Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4
                               Chapter 6

Subject: Re: Aae: SIEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:15:56 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002161
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000374 Dane0R0A said:

<< In a message dated 97-11-29 09:18:34 EST, gamer wrote:
 [Actually they act very much within the law StarDragon.] Roscoe sends
from his hiding place in the vehicle bay, [The Contitution of the
United States in this world gives them those rights. Legally anyone in
possession of superpowers has a legal responsibility of how when and
where to use them. The ammendment _is_ a bit on the opressive side
though basically making any metahuman property of the Government, so
few obey it, thus leading to an over-population of super villians and
their heavy handed but effective tactics. Don't think this is much for
our benifit. I think they kept the force small because they're still
trying to figure out our affiliation with the Legion.] Then he sees
the tank mecha arrive [OK, scrap that, I think they just tossed out
the chance of us being on the same side.]
  >>
/I have been corrected. In this world you have chosen to add a most
unjust and unfair amendment to your constitution. That being the case
I choose to be an illegal superpower. Since the Legion was called away
before we had a chance to talk to them, I will not tolerate your
barging in here simply because we returned here after stopping Lunitic
for you. If you don't like it, TOUGH./ The Stardragon broadcasts to
the forces outside the Legion HQ. On the CAoL Sigil it sends to Roland
and the Lens Dragon /I suggest you take Grep's advice. That junk out
there can't harm me, but you two and Rhiannon are differant. I know
they can't kill you Roland, but they can certainly hurt you a lot. I
will stay here and keep them out, until the Legion arrives, and while
I'm waiting I will destroy their toys for them./ The Stardragon thinks
for a moment, and then sends /Hey I have an IDEA (don't frighten it,
it's lonely and might run away)./ It looks into the past to the point
when each Legionare left their HQ, and then tracks them to their
current location. A tiny effort later and each one is returned to the
HQ at the location they left from (OOC: The Stardragon will
temporarily neutralize any active power(s) that might cause harm to
others or theirselves in the enclosed place). It then bundles up a
mental recap of the days happenings in LA, and pours it into their
minds.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Days of Futures Revisited (Long)

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:40:52 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002162
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000375 Dane0R0A said:

<<  In alt.callahans Post # 00000373 Driscoll said:

  The Sergent hits his jetpack and exits the building in a burst of
flame. then over the radio. "I don't like the feel of this. They've
already threatened us. Justification is hereby given for deadly force.
OPEN FIRE!!!"
  Thirty SWAT officers in heavy combat powered armor, a couple dozen
regular police in their light combat suits and three Mecha start
pouring on all the firepower they have on the building. Walls begin
revealing the armor hidden beneath the stucco, but even it starts
super heating and buckling quickly. The vehicle bay (much to Roscoe's
disress) goes up quickly as shots rupture the fuel tanks of cars
parked inside and a stored fuel container.
  [Oh shit...] Is all Roscoe manages to send before a huge fireball
erupts in the large garage, destroying supports and sending the second
floor crashing down into the flames and wreckage.
  >>
/Roscoe! NO!/ The Stardragon broadcasts on the sigil link, as it
reaches into the past a few seconds to surround Dhyrlanc, Merlin,
Roscoe and Rhiannion (OOC: sorry for the spelling) with a protective
force field, as parts of the building begin collapsing. Then The
Stardragon disappears from the inside of the building, and reappears,
outside, in its draconic combat form. (OOC: Depending on the
surroundings it will be towering in the adjacent park or stradling the
buildings on both sides of the HQ. It will be either 200 ft high at
the shoulder or higher depending on what it has to stradle). Taking
great care it fires twin lasers from its eyes just barely missing one
of the Mecha. The beams bore down a hundred feet into the ground,
vaporizing what they touch instantly. Creating two holes ten feet in
diameter and 100 feet deep in a milisecond. It then slowly turns
toward one of the other mecha, feigning a slowness in keeping with the
huge mass it must have.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Days of Futures Revisited (Long)

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 08:15:02 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002163
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000376 fuzzy said:

> On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:40:52 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002162
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000375 Dane0R0A said:
>
> /Roscoe! NO!/ The Stardragon broadcasts on the sigil link, as it
> reaches into the past a few seconds to surround Dhyrlanc, Merlin,
> Roscoe and Rhiannion (OOC: sorry for the spelling) with a protective
> force field, as parts of the building begin collapsing. Then The
> Stardragon disappears from the inside of the building, and
> reappears, outside, in its draconic combat form. (OOC: Depending on
> the surroundings it will be towering in the adjacent park or
> stradling the buildings on both sides of the HQ. It will be either
> 200 ft high at the shoulder or higher depending on what it has to
> stradle). Taking great care it fires twin lasers from its eyes just
> barely missing one of the Mecha. The beams bore down a hundred feet
> into the ground, vaporizing what they touch instantly. Creating two
> holes ten feet in diameter and 100 feet deep in a milisecond. It
> then slowly turns toward one of the other mecha, feigning a slowness
> in keeping with the huge mass it must have.

\StarDragon, I cannot move the gate, if you move the forcefields to
it, they should be able join us here.\
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Days of Futures Revisited (Long)

On Sat, 29 Nov 97 10:15:24 CST In Message # 00002164
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000377 Mike Knight said:

>On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:40:52 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002162
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000375 Dane0R0A said:
>
>/Roscoe! NO!/ The Stardragon broadcasts on the sigil link, as it
>reaches into the past a few seconds to surround Dhyrlanc, Merlin,
>Roscoe and Rhiannion (OOC: sorry for the spelling) with a protective
>force field, as parts of the building begin collapsing. Then The
>Stardragon disappears from the inside of the building, and reappears,
>outside, in its draconic combat form. (OOC: Depending on the
>surroundings it will be towering in the adjacent park or stradling
>the buildings on both sides of the HQ. It will be either 200 ft high

Melissa and Grep immediately dive through the portal. Once inside the
twins perform the scanning and 3-D mapping procedures that will allow
them to gate Roscoe out. Moments later, Roscoe disappears from within
the forcefield to reappear in the Control room. The twins rush over.

Melissa asks, "Are you uninjured?", as she examines Roscoe while Grep
asks the status of the remaining CAoL members and if they require
transport to a safe location.

>at the shoulder or higher depending on what it has to stradle).
>Taking great care it fires twin lasers from its eyes just barely
>missing one of the Mecha. The beams bore down a hundred feet into the
>ground, vaporizing what they touch instantly. Creating two holes ten
>feet in diameter and 100 feet deep in a milisecond. It then slowly
>turns toward one of the other mecha, feigning a slowness in keeping
>with the huge mass it must have.

/Stardragon, avoid gas, water, power and phone lines. Damaging those
will do more harm than good,/ Grep sends.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Days of Futures Revisited (Long)

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 11:22:31 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002165
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000378 "P. Campbell" said:

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 gamer wrote:
>  [Oh shit...] Is all Roscoe manages to send before a huge fireball
> erupts in the large garage, destroying supports and sending the
> second floor crashing down into the flames and wreckage.

The entire CAoL learns the meaning of a huge variety of drow cursing
and invective as Tezrantha gets back to her feet. A faint aura of
blue-green light surrounds her, and begins to expand over the nearby
members of the CAoL, incuding Xzerrion and Dantris. A similar glow
begins to eminate from Dantris as well.

"In the name of Gwaeron Windstrom, I claim sanctuary for all who come
in peace. Let no weapon harm them, so long as they wield no weapon
themselves. So be it!"

She sends over the link. *The protection of my God is offered to those
who would hold this ground, so long as we do not harm thse agressors.
Alternately, This can provide cover for those who wish to gate out.*

Xzerrion sends back. *I'll stay with you, until the group leaves.*

Dantris steps forward to stand side by side with Tezrantha. The two of
them glare back at the police forces, and Tezrantha orders
peremptorily, "Hold your fire. It won't do any good against me
anyway."
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: SIEGE!!!!!!!!!!!! (Long)

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 20:51:12 -0800 In Message # 00002166
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000379 Martin Gerster said:

> On Sat, 29 Nov 97 04:03:48 CST In Message # 00002156
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000369 Mike Knight said:
>
> "Defending this place is illogical. The makeup of the group staying
> behind will surely be detrimental to the stated objectives of that
> group. As has been stated before, the group desiring to stay and
> fight will fail in its objectives because it relies on tactics that
> most likely caused the situation in this world to occur to begin
> with. Terrorism will only add fuel to the fire.
> Roland, Stardragon and Rhiannon's methods would be best
  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^     ^^^^^^^^^^
(OOC: Hey!? What am I, a loaf of bread?! Don't answer that.)

> applied sparingly and in small doses. This base is indefensable.
> Your desires to fight for freedom will only serve to enslave."
>
> /I'm afraid I got the tact as well./ Melissa sends. Grep lowers her
> gun and steps through the gate.
(snip)

(Plot continuity note: All of the following occurs before everything
went South with the Police at the LA Legion HQ)

/Hate to say it, Bro, but I think that "Laz and Lor" there may have a
point/ sends Janizary to Shadowclaw. /I don't know about you, but I
think we should cut our losses and blow this hot dog stand./

Then, to Fuzzy and Nemesis //#Can either Fuzzy or the Lady Nemesis
send me a time/space loci designation for the valley in Shasta
County?#//

Then, only to Nemesis -- via cyberpsi only -- /# Milady Nemesis, I'll
be arrive shortly along with *my* nanotech resources. Can I presume to
advise you to begin planning the best aplication of Fuzzy's, mine and
your nanoproduction abilities to construct an, at least, temporary HQ
for the CAoL?#/

Upon recieving the requested time/space coordinates. "Cypher,
Manifest!"

Instantly a 5 cm-diameter, metalic doedeacahedron materializes,
floating a little bit above and to the side of "Janizary's" shoulder
and a vaugly female voice responds, "Working, Dhyrclhanc."

"Transfer time/space loci co-ordinates to the C-bands and prepare for
translocation."

"Done and done."

"Initiate jump!"

"Janizary" becomes a fading smear of bright colors at the Legion HQ
and re-coaleses himself in the valley with the rest of the majority of
the CAoL.

/#Plans completed?#/ he queries Nemesis, upon arrivial.
===========================

Subject: AAE: Stranger in the Night part 4

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 11:42:51 -0800 In Message # 00002168
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000381 Gareth L Owen said:

Later that day Stranger left the Castle of the Grail. The Abbot wanted
him to stay, but he knew that trouble would follow wherever he was, so
he had to go. So, with a heavy heart he headed down the mountainside,
observed by the abbot and a lady in a shining white samite dress, who
wondered at his strange fate.

Half a days walk down the mountain he threw the guns, sans firing pins
into a lake. He carried on to the nearest road where he walked and
hitched until he arrived in Santo Christobel. Here he worked as a
barman and oddjob man until he had enough money for a suit and busfare
to Madrid.

In Madrid, again penniless but with a sharp suit, he walked into the
nearest supplier of computer hardware, wanting to order two dozen of
their latest internet ready P200MMX machines, he would require an
hours use of one, in private before he ordered, however. The machines
were not good enough and he never placed the order.

However, a particular Sicilain 'Family' found its numbered swiss bank
account had somehow lost one and a half million US dollars. Three days
later and a dozen transactions later, Stranger found himself in a
small flat in Barcelona. He was pretty sure the Mafia would take weeks
to trace him, so he had the time and money to do what he needed to.
The flat was littered with equipment, mostly electronic components,
but there was also a significant amount of high quality calligraphy
and draughtsmans gear and a very high quality laser printer. Stranger
went to ground and went to work, emerging only to find food.

