Tidings of Bad News(Will//Tavalox,Lutrol)

Over the next few weeks Will spent his time learning as much as he could about his cousins and the elven way. Despite his desire to see Alex again, he was really quite content to be in Nordel. He had been told that time passed differently here, that what seemed like a week here is like a month in the outer world. At first he scoffed at this absurd notion but now that he was a part of Nordel, he believed that this idea could very well be possible. The weather always seemed too pleasant – just the right temperature, just the right amount of rain. The vegetation was so lush and green that he found one could sit idly gazing at the forest around him for hours taking in its beauty and serenity. Each evening he spent with his father and sister sitting around the fire place listening to elven folklore. The longer he was there the further away his other home seemed to drift, until it became nothing more than a memory or a place he sometimes visited in his dreams. Unfortunately, peace is not to be had by those who have yet to fulfill their destiny, and so, one day, William Paris’ time of rest came to an end.

While shooting target with several of his cousins a visitor came to Nordel. Will eyed the creature with much curiosity having never seen such a thing before – it was half man and half horse. He held himself with an air of importance, his dull brown hair glistening with the perspiration of his journey. The beast was accompanied by five other younger looking man/horse things, each in varying colors but all roughly the same size. Lutrol greeted them with a deep bow and escorted them to a nearby spring where they could refresh themselves. Will would not see them again until later that evening at a feast that was to be held in their honor.

Of course, Will wasted no time in asking his cousins several questions about these strange visitors. He was surprised to learn that they were centaurs from the Forest of Hereanafter, the eldest one being none other than Tavalox, chief of the centaurs. Even the elves seemed surprised by his visit and all were curious to know the reason behind it.
Will found the history of these creatures rather interesting. He was also relieved by their presence for it proved that Alex had indeed spoken truthfully about her experience in the forest. A chill ran down his spine as he recalled the other parts of her story in the forest and in the mountain; he felt an overwhelming urge to wrap his arms around her and protect her from any more harm. As always when his thoughts strayed to the young ‘cowgirl,’ he felt a pang in his heart that tore at his very soul. Shaking his head to clear his musings he resumed his bow practice with his cousins, pushing aside the foreboding feeling that had settled like a rock in his stomach.


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“I welcome you and your companions to Nordel, great Tavalox.” Lutrol gave a low bow to the regal guest. “If you wish I will personally escort you to the spring where you may refresh yourselves after your long journey.”

“Thank you, Lutrol” the aging centaur gave a slight nod of his head in respect of the elf’s royal position. “You may forego any further formalities; after all you are one of my oldest and dearest friends.” Lutrol gave a warm smile, but still took his guest personally to the stream leaving instructions with some nearby elves to bring food and drink suitable for the centaurs to the water’s edge.

After the centaurs had bathed and eaten Lutrol felt it appropriate to ask why the ancient centaur had came to Nordel.

“Serataom has died but before doing so she made one last reading of the stars.” Tavalox turned to his companions and instructed them to return to the main village and mingle with the elves. Once he was sure that they were out of hearing range he repeated what Serataom had last said.

“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 . . . .

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. . . .”

Lutrol sat quietly for a few moments, pondering the strange words. “Who is the ‘warrior’?

“We don’t know. I haven’t heard or seen any great warrior but I have my eye on a few possibilities – one of which is a young boy with blue tattoos on his head. He proved to be quite a fighter at a raid that took place several months ago in a little town. Of course warriors can fight in many different ways, not just physical.”

“Mmmm. And the half-breed?”

“We believe this to be your son.”

Lutrol looked into the faded blue eyes of the centaur, trying to see if he was serious. “Surely there are many other half-breeds out there. William can’t be the only one.”

“This is true. But he is the only one that returned home at the time of this reading.”

Lutrol rubbed his chin for a moment in contemplation. “You’ve never put much stock in the stars before, why now?”

The old centaur gave a soft chuckle, “I never have been able to slip anything past you, dear elf. The truth of my visit is I came to give you news of our leaving. Even as I sit here with you the herd is moving to a new forest.”

