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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 21, 2004 10:19:10 GMT
Darkness... Deep and endless, like the vastness of space itself.
In the dark, a faint flickering of a candle light, coming closer, and closer, and closer... The flame welcoming, yet at the same time foreboding. It grows swiftly, pulling and dragging everything into it, and you see it is not the flame of a candle, but of a city- a city in flames.
Sounds of screams and explosions rock the air. All around, people are running in terror, fleeing from strangely armored- or perhaps even robotic- monstrosities dealing out death in every direction. The scent of ozone mixes with smoke and blood, and the nauseating stench of burning human flesh. Destruction is everywhere about. A woman falls at your feet, her face contorted in pain, her sobs begging for help. Just as suddenly, her sobbing screams stop, as she is pummeled from behind by an odd burst of energy from one if the monsters, and her lifeless body falls limply to the side, steam and smoke rising from the cauterized wound.
You hear a cry of anger, of rage, and can barely even recognize it as your own voice.
"NOOO!!!"
Lunging at the armored monster you lash out, knocking it back a few steps as it drops a glowing energy weapon at your feet- one on which on one hand seems so peculiar, yet all-too hauntingly familiar. Snatching it up swiftly, you turn, and in one swift motion remove the head from this beast. It drops to it's knees with a loud, metallic thud, the head rolling to a stop at your feet. Looking down, behind the cracked visor you see a face. A face that is far too familiar- one you have seen ever day of your waking life that you can remember- your OWN.
breep-breep, breep-breep, breep-breep, breep-breep
Chuck Dragon wakes with a start to the sound of the telephone by his bed ringing.
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 21, 2004 19:16:25 GMT
Chuck reached over and turned the alarm clock off
'Need to get a less annoying alarm clock'
Chuck slid his legs out from under his blankets and turned on the light. Then he realized, that it was not his alarm clock going off, but rather it was his phone ringing. He looked over at the clock..3:00 am!!!
'What are they calling me at 3 in the morning for' he thought as he reached for the receiver.
Hello [muffled voice] Uh huh [muffled voice] I understand, thanks for the update. I will be there in a minute.
Chuck hung up the phone reciever and stood up from the bed. He felt a chill go down his spine as he thought about his dream.
They are increasing, and they are getting more vivid. I can't help but think that this is a premonition rather than just a dream, but i would never do anything like that..why was it me in that suit?
Chuck dressed in his white labcoat and pants and headed out of his door into the labs across the hall.
Its nice, he thought not having to go outside the base to get to the labs almost like breakfast in bed. I can't believe that there are actually people in the lab at this time a' night.
As he entered the lab he saw the team standing around a computer screen.
What do we have here ladies and gentlemen? his tone was leading but had a touch of curiosity, like a schoolboy ready burst with glee.
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 10:50:02 GMT
"Perhaps the interface between the Cryo-ray wasn't stable enough and overloaded the anti-... Oh, hey Chuck." Lab Agent Barlow turned briefly away from the computer screen. "Didn't know they'd be hauling you out of bed on this one- it's not even one of your projects." He frowned slightly.
"What do we have here ladies and gentlemen?"
"What we have here," Came a rather stern voice from the doorway, "Is a monumental screw-up that's cost me an Agent, a mission, and more money from our budget than I care to count."
"Director Jameson!" Barlow exclaimed, "We were just-"
"You were just going to get to the freakin' point, and explain to me how some flying suit idea turned itself into a freakin' blender." Noticing Chuck's questioning expression, he added, "Maybe ya oughtta bring Green Boy here up to speed first."
"Yes sir. Project AGC-21- we still haven't come up with a better name for it yet, sir- was an attempt to design a light-weight, armored suit with both cryonic-emitters-" Noticing Jameson's scowl, he quickly added, "A 'freeze-ray' of sorts- to the standard assortment of plasma projectors and armaments that would be useful in many different situations in the field-"
Jameson quickly interupted, "As if any of you lab rats had any clue what 'situations in the field' are like- go on."
"... Yes sir. The suit was also specifically equipped with a prototype anti-gravitation propulsion device- actually, several such projectors, which were woven into the suit itself in various locations, to allow for full free-form movement in any direction, at ease. The entire unit was powered by these energy-cells here-" he motions to back-pack sized box sitting on a nearby table- "Which would only need recharging after 96 hours of continual use, with an optional external solar-recharging unit which could boost that another 24 hours as needed. We thought we had all the bugs worked out of it, and that it was ready to go into the field..."
