Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4
                              Chapter 17

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 13:03:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: 99 Bottles of Chaos on the Wall

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:55:39 -0600 In Message # 00002975
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001188 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 06:54:33 -0500 In Message # 00002966
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001179 Caprice said:
>
>Mischief begins to mew pitifully, looking over at Fuzzy. #unca
>fuzzy... i want my friend back!#

Melissa appears on street level, her clothing shifting into a yellow
dress in the same style as Dorothy in _The Wizard of Oz_ movie. The
AI's hairstyle grows into a blonde braid hanging halfway down her
shoulder blades as her makeup fades to nearly nothing, just accenting
her features. /Mischief, if your mother will allow me, I will be happy
to take you to find Squee./ She looks up at Knytt, a "puppy dog" look
in her eyes. /If I may, Father?/

Knytt looks down and is hit square in the heart with that pleading
look. He sends, trying valiantly not to look like a push-over,
/-Well-, IF you are VERY careful, I -suppose- you can go along on your
own. Nemisis will be with you. BUT you be VERY -VERY- careful. No
'leaping before you look'. Chaos is one dangerous character when
riled./

Grep leans over and gives Knytt a peck on the cheek as Melissa sends,
/Thanks Daddy./ The thought flits across Knytt's mind: /I thought
'Dad' was bad./ Meanwhile, a small open basket with a soft flannel
blanket arranged inside appears in Melissa's hands. She sets the
basket in front of Mischief.

/When you are ready./ Melissa smiles, looking suddenly, though not
literally, ten years younger.

Melissa skips, without jostling the basket or its furry cargo, down
the road after Nemisis and the bouncing ball, joining the singing with
a giggle.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 13:03:52 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Greetings on a Rooftop

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:55:46 -0600 In Message # 00002976
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001189 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 00:55:16 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002963
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001176 fuzzy said:
>
>\Yes and No, I have not attempted to intrude into their minds,
>   But Either of them is carrying enough Dream charge to make
> significant alterations on a world wide basis, Especially Her...
> To clarify 'Dream' charge a bit, an accidental interaction between
>the much lower charge that I was carrying at the time and
>Dhyrclhanc's creation of a Mini-Lens for me is why I have a True
>Lens, Which Neither I nor Dhyrclhanc could have made deliberatly,
>alone or working together...\

Now that Fuzzy has mentioned it, he will notice a strong 'Dream
Charge' from the wristcomputer, as if it flared up specificly to
attract Fuzzy's attention, like someone perking up during a
conversation that didn't interest them until a familiar term was
spoken. There is also now an identical charge around Knytt, but at a
significantly lower strength, about half-strength. Neither is like the
Amberite variety exhibnited in Zia or James, but just as potent, in a
raw, untapped way. They also seem to suggest an aura, with the
computer being a brighter version of Knytt's. The phrase, heard as a
whisper from Knytt, though he didn't actually say or think it, 'To be
what I was...to be complete' suggests itself to Fuzzy. As the
conversation moves on, the charge fades down to nothing, and Knytt and
the computer read as normal again.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:33:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Greetings on a Rooftop

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 16:21:08 -0600 In Message # 00002977
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001190 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 10:19:18 -0600 In Message # 00002969
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001182 Zia said:
<snip>
><Knytt says 'a question I believe we have answered>
>
>"Count not upon loyalties not stated, sir, that is a liberty upon my
>honor I will not offer you." Zia says, softly, her emotions saying
>that this is merely a convention that must be clearly understoof.

"And a liberty I have not taken. Your Loyalties are your own, the term
I refer to may better be described as 'threat assessment'. From your
words, I suspect you do not intend to be a threat, therefore I am
content to remain near without defenses rising into place. Your
concern for not being counted distinctly as a friend would confirm
that you are not intending to be a threat, as it would be a missed
opportunity not to take advantage of an enemy who counted you among
his friends, thus lowering his guard. Of course, I might just believe
in keeping my friends close and my enemies closer when I am able to,
and this is a ruse to draw you into my web."

Knytt chuckles, "I hope this explanation does not damage any potential
friendship we might incur, but as you state, we are strangers to each
other. I simply recognize you as a 'not threatening me at this time'
stranger as opposed to a 'threatening' stranger."

>James to Knytt, natural psi TK making the sound of his voice
>propogate in the air near his ear, softly says, "Do you really think
>I'd leave her here alone if I thought the boy didn't have that
>chance?" <OOC: How's THAT for not intruding?>

<OOC: Good idea, think I'll try it.>

Knytt replies in a similar fashion, as if whispering in James' ear
without moving a muscle towards him. "If I didn't think the boy had
that chance, I wouldn't be here at all. The statement was intended to
also imply that he is not as bad as he seems. He will come around if
given the chance to. But since we both seem to take the other as a
fool, I think we need not draw out our suffering any longer. Better to
remain silent and be thought one, than go through the agony of proving
we are not, only to have the other disbelieve us no matter what we
say. The last word is yours if you wish it, as I have said my piece."

>Zia grins, obviously recognizing the last as gallantry. Then her face
>shades a bit she dampers her empathy, "We need to go - the Borg are
>hurting the few who live yet, here. But later, I needs must speak
>with you, Sir."

Knytt nods as he turns, offering both Grep and Zia an elbow. The nod,
head tilted ever so slightly to the side, gives Knytt a distinct
Vorlon appearance, even without an encounter suit, for those that
comprehend such terms. For those that don't, the meaning of the nod is
unclear, maybe acknoledging that the Borg are hurting people, maybe
that they must talk, maybe something interesting is happening across
the way that the lady should look at, maybe just suggesting she lead
the way, maybe all of that, maybe none of it, maybe just parts...
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 15:33:26 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: (Less than) Polite Greetings

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 17:27:24 -0600 In Message # 00002978
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001191 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 10:08:25 -0600 In Message # 00002968
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001181 Zia said:
>
>"I was stating facts, not intentions. As I've never yet been in
>anyone's mind here, any intentions of your I stated would be
>supposition. Would you think someone laying Roland low
>"unintentionally" excused them of responsbility to redress the wrong,
>Morgan? As for friend or foe, I was not your foe. I would find it
>hard to become friends with individuals bigoted against my entire
>race. And I question the propriety of you wanting to know such - I
>have every bit as much right to be here as do you. Perhaps MORE. I'm
>not bringing down a plague of Borg merely because I've chosen this
>place as a battleground."

Knytt shuts his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "If tracking
down is a poor choice of words, then perhaps 'One of our number was
following them to determine if they or others affiliated with them,
directly or indirectly, were a threat to the group' might be
sufficiently explicit. As for the Xenon, one of our number, through a
plan (like Fuzzy's) that no one (including myself) moved to stop,
knocked out her husband and delayed them both," at that, he arches an
eyebrow with a slight smirk toward Zia, "from their previous errands.
If the encounter had simply been I had bumped into them on the street,
I would apologize. And would hope they would be understanding and not
become angry in return of my attenpt to be polite. This situation,
though more extreme in cause and effect, seems to make a sufficient
analogy that I indeed do apologize. Perhaps that others feel
differently explains the jostling I received in the last major city I
visited.

"Furthermore, I was not aware that this group rated threat levels
based upon whether the individual had graced Mike Callahan's doorway.
By that reasoning, the Controller, and thus these Borg, are not a
threat, as the Controller was in the Place. For that matter, I was
unaware that that information was common knowledge throughout the
Multiverse, so that any being who encountered us had better mention
the Place up front or be prepared to face the consequences.

>"As for privacy, I've never invaded yours nor your husband's, nor did
>James. Mistaken conclusions of that degree are due only to the fact
>that you are deceived by a rather simple trick. I am not personally
>responsible for your gullibility, or for James being irked enough at
>him." Nods in Roland's direction. "To play that prank. By our
>standards... it was an extremely mild one."

"On the subject of polite apologies, yours is as equally underwhelming
as my companians'." Knytt says. As Knytt resigns himself to dealing
with the fact that the annoying verbal battle before him may yet
continue, the absurdity, by descriptions from Roland and James, of the
situation sinks in, bringing an amused, if slightly 'embarrassed that
he hadn't thought of it before', smile to his face. Imagine, a misfit
not being allowed to join a band of maisfits because she is -too-
weird, especially when the group has implicitly proclaimed in the past
that there is no such thing.

<OOC: WHEW! And, unless something mind-blowing comes down the pike
demanding I reply, I believe this will be my final remark, speaking
OOC chronologicly not IC chronologicly, on the subject. Cause these
last two posts wore me out. ;)>
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 16:04:28 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Patterns in Amber

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 18:00:10 -0600 In Message # 00002980
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001193 Michael Jon Knight said:

<OOC: Okay, one last reply, THEN I will be done with this, really, I
promise, really...>

>On Thu, 5 Mar 98 22:41:33 -0800 In Message # 00002959
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001172 Roland X said:
>   Roland crackles with energy, and ozone wafts from his armored
>form. (OOC: Folx, he's been a lot more controlled lately; he is very
>obviously upset.) "And if you _are_ from Lady Ariel, tell her to go
>sit on a pike. I'm ready for her now." (OOC: Unless you want to, you
>don't have a clue what he's talking about. If you _do_ want to be
>from the same Amber, write to me in private and I'll give you a
>summary.)

And let's not forget...
>On Thu, 05 Mar 1998 23:21:37 In Message # 00002960
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001173 Morgan said:
>
>   That snap is the last shard of Roland's patience shattering.
>   In a flash of light, he transforms into his costumed-hero mode,
>lightning raging around him as the Phoenix Rod snaps open in his
>hand. The power surging around him is enough to break open a
>battleship. "ANY TIME, MINDRIPPER," he replies, the PK around him
>causing his voice to reverberate and amplify. His stance is
>defensive, but anyone with real martial training can see the
>counterattacks built into the move.

/Please step away from the irate immortal./ Knytt sends to the others
around Roland quietly. Just then, several dozen white hankies flutter
down from above the freelance Fury, paffing him gently as they pass on
their descent to the ground around Roland's feet. The word
'Politeness' is embroidered in white thread on every hankie.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 16:33:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: 99 Bottles of Chaos on the Wall

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 16:27:28 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002981
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001194 fuzzy said:

> On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:55:39 -0600 In Message # 00002975
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001188 Michael Jon Knight said:
>
>>On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 06:54:33 -0500 In Message # 00002966
>> In alt.callahans Post # 00001179 Caprice said:
>>
>>Mischief begins to mew pitifully, looking over at Fuzzy. #unca
>>fuzzy... i want my friend back!#

#Don't worry yet little one.#

> Melissa skips, without jostling the basket or its furry cargo, down
> the road after Nemisis and the bouncing ball, joining the singing
> with a giggle.

