Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 3 Chapter 14 From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 16:59:29 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE-Dejavous (LONG!!!) Subject: Re: AAE-Dejavous (LONG!!!) On Thu, 12 Jun 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Blacky turns to Blaze. "There are many things that will need to be > prepared on the outside as well. There are small villages and towns > where your escipades in Zag may already have been heard of. Many of > these towns do not support Darath but are afraid to rise against > him. Members of your group there, expecailly the 'more conspicuous' > ones might be able to rally support and possibly even troops for us > there. Their quality would be questionable, but it would cut down > the ratios a bit more in our favor. John's eyes go dark and his mouth forms a grim line, but he let's Blacky finish his say. > We also need to work on a plan to open that city up immediately when > we have your Morgan. That place can literally be sealed tighter than > a drum when it needs to be. some strange spell that creates a shell > of energy yet is not detectable as magic can be raised at a moment's > notice. Lightning enchanted crossbows on teh walls can turn even the > most heavily armored man into cinders with one hit. There are human > soldiers who will not fall when hurt or killed unless they are > utterly dismembered or disintegrated. Misern has been at war with > various people ever since Darath came to power and dibis is seen as > the seat of the government. Their strongest troops, weapons and > magics are stationed there. I can get a small group in, but we will > probably need the outside group to let us out again." John directs himself at Blacky, but projects himself to be heard by everyone. In his voice is remembered pain, and a hint of anger, "I think that between us we can bring the sheild down but I WILL NOT be party to the raising of cannon fodder for Darath's troops." Blacky begins to say something, but John's not done and cuts him off, "Whether they understand the odds or no, I will not send undertrained people out merely to 'cut down the ratio.'" =========================== Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 23:20:14 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-Dejavous (LONG!!!) Sorry Had to try this three times 1 to John, 1 blank to John, and finally I got it right... On Thu, 12 Jun 1997, Shadow wrote: > John directs himself at Blacky, but projects himself to be heard by > everyone. In his voice is remembered pain, and a hint of anger, "I > think that between us we can bring the sheild down but I WILL NOT be > party to the raising of cannon fodder for Darath's troops." Blacky > begins to say something, but John's not done and cuts him off, > "Whether they understand the odds or no, I will not send > undertrained people out merely to 'cut down the ratio.'" '\I have to agree with explictly what John said, However If they understand what is happening, and the odds of success with and without them, and the Price in pain and lifes that they may be called to pay, if they choose to participate. My beliefs require me to allow Them the Choice.\' =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 11:26:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE-Dejavous (LONG!!!) On Thu, 12 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: > > '\I have to agree with explictly what John said, However > If they understand what is happening, and the odds of success with > and without them, and the Price in pain and lifes that they may be > called to pay, if they choose to participate. > My beliefs require me to allow Them the Choice.\' John whips around to Fuzzy, gesticulating wildly as he makes his point, "The odds of success with and without them. That is exactly my point. Look at us. None of them will come anywhere near us in terms of strength or power. If they do, they should be searching _for_ us, not us for them. I could probably _summon_ a better force, Hell, I already HAVE, because the only use I see for them would be diversion as we escape. We're SNEAKING IN, for chrisakes. If we can't think of a better diversion than the useless death of innocent civilians, however willing, then my opinion of this group is _way_ too high. _That_ 'Choice' should only be when it is _Neccesary_." John stops, breathing heavily. =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 13:28:49 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-Dejavous (LONG!!!) On Fri, 13 Jun 1997, Shadow wrote: > John whips around to Fuzzy, gesticulating wildly as he makes his > point, "The odds of success with and without them. That is exactly > my point. Look at us. None of them will come anywhere near us in > terms of strength or power. If they do, they should be searching > _for_ us, not us for them. I could probably _summon_ a better force, > Hell, I already HAVE, because the only use I see for them would be > diversion as we escape. We're SNEAKING IN, for chrisakes. If we > can't think of a better diversion than the useless death of innocent > civilians, however willing, then my opinion of this group is _way_ > too high. _That_ 'Choice' should only be when it is _Neccesary_." > John stops, breathing heavily. "I agree with your points, for that matter if the team wanted to, the total power of a group working by this lot could probably incinerate the planet especially now that the LensDragon is here" "My point is that it is Their Choice, Not mine, Not yours, Theirs. If they Choose to participate Knowing the Price, neither I nor You, Nor for that matter the Gods themselves, have the right to tell them that they cannot be involved in this." "I believe Blacky was saying that, If the local people knew that there was a force (us) that could stand-up to DtB and his goons they would rally round willing to Pay the Customary Price of Freedom, on their own they have have no chance. Freedom handed out on a Platter is .... I don't know how to put that into words" =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 15:45:52 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE-Dejavous (LONG!!!) At 11:26 AM 6/13/97 -0400, Shadow wrote: >John whips around to Fuzzy, gesticulating wildly as he makes his >point, "The odds of success with and without them. That is exactly my >point. Look at us. None of them will come anywhere near us in terms >of strength or power. If they do, they should be searching _for_ us, >not us for them. I could probably _summon_ a better force, Hell, I >already HAVE, because the only use I see for them would be diversion >as we escape. We're SNEAKING IN, for chrisakes. If we can't think of >a better diversion than the useless death of innocent civilians, >however willing, then my opinion of this group is _way_ too high. >_That_ 'Choice' should only be when it is _Neccesary_." John stops, >breathing heavily. Knytt taps a few times at the modified Gameboy and the CAoL suddenly find they are looking at an overlapping image, one of the forest around them, and the other of the room where Morgan is being held. "This room is somewhere. I wish I could give a better location than that. We have a problem, ladies and gentlemen. We can't do this on our own. We need help. Blacky, Onan, and Rockhead are probably none too appreciative of your remarks, John. And the fact that they exist on this world, as well as Argent, seems to indicate there are some powerful people here already. The problem is, they're scared. They would have thrown out Darath long ago, it would seem, if not for that." As Blacky, Onan, and Rockhead (and anyone else not on the link) look at the coporeal members of the CAoL and wonder what they are gaping at, Knytt continues. "We need Morgan freed. We need Driss' brothers freed. And we don't have the manpower to do it. Unless someone's been hiding the power of Multiple Man from us, I suggest we get some assistance. We will want to know we have enough people ready to help us get out before we go in. Or we're liable to be diced to pieces. That means, we recruit NOW." Knytt walks back over to Morgan. He reachs for her hand and his passes through it. Smiling sadly, he looks back at the CAoL. "This is probably a bit distracting for Morgan. Remember, John, we are not so all-fired important that we have people seeking us out for help. Driss was the first person to walk in and ask for assistance. Most folks walk in and want us dead. We may be 'Good Guys', but we aren't 'The Good Guys'. Whaddaya think this is, a story?" Knytt taps the direction pad on the Gameboy and Knytt, Morgan and the room fade away. To Morgan, Knytt says with a grin, "Kids. Whaddaya gonna do?" =========================== From: Martin Gerster Subject: AAE -- Dhyrclhanc plays catch-up (Part 1) (Long!) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 97 19:33:40 PDT 97.0613 (Gee, that's auspicious; Friday the 13th!) > On Wed, 11 Jun 97, John/Shadow/Paul Roslowski > (pookie@pluto.njcc.com) wrote: >> On Wed, 11 Jun 1997, Martin Gerster wrote: >> >> Dhyrclhanc is clad completly from head to toe, including his >> tail and wings, in a dark-green, almost black, suit of, >> technological-looking, dragon combat armor. Every striking >> surface of the armor is composed of, wicked looking, cerated >> edges and barbs. >> >> (snipped descriptions of the Sentinel-Lensdragon's impliments >> of destruction) (O.C.C.: For those "tech-heads" among us, the Standish's "grenade launcher" is a 27mm bore weapon, *not* a 15mm bore weapon) > "I am honoured to meet you, Sir Dhyrclhanc, and would like to > talk to you a moment before we leave." Directly to the dragon, > /*I have need of a favor. I have been told that you have given > everyone here their current mini-lens linkage. I have need of a > mini-lens, but of one not tied into the surrounding linkage, if > that is possible. If not, could you tell me everything you know > of the lens and how it works? I had hoped to ask you this at a > more private setting, but events keep moving along at a faster > and faster pace. I may not get the chance later.*/ Dhyrclhanc looks askew at the feliniod newcomer to the CAoL. At least, that's what everyone in the CAoL Psi-Web sees; neither Dhyrclhanc's face nor eyes are visible through the visor/face-plate on the Lensdragon's ring-generated powered combat armor, which is now partialy tranlucent. At least, the draconian Lensman/Green Lantern's Lens and Sentinel's-Ring are now visible through the armor. /Pardon me -- "John" is it? -- you seem familiar to me, somehow; have we met before? It is imposible for me to give you a mini-Lens not linked to the group Psi-web. In short, the mini-Lenses *are* the Psi-web. The mini-Lenses were originaly an extention of my Lens' ability to "co-coordinate" the CAoL's original nacient telepathic net. Events prior my temporary absence, led me to use my ring/Lens gestalt to create the mini-Lenses as a physical manifestaion and perminent re-inforcement of the CAol's, now, Psi-web. A "True" Lens, like those possessed by myself and Fuzzy, is a semi-sentinent, semi-mystical, logical/mathmatical/metaphysical construct. A Lens is, esentially, an extension/manifestation of a being's mind, and cannot be accurately called "real". Only a sentient being who possesses a mind at the "third-stage of stability" can create a "True" Lens. As my mind is at the "second-stage of stability"; I can't do this, only using a gestalt of the powers of My Lens and my Sentinel's Ring was I able to both make "physical" extentions of my Lens' abilities and make them _perminent_. Fuzzy was able to use his "fiction-modifying" powers to change *his* mini-Lens into a "True" Lens -- inatvertantly making himself the new focal point for the CAoL Psi-Web, and I still don't under stand how he did this. The only beinifits of "having" a Lens is any and all, natural occuring, latent psionic/psychic abilities are enhanced and magnified three-fold; the ability to read,speak, and understand any language which is either in print, writen, or thought; and any natural and inherent personality characteristics you have are also enhanced and magnified. I do not know what your plans are, and I respect your privacy not to psychicly pry into your mind to uncover them. However, I suspect that what you had hoped to accomplish would not be assisted by your possession of a Lens. Besides, at my current power-level, and even if I had the ability to accuratly deem you were worthy to have and weild a Lens, I cannot construct such an item./ > (snip of John's "leap-coin" offer) Dyrclhanc politly declines the generous offer. =========================== From: Martin Gerster Subject: AAE -- Dhyrclhanc plays catch-up (Part 2) (Long) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 97 20:16:23 PDT (O.C.C.: Sorry, I think I forgot to cc: that last post o' mine to fuzzy. If so, could somebody be so kind as to forward it to him?) >> On 6/12/1997, Xzerrion said: >> `No, not invisibility. You said Gaunt would likely be prepared for >> that. > > *slap* "D'oh!" *Good point.* /Actually, using the CAoL Psi-web as an "antenna" I should be able to whip-up an SEP (Somebody Else's Problem) field (tm) around all of us, CAoL and "recruits" alike!" says the adolecent Ruby Fire Dragon. "This would probably serve the same purpose and those who *did* notice us would only be those we wanted to deal with anyway. This also may help solve the problem that Blacky and John are fighting over. Not only that, but I believe my ring-generated Gateways could probably get around the 'Port shields' around the city. Of course, I'd need to know how these shields worked to know for sure." Then, also on 6/11/97 the following interchange took place between Roland X and Morgan: > "We'd better get started. Morgan's confidence aside, > I don't want her in that...PLACE...any longer than > necessary." Blaze sighs. His part is done-until they > reach the gates-which means all that's left for him is > the waiting. As dark and silent as nightfall, he waits. Soon after Roland's partial soul-self appeared in Morgan's mind, a mental representation of Dhyrclhanc appears -- sans combat armor. The image is carrying two objects which trail thin, silver, cords into the distance. As Dhyrclhanc's form comes nearer the two objects are identifiable as watches(?) /Here, Morgan/ says the faux-Lensdragon, handing the two objects to her, unencumbered, mental form. /I know that the worst thing about being in a sens dep environment is your loss of time-sense. I know you mentioned something about this not bothering you, but I thought these might help. These represent my inherent enhanced time sense and altered time sense abilities. If your astral-self wears these then we can... ahem... "time-share" these abilities of mine. Altered Time Sense gives you an unerring internal clock and a incoruptable ability to deign real-time temporal mechanics and time related-mathmatics/algebra. Enhanced Time Sense alows you to temporarily "un-hook" yourself from the passage of real time and chance your perception of what is going on around you. Unfortuanatly, if you perceptably completely "un-hook" yourself from time, then you more or less enter back into the passage of time at the same point you left./ =========================== From: Martin Gerster Subject: AAE -- Dhyrclhanc plays catch-up (Part 3) (Long) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 97 20:28:19 PDT > On Fri, 13 Jun 97, Knytt wrote: > > "We need Morgan freed. We need Driss' brothers freed. And we > don't have the manpower to do it. Unless someone's been hiding > the power of Multiple Man from us, I suggest we get some > assistance. We will want to know we have enough people ready to > help us get out before we go in. Or we're liable to be diced to > pieces. That means, we recruit NOW." /That's all well and good./ comments Dhyrclhanc the Sentinel-Lensdragon /But given everything that's been said about the "friendly natives," how do you suggest we go about doing this?