A Hidden Trap part 4

Here we are on a cold Iowa evening ready to type and few lines of text for more on the story called
A Hidden Trap.  I have new details so without further adue...

  Mort awoke to the same box he was trapped in.  Everything had a layer of ice on it.  He shivered and bumped his head on the wall next to him.  He could hear muffled voices; then suddenly the side panel of the cell came open, bright blue light shown in behind two figures dressed in black overcoats.
  "He looks dead," one spoke.
  "He's not.  We get paid handsomely for this one.  Pull him out and stow him with the others.  We're almost there." the other commented.
  Mort was picked up like a rag doll and thrown clear across an open bay slamming against a steel wall.  He groaned at his aching muscles and slowly gained his composure to stand up.  Standing next to him was a tall man in his thirties with a scraggly beard.
  "Don't talk til we land," the man whispered.
  Mort just nodded and tried to understand what was going on.  He felt a heavy pounding on his head and held his hands up to steady himself.  He surveyed his surroundings and nodded to other people along the wall.  They were all in chains except him, who had just come out of being put under.
  The sound of the ship vibrated against the wall  and Mort couldn't believe he had been suckered into such a trap.  What did Cynthia have to prove by putting him on a prison transport vessel to God knows where? Of all places she could have sent him and she chooses this to live out his debt of the measly eight hundred dollars.

Well I think that's enough to wet the appitite for further adventures.  Love to chat more, oh maybe more tomorrow. See ya next time.

Pre-Circuit Assembly

I didn't get any time to write today, I have to make up for it soon.  Maybe I'll post something from my story soon.  Sorry I just haven't had any time.  An idea I have for a story is soon in the works. It is called
"The Addiction" subtle and pervasive are the habits of people and we will see what it does in the realm of science fiction.  Soon to come.  See ya later.

Saga the comic!

I just finished reading the first trade to Saga as well as issue seven of the comic series.  I like it so far, a bit sweary and also a bit of blood and sex, but if you flip past that its a pretty good story.  Once I have finished it, that will be a saga... Oh no post of story tonight, really late and well, I was reading earlier, trying to catch up on story stuff for comics.  I'll have a new post up tomorrow though.  Be sure about that.  Talk to you all later!

Two in one day?

Here I am again. Writing until I get tired.  Checked on a few things, got bored and decided to write again.  Hey it's a good way to keep busy.  Here is more of A Hidden Trap...

  Mort walked out and up the ten large steps to the three story mansion.  He looked to the left for a door bell, but instead found a long silver cord with a gold ball on the end.  He pulled at it and soon the door opened to reveal a shriveled old man dressed in the best tuxedo Mort had seen in several years.
  "Miss Edington will see you in the study sir, I will direct you." the old man moved slowly away from the door.
  Mort entered the house, taking in the marble floors, the long staircase in the center, the chandelier filled with diamonds and the stained glass windows; Mort was led to a room two doors from the middle of the room.  The butler shut the door behind him, leaving him alone yet again.  The room was the size of six normal rooms with books that lined the shelves, a ladder that slid along the walls, a second story where one could sit and read and of course then there was the other furniture.  

  A narrow desk sat near the door, neatly arranged and there were no papers sitting on the top of it.  Mort took a seat on one of the couches facing a brick fireplace.  He didn't have to wait long for his wife, Cynthia came entering the room in a long white gown, her skin was soft and pale.  He remembered loving the way she walked.  She noticed him staring and smiled briefly.
  "So, where's my money?" Cynthia asked smartly.
  "What...No hello, how are you, what have you been up to lately?  Thanks I'm fine, its taken me three years to get back on my feet and you ask me about money?" Mort replied coldly.
  "I'm sorry, but you still owe me eight hundred dollars from our divorce." Cynthia answered.  
  "Do you have a electric funds transfer device?" Mort asked as he eyed her body once again.
  Cynthia leaned over and whispered, "I'll show you in the other room...follow me." She got up and started walking to a wall of books.
  "That's not the way we came in?" Mort started.
  "This house is full of surprises." She replied as she pulled on a book and opened a hidden passageway.  She motioned him to come and he reluctantly got up...If he was ever going to get out of this he needed a clear head and needed to pay off this debt.  He followed her through the passageway and into a hallway leading to another room.  He glanced at the floor and it was pure metal.  "Why is the floor metal?" he thought.
  "That's odd, why are their metal floors in a house this old?" Mort asked out loud.  Cynthia stopped at the other door waiting for him to catch up.
  "Right through here." Cynthia answered slowly.  She opened up the door which led into darkness.  Mort didn't have time to move, four pairs of arms grabbed him and slung him into the dark room.  Mort thought he got his bearings peering up at the four figures in the room.  Before anything could happen though he was shoved into a large metal box.  He could feel bruises starting to form, "Let me out of here!" He slammed the sides of the box and soon was wearing himself out by pushing and banging around.  He sniffed the air, gas was filtering into his "cell" of a box.  'What was Cynthia planning? What would Vespa do when he didn't come out?  Would she come looking for him?' Mort thought.
  "Cynthia! No matter where you go, I'll find you and I'll find out what you've done, I swear it!." Then Mort passed out onto the cold metal floor.