Eventually, however, the Mafia found him.

<To Be Continued>
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: SIEGE!!!!!!!!!!!! (Long)

On Sat, 29 Nov 97 23:25:29 CST In Message # 00002169
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000382 Mike Knight said:

>On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 20:51:12 -0800 In Message # 00002166
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000379 Martin Gerster said:
>
>> On Sat, 29 Nov 97 04:03:48 CST In Message # 00002156
>>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000369 Mike Knight said:
>>
>> Roland, Stardragon and Rhiannon's methods would be best
>  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^     ^^^^^^^^^^
>(OOC: Hey!? What am I, a loaf of bread?! Don't answer that.)

<OOC: Well, unless I have forgotten a post, those three are the only
ones to act. I remember your desire to stay to take your "pound of
flesh", but Grep is only refering to tactics she has seen in action.
Big difference.>

>/Hate to say it, Bro, but I think that "Laz and Lor" there may have a
>point/ sends Janizary to Shadowclaw. /I don't know about you, but I
>think we should cut our losses and blow this hot dog stand./

Grep and Melissa send to Janizary in telepathy stereo, /Who? Is that
like Rebo and Zooty?/ Melissa adds, holding one leg up as if taking a
high step, /Zootie, Zoot! Zoot!/ then giggles. The corners of Grep's
mouth turn up slightly, in perhaps the most emotion she has displayed
since her arrival.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sat, 29 Nov 97 22:09:01 -0800 In Message # 00002170
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000383 Roland X said:

>On Sat, 29 Nov 97 04:03:48 CST In Message # 00002156
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000369 Mike Knight said:
>
<snip>
>"Defending this place is illogical. The makeup of the group staying
>behind will surely be detrimental to the stated objectives of that
>group. As has been stated before, the group desiring to stay and
>fight will fail in its objectives because it relies on tactics that
>most likely caused the situation in this world to occur to begin
>with. Terrorism will only add fuel to the fire. Roland, Stardragon
>and Rhiannon's methods would be best applied sparingly and in small
>doses. This base is indefensable. Your desires to fight for freedom
>will only serve to enslave."

   *Mice are more fun to play with when they're scared. Ask Fuzzy.*
Shadowclaw continues to stalk Legislators, though he notes the mecha
and their readouts start showing 40s Daffy Duck cartoons. (OOC: Anyone
scanning Roland's thoughts at this time can tell that
they're...different.)

^Roland?^ Morgan sends in a worried tone.

   ^Just...playing, love,^ the werecat replies with a purring mental
chuckle.

^Yeah, sure,^ she sounds less than convinced.

>On Sat, 29 Nov 97 02:09:04 CST In Message # 00002155
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000368 Mike Knight said:
<snip>
>Grep looks to the Stardragon and to Rhiannon. "Good, now that we do
>not have to deal with negotiators, I will go kill any stragglers." At
>the horrified looks <assuming there are any> Grep replies, "A joke."
>
>Melissa sends through the link, /The joke is perhaps a bit too
>complex, Grep. At least in your current state, sister. Now that we
>have demanded a negotiator and cut off any possibility for him to get
>in here to do so, we may as well act like the insane and ruthless
>people we're making ourselves out to be and kill the people we have
>rendered helpless within the compound./

   *Who asked for a negotiator?* Shadowclaw notes dryly. *As for the
rest, no one dies.*
   Shadowclaw licks his lips and regards one of the larger
Legislators. *Well, maybe a snack here and there...*

<*Roland! That's not funny.*> The others now hear the worry in
Morgan's 'voice'.

   Roland thinks a moment. *You're right. That's not,* he replies,
shrinking to a mere 7' 3" and the cat-features fade to something akin
to Vincent from the TV Beauty and the Beast.

>On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 07:46:25 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002160
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000373 Driscoll said:
<snip>
> [Oh shit...] Is all Roscoe manages to send before a huge fireball
>erupts in the large garage, destroying supports and sending the
>second floor crashing down into the flames and wreckage.

   *SPROCKING LIGHT!* Roland, horrified by the counter-reaction of the
SWAT team, puts out the fire instantly with cryokinesis, and retreats
in shock to the Legion HQ lunch room.
   *This _has_ gone too far,* Roland realizes. Slapping the (recently
reappeared) belt, Blaze stands in full superheroic (and easily
recognized from the comic) glory. He teleports outside, hovering most
publicly over the battle site.
   *STOP THIS INSANITY!*
   (OOC: I don't think this version of Roland was ever in the Lunitic
battle.)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Days of Futures Revisited (Long)

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:31:58 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002171
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000384 Dane0R0A said:

<< fuzzy said:

 > On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:40:52 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002162
 >  In alt.callahans Post # 00000375 Dane0R0A said:
 >
 > The beams bore down a hundred feet into the ground, vaporizing what
 > they touch instantly. Creating two holes ten feet in diameter and
 > 100 feet deep in a milisecond. It then slowly turns toward one of
 > the other mecha, feigning a slowness in keeping with the huge mass
 > it must have.

 \StarDragon, I cannot move the gate, if you move the forcefields to
it, they should be able join us here.\
  >>
The Stardragon answers, completing the destruction of the Legion HQ,
by moving the protecting forcefields directly to the waiting gate,
irrespective of the intervening stuctures. Those with psi and/or magic
senses detect an alteration and massive strengthening in the fear
field that The Stardragon was emitting. (OOC: it now is the true
dragon fear of AD&D, on a cosmic scale). Mixed in with that, at a
strength level so high that even non-psychics can feel the radiating
emotion, is a towering rage, clearly just barely kept in check. The
Stardragon's rumblings and mutterings over the link clearly indicate,
to those with psychology training and those with experience with young
children, that it is working up to a grand mal TANTRUM. In the
mutterings the sentences /Destroy this city/ and /Destroy this world/
can, just, be made out.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:47:16 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002172
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000385 Dane0R0A said:

In a message dated 97-11-30 01:27:16 EST, Roland wrote:
<<    *This _has_ gone too far,* Roland realizes. Slapping the
(recently reappeared) belt, Blaze stands in full superheroic (and
easily recognized from the comic) glory. He teleports outside,
hovering most publicly over the battle site.
    *STOP THIS INSANITY!*
  >>
The Stardragon's only response is to bell (about 10,000 decibels of
sound) and breathe a beam of pure energy directly at one of the mecha.
Out of deferance to Roland's wishes it aims just below the cabin
portion of the mecha. The beam is brief but VERY strong. It punches
through the force fields (OOC: I assume they have them. In a world
where supers exist force fields on the military equipment would almost
be a necessity), and vaporizes the lower section of the mecha, before
driving down a thousand feet deep into the ground. And this it does so
quickly that the top half of the mecha doesn't even have time to fall
into the beam, before the beam cuts off. At this point The Stardragon
is radiating anger so strongly that every psi on the planet is aware
that something REALLY POWERFUL is pissed to its very core.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 97 03:17:19 CST In Message # 00002173
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000386 Mike Knight said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:47:16 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002172
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000385 Dane0R0A said:
>
>The Stardragon's only response is to bell (about 10,000 decibels of
>sound) and breathe a beam of pure energy directly at one of the mecha
>Out of deferance to Roland's wishes it aims just below the cabin
>portion of the mecha. The beam is brief but VERY strong. It punches
>through the force fields (OOC: I assume they have them. In a world
>where supers exist force fields on the military equipment would
>almost be a necessity), and vaporizes the lower section of the mecha,
>before driving down a thousand feet deep into the ground. And this it
>does so quickly that the top half of the mecha doesn't even have time
>to fall into the beam, before the beam cuts off. At this point The
>Stardragon is radiating anger so strongly that every psi on the
>planet is aware that something REALLY POWERFUL is pissed to its very
>core.

Calculating at speeds impossible for beings unable to extend the
length of time between the smallest quanta of temporal measurements,
Melissa and Grep 4-D gate the remaining members of the CAoL to the
Shasta County location, then create a huge bubble gateway around the
Stardragon, transporting him and themselves to a wide orbit around a
large gas giant, in orbit around a burnt-out dwarf sun. Several dozen
moons are visible, one near them has organic matter locked in frozen
carbon-dioxide and nitrogen ice.

/You're angry,/ the twin AIs say in unison, /People have given you
lemons./ Melissa and Grep point to the gas giant. /There is another
lemon. A star gone sour. When the world gives you lemons, make
lemonade. Take your anger and turn that gas giant into a sun. Make a
Good Thing come from a Bad Thing./

<OOC: Assuming it does> The twins ask, /Still frustrated? If you like,
we can show you a star that needs to go supernova, or nebulas that
haven't made any stars yet. There are lots of places in the universe
that a Stardragon can release frustration where it won't regret it
after. Where someday, its efforts will bring life, not death./ When
the Stardragon has vented, they'll return to Shasta County.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 06:04:45 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002174
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000387 Dane0R0A said:

<<  Mike Knight said:
 Calculating at speeds impossible for beings unable to extend the
length of time between the smallest quanta of temporal measurements,
Melissa and Grep 4-D gate the remaining members of the CAoL to the
Shasta County location, then create a huge bubble gateway around the
Stardragon, transporting him and themselves to a wide orbit around a
large gas giant, in orbit around a burnt-out dwarf sun. Several dozen
moons are visible, one near them has organic matter locked in frozen
carbon-dioxide and nitrogen ice.

 /You're angry,/ the twin AIs say in unison, /People have given you
lemons./ Melissa and Grep point to the gas giant. /There is another
lemon. A star gone sour. When the world gives you lemons, make
lemonade. Take your anger and turn that gas giant into a sun. Make a
Good Thing come from a Bad Thing./
 >>
The Stardragon bells again, and pauses. Then it gestures towards the
planet. The planet is blasted into a cloud of gas. Another gesture and
the cloud of gas streams towards the dwarf star. A third gesture and
the dwarf star is reduced to a cloud of hydrogen gas. The two clouds
of gas colide and then compress. A light can be seen in the core of
the cloud, a light that expands to fill the entire cloud. A final
gesture and the former moons of the gas giant take up orbits around
the organic bearing moon and they all take up orbits around the new
star in the life zone.

<<
 <OOC: Assuming it does> The twins ask, /Still frustrated? If you
like, we can show you a star that needs to go supernova, or nebulas
that haven't made any stars yet. There are lots of places in the
universe that a Stardragon can release frustration where it won't
regret it after. Where someday, its efforts will bring life, not
death./ When the Stardragon has vented, they'll return to Shasta
County.
  >>
A couple of new galaxies later, The Stardragon has calmed down. The IA
twins can see (visibly) with each new act of creation The Stardragon
gets a little more calm and a little more of the wonder of creation
returns to it. When it has calmed down it slides into 4 space and
shifts over to the time and location of the rest of the CAoL. /Thank
you/ it says. /Had you waited much longer to act, I might well have
destroyed this world in my anger. I wonder why Oracle didn't act. He
or one of his friends usually show up when I begin to get that angry.
And if they don't, one of the Starspawn do. They don't like it when I
get mad. They usually punish whoever is angering me before I get that
mad. I think they are a little scared of me getting angry./

A cyber-psi "voice" comes to Melissa and Grep /AMEN, to that,
sisters/. The AI twins can tell there is a healthy dose of
fear-response in the statement. (OOC: it wasn't Oracle's "voice" by
the way. They've never encountered this one.)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 97 05:09:54 CST In Message # 00002175
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000388 Mike Knight said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 97 03:17:19 CST In Message # 00002173
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000386 Mike Knight said:
<snip>
>Calculating at speeds impossible for beings unable to extend the
>length of time between the smallest quanta of temporal measurements,
>Melissa and Grep 4-D gate the remaining members of the CAoL to the
>Shasta County location, then create a huge bubble gateway around the
>Stardragon, transporting him and themselves to a wide orbit around a
>large gas giant, in orbit around a burnt-out dwarf sun. Several dozen
>moons are visible, one near them has organic matter locked in frozen
>carbon-dioxide and nitrogen ice.

