The Tales of Sol 1 By Joe at3unit3@yahoo.com
This my second attempt to right so please tell me what you think. This is a fictional story it is not intended to imply that any of the celebrities mentioned are homosexuals. If you are not old enough to read these stories do yourself a favor don't get caught. The same goes for those people whose countries have these sites made illegal. And for everyone else enjoy
Captain Planet and related characters was created by R.E Turner and copyright by AOL Time Warner Company and Trademark by TBS Productions
Babylon 5 and all related characters and props were created by Michael Straczynski and copyright by Warner Bros.
Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount
Transformers and all related characters, and props are trademarked by Hasbro inc. Copyright Rhino Home Videos and AOL Time Warner Entertainment CO
HE-Man, She-Ra, related characters, and props are trademarked by Filmation 1980's
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox.
Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros.
X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox.
The Tales of Sol 2 Two Worlds one Destiny Pt 2
Sensing her that champion maybe lost the Earth set forth to create a new one and she already had her sights on one such person and she directed the last remaining spark of Captain Planet to find him.
In the darkest of hours a light will shine and at the time I didn't know that I would be that beacon and this is where my story begins my name is Michael Pennock and I am just a nobody. I was never popular nor have I ever wanted to be but that didn't stop me from trying to find my niche and I thought I had found it when I joined the US Navy. I am now a Petty Officer in the US Navy currently stationed on board a US Aircraft Carrier the USS Carol Vinson along with the rest of my squadron. We are now on our way home from a long and tiring tour. I was standing on the weather deck looking out to the ocean but not looking at the waters below my mind was clouded for I was reflecting on what had transpired and how I came to this moment. I held something in my hands it was my dress blues uniform I thought the world of the Navy hell the Navy was my world. I belonged here at least that is what I told myself when I first enlisted. The service was everything to me it gave me meaning and sense of worth. My forearms rested on the guard rail I could feel the cold and rigid steel that made up this ship's hull, below the ocean crashed against the ship as we sailed through it. With my flight deck cranial covering most of my head I felt wind as it blew across my cheeks. Briefly my eyes shifted upwards peering out of my flight deck goggles, and all I saw was a hazy world that didn't make sense anymore. Turning away from the ocean for a moment and resting up against the rail I looked over the flight deck like a black carpet the nonskid sat on top of the metal hull. Gazing upon the ship I could sense energy emanating from her maybe it was the nuclear reactor. However I knew that was wrong I felt her I felt the Carol Vinson she strong, fearless, confident she was everything I wished I could be. A sound interrupted my thoughts its shrill filled the air turning my attention to the source it was an F-14 Tomcat powering up. The pride of the Navy's air force for 20 years she was a beauty and she was powering up for her return home. Taking everything in I couldn't image anything that could top this experience and I couldn't even image ever thinking of leaving all of this. How could I ever do with out feeling The Nimitz class aircraft carrier below me feet it was a question that boggled the mind.
The wind had picked that moment to wash over the ship moving over it like an invisible hand taking anything that wasn't heavy, and moving it down the flight deck. I felt it brush across my face like a long lost lover caressing my cheeks.
With the sun high above us it bathed us in its warm and illuminating rays. For many this was good day, however letting out sigh I felt nothing but defeat.
Another breeze washed over me moving my head to take measure it for it felt different in that this breath of air seem to have a message in it. It spoke of love and comfort from the air and sea below us I felt the ever presence of the Mother to be more precisely I felt the Earth. She came to me when I was facing a very dark and dangerous moment in my life. While it would seem strange to think about the Earth in such away which is a very human thing to do especially given my religious background I couldn't deny her either. Bringing myself back to the moment at hand I was standing on the flight deck with my dress blues in my hand while flight operations were going and all I could think of was what happened months ago I was rudely awaked from a peaceful sleep by one of my shipmate, we were all ordered back to the shop. Grunting a little with thoughts of sleep still on my mind thinking what in the world could be so important that we were being called back.
When I got there all my thought had just gone out the closest porthole into the ocean, and were visiting Davy Jones Locker, for what I saw made my heart freeze. In that one moment in time everything I thought I had and everything I had ever felt was all done away.
