Eternus Infinuum (Updated, part of Ch. 1)

[Shandriz]

I also seem to have a thing for wars...xD

Prologue

The war had started over a decade ago. No one was entirely clear why it started. Obviously, Karl and Tracy closing down their international branches was the kicker, but the war'd been coming for a while. The question was, why had Karl and Tracy done it? Most assumed it was just because of the costs of upkeep on the international branches, but with the amount of money the people in the other countries were willing to pay for their technology, it was a pretty slim chance that was true.

Since 1982 Karl and Tracy had been a big name in technology. They developed more advanced, cheaper, and easier-to-come by technology than anyone else. By 1985 they'd nearly monopolized the market. And why not? One company that made everything from telephones and home computers to advanced military-esque planes and weapons. It was well known by the time the war started five years later that they had the most advanced weapon system of any of their competitors. Not to mention that most of their competitors were either bought out by them or made instantaneously bankrupt by their evident political and economical power. Karl and Tracy were as much a part of life in America as baseball. They were in your schools and running your schools and controlling hospitals, providing police units and national defense mechanisms.

And then they'd started the war.

Life had changed for everyone. Britain turned against the United States easily enough, blaming them for Karl and Tracy's removal of their branches, and from there the dissension spread like wildfire. Now the streets were a war-zone even as far inland as Chicago, where she made her home. Police patrolled the streets, keeping the peace as forcefully as possible. Even some of the smaller crimes were responded to in an extremely strict manner. Schools had been long since shut down and children rarely ventured outside anymore, because of how dangerous it was. They were home-schooled, learning only what parents, or guardians, in many cases, could teach them. Orphanages had been set up in many towns where there had been none before. Children were cared for by grandparents more often than parents because their parents had gone off to war.

Not even drugs could dull the pain of those left behind or returning to their homes because of injury. They were unheard of by this point. Prices had skyrocketed because of how difficult it was to ship them, and now the only people who could really afford them were those who worked unseen in positions of high authority. Alcohol was easier to come by, to be sure, and most chose to drown their sorrows that way.

It was found during this time that the chemicals used in Karl and Tracy's weapons produced a sort of radiation. Not many people were privy to this information, and even fewer were aware of what exactly the radiation did to people. For some it meant slow and painful death from poisoning. For others, it meant they would be horribly disfigured for the rest of their lives. For many it meant nothing, and for a lucky few it meant that their lives would change forever, that their minds and bodies would develop abilities beyond their imagination.

In the city of Chicago, one of these lucky few realized what was happening to herself and many around her. This young woman took it upon herself to start a project called the Mutant Underground, a project full of people like herself-- mutated by the radiation-- who would work to help others in similar and worse predicaments to find a better life without the fear of being hunted down for their differences.


