As the ship passes through the planet's atmosphere and into the vacuum of space, Smoke studies the crystal.
The seven faces of the heptagonal prism are smooth, and the ends are pointed in long heptagonal pyramids.
"You know where to go?" Smoke asks Dough.
"Auto-pilot does," she says as she presses a button.
Dough turns the seat around to face Smoke.
"Let me hold on to it," she says, holding out her hand. "I can still use 100% of my powers even while carrying it."
Smoke concurs and hands her the heptagon crystal. Dough then presses the crystal to her chest. It slowly sinks into her clay torso, a cavity made to encase it. The displaced mass is added to Dough's bosoms, bumping her up a cup size.
"Always wanted D's," she says.
Dough bounces a little, and the big breasts respond in kind.
"Are you sure it's okay for you to store it directly inside you?" Smoke asks.
"Yes," Dough replies. "We are shape-shifters, after all. We can adapt and adjust our bodies accordingly for things like this. Or at least, a Solid Shapeshifter like myself can."
Being element shapeshifters, Dough and Smoke essentially do not need organs such as hearts, livers, or lungs. They only need to maintain enough cells to create something--a body, a vehicle, an inanimate object--of the same original volume as their default humanoid form. Hence the increase in Dough's bust.
However, Smoke differs from Dough in that he recreates his vital organs each time he solidifies. Since Dough is always solid, this does not happen with her.
"Interesting that you went with such long hair this time," Smoke comments. "Getting better at imitating flowing things, Miss Solid?"
Dough tosses her hair back with a hand.
"I've gotten better at other things, too, Puff."
Dough gives Smoke a naughty smirk as she smooths her foot up along the back of his calf.
"The other fun thing about being a solid shapeshifter," she says as she gets out of her seat, "is that I don't need to be naked to mate."
Dough sits on Smoke's lap, her thick legs straddling him, and presses her lips against his. Without hesitation, she pulls out Smoke's zipklor and initiates for him, plunging it inside her.
"Still too dry," Smoke says.
*FOOSH* He completely transforms into vapor in an instant, and Dough falls off the seat.
As Smoke drifts his way to his bedroom, Dough gets up off the floor, absolutely seething.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Where there's Smoke, Part 4
Dough grumbles as she stands up and walks with Smoke to the other side of the roof.
In the middle of the roof is a square device with a several buttons on it. Dough presses a green button, and the device beeps.
*WHOOSH* A ship flies up from behind a building a hundred yards away.
*BEEP* Dough presses a blue button on the device.
The ship responds, and begins to move towards Dough's location.
The two criminals walk to the other edge of the roof, Smoke tucking the crystal back into his pants pocket.
The sound of footsteps echoes from inside the building, up through a stairwell that exits onto the roof. The two criminals hustle, and Dough presses another button.
The ship speeds up, and passes another warehouse. As the footsteps of the guards echo their loudest, the ship is only a warehouse away from Dough and Smoke.
*CREAK* The rusty joints of the stairway door alert the fleeing felons of the guards' arrival.
*ZARP ZARP* They open fire without warning.
Dough presses another button on her remote, and the ship turns. She presses a fourth button, and a loading ramp opens. Dough's legs become clay and fire her forward, and she lands on the ramp.
Smoke jumps, and Dough grabs him with her clay legs. As the guards pour out of the stairway, Dough reels Smoke in.
"I'm fine," Smoke says once he grabs hold of the ramp with his arms. "Just pilot this thing away from here!"
Dough hurries to the cockpit. As Smoke lifts himself inside, the engines boom, and the ship accelerates away to the East, flying over buildings and streets.
Smoke presses a button on the wall, and the loading ramp closes. He takes a seat behind Dough, and pulls the crystal out of his pants pocket.
"Quite a bit of trouble just to get this," he says. "Are you sure this one crystal can--"
"Yes," Dough interrupts. "It can, and it will."
Dough pulls back on the throttle, and pulls up on the wheel. The spaceship ascends, and flies into the upper atmosphere, leaving the guards and the warehouses behind.
In the middle of the roof is a square device with a several buttons on it. Dough presses a green button, and the device beeps.
*WHOOSH* A ship flies up from behind a building a hundred yards away.
*BEEP* Dough presses a blue button on the device.
The ship responds, and begins to move towards Dough's location.
The two criminals walk to the other edge of the roof, Smoke tucking the crystal back into his pants pocket.
The sound of footsteps echoes from inside the building, up through a stairwell that exits onto the roof. The two criminals hustle, and Dough presses another button.
The ship speeds up, and passes another warehouse. As the footsteps of the guards echo their loudest, the ship is only a warehouse away from Dough and Smoke.
*CREAK* The rusty joints of the stairway door alert the fleeing felons of the guards' arrival.
*ZARP ZARP* They open fire without warning.
Dough presses another button on her remote, and the ship turns. She presses a fourth button, and a loading ramp opens. Dough's legs become clay and fire her forward, and she lands on the ramp.
Smoke jumps, and Dough grabs him with her clay legs. As the guards pour out of the stairway, Dough reels Smoke in.
"I'm fine," Smoke says once he grabs hold of the ramp with his arms. "Just pilot this thing away from here!"
Dough hurries to the cockpit. As Smoke lifts himself inside, the engines boom, and the ship accelerates away to the East, flying over buildings and streets.
Smoke presses a button on the wall, and the loading ramp closes. He takes a seat behind Dough, and pulls the crystal out of his pants pocket.
"Quite a bit of trouble just to get this," he says. "Are you sure this one crystal can--"
"Yes," Dough interrupts. "It can, and it will."
Dough pulls back on the throttle, and pulls up on the wheel. The spaceship ascends, and flies into the upper atmosphere, leaving the guards and the warehouses behind.
Where there's Smoke, Part 3
"Where does he think he's going?" one guard asks aloud as they run to the back of the building. "The other warehouses aren't close enough to jump to."
Smoke makes it to the edge of the roof and jumps.
*FOOSH* His legs transform again, and the smoke propels him forward.
"Shoot the solid parts!" another guard orders as he aims at the flying felon.
*ZARP ZARP ZARP* Lazer rifles fire away at Smoke's solid upper body.
The criminals twists and spins to avoid being hit, but this causes him to descend as he continues forward.
*ZARP ZARP* More lazer fire rips through the air, passing by Smoke's ears and eyes.
He reaches out to the other warehouse's roof with his open hand, straining his muscles to close the gap. Smoke's smoke legs run out of steam, the vapor stretched out over the alley. His fingertips make contact with the edge of the roof, but they slide off and he begins to drop.
"Got ya!" a guard shouts below.
An arm thrusts out from the roof itself.
"No," a voice says from atop the second warehouse, "I do."
The arm flings Smoke onto the roof, then extends outward. A clay-like substance peels itself off the roof's edge, and molds itself into a female humanoid form.
The clay-girl sits on the edge, her legs crossed and swinging over the guards.
"You okay, Puff?" she asks Smoke teasingly.
The rest of Smoke's smoke drifts over to him, reforming his legs.
"Shut up and get the ship, Dough."
Smoke makes it to the edge of the roof and jumps.
*FOOSH* His legs transform again, and the smoke propels him forward.
"Shoot the solid parts!" another guard orders as he aims at the flying felon.
*ZARP ZARP ZARP* Lazer rifles fire away at Smoke's solid upper body.
The criminals twists and spins to avoid being hit, but this causes him to descend as he continues forward.
*ZARP ZARP* More lazer fire rips through the air, passing by Smoke's ears and eyes.
He reaches out to the other warehouse's roof with his open hand, straining his muscles to close the gap. Smoke's smoke legs run out of steam, the vapor stretched out over the alley. His fingertips make contact with the edge of the roof, but they slide off and he begins to drop.
"Got ya!" a guard shouts below.
An arm thrusts out from the roof itself.
"No," a voice says from atop the second warehouse, "I do."
The arm flings Smoke onto the roof, then extends outward. A clay-like substance peels itself off the roof's edge, and molds itself into a female humanoid form.
The clay-girl sits on the edge, her legs crossed and swinging over the guards.
"You okay, Puff?" she asks Smoke teasingly.
The rest of Smoke's smoke drifts over to him, reforming his legs.
"Shut up and get the ship, Dough."
Monday, September 20, 2010
Where there's Smoke, Part 2
Smoke walks down the center of the warehouse, looking at the rows and rows of boxes.
"Item Number 8142, 8143," he whispers as he reads the stamps on the side of the wood crates to his left. "It must be further down..."
Smoke reaches the center of the building, but still does not see what he is looking for.
*FOOSH* He vaporizes himself, and the smoke spreads to the far corners of the building.
The separate clouds of smoke swirl around, scanning the corners high and low.
Suddenly, three of the clouds fly to the back right corner, where the fourth floats in front of a box stamped with the number 9851.
Smoke reforms his humanoid body, and pries open the box.
"There you are," he whipers to the contents of the box.
He grabs the 5-inch long crystal and places it inside his pants pocket. He heads back to the door he slipped through, preparing for a fight. Since he needs to bring the crystal with him, he can't escape into the fog as a smoke cloud.
A commotion can be heard outside. The other guards obviously noticed that their fellow guards were unconscious, and now they're all trying to figure out where the culprit went.
Smoke can hear the sound of a key going inside a lock. Any second now, the doors will slide open, and they'll all charge inside.
Smoke picks up a random crate with both arms, and holds it over his head.
*CLANK CLANK* The warehouse's metal doors slide open, and the guards stand in the opening with rifles armed and ready.
*WHOOSH* Smoke tosses the crate.
*ZARP ZARP* The guards fire at it, but their rifles' beams do nothing to slow it down.
*SMASH* The wood crate hits one guard and busts open.
The contents spill out, and reveal themselves to be metal rings.
*FOOSH POW* Smoke vaporizes his arm and cloud-punches two other guards from 10 feet away.
The two guards still standing aim their fire at Smoke. The thief removes the crystal from his pants pocket and turns his legs into smoke. He flies up to the roof of the warehouse, a smoke trail flowing after him.
His legs and arm solidify, and he takes off towards the back. The guards below scramble to keep up.
"Item Number 8142, 8143," he whispers as he reads the stamps on the side of the wood crates to his left. "It must be further down..."
Smoke reaches the center of the building, but still does not see what he is looking for.
*FOOSH* He vaporizes himself, and the smoke spreads to the far corners of the building.
The separate clouds of smoke swirl around, scanning the corners high and low.
Suddenly, three of the clouds fly to the back right corner, where the fourth floats in front of a box stamped with the number 9851.
Smoke reforms his humanoid body, and pries open the box.
"There you are," he whipers to the contents of the box.
He grabs the 5-inch long crystal and places it inside his pants pocket. He heads back to the door he slipped through, preparing for a fight. Since he needs to bring the crystal with him, he can't escape into the fog as a smoke cloud.
A commotion can be heard outside. The other guards obviously noticed that their fellow guards were unconscious, and now they're all trying to figure out where the culprit went.
Smoke can hear the sound of a key going inside a lock. Any second now, the doors will slide open, and they'll all charge inside.
Smoke picks up a random crate with both arms, and holds it over his head.
*CLANK CLANK* The warehouse's metal doors slide open, and the guards stand in the opening with rifles armed and ready.
*WHOOSH* Smoke tosses the crate.
*ZARP ZARP* The guards fire at it, but their rifles' beams do nothing to slow it down.
*SMASH* The wood crate hits one guard and busts open.
The contents spill out, and reveal themselves to be metal rings.
*FOOSH POW* Smoke vaporizes his arm and cloud-punches two other guards from 10 feet away.
The two guards still standing aim their fire at Smoke. The thief removes the crystal from his pants pocket and turns his legs into smoke. He flies up to the roof of the warehouse, a smoke trail flowing after him.
His legs and arm solidify, and he takes off towards the back. The guards below scramble to keep up.
Where there's Smoke, Part 1
Dense fog rolls in along the coastline, and drifts past the half dozen warehouses on the South side of the docks.
The guards on that side can only see a couple yards or so in front of them. Ins, the rookie at Warehouse 7, leans against the chain that locks the giant doors and lets out a yawn. He still isn't adjusted to being up before 7 in the morning.
