Topic: Through the Mirror

John · Date: 2006-11-08 16:51 EST

This thread will include the entire story, both past and present, of John. The exception is his Journal, which I am not keeping. Posts from his previous reality will be marked as THERE, while posts in the Rhydin we all know will be marked as HERE. This way I can keep things separate between the two characters.

Questions and comments, as always, are welcomed.

John · Date: 2006-11-08 16:55 EST

I start fighting a war, I guarantee you'll see something new - Malcolm Reynolds

( Note: This is an event of a previous time and place. As such, it is noted as "There". )

THERE

The spaceport was never a quiet place. From the subsonic rumbles of power plants idling on the tarmacs, to the booming thunder of ships breaking through the sound barrier on their way to the stars, and every sound such a diverse group of sophonts could make, it was a complete cacaphony on a daily basis.

It even had its share of gunfire now and then. But never anything like this. Down the long gangway that was Docking Corridor 39, bullets spanged off of the bulkheads and embedded themselves in the walls - and occasionally within bodies. Answering blasts of fire returned, shouts and screams, turning the place into a hellish funhouse.

One voice rose louder than the rest, a furious and strident female scream. "Yes, I said *continue*! Flush them out with grenades if you have to, but I want this mess cleaned UP!"

The voice gave sudden pause, as if the speaker had heard something. Then she spun on a heel and retreated back the way she came, an imperious gesture bringing the heavily armed guards with her. She stepped on and over the body of a fallen pilot with only a mild look of distaste on her face. "Call back the rest of the Guard. Everyone else, I want on the docks until this stupidity is cleaned. And watch what you're doing this time!"

The guards bowed slightly, but she was already moving again, leaving them in her wake with a flash of emerald.

John · Date: 2006-11-08 16:57 EST

Come inside, the show's about to start
Guaranteed to blow your head apart! - ELP, "Karn Evil 9"

THERE

More bodies littered the way as she walked, her irritation and frustration gradually giving way to a near-tantrum. "What do I PAY you idiots for? Look at this! A few troublemaking pilots, that's all this was supposed to be. And how many of you does it take to clean up a few failed mercenaries-turned-smugglers?"

The guards struggled to keep up with the figure, stumbling the pieces of wall and ceiling that marked blast impact points. They knew better than to actually answer her, knew what she'd do if anyone gave her the least excuse right now. That did not, however, stop her ranting.

"I swear, any of you that live through this, you're cleaning up the mess personally!" She continued to fume, a toss of waist-length emerald locks punctuating her annoyance. The crackle of a communicator interrupted her diatribe, and for a moment the guard seriously believed she'd kill him for merely possessing the offending implement. Instead, she took it from him with a ferocious glare and barked out, "WHAT now?"

The voice that answered was heavily marred by static, but the guard felt a surge of relief at the words. "All but a few of the insurgents are dead or captured, My Lady. The few that remain are being hunted now, and will not escape the perimeter. It's all over but the interrogations."

Her beautiful and scarred face broke into a cruel smile. "About time someone said something helpful. See that it's done, and find that stupid bastard first. He's getting a special visit for starting all this."

She threw the 'comm back at the guard, and stretched her arms upward, cat-like, with that smile remaining. "Maybe something fun will come of all this after all.."

The words were nary out of her mouth when she turned suddenly. A movement, something small, had gotten her attention. One of the bodies.. no. Not a body..a survivor. Her first thought was to kick the stupid smuggler, until she saw the blaster in his hand and the flashing red warning of an overload. Her pupilless eyes went wide and she turned to bolt. The guards never realized why their fearless leader was running like the wind until the explosion left the majority of them dead or dying.

A figure stepped through the smoke and tangle of corpses, a long shape in hand. It raised up and sent a bolt of fire down the hallway, but the emerald-crowned figure had already turned the corner. Boots crunched on smoking bits of concrete as slow pursuit was given.

John · Date: 2006-11-08 16:59 EST

Come down with fire.. - Rainbow, "The Man on the Silver Mountain"

THERE

For all the sounds of moments ago, all she heard now was the pounding of her own blood, in her chest, in her ears. The ragged rasp of her breath, taking in irregular gulps as she skidded around corners, hands pushing almost blindly against any surface she came against. All that mattered was the pursuit behind her, the pursuit that had suddenly turned her from the hunter, to the prey.

Had the footsteps faded away? Had she finally lost him in the labrynthine corridors?

Then a bolt of fire blew away a hunk of the wall behind her, and she scrambled into motion again. No, she decided. Definitely not.

