Categories
Fiction Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

THE HONEYMOON PLAY? | Hannah Carmichael Chronicles (FIFTY-NINE)

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael is a Super Spy, who is trying to take down CGT – the evil spy agency which she used to be a part of. Her husband Zeke, was secretly working to take them down as well, and roped Hannah and her friend and fellow agent Stephanie into the fight.
Hannah’s mother Evelyn was a known terrorist and CGT enemy, but now seems to have been on the same side all along. Her Father James, was believed to be dead and missing for over a decade, but has now shown up from his fight in the shadows to help take them down once and for all.
It seemed as though everyone in Hannah’s life knew about CGT’s true motives but her. So how will she navigate her new status, new team members and new family dynamics?
With CGT linked to a World War III event called ‘Cataclysm’ – What will Hannah and her team find out, and how will they stop it? 

 

FIFTY-NINE

Hannah sighed as another bump in the road threw her into Stephanie’s shoulder. Behind her in the SUV, Zeke and Evelyn were attempting awkward small talk and someone from James’ team was driving. Hannah cleared her throat, “Collin, how far are we from the hotel?”
Colin glanced back at her through the rear view mirror then moved his eyes back to the road, “A few minutes.”
Hannah nodded then felt Stephanie lean in closer, “If we don’t stop this Cataclysm attack, it means more than just War,” Stephanie said quietly. Hannah nodded and sighed deeply, “We were branded terrorists before this attack, and if the world finds out we’re still alive, we’re the easy scapegoats.”
Zeke leaned up and through the two chairs, “I just want to clarify something.” He said softly. “These leaders, they don’t know we’re coming right?”
Hannah turned to face him, “No, neither leaders knows we’re coming to see them. Neither leader knows they are being targeted, and neither leader will be happy with what we have to tell them.” She turned back in her seat and took a deep breath in, “lets just hope we can talk sense into them before the plan takes effect, and before the peace talks start in a few days.”
The SUV slammed forward and Collin shut off the engine, turning with a frown.
“We’re here. Boss said the Little Lady is in charge; so what’s the plan?” Collin asked, cocking his head to the right as he watched Hannah. She took a small breath in, then nodded.
“Collin, you Evelyn and Stephanie go through the Employee access points and check their security. I want entry and exit points covered, security cameras monitored and everybody stays on alert at all times.” Hannah turned to face Zeke and nodded at him, “We’re going to get the master key from the Manager, then head up to the Prime Ministers’ room.”
“How are we getting the key? Asking permission?” Zeke asked, the light hearted teasing a welcome change. Hannah masked a smile then shook her head, “We’re going to have to be a bit more creative this time.”
As the two teams split, Zeke took Hannah’s hand as they walked into the hotel. She flinched, but relaxed into his hold and rolled her shoulders.
“So, the honeymoon play?” Zeke asked, winking at her as they walked closer to the door. She chuckled and shook her head slightly, “It’s odd to hear you say things like that.”
Zeke frowned then shrugged his left shoulder, “I guess things would have been a little different if you knew that from the start.” They moved quietly until Hannah smiled and gave her husband a small shove, “I guess so”. He momentarily lost balance then shoved her back, smiling and pulling her into his hold. He kissed her and Hannah tried not to let it distract her from their surroundings. A man opened the doors to the hotel and excused himself as he saw Hannah and Zeke in the doorway. They pulled away from each other and Zeke smiled, winking at her again as he whispered into her ear, “Here we go.”
They booked a room, asking for the honeymoon suite and requesting special newlywed discounts. While the manager ducked into the office at the back for the necessary paperwork and coupons, Zeke slipped behind the desk and started searching. Hannah watched for other staff until Zeke whispered, “Got it.” She turned back and smiled as he tugged it into his pocket and returned to her side. The Manager reappeared and they signed the paperwork for the room, heading towards the elevator. As they stepped inside, Hannah pushed the button for Level 13 and Zeke tapped his foot, looking up at the roof.
“Level 13 huh?” He asked.
Hannah shrugged, “I guess so. That’s what all the intel said.”
Zeke scoffed, “that’s not a bad sign at all.”
Hannah ignored his comment and stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway. As she clicked the key card into the lock, the door buzzed and she pushed it open.
“Prime Minister?” She asked as they made their way into the hotel room, closing the door behind them. The small living room was empty and Hannah turned to Zeke, “Check the bedroom.”
He moved towards the open door and she walked through the kitchen until Zeke’s voice boomed through the apartment, “Hannah!”
She pushed her way through the door to see the Prime Minister tied to a chair, hands bound behind his back and a blindfold over his eyes. Masking tape was stuck over his mouth and he was struggling, mumbling behind his gag. Hannah pulled her gun out of the holster as Zeke removed the blindfold, then started on the tape.
“Well, well, well.” A familiar voice from behind her made Hannah’s stomach flop over and she raised her weapon as she spun. The room was being invaded by a flood of CGT agents and Hannah and Zeke stood, with guns raised at either side of the Prime Minister. Hannah aimed her weapon at the man she had considered a friend, mentor, and father figure for years and spat out his name, “Anthony.”


Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading the latest instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back Soon for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace

 

 

Categories
Fiction Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

I COULDN’T IMAGINE | Hannah Carmichael Chronicles (FIFTY-EIGHT)

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael is a Super Spy, who is trying to take down the evil spy agency CGT, which she used to be a part of. Her husband Zeke, was secretly working to take them down as well, and roped her and her friend Stephanie into the fight.
Hannah’s mother Evelyn was a known terrorist and CGT enemy, but now seems to have been on the same side all along. Her Father James, was believed to be dead and missing for over a decade, but has now shown up to help in the fight, where he has been hiding in the shadows to also take down CGT.
It seemed as though everyone in Hannah’s life knew about CGT’s true motives but her. So how will she navigate her new status, new team members and new family dynamics?
Zeke had to kill his former partner and CGT double agent, but how will the traitors death affect the team? What did he manage to tell CGT before he died?
With CGT linked to a World War event called ‘Cataclysm’ – What will she and her team find out, and how will they stop it?  

 

FIFTY-EIGHT

Hannah watched across the room as her husband stared at the papers in front of him. She sighed and navigated through the ‘war room’ where everyone was working to stop Cataclysm. As she reached Zeke, he looked up and tried to force a smile.
“Hey, did you find something yet?” he asked.
Hannah sat next to him, “Not yet, but everyone is looking.” She put a hand on his leg and smiled softly, “I know it sounds cliché, but how are you?”
Zeke sighed, “Baxter was my best friend.” He straightened and set his jaw, “But it had to be done I guess, to sound cliché myself.”
Hannah took in a breath then shook her head, “I couldn’t imagine.”
They gave pathetic smiles to each other and Zeke looked down at a file fragment from a partially incinerated CGT safe box.
“Oliver is expecting me back at work in a few days. I don’t know what to tell him about Baxter,” Zeke lowered his shoulders, sinking further into his chair.
“What does he know about Baxter and about me?” Hannah asked quietly.
“Not much. The world still thinks you and Stephanie died as traitors, and as far as Oliver knows, Baxter and I were working on taking down CGT while they thought I was dead as well.” Zeke looked up and shrugged, “I guess I either stay here and lose my job, or show up at work and be killed by CGT.”
“You think they have people inside your department?” Hannah asked, a shiver trailing her spine.
“I don’t doubt it. Especially considering that Baxter was my partner,” Zeke shook his head, “some partner.”
Before Hannah could reply, Roy yelled out for James Carmichael from across the room. Hannah and Zeke moved to Roy’s command centre where he was flipping up files on the main screen.
The room became quiet as James also approached. “What have you got Roy?” he asked, smiling softly at Hannah and Zeke.
“I’ve found a partial document. It talks about C.A.T.A.C.L then cuts off. It could be something.”
James nodded and leaned on the desk as he looked at the image of the document on the screen.
“It was from a batch three years ago which didn’t seem like an imminent threat at the time,” Sarah said, nodding as she agreed with her own memory.
Roy shrugged, “We looked into it, but assumed the event was in the past.”
Hannah squinted and tried to read the smaller print on the screen as she took a step closer.
“Peace talks between small countries in the Middle East and Russia; why is that on CGT’s radar?” Zeke asked behind her. Roy pulled up another fragment on the screen, lining them up side-by-side.
“We found another document referencing the halting of peace talks and the possibility of nuclear warfare,” Roy said, turning to James with a frown. “From what I can gather with this, other pieces of other correspondence and audio tracks, CGT doesn’t want these peace talks to happen. We double checked it with the Accounts File that Hannah and Steph got from the CGT newspaper,” Roy cocked his head at Stephanie and smiled. Hannah tried not to laugh as Steph plastered a silly grin on her face then quickly shook it off.
“It matched the entries found in these fragments. Payoffs and account entries confirm that CGT is planning on sending the Nuclear strikes from both countries, to each other, regardless of the planned diplomacy.”
James took a deep breath, then put his face in his hands, exhaling and groaning, “Which means-“
Hannah put a hand on his shoulder and finished his thought, “World War Three.”


