ElectricWhite
Gatchamaniac
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 29-12-2011
Posts: 18925
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My muse has been driving me crazy (yeah, I know -- that's a very short trip!) with ideas that need to get out NOW! So, I hope you'll indulge me as I get something started here.....
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The base was so far underground that nobody heard the boom of it exploding.
In the escape ship, the commander stood before the screen showing Zoltar’s frowning face. In spite of knowing he’d surely receive a horrible fate for failing Spectra, this officer gave the impression of cool, manly confidence...even though he was dressed like a pink polka-dotted Jesus Lizard.
“I know I’ll regret this,” Zoltar said, “but what happened?”
“Somehow G-Force found the base.” the Jesus Lizard replied.
“Of course.” the ends of Spectra’s leader mouth turned downward even more.
“But, Sire,” the commander added, “the scientists who were working on Project Mudar took copious notes, so it would be fairly easy to rebuild and pick up from where we were disrupted.”
“That sounds encouraging.” Zoltar answered flatly. But then he added, “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Um...well...when the scientists evacuated the base, they left their notes behind...”
The escape ship was so far in the depths of space that nobody heard the boom of it exploding.
* * * * *
It was an ideally warm day at the Gatchamania.net site as several members relaxed on an outdoor deck. They enjoyed the sun while taking in the snow-covered vistas surrounding them.
ElectricWhite was in her wheelchair, just beginning to doze off while Daniella T reclined in a chaise lounge. DT seemed to be dwelling on a serious thought instead of relaxing.
“Um, EW?” she finally said.
“What’s up?”
“Do you have any idea why – ” she gestured to their surroundings.
“I think it’s either part of Cep’s remodeling experiments, or it’s part of Global Weirding.”
“Global Weirding?”
“It’s part of climate change.” EW explained, “Along with the global warming, you get areas of weird weather conditions.”
“Oh.”
There was a small silence. “Personally, I hope it’s Cep.” EW said, “It’s nice to get away from the heat wave back home...chilling without getting chilly....”
KT1972 had been listening from her own nearby chaise. “So what happened to the other changes?” she asked, “Like when the borders were changed from purple to more summery colors?”
“Well,” EW answered, “I heard those hot colors were a little too hot – a couple of newbies burst into flames.”
Both KT and DT shuddered at this.
“Well, what happened to the pictures of the Condor?” DT asked – the thought of nuked newbies was bringing down her mood.
“I don’t know.” EW replied.
“Maybe he’s looking for more, cuter pictures!” KT chimed in.
“Yeah, I’ll bet he’s looking for chibis just for you!” EW strained to keep from laughing.
“Don’t even joke about that!” KT snarled, “You know I hate chibis!”
Daniella found herself struggling to keep herself from laughing at the look on KT’s face. “So,” she said before any giggles could escape, “do you know the story behind Cep’s cloud?”
Cep, in simple terms, was the administrator of Gatchamania.net. But to many of the membership, he was more. But what, exactly, was hard to say – divine being? Someone who was an advanced level of human evolution? It might be easier to grasp the nothingness that came before the Big Bang.
Anyway, Cep’s presence on the site was known by a schooner-shaped cloud drifting serenely overhead. But, recently, the cloud changed to a Jamaican sloop.
“If I were to guess,” EW replied, “I’d say Cep just switched to the type of ship Captain Morgan used.”
EW found herself squirming under two hard gazes.
“ ‘If I were to guess’.” KT scoffed.
“You keep saying you don’t hang out with Cep.” DT said.
“I don’t – ”
DT cut her off. “Then how do you – ”
“I watch the History Channel!” EW cried, “They show pirate programming every time a Johnny Depp movie comes out!”
Meanwhile, something off the far end of the deck caught the attention of several other Gatchamaniacs. They had gathered at the safety rail and were talking in hushed tones. The threesome could just hear what was being said, but not who was speaking.
“I didn’t know dogs were allowed here.”
“You sure that’s not a coyote?”
“I thought it was a wolf.”
“I don’t think wolves are that color.”
“Hang on, I’ll Google it.”
“I wonder if that’s a boy or a girl....I could never tell with dogs.”
“It’s a girl.” Then there was a bit of mumbling.
“That’s how you tell? I can’t believe they’re allowed to hang out like that!”
“Well, they are animals – ”
“So are most men!”
ElectricWhite, Daniella T and KT1972 had moved over to the other group, but they couldn’t get a view of what the others saw.
“It’s a dingo!” the Googler announced.
“That’s one talented bitch!”
“I thought only guys could write in the snow like that!”
“Okay, people, make a hole!” EW commanded, “Let the wheelchair through!”
A space opened, and the threesome rushed to the rail. On the ground below them was a reddish brown dingo with brown eyes. She held what looked like a big, chunky tv remote controller from the 1950's in her mouth. In the snow just behind her were the words: I’M LITTLEWOLF DAMMIT!