Followed by Buffy, who still feels that Mischief is to be protected at
all costs.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 18:03:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE IV: After Following the Bouncing Ball

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 20:37:00 -0600 In Message # 00002982
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001195 Zia said:

(ooSC: Okay, Zia might hear/empathetical sense things sent *open*
<*linked*> or really powerful emotions direct from source unless
stated to be under active/full/emotional shields. And if anyone Lenses
a thought at her, they'll discover the fact that she has one, too. But
anything shielded (and noted so), anything ^sent^ \tight-link/ or
anything without emotion (i.e. any pure machine thinking) will be a
total blank to her. I think I'll add my typography to my sig, too,
that's a cool idea.)

<*"...Chaos to deal with,"*> Morgan adds, looking after the kitten and
the ball.

   "That does it," Roland says, and his eyes roll back as vast,
ancient power begins to flow into him...

Zia decides caution IS the better part of valor, and removes herself
from Roland's vicinity, and the falling handkerchiefs in favor of:

Knytt nods as he turns, offering both Grep and Zia an elbow.

<snippage of Melissa asking K to leave, and going down to street
level. However K and Grep got there, Zia went along.>

Zia looks back and forth at the silent exchange, but makes no comment
at being left out. She watches Melissa collect the kitten curiously,
then raises an eyebrow at Knytt, "Would either of you mind if I tagged
along with her?"

<assuming she gets no discouragment, Zia does just that.>

Melissa skips, without jostling the basket or its furry cargo, down
the road after Nemisis and the bouncing ball, joining the singing with
a giggle.

<to gamer's post: ooSC: Gorilla with a wolves head? Hmmm. Snipped the
getting there, and the going in, and the room description>

 "Come in come in, have a seat, your drinks will be right in front of
you. I'm still trying to figure out what you're talking about." He
sighs and waves his hand and the papers all disappear but the night
vision goggles remain on his face. "So you've come to report a missing
persons case? When was the last time you saw them? I need all their
vital statistics." He turns to look directly at Zia. 'Any tattoos?
Just personal curiosity."

Zia blinks once, looks behind her chair, then back at the
gorilla/wolf. "Yes. Never have. You'd have to ask Melissa or Bethany
Cabe of this world, if she lives, about THAT, I've never slept with
anyone not my husband. Yes, of course I do. Why were you curious?"

<ooSC: An Order Lord Amberite meeting Chaos. Hmm. And she gets along
better with this than Roland. Oh dear. 8:-) >
-------
*telepathy* Broad-sent to all in range unless name to is noted.
~hyperwave radio~ Tech transmission of FTL speeds
@Trump@ like telepathy, one receiver one sender, unless in physical
contact with the Trumper or Trumpie
"//charm voice//" sways, does not overpower determined will against
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 19:04:30 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Aae:First contact

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:37:22 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002983
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001196 Shadow <pookie> said:

> On Tue, 3 Mar 1998 22:17:26 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002920
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001133 Driscoll said:
>
>  Half of the Borg are hit by the lightning and destroyed but the
> others adapt their shielding to dispurse the lightning around them.
> The remaining six then begin firing their energy weapons at Rhiannon
> with dubious effectiveness against her. But while they are firing,
> one also launches a tiny metal ball that hits the ground near
> Rhiannon's feet. It then sprouts legs and skitters quickly towards
> her boot and attaches itself there.

Rhiannon surveys the remaining Borg through the barrage of fire
splattering across her shield. She grounds her sword and extends her
free hand, muttering a spell under her breath. The six borg
simultaneously explode. In the breif period of quiet that follows she
remarks to herself, "Benom magic. Nothing like it." Then 50 more Borg
gate in. A dark smile lights up her features as she raises her sword
and charges them.

OOC: Anyone looking in on Rhia for a while will find her in hand to
hand with legions of Borg, and winning. Gamer, whenever the big C
feels like a change in plans for this particular fight, let me know.
Anyone else, if she's needed or you want her attention, tell her to
stop playing with the borg and pay attention. <and anyone who checks
will know that she _is_ playing with them.>
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 19:04:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE: First Contact

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:47:24 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002984
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001197 Shadow <pookie> said:

Going back to the beginning of this thread...

 Jadis looked up as a monitor beeped, "Yes?"

  The monitor lit up, "Lord, we have Borg collection teams appearing
in London. The Evil Ones minions are engaging them. What are you're
orders?"

Jadis considered a moment, "Retract teams Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.
Omega team will remain to report on the situation and take advantage
of any opprtunities. Have all other teams worldwide redouble their
efforts, but they should refrain from contact with the CAoL. I want
the planet drained of all priority one resources we can get by the
time they are done."

 The man onscreen nodded his head, "Lord. Thy will be done." The
monitor went dark.

  Jadis smiled, "Yes, it will."
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 19:34:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: After Following the Bouncing Ball

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:01:48 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002985
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001198 Shadow <pookie> said:

OOC: After several members have left to consult with Chaos, I would
assume that someone begins to move the unconscious rioters. Of course,
if we all left, that's makes my job much easier....

  As the bodies are being moved, a group of people spring up from
several rooftops, while more appear from the streets and alleys. All
seem to be holding semi-automatic weapons, which they begin to fire
into the unconscious crowd. The bullets pass through all attempts to
sheild the people, who begin to fade away seconds after being hit.

OOC: The assailants project NO mind presence,<seem familiar?> <eg> any
probes find nothing where the men should be. Any retaliatory strikes
that get through the sheilding of the gun-toting bad guys ends with
either very dead gun-toting bad-guys who fade away, or the gentleman
in question shoots himself, and fades away. All of this is over in
under two minutes and only a pitiful remnant of the crowd is left.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:04:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Contacting Pavement

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 01:31:12 PST In Message # 00002987
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001200 Nemo said:

In mail you write:
>    *And Nemo?* Roland's mental 'voice' is one filled with the sudden
> dread of unwanted realization. *Just how large an area did you fill
> with Xenon?*

/Quite a few square miles. The Borg groups were rather spread out. And
I had to go for "overkill" to make sure that their movements, wind,
etc wouldn't render it ineffective. It will be dispersed to
harmlessness in a few hours unless I speed up the process./
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:05:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: First contact

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 01:38:55 PST In Message # 00002988
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001201 Nemo said:

In mail you write:
>  The Borg drop almost too easily, too perfectly. There is no
> resistance against the Xenon at all. it's as if a switch were turned
> off. A few more spidroids detatch themselves and transmit more
> numerical code over the strange signal and soon another X-window
> opens. Borg begin filing out of it to gather up the fallen Borg and
> carry them back through while others take the posts of the Fallen
> Borg. And finally a group of Borg adapted for more technical work
> begin coming out carrying materials. Following behind them are a
> dozen or so R2 units and a couple of unidentifiable larger robots
> obviously ment for doing very heavy labor. They move to the center
> of the area being cleared by the Borg and begin to construct
> something.

<OOC: since Nemo is "watching", he should note the "spidriods",
especially once they transmit.>

Nemo "tags" several of the fallen Borg before they are sent thru the
X-Window. The "tag" can be thought of as a bacterium that's about as
far above your average bacterium as Nemo is above your average human.
:-). It's "duty" is to follow what it's been attached to, and split
off copies of itself as the tagged item travels. Sort of like leaving
a trail of homing pigeons.

>  As stated before the link doesn't GO back to the main collective it
> only seems to reach to the Borg in this universe. Of those, the
> fifty have the same priorities stated before, the new workers seem
> to have no priorities. They almost appear to be having independed
> creative thought in their building except that all of them
> (including the R2 units and Lumox robots) seem to be linked still in
> their creative processes.

If Nemo spotted the spidroids, he'll go for a disable of them first.
Otherwise, he'll "take over" the Collective.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:05:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Patterns in Amber

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 02:06:58 PST In Message # 00002989
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001202 Nemo said:

In mail you write:
<OOC: since Roland has pre-empted my last move, forget it, and I'll
join the group>

>    Roland crackles with energy, and ozone wafts from his armored
> form. (OOC: Folx, he's been a lot more controlled lately; he is very
> obviously upset.) "And if you _are_ from Lady Ariel, tell her to go
> sit on a pike. I'm ready for her now." (OOC: Unless you want to, you
> don't have a clue what he's talking about. If you _do_ want to be
> from the same Amber, write to me in private and I'll give you a
> summary.)

Nemo arrives at the tail end of this. He calmly walks up a ramp that
isn't there to reach the roof from the street.

<Nemo will introduce himself in proper *formal* japanese mode. Alas, I
don't know how to do this, so fill in the details, as he *would* know.
This may even include his clothing shifting to be appropriate.>

<here's a poor English translation. :-)>

Nemo bows to Zia.

"I am called Nemo."

>    Roland hacks into the system and tries to convince them that
> they've completed their mission. Failing that, he just turns them
> off. Any spidroids are shorted out in advance, then magnetized to
> one another. Soon, a fair sculpture of a Shadow appears near the
> workers. *Better than a scarecrow,* Roland quips.
>    The responding sighs from Morgan and Sil are in high-fidelity
> stereo. <G>

<Vorlon translator sound effects>

/Take care that you do not summon that which you attempt to dispel./

Nemo is careful to both make it unobvious that he is the one sending
this, but also to make sure that he hasn't hidden the source well
enough to *really* worry anyone. *Mildly* worry is just fine though
:-)
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:45:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: After Following the Bouncing Ball

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 23:11:10 -0600 In Message # 00002990
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001203 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 20:37:00 -0600 In Message # 00002982
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001195 Zia said:
>
>(ooSC: Okay, Zia might hear/empathetical sense things sent *open*
><*linked*> or really powerful emotions direct from source unless
>stated to be under active/full/emotional shields. And if anyone
>Lenses a thought at her, they'll discover the fact that she has one,
>too. But anything shielded (and noted so), anything ^sent^
>\tight-link/ or anything without emotion (i.e. any pure machine
>thinking) will be a total blank to her. I think I'll add my
>typography to my sig, too, that's a cool idea.)

<OOC: Sounds good to me. I can work with that.>

>   "That does it," Roland says, and his eyes roll back as vast,
>ancient power begins to flow into him...

"Roland, I would offer one note." Knytt says, "The average Borg is
hardwired to disintegrate in a fashion similar to a transporter matter
to energy conversion without the reconversion to matter afterwords.
That way there is nothing left for anyone capable of destroying a Borg
to examine. In other words, they just dissappear in a green energy
field after being removed from the collective. These components can be
shorted out, however. Now, given that we are speaking of the
Controller, and judging by what -I- would be tempted to do were I him,
they might disintegrate in a more violent fashion upon removal from
the Collective or general destruction. So far, they haven't, but be
forewarned, I could easily imagine a Borg with an explosive charge, or
my personal preference, with a small container, artificial or natural
(like a lung or stomach), filled with a solid, liquid, or gas that
would react violently with the air if it came into contact with it.
Which it would, if the rest of the Borg were to disintegrate. Now, I
admit, I firmly believe in being almost overly prepared and over
protective, but I would exercise extreme caution in future
deactivations."

