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Post by chica on Nov 22, 2005 21:48:26 GMT -5
are molly and leon gonna meet up again/ ? oh I hope so! and will she ever remember? hurry lobbs I wanna find out about molly
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Post by Lobstrosity on Nov 26, 2005 21:17:46 GMT -5
Chapter Six Uneventful Daze Leon spent the next few days in an uneventful daze. He had not yet found a new job yet, so most of his time was spent avoiding the other Enforcers, who wouldn't take kindly to him slacking off. Their job was to make sure everyone did their jobs. That was the only job Leon wanted. Now he hid from them, when they'd come looking. He'd move from place to place, sleeping behind buildings where they would not be able to find him. He was running low on credits, and he knew he would have to turn himself in eventually, or find a job. In his spare time, however, he took to wondering how Molly was doing, and where she was. He could not risk trying to find her, because the Enforcers were still probably watching her closely. Aside from the event that led to him losing his job, Leon had noticed a few other abnormalities. Temporary citywide blackouts were becoming more common. Reports of missing citizens increased with each passing day. Among the widespread rumors was talk of a secret anti-government organization, but nobody knew more than the next person was willing to talk about it seemed. Nearly a week after he had met Molly, Leon found himself in another serious situation. He had fallen asleep in an alley behind an old brick building. After a few hours, he awoke to the sound of low voices nearby. They were out looking for him again. Leon got up and crept away quietly, but in the darkness he stumbled and fell noisily into a set of trash cans. "What was that? He's over there!" He heard the voices call out. Leon was up and running at full speed. Leon was fast. Fast enough to outrun his persuers, he thought. That is why he was suprised to find himself facedown in the ground, being pinned there by a stranger, apparently quite a bit faster than he.
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Post by Lobstrosity on Nov 27, 2005 15:40:01 GMT -5
Chapter Seven If, Then, or Else Leon struggled in vain to free himself. "Are you former Brandernath III Enforcer Leon Riviera?" The man pinning him spoke slowly, as if bored. "Yeah that's me." Leon's own voice was muffled by the pavement his faced was being pressed into. The man let go of him. "Get up," he said. Leon sprang to his feet and turned to face his assailant. He was a very tall, very thin man with blond hair. He wore a very expensive looking black suit that told Leon he was probably someone important. "Good evening, Mr. Riviera. I am Agent Python of the United States FBI. My partner here and I are investigating the recent string of abnormal activities here in Brandernath III. All of our leads so far have pointed back to you, and we just need you for a bit of questioning." Leon had just noticed the man standing beside Python. He only just noticed him, because the man was so short, he was nearly fully concealed by the trash cans. Leon had to hide his laughter at the contrast between these two. The tall, thin man Python, standing beside the short, fat man-- "Agent Blitz," said the man as he rached out and shook Leon's hand. "Pleased to meetcha, Leon!" "That's quite enough, Blitz." Python interrupted his partner. "Now Mr. Riviera. We have traced these events back to a man who moved here recently, going my the name of Gregory Arthur. The city's judicial records show that you had met this man on your last day as an Enforcer. Would you kindly take us back to the scene and explain to us what happened?" Leon looked back and forth between the two federal agents. "And you're not going to turn me in if I help you?" "Of course not," Python drawled. "We care nothing for the concerns of this city. Our only concern is the evaluation and elimination of any threat to the United States." Leon agreed to lead Blitz and Python to empty parking lot where he had met Molly and Greg. Along the way, he explained what had happened to the two. Python and Blitz were a very comical pair, Leon noticed as he spoke with them. They were near opposites in almost every way, and yet they worked together as partners. Blitz was a short, fat man who had to take 3 steps for every one of Python's great strides in order to keep up. Blitz had a large beard that gave him the appearance of a dwarf, but his cheerful and charismatic attitude was a different story altogether. Blitz seemed like a very likeable person, like a buddy he might have met in a bar or something. It was too bad, thought Leon, that Python for some reason did all the talking. Python was a very solemn and dignified person. Leon was not used to looking up at people whom he talked to, but he was forced to do so when speaking with Python, who stood nearly a foot taller than him. Python walked the same way he talked: very carefully, and very directly. He wasted no words and always got to the point. Leon noted that the look on Python's face was that of a man who had seen the future of his own life, and now was just going along for the ride. His expression varied only from slight amusement, to slight disappointment. Leon finished his story as they reached the parking lot. Blitz and Python immediately began searching for clues, and after a short while they gave up. "There's nothing here." Python observed. "This 'Molly' you mentioned. She said she knew Greg, correct?." Leon nodded. Python began walking away. "Come on then, we will need to speak with her as well." As Leon hurried to catch up with Blitz and Python, he thought he saw someone hide from view just to the side of a nearby building. But when he turned his head for a closer look, he saw nothing.
