Tag: disability

Oreus 2 (iv)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

A pause as if for effect.

“The people must be distracted.” He took a moment for another breath. “We need something big that will take people’s mind off other concerns. It needs to be something novel that catches the imagination.”

Roisin spoke up. “Maybe a fight to the death between all the teams?”

Brigid let off a little laugh. “That won’t generate the kind of interest that he is looking for. It’s been done to death, pardon the pun.

O Murchu then spoke, “Maybe a team battling a creature or something.”

Brigid tapped the table. “I’ve got it! As we all know, the Fianna are the in team at the moment.”

Oreus’ jaw clenched. What is she going to say?

“How about say a battle between the Fianna and say, a Gargantuan”

Gasps went up around the room.

Oreus’ heart sank. “That would be preposterous. They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

The room erupted in chatter.

“Quiet!” shouted the Governor. The room went quiet. “This is the kind of idea I was talking about. I like it. And if any of the Fianna survive, then they will have earned their place serving the Emperor. I can see it now, an epic battle that will be shown not only in this system but throughout the quadrant.”

Oreus 2 (iii)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

Oreus’ eyebrows raised on seeing them. Both suffered from some sort of paralysis or at least that was what they claimed.

The Mangans embraced the color red, sporting in on their chairs, jackets, and even dying their hair.

The Rangers were despised by all the other teams, as they took delight in torturing their victims slowly.

A stench entered the room. Oreus’ face twitched.

Roisin grinned. “He’ll doon be here.”

The Governor entered the room. He looked like death. “Ah, good, most of you are here.”

“You never informed me that this would be a Gathering!” The anger in Oreus’ voice was palpable.

“None of us were informed,” Brigid replied, staring right into his eyes.

“Stop it!” The Governor shouted. “There is no time for your squabbles. You will be quiet and your grievances aside for now.

He took a large breath. “There is an issue with the supply of grain to the planet. Prices are about to rise by fifteen percent. A percentage of the population, relatively small will starve. However, that concerns me not. There must be no disorder. A new enemy has entered the quadrant, and production must not be affected.”

After rubbing his nose, he continued, “That’s where the Wheelchair Wars come in.”

Oreus 2 (ii)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

He was from the O’Neill clan. To date, they have had the most exalted history with the most warriors going on to serve in the Emperor’s legions. They claimed a genetic history to the first colonizer ship.

Then, there was Helen from the Cruthin. Her long, blonde hair resting on one of the machine guns mounted on her wheelchairs’ sides. Her disability was caused by a genetic disorder of the muscles. Normally bombastic, she was quiet, her face sullen. The youngest of the team leaders, her position at the helm was still considered unstable.

Oreus’ mind was constantly assessing the threat level.

She may feel aggrieved over what had happened on the mountain. I’m safe at an official meeting, but perhaps afterwards, on my way back to base, she will seek revenge.

Oisin from the O’Kelly clan was next. He had a severe facial deformity, one half of it drooping down. His left leg was also swollen, much larger than usual. Of all in the room, he had the most ferocious reputation. His legendary sword was resting behind his seat,

The others in attendance were O Murchu from the Rangers and Roisin from the Mangans. These were newer time teams, less than thirty orbits old.

Oreus 2 (i)

Soldiers in combat-ready wheelchairs strategizing around a holographic table in a wasteland bunker.

Oreus felt sweat dropping from his brow. Two hours ago, he had been summoned to the Shelbo Hotel, the height of luxury for this layer, despite the damp walls, for a meeting with the Governor.

But now he was face-to-face with Bidget, her eyes bulging. She was at the opposite end of a round table in a large rectangular room. And worse, his battle chair was only lightly armed.

All he had to do was move his head a little to the left, and the battle would begin.

A sound of chatter, and the motors of battle chairs came from the four entrances. He knew them; they were the leaders of the other teams.

Brigid spoke, her voice full of venom. “It is a Gathering. Do not fire.”

Oreus nodded his agreement. A Gathering of the various teams was rare, and they were only held in the most extenuating of circumstances. Usually, though, they are held with much fanfare. Not in secret, and not like this.

Sure enough, the other team or tribal leaders appeared.

Auros, with a long white beard, went to Oreus’ left. He was short an ear that he had lost in battle a long time ago. He had clasped hands, and a curved spine like Timothy’s.

Wheelchair Wars Oreus (iii)

“That is fine, Mefus. Leave me.”

Expressionless, he walked out of the room.

Above Oreus were screens of Timothy and Audrey practicing. Their faces contorting as they gave maximum effort at all times.

They have cunning, guile and intelligence but is it too soon?

Oreus thought back to all the hundreds of warriors he had seen over the innumerable time cycles. Most died quickly, roaring in agony long before he tried remembering their names. Some though, he had grown fond of, even admired. It had made it all the more difficult to watch them being ripped apart in the various arenas. And mostly, by the Fionn.

He recalled his first meeting with what was then a young Brigid. Back then, the Fionn feared the Fianna, but not her. She stared right back at him, no fear. Then the results began to change. The stream of bloody bodies became a flood, that still continues.

Maybe, this time would be different. There was something about this latest crop.

Oreus bellowed, “Sean, call Brigid.”

The woman reappeared scowling. “So, are you a go?”

Oreus spoke with defiance. “Yes, we are a go.”

“Oh, the Governor will be happy. And my warriors even more so.”

Distant Love (Part 69)

A rustic kitchen with sleeping pets and giant breakfast food floating in the landscape.

Derek smiles. “It sounds and smells lovely but what’s a rasher?”

Jessica laughs. “Oh, that be bacon to the likes of you.”

