#John Carnell

[nerds-yearbook]

The first run of the Sleeze Brothers ended with issue 6, cover date of January 1990. ("The Malteeze Egg!", Sleeze Brothers 6#, Epic/Marvel Comic Event)

[cryptocollectibles]

Restaurant at the End of the Universe #1 (1994) by DC Comics

Written by Douglas Adams, John Carnell, drawn by Steve Leialoha and Shepard Hendrix, cover by Rich Larson and Steve Fastner.

[downthetubes]

Doctor Who original comic art aplenty on offer on eBay

Auction site eBay seems to awash with original Doctor Who comic art at the moment, with plenty of examples from different eras on offer

Auction site eBay seems to awash with original Doctor Who comic art at the moment, with plenty of examples from different eras on offer. Check out the Ice Warriors in dramatic action in this item for example, the third part of “Descendance”, the second Radio Times “Doctor Who” strip starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, written by Gary Russell with art by Lee Sullivan, lettered by Elitta…

[letterboxd-loggd]

Too Late Blues (1961) John Cassavetes

July 9th 2023

[murakamiyuki]

Mini Ghost

Simon Riley—also known as “Ghost”—was a battle-seasoned soldier, who had survived things other people see in their nightmares. So what would happen if he discovered that he had a daughter? Suddenly, he was bound to face the greatest mission of his life - fatherhood.

TW: swearing, guns, mentions of death

Read this on Archive of Our Own

Masterlist

Chapter 4 - Captain Carnell

Simon walked into the rec room. All eyes turned on him, the violent cackling died down. His lips twitched behind his balaclava, feeling the tension rise as his eyes locked with Alice’s. The room fell silent as the two of them stared each other down, neither willing to back down from a challenge.

“What’s going on here?” Simon asked with a raise of his eyebrow. He closed the door behind him with a gentle thud.

“Captain Alice has officially taken o’er the base. She’s oor new leader now,” Johnny chuckled, arms crossed over his chest with an exaggerated nod of approval.

“Is she now?” Simon grinned under his mask, his eyes twinkled with a proud glint. He raised a brow at John, who leaned back against the couch.

“What can I say?” he replied with a shrug. “She won the coup fair and square.”

“Heard that?” Alice said smugly. She raised her head, puffing out her chest and perking her nose in a prideful stance. “Means I’m your boss from now on!”

“Really now?” Simon said teasingly. He tilted his head in amusement. “What’s your first command then?”

Alice stared at the bulky man dumbfounded. She had yet to consider what she wanted to do with that sovereignty. A small voice in the back of her head whispered that this was just a playful game, the kid messing around and the soldiers humoring her like they always did. However, the bigger part of her brain wanted to relish this addicting feeling of power and authority. She felt invincible and she loved it.

“Hmmm,” Alice hummed, deep in thought. Soon, she conjured up her first order and her lips stretched in a giddy grin. “I’ve decided!”

“Captain Alice is about to give her first command,” Kyle announced, leaning forward with a grin, his elbows resting on his knees.

“Awright, let’s hear it, then” Johhny encouraged with a smile.

“Okay, my first command is…” Alice paused for dramatic effect. She locked her fingers behind her back as her eyes went around the room, noticing the intense stares the soldiers gave her. “You will help me decorate the base!”

“The… base?” Kyle repeated the order, trying to comprehend it as though she had said something in an alien language.

“You want to decorate the entire base?” John questioned her with a raised eyebrow. 

“It’s grey and boring,” Alice remarked in an accusatory tone. “I don’t understand how you live here at such a grey and boring base.”

“Ye know, bear cub, ah couldnae agree mor,” Johnny chimed in with a nod. “These grey walls are pure depressin’, aren’t they?”

“Exactly!” Alice bobbed her head, nodding so vigorously one might think her head would fly off. She put her arms on her waist as though a mother scolding her children. “I declare no more boring gray walls and dusty halls. We’ll add lights, drawings, and maybe even flowers!”

“Flowers in a base? That’ll truly intimidate the enemy,” Simon teased lightly, earning a glare from Alice.

“Hey, don’t question my orders!” Alice said with a huff, stomping one foot for emphasis. “Now get ready, soldiers, because it’s time to make this place look amazing.”

Giggles erupted in the room as they all watched the little girl play the role of the military captain. Alice darted toward John with boundless energy. She placed her palms on his knee and used it as leverage as she bounced up and down in excitement.

“You said my things are finally here?” She questioned, eyes wide and expecting.

“Yeah, Ghost and I loaded them in your room,” John confirmed, his tone casual but amused by her enthusiasm.

“Yay!” Alice squealed as she rushed toward the door. She pushed it open with an exaggerated huff and slipped out of the room. Her giggles echoed through the hallway. “It’s drawing time!”

“Do you think she’ll make us draw, too?” Kyle asked no one with a chuckle.

“She absolutely will,” Johnny replied with certainty, his arms crossed as if he’d already accepted the inevitable. His calculating brain had already started to pick up on Alice’s personality patterns.

“Well, in that case,” John declared as he stood up abruptly from the couch, reaching the exit in a few big strides. However, before he vanished, he turned to his team and flashed them a cheeky smile. “I’m out.”

“Did our captain just ditch us at the mercy of a 5-year-old?” Johnny said indignantly, brows joining together at the clever move.

“Junior captain,” Kyle corrected. He pressed his fist to his lips, trying to stifle the giggle bubbling in his chest. Even Simon’s form shook lightly with laughter.

Johnny’s ire crumbled under the growing laughter in the room, and he finally burst out in a loud, boisterous cackle.

“Hells, we’re never lettin’ him live that doon!” Johnny exclaimed, his scottish accent thick with his delight.

Alice’s cheerful voice charged through like thunder. Her small body barged through the door like a mini rocket fueled by her endless enthusiasm. Her hands were full of paper, notebooks, colored pencils, crayons, watercolor paints, and all that was a necessity in a painter’s kit. She dumped everything on the coffee table, unceremoniously sweeping off the newspapers and magazines. Then, methodically, she sorted through her goods and, just like Johnny had predicted, assigned every soldier with the paper and the means of drawing.

“Where’s John?” Alice frowned upon finishing. Her analyzing gaze glided through the room, noticing it lacked one person.

“He bailed,” Kyle said with a dramatic sigh in hopes of seeing Alice reprimand his boss for it.

Just like he anticipated, Alice glared at the door where John was last seen. If a look could kill, the door wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Fine, I’ll find him later,” Alice eventually huffed with a pout. However, her expression changed in the next second as she pointed at the ceiling, striking a hero pose. “Alright, soldiers, your next mission is to draw me cute animals holding a gun!”

