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The day was September 12, nothing really special was going on. Jeff Tamber was out somewhere he wasn't suppose to. He was driving down Mercy Avenue looking for someone he knew that he could buy an 8-ball from. It need been a really stressful week. His boss ragged on him again about the update of the Pillenger file. It was going to be late again and Cole Taylor would put it all on him even though it had been all Cole's fault. If he had been at his desk working instead of screwing his secretary in the ladies room, the report could have been done. Jeff should tell the CEO everything, including why his wife disappeared from the Christmas party last year. He thought about ratting Cole out, but with his luck, the boss wouldn't believe it and give Cole a promotion and me a pink slip.

Redemption III.

It was late in the fall when  Thomas Harris sat on a bench and stared out at the evening sky. The stars were just starting to show themselves in the random pattern over the orange and reds of the descending sun. This was Thomas favorite time of year. It was cool but not cold. You could wear a lite jacket, but it was to warm for a heavy coat. The trees had that beautiful array of colors going from green to brown and all the shades in between. The time of year was perfect, He felt good. For some reason his ALS hadn't been bothering him much. Thomas had hoped that the diagnosis was wrong but the pain and the second doctor had put his hopes to rest. He really had ALS and his wife and children would have to be told. Dr. Regis, his neurologist told him the disease was in its second stage. He would have severe pain in his arms and legs leading into spasms and convulsions.  All this would be starting in the near future. He had given him the name of a specialist who he had been in contact with to take over his care. Dr, Regis said he was sorry, but there was no cure. He had maybe a year and he should get his affairs in order before it was to late. That had been the day that Thomas opened his eyes and finally looked around him. He had a wife who was so distant that he wasn't sorry if she would care at all. He had three children who he had tried his best to ignore for most of their lives. In reality he had no one that cared and he only had himself to blame.
For years Mary had begged him to slow down. To stop working so hard and enjoy his family. But Thomas would have no part of it. There was always a new company to start or to destroy or some lease he had to take. To him, money meant more then the love of his family, so he kept on working until his family left. His name was now on five buildings and there was two hospital with his picture in the lobby. But in the end what really mattered? None of these hospital could help him. It didn't matter how many buildings bore his name. Ne was alone now and it was all his own fault.
As Thomas got up off the bench, he dropped his medical reports in the trash can next to the bench. To say he was depressed was an understatement. He was sad and sorry. He thought back to the days when him and Mary were dating and the first few years of married life. He had that old Chevy that smoked like hell if its oil was low. He didn't have much. White Castle was the only place he could afford to take her to. It wasn't much but it was good memories. Watching fireworks from a blanket in the park and using tin foil for Christmas decorating in their first apartment. He didn't have money for a gift back then but that never held him back from making Christmas special. Those carriage rides through the park and bottle of wine they shared while watching the skaters on Messingers Pond.
As he thought back, he wondered how he managed to chase away the ones he love the most. And what was he to do now without them?
As the tears rolled down Thomas's face he walked deeper into the dark part of the park. He knew this was a dangerous place to be, but who cared? Maybe death was the best thing he could do for his family. Mary and the kids were still the principal holders on his life insurance. Maybe his death could bring them the peace he had always wanted them to have.
As Thomas walked down the lane in the dark park, he heard something behind him. It sounded like foot steps. As he turned around to look, something slammed into his head and he was out.
"Thomas?"
"Thomas, wake up"
Grogging Thomas opened his eyes. He was in Messinger park laying in a pile of leaves. Moaning he sat up rubbing a lump on his head.
"What happened?" He asked looking around. There standing beside him was a young girl with amazing red hair. It was shades of copper with streaks of auburn and golden highlights. She looked to be in her teens with a beautiful smile on her face. At Thom sat up, she lent him a hand to keep him from falling back.
"What happened."
"My name is Clare. " She said with a smile. "You were mugged. Bashed in the head. He took you wallet and all your money."
Did you see where he went?"
"It doesn't matter." She said. "You have more important things to worry about."
"Like what?" Thom asked.
"Life and death. She stood up and let her gown shine out. Thom was dazzled by the light reflected off her dress. Speechless. Thom looked up at her. He could almost see wings on her back and a halo floating above her hard.
"Am I dead?" Thom asked.
"Yes and no." She said in her sweet voice. "You said this would be better for your wife and kids. Did you mean it?"
"Yes." He said looking away. "I'm sick. Very sick and I've been a ass for years. I don't have a wife and kids anymore. What I have is a big house and alimony and child support. I don't even get visits with my children. I gave that all up. I made such a mess on my life ts not worth living. Death is all I have to look forward to."
"Yes." He said. "No one cares about me. All they care about is the check in the mail ever month."
Looking down into Thom's sad eyes, Clare could feel the sadness rolling out from him. She had this one chance to save him before Scratch got here and to him his way. But she would have make him lose all the self doubt and depression.
"Have you really looked at your life? Clare asked. "Have ever looked at what your family really means?"
"No." Thom said. "I haven't done a thing to help make this a better world. All I've done is destroy people's lives and steal away what some of them worked their whole lives to make. My life is useless and I mean nothing."
With a smile, Clare reached down and helped Thom up on his feet. Now she knew what had to be done. She had to show Thom what the world would without him.
"Come with me." She said as she took his hand. "The world is made up of many different possibility. and you my friend have caused many changes. Come with my and I will show you how much you mean to the world."
With a wave of her arm, a great cloud of smoke appeared around them. It had a sweet shell like  freshly bloomed  flowers. As they walked, Clare to them to their first destination.
Stepping out of the cloud they emerged at the building where Thom and Mary had first lived after they got married. It  was there old apartment down on Benard St. But it was different. It dark and dirty with garbage piled everywhere. With her finger to her lips to keep him silent, Clare lead him in through the busted and graffiti covered door.l From the entrance, she lead him up to the second floor and into their old apartment.
All the furniture had been smashed and it smelled like a urinal in there. Thom held his nose as the moved from room to room. The place was full of junkies fight each other over wine and scraps of food. In the living room, two junkies were shooting up. And in the made bedroom, the was a woman laid out on a dirty mattress. Her eyes were closed and her pants were half way down exposing bottom half for everyone to use and see.
"This place is disgusting." Thom said turning away. "Why am I here? This place means nothing to me."
"Look." Clare said pointing to the girl on the bed. "Do you recognize her?"
Thom looked closer. There was something about her that looked familiar. As he got closer, he looked at her face". Surprised he jumped back. It was Mary Andrews his wife.
"Its Mary!" He said. "What happened? why is she here?"
"She's here because she never met you." Clare said. "This is her life now though I doubt she'll be her much longer. She'll be dead in a few weeks."
"Can't you help her?" He pleaded. "Can't you do something?"
"Me?" Clare looked at him with a shocked look on her face. "You did this not me. I can't fix it."
As they stood there watching, an old junkie came in the door. He dropping his pants and crawled over to where she was laying. Thom tried to jump on him and drag him away, But his hand went right through them. Mary was raped right there while they were watching. Covering his eyes, Thom run out of the room.
"Do you still think you didn't mean anything?"
"Its not my fault if she couldn't make her life worth some." Thom said with red eyes. "She's one person."
"One person who once meant a lot to you. Can you leave her for this to happen? If you can, your not the man I thought you were."
"What about my kids?" Thom asked. "I'll bet their lives are much better."
"Kids?" Clare started do at him. "What kids? You don't have kids remember. You were never born so there are no kids. And that's a shame. Your kids were going to have suck a great future. You son Micheal was going to be the president of your firm and he was going to clean Trigon Bay and save and the whole shrimp industry by himself. He was going to do so much good in his fathers name. Yes, in your name. You got him started in the Environmental changes, but none of that matters now."
"What about my daughter Julie?"
"Well she would have gave you five Grand children. Three boys and two girls. One would have even bore your name."
"Then I did make a difference?" He said with a smile. "I really did matter."
"Yes you did." Clare said sadly. "But all that's changed since you were never born."
"No!" Thomas said with pleading eye. "I want to be born. I want Mary to have a better life then that. Please tell me I can fix this. Tell me its not to late."
As the sun shined down behind Clare, she reached down and took his hand to lift him up to face her.
"I can give you a choice." Clare said. "I can live things the way they are without you, Or you can join your family and live out your last year. There will be a lot of pain, but you will have a family that loves you. You must choose."
"I want to live." Thomas said with his eyes filled with tears. "I want to see my daughter walk down her wedding aisle and I want to be there to give them all what they deserve. I want to live.
"Your wish is granted."

