Tag: romance

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 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?”

Distant Love (Part 68)

Empty wheelchair draped with a blanket by a window during a rainy day.

Derek awakens to the sound of pattering as rain hits his bedroom window. For a moment, he rests and ponders the splendid magnificence of it all. The great hydrological cycle of the Earth, the life giver. Back in the lunar days, it had all seemed like such a strange and improbable process. And yet here he was now listening to water hitting against his window that had come from the sky as if conjured up by some strange God.

And then there was the light, flickering in through the window after a million or more long journey. So much for him to do and see today on this first day on this small island. There is a smell of bacon and toast wafting into his room.

As if I needed any more motivation to get up.

The room was smaller than he was used to, which made his maneuvers more difficult. He struggles saying under his breath that the gravity feels stronger here despite what the lunar technicians had previously told him.

Fully dressed and in his wheelchair, he exits his bedroom and enters the hive of activity that is the kitchen.

Jessica smiles. “Aye boy, wha’ wud ya like? Some rashers and sausages, maybe?”

Wheelchair Wars 2 (iv)

“II iinstruucted theem too doo soo,” Oreus said matter-of-factly, and without any sense of regret.

Oreus drove in front of the two women, his two henchmen at either side.

“Staand doown.”

The two female warriors deactivated their weapons. “Why Oreus, I don’t understand.”

“Beecaause tooday yoouu foought aas a teeam.”

Then another voice spoke from behind them. It was Timothy. “He was testing the two of you. To see if you fight as a team. I told him I had no doubts, but he must have decided to test the two of you all the same.”

“Yees,” Oreus responded. He nodded for his men to remove the crying warrior from the floor. “Aand I haave noo reegrets. The Fiiaana aare aall that maatters.”

With that, he used his chin to control his battle chair and drove away.

Audrey felt a drop of sweat from her brow. The onlookers were wide-eyed now. She turned her battle chair and saw that the team was all there. Her eyes met Timothy, who gave her a little smile.

They were already all decked out in their armor and weapons.

Timothy spoke with intensity, a chainsaw affixed to his chair, “Okay, everybody, this is how we’re going to approach the next battle.

Wheelchair Wars 2 (iii)

Timothy would say they are slower. Take advantage of that. Separate them and take them off one by one.

“Come on, Jessica, let’s show them what we’ve got,” Audrey roared.

Those watching cheered.

Audrey activated her wheelchair toppling device and began a large arc around the arena. Jessica did likewise. Cian took the bait, charging after her. “I’m going to cut you up, bitch!”

Those in the centre were laughing with each other, oblivious to the danger they now faced.

Audrey now veered towards the centre. One of her opponent’s hadn`’t even moved. She careered into the back of his chair without slowing, flipping it to cries of pain.

Thrills of excitement flowed through her body.

Seconds later, more cries of pain. Jessica’s stabbing device had made contact.

All, apart from Cian, now retreated apart from his comrade, crying on the stone surface.

“Have you something else you wish to say, Cian?” Their two battlechairs were now approaching his. His clenched jaw and crimson face were replaced by wide eyes and pulled together eyebrows.

“Stoop thhiiss noow!” It was Oreus.

“He started this. We deserve our chance to finish it,” Jessica shouted out, full of invective. Audrey looked at her, nodding her approval.”

Distant Love (Part 67)

Derek felt queasy. He should have known that Diane would have been aware of his cousin. His cousin, Aoife, lives in Zone B. She is the only family he has, and she always makes a big effort to stay in touch. Her baby, Lucas, is just six months old. He recoils at the thought of something happening to them.

“You wouldn’t!” he snarls.

“You know I would.” She lets out a little laugh to herself.

Derek shakes his head. “How do I know where Maeve is going to be?”

“Already sent to you in an encrypted email. Time to show me what you got.” She stands up and walks out. There is still coffee left in her cup.

Derek goes to the robotic waiter and pays, before heading back to his apartment. The guns are all laid out as she stated. Derek feels his heart racing as he checks his incoming messages on the desktop,

There it is. Maeve will be at lift 12B in under one hour.

No time to waste. I have no option, and at least Maeve will be safe for now.

He lifted one of the guns up.

It’s time to fix some of these to the wheelchair. They’ll never know what hit them.

Distant Love (Part 66)

“What do you mean where I come in?” Derek gasps in exasperation.

Diane fidgets, looking this way and that before staring right at him. “You are going to break her out. Then you’re going to be a good little spy, and tell me the family’s secrets.”

Derek’s eyes bulge. “What the..”

Her face contorts and turns crimson. She interrupts him. “Listen now. You’ll do exactly as I say. Otherwise, she will face her remaining years behind bars. And you, my friend will have a little, but fatal accident.”

“Wow, you really are such a bitch. Honestly what made you so?” Derek sighs.

For a few moments, there is silence apart from the robotic waiter moving from table to table in the distance.

“I have no choice do I? Not really?” Derek glared at her.

“No, you don’t. And look, we don’t have much time.”

Derek nodded for her to continue speaking.

“When you come back from your next shift, multiple T-35 guns will be left in your apartment. Attach them to your chair and automate as you see fit. I know about the advanced training you received, and that a relative left you a ship. Go wherever she wants and report back.”

Diane smiles. “And no funny business. I know about your cousin.”

“You wouldn’t!”