Category Archives: Writing

DOGE- Supernatural Division (episode 5)

Hope everyone’s week has gone well. Sorry this is getting posted a little later in the day than usual, but it’s been a little hectic around here! Just a reminder that while these stories are fantasy in nature, they will allude to current U.S. politics. If you’re not up to date on the latest big news, a few things might go over your head a bit, but you should still enjoy it. This latest episode also has some minor references to past stories, which you can find here.

DOGE Supernatural Division (episode 5)

High Wizard Elron sat at his desk, plotting his next move.  So many possibilities for where the Department of Government Efficiency- Supernatural Division could cut waste and spending.  This was especially true of those regulatory agencies who abused their power by putting too many restrictions on the banking industry.  Ha!  He’d get the last laugh with them very soon.

“Excuse me, High Wizard,” Ruby said, appearing in his office doorway.

The raven-haired secretary was a good-looking woman for being in her thirties and nearly past her prime.  For the life of him, he couldn’t understand why she hadn’t settled down and made a few babies.  Instead, the woman had cats—three of them!  She even had framed pictures of them on her desk like they were her pride and joy children.  He’d surreptitiously removed them two different times, but new ones appeared the next morning.  Each replacement was worse than the last, with the latest photos having her felines wearing Halloween costumes. What kind of madness was that?

He’d fire the woman, but she was loyal and ruthless when it came to running his agency behind the scenes the way he preferred.  No one could do it better, but he wished she had better taste in pets.

He rested his elbows on his desk and leaned forward.  “Yes, Ruby?”

“The D.C. Ghost team has failed to email their five accomplishments for the week,” she said, pursing her lips.  “It’s not all that surprising, considering they haven’t done their jobs very well recently.”

He nodded.  “Hmm, yes.  They’re supposed to be annoying that insufferable Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez woman whenever she’s in town, but the congresswoman just gets more obnoxious every time she speaks on the House Floor.  I’m tired of hearing her complaints about the brilliant budget cuts that will save this country money.  She’d be falling asleep on her feet if the ghosts had done their jobs right, certainly not giving misguided speeches.”

“Should I send one of your minions…I mean, assistants, to speak with the ghosts?” Ruby asked, tilting her head.

His lips twitched at her “stumble” of words since she accidentally used the term quite often, but it didn’t bother him.  In his mind, his people were more like minions, but some would frown at him using such a term publicly.  Trying to be politically correct was so annoying.  Certainly not one of his better abilities.

Elron sighed.  “Sadly, only one of them has developed a sufficient talent for seeing ghosts, and I’ve already got him manipulating a few to spy on the NOAA water elementals in Florida.  I’m certain they’re up to no good after I fired some of them, and they might be planning revenge.”

“Oh.”  She frowned.  “I’d thought someone else would have built an aptitude for ghosts by now.”

“Axe is beginning to see and hear them a little, but he can’t communicate well yet.  Perhaps with a little more practice.”  The High Wizard rose to his feet, mind buzzing with a plan.  “I’ll bring him along to work on it more.”

She nodded.  “Good idea.  I’ll let him know to get ready.”

***

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DOGE- Supernatural Division (episode 4)

Jumping straight into the story today. Hope you enjoy!

DOGE Supernatural Division (episode 4)

High Wizard Elron and his four assistants entered the witch coven’s command post in Laredo, Texas.  He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but it hadn’t been this.  Over a dozen women and men of varying ethnic backgrounds bustled around the open, cavernous room.  They wore plain clothes that ranged from jeans and T-shirts to skirts and blouses.

In the center was a round space about twenty feet in diameter with black tile and a perfectly drawn white chalk circle.  The ceiling above it had a frosted glass dome that allowed soft sunlight to filter down and brighten the room.  At the area’s perimeter were desks with laptops and a few random doors leading to other rooms.  Only one was open, leading to a small break area.

Magic tinged the air, crawling across his skin like ants on the march.  It was different than his wizard powers and highly uncomfortable.  Some would say his energies were darker and witches purer, but Elron didn’t subscribe to those beliefs.

“Attention, everyone,” he bellowed.  Only a few people glanced up before returning to their work.  “I’m here from the Department of Government Efficiency- Supernatural Division.”

A middle-aged man with short, dark hair lifted a leg from his chair and let out a long and loud fart that sounded absolutely disgusting.  How rude!  Everyone else studiously ignored him as if he ranked even less than a homeless person walking in from the streets.  They were not taking him seriously.  He’d visited many facilities that didn’t exactly welcome him with open arms, but none had pretended he and his team didn’t exist.

“Cover your ears and close your eyes,” he murmured to his assistants.  As they obeyed his command, he erected a protection spell around himself.

Still, none of the witches paid any attention to him.  Fine, so be it.

Elron lifted his arms and twisted his hands, sending a flash bomb to strike the middle of the chalk circle.  It exploded in a bright flash of light, cracking with a boom that rocked the building.  He hadn’t pushed too much magic into it, so there was only a small fissure on the tile floor, singed black at the edges.  It was more for show than damage.