><snippage of Melissa asking K to leave, and going down to street
>level. However K and Grep got there, Zia went along.>

They walk to the edge of the roof as Zia notices a faint tingling
running through her, a cool sensation but not unpleasant, like the
sensation of menthol-based cleansing products on skin. Grep leads the
trio in stepping off the roof, gliding gently down to street level.

>Zia looks back and forth at the silent exchange, but makes no comment
>at being left out. She watches Melissa collect the kitten curiously,
>then raises an eyebrow at Knytt, "Would either of you mind if I
>tagged along with her?"

"Not at all," Melissa says. "Go ahead," Knytt adds. Grep pipes in, "We
would enjoy the company." With that, Knytt and Grep bow to Zia
politely...and walk off in the opposite direction.

> "Come in come in, have a seat, your drinks will be right in front of
>you. I'm still trying to figure out what you're talking about." He
>sighs and waves his hand and the papers all disappear but the night
>vision goggles remain on his face. "So you've come to report a
>missing persons case? When was the last time you saw them? I need all
>their vital statistics." He turns to look directly at Zia. 'Any
>tattoos? Just personal curiosity."
>
>Zia blinks once, looks behind her chair, then back at the
>gorilla/wolf. "Yes. Never have. You'd have to ask Melissa or Bethany
>Cabe of this world, if she lives, about THAT, I've never slept with
>anyone not my husband. Yes, of course I do. Why were you curious?"

Melissa blinks. Internally, the conversation is replayed, questions
are matched with answers and answers that do not fit are referenced
against cultural files. She blinks again, the time between first and
second hardly noticable. Blushing furiously, Melissa quietly points to
a hologram revolving in the center of the room. It is an image of
Driss, Roscoe's humanoid form over his wolf form, and an identical
representation of Squee, except the bottom form is of his mouse shape.
All clearly labeled in green, with detailed data pertaining to
physical attributes and known abilities, as well as known histories.

"I am told," Melissa says, "They were last seen in your presense, as
Uncle Driscoll became angry with you and you sent him away to rethink
his attitude. At that time, Cousin Squee and Uncle Roscoe disappeared
as well."
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:45:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE IV: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet <G>

On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 21:28:29 In Message # 00002992
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001205 Morgan said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:01:48 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002985
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001198 Shadow said:
>
<snip>
>  As the bodies are being moved, a group of people spring up from
>several rooftops, while more appear from the streets and alleys. All
>seem to be holding semi-automatic weapons, which they begin to fire
>into the unconscious crowd. The bullets pass through all attempts to
>sheild the people, who begin to fade away seconds after being hit.

   Okay, then Roland CATCHES them. <VBG>
   The Roland-entity looks up from channelling-well, WHATEVER he's
channelling-and moves at hyperspeed down to ground level, doing the
usual 'protect and serve' thing.
   Roland looks at the bloody handful of bullets, shrugs, and melts
them down. A moment later, they become a 'Do Not Disturb' sign which
he hangs on the door of the building.

>OOC: The assailants project NO mind presence,<seem familiar?> <eg>
>any probes find nothing where the men should be. Any retaliatory
>strikes that get through the sheilding of the gun-toting bad guys
>ends with either very dead gun-toting bad-guys who fade away, or the
>gentleman in question shoots himself, and fades away. All of this is
>over in under two minutes and only a pitiful remnant of the crowd is
>left.

   Okay, the bad guys fade away in a few seconds, then, as Blaze runs
to each one in turn to grab him/it and it vanishes. The crowd is more
or less intact. (He might have missed a bullet or two.)
   The people begin to slowly wake up, then fade out, returning to
wherever they came from.
   (OOC: Yes, that last trick is FAR beyond Roland's power level. <EG>
Don't worry, I'm not joining the Cosmic Club for long.)
   "Not now," Roland Phoenix says, to no one present.

Morgan stares at Roland, and raises an eyebrow. ^Who are you, and what
have you done with my husband?^ she sends, her tone only partly
joking.

   ^Roland, and unless I'm mistaken, I've just run him around the
block,^ he replies dryly. Then he chuckles. ^We'll explain to the
others momentarily.^
   Morgan suddenly...KNOWS.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 21:45:57 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Patterns in Amber

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 23:37:18 -0600 In Message # 00002993
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001206 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 02:06:58 PST In Message # 00002989
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001202 Nemo said:
>
><Vorlon translator sound effects>
>
>/Take care that you do not summon that which you attempt to dispel./
>
>Nemo is careful to both make it unobvious that he is the one sending
>this, but also to make sure that he hasn't hidden the source well
>enough to *really* worry anyone. *Mildly* worry is just fine though
>:-)

Knytt looks around at Nemo. (Knytt knows he didn't send it, and he is
more than familiar with the mental imprint of a vorlon, not to mention
the fact that no one else would bother to hide it.) He sends quietly,
/Was thinking the same thing myself./
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:35:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet <G>

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 01:15:03 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002994
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001207 Shadow <pookie> said:

> On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 21:28:29 In Message # 00002992
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001205 Morgan said:
>
>    Okay, then Roland CATCHES them. <VBG>
>    The Roland-entity looks up from channelling-well, WHATEVER he's
> channelling-and moves at hyperspeed down to ground level, doing the
> usual 'protect and serve' thing.
>    Roland looks at the bloody handful of bullets, shrugs, and melts
> them down. A moment later, they become a 'Do Not Disturb' sign
> which he hangs on the door of the building.

OOC: Sigh... This is what I get for being in a hurry and not
explaining things clearly. Members of the CAoL cannot be touched by
the 'bullets' as the bullets phase through them. They just look like
submachineguns,they most definitely are not! It's the suprise factor
of the ammunition that I count on to get me at least a few dozen
people. So...

Roland is surprised as the bullets are not in his hands.

>    Okay, the bad guys fade away in a few seconds, then, as Blaze
> runs to each one in turn to grab him/it and it vanishes. The crowd
> is more or less intact. (He might have missed a bullet or two.)

OOC: Or three, or quite a bit more. But taking out the hitmen works.
It's just jury-rigged so that no CAoL'er will be tagged in this
fashion. Can't have them waking up on Jadis's doorstep.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:35:13 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Greetings on a Rooftop

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 01:15:11 EST In Message # 00002995
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001208 Dane0R0A said:

<< Zia said:
  Zia turns to Fuzzy, as the group leaves or teleports, "Would you
consider removing that cloak? I find it a distraction, and under
certain circumstances it might be dangerous to me. If you want an
assurance of safety or such from me, I would like to hear your terms
and I might be able to oblige you."
  >>
Hydra's voice booms from nowhere (since he is actually in N-Space),
"Rest assured, he should be safe from you or any with wisdom. A being
that harms one of the CAoL would be marked for DEATH, by all the
Starspawn of the Macro Cosmic All, to keep The Stardragon from doing
it and getting carried away in its anger. BUT harm THIS one, and The
Stardragon itself would appear less than a pico-second later, to
destroy you, and the universe you were birthed in. Be assured, The
Stardragon is not here, but it is watching.
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 23:04:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet <G>

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 00:35:09 -0600 In Message # 00002996
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001209 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 21:28:29 In Message # 00002992
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001205 Morgan said:
>
>>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:01:48 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002985
>> In alt.callahans Post # 00001198 Shadow said:
>>
>>  As the bodies are being moved, a group of people spring up from
>>several rooftops, while more appear from the streets and alleys. All
>>seem to be holding semi-automatic weapons, which they begin to fire
>>into the unconscious crowd. The bullets pass through all attempts to
>>sheild the people, who begin to fade away seconds after being hit.

Grep is very surprised to find the shields she threw up .45
milliseconds after the first projectile is fired ineffective. Knytt,
of course, has not even had time to react. /Uncle Roland, shields are
ineffective. I am analysing the area.../

>   Okay, the bad guys fade away in a few seconds, then, as Blaze runs
>to each one in turn to grab him/it and it vanishes. The crowd is more
>or less intact. (He might have missed a bullet or two.)
>   The people begin to slowly wake up, then fade out, returning to
>wherever they came from.

"What in hell happened?" Knytt says, obviously taken off-guard.

<snip>
>   "Not now," Roland Phoenix says, to no one present.

Knytt looks at Roland, not realizing he was not being addressed,
"Well, when would be a good time?" he asks, a slight smirk on his
face.

>Morgan stares at Roland, and raises an eyebrow. ^Who are you, and
>what have you done with my husband?^ she sends, her tone only partly
>joking.
>
>   ^Roland, and unless I'm mistaken, I've just run him around the
>block,^ he replies dryly. Then he chuckles. ^We'll explain to the
>others momentarily.^
>   Morgan suddenly...KNOWS.

Knytt and Grep look between Roland and Morgan several times. "Ohhhhh
boy..." they say simultaniously, neither knowing what is up, but
getting the distinct impression they probably will not like it....
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 23:04:11 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Greetings on a Rooftop

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:46:46 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002997
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001210 fuzzy said:

> On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 01:15:11 EST In Message # 00002995
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001208 Dane0R0A said:
>
> Hydra's voice booms from nowhere (since he is actually in N-Space),
> "Rest assured, he should be safe from you or any with wisdom. A
> being that harms one of the CAoL would be marked for DEATH, by all
> the Starspawn of the Macro Cosmic All, to keep The Stardragon from
> doing it and getting carried away in its anger. BUT harm THIS one,
> and The Stardragon itself would appear less than a pico-second
> later, to destroy you, and the universe you were birthed in. Be
> assured, The Stardragon is not here, but it is watching.

Fuzzy rolls his eyes...
'\ I hope he takes a little more time than that,
   Just to be sure that such intervention is needed before acting,
    After all I am not the Easest being in the Multiverse to kill and
make it stick...
     Besides My existence, is not worth the lives of a world, let
alone an entire universe.\'
===========================

Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 23:04:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Death Threats on a Rooftop, Backtrack
Slightly

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 00:55:25 -0600 In Message # 00002998
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001211 Zia said:

| Hydra's voice booms from nowhere (since he is actually in N-Space),
| "Rest assured, he should be safe from you or any with wisdom. A
| being that harms one of the CAoL would be marked for DEATH, by all
| the Starspawn of the Macro Cosmic All, to keep The Stardragon from
| doing it and getting carried away in its anger. BUT harm THIS one,
| and The Stardragon itself would appear less than a pico-second
| later, to destroy you, and the universe you were birthed in. Be
| assured, The Stardragon is not here, but it is watching."

