Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 3 Chapter 17 Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 10:37:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE3 - It's Buckaroo Bansai! On Sat, 5 Jul 1997 12:30:20 -0500, in Message # 00000264 Michael Jon Knight said: Knytt walked into the backstage door of the bar. The bouncer waved him through, barely glancing at the katana and ghi he wore. After all, he was with the band. And with a skinny guy in a Grey Alien mask and another one over 7 feet tall in a bad gorilla suit, what was the oddity of a bad samuari costume? Knytt grinned at the Grey and the Sasquach. "Ben, Jerry, long time no see!" "Knytt!" Jerry the sasquach shouted, crushing Knytt in a bear hug which left Knytt's feet inches off the floor. "We got your email. We were just wondering when you would be coming to see us again," Ben the Grey remarked as he set up the equipment. Knytt looked at the pair. Ben wore a black turtleneck with matching slacks and a white blazer. Jerry wore a black leather jacket with metal studs, ripped jeans, and a black bandana with the Harley-Davidson logo emblazend on it. "I still can't believe you two get away without disguises," he said. "Eh," Ben replied, "People will fall for any old story now days. As long as it sounds even remotely possible, they prefer it to the truth." "But enough about us," Jerry interrupted, "Why are you dressed like a samuari? And, more importantly, are you going to sing tonight?" "It's a long story, and I'd love it." "Well, you'll need a change of clothes." Ben said, "We have a certain image to uphold." "We do?" Jerry asked. "If you would *listen* to me once in a while, we could. But you insist on dressing like some 'Hell's Angel'." "Well," Jerry countered, "If all you want is an image, you could dress like me." "No, thank you! I have my pride. Oh, we've only got a couple of minutes. Knytt, if you're going to get changed, better make it fast." Knytt held the Gateway katana in both hands. "Revert to previous attire." Knytt's clothes returned to the blue blazer and black shirt and slacks he was wearing before he found the katana. "Here are the lyric sheets. Pick us a few hits tonight," Jerry said, passing the small stack of lyric sheets. "There is still the question of why I am here. One minute I was on Quaren. I opened a gate, set to go to the nearest place I could relax and collect my thoughts. So, how did I end up on earth?" "Quaren? Near the assasin's guild?" Ben asked a small alien smile crossing his face. "Yeah, why?" "You are in the Assasin's Guild now. You've crossed several dimensions, but you haven't moved but a few meters." "What dimension is this?" "The eighth," Jerry answered. Knytt laughed. "Took me a bit too literally, I guess. Alright," handing Ben and Jerry his selections, "how do these look to you two. It's your gig." They both nodded. "Looks good," Ben added. Knytt slipped on a pair of reading glasses which matched his blazer. Ben took his place amid a massive tower of electronics equipment, a set of keyboards (the piano variety) in front of him. Jerry donned a mammoth twin-necked electric guitar. Fingering the top neck with his right hand, he plucked at the strings with a long fingernail on his left hand. Knytt stepped up to the mic just as the curtain opened. The crowd murmured at the unexpected third member of the band. The speakers squealed as the announcer blew into the mic off stage. "Uh...welcome...the Hong Kong Cavaliers!" The bar seemed to vibrate to its foundation as the threesome began their rendition of "Out of my Mind" by Duran Duran. At a back table, shrouded in semi-darkness sat Ace and the Doctor. Ace snickered as someone next to her said, "Isn't that Buckaroo Bansai? Blue Blazer and a katana?" "What until Knytt hears about that," she said to the Doctor. He just frowned in thought. "Oi, what's the matter with you? His singing isn't THAT bad." "Ace," the Doctor replied, "Isn't it odd that we have run into him twice in as many days? In different dimensions?" "Maybe, but you said that here and Quaren were in the same space, just in different dimensions." "Yes, but it is still a remarkable coincidence. I can't help feeling like something is being set up. Like moving chess pieces on a board. We're being played." "Well, if we are, we will just have to wait until whoever it is reveals his hand." "Yes," the Doctor said, "Let's just hope by then it isn't already too late." --Knytt =========================== Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 16:28:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 06 Jul 1997 00:03:43 -0700, in Message # 00000265 Gareth L Owen said: >> Roland's mind races. *Nass! How can you save people who >> are known to be-KNOWN TO BE!* Roland laughs through the >> web. *Driscoll _saw_ them die! It doesn't mean he saw the >> _real_people!_ Fuzzy, just what are the limits of Nemisis' >> duplication capabilities? The Stranger suddenly leaps to his feet from where he had been sitting in the corner of the training room, waiting. "Good grief. He means it!" > 7) Phase 6 will require Lots of Magic and Tech to make the swaps and > get the survivors to their new home. /* I can get you all the power you need */ > This way only the Gods, and some Non-Living Nano-Cultures are Lost. /* Well that's hardly any loss at all. Shame about the nano-cultures, but men should be free of Gods */ > With Knytt's assitance we can set the Plants up in spair moments > while we are here, and after we finish this Mission, get a lift to > 15 years up the time-line from here (after arranging the backup we > will need) to activate the final stages of the Swap. > > Is That in general area of what you had in mind? > > \end Telepathic segment. /* OK guys, I can get you a tremendous amount of power and I may even be able to control it. If you want, for a task of this magnitude I could summon the Black Sword, which should be able to provide you with enough power to D-shift everyone on Quaren. There'll be a price to pay, but it'll be me who pays it and that's my problem. Do you want me to try? */ The Stranger -- Gareth L Owen |\_/| Systems Consultant and Managing Director glo@io.com |o o| Owen System Services oss@dial.pipex.com \_/ As it happens I do speak for my employer Fnord "All hail discordia" =========================== Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 16:28:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Aae: Clowns abound On Sun, 06 Jul 1997 00:05:15 -0700, in Message # 00000266 Gareth L Owen said: > On Fri, 4 Jul 97 21:14:47 +0100, in Message # 00000249 > Roland X said: > >>On Fri, 04 Jul 1997 22:20:23 -0700, in Message # 00000246 >> Gareth L Owen said: >> >>Stranger tracks the progress of Blaze and co through the enemies >>defences via the Link. >> >>/* When you get to Morgan are you planning on burning out or fading >>away? */ > > *Wiseass,* Roland sends with a mental . > *I'm planning to sneak out, if possible, and blast out, if > necessary. You know all those big guns we have in reserve? > _That's_ what I plan to do.* Blaze has stopped glaring at > guards, as they have begun backing away in fear _without_ > requiring the Gaze of Doom (tm). /* OK, just wondering if you were going to need some fire support, I'm starting to get restless */ The Stranger =========================== Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 16:28:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Aae: Clowns abound On Sun, 06 Jul 1997 00:14:03 -0700, in Message # 00000267 Gareth L Owen said: > On Thu, 3 Jul 1997 16:43:10 -0500, in Message # 00000229 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Thu, 03 Jul 1997 18:06:10 -0700, in Message # 00000228 >> Gareth L Owen said: >> >>> Caprice gives Dris the kind of look that withers men's egos. "I am >>> -CAPRICE-. Argent is currently elsewhere, and I'll think I'll be joining >>> her..." With that she vanishes. >>> >>> Argent has been calmed by the Stranger's words, and is starting to look >>> thoughtful... untill Kyntt starts fighting with his droids in the Guild's >>> training room. She turns towards his back, anger in her eyes and one hand >>> slipping beneath her robes, when Caprice appears next to her. The two >>> pause, staring at each other, then vanish together. >> >>"Shit." whispers the Stranger. "Someone's in trouble." > > Knytt observes the scene through the distorted face plate of the robot. As > he parries a thrust from the robot, he sighs and says, "So what else is new? > She can't hurt me...I'm the only one with the skill to do that." But, > physical pain doesn't seem to be what Knytt is referring to. Stranger looks oddly at Knytt, as though he has sensed something he couldn't yet understand. The Stranger =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 02:22:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 01:28:36 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000268 fuzzy said: > On Sun, 06 Jul 1997 00:03:43 -0700, in Message # 00000265 > Gareth L Owen said: [snip] > /* I can get you all the power you need */ > >> This way only the Gods, and some Non-Living Nano-Cultures are Lost. > > /* Well that's hardly any loss at all. Shame about the nano-cultures, but > men should be free of Gods */ \No Shame, these would be truely non-living rather than parts of Nemisis.\ > /* OK guys, I can get you a tremendous amount of power and I may even be > able to control it. If you want, for a task of this magnitude I could > summon the Black Sword, which should be able to provide you with enough > power to D-shift everyone on Quaren. There'll be a price to pay, but > it'll be me who pays it and that's my problem. Do you want me to try? */ \What is the Nature of this Black Sword?\ \The power need will come after we have done what we came here to do, and have shifted to the right time zone...\ \I will not be able to use one of my Chaos Gate Talismans as a power generator to gain a boost, The personification of Chaos would be almost sure to notice.\ ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 07:06:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 09:04:54 -0500, in Message # 00000269 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 01:28:36 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000268 > fuzzy said: > >\The power need will come after we have done what we came here to do, and >have shifted to the right time zone...\ > >\I will not be able to use one of my Chaos Gate Talismans as a power >generator to gain a boost, The personification of Chaos would be almost >sure to notice.\ Knytt has taken a break from singing and is getting some water to help his throat when he hears this. /Wait a sec, before we go selling our souls to any devils, my Gateway katana is constructed of nanites. Each one holds the blueprint for constructing a Gateway katana. However, they can be reprogrammed. It will mean the destruction of the sword, but if we implant a nanite in each Quarenian, they can create enough nanites to make it possible to dimensionally teleport the host one time. So, if we implant them while we collect samples for our nano-cultures to emulate, we can save calluing in all those favors./ --Knytt =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 09:51:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 09:38:23 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000270 fuzzy said: > On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 09:04:54 -0500, in Message # 00000269 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 01:28:36 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000268 >> fuzzy said: >> >> > /Wait a sec, before we go selling our souls to any devils, my Gateway katana > is constructed of nanites. Each one holds the blueprint for constructing a > Gateway katana. However, they can be reprogrammed. It will mean the > destruction of the sword, but if we implant a nanite in each Quarenian, they > can create enough nanites to make it possible to dimensionally teleport the > host one time. So, if we implant them while we collect samples for our > nano-cultures to emulate, we can save calluing in all those favors./ \It should not be necessary to destroy the Gateway katana, If Nemisis is allowed to examine it, she will be able to read the pattern from its nanites, and once she has the pattern she will be able to use the blueprint to construct the additional nanites we will need to do it that way.\ Nemisis can construct any physical item she has a pattern/blue print for. \Sounds to me like a very clean way to do this. Let me do a bit of thinking and I will see if any thoughts surface based on this method.\ ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 11:52:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 97 14:51:39 +0100, in Message # 00000271 Roland X said: >On Fri, 04 Jul 1997 21:10:26, in Message # 00000252 > "L.J. Wolfe" said: > ><*Iiiinteresting. Hmmmm....