/ (O.C.C. P.S.: I'm only going to be able to post about once or twice a week, at best, from here. I'll try to catch-up, but is it too unfair to ask you guys not to run too far ahead of me?) =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 20:32:58 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE -- Dhyrclhanc plays catch-up (Part 3) (Long) At 08:28 PM 6/13/97 PDT, Martin Gerster wrote: >/That's all well and good./ comments Dhyrclhanc the >Sentinel-Lensdragon But given everything that's been said about the >"friendly natives," how do you suggest we go about doing this?/ Knytt grins, "That's what you want to ask the man in charge. Blacky knows the planet better than most of us, and he has been here recently. Everyone else who remembers the place hasn't been here at a minimum of 200 years. Therefore, he is our "inside man" if you will. Besides, he brought it up. At a guess of Blacky's idea, our big firepower people, you and John and Roland (Sorry, but you ARE good at that sort of thing, Roland.) should be available for people to see. You three are very impressive. Blacky definitely has a point here. The people need to know that they have might on their side. To desire to protect is all well and good, but fighting a war takes many forms, and all of them are important. "We've all seen the horrors of war, but we fought anyway. Because we had a cause to uphold. These people do too. One most of us haven't ever really experienced, I'd warrent. They are watching their family, friends, and lovers being killed or imprisoned around them. I know I would want to fight against that, had I the means. Well, we're the means, folks. But we can't do it alone. I honestly don't think you will have that difficult a problem getting them to sign up. And the sooner we start, the better trained these people will be. I can supply you all with some very spiffy weapons, and I am sure the rest of you can too. But even if it comes down to barehands and pitchforks, they can still make a substantial difference in our favor, if we teach them properly and take the big weapons away from the enemy. "Where do you think earth's martial arts comes from? It comes from people who had nothing else to fight with. Would you really prefer a long-bow against a cannon? But, if that's all you have, you find a way to make it work. You use stealth and planning. The guy with the cannon feels safe, until he is shot with a bow from the side. Fight smart, not hard. "'Nuff said. Blacky is the man...lizard...with the plan. My money's on him. It can be done." >(O.C.C. P.S.: I'm only going to be able to post about once or twice a >week, at best, from here. I'll try to catch-up, but is it too unfair >to ask you guys not to run too far ahead of me?) With this group, I wouldn't make any promises, but I am sure we can try. =========================== From: Martin Gerster Subject: Re: AAE -- Dhyrclhanc plays catch-up (Part 3) (Long) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 97 22:24:06 PDT > At 08:28 PM 6/13/97 PDT, Martin Gerster wrote: > > /That's all well and good./ comments Dhyrclhanc the > Sentinel-Lensdragon /But given everything that's been said about the > "friendly natives," how do you suggest we go about doing this?/ > >> Knytt grins, "That's what you want to ask the man in charge. Blacky >> knows the planet better than most of us, and he has been here >> recently. Everyone else who remembers the place hasn't been here at >> a minimum of 200 years. Therefore, he is our "inside man" if you >> will. Besides, he brought it up. At a guess of Blacky's idea, our >> big firepower people, you and John and Roland (Sorry, but you ARE >> good at that sort of thing, Roland.) should be available for people >> to see. You three are very impressive. (snip the rest of the message) /Great, the Sentinel-Lensdragon, the Freelance Immortal and, well.. whatever John is. Arguably three of the most powerfull memebers of the CAoL, reduced to PR pieces! I don't know about the rest of these "people" but I'm not sure wiether to be insulted or honored./ =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 20:00:39 -0700 (MST) Subject: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. Driss looks on at all this with a growing annoyance on his face. Finally, "OK, That's it! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I know I said I was supposed to be here to help you guys, but I'm starting to really wonder about that now. 'Lord Darnley' over there" hooks a thumb over towards Roland, "Is acting like this is some sandlot baseball game and he owns the ball so we play his way or not at all. Then all of you seem to be staring off into nothingness with these weird looks on your faces, and now _those two_" gestures at John and Fuzzy, "Are having an argument that's like watching one half of a tennis game, and over a plan that seems perfectly logical and fair to me. Meanwhile dawn is going to be a couple horus away and then things are going ot get even tougher to get into that place until dusk again. Well someone I care very much for is out there captive right now, and I'm tired of watching you 'heroes' bicker like schoolchildren! I have some favors I can call in to get into the city myself, so I'm going. When you all get there, look me up! I'll be the guy standing there with Morgan in my arms!" Driss ivots on his heel and starts walking towards the woods, "You coming Roscoe?" Roscoe's reply is vague and very spacy, [Uhh yeh. Sure. I guess. Where are we going? Is Squee there?] Blacky rolls his eyes. Onan and Rockhead are back in Zag hiding and drinking unless someone's going to call them right now. =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 23:57:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE-Reinforcements On Fri, 13 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > At 11:26 AM 6/13/97 -0400, Shadow wrote: >>On Thu, 12 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: John listens to Fuzzy's response, Dris's response, watches Dris get ready to leave without everyone, then > "This is probably a bit distracting for Morgan. Remember, John, we > are not so all-fired important that we have people seeking us out > for help. Driss was the first person to walk in and ask for > assistance. Most folks walk in and want us dead. We may be 'Good > Guys', but we aren't 'The Good Guys'. Whaddaya think this is, a > story?" > > Knytt taps the direction pad on the Gameboy and Knytt, Morgan and > the room fade away. To Morgan, Knytt says with a grin, "Kids. > Whaddaya gonna do?" [OOC: Ok, you all combined have just pissed him off.] John directs a look of withering scorn at Knytt and Dris. He starts speaking in a low voice and it gets louder as he goes on, "Blacky himself said the troops were of questionable quality. As Fuzzy mentioned we could probably incinerate the damned planet. All we _need_ is a way to get the sheild down and a GODDAMNED ARMY to draw the attention of the _OTHER GODDAMNED ARMY_ inside the walls. A bunch of FUCKIN' PEASANTS AND HEDGE MAGICIANS are not going to cut it unless we have them in such numbers that we'll be noticed and then they'll be on the alert." A glow starts up around him, "NOONE has said we'll be getting quality troops capable of handling the 'strongest troops, weapons, and magics' that Darath has. He's even got a energy sheild around the whole damn city." The glow is getting steadily brighter when John utters a Word of Power and conduit opens between him and the tank. POWer flares along it running from the atomic pile in the tank to John. "If you want fuckin reinforcements, then you've got fuckin reinforcements." John reaches out telepathically to all members of the group and asks who they'd want for reinforcements RIGHT NOW. Using their garbled impressions he summons a force from out of time and space. A motley crew of battle-hardened warriors capable of everything from using John's hovertank to chopping down a bladesmaster. Strangely enough their banner is a blue wolf entwined with a purple dragon. The Commander stares at John without expression. John turns to look at Dris, "_You_ may be willing to throw lives away like chaff, but I will never again send undertrained or equiped troops out to be slaughtered on my behalf without _far_ greater need than we've shown." At that, his knees buckle and he falls to the ground, unconcious. The Commander raises his hand and yells, "Medic." He also walks over to John and supports him while the medic checks him over, "C'mom laddie, a few more weeks and one of the hardest periods in your life will be over and you can rest." He looks up at everyone in the CAoL, revealing blue in blue eyes. [Morgan will understand the reference] "Well, you've got your precious reinforcements. I would suggest you move out. That little show was bound to have been noticed." After the medic's OK, he picks up John and moves toward the tank, "Men, Prepare to move. This area is now hostile." As he gets himself and John into the tank, his men prepare to decamp. =========================== From: Martin Gerster Subject: Re: AAE-Reinforcements Date: Sat, 14 Jun 97 00:11:48 PDT (snip of an irrate John's display of raw power/warping of Space/Time) Dhyrclhanc shows outwards signs of being flabbergasted by the previous display. Inside he's torn; he's relieved that this show is finally getting on the road but he's reminding himself that he wouldn't want to get John angry at him. =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 21:17:28 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. On Fri, 13 Jun 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > Driss looks on at all this with a growing annoyance on his face. > Finally, "OK, That's it! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I know I said I was > supposed to be here to help you guys, but I'm starting to really > wonder about that now. 'Lord Darnley' over there" hooks a thumb over > towards Roland, "Is acting like this is some sandlot baseball game > and he owns the ball so we play his way or not at all. "The only thing that can be done about that is to give him something to fight..." :) > Then all of you seem to be staring off into nothingness with these > weird looks on your faces, and now _those two_" gestures at John and > Fuzzy, "Are having an argument that's like watching one half of a > tennis game, and over a plan that seems perfectly logical and fair > to me. "Hey, Its better than both halves." > Meanwhile dawn is going to be a couple horus away and then things > are going ot get even tougher to get into that place until dusk > again. Well someone I care very much for is out there captive right > now, and I'm tired of watching you 'heroes' bicker like > schoolchildren! I have some favors I can call in to get into the > city myself, so I'm going. When you all get there, look me up! I'll > be the guy standing there with Morgan in my arms!" "While I am able to touch Morgan Telepathicly, if she is in any immediate danger she will be out of there in two miniutes flat and after the first 10 seconds It won't even matter if they block telepathy." "But: 1) She is having a nice rest 2) She is not our only concern Do you have any thing to add to that?" > Driss ivots on his heel and starts walking towards the woods, "You > coming Roscoe?" > Roscoe's reply is vague and very spacy, [Uhh yeh. Sure. I guess. > Where are we going? Is Squee there?] \Roscoe, have you ever touched Squee's mind while he was sleeping to hide from the monsters?\ *********** John has his coniption and summons what appears to be a Freman Combat group... '\Well thats done it if the think the drek is about to hit the fan, does anyone have a problem with me retrieving Morgan Now?\' Fuzzy mounts the Hover Cyclone and gets ready to go while waiting for a response =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 00:21:56 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE -- Dhyrclhanc plays catch-up (Part 1) (Long!) On Fri, 13 Jun 1997, Martin Gerster wrote: > 97.0613 (Gee, that's auspicious; Friday the 13th!) > >> On Wed, 11 Jun 97, John/Shadow/Paul Roslowski >> (pookie@pluto.njcc.com) wrote: >>> On Wed, 11 Jun 1997, Martin Gerster wrote: > I do not know what your plans are, and I respect your privacy not to > psychicly pry into your mind to uncover them. However, I suspect > that what you had hoped to accomplish would not be assisted by your > possession of a Lens. Besides, at my current power-level, and even > if I had the ability to accuratly deem you were worthy to have and > weild a Lens, I cannot construct such an item./ > John's eyes go completely blue and his manner changes. In an emotionless voice he says, "I will reveal to you my need." Amusement tinges his voice, "After all, I am not all powerful.. yet." He gestures and a dragon sized doorway appears in the air, "We may need more time for this than we have at present. If you would step outside of time with me?" John's body follows Dhyrclhanc through the door. {Outside of time} John and Dhyrclhanc float in nothing. A void is all that is around them. John turns his blazing eyes on Dhyrclhanc and opens up his mind. "Please, enter." The Other shares with Dhyrclhanc his need, a psi-link between all elements of his 'self.' /*My counterpart grows too strong. Even I am not powerful enough to accomplish this. Since you cannot help me in any other way, at least let me study this 'Lens' of yours. As you can tell, I wish you no harm in any way.*/ Dhyrclhanc can tell that this is true, though the Other won't let him into certain areas of it's mind. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. Date: Sat, 14 Jun 97 01:13:50 +0100 From: Roland X (Sorry this took so long, folx! ) Roland smiles at Morgan's shimmering aura. *You're doing well, Morgan. Let your perceptions stretch out...* First, the Shadow said: >The glow is getting steadily brighter when John utters a Word of >Power and conduit opens between him and the tank. POWer flares along >it running from the atomic pile in the tank to John. "If you want >fuckin reinforcements, then you've got fuckin reinforcements." Blaze, distracted by his sense of being 'Roland' being with Morgan astrally, looks up in shock. >John reaches out telepathically to all members of the group and asks >who they'd want for reinforcements RIGHT NOW. Using their garbled >impressions he summons a force from out of time and space. A motley >crew of battle-hardened warriors capable of everything from using >John's hovertank to chopping down a bladesmaster. Strangely enough >their banner is a blue wolf entwined with a purple dragon. The >Commander stares at John without expression. John turns to look at >Dris, "_You_ may be willing to throw lives away like chaff, but I >will never again send undertrained or equiped troops out to be >slaughtered on my behalf without _far_ greater need than we've >shown." At that, his knees buckle and he falls to the ground, >unconcious. The Commander raises his hand and yells, "Medic." Blaze clutches his forehead, as if warding off a headache. "Light have mercy..." >He also walks over to John and supports him while the medic checks >him over, "C'mom laddie, a few more weeks and one of the hardest >periods in your life will be over and you can rest." He looks up at >everyone in the CAoL, revealing blue in blue eyes. [Morgan will >understand the reference] "Well, you've got your precious >reinforcements. I would suggest you move out. That little show was >bound to have been noticed." After the medic's OK, he picks up John >and moves toward the tank, "Men, Prepare to move. This area is now >hostile." As he gets himself and John into the tank, his men prepare >to decamp. "Bloody NASS!" Blaze assumes 'command' posture. "Get those people under cover. I'm sure they'll be useful when the time comes, but for right now they're a giant sign saying 'CAoL here.' And John, next time you-" Then, Driscoll said: > Driss looks on at all this with a growing annoyance on his face. >Finally, "OK, That's it! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I know I said I was >supposed to be here to help you guys, but I'm starting to really >wonder about that now. 'Lord Darnley' over there" hooks a thumb over >towards Roland, "Is acting like this is some sandlot baseball game >and he owns the ball so we play his way or not at all. "Lord Darnley?" Blaze asks evenly. > Driss ivots on his heel and starts walking towards the woods, "You >coming Roscoe?" > Roscoe's reply is vague and very spacy, [Uhh yeh. Sure. I guess. >Where are we going? Is Squee there?] > Blacky rolls his eyes. > Onan and Rockhead are back in Zag hiding and drinking unless >someone's going to call them right now. A forcefield shimmers briefly in front of Driscoll, then it vanishes. "Say nothing about your purpose there when you get captured," Blaze replies. "Blacky, you're our guide in. Onan, Rock, please wait-" Blaze spares a moment to shoot a glare at Shadow. "-this _is_ your world, after all. Everyone who's going in under cover better 'suit up' in an appropriate form; everyone else choose a town to make contact with the resistance or hide in the hyperspace pocket made by Xzerrion and Dhyrclhanc so we don't draw any attention." Roland chuckles despite it all. *You two combine your powers rather well, you know.* "Blacky, please, lead on. Driscoll seems unlikely to be reasonable, and may prove to be an effective distraction." Blaze's manner is cold and methodical as he begins to move forward. The Roland projection just 'paces' in astral space in exasperation. *What a way to make a living.* =========================== Subject: Re: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. Date: Sat, 14 Jun 97 01:21:09 +0100 From: Roland X Quoth Fuzzy: >On Fri, 13 Jun 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > >> Driss looks on at all this with a growing annoyance on his face. >> Finally, "OK, That's it! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I know I said I was >> supposed to be here to help you guys, but I'm starting to really >> wonder about that now. 'Lord Darnley' over there" hooks a thumb >> over towards Roland, "Is acting like this is some sandlot baseball >> game and he owns the ball so we play his way or not at all. > >"The only thing that can be done about that is to give him something >to fight..." :) *Excuse me? _I_ didn't want to be in charge of this little escapade. You guys seem to have elected me. If someone else wants to take over, feel free to speak up. I'm a warrior, not a leader.* Roland tries to ignore the ensuing laughter from the veterans of Oa... >> Meanwhile dawn is going to be a couple horus away and then things >> are going ot get even tougher to get into that place until dusk >> again. Well someone I care very much for is out there captive right >> now, and I'm tired of watching you 'heroes' bicker like >> schoolchildren! I have some favors I can call in to get into the >> city myself, so I'm going. When you all get there, look me up! I'll >> be the guy standing there with Morgan in my arms!" *I wonder what Morgan has to say about that...* Roland chuckles. >> Driss ivots on his heel and starts walking towards the woods, "You >> coming Roscoe?" >> Roscoe's reply is vague and very spacy, [Uhh yeh. Sure. I guess. >> Where are we going? Is Squee there?] *Easy, Roscoe...you might want to take a psychic 'look' around. You've been through a lot.* >John has his coniption and summons what appears to be a Freman >Combat group... > >'\Well thats done it if the think the drek is about to hit the fan, >does anyone have a problem with me retrieving Morgan Now?\' *Yes. The teleport shields will turn you into a mass of quickly scattering atoms. Please, if _I_ can keep from running off half-cocked, so can the rest of the team. *Gods, it's like herding cats...* (OOC: Well, _I'm_ having fun, anyway. Poor Roland. ) =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 23:36:35 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Roland X wrote: > Quoth Fuzzy: >>"While I am able to touch Morgan Telepathicly, if she is in any >>immediate danger she will be out of there in two miniutes flat and >>after the first 10 seconds It won't even matter if they block >>telepathy." > > *Yes. The teleport shields will turn you into a mass > of quickly scattering atoms. Please, if _I_ can keep > from running off half-cocked, so can the rest of the team. \Who the Blazes said anything about teleporting?\ \With Nemisis here (pat the Hover Cyclone), I can change planes and physically follow the telepathic link through the Astral Plane.\ \If I were going to Teleport it would be more like 30 seconds total, I am not an idiot.\ ;) > *Gods, it's like herding cats...* \You, I hope, have a point... I am after all a cat...\ :) > (OOC: Well, _I'm_ having fun, anyway. Poor Roland. ) '\OK, I will just make a scout around the perimeter of the city in Astral Space, After that I should be able to give a rough triangulation of where in the city that room is. How is that for not going off half-cocked?\ =========================== Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 23:53:10 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: OOC: Re: AAE-Frustrations On Fri, 13 Jun 1997, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > At 09:17 PM 6/13/97 -0700, you wrote: >>'\Well thats done it if the think the drek is about to hit the fan, >>does anyone have a problem with me retrieving Morgan Now?\' >> >>Fuzzy mounts the Hover Cyclone and gets ready to go while waiting >>for a response > > Um, yeah, I do :-). I though You would... :) > If someone tries to make this rescue _too_ quick, those of us who > have subplots planned would just be forced to find a way to foil the > quick rescue, and I'd rather we were all working on the same side > ;-). That's why he had not done so earlier, he just needs a little convinceing after John's noise making. ;) A point of note Fuzzy's Quick Rescue Potentials are very real and practically impossible to block, but each one uses limited resources so be careful of making Beam-Me-Up noises especially with "NOW would be a good time scotty." addendums. or anything that sounds like that... ;) I'm sure that strikes a memory... :) but he only has one more charged gate talisman, and while Nothing can stop one of those, it takes a month to recharge each one. Each odd item or ability that is that capable in his arsenal is simularly limited it frequency of use or amount availible. Normally unless someone asks or the situation looks desperate he will reserve such resources. figureing they will be needed more later. =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 03:14:51 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Frustrations, Friends, and Reinforcements. > Driss has his tirade and stalks off towards the woods when Blaze stops him in a forcefield. John has HIS tirade, and summons troops then collapses unconscious. Knytt turns to "Astral Roland", saying "Be back in a sec." then his hologram leaves the room where Morgan is, to appear in the clearing. He points a finger at Driss and at John, saying (Mentally, of course.): "You two, in my office, NOW!" Driss freezes mid-stride. John stiffens faintly. Driss will get all this consciously, as a hallucination or vision. John, in a dream. The entire elapsed time that the rest of this will occur in will be 1/2 second. Driss and John find themselves seated in a plush office. Burgundy Persian style rugs trace the main paths on the hardwood floors. Their chairs are red leather, the desk before them is mahogheny with a gold pen set on top and a forest green ink blotter. Knytt is seated in a high-back red leather chair behind the desk. red, green and black books line the side walls. The wall behind the desk is a floor length window looking out onto a black void. There is a large set of double doors behind them. Everything, with the noteable exceptions of Driss and John is twice its normal size. Including Knytt. "Now, I won't keep you two long in real-time. I hate mentally controlling people, and with this mini-lens, it is only easier to do. But, we have a lot to do and you two seem to be missing a few key elements of our plan." Knytt walks around the desk, so he can sit on the corner. He picks up a pen and idly plays with it as he speaks, emphasizing key points and pointing it toward each of them as he mentions their name. "John, you have now just rendered yourself unconscious because you let your temper get the better of you. You haven't been with us long, so you may be unaware how adverse we all are to endangering others. The reason we want reinforcements is to get us out of Dibis, should we locate the brothers and Morgan. Your army has just drawn our enemy's attention directly to us. We won't need these people for 9, maybe 10 days. When you regain consciousness, if you can, you might want to return them to whereever they came from. They are going to be damn hard to hide currently. "Driss, you're memories of Morgan are fairly fresh, but it still has been a while since you saw her last. Morgan has grown into a fine woman, who we ALL care for deeply. Look out the window..." As they both look, outside the window appears the room where Morgan is being held. The whispy form of Roland is pacing beside her. "Roland and I have been standing vigil with Morgan this whole time. She is in a very good spot actually. Imprisoned, yes, but she is in a good spot to hear what the Controller has planned. And right now, we need all the information we can get. "Our first order of business is infiltrate that city. In order to keep the bloodshed to a minimum, we will need to sabotage as much as we can while inside. If we can make as much of the Controller's equipment nonfunctional as we can, any battles will be made a damn sight easier. "Second will be EITHER recruitment of a small army of the locals, or if we can, we will get out of there entirely under our own power. We have two jobs while here. Get Driss' brothers out...you remember, Driss, the reason you hired us?...and not purchase any agricultural real estate in the process. And neither of you are helping. "Yes, I am inclined to want to have freedom reign in Misern. So, a rebel army is to my liking. And we admittedly *are* a force people can rally around. But, if the people here want to stay the way they are, I will not argue. This is their home. And, after the war, IF there is one, is often the hardest part. You have to rebuild. You have to get on with your life. That is *always* the hard part. "So, when you go out on 'recruitment duty', you will be doing a lot more than just that. We need to know what we have to work with. IF anything at all. John, you can't fight this battle for them. The people of Misern must decide on their own. IF they want freedom, they have to fight for it. Otherwise, it isn't freedom, it is a vacuum. And I don't want to think what might step into that vacuum when we leave. Think about it. We take out the governing body here. We leave. There is no one to run the show now. There will be chaos, riots. The whole system would collapse. And in the middle of that, either someone from the outside would waltz in and take over, or someone would start the whole thing over. Hitlers rise to power in such a vacuum. Knytt stands, glancing at his watch. "Well, I have kept you two longer than I expected, Nearly 5/8 of a second have elapsed real-time. I want you two to show some patience and listening skills from here on. We will need both of you before this is over, and we need to know NOW if we can count on you. Once things really get going, we won't have time for all this nonsense. I've been alive a LOT longer than both of you, and I am too old and too tired to go through this every 5 minutes. "You two are very caring, compassionate people. but you have to trust us, otherwise we may as well all go home now. Now, I have kept you away from your bodies long enough. Get back there and think about what I said." "Oh, Driss...when they are staring off absently, they are talking to me. You're linked to Roscoe. If you quiet your mind a bit (This is more Fuzzy's department than mine.) you should be able to pick us up." Knytt waves a hand and John and Driss return to their bodies. Knytt taps a button on his desk. "Next crisis, Miss Moneypenny." Then the room fades and Knytt returns to watch over Morgan... Roland is still pacing and says, *What a way to make a living.* Knytt looks at him, surprised. "You mean you get PAID to do this? I thought it was volunteers only!" Then Knytt breaks into another wild grin. =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 03:14:57 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. At 11:36 PM 6/13/97 -0700, fuzzy wrote: >On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Roland X wrote: >> *Yes. The teleport shields will turn you into a mass >> of quickly scattering atoms. Please, if _I_ can keep >> from running off half-cocked, so can the rest of the team. > >\Who the Blazes said anything about teleporting?\ >\With Nemisis here (pat the Hover Cyclone), I can change planes and >physically follow the telepathic link through the Astral Plane.\ >\If I were going to Teleport it would be more like 30 seconds total, >I am not an idiot.\ > ;) Knytt perks up at this. "I figured that was what you were implying. Roland and I had a damn hard time geting in here. And as I mentioned to the kids...er, to Driss and John...Morgan is in a good spot to observe what the Controller is up to. If she's up for it, I am inclined to let her stay put for now." >> *Gods, it's like herding cats...* > >\You, I hope, have a point... I am after all a cat...\ :) "Actually, it is quite easy to herd cats. Just find a common interest for all of them and they will be so tightly-knit around you, you'll wish you hadn't....Uh, you know what I mean, Fuzzy. (I hope.) " >> (OOC: Well, _I'm_ having fun, anyway. Poor Roland. ) >Handed.> >'\OK, I will just make a scout around the perimeter of the city in >Astral Space, After that I should be able to give a rough >triangulation of where in the city that room is. How is that for not >going off half-cocked?\ "Excellent plan. Enough of us should be concentrating here to be an Astral Beacon." =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 08:03:31 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE-Frustrations and Friends in High Places. On Fri, 13 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: > \Roscoe, have you ever touched Squee's mind while he was sleeping to > hide from the monsters?