The night hasn’t called for it and the forecaster on nightly news 6 lost their job for it but this is what happens when magic gets unboxed… a storm was brewing off the coast coming into the city against the front. An anomaly.

———————-

“Why are we in this part of the country?” Adam asks with annoyance. From the west coast he’s a California boy, maybe he stowed away in Michigan for a while and was positioned all along the earth from east coast to far east to the Middle East to the Wild West it just never dawned upon him to divest any time at the shoals and alcoves of a saltless body of water.

“You sink quicker here…” he thinks to himself.

“Because MRITCDD(Magic Radar Intelligence Triangulating Coordination Device Department) is blowing off the scales and wouldn’t you know it it’s exactly were we placed that one young summoner abrasion?” The lieutenant states.

“So this is the cesspool that they crawled out of?” Adam returns.

“Oh, cesspool? Good one, I know you west coasters have your misgivings and haughty ideations on how things are but I’d proposition you a question.” The lieutenant returns. “I wonder… who inspires these thoughts and broadcasts them from mountain top? Who sequesters the wealth and keeps it for themself? I wonder who feeds the land and in return is spurned?”

“Are you from the Midwest?” Adam asks.

“Originally? No, but I stayed in the south for a while and so I’ve got an impartial view of things looking in to the scenario as one might say. You see, things happen because things happen. Cause and effect. It ripples out.”

“The butterfly effect.” Adam interrupts.

“The butterfly effect.. Sure, absurd but you have to remember everything is reacting to everything so everything matters. Especially when matter is involved.” She continues. “As the general sees it, and this is prime information mind you, we can anticipate these interactions and make the appropriate counterbalances to continue our work. It’s called being the goaltender.”

“So we’re playing hockey now?” Adam laments. He hates hockey. He hates the cold. Ice is hard and when you fall it hurts and you get wet and then you get cold because it’s freezing. Why live like that?

“Metaphorically maybe, but in reality we’re playing football. Not your European gentleman nonsense either. Good ol’ American pig skin.” She states.

“You mean to tell me, football is the basis of the grand strategy?” Adam is beside himself.

“It’s all a game kid. If you want to win you have to come up with a winning strategy. Something complex and robust enough to overcome every obstacle.” The Lieutenant explains. “If you know the field and its composition then you can determine the rules of the game. We stay a foot ahead of the competition we can rig it to our advantage.”

“That doesn’t seem in good spirit.” Adam points out.

“We are the government. We are the defenders of an entire society. An entire race of people. Hell, life itself. Why would we subject our existence upon the roll of some dice or metaphorical football?” She replies.

“Because that’s the will of it?” Adam replies.

“What about ours? What do we count for? What does it mean to be free and have free will if you’re only going to be used as toys for pleasure or obscure boredom? When do we switch places? When is it our turn? Is that in the math? No? Are we not a democracy? Do we not believe in freedom and free will? What does that all mean to you if you stop short when something bigger and stronger shows up and says no?” The lieutenant replies.

“But you make it sound as if we are at war with our creator.” Adam states.

“Don’t put words into my mouth. Don’t say things out loud you don’t comprehend fully. There is context and hidden things that we all can’t see.” The lieutenant admonishes Adam.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” Adam asks.

“It’s part of the process.” The lieutenant replies flippantly.

“The indoctrination?” Adam replies.

“Open your eyes… we live in infinity what does that mean? How does that affect everything? Who are you and what do you want to be and do? How does that affect everything else? Who is going to be bothered by it and how are we going to defend against it?” The lieutenant finishes.

“This just feels like paranoia to its highest level.” Adam responds.

“I’ll show you paranoia. She’s not what you think and if you blink it’ll all be over.” She winks at him. The helicopter they’re on lands at the Naval Station Great Lakes. “We're a little out of zone but we’ll get there in time. Put some civilian clothes on, and blend in. Be prepared to put down anyone we need to. Don’t hesitate this time, okay? We're playing big league ball from here on out.”


