Welcome to Vermillion 2015

Greetings everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and new year. Updates have been rather scarce due to my recent involvement in this year’s KCACTF. I placed as a finalist in regional costume designs. Had an amazing time in Milwaukee… looking forward to returning for 2016.

Now, onto what’s going on with Vermillion. First, I’d like to remind you that The Life of Mic Muny and Forever Valiant are still available for purchase as paperback novels at http://www.lulu.com, and as eBooks on whatever provider you buy eBooks from. Second, March 17th is still the release date for the third book in this series Shh… He Is Legend! Book four: Playing God will also be released this year sometime in September. In regards to the sudden halt of Memoirs of a Vermillion Soldier, I assure you that excerpts will continue shortly up until the date of the September release.

I’m almost finished working on a new website for all of my creative work including this series. I’ll post that eventually as well.

2012 – May 27th – 1815 (EST)

Well, it’s been awhile… Alyssa and I are seeing each other… I’ve been busy though… again, mostly with training. I feel pretty BAMFY lately though; certainly more than I ever did in my own world. I can jump over small buildings, destroy boulders with my fists, and run at 60mph… it’s weird, but cool as hell. It’s like I’m a super hero… The only problem is that in this world demons are a real thing, so we kind of need to be this powerful in order to survive at all. Seems to balance out I guess…

We’ve been set aside as a strike force to drop into China somewhere and destroy these… things. Aren’t they aware of the rules about land wars over there? These monsters are made out of pure darkness that can stab through flesh somehow… I dunno… it’s nothing I ever imagined would be a danger in my… lifetime? Afterlifetime? I’ve not even been alive in this world for barely a month and I’m facing death from bloodthirsty demons. Everything I’m writing; everything I’ve been living… its just way too surreal. I still don’t know what’s going on with me, and I’ve had it explained several times. Who would’ve ever guessed that body hopping between dimensions was a thing?

2012 – May 8th – 1800 (EST)

I’m sitting in the lobby at work, waiting to go down to the training room. I just noticed that there happens to be a chandelier up in the center of the ceiling. If I haven’t already mentioned this, I have a deathly fear of chandeliers. I don’t know why; maybe it has something to do with my past life… but I will NEVER walk underneath a chandelier. It’s hard to even get me into the same room as one. This time was an exception, since I didn’t notice it until too late.

Anyhoo… training time… back later

2313 (EST)

Training went well today. Went out with Alyssa afterward… she’s great. I’m enjoying spending time with her. I hope this goes further.

Unfortunately I’ve been hearing rumors about an upcoming war with demons. Hopefully this world doesn’t have them, but… from what I gather about this place sofar and the people and technology in it… it’s very possible.

I realize I’ve not been writing as much lately… been busy with all of the heavy training we’ve been doing lately. Spear fighting has been fun… learning how to jump good is pretty sweet too. One of my favorite things to do in training is wall running during a spear fight. We got this really cool kind of… skate park… set up in the training room where we duel, that’s got all of these curved walls and loop de loops that we can run around on. During a duel I’ve been using the loops as a way to get a better shot in on my opponent at the time. I’m top of my class lately, it’s been sweet. Part of the Dragoon equipment we’re trained with are the power grapplers. It’s a spearhead on a thin, retractable chain, wound inside a device strapped to the wrist of a glove. There are thin wires that are connected to the pads of the middle finger and thumb, and in order to activate the device, we just have to snap our fingers. It’s pretty awesome. I supposed if we are to fight a bunch of demons, they’re preparing us pretty well…

2 Excerpts!

2012 – May 6^th – 1900 (EST)

Training went well again today. Still at work… waiting on Jim to finish his Knight stuff so we can go hang out. I can hear the sergeant yelling at the cadets from out here in the lobby… makes me glad I’m a Dragoon.

Oddly enough, there’s this guy out here that’s been pacing back and forth for the last 15 minutes. He’s got a Privateer uniform on, and he’s been staring at me this whole time. It’s a bit unnerving. Hopefully he doesn’t want to start trouble. Oh, great… he’s walking over here…

2012 – May 7^th – 0207 (EST)

So I guess that guy was actually named Chris, and he’s a friend of James’. He was wondering what I was doing heading to the Knights’ section of the building and when I asked him what he was doing, he just said “Following you.” which was pretty creepy. He seems like a good guy though. Turns out he’s not stalking me, and Jim introduced us after his class and invited him out to the bar with us. Bob showed up and joined us a little later. He’d brought a date with him. Her name’s Ashlyn. She’s a Knight like Jim.

