Extraordinary Supernatural Police

Note: An elite force of men and women from all walks of life who specialize in the strange, supernatural and the downright bizarre.

“It really doesn’t matter where you’re from. If your will is strong, you can make the future whatever you want it to be.”—Cain Nightroad, Trinity Blood

Staff:

Miko Wantanbe the Shrine Maiden: specialization exorcism, Japanese, female, 23 years old, Shinto

Deidre McGee (Dee-Dee): chief, specialization in mythical and legendary creatures, Irish, 29 years old, Catholic, Spiritual

“The Highlander” Angus (Gus) McGee: second in command, married to the chief, expert in swords fighting, military strategy, and killing rouge vampires, as well as werewolves, 30 years old, Scottish, Catholic, Spiritual, wields a sword named Mac Duff

Rebecca McGee (Becky): daughter of the chief and second in command, 13 years old, paranormal expert, gamer, tomboy, Irish/Scotch, can draw pentacle shields with anything, including lipsticks, Catholic, Spiritual

Rupert Odekirk (Ru): Godfather and babysitter to Becky, a highly religious and spiritual man, psychic, and gifted with supernatural abilities, 45 years old, African American, tamer of wild spirits, expert in African folklore, wields a spiritual spear. Is a Shaman, and had a wife named Ester, but she unfortunately died. He has never loved any other woman after her, and has no children other than grandchildren from his half-brother Leonard.

Mushu Long: Friend (and possible boyfriend) of Rebecca, paranormal expert, photographer of UFOs and ghosts, carries around a number of lucky charms, tends to be slightly superstitious, weapon of choice, karate and nun chucks, 13, Chinese, Buddhist

Charlie “Checkers” Zangula: Resident rock n’ roll ghost, never became famous, was accidentally run over by a bus while crossing the street, died young, played rather good music, expert at the guitar, crooner type voice, left behind a beautiful wife Susan and fraternal twins, Nicholas and Rosanna) is peeved that other people can’t hear him or see him unless he possesses someone. Possesses the youngest member of the ESP with permission to perform concerts when nothing very exciting is going on. Used to be quite the lady-charmer even though Susan was his one and only love. Tends to be a bit protective of the one he possesses and the rest of the team, and is flattered he became their ‘mascot’.

Nadia Stein: Like the others, can see and communicate with spirits, and is the resident tech expert, number cruncher, and treasurer, Jewish and Wiccan, can heal others with her abilities, 10 years old, neighborhood best friend of Becky.

“Lady Death” Persephone (also known as ‘Reaper Sephie’), an ‘undead’ reaper who acts as an ambassador between the living realm, dead and undead realms. She’s a tour guide to the underworld. She’s a rather chipper reaper, and slays rogue demons when necessary, age, approximately over millions of years old, but looks fresh and perky, like she’s 27.

Saroush Yeager: A genius to say the least, this hacker can even search the internet for ghosts and find ways to track them down before they disrupt anything electrical. He is 12, 2 years older than Nadia, East Indian-American, Hindu and a master of mind tricks. But, he may not be all that he claims to be.

Francis “Franny” Quimby: A very intelligent woman over 30, with 2 children of her own (May and Jay, fraternal twins, she has her hands full). She keeps records for the ESP and manages calls when they are away on lunch. Some wonder if she ever sleeps and how she manages from staving off caffeine highs. Her favorite ‘drug’ of choice, Mountain Dew. She is Australian, and quite witty with remarks, very funny. Her husband Bernie works as a powerful CEO in one of the city’s best law firms, and is by no means a shyster. Can be a bit motherly at times, which is to be expected.

Wolf Raintree: A half-Cherokee boy who joins the ESP thinking it would liven up his boring suburban life. He gets a bit more than he bargains for. Is 11 years old, and begins to develop a crush on Nadia, which later develops into a romantic relationship. His spirit animal is, appropriately, the wolf, and wolves often protect him when he is in danger. He can also communicate with werewolves.

Kafka Dietrich: A Crusnik (otherwise known as a vampire who feeds off the other blood of vampires) who works as an ‘off site’ member of the ESP ‘unofficially’. His slaying of rogue vampires takes some business away from the ESP, even if it is unintentional. He is of Russian/German/Slav descent and can speak numerous languages, has lightning intelligence and wit as sharp as a sword. Is many millennia old like Persephone. Despite being so ‘old’ he moves quickly and slays his victims painlessly. Is a friend to mortals and considers Angus one of his closest allies. Once saved a younger Angus from being killed by a vampire driven by bloodlust. This was long before Angus became a slayer and Kafka was his teacher. Often times, Angus refers to Kafka as “teacher” in the utmost respect, or even deems him travarich, which is ancient Russian for friend. You don’t hear this archaic term much anymore except between the closest of friends, and it transcends mere friendship, delving into blood-ties, like siblings.

