Rebuilding - Revision history

Concerned Reader: No, I'm not dead. Was out of town. Editz now. Fixed up some dumps in first two chapters. Still needs work.

2009-07-28T05:31:10Z

No, I'm not dead. Was out of town. Editz now. Fixed up some dumps in first two chapters. Still needs work.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:31, 28 July 2009
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	When run, it outputs "Hello World," which of course makes perfect sense.		When run, it outputs "Hello World," which of course makes perfect sense.

	As you may have guessed from the escapades with the bed, I'm a teefer. I'm still human-ish, only with a few differences. The main difference being that I can “phase” through things. ~~My high school educated guess is~~ that ~~the Torch did not interact well~~ with ~~my ADHD, or the medicine I was taking for it. I contracted Blowtorch Fever when I was about sixteen. At the time,~~ I ~~was taking amphetamines for ADHD. This did two things when TFOR set in~~.		As you may have guessed from the escapades with the bed, I'm a teefer. I'm still human-ish, only with a few differences. The main difference being that I can “phase” through things. Now it seems that I can bring things along with me if I ever need to go through a wall.

	~~:1) Due~~ to the ~~amphetamines~~, my ~~heart rate was about 130 bpm~~. ~~The Torch decided that this must be my normal baseline~~, and ~~reset it accordingly. Other factors were set~~ to ~~new defaults as well~~, ~~leading to a final cure for~~ my ~~ADHD~~, ~~but now~~ my ~~resting heart rate is 110-130 beats per minute~~.		With this revelation in mind, I quickly get dressed. On my way to the door, I put on my watch and grab my phone, which has now switched to playing more upbeat songs. As I walk down the hall, the phone detects the speakers in the living room, and automatically connects to them, leaving my room enveloped in silence. Passing into the kitchen, my phone informs the coffee maker of my presence. It proceeds to make me my personal cup of joe. Just the way I like it.
	~~:2) My~~ personal ~~quantum/space/time phase is unlocked~~. ~~In short,~~ it ~~seems that my molecules can diffract around other molecules~~.

	I can pass through almost anything, though metals are the hardest, and if spend to much time inside of anything, it leads to very uncomfortable heating and an extremely high heart rate, and possible death, but I haven't tested that last part. Now at least I can sleep with clothes on, and not worry about leaving them behind if I ever decide I need to go through a wall.

	With this revelation in mind, I quickly get dressed. On my way to the door, I put on my watch and grab my phone, which has now switched to playing more upbeat songs. As I walk down the hall, the phone detects the speakers in the living room, and automatically connects to them, leaving my room enveloped in silence. Passing into the kitchen, my phone informs the coffee maker of my presence. It proceeds to make me my personal cup of joe. Just the way I like it.

	==Chapter 2, Morning After==		==Chapter 2, Morning After==
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	I'm just about through eating when I hear a sudden “Oh” from behind me. I lower the paper and turn around. “Don't forget to take your medicine!”		I'm just about through eating when I hear a sudden “Oh” from behind me. I lower the paper and turn around. “Don't forget to take your medicine!”

	“I won't” I say, grabbing ~~the~~ bottle of pills off of the counter. With a rattle, I set them next to my drink.		“I won't” I say, grabbing a bottle of pills off of the counter. With a rattle, I set them next to my drink.

	The onset of TFORs may have cured my ADHD, but it also introduced several new problems. If I don't take beta blockers, my heart rate will be anywhere from 110 at rest, to 210 when active. I must have forgotten to take my night dosage. A quick glance at my watch informs me that I'm currently running at 115 bpm.

	My parents know about the phasing, it would be hard to hide, but I'll keep the recent discovery to myself. They don't need to know that it just became easier for me to run away; if I ever felt so inclined. I had thought about it a few times, what with my dad working all the time as a security guard up at the old Pantex nuclear weapons facility, and my mom temping as a secretary for the V-22 Osprey manufacturing plant; but I could wait until I finish summer school. By then I'd be off to college anyways, and University of Texas is looking really good right now.		My parents know about the phasing, it would be hard to hide, but I'll keep the recent discovery to myself. They don't need to know that it just became easier for me to run away; if I ever felt so inclined. I had thought about it a few times, what with my dad working all the time as a security guard up at the old Pantex nuclear weapons facility, and my mom temping as a secretary for the V-22 Osprey manufacturing plant; but I could wait until I finish summer school. By then I'd be off to college anyways, and University of Texas is looking really good right now.

	Both of my parents may work jobs with military ties, but we're not excessively patriotic. On my mom's side, it was more of just chance. Working as a temp is like that. You fill a role for a while, then move to the next one. My dad would much rather be guarding souls than guarding nukes, but the circumstances forced his hand. The church he was looking to become a part of had a slight anti-teefer bias, and Pantex contacted him ~~slightly~~ before the church gig fell through. After some thought, he agreed to the Pantex contract for the same reason he denied the church: It seemed God wanted him there.		Both of my parents may work jobs with military ties, but we're not excessively patriotic. On my mom's side, it was more of just chance. Working as a temp is like that. You fill a role for a while, then move to the next one. My dad would much rather be guarding souls than guarding nukes, but the circumstances forced his hand. The church he was looking to become a part of had a slight anti-teefer bias, and Pantex contacted him right before the church gig fell through. After some thought, he agreed to the Pantex contract for the same reason he denied the church: It seemed God wanted him there.

	“Hey, Mom. Did Dad come home from work last night?” At the sound of my voice, my she stops mixing the batter, and sets it aside.		“Hey, Mom. Did Dad come home from work last night?” At the sound of my voice, my she stops mixing the batter, and sets it aside.
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	“Don't forget the...”		“Don't forget the...”

	“I know!” I blurt out, turning around to grab a pill out of the container. I swallow it with a quick sip of water, scoot in my chair, and then head for the main hallway. While walking through, I pull out my phone, and give it a shake to turn off the music. That accomplished, I re-seat it in my pocket and grab my bag on the way out. I open the door, hesitate a moment, then turn and say, “See ya.” As I turn back and ~~walk out~~ the door~~, kicking it~~ closed behind me, I pull out the keys to my ancient 97 Toyota Previa.		“I know!” I blurt out, turning around to grab a pill out of the container. I'm about to swallow it when I notice that I've grabbed the wrong bottle. The label reads Lisdexamfetamine.

			“Hey mom, I don't think taking Vyvanse would be advantageous to me right now.”

			“Oops, sorry!” She replies with a sheepish look. “I must have pulled out the wrong bottle.”

			“Maybe you should take some then? You might have caught some ADD from me.”

			“Very funny” she snaps back, reaching under the counter and pulling out the correct bottle this time. I take the bottle from her, and extract one of the pills, and swallow it with a quick sip of water. With a glance to my watch, I confirm what I had suspected earlier. My heart rate was above 100 and that I must have forgotten my medicine last night.

			With my heart taken care of, I scoot in my chair, and then head for the main hallway. While walking through, I pull out my phone, and give it a shake to turn off the music. That accomplished, I re-seat it in my pocket and grab my bag on the way out. I open the door, hesitate a moment, then turn and say, “See ya.” As I turn back and kick the door closed behind me, I pull out the keys to my ancient 97 Toyota Previa.

	I'd found it in a junk yard in mostly working condition. It's odd looks, coupled with the custom stereo, subwoofers, and gauges that someone had installed before the collapse made me immediately fall in love with it. The only problem was that at around sixteen mpg, it was hardly street legal. After about a year of learning all the internals of the car, I successfully converted it to a hydrogen/gasoline hybrid.		I'd found it in a junk yard in mostly working condition. It's odd looks, coupled with the custom stereo, subwoofers, and gauges that someone had installed before the collapse made me immediately fall in love with it. The only problem was that at around sixteen mpg, it was hardly street legal. After about a year of learning all the internals of the car, I successfully converted it to a hydrogen/gasoline hybrid.

