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[font size=1" color="#FF0000]LAST EDITED ON Aug-02-01 AT 06:29AM (GMT)[p]Here's my newest fic... I don't know if you've seen this.. butthose who I've shown it to before had remarked that it "'creeps me out'". :p
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[P ALIGN=CENTER][FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]THE ILLUMINATI[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]
by bluepencil
[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]
PROLOUGE:
[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]There were once men and women, great people, great minds and great souls. There was once a war, an all-engulfing one. There was once puppetmasters playing with heads of nations on strings unseen.. a world of naive fools and of lives as toys.
Arrogance and conceit.
Victory after victory.
A many-splendored dragon, clothed in jewels of secrecy.
Biting its own tail.
[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE -
An immense hall, darkly lit. In the center of the catacomb is a round table, around which are seated several hundred robed figures. A single circle of light illuminates the center of the table, hiding the faces of the members in bright shadow.
(Enter WILLIAM )
WILLIAM
What is this gathering? I have heard the summons you bring to me, a grave matter you send through my door. Who wishes to talk?
MACHIEL
Let us talk.
WILLIAM(surprised)
Speak your peace, Illuminati.
MACHIEL
We live apart from the chaff of humanity, but a fact remains.. the world we share is not our own. We share a world dying, when will we help our mother's sickness?
ALL
Yes! It is true!
WILLIAM
Let me hear. Please, continue.
MACHIEL
We have cast ourselves far too long into the shadows of history. We have devised and refined methods, let us use them now to set this world to right.
ALL(clapping)
Hear! Hear!
WILLIAM
You have aroused my interest. What is the method you propose?
MACHIEL
There are far too many people for the planet to support. We must cull back to more manageable levels.
ALL
It is a simple operation!
WILLIAM(shocked)
....
MACHIEL
Sometimes, it falls to some that must make hard decisions. It is for the good of all, deny me not that fact. Better for many worthless souls to die , and let an entire world live, rather than for them to push it past the brink.
WILLIAM(rising from his seat)
Have your brains vanished so suddenly? LISTEN TO YOURSELF! What madness afflicts your heads, what sickness is rotting your judgement?!
MACHIEL
The illness of humanity.
WILLIAM
We are human.
MACHIEL
Therefore, we must make war.
WILLIAM
The Illuminati sheds no blood, all of you know! Cast aside your morality, why?! This is not the way. Talk to me no more of this, there will be no war.
ALL
They will plunge ito conflict by themselves, it is unavoidable!
MACHIEL(silencing the others)
Better we act now, while we can still control the threads of history. We will save the world.
WILLIAM(sarcastic)
By setting its skin on fire?
MACHIEL(taken aback)
It will not go that far. We can control the-
WILLIAM
NO ONE CAN CONTROL ANYTHING! Do this, and you will fail. You will die, we all shall die.
MACHIEL
So be it.
WILLIAM
What?
MACHIEL
It shall be done, with your blessing or not. Your Translucency Policy is obsolete.
WILLIAM(sits down)
You talk of rebelllion.
MACHIEL
I talk of necessity.
WILLIAM
I hear mindless ramblings.
ALL(rising into an uproar)
William is correct!/William is blind!/Machiel, you lead us now!
(WILLIAM exits)
SCENE TWO-
A secret vault hidden deep under the desert. The cryogenic chamber. William looks upon the select few who have chosen to take unfeeling exile with him.
(NALAR appears)
WILLIAM
So it comes to this.
NALAR
You knew it would happen. The future is unchangeable..
WILLIAM
It is the past the twists to fit it, I know, I know, your words only serve to annoy me further.
NALAR
You should give me more respect.
WILLIAM
I offer no worthy measure.
NALAR
Nor should you deserve it.
WILLIAM(snarling)
The future is wrath to behold. Though some might consider it a gift, it is a singular curse.
NALAR
It is the fee for my residence.
WILLIAM
Leave me. Your prescense brings great pain.. leave this mortal shell and seek your way. Suffer me this one last
request.
NALAR
No. It is the call of fate, which no man or manner of beast may resist.
WILLIAM
Fate knows nothing of what footsteps walk down her path.. old ones, new ones, sad ones.. she should learn to leave
well enough alone.
NALAR
This is not your fight. We cannot take sides, we are beyond such. What concerns are these? Fools, all of them.. let them have their own demise, as they see fit.
WILLIAM
Fools they may be, but I'll not begrudge them their spirit.
NALAR
Spirits are made to be broken. What use is their enthusiasm, if they fight the wrong fight...? We have seen this before, we have seen futility rise again and again.
WILLIAM(frowning)
Machiel.
NALAR
Not a problem, beneath your attention.
WILLIAM
It is my decision, do not tell me what to think.
NALAR
What you think or percieve is irrelevant. Fate and destiny works against you, inescapable threads of time wrap around your vision, my child.
