NaNoWriMo Day Seven
Oh, I do so love the smell of success in the morning. Fleeting as it usually is, but still it’s a good feeling to have achieved a goal. I worked with Lexica and Dalle-3 to create the image of the Retribution flying toward the Jump Gate - it took several iterations, and I’m still not 100% happy with it but, I’m not a graphic designer, so I’ll take it.
In today’s post, I have Jon and Olivia heading back to meet with General Millmore with the captured Arms Dealer Jericho Riddle, but things are not what they seem.
Here are the beats I used in Sudowrite - they took some editing but seemed to work ok:
1. Olivia enters Jon's private cabin on the Retribution She sits on the bed and Jon reacts, his years of combat survival kick in, and he moves quickly and violently, grabbing Olivia by the throat and hurling her to the floor, his hand raised in an open palm strike that would kill a human. Jon stops the strike before hitting Olivia then stands horrified by his own actions.
2. Jon apologizes to Olivia, asking her why she has come into his room unannounced and how the hell does she know the code to get in? Olivia explains that she is one with the ship and knows all the codes to everything. Jon asks Olivia what she wanted, Olivia states they have arrived at the jump gate.
3. Jon dresses in fresh combat gear, boots and a long gray overcoat. Jon tells Olivia to head back to the bridge and prepare the ship to enter the jump gate. Jon joins Olivia at the bridge, and they transfer enough credit to the gate operator to allow them to pass through the wormhole, their destination is the Baron system.
4. The Retribution moves slowly toward the shimmering surface of the Jump Gate, as the ship enters it exits from the gate situated in the Baron Star System. Olivia announces the travel time to Taul 4 Space Station will be 8 hours.
5. Jon instructs Olivia to send a notification to General Millmore on a secured channel that they have the Arm's Dealer, Jericho Riddle, and will be on site in eight hours.
6. Jon then moves down to the main hold and confronts Jericho in an interrogation, demanding to know the identity of the people Jericho has been working with. Jon asks about who is providing the information on the weapon's shipments and who is getting them.
2. Jericho initially refuses to cooperate, but Jon uses his intimidating presence to push Jericho into revealing that Jericho only knows one name - Mr. Crimson and that Mr. Crimson is supposedly an officer high up in the DOD.
3. Jon presses Jericho for more information, asking why an officer of the DOD would be involved in illegal weapons sales.
4. Jericho admits that he thinks Mr. Crimson orchestrated the heist to fund anti-FHD groups, stating that war is profitable and that Mr. Crimson chose him for the job because Jericho is expendable. Jericho brings up the kill team at his compound and the fighters that attacked the Retribution - they were'nt trying to rescue Jericho, they were trying to silence him.
5. Jon is dismayed by Jericho's revelation that Mr. Crimson might be someone in the DOD, and contacts General Millmore to confirm the rumors about Mr. Crimson.
6. General Millmore confirms the existence of the enigmatic Mr. Crimson and his influential political allies, further fueling Jon's determination to expose the truth. The General tells Savage that he has long believed there was mole within the Department of Defense, and that was why the General was keeping Jon's mission off the books.
7. The Retribution docks at Taul 4 and Jon, Olivia and Jericho make their way from the loading bays into the station. As they draw closer to the meeting point, they see the office building has been ransacked, the door is off its hinges and there are people milling about outside the area and station security forces have created a barrier with crime scene warnings.
8. Jon breaks into one of the security vans and takes a uniform, then enters the building while Olivia watches over Jericho.
9. Inside the office is a slaughterhouse, General Millmore's people were gunned down and left where they fell, the office has been searched and most troubling, General Millmore is missing.
And here is the chapter those beats created - this is the raw unedited prose created by Sudowrite, which with the settings I had on used ChatGPT 4 if I am correct.
The dim light from the small porthole window cast a somber hue in Jon's private cabin. Amidst the silence, Olivia entered the room and perched herself on the edge of Jon's bed. The sudden movement triggered Jon's years of combat survival instincts. In an instant, he was wide awake, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"Whoa!" Jon shouted as he lunged toward Olivia. His powerful hand shot out to grip her throat, throwing her slender frame onto the floor. He raised his other hand, ready to deliver an open palm strike that could easily kill a human. But as he looked down at her, recognition flashed across his face.
"Shit," he muttered, pulling back his hand just before it made contact with Olivia. "Olivia, I'm... I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted, Jon," Olivia replied, rubbing her neck as she got up from the floor. Her blue eyes held a mix of concern and understanding. "You're quite the light sleeper."
"Damn right," Jon said, running a hand through his short-cropped brown hair. He eyed her suspiciously. "Why are you here? How'd you even get in?"
"Technically, I am the ship, Jon. I know all the codes."
"Great," Jon huffed, shaking his head. "So much for privacy. What do you want?"
