Ben Chatham: "Caves of Oblivion"

sparacus wrote:

Aspadistra wrote:A masterpiece, as ever, Sparacus, but I suggest that you substitute another name for "Kyle". North of the border, it is a name associated with Neds. (Scotttish Chavs, for the unenlightened.)

Kyle is a London chav. He is certainly not a 'Ned'. I'm not familiar with Neds; I've only been to Scotland twice (to Arran & Inverness) and they were all very civilised people. However there was a disappointing lack of kilts.

I share your disappointment. Kilts should be made compulsory for Scottish males. all males north of the border.

I was about to suggest that the comment about the chest was unlikely. On consideration, however, I realise that I have made similar remarks about my husband's chest.

I withdraw my objection.

*waits for resolution of cliffhanger*

Aspadistra wrote:

sparacus wrote:

Aspadistra wrote:A masterpiece, as ever, Sparacus, but I suggest that you substitute another name for "Kyle". North of the border, it is a name associated with Neds. (Scotttish Chavs, for the unenlightened.)

Kyle is a London chav. He is certainly not a 'Ned'. I'm not familiar with Neds; I've only been to Scotland twice (to Arran & Inverness) and they were all very civilised people. However there was a disappointing lack of kilts.

I share your disappointment. Kilts should be made compulsory for Scottish males. all males north of the border.

not everyone is frazer hines you know!

Great stuff spara. Already looking forward to part 4, but in the meantime just a couple of observations.

sparacus wrote:Ben has convened a team meeting in the lounge of the centre.

Personally speaking, I reckon it would be better in the centre of the lounge.

“Hey this is like wow man. It has a structure of amazing density. I dig its strange sounds.”

This is dialogue of a quality rarely seen nowadays.

The Co=Ordinator wrote:This is dialogue of a quality rarely seen nowadays.

It is pretty groovy, brother.

Zoltar wrote:

The Co=Ordinator wrote:This is dialogue of a quality rarely seen nowadays.

It is pretty groovy, brother.

i'd like to see shaky jake played by donald sutherland in a "kelley's heroes" stylee.

or shaggy from "scooby doo"

I do have to wonder whether Spara's ever actually met any real stoners...

Colin Hicks wrote:I do have to wonder whether Spara's ever actually met any real stoners...

Or any real people...

Anyway, here is the next part of this gripping archaeological themed story folks.

“CAVES OF OBLIVION”: Part 4

Ben leaps forward and grabs the boy by the arm:
“What have you done to this boy? Why are you inside his body?”The possessed boy’s eyes glow a bright shining blue:
“Have no fear. I Asiron and he Alteron have not harmed the earth waifs. They will be returned to you. We are here from the great sleep to bring you knowledge, but also a great warning. The dark ones approach………”Suddenly there is a rumble and a crash.
“Great scott, it’s a rockfall” Jed shouts.
“Run for it team!” Ben shouts, ushering the boys out of the way of a large rock.
Katie and Corinne scramble after Jed & Jim who lead the way:
“It was outrageous that you ever allowed caving trips in here at all” Corinne states.
“Look love, we’ve found the kids okay so just shut it” Jim shouts back.

Back at the centre, the scramble out of the caves has been too much for the boys, who collapse unconscious. They are put to bed while Ben holds a team meeting in the lounge. Paul Farraday suggests a course of action:
“Clearly we cannot tell their families that they’ve been found yet as they are under the alien presence. At the moment they seem fine in the physical sense, bar the blue-glowing eyes and unconsciousness”.Jim is annoyed:
“Well what about the bloody whingeing parents on my back?”
“Look Harries, there are more important things going on here than your damn legal situation” Ben replies. Jake strums his guitar several times and looks up:
“Like earlier in the lab when Paul was inspecting the crystals and had visions. Man I felt something too. I sensed two sets of vibes, one benign and one deadly. The crystals man they’re groovy, they’re ok. But theres something out there…. In space.. Bad energy.”Paul agrees:
“I sensed the same thing. I believe that those crystals are containers of some kind which house the knowledge and images of an entire civilisation.”
“The Clanac Empire….” Ben adds:
“ The Clanac must have visited earth many centuries ago. But why? Essentially we can’t do anything until they can communicate again through the lads. I suggest a chill break.”

