Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 10 Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:34:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:19:32 In Message # 00002473 In alt.callahans Post # 00000686 Morgan said: >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:20:15 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002469 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000682 Driscoll said: > The X-windows have closed and eventually the ranks of drones thin >out enough to notice it. less than a minute later, there is once >again peace on the street, and a lot of scrap metal to be recycled. > War Machine lands and shifts back into the red and silver form of >Iron Man. "You know, somehow I really don't feel that comfortable >standing around here anymore. Glad to see you guys came back. These >ladies were looking for you. That one's named Isla deLume, but I >never caught the name of the other." (Note: This takes place after the conclusion of the 'Controller Cometh' thread _and_ after the succeding events in 'Things Change.') Earth-9... Thorne watched the attack from his own sanctum through an X-Window. The Controller has begun his attack. KnightMare is plotting his own ascension. The Fallen One has been left to his own devices. /It's time I took matters into my own hands,/ Thorne thought, scanning the area with the X-Window as Callahanians began popping in. He reached out to KnightMare, who gave him access to its datastream. "Eh?" Thorne blinked at KnightMare's readout. The ambient power level had dropped drastically. One of the CAoL's members had left that universe. "The Stardragon's gone," Thorne realized. "the stardragon's gone?" he whispered. "THE STARDRAGON'S GONE!" he exulted. He reached out a hand and the Shadow Brand flew into it. "You are MINE, Roland! Hahahahaha! Come, metal man!" The Cylon rose and regarded the Nephandus with its ever-moving scanner. "We have allies to gather and a PSION to kill!" Thorne held up the Brand, and he, the Cylon, and a small arsenal of empowered items vanish. The continent of Ansalon, world of the Dragonlance... "Grimfire!" Thorne cried. "By the ancient words, I summon you! By the ancient oaths, I bind you to your word! I brought you here and saved you from the unbelief of the mundanes! Now it is time for you to repay your debt!" He called out in words I dare not repeat here, chanting over a cavern winding its way out of a volcano. A long, lean dragon,with scales as red as blood and wings the span of a 707, swooped out of the depths of her mountain home. "So. You have come to claim your due. Well. It is said among my kind that when one crosses her tail with a devil, she should count her scales when she is done. What do you wish of me, tiny wizard?" "You were a mere eight feet long when I found you," Thorne growled, "miserable and helpless, almost human in appearance. Do not think that now, when you are a fearsome war mistress of Takhisis, you can simply ignore your oath to me." Grimfire bowed her head. "I am no renunciate." Her long neck stretched out before the mage, allowing him to step into the saddle which the dragon wore like a torc. The Cylon followed with mechanical calm. "What do you wish of me?" "You will ensure that the allies of my enemy do not interfere while I kill that...Phoenix whelp!" Thorne's eyes narrowed. "Oh, _him_ again." Grimfire sighed. "You really should forget-" "Shut up and fly," Thorne commanded sourly. Grimfire shrugged and flapped her wings with strong, regular beats. "We have others to gather." "As you command." The two surged into the air and vanished. Meanwhile, back at the running firefight... > "You stand amongst the scrap and flame. > The more things change they stay the same. > A wolf lies with you amongst the sheep. > His true nature hidden way down deep. > An old enemy stands with the face of a freind. > Lest you bring his existance to an end." > She then turns and walks back around the corner vanishing. "Well, that was odd," Blaze said, running gloved fingers through his hair in a gesture of mild confusion and impatience. "But now what-" There was a flash of light in the sky, and on the tallest building in the vicinity, Grimfire had curled around the top floor, a cybernetic Baltar shouted commands at a small army of Cylons, Maleficent (a version of the Queen of Air and Darkness stood regally atop Grimfire's head, a gray-and-black suit of powered armor hovered near her, arms folded, and above them all, Thorne floated, holding the Shadow Brand before him. "ROLAND! I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Thorne cried. Roland and Morgan look up as one, and say with a single voice, "Oh bloody nass..." =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 17:35:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:52:41 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002475 In alt.callahans Post # 00000688 Driscoll said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:19:32 In Message # 00002473 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000686 Morgan said: > > Meanwhile, back at the running firefight... > >> "You stand amongst the scrap and flame. >> The more things change they stay the same. >> A wolf lies with you amongst the sheep. >> His true nature hidden way down deep. >> An old enemy stands with the face of a freind. >> Lest you bring his existance to an end." >> She then turns and walks back around the corner vanishing. > > "Well, that was odd," Blaze said, running > gloved fingers through his hair in a gesture of > mild confusion and impatience. "But now what-" > "ROLAND! I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Thorne cried. > Roland and Morgan look up as one, and say > with a single voice, "Oh bloody nass..." #Justin. she was talking about you wasn't she?# #You got that gist too huh? I think my worse half is trying to get me tarred and feathered. I hate to do it but finding that girl has to be my priority. She was vague enough this time but next time...# #And what are you going to do with her when you find her?# #I really don't know. I'll have to find some way to keep her from the Army of Light without hurting her. I want a full scan on these frequencies and prepare to open an x-window on your findings.# #Working. Working. Locked. Transporting.# Iron Man fires his boot jets adn flies around the corner of the building where hte girl just disappeared, adn promptly disappears himself. Only to re-appear in the same place, 1 week later. #I don't see ehr Jim. he must be using transfer points. Scan again.# #I'm trying, but the traces are fading fast. Working... Working.... locked. X-window opened.# This time he simply opens the x-window next to himself and flies through leaving a few gawking passerbys on the street. Meanwhile back witht eh rest of the group, Isla looks around at the new foes, her gaze falling on Maleficent and narrowing. "I see a sister in arms, one who knows of power and it's uses. But she is not right. Darkness has corrupted her. The same stench that eminates from Darath stains her soul and makes her even more vile than he." Darath leans on Soulstealer driving hte tip easily into the pavement. "Ah shove it up your... you stupid... ARRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He collapses and curls up into a near fetal possition as Isla shoots hima sideways glare and grasps the sliver about her neck. "Behold Darath, for now your power shall strengthen my own in an effort to clense this creature stiken by darkness. Another miniscule part of your penence is about to come at hand!" A ball of light about her grows brighter and brighter until it is nearly outshining the afternoon California sun. She rises slowly into the air until she is level with the building top. "Come! cast away the vile darkness that shackles you! Return to the embrace of the Great Mother. Be clensed by the light, or else, be destroyed by it!" =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:04:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Exit Stage Left On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 17:48:46 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002477 In alt.callahans Post # 00000690 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 16 Dec 1997 23:42:47 EST In Message # 00002438 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000651 Dane0R0A said: > > As the assembled CAoL are discussing the actions to be taken > regarding Isla's and her apprentice, Oracle (who had disappeared > after the oath taking), reappears. /Child/ he sends /I need you on a > matter of utmost importance./ To the CAoL he says "I must take The > Stardragon with me, or an incarnation of The Adversary will cause a > galaxy full of peacefull beings will die. I am sorry. If you need > its power I am sure that it will come to your aid. But we must go > NOW." With that he vanishes. To Oracle \Will I be Needed?\ > /Uh, gotta go. Call if you need me. I'll come./ The Stardragon > sends. Then it too vanishes. \Likewise, Call if you have need, Or if some pinhead needs a smaller explaination, Remember, If they are too frightened, they may not understand you.\ =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:04:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:Damsels in Distress On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 17:56:53 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002478 In alt.callahans Post # 00000691 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 16 Dec 1997 04:57:48 -0600 In Message # 00002432 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000645 Michael Jon Knight said: > > Knytt sends over the link, /Take this with a grain of salt, you two, > but it looked like to bring Darath the Black back, that little > girl's soul was needed. If you go taking her soul away before the > transfer, you create a temporal paradox and the Multiverse goes > boom. In fact, if you do that with any souls that thing has stolen, > the Multiverse goes boom. As I see it, you are going to have to > remove the souls from the sword, not prevent their capture. > Preferably in the present so they don't just gather more. \Minor Paradox, does not seem to be too much of a problem, But I do take your point.\ > /The question then becomes, what to do with them? Most of their > bodies would likely be dying or dead at the time. You'd simply be > returning them to die again. The best you could do is free them to > go about their original business, whatever a dead soul's business > is. Guess it depends on who you ask. \In this case, I think we should ask the souls in question. Nemisis or The Hospitals on Quaren II could Build new bodies with minor temporal assistance, these would be true Bio, similar to cloning but much faster. That is retrieve a cell sample prior to death.\ > /I suppose you could try and heal them, but then it would be very > suspicious that these dead bodies were suddenly jumping up all > healed. Maybe you could take the healed people forward in time until > after our 'damsels' left. Then you have destroyed these people's > lives and families. You don't want to risk the girls coming back too > soon to discover someone they killed is alive and well. So you would > have to wait until this woman and girl arrived here to be sure they > wouldn't find out. Admittedly, the victims are still living victims. \With a future...\ > /And, does contact with the sword change the souls? Can they hope to > regain a normal life? Does the sword taint their souls, so you would > be releasing a horde of monsters upon an unsuspecting world? \Now, That Is my Biggest Worry...\ =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:34:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 20:20:43 -0600 In Message # 00002479 In alt.callahans Post # 00000692 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:19:32 In Message # 00002473 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000686 Morgan said: > >>On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:20:15 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002469 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000682 Driscoll said: >> "You stand amongst the scrap and flame. >> The more things change they stay the same. >> A wolf lies with you amongst the sheep. >> His true nature hidden way down deep. >> An old enemy stands with the face of a freind. >> Lest you bring his existance to an end." >> She then turns and walks back around the corner vanishing. Arthur looks at the little girl, "A Seer. Relative of yours, Merlin?" Knytt turns to him, "Look, my name's not-" > There was a flash of light in the sky, and on the tallest building >in the vicinity, Grimfire had curled around the top floor, a >cybernetic Baltar shouted commands at a small army of Cylons, >Maleficent (a version of the Queen of Air and Darkness stood regally >atop Grimfire's head, a gray-and-black suit of powered armor hovered >near her, arms folded, and above them all, Thorne floated, holding >the Shadow Brand before him. > "ROLAND! I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Thorne cried. > Roland and Morgan look up as one, and say with a single voice, "Oh >bloody nass..." Arthur looks dumbstruck. Knytt looks impressed. Melissa looks nervous. And Grep smiles. /'You can always judge a man by the quality of his enemies.'