“Kind o’ contradictory, don’t ye think?” Johnny said with a snort. He grabbed the pink crayon and a piece of paper, ready to depict his masterpiece.

“It is a military base,” Alice rolled her eyes at the remark.

“Can’t argue with that,” Kyle chuckled.

“You like guns?” Simon asked carefully. He peered at the girl as she grazed a purple crayon against the paper.

“Yes!” Alice exclaimed, but her smile faltered when she realized who was the owner of the voice. She puffed her cheeks in retaliation and not-so-hidden fury for talking to her. “I like M1911…”

Alice’s voice came off as surprisingly small and timid. The defiance in her expression softened, replacing her previously bold demeanor with shyness. Her cheeks turned pink, and the words left a nasty trail as though revealing such a treasured secret would kill her on the spot. The memories of other kids picking and poking her while laughing in her face for liking something so ‘ungirly’ resurfaced in her mind, and it made her coil herself in a protective ball.

“Look, Alice is playing as a boy again!”

They would often say. Even dismissive of her mother’s military background. They never understood why she loved the stories of weaponry her mom used to tell. Her hobby had been a subject of ridicule, and in their cruelty, they had tarnished a love she thought was hers alone to keep safe.

The crayon that glided smoothly against the surface came to a halt. The atmosphere soured, which did not go unnoticed by the others.

“Solid choice,” Simon commented. He continued to mindlessly scribble with a green marker despite the frown and clear disdain towards the activity displayed on his face.

Alice’s head shot up to look at the man. Her eyes were wide, full of stunned wonder. His words of affirmation made her feel seen and appreciated for the first time since the discovery of this odd hobby of hers. They weren’t dismissive nor were they the condescending kind she’d come to expect. She smiled. And not just one of those mocking smiles, it was genuine, the one that made Simon stare at her with something akin to affection.

“Because it’s a recoil-operated and semi-automatic pistol with customizing options…” She mumbled, testing the waters. Her fingers tangled with each other trying to calm the nerves that threatened to rise.

“You know your way around guns?” Kyle asked, eyebrows raised in astonishment.

“I like shooter games a lot, and my mom always taught me the basic stuff and I just… kept learning…” Alice admitted with a bashful smile. The weight of the secret slowly lifted from her shoulders, and the bullying voices gradually quieted down.

The soldiers smiled, too. For a brief moment, their minds wandered to the same place—a memory carved into their hearts. They could see her vividly as if she were right in front of them—young recruit Emily, full of fire and wonder. The way her smooth voice flowed like water as she explained the intricacies of firearms and her eyes sparkling with an uncontainable passion brought even the strongest among them to their knees. Her happy grin was contagious, lighting up the room every time the gun talk was started.

And now, her legacy was engraved into a 5-year-old girl, and they couldn’t help the bittersweet pang that ignited unknown feelings—perhaps grief or nostalgia—inside of them. Alice’s vibrant excitement, her small but determined voice rattling off pistol features as though it were second nature, was like seeing Emily reborn in some strange, inexplicable way.

“Ye sound like Canary, lil one,” Johnny commented, a longing look on his face.

“Canary?” Alice tilted her head in confusion. The image of a tiny yellow bird perched on a branch popped into her mind, only adding to her puzzlement.

“Did your mom never tell you?” Kyle chimed in. The corners of his lips curled upwards upon the memory. “It was her call sign.”

“Canary was... my mom?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Aye,” Johnny nodded, his usual playfulness replaced with quiet reverence. “She had a voice that could settle storms. Always knew just whit tae say tae keep us together when things got tough.”

“I only ever heard Ghost, Soap, Gaz, and Captain…” Alice mumbled. Her eyes welled up with tears as she remembered her mother sitting on the pillow by her bed and sharing military stories.

“Captain was rough and strict, but in any situation he would barge in head-on, taking the hit first before anyone else. For that, I respected him like no one else.”

“Soap had his charm. He liked to crack dumb jokes any chance he got. They were so bad I couldn’t help but smile.”

“In my opinion, Gaz was the most caring and thoughtful among us. There was a time when I landed too harshly during a drill and twisted my ankle, and Gaz carried me to the infirmary.”

“Ghost… He was cold… Guarded… Whenever we trained together, he would go extra tough on me just because he could. As my revenge though, I had him fall for me. I just wish you could meet him… I’m sure he would try to be the best dad he ever could for you, my honey bee…”

Emily’s voice resonated in her head as she recalled the stories. Her tiny fists clenched, willing but failing to quiet sob. Tears rolled down her plump cheeks and landed on the paper, smudging the carefully drawn lines.

“She said…” Alice sniffled. Her heart ached at the memories. “She said she loved them… That they were the team she dreamed of…”

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room. Everyone was too engrossed in nostalgia for their late comrade and mother. This was the moment of vulnerability that no one dared to break.

“Well, if ye ask me, lass,” he said, attempting to lighten the mood, “if ye’re the offspring o’ Canary, then we best get tae following orders.”

“There are better synonyms for a child than offspring, Johnny,” Kyle raised an eyebrow at Soap, yet a chuckle broke free from his chest nonetheless.

“You’d better follow my orders,” Alice declared, her voice still wavering, a tiny smile beaming through her tears. “Because I am the captain now.”

This time, the laughter that erupted wasn’t bittersweet—it was genuine and light, echoing down the halls, chasing away the lingering shadows of the past.

“Awright, le’s stop sulkin’. We’ve got some decoratin’ to do, aye,” Johnny exclaimed and grabbed the crayon where he dropped it on the table.

“You better take it seriously, Johnny!” Alice scolded him with a lighthearted giggle. She wiped the tears with her sleeve, face red and puffy.

“Here,” Simon appeared by her side, casually offering a glass of water.

Alice’s eyes darted from the drink to his face. She considered smacking the liquid from his hand, but something in her head decided against it. Kyle and Johnny watched the scene play out, expecting the disaster to strike any moment, but much to their surprise, Alice didn’t lash out. Small smiles made their way onto their faces when Alice carefully accepted the glass of water and brought it to her lips.

“I still don’t like you,” Alice mumbled, taking a sip.

“I know,” Simon responded without a tinge of mockery in his voice before he switched his attention back to the drawing.

Kyle stifled a chuckle while Johnny’s lips twitched into an amused smirk. The two exchanged glances, silently marveling at how Simon managed to pull this off without igniting a tantrum. Not like they complained.

*~*~*

“Follow me, kid,” Price said the moment the lunch was over.

