#98 – There are Often Three Reasons for Something:

…the reason we tell others, the reason we tell ourselves, and the real reason.  Write about the war among the three.

Gentlemen, I’m not going to lie to you.  It’s a war out there.  A war of information.  And it is up to us to make sure only the most important, and controllable, information reaches the public.  It’s not going to be easy.  Many of you might never see your families again.  However, I want you to remember why we are doing this.

If people knew the truth, the real truth, about everything, who knows what kind of anarchy would break out.  Trusts would be broken and relationships destroyed.  Without us, the human race would devolve into chaos and vanish from this world forever.

We stand not only for truth, but for the protection of all mankind.

* * *

Mankind’s purpose on this planet is the pursuit of knowledge.  Always striving to know the why and how.  However, there are times that one must not know everything and how much should be shared.  That’s where we come in.

Our mission is two-fold and not easy by any means.  We must limit how much information the Truth gives us and, often more difficult, control the flow of information we present to others.  Knowledge is power but power can corrupt.  Mankind is not yet ready for the absolute truth yet.  If we fail in this task, the consequences are incalculable.

Let’s ensure that never happens.

* * *

The truth is absolute and unbiased.  There are no sides.  There is no change.  It is what it is and should not be altered.  Mankind insists on deluding itself by trying to change the truth, denying parts that they don’t like or can’t control.

This cannot be allowed.  We will roll over their resistance and show them the truth, whether they accept it or not.  Because the truth will set them free.

That is the purpose of truth.  And we are the truth.

Behind the Random: I didn’t really understand what this prompt was asking for.  I read and re-read it but nothing was really coming to mind.  Finally, for some reason, those inspirational speeches generals give to soldiers came to mind.  I find it funny the last entry sounds more like a cult than a military unit.

#615 – Scientists Announce They’ve Discovered the Secret of Immortality…

…Write a petition letter to save the event of death.

Don’t fear the Reaper.

With this latest medical discovery, the human race has become abuzz with excitement.  Mankind’s greatest fear has now been defeated and infinity now lays in our hands.  However, is this a good thing?  Despite this breakthrough, it doesn’t solve many of the other problems facing mankind, such as disease or overpopulation.

Imagine the suffering some people go through with their afflictions in their lives.  Uncurable diseases and mental disorders that have no release except for death.  Now think about experiencing that forever, with no end in sight.  For some people, death is a mercy.

While many would see our sons and daughters return home from war alive and well, imagine the horror of battle never-ending.  If no one can truly die, then hostilities would never cease.

The world’s resources are already stretched thin, imagine how strained they will become as the population explodes larger and larger.  The pollution from so many people would spread across the land, poisoning everything it touched.  Thousands of species would be driven from their homes and choked by the human machine.  Eventually, mankind would be living in a world completely stripped of everything, a teeming mass of starving but never ending flesh.

Death has it’s place in the world and shouldn’t be eliminated.  It’s the great equalizer, protecting the world and us from ourselves.  In the long run, immortality is a pipe dream that can only end in ruin.

Behind the Random: The promise of immortality would be an alluring one for many.  Not for me though.  About the only temptation about immortality for me is seeing how it all ends.  However, what lies after death is much more interesting to me.

#259 – Five Ideas for a Novel…

…that you will never write.

Meanwhile, a boy learns that the world he once thought was imaginary is very much real and beginning to bleed into this world.  A shadowy force from the other side is manipulating him, using the boy to further the merge.  Chaos begins to spread across the planet.

The world’s military are useless against the bizarre and fanstastical creatures.  Nations fall to the might of this strange new force and the master planner behind it all steps forward, revealing himself to puppet master for all the wickedness that’s occurred in the world.

Two people who have existed since the beginning of mankind are destined to meet randomly then fall in love.  They are always different people, but they never fail to encounter each other.  This time the two lovers, a soldier from this world and a muse from the other, manage to free the boy from his tormentor and learn their fate.  They will be forced to sacrifice their love to save the world over and over again throughout time.  Each time the threat is unique but the outcome is always the same.  The two vow that this time will be different and they will find a way to break the chain.

