This small little Timestamp popped up from discussion on the Sylum Chat Room.
This is off the fly and not edited.
Set before 2007
***
Van Helsing entered their rooms and came to a halt. He stared at the scene before him, wondering what the hell had happened, he had only left the two of them alone for an hour.
He took off his hat and coat, hanging them up on the hooks by the door. His guns and holster, were slipped into the small gun safe that was tucked into the cabinet, keys landed into the ceramic bowl, along with the odd bits and change from his pockets. With a sigh he sat down on the wooden bench, took off his boots, tucked them in their place.
“What the hell?” He finally commented, hands waving towards the debacle.
“It’s not my fault!” Constantine snapped, glaring at the rodent that makes his life a living hell.
“So Draco just decided for a new look?” Gabriel lips twitched as he tried not to laugh at the situation.
John Constantine stood in the middle of the living room, holding a dripping wet ferret. This actually wasn’t an unusual sight, except for the fact that parts of the normally white fur, was dyed purple. Draco was snarling at John, and the Vampire was snarling back.
“He got into the wine cellar, the small one that Kevin keeps. Broke at least a half dozen bottles, then promptly drank and pranced around in the mess.” He growled darkly at the animal, who was giving him no fucks to give attitude.
“How pissed was Kevin?” Van Helsing tried to keep a straight face and voice neutral, by the glare he got from Constantine, showed he was failing.
“He thought it was funny, Jimmy hasn’t stopped laughing, and I swear Noah took pictures and sent it to Thomas. Which means photos will be up on that damn board by breakfast.”
“You have to admit he’s kinda adorable.”
“He’s a soggy mess and is getting wine all over my suit!” John argued back, only to cry out in shock when Draco had enough of being manhandle and bit his hand, dropping to the ground.
It hissed and wandered off.
Constantine glared at it, and stormed off towards the bedroom.
Gabriel couldn’t help the laughter, as both were muttering and grumbling as they stormed off. Maybe he would take to calling both of them grumble ferrets.
Captain Jack Sparrow stood tall, looking out towards the shoreline. His destiny lay ahead of him he could feel it. Finally after all these years, he was close to getting back what belonged to him. The fates had taken pity on him, whispered a name, he had not heard in a decade.
Turner.
As he sailed into Port Royal, he bowed his head in respect to his fallen Pirate brothers. No man deserved to die trapped in a cage, pecked away by crows.
With grace and dignity he stepped off his gallant ship onto the dock, just as she sank to the bottom of the ocean. The famed Pirate Captain made his way towards the town, moving among the sailors and soldiers, not giving them a second glance. With ease he took the purse of the Port’s Authority, and started his way into town.
Only to pause when a familiar face walked towards him, eyes narrowed as the smaller rat like individual walked by, not giving his former Captain the proper respect. He never did like him, shifty character, wasn’t trust worthy.
Jack took a few more steps, stopped, hands shifted around his jacket coming back empty. He turned on his heel and glared. His once crewmember, gave him a smirk and wave, pocketing the bag of gold coins, he had just stolen.
Never trust an Irishman, let alone one that was a Pirate.
He watched as the other Pirate talked to the workers, all smiles and friendly. Jack knew the bastard was up to something, he just didn’t know what. He gave him a last look, before making his way into town.
He needed rum.
Then he would figure out the next part of the plan.
***
Sparrow had found the young Turner, an adorable pup who was so dearly in love with the Governor’s daughter it ached. He wanted to take the boy aside, and tell him he was born for the sea, not for settling down and having babies.
If he wanted his ship back, he needed the young love sick Turner. So he needed a plan.
‘Step one figure out what Linus was doing on the docks. Step two steal one of the ships, preferably the one Linus was eying. Step three kidnap puppy Turner.’
So I couldn’t go the whole Advent without some Teaser of what’s to come!!
This particular scene is set in the next big Arc, which is still in the beginning stages of development. I’m not going to explain exactly what’s going on, just let you enjoy the moment.
To fully get the impact of the scene, listen to this before, after or during.
This scene is a gift to Timothy Quinn – my partner in all of this. Enjoy!
He was going to kill Nico for this.
It was his crazy idea in the first place.
Take a stand for the common man!
By running through the streets of London, dressed like a madman, wearing long black coats, Guy Fawkes mask, black wig, and a Capotain hat, or something similar from the 16th Century.
On the one side Driver Cloaks. Hey, at least they formed to the body, which prevented the material from snagging on a chimney, fire escapes, or any other protruding items on a rooftop, but did the great Nico think about weapons – NO!
To stay anonymous everyone had to keep their weapons on the inside of their coats.
Problem, if they needed their weapons their coat had to be open, and when the coat was open, it became a cape. Capes have a tendency to get caught on chimneys, fire escapes, or any other protruding items on a rooftop, which is a potential disaster when one is running across said rooftops being chased by the military.
