The 12 tales of Christmas: Motor City Mania
Hello everyone, welcome to the 12 tales of Christmas challenge. After the rough year I’ve had I thought I would do this challenge. I figured I’d bring some escapism and Christmas cheer to the Internet. And I will admit I’m also promoting myself as a writer. Meanwhile I hope you'll enjoy these 12 stories I’ll be putting up.
For this challenge the number and the word given by some special guests will be the prompts. And for day one of the challenge the prompts are the number 1 and Love. These prompts come from my friend and fanfiction author BlazinMike. Thanks so much for participating my friend. Let’s try and make the rest of this year merry.
For this story We’re going into the universe of one of my serials Clanless. Max Woodward has returned to Earth. But hilarity is about to ensue as he has to race for Detroit Central Hospital for a very joyous reason. Motor city Mania is coming up. Enjoy the joyous fun everybody.
Max Woodward put his finger to the holo-form. The form then vanished and big letters appeared on the screen. 'Form filled and approved, you're excused.’
The 34-year-old black man sighed in relief. Even today the military for the Tri-Worlds Alliance had their forms and lists. But he was grateful to be back on Earth. After everything that had happened to him, he was finally back home in Detroit Michigan. Vistoth I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. I owe you big time brother, the man thought.
“Something on your mind Sergeant?” came a familiar voice from behind the second-in-command of Starburst Company.
He turned to see an older black man dressed in the attire of a Tri-Worlds Alliance Lieutenant. Max said, “Sorry Lieutenant Brandon. Guess I’m still a little out of it after everything that happened. And I’m grateful to be back home.”
The older black man put a hand on the younger one’s right shoulder. “You’ve come a long way from the angry man who joined the force Max. I don’t know what happened with Artica-7 and all that nasty business following. But you’ve grown, and I don’t mind saying I like it.”
The Sergeant said, “I seem to recall when I first joined a certain Lieutenant saying to me that war will change a man. Though how it changes a person depends on what their values are. And if they’re willing to stick to those values.”
The Lieutenant nodded his agreement. “I did say that and I’m glad to see despite everything that happened you stuck by your guns. Now go on mister to your wife and family. Get the hell outta’ here!”
The Sergeant saluted and said, “Yes sir.”
The sergeant turned to leave. “Oh, and Max,” the Lieutenant called.
The younger man turned to the lieutenant. “Merry Christmas and welcome home.” The older black man said flashing a smile.
The younger man saluted. “Thank you, sir,” he responded.
Max Woodward then turned and headed for the Tri-Worlds Alliance information center exit. He left the center and walked across a base buzzing with activity. Giant cannons stood ever at the ready in case anyone tried to attack. Can’t be too careful especially now, the Sergeant thought to himself.
Some units were jogging across the base led by their unit commanders. Others were busy going to and from places. And some were on their evening patrol. Max continued his journey to the facility where his personal gear got kept. A device on his left wrist buzzed.
He lifted it up and pressed a button on the device. “Hello,” he answered.
“Hey Max where the hell are you?” called the familiar voice of his younger brother Shawn.
“Heading over to the locker facility to grab my stuff. Where are you?"
“Hauling ass to the base bro. You might want to pick up the pace.” He stated.
Max noted his younger brother’s tone of voice indicated some tension. “Shawn what the hell is going on?”
“Oh, I don’t know, how about the fact your wife Latisha has gone into labor!” he yelled.
The black man’s face paled at this. “My wife has gone into labor?!” He squawked.
“That’s right so we gotta’ make tracks for Detroit Central and fast bro.”
“How far are you from the base?” Max asked.
“I’m about 2 minutes out.”
“Park in the civilian parking lot. I’ll hoof it out to you fast as I can!” Max stated.
“You got it man,” Shawn answered.
The black man shut off his wrist phone and scrambled for the storage center to pick up his things.
A couple minutes later he had all his belongings and stepped out of the base and into the civilian parking lot. No sooner did he arrive then he saw a red colored vehicle descend to the parking lot. The vehicle itself looked very sleek. But Max’s face furrowed in disbelief.
“Aw hell no!” he moaned. “You have got to be kidding me!”
