Did Cerise just level?
The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.
Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?
A: You crash into another one.
YEAH! MORE has been posted! Everything is going GREAT Sooner! I can't wait for book II.
@tiggy
Beware the attack cat
The Sooner Nation
Book II
Part I
The Spirit World
Benjamin Tenkiller opened his eyes in the world his spirit ancestor showed him. It was a rich open plain. He could see the dark lumps of some sort of herd animal nearly buried in the waving tall grass in the distance, and tried to remember if it might be buffalo in the south central plains. He recognized the open plain and the red earth and glanced at his ancestor. "You've brought me to Oklahoma?"
"As it was."
Ben was silent. This place, while nothing more than a memory or dream, was far better than what he tentatively called his reality. He was content to wait for his ancestor to speak.
He didn't know how long he'd been in Ciara Banenighe's lair, mainly because he'd been so confused when he arrived. He could remember only snippets of the previous weeks, and mostly what he did remember was Caryn. He tried to focus on the good memories, her green eyes shining when he'd presented her with his ring, the way her lips had curved into a smile, and how warm and comfortable it had felt to wake up beside her. But sometimes the bad memories intruded, those same eyes flashing with anger, her face when she'd slapped him, and.. worst of all - though it couldn't possibly be true - his own fists smashing into her face. He couldn't possibly have done that. It couldnt' be real.
But becoming prisoner of a demon - that couldn't be real either, could it? For a very long time he didn't understand why the demon wanted to hurt him, but slowly he'd come to understand that it had to do with Caryn and her sisters. Not that she'd ever explained that to him, he'd just overheard her talking. The demon wanted to hurt Caryn, and Ben desperately wanted to find a way to stop her. But he was helpless.
He'd assumed he was losing his mind when his ancestor spirit first appeared to him. it was still possible, Ben supposed, but it was at least a bit of relief from his current life. The ancestor had taught him to spirit walk, to escape, even if only in his mind. It wasn't his grandfather, the spirit was far older than that, but they agreed that it would answer to Grandfather.
"Our family's battle against the demon and her minions have gone back to a time before when our people came to this place, Benjamin," Grandfather said abruptly. "This place is important," he said, "but I will take you to the place it began."
The open plain vanished and Ben stood with his ancestor in a rich green meadow surrounded by trees. A young man crouched over his kill, carefully making the first cuts to remove the hide. "That is one of my ancestors?" Ben guessed.
"No," Grandfather answered with just a hint of emotion. "That was my brother. He never had the chance to be anyone's anscestor. But look now..."
Ben turned and saw another youth. That young man's face was as twisted as his leg. It appeared he had suffered some injury or deformity, and it had colored his entire life. He was creeping up on the hunter, with a rock clenched in his hand. He attempted stealth, but his bad leg betrayed him and the hunter turned. He smiled a welcoming and friendly greeting at his tribesman, and then gestured proudly at his kill. Ben let out a surprised oath when the crippled man took advantage of that moment to smash the rock into the hunter's skull. The betrayed youth crumpled and then struggled back to hands and knees. He was still trying to stand when the other struck him again. And again. The hunter collapsed, his limbs twitching as his brain continued to try to save him.
"Why did he do that, Grandfather?" Ben asked, stunned.
"It was the way of the tribe," the spirit answered grimly. "If he didn't make a kill, he would never be a man. He couldn't bear the shame and insisted on being sent out to the hunt. Sadly, he was not strong enough to be a man, and instead stole your uncle's kill. But now... watch. The demon's imp comes."
The crippled man began struggling to drag his victim away, but stopped with his eyes wide as a raccoon easily twice the size of a normal raccoon scampered out into the clearing. It sat on its haunches and began to speak. The young man at first shook his head and argued, but then, slowly, he was won over by the animal spirit's words. Finally, he nodded. The raccoon darted to the youth and laid its tiny clawed hands on the young man's crippled leg. Dark energy flowed through the raccoon and into the youth. He screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground, writhing while the raccoon giggled and darted away to vanish into the forest. The young man fell silent and still. Then he rose to his feet, and it was immediately obvious that his lameness was much improved. He raised his hands to the sky and let out a triumphant cry before making his way to the slain buck, and skillfully finishing the skinning job.
"That, young Ben, was the beginning of the demon's interference in our tribe. That one returned and was made a man. He denied any idea what became of your uncle, and when the body was found, it was assumed a rival tribe killed him. That one eventually became shaman.. and his descendants after him. They counseled our tribe to make deals with the Europeans, to allow them to relocate us, to remain peaceful and acquiescent." Grandfather turned his gleaming white gaze on Ben. "His family turned us into complacent cattle and all so that the demon's servant would be in place when the three sisters arrived."
The silence stretched out, and Ben realized Grandfather was waiting for him to respond. "The three sisters? You mean Caryn and her sisters?"
"The three sisters are the only ones that cam kill the demon who holds you captive. She has meddled with our tribe and in our family for generations. It was her servant who put you where you are now, but here you are in place to help the three sisters."
Ben's frustration leaked through his calm. "How can I help anyone? I'm trapped in a cage!"
"You will not always be in a cage, Benjamin."
The Ghosts Reborn Base
Cerise turned back and forth in front of her full length mirror, quite satisfied with her appearance. She was going to find Six-Four and let him know she was interested in him. Today... right now. She'd shed her costume with it's short flared skirt as too girlish, and brushed her reddish gold hair out into waves rather than her more usual pigtails. She selected a slim tank dress that hung to just above her knees and a light cardigan over it. she thought she looked grown up and pretty in it, and hoped she could get Six to at least listen to her. If she could get him past "Sooner Spirit's little sister" into seeing her for who she was, then maybe she could convince him to go... somewhere and talk. She smiled. Today was the day. She was ready. She swirled her skirt one more time and left her room with a happy and confident bounce in her step.
Six usually stopped in the base in the afternoon, and Cerise planned to be waiting where she could see him. She settled herself in the lobby outside the enormous conference room with a novel, but she was so anxious and excited she wasn't able to become absorbed in it. She was staring off into space, rehearsing in her head what she planned to say to Six-Four, when the conference room door opened. A man limped out. At first Cerise assumed he was old because of the painful way he walked hunched over his cane, but then she saw his face was still quite young, if hard and bitter. Something about that face put her hackles up instantly. She stood and kept her eyes on him. His dark eyes flicked to hers and then away.