\ [Huh? When was that? I'm not sure...] =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 08:28:02 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: AAE3 - Frustrations, Friends, and Reinforcements. On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > "You two are very caring, compassionate people. but you have to > trust us, otherwise we may as well all go home now. Now, I have kept > you away from your bodies long enough. Get back there and think > about what I said." Driss can't help but chuckle and mutter something about Knytt not having been in Quaren long enough to hear the stories, then re-composes himself. "I assure you, all my motives right now are purely selfish. I...care about Morgan and....I lost someone else I cared deeply about, long ago. Because of me. In a way this is like a second chance. And sitting here having political debates isn't going to be taking that chance. I can get into that city by using a being called Chaos's aid. Dealing with him can be tricky and the price will likely be high, but I'm willing to pay it if it'll get this show on the road." > "Oh, Driss...when they are staring off absently, they are talking to > me. You're linked to Roscoe. If you quiet your mind a bit (This is > more Fuzzy's department than mine.) you should be able to pick us > up." "If you haven't already noticed, I'm not getting much of anything out of Roscoe's mind right now adn I'm not sure why." =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 11:36:36 -0700 (MST) Subject: AAe-Squee Squee wakes up finding himself being squished under a lot of weight. Changing into a cockroach he makes his way out from under the bodies and notices that he's not in the chamber where the battle was going on anymore. Now he seems to be in some kind of storage room. Chanign into rat form again, the door opens before him and he scurries out into the hall. [Unca Roscoe? Cutter? Leetah? Anybody?] asks Squee as he reaches out with his mind but finds no one's mind in return. He moves down the hall, poking his head in this door and that trying to figure out where he is. Finally he pokes his head into the kitchen and his stomache tells him it's time for lunch. or breakfast, or something. There not being any adults around to make something for him, Squee shifts breifly into a butterfly to fly up on the counter, then into his natural form to try to find a cookie or something else non-nutritiou to eat. Maybe some milk with strawberry in it... (Hehehe I HAD to put it in Morgan). He finds a cookie jar near the refrigorator, but it's empty. He plops down to think of what to do next, when he notices a black mark on the wall. "hey! I remember that! I know where I am!! Unca Knytt's house!!" Excitedly, Squee reaches out wiht his mind again as hard as he can, [UNCA ROSCOE! MORGAN? UNCA KNYTT?! wHERE ARE YOU??? FUZZBRAIN?????] It feels like he brushes another brain for a moment, then it's gone. Finding some bread on the counter, Squee resigns himself to that and grabs a hunk before changing back into a rat and searching for the others. [They think they can hide form me? I'm a champion hide-and-go-seeker!] he thinks to himself as he races down the hall taking no notice of the large black robot at the controls of the TARDIS. =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 15:23:56 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE3 - Frustrations, Friends, and Reinforcements. On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > "John, you have now just rendered yourself unconscious because you > let your temper get the better of you. You haven't been with us > long, so you may be unaware how adverse we all are to endangering > others. The reason we want reinforcements is to get us out of Dibis, > should we locate the brothers and Morgan. Your army has just drawn > our enemy's attention directly to us. We won't need these people for > 9, maybe 10 days. When you regain consciousness, if you can, you > might want to return them to whereever they came from. They are > going to be damn hard to hide currently. John glares at Knytt, "Then I suggest the people in this group take some courses in effective communication because all the talk I heard was about going to get Morgan *Now*, not in 9 or 10 days after we've located the brothers. We already know where Morgan's at. If you are not aware of _that_, then I suggest you should pay more attention off in La La Land. This army can hide itself, and by the time I wake up should be well gone from the area in question, under cover from all known locatables except someone stumbling over them and magic, which I'll correct when I wake up." > "Yes, I am inclined to want to have freedom reign in Misern. So, a > rebel army is to my liking. And we admittedly *are* a force people > can rally around. But, if the people here want to stay the way they > are, I will not argue. This is their home. And, after the war, IF > there is one, is often the hardest part. You have to rebuild. You > have to get on with your life. That is *always* the hard part. > > "So, when you go out on 'recruitment duty', you will be doing a lot > more than just that. We need to know what we have to work with. IF > anything at all. John, you can't fight this battle for them. The > people of Misern must decide on their own. IF they want freedom, > they have to fight for it. Otherwise, it isn't freedom, it is a > vacuum. And I don't want to think what might step into that vacuum > when we leave. Think about it. We take out the governing body here. > We leave. There is no one to run the show now. There will be chaos, > riots. The whole system would collapse. And in the middle of that, > either someone from the outside would waltz in and take over, or > someone would start the whole thing over. Hitlers rise to power in > such a vacuum. John holds up a hand, "Yes, yes, yes, But the question was going in for an immediate rescue of Morgan, something which I'm sure others, " here he looks over at Driss, "thought was the plan as well. If you want to leave Morgan captured for 9 or 10 days while we recruit, train, and equip a local army of rebels, that's fine with me. But that should have been stated at the outset instead of all this let's go in and get Morgan crap. Because from what you say that talk was indeed crap. If we were going straight for Morgan, then we didn't have enough time to raise a local force and make them even stand half-a-chance." > Knytt stands, glancing at his watch. > > "Well, I have kept you two longer than I expected, Nearly 5/8 of a > second have elapsed real-time. I want you two to show some patience > and listening skills from here on. We will need both of you before > this is over, and we need to know NOW if we can count on you. Once > things really get going, we won't have time for all this nonsense. > I've been alive a LOT longer than both of you, and I am too old and > too tired to go through this every 5 minutes. John looks very tired at this, "Don't count on that age thing. You want me to show listening skills then you show some damn better talking skills. If you have two people thinking the same thing then I suggest you examine the possibility that _you_ didn't get the message over in the best possible fashion. And by you I also mean whoever the hell else you may care to be talking for." =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 15:44:41 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE3 - Frustrations, Friends, and Reinforcements. At 08:28 AM 6/14/97 -0700, gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > >On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > >> "You two are very caring, compassionate people. but you have to >> trust us, otherwise we may as well all go home now. Now, I have >> kept you away from your bodies long enough. Get back there and >> think about what I said." > > Driss can't help but chuckle and mutter something about Knytt not >having been in Quaren long enough to hear the stories, then >re-composes himself. "I assure you, all my motives right now are >purely selfish. I...care about Morgan and....I lost someone else I >cared deeply about, long ago. Because of me. In a way this is like a >second chance. And sitting here having political debates isn't going >to be taking that chance. I can get into that city by using a being >called Chaos's aid. Dealing with him can be tricky and the price will >likely be high, but I'm willing to pay it if it'll get this show on >the road." Knytt frowns at the name of Chaos. "We've met. I am not going to even bother explaining why I wouldn't use his aid. If after all this time you don't know, there is nothing more I can tell you. Fine, then. I have done all I can. As far as I am concerned, you are on your own, Driss. Just don't get us all killed over your foolhardiness." >> "Oh, Driss...when they are staring off absently, they are talking >> to me. You're linked to Roscoe. If you quiet your mind a bit (This >> is more Fuzzy's department than mine.) you should be able to pick >> us up." > > "If you haven't already noticed, I'm not getting much of anything >out of Roscoe's mind right now adn I'm not sure why." "I have noticed. And if you would listen to what he is saying, you would know why. You are both so wrapped up in your own little worlds, though, I seriously doubt you will be able to figure it out. Goodbye Drisscoll." =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 15:44:46 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE3 - Frustrations, Friends, and Reinforcements. At 03:23 PM 6/14/97 -0400, Shadow wrote: >On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: >John glares at Knytt, "Then I suggest the people in this group take >some courses in effective communication because all the talk I heard >was about going to get Morgan *Now*, not in 9 or 10 days after we've >located the brothers. We already know where Morgan's at. If you are >not aware of _that_, then I suggest you should pay more attention off >in La La Land. This army can hide itself, and by the time I wake up >should be well gone from the area in question, under cover from all >known locatables except someone stumbling over them and magic, which >I'll correct when I wake up." "Points taken. However, I suggest the same courses for you." >John holds up a hand, "Yes, yes, yes, But the question was going in >for an immediate rescue of Morgan, something which I'm sure others, " >here he looks over at Driss, "thought was the plan as well. If you >want to leave Morgan captured for 9 or 10 days while we recruit, >train, and equip a local army of rebels, that's fine with me. But >that should have been stated at the outset instead of all this let's >go in and get Morgan crap. Because from what you say that talk was >indeed crap. If we were going straight for Morgan, then we didn't >have enough time to raise a local force and make them even stand >half-a-chance." "Again, points taken." >John looks very tired at this, "Don't count on that age thing. You >want me to show listening skills then you show some damn better >talking skills. If you have two people thinking the same thing then I >suggest you examine the possibility that _you_ didn't get the message >over in the best possible fashion. And by you I also mean whoever the >hell else you may care to be talking for." "I am not going to debate age with you. But, if both of you are so damn old and experienced, you ought to be used to plans changing. And you are quite correct. Half of what I just said ONLY came about because of the two of you. I question your tactics, not your motives in this." "The next time you have a problem, I was HOPING you would remember we are on the same side. Sitting here talking with the two of you makes me very unsure. Very well. We've all said our beefs. If we aren't all killed in the next 10 days, I will buy you both a night's worth of drinks in apology." =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 16:19:29 -0700 (MST) Subject: Aae-Chaotic Nights Once free of Knytt's lecturing and Roland's forcefield, Driss and the wolves move off into the woods and the darkness. Movement is slow going in the blackness, but Driss doesn't want to risk making a light right now. Finally he reaches a clearing where starlight shines down and he can see his hand in front of his face. While Driss sits down in the grass and concentrates, Roscoe seemed to snap out of his depression. [I felt him. Just for a moment and it was faint, but it _was_ him!] Cutter and Leetah watch him not quite sure if he really did feel something or if his mind finally finished snapping. But Until they know one way or another, they aren't letting Roscoe out of their sights. Driss gets himself into a medatative trance. Reaching out with his mind and feelings to the air around him and the grass surrounding him. Seeing them not as they are, but with a vision of their very being, their very construction. Cells formed by molocules, Molocules formed by Atoms, Atoms formed by even smaller particles and onward adn onward, all ending up at the same place. Chaos. The energy is there, though latent, in every bit of matter and energy. Driss wasn't a God long enough to perfect drawing out that latent energy, but he knows its there, and knows that through it, he can touch... "Hiya Chuckles. Hey, you know if we get you from two more time periods here you could have a really _killer_ game of Knorkin going with yourself?" came a high-pitched, twangy voice from Driss's left. opening his eyes he looked at a creature he thought for a moment was headless until he realized it was an insect head on horse's body with the tail of a monkey. Roscoe sighed mentally, [I think I should have stayed a vegetable a bit longer.] Leetah and Cutter however are very agitated, havign seen this being before, but stay their paws to see what is going to happen. Driscoll rises to his feet and bows to Chaos, "Ah, Chaos I am pleased you chose to answer the summons of a simple one such as I." The insect head begins to laugh as it shifts and changed, becoming a human head looking remarkably like Driscoll himself. "Oh boy, aren't you laying it on thick tonight. You must need a doosy of a favor!" Ignoring the remark, Driss seems unflustered as he continues. "Actually the favor I require is a minor one indeed, but one I must have quickly. I could go on and on about all the times you've interfeered in my life unwarrented, or the times Roscoe adn I have agreed to do minor favors for _you_ asking nothing in return, but the time for bargaining is short. I need to get into the city of Dibis to find a freind in need. You are my surest hope of getting in quickly and unobserved. It would be such a tiny favor from one as powerful as you, to one who has done so much in the pastt." Chaos takes on a bad WC Fields accent, "Well m'boy, Tell ya what I'm gonna do! We'll put it all on a draw of the cards, you and your little zoo you have going back there." This raises growls from all three wolves, but none are feeling suicidal, so growls are the only things to come. Gorilla arms and legs grow on the equine body and a deck of cards appears. Chaos tries to shuffle, but finds that gorilla arms just weren't ment for that and cards fly everywhere, leaving two in his hands. "Oh well, pick a card! Any card!" and he thusts them out to Driss. Driss reaching over to the right-hand one, then snatches up the left. Turning it over, he reveals a Joker. Things begin to spin and Chaos seems to become a whirlwind then as lightning turns the night sky into day and thunder cracks loud enoguh to make ears ring. When things settle down, Driss adn the wolves find themselves in the middle of a barracks, surrounded by about 75 very startled soldiers. One grabs what appears to be a pistol and aims it at Driss. "I don't know who you are or where you came from, but you're under arrest!" Not quite foolish enough to take on 75 men on his own, Driss surrenders. They chain the wolves together and pat Driss down for weapons, confiscating his rapier and 6 daggers. They are all taken udner armed guard and locked in cells in the Gaol, the three wolves together and driss alone in another. once the guards have left, Driss reaches into his cloak and pulls out a lock-pick kit to open his cell. Releasing the wolves and arming himself with a set of Tonfa from his cloak, he