The car set down and the engine shut off. A black man in a trimmed goatee wearing a white shirt, black jeans, leather jacket and shoes stepped out of the car. The man looked at Max and said, “Come on bro and get in!”
“Shawn are you actually driving one of those Chevrolet P-40 sky cars.”
Max came over and opened the car’s back seat to put his things in. “This new vehicle's been flying off the lot at the family’s car dealership. Lord knows I’ve sold my fair share of them.” Shawn pointed out.
“But the diametric stabilizers for these things have a bad habit of going on the fritz.” The older brother complained.
The sergeant put the last of his bags in the back seat and closed the door. “Since you’ve been gone Max Chevrolet found a chip manufacturer on Titan who came up with a way to fix that issue.”
The older Woodward opened the passenger side door and got in. “I would go to the hospital myself. Except for the fact when I first got shipped out for Artica-7 my car was in the shop.” The sergeant noted.
Shawn got in and closed the door. He then locked all the doors and the two put on their belts. “Why wasn’t I told about Latisha going into labor?”
“Sorry Max we got caught up with Latisha’s situation. Don’t worry I’ll get you to the hospital. You’ll be there for your second kid’s birth like you were there for Stella’s birth.”
The car lifted off the ground and Max nodded his approval. “Okay I see what you mean. This car’s purring like a kitten.”
“Yeah, and she moves nice and easy. And we got to have good controls what with the mess made by those Utopia Society fools.” Shawn observed.
“I’m glad Detroit is still standing after that attempted coup.” Max noted.
Shawn nodded his agreement. “Yeah, that was an ugly situation. Good thing the people of Detroit don’t take guff from any wannabe dictators.”
The car zoomed away from the base. Shawn sighed and said, “The problem is the fighting led to some damage to some major buildings and streets. Navigating Detroit is going to be a nightmare for a while.”
“Damn it!” The Sergeant swore.
“I ain’t got time for this as I've got to get to the hospital. What a way to spend Christmas Eve!”
“Don’t worry bro I’ll get you to the hospital,” the car salesman assured.
“Never say don’t worry Shawn. I know enough to know that when you say that stuff happens.”
“Come on Max what could go wrong?” the younger Woodward sibling asked.
“Considering all the hellfire and brimstone of war I’ve seen a whole hell of a lot!” The older sibling retorted.
Shawn rolled his eyes and snorted. He then moved the sky car gearshift and kicked the vehicle into high gear. The car zoomed into the futuristic city but then they came to a set of buildings near the downtown area. “Attention high traffic detected," the car’s Global Scanner told them.
“Damn!” Shawn swore. “This is what I was afraid of.”
“What?" Max called out.
“We’re near the downtown area. This is where some of the heaviest fighting took place with those Utopia Society cretins.”
Max looked out a window and that’s when he noticed the buildings that had large holes in them. The kind that only came from explosions due to explosive devices or weapons fire. “Damn,” Max swore. “The fighting did take a toll on downtown Detroit!”
And then he looked up ahead and saw what his younger brother saw. A large mass of sky cars proceeding at a snail’s pace through the traffic above the city. Flying drones were guiding the traffic. But it wasn’t helping much. “How the hell we gonna’ get through this?” Max complained.
“Looks like we’re taking a detour bro, hang on.”
The younger Woodward turned the wheel. The car did a sharp turn and started heading in a downwards direction. “What the hell are you doing fool?” Max squawked.
“It’s all right trust me!” Shawn assured.
“You know how much I hate heights!” The black Sergeant yelped.
The sky car zoomed down into the city and hovered over the streets. And from street level Max could see how bad the fighting had been. There were many buildings with carbon scarring from laser fire. And some structures and streets looked like they’d gotten torn apart by what happened. In some areas there were construction crews and drones working on fixing the damage.
The sky car straightened up and zoomed down the street towards an alley. “But this car will never be able to fit in that alley!” Max protested.
“Not if we do it the normal way,” Shawn chimed.
And then he turned the car, so it was on its side. “I hate your psycho ass!” Max snapped at his brother as he closed his eyes feeling like his life was flashing before him.
After several moments they came out. The older brother saw they were on another street. Shawn turned the car right side up and zoomed down it. “You’re crazy!” The sergeant snapped.
