Here is my submission for the Lupus Alliance of America Fanfic contest. It didn't win, but a lot of blood and Ammonium sulfate tears went into making this short story. I hope you enjoy!!!
Bonus Points
Alright Kidos, thats right ,you are back in school and you will get bonus points if you can figure you who are the two characters in the picture below? The town and planet are actually names of towns from a game I often play...what game is that? Could Siliconoids actually exist? Also if you submit all the chemical structures or molecular formulas to every substance in this story you will get an automatic A+.
Story
Drogo Scalzi V’Hoarde sat at his desk while scribing away for a project that is due very soon. He gently wipes his Orc sweat that permeates Ammonium sulfate off his green, reptilian brow. The reptilian skin protects him from the volcanic residue and 2000ºF dual sun scorching days. Drogo rises from his chair and begin pacing around the room, thinking of something else to ease his boredom. I really would rather work my exciting new project of making lava resistant shoes and Neutrapoison coated leather. He stops at the window dazing off at the scenery outside.
The land is scarce of vegetation, almost anaerobic, and lush with burning orange Felsic lava from the many surrounding volcanoes. The sky is impressive with dark volcanic ash clouds with streaks of vivid orange and red lights from the suns. The high pressure environment creates an alien land with Ammonia and Hydrogen sulfide pools where all of us, including wildlife uses as major source for nutrients. His neighborhood has clusters of volcanic rock and thatch huts. This is a very hot day, even for reptilian Scalz Orcs. He thought for a moment while walking out of the room.
Drogo notices a flyer lying on the table in the kitchen. I don’t remember seeing this before. He walks over to the table laying his huge stubby green hands on each side of the document. Drogo arches his back and reads it more attentively.
Wanted!
Dead or Alive!
Reward: §1,000,000
Target: Unicorn Pegasus Kitten
Description: This is a rare hybridization of Goliath Grey Tiger and Unicorn Pegasus. The creature has a long twisting golden horn, mysterious green eyes, fluffy grey tiger fur, strong Pegasus hind legs, and dusty color wings.
Objective: Any Scalz Orc that hunts this creature and returns the body will receive the reward for their efforts. There are sightings of these Unicorn Pegasus Kittens outside of Dolan Nar. This is a very rare animal and very special to the Siliconoids. These animals must be contained in any fashion to prevent Siliconoids capturing them for their purposes. Happy Hunting!
Regards,
Dolan Nar Council
Drogo’s face glows with excitement. He gathers his axe and shield, and heads out to town with a devilish grin on his face.
In town of Dolan Nar, the bazaar is bustling with merchants and patrons. Dust plums high from all of the caravans and crowds roaming the dusty streets. The old dusty black molten huts rose from the volcanic terrain. It is always dark and smoggy from the emissions from the industry plants and forge pits. The smell of rotten eggs fills every olfactory nerve, a pleasant aroma to the Orcs.
Only Orcs live here in this region, and if a foolish Siliconoid dare passes the ramparts, they would want swift death instead of the usual insane torture. Drogo passes by a gathering of Orcs as they were planning ways to torture this young Siliconoid they found hunting in their area. The Siliconoid howls in sizzling pain from the modified Hydrogen fluoride acid splash melting his silicon composite body.
When humans first came to the planet Medivh, their organic framework could not withstand the harsh, sweltering land. Therefore, some brave volunteers underwent experimentation, which transformed their bodies to replace carbons with silicon. Their metabolic processes also transformed to utilize sulfur and ammonia. Because of these transformations, they became a threat to the native Scalz Orcs. The Siliconoids have higher heat resistance, longevity, and greater strength.
The Orcs decide to fasten the arms and feet to posts at opposite ends of the sharpened stone slab under the abdomen. The weight of his body forces the body to sever itself on the poisonous blade that promotes him to twitch and thrash his body all over the stone. The melting flesh and dripping meat teases Drogo. I mus’ be hungry. He leaves town and heads out into the wild.
