Hank Maximum: Meet Skip

Don't forget to vote on the right sidebar for what should happen next!

Hank pushed himself up on one elbow. He looked through the bars into the cell across the hall. Hank thought his mind was playing tricks on him. There, sitting in the cell opposite him, was the man in black from his dream. "Who are you?" Hank asked, still a little groggy.

"My name is Henry Glenview," he said, "But you can call me Skip, everyone does." Skip stood up and heaved a heavy sigh. "I told you not to let them find it," he said. Skip looked disapprovingly at Hank. "You're not doing a very good job of it so far," he said.

"First of all," Hank said, a bit surprised by Skip's tone, "How did you get into my dream? Second, how did you write on that newspaper? And third, how did you end up here?"

"Let's start with your third question first," Skip said. "It's the easiest. I ended up here because I was married to a lovely young girl named Sally. Sally MacCorkill."

"MacCorkill as in the lunatic that has us locked up in an underground jail while he hunts for the Loch Ness monster MacCorkill?" Hank asked.

"Yes," Skip said. "Larry is my brother-in-law."

"Larry!?!?" Hank asked. "That guy's first name is Larry?"

"Yes," Skip said. "You were expecting something else?"

"Well yeah," Hank said. "If a guy's got an elaborate illegal multi-national organization with an underground complex dedicated to finding the Loch Ness monster you'd expect him to have a more sinister first name like Victor or Vlad or Drakanus or something."

"Well it's Larry," Skip said. "To answer your second and first questions, I am a low level telepath. I can enter people's subconscious minds, but not their waking thoughts. I entered your mind while you slept to try and warn you about Larry, but it didn't work."

"Obviously," Hank said. "So why did Larry lock you up?"

"I'm afraid that I am somewhat responsible for Larry's bad behavior," Skip said. "You see, ever since I realized my ability, I have been searching for others like myself. I made the miscalculation of telling Larry about it. Larry used his connections in the business world to amass a large amount of ill gotten money and power. He then offered for me to help him with his mad quest to find the Loch Ness monster. When I turned him down, he locked me in here. I've been here for 2 years now. Once Larry captures and clones the abilities of the Loch Ness monster, he plans to do experiments on me to capture my ability as well. The only reason I'm alive is because he needs to capture Nessie first."

"Well," Hank said, "Let's figure a way to escape from here so that you don't have to become Larry's new guinea pig."

"I've tried to think of everything," Skip said. "I've given up hope." Skip sat down on his cot, a look of dejection on his face.

"Not everything," Hank said. Hank reached down and took off his shoe. He removed the sole and took out a small transmitter device. He pushed a tiny button on the side and returned the transmitter to his shoe.

"What was that?" Skip asked, a flicker of hope in his weary eyes.

"That was an emergency homing beacon," Hank said. "It calls for help when I'm in a jam. And from the looks of it, this is shaping up to be a doozy."

"Who does it call?" Skip asked, the eagerness showing in his voice.

"It calls the only person I would trust in a time like this," Hank said. "It calls...

1. My sister Tina
2. My dentist Carl
3. My stock broker Ike

Don't forget to vote on the right sidebar for what should happen next!

Hank Maximum: Healing Powers

As Hank crashed to the floor, MacCorkill stood over him and said, "I will find the Loch Ness monster and I will finally be able to clone its cells for their healing powers." Hank was woozy, but still conscious. He tried to steady himself and comprehend what McCorkill was saying. "Imagine it," McCorkill said, "A creature that has existed for thousands of years in a very limited and small eco-system. This creature must have amazing regenerative traits that allows it to heal itself over the years. If I can harness that ability, refine it, and make it work for humans, I will be the most powerful man in the world!"

I've got to stop him! Hank thought. Hank tried to stand, but the drugs coursing through his system caused his muscles to fail. Hank fell to the ground hard. McCorkill motioned to a few guards. They came over and picked Hank up. "Take him to a holding cell," McCorkill said.

The guards dragged Hank out of the nerve center of the underground station and down a hall way. They came to an elevator and got in. Hank was lucid enough to see them press the button for sub-level 8. Hank felt the elevator car jerk as they began to descend even further underground. When the elevator came to a halt, the guards dragged Hank into what appeared to be a prison level. They brought him to the first cell in a row of 3 and tossed him in.