And he won’t even mention the inability to see out of the damn mask.
But hey at least everyone looks the same, and can be anonymous.
John didn’t point out the 6’4″ guy standing next to the 5’4″ girl.
At least Evy was damn good at blending, despite her stature. She’d been doing it for centuries alongside Jake, her brother. He never knew how the two pulled it off, but they could easily be interchangeable while on a Hunt.
At the moment all of this was irrelevant, if he survived this, he was going to kill Nico.
Or let Harold do it.
Better yet, let The Machine empty his bank accounts!
***
It had been a simple patrol. Check the abandoned areas of the warehouse district to check for citizens that were running from the Police. It was fairly quiet, which should’ve been his first clue that the night was going to go straight to hell.
With The Machine in his ear, he located a small child who was hiding in a rat infested shithole. He cursed at the society that allowed for this to happen. He then bit back the anger at the government who thrived on it. Not able to take off the mask to assure the young child, he motioned for him to come closer.
The boy reached out and laid his small hand in John’s large gloved ones. He scooped up the boy, and headed for one of the safe houses. He would drop the boy off with the underground, and let them get him out of the city.
Exiting the warehouse, he was blinded by headlights, even with the mask he found himself squinting as he held a hand over his eyes.
‘Three vehicles.’
‘Eighteen soldiers.’
‘Armed with military grade weapons.’
The kid pushed against his chest, jumping down before kicking him in the shin than ran towards the cops. Once he was behind the larger burley one with a thick mustache, he yelled derogatory names that no ten-year-old should know.
He rarely resorted to hurting children, but if he saw the kid again, it was getting dunked into the Thames, after a good backhand to his smart mouth.
He lifted his arms, in the universal gesture for surrender.
‘Three.’
‘Two.’
‘One.‘
The whole area went dark, including the vehicle headlights.
John turned on his heel and was up the side of the warehouse before the explosion of bullets riddle the front of the building. He ran full tilt for the edge, jumping onto the roof of next warehouse.
He smiled when he heard them cursing as the vehicles wouldn’t start.
They began to track him on foot.
‘Left.’
He turned, stumbled over the decaying roof, and with a silent curse launched over the large alleyway onto the next structure.
‘Third Warehouse.’
‘Skylight.’
He was moving on instincts, listening to the mechanical directions in his ear. He had learned to trust it, over the past decades of saving Numbers.
The last jump was pushing the distance for any Assassin, but he closed his eyes, said a Hail Mary, and took the leap of faith. He felt the skylight give, as he crashed through the glass onto the warehouse floor, landing with one knee bent, and hand resting of the dusty floor.
‘Two vehicles.’
‘Twenty-two soldiers.’
‘Armed with military grade weapons.’
Great they had back-up.
‘News media.’
John tapped the earpiece, hopefully it was enough to signal The Machine, that he wanted to know what was being said. It was the only way he could communicate, the hard fast rule for any of them was not to speak. It was how they stayed Anonymous.
And that was the key for Nico’s plan to work.
The Government News Network was broadcasting live.
‘The Armed Forces have the terrorist trapped, these hard working men have gone beyond the call of duty to keep us safe, by chasing down this criminal, putting their lives on the line.’
John rolled his eyes, snorting softly.
‘We bring to you live, the capture of this ruthless terrorist who has killed hundreds of our people, destroyed our heritage. But we will not succumb to fear, we will fight.’
This time he snorted loudly.
Hundreds was pushing it, maybe less than ten, though he would admit there were at least a good dozen or so that would need knee replacement surgery. And he wasn’t the one who destroyed the Tower of London.
He pulled his two weapons, each loaded with 16 bullet clips. Thankful Harold had confiscated Croft’s automatic reload and designed a set for him, giving John an additional four clips. It was decent ammo for a small shootout, but not one for this many enemy soldiers. He would have to be precise in his shooting.
‘Tracking.’
Over the last decades, he had gotten used to the mechanical voice, the Machine would use when they had needed information instantly and didn’t have time to read a text, or Jarvis to translate.
John had developed a system with it. The Machine knew how he moved, how he fought, and would set the parameters to fit his style.
‘Lights shut down in …’
‘Three.’
‘Two.’
‘One.’
As the warehouse went dark, he felt a sense of calmness surround him. He sent assurance down the Bond to Harold, then took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and trusted The Machine to be his eyes and ears.
‘Four man team, entering warehouse.’
‘Spread at 10, 12, 1 and 3 o’clock.’
He raised his weapons, and without hesitation, began firing.
‘Move to your left, 3 spaces.’
‘1 dead, 2 wounded.’
’11 and 10 o’clock.’
