[El_Roy_1999]

Well, this is the first action scene. I hope you like it. Be aware that there is a little bit of swearing. The horror!

A grizzly encounter

The creature approached. It was very large, some two yards tall and almost as wide. It walked at a brisk pace, swaying from side to side. Calvin stared at it, since it came from the driver’s side, he could perceive the sheer size of it sooner.
“It’s a fucking bear. A huge bear! Shit!” He fumbled for the starter key, turned it, the engine roared, he put the reverse gear in, and hit the gas. The car drove back, groaning as it left the trench. The enormous bear promptly reacted and ran towards the car. It was on all fours, lounged forward and grabbed the car. It’s enormous bulk smashed against the window, denting the car door and breaking the window pane. Calvin screamed.
The monster tore at the car door, eager to get inside.
“Out! Out! Quick, get out of the car!” Calvin urged Michelle to get out. She pushed open the door, fell out, got up and started to run. Her friend was after her seconds later. The beast pushed it’s head inside the car. They ran as quick as they could. Around them, trees flashed by, the snowstorm roared, all hell had broken lose. The bear had finished dismembering the car and began looking for them.
Michelle felt her heartbeat drum against her forehead, sweat was pouring out of her body, her windpipe was aching. She ran as fast as she could, slipping on loose snow, barely evading low branches. She heard Calvin run behind her. Deep in the roaring storm, the savage growl of the monstrous bear could be heard. It had taken up the pursuit. Needlessly wondering how fast a bear could run if it were twice as large as normal, Michelle ran on.
Suddenly, a fence appeared out of nowhere. She smashed into it, the thick wires gave a metallic rattle. Calvin arrived seconds later and instantly started climbing. She grabbed the wires firmly and proceeded to follow his example.
The bear emerged from the forest, roared and threw himself at the fugitives. It jumped, grabbed Michelle’s leg and started to pull. She felt as if the creature would rip her leg out. She clung to the fence with her dear life, howling in pain. Calvin tried to repel the monster by kicking at it’s arm, but it seemed impervious to his attacks.
All of a sudden, the beast stopped. It threw his head around, letting his prey go. A stunted figure with a visible hunch had appeared and had grabbed the beast’s rear paw. As the bear turned around to strike it’s aggressor, the opponent pulled the creature’s hind leg back and smashed it’s fist into the bear’s genitals. The creature looked very surprised. Using this moment of astonishment, the assailant flipped it’s huge opponent over, jumped on it’s belly and proceeded to beat it unconscious with it’s fists. Seconds later, the stunned monster lay quiet.
Their saviour made a sign for the two observers to come down. They complied. The hunch-backed fighter urged them to follow. As they paused to examine the bear as it slowly disappeared under the still falling snow, the figure pulled of it’s scarf, revealing herself to be a woman in her forties. She cursed at her hunch, bellowed at the pair to follow her, grabbed Michelle by the hand and started to run. Calvin instantly followed.

[El_Roy_1999]

Sorry for the delay.

