Time to Strike - Part Two

"No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being, to risk his body, to risk his life for a great cause."

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Sierra Masters - journal entry:

Johnny and I finally made the time to meet and talk about our feelings. He proposed to me and told me that he wanted to marry me more than anything else in this world. He also stated that he would wait until we wed before making love to me.

I told Johnny that I didn't care about a silly piece of paper. The only thing that mattered to me was his willingness to exchange vows with me. We did, and it was beautiful. We both consider ourselves married to each other in the eyes of God the Creator. When time allows, we will have a formal ceremony for the benefit of our friends and family.

*****

I kept my promise to take what was mine, John Steele!

Glorious! It was as if he sensed my intent and every move- like he could read my mind. He was so thoughtful, a kind and gentle lover, yet filled with unbridled passion.

Oh, my Johnny, you are so funny. Of course, we will formally wed. Did you believe you had a choice in the matter?

For the sake of your male ego, I will let you go on thinking it was all your decision.

*****

From the personal journal of John Steele:

I have just returned from our team's briefing in preparation for tonight. Our enemies' arrogance will be their downfall. Their series of computer servers are all housed in one central location. Due to their fear of discovery by the authorities, they maintain their servers, which contain the sole source of their membership data, historical data, financials, and critical records.

According to Frederick, this data has not been backed up anywhere. No backup tapes are stored offsite, and no encrypted copies are sitting in the cloud. It's just one source. Why take such a risk?

The servers are housed in a business called Arkham, C.T.U., and C.H.A.O.S. Enterprises. It's a very subtle group, huh? They feel there is no risk because a portal guards the servers. Knowing their penchant for using Eternal Prisoners (E.P.s), you get the picture.

Our biggest problem is not knowing which E.P. we will face or what to prepare for tonight. Frederick plans to blow their servers to bits. We must get past their security, another E.P., or possibly multiple E.P.s, and destroy their servers.

If we can accomplish these tasks, the faction's hellish plans will be set back months, possibly years, with no national or worldwide Zoom meetings. Most importantly, Cthulhu would not be released upon our world.

*****

I was fortunate to survive my encounter with Medusa.

I have concluded that I did not push myself free from the Gorgon's mouth. Instead, she spat me free. I believe she did this after she determined I wasn't like the men who had kidnapped, raped, and abused her for many years.

When I returned to burn the timbers of her portal door, she never stirred or tried to use her powers. I sensed her approval and relief at my closing of the portal.

I do not know if our team can defeat a powerful E.P..

*****

On a personal note, earlier today, the most beautiful, intelligent, funny, and powerful woman I have ever met agreed to become my wife. I can't believe she said yes!

I do realize that I am the luckiest man in the world.

We will need incredible luck to survive this night. I pray I have some good luck remaining. Red has blessed my life from the first time we met.

I will strive to be the type of man and husband, someone as special as Sierra Masters deserves.

*****

From the personal journal of Frederick Masters:

When we first arrived at the field near Arkham, C.T.U., and C.H.A.O.S. Enterprises, I immediately went into Ranger mode. Thanks to the professor's wealth and connections, we had the finest equipment available. He has equipped us with the latest communications, including cameras, earpieces, personal microphones, and body monitors. We possess night vision, heat-detecting goggles, and full body armor, as well as a plethora of guns and ammunition. Most importantly, we have the Professor with his spells and the powerful artifacts he has collected over the centuries.

I took the point. My military training and special psychic gift made me the obvious choice to lead this evening's shindig. However, I loathed the idea of moving forward with this mission with limited intelligence on what we would face.

Who or what is the portal guard? Possibly guards? We have no choice. There is no time. We must strike now!

*****

At the mission briefing, it was evident that my sister Sierra and John had finally consummated this long-standing attraction: their smoldering looks, drawn-out touching, and physical closeness.

The professor was grinning at them like a Cheshire cat!

I was happy to see it. I would never say it to John's face (it is a guy thing), but John Steele is a man I admire and respect greatly. He is a man's man and good for Sierra.

I constantly bust his chops and call him Johnny, but I would take a bullet for him in a heartbeat.

END