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Post by Kagome on Jan 28, 2006 16:45:21 GMT -5
sounds good
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Post by Lobstrosity on Jan 29, 2006 14:34:38 GMT -5
Chapter Eight Investigation Elimination "What do you mean the computers are down?" shouted Python. They had arrived at the Brandernath III Census Building, where information on every citizen was carefully filed and monitored. Leon gathered that Python was going to use the computer database to track down Molly for questioning, but judging from Python's reaction, this wasn't going to be possible. "How could the computers be down?" The man behind the desk was getting frustrated. "I told you, sir, I don't know. This sort of thing never happened before. The must be some kind of network error. Our technicians are woking around the clock to fix it. We will contact you when the system is back online." He took out a small book and a pen. "What is your name?" Python grumbled angrily under his breath. "Python, I'm Agent Python." "Very good sir." Python looked around behind the desk. "Don't you have some files that aren't stored on a computer?" The man looked up and considered the question. "Why yes, all of our information is recorded on paper and filed away in the back as well." Python glared at the man. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" "I'm sorry, um, shall I go get the file for you? Yes I think that would be good. One moment please." The man retreated hastily from Python's angry gaze. After a few minutes, he returned with a file folder and handed it to Python, who began reading thorugh it. When he found what he was looking for, he borrowed the pen and scribbled down the address where they could find Molly. He gave back the folder and turned to face Agent Blitz and Leon. "Okay, let's get out of this place. Molly's apartment is in building 76 over on 12th street. Come on" When they arrived at building 76, they took the elevator up to Molly's floor. They walked in silence down the hall to her room and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Blitz leaned up against the door and asked "hello is anyone there? We are United States federal agent and we have a few questions regarding some recent incedents." There was still no answer. Python reached down and turned the knob. It was unlocked. He open the door and revealed a sight that made Leon's heart sink. The whole apartment was ruined. Lamps were broken, chairs were knocked over, and Molly was nowhere in sight. Python drew his gun, a large magnum revolver, and nodded to Blitz. Python slowly entered the room and looked around the corner. He raised his gun and carefully explored the apartment. At last he returned to the door. "The place is empty. It looks like someone got to Molly before we did. Signs of a struggle are obvious." "I guess we should search for clues." Said Blitz. The two agents went back into the room and looked around, while Leon stood there. He knew enough not to get in their way while they searched. So he stood there for a while. He wondered who was responsible for this, and whether or not Molly was alright. "RUN!" He heard Blitz yell from inside the room. Blitz Came running from the room and grabbed Leon, pulling him along as he ran as fast as he could down the hallway. The two of them stopped and turned back toward the room to see Python exit. He ran down the hall and caught up with them. "Why did you run away?" There followed a tremendous explosion and the three of them turned and saw the wall of the room collapse owtward from the force of the blast. After a few minutes, the three of them cautiously approached the room, stepping over rubble and debris. The two agents scanned the room, which was thoroughly scorched. Much of the furniture had been incinerated. Blitz reached up and clapped Python on the shoulder. "That's why." They moved down the hall away from the scene of the explosion. The way back to the elevator they used was blocked by the wall, which had been sheared off by the blast. They headed for the other elevator at the opposite side of the building. "So there was a bomb?" Leon asked the obvious question. "Yes, it's a good thing I found it before it detonated. It was on a timer." Said Blitz proudly. Python shook his head. "Now we don't have any clues, if they were there before, they've certainly been destroyed." "Don't be so sure." Blitz grinned widely as he pulled a scrap of paper from his Jacket. "I found this right by the bomb." He unfolded it and read it aloud. 'This is the day when our revolution begins. All will tremble before Lord Ebautafish, And his mighty EAD. Join us, And you will be spared. Long live Lord Ebautafish! -General Greg, EAD "Sounds like some crazy idiot if you ask me," Python pointed out as they got on the elevator. "But look if he's smart enough to build a bomb, then you shouldn't underestimate him. And it seems he does have some followers." Blitz said, hitting the button for the ground floor. The elevator began moving down. "Blitz is right, Python," said Leon," I've met this guy 'General' Greg. We shouldn't take him lightly, even if he is completely insane. We need to find him and stop this. Python nodded. "Alright, we'll see what we can do." He took the paper from Blitz and read through it. "He says today is the day. From the sound of it, he's planning something. "Think he could be a terrorist or something?" Blitz suggested. "I still doubt it. He's just a madman. He's probably making idle threats. Just you watch, nothing else will happen today." The elevator suddenly stopped and the lights went out. Leon heard Blitz laughing, followed by Python's voice. "Oh shut up, I'm sure it's just a coincidence. . ."