He eased to his left, shifting slightly to take out the next targets. He heard the grunts and clatter of weapons to the ground.
‘3 dead, 1 wounded.’
‘Second – Four man team entering warehouse.’
‘Burst of fire from 9 to 1 o’clock, while moving four spaces to your right.’
John felt the metal shelving on his shoulder, forcing him turn to his left until his back braced against it. He dropped the clips and grabbed the next set. He eased down the shelving, using it as a shield, ignoring the bullets as they pinged off the metal.
‘Step out. Turn around. 9 and 3 o’clock.’
A calm breath, before he stepped out, turned and fired off four shots
‘6 dead. 2 wounded.’
‘Three man team, entering warehouse.’
They were trying to wear him down, while making themselves less of a target. John was pretty sure, the government was starting to get horrified at the fact their soldiers were dying, or they were using it as a rating ploy, at this moment anything was possible.
He wondered if they were even televising anymore.
He chuckled.
Of course they were, The Machine would make sure of it.
‘Four steps forward.’
‘Burst fire directly in front of you.’
He heard bodies hitting the ground, yells coming from outside. The unit was starting to crack around the edges. They didn’t know how to handle the situation. They were losing control fast.
‘Drop.’
John went down, just as a hail of bullets went over his head.
‘Stand. Shoot. Run 6 feet to your left.’
He sighed in relief, when his back hit a concrete wall. He couldn’t tell the layout of the warehouse, but it had a distinct smell of tobacco and alcohol. It wasn’t a modern building, at least a hundred or more years old, likely filled with crap left behind decades ago.
He dropped the clips from his weapons, and slammed in the last set.
’12 dead. 2 Wounded. There are two, four man teams waiting.’
John let his hearing adjust to the warehouse, listened carefully to the sounds the soldiers were making, and with a smirk he stepped out from behind the concrete wall, fired four shots.
’14 dead.’
‘Showoff.’
John chuckled, he still had some of his own skills.
‘Three man team coming into the warehouse.’
‘Two man team coming in from the back.’
‘Potential crossfire.’
With him in the middle.
John ducked down as a hail of bullets slammed into the concrete wall. He ran along it until the the end, pulling his weapons and fired in the direction the barrage was coming from.
‘1 dead. 1 wounded.’
‘Stay down, move ten paces forward. Fire at 8 and 5 o’clock.’
Seriously! If he could send a death glare towards a working camera he would. He was pretty damn flexible, but that was going to be tough shot. Maybe on a good day, he would hit both targets, but today wasn’t a good day.
With a dark chuckle, he stood and followed the directions exactly, placing his arms at 8 and 5, and fired off the rest of his ammo. Time felt as if it slowed down, as he felt bullets fly by him. He slid and ducked behind a set of wooden pillars, they were taller than him, and from the smell and feel they were at one point in time rail ties. He dumped the empty clips, putting the guns back into the holster.
’17 Dead.’
‘Two steps to your left. Use barrier to cover approach. Enemy is 6ft, side exposed.’
He slid down the dagger from the holster inside his forearm. What he wouldn’t have given to have his hidden blade, but again that was too noticeable. He slumped down lowering his face to make sure the white of the mask wasn’t seen in the pitch blackness. He could hear the soldier’s heartbeat it was beating fast and hard. Using his Assassin instincts he reached out with his left hand to cover his mouth as his right slammed the dagger below the Kevlar, straight into the soldier’s liver. He pulled him behind the pillars and dumped the body, taking any and all of his weapons.
‘Warning! On your left.’
Without hesitation he threw the dagger at an upwards angle, followed by four bullets from the confiscated pistol.
’19 Dead.’
‘Weapons out of ammo.’
Wait. What? John pulled the clip of the automatic weapon and felt along the top, the chamber was empty. He tossed it, and grabbed the secondary handgun, only to find the same.
They wasted their ammo, trying to hit him instead of aiming for him. Stupid move that left them defenseless, and now he was totally unarmed, and there were at least three more. He needed back up, and he wasn’t sure if any was coming.
‘Three man team moving in.’
He was a sitting duck where he was located. They could easily move around each side of the barrier and catch him in a deadly crossfire.
‘Option: Jedi.’
John froze for a split second in shock, but then he really shouldn’t have been surprised, The Machine had put a name to it. It had watched him for decades, and knew what John was capable of and wait he would do to protect Harold.
Though it was wrong on one aspect.
Not a Jedi.
He stepped away from the pilings, turned around and faced the oncoming threat. He took a deep breath, centered himself. He felt the anger rise with in him, at the inability to stop the government from destroying the country. From the horrors of what he had seen done to the citizens. From the deaths he couldn’t stop.
And pushed out.
The pile of wood exploded outward, taking out one of the soldiers. The other two dove away from the falling timber, pulling up their weapons.
