ripped out the dudes' spines. Okay, now she put herself between the girls and the rest of the Renegade pack. The girls just ran down the street. They'll be all right. The dude with the sword swung and broke it on Mydnyte's arm; she must have increased her density. Dude with the gun just shot his buddy tryin' to hit her. Damn, she impaled the sword guy with her arm. This bitch is bad to the bone fellas. Now she's lit into the rest of the pack. They're fallin' one by one, look's like it's about over. Wait a minute there's one dude left and he's big, must be Catafalque. Reports said to watch for him. Man, he just swatted her across the street and through the wall of that building. She's up, looks to be okay. He tried to get her again but she melted away and popped out on the firescape above him. She tried to impale him through the top of his head, guess she doesn't know he's an android. It didn't work so she melted into his shadow. She just severed his left leg with her hand. Now she's just standing there. Catafalque just jumped at her and missed. Wait he hit her with a laser, hit her in the hand. And he just activated his teleporter. Damn, she just looked right at me and mouthed she hoped she got a good grade, she knew I was here the whole time."

Thermo started his flight back to the Centre at a leisurely pace so he could have his report ready by the time he got back.

"I don't think she'd have any problems with a sanction mission, but the personality profile and several of the intangibles don't mark her as being ready yet. It won't be long though, it won't be long."

Darkness(Alex)

Never had she been so happy to see land before. After spending the last four months aboard an ever moving vessel, her legs seemed unwilling to walk properly on the rocky soil. Her traveling clothes hung loosely about her for she had lost a bit of weight due to the inability to keep any food down. If it weren’t for the galley cook’s fowl tasting concoction, she surely would have starved to death. As quickly as she could get her travel weary body to move she parted ways with the captain and crew of the merchant ship and headed in the direction of the only town on the island.

While following the well worn path that led to the centre of Antipodes Island, Alex took this time to observe her surroundings. There were large tropical trees surrounding the path with no hint of the foliage growing thinner. The girl was sure that if one strayed to far from the trail that they would get lost for sure. However, she was certain that the natives of this island could navigate within the dense forest quite well; as she had observed such confidence in the Indians who could navigate the vast wilderness of America. Several times she paused to allow strange animals the right of way across the path. Not being sure of which were poisonous, she thought it best to stay clear of all creatures. A heavy mist hung in the air with no sign of reprise blocking out the bright sun and leaving only a glow in the sky in place of its blinding light..

Without warning the trees vanished and in their place stood a town. Not just any town but a town that was all too familiar to Alex – it was her home from when she was a little girl. She stayed on the path, fearing to move onto the dusty road in front of her. “This has got to be some kind of dream and I’m still on that rickety boat.” She pinched her arm as her mother had taught her to do when having a bad dream but the vision before her eyes did not waver. Cautiously, she stepped out of the safety of the forest into the town’s street. Walking slowly as if there were led in her boots she made her way to the wooden slat sidewalk and as if on cue the town sprung to life.

Men on horse back rode up and down the street, tipping their hats at the ladies who bustled along the sidewalk to do their shopping and gossiping. There were carriages containing farm equipment and supplies. A few scraggly dogs barked and jumped around a group of children playing in a side alley. From one of the buildings a jovial tune was being played on a piano and without looking for it, Alex knew that a saloon was on the left side of the street smack dab in the middle of all the buildings. Further on down the walkway she found the little hotel with it’s name painted in big red letters across the front window “Alby’s.”

“Even the names are the same,” she whispered under her breath. She took a seat on a simple wooden bench that sat in front of the mercantile for she feared that her legs might give out from under her. As she watched the people going about their business she realized that the faces looked familiar. “There’s Mr. Frank… and Susie Bellars….” She followed the forms with her eyes, unsure of what was truly unfolding before her. When Mr. McCowin stepped out in front his shop to breathe a bit of fresh air, Alex reached out a tentative hand and touched his arm. Quickly she withdrew her trembling hand as if it had been burned for it was not thin air that greeted her touch but solid flesh and blood.

“Good day to ya, Miss Alexandra. And how are your folks doin’?” The red haired man gave her the same friendly smile that she had received a thousand times but instead of replying she could only stare with her mouth hanging open as if she were an idiot. “Are ya feelin’ alright there, lassy? Should I fetch Doc Backer?”

Alex shook her head “no” but the mercantile owner seemed none too convinced. “It’s this heat that’s got to ya. Let me get ya a cool glass of lemonade, the misses just made some not too long ago.” He disappeared within the store only to return with a glass filled with pale yellow water. “Here ya go, lassy, drink up.”

Her hands seemed to move of their own accord, taking the glass out of the puffy fingers. As if her soul had left her body, she could see the events taking place below her. She saw a young girl in pigtails drinking a glass of lemonade while the robust man looked on. Her breathing quickend as her brain fought the illusion before her. With a strength that seemed to come from someone else she forced herself to return to her body. Her spirit dove with such magnitude that it jolted the little girl causing her to drop her glass. Instead of the delicate thing splintering into a thousand pieces, it fell to its side with a thud and spun dizzily on the ground. The sound seemed to be as loud as thunder and shook the ground just as violently.

