UPG Collaborative Short Story

[HortonsWho]

Here's the deal. I've been wanting to try to write a collaborative short story. Each person posts a reply that contains a short paragraph or so... carrying on, developing the story further. All I ask is that, if you reply, you make an earnest attempt at developing the story by:

staying on theme

try to wait for 2-3 other replies before you reply again.

not killing off the main character

not turning it into a joke...

Since I'm starting, I will set them theme and genre:

The story will be sci-fi/fantasy. It can involve other-worldly powers like wizardry or sci-fi technology, ala Star Wars.

The main character is Carter. Carter's background is uncertain but we know that something in his past haunts him. It's what has made him cynical and skeptical of his fellow man. He has a good soul, but generally trusts none but himself. I will start the story in the next post. Let's see where this might go.

:)

[HortonsWho]

Carter looked down at the knife, turning it over slowly in his hand, the blade glinting in the fire light.

"What was I thinking?" he mused, a wry smile slowly spreading across his lips.

He returned the knife to its sheath. Slowly rising, he gathered up his pack and cloak. It would be a long, cold night.

[Zinia]

As the night grew on, Devlin slept with unease wondering if his new friend was trustworthy. They had just met under auspicious circumstances and both were content with being loners but the situation had changed.

[Airlea]

Ashton glanced at the one who called himself Carter and then at the weary one who called himself Devlin. She knew they were both uneasy with her presence, as was she with theirs. Had the choice been hers, she never would have done it. Never. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she wasn't going to let them see her cry. She was not weak. She wouldn't give them the pleasure. Her only comfort was Kissa her wolf, who laid curled up at her feet. Aston took comfort in the fact that she wasn't the only one who was going to have a restless night.

[HortonsWho]

"Get up." growled Carter.

He stared with no small sign of remorse at Devlin, still curled up on his cot.

"It's time."

[Q-La]

"...Ughhhh..". Devlin jerked with a sudden pain in his left arm. A bullet from nowhere has penetrated its supposedly bulletproof Liandrianse arm-plate.

"Watch out!" Cried Ashton, whip ready in hand.

[Switch]

"They found us!" Carter sprang to action, rolling away from the fire and readying his twin ivory-handled magnums. Shooting as he rolled at the unseen attackers, he hoped to adjust to the darkness by moving away from the camp. Gunfire from nowhere riddled the trees as the attackers surrounded the band.

[King Mango]

As if by some sublime cue, they heard the unmistakable whining roar of a deemer. Could it be their call for help was heard after all? A surge of excitement pulsed through the trio, as they bounded down the ramp and into the cargo dock making for the roof access. Hopeful of their plan's success as they exited the lift near the roof's helipad, they could see a small shilouette perched atop the "weapon of mass distruction" but the rider's identity was unclear. Ashton zoomed in with the siniper rifle and said-

[Airlea]

"No," in a hushed gasp. "No! It can't be!"

Ashton hesitated and the rifle lowered for a split second. Kissa sensed the sudden change in Ashton and glanced towards the silhouette.

Carter turned to yell at Ashton to fire but the words never escaped his lips as he saw Kissa's fur tuff up and the colour drain from Ashton's face.

[fragnbrag]

9a. As the deadly missile closed, a sudden thunderous blast errupted on the sheer rock face above them. Loose rock and stone shards rained down about the party and the flash of the shock combo subsided. The Missile was gone. "Everyone stay down" Carter coughed as the dust settled. Crawling precariously close to the precepice, Carter could survey much of the face on the opposite side. The moon was bright. "There's one above to the right, do you see the other " Delvin wispered as he pulled up beside him. "Yeah, he's down there to our left, judging by where the shock combo hit - your arm?". Delvin wheezed "Hurts like hell but the round went clean thru, so i'll be ok once i get some of that serum". "Listen," Delvin pleaded, "They know we're here, they've caught up. ****! we have to go back" Carter ignored the plea, Delvin was scared but Carter knew he was in control. Ashton had been knocked to the ground during the attack and had stayed down. "We've got to try for the cave now!" she said forcefully "That rock above us is loose - one more blast and the whole face could come down". Carter knew they had to act now.
Delvin nodded his agreement. "Get the stuff" Carter urged, "we'll make for the cave..."