“Smashing, where’s Maeve?” Derek asks.

“Ah, she went out walking. To clear the head. Have you any plans for the day? I’m sure you have plenty of thinking to do.”

Nodding, Derek replied, “Yes, I have a lot to think about. I’m going to head over to the ship, make sure it is fully operational. And then, how to make some money?”

She places her hands on the table. “Remember, the two of you are not alone. You have support here. Don’t forget.”

Satiated, Derek later heads outside. For a moment, he pauses. It is a totally different sensory experience to being on the moon. The clouds drifting in the sky, the wind blowing through the grass and the smell of the sea in the air. Maeve was nowhere to be seen.

He drives his wheelchair forward over the stony surface down the winding lanes to the ship. It looks totally out of place.

The ramp deploys as he approaches. He looks around before heading straight to the control panel.

His presence turns on all the lights and computer analysis.

Wheelchair Wars Oreus (ii)

Uniformed officers examine a large holographic projection of a planet on a futuristic bridge.

Oreus shook his head. “Yoou neever chaange, Saaooirse. Eeveen aafter aall thiis tiime.”

“And you are still a fool. So, have you another team lined up for the slaughter?”

Oreus turned his chair and looked down at his fighters. Timothy and Audrey were engaged in what looked like deep discussion. “Thheey arre noot reaady yet.”

“You would turn your back on me! I can sense your weakness even from here.”

Oreus grimmiced. “I haave thhe maakings oof aa teeam buut its too sooon.”

She was angry now. “The Governor will not be happy. There is an edict that the people are to be entertained. He has senses that the forces of Chaos grow strong on this planet”

With that, the transmission ended.

“Mefus,” Orpheus shouted.

One of the large men that were always at his side entered the room, lifted him up and placed him on the bed. For a moment, Oreus looked at the long scar on the back of the man’s head. It reminded him on the first time they met.

I would apologize but the brute would not be able to comprehend the immensity of the injury I had done. No way to explain that he had mangled his brain to induce servitude.

Wheelchair Wars 4 (i)

A person in a hooded jacket standing under a running shower in a metallic communal bathroom.

Audrey’s heart was thumping, her hands shaking. Body parts of her teammates were strewn on the ground. She wanted to scream, but nothing would come out. Instead, the vast crowd continued to cheer.

The bloodied, hole-laden Gargantuan lay motionless on the ground, its immense body still memorizing.

A pale, sullen Timothy soaked up the crowd’s adulation.

She pressed her joystick forward unthinkingly and began the journey back to base. No words passed them.

The corridors were still full of people carrying the Fianna emblem. Their smiles disappeared on seeing her.

She went straight to her room and locked the even though she sensed a gathering was expected. The shower was turned on, and she undressed.

The water flowed over her body, cleansing it of the small pieces of flesh jung on,

She held her hands up to her eyes and cried uncontrollably, so hard at times that she struggled to breathe.

Memories of those lost flooded her mind. Jack’s smile, gossiping with the girls, and even Olsen teasing her about Timothy. Then, older memories of all the girl’s that died at the convent. Harriet’s screams as one of the sister’s beat her one too many times.

You can do this Audrey. You’ve been through too much to just give up.

Wheelchair Wars 3 (iii)

Man in tank-treaded wheelchair facing a giant robot in a smoky hallway.

One of the Zeplins tapped Audrey’s arm and nodded, before walking away.

Audrey turned her wheelchair. The difference was apparent. The chair was no longer nimble and fast. It was slow and cumbersome, the centre of gravity was all wrong. .

The two guys looked at her.

Audrey bit her lip. “No, this won’t do. It’s far too slow. and targeting would be too difficult.”

Jack took a large breath. “Damn, that’s a pity. So what next?”

“Maybe, the flame thrower?” Olsen said, “It must burn just like everything else.”

Audrey frowned. “Timothy wasn’t too keen on that at all, remember? Too slow and might make the Gargantuan even more vicious.”

“True enough, I suppose. So, what next?” Olsen drove towards her. “We don’t have many time cycles left, and we’re going to have some time to practice.”

“We need to keep going?” Her jaw clenched.

Over the next hour, they took on and off weapons. Some overly impinged on the chair’s versatility; others inflicted too little damage.

“I think I have it!” Audrey roared. Machine guns were affixed on either side of her. Her chair rocked back and forth as she fired at the distant target.

“You go, girl!” Jack whupped.

Olsen grinned.

Wheelchair Wars 3 (i)

Bustling fantasy military camp at sunset featuring knights, magical creatures, and wooden siege engines.

Sweat dripped from Audrey’s brow. She looked at those that remained around her, Olsen, and Jack. They were in the Fianna hall,

Will any of them survive the next battle?

They had spent the whole day exploring different weapons and tactics to use against the Gargantuan.

Timothy retreated to rest some time ago, and Caoimhne followed. She knew that she was on her way to his room, but tried not to think about it. The thought of facing the Gargantuan was enough. The others followed to their beds soon after.

“You okay, Audrey?” It was Jack, giving her a warm smile. She found him to be a welcome addition to the team, however long or short that might be.

“Good, cos we kind of need you at the top of your game. Like, you’re definitely one of our best fighters,” he said with a wry smile.

“I’m fine,” she replied in a loud, firm tone.

“I think she’s jealous,” Olsen said with a wide grin.

“What are you on about?” she replied, shaking her head. “You should both be concentrating on the task in hand, not concerning yourselves with me.

“He likes you, I can tell,” Olsen continued.

“Whatever.” Audrey rolled her eyes. “What weapon is next?”