Sick wives are never fun

Hello after two days, I was taking care of my wife over the weekend and didn't get any writing done.  I am back today to continue the story.  You know the story called A Hidden Trap? Oh well if you haven't caught up, go back and read the last two entries.

Here is the next section in A Hidden Trap...

  "You're awfully quiet for a man of considerable wealth, you're even working construction, why are you still in this city?" Vespa asked.
  "Seemed alright at the time.  I just never got way from working.  I put money away and I don't flaunt that I have it.  If it were not for my father dying a year ago, I'd still be broke; No thanks to her. No Offense." Mort shrugged.  He couldn't understand why this woman, someone who calls herself an ancient motorcycle, was taking an interest in him.
  "No offense taken, personally I feel your ex-wife is a tramp and a slut all at the same time.  That's not my place to say I know; I am bound by Enforcer law, but what can I say, I have my opinions." Vespa sighed and crossed her elegant legs.
  "Do you pick your clients or do they pick you?" Mort asked.
  "They pick the clients, the Enforcers I mean, and we as the employees just follow where the job takes us."
  "Must be rough, the only place I wouldn't mind going is away from the planet, It would be harder for my wife to catch up with me then." Mort snorted.
  "That's true, as a enforcer I would be able to help you with that...at least I could get you off planet."
  "Why would you help me? For all I know, soon the Enforcer Rule will be the only rule and local police will become Enforcer Patrol.  I wouldn't doubt within the next year you'll be in space patrolling some backwater world for not paying their taxes to the central union." Mort laughed.
  "I'd do it because I can.  Your wife paid the Enforcers to find you for some unknown reason and they told me to do the job.  The way I see it; depending on how your visit goes, I can get you off world if something bad happens.  I'm getting an assignment in space soon, I know that if I can help one person out of forty seven unlucky ones, I'll have served my sentence on this world." Vespa stared Mort directly in the eye.
  "Alright, are you having to stay until I'm done? I mean, do you enforce me to stay unless I get run out of her house?" Mort asked.
  "You could find a way out of the house at any cost if it means that much to you.  Let's put it this way, if she wants money from you, give it to her, if not stay as short a time as possible.  You get my meaning?" Vespa asked.
  "Not really, I still don't understand what your job has to do with my life." Mort looked out the window and could see the estate of his wife looming very close to the car.
  "Mortimer, your life is my business.  If I don't have work, I'm out of a job.  The only way I have a client is to make sure their life is enforced.  Get the picture?!" Vespa spat sternly.
  "Hey you can threaten all you want; What I want to know is if I pay her the money will I get compensated?" Mort waved his hands around trying to ward off an act of violence.
  "Your compensation will be a flight away from here and an offer for a new job.  I will be the one to enforce that." Vespa kept her cool once again.
  Mort thought about the effects of what had been discussed.  A new life away from planet, a new job and it would have to be better than what he was doing now.  The limo stopped directly in front of the house.  Mort suddenly felt very small.

Well that gives us more to consider doesn't it?  I'll leave you with that and hope you keep checking back for more.  Until next time, bye for now.

Updates for the Evening

I just watched Knight and Day, laughed my head off and enjoyed being with my wife.  Also I have been perusing the New Previews magazine for comics and have seen some pretty awesome works coming!  Well, once again, its pretty late and I have to get up early again tomorrow.  Before I do though I will post more of The Hidden Trap.