[MortalPlague]

The gentleman in black smiled as he watched the fleeing figures in the monitor. Such fools, really. Mere unknowing pawns in a greater game. Carter had thought it a shrewd bargain, but his price had been cheap. Fool. Slowly, he turned away, eyes sweeping across the tabletop, pausing briefly on the ash tray, mentally tracing its silvery rim for but a moment before he glanced at the visitor. The man was tall, dressed in a suit, and his complexion was pale. The thinning black hair atop his head was slicked back in an attempt to make it look thicker. A faint sneer of contempt tugged at the gentleman's lips.

And then the visitor spoke.

[King Mango]

A shadow seemed to darken the room as if a cloud has passed in front of the sun. The words escaped the mans lips in a hiss as every one carried with it death.

"They mustn't be allowed to make the pass before nightfall"

The visitor's eyes though dull seemed to bore into and through the man behind the desk.

Betraying none of his sudden fear, he assured his guest, "Relax, everything is under control."

Kissa limped to where Ashton lay sprawled on the ground. "That was quite a fall wasn't it girl?" she asked as if sensing her companion's worry and trying to ease her own. Some feeling was coming back to her legs now and she was glad she didn't panic and lose face in front of her companions. Satisfied with herself, she smiled inwardly. "What's so damn amusing?" she heard Carter ask.

"Just wondering if you still had to take a leak, or did you pee your pants on the way down?" The answer came to her without even thinking. And some small part of her remembered her mother teaching her it wasn't polite to answer a question with a question.

Devlin started laughing and Carter couldn't help but think that maybe he was wrong about her after all. Even Kissa seemed to be amused.

"Where the hell is Cooper?" blurted out Devlin. Suddenly the mood was back to business.

[HortonsWho]

"By the gods! Get UP you fool! GET UP! Or we'll leave you here!"

Carter shook Devlin awake, Devlin's eyes snapping open widely. It was the same dream. The dream that plagued him every night. That dream world seemed so real, yet he knew it to be unreal, perhaps far into the future. Weapons of fire? It could never be. The dream had haunted him ever since he took that spell from Dah'tahl. She had promised he would see tomorrow; clearly, he was seeing a tomorrow so distant he couldn't understand.

"But the dark man," he thought to himself, "why did he seem so real?" Devlin hadn't told the others, but, of late, he felt as if the dark man's eyes were bearing down on him while awake, too. He rolled off the cot, sliding his feet to the cold stone floor and gathered his thoughts.

Carter joined Ashton outside of the hut.

"I shouldn't have agreed to this." Carter realized he said this aloud. His eyes briefly met with Ashton's. He could see the hope that had burned there fade for a moment. His gaze quickly shifted away. "It's cold... just as she said it would be. His magic is returning... they can choose to believe it and act... or cower from the truth."

"Snow!" gasped Ashton quietly under her breath, unbelieving. She knew what it was from her grandmother's stories. None of the three had ever actually witnessed it in their lifetimes. Carter held out his hand, icy flakes gathering and quickly melting, the cold water running from his fingers. He felt a childish delight at the fascination then abruptly shoved his hand beneath his cloak, the lines of concern cut even more deeply across his face.

"He has the Stones." Ashton reminded him, looking back through the archway at Devlin now standing, fumbling through his pack.

[MortalPlague]

Carter sighed, his breath fogging in the chill air. He glanced out across the landscape, watching the snow fall with a bittersweet smile. Soon all this would be left behind. It had never quite struck him how serene the landscape was, particularly in that silence of snowfall, the sacred unbreakable quiet that blankets the land like so many white crystals. Well, it would all be left behind when they moved on.

And they had to. Belts were tight, and with the coming seasons promising naught but emptier coffers, Carter hadn't had a choice, in truth. And then there was the stones... but that was another matter entirely. It was Devlin's responsibility, as the man claimed, but it was just as much everybody's.