"Jon, we've arrived at the jump gate."
"Already?" He frowned, glancing around his disheveled quarters. "I must've slept harder than I thought."
"Your body needed the rest," Olivia said, offering him a faint smile. "Shall we proceed?"
"Fine," Jon grumbled, pushing himself off the bed. His tall, muscular frame towered over Olivia. "I'll meet you on the bridge."
"Very well," she replied, her voice soft but firm. "I'll prepare the ship for entry."
As Olivia left the room, Jon couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He knew they had a job to do, but he couldn't help but feel uneasy about their impending mission. Shaking his head, he tried to focus on the task at hand – confronting Jericho Riddle and uncovering the truth about Mr. Crimson. But deep down, Jon knew that their journey through the jump gate might lead them into even more dangerous territory.
3 - 4
Jon stood in front of the full-length mirror, scrutinizing his appearance. He donned fresh combat gear: black pants with multiple utility pockets, a tight-fitting shirt that allowed for maximum movement, sturdy boots, and a long gray overcoat. Satisfied with his attire, Jon called out to Olivia.
"Head back to the bridge, Olivia. Prepare the ship to enter the jump gate."
"Understood, Jon," she replied, her voice echoing through the Retribution's intercom system.
As Jon strode onto the bridge, he was struck by the sight before him. The massive jump gate loomed outside the viewport, its shimmering surface pulsing with energy. He could see other ships waiting their turn to pass through, like children lined up for a carnival ride.
"Any trouble transferring credits to the gate operator?" Jon asked, joining Olivia at her console.
"None whatsoever," she answered, her slender fingers dancing across the controls. "The transaction is complete, and we have clearance to proceed."
"Good. Let's get this show on the road."
The Retribution moved slowly toward the jump gate, guided by Olivia's steady hand. Jon felt his heart rate quicken as the distance closed between them and the swirling, energy-filled vortex.
"Olivia," he said quietly, "what do you think we'll find on the other side?"
"Unknown," she replied, her eyes still fixed on the controls. "But I'm sure we can handle whatever comes our way."
"Damn right," Jon muttered, flexing his hands into fists. As they approached the gate's event horizon, he couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine – a mix of excitement and dread.
The Retribution slipped through the gateway as if diving headfirst into a pool of liquid light. For a moment, Jon's entire world was consumed by blinding brightness, followed by a dizzying sense of displacement.
"Welcome to the Baron Star System," Olivia announced, her voice steady despite the ordeal they'd just experienced. "Travel time to Taul 4 Space Station will be approximately eight hours."
"Eight hours, huh?" Jon said, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples. "Plenty of time to think about what we're up against."
"Indeed," Olivia agreed, her blue eyes reflecting the vastness of space outside the viewport. "But don't forget, Jon – you're not alone in this fight. You have me."
"Thanks, Olivia," he replied, offering her a rare, genuine smile. "I'm glad I do."
As the Retribution hurtled through space toward their destination, Jon couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for them. One thing was certain: he would stop at nothing to uncover the truth and bring those responsible for the illegal arms dealings to justice, no matter where the trail led or who stood in his way. With Olivia by his side, he felt ready for whatever challenges awaited them in the Baron system.
5 - 6
Jon's gaze lingered on the inky blackness of space, speckled with distant stars. He shook off his reverie and turned to Olivia. "Send a secured message to General Millmore. Let him know we have Jericho Riddle in custody and will be at Taul 4 in eight hours."
"Understood," Olivia replied, her fingers dancing across the console as she composed the message.
"Keep an eye on our course. I'm going to have a little chat with our guest," Jon said, a hint of menace in his voice.
He left the bridge, making his way down to the main hold where they'd stashed Jericho. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing the arms dealer sitting on the floor, his hands bound by energy cuffs. Jericho sneered at Jon's approach, defiance etched into his face.
"Comfortable?" Jon asked sarcastically, crossing his arms.
"Delightful accommodations," Jericho replied, rolling his eyes. "I'll be sure to give you a glowing review."
"Enough with the pleasantries," Jon snapped, leaning in close. "Who are you working with? Who's providing intel on weapons shipments, and who's receiving them?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Jericho taunted, smirking.
Jon's jaw clenched, anger simmering beneath the surface. He forced himself to take a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. "You're looking at a lifetime in a maximum-security prison, Riddle. Start talking, or it only gets worse from here."
"Fine," Jericho spat, glaring up at Jon. "But for your information, I didn't get my hands dirty with every detail. That's what lackeys are for."
"Names," Jon growled, his patience wearing thin.
"Alright, alright," Jericho conceded, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "There's a guy, goes by the name of Viper. He provided the intel – shipment routes, security details, the works."
"Who's getting the weapons?" Jon pressed, his eyes locked onto Jericho's.