Our father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name
The little girl's voice quavered, barely audible over the sound of bombs exploding on the ground around her. Her family was one of the lucky few. They'd been able to build their bomb shelter in time. Even if the bombs were small, many had died from them already, and many still would. Chicago wasn't safe anymore. But she kept on. Praying every night like mommy taught her to.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
"I want her dead, now," the woman's icy cold voice was enough to send chills down anyone's spine, "I need that little girl, and I don't want her to have any reason to go back to China. She will be -mine." That was the plan. She'd raise the child, train her, control her. It would work, as long as she eliminated any other choices. It didn't matter that the child's mother was her friend. She was beyond such petty importances now.
On Earth as it is in Heaven
"Marja! Marja!" the Swedish man's voice called out, reaching to touch the familiar face in front of him. How could she be there? She was dead. She'd been killed so long ago, though always it would remain a fresh wound on his heart. His fingers went right through her, and shock registered on his face. But she was there!
"An...angel?" he wondered, staring at the face in front of him. His Marja.
Give us this day our daily bread
"Mama! Papa said that I cannot go outside today! Why is this?" the voice of a pampered princess demanded. Her mother's tired eyes looked down at the girl, sighing,
"It is too dangerous, ma petite. Much too dangerous. You must stay inside. Here, I have baked fresh bread for you!" her voice was desperate. The child was too difficult to control. Much too difficult. Why must she always question so much? She did not want her to know about the war.
"There is no fresh bread for my friends! I want to bring it to them!" the girl demanded.
"Non, ma petite. No. You must stay inside. I am sorry."
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass us
A prison camp in Germany. A very pretty Chinese man looks down at an imprisoned blonde,
"Fitzgerald, Drew," he reads off the list of the imprisoned, then turns his attention, with more than a little surprise, to the Asian woman also in his cell. As he looks at the name, realization dawns on him. Despite looking Chinese, she's obviously Chinese-American or something,
"True, Gabrielle," he reads off. He lists a few other names, then continues on, checking on the rest of his prisoners.
And lead us not into temptation
"NO!" a tortured voice screamed. Two hands clamped tightly over curly auburn locks and a pair of ears. He heard things noone else seemed to hear, felt things noone else seemed to feel. That was why he'd been put where he was. Noone understood what it was like. They were all frightened of him, and their fear struck him like electrocution. All the pain, all the sorrow. His mother. Oh god not that again. Waves of anguish and pain washed over him, and he curled into a fetal ball as the monitors looked on, wondering if they'd have to put him in the straight jacket again tonight. He just wanted it to end. All of it.
For thine is the Kingdom
"All hail King Zombie!" a jovial voice laughed, snickering a bit as he ruffled the dark hair of the woman sitting in his lap. The Chinese man just a few steps away muttered something under his breath that sounded an awful lot like 'kill that scaly bastard' and then grinned, accepting the gift offered to him by the same woman.
"Happy Birthday, Xi," she said softly. He smiled that special smile he saved just for her, and then directed his attention at her fiance,
"You know, Brian, Ancient Chinese Tradition says that the birthday boy's best friend has to wait on him hand and foot for a week after his birthday." He tried the same trick every year, and it never worked.
"Good thing I'm not Chinese then," the man responded, the light glinting off his gold scales only serving as a match for the light he always seemed to exude.
And the Power
"Where are we headed next, Cap'n?" a voice asked. She smiled at the man, the youngest on her crew.
"To battle," she said proudly, motioning towards his position. It was time for him to prepare himself for the real fight-- they hadn't seen anything yet,
"You might want to sit down, or you'll get hurt." Her ship. Her people. And she was going to protect them if it were the last thing she did.
And the Glory
He was only seventeen, and he was scared. The conscription notice had just come in the mail, and he stared at it in shock. War. He was going to be sent off to war. Him. So many voices there. How would he block out all the screams? But there wasn't any choice. He would have to go. Even though Felicity was so sick. Even though his father had only just recently died. For the glory of Canada.
Forever and Ever
"Eternus Infinuum," she whispered, tears streaking her pale cheeks as she was pulled into Xi-Wang's comforting arms,
"Beyond death."
Amen.
~Emily Teagan aka Turandot, First Holder for the Haven

[Akanari]

@.@ Whoa. I'm glad you started writing, because who knows what would've happened if you kept this bouncing around in your head. But really, cool. I like the world and how familiar, yet different it is. I smell corruption, love, war, and chaos. This makes me bounce in my seat a little. Also, the prayer is a rather nice touch. It adds an otherworldly feel to the whole Prologue. So...yeah. Itty bitty typos again, I hate to be anal. >< Sorry Sorry (ex: sell instead of cell). Hehe, I'm excitedddd. ^^ o.o This almost sounds like a movie trailer. Cool.

[Shino]

[Daijaga]

Wow, I have to say I really enjoyed the the pacing with that last part, and the alternate history with the Karl and Tracy company. The fun part with the different flash introductions intermingled with the Lord's Prayer, and then ending it in "Eternus Infinuum"...high style, egdy, way cool.

The speaker of the prayer confused me at the end. Is the girl who started the prayer the same that ended it?

Nice peice, I'd like to see where you go with it. Smooth using 'Turandot' for her nicl, ties in with the other chinese references nicly.

[Shandriz]

<3 Actually, this story is based on an RPG I started (which I no longer run, but am still a critical part of) and Turandot is just her codename. And yes, she is the same girl that started it at the beginning, only she's around 26 or so at the end. She's actually the same one saying it throughout. It is written a bit like a movie trailer, actually. . I was seeing the images in my head and the words to them just like one.

