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01-15-2010, 11:36 PM | #291 |
#voteblackjack
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Quote:
Dr. Stevens is the actual Crystal Ball character, just won't be using the name. Stevens was the name he used in America's Elite. I wanted to throw a reference to the figures name in there somehow and wanted him to be a hypnotist but wanted something that could make up for the "mystic" parts of his filecard.
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01-15-2010, 11:48 PM | #292 |
EQ-Viper
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Location: Canada
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Oh, don't get the wrong idea (I guess I should have worded my reply better)... I'm not opposed to the idea of a person eventually taking up the "Crystal Ball" name, I sort of knew that Stevens would eventually take up the Crystal Ball identity (whether explicitly or not) in due time. But I very much like how you've introduced the term subtly into your story's lexicon, so that it doesn't become at all goofy and ridiculous within the context of the narrative, even if Stevens does adopt it as some sort of nom de guerre down the road.
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01-15-2010, 11:52 PM | #293 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
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Quote:
Oh, don't get the wrong idea (I guess I should have worded my reply better)... I'm not opposed to the idea of a person eventually taking up the "Crystal Ball" name, I sort of knew that Stevens would eventually take up the Crystal Ball identity (whether explicitly or not) in due time. But I very much like how you've introduced the term subtly into your story's lexicon, so that it doesn't become at all goofy and ridiculous within the context of the narrative, even if Stevens does adopt it as some sort of nom de guerre down the road.
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01-16-2010, 12:07 AM | #294 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Bananas and Bullets pt 4
Tomax sat on the veranda, a closed bottle of water in front of him. Traffic moved up and down the street, much busier than last time he was here. The majority of it, transport trucks heading out of town and deeper into the jungle. Too much dust in the air, he had learned to not drink his water out of a glass unless he wanted to taste dust. So far the operation was proceeding smoothly, all phases and facets going according to schedule. The next phase should be arrived soon. Even if the person arriving didn’t know he was the next phase. He figured the man would be late, trying to get the meeting off on a higher footing, trying to show that he was the one in charge. Tomax uncapped the bottle and took a sip. When would people learn to acknowledge their betters? To just lay down and take what was coming to them. But that would make life boring, he thought, recapping the bottle and putting it down on the table. And the Paoli brothers had never wanted a boring life. He was envisioning how the meeting would go when he saw a crowd of people heading the way towards the hotel and veranda. The crowd, more like a large collection of armed guards surrounding one man with a woman beside him, pushed others out of the way. The man in the middle did not look happy. “Mr. Swinson,” Tomax said before the man could say a word, and it looked like the man had been ready to unleash a tirade. “Please sit down.” Delbert Swinson stood on the steps for a minute, sputtering, ready to explode, trying to get his bearings. The woman next to him, blond and pretty, tapped Swinson on the shoulder. Visibly taking control of himself, Swinson put both hands on the chair in front of him and leaned down, almost nose to nose with the uncaring Tomax. The guards spread out around the two, in a horseshoe pattern. Tomax’s guards, which numbered far less then Swinsons, stepped closer. Tomax waved them away. “I think I’ll stand,” Swinson said. “We have some things to discuss Tomax,” the man sneered, the use of his given name telling Tomax that Swinson was trying to gain the upper hand. “What in the hell do you think your men are doing!!,” Swinson screamed losing control. Tomax just stared at him, Swinson staring back. Swinson’s stare was one of pure emotion. Tomax just calmly stared back, waiting for Swinson to back down. Swinson finally did. “My men,” Tomax started smoothing his clothes. “Are doing what they were contracted to do.” That set Swinson back. He stood up in shock. “What?” “You contracted us to deal with the revolutionaries led by El Jefe and the local natives called the Tucaros,” Tomax said taking another sip from the bottle. “You wanted an outside contractor so that the puppet government of the North American Banana Monopoly would not receive negative attention.” Swinson finally sat down. Tomax could see in the man’s expression that he was trying to find a way to get control of the meeting again. Not that he ever had it in the first place. “Killing NABM