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Guessmyname
- Posts: 3301
- Joined: 28 Apr 2005, 21:07
Just noticed something:
In my mini-fied 'guessing what will happen next', the forth point is incomplete. It should read...
S0-2 can take over body cells that die, to reform the body anew, but out of S0-2 (when Michelle got chucked out into space by Eve in Darkside: Extermination and the S0-2 cells that had replaced her brain grew and replaced her entire body when it died). Presumably, Teresa has died (or rather: would have died where it not for her being a hybrid) at some point and S0-2 has replaced her body cells entire, effectively turning her into a 'pure-blood' Stage Three
In my mini-fied 'guessing what will happen next', the forth point is incomplete. It should read...
S0-2 can take over body cells that die, to reform the body anew, but out of S0-2 (when Michelle got chucked out into space by Eve in Darkside: Extermination and the S0-2 cells that had replaced her brain grew and replaced her entire body when it died). Presumably, Teresa has died (or rather: would have died where it not for her being a hybrid) at some point and S0-2 has replaced her body cells entire, effectively turning her into a 'pure-blood' Stage Three
├óÔé¼┼ôNow...we have some very interesting coincidences here,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy said. Dok sat her chair, smiling benignly.
├óÔé¼┼ôFirst you're door was not locked when I ordered a complete lock down of the ship.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôA computer error,├óÔé¼┬Ø Dok said, still smiling lightly. Lucy gritted her teeth, but continued.
├óÔé¼┼ôSecondly, you should have had your Z-gun at the ready. Two declawed Daemons shouldn't have had a chance at that range.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôGoing to court martial me for being unprepared? I wasn't aware that was a crime. Something to be avoided, yes-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThirdly,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy spoke over Dok, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhen the daemon held you hostage, you gave them codes to our shuttle. Why didn't you give them the panic codes? You know...the codes we gave for this exact situation!├óÔé¼┬Ø
Dok's smile faded into a frown. ├óÔé¼┼ôIf you are going to make an accusation, make it.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI say that you let those two escape the ship deliberately,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI say that you endangered the human race-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI'd say the human race is already dangered. Or don't you remember Madam President.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Lucy stopped her tirade, feeling defeated. Everything seemed to have gone wrong.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhy am I bothering?├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy muttered, ├óÔé¼┼ôGet out of my sight.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôWhy, Lucy, of course,├óÔé¼┬Ø Dok said, her goggles whirring.
├óÔé¼┼ôBut first,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI believe those are Deamonhunter issue.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Dok looked at her former employer. Lucy was veritably radiating anger and despair, her clenched jaw and fists making it clear to anyone and everyone. Then, with a great effort, Lucy forced her hand open, waiting. Dok slid her goggles off, brushing her hair back as she did so. Golden, metallic iris bored into Lucy as Dok placed the goggles in her hand. The other woman pivoted out of the room and walked away. Lucy resisted the urge to hurl the goggles to the ground and crush them.
Instead she set them on Dok's former desk. Lucy sighed, looking at the goggles. She has severely misjudged that woman. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
-----------
├óÔé¼┼ôQuite a large crowd, don't you think?├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet asked Carter. She sat in the presidential ground car, looking out the window. The citizens of New Terra were lining the streets, cheering. Ticker tape rained from the sky and people cheered louder as the ground car passed them.
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't see why you'd be surprised,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôIts VG day! Victory Golgotha!├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôYeah...but what did we win?├óÔé¼┬Ø
Carter sighed, leaning forward. Janet had been getting more and more like this, caught up in a molasses of despair.
├óÔé¼┼ôMadam President...Janet,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôYou're not the first president that got stuck in the middle of something horrible. Just think of the first president, President Keller...he had to lead the USHS through the End Days. That was incalculably worse than this.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôDid President Keller have a choice in the matter? Could he have prevented the End Times with just a little bit of foresight and planning? No. We waited and put it off...and why am I going over this again?├óÔé¼┬Ø
The car stopped outside the Presidential Estate, the doors opening automatically. People cheered as Janet and Carter stepped out of the car. Security guards kept them back, wary for any assassins. Janet walked into the estate, head hunched and shoulders slumped. She didn't deserve the cheering and the adoration of the crowds. She was glad when the doors closed behind her and cut off the crowds cheering.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo we only have a few things to do today,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôIt is a interplanetary holiday and god forbid you take a day off-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôCarter.├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet opened the door to her office, Carter following her in.
├óÔé¼┼ôWell firstly we have a doctor here.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôA...doctor?├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet asked, sitting down behind her desk.
