Editing Gone Ahead 7.x

{{infobox chapter
| work       = Pale
| book       = [[Gone Ahead]]
| number     = 7.x
| dateposted = 05 January 2021
| link       = [https://palewebserial.wordpress.com/2021/01/05 {{PAGENAME}}]
| previous   =[[Gone Ahead 7.9]]
| next       = [[Vanishing Points 8.1]]
}}
'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the eleventh chapter of [[Gone Ahead]] and second interlude. [[Alexander Belanger|Alexander]] remembers times past before planning retaliation and future work. He has an impromptu meeting with Ted that is rudely interrupted. 

==Plot==
Twenty years ago a successful practitioners celebrate their successful binding of the Blue Heron King. [[Ms Durocher|Durocher]] chats about her recent trip and binding of a [[Primeval]].

They share war stories and cautionary tales. Alex having an ill-advised relationship with a [[Hangmaiden]] before ambition beckoned him away, Ray attracting some sort of data vampire after he brazenly entered a disappeared practitioners space, [[Mr. Musser|Musser's]] manner pissing of his apprentice Yellowston enough that he tried to kill him, Charles failing to make the connections between a probable-[[Revenant]] to a previous victim. Their attitudes make Crowe disgusted with how they treated the people in their care and makes excuses so she can leave. 

Durocher talks shop with Ray at the end, her successful expedition against a [[primeval]].
----

Alex smokes the last cigarette from the carton he'd saved from all those years ago. He listens to the conversation again and takes notes.

He prepares movements against his former friends and allies now re-categorized as targets in need of his spite. He spies on them through pictures, and makes a few important calls to set up actions. He lashes out at [[Lucy Ellingson|Lucy]].

A bell rings, tripped ward, Alexander steps out to confront Ted. He has prepared for this confrontation that is the culmination of his future facing philosophy, he stands at the precipice of getting all he could desire.

Then falling to his knees, Alexander is confusion
----

It is then revealed that he has been shot in the head by [[John Stiles|John]], which was probably what the bell was alerting him to. The contretemps was achieved by john taking opportunity while Alexander was focused on Ted.

John recommend that Ted should leave while he has the chance. Ted leaves and John asks who is here and [[Lucy Ellingson|Lucy]] steps out of the foliage. 

She is surprised to see that Alex is still alive but John explains it is just his advanced sight making a recording even if no one will read it.

Thanks to Alexander the relationship between the two of them was irreparably damaged. John takes out [[Musette]] the taped ghoul while he and Lucy start working to obscure his part in Alexander's end. Musette sits with Lucy awhile making sure she is okay before disposing of Alexander's body.

==Major Events==
* Alex makes several moves against his new foes.
* Alex is Murdered

==Characters==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable"
! scope="col" |
|-
|
Before
* [[Alexander Belanger]]
* [[Rad Ray Sunshine]]
*[[Ms Durocher|Ms. Durocher]]
* [[Lawrence Bristow]]
* [[Mr. Musser]]
* [[Charles Abrams]]
* Luisa Crowe

Now
*[[Nicolette Belanger|Nicolette]]
*Seth
*[[Zed]] & [[Brie Callie|Brie]]
* [[John Stiles]]
* [[Lucy Ellingson]] and the Trio
* [[Musette]]
|}

==Trivia==
* The stories related hint at major character flaws of the tellers.
** Larry was supposed to share a story too.

{{Reflist}}