Here's to a happy end to 2013, and a glorious start to 2014. Begin as you mean to go on ..... last bit for this year, please leave comments and thanks for reading.
20
Petar had been told to take the Rock with him, why he was uncertain, but he had done as bidden. He had expected to awaken in 2189 with Davi by his side. No Davi. And this did not look like 2189, although he could be wrong of course, he felt it was much later. Earlier than where he had just left. Dates were plain confusing and he shook the thoughts out of his head.
This was somewhere new. A machine of some kind, rows, walls of blinking lights and dials. Power level indicators? Was this THE machine that the rock alone could control?
Noises outside. He hid trying not to shake and give away his presence. People entered, not happy people. He could just make out faces and feet, he dared not move even an inch.
Davi! No, that was NOT Davi. He looked very much like Davi though, but the hair was different, whiter and styled haphazardly. And another, also with similar features. Both were under armed guard.
“Where is it, Doctor Grayson?” The voice was icy. Petar knew that voice, he had to risk a look to see the far figure. Mike! How? …..
“Where is what? I don’t know what you are talking about, Mister Mitchell.” A bitter laugh. “Which Doctor Grayson are you talking to anyway?” A grunt as the man was brought up straight, a tie around his neck tightened.
“Either doctor will do, David or Daryl. And don’t push my patience any further. The colonel won’t be happy if you don’t hand it over and I intend on seeing him happy.”
“Go disappear up your own a**e, Mitchell, like the good parrot that you are!”
Daryl Grayson lay on the floor, head reeling from the sudden beating. He saw Petar out of the corner of his eye, and rolled over to face him, groaning to cover the move.
“OK, Doctor Dave Grayson, where is it? Want to see your brother suffer?”
Daryl was frantically trying to tell Petar something, what he did not know. Petar carefully opened his pocket and showed the Rock to the man. His eyes went wide; then to the drawer underneath the nearest bench. Petar’s fingers worked overtime miming the one rock to the other; he was rewarded by the faintest of nods.
Daryl screamed as a foot slammed into his kidneys, and his legs involuntarily lashed out at the hiding place. Petar jumped up, knocking Mitchell sideways in surprise. Several beams of energy from guns flew across the room, ricocheting back to hit two guards. Daryl lay hit by the last.
Dave ran to his brother. “No, Dave. No time. Give Petar the Rock, he knows what to do.”
Petar barely had time to think. This man KNEW him? He would never understand the confusion!
Dave shoved the Rock from this time into Petar’s hand. Mitchell rose and made a grab for it. Another white flash and Davi appeared, knocking over the few guards that were trying to stand again.
Petar grabbed the rock firmly in one hand, upercutting Mitchell at the same time.
“I’m sorry, Daryl, truly sorry.” Davi looked at the man who was nearly gone. He nodded at Davi, mouthing the one word, GO.
“In the machine with it NOW Petar!”
Petar needed no encouragement and slammed the rock into the space built for it. White light flooded the room. When it dissipated only Daryl lay there. He staggered to his feet and saw the rock had gone with the others. He had just enough energy left to pull the main energy wiring from the thing. More military men burst in to see the grinning figure pull the final connection. He fell before the first energy bolts hit him. The lab exploded taking them all to heaven or hell, but not back.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Monday, 30 December 2013
Story part 19
19
“I repeat, I will take that, Mr Grey.”
The two whirled, features contorted in their anger.
“Who are YOU to demand our colleague hand over ANYTHING to you, Colonel?”
The military man smirked. “I am head of the Primal Rock Project, Professor Slongur, Professor Lagarto. That Rock is therefore MY property.”
Lagarto spluttered, outraged. “YOU are head of NOTHING. This is OUR project…..”
“Tsk, tsk, Professor. I assure you YOUR project has been OURS, from the very beginning. We do not fund research of this calibre without keeping overall control.”
He motioned two of the troopers with him to take hold of the academics.
“Come, Mr Grey, you at least do not require, ah, persuasion?”
“Indeed not, colonel. I shall be the model of cooperation.”
“More than you have been with these two, I hope.”
He turned slightly as the two were led past under escort. “Your security, professors, does have flaws. The sudden increase in surveillance was more than enough to draw immediate attention. We learnt a lot that you have kept to yourselves. More than enough to justify taking complete control over the operations from here on in.”
Walking with the colonel, Dave wondered exactly how much the military knew. “You have been very - trusting - of my friends the professors, colonel.”
“Not at all, Mr Grey, not at all. We just gave them a little bit too much freedom as it were.”
“Give an inch and take a mile.”
“Exactly. But never totally out of sight, never. Visitors are never out of sight.”
“Ah, you know.”
“We knew as soon as they appeared, Mr Grey. They are not friends, ours or yours. Your arrival has proven a long awaited catalyst. Now your real work begins.”
Work did indeed begin. Early daylight flooded the main laboratory, and a small group watched in fascination as Dave placed the rock in the machine.
Nothing happened. No movement. No lights.
A few groans of disappointment rose. Dave quietened them with a wave of his arm. He had not expected anything; there was nothing to be disappointed about - yet.
A twist to a dial there, a check of power levels here, only a date was missing.
“Colonel, it’s ready. What date do you want?”
“2010. You can do it?”
“Yes and no.” Brows wrinkled in confusion. “THIS is the date controller, in alien language I can’t read.”
Slongur clapped his hands. “Yes! OUR project is still OURS until we tell you how to translate the controls!”
“Not quite, professor. You already told me what the other controls were.”
“And you still don’t remember enough to know. We have a bargaining tool.”
“Maybe.” The colonel thought quickly. “Meet you more than halfway, gentlemen. You translate; I let you continue with whatever you had in mind for the thing - with surveillance of course.”
“You consider THAT halfway?!”
“More than. You could both be out of here, now, permanently.” He grinned maliciously. “I have other projects gentlemen, I could hand both of you over to some equally single minded medical people who have already expressed more than mere curiosity about you.”
“Check and checkmate, Profs. Help ME at least?” Dave smiled at the suddenly deflated and small looking men.
They smiled at him, more trusting of their ‘colleague’ than anyone else there. Setting the date, Dave laid a hand on the rock. A white flash!
“What the nether hell?!” Mike stood on the small pad where the two had been trying to materialise objects for so long.
My machine works! He thought. Now where indeed in the nether hell had that thought come from?
“Welcome back Mitchell. How goes it?”
“Sir?” He drew himself up. “Sir! Special Agent Mitchell is sorry to report things do not go well in 2010. The leader of the project there, Davi Grayson, rumbled me. Sorry sir. You will find a record of the disappearance of prisoner Mitchell from Site Double Zero. I take it this is 2189? Sir.”
“Never mind Mitchell. Yes, this is 2189. We have secured the Primal Rock here. We have the means of sending you back to retrieve the 2010 one. Clean up now, you go back aysap.”
“I repeat, I will take that, Mr Grey.”
The two whirled, features contorted in their anger.
“Who are YOU to demand our colleague hand over ANYTHING to you, Colonel?”
The military man smirked. “I am head of the Primal Rock Project, Professor Slongur, Professor Lagarto. That Rock is therefore MY property.”
Lagarto spluttered, outraged. “YOU are head of NOTHING. This is OUR project…..”
“Tsk, tsk, Professor. I assure you YOUR project has been OURS, from the very beginning. We do not fund research of this calibre without keeping overall control.”
He motioned two of the troopers with him to take hold of the academics.
“Come, Mr Grey, you at least do not require, ah, persuasion?”
“Indeed not, colonel. I shall be the model of cooperation.”
“More than you have been with these two, I hope.”
He turned slightly as the two were led past under escort. “Your security, professors, does have flaws. The sudden increase in surveillance was more than enough to draw immediate attention. We learnt a lot that you have kept to yourselves. More than enough to justify taking complete control over the operations from here on in.”
Walking with the colonel, Dave wondered exactly how much the military knew. “You have been very - trusting - of my friends the professors, colonel.”
“Not at all, Mr Grey, not at all. We just gave them a little bit too much freedom as it were.”
“Give an inch and take a mile.”
“Exactly. But never totally out of sight, never. Visitors are never out of sight.”
“Ah, you know.”
“We knew as soon as they appeared, Mr Grey. They are not friends, ours or yours. Your arrival has proven a long awaited catalyst. Now your real work begins.”
Work did indeed begin. Early daylight flooded the main laboratory, and a small group watched in fascination as Dave placed the rock in the machine.
Nothing happened. No movement. No lights.
A few groans of disappointment rose. Dave quietened them with a wave of his arm. He had not expected anything; there was nothing to be disappointed about - yet.
A twist to a dial there, a check of power levels here, only a date was missing.
“Colonel, it’s ready. What date do you want?”
“2010. You can do it?”
“Yes and no.” Brows wrinkled in confusion. “THIS is the date controller, in alien language I can’t read.”
Slongur clapped his hands. “Yes! OUR project is still OURS until we tell you how to translate the controls!”
“Not quite, professor. You already told me what the other controls were.”
“And you still don’t remember enough to know. We have a bargaining tool.”
“Maybe.” The colonel thought quickly. “Meet you more than halfway, gentlemen. You translate; I let you continue with whatever you had in mind for the thing - with surveillance of course.”
“You consider THAT halfway?!”
“More than. You could both be out of here, now, permanently.” He grinned maliciously. “I have other projects gentlemen, I could hand both of you over to some equally single minded medical people who have already expressed more than mere curiosity about you.”
“Check and checkmate, Profs. Help ME at least?” Dave smiled at the suddenly deflated and small looking men.
They smiled at him, more trusting of their ‘colleague’ than anyone else there. Setting the date, Dave laid a hand on the rock. A white flash!
“What the nether hell?!” Mike stood on the small pad where the two had been trying to materialise objects for so long.
My machine works! He thought. Now where indeed in the nether hell had that thought come from?
“Welcome back Mitchell. How goes it?”
“Sir?” He drew himself up. “Sir! Special Agent Mitchell is sorry to report things do not go well in 2010. The leader of the project there, Davi Grayson, rumbled me. Sorry sir. You will find a record of the disappearance of prisoner Mitchell from Site Double Zero. I take it this is 2189? Sir.”
“Never mind Mitchell. Yes, this is 2189. We have secured the Primal Rock here. We have the means of sending you back to retrieve the 2010 one. Clean up now, you go back aysap.”
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Story part 18
Still going here, extra posts all the way to the 31st. Please please PLEASE comment! Or are your minds just too confused???!!
18
“Mike was WHAT?!”
“A military agent Petar. Lordie knows how they got word of the Primal Rock, but it seems they have been chasing it through the eons. I had my doubts about him for long enough but let them be without proof of wrongdoing. I caught him with a copy of the stone transcription - way out of time - together with bits that weren’t even on the stone.”
“Exactly how was that possible, Davi? I thought WE were the only ones ‘travelling’ - ‘chosen’ as you put it on the disc.”
“That’s the worrying bit. He says he was specifically SENT to Bear Camp 2010, to retrieve the Rock from a time when it was easiest to pick up.”
“Sent from when, Davi?”
“Approximately 2189. He said the military took over the project then.”
“And our task?” He felt a shiver of cold, guessing exactly where they were headed next; but he did not see HOW.
“You look like you already know Petar. We go back to 2189 to retrieve the Rock from the military. Oh yes, we can do it, from HERE. The Rock is at its most powerful here I told you - IT can send us where it wants, back and forward at will - now we have both absorbed enough of its latent energy to reach it across the ages.”
“And Mike was - ‘relieved of duties’?”
