Category: Fantasy

  • Free Write #1

    Preface

    I was dreaming about this weird world this morning. The best I could figure for it was that the US collapsed and everything fell apart. But of course people adapted.

    I think when this happens, because it really is a matter of when at this point, it is going to suck for us still alive (I’m an American, BTW)

    But I also think we will adapt, and I’m not sure what that means. So this free write, I’m just going to tinker with that idea.

    Free write start

    It finally happened. The United States collapsed.

    After all the over taxing, fraud, and all other closed-door-dealings, the representatives drove the economy into the ground and changed the mighty US into a third-world country.

    Many of those reps fled. They saw the writing on the wall. And those that didn’t wished they’d had.

    Over 200 reps, judges, lobbyists, or whoever (people were so mad that if you were wearing an expensive suit, you were rounded up with them) were hanged. A gallows was erected right outside of the House, and the world watched as iteration after iteration of so-called leaders swung and danced fancy with the devil before he took them to their new home.

    It was televised. One of the last televised events before things began to shut down. There was no money, only infrastructure, and too many were disenfranchised that they stopped working.

    Those who saw their work as a civil duty continued to work. They weren’t getting paid, but power was a huge responsibility. Coal was burned, but not enough, and plenty were so bitter from the collapse they just decided it was over for them.

    At first, businesses tried to maintain capitalism, but as the dollar was nearly worthless, it was a struggle to figure out what one could actually sell and make any money. Trade began to occur, but the value of a chicken or eggs or whatever was not considered.

    These men dealt federal notes, not comodities.

    The majority of people created little tribes and villages and just started looting.

    Phone service was down. Those who had radios were using them to coordinate.

    Police tried to maintain order, but the numbers did not equal, and even police were scarred by the collapse.

    The military was supposed to stop the hangings, however, individual identity kicked in and most soldiers deserted if not partook in the public executions.

    Too long had some of these reps been permitted to make decisions that ruined the United States. Too long. And once the dollar was finally worth nothing in the eyes of the world did every American feel it.

    And it got to the point that the mob didn’t stop pointing their fingers at the “bad guys.”

    Lynching continued. Every “evil group” was brought to the gallows.

    There were sympathizers and factions and us-vs-them politics however it was more than just two parties.

    Religious factions.

    Racial factions.

    Professional factions.

    Military.

    And all of these were split as everyone fought for resources.

    End Free Write

    That was about 30 minutes free write.

    I don’t know. This is just what I imagine happening. That being said maybe there would be an invasion from China, Russia, or where ever.

    I’m definitely not a political science major, but I think the temperature in the US is hot for civil strife.

  • Genesis Chapter 4

    Lira made it back to the Astronomy Tower before Hydracollis could do any damage. Scientists weren’t exactly cross trained in every discipline. After primary school and the sorting test, they would all take a core curriculum before they were again sorted into different masteries.

    Once Lira entered the room, she stopped him from toggling her equipment and immediately sent several of her drones to the star to collect any data they could.

    “Please! I’m begging you to send ten more. You can spare ten more! They don’t all need to look for a planet!” Hydracollis pleaded.

    “A new planet is the top priority, Hydracollis,” Quarxley twiddled with her handheld communicator. “Though the more we can learn about creating our own stars may lend us the ability to create planets without all the hassle of searching. We would just need to manufacture the correct atmosphere . . .”

    “Yes,” said Hydracollis, his tail wagging. “We could just manufacture planets and soon we’ll be able to manufacture the prime elements!”

    “Not that pipe dream again,” said Quarxley. “Elements form, and that is based on factors we can’t comprehend.”

    “But think about it! If we can create a star and if we can create a planet, we can reverse engineer the process and figure out exactly why they form and how to form them.”

    “Well then perhaps Lira should send all the drones to the planet and collect data there,” said Quarxley.

    “You’re a bit insufferable today, aren’t you Quarxley?”

    “Did somebody mention a planet?” An old, dull-yellow Drakonian walked through the door, aided by a metal cane. He wore a white robe which signified his status as the Scientist Supreme: Fauchila.

    Lira, Quarxley, and Hydrcollis knelt and bowed their heads as he entered, and as they did so, Lira’s machines began to chirp loudly three times every two seconds.

