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The Onarga Ghostbusters
Knight Fall
The roads were empty as the heavily
modified station wagon made its way to
“Just hit the siren and fly by them!” Ryan said.
“Are you a moron?” Kevin asked, “It would spook the horse and make them crash. I am just going to go by slowly.”
“Whatever, these Amish give me the creeps,” Ryan shuddered in the back seat, resulting in Josh smacking him.
The white station wagon slowly passed the buggy. The perplexed look on the Family driving the buggy sent the four into burst of laughter. They finally calmed down as they entered the parking lot.
The four felt odd as they put on their equipment.
“I still can’t believe we got called here,” Kevin mentioned.
“Well sometimes you just got to get with the times,” Josh said as he snapped his pack on.
They walked up to the gate, there was a large bar style door. The lady behind the glass looked at them. “Are you the ones here to rid the park of the demon?”
“Yes,” Kevin said, “Can you give us any information?”
“No, and I don’t want to know. Its down in the mine. Now can you please get rid of the thing?”
“Why of course. Come on guys.”
***
The mine was dimly lit by a series of ceiling lights. The walls glowed red and blue from the lights on the proton packs. The walls were narrow, forcing the Ghostbusters into a single file line.
“I hope it widens out or I am going to go nuts.” Andrew said.
“From the map they gave us it, we should be approaching an open area now.” Kevin said as they came into the described area. Stalactites and stalagmites lined the roof and ceiling. The walls shimmered with some of the yet unmined minerals.
“Look at that pile of crystals over there,” Josh pointed out.
“Yeah its just floating there,” Andrew said.
“I think we have found the ghost,” Kevin said.
“It doesn’t look so tough,” Ryan added.
“Well lets blast it and get out of here,” Josh said.
“On three?” Kevin suggested.
“Howbout NOW!” Ryan yelled as he fired. In a reflex the other three followed suit. The positron beams hit the crystalline entity. For a second it glowed orange. Then the beams, refocused by the crystals shot out behind the entity burning the rock behind it.
“Uh this isn’t normal,” Josh said.
“Just keep firing, maybe we can overload it.,” Kevin said.
The entity rose higher and changed angles, suddenly the refocused beams refocused back at the Ghostbusters.
“Get out of the way!!” Kevin dove away.
As the beams shut off the refocused beams shut off as well.
“What do we do now?” Ryan asked lying faced down.
“We have to release the entity from the crystal,” Kevin said.
“How,” Andrew asked.
“These,” Josh said holding a sledgehammer he had picked up from the ground.
“Its not scientific, but it should work,” Kevin said, “hand me one.”
The crystalline entity continued to float around the room as the four gripped sledgehammers.
“What are you going to do now?” Andrew yelled at the entity. “Can’t refocus these can you?”
“Uh Andrew,” Kevin said. Andrew turned towards him, “I don’t think your smack talk is going to do too much.”
“Screw this!” Josh rushed at the entity. Sensing danger the thing rushed away. Ryan went towards it , but it got away again. It rushed towards Josh again. Josh geared up Sammy Sosa style and released his energy through the hammer. Shards of crystal went flying towards Andrew.
“Jesus Christ Josh,” Andrew yelled dodging the sharp pieces, “Aim down damnit.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Kevin slammed the hammer down hard. More of the crystals shattered off. “OK, keep hitting it. I’ll get the trap.”
With three hammers the crystalline entity had no chance. Once all of the crystals were shattered the vapor that had possessed them was free…for about thirty seconds. The flashing lights mixed with the now billowing smoke made the eerie cave even eerier .
“Kevin, come on! Lets go! I am starved!” Josh complained at the entrance to the exit tunnel.
“I want to collect these crystal fragments. They were able to refocus the beams and I think it could be useful in future equipment” Kevin yelled up from the from the mine.
“Yeah whatever, if I don’t get something soon I am going to refocus something.”
***
The pile of homemade mashed potatoes disintegrated as all four Ghostbusters dug into them.
“Now this is what I am talking about,” Josh said as he devoured the plate of home cooked food in Rockome’s restaurant.
“This is definitely worth it,” Andrew agreed for once.
“I just hope tomorrow is a bit more relaxing,” Ryan added shoving a spoonful of corn into his face.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news,” Kevin started.
“Like hell you do,” Ryan mumbled.
“Well, since we are part of the Onarga Chamber of Commerce, we have to be at the “Gathering: history emporium tomorrow for the unveiling of the Caveman exhibit.”
“You have gotta be kidding! I hate that boring crap!” Josh said.
“Hey, I don’t either, but it’s the responsible thing to do,”
“Heh responsible,” Ryan smirked.