“Come on Max, I got us through, didn’t I?”
And then they saw lights flashing and heard a police siren. the soldier's hands slapped his face as he groaned. “This is exactly what I was afraid of.”
A voice came over the car’s speaker. “Hello driver, please slow to a stop.”
Max sighed and said, “You’d better do as they say.”
Shawn sighed, nodded, and they slowed to a stop. Several hover bikes came down and encircled them. The sky car landed as did the bikes. One officer got off and walked over to the car. Shawn opened his window.
“Is there a problem officer?” he said flashing a disarming smile.
The officer also a black man said, “Yeah that was some crazy driving you did. Where the hell are you going to a fire?”
Max’s face furrowed. Hold on a second, I know that voice.
Before Shawn could say anything max spoke up. “Apologies officer, we’re in a rush. We’re trying to get to Detroit Central Hospital. I've returned home from Tri-Worlds Alliance duty and my wife has gone into labor.”
The black police officer looked at the older Woodward and his face furrowed. “Max, Max Woodward is that you?”
“Sorry I’ve been out on the front lines for a while. Do I know you?” the sergeant asked.
The police officer lifted his goggles as he said, “It’s me, it’s Lionel Hampton.”
At this name Max’s eyes widened as memories came back to him. Memories of a friend he’d known from when both had been kids in kindergarten. “Lionel? Holy crap man!”
The police officer walked over to the passenger side as Max rolled down the window. The two men clasped hands. “You look like you’ve seen no short end of hell homie.” Lionel noted.
“That’s an understatement. We’re sorry about the crazy stuff we pulled. But I do need to get to the hospital.”
Lionel nodded and said, “I see, thanks for being honest with me Max, I can help.”
He then pulled away and called out, “Walter?”
A Caucasian man dressed in a police uniform approached. “What’s up partner?” he asked.
“Can you take over for a while, I have to help an old friend get to Detroit Central Hospital.”
“Walter, as in Walter Riley?” Max squawked.
He poked his head out of the car. The Officer’s eyes widened then he chuckled. “Well-well look who it is, a pride of Detroit back from fighting the good fight. So, Latisha is in labor huh?”
Max nodded and explained, “Sorry about this but we’re in a rush.”
The policeman said, “Dude, all you had to do was call us up. We’d be happy to help.”
Walter nodded and said, “You help Max out Lionel, me and the boys will keep things covered.”
“Thanks Walter,” Lionel responded.
Max nodded and said, “I’ll call you up as soon as I have a free chance. You take care Walt.’
"Merry Christmas Max, you stay safe.”
Lionel shook his head and said, “I’ll let ya’ll of with a warning this time. But Shawn try not to pull any crazy moves next time.”
The younger Woodward male sighed and said, “Yes Sergeant Hampton.”
Max looked at his old friend. “Sergeant? When the hell did this happen?’
"Long story my friend, but right now let’s get you to the hospital. I’ll help you get there without breaking any laws.”
“Thanks," Max said in genuine gratitude.
Despite his worries Max now knew he was in good hands.
And indeed, with the help of Lionel it wasn’t long before they arrived at Detroit central Hospital. All without breaking any traffic laws.
A few minutes later the Sergeant in Starburst company came running up to the main desk in the busy hospital. A holographic nurse appeared before the black man. “Is there something I can help you with?” The holographic black female nurse asked.
"I’m Sergeant Max Woodward ma’am. I understand my wife Latisha has checked into the delivery center.”
“One moment,” the nurse said before the screen vanished.
Several moments later a blonde-haired nurse approached carrying medical scrubs. “Good evening, Sregant Woodward. Latisha is with Dr. Carlson in the delivery ward. Here are your medical scrubs.”
“Thank you.” Max said before he slipped into them.
The nurse then led him to the maternity ward. As they approached the room they heard a woman moan. “Good Latisha push…hard.” A female voice coaxed in the tone of a doctor who understood this.
“And let it out,” she instructed.
“Gah,” the voice of Latisha gasped out. “Damn it where is Max, that military grunt slug said he’d be here!” She complained.
