Suggested changes: {before : after}
On Thu, 5 Sep 2002 16:26:26 -0400 DB Sommer <sommer@3rdm.net> wrote:
Yep, decided to (Finally) try and wrap up this first story arc. I did sort
of leave it on a cliffhangerish ending with the heroes getting defeated.
Will probably do the next chapter of this, then go back to The Things We
Wish For... just in case anyone was concerned about me not finishing
'Things.'
Wheew.
Liquid dreams filled her mind as she found herself sinking into an eternal
ocean of blood. An ocean she had created over the severed flesh of her
assigned targets. She was suspended in crimson ether that carried on into
infinity. There was no up or down, left or right. There was just the blood.
Slowly she felt her lungs crushed under the weight of her sins. There were
no voices to taunt her, they had all been silenced at the end of a blade,
but the sanguine fluid that had been spilled would stand in place of her
victims' cries {of : for} revenge. She tried to keep the liquid out, closing her
mouth, but the blood seemed to seep into her body through her pores, filling
her lungs, forcing the life-giving air out so that she might drown in her
sins.
Giant Man! She had completely forgotten him. "Giant Man, where are you?!"
she {ccalled : called} out, but there was no response. She cried out again, but still
there was no answer. Wasp began to panic. What if something bad had happened
to him? What if he had been hurt because Kasumi Tendou had gotten it in her
head she wanted to be a superhero? What if he had died? Could she forgive
herself?
Yes, she could. Doctor Tofu wanted to help the world as best as he could,
and he would never want Kasumi to give up her new dreams in which she helped
others, as well as living the exciting life of an adventurer. There were
risks involved, but didn't she take a risk every time she prepared puffer
fish for the family? Why, given the number of people who died in car
accidents, she was still more likely to die crossing the street, even if she
gave up {superheroeing : superheroing}.
I guess she was a bit nnervous.
Speed Demon said, "Let's hurry up. I'm hungry. I'll put the pig in the
somnia gas chamber. You put the girl on the table."
Isn't it out of character for them to get that straight? :}b
"Everything seems to be working fine. The gas will keep the pig asleep and
the neural table will prevent any higher brain activity, like waking up,
from Thor," Speed Demon said as he looked over the control panel. "Let's go
eat."
That may be a mistake. Does she use any higher brain functions as Thor?
Giant Man shrugged. "Perhaps whoever owns all of this likes his privacy. I
imagine the Chinese government would frown on someone owning so many
luxurious items, unless it was owned by one of the higher ups in the
government. In which case they would hide it so the {populous : populace} wouldn't get
jealous. It's all just conjecture, in any case."
Pushed to the edge, the Iron Rose shouted, "How about we try figuring a way
out of our predicament instead of YELLING AT EACH OTHER FOR NO DAMN
REASON?!"
It's good to know someone is the voice of sweet reason. Seems a bit odd
for it to be Kodachi.
The Mandarin gained an amused grin. "She is well cared for. Much better than
you, in fact. She is something of a guest of honor, and potentially useful
{to be : as well}. A situation far less dire than yours. If you do not behave
yourselves, your fate will be identical to that of your comrade."
"Nope. I was the only one with Cap. Maybe Thor had a sidekick."
"Playing dumb only serves to anger me," the Mandarin warned.
Doesn't like them playing to their strengh?
"Get out of here!" the Mandarin snapped. The duo exited immediately. "Does
anyone else wish to leave?"
"Me," Iron Rose said.
Good straight line. The answer should have been obvious.
FYI, yes, there really was a character called Squirrel Girl and yes, those
were her powers (though I'm not sure about her being a mutant). She appeared
in one of the seasonal Marvel Super Hero comics in the early 90's in an Iron
Man tale. She defeated Dr. Doom. I'm fairly certain Doom has since explained
that it was really a defective Doombot she had beaten, and that it had been
summarily destroyed for daring to debase the good Doctor's name. I mean,
wouldn't you if someone claimed Squirrel Girl kicked your ass? ^_^ And yes,
the Mandarin's Centurions are indeed identical to Cylons from Battlestar
Galactic. Kudos if you're old enough to remember that series.
I'm not sure that's a good thing. I wonder if they ever found that shining
star known as Dirt or Mud or something like that.
In case anyone was wondering, Mexico City's population is somewhere around
13+ million by the latest census estimate. Just in case the full impact of
Mandy's statement wasn't fully realized.
That does make it rather excessive if he really wants to rule people
instead of corpses. I guess he couldn't have destroyed Washington, DC;
that would have made it too easy for the US to respond effectively.