Bero Wil Dunn and his team are getting ready for tonight’s festivities. It is that annual Siliconoid celebration, the Hoi Polloi Volcano Carnival. Volcanoes are a perfect spot for such an event because the warmth is inviting, spacious, and there is no way for Scalz Orcs to intrude on them. Unlike Siliconoids, Scalz Orcs are unable to withstand the thermal blasts of heat and the magma will scorch their reptilian skin on contact. Hoi Polloi Volcano Carnival is a celebration of their existence and survival on Medivh. There are jongleurs, artisans, amusement rides, circus, and traditional feasts. Everyone from Lethior is here tonight in delightful moods and celebratory spirit.
“Risking my life for a futile performance….,” Bero grumbles under his breath as he pulls on his famous clown sweater. Then he grabs the blue spandex shorts, and laboriously pull them up. All performers for the circus wear distinctive red and white sweaters with clown faces. He sits on the bench, trying shake the internal turmoil over the impending show. What did I get myself into?
Outside of Bero’s dressing area, crowds of Siliconoids are dancing to the music performances, laughing at the jongleurs, and joyfully feasting. The volcano is a massive, hollow cone of rock with the small opening a couple miles above. The brilliant orange lava flows around the huge basalt basin slowly piling partially cooled magma onto the embankment creating puffy pillow like patterns around the shore. The glassy black basalt floor has a magical swirling rope pattern. The bright orange glow lights the whole room. The heat pulsates between 2200ºF – 2600ºF from the flow of lava and the pressure from mantle of the planet.
“WEEELLLCOME SILI-CONOIDS to the annual HOI POLLOI VOLCANO CARNI-VAAAL! Tonight the Circus will execute the most crazy, daring, death defying stunts for everyone’s entertainment! Enjoy the show!” The announcer broadcasts.
“RAH! RAH! RAH!” The Siliconoids roar and cheer as the begin crowding around the stage.
The team gathers around for the quick recap of the show. The tense and anxiety fills meeting from most of the performers attempting fate in doing unheard of feats. Bero’s performance will be the most dangerous and most impressive. Worry wears on his face with flush skin, receding eyes and cheeks. Bero has cotton mouth and clammy hands, it looks as though he is worrying himself sick. “Cooon-fidence, my friend. You’er inner demons will only win you’er demise, if you allow it. This feat will be successful. The Bero that I know is a born entertainer and adventurer.” A team member praises.
“Thanks friend, for the support,” Bero nervously grins. He picks up his five Hunter Spears. He looks high above, to the small opening at the top of the volcano. Its so far up there, almost endless. He grips the spears harder, and his face turns serious. Its now or never.
The last performer trails off the stage. Then an unknown catapult like contraption rolls onto the stage. The crowd’s noise dampens with awe. They are whispering to each other in confusion. The volcano suddenly surge in lava and thermal bursts.
“Now Everyone prepare yourselves…for an unprecedented stunt, a dangerous feat to amaze you! The last performer will attempt to launch himself out of the volcano! Yes, out of the volcano while spearing 5 MegaLorikeet birds in flight!”
Bero sequester his nerves and gallantly walks onto the stage. He waves to the crowd and raising his spears. Bero turns towards the device studying gears, position, arc, and any apparent defects to the eye. The crowd cheers in excitement, the loud clapping and roaring echoes within the walls and pierces Bero’s heart. He slowly climbs onto device. Bero tightens his grip on his spears, waves to the crowd, and mentally prepares for the imminent journey.
“CROWD START THE COUNTDOWN!”
The thunder of instruments vibrates off the volcano walls and everyone is cheering with great enthusiasm. “10…9…8…7…6…,” The crowd yells. He closes his eyes and a burst of anxiety overwhelms him. The team releases five MegaLorikeet birds. The birds glide above the crowd encircling the area.
Not far from the volcano, Drogo is hunting around the sulfur and ammonia pools for the rare Pegasus Unicorn Kitten. Even with the lack of vegetation, the creature can very will hide behind rocks, swimming in the pools, or soaring above him. Drogo scans the scenery for any clues of the Pegasus Unicorn Kitten presence. He looks towards the largest volcano, feeling on a hunch, Drogo begins sneaking in that direction.