/ Knytt sends. >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:52:41 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002475 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000688 Driscoll said: > Iron Man fires his boot jets adn flies around the corner of the >building where hte girl just disappeared, adn promptly disappears >himself. "Where's 'Shell-head' off to?" Knytt wonders. "Mage, we had best be off as well," Arthur says. "Look, we'll get you sorted out soon enough. Right now, we appear to have bigger problems." Knytt replies absently. > He collapses and curls up into a near fetal possition as Isla shoots >hima sideways glare and grasps the sliver about her neck. "Behold >Darath, for now your power shall strengthen my own in an effort to >clense this creature stiken by darkness. Another miniscule part of >your penence is about to come at hand!" > A ball of light about her grows brighter and brighter until it is >nearly outshining the afternoon California sun. She rises slowly into >the air until she is level with the building top. "Come! cast away >the vile darkness that shackles you! Return to the embrace of the >Great Mother. Be clensed by the light, or else, be destroyed by it!" /Glad she is on our side./ Knytt sends. =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:19:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:08:29 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002482 In alt.callahans Post # 00000695 fuzzy said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 17:26:57 -0600 In Message # 00002471 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000684 Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 13:56:55 In Message # 00002466 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000679 Morgan said: >> >> *Ooo! I want one of _those!_ You think the Rangers are >>enlisting?* Roland sent with a mental smile. > > Knytt can't help chuckling. /Like a kid in a candy store, eh, > Morgan?/ \You could have mine, Unfortunately it is about 18" long minimum, But it is made of Quan Iron... I can't really use it anymore...\ >>>/Uhm, a little help?/ Knytt sent over the link. Fuzzy Arrives overhead careful strafing runs with the energy weapons built into his HoverCyclone. =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:20:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4: re: fast forward & REVENGE (Long) On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 22:12:22 -0800 In Message # 00002483 In alt.callahans Post # 00000696 Martin Gerster said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 13:56:55 In Message # 00002466 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000679 Morgan said: > >>Knytt appeared. Tucking his dull grey metallic amulet into his >>cloak, he withdrew what looked like a small soup can with the label >>peeled off. With a hiss, the Minbari fighting pike extended. > > *Ooo! I want one of _those!_ You think the Rangers are > enlisting?* Roland sent with a mental smile. /Your wish, Roland/ sends the Ruby Fire Lensdragon, as he uses the C-Bands to dimensionaly "phase-in", in midair, to a Time-Space locus above LA, with Nimrod and Sythea in tow,/ ...Is my command!/ He tosses a short, ridged, batton-like cylander to both Roland/Blaze and Morgan and then on a tight-beamed teep mesage to the both of them, /Rune nano/magi-tech Minmari Fighting Pikes; they're nearly indestructable and function as if your natural strength and dexterity were both 130% of their normal levels!/ Then to Nimrod and Sythea, reacting to what Nemo had said earier,/#"Disable these things,but don't distroy them"#/ > The blue-and-gold of Roland's superhero form shines in the > firelight. His eyes glow brightly behind the familiar mask. The belt > is once again around his waist. > The belt... > Those with the ability to sense such things can tell that > something is _wrong_ with the belt. It's not exactly definable, or > truly quantifiable, but there's a...wrongness to it. > > <*Be careful, love,*> Morgan sends. > > *Always, m'eudail,* Roland replies with a quick mental 'kiss.' > > (Assuming someone else comments) > > *I know,* Roland replies, *but we need me at full power. I can > deal with it for now.* Meinwhile, Nimrod allows a group of several of the Controler's combat drones to come into physical contact with him, he *smiles* and activates his shockweb. Thus, reducing the inner circutry of the drones to a foul-smelling, metal and plastic slag. "Payback." utters the AI hunter mechaniod. Similarly, while landing on a nearby rooftop, Sythea begins riddling myriad drones with burts of high-explosive, discarding sabot, rounds from her gauss-accelerator combat rifle. Also, causing massive amounts of internal damage to the drones. Dhyrclhanc, likewise, lands, but on street level and next to Isla (although, probably outside her protective sphere of Light. /Forgive madam, if conversing with you in this manner offends but I am of a mind to aid you against the gathering Horde of darkness. Aid, that is if you don't mind my helping, or for that matter, my help./ So saying, Dhyrclhanc unsheathes Redemption from his waist and manifests his Psi-sword. O.O.C. #5: For those of you keeping track of these things, when Dhyrclhanc is in Dragon form and/or at 21 ft. high, the bandolier holding Redemption holds the Rune nano/magi-tech cutlass at his waist. When he is in his pseudo-T'Skrang form, the bandolier (and an accompaning belt) hold the sword on his back) As the huge gout of green psi-fire aura, shaped like an elder dragon, manifests itself in reaction to the production of the psi-blade, Dhyrclhanc immediatly utters two musical phrases. "Don't you sometimes wish your heart was a heart of stone!" Dhyrclhanc appears to transform into a mobile stone statue of his former self, complete with, still flowing, Ranger's longcoat, and still blinking eyelids. "Be still my beating heart, it would be beter to be cool." An, at least, inch thick veneer of translucent ice completely covers the stone Dhyrclhanc, who, with the beats of two huge, heavy looking, earthen wings launches himself back into the air. Then in a tight beam to Grimfire, /Ho Cousin! What, in the name of the Presences, are you doing in the company of such as these?/ =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:20:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE:from the mouths of babes. On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:44:13 PST In Message # 00002484 In alt.callahans Post # 00000697 Nemo said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:20:15 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002469 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000682 Driscoll said: > > The X-windows have closed and eventually the ranks of drones thin > out enough to notice it. less than a minute later, there is once > again peace on the street, and a lot of scrap metal to be recycled. Nemo will turn them into useful items. Microwaves, home computers, that sort of thing. And leave a note consigning them to an appropriate local charity. He's quite aware that this constitutes "destroying evidence". But after *he* (and any other CAoL folks who wish to) examines them, he doesn't *want* there to be evidence for anyone else to check out. > As he's pointing them out a young girl steps around the corner of > the building behind Iron Man. She speaks in a soft even tone but it > seems to carry to everyone non-the-less. She looks at the assembed > group, "Hello Roland, Morgan, Knytt, Xzerrion, Fuzzy, Iron Man" > (OOC: Delete any of hte previous who do not come.) > "You stand amongst the scrap and flame. > The more things change they stay the same. > A wolf lies with you amongst the sheep. > His true nature hidden way down deep. > An old enemy stands with the face of a freind. > Lest you bring his existance to an end." > She then turns and walks back around the corner vanishing. Nemo puts a "tracer" on her as soon as she turns. =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:34:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:22:37 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002486 In alt.callahans Post # 00000699 Nemisis said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 02:40:48 -0600 In Message # 00002456 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000669 Michael Jon Knight said: > > Melissa waded straight in, her dress shifting to a bathing suit in > mid-stride. Grep got curious about how Nemesis' building repair was > proceeding. > > "Ok, but be careful, stay out of sight, and open back up to the link > when you get there in case Nemesis or one of the others needs you." > Knytt said. > > Grep nodded, opening an oval gate to Hollywood in front of her. > > She stepped through just in time to see... Nemisis Getting a bit irritated \I am planting a small split in each of these drones in the hope that one of them will survive to be recalled by its creator... A less than compleate cleanup is requested if feasable.\ >>> Another x-window higher up opens and closes again quickly as a >>> huge flying wing comes out of it. Flying up silently behind Iron >>> Man, it fires off a beam of light at him. Suddenly he stops firing >>> and begins falling. >>> #What's happening Jim?? What happened to the powerpack?# >>> #....uggg....um.....ow.....uh....zzzzzzzzzzzz.....uh......ug >>> .....ow# >>> #Jim! JIM! Fight it! Activate program two! Do it or we're going >>> to be getting a lot shorter _fast_!!# >>> #Ug...I...I...I'm...Trying...intitated.# =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 20:34:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:07:59 PST In Message # 00002488 In alt.callahans Post # 00000701 Nemo said: In mail you write: > "ROLAND! I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Thorne cried. > Roland and Morgan look up as one, and say with a single voice, > "Oh bloody nass..." "I do not believe that he wishes to go with you." comments Nemo. His garb changes to a white uniform. Then in a voice strangely reminiscent of Patrick McNee, he addresses Baltar in a language that isn't English. "Will you leave? Or shall I inform Imperious Leader that the treaty is inoperative?" Nemo doesn't expect this to work, but it had to be tried. As for the treaty, let's just leave it that Nemo has encountered Cylons before. Much to their dismay. :-) Any attempt to leave by any of the "enemy" *except* the Cylons will encounter rather substantial resistance. Nemo wants to ask them a few questions. If the Cylons turn down the "out" they've been offered, they won't be able to leave either. (note my sig)> -- "We were taking a vote on what to do, when the planet came up and hit us." Cy the Cyclon in "The Return of Starbuck" Galactica 1980 =========================== Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 23:23:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 01:07:16 -0600 In Message # 00002490 In alt.callahans Post # 00000703 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:22:37 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002486 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000699 Nemisis said: > >> On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 02:40:48 -0600 In Message # 00002456 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000669 Michael Jon Knight said: >> >> Grep nodded, opening an oval gate to Hollywood in front of her. >> >> She stepped through just in time to see... > >Nemisis Getting a bit irritated >\I am planting a small split in each of these drones in the hope that >one of them will survive to be recalled by its creator... > A less than compleate cleanup is requested if feasable.\ /We'll try, Grandmother./ >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 13:52:40 PST In Message # 00002470 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000683 Nemo said: >> On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 02:40:48 -0600 In Message # 00002456 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000669 Michael Jon Knight said: >> During the confusion, the drones had managed to outflank Knytt, >> Arthur and the twins. The foursome stood back to back to back to >> back, fending off the drones as best they could. >> >> /Uhm, a little help?/ Knytt sent over the link. >In the "empty" version, Nemo is gone only to reappear at the fight. >He calmly walks thru the fight. Laser beams strike him and vanish. >Material projectiles strike and fall to the ground rather than >bounce. > >"You requested assistance?" "Oh yeah," Knytt says, diving a grab and sweeping the legs out from under a drone. >He reaches out and touches a drone, instantly subverting its >programming and absorbing all data it contains. The drone proceeds to >start attacking the other drones. It's wearing a rather distinctive >gold and scarlet paint scheme (unless that's what they were painted >before, in which case I'll use some other scheme). > >"That's the trouble with machines. They follow orders." "Now _there's_ a thought," Knytt says, "Cover me," he adds, closing his eyes and muttering, his hands making a complex series of gestures similar to sign language in front of his body, while Arthur, Melissa and Grep take up his slack. A moment later, three of the drones start reenacting old "Three Stooges" routines, complete with voices. >Nemo calls out: > >"Please try to avoid damaging the mechanisms more than necessary. I > wish to study them." Melissa drives the saber, duel-handed, through the "head" of one of the drones. "We're *trying.*" /This is *fun*./ Grep sends. Melissa giggles. /It's hard fighting this many as a human...Entirely too few hands./ Knytt rolls his eyes. /Why don't you take a form better suited for it?/ /Where's the challenge in that? We won't learn anything that way./ they ask in unison. /Besides, we want them to feel like they are doing well./ Knytt just shakes his head. /Pyewackett, chess, _Princess Bride_, one of those three has got to be responsible. Just don't let us get killed in your game./ /Don't worry. father, we won't,/ The twins both smile sweetly, /Losing to these doorknobs would be embarrassing./ =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 02:34:45 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 05:24:59 EST In Message # 00002491 In alt.callahans Post # 00000704 Dane0R0A said: << Driscoll said: #Huh? what's that? Did we just become a Trio?