Mort pulled the virtual visor off his head and awakened to a brightly lit room with others engaged in their own virtual encounters. He looked to his left and saw the woman that interrupted his game. She was intently looking at his slightly weathered face.  She didn't wince or anything, which meant she didn't find him ugly.  He smiled dryly.
  "Sorry, I didn't expect anyone to be in here.  I should clean up or something." Mort commented.
  "But you are already in something dashing.  We should go." The woman said in a British accent.  She walked out of the room and Mort looked down forgetting he was in his best suit after going to church services.  This could be why she didn't wince.
  He got up and walked with his head held high and stepped outside.  The woman stood near the door of a hover car waiting for him.  He noticed her figure now that he wasn't blinded by the beam lights inside the lounge.  She knew how to wear the gorgeous dress she was in.  It held tightly to the narrow curves of her body.  She caught him looking and gave him a stern eye.  Mort straightened and walked out the quiet lounge to the car.
  He came here a lot, Idle Street in Timballa Moor.  A province of the northern territories on Pareg II.  A planet far from his home.  He knew the colonization of this planet was some time ago but he still couldn't believe how industrial everything was.
  The hover car was a long limo, black on the main body, but white as a bottom layer.  The driver held ready the door to allow him entry.  Mort stepped in carefully to find it was just like any other limo.  The woman stepped in with a seductive look on her face.  She smiled at Mort as she sat down next to him.  The driver shut the door and hurried off to drive.
  "Are you insurance?" Mort asked.
  "I'm an enforcer." She replied.
  "Funny outfit for an enforcer, you got a name?" Mort snorted.
  "Call me Vespa, I make sure those who are told to be seen by others actually make their appointments.  Its a growing business you know." she replied cooly.
  "I didn't know, My ex. keeps thinking I owe her something when I really don't." Mort answered.
  "Eight hundred fifty seven dollars and forty five cents." Vespa rattled.
  "Wow, that was fast." Mort thought about how the divorce he went through had sucked every penny out of him.  His wife wanted the divorce, for reasons all her own.  They never had any children, not that he was too old for that, it was just that his ex. was never around; Always working late shifts at the office and never home when she should be. Mort remembered how he loved her smile and sense of humor only to have it turned to cynicism and hate.  She was twenty five and he twenty seven, they passed each other every day until once he had the nerve to ask her out.  She accepted and six months later they were married and moved to a new planet.  Looking back over the course of five years, Mort couldn't think where he went wrong...

Well I'm going to leave that for now, you have gotten just a bit more of the story and that is all I want to give you.  I want you to keep viewing the page to see what happens next.  Catch ya tomorrow.

Star Trek! Star Trek! Star Trek!

I have just seen the star trek into darkness trailer.  Love it!  I can't wait for the film.  I didn't get to post yesterday so I'll post today.  I have a little story writing to do so it may be a little later this evening for a continuation of A Hidden Trap.  Look forward to it! Some great twist to the story.  Talk later.

A Hidden Trap

Posting stories on this blog is great and I have succeeded in continuing to bring the best I can write.  I will start posting this story here on my blog and separately on a word document that way I can update anytime.  My story will start here and I can't wait to see Star Trek Into Darkness!

Without further adue, here is my first story for the month of December 2012.