During the break, Ben enjoys a drink with Paul & Corinne, while Katie and Jed get close on the sofa watching a repeat episode of Inspector Morse on the lounge tv:
“So how long have you been working with Ben?” Jed asks.
“On and off for several years now, both on archaeological projects and on … well the extraterrestrial matters. How about you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Not at the moment.” He winks at Katie and slides a hand inside her blouse.
“In that case you’re on. We’ll watch the rest of this & then go upstairs” Katie replies, groping his buttocks.
Suddenly there is a strange howling sound from outside. Looking out the window they see a huge wind has started up. A tree is blown over and crashes onto the centre roof cracking a window. The tv goes off and there are a series of huge bangs as telephone poles blow down.One of the boys appears at the door, blue eyes glowing:
“They are coming: the dark ones. We have a short time to impart our knowledge. Or great destruction will befall this place and the sea will swallow everything….. Just as before……”

……….. To be continued

Bloody hell spara, it's Torchwood: Children of Earth all over again!

sparacus wrote:He winks at Katie and slides a hand inside her blouse.

smooth(e)! i'll have to try that as a seduction technique.

when inspector morse is over anyway...

I disapprove of the immoral practices displayed in this work of fiction.

This would never have happened in Classic Who. Even that masterwork of modern fiction, Aliens in the Orchid House didn't have characters who had only just met groping one another in an unseemly manner.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK folks, here is the next part of this story, inspired by the best eras of Doctor Who.



“CAVES OF OBLIVION” : Part 5

Ben stares at the possessed boy as the wind howls outside:
“Then tell us your knowledge now. What are the secrets of the Clanac Empire? And who are these ‘Dark Ones’?”
The boy stares at Ben:
“Many centuries ago we visited your world. Our Empire was based on the provision of enlightenment and knowledge and we were eager to seek out new frontiers to expand to and develop. We were not a culture of conquest but a culture of mutual benefit. At the time we the Clanac elders had just entered the stage of deliverance.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Katie feistily asks:
“We had found a way to transcend death & exist as pure mental energy. Our scientists had discovered the crystal caves and unlocked the inner energy of the crystals. The crystals enabled us to abandon our dying bodies . They also brought us the ultimate in self-development ; it seemed that all our negative qualities that our culture had suppressed but never destroyed, such as hate and anger, just disappeared from our thoughts. All that remained was…. Was love.”
“Far out man!” Jake comments. The Clanac continues:
“We came here to give your primitive culture a helping hand. We brought knowledge and wisdom to one of your early civilisations; you know it as Atlantis. Our hope was that the Atlanteans would spread this wisdom all over the earth and that in time this planet would join our Empire. We even brought some of the crystals here and hid them in various locations around the globe such as this cave; our gift to you.”


Jake lights a spliff and plays ‘Atlantis’ by Donovan on his guitar. Ben is irritated:
“Jake, please refrain from that. *to the Clanac* None of this explains why your Empire collapsed or why you have taken over those boys. Please explain these matters.”
“Forgive us. We occupy these bodies as a mode of communication. The earth boys are quite unharmed. We need to warn you of the dangers of the crystals. As long as they remain buried they are safe. Away from fresh air & sunlight . However your people found these crystals and several were removed from the site.by your archaeologists.”
“So what? We needed to analyse them properly” Jed comments.
“What we Clanac didn’t realise was that all that negative energy inside us had to go somewhere. It was taken within the crystal itself, amplified and then eventually thrown out in the form of destructive energy and the Dark Ones. They are our inner hatreds made massive. Our Empire collapsed because of violent destructive weather, explosions and …. And the monsters that the negative energy gave force to. Whole planets were ripped apart.”
“And now this destruction is starting here” Ben says in horror as the wind outside gets stronger and uproots another tree.

