Alex in Wunderstrande: The Clairvoyance Clock [BOOK ONE]

Chapter III: The PenArrow's Message

The next morning, I awoke to the sun mercilessly streaming through my window, despite the heavy curtains that framed them. For a moment, I wondered how they had gotten pushed back.

Uncle Brody.

It did not take me long to notice the latest edition of the Lancaster Gazette propped up conveniently against the lamp on my bedside table, beckoning me to read its all too familiar contents. I knew Uncle had placed it there, a passive aggressive sucker punch to top off our argument from the night before.

Sighing, I picked it up and braced myself for what I knew was going to be a very unsettling ride:

Rosengrant's Nephew Disrupts Mayoral Ceremony

By Garry Steele, Senior Journalist

Held last night in the Grand Mayoral Hall, the lighthearted festivities of General Broderick Rosengrant's ceremony soon came to a disquieting end.

The well-known wild child and ward of the general, Alexander Rosengrant, 17, of Lancaster, reportedly initiated the outburst following Mr. Rosengrant's appointment as Honorary.

Many bystanders stated the argument was "politically-driven" and that Alexander had made "wrongful accusations" concerning the war in Wunderstrande.

One witness mentioned a concern for his safety.

"Where the hell is security when you need them?" said the Lancaster citizen, who wished to remain anonymous. "I was afraid the kid would whip out a blaster and shoot us all."

"Unfortunately for General Rosengrant, his nephew has quite the mouth on him," said City Councilman Georgio Ross. "Anyone who has the gall to speak on matters they know nothing about should greatly consider not talking in the first place."

Mayor Vencentio had similar remarks.

"The boy is a loose cannon," he said. "An intervention is a must."

General Rosengrant had no comment other than to offer thanks to Mayor Vencentio for his newly appointed position.

Many city councilmen are concerned that Alexander's anti-war attitude will spread throughout the city and cause unneeded demonstrations and riots.

"If there's one thing we want Lancaster to know, it's that we are safe from our assailants and that war was a necessary step in achieving this," explained Vencentio.

He also adds that Wunderstrande is no longer a threat to Lancaster or any city in Crommelin.

More on the Rosengrant family dynamics, as well as upcoming coverage on the wartime recovery, will be published in a forthcoming special edition.

Throwing the paper aside, I ran my hands over my face and let out a growl of annoyance.

The press was at it again, I thought, slowly rolling out of bed. They should win an award for such alluring fiction.