by Saless
Chapter 56
The reporter went on, but it was mostly a repeat of what she'd already said. "I guess we got out of there just in the nick of time." Mike said with a weak chuckle.
"This could be bad. What if they figure out it was us?" Sarah asked, a tinge of panic beginning to appear in her voice.
Erica wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "There's no way they could do that. Even if they figured out we were there, we'd just say we have no idea what happened and there's no way they can prove otherwise. Just make sure not to be seen lobbing any fireballs around!" Erica said with a chuckle.
"That goes for you, too, Mike. Yours and Sarah's powers are the most visible; you'll need to be careful not to let anyone see you using them. I'll spend as much time working with Vash to hone my abilities as I can, so I can sense when we're being watched or not." Jill said.
"Don't worry too much, Jill. Getting all worked up and jumping at our own shadows is the surest way to let anyone looking know that we have something to hide. So long as we stay calm and act as if nothing is going on we'll be fine." Erica said.
"Erica's right, we need to be careful, but if we're too tense we'll give ourselves away." Mike said.
"Okay, then why don't we relax with a movie?" Jill suggested. The others agreed and Sarah picked out a movie. The couch was too small for all four of them, but Erica solved this problem by pulling Sarah onto her lap.
Soon they'd all put their worries aside and were enjoying the movie. Sarah fell asleep again only a short while after the movie started, and Mike and Jill joined her by the middle of the movie. Erica never fell asleep, but saw little of the movie anyway as her attention was completely taken up by Sarah.
Erica was stroking Sarah's hair, long after the movie had ended, when she finally woke up. "Hey sleepy, how are you feeling?" Erica asked softly.
"Mmm, comfy!" Sarah replied, snuggling deeper into Erica's arms.
Erica giggled and kissed the top of her head (she couldn't reach anything else), "Feeling better, I take it?"
"Mm hmm." Sarah agreed.
"Well I hope you don't need me to go anywhere anytime soon, my legs fell asleep an hour ago." Erica said.
Sarah titled her head back to look up at Erica and said, "Want me to kiss it better?" with a wicked grin.
Erica blushed and stammered, "Uh, well, your kisses always do make me feel better."
"Good!" Sarah exclaimed, and reached up and kissed her. They both lost track of the world for a while until Mike cleared his throat loudly and they separated, both blushing furiously.
"Sorry to interrupt." Mike said sheepishly, rubbing his sore neck. "I guess we slept through the movie."
Jill roused beside him and started crawling into his lap. Surprised, he was about to say something when she latched her lips onto his.
"I think maybe she's picking up your feelings again." Erica said, grinning.
"I don't mind, so long as she doesn't take his clothes off!" Sarah replied with an answering grin.
*Sigh* I can see my work is far from done here. Vash grumbled. Soon after Jill started relaxing and slowly sat back from Mike. We need to start on that training. Vash said to her.
Jill looked over at Mike and then to Sarah and Erica and blushed. "I did it again, didn't I?" she said.
"Hey, I'm not complaining!" Mike said, laughing.
"Even so, I think Vash is right. I'd better get working on that training sooner rather than later." Jill said. She moved over to the recliner and laid back. Vash jumped up on her lap and curled up.
"Well, I guess she's going to be indisposed for a while." Mike said.
"Did you guys bring in all the stuff from my car while I was out?" Sarah asked. Mike shook his head. "Why don't you do that, and I'll make dinner."
"With my help." Erica said.
Sarah smiled, "Once you get your legs working again, anyway, right?"
Erica grimaced, "Yeah, there is that."
"Legs fall asleep?" Mike asked. Erica nodded. "Try massaging them, get the blood flowing." With that he went out to start hauling stuff in.
"Want me to massage your legs?" Sarah asked. Erica nodded and lay down on the couch. Sarah worked on her legs until after Mike had brought his first armful.
"How's that?" Sarah asked.
"Much better, thanks." Erica replied. Sarah helped her up and they went into the kitchen to get started on dinner.
Mike finished well before the others and sat on the couching watching Jill. When Sarah called out that dinner was ready he touched her shoulder to get her attention and told her.
"Oh, thanks Mike. I'll be right there." Jill said without opening her eyes. He shrugged and went into the kitchen to eat. Jill, and Vash, did join him shortly thereafter.
After dinner they turned the TV back on, but there was nothing else on the news about the damage they'd done. "Is it a good thing, or a bad thing, that they're not talking about it anymore?" Mike asked.
"I don't think it really means anything. Unless they come up with some theory about how it happened it's just a curiosity right now. And I doubt they'd share their theories with the press." Erica replied.
"And who is 'they'?" Jill asked.
Erica shrugged, "The police, fire department, whoever is investigating it. I'm sure someone is, but there's no telling who. If we're really unlucky it could even be the FBI or Homeland Security."
"You don't sound too worried about that." Jill said.
"Like I said, they don't have anything on us. There's no proof we did anything. Although, it might not be a bad idea to find a place to hide our weapons and such, just in case they search the apartments." Erica said thoughtfully.
"Do you really think that will happen?" Sarah asked.
"Probably not, but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. But where can we hide it?" Erica wondered aloud.
"I suppose we could hide it at my parents' house." Mike said doubtfully.
"No, then we might get them in trouble. It's got to be somewhere where they'll never look. Or can't look!" Erica exclaimed, looking at Sarah.
"What?" Sarah asked.
"We can hide our stuff in another world. You can't get any safer than that!" Erica replied.
"Except when someone walks off with it." Jill said.
"Not if we use a world that has no life on it." Erica said. "Sarah has a book of short stories that has a story that ends that way."
"More than one." Sarah said. "That could work. I'll get it." She looked through her books and came back with it. "What do we want to stash there?" Sarah asked as she looked for the story.
"Just about everything. Even most of the stuff that isn't an obvious weapon is far too valuable for us to have." Erica replied.
"What about my ring?" Jill asked, fingering the ring she'd worn since Vash gave it to her.
"I think you can get away with that." Erica said.
"Here it is." Sarah said. "Want me to open the portal now?"
"You might as well; we should scout it out before bringing our stuff." Mike said. Sarah opened the portal and they stepped through. It opened onto a city street that was eerily quiet. Cars were stopped in the middle of the street, but there weren't any people in them.
"This is creepy." Jill said.
Sarah nodded, "Yeah, but it's exactly what we need. We just need to pick a building to stash our stuff in."
"Just about any building should do." Erica said, looking around at the surrounded structures. "That one is empty, let's use it." She said, pointing at an obviously empty storefront. The door was locked.
"Mike, can you get this open?" Jill asked.
"I guess, but I'd have to use one of my larger forms to force it and I might do more damage than I want." Mike replied.
"I think I can get it." Sarah said. She touched her index finger to the lock and a blue glow gathered there and flashed into the lock. The whole door shook and the lock fell out on the other side.
"I guess that practice did you some good." Erica said. They walked in and found the empty store was clean except for a fine coating of dust.
"I don't feel comfortable having our stuff sitting out here where it can be seen from the street. Maybe we should use the storage area in back." Jill said.
"Jill, we're the only ones on this entire planet! There's nothing to worry about." Erica said.
"It's no big deal; we can open the portal there as easily as in here." Sarah said. Erica shrugged and they went into the back. It was as clean as the rest so Sarah went ahead and opened the portal.
To Be Continued…
Comments
Creepy...
Is that planet really empty? If the story they're taking it from ends that way, I don't think I want to read it. The Planet of the Apes movie gave me enough nightmares.
Creepy empty planet is not...
The worst. For example, has any one of you played Outpost 2 game? It was released over a decande ago, and deals with a colony on a distant world with newly created terraforming agent Gone Horribly Wrong. Two factions of colonists race aganist the time and Blight (said terraforming agent run amok) to complete a space program and get themselves out of the planet before they literally melt. The problem? Even with gathering all resources they can while time permits, due to rapid expansion of Blight they only have enough for one space program project, not two. And a violent competition for resources erupt.
What I liked a lot is that in both campaigns, there is a story of an Elder who tries to ensure survival of most people. It even goes that the Elder of opposite side contacts your Elder and arranges a deal - to give specs for a much better thruster system that allows for more than 20% increase in weight limit, and that additional allowance is to be used to save the children of the opposite side.
Faraway
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
Too bad they couldn't work
Too bad they couldn't work together and get most, if not all, of the people off the planet. But I guess there wouldn't be much of a game if they did! ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Politics
Always getting in way of happiness.