I find it odd that everybody I’ve met in town has been in Vermillion already. Although… now that I think about it a little more, Vermillion does own this city in its entirety… and a couple of others. Actually, in hindsight, I’ve not been out of the Vermillion property boundaries since I got here… so I guess it really isn’t as odd as I thought.

Anyhoo, goin’ to sleep… goodnight!

Newest news of the newsy variety!

Greetings! Just to let everyone know I’ve gone and advanced both of the eBooks to the next stage! The Life of Mic Muny and Forever Valiant are now available as eBooks AND paperback novels! you can find them at http://www.lulu.com, and the eBooks are available anywhere else eBooks are sold! ^_^

2012 – May 5th – 2019 (EST)

At home after a decent day of training… We learned the basics of using our spears today. Alyssa and I went to the shooting gallery afterward.

Last night’s trip to the bar was great! Bob brought his friend James Fische from the Knight cadets and Alyssa showed up and we closed the place out. I saw Bob and Jim in the break room today. They randomly decided to start hanging out there instead of the soldiers’ lounge. So, we had some coffee and talked about the apocalypse.

Apparently they’ve scrapped the stupid Retro Booth idea… thank god… it was starting to sound as though they were actually going to try it. Dr. Striker was quoted as having said, “I have taken the liberty of firing the stupid noob who first suggested the idea.”

When asked about Striker’s involvement in Vermillion’s ranking tree, Aaron just replied, “Its cool… he had it covered.”

I’m really starting to wonder more and more about the way the administration handles internal affairs around here.

2012 – May 4th – 2134 (EST)

So I just got home from work. Oddly enough this Bob Atwood just started working at the Vermillion Building. The cool thing is that the mechanics department took care of both vehicles; and while they were being taken care of we were chatting in the break room. I guess we’re goin’ to the bar in a bit now… I also invited Alyssa. Hopefully she can make it out.

            I had to stop back home and change out of uniform… speakin’ of which, the uniforms we’ve been issued are fucking kick ass! They gave us a choice of uniform color between vermilion, jade, cerulean, and onyx. They’re like tuxedos, but they come with a standard issue pair of goggles, a top hat, a sword cane, and a derringer. The sleeves are decorated with patches indicating rank, and the top hats are decorated with pins, if you’ve achieved certain things. They’re made out of some strange material… I dunno what exactly, but it’s comfy.

            Anyhoo, off to party for once… peace!

2012 A.D. – May 3rd – 0113 (EST)

Still haven’t left the lounge… I’ve been chatting with T, and C. Beast all night. They just left on patrol. T told me that the soldiers have their own lounge on floor 47; so that’s why I don’t see any of them around.

            T didn’t remember me from the other day, and he gave me another autographed photograph of himself again and the same stupid advice. C. Beast just told me that T’s an ego maniac and that’s how he’s been since the beginning of time… literally. When I asked, they began telling me the story. They got to the part where he joined Vermillion, and then they left.

 

1818 (EST)

 

            Just finished training. We’re going through combat and tactics training for becoming a Vermillion Dragoon. A Vermillion Dragoon is an aeronaut. We can be engineers, pilots, and/or paratroopers. Each of us were give a standard issue sniper rifle, hand gun, and a spear. We got to learn how to use the spear somewhat today. We’ll be continuing with spear fighting and hand-to-hand training for a few months before we move onto working with firearms.

            So, I introduced myself to Alyssa as Michael today. I think I’ll keep the name. I may have to come up with a last name. I signed all X’s on my Vermillion documents so I’ll have to get that changed. Michael Echs might work. My middle initial could be F… hehehe… no, that’s just tacky… D… D works. My name is Michael D. Echs. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

            Anyway, back to Alyssa… she freakin’ rocks! She’s training in the same Dragoon program to acquire her 1^st class Officer’s position. She brought up being partners in training. Oddly enough when Aaron walked by he just said “Sure, I’ll make it happen.” Nobody even asked him anything… I think he just kinda creeps around the building all day doing… whatever. It’s kind of unsettling.