Davi laughed. “He was indeed, taken into police custody then hauled out by some highly shadowed military unit.” He sobered. “I heard he went missing from his friends as well. I have a nasty feeling we may meet him again in 2189.”
“I don’t think I am looking forward to my next travel, Davi, not at all.”
They spent the rest of the day talking, exchanging ‘notes’ and laughing frequently. Through the night they dreamt long, knowledge flooding their unconscious minds.
They rose early, Petar anxious for his first view of the Rock in this late era. He was not disappointed. It seemed to radiate an unseen power that was unearthly in the very intensity of the thing.
Petar looked at Davi as thoughts flooded his mind that were not his. Davi smiled and nodded, just pointing to the Rock. This was the thing speaking to them!
Light gathered around them like a cloak. Petar was suddenly told what to do and grasped the Rock hurriedly before they vanished.
18
“Mike was WHAT?!”
“A military agent Petar. Lordie knows how they got word of the Primal Rock, but it seems they have been chasing it through the eons. I had my doubts about him for long enough but let them be without proof of wrongdoing. I caught him with a copy of the stone transcription - way out of time - together with bits that weren’t even on the stone.”
“Exactly how was that possible, Davi? I thought WE were the only ones ‘travelling’ - ‘chosen’ as you put it on the disc.”
“That’s the worrying bit. He says he was specifically SENT to Bear Camp 2010, to retrieve the Rock from a time when it was easiest to pick up.”
“Sent from when, Davi?”
“Approximately 2189. He said the military took over the project then.”
“And our task?” He felt a shiver of cold, guessing exactly where they were headed next; but he did not see HOW.
“You look like you already know Petar. We go back to 2189 to retrieve the Rock from the military. Oh yes, we can do it, from HERE. The Rock is at its most powerful here I told you - IT can send us where it wants, back and forward at will - now we have both absorbed enough of its latent energy to reach it across the ages.”
“And Mike was - ‘relieved of duties’?”
Davi laughed. “He was indeed, taken into police custody then hauled out by some highly shadowed military unit.” He sobered. “I heard he went missing from his friends as well. I have a nasty feeling we may meet him again in 2189.”
“I don’t think I am looking forward to my next travel, Davi, not at all.”
They spent the rest of the day talking, exchanging ‘notes’ and laughing frequently. Through the night they dreamt long, knowledge flooding their unconscious minds.
They rose early, Petar anxious for his first view of the Rock in this late era. He was not disappointed. It seemed to radiate an unseen power that was unearthly in the very intensity of the thing.
Petar looked at Davi as thoughts flooded his mind that were not his. Davi smiled and nodded, just pointing to the Rock. This was the thing speaking to them!
Light gathered around them like a cloak. Petar was suddenly told what to do and grasped the Rock hurriedly before they vanished.
Friday, 27 December 2013
Story 16 AND 17
As these two chapters are so short, you get them together. Please let me know if you are enjoying this.
16
Petar woke to the grinning face of Davi. The air felt fresh, more than fresh; almost living in vitality and energy. He looked around. The land was green and lush, small clusters of round domes, towers showed where people now resided. Bear Camp longhouse still lay off in the near distance.
“Welcome to the far world of the 32nd century, Petar. Mankind is finally at peace and living in a Golden Age of revelation. We have a long task ahead of us.”
“Davi! This is the place spoken of on the disc?”
“The same. The Primal Rock has much more power here than the place of the jungle, it TOLD me how to heal and transform. The result is what you now see. Cool, or what?!”
“And you arrived just as I have?”
“I have, and not far ahead of you. I have been busy over the eons as have you Petar. Those you knew in the 21st century miss you, Oriana not the least.”
“Ahhh, I too miss her Davi. What of the others? Mike was an enthusiastic deputy, has he taken the reins so to speak as you have taken your travels?”
Davi’s face clouded. “Mike has not. Long story, so come, make yourself at home. Bear Camp is still there for you my prehistoric friend!”
17
Dave did NOT want to do this, but he knew he had no choice. Take the bull by the horns he thought and translated the final markings on the stone to the two.
“Well I never! Thank you, Dave, thank you! How soon can we go and look?”
“Now, if you want Prof Slongur, but there is no real hurry is there?”
The two roared in happy amusement. “No, no hurry Dave. We have only waited so long already it seems. Come, show us.”
“OK, but be warned - it will be claustrophobic and dirty down there. And we don’t even know that it WILL be there, remember; but this is the best guess we have from the puzzle pieces we have.”
The outer places were quiet; most had gone home at the end of the working week. They strode in quick eager file through the long corridors to the elevator that led to the lower levels, pressing the button marked ‘Museum’. The lighting still worked. The place was actually kept relatively clean; ‘special’ items were stored here separate from the usual store rooms in the basement above.
They entered the great exhibition hall in excited anticipation, like schoolboys entered a candy store just opened. Running, they approached the stone pedestal and the enigmatic spherical stone that sat calmly waiting for them.
Dave picked it up in almost spiritual reverence, turning to display it to the two.
“I’ll take that, thank you Mr Grey.”
16
Petar woke to the grinning face of Davi. The air felt fresh, more than fresh; almost living in vitality and energy. He looked around. The land was green and lush, small clusters of round domes, towers showed where people now resided. Bear Camp longhouse still lay off in the near distance.
“Welcome to the far world of the 32nd century, Petar. Mankind is finally at peace and living in a Golden Age of revelation. We have a long task ahead of us.”
“Davi! This is the place spoken of on the disc?”
“The same. The Primal Rock has much more power here than the place of the jungle, it TOLD me how to heal and transform. The result is what you now see. Cool, or what?!”
“And you arrived just as I have?”
“I have, and not far ahead of you. I have been busy over the eons as have you Petar. Those you knew in the 21st century miss you, Oriana not the least.”
“Ahhh, I too miss her Davi. What of the others? Mike was an enthusiastic deputy, has he taken the reins so to speak as you have taken your travels?”
Davi’s face clouded. “Mike has not. Long story, so come, make yourself at home. Bear Camp is still there for you my prehistoric friend!”
17
Dave did NOT want to do this, but he knew he had no choice. Take the bull by the horns he thought and translated the final markings on the stone to the two.
“Well I never! Thank you, Dave, thank you! How soon can we go and look?”
“Now, if you want Prof Slongur, but there is no real hurry is there?”
The two roared in happy amusement. “No, no hurry Dave. We have only waited so long already it seems. Come, show us.”
“OK, but be warned - it will be claustrophobic and dirty down there. And we don’t even know that it WILL be there, remember; but this is the best guess we have from the puzzle pieces we have.”
The outer places were quiet; most had gone home at the end of the working week. They strode in quick eager file through the long corridors to the elevator that led to the lower levels, pressing the button marked ‘Museum’. The lighting still worked. The place was actually kept relatively clean; ‘special’ items were stored here separate from the usual store rooms in the basement above.
They entered the great exhibition hall in excited anticipation, like schoolboys entered a candy store just opened. Running, they approached the stone pedestal and the enigmatic spherical stone that sat calmly waiting for them.
Dave picked it up in almost spiritual reverence, turning to display it to the two.
“I’ll take that, thank you Mr Grey.”
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Story part 15
Hope Santa was as good to you all as he was to me and that you had a wonderful day. More turkey for dinner here, a re-run in fact lol
15
Dave was well aware he was now watched more closely than before, he just did not realise how closely.
The game was up. He was shocked to see the pair waiting as he exited the service tunnel back into the restricted area.
“An interesting night, Dave, most interesting. You know where the rock is?”
“What, Prof Lagarto? What are you talking about?”
Slongur snarled a truly feral sound. “DON’T TAKE US FOR IDIOTS! Nightly visits to the ancient place, hidden research about the Primal Rock: NO SHARING OF THE DISCOVERIES!” He calmed and gave a slimy smile. “As agreed, long ago, Dave. We have kept our promises, have you?”
“No, he has not, Slongur. He has been underhand and devious and scheming.”
“And the pair of you have NOT?!” Dave reckoned attack was his best form of defence. Never mind they were right, he knew enough to recognise a threat to his world when he saw it - now.
“So what, I’ve an interest in the Bear Camp. I DON’T REMEMBER! Things keep coming back at random. The machine is familiar and unfamiliar. OK, the rock thing seems to be connected somehow. I DON’T KNOW HOW! If you had any sense instead of suspicion you would realise I wouldn’t talk about it until I had something concrete to give you.”
Lagarto stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Which does not explain your visits outside in the dark and exploration of the area, Dave.”
“OK. I need fresh air. This place is claustrophobic. I LIKE THE VIEW AT NIGHT. Explorations are interesting, I need something DIFFERENT to do than work in here. Come on, cut some slack. IF I find the thing, I PROMISE to tell you. I don’t believe I am that far from it now anyway.”
He knew full well if the thing was where he thought it was, he couldn’t keep in safe in any case. It would be in full view of their surveillance equipment.
15
Dave was well aware he was now watched more closely than before, he just did not realise how closely.
The game was up. He was shocked to see the pair waiting as he exited the service tunnel back into the restricted area.
“An interesting night, Dave, most interesting. You know where the rock is?”
“What, Prof Lagarto? What are you talking about?”
Slongur snarled a truly feral sound. “DON’T TAKE US FOR IDIOTS! Nightly visits to the ancient place, hidden research about the Primal Rock: NO SHARING OF THE DISCOVERIES!” He calmed and gave a slimy smile. “As agreed, long ago, Dave. We have kept our promises, have you?”
“No, he has not, Slongur. He has been underhand and devious and scheming.”
“And the pair of you have NOT?!” Dave reckoned attack was his best form of defence. Never mind they were right, he knew enough to recognise a threat to his world when he saw it - now.
“So what, I’ve an interest in the Bear Camp. I DON’T REMEMBER! Things keep coming back at random. The machine is familiar and unfamiliar. OK, the rock thing seems to be connected somehow. I DON’T KNOW HOW! If you had any sense instead of suspicion you would realise I wouldn’t talk about it until I had something concrete to give you.”
Lagarto stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Which does not explain your visits outside in the dark and exploration of the area, Dave.”
“OK. I need fresh air. This place is claustrophobic. I LIKE THE VIEW AT NIGHT. Explorations are interesting, I need something DIFFERENT to do than work in here. Come on, cut some slack. IF I find the thing, I PROMISE to tell you. I don’t believe I am that far from it now anyway.”
He knew full well if the thing was where he thought it was, he couldn’t keep in safe in any case. It would be in full view of their surveillance equipment.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Story part 14
As promised. Back Boxing Day I hope.
14
Petar was pleasantly surprised when the replicator produced several perfect metal digging shovels at his first request. This itself told him he was expected to take others to join the dig.
They left as soon as the nightly force field came down at the barest ray from the rising globe of fire. There were four shovels, so Petar anticipated some hard digging at least at the beginning. A guard of another six accompanied the diggers, leaving twenty in the camp.
The way into the maze like building was easy enough, doors either fell at one touch or disintegrated into clouds of musty dust. Petar had only his vague memories of where the building had been in relation to the camp and now drew a hasty line map that the others agreed with on checking the outside angles and turns. Light filtered into the mainly unroofed building on this level. They followed signs to basement storage areas. At the furthest part of the storage area were signs for parking. Even flying vehicles had needed storage and parking places. The parking place however had clearly suffered, and was half filled with debris from above.
Petar took a headlight (that the replicator had produced again much to the amusement of the others) and headed off into the dark distance. He soon returned. The far place was in front of a small elevator, which had a level below this - labelled MUSEUM. A small stairwell was to the side, filled with rubble. This was the digging needed. Four shovels? This would take a good week if not a month to dig out.