‘Incoming.’
He lifted his hands palms out, feeling the pressure against his body as the sheer power of the bullets slammed against the barrier. He closed his fists and threw his hands down, sending them harmless to the ground.
He lifted his left, hand gripping tightly. He heard the soldier drop his weapon, gasping for air, without thought he tossed him towards his comrade slamming both of them into the wall.
‘All clear.’
‘Admin needs you.’
John felt the power flow threw him, he knew if anyone was to see him now, his eyes would be glowing yellow, with a hint of silver. His hands flexed at his side, as he tried to get it back under control. The Machine helped him navigate out of the building, and as he stepped outside, he was faced with a single reporter and cameraman. Both looked terrified and in awe at the same time.
“Who are you?” She yelled out to him.
He held out his hand and with two fingers, their symbol.
V
And with a sadistic smirk, that no one could see, he flung both arms out, clenched his fists then pulled downwards. The warehouse groaned then collapsed, nothing was left but a pile of rubble.
The reporter startled, jumping backwards.
John ran across the open area, and then shimmied up the opposite warehouse, he took the offered hand and let his fellow vigilantes pull him up. He didn’t need to see his face, to know it was Nico, who held his hand tightly. With a quick nod, he pushed past them and headed for their safe house.
He needed to get to Harold.
***
In a galaxy far far away …
Obi-Wan Kenobi argued with the Council, to allow him to travel to Earth. Master Nico was in danger, and he was needed there, not standing arguing the finer points of Jedi involvement in ‘undeveloped’ worlds.
Yoda had tuned out most of the argument, knowing full well that Kenobi, now a Jedi Master himself, would follow his heart and go to Nico. And if he didn’t, his chosen lover, Master Qui-Gon Jinn, the more rebellious of the two, would drag Obi-Wan to Earth just to annoy the Council, despite his own personal feelings towards Nico.
The sudden shock wave through the Force hit him straight on. His small body rocked backwards in his seat, causing Master Windu to focus on the older Jedi. His ears folded back, as he shifted through his own memories, trying to place the familiarity of what he had just felt.
His eyes snapped open.
That was a presence he hadn’t felt in years gone.
“Finished discussion it is. Master Kenobi and Jinn take me to Earth they shall.” He eased off his seat and made for the door. “Leave now we must.”
The green troll ignored the incredulous stares from the council, the suspicious ones from the two Jedi Masters, and the all-knowing smirk from Windu.
Title: A New Hobby: An Excerpt from Libera Nos a Malo
Author: Gil Grissom
Characters: Brian O’Conner, Dominic Toretto, Ronon Dex, Jason Doyle, Joaquin Lizardi, Daniel Boone, David Crockett
Rating: FRT (language)
Summary: Brian’s picked up a new hobby.
Timeline: June-ish 2009
Artist: Taibhrigh
Dom parked his car in its usual spot in the garage and slid out of the driver’s seat, his mind drifting from the minor suspension issues his car was still having to his Mates, wondering where they’d wandered off to.
He hated to admit it, but Josiah had been right. They’d needed to let everything go for at least a week or two before diving back into the their horrible task. Brian had been stressing himself out to the point where he was snapping at everyone, including Lucas, who he spent the most time with.
When he’d heard Lucas muttering about borrowing the Black Pearl from his father so he could actually keelhaul Brian, he knew it there was a real problem. Brian’s stress and moodiness had also exacerbated his own to the point he was glaring at anyone who crossed his path. And Ronon…
Well, Dom really didn’t want to find out how Ronon reacted to intense stress, considering his background and what he’d lived through. He had no doubts that it would be extremely unpleasant, and everybody might not make it out alive.
Josiah had seen the issues as well, and he’d ordered a mandated vacation from their grim reality and they weren’t allowed in any of their offices. The one time Brian had tried to sneak into the research facility, Lucas had laughed in his face and had Spike and Harkness grab him by the arms and throw him into the ocean. As Dom and Ronon had both warned him not to go there, they’d simply watched and pointed and laughed at their sputtering, indignant Mate.
The first few days of their mandatory vacation was spent feeding, sleeping, having an obscene amount of sex in between the other two activities, and reminding each other that they really did love one another and didn’t actually want to shower each other with bricks to the head.
This was the first day they’d gone their separate ways to pursue hobbies and such, and Dom had taken the opportunity to work on the car he suspected Han had deliberately sabotaged on Josiah’s orders. After four hours, he’d fixed the mechanical problems with the engine, but he had no idea what Han had done to fuck up his suspension. What he did know was that at some point, Han was going to pay for it.