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 3, Higher Education */ Another round of editz. pre-emptively editing things that needed it. Done for now.

2009-07-23T04:23:25Z

Chapter 3, Higher Education: Another round of editz. pre-emptively editing things that needed it. Done for now.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:23, 22 July 2009
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	==Chapter 3, Higher Education==		==Chapter 3, Higher Education==

	I'm attending summer school because not all of my credits carried over when we moved to this town just above Amarillo. I've got Calculus on Monday and Wednesday, and Government on Tuesdays. It's a bit of a pain ~~that they didn't transfer~~, but I'm just glad they recognized my graduation from high school. Repeating senior year is not my idea of fun, but then again, school does introduce you to people. At the moment, my total friend count consists of people in my classes, and some kid down the block. None of them can be called close friends. I haven't had close friends since we moved from California.		I'm attending summer school because not all of my credits carried over when we moved to this town just above Amarillo. I've got Calculus on Monday and Wednesday, and Government on Tuesdays. It's a bit of a pain, but I'm just glad they recognized my graduation from high school. Repeating senior year is not my idea of fun, but then again, school does introduce you to people. At the moment, my total friend count consists of people in my classes, and some kid down the block. None of them can be called close friends. I haven't had close friends since we moved from California.

	California. Now there's a place I don't miss. The weather's perfect, you're about three hours from the beach, snowy mountains, or an amusement park, and being different is severely looked down on. I was different. Not just because of my teeferdom. No, I was different much before that. I was a Christian from some weird place called Texas. We had originally moved to California so that my dad could study at a seminary. I don't recall the name, it didn't apply to me. What concerned me was trying to fit in. Sure I had friends, but only two of them were good friends. The rest were just there; background noise to my life.		California. Now there's a place I don't miss. The weather's perfect, you're about three hours from the beach, snowy mountains, or an amusement park, and being different is severely looked down on. I was different. Not just because of my teeferdom. No, I was different much before that. I was a Christian from some weird place called Texas. We had originally moved to California so that my dad could study at a seminary. I don't recall the name, it didn't apply to me. What concerned me was trying to fit in. Sure I had friends, but only two of them were good friends. The rest were just there; background noise to my life.

	Back then, I wasn't very strong. I would cry a lot; sometimes around others, usually because of others. I had been called almost every derogatory and demeaning name available. During my junior year, of the few friends that I had, two of them turned on me. This left me with the two people who were on my side, against an ever-growing number that were against me.		Back then, I wasn't very strong. I would cry a lot; sometimes around others, usually because of others. I had been called almost every derogatory and demeaning name available. During my junior year, of the few friends that I had, two of them turned on me. This left me with the two people who were on my side, against an ever-growing number that were against me.

	~~Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always scar me.~~		Senior year wasn't as hard as I had thought it would be. With two off-campus periods, I had time to work a retail job. It was boring, but it brought home some cash. Computer Science was quickly becoming my favorite class. For once I could tell something what to do, and it would do it; minus the occasional “NULL_POINTER” error. Things were looking up. Almost everyone has grown up by senior year, or at least grown apathetic enough to not care anymore. As graduation approached with growing speed, I was happy those four years were almost over.

	~~I always enjoyed it when it was raining. With the fresh smell in the air, I'd sit alone and look to the sky. It seemed to all the world that God was crying with me.~~

	Senior year wasn't as hard as I had thought it would be. With two off-campus periods, I had time to work a retail job. It was boring, but it brought home some cash. ~~Physics B turned out to be easier than pre-Ap physics and~~ Computer Science was quickly becoming my favorite class. For once I could tell something what to do, and it would do it; minus the occasional “NULL_POINTER” error. Things were looking up. Almost everyone has grown up by senior year, or at least grown apathetic enough to not care anymore. As graduation approached with growing speed, I was happy those four years were almost over~~. I had been through a lot~~.

	It was my sophomore year that I caught the torch. That was in 2018. The medicine in the NAR had more or less caught up to Blowtorch Fever. So it was in the capable hands of the hospital that I survived my encounter. After it had run its course of about five days, I was back in school. The heightened heart rate gave them pause, but they released me anyways, figuring it was temporary. I noticed that I didn't need my ADHD medicine anymore, and stopped taking it. I didn't notice anything wrong until graduation.		It was my sophomore year that I caught the torch. That was in 2018. The medicine in the NAR had more or less caught up to Blowtorch Fever. So it was in the capable hands of the hospital that I survived my encounter. After it had run its course of about five days, I was back in school. The heightened heart rate gave them pause, but they released me anyways, figuring it was temporary. I noticed that I didn't need my ADHD medicine anymore, and stopped taking it. I didn't notice anything wrong until graduation.

	As it turns out, the mixture of an energy drink, for the graduation party, and the excitement of graduating was enough to trigger my first phase shift. I must have been running at around 200 bpm, but I hadn't ~~checked~~. Either way, as I walked to collect my diploma, on stage in front of everybody and their parents, I started to slowly sink into the floor. It wasn't a quick drop ~~through the floor~~. No, it was a slow descent, like sinking in mud. I had taken three steps before I noticed anything. I finally looked down at the odd resistance pulling at my feet, and saw that they were a good half foot under the surface of the stage. My shoes and socks were laying several feet behind me. This revelation only raised my heart rate higher, which did nothing to quicken my descent. After passing through the wooden layer of the stage, my feet hit the metal frame. This slowed ~~my descent~~ considerably. By now I was trying to pull myself out of the floor ~~with~~ frantic motions. I lost my balance and fell face first. I braced for an impact, but it felt more like falling into a pool; hard, but then forgiving. Either because of the impact, or because of the shock of falling through a solid floor, I ~~soon~~ lost consciousness. The last thing I heard was the combined reaction of everybody around me. It sounded something like, “Holy Shit!”		As it turns out, the mixture of an energy drink, for the graduation party, and the excitement of graduating was enough to trigger my first phase shift. I must have been running at around 200 bpm, but at the time, I hadn't known to check. Either way, as I walked to collect my diploma, on stage in front of everybody and their parents, I started to slowly sink into the floor. It wasn't a quick drop. No, it was a slow descent, like sinking in mud. I had taken three steps before I noticed anything. I finally looked down at the odd resistance pulling at my feet, and saw that they were a good half foot under the surface of the stage. My shoes and socks were laying several feet behind me. This revelation only raised my heart rate higher, which did nothing to quicken my descent. After passing through the wooden layer of the stage, my feet hit the metal frame. This slowed me down considerably. By now I was trying to pull myself out of the floor. With frantic motions, I lost my balance and fell face first. I braced for an impact, but it felt more like falling into a pool; hard, but then forgiving. Either because of the impact, or because of the shock of falling through a solid floor, I lost consciousness. The last thing I heard was the combined reaction of everybody around me. It sounded something like, “Holy Shit!”

	The following is what I heard later from my parents and the paramedics.		The following is what I heard later from my parents and the paramedics.

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 2, Morning After */ ShadowWolf Editz round II. This time it's personal.

2009-07-23T04:15:55Z

Chapter 2, Morning After: ShadowWolf Editz round II. This time it's personal.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 22 July 2009
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	==Chapter 2, Morning After==		==Chapter 2, Morning After==

	While I grab the now brewed coffee, my mom is at the stove, whisking together what I believe to be pancake batter. A quick survey of the ingredients and boxes on the counter confirm my assumption.		While I grab the now brewed coffee, my mom is at the stove whisking together what I believe to be pancake batter. A quick survey of the ingredients and boxes on the counter confirm my assumption.

	“Do you want nuts in yours?” She asks, as I pull up a chair at the table.		“Do you want nuts in yours?” She asks, as I pull up a chair at the table.
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	“I won't” I say, grabbing the bottle of pills off of the counter. With a rattle, I set them next to my drink.		“I won't” I say, grabbing the bottle of pills off of the counter. With a rattle, I set them next to my drink.

