The Shattered World Part 6 - From Ruin They Shall Rise

Everyone was here. Yarofev was ready to begin.

"Okay, I know all of you probably want to take a shot at me but if you do that the world will stay shattered. I know how to sort everything, but I need you to help me."

"You know how to fix everything?"

It was Christian who spoke. Everyone knew about his fight with Tommy, and they were all disgusted. But the matter was put aside; the group had a bigger problem to deal with.

"Many years ago, I was the leader of Black Row. I was working on a project called 'Yarofev', but something went wrong. The container that held the substance that is me cracked open, and I was trapped. My body was the first biological thing that touched the substance, and we were fused together.

"I couldn't control my new power, though, and I accidently killed everyone in the facility. But you may wonder what this has to do with saving the world, hmm? The answer is simple; I sent my second in command, Yematin, to work on a project called 'Eden'. It was a failsafe in the event that nuclear war destroyed the earth. I can only hope that he finished his work."

The survivors absorbed the information. Yarofev, a highly dangerous person, was a failed experiment of Black Row. But it had not failed, it just hadn't worked the way it was supposed to. But this other experiment, Eden, was still out there, somewhere, waiting to be found. Rebecca knew that everything Yarofev said was true, she had seen it all for herself in the archives. Everything was beginning to fit into place. But there was still one question she had to ask.

"That night, when you jumped us, why didn't you kill me? You went after the others, but you offered me safety. Why?"

"The answer," Yarofev said "is simple. You are my grand daughter. Yematin told me that my DNA would be the only thing able to activate Eden but as I am no longer flesh nor blood, I needed your help. I have kept you safe all these years until you were ready to help."

Rebecca crouched down. How could Yarofev be her grandfather? Hadn't he lived for over a hundred years, and was already old when he did change? She felt so alone, so small, with everyone staring at her. If she was the last hope for the world, the chances of success were incredibly stacked against them. She couldn't even defend herself against a single Zombie without help.

"OK, I'll help you. But we need to know where Eden is, and we'll need new weapons and supplies."

"No problem."

With that, Yarofev raised his hands. An alcove hidden behind some wall panels opened, revealing 21 century weapons and a couple of long daggers.

"These guns are in good condition, and are custom made from Black Row. The daggers will also be useful, incase you have to run through a horde of zombies. They will also break through most types of doors."

The group rearmed themselves, then were shown a detailed map of 'Lon-Don', supposedly where they were now. Far north of their position was another bunker. This was where Eden was created, but it looked like they would take a long time to get there. There were useful buildings where they could defend themselves at night, but the journey would take days. All ready, the group followed Yarofev back through the maze of tunnels, and into the open.

************

Four days had gone past but progress was slow. For twelve hours everyday, they had to defend themselves from the Zombies. Around 2 hours were consummed in building the barricades. Every now and then, they had a rest for half an hour.

"This is so slow!" exclaimed Sarah "why can't we just keep moving at night?"

"Ok," Yarofev said calmly "we can keep walking through the night. If you can keep up, we will get there in a few days. You will run out of ammo quickly and will then have to slash your way through multitudes of Zombies that will just get back up after a few minutes. You'll be lucky if you lasted a few hours; I'm only willing to defend Rebecca as she is the most important out of all of us. You are just here to help protect her."

Yarofev was not angry, but he had made his point. Continue at night and they would surely die. It might take longer this way, but it would be alot safer. They packed up and moved on again. Everyone was getting anxious; they had survived so far but in truth they all wanted to be back in the Headquarters. Any night they could be killed.

And then it happened.

While moving furniture to build a barricade, Sarah was ambushed by a Zombie. It had been hiding from the harsh sunlight in a derelict house, but when Sarah had uncovered it, it jumped at her and bit savagely at her neck. Her screams quickly caught the attention of Yarofev, and he quickly disposed of it, but the damage was done. Nearly instantly Sarah transformed. One swipe to her neck and she was truly dead.

"Strange," said Yarofev "the Zombies are mutating. Even a bite will kill you. We must hurry!"

There was urgence in his voice and, it seemed, a hint of fear. How could he be scared? He was most likely the strongest weapon they held to help them and if he was scared... They began to press on with the barricade. The sun was low in the sky and they had less than an hour to finish. Time, it seemed, was always against them.