Since that is in N-space, Zia replies as she's walking away with
Melissa. Speaking normally and not bothering to try and actually get
it 'sent' to Hydra.

"Fine, fine, whatever." Not perturbed. "The fact is that this whole
blow-hard styled threat smacks more of the melodrama's villain than
anyone I'd care to pass the time of day with, even if the Stardrake
himself came and smeared to a greasy spot for not listening to you
blow hot air."

"Please do stop giving away such decidedly disadvantageous tactical
information, " Melissa MIGHT notice Zia ALMOST glance around as if
fearing eavesdroppers, then she resumes 'snotty' voice, " - I'll come
to feel you don't respect me at all. If I'm not a threat, don't
threaten me. If I am, don't treat me as if I'm not. Please, try to
show SOME consistency; it's good for the ulcer, as your leader noted."
Very dryly.

<ooSC: Then onward to speak with Chaos. My, full schedule for Zia this
afternoon.>
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 00:35:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Death Threats on a Rooftop, Backtrack

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 02:17:04 -0600 In Message # 00002999
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001212 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 00:55:25 -0600 In Message # 00002998
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001211 Zia said:
>
>"Please do stop giving away such decidedly disadvantageous tactical
>information, " Melissa MIGHT notice Zia ALMOST glance around as if
>fearing eavesdroppers, then she resumes 'snotty' voice, " - I'll come
>to feel you don't respect me at all. If I'm not a threat, don't
>threaten me. If I am, don't treat me as if I'm not. Please, try to
>show SOME consistency; it's good for the ulcer, as your leader
>noted." Very dryly.

Melissa slows to a walk, looking at Zia with an open child-like
curiousity. Her first few words sound as if they are being chosen
carefully, as per human norms when making an equivalent statement. "We
...suspect... Hydra, the being speaking, is simply ...incapable... of
other tones. As Great-grandfather Fuzzy might say, 'It is simply his
Nature to be melodramatic'. He takes his role in the Universe
seriously and does not exaggerate. For him, it is a statement of fact,
no less true than stating the sky is purple." Melissa pauses, a soft
smile playing across her face, the humour in the technical correctness
of that statement despite its clash with the cliche evident. With a
smile she adds, "To Great-grandfather's credit, he does not deem
himself worthy of such melodrama, and notes that he is quite capable
of looking after himself."
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 07:03:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: After Following the Bouncing Ball

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 08:06:57 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003001
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001214 Driscoll said:

> On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 23:11:10 -0600 In Message # 00002990
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001203 Michael Jon Knight said:
>
>> "Come in come in, have a seat, your drinks will be right in front
>>of you. I'm still trying to figure out what you're talking about."
>>He sighs and waves his hand and the papers all disappear but the
>>night vision goggles remain on his face. "So you've come to report a
>>missing persons case? When was the last time you saw them? I need
>>all their vital statistics." He turns to look directly at Zia. 'Any
>>tattoos? Just personal curiosity."
>>
>>Zia blinks once, looks behind her chair, then back at the
>>gorilla/wolf. "Yes. Never have. You'd have to ask Melissa or Bethany
>>Cabe of this world, if she lives, about THAT, I've never slept with
>>anyone not my husband. Yes, of course I do. Why were you curious?"

 Chaos throws down his goggles. "Then why are you asking me to look
for someone you don't even know???!?"

> Melissa blinks. Internally, the conversation is replayed, questions
> are matched with answers and answers that do not fit are referenced
> against cultural files. She blinks again, the time between first and
> second hardly noticable. Blushing furiously, Melissa quietly points
> to a hologram revolving in the center of the room. It is an image of
> Driss, Roscoe's humanoid form over his wolf form, and an identical
> representation of Squee, except the bottom form is of his mouse
> shape. All clearly labeled in green, with detailed data pertaining
> to physical attributes and known abilities, as well as known
> histories.

 "Hey I know these guys." Chaos remarks, then reaches towards the
holograms and pulls them out of the projection one at a time looking
at them closely, then folding them up and tossing them onto the pile
of papers on the table.

> "I am told," Melissa says, "They were last seen in your presense, as
> Uncle Driscoll became angry with you and you sent him away to
> rethink his attitude. At that time, Cousin Squee and Uncle Roscoe
> disappeared as well."

 "So let me get this traight..." As Chaos begins to speak the room
shifts Until Buffy, Melissa, Mischief, and Zia are seated in a row in
front of Chaos, with four TV cameras behind him and hundreds of seats
in which sit any other members of the CaoL. (As they show up late
another Chaos in an Usher's uniform shows them to their seats)
 Chaos himself shifts into what appears to be the body of a polar bear
in a tailored business suit but with the head of a horse. In one hand
is a pile of blue cards, in the other a microphone.
 "Hello and welcome back to Richard Neigh. Just moments ago we found
out from Zia here that Melissa had presumably been sleeping with the
now Missing Driscoll of Braxton. Not a real shocker there until
Melissa revealed just now that Driss is her _uncle_. Now Melissa when
did this wild passionate affair start and what's going to happen with
it when Driss comes back?"
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 07:33:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: 99 Bottles of Chaos on the Wall

On Sat, 07 Mar 1998 10:10:16 -0500 In Message # 00003002
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001215 Caprice said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 16:27:28 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00002981
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001194 fuzzy said:
>
>> On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:55:39 -0600 In Message # 00002975
>>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001188 Michael Jon Knight said:
>>
>> Melissa appears on street level, her clothing shifting into a
>> yellow dress in the same style as Dorothy in _The Wizard of Oz_
>> movie. The AI's hairstyle grows into a blonde braid hanging halfway
>> down her shoulder blades as her makeup fades to nearly nothing,
>> just accenting her features. /Mischief, if your mother will allow
>> me, I will be happy to take you to find Squee./ She looks up at
>> Knytt, a "puppy dog" look in her eyes. /If I may, Father?/

Legion sends over the link /Mischief may go... she can contact me if
needed./

>> /When you are ready./ Melissa smiles, looking suddenly, though not
>> literally, ten years younger.

Mischief hops into the basket, curling up with a little purr.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 07:33:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Aae:Follow the bouncing ball!

On Sat, 07 Mar 1998 10:21:47 -0500 In Message # 00003003
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001216 Caprice said:

>On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 10:00:38 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00002972
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001185 Driscoll said:
>
> "Come in come in, have a seat, your drinks will be right in front of
>you. I'm still trying to figure out what you're talking about." He
>sighs and waves his hand and the papers all disappear but the night
>vision goggles remain on his face. "So you've come to report a
>missing persons case? When was the last time you saw them? I need all
>their vital statistics." He turns to look directly at Zia. 'Any
>tattoos? Just personal curiosity."

Mischief hops up onto the table, ignoring her glass of milk. *i want
squee back!* She stares right at chaos, as if fully expecting him to
comply with this unreasonable demand.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 07:33:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Patterns in Amber

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:00:01 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003004
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001217 Driscoll said:

> On Thu, 5 Mar 98 22:41:33 -0800 In Message # 00002959
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001172 Roland X said:
>
>    Roland hacks into the system and tries to convince them that
> they've completed their mission. Failing that, he just turns them
> off. Any spidroids are shorted out in advance, then magnetized to
> one another. Soon, a fair sculpture of a Shadow appears near the
> workers. *Better than a scarecrow,* Roland quips.
>    The responding sighs from Morgan and Sil are in high-fidelity
> stereo.

 The Borg shut down where they are but the R2 units re-activate and
continue about their tasks until they find they can't continue without
the assastance of the Borg or Lumox units. They then start rolling
around bleeping at each other in confusion trying to figure out what
to do next.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 08:03:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: First contact

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:09:09 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003006
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001219 Driscoll said:

> On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 01:38:55 PST In Message # 00002988
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001201 Nemo said:
>
> Nemo "tags" several of the fallen Borg before they are sent thru the
> X-Window. The "tag" can be thought of as a bacterium that's about as
> far above your average bacterium as Nemo is above your average
> human. :-). It's "duty" is to follow what it's been attached to, and
> split off copies of itself as the tagged item travels. Sort of like
> leaving a trail of homing pigeons.

 (OOC: 1) I think you tried this trick against The Controller once
before and he's not THAT stupid. also 2) In since an environment as
the Borg Ship with the precision equipment that would probably be in
there it would probably have to be a quite sterile enviroment and The
Controller would have altered his x-windows accordingly to screen for
forgein particles, bacteria, viruses, etc much liek Star Trek
Transporters can.)
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 08:04:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE IV: Channel CHAOS Stage

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:56:54 -0600 In Message # 00003008
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001221 Zia said:

|  Chaos throws down his goggles. "Then why are you asking me to look
| for someone you don't even know???!?"

Zia grins and gives him a one-eyebrow raised look. The one your mother
or aunt or whoever the most significantly formidable female relative
is prone to shooting at you. "I didn't ask you to look for anyone.
That was Melissa. Is it hard to tell us apart?"

|  "So let me get this traight..." As Chaos begins to speak the room
| shifts Until Buffy, Melissa, Mischief, and Zia are seated in a row
| in front of Chaos, with four TV cameras behind him and hundreds of
| seats in which sit any other members of the CaoL. (As they show up
| late another Chaos in an Usher's uniform shows them to their seats)
|  Chaos himself shifts into what appears to be the body of a polar
| bear in a tailored business suit but with the head of a horse. In
| one hand is a pile of blue cards, in the other a microphone.

Zia's clothing shifts into a stunningly effervescent and eye-blowing
out blue evening gown - which has a deep enough cleavage that most of
an exceptional detailed and beautiful tattoo of a dragon's head can be
made out. The rest of the tattoo runs on under the dress. Her hair is
piled on her head in best bella donna style, and a ten thousand credit
fox fur coat is thrown negligently across the back of her chair.

|  "Hello and welcome back to Richard Neigh. Just moments ago we found
| out from Zia here that Melissa had presumably been sleeping with the
| now Missing Driscoll of Braxton. Not a real shocker there until
| Melissa revealed just now that Driss is her _uncle_. Now Melissa
| when did this wild passionate affair start and what's going to
| happen with it when Driss comes back?"

Zia smiles, a blazing white stunning one - any normal male seeing it
would probably at LEAST smile back. "Now, now, Richard." She says
teasingly deep and husky, "You're shading into that terrible yellow
color, dearie. I don't think Melissa knows about wild passionate
affairs of any sort as yet. Not the least incestuous or even ones with
older men. And I don't think she has asked you to explain."

"Although, " shading into a kind of Mae West smile (and with Zia's,
er, dependents, it's a fitting one), "I'd be _happy_ to tell her all
about it, when she has the desire to learn. A woman does whatever, "
this with a deep look into 'Richard's' eyes, "she wants. A _lady_ does
that, but does it better."

