Adept Tales 08 "And then there was a Rose..."

   The view outside his window hadn’t changed but the apprehension inside him continued to grow.  It seemed to Joshua that all he’d done recently was wait.  Wait for the right moment, the right vision, the right path.  Now he was waiting again.  This time for a meeting he wasn’t sure he wanted to have, a feeling that was becoming all too familiar.

   The call from Slo so soon was unexpected, but what he said was even more so, “He wants to meet you.”

   “But I thought Agony didn’t like authority,” he replied hopefully.

   “He says he’ll make an exception this time.  Seems like maybe he’s heard of you.”

   So he waited.  Waited to see what Agony had heard.  Waited to see why he was so interested in meeting Joshua.  He figured it couldn’t be good, but he was confident he’d read the patterns right.  Agony was the right guy.  He needed him.  So he waited.

   The report from Fane had done little to distract his thoughts, but the girl did interest him.  Something about her seemed to fit into the pattern too, but how, he wasn’t sure yet.  He supposed again he’d just have to wait for Fane to bring her.  He let out a heavy sigh and returned to his desk.  Perhaps work could keep his nerves at bay.

   The buzz of the intercom nearly knocked him out of his chair.  He realized he’d been straining, waiting to hear the indication that they were here, so when it finally struck, it hit him like electricity.  Renee ushered the men in with a look of concern at the intimidating Agony.  A nod from Joshua as he rose from his desk seemed to put her at ease as she retreated, closing the door behind her.

   He approached Slo, shaking his hand, but Agony didn’t even acknowledge him, instead taking in the office décor.  “Nice digs,” he said, more to the air then to Joshua.

   “Thanks.  Please, have a seat.”  Joshua returned to his desk as Slo sat.  Agony continued his casual investigation a few more moments before seeming to decide he was satisfied, taking the seat next to Slo.

   “So you’re the famous Joshua Williams.”  Not a question, but a statement, his attention and scrutiny finally falling on Joshua.

   Joshua fought the urge to squirm under his gaze, “That’s interesting coming from you.  I wasn’t aware I was famous.”

   “In certain circles.  You’d be amazed how far word can travel.”

   “And what word is that?”  Joshua leaned back; fingers arched together much like Slo had done upon their first meeting.

   Agony shrugged, his demeanor beginning to shift into a friendlier persona, “Depends who you talk to.”

   “Rumors and speculation travel far too I suppose.”

   “Exactly.  So I figured better to go to the source.”  Agony’s eyes focused intently letting Joshua know that despite the bravado he was expecting answers and if he didn’t like the ones he got, there could be trouble.

   “Fair enough.  So why don’t you tell me what you’ve heard and we can set the record straight.”

   “Well let’s see.  The most common one is that you’re raising an army of some sort.  To what end depends who’s saying it.  Some say to battle the Vendot.  Others say it’s to take over Sage or maybe start a competitor.”  Agony leaned forward, forearms resting on his legs, hands grasped together. 

   Instinctively Joshua followed suit, using his desk instead for support.  “Interesting.  What do you think?”

   “I think you certainly have the resources.”  He shrugged again, “Of all, those are the least crazy.”

   “It gets better?”

   Agony chuckled, “A bit.  Some say you’re some kind of messiah here to usher in a new age or possibly a demon bent on destroying it.  Or that you’re thousands of years old and have some hidden knowledge or power beyond the rest of us.  Other variations weave in and out, but that’s the gist.”  With that he leaned back, crossed his arms and waited, watching Joshua.

   Joshua sighed, stood and walked back to the window behind him, “The view hasn’t changed…” he mumbled, wondering to himself how much he could tell Agony.  He turned his head and really looked at Agony for the first time.  He was large, intimidating, not the kind of guy you’d want to meet in an alley.  But under it was shrewdness rarely seen.  Intelligence burned behind his eyes, melting away Joshua’s doubt.  Everything, he had to tell him everything.

   He turned and leaned against the glass, hands clasped behind him, “How much do you know about where we come from?  Why we can do the things we do?”

   “Just the pre-recorded Sage spiel; some mystical energy they call the Shine lets us see the Spirit Web which allows us to manifest reality, yada, yada, blah.”

   “Right, but what you don’t know is where the Shine comes from.  Our world, our reality, is actually part of a binary dimension; two worlds intertwined, destinies interlocked.  In our sister reality the Shine is as abundant as oxygen, and like oxygen in our world, just as necessary.  Through a gateway between the worlds, the Shine once flowed freely into ours.”

   “Another world, huh?  I’ve been to just about every corner of this planet and I’ve never seen any other world.”

   “I wouldn’t expect you to have, but we’re getting to that.”  Joshua pushed away from the glass, returning to his chair, “Legend has it that when both worlds were created, the other dimension, called Jar-Din, was a land of chaos.  Unlike our world, Jar-Din wasn’t supported by a Spirit Web.  The Shine was all, and the only stabilizing factor was the whim of those who inhabited it, but as most primitive creatures do, they fought and battled, all trying to be the dominant force.  Things continued this way for countless eons, until the rise of man.

   “When the first cavemen peaked out of their caves to marvel at the sun, so did our ancestors rise out of the Shine.  Man, as well as these early Adepts, evolved in thought and socialization, but continued to war and vie for power.  Then around 12 or 15 thousand years ago, around the dawn of human civilization, one Adept was born unlike the rest.  His power was greater than any before him.  Not so much that he could dominate all, but enough that the others heeded his words.  He saw that the chaos in their world was tearing it apart, and while he watched it sink into the abyss, this world was thriving.”

  Agony rolled his eyes, boredom playing plainly on his face, “This is all fascinating, but could we get to the point?”

   Joshua straightened, demeanor turning stern as his presence filled the room.  Slo, who to this point had been almost invisible, stirred slightly, unable to fully resist.  “You came here for answers, and I’m giving them to you.  If I’m boring you, perhaps we should call it a night.”

   Agony raised his hands in front of him as if to show he was unarmed and harmless, “Sorry, sorry.  Please, continue.”

   Joshua settled back, lowering the tension in the room but still dominating its environment, “As I was saying, this Adept saw our world thrive and also saw why; the Spirit Web.  It bound our reality together, gave us purpose and direction; a framework to build upon.  Jar-Din was not so lucky.  Its structure and environment was constantly changing; shifting sometimes moment by moment.  Drawing together his closest allies, he devised a way to give his people a stable foundation.  Together they created a kind of government called the Garden of the Rose, with him as the sovereign Rose and his allies the Body of Thorns.  For two thousand years they successfully maintained a base reality, and peace and prosperity flourished.

   “But all things have their opposite, the Shine being no different.  Hidden away in the dark was the Shade; a force of destruction and evil.  A young Adept named Vorlok became obsessed with the Shade.  Its power and influence corrupted him and led him into a campaign against the Rose and his Thorns.  He named himself the Black Winged Rose, and gathered his own followers, calling them the Vendot.”

   Agony straightened, interest now taking over, “The Vendot?  As in the Vendot?”

   “Not exactly, but yes.”  Joshua continued, “Chaos engulfed Jar-Din once again.   War spanning thousands of years broke out.  In the end, the Rose knew he would lose.  Vorlok was too powerful.  So he and his Thorns devised the only plan they had left; they’d run.  Flee to our realm and slam the gateway closed behind them.”

