//|| //^^\\ || || .|. COHERENT COMICS UNINCORPORATED PRESENTS // || \\ || || --X--------------------------------------------- //====TIME=CAPSULES====== '|` ASH UNIVERSE: TIME CAPSULES #3 // || \\ || || "Dust To Dust" // || \\__// || || Copyright 1999 by Pi, Singer, Van Domelen ___________________________________________________________________________ [cover shows the astrological symbol for Gemini, a stylized II. However, one of the sides is crumbling away like a demolished building, the stone pattern of the symbol cracked and broken.] Kaoru walked into the lab, brushing some bits of rapidly-melting snow off his jacket, which he then removed with a flourish and hung from the coat rack. "So, Doc, what's the verdict?" he asked his advisor, Dr. M'Cormack. She looked up from the contents of the time capsule the two had been studying on and off over the year. "Your paper on early 21st Century news services? Passable, but you should rework it before we submit it to any journals." "What's wrong with it?" the graduate student asked. "A number of small things...you'll find some annotations in the file... but the main problem is how you refer to television news as propaganda." "Well, it *was* propaganda. In almost all parts of the world, the major governments had a big say in what was shown, either by direct censorship in the Moslem Coalition or China, or by implied pressure in the Combine or European Union," Kaoru retorted. The professor smiled beatifically, a sign Kaoru had learned to recognize as dangerous. "And we're so much better today? The primary peril in using the term propaganda is the assumption that propaganda is only something THEY use, that WE are above that. Additionally, most news outlets in the freer nations rarely butted up against the government's wishes, simply because they were driven more by profit and the need to get viewers. That's an angle you neglect quite glaringly in your paper. Finally," she picked up what looked to be a double-CDROM case, "not all propaganda is bad." "What's this?" Kaoru asked, reaching for the case and finding it surprisinly hefty. "Open it." Kaoru did so, and found that one side of the case held a pair of golden coins. One was a 20 Euro coin struck in 2024, presumably solid gold and legal tender, but meant for collecting. The other was a medallion rather than a coin, and it pictured a man's face on it, with the inscription "POLLUX - HERO - 1999-2024" on it. On the other side was a CDROM. "The memorial service of Pol Ierulli-Kiris - January 5, 2024. With translations," he read the few words on the face of the CDROM, which was otherwise imprinted with the image of an eternal flame and the face of the man from the coin. "Translations?" "In 2024, Eurolac hadn't settled into one pattern, it was still a pair of argots, one used mainly in trade and based more strongly on English like the current Eurolac, the other a pidgin of dozens of languages. As a result, most people tended to stick with the traditional language of their home country for most purposes. One of the speakers uses the looser Eurolac, you may find it interesting." "And this is positive propaganda?" "Yes. Memorial services often are. They're designed to bring out particular feelings in people...in the case of a fallen hero, the feeling is patriotism and rededication to the principles the hero fought for. Any clay feet the hero may have had are glossed over or overshadowed by praise. And this is a good thing, because it gives people something to hold onto. Well, usually a good thing. It can be and has been abused, but this particular case was not an abuse. It helped Europe look past their own troubles during the aftermath of the Haven Incident...the southern Mediterranean coast was devastated by Hurricane Newt, but knowing Pollux had died to save them helped people get through the hard times of the next several months. Watch it, and a few things I noted in the notes on your paper, then get me a revision by Tuesday." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- [SELECT TRANSLATION MODE.] [ENGLISH SUBTITLES SELECTED.] [VIDEO PLAY] LENARD DUVALLIER Italy, the Eurasian Union, and indeed the United World, lost a favourite son. Lieutenant Pol Ierulli-Kiris of the Eurasian Union Ruling Order Paranormal Authority, loved by the world as Pollux of the Dioscuri, perished in the line of duty on the cusp of this new year. We gather today in Rome to honour his deeds in life, his dedication to duty, and his most noble sacrifice. His life was a brief but brilliant flame. What we call St. Elmo's Fire in France are called Castor and Pollux by the Romans. When only one flame appeared, sailors knew the worst of the storm was yet to come. And the people of the Mediterranean did face a terrible, unnatural storm. Even now, places like Sicily and southern Italy are facing economic and environmental disaster due to the hurricane. But when two flames appeared to the sailors, it was a portent of coming peace. Did not Horace in his Odes say: But when the sons of Leda shed Their star-lamps on our vessel's head, The storm winds cease, the troubled spray Falls from the rocks, clouds flee away, And on the bosom of the deep In peace the angry billows sleep? Pollux and Castor did quench the storm, true to legend. Without the valiant efforts of EUROPA, STRAFE, and the Academy of Super-Heroes, who can say how much further devastation there might have been? Yet also true