Today is a day for celebration! As the Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz has reached a milestone issue, 100 to be exact! I'm also sharing the 4th chapter of Orphan's War after some reflection on the matter. Might as well right? There's also my usual early month review of my previous months writing to round things out, but let the party begin!
The Comic Tales of Brennan and Riz
Well, here it is, issue 100. This is a milestone and a half isn't it? All the way back when I started it, I knew it was a risky bet that I would still be doing the strip now. There's been a few times where I've been tempted to throw it all in (generally time related, sometimes lack of ideas). Luckily I powered through this.
For the strip itself, it's another meta one, just like the one year anniversary strip from back in January of this year. Some fun visuals here, like the party hat. There's also that last panel...Obviously all rights to Jon belong to Jim Davies but I did find the idea fairly amusing that Riz would end up in the Garfield strip (well Jon, a talking alcoholic rat or Garfield...bet the cat is looking like a good preposition right about now!) Plus it gave me the chance to try and draw Jon to Jim's style. Don't think it came out too bad.
What came out bad was the filters I tried to use to brighten the strip up. For those who don't know my super low-tech approach, u take a photo of the finished strip and then adjust it through filters. Today this process bit me in the behind. Had I the money and room for my old PC + scanner set up (or a way to draw it digitally) I'd jump on it in a heart beat.
Still, 100 down...will I make it to 150? Let's see this time next year!
Short Diversions: Orphan's War Chapter 4
So I decided to drop Chapter 4 afterall, figured I'd come so far, might as well show all I've got from this story.
As always there's been no editing, so what we have here is the raw text...which is why you'll have oddities like information being presented twice without much of a gap.
Chapter 1 is here
Chapter 2 is here
Chapter 3 is here
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Chapter 4: The Siblings Part
The transport containing Drake, Ava and their escort trundled along through another tunnel, Duke telling them that it was another connecting path. The little sight seeing trip was more or less over, and the Dome they were entering now contained the hospital where Ava would receive the treatment promised. There had been scant chatter amongst the group, which gave Duke anple opportunity to fill the void of silence with his thoughts.
In between the barrage of nonsense, Drake had seen Duke's eyes land on his sister, like someone eyeing up a product to use. Drake dreaded to think of the others in his situation powerless.
Shaking all this from his mind, Drake looked out on the scenery of the new Dome. This one could be classed as a veritable paradise with a green and thriving forest mingling with the odd building that seemed to blend in. There was no one around, lending the place a sense of solitude. Drake liked it, though the foreboding atmosphere also hinted that isolation wasn't always safe.
"We're on the driveway to Sacred Vessel hospital," Duke proudly announced.
"Why is it called that?" Ava pondered out loud. "In fact, why is it the Atlantis Empire?"
"In both cases, that's because that's the names people wanted!" Duke laughed, thinking he was hilarious.
"Be prepared for his attitude to change once she's not here," a voice whispered to Drake, one that he almost missed. He looked around and saw that Gwen, the only other Silver in the car, had shuffled over to him. She wasn't looking after him, but her words were directed at him.
"Don't stare like that, it'll only piss him off more."
"What do you mean?" Drake had a good idea about what she meant, but wanted to hear it out of her mouth.
"He's only playing nice in front of your sister, far better to get the young ones to believe in this place…" Gwen said, though it didn't go unnoticed.
"Private Myers, perhaps a person in your position should watch what you say," Duke threatened. Though he still did it with a smile.
"Sorry sir," Gwen bowed. "You've signed up for some serious trouble." She mouthed to Drake.
Ava, oblivious, to what was going on with her brother, was lost amidst the wildlife that seemed to be all around them, birds and small animals that darted from hiding place to hiding place.
“This is amazing!" She gasped, her heart racing as she took in each new sight. Her pupils contracted and the world dulled. She would have fallen off the transport if Drake hadn't grabbed her first.
"Ava! You're getting over excited," he said, sighing. He wanted to be angry but he should have seen this coming.
