Heroes for a New Tomorrow


OK, I may be being a little over-dramatic here, but, as tomorrow, Saturday, February 22nd, 2014, is the date scheduled for another apocalypse, namely the Norse Ragnarök no less, I’ve taken matters into my own hands, and traversed the many avenues of past and present to find five people who would serve as heroes, to help to protect us should the need arise.

They are waiting, slightly dazed and confused on a pirate ship which is parked outside in the Grinds.

They know that they are here, but have no idea why they’re here, where here is, and why they’ve been chosen.

They also have no access to the internet on the pirate ship, the Fortune, so can’t even find out by reading this post.

I shall only tell them why I’ve plucked them from their own times should the need arise; there’s no point confusing them any more, and if their services are not required, then they can think this is all a dream.

If however, the corners of the Universe come crashing down around us, and mortals and immortals find themselves in a surreal combat, I shall be explaining why they need to protect me. Us. Us.

So, my team of heroes are really anything but, but I’m sure they’ll come into their own when the time is right.

Bartholomew RobertsThe ship, the Fortune, belongs to the Seventeenth Century pirate Bartholomew Roberts. He’s originally from Wales you know, born somewhere near Haverfordwest in 1682. I picked him up when he was 38, though, after he had travelled the oceans for a few good years. He was considered a legend among other seafarers, with some considering him a hero for the way he managed to keep the crew safe when on… erm… a mission.

I must be careful not to call him by his other name, Black Bart, as he was never called it whilst he lived, and apparently there was another pirate of the same name around his time. Apparently.

James HindJoining Bart in this weird and wonderful crew is a fellow Seventeenth Century hero of sorts, the Highwayman James Hind. James only stole from Parliamentarians, and although any kind of theft should be frowned upon, back then it was deemed to be OK. James only got caught when he bit off more than he could chew and tried to rob Oliver Cromwell, for which, unfortunately, he was hung, drawn and quartered. James, that is, not Oliver.

Obviously, I’ve plucked him from a time before then, because we do need him to be a little more useful.

Ellie Wood Walker as Wonder WomanI dragged myself back into the modern era for my next heroine, but I wanted a bit of fun as well, so, from 1967 I plucked Ellie Wood Walker from a TV studio set where she was filming the pilot show of a new TV series called Wonder Woman. I don’t think the series took off, but Ellie managed to provide a few laughs in a terrible script, and she may be able to do it in real life as well. She’s dressed as Wonder Woman though, Wonder Woman from the 1960s that is.

Mother Shipton

Next, I went back to the year 1500, and plucked a shy lady by the name of Ursula Southeil. She also goes by the name of Mother Shipton, as she is one of England’s more famous prophetesses. She’s a prophetess extraordinaire, and, as we’re dealing with a prophecy right now, I thought having a soothsayer along should give us the heads up, should we need it.

Sweyn ForkbeardCompleting my Fantastic Five, is Sweyn Forkbeard. Before you ask Sweyn who? I shall tell you. He’s only the first Danish / Viking King of England, that’s all, the one who made Gainsborough in Lincolnshire the capital, and fathered the one and only King Canute. Sweyn only ruled for five weeks, so I had a very narrow timespan to pluck him, but I managed it.

So there we have it.

Five heroes of yesteryear waiting patiently should we need assistance in the latest coming apocalypse.

I think we’ll be OK.

Could you think of any others who I could go back and grab before Saturday? I don’t know what time the apocalypse is meant to start, but I may be able to do another couple of runs and build this group up a tad. Let me know in the comments if you think of anyone!

23 responses to “Heroes for a New Tomorrow”

  1. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

    Waaayyyy before my time. Comforting to know I don’t need to worry about this lot anymore. 😀 Ha ha,

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Well, the apocalypse is scheduled for today, Tess, but I agree, the majority of this lots’ time is in the past.

      Like

      1. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

        Whew. Good to hear. 🙂

        Like

  2. DCTdesigns avatar

    There must be a Norse viking or Scotsman to add to this rag tag bunch. These heroes all seem so prim and proper. (other then Ursula that is, she just rocks). I think you need a scrapper on the team to do the less desirable (dirty) fighting. I mean all basis should be covered.

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Good thinking! I shall go and check, Dana, and get back to you!

