Sunday, August 24, 2008

Steelhead Adventures: The Journal

(Blogger's Note: I must warn you, this is somewhat dark in nature. I beg the reader to please not take it too seriously, this is, after all, merely a story)

For some time now, my slightly psychic paper had been acting strangely. Words began appearing on the paper. I had tried to make sense of the riddles it gave me. Then as I started looking at the words as they appeared on the paper, again, I began to have visions that answered the riddles.

With the recent attack on Fuzzball's life, I suddenly realized that a chain of events was beginning. I have taken to writing the visions in this journal. Hopefully, this could prepare us from allowing these visions to come true.

Silver Poison

These were the first words that appeared on the paper. As I stared at the words, I suddenly found myself standing in front of the Steelhead Hotel. The sky was a hazy gray in color, and people walked by and didn't notice me, apparent that I was to merely watch and not get involved. A gunshot was heard. The citizens dropped what they were doing and looked. A lump formed in my throat as I knew what was happening. I looked up to see myself and Koen running towards the direction of Fuzz's house. Other citizens started running towards the house as well. I followed

"Back off" I heard TotalLunar Eclipse yell, "Please, give us some room."

The crowd slowly moved back. I walked forward and saw Fuzz laying face down on his porch. I watched the me in this vision turn Fuzz over, and gasped, as several others did, as the wound in the center of his chest became visible.

The vision me looked at Lunar, "We need to get him inside, NOW."

Then there was a flash......

The scene had changed, I was now standing in Fuzz's living room. Other citizens as well. The DeCosta's, Riven Homewood, Eugenia Burton, Forelle Boek, Baron Wulfenbach and a couple of members of the Europan Consulate. Others were on the front porch. Still others walked by, looked up at the house, then continued walking on, only to turn around and head back to the house. At the bottom of the stairs, Angelica was sitting with Kattryn Severine.

They both got up and turned to see Lunar slowly walking down the stairs.

"Oh please," I found myself muttering, "don't let it be......"

Lunar spoke softly to Angelica, who then slumped back down, sobbing. Everyone in the room bowed their heads, many of them sobbing. The citizens on the porch, followed by the ones on the street, followed suit. A day worse than "The Dark Times" happened in Steelhead City, Oregon.

"It's only a vision," I muttered, trying to control my sobbing, "nothing to get emotional over"

I looked up to see Old boB Ballyhoo in front of me, staring. Actually.....he was looking right at me.

"And you know what?" boB said "This is ooonly the beginning"

And there was a flash

The Death Of Law

I found myself standing in front of town hall. People stood on the side of the street. All of them, mourning. I looked to see the funeral procession coming by. Fuzz's coffin was in the horse drawn hearse, draped with flags representing The United States, Moldavia, Caledon, and Steelhead. The Ortegavich family walked behind, Angelica walking between her parents, Piotr and Iliana Ortegavich, with the rest of her siblings and myself behind them. Kattrynn Severine, TotalLunar Eclipse, and Tensai Hilra followed, followed by Governor Desmond Shang, followed by dignitaries and soldiers and many others. I looked around and found that everyone, from Steelhead to Caledon to New Babbage to Antiquity, to name a few, were here.

"Quite impressive," I thought "for someone who didn't care much for being the center of attention."

And then there was a flash

From my viewpoint, under at tree on a hill, I could see the funeral services. The rain had started, but people did not move. They stood and listened to the eulogy. They stood as the coffin was lowered. Then, they slowly walked away as the grave was being filled.

There was the flash

It was night, the rain had stopped and the stars were out. I found myself standing behind Fuzz's tombstone. In front of me, Lunar stood with Angelica, Piotr and Iliana. Angelica was looking at the moon.

"It looks sad." she said

Lunar nodded, "Aye, I can feel it's glow. It's mourning the loss of a great warrior."