Her sister, Sooner Spirit, came to the door of the conference room, and Glacius9, Vir, and Ahren were all right behind her. Cerise knew that dark look on her sister's face meant she was very unhappy and angry.
"Someone find Six-Four and get his *** here now," Glacius9 growled.
Cerise's eyes widened. Ahren's eyes flicked to her, took in her appearance, and he arched a brow at her.
"I'll get him here," Vir answered, and stepped away.
"Who was that?" Cerise asked of no one in particular.
"That... was.... unfortunate," Ahren said. "That man was bringing Six-Four's past here to catch up to him."
---
Six Four turned around as the door of the Ghosts Reborn base closed behind him. He was still numb, but the look on Ahrens face... Sooner Spirit, Glacius9, and Vir had all made their disapproval clear, but it was the disappointment on Ahrens face that really cut Six to the core. He looked out over the clear blue water of Founders Falls and took a bracing breath.
He had nearly forgotten about the incident with the unfortunate Bonebreaker. It had been so long ago, when Six was just starting out as a hero, before hed joined the Ghosts. He was still trying to track down whatever information he could find about Ebony Rose so he could have his revenge on her. He'd picked up a tip that a Skull leader by the name of Bonebreaker used to date her. Now, in hindsight, he knew how ludicrous that idea was, but at the time he wanted so badly to believe it, to believe that he'd found a clue, that he followed up on it. And, really, if he were going to be honest with himself, if might be that his informant made the whole thing up entirely because of how hard Six was pressuring him.
Bonebreaker put up a good fight, but Six beat him down. And then began an interrogation that went on for too long. Bonebreaker kept insisting he didnt even know who Rose was, and Six kept pushing him. And pushing him. And pushing some more. In the end, Six told Bonebreaker hed never walk right again... and Bonebreaker insisted one more time that he didnt know who she was. Thats when Six hamstrung him and broke his knees. And left the crippled man lying in Perez Park to be picked up by the cops. When Bonebreaker complained to the cops about his treatment, Six just laughed, gestured towards the paired knives in his belt, and said, He fought back. You put up a fight against a man with knives, youre likely to get cut.
Six understood that his prediction was correct: Bonebreaker was walking with great effort and a cane. Hed gone way too far. He knew it now, but at the time, he thought there was no amount of effort that was too far if it eventually led him to Ebony Rose. He wished hed learned from that mistake, but no. Hed kept going.
He'd been trying to walk the straight and narrow since his unfortunate trip to the Rogue Isles, but it turned out Bonebreaker held a grudge. While Six-Four had been trying to be the hero the Ghosts expected him to be, Bonebreaker had been checking up on the activities of Six-Four. And then brought them to the attention of the Ghosts.
The Ghosts still didnt know the full extent of Sixs involvement in the bad evidence that had led to the arrest of Daniel and Elizabeth Rose, but they knew more about how he'd manipulated that data. They now knew that Ebony Rose had not just been severely injured in fighting off his attempt to kill her, but that hed tried to torture her to death. And now they knew how much hed concealed about his history with Ebony Rose from them before joining the Ghosts. And, of course, they knew about Bonebreaker.
An obviously distraught Sooner Spirit had started it off, We all make mistakes, Six. None of us can say we havent made a mistake....
Vir had leaned over the conference table with a dark and severe expression. Were seeing a pattern of really poor judgement, here, son. Yes, Sooners right. We all make mistakes. But most of us learn from them. You dont learn. You dont change.
Six, were suspending your membership in the Ghosts. Glacius finished. And Im not sure if were ever going to be willing to reactivate you. Youre going to have to show that youre able to be one of us before well even consider it.
Six had stood there, stunned, and Vir stood. You need to get your things and leave. Now. Six had nothing to gather. Hed turned in place and took one step towards the door. And thats when he saw Ahren and Sooner Red. Ahren's little sidekick was looking all grown up in a pretty dress and a stricken look on her face, but The Teachers gaze was full of disappointment. Hed shaken his head slowly, once to the left, once to the right, and then hed looked away.
Book II
Part I
The Spirit World
Benjamin Tenkiller opened his eyes in the world his spirit ancestor showed him. It was a rich open plain. He could see the dark lumps of some sort of herd animal nearly buried in the waving tall grass in the distance, and tried to remember if it might be buffalo in the south central plains. He recognized the open plain and the red earth and glanced at his ancestor. "You've brought me to Oklahoma?"
"As it was."
Ben was silent. This place, while nothing more than a memory or dream, was far better than what he tentatively called his reality. He was content to wait for his ancestor to speak.
He didn't know how long he'd been in Ciara Banenighe's lair, mainly because he'd been so confused when he arrived. He could remember only snippets of the previous weeks, and mostly what he did remember was Caryn. He tried to focus on the good memories, her green eyes shining when he'd presented her with his ring, the way her lips had curved into a smile, and how warm and comfortable it had felt to wake up beside her. But sometimes the bad memories intruded, those same eyes flashing with anger, her face when she'd slapped him, and.. worst of all - though it couldn't possibly be true - his own fists smashing into her face. He couldn't possibly have done that. It couldnt' be real.
But becoming prisoner of a demon - that couldn't be real either, could it? For a very long time he didn't understand why the demon wanted to hurt him, but slowly he'd come to understand that it had to do with Caryn and her sisters. Not that she'd ever explained that to him, he'd just overheard her talking. The demon wanted to hurt Caryn, and Ben desperately wanted to find a way to stop her. But he was helpless.
He'd assumed he was losing his mind when his ancestor spirit first appeared to him. it was still possible, Ben supposed, but it was at least a bit of relief from his current life. The ancestor had taught him to spirit walk, to escape, even if only in his mind. It wasn't his grandfather, the spirit was far older than that, but they agreed that it would answer to Grandfather.
"Our family's battle against the demon and her minions have gone back to a time before when our people came to this place, Benjamin," Grandfather said abruptly. "This place is important," he said, "but I will take you to the place it began."
The open plain vanished and Ben stood with his ancestor in a rich green meadow surrounded by trees. A young man crouched over his kill, carefully making the first cuts to remove the hide. "That is one of my ancestors?" Ben guessed.