"Now, Richard," tone goes huskier and sulking, "Aren't you going to
talk about me? I could think you didn't like me, ignoring me for such
a silly rumor. You ARE taking me out to the Russian Tea Room tonight,
muh dear. Or I'll call that odd little man you have for a producer on
this show and tell him just how much you've mistreated me." With a
sulky long-lashed flip of her ice blue eyes, Zia calmly re-crosses her
legs, allowing the dresses hip high slit to fall open. Revealing two
legs, not at all hurt in appearance by some brief glimpses of more of
the dragon tattoo high on the inside thighs, also disappearing into
the dress.

The temperature of the room almost seems to rise noticeably.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 08:34:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: 99 Bottles of Chaos on the Wall

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 11:07:07 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003009
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001222 Xzerrion said:

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998, Caprice wrote:

> Mischief begins to mew pitifully, looking over at Fuzzy. #unca
> fuzzy... i want my friend back!#

Dantris nuzzles and snuffles comfortingly at Mischief.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 08:34:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Death Threats on a Rooftop, Backtrack

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 10:07:50 -0600 In Message # 00003010
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001223 Zia said:

<snip Hydra's speech>
| Melissa slows to a walk, looking at Zia with an open child-like
| curiousity. Her first few words sound as if they are being chosen
| carefully, as per human norms when making an equivalent statement.
| "We ...suspect... Hydra, the being speaking, is simply
| ...incapable... of other tones. As Great-grandfather Fuzzy might
| say, 'It is simply his Nature to be melodramatic'. He takes his role
| in the Universe seriously and does not exaggerate. For him, it is a
| statement of fact, no less true than stating the sky is purple."
| Melissa pauses, a soft smile playing across her face, the humour in
| the technical correctness of that statement despite its clash with
| the cliche evident. With a smile she adds, "To Great-grandfather's
| credit, he does not deem himself worthy of such melodrama, and notes
| that he is quite capable of looking after himself."

"Anyone generally is, Melissa. I simply dislike being threatened. And
your group seems rather decidely prone to doing such. Threats are a
signal mark of incompetence. No one truly dangerous would make a
threat. Usually, such don't need to; or more likely, are smart enough
not to."

"Warnings and agreements of alliance terms aside, I'll give you this
advice for your benefit. Use it well. Never make a threat stating what
you will do given a certain circumstance or situation occuring. All it
does is tell your enemy what you think important enough to react to,
something of your capabilities, and allows him to be ready when it
actually does happen."

"Over all, threats can be ignored. Anyone silly enough to make one
isn't worthy of consideration as a truly dangerous enemy. Oh, and it
wasn't fact. Hydra may think it is, but that is it's own fallacious
viewpoint. Most viewpoints are. Have you ever heard the quote, 'We
don't see things as they are, but as we are.' ? It's true, and if you
do not allow for the twisting that your preconceptions cause, you can
make very erroneous conclusions."

"Such a statement can only be intrepreted as 'egging on' and an
attempt to begin a conflict, actually. Or bullying. Either way, it's
quite inappropriate and cross-intentional to the purposes and
intentions of Starspawn. So, it likely was a faked message. Thus, I
disregarded it for the time being. Does this group have an enemy that
would particularly benefit from drawing me into an N-space location?
Who is fond of melodramatics in his contacts with yourselves?"
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 08:34:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Patterns in Amber

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 11:30:14 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003011
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001224 Xzerrion said:

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998, Michael Jon Knight wrote:
> /Please step away from the irate immortal./ Knytt sends to the
> others around Roland quietly. Just then, several dozen white hankies
> flutter down from above the freelance Fury, paffing him gently as
> they pass on their descent to the ground around Roland's feet. The
> word 'Politeness' is embroidered in white thread on every hankie.

Tezrantha smiles at Knytt. "<* Thank you. *> She sends. Then, to Zia,
"Not all of us assume every random stranger is a threat. Give us a
chance, Lady. I understand your position, as I would be rather ...
upset ... if someone took down Xzerrion as collateral damage. You have
said you want redress, so may I ask what it is you want?"
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:34:18 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Patterns in Amber

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 11:13:15 -0600 In Message # 00003012
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001225 Zia said:

| Tezrantha smiles at Knytt. "<* Thank you. *> She sends. Then, to
| Zia, "Not all of us assume every random stranger is a threat. Give
| us a chance, Lady. I understand your position, as I would be rather
| ... upset ... if someone took down Xzerrion as collateral damage.
| You have said you want redress, so may I ask what it is you want?"

"Just a simple note that you regretted doing it. Knytt even went so
far as to apologize. Which ends the matter, as far as I'm concerned."
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 16:07:35 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet <G>

On Sat, 07 Mar 1998 14:50:04 In Message # 00003017
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001230 Morgan said:

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 01:15:03 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00002994
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001207 Shadow said:
>
>OOC: Sigh... This is what I get for being in a hurry and not
>explaining things clearly. Members of the CAoL cannot be touched by
>the 'bullets' as the bullets phase through them. They just look like
>submachineguns,they most definitely are not! It's the suprise factor
>of the ammunition that I count on to get me at least a few dozen
>people. So...
>
>Roland is surprised as the bullets are not in his hands.

   Actually, they are. Sort of. <g>
   Just _how_ he did it will become obvious momentarily. But they look
like ordinary steel-jacketed lead bullets in his hands. (Which, by the
few that he missed due to not having fully merged yet, strike their
targets.)

>>    Okay, the bad guys fade away in a few seconds, then, as Blaze
>> runs to each one in turn to grab him/it and it vanishes. The crowd
>> is more or less intact. (He might have missed a bullet or two.)
>
>OOC: Or three, or quite a bit more. But taking out the hitmen works.
>It's just jury-rigged so that no CAoL'er will be tagged in this
>fashion. Can't have them waking up on Jadis's doorstep.

   OOC: I should note that Roland wasn't trying to make _them_ vanish,
only that they were probably recalled the moment he found them.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 16:07:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE IV: Higher Forces

On Sat, 07 Mar 1998 15:49:25 In Message # 00003018
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001231 Morgan said:

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 00:35:09 -0600 In Message # 00002996
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001209 Michael Jon Knight said:
>
>>On Fri, 06 Mar 1998 21:28:29 In Message # 00002992
>> In alt.callahans Post # 00001205 Morgan said:
>>
>>   "Not now," Roland Phoenix says, to no one present.
>
>Knytt looks at Roland, not realizing he was not being addressed,
>"Well, when would be a good time?" he asks, a slight smirk on his
>face.

   Roland blinks. "Approximately thirty-two seconds, unless Chaos is
being less predic- table than usual," he replies in an even, friendly
manner.

>>Morgan stares at Roland, and raises an eyebrow. ^Who are you, and
>>what have you done with my husband?^ she sends, her tone only partly
>>joking.
>>
>>   ^Roland, and unless I'm mistaken, I've just run him around the
>>block,^ he replies dryly. Then he chuckles. ^We'll explain to the
>>others momentarily.^
>>   Morgan suddenly...KNOWS.
>
>Knytt and Grep look between Roland and Morgan several times. "Ohhhhh
>boy..." they say simultaniously, neither knowing what is up, but
>getting the distinct impression they probably will not like it....

   "Do not worry," Roland says to them with a small smile. "We are
fine."

Then Zia said:
>"Please do stop giving away such decidedly disadvantageous tactical
>information, " Melissa MIGHT notice Zia ALMOST glance around as if
>fearing eavesdroppers, then she resumes 'snotty' voice, " - I'll come
>to feel you don't respect me at all. If I'm not a threat, don't
>threaten me. If I am, don't treat me as if I'm not. Please, try to
>show SOME consistency; it's good for the ulcer, as your leader
>noted." Very dryly.

   Roland sighs, and there is virtually no trace of the earlier
hostility. "This amalgam tends to use threats for warnings. As for
consistency, it should be obvious why Chaos has taken an interest in
them." He seems to be with each group at once; co-location isn't
_exactly_ how he's doing it, but that appears to be the closest
approximation of the method. "Rude, I know, but they seem to have
adopted the method as a result of only 'negotiating' with tyrranical,
cosmic adolescents. Such beings often take a 'suggestion' seriously
only if a corresponding display of power accompanies it." The being
who looks and sounds like Roland smiles. "I imagine that you can
handle the situation."

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:56:54 -0600 In Message # 00003008
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001221 Zia said:
>
>Zia grins and gives him a one-eyebrow raised look. The one your
>mother or aunt or whoever the most significantly formidable female
>relative is prone to shooting at you. "I didn't ask you to look for
>anyone. That was Melissa. Is it hard to tell us apart?"

"Melissa didn't ask, _I_ did," Morgan says, as she and a Roland
arrive.

   The two Rolands look at each other, nod, and merge. He adds, "It's
hard for Chaos to tell _anything_ apart. Except when it's not." Roland
Phoenix shrugs.

>|  "Hey I know these guys." Chaos remarks, then reaches towards the
>| holograms and pulls them out of the projection one at a time
>| looking at them closely, then folding them up and tossing them onto
>| the pile of papers on the table.

   "That's very nice, Chaos. Now bring the acutal entities here,
please," he asks. Two drinks are sitting on the table waiting for
Roland; one has a tentacle in it that seems extremely interested in
his trenchcoat, (Hey, when did he change into-don't tug at that thread
too hard, reality might unravel. <G>) and the other is...well...it's a
Schrodinger's Drink. Something is still deciding what Chaos would give
it, and so the drink exists in a state of possibility.

Morgan, fully expecting that Chaos knows her as well as Driss, finds a
very good single-malt Scotch waiting for her. Not _quite_ the best,
but only a notch or two below that.

   Roland emerges from his merged state long enough to throw her a
'how do YOU rate?' look, then returns his/their attention to Chaos.
   And thirty-two seconds after he talked with Knytt, what he has
'merged' with slowly makes its nature known through the link.
   PHOENIX (the primal entity, embodiment of eternity among other
concepts, capitals used as NEMO distingushes from Nemo) looks calmly
at Chaos, and continues. "And return all of them, please."

>|  "So let me get this traight..." As Chaos begins to speak the room
>| shifts Until Buffy, Melissa, Mischief, and Zia are seated in a row
>| in front of Chaos, with four TV cameras behind him and hundreds of
>| seats in which sit any other members of the CaoL. (As they show up
>| late another Chaos in an Usher's uniform shows them to their seats)
>|  Chaos himself shifts into what appears to be the body of a polar
>| bear in a tailored business suit but with the head of a horse. In
>| one hand is a pile of blue cards, in the other a microphone.

