SW10: Superhuman World 2014 Annual: Office Hours

Scott Eiler seiler at eilertech.com
Wed Sep 2 19:00:33 PDT 2015


Wyatt Ferguson woke with a start.  He was seated facing the djinn Vesper.

Vesper smirked at him.  "Have you been following what just happened?"

Wyatt thought for a few seconds.  He'd just been possessed - by a Wyatt 
from back in 2011!  So he'd just missed out on some important 2014 
stuff.  (ref:  http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2011/2014.txt)

He responded, "I get it now.  And for what it's worth, *I would* have 
had you make this world Never Was."

Vesper grinned.  "That is what I thought...  And so my work here is 
done."  He disappeared in smoke.

---

Wyatt was safe for the moment, and no one was expecting him anywhere. 
So he remembered...

The aliens had come back to evacuate some more Earthlings from the doom 
of the planet earlier this year.  Wyatt had tried to meet the ships in 
the sky - but he'd been trapped!  By... probably his Satanist enemies, 
but he couldn't be sure.

Now he was stuck in a resistance movement, against President Trump and 
Vice-President Sheen.  His elder brother Calvin was a resistance leader, 
and was even then fleeing to build a new resistance cell.  Resistance, 
resistance, resistance...

Wyatt had just been indwelt by an optimistic self from the past.  That's 
the only way he could account for what he said next...

"No.  There must be a better way."

---

In the news, the Canadian Prime Minister admitted almost all of Canada 
now had permafrost and could no longer support agriculture.  The St. 
Lawrence Seaway now required ice-breaker ships to enable navigation in 
the summer.  Fortunately most of the population of Canada had 
disappeared in late 2011, in what people called the "Powernaut Rapture". 
  About half the world population had gone with them.  What was left 
behind was either stubborn or downright nasty.

In related news, powers and technology were as weird as ever...  An 
alien ship had crashed at the Hollywood Bowl.  Sentient superpowered 
wolves were roaming the Great Plains; Texas was threatening to secede 
and then invade Colorado to interdict their path.  Russia was rumored to 
be supporting secession movements; the U.S. Gov in return was debating a 
ban on the wearing of any sort of tricolor flags.  The Ukraine was also 
nervous about Russia, but in more of a position of strength; they'd just 
launched a fleet of flying battleships.

In culture:  McDonald's started selling fried fly patties; the 
healthiest people in South America were the ones who could *pop* their 
leg tumors; the U.S. Congress had started deciding funding bills via 
duels.  It looked to Wyatt like the march of history was spiraling down.

On that note...  A man walked in.  "Wyatt, what have I told you about 
*broadcasting yourself* to the world?"

"Uh...  Good day to you too, Grampa.  What're you talking about?"

"You wrote a story *three years ago* that told everyone you'd be in 
Lafayette today!"  (ref:  http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2011/2014.txt)

"But that story had no dates outside 2011!  I didn't even know what the 
date *was* today!"

"Like we wouldn't know when Vice-President Sheen would be leading a raid 
here."

"Ah, but you're special.  Speaking of which, you're a long way from 
Labrador now."  (ref: 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2006/go_home.htm#north)

"Well, yeah.  I *could* still survive there, but it's a lot less 
interesting since the hydro dams all became glaciers.  Civilization kind 
of sucks down here, but at least you still have it...  But don't change 
the topic!  If I can find you, so can anyone!  Move it or you'll be 
captured!"

Suddenly the windows glowed and the house filled with light.  A woman in 
a racing suit appeared, floating above the floor.  She said, "Oh, I 
think you're safe for now.  But perhaps introductions are in order."

...

The woman landed and walked to the older man.  "Hello, Calvin Fremont 
Ferguson.  I'm Racer Girl, but you can call me Linda.  I used to work 
with your grandson.  And with the Powernaut."

"The real Powernaut?  1944?"

"Well, 1966, but that one too."  (ref: 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/powernaut/1966.htm)

"Okay, now I'm impressed.  But seeing as how you just *turned on all the 
lights* on this house, what's your plan to get us out of here?"

"Relax.  We're inside a Pentahedron.  No force short of a Sunbreaker can 
pierce it.  And when we want to leave, it will transport each of us 
wherever we wish."

"So, you could get Wyatt off-world?  Away from Trump?"

"If he wants.  But if he wanted that, he could have taken *himself* 
off-world."  Linda turned to Wyatt.  "I know you've had mental issues... 
  Do you recall going on Pentahedral Patrol with us?"

"Yeah, that I do.  I've been fine, thanks.  *And* I took copious notes." 
  (ref:  http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2005/pentahedron.htm)

"Well, I'm *here* on patrol.  Your world is now the most dangerous Earth 
in the known Omniverse."

Wyatt looked skeptical.  "Really?  More than Ordered Realities?"

"Really.  Ordered Realities isn't flooding the universes with refugees. 
  *Your* world *is.*"

"Oh, come on.  That's just the Powernaut.  And you just now said you 
were working with him."

