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Velox

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  1. Velox

    An Apology

    By Velox,

    I've been thinking about some things related to my past actions for a while now, and it feels like the time is right to address them, so I'm going to do that here.
     
    Put simply: in the past, I have involved myself in discussions that ended in unresolved conflicts. I said things in those discussions that I truly regret to this day, and I know that people were hurt by those things. I don't want there to be conflict between myself and other members, and as a staff member I realize that my behavior in those discussions was not appropriate. That being said, I would like to offer an apology:
     
    I'm sorry. For anything I've done or said that was hurtful. My earnest desire is for resolution and reconciliation on these issues. It was never my intention to be hurtful toward anyone, and I sincerely apologize.
     
    In the interests of prudence, I'll be locking this entry. If you do have a response, however, by all means send me a PM. Thanks for reading.
     
    ~ Velox
  2. Velox
    A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole
    ISBN: 0802130208
    Publisher: Grove Press
    Release Date: January 21st 1994
    Rating: 2/5
    Synopsis: Set in New Orleans, A Confederacy of Dunces outswifts Swift, one of whose essays gives the book its title. As its characters burst into life, they leave the region and literature forever changed by their presences – Ignatius and his mother; Miss Trixie, the octogenarian assistant accountant at Levy Pants; inept, wan Patrolman Mancuso; Darlene, the Bourbon Street stripper with a penchant for poultry; Jones, the jivecat in space-age dark glasses. Satire and farce animate A Confederacy of Dunces; tragic awareness ennobles it.
    Review: (Review from [book Reviewing Site])
     
    I’m honestly not sure why this is considered such a great book by some people. The only reason that I finished it is that I had to for one of my college English classes, but otherwise I probably wouldn’t've (and I hate leaving books unfinished, even if they’re not very good). At almost no point in the story does the plot, characters, writing style or setting grip my attention. Ignatius, the main character, is perhaps slightly interesting at first, but it gets to the point where it’s just too ridiculous and frankly boring — it all gets old quick.
     
    As I alluded to above, however, there were some parts toward the beginning where Ignatius was an interesting character. In fact, the book itself had some promise to it, but soon it was apparent that this book would be nothing more than mediocre at best.
     
    This is also supposed to be an extremely funny book — I didn’t feel that. The only thing I felt was that Ignatius (and, every character, really) is just so ridiculous that it’s not believable. It’s not funny any more because you don’t believe that anyone could ever act like that. At least I don’t. While the characters are all distinctly different — something usually that is good — they are different to extremes. Whatever they are, they are that to the very extreme. And it really hurts the book.
     
    Furthermore, it just epitomizes a lazy, whiny, and very un-funny main character. You’re not left laughing at Ignatius’ actions. You’re left wanting to slap him (and in a bad way -- not in the "author-did-a-good-job-making-you-hate-him" way, because he's supposed to be funny, even if he's not likable) because of his laziness, stupidity, or just overall annoying habits and mannerisms. Ignatius is not a fun, lovable character. And he’s not a despicable character in the good way, either — as in, some characters you’re meant to hate, they’re meant to annoy you, and if an author pulls that off, it’s a great feat. This, however, is not that either. What you have here is some weird medium where you think you’re supposed to like him and think he’s funny, yet you really hate him at the same time. Additionally, Ignatius is never really well-characterized. At the end of the novel I’m left with only the facts that he’s an extremely lazy, whiny, dependent man who wouldn’t last on his own for more than a week at best. And again, not in some funny or good way, but in a way that is just simply not entertaining at all. It's not just about the character being someone who's not likable, but it's about the fact that it tries too hard at humor, as if it was trying to prove its hilarity. There was almost none.
     
    I’ve wrestled with whether or not to give this one star or two. One star doesn’t seem quite fair, as the book isn’t horrible, and the writing is by no means bad (just not all that enjoyable — but then again, not the least-enjoyable thing I’ve read, either). I’m kinda iffy on this whole star system in general — most of my 5 stars would actually be 4.5, because I believe that hardly any book is perfect and worth a perfect score. Yet 4 (or if you double it, 8/10 — a “B” if it were a college paper) is too low. So I ended up giving it a two — I didn’t like it, but it was -okay- (note to BZP members: This site's rating system says "I didn't like it" for one star, and "it was okay" for two stars -- hence my middle-ground).
     
    Overall I just simply cannot highly recommend this book. It’s not horrible, no, but I definitely wouldn’t call it great or even good. John Kennedy Toole, while a promising author, took things too far every time. And it’s sad, really, because the idea behind this book could probably be something great, but it was simply taken way too far, exaggerated so much that the story started to lose credibility, leading to the ultimate dissatisfaction I felt with the book.
     
    ~ Velox
  3. Velox

    My Ambage Achievements

    By Velox,

    For me to log my achievements:
     
    Write-Offs:
     
    Into the Sky(pe)! - Participate in a Skype Write Off (5 Points)
     
    Do We Know You? - Participate in 5 Skype Write Offs (20 Points)
    (Tables Turned, Through the Eyes of an Animal, Ice, Rambutan, Misunderstanding)
     
    General Writing:
     
    Manuscript Kiddie Pool - Post a short story. (10 Points)
    The Tower
     
    The Typewriter is Dead - Post a compiled total of 10 works across all forums. (25 Points)
    The Tower, Souvenirs, Staring Oceans, Life of a Father, The Forest, Eldritch Abomination, Guilt, Attic Treasure, Balloons, Tormenting Chimera
     
    The Daunting Task - Post an epic or participate in NaNoWriMo. (15 Points)
    (NaNoWriMo 2012)
     
    Specific Writing:
     
    Poetic Soul - Write a substantial poem. (10 Points)
    Staring Oceans
     
    Tissue and Tears - Write a substantial tragedy. (10 Points)
    Souvenirs
     
    Vague Subject Matter - Post a story in Completely Off Topic. (10 Points)
    The Forest
     
    Broad Focus Lens - Post 5 stories in Completely Off Topic (30 Points)
    The Forest, Souvenirs, Staring Oceans, Life of a Father, The Tower
     
    Reviewing:
     
    Here Lies Punctuation - Find at least 10 grammar/spelling errors in a story. (5 Points)
    What lies behind the wall?
     
    Funny Bone - Substantially review a comedy. (10 Points)
    Unity, Duty, Stupidity
     
    Critical Thinking - Substantially review a short story. (10 Points)
    Visitor
     
    Critical Hit - Substantially review 15 short stories. (20 Points)
    A Cold Light Dawns, Witness, The Charge, Shadows (different from the other one), Corrupt Destiny: Vakama, Oasis, The Outlaws and the Dream, Moment of Fragile Courage, Remember, All Our Sins Remembered, Into the West, the Triumph of the Toa, FF Compilation, Delving too Deep, Monsters in the Dark (27)
     
    Critical Acclaim - Substantially review 35 short stories. (40 Points)
    The Farmer and his Landlord, The Little Boy Who Opened the Door, Gifts, Too Early, Rules of Engagement, Ahkmou, Visitor, What lies behind the wall?, An Assassin's Reflections, Shadows, The Captain and his Beast, Warm, To Fly, Nascent, Unsung, Sherlock Holmes and the Missing Christmas Presents, Visitor, The Conclusion, A Cold Light Dawns, Witness, The Charge, Shadows (different from the other one), Corrupt Destiny: Vakama, Oasis, The Outlaws and the Dream, Moment of Fragile Courage, Remember, All Our Sins Remembered, Into the West, the Triumph of the Toa, FF Compilation, Delving too Deep, Monsters in the Dark (33)
     
    Epic Read - Substantially review an epic. (15 Points)
    BZPRPG: Legend of the Primes
     
    Generalized Words - Review a story in Completely Off Topic. (10 Points)
    An Assassin's Reflections
     
    Capacious Taste - Review 5 stories in Completely Off Topic. (30 Points)
    An Assassin's Reflections, Shadows, The Captain and his Beast, Warm, To Fly
     
    Critics Club:
     
    Bring in the Specialists - Make a request from the SSCC. (5 Points)
    Souvenirs
     
    Contests:
     
    A Lovely Contestant - Participate in an official BZP Writing contest. (10 Points)
    Tormenting Chimera, LSO 2012 Epics: Static.
     
    Challenge Accepted - Enter an Ambage-hosted contest. (10 Points)
    Guilt (FFFC Gravestone),
     
    Legit Linguist - Win or receive an honorable mention in 5 Ambage-hosted contests. (30 Points)
    Guilt (FFFC Gravestone),
     
    Monthly Prompt:
     
    Review Passes:
     
    Point Total: 250 Points (Passable Poet); 2 Review Tokens
  4. Velox

    This Time With Babies

    By Velox,

    New poem: Life of a Father. Wrote this last Monday for my Creative Writing class after holding my cousin's new baby two days before. Comments are much appreciated. =]
     
    And check out the new Fortnightly Flash Fiction Contest! If you enjoyed the flash fiction marathon, that's what this is, just not quite so rapid-fire. Stories are due by October 8th, 11:59 PM EST. Also check out the Ambage if you like writing -- we have made several changes and added new features.
     
    ~ Velox
  5. Velox

    In Memoriam

    By Velox,

    ~ ::
    :: ~

     
    9/11 has always been one of my favorite days of the year. Not because I am necessarily happy, but because of the attitude and the respect that people show (hopefully) on this day. It's a day of remembrance, a day of prayer, a day of memory, a day of sadness, a day of reflection, a day of respect, a day of honor, a day of fervor, a day of comforting, a day of charity, a day of love. A day to remind us of what happened, to honor those who suffered and died that day. A day to remind us to honor those that work each and every day, even to the point of sometimes giving up their lives, in order to try and protect the United States of America. This day reminds us that we must show love. To the families, to the people, to those who fight for freedom, to politicians who work to keep us safe even when we might disagree with them on other things, to those who give their lives, to those who cannot be with us today, to the people of the United States of America, and to the people of the world. Today is a day of love. It is also a day of remembrance, sadness, but also of hope and strength. Hope that a tragedy like this will never happen again. Strength that we are resolved, that nothing will break our spirit.
     
    I'd like to thank everyone that has posted about this day, on BZPower or otherwise. I'd like to thank those that have said a prayer today in honor and remembrance of this. I believe this is one of the most important days of the year, because it is a day to remind us. Remind us of love, of those lost, of those fighting, of simply everyone. To remind us that peace is what we all need to strive for. I have seen many beautiful posts about today, and it honestly warms my heart to see that people care as I do. I'd like to end by sharing one of my favorite posts I have seen today:
     
     
    Please remember. Please do not forget. And may God Bless America.
     