"Dad?" A voice slipped into his unconscious mind. It was a familiar voice. A voice he loved since the day he was born.
"Please wake up Dad."
Thomas slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see his wife and the kids standing around him. He smiled to them weakly
"Dad?"
"I'm here Chris." Thomas said. He reached out and took his hand. With a tearful smile Chris buried his face in his father's shoulder and cried.
"I'm here. No more work," He said as he stroked the boys blond hair.  "I'm not going anywhere ever again."

The Jefferson Endeavor.

Dear Max.
  I'm sorry it took me so long to write but I have been busy. Really busy. Last week I took my final exams in stellar cartography, warp theory and biochemistry. The stellar cartography wasn't bad. I do pretty good in that area, but warp theory is a little harder. I'm pretty sure I passed. I've been getting tutored by Sopak. You remember me telling you about him, he's my Vulcan room mate. With his help I think I made a B average on the exam. I gotta tell you if it wasn't for him, I'd be on the next transport out of here instead of graduating and getting assigned to duty on the USS Thomas Jefferson. That's right, I said the Jefferson Starship. I could hardly believe it, Its a new ship coming right out of the ship yards just out from Mars. Its not a really big ship. I was told it will hold only 75 crew members and I'm one of them. Me, Adam Parker an Ensign on a Starfleet saber class fast frigate.
Our captain is Evan Taylor. I don't know very much about him except the fact that he was captain to one of the ships destroyed by the Dominion. From what I heard, he was very badly injured. He had burns on 60 percent of his body and a broken legs but he and 5 others managed to set the self destruct and get to the life boats as the Jem 'Hadar were boarding the ship. I heard the blast lit the Bajor night sky. He was in the John Glen lunar station for 5 months recovering.
I have a lot to tell you and I'm not sue where to start. I might as well start from the beginning.
After graduation, me Sopak and Orin Ren my Bajoran room mate were invited to a graduation party by David Mastetson. You remember him, he's the son of Admiral Masterson. You know, invited isn't the right word. Actually we were trapped into going. You know how I feel about Dave Masterson from your last visit. He was always an arrogant ass showing off and using his fathers name to get what he wanted. Well, he might be in it deep this time because he didn't get the assignment he was always bragging about. Let me explain. For the last five months Dave kept bragging about how his father had gotten him assigned to the officer's training academy in Norfolk. He told us that after two years of training he would be promoted to lieutenant and assigned to one of the constitution class ships in the fleet. For that to happen, Dave had to keep up a 4.0 to a 3.67 average. Well, he was a good student, but he wasn't a genius and as you know, Dave was never one to pass up a good party.So even with his father's influences at Star Fleet academy, he could only manage a 3.32 average. Unfortunately that wasn't good enough. His application for entry in to Arihan academy was denied. No officer training for David Masterson. Instead he was to be assigned to a ship as an ensign just like the rest of us. If he was going to be on the road to command, he'd have to earn it the hard way.
That will be enough about graduation and Dave's party which was a total drag. Let me tell you about our first day on board the Jefferson.
After a night of party hopping, Sopak, Orin and I reported to Cape Grissom where we were to catch a shuttled to the moon that get a flight out the the ship yards where the Jefferson was still docked. At the lunar station we met up with a few others heading out to the Jefferson. There was Lt. Carlson, who was to be the chief engineer and Lt. Graz the ships security chief. Lt. Graz was a joined Trill. He was pretty hot and kept smiling at me as we lifted off from the lunar base. Afterward he came over and we had a chance to talk.
The flight from the lunar base to Utopia Planitia took about three hours. After we docked we were met by Lt Commander Zach Archer. Curious thing I learned a few weeks later. Commander Archer's great grandfather was the first captain of the USS Enterprise. He had joined Starfleet following in his family's tradition of service to the UPF. Commander Archer was tall with dark hair with a very handsome face. He was dressed in an immaculate clean red and black uniform with three pips on his collar showing his rank.
Anyway, as Commander Archer joined us at the spaceport he introduced himself.

"Welcome to your first day of service to Starfleet Command. I am LT commander Zachery Archer, first officer and second in command of the USS Jefferson. I will be escorting you to the ship. Is everyone here?
"This is everyone sir." Lt Carlson said. "Everyone from the Lunar base."
"Then we only have to wait for three member to arrive from Betazad Prime." Commander Archer said. "While we wait I will tell you what the Captain and I expect from you. You will report to all your duty stations on time. We run a very tight ship and will not accept tardiness of any kind. You will keep my ship clean and in order. We house three members to each room and there will be absolutely no fighting among the crew, do I make myself clear?"
"YES SIR!" Echoed from each crew member.
"If you work hard there will be a chance for advancement, but if me or any of the senior officer see anything we don't like, you will be put on report which may be one step closer to your expulsion from Starfleet."
Jake looked from Orin to Sopak. They were both looking straight ahead as they listened to the Commander.
"Now the Artllies isn't suppose to dock for another hour." He said as he checked his time piece. "This will be your only chance to see this station. One hour, be right back here. Dismissed."
Once dismissed, Sopak, Orin and I headed straight for the promenade it see what the station had for entertainment. There were a large number of shops. An Andorian tailor, the shops  windows were covered in different and exotic types of clothing. There was a Klingon weapons shop filled with Klingons and Nausicaans bantering over prices on various weapons. We were going to go in, but changed our minds after seeing the Klingon at the door with a bat'leth. There were restaurant that catered to many different species. Klingon, Bajoran, Bolian, and believe or not, Ferengi. Yeah there were Ferengi here. Which didn't shock me since there were also two Ferengi casinos on the station.
After stopping for Bajoran jimji sticks, we wandered on to the port side of the station to look out to the construction of the new ships. There were two constitution class ships and a few smaller battle cruisers under construction. Sopak explained to us what  he knew about the construction of a starship. He talked about the propulsion, weapons and the shielding on each class of ships. Mostly about warp theory which I now understand much better. The weaponry and the different types of deflector shields. It was interesting but what we really were looking at was the different Aliens on the station.
We saw the usually Vulcans, Andorians and Tellerites. The three core members of the federation. There was three Bajorans haggling with a Ferengi dealer over the price of a used impulse regulator. An adult female Caitian dragging a stubborn cub from in of a restaurant where two rodent like Cassiains were eating. And a group of Cardassians heading into a Ferengi casino for a night of gambling. Orin suggested we go into and take advantage of the casino's holodeck, It was good idea, but Sopak said we didn't have time. The Artillies would be docking in less the ten minutes and we shouldn't be late reporting in for duty. So off we went to find the Jefferson and start our careers in Star fleet.
Finding our way to the ship wasn't hard. Lt Commander Archer was waiting at the docking port for everyone to take us all on a shuttle up to the Jefferson. As we arrived at the shuttle bay, the Commander nodded as he checked our names off his duty roster. I was glad we we're the last to report in. After another fifteen minutes we were all together and ready to board the shuttle. One by one we filed in as the Commander checked our names off. I have to tell you, you have no idea how exciting it was. I felt like a kids on his first flight off planet. As we took our seats, I felt the shuttles impulse engines kick on. Commander Archer took his seat just as we lifted off and headed up to the shipyard in orbit out over Mars.
As we gazed out of the shuttles windows, we passed a few ships still under construction. First the Prometheus a constitution class ship. It was huge with its twin nacelles and saucer style section. We could see the three lead phaser ports and the twin torpedo bays on each side of the saucer section. We were told that class would have eight phaser ports and six torpedo bays. It was also going to be equip with the most powerful multi resonating unimatrix energy shields and a new cloaking system just like the Jefferson.
As we came around the engineering section of the Prometheus, there it was. It was small, half the size of Voyager but three times as fast and powerful. The Jefferson was mostly saucer section with two nacelles on each side. It had a arrow shaped upper deck with twin phaser banks forward, aft and in the center of each nacelle. It was smooth, sleak and could turn on a old earth dime. While we stared admiring the features of the ship, the shuttle came around the aft compartment and sled into one of the ships two decking bays. Once the shuttle sat down, The bay indicator flashed red. We heard the ringing of the claxon's indicated air was being pumped into the docking bay. As the light flashed green we all started to exit the shuttle.
Looking around the bay area, Sopak explained the different features in the bay area. Each bay held two shuttles

Redemption II.