Danny thought of the logistics. If they could break a hole big enough in the wall of the elevator shaft, they could just pitch the debris straight down instead of having to bring it back up the stairwell as they dug. The four struck at the wall together with the handles used as staves, plaster crumbled, brick moved. They hand dug the brick to the level of the rubble. And proceeded …..
How long later they did not know, but they dug until a door was shattered at the end of the stairwell. Realising they were thirsty, hungry and covered with plaster and brick dust, they climbed back the several levels. Day light filtered through the missing roof. Several others had come from the camp looking for them, they could hear the shouts in the distance.
Moving tiredly out, they waved. Whoops went up as they were spotted. The guard party looked sheepish. They had run to the camp in a hurry as a second field had formed within the ruin, between them and the diggers, only just arriving at the camp in time as the field formed behind them. The diggers had worked all day and night. It had not taken the foreseen days.
The worried camp members had brought both food and drink with them, which the diggers ate with relish and appreciation. Petar felt refreshed as if he had just taken a full eight hours sleep instead of digging. He immediately returned to the dark space below, all else but the find of the stone was blotted from his eager mind.
Head lights and torches lit the high vaulted ceilings. Picture signs were nearly unseen as they had faded to shadows. But he knew this place and swiftly led them to the exhibition room. Exhibitions had come and gone, but this one had been missed so much that it had become a permanent fixture. The carved stone lay at the far end beyond the miniature Bear Camp. There was the rock in its place on its pedestal.
The others crowded together as Petar approached alone. Laying his hand on the familiar object, it felt warm to his touch. The room lit suddenly as if the sun had entered the vault.
The others noted he had gone as the light faded.
14
Petar was pleasantly surprised when the replicator produced several perfect metal digging shovels at his first request. This itself told him he was expected to take others to join the dig.
They left as soon as the nightly force field came down at the barest ray from the rising globe of fire. There were four shovels, so Petar anticipated some hard digging at least at the beginning. A guard of another six accompanied the diggers, leaving twenty in the camp.
The way into the maze like building was easy enough, doors either fell at one touch or disintegrated into clouds of musty dust. Petar had only his vague memories of where the building had been in relation to the camp and now drew a hasty line map that the others agreed with on checking the outside angles and turns. Light filtered into the mainly unroofed building on this level. They followed signs to basement storage areas. At the furthest part of the storage area were signs for parking. Even flying vehicles had needed storage and parking places. The parking place however had clearly suffered, and was half filled with debris from above.
Petar took a headlight (that the replicator had produced again much to the amusement of the others) and headed off into the dark distance. He soon returned. The far place was in front of a small elevator, which had a level below this - labelled MUSEUM. A small stairwell was to the side, filled with rubble. This was the digging needed. Four shovels? This would take a good week if not a month to dig out.
Danny thought of the logistics. If they could break a hole big enough in the wall of the elevator shaft, they could just pitch the debris straight down instead of having to bring it back up the stairwell as they dug. The four struck at the wall together with the handles used as staves, plaster crumbled, brick moved. They hand dug the brick to the level of the rubble. And proceeded …..
How long later they did not know, but they dug until a door was shattered at the end of the stairwell. Realising they were thirsty, hungry and covered with plaster and brick dust, they climbed back the several levels. Day light filtered through the missing roof. Several others had come from the camp looking for them, they could hear the shouts in the distance.
Moving tiredly out, they waved. Whoops went up as they were spotted. The guard party looked sheepish. They had run to the camp in a hurry as a second field had formed within the ruin, between them and the diggers, only just arriving at the camp in time as the field formed behind them. The diggers had worked all day and night. It had not taken the foreseen days.
The worried camp members had brought both food and drink with them, which the diggers ate with relish and appreciation. Petar felt refreshed as if he had just taken a full eight hours sleep instead of digging. He immediately returned to the dark space below, all else but the find of the stone was blotted from his eager mind.
Head lights and torches lit the high vaulted ceilings. Picture signs were nearly unseen as they had faded to shadows. But he knew this place and swiftly led them to the exhibition room. Exhibitions had come and gone, but this one had been missed so much that it had become a permanent fixture. The carved stone lay at the far end beyond the miniature Bear Camp. There was the rock in its place on its pedestal.
The others crowded together as Petar approached alone. Laying his hand on the familiar object, it felt warm to his touch. The room lit suddenly as if the sun had entered the vault.
The others noted he had gone as the light faded.
Story part 13
LOOK OUR FOR PART 14 LATER TODAY, BOTH CHAPTERS ARE RATHER SHORT.
13
Dave had finally come to the point where he could no longer cover what he was doing. Lagarto wrung his hands together in greedy anticipation.
“So, something, whatever, a secondary power source, resides here? That much we already knew. But what is it!”
“I think, well guess I suppose, it is obviously spherical by the shape. My memory is still gone, I can’t read the controls. Any help, guys, might give me a sharper guess?”
Slongur nodded. “We can tell you what the controls are, but the original controls were different; that knowledge lies lost on our home world systems.”
“That much makes sense. I think the thing is some kind of - rock. Pure guess, bolt out of nowhere type of thing.”
They did not get, or like, the cutting comment.
“Anyway, Dave, I noticed you had another project of your own going on the other day.” Slongur spoke maliciously. “Something about a stone? With writing on it or similar? I hope it isn’t taking up too much of OUR valuable time?”
Dave did his best not to either stiffen or turn red. He tried to sound icy. “It’s not taking any of YOUR time, Prof, unless I don’t have time to myself at all?”
“No, no, that’s fine, Dave.” Lagarto placated. “Of course you have your own time. We were just curious, you know scientific types, forever curious. It was only noticed because you had not said anything, that’s all. It doesn’t have any, bearing on the project at large, does it, um?”
Slongur watched closely. “Not at all. It’s just something I came across while looking for something referring to spherical objects. I don’t know why, I just find it fascinating. Helps me relax and think.”
“Good, good. Then we will call this an early day, shall we? You can go and relax with your symbol writing and return refreshed in the morning.” Slongur gave a strained smile.
As Dave left the two lowered their voices so he could not hear.
“He is LYING, Lagarto, I know it!”
“I agree brother, he is not only lying he is playing us at our own game. I think it is time for total surveillance, don’t you?”
“As I TOLD you long ago, brother mine. We shall see what ‘David Grey’ does in his own time.”
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY HEALTHY PROSPEROUS 2014 TO ALL
13
Dave had finally come to the point where he could no longer cover what he was doing. Lagarto wrung his hands together in greedy anticipation.
“So, something, whatever, a secondary power source, resides here? That much we already knew. But what is it!”
“I think, well guess I suppose, it is obviously spherical by the shape. My memory is still gone, I can’t read the controls. Any help, guys, might give me a sharper guess?”
Slongur nodded. “We can tell you what the controls are, but the original controls were different; that knowledge lies lost on our home world systems.”
“That much makes sense. I think the thing is some kind of - rock. Pure guess, bolt out of nowhere type of thing.”
They did not get, or like, the cutting comment.
“Anyway, Dave, I noticed you had another project of your own going on the other day.” Slongur spoke maliciously. “Something about a stone? With writing on it or similar? I hope it isn’t taking up too much of OUR valuable time?”
Dave did his best not to either stiffen or turn red. He tried to sound icy. “It’s not taking any of YOUR time, Prof, unless I don’t have time to myself at all?”
“No, no, that’s fine, Dave.” Lagarto placated. “Of course you have your own time. We were just curious, you know scientific types, forever curious. It was only noticed because you had not said anything, that’s all. It doesn’t have any, bearing on the project at large, does it, um?”
Slongur watched closely. “Not at all. It’s just something I came across while looking for something referring to spherical objects. I don’t know why, I just find it fascinating. Helps me relax and think.”
“Good, good. Then we will call this an early day, shall we? You can go and relax with your symbol writing and return refreshed in the morning.” Slongur gave a strained smile.
As Dave left the two lowered their voices so he could not hear.
“He is LYING, Lagarto, I know it!”
“I agree brother, he is not only lying he is playing us at our own game. I think it is time for total surveillance, don’t you?”
“As I TOLD you long ago, brother mine. We shall see what ‘David Grey’ does in his own time.”
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY HEALTHY PROSPEROUS 2014 TO ALL
Monday, 23 December 2013
Story time part 12
My Christmas present to you all - a week of story posts (but not Christmas Day itself, that is a strictly no computer day).
Part 12
Bear Camp was a sanctuary and safe harbour in the encroaching jungle that seemed to encompass everywhere else.
Petar almost laughed in disbelief as figures armed with spear and arrows, not guns or futuristic weapons, stood in line at his approach.
“Stand, stranger! Come no further! You are human?”
He stood, hands out palms forward. “As human as you, as it looks. I am unarmed in any case. I know this place, Bear Camp. What year is this?”
“Year? We do not count any more. Our miracle machine has figures that may be year. You know this place?”
“I am Petar. Stupid as it sounds, I used to live here. Would you believe I just arrived on a light beam from the very beginnings of the place?”
The weapons were lowered as one. Amazed, astonished and delighted smiles rose in their stead.
“We know the name Petar. If you are he, we are willing believers!”
He was quickly ushered into the place, plied with food and drink before being shown the only technology that would work. Records on the screen ended abruptly at an unbelievable date of 2690.
“The stuff on the screen is not the end, Petar. More portable, individual systems were created for information and knowledge then. Come and see our library!”
A wall of what looked like CD’s loomed behind a marked stone on a plain pedestal. His stone! And there were many more marks carved than he had ‘just’ made.
“Has the stone been translated, erm?”
Embarrassed looks and coughs ensued. “See, we are true believers Petar, much too impatient to show you NOW than introduce ourselves! I’m Danny, ‘my woman’ here is Lyn. Come on guys, do your own thing, please.”
The few behind gave names and Petar knew he would never remember most.
Danny turned back to the stone. “The stone has been translated, the translation is on the screen records. The most important point there is that the screen records have MORE than on the stone, with dates. Funny thing, it comes up on a search from this terminal, Bear Camp, it didn’t come up on any other even before the Big Shower. Seriously encrypted.”
“Now that is news, Danny. I never put anything on electronic records, anywhere. I got a crash course in basic computing, school of Bear Camp, circa 2010.” He grinned. “But did you know that I carved the original stone back when Bear Camp was founded?” He became serious. “The stone was pedestal for something far more precious. What happened to it?”
Danny gave a grim laugh. “If further proof were needed of who you say you are, it has just been given Petar. Your answer lies on the first disc.”
He laid a thin metal plate on the stone and spun a disc vertically on it. Pictures formed around them in the ether, and voices spoke.
Petar heard Davi’s and gasped in surprised shock. The Primal Rock he said was hidden to keep it safe from those who wished to use it for harm. Petar would know where to find it in his greatest need.
I would know? He thought, no, he obviously did not.
The voice continued, almost laughing at him, as if the disc itself were speaking only to him. The place would be searched thoroughly it said, so he had taken it briefly himself, as far as it would take him. He had used it to help heal the world of the year 3310 before returning it to the Third Dark Age of the Earth. Petar would find it in its place wherever the light took him.
“The light has brought me here, the rock is not here.”
“The rock is here, somewhere, Petar. Keep listening to the disc.”
Davi’s voice came from the ether. The rock was an energy source of unimaginable power. That power had grown slowly over the eons. It SPOKE to Davi he said, in that far future time; he and Petar were its chosen Guardians. The fate of the race of man was at stake and it would help them overcome those who wished man gone.