"I'll be fine!" Ava said between breaths, which contradicted her statement. "Okay, maybe I'm not…"
Drake looked round to see what the rest of the group thought, but found only Gwen looking concerned. Duke was watching as well, but he was more intrigued.
"What illness is it that she has again?" He asked.
"The only doctor who we saw called it a sleeping beauty disease…because of how tired it made her. She really needs to rest now," Drake admitted.
"Sleeping beauty disease! The idiots out there really have no idea do they!" Duke laughed. Despite what happened between him and the doctor at the time, Drake didn't think that harshly of him, after all, he was out there trying to help the people stuck outside the Domes.
As the transport turned a corner, Sacred Vessel hospital came into view, a grandiose looking building that seemed to mimic an old style. The windows were tinted black, hiding the inside from scrutiny. There were people wandering the grounds, from patients being accompanied by nurses, to the more unsettling, fully armed guards who watched the transport as it neared the main entrance.
"Guards at a hospital?" Drake asked.
"For the patient's safety of course. There's a lot of terrorists that wouldn't have any issues with destroying a hospital," Duke answered, as the transport came to a stop. Ava cuddled into Drake, as the realisation of where they were hit home.
"If you want to accompany your sister for her check in, please do. No doubt you'll want to see the place for yourself before we take you to your accommodation," Duke motioned Drake to leave with Ava.
"I take it you'll be waiting for me," Drake didn't waste any time in getting out, helping Ava down to the ground, who wobbled a bit with each step.
"Of course! I'll be here after you've said goodbyes, though, Ash! Gwen!" Duke reverted to Gwen's first name instead of her rank like earlier. "Accompany Drake here into the hospital if you would be so kind, we don't want him getting lost in there."
Drake recognised the gesture for what it really was, an entourage to make sure he returned. It was a bitter pill as Drake planned to keep his word, no matter how ill it made him feel.
"Thank you for bringing us here, and can you pass along our gratitude please to whoever let us in," Ava said with a beaming smile. Her natural charm was evident.
"Oh, it was an absolute pleasure! I'll pass the message on, don't you worry, and I'll keep my word, I'll get you a meeting with Miss Moon. Who knows, maybe you'll even join her on stage!" Duke supercharged his effort to charm Ava, but it added to Drakes unease. Ava did have the dream of performing with Melody, but it was always that, a dream. Not that Drake would stop her if she wanted it.
Ava was speechless at the thought, she tried to say something but every word fell out of her mouth unformed.
"Goodbye my dear," Duke waved. Not wanting to drag the uncomfortable feeling for any longer, Drake begrudgingly walked Ava into the hospital, accompanied by Ash and Gwen.
The main doors slide open, granting access to the Hospital. The lobby was large, white with odd bits of colour here and there. The receptionist looked like her friendly face had been painted on, and the warmth in her voice could melt it if she wasn’t careful.
“Hello, I’ve been told we are expecting an Ava Vern?” She said, looking at the only person it could have possibly been. Drake looked at his sister, who'd lost her nerve, and so spoke for her.
"Yes, this is my sister, Ava," though Drakes nerves showed through.
"Brillant, someone will be along in a moment to show you to your room," the receptionist said, before she quickly went back to her work.
Ava made sure that no one was watching her before she dared speak up again.
"I'm…I'm sorry, Drake," she whispered. Standing there, in the hospital, the full reality of the situation bore down on her whitling away her strength that she sorely needed in that moment. From the day her parents died, Ava had relied on her brother, this had only been enforced by the onset of her disease. Now, she would have to say goodbye. What hurt her the most was that she didn't know if this was to be the last goodbye. She wasn't stupid, she knew that whatever her brother was going to do, it wasn't anything pleasant. She couldn’t look him in the eyes, not without seeing her guilt reflected back. There was what she wanted to say, and what she knew she could only say.
"I'm so, so sorry!" She started crying, her head bowed and hands clenched as tight as she could.
Drake put his arms around her, trying to comfort her like he had done countless times before, but even he knew that this was different.