Well, it’s that time of years again. Its Christmas the season of joy and goodwill. I mean joy for some of us. For me it’s something different. My name is Jason Stockard and I have a tale for you. Christmas lately has been pretty depressing for me. Don’t get me wrong, as a kid I use to love Christmas. I would walk the dog and make my list and mail it to the North Pole every year. I tried to be good, but sometimes like all of my friends, I’d screw up and get in some kinda trouble. But during September through December, I was a poster child for good behavior. I even went Christmas caroling which my friends all frowned upon. One year I worked a clothing drive for our local Salvation Army. My mother said I was over doing it but, what the heck, It had been fun and it was for a good cause. 

As I got older it changed. I guess at around 12 I stopped believing in Santa Claus and Christmas. That year my parents died in a plane crash and I was sent to live with my Aunt Fran. I loved my aunt Fran, but at that time in my life, I was a hand full. We use to sneak beer from a friends dad and get blasted. One weekend I got so drunk, I woke up in the park with no pants on. That one was tough to explain to the police that found me. Aunt Fran was so disappointed in me, she barely talked with me for almost two weeks after that one.
After that, you would think I’d calm down and change my behavior. But not me. No sir not me. I cared more about my drinking and not getting caught. High school for me was crazy. Yeah I did well in my classes but my behavior was off the wall. I started treating Aunt Fran really rudely. Now that I’m looking back, I can't see how she put up with me, I got toasted almost every weekend. I know she had to carry me in and put me to bed more then I’d like to admit. I would apologize of course but be right back in the bottle the next week.
Somehow I managed to get accepted at Rutgers University. I did OK there. I pledged Kappa Iota Pi and tried my best to stay on the straight and narrow. I was doing well until the night I saw the most beautiful blonde I’d ever seen in my life. I nudged a friend and found out who she was and that she was new here at Rutgers. She was a sociology student here to finish her Bachelor’s degree. She was here tonight with a few of her sisters from the Delta Lamda house. It took me more than an hour to work up the courage to approach one of her sisters to get an introduction.
I stood and watched from the other side of the room as Cara approached and whispered in her ear, all the sound in the room for me stopped. All the music, the talking and laughter for me stopped. All I heard was a buzzing in my ears as she turned, smiled and waved at me. I put down my beer and pushed my way through the crown to go and say hi. Right there and then, I know I had just met the girl I would love for the rest of my life.
For the next four years we dated on and off. We would break up and get right back together. It’s funny because no matter what we did, we couldn’t seem to stay apart. I guess we were meant to be together.
 After we graduated, we moved to a small town in Vermont. I got a job in the BMC bank as an associate, while Irena took a job teaching in one of the local middle schools. We were doing OK. The bills were getting paid, we ate out occasional and keep in touch with close friends and family. One night we were lying in bed, Irena was grading papers and I had just finished some paper work. I closed the folder and looked over at Irena. She looked so beautiful and innocent, I almost stared crying. At that moment I knew I couldn’t bear to live without her. I reached over and too the folder from her hand and told her I loved her. She smiled and kissed me saying she knew that. Then I asked her the most important of our lives. I asked her to marry me. She looked back at with those deep blue teary eyes and said yes. We made intense love that night. The most passionate ever. I didn’t know it but that was also the night Christopher Ryan Stockard was conceived.
Three months later we stood together in front of all of our friends and family and said our vows to be faithful and to love each other for the rest of our lives. There is one small detail I forgot. Our wedding day was on Christmas. Yeah it sure was. We had it at the city park in the evening during a lite snow storm. Everything looked so beautiful. The park was covered with the years first snow. There was white roses and carnations and lilies spread all around the altar we had brought in. I was dressed in a white tux with white over coat. Irena looked so beautiful coming down the aisle, it took my breath away and I completely froze up for a seconds.

As the minister spoke, I never took my eyes off of her. I was so lost in my loves eyes, I really didn’t hear much of what he was saying. Her smile was just so beautiful, I could’ve stood there forever. After the I do’s we were all off to the reception. It really was an amazing night that I will never forget.
OK, so finally we were married and off on our honeymoon which I don’t have to say was awesome. We did a week in Paris strolling around looking at museums, eating at little cafes, drinking wine and eating cheese. On our last night we spent the night at a little cafe at a table watching gondolas under moon lite. It was really romantic.
After we returned home, life went on at a pretty normal pace. Irena was pregnant so she stared getting bigger. She had the strangest of cravings. She turned into a Mexican food junkie. I was in every Mexican restaurant in Vermont. For 6 months it was either Mexican food or sardines in mustard. YUCK!!! She ate cases of the stuff. Sometimes I think I can still smell it.

Two months before Christopher was born, the bank transferred me to Stonington Maine. With the transfer, I also got a raise. I was to be the associate vice president of the office in Stonington. There was a pretty big party that night. Everything just seemed perfect for us. We bought a nice house which Irena loved decorating. I have to say she did a pretty good job. It wasn’t lavish at all. She stay on budget except for the baby’s room. There she went all out. But that was OK. As long as she was happy, I didn't
mind. Christopher Ryan was born on the 7^th of June. You should’ve seen how nervous I was. I ran around that hospital like a lunatic. I even managed to get myself lost somewhere on the 5^th floor. Don’t know how I did it since the Maternity ward was on the second floor. I ended up having one of the security guys escort me back down. I made it just in time for my son’s birth. You think I was nervous at the wedding? You should have been there when they put the baby in my arms. I swear he was the most beautiful baby ever born. I cried as I took him in to his mother. This was my family. All mine and I couldn’t believe how much I loved them. It was my job to provide for them and keep them safe
Three days later, we took Christopher home to a house full of friends and neighbors. Irena looked like a proud Queen showing off her new Prince for the first time. I have to admit, I was pretty proud to. He looked like angel sitting there in her arms. That day I swore nothing would ever hurt my family. Not if I can help it.
Days and weeks passed by and turned into years. We were all pretty happy. Christopher got bigger and bigger. I watched as he went from a baby to a toddler, then it was his first day at school. Irena and I packed him a little back pack and took him crying out to his first day of Kindergarten. I have to tell you it was hard watching him cry telling us he didn’t want to go. I just couldn’t convince him that it was only for a few hours. But I did it. I stood there with Irena and watched as he was taken inside and the doors were closed. That day I had taken the day off from work. I wanted to be there to pick him up when school was over. My boy had the biggest smile when he came running out of the playground. He grabbed me and held me as tight as he could. Again, I almost burst into tears right there.
That was his first day, after that it was a lot easier. It seems he liked school and made friends pretty easy. Over the years we were in Cub Scouts then the Boys Scouts. I had a ball taking Chris and his troops out for different activities. With my help and on his own, he received a lot of merit badges. I was really proud of the boy I raised. We had a pretty good life, until the third week of June in 2013. That was the day our lives went to hell.