************

Three more days had past, the bunker was just a day away. But the Zombies had indeed mutated, as the survivors began to see new types of the Dead, and the originals began to get stronger and faster. They had barely lasted through the previous night.

Only a few hours away Eden lay in wait. It wasn't as sophisticated as Yarofev, but it had a mind of its own. It sensed the survivors and...something else. It was not Yarofev, but something was on the move. Eden knew it would finally be activated after a 93 years. It had counted since the day Yematin died.

But it wasn't completed when he had died.

Eden triggered the old machinery that would finish the building process. It would not be used for evil and it would be activated as soon as the survivors arrived. As for Yarofev, it had something special in mind.

But this...thing...that it sensed would get to Yarofev first. Eden sighed. He wouldn't get the chance to deal with Yarofev, just as Yematin had instructed. Instead he contented himself with the reparing of the world. It was what he was built to do.

************

The bunker was insight when something else went wrong. It was misty and the light faded long before it should have done. It walked towards through the mist, a horrible creature that seemed neither Dead nor human. It towered over the survivors. Its muscles were rippling beneath a complete leather suit. Whatever it was, it definitly looked like a challenge for Yarofev.

"Go!" He roared "I will deal with the Zombie!"

Christian, John, Emily and Rebecca could do nothing but run. They had spent days working their way towards the bunker and they weren't going to die now. But Rebecca hadn't found out as much as she had hoped from Yarofev about her parents, and he was her only living relative. She made a decision, and turned around to help.

"Don't do it Rebecca, you're the only one who can activate Eden!"

John shouted himself hoarse, but it was no use. Rebecca had gone. The team loaded their weapons and ran after her.

************

Yarofev dodged another punch aimed at him. This Zombie had either mutated in a unique way or it had been modified by some company, most likely before the Shattering. And if it HAD been modified, Black Row was almost definitly behind it.

Yarofev's mind was wandering. Too late he realised that the creature was preparing for a kick and he was unable to dodge it. He was sent flying into a concrete wall. His back was badly damaged and he could barely stand. He saw Rebecca running towards him and he saw the creature bend over and pick up a slender metal pole. Turning the sharp point around, the creature thrust the pole through Yarofev's stomach and right through the concrete wall. Yarofev didn't move again.

"NOOO!" Rebecca screamed. Her last relative had been taken away from her.

Christian and John turned up a few seconds later. They quickly took in the scene and pulled Rebecca backwards. The creature had drawn the pole back through Yarofev and it had turned towards them. Their only hope was to run.

Yarofev lay in a pool of something that was not quite blood, but a thick black replacement. Beneath his hood, the white glowing eyes had nearly faded. Then they went out. Richard Osman had lived for many years, but his luck had finally run out.

The Shattered World - Archive Part 2

In her hunt, Rebecca found a small concealed room. To anyone who happened to look inside, they would have seen a damp, dark square with nothing but a chair and desk inside. But to Rebecca, it was another likely spot for an 'archive' page. And, sure enough, there was a page inside the desk. Rebecca scanned it eagerly.

***BLACK ROW YAROFEV ARCHIVE PAGE 2***

If only there was more time, it could have worked. Yarofev was nearly stable, then the stupid US Government opened fire on us. Sure, we started the war in Spain and pratically everywhere else, but we don't want to destroy the planet. It's time I revealed all of Black Row's history:

Our group was formed many years ago, in 1874, by a group of scientists who thought that their ideas of governing should be imposed within every country. Coming together, they formed the name 'Black Row' because of the 'coal whipper' problem that was going on at the time. Black is roughly the colour of coal and Row refers to the fact that men couldn't line up when they got drunk in the pubs.

For many years, Black Row was simply an undercover group that didn't meddle much with countries affairs. It wasn't until much later that my predecessor, Tommyfer Laudry, came up with the idea to take over the Earth. It began with a mind control drug.

When this drug was created, it was revolutionary. First tests were used on some bully who ended up driving a car into some other boy who won a race. He'd gone mental from so many tests and something in him just snapped.

Later, a man named Jake decided it would be funny to scam Black Row. Somehow, he managed to find out the plans to inject the drug into many governmental officials. As far as I can tell, no one has seen his body in a long time.