__________________
“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury
This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by ElectricWhite on 04-09-2013 at 14:18.
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20-07-2013 02:02
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ElectricWhite
Gatchamaniac
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 29-12-2011
Posts: 18925
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And the story continues....
==========
Daniella, ElectricWhite, and KT1972 escorted the dingo claiming to be littlewolf to one of the small lounge rooms inside the site. LW hopped up on a couch and made herself comfortable.
“What’s that you’ve got there?” KT asked as she reached for the chunky, metallic box littlewolf held in her mouth. LW turned her head away. KT reached again. LW turned away and gave a small, warning growl.
“Don’t you want to share with us?” DT asked, using a tone one usually uses for a puppy. LW looked her straight in the eye and repeated the growl.
“Better not press the point, guys.” EW said. She looked at the dingo for a moment. “You know,” she said to LW, “you can’t hold onto that thing forever.”
Littlewolf fixed her with a hard look and a repeat of the warning growl.
“Okay, I got it – look but don’t touch!” EW held up both hands as she spoke. “But what’re you gonna do when your mouth gets tired?”
“Maybe you could put it on a table?” DT suggested.
“Yeah,” KT agreed, “and we can look at it without touching it!”
LW gave KT a doubting look.
“I’ll make sure nobody touches it – I promise!” KT replied. LW thought a moment and then slid off the couch. She went over to a nearby coffee table and set the box down on it. Then, with her nose, she pushed the box away from the table’s edge. She then gave a warning glare to the other three Gatchamaniacs before returning to the couch.
KT, DT, and EW moved in closer – but not close enough to touch – and looked at the box. If there had been any markings on it, they must have been burned off in a fire. That is, except for one small patch about two fingers wide....just enough of Spectra’s demon head logo to be recognized.
* * * * *
Amethyst, EW, DT and KT surrounded the coffee table while Transmute Jun sat with littlewolf on the sofa.
“So,” Amethyst said, “you think this box-thing has something to do with littlewolf’s awesome party trick?”
ThumpThumpTumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThu
mp!
“I guess so.” EW replied.
ThumpThumpTumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThu
mp!
“We don’t know what happened to her before she got here.” DT added.
ThumpThumpTumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThumpThu
mp!
Four annoyed looks shot toward the couch. TJ was scratching a spot on LW’s back, and the dingo’s hind leg was a blur as it tapped the couch cushion.
“Oh. Sorry.” TJ muttered when she realized what was happening. LW let out a disappointed sigh as soon as the scratching stopped.
“It looks like we’ll have to contact G-Force.” KT said, “At least we’ll get to see Jason!”
“Yeah,” EW sighed, “but I don’t look forward to...well, with this sort of situation....”
“Zark will be involved.” DT said what EW dared not. Everyone, including littlewolf, cast their eyes downward as they were overcome with a sense of dread.
EW let out a sigh and wheeled herself over to the couch. She gently placed her hand under LW’s muzzle, and looked into her eyes. “I wish you could tell us what happened – if nothing else, so we could cut down on the Zark-time.”
And then it happened.
Littlewolf began barking – though her barks were more of a swooshing sound – and yipping with a little growl or howl now and then. Her eyes had taken on an intensity as she maintained eye contact with EW.
And ElectricWhite responded. Sometimes it was a shake of the head, or a nose wrinkle, or other small gesture that came with listening to a friend’s gossip.
“Wow.” EW breathed after LW fell silent, “That’s....wow.” She eased her chair back a bit and narrowed her eyes as she thought a moment.
Then she was struck by a thought. “Hey,” she said to LW, “are you thirsty? After all that, I wouldn’t be surprised – ”
LW’s ears perked up.
“Oh, I can take care of that!” TJ volunteered. As she left with LW at her heel, she added, “I’m sure we can find something to nibble on in the kitchenette...”
The room fell silent. EW felt three pairs of eyes on her.
“Well?” DT finally asked.
“Well what?”
“What did she tell you?!” DT, KT, and Amethyst cried in unison.
“I have no idea.” EW replied, “But it seemed pretty intense!”
__________________
“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury
This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by ElectricWhite on 04-09-2013 at 14:22.
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23-07-2013 14:29
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ElectricWhite
Gatchamaniac
0 fics uploaded
Registration Date: 29-12-2011
Posts: 18925
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And now, Part Three!
==========
Littlewolf, ElectricWhite, Transmute Jun, and Amethyst were in a meeting room at Center Neptune with G-Force and Chief Anderson. It had taken the Gatchamaniacs longer than they would have liked deciding who should confer with Galactic Security – littlewolf was a given; EW was chosen because she was a witness to what happened when LW arrived; and TJ and Amethyst went along mainly because EW refused to face Zark without some backup.
Daniella, while still allowed at Center Neptune, would require a constant security escort. Even though it had been quite a while since a device that made her an unwitting (and unwilling) spy for Spectra had been discovered and removed, the chief still insisted on the extra security. And making those arrangements would have delayed finding a solution to LW’s situation by at least a day.
