Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 20 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:04:24 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: BBL, Meeting Oracle at Deli... On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:39:18 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003191 In alt.callahans Post # 00001404 Driscoll said: > On Sat, 14 Mar 1998 14:39:19 -0600 In Message # 00003157 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001370 Michael Jon Knight said: > > find the girl.> OOC: I was among other things I was having to take care of. > Knytt stepped out of the church (presumably followed by Ironman) and > looked up into the purple haze that passed for sky. He reached into > a pocket and pulled out a white silk handkerchief that had faint off > white writing all over it. Closing his eyes, he felt his feet lift > off the ground as he rose into the air. > > "This way." Knytt said, sailing through the air toward the twins and > the small girl they were following. Wordlessly Iron man lifted off and followed Knytt with a ribbon of flame from his boot jets marking their progess through the sky. > The course Knytt followed was mostly a bee-line, until they got in > the girl's general area, then it changed to ensure he was not > spotted. Landing in an alley next to a delicatessan, Knytt paused > momentarily. As Knytt began to change his course Ironman figured out what he was thinking and dipped down beneath the building line, sleeding up a bit to keep Knytt in sight but completely out of sight of all but the residents of the streets he flew along, All three of them. > "Let's make this look like a meeting with the girls," Knytt > whispered, nodding toward the opposite alleyway where the twins had > just arrived, "No sense letting our quarry know we came to meet her. > Might make her nervous. I'd rather she thought everything was > normal. This is the second planet where we've seen her. I'd like her > to say her piece as she is picking some dangerous travel spots in > following us." Ironman simply nodded his acknowledgement, but the debate inside was more heated. #It _is_ the same girl we lost track of before then. I don't know what to do Jim. We can't let her reveal our true idenity, but if we strike out to stop her we reveal ourselves.# #we could try to distract Knytt and the Twins with a holographic threat and abduct her.# #No good they'd still figure out what's up and I think Knytt is suspicous already. Otherwise why would he have asked me specifically to come along? I think it's time we're going to have to face the music.# #And what will we do then?# #Nothing.# #nothing? Is not one of the directives in the AI program you gave us our intelligence with concern self preservation unless sacrificing oneself for another? What purpose does doing nothing take?# #Perhaps none. But I am through fighting the Army of Light. If when they discover my idenity, I will eject your packets so that you may escape, and I will take whatever punishments they inflict on me. You are to continue to attempt to track down and destroy The Controller, but never interfere with the Army of Light, and never battle them. Do you understand?# #No. But we will comply.# > "Spot any Resistance or Greys?" > > Again, the twins shook their heads. The girl's eyes light up when she sees Knytt, but obvious fear comes across her face at the sight of Ironman. She ducks into a doorway and crouches down into a ball trying to look as inconspicous as possible while she watches and Ironman watches her. =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:35:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4 - Knytt Rider On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:50:58 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003192 In alt.callahans Post # 00001405 Driscoll said: > On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 07:25:31 +0000 In Message # 00003187 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001400 The Doctor said: > > Then, as mercurial as this incarnation could be, he fished a > wrinkled bag out of one of the greatcoat's voluminous pockets and > proffered it to Knytt and Ironman. "Jelly baby?" At the thought of candy, the girl's bravery seems to build up a bit. "Can I have one?" She asks quietly as she stands up in the doorway where she's been crouching. Then her purpose there is rememebred. She clears her throat and begins to recite in a singsong voice. One of you, hides his face. One of you is banned from the Place. One of you is a real jerk. The proof of just who is in his work. His works are hidden here adn there, And will soon bring death everywhere. Explosive force will show his might. And London will vanish in the night. Everyone shall die, by Ego's wish Humans, Greys, Birds and even fish Nothing will survive when Light adn Dark meet You must find the cylanders and be swift of feet The Cancer growth in the Army of Light You must find it and hten must fight. See the one with the heart of stone. He is to blame, and he alone. The girl turns and runs off into the nightjust like last time, and Ironmans Boot jets fire but he just hovers there in air. #Are we not flying after her Justin?