Days of winter

They woke up to the sound of Michelle’s cell phone. The deeply annoying alarm signal allowed them to get out of the bed early. Opening the curtains, they saw complete darkness outside, broken occasionally by the lights of stores and cars. Taking a quick shower to wake up, Michelle explained today’s schedule: They should get a car, drive to the facility, examine it quickly and return before nightfall, which had to be around 3:30pm at this time of the year.
She also noted that it would be better not to let anybody follow them. They still should inform the concierge so that he could send for help if they did not return in time. This was Russia after all.
Putting on their thermal-isolated coats, they went to the car rental. There, they were welcomed by a huge man, all beard and hair, broad-shouldered and barely able to fit into his miniscule office. Roaring a greeting in broken English, the man asked what he could do to help them. Calvin examined the paper sheets on the walls detailing the various available cars.
“We’d like to go hunting, so we’d need a robust car. You know, for off-road driving.”
The man laughed, smiled, pulled his sleeve and almost carried Calvin into the yard. Minutes later, the two Americans were on their way in their newly rented Niva. Although operating the manual gear shift took a bit of practice, they were on the road. The giant had also given them a box of ammunition, a very strong flashlight and a photocopied map with little drawings of animals on it. The “hunt” story must have been very authentic.
They soon left the city and soon drove westward to the forest area. Even though the research facility was not marked on the map, Tartakin had been as nice as to provide them with two pages of typed directions. Tracing them on their road-map, Michelle soon found out that the area was probably populated by bears. There also appeared to be no trace of civilisation around for miles.
The car hit another pothole, jerking it’s passengers around. Trees on both sides blocked out the sunlight slowly creeping across the snowy landscape. After a while, the sky grew dark again. Looking outside, Michelle realised that a storm was coming.
“Calvin, I think we should turn around. The sky doesn’t look good at all. I wonder why the big guy didn’t warn us?”
The driver looked at the clouds, smiled and answered:
“I guess he knew it would be alright. I checked the weather forecast last night. There’s no storm on the schedule. Don’t worry. We’re almost there.”
Michelle felt strange at his sudden enthusiasm. What was going on? Had he spoken to someone while she was asleep? She gave him a sideway look. He definitely seemed to be very eager to reach the area as soon as possible. Outside, the trees began to sway in the wind.
“Are you sure you got the forecast right? Look at the trees.” The car started shaking again. Was it the awful road, or was the wind picking up seriously?
“It’s going to be alright. Look! We go right on this path, follow it, and we’ll be there in no time.”
He drove the car on a narrow, tree-lined, snow-covered path into the deeper forest. Instantly the car’s engine started howling, Calvin shifted the gear and drove through a low snow-drift.

Soon, it started snowing. A little at first, then more and more. Minutes later, the snowfall had turned into a full-scale blizzard. Michelle gave her driver a horrified look. Calvin was gritting his teeth, desperate to maintain visibility, but the windshield-wipers were getting clogged. He hit the gas again, jerking the car around to let the snow drop off, when Michelle took his hand and firmly told him to stop.
“If we go on like this, you’ll hit a tree. We should try to go back.” Outside, the storm was howling, throwing endless snow at the car and it’s occupants. “If we could get back on the road, we’d see further.”
Calvin stared at her angrily. He slowly loosened his grip. She grasped his arm again. She saw that he was struggling with himself. At last, he stopped the car.
“You’re right. It’s better if we stop and try to get back on the main road.”
Just as he finished the sentence, one of the huge trees behind them gave a pained grown and crashed on the road. In wild panic, Calvin hit the gas. The car jerked forward, the engine stalled and died off. He fumbled for the starter key. Trying to start the car, he screamed angrily as it jumped, only to land in a low trench besides the trail. As they desperately tried to work out what to do, a dark silhouette approached through the snowstorm.

[El_Roy_1999]

Trailer is up!

[El_Roy_1999]

That's exactly what I try to do. Let's hope it works!