“5…4…3…2…1,” The crowd roars.
Bero launches out of the device in bewildering speed. He thrust the first bird and falls from the sky into the lava, instant fire burst. The crowd cheers. He darts Bird 2, Bird 3, and Bird 4 evades Bero by descending to a lower height and glide around the crowd below. Damn it! Missed one! He pulls back the spear, feeling the force from the launch yanking the spear back more, which requires more strength to project the spear piercing the last Megakeet Bird. Bero explodes out of the volcano as if he is the lava in an eruption.
Drogo crouches lower and senses something is near. He looks behind, scans both sides, and focuses again on the land before him. Suddenly, Drogo hears a WHOOSH, WHOOSH above him. UNICORN PEGASUS KITTEN! Waah!… The creature notices the Orc on the ground and looms over him feeding his curiosity. Drogo’s panic quickly morphs into anger and controls his excitement. He lunges down with axe and shield, preparing to pounce on the Unicorn Pegasus Kitten.
“AAHHHHHH!” Bero screams while descending the launch. Where is the damn net? Panic sets in and he begins to flails around in the sky while spectators are unaware of the danger Bero is facing. Drogo draws out a long low pitch growl. “RAWR!” Drogo fiercely roars as he proceed to jump.
“AAHHHH!...”
The trailing yell echoes off the rocks surrounding the creature and Drogo. What the? Drogo thought. THUD! Bero plops right onto the Unicorn Pegasus Kitten. The creature yowls, eyes open wide, and bears his claws from the sheer fright. The yowling resonates in Drogo’s ears deafening his thoughts and rings pain in his head. He shakes his heads, and grunts back at the creature and unknown intruder.
“Oh shit! A Unicorn Pegasus Kitten! What a wonderful creature and with such luck I would land on one!” Bero exhaustively announces to himself. Even though tired and beaten, Bero soothes the frighten creature with some old Siliconoid humming and mounts on the its back correctly while peering below the Pegasus Kitten. Bero notices the unknown silhouette is staring up at him. Bero couldn’t focus from the disorientation from being launched out of the volcano. He takes a second for the eyes to adjust to the darkness of the evening. He realizes the unknown figure is a SCALZ ORC!
“You are ruining my HUNT! No worries, I will get my reward and…my dinner!” Drogo hisses angrily with a scowl and grunts.
Bero twirls the spears dagger towards Drogo and twist his upper body for a thrust. With a stern grimace he peers at the Scalz Orc, he recognizes him and asks, “Drogo V’Hoarde, would you kill and dine on an old friend?”
“Huh…Uhh…” Drogo stammers as he tries to realize what just had happen. He replies, “Dunn? Why in the hell were you falling from the sky? This is jus’ my luck you land on the one Unicorn Pegasus Kitten I am hunting for a reward.”
“Sorry buddy. I was just crammed into a device that catapulted me in blasting speed who knows how high out of the volcano, while having to spear 5 Megakeets birds, missing my net, and landing on the one Unicorn Pegasus Kitten you were hunting just to fuck with you.”
Drogo bring his guard down with a huge Orcish grin. “That’s a fantastic idea to torture Siliconoids,” Drogo chuckles.
I mean not in the literal sense, but look at this picture...
I am a admirer and follower of Wil Wheaton's WWdN: In Exile Blog and his Blog has this picture plastered on there. The title, "As His Kilt Rises" , which only describes his part in the picture and I could very easily tell you how I...or I should say Felicia Day is feeling right at that very moment.
See now this is completely not fair because I admire Wil Wheaton in general whether he is famous or not because I believe is an awesome geeky guy. I have long red hair and similar in appearance and mannerisms as, "Codex" which is Felicia Day's character in The Guild. It just flaunts so obnoxiously in my face what I can't have, or will never have. But thats all I can think about when I see this picture. I will probably never meet him in person, and never have a real friendship other than the barrier of get away, your a fan. I probably could rant on this inner pessimism about Fandom, but I may leave that for another post.