# #Not this time. Full sensor scan of London, piggyback it on any wavelengths you can to give me as much coverage as possible.# #Complying, but what are we looking for?# #Any technology with the same circut patterns as I used for this suit. Also for explosives, radioactivity adn Antimatter.# #Complying. Searching....searching....searching... There are several cahces of explosives around the city, many plastique type but they do not have the circut relay patterns requested. there are also some areas of latent radioactivity btu again without the circuts. But I belive I have found 5 areas with Matter/Antimatter reactive devices using our circuit patterns.# "Damnit!!!!!!" Iron Man blasts off on a column of flame racing towards the first site. At the same time he radios to the rest of the group the general locations of the other 4. =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 13:47:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - When it rains.... On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 15:18:53 -0600 In Message # 00003193 In alt.callahans Post # 00001406 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:50:58 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003192 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001405 Driscoll said: > "Damnit!!!!!!" Iron Man blasts off on a column of flame racing >towards the first site. At the same time he radios to the rest of the >group the general locations of the other 4. Knytt lets off with a string of Gallifreyian curses that would cause the High Council to blush darker than a Prydonian's robes.. "I was -so- CLOSE!" Privately sent: ^Girls, tell Zia her timing is infuriatingly like clockwork. And wake up Morgan and Roland. Tell them the Controller has struck again, and brief them about the bombs.^ ^Got it, Dad. What about the girl?^ ^Pass my suspicions to the group, but highlight that they are only suspicions.^ Knytt sighs aloud. ^Add the following, word for word: I hate to put the make on Iron Man, but if he -is- the Controller trying to turn his life around, we need him in the planning stages from here on out. And Zia as well. She has a head for these things. ^Iron Man shouldn't be forced out, but we do need his input, though I am willing to skirt the issue of his identity if he is straight with us about what the Controller would do. His past is his business as long as he doesn't revert to it. ^Zia seems to be able to predict what our enemies are going to do as well, though a bit more vaguely. At least by what she is telling us. I don't like that, but she doesn't appear willing to change at our whim, so I don't see us with any other choice than cope with it. Roland will have to get his ... opinions ... about her, justified or not, under control enough to look at this objectively. ^If after considering both issues with a clear head, he still says no to their presenses, I won't argue it. He is leader of this lot now. But I won't stay either.^ ^DAD!^ ^I don't know how we compare on sins, but if Iron Man doesn't have the right to change in this group's eyes, neither do I. As for Zia, with the exception of her inability to speak a straight answer, I see no reason she should be denied a presense here. After all, she is no more arrogant than any of us. Different, granted, but not worse. End quote.^ ^But...^ Melissa said reluctantly on the verge of tears. ^Sweeties, if it helps any, I don't expect it to come to that. But, Roland himself said it was time to decide what we stood for. This is what I stand for. The right to change. I can't work with people who would refuse it.^ ^Alright,^ Melissa and Grep send, ^By the way, have a look at this. {Zia's catching up with Driss, subsequent fight, questions, and Rhiannon's 'outburst'}^ ^Hmmmm...Addendum, girls, RE: Zia. If she has been in the Place, it hasn't rubbed off too terribly well. Note her snoopy questions to Driss. Further, it is no wonder about her attitude. Sounds like with her, everything must have an ulterior motive. Reminds me of University politics. If you're not one of the sharks, you're food. Glad I don't have to go to her family reunions. And have Roland and Morgan pay special note to the swordwork. Learning all the techniques for killing on the draw took me maybe 5 years of intensive training. But, I am sure they will appreciate the technique even without the commentary. Ok, sign, seal and deliver that. I'll be along in a few minutes. I'm speaking with my Doctor.