<OOC: Oops, slight alteration here, I already said I couldn't
transport the Stardragon because I couldn't determine where its energy
ended (somewhere beyond its visible energy) without scanning it, a
no-no. Therefore, Melissa and Grep create a huge Stardragon-sized
circular gate above it which leads to the place mentioned in the above
paragraph. From the opposite side, they invite the Stardragon to join
them, saying they have a present for it, pointing to the gas giant.
Most of the following paragraph is therefore said before the
Stardragon enters the gateway.>
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: SIEGE!!!!!!!!!!!! (Long)

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:32:14 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002176
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000389 fuzzy said:

> On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 20:51:12 -0800 In Message # 00002166
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000379 Martin Gerster said:
<snip>
> (Plot continuity note: All of the following occurs before everything
> went South with the Police at the LA Legion HQ)
>
> /Hate to say it, Bro, but I think that "Laz and Lor" there may have
> a point/ sends Janizary to Shadowclaw. /I don't know about you, but
> I think we should cut our losses and blow this hot dog stand./
>
> Then, to Fuzzy and Nemesis //#Can either Fuzzy or the Lady Nemesis
> send me a time/space loci designation for the valley in Shasta
> County?#//

\If anyone happens to see a sasquatchi, They are usually non-violent
if not attacked, Communication in those worlds I have met them in is
usualy Semi-Telepathic and Simular to Cat.
 In most versions of Earth there are stories that they live in these
valleys\

> Then, only to Nemesis -- via cyberpsi only -- /# Milady Nemesis,
> I'll be arrive shortly along with *my* nanotech resources. Can I
> presume to advise you to begin planning the best aplication of
> Fuzzy's, mine and your nanoproduction abilities to construct an, at
> least, temporary HQ for the CAoL?#/

From Nemisis
\#I will begin working on that immediatly.#\

> Upon recieving the requested time/space coordinates. "Cypher,
> Manifest!"

From Fuzzy
\#Here you are {}#\
<OOC: I figure we experimented enough enroute back from Arcadia to be
able to translate the coordinates used by our methods back and forth.>

> "Janizary" becomes a fading smear of bright colors at the Legion HQ
> and re-coaleses himself in the valley with the rest of the majority
> of the CAoL.
>
> /#Plans completed?#/ he queries Nemesis, upon arrivial.

\#I believe, I have a workable plan, Underground, Geothermal Power, EM
shielded, Life support systems... I will extend that# Nemisis gestures
#Abandon Gold Mine to provide the main volume, and have My Lord Fuzzy
see to the shielding and facilities, If you will see to the power
system, there is a hot-spring at the north end of the valley#\

\We will not want to build-in any functions that we do not wish to
leave behind when we depart, we may not have the chance to retrieve
anything when it is time to leave, so do not include self repair
capability.\

<OOC: The descriptive of Shasta County is real world.>
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:32:27 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002177
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000390 fuzzy said:

> On Sat, 29 Nov 97 22:09:01 -0800 In Message # 00002170
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000383 Roland X said:
>
>    *Mice are more fun to play with when they're scared. Ask Fuzzy.*
> Shadowclaw continues to stalk Legislators, though he notes the mecha
> and their readouts start showing 40s Daffy Duck cartoons. (OOC:
> Anyone scanning Roland's thoughts at this time can tell that
> they're...different.)

\#Well... Yes they are more fun,
 But on a lighter subject, I think Squirrel would go better on pizza
than Mouse...#\
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 97 05:58:49 CST In Message # 00002178
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000391 Mike Knight said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 06:04:45 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002174
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000387 Dane0R0A said:
>
>A couple of new galaxies later, The Stardragon has calmed down. The
>IA twins can see (visibly) with each new act of creation The
>Stardragon gets a little more calm and a little more of the wonder of
>creation returns to it. When it has calmed down it slides into 4
>space and shifts over to the time and location of the rest of the
>CAoL. /Thank you/ it says. /Had you waited much longer to act, I
>might well have destroyed this world in my anger. I wonder why Oracle
>didn't act. He or one of his friends usually show up when I begin to
>get that angry. And if they don't, one of the Starspawn do. They
>don't like it when I get mad. They usually punish whoever is angering
>me before I get that mad. I think they are a little scared of me
>getting angry./

Melissa and Grep nod, /You are welcome,/ they send in unison.

>A cyber-psi "voice" comes to Melissa and Grep /AMEN, to that,
>sisters/. The AI twins can tell there is a healthy dose of
>fear-response in the statement. (OOC: it wasn't Oracle's "voice" by
>the way. They've never encountered this one.)

The cyberpsi voice encounters a vast mind before it, physically the
size of a small planet. /We are Melissa Grep. Who are you?/
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: SIEGE!!!!!!!!!!!! (Long)

On Sun, 30 Nov 97 06:25:47 CST In Message # 00002179
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000392 Mike Knight said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:32:14 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002176
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000389 fuzzy said:
<snip>
>\If anyone happens to see a sasquatchi, They are usually non-violent
>if not attacked, Communication in those worlds I have met them in is
>usualy Semi-Telepathic and Simular to Cat. In most versions of Earth
>there are stories that they live in these valleys\

"Oh, cool," Melissa says.

"Understood, sasquatchi are not targets," Grep says.

<snip>
>\#I believe, I have a workable plan, Underground, Geothermal Power,
>EM shielded, Life support systems... I will extend that# Nemisis
>gestures #Abandon Gold Mine to provide the main volume, and have My
>Lord Fuzzy see to the shielding and facilities, If you will see to
>the power system, there is a hot-spring at the north end of the
>valley#\
>
>\We will not want to build-in any functions that we do not wish to
>leave behind when we depart, we may not have the chance to retrieve
>anything when it is time to leave, so do not include self repair
>capability.\

/An excellent plan, Grandmother Nemisis./ The twins send.

<OOC: Melissa and Grep's "family tree" would place (on the nanoalloy
side) Fuzzy and the demon Nemisis is modeled after as creators of
Nemisis (great-grandparents), Nemisis as creator of the Hovercyclone
(grandmother), which Knytt and Flarn combine with the Gateway Bands to
make Melissa and Grep. On the Gateway Bands side is the grandfather,
Technomage Akira, who we haven't delved into.>
===========================

Subject: OOC:Brain meltdown

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 09:39:06 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002180
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000393 Driscoll said:

 OK, Over the holidays I take it my E-mail provider got an overload or
something cuz I know last evening I couldn't telnet to it, and this is
the earliest I've been able to get on this morning. Only to find a
mishmosh and cobblepodge of messages completely out of order. I think
I've mentally got things straightened out but to be sure I thought I
would check that I have it right before I post my next response.
 OK, starting from the trigger-happy SWAT who dumped a load in their
pants:
 StarDragon summons back the Legion of Heroes as the combat starts,
then proceeds to go ballistic
 Several shields thrown around Roscoe (Who is grateful but is cursed
like Driss so he would have survived anyways (or maybe that was the
curse taking effect. who can tell with Chaos?)) and he is warped out
along with most of the CAoL.
 Mellissa/Grep tempt Stardragon away to blow off steam.
 Roland changes into (which form? I know you said it was a superhero
one that the police hadn't seen yet. thusfar all they've seen of you
is Blaze anyways) and confronts the police to try to cool things down
before anyone throws another load of gasoline on the fire.
 Xzerrion his consort and her horse also went out to achieve the same
effect at one point. Are they still there or did htey get warped away?

 And meanwhile Driss sits on a nearby rooftop giggling happily.
===========================

Subject: AAE: New base

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 09:09:53 In Message # 00002181
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000394 Morgan said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:32:14 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002176
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000389 fuzzy said:
>
>\#I believe, I have a workable plan, Underground, Geothermal Power,
>EM shielded, Life support systems... I will extend that# Nemisis
>gestures #Abandon Gold Mine to provide the main volume, and have My
>Lord Fuzzy see to the shielding and facilities, If you will see to
>the power system, there is a hot-spring at the north end of the
>valley#\

Morgan briefly sends, <*If there are any nice natural 'jacuzzi's at
that hot spring, leave one alone. A nice hot tub left the way the Gods
made it would be a wonderful place to relax. Of course, if there isn't
one big enough for everyone, you might add that to the plans. Even
_we_ need to relax and unwind once in a while.*>
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:08:31 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002184
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000397 Dane0R0A said:

In a message dated 97-11-30 07:37:58 EST, The Cyber Twins wrote:
<<
 >On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 06:04:45 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002174
 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000387 Dane0R0A said:
 >
 >A cyber-psi "voice" comes to Melissa and Grep /AMEN, to that,
 >sisters/. The AI twins can tell there is a healthy dose of
 >fear-response in the statement.(OOC: it wasn't Oracle's "voice" by
 >the way. They've never encountered this one.)

 The cyberpsi voice encounters a vast mind before it, physically the
size of a small planet. /We are Melissa Grep. Who are you?/
  >>
/You may call me Aurora. I am the leader of the Starspawn Coalition of
Light. I was on my way to deal with the beings that were angering The
Stardragon, when I sensed its anger abate. Thank you. The Stardragon
becomming enraged is the only thing other than the Starspawn Empire of
Evil that we fear, and it is the only thing that all three Starspawn
communities will band together to prevent and/or punish. If you have
need of aid, call for me. One of my people will be listening for it./
the mind says, and then slips into 4 space and vanishes.
===========================

Subject: Re: New Base

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:12:05 -0800 In Message # 00002185
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000398 Martin Gerster said:

> On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:32:14 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002176
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000389 fuzzy said:
>
> \#I believe, I have a workable plan, Underground, Geothermal Power,
> EM shielded, Life support systems... I will extend that# Nemisis
> gestures #Abandon Gold Mine to provide the main volume, and have My
> Lord Fuzzy see to the shielding and facilities, If you will see to
> the power system, there is a hot-spring at the north end of the
> valley#\

Imeadieatly upon arrivial, "Janizary" transforms back into the 21'
tall form of Dhyrclhanc. All of the equipment he was carrying as
"Janziary", hidden behind stealth fields, are now visible. After the
transformation is complete, the Lensdragon quickly flies to the far
end of the valey, pulls out his dufflebag a small, swiss army
knife-shaped (shape size and form relative to his current size)
metalic device. The device, in turn, when placed *near* the
geo-thermal wellspring, begins to morph into a small (to humans) power
plant.

/# Nemesis, geothermal energy source power-plant completed. prepare to
recieve beamed, low-power, tesla broadcast energy at the following
frequency {}#/

Dhyrclhanc looks at the power plant. "Right about now you should give
me my multi-tool back." he says to it. As if on cue, a slot opens up
in the power plant and an identical unit to the first device is
deposited into Dhyrclhanc's waiting hand.