"Rookie," Ins' veteran partner asks, "want some coffee?"
Ins' partner, Olomo, has been working the Early Morning shift for 5 years now, and is more than well-adjusted. He holds out a cup of freshly-made black coffee.
"Sure," Ins replies, taking the coffee in hand as he keeps his eyes on the edge of the dock.
*BAMF SPLISH* Something hits Olomo in the head, and the coffee cup falls to the ground, spilling the drink.
"Olomo, what happened?" Ins asks as he pushes off the door.
"I don't--"
*WHAM POW* Olomo is hit twice, once to the stomach, then to the jaw, and he's knocked out.
Ins looks around frantically, trying to find what or who hit Olomo, but all he sees is fog. He turns to his left, and the smell of smoke and ash fills his nose.
*BAMF* A puff of fog hits Ins solid in the face, dead center. The rookie guard goes down instantly.
A wisp of smoke drifts over the unconcious guards. It slips through the narrow gap under the warehouse doors.
The smoke swirls and solidifies. A lean torso is formed, with arms and legs growing from it as the smoke swirls into the proper shapes.
Lastly, the head is created, the last of the smoke cloud piling on top of the shoulders and molding itself into a smooth oval. Atop the oval head is a light layer of gray-blue hair that just makes it to the neck.
The infamous criminal, Smoke, stands inside the warehouse, his eyes the color of fresh ash. Smoke turns his head to the right, then to the left, and smiles at the absence of guards inside the building.
"Now," he says to himself in a whisper, "where did they put it?"
The guards on that side can only see a couple yards or so in front of them. Ins, the rookie at Warehouse 7, leans against the chain that locks the giant doors and lets out a yawn. He still isn't adjusted to being up before 7 in the morning.
"Rookie," Ins' veteran partner asks, "want some coffee?"
Ins' partner, Olomo, has been working the Early Morning shift for 5 years now, and is more than well-adjusted. He holds out a cup of freshly-made black coffee.
"Sure," Ins replies, taking the coffee in hand as he keeps his eyes on the edge of the dock.
*BAMF SPLISH* Something hits Olomo in the head, and the coffee cup falls to the ground, spilling the drink.
"Olomo, what happened?" Ins asks as he pushes off the door.
"I don't--"
*WHAM POW* Olomo is hit twice, once to the stomach, then to the jaw, and he's knocked out.
Ins looks around frantically, trying to find what or who hit Olomo, but all he sees is fog. He turns to his left, and the smell of smoke and ash fills his nose.
*BAMF* A puff of fog hits Ins solid in the face, dead center. The rookie guard goes down instantly.
A wisp of smoke drifts over the unconcious guards. It slips through the narrow gap under the warehouse doors.
The smoke swirls and solidifies. A lean torso is formed, with arms and legs growing from it as the smoke swirls into the proper shapes.
Lastly, the head is created, the last of the smoke cloud piling on top of the shoulders and molding itself into a smooth oval. Atop the oval head is a light layer of gray-blue hair that just makes it to the neck.
The infamous criminal, Smoke, stands inside the warehouse, his eyes the color of fresh ash. Smoke turns his head to the right, then to the left, and smiles at the absence of guards inside the building.
"Now," he says to himself in a whisper, "where did they put it?"
Saturday, September 11, 2010
What's wrong with Flashfire? Part 6
*ZING ZING* You fire starbolts at the robot's dome-head.
*BOOM BOOM* They explode in its face, and the robot stumbles.
When the smoke of the explosions clear, you can see that only minimal damage has been dealt to the robot's lazer eyes.
The robot swings its arms at you, and you slip away out of its reach.
*ZING ZING* Blackfire and Flashfire throw starbolts at the back of the robot's legs.
*BOOM BOOM* They explode, and the robot staggers forward.
The robot turns its head around to look at the girls.
*ZAAN* Another wide beam fires at them, but they fly underneath the robot's crotch.
*KSSSH* The beam hits the water, and steam is created.
The robot bends at the waist to look for the girls.
*WHOOSH BAM* Blackfire flies at the robot's face and punches it in the eyes.
*CRACK* One of the lenses break, and the glass falls to the water.
The robot quickly stands up, and tracks Blackfire's movements with its one good eye.
*ZING* You fire a bolt into the robot's broken-open eye.
*BOOOOM* A large explosion erupts from inside its head, and the robot begins to sway backwards.
Flashfire takes her long pigtails and wraps them around the robot's left leg. Using her flight powers, she pulls the foot out from under the robot. Off-balance, the robot falls, smoke and fire engulfing its head.
*SPLOOOOSH* Water splashes up as the giant robot's body hits the surface. Slowly, the robot sinks below the surface and to the bottom of the sea.
"Victory!" Blackfire shouts as she hugs your sister.
"With help from my super long hair!" Flashfire exclaims.
"Well let's take you and your super long hair out to celebrate," you say. "We can have something to eat in America."
"YAY!!" Flashfire cheers. "I want hamburgers!"
Five minutes later, the three of you are inside a fast food restuarant, eating double-patty hamburgers and several orders of large fries. The human costumers can't stop staring at the three of you.
"Why are they staring?" Flashfire asks. "Is it my hair?"
"Either that," Blackfire answers, "or they've never seen anyone eat this much."
"So it's a total of one-and-a-half pounds of beef," you say. "There're plenty of people in here that look like they eat that much by themselves."
The girls giggle as they continue their meals.
"So, how long will my hair be like this again?"
*BOOM BOOM* They explode in its face, and the robot stumbles.
When the smoke of the explosions clear, you can see that only minimal damage has been dealt to the robot's lazer eyes.
The robot swings its arms at you, and you slip away out of its reach.
*ZING ZING* Blackfire and Flashfire throw starbolts at the back of the robot's legs.
*BOOM BOOM* They explode, and the robot staggers forward.
The robot turns its head around to look at the girls.
*ZAAN* Another wide beam fires at them, but they fly underneath the robot's crotch.
*KSSSH* The beam hits the water, and steam is created.
The robot bends at the waist to look for the girls.
*WHOOSH BAM* Blackfire flies at the robot's face and punches it in the eyes.
*CRACK* One of the lenses break, and the glass falls to the water.
The robot quickly stands up, and tracks Blackfire's movements with its one good eye.
*ZING* You fire a bolt into the robot's broken-open eye.
*BOOOOM* A large explosion erupts from inside its head, and the robot begins to sway backwards.
Flashfire takes her long pigtails and wraps them around the robot's left leg. Using her flight powers, she pulls the foot out from under the robot. Off-balance, the robot falls, smoke and fire engulfing its head.
*SPLOOOOSH* Water splashes up as the giant robot's body hits the surface. Slowly, the robot sinks below the surface and to the bottom of the sea.
"Victory!" Blackfire shouts as she hugs your sister.
"With help from my super long hair!" Flashfire exclaims.
"Well let's take you and your super long hair out to celebrate," you say. "We can have something to eat in America."
"YAY!!" Flashfire cheers. "I want hamburgers!"
Five minutes later, the three of you are inside a fast food restuarant, eating double-patty hamburgers and several orders of large fries. The human costumers can't stop staring at the three of you.
"Why are they staring?" Flashfire asks. "Is it my hair?"
"Either that," Blackfire answers, "or they've never seen anyone eat this much."
"So it's a total of one-and-a-half pounds of beef," you say. "There're plenty of people in here that look like they eat that much by themselves."
The girls giggle as they continue their meals.
"So, how long will my hair be like this again?"
What's wrong with Flashfire? Part 5
"We can't let you do that!" Blackfire shouts as she flies in front of the robot.
The robot stops walking, processing her words.
"Question: How so?"
"If you ask the Earth governments to forego violence," you answer, "there will definitely be nations that refuse, forcing you to resort to your secondary strategy."
"And if you do that," Blackfire continues, "your destroying of their militaries will only make those nations hate you and your creators, and they will want to declare war against them. You will be creating more of what you wanted to destroy!"
The robot processes all this before speaking again.
"Then it is clear," it begins, "the only fit choice of action... is to immediately invoke Secondary Strategy."
"What?! No!!"
*WHAM* The robot slams one of its giant arms into you and Blackfire, and you two are swatted away like flies.
The robot continues on towards North America as you and Blackfire tumble and fall.
*WHOOSH* You steady yourself with your flight power, and catch Blackfire in your arms.
"Flashfire!!" you yell down at the house. Your sister walks back outside, pigtails still long and ropey.
"You can help us fight this giant robot!" Blackfire shouts.
Flashfire's face brightens up, and she flies up as fast as she can with the extra weight.
*WHOOSH* The three of you fly at the robot, starbolts at the ready.
*ZAAN* The robot's eyes fire a wide lazer beam, and the three of you scramble to dodge it.
"Am I the only one who can't fire eye lazers yet?!" Flashfire shouts.
The robot stops walking, processing her words.
"Question: How so?"
"If you ask the Earth governments to forego violence," you answer, "there will definitely be nations that refuse, forcing you to resort to your secondary strategy."
"And if you do that," Blackfire continues, "your destroying of their militaries will only make those nations hate you and your creators, and they will want to declare war against them. You will be creating more of what you wanted to destroy!"
The robot processes all this before speaking again.
"Then it is clear," it begins, "the only fit choice of action... is to immediately invoke Secondary Strategy."
"What?! No!!"
*WHAM* The robot slams one of its giant arms into you and Blackfire, and you two are swatted away like flies.
The robot continues on towards North America as you and Blackfire tumble and fall.
*WHOOSH* You steady yourself with your flight power, and catch Blackfire in your arms.
"Flashfire!!" you yell down at the house. Your sister walks back outside, pigtails still long and ropey.
"You can help us fight this giant robot!" Blackfire shouts.
Flashfire's face brightens up, and she flies up as fast as she can with the extra weight.
*WHOOSH* The three of you fly at the robot, starbolts at the ready.
*ZAAN* The robot's eyes fire a wide lazer beam, and the three of you scramble to dodge it.
"Am I the only one who can't fire eye lazers yet?!" Flashfire shouts.
What's wrong with Flashfire? Part 4
"A giant robot?!" you shout.
"What is it doing here?!" Blackfire shouts.
The robot turns its head around, and it surveys its surroundings. Its head stops when it sights you and Blackfire.
"Humanoid Lifeforms detected," the robot says. "Known species: Tamaranian. Does not compute."
"What does he mean by that?" Blackfire asks you.
"This is Earth," you explain, "it expected to see Earthlings, not us Tamaranians."
"So is this an exploratory robot or military?"
The robot processes the information, then speaks again.
"Question: What are you doing here?"
"We live here," you answer. "We moved here from Tamaran."
"But what are YOU doing here?" Blackfire asks the robot.
The robot takes another moment to process the information.
"Answer: I am here to make Earth peaceful."
The robot then proceeds to walk towards the continent of North America.
"Wait!" you say as you fly ahead of it. "How do you plan on making Earth peaceful?"
"Primary Strategy," it answers, "negotiations. The Earthlings may sign a planetary treaty with my creators, promising to no longer have wars among themselves or with any other species."
You feel sick, already knowing what the alternative strategy is.
"Secondary Strategy," the robot continues, "force. I am given liberty to destroy their military weaponry and bases, thereby intimidating the species into peace."
"What is it doing here?!" Blackfire shouts.
The robot turns its head around, and it surveys its surroundings. Its head stops when it sights you and Blackfire.
"Humanoid Lifeforms detected," the robot says. "Known species: Tamaranian. Does not compute."
"What does he mean by that?" Blackfire asks you.
"This is Earth," you explain, "it expected to see Earthlings, not us Tamaranians."
"So is this an exploratory robot or military?"
The robot processes the information, then speaks again.
"Question: What are you doing here?"
"We live here," you answer. "We moved here from Tamaran."
"But what are YOU doing here?" Blackfire asks the robot.
The robot takes another moment to process the information.
"Answer: I am here to make Earth peaceful."
The robot then proceeds to walk towards the continent of North America.
"Wait!" you say as you fly ahead of it. "How do you plan on making Earth peaceful?"
"Primary Strategy," it answers, "negotiations. The Earthlings may sign a planetary treaty with my creators, promising to no longer have wars among themselves or with any other species."
