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I was out shooting in the countryside Friday morning. I got stuck behind the guard arm coming down to close the tracks crossing. I realized, "Hey, I've got my camera right here!" and I dashed out to grab the shot. It's amazingly decent considering how much planning I put into it! :-)
Just as I parked at the lake this morning, my phone rang so I started walking and talking with just my iPhone and not my big camera. The forecast was for showers, and I heard a faint tapping and thought it was raindrops, then I spied this woodpecker and realized that was the source. I quickly finished the conversation and dashed to my car. Still cannot believe he waited for me. I hope this meets the challenge. I wasn’t positive I grasped it.
ODC: primary subject
A bridge over the North River, near Walliswood. One that I discovered in the last month, and imaged for my footbridge themed project.
My canine assistant dashed up and down the foreground gulch throughout this set up, moving too fast to be captured in the reducing light.
Remember to stay true to yourself. It's not worth trying to be what he wants, when you're not what you want. He's not worth it, I told myself over and over again as it became a chant. I dashed up the stair case, slammed the door, and locked myself in my room. I leaped onto my bed and dug myself under the covers. I kept trying to force myself to dive into another dimension so I could leave this miserable place. I wanted to forget everything that happened, what do you when you're all that's left?
My friend, Laura.
Day 2/365
He was very playful today. I love the way he wraps his paws around the arm of the chair and bites it. I was lucky enough to capture a shot before he dashed away.
Processed with my Colour Overlay Lightroom Preset (clean overlay)
Once upon a time commuters would buy an evening paper to read on the train home. The cry of "News and Standard!" could be heard in the streets of the City of London as commuters dashed to catch the 5.15 to somewhere called home. Most of the newspaper sellers had been there for years, it was very much a family business handed on from father to son. The best pitches were those outside the railway stations. They were highly-prized and jealously guarded by their dynasties. Behind the plastic sheet on a cold winter evening, illuminated by a calor gas lamp, is Harry. He took over from his Dad when he was 26. He was pushing 70 when I shot this in 1983. One of the last newspaper sellers in the City of London.
Ektachrome 400 in an Olympus OM1 with a 50mm Zuiko.
I was shooting a commercial project up near Fresno this past weekend and dashed into Sequoia for one night of winter camping before returning to Los Angeles. Air quality was pretty bad but still thrilled I had the chance to visit. Won't be the last time.
I noticed this perky fellow while I was slashing our paddock with our old Ferguson Tractor that our son has just repaired for me. It kept returning to the same perch after it dashed off to capture insects that I was disturbing. It was enjoying it's meal so much that it allowed me to approach very closely. It was amusing to see it twist it's head to look at me. It has been a bumper season for Dragonflies with all the rain that we have had.
20-09-2021
Dashed up for an evening visit to Southampton for two Danish Falcon arrivals. Lego System / Air Alsie Falcon 7X OY-EKC rolling out on 02 after a flight from Copenhagen via Stockholm.
male Red rumped parrot (aka the grass parrot).
When it's in grass it's remarkably camouflaged, often only seen when it flies away. I only saw this bird when it dashed from the grassy edge of the shore to this stump poking up from the water about 4 metres into the lake, despite my having been standing quite near to it for around 5 minute. I had been watching some waterbirds in the distance.
The red refers to a small stripe of red feathers on the bird's lower back, just visible as a flash between it's closed wings. Only the tiniest hint is visible in this shot.
Native to south eastern Australia
Mulligans Flat
Canberra
Australia
Had a busy half day at work, then dashed across to collect Eleanor in the afternoon. The weather was poor and the games of top trumps too frequent to get out and take anything earlier. But I'll not be negative as this at least offers something different.
I do like a bit of negative space. The favourite pictures I've ever taken have been tiny figures framed against vast skies or landscapes. This is not so grand, but given I couldn't go any further than the back garden, I don't mind.
During the day Eleanor decided she wanted to play 'truth or dare'. We'd gone for a walk and the dares involved her dancing like a chicken as a car went by, or me shouting 'I'm a weirdo' at the top of my voice in the street (something that came surprisingly naturally to me).
One of the times she opted for 'truth', I asked her 'of all of the dads of the kids in your class, am I the most handsome?'
After an astonishingly short time the answer came back as 'no'. However, I had a second chance. Eleanor has been going through a stage where she is learning the art of pedantry, so she added 'I can't say whether you are the most handsome of all of them, because I have seen all of them'.
Ah, I see. So, I asked, 'am I the most handsome of the ones you've seen?'
'No. But you're not the worst'.
So our wifi went dead in our whole county last night, and after a few good Battleship and Guess Who rounds with my sister, I managed to convince both my siblings to participate in a chains to champions game!
It was a blast! Ironically, our gladiators were a close match to our individual personalities, Steven armed a juggernaut with incredible strength and toughness, Julia graced the arena with fluffy boot wings and a massive minotaur axe, and I dashed to the attack with extreme speed.
It was brutal struggle! I was first to go due to my light armor, and then Steven and Julia had a slugfest until Julia used a special ability card that sent Steven flying into the wall! #instakill #girlsrule ;)
Overall it was great game I definitely recommend going and getting one at Brickwarriors.com!
www.brickwarriors.com/boardgames/
Cons-
Took a good while to play.
A bit more math than prefered.
Can be sorta complicated.
Pros-
It's so interesting and riveting you have to finish the game! (Even past midnight!)
It's more like two games in one!
You're not going to have a dull moment!
Disclaimer- The minifigs were supplied by us, I almost think that was intended for the game?
We might just have to have the wifi go out mysteriously again one night...
Yesterday afternoon, 25 October 2018, I dashed down to a place that I had been curious about for the last few years. Every time I drove the highway, I would pass a sign that said Kayben Farms. My daughter had posted photos from a visit there with friends a while ago and there were a few things that I wanted to see sometime. A spur-of-the-moment visit yesterday gave me the chance to do so. Actually, I suspect it may also have been a delaying tactic for all the endless things that I knew I should be seeing to.
There were several different kinds of domestic duck and two in particular caught my eye. This one, that I wonder if it is a Swedish Blue, and another one that was pale brown and white. Will add a photo of the latter another time. A female domestic Turkey had two babies, one black and the other was a tan colour, and what a good mother she was. A variety of farm animals made for a very pleasant visit.
Shot this one at the famous lighthouse location with Tony aka Midlander1231.
www.flickr.com/photos/tonyarmstrong/
It looked like it would be a clear sky and a bank of cloud on the horizon, but it turned out the clouds rolled in, the light got good and I dashed around like mad to find something I was happy with compositionally. I did have a great spot sorted with crashing waves below me, but the tide came too high as sunset hit and I had to move. Although I caught a vert version of this scene with the sun just going down, I much preferred this landscape comp.
All in all a nice evening, and we had the pleasure of some seals turning up on the beach well after sunset. Good to see you again Tony.
Thanks for looking, and might I add, everyone is posting killer shots at the moment! All of my contacts seemed to dump these amazing images yesterday evening. Hard to keep up.
17-40, 3 stop singh ray reverse grad, 0.6 lee gnd h.
Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure 0.4
Aperture f/16.0
Focal Length 17 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias +2/3 EV
We dashed across from Ardee to the Kingscourt branch, catching 004 at Kilmainham Wood with the 10.05 to Drogheda. As Aubrey Dale would not lend me a roll of 120 b&w negative film, I had to shoot most of this Kingscourt visit in 35mm colour print. I'm sure I took some form of cruel revenge later!
004 survived to April 1984 and was scrapped at Inchicore in September 1984.
All photographs are my copyright and must not be used without permission. Unauthorised use will result in my invoicing you £1,500 per photograph and, if necessary, taking legal action for recovery.
A quick spot of gardening in the lunch interval in the cricket. I saw this colourful shield bug, dashed to get the camera, took the picture, only to discover I’d forgotten to put the memory card back in. I dashed back indoors, fitted the card and fortunately the bug was still there.
I took a little walk yesterday along the path near the creek at the P.E.R.T. (Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust).
After several days of rain and gloomy skies, it was wonderful to get out on the trail and stretch my legs and get some much needed fresh air.
I didn't see too much moving around, even the birds were rather quiet.
Just the occasional chippie dashing across my path.
LOL....I always imagine that they're playing Chicken, and that they stand at the edge of the path waiting for somebody to come along so that they can egg each other on to run out in front of the oncoming "giant".
Who will be the bravest?
Who will come the closest?
LOL.......one little guy actually dashed out and ended up running over the tip of my moccasin! I'm sure he got bragging rights and was crowned the Chippie Chicken Champion!
So good to see them out and about! Another good harbinger of spring!
Melin Llynnon Windmill - Anglesey
The most famous windmill in Anglesey and the only one working in Wales is now a tourist attraction. There is a Tea Room and a shop downstairs where you can also buy their product.