*> She explores the properties of the fluid >entering her bloodstream. <*Alkaloid, ergot variety, can't see why he'd >give me an anticoag.... Oooooh!*> The team gets a rather cartoonish picture >of a lightbulb turning on. <*Better living through chemistry ;-). This >stuff is _very_ similar to lysergic acid diethylamide. _This_ should be >fun.*> Roland begins to redirect his psychic energies toward Morgan, trying to help her center herself. ><*Recover? From what? I'll just lay here and wait for you guys in this >field of poppiespoppiespoppiespoppiespoppies.....*> Morgan senses her >brother's adrenaline kick in, and giggles. <*Just kidding. I'm fiiiiiine, >Roland. Reallllly. But, this _is_ starting to push my limits. Don't take >_toooooo_ long, oooookay, sword-brother?*> All thoughts of world-saving leave Roland's mind. *BLAST! I _knew_ I should have done more astral exploring in this pathetic stone hovel!* Roland begins to search frantically with his mental senses, leaving Blaze in one place, apparently working on one of the terminals controlling the keep's high-tech systems. (Actually trying to hack the system to find directions. ) *Hang on, Morgan, this won't take long...* === / "What good is life...without friends?" -Barry Allen O (/) "No evil shall escape my sight!" -Hal Jordan / Roland X: === / Support the Green Lantern Net Corps! / Freelance Jinx by Design: http://home.earthlink.net/~jinxmccoy / Immortal =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 13:52:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 14:04:09 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000272 gamer@host.yab.com said: > On Sun, 6 Jul 97 14:51:39 +0100, in Message # 00000271 > Roland X said: > > All thoughts of world-saving leave Roland's mind. > *BLAST! I _knew_ I should have done more astral ex- > ploring in this pathetic stone hovel!* Roland begins > to search frantically with his mental senses, leaving > Blaze in one place, apparently working on one of the > terminals controlling the keep's high-tech systems. > (Actually trying to hack the system to find directions. > ) *Hang on, Morgan, this won't take long...* Driss looks over Blaze's shoulder. "Ummm why are you trying to hack into the blueprints of hte building? I've been here already. I know where Morgan is and we're just waiting on you 'leader'" =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 14:21:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 97 17:22:23 +0100, in Message # 00000273 Roland X said: >> On Sun, 6 Jul 97 14:51:39 +0100, in Message # 00000271 >> Roland X said: >> All thoughts of world-saving leave Roland's mind. >> *BLAST! I _knew_ I should have done more astral ex- >> ploring in this pathetic stone hovel!* Roland begins >> to search frantically with his mental senses, leaving >> Blaze in one place, apparently working on one of the >> terminals controlling the keep's high-tech systems. >> (Actually trying to hack the system to find directions. >> ) *Hang on, Morgan, this won't take long...* > > Driss looks over Blaze's shoulder. "Ummm why are you trying to hack >into the blueprints of hte building? I've been here already. I know >where Morgan is and we're just waiting on you 'leader'" Roland stops hacking the computer. Blaze slowly turns, very carefully keeping his face neutral. "Nice of you to mention it. Of course, if you had caught up to me sooner, we'd have Morgan and be gone by now. So. Lead the way." =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 15:22:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE-leading the way On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 15:39:04 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000274 gamer@host.yab.com said: Driss slips back into the hallway and starts down the hall. He stops everyone as the sound of heavy bootsteps can be heard coming down a side cooridor. Driss reaches into his cloak and pulls out a roll of cloth and four small daggers. Slipping the corners of the cloth onto the daggers, he throws each into a differnt corner of hte hallway, creating a wall of cloth. The cloth shimmers for a moment, then becomes a perfect-looking stone wall. The footsteps get closer and the gutteral languarge of Orcs can be overheard. "Where's the hallway Gog? hallway supposed to be here." "You lead us wrong way maggot brain! I told you we supposed to turn back there." "You two shut up! Me Snot is leader here because Snot is smart!! Hallway further down. we go now." The grumbling and muttering and a few sounds that sound like fists hitting armor continue down the hall. Driss gestures and the daggers come back to him. Very keen sight notices the thin threads that were attached to the handles of thedaggers that he pulled on. Not bothering to fold it back up, he stuffs the lot back into his cloak. "Ok, quickly." he whispers hoarsly. Moving swiftly and silently, driss finally comes to the stairs. "Let me check things out first." he whispers, the starts down the circular flgiht of stairs, only to appear at teh top of them descending to the group. "OOOooook, this is new! Counter magics anyone?" Unseen on the wall, a tiny mechanical insect watches the intruders and relays the information to the Controller. Controller^1 and ^2 look up from their work. "Hmm they're earlier than we expected. there's no way to have the clone ready in time for replacement." Says Controller ^1 solemnly. Controller^2 gives out a mechanical sigh, "Well, if she can not serve our purposes, she won't serve theirs either. Place the castle on alert and begin the Termination Progam." The order is relayed to Dibis and both look down on the now year old morgan clone. "We may as well finish this specimin. it may still be of use later." =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 18:21:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE-leading the way On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 18:07:03 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000275 fuzzy said: > On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 15:39:04 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000274 > gamer@host.yab.com said: > > Moving swiftly and silently, driss finally comes to the stairs. > "Let me check things out first." he whispers, the starts down the > circular flgiht of stairs, only to appear at teh top of them > descending to the group. "OOOooook, this is new! Counter magics > anyone?" #Lord Pyewackett, Whether this effect is Magic, or any other energy field effect, it need not delay our progress if you will not have it so.# Fuzzy's Sword, and Shield, and Nemisis and its Splits all have the same spell breaking function, In other words at will on contact the spell breaks. If Pyewackett and Dorn lead the way, Pyewackett can will the spell breaking as they go. eol Nemisis =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 19:07:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE-leading the way On Sun, 6 Jul 97 21:38:32 +0100, in Message # 00000276 Roland X said: >On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 15:39:04 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000274 > gamer@host.yab.com said: > > Moving swiftly and silently, driss finally comes to the stairs. "Let >me check things out first." he whispers, the starts down the circular >flgiht of stairs, only to appear at teh top of them descending to the >group. "OOOooook, this is new! Counter magics anyone?" "The teleport shields are down," Blaze notes. "If we can figure out where we are in relation to Morgan, I can take us to her." /Now I remember why I hate magick,/ Roland thinks, sighing. =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 21:52:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE-leading the way On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 23:43:09 -0500, in Message # 00000277 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 18:07:03 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000275 > fuzzy said: > >Fuzzy's Sword, and Shield, and Nemisis and its Splits all have the >same spell breaking function, In other words at will on contact the >spell breaks. > >If Pyewackett and Dorn lead the way, Pyewackett can will the spell >breaking as they go. Pyewackett purrs and sends the query into Driss's mind. *Ok, young one, which way must we go?* #Dorn, please break the spell before us.# Pyewackett and Dorn step forward into the stairwell. --Pyewackett =========================== Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 21:52:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 23:43:12 -0500, in Message # 00000278 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 09:38:23 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000270 > fuzzy said: > >> On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 09:04:54 -0500, in Message # 00000269 >> Michael Jon Knight said: >> >> Knytt has taken a break from singing and is getting some water to >> help his throat when he hears this. >> >> /Wait a sec, before we go selling our souls to any devils, my >> Gateway katana is constructed of nanites. Each one holds the >> blueprint for constructing a Gateway katana. However, they can be >> reprogrammed. It will mean the destruction of the sword, but if we >> implant a nanite in each Quarenian, they can create enough nanites >> to make it possible to dimensionally teleport the host one time. >> So, if we implant them while we collect samples for our >> nano-cultures to emulate, we can save calluing in all those >> favors./ > >\It should not be necessary to destroy the Gateway katana, If Nemisis >is allowed to examine it, she will be able to read the pattern from >its nanites, and once she has the pattern she will be able to use the >blueprint to construct the additional nanites we will need to do it >that way.\ Well, yes it is neccessary to destroy the sword...helps me with a subplot I am working on. (For those panicking, it only involves Knytt...I am severing the final ties between Knytt and the Time Lords. If the ideas I have work as I expect, this should be MOST interesting to observe.)> >Nemisis can construct any physical item she has a pattern/blue print >for. /Well, the implants will require a trigger from me. There is a minimum amount of nanites needed to open a dimensional gate. There is also a maximum amount of nanites allowed to exist at one time. The inventor of the Gateway katana wanted to insure that the sword was never duplicated. However, only three nanites are required per person. There will be enough to save everyone on Quaren and still leave me enough to reconstruct something that will function the same as the katana. And this sword has had a bloody past. It's time to end that./ =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 13:53:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Mon, 07 Jul 1997 13:40:15 PDT, in Message # 00000287 "Caprice Davis" said: After listening to the various debates over what to do, to save Quaren, Caprice's mind whispers through the CAoL link. *Dris saw this world destroyed... if you wish to avoid paradox, we need to know what he saw... did it explode? Disolve into chaos? Vanish? It may be easier to move the whole world than it's people alone... I will start searching the alternties however...* Her "voice" has an odd echo to it, but is otherwise her normal voice. =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 15:21:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-The plan thickens On Mon, 7 Jul 1997 15:37:41 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000289 gamer@host.yab.com said: > On Mon, 07 Jul 1997 13:40:15 PDT, in Message # 00000287 > "Caprice Davis" said: > > After listening to the various debates over what to do, to save > Quaren, Caprice's mind whispers through the CAoL link. *Dris saw > this world destroyed... if you wish to avoid paradox, we need to > know what he saw... did it explode? Disolve into chaos? Vanish? It > may be easier to move the whole world than it's people alone... I > will start searching the alternties however...