Hank, weak from the drugs and the dog attack, passed out on the floor. When he awoke, what felt like hours later, he heard a voice. It was very small and sounded far away at first. But as Hank's eyes cleared, the voice began to get louder and more clear. "Hello over there?" it said. "Are you okay?"

Hank pushed himself up on one elbow. He looked through the bars into the cell across the hall. Hank thought his mind was playing tricks on him. It can't be, Hank thought. There, sitting in the cell opposite him, was...

1. The man in black from his dream
2. The curious cab driver
3. The receptionist from Prague

Hank Maximum: The Underground Staircase

Hank hesitated for a moment. This could be a trap, he thought. But then again, my mission details did send me here. Hank stepped into the tool shed and found a spiral staircase leading underground. Hank quickly descended the stairs and soon found himself in what appeared to be a scientific research center, full of people and monitors.

"Mr. Maximum," MacCorkill said, gesturing at the banks of computers and machinery. "Welcome to my office."

"What is it that you do?" Hank asked, still favoring his dog bitten arm.

MacCorkill motioned to Hank and someone brought over a first aid kit and began to work on Hank's arm. "This is where we observe any activity our scopes pick up," he said. "From here, we can detect the smallest movement or sound or change in thermal density."

"What are you observing?" Hank asked as a bandage was applied to his arm. "What are you trying to detect?"

"Do you know the Scottish word for 'lake' Mr. Maximum?" MacCorkill asked.

"It's 'loch' I believe," Hank replied, still a bit puzzled. "You're observing a lake? I didn't see any lakes around here."

"This is a remote listening station," MacCorkill replied. "The loch we're observing is kilometers away in the Highlands."

Hank froze. The dog attack had frazzled his mind, but all the pieces were starting to fall into place. Scotland, lake, observation post, the Highlands. "No..." Hank whispered to himself. He looked up to see MacCorkill staring at him. It was obvious that MacCorkill realized that Hank had figured it out.

"Yes Mr. Maximum," he said. "We have several underwater detection devices in Loch Ness. And now that I have recently purchased a new experimental microchip from an associate of mine in Prague, I anticipate that success will soon be within my grasp."

Hank's mind was reeling. MacCorkill was the one on the tape! Hank thought. He bought the microchip from Stavich and now he's using it in Loch Ness to try to find the Loch Ness monster! All of a sudden Hank remembered his dream in which the mysterious man in black had said, "Don't let them find it!" Hank tried to stand, but found his vision was blurring and his legs felt numb. The first aid! Hank realized that the person giving him first aid had applied a drug patch to his arm. As Hank crashed to the floor, MacCorkill stood over him and said, "I will find the Loch Ness monster and I will finally be able to..."

1. Clone its cells for their healing powers
2. Add its head to my collection of rare animals
3. Rid the world of a monster

Hank Maximum: Attack of the Dogs

Fans: Your task this week is to spread the word about the adventures of Hank Maximum! Tell at least 1 person who you think would enjoy picking Hank's weekly adventures to check Hank out on the DMT! And don't forget to vote!

As Hank surfaced from his roll, he assumed his karate stance and found himself facing a giant of a man. "Who are you?" Hank demanded.

Instead of answering Hank's question, the huge assailant called out, "I've found him! Release the dogs!" Hank froze, not knowing what to do.

I'm a really good karate man, Hank thought, But I've never done karate against dogs before! As Hank's mind raced to think of what to do, three large German shepherds burst around the corner of the house and into the backyard. They charged towards Hank, teeth bared and mouths foaming.

The first dog leapt for Hank's face, ready to rip him to pieces. Hank reacted instinctively. He grabbed the dog's front paws, and in one whirling motion, spun and threw the dog straight at the large man who had thrown the gnome at Hank. The dog hit the man square in the face and both fell to the ground in a mix of yelps and grunts. However, in the time it took Hank to throw the first dog, the other two had closed the distance to Hank. One of them bit down on his pant leg and jerked his feet out from under him. The other would have had Hank's throat in its jaws, but Hank had put up his forearm just in time to save his neck. The dog have a vise like grip on Hank's arm and was not letting go.