Piotr looked at the tombstone, then towards Lunar, "You have arrested Barthelmess?" He asked

"I'd love to," Lunar said, "but we have no proof he did this"

"HE DID" Piotr snarled, "You know it, I know it. Your whole town knows it"

Iliana placed her hand on Piotr's chest, "Be calm, my dearest. Purdie is investigating all leads. If anyone can find the one responsible, it's him."

Piotr took his wife's hand and kissed it, he then turned back to Lunar, "Forgive me, friend elf. I....lost my son."

Angelica started sobbing again. Her parents walked up to her and held her in their arms. Lunar knelt on one knee at Fuzz's grave, said a prayer in his elven tongue, then got up and walked away.

I turned to find Old boB Ballyhoo standing next to me.

"Sad, isn't it?" he asked me, he looked at me, his face grim, "And it doesn't get better"

And then there was a flash.

Caledon Uninhabitable

I was standing in the console room of my TARDIS. The lights were slightly dimmed, for some reason. I looked around and found a body laying on the floor. I started to walk to it, then realized that I was staring at me. I turned as the familiar noise of a sonic screwdriver came from outside, the doors opened.

"Purdie" Oolon Sputnik called out as he entered. He was followed by Alfonso Avalanche, Terry Lightfoot, and Koen. "Purdie are you here?"

"Oolon" Terry said as she walked towards the lifeless body that was me, "we're too late."

Suddenly the console made a clicking sound and a holographic image of me appeared in front of the group.

"This is an emergency holographic projection," the hologram said "If this is playing then it means that I am dead or am close to dying, and the regeneration process will not work. If that is the case, then it is important that whoever is listening to this must act fast. Marcus Mason was in a power struggle in Caledon Tam with several known villains, minus one. During that struggle, Marcus detonated a weapon that was invented by one of the villains. As you may've guess by now, by the glow on the horizon, Tam is destroyed..."

I glanced out the doors and saw the glow. I wondered how bad this could get.

"It's going to get worse," the hologram continued, "Radiation poisoning is spreading ramant across Caledon now, due to that, and Marcus' powers. By my calculations......" the hologram paused, unsure of it should continue, "by my calculations, the radiation will have spread all over Caledon within six days. After which, no living creature will be able to live in Caledon for quite some time. Marcus has been stopped, but not without a price. Which is why this hologram is playing. As for the TARDIS....do nothing. Allow her to simply die. One final request, please tell Steelhead City.....I am so sorry, I tried to find Fuzz's killer, but I failed."

I could tell that when the vision me recorded this, he had fought the pain, trying to keep his composure. After he had said that last sentence, the hologram started coughing and dropped to his knees. The hologram ended there.

"What do we do?" Koen asked, tears running down his face.

"We have to get everyone out of Caledon." Alfonso said.

Oolon nodded, "Many will have radiation poisoning. We're going to need to find ways of curing them."

As they walked out of the TARDIS, the lights finally went out.

"Goodbye, Old Girl." I whispered

And then, there was a flash

I was standing in Steam Sky City. For once, it was actually moving, instead of hovering in Caledon. It was the best way to get all of Caledon out. I glanced out one of the windows and saw other airships following along.

"A ragtag fleet looking for a home." I whispered.

I walked down the corridors, seeing the distraught look on the faces of all of them. I walked up to a familiar looking blue box. The door opened and Darien Mason, once again, fully grown and wearing his old army medical gear, walked out. He removed his helmet and mask, to reveal the scarred face and the eyepatch. Apparently, my vision self was not alone in taking Marcus down. Eladrienne Laval walked up to him.

"Darien," she asked "how are they?"

"I'm trying to keep them as comfortable as I can." Darien replied, "I'm glad Oolon is letting us use is traveling cabinet to tend to the sick."

A quick flash, and I found myself in Desmond's office in Steam Sky City. He looked up at the gentlemen in the room.

"New Babbage apologizes," he said, "as does Antiquity and Rivet Town. They're not sure of the radiation poisoning. If it's contagious. Any Caledonians who are healthy are free to go there."