Author’s Note:
Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back very soon for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Captains, Merch and Sneaky Giveaways

Hello CGSP readers!

Are you missing Hannah Carmichael? Can’t wait to find out what happens next in the conspiracy surrounding CGT agency and Cataclysm?

Don’t worry, because HCC will be back next week!

While you are counting the days, and the hours until this is a reality, we’ve got you covered!

We are releasing a very special look at some CGSP Merch! YES, that’s right!

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Even if you don’t care a hoot, I do – so I will be showing YOU the amazing things I have in store. (There is even a sneaky chance for you to win one of the pieces, so check out the CGSP Facebook page for updates on that!)

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So you don’t walk away empty handed, I have an inspirational quote for today which I loved (and no, I didn’t write it but it does explain the feature photo of this post!):

 

The strength of a country isn’t in buildings of brick and steel. It’s in the hearts of those who have sworn to fight for its freedom.
-Captain America


See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

 

Categories
Life

Meet Me – Christy Grace

Hi ya’ll

I am me, that’s all I will ever be.

Have you been wanting a peek behind the curtain? Well, here it is!

My name is Christy and I am a writer, photographer, singer, songwriter, and inspiration chaser!

If that sound bite wasn’t enough, then hold on to your hat and keep reading.

I have lived and loved in three countries: New Zealand (yup, I’m a kiwi at heart), Kuching (Malaysia – where kindergarten tried to say ‘see ya later’ by giving me a book full of homework I didn’t do), and Australia where I spent most of my life.

Been writing since I was young – stories, songs, poems and scripts – everythang 😛

My socks (in case you hadn’t noticed) tend to sport interesting and qwirky objects – like Avocados – love them or leave them, that’s what they are.

Do you think I look cosy? I should, that’s how the photoshoot I set up today was supposed to look for the client (just with her in the chair, not me).

(It went well by the way, she walked away with some amazing shots, if I do say so myself!)

Top 3 loves right now:

My typewriter, God and my customised CGSP pens which I just got!

I have some exciting things brewing, so keep an eye out here and on the CGSP Facebook page.

Excited, Qwirky And Confident


See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Hot Chocolate, 1am and Creative Philosophy

Hello CGSP Readers!

I don’t know if it’s the Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and Marshmallows that I drank at 11.45pm, but I can’t sleep and it is now 1.11am! (By the way, the photo below is a REAL LOOK at the sugar and calories that I exposed myself to….) but anyway….

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As I lay there, knowing sleep was Not an option for me at the moment, I decided to instead, get up and do another Late Night Creative Philosophy session with you all!

So, If you remember the last post, I was talking about the frailty of ideas, and whether or not it is possible to have an actual, original idea these days (everything is pretty much recycled from ideas in the past anyway, right? – Check out the post ‘Creative Philosophy at 11.30pm’ to see what that was all about).

Tonight, I want to take a more positive look at creativity and ask this question……

What is Your Inspiration?