The boy realizes that he is connected to the master and can control elements of the other world with the help of the muse.  Together, they manage to bring out the good forces of the other world which join with the remaining armies on this side.  With renewed strength, the dark forces are pushed back to where they belong while the soldier manages to defeat the master.

Before the master is pushed through the portal, he tells the soldier that should the portals close, all that belongs on the other side will return there, including his beloved.  They would be separated forever.  There wasn’t even enough time to say goodbye to each other.  The soldier decides that knowing he will see her again in another life is worth the sacrifice and forces the master through.  The Earth is spared from the mystical invasion and the soldier is left alone with his heavy heart and the memory of his short time with his muse.

Behind the Random: This story has actually been in the works for years with me and has evolved a lot.  It doesn’t look anything like how it started when I was a teenager.  I’m not saying I will never write it, but the final product will probably look a lot different from this one.  Even now, new ideas are percolating in my thick skull as I write and re-read this post.

#346 – A Tour of Jamaica

“Kyle!” A voice called out, forcing him to pause, “Kyle!”

He looked back and blinked back in surprise as she came practically flew into his arms, leaving him barely enough time to drop his bag.  “Ashley?  I thought you weren’t coming.”  Kyle asked, bewildered.  Before he’d left that morning, words were exchanged and tempers flared.

Ashley hugged him tightly, “I know.  I wasn’t going to.  But then I knew that if I didn’t, I might never see you again.”  Kyle held her close to him, ignoring the people around them.  For a moment, they were the only two souls left on the planet.  Finally, Ashley spoke up again.  “I hate that you’re leaving and I hate why you’re leaving but I still love you and I would hate myself if I never said goodbye.”

He let out a small chuckle as he kissed the top of her head, “Babe, it’s only Jamaica.  I’ll be back in nine months, I promise.”

“But the news said it’s getting worse.  That the war could be on the beaches soon.  There’s even talks about enemy forces already behind the lines.” Ashley responded, getting worked up again.

“I know.  And that’s why I have to go.” Kyle replied, gently pulling her back into a hug, “Because if things do go bad and the Brazilians do show up, they need us there to stop them.”

“When did things get so bad, Kyle?  Why can’t they just stop?”

“I don’t know hun.  But I promise to do my best to stop them and come home.”

“By Christmas?” Ashley demanded.

“By Christmas.” Kyle replied with a nod as he let her go and picked up his bag.  “I promise.”

“I love you Kyle.”

“I love you too.”

The couple kissed one more time as the plane called for final boarding.  Little did they know that the war was going to take a very dramatic turn very soon.

Behind the Random: A tour of Jamaica?  That sounds boring.  How can I change that up?  Maybe make it a ‘tour’ of a person named Jamaica?  That has merit.  Or maybe a different sort of tour, like a tour of duty in Jamaica…wait, I have a story about a war in that area already.  Ding ding, we have a story.

The creative process is interesting sometimes.

#93 – Pick a Country…

…and imagine we’ve been at war with it for fourteen years.  Write a love story set in that world.

I carried Judy’s picture for two years.  No matter where I ended up, it was always there in my breast pocket close to my heart.  She never left my thoughts, even when I was sure the Brazilians would get me for sure.  And on those hot humid nights, when the rain wouldn’t stop pouring and I could barely breathe, the thought of her laying next to my in bed, softly snoring, gave me strength to carry on.  I would write her letters everyday and get responses back, letting me know how she was and that she missed me.

Even when my unit got ambushed in Chile and I was taken prisoner, I knew I’d come home to her.  It was never a question of if, only when.  No matter what they did to me, I held on for her.  As the days turned to weeks and hunger and pain was all the world that I knew, Judy was my light to bring me back.  The day they discovered her picture and took it away was one of the most devastating blows they could have ever dealt me, but I persevered.