^ The private communication ended, Knytt idlely noted the elapsed time was 1 second. Odd. He glanced at his hands. Still no physical object that he could see linking him to the Twins and Psi-web. Truely weird. Knytt turned to the Doctor. "Doctor, I don't have a lot of time to be coy about this. Who's after me? Rather, which Time Lord? Unless the Matrix has been compromised by outsiders again?" Meanwhile, the Twins ... aroused ... Roland and Morgan from their private time with their usual tact... /Aunt Morgan, Uncle Roland? If the earth hasn't moved for you yet, just wait a bit...there are five possibly atomic bombs in London that should do the trick./ I just can't help myself.> =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 16:04:27 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - Pour, pour me... On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 16:43:05 +0000 In Message # 00003194 In alt.callahans Post # 00001407 The Doctor said: >The private communication ended, Knytt idlely noted the elapsed time >was 1 second. Odd. He glanced at his hands. Still no physical object >that he could see linking him to the Twins and Psi-web. Truely weird. >Knytt turned to the Doctor. > >"Doctor, I don't have a lot of time to be coy about this. Who's after >me? Rather, which Time Lord? Unless the Matrix has been compromised >by outsiders again?" The Doctor looked very grim. "It's early days, yet, but I have a few indicators. Although I have two suspects.... one, I'm afraid, is The Valeyard. The other.. is worse. Far worse. Makes The Valeyard look like a piker." The Doctor bit his lip, a sign Knytt *KNEW* was bad news. "WHO, Doctor?" The Doctor hesitated a moment, then asked "You know of a chap who dresses all in black, very dour, looks like he's wearing a black chicken on his head?" Then, in a flash, the Doctor started for the TARDIS, stopped at the door, and beckoned for Knytt to follow. "Come on. We're going to go see an old friend of mine, name of Lethbridge-Stewart." =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 18:07:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4 - Pour, pour me... On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 19:36:43 -0600 In Message # 00003195 In alt.callahans Post # 00001408 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 16:43:05 +0000 In Message # 00003194 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001407 The Doctor said: > > Then, in a flash, the Doctor started for the TARDIS, stopped at >the door, and beckoned for Knytt to follow. "Come on. We're going to >go see an old friend of mine, name of Lethbridge-Stewart." "Never heard of either of them." Knytt looked around at the city around him. Jamming his hands deep into his pockets, Knytt muttered, "I know I am going to regret this," and followed the Doctor into the TARDIS. Just before stepping over the threshold, Knytt sent, /I will be _RIGHT_ back. Since I am the one bitching about us not knowing our enemies, I guess I am the one who should go and discover these. The Universe has horrendous timing as always./ =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 20:07:27 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Perchance to Dream On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 19:38:07 In Message # 00003196 In alt.callahans Post # 00001409 Morgan said: The two immortals slept. One peacefully... ...one less so. UNWORTHY! Roland fought an endless parade of villains and monstrosities...a shark-toothed Gaunt, a shambling Controller, a darkly shining Jadis, a twisted and hateful Thorne. Each sent a parade of creatures out of nightmare, and Roland fought them all with a fanatic's fervor. Psibolts sizzled through otherwise-impenetrable darkness. Railguns shot forth crystal death at relativistic speeds. Blades spun and carved eldritch horrors and murderous machines alike to ribbons. Still they came. The armor was the first to go; he was suddenly in his 'civvies' without mecha or railgun. Still he fought. UNWORTHY! The Phoenix Claw vanished next, forcing him to put his fist through a nearby robot. Still he fought. UNWORTHY! The psychokinesis finally began to fade. His blasts of force dimmed and his shields glowed a sickly red. Still, he fought. At last, broken, bleeding, overwhelmed, he was dragged to the four true monsters by their servitors. "And what," Gaunt sneered, crying tears of blood, "made you think you could ever defeat us?" Roland stared grimly into Gaunt's bleeding eyes. "Someone had to try." Jadis yawned. "And you accuse _us_ of arrogance. You, a fledgling, against such as