You feel sick, already knowing what the alternative strategy is.
"Secondary Strategy," the robot continues, "force. I am given liberty to destroy their military weaponry and bases, thereby intimidating the species into peace."
Friday, September 10, 2010
What's wrong with Flashfire? Part 3
The flying object has a splash landing in the water, and you fly up to see from above.
The object sizzles and steams as the water cools it off. It isn't a space ship, but it doesn't look exactly like a space rock either.
Down below, Blackfire and Flashfire run out from inside the house, your sister carrying her pigtails up off the ground again.
"What was that?!" Blackfire shouts up at you.
"I don't know," you reply. "We should check it out."
*WHOOSH* You fly towards the object, with Blackfire flying after.
*WHOOSH* Flashfire flies up, but she is weighed down by her long hair.
"Wait up!" she shouts. "I can't get proper altitude!"
"Then just wait at the house!" you shout back.
Flashfire grumbles as she flies back inside the rainbow house.
You and Blackfire draw close to the object as the steam dies down, and it no longer sizzles.
"If it's not a ship or rock," Blackfire asks, "then what could it be?"
Before you have a chance to answer, the object begins to move.
*CRACK KOOSH* Sections on the left and right sides of it pop out, and their shapes resemble arms of sorts.
*CRACK KOOSH* Another section pops out, and it is curved outward like a dome.
"Is it... Transforming?"
*CRACK KOOSH* Two more sections pop out, and they turn and unfold to become legs.
With the sound of cranking gears and pumping pistons, the object-turned-robot stands up, its full 40 feet reaching far above the trees.
The object sizzles and steams as the water cools it off. It isn't a space ship, but it doesn't look exactly like a space rock either.
Down below, Blackfire and Flashfire run out from inside the house, your sister carrying her pigtails up off the ground again.
"What was that?!" Blackfire shouts up at you.
"I don't know," you reply. "We should check it out."
*WHOOSH* You fly towards the object, with Blackfire flying after.
*WHOOSH* Flashfire flies up, but she is weighed down by her long hair.
"Wait up!" she shouts. "I can't get proper altitude!"
"Then just wait at the house!" you shout back.
Flashfire grumbles as she flies back inside the rainbow house.
You and Blackfire draw close to the object as the steam dies down, and it no longer sizzles.
"If it's not a ship or rock," Blackfire asks, "then what could it be?"
Before you have a chance to answer, the object begins to move.
*CRACK KOOSH* Sections on the left and right sides of it pop out, and their shapes resemble arms of sorts.
*CRACK KOOSH* Another section pops out, and it is curved outward like a dome.
"Is it... Transforming?"
*CRACK KOOSH* Two more sections pop out, and they turn and unfold to become legs.
With the sound of cranking gears and pumping pistons, the object-turned-robot stands up, its full 40 feet reaching far above the trees.
What's wrong with Flashfire? Part 2
You grab a bowl, a spoon, a carton of Earth cow milk and a box of cereal, and head out to the living room to eat while you watch television.
Blackfire and Flashfire sit on the couch, your sister's back to your wife as she braids the super long locks of hair.
*Klink klink klink* The cereal rattles against the ceramic surface of the bowl as you pour it out of the box.
Blackfire takes one giant lock of hair and overlaps it with another, then overlaps that one with a third lock, then uses the first to overlap the third, creating a tri-braid.
"Tail number one is done," Blackfire says as she finishes braiding one long rope of hair. "One more, and your hair should be managed."
Flashfire pulls the lengthy, braided tail over her shoulder, and the end of it swings and hits the footrest where you had placed the bowl. The foot rest is knocked away about half a foot.
"I'm going to eat in the dining room," you say as you pick up your bowl of cereal.
Five minutes later, Blackfire finishes braiding Flashfire's other tail, and the two girls join you in the dining room.
Flashfire carries her long pigtails on her shoulders and in her arms, letting them swing just off the ground as she walks. She sits down in the chair across from you, and her tails coil on the floor like snakes.
The girls eat oatmeal as you put away the cereal box and bowl.
"Saffire," Blackfire asks, "could you do the laundry for me?"
"I thought you did it last night," you say.
"Not all of it," she says. "I still need to do my gloves and leggings."
"Alright, I'll wash them."
You head to the laundry room and grab the basket by the door. It is full of used Tamaranian boots/socks, half of them dark purple and half of them the traditional purple, belonging to Blackfire and Flashfire respectively.
You sit at the "scrub tub", and pull out a pair of leggings. You dunk them into the soapy water, and scrub them against the metal scrubbing board.
It takes you half an hour or more to scrub and clean the entire basket of leggings, then you take them outside.
You hang them all up on the clothesline you set up in the "backyard" for them to sun-dry.
*WHOOOSH* Something fast flies over head, and is flying lower by the second!
Blackfire and Flashfire sit on the couch, your sister's back to your wife as she braids the super long locks of hair.
*Klink klink klink* The cereal rattles against the ceramic surface of the bowl as you pour it out of the box.
Blackfire takes one giant lock of hair and overlaps it with another, then overlaps that one with a third lock, then uses the first to overlap the third, creating a tri-braid.
"Tail number one is done," Blackfire says as she finishes braiding one long rope of hair. "One more, and your hair should be managed."
Flashfire pulls the lengthy, braided tail over her shoulder, and the end of it swings and hits the footrest where you had placed the bowl. The foot rest is knocked away about half a foot.
"I'm going to eat in the dining room," you say as you pick up your bowl of cereal.
Five minutes later, Blackfire finishes braiding Flashfire's other tail, and the two girls join you in the dining room.
Flashfire carries her long pigtails on her shoulders and in her arms, letting them swing just off the ground as she walks. She sits down in the chair across from you, and her tails coil on the floor like snakes.
The girls eat oatmeal as you put away the cereal box and bowl.
"Saffire," Blackfire asks, "could you do the laundry for me?"
"I thought you did it last night," you say.
"Not all of it," she says. "I still need to do my gloves and leggings."
"Alright, I'll wash them."
You head to the laundry room and grab the basket by the door. It is full of used Tamaranian boots/socks, half of them dark purple and half of them the traditional purple, belonging to Blackfire and Flashfire respectively.
You sit at the "scrub tub", and pull out a pair of leggings. You dunk them into the soapy water, and scrub them against the metal scrubbing board.
It takes you half an hour or more to scrub and clean the entire basket of leggings, then you take them outside.
You hang them all up on the clothesline you set up in the "backyard" for them to sun-dry.
*WHOOOSH* Something fast flies over head, and is flying lower by the second!
What's wrong with Flashfire? Part 1
The sun rises, shining through the clouds and reflecting on the rainbow-striped walls of your house. All is quiet as the dew on the leaves and grass glisten, Blackfire's head resting on your shoulder as the two of you are laying in your bed, still asleep.
"AAAAAH!!" Flashfire screams from her room, shocking you awake.
"Flashfire!" you shout as you run out of your room, Blackfire's head falling to the mattress. "Sister!"
"What's happened to me?!" Flashfire cries from her room.
You enter the doorway to your sister's room and see long red hair flowing down to the floor, Flashfire's face poking out from behind the curtain-length bangs. Her lips are quaking and her eyes are watery with tears.
"Brother," she whimpers, "what's going on?! Why is my hair so long?"
You cannot respond because you're busy stifling laughter.
"Brother!!" she shrieks, getting out of her bed, but then tripping on the end of her long, long hair.
You help her up, still snickering at all of the hair that your sister has grown overnight.
"Flashfire, relax," you say as your sister continues to sniffle and cry. "I bet I know what this is."
Blackfire hurries down the hall, shouting "What is it?" the whole way. She stops shouting when she sees Flashfire's ridiculous abundance of hair, and silently stares.
"Blackfire," you whisper to her. "Stop staring!"
Blackfire snaps out of the trance, and looks at you, shrugging.
"Sorry," she says. "But Transformations are always such surprises."
"Transformation?" Flashfire says.
"Yeah," you say, "the natural Tamaranian puberty that changes your physical appearance dramatically for a few weeks. When it is all over, you'll be faster, stronger, and able to fire lazer eye beams like me and Blackfire!"
"Really?" Flashfire asks, a bit more cheerful now. "Cool!"
Flashfire runs to the dining room, arms up high in happiness, only to trip on her hair again.
"Owww!!!" she cries out.
"Here," Blackfire says as she helps Flashfire up. "I'll help you keep your hair off the floor."
The two girls go to the living room together as you head to the kitchen to make breakfast.
"AAAAAH!!" Flashfire screams from her room, shocking you awake.
"Flashfire!" you shout as you run out of your room, Blackfire's head falling to the mattress. "Sister!"
"What's happened to me?!" Flashfire cries from her room.
You enter the doorway to your sister's room and see long red hair flowing down to the floor, Flashfire's face poking out from behind the curtain-length bangs. Her lips are quaking and her eyes are watery with tears.
"Brother," she whimpers, "what's going on?! Why is my hair so long?"
You cannot respond because you're busy stifling laughter.
"Brother!!" she shrieks, getting out of her bed, but then tripping on the end of her long, long hair.
You help her up, still snickering at all of the hair that your sister has grown overnight.
"Flashfire, relax," you say as your sister continues to sniffle and cry. "I bet I know what this is."
Blackfire hurries down the hall, shouting "What is it?" the whole way. She stops shouting when she sees Flashfire's ridiculous abundance of hair, and silently stares.
"Blackfire," you whisper to her. "Stop staring!"
Blackfire snaps out of the trance, and looks at you, shrugging.
"Sorry," she says. "But Transformations are always such surprises."
"Transformation?" Flashfire says.
"Yeah," you say, "the natural Tamaranian puberty that changes your physical appearance dramatically for a few weeks. When it is all over, you'll be faster, stronger, and able to fire lazer eye beams like me and Blackfire!"
"Really?" Flashfire asks, a bit more cheerful now. "Cool!"
Flashfire runs to the dining room, arms up high in happiness, only to trip on her hair again.
"Owww!!!" she cries out.
"Here," Blackfire says as she helps Flashfire up. "I'll help you keep your hair off the floor."
The two girls go to the living room together as you head to the kitchen to make breakfast.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 7
The stolen bus drives on, the Sinful passengers sitting low, hoping no one looks inside and sees their uniforms.
The bus makes its way down a busy street, and Elevatô watches the street signs for directions to a space shuttle station or port.
"Turn right there," Tic says, noticing a sign up ahead.
Elevatô obeys, and the bus turns at the intersection. Even from several blocks away, the Sinful Ones can see the dozens of launching pads, landing pads, and runways.
The bus is parked across the street from the main entrance of the station, and the Sinful Ones bail out.
"Run to the nearesst shuttle asss fasst asss you can!" Lacertilia shouts in his hissy voice. "No ssstopping to fight any guardsss that may get in your way!"
The six escaped convicts rush at the entrance, and are met by security.
*WHAM* Hammer barrels through them, and the Sinful Ones continue to move forward.
Tic, Tac, and Toe climb up stairs to the door of a triangular spaceship, and pry it open.
"Who're--?!"
The crewman inside is interrupted as Tic, Tac, and Toe toss him out of the ship, and he lands on the ground back first.
"Stop right there!" more security guards shout. Their words are ignored as Tic, Tac, and Toe start up the ship's engines, and the remaining three Sinful Ones climb aboard.
*PAP PAP PAP* The guards open fire, shooting bullets at the fleeing felons.
*DING DING DING* The bullets bounce off the metal hull of the ship, missing their targets widely.
The engines blast, and the ship moves along the runway at high speeds. Hammer and the others sit in seats and strap themselves in as Tic sits in the pilot's chair, Tac sits in the co-pilot's chair, and Toe hangs on to the edges of both.
*WHOOSH* The ship flies up into the sky, and rockets through the clouds. Within seconds, the black void sprinkled with stars comes into view, and the ship flies on throught the smooth vacuum of space.
"WE DID IT!!" Hammer shouts in celebration. "We escaped!!"
The others shout and holler in celebration as well, but are cut short by foot steps.
"Why didn't anyone tell me we were taking off?" a female voice asks. The Sinful Ones turn to see a gorgeous green-yellow girl standing in the doorway of the hall, her flowing black hair reaching below her waist. Upon seeing the six strange faces, her teal-colored eyes open wide, and she starts to back up.