├óÔé¼┼ôShe's been checked over for weapons or dangerous chemicals. Unless she's planning to kill you with cough drops, I think it's safe.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't think I-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôJanet. You've spent the last four years with late nights, constant worry and stress, and god knows how many days without any rest, who knows what could have gone wrong with you over the past week, let alon-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôFine, fine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet sighed, ├óÔé¼┼ôBuzz her in.├óÔé¼┬Ø
The doctor stepped into the room. Janet looked at her, thinking there was something familer about her. A hat clamped over her head, covering all her hair, and her eyes were obscured behind two large sunglasses.
The doctor checked her over, running a scanner over Janet's head.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, trying to be efficient, ├óÔé¼┼ôThe second thing we need to talk over is the Piratehunters and how..efficient they've been.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThey've only been in operation for a month!├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said as the doctor shoved a scanner prod into her ear. Janet winced at the coldness of the prod, but the doctor soon removed it.
├óÔé¼┼ôAnd they've cut the piracy in the Deneb and Golgothan systems down to half. With one ship and less operating cost than a single ship of our fleet. I think we should look into opening recruitment for the Piratehunters. There are only eleven of them left.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôTen,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said.
├óÔé¼┼ôThats exactly my point,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôWe need more of them.├óÔé¼┬Ø
The doctor finished her scanning and said, ├óÔé¼┼ôCan I take some skin samples?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôSure sure,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said. The doctor placed a small sample gun on Janet's arm and pushed a button. There was a brief sting of pain and the doctor removed the sample gun. Blood welled and the doctor daubed it away with a cloth. Janet looked back at Carter, who smiled slightly.
├óÔé¼┼ôLets look into the recruitment for the Piratehunters later,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, feeling her cut gingerly, ├óÔé¼┼ôwhats the other problem?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôIt's...not really a problem...uh,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter laughed, ├óÔé¼┼ôIt's more of a invitation.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôInvitation?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôTo your sisters wedding.├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter smiled.
----------
The wedding had to be the oddest wedding ever witnessed by Vindict. Teresa and Miles looked normal enough. It was when Vindict looked at the 'groom's' side of the Church and saw three Muslims in traditional garb, a lithe young Muslim woman who was clearly torn between jealousy and ecstatic glee.
On the 'brides' side at least five Tattooed men and women sat, glancing at the Muslims once every few seconds. The Muslims treated them in turn, with a few muted looks. Behind the tattooed was a veritable crowd of people that bore no relation to anyone. They were the people who came to see Janet. The President of the USHS sat in the front of the brides side, flanked by her aide, and beamed at Teresa.
Vindict stood near the back of the church, pointing out that sitting required him bending his knees, a prospect that was getting harder and harder every year. As the priest started the ceremony, Vindcit was surprised to hear the door open.
A redheaded woman walked in, quietly standing next to Vindict. Vindict looked at her.
├óÔé¼┼ôAre you with the bride or the groom?├óÔé¼┬Ø he whispered.
├óÔé¼┼ôNeither,├óÔé¼┬Ø The woman said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI just...came to see...to see.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Vindict recognized her, suddenly.
├óÔé¼┼ôLucy...I did not believe you'd come here,├óÔé¼┬Ø Vindict said.
├óÔé¼┼ôDidn't expect a horrible, inhuman cyborg in your church?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôExpect, no...hope, yes,├óÔé¼┬Ø Vindict smiled at her. Lucy didn't have a response to that. Instead she turned to the wedding and watched.
--------
├óÔé¼┼ôYou're...you're what!├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter shouted.
├óÔé¼┼ôI'm retiring. It's a month till elections start again, but I'm dropping out early.├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said. She moved about her desk, tidying it up and putting things away. The picture of her sister's wedding was a scant week old before she had taken it down and put it in a box, ready to ship it home with the rest of her stuff.
├óÔé¼┼ôBut-├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter blustered.
├óÔé¼┼ôThe vice president can handle it,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, ├óÔé¼┼ôHe's been on what amounts to vacation for the past three years.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôHe's been at Haylcon, careing for friends and family,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said.
├óÔé¼┼ôThats a normal man's worries. Now imagine taking on the worries of not just yourself, but the entire god damned galaxy. I've had it. I'm done. I'm going to take a god damn vacation, then fall out of the election race.├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet clasped her hands together, resting them on her box.
├óÔé¼┼ôWell...I suppose we can manage that.├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter looked confounded. ├óÔé¼┼ôBut...why give up being president?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThats for the next sap to puzzle out,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, picking up her box and walking to the door, ├óÔé¼┼ôI am out of here. She pressed the open button on the door, holding the box in one arm.
A strange man stood on the other end. Janet had a moment to be annoyed that he was in her way before his gun barked. Janet fell backwards, hearing Carter shouted something. The man stood over her, a mad glint in his eyes, lowing the pistol down and aiming it at her head. Then Carter slammed into him, bowling him over. Janet blinked away tears of pain, jerking her head up. The assassin stood over Carter.