    ~ Andrew
  6. Velox

    Ambage Member List

    By Velox,

    In order to make the main Ambage post shorter, the member list will be given and updated here:
     
    Cederak
    Velox
    Nuile
    Tolkien
    55555
    GSR
    Aderia
    Zarayna
    Grant-Sud
    Legolover-361
    Kakaru
    Ezorov
    Despair
    Tyler Durden
    Sechs - King of Facade
    Emperor Kraggh
    iBrow
    Kal Grochi
    Toa Onarax
    Nick Silverpen
    Zo'Tomana
    Alex Humva
    TNTOS
    Hubert
    Emperor Whenua
    Peach 00
    Click
    Phreak
    Flaredrick: Forgotten One
    Dual Matrix
    Eyru
    Commander CeeCee
    Janus
    Takua the Chronicler7
    Baltarc
    Pahrak #0579
    Replicant
    Takuaka: Toa of Time
    What?
    Naina
    SonicBOOM SX
    Phantom Terror
     
    Total members: 42
  7. Velox

    Approvals

    By Velox,

    Approvals I've Received:
     
    :: Chrome ::
    :: Draxon ::
    :: Kopakalaka ::
    :: Bunda ::
    :: Tikaro ::
    :: ~Shadow Leech~ ::
    :: Argetlam ::
    :: Kakaru ::
    :: Primus ::
    :: Bfahome ::
    :: Wil ::
    :: Kaji ::
    :: 55555 ::
    :: Crudelious ::
    :: ~Shadow Kurahk~ ::
    :: Arpy ::
    :: Elemental Rahaga ::
    :: Dark Metru ::
    :: Cap'n Kopaka ::
    :: -Mufasa- ::
    :: ~GreenBioGuy~ ::
    :: I'm Not Toa of Dancing ::
    :: Sumiki ::
    :: Ballom ::
    :: Toa Spirit ::
  8. Velox
    Writing Achievements for the Ambage


     
    Sometimes the most elusive thing for a writer to find is motivation. You might have all the ideas ready, but without a goal, you can get stuck. Enter the Ambage Achievements, created by Cederak. Think of them as a list of mini writing-goals for Ambage members, a chance to show yourself how much you have accomplished and to chronicle your writing endeavors for all to see. These individual achievements are meant to provide you, the writer, with something to work toward while being involved in the Ambage community
     
    How they Work:
    Create a post in the Ambage main topic or in a blog entry, and log all of your achievements there. As you achieve new achievements, feel free to post in the Ambage topic announcing such (and edit your original post/blog entry).
    Every achievement can only be unlocked once.
    They have been divided into categories for you.
    Critic Club reviews DO count.
    "Substantial" is ~1000+ words for stories, and ~300+ words for reviews.
    Instead of points, the number of achievements one achieves is now logged.
    Feel free to ask any questions here.

     
     
    Write-Offs:
     
    Into the Sky(pe)! - Participate in a Skype Write Off.
     
    Naturally Creative - Participate in 3 consecutive Skype Write Offs.
     
    Do We Know You? - Participate in 5 Skype Write Offs.
     
    One of the Gang - Participate in 15 Skype Write Offs.
     
    Super Regular - Participate in 25 Skype Write Offs.
     
    Old Guard - Participate in 35 Write Offs.
     
    Home Row Heavyweight - Finish a Write Off story with over 600 words.
     
    Keyboard Abuse - Finish a write off story with over 800 words.
     
    15 Minutes and a Dream - Enter a Write Off while using the monthly prompt.
     
    Just Following Orders, Sir - Enter 10 Write Offs while using the monthly prompt.
     
     
    General Writing:
     
    Manuscript Kiddie Pool - Post a short story.
     
    Laugh Factory - Post 3 comedies.
     
    The Typewriter is Dead - Post a compiled total of 10 works across all forums.
     
    The Keyboard is Broken - Post a compiled total of 25 works across all forums.
     
    Cyborg Fingers - Post a compiled total of 50 works across all forums.
     
    The Daunting Task - Post an epic or participate in NaNoWriMo.
     
    See it through to the End - Finish an epic/novel or complete NaNoWriMo.
     
    The Story Continues - Post 3 epics/novel or participate in NaNoWriMo 3 times.
     
    Drawing Conclusions - Finish 3 epics/novels or participate in NaNoWriMo 3 times.
     
    Journeyman (or Woman) - Post 5 epics or participate in NaNoWriMo 5 times.
     
    No Adventure Left Incomplete - Finish 5 epics/novels or participate in NaNoWriMo 5 times.
     
     
    Specific Writing:
     
    Lyrical Genius - Write a substantial songfic.
     
    Poetic Soul - Write a substantial poem.
     
    Not For the Faint of Heart - Write a substantial adventure.
     
    Heartbreaker - Write a substantial romance.
     
    It's Close to Midnight… - Write a substantial thriller.
     
    Open Mike Night - Write a substantial comedy.
     
    Tissue and Tears - Write a substantial tragedy.
     
    Do. Or do Not. There is No Try - Write a substantial sci-fi story.
     
    Not Just for Bronies - Write a substantial fantasy story.
     
    Elementary, my dear Ambager. - Write a substantial mystery story.
     
    Vague Subject Matter - Post a story in OTC.
     
    Broad Focus Lens - Post 5 stories in OTC.
     
    Lack of Clarity - Post 10 stories in OTC.
     
    Cultured and Imprecise - Post 25 stories in OTC.
     
    It All Starts with a Single Word - Post a story in the Library.
     
    Developing Drafter - Post 5 stories in the Library.
     
    Wicked Writer - Post 10 stories in the Library.
     
    Get Published Already - Post 25 stories in the Library.
     
     
    Reviewing:
     
    Here Lies Punctuation - Find at least 10 grammar/spelling errors in a story.
     
    Break the Quote Boxes – Find over 25 grammar/spelling errors in a story (iirc, 25 is the most quote boxes you can have)
     
    Funny Bone - Substantially review a comedy.
     
    Critical Thinking - Substantially review a short story.
     
    Critical Hit - Substantially review 15 short stories.
     
    Critical Acclaim - Substantially review 35 short stories.
     
    Critical Addiction - Substantially review 50 short stories.
     
    Epic Read - Substantially review an epic.
     
    Epic Proportions - Substantially review 15 epics.
     
    Epic Win - Substantially review 35 epics.
     
    Can't Look Away - Post in an epic review topic at least 3 times.
     
    Generalized Words - Review a story in OTC.
     
    Capacious Taste - Review 5 stories in OTC.
     
    Indefinite View - Review 15 stories in OTC.
     
    Sea of Ambiguity - Review 25 stories in OTC.
     
     
    Critics Club:
     
    Bring in the Experts - Make a request from the ECC.
     
    Bring in the Specialists - Make a request from the SSCC.
     
    Repeat Customer - Make 3 requests total from the ECC or SSCC.
     
    "Having the usual?" - Make 5 requests total from the ECC or SSCC.
     
     
    Contests:
     
    A Lovely Contestant - Participate in an official BZP Writing contest.
     
    And Now, Returning to the Show… - Participate in 5 official BZP Writing contests.
     
    Challenge Accepted - Enter an Ambage-hosted contest.
     
    Run-On Sentence - Enter 10 Ambage-hosted contests.
     
    Can't Get Enough - Enter 15 Ambage-hosted contests.
     
    Vocabulary Lesson - Win an Ambage-hosted contest.
     
    Legit Linguist - Win or receive an honorable mention in 5 Ambage-hosted contests.
     
    Win or receive an honorable mention in 15 Ambage-hosted contests.
     
    The Real Deal - Enter an Ambage-hosted contest and use the monthly prompt.
     
    Contest Master - Enter 10 Ambage-hosted contests while using the monthly prompt.
     
     
    Monthly Prompt:
     
    Thematic - Use the monthly prompt in a story.
     
    Prompt and Circumstance - Use the monthly prompt in 5 stories.
     
    Premise or Nothing - Use the monthly prompt in 15 stories.
     
     
    Review Passes:
     
    Unicycle - Review a story in one of the Review Passes.
     
    The Revolution Continues - Review 10 stories between both Review Passes.
     
    Strong Link In the Chain - Review 25 stories between both Review Passes.
     
  9. Velox

    Apparently

    By Velox,

    ...I am always right?


     
     
    Katie being Ezorov.
     
    Good to know.
     
    Anyway, last night I saw a high school production of Wizard of Oz:
     
     
     
     




     
    Closing night, too, which is always fun. My brother and sister used to perform in plays years ago run by Biola Youth Theatre (where I saw the play), so it was fun going there again. Next year they're performing Guys and Dolls, which I think I may just have to see.
     
    But man, seeing a play makes me even more excited for today...Les Mis!!
     
    ~ Velox
  10. Velox

    In Memoriam

    By Velox,

    Today is a day of remembrance. Let us remember the fallen who died for honor, for their country. Those men and women who served the US Armed Forces. Those men and woman who had agape love -- the greatest love; a sacrificial love -- for very single person in the United States. The true heroes of the world.


     
    Please keep those men and women in your thoughts and prayers throughout the day and every day.
     
    ~ Velox
  11. Velox
    The Brass Verdict, by Michael Connelly
    ISBN: 9780316166294
    Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
    Release Date: October 2008
    Rating: 5/5
    Synopsis: "Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.
    Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together."
     
    Review: Another amazing novel by Michael Connelly. The first page starts off talking about lies and how everybody lies. It’s cool to see that come up a couple more times in the novel as well, a great reference to the beginning of the novel. For the first three chapters you get a flashback of a young Haller in court, starting off the novel extremely well, as court scenes are always interesting especially when you have Haller.
     
    Right off the bat you get some great new characterization for Mickey Haller. After the events of The Lincoln Lawyer, he fell into addiction of drugs, lost his chance with his wife, lost joint custody of his daughter, and hadn’t been to court in about a year. You really get a good look into Haller throughout this novel, who has proven to be an exceptionally interesting character.
     
    In The Brass Verdict you also get Harry Bosch, Connelly’s main character who has ~16 novels to his name (and only ~4 to Haller). I haven’t read any of Connelly’s Bosch series yet, so it’s cool to see him here. Another interesting character, to be sure. A lot of great conflict between the two, but seeing them eventually working together was cool as well, and gave another great look into the character of Haller: he really does care about helping the “good guys.” It is also cool to see how Haller finds out Bosch is his half-brother. Quite an interesting development there. I am definitely going to read the Bosch series as well.
     
    One thing about this novel that was interesting was that at one point it focused heavily on jury selection. I never knew that the jury was selected by the lawyers, and it was cool to see how everything worked, especially Haller’s strategy for it.
     
    The Brass Verdict kept my interest from the beginning, with a very pleasing-to-read writing style, amazing characterization, an awesome plot, and some very well-placed twists. I especially liked how Connelly related the book to the title toward the end of the book, wrapping it up nicely. I enjoyed seeing that there was a glimmer of hope with him and his daughter’s mother, and the conclusion of the book as a whole was very satisfying.
     
    Along with the rest of the Mickey Haller series: Highly recommended.
  12. Velox
    Locked On, by Tom Clancy and Mark Greaney
    ISBN: 039915731X
    Publisher: Putnam Adult
    Release Date: December 13, 2011
    Rating: 4/5
    Synopsis: "Tom Clancy's All-Star lineup is back. Jack Ryan, his son, Jack Jr., John Clark Ding Chavez and the rest of the Campus team are facing their greatest challenge ever. Jack Ryan, Sr. has made a momentous choice. He's running for President of the United States again and thus giving up a peaceful retirement to help his country in its darkest hour. But he doesn't anticipate the treachery of his opponent, who uses trumped up charges to attack one of Ryan's closest comrades, John Clark.
    Now, Clark is in a race against time and must travel the world, staying one step ahead of his adversaries, including a shadowy organization tasked to bring him in, all while trying to find who is behind this.Meanwhile, Jack Ryan, Jr., Ding Chavez, Dominick Caruso and other members of the Campus-the top secret off-the-books intelligence agency founded by Jack Ryan during his first term in the White House-deal with a question of their own: Why is a Pakistani military officer meeting with Dagestani terrorists? The answer will ultimately lead to a desperate struggle, with nothing short of the fate of the world at stake."
     
