The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
Inside the Amanojuko factory, the entertainment has stopped, and the guests are being shown through the doors, leading down to the lower chambers. Heyem is doing her very best to remain in character.
Gianti Dincrind has been instructed by Lord Anderson, to develop biological defences for Amanojuko cities, to guard against possible terrorist outbreaks, once the Amanojuko have gained full power. She has been on an experimental asylum ship, for the past few years. (This story is set three years in the future in 3994. See Story timelines for chronology)
Lord Filius Anderson is keeping close tracks on the enigma, Juba Apfvarzian. There is something in the boy’s blood, which allows him immunity to the catalyst, and Lord Anderson needs to know what this is.
Jarad has never seen an Amanojuko base up close, although he has been thoroughly briefed, it could not prepare him for the wealth, and extravagance around him, as the group are escorted into the socialite lounge. (This issue is dedicated to everyone who reads these stories. I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas.)
Heyem is escorted through the gates of the factory, along with the others.
Alex recovered enough to set off for the gates of the factory, (which is where the Amanojuko process the catalyst, used to infect the population with ‘plague’.)
The factory is close, but Alex has been shivering for hours and her body is letting her down. The group has stopped to rest, overlooking the Amanojuko factory, which is just across the horizon. (This issue, and every story I’ve written, is dedicated to my dad, who died almost 21 years ago on 2nd December. This is for you Dad, I will never forget you.)
Alexand fights her feelings of despair, attempting to find new purpose after Katherine’s death.
The Guild Master’s General materialises outside of Inajda’s cabin, along with Abouna Panak.
The group have been waiting for Alexand to return, and have set camp back in the cave, near Lake Baikal.
Colonel Katherine De Somme has been honoured with a full military funeral. Her parents, although invited, are absent, but her wife, Alexand, stands next to Field Marshal Panak, dressed in her uniform, as Field Marshal Panak presents her with Katherine’s medals. It is an open casket.
Professors De somme and Sumian, took a very frail but relieved Katherine to Inajda’s cabin in Russia (after giving her a blood shield) The cure has stopped her body degenerating further, and will allow her to recover in time, but she is very weak and can’t walk. They have left her on a bench outside Inajda’s cabin and told her they will collect her in a month’s time.
Alexand is still angry after her fight with the Guild Master’s General
The Guild Master’s General has been sent to return Alexand’s writer to her. He has been stalking them for a few minutes, assessing the right time to approach, as his last meeting with Alexand wasn’t exactly amiable.
Katherine sits by the window in her laboratory, synthesising more inhibitor for the patients in the sickbay. She is getting nervous, today is the day she was promised a visit from a future version of herself, and the cure to her illness.
Inajda remained unconscious throughout the night. The future version of Anesidor Sumian has left her. Inajda wakes, inside her father’s cabin, some time in the morning. It’s the Fourteenth of May.
It is finally the fourteenth of May, and The Guild Master’s General has been watching over Katherine as she sleeps. He fades between energy and matter, making himself invisible to Katherine’s nurse as she injects a dose of adrenaline into Katherine’s bloodstream, to wake her up.
The group have spent the day attempting to catch fish in Lake Baikal, as a day has passed with no sign of Inajda returning. They have lit a fire and wait for Inajda, but everyone knows she should have returned by now.
Ajeeta Kothari is on the run. She fled her son’s funeral for the mountains of Afghanistan. She has no allies, and a lot of enemies. She failed in her attempt to get Katherine De Somme to believe that her affiliation had changed. Her only hope of survival is to leave her life behind, and carry on running from the Amanojuko.
Lord Filius Anderson and Lady Helga Ritter have been following Juba Apfvarzian, taking blood samples, tracking his health. He is still completely free of the project ghost ship strain.
(This is for you Dad. You died exactly 20 years ago today. My stories and my world are dedicated to you. I will try to find you in my stories, to go to places far away from this world, to search for you. Maybe one day I’ll know you again. Until then I’ll keep writing. I’ll never forget you. This issue is also dedicated to Kelly Priestley, and her family, a beautiful soul, taken far too soon. You are in my thoughts.) Alexand and her troops have travelled for days across the Red Sand Hills of Kekexili, in Qinghai, China. The cart has avoided the mountains, where tribes of bandits live. The land is dangerous, and the threat from bandits is ever present. Farokh sits at the front behind the driver, next to Alex.
Alexand has recovered enough to address the party. Her troops have been getting jumpy, and she needs to do something to remedy the lack of trust they have in her as leader.
Katherine is woken from a dream by a familiar voice.
There are some complications in their attempt to leave the pub, and get Alex safely back to the carriage. Alex is understandably weak, she’s in pain due to her broken rib and battered feet, but Farokh has given her some morphine he acquired on his meander around town.
After being rescued from a farmer, who was intent on killing her, Alexand lies in bed, semi conscious.
After attempting to escape from an angry farmer, Alexand has collapsed, and has been caught.