A Hidden Trap

Mort sat in the busy virtual cafe, sipping his synthetic whiskey and trying to forget everything around him.  He was drawn to the current ad blaring in front of him for a new battle game that involved people with super powers fighting against each other.  Mort shrugged and pressed the demo ad button.  He wondered if there was an entry fee, there wasn't.
  He logged on and instantly he was on some desert plain with rocks and groups of trees.  He looked down at his clothes, he was now in black coveralls with a sniper rifle.  He peered out from the bush he was in, onto a field and could see energy explosions and pulse waves hitting a group of trees.  There was a small console on his wrist telling him which were his enemies and who his friends were, he was an enemy to the people with special powers. "Great, I have to protect the people in the trees." Mort thought.
  Suddenly it was his turn to fight, he glanced around the bush and looked up to see a figure in a cape hovering not far from the trees.  Mort smirked, he had this one.  His console indicated he could hit two targets.  A wind blew at him as he adjusted his scope and aimed for the figure in the air.  He shot out and could see the super fall from the sky.
  He looked across the way, past two large rocks and could see a hideous alien thing with four arms standing waiting to attack the trees again.  Mort brought up his rifle and as he prepared to fire, a red indicator beacon flashed in front of him; A message from the outside world.
  "What is it? I'm busy." Mort moaned.
  A beautiful woman stepped in front of Mort, representing the real world.  Mort didn't even know what was real right now.  "Excuse me, Mr. Mort Henrickson?  Your wife called and wondered if you were coming to visit in the next hour." The woman spoke softly and smooth.  Her high cheek bones moved as she spoke and her auburn hair blew gracefully in the wind.
  "Is her mother still there?" Mort answered briefly.  It took a moment for this woman to look up again.
  "She has just left, will you want an escort to the house?" the woman smiled with wet red lips.  She wore a simple black dress and as she breathed in the virtual desert air her breasts rose and fell quickly.
  "Ma'am, that would be great.  Give me one moment while I finish my turn here." Mort reasoned quietly.
  "Of course... Resume game." The woman smiled again and faded out of his way.  Mort readjusted his sights and fired at the ugly creature.  The creature fell in a lump and didn't get back up. "GAME OVER...YOU HAVE WON A FREE DEMO SOFTWARE. CONGRATULATIONS!" Mort smiled and downloaded the demo to his virtual arm band.  The game would load when he finally got home.
To Be Continued...

There I have given you a snippit of a story I am currently developing.  If you like it, let me know.  Let Rocket Raccoon continue to live.  See ya tomorrow.

Post Something Every Day!

I laboriously worked today and listened to flash fiction podcast and my favorite podcast: Podcastle.  Oh and I listen to The Morning Stream with Scott Johnson and Brian Ibbott as well. Listening to Film Sack also and that is always an enjoyable listen.  I have decided to post things each and everyday even if it is small.  I feel it keeps me connected to people everywhere.  I don't have a lot of time today otherwise I would post a snippit of a story but since I don't have one.  I would like everyone to listen to the latest podcastle if they like that sort of thing.  Later.

Mind Vacuum: The Epic Conclusion!

Kenchi hurried over to her despite his pain. “You don’t have to do this yourself.  I can help you.  I don’t know what it is, but I was meant to help you.” He spoke the words from his heart.

            “No, you were meant to protect my sister.  She has no one to protect her.  I can take care of myself.  You must not leave her side.  I’ve only known you a little while but it seems like a lifetime.  You can do more by taking care of Tena.  Do this for me!” May cried.  She touched his left hand with hers. “Your strength can now become my own.” Her hand glowed bright green.  “That alien spore or bite gave us the strength to fight; now we are even more powerful.” 

            When Kenchi released her hand, his scar was gone; on May’s hand was now a unified symbol over the back.  It was a symbol of eight points all spiraling out from the center.  May looked at her hand and felt revitalized. “Tell my mother, I lover her and I will never forget her.” May kissed Kenchi goodbye and walked outside the building alone.

            “Quickly, come to the basement, the both of you, we’ll be safe there.  I can monitor everything from down there.  Hurry now!” Michelle Okibtu shouted.

            Kenchi grabbed Tena’s hand and held her close as they entered the basement bunker.  All around them was a loud howling wind and the building shook from Hero Higashi’s movements.  Once away from the noise, Kenchi watched the monitors as May fearlessly walked toward the approaching cloud.

            “Hero Higashi, I challenge you to a fight!  You may have started on this world, but you have become a monster and I will not stand for it.  My friends will survive.  I have vowed that.  Appear, you beast of hell!” May boldly called.

            The creature once known as Hero Higashi, now came closer and the cloud rolled away revealing the hideous mutant alien now standing before May Oinyado.  May stood her ground and a fierce wind encircled her body as her left hand glowed with power.  She pounded her fist into the cement leaving a deep hole in the ground.  She was even shaken by the amount of power inside her.

            A wicked laugh came from Hero. “Is that the best you can do?  I have real power!” He boomed.  He let four of his claws come down surrounding the girl and attempted to take her up.  May whirled around and used her hand to shatter the legs trying to lift her.  The power from her hand was like a beam of light shattering the darkness.  It blasted into the approaching claws cutting them off, crumbling the hard shells.