    Review: There’s a lot of story arcs in Locked On. You get Jack Ryan Sr., The Campus characters, the CIA, Mary Pat Foley’s company, several terrorist plots, a look at the Emir in prison, a new love interest for Jack Ryan Jr., Russian Special Forces and other agencies, and much more.
     
    What I love about Locked On is that it works. Yes, there is a lot going on, but it all works together in an amazingly written, intertwined plot. And the plot is very well thought-out and written.
     
    While I cannot comment on the “purity” of it being Tom Clancy, as I have not read any of his older books with the exception of Dead or Alive and Against All Enemies, I can assure you that Locked On is a very well written thriller. I understand the die-hard Clancy fans who are partially (or fully) against these novels, but personally I don’t think that’s a reason not to be able to read and enjoy these books. Pretend they were not written by Clancy if you must.
     
    As I alluded to before, all the characters intertwined together were done very well. I would’ve liked to see a little more of Jack Ryan Sr., perhaps, but that may be simply because I haven’t read a book yet that features only him. Seeing a bit of the current Rainbow operatives was a nice touch, but I feel as if they weren’t featured enough, but rather just thrown in there because they could be. But then again, focusing on yet another group would likely slow down the pace of the story.
     
    I really enjoyed seeing The Campus operatives/workers. John Clark is a fabulous character, and it was nice having a large section of the book devoted to him; I can imagine him as being very similar to the retired-CIA-operative Liam Neeson in the movie Taken. I was also happy to see the return of Sam Driscoll, a character I very much enjoyed in Dead or Alive.
     
    I was slightly disappointed with the character of Melanie Kraft – Jack Jr.’s love interest. I quite liked her at first, but as the story progressed it seemed like she did things that did not follow her pre-established character – some things seemed to contradict each another.
     
    The writing itself was very good, though there were a couple times when dialogue was awkward and the writing a little bland, but overall was well done. Some people disliked the politics placed in the books, but I myself enjoyed them, so to each his own, I guess.
     
    While Locked On has a few flaws and is not perfect, it is a fantastic read and definitely recommended.
  13. Velox
    The Lincoln Lawyer, by Michael Connelly
    ISBN: 0316734934
    Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
    Release Date: October 3, 2005
    Rating: 5/5
    Synopsis: "Mickey Haller has spent all his professional life afraid that he wouldn't recognize innocence if it stood right in front of him. But what he should have been on the watch for was evil.Haller is a Lincoln Lawyer, a criminal defense pro who operates out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, to defend the clients at the bottom of the legal food chain. It's no wonder that he is despised by cops, prosecutors, and even some of his own clients.From bikers to con artists to drunk drivers and drug dealers, they're all on Mickey Haller's client list. But when a Beverly Hills rich boy is arrested for brutally beating a woman, Haller has his first high-paying client in years. It's a franchise case and he's sure it will be a slam dunk in the courtroom. For once, he may be defending a client who is actually innocent. But an investigator is murdered for getting too close to the truth and Haller quickly discovers that his search for innocence has taken him face-to-face with a kind of evil as pure as a flame. To escape without being burned, Haller must use all of his skills to manipulate a system in which he no longer believes."
     
    Review: Wow. I really wasn't expecting this to be that good. I saw the previews for the movie back when it came out and it looked cool. However, if a movie is based off of a book, I like to read the book first, so as such I just added The Lincoln Lawyer to my five-thousand-mile-long reading list and didn't think much of it after that. I even bought the book a while back at a used bookstore, but again, just shelved it in favor of other books that I wanted to read first. So I finished Locked On, by Tom Clancy (review here), and then was looking at my bookshelves and deciding what to read next. TLL caught my eye, and, after watching the trailer for the movie again, I chose that over the other books I was considering. Needless to say, I was hooked from the beginning, promptly read it, finished it Wednesday, and then starting The Brass Verdict (the next book in the Mickey Haller series) and finishing that in a couple days. Both were amazing.
     
    The Lincoln Lawyer captured my interest from the start. One thing I liked is how you got to see Mickey Haller in court for a short time at the beginning of the novel, starting off the novel very well. At first I felt as if I didn't have any idea who Haller was, as if there should have been a novel before this one. Of course, this was definitely resolved with quite a bit of characterization throughout the story. And, to be honest, I'm glad it was done that way. Being in first person, the only way to really explain who he is would be to have him say "I am__" which is boring and fourth-wall-ish. It's like he's talking directly to the audience. Rather, Connelly uses the book to explain who Haller is; a very enjoyable ride.
     
    Which was definitely one of the things I liked most about this. Mickey Haller is an extremely interesting character; very unique in his ways (Lincoln Town Cars, etc.). He says himself "sometimes I'm not sure which side of the bars I am on" -- which makes for a great character and a great chance for characterization, which Michael Connelly definitely utilizes. Continuing with Haller, while it may seem as if he doesn't care much about innocence and whatnot, deep down, he does, as revealed in the novel. It was cool to have the novel in first person; I greatly enjoyed the Dresden Files in first person, so it was nice to have another awesome first-person novel.
     
    The other characters were all well-written and well thought-out as well. The one thing that was a little weird is the close relationship he had with his two ex-wives. I'm not complaining, however, because Connelly (and Haller) made it work, but it was interesting to see how one was his assistant and the other was still a love interest. Which provided some more great characterization with the tension between Haller and his daughter and her mother. It was really cool to see how much he cared about his daughter.
     
    There were a few times when some of the names got confusing, as Haller was working on several cases which were mentioned periodically throughout the main case of Louis Roulet, as it would all be focused on him and then someone from a different case would be mentioned, but overall it didn't distract too much from the story, as the plot and writing kept me hooked, wanting to know what would happen next.
     
    There were several great twists throughout the novel. One was completely expected, because I had accidentally read it in the Wikipedia plot summary (though it seemed a little easy to guess anyway), but the twist was still awesome and I still enjoyed reading it and seeing Haller's and others' reaction to it.
     
    The best part -- or at least the most exciting part -- of the novel would definitely be the latter part with the big court scene. Mickey Haller was simply awesome during it, and it seemed very realistic. The ending, too, was very satisfying and well-done. Which is what made me want to immediately start The Brass Verdict.
     
    The movie rendition was also very well done, but the book was far better; the movie was too fast-paced, causing you to miss out on a lot of things/scenes that made the book so great. Characterization also suffered in the movie, as you don't get to see as much of Haller's thinking, etc. However, the movie was still very enjoyable, and Matthew McCounaghey was quite awesome as the title role.
  14. Velox
    The Athena Project, by Brad Thor
    ISBN: 1439192952
    Publisher: Atria Books
    Release Date: November 23, 2010
    Rating: 5/5
    Synopsis: "Tucked away in a remote corner of North Carolina’s Fort Bragg, behind rows of razor wire and heavily armed guards, lies the headquarters of the nation’s most elite counter-terrorism unit - the United States Army’s 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta. Here, a brilliant new approach to combating terrorism has just been born. Its codename: The Athena Project.
    The novels will follow an elite team of female warriors from their recruitment as top-level athletes, through their training, to their deployment on some of the most exciting and dangerous international assignments the fiction world has ever seen."
     
    Review: Quite the thrilling read. Just the idea itself: of having a special forces/black ops team of female operators doing the same kick-butt stuff that male operators do is awesome. Then coupled with Brad Thor's incredibly improved writing skills, that just made it better.
     
    On that subject, with this book, I also finished reading all of Brad Thor's novels. I had read Path of the Assassin (his second novel) a while ago (somewhere around Christmas), and then I decided to go back to his first, skip PotA, and then read the rest in order. His first was really lacking (Lions of Lucerne). It wasn't bad, not at all, but it wasn't great either. However, that just shows what an amazing author Brad Thor is. If there was an award for "most improved author" it'd be him. I absolutely loved State of the Union (his third novel), as well as all of his following novels (and I enjoyed PotA, too). He is definitely one of my favorite authors.
     
    Anyway, back to The Athena Project. First introduced in the previous novel, Foreign Influence, I was immediately captivated by the idea. I mean, all those thrillers you read are about mostly guys. Having this Delta-born group of females is just a cool new idea, and I think Brad wrote it well.
     
    Starting off with a flashback at the end of World War II, the novel dives you in to an intricate plot with which four women operatives complete their mission in several European locations. Which is another thing I liked about this. For some reason, I just like novels set in Europe, though not to say that ones set in the Middle East or Asia or wherever are bad. I also really liked a twist that was given near the end of the novel.
     
    The one thing that I think could be improved would be the characters themselves. I just didn't feel like I knew them well enough. Maybe that's just because it was four people, rather than the usual one guy (like Scot Harvath or Mitch Rapp, from Vince Flynn). But it wasn't bad enough to distract from the novel, and the characters were still very enjoyable.
     
    Definitely a compelling novel with a gripping plot and characters.
     
    So yeah, I'd definitely recommend The Athena Project as well as any other of Brad Thor's books (just know that if you've only read The Lions of Lucerne, or read that first if you like reading things in order as I do, they will get better, and you should keep reading).
  15. Velox

    Power Down, By Ben Coes

    By Velox,

    Power Down, by Ben Coes
    ISBN:0312580746
    Publisher: St. Martin's Press
    Release Date: September 2010
    Rating: 4/5
    Synopsis: "A major North American hydroelectric dam is blown up and the largest off-shore oil field in this hemisphere is destroyed in a brutal, coordinated terrorist attack. But there was one factor that the terrorists didn’t take into account when they struck the Capitana platform off the coast of Colombia—slaughtering much of the crew and blowing up the platform—and that was the Capitana crew chief Dewey Andreas. Dewey, former Army Ranger and Delta, survives the attack, rescuing as many of his men as possible. But the battle has just begun.
    While the intelligence and law enforcement agencies scramble to untangle these events and find the people responsible, the mysterious figure of Alexander Fortuna—an agent embedded into the highest levels of American society and business—sets into play the second stage of these long-planned attacks. The only fly in the ointment is Dewey Andreas—who is using all his long-dormant skills to fight his way off the platform, then out of Colombia and back to the U.S., following the trail of terrorists and operatives sent to stop him."
     
    Review: Gotta say, I was quite impressed, especially for a first novel.
     
    I liked the plot a lot. It kept me hooked from the beginning, and even the non-action scenes were fun to read. The characters were also fairly well-done, I thought. As with The Athena Project, though, I still feel like I don't quite know the main character, Dewey Andreas, as much as I'd like. Though, unlike The Athena Project, I think that's due to the fact that Andreas wasn't necessarily the main part of the novel. Sure, he'd definitely be considered the main protagonist (or even the main character), but the novel wasn't as much about him as it was about the actual plot. Which was both good and bad. The plot felt more . . . substantial, you could say, as it circled around many different scenes, rather than the normal thriller (or at least, ones that I've read thus far) where it mostly centers around one guy while occasionally switching off to a couple other subplots. At the same time, though, it left me wanting more of Andreas, as I think he's a fascinating character and would love to learn more about/see more of him.
     
    Another thing I liked about this was the unique setting of the beginning, on an offshore oil field as well as a hydroelectric dam. And it just brings a new side of terrorism, as well as allowing the reader to learn more about these things. In some ways, I wish the novel would have stayed at the oil field longer with Andreas, but I definitely wasn't disappointed where the plot went.
     
