Sneak Peeks

Serials are still on hold, though Greg Taylor is starting a new Epsilon Project soon, with plot voting open.  I didn't get a chance to do anymore painting this past week, either, so the elf and the marilith are still waiting to be finished.  However, I do have a few stories in the works, so why not a sneak peek of what's in the pipes.  Just an interesting scene or two, to entice.  This will get long, so everything continues after the break.

First, Streetwise Valkyries, a superhero serial about a group of young women dealing with life as heroes and teenagers.

Olivia stayed near the swirling smoke, pushing anyone that escaped the cloud back in.  A few managed to get out and away.  The one that took potshots at Yasmine, Olivia pulled away and threw back into the smoke.  She was careful to not use her full strength.

Another man staggered from the cloud, his gun ready.  Seeing Olivia, he fired from the hip.  The round grazed her side, ripping a tear in her red jumpsuit and exposing her steel skin.

Olivia looked down at the tear then at the shooter.  "Really?"  As the shooter took aim, Olivia Ran in, faster than humanly possible.  She grabbed the barrel of the gun and squeezed.  The barrel flattened.  The shooter tried to pull his gun away.  Olivia held on to the weapon.  "Do you know how much I hate sewing?"  With her free hand, she shoved the shooter back into the smoke.

Tara appeared on the ground beside Olivia.  "We got a big guy., Poppy.  Other side of the helicopter."

"Are you hurt?"

"He didn't lay a hand on me."  Tara got to her feet.  "I can deal with these a-holes."

Olivia ran to behind the helicopter, getting there in seconds.  The pilot stopped walking.  "Hi," Olivia said.  "I don't suppose you want to surrender?"

In Spanish, the pilot replied, "Do they only have little girls now?"

"I haven't been little since I was ten."  Olivia zipped in.  She slammed the pilot in the gut.  He staggered back several steps.  "I don't want to hurt you."

The pilot laughed.  "El Ejecutor was hoping for a challenge."

"You're El Ejecutor?"

"You've heard of me?"

"No, I just wanted to make sure I understood you."

The pilot stepped into his punch, hitting Olivia on the shoulder.  "Don't toy with me, little girl."

Olivia stood up straight.  "I'm the Steel Poppy."  She lashed out at El Ejecutor.  "I am no one's little girl."


For Mecha Academy, from an arc that needs to be finished.  It just spiralled out a bit.  I know why it happened, making it easier to get to a resolution.

A quick cut later, Dusty had her other arm free.  Rhiannon helped her sit down on the bed.  "Lars, make sure she's okay," Rhiannon said.

Dusty held up a hand.  "No.  I'm--"

"I am going to smack you if you say you're fine, Tyler."  Rhiannon glared down at Dusty.  "Do you normally tape yourself to a bed while we're out?"

"Watch where you step."  Dusty pointed at a damp stain on the grey carpet.

"Oh, ew."  Miyami backed away.

"I still have my shoes on," Rhiannon said.  "Lars, please?"

Lars knelt down beside Dusty, avoiding the stain on the rug.  "Do you hurt anywhere?"  He opened his first aid kit and took out an antiseptic wipe.  "Here, clean the blood on your lips with this."

Dusty took the wipe and started dabbing at her mouth.  "Thanks."

"I'm calling the MPs," Ric said.

"No!"  Dusty stood up, reaching out to Ric.  She gasped, then clutched her sides.

Rhiannon grabbed Dusty by the shoulders.  "Sit down, Tyler."

Lars helped Dusty back down to the bed.  "Let me look."  He laid his hands underneath Dusty's arm, still holding her stomach.  She gasped even under the gentle touch.  "That's not good."

"Ric, no police.  Lars, I'm fine.  Ow!"  Dusty rubbed the top of her head where Rhiannon had cuffed her.

"I told you I'd smack you."  Rhiannon took a step back.  "Lars, take Tyler to the infirmary.  The rest of us will see if we're missing anything.  No police, yet.  The star witness won't be here."


And I have an unfinished arc from LTV Paranormalists.  Most of the writing is on the investigation or character moments, but this sets up the arc nicely.

Rachel's shriek was clear even coming from inside.  Marty's chair fell over as he got up.  Ethan was several strides behind him.  Before either man could reach the building, Rachel came running out.  Her shirt had several yellow streaks on it, as did her hair.  She pointed back at the cottage.  "Marty!"

Marty pulled Rachel into his arms.  "What happened?"

Still pointing at the cottage, Rachel stammered, "Mustard!  Mustard!"

Sarah caught up with the others.  "Did the bottle explode?"

"No.  It . . . it . . ."  Rachel's voice trailed off.

"Ethan, come on."  Marty strode towards the cottage, Ethan right behind him.

Rachel tried to grab her boyfriend's arm, missing by centimetres.  "No, Marty!"

Sarah pulled Rachel back.  "They'll be okay.  Let's get you cleaned up."

Marty stopped at the door.  He peered inside.  Nothing seemed out of place.  The kitchen light was on, the refrigerator hummed, and the radio played rock music at a low volume.  After exchanging a look with Ethan, Marty pulled the door open and stepped inside.  Entering the kitchen, both men got a better view of the havoc wrought.  Mustard covered the surface of every counter.  Yellow streaks ran down cupboard doors.  Marty grabbed the broom, holding it with two hands.  He crept further in.  Movement along the top of the cupboards caught the eye of both men.  Marty raised the broom, ready to lash out with it.  He kept the lead, walking step by step deeper into the cottage.

"Watch out Marty!" Ethan called.

Out of instinct, Marty ducked.  A plate flew over his head, shattering against the wall.  Marty spun around in time to see another plate flying at him.  He raised the broom, knocking the plate aside.  Laughter came from the walls.

Other stories have some work done, but not to the degree of the above three.  One of these will get finished at some point.  Not sure which.

Today, over at Psycho Drive-In, "Troops".
Saturday, over at The Seventh Sanctum, Remaking Emergency!