	The onset of TFORs may have cured my ADHD, but it also introduced several new problems. If I don't take beta blockers, my heart rate will be anywhere from 110 at rest, to 210 when active~~. This may not have been too bad, but the higher my heart rate, the easier it is for me to accidentally phase through something. That's what happened last night~~. I must have forgotten to take my night dosage. A quick glance at my watch informs me that I'm currently running at 115 bpm~~. The watch starts blinking at 130, vibrates at 150, and if I ever hit 180, its alarm can be heard over almost anything~~.		The onset of TFORs may have cured my ADHD, but it also introduced several new problems. If I don't take beta blockers, my heart rate will be anywhere from 110 at rest, to 210 when active. I must have forgotten to take my night dosage. A quick glance at my watch informs me that I'm currently running at 115 bpm.

	My ~~mother knows~~ about the phasing, but I'll keep the recent discovery to myself. ~~She doesn~~'t need to know that it just became easier for me to run away~~. If~~ I ever felt so inclined. I'd thought about it a few times, what with my dad working all the time as a security guard up at the old Pantex nuclear weapons facility, and my mom temping as a secretary for the V-22 Osprey manufacturing plant; but I could wait until I finish summer school. By then I'd be off to college anyways. University of Texas is looking really good right now~~, what with Austin being the new tech center of the world, but I may just be slightly biased~~.		My parents know about the phasing, it would be hard to hide, but I'll keep the recent discovery to myself. They don't need to know that it just became easier for me to run away; if I ever felt so inclined. I had thought about it a few times, what with my dad working all the time as a security guard up at the old Pantex nuclear weapons facility, and my mom temping as a secretary for the V-22 Osprey manufacturing plant; but I could wait until I finish summer school. By then I'd be off to college anyways, and University of Texas is looking really good right now.

	~~You may have noticed that both~~ my parents work jobs ~~that have~~ ties ~~to the military. It's not because~~ we're excessively patriotic~~, though we do love our country~~. On my ~~moms~~ side, it was more of just chance. Working as a temp is like that. You fill a role for a while, then move to the next one~~. She'd held this job for a little more than a year. I think she may ask them to make it permanent~~. My dad would much rather be ~~preaching~~ than guarding, but the circumstances ~~of the situation~~ forced his hand~~. The facility needed more guards, and he happened to have the experience they were looking for~~. The church he was looking to become a part of had a slight anti-teefer bias, ~~which he took as a sign that God didn't think that was the place for him.~~ Pantex contacted him slightly before the church gig fell through. After some thought, he agreed to the Pantex contract for the same reason he denied the church. It seemed God wanted him there~~. At least the Republic is very defensive oriented. I rather doubt that he'll see more action than turning away lost hikers~~.		Both of my parents may work jobs with military ties, but we're not excessively patriotic. On my mom's side, it was more of just chance. Working as a temp is like that. You fill a role for a while, then move to the next one. My dad would much rather be guarding souls than guarding nukes, but the circumstances forced his hand. The church he was looking to become a part of had a slight anti-teefer bias, and Pantex contacted him slightly before the church gig fell through. After some thought, he agreed to the Pantex contract for the same reason he denied the church: It seemed God wanted him there.

	~~Come to think of it, I didn't hear him come home last night.~~		“Hey, Mom. Did Dad come home from work last night?” At the sound of my voice, my she stops mixing the batter, and sets it aside.

	“Hey, Mom. Did Dad come home from work last night?” At the sound of my voice, my ~~mom~~ stops mixing the batter, and sets it aside.

	“Unfortunately not. The base got word of a possible flyover sometime today. They should have clearance, but the Pantex facility is still a no fly zone. All security has been stepped up, so he'll be working most of the day. I've got to head in to work as well, so make sure you keep the house clean after I leave.”		“Unfortunately not. The base got word of a possible flyover sometime today. They should have clearance, but the Pantex facility is still a no fly zone. All security has been stepped up, so he'll be working most of the day. I've got to head in to work as well, so make sure you keep the house clean after I leave.”
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	“I know!” I blurt out, turning around to grab a pill out of the container. I swallow it with a quick sip of water, scoot in my chair, and then head for the main hallway. While walking through, I pull out my phone, and give it a shake to turn off the music. That accomplished, I re-seat it in my pocket and grab my bag on the way out. I open the door, hesitate a moment, then turn and say, “See ya.” As I turn back and walk out the door, kicking it closed behind me, I pull out the keys to my ancient 97 Toyota Previa.		“I know!” I blurt out, turning around to grab a pill out of the container. I swallow it with a quick sip of water, scoot in my chair, and then head for the main hallway. While walking through, I pull out my phone, and give it a shake to turn off the music. That accomplished, I re-seat it in my pocket and grab my bag on the way out. I open the door, hesitate a moment, then turn and say, “See ya.” As I turn back and walk out the door, kicking it closed behind me, I pull out the keys to my ancient 97 Toyota Previa.

	I'd found it in a junk yard in mostly working condition. It's odd looks, coupled with the custom stereo, subwoofers, and gauges ~~in the dash~~ that someone had installed before the collapse made me immediately fall in love with it. The only problem was that at around sixteen mpg, it was hardly street legal~~. After some research, I'd found out that it was a front mid-engine, rear wheel drive, and supercharged minivan. This only increased my interest in it~~. After about a year of learning all the internals of the car, I successfully converted it to a hydrogen/gasoline hybrid. The hydride tanks were installed in the back, filling in the space not inhabited by the subwoofer boxes, and the main ECU had been replaced with one that supported the new fuel source, as well as the Wide Area Network.		I'd found it in a junk yard in mostly working condition. It's odd looks, coupled with the custom stereo, subwoofers, and gauges that someone had installed before the collapse made me immediately fall in love with it. The only problem was that at around sixteen mpg, it was hardly street legal. After about a year of learning all the internals of the car, I successfully converted it to a hydrogen/gasoline hybrid.

	I ~~unlocked~~ the car door using the physical key, as the car ~~had~~ no keyless entry, and ~~started~~ it up. My phone ~~synced~~ up to the stereo through the older bluetooth protocols that the ancient head unit ~~supported~~, and ~~queued~~ up my driving playlist. Drum and bass ~~filled~~ the air, followed by the slight whistle of the supercharger spinning up. I ~~backed~~ out of the ~~drive way~~, ~~checked~~ my mirrors, and ~~was~~ on my way to Amarillo College to brush up on my calculus skills.		I unlock the car door using the physical key, as the car has no keyless entry, and start it up. My phone syncs up to the stereo through the older bluetooth protocols that the ancient head unit supports, and queues up my driving playlist. Drum and bass fills the air, followed by the slight whistle of the supercharger spinning up. I back out of the driveway, check my mirrors, and am soon on my way to Amarillo College to brush up on my calculus skills.

	==Chapter 3, Higher Education==		==Chapter 3, Higher Education==

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 1, Out of Joint */ ShadowWolf Edits in place, reporting for Action.

2009-07-23T04:01:31Z

Chapter 1, Out of Joint: ShadowWolf Edits in place, reporting for Action.