"No, no, missss," Lacertilia hisses, "we mean you no harm. We jussst need your ship, that'sss all."
He approaches the girl, his green lizard lips in a smirk.
"Ssso jusst relaxss," he says, his tongue flickering at her green-yellow cheek, tasting her natural, sweet scent. "I won't hurt you."
Slowly, Lacertilia ushers the green-yellow girl to the back, and the two enter a bedroom, Lacertilia's tail closing the door behind them.
The bus makes its way down a busy street, and Elevatô watches the street signs for directions to a space shuttle station or port.
"Turn right there," Tic says, noticing a sign up ahead.
Elevatô obeys, and the bus turns at the intersection. Even from several blocks away, the Sinful Ones can see the dozens of launching pads, landing pads, and runways.
The bus is parked across the street from the main entrance of the station, and the Sinful Ones bail out.
"Run to the nearesst shuttle asss fasst asss you can!" Lacertilia shouts in his hissy voice. "No ssstopping to fight any guardsss that may get in your way!"
The six escaped convicts rush at the entrance, and are met by security.
*WHAM* Hammer barrels through them, and the Sinful Ones continue to move forward.
Tic, Tac, and Toe climb up stairs to the door of a triangular spaceship, and pry it open.
"Who're--?!"
The crewman inside is interrupted as Tic, Tac, and Toe toss him out of the ship, and he lands on the ground back first.
"Stop right there!" more security guards shout. Their words are ignored as Tic, Tac, and Toe start up the ship's engines, and the remaining three Sinful Ones climb aboard.
*PAP PAP PAP* The guards open fire, shooting bullets at the fleeing felons.
*DING DING DING* The bullets bounce off the metal hull of the ship, missing their targets widely.
The engines blast, and the ship moves along the runway at high speeds. Hammer and the others sit in seats and strap themselves in as Tic sits in the pilot's chair, Tac sits in the co-pilot's chair, and Toe hangs on to the edges of both.
*WHOOSH* The ship flies up into the sky, and rockets through the clouds. Within seconds, the black void sprinkled with stars comes into view, and the ship flies on throught the smooth vacuum of space.
"WE DID IT!!" Hammer shouts in celebration. "We escaped!!"
The others shout and holler in celebration as well, but are cut short by foot steps.
"Why didn't anyone tell me we were taking off?" a female voice asks. The Sinful Ones turn to see a gorgeous green-yellow girl standing in the doorway of the hall, her flowing black hair reaching below her waist. Upon seeing the six strange faces, her teal-colored eyes open wide, and she starts to back up.
"No, no, missss," Lacertilia hisses, "we mean you no harm. We jussst need your ship, that'sss all."
He approaches the girl, his green lizard lips in a smirk.
"Ssso jusst relaxss," he says, his tongue flickering at her green-yellow cheek, tasting her natural, sweet scent. "I won't hurt you."
Slowly, Lacertilia ushers the green-yellow girl to the back, and the two enter a bedroom, Lacertilia's tail closing the door behind them.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 6
The guard lizard and Lacertilia tumble to the back of the bus as Elevatô grabs on to a seat. He pulls himself forward and grabs the driver's shoulder. Elevatô yanks him out of the chair and tosses him out the open door.
The driver tumbles in the dirt, the bus passing him by, but slowing down. Tic, Tac, and Toe run by him as well, soon followed by hammer.
*POW* Lacertilia is hit in the head again by the guard lizard, but stays on top.
*BAMF BAMF* Another left-right combination lands on the broad snout of the guard, and Lacertilia picks him up by his uniform.
*WHAM* Lacertilia slams him against the back wall of the bus, and the emergency door is shaken loose.
*WHAM* Lacertilia slams him into the door, and it pops open. Lacertilia pushes the guard lizard out, and he tumbles head over heels in the dirt.
Tic, Tac, and Toe get inside, and Hammer grabs hold of the door frame. With help from the triplets, he finally gets in, and Elevatô pushes the engine to the max, getting the bus to accelerate to top speed.
"Are you sure we're heading for one of the cities?" Hammer asks.
Elevatô pulls out a map from the glove compartment.
"One of you be sure that we're heading for one of the cities."
The triplets take hold of the map, and turn it around so the cardinal directions line up.
"Head 15 degrees to our left," Toe says.
"There's a city only 20 miles away," Tac adds.
Elevatô turns the wheel, and the bus aims in the designated direction.
Within only twenty minutes, the stolen bus arrives at the city, and Elevatô slows the vehicle down.
"Do you think they'll notice this bus?" he asks.
"More importantly," Lacertilia says, "they recognizssse thessse prisson uniformsss."
"The five of us should duck down," Tic says.
"That way they won't see us," Toe adds.
"But they'll see Elevatô," Hammer points out. "And he's wearing a uniform."
"We'll just go fast," Tac says. "No one should pay any mind to a bus."
The six of them settle on that, and drive into the city.
The driver tumbles in the dirt, the bus passing him by, but slowing down. Tic, Tac, and Toe run by him as well, soon followed by hammer.
*POW* Lacertilia is hit in the head again by the guard lizard, but stays on top.
*BAMF BAMF* Another left-right combination lands on the broad snout of the guard, and Lacertilia picks him up by his uniform.
*WHAM* Lacertilia slams him against the back wall of the bus, and the emergency door is shaken loose.
*WHAM* Lacertilia slams him into the door, and it pops open. Lacertilia pushes the guard lizard out, and he tumbles head over heels in the dirt.
Tic, Tac, and Toe get inside, and Hammer grabs hold of the door frame. With help from the triplets, he finally gets in, and Elevatô pushes the engine to the max, getting the bus to accelerate to top speed.
"Are you sure we're heading for one of the cities?" Hammer asks.
Elevatô pulls out a map from the glove compartment.
"One of you be sure that we're heading for one of the cities."
The triplets take hold of the map, and turn it around so the cardinal directions line up.
"Head 15 degrees to our left," Toe says.
"There's a city only 20 miles away," Tac adds.
Elevatô turns the wheel, and the bus aims in the designated direction.
Within only twenty minutes, the stolen bus arrives at the city, and Elevatô slows the vehicle down.
"Do you think they'll notice this bus?" he asks.
"More importantly," Lacertilia says, "they recognizssse thessse prisson uniformsss."
"The five of us should duck down," Tic says.
"That way they won't see us," Toe adds.
"But they'll see Elevatô," Hammer points out. "And he's wearing a uniform."
"We'll just go fast," Tac says. "No one should pay any mind to a bus."
The six of them settle on that, and drive into the city.
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 5
"Hey!" the other guard shouts out, aiming his rifle at Hammer.
Tic and Tac each grab a leg, and trip their guard.
Toe jumps on him, and knocks him out with a blow to the back of his head.
One of the other guards takes notice of the beat down.
"Prison bre--!"
The five-eyed guard is interrupted by Lacertilia grabbing him around the mouth.
*WHAP* Elevatô smacks the Birdman in the head with his long forearm, and the guard falls to the ground.
The four-legged guard and hairy cyclops run over, guns aimed.
*TATTATTAT* The guns fire semi-automatically at the Sinful Ones as they run for the guard transports.
"Stop them!" Four-Legs shouts. "They're going to take a vehicle out of here!"
Two other guards, similar in their humanoid build, rush out from their tiny guard office at the door. They point hand-guns at Hammer and Lacertilia, who lead the group.
The reptilian ducks down low, drawing their fire.
*PAP PAP PAP* The guns shoot, but the bullets miss.
*WHOOSH* Hammer swings his huge arm at the guards.
*BAM* The guards are knocked against the door, and slump to the floor.
Elevatô opens the doors as Tic and Toe grab the fallen guards' guns.
*PAP PAP* They fire shots at the Cyclops and four-legged guard.
The two on-coming guards halt, and the bullets fall short of hitting them.
A guard transportation vehicle pulls up, and out of it exits the purple-skinned guard with horns.
"What is going--?!"
*WHAM* He is interrupted by Lacertilia's tail lashing him in the side of the head.
The driver of the bus sees Lacertilia step into the doorway, and puts the long, large vehicle into drive. It starts to creep forward as Lacertilia gets inside.
*POW* The reddish-brown reptilian guard punches Lacertilia in the head, and the Sinful lizard stumbles.
Elevatô catches up to the door of the bus, and ducks down in order to fit inside.
"Triplets!" Hammer shouts. "Let's go!"
Tic, Tac, and Toe run out in single file, heading for the bus. It starts to pick up speed as Lacertilia and Elevatô struggle to take it over.
*BAM BAM* Lacertilia punches the reptilian guard with a left-right combo to his broad snout.
*WHAM* He tackles the guard around the waist, pushing him to the back.
Elevatô grabs for the driver, but the driver pushes harder on the gas pedal. The bus lurches, and everyone inside moves towards the back.
"Damn," Hammer growls. "Forgot to prepare for how crafty the next shift would be."
Tic and Tac each grab a leg, and trip their guard.
Toe jumps on him, and knocks him out with a blow to the back of his head.
One of the other guards takes notice of the beat down.
"Prison bre--!"
The five-eyed guard is interrupted by Lacertilia grabbing him around the mouth.
*WHAP* Elevatô smacks the Birdman in the head with his long forearm, and the guard falls to the ground.
The four-legged guard and hairy cyclops run over, guns aimed.
*TATTATTAT* The guns fire semi-automatically at the Sinful Ones as they run for the guard transports.
"Stop them!" Four-Legs shouts. "They're going to take a vehicle out of here!"
Two other guards, similar in their humanoid build, rush out from their tiny guard office at the door. They point hand-guns at Hammer and Lacertilia, who lead the group.
The reptilian ducks down low, drawing their fire.
*PAP PAP PAP* The guns shoot, but the bullets miss.
*WHOOSH* Hammer swings his huge arm at the guards.
*BAM* The guards are knocked against the door, and slump to the floor.
Elevatô opens the doors as Tic and Toe grab the fallen guards' guns.
*PAP PAP* They fire shots at the Cyclops and four-legged guard.
The two on-coming guards halt, and the bullets fall short of hitting them.
A guard transportation vehicle pulls up, and out of it exits the purple-skinned guard with horns.
"What is going--?!"
*WHAM* He is interrupted by Lacertilia's tail lashing him in the side of the head.
The driver of the bus sees Lacertilia step into the doorway, and puts the long, large vehicle into drive. It starts to creep forward as Lacertilia gets inside.
*POW* The reddish-brown reptilian guard punches Lacertilia in the head, and the Sinful lizard stumbles.
Elevatô catches up to the door of the bus, and ducks down in order to fit inside.
"Triplets!" Hammer shouts. "Let's go!"
Tic, Tac, and Toe run out in single file, heading for the bus. It starts to pick up speed as Lacertilia and Elevatô struggle to take it over.
*BAM BAM* Lacertilia punches the reptilian guard with a left-right combo to his broad snout.
*WHAM* He tackles the guard around the waist, pushing him to the back.
Elevatô grabs for the driver, but the driver pushes harder on the gas pedal. The bus lurches, and everyone inside moves towards the back.
"Damn," Hammer growls. "Forgot to prepare for how crafty the next shift would be."
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 4
A full day later, the process repeats. The inmates are ordered out into the courtyard, and the thirty-five armed guards watch from the walkway that lines the perimeter. Lacertilia and Elevatô meet Hammer and the triplets at the same picnic table as the day before.
"The best time to try is right before the shift ends," Hammer suggests. "My guy will be impatient and edgy a good 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled time, so he'll be our start signal."
"Agreed," Lacertilia says. "Which meansss we all need excusssesss to be outssside our cellss at that time."
"Bathroom breaks?" Elevatô suggests.
"That won't work for the three of us," Tic says.
"The guards won't believe us if we say we all need to go at the same time," Tac says.
"Pretend you're all sssick," Lacertilia says. "It is likely to happen sssince all three of you ssspend sso much time together."
Everyone agrees, and separate again, the triplets getting dirty in a game of Bruiser Ball with some of the other inmates. It'll help make the sickness excuse a little more believable if they can claim they got it from someone else.