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Post by KiddoFreak on Mar 8, 2006 22:14:22 GMT -5
hm... I have to say: this story is pretty intiuging. It's nice to read something this different from your "Greatest Books" series. It's a bit more serious... interesting.
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Post by Lobstrosity on Mar 8, 2006 22:17:02 GMT -5
Yeah, thanks. I still don't consider it a great literary work or anything. I'm not a real writer, but if I put more time into it I could make it flow more smoothly. Mostly it's cause what you read there is my one and only draft. I type it chapter by chapter right here on the forums.
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Post by KiddoFreak on Mar 8, 2006 22:25:58 GMT -5
Heh, no worries, that's how I type all of my stuff, too. With the exception of the Yrimmuas legends and some stuff on isadale. I think it generally conveys more feeling before it's edited a ton.
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Post by Decieved by the Truth on Mar 10, 2006 15:29:28 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]wheeee, good job Lobstrosity ! i like where its going, keep it up.[/glow]
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Post by Lobstrosity on Jun 3, 2006 17:25:12 GMT -5
Chapter Nine Air, Earth, Fire, and Water Two hours later. . . Leon stood in total darkness in the stuck elevator. The only sound he heard was the intermittent tapping of Blitz hitting the elevator emergency button. "Just stop it, Blitz." Python sounded pretty agitated by now. "It didn't work five minutes ago, and it's not gonna work now. Just help us look for an escape hatch." Blitz sighed loudly. "You've been looking for an escape hatch for hours now. It's obvious there isn't one." Leon heard Python muttering more to himself than to his companion. "Right, right. This Place is a total safety hazard. A veritable death trap. I must speak with the fire marshal about this when this is over." "Will you just shut up!" Leon snapped. "We're running out of air in here. If we don't get out soon, we're all gonna die!" "We have bigger things to worry about. Like what might be happening to the people outside," commented Blitz casually. It took Leon a moment to realize he was referring to the note from Greg. "Honestly Blitz, be realistic." Python began exasperatedly. "Nothing is gonna happen." "But that guy has an army with him. And this mysterious Ebautafish character seems to be behind it all." "Dammit Blitz, there is no Lord Ebautafish." Shouted Python, as though the darkness might muffle his message. "And I'm gonna make damn sure that that third rate terrorist 'Greg' gets what he deserves for this!" Leon heard Python cocking his gun to accentuate the point of murdering Greg. For a moment there was silence. And then the whole elevator began to shake violently. "What the hell?" Shouted python over the noise. "It's like an earthquake or something!" Blitz said as he frantically jabbed at the emergency button again. "If we don't get out of here quick, the whole building's going down, with us inside it!" Leon looked around for a way out. "Quick, gimme your gun, Python." Python felt oround for him in the dark, then handed him the large revolver. Leon reached up and felt around in the dark, getting a sense of the area of the top of the elevator. Finally Leon took careful aim with Python's gun. "What are you doing?" Even as Python spoke, the whole structure began to creak and sway under the force of the quake. Leon answered with a single well placed shot. After the roar of the hand-cannon, they heard the snap of cables. Before the two agents could beat the crap out of Leon, the elevator was in free-fall. Only moments later the elevator slammed into the ground, throwing the three of them to the floor. "What the hell did you do that--" Python began to say, but was cut off by a deafening crushing sound as the building gave way and collapsed. When the earthquake subsided, they managed to pry the doors open. There was an emergency tunnel at the bottom of the elevator shaft. Above them was a pile of rocks and debris from the building. "See?" Said Leon cheerfully. "I knew the bottom of this shaft would be underground. Now aren't you two glad we're not buried in rubble, hmm?" Blitz and Python mumbled their agreement as the three of them exited the elevator and followed the emergency tunnel to a ladder. At the top of the ladder, they only had to shift a few rocks before they made their way up into the translucent greenish light of the surface. The three surveyed their surroundings. No electric lights could be seen working. The light penetrating the seawater was all that illuminated the city underwater. Brandernath III was a town in utter chaos. As the three of them walked into the street, they saw the confusion and destruction around them. The apartment building was not the only building destroyed by the quake. Few buildings had survived. Miraculously, the tallest building in the city, a business center for the industries of the city, was still standing, and could be seen reaching almost up to the top of the glass dome. People ran