T.a.s.k. Force

[Rob Beachler]

This is what I've been working on a bit lately. A synopsis of my recent adaptation of old ideas/creation:

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T.A.S.K. FORCE

Time Accident Stoppin' Kids!

The date is September 16th, 1974. The place is Elk Point, SD.
http://www.elkpoint.org/

Three third grade kids and a dog while taking a "shortcut" through the back woods to get to school stumble upon an unconscious boy laying along the river bank dressed in unusual clothing with strange devices. They check him out and disturb his sleep. Upon waking the boy rambles about stopping the "Quantum/Tachyon Expanse" and the Cherenkov Order or "REDS". Panicing about the "Lewis and Clark" conundrum before saying he's been reverted to childhood and falling unconscious again. The kids play hooky from school and take the boy to their tree house in hopes he'll wake up and be okay. During his time asleep the kids check out his devices and then fight about whether to mess with them or not. In the scuffle they trigger a clock like device and rainbow lights fill the room and a rainbow portal opens and swallows them. They appear back where the tree house was though the tree is but a young one and they fall down onto the ground waking the sleeping youth. He explains what has happened and where they are and when though they don't believe him. When suddenly a band of Sioux Native American Indians and US Army Dragoons in battle interrupt their argument and they run off to hide in the woods. Confused they eventually discover they have been transported through time to the 1840's where they must rescue Lewis and Clark from an evil group out to stop their exploration of America. With the assistance of a young native American girl who joins them in their quest the T.A.S.K. Force realizes that if they don't stop the bad guys they discover it could lead to the destruction of the USA and they might never be born!

The basic premise is young kids traveling through time battling an evil organization from causing timeline damaging catastrophes. Sort of an "Exiles" meet the "Kids Next Door" with a "Voyagers" TV show twist thrown in.

Exiles - http://www.noflyingnotights.com/exiles.html
Kids Next Door - http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/knd/
Voyagers - http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/1744/V.html

The idea of the book is teaching the readers all about history by presenting it in an adventure story of awesome levels. It's a science fiction tale of exploration, war and love with historical figures, Native American warriors, action heroes, dark villains and even dinosaurs.

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Some Character concepts for the book:
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Billy Michells – 9 years old, white boy, blue eyes, light brown hair, loves to climb trees, build things and pretend he's the Midnight Avenger.

Sheila Carter-Molson – 7& 3/4 years old, black girl, brown eyes, black hair, loves electronics, tea parties and reading mystery books.

Sanchez Armijo – 8 & 1/2 years old, Hispanic boy, brown eyes, black hair, loves sports, comic books and fishing with his dad.

Captain Frank Daggerton – Mid 30s, White man, brown eyes, sandy blonde hair, leader of an elite band of "Timecops" called T.A.S.C. (Temporal Anomaly Security Command). Through a temporal regression incident he has de-aged back to the physical form of a 10 year old.

Herc The Rottweiler - 4 year old Rotty dog. Beefy! Black, brown and tan, bicycle chain collar. Favorite toy is a truck tire.

Kimama (meaning Butterfly) - 10 year old Shoshone native american girl. Redish skin, brown eyes, Black hair.Knows lots about nature, animals, plants, herbs. Speaks Sioux and English as well as her native tongue. Loves running and is a master at indian wrestling.

Ioakim - Late 20s Russian man, black hair, blue eyes. Member of the Cherenkov Order out to cause disruptions of events in time. Dressed in a black jump suit with red trimming and a red Russian symbol on the left side of the chest (Время ).

Varya – Mid 20s Russian woman, blonde hair, blue eyes. Member of the Cherenkov Order out to cause disruptions of events in time. Dressed in a black jump suit with red trimming and a red Russian symbol on the left side of the chest (Время ).

Waneta (meaning The Charger, son of Shappa or Red Thunder ) - Late teens Sioux native american warrior man. Believes his mother was murdered by the "White Man" and vows to seek revenge on them all. Side villian of the story. Crazed and vengeful he desires to destroy Lewis and Clark.

Matoskah - (meaning White Bear) - Late teens Sioux native american warrior man. Friend of Otaktay who eventually sees the error of his friend's ways and tries to stop him. The conflict of mixed emotion to the main villian.
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R~

[John Coons]

Nice! Sounds very interesting, and a good mix of styles!

[Rob Beachler]

Thanks John! Any other thoughts? Anyone? Anyone? Buelller?

R~

[Dustin Archibald]

It's a fresh concept. Having children as the protagonists in the story will really get younger audiences involved. I think if it's done in colour it would work out quite well.

Some critique:

If one of your goals is to educate then be careful to research your content. One of the things that irks me is when writers, like the people at Disney, sacrifice historical accuracy for entertainment.

If you want more source material for Native American warriors 'Dances with Wolves' doesn't do too bad of a job portraying them.

Are you attached to the title? Right now it seems focused on the task force people rather than on the adventures your protagonists will be having.

[Rob Beachler]

Dustin,

Thanks for you thoughts. Actually the kids are the "T.A.S.K. (Time Accident Stoppin' Kids) Force" where as Captain Daggerton is part of "T.A.S.C. (Temporal Anomaly Security Command) Force". It seems in my last edit of the start thread I deleted the name. Oops! : I've corrected it and it should be more clear now.

Oh and I plan to definately make this in vibrant colors. Being it's directed to younger readers that's a necessity and as colorist it'd be against my nature to do otherwise.

I'll try and be as accurate as I can with real details though I may take some liberties with grey areas. I plan to put real factoids in as little boxes on the pages and then place info in the back of the book on where to learn more. Kind of like an after school special or something of the sort. I have done some good research already but will definately do more as I begin writing out the story. Thanks for the tips.

R~

[Rob Beachler]

I've chatted with my intended artist that I really wanted to work with and he's going to put together some character sketches soon. Looks like this is coming together hopefully soon! WAAHOOO!

R~