The rock’s power waxed and waned according to the era it could be found in. It would be source energy for any technology of requirement in a radius of one square mile. Petar suddenly thought the ‘park’ around Bear Camp in 2010 amounted to that space. The rock was, indeed, near.
Davi’s voice was nearly finished, for this disc at least; if the rock was not in its place ‘here’, Petar, look to the place of the past. The voice and pictures faded and the disc tumbled flat.
Place of the past? Where he taken it from the river? He focussed elsewhere. “Technology of requirement? Some things work, some don’t?” Petar queried.
Chuckles arose. “Yes in a nutshell. The discs work, that one screen works; the replicator gives food and water only if we haven’t made a successful hunt!”
“Yeah, Danny. The force field works in darkness but not otherwise. And the replicator won’t oblige with clothing and such until we have made a few decent attempts at our own. Talk about MAKING you self sufficient!”
“You honestly didn’t expect it to give you old fashioned nylon stockings, Lyn, did you?!” She threw the only thing to hand playfully at him - a small figure of Dam that had lasted through the eons.
“Honestly, Danny, you will really make me mad one of these days! I ASKED for ‘tights’ not ‘leggings’. If it wasn’t available in the earliest times, it won’t produce it anyway. Petar, Bear Camp is blessed. We live well and thrive in this small area. Outside is jungle. REAL, nasty jungle. We asked if you were human, remember?”
He nodded, wondering where she was going.
“There are people and beasts galore in the jungle. There are some that, well, might well be mixtures of the two. And others who are that inbred they are practically insane. We are more than grateful that the replicator does work on occasion, hunts are perilous.”
“Lyn is being very kind in description, Petar. We live like our most ancient ancestors, in a world of terrors unimaginable then. Even the weather - our protective force seals the camp with the field when the stinging and deforming rains fall.”
“I understand, Danny. I am fortunate to meet people in any era that believe and help me. It is a wonder I have not gone insane myself. I think I am here now to learn again, in a hurry. Show me where I will sleep, please, so I do not disturb any when my eyes have had enough of the screen.”
He studied and studied, learning much from the additions on the screen. He would like to meet this ‘Dave’ who had made the breakthrough and continued the history.
And he realised where the rock would lie, in the place of the past. In the ruins of the museum below the modern ruin.
Would the thing extend its protection for them to dig? It would take more than the few hours of light in one day.
Part 12
Bear Camp was a sanctuary and safe harbour in the encroaching jungle that seemed to encompass everywhere else.
Petar almost laughed in disbelief as figures armed with spear and arrows, not guns or futuristic weapons, stood in line at his approach.
“Stand, stranger! Come no further! You are human?”
He stood, hands out palms forward. “As human as you, as it looks. I am unarmed in any case. I know this place, Bear Camp. What year is this?”
“Year? We do not count any more. Our miracle machine has figures that may be year. You know this place?”
“I am Petar. Stupid as it sounds, I used to live here. Would you believe I just arrived on a light beam from the very beginnings of the place?”
The weapons were lowered as one. Amazed, astonished and delighted smiles rose in their stead.
“We know the name Petar. If you are he, we are willing believers!”
He was quickly ushered into the place, plied with food and drink before being shown the only technology that would work. Records on the screen ended abruptly at an unbelievable date of 2690.
“The stuff on the screen is not the end, Petar. More portable, individual systems were created for information and knowledge then. Come and see our library!”
A wall of what looked like CD’s loomed behind a marked stone on a plain pedestal. His stone! And there were many more marks carved than he had ‘just’ made.
“Has the stone been translated, erm?”
Embarrassed looks and coughs ensued. “See, we are true believers Petar, much too impatient to show you NOW than introduce ourselves! I’m Danny, ‘my woman’ here is Lyn. Come on guys, do your own thing, please.”
The few behind gave names and Petar knew he would never remember most.
Danny turned back to the stone. “The stone has been translated, the translation is on the screen records. The most important point there is that the screen records have MORE than on the stone, with dates. Funny thing, it comes up on a search from this terminal, Bear Camp, it didn’t come up on any other even before the Big Shower. Seriously encrypted.”
“Now that is news, Danny. I never put anything on electronic records, anywhere. I got a crash course in basic computing, school of Bear Camp, circa 2010.” He grinned. “But did you know that I carved the original stone back when Bear Camp was founded?” He became serious. “The stone was pedestal for something far more precious. What happened to it?”
Danny gave a grim laugh. “If further proof were needed of who you say you are, it has just been given Petar. Your answer lies on the first disc.”
He laid a thin metal plate on the stone and spun a disc vertically on it. Pictures formed around them in the ether, and voices spoke.
Petar heard Davi’s and gasped in surprised shock. The Primal Rock he said was hidden to keep it safe from those who wished to use it for harm. Petar would know where to find it in his greatest need.
I would know? He thought, no, he obviously did not.
The voice continued, almost laughing at him, as if the disc itself were speaking only to him. The place would be searched thoroughly it said, so he had taken it briefly himself, as far as it would take him. He had used it to help heal the world of the year 3310 before returning it to the Third Dark Age of the Earth. Petar would find it in its place wherever the light took him.
“The light has brought me here, the rock is not here.”
“The rock is here, somewhere, Petar. Keep listening to the disc.”
Davi’s voice came from the ether. The rock was an energy source of unimaginable power. That power had grown slowly over the eons. It SPOKE to Davi he said, in that far future time; he and Petar were its chosen Guardians. The fate of the race of man was at stake and it would help them overcome those who wished man gone.
The rock’s power waxed and waned according to the era it could be found in. It would be source energy for any technology of requirement in a radius of one square mile. Petar suddenly thought the ‘park’ around Bear Camp in 2010 amounted to that space. The rock was, indeed, near.
Davi’s voice was nearly finished, for this disc at least; if the rock was not in its place ‘here’, Petar, look to the place of the past. The voice and pictures faded and the disc tumbled flat.
Place of the past? Where he taken it from the river? He focussed elsewhere. “Technology of requirement? Some things work, some don’t?” Petar queried.
Chuckles arose. “Yes in a nutshell. The discs work, that one screen works; the replicator gives food and water only if we haven’t made a successful hunt!”
“Yeah, Danny. The force field works in darkness but not otherwise. And the replicator won’t oblige with clothing and such until we have made a few decent attempts at our own. Talk about MAKING you self sufficient!”
“You honestly didn’t expect it to give you old fashioned nylon stockings, Lyn, did you?!” She threw the only thing to hand playfully at him - a small figure of Dam that had lasted through the eons.
“Honestly, Danny, you will really make me mad one of these days! I ASKED for ‘tights’ not ‘leggings’. If it wasn’t available in the earliest times, it won’t produce it anyway. Petar, Bear Camp is blessed. We live well and thrive in this small area. Outside is jungle. REAL, nasty jungle. We asked if you were human, remember?”
He nodded, wondering where she was going.
“There are people and beasts galore in the jungle. There are some that, well, might well be mixtures of the two. And others who are that inbred they are practically insane. We are more than grateful that the replicator does work on occasion, hunts are perilous.”
“Lyn is being very kind in description, Petar. We live like our most ancient ancestors, in a world of terrors unimaginable then. Even the weather - our protective force seals the camp with the field when the stinging and deforming rains fall.”
“I understand, Danny. I am fortunate to meet people in any era that believe and help me. It is a wonder I have not gone insane myself. I think I am here now to learn again, in a hurry. Show me where I will sleep, please, so I do not disturb any when my eyes have had enough of the screen.”
He studied and studied, learning much from the additions on the screen. He would like to meet this ‘Dave’ who had made the breakthrough and continued the history.
And he realised where the rock would lie, in the place of the past. In the ruins of the museum below the modern ruin.
Would the thing extend its protection for them to dig? It would take more than the few hours of light in one day.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Christmas ligh-hearted poem
CHRISTMAS TIME IS NEARLY HERE
Christmas time is nearly here
It comes faithfully every year
Bringing cries of joy, just what I wanted –
Or groans of disbelief, not socks again!
Christmas time is nearly here
Celebrated with even more beer
And wine by the bottle, who wants a glass?
And never the cheap stuff, now that is class.
Christmas time is nearly here
Remember to give the poor some cheer
What, no cards in the post?
Very next day, six can I boast.
Christmas time is nearly here
School kids sing carols nearly bringing a tear
To those families and friends smiling and hoping
That Santa has finally found the right gifts and coping
Christmas time is nearly here
Where did I stash the wrapping , ribbon and bows?
Where is the bag of tinsel and bells?
Find me find me – right under my nose!
Christmas time is nearly here
Oh dear oh dear oh dear
Those forbidden chocs were so appealing
Not all made it to the wrapping and sealing.
Christmas time is nearly here
And I will copy words so dear –
“Christmas is Love, Christmas is Peace.
A time for hating and fighting to cease.”
Christmas time is nearly here
It comes faithfully every year
Bringing cries of joy, just what I wanted –
Or groans of disbelief, not socks again!
Christmas time is nearly here
Celebrated with even more beer
And wine by the bottle, who wants a glass?
And never the cheap stuff, now that is class.
Christmas time is nearly here
Remember to give the poor some cheer
What, no cards in the post?
Very next day, six can I boast.
Christmas time is nearly here
School kids sing carols nearly bringing a tear
To those families and friends smiling and hoping
That Santa has finally found the right gifts and coping
Christmas time is nearly here
Where did I stash the wrapping , ribbon and bows?
Where is the bag of tinsel and bells?
Find me find me – right under my nose!
Christmas time is nearly here
Oh dear oh dear oh dear
Those forbidden chocs were so appealing
Not all made it to the wrapping and sealing.
Christmas time is nearly here
And I will copy words so dear –
“Christmas is Love, Christmas is Peace.
A time for hating and fighting to cease.”
Friday, 20 December 2013
What a day
What a day, last writers' group for the year, last minute stocking filler shop, dress up like an eskimo to dish out festive sweeties for 'Mr Santa Lollipop', and actually have the computer work wonders. Wow.
Just as well the glove things I looked at in October went off the shelves - they are now back £2 cheaper. Knowing last year's liquid drinks have not been long emptied, I opted for the choc-chip cookies in the fancy tin for hubbie. Son gets the gloves.
And I still have a LONG shopping list - much of which will be bought Sunday and Monday. If we havent got it in by then we are going to do without it! The fridge and freezer both need a reshuffle/fling out before we can get anything in as yet.
The comp worked well - mini drive given attached and took info seemlessly and also detached without problem. I was half afraid I would fry it after this week's mess around.
Reminder, you can still get Kindle books all the way to the 24th. I am not doing the usual Mon plug this late, I shall give you a small poem instead.
Just as well the glove things I looked at in October went off the shelves - they are now back £2 cheaper. Knowing last year's liquid drinks have not been long emptied, I opted for the choc-chip cookies in the fancy tin for hubbie. Son gets the gloves.
And I still have a LONG shopping list - much of which will be bought Sunday and Monday. If we havent got it in by then we are going to do without it! The fridge and freezer both need a reshuffle/fling out before we can get anything in as yet.
The comp worked well - mini drive given attached and took info seemlessly and also detached without problem. I was half afraid I would fry it after this week's mess around.
Reminder, you can still get Kindle books all the way to the 24th. I am not doing the usual Mon plug this late, I shall give you a small poem instead.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
What a panic
Oh yes, what a panic ..... Word opened with no toolbars, just a blank document and nowhere to open/close/save anything. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found documents on search, but what a pain to have to open from there and close to save new stuff! Yet another timely reminder to back up everything new to external drive before closing for the day.
I spent the day trawling through support pages after trying the most obvious remedies. Not until son came for dinner did I get relief. He went to control panel (a place I would never have thought of to find support!) and clicked support there. Nice little page came up - "toolbars missing?" Hooray! Well, so I thought. All the measures suggested didn't work (apparently not the problem anyway). I gave up and clicked the 'fix it for me' link. Lo and behold, Word as normal again.
Don't ask what it did, it just worked. And I have bookmarked that particular page in case the mystery problem occurs again.
I spent the day trawling through support pages after trying the most obvious remedies. Not until son came for dinner did I get relief. He went to control panel (a place I would never have thought of to find support!) and clicked support there. Nice little page came up - "toolbars missing?" Hooray! Well, so I thought. All the measures suggested didn't work (apparently not the problem anyway). I gave up and clicked the 'fix it for me' link. Lo and behold, Word as normal again.
Don't ask what it did, it just worked. And I have bookmarked that particular page in case the mystery problem occurs again.
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
some thoughts on news and stuff
At last Nelson Mandela is laid to rest, now Peter O'Toole has followed him. Today Ronnie Biggs is news. That one should not have been news, just my opinion.
Locally, local government workers are singing 'carols' (with very changed words of course) in protest at pay and job cuts. Good luck to them!
I am inclined to agree with the cynics who point out that the death of a British doctor in a Syrian jail is unlikely to help the refugee fundraising, what a mess the country is in.
Roma coming here next year? Good luck, we have more than enough rough sleepers and beggars of our own already in this neck of the woods.
What a grumpy old woman I am becoming. Now son has left his Xmas gifts for me to wrap for him - first year he has left the wrapping paper to go with them. I shall have to dig out the post-it notes to tell him what is what though. I cannot move in the bedroom for parcels all waiting to be eagerly unwrapped and set aside with short grunts. At least I hope hubbies main one will go down well - '12 days of Christmas' small vouchers for favourite pub chain so he can have 12 free breakfasts or lunches on his travels.
Lastly - nice try from the phisher who tried to get me to give away secret questions and answers. I politely said well if you don't already know them, who am I to be reminding you! Yep, already reported to the bank.
Locally, local government workers are singing 'carols' (with very changed words of course) in protest at pay and job cuts. Good luck to them!
I am inclined to agree with the cynics who point out that the death of a British doctor in a Syrian jail is unlikely to help the refugee fundraising, what a mess the country is in.
Roma coming here next year? Good luck, we have more than enough rough sleepers and beggars of our own already in this neck of the woods.
What a grumpy old woman I am becoming. Now son has left his Xmas gifts for me to wrap for him - first year he has left the wrapping paper to go with them. I shall have to dig out the post-it notes to tell him what is what though. I cannot move in the bedroom for parcels all waiting to be eagerly unwrapped and set aside with short grunts. At least I hope hubbies main one will go down well - '12 days of Christmas' small vouchers for favourite pub chain so he can have 12 free breakfasts or lunches on his travels.
Lastly - nice try from the phisher who tried to get me to give away secret questions and answers. I politely said well if you don't already know them, who am I to be reminding you! Yep, already reported to the bank.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Storytime part 11
Dave returned to the restricted area before he would be missed, waving the new chip at the two who looked for his return; satisfied he had found someone to give him a new chip quickly. He certainly wasted no time rebooting the equipment. He wanted an in depth look at the stone inscription. Something was missing there, too, he was certain.
He was right! Rubbing eyes almost too tired to stay open, he spotted the elusive mark on the edge of the worn thing. What were obviously numbers made no sense. Adding the elusive ‘1’ to the front made a DATE stand out. He was immediately alert again, he was near it, he was certain. What had happened in that year, so long in the past?
He laughed out loud. No wonder no one had deciphered it! A 19th century ‘language’ appearing on a prehistoric stone? Maybe the inventor from the 19th century had seen the thing and copied the symbols as part of his truly unique idea. And a full review of the language proved more than enlightening. He could READ the stone. The tiny symbols formed into words as he scribbled it down. It was fascinating … and frightening … The two must NOT know of this.
Dave was suddenly certain he was NOT one of them. This language no longer used was part of his longer heritage, of THIS world. Their language was NOT his. The language used in this place WAS. And they obviously had ear translators as did he, but they did not see this in their myopia. He would try to keep his discovery to himself for as long as possible, but it was difficult to judge just how much they knew or guessed even from his body language.
Further, he realised he understood the machine fairly well now, just not the alien parts. He MUST be part of the machine project in THIS world, only how many hundreds of years ahead of where they were now?
How had he come here? The machine, that was blindingly obvious, at least now it was. But they could not control it. What was missing? Had he come here randomly?
Grinning, he turned to the language translation tool. He would add his own lines to the end of the original ones. If anyone else could translate they would have a real mystery to solve!
And the stone had given him a chilling insight into what might fit into the not quite complete complex mechanism …..
Time passed. He worked on his ideas alone, whilst seeming to do otherwise as the two watched fascinated at his different approach to the thing. Even they were learning more.
And the military men came again, with sacks of jewels and gold and platinum ingots. The two seemed neither to trust banks nor cash. These things could still be exchanged freely for money or goods if you knew where to do the exchanging. And they were placed in a vault that would have made even the best robber despair and give up quickly. The place was more than half full with a planet sized ransom fund.
Dave knew what was missing. He knew where to find it. The others must not know. Return home? He doubted this very much. Their ultimate goal was still hidden and sinister, he had NO doubt there. He ached to just go and retrieve the thing and try the machine for himself. He found it hard to keep himself under control as time went on. If only the two were not here he thought, he would have all the time in the world at his fingertips!
Hope you are all still well intruiged ..... there are many more twists and turns to come lol
He was right! Rubbing eyes almost too tired to stay open, he spotted the elusive mark on the edge of the worn thing. What were obviously numbers made no sense. Adding the elusive ‘1’ to the front made a DATE stand out. He was immediately alert again, he was near it, he was certain. What had happened in that year, so long in the past?
He laughed out loud. No wonder no one had deciphered it! A 19th century ‘language’ appearing on a prehistoric stone? Maybe the inventor from the 19th century had seen the thing and copied the symbols as part of his truly unique idea. And a full review of the language proved more than enlightening. He could READ the stone. The tiny symbols formed into words as he scribbled it down. It was fascinating … and frightening … The two must NOT know of this.
Dave was suddenly certain he was NOT one of them. This language no longer used was part of his longer heritage, of THIS world. Their language was NOT his. The language used in this place WAS. And they obviously had ear translators as did he, but they did not see this in their myopia. He would try to keep his discovery to himself for as long as possible, but it was difficult to judge just how much they knew or guessed even from his body language.
Further, he realised he understood the machine fairly well now, just not the alien parts. He MUST be part of the machine project in THIS world, only how many hundreds of years ahead of where they were now?
How had he come here? The machine, that was blindingly obvious, at least now it was. But they could not control it. What was missing? Had he come here randomly?
Grinning, he turned to the language translation tool. He would add his own lines to the end of the original ones. If anyone else could translate they would have a real mystery to solve!
And the stone had given him a chilling insight into what might fit into the not quite complete complex mechanism …..
Time passed. He worked on his ideas alone, whilst seeming to do otherwise as the two watched fascinated at his different approach to the thing. Even they were learning more.
And the military men came again, with sacks of jewels and gold and platinum ingots. The two seemed neither to trust banks nor cash. These things could still be exchanged freely for money or goods if you knew where to do the exchanging. And they were placed in a vault that would have made even the best robber despair and give up quickly. The place was more than half full with a planet sized ransom fund.
Dave knew what was missing. He knew where to find it. The others must not know. Return home? He doubted this very much. Their ultimate goal was still hidden and sinister, he had NO doubt there. He ached to just go and retrieve the thing and try the machine for himself. He found it hard to keep himself under control as time went on. If only the two were not here he thought, he would have all the time in the world at his fingertips!
Hope you are all still well intruiged ..... there are many more twists and turns to come lol
Monday, 16 December 2013
Plug time again
So here we go again. Thank you again whoever bought the one single book. Come on folks, time is really short for inclusion in Santa's sack! How many of you will need a different read for a new Kindle or tablet?
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00957PD92
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00957PD92
Don't forget - Gosammer Threads - Time Jumpers - The Magical Wall - repeat after me, lol
And let these shorter books lead you on to the totally different Tales From Another Reality.
Happy Reading! Happy New Week to you all.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00957PD92
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00957PD92
Don't forget - Gosammer Threads - Time Jumpers - The Magical Wall - repeat after me, lol
And let these shorter books lead you on to the totally different Tales From Another Reality.
Happy Reading! Happy New Week to you all.
Sunday, 15 December 2013
shivery Sunday
Brrr, I am feeling cold. It was semi frosty when we came home from Saturday night out, now it is dry but blowing gales. Brrr. And I want (or wanted) to go shopping before the supermarkets become one big traffic jam. We need a pile of stock cupboard stuff and the list is all ready to go. What was that? Put a hat on? Are you mad? Well, I suppose it is nearly Xmas, I could put the little 'elf' thing on with the Xmas flower ..... Yes, I will, I need to be able to see through the hair lol
Back to plugs tomorrow. Thanks whoever you are for buying a print book. At least I can say I have made a sale.
Back to plugs tomorrow. Thanks whoever you are for buying a print book. At least I can say I have made a sale.
Friday, 13 December 2013
Friday again already!
Where ohn where has the week gone? I can't remember Monday at all ..... I had a pleasant stroll around the town centre shops, not as packed as I had feared for once. Bought new card holders for wall, now we will find where I hid the last lot from last year. Finally heard from my pal in ARizona, I was worried for quite a while. Hi, and waves to you if you are looking in!
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Had a jolly afternoon
Time of the week to visit mum again, this week she was in dining room participating in the bingo. Bingo with a difference. The cards were marked with song titles and a tape was played with snippets. Mum won a packet of buttons. Out of the whole room , 12 or so, only three were capable of 'marking' their own cards even if half were singing away merrily with the snippets!
I was a bit worried to see mum apparently crying, but the carer said she had been like this for the whole day - weeping over nothing and then cheery as a button the next. She was happily 'lala-ing' when we left.
My sister in law had two bags to exchange with me - both light. My one heavy bag barely fit into the car boot. I am now anxious that she likes the quilt.
The family cards are now pride of place over the fire, whilst the few others arrived will have to wait for me to renew the card hangers. I will find the old ones as soon as I replace them I know.
How is your shopping doing? I only have the store cupboard and fresh stuff to get. Need to clear the cupboard first though, I dont think the half jar of mayo will be 'fresh' enough after lounging hidden and not in fridge!
I was a bit worried to see mum apparently crying, but the carer said she had been like this for the whole day - weeping over nothing and then cheery as a button the next. She was happily 'lala-ing' when we left.
My sister in law had two bags to exchange with me - both light. My one heavy bag barely fit into the car boot. I am now anxious that she likes the quilt.
The family cards are now pride of place over the fire, whilst the few others arrived will have to wait for me to renew the card hangers. I will find the old ones as soon as I replace them I know.
How is your shopping doing? I only have the store cupboard and fresh stuff to get. Need to clear the cupboard first though, I dont think the half jar of mayo will be 'fresh' enough after lounging hidden and not in fridge!
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Part Ten, bonus for u ...
I am being generous, just because I having nothing else to report/say lol Comments would be appreciated, let me know if your head has started to spin yet.
Bear Camp was built and its first residents were happily celebrating the founding of their new home, named after the lone bear seen fishing in the rapids a day’s journey up the riverbank.
Petar and Dammi had an almost brotherly relationship Denal thought. For all the time the two spent together, Petar could be contemplating becoming Dammi - laughingly denied by both.
The rock had a place of its own, a small niche next to the statue of Dam. Both noticed it seemed to shake of its own accord in rhythm with the storms now heralding the approach of the Cold. This Dammi had also said he understood why Petar would not go out in the storm and watched the stone closely.
Petar was moreover beginning to feel strangely connected to the thing; something about it bothered him at a deep subconscious level. The tiny piece of the same rock that had chipped from the thing at its arrival was now in his amulet and he often absently minded figured the few things in it. He knew also that he was overdue a ‘jump’ and was unhappily anticipating the next storm. One day he took a square stone from the river and began carving intricate symbols into it, as deep as possible; he wanted the tale to last for the eons it would pass through as the base mount for the rock. He told Dammi the symbols were something known in the cycle called 2010, rarely used; they had been invented in the cycle called 1873.
And as a final crowning celebration Dammi asked for a Mother Festival. The smallest children were given a small drink of sleeping potion, the older ones would shyly watch or not. Petar danced languidly with a young woman named Camelia, she reminded him very much of Oriana - he now realised he missed his main ‘tutor’ very much.
As he led Camelia to the furs, he knew he would never let her know he was making love to another woman he may never meet again. But both still found great pleasure and delight at the Pleasuring.
The following night the camp was in uproar as he failed to return from the final late latrine visit as promised to Camelia’s own furs.
This Dammi also returned to his tent alone, renewing the small light in front of the figure of Dam. “‘May Dam guide your way, Petar, and no harm befall you.”
Petar awoke by the side of a small clearing in what looked like jungle. He had never known jungle proper, but had learned with Oriana and Robin. Was that railing hidden in the trellising vines? And great gates?
He walked carefully through the opening; the gates were held with well worn posts and would have already fallen if it were not for the twining vines, flowering with small trumpet shaped creamy white blooms. The museum had gone, a crumbling large off white building of curious design stood in its place, windows long gone.
But the Bear Camp was still there behind the unknown ruins …..
Bear Camp was built and its first residents were happily celebrating the founding of their new home, named after the lone bear seen fishing in the rapids a day’s journey up the riverbank.
Petar and Dammi had an almost brotherly relationship Denal thought. For all the time the two spent together, Petar could be contemplating becoming Dammi - laughingly denied by both.
The rock had a place of its own, a small niche next to the statue of Dam. Both noticed it seemed to shake of its own accord in rhythm with the storms now heralding the approach of the Cold. This Dammi had also said he understood why Petar would not go out in the storm and watched the stone closely.
Petar was moreover beginning to feel strangely connected to the thing; something about it bothered him at a deep subconscious level. The tiny piece of the same rock that had chipped from the thing at its arrival was now in his amulet and he often absently minded figured the few things in it. He knew also that he was overdue a ‘jump’ and was unhappily anticipating the next storm. One day he took a square stone from the river and began carving intricate symbols into it, as deep as possible; he wanted the tale to last for the eons it would pass through as the base mount for the rock. He told Dammi the symbols were something known in the cycle called 2010, rarely used; they had been invented in the cycle called 1873.
And as a final crowning celebration Dammi asked for a Mother Festival. The smallest children were given a small drink of sleeping potion, the older ones would shyly watch or not. Petar danced languidly with a young woman named Camelia, she reminded him very much of Oriana - he now realised he missed his main ‘tutor’ very much.
As he led Camelia to the furs, he knew he would never let her know he was making love to another woman he may never meet again. But both still found great pleasure and delight at the Pleasuring.
The following night the camp was in uproar as he failed to return from the final late latrine visit as promised to Camelia’s own furs.
This Dammi also returned to his tent alone, renewing the small light in front of the figure of Dam. “‘May Dam guide your way, Petar, and no harm befall you.”
Petar awoke by the side of a small clearing in what looked like jungle. He had never known jungle proper, but had learned with Oriana and Robin. Was that railing hidden in the trellising vines? And great gates?
He walked carefully through the opening; the gates were held with well worn posts and would have already fallen if it were not for the twining vines, flowering with small trumpet shaped creamy white blooms. The museum had gone, a crumbling large off white building of curious design stood in its place, windows long gone.
But the Bear Camp was still there behind the unknown ruins …..
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Story part nine
9
Dave had come to the conclusion that what was missing from the marvellous machine was something that would fit in the spherical empty space on the side by the - to him - undecipherable controls. What, he did not know, along with who he REALLY was. He reckoned he must have known the thing in the past; he was making far too much progress to be called lucky guesses.
This was also noted by the two and they kept close watch over him. Dave did not mind, as long as they let him work. He had continued his now almost nightly sojourns, only staying indoors when the wet would have given his absence and travels away.
Bear Camp was an enigma to him. The people of the time were so primitive, and yet not. The replicated articles showed great workmanship and sophistication. To have lived and thrived when all your tools were necessarily made from crude rock! He looked closely at a rock carving with strange symbols that had been faithfully copied through the eons. Did he recognise this one? That one? He had returned to the small office and looked up the thing on the glowing screen. Something told him this was important, the thing had never been translated over the time - this he would try to do.
Worryingly, the two and he now had doubts over who he was. He had enjoyed much the same food as they, not realising how different it was from that of the other people with labs in the huge place. The two times he had been out of the ‘restricted’ area he had discovered a completely unknown menu in the general cafeteria and self service replicator areas. He found he liked an item labelled ‘fish’, which came in a large variety of kinds. There were no kinds of fish available on the lab replicators. He programmed his two new favourites in.
The two had been horrified to find him appreciating the very thing one day.
“Do you know what that is that you are consuming, Dave?”
“It is called fish, cod I believe. There are lots of kinds on the replicators in the outer areas. I tried it and liked it, Prof Slongur. Why, anyway? There a particular reason it wasn’t available in the restricted area?”
Lagarto coughed none too gently. “We do not eat our own ancestors, Dave.”
Dave gave a blank stare at the two. “Ancestors?”
Slongur sighed, sadly. “We have forgotten you came to us with no memory, Dave. It is perfectly obvious you still have not regained much, especially basics.”
“Ah, yes, I had forgotten, thank you, Slongur, for reminding me. Dave, our ancient ancestors that we evolved from were a form of giant predator that did indeed eat many of their own kinds. We have not eaten these for millennia, it is not, seemly. On our, your home world, you would be considered a cannibal.”
“OUR HOME WORLD?”
Lagarto went a shade of purple, and Slongur stiffened. The long pretence and cover were torn apart.
“Of course, Dave, you know us well enough to realise we have not told all. The fact that we are visitors to this world would have confused you even more. You speak our language as your own - it is undecipherable to those native to this world. That we are from the future, be it here or there, is without doubt in any case. Our technology, what we work on here, is far, far beyond what those of this time can envisage.” Lagarto sighed himself. “There is not much more for you to know, Dave.”
“Indeed there is not.” Slongur spoke. “The machine is a hybrid between the future technologies of this world and ours. We wish only to return.”
“Thank you, gentlemen. What knowledge there must be, tied up and stored in this sorry brain of mine. I think I have suddenly ‘gone off’ fish.”
It was days later, as he worked on his own translation project, that he felt an itch in his ear. Clearing a build up of wax, he felt a miniscule object further in and curiously brought it before his eyes. Wondering suddenly, he rose to fetch something, anything, from the small lab with the broken communications light. Low babble was heard coming from the main secure lab - totally unintelligible to him. He placed the tiny thing back in his ear and he suddenly understood the technical talk going on. His curiosity was infectious now.
Rushing, but not running, running would raise the two’s curiosity or suspicion, he took a tool from the lab and returned to his own. He quickly proceeded to disable a vital part of his communications system.
Entering the main lab in a hurry, the two looked at him in surprise.
“Sorry to butt in, Professors’, but my lights just went out. The whole thing has shut down. Any chance of looking at it?”
The two looked and quickly found the offending component. No, they did not have a replacement in the restricted area; he would have to see someone in the general area. He grinned as he ran down the long sterile looking corridor to the greater spaces.
Of course they didn’t have a replacement - the only replacement miniature circuit chip was already in his pocket!
He headed for the smallest communal sitting area where he knew people gathered just to talk and have a drink or snack. Reproducing a cup of coffee he scratched his ear calmly taking the thing out. Talk went on around him quietly, and he understood!
Dave had come to the conclusion that what was missing from the marvellous machine was something that would fit in the spherical empty space on the side by the - to him - undecipherable controls. What, he did not know, along with who he REALLY was. He reckoned he must have known the thing in the past; he was making far too much progress to be called lucky guesses.
This was also noted by the two and they kept close watch over him. Dave did not mind, as long as they let him work. He had continued his now almost nightly sojourns, only staying indoors when the wet would have given his absence and travels away.
Bear Camp was an enigma to him. The people of the time were so primitive, and yet not. The replicated articles showed great workmanship and sophistication. To have lived and thrived when all your tools were necessarily made from crude rock! He looked closely at a rock carving with strange symbols that had been faithfully copied through the eons. Did he recognise this one? That one? He had returned to the small office and looked up the thing on the glowing screen. Something told him this was important, the thing had never been translated over the time - this he would try to do.
Worryingly, the two and he now had doubts over who he was. He had enjoyed much the same food as they, not realising how different it was from that of the other people with labs in the huge place. The two times he had been out of the ‘restricted’ area he had discovered a completely unknown menu in the general cafeteria and self service replicator areas. He found he liked an item labelled ‘fish’, which came in a large variety of kinds. There were no kinds of fish available on the lab replicators. He programmed his two new favourites in.
The two had been horrified to find him appreciating the very thing one day.
“Do you know what that is that you are consuming, Dave?”
“It is called fish, cod I believe. There are lots of kinds on the replicators in the outer areas. I tried it and liked it, Prof Slongur. Why, anyway? There a particular reason it wasn’t available in the restricted area?”
Lagarto coughed none too gently. “We do not eat our own ancestors, Dave.”
Dave gave a blank stare at the two. “Ancestors?”
Slongur sighed, sadly. “We have forgotten you came to us with no memory, Dave. It is perfectly obvious you still have not regained much, especially basics.”
“Ah, yes, I had forgotten, thank you, Slongur, for reminding me. Dave, our ancient ancestors that we evolved from were a form of giant predator that did indeed eat many of their own kinds. We have not eaten these for millennia, it is not, seemly. On our, your home world, you would be considered a cannibal.”
“OUR HOME WORLD?”
Lagarto went a shade of purple, and Slongur stiffened. The long pretence and cover were torn apart.
“Of course, Dave, you know us well enough to realise we have not told all. The fact that we are visitors to this world would have confused you even more. You speak our language as your own - it is undecipherable to those native to this world. That we are from the future, be it here or there, is without doubt in any case. Our technology, what we work on here, is far, far beyond what those of this time can envisage.” Lagarto sighed himself. “There is not much more for you to know, Dave.”
“Indeed there is not.” Slongur spoke. “The machine is a hybrid between the future technologies of this world and ours. We wish only to return.”
“Thank you, gentlemen. What knowledge there must be, tied up and stored in this sorry brain of mine. I think I have suddenly ‘gone off’ fish.”