And, unbeknownst to the general membership, KT1972 had also gotten on Chief Anderson’s watch list. On several occasions, Jason found KT stretched out on his bed, wearing nothing but a bright red, strategically placed bow. While Jason didn’t mind, the chief was not amused. (There has been a considerable amount of speculation as to how Chief Anderson found out. Zark has been cast as the most likely suspect.)
Chief Anderson peered down at the box on his desk – for the moment, he didn’t touch it, as LW had insisted. (Who would want to deal with an angry dingo?)
“So you don’t know how she came upon this?” the chief asked.
“No idea.” EW replied. She shot a quick glance over to LW, expecting to see a hurt expression on the dingo’s face. Instead, LW sat on the couch next to Tiny, a paw resting on his knee as she gazed lovingly up at his face. “But she did try to tell me.” EW added.
Ahhhhroooooww.
“I wonder if that came from the last base we destroyed.” Princess said.
Rrrrroooowwwwowowowow!
“It was deep under the Australian Outback.” Mark added, “Maybe she came upon some debris from the explosion.”
AhhhhrooooowwRrrrroooowwwwowowowow!
“I suspect this might be a remnant from Spectra’s evil Project Mudar.” Anderson said, “It shouldn’t take long for Zark to confirm or deny this.”
AHHHHROOOOOWWRRRRROOOOWWWWOWOWOWOW!
All conversation stopped. Eight pairs of eyes shot over in Tiny’s direction. The Owl was cradling littlewolf in his arms as if she was a baby while he rubbed her tummy. Littlewolf’s head had been thrown back while her tongue hung out the side of her muzzle.
“She’s just so darned cute!” Tiny protested. With a sigh, he gently placed littlewolf back on the spot beside him and patted her back. She rested her head on his lap, again gazing lovingly up at his face, the tip of her tongue sticking out like a little puppy’s.
The chief cleared his throat. “As I was saying – ”
A monitor screen behind him flickered to life. “I’ve already set my data banks on it, Chief!” 7-Zark-7's voice was heard just before his image appeared on the screen.
With the exception of LW, whose attention wouldn’t be diverted from the Owl, the Gatchamaniacs quickly swallowed down any sense of dread or loathing that came with any interaction with the robot.
“Why, hello, ElectricWhite!” Zark chirped, “Is that a new wheelchair I see?”
EW blanched. She’d failed to consider how Zark would react to her chair, even though he had a nearly stalker-lever infatuation with her previous one.
“It’s gay!” both Amethyst and TJ called out in unison.
“What?” Zark seemed stunned.
“The wheelchair.” Amethyst explained, “It’s gay.” EW quietly sent her thanks heavenwards.
“Are you sure of this?”
“Oh yes.” TJ answered, “It couldn’t be any gayer even if it had been built by Gaye Gayington!”
“So, ElectricWhite, does this mean you’re – ”
It took a moment for EW to realize what Zark was asking. “Huh?...Oh, no. I’m straight.”
“Then how – ”
“We have an understanding.” EW said firmly. She wasn’t exactly sure what the robot was going to ask, but she was determined to end this line of questioning. After all, they were there because of littlewolf, dammit!
“Oh, I see.” Zark replied. “Well, actually, I don’t see, since I’m a robot...”
Something off-camera caught Zark’s attention. “Ah, the analysis is complete!....The device is 95% likely to be from Project Mudar, and it’s dormant, so it’s safe to handle!”
“Thanks, Zark.” the chief said as he cut the channel to Zark. He then picked up the box and peered at it, turning it over in his hand. “We might have to open it to discover what it does.”
EW rolled over to Chief Anderson’s desk. “Could I see that?”
The chief gave her a dubious look.
“Just for a sec?” Several of the others in the room found it interesting – EW was begging without actually sounding like she was begging.
Reluctantly, he handed her the box. She gently took it and ran a finger over some of the scorched areas. One spot gave a bit under her finger. She pressed that spot again.
A bright flash filled the room. Everyone felt an intense tingle.
As her vision cleared, littlewolf realized she felt different.
“Uhhh....” Tiny said as he removed his hand from her back. As she sat up, she saw Princess slap a hand over Keyop’s eyes. Now she understood!
She resisted her initial instinct to find the nearest shadow to hide in. Instead, she stood, placed her hands on her hips, and cast her eyes over all the shocked expressions in the room.
“Any questions?”
__________________
“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury
This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by ElectricWhite on 04-09-2013 at 14:23.
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26-07-2013 19:44
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Your guess is as good as mine! I didn't put 'em up, I didn't take 'em down. That's beyond my power. (What do you think I am -- someone who floats around in a cloud, gazing down on cyber-creation?)
No, I didn't! I had nothing to do with it! I simply logged on one day, and there he was across the top of the homepage! Sheesh!
"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." -- Blaise Pascal 