A new home for edited pieces

I have just created a new place for my (and others) edited writing work.

Edited Works Unlimited

All of my pieces that get the editing treatment will be sent over there.  Other authors will be permitted to place their work their too if they so desire, I mostly put it there to help de-clutter stuff here.  follow it or whatever.

Upgrade (Bleeding Roses)

Rain, on a day like today, it just had to rain.  School was out and I was on my way to get my upgrade.  Dad said he had a surprise waiting for me at the hospital, a new set of parts had to be waiting for me.

"Anna!" I turned around to see Tesla running towards me.

"Wait up" she stopped to catch her breath.

"Whats up Tes?" I shifted my shoulder as the bag started to slip.

"Can I go with you? I want to see you get your upgrade" Tesla was looking to get a major in cybernetics, much like my dad.  She would want to talk to him too, brag about the work they do.

"As long as you dont spam the web with what upgrade I got 'OMG a DIY kit, liek total lame powers o.O'" I didn't need the people at work freaking out about what brand I get.

"You know me, I'm a wall" she made that look, the one that was a total liar.

"whats it made of, croutons?" Tesla just looked at me.  "oh you XD" plastered on her face.  She followed me out to the parking lot.  I was wondering how well she would handle riding with me again.  Last time she almost puked in her helmet.  I wanted to see the look on her face as my bike came into view.  her face was going pale, I however felt great.  The fact that I was getting rid of these awful medical prosthetics made me feel like a cooling fluid was circulating through me.  Dad said the new parts would be more responsive, but the part I was excited about was the new look.  The clean, rounded parts of the hospital tech was boring and didnt match anything I wore. The sky blue frame with green rubber covered joints meant all the shirts had to be long sleeved.

My bike was big, very big.  Dad wouldnt let me buy one unless it was a tank and I got mild Grinder pilot cybernetics.  The synchronization allowed me to balance better and ride with more efficiency.  Most people who tagged along for the ride end up sick, but if they saw things the way I did, they would understand me better.

I put my jacket and helmet on and Tesla just stood there.  I handed her my extra helmet and she put it on as slow as she could.  I pulled the cable from my bike and ran it to the connection in my neck.  Syncing with my bike felt like I was in a lucid dream, my body felt numb as I take my position.

"alright, lets go Tes" she slid on behind me and gripped me like I was a pillar for her life.  I pulled out and hit the freeway.

We arrive at the hospital in record time, the streets werent as cluttered as usual.  We park in the lower garage and take the elevators to our level.  The floor was very active, it seemed to be at that point if one person slipped, chaos would ensue.

"Anna" it was Barbara, the receptionist.

"Looking for your father are we?"

"Yeah, I'm getting my upgrades today"

"Oh well good for you, you'll be surprised when you see what they look like, your in for a treat" she was smiling like she was keeping a big secret.  It made my anticipation that much greater.

"Your father is in the middle of a big project at the moment, but his break is coming up soon.  We'll start you in room 706 on the left" she stood from her seat and held my hand, I thought the kind gesture was lost in the prosthetic somewhere.

"If you and your father ever need anything, I'm always here for you" I was tired of this whole sympathetic image I somehow emanated.  Its been years and no matter what I do I can't seem to express the fact that I can take care of myself.

"thanks Barbara" I said in a manner that expressed that I was upset for the sympathy.  Tesla and I strolled to the room and waited for my dad.  After a few minutes the door opened.

"Cancer I'm afraid, we'll... have to remove the head" Nicholas said as he shut the door behind him.

"oh dad, think your a funny guy" Dad smiled at me, his cheerful demeanor slipped a notch when he saw that Tesla was with me.

"hello Tesla, could you wait outside for a moment" Tesla sprung from her seat and headed for the door.

"as long as I can get in on Anna's procedure" I rolled my eyes and leaned away, dad looked at me.  I nodded in acceptance.