Meanwhile, in the village, an elderly couple are driving down the road as the wind gets stronger.
“This wind is getting worse Percy” the woman says. Suddenly they see a fallen tree in front of them and Percy stops the car.
“We’ll have to walk the rest of the way Mabel. Then phone the bobbies about this tree”. Another telephone pole blows down.
“This is like in the war Percy. We was happy then. I remember when the jerries dropped that bomb on the gasworks and they brought all them bodies out. Some had no ’eads left on. And all we ad to eat was a tin of sardines a month but we was happy”.
“They were good old days Mabel, none of them hoodies about.”
As they get out of the car, a sense of deep fear grips them as a dark shadow approaches. The shadow envelopes them and rips them to shreds. Then it advances towards the pub………”

Back at the Centre, things are tense.
“So what the bloody hell do we do then. Just sit here & wait to bloody die?” Jim Harries exclaims. Ben takes charge:
“I suggest we keep calm. We need a considered strategy or otherwise the earth is indeed doomed”………..




………….. To be continued.

Two episodes in one day - our cup runneth over spara!

sparacus wrote:“We came here to give your primitive culture a helping hand. We brought knowledge and wisdom to one of your early civilisations; you know it as Atlantis. Our hope was that the Atlanteans would spread this wisdom all over the earth and that in time this planet would join our Empire.

So the Clanac were responsible for the fish people?

“This is like in the war Percy. We was happy then. I remember when the jerries dropped that bomb on the gasworks and they brought all them bodies out. Some had no ’eads left on. And all we ad to eat was a tin of sardines a month but we was happy”.
“They were good old days Mabel, none of them hoodies about.”
As they get out of the car, a sense of deep fear grips them as a dark shadow approaches. The shadow envelopes them and rips them to shreds.

Terrifying and awesome in equal measure.

Then it advances towards the pub………”

I reckon it'll be after a light & bitter, and a bag of pork scratchings.

OK folks, here is the final part of this major and memorable story.



“CAVES OF OBLIVION” : Part 6



“I suggest we keep calm. We need a considered strategy or otherwise the earth is indeed doomed”, Ben states.
“What kind of bloody strategy then? Huh? What?” Jim replies.
“Please calm down. It is already in hand. Kyle and K9 will accompany me into the caves where we will return the crystals. However before we leave, we will need dynamite and lots of it.”
“They have plenty of that in the quarry two miles from here” Jed comments.
“OK Jed, you will need to risk going out as well. Drive to the quarry and obtain some. If they object, show them my Operation Delta card”. Ben passes his card to Jed.
“Brave Jed” Katie whispers, squeezing his inner thigh.

Later, after Jed has returned with the dynamite, Ben, Kyle & K9 set out in Bessie for the caves. In the back of the car with K9 is a box with the crystals in. The wind howls all around the car and debris blows about in the swirling air.
“Ere this wind is getting stronger. I dunno whether we’ll make it, its enough to blow the car over” Kyle remarks. Ben studies himself in the car mirror:
“I’m more immediately concerned about the mess its making of my hair”. Ben passes his hand through his luscious blonde hair trying to keep it in shape. Arriving near the cave entrance, they disembark and Kyle struggles through the wind with the box and with a package containing the dynamite. K9 goes first into the cave. As they enter, dark , clawed shapes begin to materialise.
“It’s the dark ones taking material form. Blast them K9!” Ben shouts.
“Affirmative Master!” K9 replies, shooting at the shapes. They vanish and Kyle and Ben rush quickly through the dark passages. Eventually they reach the excavation site. Kyle throws down the crystals and starts to set up the dynamite,
“This should blast the whole roof down like. Enclose these things here under rock.”
“That’s the idea Kyle. How did you learn how to use explosives by the way?” Ben asks.
“Oh my mates did a bit of safebreakin’ once & showed me how” Kyle replies.
“For pity’s sake, I wished I hadn’t asked” Ben replies.