Concerned Reader: character category

2009-07-21T05:22:02Z

character category

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:22, 21 July 2009
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	{{WIP}}		{{WIP}}
	{{universe\|Pig and Whistle}}		{{universe\|Pig and Whistle}}
	~~{{float tag\|text={{add\|'''Author's Notes: New additions will start with a few words of green text.'''}}\|text-background=#eeeeee}}~~
	__TOC__		__TOC__

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	{{author note\|Finally done. Now to fix all the mistakes, and prepare for the next third/half.}}		{{author note\|Finally done. Now to fix all the mistakes, and prepare for the next third/half.}}
	[[Category:Story]][[Category:Concerned Reader]][[Category:Pig and Whistle]]		[[Category:Story]][[Category:Concerned Reader]][[Category:Pig and Whistle]][[Category:Allan Willson]]

Concerned Reader: changed author's note

2009-07-16T17:10:40Z

changed author's note

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:10, 16 July 2009
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	{{byline\|author=Concerned Reader\|user=Concerned Reader}}		{{byline\|author=Concerned Reader\|user=Concerned Reader}}

	{{author note\|~~This~~ is ~~very much a work~~ in ~~progress~~, ~~and I'm not even sure how canon it is to the PAW universe~~. I'm mainly writing it as a challenge to myself, and to create a character for others to use in better stories.}}		{{author note\|The story is now in the editing phase, so things will be a changing. I'm mainly writing it as a challenge to myself, and to create a character for others to use in better stories.}}
	{{WIP}}		{{WIP}}
	{{universe\|Pig and Whistle}}		{{universe\|Pig and Whistle}}

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 5, Unforeseen Consequences */ removed green from text.

2009-07-15T15:27:17Z

Chapter 5, Unforeseen Consequences: removed green from text.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:27, 15 July 2009
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	{{Separator\|stars}}		{{Separator\|stars}}

	~~{{Add\|~~My mom visited the next day. I felt much better after a full nights rest, and was starting to become used to the prospect of not having a lower right leg. It still felt really odd, but even the ghost nerve signals were fading.		My mom visited the next day. I felt much better after a full nights rest, and was starting to become used to the prospect of not having a lower right leg. It still felt really odd, but even the ghost nerve signals were fading.

	She entered the room, went straight to my side, and took my hand.		She entered the room, went straight to my side, and took my hand.
	“How are you doing?” She asks, her concern showing in her eyes.}}		“How are you doing?” She asks, her concern showing in her eyes.

	“I'm fine now. Well, other than missing a chunk of leg anyway.” I reply, sitting up a bit more. “Want to see it?” I ask, making to pull the covers off and present the stump		“I'm fine now. Well, other than missing a chunk of leg anyway.” I reply, sitting up a bit more. “Want to see it?” I ask, making to pull the covers off and present the stump

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 8, Rebuilding */ And section editz are done. The whole story is now open for critique.

2009-07-15T05:33:57Z

Chapter 8, Rebuilding: And section editz are done. The whole story is now open for critique.

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 7, Death in the Family */ editize me captain.

2009-07-15T05:17:43Z

Chapter 7, Death in the Family: editize me captain.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 15 July 2009
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	==Chapter 7, Death in the Family==		==Chapter 7, Death in the Family==

	The leg arrived right on time, five days before the funeral. I tore into the packaging as fast as I could, pausing only momentarily to admire the box and PLR-1200 logo before tearing that open as well. I made sure to keep the UPC code, the warranty dictating that it be kept in a safe place. With undisguised glee, I pulled the leg out of the now decimated box, and set it on the ground. Without a charge, it slumps over backwards, rotating along the ankle joint before I could catch it. The carpet helped muffle the fall, as well as ~~protecting~~ the leg from damage. I fish around in the box until I find the wall charger, and shrink wrapped mass of manuals and guides.		The leg arrived right on time, five days before the funeral. I tore into the packaging as fast as I could, pausing only momentarily to admire the box and PLR-1200 logo before tearing that open as well. I made sure to keep the UPC code, the warranty dictating that it be kept in a safe place. With undisguised glee, I pulled the leg out of the now decimated box, and set it on the ground. Without a charge, it slumps over backwards, rotating along the ankle joint before I could catch it. The carpet helped muffle the fall, as well as protect the leg from damage. I fish around in the box until I find the wall charger and shrink wrapped mass of manuals and guides.

	With the charger in one hand, and the leg in the other, I crawl over to the wall, and after some searching, plug the leg in. A red led starts flashing on one of the panels of the leg, the small engraved text above it reads, “Charging.” That accomplished, I crawl back to the box, and separate the manual from the ~~rats~~ nest of cables, flashdrives, and quick start guides. I'm not sure how you quick start a prosthetic leg, but they seemed to have found a way. Making sure the manual says “English” on the front, I crack it open and start reading. The charger is a four hour quickcharger, so I've got some time to kill.		With the charger in one hand and the leg in the other, I crawl over to the wall, and after some searching, plug the leg in. A red led starts flashing on one of the panels of the leg, the small engraved text above it reads, “Charging.” That accomplished, I crawl back to the box, and separate the manual from the rat's nest of cables, flashdrives, and quick start guides. I'm not sure how you quick start a prosthetic leg, but they seemed to have found a way. Making sure the manual says “English” on the front, I crack it open and start reading. The charger is a four hour quickcharger, so I've got some time to kill.

	I finish the manual in roughly thirty minutes, and start on the next step: installing the software on my computer. It's mainly the update utilities, along with digital versions of the manuals and guides. I plug the flashdrive into the front USB 3.0 port, and let auto configure do ~~it's~~ job. It asks for my password and permission to get to it. I punch it in, and click go. A progress bar pops up and starts edging towards the right of the screen.		I finish the manual in roughly thirty minutes and start on the next step: installing the software on my computer. It's mainly the update utilities, along with digital versions of the manuals and guides. I plug the flashdrive into the front USB 3.0 port, and let auto configure do its job. It asks for my password and permission to get to it. I punch it in, and click go. A progress bar pops up and starts edging towards the right of the screen.

	According to the manual, as long as the leg's pressure lines and external body aren't punctured, It should be water proof to about 30 bar of pressure. I wasn't planning on doing any deep sea diving, so this hardly applied to me~~. It~~ was good to know ~~none the less~~. Also according to the manual, the heel and ankle joint, which was engineered jointly by Toyota R&D Texas and Toyota Engineering North America, could withstand weights of up to 2000 pounds, and an impact force of up to 500. After loosing the leg, I weighed about 125 pounds. With the prosthetic, I'd weigh about ~~160~~ pounds, so I don't think I'd be straining it too much.		According to the manual, as long as the leg's pressure lines and external body aren't punctured, It should be water proof to about 30 bar of pressure. I wasn't planning on doing any deep sea diving, so this hardly applied to me, but it was good to know nonetheless. Also according to the manual, the heel and ankle joint, which was engineered jointly by Toyota R&D Texas and Toyota Engineering North America, could withstand weights of up to 2000 pounds and an impact force of up to 500. After loosing the leg I weighed about 125 pounds. With the prosthetic, I'd weigh about 140 pounds, so I don't think I'd be straining it too much.

	A glance at my watch told me that I was running at ~~ninety beats per minute~~, and that only one hour had passed. My ~~impatiens~~ takes over, and I unplug the leg, drag it over to the computer, and plug it in. The USB 3.0 power bus should continue charging it. Sure enough, as soon as I plug it in, the charging light comes back on, as well as the red “Do Not Disconnect” led. The computer beeps in response, confirming that it has made acquaintances with the leg, and would like to get to know it better. I offer that it should by him a drink, and click ok on the dialog box. The newest version of the firmware begins ~~it's~~ download. I sit back in the chair, my stump just barely jutting over the edge, then open up Firefox to search for third party modifications and other Open Source goodies.		A glance at my watch told me that I was running at 90 bpm, and that only one hour had passed. My impatience takes over, and I unplug the leg, drag it over to the computer, and plug it in. The USB 3.0 power bus should continue charging it. Sure enough, as soon as I plug it in, the charging light comes back on, as well as the red “Do Not Disconnect” led. The computer beeps in response, confirming that it has made acquaintances with the leg, and would like to get to know it better. I offer that it should by him a drink, and click ok on the dialog box. The newest version of the firmware begins its download. I sit back in the chair, my stump just barely jutting over the edge, then open up Firefox to search for third party modifications and other Open Source goodies.