            The creature cried out in pain. “This isn’t done!  I have just begun!” Hero grew taller, and broader.  His remaining claws reached above him forming a glowing ball of energy.  The creature let his claws drop, releasing the energy hurtling toward May.  She blocked her eyes as it enveloped her position.  Slowly the dust cleared from the blast, May stood alone among the destruction that Hero the alien attacked.

            “You have ended your assault; I will not allow you to harm anyone else.” May screamed at the beast.  She held her hands together concentrating white energy through her body.  The glow of energy started growing brighter and brighter; May crouched down on one knee as the energy built.  She glared at the evil alien who had deceived all of them.  The energy started forming around May’s body.  It grew until it encompassed the area surrounding her. 

            Kenchi could no longer see May because of the glowing white ball surrounding her.  He did see Hero’s look of terror from the power that May was exhibiting.  “You will die now!” May shouted unseen.  The white glow lifted from the ground and hurled toward the alien.  In moments it impacted the creature disintegrating it limb by limb.  Hero, the mutant alien, screamed out in pain and his scream was slowly drowned out by the white energy that engulfed him. 

            Once the creature was destroyed, the energy became smaller and less bright until all Kenchi could see was a crumpled form of May’s lifeless body.  Without thinking Kenchi ran out from the bunker out into the street.

            Michelle tried to stop him. “Kenchi! Its too late, she’s gone.”

            He ignored her and ran through the destroyed roadway and found May who was trying to sit up.  His eyes lit up and he ran to her side.  He stopped short and bent down to her position.  “I thought you were dead.” He whispered.

            “So did I, I didn’t think that the energy would shield me from destruction.  Look…it isn’t there anymore.  We must have destroyed it all.” She looked at her left hand that was now barren of a scar at all.  Kenchi held her face in his hands. “I’m not going to lose you.  I love you deeply and I am vowing now that I will take care of you the rest of my life.” He kissed her deeply and passionately until he finally released her.  May smiled up at him, but then her face became sad.

            “What is it?” He asked.

            “What about my sister?  Tena has no one to look after her.  Will you take care of her as well?” She asked.

            “I’ll watch over her until she finds true love. I think she know s how you feel about me.” Kenchi stated truthfully.

            “Oh really, my gracious knight, I don’t think she knows exactly how I feel, especially since I am madly in love with you.  Now will you please help me up so we can get back to a normal life?”

            “Normal?  What part of our life will ever be normal?  Come on let’s go get your sister.” Kenchi laughed as he helped May stand up among the crumpled concrete. Michelle, her lab techs and Tena came crowding out from the still standing Elor Labs.  Tena’s eyes beamed when she saw her sister.  She ran quickly over to Kenchi and May.  Tena ignored Kenchi a moment while she kissed and hugged her only sister.

            Michelle walked up delicately to Kenchi. “It appears that the power May exhibited ended the siege upon this precious world.  The question is what now?”

            “Now?  We are going back to school.  I don’t want to drop out and I still have plans for my future.  And you?  Are you going back to teach?” Kenchi smiled at the two sisters embracing.

            “I’m not sure; I still have a lot to learn about this world.  I’ve spent 16 cycles here in Tokyo and I need to see more of this Earth.  Maybe I’ll leave and come back someday.” Michelle smiled.

            “Well, whatever you do, I’m sure you’ll be a success and you’ll bring insight to whatever you come into contact with.” Kenchi commented.

            “Thank you Kenchi, now you three need a ride back to school.  Come on.” Michelle turned and walked over to one of the Techs, he in turn ran back to the lab.  Tena and May came over to stand next to Kenchi.  May gently held Kenchi’s hand and Michelle looked at her with pride.

            “May, you certainly surprised all of us with that display of power.  I never thought any human could generate so much energy, apparently I was wrong.”

            “I’d attribute it to the alien influence and also with cooperation with Kenchi here.  If Kenchi and I never saw the meteor crash, none of this would be possible.  For that I’m grateful.” May smiled.

            A moment later a high tech hover car came over to their position.  Two side doors came open and allowed them entry.  Silently Kenchi, May and Tena climbed into the car. Michelle climbed into the front. “You realize you can’t tell anyone about this?”