Roommates

The hotel room turned out to be every bit as luxurious as the building had led to expect. It was fairly modern, but still felt rather cosy and warm. Outside, first signs of a snowstorm appeared. Michelle took a bath, relaxing in the warm water and examining the numerous samples of expensive cosmetics available in the bathroom. Clearly, Tartakin had friends in high places himself. As she climbed out of the tub, wrapping her long, dark hair into a separate towel, she took a look at herself in the floor length mirror. It appeared to be one of those vanity mirrors that slimmed the observer down a little bit. It’s services were futile in the face of Michelle’s thin, pale and naked body. She examined her pert little breasts, a routine exercise for medical purposes. She also found it quite enjoyable, this being her special “mutant power”. She smiled, put on the bathrobe and returned to the main room.
Calvin was watching TV, cartoons as always. His prime passion were superhero stories, he was also an avid comics collector. Even though she was no expert, their relationship had taught her a thing or two about the “science” of comic books.
Their whole project here had started as a joke. She sat down on the bed. While working late at night, they had seen an interview with a Russian ex-spy who explained that the KGB had spent millions of dollars to develop gadgets from James Bond movies, believing that the US secret services were using the media to conceal the fact that they were developing them.
A complicated story. For no good reason except extreme paranoia, the Soviets had built exploding fountain pens, rocket-launcher briefcases and gas-mask beards. At first, they laughed. But then, Calvin had asked:
“Do you think they tried to make Captain America too?” They had laughed again, imagining the Soviets trying to build super-soldiers. All of a sudden, it started to make sense.
On the next day, they started gathering information on the subject. Using the corporation’s excellent contacts, they managed to get a categorical and total denial of any Soviet super-soldier programme. The person who had issued the relevant data was Tartakin. Two days later, they were on their way to Moscow.
As for the actual reason for their expedition, Michelle could only guess. Calvin was definitely interested as a comic book aficionado. She could also imagine that he’d just wanted to dream of superpowers. For her, it was the sheer oddity of the idea. Besides, this was the perfect occasion to visit Russia.
While she was thinking, Calvin had taken a shower. He returned, a towel wrapped around his waist. He said:
“I’d really like to visit the facility tomorrow. I checked on the map, it’s quite a drive. Through the woods, some 100 miles, next to no civilisation around. We’ll have to get a 4×4 and some snow equipment. You know, thermal tents and so on.”
“Do you actually want to stay out there?”
“Not really. But if exploring the area takes longer, it’s better to make sure that the cold won’t kill us.”
Michelle gave him a questioning look. He certainly had a direct way of putting things. She climbed under her bed-sheets. It was cosy and warm in here. A look at the thermometer outside the window made her shiver with delight. Outside, everything was freezing, the wind was howling, it was dark. She snuggled against the eiderdown and soon fell asleep. As she drifted away, she felt as if Calvin was moving restlessly around in the room.

[El_Roy_1999]

Of course, comments are welcome. The FMG part is approaching, I swear. It took quite some time in my last story, but I hope it was worth the wait.

Lap of Luxury

As the huddled masses climbed out of the rusty Antonow airplane, Michelle and Calvin took a few minutes to accept the climate. Moscow suddenly seemed like Florida when compared to the biting cold of the Siberian countryside. A makeshift pathway made of wood led them to the airport hall. After a rather short bureaucratic procedure involving two hundred dollars, they got out and managed to find a taxi. The machine turned out to be a powerful and sparkling new Volvo, howling with diesel power.
The driver got out, actually saluted, and added:
“Mr. Lemontow sends his regards. You are invited to stay at his hotel for the time of your visit.”
The two travellers looked at each other in astonishment. Seconds later, they were on the road to the city centre. Passing several soviet-time buildings and apartment blocks, they arrived at a luxurious palace. Neither of them would have dreamt of spending the ridiculous amount of money to stay there, but being invited, a look of gladness washed over their faces.
Inside, a porter immediately took care of their luggage. The concierge quickly accomplished the welcoming ritual and informed them in perfect British English that Mr. Lemontow already awaited them in the lobby.
Moments later, they sat down. Their host turned out to be a thin, tall man in his forties, raven-haired and pale. Wearing a tailored suit and tasteful jewellery, he fitted perfectly into his surroundings. He gave them a friendly smile, offered them a glass of mineral water and said:
“Mr. Tartakin was right, you are gorgeous. I hope that you were not taken by surprise at my rather direct invitation, but it seemed easier for me to make contact. Do feel at home.”
Michelle seemed taken aback by the fact that Tartakin had informed this man of their coming. The dark-haired woman tried to hide her annoyance.
“What else has Tartakin told you? What is your interest in all this?”
“I see, straightforward and honest. As they say in bad spy films, American virtues. Mr. Tartakin has told me that you wished to visit the abandoned research facilities for a story in your newspaper. He also implied that you had friends in high places and that he’d be happy for you to have a nice stay. Being an old friend, I hardly could have refused, couldn’t I?”
The woman sighed. It was fascinating to see how small the world’s largest country could be.
“Indeed, we would like to visit the science centre. It’s an article about soviet research during the 1960s and 70s. Since most of the official is classified and shadowy at best, a local point of view might help. We’d like to interview the residents and see what they know about the workings there.”
“Splendid. I’d be glad to help. Of course, this is a free country, but if you need something, you are cordially invited to drop my name.” He grinned. “When you’re done, I’d definitely like to read the final text. Maybe there’s something to be learned about local history.”
“Are you from around here?”
“My father was deported here by Stalin and stayed here after his liberation. The Lemontows have always been businessmen and he soon managed to climb the social ladder. Just because we were a society of equals didn’t mean that there was no room above. I studied in Czechoslovakia and returned after the collapse. As a matter of fact, I have almost no knowledge about the local events in the 70s.”
“Alright. Well, we are thankful for your hospitality, but it was a long flight. If you don’t mind…”
“Do enjoy your stay.”
The pair got up. Going to the elevators, Michelle asked Calvin:
“Why were you so quiet?”
“I’m tired, it’s alright.” Whispering he added: “Besides, there was a guy in the rear who constantly observed us. I don’t think we can trust any of these people.”
She nodded as the elevator went up. Downstairs, the man in the back left the lobby and pulled out his cell-phone.