After I packed up the camera in the car I then started walking to the tea room, I heard my boy yelled, 'Dad, Look!' I turned to where he was pointing and saw the sails turning slowly. I dashed back to the car, grabbed the camera and tripod, set them up and it stopped turning! I waited but they stayed still. I think the owner is playing tricks on me..
I spotted this man in the center of the road, politely trying to get people in their cars to lend him a hand. I parked my car at a nearby gas station and dashed across the street with my camera in hand to take his picture. Of course, I left him with a nice donation.
This image depicts the contrast between the "haves" and the "have-nots"... of contrasting fortunes... contrasting lots in life, some driving shiny new cars, and others asking for a helping hand.
It was very touching to meet some people having a hard time in life... and perhaps document their struggles in a photograph. Most did not want to have their image taken... for the world to see their hardships and suffering.
It was a very touching experience... makes you wonder what can be done about the plight of the homeless.
It was getting dark, and we were leaving the area. Suddenly a light-colored canine dashed out in the meadow in our direction. Thought it was a Coyote, but it was this Red Fox. The fox would run through the tall grass at top speed, then stop on a dime and head in the other direction. Apparently it scattered up insects by running past them, and then the Fox would pick them off out of the air and swallow them whole. Here the Fox has forced an insect into the air, and is about to scarf it down. The Fox's eyes demonstrate its anticipation of a meal. Anyone know what kind of insect that is? Lupine Meadows Trail, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
It's a shame about the sky, but this scene and the purple clash with the gorgeous brickwork really stood out for me as I dashed by St Pancras this morning
Finally managed to catch up with the Rosy Starling influx at Dalbury Lees Derbys today, I dashed over from work where it was favouring the garden of the house named Summerfields, to which the residence allowed us access to their garden, Thank you very much....
I only had one Arum Lily last year and since then its multiplied and its just starting to flower whooooo hooooo as I ADORE these lilies.
It POURED down this afternoon so I dashed down and took a series of photos which I was pretty pleased with.
DUH, FINALLY figured out why I couldn't use the macro function!!!
Its my son's 26th Birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARETH!!!
Think this has to be really seen in the large size.
BIRTHDAY EXPLORATIONS #315 20TH SEPTEMBER
Dashed on ahead to get a couple of shots of Vincent in his Honda NC750X heading my way!
Bit rainy and misty last Tuesday morning as we headed up and out of Buttermere to Keswick via the lovely Honister Pass..
Saw the crashed and wrecked car as we neared the top!! (See screenshot)
Vincent came up from down south for a week on his fancy Honda!
As part of that we are doing a two day ride to the Lake District, to 'do' the passes and then back via North Yorkshire Moors and the Tan Hill Inn..
Little did we know that this was our last ride out together!
Few months later Vincent died from a fast growing inoperable brain tumour.. 😢
This was taken on Tuesday evening this week. I could see that there was a nice sunset coming so I dashed around to the nearest lake to me, which is Hatchpond, and I grabbed a few shots. This was not set up and I have no idea who the couple were but they certainly weren't fishing off this fishing pier. They were having a 'moment' as the sun set, pretty romantic I thought, and what a lovely moment.
This is a single raw file processed as usual in Lightroom.
I dashed out of the house at 3.45pm hoping to catch the sunset but the light was fading fast by the time I reached Loch Ardinning & I discovered I was bit rusty using the grad & nd filters and in the end this was my favourite shot (typically taken once I had returned to the car!)
Looking across Sanna Bay from the hills above Portuairk, Ardnamurchan, Scotland catching the last of the sun's rays on a beautiful October day. Sadly, we had just heard the news of Scotland's exit from the Rugby World Cup as we made our way back over the hill from our walk to Bay McNeil. The texts came in that Scotland were on the verge of going through only to be dashed minutes later.
My new novel:
B♭ (B-flat)
There’s still more to come. 😃
(This is not the final draft.)
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Scene: Garden 3‑4
Jack slumped deeply in the commander’s chair, his gaze sweeping across the pale glow of the monitor wall.
Camera feeds A17, A18, A19—all fixed on the arena’s center. Yet the security guard on the west side of the stands wasn’t watching there. His eyes were glued to the emergency exit at Section 212. Its sensor blinked once—a flash of red warning across the screen.
“A suspicious movement… the door sensor just lit up,” Jack's low voice vibrated through Ben’s earpiece.
Ben glanced upward at the monitors and whispered,
“Shall I go?”
“No,” Jack replied, his voice dropping. “Don’t leave your post. I’ll handle it.”
He paused, stern. “It’s probably nothing. But—stay alert. Keep your eyes peeled.”
Silence fell over each earpiece, the tension thickening. On the monitor, the door remained motionless—neither opening nor closing—frozen in stillness.
Jack burst from the briefing room, sprinted up from underground into the arena, his view sweeping the western stand. He looked up at the broad, flat ceiling of Madison Square Garden, sensed it swelling with the heat of the crowd. Cheers greeting the presidential candidate blended with jeers—clearly, anti‑Republicans had infiltrated.
Jack narrowed his gaze on the west stand, then lowered his eyes to his iPhone. Multiple social feeds scrolled with frenetic energy, and one post caught his attention: a murder threat, flashing in angry red text.
He dashed down the crowded corridor and reached the west stand, addressing a nearby guard:
“Evening. Everything clear on your end?”
The guard, clad in plain black suit with no tie—just a discreet earpiece—nodded, calm. He lifted his jacket slightly, revealing the outline of a Glock 19 at his waist. No hostility—just a tacit acknowledgment. Jack responded with a silent nod, their training speaking volumes.
“Door sensor tripped once. I’ll check visually.” Jack seized the cold metal handle and cast a glance down the corridor beyond. Darkness swallowed the path; silence reigned.
He spoke into his earpiece:
“All clear in the west stands. Security is solid.”
He patted the guard’s shoulder. “Stay alert.” The man returned a brief smile—and then lights died across the arena.
In the dark, red lasers lanced from ceiling to floor as a menacing bass drum rolled in from below. A crisp hi‑hat scythed in sixteenth‑notes; a heavy kick drum struck four‑on‑the‑floor. A low, rumbling bass synth layered in—and the very air of the arena began to pulse.
The crowd's heartbeat synchronized with the beat. Swirling smoke and laser cuts, the floor trembling. From deep within the sound, a processed male voice intoned again and again:
“Strength. Order. America.”
As smoke thickened the light, colossal center-hung screens flickered to life:
J U S T I N B R A D F O R D
One spotlight pierced the gloom—red, then blue, finally white—tracing the American tricolor. Within its glow appeared a man: Justin. Clad in a dark‑navy tailored suit, a bold crimson tie signifying the Republican Party, a single white rose pinned to his lapel.
Moments later, another spotlight revealed Eleanor Blake, dressed in an elegant black gown, standing behind him. Hand in hand, they strode center stage, each step purposeful. The audience looked on, awestruck, shouting cheers:
—“Take back America!”—
Red, blue, and white lights danced across their feet. Eleanor paused; Justin stepped forward to the microphone as the music faded and lights dimmed again. Silence engulfed the arena.
He made no sound—only a slight, assured smile. That smile was a declaration of war. Saying everything without uttering a word. That posture—that was the bearing of a man who would become the most powerful leader in the world: President of the United States.
Justin scanned the crowd for a moment, then spoke in calm tones. His golden hair, blue eyes—mirroring Eleanor’s—lent gravity to his words:
“Good evening, New York. How’s your night going so far?”
He smiled at a woman in the front row. Following his father’s advice, he spoke as if addressing just one person, not an entire audience—
—“When I arrived in the parking lot tonight, I felt weighed down by the humidity. Eleanor whispered to me: ‘We chose the best course to protect you. Our team would risk their lives for you.’”
His voice rang clear. Thunderous applause erupted from tens of thousands. A wave of anticipation rolled toward the stage. The spotlight seemed to center itself in his eyes—and likewise in Eleanor’s.
“Tonight, we gather to put our will once again at the heart of this nation. To reclaim the ‘light’ America is forgetting. Over the past four years, our party restored the economy, brought back security, rebuilt national order. Now, it’s time to shine that light brighter—not as mere hope, but as our responsibility. If America shines again, the world will follow. We must seize that stronger, purer light. It will illuminate the world.”
Justin’s voice reverberated through the arena—until… a dry gunshot cracked the air from center stage.
Jack dove instinctively. His eyes darted upward to the giant screens: time froze. He saw Justin’s body convulse backwards, his jacket tail flipping off his left shoulder. The first bullet struck his left arm, the second to his left abdomen. Justin crumpled slowly, falling face‑first.
“Justin!” Eleanor’s scream cut across the stage. Her wide eyes fixed on him, trembling. A haze of tears blurred her vision. Secret Service agents shielded her, pulling her back.