"Yeah, you thought. Here's the skinny of it," Jameson interrupts, temper obviously flaring, "Agent's out in the field, and kicks on this flying gear, takes off straight up like a rocket. It was supposed to be a controlled ascent, but instead he ends up smacking into high-tension powerlines. The power surge from the powerlines somehow fries the circuitry, and all the anti-grav projectors which were supposed to go outwards turn inward- frappeèing our agent in the process. Then the whole freakin' thing shuts off, and he comes crashing back down to earth, where the whole armor itself crumples in like a pop-can."
"Sir, we're still trying to see if we can't figure out what happened-" Barlow was swiftly cut off by an extremely t.o'ed Jameson.
"What happened is, you screwed up big time and sent something out in the field which was more a danger to my agents than the enemy." Motioning towards Chuck, he says,
"So I now I had to go and wake up Green-boy here to see if he can't somehow make heads or tails out of this whole mess."
"According to your file here, Agent Dragon, you're supposed to be some kind of technological genius. If you're only half a genius, you'll probably do a better job on this thing than these jokers did. Your new assignment is to go over these specs, figure out what went wrong with this suit- heck, take the whole dang thing back to the drawing board- and see if you can't get me a working prototype. Think you're up to the job, or would ya rather spend your time fixing transistor radios?"
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 22, 2004 15:08:58 GMT
Chuck was already looking over the suit, wide eyed and grinning.
It's a fascinating idea, but the scientists had gone wrong in several places. I will definitly be able to repair the idea and upgrade the technology.
Chuck looked up to the Director, the grin left his face as he realized the stern look he got from Jameson. A more scientific and "down to earth" face appeared.
" I will be able to fix the problems, it will take time and resources. Also i will require these 'lab rats' to help me. Other than that i will not need much, just count on time being a good quantity. " Chuck turned around to begin looking over the blue prints then gave the Director one last word "I won't let you down."
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 16:17:13 GMT
"I won't let you down."
"Grmbl. Ya better not, or I'll have you fixing garbage disposals for a month! You- get Greenie here a MemStick with a full download of the data and up-to-date specs for his PDA, and make it snappy. And while you're at it, get him a DVD of of the test footage, as well as what we still have from the failed mission that cost us a good agent."
Without saying another word, he turns on his heels and heads out the door, mumbling and grumbling to himself.
"Here you go Dr.Dragon, the specs from the tests you'll be needing. The DVD's still going to need a minute to download and burn." The Lab assistant turned, and headed back over to the computer to check it's progress.
"Pfeh. You're in the room not even 10 minutes, and the project I've been working 4 months on is handed to you on a silver platter. Must be nice, getting everything handed to you like that." Agent Barlow's scowl belied the anger that was visibly seething below the surface.
"Now if you'll all excuse me, I suppose I'll be attending to other things. Good Day, 'Dr'. Dragon." And with that, he stormed towards the door.
"Umm... not sure what that was all about... But here's that DVD with the footage. I'm Lindsey, by the way, agent Lindsey Lohrman. Is there anything else you might need?"
Handing him the disk, she carelessly lets a lock of reddish-brown hair fall over her one eye, which she then brushes aside, revealing, what could only be described as an angelic vision...
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 22, 2004 16:46:43 GMT
Chuck stared agent Lohrman in her beautiful eyes for a moment, then turned to leave the room with the information that was just given to him. He knew he had work to do for the Director and he wanted to get right on it. Plus he wanted to go back to bed.
"Lindsey, that is a very pretty name and her eyes are simply astounding," he thought.
" Why thank you, Mr. Dragon, " She replied suddenly, from behind him.
Chuck stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Lindsey.
" Huh? Thanks for what? " " Well, you said I had a pretty name and I thanked you for the compliment. ", she replied, tossing him a coy smile.
" D*mn! " he thought, " I must have thought out loud. Oh well, its not that bad. I don't usually like starting off this way, but maybe it will turn out well... "
" Your very welcome, agent Lohrman. Can I call you Lindsey? Either way, I will see you at 800 hours to begin work on this. Good night. "
"Lindsey would be fine... Chuck. If it's ok I call you Chuck..." And she tossed him another smile, with almost a hint of something else behind it...
With that Chuck went back to his room across the hall. Once inside he let his breath out that he had been holding ever since she had said thank you.
" I hope I didn't screw things up with her already, we just met. She seems alright though. And those eyes, they were entrancing. I wonder why that other guy was so peeved- I would have allowed him to work with me. "
Chuck set the disks down on his dresser and hung up his lab jacket and slipped back into bed. He looked at the clock.
" That little meeting took a little over an hour? Geez... " Chuck made sure to set alarm for 700 hours.
