Well I know it's not the chapter everyone is waiting for with baited breath, but it's what you get. Fu is rather insistent, and a fuming Min is someone I can better deal with (she can't really beat me up!) So we continue Archetypes, now from an undisclosed location that is actually disclosed.

The white house was a bit underwhelming, and entirely too touristy for my taste...at least the parts I was allowed in. There was the awe inspiring sense of history, of "Lincoln was here", but there was also the inescapable fact of "this is how it is now", that did much to ruin the mystique. I never did ask, but I think the majority of my escort felt the same.

"Alright captain, what now? Do we whistle for our ride?"

"Well sir, about an hour ago we received word of a change in plans. The four star hotel stay has been cancelled; instead you're all about to take a trip to West Virginia."

"What? Damn was kind of looking forward to the mini bar. What's in West Virginia?"

"The Greenbriar resort."

"Oooo, even better, bet they got a full bar."

"No word on that sir; Chopper is this way."

We made it out to the yard, where a succession of helicopters I recognized as hueys were hovering, one on the south lawn. As we approached that one took off, and another landed.

"That's our ride sir." Let's go!" The captain took the lead, running hunched over as people are wont to do; I followed his example.

We all piled in, and the captain took the time to strap a parachute onto me, which of course I had no clue how to use really, other than the usual 'pull the cord and pray'. We were joined by the mousey looking bespectacled man who spoke up during the conference and his escort. They strapped him in a chute as well and we were off.

"Nervous? You look green."

"I don't do so well with flying; especially flying in loud helicopters with open doors!" He yelled back at me.

"Name is Fu; what's yours?"

"Chris."

"Pleased to meet you."

Since all the noise wasn't conducive to prolonged conversation, I settled back and decided to wait it out. After at most an hour, we passed over a small town and began to lower; looking around I could see the other helicopters of the same type (which had been out of sight for the trip) , lifting off or hovering. Seems someone in charge actually valued us.

Once the chopper set down, I was unclipped and all but thrown through the door before I could react in any meaningful way. With my team clustered around me we broke for what appeared to be a small one story ranch house, as the chopper lifted off behind us.

"No way that house can take us all. So what's under it?"

The captains' response was a smirk as he led me inside, his squad actually taking up positions and staring away at the surrounding field as if someone would come popping out of it any minute.

"Beginning to think you guys are entirely too high strung."

No response as I was led deeper into the house...to a closet door. The captain opened the door...to an elevator. A heavily reinforced looking one, if looks were any judge, and large enough to hold us all, if we were very close."

"How positively cliche. So what is this?"

"Enter the elevator please, sir."

I entered of course, followed by my escort...standing room only. I felt for the female in our merry band, she was likely getting groped. Then again, she looked tough, so maybe not. I made sure my hands didn't wander, of course.

After about a 5 minute ride, the elevator stopped abruptly, tossing us all against each other, and the doors opened, spilling us out.

"Well that ride could have been smoother. Sorry to anyone I inadvertently hurt."

"No problem sir."

We all extricated ourselves and I stared down a hallway about 3 feet wide, made all of concrete. It sloped slightly downward, and was lit with bare bulbs as far as I could see. Almost at the range of my eyes, the hall forked left.

"This way sir."

"Knew that, only one hall after all."

"You're a smart-ass, sir."

"He led me down the hall of course, off the left branch, where marked doors started appearing to my right. Barracks, operations, communications. Another barracks and the hall forked again, this time to the right. 2 guard rooms on either side then the hall was filled with plain but sturdy doors as far as I could see. My beloved captain led me to room number 26, and opened it, gesturing me inside.

Inside was a suite; only way to describe it. A room larger than my entire apartment with an entertainment center (even if the television was outdated), large leather couch, mini bar, and a kitchenette off to my left. to the rear was another door, much less sturdy. I crossed the thick russet carpet and opened it as my escort spread out. A bedroom, I believe the word was 'sumptuously' appointed. A canopy bed, in royal purple, with matching mahogany bureau and nightstand. An open door to the left led to a large bathroom, decked in marble.

"Got to be a senator's retreat...holy crap."

"Got it in one Sir, remember the old senator known for drinking and womanizing? This was his bomb hideaway starting in the 60's, we saw it on the list and the boys and I thought of you."

"I'm touched. This place got an internet connection? That TV looks old enough to belong to my great grandma."

"5 T1 lines split among the residences sir. If you want we are authorized to buy new furnishings...including a television. This was a snap decision as I understand it."

"A television and computer are a bit of a must, followed by paint and canvas, since I'm assuming I'm supposed to stay cooped up in here, right?"

"Got it in one sir; this room is your home until the invasion, at the very least. Easier to defend in case of attack."

"And we're all together in case something goes wrong. Oh well, fine by me." I checked the fridge...fully stocked, and cold. No dust on any surface; new toothbrush and toothpaste in the bathroom, as well as soap.

"Seems like some prep work has already been done." I wrote down a list.

"Can one of you get these for me? Everything should be found at Walmart, and there are Walmarts everywhere."

The captain handed the list to the large brawny guy next to him with a curt "see to it, sergeant.", then turned to me.

"Specialist Rose and private Arman' he pointed to them, as if it wasn't obvious who they were; 'will be outside your door. The rest of us will be around. You need anything, ask one of them, if necessary, they will get me."

"Understood captain. Don't suppose you'd join me for a drink? We could all likely use one."

"Still on duty sir...Once I'm off, maybe." And he marched out of the room without further ado, his remaining soldiers behind him.

