Because the story is so confusing, I decided to start the ZERO chapter now..
I was originally intending to release it LATER in the series, but this
chapter will explain what happened, and how the universes work.. it's
nowhere NEAR finished, but I decided to post it for those of you who are
anxiously (yeahright) waiting to see this..

Enjoy, and.. Comments and Suggestions are Welcomed and REQUESTED!



Project Firehawke X     ---    Prelude Chapter ZERO

The sun streaming through the sun's windows illuminated the room. An
extremely cluttered room, sounds of light snoring eminated from the bed.
Next to the bed, several dozen empty Mountain Dew cans testified to the
caffeine intake of the young man on the bed.  Upon a desk next to the bed, a
computer sat, silently contemplating a screensaver with its cover off.
Cables of every sort were attached to the computer -- a sure sign the man in
question was into computers heavily. Across the floor, a sea of cables,
cords, books, clothes, and papers floated, a mute testiment to the man's
bachelor tendencies.

With an audible ring, the old-fashioned steel clock on the computer began to
protest the fact that John was still sleeping.

John was average, really, teetering on the brink between manhood and
teenager. He was 18 years old, with black hair, and hazel eyes. Standing
about 5'6, he seemed to have an aura of power around him whever he stood at
a terminal-- he was at home with any kind of PC.

The clock's immensely annoying ringing continued for about 15 seconds before
John even twitched a foot. The ringing didn't stop, and John blearily opened
a bloodshot eye. One glance at the clock explained it all, and an instant
later the clock was introduced to Mr. Wall one more time, denting it yet
again. The ringing stopped.

John reached to the floor, searching for an unopened Mountain Dew..
"Grargh.. There HAS to be one here somewhere!", he muttered aloud, "Grarrrrgh.."

Finding none, the morning seemed a lot worse than it was-- which was
considerably bad, mind you! Crawling to his feet, he glanced at the
'screensaver' on his PC.. Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo ran on Demo Mode on
the PC. <Hmm.. Ryu VS Sagat.. A good battle.. I bet my odds on Ryu.>

He didn't stay to watch the outcome of the battle-- instead, he exited his
room (tripping over only 30 or 40 items along the way), and headed to the
kitchen. Opening the refridgerator didn't reveal any Dew in the house, much
to John's chagrin. <Ohno! We're out of 'Spew! AARGH!!! I can't start my
morning without my 'Spew!>

A note on the table read, "Found this card at a yard sale yesterday.. looks
to be PC compatible.. try it in your PC, it might be interesting." and
beside it sat a small halfcard.

<Hmm.. I wonder what it is.. no external ports on it..>

...more to come...
John "Firehawke" Peasley                     /|
 ___________________________________________| |
/___________________________________________|8888888888888]
              firehawke@bbs.yab.com         | |
              firehawk@tendo-dojo.ranma.net |/
            |\  Knight of Nabiki [M. Miner] and Dark Lord of the Cyth
            | |___________________________________________
[8888888888888|___________________________________________/
            | |SF2,TP,BGZ,SFA,R1/2,KOR,BGC,SNES,PC,C++,ASM
             \| "What's wrong? Why do you hold back?"