"How about a front row seat, we'll hold it in the theater" Tesla bounced on her heels in excitement as she shut the door.  Dad sat down, he looked exhausted.  He set his hand on his face, a clear sign he was frustrated.

"you okay?" I stretched my metal limb out to him and he grasped it with a strong grip.

"its this project Anna, its kicking my ass.  I've told you about my work, most of it you shouldn't know.  But this" whatever he was working on it was beating him up inside.

"I love you Anna" He looked at me with the face he made when he was serious.

"I know dad"

"Its a girl, she's... so young and frail looking, and Marcus just see's a platform for science.  We, we're turning her into a machine, a monster and... I'm part of the development" I spotted a tear on his face, I wrestled my hand from his and wiped it away.  I got off the bed and sat next to him.

"she's younger than you, I cant even imagine what life she lived before she got here"

"where is she dad? can I see her?"

"her torso is complete, her arms are done down to the elbow.  Once your upgrade is complete and the physical therapy is dealt with, she'll be done, then Ill let you meet her" he had regained his composure, his business face was on again.

"I'm sorry my darling but I wont be overseeing your upgrade, this project is too important for any of us to take on other work till its complete.  I'm leaving you in Vincents hands, you know Vincent" I didnt like the idea of dad not doing my work but its not like I can argue with him.

"If you have to"

"I do, unless we postponed the upgrade"

"not happening. Oh Barbara said you have a big surprise for me" he smiled.  He walked to the table and pulled a large metal briefcase out of the cabinet.  My heart was beating hard, he turned it around.  The case read 'Dark Blood Works: Model 88 "Stampede" My organs almost jumped out of my throat, it was the model I wanted.  I know its childish but I still jumped for joy.  Seconds later Tesla barged in and joined in while sending the message out.  The nurse entered the room.

"Mr. Black, we're ready for your daughter now"

"This is Tesla Watchman, she would like to observe the operation.  Be sure to let Vincent know" the Nurse nodded and escorted me and Tesla out.  I gave my dad a quick hug and left the room.  Me and Tesla spoke on our way to the operating room, nothing specific just random things from school.  We started down a hall that was less trafficked, a single woman stood in the hallway, waiting outside.  She was juggling a knife between her hands, stopping to admire the weapon for seconds before continuing to pass it between her fingers and hands.  As I walked past her, time seemed to slow down.  She looked me straight in the eyes, there was a break in our contact when her knife floated into view.  for seconds all I could see was her silver hair, hints of yellow and green reflected off from the lights.  When our eyes met, Tesla nudged me.

"hey are you listening to me?"

"oh, sorry.  Daydreaming" I looked back and heard some call from the room the woman was guarding.

"Ed, c'mere please" the woman slipped the knife away and left the hall.  We made it to the operating room and I changed clothes.  while I stood I looked at my reflection.  Two legs, an arm, most of my organs, an eye and my ears were all made of metal and plastic. I held my prosthetic arm out, if I concentrate hard enough I can make it stand still.  If I forget it'll twitch a little, if it leaves my mind it'll have a tendency to react in a strong way, be it a nudge or a kick.  All the sleep I've lost because of it.  After this It'll be a thing of the past.  There was a knock on the door.

"we're all set to begin"

HTWest, writing camp homework.

Alright, well me and the author of Rhapsodizing moments spoke today on our way to look at her car (about a 30+ minute drive) we spoke about a writing camp we want to do, I'm also getting the author of Stories of MJOLNIR in on this too.  What I'm posting now is something we're supposed to work on. HTWest is a universe of mine that I haven't done too much work with.  The basic idea was the old west with elements of steampunk and future tech sprinkled in here and there.  My main characters are 'The Reaper in Black Silk' and the 'Sapphire Disaster' who are on the run because they have been charged with the biggest bounty ever placed.  So far all I've done with this is show them running away and encountering force along the way.  I need to work a lot on the rest of the universe.

I'll just post info on the characters another day cause my information is not near me.