The fractions separated exactly on terraforming issue. One (Eden) wanted to make rapid advancements to thier new world, the other (Plymouth) opted for moderation. They parted somewhat amicably with recreating the whole paraphernalia needed to establish a colony, including a Gene Tank. However, in a couple decades separation bred secrecy, and Edenite higher-ups secretly began creating a terraforming agent, designed so as to be unstoppable if released. It worked. And it created instability in volcanic and tectonic activities. Deep Mine below Eden Lab was shaken, and Blight was released. Also, similar mines were there all the way to Plymouth territory - where there were thousands of dormant volcanoes... Thus, Edenites had to flee from Blight, and Plymouthians from Magma. Okay, I'm lasy so the whole story can be found here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outpost_2
To top it off, Endenites gave birth to a group of Genetic Supremacists, and in one storyline they managed to obtain total control of Eden Colony. And regardless of storyline, Edenites created an internment camp for dissidents to gather resources, known in-game as GULAG.
Faraway
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
There are lots of stories
There are lots of stories that end that way, mostly short stories and Twilight Zone episodes. Others have empty planets but have space travel and other planets were colonized. I remember one where someone went very far into the future and arrived on an Earth totally devoid of life. It was frozen because the sun had aged to the point it wasn't hot enough to warm the planet anymore. There were super advanced, self-repairing robots everywhere, but the cold had caused them to stop functioning. I think it might have been by Isaac Asimov, he did a few stories about the end of the human race (or at least Earth).
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Relief !!
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."---- I am so glad you posted ! I was giving the site one last scan before bed and here you are ! Now , I would be nervous about leaving the weapons and loot behund also . I'm not a lawyer but I do believe in Murphy . Good chapter though . I do love to see love .
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."
Sorry about that! I did a
Sorry about that! I did a fair amount of writing Sunday, but I ended up spending most of my time on a new story because I just couldn't get anywhere with Venus Cursed! or any of my other stories. So I had to write the bulk of this chapter after getting home from work and while making (and eating) dinner, and I was still having some trouble concentrating on it.
Anyway, yeah I think anybody would be nervous about it. We're not used to the idea of any place that is so far removed from life that you could leave such valuable stuff lying around without anyone taking it. But even if some space (or dimensional) traveler came along it's unlikely they'd look in that particular store in that particular city, so it's pretty safe.
Ain't love grand?! ^_^
Thanks Cavrider!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Twilight Zone
What about that Twilight Zone episode where the guy who enjoys reading books is the only person in existence on the entire planet? I've also read a few sci-fi short stories where entire planets are used as a penitentiary for a single person. Since that one guy isn't going to traverse the ENTIRE planet, even if he has a life sentence, those would be good places to drop your stuff off.
Whatever planet they choose, it had better be properly empty. No nanites, microbes, strange mutated creatures and/or zombies, etc.
That Twilight Zone episode
That Twilight Zone episode is one of the things I had in mind when I wrote this. Then there's the Isaac Asimov short story where there's only one human left alive and all the robots (Whose first rule is to protect human life) are keeping him a prisoner to make sure he's safe. Lots of others, though. And don't worry, I didn't use I am Legend for this, they don't need to play with more zombie-like critters! ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
It's amazing it's really been
It's amazing it's really been about 12 years since this was written.
A world without humans for more than two years would no longer have microbes available for infection of humans. You can have reservoirs, but in general, they require a living creature. (Ebola uses monkeys, coronavirus uses bats, and so forth) About the only thing left that might be worrisome to start would be bedbugs. (Originally bat parasites, a strain figured out how to use humans as hosts, and can even use non-preferential hosts to stay alive until they can move in on another set of humans)
One way to deal with an empty world, of just grasses, would be to start reintroducing insects, like honey bees. There's also a chance that all of the oceans would still be 'alive'.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
SPOOKY!!!
A planet with no one on? Buildings empty? So quite you can't even hear birdsong!!! Just where has everybody gone? Or more to the point did something kill every living thing!!!
I,ll tell you one thing, Even with all the powers our merry band of travellers have, That is one place i would stay well clear of.....Some things are just best left alone and this world is one of them!!!
Kirri
I can't imagine anyone being
I can't imagine anyone being comfortable in that place. No birds singing, no people talking, very eery! This is kind of a Day of the Comet (I think that's the right name), place. Except without the ever-present zombie-like people. Zombies are sure popular, aren't they? ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Dead Worlds
Going to a SUPPOSEDLY dead world is very risky. WHY is the world dead? They don't want to be cursed with radiation sickness, bio plagues, or anything like that. Can Saeah 'port to a world not in a book, or filkm? Can she simply think about a pocket univerde? They need one of those magical bags that holds everything, or a TARDIS,
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
On the plus side they have
On the plus side they have the story to tell them how everyone died (assuming it says, but let's assume they're not stupid enough to use a world where they don't know how everyone died!). So, presumably, there aren't any hazards they need to worry about... ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Just a question ?