The elf stared at his friend in astonishment. “Leaving, but why? With you gone the creatures of the forest will have no boundaries.”

“They have already left their boundaries. The Borg was so outraged at the escape of two of his slaves, one of which I believe was an elf, that he has declared war on all creatures that refuse to do his bidding. I am too old and tired to go to war. My herd has thinned enough; I do not wish to shed their blood on a futile cause when I can find peace elsewhere.”

“But with you gone the humans will be at risk…”

“The humans don’t even know we exist. They do not follow the treaty that was put in place so long ago. Just this past year we have had five known violations. All were peaceful and innocent enough but it’s just a matter of time before they claim the forest as theirs as well. No I do not wish to do battle; the time of the centaur has passed. We will do as your kind did and retreat to a distant forest where in time we can pass into the mists and be forever more separated from the outside world.”

“We are separated yes, but we still fight for what is right. The Borg cannot be left unattended. It must be stopped before his forces leave the forest. It is an evil that cannot be left unchallenged.”

“And who will stop him? It will take more than the elves of Nordel to accomplish such a task.”

“We will have to ask the humans for help…”

“Ha! The humans don’t even know we exist. If they see you they will laugh and turn you into one of the freaks in their bizarre circuses.” The centaur got up from his comfortable spot under the tree and walked to the edge of the water. “If you are wise, you will stay in Nordel and allow the fate of the outer world to take place.”

Lutrol looked at the centaur with sympathy. He could now see the specks of gray streaking his back and hind quarters, see the wrinkles lining his face. He was indeed ancient and this would be a young person’s war to fight. “You do what you feel you must. I pray that the gods grant you the peace and sanctuary that you so desire. Let us put aside this burdensome talk for now, for my elves have prepared a fine feast in your honor. Come let us join them and enjoy some lighthearted fellowship tonight. Tomorrow we shall meet with my council to see what can be done about the Borg.”

Together the two aging leaders entered into the heart of Nordel where they found the tables already loaded with their delicious burden and the beautiful music of the elves enveloping the forest around them.

A Son's Wrath(Will)

Will wandered alone in the forest until exhaustion overtook him and he collapsed in a small glade. Alone with only nature, he allowed his thoughts to drift wherever they chose. Closing his eyes he surrendered his spirit to sleep bringing an end to the confusion.

He wasn’t sure how long he had slept when he heard soft footsteps coming towards him; without looking he knew that it was his father that approached. “Am I expected to stay here then, to be prince?” he spat the last word as if he had tasted something bitter.

“Of course not, you are free to go just as you always were.” Lutrol spoke with compassion despite his son’s sulky expression. “You are prince by blood and that is all. It must be your choice to lead the people.”

“And if I choose not to?”

Lutrol was secretly pleased at this question for it showed that William was indeed bonding with the elves of Nordel just as he had hoped. “Your sister can rule in your place. You will find that we are not a complicated people, we accept things as they are.”

Lutrol took a seat on a soft patch of moss so that he could be level with his son. He did not like to make others feel inferior which was a hard task given his height. “I know that you wish to leave soon in search of Alexandra but you must not go just yet.”

“But you said I was free to leave…”Will’s face contorted in anger.

Raising a hand to silence the young man, Lutrol continued “There is something that she must do first, without you, and that time has not arrived yet. Just as you must learn about your past, so must she. Alexandra has her own tests to pass but I assure you that she is safe at the moment.”

“How do you know this? Have you seen her?” Will looked past his father into the woods expecting to see the girl standing in the shadow of a tree. Although he knew he would not find her, he still felt the sting of disappointment.

“We elves have a way of keeping abreast of things in the world. No, I have not seen her and the one that has is already gone. Ask me no further questions regarding her for I cannot answer you.”

“Can’t answer me, or wont?” Will sprang to his feet and began pacing, all of his anger and frustrations rising to the surface. “Who do you think you are, spying on us? You left, remember? When I wanted to be a part of your world, you were gone. And now you say I’m to one day be ruler of these people. I don’t owe them or you a thing!” He marched off through the woods with the intent of gathering his belongs to leave. His rage being further fueled by his father’s silence.