He strolled toward the main house, intending on looking to see what Ronon and Brian were up to, when he slowed to a halt as Ronon came into view. He was in between Daniel and David, surfboard under one arm, board shorts riding low on his hips, his bare torso glistening from the water that still dripped from his hair. He was laughing at whatever David was saying as one arm flailed this way and that with his storytelling. It struck him just how beautiful his Mate was, and how lucky he and Brian were to find this man. The very idea that Ronon might still be in another galaxy, running from monsters that ate someone with their hand, if it weren’t for John Sheppard made his heart hurt. He sent up a prayer of thanks that that wasn’t the case as he not-so-subtly checked out his Mate.
“Have fun?” he asked when the three men neared, glancing over with a frown as a car all but screeched to a halt about thirty feet behind him.
“Spent more time wiping out than surfing, but I’m getting better,” Ronon told him before glancing over Dom’s shoulder. “What’s his deal?”
Dom turned to see Joaquin getting out of his car. He was clearly disheveled and looked well fucked out, which wouldn’t be a concern if they weren’t well aware of who his Mate was, and it was clear as day what happened by the expression on his face. “You okay, Joaquin?” he couldn’t help but ask.
“I’m a horrible human being,” Joaquin muttered as he strode by, heading toward the house that held his quarters.
David blew out a heavy sigh. “I’ll go and talk to him.”
“Because our week was a little boring without a touch of drama,” Daniel said, taking David’s board so David could go and chase down Joaquin.
“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Dom said, staring in the direction of Joaquin’s house with sympathy. “Santa Anna’s been staying in Salina Cruz more than he usually does, and Joaquin has always acted as our go between, as the least volatile one for each side.”
“Maybe that was a mistake on our part,” Daniel murmured. “Throwing the two of them together.” He frowned. “You think this is why he’s still here? Trying to wear Joaquin down?”
Dom shook his head. “No, I think it’s the Rogue activity that’s been the problem in the last several years that keeps him here. He acts as a spy for them while he passes us the information he gleans from them. His intention is to protect Joaquin. They know he’s not good for Joaquin, and Santa Anna knows that their Mating is impossible if he wants Joaquin to remain with our Clan. Too much has happened and he can’t be trusted with anything but his Mate’s well-being. Going against the Clan in any meaningful way would hurt Joaquin in more ways than one, especially if it meant we had to hunt Santa Anna’s ass down.”
“So basically a moment of weakness,” Daniel murmured. “Well, if anyone can get through to him, it’s David. Out of all of us, his history with Santa Anna is the most volatile. I’m going to shower. My skin’s starting to itch.”
Dom wrapped an arm around Ronon’s waist and walked with him to the storage area where they kept their surfboards, following Daniel at a more leisurely pace. “You know where Brian is?”
“Last I saw him, he was inside talking to Doyle,” Ronon told him. “Don’t know what about, though. Figure if it’s anything interesting he’ll let us know.”
Dom nodded and leaned back against the wall, watching with undisguised interest as Ronon wiped his board down and set it in his proper slot. He smiled when Ronon turned around and looked at him curiously. “You’re really hot in nothing but your board shorts.”
Ronon growled and stalked closer. “I’m even hotter out of them.”
“You’re telling me something I’m well-aware of,” Dom replied, pulling him in for a slow, deep kiss. “Wanna go find Brian and see if he wants to play with us?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Dom and Ronon walked toward the house hand in hand, running into Missouri down one of the hallways. “You seen Brian?”
Missouri grinned broadly and then said, “He’s in the living room with Jason.”
“Thanks!” Dom said, bemused by her reaction. “Let’s go see what it is he’s gotten up to that’s clearly got her amused.”
They wound their way through the house to the main living room and Dom stopped short in the doorway. He could feel his eyebrows trying to crawl their way up to the top of their head as he took in the picture Jason and Brian made.
Jason was sitting on the chaise lounge with Brian sitting between his legs, Brian’s back to Doyle’s chest. Jason had his arms wrapped around Brian as he helped instruct him manipulate the yarn and needles that Brian had in hand. “Are you learning to knit?”
Brian looked up at him and beamed. “Yep! Jason’s teaching me the basics right now.”
Dom nodded slowly. “Okay. Though I don’t remember him teaching his other students this way,” he commented, motioning to their current position.
“Well, Brian is both hot and legal, and I don’t feel like a dirty old man,” Jason said, almost primly, as he corrected Brian’s hands.
Beside him, Ronon cocked his head. “You think you can teach me?”
Jason’s grin could only be described as wicked. “I’ll be more than happy to teach you anything you want, Ronon.”
Dom looked between the three and shook his head. “You know what? You three do whatever weird projects you want to do. Just remember that I don’t even want to know,” he said, amused as Brian stuck his tongue out at him.
“You’re just jealous because you’re all thumbs when it comes to working with yarn,” Jason called out.