   “Turn tail and run. Always a good plan,” Agony’s sarcasm was not lost on anyone.

   “You might not think that way if you ever came face to face with the full power of the Shade.  It’s not that it’s more powerful than the Shine, per say, but its power is rooted in destruction and death.  The Shine, as a rule, is not.  They were simply unprepared for what was unleashed.”

   “Right, whatever you say.  So they ran and I’m guessing joined their inept cousins here?”

   “Yes.  Or as many as survived.  Unfortunately, the Rose and many of the Thorns didn’t make it, dying defending their people as they fled.  Leadership fell to a Thorn named Saige.”

   “Saige?  Like ‘Sage’ Saige?”

   “He was the inspiration for our friendly neighborhood Adept Police, but no.  The Sage of today has little in common with Saige the man, but then again, they have different challenges.   Saige’s priority was to integrate his people into our world.  With the gateway between the worlds closed, he knew eventually the Shine in our world would dissipate, leaving them nearly as inept, as you put it, as the rest of mankind.”

   Slo broke his silence, “But the Shine’s all over, right?  So that means the gateway’s open?”  Joshua and Agony both looked at Slo as if he'd sprouted a second head.  “What?  I’m sorry, didn’t realize this was a private conversation.”

   Joshua recovered, nodding, “Yes, or more likely the doorway is cracked.  If it was all the way open Vorlok would make his presence known.

   Agony turned back to Joshua, “You mean he’s still alive?  Even after all this time?”

   “Sure, why not?  You should know from experience actually killing an Adept is a difficult task.  How do you kill something that can be anything?  Someone who can bend and change their reality?  The only real way to end an Adept is to remove him from reality.  Or deprive him of the Shine.  No, it’s more likely Vorlok is alive and well, and more powerful than ever before.”

   “Enter the Vendot,” Slo said in a half snicker.

   Joshua nodded, “That’s what I think.  I’m not sure how exactly, but I think Vorlok has found a way to spread his influence into our world.  In theory he can’t escape until the gateway’s fully opened, but a crack…maybe he found a way to get something through.  Honestly I don’t know, but the Vendot are out in force and the gateway is opening, proof by the presence of the Shine.”

   Agony considered the information, “Okay, so that brings us up to date, but you still didn’t answer any of my questions.”

   Joshua smiled, “True I haven’t.  But we’re not quite up to date yet.  Before they started their mass migration, the Rose and his Thorns knew there was a chance some of them wouldn’t make it, so they devised a way to pass the power of the Rose down through the generations.  One Thorn was charged with protecting the line, keeping its existence secret from all others, watching and waiting for the Shine to return and the Rose to be reborn.”  Joshua could see the thought form on Agony’s face, “No, I’m not the Thorn, and I’m not the Rose either.  So that answers two of your questions.”

   “That it does.  But then who?  Or better yet, how do you know all this if it was supposed to be a secret?”

   “The answer to both of those questions is the same: my father.  He was the one sent to watch over the line of the Rose and he’s the one who told me what I’ve told you.”

   “But if he was here how did he survive without the Shine?”

   “It’s not unheard of, though rare.  The Shine never fully disappeared.  There were places where the last remnants pooled.  We would recognize them today as places of spiritual significance or mysterious origin.  Stonehenge, the Pyramids, and others; some well known, others not.”

   “Okay, say I buy it, if your pops knows where the Rose is, what’s the problem?”

   “That is the problem,” Joshua leaned back, eyes going out of focus as he accessed painful memories long buried, “He died.  A long time ago.”  A shiver went through him as he pushed the pain back into the abyss of the past.  “He taught me what he could, but never revealed the location of the Rose.  So to answer another of your questions, I am raising an army.  Kind of anyway.  We search for the Rose and any evidence of our forgotten past.  We try to uphold the ways of the Rose and his Thorns, striving towards cooperation and prosperity to all.  I admit I’m a poor substitute, my knowledge being limited, but we have to start somewhere.  In the end I believe the Rose is our only chance in stopping Vorlok and restoring us to our true birthright.”

   “Fair enough.  But now the million dollar question: why do you need me?” 

   This was the real question.  The one Joshua dreaded answering the most.  It was something he’d never told anyone, because if the wrong people found out, everything could be lost.  He hesitated involuntarily, willing himself to pull the words out.  He thought for a moment perhaps this too was part of his father’s design; preventing him from giving away too much.

   “My father left a kind of coded message behind.  A puzzle that once solved will reveal the location of the Rose.  The next clue is the Vendot; or rather something they’re up to.  I need you because no one on my team could even get close to them.  I need someone who can, someone like you.”

   Agony thought for a moment then abruptly slapped his hands down on the arms of his chair, stood and said, “Well alright.”  With that he turned and headed for the door.

   Joshua called after him, “You’ll help us then?”

   Agony stopped just before the exit and said, again more to the air then to Joshua, in a tone filled with its own pain, “I don’t know that I believe in any great and powerful Rose who can save us.  But I believe in the evil of Vendot.  And you’re wrong; I have seen the power of the Shade face to face.”  With that he was gone, leaving Joshua with a mixed feeling of getting what he wanted but not sure the price of pain in Agony’s voice was really worth it.

End

"FLI and the Illusion Generator" Part iii

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Feels like it's been a million years in the making, but here it finally is.  I'm still not sure I'm totally happy with it, but honestly I was tired of thinking about it.  I'm ready to move on to the next chapter.  Hopefully in the future updates will be more frequent, but I make no promises.

Enjoy! 

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iii

For a moment there was nothing but white.  Agony stood lost in a void of light.  Then Slo appeared before him.  Without taking his eyes off Agony he said into the void, “Wiz, load the street.”  The world began to shift around Agony.  The distance between him and Slo stretched as a street appeared between them.  On either side of the street buildings and cars manifested.  Within seconds he was standing on one end of what appeared to be a regular city street with Slo on the other end. 

   He judged the distances to be about 100 yards give or take.  Behind Slo was a building signifying the end of the fight zone.  A quick glance behind showed the same behind him.  Agony was struck by the reality of it.  Just as G-Wiz had said, the setting seemed real.  Except of course that the street was isolated with no roads crossing it.  To the sides through the buildings he could see a large brick wall; another boundary he supposed.  From across the distance he could see a sly smile play on Slo’s face as he slowly backed up and disappeared into the building behind him.

   He felt the shot cutting through the air seconds before he heard the crack of the rifle.  Agony quickly sidestepped and dove behind a nearby car.  Another shot screamed through the windshield and out through a side window, shattering both.  He cautioned a glance in the direction he thought the shot had come from; there, in the 3rd floor window of a building just down and to his left, a pale figure silhouetted the frame.  It resembled Slo, but Agony knew it wasn’t him exactly.  In their world location and physical presence could be fuzzy sometimes.

   Cautiously Agony moved along the right side of the car, making his way to the shattered side window.  Another shot rang out, but it hit somewhere nearer to where he was.  Good, he didn’t see me move.  Reaching through the bullet opened window, Agony tore a piece of upholstery from the car’s front seat.  Sitting now against the car in what he figured for the moment was a safe spot, he tore the cloth into one long strip.   He moved back toward the gas cap, removed it and started feeding his makeshift fuse into the tank.  He lit the other end with his Zippo and moved back to the open window.  With a hope and a prayer he quickly reached into the car, shifted it to neutral and began pushing it toward the building.  Shots rained down on the car as it moved, but Agony’s position was covered.  He knew in reality what he was doing was probably impossible, but that’s what he loved most about being an Adept.  It didn’t matter so much what was real, only what you wanted to be real.