   PHOENIX sighs and waits for Chaos to finish playing.

Morgan continues to sip her Scotch calmly, a small smile indicating
her approval of the drink's quality.

>Zia's clothing shifts into a stunningly effervescent and eye-blowing
>out blue evening gown - which has a deep enough cleavage that most of
>an exceptional detailed and beautiful tattoo of a dragon's head can
>be made out. The rest of the tattoo runs on under the dress. Her hair
>is piled on her head in best bella donna style, and a ten thousand
>credit fox fur coat is thrown negligently across the back of her
>chair.

   PHOENIX notes the tattoo with mild approval.

<Zia coming on to Chaos snipped>

   "Please don't play with the children like that, sibling," PHOENIX
says, motioning to Melissa. "It can mark an entity. Now. Please return
those you 'borrowed' from this group back to them. They've spent quite
enough time in Limbo, at least insofar as time can be reckoned
'there.' Oh, and no returning them as piles of ash, please. I really
do not wish to have to resurrect anyone; Wrinkle doesn't like it."
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 17:35:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Higher Forces

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 19:29:40 -0600 In Message # 00003020
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001233 Zia said:

<on-route with Melissa, adding in Roland's second presence, just after
Zia's less than thrilled comment on Hydra's "threats".>

|Roland sighs, and there is virtually no trace of the earlier
|hostility. "This amalgam tends to use threats for warnings. As for
|consistency, it should be obvious why Chaos has taken an interest in
|them." He seems to be with each group at once; co-location isn't
|_exactly_ how he's doing it, but that appears to be the closest
|approximation of the method. "Rude, I know, but they seem to have
|adopted the method as a result of only 'negotiating' with tyrranical,
|cosmic adolescents. Such beings often take a 'suggestion' seriously
|only if a corresponding display of power accompanies it." The being
|who looks and sounds like Roland smiles. "I imagine that you can
|handle the situation."

Zia thinks a moment, as she walks, then replies, "Them, eh? So Roland
doesn't mind loaning you his appearance, I take it. Surprising that
you do, if you also insist on tagging along. Worried for your
companions, if you were Roland, I'd say. Since you're not, strictly
speaking, Roland, it might be to observe me. As you like, then."

Her tone goes analytical, almost pedantic. "Your explanation of the
warning as a threat makes no sense, however. Warnings are only given
without allusion to circumstances of violation. And if they're only
used to dealing with adolescents who understand the virtues of being
intimidated by bullying tactics, or as you politely term it
"corresponding display of power", where is this display?"

"Should I anticipate some nasty surprise in my near-term future, care
of this Hydra, for no better reason than I politely asked for the
removal of a niggling and possibly dangerous distraction? Indeed, I
did not even insist on said removal, instead leaving the presence of
that which discomfited me. For a power of such seeming consequence and
might, it's guardian seems to be rather on the 'flake' side of
conducting it's duties." She says, calmly and clearly more engaged
with how she is attempting to analyze this behavior rather than truly
taking offense or trying to give same.

<Then onward to Chaos' pub and the back room... through several odd
exchanges and Zia's asking if it's difficult to tell her apart from
Melissa>

|    The two Rolands look at each other, nod, and merge. He adds,
| "It's hard for Chaos to tell _anything_ apart. Except when it's
| not." Roland Phoenix shrugs.

"Even Chaos has design." Zia comments, quietly. "It's simple not a
predictable one."

<snipped holograms and desk decorations ensue.. Then Chaos actually
puts Zia on her 'home turf' (a stage, with cameras, no less!) Which
seems to bring out both the best and worst in the petite and
stunningly charismatic brunette.>

| <Zia coming on to Chaos snipped>

(ooSC: You think THAT'S coming on? That's just Zia being a little
playful. What she does when she is er, serious, I couldn't write here.
Well, wouldn't, anyway. But this is just her stage presence and the
fact she kind of likes Chaos.)

|    "Please don't play with the children like that, sibling," PHOENIX
| says, motioning to Melissa. "It can mark an entity. Now. Please
| return those you 'borrowed' from this group back to them. They've
| spent quite enough time in Limbo, at least insofar as time can be
| reckoned 'there.' Oh, and no returning them as piles of ash, please.
| I really do not wish to have to resurrect anyone; Wrinkle doesn't
| like it."

Zia turns to Melissa, and gestures her close for conversation with an
engaged, thoughtful look, "I think our interview has been co-opted,
dear. But at least the magic word is being used this time, although by
the sound of it, not very sincerely. It occurs to me; you'd look
wonderful in a dress I saw in Paris not to long ago. You girls simply
MUST come shopping with me - it's so difficult to get any man to give
me an honest perusal of such things."

She pulls on her fur coat, and sighs, flipping the toe on the exposed
top leg gently with what looks like mostly put on impatience, "Oh,
Richard, DO give them those boring people they want, so we can go back
to the interview. I'd love to talk about my latest performance; it's
MUCH more interesting than these straight-laced queries, you'll quite
enjoy it."
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 19:34:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Higher Forces

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 21:08:28 -0600 In Message # 00003021
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001234 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 19:29:40 -0600 In Message # 00003020
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001233 Zia said:
<snip>
>Zia turns to Melissa, and gestures her close for conversation with an
>engaged, thoughtful look, "I think our interview has been co-opted,
>dear. But at least the magic word is being used this time, although
>by the sound of it, not very sincerely. It occurs to me; you'd look
>wonderful in a dress I saw in Paris not to long ago. You girls simply
>MUST come shopping with me - it's so difficult to get any man to give
>me an honest perusal of such things."

Melissa thinks for a moment as she looks toward Chaos. As she stands,
she replies, "Sure." Collecting Mischief and her basket, Melissa walks
past the cameras and up the stairs to Chaos.

With a curtsy, Melissa asks in her normal Marilyn Monroe-esque voice,
"Oh please may we have our companians back, Mr. Chaos? It's just not
the same without them." Melissa holds up the basket, "See? Mischief
misses Squee something awful. And Uncle Roscoe doesn't mean anyone any
harm. He's just a nice old man trying to keep his friends out of
trouble."

Melissa pauses, "I know Uncle Driscoll riles you something terrible,
but he doesn't mean anything by it. You just come on in your full
glory and he doesn't know how to respond properly. He's not trying to
be rude, he just doesn't know what to think. He is really trying to be
a model convict, but prison life sometimes makes it hard on people. I
know he is rough around the edges but he means well."

"So may we please have them back?" Melissa asks again, an innocent
pleading look on her face.
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 19:35:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Polite Death Threats on a Rooftop, Backtrack

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 21:08:20 -0600 In Message # 00003022
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001235 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 10:07:50 -0600 In Message # 00003010
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001223 Zia said:
>
><snip Hydra's speech>
<snip Melissa's commentary on Hydra>
>"Anyone generally is, Melissa. I simply dislike being threatened. And
>your group seems rather decidely prone to doing such. Threats are a
>signal mark of incompetence. No one truly dangerous would make a
>threat. Usually, such don't need to; or more likely, are smart enough
>not to."

Melissa listens with interest.

>"Warnings and agreements of alliance terms aside, I'll give you this
>advice for your benefit. Use it well. Never make a threat stating
>what you will do given a certain circumstance or situation occuring.
>All it does is tell your enemy what you think important enough to
>react to, something of your capabilities, and allows him to be ready
>when it actually does happen."

The girl AI nods, absorbing this data for future reference.

>"Such a statement can only be intrepreted as 'egging on' and an
>attempt to begin a conflict, actually. Or bullying. Either way, it's
>quite inappropriate and cross-intentional to the purposes and
>intentions of Starspawn. So, it likely was a faked message. Thus, I
>disregarded it for the time being. Does this group have an enemy that
>would particularly benefit from drawing me into an N-space location?
>Who is fond of melodramatics in his contacts with yourselves?"

"To reply: I am not certain of that, as you have just arrived and as I
do not know how you would benefit an enemy. Psychological profiles are
still being worked on."
===========================

Date: Sat, 7 Mar 1998 22:33:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Aae: Reunion

On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 23:55:22 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003024
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001237 Driscoll said:

 Chaos sighs as he decides his fun is over. The studio seems to melt
away revealing Stonehenge all around the group. A icy cold wind seems
to kick up as Chaos floats up onto one of the giant stones. His body
shifts as he floats, becoming that of an ancient man dressed in a long
grey robe with a hawaiian shirt over it.
 "Lectos, numea, kestra, xom. Let them who're goen now be come. Far
away, but near at heart. Let them rejoin with those who part."
 Thunder cracks and lightning leaps up into the sky as a hole in the
very fabric of reality appears. Through it can just barely be seen
some humanoid forms moving.

 Driss woek up being shaken violently by Roscoe. "Look! A portal! get
up quick! we have to get through!" Looking up he could see that sure
enough, there was a hole looking out to darkness. Justin was already
dragging his armor through and Isla and Darath were right behind him.
Grabbing his stuff from the ground, Driss sprinted for the opening
with Roscoe on his heels.

 Iron Man was the first to exit the portal dragging his armor with
him. "I don't think I've ever been so happy to see anyone as I am to
see you guys. It feels like it's been forever that we've been stuck in
there."
 Isla, Darath and Squee come through next, amost simultaneously. But
as they cross the threshhold between Chaos's non-existant reality and
this reality, time catches up to them. Flesh dries up and bones become
brittle as every last bit of nourishment and water is used up. Isla
and Squee fall to the ground mummified corpses. Darath looks around
herself confusedly, clutching at her sword. That is until Driss and
Roscoe run into her from behind and send her to the ground.
 As they exit, a decade without food or water catches up with them as
well and they drop to the ground, dead. But then a glow begins to
eminate from Driscoll. At first it's all voer, then it begins
converging at his fingertips and growing in intenisty.
 Once the energy has gathered itself, it begins to move up his arms
slowly. As it moves the flesh expands behind it becoming healthy and
pink and full once again. Soon the light has coverd his entire body
again and seems to have redoubled in its intensity. He opens his eyes
and beams of Chaos energy shoot forth from them striking a monolith
and turning it into pure crystal. He opens his mouth to yell and more
energy comes surging out through there turning hte crystal into
Cheddar Cheese.
 Driss looks at his hands in horror as the beams from his eyes seem to
make a completed circut with the energy in his hands. But then he
gestures out towards his fallen comrads and the energy reaches otu to
them encompasing them, returning what had been lost in the bodies.
Soon Isla, Darath, Squee and Roscoe are all alive and breathing again.
 Still the energy cascades from Driss but then he concentrates.
Concentrates on controlling himself and molding the energy to his
will. once again it begins to pull itself toward his hand, but this
time only the left one. Finally the energy begins to take a form until
there is a plain white gold band in the palm of Driss's hand.
 He looks at it a moment before collapsing onto the ground in a heap.
Chaos (now sporting an elephant's head) drops down beside Driss. "Tch
tch tch. Won't he ever learn? Beings need Chaos in their lives.
Without me there is no fortune, no inspiration, no creativity, no
life. Yet there he goes again, this time succeeding in expelling every
last bit fo my energy from his form. He's made himself into a being of
pure order. Dull, bland, average, predictable. He would even just lay
there forever if the need be simply because he can't be creative
enough to think for himself to stand up and go anywhere else. tch tch
tch. This will not do at all."
 Chaos touches the portal with one finger and it pops like a soap
bubble, but now there is a white glow on the tip of his figner. He
touches the finger to Driss's forehead, and vanishes.
 Driss moans and gets to his feet. Looking around his grins his cocky
boyish grin. "Hi everyone I guess you missed me huh?" Then he notices
the new arrival (well her legs first, then the rest of her.) He gives
her a deep bow with great flourish and flair. "Konnichi-wa. Driscoll
desu. Anata-wa donata desu ka?"

 (OOC note: In some cases the effects of the incarceration are highly
evident. Driss and Justin seem to be the only two with no noticable
change. Darath has grown to a woman probably in her late twenties,
while Isla is obviously middle aged now. Roscoe is looking a bit older
as well and Squee is now developmentally a young teenager.)
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 09:03:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 10:53:10 -0600 In Message # 00003026
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001239 Zia said:

Zia gets a bit green when Chaos shifts them unexpectedly, and when the
rift opens, she flinches and summons some shielding that cuts off her
emotional and psi outputs again. Neither the shield nor the effort
involved in summoning such is evident to the observers, however.

<Iron Man, and others emerge, mummify, and are restored during a bit
of Chaos-powered light show.>

When Driss' chaos power starts spraying about the area, Zia prudently
takes cover behind another of the lintel-supports. Not the one that
has been cheesed. But a differing one. Once there, she simply uses a
Rigellian sense of perception to observe unfolding events without
being in the direct line of 'fire' so to speak. Once Driscoll's formed
the ring, and Chaos has done his vanishing act as well, she walks back
around into view, shaking her head slowly.

It's not as if she doesn't believe it, it's more like she is
regretting even her cursory involvement. While Driscoll is still out,
she says, "The White Gold Wielder? And I thought some of you others
were in for a bit of stormy weather. It's almost enough to make _me_
have sympathy."

<Chaos' little speech on Order.>
Zia just smirks at Chaos' back, but doesn't start arguing with him
about the merits of Order. She likes to limit herself to the battles
she can win. But she does seem to have the same half-puzzled,
half-annoyed look she had dealing with Hydra, or when avoiding the
grilling on her meeting the CaoL.

<Chaos touches Driss and vanishes.>
Driss moans and gets to his feet. Looking around his grins his cocky
boyish grin. "Hi everyone I guess you missed me huh?" Then he notices
the new arrival (well her legs first, then the rest of her.) He gives
her a deep bow with great flourish and flair. "Konnichi-wa. Driscoll
desu. Anata-wa donata desu ka?"

Zia's eyes widen a bit at Driscoll, "If you wish a formal
introduction, it will have to occur later. No time for ceremony; your
comrades are losing a battle now. Call me Zia, and you needn't be so
formal. Ome ni kakarete yokatta desu." <<Jpn: Literally, 'Has been
fortunate to be able to see you' or a pun on his predicament and the
usual "Nice to meet you.">>

Zia nods to herself, as her clothing morphs back into something a bit
more suited to the cold stormy weather; the fur disappearing and the
black uniform-ish dress and tights are back. Along with the paired
wazakashi and katana of a Japanese warrior. To herself, "I thought the
group had a mental link. That confirms it." She sounds very pleased to
finally know, and even be right.
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 10:03:49 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 11:27:13 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003027
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001240 Driscoll said:

> On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 10:53:10 -0600 In Message # 00003026
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001239 Zia said:
>
> It's not as if she doesn't believe it, it's more like she is
> regretting even her cursory involvement. While Driscoll is still
> out, she says, "The White Gold Wielder? And I thought some of you
> others were in for a bit of stormy weather. It's almost enough to
> make _me_ have sympathy."

 (OOC: No Actually the White Gold Creator. Anyone looking for the ring
right now will notice that it's gone off to whereever. ;-) )

> Zia's eyes widen a bit at Driscoll, "If you wish a formal
> introduction, it will have to occur later. No time for ceremony;
> your comrades are losing a battle now. Call me Zia, and you needn't
> be so formal. Ome ni kakarete yokatta desu." <<Jpn: Literally, 'Has
> been fortunate to be able to see you' or a pun on his predicament
> and the usual "Nice to meet you.">>

 Driss looks around him. "So where in the heck _are_ we anyways? Looks
like Stonehenge but Stonehenge was razed in a battle between Merlin
and Dark Angel in the other dimention. It's always good to knwo what
to wear to a battle you know." Driss stretches a bit letting his long
blonde hair whip around in the breeze, then reaches into his cloak of
shadows to retrieve a platinum comb to grrom himself with while
someone fills him in either verbally or projecting hte info into his
mind since he isn't on the link.
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 10:35:15 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 12:26:13 -0600 In Message # 00003028
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001241 Zia said:

|  (OOC: No Actually the White Gold Creator. Anyone looking for the
| ring right now will notice that it's gone off to whereever. ;-) )

(ooSC: Well. If you SAY so. Heh. But I can see where Zia got the
idea.)

|  Driss looks around him. "So where in the heck _are_ we anyways?
| Looks like Stonehenge but Stonehenge was razed in a battle between
| Merlin and Dark Angel in the other dimention. It's always good to
| knwo what to wear to a battle you know." Driss stretches a bit
| letting his long blonde hair whip around in the breeze, then reaches
| into his cloak of shadows to retrieve a platinum comb to grrom
| himself with while someone fills him in either verbally or
| projecting hte info into his mind since he isn't on the link.

(ooSC: er, okay, then how did he know to speak Nihongo to Zia?)

Zia frowns slightly, and puts more distance between her and yet
another of those impossibly hazardous cloaks. She looks around while
the others fill Driss in. She is trying to determine with her
shadow/plane/world walking abilities just where Chaos carted the group
off to during the wait.
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 13:05:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Aae: Reunion

On Sun, 08 Mar 1998 12:57:40 In Message # 00003030
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001243 Morgan said:

>On Sat, 7 Mar 1998 23:55:22 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003024
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001237 Driscoll said:
>
> Chaos sighs as he decides his fun is over. The studio seems to melt
>away revealing Stonehenge all around the group. A icy cold wind seems
>to kick up as Chaos floats up onto one of the giant stones. His body
>shifts as he floats, becoming that of an ancient man dressed in a
>long grey robe with a hawaiian shirt over it.

Morgan, pointedly ignoring Chaos' choice of garb, closes her eyes and
takes a long, slow deep breath. It doesn't take a telepath to see that
she feels as if she's come home, and is relishing it. <Purple sky
notwithsatnding ;-)>

<snip of everyone's return>
> As they exit, a decade without food or water catches up with them as
>well and they drop to the ground, dead. But then a glow begins to
>eminate from Driscoll. At first it's all voer, then it begins
>converging at his fingertips and growing in intenisty.

Healer's instincts kicking in, Morgan moves to help, but stops when
she sees Driscoll begin to glow.

   PHOENIX sighs. "Chaos..."

> Once the energy has gathered itself, it begins to move up his arms
>slowly. As it moves the flesh expands behind it becoming healthy and
>pink and full once again. Soon the light has coverd his entire body
>again and seems to have redoubled in its intensity. He opens his eyes
>and beams of Chaos energy shoot forth from them striking a monolith
>and turning it into pure crystal. He opens his mouth to yell and more
>energy comes surging out through there turning hte crystal into
>Cheddar Cheese.

^Sacrilege,^ she thinks quietly, but choosing to only share the
thought with Roland.

   PHOENIX changes the monolith back to its original stone. ^Better?^

Morgan simply sends him a smile.

<more snip and Chaos leaving>
> Driss moans and gets to his feet. Looking around his grins his cocky
>boyish grin. "Hi everyone I guess you missed me huh?" Then he notices
>the new arrival (well her legs first, then the rest of her.) He gives
>her a deep bow with great flourish and flair. "Konnichi-wa. Driscoll
>desu. Anata-wa donata desu ka?"

Morgan grins to herself. ^Same ol' Dris,^ she thinks, and is glad
there's someone else to draw his attention.

   PHOENIX nods. "Too many Primals, as they say. Take care, all,"
Roland's form sways, and his body is turned back over to him once
more.

>On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 12:26:13 -0600 In Message # 00003028
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001241 Zia said:
>
>|  Driss looks around him. "So where in the heck _are_ we anyways?
>| Looks like Stonehenge but Stonehenge was razed in a battle between
>| Merlin and Dark Angel in the other dimention. It's always good to
>| knwo what to wear to a battle you know." Driss stretches a bit
>| letting his long blonde hair whip around in the breeze, then
>| reaches into his cloak of shadows to retrieve a platinum comb to
>| grrom himself with while someone fills him in either verbally or
>| projecting hte info into his mind since he isn't on the link.

Morgan (and probably others) send Driss a quick update on the
situation. To Roscoe, on a link that existed in part before she met
the CAoL, she sends, /Good to see you, old friend. I'm not even going
to _ask_ what happened. How's he (indicating Driss) doing?/ The last
question seems to cover a lot of ground - how he's dealing with the
change in his relationship with Morgan, how much Chaos influence he
still carries, physical well being, and any other level either of them
can think of.

(OOC: FYI, I tend to use /this/ for forms of communication other than
the <*open link*> or my link with ^Roland^.)
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 16:36:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:23:46 -0600 In Message # 00003031
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001244 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 10:53:10 -0600 In Message # 00003026
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001239 Zia said:
>
>Zia gets a bit green when Chaos shifts them unexpectedly, and when
>the rift opens, she flinches and summons some shielding that cuts off
>her emotional and psi outputs again. Neither the shield nor the
>effort involved in summoning such is evident to the observers,
>however.

Melissa's clothing shifts to a medieval-style long black dress with a
loosely clasped gold chain belt hanging from her waist, her hair grows
until becoming long spiral curls hanging halfway down her back. A
green cloak drapes just over her shoulders, clasped with a gold circle
with circuits etched into the metal. She asks Zia "Are you alright,
you looked a bit 'uncomfortable' for a moment."

As the Cheddar Cheese monolith reverts to stone, Melissa sends, /Aw,
that could have fed quite a few people./

<snip>
>It's not as if she doesn't believe it, it's more like she is
>regretting even her cursory involvement. While Driscoll is still out,
>she says, "The White Gold Wielder? And I thought some of you others
>were in for a bit of stormy weather. It's almost enough to make _me_
>have sympathy."