In my faith, I wasn’t surprised when the bombs fell and military moved in, freeing us all.  Then, I couldn’t get home fast enough.  I had to see Judy, to touch her, to let her know that I was okay and I would never her again for as long as we lived.

As I approach the house, I see her sitting on the porch waiting.  Mom told me that’s all she did, everyday.  Just sit and wait for me.  We pull up and she perks up with attention.  Then I get out and she’s already off the porch and across the yard.  She plows into me, nearly knocking me to the ground and popping my stitches, but I only laugh as I put my arms around her.

I can barely keep her still as she nuzzles my head and licks my cheek, her tail wagging furiously.  After a few minutes, I’m finally able to get her off of me and I head into the house to see my parents.  Judy is close by my side, as if promising to never let me out of her sight again.

Behind the Random: As soon as I read the assignment, I knew this wasn’t going to be about a person.  I can’t think of anything more boring than writing about two people in love.  But the loyalty of a person and their dog always tugs at the heart with me.  Oh, and why Brazil as the country?  Because they’re rarely international news unless it’s soccer related and it was the first major country that popped into my head that isn’t already engaged in a war or controversy already.

#276 – Write a Single Paragraph…

…that conveys a lot about a character’s life.  Think about how this can be achieved with voice and rhythm and repetition.

I am the darkness, watching and waiting with the patience of a god.  I have existed since the dawn of man, born of the first drop of innocent blood and the madness of a man’s rage.  Fear and despair became my sustenance and in time I came to swell in power.  As the kingdom of humanity sprawled out, so did my influence.  Unbeknownst to world leaders, my shadowy claws dug deep into their thoughts, urging them into battle with their brothers and churning up bitter hatreds.  All to feed my insatiable appetite for my death and destruction.  Now, after eons of manipulation, the stage has been set for my arrival.  Soon, I will step forward and take claim to this reality at my rightful place; not hidden in the shadows, but at the forefront.  Tremble as you read these words, for I am Chaos and I am coming.

Behind the Random: Oh, I love me a good ol’ fashion all-powerful villain.  They make for some of the most epic battles between good and evil.  This story is actually a variation of just one of the many origin stories for my favorite monster/hero, the Skull Jester.

#301 – The Weekend in St. Tropez

Today was the first day of freedom.  It seemed like a dream to some of the residents of the town that, just a day ago, they were occupied by enemy forces, but that all changed less than a week ago when Allied forces arrived with guns blazing.

The small fishing community wasn’t much to look at now, even less so with the smoke in the air and burned buildings, but the people didn’t care.  They were free now.

The day had been hard as fires were put out and the dead gathered up and accounted for.  Far too many lost, paying a price few should have to.  Still, no one could say that it was all for naught.  Saturday night, for the first time in a while, the wine flowed and the laughter could be heard.

It was a celebration to victory and freedom and, unbeknownst to them all, the beginning of the end for the France occupation.  St. Tropez  would only be the first as Allied forces swept across France and freed it from Axis occupation.  For now though, what began with a bang in St. Tropez ended with a laugh in the middle of the night for Operation Dragoon.

Behind the Random: Now, I could have done something on St. Tropez’ nude beaches.  It would have been easy really.  So why didn’t I do that?  That’s a good question…why didn’t I do that…

Oh right, because learning is good sometimes.  I guess.

#70 – You are a Midlevel Greek Deity…

…hoping to move up the ranks of Olympus. What are your powers, and how will you use them to impress Zeus and the others?

“You’re power has grown weak, brother!” Hades declared, slamming a palm down on the table, “And it has made you soft towards the mortals.”

“Hades, I will not tolerate such a tone from you.  Speak again with such disrespect and I shall return you to the Underworld riding a lightning bolt.” Zeus warned gravely, the air around him crackling with barely contained power.  “The mortals cannot know we are still among them.  Not yet.  They are not prepared.”

