MAY 28
Dave scanned the files on the training reports for his pilots. Twelve straight runs, twelve straight defeats against Blaquesmith's Rogue Squadron. It was the powers of the Rogue pilots that were doing the most damage, and it was damned annoying. A prohibition cannon needed more power than the craft they flew could generate and Dave knew that if he could get around that problem they'd stand a chance. He reviewed his data on the X-Wings. Because he was Fringe he had one, courtesy of Rookey but he declined to use it. Instead he had had his technicians take it apart to see how it worked, analysing it for weaknesses and strengths so he could know all there was to know about them. Once they had every bit of information about them then he could formulate a battle strategy, but the powers of the other pilots gave them the edge. Since last night Jo had been unusually quiet, though he put it down to nerves. The wedding was less than a week away. The dress was the best creation he had ever seen and he made a mental note to thank Crystal for it. He had never believed in superstition and he wasn't about to start. The one worry he had was his bachelor party.
Blaquesmith had just grinned when Dave had mentioned it, which made him wary. His friends Barry Andrew, Spark Stevens, and Oliver Steel would be there from Andromeda and they knew a lot about Dave. Now put them in the same room as his friends from the Bar and Grille and there would be trouble - for himself at the very least. Ah well thought Dave, and went back to work on his pilots training results.
MAY 29
Jo had gone for a wedding dress fitting so Dave took the day off to meet up with his old team mates from Andromeda. They were in their day the A-Team cadets. They were the group which others set their sites on. Dave remembered those days fondly. Himself - nicknamed Bandit, was the strategist. Barry Andrews, was the leader due to his uncanny ability to do everything he could perfectly. He was the fastest, strongest, most charming man ever to be born, he wasn't invulnerable and he couldn't fly, but he did have slight telepathic abilities and he put them to the best uses he could. It was clear to everyone why he should be a leader. Then there was Spark. Spark Stevens was one of Dave's best friends in the universe, and he only had a few of them. He and Dave were a team by themselves. Spark could turn himself into any form of energy at all and the two of them suited each other well. They'd known each other since they were kids and they knew nearly all there was to know about each other. Then there was Elixiar Zale - EZ to her friends - Her power was knowledge. She could know everything about anything she saw just by staring. The longer she stared the more she knew. It was a power that had saved their lives on more than one occasion. Finally there was Rachel Baron, nicknamed Baroness. Her power was to make things happen. She clicked her fingers whilst thinking of something, it would happen. To combat that you had to have a stronger will power than she did, and that was rare. If more than one person opposed her wishes, their will power would be averaged against hers. They were Andromeda. Then things changed. Dave and Barry were offered promotions. Dave took his, Barry didn't. He and the others were fed up of risking their lives for others who weren't bothered about them. They couldn't see the point of people who would do such things. In the end they formed a rock band and headed off for the stars, as being super powered did not do them any favours. Whilst away from Earth, they did mercenary work for alien governments to earn extra money and they occasionally ran in to Dave as he travelled the universe on missions for C&C. Dave met them on the landing bay of C&C as their star cruiser came in to land. They had been to C&C two days before for the rehearsal as Dave had hired them to play at the wedding. Today they were going to discuss songs to play for the wedding guests. They greeted each other warmly and Dave took them down to his office.
"Well, then," he said. "What have you got for me?"
"Right," said Barry. "Can you run a computer simulation of the wedding for us?"
"How do you know I have one?" asked Dave.
"D, we've known each other for years. I know how your devious little mind works. If you want perfection you'll do anything to obtain it. Now the simulation." Dave smiled. Apart from Jo, no one knew him like the old team. He pressed a button on the pad and the wedding venue appeared.
"Now this is the order things should happen in," said Dave. "The guests will come in, their name's will be announced and you play a few lines from the songs we choose today, to get them to their chairs." The team nodded. It was just like the old days, thought Dave.
As they ran through the various theme songs for all of Dave's guests, they reminisced about their days as cadets. These four were my family way before the Fringe, thought Dave. I've done quite well for myself.
"Right," said Spark. "The songs we have are: Fever and Micheal Savage - 'High On Emotion', Monterey - 'Tie Your Mother Down'..."
"I thought we said that for Decibel," asked EZ.
"We did originally, but we changed our minds. For Decibel and his crew we chose 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'" reminded Rachel.
"Is someone writing this down?" asked EZ.
"Yes, I am," said Barry.
"I knew there was a reason you were leader," said Spark.
"Excuse me," said Dave. "Can we get on with this? I've only got three days left."