"And now for Morgan's request." Dhyrchlanc bends down into a croutch
and weaves a visible, carrion bird, sigil into the air, it remains,
and Dhyrclhanc makes a series of gestures with his hands and sings out
-- "In the House of Stone and Light!"

Immeadiatly a small, jacuzzi-shaped, crater forms next to the
hotsprings, and the naturaly heated hot water begins to flow into it.

/O.K. everybody I'm on my way back in!/

/#Nemesis, would including a nanotech, self-consumption feature
expediate any rapid evacuation scenarios should one arise?#/

(O.O.C.P.S: My symbols for "cyberpsi" comunications are /##/ my
symbols for "normal" telepathic comunication are //, I thought that
might need clearing up.)
===========================

Subject: AAE4: ELSEWHEN: A Knytt to Remember (part 1)

On Sun, 30 Nov 97 14:12:05 CST In Message # 00002186
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000399 Mike Knight said:

                          ELSEWHEN

    The problem with travel is all the waiting. Doesn't matter if it
is 1642, 1884, 1995, or 2437. There is still a lot of waiting. Show up
early for the flight, wait, board, wait, during the trip all you do is
wait to arrive, arrive, wait, disembark, wait for your luggage, wait
for your ride...no wonder travel is tiring. It would also explain how
Knytt found himself in his current predicament.
    The old hovercar pulled up to the curb in front of the small
airport in the small town of Valex City. An appropriate name, 'valex'
meant 'alien' and the only ones who lived there were aliens. At least
on Tax. The St'Tax lived out in the natural hydrogen-helium based
environment. Valex City was the only nitrogen-oxygen, or for that
matter, methane or any other environment, on the planet. The St'Tax
weren't xenophobic, but when your body is over a mile across,
interacting with the average humanoid is difficult.
    But that was what Knytt was there to do. The St'Tax were an
ancient race even when the universe was young. With perfect memories
and an oral tradition that went back to their very beginnings as a
race, the St'Tax were natural historians. And Knytt needed that
information. The St'Tax had numerous colonies when the distances
between the stars was half what it was now. When the organic matter
between the stars was less thin. Back then, they swam among the stars
like whales in Earth's oceans. But, finally, the distances became too
great and the colonies became cut off from each other except by the
St'Tax voices, telling each other the tales of the remote areas they
now inhabited, telling each other the stories of the new races
emerging from the primordial oozes on the smaller rock worlds close to
the stars. The St'Tax remember it all. Beginning, middle, and soon,
they will record the end. They have a unique perspective on the
workings of the universe. Just what Knytt was after.
    Knytt slid into the back seat and gave the driver his hotel
address. As soon as he settled in, he would rent a Stormglider and
jetsuit and meet his contact, who neared Valex this time of the Tax
year. Knytt wouldn't have long to make contact, though. The currents
were fast during this time of year and his contact wouldn't be around
long.
    Knytt watched the cloudline in the distance. Valex City hovered in
the upper stratosphere of Tax, the only stationary object in a sea of
ever-changing clouds. It was the most practical place to build. Not
only was Tax similar to Jupiter in composition, a gas giant, but the
upper atmosphere was were the St'Tax lived. Drifting past the city in
the sub-zero air currents, the St'Tax Clans carried on with their
daily business, mostly oblivious of the humanoids in the domed
half-bubble that stayed steady as a rock in their midst. Knytt
wondered what talking with one of them would be like. He would be the
first to have a lengthy conversation with one of them. The longest
sentence anyone prior had gotten from them was famous and enigmatic.
    A historian had asked them what they felt was the most important
event of the past 30 billion years. The St'Tax replied, "The birth of
the ending." When asked what that meant, they would not say. Some felt
it was a prediction of the end of the universe. But some felt that way
about everything. Some thought the translator was broken. That was the
consensus of several governments. Most felt it was the ravings of that
particular historian. He in fact, fell into disfavor with general
society as trying to start a cult, since soon after the announcement,
several sprang up. Complex religions formed around the message by the
time Knytt had arrived. Ones that would have a lot to lose if someone
actually found out what that obscure phrase meant. Most revolved
around some Apocalyptic being that would bring a swift demise to the
universe unless certain rituals were performed. Those rituals changed
between religions. Knytt had other ideas about what the remark meant.
He'd seen the universe begin and end, and it certainly didn't end
through the efforts of four horsemen.
    It is really not hard to imagine that, in Knytt's musings, he
didn't notice he had taken a far more scenic route than he intended.
Didn't notice the plasmaproof glass slide into place between the front
seat and the back. Didn't notice that at an intersection, the driver
got out and was replaced by another.
    So, when the backdoor opposite Knytt flew open, and an alien that
looked like two wookies stuck together slipped into the seat, jabbing
a blaster into Knytt's ribs, and shutting the door as the hovercar
tore down a crowded series of side streets in the low-rent district of
Valex City, it would be an understatement to say that Knytt was
surprised.
===========================

Subject: Re: New Base

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 13:22:04 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002188
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000401 fuzzy said:

> On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:12:05 -0800 In Message # 00002185
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000398 Martin Gerster said:
>
> /# Nemesis, geothermal energy source power-plant completed. prepare
> to recieve beamed, low-power, tesla broadcast energy at the
> following frequency {}#/

\Negative, Telsa broadcast energy systems are detectable at too great
a distance, I will provide a sealed wave guide, in the next few
minutes.\

> /O.K. everybody I'm on my way back in!/
>
> /#Nemesis, would including a nanotech, self-consumption feature
> expediate any rapid evacuation scenarios should one arise?#/

\It will be sufficiant to the need, I had hoped to leave the facility
fully functional as a bolthole for later need, reconstructing the
Generator if and when it becomes needed should not be unreasonably
difficult.\
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Sun, 30 Nov 97 13:42:08 -0800 In Message # 00002189
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000402 Roland X said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 03:31:58 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002171
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000384 Dane0R0A said:
<snip>
>The Stardragon answers, completing the destruction of the Legion HQ,
>by moving the protecting forcefields directly to the waiting gate,
>irrespective of the intervening stuctures. Those with psi and/or
>magic senses detect an alteration and massive strengthening in the
>fear field that The Stardragon was emitting. (OOC: it now is the true
>dragon fear of AD&D, on a cosmic scale). Mixed in with that, at a
>strength level so high that even non-psychics can feel the radiating
>emotion, is a towering rage, clearly just barely kept in check. The
>Stardragon's rumblings and mutterings over the link clearly indicate,
>to those with psychology training and those with experience with
>young children, that it is working up to a grand mal TANTRUM. In the
>mutterings the sentences /Destroy this city/ and /Destroy this world/
>can, just, be made out.

   *Stardragon, NO!* Roland sends, and throws out forcefields of his
own. Debris stops in mid-air or avoids non-combatants. Nearby
buildings are shielded from the firefight. The Legion HQ remains more
or less intact, but it's going to need a lot of work when this is
over.
   Assuming there's anything left.
   *"You see,"* Blaze says/sends to the army that has surounded the
building. *"YOU SEE?! This is what your xenophobia has done! You think
you can control the future with guns and mecha. But the mutates of
this world are your children. Are you going to be abusive parents, and
raise an abusive child? And rest assured, the mutates _will_ 'grow up'
beyond your ability to control with these devices. Or will you teach
them to be what America was meant to teach you all... honorable, just,
and free?"*

<OOC>
>From Dris and my beloved:
>> OK, starting from the trigger-happy SWAT who dumped a load in their
>>pants:
><snip>
>> Roland changes into (which form? I know you said it was a superhero
>>one that the police hadn't seen yet. thusfar all they've seen of you
>>is Blaze anyways) and confronts the police to try to cool things
>>down before anyone throws another load of gasoline on the fire.

   Armored Blaze earlier. Form most towards the 'Order' side of the
belt. Anyone who examined Roland during recent events would have
noticed that his transformantion to 'Shadowclaw' (far 'Chaos' side of
the belt) was much like a bad reaction to something... snapping from
one end of a spectrum to the other.

>I think the Blaze in the battle was the mecha-Blaze, and this Blaze
>is the comic-book one. I think he's assuming this form will be
>recognized as known CAoL but not associated with the Lunitic
>incident.

   Bingo. <g>
</OOC>

>Calculating at speeds impossible for beings unable to extend the
>length of time between the smallest quanta of temporal measurements,
>Melissa and Grep 4-D gate the remaining members of the CAoL to the
>Shasta County location, then create a huge bubble gateway around the
>Stardragon, transporting him and themselves to a wide orbit around a
>large gas giant, in orbit around a burnt-out dwarf sun. Several
>dozen moons are visible, one near them has organic matter locked in
>frozen carbon-dioxide and nitrogen ice.

   *Good timing,* Roland sends with a faint smile. He lands, taps the
yin-yang on his belt, and he returns to the familiar 'civilian'
Roland. He frowns for a moment, and concentrates. The belt disappears.
   *I think,* Roland sends, clearly annoyed with himself, *that I need
to find a little balance before I muck with _that_ thing again.*

Morgan gives him a hug. <*Yes, please. Neither one of us need to deal
with _that_ much for a while.*>
===========================

Subject: Educational Experiences (Take 2)

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 17:20:06 -0800 In Message # 00002190
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000403 Martin Gerster said:

Dhyrclhanc's basic martial-arts katas, which double as the somatic
components in his spell casting, are like nothing else Fuzzy has ever
seen. They seem to transform the Lensdragon into a blurry collection
of flailing, striking and parrying limbs. Dhyrclhanc refers to this
style as "Tsudo", but the only thing Fuzzy has seen comperable to it
would either be Jeet Kun Do or Drunken-style Kung Fu. Acording to the
Ruby Fire Dragon, Tsudo is an unarmed combat system designed to take
full advantage of a physiology with multiple limbs. Assumedly he ment
more than four because he commented that Nemesis, in her original form
of a type V (?)AD&D demon, could probably learn and use Tusdo but
Fuzzy definetly could not.

The actual manuvers/gestures for each spell are different but always
begin with Dhyrclhanc drawing a visible "carrion bird" magickal sigil
into the air in front of him.

As near as Fuzzy can assertain the following are the verbal components
that Dhyrclahnc uses in his spell casting. A phrase from the following
songs is sung, and the complete song isn't nessary for the intended
effect.

Seek Earth -- "Rock of Ages" (Def Leopard)

Shape Earth -- "We're Building Empires" (Queensryche)

Earth to Stone -- "If I Wanted To" (Melisa Etheridge)

Shape Stone -- "House of Stone and Light" (Martin Page)

Stone Missile -- "The Walls come Tumbling Down" (John Cougar
Melancamp)

Body of Stone -- "Heart of Stone" (Cher)

Earthvision -- "I Can See For Miles" (The Who)

Earthquake -- "Rattled" (The Traveling Wilberrys)

Entombment -- "Trapped" (Bruce Springsteen)

The biggest problem Dhyrclhanc had in exhibiting his spellcasting
abilities was figuring out how to cast "Seek Earth" when the locating
that he and Fuzzy was using was nothing *but* earth, stone, rock, etc.
<shrug>

Once the superanuated Ruby Fire Dragon's martial arts exhibition is
over, Nemesis and Nimrod are probably well on their way in
constructing our (temporary(?)) living facilities.