Gnarlihotep Abel shook his head, "Everyone wishes to stay together. We've lost too many, already. 40% of the population is gone. Every one of us have lost too much. All we have is each other."

Viderian Vollmar looked at Desmond, "We Take Steelhead On Their Offer?"

TotalLunar Eclipse walked up and pointed to the map on Des' desk, "Severine Valley is a huge place. You will be able to tend to your sick there. Oolon and Darien have both confirmed that the poisoning is not contagious. Steelhead will not turn it's back on anyone. Sheriff Ortegavich has arranged for the Jaeger's to serve as your protectors." Lunar smiled, "Angelica's basically doing what her brother would've done"

"And what will your government say?" Des asked

"Katt's land. She'll do what she wants with it."

Des nodded, "Steelhead City. It's been through bad times. They'll help us get through ours."

I followed Lunar out of the office. He stopped to see Lord Edward sitting on a bench. It was obvious that Edward had not slept in quite some time. Lunar walked over and sat next to him. I knew then that both have lost someone who was very dear to them both.

An owl flew into the great airship and dropped a parchment in Lunar's lap, then flew back out. Lunar opened the parchment and read it. He jumped up.

"GODS!" he exclaimed

"what?" Edward asked, standing up. Lunar handed him the parchment and Edward read it. "PRESIDENT BARTHELMESS?!?!"

Knowingly, I glanced over to see boB standing beside me.

"And the folks of the future thought them Bush boys were bad" he said

And then there was a flash

One True Master

I found myself inside what I thought was a prison. And yet, it had a familiar look to it. I looked around at the prisoners and their gray suits. Then, I noticed. They were furries, tinies, elves, different creatures of every shape and size. The armed guards.....were human.

Obviously, it didn't take long for Jobias to turn the government around to his liking. The prison was not a prison. I would almost be certain that the new government said that they were labor camps. I had known of a government in my home universe that used that same line, only to have been responsible for the deaths of millions.

I turned around....and found myself in an office in the camp. A few armed guards were in the room. Along with Barthelmess and......

"TotalLunar Eclipse." Barthelmess said, with a smile "So, good to see you, again."

Lunar said nothing.

"You know, we've been through alot, you and I." Jobias continued, "Remember when that bitch, Qlippothic, accused me of being around when trouble started? Well...we won't have to worry about her, anymore. Nor do we have to worry about Darien. Can you imagine him thinking he was human? A clone. A copy of an individual. He's no more human than that werewolf sheriff you used to have in Steelhead."

"You killed Fuzz" Lunar said through gritted teeth.

"THERE YOU GO" Jobias exlaimed, clasping his hands together. "I was wondering when that was going to come out." he walked closer to Lunar "You could never find the true murderer. Have no proof on who was responsible. I cannot believe that everyone...I mean EVERYONE is still on that kick. That werewolf died five years ago."

"His name," Lunar said, "was Demetrius Ezekial Fuzzball Ortegavich. Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega. Respected by many. He will be remembered long after you're gone."

Jobias snorted, "Yes, very well." he glanced around at the guards, then stepped closer to Lunar and spoke in a low voice, "You know. I have a reason for these labor camps. I mean, sure it seems like all the laborers are non-human. But, I'm not a completely cruel man. What say, we walk into the other room, and discuss this as civilized being?"

I could tell that Lunar knew he didn't have much of a choice. I watched the two of them walked into the room, and the door closed. Shortly after, there was a gun shot.

"God no" I said

Jobias walked out of the room, placing his revolver back into his pocket, "Clean up that mess" he told one of the guards. He turned to the rest, "Let's purify the lands."

"boB" I said, "I don't want to see anymore."

boB stepped in front of me, "I'm afraid that you have no choice."

And then there was a flash

Look To boB

Steelhead was in flames. The hotel, town hall, the shops, the houses, everywhere. I looked around, angered and saddened and frightened.

"Jobias" I said

"No" boB replied, "actually it was Tensai. Jobias was sending his army here. One last loose end, revenge against Steelhead. Tensai destroyed it all. The citizens, all are safe. Sheriff Ortegavich and the SWAT team saw to that."