in a blind panic, some trying to get to the city entrance, some trying to find loved ones they had lost. Gunshots could be heard over the noise, and several small gangs of men were chasing down and killing innocent people. The three stayed near the ruined apartment to avoid standing out. Blitz shook his head sadly. "I told you. I told you it was all real." Python nodded in agreement. "There's nothing we could have done before. But there is now." He looked at Leon, who understood what he meant. Leon handed Python his gun back. "Good luck." "Get out of the city, Leon. As fast as you can." Said Blitz. "We'll handle the rest." Leon watched his two allies run off in search of the culprit of this tragedy, Greg. Leon looked around, unsure of what to do next. He took a step into the street, and then jumped back immediately. The whole street was flooding with water! The source was apparent. About 50 yards away the ground gaped open. The large fissure in the earth was almost certainly caused by the earthquake moments ago, and the fact that water was now rushing out of it meant that it led to the sea. Leon watched a family splashing through the waist deep water near the crack. Suddenly, the father was pulled down into the water by a mysterious force. His children were screaming as a large shark fin emerged from the water near them, followed by a vicious shark body and head, thrashing in the water as it tore the helpless man to pieces. Leon rushed through the water to save the family as fast as he could go. As he ran, he saw more fins emerge and begin cruising through the water in all directions. Staying near the rubble across the street, Leon was able to negotiate his way through the water where it was not yet too deep. He saw the shark's fin surface again as it moved swiftly towards the children. "Nooo!" Leon yelled as he drew his gun and fired at the shark as he ran. The bullets missed their target, but the shark turned and now swm straight for him. "Run, now!" Leon called out to the family. The shark came straight towards him and rose out of the water to grab him with it's rows of jagged teeth. Leon closed his eyes and emptied his clip at the beast, expecting to feel it's jaws closing on him any second. He opened his eyes in time to see the beast crashing back to the water with three or four bloody holes it's head. Lucky shots I guess. Leon thought to himself. Then he remembered. "I've got to find Molly!" He said out loud. He wondered where she could possibly be, and whether she was already dead or not. He headed towards mainstreet. The streets were already eerily quiet now, save the sound of distant shouting from the city entrance. The elevators were not fast enough to remove people in an emergency. There has to be another way out.Leon came up to the mainstreet at last. He looked up and down the street, now he had a clear view of the length of the city. Sure enough, a crowd had gathered at the entrance. No way out there. Leon looked away from the cliff face of the continental plate where the elevators were embedded. Out towards the open ocean, Leon had a clear view of the external nuclear reactor that used to generate power for the city. What was causing it to malfunction? Leon knew it didn't matter right now. He remembered that there was a passageway from the city to the reactor. The reactor probably had an escape sub or something. Some way from the staff to escape. Leon knew it was a long shot, but it was his only hope. The water level was rising fast; he had to hurry. And if Molly is as smart as she seemed, he thought, She'll reach the same conclusion.Leon took off at a sprint. On the sidewalk and rubble whenever possible, the water did not slow him down too much, but in the middle of the street, it was already neck deep and rising. Out of the corner of his eye he passed the tallest building. The old business center. A few panicked civilians were trying to convince the guard to let them in, in order to escape the rising water. Leon ignored them and ran full speed towards the reactor. Then he made a foolish mistake. His foot caught on a loose stone and he fell into the water with a splash. He lay there for a moment in the water. Then slowly got to his feet. The water was about waist deep at the shallowest point when he regained his composure. He turned and sadly watched his hat float away into the middle of the street. There was no time to go get it. Then something caught his eye. A flicker of light from the reactor. He turned, and then was blinded by a flash. Seconds later a deafening rumble through the ground. The initial flash subsided and he saw outside what amounted to an underwater fireball. The reactor had exploded with the forece of a nuclear bomb. Millions of gallons of water must have boiled instantly from the heat. Leon stood gaping in awe. Then a loud snap brought him to his senses. A massive crack was forming on the glass dome. The explosion either had enough force to break it, or the glass had been superheated and then cooled rapidly. Leon wasn't sure, but as he went back to the building, he secretly hoped that Molly had not in fact been smart enough to go to the reactor.