Aka-- sorry, I hadn't checked it for typos recently. I'll fix it up shortly.

Edit: As a sidenote, do you guys want more? I have about half of the first scene written out as well...

[Robb]

Want more? we DEMAND more!

I enoyed reading that, would like to read more =)

[Daijaga]

Yeah, more of this is good.

I ran a PBeM for a short period of time in highschool with some freinds and I usd a technique with a similar feel for a dramatic battle on a large galleon (incidentally, this was the ship the concept of Faye was created on). That writing that comes off as more movie trailer than traditional paragrphs really excites me.

And I totally see it now, it being the same girl but starting young and ending older. If there was just one more tie in to link the two (or one girl, rather), I think that would clean up nicly. Still, If Id thought about it I probably would have realized it anyway.

[Legend]

Don't know if you guys still have any interest, but I was thinking about this the other day and thought I'd post up what's done so far of the first chapter.

...which isn't much yet, but still. xD

The Lord is My Shepherd

She peered at the man, checking back her disgust. He wasn't much to look at, that was for sure. Probably at one point he'd been quite...beautiful. But now, there was no mistaking his mutations. Still, he'd sought her out, and she wasn't one to tell a person no just because of the way they looked. If she did, she wouldn't have half the people she did.
"You're not more than a child," he informed her. As though she couldn’t already tell that’s what he was thinking. That’s what they all thought when she first met them. But Harrison had said this man would be of use. That he could and would help her. And by the looks of him, she knew that if nothing else he could use the protections all of those who worked with her earned.

Her illusions had come in just as handy as she had thought they would. She could mask those mutants whose deformities were physically manifested, which were most, and give them some semblance of normalcy when they were out looking for others. She wasn’t sure what she’d do when she had more than the handful of mutants she currently did, but that was something she planned to work out in time. For now, her main worry was getting as many of these poor creatures out of danger as fast as possible. Afterall, they were in even more danger than anyone else in Chicago. She'd seen the way the police force seemed to actually target them. Had seen too many mutants shot to believe it coincidence any longer. And she could help protect them.

"I'm more than you think," she responded at length, watching him carefully. Something about this man spoke of sorrow. The same sort as any of those she'd met, but somehow, he still seemed to smile as though nothing was wrong. The only hint of that sorrow was in his eyes. She couldn't tell whether he was grinning or not, he'd put a bandana over that frightening jaw of his, but the rest of his features had a sort of laid-back cheerfulness to them that told her he probably was. Amused by her, of course. Some little girl wanting to save the world. She'd seen this response before.

"I don't want to save the world," she informed him. Blinking, the man scratched at his honey-blonde locks. Obviously a caught a bit off-guard by the way she seemed to be almost reading his mind,
"You a telepath?" he asked, obviously intrigued. The woman blinked, studying him even more critically. Perhaps there was even more to him than met the eye.
"No...." she said softly, choosing her words carefully, "but I do have other abilities that can be considered useful in the right circumstances." She would allude to her powers a bit, let him know that she was a mutant as well,
"As I said. I'm not trying to save the world..."

"I should've known," he responded before she could continue, "I can sense these things, you know." So he was an empath perhaps. That made sense. Although she rather thought that being able to sense everyone's emotions during a time like this would certainly be painful, and not at all conducive to the sorts of behavior he was exhibiting. Time to stop analyzing, she realized. She had to get to business before he got bored and went elsewhere,
"I'm trying to give hope. To people like yourself. People like Harrison. People like..me." There, she'd admitted fully to being a mutant, although one couldn't tell by looking at her.

His eyes went wide at this confession, and he seemed to be analyzing it a bit underneath that cheerful disposition,
"Ancient Chinese Ritual," he said sagely, watching her with amusement in his eyes,
"Propositioner treat propositionee to dinner before decision is made."

