Necrosiac 17 (932 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: Necro
Rating: 2 on 25 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Snark << snarkk.at.gmail.com (View user info) at 2004-09-20 10:20:40 EDT
Parts 1 through 16
http://www.ubersite.com/m/43382
http://www.ubersite.com/m/42997
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http://www.ubersite.com/m/40909
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NECROSIAC 17
"Jackpot"
Mattaius shot a triumphant grin at Terri then returned to moving the beam of his flashlight over the wealth of information surrounding him in the cluttered study.
Terri turned on her own flashlight then stepped over the remains of what had once been a brick wall to stand beside him and said "Is it clear?"
"I can make a faint glow out from that jar on the desk, other than that it looks OK... careful though, this guy liked his booby traps"
Terri gave Mattaius a quick slap on the back then moved towards the packed bookshelf to her immediate left and carefully removed one of the dusty leather clad tomes from it
"You know, you may have just cracked this case wide open Matt"
Pitt grunted in affirmation and cautiously moved towards the large oak desk across the room. He could see something sitting inertly within the clear liquid of the jars dusty glass. Whatever it was seemed to be the source of the glow.
"I think these books are bound in skin" said Terri "The pages are like parchment... this is some old literature"
Mattaius placed his flashlight on the desk so the beam stayed on the jar and leaned close to get a better look. With the sleeve of his jacket he carefully wiped away the thick layer of dust coating the clear glass to reveal the severed head enclosed within.
The head had been shaved bald and runes burned into the front and sides. The clear preservative solution surrounding it had caused the skin to become grey and tight over the drawn stern face. Despite its dilapidated state he could tell that the face had once belonged to the body of a woman who had been full lipped and beautiful in her time. In death the face held an eerie after glow of beauty like a rotting work of art. High cheekbones led to sculpted nose and chin and almond shaped closed eyes. Mattaius brought his attention back to the runes and searched the library of magical texture and color within his mind but drew a blank.
He rubbed his chin in puzzlement and turned to Terri "Here's something new"
Terri placed the tome in her hand back in its place on the bookshelf "What do you have?
"Head in a jar"
"Yeah?"
"This one's magic"
Terri raised an eyebrow in interest and crossed the room to the desk "Cool"
Behind them came a yelp and a mumbled curse as Tasker stumbled on the debris at the makeshift entrance to the study "You two have to be the most destructive partners I've ever had... how did you find this?"
Mattaius answered without taking his eyes off of the puzzle in front of him "More artifact magic in the wall... couldn't figure out how they worked"
Markus shook his head disapprovingly and glanced into the basement he had just come through "So you used the examination table as a battering ram?"
"I like to break stuff"
Tasker took another uneasy step into the room "No kidding... what you got there?"
Terri leaned into the jar the same as Pitt, caught in the same puzzling fascination as her partner "Head in a jar"
"Yeah?"
"This one's magic"
"Cool"
Tasker crossed the room to lean down and examine the jars contents with Anaka and Pitt "Never seen one with runes burnt into it like that"
His partners grunted in unison.
"Spivey says this is old magic. He says he thought it had been lost a long time ago..."
Terri glanced at the big man beside her. Tasker had removed his suit jacket and tie, presumably while replacing the tire on the sedan. His plain white shirt clung to his muscular frame from the strap of his holster and where patches of sweat had soaked through. The Red Devil tattoo had moved to the side of his neck and was speaking excitedly into his ear. Their proximity to each other was close enough that she could make out Spivey's voice. It sounded old, raspy and worn like the voice of a blues singer after one too many cigarettes.
Mattaius pulled out the heavy wooden chair from the desk and took a seat then interrupted Tasker with an impatient question "How about some light?"
"I'll see what I can do I'm pretty much out of juice after that fight... nevermind Spivey's got it"
Terri watched as Spivey gave her a wink then slid to the top of Tasker's head. A second later a spot on the roof began to glow, illuminating the room with a soft yellow light.
Tasker stood up and scanned the newly visible bookshelves and desks cluttered with tools of the Necromantic trade surrounding them "Anyways... Spivey was saying Old School Necro's used to do this all the time. They're kind of like freaky memo pads or something"
Terri turned back to the jar as Mattaius reached a tentative hand out to the glass and gave it two quick taps with the nail of his index finger.
The head opened bloodshot faded brown eyes and looked expressionlessly at the two of them.
"Hello" said Terri as she stood up and took a step back then returned to her half crouched stance beside Mattaius as fascination took hold of her again.