    As for the writing itself, it was pretty good. I really liked his dialogue (which may be due to having worked in the White House himself, and hearing firsthand how people talk there and such), and his descriptions were pretty good, too. I'm not the hugest fan of parts of his writing style. At a couple points it seemed to slow down the action scenes (whereas the non-action scenes were perfectly fine), but I think that may just be because of my preference. Also, I know how hard it is to write action scenes so that you don't get over descriptive, but at the same time describe it enough so the reader sees what you see, so it could also be that. But still, it wasn't bad writing -- not at all -- just not my favorite at a couple points.
     
    And then of course another great part about the book was that the ending left me wanting more, yet at the same time it wasn't too much of a cliffhanger that you didn't feel like the story was wrapped up sufficiently. It sets him up well for his next novel, and I eagerly await its release.
     
    In the words of Vince Flynn: "Power Down is terrific! ... One of the must-read thrillers of the year!" Definitely another recommended book from me.
  16. Velox
    Dead or Alive, by Tom Clancy
    ISBN: 0399157239
    Release Date: December 2010
    Rating: 4.5/5
    Synopsis: "For years, Jack Ryan, Jr. and his colleagues at the Campus have waged an unofficial and highly effective campaign against hte terrorists who threaten western civilization. The most dangerous of these is the Emir. This sadistic killer has masterminded the most vicious attacks on the west and has eluded capture by the world's law enforcement agencies. Now the Campus is on his trail. Joined by their latest recruits, John Clark and Ding Chavez, Jack Ryan, Jr. and his cousins, Dominick and Brian Caruso, are determined to catch the Emir and bring him in . . . dead or alive."
     
    Review: In one word: Wow. If you want a really good, long book, Dead or Alive is it for you. I barely have any criticism for this. The only thing that I disliked slightly, was that the chapters (and some paragraphs) were at times longer than I would like. That isn't really criticism, though, and more of a preference. While I do prefer shorter chapters -- it keeps me wanting to read more, for some reason, 'cause I can just say "just __ more pages until the next chapter" and then keep saying that over and over again until I've read many chapters -- it definitely did not distract from this wonderfully written novel. Then the only other thing is that he doesn't put the place at the beginning of each chapters, as some other writers do. Not that it really matters, as after a few paragraphs or so you'll know where it is, but it's nice to have it right up front, and also to remind you in case you've forgotten exactly where this is or something. But anyway.
     
    The thing I liked most has to be Tom Clancy's writing style. The only author that has satisfied me as much as this book has (and maybe slightly moreso, but Clancy comes very close) would be Vince Flynn, and I have to admit, I liked Dead or Alive better than some of Vince Flynn's (who is my favorite author) books (and the only reason why I like Flynn's books better would be mostly due to the characters, as I like both of their writing styles). But still, whether it be action, description, dialogue, or whatever, Tom Clancy nails it. I've also heard some say that Tom Clancy goes overboard with descriptions. Maybe that's the case with some of his other books, but not in this one, IMO. I really enjoyed all the descriptions he gave, and they didn't seem to slow down the pace of the story.
     
    Which leads me to the next thing: I am quite amazed by Clancy's level of knowledge. It actually kinda discourages me from writing a novel myself, because I can't fathom how I'd ever be able to know as much as he does, lol. It makes for a very enjoyable read, though; it always helps to think that the writer knows what he's talking about, and I know Clancy does. And plus, you get to learn in the process of enjoying a great book.
     
    I was slightly disappointed with one of the deaths that took place during the novel -- it seemed like it should have had a greater impact on me as a reader, but it didn't. Maybe the writing was realistic in that sense (as I am 16 and haven't experienced a great impacting death), or maybe I just read it too fast or something, but still -- I wasn't left with the usual feeling that I get when something like that happens during other novels/movies/et cetera.
     
    The last thing is that I think I could have enjoyed it more if I had read his other novels, but that didn't distract from the novel itself, and is probably just me. Clancy did a good job in writing so that you didn't have to read the other novels to feel like you know what was going on, but I still think it would have been cool (but of course I'm one of those guys that likes to read the whole series in order).
     
    In conclusion, definitely a thrilling and enjoyable read. Some day I'm going to read through Clancy's Jack Ryan books in chronological order as I really did enjoy this one. Definitely recommended to anyone that hasn't read it yet.
  17. Velox
    American Assassin, by Vince Flynn
    ISBN: 141659518X
    Publisher: Atria Books
    Release Date: October 12, 2010
    Rating: 5/5
    Synopsis: "This action-packed prequel sets the stage for the ten previous Mitch Rapp thrillers. American Assassin takes readers back to the event that changed the future operative's life, the 1988 Lockerbie Pan Am Flight 103 bombing that killed 270 people, including the woman he loved. This act of mass terror puts Rapp irrevocably on a death-defying path against evil extremist conspirators."
     
    Review: When writing this review, I had just finished reading it for a second time, and let me tell you: I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I really, really love this book.
     
    And my reasons are numerous. First and foremost, it was amazingly written. Yes, as you will find out from most other reviews you read (customer reviews on barnesandnoble.com, for example), there were some spelling and other mistakes that the editor should have caught, but personally, I did not think those mistakes distracted too much from the story -- and they are definitely not as numerous as some reviews would lead you to believe, even if there are quite a few. I myself am usually quite picky about grammar and other errors, but because of Vince Flynn's excellent writing, it did not drag the story down at all.
     
    Bottom line: Yes, there were some mistakes. No, I don't think they ruined the story. Rather, his writing grabs your attention from the start, and keeps you hooked until the end. He balanced descriptions, dialogue, and explanations so as to keep the story moving, especially if you enjoy characterization.
     
    Which leads me to my next reason: the thing I liked most about American Assassin was the characterization.
     
    Mitch Rapp is my favorite character from any series by far, and this book is all him -- this is his beginning, his recruitment, his training, his first kill. And actually his training was my favorite part. I almost wish Vince Flynn would have stayed with his training longer, though I understand that that may be tedious. In some other reviews I was reading people were complaining about how much training there was already and how there wasn't as much action as usual. But hey, maybe it's just me; I love having some not-completely-full-of-action-but-still-exciting scenes that go into the character. Or in this case, a lot of them, as a good third/half of the book is just his training. Another reason for that would be Stan Hurley -- Rapp's mentor/trainer. He is also a very awesome character and you get to see a lot of him here.
     
    Part of the training that was also good were a few hand-to-hand fights that Rapp took part in/witnessed. I thought they were incredibly well written. I know from experience that it's really hard to write a good fight scene while being able to describe what's happening and allow the reader to know what's going on while at the same time not over describing things and still making for a quick, fluid, and exciting read.
     
    My second favorite part of the book would be the latter part of the book [heh, my favorite parts are the beginning and end, it seems]. I don't want to give too much away [i don't think this gives away too much; at least, I would be fine with hearing this before I read the book, but whatever], but:
     
    I really liked the torture scene of Stan Hurley. Not the torture itself, mind you, but again, we get some great characterization of this awesome character here, and it just really shows who he is. And he's definitely awesome. Now, yeah, some parts were slightly hard to read because of the gruesome ways in which he was tortured, but I loved the characterization that you got out of it.
     
    All the characters are awesome, though, really. Director Stansfield, Dr. Kennedy, Dr. Lewis, the people Rapp work/train with, etc. Every minor character that doesn't seem all that important is interesting, and Mr. Flynn makes them each interesting and a joy to read about.
     
    As I kind of said earlier the plot was very well done. And even though there is less action in this book than usual, I still really, really enjoyed it, and it's probably my favorite book [though I love all of Vince Flynn's books so it's hard to decide]. The dialogue was also very realistic, I thought.
     
    So really, the only critique I have for this would be that it didn't stay longer with the training and there were a few editing errors. But really, I wouldn't even call that critique; the former is just something that I would enjoy, but the story didn't by any means feel lacking without it, and the latter is moreso the editor's fault.
     
    Definitely recommended if you can get your hands on it or find it.
  18. Velox

    Water And Ice

    By Velox,

    Water and Ice
     
    The peaceful air,
    The calm night,
    Dotted with stars,
    In the heavens above.
     
    The waves flow,
    So calm and smooth,
    They glisten,
    In the evening moon.
     
    The snow flutters,
    So graceful and free,
    It sparkles,
    In the ever-bright sun.
     
    The waves crash,
    So violent and fierce,
    But ebb,
    Against the cold, soft sand.
     
    The snow blizzards,
    So cold and sharp,
    It blows,
    In the freezing wind.
     
    The waves roll,
    So strong and quick
    They lap,
    Against your feet.
     
    The snow falls,
    So pure and white.
    It pierces your cheeks,
    Against the brisk air.
     
    Water and Ice,
    They are one,
    And together make,
    The beauties of this world.


     

    ~ :: ~


  19. Velox

    Requiescat In Pace

    By Velox,

    Requiescat in Pace


     