"Mostly off-world rebel factions, cartels, the usual scum," Jericho said dismissively, as if it were of no consequence.
"Anyone specific? Any high-profile buyers?"
"Maybe," Jericho smirked, drawing out the word. "But that's going to cost you."
Jon leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening. "You're in no position to bargain, Riddle. Give me the names, or I'll make sure you rot in the darkest hole I can find."
"Alright, alright!" Jericho exclaimed, his bravado faltering. "One name: Mr. Crimson. That's all I know. Honest."
"Mr. Crimson, huh?" Jon mused, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he had to tread carefully, but every new piece of information felt like a step closer to unraveling the truth.
7 - 8
Jon towered over Jericho, his menacing presence filling the dimly lit holding cell. The stale air hung heavy with the stench of fear as beads of sweat rolled down Jericho's face.
"Alright, Riddle," Jon said, his voice cold and unforgiving. "I want to know about this Mr. Crimson. Why would a high-ranking DOD officer be involved in illegal weapons sales?"
Jericho swallowed hard, his bravado wavering under Jon's unrelenting glare. "Look, I don't know the guy personally. All I know is that he's well-connected and has access to classified intel."
"Convenient," Jon muttered sarcastically, clenching his fists so tightly he could feel his nails digging into his palms. "You expect me to believe you've never met this mystery man?"
"Hey, I'm not stupid," Jericho snapped back defensively. "The less I know about my clients, the better. Plausible deniability and all that jazz."
"Fine," Jon said through gritted teeth. "Tell me about the deals then. What kind of weapons were you moving? How were they being delivered?"
"Like I said, I didn't handle the day-to-day stuff," Jericho replied, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "But I heard rumors – experimental tech, black market goods, things that would make even your Galactic Marine buddies quake in their boots."
"Are we talking bio-weapons? Chemical warfare?" Jon pressed, the chilling possibilities sending an icy shiver down his spine.
"Could be," Jericho admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper. "All I know is that Mr. Crimson was willing to pay top dollar for discretion."
"Discretion, huh?" Jon thought back to the firefight at Jericho's compound, and the desperation with which they had tried to silence the arms dealer. "Seems like he's got more than a few skeletons in his closet."
"Look, I don't know the specifics," Jericho insisted, his voice growing frantic. "I just... I just did what I was told, alright? I never asked questions."
"Too bad for you," Jon snarled, his patience reaching its breaking point. "You're going to start asking those questions now. Or else."
"Or else what?" Jericho sneered, trying to regain some semblance of control. "You think your threats scare me?"
"Maybe they should," Jon said, his tone ice-cold as he leaned in close. "Because if you don't give me something useful, Riddle, I'll make sure the rest of your miserable life is spent in unending agony."
"Alright!" Jericho shouted, his voice cracking with panic. "There's a warehouse, on Taul 4. That's where the shipments were sent. But that's all I know, I swear!"
"Better," Jon conceded, his eyes boring into Jericho's. He could feel the truth in the arms dealer's words and the desperation behind them. But he also knew there was still so much more to uncover – and time was running out.
"Remember," Jon warned, his voice dripping with menace as he turned to leave. "If I find out you're holding back, there will be nowhere left for you to hide."
9 - 10
Jon's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white with restrained fury. Jericho's eyes darted around, sensing the danger he was in and knowing that he had no choice but to talk.
"Alright, listen," Jericho began, a hint of resignation in his voice. "I think Mr. Crimson orchestrated the whole thing – the heist, the weapons shipments, everything. He wanted to fund anti-FHD groups, alright? War is profitable, and he needed someone expendable to do the dirty work. That's where I came in."
"Expendable?" Jon let out a cold laugh. "You really thought you mattered to him?"
"Does it look like I'm enjoying this?" Jericho snapped, his frustration evident. "Besides, it wasn't just me they were after. The kill team at my compound, the ones who attacked the Retribution... They weren't trying to rescue me, Savage. They were trying to silence me."
Jon's face darkened as the implications of Jericho's words sank in. If what he was saying was true, then there was a high-ranking traitor within their ranks. Someone who had not only betrayed the Department of Defense but had likely caused countless deaths in the process.
"General Millmore needs to know about this," Jon muttered, pulling out his comm unit. He punched in the secure channel code and waited for the familiar gravelly voice on the other end.
"Millmore here. What's the situation, Savage?"
"Sir," Jon began, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I need you to confirm something for me. Have you ever heard of someone called Mr. Crimson? Supposedly an officer high up in the DOD? Involved in illegal weapons sales?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line, long enough for Jon to feel a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. When General Millmore finally spoke again, his tone was grave.
"Your intel is correct, Savage," he said quietly. "We've been hunting for Mr. Crimson for some time now. He's a dangerous man with powerful allies. What have you found?"