smiles to the wolves and says, "Ok you two. You were with Morgan when she came here, lead the way and let's make sure she's OK before we start getting ready for the arrival of the others." =========================== Subject: Re: Aae-Chaotic Nights Date: Sun, 15 Jun 97 00:00:38 +0100 From: Roland X On 6/15/1997 12:19 AM, Quoth Driscoll: > Once free of Knytt's lecturing and Roland's forcefield, Driss and >the wolves move off into the woods and the darkness. Blaze sighs-whether in relief or exasperation is anyone's guess-and turns to the CAoL trying to get the infiltration organized. Roland, remembering that Cutter and Leetah are in the psi-web (OOC: with a little help from Morgan ) decided to keep an eye on them. > Movement is slow going in the blackness, but Driss doesn't want to >risk making a light right now. Finally he reaches a clearing where >starlight shines down and he can see his hand in front of his face. > While Driss sits down in the grass and concentrates, Roscoe seemed >to snap out of his depression. [I felt him. Just for a moment and it >was faint, but it _was_ him!] Cutter and Leetah watch him not quite >sure if he really did feel something or if his mind finally finished >snapping. But Until they know one way or another, they aren't letting >Roscoe out of their sights. Roland casts a 'line' to Roscoe, something to hold on to if his mind begins to fragment, but does nothing else. > "Hiya Chuckles. Hey, you know if we get you from two more time >periods here you could have a really _killer_ game of Knorkin going >with yourself?" came a high-pitched, twangy voice from Driss's left. > opening his eyes he looked at a creature he thought for a moment was >headless until he realized it was an insect head on horse's body with >the tail of a monkey. /No. Oh, no./ > Roscoe sighed mentally, [I think I should have stayed a vegetable a >bit longer.] Leetah and Cutter however are very agitated, havign seen >this being before, but stay their paws to see what is going to >happen. > Driscoll rises to his feet and bows to Chaos, "Ah, Chaos I am >pleased you chose to answer the summons of a simple one such as I." > Gorilla arms and legs grow on the equine body and a deck of cards >appears. Chaos tries to shuffle, but finds that gorilla arms just >weren't ment for that and cards fly everywhere, leaving two in his >hands. "Oh well, pick a card! Any card!" and he thusts them out to >Driss. > Driss reaching over to the right-hand one, then snatches up the >left. Turning it over, he reveals a Joker. > Things begin to spin and Chaos seems to become a whirlwind then as >lightning turns the night sky into day and thunder cracks loud enoguh >to make ears ring. At this point, Roland's contact with the wolves feels much like dragging himself through glass. *Oh, gods...I may have to call on Logic and Order themselves before this is over. What a mess.* Then, as if to explain, he adds, *They're sisters.* Then, sayeth the cat-changeling: >\Who the Blazes said anything about teleporting?\ >\With Nemisis here (pat the Hover Cyclone), I can change planes and >physically follow the telepathic link through the Astral Plane.\ >\If I were going to Teleport it would be more like 30 seconds total, >I am not an idiot.\ > ;) *Oooookay,* Roland replies, impressed. >'\OK, I will just make a scout around the perimeter of the city in >Astral Space, After that I should be able to give a rough >triangulation of where in the city that room is. How is that for not >going off half-cocked?\ Blaze looks at the mage with curiosity. *Travel physically _through_ astral space? But the whole concept of astral 'space' is a metaphor. There is no space to travel through, so how can you-* Blaze winces. *Magick. Never mind.* Astral Roland (tm) frowns as he realizes what is going on back with the CAoL. Gaunt would _certainly_ have been ready for a telepath-like, say, Roland-showing up in Morgan's mind. *What kind of game is the lord of poisons playing? And why isn't the Controller privy to it?* Roland extends his astral 'senses,' scanning the nearby minds for activity. He finds activity where there are no minds. *Nass!* he curses, as those Callahanians familiar with neural cyberware recognize what Roland is sensing as some- thing akin to monitor programs. The others acknowledge them as some sort of spiritual watchers, associated with order. *Monitor daemons,* Roland curses. *All but useless... you can't react fast enough to _do_ anything with a monitor in mindspace for telepathic purposes. Those aren't here to stop telepathic intrusion. And there aren't any active mind shields around here. *So what the hell _are_ they here for?* (OOC: Just something for the paranoid to worry about. Yea, right. ) =========================== Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 21:44:50 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: Aae-Chaotic Nights On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, Roland X wrote: > On 6/15/1997 12:19 AM, Quoth Driscoll: >> Once free of Knytt's lecturing and Roland's forcefield, Driss and >>the wolves move off into the woods and the darkness. > > Blaze sighs-whether in relief or exasperation is > anyone's guess-and turns to the CAoL trying to get > the infiltration organized. [snip] > Blaze looks at the mage with curiosity. *Travel physically > _through_ astral space? But the whole concept of astral > 'space' is a metaphor. There is no space to travel through, > so how can you-* \Quite a few metaphors have a manifestation in one or another of the scaler wave bands, by shifting your Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonances to one of those wave pattern you appear to enter a new plane of existance where the metaphors exist, this is related to the way some MetaHumans are able to assume non-solid phantasmic forms. Nemisis Inherited a native talent to do that adjustment, either personally, or as a gateway, from the Demon that that was her first meal.\ > *Monitor daemons,* Roland curses. *All but useless... > you can't react fast enough to _do_ anything with a monitor > in mindspace for telepathic purposes. Those aren't here to > stop telepathic intrusion. And there aren't any active mind > shields around here. > *So what the hell _are_ they here for?* \Do Not assume that they are harmless, I have seen attack capable Astral Constructs linked to things like that for almost instant response speed. The question is what is their programmed trigger?\ \Do they feel like Gaunt's work?\ > (OOC: Just something for the paranoid to worry about. > Yea, right. ) =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 02:37:51 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Warp w/ Ease (Part 1) After having been put in his place by both John and Drisscoll, Knytt reappears in Morgan's cell and, after exchanging a few thoughts with the rest of the CAoL, sits down on the floor to think. "This could have all gone infinitely better. But, what did I expect? I take two people in hostile moods and tell them both off then expect them to listen to reason? HA! I must have been mad to even think it. It's just as well I wasn't there in person when they throw their fits, I would have belted the both of them....and gotten killed in the process. "Even better, I go and pick a fight with a former God and a guy, if I am not too mistaken, is on the road to Godhood or damn near it. If I bring my TARDIS to Quaren, I will start a paradox. But, hell, there's one now. The Controller HAS my TARDIS. Best of all, he gets my TARDIS by *killing* me. And, even from here, I can feel the TARDIS, both versions. They are both horribly confused and frightened...to put human emotions onto alien feelings...OH MY GOD!" Knytt's eyes are wide with terror. He starts banging his head into the floor repeatedly. "I can't win. I can't win! I can't WIN!" Knytt manages to stop banging his head into the Imaging Chamber floor long enough to explain. "The TARDIS is imprinted on certain brainwave patterns of the users. Usually three people operate a TARDIS, so it is able to implant on more than one person at a time. If the Controller ever gets into the telepathic circuits, he can imprint onto the TARDIS and know what I am thinking....AND THE REST OF THE LINK. Dhyrclhanc, PLEASE tell me I am wrong!" (While Dhyrclhanc is mulling this one over, Knytt will continue.) "I know he isn't on there now, I would feel his mind. The TARDIS doesn't filter anything. There is no way to cloak your thoughts. EVERYTHING, conscious or subconscious, would come through." Knytt stands up. "I need to think." The Imaging Chamber door opens and Knytt walks out. Vincent is hovering at the foot of the stairs. "Keep the program running. That way, if they need me......just keep it running, so they can reach me through the lens." Knytt says as Vincent falls in line behind him. "What's the matter?" Vincent asks quietly. "Besides the obvious?" "I never should have done what I just did to John and Driss. I thought I was above that." "You only spoke with them. You didn't try to bend them to your will or anything. And, for that matter, you seem to believe you lost the arguement anyway." "I did lose the arguement. John seems to have come closest to understanding what I said and still I am not sure if he saw the reasons." Vincent manuevers in front of Knytt. "He said himself, he understood, and had no problem training a fighting force in 9 or 10 days time. His army is there because he thought you meant we were going in right now. And, to be perfectly frank, it could have been mistaken that way. You of all people should know that not everyone will have the same ideas as you. Not everything you say is obvious to everyone. And, has it occurred to you that that army would be an excellent Leading force in the coming days? The troops we train will not be up to those standards. And they will still need leadership. Something that band of John's has already. Things are not as dire as you think." "I am sure you are right, Vincent. But I still need some time to think. I'll be in the Library." "Very well, then, Mr. Knytt. But, don't stay too long. Whether you like the current course of events or not, you still have to deal with them." Knytt sighs, "Agreed." Knytt wanders down from the control room to the library where the four Limbo-bound members of the CAoL first met Mahloy. In a far corner, he finds a high-backed rocking chair and a reading lamp. Knytt turns on the lamp, which illuminates the corner around him. He sits in the rocker and stares at the fire in the center of the room. He loses himself in the dance of the flames for a few moments, then turns to look at the shelves of books. He glances over a copy of War and Peace, then his eyes dart back and he squints at the spine of the thick volume again. "Not War and Peace...War WITH Peace. That can't be right.", he says pulling the book off the shelf into the lamp light. He gawks at the cover. "Warp With Ease by Mahloy!?!" Knytt opens the book to find nothing but blank pages. Looking at the empty spot on the shelf, he shines the light into the recess between the adjoining volumes and notices a faint glint. Reaching inside, he feels cool metal, then crushed velvet. Grasping the object, Knytt pulls out a intricately crafted katana. The blade is definitely strong and sharp with patterns etched in it reminiscent of a circuit board. The guard is a bit larger and thicker than a normal sword of this variety, made of a black cube of obsidian. Gold threads are inlaid also in the pattern of a circuit around the black cube and twine down the grip of the sword over red velvet. At the end is a clear lead crystal sphere. Where the sphere attaches, the gold has been wound around and into the crystal. The gold threads twist around each other inside the crystal to form a heart shape. At the point where the threads curve and form a point, a small ruby, saphire and emerald are suspended. As Knytt grasps the sword in both hands, examining its weight and balance, he suddenly feels a connection softly being made in his mind. Suddenly, in a voice like AOL uses in their software, Knytt hears in his head *Welcome....imprinting new user. Please stand by.* Knytt reflexively releases the sword, but it doesn't fall to the floor. It simply floats in front of him. Knytt steps away from it. *Please reconnect until imprinting is complete.* "What are you?" *I am a Gateway Katana expert system.* "What do you do?" *I have many features. The one for which I am named is the Gateway. A portal between the current position and a remote spacetime/dimension.* "Who was your previous user?" *Previous Imprint: Mahloy. Said Imprint has been erased upon death of user.* "Can you do more than one Imprint?" *No. Imprinting is done for one individual only. No one else may weild the Gateway katana until the death of the owner. There are many more features of the Gateway katana,* "What are they?" *I may not reveal advanced features until the Imprint is complete.* Knytt retook the sword. As his hands made contact, the sword completed the Imprint. *Would you like to begin the tutorial?* "Yes." *One moment.........the tutorial will take aproximately 129 years. This time will only be registered mentally. Real-time will cease during the training period.* "I will get all the skills but not age? Time will not advance around me at all?" *Yes* "And when I am finished?" *You will be a master of the use of the Gateway katana. Able to go anywhere you desire with a thought. Shall we begin the tutorial?* "Yes!" =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 02:37:57 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Warp w/ Ease (Part 2) Knytt found himself standing on an infinitely wide expance of red persian carpet. The sky above him was a rolling changing mass of deep red clouds. Knytt glanced around, then noticed his clothing had changed. His suit had been replaced by a red gi, with a gold belt and black pleated culottes. "What is this?" Knytt asked, a slight echo reverberating his words. *This,* the sword replied, *is the training field. The outfit you are wearing is traditional costume to learn Kendo and other Japanese sword techniques. The Gateway katana is much more than a simple method of opening portals. Just as the Samurai weapon of long ago, the Gateway katana is a formidable hand-to-hand weapon. Wielded by an expert, the Gateway katana is capable of cutting through the heaviest tank armor, or slicing a human hair. But, you will become familiar with all these techniques over the course of the tutorial. Shall we begin the first lesson?* "Yes" -------------------------------------- Moments later, in real-time, Knytt's eyes opened. "What a rush!" *To your body, the training was instantanious, as if the entire time you were learning were suddenly forced into a few moments. You now are prepared to use the Gateway katana. However, to use it most effectively, you must translate that learning into physical reflexs.* "How is that done?" *Initially, as was your mental training, your physical training will take only a few moments. To keep the training at its peak, of course, will require practice.* "How is the initial training begun?" *The process appears outwardly, when sufficiently slowed down, to resemble a seizure or a form of cerebral palsy. However, it will only last for a few moments.* "What does it look like normally?" *One previous owner described it as being turned into a human tornado.* "Well, I am in this far...How do we begin?" *Your attire is not suitable for this sort of activity.* "Ah, yes, the suit...please adjust it to match my training gear." >From both of Knytt's wrists spread a white light which engulfed his body. When it dissipated, he was clad in his training outfit. *Think of the training field and open a portal.