"Ava…" Drake said, eyes closed. When he opened them again, he saw that Gwen was looking away completely, her face obscured, while Ash just stood still like a statue, unmoved by the display. Unexpectedly, Ava broke free of her brothers hug, stepping away from him.
"I'm the cause of this," her words were devoid of the life she usually invoked with her speech.
"Thinking like that won't change anything, now you have a chance to live again, don't you want that?" Drake asked her. Ava turned to face him, but her weakness struck, and she collapsed to her knees, the tension draining all her energy. The receptionist almost looked ready to vault her desk but settled back into her seat when she saw Drake tended to his sister.
"Not…Not if it involves you being the cost," she said in between breaths.
"I…" Drake started before he realised that the words had left him.
"I'm not worth it, Drake."
Hearing his sister talk like that, Drake felt a piece of himself suffer. She blamed herself, but right now, Drake wanted to erase himself from his sister's memories, an action he presumed would allow her to heal guilt free.
"You are worth it, protecting you and making sure you're okay are my main jobs, no matter what you say."
"Your life would be better off…I'm just a dead weight stuck half-way between life and death…"
"If you knew what your brother was doing for you, then you would know how much he cares." Gwen interrupted.
"But he wouldn't have to do that if it wasn't for me!" Ava didn't even waste any momentum as she turned to face Gwen.
"Stop being selfish! You're wasting his sacrifice."
Drake felt sidelined as the two started to debate. He felt a passion coming from Gwen, and he wondered if this was the first time she'd come out with these observations before.
"What?" Ava said, stunned. "How am I being selfish!"
"Because you're not thinking of anyone but yourself! I thought that would be obvious!" Gwen got closer to Ava, so they could argue face to face.
"Haven't you been listening!" Ava strained her words.
"I have, but if getting rid of you would make your brothers life better, why hasn't he done that! I've met many who would."
"I don't understand?"
"Your brother does what he can to protect you, that's obvious, right?"
"Yeah?"
"So if getting rid of you would make his life better, why do you think he hasn't done that?"
Despite its first appearances, the fight between the pair was simmering, with Gwen slowly changing her tone.
"I…" Ava looked at her brother, if only for a brief moment. "Because he doesn't want to see me hurt?"
"Now, how do you think he feels when you say things like everyone would be better off without you? He clearly wants you to be the best you can, so cut down the dramatism, you've still got growing to do," Gwen took a step back from Ava, and in the lull of the unexpected argument, Drake realised that an attendant was stood next to him, too nervous to speak up.
"Urm ..hi? I'm here to take Miss Vern to her room," the young woman said, she didn't appear to be any older then Gwen.
"Just give them a moment," Drake said. Apparently he was the only one to actually hear her.
Ava was about to say something when she noticed the attendant there. Her cheeks flushed red.
"I'm s-sorry!" She put her hands to her face, trying to hide her shame.
"As I said, you're still young," Gwen sighed, seeing that was the end of that. Drake made a mental note to himself to speak to her, if he could, later.
"I'm ready to go, miss?" Ava steadied herself.
"My name is Bella, miss Vern," The attendant awkwardly answered. Despite the drama that was on display only moments ago, Ava smiled with the warmth that Drake always associated with her:
"Please, just call me Ava! Where is my room then? It's been a while since I've stayed in one!"
"It's almost like we didn't even have that fight," Gwen muttered in Drake's ear.
"I guess you could call it a survival mechanism," Drake replied. "She thinks she needs to save face.. "
"That's a good skill to have if Duke gets his way with her," Gwen said, sarcastically, though the words haunted Drake.
"What do you mean by that!" He said as he spun to face her properly.
"Nothing I can say with him around," she motioned towards Ash, who was now watching them both, his eyes looking through them. Drake tutted in frustration, but knew his new comrade was right. Though, it wasn't just Ash looking at him, as Bella was also trying to get his attention.
"Excuse me? If you would like to follow me?"
Ava was already behind the attendant, ready to go.