"Who are you?" I asked, "I should've asked this from the beginning."

"A guide of sorts." boB replied, "Wasn't sure as to who to appear as. Fuzz, Angelica, Katt......but the crazy old man who rambles like a madman......that would work."

I added confusion to the anger, sadness and fright, "We lost. Evil won."

"Not quite" boB said with a smile

And then there was a flash

Jobias stood in his office, looking at the flames of the city outside.

"Jobias" boB said, "managed to come close to doing what he had wanted to do for so long. Conquer the world. What you were seeing, were different time periods of a possible future. But, don't think it's all gloom and darkness......well, it was, I know. But, in the end, something good almost always happens."

Jobias turned and his eyes widened as he looked my way. Was it possible that now, I was able to be seen in this nightmare? The answer came to me as the gun was fired from behind me. Jobias fell to the ground, dead. I turned around to see Katt standing there with a gun in her hand. She placed the gun in her hand bag and left the room.

bob nodded, "Yea, it was either going to be her, or Desmond. Both lost a lot."

"Who shot Fuzz?"

"Sue Ellen's sister." boB said, then shook his head, "Sorry, she shot J.R. One more thing I have to show you."

And then there was a flash

I looked around. Glanced at the clothing on the people as they walked by. It wasn't the 1890's.

"Early 21st Century" boB explained, "Mankind always picks himself up and moves on."

I glance around at the buildings, "Steelhead City?"

"That was rebuilt, too. How did you come to this universe?"

I shrugged, "Time War with the Daleks, was in the Medusa Cascade, wound up here"

"Many of the humans here came here via the Bermuda Triangle. The Lycans, due to a quest through Fenris' Cave. The Furries, the Neko's, the Tinies......everyone, came here, or were descended from those who came here through a portal of some sort in their universe of origin."

"Why?" I asked

"The beings known as the Lindens." boB replied "A great experiment of theirs. People of all walks of life, living in this one little pocket universe. Proving that no matter how different you are, everyone can get along. And if everyone can get along here, then the big universes can do the same. Mind you, as is apparent with Jobias, you get some bad eggs."

I shrugged, "So?"

boB motioned around, "No wars since the late 1800's. It was a success.....and a failure. The Lycans are living in remote areas, mostly in Eastern Europe. Nobody can tell you when a Tiny was last seen here."

"Possible future." I whispered, "Their experiment CAN succeed."

"Yes. You seen these events. It doesn't have to happen like this. You can prevent it from happening."

I smiled

And then there was a flash

I found myself in my console room, holding the psychic paper. The visions were over. It was then that I started to write everything from the visions in this journal.

Now that we know what may happen, we can prevent this from happening.

Respectfully,
Purdie Uggla

The Office Of TotalLunar Eclipse, Town Hall

"It was most interesting." Lunar said, handing Purdie the journal, "Until now, my idea of dark consisted of stories dealing with the world turning pink."

Purdie smiled, "Knowing we can turn the tide is an important thing. After all, time is this big ball of....timey wimey stuff."

"Is that a technical term?"

"Oh yes, the same as the blinky blinkies in my console. If you will excuse me. I'm going to get to the bottom of the shooting, even if I have to use up all my regenerations."

"We are here if you need us."

Purdie turned to leave as Old boB Ballyhoo stumbled into the office.

"Well," Purdie said, smiling, "you're no vision."

As Purdie walked out, boB looked at Lunar

"Mayor," boB drunkenly said, "I think I was insulted."

Outside Town Hall

Purdie looked up at the stars in the night sky.

"If I never make it home," he said outloud, "at least I have a terrific place to call home."

He looked to see boB standing in front of him.

"ello, boB" Purdie said, smiling, "Finished with your visit with Lunar?"

"One other thing," boB said as he started to fade into nothing, "Fuzzball Ortega still gets shot. You can't prevent that."

Purdie stared wide eyed as the vision vanished.

To Be Continued

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