“Hit the deck!” Guards and crowd shouted in chorus. Pandemonium erupted. Women's screams overlapped. The reverberation of gunfire lingered ominously in the cavernous space.
Unbeknownst to most, Jack’s ears had discerned two shots. He closed his eyes and re‑ran the sound—each fired from above—each from perilously close.
“Ben—where are you?” Jack pushed through collapsing spectators, heading to the stage.
“By Justin’s side. Missed his heart—just grazed left arm and abdomen. Not arterial, but bleeding heavily.”
“Medical team’s on the motorcade. Justin has Bombay blood—two bags ready on the ambulance. Start transfusion.”
“If that’s not enough, what about Elijah?”
“Either way, he’s en route. Bellevue Hospital stores Bombay bags—confirmed three days ago.”
Bombay blood: a rare type first found in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1952—not A, B, or O—afflicting about 1 in 10,000 in India, 1 in 2.5 million worldwide. It can only be transfused to someone of the same type.
Ben replied calmly.
They rushed Justin to Bellevue Hospital—the closest to the Garden. Jack called Elijah. Before the first ring ended, Elijah answered, breathless:
“Jack... this is bad. We’ve no blood—no Bombay stock.”
Jack couldn’t believe it.
“I saw the bags in person three days ago!”
Silence, then Elijah replied:
“The blood keeper was killed in a car crash yesterday.”
As Jack absorbed the news, his voice boomed over the arena’s PA, shaking the trembling building. The crowd froze and then shattered. Thousands surged toward exits—only to find them locked.
“There’s explosives in this building. Please, stay calm and head for the exits. I repeat—I am….”
Panic rippled. Eight exits in total—most had been sealed for VIP and motorcade security. The crowd funnelled into the remaining three.
Low moans grew to shrieks. People trampled the fallen. A little girl's white blouse had turned grey, her teddy flattened. During flight, no one looked back. At one exit, dozens collapsed, graves to the trampling. The weight buckled railings, jammed the door.
“Doors won’t open!” “There’s children—!” Screams scattered. Security couldn’t reach the scene. Orders were drowned in noise. Control evaporated.
“The crowd is uncontrollable, Jack,” came Zakaria’s voice through the PA, along with a simultaneous link to staff smartphones.
“You got my email? Open the link. No virus, I promise.”
Hurriedly, Jack checked his phone. The site loaded:
“Good evening, New York—and Los Angeles. My name is Zakaria Haddad. My real name. Five years ago, I lived in Gaza. Now I sit in a room many of you recognize.”
On the screen, a brown-skinned man with a trimmed beard—Zakaria—seated in a chair eerily like the Oval Office. Three green-curtained windows behind him—the color favored by Prophet Muhammad. A portrait of Ibn Sina hung on the wall, his gaze deep, delicate—reaching from time’s past to the present.
Zakaria glanced at his watch, then back at camera—an unreadable dark joy flickering in his eyes.
“Breaking news—watch your phone alerts.” Instantly:
Former Democratic President Owen Reed shot at Los Angeles Convention Center
Zakaria hid a wry smile.
“A sad update, America. But don’t mourn. In Gaza, we suffered 55,000 times this. We lost over 55,000 dear souls—and we wept.”
He averted his gaze, clasped both hands, slammed his fist onto the desk. The air thickened. Yet in his eyes brimmed silent tears—quiet sorrow.
“We do not seek money or glory in death. We seek tears equal to the 55,000. Only tears can heal us.”
He rested his elbows, folded his hands, chin supported. A long pause. His eyes twitched with small sorrowful motions.
Zakaria rotated a framed photo toward the camera.
“My family. More precious than my life. Gone in an instant.”
There was no hatred in his voice—only respect and gentle grief. He began again.
“I was one among those 55,000. Even if I perish, their wills persist. I stand here to voice our will.”
He quietly reached into his right drawer, withdrew a Glock 17, chambered a round, and placed the barrel against his temple. His eyes were merciful—gentle, embracing his lost family.
As a Sunni, he stared straight at the camera:
“God bless America.”
Backlit by three blazing windows, he closed his eyes and pulled the trigger. The dry crack snapped through the room. The camera jerked—then the screen went black.
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Previous notes
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www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...
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Note: I gave a brief explanation of this novel in the following video:
youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV
iTunes Playlist Link::
music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b/pl.u-47DJGhopxMD
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Notes
1. "Bombay Blood Type (hh type)"
•Characteristics: A rare blood type that lacks the usual ABO antigens — cannot be classified as A, B, or O.
•Discovery: First identified in 1952 in Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay).
•Prevalence: Roughly 1 in 10,000 people in India; globally, about 1 in 2.5 million.
•Transfusion Compatibility: Only compatible with blood from other Bombay type donors.
2. 2024 Harvard University Valedictorian Speech – The Power of Not Knowing
youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K
3. Shots Fired at Trump Rally
youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT
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Saipan. USA. 2016. LUMIX G3 shot … 12 / 12
サイパン。アメリカ。２０１６。LUMIX G3 shot … 12 / 12
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僕の新しい小説。
B♭ （ビーフラット）
まだまだ投下します。😃
(最終稿ではありません。)
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場面 ガーデン３−４
指揮官席に深く腰を落としていたジャックは、青白いモニター群をくまなく睨んでいた。
カメラ番号A17、A18、A19──いずれもアリーナ中央を捉えている。だが、スタンド席西側の警備員の視線が集中していたのは、そこではなかった。彼が見つめていたのはセクション212の非常扉だった。その扉のセンサーが、わずか一度だけ、反応を示し、ディスプレイに赤い警告が走った。
「不審な動きだな。ドアのセンサーが一瞬、点いた」
ジャックの低い声が、ベンのイヤピースを震わせた。
ベンは即座に 頭上のモニターを見上げ、囁くように言った。
「行くか？」
「…いや。持ち場は離れるな。俺が行く」
ジャックの声がわずかに低くなった。
「たぶん、気のせいだ。ただし──全員、警戒は解くな。そのまま、周囲に意識を集中しておけ」
それぞれのイヤピースに静寂が落ち、張り詰めた空気で満ちた。
モニターに今映っている扉は、開くことも、閉じることもなく、ただ沈黙している。
ジャックはブリーフィングルームを飛び出し、スタンド席、西側が見渡せるアリーナまで、地下から駆け上がった。
マジソンスクエアガーデンの平坦な天井は、吐き出された人の熱気でいつもより膨らんでいるように、ジャックには見えた。大統領候補を歓迎する声とそれを罵倒する叫び声が錯綜し、鼓膜の奥を揺らした。どうやら反共和党も紛れ込んでいるようだ。
ジャックは、スタンド席西側へしばらく目を凝らしてから、手元のアイフォンに目を落とした。画面には、いくつかのSNSが同時に広がっており、それぞれが激しい書き込みによって文字が流れてゆく。右下の、メタの書き込みに、ジャックは目を留めた。殺害予告のメッセージが走り、赤く灯っている。ジャックは喧騒に満ちた通路を駆け抜け、スタンド席西側へ着くと、警備員へ声を掛けた。
「おつかれ。異常はないか？」
ジャックはさりげなく背筋を伸ばした。ジャケットの背中越しに、腰の中央──背骨の下に沿ってぴたりと固定されたグロック19の存在を確かめた。
「どうも。こちらは異常ありませんよ。何かありましたか？」
黒のスーツで、胸元にネクタイはない、プレーン・クロースの私設セキュリティだ。視線は沈着で、イヤピースから伸びるコードが耳の下に覗いている。男は一瞬、ジャックを睨むように見たが、ジャケットの裾を軽く持ち上げ、ホルスターの形をわずかに見せた。男に敵意はなかった。それが合図だった。ジャックも同じように、背筋を伸ばしながら無言で頷いた。この沈黙こそが、互いの訓練と経験を示していた。
「ドアのセンサーが一度反応した。目視で確認する」
ジャックは、冷たい金属の取っ手を掴み、扉の奥を一瞥した。辺りは暗闇に沈み、静まり返っていた。
ジャックはその場からすぐにイヤピースで伝えた。
「スタンド席西側に異常はなかった。セキュリティーにも問題はない」
ジャックは、男の肩を軽く叩いて、いった。
「引き続き、頼む」
男が笑顔でジャックに挨拶すると、アリーナの照明が一気に落ちた。
闇の中、赤いレーザーがガーデンの天井から床まで、縦横に切り裂き、重く低く唸るような打ち込みの硬質なバスドラがアリーナの底から噴き上がった。ハイハットが16分音符で刻まれ、深く沈むキックドラムが四拍を正確に打つ。そこに、低くうねるベース・シンセが重なり、会場全体の空気そのものが脈打つように震え始めた。
観客の鼓動が、低く分厚い音にシンクロし始めた。スモークが舞い、赤いレーザーが切り裂く中、床の震えが増していった。低いベース音に重なった奥から、加工された男性の声が繰り返し聞こえてくる。
“Strength.（強さ） Order.（秩序） America.”