June 17^th started out just like e very other day. Irena woke me at 8am. I yawn and kissed her good morning, then went into the bathroom to do my morning business. I pissed, washed my hands. I brushed my teeth and was ready to take on the day. After leaving the bathroom I went to wake Chris up. As I stepped into his room, I looked down at him as he slept. I smile as I heard him snoring. I loved that boy so much, I hated to wake him, but he had school. Gently I shook him and called his name. He woke up and stretched as he looked up at me.
“Good morning Ducky.” I said. “Time to get up, you have school today.”
“Morning Dad.” He sat up and swung his legs over the bed. “Are you working today?”
“Yeah.” I said. “I have a meeting at 10 so if you want a ride you’d better get a move on.”
“Will you be busy all day?” He asked as he went and grabbed the clothes his mother had set out for him last night.
“Not really." I said as he started for his bathroom. “Why, is there something you need me to do?”
“The guys and I noticed that Shawn Kirby was going to be at the bookstore signing his book.”
“And?” I asked.
“Well. We need and adult to come with us.” I heard him say from the bathroom. “I told the guys you would do it.”
“Don’t you think you should ask me before you volunteer me to do something? I mean what If I was busy?”
“I didn’t tell them you’d do it.” He said. “I told them I would ask. Josh is asking his dad too.”
“If Mr. Bush can’t do it.” I said. “I guess I can take a few minutes. Besides there’s a new Adam Osbourne book out I want. This will give me a chance to browse the shelfs.”
“That’s great.” I heard the shower come on. “It’s after school. We’ll be waiting at the Gym.”
“You better hurry in there.”
“I will.”
I smiled as I left is room and went and showered. Irena was downstairs. I could smile the bacon cooking. It smelled good. I better hurry so I can eat.
As I undressed and stepped into the shower, I heard our door bell ring. I wondered who it could be this early. As I soaped myself up, I heard Irena calling my name.
“I’ll be right down.” I said as I stepped from the shower and dried myself off. I went into our room and put on clean underwear and a T-shirt and jeans. Today was going to be a casual day. I wanted to be comfortable. After slipping on a pair of running shoes I made my way downstairs.
As I walked down the stairs, I noticed the two police men standing in my foyer.
“Good morning.” I said. “What can I do for you?”
“Are you Jason Stockard of the BMC bank?” One of the officers asked “Yes.” I said.  “What can I help you with?”

“You’re under arrest for bank fraud and grand theft. Please put your hands up.”
As one of the officers stepped behind me and put cuffs on, the other started reading me my rights.  Irena walked of the kitchen and saw this going on, she ran to my side. One of the officers strong armed her to keep her from interfering.
“What the hell is this about?” I asked. “Bank fraud? What bank?”
“You are the Jason Stockard from BMC bank. Correct?”
“Yes.” I said. “I work there.”
“This morning the president of the bank reported that there was a robbery last night. You were the last one there. It was your code that was put into the vault to open the door.”
“Dad!” Christopher called as he ran down the stairs. “What’s going on? Let my dad go!” Irena grabbed him before he got to me.
“Let me go Mom!” He cried. “We have to stop them!”
“No Chris!“ I said. “It’s ok. There’s been some kind of mistake. I’ll go with them and straighten this all out. I’ll be home in a few hours.”
That’s what I thought as they took my away. From the backseat of the squad car, I watched my family as they took me away.
That was the beginning of three years hell. When we go to the station, I was official booked. They took my photo and my prints placed me in a cell. I was there for two days until my arraignment and I pleaded not guilty to the crime. Thankfully my bail wasn’t too high and my lawyer was able to get me out.
Don’t ask me how, but the night before someone used my vault code to take $50.000 from out of the back. I was fired and arrested for the theft. As I worked into the bank after my release, no one would look at me. They all thought I had done it. I made my way to my office and found it locked. From there I went to the bank president’s office to try and get some answers. Before I could get there, bank security stopped me and handed me all my personal things and I was asked to leave.
That was two years ago. Since then everything went downhill. Since the only proof they had was my code being used, the bank dropped all the charges. But my life was ruined. I was fired and couldn’t get a job anywhere. From that day on people treat me like a criminal. I lost all my friends, Chris’s school asked that we remove him and place him somewhere else. He lost all his friends, none of the parents wanted their child to associate with us. Day by day I could see the anger and depression moving in on him. He know I didn’t steal the money, but we were still treated like outcasts. Luckily, Irena was about to keep her job, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills and keep up with the mortgage. We lost the house and had to move into a small apartment on the west said of town. Every day I was out job hunting, but where do you go when everyone thinks you’re a crook? I couldn’t even get a job mopping floors at a Mc Donald’s. It was getting that bad.
A few weeks ago I was waiting for word after another dismal interview when I looked out the window and saw my car being towed away. FUCK! I thought to myself. I put $2.00 worth of change in the meter, I can’t believe this was happening. I jumped up and ran the door just as the tow truck was driving away. Could my luck get any worse?
Then I heard someone behind me call my name. It was the personal manager that I had been waiting for and he didn’t have a very nice smile on his face.
“I’m sorry Mr. Stockard but we don’t have anything for you. We’ll give you a call if anything opens up. Have a nice day.”
As he turned to go back to his office, I saw him drop my application in a waste basket.

With a sad face I turned and headed out the exit. I had to keep trying. After all, it can’t rain every day. Sooner or later the sun has to come out, right?
As I walked away, it started to rain. Damn it! I had an umbrella, but it was in the back seat of the car that was towed away. As I looked up at the gray stormy cloud, I screamed out in my head.
“Can it possibly get any worse?”
That’s when I heard the horn as a car ran right into me and knocked me back off my feet and into the park bushes and I saw stars.
It was dark when I woke up. There wasn’t much traffic on the streets. I sat up and shook my head to clear away the cobwebs. Where was I and what was I doing laying here in the wet grass? Then I remembered what had happened and where I was. I had been hit a car and knocked out flat. As I looked up at the gray clouds, I wished it had killed me. Then Irena and Chris would at least get the $75.000 from my life insurance.
Down and depressed, I made my way north from the park and into the city. I was getting desperate. Somewhere he in this city, there had to be a job for him. He would take anything. He didn’t mind mopping floors or washing dishes. Anything would do.
As I walked, my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking more about the bills that were piling up then where I was going. The next month’s rent, the power and water bills. Thank god they didn’t have cable anymore. That was a $200 problem he didn’t miss at all. Through Chris did. He had walked in last night and saw him lying there in front of the old flat screen looking depressed. I apologized to him and told him I would try getting it back on next month. He smiled and said it was OK and that he could do without it. Sadly I turned and went back to the front porch to wait for Irena to return from the food pantry. Once a month, either me or Irena would go out to the four charity food programs to bring back what groceries we could gather.
As I stepped off the curb, a tan Grand Prix shapely made the turn and for the second time today, I was almost hit and knocked back down on my ass. The driver screamed out the window for me to watch where I was going. Yeah, sure I thought not that it really mattered. Maybe death would be a good thing for my family. It would pay the bills and give Irena and Chris a chance to have a better life.
As I walked past a brightly lit porn shop, a man dressed in a dark Zoot suit stepped out to block my way. I said excuse me and tried to walk around him when he held out his to stop me. Confused, I looked up at the shape dressed man as he smiled and took of his hat and bowed to me.
“Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste.”
“Huh?” I stared at him confused.
“Sorry.” He said. “It’s just an old joke. My name is Scratch, Nicolas Scratch and I think you’ve been looking for me.”
“I’m sorry.” I said. “You’re who?”
“I’m the man you’ve been looking for.” He said. “I’m the answer to all your problems.”
I looked at him closer. He was dressed in an Immaculate black suit and white suit with shoes that shined some much they were like mirrors.
On his head he wore a black fedora with a long pheasant feather trailing behind him. I have to admit he looked shape in that suit as swung his keys on the golden chain. But what did he want and how could he answer any of my problems?
“I think you have the wrong person.” I said as I stepped back to turn away.
“Jason Michael Stockard right?”
I nodded my head as my mouth dropped open in shock. He had a devious grin on his face like he knew everything.
“I’ve been watching you and your family for a long time. I was even there the day your son was born. Really cute kid I have to say.”
I can’t believe this. Whoever he is, he talks like he actually knows me.
“Excuse me Mr. Scratch.” I said. “But are you telling me you’ve been watching me and my family?”
“Yes.” He said. “I knew this day would come and you would need my help. So here I am, ready to give all that you think you deserve. The job, the money, the respect of others. I can even tell you who it was that set up for the bank robbery. I knew you’d like that.”
I looked at the slick smooth operator. He smiled at me as I watched the flames dance in his eyes. I could almost feel the heat from where I was standing.
“And what do you want for your help?” I asked.