"No," Grandfather answered with just a hint of emotion. "That was my brother. He never had the chance to be anyone's anscestor. But look now..."
Ben turned and saw another youth. That young man's face was as twisted as his leg. It appeared he had suffered some injury or deformity, and it had colored his entire life. He was creeping up on the hunter, with a rock clenched in his hand. He attempted stealth, but his bad leg betrayed him and the hunter turned. He smiled a welcoming and friendly greeting at his tribesman, and then gestured proudly at his kill. Ben let out a surprised oath when the crippled man took advantage of that moment to smash the rock into the hunter's skull. The betrayed youth crumpled and then struggled back to hands and knees. He was still trying to stand when the other struck him again. And again. The hunter collapsed, his limbs twitching as his brain continued to try to save him.
"Why did he do that, Grandfather?" Ben asked, stunned.
"It was the way of the tribe," the spirit answered grimly. "If he didn't make a kill, he would never be a man. He couldn't bear the shame and insisted on being sent out to the hunt. Sadly, he was not strong enough to be a man, and instead stole your uncle's kill. But now... watch. The demon's imp comes."
The crippled man began struggling to drag his victim away, but stopped with his eyes wide as a raccoon easily twice the size of a normal raccoon scampered out into the clearing. It sat on its haunches and began to speak. The young man at first shook his head and argued, but then, slowly, he was won over by the animal spirit's words. Finally, he nodded. The raccoon darted to the youth and laid its tiny clawed hands on the young man's crippled leg. Dark energy flowed through the raccoon and into the youth. He screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground, writhing while the raccoon giggled and darted away to vanish into the forest. The young man fell silent and still. Then he rose to his feet, and it was immediately obvious that his lameness was much improved. He raised his hands to the sky and let out a triumphant cry before making his way to the slain buck, and skillfully finishing the skinning job.
"That, young Ben, was the beginning of the demon's interference in our tribe. That one returned and was made a man. He denied any idea what became of your uncle, and when the body was found, it was assumed a rival tribe killed him. That one eventually became shaman.. and his descendants after him. They counseled our tribe to make deals with the Europeans, to allow them to relocate us, to remain peaceful and acquiescent." Grandfather turned his gleaming white gaze on Ben. "His family turned us into complacent cattle and all so that the demon's servant would be in place when the three sisters arrived."
The silence stretched out, and Ben realized Grandfather was waiting for him to respond. "The three sisters? You mean Caryn and her sisters?"
"The three sisters are the only ones that cam kill the demon who holds you captive. She has meddled with our tribe and in our family for generations. It was her servant who put you where you are now, but here you are in place to help the three sisters."
Ben's frustration leaked through his calm. "How can I help anyone? I'm trapped in a cage!"
"You will not always be in a cage, Benjamin."
The Ghosts Reborn Base
Cerise turned back and forth in front of her full length mirror, quite satisfied with her appearance. She was going to find Six-Four and let him know she was interested in him. Today... right now. She'd shed her costume with it's short flared skirt as too girlish, and brushed her reddish gold hair out into waves rather than her more usual pigtails. She selected a slim tank dress that hung to just above her knees and a light cardigan over it. she thought she looked grown up and pretty in it, and hoped she could get Six to at least listen to her. If she could get him past "Sooner Spirit's little sister" into seeing her for who she was, then maybe she could convince him to go... somewhere and talk. She smiled. Today was the day. She was ready. She swirled her skirt one more time and left her room with a happy and confident bounce in her step.
Six usually stopped in the base in the afternoon, and Cerise planned to be waiting where she could see him. She settled herself in the lobby outside the enormous conference room with a novel, but she was so anxious and excited she wasn't able to become absorbed in it. She was staring off into space, rehearsing in her head what she planned to say to Six-Four, when the conference room door opened. A man limped out. At first Cerise assumed he was old because of the painful way he walked hunched over his cane, but then she saw his face was still quite young, if hard and bitter. Something about that face put her hackles up instantly. She stood and kept her eyes on him. His dark eyes flicked to hers and then away.
Her sister, Sooner Spirit, came to the door of the conference room, and Glacius9, Vir, and Ahren were all right behind her. Cerise knew that dark look on her sister's face meant she was very unhappy and angry.
"Someone find Six-Four and get his *** here now," Glacius9 growled.
Cerise's eyes widened. Ahren's eyes flicked to her, took in her appearance, and he arched a brow at her.
"I'll get him here," Vir answered, and stepped away.
"Who was that?" Cerise asked of no one in particular.
"That... was.... unfortunate," Ahren said. "That man was bringing Six-Four's past here to catch up to him."
---
Six Four turned around as the door of the Ghosts Reborn base closed behind him. He was still numb, but the look on Ahrens face... Sooner Spirit, Glacius9, and Vir had all made their disapproval clear, but it was the disappointment on Ahrens face that really cut Six to the core. He looked out over the clear blue water of Founders Falls and took a bracing breath.
He had nearly forgotten about the incident with the unfortunate Bonebreaker. It had been so long ago, when Six was just starting out as a hero, before hed joined the Ghosts. He was still trying to track down whatever information he could find about Ebony Rose so he could have his revenge on her. He'd picked up a tip that a Skull leader by the name of Bonebreaker used to date her. Now, in hindsight, he knew how ludicrous that idea was, but at the time he wanted so badly to believe it, to believe that he'd found a clue, that he followed up on it. And, really, if he were going to be honest with himself, if might be that his informant made the whole thing up entirely because of how hard Six was pressuring him.
Bonebreaker put up a good fight, but Six beat him down. And then began an interrogation that went on for too long. Bonebreaker kept insisting he didnt even know who Rose was, and Six kept pushing him. And pushing him. And pushing some more. In the end, Six told Bonebreaker hed never walk right again... and Bonebreaker insisted one more time that he didnt know who she was. Thats when Six hamstrung him and broke his knees. And left the crippled man lying in Perez Park to be picked up by the cops. When Bonebreaker complained to the cops about his treatment, Six just laughed, gestured towards the paired knives in his belt, and said, He fought back. You put up a fight against a man with knives, youre likely to get cut.
Six understood that his prediction was correct: Bonebreaker was walking with great effort and a cane. Hed gone way too far. He knew it now, but at the time, he thought there was no amount of effort that was too far if it eventually led him to Ebony Rose. He wished hed learned from that mistake, but no. Hed kept going.