Despite the confusion, the rest of the squad obediently followed closely behind, however, the devilish smirk on their captain’s face made their skin crawl. Price led Alice in an uncharted direction, though he made sure to slow down his pace.

“Since you’re the captain now, you will take on the leading duties,” John mused. He kept his voice stern and steady, concealing unspoken amusement. “Your first duty is to train the recruits.”

“What?” Alice’s eyes widened. Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t know whether it was excitement or anxiety. “How do you even train them?”

“Don’t you have a training schedule written?” John tilted his head, a frown making its way onto his face. His voice was laced with faux accusation and surprise. “You can’t be a good captain if you slack off like that.”

“I…” Alice’s face burned red from embarrassment. She puffed her cheeks, mentally searching for an excuse. “I was busy with other things.”

“I saw. Nice work,” John snorted. The confusion that was soon replaced by hearty laughter upon seeing the works of art produced under Alice’s control was still fresh in his mind.

Just before lunch, the man exited his office, stretching his sore muscles. He barely made it past the doorway before something on the wall directly across from him snagged his attention. It was a sheet of paper, hastily taped up with mismatched strips of what looked like duct tape. The drawing depicted a pink bunny hopping through the field. There were stick-figure flowers and cartoonish trees, but the most prominent feature was a comically large machine gun hung on the bunny’s side while the bunny had an eerily happy grin on his face. Above its floppy ears, written in clumsy, looping handwriting, were the words “Mission Hoppyfield!”

“But as the new captain, you have to make time for other tasks,” John smiled slyly.

Soon, his steps came to a halt when they reached an area that was the size of a football field. It was mostly empty except for a group of recruits measured at about 15 young men. They gazed around, looking awkward like they weren’t quite sure what to do with themselves.

“Alright, kid. You're in charge now. Show these boys how it’s done.” Price clapped his hands together, a shrewd smirk displayed on his face.

Alice eyed the group of recruits staring at her with a bewildered look in their eyes. The pompous undertone in John’s voice made her take the twisting bile of anxiety in her throat and shove it deep into the farthest corner of her consciousness. She huffed as she marched to the front, her bear onesie wrangled with her every exaggerated move.

The new soldiers looked at each other, perplexed. The little girl being their commanding leader wasn’t something anyone expected.

“Alright, recruits!” she bellowed, her tiny chest puffing with confidence.  “My name is Captain Alice. If you want to be the best, you follow my lead. No shortcuts, no slackers!”

Her loud and clear voice surprised not only the recruits but the members of the Task Force, too. John watched the scene unfold with a cigarette between his fingers. He partially anticipated Alice to quit when faced with a real challenge, but such a turn of events left him pleased and proud.

“We’re gonna start with the basics—shooting, stealth, and making sure we’re faster than a zombie horde on a bad day. Got it?” Alice pointed her tiny finger at each soldier, anticipating the immediate submission from all of them.

Some soldiers gazed from Alice to Price feeling as though they were being pranked. Others could barely hide their laughter and awed looks, stunned by the authority she carried.

Behind her, the squad shared a smile, watching as their new ‘captain’ took charge in ways none of them could have imagined. John leaned back against the metal lattice fence with a satisfied look on his face.

“So, you’re not too worried about a kid commanding the squad?” Kyle asked softly, leaning toward John.

“Is it because she stole the ‘captain’ status from ye?” Johnny commented.

“I’m curious to see how far she’ll take it,” John shrugged, giving a dry chuckle.

“I said, do you understand?” Alice glared at them.

“Y…yes, ma’am!” The soldiers saluted Alice and she beamed, feeling proud and giddy.

“Good. Now, one hundred laps around the field!” Alice commanded a little too enthusiastically as she bounced on her heels.

“What?!” The soldiers exclaimed all in unison. Their eyes grew wide upon hearing the impossible request.

Even the seasoned soldiers John, Kyle, Johnny, and Simon raised their eyebrows before bursting with laughter. The absurdity of her first command for the newbies made them topple while holding their stomachs. 

“Did she just...?” Kyle leaned forward, a chuckle building in his chest. 

“She did,” Simon replied, his voice laced with amusement. “This’ll be interesting.”

Their giggles were successfully ignored as Alice kept drilling the recruits.

“What are you waiting for? MOVE! I want you to hit one hundred laps in less time than the last. No excuses!” Her tiny finger pointed forward, making each soldier twitch nervously and then spring into action.

The entire field hummed with the sound of boots pounding against the polyurethane surface.

“Wow, she’s actually got them moving,” John blew out a puff of smoke, grinning ear to ear. “She’s doing much better than I thought.”

“You think they can do it?” Johnny snorted, still unable to control his laughter.

“Hell no,” John drawled, keeping his eyes on the recruits as they fought against the absurdity of Alice’s order. But the grin playing on his lips was wide.

Alice felt natural as she barked at the recruits any time any of them stayed behind. However, the longer the training dragged out, the smaller her presence appeared. Her resolve died down, her voice grew quieter, and the fire in her eyes slowly replaced fatigue and distress.

By the time the training finished, Alice was wiped out. She sat and sulked on the curb, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. Her head drooped, eyes glazed with the weight of everything that had happened.  Despite the entertaining side of being a captain, it was finally taking a toll on her. She was still a child, and even the joy of commanding recruits wasn’t immune to the overwhelming burden of responsibility. She let out a small, irritated sigh. The fun part of being in charge was now overshadowed by the realization of just how much more complicated it was than she thought. The number of people ‘under her care’ seemed larger with every passing hour.

Even at dinner, Alice didn’t argue with Kyle who sneakily added beans to her plate. The look on her face was distant and dazed. It was clear that she was in dire need of sleep.

She poked at her food absentmindedly. Her brow furrowed in mild annoyance, but her usual sparkle wasn’t there. She had no fight left.

No one spoke, but each person around Alice shared the same understanding in their gaze.

Afterward, Price dismissed his squad with an authoritative jerk of his head, quickly quieting down any complaint that was about to fly in his direction. He led Alice to his office as soon as they stepped onto the barrack’s ground.

Alice trailed behind like a zombie from her favorite game, just not as vicious. Her small feet dragged slightly with each step, and her head hung low, strands of her hair falling into her tired eyes. John looked at her and his gaze softened, though he masked it with his usual impassive demeanor. He did feel bad for putting her through such a long day, but discipline and lessons, however tough, had to be taught. Otherwise, should they bend to her every whim, no good will come out of her.

The man opened the door to his office and sat Alice on his chair. He pulled a hefty binder off his cluttered desk and dropped it onto the table before her with a dull thud.

“Now you have to sort these papers,” John said, arms crossed over his chest.