    ~ :: ~


     
    Another day had come and gone. What is the point of my life? Is it to keep going to work day after day doing the same old thing? Never to get away from Po-Koro?
    ..........I had dreamed so many times of getting away from Po-Koro. Maybe to go exploring somewhere, or maybe to just visit the other villages. But more than that I longed to get away to Ga-Koro. To see her – the one I love. I know she shares my love. Even though she hasn't said it, I know she does. I can see it in her eyes – those perfect eyes.
    ..........Why can't I ever get out? Why won't the Turaga let the Matoran wander about the island? No one wants to stay in their own Koro forever. I mean, what's wrong with visiting other villages? They let Takua do it, what about us? Why should we be treated any different? Why should it matter that he's the Chronicler and we're not?
    ..........It's just not fair, I sighed as I gazed out the window of my stone hut into the sky. It was such a peaceful day. Free from all distractions. The clouds were moving gracefully across the midday sky, and the sun was shining brilliantly through the clouds, with its rays illuminating whatever they touched. And yet, it were days like these that were most depressing.
    ..........What a more perfect day to spend with the one I love? And yet, and yet.
    ..........I sighed again and dropped my pencil, watching it bounce back and forth on the tabletop before finally landing properly and then rolling a short ways. I had been writing another Short Story – a hobby I enjoy – until I started thinking about Mahima again. I just couldn't keep my thoughts off her.
    ..........We met a few years ago during one of the three yearly parties – Naming Day, Valentines Day, and Thanksgiving. Three days out of the whole year we get to be together. I suppose one might say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but does it really? It's hard to even remember how she speaks sometimes.
    ..........Valentines Day was tomorrow, and Matoran were preparing for it by putting up festive banners and other decorations. I never really understood why we all put up decorations since everyone traveled to Ta-Koro anyway. Still, I decided to not look like a weirdo and started putting up my own decorations like everyone else.
    ..........After it was dark I finally finished setting up all the decorations around my hut and decided to call it a night. I doused the light stones on the wall and hopped in my warm bed, taking off my Kanohi right before. I quickly fell asleep from exhaustion and dreamed about Mahima and what would happen at the celebration.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    I awoke the next morning to feel quite refreshed, and quickly got out of bed. I put my Kanohi back on, and washed my face with a little water before heading to my small kitchen. There I prepared a little breakfast which I consumed rather quickly, and walked out the door to where other Po-Matoran were gathered in the courtyard next to Toa Pohatu's Suva.
    ..........As I was on my way, I spotted Hewkii in the crowd and walked up to him – after all, he was one of my best friends.
    ..........“Hewkii!” I called out to him.
    ..........“Hey, Velox. How's it going?”
    ..........“Not bad. I'm really excited about the party. I can't wait until we get to leave”
    ..........“Me too. I hope to see Macku again. I haven't seen her for a while,” he replied.
    ..........“Yeah, I hope to see Mahima as well. Well, I'll see you around!” I began walking once again toward Toa Pohatu's Suva where the Matoran were gathered. The Turaga was making preparations to leave by making sure all the Matoran were gathered, and various things like that. I waited impatiently as I thought about Mahima and what would happen at the upcoming celebration.
    ..........Hopefully we can go somewhere by ourselves, I thought to myself hopefully.
    ..........I quickly shook away all thoughts as I heard the signal that we were leaving.
    ..........At last.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    When we finally arrived at Ta-Koro, I scanned the crowed for the Ga-Matoran that I loved so much. There were many little shops set up throughout the city selling various goods that would remind Matoran of the celebration, but I did not notice them. I became oblivious to all else around me. I saw her.
    ..........She too saw me, and started walking toward me.
    ..........“Mahima, I love you,” I said, letting the words slip out of my mouth by another power. I waited, wondering if she would say the same back.
    ..........“I love you too,” she replied as she hugged me.. After about a minute had passed, we joined hands and walked away from all the crowds to the bottom a lavafall in Ta-Wahi. We sat down at the bank beneath the fall, and just stayed there talking in each other's arms. We heard the Turaga announce the Kohlii game was about to begin, but we didn't care – we had each other.
    ..........We sat there for hours, while all the various activities were going on during the celebration, listening to various stories we had, or just enjoying each other's company without saying anything as she laid her mask against my shoulder.
    ..........Soon the evening became twilight, and we both knew we had to be getting back soon. Then we heard it – Turaga Vakama announced on his megaphone that the Ga and Le Matoran were leaving.
    ..........“Goodbye, Velox,” she told me as she hugged me, a tear slipping from her eye. I was so sad that we wouldn't be able to see each other for a long time. It just wasn't fair how the Turaga kept us in our Koro, not letting us out except three times a year . . .
    ..........I quickly snapped out of my thoughts as I felt her lips against my cheek. I quickly kissed her back as she started crying in my arms.
    ..........“I don't know when I'll see you again,” she said.
    ..........“I don't know either, but I do know that I love you.”
    ..........She silently slipped out of my arms, wiped her tears away, and left to go back to the main square.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    Why? Why must she leave? Why can't she come with me to Po-Koro, or why can't I go to Ga-Koro? I sat down next lava fall and gazed at the lava flowing a few feet away from me. It was hot, but that didn't matter. She was gone, and I wouldn't see her for a long time. That's all that mattered.
    ..........I looked at the lava again. If I jumped in I'd probably die instantly, feeling little or no pain . . .
    ..........I wiped a tear away that had formed on my eye.
    ..........No, I told myself. I have to be a live. What would happen to Mahima if she learned that I was dead? We will be together one day. I know it. Even if we have to leave this island, we will be together.
    ..........I looked up from the lava and listened. Shouting, screaming. I heard the Turaga trying to shout orders over the screaming Matoran.
    ..........Oh, no,” I said to myself as I ran back for Ta-Koro, with many questions in my head concerning all the screaming. The shouts and screams faded as I drew closer, and when I arrived there was no one to be found – alive, anyway. Bodies with blood seeping out of them were lying throughout the main courtyard. I looked around. Some were my friends – Hafu, Huki, and others. I looked away from the sight, unable to bear seeing my friends dead.
    ..........What could have done this? I asked myself. Then I saw her. Mahima. She was lying on the ground with other bodies. I ran over to her, kneeling down in front of the limp form. She was dead. And it was most likely a painful death.
    ..........I wanted to be anywhere else right then. I wished I was dead instead of her.
    ..........I fell to the ground, unable to keep myself in my kneeling position with my grief.
    ..........She was dead.
    ..........I looked up again, seeing Mahima lying there in front of me, bloody and bruised. I wished so much she would wake up. I wished so much that there was a way I could save her, but I couldn't. It was over.
    ..........I heard a loud roar, and I looked up from the body to where the sound had come from. There I saw the most menacing Rahi I had ever seen. It was a wolf-like being named Skotraxx. Though, this was no ordinary wolf. It's size being at least three times that of an ordinary wolf.
    ..........He was pitch black with silver armor, and his head was hideous, with a huge spike stretching from the top of his head to his back. His teeth and claws were covered in blood, and his back was lined with spikes, along with a pair of giant wings that were laid upon his back.
    ..........I did what anyone would do in that situation. I ran. I ran to where ever my legs took me, with Skotraxx following close behind. I ran into the forests of Le-Wahi, hoping for it to get lost in the woods. I looked behind me and saw nothing. Too scared to stop, I ran to where I thought the forest ended. When I finally reached the end of the forest, I let myself fall in exhaustion. I laid on the ground breathing heavily.
    ..........All I could think about was Mahima. Dead. Dead by the hand of Skotraxx.
    ..........Why? Why did she have to die? Why not me instead of her? I would gladly exchange my life for hers any day.
    ..........I knew I had to go to her. She needed to be given a proper burial. But, was I the only Matoran alive? Had the Turaga all been killed? No, I decided. There had to be someone still alive, and I would search the whole island until I found someone. I left to go back to Ta-Koro.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    I arrived at Ta-Koro, and saw all the bodies lying in the streets again. Then I found her. Her dead body lying there, unmoving. I silently prayed that some how she would start breathing again, but I knew there was no way that was possible. Blood was pouring out in almost any place imaginable and her Kanohi had a huge gash across the middle.
    ..........She was dead, and there was nothing I could do about it. I picked up her body and brought it into the outskirts of Ta-Wahi. I dug a hole, and placed her body in. I knelt and said some silent prayers over her body before standing up again and placing dirt over her. When the hole was filled up with dirt, I found a stone and carved her name onto it with another rock. I placed it on top of the little grave and knelt down again.
    ..........I looked up at the gravestone and saw her name. I burst down in tears, knowing that she was in there, dead.
    ..........After an hour or two had passed, I finally turned away from the little grave and left.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    What more is there? What is the point of life any more? Why should I go on living? No. I know she would not like that. I must not throw away my life. I will continue living.
    ..........The hate started swelling within me. Ideas for vengeance were forming in my head.
    ..........Requiescat in Pace, Mahima. You will be avenged.
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    Note: Inspired by ~GreenBioGuy~'s MOC Skotraxx.
  20. Velox

    Whispers

    By Velox,

    Whispers


     

    ~ :: ~


     
    Kaeru.
    ..........Kaeru, Kaeru.
    ..........Whispers. Whispers shouting from the darkness. Another voice came. This one distinctly in the form of telepathy.
    .........."Kaeru," Shakaz's deep, sinister voice rang in Kaeru's head, "report to my chamber. Now."
    ..........Kaeru had been looking over the blueprints for the fortress trying to figure out more defenses when he received the message; immediately stopping what he was doing, sitting up from his chair, and making his way to the door of his room. He shut the door behind him, making his way through the hallway. The white fluorescent lights brightly lit up the hallway; the chain they were connected to swaying slightly as the circulating air flowed past them. He hastily walked into the main chamber of the fortress, the heat from the large fire clearly felt throughout the spacious room.
    ..........A chill when up his spine as he made his way into the Leader's hallway. Instead of lamps, there were torches lining the rough stone wall, eerily illuminating the passage-way. He slowed his stride a little, the fear rising in him of talking to his leader.
    ..........Kaeru.
    ..........Whispers. He quickened his footstep, eager to get out of the repulsive corridor. The torches diminished in quantity, until only a few lit the remaining of the tunnel, darkening the area.
    ..........He finally reached the entry to Shakaz's chamber, and, after pausing for a moment, knocked on the steel loudly.
    ..........A faint but malicious "enter" was heard, and Kaeru opened the door slowly; stepped inside and closed it behind him, the hollow bang sounded throughout the room as the steel hit against the door-frame.
    ..........I don’t know why I’m so nervous, the Toa said to himself as he looked around for his master. I’m a high-ranking officer in his organization, after-all. I’m going to have to get used to talking with him.
    .........."Come here," a voice spoke, a shadow becoming slowly visible as the fire from the hearth shown on Shakaz's dark armor. A faint outline finally appeared with a pair of eyes so red that blood would look pink in comparison. Faint, barely discernible hints of violet defined the shadow standing before Kaeru, with the silhouettes of spikes placed intermittently around the mass. The Toa of Sonics walked closer, his gunmetal armor becoming illuminated from the fire.
    .........."I have a mission for you," the voice continued. "You have shown yourself to be a formidable tracker, which is the reason I have chosen you for this job. You are to find the two escapees and bring them to me. They were last seen in the volcanic land near here, making their way toward the forest. Start there, and work your way into the forest. If you fail to bring them back, you will wish you had never been born." His voice slowed at the last sentence.
    .........."Yes, master," Kaeru quickly said; no intention of angering his leader. With that, he disappeared into a mass of shadow energy.
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    Kaeru appeared next to an active volcano in a volcanic wasteland, his body quickly bringing his molecules together after his teleportation from Shakaz's chamber.
    ..........How the heck am I supposed to find them? his brain asked itself, the nervousness growing within his being as he thought of who gave the order. He knew Shakaz would surely kill him if he did not complete the mission, so moved on.
    .........."Kaeru," a dark voice suddenly spoke from behind him. Kaeru quickly spun around, his eyes wide with fear at the vicious voice; a sharp breath escaping from his lips. But there was nothing. Nothing but the ashy ground for kio around; patches of orange visible above the various charcoal-hued volcanoes.
    ..........Kaeru let loose a breath as his gasping started to turn to normal.
    .........."Kaeru," a whispering voice exclaimed again. The Toa quickly spun around, trying to find the source, only to find none.
    ..........Kaeru. He looked around frantically again, and started running toward the woods. A large patch of grass appeared in the middle of the trees. He ran through the field; the cold, wet grass numbing his feet. He shivered -- from panic or the cold, he didn't know.
    ..........The trees rushed by his eyes as he ran; some of the leaves whipping his face as he ran by. A drizzle of blood appeared from where a branch had hit him, but the Toa sprinted onward, the tension overwhelming his being.
    ..........Kaeru.
    ..........He hastened his pace still, looking around for a source of the whispers. He heard the toll of a campanile as the foliage thinned, revealing a valley dotted with trees. He looked for the source and saw an ancient, ruined building in the distance – once a huge temple.
    ..........He dashed toward it, his lungs struggling for air, and the eerie fog causing his vision to blur. He didn't stop to ponder how the bell still rang, or what the building was, but kept running, attempting to free himself from the voices. The ghastly glow of the moon broke its way through the clouds, slightly illuminating his path as he rushed across the grass. He finally reached his destination, and quickly ran inside the abandoned building. He ran to a large stone column and hid behind it while catching his breath. He stuck close to the pillar, too afraid to move from his current position.
    ..........A knife suddenly flew past his ear. His eyes followed its direction to see it plunge into the body of a Matoran; blood sputtering out from the open wound as he fell to the floor. Kaeru turned back to where the knife had come from, only to see a knife flying at his head, plunging into his mask but doing no damage.
    ..........Kaeru.
    .........."Who's there?" the Toa of Sonics screamed, panicking as he looked around. He ran down the pathway to another pillar and attached on to it, his eyes wide with distress. He moved his body back-and-forth around the pillar with terror. A clank sounded behind him. He looked back, seeing a knife fall down from the wall it had just hit.
    .........."Where are you?" he shouted, his voice trembling in trepidation.
    ..........He turned around, only to see another knife fly at him. The last thing he ever heard was the echoing whispers in his head.
    ..........Kaeru.
    ..........A pitch black Toa emerged from the shadows, wearing a mask of illusion.
    ..........“I am not going back to that place,” the Toa spoke softly to himself on the opposite side of the room as the knife struck Kaeru. As the Toa of Sonic’s body fell to the floor, the blood pouring from the wound, the campanile struck midnight.
     