Parallel with yesterday's schedule, the inmates are rushed inside to their cells. Some time passes before Hammer's guard gets anxious. The plan begins as the last twenty mintues of his shift count down.
Across the way, Hammer can see Lacertilia ask for his restroom break. The guard lets him out, and they head to the restroom near the guard trade station. Hammer waits five minutes before he takes his turn.
"Hey, buddy," he says. "I gotta go to the restroom, breakfast ain't sitting well."
The plain-looking guard looks around, on edge.
"Okay, fine," he says as he deactivates Hammer's plasma wall. "But you better make it quick, I've got to leave soon."
As Hammer gets out, Elevatô asks for his guard to let him use the restroom. The guard sees Hammer being escorted to the restroom, then back at Elevatô. A few agonizing seconds pass as the guard mulls it over.
"Fine," the guard says, letting him out. "But let's make it quick."
Hammer enters a stall, and a moment later, so does Elevatô. In order to keep up the charade, Elevatô unzips his pants. He also uses the zipper's sound to mask any sound made by the dropped lock-pick he made out of his breakfast spork.
Hammer, sitting in "#2" position on the closed toilet, picks it up with his smaller arm and hides it in his prison uniform's sleeve. Hammer flushes the toilet and gets out of the stall. A minute after he and his guard leave the restroom, Lacertilia and Elevatô "finish" their business, and head back with their guard escorts.
As Hammer is herded back, the triplets are herded forward, feigning nausea.
"What's wrong with those three?" Hammer's guard asks.
"The three of them must've contracted something from someone here," the triplet's guard answers. "Saw 'em playing Bruiser Ball, probably got too close to one of the slobs."
As the two groups pass by each other, Hammer quickly jams the sharpened handle of the spork into the lock of the clamp on his arm, busting it apart. It falls off his arm and onto the floor with a clunk.
*BAMF* He backhands his guard into the wall, and the guard falls limp to the ground.
"The best time to try is right before the shift ends," Hammer suggests. "My guy will be impatient and edgy a good 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled time, so he'll be our start signal."
"Agreed," Lacertilia says. "Which meansss we all need excusssesss to be outssside our cellss at that time."
"Bathroom breaks?" Elevatô suggests.
"That won't work for the three of us," Tic says.
"The guards won't believe us if we say we all need to go at the same time," Tac says.
"Pretend you're all sssick," Lacertilia says. "It is likely to happen sssince all three of you ssspend sso much time together."
Everyone agrees, and separate again, the triplets getting dirty in a game of Bruiser Ball with some of the other inmates. It'll help make the sickness excuse a little more believable if they can claim they got it from someone else.
Parallel with yesterday's schedule, the inmates are rushed inside to their cells. Some time passes before Hammer's guard gets anxious. The plan begins as the last twenty mintues of his shift count down.
Across the way, Hammer can see Lacertilia ask for his restroom break. The guard lets him out, and they head to the restroom near the guard trade station. Hammer waits five minutes before he takes his turn.
"Hey, buddy," he says. "I gotta go to the restroom, breakfast ain't sitting well."
The plain-looking guard looks around, on edge.
"Okay, fine," he says as he deactivates Hammer's plasma wall. "But you better make it quick, I've got to leave soon."
As Hammer gets out, Elevatô asks for his guard to let him use the restroom. The guard sees Hammer being escorted to the restroom, then back at Elevatô. A few agonizing seconds pass as the guard mulls it over.
"Fine," the guard says, letting him out. "But let's make it quick."
Hammer enters a stall, and a moment later, so does Elevatô. In order to keep up the charade, Elevatô unzips his pants. He also uses the zipper's sound to mask any sound made by the dropped lock-pick he made out of his breakfast spork.
Hammer, sitting in "#2" position on the closed toilet, picks it up with his smaller arm and hides it in his prison uniform's sleeve. Hammer flushes the toilet and gets out of the stall. A minute after he and his guard leave the restroom, Lacertilia and Elevatô "finish" their business, and head back with their guard escorts.
As Hammer is herded back, the triplets are herded forward, feigning nausea.
"What's wrong with those three?" Hammer's guard asks.
"The three of them must've contracted something from someone here," the triplet's guard answers. "Saw 'em playing Bruiser Ball, probably got too close to one of the slobs."
As the two groups pass by each other, Hammer quickly jams the sharpened handle of the spork into the lock of the clamp on his arm, busting it apart. It falls off his arm and onto the floor with a clunk.
*BAMF* He backhands his guard into the wall, and the guard falls limp to the ground.
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 3
The prison cells are made of reinforced concrete, with only 4000 cubic feet of space to fit any given inmate inside. Prisoners like Elevatô just fit inside, the ceiling only two feet from his head.
Instead of metal bars to seal them in, walls of pure plasma are generated by emitters that are embedded in the walls. If any prisoner were to try and dig them out, an alarm would go off, and nearby guards would rush to the cell.
Guards are given half a dozen cells to watch over, and are armed with powerful, solid-ammo rifles. Other than that, their own natural abilities are the only weapons they have against the inmates if a riot or prison break were to happen.
The triplets watch their guard and two more from within their cell. Tic watches a Birdman while Tac keeps track of a four-legged guard. Toe watches their actual guard, a hairy cyclops with a bulging gut. Neither of the three are moving to change shifts, only pacing back and forth, up and down their alotted six cells.
A few cells down, Hammer watches a fourth guard, different from the triplets'. He looks at his wristwatch every so often. His shift must be over soon, and he's getting impatient. This'll help the plan quite nicely.
In another part of the prison, Elevatô sits on his bed, staring at the plasma wall as his guard moves past it. It is like an incredibly boring movie broadcasting on a giant screen, the guard going left, disappearing off screen, then returning to go right, and again disappearing of screen.
Lacertilia lies on his stomach, flickering his tongue at the air. All he can taste is the warmth of the plasma as it buzzes and hums. His tail swishes back and forth, counting the time his guard takes to walk by his screen. It's the only thing that keeps him from going insane with boredom inside that drab and empty cell.
After 15 minutes of waiting, Hammer's impatient guard hurries to his right, Hammer's left. A few other guards in the area head in that same direction. At the same time, different guards come in and start pacing up and down. Where the original guard was of average size and build, the rifle his only real weapon, this new guard was bigger, with two curved horns purtruding from his light purple forehead.
Lacertilia's five-eyed guard is replaced with a fellow reptilian, but of a slightly different breed. Where as Lacertilia is green with a relatively narrow snout, this reptilian guard was reddish-brown, with a broader snout.
The triplets' guards were not a part of the group that changed out, nor was Elevatô's. Logging this information away in their minds, it is clear this was the change in guard in which to make their move.
Instead of metal bars to seal them in, walls of pure plasma are generated by emitters that are embedded in the walls. If any prisoner were to try and dig them out, an alarm would go off, and nearby guards would rush to the cell.
Guards are given half a dozen cells to watch over, and are armed with powerful, solid-ammo rifles. Other than that, their own natural abilities are the only weapons they have against the inmates if a riot or prison break were to happen.
The triplets watch their guard and two more from within their cell. Tic watches a Birdman while Tac keeps track of a four-legged guard. Toe watches their actual guard, a hairy cyclops with a bulging gut. Neither of the three are moving to change shifts, only pacing back and forth, up and down their alotted six cells.
A few cells down, Hammer watches a fourth guard, different from the triplets'. He looks at his wristwatch every so often. His shift must be over soon, and he's getting impatient. This'll help the plan quite nicely.
In another part of the prison, Elevatô sits on his bed, staring at the plasma wall as his guard moves past it. It is like an incredibly boring movie broadcasting on a giant screen, the guard going left, disappearing off screen, then returning to go right, and again disappearing of screen.
Lacertilia lies on his stomach, flickering his tongue at the air. All he can taste is the warmth of the plasma as it buzzes and hums. His tail swishes back and forth, counting the time his guard takes to walk by his screen. It's the only thing that keeps him from going insane with boredom inside that drab and empty cell.
After 15 minutes of waiting, Hammer's impatient guard hurries to his right, Hammer's left. A few other guards in the area head in that same direction. At the same time, different guards come in and start pacing up and down. Where the original guard was of average size and build, the rifle his only real weapon, this new guard was bigger, with two curved horns purtruding from his light purple forehead.
Lacertilia's five-eyed guard is replaced with a fellow reptilian, but of a slightly different breed. Where as Lacertilia is green with a relatively narrow snout, this reptilian guard was reddish-brown, with a broader snout.
The triplets' guards were not a part of the group that changed out, nor was Elevatô's. Logging this information away in their minds, it is clear this was the change in guard in which to make their move.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 2
The six Sinful Ones look around to make sure no one was listening to them.
"Well, even though the other cities are miles and miles away from here..." Tic starts.
"...making it suicidal to make a run for it..." Tac continues.
"The guards do need to go home when the shift changes," Toe finishes. "So there are periodic visits by vehicles that pick up and drop off guards."
"If we can take one of those over," Elevatô says, "we can ride them all the way to one of the cities, and escape this planet from there."
"Good, good," Lacertilia says, nodding his head. "Now to figure out their sssschedule."
The six of them look around, taking note of the number of guards that watch the courtyard.
"Jussst over thirty guardsss," Lacertilia says. "But they're all armed, and out of our reach."
The guards patrol the courtyard from the perimeter, walking along an elevated walkway twenty feet off the ground. Elevatô is only 8 feet tall, and his arms only add another four feet. Even if he could jump another eight feet up to grab the edge of the walkway, he'd be shot down by a guard.
"I have a feeling they wait until we're all back in our cells to do shift changes," Hammer says. "None of the inmates are out and about to pull off a prison break plan."
"They are smart to do so," Tic says.
"Seeing as how we're trying to do just that," Tac says.
"We'll have to be patient," Lacertilia says. "Wait a day or two to ssstudy all the shift changesss."
At that, the six Sinful Ones get up and walk away from the table in different directions, the triplets sticking together. After spending the rest of the alloted courtyard time standing around and making trivial conversation with others, the inmates are rushed back inside into their cells.
"Well, even though the other cities are miles and miles away from here..." Tic starts.
"...making it suicidal to make a run for it..." Tac continues.
"The guards do need to go home when the shift changes," Toe finishes. "So there are periodic visits by vehicles that pick up and drop off guards."
"If we can take one of those over," Elevatô says, "we can ride them all the way to one of the cities, and escape this planet from there."
"Good, good," Lacertilia says, nodding his head. "Now to figure out their sssschedule."
The six of them look around, taking note of the number of guards that watch the courtyard.
"Jussst over thirty guardsss," Lacertilia says. "But they're all armed, and out of our reach."
The guards patrol the courtyard from the perimeter, walking along an elevated walkway twenty feet off the ground. Elevatô is only 8 feet tall, and his arms only add another four feet. Even if he could jump another eight feet up to grab the edge of the walkway, he'd be shot down by a guard.
"I have a feeling they wait until we're all back in our cells to do shift changes," Hammer says. "None of the inmates are out and about to pull off a prison break plan."
"They are smart to do so," Tic says.
"Seeing as how we're trying to do just that," Tac says.
"We'll have to be patient," Lacertilia says. "Wait a day or two to ssstudy all the shift changesss."
At that, the six Sinful Ones get up and walk away from the table in different directions, the triplets sticking together. After spending the rest of the alloted courtyard time standing around and making trivial conversation with others, the inmates are rushed back inside into their cells.
The Imprisoned Ones, Part 1
"Alright, you wretched dregs of society!" the guard shouts. "Get your repulsive rear ends out of your cells and out in the yard!"
The triplets, Tic, Tac, and Toe, walk in single file behind Hammer, whose large arm is restrained by a clamp that keeps it at his side. The four of them make their way to the courtyard of Planet Mathule's Maximum Security Prison.
Planet Mathule is mostly open grassland, with only a few major cities scattered here and there. The prison, therefore, is stuck in the middle of one of those large grasslands, far from civilization.
The triplets and Hammer enter the courtyard with several other convicts. The four Sinful Ones gather at a tiny picnic table, where reptilian member Lacertilia and extrememly tall member Elevatô.
"Any newsss from the outsssside?" Lacertilia hisses.