    “As you were,” said the Scientist Supreme, his voice raspy, “Please, Scientist, your instruments, what do they tell you?”

    Lira dashed to her computer and scanned her screens, each showing data for the atmosphere, soil, plant life, and wild life. “The drones are detecting favorable conditions for our habitation, Scientist Supreme.” She smiled.

    “Thank Science it finally happened!” the Scientist Supreme said. He took a seat and stared at the work station monitors, surveying the findings just as Lira had, checking her work. She didn’t mind. She knew she was right. This was it. Drakon 5 had been discovered.

    “Ahem . . .”

    It was Geb. The others had bowed so quickly that Lira had not noticed he had been walking with the Scientist Supreme, undoubtedly trying to get her in trouble for earlier.

    Fauchila looked up at him. “Geb, this is great news. Don’t tell me you still feel sour from earlier.”

    “Sir, I simply wanted to implore that we go to the King immediately and begin the expedition process.”

    Fauchila stood up. “Yes! Of course! This is very important! We need to arrange a meeting at once! Scientist!”

    Everyone turned, but he was addressing Lira. “Collect all that data onto a file and bring it to the meeting. Prepare a presentation. I’ll give you more information in the morning. Come on Scientist Geb. We’re going to see General Tarask.”

    Fauchila moved quickly out of the door. Geb turned to follow, but before he reached the doorway, he turned his head towards Lira,

    “Well done,” Geb sneered. Lira flicked her tongue at him, winking as he left.

  • Mark Fischburne

    Mark Fischburne

    Mark, jolly rogers, Appalachian pirates
    Mark, jolly rogers, Appalachian pirates

    Bio: Mark deserted his post at * military base. One night he just got up and walked away. He doesn’t know how long he was walking, he believes he was in a trance. All he remembers is waking up in front of Jolly Rogers and meeting The Captain sitting outside whitling.

    Mark joined the crew and became a versatile Raider. Whether driving a regular vehicle to the Aos Si upgraded vehicles, creating deployment strategies and leading raids once The Captain left.

    • Age: 32
    • Height: 5’10”
    • Weight: 180lbs
    • Class: Acting Captain
    • Personality: Positive, can do attitude
    • Skills: Resourceful; intuitive; leadership
    • Fears: ?
    • Pet Peeve: Repeating himself
    • Favorite food: bibimbap
  • Wade Bassett

    Wade Bassett

    Wade, jolly rogers, Appalachian pirates
    Wade, jolly rogers, Appalachian pirates

    Bio: Wade Bassett woke up one day to find his autoshop had disappeared and reappeared next to a convenience store called Jolly Rogers. After a moment of disorientation, Wade gained the courage to explore and met The Captain inside the store.

    As he adjusted to life, along with Bob and Mark, he became the head mechanic and while working with the Aos Si, developed new vehicles to help in their piracy.

    • Age: 32
    • Height: 6’4″
    • Weight: 220lbs
    • Class: Jolly Rogers Auto Maintenance Supervisor
    • Personality: Disciplined; a bit of a perfectionist
    • Skills: Resilience, auto maintenance, auto upgrades
    • Fears: Being spirited away… again
    • Pet Peeve: Raiders taking shortcuts during vehicle maintenance
    • Favorite food: Fried chicken tenders
  • Bob Mueller

    Bob Mueller

    bob, jolly rogers, Appalachian road pirates
    bob, jolly rogers

    Bio: When Bob and his wife were on vacation, they got turned around in the New Eden Triangle. After their car broke down, they left the vehicle, looking for a gas station or anywhere that could help them.

    As night fell, they were stalked by not-deer and were nearly killed before The Captain saved them.

    He rose in the ranks as one of The Captain’s most trusted crew mates, and has found himself a new home as the store manager.

    • Age: 32
    • Height: 6’4″
    • Weight: 230lbs
    • Class: Jolly Rogers Store Manager
    • Personality: Meticulous, thoughtful, and ambitious in preserving the Jolly Rogers legacy
    • Skills: People skills; vehicle maintenance; logistics
    • Fears: Not-deer and other abnormal creatures in New Eden
    • Pet Peeve: Stagnation
    • Favorite food: sandwiches