“Yeah. Real jealous. I don’t know how I function with this level of envy I have at your ability to twist and loop yarn into usable products,” Dom said dryly as he leaned against the doorway, watching Ronon with amusement as he pulled a chair up next to Brian and Jason to watch.
“Hey, your favorite sweater is one of my creations,” Jason said, pointing a knitting needle his direction. “No dissing the needlecraft going on in this house.”
Dom held his hands up, resigned to the fact that he was going to have to wait to get his Mates into the bedroom for awhile. “Not dissing anything. I’m simply refuting the claim that I am in any way envious of your talent. Now, since you three are busy, I’m going to go hunt Han down and make him fix my car.”
The three waved at him distractedly, and with a snort Dom left the room, rolling his eyes. His Mates and Clan Members we so weird sometimes.
Title: Something Cool: A Libera Nos A Malo Excerpt
Author: Gil Grissom
Characters: Nico Meridius, Lucas Harrison
Rating: FREO/Everyone
Summary: Lucas reveals his latest projects to Nick on his visit to Sylum Manor
Timeline: April 2007
Author’s Note: This is a brief excerpt from Libera Nos A Malo, and takes place during a very long segment. This is subject to change somewhat by the time it gets to the final draft, due to editing needs and the fact that this is from a very rough first draft.
Artist: Taibhrigh
Sighing, Lucas tilted his head back from his position slouching against Nick’s side and stared at him. “Now that the emo, angst-filled meltdown portion of my visit is done, wanna see something cool?”
Nick laughed at him and ruffled his hair. “Always. You always have the most interesting toys when you decide to share them.”
Grinning, Lucas scrambled up with a little bit of help from Nick as he failed to keep his balance. “I am beauty, I am grace,” he quipped as he stumbled toward his laptop bag, which was all the way across the room.
“Yeah, we thought being a Vampire would give you some semblance of preternatural coordination. We were so wrong,” Nick replied dryly as Lucas plopped down in Nick’s desk chair. “Please, make yourself at home.”
“Don’t I always?” Lucas said lightly as he booted up his laptop.
“Remind me why we put up with you?” Nick asked as he got up and walked over to stand behind Lucas.
“It’s the baby face. You’re all suckers for me because I’m adorable,” he said, tilting his head back and grinning up at him. “It’s part one of my nefarious plan for world domination.”
Nick snorted. “You’d be fleeing to a remote mountaintop inside of a week. World domination means you have to deal with people. You’ve never been good with people, since…what was it you said? Ninety-five percent of people in the world were too stupid to live?”
Lucas scrunched his nose. “Yes I did say that and yeah, that’s a problem since I really don’t like most people. I mean, they’re okay as long as I don’t have to deal with them and they stay way over there, away from me. Guess I’ll just have to be content to be ruler of my own personal little corner of the world.”
He pulled up the folder he was looking for and clicked on the schematic program, moving so that Nick could take his place.
“‘Project That Thing We Do’?” Nick asked as he sat down and slid closer to the desk.
“Everyone always asks if Nathan and I are doing that thing we do, since they have no idea what the fuck we’re doing, so we thought it was appropriate,” Lucas told him.
“Cute,” Nick murmured, sitting forward as the screen shifted to the outer view of their final design. Curiosity shifted to fascination as it did. “What is this?”
“That is, or will be at least, the largest deep submergence vehicle in existence,” Lucas told him, ignoring the obvious opening begging for a smartass comment and hopping up on the desk next to the laptop. “Completely designed as a scientific research vessel, to study our oceans, the life within it, and figure out how to fix the fucked up shit we’ve done to it since civilization occurred.”
“It’s very squid-like in appearance.” Nick reached out and ran his fingers over the hull. “What are the specs on this thing? It looks enormous.”
“It is for what it is and where it’s going. Nearly 400 meters long, approximately 100,000 tons, give or take some tonnage. It’s designed to hit a maximum speed of 180 knots and will have a crush depth of over nine kilometers. The skin is my special design, and I’ve already had success in the initial creation. Now I’m just working on making it better. It should be ready for testing in the field in a couple more years. It’s a genetically-engineered bioskin that will be resistant to microbes and bacteria in the ocean, and will have nanites that aid in self-healing. She’ll hold a complement of about 400 scientists and crew.”
“You’re building this on Border’s property,” Nick said as the screen switched to a virtual reality type visual of the inside, starting with the massive bridge. “Josiah and Javier said you were lurking around that area, but hadn’t hinted about anything like this.”
“Because they really didn’t know much. Aside from Josiah and Jose, and my Mates, obviously since they’re helping us, no one has seen these schematics,” Lucas replied, looking down at his shoes as he crossed his ankles and flexed his feet.