“Only on Thursdays,” Josh added piling on more mashed potatoes.
***
If the Ghostbusters seemed out of place in amish country, being in Tuxedos at a black tie gala was even weirder. But there they sat amongst the snobs of the Onarga area, listening to the history of the early human race.
“Blah Blah Blah,” the speakers words turned to nonsense to Ryan. He wasn’t the only one. Even Kevin was getting tired of the lecture. He kept fidgeting in his seat, cracking his knuckles and checking his beeper. It was silent.
“We couldn’t be that lucky,” Ryan whispered noticing Kevin look.
“Screw this,” Josh said. “I am going to go to the snack table.”
Before Kevin could stop him, he was gone, sneaking up the isle. The table was full of finger food. It was near the medieval armor exhibit. The armor was circa 1090-100. But Josh was more interested in the cocktail weenies. Amish food was good, but not even home cooking could keep up with Josh’s metabolism. His fancy paper plate was half full when he realized someone was behind him.
“Sorry, I just couldn’t wait any longer,” Josh said as he turned around preparing a half assed excuse. “Uh….SHIT!”
Before him stood the knight, upgraded to full blue ghost mode complete with a very large sword crackling with pke. Josh’s outburst drew the crowds attention. The high class society soon broke down in screams and chaos. Kevin, Ryan and Andrew just sat there.
“Bout time,” Kevin said jumping up. He wished he had his jumpsuit than this tux but at least they had packs in the car.
“Josh get out of there,” Ryan called.
“No SHIT SHERLOCK!” Josh yelled. The knight was reluctant to comply, cutting the table right in Josh’s path. Josh jumped over the charred debris and joined the crowd rushing out to the parking lot. Kevin and the others made their way through the fire exit.
***
“Just call me Price, Ryan Price,” Ryan joked as he made a pose with the proton accelerator carbine, instead of arming up.
“Give me that!” Kevin commanded grabbing it out of Ryan’s hand, “Just get ready. I don’t want this guy getting out of here.”
The four stylin’ Ghostbusters slowly reentered the museum. The sounds of the nuclear accelerators activating filled the eerily quiet museum. The dim lighting added to the effect. The PKE meter hummed as Kevin lead the team towards the medieval specter.
“There he is,” Kevin said looking into the railroad room. The knight was standing with his back to the door facing an old steam engine.
“What the hell is he doing?” Ryan whispered.
“Lets sneak up on his ass,” Andrew suggested.
“Let’s just be careful,” Kevin said putting away his meter.
They walked into the room, the shadows casted a menacing face on the shelves of train memorabilia. The specters blue glow filtered throughout the room as it just stood there.
“Hey ghost, now you know how it feels to be snuck up on,” Josh yelled extending his wand tip. Suddenly the large wooden sliding doors slammed behind them.
“Oh shit!” Kevin sighed.
“FIRE!” Shouted Andrew.
The streams of positively charged molecules streamed at the ghost, only to be deflected from the ghost’s sword swiftly and with force.
“What the F. .”Ryan started.
“He can’t do that!” Andrew yelled still trying to shoot the ghost in glowing armor.
“Well he is,” Kevin said starting to worry, “Try surrounding him.”
The more they spread out, the faster the knight moved. The erratic beams bounced off the psychokinetically charged blade add began destroying exhibits.
“What are we going to do?” Josh yelled at Kevin.
“Shut’em off,” Kevin said as he drew his
The knight didn’t agree. After deflecting the burst from the modified mauser the knight charged at Kevin and with a swing almost beheaded him. Kevin avoided the Jango effect and joined the other four in the back of the room.
“That was close,” Ryan said.
“Shut up,” Kevin replied.
“What do we do,” Josh asked again frantically as the knight began edging towards them blade extended.
“This,” Andrew pointed his neutrona wand at the museum window and blew it out of the wall. He kicked the remaining shards out and hoped into the bushes on the other side. The others had no choice, it was either retreat or retire permanently.
***
“So did you get it?” Cheryl, the curator asked as the four walked to the awaiting crowd.
“Well no,” Kevin sighed, “The specter was a bit more powerful than we expected and weren’t prepared. Just keep everybody away for a while and we will figure it out.”
“Or try to,” Ryan said uncomforting.
“Wait a minute,” Cheryl stated, “Won’t the ghost get out?”
“I don’t believe so. What ever created the energy to summon the ghost probably originated in the museum. Most of the times the ghost tends to stay close to that area. Now if you’ll excuse us we have some research to do.”
They solemnly put their packs in the Ecto O1. The next few days were going to be difficult.
***
“All right guys lets figure this out,” Kevin said emerging from the bathroom having changed into his pajama’s. “Guys?”
Andrew was already asleep. Josh was watching TV and Ryan was surfing the net.
“Uh let me watch this show, I am too tired to think,” Josh said sprawled on the couch.
“Well then Ryan let me use the computer,” Kevin demanded.
“Just wait I am chatting with my girlfriend,” Ryan said.
“Fine, I’ll just watch TV.”
Kevin moved Josh’s feet off the couch and sat down, but before long he was asleep.
***
Kevin woke up to the sound of “The Duel of Fates” by John Williams. He opened his eyes to see Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Ginn and Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting Darth Maul in the climatic duel from episode one. He looked beside him to see Josh eating a poptart.
“What time is it?” Kevin asked.
“
“Ah hell, we still got to figure out how to beat the knight,” Kevin said getting up.
“Too bad we don’t have a lightsaber or I’d of kicked his ass,” Josh smarted off.
Kevin stopped and turned to Josh and smiled, “Don’t worry you’ll get your chance. Thanks for the idea.”
“What’s going on?” Ryan came up the stairs.
“Josh just figured out how to stop the ghost,” Kevin said going to the stairs.
“I did?” Josh asked, “and today’s not even Thursday.”
“Becky, call the West Coast Division, ask them to fax over their neutrona saber plans, tell them it’s important,” Kevin yelled down the stairs.
“Neutrona Saber?” Josh asked getting off the couch
“Yep, get ready we have some training to do,” Kevin smiled.
***
It wasn’t long after Chelsea Aberdeen, Secretary of the West Coast Division, sent the neutrona saber plans that Kevin and Josh (the up and coming engineer) had completed two sabers. Unfortunately, they did not have any Crystalline Ectoplasm to focus the beam. However, using a sample from the Rockome ghost Kevin managed to cut a lens to focus the proton beam into a blade. After four tries, and four destroyed lenses, they were ready.
But before they went off facing a ghost of a medieval warrior some training was in order. As Andrew came up stairs from getting a pizza from Casey’s Kevin and Josh were furiously sparing with wooden dowel rods. The loud Thwacks echoed throughout the entire building.
After a few blocks and parries, Kevin and Josh stopped for a drink of water.
“You guys are actually going to challenge this ghost who was able to deflect our streams with his sword? I don’t think watching Star Wars is going to be good enough.” Andrew commented.
Kevin
caught his breath. “We don’t expect to beat him, just
distract him. While we engage in swordplay you two bag
him.”
***
The museum was as still and quiet as the first attempt. With PKE meter in hand Kevin led the way. He and Josh carried only their neutrona sabers. Kevin felt good with only the flight suit on. Dueling with a proton pack and belt equipment was definitely not a good idea.
The group stopped in front of a solid black sliding door.
“He’s behind here,” Kevin looked up from the meter. His breathing was heavy and he had a bad feeling in his stomach, nothing unusual in this line of work.
“Well lets . . .” Josh started but stopped when the doors began to slide open themselves, revealing the knight ghost mounted on a horse.
“Oh great a horse!” Andrew said.
“Of course!” Ryan blurted out without thinking.
Without warning, the rider jumped off his horse and spurred it sending it through museum.
“What do we do?” Ryan asked fidgeting.
“You two go get the horse we’ll take care of him,” Kevin said.
“You sure?” Ryan asked.
“Go”
With that Ryan and Andrew chased after the horse, leaving Kevin and Josh face to face with the Knight. The two Ghostbusters drew their blades in the defense stance and ignited the sabers. The proton beams focused into a fine blade.
“What are you going to do now?” Josh taunted. “Two against one now.”
Suddenly the knight ghost transfigured his sword turning it into a double bladed sword.
“Oh great! a Darth Maul wannabe,” Josh snorted. With that the knight removed his helmet, revealing a horribly grotesque face with ugly teeth.
“Oh that just adds to it,” Kevin said. He turned to Josh,“Lets take him”
“Just don’t go Qui-Gon on me,” Josh said as they rushed the ghost.
Within seconds the protonic blades clashed with ectoplasmic blade. The magnetic pull between the two blades was more than Kevin expected. It took a lot of force just to disconnect the blades. Josh was having a similar problem. Kevin was mad he didn’t think to reverse the polarity on the beam, but it was too late for that. They had begun to move the ghost backwards, but they could not expect it to last. Neither side was winning, but the ghost was distracted. Now they only needed Ryan and Andrew to bust the ghost.
***
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoooooooa, god damn it!” Ryan stopped and took a breather from chasing the horse.
“Come on, it is stopped” Andrew came up behind Ryan.