After Tommy died, it was up to me to continue his legacy. The mind control thing was too complicated so we began new experiments. It was around that time that I openly declared war against the world. Honestly, it was going to happen sometime.

Right, back to the present. Something serious has just happened: a nuke landed nearby. I've just been informed of the details, there is a problem with Yarofev. Shockwave from the blast has kick started Yarofev and it's broken out of its container. The room has been sealed off, but I know it won't hold forever.

I know I won't live much longer.

If any member of Black Row finds this, send these and a message to Yematin. Tell him he is the new leader of Black Row and to get UbiThink back from space; we need all the help we can get now. Also tell him to fire any nukes that we have. If I die, the world is going down with me.

Rebecca gasped. This was the reason that everything had gone wrong. It was Black Row that had shattered the world. Then Yarofev called. She was reluctant to go to him, afterall he was a failed experiment that was extremely dangerous. But she had no choice; Yarofev was fine tuning a plan and, if Richard thought that he was going to die in that room, it was unlikely that anymore archive pages were lying around. Sarah had already found some recordings, but they held nowhere near as much information combined as this single page had. There was nothing Rebecca could do. She turned around and searched for Yarofev. It looked like the group was going to be on the move again, and soon.

I just can't get it out of my head...

...And when YOU see it, you won't be able to get it out of YOUR head!!!1!

I hate you, you hate me
Tinky Winky shot Dipsy
with a great big bang
and a hole in the head,
sorry Lala
Dipsy's DEAD.

I love that so much, it was classified under paranormal in the CIA.

The Shattered World - Archive

Rebecca began to explore to derelict facility; she rarely got to go out and this place was shouting at people to come inside and explore. She walked randomly, drinking in whatever things of interest she could see. She looked in to a door on her left and saw what might have been someones office. There were a few filing cabinets to the side. Rebecca made her way to them and pulled out and old folder.

***BLACK ROW YAROFEV ARCHIVE PAGE 1***

Day...I'm not sure what day it is; it's been so long since the last recording. The bloody voice recorder broke and no one knows where to find another one without exposing the headquarters of Yarofev. What I DO know is that Black Row is expanding all the time. Like my department, there are many divisions all devoted to different projects, Yarofev (us), Eden and UbiThink to name a few.

As you should know by now, I am the leader of ALL of Black Row, I just chose to manage Yarofev. I set Yematin (second in command of Black Row) to work on Eden and J.M.Clements to UbiThink.

Anyway, to the main project. Tests have been good so far. We have been able to create new weapons thanks to this vat of...stuff. It's strange to think that the future of Black Row could depend on a random idea that hasn't never been dreamt of before.

However, it is not yet fully stable, so it might be sometime before it can be used openly against the world.

For The World, For The Universe.

R.O.

Rebecca looked up from the page. These were some of the last words Richard Osman ever wrote before he died, presumably in the headquaters. But there was only 1 page, the others were missing. But the only time the door had been opened was by Yarofev. "He's the weapon" she realised. But she wouldn't know the full story until the other pages were found. Rebecca began her quest to find the missing pages. Surviving would have to wait, she had a new job now.

Star Wars Episode 6 - Return of the Monkey

He stood there, looking out into the emptyness that was The Siths dressing gown. Then, without a word but a monkey squeak, he jumped up to the top of a swimming pool and stole back his banana. Before he knew it, he had been sliced in half by sword of plastic that was supposed to loo good, but unfortunatley didn't. The last hope had failed, and The Sith would wake up on the right side of the bed today.

I've been having some very strange dreams recently (strange in contrast to the dreams I usually have). The only bits of one I can remember include:

-> Me wearing a single black glove
-> Watches for only $1 (?!?) at a supermarket
-> A supermarket that only sold bread
-> Kaytei fussing over how long a pie should stay in an oven
-> And me having to climb up a muddy slope, then slide back down to retrieve a phone
I left somewhere.

If you think this was weird, I once had a dream where I was a penguin.

And for those of you who wonder why I put this up instead of another part of The Shattered World, the next piece is, hopefully, going to be a recording.

For the World, For the Universe.