employees is fulfilling your contract?,” Swinson asked. “Oh that is what you wanted to talk about,” Tomax said innocently and nonchalantly, as if it was the last and furthest thing from his mind. Swinson flew up, losing all semblance of control. The chair went flying behind him, hitting one of the guards. “How dare you,” Swinson said, finger pointing Tomax’s way. “What game are you playing Paoli?” “This has gone on long enough,” Tomax said sighing. “B-56, A-33, if you please.” Before Swinson could react, the woman that was next to him pulled a gun from her jacket and had it pressed against Swinson’s temple. One of the guards, near the middle, turned and fired at the guard next to him, killing the man. He then swung and pointed the gun at the back of Swinson’s head. The guards reacted, raising weapons and pointing at Tomax, the woman and the other guard. Tomax’s bodyguards reacted instantly, drawing their weapons and pointing at Swinson’s guards. Swinson was visibly sweating. The guards stood poised to attack. “Tell them to stand down or you die,” Tomax said calmly. Not a word. Tomax sighed. “A-33,” Tomax said, pointing at a guard. “That one.” A shot fired. The man fell. Swinson sweated some more. “Mr. Swinson,” Tomax prompted. “Drop your weapons,” Swinson said. His guards complied, weapons falling to the ground. Tomax’s men quickly gathered them up. “Now then,” Tomax said gesturing to the far corner of the veranda. “Would you men please kindly go sit in the corner.” The guards all looked at each other and shrugged, walking off into the corner of the Veranda. Tomax’s guards, with guns still out, watched them go. “B-56, would you please go and discuss employment opportunities with those men,” Tomax asked taking another drink of his water. “Of course sir,” the woman said, putting her gun back in its holster. “Sit down,” Tomax said to Swinson. The man didn’t move to comply and the guard referred to as A-33, physically pushed Swinson down. “We are doing exactly what we were contracted to do. The rest of it is a ..” Tomax paused, searching for the right words. “.. side project,” he finished smiling. “S..side pro..project” Swinson managed to get out. The man was visibly scared now. “Yes,” Tomax said reaching down and pulling his briefcase onto the table. He opened it and took out a map of Sierra Gordo and the neighboring country of Rio Lindo. Multiple areas along the border were indicated with red ‘x’s, others were marked with blue ‘x’s. “The red are where our intelligence puts the camps of El Jefe,” Tomax said pointing at the map. “We have units moving in on those positions as we speak.” “And the blue?”, Swinson asked, but he already knew. “Those are the plantations and other NABM locations that we have liberated,” Tomax said. He pulled a set of documents. “I’m sure you realize that those locations are where the bulk of your private army was stationed? Well what used to be your private army,” Tomax said. “What do you mean,” Swinson asked starting to realize the scope of Tomax’s plans. “As of this morning, the PMC you contracted now works for Extensive Enterprises,” Tomax said. “I have to thank you Mr. Swinson. Without your hiring us, we would never have been able to get into position to…” he paused again looking for the right words. “Well, I guess there is no other way to put it. Thank you Mr. Swinson for giving us the opportunity to take over.” He put the stack of papers on the table and took out a pen, sliding it across the table to sit in front of Swinson. “We effectively control the NABM operations in Sierra Gordo,” Tomax said as Swinson starting flipping thru the documents, his face turning ashen as he did so. “And in effect, that means we control the puppet government of Sierra Gordo.” “This is a buy out of NABM by Extensive Enterprises,” Swinson said finished looking thru the document. “You want me to sign this? I don’t have the authority…” “Oh wait,” Tomax said sighing. “I gave you the wrong one. We already have control of NABM. Or rather we will by the close of business today. No, no,” Tomax said replacing the first set of documents with another. “This is for you to sign.” “What is it,” Swinson asked not wanting to touch the document. “Your offer letter to come work for the NABM,” Tomax said, no touch of amusement in his features except the eyes, which were laughing. “You have a lot of experience working with the local government and local population. We’d be fools to not seek out your expertise as we take over operations. At a reduced pay of course,” Tomax added. Swinson just sat there. How had it all happened so quickly and so badly. “Mr. Swinson,” Tomax said knowing what the man was thinking. “You should have realized that when you invite a Cobra into your room, it will bite you.”
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01-16-2010, 03:18 AM | #295 |
W.O.R.M.S. Commander
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Back in the US of A! (NoVA)
Posts: 10,649
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Best line ever! That is what Tomax is suppose to be.