WILLIAM
I liked you better when you were a raving lunatic.
NALAR(laughing)
What makes you think that I have changed in any way?
WILLIAM
You are chaos, I am order, appear to me no more.
NALAR
You are stasis. Machiel is change.
WILLIAM
Forceful change.
NALAR
Steps unto the next level of what man can be. He is trying, that is his way.
WILLIAM(frowning)
He is playing at being god! It is harder and more painful than it appears to be. No..I cannot let it happen, though history tells me differently.
NALAR
Liars are those who write about history.
WILLIAM
The sky will be red as blood and the seas will boil. That much was written and cast.
NALAR
That is prophecy, that is different.
WILLIAM
Let me be. Let me forget everything, let me not see the world die, let me not see them use the Forced Evolution Virus. Machiel has his pet.
NALAR(snorting)
That farce of ascension?
WILLIAM
It might have suceeded. It could have many times.
NALAR
Not here.
WILLIAM(sighing)
Never here.
NALAR
Rest, then. There is nothing here than can be done. It is forbidden.
WILLIAM
By what grace do I close my eyes? By what damnation do I sleep?
NALAR
I leave you to your fate.
WILLIAM
Curse you, Nalar!
(NALAR vanishes, and the Vault is filled with fog.)
SCENE THREE-
The cryogenic chamber. William is sitting at the control panel
WILLIAM
Burning cold as the hearts of men. Gladly would I have chosen death at the will of Machiel, had I not seen the things that haunt my waking hours. There is a future, and I take my refuge in that.
(WILLIAM closes his eyes, and the scene fades into darkness)
(The monitor in the control panel shows the death of his world.)
-end prolouge-
ACT II
SCENE ONE-
Klamath Falls, the Golden Gecko Bar. On one end of the bar sits what seems to be a young man in a crisp blue jumpsuit. He is vacantly staring off into space, drinking lightly from his bug of beer.
(A RUFFIAN approaches)
RUFFIAN
I don't like your looks. What does such as you intend here?
BPEN
...
RUFFIAN
Answer me when I talk, or you will see your blood.
BPEN(turning his head slowly)
Hardly do I need you to learn what my blood looks like. What flows through your veins is the vilest of ichor, your brain has long since festered.
RUFFIAN(confused)
Wha-?
BPEN
I rest my case, honored bartender.
RUFFIAN
You are new here and knows not the rules. I forgive you once. Once!
BPEN
Once is enough for those with adequate intelligence. I have yet to glimpse that person in front of me.
RUFFIAN
Do you presume to insult me?!
BPEN
Insult you, nay! I speak only what is needed.
RUFFIAN
You are in need of a good trashing.
BPEN
You are in dire need of a bath.
RUFFIAN(kicking aside the table)
Only your death will satisfy me.
BPEN
Witnesses abound.
RUFFIAN
They know enough not to interfere.
BPEN
In earnest truth, their care might have saved you. Now they see only distaste for your essence.
RUFFIAN
Enough. DIE!
(The RUFFIAN lunges for BPEN with a combat knife. BPEN nonchalantly kicks his balls.)
RUFFIAN(collapsing)
Urgh..
BPEN
Might I have another drink? I spilled this one.
BARTENDER(hostile)
Leave.
BPEN
What?
BARTENDER
We will have no trouble here. I will not tolerate that kind of thing in my domain.
BPEN
Good bartender, surely you see that it was not of my design that you have a broken table and a man who is twitching
on the floor.
BARTENDER
We don't like your kind.
BPEN
Even in the company of my own species I am cast out.
BARTENDER
I can smell the stink of pretentious virtue on you. You have no place among us.
BPEN(gritting his teeth)
Your cadre of poor, pathetic idiots? Why should you think I would want to be in such miserable crowd?
BARTENDER
You have been warned.
BPEN
I will go, but I leave my curse upon your establishment.
BARTENDER
I care not of curses.
BPEN
I do not judge you, but I give no heed or mind to your lot.
(BPEN exits)
SCENE TWO -
Klamath, the road to Vic's shop, passing the Bathhouse.
BPEN
A world devoid of mirth, a soil that echoes with screams. What is this place that I find my salvation in?
JENNY
Call it Klamath, call it a pale shadow, but it is not as bad a place to be when you are lost.
BPEN(turning)
Who are you to tell me if I am lost?
JENNY
Your eyes are the same as mine. I see what you lack.
BPEN
I lack nothing.
JENNY
True. That is your defect.
BPEN
Eh? I have no appetite for puzzles, give me no license to hear your speech.
JENNY(hurt)
You have ill manners.
BPEN
What use are manners? People die more for having them than for any lack thereof.
JENNY
You have seen things, then. Your eyes look old for your face.
BPEN
As is yours.