	A while later, I hear a beep from the leg. The charging light ~~has turned~~ green. Whenever I'm doing something that draws most or all of my attention, I ~~loose~~ track of time. The three and a half hours that it had taken the leg to charge seemed like only five minutes to me. In that span of time, I'd found and bookmarked several dozen webpages related to the PLR-1200. Most of them were modification pages, but several were dedicated to a custom compiled operating system meant to enhance the legs capabilities. The mods were cool, but the OS I found very interesting, and could possibly be very useful.		A while later, I hear a beep from the leg. The charging light now glows green. Whenever I'm doing something that draws most or all of my attention, I lose track of time. The three and a half hours that it had taken the leg to charge seemed like only five minutes to me. In that span of time, I had found and bookmarked several dozen webpages related to the PLR-1200. Most of them were modification pages, but several were dedicated to a custom compiled operating system meant to enhance the legs capabilities. The mods were cool, but the OS I found very interesting, and could possibly be very useful.

	~~{{Add\|~~With the leg now fully charged, I could mate It with the base connection that was grafted into the end of my stump. The place were the skin and metal met had a very odd, almost cyberpunk feel, which was not unwelcome. Without the artificial skin covering the leg, it too looked to be a cyberpunk mantelpiece. With a faint clink, and the tightening of a couple hex bolts, the PLR-1200 was secured to what was left of my leg. I experimentally lift my leg up. It's a fairly heavy piece of equipment, being made of cheaper materials, rather than lighter. I think most of it was Aluminum or Magnesium. Because I still have my knee left, most of the difficult movement is still done by my body. The leg only has to deal with the distribution of weight on the ankle, and keeping me from falling on uneven ground. The connection uses several electrodes embedded into left over muscles and nerves, leading to an almost natural replication of movement. It would take some time to get used to, but I don't think it should take too long.}}		With the leg now fully charged, I could mate It with the base connection that was grafted into the end of my stump. The place were the skin and metal met had a very odd, almost cyberpunk feel, which was not unwelcome. Without the artificial skin covering the leg, it too looked to be a cyberpunk mantelpiece. With a faint clink, and the tightening of a couple hex bolts, the PLR-1200 was secured to what was left of my leg. I experimentally lift my leg up. It's a fairly heavy piece of equipment, being made of cheaper materials, rather than lighter. I think most of it was Aluminum or Magnesium. Because I still have my knee left, most of the difficult movement is still done by my body. The leg only has to deal with the distribution of weight on the ankle, and keeping me from falling on uneven ground. The connection uses several electrodes embedded into left over muscles and nerves, leading to an almost natural replication of movement. It would take some time to get used to, but I don't think it should take too long.

	By the time the funeral rolled around, I was already used to the leg. It actually took me less time to learn to walk again than it did for me to learn to drive a manual transmission. The leg was hidden beneath my long dark slacks; the foot hidden beneath Doc Martins and long socks. I went through the motions, and acted as I should, but I wasn't feeling it. I felt really out of place, surrounded by crying people, when I myself had dried up a week beforehand. It felt as if I was tear smuggling, sneaking them through until I was alone.		By the time the funeral rolled around, I was already used to the leg. It actually took me less time to learn to walk again than it did for me to learn to drive a manual transmission. The leg was hidden beneath my long dark slacks; the foot hidden beneath Doc Martins and long socks. I went through the motions, and acted as I should, but I wasn't feeling it. I felt really out of place, surrounded by crying people, when I myself had dried up a week beforehand. It felt as if I was tear smuggling, sneaking them through until I was alone.

	Death shouldn't be a sad occurrence. It signifies the passing of a life into a better place. Heaven, paradise, whatever you do or don't believe in. But in this case, it felt more like his life was stolen away~~. Taken~~ before his time was ready, like a surprise party a month before the birthday. “I hope you're enjoying yourself up there, watching us toil around down here.” I mutter to the casket, as it is lowered into ~~it's~~ six foot resting place. The pastor says a few words I don't pay much attention to, and the rest of the day passes in a blur. By the end of it, I'm very tired of hearing about how sorry everyone is for my loss. I haven't lost anything. Loss implies that it won't be found again. I certainly hope to be seeing my dad again, though maybe not anytime soon.		Death shouldn't be a sad occurrence. It signifies the passing of a life into a better place, be it Heaven, paradise, whatever you do or don't believe in. But in this case it felt more like his life was stolen away; taken before his time was ready, like a surprise party a month before the birthday. “I hope you're enjoying yourself up there, watching us toil around down here.” I mutter to the casket, as it is lowered into its six foot resting place. The pastor says a few words I don't pay much attention to, and the rest of the day passes in a blur. By the end of it, I'm very tired of hearing about how sorry everyone is for my loss. I haven't lost anything. Loss implies that it won't be found again. I certainly hope to be seeing my dad again, though maybe not anytime soon.

	==Chapter 8, Rebuilding==		==Chapter 8, Rebuilding==

Concerned Reader: /* Chapter 6, A New Step */ editz in the HOUSE!

2009-07-15T05:06:06Z

Chapter 6, A New Step: editz in the HOUSE!

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:01, 22 July 2009
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	My attempt to sit up was a great effort, until my head met the underside of my bed. “Uggh,” I mumble to the box springs, “What is this, the third time this year?” Squirming to escape from the claustrophobic clutches of the leg supports, I suddenly feel cloth drape itself across my forehead. Oddly, the edge of the bed is still several inches away. As my morning hindered mind processed this fact, I pull myself the final distance out from under the bed. I roll over on my back and lie there for a while.		My attempt to sit up was a great effort, until my head met the underside of my bed. “Uggh,” I mumble to the box springs, “What is this, the third time this year?” Squirming to escape from the claustrophobic clutches of the leg supports, I suddenly feel cloth drape itself across my forehead. Oddly, the edge of the bed is still several inches away. As my morning hindered mind processed this fact, I pull myself the final distance out from under the bed. I roll over on my back and lie there for a while.

	My phone reaches the end of the current song and proceeds to dig into my extensive library, searching for the next track to play. It decides I'm in a sombre mood, and queues up Dead Cities by Future Sound of London. ~~It's an~~ old album to be sure, but almost relevant in this day and age. I take the change in song as a signal to get up and start my day. Pulling on the edge of the bed for support, I finally realize what was wrong. The sheets had followed me under the bed.		My phone reaches the end of the current song and proceeds to dig into my extensive library, searching for the next track to play. It decides I'm in a sombre mood, and queues up Dead Cities by Future Sound of London. An old album to be sure, but it's almost relevant in this day and age. I take the change in song as a signal to get up and start my day. Pulling on the edge of the bed for support, I finally realize what was wrong. The sheets had followed me under the bed.

	I bolt upright, and give the bed a once over. There, near the middle of the queen size mattress, is the problem. It looked as though the sheets had been sucked partway into a small black hole.		I bolt upright, and give the bed a once over. There, near the middle of the queen size mattress, is the problem. It looked as though the sheets had been sucked partway into a small black hole.
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	“Now what?” I mutter.		“Now what?” I mutter.

	Wait, the sheets are a different density than the rest of the bed. Perhaps I can feel the change. Slowly swirling my arm back and forth, I fail to notice any change in the tactile feel of the mattress. ~~Hold on, this~~ bit ~~feels~~ different~~. Let's see..~~. I move my arm left a bit~~. Here's~~ the empty space between springs. ~~I move~~ my arm slightly upwards~~. This part~~ is a lot denser; it must be metal or wood. Not something I'd want to pull out. To the upper right~~, now this~~ feels better. I can only hope I've found the right thing, because I'm now up to my shoulder in mattress, which is not exactly comfortable. It doesn't help that my time is running out, as evident by the very strong, very fast pulsing in my neck, as well as the uncomfortable heat on my arm.		Wait, the sheets are a different density than the rest of the bed. Perhaps I can feel the change. Slowly swirling my arm back and forth, I fail to notice any change in the tactile feel of the mattress. Suddenly my arm breaches a section that feels a bit different. I move my arm left a bit and it passes through the empty space between springs. Moving my arm slightly upwards, I feel a section that is a lot denser; it must be metal or wood. Not something I'd want to pull out. The section to the upper right feels much better, more airy than the rest. I can only hope I've found the right thing, because I'm now up to my shoulder in mattress, which is not exactly comfortable. It doesn't help that my time is running out, as evident by the very strong, very fast pulsing in my neck, as well as the uncomfortable heat on my arm.