   With one final shove he sent the car careening on its own momentum toward the building.  Agony rolled to his right as flame struck gasoline sending a spectacular explosion of smoke and fire into the Slo-shadow-sniper’s hideout.  He wasn’t so sure the impromptu bomb would actually take out the sniper, but that wasn’t really the point.  Now hidden in the cover a smoke Agony sped across the street, through an alley to the back of the side buildings.

   The back alley was fairly typical of what he expected to see, except for the towering brick wall to his right, but along the buildings were an array of fire escapes, cardboard boxes and dumpsters.  Great place for an ambush, Agony thought, and almost as if he manifested it himself, his thought came true.  From behind a nearby dumpster another shadow version of Slo rolled out with an M-16 trained on Agony’s position.  As the muzzle flash burst a hail of bullets, Agony stepped left, using a fire escape as shoddy cover.  Next to him on the wall he saw a ‘No Parking’ sign; Perfect.  With one fluid motion he ripped the sign off the wall and sent it sailing through the air at his pseudo-opponent.  The spray of blood and the humorous way the head flew into the air was probably a bit much, but he enjoyed the theatrics of it.  He didn’t have much time to enjoy the scene before a door that hadn’t been there a second ago opened next to him.

   The first thing he saw was the knife, but hand-to-hand was more his specialty.  He locked the arm attached to the blade and swung yet another Slo Soldier out into the alley, slamming him hard against the towering brick wall.  The knife went flying as Agony brought up his knee, driving the figure’s midsection into the wall yet again.  As he doubled over from the strike, Agony, still holding the arm, twisted him down and around so he was kneeling with Agony behind him.  A quick twist of the neck and the figure went still.

   As fun as this all was, Agony could tell neither man was gaining ground.  Slo could sit in that building at the end of the street all day, sending wave after wave of hit men and nothing would be accomplished.  He had to get to that building; he had to get to the real Slo.  Slo must have noticed too, because as Agony continued down the side alley, no more shadow-puppets attacked.

   Still on alert Agony peered around the corner of the last building.  He could see that the wall continued, forming a rectangle of brick around their playground.  The building Slo had entered was only one story, so the threat of another sniper was small, but there didn’t appear to be a side entrance.  The only way in was the double glass doors at the front.  Not the easiest thing to sneak through, but then Agony wasn’t much for stealth in general.  

   He moved along the front of Slo’s stronghold and inched his way to the doors.  Trying to stay as covered as possible, Agony looked through into the building.  Through the glass doors was what appeared to be a reception area.  The lights were off, but he didn’t sense any movement directly on the other side.  He figured the door would be locked, but to his amazement it wasn’t, as he opened the doors and went in.

   The room was typical of many office front desks; a large desk along the opposite wall, chairs and small tables aligned along the other walls and throughout the open floor.  To the right of the desk was a door, the only one he could see.  As he approached the door he saw a small device bridging the gap between door and doorframe.  A bomb?  Really?  Agony sighed to himself and inspected the devise.  All and all it was a pretty impressive set up, but he still made short work defusing it.  He appreciated its presence though, as it meant there wasn’t likely to be anyone too close on the other side.  Of course not knowing what was on the other side still made going through risky, but what choice did he have?

   He cracked the door enough to peer through.  Laid out beyond the door was a maze of cubicles.  Great, a call center.  He pushed through and rolled to the nearest partition.  A barrage of pistol fire bit into the door swinging automatically closed behind him. He hadn’t actually seen Slo, but he knew it was him this time.  Agony could tell by the repetitive blasts that Slo was using two handguns, firing them alternately like they do in the movies.  He stayed low and moved along the cubicle walls trying to find a path to the back of the room where the shots were coming from.  

   As he came to an open cubicle he heard something clang onto the desk and fall to the floor: a grenade.  Quickly and almost without thought, Agony grabbed a paper clip, bent it out straight and inserted it in like a pin.  Again he was struck by the lunacy of the act, but still it proved successful.   He slipped the now diffused grenade into his pocket and tried to keep moving, but Slo was doing a good job of keeping him pinned down.  When a bullet grazed his arm, Agony decided he’d had enough.

   In one fluid motion he stood, grabbed a nearby monitor and lobbed in the direction of the gun fire.  He saw Slo duck the flying screen as he began making his way over and through the cubical maze.  As he moved, Agony continued with a barrage of office equipment, throwing anything that wasn’t bolted down; chairs, keyboards, monitors, a stress ball.  Anything and everything to keep Slo from getting any more shots off.  

   As he got closer to his goal, he couldn’t help but notice the stoic calm that Slo possessed.  Even as he ducked and dodged the onslaught, his expression never changed.  He gave no hint of frustration or concern.  He simply avoided the projectiles, moving in an attempt to regain the high ground.  Even as Agony made his final leap, tackling Slo to the ground, his face never betrayed him.

   Everything seemed to change in an instant.  What was before almost a friendly exchange turned into an all out brawl.  The two crashed into each other with force enough to shatter the windows around them.  Each landed devastating blows to the other as their dance continued across the floor.  Agony was pouring everything he had into the fight and still Slo matched him, still eerily calm as if this were just another day at the beach.  But he could feel him weakening; feel his resolve start to slip.  He just hoped it was enough.

   He left nothing behind now, trying to capitalize on his opening, funneling all his focus into subduing the other man.  But his rally didn’t last.  It wasn’t so much that Slo rebounded as he began to lose his own resolve.  He felt Slo’s will crash into him repeatedly, parallel to the blows he produced, and felt himself slip.  Felt Slo gain the advantage.  Felt it all begin to slip away.  

   For a moment there was nothing but white.  Agony stood lost in a void of light.  Then Slo appeared before him, panting and out of steam.  He stood, hands on his knees trying to relearn how to breathe.  Agony was on the ground, leaning against a cubicle partition, but he couldn’t remember how he got there.  Slo’s head slowly rose as the men’s eyes met.  Agony could almost feel Slo’s apprehension, but his face still seemed at home.  With a burst of energy the forces of nature charged at each other again.  What was left didn’t even have windows to shatter. 

   As the two titans continued, all semblance of G-Wiz’s reality began to melt away; reduced to rubble and ash.  Agony was beyond exhaustion, operating off pure nerve.  He couldn’t imagine Slo had much left either, but still they fought.  When the piercing sound cut through his mind he thought it was over for sure this time.  He was almost relived as he clutched at his ears, trying to keep his brain from leaking out.  He saw Slo too now on his knees in much the same manner.  He only had a second to wonder what was happening before it all disappeared.

   When his vision finally cleared he was kneeling in the wrestling ring across from Slo.  G-Wiz was franticly clicking away at his ringside console, an expression of pure terror plainly playing across his face.  Slo stirred and tried to speak, but his voice didn’t seem to be working at that moment.  Agony could relate.  He was pretty sure he couldn’t scream even if he was stabbed with a hot poker.  Slo managed to clear his throat enough to get out in a rasp, “Wiz…what happened?”