Mattaius slowly moved an outstretched finger back and forth across the jar, watching with interest as the surreal eyes before him followed its movement "Spivey know anything about how to activate it?"
Tasker answered from the far corner of the room where he had moved to study a tapestry that looked like it had been torn from the pages of Dante's Inferno "He says to talk to it. It should answer specific questions"
Mattaius cleared his throat and said awkwardly "Umm Hello" then glanced embarrassedly at Terri when no response came "You want to give this a try?"
Terri grinned and nodded then took his place in the chair and tapped her own finger on the glass to get the attention of the jar's strange inhabitant. "Who are you?"
The face looked at her for a moment then closed its eyes.
"I think I have the answer to that" said Tasker
He had pulled the tapestry back then unhooked it from the wall all together to reveal a painting. From their place at the desk they could make out the outlines of figures standing in a row, hands clasped, faces dour.
"It's a family portrait" Said Tasker "Looks like Mom and Pop, brother and sister... there's a plaque"
Tasker took a step closer to read the fading inscription on the bronze plate attached to the bottom of the thick wooden frame "The Family Penance... Father Luis, Mother Cadence, Son Adrian and Daughter Lillith... can't make out the date but the old lady is definitely our friend in the jar"
Mattaius got up and crossed the room to stand beside Tasker "The father is definitely the Necro you killed Terri. I recognize his face from the crime scene photos... Jesus we got them... they won't be able to hide now"
Tasker tilted his head to the side with a smile "Spivey says you owe us a beer, and Anaka owes him... nevermind" He shot Terri an apologetic look then mumbled a few cross words to his Familiar.
Terri didn't hear him, she had stopped paying attention and returned her gaze to the severed head of Cadence Penance. She found herself developing a disquieting sadness for the remains of the lady before her and wondered at the depravity of the man she'd killed, that he could do such a thing to the mother of his children.
"What are you?"
She'd asked the question out loud but it was meant more for herself than anyone. She found herself caught off guard and jumped in her chair when the sunken grey face in front of her snapped its eyes open again and answered.
"I am the last will and testament of Luis Penance"
The strangely clear high voice of the woman seemed to reverberate in on itself as if the magic carrying it couldn't quite make it all the way out of its glass prison.
Across the room Mattaius turned on his heels and almost ran back to the table "If she starts singing 'Burning Down the House' I'm checking myself into therapy"
Terri gave him a cross look and folded her arms in front of her, brow winkled in concentration. After a moment she relaxed and said "Tell me the will of Luis Penance"
The face closed its eyes again and became still.
"Fuck"
The room filled with the digital beeping of Terri's phone. She pulled it from the clip at her waist flipped it open and hit the power button to turn it off then shot a warning look at Tasker and said "Battery's dead"
The big man stared back disapprovingly then turned the same look on Pitt as his phone filled the room with the same melody.
Pitt removed it from his jacket and followed Terri's example "Reception down here is the shits"
Tasker took an angry step towards the two then stopped and scowled at the floor, hands on his hips as he searched his mind for the proper words of admonishment. After a moment he looked back up and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the beeping of his own phone. Quickly he unhooked it from his belt, flipped it open and brought it to his ear.
"Tasker... yes..." He shot another cross look at them then said "Yes Director... No... flat tire... Listen we need an Investigative Team...Yes but..." Once again he shot a look at his partners, this one a mix of worry and shock "I don't think this can wait... Yes but... Sista... yes Ma'am I understand... uh huh right away" Tasker took the phone from his ear and looked at it for a minute undecidedly then closed it and replaced it on his belt.
"We have to go and we have to go now"
Something about the worry in his face and the stiff resolution of his stance started warning bells in Terri's head.
"What's up?"
"That was Smith. All hell's broken loose. Agents and their families all over the city are being attacked in their homes. She says there have been five confirmed deaths in the last hour. She's personally recalling all personnel"
Terri stood up and re-activated her phone "Jesus"
Beside her Mattaius swore under his breath then scratched his head and said "What the hell is going on?"