"Boss Transgression apparently gathered up some other members to help him take down the Hunters," Hammer replies.
"Why would he do that?" Elevatô asks. "What have the Hunters done to TS1?"
"They hired a bounty hunter to eliminate Saffire for them," Tic answers.
"Because they were too weak to do it themselves," Tac adds.
"But issn't Ssaffire TS1'ssss enemy?"
"Not after he helped protect Transgression's sisters from Val-Yor," Toe answers. "Transgression Y'Tar let the vendetta go after Saffire showed such valor and heroism."
"Confronting the Hunters and getting them to call off the hit was his way of repaying Saffire's kindness," Hammer adds.
"Wait," Tic says, "I thought Transgression convinced the bounty hunter to call it off, then went after the Hunters to keep them from trying again."
"Well, either way," Hammer says, "he did it to repay Saffire."
"Now down to bussssinessss," Lacertilia hisses as he leans in. "How do we get out of thisss ssstink hole and back to our teamsss?!"
The triplets, Tic, Tac, and Toe, walk in single file behind Hammer, whose large arm is restrained by a clamp that keeps it at his side. The four of them make their way to the courtyard of Planet Mathule's Maximum Security Prison.
Planet Mathule is mostly open grassland, with only a few major cities scattered here and there. The prison, therefore, is stuck in the middle of one of those large grasslands, far from civilization.
The triplets and Hammer enter the courtyard with several other convicts. The four Sinful Ones gather at a tiny picnic table, where reptilian member Lacertilia and extrememly tall member Elevatô.
"Any newsss from the outsssside?" Lacertilia hisses.
"Boss Transgression apparently gathered up some other members to help him take down the Hunters," Hammer replies.
"Why would he do that?" Elevatô asks. "What have the Hunters done to TS1?"
"They hired a bounty hunter to eliminate Saffire for them," Tic answers.
"Because they were too weak to do it themselves," Tac adds.
"But issn't Ssaffire TS1'ssss enemy?"
"Not after he helped protect Transgression's sisters from Val-Yor," Toe answers. "Transgression Y'Tar let the vendetta go after Saffire showed such valor and heroism."
"Confronting the Hunters and getting them to call off the hit was his way of repaying Saffire's kindness," Hammer adds.
"Wait," Tic says, "I thought Transgression convinced the bounty hunter to call it off, then went after the Hunters to keep them from trying again."
"Well, either way," Hammer says, "he did it to repay Saffire."
"Now down to bussssinessss," Lacertilia hisses as he leans in. "How do we get out of thisss ssstink hole and back to our teamsss?!"
Friday, September 3, 2010
Story Time with Saffire, Part 8
"Our lazers and bolts knocked out the guys at the table, and our target panciked.
"He grabbed his girl around the throat and pointed a lazer pistol to her head, threatening to shoot her if we didn't let the two of them go."
"What a coward!" Blackfire growls, teeth clenched.
"I know," you say, calming her. "We were at a stalemate, his body blocked by the girl's. The poor thing was so scared, her tail was tucked between her legs.
"I and my undercover cop yielded, he putting down his gun and I letting my starbolts disappate."
"You let him go?!" she says in disbelief.
"I only let him think he was going to get away," you explain. "I waited until he got closer to us and the door, then I zapped his pistol hand with a lazer eye beam!"
Blackfire gasps then applauds, impressed by your resourcefulness.
"He dropped the gun, and I tackled him to the ground. The girl ran over to my partner, who grabbed up his pistol and aimed it at the crooked cop.
"I handcuffed the crooked cop to his buddies, and hauled them all out of the room and into the street. There we waited for about 15 minutes for retrieval by the police chief.
"The girl with the tail thanked us before running off, and the chief wiped the 'assaulting a police officer' charge off my record. After that, I just left, flying into deep space."
"So when was this?" Blackfire asks.
"I think it was about two years before meeting you on Modos."
"And those two years in between?" she asks.
"Fairly boring," you say. "Just small crimes here and there, with the occasional police chase, but no epic battles or rivalries like I had after meeting you. I guess meeting you really made my life eventful and exciting."
Something still seems to be bothering Blackfire.
"So... no previous... relationships?" she asks.
"No," you answer her. "Why? Did you think I had been going out with random females?"
"Not exactly. I just figured you... had gathered experience before meeting me."
"Experience? What kind of... OH, that kind of experience!" You smirk at how red Blackfire's cheeks have become. "You thought I wasn't a virgin before we did it?"
"Well, you didn't say whether you were or not!" she replies. "And you acted so casual about the act, I just figured..."
"Wait, were you a... virgin when we...?"
"Yes!" she answers quickly, glaring at you. "Why did you think I was so... unaccustomed to how... you'd feel?"
"Well, you also acted like you knew what to do, more or less."
"Blame it on my pride," she says, crossing her arms.
You chuckle and smile as you sit her on your lap.
"I love you, Blackfire," you whisper into her ears.
She smiles and snuggles up to you.
"And I love you, Saffire."
You turn on the television, and the two of you watch a t.v. game show, Blackfire still sitting on your lap.
"I don't know what Flashfire was talking about," you say. "There's still good stuff on tonight."
"He grabbed his girl around the throat and pointed a lazer pistol to her head, threatening to shoot her if we didn't let the two of them go."
"What a coward!" Blackfire growls, teeth clenched.
"I know," you say, calming her. "We were at a stalemate, his body blocked by the girl's. The poor thing was so scared, her tail was tucked between her legs.
"I and my undercover cop yielded, he putting down his gun and I letting my starbolts disappate."
"You let him go?!" she says in disbelief.
"I only let him think he was going to get away," you explain. "I waited until he got closer to us and the door, then I zapped his pistol hand with a lazer eye beam!"
Blackfire gasps then applauds, impressed by your resourcefulness.
"He dropped the gun, and I tackled him to the ground. The girl ran over to my partner, who grabbed up his pistol and aimed it at the crooked cop.
"I handcuffed the crooked cop to his buddies, and hauled them all out of the room and into the street. There we waited for about 15 minutes for retrieval by the police chief.
"The girl with the tail thanked us before running off, and the chief wiped the 'assaulting a police officer' charge off my record. After that, I just left, flying into deep space."
"So when was this?" Blackfire asks.
"I think it was about two years before meeting you on Modos."
"And those two years in between?" she asks.
"Fairly boring," you say. "Just small crimes here and there, with the occasional police chase, but no epic battles or rivalries like I had after meeting you. I guess meeting you really made my life eventful and exciting."
Something still seems to be bothering Blackfire.
"So... no previous... relationships?" she asks.
"No," you answer her. "Why? Did you think I had been going out with random females?"
"Not exactly. I just figured you... had gathered experience before meeting me."
"Experience? What kind of... OH, that kind of experience!" You smirk at how red Blackfire's cheeks have become. "You thought I wasn't a virgin before we did it?"
"Well, you didn't say whether you were or not!" she replies. "And you acted so casual about the act, I just figured..."
"Wait, were you a... virgin when we...?"
"Yes!" she answers quickly, glaring at you. "Why did you think I was so... unaccustomed to how... you'd feel?"
"Well, you also acted like you knew what to do, more or less."
"Blame it on my pride," she says, crossing her arms.
You chuckle and smile as you sit her on your lap.
"I love you, Blackfire," you whisper into her ears.
She smiles and snuggles up to you.
"And I love you, Saffire."
You turn on the television, and the two of you watch a t.v. game show, Blackfire still sitting on your lap.
"I don't know what Flashfire was talking about," you say. "There's still good stuff on tonight."
Story Time with Saffire, Part 7
"With help from Rabsy, I found out that the guy liked hanging around the slums of a planet known as Harromog. It's like Modos, but a little tamer in that there are only half as many fights and shootings each week.
"I flew to Harromog with an undercover cop, and we entered through the busier part of the capitol city. We grabbed a map and proceeded to the slums on foot.
"As we headed down the back streets, we started being followed by a few guys. I made sure to take a couple back turns and loops to see if they were really following us, and indeed they were. It was when we got back on the main route that my cop partner and I confronted them.
"A small scuffle broke out, but the cop and I subdued them, getting them to tell us exactly where the crooked cop was. They pointed us towards the Northwest corner of the slums, and I knocked them out so they couldn't warn the guy of our presence.
"As we got deeper and deeper, we met more and more females dressed in revealing outfits."
"What kind of females?" Blackfire questions.
"All kinds," you answer simply. "Five-eyed females, four-armed females, tall females that didn't have noses, short females that had antennae. Harromog is a diverse place when it comes to their skanks."
Blackfire laughs and lets you continue the story.
"The females tried to distract us from the mission, offering us food as well as their... 'services'. We refused politely every time, but they wouldn't leave us alone. They encircled us, not letting us pass until we accepted."
"You didn't, though, right?"
Blackfire looks at you sternly with one eyebrow raised.
"Of course not," you answer. "I was more focused on getting that crooked cop back for shooting up the home of those nice club employees. Plus, none of those girls were my type.
"We forced our way through the crowd of females, and ran towards the Northwest corner of the neighborhood. It was easy enough for us to find where exactly the crooked cop was, we saw him enter a run-down motel.
"Stealthily, my partner and I moved closer, peering into the windows. We saw him and some other crooks counting out several different currencies, stacking the money on a table. The crooked cop himself was sitting in a big chair, a female with a tail sitting on his lap.
"Standing on either side of the door, my partner and I counted to three, then busted in, guns and starbolts blazing!"
"I flew to Harromog with an undercover cop, and we entered through the busier part of the capitol city. We grabbed a map and proceeded to the slums on foot.
"As we headed down the back streets, we started being followed by a few guys. I made sure to take a couple back turns and loops to see if they were really following us, and indeed they were. It was when we got back on the main route that my cop partner and I confronted them.
"A small scuffle broke out, but the cop and I subdued them, getting them to tell us exactly where the crooked cop was. They pointed us towards the Northwest corner of the slums, and I knocked them out so they couldn't warn the guy of our presence.
"As we got deeper and deeper, we met more and more females dressed in revealing outfits."
"What kind of females?" Blackfire questions.
"All kinds," you answer simply. "Five-eyed females, four-armed females, tall females that didn't have noses, short females that had antennae. Harromog is a diverse place when it comes to their skanks."
Blackfire laughs and lets you continue the story.
"The females tried to distract us from the mission, offering us food as well as their... 'services'. We refused politely every time, but they wouldn't leave us alone. They encircled us, not letting us pass until we accepted."
"You didn't, though, right?"
Blackfire looks at you sternly with one eyebrow raised.
"Of course not," you answer. "I was more focused on getting that crooked cop back for shooting up the home of those nice club employees. Plus, none of those girls were my type.
"We forced our way through the crowd of females, and ran towards the Northwest corner of the neighborhood. It was easy enough for us to find where exactly the crooked cop was, we saw him enter a run-down motel.
"Stealthily, my partner and I moved closer, peering into the windows. We saw him and some other crooks counting out several different currencies, stacking the money on a table. The crooked cop himself was sitting in a big chair, a female with a tail sitting on his lap.
"Standing on either side of the door, my partner and I counted to three, then busted in, guns and starbolts blazing!"
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Story Time with Saffire, Part 6
"Okay, okay," Blackfire says, "what were you doing before you met me?"
"Well, that was five years later," you say. "That's a lot of stuff that happened."
"I've got time," she says, settling in closer to you.
"I don't," Flashfire says. "I'm tired."
Flashfire gets up and walks to her room, yawning all the way.
"Go on," Blackfire says, nudging you. "Tell me what you did."
"Well, first," you say, "I had to be careful where I went, in case Violence was on the look out for me."
"You mean he didn't get arrested or killed after fighting you?" she asks.
"No," you answer. "He and I both got away from Tranquilitus without delay. I haven't seen him since then, but from what Rabsy told me about a year after that Tranquilitus incident, Violence stopped showing up in public."
"He just disappeared?"
"More or less, yeah.
"One big thing I did in the years before you," you continue, "was get in trouble with a crooked cop.
"I was just wandering around the sleeziest part of a big city, just to pass the time, when some guy stumbled out of a club and ran into me.