Alice shot her head up, eyes wide as she peered at him. A panicked expression flashed across her face. She eyed the paper in a black binder and swallowed the lump in her throat. The sheer volume of papers spilling out of its edges made her stomach churn. She began fiddling with her fingers nervously.

“I… Can I do it tomorrow?” Alice asked, her voice small and timid.

“Tomorrow’s gonna be different tasks,” John sighed, not exactly lying. “It has to be done today.”

Alice slumped in the chair, feeling the events of the day overwhelm her. A whimper tore from her throat that morphed into a sob when the sound of fading footsteps reached her ears. She hastily slid off the chair and rushed to catch up to John, latching onto his thigh.

“Wait!” She cried out, tears welling up in her eyes. “I… I don’t wanna be a captain anymore… I wanna sleep…”

John smiled softly at the girl. He pried her away from his leg and crouched down to her level. His calloused palm softly wiped away her tears of exhaustion.

“Listen, Alice,” John started, voice soft, almost fatherly. His other hand landed on her head, patting it gently between the bear ears etched onto the hood. “You’re a strong and courageous girl. A little impudent too. But you have to learn when to be strong and courageous because it might get you into things that will be too much for you to handle. You hear me?”

“Mhm…” Alice hummed in response, her blue eyes peering at the captain through wet eyelashes.

“Sometimes, being strong isn’t just about charging forward,” John continued. “It’s about knowing when to step back—when to say you’ve had enough. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir…” Alice mumbled through sniffles. 

“From now on, be more mindful of how you act around others,” John added before he smirked. “And don’t encroach on my title from now on. Captain is my job, yeah?”

“I promise,” Alice nodded her head in affirmation.

“Good girl,” Price said, patting her head one last time before rising to his full height. “Now, off you go. Bedtime.”

Alice dropped the final nod and headed toward the door. Huffing, she pushed the door open, the weariness pulling at her muscles like an anchor. And before she could slip through the exit, John called out for her again.

“You did great today, kid,” John praised her genuinely. His face was adorned with a warm smile with no hint of teasing or mockery.

Alice’s face lit up ever so slightly. A spark of pride ignited in her chest as she turned back to him, her face lighting up with a tired yet elated smile. She felt proud, having her actions acknowledged. Standing at the doorway, she released the door handle and saluted the captain with a dopey smile.

It was the last thing he saw before the door closed shut, leaving him alone in the room with a faint, lingering smile on his face.

[osmiumpenguin]

It's the solstice tonight, and a good time to reflect on my favourite books from the past year.

I'm making very little attempt to rank these titles. They're simply the books that I enjoyed most, and they're presented in the order I read them. • "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet," by Becky Chambers (2014) • "The Galaxy, and the Ground Within," by Becky Chambers (2021) • "Locklands," by Robert Jackson Bennett (2022) • "Beloved," by Toni Morrison (1987) • "Exhalation," by Ted Chiang (2019) • "Fugitive Telemetry," by Martha Wells (2021) • "Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future," by Patty Krawec (2022) • "The Vanished Birds," by Simon Jimenez (2020) • "The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family," by Joshua Cohen (2021) • "Utopia Avenue," by by David Mitchell (2020) • "The Calcutta Chromosome: A Novel of Fevers, Delirium & Discovery," by Amitav Ghosh (1995) • "Moon of the Crusted Snow," by Waubgeshig Rice (2018) • "Bea Wolf," by Zach Weinersmith; illustrated by Boulet (2023) • "Fighting the Moon," by Julie McGalliard (2021) • "The Empress of Salt and Fortune," by Nghi Vo (2020) • "The Glass Hotel," by Emily St. John Mandel (2020) • "New York 2140," by Kim Stanley Robinson (2017) • "When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain," by Nghi Vo (2020) • "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Omnibus," by Ryan North et al; illustrated by Erica Henderson & Derek Charm & Jacob Chabot & Naomi Franquiz & Tom Fowler & Rico Renzi et al (2022) • "Buffalo Is the New Buffalo: Stories," by Chelsea Vowel (2022) • "Greenwood: A Novel," by Michael Christie (2019) • "The House of Rust," by Khadija Abdalla Bajaber (2021) • "Children of Memory," by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2022) • "Jade Legacy," by Fonda Lee (2021) • "A Deadly Education: A Novel: Lesson One of the Scholomance," by Naomi Novik (2020) • "The Last Graduate: A Novel: Lesson Two of the Scholomance," by Naomi Novik (2021) • "The Golden Enclaves: Lesson Three of the Scholomance," by Naomi Novik (2022) • "To Be Taught if Fortunate," by Becky Chambers (2019) • "Helgoland: Making Sense of the Quantum Revolution," by Carlo Rovelli (2020), translated by Erica Segre & Simon Carnell (2021) • "A Psalm for the Wild-Built," by Becky Chambers (2021) Ah, but I said I'd make "very little attempt" to rank them, not "no attempt." So here is that attempt: my favourite five books from the last solar orbit — the five I enjoyed even more than those other thirty — also presented in the order I read them.

• "Nona the Ninth," by Tamsyn Muir (2022) • "Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands," by Kate Beaton (2022) • "Record of a Spaceborn Few," by Becky Chambers (2018) • "Briar Rose," by Jane Yolen (1992) • "Babel, or, The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution," by R.F. Kuang (2022)

[manyfandomocs]

Hunger Games OC Masterlist

Name: Deryn Stedman (District 10)

Fic: Burn Me Once

Love Interest: Finnick Odair

FC: Jack Falahee

Name: Eirene Collier (District 12)

Fic: Can't Catch Me Now

Love Interest: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark

FC: Poppy Drayton

Name: Emery Carnell (District 5)

Fic: Well of Power

Love Interest: Peeta Mellark and Gale Hawthorne

FC: Crystal Reed

Name: Epiphany Trinket (District 2)

Fic: Baker's Epiphany

Love Interest: Peeta Mellark

FC: Emily Alyn Lind

Name: Ianthe Odair (District 4)

Fic: Blossoms In The Water, Possible Multi

Love Interest: Haymitch Abernathy

FC: Jennifer Morrison

Name: Jack Ochre Slater (District 12/Covey)

Fic: Bury Me Beneath The Willow

Love Interest: Haymitch Abernathy

FC: Pedro Pascal

Name: Julius Amadeus (Capitol)

Fic: Friends In High Places

Love Interest: Peeta Mellark

FC: Theo James

Name: Karme Bauer (District 11)

Fic: Harmony With War

Love Interest: Johanna Mason

FC: Tati Gabrielle

Name: Lotus Babbage (District 3)