Nice Twist to see if Booker turns as well. |
01-16-2010, 09:46 AM | #296 |
Beard Force member.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: boston
Posts: 964
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I like, wait, no, LOVE your version of Crystal ball. Alledgedly written up by Stephen King, hence the 'Stevens' part of his name, I'm guessing. Liked the Ghost's story. Although, my only, and incredibly minor gripe which i'm already over is getting 'into' Snake-Eyes head. I've been of the mind that SE should be written about, not for, if that makes sense. As always, GD entertainment of a high end professional level. keep this up.
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01-16-2010, 10:20 AM | #297 |
G.I.Joe medic
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Litchfield, ME
Posts: 3,171
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Great stuff, Troynos! Dr. Stevens is very believable, I'm curious to see what happens next. Can't say I feel too sorry for Delbert Swinson, he should have known better.
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01-16-2010, 09:01 PM | #298 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
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My Brother’s Keeper pt 1
Location: Judge Advocate’s General’s Courtroom Time: Some years ago, exact year classified “Sergeant Thomas Stall,” the judge asked “how do you plead?” “Guilty your honor,” the tall blond man replied, the only one standing in the small courtroom, dressed in his white Air Force uniform. The courtroom was virtually empty. The prosecutor sat alone, a defense attorney sat with Thomas Stall, the judge at the front of the room, a bailiff off to the side, and two people sitting together in the gallery, a man and a woman, brown haired and blond. It was obvious from looking at him that Thomas Stall was not happy. He held himself especially rigid, hands bunched in tight fists. The words forced out. “Why’d he plead not guilty,” the blond woman asked the man next to her in a whisper. “Thomas swears up and down that it wasn’t his fault.” “It’s a plea bargain,” the man answered. “His attorney thinks the Prosecutor has too much of an iron tight case, so they accepted a plea bargain.” “But Thomas swears..” the woman began. “Alyssa,” the man said calmly, comfortingly “I’m sorry but Tommy is guilty. I’ve seen all the evidence myself. He did it, and did it willingly.” “Oh my god,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “Dwight it can’t be…” “Sorry Alyssa,” Dwight Stall said, putting his arm around her shoulder. “But I thought Tommy didn’t want you involved in the case?,” Alyssa Stall asked her brother. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Thomas was the oldest of the three siblings, Dwight the middle and Alyssa the youngest. All three siblings had carried on the Stall family tradition and joined the United States Air Force and done very well for themselves. Until this. “He didn’t,” Dwight answered. “The head of JAG is an old friend of dads. He brought me in out of respect for dad and the family.” “Oh,” Alyssa said, more tears welling. “I hadn’t even thought about how dad will take this.” “Not good,” Dwight said shaking his head. “Defense attorney is getting ready.” **************** The judge’s gavel banged, the verdict read. The bailiff came forward and put a set of handcuffs on Thomas Stall’s outstretched hands. The proud man was rigid, hate burning in his eyes. The Prosecutor and Defense Attorney both left the courtroom, talking quietly to each other. The Judge left for his chambers. Dwight and Alyssa stood near the aisle, waiting for their brother to be led past. The bailiff grabbed Thomas by the upper arm and led him forward. “Can we have a minute,” Dwight asked the bailiff. “Keep it quick Lieutenant,” the bailiff said, taking a couple of steps back. “Tommy,” Dwight began but didn’t finish before he was cut off. “Shut up,” Thomas Stall said to his younger brother. “I don’t want to hear a word from you.” “Tommy!” Alyssa exclaimed. “It’s okay Alyssa,” Dwight said. “Mr. Perfect says it’s okay sis,” Thomas said sneering. “So that makes everything better.” “Tom, I know we’ve had our differences,” Dwight said “but is there anything you want me to say to dad? This is going to be hard on him.” “Forget that old man,” Thomas said “I was never good enough for him. Especially after his perfect little Dwighty came along. Get me out of here before I get sick,” he said to the bailiff. Dwight reached out a hand to stop his older brother, Thomas just pushed through. The other two siblings stood in silence watching their oldest brother led away to serve his ten years in Leavenworth. ************* The bus drove thru Kansas, on its way to its final destination of Leavenworth Federal Prison. It wasn’t a crowded bus, but there were enough people on board that it was hot and muggy. The guards didn’t seem to care. Thomas Stall sat about midway down, on the right side, looking out the window. The prisoner behind him was a non-stop chatter box and it was starting to annoy Thomas. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts. He was trying to figure out what had gone wrong. How had he come here, to be in this place. The same thing that always happened, he realized, life. Life was not good to Thomas Stall. It hadn’t been good since The Perfect Child, his younger brother, had come into the world. That’s not true, he thought, it wasn’t good before then either. Nothing Thomas Stall ever did was good enough for the old man or the decorated Stall family. And it just got worse when Dwight was born. Anything Thomas would do, Dwight would do better, he even achieved higher rank then Thomas. And then along came Princess Alyssa. The Perfect Child and the Princess. Dwight was perfect at everything and Alyssa was the only girl and was the apple of daddy’s eye. And Thomas Stall, the first born, just did nothing right. So he had stopped trying in High School and that angered the old man. Disgrace to the Stall name, he heard that often enough, even enlisting didn’t help change the old man’s opinion because that is what Stall’s did, they served their country. Well, this’ll really knock the old man off his rocker, Thomas thought. One of the decorated Stall family sentenced to ten years in Leavenworth. And for what? That idiot lieutenant didn’t know what he was doing. If he’d just listened to Thomas instead of arguing, the rest of the men would be alive. Insubordination, Thomas thought, that dumb ass loot should have been brought up, not me. Thomas’ thoughts were interrupted as the bus came to a screeching stop, jarring the passengers. He moved closer to the aisle and looked ahead, trying to see what had happened. In front of the bus, across the road, two black humvees were parked, blocking the road. Armed men, dressed in a dark blue uniform, with no insignia on it, stood behind the humvees. Murmurs and exclamations from the passengers made Thomas look out the window. From the sides of the road, on both sides, more gunmen were approaching the bus. The guards drew their weapons, but unsure what to do. “Back up,” one of them said to the driver who nodded and put the bus in gear. Slowly it started backing up. Gunfire sounded. From the left, driver’s side. Glass exploded. The drivers head exploded. The guards reacted, but to slow. Single shots rang out, more glass exploded, and the guards all dropped dead. The stunned prisoners just looked at each other. They wanted to leave but couldn’t, handcuffed to bars in the bus. They watched, unsure of what was happening, as some of the gunmen approached the door and smashed it with the butts of their guns, breaking the glass and the door so they could get in. Two of the blue clad men walked into the bus, weapons held up in a non threatening manner. They wore bandanas or something over the lower halves of their faces. They looked the prisoners up and down. “We’re looking for two men,” one of the men said, this one with a black face covering, the other was red. “Nicholas Bailey and Thomas Stall.” “Right here,” Thomas shouted out along with everyone else on the bus. None of them knew what was going on, but it sure beat going to prison. The one in the red mask nodded to the other who took a quick look around and shot the only female on the bus, the only one that hadn’t said anything. “I’ll ask again,” the man said “and if I get the same response, we will just kill you all. Now who is Nicholas Bailey and Thomas Stall?” “Bailey,” a voice said from near the front, a young African American kid. “Stall,” Thomas said. “Who are you people?” “Doesn’t matter right now,” the man said. “But it’s either us or prison.” “Prison isn’t a choice,” Thomas said.
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01-17-2010, 04:59 AM | #299 |
W.O.R.M.S. Commander
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Location: Back in the US of A! (NoVA)
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Wow! I like how you made Barrel-Roll a Lt. but I wasn't expecting Bailey. Nice. Can't wait for the rest of the Plague.
I like this idea of Blackout being sort of a scapegoat than maybe a total inept soldier. So what unit is Blackout coming from. |
01-17-2010, 12:03 PM | #300 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
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It never made much sense for Blackout to be a bad soldier, he never would have made it into the Joe program to begin with. So I'm playing him as good, just not as good as Barrel Roll and that always grated on him. Typical families, the older brother is always the role model, the one the younger looks up to. In the Stall's, Thomas never lived up to his father's expectations and Dwight did.
I'm going with what Zulu did with Barrel Roll, USAF Security Forces (or whatever it was, I'll have to look it up again), Black-Out was part of that as well. As we in the filecard thread know, the Stall family is probably Hasbro's worst attempt at real unit placement EVER. So I like how Z worked it out.
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