A good idea, she realized. Putting them in a more casual situation would allow them to get to know each other a bit more, find out if they could trust each other enough to reveal their secrets. Emily nodded, taking a slip of paper out of the small notebook she carried with her and pulling out a much-used and almost-unusable pencil. She'd have to invest in a new one soon, but there were so many other things she had to buy to help those she was caring for. Pretty soon she'd have to figure out another way of earning revenue-- she couldn't depend on the allowance from her Aunt forever.

Quickly, she scratched down the directions to her apartment,
"I'll make you dinner instead, how is that?" she asked, sliding the paper towards him, "These are the instructions of how to get to my apartment from here. That way I can show you a bit of what I do as well as telling you..and feeding you, of course."

He leaned closer, leering, but in that teasing sort of way that assured her there was nothing for her to really be worried about,
"Only known you an hour and already I'm invited into your apartment? It's my lucky day, that's for sure!" he chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair,
"All right, half-pint. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here. Expect me around..ohhh seven-ish? That good?"

Emily nodded, fixing her hair absently, That'd give her plenty of time to alert the five people who were a part of the Haven-- as she was calling her little safe-house for the physical mutants the Underground found, and to get those people prepared to meet him if he was accepted into their ranks.
"Seven's fine," she said softly, a genuine smile reaching her lips for the first time since she'd walked into the little cafe,
"I'll see you then. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Cheng."

She held out her hand to shake his, which he did, laughing a bit,
"Please call me Xi, girlie," he said almost affectionately, "I'll see you then."

As he left, she looked down at her notebook, reading through the notes Harrison had given her on this strange man. He was Chinese, had evidently escaped China during the war at some point, and had been found by a member of the Underground half-dead. They'd helped him, subtly, get back to health, and he spent most of his days as a hired muscle, keeping order in some of the MU's restaurants, the places where they searched for more potential candidates. The Mutant Underground was small, so far. There were probably twenty in the Chicago section of it, but their number increased daily. The only problem was masking the physical mutants, which was most of Emily's job.

She'd also managed to score apartments right near hers for the families of a couple of the members who were mutated as well, and felt that this was a much bigger accomplishment. She could mask the rooms easily, which had brought more than a few questions to her own mind. Just how powerful -was- she? If she could mask five apartments in one building so that those living within looked like normal human beings, and mask a mutant or two she was traveling with, just how much else -was- she capable of?

Troubled, it took her a bit longer to reach the building than it usually did. Still, she managed to pull her head out of the clouds long enough to let the others know what she'd be doing and to send Chavez, who was a member of the Mutant Underground as well as her Haven, to the MU to tell them she'd be unavailable for duty tonight because she was interviewing a potential candidate. They'd be happy about that, of course. Expanding their ranks meant it'd be easier to locate more mutants, save more lives. For a moment, Emily allowed herself to hope that perhaps some day they'd be able to make at least Chicago safe for people like her.

But that was a difficult goal with the war still looming around them. Things were quieting in Chicago, but she knew that there were still battles being waged on the East and West coasts alike, and it wouldn't take too much for a force to be able to march this far inland, not if they had Karl and Tracy's weaponry to back them up. Not to mention how easy it'd be to fly overhead and bomb the city like they'd done when she was a little girl growing up here. Heaven knew she didn't want to have to retreat to bomb shelters again. What would become of her Haven if she did?

She'd decided that, informal as it was, this was still going to be a sort of job interview. Right off-hand, there were a couple of uses she could think of to put this Xi-Wang Cheng to, not the least of which was the one Harrison had actually suggested him for-- her protection. As much as she hated to think of such a selfish use for a person who could undoubtedly help them out quite a bit, she realized that she wasn't the strongest person in the world, and didn't know how to defend herself at all. And if something were to happen to her-- which was likely, considering the demeanors many of the physical mutants had to adopt just to survive-- her dreams would go down the hole rather quickly.

And he -had- been working as a sort of bouncer, so she knew he could do the job decently. That just made this interview even more important, though. She'd have to feel she could trust him with her life if she were going to take him on for that position, and so, she was going to take this as seriously as she could.