Fic: War and Peace

Love Interest: Finnick Odair

FC: Daisy Ridley

Name: Marcellus Hemingway (District 13)

Fic: Two Sided Coin

Love Interest: Katniss Everdeen & Finnick Odair

FC: John Boyega

Name: Martia Callan (District 2)

Fic: One Song Glory

Love Interest: Cato, Johanna Mason

FC: Katherine McNamara

Name: Pomona Bentley (District 7)

Fic: Fire Is Catching

Love Interest: Gale Hawthorne

FC: Freya Allen

Name: Tamora Snow (Capitol)

Fic: The Sound of Snow Falling

Love Interest: Lucy Gray Baird

FC: Sabrina Carpenter

Name: Virgilia Embers (Capitol)

Fic: A Song of Snow and Embers

Love Interest: Coriolanus Snow

FC: Anya Taylor-Joy

[lboogie1906]

Carnell Augustino Lake (July 15, 1967) is a former football player who was a safety in the NFL. He is a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was the cornerback’s coach for the UCLA Bruins under head coach Rick Neuheisel in 2009 before leaving after one season for family reasons. He was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive backs coach until 2018.

He played linebacker for the UCLA Bruins (1985-88). He finished his college career with 45.5 tackles for loss and 25.5 sacks. Those totals, as of the 2016 season, are 1st and 4th in UCLA football history.

On January 15, 1989, Lake played in the East-West Shrine Game and was part of the West who lost 24–6 to the East. On January 21, 1989, he was part of Los Angeles Rams’ head coach John Robinson’s South team that defeated the North 13–12. He played safety in both games as multiple teams were interested in moving him to safety as he was considered to be too small to continue to play linebacker professionally

In the summer of 2009, he, along with former Steeler Greg Lloyd, was a coaching intern at the Philadelphia Eagles training camp at Lehigh University.

In June 2010, he was hired by Jerry Simon to be the assistant coach of the Marina High School boys’ basketball team.

On March 7, 2011, he was hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive backs coach.

He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he was initiated into the Gamma Xi Chapter.

He and his wife, Monica, have three children. His son, Quentin, plays defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphaphialpha

[monkeyssalad-blog]

New Worlds #1 / Illustration by Michael Studt Via Flickr: New Worlds / Magazin-Reihe - John Russell Fearn / Sweet Mystery of Life art: Bob Wilkin Editor: John Carnell Pendulum Publications, Ltd. (London / England; July 1946) Reprint / Comic-Club NK 2010 ex libris MTP www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?59673

[larissalimas-posts]

Deus com certeza é mais glorificado quando nos alegramos em sua magnificência do que quando somos tão pouco tocados por ela que quase não sentimos nada, e apenas desejamos fazê-lo. Mas ele também é glorificado pela faísca de alegria antecipada, que dá lugar à tristeza que sentimos quando nosso coração está morno. Mesmo em meio à culpa miserável que sentimos com nossa insensibilidade embrutecida, a glória de Deus brilha. Se Deus não fosse gloriosamente desejável, por que nos sentiríamos tristes por não nos banquetearmos plenamente em sua beleza?

— Edward John Carnell

[saturdaynightmatinee]

CALIFICACIÓN PERSONAL: 8 / 10

Título Original: Jack the Ripper

Año: 1988

Duración: 182 min

País:  Reino Unido  

Dirección: David Wickes

Guion: David Wickes, Derek Marlowe

Música: John Cameron

Fotografía: Alan Hume

Reparto: Michael Caine, Armand Assante, Ray McAnally, Lewis Collins, Ken Bones, Susan George, Jane Seymour, Harry Andrews, Lysette Anthony, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Peter Armitage, Desmond Askew, Trevor Baxter, Mike Carnell, Ann Castle, Michael Gothard, Hugh Fraser, George Sweeney, Jonathan Moore, Jon Laurimore, Michael Hughes, Richard Morant

Productora: Coproducción Reino Unido-Estados Unidos; Thames Television, Lorimar Television, Euston Films. Emitida por: CBS

Género: Drama; Crime; Mystery

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095388/

TRAILER:

[nerds-yearbook]

First issue of the Sleeze Brothers was published with a cover date of August, 1989. The sci fi comic was written by John Carnell and pencilled by Andy Lanning. ("Nice 'N' Sleezy", The Sleeze Brothers 1#, Marvel/Epic Comics)

[cryptocollectibles]

Sleeze Brothers #1 & 2 (1989) by Epic / Marvel Comics

Written by John Carnell, drawn by Andy Lanning, David Hine, and John Higgins.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"3 ESCAPE TOMBS," New York Daily News. September 4, 1933. Page 1, 3 & 4. ---- 3 Flee Tombs On Sheet-Rope, Elude Manhunt --- Three youthful prisoners awaiting trial in Tombs Prison slipped into an unused annex yesterday afternoon, forced open a skylight and at 1:37 o'clock slid fifty feet down an improvised rope into Leonard St.

They were still at liberty late last night, despite a police chase and a three-hour search, during which 100 patrolmen and detectives ransacked every square foot of an entire block in which the fugitives were believed to be hiding.

It was the first successful break from the 31-year-old prison in more than a decade. Three prisoners killed the warden, a keeper and them- selves in a memorable at tempt to escape in 1926.

The three who got away yesterday were Henry Simons, 20, of 241 W. 101st St.. held for burglary; Gerard 20, 320 E 108th St. robbery suspect; and John M. Nally. 18, 102 W. 40th St.. arrested for carrying a gun. Despite their youth, all had police records. With a score of other prisoners they had been allowed to exercise in the recreation room of the prison during the noon hour.

While the antics of the others occupied the attention of the guards, Simons, Simonson and McNally slipped into a corridor and made their way to the former women's annex on the Leonard St. side of the prison.

The door, unused for two years, had been tightly nailed, but the prisoners pried it open. Then they climbed up the cables of a dumb waiter until they could reach a skylight. This also was nailed, but they managed to pry it loose.

Once on the roof, the trio had to act quickly. From around their bodies they uncoiled three lengths of an ingenious rope which they had made from strips of bedsheets tightly wrapped around wire pulled from bedsprings.

They tied the three sections together, making a single strand which, when one end was tied to the ledge of the building, reached to within a few feet of the side-walk below.

Not a single pedestrian was insight in Leonard St. as they slid ddown the rope and dropped to the ground. Walking fast, they turned the corner into Centre St. and haled a taxicab at Centre and Franklin St. It was here that Patrolman George Carroll entered the scene. He was stationed in Centre St. ona fixed post established shortly after the last outbreak. He wondered why the three men were in such a hurry and strolled around the corner to investigate.

