They had died when helping thwart a plan to undermine the government of the United States. Now Ben and Susan have returned from the dead and they must bring that government down. Standing in their way are Michael Black and Michelle Gray, the bodies of whom they now occupy.
-(The Story begins HERE)-
My mind was straining to project thoughts to Rosie in attempt to plead with her. Next to me, I could sense that Michelle was also attempting the same thing. If she sensed either of our thoughts, Rosie offered no response.
Glancing at Baxter and O'Day, their blank stares only confirmed that they were being controlled. I momentarily wrestled with the idea of charging one of them and trying to seize one of the weapons. I dismissed the thought however, knowing that even if I succeeded, the other would probably have the drop on me.
Then there was a crawling feeling inside of my head. My mind was being probed. Someone was trying to pilfer my thoughts. I slammed my eyelids shut and tried to force the intrusive mind from my head. Inexplicably I felt a surge of neural energy that seemed to spring from deep within my psyche and the invading thoughts were cast away.
Next to me, before I had a chance to ponder the occurrence, Michelle stumbled but was able to regain her balance. Grabbing my arm she leaned against me and whispered, "What just happened?"
It was apparent to me that she'd also experienced the same intrusion and ouster of the alien mind. "I don't know," was my barely perceptible reply.
"Break it up, you two!" Gates barked. His eyes met mine and he said, "I guess I'm going to have to separate you and the missus, eh?"
With Baxter steering Michelle to the far end of the array of consoles, O'Day guided me to the seat in front of the nearest one and waved his pistol for me to sit. When I hesitated he touched the pistol against my shoulder and shoved me into the chair with his free hand.
"Brock? Why are you doing this?" I pleaded hoping to break the trance to which he'd been subjected. If he heard my words at all, he ignored them.
"People," Gates shouted, "I need all of you conscious and there is no need for anyone to get hurt. I want you to pick up those headsets now ... and put them on ..."
As I slipped the device onto my head I thought of Rosie's thoughts to Michelle and me that we would be unaffected. It was her fate however, that troubled me. Why was she so adamant that her sacrifice was necessary? I turned my head to my left trying to locate her in the room. Staring at the wall before her, she too had donned one of the neural headsets.
Rosie had positioned herself at the console next to Michelle. Although she showed no signs of interaction with her, I couldn't help but wonder if her choice of seats might have been by design. I looked up as Jordan slid into the seat next to me. Perhaps his positioning was by design also?
I felt his presence behind me. Addams/Gates placed his hands on the back of my chair and chortled, "Relax, Mr. Black. No one can help you now. In a couple of minutes you won't remember our differences. Why, I will even go so far as to predict that you will become one of my biggest supporters."
"But, Julius," Jordan quipped, "it will not be of his own free will."
"Ah, Bishop, my one time associate-turned enemy has decided to honor me by addressing me directly." He eyed the old man with disdain and snorted, "You of all people know what power I have at hand. Free will? Shortly my will shall be the only one that matters."
"You've gone stark raving mad!" Faye screeched.
He stepped in her direction and grinned. "Step-daughter, it was always you who demanded and received special attention. Everything was handed to you. The more you were given, the more you wanted. Your sister on the other hand, always worked her fingers to the bone for everything she wanted." He paused, placed his fists on his hips and continued, "Well today that will all change. It's her turn to want for nothing."
"Father," Rosie said in an almost mechanical tone, "let us proceed."
Addams/Gates was visibly chagrined to have his ramblings interrupted but was quick to gather his composure. He crossed the room and stood before a vacant console. After donning a headset he moved in front of a master control panel and allowed his finger to hover near a large toggle switch.
He glanced at the row of consoles and the individuals seated before them. "For me, this is victory. For you, Rosie, it is revenge."
Without hesitating another moment he flipped the switch. In a trice the room was filled with agonizing guttural screams as the insides of our heads were ignited with searing pain. Then everything went black.
Glancing at Baxter and O'Day, their blank stares only confirmed that they were being controlled. I momentarily wrestled with the idea of charging one of them and trying to seize one of the weapons. I dismissed the thought however, knowing that even if I succeeded, the other would probably have the drop on me.