He'd been trying to walk the straight and narrow since his unfortunate trip to the Rogue Isles, but it turned out Bonebreaker held a grudge. While Six-Four had been trying to be the hero the Ghosts expected him to be, Bonebreaker had been checking up on the activities of Six-Four. And then brought them to the attention of the Ghosts.
The Ghosts still didnt know the full extent of Sixs involvement in the bad evidence that had led to the arrest of Daniel and Elizabeth Rose, but they knew more about how he'd manipulated that data. They now knew that Ebony Rose had not just been severely injured in fighting off his attempt to kill her, but that hed tried to torture her to death. And now they knew how much hed concealed about his history with Ebony Rose from them before joining the Ghosts. And, of course, they knew about Bonebreaker.
An obviously distraught Sooner Spirit had started it off, We all make mistakes, Six. None of us can say we havent made a mistake....
Vir had leaned over the conference table with a dark and severe expression. Were seeing a pattern of really poor judgement, here, son. Yes, Sooners right. We all make mistakes. But most of us learn from them. You dont learn. You dont change.
Six, were suspending your membership in the Ghosts. Glacius finished. And Im not sure if were ever going to be willing to reactivate you. Youre going to have to show that youre able to be one of us before well even consider it.
Six had stood there, stunned, and Vir stood. You need to get your things and leave. Now. Six had nothing to gather. Hed turned in place and took one step towards the door. And thats when he saw Ahren and Sooner Red. Ahren's little sidekick was looking all grown up in a pretty dress and a stricken look on her face, but The Teachers gaze was full of disappointment. Hed shaken his head slowly, once to the left, once to the right, and then hed looked away.
*tries to turn the page*
GGAAAAHHHHH!!!!
*bangs on monitor*
Quote:
So true, and so powerful.
| "You will not always be in a cage, Benjamin." |
"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
Can't wait to seen Ben get some of his own back....
....and I actually like Six-Four so far.
Quote:
*joins in the frustration*
|
Originally Posted by Red Valkyrja
*tries to turn the page*
GGAAAAHHHHH!!!! *bangs on monitor* |
@tiggy
Beware the attack cat
So, the first thought I have is, why has no one commented on the implication that Ben and Akando are from the same tribe?
Secondly, I'm curious as to Vir's thinking on the Six-Four situation. Their essentially busting him AGAIN for the build up to his big debacle in the Isles. Is it because he didn't divulge everything he did? Of COURSE he didn't learn anything from the build up to the lesson. The lesson hadn't happened yet.
The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.
Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?
A: You crash into another one.
Quote:
Sooner may want to expand on this but, The Choices story has already played out at this point in this story. Right now we're somewhere in between Choices and Homecoming (if I remember the story titles correctly) where we see the battle that includes Six-four and Ahren tag-team match up against Conall Cian. I won't let the cat out of the bag, but there's a very good (and great fun to read) reason Sooner's taking us readers through this story. I'm as eager as the rest to read it, as not even I (and Six is my character) know every surprise she has instore for us.|
Originally Posted by M_I_Abrahms
So, the first thought I have is, why has no one commented on the implication that Ben and Akando are from the same tribe?
Secondly, I'm curious as to Vir's thinking on the Six-Four situation. Their essentially busting him AGAIN for the build up to his big debacle in the Isles. Is it because he didn't divulge everything he did? Of COURSE he didn't learn anything from the build up to the lesson. The lesson hadn't happened yet. |
Also, with regard to the Ghosts' reaction to discovering just how much, important, info Six neglected to share with them when he joined their ranks... throughout Book I Sooner's dropped hints to Ahren sensing the Sooner sisters were keeping a secret, but that they would not keep a secret from the group if it could immediately effect the Ghosts. Six had a long #$% history with Rose, bloody and brutal, and that level of baggage should have been revealed to a group of heroes who're dedicated to defeating Rose, and her allies.
Time and again in Sooner's writing we've seen this undertone of faith, trust, honesty, and the terrible cost of breaking them. Six is learning the high cost involved right now, but if you've already read Homecoming (and if you haven't I strongly encourage everyone to do so) you know that somehow he does find redemption. I wonder how that happens and what other secrets we might discover along the way.
*nods and grins knowingly*
You can find all of Sooner's stories assembled here, in chronological order.
I see, so this is more because he was keeping details from the group, then? Considering the details themselves, I can see it now.
The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.
Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?
A: You crash into another one.
Quote:
Agreed. Another way you could look at it, they already knew he got way out of line with his pursuit of Rose, and that almost got him kicked out. But, then to later find out that the incident with Rose was not a one-time deal, but rather the culmination of a series of really bad choices leading up to the events they already knew about. That puts his assault on Rose in a different light, when they learned of the events preceeding it.|
Originally Posted by M_I_Abrahms
I see, so this is more because he was keeping details from the group, then? Considering the details themselves, I can see it now.
|
In this case, his actions were so, dare I say vigilante-style, as to force the Ghosts to take action and suspend his membership. Who knows, maybe events in the near future will also force them to re-evaluate how even they look at the lines that seperate the Good Guys from the Bad, and the many shades of gray in between.
/e evil laughter
Very nice twist, Sooner 
Nice to see things in Heroland aren't always "happily ever after"
Quote:
The timeline is a bit complicated, but.. no.. this happens after he went to the Rogue Isles and tried to kill Rose. Since, at the time, the Ghosts were not fully aware of his actions - they really thought he was just overzealous in his pursuit. He really received nothing more than a stern talking to at the time.... though his reputation within the Ghosts took a hard hit.|
Originally Posted by M_I_Abrahms
Secondly, I'm curious as to Vir's thinking on the Six-Four situation. Their essentially busting him AGAIN for the build up to his big debacle in the Isles. Is it because he didn't divulge everything he did? Of COURSE he didn't learn anything from the build up to the lesson. The lesson hadn't happened yet.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ice9_
Six had a long #$% history with Rose, bloody and brutal, and that level of baggage should have been revealed to a group of heroes who're dedicated to defeating Rose, and her allies.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by M_I_Abrahms
I see, so this is more because he was keeping details from the group, then? Considering the details themselves, I can see it now.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ice9_
Agreed. Another way you could look at it, they already knew he got way out of line with his pursuit of Rose, and that almost got him kicked out. But, then to later find out that the incident with Rose was not a one-time deal, but rather the culmination of a series of really bad choices leading up to the events they already knew about. That puts his assault on Rose in a different light, when they learned of the events preceeding it.