"Jericho Riddle claims that Mr. Crimson has been funding anti-FHD groups and that he's the one behind the recent weapons heists," Jon replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the mounting anger within him.
"Is this information reliable?" Millmore asked cautiously.
"Jericho has no reason to lie, sir. He's scared, and I believe him."
"Understood," the General said after a moment of contemplation. "Keep me updated on any new developments, Savage. We need to put an end to this before more lives are lost."
"Will do, sir," Jon replied, cutting the connection. His heart pounded in his chest as the gravity of the situation bore down upon him. The stakes were higher than ever, and failure was not an option.
"Alright, Riddle," Jon said, turning back to the arms dealer with renewed determination. "You're going to help me bring down Mr. Crimson. And if you try anything – anything at all – you'll wish you'd never crossed paths with Jon Savage."
11 - 12
"General, if there's a mole in the DOD, how can we trust anyone?" Jon asked, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the communicator. "How do we know who's on our side?"
"Trust your instincts, Savage," Millmore replied firmly. "And keep this off the books. I'm putting my faith in you. Find the evidence we need to bring Mr. Crimson down."
"Understood, sir," Jon said, ending the call. He turned to Olivia and Jericho, his jaw set in determination. "We've got work to do."
As the Retribution docked at Taul 4, Jon felt an uneasy tension in the air. Despite the bustling activity of the station around them, it seemed like everyone had something to hide. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them.
"Stay close," he warned Olivia and Jericho, scanning the busy loading bays for any sign of danger. "Mr. Crimson has eyes everywhere."
"Great. Now I feel paranoid too," Jericho muttered sarcastically, sticking close to Jon as they made their way through the crowds.
"Better paranoid than dead," Jon replied sharply.
As they approached the meeting point, the sight that greeted them sent chills down Jon's spine. The office building had been ransacked – its door hanging off its hinges and the unmistakable signs of violence evident in the shattered windows and scorched walls.
"Looks like we're late to the party," Olivia remarked grimly, her blue eyes taking in the chaos with an unsettling calm.
"Something went down here," Jon agreed, his gaze hardening as he noticed the station security forces cordoning off the area with crime scene warnings. "We need to find out what happened."
"Any ideas on how to get through that barrier without getting arrested?" Jericho asked, eyeing the security forces warily.
"Leave that to me" Jon said, his mind racing with strategic options. "Just be ready to move when I give the signal."
"Got it," Olivia and Jericho nodded in unison, watching as Jon approached the security barrier, his every step calculated and purposeful.
"Time to show these bastards what Jon Savage is capable of," he thought, his determination burning brighter than ever. The truth about Mr. Crimson would be exposed, no matter the cost.
13 - 14
Jon surveyed the area, his eyes locking onto a security van parked nearby. "Cover me," he muttered to Olivia and Jericho, before breaking into a sprint towards the vehicle.
"Always so subtle," Olivia called out sarcastically, keeping an eye on their prisoner as Jon picked the lock with practiced ease.
"Subtlety is overrated," Jon thought, slipping into the van as the door clicked open. He rummaged through the vehicle, finding a uniform that would fit him. With swift, precise movements, he changed into the outfit, making sure to conceal his weapons beneath the clothing.
"Looking good, officer," Jericho taunted as Jon exited the van, earning himself a glare from the bounty hunter.
"Stay put and keep your mouth shut, or I'll make sure you never speak again," Jon growled, his patience wearing thin. He turned to Olivia, who remained focused on the task at hand. "Watch him."
"Of course, Jon" she replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Jericho with disdain.
Jon strode confidently towards the building, flashing a fake ID as he passed through the security barrier. Once inside, the devastation hit him like a punch to the gut. Blood stained the walls and floors, bodies of General Millmore's people scattered about in gruesome disarray. The smell of death hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the violence that had taken place.
"Damn it," Jon hissed under his breath, forcing down the bile that rose in his throat. He knew he needed to remain focused, but the sight of such carnage stirred something primal within him – rage, sorrow, and a thirst for vengeance.
"Find anything?" Olivia's voice came through his earpiece, providing a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos.
"Nothing yet," he replied, scanning the room for any clues as to General Millmore's whereabouts. "This place is a slaughterhouse."
"Stay sharp, Jon," she advised, her voice steady and reassuring. "You never know who – or what – could still be lurking."
"Trust me, I'm ready for anything" he murmured, his hand resting on the concealed pistol at his side.
As he searched the ruined office, Jon couldn't help but think of General Millmore – the man who had entrusted him with this mission, believing in Jon's abilities when few others would. The possibility that the General had been taken – or worse – only fueled Jon's determination to uncover the truth behind Mr. Crimson and put an end to the corruption festering within the Department of Defense.
"Whoever did this," Jon said, gritting his teeth as he stepped over another lifeless body, "I'll make them pay."