BPEN
You cannot know what I mind. My burden is a different form than yours.
JENNY
I will comfort you.
BPEN
I cannot be comforted.
JENNY
Let me try.
BPEN
I have no money.
JENNY(laughing)
You are right, it is a great burden indeed!
BPEN(laughing as well)
I will go now, I have things I needs must do.
JENNY
And then you'll return?
BPEN(serious)
No.
(BPEN walks away, leaving JENNY who looks dazed)
BPEN
What workings of fate I give a whit for? What life and livelihood should I give a moment's care to? This is not
what I want of my world, I seek no part of it.
(BPEN kicks the door of Vic's shack open.)
BPEN (muttering)
What rise to faith justifies the things that flawed beings do? I skulk and search for something that might not exist, and do things that border on foolhardy for an idea that even I am not sure of.
(BPEN pulls off a section of the rusted tin metal floor. It exposes a deep pit.)
BPEN(still talking to himself)
Things go as they should. Nothing else fills me more with dread.
BOY
That's a strange way of looking at life.
BPEN(turns around quickly)
Who are you??
BOY
I should be the one asking questions.
BPEN
Away with you, I see no reason we should even acknowledge each other exists.
BOY
You're a thief.
BPEN(smiling slightly)
That's a function of occurence.
BOY
What are you stealing?
BPEN
The butterfly that came out of the box of Pandora's fame.
BOY
Is it alive?
BPEN
It's a metaphor.
BOY
Must be a rare breed, then.
BPEN(sighing)
I'm not stealing a butterfly.
BOY
I know. You were making fun of me.
BPEN
You're an intelligent sort.
BOY
What're you stealing, then?
BPEN(groaning)
Again with the questions. Do you expect me to tell you? Asking such words is to beg pain or death.
BOY
You won't hurt me.
BPEN
Why should I not?
BOY
My father is a big man and he will beat you, should you even think of harming me.
BPEN(snorts while tying a rope around his waist and attaching the other end on a sturdy post.)
I scoff at your father's reputed prowess.
(BPEN jumps into the pit.)
BOY
You'll be sorry you said that.
SCENE THREE -
The sewers under Klamath. The only light is the glow from the flare BPEN has lit.
BPEN
It stinks of the refuse of humanity.
VOICE(echoing)
And likewise do I refuse humanity itself.
BPEN(surprised)
What the- .. who's there?!
VOICE
A forgotten relic, no more, no less. Take not that step towards me, and keep your life.
(BPEN takes several steps towards where he percieves the voice to be coming from)
VOICE
Stop! I do not joke of my desire. Sooner will you die than I give you opportunity. LEAVE ME BE!
BPEN
I know who you are.
VOICE
Do you? I know who YOU are.
BPEN
Doubtful, old man.
VOICE
So I see, you do not truly know whom you are speaking to.
BPEN
I came to ask something of you.
VOICE
Whatever it is that you say, I have no interest in hearing.
BPEN
I offer you your life.
VOICE
Do you threaten me?
BPEN
I merely give unto you a gift from the light.
VOICE(gentle)
Well met, brother. Come then onto my realm, planeswalker, but know that I still am lord over my province.
BPEN(walking towards the voice)
Are your nobles spiders, and your courtiers, rats? Why do you stay in this peculiar dwelling?
VOICE
One question is all I'll allow. Save your breath for when you shall need it.
(BPEN walks forward until he reaches a great metal door. Upon its surface was etched an eye, on a triangle, a pyramid.
It was a symbol.. that carried with it much power.)
BPEN(puzzled)
So.. it does exist. How much of what I heard was true and which was exaggeration?
VOICE
Enter.
(The doors slide open. BPEN goes through adn enters unto a wide chamber. In the center of the chamber, bathed in a pool of murky light lies the dessicated remains of what used to be a man. Off to the side was a wall of blinking
lights.)
VOICE
I give you what greetings I can spare.
BPEN
A computer?
VOICE
I am that once lived and continues. This is my task, my toil, my punishment, my joy. I am RAVEN.
BPEN
Raven?
VOICE
That is my name, yes.
BPEN
You are an AI? I had expected on seeing a wise recluse.
RAVEN
Not so wise. I had chosen the wrong hand to take, and pay the price for my lack of foresight.
BPEN
How long have you remained so?
RAVEN
Ask your question and go, I succor your audience only out of duty.
BPEN
Where is William?
RAVEN(lights blinking rapidly)
That is not for any mere man to know. Are you Illuminati?
BPEN
I.. no.
RAVEN
Is that of good fortune, or not? I can no longer tell.
BPEN
Tell me where William sleeps, Raven.
RAVEN
Why do you seek my erstwhile leader?
BPEN
That is for ears of him.
RAVEN
I refuse, then.
BPEN(low voice)
You are helpless before me.
