Stickmaker

Super Head Injuries

Submitted by on

Dr. Big McLarge Huge tells it like it is (well, with some exaggeration):

https://www.empoweredcomic.com/comics/1670081235-EMP10%20p.4...

Yes, it's amazing so many supers (both heroes and villains) make it to retirement age at all, much less remain legally competent in their senior years. Remember that Energia has already had one (fortunately mild) concussion.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Sick Season

Submitted by on

I've been under the weather the past two or three days. I thought the cough I had was due to the damp weather combined with the dust raised by the work I'm having done in the basement. Said coughing was bad enough that I had to use my inhaler a few times.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Home Contracting

Submitted by on

As usual with home improvement projects, installing a new shower, and adding a sink and commode in the basement is taking longer and costing more than anticipated. The contractor is currently in the basement with a concrete saw, cutting out the floor.

Clay pipe under the floor is a good choice (in this case made in 1940) if you assume never having to excavate. It doesn't corrode. However, it is fragile. Argh. Tying modern plumbing drains into it is also a problem. Oh, and none of this is vented, so they have to add that.

Blog About: 

Author: 

In the Hollow of the Devil's Hand

Submitted by on

A story for the season.

In the Hollow of the Devil's Hand

by

Rodford Edmiston

"I don't really know why you're interviewing me," chuckled Corville. "I'm pretty small beans, even for a town newspaper."

"A very political town, the state capital," the eager young man pointed out, as he absently skritched the purring cat on the couch beside him. "I bet you've got some interesting inside views of many events which have taken place here, Mr. Lamb."

Work in Progress

Submitted by on

From the next (currently being written) Masks story:

"We occasionally tell people that this island was used as a base by the Dread Pirate Roberts, centuries ago," said the Commander, straight-faced. "That the place was built-up and maintained by the descendants of those left behind to guard the treasure. It's amazing how many believe that."

Blog About: 

Author: 

What Does T.O.W.E.R. Stand For?

Submitted by on

So far I have resisted trying to give the specific words which lead to the acronym T.O.W.E.R. but the organization features strongly in the next Masks story. So far I have: Theater Overwatch World Enforcement Regulator. That doesn't really... work, so I am looking for suggestions.

This is not a contest. The only reward will be the use of the name in the story.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Masks 15 - Worlds at War by Stickmaker - on Kindle!

Submitted by on

Author: 

Audience Rating: 

Organizational: 

The Shilmek have been watching, biding their time, gathering their forces on the edge of the galaxy. What can our teams of superheroes do to protect the earth from a well considered plan, advanced technology and vastly superior numbers - the fate of the planet is sealed... isn't it?

Worlds at War
Masks 15
by Stickmaker
Now on Kindle

Template, Vic, Electra and all of their friends are going to there to make sure the SHilmex are wrong! Dead wrong!

Masks15-001_0.jpg

Portent Ending

Submitted by on

From near the end of the next Angel of... story. After WWII, three of the superhumans who helped the Allies win are discussing their plans. Two decide they're just going to get away from it all:

"We're going away," said Sutter. "Marie and I have found this place, in Puerto Rico, not far from an old Spanish city but out in the country. It has this bowl-shaped valley. We can lie in the bottom of the bowl and watch the stars go by overhead with no interference."

Blog About: 

Author: 

TFOS: Freddy On The Loose: Part 27

Submitted by on

TFOS: Freddy On The Loose

Part 27

by

Rodford Edmiston

Note: This story uses background and concepts from the Teenagers From Outer Space role-playing game, Copyrighted and Trademarked R. Talsorian Games, Inc. It also uses properties Copyrighted DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures. The original characters and story are Copyright 2022 Rodford Edmiston Smith.

Fall Happenings

Slowly...

Submitted by on

The writing is going slowly, which I think is understandable. Besides completing the disposal of Mother's estate I am (Finally!) completing the income tax information needed to send off to the CPA. So, it will be a while before I post anything new.

I might post some of the early Gifted Saga stories, which are about Marian Holst. They have little or no TG material but plenty about transformations and their aftermath.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Readjustment

Submitted by on

We buried my mother Wednesday, beside her parents in the family plot in Crab Orchard, Kentucky. That has a nice location on a hill. (Her father was on the cemetery board of directors.)

There were surprisingly many people at the service, here in Frankfort, including the music director and minister from her church. The former led us in singing Mother's favorite hymn. The latter gave a short sermon. Just as Mother wanted.

However, only her descendants and a few cousins made the hour and a half trip to Crab Orchard (where Mother was reared).

Blog About: 

Author: 

Sad News

Submitted by on

We knew this was coming; my Mother was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer back in November. However she didn't want us to tell anyone until after she was gone.

There were multiple ups and downs, but the downs predominated and she slowly grew worse. She died at around 2:40 this afternoon, at age 89.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Another Mother Update

Submitted by on

Mother is home, in her room, in a hospital-type bed, courtesy of Hospice/Care Navigators. She has two caregivers (arranged by my sister, with help from her youngest daughter) for round-the-clock care. Considering that she was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer over two months ago, she's doing quite well. How much longer she'll do well we don't know.