to myth, one brother survives while the other dwells in the realm of Pluto. On behalf of the United World and the Eurasian Union, I bestow upon the deceased the first Gemini Star, named after Pollux and given to paranormals who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. Let us also remember the passengers and crew of the _Umberto Eco_, and all the others who were lost in the the hurricane. Let us now have a moment of silence for Lieutenant Ierulli-Kiris and those who died in the New Year's tragedy. May the stars of Gemini guide their souls to their eternal rest. POPE PIUS XIII In the chaos of the turn of the century, when I thought my special mission as a priest to minister to the miraculous and the falsely miraculous was over, I was surprised by reports of a miracle in the Umbria region of Italy. At noon precisely, on June 2, 1999, a child was born to an Italian couple, while twenty miles away a child was born to a Greek couple. Both children were identical in appearance, and DNA tests confirmed that they were brothers by genetics. By the will of God, I had been present to witness this miracle and baptize the twins. In honour of the local legend of San Gemini, the miracle children were named Castor and Pollux after the Roman Gemini, but together were called the Dioscuri after the Greek version of the myth. In this way, the dual heritages of the children were respected. It is ironic that I, who blessed them at the start of their life, should see one of the brothers come to such a tragic end. May the prayers of the people speed his soul, and the souls of those lost in the catastrophe, to the grace of the Virgin Mary. RASPUTIN (Yevgeny Sosnov) Comrades, a great shadow darkens my heart. It is an insidious worm that consumes me from within, that cries for great vengeance. It terrifies me that I am tempted by hatred. Hatred of the villains who took our beloved Pollux's life, hatred of the scoundrels who have stolen my stride. If this be anger, then so be it. Let me temper it into a sword to mete punishment upon them. Let the Conclave of Super-Villains tremble: their reign of terror will be turned against them. They will drown in their own lies, and fear their own reflections. To ensure EUROPA remains strong, we are proud reinstate to duty Harry Keane, codename Hotspur, and to add a promising new agent to our team from the Advanced Sciences Institute of Eurasia: Saori Taya, codename Oni. May the courage of both the fallen hero, and those who step up to take his place and face his risks, inspire us to never back down in the face of evil, be it grand or small. DANIEL TRACEY Others here are better qualified to convey the respects of the North American Combine. I'd like to say a few words on behalf of Pollux's peers in STRAFE. I first met Pollux not as an ally but as a rival, and I can attest that he was a fearsome foe as well as a steadfast comrade. Fortunately, we put aside our differences that time and emerged as friends. The North American Combine and the Eurasian Union would do well to follow that example of cooperation -- an example of transnational unity embodied in those two men, one Italian and one Greek by birth, who were nevertheless brothers. I was also present when Pollux gave his life to save Europe and the world from a group of maniacs who sought the sick glamor of the "super- villain." The only measure of satisfaction I can extract from that day -- and it is a small, small measure -- is that two of their worst, the man who killed Pollux and the man who delayed a valiant attempt to save him, were captured. This was the result of a supreme effort by his teammates and his brother. Sadly, I could not capture any of those men, and my inability to save Pollux or to avenge him is my own personal shame. All I can do now is implore the Eurasian justice system to deal with those captives swiftly, fairly, and with every bit of the retribution they have earned. And I call upon the entire world to help us hunt and hound the rest of the Conclave of Super-Villains. To deny them the chance to savor the infamy they so desperately seek. And to bring justice in the name of this man, this hero, Pollux. ARC (Claire Auger) Though I first met Pol at ASIE nearly nine years ago, I am ashamed to say I could not tell one twin from another. I made no effort to know them as individuals. But four summers ago, Pol and I were assigned to the same team for the wilderness survival course in India, part of the Institute's training program. We were both determined to be the first team to reach the end of the 'Hellrun', as the cadets called it. Part of the challenge was for Pol to be separated for a long period of time from his brother, and that was the hardest part of the Hellrun. Even though he tried not to show it, I could tell that he missed Cas. During that trip, we learned about each other: how strange it was to have a twin born to different parents than yours, how difficult life had been as a son of Greek immigrants to Italy; how being a psychic twin meant looking into a mirror and hearing the echoes of the thoughts of another. All things that I could never experience, all things which gave Pol a unique perspective on life. We talked about our friends, our families, and our life at ASIE. Together, we pushed each other to do our best. Together, we survived the jungles of India. Together, we won the race. When we reached the end, I was told that