    ~ :: ~


  21. Velox

    I'm Still Standing

    By Velox,

    I'm Still Standing



    ~ :: ~


     
    You will die.
    ..........As a blast of shadow hit me squarely in the chest, throwing me against the wall of an Onu-Metru building, I could hear his malicious voice boom in my head. I slumped to the ground; tears swelling up in my eyes. I forced myself to look up at my attacker. I would not let him kill me.
    ..........With a scream, I stood up and rushed toward him. I know this may be my last battle, and if that is the case, at least I will go down a hero. As I ran forward he didn’t move, but remained exactly where he was. As my bladed staff was about to impale him, he allowed it to pass right through his body, shapeshifting a hole in his chest. Shocked from what had happened, I stood there, stunned; I was helpless to resist as he cast my weapon away and delivered a powerful punch to my face, sending me falling to the ground.
    ..........His wings opened to their full width of a dozen feet as he silently and slowly marched toward me, as though relishing the moment before the kill. I blindly threw a blast of light at him; missing and exploding into the building behind him. The large wall shattered into hundreds of pieces, some lit on fire, falling onto both my opponent and the street around us. But he paid no attention, still making his way in his methodically ominous manner.
    ..........When he reached where I was, I threw another bolt of light at him, striking him. The light began to burn through his shadowy form. He quickly covered himself with shadow, dissolving the light still on him. Enraged, he kicked me in the face; blood dripped down my cheek as the claws dug into my skin. He viciously kicked me again – this time in the stomach – before spitting on me.
    ..........“You pathetic excuse for a Toa,” he spat, looking down on me with contempt. “Do you really expect to defeat a Makuta?”
    ..........I attempted to stand, but my body was unable. I fell back to the ground unceremoniously; my arms and legs sprawled before me. “Pathetic.” He kicked me once more; his clawed feet creating a deep gash in my body. I screamed in pain.
    ..........Panting heavily, I attempted to stand up once more; tears and blood dripping down my face, and my body gashed cruelly all over. His twisted form stood before me; dark-hued armor adorned with spikes and scars; his evil-looking wings extending far past his back and shoulders.
    ..........“You will not kill me,” I spoke in a hoarse voice, struggling to remain conscious. With a Herculean effort of reduced physical strength, I slowly, painfully stood up; my golden eyes directly aligned with the blood-red pits hiding under his black mask. With the last of my power I charged my palms with light. As I released the blast, the Makuta consumed them with shadow, sending powerful bolts of chain lightning through my body, sending me writhing to the ground once again.
    ..........He slowly walked over toward me. I was breathing heavily as I tried to recover from his constant barrage of assaults. When he started to kick me in the chest again, I could do nothing but sputter blood, my body bruised and broken beyond the ability to fight back.
    ..........The Makuta suddenly grabbed me by the chest, his claws digging into my torso, and allowing more fluid to rush out. With a spring of his legs and a flap of his gigantic wings, he leapt into the air, and held my dangling body tightly in his grasp. He leaned forward, his mouth right at my ear. “Fool,” he hissed behind his frightening countenance, “You do not know the true power I wield. I am so much more that what you see.” He carelessly loosened his grip on my torso, and I fell painfully back to earth as he landed almost majestically near me, wings folded.
    ..........I struggled to speak in my hurt form, and succeeded in a mere whisper. "Really?" I asked between harsh wheezing, "Then…reveal yourself…Makuta!" I emphasized the last word with as much scorn as I could manage.
    ..........But I had spoken superfluously – the Toa-sized creature was already changing. His thorny armor began to warp grotesquely as he expanded in size. What had once been fingered hands now became leonine claws, and his arms grew thicker, rippling with powerful tendons as his back legs simultaneously morphed into murderous talons. The Makuta's shoulders hunched and grew wider, powerful like those of a wolf. A second set of arms, equipped with knifelike fingers, sprouted out from behind the shoulder blades.
    ..........A triple-pronged tail sprouted from between the hugely muscled hind legs, and on each tip of the trident-like appendage grew a barbed stinger. The hideous creature, now at least thrice the size of myself, fell down to a four-legged crouch, standing like a bear. With a number of sickening sounds, dark writhing tentacles sprang from around the head – only, now it was heads. The original mask was now nonexistent, replaced by a trio of hideous heads. The new faces bore a set of impossibly huge, gaping jaws, lined with teeth the size of daggers. Angry red eyes glowed from within six sunken sockets.
    ..........Below the three heads, however, perhaps worst of all, was a fourth jaw; a behemoth ringed with countless teeth, easily large enough to swallow a Toa whole. The creature could probably maul me thousands of different ways, each more gruesome than the last.
    ..........I gulped as I stared with fear at the sight before me. With this change I realized whom I was really fighting; the legendary beast Kaishu. Legends told of mayhem he had mercilessly wrought upon island after island, devouring many a being – even fellow Makuta.
    ..........I felt my heartlight beat faster and faster with terror as the huge beast lumbered over to my body. I willed with all my mental strength to move my body and run away, but my limbs gave no response.
    ..........His massive jaw descended toward me; the razor sharp jaws ready to absorb my life-force into his own.
    ..........The blades ripped through my shoulder, tearing through armor, flesh, and bone. I screamed in pain as the blood gushed ceaselessly from the horrendous wound. I grabbed my shoulder in agony, only to let loose another cry from my dirty hands stinging against the wound. I started losing feeling in my body as the pain grew to be too much and unconsciousness began to take me. The last thing I saw was the menacing mouth descending toward me once more.
     
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    I awoke in a dark cell with two dimly lit lights at the center of the ceiling, barely revealing the room around me. I lay on a slab of stone that matched the chamber, facing upward. I felt a throbbing pain, and remembered what had happened. I knew I shouldn’t be alive...but somehow, here I was.
    ..........Feeling a sharp sting in my shoulder, I let loose a slight cry. Looking to my right, I saw two shadowy Toa, one of which placed a cloth soaked with liquid on my wound. I winced as he dabbed it around, but I let it be as I knew it would help.
    ..........“Where am I?” I asked the Toa attending me, my head full of many questions. As if in answer another dark Toa entered the doorway at the far end of the room, walking slowly toward me. As the Toa neared the light, I discerned that she was most-likely female, and judging by her colors was a Toa of Water. Coming even closer I noticed that her armor was pitted, scared, and faded from thousands of battles. With the spiky armor adorning her upper arms and thighs my first thought was that she was a Makuta. As she stopped before me I realized that she was not a Makuta, but indescribably ancient in appearance.
    ..........“You are in a lower region of the archives where Rahi are placed for examination,” she answered me. As she spoke, I noticed that her mask was one that I had never seen before – with an odd mesh-like cover over her left eye – and, most interesting was the fact that there was no mouth hole, yet she spoke all the same.
    ..........“Who are you?” I questioned.
    ..........“My name is Helryx; leader of the Order of Mata Nui. They,” she continued, as if reading my thoughts and motioning to the two Toa attending me, “are two medics from the Order’s base whom I have ordered brought here to heal you.”
    ..........“I’ve never heard of it,” I responded. “Or you.”
    ..........“Good. If you had, we would have more problems than we already do.” Before I had a chance to ask my question, she continued, answering it for me, “The Order is an organization designed to do the will of Mata Nui himself. We will do whatever is necessary.”
    ..........“What happened to me? I should be dead.”
    ..........“And you would be if it were not for the sacrifice of Trinuma and the help of Brutaka,” she replied, motioning to a huge warrior wearing midnight blue and gold armor who entered behind her.
    ..........I realized the meaning of the words she spoke, knowing that Trinuma had given his life for me and asked, “Who was Trinuma?”
    ..........“A great warrior, and a loyal agent. Perhaps the most loyal one I’ve ever had, always willing to give his life for a mission.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “Trinuma and Brutaka were given the mission to recruit you. They were transported to where you were by another member of our group named Botar just as you were about to be consumed. Trinuma fired a beam of kinetic energy at Kaishu, distracting him. He told Brutaka to get you to safety and that he would hold off Kaishu. When Brutaka arrived ten minutes later, there was nothing but small fragments of Trinuma’s armor spread on the ground. Brutaka told me that the last he saw before leaving was Trinuma sending another blast at Kaish through his staff; he went down fighting.”
    ..........“You shouldn't blame yourself,” Helryx added, seeing that I was about to apologize. “Trinuma did what he felt was right and for the greater good. Continuing to believe that it was your fault will only prohibit you from doing what is right, and you can believe that Trinuma would not want that to happen. In his honor, you must push those thoughts away.”
    ..........A minute of silence lasted before I spoke again, “But why do you want me?”
    ..........“Because you alone are uniquely powerful against the forces of shadow; against the Brotherhood.”
    ..........“What am I to do?”
    ..........“First you will recover and be trained, after which you will be transported to Karda Nui to assist the Toa Nuva.”
    ..........“Karda Nui?”
    ..........“Silence. It is time for you to rest so that you may revive your energies for the training. Once you are recuperated and prepared, you will be told more information concerning your mission. Until then, you must rest.”
    ..........I made no protest, laying my head back down against the stone. I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Great Beings, knowing that I was fortunate to still be alive. Exhausted, I closed my eyes; quickly falling asleep in the dark chamber with one thought going through my head.
    ..........I'm still standing.
     
     
     

    ~ :: ~


    ..........
    Note: Inspired by the MOC Kaishu vs. Takanuva, by Shadrahk, but with Takanuva in his original, golden form.
  22. Velox