I'm done for, Hank thought as he lay on the ground, fighting off the dogs. But no sooner than the dogs had knocked Hank to the ground, the sharp blast of a whistle drew them off. THWEEEEEE! Hank looked up and saw another man standing next to his original attacker. The smaller man said, "Take the dogs back inside. I'll deal with our visitor." As the giant escorted the three dogs back to the front of the house, the newcomer walked over to Hank and offered him a hand up. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding Mr. Maximum. We thought you were someone else."

"Who are you?" Hank said, still trying to make sense of what was going on. Hank brushed himself off and gently touched his bleeding forearm. Something about this man was familiar, but Hank couldn't quite place it.

"My name is Mr. MacCorkill," the man said. "We'll get you patched up once we get you inside." Hank, hearing about getting patched up inside, walked towards the backdoor of the house. "Oh, we're not going in there," MacCorkill said. "Please follow me." MacCorkill walked to the back corner of the backyard to a small tool shed. He opened the door and turned to Hank. "This way please," he said, and ducked inside.

Hank hesitated for a moment. This could be a trap, he thought. But then again, my mission details did send me here. Hank stepped into the tool shed and found...

1. An ordinary looking tool shed
2. A spiral staircase leading underground
3. A gun pointed in his face

Hank Maximum: The House on Lanko Street

Hank quickly looked around the restaurant. The note, a coded message from Hank's superiors, had just given him his mission details. Hank now knew that he was supposed to go to the house on Lanko Street. Hank quickly devoured his spinach omelet and walked back to the front desk to ask the attendant where he could rent a car.

He found the desk empty. The attendant must have stepped away to the bathroom, Hank thought. Hank looked down and saw that she had been doing a crossword puzzle in the newspaper. Then Hank saw it. On the page opposite of the crossword puzzle, scrawled in hastily written red letters, it said, "Don't let them find it!"

Hank quickly spun around to see if anyone was watching him, but there was no one. "May I help you sir?" a voice said behind Hank. Hank spun around, slightly startled. It was the desk attendant.

"Yes," Hank said, quickly composing himself. "Please tell me where I can rent a car."

An hour later found Hank turning down Lanko Street. He had rented a car from a nearby car rental place and had driven himself in his rental car to Lanko Street. I wonder which house it is, Hank thought as he drove slowly, scanning for any clues as to where he was headed.

As Hank drove past the last house on the left, he noticed that the yard was overgrown with grass and weeds. That's odd, Hank thought. Every other house on the street has a well manicured lawn. Hank parked his rental car in the driveway and then approached the front door only to find it locked. Hank walked around to the back of the house and tried the back door, but it was locked as well. By all appearances the house was deserted.

Maybe one of the windows is unlocked, Hank thought. As Hank approached one of the windows in the back yard, he noticed a reflection behind him in the glass. Hank ducked and rolled just in time for a heavy lead garden gnome to go whizzing past his head, crashing through the window. As Hank surfaced from his roll, he assumed his karate stance and found himself facing a giant of a man. "Who are you?" Hank demanded. Instead of answering Hank's question, the huge assailant...

1. Picked up another garden gnome and hurled it at Hank
2. Pulled out an electric stun gun and lunged at Hank
3. Called out, "I've found him! Release the dogs!"

Vote for what should happen next on the right side bar!

Hank Maximum: The Mysterious Man in Black

As Hank walked into his room a flicker of movement caught his eye. Reacting instinctively, Hank whipped his pistol out and took aim. Hank found himself pointing his gun at a mysterious man in black. Even though Hank had his gun pointed directly at the man, the man did not seem uncomfortable.

"Who are you?" Hank asked, ready for any sudden movement.

"They want to find it," the man said. "Don't let them find it."

"What are you talking about?" Hank asked, beginning to feel like something strange was going on. "Who wants to find what?"

"Don't let them find it," the man said again. Then the man began to laugh, slowly at first then growing into a full blown cackle. "Heh...heh heh...he he he...Ha Ha....HA HA HA HA!!!"

Hank was freaking out. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself and now he had a crazy stranger laughing himself silly in his hotel room. I've got to make him be quiet, Hank thought. Hank quickly walked over to the man, who was still laughing so hard that he didn't even see Hank approaching. Hank stepped behind the man and swung the butt of his gun down against the back of the man's head to knock him out. As Hank's gun connected, Hank woke up.