Chapter 1—Humble Beginnings

Deidre, Angus and their teenage daughter, Rebecca had always enjoyed the paranormal, metaphysical and usual. Their lives had been filled with many unexplained events that couldn’t be confined or quantified by conventional science and logic. They also noticed that there were few companies around them that dealt with the spiritual world. There were metaphysical stores in the neighborhood, but nothing in the way of a business that could help normal people with issues involving the spiritual realm. The three spoke of creating their own business and jobs that they would hold as a team. Rebecca herself, the clever darling, had developed a name for their expertise.

“We’ll be the Extraordinary Supernatural Police, or the ESP. It’s a play on words, and seeing that we have extraordinary abilities, it also fits !”, Rebecca said, full of excitement and energy.

“Splendid ! Though, Becky, you do realize this will take much research and work to pull off, you are aware.”, Deidre said, matter-of-factly.

“Of course I do, mother. We don’t have any time to lose. We need to begin immediately.”, Rebecca answered, confidently. Angus nodded as well, knowing that the three of them had much work to accomplish if they were ever to get ESP off the ground, but as soon as they started researching and looking for a suitable building and location for their business, they were soon formulating the business from the ground up.

It took a few months, but after everything was settled, The McGee’s placed an advertisement in the local newspaper for anyone (be they living or dead) to apply for the Extraordinary Supernatural Police. Dress code was rather casual. Despite the fact that they were called “police”, they had no “uniforms” that deemed them as such. They would be dealing with cases of the downright bizarre in so-called “everyday living”, and if there was some kind of code violation between realms human and spiritual, the ESPs would deal with it tout suite.

Chapter 2—The Brave Ones Who Joined

Although the company had only been running for a month when employees started filing into the doors and being interviewed. Deidre was very picky when it came to hiring employees. After seeing thousands of possible employees, there were only a few that she had hired initially. There was a man from Rebecca’s past who had taken care of her in her formative years. Rebecca recognized him right away. It was a man by the name of Rupert Odekirk who was a near and dear friend of the McGee’s.

“It’ll be wonderful working with my comrades again. I wonder what we will be facing in the future. I suppose we will have to wait.”, the 45-year-old black man said.

“Absolutely. Have you met the other employees ?”, Rebecca asked, her voice full of spunk. He had. The other employees were Rebecca’s friend Mushu Long, a Chinese kid that was Becky’s closest friend. The two had often gone on adventures during their youth chronicling the paranormal in their neighborhood. Then there was a cute little Jewish girl who was another good friend of Becky’s. Nadia, the youngest member of the team, was another metaphysic who had Becky as a sitter in her younger years. Already the theme of family had entered into the picture early on. So far, nothing out of the ordinary, other than their eclectic team had been assembled, but then the supernatural events began to occur.

Soon after the “team” had been established, two more members joined. There was a ghost whose spirit was stirred unexpectedly by Nadia. He just happened to pop up out of thin air upon seeing her.

“Where have you been little lady ? I’ve been looking everywhere for you !”, Charlie Zangula said. Besides his signature 50’s checker suit and saddle oxfords giving him away, he could be seen through. Besides, he left an ectoplasmic residue when he passed through Nadia. Nadia was used to this sort of thing but the ectoplasm was rather slimy. Nadia didn’t mind, she had been through dirtier elements.

“What do you mean, sir ?”, Nadia asked.

“Who are you talking to ?”, Rebecca questioned, turning her head around the corner from her cubicle. Apparently, nothing too terribly exciting was happening at ESP today, and no complaints had been filed yet. Charlie hovered up and then scratched his head.

“What is the date ?”, he asked, confused.

“It’s October 31, 2007. Halloween. Can I ask who you are ?”, Rebecca said, inquisitively.

“I’m Charlie Zangula. My friends called me “checkers” because of my love for the checker pattern and the fact I adore wearing it. I’m sorry, young lady but I thought you were my little puppet, Rosanna. You resemble her so much.”, Charlie said, beginning to cry. He knew now he couldn’t see her, now that he had no way to cross over.