"Lead the way then, please," Drake nodded.
The little group followed the attendant through the corridor, taking left, then a hard right before ascending what looked to be a massive staircase. Drake had tried to keep track of the internal layout but found it an almost impossible task, as no sooner had they reached one landing, the attendant started taking them through left and right turns again.
"Excuse me, Bella?" Ava spoke up as they continued through the maze-like passages. "Do you know anything about how they'll treat me?"
“Not a great deal I'm afraid, it's a bit above my pay grade. What I do know is they're prepping at least one needle, to start things off," Bella said, sounding unsure of herself.
"How big a needle?" Ava followed up.
"Uhh…" Bella scrambled for an answer, before stretching her thumb from her finger to show the length. Drake and Gwen flinched.
"Oh…" was all that Ava could muster.
"Yeah…I'm sorry," Bella let out an awkward sigh, before looking away, embarrassed. "Look!" She pointed to one of the signs on the wall. "We're almost there, in that section you'll find your private room."
"Will there be other patients around?" Drake asked.
"No, in fact she'll be the only one in this block. This section was recently renovated so your sister is the first one to stay here in a while," Bellacl quickly looked away again.
Drake wanted to know how long his sister would be here for but stopped himself from verbalising it. He knew that this Bella girl wouldn't know.
Seeming to sense Drake’s doubt, Bella stopped the group.
"What I can tell you is that your sister is set to receive our highest rate of care, I'll try my best to keep that," she said proudly.
"Is that my room?" Ava interrupted what the attendant was saying, rushing to the door of room 0705, where an electronic display blinked her name.
"Yes, this is it, Bella said, sliding a key card through the lock. The door opened and she stepped inside, beckoning Ava and Drake in after her. Drake let out a gasp as he saw what his sister's room was like. It was spacious with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens, with the forest at the boundary. Furniture was sparse, but all the essentials were counted for. The bed was the only thing that gave the room away as being part of a hospital, having all the trappings of a gurney. Gwen didn't follow Drake in, and when he looked back, he saw that she'd also stopped Ash from following as well, not that he seemed too bothered.
“This place is amazing…" Ava let out an excited giggle, and she rushed to the windows, pushing against the glass. Drake didn't say anything, he was too busy comparing it to the world outside the Domes. It was like night and day, where the siblings had come from, and where they were now, it reinforced a sense thar they didn't belong, that they should have never been there.
Drake walked around slowly, his footsteps echoing around which brought with it a new thought, the lack of noise.
“Why is it so quiet?” He asked, louder then what he originally wanted.
“Your sister will be the only person on this floor, in fact this room is the only one with a bed in it on this floor. There’s a private treatment room, several supply cupboards, and a media room where she can see how the people in the Domes keep entertained...In fact we have several Melody Moon concerts for her to watch endlessly if she wishes.” The receptionist knew what buttons to press, just as Duke had done before. Ava turned at the mention of the name, but did it too quickly, losing her balance. It was becoming clear that she needed some rest, as her illness started to rear it’s head. Helping his sister into the bed, Drake knew that the time was coming where he would have to say goodbye, even though it wasn’t the final time, he felt the pain in his chest. Ava noticed and held his hand.
“It’s okay Drake...” She smiled best she could, her body getting ready for the rest she craved. “You can come and see me when you get a break...”
“I...” Drake stuttered. He had words he wanted to say but couldn’t get them out. He calmed himself and tried again but managed only a strange sound. Ava laughed at her brother’s attempt to be sentimental.
“You don’t need to say anything Drake...You wouldn’t have done all of this if you didn’t care about me. You’ve been fighting for me ever since I can remember...You made this deal just to get me here. I know how you feel and it’s the same as I do....” Her grip lessened, and Drake knew that she would soon be asleep. Knowing that his sister had said his words better then he could ever do, he sighed.
“You’re right, like you always are. Rest up okay? First chance I get, I’ll come back and see you. If you meet Melody Moon before then, you’ll have to tell me all about her.” Drake was a little playful there, even if he did hate buying into the promise that Duke made her.