# #I don't think so Justin unless you've been picking up strange nantie cultures and not telling me.# #Huh Uhh well maybe htis channel isn't as secure as I thought it would be. Ummm Hi who are you? If I seem distracted please don't mine me. Someone's just trying to kill me right now.# >> (OOC: quartet = Iron Man, Rhianon(sp. sorry), Isla, and Darath. The thought was transmitted to everyone present. The telepathic frequencies and psionic styles are IDENTICAL to those The Stardragon uses (you'll find out why later)) /Oh! In that case.../ The thought comes. A moment later one after another the drones begin flipping through the air, to join the SLOWLY growing ball of white hot ultra-dense metal. As this continues /If any more of those flying constructs appear. I will attempt to prevent them from crashing into the buildings around this place. Uh, who I am is difficult to explain. My people don't have NAMES like humans. We use personality patterns to identify each other. I think it would be easier for you to identify me by the identification that The Stardragon gave us: Discie/ =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 02:49:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Exit Stage Left On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 05:43:33 EST In Message # 00002492 In alt.callahans Post # 00000705 Dane0R0A said: << fuzzy said: To Oracle \Will I be Needed?\ >> /No my friend./ Oracle sends /The might of The Stardragon and the assembled Coalition of Light will be sufficient. Though without The Stardragon all would be lost./ =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 03:34:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 00:27:36 PST In Message # 00002493 In alt.callahans Post # 00000706 Nemo said: >>He reaches out and touches a drone, instantly subverting its >>programming and absorbing all data it contains. The drone proceeds >>to start attacking the other drones. It's wearing a rather >>distinctive gold and scarlet paint scheme (unless that's what they >>were painted before, in which case I'll use some other scheme). Nemo sends: /My examination shows no return program. They seem to be a 'fire & forget' weapon. I'll send you a data dump of their programming and specs if you wish./ =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 14:04:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 16:56:06 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002501 In alt.callahans Post # 00000714 Shadow said: > On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 05:24:59 EST In Message # 00002491 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000704 Dane0R0A said: > > /Oh! In that case.../ The thought comes. A moment later one after > another the drones begin flipping through the air, to join the > SLOWLY growing ball of white hot ultra-dense metal. As this > continues /If any more of those flying constructs appear. I will > attempt to prevent them from crashing into the buildings around this > place. Uh, who I am is difficult to explain. My people don't have > NAMES like humans. We use personality patterns to identify each > other. I think it would be easier for you to identify me by the > identification that The Stardragon gave us: Discie/ Reality ripples at street level and a figure steps forth. Veiws of him are all distorted greatly, but everyone who's heard it before can recognize Jadis's voice, "Wouldn't want you to forget about me, now would I?" With that sending he gestures twice, Setting one spell to break down any and all psionic powers in a limited area and the other to explode the ultra-dense white hot metal. OOC: Can we say BATTLE ROYALE? And for those in the know, Jadis is not really here. He's manifested just enough of himself to cast spells. Something along the lines of Nemo's construct, but hurting it will hurt him. =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 14:34:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 17:13:40 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002502 In alt.callahans Post # 00000715 Shadow said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 20:20:43 -0600 In Message # 00002479 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000692 Michael Jon Knight said: > >> A ball of light about her grows brighter and brighter until it is >>nearly outshining the afternoon California sun. She rises slowly >>into the air until she is level with the building top. "Come! cast >>away the vile darkness that shackles you! Return to the embrace of >>the Great Mother. Be clensed by the light, or else, be destroyed by >>it!" > > /Glad she is on our side./ Knytt sends. Once again reality ripples in a way that makes hearts sink. Once again Jadis appears,this time in midair, after having left before at the first attack made upon him. "I just love meddling." He looks over at Thorne, taking note of the dragon as well, "This should prove interesting." OOC: Yes, Jadis is finally confronting the CAoL. Earlier he left after his attempt to spray white hot metal over everyone. And yes, he'll leave again if pressed. He's just here in the role of Spoiler. =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 14:35:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Face of the Enemy On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 17:27:16 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002503 In alt.callahans Post # 00000716 Shadow said: > On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 13:54:48 In Message # 00002464 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000677 Morgan said: > > *Guards are supposed to be trained for this sort of thing,* > KnightMare sends, glaring darkly at Thorne. "My guards are trained to cover most contingencies. Several someones have been lax." > "Roland dies as soon as I can kill him," Thorne snarls. Jadis files this outburst away for later review. > Thorne, however, smiles. "Stealth such as that, master, could > prove most useful. Most interesting magicks, Lord Eilservs. Perhaps > we could come to some sort of..._arrangement_ on the deaths of the > heroes?" Jadis merely looks at Thorne, expressing his disdain. "I would think that we had already done such, as we've let him live this long. For my part, you have my support in your plans, such as it may be. And in return I'll wish to know what you might have learned, as I don't pretend to know everything. I'll also expect your help at times in my own plans." =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 15:34:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 17:26:46 -0600 In Message # 00002505 In alt.callahans Post # 00000718 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 16:56:06 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002501 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000714 Shadow said: > >Reality ripples at street level and a figure steps forth. Veiws of >him are all distorted greatly, but everyone who's heard it before can >recognize Jadis's voice, "Wouldn't want you to forget about me, now >would I?" With that sending he gestures twice, Setting one spell to >break down any and all psionic powers in a limited area and the other >to explode the ultra-dense white hot metal. Melissa notices the direction (roughly) of the later gesture. Grep scans the metal and notes an odd excitement of the molecules within. Melissa winks at her sister and the would-be bomb vanishes. 1163 AD Canterbury, England: The monks of Canterbury, going against church doctrine of the time, record a large fire and subsequent darkening on the surface of the moon one September eve. Scholars of the 20th century suspect a meteorite collided with the moon that night. =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 19:18:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 18:26:54 PST In Message # 00002506 In alt.callahans Post # 00000719 Nemo said: > On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 16:56:06 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002501 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000714 Shadow said: > > Reality ripples at street level and a figure steps forth. Veiws of > him are all distorted greatly, but everyone who's heard it before > can recognize Jadis's voice, "Wouldn't want you to forget about me, > now would I?" With that sending he gestures twice, Setting one spell > to break down any and all psionic powers in a limited area and the > other to explode the ultra-dense white hot metal. While it isn't strictly psionic powers that maintain Nemo's manifestation, they do play a part. His form ripples like a bad morph in computer animation. There's a blur as his form moves to Jadis's side. He grabs him by the shoulder and they disappear with a loud thunderclap. But just before leaving Nemo states: "I'll be back." Those with appropriate perceptions will realize that he created a wormhole from the surface of the earth to a point about one light hour above the Sun's north pole. He then collapsed it. Other then toning down the gravity effects so as to avois serious damage to the surrounding structures, there was *no* attempt to screen the move. And it was 100% through the manipulation of *phsyical* forces. :-) An hour later a bright flash will be be seen from the location he "jumped" to. Those with senses that operate FTL will note the explosion sooner. It's approximately 2.5 gigaton yield. > OOC: Can we say BATTLE ROYALE? And for those in the know, Jadis > is not really here. He's manifested just enough of himself to cast > spells. Something along the lines of Nemo's construct, but hurting > it will hurt him. Well, then I guess he's been hurt. A new manifestation will be along presently. =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 22:11:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 23:55:35 -0600 In Message # 00002507 In alt.callahans Post # 00000720 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 17:13:40 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002502 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000715 Shadow said: > >Once again reality ripples in a way that makes hearts sink. Once >again Jadis appears,this time in midair, after having left before at >the first attack made upon him. "I just love meddling." He looks over >at Thorne, taking note of the dragon as well, "This should prove >interesting." Melissa and Grep seem more expectant than normal. Suddenly, a shimmering distortion of reality screening Arthur, Knytt and the twins, forms around them. The distortion looks like a giant rippling water droplet which, no matter from what side you look, magnifies the view on the opposite side of the drop, but does not show what is inside. It looks exactly like Jadis's and registers to any scans as a duplicate. The following is only "visible" through the Lens Link: >From the inside of the distortion things look normal. Arthur looks at Knytt, who is watching the standoff. Swinging "Excalibur", the broadsword which was a form of the original Gateway Katana Knytt used to wield, Arthur cuts a hole in the fabric of reality. "Merlin, I can not wait any longer. These odds grow steadily worse and I need you alive!" Grabbing Knytt by the collar, the young King nearly throws him through the gateway, Knytt finds himself falling backwards and landing on a riverbank. Arthur steps through and the portal closes. "Sorry, guys, you all would make excellent additions to the Round Table, but you don't go with us this time." The twins vanish, and the distortion collapses, clearing any residual non-Jadis traces of the activities within. To everyone but the CAoL and Jadis, it looks like the latter's handiwork, and Jadis can only tell it originated and terminated from the same point, not what happened within. The distortion was so our villians won't try and follow. And, as always, the twins are guarding their technology, now that they know it might be vulnerable, even if only to Nemo. That does it, I am off for Canada and the cold. ;) See you in two weeks, if not sooner. =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 22:18:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Mon, 22 Dec 1997 01:07:13 EST In Message # 00002508 In alt.callahans Post # 00000721 Dane0R0A said: << Shadow said: Reality ripples at street level and a figure steps forth. Veiws of him are all distorted greatly, but everyone who's heard it before can recognize Jadis's voice, "Wouldn't want you to forget about me, now would I?" With that sending he gestures twice, Setting one spell to break down any and all psionic powers in a limited area and the other to explode the ultra-dense white hot metal. >> OOC: I do wish you hadn't done that. ALL of the discie's powers are psionic. including the one that keeps his mass "hidden", AND the un-announced one that allows neutronium to exist outside of a star core. Given that however, in the spirit of good role playing... The discie has just time enough to sense what is happening, and telepathically scream /HELP!/ before it dies and begins to detonate. The ground near it surges directly towards it as it's tens of millions of tons of mass is "reveiled". The ball of ultra-dense metal is simply absorbed by it. =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 22:33:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: REVENGE!!! On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 22:21:44 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002509 In alt.callahans Post # 00000722 "P. Campbell" said: On Sat, 20 Dec 1997, Morgan wrote: > "ROLAND! I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Thorne cried. > Roland and Morgan look up as one, and say with a single voice, > "Oh bloody nass..." Xzerrion glances up at the floating Thorne, and draws his bow without further thought. *Can't these villains use more creative lines when they make an entrance?* he sends, and fires a blur of poisoned arrows, targetting the dragon and Thorne both. Tezrantha glares upwards. "You want to play rough?" She growls. "In the name of Gwaeron Windstrom, I call the four winds!" A swirling cyclone appears, oddly enough just around the airborne opponents. She raises her hand, and bolts of lightning lash down from a clear sky. "Contend with a drow priestess at your own peril, mortals!" =========================== Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 22:59:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 22:46:46 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002510 In alt.callahans Post # 00000723 fuzzy said: > On Mon, 22 Dec 1997 01:07:13 EST In Message # 00002508 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000721 Dane0R0A said: > > The discie has just time enough to sense what is happening, and > telepathically scream /HELP!/ before it dies and begins to detonate. > The ground near it surges directly towards it as it's tens of > millions of tons of mass is "reveiled". The ball of ultra-dense > metal is simply absorbed by it. As Fuzzy tries to act fast enough... Activateing Both of his X-Gate generators \Damn this damper field of Jadis'... This is the only hope I've got handy... I can't even feel the mana flows...\ Dane, its up to you... If the Gates Open Fast enough the Discie will be protected by a Bubble of Gate disjunction and can exit 6 months in the future one dimension over, which would put it on the far side of the sun from that Earth. A little slower than that and at least the explosion is shunted away. If even that fails let me know, as this will get a little messy... ;) =========================== Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 03:48:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae:fast forward On Mon, 22 Dec 1997 06:36:57 EST In Message # 00002511 In alt.callahans Post # 00000724 Dane0R0A said: << fuzzy said: As Fuzzy tries to act fast enough... Activateing Both of his X-Gate generators \Damn this damper field of Jadis'... This is the only hope I've got handy... I can't even feel the mana flows...\ Dane, its up to you... If the Gates Open Fast enough the Discie will be protected by a Bubble of Gate disjunction and can exit 6 months in the future one dimension over, which would put it on the far side of the sun from that Earth. A little slower than that and at least the explosion is shunted away. If even that fails let me know, as this will get a little messy... ;) >> (OOC: Unfortunately eliminating Psionics like that would be deadly. It would take a few milliseconds for the Discie to explode, so there would be time even for a human to act in some fashion. So given that...) In space one dimension over a bright short lived star is born. Only one astronomer happens to be looking in that direction at the time, so the astronomical community of earth later decides that it was a small super nova in a neighboring galaxy. =========================== Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 23:33:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Firefight On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: First, there was: >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 22:12:22 -0800 In Message # 00002483 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000696 Martin Gerster said: >> *Ooo! I want one of _those!_ You think the Rangers are >> enlisting?* Roland sent with a mental smile. > >/Your wish, Roland/ sends the Ruby Fire Lensdragon, as he uses the >C-Bands to dimensionaly "phase-in", in midair, to a Time-Space locus >above LA, with Nimrod and Sythea in tow,/ ...Is my command!/ He >tosses a short, ridged, batton-like cylander to both Roland/Blaze and >Morgan and then on a tight-beamed teep mesage to the both of them, >/Rune nano/magi-tech Minmari Fighting Pikes; they're nearly >indestructable and function as if your natural strength and dexterity >were both 130% of their normal levels!/ *COOL!* The Phoenix Claw wraps around the cylinder and merges with it, and soon Roland is wielding a Phoenix Rod with expert skill. Then, after fight #1... >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 20:20:43 -0600 In Message # 00002479 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000692 Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:19:32 In Message # 00002473 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000686 Morgan said: >> "ROLAND! I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Thorne cried. >> Roland and Morgan look up as one, and say with a single voice, >>"Oh bloody nass..." > >Arthur looks dumbstruck. Knytt looks impressed. Melissa looks >nervous. And Grep smiles. > >/'You can always judge a man by the quality of his enemies.'/ Knytt >sends. *Well, Thorne doesn't say much for me, I'm afraid,* Roland notes dryly. Then, gamer said: > He collapses and curls up into a near fetal possition as Isla shoots >hima sideways glare and grasps the sliver about her neck. "Behold >Darath, for now your power shall strengthen my own in an effort to >clense this creature stiken by darkness. Another miniscule part of >your penence is about to come at hand!" > A ball of light about her grows brighter and brighter until it is >nearly outshining the afternoon California sun. She rises slowly into >the air until she is level with the building top. "Come! cast away >the vile darkness that shackles you! Return to the embrace of the >Great Mother. Be clensed by the light, or else, be destroyed by it!" Maleficent stares in shock for a moment... ...then laughs. "How amusing!" She waves, and a raven the size of a roc appears above them, blotting out the sun. "I shackle the darkness, dear child, not the reverse. "Deal with annoyance, would you, my pet?" The raven caws, shattering windows, and dives at Isla. Also, Dhyrclhanc said (at approx. this part of the story): >An, at least, inch thick veneer of translucent ice completely covers >the stone Dhyrclhanc, who, with the beats of two huge, heavy looking, >earthen wings launches himself back into the air. > >Then in a tight beam to Grimfire, /Ho Cousin! What, in the name of >the Presences, are you doing in the company of such as these?/ "Paying a debt, strange brother," Grimfire replies reluctantly. "You have many powers, but my magicks are older than your line, and I have grown strong." The lithe wyrm spreads her wings and launches herself at Dhyrclhanc...and sees Arthur. "No." "NO!!!" She immediately shifts directions. "Wyrm-slayer! Eggbutcher! Dragonkiller!" (Assuming Dhyrclhanc stays in her way) She fights with ten times her previous ferocity. "Out of my way! Do you know who that is?!" Her magicks forgotten, she slashes and burns in pure rage, fighting on instinct. And Xzerrion said: >Xzerrion glances up at the floating Thorne, and draws his bow without >further thought. *Can't these villains use more creative lines when >they make an entrance?* he sends, and fires a blur of poisoned >arrows, targetting the dragon and Thorne both. Thorne starts upon seeing the bolts, and chants reflexively, "Time is the fire in which we burn." The arrows turn to dust. Grimfire is struck broadside, but seems only to be enraged all the more. >Tezrantha glares upwards. "You want to play rough?" She growls. "In >the name of Gwaeron Windstrom, I call the four winds!" A swirling >cyclone appears, oddly enough just around the airborne opponents. She >raises her hand, and bolts of lightning lash down from a clear sky. >"Contend with a drow priestess at your own peril, mortals!" The Baltar-thing absorbs a few bolts, though he seems a bit 'drunk' on them. Maleficent catches the rest with liquid shadows. "Child, I have no use for your godlings, though why you attack your ancestor is beyond me." >On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:07:59 PST In Message # 00002488 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000701 Nemo said: >"I do not believe that he wishes to go with you." comments Nemo. > >His garb changes to a white uniform. Then in a voice strangely >reminiscent of Patrick McNee, he addresses Baltar in a language that >isn't English. > >"Will you leave? Or shall I inform Imperious Leader that the treaty >is inoperative?" > >Nemo doesn't expect this to work, but it had to be tried. As for the >treaty, let's just leave it that Nemo has encountered Cylons before. >Much to their dismay. :-) > >Any attempt to leave by any of the "enemy" *except* the Cylons will >encounter rather substantial resistance. Nemo wants to ask them a few >questions. If the Cylons turn down the "out" they've been offered, >they won't be able to leave either. > >*Cylons* against Melissa, Grep, and Nemo is like throwing gasoline on >a fire to put it out. *Stupid* AI against "machine" intelligences the >size of *worlds*? (note my sig)> OOC: Camouflage for a special upgrade. Thorne isn't as stupid as he looks. Baltar smiles thinly. "Forgive me, Count. I wasn't aware that these were _yours._ However, the Imperious Leader commands, and we obey," he replies-and it _is_ in English. *"COUNT?!"* Roland exclaims, so stunned he speaks. "Of course, 'Blaze,'" Baltar says simply. "I do not interfere in the affairs of Count Iblis." (OOC: In case it isn't obvious to Galactica fans, that doesn't sound like Baltar. It's his vocal cords, but the speech patterns are definitely someone else's. Nemo immediately recognizes the being as Lucifer. He has apparently appropriated Baltar's brain; Nemo-if he bothers-can sense the 'real' Baltar gibbering in terror in the back of the amalgam, while Lucifer 'accesses' the 'useful' aspects of Baltar's mind to better understand and oppose the organics.) "I say, did someone call?" a voice identical to the one Nemo used says. A cultured gentleman in the garb of a Battlestar officer (colored white) appears at ground level, and admires Nemo with a friendly smile. "Tsk tsk, dear boy. I admire your courage," and all at once the smile vanishes, "but I simply _detest_ impersonators." Nothing obvious happens (except to the cosmic-level types) but there's a feeling of something...thickening. (OOC: Iblis is 'solidifying' reality. The Nemo split will start developing subquantum 'reality' and all types of powers will have a reduced range, unless his effect is countered.) Then, Jadis said: >Reality ripples at street level and a figure steps forth. Views of >him are all distorted greatly, but everyone who's heard it before can >recognize Jadis's voice, "Wouldn't want you to forget about me, now >would I?" With that sending he gestures twice, Setting one spell to >break down any and all psionic powers in a limited area and the other >to explode the ultra-dense white hot metal. *Why not?* Blaze replies, intensifying his halo in defense. His powers clearly weaken, but are still extant. *Being forgotten is a good way to keep breathing. Oh, and by the way, that's been tried. My kind have been-* And _then,_ Dane said: >The discie has just time enough to sense what is happening, and >telepathically scream /HELP!/ before it dies and begins to detonate. >The ground near it surges directly towards it as it's tens of >millions of tons of mass is "reveiled". The ball of ultra-dense metal >is simply absorbed by it. *Who-?! Oh, GRIFE!!!* Blaze tries desperately to save the construct, throwing his own defenses out around the alien. *This {} is how you defend against such attacks! Set up a counterfield-* "NOOO!" Thorne laughs. "What an _excellent_ idea!" Thorne adds his own powers to Jadis' psi-dampening field. Though Thorne does not approach Jadis' power, it becomes obvious that Roland's previous jibes were more bravado than real power. Blaze falls to one knee, and sweat begins to form on his forehead. The energy that usually crackles around him flickers weakly. >On Sun, 21 Dec 1997 23:55:35 -0600 In Message # 00002507 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000720 Michael Jon Knight said: >Arthur looks at Knytt, who is watching the standoff. Swinging >"Excalibur", the broadsword which was a form of the original Gateway >Katana Knytt used to wield, Arthur cuts a hole in the fabric of >reality. > >"Merlin, I can not wait any longer. These odds grow steadily worse >and I need you alive!" Grabbing Knytt by the collar, the young King >nearly throws him through the gateway, Knytt finds himself falling >backwards and landing on a riverbank. Arthur steps through and the >portal closes. > >"Sorry, guys, you all would make excellent additions to the Round >Table, but you don't go with us this time." The twins vanish, and the >distortion collapses, clearing any residual non-Jadis traces of the >activities within. To everyone but the CAoL and Jadis, it looks like >the latter's handiwork, and Jadis can only tell it originated and >terminated from the same point, not what happened within. A thwarted Grimfire screames in fury. "NO! Come back, coward! Come back, murderer!" *Oh, shut up,* Roland wavers, firing a psi-bolt at Grimfire. In his weakened state, it does little damage, but achieves his aim; her rant is consumed in the raging combat of warring dragons. *As if the situation couldn't get any worse, there goes our Time Lord...* Morgan, seeing the apparent King of the Britons safely gone, turns her full attention to defending her mate. "Oh, no, you don't," she mutters, casting a 'dispel magic' at the two dark mages. Thorne snarls. "Maleficent, if you would?" Maleficent shrugs, smiles at Roland, and points her staff downward. "Charming lad. Reminds me of a young prince I once knew...by the name of Philip." Her smile turns to a snarl. "This is for six centuries of fire, psion." Maleficent, who _is_ Jadis' equal (at least) adds her own power to the anti-psi effect, throwing in a 'screamer' for good measure. (OOC: A screamer is a telepathic shout that resembles fingernails on a chalkboard mixed with a Shadow scream.) Blaze howls in pain, collapsing... ...then slowly, trembling, begins to rise. Thorne's eyes go wide. "No. Impossible. Impossible!" Maleficent frowns, looking very calm and collected. "Yes, very much like Philip..." "You...thINk...it'S ThAT sIm...Ple?" Roland advances a step. "For...GET it." *Fuzzy. Help Nemo stabilize. Dhyrclhanc. Help Morgan with this anti-psi field. Tezrantha. Drop something heavy on Maleficent. Xzerrion. Blind Grimfire. Nemo, shunt Count Iblis back to the Heaven Ship. Rhiannon, Baltar's a coward-reinforce that. Morgan, keep Thorne's magicks off my back for a moment.* (OOC: I don't _think_ I forgot anyone who we know is here in that; he's not about to give orders to Isla, Raver hasn't picked up a ride yet, and IM vanished.) <*With _pleasure_,*> Morgan responds, gesturing in a sweeping curve, and the mages can sense something like a parabolic mirror appear between Thorne and Blaze. Thorne drops out of the sky, landing on the roof with a comic 'thud' and waving off what seems to be, from his gesturing, invisible bees. "Fool!" Thorne cries. "He's one of THEM!" "He's one of _us_," Morgan replies. Thorne curses in dead languages, and the field intensifies. The 'mirror' wavers, but doesn't buckle. He rolls around in pain, swinging the Shadow Brand at an untouchable enemy. "If he doesn't kill you, I will!" <*Yea, right.*> She contemplates the best way to permanently shut down this particular threat. Meanwhile, Roland turns to Jadis, eyes burning. "Eat THIS!" He points the Phoenix Rod at the cosmic Fallen Magus and pours all his power into anti-magick. "You wanted to take on the Army of Light?! We're ALL YOURS!" Between the Phoenix Claw's powers and the technomagick of the staff, Blaze's EK powers begin to return, crawling up the power beam, writhing towards Jadis. "How do you like us NOW, you miserable PUKE? Still don't want us to FORGET you? Let's see you forget THIS!" Blaze pops a psi-lance into Thorne, who reels on the edge of consciousness. *^Morgan, NOW!^* Morgan quickly sets up a feed-back loop on the 'mirror', so that Thorne's own attacks fuel the reflector. "Later," she thinks, and becomes, in effect, a living conduit, channeling energy to Roland. "Bad choice, Jadis, showing up alone. Even with all those major 'tude villains making life miserable, you're each alone-and we're a team." Blaze pours almost everything he has into the counterattack, sparing just enough to maintain his defenses. "And every time one of those villains falls, one of _us_ will be here to pound on _you._ "Check." =========================== Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 00:33:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 00:28:53 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002513 In alt.callahans Post # 00000726 fuzzy said: > On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: > (OOC: In case it isn't obvious to Galactica fans, that doesn't > sound like Baltar. It's his vocal cords, but the speech patterns are > definitely someone else's. Nemo immediately recognizes the being as > Lucifer. He has apparently appropriated Baltar's brain; Nemo-if > he bothers-can sense the 'real' Baltar gibbering in terror in the > back of the amalgam, while Lucifer 'accesses' the 'useful' aspects > of Baltar's mind to better understand and oppose the organics.) From Nemisis \I am expanding the Split tagging to include the Cylons > "What an _excellent_ idea!" Thorne adds his own powers to Jadis' > psi-dampening field. Though Thorne does not approach Jadis' power, > it becomes obvious that Roland's previous jibes were more bravado > than real power. Blaze falls to one knee, and sweat begins to form > on his forehead. The energy that usually crackles around him > flickers weakly. From Nemisis and Fuzzy at the Same Time \Ohhh, so that is how it is done...\ > Maleficent, who _is_ Jadis' equal (at least) adds her own power > to the anti-psi effect, throwing in a 'screamer' for good measure. > (OOC: A screamer is a telepathic shout that resembles fingernails on > a chalkboard mixed with a Shadow scream.) From Fuzzy useing Rune-Tech Telepathic Radio from here on. "Drek, you can count me out for both Psi and Magic while this keeps up.\ > "You...thINk...it'S ThAT sIm...Ple?" Roland advances a step. > "For...GET it." > *Fuzzy. Help Nemo stabilize. Dhyrclhanc. Help Morgan with this > anti-psi field. Tezrantha. Drop something heavy on Maleficent. > Xzerrion. Blind Grimfire. Nemo, shunt Count Iblis back to the Heaven > Ship. Rhiannon, Baltar's a coward-reinforce that. Morgan, keep > Thorne's magicks off my back for a moment.* "Nemisis will have to get that, Nemisis, I suggest a Reality Stabilizer set to stablize his 'normal' internal reality, in fact make several while you are at it... Anyone else need one? It may not help ranged powers but it should at least protect you internal workings..." From Nemisis \Confirmed, Delivery in 2 seconds... Maintain physical contact with the device...\ A hand reaches out of the astral next to each person who indicates use for a Stabilizer, holding a small box about 3"x3"x1". When first touched a light shows yellow for a fraction of a second, possibly longer while it takes a reading on what its settings should be, Then the light turns green as the Stabilizer activates. "In this Anti-Psi field all I've got that I can use is my Tech, and Rune-Tech devices." Fuzzy on his Hovercyclone starts using mini-missiles on concentrations of troops... Cylon clusters get standing coiled lighting bolts... EM static and Intense Magnetic field in one... Other things get Sheet Ice Entangles. "Tezrantha, If you want some help with that Heavy object, I have a medium sized hill handy..." > "Bad choice, Jadis, showing up alone. Even with all those major > 'tude villains making life miserable, you're each alone-and we're a > team." Blaze pours almost everything he has into the counterattack, > sparing just enough to maintain his defenses. "And every time one of > those villains falls, one of _us_ will be here to pound on _you._ > "Check." From Nemisis \My Lord Fuzzy has an Idea... It will take a while to put into effect, As I am not on one of the secure links, I will not go into detail.\ On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 05:10:43 PST In Message # 00002514 In alt.callahans Post # 00000727 Nemo said: >>On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 19:07:59 PST In Message # 00002488 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000701 Nemo said: > "I say, did someone call?" a voice identical to the one Nemo used > says. A cultured gentleman in the garb of a Battlestar officer > (colored white) appears at ground level, and admires Nemo with a > friendly smile. "Tsk tsk, dear boy. I admire your courage," and all > at once the smile vanishes, "but I simply _detest_ impersonators." > Nothing obvious happens (except to the cosmic-level types) but > there's a feeling of something...thickening. "Count. I do not *care* what you do or do not like. And as we *both* know, you have no authority over me. I suggest that you leave before I call upon those who *do* have such authority." The "Presence" is noticeable around Nemo. And he's starting to "glow" in a manner that should be quite intolerable to Iblis. > *Fuzzy. Help Nemo stabilize. Dhyrclhanc. Help Morgan with this > anti-psi field. Tezrantha. Drop something heavy on Maleficent. > Xzerrion. Blind Grimfire. Nemo, shunt Count Iblis back to the Heaven > Ship. Rhiannon, Baltar's a coward-reinforce that. Morgan, keep > Thorne's magicks off my back for a moment.* Nemo looks a bit annoyed and even somewhat strained. He jumps to discie's side and places a hand upon it, and the insane gravity field vanishes. Then he turns back to the Count. "Iblis, I have more important things to deal with at the moment. I do trust that you'll enjoy your visit with the Lords of Light..." Nemo then shifts to Latin and speaks a few phrases while sketching some geometric figures in the air. Those with a good knowledge of such things will recognize a highly modified invocation of the Archangels, using several of the "hidden" names of God. For a moment, nothing seems to happen. Nemo seems to be looking beyond this reality. A globe surrounds Iblis, shing with an Unearthly radiance and emitting a near-intolerable musical note. No matter what direction one is looking at Iblis from, he is seen to receed *straight* away into a place of brilliant, shing crystalline forms. As Iblis vanishes, Nemo bows his head and crosses himself. > "Bad choice, Jadis, showing up alone. Even with all those major > 'tude villains making life miserable, you're each alone-and we're a > team." Blaze pours almost everything he has into the counterattack, > sparing just enough to maintain his defenses. "And every time one of > those villains falls, one of _us_ will be here to pound on _you._ > "Check." =========================== Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 09:33:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE: Meanwhile, back in the valley On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 12:12:37 -0500 In Message # 00002515 In alt.callahans Post # 00000728 Caprice said: Legion watches as the group vanishes, before she can find out what is going on. Rather than leap into the fray, she settles back, working on reconciling herself to this reality. =========================== Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 16:32:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 17:30:23 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002516 In alt.callahans Post # 00000729 Driscoll said: > On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: > > Maleficent stares in shock for a moment... > ...then laughs. > "How amusing!" She waves, and a raven the size of a roc appears > above them, blotting out the sun. "I shackle the darkness, dear > child, not the reverse. "Deal with annoyance, would you, my pet?" > The raven caws, shattering windows, and dives at Isla. Isla's eyes burn with rage. "You dare believe that the darkness can ever match the strength of the Light?" The orb of light moves away from around her and moves around the Raven. The combined magical force of Isla and Darath lock the creature insdie the orb and inside it the raven begins burning from the intense light. Flame leaping up from the feathers and it screams in pain. Soon nothing but ash remains inside and the orb releases it, forming itself into a gigantic humanoid form with angel wings spead wide as it flies at the dark witch. > The Baltar-thing absorbs a few bolts, though he seems a bit > 'drunk' on them. Maleficent catches the rest with liquid shadows. > "Child, I have no use for your godlings, though why you attack your > ancestor is beyond me." Isla spares a glance towards Tezrantha and observes this. "I see I'm not the only one blessed by the Goddess here. Take this bit of my power to ad to your own. We shall show them true strength." She gestures and (if accepted) a ball of light leaves the angelic figure and jumps to Tezrantha. A link to Isla comes with it with much more power at hand to draw on if needed. As Roland beats on Jadis and Morgan makes Thorne beat on himself, Driss walks around the corner of a building and leans there against the wall. "Aww you guys are having a party and forgot to invite me! Hmmm I see a couple others left early too. Maybe I can fix that." Driss looks up at Malifecent and the air behind her shimmers a moment and Iron Man comes flying through at top speed. #Hey where are we now?# #We appear to be back where we started. I didn't open the window tohere though# #Then how...# The nearly instantanious mental conversation is cut short as Iron Man crashes head first into Malifecent. =========================== Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 17:48:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE: Stranger in the Night On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 01:24:40 -0800 In Message # 00002517 In alt.callahans Post # 00000730 Gareth L Owen said: Luigi opened the door just wide enough to let him slip through it, before closing it silently after him. His target lay ahead, he could make out the figure in the bed, by the moonlight that streamed in through the almost closed curtains. He raised the silenced Colt and placed four careful shots into the sleeping figure, he would not steal from the Family again. Stepping up to the bed he pulled back the sheets, only to find a pair of pillows with four very neat little holes drilled in them. It was then that the two by four struck him in the face, he fell to the floor, shocked and confused, catching a glimpse of his gun he reached, for it, but a booted foot, pinned his wrist to the ground and a knee, powered by 180lb of angry Stranger knocked him out. ++++ Stranger whistled quietly to himself as he tied the Luigi's driver to the chair. Luigi had already been tied to another chair and gagged, Stranger wanted to preserve his peace and quiet just a little longer. When he was sure the man was tightly bound he turned back to the table. A holdall contained the things he had been working on for the last month, mostly papers for a variety of false identites, but also some bearer bonds, money orders and other little things to make life easier. His new dimension jump was securely deposited in a belt pouch, hopefully he wouldn't be encountering another Goldeneye anytime soon. Luigis weapons now found a home in a double shoulder rig, a silenced Colt 45, of a type made specially for the SEALs and a .22 Ruger target pistol. Luigi was undoubtedly a very professional assassin, odd that he'd fallen for the old pillow under the blanket trick. The drivers 38 Police special had been rendered harmless and disposed of, Stranger didn't