"Fuzzy," says Dhyrclhanc, "It just occured to me that this facility,
once it's completed, would make a half-way-decent, emergency bolt-hole
for the CAoL."
===========================

Subject: Re: Educational Experiences (Take 2)

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:03:40 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002191
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000404 fuzzy said:

<OOC: These are part of the sequence between Arcadia and Callahans
place for Fuzzy, Dhyrclhanc, Nemisis, Nimrod, and Synthia.>

> On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 17:20:06 -0800 In Message # 00002190
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000403 Martin Gerster said:
>
> Dhyrclhanc's basic martial-arts katas, which double as the somatic
> components in his spell casting, are like nothing else Fuzzy has
> ever seen. They seem to transform the Lensdragon into a blurry
> collection of flailing, striking and parrying limbs. Dhyrclhanc
> refers to this style as "Tsudo", but the only thing Fuzzy has seen
> comperable to it would either be Jeet Kun Do or Drunken-style Kung
> Fu. Acording to the Ruby Fire Dragon, Tsudo is an unarmed combat
> system designed to take full advantage of a physiology with multiple
> limbs. Assumedly he ment more than four because he commented that
> Nemesis, in her original form of a type V (?)AD&D demon, could
> probably learn and use Tusdo but Fuzzy definetly could not.

<OOC: yep, Type V AD&D demon>
"Interseting, she may decide to be interested..."

> The biggest problem Dhyrclhanc had in exhibiting his spellcasting
> abilities was figuring out how to cast "Seek Earth" when the
> locating that he and Fuzzy was using was nothing *but* earth,
> stone, rock, etc. <shrug>

<OOC: Seek Earth can seek specified types of Earth, Example:
 Seek Earth: Iron Ore
Iron Ore is specified during a casting, and could be any type of
Earth.>

> Once the superanuated Ruby Fire Dragon's martial arts exhibition is
> over, Nemesis and Nimrod are probably well on their way in
> constructing our (temporary(?)) living facilities.

More time will be spent finding a good location and discusing designs
than in construction... It will take Nemisis 2 to 3 hours to
dis-assemble the volume of matterials from the cliff face to form the
hallows needed, and re-assembly of the mass as Fittings, Hardware, etc
would take at most an additional hour.

> "Fuzzy," says Dhyrclhanc, "It just occured to me that this facility,
> once it's completed, would make a half-way-decent, emergency
> bolt-hole for the CAoL."

"Yes it would, and It seems to me, That it could be useful to have a
variaty of boltholes scattered across the multiverse."
===========================

Subject: AAE: Elsewhere in the Multiverse

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 19:05:21 -0500 In Message # 00002192
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000405 Caprice said:

     Victoria Haakin leaned back in a chair with a soft sigh. The
chair she sat in shifted automatically, supporting her completely and
removing any strain from her back. Over and over in her hands she
turned the medallion that Mischief had brought her. She should just
walk away... and as quickly as possible, but...

     A monitor came to life with a thought, then another, playing the
scenes of destruction that accompanied the CAoL's latest battles.
Nothing had changed, still, she owed Xzerrion at least the courtesy of
a reply... she'd wait for a quiet moment, then pop in.

-- Legion --
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Days of Futures Revisited (Long)

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 19:10:00 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002193
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000406 Shadow <pookie> said:

> On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 01:43:23 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002150
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000363 Dane0R0A said:
>
> The Stardragon feeling the energy radiating from the sword Despair
> says /Thats a good idea. Here's a differant slant./ It makes a
> complex gesture and all the members of the CAoL feel a force wash
> over them. Then a second, simpler, gesture and it becomes the focal
> for a sphere of FEAR. mind numbing, gibbering FEAR. The only ones
> for a 1 block radius that don't feel it are the members of the CAoL.
> Most people in that radius flee, as rapidly as possible away from
> the focus. Only those with some pyschic/magical/mystical protection
> are un-affected. (OOC: Only the VERY, VERY strong of will would be
> able to approach at all and those would tend to get scared silly at
> things that would, ordnarily, not even startle tem.)

   As soon as Rhiannon feels the fear begin she cuts off the effect of
her sword, \NO, I ONLY\ She cuts herself off from any telepathic
contact and shifts outside the building, cooincidentally ending up a
rooftop away from Dris. Again concentrating on her sword, she tries
something she's not sure will work. However, the effect quickly takes
place' and Stardragon's fear globe begins to shrink until it only
covers the police and Legion HQ. Once the Stardragon leaves she
shrinks it the rest of the way.
===========================

Subject: Re: Aae: SIEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 19:14:20 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002194
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000407 Shadow <pookie> said:

> On Sat, 29 Nov 1997 01:25:54 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002149
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000362 Dane0R0A said:
>
> /I have read the constitution of this contry. In other universes of
> course, but I have yet to see one that differs significantly. The
> actions of these men violate their own laws. They have no warrents.
> They don't know that a felony is being committed in this building.
> They act outside of their own laws. They have an inkling of the
> power they face, and have been warned. If they choose to ignore the
> warning, then what happens to them is on their own heads. By your
> logic I may make laws relating to interaction with ME, and first on
> that list of laws would be: Knowingly angering ME is a capitol
> offense. By the international laws of all the worlds I know of, I
> would have diplomatic immunity, as the only existing member of my
> race, and having the power to destroy worlds should I choose to make
> war./ The Stardragon responds, and broadcasts to the swat teams
> assembled outside.

Rhiannon does not reply, but anyone looking at her can see her exact
opinions of this remarkably obtuse and poor reply.
===========================

<EDITOR'S NOTE: This next section suffered from some posts made under
false impressions, and had a great deal of rewriting. I am cutting
stuff that was later retracted, and marking those cuts as mine.
Hopefully it will all still make sense, and I won't loose anything
relevant.>

===========================

Subject: Aae-Putting out those Home Infernoes...

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 18:31:14 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002195
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000408 Driscoll said:

 The grip of fear heightened yet more by the appearance of their
target straddling hte buildings, the police move their fire from teh
building to the Stardragon. The two remaining Mecha fire their jump
jets and release six small flying drones at the same time, adn try to
set up an energy field net around the dragon.
 From the wreckage comes the elves in human form crying out their
pasafistic message. Four police officers stop shooting and approach.
Two pull out manacles while another does the talking. "you are hearby
under arrest for federal warrents #47346345, Flight from a Felony
scene and #47346345 illegal possesion and use of metahuman powers. You
have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorny to
be present at any and all questionings. If you can not afford an
attorny one will be appointed to you by the state. Do you understand
these rights?" As the two officers continue to approach, obviously
intenting to shackle the two.
 Blaze also shows up but since he doesn't appear to be surrenduring,
his plainative cries fall on deaf ears.
 Then suddenly the Dragon is gone and with it the fear seems to abate.
Reason floods back into men's minds as fear leaves and they look
aroudn at what their fear driven tempers have wrought. "Oh shit, my
ass is grass." mutters the sergant to himself. Somewhere in the back
of his mind (since he doesn't really appear to be paying attention to
anyone else right now) he hears Blaze's speach about mutants and
Xenophobia.
<editor's cut>
===========================

Subject: Re: Aae-Putting out those Home Infernoes...

On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 18:21:07 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002196
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000409 Nemisis said:

> On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 18:31:14 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002195
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000408 Driscoll said:
<editor's cut after Stardragon leaves>

The Comic-book Nemisis Sphere starts quietly repairing the damage to
the area.
 Any restraint devices she comes in contact with are dis-assembled and
absorbed (ie: vanish).
 She will start with the 1000 mile deep invitation to disaster...
===========================

Subject: Re: Aae-Putting out those Home Infernoes...

On Mon, 1 Dec 1997 00:15:32 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002200
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000413 Dane0R0A said:

In a message dated 97-11-30 22:25:33 EST, you write:
<<  Nemisissaid:
 The Comic-book Nemisis Sphere starts quietly repairing the damage to
the area.
  Any restraint devices she comes in contact with are dis-assembled
and absorbed (ie: vanish).
  She will start with the 1000 mile deep invitation to disaster...
  >>
(OOC: That was 1000 feet not miles (I looked to make sure I hadn't
erred). A thousand miles would have given us the movie volcano)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Cutting to the Quick

On Mon, 01 Dec 97 08:20:49 CST In Message # 00002203
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000416 Mike Knight said:

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:08:31 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002184
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000397 Dane0R0A said:
>
>In a message dated 97-11-30 07:37:58 EST, The Cyber Twins wrote:
>
<snip>
> The cyberpsi voice encounters a vast mind before it, physically the
>size of a small planet./We are Melissa Grep. Who are you?/
>  >>
>/You may call me Aurora. I am the leader of the Starspawn Coalition
>of Light. I was on my way to deal with the beings that were angering
>The Stardragon, when I sensed its anger abate. Thank you. The
>Stardragon becomming enraged is the only thing other than the
>Starspawn Empire of Evil that we fear, and it is the only thing that
>all three Starspawn communities will band together to prevent and/or
>punish. If you have need of aid, call for me. One of my people will
>be listening for it./ the mind says, and then slips into 4 space and
>vanishes.

/Who is the third faction?/ they send too late./Intriguing./The twins
float in the void of space near the last act of creation of the
Stardragon.

/Shall we return to Shasta County now?/

/I am uncertain. I am enjoying the view here./

/Very well, let us stay and watch for a while./

Melissa and Grep spend a long time watching this small section of the
universe. Two seconds after the Stardragon's departure, they mutually
decide it is time to return.

/This was fun, we must stargaze more often in future./

/Mother and Father say Saturn is lovely./

/Sounds nice./

Melissa and Grep actually bother to create a gateway to Shasta County,
which they drift through easily. The twins float lazily on the breeze
fifty feet above the heads of the rest of the CAoL. Grep seems to roll
in a backwards somersault taking her from floating on her back to an
upright position. Finally, gravity takes hold and Grep drops the fifty
feet to the ground. Melissa rolls onto her stomach, curls into a
somersault as gravity grabs her, and does three more quickly before
landing on her feet. Grep looks at Melissa's feet.

"You changed to flats?" Grep asks."Easier to land in," Melissa
replies.