Janet chocked. Carter's face was a bloody mess, the bullet tearing through his forehead and spreading brain tissue over the floor. Where were the security guards? A horrible loss shot through Janet, a aching pain that hurt far more than the bullet. The assassin grinned, looking at her. He raised his gun.
├óÔé¼┼ôFor the Revolution!├óÔé¼┬Ø
Janet was suddenly gripped by fury. She saw red. Literally. A red mist surrounded the assassin and his body dropped to the ground. Janet lay her head on the ground as guards ran into the room.
├óÔé¼┼ôGot you you bastard,├óÔé¼┬Ø She said through gritted, bloody teeth. She blacked out.
Janet came too. A doctor leaned over her, checking her out. She looked...familer, somehow. Then Janet placed her. She was the doctor who had given her a physical two weeks ago, her large glasses making her stand out.
├óÔé¼┼ôAh you're awake. As expected,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said. Janet slowly sat up, feeling her chest pull strangely.
├óÔé¼┼ôYou are lucky to be alive,├óÔé¼┬Ø the doctor said, smiling at Janet in an odd way, ├óÔé¼┼ôBut once you were out of critical, it was easy enough to repair the damage.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Janet looked around the room she was in. It was the Presidential hospital, a very sheek and well laid out room. Janet had only spent one day in here, when she had broken her arm in a sporting event that she had attended for publicity reasons alone.
├óÔé¼┼ôI've noticed that these logs haven't been kept well,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said, ├óÔé¼┼ôIt's almost as if you are never here.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't get sick often,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, feeling tired and worried. She had had the horrible dream that Carter was dead.
├óÔé¼┼ôI see,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said in that particular way that only doctors can manage, ├óÔé¼┼ôWell I think it's high time that changes. I'm expecting check ups once a month, preferably twice a month if you can manage it.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôDoctor,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI'm fine. I don't need these checkups!├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI have to insist,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI can pull medical rank on you. I'm the only one who can.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôJust who are you, anyway?├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet snapped, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhen did you transfer into my staff?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThe names Dok, don't overuse it. I transferred in a month ago. You signed the papers, remember?├óÔé¼┬Ø
-------------
├óÔé¼┼ôWhere's Chess?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked. Miles blinked himself awake. They were in the Kitty Hawk, running through their honeymoon, drifting lazily through the gas giant clusters of DS-333. It was a inhospitable place to live, but a wonderful place to visit.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhat?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhere is Chess?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't know. She said she was going to Outreach, didn't she?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI know that,├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa sighed, rolling over and looking at Miles, ├óÔé¼┼ôBut...I have this weird feeling that she's somewhere...else.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Miles tweaked her nose, smiling. ├óÔé¼┼ôYou're just worried after...the incident.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Teresa's smile faltered. Teresa had wanted to end the Honeymoon now and head home to 'protect' her sister, but Miles pointed out that that was fruitless. The security around Janet had tightened to almost impassible, and Janet's letter made it clear that she didn't want Teresa to drop her honeymoon.
├óÔé¼┼ôI'm fine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet had said in the letter, her eyes red, ├óÔé¼┼ôReally, I am.├óÔé¼┬Ø
So Teresa had stayed, despite misgivings, and tried to enjoy her honeymoon. Not that Miles hadn't been making it enjoyable for her. Teresa smiled as she rolled onto her back.
├óÔé¼┼ôDon't worry,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said again, laying back down. Teresa's smile vanished as the feeling hit her again, stronger this time. She slid out of bed, padding across the floor of the Kitty Hawk.
├óÔé¼┼ôTeresa?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhat are you doing?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôOne second,├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa said, logging into the computer.
├óÔé¼┼ôHello Teresa,├óÔé¼┬Ø the computer said, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhat do you need?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôAny news about the tattooed?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôNo,├óÔé¼┬Ø The computer said. It chimed, switching topics. ├óÔé¼┼ôYou've got mail.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôFrom whom?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôChess,├óÔé¼┬Ø The computer said. Teresa felt Miles' hands on her shoulders, kneading them. Teresa sighed and gestured to the computer, ├óÔé¼┼ôPlay.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôHi guys,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess smiled out of the computer screen at them, ├óÔé¼┼ôI know...I think I'll never be able to thank you enough for coming to get me. Thats...thats what makes this letter hard to write. I'm...I'm leaving. I've had enough of this. I've had enough of being a Messiah, I've had enough of being different and...I've had enough of putting you in danger because of what I am. I hope that you never see me again├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess paused, her mouth working silently. She coughed, closing her eyes and letting tears roll down her cheek. ├óÔé¼┼ôGood by.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Epilogue.