If Sara can open portals to worlds she reads about, what happens when they try to "write" their own training/storage/retreat world(s)?
(I got the idea from the PC game series "Myst", the only technical difference is that there the books themselfes are the portals)
Maybe theycould even "write" their own friendly god(s) or whatever to help them ^_^.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, but whit the universe I´m not sure jet.
(Albert Einstein)
That's an idea that's been
That's an idea that's been brought up before, and will probably make an appearance at some point. They're not worrying as much about changing Sarah back right now, because of the Magician's Answer, or they'd probably have thought of it already. As to how that would work... ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Destinaion
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."----Can sarah 'port somewhere she does'nt know about ? No Map or compass would leave any Advenurer less than confident . Thats why se needs a book or movie . For the directions .
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."
Yes, not only does it help
Yes, not only does it help her find the world in the first place, but gives her information on the world, culture, history, and geography. Of course, no book goes into that much detail, so there is always the chance for surprises... ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Plateau
I wonder if they could go to Plateau (Known Space,) but before the colonists arrive. Then, the world would really be empty.
Actually, any empty Earth-like world would work. There is a huge body of SF that deals with colonization, so they have plenty to choose from. That world just past the edge of Known Space where Luis Wu met the Trinoc would be a good place for a beach party -- except for the fact that we don't know if there are any nasties in the water.
There is a Heinlein world where the radiation level is so low that evolution is very slow. Everything there is primitive, and can't compete with Earth organisms.
Awwwww, so cuuuute!
The whole spooky empty world thing has overshadowed the fact that Sarah and Erica seem to be falling in love all over again. They're absolutely nuts over each other. It's going to be rough when Erica has to go back to college. Perhaps a portal right into her dorm room will help.
At least somebody noticed!
At least somebody noticed! *crosses arms and huffs petulantly* ;) You and Cavrider are the only ones to comment on it so far, everyone's too spooked out by the empty world I guess! I'm glad it's coming across the way I intended, I'm still a little lacking in confidence when it comes to writing romantic stuff.
Thanks Ray!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
crosses arms and huffs petulantly
You're so cute when you pout like that.
No need to be lacking in confidence. It came out very well. The descriptions (Erica stroking Sarah's cheek, Sarah leaning into it, the whole scene on the couch with Sarah in Erica's lap, etc.) are very vivid. The concern that Erica shows for Sarah's well-being is also an important part of the picture. You've got the whole 'show, don't tell' ideal down pat.
I remember lots of teachers
I remember lots of teachers harping on that 'show, don't tell' idea, so I try to do that.
Thanks Ray! ^_^
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Actually !!
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."----I think you aredoing very well with the romance portrail . Young lovers are shy , just like these two . Erica , because of her prior attitudes ,needs to be the aggresor . That , it seems , she is doing with incresing enthusiasim .
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."
Thanks Cavrider!
Thanks Cavrider! ^_^
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Doesn't Anyone Think It's Odd...
That the only think they are all considering doing with this empty world is use it for temporary storage until they come up with somewhere better?
It's not like all the stores and banks on this world are empty after all. Sara needs a whole new wardrobe and there are a zillion shops on this world with abandoned merchantdise in them. Probably a full Fort Knox as well.
Just a thought...though I think they wouldn't want to keep their stuff on this world for too long, there have to be lots of better places. Besides, they should want to find, or build, a fully stocked safe haven (safe house..secret base..what have you) in their own world as well. Just in case Sara gets injured and can't open portals for a while.
Hmm, that's an idea. Maybe
Hmm, that's an idea. Maybe I should have them go on a 'shopping' spree on the empty world... ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Did ya ever have the feeling
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."-----Ref . any old Western or war movie ; (It's quite.----TO quiet .) Need I say more ?
Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."
Um, this world sounds too much like the Earth at the end of ...
On the Beach where all humans and most other higher life forms are dead from massive radioactive fallout from a US/USSR all out nuclear war. If is that or some viral plague they had better hope the radiation or germs are gone. If it is soon after the end of the book/movie On the Beach it is still dangerously radioactive, IE a few hours there could make them sick or worse, If And germ warfare? Yikes.
Hum, write their own story world to enter? A bit like Kennan Wynn and the tape recorder in The Twilight Zone.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Include a big safe
If they're going to write a story to create the ideal world for stashing their loot, they might want to include some place with a big vault.
And while they're at it perhaps they should create a world with a gun / weapons range where they can practice.
Michelle B