7 Deadly Sims- Part 8:Sometimes The Future Isn't So Bright
**Warnings: Some strong language, mild violence, and simulated blood. Entry is backdated.
Monday, August 1st, 1:00 AM
Neo: Please give your status reports.
Akasha: My attempts to curb Vidcund’s obsession with aliens have not been successful. If anything he has taken things too new heights going as far as to create new species of beings that are virtually indestructible. He is now working closely with Buzz Grunt and Loki Beaker. I believe I can now clearly see the threat he poses by working for the Genetics Foundation.
Neo: Do you know anything of who’s sponsoring the company?
Akasha: No. That appears to be something that has been well hidden. I will continue my search.
Neo: Volf, enlighten us on your subject.
Volf: Jill’s perception of herself is still tainted. She hates aliens even more since becoming leader of that hate group. Now that she interns at her Uncle’s laboratory, I fear that she has succeeded in wiping all alien DNA from her body. Granting her wishes was a mistake.
Themis: I agree that the same can be said of Loki. I loathe that man. He’s vile, deceptive, and greedy. We should all never have given him access to his dreams. He’s literally worth billions now and has money hidden away all over the world. His wife didn’t deserve what he did to her.
Neo: Who cares about his wife. It just goes to show this mission was a failure. Min, tell us about your dealings with Ophelia.
Min: Her robots are in virtually every home across the globe preparing for the move. Within a few short weeks she’ll be travelling to space. I have noticed that she’s become obsessed with travelling in time. I can only imagine if she succeeds in going back or forth in time may create large problems for us all. As for her connection to Buzz Grunt, their relationship has grown. Nebleb has he started using the robots she created for him?
Nebleb: They are mainly being used around the base. I think he’s given up using them to spread the virus against aliens. Of all our subjects, Buzz seems to be the only one that is changing his tune. He trusted me with his secret and has really been working to help with this large-scale move to the moon. He’s indeed working with Vidcund to continue developing this master race of soldiers, but I am starting to believe they won’t be used evil purposes.
Neo: It frightens me how much you to care about this ridiculous human. I liked him more when he was a sour man that hated impure green aliens! Surely our little experiment has proven that none of them is worthy of living. I’m certain that my subject, Kristen is still lost. She wants to intervene and help, but she’s a poor delusional creature that soon will meet her end. Vlad, tell us about Olive.
Vlad: Olive is becoming quite the vamp overlord. I gave her gifts of restored youth and vampirism to give her time with her family. However, she and Ophelia aren’t speaking and there’s something strange going on with her son. I still don’t see what true threat she poses. She’s a hired assassin but unless she plans on killing the president, she’s pretty harmless.
Neo: Harmless my ass. The end is close at hand people. These humans we’ve been sent to watch over have not changed. You all have skills that aren’t being put to good use because we have been told to coddle these Earthlings. Enough is enough.
Akasha: What do you suggest we do? Go against the council and kill them now?
Neo: Oh no, not yet. I would suggest that you stop looking at them as friends. These humans are the enemy. They would turn on you if they had the chance. Humans don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone. Now is the time to bring them to their knees.
Neo walked out of the room leaving them all to their thoughts. The message was clear. Most of them in some way or another sympathized with the humans. If they failed the Council, they faced their own extermination. The decision was made and the next few months would lead to the destruction of the 7 of Strangetown.
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August 4th, Thursday, 11:15 AM
Kristen took a seat and placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of Ophelia. They’d just come downstairs to the hospital courtyard. Kristen had just completed Ophelia’s physical for her upcoming space mission. Kristen made sure she kept two special vials of Ophelia’s blood to the side for Vidcund’s research.
The exam itself started out simple enough. They talked about Ophelia’s feelings about going to space. Then they discussed Kristen’s pregnancy and the small bump that was starting to show. They even briefly discussed the meeting that would take place that evening with the others from town. Things were going well until Kristen got Ophelia’s blood work and urine test results back.
Kristen reported that overall Ophelia had perfect health, as expected. What wasn’t expected was finding that Ophelia was pregnant. When Kristen gave what she believed to be good news, Ophelia broke down crying. Kristen quickly ended the exam and ushered Ophelia to the courtyard for some fresh air.