In this case, his actions were so, dare I say vigilante-style, as to force the Ghosts to take action and suspend his membership. |
...The timeline is very complicated, and, in fact, it was the timeline that help me back to so long on writing this story. I actually had a big giant chart on my wall, covered with post-it notes, trying to get everything straight as far as when the major events occured.
I finally decided to just write the story, and if there were some inconsistencies in the timeline.. well... comic book stories revise history CONSTANTLY.
Oh... and... I THINK we're past the events of Homecoming at this point. I'd have to check my wall chart to be sure....
... but I believe my timeline is fully into uncharted territory now.
Well, I don't think it's a time line issue, I just remember six getting at least some form of disciplinary action at the end of Choices (not much granted, but still). Now here comes Bonebreaker, who's talking about things Six did before his final confrontation with Rose and he gets suspended. What I didn't get was Vir's line "you never learn", since what Bone breaker had to say was all stuff that happened before the 'lesson'. Unless of course, the problem really is that he was keeping all this from the rest of the group, then I can see it.
The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.
Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?
A: You crash into another one.
Editorial Comment -
So.. after much checking and confirming, the events of Book II do indeed occur after the events of Homecoming.
So, for those of you who have really been following the saga:
- The Ghosts are aware of that they have a spy in their midst, but they don't yet have a clue who it is.
- The Neely/Keely storyline wrapped up with Keely gone and her warshade half - Anjali - the only consciousness in Keely's body. This WAS going to be a subplot in this story but the story was just getting too out of hand. I'll get back to it later, I promise. For the moment I'll say this: Neely has gone all dark and vengeancy, and Anjali is confused.
- Conall Cian is still maneuvering for position within the Shades, but his attempts to advance are continuing to be thwarted by Ebony Rose and Razor 6, therefor, he is attempting to develop a power base of his own.
- Sooner Spirit and Glacius9 are the leaders of the Ghosts, but many of the senior members have a voice in that leadership.
- And, of course, UPS 2.2, who has been a major character in most of my stories, recently changed his name to Vir.
- The first relatively minor conflict is the presence of Excruciatrix. As written, Conall bound her at the end of Homecoming. I really wanted to establish her presence and her character much earlier, so she's been flitting around a lot earlier than she should. Easy enough to claim that the scene where he summoned her was actually a flashback scene to something that happened earlier.
- And this is the problem one. Vir has a little brother, named Seamus. He popped in as a very very minor character in Homecoming, mostly just to establish his presence, since I knew he was going to become important later on. It will quickly become obvious that he could not have been there. So... whatever works for you - whether you edit him out completely (which is what I'm going to do), or assume this is an alternate reality where things happen a little differently... in THIS story, in THIS world... Seamus is NOT a member of the Ghosts. In fact.. you've never heard of him. Before.... now.
And, since I'm here, now... let me take the time to thank Major T and Ice9 for all the hours they patiently spend talking about this stuff with me, reading poorly edited rough drafts, and keeping me from running off on yet another tangent. Thanks to everyone who has allowed me to use their characters, and I do hope you appreciate the care I've tried to take of them.
*Jean Grey? Oh.. she didn't die. She was actually in a protective cocoon at the bottom of the ocean recovering from her injuries. *nodnod*
Part II
The Ghosts Reborn Base
Jagged Fortune watched everything. like a spider in his web. He savored the excitement of working within the Ghosts Reborn base, of living amongst them, eating with them, chatting with them, enjoying a relaxed evening in their company. And every moment, if he slipped, if he dropped even the slightest clue of who he really was, his freedom, and possibly his life, would end in a flash.
He was born for this job, to be the rotten apple in their bunch, the snake in the grass, the fly in the ointment. He was a natural at the subterfuge, the acting, and the memory to recall what lies he'd told. He was intelligent and observant, and Razor 6 had made his worth obvious time and again. If he survived this job, he could retire a very wealthy man.
He was nearby, watching as Six-Four was unceremoniously booted from the Ghosts. He wasn't especially surprised. That hero had been walking on the edge for too long. He made no effort to hide that he was watching with interest as the Ghosts' bad boy was tossed out on his ***, but his true interest lay in watching Sooner Spirit's little sister. That particular little red head wore her heart on her sleeve, and it was breaking painfully in two right in front of him. She'd been carrying that torch for months, and never had the nerve to do anything about it, and now, he saw, she thought she'd lost her chance.
Some would think it was foolish to even attempt to make a move on a girl so obviously interested in someone else, but Jagged Fortune was nothing if not confident in himself. He was a good looking man with chameleon-like ability to change who he was at need. The one thing he'd failed at in all the time he'd been lurking among the Ghosts was to find a way into their inner circle. And, for some reason, the leadership had been playing their cards a lot closer to the chest lately. He'd thought of taking a shot at catching Sooner Spirit's interest, but she was becoming more and more involved with that Rastafari Man. The middle sister might as well be a nun for all the action she saw. But the youngest one.... she was still naive enough that he might be able to win her over. And the guy dating the sister of one of the leaders of the Ghosts? That guy was on the inside. He'd have access to the inner workings. He nodded to himself, ran a hand through his hair to muss it, and made his way closer. He arranged his features into a distracted mask and walked slowly towards the center of the room.
He was close enough to hear Ahren say, "I'll talk to you later, Red," before walking away.
Red stood nearby, still looking like someone had just clocked her in the back of the head with a 2x4. Jagged Fortune waited until he was sure he was in her field of view before he took his mobile phone from his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, then shook his head with feigned disbelief and put the phone away. He put a hand to his face, hiding his eyes, and then collapsed onto a bench by Red. When she didn't respond to him, he put up his other hand and buried his face in his palms. He summoned up just enough emotion to make his eyes shiny.
C'mon little fishie... take a bite... he thought. He wondered if he were going to have to manufacture a sob when he heard her hesitant voice. "Are you... ah... are you ok?"
He sniffed once and stood abruptly. "Sorry, I didn't see you there," he said in a rush, carefully turning at an angle to hide his eyes.
"It's ok," she reassured. "Do you need something?"
"I..." he swallowed. "My girl just dumped me. By a text."