Hazy smoke filled the air, but through it, Elron could see he finally had everyone’s stunned attention.  The door on the opposite end of the room opened.  A woman who appeared to be in her mid-to-late twenties, wearing black leather pants and a halter top with silver buckles at the front, strode toward him.  She had light blonde hair pulled tightly back in a bun and dark makeup that gave her a fierce appearance.  If not for the power pulsing from her as she strode toward him, he wouldn’t have guessed her for a witch.  He half expected her to pull a sword from thin air and start slashing at anything that got in her way.

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DOGE- Supernatural Division (episode 3)

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! As promised, this episode is where High Wizard Elron goes on the road to Area 51 to annoy investigate their expenditures and maybe see something strange while there. As this location was a little more complicated to accomplish everything I wanted, it’s twice as long as the other installments, but it is my favorite so far. Keep in mind the opinions and actions of the characters are their own and do not reflect on me. This is written in good fun.


DOGE Supernatural Division (episode 3)

High Wizard Elron pulled up to the gate.  Normally, he had one of his assistants drive, but this was his most ambitious task yet.  He wouldn’t be taking any chances.

The guards stood alert, giving him intense looks as he flashed his badge.  Elron had called ahead to let them know he’d be coming, but he only gave them two hours’ notice, so they wouldn’t have much time to hide their indiscretions.  Usually, he didn’t give any warning, but the security at Area 51 required a bit more finesse.  Who knew what kind of weaponry they might have to keep him out without official clearance?  He wouldn’t rule out space lasers.

“I’m High Wizard Elron from the Department of Government Efficiency, Supernatural Division,” he said, handing over his paperwork.  “I have authorization to visit here with my team for an inspection.”

The two guards didn’t appear impressed, but that was to be expected.

“I need to verify this,” one of them said in a gruff voice, walking away.

High Wizard Elron took a few sheets of paper from his assistant in the passenger seat and handed them to the remaining guard standing there, who looked like he should avoid spending too much time in the sun based on his red complexion.  “All security personnel need to fill one of these out.”

“What is this?” he asked, frowning.

Elron gave him an imperious look.  “Everyone needs to justify their positions here and why the taxpayers should continue funding your jobs.”

The guard gave him an incredulous look.  “You’re kidding.  Isn’t it obvious?”

The High Wizard was used to these reactions, but it didn’t bother him in the slightest.  “No, I’m not.  The number of people working security here is undoubtedly far more than necessary.  If you wish to keep your position, I’d suggest listing how many trespassers you stop daily, whether or not you are regularly attacked, and anything else you do other than stand here harassing the president’s appointed men on official business.”

The guard’s face turned a brighter shade of red as he attempted to formulate a response.  “You…What…?”

“He’s clear,” called the other guard from thirty feet away, oblivious to the conversation.

Hardening his jaw, he gave Elron instructions as the gate opened.  A dark SUV was waiting on the other side to escort him to his destination.  He followed it as they drove along a lonely road for some distance before finally coming to a cluster of plain, unassuming buildings where they parked.

A brunette woman in her mid-forties greeted them with a severe look, ordering her security personnel to surround them, and rushed his team inside the most prominent structure with barely a chance to take in their surroundings.  The High Wizard was disappointed that he hadn’t spotted anything unusual during those hurried moments, but they would have moved anything out of sight they didn’t want him to see anyway.

There was a bizarre hum in the air.  He’d never felt anything like it, and the disturbing sensation crawled across his skin.  Where was it coming from?  Taking a deep breath, he straightened his shoulders and reminded himself it was his job to investigate this place and whether they spent government funds correctly.  Any uncomfortable oddities would not stop him.  Based on his estimates—which were challenging to tabulate since much of the budget was disguised under various programs with innocuous names—it had to cost a fortune to run these facilities.

Elron looked at his assistant, Axe.  “Start handing out the justification forms to anyone you see.  Make certain you emphasize the importance of filling them out and returning them before we leave.”

“You can count on me, High Wizard,” he said, eager to comply.  The twenty-year-old had just gotten his first taste of magic a few days ago, giving him a sample of what he could earn if he proved hardworking and loyal.  He’d do anything for more.

Axe started with their escort—to the woman’s dismay as she looked over the paper—before hurrying toward other nearby employees.

She mumbled something under her breath before leading Elron and his people to a room full of desks, computers, and filing cabinets.  This was a good start.  He turned to his other three assistants and gave them a nod.  “You know what to do.  If anyone doesn’t comply, use the spell I taught you.”

They headed for the office employees with determined strides in their steps.  As expected, they argued about letting his minions onto their highly classified systems.  His people hit each one of them with a spell, and they sullenly obeyed after that.

The pinch-faced woman escorting him moved closer with a look of outrage on her face.  “We agreed to allow access to our accounting—not this!  You can’t just take over our office and download files.”