As soon as he saw the rope, Carnell realized what had happened. He hailed a police radio car driven by Patrolman John Possidento and pursued the green taxi in which he had seen the three drive off.

With the police car close behind, the taxi went north on Centre St. turned east into Walker St., then into Canal and east on Canal to Mulberry. Here it stopped when the driver deliberately stalled his engine.

Flee Down Mulberry. The fugitives leaped out, using both doors, and raced down Mulberry St. with three policemen at their heels. Two of the patrolmen were on the running beard of a pursuing automobile. The third, Patrolman Walter O'Neill, of Traffic B, was on foot. All had their revolvers drawn but all withheld their fire because the street was crowded with children.

John Morello, of 35 Norfolk St. sipping beer in the Dell Leone Restaurant at 91 Mulberry St., ran to the door with the proprietor just as one of the fugitives made as though to enter the place. The fugitive changed his mind and raced up the adjoining staircase in the same building. The other two ran to Mulberry St, and apparently there. These were described by Morello as a tall man, with dark hair and a dark complexion wearing a gray suit, and a short man in a blue suit.

Surround Fugitives. Reserves from the Elizabeth Street, Clinton Street and Oak Street stations, two emergency squads and fifty detectives soon threw a cordon around the block bounded by Mulberry, Canal, Bayard and Baxter Sts. Then began a search that brought thousands of spectators to view the excitement.

Every room, cellar, attic and room in the block was combed by police armed with machine guns and automatic rifles. Two men, found half-dressed in bed, were taken in custody but prison authorities said they were not the fugitives.

At 4 o'clock the police abandoned ther efforts, convinced the men have made a getaway through their lines.

The taxi driver, Arthur Feinstein of 1369 67th St., Brooklyn, said he had been told to drive to 47th St, and Third Ave., Brooklyn. As soon as his passengers realized they were being followed, he said, they ordered him to change his course. Suspecting trouble, stopped the car and they fled.

Whether any of the prison guards would be disciplined because of the escape was undecided last evening as Warden Barr conferred with city officials.

Police records showed Simons was first arrested in September, 1931, on a burglary charge and received a suspended sentence. Arrested another burglary charge last June, he pleaded guilty and was awaiting sentence.

McNally was sent to Elmira in 1929 on an assault charge. In 1931 he was discharged on a gun charge, but had been picked up again with a gun last June and was awaiting trial.

Simonson also went to Elmira in 1925 when a burglary charge was reduced to unlawful entry. He was arrested last June for robbery.

The escape in 1926 was the most sensational in a long history of collective and individual out-breaks since the original Tombs, a replica of one of the tombs of ancient Egypt, was built in 1840.

Six members of the mob of red-haired Mike McKenna were in the plot. Early in the afternoon of Nov. 3 they pleaded illness and asked to be taken to the medical office.

Three of them. McKenna, Hyman Amberg and Robert Berg, were escorted from the cells to the office, which was only about twenty feet from the main gate. As they neared the exit, the three whipped out pistols and made a dash toward the gate keeper.

Warden Killed. He foiled them by turning the huge steel key in the lock, dropping it in his pocket and running toward them. Just then Warden Peter J. Mallen rushed from his office. He drew the prisoners' fire and the keeper escaped. Mallen was killed.

Then began a siege in the prison yard that lasted for half an hour. Keeper Jeremiah Murphy was fatally wounded in the interchange of bullets. Finally the cornered trio, their ammunition almost gone, killed themselves one by one as Johnny Broderick, the police department's most two-fisted hero, started across the prison yard to battle them single-handed.

As recently as last October the Tombs was turned into a veritable fort to foil a supposed plot to deliver Howard Reddy, gangster inmate. Machine guns were trained on Centre and Lafayette Sts., but nothing happened.

Image Captions: From page 1: THREE FLEE TOMBS - Three young criminals set precedent yesterday when they fled from ancient Tombs prison on Center St., without bloodshed. Here is wire-wrapped bed sheet they used in flight. Riot squads of police are scouring neighboorhood around prison in effort to round up outlaws. Prisoners were awaiting transfer to Sing Sing From page 2.

Top left Slim Line to Freedom Down this slender line, made of twisted bed sheets and wound with wire, three prisoners yesterday slid to freedom from Tombs. The rope is being examined by police. Middle right: Arthur Feinstein, who, police say, operated taxi in which three jailbreakers made gets away, is questioned by police. Bottom: Searching for Prisoners Armed with riot guns, police search buildings along Mulberry Street for three prisoners who escaped from Tombs. Entire neighborhood was searched.Arthur Feinstein, who, police say, operated taxi in which three jailbreakers made away. is questioned by police.

From page 3.

Where Three Broke Jail Diagram shows Tombs prison, where three prisoners yesterday made daring break. Lowering themselves down by bedsheet rope from building above visitor's gate (arrow), they set precedent by staging break without bloodshed.

[the25centpaperback]

New Writings in SF 21, edited by John Carnell, cover by Unknown Artist (1973)

[murakamiyuki]

Mini Ghost

Simon Riley—also known as “Ghost”—was a battle-seasoned soldier, who had survived things other people see in their nightmares. So what would happen if he discovered that he had a daughter? Suddenly, he was bound to face the greatest mission of his life - fatherhood.

A/N: This is a fluffy piece about Simon Riley and his daughter. I will not be killing anyone in this story 😭

TW: swearing, guns, mentions of death

Read this on Archive of Our Own

Masterlist

Chapter 1 - Canary’s Legacy

The room was quiet when a stationary phone rang loud and clear, screaming for the occupant to come and get it. A rough hand snatched the handle and brought it abruptly to the ear.

“Price,” the man grumbled, voice gruff and tired as the day wrapped itself for the night.

“John, it’s Lasswell,” a female voice spoke from the other side.

“Kate? Is everything okay?” Price asked with a frown on his seasoned eyebrows.

“Been better,” Kate replied, a heavy sigh fell from her lips. Some papers scrambling all over the desk echoed through the speaker. “Listen, John, something has come up recently. I… I genuinely have no idea how to break the news to you, if I’m being honest.”

“Kate, we’ve dealt with terrorists, gangsters, and missiles. What can it be that it rendered you speechless?” Price leaned in his chair, his stiff back cracking in protest and relief.

“Do you remember Emily Carnell?” Kate asked.

“Canary?” John uttered the code name instinctively. His mind instantly wandered to one of the best snipers under his command. He smiled at the bitter-sweet memory. “I do. She resigned due to a medical condition. What about her?”