場内のスモークが、光を濁らせるようにさらに舞うと、巨大なセンター・ハング・スクリーンに文字が浮かび上がった。
J U S T I N・B R A D F O R D
その瞬間、中央のスポットライトが、ひとつだけ点いた。赤から青へ──そして白へと、アメリカの三色をなぞるように変化する演出だ。
その光の中、男が姿を現した。
ジャスティンだ。ダークネイビーのテーラードスーツに、共和党を示す真紅のネクタイを巻いている。胸元には一輪の白いバラのピンバッジが添えられていた。
数秒遅れて、彼の背後にもうひとつ光が射した。漆黒のドレスを纏ったエリノア・ブレイクがスポットライトを浴びている。
ふたりは笑顔で手を取り合うと、ゆっくりステージ中央へ歩み始めた。彼らの歩みに迷いはなかった。強さと秩序の意志を現した姿に、観客の誰もがその姿を見上げ、歓声を上げている。
ー アメリカを取り戻せ！ ー
マイクスタンドへ近づくにつれ、アリーナの熱はさらに帯び、波のようにうねった。
赤、青、白の光がジャスティンらの足元を錯綜した。
エリノアを残し、ジャスティンは、一歩前に出て、マイクの前に立った。
音楽が静かにフェードアウトし、照明が再び落ちていく。
── その瞬間、全アリーナが沈黙に包まれた。
彼は、何も言わず、ただ口元に微笑みを浮かべた。その微笑みが、宣戦布告に等しかった。
語らずに、何かを語っている。
それが、世界でもっとも権力を持つ、アメリカ大統領の姿勢なのだ。
ジャスティンは、しばらく観衆を見渡してから、穏やかな口調でいった。エリノアと同じ金色に煌めく髪とブルーの瞳が、彼の言葉をさらに支えるようだ。
「こんばんは。ニューヨーク。今日は、いいことがあったかい？」
ジャスティンは、微笑みながら、最前列の女性に問いかけた。彼は、父のルールを守っていた。多くの聴衆に語るのではなく、たったひとりの身近な人へ言葉を伝えるのだ ーー
「僕は今日、駐車場に着いた時、気が滅入ったよ。ひどい湿気に陰鬱になった。でも、ここにいるエリノアが僕に言ったんだ。あなたを守るために、スタッフは最善の手段を選んだ、とね。そして、スタッフはみな、僕のために命を賭けてくれると」
歯切れよく言い切ったジャスティンの言葉に、再び観衆は沸いた。数万人の熱波がステージへ押し寄せた。
ジャスティンの目には、ステージにあった光を収束させたような輝きがあった。もちろん、エリノアの青い瞳にもだ。
「今夜、僕らがここに集まったのは、それぞれの意志を、再びこの国の中心に叩き込むためだ。アメリカが忘れかけている“光”を、もう一度我々の手に取り戻すためだ。この4年間、我が党は経済を立て直し、治安を取り戻し、国家の秩序を再構築した。今、私たちはその“光”をもっと強く照らす時に来ている。それは、ただの希望ではない。責任だ。アメリカが再び輝けば、世界はそれに倣う。そして、もっと強い、鮮明な光を私たちは手にしなければならない。アメリカが強い光を取り戻すことで、世界をくまなく照らすことができるのだ。私たちには、もっとそれができるはずだ」
ジャスティンの声が、再び会場を震わせた瞬間、乾いた銃声が響いた。ステージ中央あたりからだ。ジャックは音と同時に身を屈め、アリーナの頭上に展開した巨大なセンター・ハング・スクリーンに目をやった。ジャックには映る全ての時間が止まっていた。ジャスティンの身体が弾けたように背後へ揺れた。ジャケットの裾がゆっくり翻り、左肩から崩れてゆく。たぶん、最初の弾は左肩に着弾した。その後、再びジャスティンは前屈みになった。二発目は左腹部だ。ジャスティンの身体は、床へスローモーションのように崩れ落ち、うつぶした。
「ジャスティン！」
エリノアの矯正がステージに響いた。大きく見開いた瞳が、一点を見つめまま、細かく揺れている。一瞬にして透明な薄い膜が幾重にも重なって滲み、零れた。
ジャスティンへ近づこうとするエリノアの体を前面から覆うようにしてSPが抑え込み、引き離している。
「伏せろ！」というSPと観客からの声が同時に周囲を支配した途端、観客席は混乱に包まれた。
女性らの悲鳴が錯綜し、誰か、とやはり別の女性の声がかぶさった。すでに消えている銃声の余韻が、巨大な会場に重く残って覆っている。
ステージにいた者以外は、一聴しただけでは気づかなかったがジャックの耳は聴き分けていた。弾は間違いなく２発だった。騒然とした場内をよそに、ジャックは静かに目を閉じた。発射音から着弾までを想像した。一発目の弾は、ジャスティンのほぼ頭上からだった。そして、もう一発もだ。発射音から着弾までの様子からしておそらくかなりの近距離だ。
「ベン、どこだ」
ジャックは、出口へ卒倒してゆく観客らを抗うようにしてステージへ近づいていく。ベンの冷静な声がすぐに聞こえてきた。
「ジャスティンのそばだ。心臓ははずれているが、左肩と左腹部をかすめているようだ。動脈には達していないが出血がひどい」
「車列にあった救護班がすぐにいく。ジャスティンはボンベイブラッドだ。救急車にブラッドバッグが二つ備えてある。とりあえず輸血するはずだ」
「足らなかった場合は、イライジャのところか？」
「いずれにしても搬入だ。ベルビュー病院にブラッドバッグが保管されている。予備の輸血だ。三日前に確認した」
ボンベイブラッドとは、１９５２年にインドのムンバイ、旧ボンベイで初めて確認された、通常のA、B、Oには分類されない特殊な血液型だ。インドでは１万人にひとり程度だが、世界的には２５０万人に１人ともいわれているもので、同じボンベイ型からボンベイ型への輸血しかできない。
ベンは、冷静にわかったといった。
マジソンスクエアガーデンに最も近いベルビュー病院にジャスティンを運び込む。ジャックは、病院で控えているイライジャに直接電話した。ワンコールが切れる前にすぐイライジャは反応した。
「ジャック、大変だ。血液がない。ボンベイブラッドがないんだ」
ジャックは、耳を疑った。
「三日前に、俺は直接担当の、名前は忘れたな。とにかく目の前でブラッドバッグを確認したぞ」
イライジャは、数秒の沈黙の後、応えた。
「その血液の管理者は、きのう、交通事故で亡くなったんだ」
ジャックがその言葉に沈黙していると、場内にジャックの声でアナウンスが流れた。すでに震えているガーデンをさらにその声が震わせた。ジャックは、再びスクリーンに目をやったが、音声だけがジャックの声だった。
「みなさん、落ち着いてください。私はシークレットサービスのジャック・バンスです。この建物には爆薬が仕掛けられていますが、みなさん、落ち着いて、出口へ向かってください。繰り返します。私は….」
場内の空気が一瞬にして、硬直した。同時に、崩壊した。パニックはすぐに伝染した。数千の観客は、波紋のように大きく揺れ、一斉に出口へ傾れ込んだ。しかし、ジャスティンへの発砲と同時に出口は封鎖されていた。
メインアリーナの出入口は合計8つ――だがその多くは、来賓警備や車列誘導のためにすでに封鎖されていた。群衆の大半が、残された3つの出入口に集中した。
低い声から高い叫び声。倒れた人間を踏みつける足。転倒した白いブラウスの少女はすでに黒ずんでいる。小さな熊のぬいぐるみの顔が真っ平らになっている。
人は、逃げるときに後ろを見ない。出入口の一つでは、すでに数人が折り重なるように倒れ、その上をさらに何十人もの足が越えていった。荷重により手すりが歪み、出口の一部が完全に塞がれる。
「ドアが開かない！」
「子どもが――！」
叫び声が乱れ飛び、場内警備は現場への到達すら困難な状態だった。あらゆる指示が雑音にかき消され、もはや群衆は誰の言葉も聞いていなかった。
制御不能の肉の波――それが、人間の集団というものだった。
「この程度の混乱ではなかったぞ、ジャック」
ザカリアの声が切ったはずのPAから場内へ響いた。同時に、ジャックら警備スタッフへのスマートフォンへリンク先の案内がいっせいに届いた。
「メールが届いただろう？ リンク先を開け。安心しろ、ウィルスは除去済みだ」
ザカリアが笑いを抑え、皮肉混じりにいった。
ジャックは後ろポケットから慌てて、アイフォンを開いた。１件のメール着信を開くと、サイトが現れた。
「こんばんは、ニューヨーク。そしてロサンゼルス。私の名前はザカリア・ハッダード。本名だ。５年前、ガザに住んでいた。今は、みなさんがよく目にする部屋を真似た部屋に私はいる」
褐色の、顎髭をたくわえたザカリアは、アメリカ大統領執務室とほとんど同じ部屋の椅子に座っていた。背後に見える三つの大きな窓には、グリーンのカーテンが掛けられている。預言者ムハンマドが好んだ色だ。
壁面には、剣ではなく詩と理性で世界を導こうとした男、イブン・シーナーの肖像画が掛けられていた。その眼差しは、ワシントンよりも深く、リンカーンよりも繊細なもので、遥か遠く、消え去った時間の底からこちらを見据えているようだった。
ザカリアは腕時計に目を落としてから、再び、カメラに視線を向けた。目には言葉にできない喜びのような暗い影が落ちている。
「そろそろブレイキングニュースだ。スマートフォンの速報に注目して欲しい」
ザカリアがそういった途端、速報が流れた。
【民主党前大統領のオーウェン・リードがロサンゼルス・コンベンション・センターで銃撃された模様です】
ザカリアは、一瞬俯いて笑いを堪えながらいった。
「悲しい速報じゃないか。アメリカのみなさん。でもどうか悲しまないで欲しい。私が経験したガザではこの55,000倍だ。55,000人以上の大切な人を失い、そして、涙を流した」
ザカリアはカメラから目を逸らし、俯いた。そして両手を固く握りしめ、力強く机を叩きつけた。部屋の空気が硬直した。重く固まった空気が画像からも伝わってくる。しかし、顔を上げたザカリアの目にはうっすらと涙が溢れていた。静かな涙だった。
「私たちは、お金を求めない。また、死による名誉も求めない。私たちが欲しいのは、55,000人が流した涙と同じだけの涙だ。流された涙と同じだけの涙だけが、私たちを癒す」
両肘を机につき、両手を組むと、ザカリアは静かに顎を乗せた。目を閉じて、しばらく沈黙が続いた。目尻が細かく震えているようだった。
ザカリアはデスクにあったフォトフレームをカメラへ向け、反転させた。
「私の家族だ。私の命よりも大切な家族だ。すべて一瞬で奪われたよ」
彼の言葉に憎しみはなかった。語尾には、亡くなったものへの敬意とたくさんの優しさを詰め込んだ静けさが含まれている。続けて、ザカリアはゆっくり口を開いた。
「55,000人のうちの私はひとりに過ぎない。私が消えても55,000人もの意思は決して消えず、引き継がれる。私は、私たちの意思をここに表明するためにいる」
ザカリアは、向かって右手の机の引き出しにそっと手を伸ばした。引き出しから、グロック１７を取り出すと、スライドしてチャンバーに弾を流した。そして、銃口を自分のこめかみに当てた。ザカリアの目からは憎悪は消えていた。穏やかで、亡くなった家族を包み込むようなやさしい眼差しだった。
スンニ派である彼は、まっすぐにカメラを見つめ、いった。
「神のご加護を。アメリカ」
執務室の三つの窓から差し込んだ眩い逆光の中、ザカリアは、静かに目を閉じると、トリガーを真っ直ぐに引いた。乾いた銃声が部屋に響いた。一瞬、カメラが横へぶれたが、映像は瞬時に黒へ切り替わった。
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これまでのメモ
3
www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...
2
www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54628511025/in/dateposted...
1
www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54599616429/in/dateposted...
追記 この小説を多少説明しました。
youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV
iTunes Playlist Link::
music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b/pl.u-47DJGhopxMD
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メモ
1
「Bombay型（ボンベイ型、hh型）」
•特徴：通常のABO血液型を持たない（A、B、Oに分類されない）特殊な型。
•発見地：1952年、インド・ムンバイ（旧ボンベイ）で初めて確認。
•発生頻度：インドでは1万人に1人程度だが、世界的には約250万人に1人とも。
•輸血制限：同じBombay型しか輸血できない。
2
2024年ハーバード大学首席の卒業式スピーチ『知らないことの力』
youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K
3
Shots fired at Trump rally
youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT
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I spotted this from a distance, and thought it might produce an interesting sunburst with golden light. Beth was a bit bewildered when I dashed ahead without any explanation. But she is used to these things too. Processing the image got me to thinking. This was taken with my Nikon D7100 and a 18-140 mm zoom. I can pretty reliably get a sunburst from this combination. I recently purchased a Nikon Z5 with a Z24-200 (the equivalent focal length in a full frame). So far, I have been unable to capture a sunburst with this lens. Let me know if I am wasting my time. I should add that otherwise, the lens is brilliant.
With hopes dashed of getting the Pennsy heritage unit leading out of Aberdeen, I decided to still look for great spots along the Appleton Sub on my way back to Morris.
I dashed out into the garden the other day before the sun dried up the delicate rain drops falling on the cactus and flower.
I’d already set off to leave when I spotted this emerge from Meadows Way, and dashed back to phot it, because I had something of a brain fart and thought the 6 was now a single deck route because it’d switched termini with the 5. Then as it disappeared off over Trent Bridge I remembered the 6 was still deckers and it’d merely been filling in for a green biogas.
My biggest disappointment was still not getting a successful photo of a 6 with Gamston on the front.
YN14 MVF
London Road, Nottingham
4.11.24
They smell of cigars and alcohol hit me as I walked through the slums with Chad.
"Why are we walking this way," Chad said
"It stinks." he continued
"Stop complaining and walk, you don't want to pick fights here." I said
The reason I walked this way is because we had more hiding spots.
"Hey, you there." a figure said
"No" I said
The figure dashed out with a gold tinted knife. I knew that it wouldn't pierce my armor but he lunged towards my head.
'how would he know to lunge at my head?' i thought
"arggg!" it yelled
I caught a better glance of its face, and to my surprise it was a male cyborg. I punched him once, twice, three times in the stomach and then rammed his head into the wall breaking some of it. The crunch of the metal inside his head. I punched him in the face as hard as i could muster. To my content, he was thoroughly beaten to a pulp. Chad kicked him in the stomach.
"That's for scratching my new armor." he said victoriously
We continued walking down the main walkway to my apartment.
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end of issue #3
Sorry for the short one, I've been sick since Wednesday so i'm that up for lego and stuff. :c
Towards the end of her days in this existence, Sarah became the focus for snide remarks and jokes from the townspeople. She always seemed to be waiting for something - as if she would be rescued. When Charles died, she received significant support from the locals. But that pity and concern developed into a disdain for the recalcitrant waif-like Sarah. And that only drove her deeper into depression and withdrawal.
MissSarahJean (MM#235117)
DSC_1158AnotherBlueDayTPZprintWM.jpg
imaged by jerrysEYES (MM##1252982)
I put E to bed and dashed down to the seafront to catch the sunset. I was very glad that I did. The sky was even more dramatic after the sun went down.
(I'm still catching up from my holiday - unfortunately I don't live anywhere near the sea so when I am by the seaside I'm obsessed by shooting sunsets - should have made that clear!)
In a tradition started in 2011, these are my last photos of the year. We enjoyed excellent health and experienced the joys of Prague, Vienna and Budapest in late summer. Hopes of a Sox-Cubs World Series were quickly dashed after the Sox’s swoon following a 23-10 start, leaving the North Siders to both play in and win the World Series. Unfortunately, I’m not looking forward to 2017, for obvious reasons. Be that as it may, Happy New Year to all, and I look forward to more photography, travel, baseball games, health and friendship.
Having enjoyed a lovely meal at the Temple Cafe in Northton, I dashed out to grab this sunset over Toe Head.
(Alzoc III, Year 21 BBY, Separatist Research/Command Base, Half an hour after Kydan's awakening)
Breona: "I've never seen the general so...aggressive before.'
'I mean, many of us have seen her fight countless times; using her saber to cut down her enemies with great strength and swift agility. But this was way over the lines of normal. The way she gripped her saber, the way she took down her enemies around her...was absolutely brutal. The look on her face, ever since leaving the outpost, was not that kind-hearted look she gave to her troops, or to us of Tanga Squad.'
'No, this was the look of anger, lost and revenge. Her eyes were burning with fiery fire, as if they were ready to burn the chunks off the scraps we were fighting right now. One look into her eyes and you'd be turned to cinders.'
'No one in the team knows why she is acting like this, or why she hasn't said a whole lot of words to her troops. Only me and a few others know why...and it's scaring us somewhat. Her mind must be only about him. Losing him must have triggered a switch in her mind, as if turning it on and having her seek vengeance on those who had him killed.'
'I hope she gets better soon. Cause I don't want to be in her line of fighting when it comes to the battlefields. Who knows what could happen. Worse comes to worse...I'd hate to bring her down myself."
_________________________
The Separatist were immediately out gunned, and out-flanked. Not even a third of the day had passed by before the Republic invaded the outposts, rapidly taking out all and any communications between the bases and any nearby reinforcements.
What was even worse was the blood raging Jedi Knight who was sweeping through the droid forces, wiping out squad after squad in mere seconds. Her accuracy, her speed, her strength, all of her skills had, as if, been enhanced by her vengeance that was boiling inside her. To some it was a good thing...but to others, it was terrifying.
As for the troops, who all tried to stay as far away as possible from their leader, watched in awe and fear. Of course, they were overjoyes that the general was able to quickly break through their defenses, but it didn't mean that they weren't just a bit frightened by her. They all knew that the general was somewhat close to the Lieutenant and that the two had been fighting alongside each other since the beginning of the war, but to see what happened after his death, most of them were very concerned.
Even feared, if you wish to call it that.
Nonetheless, even with those thoughts invading their minds, the droids were beginning to pull back slowly but surely as the clones kept pressing forward, utterly sending the droids back into their compound.
_________________________
Watching from above, inside the command center, Dr. Vinscti, along with his personal mechanized guards, stood in view of the battle outside the base, observing and watching the fight unfold before him. He had a hunch that the Republic would eventually find this place, but had not expected them to attack the base only half a day after his machine "killed" the Dark Mercenary. He, apparently, must have hit a sensitive spot in their special forces.
Especially seeing the Siruhnian Jedi General sweeping through his forces immediately, causing him to ponder on the current situation.
Dr. Vinscti: "Apparently the Witronian's death was enough to cause chaos in the hive's command, did it? Hmm...well, no matter. This just gives me the field test I needed from the beginning."
The Doctor turned to the droids that were all at their stations, working hard on whatever they were doing upon the panels.
Dr. Vinscti: "Send in another wave to the front! I want that Jedi inside the base alone! Do anything to keep the clones at bay until then!"
Droids: "Roger roger!"
_________________________
Back on the ground, Calena, Egile and the clones continued to press on their attack with much success.
Patterns: "General, the droids are pulling back!"
Calena: "Keep pressing the attack then! I'll push them back into their compound!"
Egile: "What?! Calena, wait a minute-!"
Either she ignored him or didn't hear him, Calena, using the Force, swiftly dashed into the compound where the remaining wave of droids were falling back into, using her saber to block and deflect the incoming barrage of lasers.
Egile: "Damn it! Everyone, move up to the compound! Give her as much cover as possible!"
Clones: "Sir yes sir!"
As soon as they were heading towards the compound, the giant metal doors were immediately closing up, quick enough to stop them all in their tracks, with the exception of Calena who had already entered the base already. Egile looked at the now closed doors and groaned in fustration.
Egile: "Argh! Can this day get any worse?!"
As soon as those words left Egile's lips, they were immediately met with a few shots from the side, taking out a couple of their own troops within the fire. Looking over to where the attacks came from, they were quickly face-to-face with another wave of droids from the right side.
Growling, Egile began to fire back, with Breona, Patterns and the others following suit, their guns beginning to overwhelm the enemy droids.
Egile: "We gotta keep these droids back! For now, Calena is gonna have to be on her own til' we deal with these guys!"
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Meanwhile, at the same time, inside the base, Calena was staring down the remaining droids in the large room. But that didn't last long when the doors closed behind her and a small wave of reinforcements swarmed into the area. Their gun barrels all targeted at the lone Siruhnian Jedi Knight, ready to open fire upon her.
???: "Impressive, Jedi. Very impressive indeed."
Looking up to whomever was speaking to her, she spotted on the balcony two guard-like mechanical droids standing next to the doctor himself, Dr. Vinscti, who had a big smirk across his face. From her point of view, he seemed very please with whatever he's grinning about.
Calena: *Growls angrily* "Vinscti..."
Dr. Vinscti: "I am so glad you could join us for this special occasion. I was hoping to test it on two subjects at once, but you will have to do."
Calena- *Raises voice* "You're gonna pay for what you did, Vinscti!"
Dr. Vinscti: "My, did I hit a nerve? I didn't realize that the "Dark Mercenary" was si close to you. I had thought the Jedi weren't suppose to form attachments with others beings. Am I correct, Siruhnian Knight?"
If she wasn't so angry, she might have blushed a little from that small comment. But because she didn't give a crap, it only made it even worse. Just speaking about him like that was only making her even angrier, and dangerous. Her eyes just becoming the small shades of yellow.
Calena: *Mutters angrily* "You killed my friend...my best friend......and you're gonna pay for it..."
Dr. Vinscti: "I think not, Jedi. Look around you! You are all but alone, defenceless against my best elite droid forces in here. There's no chance of you surviving this fight."
Calena: *Glares* "Just try me, gharset."
As Vinscti motioned his hands to his forces, immediately, the droids aimed their guns at her, awaiting for the order to attack.
Dr. Vinscti: "If you insist, Jedi. Droids! Dispose of her immediately!"
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(AU: The word "gharset" is about identical to the "podoo" phrase in the Star Wars Universe language guides
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Reactivating her saber, she was suddenly met with a large barrage of laser fire, immediately cornering her from both sides. With the Force as her ally, she swiftly and easily swung her blade around, deflecting the shots back at some of the droids. Her movements were grace, as if she was dancing around the room in a melodic motion. Her saber danced with her motions, making quick work against the enemy as many of the droids fell to the ground, becoming nothing but scrap.
Expecting the Siruhnian Jedi Knight to be able to handle herself against his elite droids, and considering that he had planned this from the beginning, he pulled out a small control pad and immediately punched in a few things. Hearing the sound of a machine from underneath the hangar activating, his broad grin growing more wicked by the second.
Dr. Vinscti- *Murmurs* "Let's see if you can handle this, Siruhnian..."
Just as she sliced down another droid into half, she halted her swift attacks as she began to feel the floor around her started to shake, making her lose her balance a bit. Confused on what was going on, she immediately saw the middle of the hangar floor began to separate. Slowly rising from the hole was a familiar machine that she knew too well. The moment she laid her eyes on it, flashbacks of memories began to flood her mind, emotions moving all over the place.
Watching the platform rise, the deadly Predator revealed itself in front of the Siruhnian Knight, causing her body to slightly shiver and shake from the sight. Her blood ran cold just from looking at it. Even after what had all happened, she couldn't help but feel the sense of fear of the large machine killer.
In seconds, the Predator's body activated as its eyes began to glow brightly red. The sound of it's metal screech boomed all over the base, echoing through and out the place. That made Calena even more nervous of the large monster, more so when she had first saw it firsthand.
Dr. Vinscti chuckled wickedly as he called out to it.
Dr. Vinscti: "Go, my beast! Kill the Jedi!"
Complying by making metallic sounds, the Predator prepared itself for combat, arming its weapons and getting into an attack position.
Just having enough time to prepare herself, the large machine spitted a barrage of laser fire upon her, causing her to quickly dodge the incoming attack. Using her Force Speed ability, she swiftly dashed towards the Predator from her right as she readied her saber. She got as close as she could possible and swung her saber directly at one of it's arms in hopes of slicing it off.
However, the moment her saber made contact with the Predator, it immediately bounced back at her. Shocked by this, she had little time to dodge the Predator's left arm, almost making contact with her. She had no idea what to do next for her attack. So instead, she made sure to back herself away from the large beast.
Her original idea was to decapitate the machine's arms and then the waist, then finish it off by slicing the head. But now knowing that the machine is somehow being ray shielded entirely, it just makes things a bit harder to deal with.
Hearing the threatening sound of the machine's groaning and screeching yet again, it stood into place as it charged up it's laser turrets from the shoulders. Knowing what was to come, Calena immediately took off dashing towards it once more.
The Predator locked on to it's designated target, and fired up the Siruhnian Knight. Dodging left to right, to jumping and ducking, Calena jumped into the air and on top of the machine's head. It began to shake it's head rapidly, in attempts of getting her off.
Holding on for dear life, Calena begins to swing her saber at it's head, hoping that the ray shield would soon wear down and deteriorate. The machine, out of nowhere, threw its body downwards at full capacity, sending a surprised Calena downwards with it and losing grip on the machine's head. Slamming into the ground with much pain, she slowly picked herself off the ground, only to be met with the Predator's claw foot.
Again, she was sent flying backwards, sliding across the metal ground til' she came to a halt. She could feel the insane pain pulsing throughout her body. Her entire body was all bruised, cut and greatly sore. It was already hard enough to be getting back up and preparing to fight, unable to shake off the weakness her body was giving off. She now felt helpless against the Predator machine.
Dr. Vinscti watched the entire display unfold before him, his laughter being heard throughout the hangar. His plan had worked perfectly. The poor Siruhnian Jedi Knight was completely useless alone against his creation. He knew he had won the fight, and was ready to finish it.
Dr. Vinscti: "Time to say goodbye, Jedi. Predator, kill her immediately!"
Acknowledging, the large machine aimed it's turret lasers at Calena once again, calculating its target and all. Calena could only watch, feeling the emotions of fear and sadness rushing through her again. The doctor was right. She was utterly helpless to fight the Predator on her own. if she had another Jedi with her, they might have stood a chance.
That was then she got the image of Kydan; his broad smile gracing his lips, his brown eyes staring into her cerulean eyes, the kindness he showed to her. Immediately, her eyes began to tear up as they rolled down her cheeks casually. First she had failed to protect him, now she wasn't able to avenge him. She felt like a complete failure and a fool.
At least...she would die and hopefully be able to see him in the Force. That was all she could ask for, considering what has all happened so far. That would definitely be enough for her.
Just as the guns locked on and loaded, ready to spit out one last barrage of laser fire, the machine was suddenly met with a saber slash to the head. It backed off almost immediately as the saber struck. It then realized that there were sparks coming out from it's side, electricity spurting out slowly.
Dr. Vinscti: *Angry* "Now who?!"
Turning towards to where the saber had swung back to, standing on the other side of the hangar was none other than Kydan, wielding his purple saber and another one that produced a dark, black saber. His expression looked as though someone had ticked him off. The stern and serious look on his face told it all. His eyes that were once the gentle, kind brown, was now a dark red rose color. His right arm that held the black saber was covered in black armor-like, small blue and black electricity trails surfing across his entire arm and up to the tip of the saber.
Calena stared at him as if she was in a dream, that this was all an illusion and that she was already dead. But the longer she stared at the "dead man", standing before them all, the more her emotions started to rush. Her heart felt so relieved, pounding fast every second that past. Eventually, a broad, relieved smile appeared on her lips.
Calena: "Kydan...you...you're alive!"
Dr. Vinscti watched in shock and anger. How was it possible? He had seen the mercenaries' death from the holograms, falling to his doom in the ice, cold, dark abyss. And yet, here he was, very much alive! He hardly couldn't believe it.
Dr. Vinscti: "H-How?! You are suppose to be dead!"
Kydan: *Smirks* "Well, unfortunetaly for you, I'm still here. Though, I appreciate the concern, doctor."
That just made Dr. Vincti even angrier. His eyes narrowed as his left one twitched.
Dr. Vinscti: "I suppose if you want something done, you gotta' do it forcefully. Predator! Kill that mercenary scum! I want his head!"
Grunting in agreement, the Predator advanced towards him, locking it's guns in the process. As the machine charged toward him, Kydan stood in place with a grin itching his lips. Calena watched in fear as the Predator got closer and closer. Her concern started to get worse.
Calena: "Kydan, get out of the way!"
But just as the machine got within a few feet away from him, a mysterious black, colored force stopped it in it's tracks. A large field of blackness stood between himself and the Predator, the machine trying to bash through it. However, merely seconds after, Kydan raised his arm towards the field and the machine before the field blasted the machine back towards the doctor and his guards.
Both Calena and Vinscti watched totally surprised. Neither of them expected that out of the mercenary. Thoughts plagued their minds at the thought of what he just did. The Predator picked itself back up it's metallic claw feet, it's red lighted eyes brightening ever so more as it tried it's best to glare at Kydan. Roaring another metal screech, the machine charged once again, aiming it's barreled guns at him.
Kydan stood into place as the machine got closer and closer, preparing himself for the next attack that it was going to throw at him. The guns that were attached to it had already locked onto Kydan as a wave of laser fire came flying his way.
However, Kydan anticipated it's next attack pattern as he leaped into the air, passing right above the Predator's armored head with the laser fire just missing him barely in the process. The machine looked around it to find him, swirling it's head left and right. Not even a few seconds past before the sound of a quick whistle from behind caught the machine's attention.
Just as it turned around to face the Dark Mercenary, it was quickly attacked with Kydan's two sabers, both of them swinging straight into it and beginning to cut at it's gun attachments. Even though the armor on the machine was heavily protected from most attacks, it couldn't handle the sheer power that Kydan was using at it. Both of his lightsabers were covered in pure black and blue energy, electricity surrounding the blades entirely. Almost immediately, the guns that it had been using were quickly decapitated.
Dr. Vinscti glared in shock and anger as the guns fell to the ground.
Dr. Vinscti: "Impossible! The armor was suppose to be impenetrable!"
The machine stumbled back from the amount of damage Kydan hit it with, glancing back and forth at it's now sliced attachments that had originally been on it's shoulders. As for Kydan, he could feel himself getting quickly exhausted. The amount of power he was using, thanks to Dark, was being drained fast. He knew that his next attack would have to finish, but the Predator was still pretty well fit to fight.
That's when an idea popped into his head. Looking over to Calena, who had been watching the fight entirely, he called out to her.
Kydan- "Cale'! I need your help!"
Calena- "Huh? With what?!"
Kydan points his black saber at the Predator's legs as he looks back at her.
Kydan: "If we can take it's legs out fast, then that machine will be in no shape to fight back! We can end this!"
Looking back and forth towards Kydan and the Predator's legs, she pondered for a brief moment before nodding to him in total agreement. Nodding back to her in response, both he and Calena made quick haste towards the occupied machine. Dr. Vinscti watched as Kydan and Calena charged towards his weapon, trying to figure out what the two had in mind. Not wanting to let them have that chance, he yelled to his large machine.
Dr. Vinscti: "Stop staring at your stupid arms and get those blasted Jedi and mercenary! Now!"
Grunting in compliance, the Predator raised it's left arm at the two and charged up the gun barrels. After a mere few seconds, it immediately let out a barrage of lasers, flying across the hangar and towards Kydan and Calena. The two made eye contact with each other for a second before splitting off from the left and to the right. Finding that the Dark Mercenary was a much stronger enemy, it concentrated its counter attack at him, leaving Calena alone.
When Kydan noticed this, a smug grin formed on his lips, knowing that his plan had worked like a charm. The Predator has once again left itself defenceless. Even Dr. Vinscti noticed his machine's mistake, and knew it was and would be too late to change it's attack pattern. He had screwed up this fight.
Dr. Vinscti: "Numiina! You blasted scrap pile! Get the Siruhnian!"
But before the Predator could comply, it had been already too late.
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(AU:"Numiina": Definition for the word such as "Podoo")
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With her extremely fast speed, Calena raised her saber to the side, slashing her saber directly at the Predator's leg. The impact itself was strong enough to cause her lightsaber to cut it's way through the special metal armor, cutting right through the entire leg. Losing it's balance, the Predator tried to keep itself from falling down. It's metallic claws dug into the steel floor, just enough to keep the Predator from losing balance.
Just as the Predator stood upright, Kydan took his chance to attack. The Predator realizes this and raises its arm, blasting another wave of laser fire. Easily, Kydan deflected the laser fire back at the monstrous beast, some of it's own lasers hitting the armored chestplate. While the Predator was taken off-guard, Kydan jumped in the air and raised his two sabers in a 'X' shape formation, guarding his body in the process. With all his might, and whatever power and strength he had left, he swung his blades down across the Predator's body, piercing and slicing his way through its body entirely.
Vanishing into thin air, Kydan re-appears in front of the Predator, his back faced to it as he dropped down to one knee, the sound of electricity goes immediately haywire. The sound of the Predator's grunts, screeches & other electronic noises indicated that it was in utter danger. The Predator's red eyes faded into blackness as it tumbled down backwards into the steel floor, the sound of a loud thud and clank rang throughout the base. The machine's laid lifeless on the cold floor, not a single movement from its mechanical parts moving or twitching.
Finally, the vicious Predator was destroyed.
Dr. Vinscti stared in complete surprise, unable to speak up about the calamity that just happened. His machine...his own machine, had lost to two Force-users. Backing away from the rails, he looked over to one of his bodyguards.
Dr. Vinscti: "G-Get me to my shuttle now! We are leaving immediately!"
But just before Vinscti could be escorted out, a few blaster shots was heard, in the process of his droids collapsing on the balcony. Stunned by the unexpected attack, Dr. Vinscti was met with Breona, Egile and a couple of Clone Troopers. Their guns aimed and pointed directly at the doctor himself. Vinscti scowled somewhat as he saw a knowing look on Egile's face.
Egile: *Grinning* "I believe this is the part when we ask you to surrender, Doctor. Or do you wish to not cooperate?"
Again, Vinscti snarled and reluctantly raised his arms in surrender, glaring at the Republic soldiers who were approaching him.
