Action Hero (4)

In the physics of this world, a gamma engine is on about the same level as an M-80 firecracker. Not something you want to have go off in your hand, but a fun amusement for those into that kind of thing. However, neither of us wanted to be around when an improperly assembled Gamma Engine reached critical mass. There might be a z-particle reaction, or maybe it would just be a micro-nuclear detonation. We didn’t want to know.

In both variants of the dream, the next sequence is imprecise in my memory. In either case, we were thwarted at just about every doorway by some mechanical problem. In one version, an explosion itself is what opened the last airlock and made our escape possible. In the other, we actually ran down the interior corridor to a whole new exit. We managed to escape, and in one version I met his dad. I was “a friend” and outside of any suspicion. In another, we battled guards. Both of them at one point go to a home.

In this home, I believe he is gathering supplies for us or maybe just me, to continue my flight – or our flight. This was not his home, but that of family or neighbors where he was otherwise welcome. They question him on something, and at one point I must assume his identity in order to leave the premises safely.

I must be looking much younger in this dream than I normally do – that, or these people are blind.

Both dreams get even more vague from here. I believe in one of them, I end up sneaking into a facility which looks like it is on the Ewok home world, but it fades quickly, probably because it was a no-win scenario and my mind released the thread to start over. I don’t remember how the other one ends, unless it is the sequence I am about to share.

This dream is quite different from the other. The last one was a fairly well reconciled, “realistic” if futuristic, world, with predictable people and physics. The other dream thread was quite odd.

In it, the part I can remember, I am in a fire fight with nail-guns to try and capture the upper floor of a wholesale outlet.

The stairs and normal access methods are destroyed. The only way up is a slap-together ladder leaning against some bags of bulk grain in some janitors closet at the back of the building. The upper level of the building is a good 20 feet or more from the floor, and is a scaffold system with many layers, but an open view to the ground. The gaps in the scaffold that would allow one to fall down to (or climb up through) the main floor are filled with a transparent gellatinous material. That or a resistive forcefield which feels cool and wet when you contact it.

Obviously, this is easy to defend against, as anyone coming through it is slowed down. Fortunately, the nails shot through it also travel very slowly, and loose momentum on exit. Thus, the only way to get to the upper floor is by this “back way”.

I identifiy myself with the group attacking the upper floor, but it is clear that the upper floor people are the villians. The assailants below are made up mostly of men. The upper floor is being run and defended by supermodels in skimpy costumes. With construction belts. To hold ammo for their nail guns.

I know. I have no clue where this is coming from.

There are a few men on the upper level, one of them a vile, evil man, who resembles something akin to Magneto and the Green Goblin combined, flying about on some hover-scooter. (a very convienent way to negotiate the various scaffolds).

Now that I think about it, this must have been Lowe’s (my favorite) or some other volume hardware store. Although much of the lower level had isles which more resembled a “True Value” store.

I managed a rally to take the back room. They had snapped our ladder, but I held cover while one of my few surviving teammates (from this volley) managed to reconstruct it. I scrambled to the top, and whacked at feet from defenders who tried to kick me from the wall with their kneehigh vinyl boots.

I managed to gain the mezzanine, and pushed my way onto the main scaffolding. Nails were flying about dangerously; I had to duck and roll to make progress toward the other side. Before me, a dominatrix appeared, bearing down on me with intent to puncture. In a moment of instinct and insight, I realized the only way to subdue this opponent….

…was to copple with her.

Which I did. I was deft and efficient. Simple penetration rendered them harmless. They would continue about their defense, but ignore me. It was as if they accepted me as one of their own. So I rapidly rendered them docile as quickly as I could. It was, after all, my duty to my teammates below. Once I was safe, I could move safely through the entire upper story and maybe find a way to release the jello force field between floors.

After clearing the main gangway of hostiles, I turned to check my progress and saw a teammate, a woman and one of my best friends from my team, had gained the second floor too. We waved at each other, and signalled our directions of attack, then sprinted off toward opposite ends of the building. I don’t know if she was immune to their hostility, or if she had some other perverse task to perform for her safety. I didn’t have time to find out.

I had to save this warehouse.