“I’m flattered, Charlie. Don’t cry…”, Nadia said, feeling sorry for him. The crooner had lost his life tragically when he was run over by a bus just walking across the street. That fateful night so many years ago, he was going to record his next platinum record and then eat at the closest Italian diner. He never got to see his children grow up, and he never stopped loving them. They grew up to be a successful family even without him and they were happy, but they still mourned him. He felt guilty for that.

“Hey, I know something that would make you feel better.”, Nadia said, going out on a limb.

“What’s that ?”, Checkers asked, unveiling his tear-stained face to the concerned young girls.

“You can possess me for a bit and share your songs for a new generation. Goodness knows I’d like to hear them.”, Nadia said, blushing somewhat. Rebecca chortled at her young friend’s crush on a spirit. Immediately Charlie brightened, if one can say that about a ghost.

“You’d…let me do that ?”, he asked, his voice mellifluous and gentle, the Italian accent coming out a bit at times.

“Sure. Whenever you like. Remember, we’re the only ones who can see you. Ordinary people can’t.”, Nadia answered, honestly. And with that, he merged with her and got used to walking around in another’s body.

“So, are we ready to rock and roll ?”, Nadia questioned, in Checkers’ trademark playful tone.

“This…is going to be interesting.”, Rebecca said, following after her and allowing their deceased friend lead her to the biggest concert she’d ever seen. Apparently more people knew about Zangula than she originally thought.

Chapter 2—Death and the Sakura Blossom

Apart from the typical grievances settled between undead neighbors who couldn’t see eye to eye that were reconciled, there were exorcisms held when needed. Angus was feeling a little sad that his precious “MacDuff” wasn’t getting any action. He expected more rouge vampires out during this time of year. But unfortunately for him there was one Crusnik that was taking care of them for the time being. His name was Kafka. Angus would probably have a little chat with him in the future. Such creatures took business away from the ESP even if they didn’t mean to initially. At least soon, he would be seeing action in Japan, someplace he had always wanted to travel.

“Finally MacDuff will be able to slice through youkai and oni !”, Angus said, admiring the glitter of the steel of his sword against the sun’s glow.

“Not yet, my dear. We need to pace ourselves here…We’re not too familiar with the ways of this land. We need a guide.”, Deidre said, logically. Before they knew it, they were met by a Shinto Priestess by the name of Miko who was familiar with the ESP by reading about them in paranormal magazines and periodicals.

“I can assist you. I don’t want to be too presumptuous but I wish to join your ranks as well.”, Miko said, bowing politely. She quickly took them from her sacred shrine and led them from the torii separating her world from the wacky realm of the unknown.

All of them could sense spirits in the air. The group was soon engaged in extermination of rouge spirits. Angus was caught in the middle with a youkai who wanted to destroy him and drain him of all his earthly energy. Instantly, and eerily, a reaper appeared from a swirling cloud of black smoke, the sound of its scythe slicing the yokai in two. It spontaneously combusted and was no more.

“You’ve got some skills, mortal. I’ve never seen anyone move like you do, and I’ve seen many warriors in my millennia of existence.”, the long lightly-blue haired, amethyst eyed woman said, admiring the Scot.

“Thank you, but…why did you help me ? Isn’t that against grim reaper code ?”, Angus asked. The others were surprised as well.

“Simply because it’s not your time. Besides, the main reaper is a pretty laid back individual. Not all dark, grim and morose like you would picture him.”, the reaper stated.

“Any other reason ?”, Deidre questioned, noticing that the little blue-haired reaper was acting a little bit too friendly with her husband. The pale reaper blushed somewhat.

“Well, to be honest, I was getting bored with my conventional work. I heard from some demons I was escorting into the underworld that you were quite a motley crew. And judging by appearances alone, even demons don’t lie.”, Persephone answered. She gave Deidre her ‘condensed’ list of criteria. Deidre was hesitant to consider Persephone at first because she had exuded some interest in Angus, but so long as she kept the notorious ‘look’ on Persephone, she wouldn’t have to worry about her making any moves on Angus. Besides, Angus was a one woman man; so again, she had nothing to fret about.

As they continued to travel through the local towns, there were many monsters to be slain, but Miko’s ability was like something out of a Hollywood special effects store. She was uncanny in using spiritual seals as well as ancient Shinto chants that cleansed the area for miles. She could use her spirit stick as a weapon as well and didn’t seem to be troubled by the sight of blood. She would ask her victims for forgiveness even after they were dead.