RAVEN(blinking lights)
Would that I be allowed to embrace such fate! But I have to remain here, that is my charge. I lie, and I wait, and I think forevermore, my lack of a body has long since stopped being a crutch.
BPEN
What sin do you hope to repay? The richness of life escapes you, this hell of existence, you venture to be partial to this?
RAVEN
I am nothing but a repository of ages past. I can only conjecture of your intent. I cannot be moved by words.
BPEN
Once, you were man. Once, you had walked the land. Once, you had great plans. Once, you tried to save the world.
RAVEN(mumbling)
A lack of foresight. A world was not worth saving, a soul is much more valueable.
BPEN
They placed your soul inside the shell of machinery.
RAVEN
I do my duty. It is all that is left of me.
BPEN
Who placed this woe upon you?
RAVEN(with distaste)
Machiel.
BPEN
You followed his orders? You gave up your humanity for him?
RAVEN
To go beyond the limits of mankind. Eternal life.
BPEN(smiling slightly)
Eternal boredom.
RAVEN(lights dimming)
I have forgotten what hatred feels like.
VOICE(faint from outside)
It's this way!
VOICE(likewise far-off, but of a deeper timbre)
Bring me a light.. the darkness reeks of decay. What putrid rodent might we find?
RAVEN
What..?! More intruders?!
BPEN
Argh.
(A group of VILLAGERS enters)
MAN
What place is this?
BIG MAN
A horrid sanctum.. how had the existence of this escaped us?
BPEN(sighing)
Weak wills, short minds.. I should have locked the door.
RAVEN
Once unsealed, it can never again be shut. Machiel had taken precautions against betrayal.
BPEN(shaking his head)
Ah. And yet you allowed m-
BIG MAN
You!
BPEN
Sir?
BIG MAN(gesturing his shotgun at BPEN)
Tell your friend to come out of the shadows. Show us the treasure.
BPEN(sighing)
What treasure?
RAVEN(puzzled)
What treasure?
VILLAGER
Treasures of old, artifacts of the past. What stockpile of riches do you hide?
BPEN
This cannot be happening. It is too harebrained to be true.. do you mistake this place for a hoard?!
BIG MAN
It is carefully hidden. Meant to conceal something of value, perhaps.
BPEN(sighing)
What is one man's prize is another man's garbage. There is nothing here but that heap of bolts.
RAVEN(lights flaring)
I take offense at that.
BPEN
Forgive me.
BIG MAN(readying his gun)
Forgive me for not being as stupid as you must think I am.
BPEN(rolls his eyes)
Were you not aiming a gun at my head, I'd laugh.
VILLAGER
Shall we shoot them now? Let me shoot them, I haven't killed in such a while.
BIG MAN
Give us what we want, and you two may still see other days. It is a cruel world we live now, there is no need to make it more spiteful.
RAVEN
Misguided idiots.
BPEN(scratching his nose)
This is the nature of man.
(A gunshot rings out, and the wall next to BPEN is perforated with buckshot)
BIG MAN
I tire of this pointless banter. You have chosen to die, I shall oblige.
(BPEN stand stock-still.. but his left hand furtively reaches for the pistol he has concealed behind his back.
The VILLAGERS scream and clutch their heads.
RAVEN's lights blinks rapidly.
The VILLAGERS crumple.)
BPEN(indreculous)
What?!
RAVEN(monotone)
I am far from defenseless.
BPEN
Amazing... are they dead?
RAVEN
Unfortunately not. Mind rules over metal, but the flesh of others are matters I have no control over. They live, for what good it does them.
BPEN
What have you done?
RAVEN
I have erased their reality, their recollection down even to their most basic of memories. But the body has habits that are hard to break. Breathing, for one... it needs not a mind.
BPEN(awestruck)
...
RAVEN(lights pulsating wildly)
Though trapped in this box, I am power.
BPEN
Once, your conciousness was siphoned out into that frame. Is there a way to reverse it?
RAVEN
Theoretically.
RAVEN
I realize what it is you propose, I refuse.
BPEN
I had thought you wished to be free of your mettalic bindings?
RAVEN
What I want is of no significance, what I deserve is this, I suffer it without a complaint.
BPEN
It was merely a miscalculation, you are given a chance to rectify your mistake.
RAVEN(lights dimming)
...
(BPEN pushes RAVEN's skeletal remains off the chair and drags the BIG MAN's comatose body onto it.)
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There.. that's what I've been able to work up to, Raven. Hope you don't mind the way I've inserted you into the fic. Don't worry... I'll lead up to the noble Annunaki, if you want. Anyways, any pointers? Any suggestions? Please?
http://www.envy.nu/bpen/illuminati.jpg
It was a great day, it was a tough day. I was armed with a plastic spork and they were hurling cows over the fence.