Hank was confused. He looked around his hotel room. He was lying in his bed, sweating. It was only a dream, Hank thought. He looked up over at the alarm clock/radio and it had come on. The morning DJ had a guest on the air and both of them were laughing about something. Relieved that the mysterious man in black had only been a bad dream, Hank got up, showered, and went down stairs for breakfast.

As he entered the lobby, the girl at the desk said, "Mr. McDunkervan? Someone left a message for you."

Hank walked over to the desk and accepted the piece of paper that the girl handed to him. Hank went into the hotel's restaurant, ordered an omelet, and then read his message.

"Dear Waldo,
I'm glad that you have come home for a visit. It's been a long time since the whole family has been in town. Mother will be so glad to see you. Call me once you're settled in. I've moved out of my old apartment into a house on Lanko Street. My new number is 555-555-5556.

Your sister,
Maggie McDunkervan"

Hank quickly looked around the restaurant. The note, a coded message from Hank's superior's, had just given him his mission details. Hank now knew that he was supposed to...

1. Find the mother of a woman named Maggie
2. Call the phone number
3. Go to the house on Lanko Street

Hank Maximum: The Man from Scotland

The vote on last week's Hank Maximum was the closest yet with the choice being decided by just 1 vote! Make sure to vote for your choice of what should happen next on the right side bar!

"I sold the microchip yesterday," Stavich said. "I did not know the man, only that he had traveled a very long way to come to Prague to buy the microchip. He said he was from Scotland."

Hank thought for a moment, his teddy bear hostage still in his hand. “How do I know you’re telling the truth Stavich?” Hank asked.

“I have it all on video,” Stavich said, still looking uneasy that Hank was threatening his stuffed animal. “Please, do not hurt my teddy and I will show you the tape.” Stavich walked to the cat walk’s ladder and began to slowly climb down. Hank cautiously kept his gun trained on Stavich, ready for any surprises. However, when Stavich reached the floor he said, “Please follow me to the surveillance room and I will show you everything you want to see.”

Hank followed Stavich deeper into the back of the warehouse and into a room in which one wall was covered with monitors. Stavich sat down in the vacant chair and brought up the footage as he had promised. The video quality was a little grainy, but the audio was clear. The video showed Stavich and a man in a suit sitting in an office talking.

Stavich: It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Communicating only through anonymous emails can be tiresome Mr. …?
Gunn: For the purposes of this meeting you may call me Mr. Gunn. Do you have the microchip?
Stavich: Very well Mr. Gunn. [pulls a small black case from beneath his desk] It’s right here. And my money?
Gunn: It has been transferred to the account number you provided.
Stavich: [checks computer screen, smiles, and slides the case across the desk] Very good Mr. Gunn. It’s a pleasure doing business with you. [both men stand, Stavich opens a drawer and extends a bear to Gunn] Can I interest you in one of my fine teddy bears Mr. Gunn? They are the finest in the world.
Gunn: [takes the bear and looks it over] This is a fine bear Mr. Stavich. But the finest teddy bears in the world come from my Scotland.

Stavich ended the video and looked up at Hank. “As you can see, Mr. Gunn (if that’s his real name) bought the microchip, just as I said. Now please, do not hurt my teddy.”

Hank placed the bear on the desk and then handcuffed Stavich to a water pipe. Hank then took out his cell phone and dialed a number. “This is Hank Maximum…I’ve captured Stavich, but the microchip is headed to Scotland with someone using the name ‘Mr. Gunn’…Yes sir, I’ll head to Scotland right away…Of course sir."

END CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

As Hank's plane touched down in Scotland the sun was setting. Hank caught a taxi and told the driver where his hotel was. As they drove, the cab driver struck up a conversation. "What brings you to Scotland?" he asked.

"I'm here on vacation," Hank said, using his standard cover story.

The cab driver eyed Hank through the rear view mirror. "I've been driving a cab for over 20 years," he said, "and you're not on vacation. The suit, the small suitcase, the tired look on your face. You're here on a business trip."

Hank, slightly annoyed that the cab driver had seen through his cover story so easily, said, "Look just get me to my hotel okay?"

"Whatever you say," the cab driver said.

A few moments later they reached Hank's hotel. Hank checked in under the fake name Waldo McDunkervan and took the elevator up to his room. As Hank walked into his room a flicker of movement caught his eye. Reacting instinctively, Hank whipped his pistol out and took aim. Hank found himself pointing his gun at...

1. A large cat.
2. A mysterious man in black.
3. A curtain blowing in the breeze.

Hank Maximum: Crates Full of Teddy Bears

Hank looked down into an open crate. It was filled with teddy bears. Hank looked over at his prisoner. “What’s with all the teddy bears?” he asked. “Are there hand grenades hidden inside the bears? Are they full of drugs?” The guard just stared at Hank defiantly. Hank asked again, “I said what’s in the bears? Is it stolen credit card information? Secret recipes for how to make brand name candy at home?” The guard remained silent. “TELL ME WHAT’S IN THE BEARS!!!” Hank roared.

“The bears, Mr. Maximum,” a voice said from up above, “are filled with stuffing.”

Hank looked up to see a man standing on a cat walk high above the warehouse floor. He was average height and weight and would have looked completely normal if it weren’t for the fact that where his left ear should have been was a terrible scar. Hank recognized him immediately. “Stavich,” he muttered. Hank quickly grabbed the guard and ducked behind a stack of crates in case Stavich started shooting. He found some wire next to a crate and tied up his prisoner. Then he looked back over the crates. Stavich was still standing on the cat walk, looking down. Hank called up to him, “I’m just here for the microchip Stavich. Just hand it over and I’ll recommend you serve reduced jail time.”

Stavich kept talking about the bears, completely ignoring Hank’s offer. “Most teddy bears are filled with rubbish. Simple cotton or wool or some other common material. But not my bears. My bears are filled with only the best 100% pure imported Japanese silk.” Stavich began walking back and forth on the cat walk as he continued speaking. “Their seams are hand stitched by master bear makers using techniques passed down for generations. Not like the mass produced, machine made monstrosities that are sold in your large American department stores.”

Hank was confused. Why does he keep talking about the bears? he wondered. Is he trying to distract me while more of his guards sneak up on me from behind? Hank looked behind him, but there was no sneak attack. Stavich was still yammering overhead about only using imported ivory for the buttons on his teddy bears. Hank had an idea. He reached into an open crate and pulled out a bear. "Hey Stavich!" Hank yelled. Stavich stopped talking and looked down at Hank. Hank hoisted the bear above his head and said, "Hand over the microchip or I'll shoot your precious teddy bear!"

Stavich looked pained for a moment, but quickly composed himself. "As much as I hate to do it," Stavich said, "I can not give you the microchip. I know you will most likely shoot my teddy, but I can not give you what I no longer have."

"What are you talking about?" Hank asked.

"I sold the microchip yesterday," Stavich said. "I did not know the man, only that he had traveled a very long way to come to Prague to buy the microchip. He said he was from..."

1. Japan
2. Scotland
3. Alaska

Hank Maximum: Flying Kung Fu Chop

As she spoke, three very large men with assault rifles burst into the room. Thinking quickly, Hank attacked the first guard with a flying kung fu chop. As Hank's chop connected with the guard's face, blood blossomed from the guard's nose. The guard dropped his rifle and fell backwards. The other two guards, however, both took aim at Hank and fired. Just as they pulled their triggers, Hank dropped and rolled to the side, grabbing the first guard's assault rifle. As Hank surfaced from his roll, he opened fire with the assault rifle. BHRAKKA! BHRAKKA! BHRAKKA! BHRAKKA! The two guards fell to the floor, dead.

Hank took a quick survey of the room. Two of the guards were dead, the third just regaining consciousness. Hank looked behind him and saw the receptionist lying in a pool of blood and paper clips. She had been hit when the guards opened fire on Hank. What a shame, Hank thought.

Hank walked over to the groaning guard, jerked him to his feet, and spun him around. Hank shoved the end of his assault rifle into the guard's back and said, "You're going to take me to Stavich or you'll end up like your buddies on the floor." Hank marched the still dazed guard through the doors that the guards had entered from. It lead down a long hallway with a set of double doors at the end. As they approached the double doors, Hank noticed that they were locked with a retina eye scanner. Hank stopped and said to the guard, "Unlock the eye scanner."

