THIS TIME by Dean Warner (Real Ghostbusters - 24 pages)
Five years after a disasterous bust that left one of their number dead and destroyed the team, the surviving Ghostbusters have a chance to set things right.
There's a part of me that's always going to wonder what would have happened if he'd lived.
It's the same part that wonders what life would be like if Charlie wasn't my dad--Masochist Pete, I call that part.
It doesn't matter what might have happened. He's still dead. Five years ago, tomorrow, I lost a best friend--well, three, really. I mean, Winston and I still talk, I still do the occasional job for the new Ghostbusters crew he's trained--hell, we just had lunch this afternoon--but it isn't the same. I don't think he's so much mad at me as just disappointed. Disappointed that I turned my back on them before they could throw me out.
God knows they would have. Well, maybe not Winston...
He's been great through all of this. Or at least as great as a guy can be when he's had his heart ripped out. And stomped on--mostly by two guys who used to be his best friends. He spends his time going back and forth between us, trying to make peace.
You'd think after five years, he'd finally get the point and stop trying, huh? Given the look on his face over moo goo gai pan today, I think he's getting it now.
Relationship problems with the living aside, if he'd lived, I'd've still had a great job, three great friends, and a great life. And now, I have a job that pays the bills--better than busting did, sometimes--and no friends at all. A life? Not likely, thanks. I don't think I've actually been alive at all, since he died... The bastard.
SINS OF THE FATHER by Amy Rummerfield (Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon; originally published online - 15 pages)
Venger succeeds in capturing one of the Young Ones, and uses his captive's inner torment to turn him against the others.
"Report, Shadow Demon," A voice echoed through the castle's throne room with a sinister reverberation. The dark specter alighted from the ceiling and came to rest at the right hand of his Master.
"The Young Ones have destroyed the Nightwalker, my Lord," the Shadow Demon announced, his smoky head hung low.
"What?" The imposing single-horned figure in the throne room spun around to face his minion. His red eyes flashed brightly with anger and he spread his jagged wings. His viper fangs bared, he stepped toward the living shadow, whose ethereal hands were instinctively raised to cower against his Lord's apparent displeasure.
"They had help, Master," Shadow Demon fearfully reported, "From King Rahmoud of Khadish."
"I see," Venger replied, his massive wings settling once again upon his shoulders like a cape. His eyes still flashed red angrily, heightening the corpselike pallor of his skin. "I will find a way to make him pay for his interference. With those accursed children trapped in the City at the Edge of Midnight, I may have been rid of them once and for all." He paused before repeating again with determination, "I will make them all pay!" LAZARUS by Anna McLain (Andromeda - 38 pages)
The Andromeda and her crew get tangled up in planetary politics and prophecy.
Trance Gemini was naked except for her panties. Dark eyes closed, she inhaled the fragrance of the bubble bath that she had concocted herself from plant extracts and oils. It gave her the impression of rain on flowers, chocolate and the sweet nuts outside her granny's cottage, the damp earth and grasses she used to lay in to watch the triple moons set.
It wasn't often that she could indulge in a soothing bubble bath. Life was too hectic aboard a star ship. The Andromeda Ascendant could easily manufacture the bubbles but Trance preferred her own. She tipped the vial and watched the stream of pink liquid drizzle into her makeshift tub. It pooled on the bottom. She nudged the water hose then scampered back into the bathroom to turn on the tap. She adjusted the water to its highest volume and let it run over her lavender fingertips until it reached a comfortable chill. Her scented bubbles worked best in water the same tepid temperature as the pond that ran both in and out of Granny's cottage.
The cargo bin, converted into a makeshift tub, was just outside the bathroom door, surrounded by some of her favorite large and draping plants. All the touches of home. Well, some of the touches of home and touches from other people's homes. Turning off the tap, she attached the end of the hose to the faucet.
Tonight was another in a string of diplomatic dances held to celebrate the addition of the Soltan System to the new Commonwealth. It was rumored that they lived hard and partied hard. It would be a very long night. A nice bubble bath would put her chi on the right path. THE FIGHT by Trinity Day (Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World - 10 pages)
An argument between Marguerite and Roxton is compounded by a secret Marguerite is hiding.
Roxton stomped out of her bedroom, snatched one of his guns, and then left the Treehouse without a word. In the main room, Ned and Veronica heard the sound of glass breaking.
Challenger came out of the lab. "What is all that noise?" he demanded.
"Marguerite and Roxton had a fight," Ned explained.
"A fight? It sounded like a bloody world war!" Challenger exclaimed. "What was it about?"
"We don't know. We only heard the tail end of it." Veronica was alternating worried glances between Marguerite's bedroom and the elevator that Roxton had disappeared down. "Maybe we should go see what happened, see if they're okay," she suggested.
Ned shook his head. "No, it's probably better to give them some time to cool off."
"Malone's right," Challenger agreed. "I'm sure if we just give them some time, they'll make up on their own accord. It's best not to get involved." WET GRAVE by Kim Hamilton (Real Ghostbusters - 10 pages)
Something has broken a water line...and people are disappearing...
"What seems to be the problem?" Egon spoke from the top of the stairs, as Winston stepped up behind him.
"This morning, a huge water main shattered, not broke, shattered," Janine started as Egon and Winston started down the stairs. "Five water company workers went down, none have come back. The streets and the surrounding buildings are flooding, and six men have vanished. The cop told me that the last woman witness said that she heard terrible screeching. Her statement was a little vague but the witness thinks she saw a strange mist."
"A ghost that eats men?" Peter straightened up, his frown deepening. "They want us to go in!?! No way!"
"Peter," Egon sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. "We are needed."