“Nothing really” He said. “I’ll give you three things. I’ll make you a success, you’ll have riches beyond belief, and you’ll be famous. For these three things, all I want is your soul.”
At that moment I knew exactly who it was that I was talking to. This shape man standing in front of offering me the world was the Devil. Satan, Diablo, Lucifer the fallen angel and the master of hell. I took a step back as he through back his head started laughing.
“The master of hell?” he reached into his lapel pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. He took one out of the pack and put in his mouth. With a snap of his finger, the end burst into flames. With a wink at me he took a drag and blew the smoke out.
“Now as I was saying. I’m prepared to give you all you life’s dreams and all I want is your soul. It’s such a small thing. It’s nothing really. What do you say?”
For a minute, I thought about it. This would solve all my problems. Irena wouldn’t have to work so hard. Chris could get back into Excelsior Prep with his friend. It’ll be like nothing had ever happened. I could even be the president of the BMC bank.
“You should think higher than that.” He said. “You could own that bank if you want. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line.”
In a flash, there was a roll of parchment paper in his hand. He held it out to me along with a pen. As I reached for it, I suddenly felt the chill of a cold gust of wind.
“Stop right there!!” A voice said. “Do not sign that!”
As I dropped the contract, an older gentleman dressed in red stepped between us. Mr. Scratch looked and him and rolled his eyes in frustration.
“Oh no!” Scratch said. “Not you!”
“Yes you dirty old thief.” The gentleman said. “It’s me here, and I’m here to stop you from taking another innocent soul under your hellish wing.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
“You don’t remember?” He looked at me with surprise in his eyes. “We were such good friends when you were a kid. You sent me all those letters and never once did I slip up and bring the wrong gift. You always got what you wanted. I’m one of your oldest friends. I’m Santa Claus”
“What?” I looked at him confused. He frown and stepped in closer.
“Look around you.” He said raising his hands. “Don’t you know what season it is? It’s Christmas. The time for good cheer and peace on Earth.”
“Oh go blow it out your hole!” Scratch said with an annoyed look. “There is no peace on Earth. You grab what you can and kick the other guy out of your way.”
“Is that how you feel Jason?” He looked at me over his spectacles.
“That’s not the same boy that caroled for three years and worked so hard at the clothing drives. I know the real you. The passionate one.”
“Santa Claus?” I said in surprise. “Is this real? Are either of you really here or am I just having a dream?”
“Sign this and nothing he says will matter.” Scratch held out the contract. “You can be the king of your own world.”
“And what about his family?” Santa said. “Will you take care of them too? Will you grant Irena and Chris their wishes to?”

“Sure I will.” Scratch said. “All they have to do is sign with me and they can be kings and queens too. They can have any dream they want. For a price.”
“Yes.” Santa said to me. “Any dream the want until the contract is due. Then you all go to hell. Is that what you want for your family? To suffer with them in hell. Don’t you think they deserve better?”
I looked at the contract in my hand. It was so tempting. If I sign I can write my own ticket. I could own an airline, or a string of banks. I could be the richest man in the world. Then I looked into Santa’s blue eyes. I saw Irena and Chris in a firer cavern naked being raped by Demons.
“It doesn’t matter. Scratch whispered in his ear. “It’s all going to happen anyway. Why not enjoy it while you can.”
“Noooooo!!” I threw the contract in Scratch’s face. “You can’t have them! That’s my family and I have to protect them! Take you contract and go to hell!!”
As I screamed at him, Scratch started to change. He went from the slick dressed man in the zoot suit, to a demon with horns, a forked tail and hooves. Behind him I saw the cavern of fire and tortured souls. I could feel the flames of hell blasting heat at my face. It looked like Scratch was going to take us down to his blasted hole radiating out at me. Just then, Santa came and stepped in front of me and wrapped his arms around me. Suddenly I knew everything would be alright.
“You’ve lost another one Scratch.” Santa said as he pushed me behind him to keep me safe. “Why don’t you just give up and go back to your dark, dirty underworld were you belong. There’s nothing for you here. You will never stand against the Christmas spirit.
“I’ll go.” Scratch said frowning. “But I’ll be back. There’s a great big world out there and you can’t protect them all!”
In a great flash of fire and smoke, Mr. Scratch vanished leaving nothing behind except the echoing sound of his laughter.
With Scratch gone, I turned to Santa with big sad eyes. If he hadn’t stopped me, I would have signed his contract.

“No.” Santa said with a smile. “I know you were tempted, but you would have thought of your family and that would have stopped you. You don't have an evil bone in your body.”
“No.” I said. “Not evil, but I am a pathetic loser who can’t even keep a job to fed his family.”
“No." Santa said as he patted me on the shoulder. “Losing you job wasn't your fault, Scratch took it from you. But moving on is up to you. What you do from here on is your choice. You just need a little help from a friend.”
He stuck his hand into a pocket and pulled out a card and handed it to me. I took it and read the name on it.

Mark T Randle and associates.
Employment Services.
555 675 2112.
Stonington Maine.

“This is a friend of mine.” Santa said. “You can trust him. He’ll give you a fair shake.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” I said through tears of joy. “I won’t let you down.”
“I’m not worried at all.” He said as he started to fade away as he backed away into the storm. “Just tell Mark I sent you. And one more thing.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

What lurks in the Dark.

Sondosia.

It was dark on the streets of Lamrissa as a dark figure crept from shadow to shadow trying to avoid the attention of the red armored guards of the Zygerrian empire. He looked left, then right to be sure there was no one following him, then moved on down the road. His objective tonight was the royal palace. There was someone there that it was very important he see tonight.
As he left his shadowy corner, he looked up at the two blood red moons that hung high up in the sky. He flexed his arms and pulled his cloak closer to him as he slipped out and started on his way. From the corner behind him, two red armored guards came slowly walking out of the darkness.
"STOP!!" Called the first trooper. "By the order of the Zygerrian Order! Do not move!"
The hood figure turned slowly as they came up behind him and calmly stared back at the two troopers. He had no fear of the two weak minded troopers who stood before him with their weapons raised and pointed at him. Instead he raised his hand and spoke one single word.
"Sleep."
In seconds the two troopers eyes closed and they fell unconscious to the ground. Flipping back his hood, he walked over to the them and bent down and touched their heads.
"Where can I find Devdan Steros, the Zygerrian first prime?" He asked.
"First prime Steros is in the main hall in the palace coordinating the attack on the Metune IV."
"I have business to discuss with your so called Emperor." He said calmly. "You will escort me in to see him."
"Yes." The trooper said then they stood up and shouldered their weapons and turned to head out of the city and into toward the imperial compound. Pulling his hood back up to cover his face, the dark man followed them. They walked down through the dark and quiet streets pass closed taverns and empty shops. Lamrissa was once the gem of the Caperrian system where almost any item one was looking for could be found in their never closing market place. Anything from the fabled horn of the savage Abenites to the leafs of the sweet Boxelder plants for tea. But now with the Zygerrian empire in charge, things were different. High taxes and the constant and close watch the empire had on the market had cost many of the more exotic venders to close down and run. That left only food and a few necessary shops like the blacksmith and medicinal hutches open for business. The space port which once had the capacity to hold and direct hundreds of ship now housed only ships from the imperial fleet and those high in the empires favor. There were a few Costian yachts and several ships that had been confiscated and put into imperial service. Now Zygerrians were the masters here and all through the zelta quadrant. But that may change sometime in the near future.

A.P.E.S.