"I don't know" replied Tasker "But no more games... we're leaving if I have to put the two of you to sleep to do it. You two may be above protocol but I'm not. Unlike you I have a wife to protect"
Mattaius angrily gestured with extended arms to the contents of the room and said "We may have everything we need here. This room could be the key to their destruction. That supercedes protocol and your wife Tasker"
Markus took another threatening step towards them. Mattaius had no doubt the big man was serious, his arms had begun to glow white as he gathered what was left of the power within him. The big mans voice was low and openly threatening when he replied "I'm tired of your bullshit Pitt. I'm not going to risk my Anna's life for a bunch of old books and a head in a jar. If you want to be stubborn about it we can decide this right now"
Terri stepped between the two men and turned to Mattaius "Matt... Please let's go. If Brian were still alive I would be saying the same thing"
"Shit!"
"Please Matt"
Mattaius stared defiantly at Terri for a moment then threw his hands in the air in defeat.
"Fine" He said "Tasker you grab the painting. No fucking way we're leaving it behind. Terri, grab whatever books you can carry"
He turned back to the desk in front of him and with both hand picked up the jar. It was heavier than he'd expected and either his grunt of effort or the shaking of its prison caused the eyes to pop open again and focus on Pitts face.
He gave it a smile and a wink.
"C'mon beautiful. Let's go for a ride.
User Reviews
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-05-07 13:52:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm back. If I fail my courses because of this series, I may have to hurt you. :)
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-06-14 12:19:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm wondering how Terri managed to waste Papa Necrosiac so easily. Perhaps it was anticipated/deliberate?
Submitted by Revolutionman (user info) at 2005-05-05 22:31:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Charred (user info) at 2005-03-31 16:42:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Seriously?
Find a publisher.
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2005-03-28 22:59:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2004-09-20 11:36:15 (#)
Ranking: 2
If I were more creative, I could find another way to express my adoration of the awesomeness of this story.
I suck.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2004-11-16 14:33:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Philst82 (user info) at 2004-09-21 13:26:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 16:57:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks Mal :)
Can't have too much of that.
Submitted by Malificent (user info) at 2004-09-20 16:52:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I love you.
Submitted by Cryopaul (user info) at 2004-09-20 13:56:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 12:26:45 (#)
Ranking: 0
As for the Altar Worshipping.
I spent a little to much time doing that last night and now my jaw feels like I had a bowling ball in my mouth for two days...
Yeah, I did that before breakfast this morning.
As for today's tale...pure-unadulterated-liquid awesome. That's the extent of my writing abilities.
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2004-09-20 13:45:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Insert witty comment about how fantastic these are.
Submitted by Falconer (user info) at 2004-09-20 13:32:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I love reading these. Always brilliant.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 13:24:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wazz!!!!
Thank god someone mentioned it.
I think this may prove I'm an old fucker.
Submitted by wazzawazzayo (user info) at 2004-09-20 13:21:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Talking Heads.
Submitted by Xena (user info) at 2004-09-20 13:16:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"C'mon beautiful. Let's go for a ride." - you are too much!!!
I absolutely love the way this is turning out!!!
Don't stop...ohhh..don't stop!
Submitted by indepth25 (user info) at 2004-09-20 12:36:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This installment was amazing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Where do you come up with this shit man!?! Pure enterainment I say, good show old chap
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 12:26:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"Something"
Short sweet and to the point... sheer genius.
As for the Altar Worshipping.
I spent a little to much time doing that last night and now my jaw feels like I had a bowling ball in my mouth for two days...
Oh. You mean figuratively...
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2004-09-20 12:20:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I studied for years to be able to hit that spot with just the tip of my....
er...
nevermind.
I will work on something, soon. I have less time right now, because I am training dual classes. I know I have to try to scrape up some intelligence for UMII, so I hope I can manage.
But, in the spirit of fair play
"Something"
There. You may commence worshiping at the alter of Ashley
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 11:38:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
AshK,
WRITE MORE!!!
I need to see more posts from you!
They touch me deeply in my Kachungachunga spot.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2004-09-20 11:36:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"If she starts singing 'Burning Down the House' I'm checking myself into therapy"
Yeah, me too.
If I were more creative, I could find another way to express my adoration of the awesomeness of this story.
I suck.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 10:49:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Heya Circe :)
Who'd have known the daughter of Helios had the same sense of humour :)
Hope you're having a big Dutch Panekoeke(sp?) of fun. (Stay out of the oven)
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2004-09-20 10:37:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Jogging_Monkey (user info) at 2004-09-20 10:35:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-09-20 10:32:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"I like to break stuff"
Hahahahahahahahah!!
Fucking awesome story.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-09-20 10:21:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Head in a Jar!
---By WHAMMO! (The people who brought you Ass on a Plate)