Ophelia: Thank you for the coffee. Kristen, I don’t mean to be a burden.
Kristen: You’re not. I couldn’t let you leave the office so distressed. Now, tell me what’s going on?
Ophelia continued to dab at the tears that escaped from her eyes and took a deep breath.
Ophelia: This wasn’t how I imagined it to be. I always wanted to be courted by my prince charming. Have a huge wedding, purchase the house of our dreams, and then start a family. Things are so out of order.
Kristen: Well, I wouldn’t call my pregnancy in order either, but these things happen.
Ophelia: Yes, I know. God, we weren’t careful at all. This is such bad timing.
Kristen: You can still go to space. You’re very early in your pregnancy. Of course, NASA will make the final determination, but you’re in great shape and they shouldn’t deny you at all.
Ophelia: It’s not so much the mission that worries me. It’s the father.
Kristen: I’m sure he’ll be happy.
Ophelia: Kristen, the father is Buzz Grunt. Now tell me again how happy he’s going to be.
Kristen’s expression was enough for Ophelia to forget how sad she was and laugh.
Kristen: Sorry, I’m just surprised. The last time we spoke…
Ophelia: I was a blubbering jealous idiot still pining away for Johnny. It’s as if Buzz and I were driven together by some unseen force. He’s an amazing person once you peel back the layers. When we meet tonight, please don’t say anything. I can’t tell him right now. Maybe when I return.
Kristen: Doctor to patient confidentiality, remember? I won’t say anything.
Ophelia: How about friend to friend?
Kristen gripped Ophelia’s hand and smiled.
Kristen: Friends it is.
Ophelia: That’s a beautiful ring. I meant to tell you congratulations earlier.
Kristen: I need to start planning the wedding. Care to hear some of my ideas to take your mind off of things. Considering the hijinks associated with it, you’ll get a great laugh!
Ophelia: That would be my pleasure.
Min: Pregnant, huh? Interesting.
August 4, 2039 - 8:30 PM
Erin: Your meeting is about to start soon, right?
Kristen: Everyone should be here in a few minutes. I just needed to talk to you all for a minute.
Lola: It’s about the dreams, isn’t it?
Kristen nodded.
Chloe: We’ve all been having them.
Kristen: How is this possible?
Kristen noticed Chloe and Lola give each other a look but it passed so quickly she brushed it off as nothing.
Kristen: That dream experiment we took part in years ago, remember? Maybe that had something to do with it?
Chloe: Maybe. All I know is something heavy is coming and we need to be ready for it.
Lola: Chloe’s right. We’ll do some research and get back to you.
Kristen: Research?
Chloe: Kris, head to your meeting and we’ll get back to you soon.
Before Kristen could question them, Chloe and Lola walked away leaving Erin to talk with Kristen.
Lola: Dad?
Chloe: My thoughts exactly. He said we had a purpose. We have to keep Kristen safe from these people. The dreams soon will reveal who they are and what we need to do about them.
Lola: We may not survive this.
Chloe: For our family, I’d give my life. I’ll call you later, sis. Watch your back.
Kristen finished setting out refreshments as Vidcund and Jill set the final chairs. It wasn’t long before people started arriving. When Ophelia arrived with Buzz, she caught Kristen’s eye and smiled as Kristen gave her a thumbs up sign. Everyone started taking seats, only to notice that one key person was still missing, Olive.
Kristen: Will your aunt be here, Ophelia?
Ophelia: Actually, we haven’t talked in a few weeks. I really don’t know if she’ll show or not.
Buzz: It might be safer for us all if she didn’t come. Considering her condition.
Olive: No such luck, General and to correct you, its not a condition, it’s a blessing.
At her voice, everyone turned around as Olive made her grand entrance. Most of them had only heard rumors that the town “black widow” was now a vampire. Everyone shifted uncomfortably as she sniffed at the donuts before taking one and sitting down in a chair.
Olive: I suggest you get your staring out of the way and get on with this meeting. You all act as though you’ve never seen a vampire.
Vidcund: Some of us haven’t but I find it quite fascinating.