Alexand wakes up in a field after sleepwalking out of her room in the tavern.
Ajeeta Kothari returns back to her laboratory in Saskatoon from her visit to the Amanojuko base in Russia. She notices that Katherine De Somme is absent, and as Lord Anderson has ordered, needs to know exactly where Katherine is and what she is up to. She learns that Katherine hasn’t been in her laboratory for weeks, and against protocol visits Katherine at home to see for herself that Doctor De Somme is finally near to being deactivated.
The Guild Master’s General has to set a course for Abouna Panak, so that he can fulfil his destiny. He has come to take Abouna’s mother on a journey, that will separate her from her son. (Read Part One Here) This episode is dedicated to everyone who has supported these stories over the years. Thank you.
The Guild Master’s General has been summonsed back from his detour to see Katherine De Somme. He knows what’s waiting for him back on the streets where he lives. Reassuring Katherine was worth the beatings he’ll get as he waits for Mr Ash to arrive. The next issue is out on 25th June to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of these stories on wordpress.
Who is this mysterious Guild Master’s General, and why does he seem interested in Katherine De Somme? Katherine wants to find out, but he isn’t being very cooperative.
Doctor Ajeeta Kotahri is shown around the Amanojuko fortress, by Helga Ritter.
Katherine had isolated herself in her apartment for the last few weeks. The trust fund her father set up for her, as severance, has enabled her to pay for a live in nurse, who gets her in and out of bed, but Katherine being a private woman and needing a lot of space, retreated to her laboratory, despite her reservations about Doctor Kothari.
Ajeeta Kothari is lead out of the human storage chamber into an anti chamber.
The group decided to camp for the night. They have reached the borderlands of Tibet. There is no military check point as the place is remote, so no need for them to split up as they had done earlier on in their journey. Farokh lays in his sleeping bag, watching the guards, as they tread the perimeter, hoping that the bandits can’t hear Heyem’s voice.
Jarad walks with Alexand, as she leads her troops towards the borders of Tibet. (If you would like to donate to the Nepal Earthquake Appeal please visit the Red Cross Website or the DEC Website. Thank you.)
Alex attempts to disguise her illness from her troops, as she leads them towards Tibet.
Katherine is still uneasy about sharing her laboratory with Doctor Kothari.
The group made it to the top of the mountain safely, and trekked another half an hour down to the base camp in Annapurna, a place shielded from the elements. They have paid for pitched tents and have set up a camp fire, with some food roasting. Heyem sits by the fire, next to Alex, who is unusually quiet.
Gianti Dincrind is a research scientist, from a wealthy family, and has been exposed to the forthcoming agenda to create a new world order. She has waited her turn amongst other socialites, and is now sitting in front of the great man himself. Lord Filius Anderson. Lord Anderson is in charge of hand picking the new race in preparation for the Amanojuko takeover in 4006.
Two months have passed and Alexand and Katherine have gathered in secret, inside Jarad’s house, with seven of Abouna Panak’s most trusted double agents. (As well as Heyem, Farokh and Jarad) They are preparing for the long journey to Russia. Katherine sits in her hover chair, still strong enough to contribute, but is weakening as the days pass. She listens as Alexand takes command. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
After agreeing to Field Marshal Panak’s proposition, Alex and Katherine (still without their writers) retreat to the roof of Saskatoon military base, so they can ponder their fate and spend some time together. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Abouna Panak has many secrets, which he must keep to himself, but as Field Marshal, he is in the unenviable position to influence the future of humankind. (Happy New Year, and please excuse my first ever experiment with coloured pencils, a bit psychedelic maybe?) CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
After leaving the army, Jarad has made a life for himself as a translator. He waves goodbye to another of his rich students, and attempts to settle down by the fire with a nice cold beer and a book. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Alexand has returned from the bedroom after kissing goodnight to a very sick Katherine. She joins her siblings, hoping that they can support her at this difficult time. This episode is dedicated to David Prosser, who asked me a few weeks ago if the next issue could be “a bit more hopeful.” CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Farokh has carried Katherine to her bedroom, and retreated to the living room to join Heyem. Alex sits beside Katherine, and they attempt to enjoy their first moments alone together for five long months. However Katherine is feeling very sick, leaving Alexand no option but to inject her with the inhibitor and with a high dose of morphine. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Katherine waits at the docks along with Farokh and Heyem (who has travelled from Hong Kong) to greet an injured Alexand, as her ship arrives at the harbour. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Katherine’s health is declining, but she is still trying to keep herself active. A letter has arrived from Alex and despite her failing eyesight, Katherine is able to read it. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
A ship leaves the port for India in the morning. Most of Alexand’s brigade is scheduled to leave for home. As the commanding officer, Alex has orders to remain in Australia for the second part of the tour. It is night time, and she has finished her duties for the day. She lies in her tent, writing a letter to be brought home to Katherine. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Farokh has arrived at Alexand and Katherine’s apartment after having to negotiate his way past the barrack guards. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