It was a hot and humid night in the Florida Everglades. The frogs sang their nightly song while crickets danced and chirping in the background. The moon was full and the heavens was lit up sparkling with bright stars. There was a 12-foot alligator swimming his way through the warm water looking for its next meal. He was a quiet hunter able to stay in one spot and wait hoping his prey would come down to the water’s edge for a drink. With just his eyes and nose above the water, the alligator watched as a huge swamp pig crept down for its nightly drink. Slowly without making a sound, the alligator pushed himself off. He hadn’t eaten in over two weeks and the pig would make the perfect meal.
Using only his tail, he steered his way closer to his unsuspecting prey. It stepped down into the water and took a quick taste. It was cool and delicious. The pig bent down and started lapping quickly at the water. He know it was dangerous here and one of the big things might be there in any minute. So he drank fast, hoping he wouldn't be interrupted.
Slowly using just his tail, the alligator inched toward the pig. He had to be careful. Any sudden splash or noise would alert the pig to his presence, and it could bolt away. As the moved in closer, he could smell the scent of the pig. Right now it had no fear, it was just thirsty and content just to get its fill of fresh water.
Foot by foot, inch by inch the alligator moved in. Its heart was pumping blood giving it strength to strike when the time was right. The pigs scent filled alligators nose driving it crazy with hunger. Then suddenly the pig felt something and it jerked its head up out of the water. At that moment, the alligator leaped up out of the water and snapped its jaws closed on the pig. It squealed in fright as it was pulled into the water and the alligator started its roll. The taste of its blood drove the alligator on as it rolled and drown the pig. Once its dinner was dead, the alligator took it out into the water where it planned to hide the body for a late night dinner. 
After hiding the pig, the alligator came back up to relax. It thought it might catch a few fish while it waited for the pig to ripen. Suddenly there was a big flash in the sky. The alligator gazed up and saw a small bright ball hurtling down out of the stars towards him. Diving down, the alligator sped out of the way trying to keep from being hit by the falling fireball. With a great boom it crashed into the water leaving a smoking trail behind it. Spilling back to the surface, the alligator watch the glowing ball from a distance. The water bubbled and boiled as a noxious smell seeped out and filled the air. Disgusted by curious, the alligator moved in to investigate the glowing thing in the water. This was his territory, his hunting ground. He wanted to make sure whatever the ball was, it wasn't a threat to his feeding ground. 
Diving down, it swam deep to the bottom and circled the small ball of light. The alligator gazed at it as he swam by. It throbbed with an almost hypnotic light. He thought it was beautiful, not like something to eat. Something different. Something he had to touch. 
Swimming closer, the alligator made a closer pass. The ball was making a strange humming noise. The alligator could clearly hear it. It was like it was calling out to him. Begging to be touched and held. Unable to resist any longer, he swam over and nudged it with his nose. The sound his nose made contact, the alligators mind exploded. The ball cracked open and something spilled out and flowed into the nearest living creature, the Alligator.

On the bottom of the river, the alligator thrashed and spun as it fought for control of its own body and mind. Primal instinct fought back as the invader made connections one by one on all of the alligator synoptic and major systems. With each second, the alligator's fight became weaker and weaker. Soon the only thing left of the gator was its dark primal hunting instinct, and the invader already had plenty of that.
[I am free!] 


It was late in the afternoon in the small town of Arondale, New York when two men dressed in army fatigues entered the PMC bank and got in the withdrawal line. There were three others before them in line, so they waited looking nervously around. In the front sitting at a desk, a bored looking guard leafed through a Sports Illustrated magazine as he watched people go in and out of the bank. The first fatigued man looked at his friend and nodded to the guard. The second man slowly stepped out of line and walked to the table where all the banking forms were kept. He pulled out a deposit slip then looked toward the guard as he started filling it out. With a nod he let his friend know he was ready.
At that moment, four other fatigued men pushed their way into the back and pulled their weapons. The fatigued man in the front of the line leaped up on the counter and slammed his hands together causing a small sonic boom which rattled the windows and everyone in the bank.
"Everyone down on the floor! This is a robbery."
The fatigued man by the guard, sent a level one ice blast at the guard, chilling him to a temperature that knocked him out. Then he hurried to the door as the other went behind the counter and started gathering money.
"Anyone move and I'll shake this bank until it collapses!"
"Two minutes!" yelled the man at the door. "The quake will have the cops here in less than five minutes."
"Who cares about cops." laughed one man as he stuffed his bag from a tellers money draw. "We have you two here if they show up. You can take down any cops that show up."
"It's not cops we should worry about." the first man said. "One minute and we're out of here."
Grabbing the last hand full of money, they all jumped up over the counter and ran for the door. Once outside, a van pulled up and they all jumped in and took off into the city.
From the bank, they jumped on the freeway and headed down three exits to the Toddlan exit where they took a right and jumped of the freeway. Toddlan was a quiet little one horse town with gas station, a fix it shop and quaint main street with dress shops antique shops and a barber and a hair dresser salon. Other then that, it was all homes and farms and country roads. 
In the van they were all slapping each other on the back with congratulation for a good job. Everyone except the two with augmented abilities. These two weren't sure they had made a clean getaway. Neither of them had seen any sign of pursuit, but the robbery had gone too smooth. It had been to easy and that made them both nervous.
As they pulled up to the small farm house where they had done all the planning, everyone climbed out of the van carried the bags into the house.
"WE DID IT!!" Carl Roberson said as he high fived Art Tucker. "That was so easy, we should've hit another one while we were out."
"How much do you think we got?" Pete McNair asked. He grabbed a bag and poured the money out on the table. Wrapped stacks of hundred dollar bills poured out and spilled on to the floor. Art did a dance around the table. He had never seen so much money in his life.
"Settle down." Louis Linder shouted. "This ain't over yet. We can still be tracked."
"By who?" Art laughed. "No one saw a thing. We got away clean!"
"I wouldn't say that." said a voice from the living room. Grabbing their guns, the five turned to find a tall red haired man standing at the door dressed all in black ACU pants and a black t-shirt with a two inch web nylon belt to hold various pieces of equipment. He had black combat boots and a black beret with two gauntlets strapped to his wrist.
"Who are you?" Carl asked as he held his gun on him.
"I'm here to bring you in." the man said with a smile. "You didn't really think you could just walk into a bank and take what you want, did you?"
"Who is this joker?"Art asked.
"He's Strikeforce." Louis said holding out his vibrating hands. "I hear you're suppose to be tough. But are you tough enough to take on all of us? I'm pretty tough myself, so is Coldfront there."
"And who are you?" Strikeforce asked. He folded his arms impatiently.
"I'm called Quake." he said. "I'm the one that is gonna take down the mighty Strikeforce."
Strikeforce laughed at that statement. 
"I guess you're going to get your chance. But before you do, I have to inform you that you're all under arrest. You all have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you. You the the right to an attorney. If you can't afford one, which I doubt you can, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these right?" 
"I'm sure you do." Strikeforce laughed. He took off his beret and placed it in his belt and looked at Quake. "Anytime you're ready."