            So, I suppose I should head back to my apartment. I think I may have left the lights on… damn… that’s going to come out of the paycheck…

 

2103 (EST)

 

            Well, the good news is that I did not leave the lights on… the bad news is that I hit a car on the way home and now I’ve got a $150 bill for damages to this guys car. His name’s Bob Atwood. I’m also going to have to find an extra $75-80 for my own vehicle’s damages. So all in all, had I just left my lights on instead of this, I would’ve saved money… heheh.

            Only one more night, and then I’m goin’ to the bar… Good-night!

2012 A.D. – May 2nd – 1903 (EST)

…sitting in the lounge again at work. I noticed that none of the other soldiers ever come in here. All I ever see in here are the higher ups. Do the grunts do more work than these guys? Or maybe I’m not supposed to be up here, and nobody’s told me yet…

            I suppose it’s about time to head home…? Nah… I could stay here as long as I want. The building is open 24 hours. I suppose they keep more people employed this way. There’s not a whole lot more to do at home anyway. I’d just sit on my ass and watch TV there too. At least here I have a slightly higher chance of running into someone to hang out with.

            I just remembered that was one of my complaints from the other world! I was 20, and the country was in a depression because of stupid rich people, or some shit like that. I was always saying how certain businesses should just start running 24 hours. They’d be able to employ more people that way. Although… there would be some places that would get the slow business and whoever gets the night shift would probably just end up getting paid to sit there for 8 hours.

            Hey cool, Mini-T just walked in. I’m going to chat with him for awhile.

2012 A.D.– May 1st – 0958 (EST)

I’m supposed to begin my training this morning. It doesn’t seem like there’s anyone here, however. I’ve looked on several floors and they’ve all seemed completely empty. I wouldn’t doubt that the security guard is watching his screen and telling everyone to switch floors before I arrive. It seems like something these people would do.

1100 (EST)

            So, I’ve been here for about an hour, and there’s still no sign of any life. I found the lounge, and I’ve been chillin’ on the couch with a cup of coffee for a bit.

1400 (EST)

            …I’m still waiting. At least they have cable. I’ve been watching some history from this world for awhile. It seems to be almost exactly the same as the history from my world sofar. I think I’ve drained like 4 pots of coffee too… damn. I’m beginning to think that all of the people I’ve met here already are just figments of my imagination. I mean… I’m pretty damn sure I’m already dead. Oh hey! Wouldn’t ya know it… just as I finish writing that Aaron walked in. Time for training! Woot!

2035 (EST)

            I just made it home from a pretty big day. The training exercise went well. We, the n00bs, were led to a cafeteria that had been set up as chairs and desks. I took my seat and we waited while the 5 judges took their seats up behind the bright pink playhouse table with their plastic doodling pads. They passed out a banana, a sheet of tin foil, and two sparklers (ya’ know, the fireworks kind…). As soon as everyone had their materials, one of the inner council judges, Jordan, yelled “Go!”, and started a stopwatch.

            The energy in the room was extremely tense and everyone was confused. I was a bit thrown off myself, but finally I just said “Fuck it…” and ate the banana. Then I wadded up the tin foil and stuck the sparklers in it like antennae. One guy freaked the hell out, stood up screaming, and ran out of the room while ripping out his hair. The part about this whole thing I really didn’t get was the end. They announced slowly that everyone had passed except for the guy that ran out screaming. As soon as it was confirmed everyone in the room started fainting, crying, laughing, and shaking hands. The judges didn’t even LOOK at the materials we were given a second time.

            Ah well… whatever it was, I passed it. After the whole training exercise I talked to Aaron. This is why my day was a big day! He told me that in the world I came from, I AM dead, and that my consciousness was transferred here. I guess, somehow he knew I was coming and made a body for me. He never answered when I asked how he knew what I looked like from the other world. He did however promise to take me back someday to see what happened after I had been killed. I was about to leave when he told me the name of the girl I met: Alyssa. She’s one of the 1^st class Knights in training to become an officer, and that I should say hi to her again. That stopped me and I turned back around into the office. I asked him where this world was exactly. He told me it was Earth, but in a different dimension. The earth where I came from was in a place they refer to as Poneros, and this one is Nirvana. I just nodded, turned around, and left.

            So, now I’m home… jittery as all hell from all that fucking coffee. Apparently I’m starting a new life here, seeing as my old one really is gone. I guess I’ll need a name I suppose… or maybe Aaron meant for me to use the same one? I think that may get a bit confusing. Maybe I don’t need a name. Well… how would I introduce myself to Alyssa without one? Good question… I may start coming up with a name in that case.