It was days later, as he worked on his own translation project, that he felt an itch in his ear. Clearing a build up of wax, he felt a miniscule object further in and curiously brought it before his eyes. Wondering suddenly, he rose to fetch something, anything, from the small lab with the broken communications light. Low babble was heard coming from the main secure lab - totally unintelligible to him. He placed the tiny thing back in his ear and he suddenly understood the technical talk going on. His curiosity was infectious now.
Rushing, but not running, running would raise the two’s curiosity or suspicion, he took a tool from the lab and returned to his own. He quickly proceeded to disable a vital part of his communications system.
Entering the main lab in a hurry, the two looked at him in surprise.
“Sorry to butt in, Professors’, but my lights just went out. The whole thing has shut down. Any chance of looking at it?”
The two looked and quickly found the offending component. No, they did not have a replacement in the restricted area; he would have to see someone in the general area. He grinned as he ran down the long sterile looking corridor to the greater spaces.
Of course they didn’t have a replacement - the only replacement miniature circuit chip was already in his pocket!
He headed for the smallest communal sitting area where he knew people gathered just to talk and have a drink or snack. Reproducing a cup of coffee he scratched his ear calmly taking the thing out. Talk went on around him quietly, and he understood!
Monday, 9 December 2013
Monday blues
I have been out delivering cards. Guess what? nobody in of course, that much I rexpected. I realised as soon as I had posted one through an unfamiliar door that it should have been through next door. Duh! Now I have found the address book, and also discovered I have posted another two to wrong house numbers as well! Oh, save me from this early senility, please.
This is part of Magical Wall beginning.
Holly’s bedroom was the smallest in the house, right in the eaves. No wallpapers would do for dad when he could paint whatever his children wished. Her two brothers’ rooms were decorated with medieval and ship scenes, battles in the main for the cheeky tomboys. Hers was a true mixture, from fairies to castles to dragons and everything magical and mystical in their own special forest of trees that wavered gently in the light. The eaves above her were a light blue in the day and velvety dark with small shining drops of silver stars at night. When dad had added the short posts to the bed and mum had draped the ‘tapestry’ sheets around she was in seventh heaven. Everything a near ten year old could wish for in fact. Holly had a SECRET. A marvellous secret.
Your kids will love this book, and the follow on one. Your older kids would appreciate Time Jumpers, excitement and mind boggling time jumps finding and daving the primal rock.
ALL on Kindle, maybe last chance for print books.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00957PD92
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00957PD92
This is part of Magical Wall beginning.
Holly’s bedroom was the smallest in the house, right in the eaves. No wallpapers would do for dad when he could paint whatever his children wished. Her two brothers’ rooms were decorated with medieval and ship scenes, battles in the main for the cheeky tomboys. Hers was a true mixture, from fairies to castles to dragons and everything magical and mystical in their own special forest of trees that wavered gently in the light. The eaves above her were a light blue in the day and velvety dark with small shining drops of silver stars at night. When dad had added the short posts to the bed and mum had draped the ‘tapestry’ sheets around she was in seventh heaven. Everything a near ten year old could wish for in fact. Holly had a SECRET. A marvellous secret.
Your kids will love this book, and the follow on one. Your older kids would appreciate Time Jumpers, excitement and mind boggling time jumps finding and daving the primal rock.
ALL on Kindle, maybe last chance for print books.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00957PD92
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00957PD92
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Cards through the door
Oh, damn, whoever has run fast. One of my sister in law's, d*** again in triplicate. I wanted to catch her. I have a calendar very tongue in cheek for her, pic of her two brothers in a pub. Guess what fell out of her card - a pic of one brother with her! Shall have to mark calender 'great minds think alike'.
Also just realised I didnt get all the cards done the other day, **** (yes, I am in a sweary mood). I shall have to join the queue at the PO during pension day, oh the joys .....
Otherwise, a very happy Sunday to all. Time to turn on fairy lights, cheer myself up.
Also just realised I didnt get all the cards done the other day, **** (yes, I am in a sweary mood). I shall have to join the queue at the PO during pension day, oh the joys .....
Otherwise, a very happy Sunday to all. Time to turn on fairy lights, cheer myself up.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Oh happy day
I got up early this morning (practicaly unknown for a Saturday) to go into town to post my cards. Lo and behold, the Post Office is on a one day industrial action, now why had I had no prior notice of this! I was in a queque of 5 or 6 people moving from stationers to newsagents to get stamps, when I finally got them they had run out of 2nd class of course. I bought 1st anyway and stood in freezing cold balancing cards on top of rubbish bin pasting stamps.
Got home to find tree lights would not work, so into town again. Nice new set of green holly with berry lights, but if they go off they go off, no replacements possible. Oh well, at least the candle bridge and manterpiece swag work. Now waiting for other half to come home and try the new lights up a height. They might have to wait until tomorrow though - it is freezing and I want to fire on. Fire on, no lights can be put up of course.
That aside, the tummy is playing up again. I am in for yet another Saturday night on. Bah Humbug. Hope you are all having a much happier day.
And get your printed books NOW! please please please please please. cheer me up .....
Got home to find tree lights would not work, so into town again. Nice new set of green holly with berry lights, but if they go off they go off, no replacements possible. Oh well, at least the candle bridge and manterpiece swag work. Now waiting for other half to come home and try the new lights up a height. They might have to wait until tomorrow though - it is freezing and I want to fire on. Fire on, no lights can be put up of course.
That aside, the tummy is playing up again. I am in for yet another Saturday night on. Bah Humbug. Hope you are all having a much happier day.
And get your printed books NOW! please please please please please. cheer me up .....
Friday, 6 December 2013
Ow, writers cramp ...
I have been extremely lazy this year, my cards are normally out by 3rd December, never mind not written! Now the 6th, and my wrist is aching from feverish writing. It does not help that I have to write mother's as well, not that she knows the difference anyway, but there are still people out there that need to know she is still with us.
Hubbie does not know it yet, but he is getting the decorations down from the loft when he returns from work. I am saying darn the dust, it is going up anyway. Rooms need a good dusting down when it is time to return decs to the loft!
Wrist apart, I am starting to get into the Christmas Spirit. But I am putting off opening the Baileys bottle until Christmas Eve. Apart from the fresh stuff, I am all ready. At least I am giving up on the stocking fillers at last. You can go on forever if you dont call a halt somewhere!
Hubbie does not know it yet, but he is getting the decorations down from the loft when he returns from work. I am saying darn the dust, it is going up anyway. Rooms need a good dusting down when it is time to return decs to the loft!
Wrist apart, I am starting to get into the Christmas Spirit. But I am putting off opening the Baileys bottle until Christmas Eve. Apart from the fresh stuff, I am all ready. At least I am giving up on the stocking fillers at last. You can go on forever if you dont call a halt somewhere!
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Windy Thuirsday
Breathing sighs of relief, the storm passed over us overnight early morning. It sounded really wild and we were grateful to be tucked up in bed. Now mid-day and there is weak sunlight, but blowing a gale. It is far better than the driven wet though. Hubbie had to go out on early shift with wrist protectors to help hold the lollipop upright. Those lollipop people dont look rolypoly because they are fat you know, oh no, they are wrapped in several warming protective layers underneath the canary yellow and orange coats.
Anyway, I shall make you laugh (or groan) here. Yesterday, I went into town to put order in for pills, didn't wait for the chemist coming back from lunch. I went to do the rest of the browsing instead. Three full bags later, got on bus half exhausted. No pills in bottom of any bag! Oh head,where are you at?! Back on bus, sheepishly returned. The girl laughed and said not to worry - there were another six bags under the counter that others had not waited for waiting for collection. Phew. Am turning into a real senior, bah!
Remember there is only another week to get book stories in before the Big Day. But Kindle can be downloaded immediately, and the prices are reduced there. Links down the page.
Anyway, I shall make you laugh (or groan) here. Yesterday, I went into town to put order in for pills, didn't wait for the chemist coming back from lunch. I went to do the rest of the browsing instead. Three full bags later, got on bus half exhausted. No pills in bottom of any bag! Oh head,where are you at?! Back on bus, sheepishly returned. The girl laughed and said not to worry - there were another six bags under the counter that others had not waited for waiting for collection. Phew. Am turning into a real senior, bah!
Remember there is only another week to get book stories in before the Big Day. But Kindle can be downloaded immediately, and the prices are reduced there. Links down the page.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Great dream
Well, a weird dream, or a brill idea for another story? A century ago, a group of cowboys men and boys were trapped somewhere, food had run out. So the youngest boy started idly banging on his drum. They heard a faint echo, that slowly grew louder and the cavalry rescued them. Twist is, the 'cavalry' were soldiers from modern day who were scouting a canyon and came across this old hut where no one was known to have been before. Inside the place the walls were lined with dates, years, 500 years back to the present. And a dum stood on the table, the only furniture there. Picking it up, the modern day equivalent of the boy banged away, to hear the echo. A date flashed out on the wall, and the whole troupe now wore cavalry clothes. The hut vanished and they were riding to the rescue! I woke up before anything else happened.
Yup, my mind does the crasiest things when it wanders overnight! Filing this one for the future at least lol
Yup, my mind does the crasiest things when it wanders overnight! Filing this one for the future at least lol
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Attention .....
Thought that would wake you up .....
I hqve just reduced all prices on Kindle, please look tomorrow to check them out. Hopefully will make sales, I live in constant hope .....
Anyone else dismal at seeing near total dark at 3.30pm? Cutting into the writing time no end.
I hqve just reduced all prices on Kindle, please look tomorrow to check them out. Hopefully will make sales, I live in constant hope .....
Anyone else dismal at seeing near total dark at 3.30pm? Cutting into the writing time no end.
Welcome to story time
Thanks for letting me know this is being followed again. Enjoy part eight.
Petar was glad he had changed clothing. This place looked more like his own, where the Bear Camp should lie, but no camp was in sight. He moved off quickly to keep warm. Yet again, he needed people. The next valley held a small camp of tents and he approached gladly, hands outstretched in greeting and peace as spears rose and fell when they saw him unarmed.
“Hola, stranger! Welcome in the name of Dam. Where have you appeared from with no weapon or aught else it looks?!”
“I thank you also in the name of Dam for welcome which I much need. I come from far north of here, on the far bank of the great river. I lost boat, pack, everything to rapids and then hungry bear! I have only the sleeping clothes I wear; I did not wish to argue with the bear for my possessions.”
“No more would I,” the figure chuckled. “You speak our tongue well, stranger. Are you well travelled?” Petar bit back the grim laugh that rose - he would never have to learn another tongue again!
“More than you can know. I am Petar, one of the travelling traders of Elk Camp. I made a grave error of misjudgement taking to the boat by myself for a solitary journey. I am sure I am days south of home.”
“I think you are, Petar, we are not aware of an Elk Camp but are pleased to hear of it. I am Denal, Leader of this small camp. We left our overcrowded home many moons east of here, moon cycles. We would found our own camp but have found nowhere ‘right’ in our travels. I digress, Petar, welcome again, come to our Mammoth Hearth - which is but the largest tent - Dammi will welcome you.”
The entire party welcomed him. Tales told over the central fire, Petar was careful to be evasive and vague whilst not saying anything too far out of place. His challenge was remembering his early days again and fitting his story around this time. He hoped none would go looking for ‘Elk Camp’ early; he had no idea when his own home had been founded.
The party were alive with excitement and anticipation when he told of the perfect spot for a permanent camp, over in the next valley. He would help build and establish the place, and hoped they would welcome him as one of their own. He deprecatingly brushed off talk of his possible return home - he could not find the way and had not fixed probable landmarks in his mind.