So zoned out from the fight, Kydan's breathing quickened from exhaustion. He looked back towards the machine that he and Calena had just beaten, malfunctioned and destroyed. He still didn't know how it was possible, but he had somehow, with Calena's help, destroyed a monstrous machine that could have been a dangerous weapon to any Force-user in the galaxy. Feeling himself drifting into unconsciousness, Kydan felt numb and fell to the cold ground with a thud, his sabers rolling away from him. The last thing he heard was the sound of Calena's voice calling to him.
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Kydan didn't know how long he was out, but before he had regained conscious, he had heard the same familiar voice from earlier.
???: You have done well, my ancestor. However, this is just the beginning of you're inner power...
After those words faded away, he suddenly heard a woman's voice calling to him. An almost too familiar voice.
???: "Kydan? KYDAN!"
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Slowly opening his eyes, he made eye contact with none other than Calena herself. It had taken him a moment to process what was happening, but when it was clear enough, he saw the expression on Calena's face. Her eyes were red and watery, with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her face expression was all but concern. Perhaps him collapsing and falling into unconsciousness must have made her worried.
Looking slightly around, he slowly and groggily gets up from the comfort zone of Calena's lap only to meet with some pain on his body.
Kydan: *Groans* "Man...how long was I out?"
Calena: "Just for a few minutes..."
Not able to stand it anymore, Calena lunges forward and wraps her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder as small tears soaked slightly into his coat.
Calena: "Idiot! That was completely insane to do that!"
Shaking off from the unexpected contact, Kydan weakly chuckles at her, a small smile plastered on his lips.
Kydan: "Hold me too tightly, and I might just die."
Breona, R.S. and Egile walk up to the two, small smiles plaguing their lips.
R.S. : "Looks like you've taken one hell of a beating again, huh Kydan?"
Kydan: *Smirks* "You could say that."
Egile: "Just warn someone when you want to try to kill something that big the next time, alright?"
Kydan: *Slight Chuckle* "I'll try to remember."
Breona- *Salutes* "Welcome back to the land of the living, sir."
Kydan: *Nods* "Glad to be still alive...after all that had happened."
The three nod in agreement. Out of most of their missions together since Nal Hutta, this was, by far, one of their most dangerous one yet. Shaking his head ever so slightly, R.S. spoke up in a serious, yet curious, tone.
R.S.: "Anyways, what was all that, Kydan?"
Kydan didn't look very amused when he asked that, a gloomy expression growing on his face.
Kydan: "...Do I really have to say?"
R.S.: "Well yeah! I've known you for almost half a year by now, but I've never seen anything quite like that before! It's like you got an upgrade on powers!"
Kydan bit his bottom lip. He should have known, or just knew, that the others were gonna ask him that. The powers he carried, the Forge, was something he always tried to keep hidden in secret. But since he chose to use it on the Predator, keeping it a secret was out of the question. He didn't want them to know, considering that they might become afraid of him. Perhaps even worse, and that was his biggest fear.
However, the situation wasn't going to change. He had to tell them, one way or another. With a big sigh, he started to explain.
Kydan: "...It's called the Forge. An ancient power that is connected and powered through the Force itself. My Forgula, or partner, Dark, helps me control my powers to an extent. At the age of six, I had discovered these powers through a training accident on Coruscant. When the Jedi Council found out about it, I was ordered to be kept in check from personal Jedi Masters in order that I won't hurt another soul again. For years, I've kept myself isolated from everyone, and yet, my powers grew on their own."
Egile: "Is it some kind of Jedi technique that you got it from?"
Kydan: No. All I know is that I was born with it and Dark had watched over me from my youth. To everyone in the galaxy, I'm considered a monster. A freak evan."
R.S.: "Are you the only one that has one of those...F-Fork-Forgilers?"
Kydan: *Nods* As far as I know...yes."
The room went silent as some of the clones mumbled to each other, no doubt weary of Kydan's powers now. He knew the risk of using it, and he was paying the price. If it came down to it, he would immediately leave and head for the Unknown Regions and, hopefully, reside somewhere in there.
But what came next shocked Kydan, the three looking back to him with small smiles appearing on their expressions.
R.S.: "I can't believe you didn't tell any of us that you had that kind of power! We would have understood."
Kydan: "Huh?"
Egile: "If you're the only one that carries one of those, then it would be considered rare then. You're pretty lucky to have that kind of power."
Kydan: *Blinks* "Your...not gonna tell anyone?"
Breona: "A lot of people would wanna know how you tic...but we're your brothers in arms. We're like family, and family don't sell each other out, especially for credts."
Degree: *Smirks* "Beside sir..."
A smug grin formed on both Degree and R.S.' faces as they looked between him and Calena, who was still holding him in her arms. Kydan looked at the two clones suspiciously.
Degree: "Well, they do say suffering and pain builds up character, sir."
Kydan: *Glares* "You could have help a little, you know..."
About everyone in the hangar chuckled at Kydan's demise and situation. Much to his disklike of the matter, he couldn't help but feel relieved, and also loved, by his friends that he was surrounded by. He really did feel at home with them all. When they all calmed down, Breona spoke up once again.
Breona: "We already made contact with General Coneros and Hecilt, and are on their way with additional gunships. They should be here soon, but we're gonna scan the rest of the base for anything useful. You gonna come, sir?"
Kydan: "Nah...I'll leave it up to you guys. Go ahead without us. Besides, I'm downright exhausted..."
Breona: *Salutes* "Roger. We'll be back with a report."
As Egile, Tanga Squad and the clones made their way deeper into the base, it left Kydan and Calena alone to talk. Kydan looks down at her, aware that she hadn't spoke a word hardly at all.
Kydan: "Hey, Calena?"
In response, she hugged him tighter, not wanting to let go anytime soon.
Calena: "I was so afraid...that you were really dead. I almost lost it when you fell down the hole. I don't know what I would do if you really die."
Kydan: *Smirks* "What? Hey, you were the one who went up against that machine first."
Calena: "......I'm sorry."
Kydan: "For what?"
Calena: "For not being there...for not saving you in time when you fell."
Kydan: "There was nothing you could have done, Cale'. There was nothing anyone could have done."
A few moments of silence filled the room before Calena spoke up once more, her voice more clearer than before.
Calena: "Promise me..."
Kydan: "Hm?"
Calena: "Promise me you won't leave us...that you won't leave me again."
Kydan's eyes widen just a little from her response. The way she asked him made his face heat up a little. He didn't know why, but his heart just about skipped a beat. In a way, he felt his face heat up. Not really knowing what to do, hesitantly, he wraps his own arms around her, putting his chin on top of her shoulder. He closed his eyes and softly spoke to her.
Kydan: "...I promise. I won't leave you. Not now, not ever."
In response, she nodded her head and buried her face even deeper into his shoulder as the two didn't move from their perspective positions or let go fo each other.
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So after so many chapters later, our two protaganists start to reveal their feelings for each other. Won't be too long now before one admits it to the other. But which will one will say it first? You guys will just have to wait and see ;P
Personally, I LOVED this chapter so far! We really wanted to add something different to this one, get some different angles, views and positions of the builds. This chapter had been in the works for a couple months ago, but it was hard to decide how to approach it, as in what kind of scenes should be played. I'm just happy that it's done and over with honestly lol! Buit let us know what you guys thought in the comments below. We would love to hear what you guys have to say.
Now, it's time for...SHOUT OUTS! Been too long since we did one of these with you guys, so its time to get back in the groove of things. And I have to say, there is gonna be a LOT of people that will be listed. These shoutouts go to the following below.
Well that's about it for this chapter, so thank you all for your wonderful support, and if you can, leave a favorite and/or comment to show us how much you enjoy reading our content. Hope you all enjoyed, and as always, have a fan-tucking-tastic day/night! See ya' in the next one ;)
- Director K.W., CGN Crew Members
Awwww tiny little bubbles of hope, like the ones of mine that were bursted when i realized i was an idiot and deleted my own photos from flickr and then thought someone was hacking me. LOL, ok im officially over my anger at myself, tomorrow MORE HAPPY PHOTOS! (well the photos may not be "happy" but at least ill stop whining like a 3 yr old girl about loosing my lollipop)
Day 2
Arches Watercolour Paper
Size: 630 x 220mm
Sketching in a small town called Bekok was like going back to the 60s in Singapore. We all loved the wooden shophouses flanking the main road and many of us chose to sketch these shophouses focusing on the round windows and the surroundings. I was enjoying my pen and ink techniques after watercolour washes to the surprise of a few sketchers in terms of speed and variations in thick and thin lines, solid and dashed strokes as I moved from left to right on the paper. One question was on the lamp posts and vertical elements how and when I decided to exercise the artistic licence not to make them straight.