She wore the only dress she owned-- it was a bit small, but she didn't really have the funds to buy a new one-- a light gray that matched her eyes with a flare skirt and turtleneck top, though there weren't any actual sleeves. It was a soft material, and she supposed that was why she'd kept it-- soft things were often quite expensive these days, being a luxury rather than a necessity. She adjusted it a bit, as the arm-holes were a bit scratchy against her skin -because- it was too small and tight in some uncomfortable spots. Still, it'd give her a more professional look, and that was what was important. She wanted to make a good impression.

She'd even pulled her hair back into a long ponytail, though it was still a bit messier than she'd have liked. Her hairbrush could do with replacement, but that was another worry she couldn't allow herself. Not when the family next door was having problems getting enough money to buy food. Tucking a strand of dark chocolate hair behind her ear self-consciously, she waited, glancing at the clock. Six fifty-one. He'd be here any moment. Biting her lip, the young woman made her way to the kitchen, checking to make sure all of the food was about where it was supposed to be. Which it was, of course. If there was one thing Emily Teagan was good at other than organizing things, it was cooking.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang just as she ran out of ideas of things to check on. Brushing loose strands of hair behind her ear, Emily took a deep breath and opened it,
"All dressed up for me?" the Chinese man asked, his eyes sparkling over that bandanna. He certainly hadn't dressed up for the 'interview'-- he was still wearing the same gaudy Hawaiian shirt and shorts he'd been wearing before, the outfit that had made her cringe. Bloody bright colours made her eyes hurt, really. Still, she wasn't going to say anything. If they started working together regularly, then she might say something about his fashion sense.

She shrugged at his comment, "Well, one does often 'dress up' for a job interview, isn't that right? And this is a job interview...of sorts."

This seemed to pique his interest as she motioned him inside the room, and waved her hand towards the couch,
"Go ahead and make yourself at home. Admittedly, it's a bit sparsely decorated, but you get that, during these times."
She was babbling. Probably because she was so very nervous. He didn't seem to mind, though. His eyes still sparkled with that amusement that seemed to show up every time he looked at her,
"Of course. I should've worn the -blue- shirt," he commented, settling himself on the couch and looking about.

She made her way to the kitchen, biting her lip a bit as she did so. She hoped he wouldn't notice the mess. It's just that there really wasn't much of a place to put most of her stuff. The papers had been cleaned up off the floor and set on the counter between the kitchen and main room, but they were still in rather messy piles and she noticed now that she'd left her pen sitting on the couch. Lucky for her he wouldn't be seeing her room, as that was even worse a mess. She was good at organizing everything, but when you didn't have the supplies for it, things tended to get a bit messy-looking. Best to get right to the point, really.

"Harrison tells me you've been quite handy around the restaurant," she said, pulling the fried rice off the stove,
"He says you're very good at keeping the peace."

Move in slowly, that was the way. She'd let him know how he'd been referred to her first, and then tell him why. Although there was another thing that was rather bothering her. Being a child of the war, Emily was quite aware of how severely it had effected herself and many other people. She'd lost her father, her mother and brothers were all presumably dead, as she hadn't heard from the latter two since shortly after they followed their father to war, and the former in a couple of years. And if he was that good with keeping people under control, it was entirely likely he himself had been to war, though she could see why he'd left it.

"It's a fun way to pass the time," he said demurely, "You don't really get a whole lot of trouble there lately. Afterall, with the police force kept so tightly around here, it's hard for any criminal or even street-tough to get past."

She nodded,
"Were you a part of the war, then? Is that how you learned how to fight?" It was a more important question than he was likely to realize. He was Chinese, and China had been fighting against America since the beginning of the war. She had to find out if he was still loyal to his home country, or if he was willing to try and work to make a spot of hope in America. Not that she didn't plan to someday be able to help those in other countries as well-- including China and those other countries working against America. She just wanted to be sure he wasn't going to leave her if China seemed to call to him.

He was quiet, and then suddenly he was looking at her over the counter as she finished preparing their dinner,
"You're very good in the kitchen, it seems," he said quietly, "And yes, I fought in the war..." his voice took on a bitter tone at that. This rather startled Emily, because most of the soldiers she had talked to were rather proud of their battle-scars and their chance to fight for their country. They were only bitter that they had to leave the battlefield, not that they'd fought.