He didn't seemto be running at all. Just an inexorable oncoming presence, that she could just barely keep ahead of. But sanctuary was just ahead, just a little bit further..

Another bolt of fire sizzled past her, making her screech in pain and terror as her shoulder felt the burn, her clothing smoked from its passing. One last corner to turn, and she'd be safe... there it was, her private elevator. She slammed inside, and sank in relief as the doors closed, lifting her up and away from the relentless pursuer.

As she rose toward her private penthouse, her thoughts already began to turn back to revenge and striking. The hunter once more?

John · Date: 2006-11-08 17:00 EST

Here I am
Rock you like a hurricane.. - Scorpions

THERE

Upon reaching her sanctuary, the Jade Queen immediately began to regroup, trying to reach her Guard to call them back to protect her. The smugglers were a secondary concern now, with her life at stake. But she couldn't reach anyone. Every channel was static, every voice garbled.

"Damnit!" she screamed, hurling the 'comm at the wall and taking some small measure of satisfaction from watching it fly into pieces. Fine, so the guards weren't coming just yet. It wasn't as though he was stupid enough to..

The thought died half-formed as she saw the elevator's control panel flashing. It was being called back down... back down? HER elevator? Her private code?

She rushed over to check, or to override, but the elevator stubborn descended back down to the bottom. And then after a pause, it began to rise again. She stared at it incredulously, scarcely able to believe his audacity.. his stupidity.

"Fine, you stupid bastard." She backed away slowly from the doors, fire already starting to form around her hands. "Come on, then.. I'm waiting." And that cruel little smile returned.

John · Date: 2006-11-08 17:01 EST

Spinning, whirling, still descending
Like a spiral sea unending - Rush, Cygnus X-I

THERE

The change was remarkable. Down there, she had been on her heels, on the run, and all she'd known was fear. It wasn't a sensation she was used to, these days. She had more power around her than she thought she'd ever need, and no situation came up that she couldn't handle with total confidence.

But things had gone so wrong, so quickly, that she almost felt betrayed. Betrayed by the same fate which had guided her so surely from an emtpy beginning, to this pinnacle of power. She wasn't just the one in in power, she WAS power.

And now that she was on the higher ground, facing the place where her enemy must surely appear, she felt her confidence return. It reminded her of the old days, before she'd gathered all this about her. Back then, she'd worn a different face... an unscarred face, a passive face. It had served her well, as she'd quietly eliminated those who opposed her goals, or who had something she wanted. Until the day came when she no longer had to wield power with her own hands. The real power, she judged, was over others; in having their power at your whim.

But now it all came back to this. An enemy, and her only ally the fire she called forth. It was a pity, almost, that he'd have no chance. Stupid. But his lack of creativity wasn't her fault.

The elevator chimed softly, and she raised her hands. As the doors began to part, the beautiful rosebloom of fire was already on its way, filling the elevator with glorious light even before the doors were halfway open. No return fire came back to threaten her, and soon the entire lift was an inferno.

Lydia turned away, smirking to herself. "Not how I pictured taking my revenge, I suppose. But satisfying enough."

John · Date: 2006-11-08 17:03 EST

(Placeholder for the conclusion of the previous posts.)

John · Date: 2006-11-08 17:04 EST

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? - Frodo

HERE

Perhaps nothing drove home the enormity of the situation more than finally setting food upon what still lived in his memory as 'home'. Once a neatly maintained clearing and homestead, John found the cabin now little more than a half-built (or half-destroyed) shell, and signs of someone else's life there.

The depression that followed was sharp, but brief - he just couldn't find it in himself to wallow in regret and what-if. There'd been enough of that, after her death. But what now?

This was not his Rhydin, these weren't his friends and close ones. They were mirror images, seen through a strange veil - and distorted by a difference of nigh unto twenty years. Some were nearly identical to those he had known, and some were so wildly different he could barely recognize them. Some, he did not know at all.

There were good folk here, of course, as there had been back home despite the darkness. But every moment among them drove deeper the realization that this was not his home. Wasn't even his reality.

But here I am, he thought. So... now what?

John · Date: 2006-11-08 17:06 EST

20061026.1342

Well, I've looked over Jordan and I've seen
Things are not what they seem. - Roger Waters

HERE - JOHN'S MUSINGS

Strange how life imitates art. Everything here is like a bizarre mirror reflection, just a little different sometimes... or wildly off at others. Places look like home, only as if I'm seeing them through a stranger's eyes. Faces seem familiar, voices trigger old memories, but they aren't who I think.

