Friday, October 31, 2014

Wandering Koala Around the Web


The Wandering Koala sure gets around. Here he is hanging out on a new website. He looks like he's ready to strike. I wonder who he's after...


Wednesday, July 9, 2014

50 - Interlude 1



Interlude I

In a dark room in a small town listed on no map sits a cabal of self-interested parties.
“Kim and Becky, report.”
“Our hired man has done his job well. He’s moved the target to the Gladiator Pits.”
“Will that be sufficient? This Wandering Koala has proven more … resourceful than anyone could have anticipated.”
“There’s no reason for concern. The greatest warriors and fighters in history have all failed to escape. And his friends have no idea where he is, so we won’t have to worry about their meddling.”
“What is the plan now?”
“Let him fight in the games for our amusement. Let him take on the greatest warriors the world has to offer. And if he somehow manages to defeat them, let Thylacine have his rematch.”
“And if the Wandering Koala defeats him?”
<Laughs> “I don’t see how. But either way we’ve promised him to Amazat. I suppose the good doctor will just get to dissect a fresh specimen.”

To Be Continued …

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

49 - I've Got a Special Treat for You, and You're Not Going to Like It



Kyle moves up the scaffolding with amazing speed and agility.
You’d think he was just starting the fight. The Cuscuses are physically and genetically superior to me, and there are three of them, and yet he seems to be handling them with no signs of stopping. For the first time I consider he may be beyond my ability to take down. No, that’s nonsense. None is greater than Thylacine. But it would be wise to reconsider my strategy. Even three Cuscuses can’t take him down. I believe a change in venue is in order, but I know Kyle won’t go willingly.
I let them fight for another twenty minutes. I keep a close eye on their conditions, their breathing, and their speed. I wait until they have him cornered and there is only one path for escape, and then I make my appearance.
Kyle recognizes me instantly and shudders. Apparently I’m not the only one who has had nightmares about those years. He is too stunned to even try to block the Cuscuses’ attack. He’s bound in thick iron chains and locked in a safe before he can recover his wits.
“I’ve got a special treat for you my friend, and you’re not going to like it. Not one little bit. But I will.”
My smile couldn’t be broader.




Monday, July 7, 2014

48 - Can't Understand a Word He is Saying


Sirens in the distance tell me the authorities may be on their way. If so, their response time is better than most. I see the Cuscuses hear them as well. They take the fight above the street. One of them manages to grab Kyle around the neck and drag him up the side of a building. The other two follow along the side delivering blows to his belly and both sides. He grabs onto a windowsill and jerks forward pulling the first Cuscus off the building. He breaks free of the headlock. Kyle twists his body, grabs the windowsill with his other hand, plants his feet against the side of the building, and pushes himself several yards in the air towards a large scaffolding. He weaves his way up the green bars. The Cuscuses follow him up.
Two patrol cars stop next to the battered newsstand. The officers get out of their cars and look around. One of them scratches his head. I can’t hear what they are saying, but I’m sure it involves a lot of “I don’t believe it” and “have you ever”. The newsstand owner tries to direct their gaze upward, but he must be a foreigner with a thick accent, because the officers act like they can’t understand a word he is saying.