   The kid looked up from his console with an expression of pure shock as if the dead had just spoken, but the shock quickly faded under waves of relief.  “Holy shit, I thought I lost you.”

   Slo tried to regain composure as he used the ring’s ropes to help him to his feet.  “What happened,” he repeated.

   “You guys crashed the system.”

   “What?”  Slo nearly collapsed again with surprise, “How the hell did we do that?”

   Mimicking Slo’s ascent, Agony pulled himself to his own feet, “See, I told you there was no way to predict everything.”

   G-Wiz gave Agony a quizzical glance, “Well, yea, I guess.  I just never imagined that happening.”

   “Never imagined what happening?” Slo asked.

   “A tie.”

   Slo and Agony turned to each other, both now with shocked expressions, the first indication Agony had seen that Slo could be shocked.  Agony watched as Slo’s eyes became bright and shiny and he could imagine his looked much the same.  G-Wiz could do nothing but stare, mouth hung open, as both men burst into laughter.

   

End

"FLI and the Illusion Generator" Part ii

Even on a Saturday afternoon the Dead Zone was alive with activity, though it was of a different sort. As the three moved toward the arena entrance they had to weave in and out of tables now occupying half the concert floor. The stage was empty but music still pumped through the speakers, driven by the old style jukebox in the corner. The crowd, as it often was, was a blend of Adepts and Norms, and nearly all of their eyes followed the trio on their march, as if they could feel the implied tension. Slo and Agony ignored the stares, focused on their goal, but G-Wiz nodded and waved at people he knew. He felt a bit like a celebrity the way they watched them.

They crossed through the arena doors unabated. As G-Wiz closed them behind him he could hear the noise of conversation rise beyond the heavy frame. “So much for being subtle.”

“I didn’t know we were trying to be,” Agony said, not focused on G-Wiz, but instead studying what appeared to be nothing more then a normal wrestling ring. His attention lifted and settled on the strange projector like device nestled nearly hidden in the rafters above the ring. He nodded, indicating the units nesting place, “What’s that?”

Slo stepped forward, glancing at the centerpiece to G-Wiz’s Illusion Generator. “Why couldn’t it just be lighting equipment?” Slo’s words were more a test then a question. Agony turned his head and just looked at him. Slo couldn’t help but smile slightly. The look said he would have to be crazy to think Agony would buy that. He turned to G-Wiz, still by the door no doubt trying not to get caught in the crossfire, “Show him.”

Despite himself, G-Wiz was giddy at the words. He found immense pleasure in showing off his creations, and when dealing with them he felt more confident, strong. He pushed away from his diminished stance and strode to the edge of the ring. He remained gravely aware of Agony’s intense scrutiny as he activated a hidden console and began loading the OS for his Illusion Generator.

Agony stepped forward, looking inquisitively over G-Wiz’s shoulder as unfamiliar lines of code blurred across the small screen. “What’s that?”

G-Wiz hesitated for a second, casting a questioning glance to Slo. Slo gave a brief nod, sending renewed waves of elation through him. “This is my FLI OS. It runs the Illusion Generator.”

“Fly?”

“No, FLI. F-L-I. Fabricated Life-like Intelligence.”

“Oh, like AI?”

G-Wiz shook his head, a disappointed sigh escaping his lips, “No, no. Not at all. AI is…well you’ve seen the movies. Man gives computer a brain. Computer becomes self-aware. Computer kills everyone. This isn’t like that. FLI has no real cognizance ability. Instead it’s programmed with pre-designed responses to nearly every possible situation.”

Agony took a step back far enough for G-Wiz to see his quizzical expression, “What? That’s crazy. How could you possibly be able to predict every possible situation?”

G-Wiz just smiled, “If I told you that everyone would have one.”

Agony looked to Slo. He spread his hands deflecting the insinuation, “Don’t look at me. He won’t tell me either.”

Agony seemed to accept the answer and turned back to the kid. “Okay, so then what’s the Illusion Generator? I mean I can guess part of it. It projects images into the ring right?”

“Um, yes and no. It creates a duel environment, so completely realistic you won’t be able to tell the difference.” The scrolling code stopped, the system beeping to let G-Wiz know it was fully booted and ready to go. He tapped a few keys and the screen changed. He scooted over a bit and motioned for Agony to come closer as he explained; “On the inside of the ring we project one of nearly 1000 environments.” The screen flashed a slide show with varying vistas. “Each one perfectly real, functioning and reacting just like the real world. It even feels real.” He clicked another key and two figures appeared on the screen. They immediately engaged and began filling the view with an epic battle much like the one Agony had watched the kid perform at the Rooms.

Agony straightened and regarded the kid with a look of wonderment, “Impressive.”

G-Wiz tapped another key and the screen changed again. The figures were still present, but now they were in just the ring. And instead of the large-scale onslaught they were just wrestling. Excitedly and rather competently, but still just regular old wrestling. “On the outside we project a regular wrestling match. Its outcome and direction is determined by the FLI system based on what’s going on inside. So, a devastating blow might translate into a power bomb or something.” He clicked again and the images began to blur, blending into the real battle waging behind it. “Adepts can see in, past the illusion, but Norms can’t. That means we can have all-out, full-scale Adept brawls right in front of the ignorant public.” He smiled, standing straight, arms crossed like a proud schoolboy. He turned to see if Slo was as impressed with his lesson as Agony seemed to be, only to find his undivided attention was firmly on Agony. G-Wiz tapped a few more keys and the console folded and slid back out of view. He tried to shrink as he backed out of the place he least wanted to be, the crossfire.

When G-Wiz cleared Slo motioned to the small set of steps leading to the ring, “After you.”

"FLI and the Illusion Generator" Part i

Excitement coursed through him, anticipation dominating his thought. Soon, soon he’d be here. Agent Ham was true to his word and as a direct result Agony was on his way up. G-Wiz had seen him get on the elevator through the security cameras. Now he wasn’t sure what to do. His body was trying to tell him to run, to retreat into his room, but his mind wanted to stay. Morbid curiosity he supposed, but he had to meet him. Had to know what a man with his background was like. After all, he could handle himself pretty well if it came to it. At least enough to get to his room, and there he would be safe. Resolved to stay, he tried to appear natural; lounged in his chair, legs over the arm, system controller in hand, virtual combat blazing across the TV screen and through the speakers.

When the door finally opened he froze. He didn’t mean to, he just reacted. A deer in headlights, he watched as Agony entered. He was immediately struck by the size of the man. Towering, it was a wonder he got through the door without ducking. And muscle. Not that grotesque body-builder bulk, but lean, hard girth. Solid mass like a Mack truck. He moved with a nonchalant swagger, as if he’d just returned from some errand instead of walking in for the first time. Within a moment Agony’s long strides had him directly in front of G-Wiz. Wide eyed, he couldn’t help but stare.

Agony gave him a curious look; mocking, but in a way, friendly. It was a look that said he’d seen this reaction before and was a little amused by it. He seemed to consider the kid briefly; eyebrow’s rising, “Right.” His demeanor shifted as he turned toward the large TV screen, pointing at the cyber fighters still waging their epic battle, “So, what game you playing?”

The question caught G-Wiz off guard. This wasn’t at all what he’d expected. Agony turned his head with a questioning glance, willing the dumbfounded G-Wiz to snap out of it. A micron of composure returned to him. “Technically none,” he managed to say as he began to remember the controller in his hand. He tuned back to the screen, and instantly felt more confident, now in his element, “I’m testing environments for the Fight Club.”

Agony watched as the kid performed impressive and complicated combat maneuvers inside a virtual environment that looked almost real. He glanced over at him, “You’re doing what now?”

“Testing environments. It’s my Illusion Generator. It lets us—“

“Wiz,” Slo’s voice interrupting him. He appeared out of nowhere, but G-Wiz was used to it. No one ever saw Slo unless he wanted them to. “You gonna introduce me to your friend?”

The kid could tell Agony hadn’t seen him coming. His appearance had either scared or impressed him because he wasn’t friendly or curious anymore. Now he was cautious, watching Slo carefully. “Agony, this is Slo. Slo, Agony.” Agony took his eyes off Slo long enough only to give him a questioning scowl. G-Wiz shrugged, “I saw your file.”

“Wiz.” Slo said the name mildly, but G-Wiz could feel the warning in it.

“What?” It hadn’t occurred to him that the information was secret.

“What kind of name is Slo?” Agony interrupted, attention back on him.

“What kind of name is Agony?” Slo responded now returning the favor, attention locked on the larger man.

“Hell, what kind of name is G-Wiz” him attempting to break the tension. The two men broke their stare to give him a disapproving look. “I’m not helping am I?” G-Wiz turned in his chair, sitting in it properly for the first time and tried to appear invisible as he mashed slowly at his controller buttons.

Agony and Slo turned back, eyes locked, each measuring the other with a fierce intensity. Slo broke the expanding silence first, “What do you say Wiz, shall we show Agony what the Illusion Generator is in person?”

The kid turned slowly, looking to see if Slo was serious. Agony seemed to understand the implications though. He spoke before G-Wiz could reply, “You gonna show me personally, Slo?”

“That’s the idea.”

Like everything, Slo spilled the words like they were no big deal, but G-Wiz knew otherwise. He was picking a fight with Agony. Didn’t seem like a good idea to him, but then again he wasn’t the one getting in the ring so who was he to bitch?

Adept Tales 06 ~ Blood and Agony ~ “Slo Motion”

Excitement raged, ambiguous screams egging on the opponents. Fight night. Slo’s favorite night of the week, but not tonight. Tonight he moved through the jostling throng with a sharp eye and a worried heart. Were the Vendot among them? Had they already infiltrated his operation? It was hard to tell. Not all the Vendot operated in the open. Joshua was certainly right about that; secrecy was their bread and butter. He definitely had a vested interest in finding out. Joshua was right about that too. Lost in his worry, the night slipped away without incident, much to his annoyance. He cursed himself softly as the crowd shuffled out of the arena. He’d let his worries dominate him. He knew no one else would notice, but he noticed. As the last of the spectators exited, he cursed himself again. Somewhere during the night he lost track of G-Wiz and now he was already gone.

Even though the fights were over, the Dead Zone was still packed, music shaking the ground as Slo moved toward the doors. Outside he was struck by the deceptive Vegas chill. Huddled into his coat he headed toward his car. It occurred to him he didn’t have to be cold, but he enjoyed the simple pleasure of human gesture. Its nuances were what kept him in business, what kept him 10 steps ahead of the other guy. Except for tonight. Tonight he was off his game. He cursed himself again as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed home.

Home was in one of the new posh corporate condo high-rises built overlooking the Strip. Sage owned several floors and operated Rooms out of them. Living there put him in debt to Sage, but then again, they were pretty easy on his Fight Club, so really he already was. Of course, Sage wasn’t the only downside to living in the Rooms. You also had to put up with sometimes as many as 17 roommates. This particular building was still new enough though that Slo had only a few so far, and most of those he hadn’t even met yet. He himself had only lived there a few weeks, and the lack of decoration as he entered the unit showed the others hadn’t settled in much either. All, that is, except G-Wiz.

Beyond the bare front room was one of the most impressive array of electronics spread from the kitchen into the adjoining living room area. It was bare when Slo first arrived, but shortly after G-Wiz moved in the future tech rooms had manifested. Slo was impressed by the unique design of the equipment and even more so to find the kid had even greater ideas. Ideas that were slowly making his Fight Club the most popular in the city.

As Slo crossed the barren entrance he could hear the familiar beeps and blasts of G-Wiz’s game system. Good, he was home. Slo thought he might be. The kid didn’t go out much, but how many techies did? Slo ascended the few steps separating the front room from the kitchen-living room combo and saw G-Wiz lounged in his chair sideways, legs kicked over the arms. He saw Slo and gave him a nod as he moved to the kitchen island behind G-Wiz and leaned casually against it, watching him as he continued his game. “How’d the unit work tonight?”

G-Wiz paused his game and turned with a confused expression, “Great. Didn’t you see?”

“No, I was a little distracted.”

“That’s not like you.”

“You’re telling me.” Slo brought his hands to his face like he was splashing it with water, rubbing briefly to clean away his doubts. When his hands came away, he was filled with renewed determination. “Ever hear of an Adept called Agony?”

G-Wiz thought about it for a moment, “Sounds a little failure, but not really, no. Why?”

“He’s in town. I need to know where.”

G-Wiz cracked a smile Slo had seen many times before. A laptop manifested onto his lap and he began clicking away at the keys. It seemed to Slo that the keystrokes where over done and in greater number then any computer process he’d ever encountered, but he knew the kid had a flair for the dramatic. He wasn’t the only one who held a fondness for gesture. “Agony. No other known aliases, though obviously not his given name. At least I hope not.” He continued clicking, studying the data as it streamed across his screen. “Wow, this guys got quite a rap sheet; terrorism, vandalism, militant behavior, inciting riots, inciting rebel actions.” He turned to Slo, worry playing plainly across his expression, “And you say this dude’s here? In Vegas?”

Slo ignored the question, “Can you find him?”

G-Wiz turned back to the console continuing his clicking, “Well I’ll be dammed. You’re not gonna believe this.”

“What?”

G-Wiz spun the console, now floating inches above his lap, “He applied for Room assignment.”

Slo pushed away from the island and leaned in. Sure enough, there on the screen was the hacked file showing Agony’s application to Sage. “Interesting. Have they placed him yet?”

He spun the unit back, clicking a few more times, “Nope, not yet. His file’s under review, whatever that means. Doesn’t say why, though I could guess.”

“So could I.” Slo straightened, considering the information. “Can you fudge his assignment? Get him a spot here?”

The fierce clacking of keys that had resumed slowed as a new look of concern dominated G-Wiz’s posture. He turned to Slo beseeching, “Why would you want to do that?”

“I didn’t say I did, I just want to know if.”

The clicking stopped as he closed his console, “Normally, yea, but not with this guy. If he’s under review that means someone’s personally handling his case. They’ll assign him deliberately and manually.”

The chime of the doorbell reverberated through the room. G-Wiz pointed a suddenly present remote at the large TV screen dominating the opposite wall, activating the front door’s security camera, another G-Wiz creation and addition. “Sage,” he warned.

Slo looked to see the familiar figures, “Ham and Fury. Great.” The sarcasm was not lost on anyone in the room. “I’ll get it. Don’t say anything about Agony.” Slo moved to the door as G-Wiz went back to his video game, a move only part subterfuge. Slo doubted the kid had the attention span to really care what was going on. Before opening the door he schooled his face to be pleasant and cooperative, a necessity when dealing with Sage Agents. He smiled at his guests as they came into view beyond the swing of the door, “Evening officers.”

“Evening Slo, how’s it going?” It was Agent Ham who spoke. It was always Ham who spoke. Slo was pretty sure he’d never seen Special Agent Fury speak or give any indication as to what the ‘special’ was for, but he was equally sure he never wanted to see either. “May we come in?”

“Sure thing,” he replied as he stepped aside, ushering their entrance. They moved passed the empty front room and into the area Slo had just been. He gestured to his younger roomie, “You know Wiz.”

Ham nodded, “Indeed.” G-Wiz gave a week nod in reply but kept playing his game.

Two stools appeared where Slo had earlier leaned, “Have a seat. Can I get you anything?” he asked as he moved further into the kitchen.

“No thanks,” Ham replied, taking a seat in one of the stools. Special Agent Fury didn’t, instead continuing past the island to take up station where she could see the whole room.

Slo settled against the sink facing opposite Ham on the other side of the island, leaning again. “What can I do for you?”

Ham reached into his overcoat and produced a file. “We need to cash in a favor.” He slid the file across the island to Slo.

He opened the file and saw the now familiar dossier of one Agony. Popular guy, he thought as he mock reviewed the file. It was almost identical to the one Joshua had shown him, except for Sage protocols. “Quite the character,” he said, closing the file and setting it on the counter. “But what’s it got to do with me?”

“We believe he could be a valuable asset. If we can get him on our side, that is.” Looks like Joshua wasn’t the only one who thought so. Hell, Slo agreed, but he still wasn’t sure why everyone thought he was the guy to do it. What had they seen in the file that he hadn’t? Files weren’t really his area though. There wasn’t anything they could tell him that a few minutes observing a person could. He was much better in person. Ham continued, “He applied for a Room assignment. We’re assigning him here.”

Slo and G-Wiz exchanged a quick glance. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought Fury noticed the look, though she didn’t react to it. “And you want me to do what exactly?”

“Nothing much, really. Just get to know him. Be friendly, or whatever it is you do.” Ah, now he was beginning to see. Slo had a reputation for collecting people. Not in a bad way, but Slo had a way of earning stranger’s confidence. This usually led him to be responsible for them in some way. G-Wiz was proof of that, his most recent project.

“That’s it?”

Ham nodded, “For the most part. We want him to work for us, so a little nudging on your part will be necessary, but first we want to get a read on him. Convincing this guy will require some finesse. He’s not big on authority.” G-Wiz stifled a laugh, causing Ham to turn his attention to him, “We expect you’ll be assisting in this too.” He slid of the stool and straightened his coat, “We’re not asking. You’re both aware of the contract for staying here. It’s not a choice. We’re approving his application tomorrow. Be expecting him.” He signaled to Fury, ready to leave, “We’ll be in touch.” The two headed to and out the door, leaving the two in silence.

Well, he thought, that was the danger of living in the Rooms. He did take a certain amount of satisfaction though in the fact that he was essentially paying back Sage by doing what he was already planning to do. And this way he didn’t have to track Agony down. All he had to do was wait. Oh joy. All this hype, Slo couldn’t wait to meet him. And only most of that was sarcasm.

End

Adept Tales 05 ~Blood and Agony~ "Forces of Nature"

i

The dream had always been the same. The forest, the shadowy figure, then his father waking him, the beginning of his training. Each detail memorized and reviewed, always the same. Until recently. The dream had started to change. Little things at first. An expression or phrasing of his father’s words askew, some piece of scenery out of place. All seemed to be clues to a puzzle that Joshua didn’t understand. Last night though he felt as if he’d had a break through. When he arrived at the training circle his father’s eyes were downcast, focused on the symbols surrounding him. When Joshua looked he saw the familiar shapes bend and change. Before his unconscious mind they shifted into the inverted 4-point star of the Vendot. As he continued to gaze, the lines began to fade until they left only a single ‘V’. The dream shattered early, leaving it unfulfilled, but Joshua knew that this was the clue he’d been searching for. The breadcrumb his father had left. Whatever it meant, the Vendot was the key, or at least the starting point. Finally he had something tangible to investigate.

He’d spent most of the day researching the Vendot. Their movements, habits and haunts. The files didn’t tell him much. The Vendot were a violent, chaotic group. There were plenty of reports on various murders, rapes and other vile acts worthy of only the most disturbing horror-core lyrics. Plenty of information, but no pattern. No discernable agenda or motive. Just a storm of destruction and death.

As Joshua sat in his office tower, watching the sun begin to set over the Las Vegas Strip, he knew he had to do what he had hoped to avoid. He pressed the button on the desk and heard the familiar ding of the intercom.

“Yes Mr. Williams.”

“Renee, set up a meeting with Allen Murrs please. This evening if possible.”

“Right away sir.” The intercom went silent as Renee most certainly went about her task.

Allen Murrs. Murrs was the first Adept Joshua had met when he left home for college. At first they were good friends. They shared an interest in deciphering patterns, solving life’s mysteries through observation. But as their acquaintance grew Joshua began to notice a streak in Murrs that shed doubt on their friendship. Philosophically they’d always had a different approach to their ability. Joshua preferred to decipher patterns as they came, dealing with moments as they happened, whereas Murrs liked to bet the odds on the future, following the pattern that most appealed to him. At first it was a harmless difference, but soon Murrs began following paths that had questionable outcomes. People getting pulled under in his tow. Eventually it became too much for Joshua’s conscience and the two stopped being friends. Unfortunately over the years they still managed to come into contact with each other from time to time. Each had skills the other had a need to call on now and again. This time it was Murrs’ turn. Because of his shady habits he also had a plethora of shady contacts. The kind of contacts that might be able to give him more insight into the Vendot. At least that’s what he hoped. If Murrs couldn’t help him, he wasn’t sure where to go next.

The intercom buzzed and Renee’s voice came over the static, “Sir, Mr. Murrs says he’s down the street and to tell you he was expecting your call. He’ll be here in 15 minutes.”

That was just like Murrs. Nearly nothing ever got by him. He always saw what was coming. “Thank you Renee. When he gets here send him right in, then you can cut out for the weekend.”

“Very well sir.”

Exactly 15 minutes later Allen Murrs walked into Joshua’s office, perfectly on time. As he came through the door he was turned, craning at Renee as she headed to the elevator to leave for the night, “Hey suga, don’t leave yet. After the meeting we cou--.” Murrs cut off as if on cue as the elevator doors closed. Chuckling he turned to Joshua, “I knew she wouldn’t go for it, but it’s fun to watch em squirm.” Already Joshua was regretting his decision.

“Have a seat. Want a drink?”

“Sure. Scotch and soda, easy on the soda.” Joshua walked over to his office bar as Murrs plopped down into a chair and put his feet up on Joshua’s desk. “So, what is it you need my expertise on this time?” Joshua had forgotten what it was like to be around Murrs. He oozed a slime ball attitude and his quasi gweedo persona was punctuated by his bright suits and pony tailed hair. Joshua pushed his feet off the desk as he handed him his drink.

“I need information on the Vendot.”

“No foreplay huh, just right to the meat of it.”

Joshua moved around the desk and sat in his own chair across from Murrs. “Can you help me?”

Murrs leaned forward, setting his drink on the desk, “Well that’s a difficult question to answer.”

For the second time Joshua was having second thoughts. Murrs was toying with him, baiting him to get information he could use. He sighed, gazing wearily at the other man, “Why?”

“Well, no one really knows anything about the Vendot except the Vendot, and they ain’t exactly holding seminars is they?”

“So we get a guy on the inside.” It still struck Joshua funny how easily the two could slip into a working relationship. He didn’t even question if Murrs would try to help. He knew he would. It was almost refreshing to be able to skip past the bullshit and get down to the business at hand. Almost, that is, if it wasn’t Allen Murrs who he found so easy to work with.

Murrs leaned back in his chair and almost chuckled, “Not fucking likely. This ain’t the boy scouts or hell, even the mob. It’s not like you can just paint up one of your Rose saints and send em in. Those crazies would sniff em out in a second.”

“Rose saints, huh? Cute.” As Joshua stifled a chuckle of his own his office door flew open.

“Speak of the devil,” Murrs didn’t even flinch. He always knew.

Fane came striding into the office with a worried expression and a file folder in his hand. Fane was Joshua’s top pupil. His intrusion wasn’t an interruption. He mostly had carte blanche when it came to matters under his watch and Joshua knew that if he was here it was important. He came to Joshua’s desk and slid the file to him. “We might have problem. New player in town.” Fane threw a disapproving glance at Murrs before turning his attention back to Joshua. “Guy named Agony. Has a nasty rep.”

“Holy shit. Agony’s here?” Murrs sounded shocked and even a little scared. Never a good sign.

“What? Why? Who’s Agony?” Joshua asked as he picked up the file and began scanning through it.

“Agony isn’t a who as much as he’s a force of nature,” answered Murrs. “He’s an anarchist. And I mean that in the truest sense of the word. Not like these pussy protesters you see at GOP conventions, but the real deal. Violent, destructive and don’t answer to nobody.”

“Sounds like you’ve had dealings with him before.” The disdain in Fane’s voice was thick enough to choke on. He did not like Murrs one bit, which stood to reason. Fane was a good person. One of the purest souls Joshua had come across. He could smell the taint on Murrs and he certainly didn’t hold back his distrust.

“No, not exactly, but I’ve heard stories.” The hatred from Murrs was just as palatable. The two held no love for each other.

Something clicked. Joshua did know the name. “Wait, is this the same Agony who toppled the government in that island country a few years back?”

“That’s the guy,” Fane this time. “And that’s just the tip. He’s been involved in countless revolutionary actions, though it’s tough to say which side he’s on once one wins. In a few incidents he’s gone right back and toppled the new leaders too. On top of his political resume he’s been involved in the downfall of several corporations as well. Where ever this guy goes, authority falls.” Fane had certainly done his homework. That was one of the many reasons why Joshua put so much trust in him.

As Joshua continued to study the file a pattern began to emerge. There. Right there. “He’s perfect.”

Murrs looked up from a thought he must have been having with shocked eyes, “Are you nuts? No way, no fucking way.”

“Wait, perfect for what?” Fane was looking back and forth between the two men now locked in a stare.

“We need information on the Vendot. The only way to get it is to get someone inside.”

“And you want to use this guy? Hell, I hate to agree with Allen, but are you crazy?”

Without taking his gaze from Murrs’ he slid the file back to Fane, “Look again. Tell me what you see.”

Fane picked up the file skeptically, but he was used to this kind of treatment from Joshua. He often didn’t point out the answers, but rather encouraged you to find them yourself. As he flipped through the practically memorized file he began to see it too. “The government. The one on the island. They were oppressive. Quality of life there has increased since Agony was there. It’s still not any place I’d go for vacation, but it’s better.”

“So what? What does that prove?” Murrs wasn’t liking this one bit.

Joshua’s eyes still held strong to Murrs, willing him to see the pattern, “What else?”

“Umm,” Fane continued to scan. There, “The Redreese Corporation. They tested deadly chemicals near a small village. Their collapse saved the village.” Murrs gave a disbelieving grunt to which Fane turned his attention to, “There’s more too. In every act he’s been involved in there’s been some positive outcome. Not always a great grand outcome, but this guy’s definitely done some good.” He slid the file to Murrs and turned to Joshua, “You’re right. He’s perfect.” The staring contest ended as Murrs picked up the file and Joshua looked to Fane approvingly. It was Murrs’ turn to look back and forth between them in confusion.

“You guys are nuts. Even if I agree that he could do it, there’s no way you’ll get him too. You represent authority in your pretty little executive office. He wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

“True. We’ll have to find someone he will listen to.” He turned back to Murrs with a look that nearly made the man flinch. He’d seen the look before. It was the look that said ‘I know you know a way.’

“You’re not gonna budge on this are you?”

“No, no I’m not.”

“Fine," he sighed, "I might know a guy. I still think you’re crazy, but if anyone can do it, it’s him.” Murrs gave another half chuckle, “Though I don’t know you’ll have much luck getting his help either. He’s not much better then Agony when it comes to authority.” He looked at his watch and stood, “Well we better get going if we want to catch him before he gets too busy.”

“Who?”

“People call him Slo.” Murrs gave a contemplative look, “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him call himself anything.” He shrugged, continuing, “He runs the Fight Club down at the Dead Zone. Ex-Military or some shit.”

“Why do they call him Slo?”

“Oh no, I won’t ruin all my fun tonight. You’re just gonna have to see for yourself.” The grin that populated Murrs’ face nearly gave Joshua pause. There was something in this for him now. Something Joshua hadn’t seen. But it didn’t matter. If Murrs thought this Slo character could get Agony on their team then he had to try. The dreams assured him of that much.

ii

The Dead Zone was the number one hang out for Adepts in Las Vegas. And not just Adepts. Norms frequented the place too. A difficult balancing act to be sure, but they managed. On a cool November Friday night, it was sure to be packed. As they pulled into the parking lot, a large crowd had already gathered.

“Hope we’re not too late. If the fights have started he won’t talk to us.” Murrs pulled his beat up Cutlass into the closest spot he could find, nearly 50 yards away from the doors. They’d taken his car to avoid looking too ‘richy’ as Murrs put it. Joshua had even dressed down, though he still emitted an air of authority no matter what he wore.

The club had been built in what was once a supermarket in an abandoned plaza. Even with the Dead Zone’s success, the surrounding area had not benefited. A stone’s throw from their parking spot looked like a dying slum careening toward becoming a ghost town. Homeless, addicts and derelict destitute dominated the wasteland, milling about around burnt out trashcans and sleeping in cardboard domiciles. It dawned on Joshua that the Dead Zone had impacted the area after all. The unwashed forgotten had increased quite a bit, flourishing off of the cast off life force of the shimmering masses next door.

As they got closer to the doors, Joshua noticed a change. The people loitering in the waste were no longer the typical cast off refugees you’d expect to see. No, these people looked, well, normal. They all meandered in the same way, crouched similarly to their less fortunate companions further back, but they all looked like regular people, as if they came here after a long day at work or school.