At which point they entered the room, and Max saw he was behind where Latisha was. Max's wife was on a delivery bed. A woman dressed in full sanitary attire was helping Latisha along. The black man came around to her left side. Latisha Woodward’s long wavy black hair and face had sweat on them from exertion.
Giving birth is never easy for a woman, the sergeant noted.
He came up and took a hand. Max’s wife turned with a start to see her husband smiling down at her. “I’m here baby,” he said in assurance.
“You…gak…” she groaned.
‘You sure as hell took your time!” she complained.
“Detroit traffic Tish, now breathe and push.”
Latisha Woodward nodded at this. The Doctor said, “Hello Sergeant Woodward. I’m Doctor Sabrina Carlson.”
The man nodded as they turned their attention back to the woman in labor. “Latisha, I need you to take a long breath.” The doctor coaxed.
The black woman did so. “All right and…push.” Dr. Carlson said.
Latisha did so as Max said, "Come on hon, come on a little more."
Then they looked down as the doctor said, “Ooh I can see the little head!”
It was all over moments later. Doctor Carlson helped bring the baby out. “Oh, beautiful job Latisha,” The Doctor said in an assuring voice.
"‘Now we’re going to open up the baby’s nose so they can take some nice clean breaths.” The doctor explained in a gentle yet professional tone.
They did so and wrapped up the baby. “Wow,” came the collective calls from the doctor and nurse. “You have a little boy.” The nurse explained.
“Congratulations Latisha and Max, you have a little boy.” The doctor stated.
At this Max felt the tears well up in him. “A son,” he said in a choked voice.
As they cleaned the baby Latisha turned to her husband. “You made it on time,” she said flashing a warm smile.
The sergeant took her hands and said, “Like I told you when we got married, I’ll always be here for you Tish.”
The Woodward woman turned to the baby and asked, “So, you were thinking my grandfather’s name?’
Max nodded his agreement. “It’ll be Xavier, Xavier Drew Woodward.”
Latisha flashed him another smile and said, “Perfect, and what a way to honor grandpa.”
The Doctor said, “You relax now Latisha. Give yourself a chance to recover. “
She looked at her body function readings and nodded in satisfaction. She turned to Max and said in an assuring tone, “Your wife will make a full recovery.”
A few minutes later Max got the chance to hold his son before handing him over to his wife. The nurses keeping a close eye on her to be safe. Max kissed his wife and said, “I’ll be back soon hon.”
Latisha nodded in understanding. Max exited the room and soon returned to the waiting room where he found Shawn and Lionel waiting. And a 4-year-old girl had joined them. Max recognized the girl at once. “Stella,” he called.
The little girl turned at the mention of her name. “Daddy,” she squealed before running to hug her father.
Max held his daughter and thought, I’m home, home at last.
Lionel walked over and said, “So how’s Latisha?”
“It’s a boy.” He answered.
Shawn and Lionel whooped at this. Max looked at Stella and asked, “Sweetie what are you doing here?’
“Grandma and Grandpa brought me papa. So, I’m a big sis now?”
Max nodded and said, “Yes sweetie you’re a big sister now and you’ve got to be good for your brother.”
Lionel put in, “While at it Max can you explain a few things to us? We’ve seen some crazy stuff on the newsfeed.”
The sergeant looked up as his ace furrowed. “Like what?’
“Oh, I don’t know,” Shawn put in sarcasm dripping in his tone of voice.
“How about all the talk of Artica-7's liberation. And then those Utopia Society thugs mentioning you’d gotten arrested.”
“Arrested on charges even a rookie cop on the beat could tell were shady beyond belief,” Lionel added.
Max got up and said, “Yo that’s a doozy of a story ya’ll. Well, for starters let me tell you about a friend and subordinate named Vistoth Yargan.”
And so good readers the first of the 12 tales of Christmas ends. I hope you enjoyed this little romp through a futuristic Detroit with Max Woodward. If you’d like to see more of him and find out more about Vistoth check out my noble patron serial Clanless. Available for the monthly fee of either 9 Minds tokens or $11.25 on Minds and/or Subscribestar.
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Thank you for reading this first story from the 12 tales of Christmas Challenge. More stories coming soon so stick around good readers. Until next time stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all. Keep the Christmas spirit bright everyone.
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