“And yes, we’re building on Border’s property. We’ve already scouted out the area and have begun the building of the science and research building. Josiah is taking care of buying off and blackmailing the Mexican government to look the other way, and by the time anyone else gets wind of what we’re doing, Nathan and I will be up to our eyeballs in patents and have everything locked up so tight that if anyone even thinks of stealing my technology, I’ll know about it and make them wish they’d never been born.”
“I have no doubt about that,” Nick murmured. “This is incredible, and has to be damned expensive. How are you paying for this?”
“Aside from sinking a good chunk of my own money and Nathan’s into it? We’re going to be looking for investors. We’ll be extremely picky. We have to be with Galileo and his people all over the damned place,” Lucas said with a sigh.
Then he grinned at Nick slyly. “Thought you might like to help out or know some people I can trust. I’m not naive enough to think that I won’t need some way to protect her once she’s in the water. Thought maybe you could think on that. You seem to know people more weapon-oriented than I do. Well, weaponry that didn’t originate before the turn of the twentieth century. I don’t think swords and cannons are gonna cut it.”
Nick nodded, a calculating gleam lighting his eyes. “I’m definitely in. You two pull this off, and it could be extremely useful. I’ll think about who would be best for weaponry. It’s not something you’ll really need to worry about until you get to the actual building of it. When do you think that’ll happen?”
“We’re estimating that initial construction on the ship itself will start in late 2015 or early 2016.” Lucas’ eyebrows rose. He could practically see the wheels turning in Nick’s brain. “Thinking we’ll need another mode of transportation?”
“I’m thinking a lot of things. Always good to have backup plans even when you don’t know why you’d need them,” Nick said, cycling through more VR shots of the inner workings of the ship. “What are these tube things for?”
“Smaller dolphins and porpoises for research purposes and to help treat damaged ones, without them having the stress of leaving the water. They’ll be able to get into and out of the ship via these tubes,” Lucas told him. “There’s a big pool on the bridge, and an even bigger one in one of the life science laboratories. They can also be used by people to get through the ship by a secondary means in the case of damage or infiltration.”
Nick nodded. “You should go and see Bruce. He’s always looking for new investments, and something like this would be right up his alley. Of course, it’d probably end up being a movie or television series in the future knowing him, but he does know some of the most interesting people, and he has rich, smart friends that can help with research or just to throw money at you.”
Lucas snorted. “And what, pray tell, did Wayne do to you to inflict me upon him?”
“Nothing I’m aware of, but it’s him. There’s always something he’s probably done or will do to deserve it. Let’s just call it a preemptive strike.”
Lucas threw his head back and laughed, tilting to the side and back when he heard a throat clear to see who it was.
“And just what are the two of you up to?” Warrick asked as he leaned in the doorway.
“We’re having a torrid love affair. Can’t you tell by the state of our undress?” Lucas deadpanned.
“And you didn’t invite me?” Warrick replied, stepping all the way in and closing the door behind him.
Nick rolled his eyes at the two of them and motioned Warrick over. “Get your ass over here and look at Lucas and Bridger’s brain child.”
Warrick strode over, stopping briefly to give Lucas a one-armed hug, and sat down in the seat Nick vacated. “What was all the laughing about?”
“Nick’s throwing Bruce in front of my metaphorical bus,” Lucas replied lightly.
“Somewhere in Los Angeles the feeling of sheer terror has crawled up Bruce’s spine and he has no idea why,” Warrick commented. “What the hell am I looking at?”
Lucas and Nick smirked at one another and Lucas proceeded to tell Warrick all about his little project.
Summary: Jake spends the day in Paris while his Mates overcome the fact the have each been keeping secrets from the other…though, this time it’s really Clay’s fault.
Timestamp: Early (January) 2011, set during Bj’s Going Home
We’ve gotten some questions concerning 10th Anniversary Clan War … basically – how many more chapters? And when will it be done?
We figured it would be easiest to post an update of where we’re at in the Grand Scheme of Sylum.
Lets be honest.
It will be done when it’s done.
Sylum as much as it feels like a full time job – isn’t actually our job. There are moments in RL that nothing for Sylum gets done, because of work, family and social commitments. We work hard on Sylum, but there is only so much we can work on.
Speaking of – Sylum Advent is bearing down on us, which is taking a HUGE portion of our time.
The 10th Anniversary Edition of Clan War is being worked on and it’s getting done – at this moment the chapter Clan War (not to be too confusing :D) is about 3/4 finished. We hit a plot wall half way through it, which led to the previously announced canon changes.
Which led to edits – a time suck of epic proportions.
Family and Evolution both ended up with rough edits … just enough to update the series concerning the major canon changes mentioned. Specifically – Sam Winchester having the soul of Theo instead of Meridia.