need it and it might hurt someone. Groaning sounds behind him alerted Stranger to the fact that Luigi had come around. "Good morning," he said in flawless Italian. "Nice try, too bad. I know what your thinking, it's 4:30 am and I'm alone, don't I ever sleep? No, I don't, it's the dreams, you see." Stranger gave Luigi a wild eyed look, and Luigi was never sure whether he'd put it on or not. "Thank your bosses for the money, I've sent what was left to a charity for orphans in Chicago, very grateful they were too." Stranger smiled broadly at the assassin. "Oh and don't bother trying to follow me, no one can follow where I'm going." Stranger mused that that wasn't strictly true, as he left the building, bag slung over his shoulder, but he doubted even the Mafia were that well connected. He reached under his coat, spun on an axis at ninety degrees to absolutely everything, and was gone. =========================== Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 21:03:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 20:50:22 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002520 In alt.callahans Post # 00000733 "P. Campbell" said: On Mon, 22 Dec 1997, Roland X wrote: > "How amusing!" She waves, and a raven the size of a roc appears > above them, blotting out the sun. "I shackle the darkness, dear > child, not the reverse. "Deal with annoyance, would you, my pet?" > The raven caws, shattering windows, and dives at Isla. Tezrantha fixes her gaze on the raven. "Hold, in the name of the light. Be free of the one who called thee, and become once more a creature of nature, as was meant to be." > Thorne starts upon seeing the bolts, and chants reflexively, > "Time is the fire in which we burn." The arrows turn to dust. > Grimfire is struck broadside, but seems only to be enraged all > the more. Xzerrion is impressed despite himself. `Damn,' he breaths. > The Baltar-thing absorbs a few bolts, though he seems a bit > 'drunk' on them. Maleficent catches the rest with liquid shadows. > "Child, I have no use for your godlings, though why you attack your > ancestor is beyond me." Tezrantha begins to glow blue-green with the power of her god, but she isn't just calling a two-way shield this time. "It is the way of things that the old shall fall to make way for the new. Your time is long past." Having failed to make much headway with lightning, she calls hailstones the approximate size of bowling balls. > *Why not?* Blaze replies, intensifying his halo in defense. His > powers clearly weaken, but are still extant. *Being forgotten is a > good way to keep breathing. Oh, and by the way, that's been tried. > My kind have been-* Dantris steps to Roland's side and places his nose on Roland's shoulder. Roland feels a sudden increase in available power and hears a mental tone of reassurance coming from the horse. > "What an _excellent_ idea!" Thorne adds his own powers to Jadis' > psi-dampening field. Though Thorne does not approach Jadis' power, > it becomes obvious that Roland's previous jibes were more bravado > than real power. Blaze falls to one knee, and sweat begins to form > on his forehead. The energy that usually crackles around him > flickers weakly. Dantris begins glowing blue, adding energy to the halo. Xzerrion thinks furiously, trying to come up with a distraction for Thorne, but can't find anything too creative. He causes a clap of thunder centered practically inside Thorne's head. > Maleficent shrugs, smiles at Roland, and points her staff > downward. "Charming lad. Reminds me of a young prince I once knew... > by the name of Philip." Her smile turns to a snarl. "This is for six > centuries of fire, psion." > Maleficent, who _is_ Jadis' equal (at least) adds her own power > to the anti-psi effect, throwing in a 'screamer' for good measure. > (OOC: A screamer is a telepathic shout that resembles fingernails on > a chalkboard mixed with a Shadow scream.) Tezrantha collapses, clutching her ears, then slowly struggles to her feet, with a look of absolute concentration on her face. "Two can play," she mutters, and directs a backlash of all the pain caused by the screamer straight back at Maleficent. > Blaze howls in pain, collapsing... > ...then slowly, trembling, begins to rise. > Thorne's eyes go wide. "No. Impossible. Impossible!" > Maleficent frowns, looking very calm and collected. "Yes, very > much like Philip..." > "You...thINk...it'S ThAT sIm...Ple?" Roland advances a step. > "For...GET it." Dantris rears, neighing his own defiance. For a moment, those with mage-sight see a glowing horn projecting from the star on his forhead. > *Fuzzy. Help Nemo stabilize. Dhyrclhanc. Help Morgan with this > anti-psi field. Tezrantha. Drop something heavy on Maleficent. > Xzerrion. Blind Grimfire. Nemo, shunt Count Iblis back to the Heaven > Ship. Rhiannon, Baltar's a coward-reinforce that. Morgan, keep > Thorne's magicks off my back for a moment.* Tezrantha is a bit confused. *Something heavy? How in the name of Gwaeron Windstrom am I supposed to ... got it!* The earth trembles before Malificent, and a ten-ton earth elemental burts out and jumps on the critter. Xzerrion calls a 15' radius sphere of darkness, centered on Grimfire's head. > "Bad choice, Jadis, showing up alone. Even with all those major > 'tude villains making life miserable, you're each alone-and we're a > team." Blaze pours almost everything he has into the counterattack, > sparing just enough to maintain his defenses. "And every time one > of those villains falls, one of _us_ will be here to pound on _you._ > "Check." Assuming Jadis is on the ground, Dantris charges and kick's him, each hoof delivering powerful bolts of positive material energy. Everything seems to be going well until ... An arrow flies from the roof of a nearby building, catching Tezrantha in the back. Those on the link can tell she's still alive, but her control over the elemental is broken, and she's barely conscious. Xzerrion dashes to her side, though he is able to do little more than add his energies to hers. *Is there a healer anywhere?* he sends desperately. M'Lausa flickers into invisibility and begins shifting positions, looking for another target. =========================== Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 21:48:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 21:45:01 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002521 In alt.callahans Post # 00000734 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 20:50:22 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002520 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000733 "P. Campbell" said: > > Xzerrion calls a 15' radius sphere of darkness, centered on > Grimfire's head. One of Fuzzy's Mini-Missiles hits the edge of the Darkness and detonates Forming a Spherical Shell of Hardend Frictionless Elemental Air around Grimfire... > An arrow flies from the roof of a nearby building, catching > Tezrantha in the back. Those on the link can tell she's still alive, > but her control over the elemental is broken, and she's barely > conscious. Xzerrion dashes to her side, though he is able to do > little more than add his energies to hers. *Is there a healer > anywhere?* he sends desperately. Fuzzy's HoverCyclone appears momentarily over Xzerrion's head, "This is a Nano-Tech Smart First-Aid Kit, Put it next to the wound, if she isn't dead before it gets to work, she will recover. This time even the Hydra-Virus is covered." He Drops a 1 Kilo package to Xzerrion. Then Appears in front of the out of control Earth Elemental Fuzzy Holds up his arm to show the wristband holding his Lens to the Elemental "By treaty, As an Earth Friend, I Request your Assitance, For so long as it does not hazard your existance, Please attack that entity" Fuzzy points at Malificent "When you no longer can do so, return to your proper Home." "As a Gift and Aid in that task, I shall increase your Mass and Abilities" The Wristband flares bright for a second as The Elemental Grows to 40 Tons, And Gains access to Earth Related Spell-Like abilities. Fuzzy Ports high to get an over view and see where else he can be of assitance. =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 00:48:47 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 02:23:30 EST In Message # 00002524 In alt.callahans Post # 00000737 Dane0R0A said: << "P. Campbell" said: An arrow flies from the roof of a nearby building, catching Tezrantha in the back. Those on the link can tell she's still alive, but her control over the elemental is broken, and she's barely conscious. Xzerrion dashes to her side, though he is able to do little more than add his energies to hers. *Is there a healer anywhere?* he sends desperately. M'Lausa flickers into invisibility and begins shifting positions, looking for another target. >> A beam of golden energy stabs down from the sky, bathing Tezrantha and Xzerrion in healing energies. An instant later a giagantic figure appears. The beam of energy emanating from one finger. Less than a second later the wound is healed and both Tezrantha and Xzerrion feel like they are bursting with energy (which they almost are. explanation comming up). The figure is 400 feet tall at the shoulder, and NEARLY humanoid. He (for it is clearly male) is VERY, VERY heavily muscled (think of a 400 foot tall hulk), heavily armored, glowing with a dull red internal light. Where the neck and head would be on a humanoid there is what appears to be a nest of serpents. Nine of them rising up another 50 feet above the shoulders. One of the heads turns to look in the direction of M'Lausa and twin beams of red force lance out from its eyes, smashing the building below M'Lausa's feet to rubble. It SPEAKS "Oracle asked me to assist you. You may call me Hydra. I felt a Discie die here a moment ago. Who did it? That person must be punished, before The Stardragon finds out. It would destroy the murderer and the planet he stood upon, for murdering one of its children." The voice is almost too deep for human ears to hear, but LOUD. Windows in the upper floors of nearby buildings shatter from the resonance force of his voice. It is clearly NOT shouting, but there is POWER in its voice. =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 01:49:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 01:17:51 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002525 In alt.callahans Post # 00000738 fuzzy said: > On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 02:23:30 EST In Message # 00002524 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000737 Dane0R0A said: > It SPEAKS "Oracle asked me to assist you. You may call me Hydra. I > felt a Discie die here a moment ago. Who did it? That person must be > punished, before The Stardragon finds out. It would destroy the > murderer and the planet he stood upon, for murdering one of its > children." "The Entity known as Jadis is responsible for the Psi-Null field, To give proper reference though, I do not believe the Jadis was aware of what that would do to a Discie." Fuzzy Points "A Manifestation of The Entity Jadis is There." =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 02:48:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 05:37:23 EST In Message # 00002526 In alt.callahans Post # 00000739 Dane0R0A said: In a message dated 97-12-24 04:51:49 EST, you write: << fuzzy said: "The Entity known as Jadis is responsible for the Psi-Null field, To give proper reference though, I do not believe the Jadis was aware of what that would do to a Discie." Fuzzy Points "A Manifestation of The Entity Jadis is There." >> "Thank you!" One of Hydra's heads says, while six others orient on the Jadis manifestation. Three of the heads fire beams of pure energy at "Jadis", the other three do something which is visible only to those that can see pure magical force. The air (since I believe he is currently airborne or the air and the ground if he has landed) around him (Jadis) takes on a pearly luster. Astronomers (and anybody else who might have had close experience with the corona of a star) would recognize it as the ionization effect of multi-million degree temperatures (fortuneately confined to a sphere that just contains his body)(OOC: can Jadis' manifestation survive that?). Hydra resumes speaking, "I do not care HOW he happened to kill the Discie, nor would The Stardragon. The Discies are not aggressive and only enter battle to defend themselves or to protect others. The Stardragon bred them to be gentle and kind. Killing one of them even by accident is a crime that ANY Starspawn, even a member of the Coalition of Light, would punish summarilly, for fear that The Stardragon would hear of an un-punished murderer and commit the punishment itself. But I sense that while this Jadis did not know it would kill the Discie, he did intend harm. Deliberate harm has the potential of killing. Therefore, while he did not mean to kill the Discie, he did intend to commit an act to harm and as a consequence of that caused the death of one of The Stardragon's children. He dies!" Hydra will continue the assault on Jadis until the manifestation is destroyed, or is withdrawn. (OOC: Hydra's power would be of the same order of magnitude as Galactus. Maybe 2-3 times greater, but still on the same order of magnitude) =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 11:33:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 11:07:24 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002528 In alt.callahans Post # 00000741 fuzzy said: > On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 05:37:23 EST In Message # 00002526 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000739 Dane0R0A said: > > "Thank you!" One of Hydra's heads says, while six others orient on > the Jadis manifestation. Three of the heads fire beams of pure > energy at "Jadis", the