"He got mad at me, and demanded I apologize for not looking where I was walking. I refused, telling him to do the same. He got even angrier, and demanded again that I apologize. When I refused to for the second time, he tried to fight me. Obviously he had no chance, and was humiliated. He swore he'd get back at me, then stormed off.
"The employees of the club thanked me for teaching him a lesson, and that he had been causing trouble inside. They offered me a bed in the spare room up above the club, and I accepted.
"The next day, the guy returns with some thug friends, and they start a huge brawl. I knock the guy around again, and he runs away. Later that day, I find out that he was a police officer, and that I'm in trouble for assaulting him.
"However, the guy's boss makes me a deal: if I help track him down and arrest him, they'll drop the charges. I decided to accept."
"Well, that was five years later," you say. "That's a lot of stuff that happened."
"I've got time," she says, settling in closer to you.
"I don't," Flashfire says. "I'm tired."
Flashfire gets up and walks to her room, yawning all the way.
"Go on," Blackfire says, nudging you. "Tell me what you did."
"Well, first," you say, "I had to be careful where I went, in case Violence was on the look out for me."
"You mean he didn't get arrested or killed after fighting you?" she asks.
"No," you answer. "He and I both got away from Tranquilitus without delay. I haven't seen him since then, but from what Rabsy told me about a year after that Tranquilitus incident, Violence stopped showing up in public."
"He just disappeared?"
"More or less, yeah.
"One big thing I did in the years before you," you continue, "was get in trouble with a crooked cop.
"I was just wandering around the sleeziest part of a big city, just to pass the time, when some guy stumbled out of a club and ran into me.
"He got mad at me, and demanded I apologize for not looking where I was walking. I refused, telling him to do the same. He got even angrier, and demanded again that I apologize. When I refused to for the second time, he tried to fight me. Obviously he had no chance, and was humiliated. He swore he'd get back at me, then stormed off.
"The employees of the club thanked me for teaching him a lesson, and that he had been causing trouble inside. They offered me a bed in the spare room up above the club, and I accepted.
"The next day, the guy returns with some thug friends, and they start a huge brawl. I knock the guy around again, and he runs away. Later that day, I find out that he was a police officer, and that I'm in trouble for assaulting him.
"However, the guy's boss makes me a deal: if I help track him down and arrest him, they'll drop the charges. I decided to accept."
Story Time with Saffire, Part 5
"He stared at me for some time, not saying anything. I wasn't sure what to do, and he was known for destructive outbursts. So, I put the items I had grabbed down on the floor.
"With my arms up, I tried to walk out of the room, but he wouldn't move. I was a little hesitant to talk to him, but I did manage to ask him if he could kindly move aside."
You chuckle a little at the idea of you politely asking a violent criminal to let you pass by them.
"I'm guessing he didn't," Blackfire says.
"You guess right," you reply. "Violence instead grabbed me by my collar and tossed me back into the treasure room.
"I crashed into several shelves of things, and there was alot of noise as I and the shelves tumbled back. I remember having some kind of trophy prodding me in the back.
"Violence approached me rather casually, but I knew he was going to attack again. From where I was, I shot him with a lazer eye beam right in the chest."
"Wait, you could fire lazer beams from your eyes already?" Flashfire asks.
"Yeah, I was about 12 years old at the time, and had gone through the Transformation during my years with Dirt.
"The lazer beam knocked Violence back towards the door, and I managed to get up. I then flew at him, and we smashed through a wall or two, breaking some studs.
"Violence fought back with some clubbing blows to my shoulders and back, then he shoved me at another wall. He went to kick my head into the wall, but I ducked down, and his foot smashed through the wall, breaking another stud.
"His foot got stuck, so I kicked him in the other leg, breaking his knee. He fell out of the hole he made, and hobbled his way to some stairs.
"I tackled him down those stairs, and we tumbled to the floor below. He shoved me off, and managed to get to his feet.
"He threw about five more punches, missing me and breaking studs in the wall."
"So the building collapsed after you and Violence broke enough studs and support beams to make it no longer structually sound, right?"
"Long story short, yes. But we kept fighting even after surviving the collapsing building."
Flashfire and Blackfire look at you with wide eyes.
"What?" you asks them. "You don't believe I could survive a building collapsing around me?"
"Well, not before hearing it from you," Blackfire answers. "I mean, I believed that you were capable of making one collapse after hearing that news report confirm it, but I didn't even think you'd be inside the building as it collapsed."
"Believe it, Blackfire," you say. "Your husband survived ten floors of building falling on him at the age of 12."
You recline back in your seat, and prop your feet up on the footrest, a proud smile on your face.
"With my arms up, I tried to walk out of the room, but he wouldn't move. I was a little hesitant to talk to him, but I did manage to ask him if he could kindly move aside."
You chuckle a little at the idea of you politely asking a violent criminal to let you pass by them.
"I'm guessing he didn't," Blackfire says.
"You guess right," you reply. "Violence instead grabbed me by my collar and tossed me back into the treasure room.
"I crashed into several shelves of things, and there was alot of noise as I and the shelves tumbled back. I remember having some kind of trophy prodding me in the back.
"Violence approached me rather casually, but I knew he was going to attack again. From where I was, I shot him with a lazer eye beam right in the chest."
"Wait, you could fire lazer beams from your eyes already?" Flashfire asks.
"Yeah, I was about 12 years old at the time, and had gone through the Transformation during my years with Dirt.
"The lazer beam knocked Violence back towards the door, and I managed to get up. I then flew at him, and we smashed through a wall or two, breaking some studs.
"Violence fought back with some clubbing blows to my shoulders and back, then he shoved me at another wall. He went to kick my head into the wall, but I ducked down, and his foot smashed through the wall, breaking another stud.
"His foot got stuck, so I kicked him in the other leg, breaking his knee. He fell out of the hole he made, and hobbled his way to some stairs.
"I tackled him down those stairs, and we tumbled to the floor below. He shoved me off, and managed to get to his feet.
"He threw about five more punches, missing me and breaking studs in the wall."
"So the building collapsed after you and Violence broke enough studs and support beams to make it no longer structually sound, right?"
"Long story short, yes. But we kept fighting even after surviving the collapsing building."
Flashfire and Blackfire look at you with wide eyes.
"What?" you asks them. "You don't believe I could survive a building collapsing around me?"
"Well, not before hearing it from you," Blackfire answers. "I mean, I believed that you were capable of making one collapse after hearing that news report confirm it, but I didn't even think you'd be inside the building as it collapsed."
"Believe it, Blackfire," you say. "Your husband survived ten floors of building falling on him at the age of 12."
You recline back in your seat, and prop your feet up on the footrest, a proud smile on your face.
Story Time with Saffire, Part 4
"Wait wait wait, go back," Flashfire requests. "How did they know you were all coming?"
"Apparently it was a sting. The people Rabsy heard talking were undercover officers who came up with a false story, and we fell for it. That's why Rabsy now keeps files in both paper and electronic form. No matter what, he can double check any intel or rumor that he hears, no more trusting a stranger's word.
"My guess was that the authorities had worked out ways to counter us all, but needed to set up a sure encounter instead of bringing their gear to every little crime that happened."
"So where did you and Rabsy go after that?" Blackfire asks.
"Well, after stealing a small ship big enough for both of us," you say, "Rabsy flew the two of us to Infomis, planet of news and data.
"This is where Rabsy started collecting information for that large database he has in his current Rhytmis home. He would earn a decent wage shuffling and storing their files, all the while sneaking tiny bits of their interplanetary databases away inside a tiny little flash drive. He'd use this information to create a list of likely allies and enemies that I'd glance at whenever I did our real job of stealing and swindling.
"Before ever knowing who The Sinful Ones were, or meeting Blackfire, a pair of criminals Rabsy told me to watch out for were Smoke and Violence.
"Their names were rather self-explanatory, Smoke being able to turn himself into his namesake, allowing himself to slip out of tight spots and situations, while Violence maimed and slaughtered anyone who tried to apprehend him."
"Did you ever run into either of them?" Flashfire asks.
"Only Violence," you answer. "He was the one that I fought when I made that building collapse on Planet Tranquilitus."
"Tell us about that job," Blackfire asks. "I've wanted to know how exactly you made it collapse, and what you two were after so much that you'd fight someone to that point."
"Me, too!" Flashfire exclaims. "I gotta know!"
"Alright, alright," you say, calming your sister. "Rabsy found out from co-workers that Tranquilitus, as perfect and pristine as it was, needed more funds to keep themselves that way. Therefore, an auction to sell rare items was to be held, the proceeds going to their treasury.
"It was Rabsy's idea to have me to steal either a couple items, or a part of the proceeds. I flew to Tranquilitus and found where the auction was being held. I had snuck inside to find that many valuables were still waiting to be put up for auction.
"I got into the storage room and had grabbed up a couple small, shiny ones. However, when I turned around to leave, a tall, rippling male stood in the doorway, deep scars visible on his arms and upper body, and a stitched-together mask wrapped tight to his face. I found myself face to face with Violence in person."
"Apparently it was a sting. The people Rabsy heard talking were undercover officers who came up with a false story, and we fell for it. That's why Rabsy now keeps files in both paper and electronic form. No matter what, he can double check any intel or rumor that he hears, no more trusting a stranger's word.
"My guess was that the authorities had worked out ways to counter us all, but needed to set up a sure encounter instead of bringing their gear to every little crime that happened."
"So where did you and Rabsy go after that?" Blackfire asks.
"Well, after stealing a small ship big enough for both of us," you say, "Rabsy flew the two of us to Infomis, planet of news and data.
"This is where Rabsy started collecting information for that large database he has in his current Rhytmis home. He would earn a decent wage shuffling and storing their files, all the while sneaking tiny bits of their interplanetary databases away inside a tiny little flash drive. He'd use this information to create a list of likely allies and enemies that I'd glance at whenever I did our real job of stealing and swindling.
"Before ever knowing who The Sinful Ones were, or meeting Blackfire, a pair of criminals Rabsy told me to watch out for were Smoke and Violence.
"Their names were rather self-explanatory, Smoke being able to turn himself into his namesake, allowing himself to slip out of tight spots and situations, while Violence maimed and slaughtered anyone who tried to apprehend him."
"Did you ever run into either of them?" Flashfire asks.
"Only Violence," you answer. "He was the one that I fought when I made that building collapse on Planet Tranquilitus."
"Tell us about that job," Blackfire asks. "I've wanted to know how exactly you made it collapse, and what you two were after so much that you'd fight someone to that point."
"Me, too!" Flashfire exclaims. "I gotta know!"
"Alright, alright," you say, calming your sister. "Rabsy found out from co-workers that Tranquilitus, as perfect and pristine as it was, needed more funds to keep themselves that way. Therefore, an auction to sell rare items was to be held, the proceeds going to their treasury.
"It was Rabsy's idea to have me to steal either a couple items, or a part of the proceeds. I flew to Tranquilitus and found where the auction was being held. I had snuck inside to find that many valuables were still waiting to be put up for auction.
"I got into the storage room and had grabbed up a couple small, shiny ones. However, when I turned around to leave, a tall, rippling male stood in the doorway, deep scars visible on his arms and upper body, and a stitched-together mask wrapped tight to his face. I found myself face to face with Violence in person."
Story Time with Saffire, Part 3
"Rabsy got word of a large payload of valuables was heading to the capitol city. It was scheduled to land at a big warehouse, with a huge maze of rooms and halls inside. We planned out how we would take it and the delivery ship and get out off that planet.
"Dirt would lead Grind and Trick--two of the original trio--from one side, while Rabsy and I would team with Yuck on the other side."
"What kind of names are those?" Blackfire questions.
"Well, Yuck was a master of gross-outs," you explain. "He could make himself vomit on command, and could use his own snot as adhesive."
"Eww!!" the girls cry out.
"Trick and Grind had more practical abilities and skills. Grind's skin was rough, so he could chip and widdle away at almost any surface, essentially digging through it. He could scrape a five-inch thick wall in only a minute.
"Trick, meanwhile, was great at supposed 'magic' tricks, illusions, and pranks. He could fool almost anyone with the hologram projectors he wore around his wrists.
"So as the plan went, I would use my starbolts to blast down our wall while Grind scraped away at theirs. The guards went at my team first, and Yuck used his vomit to make them slip, then used his snot to stick them to the floor.