            “Yes, I figured as much.  No one would believe us anyway.  We can talk to each other about though and that’s enough.” May giggled and leaned into Kenchi.  The trip back was quiet and uneventful except for the news vehicles who rushed to the destruction not far from Tokyo Tower.  The media would create a wonderful story about the invaders who fought in the streets and eventually destroyed themselves.

            Getting to the school proved people could stay indoors when something exciting was happening.  Most of the students were out on the lawn either dancing or conversing with each other.  Michelle turned the car so the trio could get out.

            “Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” Kenchi asked as he allowed May and Tena out first.

            “No, I won’t, but keep in touch.  Who knows when you may need my expertise again.  I hope you all graduate with flying colors.  Goodbye and good luck.” Michelle smiled as Kenchi left.

            The minute Kenchi stepped out he breathed deeply and looked over at May and Tena.  Tena’s eyes beamed as she picked out a face in the crowd.

            “Roturo?  I thought you were gone?  Where have you been?” She embraced him tightly.

            “The strangest thing happened to me, I thought I was eating lunch with a girl and then she tied me up and tried to eat me.  I kicked her and ran away.  I must have run for awhile because I lost her.  I hit my head on a tree and the next thing I remember is I was being untied by a teacher.  I saw an explosion coming from the center of town.  Were you there when it happened?  I mean are you alright?” Roturo was enthralled with Tena.

            Tena just smiled and embraced him tightly. “I’m fine.  Shall we get to class?  I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”  The two walked on back to the school. 

            “I guess that means we should get to class too?” Kenchi asked.

            “Yeah…but not before I do this…” May stopped and leaned over into Kenchi.  She kissed him passionately on the lips. “Let’s keep close shall we?”

            Kenchi nodded silently.  He thought about the events they encountered, an adventure of aliens sucking the minds of people so that even they didn’t know what was going on. 

In the months ahead it seemed as everything went back to normal.  School went on, Kenchi became closer to May and Tena than ever before and they all moved in with his grandfather.  Kenchi found himself happier than he had ever been in his life.  In the next semester he submitted his application to the Galaxy Force.  It was going to begin another adventure that would span eons.

                                    The End.

So thus finally ends this story.  I will have new content soon.

Busy in the world of the Real!

I have been so busy lately that my blog has suffered from being viewed or even worked on.  I am currently looking into updating this blog to be a better viewing experience.  Hope it works, and for those who actually have been reading I will be back here to post more of Mind Vacuum.  Here is the next part...
Mind Vacuum Part X

“Hurry, we don’t have all day to accomplish our mission.” She stated.  She quickly moved out of the school.  Kenchi kept his pace with May and they looked at each other with sudden anxiety.  Tena was on the other side of Kenchi clutching his arm as they exited.

            Ms. Okibtu led the group to her transport.  It was a sleek low running hover vehicle. The car had gullwing doors and twin rocket ports beneath the rear lights.  Ms. Okibtu opened the doors and motioned for them to get in.  Since May wasn’t walking with Kenchi she sat next to Ms. Okibtu in the front.  Kenchi and Tena climbed into the rear, they hear a sound coming from the school. 

            Kenchi looked out and he could see a glow coming from the front doors. “We need to go now!”

            “I know, hang on.” Ms. Okibtu called back.  The car lifted off and rocketed away with much more speed than Kenchi expected.  He fell into Tena’s lap and then tried to get up.  Tena giggled and helped him up.  May just looked back at her sister and rolled her eyes.

            “How long will it take to target the meteor?” Kenchi asked.

            “Ten minutes, it takes a few minutes for powering up the KIMAR Laser, it stands for Kinetic Imaging Molecular Accuracy Radar, and it will trigger and fire only onto the rock.” Ms. Okibtu replied as she steered vigorously to get to their destination.

            “The only reason I ask is that I believe we’re being followed.” Kenchi pointed down and behind them.  They could see a grey, black cloud of ooze rushing through the city streets.

            “Fortunately I have a roof entrance and it’s reinforced by four layers of Dura steel.  You shouldn’t worry yourself.  You’ll know when to worry.” She steered them into position.  The car floated down through the large opening in the roof of the Elor labs. The building was diamond shaped with steel walls.  It didn’t have any ornate designs, in fact in appeared more like a warehouse than a laboratory.