Pyewackett appears from out of the brush, licking his lips."Nice
landing, for bipeds."
===========================

Subject: AAE: Aftermath

On Mon, 1 Dec 1997 18:12:44 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002210
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000423 Shadow <pookie> said:

Rhiannon exits the rooftops and makes her way through the assembled
police squadrons. She now looks sort of bookish, the kind of woman who
could be attractive with a little effort, but is too absorbed in her
work to care. Strapped to her back is a large backpack shaped device,
obviously mechanical. (And no, she wouldn't show up on any scanners,
but the backpack might) She approaches the Seargent who just made the
little speech to Blaze, "Hello sir, I represent a consortium who have
been monitoring this particular group for a while. My superiors have
authorized me to reveal myself to local authorities in these
curcumstances. As you may no doubt be aware, these people are beyond
the power of any current containment forces. This is usually not a
problem, as so far the works of this group have been for the good."
She holds up a hand as the Seargent starts to interrupt, "Please,
allow me to finish. Some of these people consider themselves heroes,
others have a less ideological view of their actions. A few, however,
do act without regard to the consequences of their actions, and other
members of the group will clean up after them. I'm sure, based on case
histories, that the damage incurred here will soon be repaired. You
may have noticed such repairs already. In any case, I have been
authorized to give you this device to aid you in the future." She
slings down the backpack and presses a button on the side. A panel
slides out and she pulls out a pair of handcuffs. "This device is a
reality anchor. Upon command it will nullify all powers and abilities
in a limited radius. It will reform itself into any desired shape of
roughly the same size and mass. It has a self contained recharging
power supply. All commands must be simple verbal ones. Also, the more
powerful an effect it tries to nullify, the shorter duration of the
nullification field. Any attempt to dismantle the device will fuse all
components and render it useless until a qualified weilder reactivates
it. That weilder is currently," she pauses to adjust a small dial on
the handcuffs, "you. If you wish to reset or enlarge the pool of
qualified weilders, form a cell phone and dial 0. Don't get any funny
ideas either, it has built in safeguards against abuse." She stops and
finally flashes a smile at the Seargent, "At the very least I think
you'll have a job at the end of the day. If not, you could always form
your own squad as an adjunct to the military or another law
enforcement agancy. I can spare a few moments if you have any
questions, but I must leave soon to continue tracking these people."
===========================

Subject: Aae: Iron Man on the loose

On Mon, 1 Dec 1997 19:58:18 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002213
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000426 Driscoll said:

OOC: OK while we figure out what to do with this Gydian Knot we just
amde, I'll take care of a loose end I've purposely left dangling while
I figure out how to do what I want with him. ;-)

 Iron Man grabbed the pistol out of Lunitic's hand and jet off with
it, scanning it as he goes to figure out how to dispose of the thing.
But all it seems to be is a normal cap pistol. Finally deciding to
slag it with his Unibeam, he files back in time to see everyone port
away.
 #Feels good to obviously mean so much to them ehhh?# Jim qwips.
 #Like we haven't been guilty ourselves of being a bit on the
reclusive side?#
 #Granted. Shall I reconstruct teh x-window generator and port us to
their location? They probably returned to SQWACK#
 #Returned to Sqwack? Never heard of that before Jim.#
 #Sorry. An outside influence just attempted to sieze control over me.
control over-rides were put into place as you ordered.#
 Ironman does a quick 180 degree turn with a full sensor sweep just in
time to spot teh Controller disappearing through a portal.
 #Teleportation;s popular today.# Justin remarked sarcatically.
 #So is air travel. I'm picking up 6 police units heading our way
fast.#
 Justin could see them too. 6 Armored police officers flying towards
him with built in jetpacks. He probably could take them in a dogfight
but now wasn't really the time he wanted to find out.
 #Prepare to disengage and deflate Iron Man armor on my order# Thought
Justin as he flew around behind a building and decended to the street.
#now!#
 Faster than the real Iron Man ever could, the armor disengaged
itself, boots and gloves falling off on their own, breastplate and
helmset following, all collasing as if it were made of mear cloth.
Throwing it all into a collapsable briefcase, Iron Man vanished and
Justin Fliesch was here.
 The police flew over and Justin regarded them with awe. But htey
continued flying and were soon gone.
 #OK now what oh leader? Hollywood's a long walk from here you know.#
 #I know Jim I know. If we have to maybe you can synthisize some money
and we can grab a cab. But I'm hoping things will cool off soon and we
can fly back. I don't quite know where to tell a cab to go.#
 Justin continued walking down the street as he held the silent
conversation with himself. Then a small mousey sort of man stumbled
out of an alleyways and clutched at Justin's sleeve. "Help me? Please.
I must have blacked out again. Where am I? what's going on?"
 "There there, grab hold of yourself. Are you hurt anywhere? Uhhh I
heard a bunch of heroes were fighting a lunatic nearby. Do you
rememebr any of that? The police just flew by, maybe I can catch them
and they can help."
 The man shakes his head a few times as if trying to clear it, then a
broad smile crosses his face. "Oh you needn't call the police my good
man. everything's well in hand. Oh and by teh way, they didn't fight a
lunAtic, they fought LunItic!!!!!!!"
 The man's suit changes to purple wiht yellow and pink paislies and he
grabs Justin by the collar and tosses him sideways into a wall with
tremendous strength. Bones crack but Jim reconstructs them amost
instantly. Lunitic's laugh pierces justin's mind like a thousand
knives.
 Justin looks up with tearfilled eyesand sees Lunitic whirling faster
and faster until he's little more than a blur. Then he begins
descending into the ground until finally he's gone, leaving just a
large hole in the sidewalk.
 #skeletal repairs will be finished in 1 minute 47 seconds.#
 #Ow. I think saying that that caught me by surprise would be an
understatement. But i don't think i want to be wandering around here
alone any more than I have to. I'm going to try to sketch a stealth
feild generator in my mind that should cloak us both to visuals and
sensors. modify the iron Man armor accordingly and we'll get out of
here.#
 #Working. Working. Working.#

 Soon the armor was finished and Iron Man flew again, this time
invisibly. The police had left the area for the most part and
contruction crews were moving into evaluate the structural damage adn
decide what was repairable and what wasn't. Iron Man paid them no
attention.
 Streaking across the sky, he was still several miles away when he saw
the Stardragon in pre-tantrum glory. Pushing his jets as best he could
he still arrived too late, as the police were beginning to pack up and
leave the site of the Legion headquarters.
 Spotting Driss on a rooftop, Iron Man headed for him. Driss stood,
waggled his fingers and was gone in a puff of smoke.
 #You know Jim. I'm just sterting to get that not very loved feeling.
OK, By the looks of things the Army of Light's gone, or at any rate
they aren't going to be using this place as a hangout for a while.
Question is where else might they go. Driss and Roscoe are the only
ones who would know much about this world, and Roscoe's gone and Driss
just ditched us.#

TBC
===========================

Subject: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Mon, 01 Dec 1997 21:22:31 In Message # 00002216
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000429 Morgan said:

   Immediately after Roland's speech, and before Melissa and Grep get
a handle on the situation:
   /DAMN!/ Roland vanishes, reappearing next to the Trouble Twins in
Shasta Valley. *I need access to Stardragon's mind, NOW! Fuzzy, send
nanoswarm to back up the planet. Nimrod, Janizary, you two are the
only ones with a prayer of actually _stopping_ the Stardragon if it
comes to that-I want a tactical solution, and I want it YESTERDAY!*
   (OOC: Roland, in Sergeant mode. <G>)
   After everything shakes down...

>On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:03:40 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002191
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000404 fuzzy said:
<snip>
>> On Sun, 30 Nov 1997 17:20:06 -0800 In Message # 00002190
>>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000403 Martin Gerster said:
>> "Fuzzy," says Dhyrclhanc, "It just occured to me that this
>> facility, once it's completed, would make a half-way-decent,
>> emergency bolt-hole for the CAoL."
>
>"Yes it would, and It seems to me, That it could be useful to have a
>variaty of boltholes scattered across the multiverse."

   *"A good idea, but placing the hideaway among a bunch of high-tech
paranoid xenophobes used to hunting down supers may not be the best
choice of realities,"* Roland notes dryly. *"It will do for now,
though-we need _somewhere_ to hang our proverbial hats while we look
for Shadow and Sil. Which reminds me."* Roland reaches into a pocket
and pulls out an Omnicom (a 30th century palmtop computer from the
Legion of SUPER-Heroes reality-not to be confused with the locals)
with 'To Blaze-from the bunch at 1 Krypton Place' inscribed on the
back. He begins tapping.
   *"I have some hacking to do,"* Roland begins evenly. *"Normally,
this is where I have my crisis of faith, the usual self-doubt, yada
yada yada. Let's assume it's already happened and get on to the next
thing. Unless someone wants to call me on this, we're going to keep
further intervention on this world to a minimum. We find our friends
and get the nass out. Except for one thing. Nimrod."*
   Roland looks at the Sentinel with as level a gaze as he can muster.
To become a Green Lantern, one must be without fear, and yet...
"Nimrod, I need to ask you to do something.
   "Show them what happened to your world."
   Roland gazes at the Omnicom, which beeps a few times. "I've added
web pages to several high-density sites. I want you to upload the fate
of your home timeline to them. No Sentinel specs, mind you, just what
became of your world."

<*"You realize, love,"*> Morgan notes, <*"that the authorities will
probably pull the sites as soon as they find them, and probably
respond with counter-propaganda to discredit them?"*>

   Roland thinks for a moment. *"True,"* he replies, *"and I just
coded the sites to delay them as long as possible. Thanks. But the
'authorities' are the ones I most want to see this. Maybe someone will
actually get a clue. I wish I were afraid I was giving someone ideas,
but I'd be truly astonished if no one on this world had considered a
'Final Solution' to mutants."* Roland looks vaguely green on
mentioning the last point.
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 02 Dec 97 05:46:27 CST In Message # 00002217
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000430 Mike Knight said:

>On Mon, 01 Dec 1997 21:22:31 In Message # 00002216
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000429 Morgan said:
>
>   Immediately after Roland's speech, and before Melissa and Grep get
>a handle on the situation:
>   /DAMN!/ Roland vanishes, reappearing next to the Trouble Twins in
>Shasta Valley. *I need access to Stardragon's mind, NOW! Fuzzy, send
>nanoswarm to back up the planet. Nimrod, Janizary, you two are the
>only ones with a prayer of actually _stopping_ the Stardragon if it
>comes to that-I want a tactical solution, and I want it YESTERDAY!*
>   (OOC: Roland, in Sergeant mode. <G>)

Via high-speed "cyberpsi" transmission to Nemisis and others so
equipped:
/Grandmother, we are going to attempt to give the Stardragon a better
outlet for his frustrations {intergalactic coordinates and map of star
system}. Be back soon, we hope./

Via the Psi-Web: /BBS/

<snip>
>   Roland thinks for a moment. *"True,"* he replies, *"and I just
>coded the sites to delay them as long as possible. Thanks. But the
>'authorities' are the ones I most want to see this. Maybe someone
>will actually get a clue. I wish I were afraid I was giving someone
>ideas, but I'd be truly astonished if no one on this world had
>considered a 'Final Solution' to mutants."* Roland looks vaguely
>green on mentioning the last point.

<Insert Melissa and Grep's return.>

The twins look at the Stardragon (assuming it's returned by now).

"Stardragon, do you know an Aurora of the Starspawn Coalition of
Light?"
===========================

Subject: AAE4: ELSEWHEN: A Knytt To Remember (part 2)

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 13:42:33 -0600 (CST) In Message # 00002219
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000432 "Pyewackett c/o M. J. Knight" said:

                          ELSEWHEN

   Knytt arrived in Valex City on the planet Tax, a gas giant
inhabited by an ancient race called the St'Tax. The St'Tax were a race
of historians, whose beginning stretch back to the dawn of the
universe. They had a unique perspective on the workings of the
universe because of this, something Knytt was in need of.
   Taking a cab from the airport, Knytt was musing on the religions
that sprung up around an enigmatic comment made by one of the St'Tax
to a historian, that the most important event of the past 30 billion
years was the "birth of the ending" which many took to be a message of
a soon approaching Apocalypse. Knytt, however, had his own ideas.
   While thinking about those ideas, Knytt noticed too late that he
was being shang-hied...