Miles had to duck to enter the house. It was a creaky affair, made of old spaceship parts welded together. Miles' back complained as he stood back up again, creaking and cracking. He was getting too old for this. The inside of the house was cluttered, filled with flower pots. Each flower was in bloom, spreading fragrance. Miles sniffed the air, smiling as he did so.
├óÔé¼┼ôHello,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, her voice wafting in from the back of the house. Miles walked there, ducking again to avoid some more flower pots.
Chess didn't look a day older than eighteen, sitting behind a computer, her feet resting on the desk. A chess board sat on a table in the middle of the room, holographic pieces flickering as they sat there.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo...you found me,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess sighed, turning her chair around to face Miles.
├óÔé¼┼ôTook some doing, but the scanner those Tattooed have...still works,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles smiled, ├óÔé¼┼ôI just thought you might want to see you're old friend.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôSit down,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, gesturing to a chair. Why she had a second chair was beyond Miles, but he took it anyway. His knees cracked as he sat down.
├óÔé¼┼ôGod damn,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said as he settled, ├óÔé¼┼ôI am getting old.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôYou can't be more than one twenty,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, smiling.
Miles laughed, ├óÔé¼┼ôOne hundred ten, actually.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôSo...├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, ├óÔé¼┼ôHow is life?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôIt goes. It comes, it goes. We're working on our...third kid, Joana. She's almost through High School by now. Our sons, Mark and David are going well in their jobs. Mark is an architect...David's working on getting his first book published. He's writing about...some private in the war who was commended for something or other...├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles trailed off.
├óÔé¼┼ôAnd Teresa?├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôShe's fine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said, ├óÔé¼┼ôShe...she looks as old as me, but I know it's a sham. We both know she still feels like a fifty year old.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôAh.├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said. An uncomfortable silence stretched on between them.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo...shall we play?├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess asked, gesturing to the board. Miles smiled, letting her take white. They played in silence for a while, moving a piece here and moving a piece there.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhat are you working on?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked during the game. Chess smiled, looking at the screen. They had been fighting to a standstill, moving slowly and deliberately, not rushing.
├óÔé¼┼ôA book...wanna read the first few pages?├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said. Miles gets out of his chair, walking to the computer. Chess watched him. She had missed Miles a lot more than she had thought.
├óÔé¼┼ôTeresa didn't want me to come,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said, peering at the screen, ├óÔé¼┼ôSo I won't tell her.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Chess smiled at that.
Vindict frowned mightily, the wrinkles of his face furrowing even more so, warping his tattoos into strange, unreadable shapes. "I" he said slowly, not wanting to mispronounce his Latin, "Don't understand"
The enginseer, who was still half bowing, looked up. "But...High Illustrator Vindict...it is quite clear what the readings say"
Vindict sighed, "I am old and tired. My eyes no longer are able to peer out individual runes from a print out. Just dictate what is so important"
The enginseer stood straight, blinking as he did so. He almost bumped his head against the bookshelf right behind him. The office was almost painfully cramped, filled to the brim with books, little statues, and a single large painting of the Saviour cradling her mother after the traitor priest had stabbed her through the heart. Vindict looked at the painting once every day to remind himself that you could be slain at any moment. The birth mother of the Messiah had been slain, and so could the High Illustrator of the Tattooed.
"Sir" The enginseer coughed, "The data read outs say that the...the Holy Light output in this system have reached the Tier Three level..."
Vindict's pale gray eyes widened. "Thank you, young lad" he said, "What is your name?"
"Kyle" the enginseer said, grinning like a school boy who had gotten his first tattoo.
"Kyle...do you have a last name?" Vindict prompted.
"Uh...Kyle Wishbourn" Kyle said, still grinning.
"You shall go down in history as the man who discovered the Third Coming" Vindict said, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Now I must call the Council Together together"
Kyle bowed his way of the office so fast he almost forgot to open the door, that was his haste. Vindict smiled, thumbing a button on his desk. He sent the message to each of the Cardinals, knowing he would be rousing half of them from their sleep. It would take then a week, at least, to arrive here.
Vindict sat back, smiling as he did so. He had never thought he would live to see such times.
├óÔé¼┼ôYou're...you're writing a book about us?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked, sitting down at the chess board and moving his piece. Chess moved her turn, saying, ├óÔé¼┼ôWell yeah...what else would I write about?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôWhy start with Vindict though?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôIt's where the story started,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, ├óÔé¼┼ôAnd...Vindict knew a lot more than he let on. Seemed right to start with him.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôFine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles sighed, moving his turn, ├óÔé¼┼ôSo...how far have you gotten?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôOh I'm at the end. Or what should be the end. I just need a good, snappy line to go out on.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôWell├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said, considering his move, ├óÔé¼┼ôOnce it's done, can I see it?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôYeah,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said. Miles moved a piece.
├óÔé¼┼ôCheckmate.├óÔé¼┬Ø
The End.
├óÔé¼┼ôFirst you're door was not locked when I ordered a complete lock down of the ship.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôA computer error,├óÔé¼┬Ø Dok said, still smiling lightly. Lucy gritted her teeth, but continued.
├óÔé¼┼ôSecondly, you should have had your Z-gun at the ready. Two declawed Daemons shouldn't have had a chance at that range.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôGoing to court martial me for being unprepared? I wasn't aware that was a crime. Something to be avoided, yes-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThirdly,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy spoke over Dok, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhen the daemon held you hostage, you gave them codes to our shuttle. Why didn't you give them the panic codes? You know...the codes we gave for this exact situation!├óÔé¼┬Ø
Dok's smile faded into a frown. ├óÔé¼┼ôIf you are going to make an accusation, make it.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI say that you let those two escape the ship deliberately,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI say that you endangered the human race-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI'd say the human race is already dangered. Or don't you remember Madam President.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Lucy stopped her tirade, feeling defeated. Everything seemed to have gone wrong.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhy am I bothering?├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy muttered, ├óÔé¼┼ôGet out of my sight.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôWhy, Lucy, of course,├óÔé¼┬Ø Dok said, her goggles whirring.
├óÔé¼┼ôBut first,├óÔé¼┬Ø Lucy said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI believe those are Deamonhunter issue.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Dok looked at her former employer. Lucy was veritably radiating anger and despair, her clenched jaw and fists making it clear to anyone and everyone. Then, with a great effort, Lucy forced her hand open, waiting. Dok slid her goggles off, brushing her hair back as she did so. Golden, metallic iris bored into Lucy as Dok placed the goggles in her hand. The other woman pivoted out of the room and walked away. Lucy resisted the urge to hurl the goggles to the ground and crush them.
Instead she set them on Dok's former desk. Lucy sighed, looking at the goggles. She has severely misjudged that woman. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
-----------
├óÔé¼┼ôQuite a large crowd, don't you think?├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet asked Carter. She sat in the presidential ground car, looking out the window. The citizens of New Terra were lining the streets, cheering. Ticker tape rained from the sky and people cheered louder as the ground car passed them.
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't see why you'd be surprised,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôIts VG day! Victory Golgotha!├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôYeah...but what did we win?├óÔé¼┬Ø
Carter sighed, leaning forward. Janet had been getting more and more like this, caught up in a molasses of despair.
├óÔé¼┼ôMadam President...Janet,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôYou're not the first president that got stuck in the middle of something horrible. Just think of the first president, President Keller...he had to lead the USHS through the End Days. That was incalculably worse than this.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôDid President Keller have a choice in the matter? Could he have prevented the End Times with just a little bit of foresight and planning? No. We waited and put it off...and why am I going over this again?├óÔé¼┬Ø
The car stopped outside the Presidential Estate, the doors opening automatically. People cheered as Janet and Carter stepped out of the car. Security guards kept them back, wary for any assassins. Janet walked into the estate, head hunched and shoulders slumped. She didn't deserve the cheering and the adoration of the crowds. She was glad when the doors closed behind her and cut off the crowds cheering.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo we only have a few things to do today,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôIt is a interplanetary holiday and god forbid you take a day off-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôCarter.├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet opened the door to her office, Carter following her in.
├óÔé¼┼ôWell firstly we have a doctor here.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôA...doctor?├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet asked, sitting down behind her desk.
├óÔé¼┼ôShe's been checked over for weapons or dangerous chemicals. Unless she's planning to kill you with cough drops, I think it's safe.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't think I-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôJanet. You've spent the last four years with late nights, constant worry and stress, and god knows how many days without any rest, who knows what could have gone wrong with you over the past week, let alon-├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôFine, fine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet sighed, ├óÔé¼┼ôBuzz her in.├óÔé¼┬Ø
The doctor stepped into the room. Janet looked at her, thinking there was something familer about her. A hat clamped over her head, covering all her hair, and her eyes were obscured behind two large sunglasses.
The doctor checked her over, running a scanner over Janet's head.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, trying to be efficient, ├óÔé¼┼ôThe second thing we need to talk over is the Piratehunters and how..efficient they've been.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThey've only been in operation for a month!├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said as the doctor shoved a scanner prod into her ear. Janet winced at the coldness of the prod, but the doctor soon removed it.
├óÔé¼┼ôAnd they've cut the piracy in the Deneb and Golgothan systems down to half. With one ship and less operating cost than a single ship of our fleet. I think we should look into opening recruitment for the Piratehunters. There are only eleven of them left.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôTen,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said.
├óÔé¼┼ôThats exactly my point,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said, ├óÔé¼┼ôWe need more of them.├óÔé¼┬Ø
The doctor finished her scanning and said, ├óÔé¼┼ôCan I take some skin samples?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôSure sure,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said. The doctor placed a small sample gun on Janet's arm and pushed a button. There was a brief sting of pain and the doctor removed the sample gun. Blood welled and the doctor daubed it away with a cloth. Janet looked back at Carter, who smiled slightly.
├óÔé¼┼ôLets look into the recruitment for the Piratehunters later,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, feeling her cut gingerly, ├óÔé¼┼ôwhats the other problem?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôIt's...not really a problem...uh,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter laughed, ├óÔé¼┼ôIt's more of a invitation.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôInvitation?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôTo your sisters wedding.├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter smiled.
----------
The wedding had to be the oddest wedding ever witnessed by Vindict. Teresa and Miles looked normal enough. It was when Vindict looked at the 'groom's' side of the Church and saw three Muslims in traditional garb, a lithe young Muslim woman who was clearly torn between jealousy and ecstatic glee.
On the 'brides' side at least five Tattooed men and women sat, glancing at the Muslims once every few seconds. The Muslims treated them in turn, with a few muted looks. Behind the tattooed was a veritable crowd of people that bore no relation to anyone. They were the people who came to see Janet. The President of the USHS sat in the front of the brides side, flanked by her aide, and beamed at Teresa.
Vindict stood near the back of the church, pointing out that sitting required him bending his knees, a prospect that was getting harder and harder every year. As the priest started the ceremony, Vindcit was surprised to hear the door open.
A redheaded woman walked in, quietly standing next to Vindict. Vindict looked at her.
├óÔé¼┼ôAre you with the bride or the groom?├óÔé¼┬Ø he whispered.
├óÔé¼┼ôNeither,├óÔé¼┬Ø The woman said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI just...came to see...to see.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Vindict recognized her, suddenly.
├óÔé¼┼ôLucy...I did not believe you'd come here,├óÔé¼┬Ø Vindict said.
├óÔé¼┼ôDidn't expect a horrible, inhuman cyborg in your church?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôExpect, no...hope, yes,├óÔé¼┬Ø Vindict smiled at her. Lucy didn't have a response to that. Instead she turned to the wedding and watched.
--------
├óÔé¼┼ôYou're...you're what!├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter shouted.
├óÔé¼┼ôI'm retiring. It's a month till elections start again, but I'm dropping out early.├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said. She moved about her desk, tidying it up and putting things away. The picture of her sister's wedding was a scant week old before she had taken it down and put it in a box, ready to ship it home with the rest of her stuff.
├óÔé¼┼ôBut-├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter blustered.
├óÔé¼┼ôThe vice president can handle it,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, ├óÔé¼┼ôHe's been on what amounts to vacation for the past three years.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôHe's been at Haylcon, careing for friends and family,├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter said.
├óÔé¼┼ôThats a normal man's worries. Now imagine taking on the worries of not just yourself, but the entire god damned galaxy. I've had it. I'm done. I'm going to take a god damn vacation, then fall out of the election race.├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet clasped her hands together, resting them on her box.
├óÔé¼┼ôWell...I suppose we can manage that.├óÔé¼┬Ø Carter looked confounded. ├óÔé¼┼ôBut...why give up being president?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThats for the next sap to puzzle out,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, picking up her box and walking to the door, ├óÔé¼┼ôI am out of here. She pressed the open button on the door, holding the box in one arm.
A strange man stood on the other end. Janet had a moment to be annoyed that he was in her way before his gun barked. Janet fell backwards, hearing Carter shouted something. The man stood over her, a mad glint in his eyes, lowing the pistol down and aiming it at her head. Then Carter slammed into him, bowling him over. Janet blinked away tears of pain, jerking her head up. The assassin stood over Carter.
Janet chocked. Carter's face was a bloody mess, the bullet tearing through his forehead and spreading brain tissue over the floor. Where were the security guards? A horrible loss shot through Janet, a aching pain that hurt far more than the bullet. The assassin grinned, looking at her. He raised his gun.
├óÔé¼┼ôFor the Revolution!├óÔé¼┬Ø
Janet was suddenly gripped by fury. She saw red. Literally. A red mist surrounded the assassin and his body dropped to the ground. Janet lay her head on the ground as guards ran into the room.
├óÔé¼┼ôGot you you bastard,├óÔé¼┬Ø She said through gritted, bloody teeth. She blacked out.
Janet came too. A doctor leaned over her, checking her out. She looked...familer, somehow. Then Janet placed her. She was the doctor who had given her a physical two weeks ago, her large glasses making her stand out.
├óÔé¼┼ôAh you're awake. As expected,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said. Janet slowly sat up, feeling her chest pull strangely.
├óÔé¼┼ôYou are lucky to be alive,├óÔé¼┬Ø the doctor said, smiling at Janet in an odd way, ├óÔé¼┼ôBut once you were out of critical, it was easy enough to repair the damage.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Janet looked around the room she was in. It was the Presidential hospital, a very sheek and well laid out room. Janet had only spent one day in here, when she had broken her arm in a sporting event that she had attended for publicity reasons alone.
├óÔé¼┼ôI've noticed that these logs haven't been kept well,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said, ├óÔé¼┼ôIt's almost as if you are never here.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't get sick often,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, feeling tired and worried. She had had the horrible dream that Carter was dead.
├óÔé¼┼ôI see,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said in that particular way that only doctors can manage, ├óÔé¼┼ôWell I think it's high time that changes. I'm expecting check ups once a month, preferably twice a month if you can manage it.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôDoctor,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI'm fine. I don't need these checkups!├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI have to insist,├óÔé¼┬Ø The doctor said, ├óÔé¼┼ôI can pull medical rank on you. I'm the only one who can.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôJust who are you, anyway?├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet snapped, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhen did you transfer into my staff?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôThe names Dok, don't overuse it. I transferred in a month ago. You signed the papers, remember?├óÔé¼┬Ø
-------------
├óÔé¼┼ôWhere's Chess?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked. Miles blinked himself awake. They were in the Kitty Hawk, running through their honeymoon, drifting lazily through the gas giant clusters of DS-333. It was a inhospitable place to live, but a wonderful place to visit.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhat?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhere is Chess?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôI don't know. She said she was going to Outreach, didn't she?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôI know that,├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa sighed, rolling over and looking at Miles, ├óÔé¼┼ôBut...I have this weird feeling that she's somewhere...else.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Miles tweaked her nose, smiling. ├óÔé¼┼ôYou're just worried after...the incident.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Teresa's smile faltered. Teresa had wanted to end the Honeymoon now and head home to 'protect' her sister, but Miles pointed out that that was fruitless. The security around Janet had tightened to almost impassible, and Janet's letter made it clear that she didn't want Teresa to drop her honeymoon.
├óÔé¼┼ôI'm fine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Janet had said in the letter, her eyes red, ├óÔé¼┼ôReally, I am.├óÔé¼┬Ø
So Teresa had stayed, despite misgivings, and tried to enjoy her honeymoon. Not that Miles hadn't been making it enjoyable for her. Teresa smiled as she rolled onto her back.
├óÔé¼┼ôDon't worry,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said again, laying back down. Teresa's smile vanished as the feeling hit her again, stronger this time. She slid out of bed, padding across the floor of the Kitty Hawk.
├óÔé¼┼ôTeresa?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhat are you doing?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôOne second,├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa said, logging into the computer.
├óÔé¼┼ôHello Teresa,├óÔé¼┬Ø the computer said, ├óÔé¼┼ôWhat do you need?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôAny news about the tattooed?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôNo,├óÔé¼┬Ø The computer said. It chimed, switching topics. ├óÔé¼┼ôYou've got mail.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôFrom whom?├óÔé¼┬Ø Teresa asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôChess,├óÔé¼┬Ø The computer said. Teresa felt Miles' hands on her shoulders, kneading them. Teresa sighed and gestured to the computer, ├óÔé¼┼ôPlay.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôHi guys,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess smiled out of the computer screen at them, ├óÔé¼┼ôI know...I think I'll never be able to thank you enough for coming to get me. Thats...thats what makes this letter hard to write. I'm...I'm leaving. I've had enough of this. I've had enough of being a Messiah, I've had enough of being different and...I've had enough of putting you in danger because of what I am. I hope that you never see me again├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess paused, her mouth working silently. She coughed, closing her eyes and letting tears roll down her cheek. ├óÔé¼┼ôGood by.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Epilogue.
Miles had to duck to enter the house. It was a creaky affair, made of old spaceship parts welded together. Miles' back complained as he stood back up again, creaking and cracking. He was getting too old for this. The inside of the house was cluttered, filled with flower pots. Each flower was in bloom, spreading fragrance. Miles sniffed the air, smiling as he did so.
├óÔé¼┼ôHello,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, her voice wafting in from the back of the house. Miles walked there, ducking again to avoid some more flower pots.
Chess didn't look a day older than eighteen, sitting behind a computer, her feet resting on the desk. A chess board sat on a table in the middle of the room, holographic pieces flickering as they sat there.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo...you found me,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess sighed, turning her chair around to face Miles.
├óÔé¼┼ôTook some doing, but the scanner those Tattooed have...still works,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles smiled, ├óÔé¼┼ôI just thought you might want to see you're old friend.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôSit down,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, gesturing to a chair. Why she had a second chair was beyond Miles, but he took it anyway. His knees cracked as he sat down.
├óÔé¼┼ôGod damn,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said as he settled, ├óÔé¼┼ôI am getting old.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôYou can't be more than one twenty,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, smiling.
Miles laughed, ├óÔé¼┼ôOne hundred ten, actually.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôSo...├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, ├óÔé¼┼ôHow is life?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôIt goes. It comes, it goes. We're working on our...third kid, Joana. She's almost through High School by now. Our sons, Mark and David are going well in their jobs. Mark is an architect...David's working on getting his first book published. He's writing about...some private in the war who was commended for something or other...├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles trailed off.
├óÔé¼┼ôAnd Teresa?├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess asked.
├óÔé¼┼ôShe's fine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said, ├óÔé¼┼ôShe...she looks as old as me, but I know it's a sham. We both know she still feels like a fifty year old.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôAh.├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said. An uncomfortable silence stretched on between them.
├óÔé¼┼ôSo...shall we play?├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess asked, gesturing to the board. Miles smiled, letting her take white. They played in silence for a while, moving a piece here and moving a piece there.
├óÔé¼┼ôWhat are you working on?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked during the game. Chess smiled, looking at the screen. They had been fighting to a standstill, moving slowly and deliberately, not rushing.
├óÔé¼┼ôA book...wanna read the first few pages?├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said. Miles gets out of his chair, walking to the computer. Chess watched him. She had missed Miles a lot more than she had thought.
├óÔé¼┼ôTeresa didn't want me to come,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said, peering at the screen, ├óÔé¼┼ôSo I won't tell her.├óÔé¼┬Ø
Chess smiled at that.
Vindict frowned mightily, the wrinkles of his face furrowing even more so, warping his tattoos into strange, unreadable shapes. "I" he said slowly, not wanting to mispronounce his Latin, "Don't understand"
The enginseer, who was still half bowing, looked up. "But...High Illustrator Vindict...it is quite clear what the readings say"
Vindict sighed, "I am old and tired. My eyes no longer are able to peer out individual runes from a print out. Just dictate what is so important"
The enginseer stood straight, blinking as he did so. He almost bumped his head against the bookshelf right behind him. The office was almost painfully cramped, filled to the brim with books, little statues, and a single large painting of the Saviour cradling her mother after the traitor priest had stabbed her through the heart. Vindict looked at the painting once every day to remind himself that you could be slain at any moment. The birth mother of the Messiah had been slain, and so could the High Illustrator of the Tattooed.
"Sir" The enginseer coughed, "The data read outs say that the...the Holy Light output in this system have reached the Tier Three level..."
Vindict's pale gray eyes widened. "Thank you, young lad" he said, "What is your name?"
"Kyle" the enginseer said, grinning like a school boy who had gotten his first tattoo.
"Kyle...do you have a last name?" Vindict prompted.
"Uh...Kyle Wishbourn" Kyle said, still grinning.
"You shall go down in history as the man who discovered the Third Coming" Vindict said, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Now I must call the Council Together together"
Kyle bowed his way of the office so fast he almost forgot to open the door, that was his haste. Vindict smiled, thumbing a button on his desk. He sent the message to each of the Cardinals, knowing he would be rousing half of them from their sleep. It would take then a week, at least, to arrive here.
Vindict sat back, smiling as he did so. He had never thought he would live to see such times.
├óÔé¼┼ôYou're...you're writing a book about us?├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles asked, sitting down at the chess board and moving his piece. Chess moved her turn, saying, ├óÔé¼┼ôWell yeah...what else would I write about?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôWhy start with Vindict though?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôIt's where the story started,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said, ├óÔé¼┼ôAnd...Vindict knew a lot more than he let on. Seemed right to start with him.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôFine,├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles sighed, moving his turn, ├óÔé¼┼ôSo...how far have you gotten?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôOh I'm at the end. Or what should be the end. I just need a good, snappy line to go out on.├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôWell├óÔé¼┬Ø Miles said, considering his move, ├óÔé¼┼ôOnce it's done, can I see it?├óÔé¼┬Ø
├óÔé¼┼ôYeah,├óÔé¼┬Ø Chess said. Miles moved a piece.
├óÔé¼┼ôCheckmate.├óÔé¼┬Ø
The End.