Then there was a crawling feeling inside of my head. My mind was being probed. Someone was trying to pilfer my thoughts. I slammed my eyelids shut and tried to force the intrusive mind from my head. Inexplicably I felt a surge of neural energy that seemed to spring from deep within my psyche and the invading thoughts were cast away.
Next to me, before I had a chance to ponder the occurrence, Michelle stumbled but was able to regain her balance. Grabbing my arm she leaned against me and whispered, "What just happened?"
It was apparent to me that she'd also experienced the same intrusion and ouster of the alien mind. "I don't know," was my barely perceptible reply.
"Break it up, you two!" Gates barked. His eyes met mine and he said, "I guess I'm going to have to separate you and the missus, eh?"
With Baxter steering Michelle to the far end of the array of consoles, O'Day guided me to the seat in front of the nearest one and waved his pistol for me to sit. When I hesitated he touched the pistol against my shoulder and shoved me into the chair with his free hand.
"Brock? Why are you doing this?" I pleaded hoping to break the trance to which he'd been subjected. If he heard my words at all, he ignored them.
"People," Gates shouted, "I need all of you conscious and there is no need for anyone to get hurt. I want you to pick up those headsets now ... and put them on ..."
As I slipped the device onto my head I thought of Rosie's thoughts to Michelle and me that we would be unaffected. It was her fate however, that troubled me. Why was she so adamant that her sacrifice was necessary? I turned my head to my left trying to locate her in the room. Staring at the wall before her, she too had donned one of the neural headsets.
Rosie had positioned herself at the console next to Michelle. Although she showed no signs of interaction with her, I couldn't help but wonder if her choice of seats might have been by design. I looked up as Jordan slid into the seat next to me. Perhaps his positioning was by design also?
I felt his presence behind me. Addams/Gates placed his hands on the back of my chair and chortled, "Relax, Mr. Black. No one can help you now. In a couple of minutes you won't remember our differences. Why, I will even go so far as to predict that you will become one of my biggest supporters."
"But, Julius," Jordan quipped, "it will not be of his own free will."
"Ah, Bishop, my one time associate-turned enemy has decided to honor me by addressing me directly." He eyed the old man with disdain and snorted, "You of all people know what power I have at hand. Free will? Shortly my will shall be the only one that matters."
"You've gone stark raving mad!" Faye screeched.
He stepped in her direction and grinned. "Step-daughter, it was always you who demanded and received special attention. Everything was handed to you. The more you were given, the more you wanted. Your sister on the other hand, always worked her fingers to the bone for everything she wanted." He paused, placed his fists on his hips and continued, "Well today that will all change. It's her turn to want for nothing."
"Father," Rosie said in an almost mechanical tone, "let us proceed."
Addams/Gates was visibly chagrined to have his ramblings interrupted but was quick to gather his composure. He crossed the room and stood before a vacant console. After donning a headset he moved in front of a master control panel and allowed his finger to hover near a large toggle switch.
He glanced at the row of consoles and the individuals seated before them. "For me, this is victory. For you, Rosie, it is revenge."
Without hesitating another moment he flipped the switch. In a trice the room was filled with agonizing guttural screams as the insides of our heads were ignited with searing pain. Then everything went black.
Dreams On Wings
№ 2133
4 comments:
The anxiety, at least I think it was anxiety, of not smoking appears to be passing. Today is the first time I've been able to post anything without wanting a cigarette ...
I don't think I'm out of the woods, but I'm not only NOT craving a cigarette, I'm actually finding that I don't WANT one.
By this time next week, Butterfly Dreams will be completed.
Thank you for patience.
I appreciate the "agony" you are going through. It can't be easy.
Perhaps you had your "headset" on and that has allowed you to continue with the story. It will be interesting to read the final chapter. I suspect that Gates will be the one who loses in the end. That could be Rosie's real revenge.
I'm so proud of you for not picking up a cigarette. So very proud. I know how hard it is to quite, but it's been six years for me. The freedom of not smoking is fabulous. I can go anywhere without worrying about having to smoke. Like traveling across county on an airplane. Freedom I tell you.
I'm hoping that Jack's assessment is right. That would be true justice not to mention a happy ending.
Have a terrific day. :)
I'm late to the party, as usual, but I LIKE this. Many kudos!:)
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