	Now how do I grab something ''inside'' of something else? If I can match frequency or phase or whatever it is I do with it, then maybe I can separate it from the rest of the bed. The first few grasps return very little results, and my arm is approaching the unpleasantly warm to hot threshold. My warning to start pulling out. With one last attempt, I grab at it, finally catching hold of something. “Yes!” I shout, clutching what I hope is the wad of sheets that had sunk into my bed, and slowly start retrieving my arm ~~and sheets~~. ~~It pulls~~ out much the same way a spoon does from jello. The bed seems to stick to ~~them~~ for a bit, before sliding back into a solid shape.		Now how do I grab something ''inside'' of something else? If I can match frequency or phase or whatever it is I do with it, then maybe I can separate it from the rest of the bed. The first few grasps return very little results, and my arm is approaching the unpleasantly warm to hot threshold. My warning to start pulling out. With one last attempt, I grab at it, finally catching hold of something. “Yes!” I shout, clutching what I hope is the wad of sheets that had sunk into my bed, and slowly start retrieving my arm. They pull out much the same way a spoon does from jello. The bed seems to stick to the sheets for a bit, before sliding back into a solid shape.

	I start to dance a little triumphant jig, which my mother takes as her queue to open my door. “Gwhaaaah!” I exclaim while attempting to cover most of my naked self with the newly recovered sheets. “Don't you knock? I would appreciate it ~~very much~~!” I shout at her. The door closes with an embarrassed “Sorry!” and flurry of footsteps.		I start to dance a little triumphant jig, which my mother takes as her queue to open my door. “Gwhaaaah!” I exclaim while attempting to cover most of my naked self with the newly recovered sheets. “Don't you knock? I would much appreciate it!” I shout at her. The door closes with an embarrassed “Sorry!” and flurry of footsteps.

	{{Separator\|stars}}		{{Separator\|stars}}

	~~Perhaps some explanations are in order. Possibly even an introduction.~~

	My name is Allan Willson. The Willson comes from my family, the Allan part I chose for myself. It was taken from one Alan Turing, the father of most useful programming languages, and indirectly some less useful ones. My personal favorite is an esoteric language called BrainF*ck. BF is Turing Complete, but only has eight recognized commands: “,.[]+-<>”. The simple “Hello world” program looks like this:		My name is Allan Willson. The Willson comes from my family, the Allan part I chose for myself. It was taken from one Alan Turing, the father of most useful programming languages, and indirectly some less useful ones. My personal favorite is an esoteric language called BrainF*ck. BF is Turing Complete, but only has eight recognized commands: “,.[]+-<>”. The simple “Hello world” program looks like this:
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	When run, it outputs "Hello World," which of course makes perfect sense.		When run, it outputs "Hello World," which of course makes perfect sense.

	As you may have guessed from the escapades with the bed, I'm a teefer. I'm still human-ish~~. I've~~ only ~~been altered~~ a ~~bit~~. ~~I'm not quite sure how it happened, or how to explain it, but~~ I can “phase” through things. My high school educated guess is that the Torch did not interact well with my ADHD, or the ~~ADHD~~ medicine I was taking. I contracted Blowtorch Fever when I was about sixteen. At the time, I was taking amphetamines for ADHD. This did two ~~strange~~ things when TFOR set in.		As you may have guessed from the escapades with the bed, I'm a teefer. I'm still human-ish, only with a few differences. The main difference being that I can “phase” through things. My high school educated guess is that the Torch did not interact well with my ADHD, or the medicine I was taking for it. I contracted Blowtorch Fever when I was about sixteen. At the time, I was taking amphetamines for ADHD. This did two things when TFOR set in.

	:1) Due to the amphetamines, my heart rate was about 130 bpm. The Torch decided that this must be my normal baseline, and reset it accordingly. Other factors were set to new defaults as well, leading to a final cure for my ADHD, but now my resting heart rate is 110-130 beats per minute.		:1) Due to the amphetamines, my heart rate was about 130 bpm. The Torch decided that this must be my normal baseline, and reset it accordingly. Other factors were set to new defaults as well, leading to a final cure for my ADHD, but now my resting heart rate is 110-130 beats per minute.
	:2) My personal quantum/space/time phase is unlocked. In short, it seems that my molecules can diffract around other molecules.		:2) My personal quantum/space/time phase is unlocked. In short, it seems that my molecules can diffract around other molecules.

	~~The effort required to make it~~ through ~~is based on the density of the material. Metals~~ are the hardest, and if spend to much time ~~in one~~, ~~the constant friction and vibration of my molecules~~ leads to very uncomfortable heating and an extremely high heart rate~~. Think 230 bpm. Oh~~, and possible death, but I haven't tested that last part. It seems to be much like light can behave like a particle or a wave. There's probably more I could do with what I've got, but I don't have the time, nor the energy to figure it all out. Hence this mornings new discovery. Now at least I can sleep with clothes on, and not worry about leaving them behind if I ever decide I need to go through a wall.		I can pass through almost anything, though metals are the hardest, and if spend to much time inside of anything, it leads to very uncomfortable heating and an extremely high heart rate, and possible death, but I haven't tested that last part. Now at least I can sleep with clothes on, and not worry about leaving them behind if I ever decide I need to go through a wall.

	With this revelation in mind, I quickly get dressed. On my way to the door, I put on my watch and grab my phone, which has now switched to playing more upbeat songs. As I walk down the hall, the phone detects the speakers in the living room, and automatically connects to them, leaving my room enveloped in silence. Passing into the kitchen, my phone informs the coffee maker of my presence. It proceeds to make me my personal cup of joe. Just the way I like it.		With this revelation in mind, I quickly get dressed. On my way to the door, I put on my watch and grab my phone, which has now switched to playing more upbeat songs. As I walk down the hall, the phone detects the speakers in the living room, and automatically connects to them, leaving my room enveloped in silence. Passing into the kitchen, my phone informs the coffee maker of my presence. It proceeds to make me my personal cup of joe. Just the way I like it.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:33, 15 July 2009
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	==Chapter 8, Rebuilding==		==Chapter 8, Rebuilding==

	~~{{Add\|~~The Texas Rangers approached me three days after the funeral. That was the only time I got.		The Texas Rangers approached me three days after the funeral. That was the only time I got.

	Three days.}}		Three days.

	I was watching the telly at the moment. Still getting used to our borrowed house, when the doorbell rang. I heard my mom set down whatever she was working on. “I'll get it,” she says, walking by me on the way to the door. With a glance through the peep hole, she suddenly becomes very rigid. A wave of apprehension washes down my spine, setting my watch to blinking. I see a similar wave pass through my mom. She opens the door slowly, revealing two Rangers, framed by their armored Toyota Ranger truck. The Texas Rangers logo is splashed across the side of the vehicle, proclaiming to all that the owners must be the very baddest of asses.		I was watching the telly at the moment. Still getting used to our borrowed house when the doorbell rang. I heard my mom set down whatever she was working on. “I'll get it,” she says, walking by me on the way to the door. With a glance through the peep hole, she suddenly becomes very rigid. A wave of apprehension washes down my spine, setting my watch to blinking. I see a similar wave pass through my mom. She opens the door slowly, revealing two Rangers, framed by their armored Toyota Ranger truck. The Texas Rangers logo is splashed across the side of the vehicle, proclaiming to all that the owners must be the very baddest of asses.