            The upper doors shut securely and the four were inside.  The car shut off and a multitude of lights brightened the room.  Computers surrounded a central until that pointed toward the sky.  Several monitors displayed the Eloric Satellite and its KIMAR Laser.  Three techs looked up from their work and one man came closer to the vehicle.  Ms. Okibtu stepped out and walked up to the man.

            “Activate the sensors and bring the KIMAR online.” Ms. Okibtu stated.

            “At once Michelle, we have been conducting test all night.  Who are these kids?” the man asked.

            “These are some of the very gifted students who know a little bit more about the meteor than they want to. Help them with the equipment to set up the trigger for the laser.  I want all the techs out within twenty minutes.  We’ve got unwanted company coming.” Michelle Okibtu explained.

            “The aliens are already here?” the man gulped.

            “Yes, now get moving.” She urged. The man hurried Kenchi, May and Tena to the computer terminals.  Michelle watched as the three were instructed on the sequence for the laser to fire onto the meteor.  Theoretically once you destroy the meteor, you destroy the hive.  It wasn’t going to be that simple.  Hero Higashi was a planted alien trapped here and seeking the perfect opportunity for revenge.  He might be able to infiltrate the building, but she had other plans for him.

            As the three students worked with the techs, Michelle climbed the staircase and went into an office away from the lab.  She looked at the blank wall for a moment and then pressed a button under the central desk.  A panel slid aside revealing two weapons, a pistol and a very large gun.  Each had the capacity for rendering her enemy either unconscious or dead.  She chose the pack of darts underneath the pistol.

            One of the techs came walking into the office. “You shouldn’t be here.  I don’t plan to survive this ordeal and I need you all to survive.” Michelle looked at him carefully.

            “You of all people should know I can’t do that.  Read my mind, tell me what I’m thinking.” The man said calmly.

            “You won’t leave me; you love me and won’t let me face that monster alone.  If you feel that way, grab a gun, we don’t have much time.” Michelle trembled. “Carl, you have been my greatest support through the last five years and you have helped me to see the potential of humanity.  Thank you, I truly love you.” She was overcome with emotion and embraced Carl then kissed him passionately.

            After a few minutes they released each other. “We need to focus right now so we can defeat this invasion.  I’ll help you do it.” Carl grabbed the large gun and he joined Michelle as they walked out the door.  An alarm began to blare through the building. “Proximity alarm.  He’s here.” Kenchi came running over gasping.

            “The laser is ready to fire; do you want us to shoot now or later?”

            “Fire the laser now; it will take a little time for it to weaken our enemy.  Hurry, Don’t delay!” Michelle urged.  She quickly left Carl’s side to view the images and video feed from outside the lab.  The videos she viewed horrified her.  The once human looking Hero Higashi was now morphed as a half human and half alien.  He still retained his human face and arms, but the rest of his body was replaced with alien appendages.  The eight legs carried him on the grey cloud of charging alien creatures.  She was repulsed to see how he held human life so frivolously in his clutches.  Each time a human would come into his path, instead of injecting it with alien DNA; he would rip the man or woman apart with his menacing claws.

            “How soon?” Michelle called out.

            “Now!” May called out as she pulled the final lever.  The central device charged and for a few moments nothing happened; suddenly though, a green thick beam from the satellite came pouring down, zeroing in on the meteor outside the city.  There was an imminent explosion that echoed through the city.

            Michelle looked again at the video of Hero, his look of terror made her smile.  ‘His power is his own now, he is vulnerable at last.’ She thought.  Hero Higashi turned a different shade of grey and grew another ten feet.  He accelerated his progress toward the laboratory. 

            Kenchi examined the results of the explosion.  The meteor was incinerated in the blast.  There was no trace of any organic compound left in the crater.  He felt extremely relieved, but he also felt unsure of himself.  His left hand tingled and shook violently.  He looked at the scar left by the creatures.  It began to glow with a luminescence all its own.

            He looked over at May who also was experiencing the same feeling.  She suddenly got up and walked over to Michelle. “Michelle, I must face that monster alone.  Give me whatever firepower I can carry, but I must do this."