* Knytt pictured the persian carpet and the rolling red clouds. He swung the sword in a circle in front of him. A hole was cut in the fabric of reality, beyond which lie the training realm. Knytt stepped through and the portal closed. *Shall we begin the physical conditioning?* "Yes." Knytt suddenly became a blur as his body was sent through every lesson his mental self had ever taken. If there had been any outside observers, they would have witnessed a red and black swirling shape which traced an erratic path across the training area. Any observer would also have been diced to pieces as on the edges of that human tornado the katana cut a deadly path. The physical conditioning ended and Knytt found himself in a lotus position, blade lying across his lap. *Physical conditioning is complete. Total elapsed real-time 1 minute, 27 seconds.* Knytt stood up and paused for a few moments. Feeling a bit more centered, though very tired, he created another gate and left the training area. He reappeared in the control room of the _Sulaco_, to the great surprise of the others. "Time to go folks. The one good thing to happen to me tonight, but, boy, is it a doozy! Sparky, activate autodestruct sequence and set time for thirty seconds, to be activated on keyword "Boom." Now, upload yourself to Vincent's database.." "What about the Volvo?" Sparky asked. "Leave it. I have other means of transport on the TARDIS. Will, get your gear, we are ready to go." Will ran off to his room to grab what few things he had. Knytt twirled the sword in a small circle, reached into the resulting portal and pulled out his backpack from the Volvo. Sparky uploaded himself to Vincent. When Will returned, he asked "Why are we doing this? I thought we were trying to beat the Controller at his own game?" "We were, Will, and I damn near immobilized myself yet again by worrying too far into the future and not concentrating on the here and now. John and Driss reminded me of the tru reasons we were here. To get Driss' brothers free and to get out alive. That was all I signed on to do. That's all I am going to do. John was more right than I originally thought. We can't get a fighting force together to go up against army troops and win. At best, we can get a massive distraction. If they are willing to go for that, then that is their choice. I won't deny them of it. If John wants to try...good luck to him. "This was supposed to be a covert operation, and that was what I wanted. I have managed to get a swelled head about my importance here. I had all the information at my fingertips and I was so absorbed in it, and worrying about Morgan and my own death...Will, I can't even put all this into words. "But, I can trace the physical root of the problem to this place. No more playing chess with Quaren as the board. I nearly fell into the trap I saw in the Time Lords and Vorlons. Now, I refuse that path. All I originally wanted to do was get some inside information to the rest of the CAoL. I've done that. Its time to leave this death ship. Is everyone ready?" Will: "Ready." Robot: "Ready." Vincent and Sparky: "Ready." Knytt looked at them all, a grim expression on his face. "Ready...and..." Knytt opened a gate to the TARDIS, his TARDIS. Will gawked for a moment, then stepped through, followed by the Robot. Vincent paused at the Gate threshold. "...Boom." Knytt said. "Self destruct sequence initiated. 30 seconds...29-" the computer droned. "I think you're finnaly back on track, Mr. Knytt. This place is far too dangerous, no matter what your intent. There is no real use in monitoring a system and reporting it to those inside. You end up changing the game when you quit passively observing and start participating." "And I would rather play the game than sit back and watch it any day." Vincent hurried through the gate, as the computer reached ten. Knytt stood on the threshold of the gate. "9...8...7...6...5...4..." "Let's go play." Knytt stepped through the gate as the computer announced one. On zero, the gate vanished. Massive explosions rocked the _Sulaco_. The fusion reactor detonated and all the radiation spilled out into the void. The explosion began an unstable reaction and the Limbo collapsed in upon itself. The release was reabsorbed into the Multiverse. =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 02:38:02 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: AAE3 - Warp w/ Ease (Part 3) KNytt patted the controll console affectionately. The TARDIS, glad to have him back, but sensing he wasn't going to stay long popped up his email on the monitor. OI, SEXY! THE PROFESSOR FINISHED HIS TESTS ON YOUR BLOOD SAMPLE YOUR REGENRATION IS NOT THE SORT TIME LORDS HAVE. IT IS JUST TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A DISGUISE...MAKES SENSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AN ENFORCER. HE DOES CAUTION YOU THAT YOUR PERSONALITY MIGHT CHANGE A BIT WITH EACH NEW FORM. MIGHT EXPLAIN YOUR SUDDEN HOMESICKNESS. THERE'LL BE MORE NITRO-NINE AND NINE-A WAITING FOR YOU NEXT TIME YOU ARE ON THIS SIDE OF THE GALAXY. CATCH YA LATER! --ACE "Well, that's the second bit of good news." Knytt smiled, "Vincent, stay here. The easiest way to keep the TARDIS safe is to not bring it to Quaren. Will, Robot, follow me." Another gate opened....this one to Will's Space Pod. Will looks at the capsule. "I can't leave yet!" "You have to. *Now*, Will. You and Robot are going to get in your ship and get away from here. This isn't your fight, and you're late for your rendevous with your family. I don't want them getting hurt. Or you. And.......well, I may as well tell you." "Many years from now, we'll meet again. I'll look like Mahloy's hologram of me. When you meet me, this whole business *never happened*. I'll be looking for a friend right about then, and I'll really luck out because I'll meet you. To keep your family's future and my past, you have to go." "But-" "Will, would it be easier if I decked you and had the Robot fly you home? Trust me, Will. We'll be fine. Get out while the gettings good." "Alright, but I don't have to like it." "Robot, make sure he does exactly what I asked. None of the Robinsons, and I am counting Dr. Smith and you, too, are to return to Quaren. The place is too dangerous. You got your cargo, now go home." The Robot saluted and got in the Pod. Will followed. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Absolutely, Will. You have a bright future ahead of you. Many great things. Enjoy them." Will shut the airlock and the Robot took the controls. As the Pod rose into the sky, Knytt waved. Then taking the Gateway katana, he held it out at arms length, crystal sphere up. "Track them." *Tracking...Pod has left the atmosphere. Pod is rendevousing with the Jupiter Two. The Jupiter Two has engaged a Warp engine and left the solar system.* "Good. Now, to rejoin the CAoL. But first..." Knytt shook his head and the 65 year old appearance vanished to be replaced by his normal face and hair. "Much better. I feel more like me already." Knytt opened a gate to the CAoL and stepped through. "Well, did I miss anything?" he asks with a grin. =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 00:40:21 -0700 (MST) Subject: Aar-Burning moonlight As the final reverberations of thunder finish rolling off the distant mountains, Blacky looks up at the moon hanging low in the western sky. "Well, the quessstion isss going to be are we ready to go now or ussse the day to plan? I feel confident Drissss will get in himssself which givesss usss an advance ssscout if not a diverssion, but I can not get usss in there during the daylight hoursss when the curfew isss in effect. And once inssside, I don't know that we will be able to leave again to take care of unfinished busssinesss outssside. Ssso, should we go now? And if ssso, who is coming? Drisss went in on hissss own, which leavesss another open ssslot." =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 03:55:41 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE3 - Frustrations, Friends, and Reinforcements. On Sat, 14 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: {Snip lots of stuff where Knytt tries to impress (not that kind) teamwork and listening skills on John and Driss and John makes snappy remarks because he had some valid points.} > "I am not going to debate age with you. But, if both of you are so > damn old and experienced, you ought to be used to plans changing. > And you are quite correct. Half of what I just said ONLY came about > because of the two of you. I question your tactics, not your motives > in this." John mutters, "I'm used to having the damn plans change during the execution, not to not being told of the changes during the planning session itself." > "The next time you have a problem, I was HOPING you would remember > we are on the same side. Sitting here talking with the two of you > makes me very unsure. Very well. We've all said our beefs. If we > aren't all killed in the next 10 days, I will buy you both a night's > worth of drinks in apology." John smiles, "I'll take you up on that. As for age and wisdom, I spent several _different_ lifetimes making the same mistakes." He runs his hand through his hair, "I'm sorry about losing it out there, but it seemed everyone was talking of just throwing lives away in an almost useless diversion. These have been a stressful few days for me." [OOC: two things, John now considers all said and done and will ignore anything else (unless you really want to try to provoke him into speaking) :) and also his appearance is that of pre-change John. Both show quite a bit about his psyche if I really wanted to get into it.] =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 08:33:58 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: Aae-Chaotic Nights At 12:00 AM 6/15/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: > Astral Roland (tm) frowns as he realizes what is going >on back with the CAoL. Gaunt would _certainly_ have been >ready for a telepath-like, say, Roland-showing up in Morgan's >mind. *What kind of game is the lord of poisons playing? And >why isn't the Controller privy to it?* <*Think, brother. Gaunt _wants_ you to put yourself in the middle of this, he wants you either captured or destroyed. And he wants revenge on the Controller. Natch he's got plans he isn't letting Mr. C. in on.*> Morgan speaks calmly, playing with the Controller's monitors so he thinks his chemistry experiment is affecting her body. > *Monitor daemons,* Roland curses. *All but useless... >you can't react fast enough to _do_ anything with a monitor >in mindspace for telepathic purposes. Those aren't here to >stop telepathic intrusion. And there aren't any active mind >shields around here. > *So what the hell _are_ they here for?* <*To monitor us, most likely. If they're not Gaunt's, I'll be surprised.*> Morgan smiles at her brother's excitability. <*So, what else can I do that I haven't had a chance to practice yet? I could always brush up my TK by going through the castle and unlocking all the doors.*> She grins wickedly. > (OOC: Just something for the paranoid to worry about. >Yea, right. ) Morgan /|\ =========================== Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight Date: Sun, 15 Jun 97 12:41:24 +0100 {53} From: Roland X On 6/15/1997 8:40 AM, Driscoll said: > As the final reverberations of thunder finish rolling off the >distant mountains, Blacky looks up at the moon hanging low in the >western sky. "Well, the quessstion isss going to be are we ready to >go now or ussse the day to plan? I feel confident Drissss will get in >himssself which givesss usss an advance ssscout if not a diverssion, >but I can not get usss in there during the daylight hoursss when the >curfew isss in effect. And once inssside, I don't know that we will >be able to leave again to take care of unfinished busssinesss >outssside. Ssso, should we go now? And if ssso, who is coming? Drisss >went in on hissss own, which leavesss another open ssslot." "We go. Now." Blaze turns to the others. "It's time. If the Controller decides to do something to Morgan during the day, things will be much more difficult. Prepare whatever disguises or such you need. We can argue the matter of raising armies and such later." Blaze turns to Blacky. "I want you to know that we appreciate your aid in this." Suddenly, Blaze almost smiles. "Fuzzy and the others will follow us in astrally as soon as we're in private, assuming he can bring in the entire team that way-what do you think, Fuzzy? While I would rather go straight to Morgan, we'll have to fight the whole sprocking city to get out again. This way, we can take out some of the city's defenses-maybe even the teleport shields." Blaze turns to the others. "Anyone coming with the infiltration team, should say so now." =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 12:42:10 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight At 12:41 PM 6/15/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: > "We go. Now." Blaze turns to the others. "It's time. >If the Controller decides to do something to Morgan >during the day, things will be much more difficult. >Prepare whatever disguises or such you need. We can >argue the matter of raising armies and such later." >Blaze turns to Blacky. "I want you to know that we >appreciate your aid in this." Suddenly, Blaze almost >smiles. "Fuzzy and the others will follow us in >astrally as soon as we're in private, assuming he >can bring in the entire team that way-what do you >think, Fuzzy? While I would rather go straight to >Morgan, we'll have to fight the whole sprocking city >to get out again. This way, we can take out some of >the city's defenses-maybe even the teleport shields." >Blaze turns to the others. "Anyone coming with the >infiltration team, should say so now." Caprice says simply, "Count me in." Then returns to her silence. =========================== Subject: Re: Aae-Chaotic Nights Date: Sun, 15 Jun 97 13:00:56 +0100 From: Roland X On 6/15/1997 8:33 AM, Lady Morgan intoned: >At 12:00 AM 6/15/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: ><*Think, brother. Gaunt _wants_ you to put yourself in the middle of >this, he wants you either captured or destroyed. And he wants revenge >on the Controller. Natch he's got plans he isn't letting Mr. C. in >on.*> Morgan speaks calmly, playing with the Controller's monitors so >he thinks his chemistry experiment is affecting her body. Roland frowns. *I know, I know...but why would he hate the Controller so much? Is he that petty-* Roland chuckles. *Oh, right. He is. And if I know Gaunt, and I do, we can use that to _our_ advantage...* >> *Monitor daemons,* Roland curses. *All but useless... >>you can't react fast enough to _do_ anything with a monitor >>in mindspace for telepathic purposes. Those aren't here to >>stop telepathic intrusion. And there aren't any active mind >>shields around here. >> *So what the hell _are_ they here for?* > ><*To monitor us, most likely. If they're not Gaunt's, I'll be >surprised.*> And Fuzzy also said: >\Do Not assume that they are harmless, I have seen attack capable >Astral Constructs linked to things like that for almost instant >response speed. The question is what is their programmed trigger?\ > >\Do they feel like Gaunt's work?\ *Absolutely,* Roland sent, replying to them both. *And while I've never heard of such things, or using the astral realm for physical transportation, Gaunt's at least 100 years older than I am, and has been fighting-and killing-mages that whole time. You'll note that he's still around. We'll have to be careful. At least,* Roland sighs, *the monitors are only around Morgan and not the whole city.* >Morgan smiles at her brother's excitability. > ><*So, what else can I do that I haven't had a chance to practice yet? >I could always brush up my TK by going through the castle and >unlocking all the doors.*> She grins wickedly. *Well,* Roland sends back, smiling mentally, *TK _is_ my specialty. And while I think that our buddy the big C would notice doors unlocking all over the castle, I can give you the 'feel' of psychokinesis so that you _can_ do that when the time comes...* Morgan begins to receive the impression of what the third chakra (Roland's source of his PK powers) feels like as it channels the power, what the power itself feels like, and how easy it is to manipulate (from Roland's perspective) when it is there... =========================== Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight Date: Sun, 15 Jun 97 13:04:24 +0100 From: Roland X Sayeth the warrior Caprice: >>Blaze turns to the others. "Anyone coming with the >>infiltration team, should say so now." > >Caprice says simply, "Count me in." Then returns to her silence. Blaze simply nods. Caprice's skills are perfectly suited to this sort of mission. In a tight beam from Roland to Caprice only, however, he asks, *Caprice? Are you sure you've made peace with your...selves? We all want to rescue Morgan, find the brothers, and go home, but I-none of us-would want you risking your mind.* =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 13:57:21 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight At 01:04 PM 6/15/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: > Blaze simply nods. Caprice's skills are perfectly >suited to this sort of mission. > In a tight beam from Roland to Caprice only, however, >he asks, *Caprice? Are you sure you've made peace with >your...selves? We all want to rescue Morgan, find the >brothers, and go home, but I-none of us-would want you >risking your mind.* Caprice replies in the same manner *I've lived like this ever since I've come into my power. Caprice is the name for the union-mind of all selves from the worlds I've spent too long on. I'll be fine... even if the union doesn't hold, my selves are capable of working together. We'll be fine.* =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 14:24:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight Inside the hovertank, the commander reaches into his fatigues and pulls out a small medkit. He opens it up and pulls out a roll of contact tabs. Tearing one off, he places it on John's skin, "Sleepytime's over. Let's see if your worth the effort." John's body gives a shudder, then his eyes open, "Whaa?" "Spicestim. I felt you'd want to be awake." On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, Roland X wrote: > "We go. Now." Blaze turns to the others. "It's time. > If the Controller decides to do something to Morgan > during the day, things will be much more difficult. > Prepare whatever disguises or such you need. We can > argue the matter of raising armies and such later." > Blaze turns to Blacky. "I want you to know that we > appreciate your aid in this." Suddenly, Blaze almost > smiles. "Fuzzy and the others will follow us in > astrally as soon as we're in private, assuming he > can bring in the entire team that way-what do you > think, Fuzzy? While I would rather go straight to > Morgan, we'll have to fight the whole sprocking city > to get out again. This way, we can take out some of > the city's defenses-maybe even the teleport shields." > Blaze turns to the others. "Anyone coming with the > infiltration team, should say so now." John sends out mentally, "I'll stay here. You may still want a diversion, which I think I can provide. Or an extraction force for the extraction force." Speaking both mentally and muttering it under his breath, "I'll stay with my troops. Besides, I could use the rest at the moment. If you get in trouble, Yell." The commander permitted himself a small grin. /This is the General I remember./ =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 14:42:49 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: AAE3: Jadis and the Controller On Sun, 15 Jun 1997 gamer@host.yab.com and Shadow conspired to write: Deep in the desert, a blazing sun burns down on a patch of nondescript sand. Then a doorway opens in midair and out steps Jadis. He looks disconcerted for a moment, then looks down at his feet and a hint of a smile plays about his face. A whirling vortex springs up around him in a tight circle and a tube is tunneled into the sand. The walls of the tube are glass, and Jadis slowly descends down the tunnel. When he comes to a stop he is in front of what appears to be a peice of a pyramid. He calls out, "Rusty, are you home?" He reaches out and almost touches the carvings on the pyramid, but his hands stop mere inches from them. A look of intense concentration crosses his face, then he smiles, "I like the way this mind works. However, as much fun as dismantling all those lovely traps would be, I'm in a bit of a hurry." He then reaches up and grabs the edge of empty air, using it to pull himself up out-of-view. Once more in a safe dimension, he pulls a device out of his pocket and fiddles with it a moment. Then he summons his powers to him and a doorway opens up into the heart of the Controller's stronghold. Jadis does a quick summoning and one of his prisoners appears before him. He thrusts the prisoner through the door. Inside the Controller's main work area, alarms are going off as dimensional space is breached. Through the doorway a figure hurtles, which is quickly burned down by energy weapons. After it follows Jadis, who has set his defenses appropriately. He raises his voice to address the Controller, "Could you turn those off?" The energy weapons stop, and Jadis continues, "Thank you. I come all this way to do you a favor and _this_ is the greeting I get?" The Controller replies, "How did you find this place?" Jadis assumes a bored look, "I watched you build and equip it. That's not why I am here, however. This is," Jadis pulls out a rather familiar looking artifact. "It's rather a pain to have just lying about and I feel that you could put it to better use than I could." The Controller eyes the bomb with interest, "I could put it to use. What would you require in return?" Jadis is looking at various screens which are up, "I had thought of asking your help in a future endeavor. Now I'm not quite sure." The Controller activates a small air duct introducing thousands of nanites into the air and watches as Jadis unknowingly breathes them in. Once satisfied with his exposure, "You know, if I wished I could take control of your very body and mind right now." Jadis merely stares at him, then sarcastically, "Oh Goody. Make me do something. If you are done with the cheap theatrics, we might as well conclude this deal. One works with whatever dross is at hand. I'll set the bomb to whatever activation you prefer. In return, you will help me in my plans at some future date. I make this deal knowing full well you could take my help and run, but feel that there will be sufficient ancillary motivation that you will want to participate later. I'll be in touch. John walks back toward his door, but stops by a monitor. It shows Morgan. "Are you sure your not rusting away in the braincase? You do realize exactly who you have here and her full range of powers? Hopefully this is part of some larger plan of yours, but I don't really care. I'm not here to save you from your misjudgments." He then walks through the door, which blinks out of existence behind him. The Controller calls up another screen which shows Jadis's movements via the tracking device in the nanites and follows him to _his_ base of operations. OOC: Just for info, Jadis's current base(in this world) is under the keep (I forget the name) we just trashed Drisonel in. After all, who would look for him there? =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 14:58:25 -0400 From: Caprice Subject: OOC: Re: AAE3: Jadis and the Controller At 02:42 PM 6/15/97 -0400, Shadow wrote: > OOC: Just for info, Jadis's current base(in this world) is under >the keep (I forget the name) we just trashed Drisonel in. After all, >who would look for him there? OOC: Oh, you mean the keep that's now a pile of rubble, no two stones connected to one-another? "Got to love Rock and Roll... The King wore sequins, Prince wore purple satin, and Queen was a group of guys." - Caprice =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 12:17:06 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight In Message # 00000053 Roland X said: [snip] > "I want you to know that we appreciate your aid in > this." Suddenly, Blaze almost smiles. "Fuzzy and the > others will follow us in astrally as soon as we're > in private, assuming he can bring in the entire team > that way-what do you think, Fuzzy? \The roughly human sized ones should be no problem, most of the enviromental side effects of that plane are filtered out while you are in the hover car. If the LensDragon is comeing in that way however he will have a rougher time of it, though his space armor will help and Nemisis can supply guidance so he doesn't get lost, and the gateways to enter and depart Astral Space of course.\ '\Can I have a count of who I am going to ferry in, Please?\' "Blacky, can you tell me what kind of weapons the locals will be most able to handle most comfortably, Please?\ "I suspect they have little experiance with tech weaponry." =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 15:17:22 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: OOC: Re: AAE3: Jadis and the Controller On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, Caprice wrote: > At 02:42 PM 6/15/97 -0400, Shadow wrote: >> OOC: Just for info, Jadis's current base(in this world) is under >>the keep (I forget the name) we just trashed Drisonel in. After all, >>who would look for him there? > > OOC: Oh, you mean the keep that's now a pile of rubble, no two > stones connected to one-another? Yeah. =:) Underneath that pile of rubble lies the command center of one of the most self-centered, sadistic, everyone is just a tool to manipulated to my ends, walk-on major villain in the story. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE3 - Warp w/ Ease (Part 3) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 97 15:26:07 +0100 From: Roland X >"Good. Now, to rejoin the CAoL. But first..." > >Knytt shook his head and the 65 year old appearance vanished to be >replaced by his normal face and hair. > >"Much better. I feel more like me already." *Glad to hear it,* Roland sent, grinning astrally. *Mind you, your 'Sean Connery' look seemed to suit you, but that ain't bad either.* >Knytt opened a gate to the CAoL and stepped through. > >"Well, did I miss anything?" he asks with a grin. "Actually, you're just in time," Blaze replies evenly. "We're getting ready to head into Dibis. The infiltration group will accompany Blacky in," Blaze explains, nodding to Blacky, "and any others who want to follow will enter through Fuzzy's astral travel path, using the point team as a beacon. Shadow has decided to stay behind as our insurance plan. "Caprice and I are already part of the point team; we're still deciding the rest." Blaze watches with an evenness that Roland has rarely displayed, waiting for Knytt's decision. (OOC: And, just to be even _more_ evil...) From outside of normal reality, a...thing...watches. Once, it would have been called a Shadow. Now, transformed by fae magicks and its own power, it watches with a horrible glee. Even its own kind, devoted to evolution as they are, would reject it as an abomination. /So, Knytt has re-entered the game/ it thinks. /Good. The Controller reminds me too much of the Vorlon scum. Soon, though, when he is defeated again, I will have my chance again. /If only they knew,/ it thinks, laughing with a sound not unlike glass being ground between iron gears. /I succeeded in Arcadia. When I return, _nothing_ will be able to deny me-especially not their so-called 'Army of Light!/ The laughter increases as creatures scurry around, trying desperately not to gain its notice... =========================== From: gamer@host.yab.com Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 16:39:05 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: > "Blacky, can you tell me what kind of weapons the locals will be > most able to handle most comfortably, Please?\ > > "I suspect they have little experiance with tech weaponry." Blacky looks confused for a moment before answering, "I doubt they will be proficient in.. 'tech weapondry' sssince _I_ have no idea what that isss and I am profficient in nearly every local weapon. Mossst of them will have little more training than with daggerssss, clubssss, sssspearsss and bowsss, but militia membersss in the townsss should know how to wield a sssword and shield and fire a crosssbow. You might even find a few who have their own magical weaponsss hidden away from Darath. Magic is very plentiful and common here in Quaren, but Darath tries to regulate it assss much asss posssible." =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 19:36:56 From: "L.J. Wolfe" Subject: Re: Aae-Chaotic Nights At 01:00 PM 6/15/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: >On 6/15/1997 8:33 AM, Lady Morgan intoned: > Roland frowns. *I know, I know...but why would he hate >the Controller so much? Is he that petty-* > Roland chuckles. *Oh, right. He is. And if I know Gaunt, >and I do, we can use that to _our_ advantage...* Morgan mentally grins back. <*Oh, _do_ tell!*> >><*So, what else can I do that I haven't had a chance to practice >>yet? I could always brush up my TK by going through the castle and >>unlocking all the doors.*> She grins wickedly. > > *Well,* Roland sends back, smiling mentally, *TK _is_ >my specialty. And while I think that our buddy the big C >would notice doors unlocking all over the castle, I can >give you the 'feel' of psychokinesis so that you _can_ >do that when the time comes...* Morgan begins to receive >the impression of what the third chakra (Roland's source >of his PK powers) feels like as it channels the power, >what the power itself feels like, and how easy it is to >manipulate (from Roland's perspective) when it is there... Telling herself that matter was mearly energy in a solid form, Morgan feels the flow through her center and moves some small insignificant item around. <*Not bad. I'd like to try something a little bigger, but I'd rather not call any attention to myself.*> She reaches out and gets a sense of Astral Roland's (tm) "signature", how it differs from that of his physical body, and then he sees her "hand" emerge from the bonds holding her to the table. <*Give me a hand out, would you, brother dear?*> she smiles, and (I assume) he takes her hand and helps as she frees herself from her (literally) senseless body. <*OK, let's go find someplace less heavily monitored and play.*> :-) =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 20:52:04 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Sun, 15 Jun 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: > On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: >> "Blacky, can you tell me what kind of weapons the locals will be >> most able to handle most comfortably, Please?\ >> >> "I suspect they have little experiance with tech weaponry." > > Blacky looks confused for a moment before answering, "I doubt they > will be proficient in.. 