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Post by Lobstrosity on Jun 3, 2006 18:43:57 GMT -5
Chapter Ten Instants of Instances The water was rising, and Leon could think of no other way out. He thought of all the people who had died. Everyone's lives that had been ruined. All the money that had built this place now wasted. All toxic waste from the power plant that was probably killing countless fish and destroying the aquatic environment. And for what? Someone named Ebautafish with some really serious social issues who just wanted attention? "**** you Ebautafish. Whoever you are." Said Leon angrily. He knew he was going to die soon. He only had one thing left to do. Find Molly. He just wanted to be with her when it all ended. But he didn't know where to go. Then he had another idea. Back past the crowds by the tallest building. Through the emergency hatch, down to the elevator shaft. Up the service ladder. He climbed all the way to the top. It took a long time. He knew the streets would be totally flooded by now. All those people at the bottom must be dead by now. He thought about this as he climbed. He got angrier and angrier. He cursed Ebautafish and Greg and their stupid EAD the whole time. He knew it was all their fault, but his only consolation was that it would all be over soon. He thought he heard the sound of people climbing the ladder down below him. He just continued upward. At last he reached the top of the building. the door to the roof was open. Leon walked out cautiously. Someone must have come up before him. He looked around. The light from the setting sun filtered through the water created a dancing light pattern on the roof. The surface was only 120 feet away. Leon stepped out into the open. Over by the edge of the roof, a figure stood gazing out into the water. Leon moved toward her. "Wait." She turned toward him and smiled. Leon returned the smile. "Molly." The two of them stood together, side by side on the edge of the roof, gazing out into the sunlight water. "It looks like this is the end of Brandernath III." Leon sighed. The water was higher now than some of the smaller buildings. Shadows covered much of the bottom of the city as the sun set. The streets were all dark. "I'm sorry." Molly said, without looking up. The silence that followed was punctuated by several sharp reports. The crack on the eastern face of the city's underwater dome was spreading up towards the top. "Sorry for what?" Leon asked. She turned and faced him. "I remember now. I'm a scientist. I helped create Ebautafish. He's a genetically engineered superfish, smarter than the average human." Molly looked upwards, and Leon followed her line of sight. The last light of the sun illuminated the ghostly shadow of a massive fish. It cruised off into the open ocean silently. Leon looked down at Molly and saw tears in her eyes. "It's okay," he said. "It doesn't matter." The sound of glass giving way seemed to make the opposite point. The sea was now rushing freely into the city near ground level, carrying huge shards of glass with it. The crack spread like a spider's web up overhead, adding it's new pattern to the illuminated rooftop. "Thanks," she said quietly. "But it does matter, and it's my fault." They both turned to face the ocean again. Leon wasn't sure what to say. "Aw, don't ya worry about it Miss Molly." The sound of Blitz' gruff voice made them both turn. "Blitz is right." Python added. "Scientists always take risks. That's part of the job. Sometimes things don't turn out the way you hypothesize they will on paper." The two FBI agents walked out onto the roof and stood beside Leon. "Good to see you two made it." He said. "What about Greg?" "Dead." Python mentioned in an off-hand sort of way. "Good." Said Molly grimly. The last rays of sun vanished behind the cliffs as the cracks in the glass barrier spread their tendrils. The four of them stood side by side, looking out at the sea once more. Sea water began dripping through the cracks in the top of the dome. Python laughed a little as he reached for something. "Well, it's a good thing I brought this." He said, opening a black umbrella and holding it over their heads. The four of them could not help but smile at Python's dry humor. "You were never a good comedian." Laughed Blitz. The cracks in the glass widened, and the destruction of Brandernath III was imminent. Any moment, the city would be crushed by the ocean. "I'm glad I met you all." Leon said sadly. The other three sighed and nodded in agreement. For a moment it was quiet. The glass cracked again. Just before it shattered, Blitz took a step back and looked at everyone else. The looked at him quizzically. He smiled. "I think it's time we stop naming cities 'Brandernath'." THE END
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Post by Decieved by the Truth on Jun 5, 2006 4:19:29 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]good stuff....are we gonna hear more about ebautafish in the future?[/glow]
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Post by Lobstrosity on Jun 18, 2006 13:11:26 GMT -5
I don't know, maybe
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Post by Decieved by the Truth on Jun 25, 2006 3:46:47 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]he's got potential as sort of a "dark lord of the deep" guy...[/glow]
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