This time, however, he noted the quickly hidden look of disbelief - or suspicion - in the Dammi’s eyes. He would talk to this one sooner than later.
The chance came even faster than he would have thought possible. They were camped now in the place where Bear Camp was going to be established, half gathering the plentiful large bones that lay in a small ‘bay’ where the river had washed them, half digging a carefully measured foundation. Night had fallen and most had gone to their furs, tired but happy with what had been achieved so far.
Petar wandered the river bank, looking to the stars for inspiration as to what to tell the Dammi. As if by coincidence, Dammi approached with a quiet greeting. Both looked at each other, trying to judge the other’s thought; then suddenly at the sky as a star appeared to fall to earth leaving a glowing trail of bright embers that swiftly quenched in the dark waters. Eyes raised in joint question, they ran to the spot. A new curved depression had been formed further up the river bank and the glowing hand sized rock was darkening quickly as water entered the small crater. They could reach it easily.
“What in Dam’s name? …” Petar began.
“Dam only knows the answer my new friend. I feel … SOMETHING … here, I know not what. My mind tells me it is both sacred and special, to be kept to ourselves at least for the moment. He gave a frank look and a motion for Petar to sit with him by the crater’s edge. “My mind also tells me that you need my guidance and that this is in some way connected to you.”
Petar grinned. “And so you followed me tonight to speak of such things!” He laughed easily. “This, I genuinely have no knowledge of Dammi; but I WAS looking for an early opportunity to tell my tale - my TRUE tale - to the only one in any camp who could believe and comprehend.”
“You are not what you seem. I was correct.”
“Yes and no, Dammi. I am what I am. And I do come from a place somewhere north of here. Just, this is difficult without sounding mad, not in the NOW?”
Dammi rocked, bringing his heels close clasping his arms around his bony knees. His eyes shone with curiosity, anticipation and belief, a tale for a Dammi indeed! He nodded for Petar to continue.
“This place, here, we are starting to build is known to me as Bear Camp. I know every inch of the place intimately. I know of ‘other’ Bear Camps, in cycles far ahead of this present. All are of this pattern and unchanged.”
“This, time, Dammi, though ‘now’ to us as we sit, is a mote in time beyond comprehension. Can you imagine say, a span of 30,000 cycles?”
Dammi’s eyebrows raised in wonder. He was one of the few people of the time that could envisage the large, mind numbing figure.
“That far, Petar? And the camp is still there?”
Petar’s eyes shone back at the spiritual man. “The camp is still there, rebuilt of course, but on this very spot and correct in every detail. Dam has given a strange destiny to me, Dammi. I travel on beams of light, or lightning, to times that far ahead and back. ‘Here’ is ahead of my own time, I think, it is rather confusing. My first travel was to Bear Camp, which was then well established and thriving. I saw no difference in clothing or technology …”
“Tek-nol-ogee?”
“Sorry, Dammi. It is a word from that world of 30,000 cycles ahead. It means skills and knowledge - I saw the same flint tools and methods of doing things that I was familiar with. Even you, Dammi, would not believe the world of that far time. Bear Camp there is a ‘living museum’ - a museum is a place where items from past cycles are kept to be viewed by many - people come to the living museum to learn of THIS time, and many pay money - there I go again! - give goods is the nearest without long explanation - give goods to stay and ‘live’ for a while as you and I and the peoples of this time do now.”
“I think … no, I KNOW … after this small part of long, long tale - you ARE connected to that which lies in the small hole before us. My heart agrees with my mind. It has been sent by Dam to you. We must guard it for you.”
“Whatever you believe, Dammi. I am no Dammi, I do not have the calling, but I am content to follow your guidance.”
“That is well and good. All good camp members follow the word of their Dammi!” He rose, stiffly. “I am cold, my joints will not move as they should. We will continue talking when we may. I am more than content to know our new camp is well blessed even before it is built! Bring the rock, Petar, if that is what it is. I will keep it safe with the sacred lamp.”
They walked slowly back to the Mammoth Hearth tent. Entering, Dammi suddenly grinned. “My guest, Petar, you are more than fitting to share the sacred place with me!” He quietened a little. “And if Denal or any other wishes to look for Elk Camp I also shall dissuade them. You are already doing well enough on your own to ensure Bear Camp will be built as it should be. I shall meditate on a reason for it to be named such.”
Petar was glad he had changed clothing. This place looked more like his own, where the Bear Camp should lie, but no camp was in sight. He moved off quickly to keep warm. Yet again, he needed people. The next valley held a small camp of tents and he approached gladly, hands outstretched in greeting and peace as spears rose and fell when they saw him unarmed.
“Hola, stranger! Welcome in the name of Dam. Where have you appeared from with no weapon or aught else it looks?!”
“I thank you also in the name of Dam for welcome which I much need. I come from far north of here, on the far bank of the great river. I lost boat, pack, everything to rapids and then hungry bear! I have only the sleeping clothes I wear; I did not wish to argue with the bear for my possessions.”
“No more would I,” the figure chuckled. “You speak our tongue well, stranger. Are you well travelled?” Petar bit back the grim laugh that rose - he would never have to learn another tongue again!
“More than you can know. I am Petar, one of the travelling traders of Elk Camp. I made a grave error of misjudgement taking to the boat by myself for a solitary journey. I am sure I am days south of home.”
“I think you are, Petar, we are not aware of an Elk Camp but are pleased to hear of it. I am Denal, Leader of this small camp. We left our overcrowded home many moons east of here, moon cycles. We would found our own camp but have found nowhere ‘right’ in our travels. I digress, Petar, welcome again, come to our Mammoth Hearth - which is but the largest tent - Dammi will welcome you.”
The entire party welcomed him. Tales told over the central fire, Petar was careful to be evasive and vague whilst not saying anything too far out of place. His challenge was remembering his early days again and fitting his story around this time. He hoped none would go looking for ‘Elk Camp’ early; he had no idea when his own home had been founded.
The party were alive with excitement and anticipation when he told of the perfect spot for a permanent camp, over in the next valley. He would help build and establish the place, and hoped they would welcome him as one of their own. He deprecatingly brushed off talk of his possible return home - he could not find the way and had not fixed probable landmarks in his mind.
This time, however, he noted the quickly hidden look of disbelief - or suspicion - in the Dammi’s eyes. He would talk to this one sooner than later.
The chance came even faster than he would have thought possible. They were camped now in the place where Bear Camp was going to be established, half gathering the plentiful large bones that lay in a small ‘bay’ where the river had washed them, half digging a carefully measured foundation. Night had fallen and most had gone to their furs, tired but happy with what had been achieved so far.
Petar wandered the river bank, looking to the stars for inspiration as to what to tell the Dammi. As if by coincidence, Dammi approached with a quiet greeting. Both looked at each other, trying to judge the other’s thought; then suddenly at the sky as a star appeared to fall to earth leaving a glowing trail of bright embers that swiftly quenched in the dark waters. Eyes raised in joint question, they ran to the spot. A new curved depression had been formed further up the river bank and the glowing hand sized rock was darkening quickly as water entered the small crater. They could reach it easily.
“What in Dam’s name? …” Petar began.
“Dam only knows the answer my new friend. I feel … SOMETHING … here, I know not what. My mind tells me it is both sacred and special, to be kept to ourselves at least for the moment. He gave a frank look and a motion for Petar to sit with him by the crater’s edge. “My mind also tells me that you need my guidance and that this is in some way connected to you.”
Petar grinned. “And so you followed me tonight to speak of such things!” He laughed easily. “This, I genuinely have no knowledge of Dammi; but I WAS looking for an early opportunity to tell my tale - my TRUE tale - to the only one in any camp who could believe and comprehend.”
“You are not what you seem. I was correct.”
“Yes and no, Dammi. I am what I am. And I do come from a place somewhere north of here. Just, this is difficult without sounding mad, not in the NOW?”
Dammi rocked, bringing his heels close clasping his arms around his bony knees. His eyes shone with curiosity, anticipation and belief, a tale for a Dammi indeed! He nodded for Petar to continue.
“This place, here, we are starting to build is known to me as Bear Camp. I know every inch of the place intimately. I know of ‘other’ Bear Camps, in cycles far ahead of this present. All are of this pattern and unchanged.”
“This, time, Dammi, though ‘now’ to us as we sit, is a mote in time beyond comprehension. Can you imagine say, a span of 30,000 cycles?”
Dammi’s eyebrows raised in wonder. He was one of the few people of the time that could envisage the large, mind numbing figure.
“That far, Petar? And the camp is still there?”
Petar’s eyes shone back at the spiritual man. “The camp is still there, rebuilt of course, but on this very spot and correct in every detail. Dam has given a strange destiny to me, Dammi. I travel on beams of light, or lightning, to times that far ahead and back. ‘Here’ is ahead of my own time, I think, it is rather confusing. My first travel was to Bear Camp, which was then well established and thriving. I saw no difference in clothing or technology …”
“Tek-nol-ogee?”
“Sorry, Dammi. It is a word from that world of 30,000 cycles ahead. It means skills and knowledge - I saw the same flint tools and methods of doing things that I was familiar with. Even you, Dammi, would not believe the world of that far time. Bear Camp there is a ‘living museum’ - a museum is a place where items from past cycles are kept to be viewed by many - people come to the living museum to learn of THIS time, and many pay money - there I go again! - give goods is the nearest without long explanation - give goods to stay and ‘live’ for a while as you and I and the peoples of this time do now.”
“I think … no, I KNOW … after this small part of long, long tale - you ARE connected to that which lies in the small hole before us. My heart agrees with my mind. It has been sent by Dam to you. We must guard it for you.”
“Whatever you believe, Dammi. I am no Dammi, I do not have the calling, but I am content to follow your guidance.”
“That is well and good. All good camp members follow the word of their Dammi!” He rose, stiffly. “I am cold, my joints will not move as they should. We will continue talking when we may. I am more than content to know our new camp is well blessed even before it is built! Bring the rock, Petar, if that is what it is. I will keep it safe with the sacred lamp.”
They walked slowly back to the Mammoth Hearth tent. Entering, Dammi suddenly grinned. “My guest, Petar, you are more than fitting to share the sacred place with me!” He quietened a little. “And if Denal or any other wishes to look for Elk Camp I also shall dissuade them. You are already doing well enough on your own to ensure Bear Camp will be built as it should be. I shall meditate on a reason for it to be named such.”
Monday, 2 December 2013
Another parcel!
Oh dear, I am ashamed my preparation is lagging behind this year. That's two parcels arrived, and I hadn'd even got mine wrapped never mind posted lol The late blog is blamed on frantic searching for spare wrap and boxes and two trips into town. (First one to collect parcel, second to post one). I looked a right dork balancing full shopper on arm and large pressie bags under the other, but glad to say not the only one overloaded on the bus.
Not looking forward to true shopping, ie the food. Everywhere is so frantic already, some people need to chill I think.
Anyway, enough moan. Plug time!
Remember - Gossamer Threads, Time Jumpers, The Magical Wall books - take a look at the rest as well, but looking for small sales of small books this time round. All available print and kindle as well.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00957PD92
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00957PD92
And story time again tomorrow.
Not looking forward to true shopping, ie the food. Everywhere is so frantic already, some people need to chill I think.
Anyway, enough moan. Plug time!
Remember - Gossamer Threads, Time Jumpers, The Magical Wall books - take a look at the rest as well, but looking for small sales of small books this time round. All available print and kindle as well.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00957PD92
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00957PD92
And story time again tomorrow.
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