We still don't know what caused her stroke-like problem, a week and a half ago. In fact, we still don't know what is causing her gut upset, which she's been suffering from for nearly two years.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Uncertain Future

Submitted by on

My Mother took a turn for the worse Tuesday. We're not sure, but she may have had a stroke. We were just lucky the nurse from Care Navigators was there for her weekly visit and got Mother transferred to the closest Hospice facility immediately. Mother is currently in the Hospice/Care Navigators section of Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Angel of Earth: Part 20

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Twenty

Melody screamed in mindless fear and rage against the all-consuming dark. There was no texture to it, no substance; it wasn't even black. Just nothing.

Then, a glow appeared. Pure, white light flowed outwards from a lone figure, leaving the reporter sobbing in relief at being real again.

Angel of Earth: Part 19

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Nineteen

"This is definitely worrying," said CornFed, in the computer room, the next day. She glanced up at the holographic model overhead, then at the latest analysis printout in her hands. "Not only is Blackpool missing, but Insight is growing increasingly unstable. It's worse than useless in trying to find him."

"Almost as if it's helping to conceal him," said Multi, thoughtfully.

Angel of Earth: Part 18

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Eighteen

They needed three attempts, each with a different method of providing the bogus information, before Malak himself arrived at the location the conspirators had chosen. This was a clearing in woods privately owned by a politician who had repeatedly opposed efforts to reign in the empowered. This way, whatever happened with the capture of Malak, the big man could have petty revenge against the woman.

* * *

Angel of Earth: Part 17

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Seventeen

"What's that?" said Blackpool, as Aaron entered his office at the Repository, letter in hand.

"It's from Harold Petersen, one of my contacts in the US Justice Department. He says several agencies - including yours - are pooling resources to build a dedicated empowered detention facility."

"I knew there was word about that going around," said Blackpool, nodding slowly, "but not that they had put aside interagency rivalries and actually started building the place."

Angel of Earth: Part 14

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Fourteen

"You finally caught him?!" said CornFed, impressed.

"Her, actually," said Mike. "Which was only a bit of a surprise. Yeah, we finally caught her and just now got permission to tell folks who helped. Though what was a surprise is that she's a raving looney, and violent on top of that."

"Psychologists and mental health advocates all over the world are wincing at your diagnosis," said CornFed, dryly. "However, we can discuss that later. Please continue."

Angel of Earth: Part 13

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Thirteen

The interceptor was a marvel of modern technology, capable of flying higher and faster than any other craft on Earth which was limited to airbreathing engines. Yet the only reason it was able to close with the target it had been radar-directed towards was due to that target slowing and descending. As if it were preparing to land. Or attack.

Angel of Earth: Part 11

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Eleven

That tactic seemed to work. The thing stopped, then the part sticking above the tall grass scanned back and forth a bit, as if looking for her. Through the weeds Melody saw that the automaton was segmented, and could fold like a carpenter's rule. The thing unfolded the part with its, well, head further, sending the main sensor array higher. Melody knew that some of these devices responded to motion, and held still.

Angel of Earth: Part 10

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Ten

Melody was determined to get more from Aaron about the event, and she wasn't the only one. However, she had resources even the New York Police Department lacked. Getting Blackpool to take her once more to the Repository was easy. Catching Aaron there was harder. However, she made an appointment, and another and another, until she finally caught him. Except that she didn't encounter him in his office.

Angel of Earth: Part 8

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Eight

Getting there was easy, since Blackpool was still in charge of the facility. He and Melody both took precautions to maintain the fiction that the two of them were not closely connected.

The staff at the chemical Repository - whether empowered or "just folks" - welcomed Melody back. Of course, part of this attitude was due simply to the change in routine she brought to the isolated facility.

Angel of Earth: Part 7

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Seven

The UN officer hurried from his vehicle towards the ruin of the building, from which smoke still rose lazily in the setting sun. He was sweating from more than the tropical heat and humidity.

"Report," he said, after quickly exchanging salutes with the senior officer on scene.

Angel of Earth: Part 2

Submitted by on

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part Two

The phone rang, actually causing Melody to jump a bit. Coral hurried into the den from the kitchen to get it, since Aaron was busy with his guest. After giving a perfunctory greeting and then listening for a moment, she gestured Aaron over. He sighed, just a bit, rose and moved to take the antique receiver.

Angel of Earth: Part 1

Submitted by on

This is the third and final planned in the "Angel of..." series. The first was Angel of Chicago, the second was Angel of Haven. There may be other stories set in this world but for now this is all I have planned.

Sorry for the sizable absence in posting. This came out longer than I originally thought it would and many parts were difficult to get right.

As usual I plan to post parts every other day.

The Angel of Earth

by

Rodford Edmiston

Part One

Still Under the Weather

Submitted by on

Sorry folks; I'm still sick. Going to the doctor this afternoon.

I did a lot of writing on _Angel of Earth_ the past couple of days, but it was mostly rough stuff, just getting basic ideas down.

Update: I hope none of you ever have to change a flat tire before going to the doctor. :-(

I failed (Passed?) the flu test, so it's not that. (Unlikely, since I've had this year's shot, but possible.) They also tested me for Covid-19, just in case. That result won't be in for a couple of days.

Blog About: 

Author: 

Pages

Subscribe to Stickmaker