Alex startled jumbed from the bench, bumping her head on something but she couldn’t make out what for all around her was a deep blackness. She spun around, searching for the town in which she had just visited but the only thing she could see was darkness. She moved her hands carefully along the ground and was surprised to find that she was sitting on a straw mat of some kind. She willed herself to see but nothing would come to her. Panic seized her and she began to flail her arms about and scream as if she were a mad woman.

“There, there, child,” cooed a voice from within the darkness. “Lie back down. Your wounds aren’t yet fully mended.”

Alex looked in the direction from which the voice came and yet she could see nothing. “Why do you hide in the darkness? Show yourself.”

She could sense a presence standing next to her and felt gentle hands lying her back down upon the straw mat. “Do not fight the darkness child, it is here to stay. You must learn to embrace it – to move within it.”

Now she was more confused then ever. What did this gibberish mean? Where was she? But before she could ask her questions she felt the mist of the island still over her and she was once again in the strange town.

Alpha

Desperately Baikal tried to shake the cobwebs out of her head. She had fought the Mime before and knew the he was not a "bad guy" with a conscience. Mime didn't let up when you were down, he'd beat the shit out of you until you stayed down.

Their previous two encounters had resulted in draws both were able to walk away from. Unfortunately as a "good guy", Baikal was supposed to allow law enforcement to escort Mime, not allow him to leave unescorted. The media tallied both battles in the "L" column for Baikal.
As her double vision slowly centered into one image, Baikal realized that Mime was nowhere in sight. Following the sights and sounds of violence she quickly found Mime attempting to relieve the munitions depot of its prime holding.

When Mime turned to leave the weapons bay, Baikal was waiting for him.

"You know I can't just let you walk out of here. Damn what a cliché.", she said slowly shaking her head at both the folly of the "villain" and at the crap the had just come out of her mouth.

"Whatever. I've kicked your ass two, almost three times.", Mime replied slowly laying the compound canister down so both hands were free.

"Let's do it!!", Baikal yelled raising both of her hands. Suddenly ten tendrils of blue-green water encircled Mime, connected by streamers to Baikal's fingers.

Casually Mime shrugged some tendrils off and stepped out of the rest.

"Man, you know with my biofield in tact you'll never get hold of me. But given enough time I'll get to you and give you the pimp slap of a lifetime."

Mime was a mutant born with the ability to surround himself with a self generated force field. Nothing short of unconsciousness could deactivate it against his will. Knocking him out was a little tough to do when you couldn't even touch him, as Baikal had found out in their previous encounters.

Now Baikal's power on the other hand was the ability to control water molecules in their liquid form.

Baikal threw a barrage of offensive and defensive obstacles at Mime only to find him slowed down at best. Slowly but surely he was going to get within arms reach of her and make good his threat.

Silently one of the shadows, to the right of our combatants, detached itself from the wall and carefullt watched the growing conflict.

" Hey waterboy, ya need some help?", the shadow asked in an innocently female voice.

" I guess.", Baikal replied, at which point she again surrounded Mime in watery tendrils. Only this time she exerted pressure in and slightly downward in relation to Mime's biofield. Tossing him into the air, much like a watermelon seed squeezed between someone's fingers.

Matrix then increased the polar attraction between Mime's costume and the wall. This along with the force of Baikal's initial squeeze sent Mime flying headlong into the wall. As he slowly slid down the wall's surface and into unconsciousness Mime's biofield also contracted and went out.

" Damn what was that?", Baikal asked as Matrix fastened a damper around Mime's neck.

"I just rattled his cage a little."

Already an expert a martial arts, Tanis Colby had agreed to sign on as head of security for the United States Strategic Weapons Initiative. Part of that posting was the agreement to undergo bio-engineering. That process in conjunction with her pre-existing mutant powers gave her the ability to increase the ionic or polar attraction between molecules of inanimate materials.

" I think I coulda taken him.", Baikal quipped as she lifted Mime's unconscious frame with a water hand like a waitress lifts a tray.

" Probably.", Matrix replied retrieving the compound canister.

" Even with help I finally got a "W"."

"Yeah one outta three ain't bad."

" It'll keep me in the lineup."

As Baikal and Matrix left neither noticed a female figure appear off to the left. Silently she glanced at a hand scanner and made an entry into a PDA she had withdrawn from her pocket. Nodding slowly as she looked around the room she stepped into a tear in the ether and disappeared.

Prodigal Son (Serataom//Will)

The half-breed has returned home at last and will soon learn his fate. The stranger has sailed to a new land where she will face her past once and for all. One day the two shall cross paths again and their child shall be the one from the legends who will bring balance to the land

The one-eyed looks but is unable to see the answer that lies below the sea. The marked one is just discovering his power and soon will rise to the challenge at hand. The path finder is about to discover a new trail that will lead to great upheaval for those involved.

