As he scanned the area once again, he felt a pulse from the middle of a lake which the property was built around. It was a familiar feeling, one that he could recognize anywhere: there was a spirit there. Upon further inspection, he found a small island of sorts in the center of the lake. A thick layer of trees secluded it from view, as well as fog. Nothing a few gusts of wind couldn't fix, Andrew noted, but it still made it difficult to find the entity. Once he eased through the obstacles, he found a - god, what was it? Though he intended to be unseen, the spirit whirled around quickly, sensing the presence. Andrew couldn't help but stare-this thing was nearly as bad as Terroreyes. Eyes and a tongue were the only real tissue left of it. The rest, only a skull and a severed spine. It floated calmly in midair, its large humanoid teeth visible as its mouth hung open. "And you are," Andrew paused in thought, "the Blair Wisp?"

The skull only continued to bob in the air, as if floating on a gust of wind. "Threeeee centuries hence, this foolish wisp cruelly wronged a powerful witch-my fate was seeeeaaled." It spoke very precisely, its voice somewhat high pitched and hypnotic. "I was cursed to the worst punishment a wisp can befaaaall, to never be seeeen by mortal eyeesss. Imprisoned within a ring of treees, I can only be freeed once the curse has been deeeenied."

Once it grew silent, Andrew blinked his non-eyes. "Uh-huh." On the job, he was pleased to find that he could refer to the handbook mentally. Being omnipresent had its perks, one of which being the availability of information. 'So let's see. A wisp.' He browsed through the pages within his mind, focusing on each description of spirits. 'Here we are: wisps. Wisps experience pleasurable sensation when gazed upon by mortals, and as such are very hard to sneak up on. They can, however, be incapacitated by a really hard stare.' Andrew gave thought to that notion-not being able to contain himself when looked at? Somehow, he considered that to be inconvenient. He turned his attention back to the Blair Wisp, who seemed uninterested in the presence before it. The disembodied head and spine just looked around blankly, tilting its head as it stared at the trees that blocked its view of the world. Did it even remember what other places looked like? "Don't worry, I'll get you out of here soon enough." He assured the spirit, but the wisp only stared at him for a moment, then back to its trees.

Wandering off, Andrew approached the cabin on the far North side of the property. He could sense another spirit, this one far more powerful than any other that he had encountered. He could feel a shudder making its way throughout his non-body, one which disturbed him thoroughly. As he eased through the home, he slipped beneath the top layer, ending up in the basement. The creature, which could only be described as a nightmare personified, was terrifying. It was horse-like in a way, with long thin limbs and a wide, long head. However, razor sharp claws covered the base of its hands, which displayed five long fingers. Its broad head could be easily forgotten when one stared at it's teeth, which looked like something out of a horror film. Its elongated legs perched the rest of its body upward, which gave it an arachnoid appearance. The creature had no skin, only muscle tissue, which occasionally seeped with unknown moisture. Veins and arteries could easily be seen upon its flesh, pulsing as if they would burst at any moment. The vision of the creature faded in and out continuously, bordering on the human and astral plane. The sheer power of the creature made Andrew woozy, the energy putting him in a nearly drunken stupor. He thought he would never feel fear again, as a spirit, and yet here he was-face to face with it. There was no doubt in his mind that this could be anything but The Darkling.

Sensing fear, a most delectable treat to it, the Darkling perked itself up. "Who approaches me?" Its voice boomed, deep and threatening, appropriate with its frightening form.

"A Ghost Master. I've come to free you." Andrew did his best not to stammer, as he didn't need another powerful spirit doubting him.

—

Oh wow, poor Jennifer! Crazy professor

I like the hint of mystery to Lady arose.

—-

Well uh, I don't know if you remember me that much but -" She began, but was cut off by the more powerful spirit.

"Maxine Factor. Apparition, housebroken, murder fetter. You were a cosmetics sales woman in life. Your epitaph said you were pleased to find that ectoplasm doesn't wrinkle. How...superficial." Formerly-Andrew stated blandly, rubbing his pale fingertips together. He was unimpressed of her attempt to be coy, and had grown to dislike spirits who weren't upfront. "I discovered you in the home with Static and Arclight. I remember you just fine." He continued, waving a hand impatiently. "What do you want?"

"Well Sir, or Madame or...well, whatever you are! I was just speaking to one of the other spirits, and I heard there was a new case file in. Now, I know it's none of my business and all, but-"

"You're right. It isn't any of your business. Now, do you have a point to this or what?" Andrew interrupted again, quite rudely.

"That's what I was getting to. I was wondering if I could sit this next task out. Y'see, there's this beauty course for the undead and I was just hoping to get involved with-"

Andrew stood firmly, his posture straightening out. "I don't know what it is about me that makes spirits think I care about their problems. Maybe it's the way I sit, maybe I give too much rope, but keep in mind that I am in charge of this team. Your petty wants are of no concern to me, Maxine Factor." He sighed, flustered with his irritation. "You may attend your whatever-it-is. Just don't let the Haunter Committee get word of this. Don't need them sending in spirits to make sure I haven't gone soft." He rubbed his temples with a cold hand, annoyed that he had to deal with more bargaining.

"Yes Ghost Master, thank you." The apparition bowed her head respectfully, then disappeared into a whirl of green light. Though he was particularly annoyed that his break had been cut short, the entity exited the white, empty room that he had been occupying. Though the couch would have been viewed as comfortable by a mortal, or perhaps even a more daft spirit like Tricia, Andrew chose not to notice. He stepped out into the larger break room, occupied by a few well-known spirits. Clatterclaws, the large undead spider occupied the ceiling. His legion of followers scattered around him, held up by some invisible web. He anxiously waited for someone to eat their lunch beneath him, hoping to steal something.

—-

Thou Andrew seems to be very negative, considering the ahaunting Committee forced him into this.

Eager to see how you write this.

I LOVE THIS GAME, AND IT'S A FIC! YES!

I'm surprised to see that no one else has reviewed this. Aside from the fact that this story has nothing to do with any of the ghostBUSTERS video games. This is an interesting opening toward ghostMASTER the computer game. If I knew how to let the ff/net admins know about the situation, I would, try, to help your story to get the recognition it deserves. Don't get discouraged, like I said, its a good start, and I'd like to see how you envision the gameplay.