	“Pardon the intrusion, ~~maim~~,” one of the Rangers proclaims, “but we would like a few words with ~~you're~~ son, if possible.”		“Pardon the intrusion, ma'am,” one of the Rangers proclaims, “but we would like a few words with your son, if possible.”

	“Sure,” comes her chilled reply, then showing her Texas hospitality, she offers them coffee, and invites them in. I notice, as they enter into the house proper, that one of them is actually a female, as well as, at the very least, 60% feline. I hadn't notice before due to the buzz cut that seemed to extend to her whole body. The closely cut fur created a very human outline. With a grunt, I push myself up from the couch, and half stumble to make my greeting.		“Sure,” comes her chilled reply, then showing her Texas hospitality, she offers them coffee, and invites them in. I notice, as they enter into the house proper, that one of them is actually a female, as well as, at the very least, 60% feline. I hadn't notice before due to the buzz cut that seemed to extend to her whole body. The closely cut fur created a very human outline. With a grunt, I push myself up from the couch, and half stumble to make my greeting.

	“You must be Allan.” says the feline teefer, offering her hand, “I'm Rachel, and this is Gregory.” I take her hand, and give a firm, solid handshake, once down and once up. Her grip is strong, grasping around the palm, and not the fingers. I notice that though her palm and fingers have a faint padded feeling, her hand is,by design, almost entirely human, except for the well trimmed claws garnishing each fingertip.		“You must be Allan.” says the feline teefer, offering her hand, “I'm Rachel, and this is Gregory.” I take her hand, and give a firm, solid handshake, once down and once up. Her grip is strong, grasping around the palm, and not the fingers. I notice that though her palm and fingers have a faint padded feeling, her hand is, by design, almost entirely human, except for the well trimmed claws garnishing each fingertip.

	“I would be him,” I supply, turning slightly to shake Gregory's hand, “Nice to meet y'all. Care to take a seat?”		“I would be him,” I supply, turning slightly to shake Gregory's hand, “Nice to meet y'all. Care to take a seat?”
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	“You are of age. More so than you think.” cuts in Gregory, “Not every 'kid' in Texas could have pulled off a rescue like that.”		“You are of age. More so than you think.” cuts in Gregory, “Not every 'kid' in Texas could have pulled off a rescue like that.”

	“Some rescue, my father is dead, and I'm out a leg. “I say, pulling my leg up to demonstrate. “And to top things off, everyone in town knows about it by now. No one has approached me yet, but it's only a matter of time...”		“Some rescue, my father is dead, and I'm out a leg." I say, pulling my artificial leg up to demonstrate. “And to top things off, everyone in town knows about it by now. No one has approached me yet, but it's only a matter of time...”

	“We're sorry for your losses – All of them, “ interrupts Rachel, “but we needed to get to you soon. Our leads on the bombing are running dry, and I realize how sudden this may be, so take some time to reach a decision.” She set her cup on the table, and motioned to Gregory that they should be on their way. Halfway to the door, she turned back. “My card is on the table, if you decide before we contact you again, let me know.”		“We're sorry for your losses – All of them," interrupts Rachel, “but we needed to get to you soon. Our leads on the bombing are running dry, and I realize how sudden this may be, so take some time to reach a decision.” She set her cup on the table, and motioned to Gregory that they should be on their way. Halfway to the door, she turned back. “My card is on the table, if you decide before we contact you again, let me know.”

	With that they said their goodbyes, and were on their way~~. The~~ rumble of the truck fading down the street. I sat for a few minutes, staring at my now empty cup. I don't remember drinking it. Wait, crap. I'd phased it. The liquid was now pooling on the table. I'll clean it up later, for now, I need to think.		With that they said their goodbyes, and were on their way; the rumble of the truck fading down the street. I sat for a few minutes, staring at my now empty cup. I don't remember drinking it. Wait, crap. I'd phased it. The liquid was now pooling on the table. I'll clean it up later, for now, I need to think.

	My mom enters the room again at some point and cleans the spilled coffee, then sits next to me on the couch. I hug her and don't let go for a long while.		My mom enters the room again at some point and cleans the spilled coffee, then sits next to me on the couch. I hug her and don't let go for a long while.
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	{{Separator\|stars}}		{{Separator\|stars}}

	The next day I take a walk down the street, looking at all of the destruction. All that was done in such a short amount of time~~. All~~ that was taken away.		The next day I take a walk down the street, looking at all of the destruction. All that was done in such a short amount of time; all that was taken away.

	My right foot was still slipping a bit. I hadn't yet found a sock and shoe that fit it right. I might have to add a non slip tape to the bottom of the foot.		My right foot was still slipping a bit. I hadn't yet found a sock and shoe that fit it right. I might have to add a non-slip tape to the bottom of the foot.

	I turn a corner, looking at the remains of a store front. Half of the sign is still up, reading “Heff” while the rest of it lay disguised beneath the rubble, indistinguishable from the rest. I'd always enjoyed going to ~~Heffners~~ General Store, now all that was left was the soda machine. It had somehow survived and was dispensing cold cola to the people on the street. I pick up a Dr. Pepper, ~~loosing~~ a dollar, but gaining some cold refreshment.		I turn a corner, looking at the remains of a store front. Half of the sign is still up, reading “Heff” while the rest of it lay disguised beneath the rubble, indistinguishable from the rest. I'd always enjoyed going to Heffner's General Store, now all that was left was the soda machine. It had somehow survived and was dispensing cold cola to the people on the street. I pick up a Dr. Pepper, losing a dollar, but gaining some cold refreshment.

	Farther along my walk I see the husk of an apartment complex, the previous tenants going through the rubble, looking for anything that might have been theirs.		Farther along my walk I see the husk of an apartment complex, the previous tenants going through the rubble, looking for anything that might have been theirs.
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	“What?” I shout back, “Where you at?”		“What?” I shout back, “Where you at?”

	“Over hear!” floats over to me, and the owner of the voice suddenly pops up in the midst of the pile. ~~“help~~ me out will ya? This thing is stuck pretty good!”		“Over hear!” floats over to me, and the owner of the voice suddenly pops up in the midst of the pile. “Help me out will ya? This thing is stuck pretty good!”

	“Sure, hold on.” It was John, one of my buddies from Calculus. I didn't know he lived in these apartments, but I never really asked. I walk up to the mound to see what he's trying to get out. “What's up?” I ask, reaching the top of the mountain of debris, stopping right next to him.		“Sure, hold on.” It was John, one of my buddies from Calculus. I didn't know he lived in these apartments, but I never really asked. I walk up to the mound to see what he's trying to get out. “What's up?” I ask, reaching the top of the mountain of debris and stopping right next to him.

	He motions down at his feet, and my eyes follow. “Safe is stuck. I think an armoire and a couple of buildings fell on it.”		He motions down at his feet, and my eyes follow. “Safe is stuck. I think an armoire and a couple of buildings fell on it.”
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	I can just barely make out the handle, buried beneath the other debris. “Well that could be a problem.” I say, straightening back up.		I can just barely make out the handle, buried beneath the other debris. “Well that could be a problem.” I say, straightening back up.

	The view from the mountain startled me. Everywhere there were people combing the rubble for their possessions. All kinds of people. The local butcher was helping a diminutive man pull his chest out from under the remains of a bed. Several Mexican guys were helping an elderly woman find her belongings. Everywhere people where helping each other. The local biker pack, quite literally as they were all wolf or dog teefers, had just arrived~~. Bringing~~ with them shovels, wheelbarrows, and other instruments of digging. I may hate the bastards that did this to our town, that killed my father and ravished our land, but this town needed all the help it could get.		The view from the mountain startled me. Everywhere there were people combing the rubble for their possessions. All kinds of people. The local butcher was helping a diminutive man pull his chest out from under the remains of a bed. Several Mexican guys were helping an elderly woman find her belongings. Everywhere people where helping each other. The local biker pack, quite literally as they were all wolf or dog teefers, had just arrived; bringing with them shovels, wheelbarrows, and other instruments of digging. I may hate the bastards that did this to our town, that killed my father and ravished our land, but this town needed all the help it could get.