   The enormous hairy creature, Knytt realized, was built similar to a
sloth from the neck down, though it had hair more like a human's in
thickness and length than most animals. The hair covered the being's
entire body, with two large compound eyes set on thick, bony eyestalks
emerging from the top of its head. Knytt thought it an odd
combination. The rest of the head was bony and covered in a shorter,
finer hair. The mouth was huge, and seemed to be oriented to open from
the top of its head, as if it hadn't been walking on two legs for very
long. To put it another way, if a human held his head that far back,
he would shortly be having a sore neck. Not to mention drown in the
first rainstorm. This thing, whatever it was, didn't have a nose that
Knytt could tell anyway. Its mouth opened slightly, splitting like an
upright suitcase to reveal sharp canine teeth. It inhaled strongly,
then growled and purred. A small box lit up, just visible around where
the thing's neck would be, underneath the masses of dark gray hair.
   "You smell horrible, human," the box announced. The new cab driver,
a humanoid who bore a striking resemblance to a Neanderthal with no
ears, fish-like scales, and faintly blue skin, chuckled. Gill slits on
the cheeks fluttered as it laughed. When it looked in the mirror,
Knytt noticed the Neanderthal resemblance was only from the back, as
the driver also had no nose and a mouth similar to a large mouth bass,
which folded up into a parody of a frown when closed.
   "Ruush hates the smell of spices," the driver said.
   "I'll remember that next time," Knytt replied.
   "What makes you assume there will be a next time, human?" Ruush's
translator asked, adding, "Bok, can we get this over with? His stench
is killing me."
   Bok pulled the cab into a subsurface garage."Easy, Ruush, we're
almost there."
   "What's this about?" Knytt asked. The hovercar pulled to a halt in
a dark corner of the garage. Ruush grabbed Knytt by the arm and pulled
him out of the opposite door from his seat. Dragging him to his feet,
Ruush marched Knytt at gunpoint through a doorway, which Bok closed,
into a large room and to an airlock which had been apparently locked,
judging by the burn marks where a lock should have been. Not a neat
job. Ruush walked on all fours, holding the gun in one hand which
forced him to hop on the other arm like a cat nursing an injured paw.
Bok had tentacles instead of hands, which were too thick to get
through the small guard around the trigger. Ruush grumbled that Bok
could have been less stingey and gotten a gun suitable, to which Bok
replied, "Shut up."
   Bok slipped a tentacle into a small pouch hung from a belt around
his waist. When it came out, it held a small plastic bag, like the
kind bread came in. Bok slipped the other tentacle inside, using it as
an impromptu glove to open the airlock.
   "Get in," Bok ordered. Knytt looked the pair over as he stalled.
Bok wore a form of metallic mesh skirt, with one large leg emerging
from beneath that ending in a three toed boot that looked like three
boots had been sewn together at the heels to accomodate a foot similar
to a bird's, with two toes in front, spread apart, and one in back. A
large form of tattoo was colored beneath the scales of Bok's chest,
his chest was shaped like a triangle, with the wide end on top. Bok
looked more like a sting ray, Knytt realized. with long tentacles for
arms. Bok must have been hunched over the wheel, causing Knytt's eyes
to play tricks. Ruush only wore a small backpack. Or front pack, as it
was on backwards and sideways, one strap around Ruush's gorilla-like
neck, the other around his ribcage.
   "Look," Knytt said as he was absorbing these details, "I'd at least
like to know who wants me dead so I can know who to curse with my last
breath."
   Ruush said, "Fair enough. I would want the same."Bok looked at him,
shaking his head. Ruush replied, "It is tradition in my people, when
killing in the name of another, if asked, to tell the name so the Gods
may attribute the death to the proper person. To not do so is to steal
someone else's kill, which will be known to the Gods when you die. In
the Great Feasting of the Beyond, those that steal another's kill
becone the Eternal Food at the Feasts, instead of feasting and
fighting with the great warriors. I do not wish to spend Eternity
having my flesh ripped asunder in agony forever. The one who is paying
heavily to have you spaced is the High Priest of the Catastropy,
E'ktorr Viskaro."
   Bok grumbled as Ruush shoved Knytt towards the airlock, "Now you
know, so now you die."Knytt struggled to get free, but to no avail.
Ruush was far too strong. Shoving Knytt into the airlock, Bok swung
the heavy door closed. Trying to keep it open, Knytt rushed the door,
managing to slip halfway out, blocking the door from closing
completely. Ruush tried shoving Knytt back inside, holstered his
blaster and pulling a taser from inside his pack. Knytt's body
convulsed as the current went through it, and Ruush managed to shove
Knytt, badly dazed and weakened, but still fighting as well as could
be expected, into the airlock. Bok shut the airlock's interior door
and sealed it as Ruush cycled the outer airlock open as the airlock's
oxygen atmosphere was sucked out and hydrogen-helium gases from
outside the floating city rushed in from the change in pressure.
   "That's it for him," Bok said, "Wonder how long humans can hold
their breath?"
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 16:01:30 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002221
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000434 Nemisis said:

> On Tue, 02 Dec 97 05:46:27 CST In Message # 00002217
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000430 Mike Knight said:
>
> Via high-speed "cyberpsi" transmission to Nemisis and others so
> equipped:
> /Grandmother, we are going to attempt to give the Stardragon a
> better outlet for his frustrations {intergalactic coordinates and
> map of star system}. Be back soon, we hope./

Reply Via high-speed "cyberpsi" transmission
 \Good Timing, I was wondering how to tell him that 'Backing Up a
Planet', is not as simple as he seems to think, and takes 10 years
just for the physical structures\
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 19:07:30 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002222
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000435 Dane0R0A said:

In a message dated 97-12-02 09:17:41 EST, you write:

<<  Mike Knight said:
 <Insert Melissa and Grep's return.>

 The twins look at the Stardragon (assuming it's returned by now).

 "Stardragon, do you know an Aurora of the Starspawn Coalition of
Light?"
  >>
/Oh yes. She is their leader, and has always been friendly to me. I
think she is a little scared of me, but she doesn't let that stop her.
She helps guide the Coalition of Light in their tasks of peaceful
advancement. They try to help the solids, and try to protect them from
the Empire of Evil./ The Stardragon responds (OOC: when Aurora "spoke"
to the twins she did NOT include The Stardragon in the conversation).
/She is probably one of the nicest beings you would ever want to meet.
She doesn't like to hurt "people" and goes to great lengths to avoid
it, but if it is necessary she can get VERY violent. I figure she is
probably the third most powerful Starspawn known./
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 17:32:33 PST In Message # 00002223
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000436 Nemo said:

In alt.callahans you write:
>   Roland thinks for a moment. *"True,"* he replies, *"and I just
>coded the sites to delay them as long as possible. Thanks. But the
>'authorities' are the ones I most want to see this. Maybe someone
>will actually get a clue. I wish I were afraid I was giving someone
>ideas, but I'd be truly astonished if no one on this world had
>considered a 'Final Solution' to mutants."* Roland looks vaguely
>green on mentioning the last point.

About this time those present notice a man walk into sight from behind
some bushes. He's about 6 foot, 250 pounds (hefty, not muscular :-),
has long brown hair in braid reaching to his waist, and a full beard.
He's wearing a denim jacket, jeans, and boots.

"Hello, I believe I could be of some assistance."

Anyone scanning him finds a "normal" human. Maybe a bit *too* normal,
though they can't put their finger on what bothers them. Psi scans get
"normal" at first, though anything more than a casual scan will reveal
that this is just a facade. Whatever he's thinking is not accessible.
Magically, he's nothing special. He's not carrying anything unusual.

He doesn't seem to be at all surprised by any of the activities going
on.

(OOC: no, nobody sensed his approach. And in fact, if you look, his
footprints start in mid stride behind the bushes.)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 20:13:32 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002224
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000437 fuzzy said:

> On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 17:32:33 PST In Message # 00002223
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000436 Nemo said:
>
> About this time those present notice a man walk into sight from
> behind some bushes. He's about 6 foot, 250 pounds (hefty, not
> muscular :-), has long brown hair in braid reaching to his waist,
> and a full beard. He's wearing a denim jacket, jeans, and boots.

Nemisis would have noticed his arrival, she is monitoring all movement
in the valley.

> "Hello, I believe I could be of some assistance."

\Nemisis, Prepair for emergency Evac.\

"The First Question that comes to mind is, Why?"

> Anyone scanning him finds a "normal" human. Maybe a bit *too*
> normal, though they can't put their finger on what bothers them. Psi
> scans get "normal" at first, though anything more than a casual scan
> will reveal that this is just a facade. Whatever he's thinking is
> not accessible. Magically, he's nothing special. He's not carrying
> anything unusual.
>
> He doesn't seem to be at all surprised by any of the activities
> going on.
>
> (OOC: no, nobody sensed his approach. And in fact, if you look, his
> footprints start in mid stride behind the bushes.)

Approach, Ok, But that first footstep... :)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 02 Dec 97 22:28:22 CST In Message # 00002225
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000438 Mike Knight said:

>On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 19:07:30 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002222
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000435 Dane0R0A said:
>
>/Oh yes. She is their leader, and has always been friendly to me. I
>think she is a little scared of me, but she doesn't let that stop
>her. She helps guide the Coalition of Light in their tasks of
>peaceful advancement. They try to help the solids, and try to protect
>them from the Empire of Evil./ The Stardragon responds (OOC: when
>Aurora "spoke" to the twins she did NOT include The Stardragon in the
>conversation). /She is probably one of the nicest beings you would
>ever want to meet. She doesn't like to hurt "people" and goes to
>great lengths to avoid it, but if it is necessary she can get VERY
>violent. I figure she is probably the third most powerful Starspawn
>known./

The twins, excluding the Stardragon and the newcomer, replay the
conversation with Aurora, from the Stardragon's thank you and
wondering why Oracle didn't show up, to the unanswered question of
"Who is the third Starspawn faction?"

/We think we have just been hired to "babysit"./ the twins send, still
excluding the newcomer and the Stardragon, /And the guardians of the
child may be a bit overindulgent towards their charge. We feel
fortunate the Stardragon is not as spoiled as he could be,
considering./
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Tue, 2 Dec 97 23:55:33 -0800 In Message # 00002226
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000439 Roland X said:

>On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 17:32:33 PST In Message # 00002223
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000436, Nemo said:
>
<snip>
>"Hello, I believe I could be of some assistance."
>
>Anyone scanning him finds a "normal" human. Maybe a bit *too* normal,
>though they can't put their finger on what bothers them. Psi scans
>get "normal" at first, though anything more than a casual scan will
>reveal that this is just a facade. Whatever he's thinking is not
>accessible. Magically, he's nothing special. He's not carrying
>anything unusual.
>
>He doesn't seem to be at all surprised by any of the activities going
>on.
>
>(OOC: no, nobody sensed his approach. And in fact, if you look, his
>footprints start in mid stride behind the bushes.)

   (OOC: OH yeah, that's really going to put a truly cheesed, stressed
out, psion enhanced immortal at ease. <EG> We don't even know he's
from Callahan's.)

   "Can you now," Roland says dryly. "Nice entrance, by the way. So,
if you don't mind my asking, who the hell are you, what are you doing
here, and how did you find us?" Roland's staying calm about it, but
anyone who can tell (safe bet that includes the visitor <g>) can sense
him putting up all his shields. And he's got a few of them. 8^)

Morgan quietly reaches into her personal arsenal and makes sure that
her Bene Gesserit truth sense is on-line. (Metaphorically speaking, of
course.)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Wed, 03 Dec 97 04:39:47 CST In Message # 00002227
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000440 Mike Knight said:

>On Tue, 2 Dec 97 23:55:33 -0800 In Message # 00002226
> In alt.callahans Post # 00000439 Roland X said:
>
>   (OOC: OH yeah, that's really going to put a truly cheesed,
>stressed out, psion enhanced immortal at ease. <EG> We don't even
>know he's from Callahan's.)

Melissa and Grep spin around in unison. Grep raises her "Aliens" gun,
aiming it at the newcomer, as she steps in front of Melissa
protectively.