-Bpen
[BODY TEXT=#FFCC00" BGCOLOR="black]
[TABLE BORDER=0" WIDTH="90%]
[TR]
[TD WIDTH=100%]
[P ALIGN=CENTER][FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]THE ILLUMINATI[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]
by bluepencil
[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]
PROLOUGE:
[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]There were once men and women, great people, great minds and great souls. There was once a war, an all-engulfing one. There was once puppetmasters playing with heads of nations on strings unseen.. a world of naive fools and of lives as toys.
Arrogance and conceit.
Victory after victory.
A many-splendored dragon, clothed in jewels of secrecy.
Biting its own tail.
[FONT SIZE=2" FACE="Courier New, Courier]
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE -
An immense hall, darkly lit. In the center of the catacomb is a round table, around which are seated several hundred robed figures. A single circle of light illuminates the center of the table, hiding the faces of the members in bright shadow.
(Enter WILLIAM )
WILLIAM
What is this gathering? I have heard the summons you bring to me, a grave matter you send through my door. Who wishes to talk?
MACHIEL
Let us talk.
WILLIAM(surprised)
Speak your peace, Illuminati.
MACHIEL
We live apart from the chaff of humanity, but a fact remains.. the world we share is not our own. We share a world dying, when will we help our mother's sickness?
ALL
Yes! It is true!
WILLIAM
Let me hear. Please, continue.
MACHIEL
We have cast ourselves far too long into the shadows of history. We have devised and refined methods, let us use them now to set this world to right.
ALL(clapping)
Hear! Hear!
WILLIAM
You have aroused my interest. What is the method you propose?
MACHIEL
There are far too many people for the planet to support. We must cull back to more manageable levels.
ALL
It is a simple operation!
WILLIAM(shocked)
....
MACHIEL
Sometimes, it falls to some that must make hard decisions. It is for the good of all, deny me not that fact. Better for many worthless souls to die , and let an entire world live, rather than for them to push it past the brink.
WILLIAM(rising from his seat)
Have your brains vanished so suddenly? LISTEN TO YOURSELF! What madness afflicts your heads, what sickness is rotting your judgement?!
MACHIEL
The illness of humanity.
WILLIAM
We are human.
MACHIEL
Therefore, we must make war.
WILLIAM
The Illuminati sheds no blood, all of you know! Cast aside your morality, why?! This is not the way. Talk to me no more of this, there will be no war.
ALL
They will plunge ito conflict by themselves, it is unavoidable!
MACHIEL(silencing the others)
Better we act now, while we can still control the threads of history. We will save the world.
WILLIAM(sarcastic)
By setting its skin on fire?
MACHIEL(taken aback)
It will not go that far. We can control the-
WILLIAM
NO ONE CAN CONTROL ANYTHING! Do this, and you will fail. You will die, we all shall die.
MACHIEL
So be it.
WILLIAM
What?
MACHIEL
It shall be done, with your blessing or not. Your Translucency Policy is obsolete.
WILLIAM(sits down)
You talk of rebelllion.
MACHIEL
I talk of necessity.
WILLIAM
I hear mindless ramblings.
ALL(rising into an uproar)
William is correct!/William is blind!/Machiel, you lead us now!
(WILLIAM exits)
SCENE TWO-
A secret vault hidden deep under the desert. The cryogenic chamber. William looks upon the select few who have chosen to take unfeeling exile with him.
(NALAR appears)
WILLIAM
So it comes to this.
NALAR
You knew it would happen. The future is unchangeable..
WILLIAM
It is the past the twists to fit it, I know, I know, your words only serve to annoy me further.
NALAR
You should give me more respect.
WILLIAM
I offer no worthy measure.
NALAR
Nor should you deserve it.
WILLIAM(snarling)
The future is wrath to behold. Though some might consider it a gift, it is a singular curse.
NALAR
It is the fee for my residence.
WILLIAM
Leave me. Your prescense brings great pain.. leave this mortal shell and seek your way. Suffer me this one last
request.
NALAR
No. It is the call of fate, which no man or manner of beast may resist.
WILLIAM
Fate knows nothing of what footsteps walk down her path.. old ones, new ones, sad ones.. she should learn to leave
well enough alone.
NALAR
This is not your fight. We cannot take sides, we are beyond such. What concerns are these? Fools, all of them.. let them have their own demise, as they see fit.
WILLIAM
Fools they may be, but I'll not begrudge them their spirit.
NALAR
Spirits are made to be broken. What use is their enthusiasm, if they fight the wrong fight...? We have seen this before, we have seen futility rise again and again.
WILLIAM(frowning)
Machiel.
NALAR
Not a problem, beneath your attention.
WILLIAM
It is my decision, do not tell me what to think.
NALAR
What you think or percieve is irrelevant. Fate and destiny works against you, inescapable threads of time wrap around your vision, my child.