we. You have no power that could _possibly_ defeat us." An emerald image of Morgan appeared by Roland's side. "Wanna bet?" Roland smiled ferally. There was a flash of light. Roland suddenly sat on Oa's golden sands. "What the grife?!" The Oan who had claimed the Ring walked up to him. "It was necessary." "Why?" Roland asked, blinking as light filled his vision. "So you would know that you are worthy." Roland awoke. Some time later... In their fae house in London, Morgan snuggled in Roland's arms as the two drifted in that peaceful, not-yet-fully-awake state. She sighed contentedly, ^I love those people like family, but it _is_ good to have some time alone with you. Little did we suspect, back when I spoke up for you to Titania and made you blush...^ ^Or when Gaunt kidnapped my 'sword-sister'...^ Roland continued. ^I don't think either of us saw it coming until you went into that emotional scene at my 'death-bed'.^ She cuddled closer, and smiled mischieviously. ^Maybe we ought to thank the Controller. Despite his intentions, much of what he did in Arcadia and Quaren led us to....^ ^THANK him?!^ Roland laughs harshly. ^Oh, I'll thank him all right-with a gigawatt handshake!^ Roland lets a touch of electricity play between his fingers. ^Too quick,^ Morgan sends in a subdued tone, snuggling closer. Roland looks at his beloved with mild concern. ^My heart, no one knows better than I do what that metal menace did to you, but you should try not to dwell on it.^ Roland smiles and leans toward his love. ^After all, there are much more _pleasant_ things that can be contemplated...^ ^True. But I _do_ think your suggestion is.... mmmm ....^ further comment is silenced as his lips touch hers, and have the desired effect. Then, >On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 15:18:53 -0600 In Message # 00003193 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001406 Michael Jon Knight said: > >/Aunt Morgan, Uncle Roland? If the earth hasn't moved for you yet, >just wait a bit...there are five possibly atomic bombs in London that >should do the trick./ <*Oh bloody nass,*> the Freelance Immortals sigh resignedly in unison. *More good news.* Roland stands reluctantly, and the belt flies around his waist. Instantly, the costumed Blaze is standing where Roland had been. *Tell Knytt that the Iron Man/Controller situation will have to wait. It'll be a moot point if we're all vaporized. We'll take the southernmost bomb. Nemo, Armagedon and Fuzzy can no doubt handle one each; Knytt is with Iron Man, so he has that situation covered. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. This has 'trap' stamped on it in bright neon letters.* > I just can't help myself.> =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 21:06:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Perchance to Dream On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 20:51:42 +0800 In Message # 00003197 In alt.callahans Post # 00001410 Fuzzy said: > On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 19:38:07 In Message # 00003196 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001409 Morgan said: > > *More good news.* Roland stands reluctantly, and the belt flies > around his waist. Instantly, the costumed Blaze is standing where > Roland had been. *Tell Knytt that the Iron Man/Controller situation > will have to wait. It'll be a moot point if we're all vaporized. > We'll take the southernmost bomb. Nemo, Armagedon and Fuzzy can no > doubt handle one each; Knytt is with Iron Man, so he has that > situation covered. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. This has > 'trap' stamped on it in bright neon letters.* Fuzzy ports to one of the Bombs from where he had been hanging in Astral Space contemplating how to power up the stabalizer fields to make space Resist The interdimensional power taps of the Azeronium Devices. \You know from the kind of potential yeild these thing seem to have, They just might solve a problem for me...\ A quick flow of symbolic magical formulie \ Nemo can you wrap the other Azeronium Devices in the same kind of space field I have set up on {} that one, please, if you can add this {} kind of resonance connection between them.\ \It will be far less effective than I had hoped for, but at least it will slow them down some.\ Fuzzy Starts wrapping the Bomb in front of him in a coccoon of power transfer and shaping spells. Not actually touching the device, but only millimeters from the surface. \As soon as I get these spells set up here I will start on the next one.