Poseidon frowned as he contemplated his wine, swirling it in his goblet, “It has been so long, brother.  Most of them only regard us as legends and myths.  How much longer must we wait?”

“Not much more, I promise you this brothers.  Even as we speak, plans have began to turn.”  Zeus said, sitting back in his throne.  “Soon, war will erupt across the world as never seen before.  The mortals will slaughter themselves, leaving nothing but ash and blood in their wake.  Then, when they are at their most vulnearable, we will return.  We will offer sanctuary and salvation in return for their servitude and worship.”

“And how do you propose this?  Surely you won’t trust Ares with this?” Hades scoffed in an unimpressed tone as he crossed his arms.

“No, this will require subtlety and trickery on a level beyond divine, brothers.”  Zeus said, choosing his words carefully.

Poseidon groaned as his hand clapped to his forehead, “By the Furies, you don’t mean…?”  He hoped he was wrong and that his brother, the most powerful god in creation, hadn’t lost his mind.

Zeus nodded, “I’m afraid so.  There is no one else that could pull this off.”

“This is madness.” Hades grumbled, looking even more displeased than he normally does, “And where is he right now?”

“Oh you know, here and there.” A voice piped up.  At the end of the table, a man appeared in a puff of smoke.  Tall and impossibly thin, with glowing eyes that shifted colors rapidly.  He had a thick mane of brown hair that spilled down past his shoulders and a curly beard that framed a wild and crazed smile.  His toga was simple and white with a dark green cloak pinned together by a small medallion with the shape of a broken sword on it.  On his shoulder, sleeping soundly, a platypus sat.

“Murphian…” Hades drawled in held contempt, his lips slipping back to form a humourless smile, “How nice of you to join us.”

The young god shrugged with a smile, ignoring the feracity of Hade’s hatred for him, “Hey, the Big Z says he’s gotta job for me and who can say no to that, m’Irite?”

“This is nonsense!” Poseidon said, “I mean no offense to you, Murphian, but you are ill equipped to handle such a massive undertaking.”

Murphian fell backwards and a floating chair appeared beneath him, a goblet of wine already in his hand, “Yeah yeah, that’s what you say now.  But who’s spent more time with the mortals than any of you gods?  Hm?  That would be me.  Besides, what you need is a little mischief and misfortune on yourside, y’know?  I’ve already got these fools falling all over themselves.  H-Man, hasn’t business picked up over the last decade?”

Hades sighed in defeat, “Yes.  The amount of heroic souls entering my domain as easily tripled in the past few years while the cowards and unworthy have all but slowed to a trickle.”  Glowing red eyes glared at the god of misfortune, “But knowing that you’re responsible for the recent spat of combat somehow lessens the joy of it all…”

Another shrug and good-natured smile, “Hey, it’s what I do.  So you’re happy and Ares is thrilled…at least I think he is.  He’s still angry about that whole Hitler thing before.  I told him I could turn the whole thing around with one stupid decision…”

Poseidon leaned forward on the table, “Then I suppose it is you who is responsible for what the mortals have done to my waters?”

The god paused and thought about his words carefully, “Yeah, about that.  Can we just chalk that up to small sacrifices?  I mean, that’s only small parts here and there.  You do own 75% of the world, right?”

Poseidon let out an angry yell and got to his feet.  Raising his fists, the sea god moved to pulverize Murphian’s face into a fine runny paste.  However, as he stepped forward, his sandle clipped a crack on the floor and sent him tumbling forward and smacking his jaw against the table.

“Ouch.” Murphian said, looking on with mild amusement, “Looked like that hurt.”

Zeus placed a hand on his seething brother’s shoulder before he could strangle the other god, “Peace brother.  Soon, all the tragedies that mankind has placed on the world will be undone and we can return to a better time.”  Poseidon returned to his chair, rubbing his sore jaw.  His temper had left him, but he still stared daggers into Murphians head.

“Very soon, Z.  Right now, I’m working on something that’s gonna blow the lid off this place.  The mortals won’t even know what hit them.” Murphian gloated as he rubbed his hands together, “It is gonna be FAB-U-LOUS!”