Melissa looks up and notes, "We do look to be in for a bit of a
storm."

<snip>
>Zia nods to herself, as her clothing morphs back into something a bit
>more suited to the cold stormy weather; the fur disappearing and the
>black uniform-ish dress and tights are back. Along with the paired
>wazakashi and katana of a Japanese warrior. To herself, "I thought
>the group had a mental link. That confirms it." She sounds very
>pleased to finally know, and even be right.

Melissa smiles and says quietly, "We thought you might appreciate
working that out for yourself, judging by your past remarks."

>On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 11:27:13 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003027
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001240 Driscoll said:
<snip>
> Driss looks around him. "So where in the heck _are_ we anyways?
>Looks like Stonehenge but Stonehenge was razed in a battle between
>Merlin and Dark Angel in the other dimention. It's always good to
>knwo what to wear to a battle you know." Driss stretches a bit
>letting his long blonde hair whip around in the breeze, then reaches
>into his cloak of shadows to retrieve a platinum comb to grrom
>himself with while someone fills him in either verbally or projecting
>hte info into his mind since he isn't on the link.

"Same planet, different dimention." Melissa says, "This one has been
nearly wiped clean of humanity by Grey aliens (the same Greys the
tabloids are full of on other Earths) and now we are fending off what
appear to be Controller-altered Borg on top of it. Are you familiar
with Borg, Uncle Driscoll?"

Knytt and Grep emerge from behind one of the standing stones. In
contrast to Melissa, Grep is wearing a black turtleneck and black
slacks, with a green peacoat hanging open that reveals a black leather
holster with a gold pistol just visible under her left arm. Grep's
hair is cut into a spikey military style.

Knytt, on the other hand, is wearing a simple hip-length coat with
what look like bookshelves imprinted on it, a white dress shirt and
black slacks. He's also ditched the ponytail, opting for a hairstyle
nearly as short as Grep's. And he's scratching at a thick, short,
beard. The wristcomputer is gone, but there is a brown vest on under
the coat that has beige calligraphy printed on it. As if it realises
it is being noticed, the vest gives off a slight wink of energy on
several different wavelengths: magic, psi, dreams, and a few others,
as if to say "hi there".

"It was all I could do to talk her out of shaving it off," Knytt says,
looking at Grep and ruffling her hair. He then notices Melissa. "You
look so much like your mom." Melissa smiles, blushing slightly.

"Father wanted to see Stonehenge again." Grep says. Knytt grins a bit
sheepishly, "Well, I did help build one of them. Or so the rumors go.
Besides, how often do you get to see one without some tour guide in
your face? Anyway, we're here to offer those who want one a lift back.
Unless you'd rather stay for a while longer," he adds, noting Morgan's
mood.

"We were also thinking that if Nemo and Armageddon have the situation
in hand in London, we might check out that crystal cavern real quick,"
Melissa adds. So that's why all three of them are wearing black hiking
boots.
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 17:05:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:34:54 -0600 In Message # 00003032
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001245 Zia said:

(ooSC: No big D. You don't have to justify it at all - I was just
trying to make sure Zia doesn't know/just TOO much IC, as it wouldn't
be fair. Thus I was uncertain if I could be allowed to have her draw
that conclusion about the link amongst the CAoL. I was just making
sure I wasn't taking too much liberty, there.)

>seems to have redoubled in its intensity. He opens his eyes and beams
>of Chaos energy shoot forth from them striking a monolith and turning
>it into pure crystal. He opens his mouth to yell and more energy
>comes surging out through there turning hte crystal into Cheddar
>Cheese.
>
>^Sacrilege,^ Morgan thinks quietly, but choosing to only share the
>thought with Roland.
>
>   PHOENIX changes the monolith back to its original stone. ^Better?^
>
>Morgan simply sends him a smile.

Zia eyes the ripped area (ooSC: I'm presuming the visible rift has
healed since the lost ones came through, healed, etc), then she takes
a look at the monolith of Many Substances, and sighs. "It's no wonder
that the structure of this Shadow is unraveling. Even ordered beings
are playing with the permanence of things within it. And the chaotic
ones are cutting holes in it willy-nilly at ley junctions, yet! To
destroy without re-creation is the nullfication of the Abyss itself,
not the realm of Chaos."

She frowns, glancing up as if at something unseen. Then turns somber,
"I'll worry about THAT later. As the human inhabitants are being taken
from this world in most of their remaining numbers, this place may not
be fitting to remain in unless you choose to do something about the
real problem, instead of the Borg feint."

Zia makes a face, "Although as an observer only, it is of course, not
my place to dictate any strategy. I shall be at Big Ben." She takes
out a Trump, either Fuzzy, if here, or someone can glimpse the picture
on it as she 'colds' it down and after a few short seconds. A flat,
floating door-like plane of bright rainbow colored light (think oil in
a puddle, only very bright) appears before her. As she steps through
it, it winks out.
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:34:56 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 21:07:48 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003033
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001246 Shadow <pookie> said:

> On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:23:46 -0600 In Message # 00003031
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001244 Michael Jon Knight said:
>
> "Same planet, different dimention." Melissa says, "This one has been
> nearly wiped clean of humanity by Grey aliens (the same Greys the
> tabloids are full of on other Earths) and now we are fending off
> what appear to be Controller-altered Borg on top of it. Are you
> familiar with Borg, Uncle Driscoll?"

Rhiannon sends Driscoll (and the others) a view of a borg as she
beheads it in a whirling manuever. Then the view changes wildly as she
leaps back several yards, turning head over heels and landing on her
feet. Only one borg remains, though the parts of several lay
scatterred all over. Her hand appears holding a white rod. There is a
blinding flash and the last borg is gone when it clears, along with
peices of several buildings which begin to collapse into the street.
She sends a final thought, /Photon torpedo, human portable version./
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 20:06:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE IV: Who Watchs the Watchers?

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 21:47:15 -0600 In Message # 00003034
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001247 Michael Jon Knight said:

>On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:34:54 -0600 In Message # 00003032
> In alt.callahans Post # 00001245 Zia said:
<snip>
>Zia makes a face, "Although as an observer only, it is of course, not
>my place to dictate any strategy. I shall be at Big Ben." She takes
>out a Trump, either Fuzzy, if here, or someone can glimpse the
>picture on it as she 'colds' it down and after a few short seconds. A
>flat, floating door-like plane of bright rainbow colored light (think
>oil in a puddle, only very bright) appears before her. As she steps
>through it, it winks out.

Knytt sighs, "So much for spelunking. Though I suppose we weren't
really dressed for it anyway, girls. Why don't the two of you
coordinate with everyone about our next move while I go chat with our
ever-critical observer. She requested we talk and I am inclined to
think this is as good a time as any. Oh, yeah, Roland, we probably
ought to get back to our military friends at the church. Though I am
sure Hydra and Armageddon are keeping conversations flowing on their
own."

Knytt smiles at Driss, Squee, Roscoe, et al. "Nice to see you guys
again." Then, a London-bound gust of wind blows Knytt's constituent
molecules away like so much smoke...

...Only to have them reconstitute themselves at a comfortably safe
distance near Zia. <OOC: If she is on the ground, assume he appears
about 10 feet away. If she is up on the clock itself, assume he
appears the same ten feet away, but standing on air, as Nemo is fond
of doing. ;-) >

Knytt's hands are stuffed in his hip pockets as he stands, feet
comfortably shoulder-length apart, near Zia. He coughs just loudly
enough to attract her attention.

"I know I risk a Fast Eddie blackjacking for prying like this, but
what bug crawled up your butt this morning?" The smile is wide, and
the emotions show he is joking, though definitely interested in what
is wrong.
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 22:05:30 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Aae: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 23:15:27 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003035
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001248 Driscoll said:

> On Sun, 08 Mar 1998 12:57:40 In Message # 00003030
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001243 Morgan said:
>
> Morgan (and probably others) send Driss a quick update on the
> situation. To Roscoe, on a link that existed in part before she met
> the CAoL, she sends, /Good to see you, old friend. I'm not even
> going to _ask_ what happened. How's he (indicating Driss) doing?/
> The last question seems to cover a lot of ground - how he's dealing
> with the change in his relationship with Morgan, how much Chaos
> influence he still carries, physical well being, and any other level
> either of them can think of.

 Roscoe shifts into his wolf form and the new grey is highly evident.
Almost as evident as the weariness in his mind. [I think all of us
would like to put what happened in there into the past and lock it
away forever. Driss was hit expecially hard though being locked in
there with the killer for his first love. They had it out several
times in there where the rest of us had to intervene. Every time he
saw Isla he remembered Sheila. And you. But right now I think he's
just trying to immerse himself in anything available so he won't have
to reflect on either again for a while. And I dunno if she's available
but he's defnintely seemed to have latched onto something to immerse
himself with.]
===========================

Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 22:05:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Reunion

On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 23:32:39 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003036
 In alt.callahans Post # 00001249 Driscoll said:

> On Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:23:46 -0600 In Message # 00003031
>  In alt.callahans Post # 00001244 Michael Jon Knight said:
>
> "Same planet, different dimention." Melissa says, "This one has been
> nearly wiped clean of humanity by Grey aliens (the same Greys the
> tabloids are full of on other Earths) and now we are fending off
> what appear to be Controller-altered Borg on top of it. Are you
> familiar with Borg, Uncle Driscoll?"

 "A little. I only entered that dimention a few times. One collective
caught me once and ended up going insane trying to rationalize why
their cybernetic implants kept getting spit back out at them by my
bady." He pauses for a moment with a quizzical look on his face.
"Uncle Driscoll?" Turning to Roscoe, "Did you go and adopt her too
now?" He smirks and gives Melissa a wink. "Ok I guess I should make a
change now."
 Driss steps backwards into his cloak of shadows and vanishes as the
cloak falls to the ground and rolls around in the wind. Roscoe pounces
on it to keep it from blowing too far. A minute later Driss emerges
again from the cloak. Now he's dressed in a black and grey military
dress uniform with silver lanyard and Captain's bars. On the shoulders
are patches depicting a Wolf's head with a Clan battlemech it its jaws
and the unit name Driscoll's Destroyers underneath. His raper still
hangs from the left side, but a holster rides low on his right thigh
with a laser pistol in it and a belt powerpack around his waist. The
boots are brightly polished black leather knee-high boots with a pair
of silver spurs built into them. Also close examination reveals a pair
of blades set into the sides of them near the sole. "OK, I guess I'm
ready. Not as practical as BDUs but the cloak and rapier just don't go
with anything else."
===========================