"Kill him!"
The three combat fatigued men pulled semi automatic Mac 10's and unloaded at Strikeforce. The bullets ripped in hitting him in his chest and bounced off as if they had been fired at steel armor. Strikeforce raised a gloved hand and reached to his side and took an 8 inch long metal baton from his belt. With a quick flip, it extended out to 2 feet and he was ready to fight. 
Leaping forward, He swung out batting the gun from one man's hand as he kicked out and at the gunman next to him. Swinging around, Strikeforce grabbed a third man and threw him back out through a window. The two fatigued men left looked at their two downed comrades and knew they were useless in this fight. They dropped their guns and ran for the door.
"Come back here!!" Quake yelled.
"Let them go." Coldfront said with a smile. "We can take him."
Coldfront raised his hands and summoned his icy energy to his fist. As he moved toward Strikeforce, he sent a blast of ice at him. Strikeforce raised his arm letting the blast hit his gauntlets and bounce off. It sent a freezing chill up his arm. As Strikeforce shook it off, Quake hit him with a wave of heavy vibrations. As the pulsating tremors hit him, Strikeforce was forced down off his feet. He could feel every inch of his massive body shake with tremendous force. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up to his knees. He open his eyes and saw Coldfront advancing from the other side with his glowing hands reaching for him. Strikeforce struggled to get to his feet, but the shuddering quakes pounding his were too strong. He knew he would eventually get up, but he wasn't sure if he could do it before Coldfront reached him.
"We got him!!" Coldfront said. "Hold him for just another second and I'll send his organs into the deep freeze."
Strikeforce could feel his frigid aura as Coldfront moved closer. He tried again to move but the vibrations kept him pinned down on his knees. Coldfront cackled as he reached down for him.
"I could use a hand here!" he yelled as he lifted his head. Suddenly a shadow stepped out of the wall and grabbed Coldfront's hand. He took the hand forced it back and away from Strikeforce.
"Sorry Boss." Shade said as he hovered in the air holding Coldfront. "I was kinda busy for a moment outside wrapped up your throw away's."
Coldfront fought and struggled to free himself from the iron grip of the shadow man holding on to him. He twisted and tried to kick out at Shade trying to shake himself loose, but it was impossible. Seeing Coldfront in trouble, Quake sent out a wave of vibrations at Shade hoping to disrupt his ghost like molecules and break his partner free. The second Strikeforce felt the gravity wave lift off his body, he reached out and grabbed a chair and threw it at Quake. As the chair hit him, Quake was knocked back and slammed into the wall. With astonishing speed, Strikeforce was up and on the augmented bank robber. One lite punch was all it took to incapacitate the gravity master and knock him out. With Quake down, Strikeforce turned to Shade and Coldfront. Shade had pulled him up to a level position so they faced each other. Coldfront grabbed onto him sending wave a icy power into the Shadow Augment.
Shade shivered then started to laugh as he absorbed the cold.
"Do you really think your cold can affect me?" Shade said pulling him closer to him.
I travel through the absolute cold of shadow everyday and you actually think your chill will bother me."
"Don't do it." Strikeforce said as he came over. "Just give him to me. That's an order."
"Yes sir." Shade passed Coldfront off to his leader. "Your going to jail instead of into my shadows."
Strikeforce to him and held him high off the ground with one arm.
"You don't scare me!" Coldfront shouted. "I can live in absolute zero. Your shadows are nothing."
Shade stopped and turned around staring at Coldfront with blazing blue eyes. He reached out and floated towards the insufferable thief.
"Let's see how cold your heart really is." Shade said as he placed his hand on Coldfront's bare arm. Suddenly all the warmth in his body was gone and Coldfront screamed out as his mind slipped down into the dark cold abyss that was the world of shadows. He heard the screams of the tortured souls and the horrifying beast that lived in the shadow world. Coldfront had been scared many times in his life, but there had never been fear like this before. As he opened his eyes, something came sliding towards him through the clouds of darkness. It was long with a body like a snake only much bigger. It had legs with long talons that looked strong enough to tear apart a concrete bunker and a face one could only imagine in their most horrible dreams. As saliva dropped from deadly fangs, the shadow creature lurched forward at Coldfront. He screamed and reared back trying to get away from the dark monster. He closer his eyes just as it opened its mouth to chomp down on him.
"Still think my shadows are nothing?"
Coldfront opened his eyes and looked up into Shade's shining eyes. He was back in the cabin with Shade and Strikeforce shaking in fear.
"W, was that real?" he asked as Strikeforce dropped him on the floor. Shade took out a pair of special handcuffs Mandriod had created for use on Augments and snapped them around Coldfront's wrist. Then touched a button on his belt to activate them.
"Just be glad all you got was a taste of shadow." Shade said as he hauled Coldfront up on his feet and pushed him towards the cabin door. 
"Our job here is done." Strikeforce said as he carried Quake's unconscious form out and dropped him next to Coldfront. "A Defender pick up team will be here for these two. I signaled the Sheriff for the others."
"Do we wait?" Shade asked.
"No." He dropped Quake's unconscious form out next to Coldfront and the others. "I have a Defender's pick up team on route. These two are going straight to lock down at Fort Niagara. The Sheriff is on his way for the others. You can head on back and get started on your mission report. I'll wait here just in case they have another Augment hiding out somewhere around here."
"Are you sure?" Shade asked. "I can stay and keep you company. The reports can wait."
"No, you go on and head back." Strikeforce tapped the communicator on his belt. "Mission control will be waiting, eager for that report that report. We don't want to disappoint them."
"OK." Shade stepped away from Strikeforce and lifted himself up into the air. "I guess I will see you back at the base. Be careful."
As Strikeforce watched Shade speed away, he smiled remembering the first time he had met him. A few years ago while stationed in New Mexico, Captain Shamus T. O'Muirus just back from a tour in Afghanistan, walked into the officers club of Fort Clinton. He was exhausted from the long trip home. It had been a hard tour. He couldn't get the memories of battle out of his mind. He saw friends and comrades die right in front of his face. Every night when he closed his eyes he had nightmares. Nightmares and memories of death and war. His most vivid dream, the one that always woke him up scream was about a small Afghani village. Shamus and a squad of Rangers has entered the village on a mission to rescue two men that had been taken hostage by Al Fahad, a group of radical fighters from up north in the Kasian mountains. There had been an intelligence report saying that the men were being held in a small house on the north end of Aswan. His orders were to take the village and get the hostages home. But the intelligence report that gave them the location was two days old. Shamus knew there was a chance that they had been moved, but his orders were to take the village anyway. They spent the night preparing. They crept in through the hills and by midnight they were just outside of the village ready to go.
At midnight, Shamus checked his watch, then gazed through the night vision glasses at a young boy as he came running out of the village towards their hiding place. As he came close to them, Sgt Ramos jumped up and grabbed him and pulled him down. As he sat there with a knife at his throat, the boy whispered one word. 

"Batman."
"You must be Robin." Shamus said. "Where are  they? Are they still here?"
"Yes." The boy said. "House at end."
Shamus looked down the road at the row of small huts. Three men patrolled the street outside of the house. Shamus pointed to the left then the right signaling his men to move out. Pvts Fischer and Jones  went left keeping low to the ground while Pvt Connor and Kent went to the right moving towards the front of the house. Faris, Banks and Carol were already stationed on the roofs across from the suspect house. They were to be their sniper support. Pvts Waters and Floyd were going in with Shamus. As Shamus and his men checked their gear and got ready to move out, the boy pulled a gun from under his shirt and clicked off its safety.
"I think five in house." He said. "More outside watch house. I go in first."
"No." Shamus said as he got up. "You stay here. We'll take  care of this ourselves. When you hear the shooting start, run. I don't want you getting mixed up and this."
"Me stay." He said. "Help you get to America."
"Go home kid." Shamus said. "You've done all you can. Go home and be safe."
"That." He pointed to a house down the road. It was burned out and in ruins. "That is home. No home no more."
Shamus looked at the burned ruins of his house. He was sorry but there wasn't anything he could to to help the boy. In a few he would be onto a new assignment who knows where. He couldn't do anything to help him. Shamuus reached into his pocket and took out a roll of Afghani bills pushed it at the boy.
"That this. Now go."
The boy thanked him then ran off and into the ruined village. Shamus stood and signaled his men to move out. With a flash of his flashlight he signaled the snipers to take out the men in the streets. One, two, three, whispered shots and the street was clear. With a wave, they were on their way down and into the village. One man watched the left as another watched the right with Shamus in the middle. As they passed the third house, an Afghani came out of an alley with his gun raised shoot. With the speed  of an assassin, a knife flew from Pvt Waters and went straight into the forehead of the Afghani. As they moved on getting closer to their target, three more Afghani's came out of the dark firing Russian AK-47's. Waters opened fire on then taking out two while Floyd kept watch on their rear guard. With all the gun fire out in the street, Shamus knew their cover was blown. Signaling the snipers to open fire on anything that moved, Shamus pushed on to his target house. Just as they reached the house before the target, an Afghani jumped of at them throwing two grenades right in front of them.
"Grenade!!" Shamus dived to the side behind a burned out truck just as they blow up. As they exploded, Shamus lifted his head to see a group of Afghanis charging out at them. As he got back on his feet he lifted his gun and opened fire sending a stream of lead out into the street. With the street clear, Shamus thought they hd a chance to get to the house to free the hostage.
"Faris, Banks." He shouted int the radio. "This is our chance. Get in there and get the hostages out."
"Its to late." Someone said over the radio. "Fischer and Jones are dead. The targets are not, I repeat. They are not in the house."
"Damn the CIA and there fucked up Intell." Sent as he slammed his fist down on the hood of the car leaving a huge dent. "Everybody abort. This mission is FUBAR. Bank's, radio for someone to pick us up at the rendezvous point."
"I can't Sir." Banks sent. "Faris and Jones are down and  the radio has been hit. I'm pinned down out here with no way to make it out."
"Calm down solider." Shamus said. "I'm coming in to get you."
"No Captain." He said. "Its to late for me. Please tell my family I love them."
Thats when the radio went dead. Shamus looked over to Sgt Ramos. They were the last to men in their squad and it wasn't  looking  good. Shamus wasn't worried about himself, has skin was bullet proof but Sgt Ramos wasn't as strong as he was.
"Sargent." Shamus said as he reloaded his gun. "This is it. Its only you and me. I can get us out of here but you have to stay on my six at all times. Do you understand?"
"No." Ramos said with a nervous. "But I'll trust you. Lets go."
As they stood up, they saw  three groups of Afghani's firing on them. One group to the left and and another firing from behind an old Toyota with a third shooting from up on the roofs.
Shamus and Ramos stepped out and sent a blast of gun fire all around them. Then Shams grabbed the old truck and threw to at the Afghani solider that were firing from the roofs. 
"Now! Shamus shouted. "Move out!!"
With Ramos right behind him, Shamus took off running out of the village while firing at anyone either of the saw popping out from cover. At the edge of town, they saw and old school bus. Safety would be right beyond that they thought. But as the got closer, Shamus someone throw something into the bus.
"Get down!!"
That was his last memory until he woke up in a MASH unit all alone. For week after week the dreams would wake him up shaking and sweating. The marines head sent him to therapy which calmed his trouble conscious but, it didn't stop the dreams. It just slowed them down so he didn't have them as often. It was in therapy that Shamus met Jefferson Patrick Reed, also known as Shade. Jefferson had issues in the army too but he was very loyal and looking for a way to serve that didn't have all the stiff rules and regulations. 
Like Shamus , Jefferson had abilities that he wanted kept quiet. Things he could do that wasn't exactly normal. Abilities the Army thought just might be useful. It was in therapy that Shamus first met Jefferson. Together with 6 other men they talked about their experiences in war. They all had horrendous experiences while serving the United States. Experiences that made them perfect for Project A.P.E.S.