"Oh!" she gasped. "Oh... gosh... I'm sorry!"
"I guess the idea of dating a hero was a lot more exciting than the reality." He shook his head sadly and shot a quick glance at her. "I'm sorry... but thanks for letting me tell you that. I think... I think I'm going to go see if my contacts have any work for me."
"Will you be ok?" she asked.
He hid his smile. Oh, he was in. It would take some time to widen that crack, but a girl like her... you get her feeling anything for you, and you can make her feel whatever you want. "I'll be fine. I just need to.... lose myself in some work." he smiled. "Thanks again, Red."
"I'll talk to you later?" she asked, visibly concerned.
"I think I'd like that." He smiled a tentative smile at her, and quickly exited the base, as if embarrassed by his display. Inside, he was celebrating. She didn't know it yet, but little Sooner Red was going to his.
---
Six indulged himself in a stop at Up n Away burger, and then settled down atop City Hall to think while he ate. With the flag flapping in the gentle breeze over his head, the warm sun shining down on his shoulders, a beautiful view of Atlas Park, it was hard to imagine that anything bad could happen. He felt cast adrift. He hadn’t realized that he valued the Ghosts as anything more than a means to an end... but now that that door was closed, he felt as if he didn’t know who he was or what his purpose was anymore.
He watched all the idealistic new heroes, the ones who still thought that goodness and purity of heart was all that was needed in the world. Some people might get through their lives still able to tell themselves that, but few of them were heroes. After seeing the sort of evil that existed in the world, seeing it close up, as heroes did, well... Six just didn’t see how that sort of idealism could last.
He watched a trio bravely plow their way into a group of hellions. A man and a women both with shiny, slender swords lead the assault while a blonde hung back to offer support. The man had the hard look of someone trained to inflict damage. The dark haired woman didn’t appear to have the same training, but possessed copious amounts of natural talent. And the blonde... whew... she was the kind of woman you expected to see at a spa or expensive restaurant, or the kind you HOPED to see dancing on a table, not patrolling the streets of Paragon City. Sweet face, lush curvy body, long pale golden hair. But something about the way the man kept his eye on her suggested maybe she wasn’t available. They were so young... they made Six feel really old.
He still believed that there was no cost too high to pay if it would allow him to end Ebony Rose and her demon friend Conall Cian. He still believed that, though he understood that people he respected didn’t agree. He just couldn’t quite understand how they could think those monsters deserved any consideration. Rose and the demon were responsible for so much pain and misery... how could there be any cost too high to pay to stop them? How many people could have been saved in the future if his plan to ambush Ebony Rose had worked out? Her parents would have been ok in the end. He sighed. Perhaps Paragon City wasn’t really the place for him after all?
As his mind drifted down a dark path of dark possibilities, he noticed that trio of young heroes headed for trouble. They’d found themselves a larger group of hellions, a group they would have eventually beaten after a fight, but they were backing their way straight into a group of Circle of Thorns mages. That hot blonde was about one step from attracting their attention.. And then she took that step.
Six-Four had been around plenty long enough to know those young heroes were about to get their ***** handed to them. Since he knew what the Circle liked to do to their captives, there was no way he was going to stand by and risk the CoT wanting to do more to that trio than just kick them around. He lifted into flight and zoomed down, drawing his swords as he went.
He zipped between the mages and the heroes, drawing the attention of the CoT. “You guys need a hand?” he called out.
“Help her!” the man answered. He was trying to fight his way past the hellions to get to the blonde, but they had him blocked off, and the blonde was in serious trouble with the mages. Six made quick work of the CoT, and within moments the remaining hellions and CoT were scattering.
“Thanks, man,” the tall man said, extending a hand.
Six nodded and accepted the hand, “I’m Six-Four,” he offered. “Just glad I was nearby.”
The dark haired woman put her katana away and stepped forward. “I’m Rosemarie,” she said, “and this is my sister, Moon Dancer.” Now that Six was looking, there was a clear resemblance between her and the blond, though the darker haired woman did have a leaner, more muscular build. Attractive enough, but he suspected she was used to taking a back seat to her sister's looks.
“I’m Pipe Hitter,” the man said. “Thanks for the help.”
“Pipe Hitter, eh?” Six said with a smile. Yep, hard military service would account for that edge he’d sensed in the younger man. Of course, since Six had named himself after an old call sign, he could hardly criticize.
“Well... Welcome to Paragon City.” he smiled. “And always watch your back. There’s always another group of Paragon City ******** out there ready to take you down.”
He started to walk away, then a light, feminine voice called after him, “Ah... Six-Four? Join us for some lunch? Please?”
He thought about the burger and fries he’d just wolfed down, but turned around, saw the pretty and welcoming smile on the blonde's face and shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
---
Conall observed as a tall, slender woman with long red hair made her way through the streets of Kings Row. She was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, with her hair pulled back into a tail under a baseball cap and sneakers on her feet. She was burdened with several shopping bags. However, he recognized her. He was more used to seeing Sooner Spirit in red leather with a red and white cape flashing behind her, but he recognized her there in her street clothes. And he followed.
He'd been observing all three sisters. He needed to obey Ciara's orders, to bring her the sisters, and he fully intended to obey that order. But on his terms. And so he watched, waiting for a way in, his hook to start manipulating them and guiding them to be ready for that fight they had to win.
He arched a brow as his quarry opened the back door of the Campbell Family Trust Shelter and let herself in. Did the mighty Sooner Spirit spend her off time volunteering to help the homeless? He bared his teeth in a smile. It seemed that Rory Flynn would be making another appearance, and the Campbell Family Shelter would gain a new refugee.
Sorry Sooner, shameless plug time.
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Incidentally, there is a continuation, of a sort, available in the AE. It went up on day one of Live for that Issue, and is really showing it's age. However, I have recently begun what will probably be the long process of cleaning it up, so if you're still interested, the title is End of the Line ID 2088.
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Originally Posted by Sooner
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The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.
Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?
A: You crash into another one.
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I'm always amused at how Conall is very methodical, logical and lawful in his own evil way.
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Originally Posted by Sooner
He'd been observing all three sisters. He needed to obey Ciara's orders, to bring her the sisters, and he fully intended to obey that order. But on his terms. And so he watched, waiting for a way in, his hook to start manipulating them and guiding them to be ready for that fight they had to win.