I hated drinking alone, but this situation called for it. I made myself a rum and coke and scrounged up some stationary from the mahogany desk in the corner. Sitting at it to doodle. Any painter worth their salt can draw as well, and I spent a few hours drawing Betty from memory, as well as my special forces soldiers. I'd use the drawings to paint them later, provided I didn't die horribly get my arms blown off or something.

I'd always been accused of having a small morbid streak...and rum doesn't really help that, I've noticed. So out of curiosity I turned on the television. Not only did it work, but it had satellite...hundreds of channels, 95% of them useless. I settled on the history channel, lounging on the amazingly plush couch and nursing my rum. Where the coke had gone, I was no longer sure.

A knock on the door interrupted Rommel's push through Africa.

"Come in."

My captain entered, my sergeant close behind, carrying the items I requested, along with some take out chinese and a case of beer of some kind. I didn't recognize the brand.

"I see you started without me."

"Yep, not much else to do but drink and think, and too much of either is dangerous. So, history channel, rum, and whatever that beer is possibly, if you'll share. That and.."

"Sweet and sour.' he interrupted me, holding a box under my nose. 'Betty said you'd like some. She's begun her phase 2 of our fireworks display...She's unlocking your little groups powers, whatever that means."

"Fast work, she must be very tired by now."

"Hasn't slept in two weeks, near as I can tell."

"That has got to suck. So the desert fox, getting ground down but never really defeated. Your thoughts?"

"He was a bad-ass.' The captain replied, handing me one of those beers and a spork. 'He never really lost any battle save for Normandy...and that's more due to the fact that he wasn't there to give the right orders."

"I actually agree with you, except he was terrible at defense. My opinion is that Hitler should have put him in charge of the Russian campaign. He'd have won that."

"Possibly. The circumstances in Russia were horrid for the Germans, they never should have opened that second front in the first place; not enough resources and war material."

We sat there, discussing history channel shows for hours, slowly getting hammered, till the knock I'd been dreading sounded on my door.

"Come in."

Of course it was Betty, looking twice as tired as when I'd met her.

"I'd love to put this off, but we simply have no more time; you ready Fu?"

"Ready as I'll ever be; what do I need to do?"

"Just move to your bed, it's easier. I'll do the rest."

"Well, a pretty lady asking me to bed, I won't argue. But in all seriousness, you alright? Things that bad?"

"No, just a serious lack of time...can't wait till I can hand all this responsibility off to you all."

We moved to the bed. At Betty's gesture I lay down, getting comfortable.

"Now the only thing you need to do Fu, is stare into my eyes. That's it."

"OK." I stared into her big, liquid eyes...was she crying?

And of course I fell asleep.

I found myself floating...apparently orbiting our lovely planet earth; I could see the continents, and I was alone in the dark of space. Some dream, I thought. The old adage of trying to control my dream came to mind, and with that thought I found myself hurtling down...towards Japan? Not really where I wanted to go.

"Excuse me, Fuyuki-san?"

I turned and found myself somehow in front of a traditional Japanese shrine, staring at a miko of all things. Dark brown expressive eyes, long black hair bound in white ribbon, and red hakama under white haori.

"I am your guide, Kagami. If it pleases you, would you follow me?" She bowed.

Something about the name Kagami tickled a faint alarm bell...but she seemed inoffensive enough, and a guide was more or less what I was expecting for this.

"Please Kagami-san, lead on."

"Please Fuyuki-san, call me Kagami-chan." The very soul of courtesy, she was...apparently. Two could play that game.

"then please, call me Fuyuki-kun."

"Of course Fuyuki-kun."

She turned and bowed again, ignoring my fumbling attempts to do the same. She then turned back and resumed leading me across the large courtyard, past the guardian dogs and cherry trees. Of course they were in bloom, and the wind was blowing the blossoms all over in a most wonderful display which I slightly distrusted.

"If you please, Fuyuki-kun. In the cases you see, are the options you seek. Mighty generals, warriors, and crafty inventors are among your choices."

I looked; blinking away the bright sunshine and adjusting my eyes to the relative gloom. all around the walls of the shrine itself were display cases, like those used for historical artifacts in museums.

The first, was a typical hakama clad samurai, wielding a daisho (long and short sword set), pipe in his mouth, hair wild, a free roaming ronin if ever I saw one.

The second was a variation on the first, but with a shaved head, and a spear added; and no pipe.

The third was a guy that looked much like myself, but with odd tools in a belt, and a giant robot in the background.

The fourth looked to contain the typical Japanese delinquent, straight out of anime.

And on and on this went, no real end in sight, cases stretched to infinity. I felt that I could look at them forever and still not get what I needed.

"Excuse me, Kagami-chan, you are here to guide me, right?"

"Of course, Fuyuki-kun, do you require more guidance?"

"I suppose I do Kagami-chan; after all, the world won't save itself. Even if I trust the others to save it, I can't be sure they won't fail. You do know what is taking place on earth, right?"

"Of course, Fuyuki-kun. You are here in an attempt to gather the power necessary to save earth from invaders who have yet to appear. Tell me, do you desire power, Fuyuki-kun?"

Her stare seemed almost to glow for a moment, and her smile became less pleasant, more predatory. Despite myself, I backed up a step...then gathered my courage.

"Yes please, take me directly to the most powerful displays please."

"But you have already found the most powerful display here, Fuyuki-kun. Your desire to save your own speaks highly of you."

dropping all pretense of propriety and lunging forward suddenly, she kissed me deeply...with tongue. As I blacked out I heard her voice as from a long tunnel:

"Farewell Fuyuko-chan, and good luck. Do our kind proud."