[El_Roy_1999]

Second part.

Freezing point

“Siberia, no less!” Calvin was furious. The 6’4” man had been compressed into a very small and uncomfortable chair in an equally small and uncomfortable plane, whose irregular yet frequent groaning heralded no good. “I cannot tell you how much I hate this country. It’s cold, everything is on the verge of breaking down and everybody keeps looking at you as if you were Santa Claus!” His left-hand neighbour, a large, mud-blond woman in her forties grinned at him, apparently amused by his anger.
As far as anybody on this plane was concerned, the last person Calvin was actually resembling was Father Christmas. He was tall, fit, wearing his chestnut hair in an intellectual’s ponytail. The designer-glasses and the equally expensive jeans completed the personal assistant’s attire. Michelle had hired him years ago, he had gone to college with her and had worked at the same campus newspaper. Actually, they were more like partners, but she was the “face” of their operation. After a very short moment of romance right after college, they had settled for a business relationship that had lasted for almost a decade, but which was right now on the verge of breaking.
“Calm down, please. If Tartakin told us the truth, we’ll be on our way back in four days. I assure you, the next project will be somewhere hot.”
He seemed unconvinced.
“I know, I know. It’s going to be the Sahara, or the Rub al-Khali or whatever. I’m seriously fed up with all this exotic locale shit. We could do something about a development project in India, or a political coup in South America. Get a Pulitzer. There’s no point to go somewhere where no man has gone before. “Gulag archipelago” has been done.”
“I’ll check with my aunt and we’ll go someplace that’s going to look like a holiday.”
“Anything will look like a holiday compared to this!” At this moment, the machine gave a loud, creaking noise, instantly silencing everyone aboard. At the rear of the plane, mumbling prayers were heard. Whispering, Calvin turned to Michelle and asked:
“What do you expect to find there anyway? All the research materials and personnel must have been taken to the US years ago if they’re worth the trouble.”
“I don’t think so. Apparently, there’s a local magnate, a guy by the name of Lemontow, who’s actually supporting the area and keeping the specialists around. Besides, it’s one of the wealthiest places in the world if you look at their resources.”
“They certainly don’t look wealthy if you look at them right now.”
At last, the plane started it’s descent, reaching the airfield safely. The continuous jerking and rumbling had scared both of them, but now that they returned to terra firma, they calmed down.

[El_Roy_1999]

What about Maria Grazia Cucinotta? She's not a big star, but she was in a Bond-movie, looks Mediterranean (she's from Sicily) and looks like this: http://www.tuxjunction.net/maria.htm

Besides, she was in Il Postino, so she's a kind of star. And she's not teenage.

[El_Roy_1999]

Well, more bangs for your buck!

Fullsize: http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aki25dd.jpg

[El_Roy_1999]

I'm not even remotely as good as those guys, but what the hell, I'm inspired. Consider it fanart!

[El_Roy_1999]

Well, my sister had the same thing going for a few years (if I'm not mistaken in your case). It eventually worked out, but she managed to explain it to me, so I understand it. I could go on for hours on the subject, but I guess it's best we leave it at that.
My scars are more of the "look at this one, I barely survived it" kind, so it's a case of pride. I look rather stitched for that matter. On the other hand, those are the hardships of youth.

Still: Kulli, all the great artists suffer, and even though you don't have to force it, you definitely are one of the greats in your field. Honestly, you rule.

[Author]

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