      Like

    2. Tom Merriman avatar

      Right, Dana, just dashed back a few centuries or so, and selected another couple to join this group… I had to get who was available. The Scotsman I’ve selected is David Livingstone, African explorer extraordinaire… he must have had the odd battle or two during his explorations. With regards to the viking, I’d already dragged along Sweyn, but this time picked up Ragnar Lodbrok, only for the reason that his name is uncanilly similar to Ragnarök, and I feel he should have a mention here…
       photo baa428b6-27d7-49c0-8d4d-8466f88daa28_zps01b9cfbb.jpg
      This is David Livingstone, by the way – there were no images available for Ragnar that I could acquire…

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  3. prenin avatar

    How about Gengis Khan – he was a dude!!! 🙂

    God Bless!

    Prenin.

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Prenin, why not?! He’s in!
       photo genghiskhan_zps6b1be43a.png

      Like

  4. Vanessa-Jane Chapman avatar

    I’m going to go completely off the wall here, and say Elvis. I know, right? Because so many people believe he never actually died, I think there is some power there in that united belief of survival. It’s another angle, but at times like this we need different angles. What do you think?

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      I agree completely, Vanessa, and when facing an apocalypse any angle has got to help. I’ll just go back and nab Elvis…
       photo elvis_zps96a4c155.jpg
      There! He’s in!

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      1. Jo Bryant avatar

        There is a great theory about Elvis in Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse books. He was turned into a vampire just before he died in the morgue. That is of course why he is still sighted. Now as it is the 23rd here already…I think you are safe

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        1. Tom Merriman avatar

          I’m really going to have to look into these Sookie Stackhouse books, Jo. Every now and then they pop up, and then I forget about them until they pop up again… there’s a message there somewhere!
          And great news…! Thanks for the reminder the other day!

          Like

  5. penpusherpen avatar

    Well I hestitate to state the obvious, Sir Aquatom, but then.. I thought again, ‘cos he’s a figment, ‘n we need someone who actually exists, to protect erm. us… today.? Ok,.what about Sir Walter Raleigh? (He can teach us bowls, but then again ’twas a myth, the bowling part, not him ) He was an excellent adventurer n’ stuff. (What would life be like without a potato to smoke? *cough*) Love your suggestions, just hope they all come up to scratch. I await whatever comes today with certain knowledge that we shall prevail, (When it’s all over I’ll be under t’bed) xPenx

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Yes, Lady P, we do need an adventurer or two, and a bowler as well, come to think of it (just in case!) so, I’ve just nipped back and hoiked Walter out of his time and placed him with the others on the pirate ship. He’s in!
       photo 18ba6c85-483b-4482-92bf-ccc149aabdd7_zps0c7f6639.jpg

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      1. penpusherpen avatar

        and he’s a looker too, Sir A (Is it my imagination or does he have a look of a certain Jack Sparrow?) 🙂

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        1. Tom Merriman avatar

          Now that you come to mention it, Lady P, he so is / does / did. Time zones, eh? Always catching one out!

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  6. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

    I have to confess Tom I had not heard of the Norse Ragnarök until your previous post.. but can see why you chose your current set of Heroes 🙂 and Old Mother Shipton said something about a Bridge didn’t she? I know I have visited Mother Shipton’s Cave… and I think maybe the date of February could be a little wrong dear Tom.. for I can give you another Hero who said that March would be the cause of such doom and gloom…
    From Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, 1601. ‘Beware the Ides of March’ is the soothsayer’s message to Julius Caesar, warning of his death.
    But maybe he had a part in the plot to assassinate him 😉 who knows.
    Or maybe its to be when the stock markets next crash… and with the way they are going that too could be in March.. 😉 who knows? Life is full of surprises…. We should all remember to keep living One day at a time… 🙂 and Enjoy Every moment.. for Who knows when the next could be our last! 😀 xxxxx

    Thoroughly enjoyed 🙂 Sue

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Sue.
      I have to say that although I had heard of Ragnarök, I had completely forgotten all about it until Jo mentioned it the other day, and I had no idea it was foretold to be yesterday. It seems a bit specific for me, but there are quite a lot of websites out there that refer to the day. The Ides of March you say… stock markets… hmmm… just in time for the new financial year in April then! Sounds right!
      And yes – enjoy every day!

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      1. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

        Tom we only live one moment at a time.. So yes I will be enjoying every moment of every day.. xxx 😉 thank you..

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        1. Tom Merriman avatar

          A pleasure, Sue!

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  7. Gray Dawster avatar
    Gray Dawster

    There are some interesting developments going on around here Tom I will have to call back sometime soon for a more extended visit, in the meantime have a superb Tuesday and watch out for any dresses being blown upwards, it could be an exciting experience 🙂 😉 Sorry wrong post, I was thinking of Marilyn Monroe there 😉

    Andro

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Wonder where that thought came from, Andro?
      Hope you’re having a good week as well!

      Like

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