"Rabsy, Yuck, and I easily made it to the storage room, Rabsy's jumping dropkicks and my Tamaranian strength taking care of any other guards we met along the way. It was when we made it to the room the ship was scheduled to land did we know they were expecting us.
"We saw Trick using his holographic wristbands to create clones of himself, to confuse the guards. But they knew where the real Trick was the whole time with thermal goggles.
"They were also prepared for Grind's rough skin. They wore metal plates on their arms and torsos that he couldn't scratch or wear down. Grind, Yuck and Trick were all subdued with stun guns and billy clubs.
"Obviously Rabsy and I got away, because we're still free. But that's only because Dirt took the hit for us, sacrificing himself so we could get away. I owe Dirt my freedom."
"Dirt would lead Grind and Trick--two of the original trio--from one side, while Rabsy and I would team with Yuck on the other side."
"What kind of names are those?" Blackfire questions.
"Well, Yuck was a master of gross-outs," you explain. "He could make himself vomit on command, and could use his own snot as adhesive."
"Eww!!" the girls cry out.
"Trick and Grind had more practical abilities and skills. Grind's skin was rough, so he could chip and widdle away at almost any surface, essentially digging through it. He could scrape a five-inch thick wall in only a minute.
"Trick, meanwhile, was great at supposed 'magic' tricks, illusions, and pranks. He could fool almost anyone with the hologram projectors he wore around his wrists.
"So as the plan went, I would use my starbolts to blast down our wall while Grind scraped away at theirs. The guards went at my team first, and Yuck used his vomit to make them slip, then used his snot to stick them to the floor.
"Rabsy, Yuck, and I easily made it to the storage room, Rabsy's jumping dropkicks and my Tamaranian strength taking care of any other guards we met along the way. It was when we made it to the room the ship was scheduled to land did we know they were expecting us.
"We saw Trick using his holographic wristbands to create clones of himself, to confuse the guards. But they knew where the real Trick was the whole time with thermal goggles.
"They were also prepared for Grind's rough skin. They wore metal plates on their arms and torsos that he couldn't scratch or wear down. Grind, Yuck and Trick were all subdued with stun guns and billy clubs.
"Obviously Rabsy and I got away, because we're still free. But that's only because Dirt took the hit for us, sacrificing himself so we could get away. I owe Dirt my freedom."
Story Time with Saffire, Part 2
"Patience, Flashfire," you tell your sister. "I'm getting there.
"It was late at night when a trio of young thugs ran down the street, carrying a lot of money and jewelry they had stolen. They ran down the alley where I was sleeping, and one of them tripped over me.
"I woke up as the guy yelled at me. Apparently I was sleeping in one of their regular routes, and tripping over me slowed their escape.
"I tried to apologize to him, but he wouldn't accept. He continued to yell at me, calling me 'Freak Troq' because of my abnormal blue hair. I got upset, what with being tired and hungry, and told him to stop calling me names. He refused, so I tackled him.
"His friends tried to pull me off, but I was too strong for them. Within seconds, the authorities had caught up to the trio. When they saw all four of us fighting, they mistook me for an accomplice. Before I could explain, they came at us with cuffs and stun-guns.
"The three thugs ran as I stayed to explain. The men didn't listen, used a stun-gun to try and subdue me. The shock only stung me, it didn't do anything to stop me. I continued trying to explain, but they kept zapping me and trying to put the cuffs on. I got mad again, and lashed out, beating the two men up.
"One called for back-up, and soon, four more showed up, two armed with lazer rifles. I finally ran away, flying off into the night."
"So, you were given a criminal rap-sheet because of a misunderstanding?" Blackfire asks.
"Yeah," you answer quickly, "but that wasn't the only thing that earned me my criminal identity.
"I found where the trio ran off to, and landed right in front of them. They yelled at me, and each other, but before they could attack me, their boss stepped in and separated us.
"His name was Dirt, and he was a little unclean, but he showed me hospitality. He could tell I was hungry, so he gave me something to eat. He asked me about myself, and I told him everything. How I was teased and bullied for being a blue Tamaranian, and how I had been expelled after beating up Greasefire after he had accidentally killed Spitfire.
"Dirt was sympethetic towards me, and said I could join him and his little team. When the three teen thugs I had ran into before protested, he told them that the team could use more muscle, since he wasn't as strong as he used to be.
"I accepted, since I didn't have anyway of taking care of myself on my own. He then made me a bed of spare pillows and blankets and let me sleep.
"It was my time with Dirt that made me a true criminal. Though I was only six or seven years old, I was the strongest in the group. I helped Dirt and his trio break through hard stone walls and metal bars, and fight off police and rival criminals with my starbolts.
"It was also with Dirt that I met Rabsy. He was as young as I was, but was much better at the whole 'street smarts' and 'intracacies', as he would call it. He was Dirt's clever mechanist and information center, much like he is even now.
"For about five years, the order of operations started Rabsy getting information, usually from eavesdropping of 'important people' with his big ears. Then the rest of us would do the hard part of busting in, getting the stuff, and getting out."
"Wait, five years?" Flashfire asks. "You mean Dirt and those other three aren't criminals anymore?"
"After five years of being a band of friends and brothers," you continue, "something crazy happened that broke it all up."
"It was late at night when a trio of young thugs ran down the street, carrying a lot of money and jewelry they had stolen. They ran down the alley where I was sleeping, and one of them tripped over me.
"I woke up as the guy yelled at me. Apparently I was sleeping in one of their regular routes, and tripping over me slowed their escape.
"I tried to apologize to him, but he wouldn't accept. He continued to yell at me, calling me 'Freak Troq' because of my abnormal blue hair. I got upset, what with being tired and hungry, and told him to stop calling me names. He refused, so I tackled him.
"His friends tried to pull me off, but I was too strong for them. Within seconds, the authorities had caught up to the trio. When they saw all four of us fighting, they mistook me for an accomplice. Before I could explain, they came at us with cuffs and stun-guns.
"The three thugs ran as I stayed to explain. The men didn't listen, used a stun-gun to try and subdue me. The shock only stung me, it didn't do anything to stop me. I continued trying to explain, but they kept zapping me and trying to put the cuffs on. I got mad again, and lashed out, beating the two men up.
"One called for back-up, and soon, four more showed up, two armed with lazer rifles. I finally ran away, flying off into the night."
"So, you were given a criminal rap-sheet because of a misunderstanding?" Blackfire asks.
"Yeah," you answer quickly, "but that wasn't the only thing that earned me my criminal identity.
"I found where the trio ran off to, and landed right in front of them. They yelled at me, and each other, but before they could attack me, their boss stepped in and separated us.
"His name was Dirt, and he was a little unclean, but he showed me hospitality. He could tell I was hungry, so he gave me something to eat. He asked me about myself, and I told him everything. How I was teased and bullied for being a blue Tamaranian, and how I had been expelled after beating up Greasefire after he had accidentally killed Spitfire.
"Dirt was sympethetic towards me, and said I could join him and his little team. When the three teen thugs I had ran into before protested, he told them that the team could use more muscle, since he wasn't as strong as he used to be.
"I accepted, since I didn't have anyway of taking care of myself on my own. He then made me a bed of spare pillows and blankets and let me sleep.
"It was my time with Dirt that made me a true criminal. Though I was only six or seven years old, I was the strongest in the group. I helped Dirt and his trio break through hard stone walls and metal bars, and fight off police and rival criminals with my starbolts.
"It was also with Dirt that I met Rabsy. He was as young as I was, but was much better at the whole 'street smarts' and 'intracacies', as he would call it. He was Dirt's clever mechanist and information center, much like he is even now.
"For about five years, the order of operations started Rabsy getting information, usually from eavesdropping of 'important people' with his big ears. Then the rest of us would do the hard part of busting in, getting the stuff, and getting out."
"Wait, five years?" Flashfire asks. "You mean Dirt and those other three aren't criminals anymore?"
"After five years of being a band of friends and brothers," you continue, "something crazy happened that broke it all up."
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Story Time with Saffire, Part 1
Blackfire puts away the dishes as Flashfire pushes in her chair at the dinner table.
"That home-cooked hijork was great!" Flashfire compliments. "Even better than what Mother used to make!"
"Oh come on," Blackfire says with a blush. "I'm sure your mother does a better job than I did."
"No, no," you insist, "your's is better. She always made the edges too soggy for my taste."
Blackfire blushes again as the three of you move to the living room.
"There's probably nothing new or good on tonight," Flashfire says. "We could watch a movie, if you want."
"Actually," Blackfire says, "I've been meaning to ask you someting, Saffire."
"And what is that, my wonderful wife?" you reply as you sit.
"What happened to you after you left Tamaran?"
You are silent for a moment, staring into Blackfire's eyes.
"Blackfire, I've told you already," you say, "I turned to crime and--"
"I know the general," she interupts, "I want to know the specifics. What did you do first? I know you didn't automatically become a criminal, something happened to you to make you turn to that lifestyle."
"Yeah," Flashfire joins in as the two girls sit on either side of you. "What more happened?"
You look from one to the other, and can see that neither girl is going to drop the subject. You take a deep breath and begin.
"After flying out into deep space, I just wondered about, not knowing where to go." Images of the planets zipping by your teary eyes come replay through your mind. "Eventually, I got tired and hungry, and had to land on an inhabited planet.
"There wasn't much there, but there were people with food. I walked around the tiny town for an hour, begging for something, anything, but they gave me nothing. After all, I was an unfamiliar child, and it was of no consequence to them what happened to me."
Blackfire's and Flashfire's faces are so sad, they're actually rather adorable.
"So what did you do?" Flashfire asks. "Did you steal some?"
"No," you answer. "I wandered around some more, more worried about a place to sleep.
"I eventually found an empty spot in front of a hotel and slept sitting up. I didn't get to stay long, because an employee told me not to loiter and shooed me away. I asked him if I could sleep inside, even if it was on the floor of the lobby, but he said no."
"So where did you sleep?" Blackfire asks.
"Around the corner, against the wall where he couldn't see me."
The girls look even sadder than before.
"So, ok," Flashfire says, "what happened that made you a criminal?!"
"That home-cooked hijork was great!" Flashfire compliments. "Even better than what Mother used to make!"
"Oh come on," Blackfire says with a blush. "I'm sure your mother does a better job than I did."
"No, no," you insist, "your's is better. She always made the edges too soggy for my taste."
Blackfire blushes again as the three of you move to the living room.
"There's probably nothing new or good on tonight," Flashfire says. "We could watch a movie, if you want."
"Actually," Blackfire says, "I've been meaning to ask you someting, Saffire."
"And what is that, my wonderful wife?" you reply as you sit.
"What happened to you after you left Tamaran?"
You are silent for a moment, staring into Blackfire's eyes.
"Blackfire, I've told you already," you say, "I turned to crime and--"
"I know the general," she interupts, "I want to know the specifics. What did you do first? I know you didn't automatically become a criminal, something happened to you to make you turn to that lifestyle."
"Yeah," Flashfire joins in as the two girls sit on either side of you. "What more happened?"
You look from one to the other, and can see that neither girl is going to drop the subject. You take a deep breath and begin.
"After flying out into deep space, I just wondered about, not knowing where to go." Images of the planets zipping by your teary eyes come replay through your mind. "Eventually, I got tired and hungry, and had to land on an inhabited planet.
"There wasn't much there, but there were people with food. I walked around the tiny town for an hour, begging for something, anything, but they gave me nothing. After all, I was an unfamiliar child, and it was of no consequence to them what happened to me."
Blackfire's and Flashfire's faces are so sad, they're actually rather adorable.
"So what did you do?" Flashfire asks. "Did you steal some?"
"No," you answer. "I wandered around some more, more worried about a place to sleep.
"I eventually found an empty spot in front of a hotel and slept sitting up. I didn't get to stay long, because an employee told me not to loiter and shooed me away. I asked him if I could sleep inside, even if it was on the floor of the lobby, but he said no."
"So where did you sleep?" Blackfire asks.
"Around the corner, against the wall where he couldn't see me."
The girls look even sadder than before.
"So, ok," Flashfire says, "what happened that made you a criminal?!"
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