"Don't worry," said Spark. "It'll be fine. When Kitty arrives we'll play 'What's New Pussycat' and when Gizmo enters we'll play the theme song from 'Gremlins'."
"You think people will get the joke?" asked Barry
"I just hope Gizmo thinks it's funny," replied Dave. "Go on Spark."
"Okay. For Stout, we've decided on 'All Around My Hat', for Hulk we've chosen 'The Boys Are Back In Town' and for Sir Roman we're gonna go with 'We Didn't Start the Fire.' For Adam we've chosen 'Wild Thing.'"
"I think that covers everyone," said Dave. "What about my parents and Lord Geneva?"
"Lord Geneva will be with Jo, and for your parents, we thought we could go with 'Driven By You'." Spark put down his notes. "Well, Dave?"
"A damn good job. I'm impressed. Now for the main event."
"Now for when you and Blaquesmith enter," said Spark, "we'll play the theme from Back to the Future. When Jo enters with her party, we'll play the Bridal March a la Andromeda."
"Which is what exactly?" asked Dave.
"Electric guitar, drums, organ and a saxophone playing the Bridal March and a few improvisational pieces," said Rachel. "Don't look so suspicious, Bandit. It'll be in the best possible taste."
"Oh, I trust you," said Dave. "Just making sure there are no unexpected surprises."
"Talking of surprises," said Barry, "where are we going for your stagnight?"
"I have no idea. It starts tomorrow night apparently. Blaquesmith didn't give any specifics, but he said it would be an event to remember. Just meet me here tomorrow at about 8pm BST." The guys nodded.
"What about Jo?" asked Rachel.
"I don't know," said Dave. "She was in favour of it a hen night when we got engaged but over the past week or so she seems to have gone off the idea. I think it's just nerves."
"It will be," said EZ. "We'll stop by tomorrow evening and say hello." Dave nodded.
"I think a few others were planning on that as well but you're welcome. You always will be, you know." He switched off the simulation. "Come on," he said. "Let's go grab a drink."
MAY 30
That day Dave Goldfish found himself very nervous. It was the night of the stag party and he didn't particularly want to go. It was a good evening on the television and he also fancied watching some movies, but Blaquesmith wasn't taking no for an answer and Dave already owed him several favours, so he felt obligated to attend. He remembered Blaquesmith's stag night very well, even though it was so long ago. But then again he remembered a lot of things about those weeks without Jo, and though reviving her had nearly cost him his existence, he would have done it all over again. What he did remember most vividly - and there were very few people who could remember that night - was how blindingly drunk he had become by the end of the evening. He smiled.
"Not this evening," he said to himself as he went down to R&D. There he took down a miniature stasis generator from one of the shelves and placed it on his belt. The generator would place his metabolism in to a partial stasis field - enough for him to enjoy the drinking, but not enough to make him drunk. When he returned home, he'd get Jo to heal him. The plan was cunning and could be defined as cheating, but whatever. It was his night, and he had to get ready for it.
That evening, he waited patiently for his friends to turn up and he looked in on Jo before he left.
"Dave," she said. "We need to talk."
"Sure, you want to talk now?"
"No, but we have to talk soon."
"Okay. We'll talk when I get back." He sat down. "You're not having second thoughts are you?"
"No, of course not," she said with a pale smile. "It's not a problem. I think."
"Jage, what is it?"
"Nothing. Go have fun, I'll tape the TV for you."
"I knew there was a reason why I love so much."
"Not just for my little black dress, then?"
"Well...." said Dave, playfully."
"You know, you're not half as charming as you'd like to think, " said Jo.
"And you love me anyway." Dave moved quickly as she threw a cushion at him, laughing as she did so. "I'm going, I'm going!" he laughed with her.
"Be good," she called as he left. She had brightened up a bit.
"Aren't I always?" he replied and moved out of earshot before she could answer.
That night he was down the Bar & Grille, surrounded by Stout, Blaquesmith, Roman, Hulk, Barry, Spark, Moneterey, Decibel and Adam Drake. It had started out as a quick drink in there, but had rapidly developed in to a contest, with BS and Stout, taking a very early lead. Being human hadn't affected BS at all. Dave was taking the easy route out, not using the generator until he needed it. They talked and laughed and drank some more. Stout offered him words of advice in between pints.
"Don't worry, lad. Ye'll be fine. This Irishman can tell."
"Thanks, Stout."
"Dave," said Blaquesmith, "in thasnks - thanks..."
"Take more water with it," suggested Adam. Blaquesmith just looked at him and Dave tried to suppress his smile. His friend continued. "... for my party - there will be no strippers tonight."