With a slice of cheese

Strange. When we went into half term, I was 14. When we're back at school, I'll be
15. Yes, it's my birthday soon and anyone who can guess when will get a friendly handshake.

Not you, Mark. Nor you, Jimmy Pickils, Mr Staples, Cyberminky, JacobTheBoffin, Reconvoid, Mundooteh, anyone else who reads this blog or Racist BNP Wanker-Shit by the name of Lloyd. You can though, Tommy.

I got a new laptop on Friday. I'm really happy :) and it will mean more time blogging. If any of you happen to have Skype, can I have your names? I started a new account (Nickname TibetanJimmy) and I need more contacts. I only have 3 so far :S

I might see some of you sometime in the week, I really can't say when. Won't be before Wednesday though.

Until I blog again.

The Shattered World Part 5 - A Leader Returned

Nothing like this had happened to Tommy for ages. It had started with the 'death' of David, his best friend. He had left him for dead, blocked his escape just so he could survive. For years his conscience had fought with his mind, but it had resented when no hope of revelation was forthcoming.

Then the voice started again, and he realised that, this time, it was something else trying to break through, another person. The Robed Figure, or 'Yarofev' as he had named himself. Tommy had sacrificed Rebecca to protect himself, but he knew she wasn't going to die. But why was 'Yarofev' so intrested in her? If he wanted anyone, surely it would have been Christian? HE was the one with the knowledge of the Wasteland.

A gush of cold air, they were back. Rebecca was extremely pale, and was supported by John and Sarah. They took her through to another room.

"Hey, Christian, what happened?"
"Nothing much. Reb's got startled by the Robed Figure and a Zombie. We managed to collect some stuff before we had to run, though. The supplies we're taking are not enough, we'll have to move soon.
"Err, yes, about that."

Tommy was nervous. For Yarofev's plan to work, he would need to convince Christian to move. He pulled out a scrape of paper, on which he had drawn a map from the descriptions of Yarofev.

"You see, I found this map and it looks like a relatively safe area. These parts here, they look like the broken tower. If we start there, we might find a new SafeHouse. As you said, we need to move."

Christian was suspicious, but turned over the possibility of an easier base. Trying to find a spot without help and a paralyzed team member would be difficult, especially when the days end hours before they're supposed to.

"Fine, we'll take it. We need a few days to get ready then we'll move out to the Tower. Rebecca can't move yet, not the way she is."

**********************

After a few days of preparing, Christian and the team followed Tommy's map. Within hours they had reached a strange old building, one completely devoid of life, fresh or rotting. Glowing eyes followed their every movement.

"You sure this place is safe; it's very open."

"That's why you should follow me."

Everyone turned instantly to see Yarofev. Before any guns were raised, they were ripped from the grip of the survivors by strange black tenticles that seemed to have appeared from Yarofev's arm.

"And now you have no weapons. Do you really think you could survive out there without a firearm? If you want to live, I suggest you follow me and don't do anything...stupid... Also, my name is not 'The Robed Figure', it's Yarofev."

And so they followed him, Christians' eyes burning with anger and aimed directly at Tommy, who did not meet his gaze. Using his unnatural power, Yarofev wrenched open a hidden door in the side of the building. A howl penetrated the silence. The Zombies had come.

"Quickly, everybody inside!"

Everyone except Tommy and Christian were inside. Suddenly, Christian kicked the back of Tommys' knee and knocked him down. Before he could get back up, a drop kick was aimed into his back. It hit and he was stuck. Another kick to the head and he was unconscious.

"Seeing as we're going to die anyway, I thought you might want to get it over with quickly."

Christian spat at Tommys' motionless body and walked through the door. Yarofev closed it behind him.

****************

It seemed like days, but it was merely minutes. Rebecca, Christian, Sarah, Emily and John were led through a maze of tunnels until they finally reached a small to medium sized room. The survivors looked around hungrily, absorbing every detail of what would become their future home. There wasn't much on the walls; meters that didn't work anymore, jars of various fluids and chemicals, even a broken recorder with a few tapes on top. But the thing that claimed the most attention was a glass vat that went from the ceiling to the floor. Something had obviously cracked it open; there was nothing inside but a strange smell and a giant hole took up one side.

"Welcome," Yarofev said "...to Black Row."

More Recordings...