    Ruthless

    By Velox,

    Ruthless


     
    The pub’s heavy wooden door swung inward on its creaky hinges. A chill wind gusted into the room, followed by two beings who stepped through the threshold; both salted with snowflakes that had fallen on them outside.
    ..........First was a man of average height, fit-looking, and dressed in black pants and a dark teal hooded jacket. His face was mostly obscured by the hood on his head, but the end of glasses peeked out from under the cowl. His shoulders were hunched, and his mouth twitched spasmodically; he looked nervous.
    ..........Behind him strolled a figure that could not have carried himself any more differently. Tall and lean, but lithe-looking and powerful, this man walked with a lazy, leonine air about him. He was clad in dirty-brown advanced-looking armor on his lower half, with a green t-shirt and faded leather jacket. A cloth sash was tied around his waist, and a bullet-filled bandolier was slung across his torso.
    ..........He followed close behind the hooded figure, his black boots, with metal-capped toes, treading silently on the tavern’s rough floor. His silvery, mirrored aviator glasses caught the dim light, and a dark, sickly-green spiraling tattoo glowed faintly on his face. His hands and lower wrists were covered by leather gloves, with sharp metal studs on the knuckles. His hair was cut into a short, mussed Mohawk, and his chin was covered in stubble.
    ..........There was something odd about how the duo walked. They moved very slowly, and very close together, with the man in sunglasses almost pressing into the other. For a brief instant, the first sped-up slightly, revealing for a split-second that his follower carried a firearm, a silver semiautomatic Beretta, which had been thrust into the man’s spine a moment before. Snarling quietly, the gunman grabbed his prisoner by the shoulder, and pulled him back again, hiding the weapon once more. He bent his head down to whisper into the scared man’s ear; unheard by any but the captive.
    ..........“Bad idea, mister man,” the gunman said, baring his teeth into a savage and slightly insane grin, revealing wolfish canines and the occasional gold tooth. “See, while the boss wants to deal with you himself, know that he told me I had the right to get rid ‘o you, if the circumstances dictated that. Frankly, I think it’d be more fun. Also, I’m a bit of a butter-fingers; this trigger could…slip. Accidentally, of course.” He giggled slightly, moving forward.
    ..........A moment later another walked through the door, following the first pair closely. He was clad completely in black, dressed in cargo pants and a hooded, zippered jacket, underneath which contained an armored vest consisting of protective pads fixed to a tight fiber jumpsuit beneath. A charcoal belt loaded with ammunition was strapped diagonally around his torso, also holding a sniper rifle in place on his back. Although none could see, he bore several other weapons, hidden from sight. The hood covered most of his face, but two small glints of amber could be seen in the darkness as the light reflected off his eyes. His eyes glanced around the room as he walked; his slow but leisurely pace seemed daunting. His hands lay at his side, covered by ebony gloves.
    ..........He seemed totally calm, but on the inside was always aware of everything around him, due to a sense of wariness earned from long years of experience. He walked around with no fear of showing his rifle, as he knew no one would be stupid enough to try to do something while he carried it. And if they did, he would dispose of them quietly, promptly and sufficiently without a moments’ hesitation.
    ..........The trio continued their silent march through the bar, walking past the counter and many tables; the wood flooring underneath their feet creaking as they walked. Finally, coming to a secluded corner where two darkly-clad men sat, they stopped. The first wore a black trench-coat with a forest green scarf wrapped around his neck. His long, black hair was parted in the center, draping over his black sunglasses, hiding most of his facial features; the rest cloaked in shadow. He remained perfectly serene, smoking an auburn cigar; the gray smoke rising in front of his face.
    ..........The second bore a navy blue jumpsuit and hooded cloak, with a golden-hued vest armored with protective pads beneath. His timberwolf hair faded to silver at the temples, most of his face left exposed although still hard to see, due to the shadows around him. A large mug sat on the wooden table before him, half-empty. His hands were crossed across his chest in a leisurely fashion as he leaned against the back of his chair. His hazel eyes contained an evil gleam to them, sparkling in the light of the fireplace mere yards away.
    ..........The fire sent a warming breath of air into the room, warming the trio as they approached the two dark beings. A chandelier hung nearby, with cream colored candles lit around the bronze structure. The overhead beams became a lighter color as the light hit them.
    ..........“Greg, Ivan,” a deep voice broke the cold silence, coming from the one in blue and gold, “I see that you have completed your mission successfully.”
    ..........The one standing upright in black named Ivan Petrov simply nodded.
    .........."Yo, boss," the brown-clad being, the one known as Greg Sykes said, stepping forward and giving a swooping bow too low and exaggerated to be considered polite, "We got him, just like ya asked...alive." The pair seemed odd together; one almost always silent and calm, the other obviously outgoing and savage.
    ..........“You have done well,” a soft, sinister voice sounded, coming from the ebon-clad person. He turned his gaze to the hunched man. “Step forward.” Seeing that the prisoner remained firm in his footing, the dark being nodded to the two behind him; the one in brown shoving him forward with a push from his pistol. The man nearly collided with the table. A gleeful, wolfish grin manifested itself on Greg's face, as he reveled in his cruelty.
    ..........Although no one could see due to the dark glasses the powerful being wore, his eyes stared at the prisoner while the one in blue spoke again, “You know what happens to those who betray The Black Fist, don’t you, traitor?” He said the last words with contempt, stressing the last syllable to make his distain clear. The man remained silent.
    ..........“They are killed,” the navy-clad man continued, pausing before starting again: “Yet not just merely killed. Tortured, until they beg for death.” Fear was apparent in the detainee’s eyes as he trembled where he stood. “You chose to leave The Black Fist and try to become an honorable man once again.”
    ..........There was silence for several moments before the one wearing the emerald scarf spoke again, in his same, unchanging voice, "You chose poorly. None cross Martin Veracruz and survive long enough to boast of it." Suddenly his pupils enlarged beneath his black lenses, and a thin, crimson beam shot out from the core; the streak slicing through the air and reaching their target within less than a millisecond, creating a brief flash of red. The ray of disintegration hit their victim, slowly ripping away at the man’s skin and causing terrible agony.
    ..........The traitor screamed in pain as other barflies quickly came to the noisy spot, accusing the four of the murderous deed. Ivan, without turning his head and with his back turned to the man running toward them, quickly spun his arm, bending his wrist upright to reveal a stainless steel dagger which sliced through the drunkard’s body as he ran toward the scene; the blood sputtering out from his insides.
    ..........“Let that be a warning to you,” the one clad in blue shouted over the commotion to the other men standing there as he, Martin Veracruz, and Greg moved toward a back exit. Ivan faced the mob, his hands outstretched in front of him, and his palms open; each with an Assassin's Blade held at his wrist and extending slightly past his middle finger, ready to dispatch any of the mob that came near.
    ..........They made no move, seeing their dead comrade lying on the floor in a bloodied mess. Ivan pushed the wailing prisoner—still screaming in pain and wishing he could die so the pain would stop—out of his way and followed the three others out of the bar and into the white snow.
    ..........As Greg was nearly gone from the scene, he turned around to face the mob, loading an explosive bullet in his pistol. He fired; the projectile flying past Ivan’s ear mere centimeters away. Ivan performed a flip with amazing speed, and, just as the orb hit its target—a glass lantern—Ivan was gone from the scene, jumping through the door and performing a somersault as he landed in the snow; the bar exploding behind him. He stood up calmly, following the three ahead of him as the pub erupted in flames.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    Note: Inspired by Lady Kopaka's artwork of The Shadowed One.
  23. Velox
    Another Day, Another Duty


     

    ~ :: ~


     
    A darkly clad figure cautiously looked around a corner before treading into a dark alleyway of a deserted city. With his Assassin’s Blades extended on his wrists, he continued his journey by quickly moving from behind one steel trash bin or concrete doorway to another, carefully observing his surroundings before each move.
    ..........The night was dark, with only the nearly-full moon and stars giving any illumination besides the occasional half-broken, dim streetlights on the main roads. Coming to a vertically-facing rain gutter which ran against the cinder block wall, he began to scale the rusted cylinder, using various abnormalities in the wall along with metal hinges which fastened the contraption in place, after both sheathing his blades and making sure no one was observing his moves.
    ..........Reaching the top of the building, he silently leapt up onto the roof, placing both hands on the ledge and swinging his body over. Pausing to adjust his hood and specially-modified night-vision glasses, he crouched down and moved silently and unseen from roof-top to roof-top until he reached near the end of the block. Underneath his half-zipped up ebon jacket, he could be seen wearing an armored vest consisting of protective pads fixed to a tight fiber jumpsuit beneath, throughout which various weapons were concealed. Seeing a dark figure ahead of him, the assassin dashed behind a large HVAC unit placed on top of the roof, not feeling any danger in his current situation due to his extensive training.
    ..........His prey, whose eyes were trained on the street below, took no notice of this motion. Looking around, he made sure there were no more lookouts on different roof-tops, after which he crept up behind the watchman and extended his right blade once more. He formed his hand into a fist and struck the blade into his prey’s throat before sheathing his blades again, grabbing the body as it fell and gently placing it on the ground. To the assassin, as he was called by few, or Ivan Petrov, as he was called by fewer, this work was now commonplace, allowing him to perform his duties without caring about morals. He had long ago pushed aside his conscience, believing it only to be an annoyance and hindrance in completing a mission.
    ..........Getting down on his stomach, he used his arms to pull himself to the edge of the roof where he slowly peeked over the foot-high ledge to see his target: a group of arms-dealers in an abandoned bank diagonally adjacent to the building he was on. He moved to a crouch position, resting his right knee on the concrete before removing his glasses – folding them and placing them in the pocket of his black shirt.
    ..........He unslung the black sniper rifle from his back, gently placing the two metal rods attached to his rifle on the ledge before him as to not make a sound. He reached into one of his left pockets of his charcoal cargo pants, pulling out a night-vision scope and placing it on the ground next to him.
    ..........Making sure the Bi-Pod was securely placed on the ledge, Ivan focused himself, slowing his breathing and calming his body. Firmly placing the butt of the gun against his shoulder, he held the barrel of the rifle with his left hand. Bringing his right hand up toward the trigger, he gently placed it on the gun, resting his finger on the side of the gun as he prepared to shoot, wrapping the same arm into the sling to force his arm to remain still. He adjusted the nobs and scope rings located on the top and side of the scope to the correct coordinates, and after loading the five-round magazine into the gun, placed the side of his face on the adjustable cheek piece, taking aim at the only streetlight still lit near his current position.
    ..........After placing his finger on the trigger, he took several slow, deep breaths, after which he pulled back on the contraption, firing at the light. The bullet broke through the glass casing and hit the bulb, immediately causing the light to flash out and glass shards to fall to the ground. Ivan quickly pulled his gun off the ledge and laid flat on the rooftop just as the two gorillas who were keeping watch turned their attention to the large glass windows of the building, looking for a cause of the sudden loss of light.
    ..........Seeing no immediate danger, the two guards reported the event to their boss, who was currently in the midst of an illegal arms negotiation. Ivan peeked his head over the ledge again and, seeing that no one was watching him, sat the rifle back on the raised platform. After taking a few seconds to aim again, he fired at the light inside the run-down bank, causing the whole street to go dark; lit only by the illumination of the heavens above.
    ..........He swiftly switched out the normal scope for the night-vision scope and aimed again, this time at one of the two guards who came rushing toward the window once more as the others inside the building armed themselves. Ivan reflected on the merciless, unhesitating manner in which he undertook his work as he lined up the cross hairs onto his target. He pulled the trigger, and the man he had shot crumpled as the bullet flew right through the gunman before embedding itself into the fall wall behind him. I'm following orders, he repeated in his mind, as he had countless times before. Nothing more.
    ..........By then the remaining persons inside the building had taken cover behind some of the bank's counters, realizing they were taking sniper fire. Ivan forced himself to be patient, remembering his orders and how he was supposed to go undetected. After several minutes, he saw one peek his head over the counter momentarily. Ivan focused on him, placing the cross-hairs of his scope where the man was moments before.
    ..........After a few more moments of silent waiting, the same man poked his head up again, getting impatient of the lack of action. Ivan quickly pulled the trigger, causing the man to be flung back by the impact of the shot. He was dead before his comrades heard his body hit the ground.
    ..........Another impatient soul rushed toward the door, attempting to take care of the sniper himself. Ivan smiled inwardly – after all, he loves the hunt of the game – and shot his weapon again after a split second of adjusting his shot to allow the bullet to hit the runner. The mercenary fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming beside him.
    ..........Realizing there would be no more foolish beings for easy prey, Ivan took out a metal crossbow from his backpack before slinging the rifle on his back again, folding the Bi-Pod and stock to more easily fit on his back for travel. He traded them for a metal tripod, placing it on the rooftop to serve as a zip line.
    ..........He aimed the crossbow at the wall next to the large window, firing an arrow with a string attached to it and then removing the end of the rope from the bow and tying it to the tripod. He placed a handle on the zip line from his pack and then grabbed the normal scope, quickly dropping it into his backpack before placing the bag on his back and grasping the handle of the zip line. He sailed down to the building where he used his arm to shatter the main window he was next to.
    ..........Acting quickly, he took out a silenced pistol holstered at the back of his waist and shot at the first who came running toward him, after which he pulled out a dagger from inside his jacket with his left hand and flung it to the other side of the building where another man rushed forward. The knife embedded itself into the man’s chest, causing the man to stumble forward and fall to the marble floor. Jumping into the building, he fired several more shots at two others before crouching low behind a counter as the last guard opened fire with an M-10 machine pistol. He made his way to the far end of the counter where the main arms-dealer was standing on the other side with his body guard. Reaching around the counter, he threw a smoke grenade behind them, causing them to turn around into an ambush of smoke.
    ..........He acted as fast as he could, running back to the other side of the counter as to not inhale the smoke and jumped over the three-foot wide top, shooting the body guard in the back as the arms-dealer turned around. Ivan extended his left Assassin's Blade, and, making sure the dealer wouldn't run by pointing the silenced pistol at his head, walked calmly forward. Coming within six inches from the dealer's face, he holstered his pistol and held up his blade to the crime-lord's face. Staring him in the eye, Ivan took one swift motion and stabbed his victim in the neck. Blood spurted from the open wound, spraying the surrounding area with the crimson liquid.
    ..........Sheathing his blade, he brought his right hand up to his ear where he pressed a button on his blue-tooth device before softly voicing into the device, "Done." He walked over to the crates of ammunition and suitcases of money where he made sure they were all in order, after which he made his rounds to each of the dead muscle-men and took their guns and ammo, placing them in the crates with the others.
    ..........Several minutes later, the soft whump-whump of a small helicopter was heard flying nearby, which made its way to the intersection of the run-down bank, landing softly on the ground. Two men jumped down from the vehicle, moving to the crates and loading them on the copter while Ivan loaded the suitcases. As the two men boarded again, Ivan made his way to the first building he was on, climbing up a fire escape and vaulting himself onto the rooftop where he gathered his zip line. As the helicopter hovered next to him, he jumped in just before it took off.
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    The helicopter landed again at The Black Fist base where Ivan quickly jumped out, letting the others carry the weapons and money. Stepping off the helipad, he made his way past the training facility and toward Martin Veracruz’s chambers. Although it was the middle of the night, he heard someone using one of the courses.
    ..........Of course she's out here at this hour, Ivan thought to himself, seeing the green-clad Larissa punching and kicking a padded pole, simultaneously throwing daggers at other makeshift targets.
    ..........He continued on his way, coming to the main building which he entered. After following a series of turns, he arrived at Veracruz’s chamber where he threw both of the huge wooden doors open and entered to find The Black Fist leader at his desk.
    ..........Ivan approached, muttering two simple words: "It's done."
    ..........Martin Veracruz nodded, looking at the array of weapons and the large stash of money as the crates were brought in. "Very well. Dismissed," he answered to the assassin. Ivan acquiesced, turning and leaving the room and walking toward his own quarters.
    ..........Veracruz, dressed in a large black trench coat and emerald scarf, turned his attention to the new munitions, slowly rising from his lofty chair and stepping forward, examining each of the crates and briefcases. "He did well, as usual," he muttered to himself. Raising his voice, he turned his attention over to the men who had brought the supplies in. "Take them to the armory," he said, motioning to the crates. "Put the money in the vaults."
    ..........With several nods and "yes sir”s, the men departed, carrying the crates and brief cases out with them as Martin Veracruz sat back on his chair.
    ..........When the room had cleared, a dark figure stepped out from one of the side doors. When he spoke, his voice was deep but clear, the voice of a leader. “Those weapons will suit our needs nicely. Soon, we will be ready to start.” He wore a navy blue jumpsuit and hooded cloak, with a golden-hued vest armored with protective pads which could be seen beneath the cloak.
    ..........“Indeed,” Veracruz answered his second-in-command, bringing up several maps on screens which dropped from the ceiling. “Soon…” These lasts words were whispered by Veracruz as the two of them continued drawing up battle plans.
     