"No, it's more than that.  Did you know *Lateran* is out there too?  He 
went to work for the Turkish Empire!  And your Satanists sent a *legion* 
to yet another Earth!  So...  You know most everything about your 
planet.  Do you know of anyone working on any *other* 'Raptures'?"

"Oh, are those little lunatic-fringe Raptures that important?  The 
*real* problem would be..."  Wyatt shuddered.  "Oh, shit, I bet Trump's 
trying to create his own Rapture machine right now."

Linda and Calvin said together, "That would be bad."

"Yeah.  Now imagine if *we* were the ones to make this conflict 
inter-universal.  Trump would go crazy.  And he'd probably find allies. 
  Even if I *did* leave, I wouldn't be safe out there."

Then yet another voice said, "That's not the worst of it."

...

Calvin snarked at Linda, "You *said* this thing was *impervious.*" 
Linda looked confused.

Wyatt responded, "If we're still on Earth, this guy can get in."  He 
turned to the new arrival, a young man in a backwards baseball cap and a 
t-shirt with an icicle-laden "C" on the front.  "Hi, Stan."

"Hi, Cousin Wyatt!  Hi, Linda!"  Linda reluctantly waved at him.

Calvin rolled his eyes.  "Oh.  He must be from your mother's side."

Wyatt responded, "And a proud side it is.  This is Ultimate Low C, the 
Champion of Cold.  He basically *rules the world* right now."  (ref: 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2006/journal_c.htm)

Stan said, "Yeah, but I never wanted to.  And I got even *more* power I 
need to get rid of.  Death needs a new Champion."

"What happened to the Brotherhood of the Reconnaissance?  Weren't *they* 
the Champions of Death?"  (ref: 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2007/others.htm#recon)

"Yeah.  But they kept getting distracted on vampire hunts and stuff. 
Death needs someone more committed.  And it can't be me, 'cause Death 
and Cold are way too connected now anyways."

Calvin said, "Got *that* right."

"Thanks, mister...  And this is important 'cause of all the death in the 
world.  And there's more coming soon."

"So shouldn't we be *stopping* all this death, instead of helping it along?"

Stan stammered, so Wyatt spoke.  "Probably not gonna happen.  I've seen 
some forecasts that only the Executive Branch gets to see.  We all 
either hibernate, get off planet, or die by 2022."

Calvin thought for a moment.  "And those friendly aliens who were gonna 
help us hibernate, all got chased off planet themselves.  So, why aren't 
we migrating?"  (ref: 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2011/discontent5.txt)

"There's been some spaceflight, but not enough to save more than a few 
cities.  All the other Earths we've sent people to, are done talking to 
us."  Wyatt looked at Linda.  "And I sense a reluctance by the rest of 
the Omniverse to open up the borders with Planet Trump."  Linda nodded.

Stan chimed back in.  "So Death's looking for Her old Champions.  And 
Vara Hosea's gone.  So you're next."  Stan's voice became deeper. 
"Wyatt Ferguson, will you once again become a Champion of Death?"

Wyatt shrugged.  But before he could answer, Calvin spoke.  "I heard 
*some* of the stories.  But could you two tell us again what a Champion 
of Death *does*?"  Linda nodded.

Wyatt responded.  "We move to the side of *some* of the dying, if they 
really need help to pass.  There's nothing that can stop us."

Calvin responded, "And this is important...  why?"

"Simple.  Do we want a world full of ghosts?"

"Oh...  If it's gotta be done, then it actually sounds like a really 
good life choice for you.  At least Trump can't get his hands on you."

"Grampa, with Death and Cold at hand, Trump really doesn't matter." 
Wyatt turned toward Stan.  "I could at least be the Deputy again, if you 
really can't find anyone else.  After all, you're literally here to 
deputize me.  But could I at least see the Boss before I sign back on?"

Stan said, "Sure.  She *wants* to see you first."

A small pale-skinned, black-haired woman walked in the room.  She 
grasped Wyatt's hands.

Calvin shuddered.  "Seen you before!  Way too much!"  The woman shrugged.

Wyatt said, "Hi, Boss..."  His voice deepened.  "I accept.  I will take 
up your watch as Deputy Champion of Death."

The Boss hugged Wyatt, then dissolved away.  Wyatt's face became covered 
by a death's head, but that faded also.

Linda grasped Wyatt's hands.  "Oh, Wyatt.  You have gone where even 
Hypergaard will not go."

"Oh, Linda.  Some millennium, Hypergaard will go there too."  Wyatt 
turned to Calvin.  "Grampa, I guess you'll have to worry about the world 
*for* me.  Your other grandson Calvin *cares* about Trump.  He could use 
any help you care to give."

A tear came to Calvin's eyes.  "I'll go check on him now.  But let me 
say...  I've never been prouder of my family."  Calvin hugged Wyatt.

Linda said, "Uhh, Calvin Senior, I'll send you to your grandson.  Here's 
something you can call me with, when you have need."  She handed him a 
flat triangular plate.  "I guess the rest of you can find your own 
ways."  Stan and Wyatt nodded.

...

The triangular pyramid enclosing the house dissolved.  Only a vacant lot 
remained.

