Story

Comments? Questions?

Clark has taken a life. It's a good thing he has Lois there as his ally (regardless of if they refuse to use the word!).

Why aren't Mayson and Lumen following them? And should I recognize Lumen?

Lumen is an original character, rather than one from Lois & Clark or The Hunger Games.

Is it too obvious to say that a lot has happen in this chapter?

So if Lumen is an original character, Lysander must be as well?

Clark is using his abilities in a stealthy manner; he wanted to keep himself and Lois out of the hands of the Career alliance. From the sounds of it, they are clumsy and full of themselves. Not a good combination for them or our favorite duo.

Hmmm, Lois hungry, desperate and determined is a dangerous combination. Clark was correct in asking her to stay behind, in this situation she would only slow him down. Honestly, they should have made their move at sunset. People, especially untried youths such as the tributes are, tend to lower their guard at sunset.

Both fight sequences were frightening! But the sentence below really had me biting my nails.

The battle description between Lysander (by the way, love that name!) and Lois was fantastic! I could smell the combatant's sweat and feel the streamers rake against his skin. For a brief moment in time I was in the arena with them ... scared out of my wits!

Ok... I do not believe that the knife stood up straight from the ground so that Lysander impaled himself on it. Despite the fact that it flew through the air end over end.... Sorry guys, but that is a plot hole so big even Big Foot could walk through it.

Poor Clark... he thinks he's responsible.

I await next Saturday's installment.

Morgana,

The knife went flying and wound up in the brush at the fringe of the clearing. It was the underbrush that caused it to stand upright and also concealed its presence from Clark. I personally have had an errant knife land in just that manner when practicing my throwing technique (and missed the stick) so it can and does happen. Not often, admittedly, but enough that this was a legitimate scenario. I would not have used it otherwise.

Lysander is Lex Luthor's son. He's an original character, yes, but he's also the son of a canon character.

Like KenJ says, it's quite possible for a knife to land like that under the right circumstances. I was taking some cuttings of plants to share at work one day when I dropped the knife I was using. It landed straight up in the tangle of roots and weeds where I dropped it.

Oh, I assumed Lysander *was* Lex. Close enough, with that family.

I don't really think that Clark took the life. It was Lysander's own actions that led to the chain of events that ended up with Lysander dead. Clark may have been the proximate cause, but if Lysander hadn't brought the knife, then the latter wouldn't have been killed. Clark only shoved him.

Of course, Clark won't feel this way.

Yeah, Clark won't see it that way. And neither will Lex. It doesn't sound like he was exactly fond of Lysander, but I guarantee that any small hope our dynamic duo had of sponsors is now evaporated.

Clark will feel guilty, as it is his nature, but it was not his fault. He didn't even hurt Lysander. If he fell over his own knife it was not Clark's fault, it was an accident. Now there are two Careers and Lois and Clark. The Careers are arguing, maybe they will fight and kill each other, remaining just Lois and Clark? And then....?

Andreia

It seems that it will be Lois and Clark left.

Surely there is some obscure rule that can be invoked if the remaining 2 tributes are in love.

KatherineKent,

That is exactly the scenario that came up in the later game involving Katniss and Peeta with disastrous results for the Gamesmaker (At least in the movie.). He was directed to commit suicide. As an additional touch of irony, the weapon of choice was the poison berries that Katniss and Peeta threatened to kill themselves with which would have left that game with NO victor.

This game takes place some years before that one. If the precedent had been set in this game then it could have caused him to re-think his decision RE: Katniss and Peeta.

BTW: Hunger Games now in large format paperback. I just purchased Volume 1 on Saturday. $6.98 at Sam's Club.

Urgh! KenJ you just blew the story for me! Clark and Lois are supposed to be the leaders of the revolution.

Right?

Oh yeah, I stand corrected about the knife in the bushes. Neat way to bring real life into the picture.

Never fear--there will be all sorts of twists and turns before this story is done.

Hi Morgana,

You of all people should know me better than that. I really didn’t disclose anything with my previous comment.

Morgana has commented on the fight scenes. It should be stated that the fight scenes are as true to real life as I can make them. I don’t apply any Hollywood trickery.

RE: The fight scenes in general. Morgana know me from other communications we have had, but for those that don’t know me – a little background.

I have been a practitioner of the Martial Arts since HS. I have studied Judo and 3 different styles of Karate, mostly soft (Kung Fu) styles. I have worked with Karate weapons such as Escrima and Nun Chukka. I have also studied Kendo – the art of the Japanese sword. I have and have practiced with a number of blades, my favorite happens to be my WWII Katana. (Okay, it doesn’t date back to the Samurai, but it is still a Katana.).

All of that is to say that the throws described are moves I have performed in actual combat (tournament) situations. I have transliterated the names phonetically. The moves performed I work out before I write them so that I can be sure they are accurately described whether it be Escrima strikes or Nun Chukka blows as far as timing and execution.

If we were dealing with other arms such as bows and arrows or firearms, I am qualified in those areas as well.

If anyone has any questions or would like help with a scene they are writing for a story, I am available.

To AnnieB and KenJ:

Sorry! Please accept my apology! I thought the rest of the story was given away.

In a future story of mine, KenJ has written an amazing fight scene! If anyone needs help in those quarters, he is the person to consult.