* > > Her "voice" has an odd echo to it, but is otherwise her normal > voice. Roscoe (who is on the link and saw Quaren be destoyed as well) asnswers solemnly. [It was after Driss finally saw that he was turning into Chaos, and that Chaos wasn't a freind or advisor or mentor, but a master, adn a cruel one at that. Driss also realized that the only limitations on his power were those he imposed on himself, and he removed those barriers, advancing him even further in his transformation into Chaos, but I don't think anyone would think of his mind as rational right then.] [He summoned Chaos, against Chaos's will. But Driss's power was part of Chaos. he was part of Chaos. and Chaos could not refuse him. Driss threw his accusations at Chaos, and hten tried to force him to take back the power. Chaos refused. A battle erupted between them, but Driss still wasn't complete match for Chaos. Chaos gained the upper hand, and it was then Driss decided what he had to do.] [He created a Chaos siphon inside the Starfire gem, using the Chaos energy of the gem. He turned the power in on itself. But he overdid it. He didn't realize how the siphon would increase geometrically the longer it existed as such. Every atom contains Chaos energy to some degree. The siphon began grabbing any and all energy it could from around it. it spread beyond the starfire gem. It began to absorb the entire dimention.] [Chaos managed to use his power to control the siphon since it was Chaotic energy that had created it, but by the time he did, everything in this universe was gone. The siphon also did some damage to bordering universes, but that was kept minimal.] [Driss and I were gone as well by now. the images I know, I know from Chaos. He was furious at Driss, and somehow at the same time delighted. He re-created Driss and I and held the Trial that cursed Driss with his immortality.] =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 20:05:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE3 - Serious Control Issues (No, this isn't a complaint. ;)) On Mon, 7 Jul 1997 20:00:11 -0500, in Message # 00000292 Michael Jon Knight said: Knytt is sitting on the front of the stage, a wireless mic in his hand as the Ben and Jerry sing backup for "Swingin' On A Star." "Oh would you like to swing on a star, "Carry moonbeams home in a jar, "And be better off than you are, "Or would you rather be a fish?" The audience claps with the beat of the music as Knytt continues. "A fish is an animal that swims in a brook, "He can't write his name or read a book. "To fool the people is his only thought, "And though he's slippery, he still gets..." A black geometric shape tumbles toward the stage. Patrons scream and try to dodge the dark mass. "Caught..." Knytt says feebly as he is snatched up by it. The black shape now holding Knytt vanishes. "What happened to him?" Ace shouts as she and the Doctor are carried out of the bar by the escaping mob. The Doctor shouted back over the noise, "He's been time-scooped. It's a machine the Time Lords banned centuries ago. They should have all been destroyed. But someone has found one and caught Knytt with it." "The same person who seems to be manipulating us?" "Most definitely. We have to get back to the TARDIS. We have to track him down." ******************************************* Knytt found himself in a huge, darkened room. A spotlight shone down on him from the ceiling. He immediately checked the mini-lens link. Everyone was still there. That was good news at least. He then checked about his Gateway katana. Still hanging on his hip. Even better news, he could escape anytime he wanted. But who had him and why? His answers were soon forthcoming. He heard from all around him a din of murmuring voices. They seemed to be coming from the ceiling in all directions. He could make out figures from near the ceilings. There seemed to be rows of seats near the top on all sides. Shapes moved in the dark and Knytt could make out the unmistakable high cowls of Time Lord robes. Knytt stood in the center of a great auditorium. "Why am I hear?" he shouted. He suddenly noticed the link go quiet. *Uh oh.* ) If you listen in to that mind, you will know what is happening.> The murmuring seemed to die away and all the voices whispered as one, "To work for us." "I don't work for you anymore." "You never stopped. There has not been one moment of your time 'on the run' that we were not in complete control. Your escape was useful to us, so we allowed it." "You're lying." "We do not lie. Observe. Bow before us." Though Knytt was unwilling, something inside his mind demanded him to bow. It overrode any resistance he tried and Knytt found himself on his knees, prostrating before the assemblage of Time Lords. Then the feeling past and Knytt stood back up. The voices continued. "A vital part of your brain has been replaced with an electronic counterpart which we can control. We have inserted ideas into your head from time to time. To ensure you took paths we desired. You did not want to go to Quaren, for example. We desired you to be there. So we implanted the idea in your mind. And you connected it with reasons of your own. You never knew it wasn't your own thought. But, had we not done so, you would have stayed behind." "So why reveal yourself now? You had the perfect cover." "There is a new administration. They refuse to allow renegades to continue being free. Especially a lowly human. All TARDIS's are to be accounted for and returned to Gallifrey." Knytt felt a breeze which quickly turned into a roaring wind. Knytt's TARDIS appeared in the pool of light, as well as two satellites and Vincent. "Each of these items is or has something of ours." A yellow column of energy surrounded the TARDIS and it vanished. Knytt felt the connection to the TARDIS vanish from his mind. "We have returned your TARDIS to our store room and erased its memory." A red sphere of light surrounded one of the satellites. "This satellite belongs to the Controller. We replaced it with an exact copy. Except, it no longer has the Sparky program inside it." The satellite vanished. "That program has been erased. The other satellite is yours. It also has the program." That satellite vanished as well. Vincent swivelled his head to look at Knytt. "Watch the viewer," the voices continued. A flat rectangle of light shimmered into being in front of Vincent and Knytt. It showed a forest clearing with a tent in the center. Wires ran out of the tent to a small satellite dish. "You remember this," the voices said without uncertainty, "This is where you sent the Sparky program to the Controller's satellites." The tent exploded. Electronics parts flew everywhere. The tent burned. Pieces of the dish were embedded in surrounding trees. "Now, for the droid...You not only contain the Sparky program, but secrets from the Matrix as well. You will therefore simply be destroyed." A column of blue energy shot down from the ceiling. It engulfed Sparky, blinding Knytt by its brightness. Vincent wobbled for a moment, then his engines gave out and he crashed to the floor. His head swivelled to face Knytt. "Looks like this is it for me. Escape while you can, Knytt. My only exit left is my destruction." Vincent vaporized. Knytt's hand reached for his katana, but froze midway. "We still wish to speak with you, Knytt. You have evaded your punishment for far too long." As the blue energy engulfed Knytt, the voices continued, "Don't worry, you will live to see your friends. But you will wish you hadn't. You are nothing more than an animal to us. But, a useful one." Knytt's mind shut down from the pain. Every pore was on fire. He knew there would be nothing left of him when, if, the beam ended. ***************************************** Things were quiet in Morgan's cell until a black geometric form tumbled into the room. It left a burnt, battered, bruised and bloodied Knytt behind. He stood there for a half-second, mumbled "Oh, hello Morgan." then collapsed face-first onto the floor. His body began convulsing as a ghostly light seemed to weep out of every pore. The light brightened and began spilling out. A sudden blinding flash and it was gone. Morgan couldn't help gaping. She could tell from the link that this _was_ Knytt. But, Knytt was shorter now. 5 foot 4 at best. This Knytt had longer hair. Under the suit, this body was proportioned all wrong...then Morgan noticed the face. The eyes, one blue, one brown, were definitely Knytt's. But, otherwise, Knytt looked a whole new person. Knytt was a woman. Knytt looked around the lab for a few seconds, then noticed the drip feeding into Morgan's arm. Mumbling, "This will never do," Knytt passed around the table and reached for the IV. Just as Knytt reached out, a reflection caught those eyes. Knytt's hand pulled back, touched...HER...face, and Knytt did something totally embarrassing. She fainted. > =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 20:37:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Mon, 7 Jul 97 23:29:24 +0100, in Message # 00000293 Roland X said: >On Sun, 6 Jul 1997 15:39:04 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000274 > gamer@host.yab.com said: > Unseen on the wall, a tiny mechanical insect watches the intruders >and relays the information to the Controller. Controller^1 and ^2 >look up from their work. "Hmm they're earlier than we expected. >there's no way to have the clone ready in time for replacement." Says >Controller ^1 solemnly. Controller^2 gives out a mechanical sigh, >"Well, if she can not serve our purposes, she won't serve theirs >either. Place the castle on alert and begin the Termination Progam." >The order is relayed to Dibis and both look down on the now year old >morgan clone. "We may as well finish this specimin. it may still be >of use later." The Controller in Dibis receives his orders, and goes to Morgan's cell. He crosses to the side of the table holding her immobilized form, and flips the spigot of the recently placed IV bag wide open. Morgan snaps to full awareness at the sudden influx. Without even thinking she lashes out with the magnetic frequency Byron taught her. The Controller is barely halfway to the door when he halts, frozen in his tracks, and the unmistakable smell of burnt electronic components fills the room. Although she can't smell the results of her outburst, Morgan is aware through other 'senses' of her success. Now all she needs to do is deal with the..incredible...amounts....of..... <*Oh, Light.*> The Callahanians hear the mental equivalent of someone swaying badly on their feet. Morgan's "voice" says weakly, <*this isn't good. folx? brother? i'll.... beeee.......*> And her presence slowly fades from the link. Roland's head snaps up. *Morgan?* "No." Roland's face returns to normal of it's own accord, the shades falling away from his face as he turns to the terminal again. His hand crashes into it, all pretense of subtlety gone. "NO." All electrical functions flicker as he becomes one with the system. In a fraction of a second, he knows where he must go. "NO!" The remains of the cool, reserved Blaze persona vanish as Roland tears through the castle, leaving a trail of unconscious guards, shattered walls and very surprised Black Suits, who also become unconscious rather quickly. "NOOOO!" Somewhere in Roland's mind, he registers the staggering level of irony. A day of planning, successful insertion, and total control of the situation, and he has reached Morgan's side... ...one second too late. He walks to her side, dazed, not quite comprehending what has happened. He looks down at her still, unmoving form. He frowns at the bonds. They are suddenly _not_there._ He takes one limp hand, and falls to his knees by her side. He knows she is not dead. That would be too easy. Poison does not kill his kind. Instead, it remains in the system, crippling for as long as it is within the body. For decades. Centuries. Forever. "I won't let that happen," Roland says, the tears flowing all at once. "I swear it, Morgan. I will find a way." He leans closer. "If I have to tear down every stronghold of darkness... His face leans over hers. "...search every corner of creation... He stares at her peaceful countenance. "...I _will_ bring you back." His lips brush lightly against hers... =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 20:52:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Mon, 7 Jul 1997 22:50:17 -0500, in Message # 00000294 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Mon, 7 Jul 97 23:29:24 +0100, in Message # 00000293 > Roland X said: ><*Oh, Light.*> The Callahanians hear the mental equivalent of someone >swaying badly on their feet. Morgan's "voice" says weakly, <*this >isn't good. folx? brother? i'll.... beeee.......*> > >And her presence slowly fades from the link. > He takes one limp hand, and falls to his knees by >her side. He knows she is not dead. That would be too >easy. Poison does not kill his kind. Instead, it >remains in the system, crippling for as long as it is >within the body. For decades. Centuries. > Forever. > "I won't let that happen," Roland says, the tears >flowing all at once. "I swear it, Morgan. I will find >a way." He leans closer. > "If I have to tear down every stronghold of darkness... > His face leans over hers. > "...search every corner of creation... > He stares at her peaceful countenance. > "...I _will_ bring you back." > His lips brush lightly against hers... Knytt revives and sees the pair. "Oh hell..." =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 22:52:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Mon, 07 Jul 1997 22:48:21, in Message # 00000295 "L.J. Wolfe" said: >On Mon, 7 Jul 97 23:29:24 +0100, in Message # 00000293 > Roland X said: > ><*Oh, Light.*> The Callahanians hear the mental equivalent of someone >swaying badly on their feet. Morgan's "voice" says weakly, <*this >isn't good. folx? brother? i'll.... beeee.......*> > >And her presence slowly fades from the link. > > Roland's head snaps up. > *Morgan?* Morgan hears her brother, but is unable to respond. The delay in processing the toxin was costing her, big time. She wondered why she had bothered to use the knowledge Byron gave her, expecially since it wasn't even one of the "real" Controllers. > "No." Roland's face returns to normal of it's own >accord, the shades falling away from his face as he >turns to the terminal again. His hand crashes into it, >all pretense of subtlety gone. So much poison, all at once. The only way she can begin to combat it is by going deep within, to the molecular level, and doing that leaves her nothing to spare. Part of her knows that her comrads will worry, but there's nothing she can do about that at the moment. Not if she wants to rejoin them any time soon. > "NO." All electrical functions flicker as he becomes >one with the system. In a fraction of a second, he knows >where he must go. Morgan works on the chemicals in her blood stream, slowly, painstakingly, reforming it into something less toxic. She knew that she'd _live_ through this, but it was the potential _quality_ of that life that worried her. > "NO!" The remains of the cool, reserved Blaze persona >vanish as Roland tears through the castle, leaving a >trail of unconscious guards, shattered walls and very >surprised Black Suits, who also become unconscious >rather quickly. > "NOOOO!" Wryly, she allows herself a brief regret that the poison wasn't spice based. At least then all this effort would have left her a Reverend Mother. _If_ it worked. All that effort. Morgan's thoughts were begining to drift. Was it even worth it? Did she _really_ want to return to that senseless body, strapped helpless to a laboratory table? In the past few hours she had begun to be accustomed to traveling around, affecting her environment, without the use of her physical form. So what difference would it make, really, if that form were rendered useless? > Somewhere in Roland's mind, he registers the stag- >gering level of irony. A day of planning, successful >insertion, and total control of the situation, and he >has reached Morgan's side... > ...one second too late. > He walks to her side, dazed, not quite comprehending >what has happened. He looks down at her still, unmoving >form. He frowns at the bonds. > They are suddenly _not_there._ > He takes one limp hand, and falls to his knees by >her side. He knows she is not dead. That would be too >easy. Poison does not kill his kind. Instead, it >remains in the system, crippling for as long as it is >within the body. For decades. Centuries. > Forever. The sudden absence of the bonds, the touch on her hand, bring Morgan's attention back to her body. What difference....? > "I won't let that happen," Roland says, the tears >flowing all at once. "I swear it, Morgan. I will find >a way." He leans closer. Pulling herself back from the depths, Morgan becomes aware of her connection to Roland, feeling his emotions as if they are a part of her. In a flash, she realizes that her affection for her sword-brother has become decidely less fraternal. > "If I have to tear down every stronghold of darkness... > His face leans over hers. Her awareness resurfaces, thought reconnecting to form. She feels his tears on her face, tastes the salt on her lips.... > "...search every corner of creation... > He stares at her peaceful countenance. No one notices the fingers of her free hand flutter slightly. > "...I _will_ bring you back." > His lips brush lightly against hers... Roland's attention is so focused that, unlike the other Callahanians in the room, he doesn't see the hand he _isn't_ holding move. He thinks he feels her lips stir, but in his grief he assumes it's only his imagination, wishful thinking. Until he feels Morgan's hand gently rest on the back of his head, and he realizes that she _is_ returning his kiss. Her eyes flutter open, and smile up into his. <*You just did.*> Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 23:22:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 97 02:17:02 +0100, in Message # 00000296 Roland X said: >On Mon, 07 Jul 1997 22:48:21, in Message # 00000295 > "L.J. Wolfe" said: > >Roland's attention is so focused that, unlike the other Callahanians >in the room, he doesn't see the hand he _isn't_ holding move. He >thinks he feels her lips stir, but in his grief he assumes it's only >his imagination, wishful thinking. > >Until he feels Morgan's hand gently rest on the back of his head, and >he realizes that she _is_ returning his kiss. Her eyes flutter open, >and smile up into his. > ><*You just did.*> Roland's lips part from his sword-sister's. *Morgan?* He stares into her eyes. Her beautiful, amber/green, OPEN eyes, smiling at him. "MORGAN!" In one motion, he sweeps her into his arms and holds on for dear life. Suddenly, 'sword-sister' seems a lot less appropriate a term than it once did... A few luckless guards attempt to rush into the room; Roland sweeps them away with an almost casual flicker of psychokinesis. *Morgan, are you all right? You seem so weak! Don't worry,* Roland sends, his eyes narrowing as energy begins to coalesce around them, *I won't let _any_ harm to come to you.* His forcefield solidifies around them-scooping up the unconscious woman behind them as an afterthought- taking the form of an enormous lion of pure energy. (Think Forbidden Planet; the scene at the force barrier, only a lion instead of a nightmare.) *Dhyrclhanc. Gate in the extraction team. We have-* Roland looks at Morgan, smiling sheepishly. *-ah, Morgan has been found, but we have been discovered. Bring heavy weaponry; just gating out is going to be a firefight.* His smile softens as he stares at the lady in his arms. "Just rest, sword-sis-um...heh. Relax and enjoy the ride, Morgan." His eyes narrow as more troops begin to arrive. The lion's do the same. Enemies of all types go flying. "This won't take long," Roland growls. =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 02:37:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 02:27:29 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000297 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 97 02:17:02 +0100, in Message # 00000296 > Roland X said: > > *Dhyrclhanc. Gate in the extraction team. We have-* > Roland looks at Morgan, smiling sheepishly. *-ah, Morgan > has been found, but we have been discovered. Bring heavy > weaponry; just gating out is going to be a firefight.* \On my way.\ \Caprice, I need a question relayed to Argent, I currently have about a ton of weapons with me where would you like them delivered?, I was thinking about half to the main room of the assassins guild.\ {Image: The gold inlayed weapons are quite striking, the blades diffract light into rainbow reflections and the edges are sharp enough to leave the wind bleeding, overtones in the image indicate that they are about 20 times stronger and 10 times harder and the best non-magical weapons of their type this world has ever seen.} \I Will make my deliveries, drop off my passengers with the rest of you, and then go after the Laser Cannons on the battlements, unless some one has some thing else they think I should be doing...\ background images show Nemisis still in Cyclone mode with a Large sidecar. ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 03:52:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:52 -0500, in Message # 00000298 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 97 02:17:02 +0100, in Message # 00000296 > Roland X said: > >>On Mon, 07 Jul 1997 22:48:21, in Message # 00000295 >> "L.J. Wolfe" said: >> >>Roland's attention is so focused that, unlike the other Callahanians >>in the room, he doesn't see the hand he _isn't_ holding move. He >>thinks he feels her lips stir, but in his grief he assumes it's only >>his imagination, wishful thinking. >> >>Until he feels Morgan's hand gently rest on the back of his head, >>and he realizes that she _is_ returning his kiss. Her eyes flutter >>open, and smile up into his. >> >><*You just did.*> Knytt watches this, a relieved, if a bit surprised, grin on her face > *Morgan, are you all right? You seem so weak! Don't >worry,* Roland sends, his eyes narrowing as energy begins >to coalesce around them, *I won't let _any_ harm to come >to you.* His forcefield solidifies around them-scooping >up the unconscious woman behind them as an afterthought- >taking the form of an enormous lion of pure energy. (Think >Forbidden Planet; the scene at the force barrier, only a >lion instead of a nightmare.) Knytt kicks franticly, suspended in mid-air. "Hey! Put me down! I'm fine! I'm not helpless!" > *Dhyrclhanc. Gate in the extraction team. We have-* >Roland looks at Morgan, smiling sheepishly. *-ah, Morgan >has been found, but we have been discovered. Bring heavy >weaponry; just gating out is going to be a firefight.* > His smile softens as he stares at the lady in his >arms. "Just rest, sword-sis-um...heh. Relax and enjoy the >ride, Morgan." His eyes narrow as more troops begin to >arrive. The lion's do the same. > Enemies of all types go flying. > "This won't take long," Roland growls. Knytt arches an eyebrow. /On the other hand, may as well relax and let Roland have his fun. Not often a guy gets to rescue a 'damsel in distress.' Perhaps a bit more here than elsewhere, but still...Speaking of which,/ sending an enquiring thought to Morgan, who may notice the mental voice is still a deep masculine one, /how is the patient?/ --Knytt =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 03:52:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 02:27:29 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000297 > fuzzy said: > >\I Will make my deliveries, drop off my passengers with the rest of >you, and then go after the Laser Cannons on the battlements, unless >some one has some thing else they think I should be doing...\ /Well, I can't think of anything better. If those guns can be turned inward, we better get them out of the picture _and fast_. I'll be joining you in a few moments./ Knytt looks down at herself. /This is going to take some getting used to,/ she sends, tighetening her belt around her waist and rolling up the sleeves and trouser cuffs. /Uh...look for the woman in the baggy suit with the big katana,/ she adds, sending an image of her reflection in a shiny shield the trio pass. /You'll know me. There'll be dead troops and exploding cannons all around me./ >background images show Nemisis still in Cyclone mode with a Large >sidecar. /Nice bike./ Knytt checks to make sure all the obstacles to her fighting properly are taken care of. Cuffs are rolled up to avoid tripping. Belt is tightened. Sleeves are rolled up. Knytt's hair falls into her eyes. /Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, /Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ --Knytt =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:37:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:03:35 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000300 caprice said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 02:27:29 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000297 > fuzzy said: > > \Caprice, I need a question relayed to Argent, I currently have > about a ton of weapons with me where would you like them delivered?, > I was thinking about half to the main room of the assassins guild.\ Caprice's thoughts flicker, images and space-time reference points for the main room of the assassins guild, store rooms over some other guild houses, and a few other locations. Locations are then paired up with the kind and number of weapons appropriate for delievery. Behind this though can be heard the murmuring of a dozen thought-voices working on some task. One other thought does make it clearly through the murmur... *Better multitasking ability than Windoze 95.... not that THAT is hard.