\ \Someone mentioned the possibility of using a giant set of Ward Major Matrix, Nemisis can assemble the physical cubes and give a few hours I can cast a spell that will shape a mana feed from the reserve the StarDragon set up into the Charging spell,From that point it will still take at least half an hour at any rate the setup can handle power to get them ready for activation. Then we will need at least 4 mages one at each cube pair in geosync orbit, to handle the actual activation.\ \I estimate about 1 meter Cubes should do the job, does anyone think that they should be Larger?\ =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 21:06:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Perchance to Dream On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:58:28 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003198 In alt.callahans Post # 00001411 Xzerrion said: On Mon, 16 Mar 1998, Morgan wrote: > suspicions about Iron Man, his feelings about the newcomer > situation, etc.> > > *More good news.* Roland stands reluctantly, and the belt flies > around his waist. Instantly, the costumed Blaze is standing where > Roland had been. *Tell Knytt that the Iron Man/Controller situation > will have to wait. It'll be a moot point if we're all vaporized. > We'll take the southernmost bomb. Nemo, Armagedon and Fuzzy can no > doubt handle one each; Knytt is with Iron Man, so he has that > situation covered. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. This has > 'trap' stamped on it in bright neon letters.* Tezrantha and Xzerrion exchange glances, plans being made without a word being spoken as is the way of longtime comrades and lovers. Tezrantha sends to the link, <* I'll go back up Fuzzy. If this is a trap, two are better than one. *> Xzerrion adds, <* I'll be watching for anyone using this as a distraction. Trying to split us up like this sounds way too much like something Drisonel would have done. *> Dantris adds, deciding to reveal himself to the link, <* I will be ... elsewhere. It is time to speak to those few of Fairie who remain here, and see if they have the strength and will to resist the Greys. *> He takes three cantering steps away from the group and ... vanishes. Elsewhere ... Dantris emerges in a forest as untouched by Grey activity as anywhere on this Earth. His horn is no longer disguised by the white star on his forehead, showing his true nature as one of the few black unicorns. He trots to the top of a small hill, and whickers out a one word cry. (loose translation for those who don't speak the language of Fairie Magic) * In the name of the threefold Goddess, and by the power of the four elements, I summon the creatures of the woodlands. Let the sprites, pixies, unicorns and elves come forth! Likewise I call the creatures of the earth, the dwarves, dragons, and lindworms. And I call the creatures of the sky, the griffons, the pegasi, and the rocs. I ask that you come before me to speak. It is time to defend your homeland, to restore the magic before it fades entirely! * He waits patiently on the hilltop for a response. =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 22:06:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Perchance to Dream On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 00:45:45 -0600 (CST) In Message # 00003200 In alt.callahans Post # 00001413 "M. J. Knight" said: >On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 19:38:07 In Message # 00003196 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001409 Morgan said: >>On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 15:18:53 -0600 In Message # 00003193 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001406 Michael Jon Knight said: >> > >>/Aunt Morgan, Uncle Roland? If the earth hasn't moved for you yet, >>just wait a bit...there are five possibly atomic bombs in London >>that should do the trick./ > ><*Oh bloody nass,*> the Freelance Immortals sigh resignedly in >unison. > >suspicions about Iron Man, his feelings about the newcomer situation, >etc.> > *More good news.* Roland stands reluctantly, and the belt flies >around his waist. Instantly, the costumed Blaze is standing where >Roland had been. *Tell Knytt that the Iron Man/Controller situation >will have to wait. It'll be a moot point if we're all vaporized. >We'll take the southernmost bomb. Nemo, Armagedon and Fuzzy can no >doubt handle one each; Knytt is with Iron Man, so he has that >situation covered. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. This has >'trap' stamped on it in bright neon letters.