As they rush out of the caves, the dark shapes begin to form again and a shaking starts like an earthquake.
“Those things are trying to trap us in here Kyle. Run faster” Ben shouts.
They rush out of the entrance & K9 blasts the roof of it causing a collapse.
“Now for the real explosion” Kyle shouts, grinning as he pushes the detonator. There is a massive explosion and the whole cave collapses, encasing its chambers in tons of rock. The wind stops howling and all is calm.
“Excellent work Kyle! The crystals will remain harmless as long as they stay there.”

Meanwhile, back at the centre, the two boys are standing in the lounge, their eyes glowing blue. One of them speaks:
“You have successfully returned the crystals to their safe abode. Soon we will return to them and sleep. The threat from our dark side is over. However, before we go, we offer you a gift.”
He stretches out his arm and opens his hand. Inside is a cube.
“Within this cube is our message to humanity. It contains the esoteric wisdom of the Atlanteans. Give it to the one called the Doctor for he will know how to access it.”
The boys then collapse and their eyes return to normal. They wake.
“Hey like where are we? We was like in the caves and now we are like here.”
“You were possessed by aliens you little crap. Your own fault for bloody well wandering off” Jim replies sternly.
Jed and Katie make an excuse to go upstairs. Finding one of the dorms, they put a chair against the door and get down to it on one of the beds.

Later, Ben and his team are discussing the case in the Mermaid Wine Bar. Ben holds the cube in his hand.
“Well, I look forward to touching base with the Doctor again soon. I wonder what knowledge and insights are contained within this. Anyway, I propose a special toast to Kyle and K9 for their major role in saving the day here.”
They all raise their glasses to Kyle and K9, the latter sat up on a chair . Katie and Jed hold hands under the table.

Later as they chat, a familiar song plays on the jukebox. It is Michael Jackson’s “Ben”.
“Hey Ben, they’re playing your song” Corinne states. Ben looks sad:
“Do you know that Michael once sang this song to me personally. The Doctor once took me & Rose to one of his concerts in the TARDIS and afterwards we met him. He told me I was a very special person and sang this for me.”
“That’s lovely Ben” Corinne replies, “It is so sad that the King of Pop is no longer with us. I suggest we have another toast; to Michael Jackson!”
The team raise their glasses once more and Corinne sings “You Are Not Alone”.


………………. THE END

awesome ending- sniff.

btw i hear that corrie producers are to recast the part of nicky tilsley- as adam rickett is unavailable. who would you suggest?

Ben Affleck.

barnaby salton wrote:awesome ending- sniff.

btw i hear that corrie producers are to recast the part of nicky tilsley- as adam rickett is unavailable. who would you suggest?

I have no idea. Who could match Adam?

I understand the producers are finding it hard to decide which plank of wood can capture the same qualities the Ricketty one brought to the role, but one from B&Q is the favourite at the moment.

Graymalkin wrote:Ben Affleck.

Gets my vote. And awesome ending, Spara.

sparacus wrote:OK folks, here is the final part of this major and memorable story.

But of course - I would expect no less from one of the country's leading writers.

“Oh my mates did a bit of safebreakin’ once & showed me how” Kyle replies.

Marvellous plot device.

“For pity’s sake, I wished I hadn’t asked” Ben replies.

QFT.

“You were possessed by aliens you little crap.

If only Shakespeare could have used that line.

Marvellous stuff spara, already looking forward to the next one.

Michael Jackson's 'Ben' always makes me sad.

A nice nod to current events, Spara.

If only I had read this sooner! Seldom have I read a more gripping, moving and downright heart-breaking work.