WILLIAM
I liked you better when you were a raving lunatic.
NALAR(laughing)
What makes you think that I have changed in any way?
WILLIAM
You are chaos, I am order, appear to me no more.
NALAR
You are stasis. Machiel is change.
WILLIAM
Forceful change.
NALAR
Steps unto the next level of what man can be. He is trying, that is his way.
WILLIAM(frowning)
He is playing at being god! It is harder and more painful than it appears to be. No..I cannot let it happen, though history tells me differently.
NALAR
Liars are those who write about history.
WILLIAM
The sky will be red as blood and the seas will boil. That much was written and cast.
NALAR
That is prophecy, that is different.
WILLIAM
Let me be. Let me forget everything, let me not see the world die, let me not see them use the Forced Evolution Virus. Machiel has his pet.
NALAR(snorting)
That farce of ascension?
WILLIAM
It might have suceeded. It could have many times.
NALAR
Not here.
WILLIAM(sighing)
Never here.
NALAR
Rest, then. There is nothing here than can be done. It is forbidden.
WILLIAM
By what grace do I close my eyes? By what damnation do I sleep?
NALAR
I leave you to your fate.
WILLIAM
Curse you, Nalar!
(NALAR vanishes, and the Vault is filled with fog.)
SCENE THREE-
The cryogenic chamber. William is sitting at the control panel
WILLIAM
Burning cold as the hearts of men. Gladly would I have chosen death at the will of Machiel, had I not seen the things that haunt my waking hours. There is a future, and I take my refuge in that.
(WILLIAM closes his eyes, and the scene fades into darkness)
(The monitor in the control panel shows the death of his world.)
-end prolouge-
ACT II
SCENE ONE-
Klamath Falls, the Golden Gecko Bar. On one end of the bar sits what seems to be a young man in a crisp blue jumpsuit. He is vacantly staring off into space, drinking lightly from his bug of beer.
(A RUFFIAN approaches)
RUFFIAN
I don't like your looks. What does such as you intend here?
BPEN
...
RUFFIAN
Answer me when I talk, or you will see your blood.
BPEN(turning his head slowly)
Hardly do I need you to learn what my blood looks like. What flows through your veins is the vilest of ichor, your brain has long since festered.
RUFFIAN(confused)
Wha-?
BPEN
I rest my case, honored bartender.
RUFFIAN
You are new here and knows not the rules. I forgive you once. Once!
BPEN
Once is enough for those with adequate intelligence. I have yet to glimpse that person in front of me.
RUFFIAN
Do you presume to insult me?!
BPEN
Insult you, nay! I speak only what is needed.
RUFFIAN
You are in need of a good trashing.
BPEN
You are in dire need of a bath.
RUFFIAN(kicking aside the table)
Only your death will satisfy me.
BPEN
Witnesses abound.
RUFFIAN
They know enough not to interfere.
BPEN
In earnest truth, their care might have saved you. Now they see only distaste for your essence.
RUFFIAN
Enough. DIE!
(The RUFFIAN lunges for BPEN with a combat knife. BPEN nonchalantly kicks his balls.)
RUFFIAN(collapsing)
Urgh..
BPEN
Might I have another drink? I spilled this one.
BARTENDER(hostile)
Leave.
BPEN
What?
BARTENDER
We will have no trouble here. I will not tolerate that kind of thing in my domain.
BPEN
Good bartender, surely you see that it was not of my design that you have a broken table and a man who is twitching
on the floor.
BARTENDER
We don't like your kind.
BPEN
Even in the company of my own species I am cast out.
BARTENDER
I can smell the stink of pretentious virtue on you. You have no place among us.
BPEN(gritting his teeth)
Your cadre of poor, pathetic idiots? Why should you think I would want to be in such miserable crowd?
BARTENDER
You have been warned.
BPEN
I will go, but I leave my curse upon your establishment.
BARTENDER
I care not of curses.
BPEN
I do not judge you, but I give no heed or mind to your lot.
(BPEN exits)
SCENE TWO -
Klamath, the road to Vic's shop, passing the Bathhouse.
BPEN
A world devoid of mirth, a soil that echoes with screams. What is this place that I find my salvation in?
JENNY
Call it Klamath, call it a pale shadow, but it is not as bad a place to be when you are lost.
BPEN(turning)
Who are you to tell me if I am lost?
JENNY
Your eyes are the same as mine. I see what you lack.
BPEN
I lack nothing.
JENNY
True. That is your defect.
BPEN
Eh? I have no appetite for puzzles, give me no license to hear your speech.
JENNY(hurt)
You have ill manners.
BPEN
What use are manners? People die more for having them than for any lack thereof.
JENNY
You have seen things, then. Your eyes look old for your face.
BPEN
As is yours.