In our shop the television was on and everyone eyes were glued to it. The screen displayed the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City and it was in flames. And a second later as if a sickening twist of fate the South Tower being struck by airplane debris flew everywhere, followed by thick black smoke billowing out of the sides like the mouth of a volcano. Flames could be seen in the midst of all that smoke licking the sides of the buildings like an out of control fireplace. Watching the screen I prayed that what I was seeing was nothing more then bad dream. Praying for someone to pinch me so that I would wake up this nightmare I would tell myself that this had to be some movie that Hollywood had just released. I don't remember hearing anyone saying a word the whole time we all stared at the TV screen, there were no words the feeling told all just by their body language I knew. I don't believe I had ever felt such vulnerability or helplessness from my squadron mates before, and those feelings seemed to radiate out like some invisible poisonous gas engulfing the ship and everyone in it. I was not unaffected either the destruction of the Twin Towers for the first time the Carol Vinson didn't feel as indestructible as I allowed myself to believe, She did indeed have limits and I began thinking very poorly of my ship. But more importantly I had lost faith in myself and the uniform I wore for I could no longer look at my reflection when I was donned in them. It was this uniform I swore to protect my country and my family and I had failed in my both of my duties.
Coming back to the present I was standing on the flight deck in the middle of flight operations with my Navy uniform in my hand turning around to face the Pacific Ocean again I ran my hands over it for one last time. In a sorrowful cry I hurled it overboard and watched it plummet to the waters below. I watched as the uniform floated on the surface for some time until it finally sank beneath the waves I let out another cry this time in rage as symbol of my future here in the Navy. This world that I knew was gone and for the last time I turned to look at the flight deck. For tomorrow when this ship docked I would never see it or the Carol Vinson ever again.
I felt the Mother as she tried to comfort me I turned my back on the ocean and head below deck not paying attention to where I was going I bumped into my Leading Petty Officer Dave Sheppard "Hey Mike," He greeted "Hey Shep," I greeted my voice somber
Now Sheppard is a short guy my height about 5'5 with brown eyes, and closely cropped brown hair. He is married with two children of his own. I came to envy him in many ways, and respect him in more ways then one.
"Not much joy in the flight deck this day?" He asked
"What makes you say that?" I asked
"Well for one we've served together far too long for me not to notice," Sheppard replied
"I had another nightmare last night," I told him
"The same one?" Dave asked
"I keep seeing myself years ago talking to my best friend and how I knew this shit was going to happen," I sighed
"Mike there was no way on Earth you could have known," Sheppard spoke to me.
"Its funny that you mention the Mother," I sort of smiled
"And how is the Earth today?" Dave asked
"Loving as always," I replied
Sheppard was the only person who knew of my connection to the Earth in fact he encourage it.
"Is it helping?" He asked
"A little," I sighed
"It just how can we justify those losses?" I asked him
"We were attacked and we responded," Sheppard answered
"But it makes the Mother weep to see her children fighting over what God wants and how he judges those in this realm," I stated
"The Mother eh well I am not sure I can speak for the Earth Mike," Dave chuckled
"It's just not right," I complained
"Mike we are humans we often don't make the right decisions," Dave sighed
"I guess I am just projected my own discomfort on this whole situation," I sighed
"Come on Mike there is no way you could have known something like this was going to happen," Dave stated
"Dave I felt the air the night before it was eerily quite and still," I told him
"That could have been an approaching storm," Sheppard suggested
"The last time I felt a storm coming it save this ship hundreds of Sailors," I reminded him
"Yes I don't think the Captain ever really thanked you for your early warning," Dave conceded
"I can't do it anymore Dave," I told him
"Do what?" He asked
"The Navy I can't be apart of this," I answered him
"But you're a fine sailor and a good friend," Dave stated
"That maybe," I told him
"Mike, are you sure about this?" Dave finally asked
"Every time I close my eyes I see those same damn images," I told him
"We were all affected by that day Mike," Sheppard sympathized
"Dave I love the Navy but I can't shake those images," I told him
"Just never forget that you are a sailor first and for most," Sheppard said as we came up to the berthing.
The next day the mighty vessel slowly approached her home port. The ship moved lazily into the harbor her gallant crew all bore the scar of war. All those on board the carrier USS Carol Vinson would forever remember the events that lead to our current mission. Eight months ago we left on a routine tour one filled with excitement and wonder and are returning from war. The city came into view her trek was almost at an end ship's time of fame was fleeting yet her glory will live on in the hearts of her crew. Looking out of the massive hanger deck doors I could smell the salt of the sea and sense the tiredness of the crew as we long to be with our loved ones.
I knew no one would be there for me all of the ones I love are on another side of my beloved homeland.