However, upon reaching the tree house his resolve wavered and he stood looking down at his simple bed wondering what to do next. Emarl looked with pity at the young man who was being torn in two. “We watch everybody, not just you and her.” Will spun around startled. “We have to watch what goes on in the outside because some things effect us. Nobody is asking you to become king, and nobody will blame you for not doing so. But why leave? You came here looking for answers and wanting to learn more about your elven heritage. Why abandon that quest so soon? Stay, learn, you may never have this opportunity again.”

Will looked down at his feet feeling embarrassed by his childish behavior. “What about Alex?”

Giving a sympathetic smile Emarl replied “Alexandra is where she needs to be right now.”

“You sound just like him.” They shared a chuckle at this comment thus diffusing the tension in the room.

Lutrol arrived home shortly after and only nodded his head in approval of his son’s decision to stay. He retired to his sleeping chamber without speaking a word to either of his children.

“Is he mad at me?”

Emarl heard the hurt in Will’s voice and knew without a doubt the he would be king one day. “No, just tired. Remember, we are elves; we do not waste time on such dark emotions. It is better to accept what is. How else could we live hundreds of years in peace and harmony?”

Will nodded his understanding but still felt sure he had angered Lutrol. Feeling too tired to debate this with his sister, he simply bid goodnight and disappeared behind the curtained door to his bedroom.

Alpha

Maxson and Shelby are out trying to enjoy some shopping. Recent missions had seen the two in the Middle East, Siberia and a secret military base on the dark side of the moon. Now they just wanted to relax and enjoy a little of what they bust their butts to protect.

“That one's hot", Mac said approvingly to Shelby as she modeled one of the season's new bathing suits.

“It might look good, but this floss is a pain in the ass.” she replied trying to adjust the bottom of the neon two piece suit.

“Fine, take it off."

“You wish.” she shot back ducking into the changing room.

“I like that one and the patriotic one. I'll be back in a sec. I want to check on somethin'.", Mac said as he stood up and left the communal waiting room that was ringed by different changing booths.

Mac was desperately in love with Shelby and always focused all his available attention on her. His Centre training taught him to access his subconscious in order to be aware of his surroundings. His subconscious is what prompted him to check out the main floor. Slowly parting the beads Slipstream entered the boutique proper. A mental switch and his mutant engine was slowly powering up.


Thousands of miles away Slipstreams' powering up is noticed by several human monitors aboard the Centre satellite.

“Colonel Bragmore, Slipstreams' powered up.", one of the monitors spoke into an intercom attached to his headset.

“Roger that, on my way", the Colonel replied as he placed a bookmark in his book and tossed it onto his bed.

As the presence of super powered beings in our world became more and more a reality the US "power's that be", settled on two things. The first was that in order to keep up it was necessary to catalogue all those beings within it's auspices that possessed metanatural abilities and select some to work for the good guys. The other was the need to establish an organization to control those catalogued. The Centre was that organization.


Looking around with both his eye's and his subconscious Slipstream couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Feeling around one more time he went back into the dressing room area, but not before he upped his stored energy a couple levels.

Slipstream knew that the subconscious didn't lie. Pressing a subdural throat mic Slipstream spoke to Timeslide. “Shelby, stay cool, somethin's goin' on."

"What is it?” she asked carefully adjusting her latest outfit.

"Not sure, but my head itches.” he replied referring to the trained subconscious all Alpha agents had.

"What do ya wanna do?"

"Nothin', it's probable just me. Now step out here and lemme see some ass."


"Sir, he's up to five.” the monitor informed the Colonel as he entered the "bubble", nerve center of the Agency satellite.

"Five! Dammit what's he doing?"

"He's with Timeslide, sir"

"Put Blink on hold."

"Blink sir?"

"Do it, soldier!"

"Done sir.” the corporal replied as he entered the code in an alpha-numeric keypad.