“Well, as it turns out, this medical condition was pregnancy.”

It took John a moment to process. He recalled her sweet face and loving yet firm personality. He remembered how she’d first arrived, shy and uncertain, barely standing out among the sea of new recruits. But bit by bit, through sheer grit and unwavering resolve, she clawed her way into Task Force 141, earning not just her place but the unshakable respect of every member, including him. Then there was the miracle he never saw coming—the way she had his toughest, most aloof soldier completely smitten. The one man no one thought could ever be swayed had fallen for her, utterly and completely, as though she were the calm in the storm he never knew he needed. The infamous Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley was wrapped around her finger with no complaint.

“A…are you saying…” John stuttered, still fumbling with the thought as though it was something forbidden, sacred. “Fuck…”

“I was just as baffled as you are when I found out, John,” Kate admitted with a sigh.

“But why now?” John asked, yet deep down he already had an answer. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, ignoring the squeaking of protest.

“The funeral was yesterday. Cancer,” Lasswell replied eventually, voice quiet, defeated.

“What about the child?” John asked, feeling his paternal instincts flare.

“Well, that’s the interesting part,” Kate said. “Emily arranged for the father to take care of her, so in a few days, you’re getting a new addition. Alice Carnell, 5 years old.”

“WHAT?” Price roared, not caring for the wee hours of the night. His mouth fell agape at the news as it felt too sudden. “That’s absurd! She needs proper care, education-”

“It’s either that or a shitty foster care,” Kate grumbled, frankly interrupting John’s rant.

“She will not get those at an orphanage either, but with you, she has a chance of growing up in a loving environment. I know you and your men will try your damn best to make her feel loved and welcomed.”

*~*~*

The soft rumbling of the car bouncing on the uneven surface gently pulled her out of sleep. Sunlight tickled her face even through the tinted window, making her squint in discomfort. Alice shifted on her seat and groaned, her muscles aching from the long drive. She looked out of the window—the scenery flowed fast before her eyes. However, instead of the usual peace and joy she felt anytime she looked at nature, dread and frustration grew inside her.

“Tired?” Kate asked, her voice soft and gentle as she sat beside the girl.

Alice simply nodded, frown settled on her eyebrows. Her small face was drawn tight with exhaustion. She wrapped her thin arms around herself as a protective layer.

“Just 20 more minutes,” the woman gently rubbed her arm. Her touch was light, almost hesitant, as though trying to bridge a gap between them. “You’ve been so brave.”

The girl’s lower lip wobbled for a moment, her big eyes betraying the fatigue she refused to voice. She leaned against the cool glass and closed her eyes, resting for a moment before the fate-turning meeting.

She remained silent as Kate guided her inside, through corridors that smelled of polished floors and machinery. The other soldiers they passed gave curious glances, their conversations dying down as they noticed the young girl. Alice ignored them all, focusing instead on keeping her steps measured and even.

Not even an hour later—having gone through what felt like dozens of security posts—Alice stood before a thick metal door, her tiny heart pounding with crippling anxiety. She fisted the skirt of her dress, willing the trembling in her body to subside.

Kate glanced at the girl with a look of empathy mixed with sorrow. Despite the line of work they had been in with plenty of their comrades dying left and right, the news of her old friend passing broke something inside her. She was the one to recruit Emily all those years ago after her exceptional performance as a sniper. She felt like a missing piece, yet remained bright and caring throughout. And when she resigned, Kate felt as though it was the last time they would see each other. Despite the numerous calls, it was, in fact, their last encounter.

Now, however, looking at Emily’s daughter, Kate felt her heart clench. At that moment, she had sworn to herself to do her damn best to keep this child safe and happy.

“Are you ready?” Lasswell asked, softly rubbing her back. Her fingers carefully tucked away loose strands of her dismantled hair.

Alice took a deep breath and nodded.

Kate gave her shoulder a quick squeeze before she pushed the door open.

Once inside, Alice was met with a sight of four men, lounging on the old leather couch. John was situated in his usual spot at the wide table. His hands were clasped tightly, fingers pressed against his mouth in a posture that screamed intensity. The seriousness in his posture made him seem larger than life, his sharp eyes watching her without a word.

The closest to him sat a dark-skinned man. His eyes were curious and warm as he studied the girl. There was a kindness in his gaze that felt disarming, despite the sternness etched into his face.

To his right sat a man with a peculiar mohawk. He eyed her with amusement, as though prior to her entry he could hardly believe it was true. The corner of his lips twitched upward, betraying a stifled grin, as though he was holding back a quip that would only further unnerve her.

The last man, however, sent chills down her spine with so much as a gaze. His silence was unnervingly loud, a stark contrast to the relaxed posture of the others. He leaned back on the couch, his head low, but his tension was palpable. Every muscle in his body seemed coiled, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. A ragestorm of emotions blared inside his chest. Dozens of questions swirled in his mind—the main one being ‘why?’

‘Why had Emily kept it a secret?’

‘Why did she not tell him he had a daughter?’

‘Why did she feel the need to abandon him, make this decision alone?’

‘Why does this girl have to look so much like him, only kicking him harder in the gut?’

His gaze bore into Alice, unyielding yet conflicted. Part of him wanted answers, desperately so. Another part—one he wasn’t proud of—wanted to look away, to escape the surge of feelings he hadn’t prepared for. But he couldn’t. She was here, undeniable and real. It was his blood coursing through her veins, and that knowledge only made his heart sink further.

Alice pursed her lips, looking over every person in the room. The lump in her throat made it hard to breathe.

“Gentlemen,” Kate started. She put her arms on Alice’s shoulders, bringing her to the front. “This is Alice Carnell. As you all have been informed, she will be residing here from now on. Please, be kind and patient with her.”

Price stood up from his chair—the sound of wheels angrily rolling toward the wall echoed through the room—and walked over to the girl. His steps were heavy, unsure. He couldn’t shake the feeling as though he was looking at one of his former subordinates. John kneeled before her, offering his hand for her to take.

“Hi,” John said. His face softened, the gentle smile when her small hand softly landed into his rough one enhanced the prominent wrinkles. “My name is John. How’re you feeling?”

How was she feeling?

Confused, frustrated, abandoned, tossed from one place to another like a football, she wanted to say. Instead, Alice glanced down, her thin fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt.

“Tired…” Alice finally replied, her voice small and timid.

“That’s fair,” he said gently, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

Alice nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor.

“I honestly didnae think any o’ this was real,” the man with the mohawk gasped, his accent thickening in seconds. He bounced off the couch and landed next to the girl. He got down on one knee, a silly grin on his face. “Haye, lil one. I’m Johnny. A pleasure tae meet ye.”