“I can’t do my job properly if I don’t see and review everything,” High Wizard Elron said, relishing this woman’s fury.  The people in this place had been given too many years without proper supervision, and he aimed to change that.

For the next few hours, his assistants brought his attention to various red flags they found in the accounting.  They painted a fascinating story based on his knowledge of space travel from his other endeavors.  Elron also toured the rest of the building, noting every detail and asking questions.  That part was mostly dull, and this was certainly not where they did any extraterrestrial work or experiments.

Finally, he’d seen enough that it was time to take the next step, and this would be his favorite part.  “Take me to see your alien leader.  I have questions for them, too.”

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DOGE- Supernatural Division (a fun satire story)

I’ve been a little stressed by the news lately, so last night my husband cautioned me to avoid discussing politics online. Bwahaha! In light of that suggestion, I decided to write something that had been on my mind since it was first announced. How could I resist poking a little fun with a title like Department of Government Efficiency? Of course, I had to add some supernatural twists to put some space between the fictional story and the real world. Names and locations may have been altered as well.

No idea how this will go over, but if you all enjoy it, let me know. I’ll write more episodes in the future and post them here on my website for free. This is honestly just a stress relief for me.


DOGE Supernatural Division (episode 1)

“Department of Government Efficiency, Supernatural Division, who is calling, please?” Ruby asked, leaning back in her comfortable ergonomic chair.

A hushed male voice came over the line, “I have an anonymous tip.”

She leaned forward and began typing on the computer, starting a trace for the call. “Of course. Your privacy is especially important to us. Go ahead.”

“I discovered some discrepancies in the blood storage database where I work.”  The caller’s voice dropped lower. “I think they’re taking allotments somewhere but claiming it was expired and destroyed.  There’s been some questionable labeling lately.”

Ruby tapped her manicured nails on the desk, waiting for the computer program to finish locating the caller. “Why do you believe it wasn’t destroyed?”

“The night team was supposed to handle it, but they checked out two vans at ten pm and left together, according to outside camera footage. They didn’t return until an hour before dawn.  When I arrived for the morning shift, all four cases of blood bags were gone, and the furnace was cold.  No way they destroyed them.”

The program finished, revealing the caller was at a gas station in San Antonio. Ruby frowned. That city was one of the hubs for distributing vampire blood in Texas. The law was very clear that every ounce of it had to be accounted for and dispersed equally among vampires. Well, mostly equal, the older and richer ones “claimed” they needed more to subsist, but she had her doubts.

“Can I get the address to the warehouse?” she asked, though she already suspected the answer, it would help for him to confirm it.

“It’s in Dallas,” he said, rattling off the rest of the details.

Ruby inwardly cursed.  She’d really hoped it was San Antonio, but this paranoid caller had gone out of his way to not be caught.  No matter.  They’d pull the gas station security cameras since they’d need this man as a witness whether he liked it or not.  Good thing there was a specific elixir to provoke full cooperation.

“Very well.”  She opened a new window on her computer and began typing. “The Department of Government Efficiency, Supernatural Division, appreciates your assistance on this matter. Remember to pay your taxes and have a wonderful evening.”

Then she braced herself for her next call to Wizard Elron in Dallas. Ruby sure hoped he didn’t bring up her lack of children again or her three cats.  Why he thought it was his business, she didn’t know.  He hadn’t said anything since she gifted him a hundred cans of kitty food last Christmas, though.

***

Three hours later…

High Wizard Elron strutted toward the building with his three young lackeys in lockstep behind him. His black silk cape billowed at his back, and as he came to a stop, he set his hands on his hips as he studied the large structure.  He was ready to knock some heads together after learning of the audacity of this distribution warehouse for trying to skim blood for anything other than legal purposes.  He’d get to the bottom of the matter.

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Random author updates for January…

I hope those of you who have gotten a chance to read Cast by Flames enjoyed it. Though it ties up most loose ends for the series, obviously certain elements related to Galadon and Rayna couldn’t be completed in that installment.

Back in November/early December while I was waiting on edits to come back for book 7, I reached chapter ten for Galadon. I’m pleased to say that after quite a few late nights this past week, I’ve gotten to the halfway point for the draft. Some of it has been written during the day as well, but my two little boys interrupt me a lot. Christmas break is almost over for my 7-year-old, which will cut down on the chaos at home with only the 3-year-old creating distractions.

I don’t want to say too much right now since I know some people haven’t finished Cast by Flames yet, but you will find out why Galadon’s mother left him on that specific plot of land in his installment and it’s no small reason. Later in January when more of you have had a chance to catch up, I’ll post the first chapter of his book to give you a sneak peek at what’s to come.

In other news, I’m still waiting to hear when Cast by Flames will be released in audio. I’m guessing at least 2-3 months to allow time for recording, editing, etc. I’m also going to work on getting the last three novels into paperback soon. Some of you have asked about that, and I do want to get it done because I’d love to see those covers on physical books. It’s a matter of setting aside the time for it.

If you have any questions/comments, feel free to leave a comment below!