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"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
Excellent as always, Sooner!!!
I'm really linking how we're seeing more dimension to Six this time, as opposed to him just being the token "Bad Boy" Very nice work !
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Oh, if you like what she's done so far, just wait. $%@# gets flat out crazy before long.
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Originally Posted by bamaHulkers
I'm really linking how we're seeing more dimension to Six this time, as opposed to him just being the token "Bad Boy"
Very nice work ! |
I can hardly wait.
@tiggy
Beware the attack cat
Part III
Kings Row
Six-Four didnt remember when hed enjoyed a day so much since... well... since before Ebony Rose killed his best friend. He was normally a solitary man, but he had stepped easily into the role of mentor to these three young heroes, and he had enjoyed it immensely. Hed spent the day with them, showing them around, introducing them to shopkeepers and helping them find their way around some of the rougher neighborhoods.
Theyd ended the day with a few beers at Pipe Hitters small apartment where Six had shared stories of his time as a hero. An interesting trio, they were. Obviously good friends, but so different from each other. Pipe Hitter was a hard, no nonsense kind of man who nonetheless had an obvious soft place in his heart for his two companions. And appeared to be holding quite a torch for the lovely Moon Dancer. Pipe Hitter and Six-Four fell quickly into the sort of camaraderie that men who'd served together for months develop. Rosemarie was enthusiastic and not nearly as tough as she wanted others to think she was. She was still naive, but willing to learn. She was like the tomboy next door, pretty and lots of fun to hang out with. He suspected that she wouldnt flinch from some of the hard choices she was going to face over her career as a hero, even if she did continue to be taken by surprise by them. ...And then there was Moon Dancer. Beautiful, sweet, caring, and completely innocent. Even a man as hardened by the world as Six-Four was charmed by her. It would be very easy to fall for that one, but Six had been around long enough to know that a woman like her - soft and innocent - was not for him.
Six remained after the two women said their good nights. They had their own apartment just across the hall, and Six lingered after the two left. He and Pipe Hitter sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, then the younger man offered Six another beer.
So... you and Moon Dancer... are you together? Six asked abruptly. The look Pipe Hitter turned on him was telling. Flat, dark, and protective, a look that said no one had better even try to hurt that woman. Six raised his hands in a show of good intentions, and the younger mans expression cleared.
Not for a long time, he answered finally.
But you were?
Pipe Hitter drained his beer, set it down with a thump, and grabbed another. Ya. Before I joined up. We were all three friends, for as long as I can remember. When we got into high school, she and I were together... all through high school. But things got tough between us after I joined up. At first I thought she just didnt like me being away, but... she just couldnt handle what I was doing. She doesnt ... have the heart for it. Even when someone else is doing it. I did... some rough work... and I finally learned to just quit telling her anything. But she still knew, and, ya know, not talking isnt a great way to build a relationship. So... we broke up. I finished up my time in the service, came home, and the three of us took up as friends again.
You still want her, though, dont you? It was the sort of personal question Six normally would avoid, but he was intrigued by this trio, and was sincerely curious about them.
Pipe Hitter was quiet for a long time, long enough that Six thought he just wasnt going to answer. Finally, though, he sighed. Its never going to happen. She needs a knight in shining armor. And... Im never going to be that. Six could hear the unspoken, no matter how hard I try.
Six nodded. He knew a very few knights in shining armor. They were out there, though most of them still had a few dents and stains. Still, he wondered how Pipe Hitter would react when Moon Dancer finally found her knight.
I should go, Six said after another long silence.
Pipe Hitter nodded. Ya. This is was good. See you tomorrow?
Six nodded. Ya, I think you will. He crooked a smile. "I've been tracking some weird stuff goin on with the Hellions for awhile now. I think that's just the thing for you guys."
Campbell Shelter
Cydney Nation arrived at the Campbell Family Trust Shelter with boxes and bags of canned goods and other non-perishables. She came here at least once a week, when time allowed. She came as Cydney, rather than Sooner Spirit. It was a way of doing good and helping that didnt require violence, and with the battle between the Ghosts and the Shades growing more fierce by the day, the peaceful work did her soul good.
She puttered around in the pantry, putting away the food when a nondescript man of indeterminate age shuffled into the kitchen, humming a familiar tune. His clothes were worn and stained and he had the rumpled look of a man who'd been sleeping rough. He had likely been tall in his youth, but now his tired slump stole inches from his stature. His face was lined with hardship. His eyes were a faded blue and his hair was a silvering carrot-red. Something about him attracted her attention, something tingled against her sense of magic. She turned to him with a smile. Can I get you something, friend? A sandwich? Some coffee?
Aye, to both, he answered with a faint hint of Ireland coloring his voice. Thatd be welcome.
She poured the coffee for him and began putting together a sandwich. While he waited he resumed humming that lilting yet sad tune.
Without thinking, she began to sing the words that went with the melody he hummed,
To the clan ó Floinn The Beast came, covetous and greedy.Cydney turned with shocked surprise when the man's rough but still pleasant voice joined in on the next verse,
The evil craved the light of the daughters ó Floinn greatly.
To works its most foul will on the world it would steal their might.
But ó Floinn would not surrender, the warriors joined the fight.
The brave men ó Floinn met The Beast, fought The Beast, and tried.Cydney finished the entire song with man, as much to see if he knew all the words as anything else, then placed the plate with the sandwich and a generous spoonful of pasta salad shed found in the fridge. Ive never heard anyone but my mother and grandmother sing that song, she said with equal parts surprise and suspicion.
The warriors ó Floinn charged The Beast, attacked The Beast, and died.
The Beast drew closer, the grandfathers and the boys took arms.
Bravely they fought, bravely they fell, and still The Beast came on.
Its an old lay, he said and bit into the sandwich. He spoke around the food as he finished, and it tells a story true.
Does it now? she said, trying to color her question with skepticism and hiding the shiver the song had given her.
Aye, it does. he nodded and took another bite. If ever three daughters are born to the maternal line of my family, the beast could be freed. And only those three together could defeat her.
Wait... Cydney lifted a hand. Your family?
Aye... he chewed, sipped his coffee, and looked up at her with a smile. Clan ó Floinn was Anglicized to the Flynn family. he held out a callused hand to her. Rory Flynn. Pleased to meetcha.