At least for the time being, one city was clean, and there were other shrine maidens and masters that Miko had trained to cleanse other cities and towns in the area as well as the whole of Japan. Of course, this would keep the priests and priestesses busy while Miko made the transition into America. Already she was able to pick up on the language so quickly, which was another one of her skills. Apparently, she could mimic anyone or anything. The ESP was turning out to be a rather intriguing team after all.

Chapter 3—The Calls, They Keep A-Comin’

Before Deidre knew it, the ESPs had become a fixture in the big city and welcome as anything else that was there. They brought in the arrival of many spiritual shops as well as homemade cleansing kits in case of difficult spirits who couldn’t cross over. Unfortunately, this sometimes kept the youngest members from keeping up with their homework, but they managed to turn everything on time and pass their courses with flying colors. Strangely, a love interest had begun to bloom between the old childhood friends Rebecca and Mushu. They often were teased for it at school and Nadia could feel their pain.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it, you guys. You’ve been friends for so long, it’s just a new chapter in your development.”, Nadia said, slightly jealous. Nadia just wished she could formulate a relationship with Charles, but knew such a thing would never work. Besides being deceased, Mr. Zangula was old enough to be her father. Rebecca wondered if Nadia didn’t have a bit of an Electra complex, but this soon changed when another new face entered the arena of the paranormal.

A young punk-rocker type named Saroush Yeager had knocked on the door and asked one of the secretaries, Francis, if Deidre was in her room answering a recent call about a haunted barn in the country that apparently had troubles with fowl apparitions all around the area. She tried to steer clear of chicken jokes, which was hard, because it was a serious situation, but by the end of the call she had fit one in without the recipient knowing. She burst into laughter, and then relayed the team over the PA.

“I hate to interrupt but we have a possible new entrant.”, Francis said, rather gently. Saroush was eager to speak to Deidre and made the best impression he could.

“Can he see me ?”, Checkers questioned to Nadia, who was smitten at first glance of him.

“Unlike the rest of us, I don’t think he can. Why do you ask, Chuck ?”, Nadia questioned, naively.

“I don’t like him, Nadia. He gives me the heebee jeebies.”, Charles answered, becoming a bit defensive. The others didn’t seem to like him either, but they had been too inundated with calls coming in from the outside to stop Saroush from taking his interview with the Big Kahuna.

Saroush was given the job without any further questions asked, and as thought, he started making moves on Nadia. This angered Charlie even further.

“If I were corporeal again, I would wallop this jerk ! Ooo, he steams my collar somethin’ fierce !”, Charles seethed, balling his hands into fists. Eerily out of nowhere, Persephone appeared and noticed how close Saroush was to Nadia.

“Care to tell me what you’re doing, pipsqueak ?”, she asked, her voice cold enough to send shivers up any living (or dead) thing’s spine.

“I’m just making myself comfortable is all, Ms. Reaper.”, Saroush replied, almost curtly, but with politeness.

“I suggest you do your work, Saroush. I advise you not to get on my bad side. I am watching you, and I have eyes all around this facility. Keep your nose clean, kid.”, Persephone warned. With a slight bow, unnerved, Saroush got up, found his cubicle and began working. Persephone wasn’t lying about her “eyes”. They were bat-shaped cameras that kept their lenses fixed upon the movements of Saroush in particular, relaying the images to a smaller bat-shaped television in her cubicle.

Fairly soon, the whole team, minus Franny would be splitting up into teams to take upon the spiritual upheaval in the city.

Chapter 4—I Just Love Babies, Don’t You ?

During the appointment, Saroush was unfortunately teamed with Nadia, Persephone and Rupert. There had been reports of rouge vampires in the area who were controlled by bloodlust, and nothing could stop them. People were unexpectedly dying, and a lot of them were elderly, so no real concern had been filed until a newborn baby had been unexpectedly plucked from his mother and drained dry. The Crusnick Kafka appeared in such a time and explained he wouldn’t take all of the work away from Gus since he knew, for lack of better term and horrible puns that his life’s blood came from dealing with such scum of the under-realm as this. Vampires loathed holy light and many of them were burned by Rupert’s pyrokinesis. Kafka dealt with some, and Angus got his fare share of killing in the evening.

“Why are we doing this in the midst of all this fighting ?”, Nadia asked, wondering why Saroush was leading her away from the battle front.

“You shouldn’t be fighting along with them. You’re just a girl after all. I doubt you would be much help to them.”, Saroush said, feigning to be gallant when all he was really doing was being sexist.