This picture is a illustration about the romance the two characters Fawkes Wil Wheaton and Codex Felicia Day. They are members of rivalry guilds in the MMO gaming community in the show. You have to watch the videos for the The Guild on Youtube or Xbox live because I am not going to add any further spoilage. I highly recommend doing so. The seasons one and two you have to warm up to because you need to develop connections with characters before you get full enjoyment of the whole series.
I love The Guild because I can relate to the dynamics of the show. I love playing World of Warcraft, but its evil and addicting and try not to play it for five hours or more at a time. Anyways, if anyone wants to try it out I can give you a free trial, and only need your email, or if you want to play with me just leave a comment and we could hook something up. *Damn it! I am dealing Computer Crack* Anyways, I am apart of a guild and I know how it feels when playing with a group of friends and also have hackling from enemy guilds. Plus I can see my actions, logic, and my personality with Codex which is creepy sometimes, but enjoyable when I do the slap of my palm to my forehead.
Whats worse is I see the erie similarity between Fawkes personality with my friend who I have nicknamed Fawkes which drives me crazy in various ways, and in The Guild....nevermind i am not going there.
"I never seen cacti grow in the wild before. I want to take a picture of one." A friend said while on the shuttle to the hotel.
For a moment that sounds so strange to me, cacti growing in the wild? I thought they came from the nursery, where I had seen them my whole life until this year. I guess I am pretty lucky this year. In 25 years, I have never made trips to the west. Now I have been there twice in one year! First time it was in Las Vegas, NV in April and now Phoenix, Az.
From Embassy Suite Hotel in Phoenix, Az.
A group of us from work was elected to travel to Phoenix for some training. It was all expense paid, except for alcohol trip for two nights. There were two people from customer service *Never met*, one from IT *Never met*, and two from EH&S. Luckily, we got along rather well on the trip, and done everything from drinks to spending time in the pool together. We all had separate rooms at the Embassy suites, which is a very nice hotel. Two room suites with King beds, complimentary cook to order breakfast, and cocktails in the evening.
When stepping outside, it felt like a burst of heat in a sauna. The low humidity prevents sweating, but the heat will exhaust you until your body adapts. There is no such thing as grass, but the greenery is there from the palm trees and brush. Definitely, desert environment with rock hills and mountains dotted along and around Phoenix. What is so interesting about Phoenix is that its so widespread. The buildings and homes are not in close clusters. Of course most buildings in homes have the Spanish accents and tile roofs. It is a beautiful city, no question about it.
The company I work for is TCS, Tata Consultancy Service. The Tata Conglomerate is huge in India. You may have heard of the Tata Nano, the most inexpensive car known, Tata Steel, and many other fractions from Tata. It interesting with being involved with a company from another country. The customs and culture has an influence on how the company operates and decisions made from leadership. Which honestly at times could become difficult if you have different view or experiences that could lead to conflict. Which is not a bad thing at all, and there is a lot of growing and learning to do with situations like that.
Anyways, before I even thought about entering my interest about this trip I had some concerns on who I will meet along the way. So far I met some people from other departments *good*, encountered some crazy taxi drivers that couldn't really speak English well *good to be alive*, and the other participants for the TCS training workshop. The only group besides the woman from the Phoenix office is U.S. born I would say. *Oh except for the IT guy, he is from Egypt*. Most of the groups was Indian. Which is great to meet everyone from other areas in TCS as well from different heritages. The only issue is understanding the accent and geography from which the examples were coming from. Because this company is from India, most of the workshop referred to India. I learned a lot while being there, and good tools for problem solving and team building.
Overall the trip was awesome. The flight there in first class was great. I had a drink in my hand before taking off. Although, the trip home could have been better, and Delta and Atlanta Airport is on my ongoing shit list. I had an hour delay and then another hour delay while on the plane. They seated my in the last row near the toilets and engine. It Stunk! It was so loud that I had a migraine from the engine roaring! I was freezing my ass off even with the a/c shut off. I will tell you my whole story about Delta and Atlanta airport later...lets just say if a nuclear bomb *figuratively* falls onto Atlanta I would not shed a tear, good riddance.
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