Olive winked at Vidcund as Kristen loudly cleared her throat to signal the start of the meeting.
Kristen: Thank you all for coming. I know my letter was a bit vague but I have something important to share with you all. Ever since I was little, I had visions that always came true. I’d say that 80% of them were of people dying. I chose a career in medicine, thinking I could help step in before death did his thing.
Olive: That loser just keeps popping up in conversations, doesn’t he!
Ophelia nudged Olive in the side to tell her to behave. Olive giggled and reached for Ophelia’s hand. Ophelia hesitated but took Olive’s cold hand into her own. They finally looked at each other after several tense weeks, not needing words to show that all was forgiven. Kristen smiled and continued.
Kristen: To get to the point, since the start of this year I’ve had a recurring dream. In it, I see the 7 of us locked in room and one by one die. I can’t shake the feeling that this dream has a deeper meaning and if we don’t somehow figure it out, it will come true.
As the last few words tumbled from Kristen’s mouth everyone sat speechless.
Buzz: Kirsten, I’m a man of scientific facts. Could you just be experiencing some recurring nightmare.
Kristen: I dreamed my parents would die and weeks later they did. My grandfather who raised me also died shortly after my dreams. I’ve seen people in school one day and the next they’re gone.
Loki: Sounds like people around you just have bad luck. Maybe we need to run while we can.
Kristen: Take it or leave it, but I know I’m not crazy.
Jill: Maybe it’s the aliens. Finally someone is seeing their plot.
Vidcund: Jill, please.
Jill: Uncle Vid, come on! The Earth has probably more aliens than humans now. Surely you can’t think this has nothing to do with them. You all need to keep an eye on your alien friends.
Kristen: Alien plot or not, why the 7 of us? What do we have in common?
Olive: Holy shit.
Ophelia: Aunt Olive!
Olive: Child please, like you’ve never cussed before. Think about it. We all have some connection, whether family or working relationship.
Everyone quieted at this. They all looked around making connections in their minds.
Buzz: Kristen, is there anything more that you can tell us? Anything we need to look out for?
Kristen: I’m sorry, I don’t.
Loki: Well that’s very helpful. So we may all be facing a death sentence and you have no real answers.
Vidcund: From what I hear, you might deserve that death sentence.
Loki looked at Vidcund, a slow smile crawling across his lips.
Loki: I’d sure love to hear what you mean by that.
Vidcund: My brother seems to think Circe’s disappearance wasn’t an accident. I’m starting to wonder myself.
Loki: I thought your nose was too high up alien ass to even notice that she was missing.
Vidcund was out of his chair so quickly that Loki didn’t have a chance to react. Vidcund’s fist met Loki sending him backward towards the wall. Loki swung back, grazing Vidcund’s eye. No one moved to stop the fight, each one of them secretly hoping Loki was receiving a taste of the pain he’d inflicted on Circe for all those years. However, it was Olive that finally stepped in, the smell of fresh blood driving her mad.
Olive: Even though I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing Loki get his ass beat, I think that’s enough for now. However, if you’d like it I could take a bite out of him.
Loki slowly got up and gathered his senses. He glared at Buzz for not coming to his aid. Loki took out a handkerchief and wiped away the blood from his nose and lips.
Loki: I suppose I will be taking my leave now as you barbarians try to figure this out. If we do die, know that I’ll get my revenge on you all in hell.
Olive: I’ve got contacts there, so we can consider that an empty threat.
Loki spat on the ground and left. Kristen walked over to Vidcund and started to massage his hands, which were becoming more and more red. No one spoke for several minutes, each of them slowly helping clean up. Olive took several napkins to clean up a few blots of blood from the floor. She couldn’t resist the temptation to taste the blood that seeped into the napkins with the tip of her tongue.
Olive: Ugh, Loki tastes as nasty as his attitude. He won’t have to worry about me biting him ever!
The mood instantly lightened as everyone started snickering. Kristen thanked them all for coming and promised to call a meeting again if she learned anything else. She admonished them all to pay attention to their surroundings and be careful. It’s too bad that things in Strangetown never seem to follow the plan.
Part 8.2