“Of course! I’m going to talk your ears off! Get going, and be okay...I’ll be here waiting for you” Ava let go of Drakes hand and shuffled herself, getting ready for sleep. Drake leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
“Good bye Ava, I’ll be back...” Drake said, as the receptionist led him to door and out.
“The doctor will be round once she wakes up to talk her through what happens next. Till then I suggest we let her rest.” The receptionist then took her leave, knowing that Drake would end following the guards who had orders to fulfil.
“Your sister will be fine...” Gwen said, though it wasn’t clear if she was saying it to be comforting or sarcastic. Ash continued his silence, though this time, the look on his face spoke that this was beneath him.
“Let’s just go, I know you don’t want to be here.” Drake said, setting off down the corridor, though his feet didn’t want to follow his orders, each footstep behind very heavy.
“Very true...” Ash said, breaking his quiet role.
“Oh you can speak then.” Drake replied, though Ash ignored him.
“You’re not going to get him to say anything else, he uses his words how and when he chooses.” Gwen explained, not that Drake actually cared, he was already making his mind up about these people, and how far he could trust them.
Duke was waiting for them as they left the hospital, seemingly glad that Ava was no more among their number.
“Now that you’re sister is where she belongs, it’s time to take you to where you belong silver boy....” He said with a deeply unpleasing grin. “Let’s go, we don’t want you to be late for your own induction now...” With no other choice, Drake got back into the truck, ready to find out what exactly they had in store for him.
Melody Moon had found some time to herself, though it wasn’t going to be very brief. Her handler was indisposed for a moment, as he was trying out some new talent, an act she wished she had the power to stop. The guards that stood at her door though, would never let her get that far. To provide a useless act of resistance though, she listened to some more Rebel Broadcasts, imagining the ways she would help bring this order down.
“To all those who listen and think they are powerless...Stop it, stop it right now. You’re only powerless because that’s what they’ve beaten into you. They don’t want you to realise you’re strong and that if you united yourselves, you can make a difference. You don’t have to fight in order to help bring about change. Leave the fighting to those who are ready for the sacrifices. Standing together, we can end this cruel regime, we can start making this a world for us all to live in.” The broadcast cut out again there, no doubt the wavelength being blocked again, as was the usual game of cat and mouse between the broadcasters, and the government. Melody looked out the window, while waiting for it to resume. What they had said was beautiful and poignant, but it was just words. She couldn’t find the strength they spoke about, and she knew no one who she could stand with, she was alone.
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I'm thinking of dropping the last two chapters next week to make way for a very special Short Diversions the week after featuring Brennan and Riz. Your one and only clue about that story will be that the Muppets havd done it...That was probably too good a clue.
November Review
So, what writing have I done this past month? Well it's an easy answer as I've spent all of it on the first draft of Daemon Soul: Avalon, cracking 50k. Leaving aside the fact that the majority of those words will be tossed in the bin once it becomes time to refine the draft, there's still another 40k to do and while I know what I'm doing for the finale (and I've got a doozy planned for that!) It's the bit leading up to that which I'm struggling with! Hopefully I'll be able to overcome it.
I've set myself a goal of getting the draft done before the end of February and then editing by May.
Other than that, it's been the usual #vss365 and poetry like this haiku:
Stardust in our hearts
The same blood flowing through us
Citizens of Earth
Or this one:
Lonely Tardigrade
Thinking of the world above
Be content with you
As for poetry:
I understand completely,
The words that you say.
I also understand the words you don't.
The spaces in-between, the lines unfilled.
What you mean is:
"Obey Citizen
Lest you be othered, our new enemy."
But you can not take what was never there.
My respect.
Again, they're all done in conjunction with the vss365 word which in this case was citizen.
As always hit me up on Blue-Sky if you want more poetry (along with my Brennan and Riz vss)
That's it for this week!
Till next time...
Keep on writing!
Peter James Martin
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