Wheelchair Wars (Part 18)

The Gargantuan world is bereft of Civilization due to their ferocity. But they escape extermination only due to my admiration – The Emperor.

It was like a different planet. They had come from darkness and sickness. But here, the tunnels were lit brightly, and they were spacious with marble floors. Even, the simple act of breathing was different on this level. There was no filth or dust in the air. Timothy noticed that his father had even stopped coughing. People were more beautiful on this level too; they all had their teeth and were dressed in immaculate white or navy robes. Nobody looked old.

Timothy noticed that they were lauded wherever they went. Crowds would reach out to touch them as they yelled and screamed their adoration. It made him feel awkward and unworthy. Their previous battles had been watched, even here at this high level.

They were provided with a new camp close to the Groak Stadium. It was the only place where they could talk together as a group.

“So how are you all finding Level 1?” Timothy asked.

“Incredible.”

“Like a dream.”

“Heaven.”

He nodded in agreement as he looked around at their new base. It even had windows where you could see the purple sky surrounding distant mountains.

The fight was due to take place in five time-cycles. There was much preparation that needed to be done. First, they would need to see the fighting arena though.

Wheelchair Wars (Part 17)

The Emperor is your God. You must suffer for his glory – The Emperor

Timothy was still sleeping when the boom of the speakers called all fighters to the ready hall. He had been practicing new combat maneuvers long into the allotted sleeping time and was now late getting up. Unusually, he could sense excitement in what was usually a drone like voice. Just a minute later his Da entered his quarters.

“There’s a lot of excitement out there. We need to get up fast.”

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know son, but it’s big, really big.”

By the time he managed to get dressed and into the wheelchair, there were already roars of “Omega, Omega”.

He raced into the main hall. There was a euphoric atmosphere.

He reached his group, who looked more forlorn and serious than the rest.

“What is it?”

“We’re to battle Gargantuans on Level 1,” Caoimhne sobbed.

He felt his pulse race. Gargantuan were legendary creatures from a neighboring star system. They were huge and loved tearing humans to pieces. But was it fear or excitement that he was feeling, he was unsure. He also sensed an opportunity. The fight would be on Level 1 and the battle would be in the great Croak Stadium that could hold over a hundred thousand spectators. This could change all their lives forever. He just wondered if the others would be up to the task.

Then he roared out “Glory to the Omega”.

If nothing else, it would be a glorious death.

Wheelchair Wars (Part 16)

Eat, drink, train, repeat. That was now the story of his life. Each time cycle seemed the same as the last. For good measure, he would watch videos of other Wheelchair Wars videos in his spare time. He knew that his life and those of the rest of his warriors depended on it. It was impossible to know who their next opponents would be, so there was always more research that could be done.

There was a growing distance between himself and Audrey. She no longer accompanied him to review battles. He was unsure why, but it seemed she didn’t want to spend time alone with him anymore.

It saddened him. He had enjoyed the intimacy and the feeling that he could be special to someone. At times, his Da seemed to sense something was up.

“Why don’t you just go and talk to her?”

But he never responded.

Their squad had been given two new replacements to keep them at their original strength. There was Derek, whose only disability appeared to be his short stature. He didn’t use the wheelchair apart from fighting. Some of the others threatened to drive over him when they saw he was out of his wheelchair as if he was insulting them. The other was Caoimhne, who had no feelings below her waist. She had long, curly black hair and was quite attractive. She recoiled at some of the fighting though, which wasn’t a good sign for her long-term survival.

They were inexperienced but eager to learn. They readily accepted his leadership, never questioning what he wanted them to do. He just hoped that they could survive the next battle.

Wheelchair Wars (Part 15)

Timothy hadn’t realized how stratospheric this victory would be. His Dad told him that it had been beamed throughout the planet.

“Everybody, even at the highest layers now knows your name.”

It took over a time cycle for him to get back to the base. Huge crowds lined every tunnel. Some reached out in their rags and tried to touch him as if he had magical power.

Pregnant mothers roared out that they wanted their babies to have his twisted limbs and to be just like him. It was something that he had never expected to hear.

He was exhausted on his return but there was no time for rest. Once again, his father undressed him and left him naked on the bed. He still wasn’t sure what to make of what was happening.