That question sort of links into the last Philosophy question (in a vague and somewhat unassuming way)……

Personally, I think that Inspiration can come from almost anywhere… Your parents, your friends, the people you look up to, that teacher from High School who believed in your dreams, that Lady Bug you saw yesterday afternoon while you were sitting in the grass and staring at the clouds…

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Aaaannnnyyyway…  The reason I decided upon this particular question (apart from the not being able to sleep conundrum), was because I found a strange source for inspiration of my own a few days ago.

Have you ever been driving along and all of a sudden, you pass something on the road that grabs your attention, and you can’t help but stare at it, slam on your breaks, and hold your breath as you thank God that you didn’t crash into the very expensive BMW or Lamborghini in front of you… No? Just me? Ok then, moving on!

I was (as you may have already guessed) driving a few days ago, and I saw a random playground on the side of the road. I know, it seems silly right? Wrong!
As soon as I saw this playground (apart from the swerving and screeching on the breaks – I am a good driver, I swear!), I instantly had an amazing; so cool; never before seen idea, for a new song and video to boot!

I quickly jotted down the idea (because looking at phones while driving is Dangerous!) and tried to guess where my car was located at that exact moment to come back again (I failed by the way).

Ok, so the idea may not be as exciting as a Lady Bug, on the grass, in the sunshine, but I was excited. Here comes the philosophical part of my question though…  As quickly as the idea had entered my brain, the enthusiasm for the song, the video, the process of getting the camera, the crew, the lyrics, the recording, blah, blah, blah….  It all sort of, disappeared by the time I got home.

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I still think it would be a cool song (dont get me wrong) but the initial inspiration and excitement for the project had kind of depleted. So, I wanted to put out a thought into the vast and every expanding thing we call the internet – How long does inspiration last? 

If you find something that inspires you, a person, pick up truck, or a playground (whatever floats your boat), does it stay with you? Is it possible that I am the only person who is so easily distracted by…. oooohhhh something shiny…. hang on……..

Sorry, i’m back. I just watched the Shiny video from Moana, but anyway…

Do you think it’s possible that the inspiration we get every day, to create something amazing, to do dishes out of the blue, to speak to a friend and comfort someone in a time of need, or to give money to that person on the street (even though you’re pretty sure they aren’t going to spend it on food or clothing), is that inspiration fleeting?

I would prefer to think that True Inspiration (whatever that is for you), remains with you, and continues to provide you with the drive and desire to create, or make the world a better place.

What are your inspirations? Do they stay with you?

Let me know – Comment and do all of the subscribing stuff (while also checking out my Crime Fiction in the ‘ADVENTURES’ tab).


See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace 

Categories
Life

Creative Philosophy at 11.30pm

Hello CGSP readers!

As I was editing and writing a new short story this month, I was thinking about ideas.

Ideas seem like they can come from anywhere and span over any topic, but if you look at books, television, movies (or any entertainment medium, really) things seem to just be a rehash of every other idea out there.

How can we actually expect to be original, when everything we see is just a take-off, of a take-off, of a take-off who once had an interesting thought in the 1960s.

Drawing inspiration from people we admire is one thing, but can an idea really be though of as original, when the things we are exposed to as creatives are in themselves, just a re-do?

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I do think that originality can be achieved, don’t get me wrong, but as a creative person, I would like to think that there are some ideas we haven’t explored in some way or another.

When you look at music, there are an finite number of chords and chord progressions we can use (which is why you hear so many songs that sound the same). In the new age of music though, we see things like synth and electronic elements which changed the game (For the worse or the better, i’ll let you decide for yourself – but I am partial to the classics).

So, does this mean the end for the ever elusive ‘idea’ for a new book, movie, photograph or painting? I’d like to think not, does it really matter if those ideas are just reused and recycled – we like to do that for the environment, so why not for our entertainment?

I suppose this is a question which is unable to be decided upon at this late hour that I sit at my computer screen and try to decide the cover photo for this post (props to the photographers who allow free use of images).

All in all, I hope that those looking at, reading or listening to my creations would extend that ‘suspension of disbelief’ that we apply to our other entertainment – and pretend they haven’t read or heard something very similar before.

Ideas…. hmm, I wonder

(Check out Hannah Carmichael’s new adventure NEXT WEEK!)


See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace