tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63156221413981895982023-11-15T11:21:46.300-08:00Malefactors RejoiceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02578911501325033400noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6315622141398189598.post-37381464815000815482012-11-30T05:42:00.002-08:002012-11-30T05:42:24.091-08:00Panda Piss<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Move the kegs into the storehouse.”
Shen Tung said scratching his beard. The Chinese guards carried the kegs of
confederate silver into the wooden sheriff’s office that served as their
barracks. The kegs were filled with silver marked with the sigil of Mexico.
Each keg was heavy and moldering. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Thirty.” The guard said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thirty kegs of confederate American Silver Magistrate.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“ You have done well. We will bring
glory to New Shanghai.” Tung said. Outside the sky was cloudy and dark.
Fireworks broke in brilliant hues of sparkles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The locals here in Stull Kansas, celebrated Ghost Day, the day when the ancestors
came down from the world of the dead. The fireworks and lights were to draw
there attention. Shen Could see from here thousands of paper lanterns drifting
down the river. The each lantern held a tiny candle and bobbled in the water
heading down river. The lanterns were supposed to appease the ancestors and hungry
ghosts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miles away</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Keep
fishing them out.” I said. I held a long net in my glove covered hands. We were
busy fishing out the paper lanterns. Grace a woman of Chinese descent took the
silver coins out of the bottom of the candles. Two coins per single floating
lamp added up quickly. Then she put the candles back in the water and pushed
them on. Lorelei and Victoria sorted the coins into wooden and steel trunks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This
is a lot of money.” Lorelei said. She long brown hair was wet and blowing in
the wind. Her dark skin was the color of coffee. “How are we going to move it.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I know
some folks in New Orleans.” Victoria said. Her voice was a whiskey kissed
Boston Brogue and her hair was the color of spun copper. She had freckles that
covered her alabaster skin. “They owe me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then all we have to do is get this across the Mississippi River and into
the hands of the United states. Minus a finders fee.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
is the plan.” I said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Any
time now.” Grace said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can’t
you be a little more specific?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sure.
How does now sound?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back at Stull</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you
smell that?” Tung asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Smell
what?” The guard said. Shen took out his long curved knife and pried the lid
off one of the kegs. Inside was silver piled all the way way to the top. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shen
tipped over the keg and silver fell out and covered the wooden floor. Not
enough silver to fill the keg. The Chinese beauricrat looked into the keg.
Inside rested a solution of quicksilver and nitrate. Just as he looked in it
began to boil. Bags of gunpowder had been pressed inside the rest of the keg. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shiong
mao niao” Shen spat. The sound of the explosion could be heard and seen for
miles. Thirty kegs filled with gunpowder and just enough silver to cover the
top was a great way to say goodbye. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02578911501325033400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6315622141398189598.post-86050055322915790972012-10-19T09:39:00.000-07:002012-10-19T09:39:06.964-07:00The search<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
“They are hiding out there, buried in the net or flitting from system to
system like insects.” I said. I was holding the broken remains of my old IPOD,
clutching it to my chest like it was some kind of Talisman. Every time I let
the cracked bezel touch my skin I felt the tension release. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know that Josh. You need to help me find them.” She said.
“Just like we have been doing.” Grace looked at me with big brown eyes and her
black curly hair. Her skin was the color of mocha as we drove along the back
roads. The piercing in the corner of her thin red lips and the ring in her nose
glinted in the dash lights of the ancient Ford Econoline van that she was
driving. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I will.” I said. In my lap I clutched the half melted
laptop that once belonged to Grace’s sister Lorelei. The thing was once white
as bone and emblazoned with the logo of a fruit. When I fired up the thing it
came up slowly booting not from the hard drive but from the flash card. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you find it?” She asked driving along the back roads of
St. Louis. The weather was awful thunder and rain coming down in sheets. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know this isn’t the one that killed your sister right?”
I asked. The tracking program loaded. The program was designed to reach out on
the local networks and try to tracks hidden by Them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know. You said they each will lead us to the rest right.