>   "Can you now," Roland says dryly. "Nice entrance, by the way. So,
>if you don't mind my asking, who the hell are you, what are you doing
>here, and how did you find us?" Roland's staying calm about it, but
>anyone who can tell (safe bet that includes the visitor <g>) can
>sense him putting up all his shields. And he's got a few of them. 8^)
>
>Morgan quietly reaches into her personal arsenal and makes sure that
>her Bene Gesserit truth sense is on-line. (Metaphorically speaking,
>of course.)

Melissa steps in front of Grep, though not enough to block Grep's line
of fire. After a conference that lasts a milisecond at most, Melissa
approachs the newcomer. Straightening her dress slightly, she walks
around the newcomer, then glances behind the bushes, noting the
footprints. <OOC: You've just been scanned. Nothing harmful, just a
quick look for abnormalities. Too normal is definitely abnormal.
;)Though if you wish to show something else that might come up, be my
guest.>

Melissa then reaches up to touch our new friend's face, stopping a
couple inches from his cheek. Grey eyes look up at him as she asks,
"May I scan your mind? The information will be confidential, known
only to myself and my sister unless you request otherwise. As you have
come unarmed with an offer to help, we offer it to ease our
companian's concerns, who are perhaps fatigued."

Melissa smiles sweetly, "This would save us the time of having to ask
for references."Grep lowers her gun, but still has it at the ready.

"We are nervous as well," Melissa adds, "My sister and I have not
entered a mind since our father's. It is a very personal space, a
human mind. We will be careful not to pry beyond our immediate
concerns."
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Wed, 3 Dec 1997 02:05:15 PST In Message # 00002228
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000441 Nemo said:

> On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 20:13:32 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002224
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000437 fuzzy said:
>
>> On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 17:32:33 PST In Message # 00002223
>>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000436 Nemo said:
>>
>> "Hello, I believe I could be of some assistance."
>
> \Nemisis, Prepair for emergency Evac.\
>
> "The First Question that comes to mind is, Why?"

(OOC: well, it's better the usual "Who are you and how did you get
here?" :-)

\No need to panic. I mean no harm.\

"Why? Why does any person take any action. Because they wish to do so,
and they are able to do so. I have some small skills and abilities
that will be of use to you and your companions. And you are deserving
of aid."

The above verbal and mental communications take place
*simultaneously*. His manner is quite diffident. It appears that it
makes no difference to him whether you accept his help or not. Nor
does he appear to be worried about anything you might do.

"No doubt you will wish to confer with your comrades. I shall await
your pleasure."

He then makes a bow towards the group, "Gentlemen, Ladies."

And with that he seats himself on a rock outcropping, takes a chunk of
partially carved jasper out of his coat pocket and resumes working on
it. He is shaping it with finger pressures, and detailing it with a
fingernail. (And he *still* scans as a normal human.)
===========================

Subject: Re: AAE: Patching to the Quick <g>

On Wed, 3 Dec 1997 06:54:02 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002229
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000442 fuzzy said:

> On Wed, 3 Dec 1997 02:05:15 PST In Message # 00002228
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000441 Nemo said:
>
>> On Tue, 2 Dec 1997 20:13:32 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002224
>>  In alt.callahans Post # 00000437 fuzzy said:
>>
>> "The First Question that comes to mind is, Why?"
>
> (OOC: well, it's better the usual "Who are you and how did you get
> here?" :-)

<OOC: Fuzzy has perhaps a unique perspective... ;)
 Who you are is obvious, Yourself, you can be no other.
 How you got here, is not significant, You are Here.
 What you want, you will tell when you choose to, and not before.>

> \No need to panic. I mean no harm.\

\Being Prepaired, is the greatest proof of, a lack of need to panic.\

> "Why? Why does any person take any action. Because they wish to do
> so, and they are able to do so. I have some small skills and
> abilities that will be of use to you and your companions. And you
> are deserving of aid."
>
> The above verbal and mental communications take place
> *simultaneously*. His manner is quite diffident. It appears that it
> makes no difference to him whether you accept his help or not. Nor
> does he appear to be worried about anything you might do.

Lens Link,
\Dhyrclhanc, This Being seems able to Multi-Track mental activity as
well as you do, I wonder if he knows enough about me to have planned a
answer that takes my biases into account...\

> "No doubt you will wish to confer with your comrades. I shall await
>  your pleasure."

"Thank You."

> He then makes a bow towards the group, "Gentlemen, Ladies."
>
> And with that he seats himself on a rock outcropping, takes a chunk
> of partially carved jasper out of his coat pocket and resumes
> working on it. He is shaping it with finger pressures, and detailing
> it with a fingernail. (And he *still* scans as a normal human.)

<OOC: Which proves more than anything else, that he is nothing of the
kind, Not in itself a problem, we are all weirdos here... :) >
===========================

Subject: AAE 4: Days of Future Past Remembered & Etc (Very Long!)

On Wed, 03 Dec 1997 21:24:14 -0800 In Message # 00002231
 In alt.callahans Post # 00000444 Martin Gerster said:

On Mon, Dec 1st, Roland said:
(snip)
>    /DAMN!/ Roland vanishes, reappearing next to the Trouble Twins in
> Shasta Valley. *I need access to Stardragon's mind, NOW! Fuzzy, send
> nanoswarm to back up the planet. Nimrod, Janizary, you two are the
> only ones with a prayer of actually _stopping_ the Stardragon if it
> comes to that-I want a tactical solution, and I want it YESTERDAY!*

/Oh yeah/ sends Dhyrclhanc while flying back to the rest of the group
after having set-up the geothermal power-plant and jacuzzi at the
other end of the valley. /Nimrod can get it's attention, or just annoy
it, and I'll give Stardragon a good talking to! I don't think so,
Brother. Especialy, since my past efforts in explaining to the
"Star-Childe" how it's actions have been (ahem) inapropriate at best,
seems to have fallen on deaf ears, or whatever Stardragon uses to hear
with./

"Nicholas Hunter", likewise, says, "From what I have briefly observed
about the energy-entity designated 'Stardragon', I doubt if even I
would be able to gain any headway in a head-to-head combat."

Then, on Tue, Dec 2nd, "Nemo" wrote
> About this time those present notice a man walk into sight from
> behind some bushes. He's about 6 foot, 250 pounds (hefty, not
> muscular :-), has long brown hair in braid reaching to his waist,
> and a full beard. He's wearing a denim jacket, jeans, and boots.

And on Weds, Dec 3rd, "Nemo" wrote
> And with that he seats himself on a rock outcropping, takes a chunk
> of partially carved jasper out of his coat pocket and resumes
> working on it. He is shaping it with finger pressures, and detailing
> it with a fingernail. (And he *still* scans as a normal human.)

Dhyrclhanc witnesses the newcomers mysterious arrivial over the
Psi-web. Understandably, given his somewhat overzealous protectiveness
about the CAoL, he isn't happy.

When the newcomer looks up from his jasper scrimshaw work he will
notice standing above him is a 21' tall, metalic red, orange and
yellow, semi-humanoid, dragon. The dragon is enveloped in a huge gout
of green flame shaped like an ancient (JRR Tolkien Smaug-class)
dragon. The Dragon is also wearing an appropriate sized B5-style
Rangers longcoat, a B5-style Rangers pin, and a caligraphic button
which reads "Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are
cruntchy and good with ketchup." Held in the dragon's right hand is a
green fire scottish, hand-and-a-half-style, claymore. From the general
appearence of the dragon, the newcomer would surmise that he both
knows how to use the blade and has in the past.

"Piece of advice, 'friend', never say one thing and then prove the
exact opposite is true. Tends to ruin your credibility. I am
Dhyrclhanc, also called the Lensdragon, and we are the Calahanian Army
of Light. Considering what some of us have just been through, why
should we trust you?"

Then, On Mon, Dec 1st, Roland said,
> Roland reaches into a pocket and pulls out an Omnicom (a 30th
> century palmtop computer from the Legion of SUPER-Heroes reality-not
> to be confused with the locals) with 'To Blaze-from the bunch at 1
> Krypton Place' inscribed on the back. He begins tapping.
>   *"I have some hacking to do,"* Roland begins evenly. *"Normally,
> this is where I have my crisis of faith, the usual self-doubt, yada
> yada yada. Let's assume it's already happened and get on to the next
> thing. Unless someone wants to call me on this, we're going to keep
> further intervention on this world to a minimum. We find our friends
> and get the nass out. Except for one thing. Nimrod."*
>   Roland looks at the Sentinel with as level a gaze as he can
> muster. To become a Green Lantern, one must be without fear, and
> yet... "Nimrod, I need to ask you to do something.

If it were posible, "Nicholas Hunter" blanches and quickly transforms
his outer layer so that he reagins his original mechaniod appearence.

>   "Show them what happened to your world."
>   Roland gazes at the Omnicom, which beeps a few times. "I've added
> web pages to several high-density sites. I want you to upload the
> fate of your home timeline to them. No Sentinel specs, mind you,
> just what became of your world."

"We both agree. The technology you speak of is an abomination. Such
devices as those I have the misfortune to call my 'ancestors' should
never have been built. I know now, neither should've I."

Nimrod probably shocks Roland with that last pronouncement.

The hunter android gestures for Roland to hand him the palmtop
computer, and then says, "Where I come from advanced robotics,
weaponry and biomimetic technology was abused and bastardized by the
powerful, the tyranical and the overtly paranoid to create a 'race' of
robots designated 'Sentinels'. These robots were designed by
megalomaniacal paraniods who saw mankind's destruction in its next
generation -- 'mutants'; metahuman's born with altered genetic
structures which gave them their powers. These 'Sentinels' were
suposedly created to ostensibly 'protect' mankind, however the robots
revolted and created a facist regime within the boarders of the
contingous United States. In the end, even before my creation, the
majority of the U.S.'s most well-known heroes, mutant and otherwise,
were slaughtered and those left were relocated to 'housing camps'
comperable to the Auchwitz, Dauchou, and Trebenka of more than half a
century before."

Nimrod pauses, pain scaring his robotic features, and then turns to
the Freelance Immortal.

"Roland-also-called-Phoenix, no one is more responsible, and no one is
more responsible for a appology, for what happened than I. Recent
events transpired which allowed me to see my flawed beginings and
allowed me to choose a new direction for myself. I would be...
honored... if I can help you prevent what happened before."

The hunter android hands the 30th century palmtop back to Roland. "All
of the events of my original timeline, including the events leading up
to the assasination of Senator Robert Kelly by Mystique's Brotherhood
of Evil Mutants, has been downloaded into this unit."

Finally, On Mon, 1 Dec, Fuzzy wrote:
<OOC: The speach in question proved to Fuzzy that he was intelligent
enough to see the basic injustice of the laws he was willing to use
violence to enforce...
 In Fuzzy's opinion that qualifies him as slime at best.
 Fuzzy is a super-villian by the rules of this world, and he is
willing to act the part when he must. In fact he has started planning
a Final Solution of his own... Mutate every Human on the planet,
Pathias Pomagranite's Uberalis machine from orbit... Upgraded of
course, that should do the trick. It is in one of the Champs
supliments...>

(OOC: Good thing that was OOC, fuzzy. Dhyrclhanc and his entourage,
not mentioning the rest of the CAoL, would look down upon that
intensive a level of meddling! Don't get me wrong, but apprenticeship
or no apprenticeship, this is something that Dhyrclhanc would react to
in a violent and extreme manner!)
===========================