Boos echoed around the party. "However, there will be entertainment." He looked at Stout who slipped away quietly.
"Sounds interesting," said Dave.
"Oh it is," said Blaquesmith. "Night, Dave!" and he telepathically sent him to sleep.
JUNE 1
When Dave awoke, he looked at his watch. It was June 1. He was getting married tomorrow.
"Jo," he called out and got up. He looked about and found himself in the middle of a jungle. He looked down and found himself weaponless, wearing a lion suit over clothes he had been wearing the night of the party. The party! he thought. Blaquesmith did this to me!
"Where the hell am I?" he cried out and a holographic image came up. "Good day, Guardian Goldfish," said the image of Blaquesmith. "We - your friends - have arranged the best bachelor party joke we could think of. You are trapped in the rainforest. For the past twenty four hours you have been held prisoner by a native tribe, who want you as a sacrifice. As a bonus, we have also added images of people who want to kill you. Think of this as a test. Enjoy and don't think to ask Jo to teleport you out - I've nullified her lock on you, with her consent." The image faded away, and Dave kicked the projector. He had twenty four hours to escape.
"You think he'll be upset?" asked Jo to Blaquesmith.
"Not as upset as I was when I gave him the TP nudge. He'd lowered his psi defences totally and I hit him too hard. I thought I'd killed him. Seeing him dead twice in a month would be a little hard to face. Ruined the evening as well."
"Yes, well ever since he died, his psi defences have been fading in and out. Some days they are unbreakable, others his thoughts are fully open to me," said Jo. "If you'll excuse me, though. There's work to be done before tomorrow."
"He might be a little upset when he gets out of there," said Spark.
"I mean, wouldn't you be?" ÊHe had been talking with Blaquesmith about Dave.
"Relax," said 'Smith. "He'll see the funny side. Especially when he finds out he's in the training room at C&C."
"Right," said Dave to himself. "I'm trapped in a jungle, in a lion suit and there are people trying to kill me." He sighed. "When I get free, they are all bloody dead!" Then a spear came past him.
"Shock!!" he shouted and started to run, picking up the spear as he did so. The lion suit was slowing him down, so Dave tried to unzip it as he ran. The zip was broken, so he used his powers on it. The zip was torn apart but Dave couldn't get out of it until he was safe. He dived in to the undergrowth and picked up a broken branch. He held it and let the fires that surrounded his hands heat up and create a fire, which he then spread to trees. He regretted doing it but he had no choice and soon a forest fire was raging and the hunters were fleeing in terror. As soon as they had disappeared, Dave dampened down the fire.
"Ingenious," said Spark.
"He can do better than that," said Blaquesmith. "Just wait and see."
With the fire gone, Dave looked about him. The fire had devastated the forest behind him, but it was still overgrown in front of him. He concentrated and pulled a sword out of the air. His powers still weren't at top form and one of his favourite tricks was now one of the hardest. Perhaps the iron in my blood stream is not at the maximum level yet, he thought to himself as he slashed through the jungle. If there's not enough iron to pull from my body, I might have to stop doing this until I'm recharged. Then he heard something familiar.
"When Dave first joined the team, he fought a guy named Luke Skywalker," Blaquesmith explained. Spark looked at him for an explanation. "He pasted him to the floor him for no apparent reason whilst he blocked Luke's powers. It created quite a fuss, but it just flowed off Dave's back. It was that which earned him his reckless reputation. Let's see how Dave deals with the holographic version of him." Barry entered the room.
"How's he doing?" asked Andromeda's leader.
"Watch," said Spark.
The snap hiss of the lightsabre alerted Dave. He smiled for this was not what he had heard a second ago. He had heard a very faint humming, throbbing sound that he recognised. He laughed out loud.
"Come on then, 'Luke'" he shouted. "I'm ready for you!"
"Is this safe about Luke?" asked Spark.
"The safety parameters are on. Fatality is off," said Blaquesmith. "Don't worry. See, he has a plan already."
Dave looked about from the tree he had climbed and waited for Luke to pass him by. Dave dropped his spear which split the hologram's light beacon in two. The damaged hologram dropped the lightsabre which struck the floor and died in a shower of sparks. Dave smiled.
"At least Luke gave me some fun," as he dropped from the tree. "You were just an image with a lightsaber." He went in to the undergrowth to see where the lightsabre fell.
"Where is he?" asked Spark.
"He's in the undergrowth," said Blaquesmith. "Well at least since he died, he hasn't become afraid to take people on."
"Definately reckless," agreed Barry as they turned to watch the screen.
"Damn!" cried Blaquesmith, suddenly. "I've lost Dave!"
"What?" asked Barry.
"My telepathic fix on him. His psi shields just raised up. I can barely feel his mind - let alone read it." Then the alarms went through C&C. Jo teleported in.
"Guys," she said, "we have a problem." They all from the screen, which remained the same.
"What's going on?" asked Barry.
"It's another sentinel attack," she said.
"That's impossible!" said Blaquesmith. "I'd have felt them."
"Well," said Jo, "they're he..." a giant hand reached in through the walls and grabbed hold of her.
"Interdiction field in operation," came a metallic voice. They all felt their powers fade away. "Termination of mutants in affect." The hand squeezed Jo, crushing her. She screamed and died.
"NO!" shouted Spark as the sentinel dropped her broken body. ÊTwo more sentinels entered the room.
"Terminate all mutants!" Blaquesmith looked about. He didn't know enough about Dave's friend's to know if they could help him fight them off. They all stood back to back and were wondering if this was their last stand when they heard laughter. It was Blaquesmith's voice, but not him. It was Micah, the other personality which had taken form in Blaquesmith due to the Age of X-Wars he had created. Using Blaquesmith's powers to gain form it had pursued Fever in the hopes she would love him as she had in his reality, and it had taken a lot for Blaquesmith to remove him from this reality and entrap him within the darkest recesses of his mind. What the cost had truly been, he never said but the sight of Micah reborn threw the usually calm and collected Father Askani. His eyes widened
"No," he whispered, in a certain amount. of panic. "This is impossible!" Micah smiled.
"Technically, yes." The figure spoke these words and the alarms cut out and the sentinels disappeared. So did Jo, Micah and the damage to the room and the room fell to darkness. "You see," said a voice, "you should never trap a man who knows..." the lights came up "...how his building sounds." Dave stood there smiling. "Interdiction field off." Everyone's powers came back on.
"You bastard," said Spark.
"Damn right," said Dave. "Nice try, Blaquesmith."
"You know if I had had my telepathy that wouldn't have happened."
"Yes. I know. When the lightsabre hit the floor it damaged the projection grid and made a hole in the floor. The simulation was about to crash so I placed the room in to stasis."
"But you weren't affected," said Barry.
"I controlled the field. The stasis generator is not affected by the field in generates, and the same goes for it's wearer. Once I found the hole I activated the interdiction field for the complex - cutting off everyone's powers. Then I realigned the holo emitters in the complex to run the test programme for C&C's defences and I added a few data files to the programme and left it to the computers discretion how to use it. It doesn't take long at all when you know what you're doing, and I've been doing it for years. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a wedding to get ready for." And with that he left the room, feeling very pleased with himself
JUNE 2
"Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God!" said Dave, that morning.
"Nervous?" asked Blaquesmith, politely.
"Sod off," said Dave. "And stop being so damn polite."
"Yes, Dave. Is there anything I can do?" Dave shook his head
"Give it a rest. I know you're doing it on purpose."
"Doing what?"
"Being polite and calm. You know I'm nervous. This is for yesterday, isn't it?"
"I think you're getting paranoid," said Blaquesmith, enjoying this. Seeing Micah had spooked him and he wasn't about to let Dave get away with it. Dave knew what it would take to stop it. He turned to face his friend.
"Alright, I'm sorry! The Micah thing wasn't exactly fair. At least I didn't shoot you, this time." He offered his hand. Blaquesmith smiled and accepted it.
"Apology accepted. Now calm down, Dave, you knew this would happen. You've seen and done it all before."
"How's Jo?"
"She's still with Crystal at our place. I thought you weren't superstitious?"
"I'm not. Doesn't hurt to be careful though." Blaquesmith nodded. It was Goldfish so literally anything could happen...
"Are you okay?" asked Crystal to Jo.
"Yeah, I think so. I'm gonna have to tell him."
"But the wedding?"
"I think it's best, don't you?"
"I don't know why you didn't tell him earlier."
"Didn't get chance."
Blaquesmith felt his wife's thoughts and whilst not probing too deeply, he could sense there was a problem.
"Dave," he said. "I think you should talk to Jo."
"No, not yet. Do you realise the bad luck that will follow if I do." Blaquesmith sjook his head.
"Dave, it's important."
"I'll see her at the wedding and not before. Nothings gonna stop it this time." Blaquesmith relayed Dave's thoughts to Crystal who told Jo, who called Dave herself.