“Alright 1, 2, Fire!” Ryan shouted. Before the beams reached it, the horse reared up and ran again. The beams destroyed a marble statue.
“I just know we are going to get sued on this one,” Ryan commented running
“This thing is getting on my nerves,” Andrew said as they followed it down a hallway. As they turned the corner the horse was gone.
“Shit, it must have went through a wall,” Andrew said readjusting his gloves. “Personally I think the horse is doing to us, what Kevin and Josh were supposed to do to the knight, distract us.”
They walked along the wall trying to listen for the beast. Soon they came upon a slime encrusted spot.
“well this is where it went in” Ryan said touching it. As his hand brushed against the ruined wallpaper, the demonic horses head reared through sending Ryan down on his ass.
Andrew purely reflexively, engaged his beam lassoing the beasts head. He dug his heals as he tried to pull it back into the hallway. Ryan was like a turtle on his back, desperately trying to get up.
“Come on and help, ass,” Andrew struggled.
“I can’t” Ryan yelled.
Not getting any help, Andrew made one big attempt pulling the ghost horse through into the hallway.
“Do you think you can at least trap it?” Andrew asked harshly.
“Can do Cap’n” Ryan said as he rolled out the trap and hit the vector plate pedal with his hand. Within seconds the horse was history. Andrew holstered his wand and pulled Ryan up.
“You ok?” Andrew asked?
“Thanks for finally asking, and yes I am.”
“Good, lets go see if they have been killed yet.”
***
The duel continued into the old well exhibit. The museum had been built over old farmland, but they had kept the well was preserved. Blue and orange danced across the walls as the competing blades clashed.
“Come on Ryan,” Kevin muttered dodging a blow.
The ghost tried to uppercut Josh with his blade but it left his right shoulder wide open.Kevin took his chance and struck, the ghost cried out opening a mouth of horrendous teeth.. Kevin tried to remove the blade but the attraction was too strong. The ghost smiled as he threw Kevin into the wall knocking him unconscious. The Neutrona saber fell to the ground, leaving Josh to himself.
“SHIT! Damnit Kevin” Josh muttered as the ghost went on attack. The ghost forced him to the edge of the well. With a quick fishhook maneuver Joshes saber went flying. Josh backed against the old well wall as the ghost toyed with him. Josh’s efforts soon had him hanging for life from the well wall. With a smile, the ghost prepared to kill his prey. He let out a laugh, but it was soon engulfed by the sound of a protonic vortex opening up from a black box underneath him.
When Josh opened his eyes, Ryan’s hand pulled him back out.
“Well I hope that’s the last time we go medieval,” Josh commented, “Unless we’re meeting that Guinevere chick that is.”
“Your still on the Keira Knightly kick aren’t you?” Andrew asked.
“Is Jeff Gordon a fairy?” Josh asked, a true Earnhardt fan.
Kevin was coming around when they helped him up.
“Did we win?” He asked.
“Well the ghost is gone, but the museum is all fucked up,” Andrew stated.
“Ah hell,” Louis can deal with them.
***
It was a few days later that they began to wonder if it was truly over. It was a slow afternoon, Kevin was visiting the official GBI site when he saw it.
“Oh my god,” Kevin murmured.
“What now?” Josh seemed anxious as he looked at the screen. GB:NJ’s case file log appeared. The words Baccardio Files appeared at the top.
“Who’s Baccardio?” Ryan asked confused.
“It’s a new
villainous specter that is plaguing the guys in
“Uh what connection?” Andrew seemed puzzled.
“Listen to
this,” Kevin brought up Dr. Stanz’s information on Baccardio. “Baccardio was a wizard from the Stoke on
When Pope Urban II declared the start of the Crusades in 1095 Baccardio and Corpulous raised
and army lead by their personal Guardsmen.”
Kevin looked up expecting a reaction, but the faces of his colleagues were blank.
“I don’t get it,” Ryan admitted.
“Yeah whats so important?” Josh asked.
“If you had brains you’d be dangerous,” Kevin insulted, “What matters is that armor that was possessed was also from the same time period and region.”
“Do think they are connected?” Andrew asked.
“Is the derivative of (x³ + x² + x), x² + x?” Kevin questioned.
A few moments of silence passed.
“Yes, it is” Kevin explained.
“Great, now we got another menace to deal with,” Josh muttered.
“Not just a menace,” Ryan smirked, “A phantom menace.”
Josh replied by punching him on the shoulder.
“Well, I have confidence that GB:NJ should be able to handle it as long as they prevent the earthquake,” Kevin said solemnly.
“What Earthquake?” Ryan asked.
“You don’t want to know,” Kevin replied.
The End
*Neutrona saber used with permission of Jeff Chrisemer