other three do something which is visible > only to those that can see pure magical force. The air (since I > believe he is currently airborne or the air and the ground if he has > landed) around him (Jadis) takes on a pearly luster. Astronomers > (and anybody else who might have had close experience with the > corona of a star) would recognize it as the ionization effect of > multi-million degree temperatures (fortuneately confined to a sphere > that just contains his body)(OOC: can Jadis' manifestation survive > that?). Hydra resumes speaking, "I do not care HOW he happened to > kill the Discie, nor would The Stardragon. The Discies are not > aggressive and only enter battle to defend themselves or to protect > others. The Stardragon bred them to be gentle and kind. Killing one > of them even by accident is a crime that ANY Starspawn, even a > member of the Coalition of Light, would punish summarilly, for fear > that The Stardragon would hear of an un-punished murderer and commit > the punishment itself. But I sense that while this Jadis did not > know it would kill the Discie, he did intend harm. Deliberate harm > has the potential of killing. Therefore, while he did not mean to > kill the Discie, he did intend to commit an act to harm and as a > consequence of that caused the death of one of The Stardragon's > children. He dies!" Hydra will continue the assault on Jadis until > the manifestation is destroyed, or is withdrawn. "You are quite correct, Jadis did intend harm, And if Jadis Had Known the Discie would die of it, He would have done so deliberatly, without hesitation." =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 18:49:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Face of the Enemy On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 18:40:40 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002533 In alt.callahans Post # 00000746 "P. Campbell" said: On Sun, 21 Dec 1997, Shadow wrote: >> *M'Lausa Eilservs, my desire is distraction. I require that >> this...Army of Light be involved with other difficulties while I >> pursue my own needs. Your attempts to kill their members will suit >> this desire rather nicely. However, they are skilled, tightly-knit, >> and possess the power of the Stardragon. I have no need to ask of >> you what you want, since you have already declared such. However, I >> do not require their deaths. Indeed, attempts to slay them are >> likely to fail, as many are immortal, and will anger them further. >> How will your efforts be more of a benefit than a hindrance, since >> you know of my involvement in this?* "You answered your own question. A tightly knit, powerful group will stop its plans to help another member who is attacked, or to work vengence on the attacker. I am willing to take that risk, and draw their attentions for a time. However, I will not act using raw power. Drisonel tried that and failed. A lone assassin is more dangerous than an army." >> KnightMare's 'voice' is calm and even, but he's weighing >> M'Lausa's usefulness against the potential threat he represents. >> (OOC: I have no intention of killing your bad guy, Xzerrion, but >> anyone being stared at by a calm KnightMare-short of cosmic-level >> beings like Jadis and Nemo-should feel like their continued >> existence is being pondered.) M'Lausa doesn't blink. All his life represents for him is a chance for revenge, and death only matters if he fails to reach his goals first. >> Thorne, however, smiles. "Stealth such as that, master, could >> prove most useful. Most interesting magicks, Lord Eilservs. Perhaps >> we could come to some sort of..._arrangement_ on the deaths of the >> heroes?" "Arrangements seem simple enough, mage. Roland and Morgan are yours, as it is my guess you want them. I don't feel the need to take down each group member personally." > Jadis merely looks at Thorne, expressing his disdain. "I would think > that we had already done such, as we've let him live this long. For > my part, you have my support in your plans, such as it may be. And > in return I'll wish to know what you might have learned, as I don't > pretend to know everything. I'll also expect your help at times in > my own plans." M'Lausa tosses Jadis a thick sheaf of scrolls. "My notes on the observed abilities of both Tezrantha and Xzerrion. There is also something odd about Tezrantha's horse I have been unable to discover. Also included in those scrolls are some notes on my stealth magics. Maybe you can use it to train your guards. And I'll be pleased to assist in your plans, so long as they do not contradict with my own." =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 19:03:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Firefight On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 18:47:40 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002534 In alt.callahans Post # 00000747 "P. Campbell" said: On Wed, 24 Dec 1997, Dane0R0A wrote: > A beam of golden energy stabs down from the sky, bathing Tezrantha > and Xzerrion in healing energies. An instant later a giagantic > figure appears. The beam of energy emanating from one finger. Less > than a second later the wound is healed and both Tezrantha and > Xzerrion feel like they are bursting with energy (which they almost > are. explanation comming up). The figure is 400 feet tall at the > shoulder, and NEARLY humanoid. He (for it is clearly male) is VERY, > VERY heavily muscled (think of a 400 foot tall hulk), heavily > armored, glowing with a dull red internal light. Where the neck and > head would be on a humanoid there is what appears to be a nest of > serpents. Nine of them rising up another 50 feet above the > shoulders. Tezrantha glances up. "What in Arvandor, the Abyss, or anywhere in between?" Xzerrion answers. "You don't want to know. From the appearance, I'd guess it to be a friend of Stardragon." "Oh, gods ... " she mutters. > One of the heads turns to look in the direction of M'Lausa and twin > beams of red force lance out from its eyes, smashing the building > below M'Lausa's feet to rubble. It SPEAKS "Oracle asked me to assist > you. You may call me Hydra. I felt a Discie die here a moment ago. > Who did it? That person must be punished, before The Stardragon > finds out. It would destroy the murderer and the planet he stood > upon, for murdering one of its children." The voice is almost too > deep for human ears to hear, but LOUD. Windows in the upper floors > of nearby buildings shatter from the resonance force of his voice. > It is clearly NOT shouting, but there is POWER in its voice. M'Lausa is very careful not to move, staying covered beneath the rubble. To anyone trying to use a life-sense, he appears dead. =========================== Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 20:34:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Firefight & LAST DANCE On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 23:30:41 -0800 In Message # 00002535 In alt.callahans Post # 00000748 Martin Gerster said: > On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: > > First, there was: >>On Sat, 20 Dec 1997 22:12:22 -0800 In Message # 00002483 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000696 Martin Gerster said: >> >>/Your wish, Roland/ sends the Ruby Fire Lensdragon, as he uses the >>C-Bands to dimensionaly "phase-in", in midair, to a Time-Space locus >>above LA, with Nimrod and Sythea in tow,/ ...Is my command!/ He >>tosses a short, ridged, batton-like cylander to both Roland/Blaze >>and Morgan and then on a tight-beamed teep mesage to the both of >>them, /Rune nano/magi-tech Minmari Fighting Pikes; they're nearly >>indestructable and function as if your natural strength and >>dexterity were both 130% of their normal levels!/ > > *COOL!* The Phoenix Claw wraps around the cylinder and merges > with it, and soon Roland is wielding a Phoenix Rod with expert > skill. (O.O.C. #1: Shouldn't that be a 'Phoenix Staff' Roland? I'm assuming you expanded the pike before merging it with the 'Phoenix Claw'.) > "Paying a debt, strange brother," Grimfire replies reluctantly. > "You have many powers, but my magicks are older than your line, and > I have grown strong." The lithe wyrm spreads her wings and launches > herself at Dhyrclhanc...and sees Arthur. > "No." > "NO!!!" She immediately shifts directions. "Wyrm-slayer! > Eggbutcher! Dragonkiller!" > > She fights with ten times her previous ferocity. "Out of my way! Do >you know who that is?!" Her magicks forgotten, she slashes and burns >in pure rage, fighting on instinct. Seeing that Arthur being one of the few 'fictional' personalities Dhyrclhanc has *not* met before (although he *has* heard about him! (see my .sig)) he does his best to withstand Grimfire's vicious lashing out and asks, (Reverently)"Old Mother, what has this one ever done to you, or our kind?" (Please note: In this combined Elemental Stone/Para-Elemntal Ice form, Dhyrclhanc is both nearly invulnerable and, like Fred J. Dukes, is almost completly immovable... so long as he is aware of the attempt to move him, that is.) > Thorne starts upon seeing the bolts, and chants reflexively, > "Time is the fire in which we burn." The arrows turn to dust. > Grimfire is struck broadside, but seems only to be enraged all > the more. Xzerrion, one assumes, is good enough a bowman to hit the Krynnish Elder Dragoness and miss the Lensdragon(?) > Then, Jadis "said": >>Reality ripples at street level and a figure steps forth. Views of >>him are all distorted greatly, but everyone who's heard it before >>can recognize Jadis's voice, "Wouldn't want you to forget about me, >>now would I?" With that sending he gestures twice, Setting one spell >>to break down any and all psionic powers in a limited area and the >>other to explode the ultra-dense white hot metal. "JAHAYDIHIS!" screams the superanuated hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon, once hearing. the dark mage's voice and Time, itself, seems to dialate as the sound reaches the remaining CAoL members. Grimfire apparently being forgotten. Once again, Dhyrclhanc uses the C-Bands to "phase" out of local Time-Space and returns to a point in the Holywood sky several feet behind his previous spot. The claw/hand in which was previously clenched his emerald psi-fire claymore now grasps the inverse grip of a several meter-long, gattling-style ultra-tech, organic-looking, ergonomic, cannon. "JADIS! YOU BASTARD GIT OF THE OBCENE UNION OF AN ABOLETH AND A CATOBLEPTAS! GIVE ME BACK MY _RING_!!!" Lances of spitting and crackling stellar energies pour out of the business end of the weapon and impact the asphalt around Jadis' feet. > <*With _pleasure_,*> Morgan responds, gesturing in a sweeping curve, > and the mages can sense something like a parabolic mirror appear > between Thorne and Blaze. Thorne drops out of the sky, landing on > the roof with a comic 'thud' and waving off what seems to be, from > his gesturing, invisible bees. > "Fool!" Thorne cries. "He's one of THEM!" ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > "He's one of _us_," Morgan replies. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (O.O.C. #2: Who is being talked about here?) > Thorne curses in dead languages, and the field intensifies. The > 'mirror' wavers, but doesn't buckle. He rolls around in pain, > swinging the Shadow Brand at an untouchable enemy. "If he doesn't > kill you, I will!" > <*Yea, right.*> She contemplates the best way to permanently shut > down this particular threat. Roland's commands and Fuzzy's dissemination of the personal reality stabilizers shakes Dhyrclhanc out of his rage. By now, everyone realizes that neither Dhyrclhanc's psi-powers or magick abilities have been affected by the existant null-fields. (different frequencies, well... different *enough*.) /Gee, what can I do to help?/ At which moment, a horrendous ripping sound can be heard and a *huge* rend appears in the sky. A long, muli-limbed, reptilian, worm-like beast quickly slithers out of it and, while launching itself at the draconain Lensman, bodychecks Dhyrclhanc into the street. In a hissing sing-song voice the midnight blue beast, with a belly the hue of dead flesh shrieks, "Dhyrclhanc, you and your medding friends need to be taught not to interfere with my Master's interests!" While saying this, it draws a large, black staff out of thin air and raises it over its crocodilian head, in preparation to strike. The "Sterling" being knocked out of his grasp, Dhyrclhanc uses his TK to draw another Minbari Fighting Pike from beneath his longcoat, simultaneously sheathing Redemption. "To Hades with you and to Hades with your 'Master', Behir!" cries the draconic Lensman shoving the tip of the Pike deep into the creaure's belly. The Beast cries out in pain, but at the same time tumbles through the air, rips another hole in reality, grabs one of Dhyrclhanc's legs with it's tail and pulls both of them through the rend. /TAHKIS AND PALATINE!!!/ psionicly oathes the superannuated hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon, over the psi-link, as he disappears through the "wormhole",/At least, I've got Cypher with me!!!/ Nimrod pauses from fighting the battle drones and for a moment has a blank look on his sythetic face. As the two tears in Time-Space begin to "heal" he 'ports with a loud ZAM! to Sythea's rooftop location. Somehow, he transmits to the link, /#Cypher is Dhyrclhanc's omnipresent Rune-Tech, Psi-aware, PDA/computer. It has transmitted to me a projected, plotted, 4-D path that Dhyrclhanc and the Behir are most likely to follow. Sythea and I are going to attempt to trace them, retrieve Dhyrclhanc and return to your company. Wish us luck!