“I don’t see why I even liked you to begin with ! You’re nothing but a chauvinist pig !”, Nadia yelled, rushing back to return to the fray when Saroush grasped her arm and waved his hand slowly in a hypnotic wave-like motion. With a snap of his finger, he had transformed her into a mewling infant.

“I told you. You’re not much help to them, Nadia !”, Saroush laughed manically and left the bawling Nadia there to cry and wail to no avail.

Persephone had grown even more suspicious of Saroush’s whereabouts and when she saw him running back preparing to cast a spell, she stopped him directly in his tracks.

“Gotcha.”, she said, reversing the spell, which immediately transformed him into an infant. She picked him up and rocked him back and forth to quell his cries disappeared and then reappeared. By the time she had returned, the battle was over the rogue vampires had been defeated. Kafka had already taken his leave and thanked for his assistance. Nadia had also been returned to her 10-year-old self by Persephone and wondered what on earth had just happened.

“Did I miss anything ?”, she questioned, noticing the battle was already over.

“Eh, we’ll tell you everything while we return.”, Rupert said gently as he patted her on the shoulder. Nadia seemed confused and wondered why her best friends Mushu and Becky were snickering and keeping themselves from laughing out loud.

Chapter 5—Get Over Him, Nadia

Nadia had felt a bit sad although Saroush was out of the ESP team for good. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t be able to remember because he had been temporarily reverted to infantile state. Nothing that he had seen within the walls of the ESP would even be recalled. Besides, he wouldn’t even remember Nadia. But, despite that, Nadia was still depressed.

“Nadia, I know you liked him and that you’re disappointed that he was such a scum-bucket but you’re still a kid !”, Rebecca said, reminding her young friend that she was just that, young.

“I just feel…so dumb ! I shouldn’t have fallen for him !”, Nadia exclaimed in bitterness, her tears beginning to build. Rebecca held her close and stroked her short, soft black hair.

“It’s alright, sweetheart. Love is like that. It won’t be your last. You’re a lovely young girl, and I’m sure you’ll find love again. Let me tell you what…I’ll get you an ice cream after work, and I’m sure that’ll help you forget all about him !”,Rebecca said, wiping her tears gently with her handkerchief and patting her on the back. If anything would help her out of her slump, ice cream was bound to do the trick.

By the day’s end after all was said and done, Becky took Nadia to get a gelato, which was her favorite treat. She soon forgot all of her pain and Checkers was pleased to see his ‘little girl’ happy once again. Sure they had an odd relationship, but they didn’t care if they got odd looks.

Epilogue

It’s true that spirits never sleep and that the ESP team found themselves biting off more than they can chew in many instances. But with immortals such as Kafka and others on the team who worked ‘outside’ of ESP as assistants, the work load was becoming more equalized. The team in the city was able to keep up with work and take a bit of a holiday when they needed to. Thanks to them, ESP units were being built in other cities all around the world. There was power in multitudes, but it wasn’t a franchise. They wanted to specify that the ESP was a helper to both worlds spiritual and natural and that their name shouldn’t be used for anything else. For the most part, many people took that to heart, but elsewhere in black markets, ESP dolls were selling for a dollar a pop.

It wasn’t certain how long the ESP team would be needed but so long as a firmament existed, they would have to keep order in realms of chaos. And honestly, life was more exciting and fun this way.

To be continued…

In the next chapter of ESP, the team meets a new member, Wolf Raintree. Of course, having their last team member disappoint them so much, he proves he can be trusted. Everyone senses there is good in him. Soon, he becomes a love interest of Nadia. At first, Charlie is a bit hesitant to this new development in her life. He does realize the love is real. In one chapter, we find Charlie asking Persephone for a favor.

“Could you please turn back the clock and give me a second chance ? I know Nadia is in love again, but awkward as it is, I feel more than fatherly love for her.”

Of course, Persephone finding this is nuttier than squirrel poop goes along with it after all. Luckily, Wolf is out with family during the holiday. Soon after Christmas ends, the ESP has their biggest case ever. Apparently the Lord of all Evil, Laertes, is becoming troubled with the fact that his little demonic minions haven’t been able to wreck much havoc as of late. Laertes is a pretty well meaning demon, but he is becoming mad. Without some evil in the world, the balance becomes lopsided. So, he strikes a deal.

But what happens when the deal turns into a trick and the ESP has to find help from a higher power to stop him ? Will Michael be willing to fight Laertes again ?