Post by johncheese on Jan 2, 2019 16:32:38 GMT -5
Hi guys I'd just like some quick feedback on the follow up to one of the 'Made Men' stories I wrote back in 2018, as well as the potential 'genesis point' of that African Union team I was thretaning. Below is a potential preview so let me know what you think...
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Timbucktu, Mali
Manfred Haller slid out from underneath the old Peurgot held aloft by the exoskeleton forklift, his hand clutching a rusted suspension coil. Placing the part on the workbench he quickly noted down the serial number and went to the cabinet along the back wall emblazoned with the Peurgot emblem and removed an almost new coil of the same make and model.
Getting ready to slide back under the car Haller heard the bell from his reception area ring and placed the coil down. Nobody should be picking their vehicles up this morning, and he didn't have any appointments today, not that ruled out an emergency call being hurried in, but usually his clients made appointments. As he headed to the front another thought ran through his head, this could be trouble, he'd walked through to see armed men waiting for him before.
Stepping through he breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't armed men waiting for him, only a woman with caramel coloured skin dressed in a white dress.
"Good Morning Miss what can I do for you today?" Manfred asked as he cleaned his hands with a cloth behind the reception desk.
"You are Manfred Haller yes?" The woman asked in an accent the Manfred knew but couldn't place. It was obvious that she wasn't local, that much was clear.
"I am, and may I enquire on who you are?" Manfred asked cautiously. While the woman wasn't armed something about her made Haller uncomfortable.
"They call me Ivory." The woman replied as she looked Haller, dressed in his overalls, up and down before walking past him. "Shall we take this somewhere more private, we have much to discuss."
"What are we discussing?" Manfred asked as Ivory slithered past him into the workshop, stopping in front of the robotic exoskeleton holding the damaged Peurgot in the air. "This is most unorthodox Miss Ivory." He added as he grabbed a tiny box from the top of a table.
"So is this." Ivory announced gesturing to the exoskeleton. "And that's why we're in need of someone with your engineering talent send imagination to help us."
"Us?" Manfred asked as he ran through a list of organizations who may ask for his kind of help.
"The African Union, we're looking to create a taskforce to stomp out a growing threat to African lives." Ivory replied as she walked over to Haller and placed her hand on the desk, purple energy waves radiating out striping the grease and grime off the surface.
"Which one?" Haller asked as Ivory sat on the desk. "Malaria, Islamic extremism, climate change..."
"...AGM, Advanced Genocide Mechanics." Ivory answered as she looked at the box in Manfred's hands before studying the man's face, and the quesy expression bubbling to the surface. "They were until recently, just a Sci-Fi Militia for hire but after Hydra's attack on Wakanda they've stepped up there game in hopes of winning over new clients. Our analysts believe the fire in Senegal was their handiwork."
"Wait you're telling me there's a group calling themselves Advanced Genocide Mechanics and nobody has stopped them!?" Manfred asked, a little bit of anger seeping into his voice.
"Traditionally American assets have dealt with them, but with the current President in charge we're wary of asking for his assistance." Ivory replied as Manfred slipped the box into the pocket of his overalls. "Besides he's stated that Africa's problems are not his concern."
"What about Wakanda? I remember the Black Panther putting together an 'Avengers Africa' together a few years ago?" Haller asked as Ivory winced slightly at the mention of the Wakandan Regent.
"They fell apart, it was a good idea but pressure over the use of the Avengers name ripped them apart. Wakanda has become more isolationist recently, a sure sign of an internal power struggle so the Panther can't be relied on to offer any assistance." Ivory sighed as she slid off the workbench and looked Haller in the eye. "Mr. Haller the entirety of Africa is asking for your help, past observations have shown you to be a man willing to protect others to the detriment of yourself. Are you willing to do that one more time?"
_________________
Timbucktu, Mali
Manfred Haller slid out from underneath the old Peurgot held aloft by the exoskeleton forklift, his hand clutching a rusted suspension coil. Placing the part on the workbench he quickly noted down the serial number and went to the cabinet along the back wall emblazoned with the Peurgot emblem and removed an almost new coil of the same make and model.
Getting ready to slide back under the car Haller heard the bell from his reception area ring and placed the coil down. Nobody should be picking their vehicles up this morning, and he didn't have any appointments today, not that ruled out an emergency call being hurried in, but usually his clients made appointments. As he headed to the front another thought ran through his head, this could be trouble, he'd walked through to see armed men waiting for him before.
Stepping through he breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't armed men waiting for him, only a woman with caramel coloured skin dressed in a white dress.
"Good Morning Miss what can I do for you today?" Manfred asked as he cleaned his hands with a cloth behind the reception desk.
"You are Manfred Haller yes?" The woman asked in an accent the Manfred knew but couldn't place. It was obvious that she wasn't local, that much was clear.
"I am, and may I enquire on who you are?" Manfred asked cautiously. While the woman wasn't armed something about her made Haller uncomfortable.
"They call me Ivory." The woman replied as she looked Haller, dressed in his overalls, up and down before walking past him. "Shall we take this somewhere more private, we have much to discuss."
"What are we discussing?" Manfred asked as Ivory slithered past him into the workshop, stopping in front of the robotic exoskeleton holding the damaged Peurgot in the air. "This is most unorthodox Miss Ivory." He added as he grabbed a tiny box from the top of a table.
"So is this." Ivory announced gesturing to the exoskeleton. "And that's why we're in need of someone with your engineering talent send imagination to help us."
"Us?" Manfred asked as he ran through a list of organizations who may ask for his kind of help.
"The African Union, we're looking to create a taskforce to stomp out a growing threat to African lives." Ivory replied as she walked over to Haller and placed her hand on the desk, purple energy waves radiating out striping the grease and grime off the surface.
"Which one?" Haller asked as Ivory sat on the desk. "Malaria, Islamic extremism, climate change..."
"...AGM, Advanced Genocide Mechanics." Ivory answered as she looked at the box in Manfred's hands before studying the man's face, and the quesy expression bubbling to the surface. "They were until recently, just a Sci-Fi Militia for hire but after Hydra's attack on Wakanda they've stepped up there game in hopes of winning over new clients. Our analysts believe the fire in Senegal was their handiwork."
"Wait you're telling me there's a group calling themselves Advanced Genocide Mechanics and nobody has stopped them!?" Manfred asked, a little bit of anger seeping into his voice.
"Traditionally American assets have dealt with them, but with the current President in charge we're wary of asking for his assistance." Ivory replied as Manfred slipped the box into the pocket of his overalls. "Besides he's stated that Africa's problems are not his concern."
"What about Wakanda? I remember the Black Panther putting together an 'Avengers Africa' together a few years ago?" Haller asked as Ivory winced slightly at the mention of the Wakandan Regent.
"They fell apart, it was a good idea but pressure over the use of the Avengers name ripped them apart. Wakanda has become more isolationist recently, a sure sign of an internal power struggle so the Panther can't be relied on to offer any assistance." Ivory sighed as she slid off the workbench and looked Haller in the eye. "Mr. Haller the entirety of Africa is asking for your help, past observations have shown you to be a man willing to protect others to the detriment of yourself. Are you willing to do that one more time?"