Riita, my roommate, had suffered neurological overload syndrome back at ASIE. I was devastated, and it was Pol who helped me through the grief. Wherever you are, Pol...I miss being your friend. CONTACT (Aaron Zander/Paul Mahler) I...We asked to speak at this service, not because we ever knew or even met Pol, but because he was a telepath. Because, as a telepath, I know what it is like to be bonded so closely to another in a way few people can imagine. And I also know what it is like to almost lose someone so close to me. Even having experienced what Paul and I have lived through, we can barely grasp what it must be like for Castor, but even that small facet that we can glimpse is one of the most soul-wrenching things anyone can suffer. In remembering the dead, don't forget to remember the living as well. While the battle is over for Pol, it has only begun for Cas. YMIR (Erik Qvenhild) Pollux was a hero in every sense of the word. In Amsterdam, he and Castor were instrumental in infiltrating and neutralizing a Cyber Nostra counterfeiting operation, with minimal loss of life. Last year, Pollux helped locate miners trapped after an earthquake in South Africa. In Greenland, his telepathic powers saved many lives, including mine. If it wasn't for his warning, I would have suffered more than broken ribs from the Frost Giants' ambush a few months ago. Let him be recognized as the hero he always had been. HOTSPUR (Harry Keane) Gruppa yaz gents 'n damen member me nicht. Fack, woonta be standin' fore yaz but fe Pol-san. I owe t'him ganz. M'namen is Harry Keane, though m'handle's Hotspur, 'n ich var at th'Institute 'vec Pol. Year go, gruppa us gang down t'Berlin, scopin' the Vogue scene, checkin' the band Ebon. Ja, shoonta bin drinkin'...I mean, sheda bin zample. These Vogue-ghouls insulted us, then...well, I lost it. I melted their leader's bike ohne thinking. Coulda gotten zehr worse...but Pol he shuts me down fore I coulda snuff them Vogue-ghouls, fore I coulda slagged half of the Kurfurstendamm. Since then, bin on probation 'n rehab. Pol was immer confident I'd one day rejoin EUROPA, when I learn t'trol m'temper. I think I'm pret jetzt, Pol...if the team'll take me back. ONI (Saori Taya) I have not known Pollux personally, but I have heard much that honours him. I hope to do my utmost for the team. Thank you. CASTOR (Cas Ierulli-Kiris) On Pol's behalf, I'd like to thank you all. For your kind, kind words. I've shared the same thoughts with my...with Pol, ever since we were born. We dreamed the same dreams. We knew each other's pains. Our joys. We were more than twins. We were a single soul in two bodies. Our love transcended family and body. His death...his death leaves a void in my heart. A void I can never fill. They tried to prepare us for this at the Institute. They tried to teach us to live without the other's thoughts. But all that training does not prepare you for death. It does not prepare you for murder. I died with my brother that day. Though I know every word he's ever said...I cannot take his place. I don't know how to say all the things he needed to say to you, but I will try. Yevgeny, Pol respected your leadership. You were like a brother to him. Erik, he'll miss the flying lessons. Harry, he'd be glad you've made the team. Contact, I thank you for understanding, and hope you never truly understand. I would envy your chance at cheating death, but today is not a day for envy. Claire...Claire. You and Pol were best friends, but he longed for more. Pol loved you from the day he met you. But he could never say it out loud. He knew you did not think of him that way, and he did not want to risk his friendship with you. He held on to the dream that one day, you might have come to love him. Pol...now when I look into a mirror, I pray you'd step out of the frame, and we'd talk mind to mind again. If I could sacrifice my life as Polydeuces sacrificed his immortality for his brother, I would. I'll avenge you, my brother. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few days later in 2135.... "All right, I see what you mean about positive propaganda," Kaoru admitted. "From everything I've studied about the Conclave of Super- Villains, people really needed to get their heads all pointed in the same direction to deal with them. But it's still propaganda...every time the camera panned the crowd, it made sure to grab some strong emotional reaction." "Admitted to. But propaganda is still a loaded term, you have to be careful with it," Dr. M'Cormack countered as she sorted through some of the non-media items which had been unpacked from a second compartment in the time capsule. "Okay, then, I'll do the rewrite tonight." Kaoru frowned, picking up two antique drafting tools, "What are these things doing in the time capsule?" One of the objects was an L-shaped rule, a drafting square. The other appeared to be a compass for drawing circles, but intended more for decoration than actual use. Professor M'Cormack looked up. "Hmm? Oh, you should know that. Symbols of Freemasonry. Such objects were often placed in the time capsules built into cornerstones of buildings. Still are, in some cities." Kaoru shot his advisor an "I'm not THAT stupid" look. "I know. But this capsule is from the mid 21st Century, and the year 1884 is engraved on the compass, see?" He held the object closer to the professor. She paused for a moment, then chuckled. "It appears someone