    ~ :: ~


  24. Velox

    Solus

    By Velox,

    Solus


     

    ~::~


     
    I stood alone on the edge of a snowy mountain, a broadsword gripped tightly in my hand, surveying the aftermath of a war.
    ..........As I looked down the mountain, I realized that the snow was no longer a pure white, but rather a bright crimson, stained with blood. The blood of countless victims, whose bodies were strewn across the mountainside; some living, most dead, but all broken—if not in body then in spirit. ..........The bodies lay there, blood pouring out from open wounds and pieces of flesh hanging from limbs. Often there was not even a whole body, rather only an arm or a leg which had been hacked off during the battle.
    ..........I glanced out over these people, many who were my friends, simply abandoned there, more helpless than a child in a snowstorm. Those still alive breathed hoarsely, struggling with every rasping inhalation to remain alive. I wished I could go and help, but there was nothing I could do—nothing but watch as they gave a final moan of pain and gasped for the last time. I could barely stand to watch – my friends dying one by one, but I endured.
    ..........I did not enjoy standing there, watching them all die helplessly the way they did, but I knew I had no other choice. No other choice but to walk away and desert them; and that was not an option. Not for me. I would not leave my friends alone to die. I would remain until the end. To be with them every step of the way.
    ..........Soon there was only one person left who still breathed—even if only just. With each wheeze, drops of blood spilled from his open mouth, but he clung on to life, unwilling to give up just yet, still hoping there was a way to get back to his family.
    ..........He was my best friend.
    ..........When I could stand it no longer, just watching the life evaporate from my comrade's body, I started climbing down the hill-side. I walked with a limp I had received from many injuries. But I was still standing—the last to do so.
    ..........I trudged slowly through the ankle-deep snow toward my friend, who moments later was sprawled only feet away from me, one of this legs missing from the knee-down. As I walked, sharp, biting pain accompanying my every step, I looked down toward my armor, once a glistening white, but now matching the snow.
    ..........When I had at last reached where my friend was, I fell down on my knees and held him in my arms, bringing him close to my own body to keep him warm. He continuously spat out blood, staining my white armor even more, but I didn’t care, for that was all he could do. He could only lie there and cough up his own fluids, longing for death so the pain would cease, but yet wishing that he could live so he could see his family. He persevered, choosing the second option, holding onto hope. He made ragged breaths, was still alive—but not for much longer.
    ..........I remained there, cradling his limp form, not willing to give up, but knowing my efforts were fruitless. After only a few more minutes had passed, my friend let out his final exhalation. Blood still spewed from his mouth, numerous gashes and amputated limb, but he no longer felt pain, for he was dead. Tears flowed from my eyes and onto the body I was holding, which had only moments ago been alive. I stayed there, kneeling for a moment before I began screaming in anger; anger at the ones who started the war. Screaming in pain; pain that tore into my heart like daggers from the loss. Screaming in frustration; frustration that I could not have saved him.
    ..........I was alone, and soon would die from exhaustion, starvation, or blood-loss. The pain started to become intolerable, and I finally had to leave the scene, seeking help and leaving a scarlet trail with my tracks, my feet bleeding from one of many injuries.
    ..........I walked alone along the path before me, not knowing where it went, or where it would lead me. But I walked on further, knowing it was the only choice I had—the only choice besides giving up hope. As I looked around, hoping to find someone–anyone–I could see only my shadow beside me, always following, but never speaking, never comforting—I was alone.
    ..........I started to trudge away from the mountain, coming to a dirt path with patches of snow placed intermittently. The dirt entered the open wounds in my feet, causing violent stinging. I unsheathed my sword and brought it to my throat. I could bear the pain of being alone no more, nor the pain that escorted my numerous wounds, so I let the blade dig into my skin, releasing a trickle of blood from the wound. I was ready to plunge the sword in further, prepared to sever my jugular, but then I remembered who I was; a hero.
    ..........I trudged along still, sheathing my sword, determined to retain my dignity if nothing else. I tried to keep up hope, but I could undergo the pain no further. I fell down on the dirt path, the blood coming from my knees staining the path before me. I unsheathed my sword for a last time, and again brought it to my throat. I placed it on the cut I had made earlier, and dug in further.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     
    The blade passed through his jugular, severing the organs in his throat, and within seconds he was dead. His mouth remained open, and his body limped to the ground, lifeless. He was no longer alone at last. But he was lost forever.
     
     

    ~ :: ~


     

    Finis.


  25. Velox

    Hope

    By Velox,

    Hope


     

    ~ :: ~


     
    A human form floated down a large river, unmoving and seemingly lifeless. It drifted up onto the beige shore head first, skidding slightly before coming to a stop as the rough ground slowed its movement to a halt. The male body was bloody and bruised, and what was left of the bluish-gray clothes he once bore proudly were now tattered beyond recognition. The man laid there for hours, as still as if he were dead. Birds landed near the body, inspecting what may be their next meal.
    ..........Suddenly, the two small eyelids flickered open, only to be quickly shut again as the sun blinded what they protected. The birds fluttered away, aware at once that the meal they greatly desired was still alive. Slowly, he opened them part-way again, waiting a while before opening them up slightly further. He repeated this action until his eyes were fully open and used to the sunlight. Looking around, he moved his head in slightly different directions to examine his surroundings.
    ..........He found that in front of him there was the face of a cliff on the other side of a large body of water, and to the sides of him only sand as far as the eyes could see. He tried to move his body so that he could see behind him, but found that he was unable to. It was then that he saw his arms and body covered in blood.
    ..........What happened? he asked himself repeatedly, wishing to know what brought him to this state. Flashes of being held in a dark cave filled his mind, but try as he did he could not remember anything else. Abandoning his attempt to regain his memory, he once again focused on his body, this time trying to just lift his arm. He lifted it a millimeter, followed by another, until he had raised it an inch off the ground. He let it fall as an overwhelming weakness overcame him.
    ..........Tears filled his eyes as he started to lose hope, wondering if he would ever be able to move again. No, he demanded to himself, I will get up. I will make it home. It was with that that he finally remembered her -- the one he had loved. The one he still loved. I must get back to her, was the one thought continually going through his mind. That was all that mattered to him.
    ..........His breathing became heavier as he tried again and again. Finally he was able to turn his body to the side, only to have it turn all the way over and cause his face to become embedded in the sand. He lifted his head slowly, and shook out the sand from in his mouth and on his face. He moved his arms out in front of him, determined to push himself up. But as he pushed off the ground, his arms faltered beneath the weight of his body, and fell back down to where it was before. But his mind had been made up. He would get home. No matter how hard it was or how long it took.
    ..........He tried again, only to fail a second time. "No!" he yelled in frustration. "I won't give up!" Placing his hands out on the sand again, he pushed up with all his might. His arms failed a second time, and he fell back down on the rough sand as tears began to fill his eyes once more. He hit the ground with his forehead out of anger, still determined to get back home. But as he tried and failed again, he knew he had to rest, turning his head before lying it down so as to not get any more sand in his dry mouth. He longed for water and food, and started to question how he would ever get home.
    ..........But he put away these thoughts, knowing they would only do him more harm, and focused once again. He finally managed to get his arms and legs into a crawling position, and started dragging himself little by little off the sand. Minutes flew by before he finally grabbed a small bit of grass in his fingers, ripping it out of the ground and looking at it with joy. He raised his head to see a valley before him; the shore of the God-forsaken river left behind.
    ..........At least I know I made it this far. I only hope I can go the rest…
     
     
     

    ~ :: ~


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