"Carter?" came Ashton's voice on the wind. Carter smiled, shaking his head as he dismissed his thoughts. "Fool," he muttered under his breath. "Gawking at snowflakes like a two year old. Hah!" He turned and began to walk back up the path towards Ashton.

[King Mango]

Ashton and Devlin were taking ineffective refuge from the snow beneath a rocky out cropping. The weather was gusty and erratic and the ledge provided little cover from the snow, but at leas helped to shield them from aerial patrols.

"How soon before he can harness their power?" he heard Ashton asking as he approached the pair.

"He still-"Devlin's answer was cut short by a menacing snarl from Kissa. Carter was smiling as he joined the two mercenaries, the whole time his hand on the trusty blade that had given him his deadly reputation.

"They're completely clueless," he thought. He made a mental note to get rid of the wolf at the next opportunity.

"Hush, Kissa" Ashton commanded. She was the only one the wolf would listen to, which Devlin accepted as a matter of course. But Carter was the type of man that hated anything he couldn't control. It was a subconscious behavior pattern shaped by the fact that he himself had been a pawn his whole life.

"As I was telling Ashton," Devlin continued, "The stones must all be placed upon the altar, according to the rites. One mistake and the Gaurdians will be called from their slumber to fulfill their sacred vows made ages ago."

"What are you trying to tell me? Carter sneered... "That some army of zombie warriors is going to rise up out of the ground??? RIDICULOUS!"

"It is written so. And many men...with many strong warriors among them, have made the journey never to be heard from again."

Carter almost killed the superstitious fool on the spot, but reason won over impulse, and he just spit in the man's general direction. He needed Devlin to perform the rite. According to the legend, a true believer must place the stones, and his employer made it abundantly clear that this was not open to negotiation.

"Man I seen it all,"Carter said shaking his head. "A mercenary with faith.... hahahaha..."

"Soon, you will witness the power of the Stones. And then we will see who is laughing."

"We certainly will" Carter thought and he turned to the task of inspecting the gear.

[Airlea]

Ashton felt the uneasy in Kissa towards Carter; she felt everything Kissa did as they have always shared that bond. She glanced at her wolf who was discovering this new concept of "snow" and smiled to herself. Could peace really come between us all? Maybe at one point Ashton really believed that, but with everything that has happened within the last few months, she wasn't as sure now. How did she get tangled up in this mess?

She glanced over to Carter who appeared to be checking out his gear but his mind was certainly elsewhere. Ashton knew he had seen her hesitate when she recognized the figure upon the missle that placed them in this situation now. He hadn't said anything to her about it but it was only a matter of time she guessed. Kissa certainly felt Ashton's jumble of emotions. Now only confusion remained.

"I gather this is a first for that wolf of yours," commented Devlin who was lounging up against the wall and watching Kissa.

"This snow is a first for all of us it seems," sighed Ashton. "Do you think we'll get much of it?"

Devlin just shrugged.

Ashton returned her thoughts to the figure from her past. She had to be mistaken; it couldn't have been him. Not after all this time. If it truly was him, then she has placed them in even more danger; one that she wasn't sure she could escape this time. As if sensing her frustrations and fears, Kissa abandoned her new interest and trotted over to Ashton and nuzzled her hand.

"Devlin. Tell me more about the stones, please. I could never resist a good story," Ashton asked as she settled down next to Kissa.

Carter was showing no signs of interest in their conversation, but Aston could sense he was never off guard. At least they had that one thing in common.

[MortalPlague]

Devlin shrugged again. "What's to say? You've heard the story a hundred times before."

Ashton's eyes met his. "Devlin. Please..."

With a shake of his head, the man ran a hand through his hair, brushing the snow away. "Alright," he breathed softly.

"A long time ago, there was a priest named Thanduilar. His power was great, and the reach of his arm was long. Some said that if he wished it, he could reach to the frost apple trees of the north and reap their bounty." Devlin paused. His brow furrowed, and he sighed. "You know I don't like telling that part. His reach isn't meant literally, it's talking about his power."

Ashton laughed, a silvery sound, and Kissa padded towards her. Idly, she reached down and scratched the wolf behind her ears. "Devlin, I'm not a simpleton."