When we finish Clan War *sends prayers up to Saint Roberto – Patron Saint of Plot Bunnies* we will fully edit Family and Evolution, along with Side Stories that will need to come inline with changes made in Clan War and the Wiki.
Do not worry. We’ll posts announcements when we finish editing any story. Dudes there will likely be fireworks, parties, and alcohol involved with each successful update!
As for how many chapters are left in Clan War … normally I would point out how many chapters there were in the Original. But with the way Bob has been working – I can say this: as previously stated Clan War is 3/4 finished, Aftermath is the next chapter … These are guaranteed to be part of Clan War. The rest will play out as we go. Bob is and will always be an evil bastard.
Before the screeching begins. No we’re not taking out Nick’s ‘Grave Danger’ moment … it’s likely to become it’s own story. Why? Because if you noticed in the CSI Anthology series and what’s been published so far with 10th Anniversary Edition – there are a lot more connections and vampires running around Vegas … which will make that particular story more complicated.
So in conclusion.
Thank You for your continued support and sticking with us.
Please be patient with us as we can only do one thing at a time.
It will get done.
It will dammit!
As there is so much more to come.
In the meantime hold on to your hats and glasses cause wait till you see what’s coming for Advent!
Sylum Arc: Evolution has been moved to the Sylum Archive!
During this move we did a rough edits to updated it to the new Sylum Canon of Sam Winchester having the Soul of Theo, instead of Meridia.
We also updated elements of the story to bring it inline with the Winchester Story and the death of Balthazar (since Bob had decided to change things while in the middle of writing that particular storyline!)
Any changes that will need to be made to bring Evolution inline with the changes made in the 10th Anniversary Clan War will be made once that Arc has been finished, and updates/changes are made in previous Arcs.
The first set of edits relates to the change in Sylum CANON that Sam Winchester has the soul of Nico’s youngest boy, Theo instead of Meridia.
The second set of edits relates to Hillary not being Mated to Thomas.
We’ve done this to clear up some confusion for those reading the series for the first time. Especially as these two things were major changes in Sylum Canon.
Edits that need to be done to bring the story inline with the changes made from the 10th Anniversary Clan War will take place once Clan War is finished! So please do not email us stating that so and so isn’t in the wiki anymore, or in Bonding you stated this and it counters this is in Family.
We’ve only done a very rough run through Family to change: Sam has the soul of Theo and take out references of Hillary being Thomas’ Mate. That’s it. The rest will be adjusted in time.
Summary: Robert Langdon wanted to show Ernesto Olivetti how to be a kid. The Inspector knew there had to be some sort of Conspiracy going on, even if it was Disneyland.
Demons & Angels is considered one of the nexus stories in the Sylum Universe, outside the Main Arcs.
This story is one of the biggest and most influential turning points in the series. It sets up: new characters, relationships, and future storyline.
It’s also takes place within 12 hours, and introduces two major characters who have, and will continue, to influence Sylum.
Patrick McKenna
Ernesto Olivetti
Ernesto’s story continues in Roads Untraveled …. leading to the introduction of Andrew Kiernan and Pius XVII, further characters who have become beloved over time.
Due to the recent Sylum headcanon changes concerning Sam Winchester now being Theo … no longer Meridia … both these stories needed to be looked at. They were already on the ‘need to look at’ list considering changes in Canon from the 10th Anniversary Clan War Edition.
We were going to wait until Clan War was finished, but the latest chapter has been a pain in the ass for a while so we took a break and focused on these two.
And we all know how Ernesto gets when he wants attention!
There weren’t a lot of changes, subtle moments that enhanced an already amazing story and small threads of things to come. For those who’ve read this story more than once – see if you can find the differences.
I can’t say how much I love this story, enough.
No seriously.
It’s one of those stories you catch yourself while reading, going – what happens next? Even though you know what happens next. It’s beautifully written, the characters are engaging, and it makes you want to just curl up with a cup of tea and keep reading.
I can’t even watch the movie anymore … well I can but I stop at Fire … cause I just refuse to watch the WTF ending. Dan Brown should be shot for the ‘oh my god lets shock you with the most shocking of shocking endings cause you didn’t see that shocking conclusion’. We didn’t see it coming because it was STUPID!
Sorry – small rant there.
I thank the movie for two things: Ewan McGregor in a cassock, and introducing me to Pierefrancesco Favino.
So back to the the reason for this post.
The Re-Posting of Demons & Angels! Yes it’s been updated, edited, and uploaded to the Sylum Archive!
Thanks for the work you do with Sylum, for helping corral the Bobs, for your insight, talent, 50,000 word vocabulary, editing skills, and just the fact you chose me to be with. *sappy moment is sappy*
Thank you for this.
Thank you for one of my favorite stories of all time, one that surpasses All Quiet on the Western Front and Tom Sawyer.