Cydney Nation, she said. She gasped at the spark of magic that passed between then, but he didnt seem to notice it.
Nation? Idve thought ya a Flynn for certain. Youve the hair, He fingered his own tired curls and then gestured to her plait of strawberry blonde.
One of my great-great grandmothers was a Flynn, she answered absently.
He took her hand again and held it tight. His mouth smiled, but his eyes were serious as he held her gaze. Then youre from the maternal line? Well, then, if youve not been told, whatever you do, dont have three daughters.
The Ghosts Reborn base
Vir studied a list of names. A list of the members of the Ghosts Reborn. One of the people on this list was a traitor, a spy for their mortal enemies. The duty for reviewing the list fell to him. He suspected it was because he was the most capable of detaching his emotions. He also suspected - no, hoped - that he wasnt the only one performing this duty. At this point, no one- including himself - should be above suspicion.
Having said that, however, he made his first cut based on time as a member. If the Ghost in question had been a member before Ice9s death, the likelihood was very low that they were the spy. And, of course, anyone who joined in the year or so before the discovery of the spy would necessitate a much closer look. In fact, Anjali might be the only member of the Ghosts he was willing to rule out, since she was still trying to escape her captivity from the Shades when the spy was discovered.
Then there were a few special cases. There was Cherished, whose sister was both a Soldier of Arachnos and a member of the Shades. That sister had been funneling information to Cherished, but might Cherished be sending information back? The circles within circles were a bit dizzying - why would she reveal the existence of a spy if she were the spy? Jagged Fortune also had a line into the Shades, he could be playing the same sort of game. Hmmm . Six Four was not above suspicious by any means, even with his membership suspended. He was erratic and unpredictable, though his single minded vendetta against one of the leaders of the Shades would seem to make that unlikely. Of course, if it was part of a power play within the Shades Vir worked his way down the list while a spike of a headache began to form between this eyes and bore into his skull. The double and triple think required made almost anyone a possibility. And with that he sighed sadly and wrote Ahren and Glacius9 down on the special cases list. Both of them had spent significant time as unwilling guests in the Rogue Isles. He knew both men would die before betraying the Ghosts. But either could be a sleeper. He shook his head, finding that it was more difficult than hed thought to detach himself from the possibility that somewhere on these lists of people he trusted was the name of someone betraying that trust.
He lifted his head at a knock on the door frame. Yes? he inquired of the young Ghost recruit standing there.
Ah.. Phone call for you, Vir, the young mans voice cracked nervously. Its from Crowne Memorial hospital.
His head was still full of names and possibilities as he took the phone and distracted answered, This is Vir.
Ah Vir. This is Michele calling from Crowne Memorial hospital. You are listed as next of kin for a Seamus Campbell. Virs attention focused suddenly and utterly on the gentle voice. Theres been an accident. We need you here right away.
Vir launched himself skyward and turned towards Kings Row with a knot roiling and twisting in his belly. He was a man more prone to deliberate and rational thought than confused emotional reaction, but this was family. Guilt, worry, anger and fear twisted up his thoughts and spurred him faster.
It had been too long since hed talked to Seamus. In the 15 years since his explosive falling out with his father, Vir had made a point of maintaining a relationship with his younger brother, but the last few years of life and death struggle had gotten in the way of his goal. It has been weeks since hed talked to his younger brother, and months since hed seen him. A movie, a couple beers after and then he just hadnt had time for more than a phone call.
And now Vir couldnt put aside his fear that the accident had been a deliberate attempt to affect Vir himself. He didnt hide his face. For a wonder, the media had never really caught the connection between him and his wealthy, respected family. But still, it wouldnt be hard at all for one of Virs enemies to realize that hurting Seamus would distract Vir. Not hard at all.
Vir put more energy into his flight to get there faster, even though a part of him wanted to turn the other way. His father would certainly be there. It had been nearly fifteen years since he'd walked out of his father's house full of righteous anger. Even a decade and a half later, Vir was still frustrated and angry at his father's demands. In hindsight, he had to realize that the argument could have been handled better, and that his own stubbornness had prevented from ever trying to reconcile. Of course, his father didn't have the excuse of youth for his own stubbornness, and Vir knew that his father was at least as much to blame for not attempting a reconciliation.
Vir knew once the media that surrounded his father finally made the connection once they realized that Vir wasn't just some guy named Michael Campbell, he was Michael Campbell, Jr, eldest son of THE Michael Campbell, philanthropist and entrepreneur well, once they got hold of that, it would play non-stop. Add in the injured youngest son bringing about the reconciliation and someone would be trying to make a movie of the week out of it.
He swooped into the lobby of Crowne Memorial and ran to the desk. Seamus Campbell. he demanded.
The hospital staff were used to Heroes coming and going, but perhaps not often with this degree of urgency. The desk clerk blinked bleary eyes at Vir, Are you-
I'm family! Just tell me where he is!
A look of sympathy crossed her face. ICU, she answered.
-----
Editorial comment - This last scene, and the storyline it kicks off, was born after Ice9 made an observation about my handling of his characters. He pointed out that everyone one of his characters I wrote had flaws and faults in addition to their good qualities. Every one except UPS (now Vir). He said that Vir never failed to be good, strong, and heroic, and never revealed a weakness of character.
I pointed out in response that his other characters had pasts and histories, and that Vir did not. My only frame of reference for Vir was watching him in play. And Vir is one of the best tanks out there - which has a lot to do with how Ice plays a tank - always watching out for team, always the protective shield keeping the rest of the team safe. And, if Vir DOES go down, he has still done everything possible to get the rest of the team to safety first. Pretty damn heroic, especially when that's ALL you know about the character!
Ice then described to me the back story he had imagined for Vir: son of a well-to-do family who'd had a falling out over the path of his life. I grabbed it and ran with it - starting by redefining "well-to-do" as "fabulously wealthy."
You may have already noticed that Book II is introducing new characters and new story lines. I know it's a little much for me to keep straight, much less you guys who aren't immersed in this stuff! ... and I cut a bunch of story lines OUT of this section!!! We're still headed for a big showdown... just taking a few winding paths on the way.
Such a great lead into the unfolding epic battle to come.
Angel Red
"We're heroes. Fighting injustice is the thing we do." ~Rebel Scum