It's enough to make me doubt my sanity, or even who the hell I am. The only way I can make any sense of it is to remember that *I* have not changed. Everyone else has!

Okay, so the key to sanity is maintaining an outsider's perspective. Fantastic..

That's not to say folk haven't been kind here. It's just bizarre to think that one of the sweetest folk I have met here to date here, is a mirror reflection of the most murderous sociopath I've ever known. If you want jarring, well, there it is.

Some of the differences are just trivial; a different shade of paint here, a slight change there. Some are actually funny... I met this woman today who was without a doubt hardcore in word and deed, and yet I'm seeing her through a mirror, seeing a bubbly mother of three whose worst habit was squirting smokers with the bar's drinks gun.

And then I met her again. It was... I don't think I want to talk about it now. But I'll never again laugh at the old cliche about seeing a ghost, ever again.

John · Date: 2006-11-08 17:07 EST

20061030.1656

HERE - JOHN'S MUSINGS

Someone asked me today what I was running from.

Can't say that was a question I expected. I don't have any memory of a conscious desire to come here.. well, to be truthful I had no idea *here* existed at all until I arrived. But I certainly had no desire to leave where I was, no matter how interesting things had gotten.

They also asked if I wanted to return.

It's hard to answer that. When you come right down to it... that was home. This... isn't. I don't belong here. And knowing what I do, I never truly will, I can't by definition.

Is there anything back there? There's no one, if that's what she meant. But there's no one here either, obviously. So which way do I turn? Do I look backwards and focus on getting out of this dream? Or do I consider what it would be like to stay here?

Of course, there's a very specific problem with that scenario. It hasn't come up yet, but it's inevitable. And when it happens, when those paths cross, things are going to get very interesting.

John · Date: 2006-11-15 12:32 EST

20061113.1200

HERE: JOHN'S MUSINGS

As I sit here, overlooking another day of tension in the mirror, it finally came to me - the answer I've been seeking ever since I got here. It wasn't until things had finally resolved themselves between Lydia and Katarina that it struck me. I really believe now, that was my purpose for being sent here. It seems odd, and I have no reason to think it in fact... but there it is. I just can't shake the feeling.

This is not home. I suppose in time it *could be*, but I'm still looking through everything from the other side of the mirror. I've made a few friends here, even so, and that helps me to take heart. I know I can't go back, so I've got to go forward.

But where?

John · Date: 2006-11-15 12:40 EST

20061115.1234

HERE - JOHN'S MUSINGS

So here I sit, looking out at the road ahead.

The day I decided to move ahead with my life, I knew what I had to do. I had to take control, first of all. I've never been one for charity, though there were so many kind folk and friends here willing to help from the start. But when you build a life, you do it right.. and you start with a foundation.

Ok! So.. job.

It took me a little searching, but I found something promising. There's a small shipyard based at the port, a startup, and they were in serious need of techs to help organize and repair the various things their salvager brought in. They looked a little dubious when I put my name in, but it didn't take me too long to convince them. I think I still have my skills at a decent level. <serene smile>

So now I've got a job again, though it's strange working for someone else. I've been my own boss so long, I forgot what it was like. Still, honest money and the credits are coming in.

Next step - where to start building my life again.

John · Date: 2006-11-15 12:49 EST

20061115.1243

HERE - JOHN'S MUSINGS

Sat and had a talk with someone. It was nice, we had fun, and at the end they inadvertently gave me the key to my future. Make a note, have casual discussions about food more often.

I can't stay here, I realize that now. Nothing against this place, or the folks here, but there are too many ghosts, too many mirror images I can't deal with directly yet. I need to make a life of my own, not hang on to a reflection of one I used to have, somewhere. And I know what I'm gonna do now.

I've already started saving for a bike, I've got my eye on a Mobquet Cutlass-S touring swoop. Modified a bit with a cargo rack, extra fuel for the plant, and some other things, and you have a swoop that'll handle the long road ahead.

And that's where my path lies now. I came to realize that whether this Rhydin or my own, I live in one of the most incredible collections of people, places and singularities that ever was, or ever will be. And all I've ever seen of it was Star's End spaceport, the town surrounding the Red Dragon Inn, and the road that connects the two. That changes, today.

I'm planning what I decided to call my World Tour - I'm going to gather together as much as I can in the way of supplies, and gear to keep myself going, and I'm going to go and see the world. As much of it as I can, as much as I want to. I will still stop back here, I'm sure, and revisit some old friends made anew. But for now.. I finally have a purpose I can feel good about. I have something to look forward to... and it's exciting.

I'm gonna need to save up a lot of postcards.