	“Hey, Allan? You okay?”		“Hey, Allan? You okay?”
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	Revenge was on my mind, but it wasn't a pressing matter right now. Now is not the time. The offer from the Rangers would give me a chance to find those responsible, it could lead to vengance, but for now I'll stay put.		Revenge was on my mind, but it wasn't a pressing matter right now. Now is not the time. The offer from the Rangers would give me a chance to find those responsible, it could lead to vengance, but for now I'll stay put.

	I've got to call Rachel back, and let ~~them~~ know I'm not joining them yet. But that can wait.		I've got to call Rachel back, and let The Rangers know I'm not joining them just yet. But that can wait.

	Right now it's time to rebuild.		Right now it's time to rebuild.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:06, 15 July 2009
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	==Chapter 6, A New Step==		==Chapter 6, A New Step==

	As soon as I was discharged, we went prosthetic shopping. Well, we didn't really go much of anywhere, prosthesis aren't exactly mainstream products. So to be more accurate, we went Internet shopping from the comfort of my room. The catalogue had listed their homepage, as well as several authorized retailers. Thus armed with a list, we started shopping around.		As soon as I was discharged, we went prosthetic shopping. Well, we didn't really go much of anywhere, prosthesis aren't exactly mainstream products. So to be more accurate, we went Internet shopping from the comfort of my new (temporary) room. The catalogue had listed their homepage, as well as several authorized retailers. Thus armed with a list, we started shopping around.

	My mom grew bored about five minutes in and left to throw some lunch together. I was glad to be back on home cooking, Hospital meals are decent, but only serve the purpose of helping you heal. Flavor and flash are less of a priority. I was hoping for a chicken pot pie later tonight at dinner, but have no idea what she would whip up for lunch. With my mind still on food, I return to the task at hand, and turn back to my computer.		My mom grew bored about five minutes in and left to throw some lunch together. I was glad to be back on home cooking. Hospital meals are decent, but only serve the purpose of helping you heal. Flavor and flash are less of a priority. I was hoping for a chicken pot pie later tonight at dinner, but have no idea what she would whip up for lunch. With my mind still on food, I return to the task at hand, and turn back to my computer.

	Like most everything else in my possession, my computer is a home-brew job. I'd started with some name brand, but years of revision on it, and several case transplants have lost the name to the ages. Currently I was running an AMD Athlon XX-4800+ BE. It may be the high end of two generations ago, but that doesn't mean it's lowly twenty cores were much slower than the newer forty and sixty core machines. Especially sense I had clocked it around 7.2 GHz. The phase change compressor required to keep it as close to zero degrees Celsius created an audible hum, much like a small refrigerator ~~might do~~, but the chilly temperatures and 2.2GHz gain off stock were worth the noise ~~polution~~. The processor, along with ATI's last gen graphics card and a few terabytes of drive space completed the ensemble. I'd thought of buying some newer DDR4 ram, but the price to performance was not in favor to my wallet. A change in ram would require a new motherboard, and then I was looking at about $200 purchase. My sixteen gigs of DDR3 are working fine, thank you.		Like most everything else in my possession, my computer is a home-brew job. I'd started with some name brand, but years of revision on it, and several case transplants have lost the name to the ages. Currently I was running an AMD Athlon XX-4800+ BE. It may be the high end of two generations ago, but that doesn't mean it's lowly twenty cores were much slower than the newer forty and sixty core machines. Especially sense I had clocked it around 7.2 GHz. The phase change compressor required to keep it as close to zero degrees Celsius created an audible hum, much like a small refrigerator, but the chilly temperatures and 2.2GHz gain off stock were worth the noise pollution. The processor, along with ATI's last gen graphics card and a few terabytes of drive space completed the ensemble. I'd thought of buying some newer DDR4 ram, but the price to performance was not in favor to my wallet. A change in ram would require a new motherboard, and then I was looking at about $200 purchase. My sixteen gigs of DDR3 are working fine, thank you.

	All this power did nothing to make the Internet any faster as I waited for the page to load. I could stop the updates that were currently downloading, but the loss of bandwidth was worth a new virus not eating my files. Besides, one megabit out of six was enough to get by on. I was currently building a thin client firewall out of spare parts, but for now, my software firewall would have to make due. Thankfully, the newest distribution of Ubuntu had a very good one built in.		All this power did nothing to make the Internet any faster as I waited for the page to load. I could stop the updates that were currently downloading, but the loss of bandwidth was worth a new virus not eating my files. Besides, one megabit out of six was enough to get by on. I was currently building a thin client firewall out of spare parts, but for now, my software firewall would have to make due. Thankfully, the newest distribution of Ubuntu had a very good one built in.

	~~the~~ address bar reports that I'm currently at “Prosthesis Emporium,” and the price listed is one of the best I've seen all day. While grabbing my ~~moms~~ credit card with my left hand, I add the leg to the cart and click the “checkout now” button. I punch in the relevant information off of the card, “check the second day air” box, and sit back in the chair. Another two hundred dollars for faster shipping was nothing to sneeze at. Thankfully our insurance covered most of the leg and hospital bills, and the leg was needed before the funeral.		The address bar reports that I'm currently at “Prosthesis Emporium,” and the price listed is one of the best I've seen all day. While grabbing my mom's credit card with my left hand, I add the leg to the cart and click the “checkout now” button. I punch in the relevant information off of the card, “check the second day air” box, and sit back in the chair. Another two hundred dollars for faster shipping was nothing to sneeze at. Thankfully our insurance covered most of the leg and hospital bills, and the leg was needed before the funeral.

	...		...
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	…		…

	~~suddenly~~ my world comes crashing back down, the weight of my father's death ~~catching~~ up to me~~. An~~ overshadowing despair. The tears come unbidden, flowing fast and free. I just sag in the chair, letting it all flow out. Draining my sadness away. After a bit I find my mother's hand resting on my shoulder, ~~attempting~~ to comfort me. My tears dry up ~~quick~~, but my voice betrays my emotion~~. Warbling~~ and broken with halting sobs.		Suddenly my world comes crashing back down, as the weight of my father's death catches up to me, bringing with it an overshadowing despair. The tears come unbidden, flowing fast and free. I just sag in the chair, letting it all flow out. Draining my sadness away. After a bit I find my mother's hand resting on my shoulder, an attempt to comfort me. My tears dry up quickly, but my voice betrays my emotion; warbling and broken with halting sobs.

	“Why?” I ask more to the universe than my mother. “I just want to know why. Why were we bombed? Why weren't we warned? Why did he have to die?”		“Why?” I ask more to the universe than my mother. “I just want to know why. Why were we bombed? Why weren't we warned? Why did he have to die?”

	“I don't know.” She replies, ~~then pauses~~. “I wish I did, but I don't. I don't have the answers, just more questions. I've been asking God questions every day of my life.”		“I don't know.” She replies, pausing for a moment before continuing. “I wish I did, but I don't. I don't have the answers, just more questions. I've been asking God questions every day of my life.”

	~~“And he doesn't seem to be answering, does he?” I interrupt, sitting back up in the chair. “He'd better have some good answers when I die, because He has a lot to answer for~~.”

			“And he doesn't seem to be answering, does he?” I interrupt, sitting back up in the chair. “He'd better have some good answers when I die, because he has a lot to answer for.”

	==Chapter 7, Death in the Family==		==Chapter 7, Death in the Family==