The guard spat blood on the floor. "I will not help you!" he said with a sneer. Hank cracked the butt of his assault rifle against the back of the guard's head, dropping him to his knees.

Hank reached down and grabbed the guard by the hair. "You've got a choice. We can either do things the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is you do what I tell you and unlock the eye scanner. You don't want to know what the hard way is. What'll it be?"

The guard, still glaring at Hank, stood up and slowly made his way to the eye scanner. He leaned forward and allowed the laser to scan his eyes. The doors made a cathunk sound as they unlocked. Hank pushed the guard through and then followed behind him. As they walked into the main storage area of the warehouse, Hank was shocked to see thousands of boxes. Row after row after row of crates. Hank looked down into an open crate. It was filled with...

1. Cans of Beans
2. Knives
3. Teddy Bears

Hank Maximum: We've Been Expecting You

Thanks to everyone (all 14 of you) who voted on last week's FFFF! Here's the next installment of Hank Maximum: Man of Dangerous Mysteries. Don't forget to vote for what should happen next week in the side bar!

After arriving at the warehouse, Hank walked into the front door, fake package in hand. He approached the receptionist and said, “I’ve got a delivery for Mr. Stavich.”

The receptionist, an attractive woman with striking black eyes, looked up and said, "We've been expecting you. And I must say, Mr. Maximum, that is just a terrible disguise."

"Well," Hank said, removing his fake moustache with a quick swipe, "I see we can dispense with the pleasantries."

The receptionist quickly reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a large hand gun. But before she could get a shot off, Hank sprang into action. He leapt over the desk and karate kicked the gun out of her hand, knocking her backwards. "Now," Hank said, straightening his shirt, "I don't like being tough with women, but you gave me no chURGHH!" The end of Hank's sentence was cut off as the woman, who had picked up a heavy metal stapler off of her desk, swung it with all her force and connected with Hank's jaw. Hank spun around, but kept his feet, and was able to dodge the second blow that would most likely have knocked him out.

As Hank dropped into a karate stance, the woman realized that she was no match for him. She dropped the stapler and reached underneath her desk again. But instead of pulling out another gun, she pressed a small button hidden next to the top drawer. An alarm began to sound. RHOOOT! RHOOOT! RHOOOT! She smiled at Hank and said, "You think you're so tough? We'll see how you handle three heavily armed guards!" As she spoke, three very large men with assault rifles burst into the room. Thinking quickly, Hank...

1. Attacked the first guard with a flying kung fu chop.
2. Grabbed the receptionist as a hostage and told the guards to drop their weapons.
3. Dove behind the desk for the gun he had kicked away from the receptionist.

Free Form Fiction Friday's

Welcome to Free Form Fiction Friday’s! On FFFF, I will post part of a story. The story ends with a choice that you, the readers, must make. Vote on what you want to happen next on the right side of the page. You will have until Tuesday night at midnight to cast your vote. Which ever option gets the most votes will be what happens next. The name of the story is “Hank Maximum: Man of Dangerous Mysteries”. Enjoy.

Hank adjusted his disguise as he looked in the mirror. He was wearing a uniform for a local delivery company. Dark blue shorts and a matching shirt were complimented by a dark blue hat with the company logo, an envelope with wings. His glasses, fake moustache, and clipboard completed his disguise.

As Hank traveled towards the warehouse he thought to himself, “It sure would be nice if I could enjoy Prague while I’m here instead of constantly looking over my shoulder.”

Hank’s mission was to recover an experimental microchip that had been stolen from a supposedly top secret CIA research facility. The fact that the microchip had been stolen could mean only one thing: the secret was out.

Hank had tracked the microchip to Prague where he learned that a local thug named Stavich had purchased the microchip on the black market. Hank had “convinced” some local low-lifes to tell him where the warehouse was and was headed there now.

After arriving at the warehouse, Hank walked into the front door, fake package in hand. He approached the receptionist and said, “I’ve got a delivery for Mr. Stavich.” The receptionist, an attractive woman with striking black eyes, looked up and said…

1. “Wait here, I will go get him.”
2. “Hello Hank. It’s been a long time.”
3. “We’ve been expecting you.”