* /Father is NOT with Iron Man. The Doctor showed up and they left. The Doctor was suggesting that there were a couple new enemies to add to the ever-growing list. So, he went to learn more, stating he would be RIGHT back, presumably returning very soon now. We will look for Iron Man. If he isn't the Controller, he might need some help with that bomb./ =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 22:06:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: Aae: Honey Is that a bomb in your pocket or... On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:32:39 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003201 In alt.callahans Post # 00001414 Driscoll said: Driss picks up Ironman's broadcast on his scouter as he follows Raver towards the Borg. Stopping short, he slips out of his boots, and pulls his 7 league boots out of his cloak. "No time for fashion right now. I need speed." Then he takes a giant step, and is instantly 7 leagues away. Walking like this he is at one of the further bombs in mere seconds. Ironman's sensors locked onto the electonic resonance pattern of the circutry and was at the bomb in almost no time at all. Jim landed Ironman about 50' short of hte bomb point and froze the suit in place. #I've been doing what long range examinations of the bombs that I could. One of the things I have noticed, there seems to be a motion sensitive device on the bomb. currently it is not armed. But moving within a certain distance activates the detonation sequence on the timer.# #Just like me. not only threaten the city and myself but make the heroes coming tot he rescue the trigger for the bomb for kicks and grins. can you override it?# #I'm working on it now.# #Ok, You do that and I'll radio our findings to the others.# Ironman's radio message came in just as Driss's scouter had located the bomb in the cupboard of a deserted flat. Swining down the tiny mike towards his mouth. "Oh geeze, great timing. I'm already here. how long 'til this thing goes boom?" Ironman radios back, "I'm not sure. Look for a readout." "It just looks like a perfectly smooth cylinder. wait a second." Driss fiddles with the controls on his scouter and images shift as the different spectrums are scanned. On a microscopic scan fracture lines could be seen showing panels but nothing to open them. Iron Man radios in as Jim finishes his calculations. "Set your scanning equipment at () this frequency on the electromagnetic spectrum and attempt to broadcast the signal I'm going to send." Driss hurredly makes the adjustments and soon actually sees the energy pulasating through the bomb's circutry. The signal goes out and the bomb opens up like a blooming flower revealing a countdown screen with 3 minutes remaining. There was also a small keypad and a few exposed wires. "OK it opened. you now have less than 3 minutes to figure out how to disarm it and teach me or I'll really make an impact on old London town." "I'm working on it. There's a lot of codes to go through trying to find the correct one wihtout detonating _this_ one." "Screw trying codes. I don't have the patience even if I did have the time." Driss closed his eyes and tapped a little of the Chaos energy within himself, guiding it to his fingertips as he pressed wildly at the buttons. When he opened his eyes he was rewarded with the sight of no more power moving through the circutry of the bomb. "Ok Mine's disarmed." "Great. what code did you use?" "I don't know I wasn't looking." "Oh that's just GREAT. OK, I have it. the disarming code is 47283645." "Oh yeh I rememeber that now. REALLY." Ironman doesn't bother to respond as he examines the bomb in his hand. #You know Jim, I think we're going to give this back to The Controller up close and personal like.# #Oh and how do you plan to do this?# #I don't right now. But I'll fill you in on the plan as I figure it out. Until then store this away safely.# Ironman's backpack opens up and a small claw reached out and picks up the bomb drawing it inside. =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 22:36:01 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Some Wheres in the Night (was: Blood, Guts and Honor) On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 01:20:20 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003202 In alt.callahans Post # 00001415 Shadow said: > On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 00:54:27 -0600 In Message # 00003186 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001399 Zia said: > > In London Town: > hope!