'tech weapondry' sssince _I_ have no idea > what that isss and I am profficient in nearly every local weapon. > Mossst of them will have little more training than with daggerssss, > clubssss, sssspearsss and bowsss, "And I hope Slings although most worlds forget to call them weapons" "OK, After I ferry people into the city, Nemisis and I will do some searching for matterials" "Nemisis can assemble most standard Items atom by atom from the raw matterials, The current list looks like Daggers Sling Bullets (Some Explosive Gold Shrapnel...) Quarterstaves Spears Arrows Crossbow Bolts Swords All Gold inlayed Spair Gold Spikes for their Clubs And a few with Special features that do not require understanding Tech. I figure Bows and Crossbows They already have if they know how to use them, also Better the Bow you know than a stranger. Did I miss any thing important?" =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 00:42:41 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: > "Nemisis can assemble most standard Items atom by atom from the raw > matterials, The current list looks like > Daggers > Sling Bullets (Some Explosive Gold Shrapnel...) > Quarterstaves > Spears > Arrows > Crossbow Bolts > Swords > > All Gold inlayed > Spair Gold Spikes for their Clubs > And a few with Special features that do not require understanding > Tech. I figure Bows and Crossbows They already have if they know how > to use them, also Better the Bow you know than a stranger. Did I > miss any thing important?" John's _voice_ joins in. /*Yes. You have a force of tech capable commandos that can teach the locals what they need to know. Nothing complicated, however. If they can think of it as magic, so much the better. Don't try to force the paradigm on them. And one more thing, I'm getting confused. Between you guys and Knytt I no longer have any clue what the hell we're doing. Are we raising an army? Are we actually giving ourselves enough time to get these troops of 'questionable quality' up to snuff? I assume we're going in to rescue Morgan now, but what timetable are you guys following once you get in the city? If everything is Go, what were you talking about before, Knytt? Knytt, this goes exactly back to the point I was making earlier. From what I can tell, Blaze is talking about taking the CAoL in to rescue Morgan. Fuzzy is talking about taking in the CAoL and either a small force of locals or of raising the rebel army he wants to give choices to, you seem to have dropped the army idea entirely and left it up to me.*/ =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 23:50:26 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: AAE3 - Warp w/ Ease (Part 3) At 03:26 PM 6/15/97 +0100, Roland X wrote: >>"Much better. I feel more like me already." > > *Glad to hear it,* Roland sent, grinning astrally. *Mind >you, your 'Sean Connery' look seemed to suit you, but that >ain't bad either.* *Thanks. * > "Actually, you're just in time," Blaze replies evenly. >"We're getting ready to head into Dibis. The infiltration >group will accompany Blacky in," Blaze explains, nodding >to Blacky, "and any others who want to follow will enter >through Fuzzy's astral travel path, using the point team >as a beacon. Shadow has decided to stay behind as our >insurance plan. > "Caprice and I are already part of the point team; >we're still deciding the rest." Blaze watches with an >evenness that Roland has rarely displayed, waiting for >Knytt's decision. "Hmmm. I still need a lot of practice with this," Knytt said, holding the Gateway katana, "I will definitely go along. I'll follow through the Astral Plane. The more I use this thing, the more natural it'll feel. The training program was excellent, but I need mind and body working in the same time-frame." > (OOC: And, just to be even _more_ evil...) > From outside of normal reality, a...thing...watches. >Once, it would have been called a Shadow. Now, trans- >formed by fae magicks and its own power, it watches with >a horrible glee. Even its own kind, devoted to evolution >as they are, would reject it as an abomination. > /So, Knytt has re-entered the game/ it thinks. /Good. >The Controller reminds me too much of the Vorlon scum. > =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 01:00:25 -0500 From: Michael Jon Knight Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight At 12:42 AM 6/16/97 -0400, Shadow wrote: >John's _voice_ joins in. /*Yes. You have a force of tech capable >commandos that can teach the locals what they need to know. Nothing >complicated, however. If they can think of it as magic, so much the >better. Don't try to force the paradigm on them. And one more thing, >I'm getting confused. Between you guys and Knytt I no longer have any >clue what the hell we're doing. Are we raising an army? Are we >actually giving ourselves enough time to get these troops of >'questionable quality' up to snuff? I assume we're going in to rescue >Morgan now, but what timetable are you guys following once you get in >the city? If everything is Go, what were you talking about before, >Knytt? Knytt, this goes exactly back to the point I was making >earlier. From what I can tell, Blaze is talking about taking the CaoL >in to rescue Morgan. Fuzzy is talking about taking in the CAoL and >either a small force of locals or of raising the rebel army he wants >to give choices to, you seem to have dropped the army idea entirely >and left it up to me.*/ up on that last one or not, but it is adding to my confusion.> *To answer your questions in order: Some are prepared to. Probably not. Dunno. Again, dunno. (You can safely ignore whatever I said, I've thought better of it.) You're following us exactly, John. I will work with what is handed to me. If YOU want to go for this army idea, by all means. I have come to the conclusion that freeing Misern from tyranny is not what I was hired to do, not to mention beyond my job description. I had thought if we wanted to get an army together, we had the right people to do it, but I don't think we will be doing them any favors with the amount of time we have to work under. At the moment, I simply want Driss' bros and Morgan freed. Anything else is not feasible as I understand the situation. The idea of using you was Vincent's. He suggested my plan COULD work with your troops' assistance. I have, in the meantime, decided that I was way off base for thrusting the responsibility onto everyone's shoulders and decided to just concentrate on the job Driss hired us to do. And to make sure we all get home in one piece. In other words, I am going back to the original contract as written. Quaren can go to hell otherwise. If Driss and the other Gods don't give enough of a damn about their own people, I won't either.* Knytt's face is set in a look of grin determination. Then the facade crashs to the ground and a look of infinite sadness is plainly visible. *I'll give a damn. But one man against a holocaust is too big a risk for me. I will do what my heart tells me, where I can. That's all I can hope for.* =========================== Date: Sun, 15 Jun 1997 23:01:49 -0700 (PDT) From: fuzzy Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Mon, 16 Jun 1997, Shadow wrote: > John's _voice_ joins in. /*Yes. You have a force of tech capable > commandos that can teach the locals what they need to know. Nothing > complicated, however. If they can think of it as magic, so much the > better. "I had not forgotten, but can you be sure they are willing to learn new weapons?" > Don't try to force the paradigm on them. "Agreed." > And one more thing, I'm getting confused. Between you guys and > Knytt I no longer have any clue what the hell we're doing. Are we > raising an army? Are we actually giving ourselves enough time to get > these troops of 'questionable quality' up to snuff? "I am planning to upgrade the locals weapons quality and quantity, what they choose to do with them is up to the locals, If your forces would care to offer training that would sound good to me, If the locals decide to attack the city we can offer co-ordination with our efforts." > I assume we're going in to rescue Morgan now, but what timetable > are you guys following once you get in the city? If everything is > Go, what were you talking about before, "As I understand it the current plan is to have some sneak in now and arrange a 'Bridge-head' for the rest to be ferried to inside the city" "When exactly the Ferry is supposed to run I am unsure of myself" > Knytt? Knytt, this goes exactly back to the point I was making >earlier. From what I can tell, Blaze is talking about taking the CaoL >in to rescue Morgan. "I don't know what Blaze and Driscoll plan to do, I responed to a question of 'Could this be done' by answering that in general it could, and adding that I would be willing to do it" > Fuzzy is talking about taking in the CAoL and either a small force > of locals or of raising the rebel army he wants to give choices to, > you seem to have dropped the army idea entirely and left it up to > me.*/ one or not, but it is adding to my confusion.> "Other than my own plans, I view most of what is going on as 'Exploring Options', If I am not called on to provide Ferry Service, Nemisis and I will spend most of the Day produceing weapons, in order to offer them to the locals when the oportunity presents itsef." =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 03:26:47 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Mon, 16 Jun 1997, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > Knytt's face is set in a look of grin determination. Then the facade > crashs to the ground and a look of infinite sadness is plainly > visible. > > *I'll give a damn. But one man against a holocaust is too big a risk > for me. I will do what my heart tells me, where I can. That's all I > can hope for.* Sympathy emanates from John, *That's all any of us can hope for. _I_ really don't _want_ to raise an army. Even after the damage we're going to cause, any rebels will still have an uphill fight. I would be committing myself and the troops to a medium length stay here until such time as I could find local commanders _and_ sufficiently seasoned troops that we could leave without assuring the rebels imminent destruction. This is not my war, and as you said, this is not why we're here. I don't think the CAoL is sticking around too long after the contracts up. And in a place like this, the raising of rebel armies by outsiders is bound to rub a few Gods the wrong way. But if we do, I will feel obligated to every farmer, every tradesman, every merchant's son who comes to our banner that he have a fighting chance to win his war." OOC: and before anyone starts talking about armies, troop qualities, and obligations, see my response to Fuzzy's response to my response to this topic. If I haven't lost you by now. :) =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 04:17:01 -0400 (EDT) From: Shadow Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: > On Mon, 16 Jun 1997, Shadow wrote: >> John's _voice_ joins in. /*Yes. You have a force of tech capable >> commandos that can teach the locals what they need to know. Nothing >> complicated, however. If they can think of it as magic, so much the >> better. > > "I had not forgotten, but can you be sure they are willing to learn > new weapons?" *If they refuse to learn new weapons and ways of fighting, then they are a bloody useless Rebel army. I'd rather not get anyone else at all, or, if we must, a quick strike suicide squad whose only aim is to hurt Darath before they die. I'm sure there are individuals who have lost all and would welcome the chance. Better than telling them they're fighting for freedom when they're only fighting to give us an escape out.* > "I am planning to upgrade the locals weapons quality and quantity, > what they choose to do with them is up to the locals, If your forces > would care to offer training that would sound good to me, If the > locals decide to attack the city we can offer co-ordination with our > efforts." *And if the locals decide to do nothing, Darath ends up with a lot of new toys to be destroyed or used. IMO (never very humble), I can't see why this local army would want to attack Darath's best troops, weapons, and magic anyway. A far better strategy would be to begin guerrilla tactics and draw his troops out from behind their walls where the odds would be better. Unless you guys plan to help them take and control the city.* > > "As I understand it the current plan is to have some sneak in now > and arrange a 'Bridge-head' for the rest to be ferried to inside the > city" > > "When exactly the Ferry is supposed to run I am unsure of myself" *To quote Blaze, 'As soon as we get in private.'* > "I don't know what Blaze and Driscoll plan to do, I responed to a > question of 'Could this be done' by answering that in general it > could, and adding that I would be willing to do it" */Dry tone/Well, I believe they plan to rescue Morgan. /Normal/Blaze started with, 'We go. Now.' I wouldn't be surprised to find out that he's already gone and the advance party with him, sure in the knowledge you can bring everyone in with only some discomfort for the lensdragon. Although I have no clue what he intends once he gets there. If he starts taking out equipment but doesn't get the teleport blocks, then he might end up fighting his way _to_ Morgan and _then_ fighting his way back out. Of course, I could draw some attention whenever he wants with some well aimed plasma bursts. I should be able to get one in before the sheilds go up. If he can take out the sheilds then I could just bombard the city from afar.* > "Other than my own plans, I view most of what is going on as > 'Exploring Options', If I am not called on to provide Ferry Service, > Nemisis and I will spend most of the Day produceing weapons, in > order to offer them to the locals when the oportunity presents > itsef." John's mental image smiles, *Fuzzy, the only ones exploring options are you n me. Just about everyone else is rarin to go. Then again, I'm playing insurance with my troops, and your ferrying everyone who is not in the advance team _to_ the advance team after they get there.* =========================== (From here on, anything without a "from" came from our new list server, CaoL@modusvarious.com, courtesy of Fuzzy.) Subject: Re: Aar-Burning moonlight On Mon, 16 Jun 1997 02:28:20 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000077 fuzzy said: On Mon, 16 Jun 1997, Shadow wrote: > On Sun, 15 Jun 1997, fuzzy wrote: > *If they refuse to learn new weapons and ways of fighting, then they > are a bloody useless Rebel army. \An enemy is just as dead with a club upside the head, as with a demon ripping it off, or a meson cannon cooking it. I would rather have fighters who are sure how to use their equipment than the best equipment and not a firm grasp of how to use it.\ > I'd rather not get anyone else at all, or, if we must, a quick > strike suicide squad whose only aim is to hurt Darath before they > die. I'm sure there are individuals who have lost all and would > welcome the chance. Better than telling them they're fighting for > freedom when they're only fighting to give us an escape out.* \Where do you get the impression that I would feed them any such load of beast dropping?\ >> "I am planning to upgrade the locals weapons quality and quantity, >> what they choose to do with them is up to the locals, If your >> forces would care to offer training that would sound good to me, If >> the locals decide to attack the city we can offer co-ordination >> with our efforts." > > *And if the locals decide to do nothing, Darath ends up with a lot > of new toys to be destroyed or used. \Destroyed definitely, Gold is Bad news for Darath and his Minions.\ > IMO(never very humble), I can't see why this local army would want > to attack Darath's best troops, w