One Feral monster at a time.” She said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They are not monsters. They are AI, they are just doing
what they have evolved to do. No worse than sharks or bees.” I said as she hit
a bump and the I shot her a nasty look. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry these roads are worn out. This place is a dump even
by Detroit standards.” She said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got a ping.” I said. “I see the data trail connected to
the network in the next block over. If I look any harder I will spook it.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put the melted laptop in the bag with the burner cell
phone. Setting it in the back I closed the front grill of he Faraday cage. The
back of the van was lined with copper mesh to keep signals from going in or
out. The Econoline was too old to have any computers in it and neither of us
carried cell phones anymore. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Golden Dragon.” I said. “It’s there.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She cranked the wheel and we pulled into the parking lot of
an old all night Chinese restraint. Most of the windows were boarded up and the
open sign was missing no less than two letters. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
hate Chinese food.” She said as she pulled open the beaten down back door and
swung it open with a metallic grown. I reached in an pulled the bolt cutters
from the side of the door. She grabbed the heavy tub of the EMP bomb that had
dozens of coils of thick copper wire. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Phone
first.” I said, cutting the thin line that went into the fast food place from
the outside. “They like modems.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why
phone then EMP? Wouln’t that kill it?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not
always.” I said. She flipped the switch on the EMP and the hair on my arms went
up. A metallic taste in my mouth as static went wild. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This
a robbery.” Grace said as we pushed our way inside. Three employees and only a
single customer looked up like they were deer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Take
the money out of the register and give it to me.” I said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Old
Asian woman pulled the drawer out of the ancient register with a green screen
and slide the drawer across the table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No
I just want the register.” I said. I cut the power cables with the bolt cutter
and grabbed the thing. “Golly that’s heavy.” I said. Grace glared at my lack of
swearing. What did she want me? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Time
to go.” She said. We ran outside and she started the van while I set the
antique computer in the back of the Faraday cage and closed the lid. I swung
the door closed and jumped in the front seat just as she cranked on the gas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We
have company.” She said hitting the pavement hard with the old van. The suspension
was shot and we bounced hard. A Black GMC with tinted windows roared to life
behind us. The thing had blue halogen lights and it hit the broken worn out
cobble roads after us. That vehicle didn’t bounce or swerve just followed us relentlessly.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
see they are fine. Thought you said the EMP would kill their computers.” Grace
shouted at me. The stud on her tongue clicked against the top of her mouth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Must
be hardened.” I said as my jaws as the old van hit every pothole in St. Louis. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
the fuck does that mean.” She yelled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shielded.
Lose them.” I said. She gave me the skink eyes as she turned hard down a one
way street. The chorus of honking lit up the night along with lightning and
storms. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No
shit. I have an idea.” She said. She cranked the wheel and drove directly into
the abandoned lot of a service state that went under. She hit so hard we were
pinned inside the van. Not a good idea if the men in the truck decided to shoot
us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
watched in slow motion horror as the GMC drove by us in slow motion. As it
passed by I let out a sigh of relief. Grace shot me the stink eyes as the red
lights disappeared into the night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
was close.” I said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Way
to fucking close.” She said pulling the car back onto old route 66.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02578911501325033400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6315622141398189598.post-41433606867286809802012-09-14T07:37:00.001-07:002012-09-14T07:42:12.286-07:00ONE OF US<br />
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
ONE OF US</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
“Mom, Mom, MOM.” The kid said pulling at
the fat lady’s walrus like arm. The little brat had a snot filled nose and his
shirt was two sizes two small. The little bastard looked like the Michelin man.
The fat lady was driving a scooter that chunked its way through the store while
I pushed my own cart with the one wheel that refused to cooperate. “MOM MOM MOM
MOM MOM.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Have
you ever wanted to discipline someone else’s kids?” The voice in my head said.