/ Large, ultra-tech, modules unfold from Nimrod's back, lower arms, and lower legs. Then Sythea and Nimrod join hand and 'port away with an even louder ZAM! than before. (O.O.C. #3: O.K. guys that's it I'm officialy ABENDed, I'll lurk when I can but I don't plan on being a serious & perminent part of this madness untill Feb. or end Jan. of '98 when, hopefully, I'll have the computer problem solved at my new place. OTOH, 'll be co-authoring Shadow/Paul/John's chapter so Dhyrclhanc and I might be back before that, TTFN. Oh and Fuzzy thanks for the knind offer of the loaner but I don't think it'll be necessary, thanx anyway 'though) =========================== Date: Thu, 25 Dec 1997 01:33:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Ups and Downs On Thu, 25 Dec 97 01:29:58 -0800 In Message # 00002537 In alt.callahans Post # 00000750 Roland X said: >On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 05:10:43 PST In Message # 00002514 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000727 Nemo said: > >> Baltar smiles thinly. "Forgive me, Count. I wasn't aware that >> these were _yours._ However, the Imperious Leader commands, and we >> obey," he replies-and it _is_ in English. >> *"COUNT?!"* Roland exclaims, so stunned he speaks. >> "Of course, 'Blaze,'" Baltar says simply. "I do not interfere in >> the affairs of Count Iblis." (OOC: It should be noted that Lucifer/Baltar _didn't_ know that Nemo was an impostor; they fully intended to sit back and watch as Iblis 'ate' his victims. However...) >"Count. I do not *care* what you do or do not like. And as we *both* > know, you have no authority over me. I suggest that you leave before > I call upon those who *do* have such authority." > > accepted him as your "leader".> (OOC: Yes, but you impersonated him. I'm ruling that that allows him to take you on. _However,_ as usual for Count Iblis, he went too far. Since you didn't inform the rest of the CAoL in your plan, he's acted outside the rules, and you can 'dismiss' him. You, of course, knew all this, so it really doesn't affect what happened next.) >The "Presence" is noticeable around Nemo. And he's starting to "glow" >in a manner that should be quite intolerable to Iblis. (OOC: Which 'Presence?' The Presence of the true Nemo, the Presence of the Galactica First Ones, or _the_ Presence?) >Nemo looks a bit annoyed and even somewhat strained. He jumps to >discie's side and places a hand upon it, and the insane gravity field >vanishes. Then he turns back to the Count. > >"Iblis, I have more important things to deal with at the moment. I do > trust that you'll enjoy your visit with the Lords of Light..." "You will never get that far." Iblis concentrates, and redoubles his efforts to 'solidify' Nemo's avatar. His handsome face is overshadowed by what looks like the face of a Japanese demon mask, as his form begins to flicker. >For a moment, nothing seems to happen. Nemo seems to be looking >beyond this reality. "Sorry, dear boy-" Iblis snarls, then recoils in terror. "NO! I have the right-" >A globe surrounds Iblis, shing with an Unearthly radiance and >emitting a near-intolerable musical note. No matter what direction >one is looking at Iblis from, he is seen to receed *straight* away >into a place of brilliant, shing crystalline forms. *"No, Iblis, you do NOT."* >As Iblis vanishes, Nemo bows his head and crosses himself. > Cylons, or help attack Jadis?> (semi-OOC: Jadis. Without a doubt. Roland can carve a path through Cylons even in his present state, but even with Dantris and Morgan, he's in _way_ over his head. Besides, Jadis can give Nemo a good workout, and all the Cylons can do is make a nice pile of scrap metal. Nemo can gather this information form Roland's mind in an instant; he was going to suggest it anyway. ) >On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 23:30:41 -0800 In Message # 00002535 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000748 Martin Gerster said: > >> On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: >> She fights with ten times her previous ferocity. >>"Out of my way! Do you know who that is?!" Her magicks forgotten, >>she slashes and burns in pure rage, fighting on instinct. > >Seeing that Arthur being one of the few 'fictional' personalities >Dhyrclhanc has *not* met before (although he *has* heard about him! >(see my .sig)) he does his best to withstand Grimfire's vicious >lashing out and asks, > >(Reverently)"Old Mother, what has this one ever done to you, or our >kind?" "He drove our kind from the Great Haven! His soldiers killed our kind and cracked our eggs! HE DIES!" It should be noted that it is _highly_ unlikely that this Arthur is from the same reality that Roland and Grimfire are; the Arthur that Dhyrclhanc knows of almost certainly doesn't have the same reputation among dragonkind. >(Please note: In this combined Elemental Stone/Para-Elemntal Ice >form, Dhyrclhanc is both nearly invulnerable and, like Fred J. Dukes, >is almost completly immovable... so long as he is aware of the >attempt to move him, that is.) (OOC: Works for me. I don't want to kill one of Knytt's characters anyway. ) >On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 00:28:53 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002513 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000726 fuzzy said: > >> On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: >> "You...thINk...it'S ThAT sIm...Ple?" Roland advances a step. >> "For...GET it." >> *Fuzzy. Help Nemo stabilize. Dhyrclhanc. Help >"Nemisis will have to get that, > Nemisis, I suggest a Reality Stabilizer set to stablize his >'normal' internal reality, in fact make several while you are at >it... Anyone else need one? It may not help ranged powers but it >should at least protect you internal workings..." > >From Nemisis > \Confirmed, Delivery in 2 seconds... > Maintain physical contact with the device...\ >A hand reaches out of the astral next to each person who indicates >use for a Stabilizer, holding a small box about 3"x3"x1". > When first touched a light shows yellow for a fraction of a second, >possibly longer while it takes a reading on what its settings should >be, Then the light turns green as the Stabilizer activates. *Good work.* Blaze sounds impressed. *New target: TURN BALTAR INTO A SCRAP PI-+cough+ Keep him busy, would you?* Meanwhile, several people chose to wail on 'poor' Maleficent : >On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 17:30:23 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002516 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000729 Driscoll said: > > Isla's eyes burn with rage. "You dare believe that the darkness can >ever match the strength of the Light?" The orb of light moves away >from around her and moves around the Raven. The combined magical >force of Isla and Darath lock the creature insdie the orb and inside >it the raven begins burning from the intense light. Flame leaping up >from the feathers and it screams in pain. Soon nothing but ash >remains inside and the orb releases it, forming itself into a >gigantic humanoid form with angel wings spead wide as it flies at the >dark witch. Maleficent frowns. The angelic form explodes. Her raven-once again the size of a normal raven-caws, takes one look at Isla, and darts with surprising speed to Maleficent's shoulder. > As Roland beats on Jadis and Morgan makes Thorne beat on himself, >Driss walks around the corner of a building and leans there against >the wall. "Aww you guys are having a party and forgot to invite me! >Hmmm I see a couple others left early too. Maybe I can fix that." >Driss looks up at Malifecent and the air behind her shimmers a moment >and Iron Man comes flying through at top speed. > #Hey where are we now?# > #We appear to be back where we started. I didn't open the window >tohere though# > #Then how...# > The nearly instantanious mental conversation is cut short as Iron >Man crashes head first into Malifecent. Maleficent, caught off guard by this completely random-dare I say chaotic?-event, is bowled over. Her raven gets knocked into Baltar. >On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 20:50:22 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002520 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000733 "P. Campbell" said: > >On Mon, 22 Dec 1997, Roland X wrote: >> Tezrantha. Drop something heavy on Maleficent. >> Xzerrion. Blind Grimfire. >Tezrantha is a bit confused. *Something heavy? How in the name of >Gwaeron Windstrom am I supposed to ... got it!* The earth trembles >before Malificent, and a ten-ton earth elemental burts out and jumps >on the critter. Maleficent throws Iron Man off, though it seems to cost her some effort. (Yes, she just tossed aside a man in full armor. ) She shakes her head, looks up...and her eyes widen. +WHAM!+ >Xzerrion calls a 15' radius sphere of darkness, centered on >Grimfire's head. Grimfire roars in rage, clawing at the darksphere around her head. She roars, and the darkness seems to shatter around her head just before she slams into the Capitol Records building. Meanwhile, Maleficent floats the Earth Elemental off of her, where it wobbles to one side and collapses on the roof. She brushes herself off, and walks like a drunk woman to the edge of the roof. "Thorns," she says hoarsely, and her infamous wall of thorns springs up around their sanctuary. >On Tue, 23 Dec 1997 21:45:01 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002521 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000734 fuzzy said: > >Then Appears in front of the out of control Earth Elemental >Fuzzy Holds up his arm to show the wristband holding his Lens to the >Elemental >"By treaty, As an Earth Friend, I Request your Assitance, > For so long as it does not hazard your existance, > Please attack that entity" Fuzzy points at Malificent >"When you no longer can do so, return to your proper Home." "Eh?" Maleficent watches two Fuzzies talk to the elemental through blurred vision. >"As a Gift and Aid in that task, > I shall increase your Mass and Abilities" >The Wristband flares bright for a second as >The Elemental Grows to 40 Tons, >And Gains access to Earth Related Spell-Like abilities. Maleficent curses in the ancient tongue of the sidhe. To those who know the language, it's an impressive, shocking display that could peel the skin off a giant. But not an elemental, apparently. One huge fist turns her into a dark spot on the roof. Sadly, this is a temporary condition; a dragon as dark as as a panther in a moonless night rises from that spot. "Impressive force, children. But force is not enough to destroy the Queen of Air and Darkness!" Grimfire shakes her head woozily, turns, and gapes. Anyone with magick senses can tell that Maleficent is positively _glowing_ with immense faerie power. (OOC: The glow is, of course, figurative; she is about as bright as the inside of a black hole.) Although she has clearly taken a beating, she's still in the fight. >On Wed, 24 Dec 1997 23:30:41 -0800 In Message # 00002535 > In alt.callahans Post # 00000748 Martin Gerster said: > >> On Mon, 22 Dec 97 23:18:23 -0800 In Message # 00002512 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00000725 Roland X said: >> >> "Fool!" Thorne cries. "He's one of THEM!" > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >> "He's one of _us_," Morgan replies. > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > >(O.O.C. #2: Who is being talked about here?) (OOC: They're talking about Roland. Thorne means 'psion.' Morgan means 'Callahanian.' Thorne's a racist zealot who hates Roland's kind, and considers Morgan to be a mage and thus one of 'his kind.' Morgan you know. ) >/Gee, what can I do to help?/ At which moment, a horrendous ripping >sound can be heard and a *huge* rend appears in the sky. A long, >muli-limbed, reptilian, worm-like beast quickly slithers out of it >and, while launching itself at the draconain Lensman, bodychecks >Dhyrclhanc into the street. Grimfire studies this closely, regaining her center shakily, and retreats to Thorne's side. She shifts form as she goes until she is a small, lithe woman with dragon wings and a prehensile tail. She stands next to him and crouches into a wrestler's stance. Thorne, meanwhile, finally manages to turn his attention to the reflection shield and disassemble it. "Accursed psion...Baltar. We must fall back to the building. We can use the humans within to force the mightier ones among them to restrain themselves." "Agreed." Maleficent, listening to this exchange, takes one last shot at any who are still engaged with her, then vanishes. >The Beast cries out in pain, but at the same time tumbles through the >air, rips another hole in reality, grabs one of Dhyrclhanc's legs >with it's tail and pulls both of them through the rend. "Dhyrclhanc!!!" With Nemo and Hydra taking on Jadis, Roland breaks off his own attack and turns his attention to his adopted sib. "Not again!" He tries to grab at one of Behir's many legs with TK, but his control's too shaky. *Bloody sprocking-that's _two_ of our number we've lost! Close ranks!* Blaze blasts a few Cylons, more out of a need to _do_ something than anything else. >Sythea and I are going to attempt to trace them, >retrieve Dhyrclhanc and return to your company. Wish us luck!/ *Light be with you,* Blaze replies, *and good hunting.* *Never thought I'd say _that_ to Nimrod,* Blaze adds after they leave. *Okay folx, once more into the breach. IOW-AFTER THEM!* >(O.O.C. #3: O.K. guys that's it I'm officialy ABENDed, I'll lurk when >I can but I don't plan on being a serious & perminent part of this >madness untill Feb. or end Jan. of '98 when, hopefully, I'll have the >computer problem solved at my new place.OTOH, I'll be co-authoring >Shadow/Paul/John's chapter so Dhyrclhanc and I might be back before >that, TTFN. Oh and Fuzzy thanks for the knind offer of the loaner but >I don't think it'll be necessary, thanx anyway 'though) (OOC: Good luck, bro!) ===========================