The sight of San Diego came into view its graceful appearance through the great hanger bay doors. Normally packed with jets today it was packed with eager sailors ready to see their loved one after nine months of duties.
We were all tired after seeing so much death and destruction it was good to see beauty. Even if it's man made I smiled to myself.
I felt the wind as it filled the hanger bay I could feel the Earth and how proud she was of all her children I could feel her trying to comfort me.
"Hey Mike," Dave Sheppard sat beside me
"Hey Shep," I answered back
"I hope you are feeling better today," He spoke over the crowd
"A little and I have both you and the Earth to thank," I smiled back
"Well doing one last look around I noticed you left your CD player in the Lounge," Dave said giving it to me.
I sighed, "I had too much on my mind,"
"You and everyone who has a heart just like yours," Dave said giving me a pat on the back.
"Thanks," I smiled
"Your welcome," Dave smiled back
"Attention crew of the Carol Vinson prepare to disembark we are home," We heard the 5mc.
"Well see you back at the base," I told him.
"Gladly," Dave smiled.
Hours later I was back in my barrack room feeling restless there was a knock at the door opening it.
"Dave what a surprise," I smiled
I had just come back from the commissary with a bunch of drinks and snack. Making up for the foods I've been craving while out at sea.
"I came to see how you are settling in," Dave told me
"Just fine," I replied
"Want anything to drink?" I offered
"Well if you have a beer that would be great," Dave said
"Well I am afraid to disappoint you but the closest thing I have is root beer," I told him
"That would be great too," Dave laughed
We sat there for a few moment when I finally said, "I've been thinking,"
"Ah ho," Sheppard laughed
"Dave I leaving the Navy," I told him
"What why?" Dave asked the shock on his face was enough to make me lightly laugh.
But the sour mood in my room was back and I couldn't shake the decision I was coming to.
"I can still see them Dave," I told him
"Then help fight for them," Dave insisted
"I want to but who do I fight a bunch people who have nothing to do with the attack?" I queried
"That not very honorable," I replied
"No I guess not," Dave agreed
"But what would you do?" He asked
"Go back home and think things over," I told him
"By the Mother's Hand," I slightly swore
"Shep there is more to my decision then just my nightmares," I told him
"What else is there it sounds to me like you are running from your pain," Sheppard stated
"If I am the answers I seek are not here in the Navy but out there in the civilian world," I responded
"I hope you know what you are doing," Dave sighed
"So do I," I conceded
After seeing my Commanding Officer I explained the situation and while he didn't agree he wouldn't stand in my way either "Good luck Petty Officer you are a credit to your country," my CO shook my hand from there I took my leave and after a few days of checking out and sending my gear home Dave saw me to the airport and with a last look I was going home.
My flight home began with San Diego I was in the terminal wondering what it was I was going to do when I got back to Philadelphia. Grabbing a light meal at a restaurant in the airport just thinking about my future. "Petty Officer Pennock?" I turned to see a young enlisted sailor in uniform. "Yes?" I answered the sailor
"I am AM3 Sanchez," He introduced
"And how can I be of service Petty Officer?" I asked
"It is I whom have come to help you Petty Officer Pennock," He smiled his crisp uniform was moved with his laugh.
"I am no longer a Petty Officer," I reminded him
"That is what you think," He smiled handing me a manila envelop
"What this?" I asked
"A present from Commander Reeves," Sanchez said then got up and left.
I opened the envelop to find orders and a note.
"Petty Officer Pennock, While I do not agree with your decision to leave the Navy, You were a great asset and will truly be missed," The note read "And if you ever wish to come back just call me and I will get you back, Until then I had your assigned to the reserve squadron stationed at Willow Grove while its not the Active Duty it is the least we can do," Commander Reeves wrote
"PS the Navy takes care of its own,"
I put my head back I was actually quite stunned "Thank you Sir," I prayed
"Attention passengers bound for Philadelphia PA your flight is now ready for boarding," The PA announced I paid for my meal and left a tip. You can take the Sailor out of the Navy but the Navy would not leave the Sailor. As I boarded the Plane I felt a strange sensation running through out my body "By the Mother's Hand," I smiled
Please tell me what you think at3unit3@yahoo.com
I also recommend the following stories it was because of them I got into writing in the first place.
"Tales of a Real Dark Knight" by authorjames
"Marvel Knights" also by authorjames
"Tales of the New Phoenix" by Blake
"Tales of a Superhero Band" by Leo
"Tales of a Young Mutant" by Jeremi
"Tales of a Thunder God" by Tony Justiss