A ring of federal troops surrounded that.  Their commander Imperilus 
shrugged.  "Whatever just happened, 'least they can't blame that on me."

---

Author's Notes:

This story's been stalled for a while.  But now it gets a boost just 
'cause Trump's back!  Yes, that's Earth-SW10:  making Donald Trump 
president in a 2011 story, when even he'd given up on the concept in the 
Real World!

Now we get into the secret shared history of Wyatt Patrick Ferguson, 
Calvin Fremont Ferguson a.k.a. the Secret Commando, Stanley Timothy 
Levitz a.k.a. Ultimate Low C, and the Racer Girl from Hypergaard.  Stuff 
like this should go in the Wiki in a "Team-Up" category.  And I *have* 
added Wiki support for the Commando.  (ref: 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/wiki/Secret_Commando.htm)  But for now, 
other Wiki stuff goes here.

-  Wyatt had a troubled childhood, dating back to the 1969 "Hypergaard" 
incident.  Calvin (as the Secret Commando) and Racer Girl were on 
opposite ends of the portal which brought Wyatt back. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/powernaut/1969.htm)

-  In two later separate time travel incidents (2005/1993 and 
2011/1971), Wyatt had to intervene to counteract his autistic tendencies 
and jump start his own (or his alternate self's) maturation.  Racer Girl 
was present for the first of these. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2005/pentahedron.htm , 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2011/1971.txt)

-  Wyatt and the males of his family have a superhuman bloodline.  Their 
blood activates superpowers upon their first death.  This happened for 
Wyatt in 1996, his father in 1990, and his grandfather in 1915.  Other 
males of the clan have yet to see that happen. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/bigwave.htm)

-  Wyatt's Grampa is the Secret Commando of the 1910s through 1940s. 
Nowadays he is motivated by paranoia; he wishes to keep the family's 
superhuman bloodline secret.  Wyatt's brother's family can currently 
pass a blood test, but Wyatt can't.  The Secret Commando once invaded 
the compound of Ellipsis in Greenland to prevent such a test. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2004/crockery.htm)

-  Wyatt's father may be autistic; he tends to withdraw from his family 
whenever he gets the chance.  He may have secretly trained to be the 
Secret *Boy* Commando of 1944-45.  In any case, he's well hidden and can 
take care of himself, at least enough to satisfy Grampa...  Grampa may 
be first-generation Childfree, and Wyatt third-generation.

-  Wyatt never met his grandmother - at least not that he knows of.  The 
relevant period of the family history is the 1920s, when his grandfather 
was an adventurer who had a lot of encounters with Amazons...  *Is Wyatt 
the grandson of Zenobia??*  His grandfather has declined to mention, 
despite a lot of story-swapping in 2006 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2006/go_home.htm#darkmaneuvers3). 
But:  (1) We don't know a lot about Wyatt's grandma, but there's nothing 
to indicate she was ever part of his family life.  (2) Wyatt and Zenobia 
met in 1996; this was still Roman Empire times from her perspective. 
But they seemed to notice a link between them, and it wasn't sexual. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/duopol2.htm)

-  Racer Girl is the closest thing Wyatt has to a childhood imaginary 
friend.  She met him in 1969, but his memory of that incident is 
fragmentary.  (http://www.eilertech.com/stories/powernaut/1969.htm)  She 
met him again in 2004, but he recognized her only as a cartoon character 
from his childhood.  (http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2011/4heroes.txt) 
  They met one last time in 2005, but he took her (and two other 
Hypergaardians) only to be extra-dimensional superheroes.  Her team did 
nothing to correct that impression. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2005/pentahedron.htm)

-  Wyatt and his grandpa have (at the very least) hyper-dimensional 
blood, as does Racer Girl.  So, how many electrons can the shells of 
their atoms hold in four dimensions?  No one seems to know - but if it's 
anything other than (for most important elements) eight, organic 
chemistry falls apart.  So I'm guessing that Hypergaardian space-time is 
sufficiently curved that the answer is still eight.  The next greatest 
possibility is, atoms behave according to the rules of their home 
universes, no matter where they may be.

-  Then there's Ultimate Low C. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2004/journal_cold.htm)  His history 
with Wyatt is well-documented. 
(http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2004/diary.htm)  And he and Racer Girl 
have some shared history related to Hurricane Katrina, in the background 
of a Powernaut 2005 episode.

-  Of all of them, Wyatt is the ranking expert on inter-universal 
adventure on a human level.  And just two or three years ago, he was a 
National Security Adviser.  So he knows, if any more of Trump's enemies 
get Raptured, Trump's gonna be even more motivated to build his own 
dimension gear - if he hasn't already!

---

COMING ATTRACTIONS!  Special Content Visible Only on Web Site! 
http://www.eilertech.com/stories/2011/page.php?fn=2014_annual.txt

-- 
(signed) Scott Eiler  8{D> -------- http://www.eilertech.com/ ---------

When you *are* the leader... whatever goes wrong... whether you did it
or not... *you* are held responsible. - Barack Obama

I know. - Archie Andrews

- from Archie #617, March 2011, scripted by Alex Simmons.


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