This time a different woman entered his room. He suddenly felt strange, she was beautiful and unlike anything that he had seen before. She was black; naturally, not from the pollution that pervaded the city. Her dark eyes and sublime smile immediately seduced him.

“Don’t worry I will look after you champ.”

And she did. It was an experience unlike any other.

But this time, the celebrations were still not over. He was woken and dressed by his father, then brought out where all the team was assembled. They were given a drink called whiskey. The taste was strange, but they drank a few cups each. He began to feel strange. Happy, then sad. He thought about the two team members that had died on the mountain – Ciaran and Mairead. He could see tears rolling down Audrey’s face and went to be by her side.

“You okay?

“Not really, I’m going to miss Mairead. I keep thinking of her falling down that stupid mountain.”

“You still have me?”

“But for how long?”

With that, she left the group to be on her own.

(Don’t forget to subscribe!)

Wheelchair Wars (Part 14)

And they were off. Five teammates to his left and four to his right. It didn’t take them long to pick up immense speed. Never before had he felt such exhilaration as he slid down the dirty white surface. Split second decisions constantly had to be made. Turn left or turn right. It was all happening so fast.

And then there were eight. Two of his teammates made bad decisions. One of them hit a rock, leading to only small parts of the wheelchair to continue on the journey. The other made an incorrect turn and flew off the side of the mountain to certain death.

Only seconds later and they would meet the Beta. Timothy could sense the fear from the others through his visor’s communication device so he shouted –

“Glory to the Omega”

Then, far more more importantly the instructions “Action 1”.

With this, they formed a pincer formation. They were closer together, a solid centre. It had taken hours to perfect in training. One false move and they would crash into each other obliterating their chances.

Then the first sighting of Beta came from 9 o’clock. They headed straight for each other. Beta panicked when they saw the tight formation with many veering off course in fear to certain annihilation. The few that were remaining were quickly shredded by the tightly packed saws and swords that jutted out from the ski-wheelchairs as the mountainside turned crimson.

It was all over quickly.

“Action 2”

With the enemy vanquished, they expanded the distance from one another and slowed as much as they could. No point taking risks as they safely made their way down the mountain.

(If you enjoy my writing, please subscribe)

Wheelchair Wars (Pt 13)

As Timothy looked out through his visor at the purple sky, he knew that he would never forget this time cycle. Even if it was to be his last, it would have been worth it. The world and even existence itself was so much bigger than he ever thought possible.

It had been a long journey for him and the rest of his team of warriors to reach the summit of Mount Mangerton. They each made their own way through the bowels of the foul city. Then onto hovering cabins that travelled at an unfathomable speed. His father told him that they were called “trains”.

Most of the journey was in darkness as it pummeled through the city, But then there was light. Timothy looked out in wonder at the tall mountains in the rugged, rocky, reddish landscape. It was unlike anything he had previously seen.

It still took hours before the first sighting of their destination.

Mount Mangerton stood out from everything around it. The train dropped them off many miles from the destination but it still covered half the sky. A speaker warned the passengers of the toxic atmosphere and protective suits that had to be put on. They then entered a steel cabin that lifted them up to a small settlement at the summit.

It took a few hours for everybody to arrive. Now his comrades were to his left and right. Beta were disembarking from the other side but they would quickly merge at the first choking point for battle.

Now, he had to hope all that training paid off.

Wheelchair Wars Pt. 12

Timothy and Audrey were in his room reviewing their next challenge. It would be against a team from dreaded Beta, who were notorious for goading the family of their victims and it would involve not only leaving their layer of the city, but the city altogether. This was beyond either of their wildest dreams or rather nightmares. The atmosphere was toxic and the planet surface was almost devoid of all life. One cut on their protective suit leading to a painful end.

Both teams would commence at the top of the feared Mount Mangerton that was littered with the skulls of the dead. It was a steep mountain, with jagged cliffs and at times they would be practically falling down the slopes on their ski wheelchairs. The first five members to cross the line win. Or in the quite likely outcome that many from either team do not survive, then it goes to four, three, two and then one. No survivors can make a great spectacle for the masses.

“What do you think Audrey?”

“Well, we are Omega, we will find a way.”

She wasn’t as fearsome when she sat in an ordinary wheelchair. Timothy mind was drifting now.