"That might be her," said Blaquesmith, nonchalantly
"You could be right," he said and he went over to the com pad, and he fiddled with it before switching it on. Jo's image was distorted, the sound garbled. He didn't know if that would count but it was the best he could do on such short notice with his hands shaking.
"Jo," he said with mock surprise, "is that you? I can barely receive transmission." Her reply was too vague to be established. "Love, I can't get you properly. I'll see you at the wedding." He switched off the com pad. "Must get that seen to," he said as he walked over to Blaquesmith, who shook his head. Dave ignored the guesture. "Shall we go?" he said. Blaquesmith nodded and wondered if Dave had just made a very big mistake.
"There's nothing else for it," said Jo. "I'll just have to do it in front of everyone."
"He's gonna be hurt," said Crystal.
"Yes, I should have said something the other day when he asked me. I just hope I have the strength to do this." A tear crept down one eye and she brushed it away. "Let's go meet my father, then we'll go to C&C."
The holographic image of the Cistene Chapel was perfect in every detail. At the front of the room Dave stood there, with Blaquesmith waiting for the bride to arrive. It hadn't been like this the first time - he wasn't half as nervous and the guests and venue were different. He steeled himself and thought the show must go on, which started him thinking of songs which started making him think of failing love. Whoah! he said to himself. Where has this come from? Why is it all the songs I like are about failing love? Get those thoughts out of your head NOW!
"What do you mean 'now'?" whispered Blaquesmith.
"Did I say that aloud?"
"Yes. Dave are you okay?"
"Ask me again after this is over." Blaquesmith nodded and then the organ began to play the tune Dave was waiting for. The guitar began, the saxophone joined it with a faint drum beat behind them all. The Bridal March. His friends and relations all stood up. It was time. He took a gulp of air and turned to face Jo. She looked beautiful and Crystal had done a fantastic job. The dress was truly amazing. Dave relaxed slightly - she'd arrived. The ceremony could begin. The ceremony went on until a small interruption. The part Dave had for some reason dreaded passed when the question was asked if anyone knew of any reason why they should not marry. No one said a word and Dave gave a sigh of relief. The problem was ÊJo. All she had to do was say 'I do.' She didn't answer. A bead of sweat rolled down Dave's forehead and his heart skipped a beat. Everyone was on edge and if they were breathing Dave couldn't tell. They'd come so far. Was it possible they could fall at the final hurdle? Jo looked at Crystal for help. Crystal gave a single nod to her. It was enough to make up Jo's mind.
"I do," she said. Dave gave a watery smile. :::What was that about?::: he asked her. Ê:::Later::: was his only reply. He left it at that.
Towards the end of the ceremony, they turned around to face their friends.
"We've made a small change to the usual proceedings," said Dave. "Before the ceremony is completed, we have a few things to say to each other." Jo nodded. Dave pointed to the band who began to play a soft instrumental version of Ê'Always On My Mind'. Jo went first.
"We've be together a long time, two lifetimes in fact. You have done so much for me and because I can never repay the things you have done I thought I couldn't love you as much as you love me. I was wrong and it took a long time to realise it. By the time I did, I'd put on the other reason for so long, that was all I could play out. Your love brought me around. I am proud to become your wife, and I'll never ever stop loving you."
"Are you crying, Fever?" whispered Monterey as he noticed Savage pass her a handkerchief.
"Oui," came the reply. "Aren't you?" Monterey nodded and Micheal passed him a handkerchief as well.
"Well," said Dave. "I did write down what l was going to say. But to plan something like this is impossible. Instead I'll quote a line from a song I know. 'I was born to love you, with every single beat of my heart.' These are the words that define my being for without you, I am nothing. I am proud you'll accept me as your husband and consent to be my wife." Then they were pronounced man and wife and Dave kissed Jo. It was Decibel who started the clapping, and everyone joined in. Dave smiled and he felt as if everything was alright in the world. He didn't notice the look in Jo's eyes.
Outside the complex, the photo session was in full swing. Pictures with parents, without parents, groom and bestman, bride and teams old and new, groom with teams old and new and many more made the session last for nearly half an hour. At the end of the session, Jo pulled him to one side.
"Dave we have to talk."
"Sure, go ahead."
"I can't say this out loud. You might not like it. All I can say is I'm sorry." She whispered it to him and his eyes opened wide with shock.
Links to other sites on the Web
Home
The Adventures of Goldfish and Geneva: The Bells in Summer (Part 2)
The Adventures of Goldfish and Geneva: The End of the Beginning
Get your own Free Home Page