Some six years ago, Skyefire (oh, good heavens, I'm posting right below him) started a thread about passing items, talismans of a sort, from heroes of some
universes to heroes of another. All the
stories I saw involved the delivery of the talisman. But the thought that came to my mind, that I
could never write up properly, was of the inter-universal messenger acquiring
the object that will provide inspiration to someone who really needs it.
He shows up at the deathbed of an
elderly duke, stopping time around the two of them, and explains to the old man
that in another universe, somewhere, there’s a young man who’s just joined an
under-funded, ill-equipped police force in a large and very corrupt city. This young fellow might benefit from having
a token, a touchstone, that once belonged to someone in similar circumstances,
that’ll remind him and help him remain a clean copper in the midst of all the
foulness. He might benefit from being
given Badge 177.
Who does it get delivered to? Well, I was thinking Leon McNichol — who
isn’t given any explanation as to why someone would want to give him an old
copper disc with the number 177 barely readable on its face. He nearly tosses it aside when he’s about to
go out for his second or third day with the AD Police … but then, for some
reason, he puts it into his pocket instead.
Harry Callahan might be another
possible recipient, and there’d be an appropriateness there … but….
Edit: Caught a punctuation error. Those things drive me mad....
-----
Big Brother is watching you. And damn, you are so bloody BORING.
universes to heroes of another. All the
stories I saw involved the delivery of the talisman. But the thought that came to my mind, that I
could never write up properly, was of the inter-universal messenger acquiring
the object that will provide inspiration to someone who really needs it.
He shows up at the deathbed of an
elderly duke, stopping time around the two of them, and explains to the old man
that in another universe, somewhere, there’s a young man who’s just joined an
under-funded, ill-equipped police force in a large and very corrupt city. This young fellow might benefit from having
a token, a touchstone, that once belonged to someone in similar circumstances,
that’ll remind him and help him remain a clean copper in the midst of all the
foulness. He might benefit from being
given Badge 177.
Quote:The Duke raised his hand
shakily. The simple copper disc was in
it, of course; he’d made a point of getting hold of it when he realized these
were his last hours. He’d meant to pass
it to Young Sam one day … but his son had a badge of his own, after all.
The man in midnight blue leaned over the bed
and cupped his hand under the Duke’s.
The Duke peered up at him, noticing for the first time an odd glitter to
the man’s eyes. Then a bit of the
glitter fell free and splashed on the coverlet. The Duke sighed. The
elderly hand turned over slowly, and the badge fell onto the other man’s
palm.
The stranger straightened up,
reverently tucking the copper badge into an inside pocket. He came to rigid attention and snapped a
parade-ground salute. The Duke snorted
gently, and nodded in response. He
hadn’t the strength left in his arm to return the salute properly.
Dropping his salute, the visitor
whispered, “Thank you, Commander.”
Taking a single backward step, he turned on his heel and strode away,
exchanging solemn nods with the black-clad figure who’d just come through the
door. Without opening it.
The door swung open quickly, passing
right through the man in blue, as did the Duke’s son and, a moment later,
daughter-in-law. Time had begun moving
again. Before Young Sam could say
anything, the Duke asked, “Have you caught him?” A copper to the last, he told himself wryly.
Who does it get delivered to? Well, I was thinking Leon McNichol — who
isn’t given any explanation as to why someone would want to give him an old
copper disc with the number 177 barely readable on its face. He nearly tosses it aside when he’s about to
go out for his second or third day with the AD Police … but then, for some
reason, he puts it into his pocket instead.
Harry Callahan might be another
possible recipient, and there’d be an appropriateness there … but….
Edit: Caught a punctuation error. Those things drive me mad....
-----
Big Brother is watching you. And damn, you are so bloody BORING.