Chain Reaction 2.80: Snippets

A/N: I'm sensing a shift in this story, meaning I'm now pushing toward generation 3. At this moment, Charlotte's story is more intriguing, but enough is going on in Mikey's head to build something as well. (sorry, Chloe) Of course, I don't know about Alex and Emily's child(ren). Things could change. In fact, things could change so much that I could go well over 100 chapters for gen 2. A certain infamous, reappearing character has started dabbling with my plot. I've already written chapter 3.1, but it might be sitting and collecting dust for a while.

This chapter is a mess of pictures to fill in some time gaps. I've done my best to put a storyline to it. I had to include it because it has vital plot elements in it along with the fluff. Also, these pics were taken before pics from previous chapters because those previous chapters got added into the timeline later in order to explain things. Just saying why Graham's gray hair isn't gray in a later pic. It's such a funny pic that I still wanted to include it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Ethan

     "Imagine if Malcolm Landgraab fell in love with Charlotte," my father's voice rings in my ears.

     Over my dead body.

      I got chewed up one side and down the other for going rogue--again--with my sister's rescue operation. I couldn't explain to them why I did what I did because Alex asked me not to say anything.

     At least she's safe.

     I get it. I understand Dad not wanting Alex and Emily together. That's gotta be tough watching your age-old enemy with your daughter. Him talking about Malcolm and Charlotte put things into perspective. But the thing is, Alex isn't Malcolm. Malcolm is evil; Alex is just--odd. But then, so is Emily.

     He made me so nervous how he dashed over to her before we could get Jett McKinney to drop his gun. I was ready to shoot my grandfather before I'd let him harm my father's enemy. That sounds messed up if you don't understand the backstory.

     I walk into the bathroom and look in the mirror. Damn. He's right. I look just like him. Hell if I turn out like him, though.

     I'm starting to get the hang of this stay-at-home dad thing.

    Some big things happen in Emily's life, but I'll let the Maker get to that in the next chapters.

    But before I know it, it's time to go back to work.

      When I return, I notice a new...development.
      "Finn? What the hell happened to you?"
      Turns out he's a victim of a recent outbreak of alien abductions.

      We get several reports of abductions from our citizens. I don't like how Malcolm looks happy about this.
      Why is Malcolm always here? For one reason or another, he comes to the station every day.

      "How's it going?" I ask Finn when we have a moment to talk.
      "Man, I don't know how women do this. This is hell." His voice gets quieter. "And I've remembered something else from my ordeal." He goes on to tell me that the aliens are on a mission to increase their numbers, how the sim race 'owes' it to them as per some agreement.
       "Dude, that's messed up."
       He asks me not to blab that. Of course I won't tell anyone if he doesn't want me to. Besides, it sounds crazy...Well, not any crazier than a man being pregnant.

      My wife starts working longer hours. Her mind seems to be elsewhere frequently. When I ask her about it, she avoids answering. I've tried some of my work tactics on her, but that's only started an almost-fight--'almost' because I stopped it before it could escalate. She says she can't tell me what she's up to.

     Finn has his alien son and names him Emmett. The baby already knows how to talk. It's the scariest thing I've ever seen. When I ask Finn why won't he put the baby up for adoption, he looks at me in a horrified way like how could I even suggest such a thing. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do in that situation.

      I'm so lucky. I have a beautiful wife and three wonderful children.
      "I love you, Claire."

     My wife thinks I'm hot.

      It's almost time for Mikey to age up. We're having a party for him tomorrow.

      Other than the brown hair and blue eyes, he looks like Claire.

     He also resembles her brother Owen in some ways.

       The Maker had to take and include this picture. Geez, Dad. Maybe he doesn't like the movie.

      I call this the 'parents picture' because that's Claire's parents and a pic of mine in the back. Claire's parents were much older than mine were when they had her. She was their 'surprise' baby.

---------------------------------
And that concludes this very odd chapter. I guess I can have an oddball now and again. The point is that Mikey aged up.

Next chapter will have more Alex/Emily.
Also coming up is what the heck Claire is up to.

Click here to go to 2.81