“I truly hope you are right. I think there are some opportunities to get an advantage here at these squeeze point, I’m just not sure yet.”

Placing her hand on his.

“You’ll find them.”

Her touch was warm and gentle. It sent a pulse through his body. She removed it all to quickly.

Wheelchair Wars Pt. 11

Timothy was unsure what to make of the “celebration”. He knew it felt good good but still felt somewhat confused. But he knew that he had performed his duty and that was the most important thing. Well, he was pretty sure anyway.

He wondered how the “celebration” went for the rest of the team. As they gathered in their circle in the next time cycle, some had smiles that they couldn’t hide. Others looked as poker faced as ever.

The chant this day was –

Power to the Omega

Strength to the Omega.

Timothy found the whole thing quite boring but some the others like Audrey seemed to enter a trance after a while chanting away and they definitely sounded as if they were true believers.

The next few days were spent training. This involved doing complex wheelchair maneuvers and trying different weapons. Timothy couldn’t help but notice the high turnover at the base. People would die during the fights without fanfare and then they were quickly replaced. It was like Jenny was there one day and then she was replaced by Jack. He had the same disability, but was much more loquacious, telling jokes and trying to get a bit of banter going. But how much longer would he or any of them be around?

Timothy enjoyed talking to Audrey most.

She had taken to entering his room to look over combat videos and to discuss tactics. He would have preferred to “celebrate” with her.

Wheelchair Wars (Part 10)

The journey from the amphitheater back to the Omega, which consisisted of traversing a labyrinth of tunnels of tunnels and chambers. The people emerged from their huts in their rags to cheer and there were roars of “Omega, Omega.”

They had all been watching the event on their wall-screen and they liked what they.

“You are a hero to the people,” his father whispered, his face beaming with joy and immense pride.

The other warriors were also there as they entered the compound. Those, who could clapped.

Then came the voice over the loudspeaker.

“Victory to the Omega. Glory to the Omega. Celebrations will commence within the hour. Timothy went back to his room.

“We’ll get you ready son.”

But Timothy grew confused when his father took off his clothes and put him into bed.

“What about the celebrations?”

“Son, this is for the celebration. As a warrior, certain things are expected of you. If you are successful, you’re seed must spread.”

Then his father left, and a woman entered. Her face was badly scarred on one side and most of her teeth were missing. She looked around his father’s age

“My name is Yeona. There is no reason to be nervous. Concentrate on my pretty side.”

With that, she entered the bed beside him.

Wheelchair Wars Part 9

The smell of rotting flesh was all pervasive. It went up your nostrils, into every crevice and stained your clothes. There had been much death. They were in the waiting area area waiting to enter the amphitheater and they were next. Strangely, Timothy wasn’t feeling fear. It was more a bloodlust. Neither did he sense fear in those around room.

Slowly, the large stone stone door began to lift, shining the light onto their faces. Timothy pressed pressed forward on his joystick and the others followed him.. Audrey to his left and Olsen to his right.

The crowd in the stand roared their approval. Everyone of the Omega was in a Falcon X and was armed with a chainsaw. In the distance, they could see their enemies dispersing expecting the usual one on one combat.

The omega increased their speed and headed for the middle of the enemy, which was held by two gunners of the alpha. Once they fired, Timothy roared disperse and the shots few between the wheelchair. Then they fired again and again.

One of the shots hit Jessica tearing her to shreds. There was not even time for her to roar out in agony. She was there and then she wasn’t. By by then they were bearing down on the gunners and the chainsaws cut through them. Now the Omega split in half and surrounded their cursed enemy. The crowd grew increasingly wild.

Timothy charged to meet his next opponent. This time he heard the clash of steel as two chainsaws collided. His opponent had more skill in this art form and Timothy soon found himself retreating. For the first time in that time cycle he felt immense fear.

It was only assuaged by the site of a chainsaw ripping through his opponent’s stomach from behind. There was no time to thank her, the slaughter had only commenced. Quickly each Alpha was isolated and slain.

The crowd clapped ferociously as Timothy’s wheels rolled over the blood soaked asphalt. He turned the wheelchair towards them, men women and children, in ragged clothes and took in the adulteration of the crowd. This is what he was born for.