* =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:37:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:08:02 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000301 caprice said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 > Michael Jon Knight said: > > Knytt looks down at herself. > > /This is going to take some getting used to,/ she sends, tighetening > her belt around her waist and rolling up the sleeves and trouser > cuffs. /Uh...look for the woman in the baggy suit with the big > katana,/ she adds, sending an image of her reflection in a shiny > shield the trio pass. /You'll know me. There'll be dead troops and > exploding cannons all around me./ Caprice's thought are ironic and comforting *Don't worry... I've survived being male in the past, and genders less identifiable... You'll adapt, and we can work on a way of changing you back if you wish... * > Knytt checks to make sure all the obstacles to her fighting properly > are taken care of. Cuffs are rolled up to avoid tripping. Belt is > tightened. Sleeves are rolled up. Knytt's hair falls into her eyes. > > /Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, > /Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ Caprice's thoughts project again through the link... *Need me there? Or shall I continue my own little project... BTW, I've found several other dimensions that are likely prospects for saving Quaren.* =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:52:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Aae-traps and travels. On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 06:06:25 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000302 gamer@host.yab.com said: Driss decides to forgo the stairs and uses his 7-league boots to drop the three stories to the dungeon level Morgan is on. Looking around to re-orient himself, he rushes towards her cell with the wolves in tow. Cutter and Letah spot the glyph and pull up short, but their warning comes too late for Driss and Roscoe. The glyph activates, and a typical mist enshrouded portal appears with tendrils of energy pulling Driss and Roscoe through, On the other side. Nothing. No light. No up. No Down. Not even the real sense of floating. just nothingess. Then a shape begins to form. A ball of light approaches, and is _laughing_? "Hello. Um you wouldn't happen to know the coordinates of this dimention so I can hop home do you?" he asks the ball with a sheepish grin. The giggling ball stops and grows two glowing arms and legs and two black eyes open. one of the arms lashes out, sending Driss flying backwards. "Yes. Yes I do. but not for you!!" =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 07:07:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 08 Jul 1997 07:00:06, in Message # 00000303 "L.J. Wolfe" said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:52 -0500, in Message # 00000298 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >/On the other hand, may as well relax and let Roland have his fun. >Not often a guy gets to rescue a 'damsel in distress.' Perhaps a bit >more here than elsewhere, but still...Speaking of which,/ sending an >enquiring thought to Morgan, who may notice the mental voice is still >a deep masculine one, /how is the patient?/ Morgan turns and sends to Knytt? <*Still a little weak from being immobilized and then having to play Reverend Mother with the LSD.*> As Roland takes on the guards, Morgan can do little but hold on. Noticing the immense amounts of energy he's expending, and sparing a thought to be warmed and flattered by his intensity, she attempts to draw some energy to herself to feed to her bro... it's going to take a while to stop thinking that word for him, even if it _isn't_ the most appropriate anymore ;-). Then: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:08:02 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000301 > caprice said: > >> On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 >> Michael Jon Knight said: >> Knytt checks to make sure all the obstacles to her fighting >> properly are taken care of. Cuffs are rolled up to avoid tripping. >> Belt is tightened. Sleeves are rolled up. Knytt's hair falls into >> her eyes. >> >> /Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, >> /Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ > >Caprice's thoughts project again through the link... *Need me there? >Or shall I continue my own little project... BTW, I've found several >other dimensions that are likely prospects for saving Quaren.* <*Caprice, I think right now we could use all the help we can get!*> A line occurs to her, and she can't resist. Morgan looks at Roland and says, "You came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting _out_?" She smiles and hugs him to let him know she's teasing, and holds the hug a bit longer than she would have a few days - hours? - ago. <*Oh, and Knytt?*> She projects an image of various strapping and stuff near the lab table. <*No ribbon handy, but some of that should do the trick.*> Morgan /|\ =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 07:37:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 97 10:37:21 +0100, in Message # 00000305 Roland X said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:52 -0500, in Message # 00000298 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Tue, 8 Jul 97 02:17:02 +0100, in Message # 00000296 >> Roland X said: >> *Morgan, are you all right? You seem so weak! Don't >>worry,* Roland sends, his eyes narrowing as energy begins >>to coalesce around them, *I won't let _any_ harm to come >>to you.* His forcefield solidifies around them-scooping >>up the unconscious woman behind them as an afterthought- >>taking the form of an enormous lion of pure energy. (Think >>Forbidden Planet; the scene at the force barrier, only a >>lion instead of a nightmare.) > >Knytt kicks franticly, suspended in mid-air. > >"Hey! Put me down! I'm fine! I'm not helpless!" "One moment, ma'am," Roland says, more distracted by the woman in his arms than the (at the moment) minor annoyance of approaching guards. The lion roars. Most of the cannon fodder flees. >Knytt arches an eyebrow. > >/On the other hand, may as well relax and let Roland have his fun. >Not often a guy gets to rescue a 'damsel in distress.' Perhaps a bit >more here than elsewhere, but still...Speaking of which,/ sending an >enquiring thought to Morgan, who may notice the mental voice is still >a deep masculine one, /how is the patient?/ *Knytt? That you?* >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 02:27:29 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000297 >> fuzzy said: >> >>\On my way.\ *Thanks, fuzzy. So where are the _rest_ of our big guns?* > >>\I Will make my deliveries, drop off my passengers with the rest of >>you, and then go after the Laser Cannons on the battlements, unless >>some one has some thing else they think I should be doing...\ > >/Well, I can't think of anything better. If those guns can be turned >inward, we better get them out of the picture _and fast_. I'll be >joining you in a few moments./ > >Knytt looks down at herself. *Knytt?* Roland suddenly realizes where Knytt's thoughts are coming from. *KNYTT!* >Knytt checks to make sure all the obstacles to her fighting properly >are taken care of. Cuffs are rolled up to avoid tripping. Belt is >tightened. Sleeves are rolled up. Knytt's hair falls into her eyes. > >/Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, >/Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ Roland tries not to chuckle. *Um, Knytt, you might want to take care of that before I drop you off. Just say the word and I'll, um, remove you from the lion's mouth. Or actually, its-well, we can go into that later.* Roland holds Morgan more tightly as more competent enemies arrive. *Right now we have more pressing concerns.* There is a blur of energy, and the lion-form has cleared a path. Roland creates a 'we are here' sign in his mind for the extraction team, and begins barrelling through the forces in front of him. =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 08:37:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 10:24:10 -0500, in Message # 00000306 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:08:02 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000301 > caprice said: > >Caprice's thought are ironic and comforting *Don't worry... I've >survived being male in the past, and genders less identifiable... >You'll adapt, and we can work on a way of changing you back if you >wish... * /I'll be fine. But, until I know this was a fluke and won't happen every time some baddie toasts me, I better get used to it. Besides, I want to talk to my "Doctor" first. I want to know how that DNA test missed this./ Then: >On Tue, 08 Jul 1997 07:00:06, in Message # 00000303 > "L.J. Wolfe" said: >Then: >>On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:08:02 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000301 >> caprice said: >>Caprice's thoughts project again through the link... *Need me there? >>Or shall I continue my own little project... BTW, I've found several >>other dimensions that are likely prospects for saving Quaren.* Knytt beamed at this. This had been a thorn in the side since the CAoL had arrived on Quaren. Everything suddenly felt far less futile. ><*Caprice, I think right now we could use all the help we can get!*> >A line occurs to her, and she can't resist. Morgan looks at Roland >and says, "You came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting >_out_?" She smiles and hugs him to let him know she's teasing, and >holds the hug a bit longer than she would have a few days - hours? - >ago. /Yes, please do join us. I am about to teleport out of here. Roland could use a hand with all these guards since he can't telepo...Roland, why haven't you teleported? And if there is some reason I am forgetting, why don't I teleport the three of us out of here?/ ><*Oh, and Knytt?*> She projects an image of various strapping and >stuff near the lab table. <*No ribbon handy, but some of that should >do the trick.*> Knytt takes the image and does the same trick used to get the backpack out of the Volvo, opening a hand-sized gate to the cell and grabbing a piece of black leather strap long enough to subdue her hair into a pony-tail. >Morgan /|\ >moment> --Knytt =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 08:52:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 10:48:44 -0500, in Message # 00000307 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 97 10:37:21 +0100, in Message # 00000305 > Roland X said: > >>On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:52 -0500, in Message # 00000298 >> Michael Jon Knight said: >> >>Knytt kicks franticly, suspended in mid-air. >> >>"Hey! Put me down! I'm fine! I'm not helpless!" > > "One moment, ma'am," Roland says, more distracted >by the woman in his arms than the (at the moment) >minor annoyance of approaching guards. > The lion roars. > Most of the cannon fodder flees. "Last I looked, I was about 25. I am no ma'am," Knytt mutters to herself. >>Knytt arches an eyebrow. >> >>/On the other hand, may as well relax and let Roland have his fun. >>Not often a guy gets to rescue a 'damsel in distress.' Perhaps a bit >>more here than elsewhere, but still...Speaking of which,/ sending an >>enquiring thought to Morgan, who may notice the mental voice is >>still a deep masculine one, /how is the patient?/ > > *Knytt? That you?* /Yes. It's me./ >>On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 >> Michael Jon Knight said: >> >>/Well, I can't think of anything better. If those guns can be turned >>inward, we better get them out of the picture _and fast_. I'll be >>joining you in a few moments./ >> >>Knytt looks down at herself. > > *Knytt?* > Roland suddenly realizes where Knytt's thoughts >are coming from. > *KNYTT!* Knytt sends a mental image of Fezzic from the Princess Bride, during the fight with a man in black that now looks a lot like Roland. /You're quick./ Then the irony of the cut and paste job of Roland for the man in black hits her and she giggles. /Well, 'Wesley', now that you've rescued 'Princess Buttercup', what do you intend to do next???? Going to Disneyland?/ Knytt sighs, grinning, and returns to her previous train of thought >>Knytt checks to make sure all the obstacles to her fighting properly >>are taken care of. Cuffs are rolled up to avoid tripping. Belt is >>tightened. Sleeves are rolled up. Knytt's hair falls into her eyes. >> >>/Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, >>/Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ > > Roland tries not to chuckle. *Um, Knytt, you might >want to take care of that before I drop you off. Just >say the word and I'll, um, remove you from the lion's >mouth. Or actually, its-well, we can go into that later.* /Yes, could make a great living doing this for Ringling Brothers./ --Knytt =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 11:22:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 11:08:24 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000308 "P. Campbell" said: > enroute. Refresh Caprice's memory on what types of weapons are in > the mix and how to identify the explosive sling bullets and other > specialty items.> *sigh* let me figure this out ... Xzerrion was arguing with Blacky. However, his responsibility to the group is such that if Blacky wasn't convinced by the time Roland and the rest took off, he's washing his hands of Quaren entirely and going to get Morgan out, regardless of any opinions the Quaren natives have on the subject, as he's rather disgusted with the shortsightedness of some of them. =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 11:22:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 11:11:09 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000309 "P. Campbell" said: > Knytt looks down at herself. > > /This is going to take some getting used to,/ she sends, tighetening > her belt around her waist and rolling up the sleeves and trouser > cuffs. /Uh...look for the woman in the baggy suit with the big > katana,/ she adds, sending an image of her reflection in a shiny > shield the trio pass. /You'll know me. There'll be dead troops and > exploding cannons all around me./ Xzerrion glances at Knytt and raises an eyebrow. `Knytt, may I mention you have lovely legs?' > Knytt checks to make sure all the obstacles to her fighting properly > are taken care of. Cuffs are rolled up to avoid tripping. Belt is > tightened. Sleeves are rolled up. Knytt's hair falls into her eyes. > > /Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, > /Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ Tongue firmly in cheek, Xzerrion continues, `Awwww, I thought it looked kind of cute that way.' =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 12:42:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 12:34:19 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000311 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:08:02 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000301 > caprice said: > >> On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 >> Michael Jon Knight said: >> >> /Well, I can't think of anything better. If those guns can be >> turned inward, we better get them out of the picture _and fast_. >> I'll be joining you in a few moments./ >> >> Knytt looks down at herself. \While I am droping off any passengers there touch the side of the sidecar Nemisis will supply you with some battle armor (Code Name: Project A-ko).\ > Caprice's thoughts project again through the link... *Need me there? > Or shall I continue my own little project... BTW, I've found several > other dimensions that are likely prospects for saving Quaren.* Fuzzy does flash teleport stops at all of the locations on the list, delivering the specified weapons mix, then arrives for a few seconds near Knytt-ete =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 13:07:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 14:52:56 -0500, in Message # 00000312 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 11:11:09 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000309 > "P. Campbell" said: > >> Knytt looks down at herself. >> >> /This is going to take some getting used to,/ she sends, >> tighetening her belt around her waist and rolling up the sleeves >> and trouser cuffs. /Uh...look for the woman in the baggy suit with >> the big katana,/ she adds, sending an image of her reflection in a >> shiny shield the trio pass. /You'll know me. There'll be dead >> troops and exploding cannons all around me./ > >Xzerrion glances at Knytt and raises an eyebrow. `Knytt, may I >mention you have lovely legs?' Knytt scowls. /No, you may not./ >> /Damn./ Knytt sends, suddenly mortified by the coming question, >> /Morgan, can I borrow a ribbon?/ > >Tongue firmly in cheek, Xzerrion continues, `Awwww, I thought it >looked kind of cute that way.' Knytt sighs heavily, "Tell me I never treated any women like that..." --Knytt =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 13:22:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 15:09:26 -0500, in Message # 00000313 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 12:34:19 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000311 > fuzzy said: > >> On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 09:08:02 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000301 >> caprice said: >> >>> On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 05:38:55 -0500, in Message # 00000299 >>> Michael Jon Knight said: >>> >\While I am droping off any passengers there touch the side of the >sidecar Nemisis will supply you with some battle armor (Code Name: >Project A-ko).\ Knytt starts to accept, then remembers what the battle armor in Project A-ko _looked_ like. /'I don't think so, Tim.' I'll get more protection out of three squares of aluminum foil./ >> Caprice's thoughts project again through the link... *Need me >> there? Or shall I continue my own little project... BTW, I've found >> several other dimensions that are likely prospects for saving >> Quaren.* > >Fuzzy does flash teleport stops at all of the locations on the list, >delivering the specified weapons mix, then arrives for a few seconds >near Knytt-ete "No thanks about the armor, but we might need a ride out of here. Unless Roland is enjoying wiping the floor with the Drow." =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 13:52:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 13:49:18 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000314 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 15:09:26 -0500, in Message # 00000313 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 12:34:19 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000311 >> fuzzy said: >> >>\While I am droping off any passengers there touch the side of the >>sidecar Nemisis will supply you with some battle armor (Code Name: >>Project A-ko).\ > > Knytt starts to accept, then remembers what the battle armor in > Project A-ko _looked_ like. /'I don't think so, Tim.' I'll get more > protection out of three squares of aluminum foil./ \You might be suprised, Built in force field, also the maneuver capabilities are tuned to extend martial arts forms both in dodge and attack modes. Should mix well with the Katana and the training that came with it.\ \Not to mention the Psych-War potential on any nearby males.\ >>Fuzzy does flash teleport stops at all of the locations on the list, >>delivering the specified weapons mix, then arrives for a few seconds >>near Knytt-ete > > "No thanks about the armor, but we might need a ride out of here. > Unless Roland is enjoying wiping the floor with the Drow." \Feel free to change your mind, at any time.\ ;) ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 14:53:35 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 16:37:31 -0500, in Message # 00000315 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 13:49:18 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000314 > fuzzy said: > >> On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 15:09:26 -0500, in Message # 00000313 >> Michael Jon Knight said: >> >> "No thanks about the armor, but we might need a ride out of here. >> Unless Roland is enjoying wiping the floor with the Drow." > >\Feel free to change your mind, at any time.\ ;) Knytt mumbles something about "not gonna become a bikini-clad bimbo for any reason." =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 16:37:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 16:23:42 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000316 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 16:37:31 -0500, in Message # 00000315 > Michael Jon Knight said: > > Knytt mumbles something about "not gonna become a bikini-clad bimbo > for any reason." \Actually the same functions can be had in normal Garb for the Dojo, I just could not resist the Image.... ;)\ \Built in force field, also the manuver and plane-shift capabilities are tuned to extend martial arts forms both in dodge and attack modes. This Should mix well with the Katana and the training that came with it.\ ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:10:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Aae-Fighting on Two fronts. On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:07:25 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000317 gamer@host.yab.com said: In the streets of Dibis, Troops begin charging towards the main keep, but find their pathes blocked. Several fall to Iasun's expert marksmanship with his shortbow, and the others find themselves up against a 300 man shield wall around the building. The shieldwall is vastly outnumbered, but holding the small possition well as a couple of thousand troops, many freshly woken up, find they can't muster their full strength into an attack because of limited space for them. Rebel archers begin thinning the ranks of soldiers a bit as imerial archers try to do the same to the mecenaries. Mages on both sides clash in a battle of wills as one side tries to find an advantage over the other. A lith figure moves quickly through the ranks of the Mercenary sheild wall distributing something that appears to be weapons before running into Iasun. "Blacky! I was wondering when you ere going to show up!" He grin, firing another arrow into the eyeslots of a Guardsman. "I jussst about never did. I had held a hope for thessse outlandersss when Onan brought one to usss. Then when they ssseemed sso hessitant to aid the caussse, it wasss more than I could take. The ussselesssnesss of the resssistance hit me. The deathsss for a causse that would never be. The falsssenesss of thisss caussse I placed ssso much faith in. It wasss too much to bear." "But after Kuri went looking for you, which I warn you, she isss probably in here sssomewhere, I checked on the Guild, and found thessse. They...made me think. But the voice wasssn't mine. It wasss the one known as Xzerrion'sss. Telling me that they hadn't desserted usss. And by my actionsss I could sssee that I wasss the desserter. It wasss then I heard the alert and the battle here joining. I gathered what weaponsss I could and came. That I may remove a bit of the disssgrace I have caussed myself." "Well, whatever the case. we can certianly use you!" Iasun beamed, firing another arrow into the crowd. The battle raged on. (OK, hopefully this can tie up a few ends. Since the party was simply going _much_ faster than normal time when Xzerrion approached Blacky, he heard it, but at such a fast rate, only hsi subconcious heard it. when time resumed and Blacky found the weapons, it triggered the speech. And Right now the troops inside the building won't have any renforcements so you have several hundred rather than thousands to play with. ;-) ) Driss (picked himself up?) and sighed. "Well I see THIS is certainly a freindly place. well, if you want a fight, you've picked the wrong person!" He reaches to his side for his rapier but finds it's gone. Looking down, he sees everthing is gone. Undaunted and figuring even a naked imortal should be a match for a glowing monster, he tries to run towards it, but finds his feet don't want to move, sticking to the (ground?) like they were in thick muck, and only pulling loose with great effort. Roscoe shifts into Hellhound form and moves to attack, but sees that now there are two identical monsters on either side of him. Inhaling deeply, Roscoe gives a firey blast of his breath at each of them, surrounding them in flame. Driss looks up from his feet just in time to see Roscoe the Hellhound turn towards him and blow a huge blast of hellfire at him. He cries out and raises his arms instinctively as the fire sears his flesh and scortches his bones. Roscoe looks in confusion as neither monster seems to be affected by the flame, and he realizes he hasn't been in contact with Driss's mind since they arrived. TBC =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:11:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 16:56:00 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000318 "P. Campbell" said: > Knytt mumbles something about "not gonna become a bikini-clad bimbo > for any reason." Xzerrion clamps his jaw firmly shut before the Gateway Katana clips it off, and decides helping Roland with the guards is probably safer than continuing to flip Knytt s***. Drawing his sword and dagger, he sends, =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:37:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 97 20:33:19 +0100, in Message # 00000319 Roland X said: >On Tue, 08 Jul 1997 07:00:06, in Message # 00000303 > "L.J. Wolfe" said: > >Morgan turns and sends to Knytt? <*Still a little weak >from being immobilized and then having to play Reverend Mother with >the LSD.*> As Roland takes on the guards, Morgan can do little but >hold on. Noticing the immense amounts of energy he's expending, and >sparing a thought to be warmed and flattered by his intensity, she >attempts to draw some energy to herself to feed to her bro... it's >going to take a while to stop thinking that word for him, even if it >_isn't_ the most appropriate anymore ;-). Roland spares her a glance, which proves much easier than he'd imagined. He attempts to give her a stern glare, but only comes off looking more concerned. "Morgan, heal. The sooner you're better, the sooner you'll be able to help fight." *Turnabout is fair play, 'sister.'* ><*Caprice, I think right now we could use all the help we can get!*> >A line occurs to her, and she can't resist. Morgan looks at Roland >and says, "You came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting >_out_?" She smiles and hugs him to let him know she's teasing, and >holds the hug a bit longer than she would have a few days - hours? - >ago. Roland glares at her for a moment, then smiles back. *Actually, plan 'A' was for us to sneak out with you. There is a plan 'B,' however. Now if they'd just _get_ here, plan 'B' would do nicely about now.* >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 16:56:00 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000318 > "P. Campbell" said: > >Drawing his sword and dagger, he sends, behind you.> *Check.* Roland's lion-self swipes at a zombie, knocking it for a loop. and Knytt said: >Knytt sends a mental image of Fezzic from the Princess Bride, during >the fight with a man in black that now looks a lot like Roland. >/You're quick./ Then the irony of the cut and paste job of Roland for >the man in black hits her and she giggles. Roland finds time to smile at the irony. >/Well, 'Wesley', now that you've rescued 'Princess Buttercup', what >do you intend to do next???? Going to Disneyland?/ Knytt sighs, >grinning, and returns to her previous train of thought *Well, I'd teleport us out of here, except keeping this forcefield up is really distracting. Unfortunately, I can't afford to drop it right now. Where is our backup?* >/Yes, please do join us. I am about to teleport out of here. Roland >could use a hand with all these guards since he can't telepo... >Roland, why haven't you teleported? And if there is some reason I am >forgetting, why don't I teleport the three of us out of here?/ Roland stops. He smiles. *Roland to TARDIS, three to beam up,* he quips. =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 18:22:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:56:15 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000320 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 97 20:33:19 +0100, in Message # 00000319 > Roland X said: > >><*Caprice, I think right now we could use all the help we can get!*> >>A line occurs to her, and she can't resist. Morgan looks at Roland >>and says, "You came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting >>_out_?" She smiles and hugs him to let him know she's teasing, and >>holds the hug a bit longer than she would have a few days - hours? - >>ago. >>/Yes, please do join us. I am about to teleport out of here. Roland >>could use a hand with all these guards since he can't telepo... >>Roland, why haven't you teleported? And if there is some reason I am >>forgetting, why don't I teleport the three of us out of here?/ > > Roland stops. He smiles. > *Roland to TARDIS, three to beam up,* he quips. \I don't know about the TARDIS but If every one would grab a handhold Nemisis will shift us to the astral plane.\ "Dorn, That (Pointing) corridor needs to be a Guantlet for the next 5 Minutes" "#Confirm, Death Trap Corridor#" Dorn steps to the edge of the Door and shifts into a bar along the ceiling of the Corridor then extrudes MonoFiliment Pendalum's and starts waveing them around. ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 18:52:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:10:56 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000321 caprice said: Caprice appears with the Roland and the others clad in her usual grey leathers and silver mail. Her appearance is usual for Argent, if you ignore the fact that she is faintly glowing. Caprice's laughter fills the air as throwing knives somehow find their way into the throats of anyone daring to attack Caprice. The knives also glow faintly. *Squee? Squee are you here? Can you hear me?* [OOC: Place this before fuzzy arriving] =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 18:55:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Aae-Fighting on Two fronts. On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:26:29 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000322 caprice said: Argent appears admist the fighting, clad in her usual grey leather and silver chainmail. Her eyes almost glow as she takes to the fray, fighting with all her soul. As the shieldwall struggles not to break under the Drow attack, she darts out from behinds its safety to chop down attacks, then flits back behind it when it rallies. Soon her white hair is tinged red with blood, though it does not seem to be all hers. Argent pauses for a half second, behind the safety of the shield wall, to lift her sword to Blacky in salute. =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:22:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 97 22:10:44 +0100, in Message # 00000323 Roland X said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:56:15 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000320 > fuzzy said: > >\I don't know about the TARDIS but If every one would grab a handhold >Nemisis will shift us to the astral plane.\ *Actually, Fuzzy,* -swipe- *there are a few reasons that I'm not sure of that idea-one, Gaunt's still watching the astral plane, for whatever reason, and two, I believe you said that that particular capability has a limited number of uses. Besides, backup _is_ arriving...* Roland seems distracted suddenly. *Does anyone else sense fighting...outside?* TBC... =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:37:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Aae:Bigger things. On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:50:31 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000324 gamer@host.yab.com said: Finishing the confusing startup protocals as the Golem had taught him, the Guardsman flipped on the final switches letting power flow through the limbs of the Battlemech, bringing it to life. The chicken-walker legs raised up the capsule like body and the two massive arms shifted as the system did the last diagnostic checks. Finally, the 75-ton Marauder was alive and battle ready. Six men opened the massive doors for the mech to make its entrance into the fray. The thunder of the approaching battlemech's steps could be easily heard even over the sounds of battle. Rebel arches yelled down warnings of an approaching Dragon. Imperial troops withdrew to make room for the newest combatant. Some mercenaries broke formation adn ran as the gleaming metal monster approached, but they were cut down immediately by the Imperial troops still surrounding hte rebels. Rebel mages worked their magics. Magic missiles left scortchmarks on the body, fireballs melted some armor, but it kept coming. Inside the maurauder, sweat poured down the Guardsman's entire body as teh cockpit temperatures raised to 120 degrees in accordance with the heat buildup warnings he was recieving on the control panels. The fireballs weren't doing much real dmage, but the heat buildup was enormous. If they continued, the mech would definitely shut down if the reactor didn't explode first. Running the risk of building up even more heat, the pilot aimed the Phased Particle Cannons held in boxes at the end of each arm. The third mounted on the Marauder's back, he left out of the firing cycle. Adding the small lasers mounted under the cockpit, he linked them to one trigger and fired. Twin lances of light and twin tumbling balls of lightning raced towards a large group of mages. explosions rocked the area as they impacted, sending stone and scortched body parts flying the attck served to un nerve yet more of hte mercenaries who found their death quickly. Driss' flesh grew back slowly as he tried to figure out what was going on, but he didn't have long to think before the glowing ball/creature swung a backhand that seemed to stretch as it approached him. Driss was knocked to the side and felt the last fragile hold of some of his bones let poose as they went flying to disappear into the darkness. Roscoe's descision of what to do next was made for him when one of the creatures turn into Driss and the other attcked it. He ran towards the creature, but for every step he took, the thing and driss both seemed to get further and further away. Or were they getting smaller? With no refernce points, it was hard to tell. Driss lay there wishing he had something to fight back with until his body healed when his hand curled around something. picking it up, he found one of the blasters he had taken from teh armory in Dibis. "OK you stupid ball of light. Time to feel some pain yourself!" Aiming as best he could, he pulled the trigger. There was a high pitched whine and the smell of ozone as the sabotoged gun short circuted itself. "Damn Controller crap!" barked Driss as he looked at the useless weapon. Tossing it aside, he looked up just in time to see the first impact on his face once again sending him flying. TBC =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:37:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:52:00 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000325 gamer@host.yab.com said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 97 22:10:44 +0100, in Message # 00000323 > Roland X said: > > Roland seems distracted suddenly. > *Does anyone else sense fighting...outside?* > TBC... (OOC, after that blast from the Marauder hitting the building and the mages by it, you DEFINTELY sense fighting outside. ;-) ) =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:52:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:38:56 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000326 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 97 22:10:44 +0100, in Message # 00000323 > Roland X said: > > *Does anyone else sense fighting...outside?* \Do you mean the Things being diced in the Corridor or the rucus that I hope is outside (it seems to be shaking the building).\ '\I will buy Reason one, and while if I needed to make such a shift, I would have to use limited resources, Nemisis has that capability as a native talent. She is limited in the mass she can shift at one time, but not by usage count.\' ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:52:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 20:02:59 -0700 (MST), in Message # 00000327 gamer@host.yab.com said: > On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:10:56 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000321 > caprice said: > > Caprice's laughter fills the air as throwing knives somehow find > their way into the throats of anyone daring to attack Caprice. The > knives also glow faintly. > > *Squee? Squee are you here? Can you hear me?* > > [OOC: Place this before fuzzy arriving] [eh. You're Fuzz I mean Mischief's mommy aren't you? Are you and Unca Roscoe here?] In the tomb, the Controllers discuss mentally their next attack plan. ^1 #They have breached Dibis. We can not delay them forever. We shall have to move now.# ^2 #Yes, that is agreed, but how do we begin? If Driscoll sees a way of gaining our prisoners without bargaining, he will take it. We must be able to show him that the only way to retrieve them is from us.# ^1 #Perhaps, perhaps not. But while you were out, I had a visit from Jadis. He gave me a talismen to use as i wshed before he left. I followed him, and found out its exact capabilties (OOC: this was kinda planned to happen between John adn I before he had his computer troubles so I'm assuming this happened and he and I can work on details when he gets back if need be). He altered teh enchantment on it slightly. now instead of accepting only active magics and energies, it accepts passive ones. Auras. We do not need to worry about triggering it because we are mostly mechanical and cast no aura. The CaoL have strong auras. Once this is within 5 feet of them, it will begin collecting energies until ti runs out of energy to collect inside that radius, or it explodes with the force of a 10 megaton explosion of magic. We can place it in one of the Clones, and if they capture that clone, they die.# ^2 #Interesting plan. begin the operation immediately on the Morgan Clone. we need the other for Driscoll.