BPEN
You cannot know what I mind. My burden is a different form than yours.
JENNY
I will comfort you.
BPEN
I cannot be comforted.
JENNY
Let me try.
BPEN
I have no money.
JENNY(laughing)
You are right, it is a great burden indeed!
BPEN(laughing as well)
I will go now, I have things I needs must do.
JENNY
And then you'll return?
BPEN(serious)
No.
(BPEN walks away, leaving JENNY who looks dazed)
BPEN
What workings of fate I give a whit for? What life and livelihood should I give a moment's care to? This is not
what I want of my world, I seek no part of it.
(BPEN kicks the door of Vic's shack open.)
BPEN (muttering)
What rise to faith justifies the things that flawed beings do? I skulk and search for something that might not exist, and do things that border on foolhardy for an idea that even I am not sure of.
(BPEN pulls off a section of the rusted tin metal floor. It exposes a deep pit.)
BPEN(still talking to himself)
Things go as they should. Nothing else fills me more with dread.
BOY
That's a strange way of looking at life.
BPEN(turns around quickly)
Who are you??
BOY
I should be the one asking questions.
BPEN
Away with you, I see no reason we should even acknowledge each other exists.
BOY
You're a thief.
BPEN(smiling slightly)
That's a function of occurence.
BOY
What are you stealing?
BPEN
The butterfly that came out of the box of Pandora's fame.
BOY
Is it alive?
BPEN
It's a metaphor.
BOY
Must be a rare breed, then.
BPEN(sighing)
I'm not stealing a butterfly.
BOY
I know. You were making fun of me.
BPEN
You're an intelligent sort.
BOY
What're you stealing, then?
BPEN(groaning)
Again with the questions. Do you expect me to tell you? Asking such words is to beg pain or death.
BOY
You won't hurt me.
BPEN
Why should I not?
BOY
My father is a big man and he will beat you, should you even think of harming me.
BPEN(snorts while tying a rope around his waist and attaching the other end on a sturdy post.)
I scoff at your father's reputed prowess.
(BPEN jumps into the pit.)
BOY
You'll be sorry you said that.
SCENE THREE -
The sewers under Klamath. The only light is the glow from the flare BPEN has lit.
BPEN
It stinks of the refuse of humanity.
VOICE(echoing)
And likewise do I refuse humanity itself.
BPEN(surprised)
What the- .. who's there?!
VOICE
A forgotten relic, no more, no less. Take not that step towards me, and keep your life.
(BPEN takes several steps towards where he percieves the voice to be coming from)
VOICE
Stop! I do not joke of my desire. Sooner will you die than I give you opportunity. LEAVE ME BE!
BPEN
I know who you are.
VOICE
Do you? I know who YOU are.
BPEN
Doubtful, old man.
VOICE
So I see, you do not truly know whom you are speaking to.
BPEN
I came to ask something of you.
VOICE
Whatever it is that you say, I have no interest in hearing.
BPEN
I offer you your life.
VOICE
Do you threaten me?
BPEN
I merely give unto you a gift from the light.
VOICE(gentle)
Well met, brother. Come then onto my realm, planeswalker, but know that I still am lord over my province.
BPEN(walking towards the voice)
Are your nobles spiders, and your courtiers, rats? Why do you stay in this peculiar dwelling?
VOICE
One question is all I'll allow. Save your breath for when you shall need it.
(BPEN walks forward until he reaches a great metal door. Upon its surface was etched an eye, on a triangle, a pyramid.
It was a symbol.. that carried with it much power.)
BPEN(puzzled)
So.. it does exist. How much of what I heard was true and which was exaggeration?
VOICE
Enter.
(The doors slide open. BPEN goes through adn enters unto a wide chamber. In the center of the chamber, bathed in a pool of murky light lies the dessicated remains of what used to be a man. Off to the side was a wall of blinking
lights.)
VOICE
I give you what greetings I can spare.
BPEN
A computer?
VOICE
I am that once lived and continues. This is my task, my toil, my punishment, my joy. I am RAVEN.
BPEN
Raven?
VOICE
That is my name, yes.
BPEN
You are an AI? I had expected on seeing a wise recluse.
RAVEN
Not so wise. I had chosen the wrong hand to take, and pay the price for my lack of foresight.
BPEN
How long have you remained so?
RAVEN
Ask your question and go, I succor your audience only out of duty.
BPEN
Where is William?
RAVEN(lights blinking rapidly)
That is not for any mere man to know. Are you Illuminati?
BPEN
I.. no.
RAVEN
Is that of good fortune, or not? I can no longer tell.
BPEN
Tell me where William sleeps, Raven.
RAVEN
Why do you seek my erstwhile leader?
BPEN
That is for ears of him.
RAVEN
I refuse, then.
BPEN(low voice)
You are helpless before me.