—————————

Three weeks earlier…


“So, if we’re going to get out of this unscaved we need backup plans for the backup plans. I’ve got the plane chartered and I’ve got the dynamite in place. I’ve got the codes and I know the structure and all its surroundings. I’ve gone over the numbers and I can drown it all into the ocean for safe keeping. Humans can’t breath water and salt. So it’s all about how I get out with my crew. I know my aunt has a boat in Chicago that’ll do what we need but she also has a yacht in Milwaukee right now because she’s invested in the arts center. They’ve got that new display going up and it’ll be all busy and stuff. She’ll check into the nicest hotel to get off the ship for a minute and indulge in water district… so, if we steal this key and put an end to all this madness we can get that ship and sail it to Chicago and swap. It’s smaller and they’ll be looking for the yacht cuz it’s worth more they won’t think about their other one. Dad will be mad but he’ll let it slide knowing it’s safe. He’ll be relieved and forgive me. He practically asked me to do it without saying it out loud after the Russians got into the fray. I felt that way after he let the Chinese in. Though I don’t really trust those British people either. Any of the old world seems like a long toss. Imperialism is bred into them like it is us. We’ve just the advantage of being an entire ocean away to keep from relapsing. That said… I hope I won’t be dead in a few days. We’ll have to make it to America first to even do all this. I know he didn’t gamble away that house to me in Milwaukee for no reason and in front of everyone no less. He’s got a plan too and I’m going to undercut it. Let’s just keep making contingency plans just in case. Holy shit… but if it’s true he’s saying my eyes aren’t from looking at it. It’s a blessing? I never looked at the damned thing. None of us in the gang has. I’ll have to remind them all to divert their eyes when the time comes. I’ll give it to dad. He did succeed at that. How are we supposed to defend something so important our hearts won’t let our minds remember? I need an ally who knows. I can’t tell Brent he’ll tell everyone. I can’t tell Locke cuz he’ll want to stand guard personally and challenge everyone who comes. He’s a human being he’s gonna die one day it makes no sense. I have to tell Corin. They’re really all about running away from things. It’s perfect. I have to be grateful the old man just didn’t kill everyone who built the place outright. I imagine his fallback plan was the employ MAD Doctrine and make it so it was untouchable. That’s not ideal though. Thank goodness for his bleeding heart keeping me alive but it creates problems. Count my blessings I guess…”

“Tye, tie off that boat and let’s get back to the casino. I’ve got a plan on how to make something sparkle.” Money yells to Tye from the dock. He’s surrounded by recognizable faces all in their places. Locke and Brent are standing beside him and Corin is staring off into the distance as if the ship arriving isn’t even there. It’s absurd. Their small island and this giant ship harboring it. How much effort did it take to dredge? Wait no it was always like this. There is a hole in this particular island. A blue hole abyss. It’s what caught his eye. A hole nobody knows the depth of. Unexplored. Perfect place to hang a cage or a stage or a temple. If you’re mental…

Secret spot to dump something you never want to be found. A pirate's cove. Found the map and found the spot. Little Money Lancaster and his buried treasure.

————————-
I woke up with the feeling like I was pounded by a hundred different meat pounders. The air smelt of fish and piss and Roman was standing their holding his head in contemplation. Groggy I was I’m beginning to remember what just happened. Money isn’t gonna like this. We might die over this. Maybe we should go in the run and hide. Might be our best bet…

“Roman. Man… what happened?” Ricky asks as he picks himself off the floor. The room is in shambles and the door blown off the wall. Dents in dents and splinters abound. Even a fish is fluttering about. How the fuck did a fish get in here?

“You know what?” Roman asks aloud.

“What?” Ricky asks.

“It seems like we have more power than we realize. Doesn’t it?” Roman states.

“That’s what I’ve been saying man. We are the pinnacle of what can be if we just strive to be.” Ricky replies.