Joshua stopped, studying the strange crowd, “Who are those people?” Fane stopped too. He noticed the change as well.

Murrs stopped a few paces ahead and looked to where Joshua was motioning. “Oh them? No one knows really. They just started showing up a few weeks ago. They don’t bother anyone. Keep to themselves mostly.”

That didn’t make sense. What was driving them? Why here? Then a terrible pattern began to form in front of Joshua. There and there again. The same on all of them. “It’s the Vendot.”

“What? No way. Not their MO. It’s just some crazy cult or something, like those carnival kids.” Murrs turned to start walking again dismissively, but Joshua and Fane held.

“No, look closer. They’re marked.”

Fane stretched his vision, tried to see the way Joshua had taught him. To see the patterns. There it was. He saw it too. They were marked. Sure enough on all of the strange company somewhere there was a single ‘V’. All were different; some in a tattoo or shirt logo or other marking that formed the shape of a ‘v’, but still, each one had it. “I see it. Shit, I see it too.”

Joshua turned to his protégé, “Check it out. See if they’ll talk and if they know anything.” Fane nodded and headed immediately to his quarry. He didn’t expect him to discover much. Not because he didn’t have faith in Fane, but because he could feel the shroud surrounding the pattern. The ‘V’s were definitely the clue, but already he knew the direct approach wouldn’t work. “Come on Murrs, lets go meet your guy.” Joshua continued for the door, but Murrs hesitated a moment, watching Fane meld into the confounding crowd.

Inside the Dead Zone was like another world. The division of the space was genius as far as Joshua was concerned. Immediately upon entering you were thrown into an open concert area, large and open, but on nights like this it was packed. Many bands, mostly of the underground variety, played the venue. It was the only one of it’s kind since the Huntridge was condemned. Tonight the crowd was filled with the painted faces of the dominant horror-core crew; the carnival kids as Murrs had called them. Joshua looked over at Murrs who was grinning back at him. Just like Murrs. The devastating rattle and hum of the rap duo on stage dominated the crowd’s attention as Joshua took in the scene.

Directly to the right was a less chaotic concession area with tables and a bar, though all were filled now. Further from the doors, off to the left beyond the hall floor, stretching half the far wall was an arcade/pool hall. There things looked much quieter, the game area being somewhat secluded from the rest of the club, mainly due to what neighbored it. The other half of the left wing was their destination; a separate room with a full sized wrestling ring complete with bleacher stands. The sight of Slo’s Adept Fight Club. The entrance was clamoring with people, but no one was getting in. Good, it hadn’t started yet.

Joshua and Murrs made their way easily through the moshing crowd. Most of them were Norms. The Adepts were the clamoring masses outside the fight sight. Joshua recognized a few faces, but Murrs seemed to know everyone, though not everyone seemed happy about it. Others did though, and the pair managed to reach the front of the line with only a few groans from those waiting. Murrs strode to the bouncer, “Hey Jimmie, boss around?”

Jimmie didn’t seem happy to see Murrs, “No way, man. I already told you we don’t fix fights here, now get lost.” Jimmie stood revealing the massive bulk of him, well hidden when seated. Murrs didn’t seem concerned, but the line wasn’t so sure. As one they backed away giving the trio plenty of room.

“Calm down, calm down. It ain’t about that. My friend here has a job opportunity right up his alley.” Murrs gave the man what Joshua could only describe as an underworld wink.

Jimmie shifted his gaze to Joshua, measuring him. After what was certainly a thorough stare down, his demeanor softened, or as much as mountain is able to. “Okay, fine. I’ll tell him.” The big man shifted back at Murrs, “But if you try and pull some shit…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence. He simply became menacing. The line crowd moved back again, but Murrs still seemed unaffected. Joshua too wasn’t moved by the threat, but then it wasn’t directed at him. He wasn’t so sure his nerves would hold if that look were for him. Jimmie disappeared into the arena, and emerged again shortly later. “He’ll see you. Go on in.” The mass moved away from the door, glaring at Murrs as he passed.

Inside was empty except for a kid who seemed to be working on some sort of projector mounted above the ring. He took mild notice as the two walked toward the back where the locker rooms and office were. Before reaching the open office door, Murrs stopped, “Are you sure you want to do this?” Joshua just looked at the man. “Fine, fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The office they entered was dark but rather plain. The rectangular room stretched along blank walls to a large desk and two simple chairs for the guests. On the other side of the desk sat a man who had the look of someone waiting, yet at the same time like someone who could wait forever if necessary. Oceans of patience ebbed and flowed around him. Joshua understood the moniker ‘Slo’ now.

“Have a seat gentleman.” His voice too held a reserve, and you knew it would sound the same even if the building was burning down around him. “Murrs. Wish I could say it was good to see you, but didn’t I ban you from the fights?”

Murrs hesitated slightly as he sat, looking almost nervously at Slo. Nervous? Murrs was never nervous. Interesting. “I apologize for that,” Joshua interceded. “I asked him to bring me. Told him rather.” Murrs paled a bit beside Joshua, but he let him take the lead, sulking down to a hunch. “I need your help with something.”

Slo’s eyes slid slowly to Joshua. Again he felt the draw of those eyes spread empty for eternity, infinitely calm. “Go ahead.”

“What do you know about the Vendot?”

“Enough to know I don’t want to know.” Slo leaned back in his chair, elbows propped on the arms, fingers arched together.

“What if I made it worth your while to know?”

Slo laughed, abrupt yet measured, “And how would you do that? It’s not like you can pay me off. Money’s not really a marketable asset to us you know.”

“Have you noticed the new vagrants outside the club?”

“Yea. So?” Slo crossed his arms and sighed as if bored.

“What if I told you the Vendot was connected to them?”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I believe so.”

He thought about it, Joshua could see the wheels turning, weighing the impact of a Vendot infestation this close to his business. He sighed again, this time in appeasement. “Then I’d say it’s worth my while. What’s your plan?”

“The Vendot are secretive. Very secretive. We need to get someone inside.”

Murrs rolled his eyes and scoffed. Slo considered the idea briefly, “Makes sense, but why come to me. I mean I’m not enemies with the Vendot, but I’m not exactly friends either.”

Joshua manifested the file on Agony and handed it to Slo, “You’re not the someone I had in mind.”

Slo opened the file and scanned through, “Agony? Yea, I heard he was in town. You think he’d go for it?”

“He fits the profile. I wouldn’t be surprised if they weren’t already scouting him.”

Slo set the file down on the desk and went back to his finger prayer position, “Okay, but do you think he’ll go for it?”

“He’ll go for it, but you have to sell it. Think you can handle that?”

“Wait, you’re not really considering this?” Murrs blurted, no longer able to keep silent.

Ignoring the outburst Slo said, “Ya, I can do it.”

Murrs burst out of his chair. “This is bullshit. You’re both crazy. Did you look at the file? What makes you think you can control this guy.”

Joshua heard the ominous click of a gun hammer being pulled back as Murrs felt a barrel press against the back of his head. A shadowy figure that was Slo but not Slo stood behind him while he still sat in his chair. “What makes you think you can control me?” Murrs hadn’t seen it coming. Shock played plainly across his face. This guy was good, real good.

“You’ll do.”

End