RAVEN(blinking lights)
Would that I be allowed to embrace such fate! But I have to remain here, that is my charge. I lie, and I wait, and I think forevermore, my lack of a body has long since stopped being a crutch.
BPEN
What sin do you hope to repay? The richness of life escapes you, this hell of existence, you venture to be partial to this?
RAVEN
I am nothing but a repository of ages past. I can only conjecture of your intent. I cannot be moved by words.
BPEN
Once, you were man. Once, you had walked the land. Once, you had great plans. Once, you tried to save the world.
RAVEN(mumbling)
A lack of foresight. A world was not worth saving, a soul is much more valueable.
BPEN
They placed your soul inside the shell of machinery.
RAVEN
I do my duty. It is all that is left of me.
BPEN
Who placed this woe upon you?
RAVEN(with distaste)
Machiel.
BPEN
You followed his orders? You gave up your humanity for him?
RAVEN
To go beyond the limits of mankind. Eternal life.
BPEN(smiling slightly)
Eternal boredom.
RAVEN(lights dimming)
I have forgotten what hatred feels like.
VOICE(faint from outside)
It's this way!
VOICE(likewise far-off, but of a deeper timbre)
Bring me a light.. the darkness reeks of decay. What putrid rodent might we find?
RAVEN
What..?! More intruders?!
BPEN
Argh.
(A group of VILLAGERS enters)
MAN
What place is this?
BIG MAN
A horrid sanctum.. how had the existence of this escaped us?
BPEN(sighing)
Weak wills, short minds.. I should have locked the door.
RAVEN
Once unsealed, it can never again be shut. Machiel had taken precautions against betrayal.
BPEN(shaking his head)
Ah. And yet you allowed m-
BIG MAN
You!
BPEN
Sir?
BIG MAN(gesturing his shotgun at BPEN)
Tell your friend to come out of the shadows. Show us the treasure.
BPEN(sighing)
What treasure?
RAVEN(puzzled)
What treasure?
VILLAGER
Treasures of old, artifacts of the past. What stockpile of riches do you hide?
BPEN
This cannot be happening. It is too harebrained to be true.. do you mistake this place for a hoard?!
BIG MAN
It is carefully hidden. Meant to conceal something of value, perhaps.
BPEN(sighing)
What is one man's prize is another man's garbage. There is nothing here but that heap of bolts.
RAVEN(lights flaring)
I take offense at that.
BPEN
Forgive me.
BIG MAN(readying his gun)
Forgive me for not being as stupid as you must think I am.
BPEN(rolls his eyes)
Were you not aiming a gun at my head, I'd laugh.
VILLAGER
Shall we shoot them now? Let me shoot them, I haven't killed in such a while.
BIG MAN
Give us what we want, and you two may still see other days. It is a cruel world we live now, there is no need to make it more spiteful.
RAVEN
Misguided idiots.
BPEN(scratching his nose)
This is the nature of man.
(A gunshot rings out, and the wall next to BPEN is perforated with buckshot)
BIG MAN
I tire of this pointless banter. You have chosen to die, I shall oblige.
(BPEN stand stock-still.. but his left hand furtively reaches for the pistol he has concealed behind his back.
The VILLAGERS scream and clutch their heads.
RAVEN's lights blinks rapidly.
The VILLAGERS crumple.)
BPEN(indreculous)
What?!
RAVEN(monotone)
I am far from defenseless.
BPEN
Amazing... are they dead?
RAVEN
Unfortunately not. Mind rules over metal, but the flesh of others are matters I have no control over. They live, for what good it does them.
BPEN
What have you done?
RAVEN
I have erased their reality, their recollection down even to their most basic of memories. But the body has habits that are hard to break. Breathing, for one... it needs not a mind.
BPEN(awestruck)
...
RAVEN(lights pulsating wildly)
Though trapped in this box, I am power.
BPEN
Once, your conciousness was siphoned out into that frame. Is there a way to reverse it?
RAVEN
Theoretically.
RAVEN
I realize what it is you propose, I refuse.
BPEN
I had thought you wished to be free of your mettalic bindings?
RAVEN
What I want is of no significance, what I deserve is this, I suffer it without a complaint.
BPEN
It was merely a miscalculation, you are given a chance to rectify your mistake.
RAVEN(lights dimming)
...
(BPEN pushes RAVEN's skeletal remains off the chair and drags the BIG MAN's comatose body onto it.)
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There.. that's what I've been able to work up to, Raven. Hope you don't mind the way I've inserted you into the fic. Don't worry... I'll lead up to the noble Annunaki, if you want. Anyways, any pointers? Any suggestions? Please?
http://www.envy.nu/bpen/illuminati.jpg
It was a great day, it was a tough day. I was armed with a plastic spork and they were hurling cows over the fence.
-Bpen