Unbeknownst to all but a few in the United States the "cold war" is still going full steam, within our own borders. The activation of agent Blink can only mean "they who must be obeyed" intend to use him. As such several individuals within our country are made aware of this intent. One of them is the current director of the Centre for which Alpha team is answerable to. Blink is a bio-engineered construct that can permanently shut down the mind of humans with met normal abilities. To Rion Brogan this meant that someone was about to get eyebrow deep in some serious shit.

"O'Donnell, gimme a roll call.” Brogan asked as he slid into the seat next to Janet van Deem, the communications officer on duty. “Wait a minute, where’s O'Donnell? Deem, I thought you were third shift?"

"It's van Deem. I transferred up.", she replied as the monitor board showed all agents accounted for except two.

"Where are Shelby and Maxson?"

"Seventy-two hour leave, sir.” she replied activating the tracer that all agents had implanted into their spines.

" Locate..."

" Got 'em sir."

"Send Cory to run cover."

"She's a Sigma sir."

"I know. She's due for a raise. Dispatch and feed her the info in route."

"Yes sir."


Shelby continued trying on various swimsuits as Maxson, with a critical eye, critiqued each and gave his opinion. The itch in his head ever present but no more insistent then his original impression.

Outside the dressing rooms business in the boutique was at its daily height. Casually Cory made her way around the shop, watching for the clerks, any apparent hostiles, Timeslide and Slipstream, and the ever present telepathic recorders. Not necessarily in that order. Cory thought it weird that the Centre seemed to always have their recorders in place for every mission. The recorder's job was to maintain a telepathic link between the agents and observers at the Centre. Thereby nullifying the need for any immediate communication between the two. Despite her efforts Cory didn't notice two newer arrivee's, both of whom will quickly change this boutique's "normal" business.

"Can we go?", asked Maxson seeing Shelby emerge from her overused changing booth.

"Yeah. I got a couple.", she replied indicating her preferences by throwing those chosen across the small waiting area into Maxson's face.

"Good, let's blow this popsicle stand."

Attempting to lead Shelby to the register Maxson didn't notice the slight waver behind the counter ahead of him, but the clean cut, athletic gentleman browsing near the front of the store did catch his attention.

"Here, you pay.", Maxson said handing Shelby his wallet.

The itching in his head had increase a bit when he noticed the gentleman in the "woman's" boutique, alone. As Shelby paid for her stuff Maxson continued to probe the immediate surroundings with his subconscious. It was then he felt a stirring behind the counter, too close for comfort.

Drawing on his power Maxson was about to adjust the "reality" of whatever was there when a rapid succession of things occurred. Just seconds before ,Cory had also noticed the athletic gentleman, out of place in the shop and approached him believing him to be someone she knew as well. Closing to the appropriate distance she reached out to touch him on the shoulder. When she did so it startled him slightly lessening his concentration. This in tern altered the region of Maxson's brain that Blink "turned off", causing Maxson to collapse rather then fall into a catatonic state. At that precise moment Maxson, using his hand to direct the release of the "order energy" that was his to command, attempted to resolve the itch in his head. Shelby vanished and Maxson hit the floor unconscious.

The instant Shelby disappeared the Centre's telepathic recorder, Algae, initiated the sterilization protocols that comprised the secondary parameters of its programming. Everyone in the boutique was mind wiped of the preceding two minutes and immediately desired only to go home and sleep. Algae also called in a Centre first line team, whose job it was to isolate and sterilize the area effectively hiding from the general public the fact that super beings did exist and operated among everyday people.


"What the hell happened?", Brogan asked occupying the terminal next to Van Deem.

"I'm not sure sir. Everyone is accounted for except one. That one is only on tape half the time."

"Half the time?"

"Here, see if you recognize the signature", Van Deem replied calling up the telepathic recording Algae made of the incident

As the tape advanced all the images were moving normally except one. The image from behind the counter seemed to skip frames, almost as if it were blinking in and out of the picture.

"That one's using some type of temporal cloaking device. Half the time they are now and the other half a couple seconds in the past or future. It makes the user invisible and able to instantaneously teleport elsewhere. The technology I recognize the user I don't.