                                              Advanced Protection Enforcement Squad.

Project A.P.E.S. is an advanced project run by all five branches of the United States military with the Army in command. Each branch of the services could have no more than two representatives active at any time. A.P.E.S. was created to combat a number of individuals and groups with unique and special abilities. Shamus O'Muirs was the first and the commander under General Franklin R Danzig. who answers to the only the President or his Chief of staff. Shamus specialty was ordnance, command and hand to hand combat. His near invulnerable skin, his speed, strength and endurance made him a natural for the post. Not to mention his patriotism and knowledge of tactics and battle strategy. Shamus had graduated among the first in his class at West Point with the rank of second lieutenant. He quickly rose in rank by way of his courage, strength and intelligence. Over the years he fought in many campaigns proving his dedication, confidence and heroics.
Jefferson Reed was the Army's second representative. Jefferson more of  hot head then Shamus. He loved action and was always the one that ran first into battle. He was good hearted and a very loyal friend. Jefferson's specialty was stealth. If there was a shadow, Jefferson could penetrate it. He could cloak himself and others in a shadow that no light could penetrate or he could make himself intangible leaving only a shadow visible.Jefferson tried to hide abilities from the Army and his friends but a drunken night at Kandahar airfield blew his secret right out of the water.
After that, Jefferson was transferred to a secret base somewhere in New Mexico where the army put him through a year lon
g testing program. They wanted to know exactly what he could do and how dangerous he was.  And that was where Shamus met his first member of the A.P.E.S project.












New story, stay tuned.

Redemption.

The night was cold and it was snowing as Mark Randle’s little truck made the turn into the small gas station in Stonington Maine and coughed up its last bit of life. He turned the key and stepped on the gas hoping to get it started one more time and make it home for Christmas, but all it did was make that choking noise. It was done, it had gone its last mile. He cursed and punched the dash board upset. He was having the most horrible day of a long string of bad days. He looked out and noticed the lights were still on in the station. Maybe this was finally a bit of luck.

Mark reached to his side and grabbed the brown bag and stuffed it in his jacket then pushed open the door and stepped out of the truck.
Out in front of the station sat a little old 1950 red ford truck. Mark smiled as he looked it over. It was clean and looked like it had been kept in good working order. Maybe his luck was changing. Quickly he put on a cap from his pocket and went to the door and stepped into the stations little.
Sitting at a desk covered with letters, an elderly heavy set man with white hair and a long white beard looked up as a bell announced Mark’s entrance.
“Merry Christmas my friend.” He smiles as he puffed on his pipe. “It’s freezing out there, why don’t you come in and have a cup of joe, its fresh.”
“Thank you.” Mark said rubbing his hands to warm them up. “It is cold out there. But I just need to use your phone if that’s ok.”
“Sure you can.” The jolly old man said. “But it won’t be working right now with this storm blowing out there. The lines here are terrible in the winter, but it’ll but working soon. Why not have some coffee or hot chocolate while you wait. I have those little marshmallows.”
Mark smiled. The office was warm and the old guy was nice. He had time, one cup can’t make couldn’t hurt. The bank would still be open in an hour.
“Tell me son.” The old man stood up and went to the little stove in the corner and poured him a cup of hot chocolate. “What brings you out in this storm?”
“Christmas shopping for my kid.” Mark said as he reached up and took the cup of chocolate. The old man dropped three marshmallows in his cup and sat back down with his pipe. “You know, last minute shopping.”
“Ho ho ho ho!!! Yes, I know all about that. As a matter of fact, I have something here that your little boy might like.”

The old man reached back behind his chair and into a red bag and pulled out a long red fire truck. He placed it on the table in front of Mark, then leaned back.
“Do you think Christopher would like that?”
It was beautiful. Just what Christopher had asked for though he didn’t have the money to get it for him. Had just recently lost his job for being caught drinking on the job. He had been out every day for the last 3 weeks looking, but he couldn’t find anything. He was desperate. It was almost rent time and they didn’t have much by way of food at their apartment and Shelly and Christopher would be home from her parent place tonight. What he  had in his jacket pocket was his only answer.
“I think he’ll love it.” Mark said. “But I can’t take this from you. You’ve been too nice to me. I should go.”
“Go where Mark.” The old man looked him deeply in his eyes. “Do you really think that’s the answer? Do you really think a gun is going to help in any way?”
Mark looked at the old man in shock. How did he know? Did he see it? Did he say Christopher? Did he just call me Mark? How does he know who I am? Who is this old man?
“If you leave here.” The old man tapped his pipe on the ashtray to empty it before he refilled it. “Someone will die in that bank and it will be by your hand. You will be caught and Shelly and Christopher will be devastated. A little boy and girl, the children of your victim, will lose their father and end up being taken by the state because their Grandparents are too old to care for them. The manager will have a heart attack and never be strong enough to walk or work again. You will destroy Christmas for three families, maybe more. All because you're down on your luck.”
Mark dropped the cup and stared at the old man. He didn’t know if he should believe him but in his heart, he knew it could all be true. He had never broken a law in his life, but what choice did he have? He couldn’t go home empty handed. He couldn’t face Shelly and Christopher as such a failure. Maybe he should just leave here and start walking and never look back.
“That’s no answer.” The old man shook his head. “Christopher needs you to teach him how to be a man. He needs you to teach how to love and treat people. You’re his hero, you’re his father. Shelly needs you too or she will grow old alone and sad. You are the key to so many lives and it will all happen in the next few minutes. If you make the right choice.”
Mark thought about the day he met Shelly and that spark he saw in her eyes. He knew the minute he had seen her that he would marry her. Then he thought of the day Christopher was born and how he had been so happy, he went out and ran and jumped and screamed in joy. He had almost been arrested for disturbing the peace, but the policeman understood and just congratulated him. No, he could never leave them. He loved them too much. There was only one thing he could do. Mark reached into his pocket and pulled out the bag with the gun and gave it to the old man.
“Ho, ho, ho, ho!!!!” The old man laughed. “I knew you would make the right choice. Now we just have to get you home. Here, take my keys to the truck. It’ll get you home.”
“Thank you so much.” Mark shook his hand. “I think you saved my life.”
The old man picked put the toy truck and handed it to Mark.
“Just tell your family Merry Christmas for me.” He said. “Now you get out of here and go home. Merry Christmas!!!”
Mark waved as he left the office. He felt like a million bucks. He looked back to see the old man waved and shut the office door and turn off the light. With the truck in his hand, Mark hurried to the red ford truck and got in. As he started the truck, he noticed a small bag on the seat next to him. He picked it up and opened. There was a sheet of paper on top. Mark turned on the dash board light and read it. It was the deed to the gas station with his name on it. Mark had to read it again to be sure he wasn’t imaging it. But there it was. Then he felt the bag and realized there was something else in it. He turned it over and emptied it on the seat. It was a stack of hundred dollar bills. Ten thousand dollars to be exact and a Christmas card. He opened it. It read Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. From your friend Nick.