The warrior has challenged himself and has walked away the victor of that battle. However, the dog and cat still fight. Who shall win is shrouded in fog.

The angels walk on the earth looking for comfort and understanding. Free-will is sometimes an awful burden to bear.

“You speak nonsense, Serataom.” Salmurk paced back in forth wearing a path in the wild grass outside the village.

“It is all there in the stars, one need only to look” The wise horse-woman looked at her mate with pity. “Why do you dislike the sight so?”

“Too many people believe it and therefore make decisions based upon superstitions. The stars cannot save us from war and death. They cannot bring back the dead. You put too much stock into what they say and not enough in those who are here with you.” The large centaur pawed at the earth aggravated at having to explain his feelings.

The graying mare stepped lightly to her mate’s side and rested a weathered hand upon his muscular back. “No, the stars cannot bring back your son, or anybody else for that fact, but they can give us hope.” Brushing away a tear that threatened to spill over her lashes she left for the house leaving the stubborn mule with his thoughts.

Glottack met her as she approached her stoop, “Did you see it?”

“Yes, it was just as you said; she is the one.” Looking warily past the young stallions face she saw the shadow of death at her door. “You did right to aid her in her escape. The elves are also aware of who she is for they too have kept a vigilant. It will soon be your day to advise Tavalox for my time is running out. Maybe the Council will listen to you better than I. I have never had much power over them; Salmurk is partly to blame for that.” Seeing the concerned look on his strong angular face, Serataom smiled and patted the centaur’s cheek, “Do not fret so, I have lived a very long life. I have nothing more to offer this world. I welcome the chance to hold fellowship with those long passed.”

Serataom disappeared into the sanctuary of her hut. Respecting her privacy, Glottack sought refuge in the forest that he loved so much. He had been following some humans who had crossed into the forbidden trees. For reasons unknown to him, he did not alert Tavalox. Something about these men told him that they were best left alone to find their answers.


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Will sat at the high table during the celebration of his return. He felt as though he were the fabled prodigal son whom he had learned about in his mother’s church. He observed with great interest the casual way of these ethereal people. The younger elves were joined in a circular dance in the middle of the table settings while the older generation clapped in time to the whimsical music, all the while exchanging gossip of this young one or that. In the midst of all of this joy, he felt as though he were only half a person; the ever persistent ache in his heart told him that he would not be staying long in Nordel.

“Good tidings, Brother,” Emarl had slipped into a recently vacant spot on the bench next to him. The former occupant, one of his many cousins, had relinquished his seat so that he might partake in the merriment of a dance.

Will smiled shyly at the beautiful elven maiden. Her hair was the same color as his but that was as far as the similarities went. She had honey colored skin, green almond shaped eyes, small delicate features and slightly pointed ears.

“Do you wish to join in the dance?” she gave him a warm smile that showed off her high cheek bones.

“I don’t think I know the steps. Besides, I much rather watch for right now. It’s all so new to me still.”

The girl nodded in understanding. Picking at some grapes that were laying on the table she suddenly began to tell Will the story of her mother and his father.

“We elves do not marry as the humans do. The relationship between a male and a female is one of respect and necessity. Sometimes a couple may live together for a while, other times they go their separate ways after sharing an intimate bond; no thought is given to either, it is simply the way it is. During the Beltane fires Lutrol sought out my mother, Amarly, and I was the result of their union; it was the only time they ever shared such a bond. Unfortunately, she died during child birth and my aunt raised me as her own, a twin to her son. When I was old enough I left her house and came to live with Lutrol where he has treated me as kindly as any father.”

Taking up a goblet she sipped some wine and watched a game of hoop hopping being played by the younglings. After a moments reflection she added something that stirred Will’s soul, “Lutrol loved your mother, he still does, and he loves you. Do not think ill of him for the decisions that he has made for he had to leave. I do not know if you are aware that your father is the King of Ossiriand whose ancestry goes back to the First Age. If he had chosen not to come to Nordel our people would have scattered like leaves in the wind, eventually vanishing for all time.”

Will stared intently at the girl hoping that if he looked hard enough that something she was saying might sink into his befuddled brain. “Are you saying that you’re a princess?” He knew the question was stupid but her answer was necessary in order for him to comprehend the situation.

Suppressing a giggle, Emarl smiled and spoke to the young man as if speaking to a little child, “Yes, I am a princess and you, dear brother, are the prince of Ossiriand. This will all be yours one day if you so choose.”

His mouth suddenly felt very dry as if he had eaten dirt and the forest around him seemed to be spinning. The sounds of laughter and talking that had once been so pleasant now melded together to become nothing more than exaggerated noise. Rising clumsily out of his seat he stumbled from the table as if he were a drunk, muttering something about too much to think about. Emarl stood to go with him but Lutrol motioned for her to be seated. She couldn’t help but wonder if telling him the truth was such a good idea but Lutrol had asked her to do so. Her heart went out to the poor boy that was so lost to himself.