“My name’s Kyle,” the third man piped in, awkwardly waving his hand at the girl.

“Hi…” Alice murmured. Her eyes darted from one soldier to another as her young brain worked overtime to process the information. Then her gaze landed on the last mountain of a man who was still glued to the leather couch.

“Ghost?” John asked, but there was a hidden command to his tone—‘introduce yourself, dammit.’

“Come oan, Lt, ye’ve got this!” Johnny uttered, trying to sound encouraging and supportive.

Simon’s body stifled, tension growing in his muscles. He rose from his spot and slowly approached Alice while the others had moved out of the way to give them space. His heart pounded with an unsettling feeling. It was almost ridiculous. Simon, a man with years of battle-hardened experience, had faced horrors others would only classify as living nightmares—and survived them all. Yet, here he was, unsettled and unsteady. As he knelt before a little girl—his little girl—looking into the familiar blue eyes she had inherited from him, his blood ran cold.

“Hi…” Simon managed to push out of his mouth. He was thankful for years of training to had granted him an enviable control over his body.

Alice stared at him. Her blue eyes were intense and calculating. Even the black balaclava over his face with a skull print on it didn’t deter her or scare her off. It felt as though deep down she could feel the blood bond that connected them.

“Are you my daddy?” Alice asked, her piercing gaze seeking answers made his composure waver.

“Yes…” Simon replied with a sigh, suddenly realizing just how weak he was before her.

No one had anticipated what had followed that simple answer. A stunned silence replaced any chance for words, leaving only the echo of what had just occurred. Alice’s palm burned from the harsh collision with Simon’s face, and the balaclava irritated the tender skin. Hot tears streaked down the apples of her cheeks, glistening like shards of glass, but they didn’t dull the fire in her eyes. Those same eyes, so young yet so fiercely expressive, burned with a mix of anger, frustration, and something deeper—betrayal.

Simon barely moved, his head slightly turned from the impact. His own hands remained at his sides, clenched into tight fists, though it wasn’t clear if he was restraining his emotions or grounding himself. For a long moment, he stayed still, processing the dullness from the slap.

“You left us…” Alice hissed, shocking everyone with her loud and clear voice. “Mommy told me about you… That you’re strong and brave. Then why you weren’t around then?!”

Exactly. Why? Simon, too, kept asking himself that question ever since Price had called him into his office the previous morning.

“She could still been here! Why?! You traitor!” Alice cried out as she began hitting him with her tiny fists. She whined and cried, yelling profanities at the man in front of her.

Her words rocked him to the core as he heard it louder than thunder—accusation and blame. Simon’s breath hitched as he stayed kneeling, his frame rigid under the weight of her question. It wasn’t the slap that hurt. It was the bitterness in her voice, the pain so evident in her trembling lips and fiery eyes. It carved deep into him, more effectively than any weapon ever could.

“Whoa, easy there, lil one,” Johnny stepped forward, swiftly catching Alice’s dainty wrists. He pried the girl away from Simon as gently as he could while she kept struggling and writhing in his hold. “This man’s pure muscle; ye’ll only hurt yersel’ throwin’ punches like that.”

“Kyle, Johnny,” John turned to face his subordinates as they straightened their backs at the call. “Take her away. Maybe get her an ice cream or something.”

“Yessir!” Kyle said loudly. He made his way toward his friend who was successfully used as a stress relief punching bag. “Come on, Alice, you’re probably hungry. How about we get you something to eat?”

Ever so gently, Kyle peeled Alice off his comrade and led her away to the restroom to wash her face and regain her composure. She was still spitting obscenities when two men led her out of the room by her tender shoulders.

“You good?” John asked Simon who was still kneeling on the floor wearing an unreadable expression.

“She also left this,” Kate said as she pulled out an envelope from her pocket.

Simon quickly—perhaps a bit too harshly—snatched the piece of paper from her hands. He recognized it. Despite it being a plain white envelope, there was a distinct yellow bird seal in the middle and her name engraved neatly at the bottom—just like on the dozen ones he had received before they stopped coming through.

*~*~*

“Here ye go, lil one,” Johnny said with a disarming smile as he offered a bag of chocolate chip biscuits. “Let me get them open for ye.”

“I can do it myself!” Alice growled and yanked the bag, practically ripping it in halves.

“Whoa, strong lass, are ye no’?” Johnny chuckled, taking a seat in the nearby chair.

To that, Alice simply threw one of the biscuits at the man—one he had caught effortlessly—and glared with a sniffle.

“I think your teasing only aggravates her further,” Kyle commented, sitting a respectful distance away from the girl on the couch in the rec room.

Tears still streamed down her face as she munched on the chocolate treat. She chewed angrily, her small teeth tearing into the biscuit with as much anger as a five-year-old could muster, smearing some of the pieces around her mouth. A pout deepened on her reddened face. The frustration and fury she had accumulated since her mother’s passing was finally overflowing. The confusion, the loneliness, and the helpless rage had finally bubbled over, leaving her small frame trembling as she struggled to control it.

“When you finish with the biscuits, we can show you to your room, so you can rest. How does that sound?” Kyle’s calm and gentle voice resonated in the quiet rec room. He spoke slowly and carefully, hoping not to step on the mine that was a grieving 5-year-old.

For a while Alice was silent. It seemed as though she didn’t even hear him, minding her own chocolate business. The tension in her small shoulders remained visible as she chewed, her lips set in a pout that refused to fade. But eventually, her movements slowed down, leaving a slight tremble in her small body. Her arms went slack, falling limply to her lap. She sniffed a few times before nodding ever so slightly in a silent acknowledgment.

No words were exchanged as they led Alice to the room assigned to her. She walked quietly, eyes staring at the floor. She dragged her feet against the cold tiles, the exhaustion of the day finally weighing in on her. She barely remembered the position of the other rooms or the warm shower that had managed to wash at least some of the worries away. The second her head touched the pillow, melting into the soft bedding as it welcomed her in the comforting embrace, peaceful slumber consumed her, finally granting the longing relief.

Outside her room, Simon sat in the rec room, staring down at a half-empty mug of coffee. His teammates lingered nearby, their expressions solemn but not unkind.

“Rough start,” Kyle said after a long silence.

Simon didn’t respond as he tightened his grip on the mug.

“She’s got spirit, ah’ll gie her that,” Soap leaned against the counter, his mohawk casting a shadow on the wall.

John placed a hand on Simon’s shoulder.

“One step at a time, mate,” he said firmly. “She’s your kid. And if you’re half the soldier you are in here, you’ll figure it out.”