"I see.." she hoped he'd expand on that further, but he was quiet again, and she sighed, setting everything in its proper place,
"I hope you don't mind eating on the couch. I haven't quite gotten around to buying myself a table or chairs yet."

A lie that was as transparent as the worn-out sock on her feet. She'd never bother to get either table or chairs, not so long as other people were depending on her, as long as the money could be better spent on something else.

"Nah, I don't mind," he had the good taste not to mention her lie, at least, but she could tell he'd caught on to it at least a bit...even if he didn't know why she was lying at all.

"Good.." she set the food in front of him, and sat down next to him, brushing a strand of hair behind one ear,
"What has Harrison told you about...about all of this?" Best to know what he already knew about it, or he'd get bored listening to her. Then she could tell him the rest, find out if he was interested...settle with herself what position would be best for him.

"Not much. Just that you wanted to talk to me, and you were some kind of official for the Mutant Underground," he answered, losing just a little bit of that casual amusement he'd been nursing since he laid eyes on her. Down to business now, of course. Well, good. At least he knew about the Underground.

"I'm not just an official for the Mutant Underground," She began, "I am also working on a project I call the 'Haven'. It's a safehouse for mutants-- particularly those who have physical maladies-- to keep them from the public eye."

She watched him carefully as she spoke, and the expressions in his eyes and on his face assured her that she had no need to explain to him why such a thing might be necessary. He would know, afterall-- being one of those physically mutated himself-- of the dangers associated with his differences.

"This..." she motioned around herself, "is the 'Haven' as it is right now. My room, and about five others who also live in this apartment building. My abilities..." she blinked, realizing she hadn't introduced him to her own abilities yet.

"My abilities consist of creating illusions. I'm not sure just how extensive they are so far, but I can make you look entirely normal if necessary. I have been using this primarily to mask physical mutants on Underground rescues, however, I had the idea to mask the apartment building and fill it with such people to give them a refuge..."

Xi-Wang held up a hand to stop her,
"That's all well and good, darling," he said, more serious than she had yet seen him, "But it's just an idea. You've been able to take care of yourself and five others so far, but what happens when you start taking in more? How are you going to feed them all?"


Emily bit her lip,
"That's a part of why I'm talking to you. I need help. I can't do everything myself, no matter how hard I try. Harrison is convinced I'm going to kill myself..." she shook her head: that really wasn't the topic of discussion,
"I can do this. I know that I can figure these things out. The more people we have, the more chances we'll have for ideas of how to take care of everyone. I want to seek out others who have ideas like mine and can expand on them."

The Chinese man was watching her eyes, and she found it unnerving. Did he think she was just some spoiled little girl? She had seen earlier that he had made assumptions about her nature. He didn't know how dedicated she was, instead he only saw that she was only eighteen years old and lost.

"I can help you," he said slowly. She couldn't help herself-- everywhere else she had turned had rejected her-- and she reached over to hug him tightly,
"Thank you. So much. For believing in me." she choked out, her eyes a bit misty. She tried to hold them back. Business-like, Teagan. Not that hugging your potential employee was very business-like. She sighed,
"So...tell me about yourself. How can you help me?"

As the night went on, she found herself more and more trusting of this strange man. He was apparently a mild telepath, though she suspected enough for her to work at least some of her designs out with. He had also been granted some precognative abilities with his gruesome appearance


((this part will go at the end, when I'm finished. xD))

As much as it hurts, I'd have to say that even with all that has happened, I wouldn't change a thing. All of this pain, all that I've been through, these are the things that have shaped my life. They've turned me into the person I am today. Without these experiences, I doubt I'd be able to accomplish half of the things which I have done. Of course, I wouldn't have made it through any of this without my pillar of strength. You hear that, Xi? If I hadn't had you, I'd be a sobbing mess. Of course, I could do without the Hawaiian shirts, but everyone must make sacrifices.
~Emily Teagan aka Turandot, First Holder for the Haven

[Legend]

. This is getting longer and longer...

[Tobias]

So far...amazing. Just purely amazing. I was enthralled the whole way through. This is some serious amazingness. I especially like the use of the Our Father...only thing i catch with that is that you missed one line of the prayer