# =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:53:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 23:20:33 -0400 (EDT), in Message # 00000328 caprice said: On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 gamer@host.yab.com wrote: >> caprice said: >> >> Caprice's laughter fills the air as throwing knives somehow find >> their way into the throats of anyone daring to attack Caprice. The >> knives also glow faintly. >> >> *Squee? Squee are you here? Can you hear me?* >> >> [OOC: Place this before fuzzy arriving] > > [eh. You're Fuzz I mean Mischief's mommy aren't you? Are you and > Unca Roscoe here?] *I'm here... Unca Roscoe got vanished... so I need to find you so we can find him together... where are you?* [OOC: Mischief is currently running around the battleground outside, trying to get into the fight. Buffy is trying to keep her out of it.] =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:54:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: OOC Bright Lights and Little Kitties On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:52:01 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000329 fuzzy said: On Tue, 8 Jul 1997, caprice wrote: > [OOC: Mischief is currently running around the battleground outside, > trying to get into the fight. Buffy is trying to keep her out of it.] ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 20:37:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:24:21 -0500, in Message # 00000330 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:56:15 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000320 > fuzzy said: > >> On Tue, 8 Jul 97 20:33:19 +0100, in Message # 00000319 >> Roland X said: >> >> Roland stops. He smiles. >> *Roland to TARDIS, three to beam up,* he quips. Knytt looks sad for a moment. "No TARDIS......but I was thinking my katana would do the trick." >\I don't know about the TARDIS but If every one would grab a handhold >Nemisis will shift us to the astral plane.\ > >"Dorn, That (Pointing) corridor needs to be a Guantlet for the next 5 >Minutes" > >"#Confirm, Death Trap Corridor#" Pyewackett hops down and into the Sidecar of Nemisis. Knytt finally sees Pyewackett. "Pyewackett!" Knytt exclaims happily. *We'll talk later. Right now, we have work to do.* Pyewackett sends, purring all the same. "Right. Roland, let me out of here. One way or another, it's time we got out of here. Besides, I think we're all here, with the exception of John and the Lensdragon." --Knytt =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 21:37:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE III-Exit cue On Wed, 9 Jul 97 00:27:16 +0100, in Message # 00000331 Roland X said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:24:21 -0500, in Message # 00000330 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 17:56:15 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000320 >> fuzzy said: >> >>> On Tue, 8 Jul 97 20:33:19 +0100, in Message # 00000319 >>> Roland X said: >> >>> Roland stops. He smiles. >>> *Roland to TARDIS, three to beam up,* he quips. > >Knytt looks sad for a moment. "No TARDIS......but I was thinking my >katana would do the trick." *What happened to the...never mind.* >Pyewackett hops down and into the Sidecar of Nemisis. > >Knytt finally sees Pyewackett. > >"Pyewackett!" Knytt exclaims happily. > >*We'll talk later. Right now, we have work to do.* Pyewackett sends, >purring all the same. > >"Right. Roland, let me out of here. One way or another, it's time we >got out of here. Besides, I think we're all here, with the exception >of John and the Lensdragon." Roland's lion-field opens up, allowing Knytt to vault or slide out as needed. *True. The only problem is, those two pratically _were_ plan 'B.' And there's also Stranger, unless he's lurking around here somewhere. *And then there's the bloody SPROCKING rebellion going on outside!* Roland sighs, exasperated. *Once Morgan's recovered enough, I'm going to leave some unpleasant surprises for our hosts and get us the nass out of here! What were they _thinking,_ anyway?* -sigh- *Well, we can't just leave them to be slaughtered. OTOH, I'm _NOT_ putting Morgan at risk. *Okay, head for the exits-but don't make it _look_ like we're heading for the exits. *I don't know...fight casual!* =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 21:37:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Wed, 9 Jul 97 00:35:36 +0100, in Message # 00000332 Roland X said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 19:38:56 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000326 > fuzzy said: > >> On Tue, 8 Jul 97 22:10:44 +0100, in Message # 00000323 >> Roland X said: >> *Actually, Fuzzy,* -swipe- *there are a few reasons that >> I'm not sure of that idea-one, Gaunt's still watching the >> astral plane, for whatever reason, and two, I believe you >> said that that particular capability has a limited number >> of uses. Besides, backup _is_ arriving...* >> Roland seems distracted suddenly. >> *Does anyone else sense fighting...outside?* > >\Do you mean the Things being diced in the Corridor or the rucus that >I hope is outside (it seems to be shaking the building).\ > >'\I will buy Reason one, and while if I needed to make such a shift, >I would have to use limited resources, Nemisis has that capability as >a native talent. She is limited in the mass she can shift at one >time, but not by usage count.\' *Good. We may have to risk the shift. If necessary, _I_ will deal with Gaunt and his toys.* THOOM *But it would only be to get us outside. I have a feeling that the rebels are going to need our help.* > caprice said: > > Caprice appears with the Roland and the others clad in her usual > grey leathers and silver mail. Her appearance is usual for Argent, > if you ignore the fact that she is faintly glowing. > > to teleport in? So sorry...> Roland chuckles through the link. "Gee, didn't anyone tell you grunts the teleport shields were down? I'll have to send a memo next time..." > Caprice's laughter fills the air as throwing knives somehow find > their way into the throats of anyone daring to attack Caprice. The > knives also glow faintly. *Excellent timing, Caprice. We seem to have the bad guys on the run in here; unfortunately, the rebels outside can't say the same. Let's roll.* =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:08:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE III-Once more into the breech On Tue, 08 Jul 1997 21:58:56, in Message # 00000333 "L.J. Wolfe" said: >On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:24:21 -0500, in Message # 00000330 > Michael Jon Knight said: > >"Right. Roland, let me out of here. One way or another, it's time we >got out of here. Besides, I think we're all here, with the exception >of John and the Lensdragon." Morgan comes to the conclusion that, as much as she enjoys being in Roland's arms ;-), this is no time for the party to be encumbered by a helpless damsel. She draws more deeply on the energies that usually enpower her, but her reserves are just too low for her to even consider going into battle. As she mentally ran over her options, Roland shifted his grip on her and his hand caused something hard on the front of what was left of her gown to press into her. She hesitated for just a moment, then began to draw on the Ril'lynttar sigil. Roland, who's hand was indeed resting on the sigil, caught some of the power flowing from it before he set his 'sister' on her now quite steady feet. Surprised to find her "unremarkable belt dagger" still on her person, she thinks to herself, The dagger is transformed into it's claidhmor form, and between it, Knytt's katana, Caprice's blades, Fuzzy's "toys" and Roland's powers (hope I didn't miss anyone ), they soon find themselves out of opponents. Some of the last few were taken down from behind by Cutter and Leetah, who had finally caught up with Roland. Breathing heavily from battle-lust, Morgan glances at her female comrads, then levels her gaze at Roland. "We have several means of transport available, and it sounds like there's a _big_ party going outside." Her voice is deeper than usual, and anyone not on friendly terms would likely blanch at the implications of her tone. "_Let's_ _go_ _play_!" The Freelance Immortal smiles at the Highlander, and teleports them, the wolves, and anyone else who wants along for the ride into the thick of the battle outside. The Greywolf /|\ =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:37:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Once more into the breech On Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:27:31 -0700 (PDT), in Message # 00000334 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 08 Jul 1997 21:58:56, in Message # 00000333 > "L.J. Wolfe" said: [snip] > Surprised to find her "unremarkable belt dagger" still on her > person, she thinks to herself, this, but Byron?> The dagger is transformed into it's claidhmor > form, and between it, Knytt's katana, Caprice's blades, Fuzzy's > "toys" and Roland's powers (hope I didn't miss anyone ), they > soon find themselves out of opponents. Some of the last few were > taken down from behind by Cutter and Leetah, who had finally caught > up with Roland. > Breathing heavily from battle-lust, Morgan glances at her female > comrads, then levels her gaze at Roland. "We have several means of > transport available, and it sounds like there's a _big_ party going > outside." Her voice is deeper than usual, and anyone not on friendly > terms would likely blanch at the implications of her tone. > > "_Let's_ _go_ _play_!" "See you there in a few moments." > The Freelance Immortal smiles at the Highlander, and teleports them, > the wolves, and anyone else who wants along for the ride into the > thick of the battle outside. \John, I hope your people can supply a few Gunners, I think we will need to take control of the Lasers on the battlements. If so please Tell the Bale-Hound 'Leash Law', It will extrude enough leash for as many to hold on to as try, Tell them to expect a rough ride... Then tell the Bale-Hound to Seek Fuzzy. It will lead them thru the Etheric Plane and may shift to others if needed to get a clear path.\ \Caprice - Argent, Should I bring in more Weapons?\ ttfn Fuzzy =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:52:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Exit cue On Wed, 9 Jul 1997 00:41:33 -0500, in Message # 00000335 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Wed, 9 Jul 97 00:27:16 +0100, in Message # 00000331 > Roland X said: > > Roland's lion-field opens up, allowing Knytt to vault >or slide out as needed. *True. The only problem is, those >two pratically _were_ plan 'B.' And there's also Stranger, >unless he's lurking around here somewhere. Knytt slips out of the Lion's mouth in a rather undignified fashion. "Thank God I wasn't wearing a skirt." > *And then there's the bloody SPROCKING rebellion going >on outside!* Roland sighs, exasperated. *Once Morgan's >recovered enough, I'm going to leave some unpleasant sur- >prises for our hosts and get us the nass out of here! What >were they _thinking,_ anyway?* -sigh- *Well, we can't just >leave them to be slaughtered. OTOH, I'm _NOT_ putting >Morgan at risk. /Hey, you know if _I_ were the God of Timing, _lots_ of these adventures wouldn't have turned out the way they did./ > *Okay, head for the exits-but don't make it _look_ like >we're heading for the exits. > *I don't know...fight casual!* /I hate it when he says that./ Knytt sends with a smile. =========================== Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 22:52:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE III-Sleeping Beauty On Wed, 9 Jul 1997 00:41:36 -0500, in Message # 00000336 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Wed, 9 Jul 97 00:35:36 +0100, in Message # 00000332 > Roland X said: > > *Good. We may have to risk the shift. If necessary, >_I_ will deal with Gaunt and his toys.* > THOOM > *But it would only be to get us outside. I have a >feeling that the rebels are going to need our help.* Knytt draws the katana and cuts a window-sized square in a nearby wall. The other end is set high in the outer stone wall of Dibis (OOC: Should be where we can get an overview of where the fighting is, if I am not mistaken). She leans out and looks around. /Oh, yeah...unless you think that Mech is on the rebel side./ Knytt sends doubtfully, pointing to the war machine in question. /Marauder, isn't it? I haven't seen too many Mechs in my day outside of Rifts Earth./ Knytt's mental voice is starting to ocsassionally slip into a match for her 'aloud' voice. > *Excellent timing, Caprice. We seem to have the bad guys >on the run in here; unfortunately, the rebels outside can't >say the same. Let's roll.* Knytt closes the 'window'. "Right behind you," she says. ===========================