“Yeah, no I’m not talking about your motivational videos and speech bullshit I’m saying literally… there is more isn’t there?” Roman states.

“What are you saying?” Ricky asks.

“I’m saying… what if?” Roman replies.

“Dangerous words my friend. It’s good to hear them again.” Ricky pats himself off. He is soggy and smells but it’ll dry. “So if I’m getting what you’re saying then it’s a yes.” Ricky crink’s his neck.

“Rat race it is then.” Roman replies.

“Number 42 and all that bullshit. We’re back in the game!” Ricky states throwing up his hand for a high five.

Roman doesn’t return it.

“Yeah, well. Step by step brother. Step by step.” Ricky states.
—————————

“I should be dead…” are the thoughts of the elf general sent in to squash this rebellion and demon’s curse. It should have been a straight forward deal. They had the seal and all those things in place. They just had to stab her with his sword. He was right there but then boom the laser beam shot out and all hell broke loss and his sword wouldn’t un hilt itself. He’d blundered. To think to curse the hilt. How could he have looked over such a thing? How would the diamond king react? The army isn’t all gone we’re still more than three fourths strong.

It’s just every lost elf is another jar to place on the shelf and the shelf is already so full. It’s so obscene. We’ll hold them till we can plant them again but it’s a shame he’ll never be able to wash away from his name. To be bested by some demon and lesser god? All because he didn’t think to protect the hilt…. It is the little things that win big now he imagines.

“Maximus Elvis, lord general! The men have been assembled. They’re awaiting your word.” The elf states before him. Clad in the finest of armor. His cousin, Elrel, son of his aunt, sister to the king. His standard bearer. His squire of you may. To everyone else their superior. Imperial.

“Has the kings sorcerer arrived yet?” Maximus inquires.

“No my lord. He hasn’t thow the owls say he’s very near. They lost sight of him not long ago.” Elrel confesses.

Ever the specter’s way. Hiding behind veils and instigating things to their whim. It was bad enough he would show up late much less to a lost battle but this was a war now and so the sorcerer would have to play his part and Elvis would have to keep his mind on the prize or loss everything. You can play a minor loss as an initial scouting. Blame the timing on the sorcerer himself.

“I am coming let’s not keep them waiting…” Maximus replies strutting out of his tent and into the light. Before the entrance to the now defunct bunker wedding temple coliseum whatever. Those damn goblins can be clever he’d have to remember that. Remember to bring something to counteract that mischief. He would not be outplayed like his uncle before him. He’d learn and become better.

He shutters.

How can something perfect become better? I must not admit to any imperfection or the diamond king might cast me aside. No, this was meant to be so let’s play it as so.

He stands before the legion. They’re appearance leaves it to imagine nothing has happened. Perfection on display but in actuality they’ve lost 1/4th of their men and had to force a retreat after that explosion. A time dilation. He was frozen in place for but a moment. When that moment came back the demon slaughtered all those unable to move in time. Thankfully he’d kept his focus and dodged.

“The demon lay within this hold. We know exactly were it lay. Our initial scouting has proven it to be so. I’ve this weapon on my side that can cut it true.” He lifts the sword. “It is an enemy with power but an enemy we must face and overcome. We will best it. It will taste this steel. We will avenge those who have fallen and with our prize we will come closer to reviving them all!”

The legion cheers and beat their shields.

“We are the legion!”

“We have their escape route blocked and we will find a space they do not have as prime a position and we will make our advantage. The king’s Sorcerer will be here soon together we can overcome anything before us!” Maximus declares.

“Now then, about those lizards and bugs?” He laughs and they all chuckle. “We’ll have our fun won’t we?”

“Here here!” The legion regals.

“For every ten bug heads you collect I promise a commission from my personal claim whence we’ve taken this monstrosity!” Maximus declares.

The legion bellows in excitement.

“And for every tail I’ll give you a mark for accommodation. Let’s get some badges on those chest boys!” Maximus finishes.

“For glory!” The mob yells