Right before he went to sleep, visions of his latest dream streamed back into his mind and he was once again put into fear of the outcome of the rest of the nights sleep.
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 17:18:10 GMT
Later, at about 0900...[/b]
Chuck pushed back away from the computer and looked at all the data he had at hand.
"So, basically I have at least 6 different things here, all combined into one. The Anti-Grav unit- there is no way to get it to work safely at the sizes they had it before. Need to fix that some how... The Cryo-weapon is pretty stable in its design, but it drains alot of energy from the battery. The armor itself needs the power just to run the servo's, or else it's basically stuck standing there... And how do I get the Plasma projectors to be effective, and still not drain off to much essential power from the system? Oh no... Need to also design some sort of internal life support unit, sure as anything someone's going to want to fly in the upper atmopshpere..."
"Um, Lindsey? Where's the-"
"Coffee machine here's out of order Chuck." She smiled another of those melting smiles of hers, and continued "There's another one on this floor, but it's quicker just to go up a level. Tell you what, I was thinking about getting myself a cup of green tea anyhow- I'll bring you a cup, ok?"
Before he could respond, she had already left the room.
"Um, thanks..." Chuck looked after her as she left. "How does she do that? Seems like she knows what I'm going to say even before I do...[/color]"
Doing some quick calculations, Chuck looked at the data again, and double-checked the figures.
"D*mn, this is going to be expensive. I'll have to run these numbers by Director Jameson before we can even get started. And at least 2 weeks work, unless I really get lucky..."
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 22, 2004 18:18:59 GMT
Later that day, after Chuck had finished all the figures he had been running that morning he made his trip to the directors office.
The secretary outside stopped him.
"Sir" she knew Chuck from previous visits but their were other "prospects" in the office and she wanted to keep a business like conduct "Do you have an appointment with Director Jameson?"
"I do not have one officially, but Director Jameson will want to see me." Chuck replied to Susan the secretary.
A man from one of the chairs stood up and pointed his finger and Chuck
"Hey buddy, Jameson wants to see me to. And whatever you have to say can't be more important than my news!"
"how rude" [/i] Chuck thought, but then realized that what the man said was partially true. He would be cutting in line before him if he used this tactic.
"I apologize sir, Susan I would like to make an appointment with Director Jameson as soon as these nice men have left. Thank you. " Chuck took a seat a couple chairs down from where the man was sitting, he laid his briefcase with all of its contents on his lap as he waited. One by one the three men took their 30 minute turns with the Director. Finally Chuck was called in.
"Good afternoon, Director. I would have been in here earlier sir but I had to wait for the other three men to finish their meetings. " Chuck set his briefcase down on the table and began sorting its contents.
"Yeah, come on in. So, what's the story? What are we looking at here?"
"Well sir, if it'd be ok, I will begin my presentation... " with that Chuck began to explain the suit's designs, it's previous flaws and how much money he would have to have along with material needs to finish a prototype and begin testing the suit. An hour later he finishes up his speech..
" So as my presentation has hopefully shown you, I have figured out a way to modify all the equipment designs for it to work, and have given you the most efficient budget numbers. What do you think? " Chuck stood next to his charts and graphs and hoped that he would get the privilage of helping create this piece of machinery.
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 18:42:28 GMT
Jameson looked as though he going to swallow his cigar.
((OOC: Resources Roll @ MN: 00 +20 Karma spent= 120 RED result))
"You call that an efficient budget?! I'd hate to see an inefficient one. Alright, fine- I want to get this thing going. Get Susan the paperwork, and the funds and supplies will be there tomorrow morning at the latest."
Smiling, Chuck replied "Thank you, sir."
"Yeah, don't thank me, thank all the patents we're holding making this whole thing possible. Now what are you waiting for? Isn't there a project to get started on?"
Jameson stood up and walked over to his large picture window and stood, looking out over the city.
Chuck turned to leave, and got about as far as the door when Jameson called after him,
"Hey Dragon- Good job on those plans. Now let's see some equally good results! What are ya waiting for now? Dismissed!"
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 22, 2004 19:12:58 GMT
" Yes sir!! "
Chuck took the paperwork out to Susan, as he walked out he saw Lindsey right outside the door through the window.
" She looks so hopeful, I wonder if I should ask her to dinner tonight in celebration of the project... It'd be quite a break from sitting around fiddling with the TV. Alright so it is decided- I will.."
" Chuck!! " the Secretaries voice woke him from his daydreaming. " Here's your security clearence card you will be needing. Have a nice day, and get some rest- you look tired! " her voice was most sincere.
But he was not tired, he was nervous.
"What if she says no, or gives me the run around? I really enjoy her company and she is so pretty and smart... I don't know if I can ask... I mean there was a hint of something this morning, but I don't know if that was a good thing or not.."
Chuck had managed to make it to the door of the office and was opening it before he realized what he was doing.
" So did we get the go ahead? " she had her hair different now, pulled back and revealing her angelic eyes all the more, they shined even more now with curiosity.
" Umm, yes. Yea we got the full budget for the project, money and materials can be picked up tomorrow. Actually... More than we even need for this project." Chuck paused for a moment.
" I was wondering... umm... would you like to.. well... what I mean to say... is... would you like me to cook you dinner tonight?"
There, he had done it, he had asked her..
"To dinner?!" he thought, " Now what have I done- I don't know how to cook dinner for a lady, I've never had to- I can hardly even cook dinner for myself..."
Chuck was in trouble now and he knew it. Now he was torn between emotions. Wanting her to say yes because he liked her and would love nothing more than to cook dinner for her, and wanting her to say no because he did not know how to cook.
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 19:45:28 GMT
"Dinner? Hmm... I'd like that." She tossed another of her coy smiles. "I'm going to warn you though- I usually only eat organic. Working in the labs, I think we get enough exposure to wierd chemicals and stuff without having to eat them, too! And no veal, ok? It's just so cruel what they do to those baby calves."
She paused for a moment, looking deep into Chuck's eyes, it almost felt like she was diving deep into his soul. And she continued,
"If you want me too, I could even pop out to Video World and pick up a movie so you wouldn't have to. What time are we looking at?"
Her eyes glistened and sparkled, her smile radiant as she waited for his reply.
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 22, 2004 19:54:08 GMT
'Organic!! Great!! Now i know which type of book to pick up from the...wait did she say video store?'
"What type of movie are you going to pick up from the movie store? I mean, really i asked you to dinner so i should do all the preperations. So just forget about everything i will pick up the movie, besides i need to pick up a few things from the grocery market for our completely vegan meal. I will come and walk you to my room about 7, that good?
'Going out to get the movie will give me time to swing by the bookstore and pick up a book on Vegan food preperation. Why couldn't she say she was on a sugar diet? I know a hundred and one ways to prepare M&M's and cool whip but i have no clue about lettuce.'[/color]
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 20:08:22 GMT
"Ok, so 7 it is, 1900 'official' time," She flashed him one of her now-becoming trademark grins.
"Doesn't have to be totally vegan, I just try and avoid genetically altered foods and most of those big farms that pump the animals full of hormones. No telling what all that junk could do to a person..."
She paused and appeared thoughtful for a moment.
"So, that gives me a few hours to get home and get freshened up before heading back in here. Are you sure I can't pick something out? I mean, Video World is right around the corner from my apartment... But if you insist, I guess you can surprise me."
She grinned again and turned to leave.
"So it's a date. Meet ya by the elevators at seven!"
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Post by Madclergy on Dec 22, 2004 20:51:32 GMT
" No don't worry 'bout a thing" Chuck replied, "I will get everything ready for our date tonight. "
"At least I hope I can get everything in order in only..." Chuck looked down at his watch, then he did a double take " 3 hours and 50 min. I am so dead."
As soon as Lindsey was out of sight, Chuck took off in a sprint. He was agile, but not agile enough to out-move an opening door, which he crashed into head first.
A few moments later he woke up, his forehead aching, but his pride hurt worse. There were people standing over him- "Geesh, are you ok? Are you alright?"
" I'm fine, no time to talk... Gotta run, thank you" he let his voice trail down the hall as he ran off towards his room.
"Ok, gotta put my skin on, now my gloves, alright got that my shirt, and finally my pants and shoes. Alright Ii got everything..."
He left the room in a hurry then ran back in again.
"Ok, forgot my wallet, my keys, and my hair. I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached." Chuck stopped inside his room, as people walked by outside his door.
"Take a deep breath, breathe in, breathe out- Ok lets go!"
Chuck took off once again, he went flying towards his car which was parked on the lower level of the parking garage.
With a loud VROOM the car came to life as Chuck stuck the key in the ignition and turned it. He pulled out and punched the gas button as he headed towards the Library. He was on a mission, a mission that would decide the fate of the rest of the night.
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Post by Tomahawk on Dec 22, 2004 21:12:27 GMT
Pulling up in front of the Library, Chuck noticed that he had already eaten up 47 minutes of his time. Fortunately, the Library was still open...
((OOC: +15 Karma: Humor Award accumulated thus far))
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