"Yeah, and I'm no storyteller. Let me have my footnotes." Devlin shot her a wry grin.

"Fine, fine," she conceded. "Go on."

"Well, Thanduilar ruled over the nation of Barrandis. And mighty they were..."

[teppic]

"...for they had, in the great city of Nunark, an ancient library filled with books. These books contained the spells to which all their technology was derived from.

Thanduilar would often be seen visiting the library, and would spend many an hour within its many chambers. It was thought that he was attempting revive the deceased King Drunok, who Thanduilar had served as high priest and adviser for many years.

Eventually, it came into common knowledge that Thanduillar had created 7 stones that, when placed upon his sacred altar unleashed the power to resurrect the dead..."

[Airlea]

"raising the dead..." Ashton drifted off into thought. "I still can't believe all of this. It's... it's too much!" Frustrated Ashton got up and walked out of the cave.

"Hey, you wanted to hear it!" Devlin called after her.

Crossing her arms, she realized she was feeling trapped. Looking down she grabbed a stick and threw it as far as she could. Kissa appeared from behind her and went to retrieve it, only to look back and decide to avert her interests elsewhere.

"What's a matter, Little Pup?" teased Carter as he approached Ashton. "Feeling a little overwhelmed with everything?"

She stared hard ahead. "I told you not to call me that. I know what I'm doing."

"I don't think you do," Carter said with a slight edge to his voice. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, but you can't quit now, can you?" He circled into her view and faced her. "Is it because you're afraid?" Carter tilted his head a little and drew closer. "Why don't you just do what's best and quit now. You've got the choice. Take it and leave."

Ashton glared at him and said through clenched teeth, "You took the choice away from me. I will never forgive you for that. I will never forget."

Carter grinned at Ashton. He leaned in closer and said, "Suit yourself, Little Pup." He brushed past her and headed back for the cave and didn't look back.

Had he done so, he would have seen Kissa watching Ashton eagerly. He may have also seen that his life was spared because of a simple hand single from Ashton.

"Easy girl," Ashton whispered towards Kissa. "His time will come. He will pay for putting us in this situation."

With that, Kissa turned and continued to explore this strange white stuff.

[Q-La]

"Blip!"

[evil_blue_dude]

They next day they set off, leaving there cave. It wasnt snowing but it was even colder that the last day.

"Carter!" Devlin cried "I see somthing!" Now they were all fully alert. Once again the say a blurry form move in the distance. Carter raised his irovy handled automag. Then it all happend so fast; They were attacked by several Ice Skaarj. Attacking ferocily there razor sharp claws grabbed Devlin. And then with another slash, killed him. Carter yelled curses as he pumped the skaarj full of lead. With the death of those foul creatures he knew it would not bing his friend back.

They next day was rather grim; They had decided to bring the body with them, But knowing that theses magical stones resurected the dead, there was still a faint beacon of hope. Carter stared grimly at his automags, whether he was thinking of murder or suicide no one knew which. By the afternoon the sun was shining. They were almost out of this freezing place.

[n3m35i5]

they climbed the last ridge, carter putting devlin's body on the top before climbing up himself. ashton and kissa followed. below stretched hundreds of miles of tundra, as well as many towering spires of rock and ice. there was a door in one of them, which was right next to the slope of the mpuntain, more than a mile below them. the door was twenty feet tall and gilded with jewels. the temple. the altar inside it was their ultimate destination, with the stones in carter's pack. there were also seven large encampments of the enemy, countless partols, and even more countless infantrymen on the mountain and surrounding tundra. carter swore, but he was releived when he realized that they had not yet found the temple, which was right in front of his face, but invisible to anyone not standing in that general direction. another problem: they would come under instant attack the moment they started their climb down the mountain, and the dead devlin wouldn't help matters. they would wait untill nighttime, then begin.

[Mathlete]

On their way down the mountsin in the dark, kissa caught sight of a torch. she followed the light and let out a loud bark. The night patrols heard and started running towards them shouting:

[evil_blue_dude]

"You will never revive this thread! It will and must die a slow painfull death!" Carter looked and saw Devlin alive but in zombie form. Carter knew exactly what to do. He immediatly started to...