had a sense of humor when putting this capsule together. Those masonic emblems were probably removed from a deconstructed building and later placed in this time capsule." "Deconstructed? Like the old literary movement?" Kaoru tried to picture a building that had been analyzed using literary criticism. "No, I mean taken apart." "Oh, demolished," Kaoru nodded. "No, deconstructed. Carefully taken apart from the inside out, everything that was reusable or recyclable removed and the skeleton of the building dismantled to be sent to the steelworks and resmelted. Some of the big cities hit hard by the depopulation of the turn of the millennium were left with a great many empty buildings, and simply using implosion techniques to drop them was considered wasteful, even though scavengers had picked over most of the structures in the years of unrest immediately after the great disaster. So companies slowly picked the buildings apart, and once-dense skylines were thinned out by this pruning...." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Back to the Rock," Henry said as the bus let out in front of Rockerfeller Plaza. "I'm on fourteenth floor recovery sweep today, how about you?" "Oh, same old thing, yanking old wiring. Most of it's copper, so it's worth recycling. And...what the hoo-ha?" Sol stopped suddenly and pointed at something that wasn't there. "Who kiped the statue?" "Atlas? You didn't watch the news yesterday, didya?" Henry asked as they headed for the main entrance, looking back over their shoulders at the empty pedestal. "Too busy nursing my New Year's Eve hangover and watchin' Bowl games. Ya suppose the Academy'll ever field a team?" "Yeah, right," Henry mocked as they went in and pressed their thumbs against the scanner plate to clock in. "Anyway, the Atlas statue came to life the other night, crashed this big parapunk party in Times Square and ended up doing a King Kong or something with one of them. Something like that, anyway. Been a weird damn week...y'hear about the missing building a couple miles south a' here?" They got into the elevator, talking over the conversations of the other workers. "I just told ya, Henry, hangover and football. That's all I heard about yesterday." "Y'need t'get out more," Henry mocked. "ANYway, I heard that a building scheduled for Decon just up and vanished Sunday morning. Like the earth swallowed it whole, no trace at all. Really weird." "One screwed up weekend, that's for sure." "You don't know the half of it...that's just weirdness in Manhattan, and doesn't include the explosion out at the docks. They had a hurricane over Italy, didya happen t'hear that during the football games? And a bunch of paras were duking it out inside the hurricane...I hear one died, too." "One a' ours?" Sol asked, a faint look of concern on his features. "Nah, one of the Euro-freaks, I think. Y'know, y'could at least listen t'the radio news on the bus in...." Henry trailed off as the elevator reached its destination. "Hey guys," a third figure stepped up to them as they got out of the elevator. "Looking for any late Christmas presents?" "What, you liftin' stuff again, Jimmy?" Sol asked. Jimmy held up his hands and put on his best "innocent affronted" expression. "Guys, all on the up and up this time. We cracked a cornerstone on Friday and the museum guys let us take what we wanted once they took pictures and snagged some of the juicier bits. Check out these crazy old tools," he held up a compass and square. Henry snatched them away. "Jimmy, you're not a freemason, are you?" "No. Why?" "You'd have treated these with a little more respect if y'were," Henry snarled. "Catch me at lunch break, I'll credit you a fair price when the cart comes around." Jimmy nodded and scooted off to try and make some other deals before the foreman came in and noticed him not working. "So, what'cha gonna do with 'em?" Sol asked. "I dunno. I'll bring 'em to the lodge next meeting, there's probably some policy about this kinda thing. Hm, 1884. I'll haveta ask Jimmy which building...." ============================================================================= Authors' Notes: Tony Pi (all eulogies except Dan Tracey and Contact): In penance for killing Pollux in DEEP ARMAGEDDON, I have taken it upon myself to give the members of EUROPA more background. Look for the upcoming EUROPA special, written by yours truly! Marc Singer (Dan Tracey eulogy): No comments, just put him here to establish the story credits. Dave Van Domelen (framing sequence, Contact eulogy, second story): The second story was actually written months ago, then socked away to stick onto the next Time Capsules that came in shortish (with a few modifications to reflect the stories that happened in the interim). In the process of writing it, I realized I really should know what days of the week were which dates, so I found a perpetual calendar webpage. The page that deals with 2024 is: http://www.mnsinc.com/utopia/Calendar/3_Columns/Calendar_8.html Watch it and keep us honest. }-> One of the points of writing the second story was to provide an example of the second kind of tale that can appear in Time Capsules. So far, all the stories have involved narratives that Kaoru and Dr. M'Cormack were exposed to; videos, text or whatnot. But in this case, the two archaeologists may never know the story of how the Masonic emblem came to be in the time capsule, even though the reader does.