Murphian leaped to his feet, causing the platypus to stir on his shoulder then drift back into slumber.  The chair he was sitting on blipped out of existence as the god turned away from the table, “Keep an eye on the coming events, folks.  We’re going primetime!”  Murphian then exploded into a flock of parrots, laughing raccously as they disappeared into the sky.

“I really hate him.” Hades muttered to himself.

Zeus snorted, “You hate everyone, Hades.”

“True.” The god of the underworld replied with a nod, “But I really hate him.”

Behind the Random: This one was a nice coincidence since I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson series lately so it really inspired the way Olympian gods would be in modern times.  Now, as for Murphian, I’m a big fan of Murphy’s Law and such so for there to be a god of misfortune and mischief just makes sense to me as well as give me someone to curse when things don’t go according to plan.

As for the whole bringing ruination to the human world to bring them back into the fold of gods, well…they weren’t exactly the nicest deities around, were they?

#200 – Write a “Dear John” letter…

…breaking up with your high school sweetheart who’s in the army.

Dear Jane,

I don’t want to drag this out longer than I have to, so I’m just going to get right to the point.  I think it’s best that we break up.  I know that this probably isn’t the best time or the classiest way to end things but I’ve thought it over and I just can’t put it off anymore and I have no other way to get a hold of you.

Before you wonder what happened, I want you to know that it wasn’t anything you did or didn’t do per se.  People just drift apart and in our case, we drifted thousands of miles apart.

We’ve known each other since kindergarten, which feels like forever ago.  Our moms are best friends and our dads are on the same bowling league.  It felt like it was meant to be and I think that’s why it lasted as long as it did.  But it’s not.

Now that we’ve actually spent some time apart for the first time in I can’t even remember how long, I realized how different we are.  You know how your mom used to say, “I’m a little country and you’re a little rock n’ roll.”  I never really got it, but now I do.  That’s not to say that you aren’t an awesome girl, but I just don’t see my future with you anymore.  We’re on two different roads going two different speeds eating two different ice cream cones.  That sounded better in my head.

Jane, I hope you understand.  I hope you’re not too mad at me.  Only now is it dawning on me that pissing off a woman with arms training and access to weaponry might not be the best idea…

Please don’t kill me when you get home.

Your friend (I hope),

Your Guy

P.S. Your cat had kittens.

Behind the Random: This one was kind of generic and bland in my opinion but it is what it is.  Probably doesnt’ help that I’m writing this after being awake for more the 24 hours.  Anyways, breakups have always been hard for me as they probably should be.  I’ve only done it twice (or maybe three times) in my life and I’m hoping that number doesn’t go up anymore in this lifetime.

#427 – An Ethical Dilemma

You hold in your hand something that could end all suffering and misery from the planet forever.  No more death and sickness and hunger.  Wars would become forgotten and old hatreds would disappear completely.  Petty squabbling over land and resources and faith would end literally overnight and the world would know only peace.

However, there is a catch.  In exchange, you will surrender mankinds free will and creativity.  No one would think for themselves or question the life.  Art would cease to be as the world’s population become’s complacent.  Any progress mankind would make would halt completely, freezing us here and now forever more.

Those are your choices.  Blissful eternal ignorance or free artistic savagery.  Completely irreversible, a one-time deal only.  Could you condemn an entire species with the consequence your decision?

Behind the Random: This one was actually easy to do.  It’s a question I’ve debated with people on occassion throughout my life.  I’ve always been a big fan of hypothetical and ethical questions and this is probably one of my favourite questions of all time.  Others that go up there is “Would you go back in time and kill baby Hitler?” and “You’re on a collapsing cliff holding your grandmother in one hand and someone’s baby in the other.  You need both hands to pull one of them up.  Which one do you let go?” and of course, “If someone offered to pay you to kill someone you hate, with absolutely no chance of you being caught, how much would you do it for?”