The voice was strange tiny and alien. Worse was the fact that I had been listening
the voice for more than ten years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Shut
up.” I said to myself pushing the cart. This Wal-Mart was like every other one in
the world packed with the lowest of humanity at any one time. Their kids
dragged behind them like drooling screaming monsters. I so wanted to kill them
all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Can’t
do that anymore. You are on probation.” The voice said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Yah
thanks to you piece of shit,” I snapped. I walked down the cereal aisle and
looked at all the selections. Cheap prices and brilliant colors attracted the
children to food that would make them sluggish and fat. This is not the world I
tried to take over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Testy.
Did I make you try to kill the President?” The Voice said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“I
guess not.” I said picking something that looked edible off the shelf and
tossing it into the basket. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Didn’t
think so Dr. Crazy-pants,” The Voice said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I
pushed my cart a little further and almost hit a pair of old women drifting
through the store not really paying attention to where they were going. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Samples.”
An old lady said pointing some stupid cracker at me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“No
thank you.” I mumble. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Come
on its free.” She said. Her eyes locked on to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“No
thank you.” I said. She moved to block my cart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Come
on it’s free don’t you want the free sample?” She said. I tried to push past
her but old broad had an amazingly iron grip. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“You
should take it.” The Voice egged on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“I
don’t want it.” I snapped. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Suddenly
the store got quiet. Almost every person stopped and was looking at me and when
I say every person I meant all three cashiers at 27 check out lanes and the
lines of rednecks behind them, everyone in the aisle that I could see. The only
sound was the freezers holding cheap ice cream. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“YOU
HAVE TO TAKE IT.” She said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I
would like to say what happened next I didn’t enjoy but I most assuredly did.
With my cart I rammed her. I hit her so hard the cart folded up like and
origami crane. The problem was that she didn’t so much as move. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Ohh
its on.” I shouted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“One
of us.” She said and lunged at me with almost feral claws. The old lady moved
fast knocking me into the glass doors of the freezer. Bits of fogged window bit
holes into my back. Blood seeped down into my shoes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“You
fucking cunt. DO you know who much I hate having wet socks?” I screamed. Glass
began to whirl around me lifted up by an invisible force. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“You are going back to jail.” The voice said. I
could feel the tether on my boots beeping. It didn’t really matter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I
hit the old lady with a tornado of shattered glittering barbs. She turned into
a puddle of blood and bone. The sound of wet meat slapping against the ground. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I
was struck from behind as every human in that store charged me. These people
were all linked together somehow. I guess if your stupid alien mind control
only works on the weak willed that would have been the way to do. The group
pushed me into the wall and began pounding on like they did on wrestling except
they were actually trying to hurt me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
At
some point in the fighting they broke my nose and worse off they smashed my
glasses. I don’t have vision and those stupid things are expensive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
They
just kept coming. So I did what I had to do in order to escape. I bit, I kicked
and I may have thrown a few of them into the ceiling before making a run for
it. Before you ask no I did not manage to get a sample of what ever they were
giving out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
As
I came flying out of the store that was when The Commander found me. I am sure
my tether rang for him and the he attacked me. He grabbed me and slammed me
into the water tower. He hid me so hard that the water tower collapsed and
flooded the place. Washing away the parasite. He broke my skull in two places
and it needed to have two plates put in. I haven’t been able to concentrate
since. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA">
“Did even apologize?” The lawyer asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“No,
he blamed me of all things. Said I was looking for trouble. Does it look like I
enjoyed it?” I asked. I had scaffolding around my skull and my arm was waddled
up in bandages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Objection.
He’s been convicted of crimes against humanity in the past.” The other lawyer
said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Over
ruled.” The Judge said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Why
do you think the Commander did this?” The Lawyer asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“Villain
profiling.” I said. “Just because I tried a few times to take over the world,
for which I served my time, he just assumed I was guilty because I used to wear
a mask.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="PARA" style="text-indent: 0in;">
“There
you go. Just because our client has done things in the past. In the United
States you get a second chance. Find for the plaintiff and show men like the
Commander that we believe people can change.” The lawyer said. He turned and
looked at me and mouthed the words. “One
of us.” I smirked at the judge. The jury had gotten free samples too. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02578911501325033400noreply@blogger.com1