> > > Zia grins at Rhiannon, although it does look somewhat forced. "How > can I do that? I'm what used to be called a sensitive. Or perhaps a > medium, do you understand that term? Rhiannon smiles somewhat, "A medium? Advice from the spirit realm and all that?" OOC: What gets me is how she knew it was a person Rhiannon was worried about, espescially when no one has mentioned it yet to her, and that she wasn't sure to begin with. Unless she just figured it out by the emotional changes as she talked. Because she certainly didn't get it from Rhiannon's mind, it's too heavily shielded. And Rhiannon will probably drop this topic after whatever Zia says in response which leads to... > "However you decide Rhiannon, I don't believe a combat situation is > where you need to be while you ponder about your problem." She looks > up to Melissa and Grep as they arrive, "Driss and Raver went that > way; better hurry or there won't be much left." Then back to > Rhiannon, "Walk back to the church and chat with me, or faster > transport and talk to someone else, milady?" She takes a slim deck > of large cards from her pocket as she inquires. Rhiannon shakes her head, "No need to trump. I feel like walking. Though you might want to have it ready, there are five antimatter/atomic bombs in London, though the rest of the group has it covered." She begins to walk back, lost in her thoughts for a while, until the words begin to spill forth. "Have you ever... have you ever been with someone... someone who always been there, no matter what? My... Uncle, he's more like my father, actually... he's been with me for as long as I can remember. Even when we argued, or I would shut him out or hurt him, he'd still come if I needed him. He let me make my own mistakes, though. He tried very hard not to 'protect' me." She lapses into silence for a while. "He's saved my life, you know. Several times. Even brought me back from the dead once. And now... he's gone. Captured by the enemy. We made contact with him once, and he was in such _Pain_! I couldn't stand it. I just couldn't. That's not supposed to happen!" Again Rhiannon falls silent. "And the worst part is... he's here. That guy who's holding him. I can feel him, slightly. I think.. I think it has something to do with the sword. It's changing me, inside. I can feel him, but I _can't_ _feel_ _my_ _father's_ _presence_. Anywhere. I think he might be.. might be.. dead." "DAMMIT, he's not supposed to be able to die. He promised. He promised" As she says this, the tears begin to fall down her cheeks. =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:06:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE: Metaplot On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 01:47:14 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003203 In alt.callahans Post # 00001416 Shadow said: > On Fri, 13 Mar 98 21:01:27 -0800 In Message # 00003149 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001362 Roland X said: > > The Adversary stops cold. > The humanoid form fades, shifts, and becomes a pair of glowing > red eyes, each a meter across. "I have. The question is, why would > you share such power with me? For that matter, why should I trust > you to divide the power equally when you are clearly willing to > betray the spider?" Jadis smiles coldly, "When did I _ever_ say I was going to share the power equally? The 'spider' has already tried to worm his way past my defenses, I have the suspects under close watch. That I am willing to share the power with you at all is a measure of the esteem in which I hold you. Besides, I will fulfill my bargain with him. I will delay the CAoL as much as I can. And I will not _directly_ help you attack him. As you are a trusted ally of mine in need of help," (You could dehydrate watermelons with his tone), "however, I will do what I can to 'get you back on your feet.' In fact, after our discussion here I will _tell_ him that we talked, though I may not disclose our full discourse. It is, after all, a matter of honor." =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:06:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Bombs Away! On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 22:53:47 In Message # 00003205 In alt.callahans Post # 00001418 Morgan said: Earlier, Knytt said: >Knytt lets off with a string of Gallifreyian curses that would cause >the High Council to blush darker than a Prydonian's robes.. "I was >-so- CLOSE!" > >Privately sent: ^Girls, tell Zia her timing is infuriatingly like >clockwork. And wake up Morgan and Roland. Tell them the Controller >has struck again, and brief them about the bombs.^ Then, Roland said: >*Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. This has 'trap' stamped on it >in bright neon letters.* Roland and Morgan alighted near one of the bombs. *Love, how much do you know about ultra-tech disarmament?* The Highland druid responds with a sardonic smile. <*I canna change the laws o' physics,*> she says in a familiar brogue. *My kingdom for a peanut,* Roland groans. *Just channel as much power as you can to me. I'll do the rest.* /I hope./ <*Aye,*> Morgan replies simply, and Roland feels the familiar energies of his beloved fill both him and local reality. /'Canna change the laws o' physics,' huh?/ Roland sighs. He then gives the bomb his undivided attention. The Controller had clearly been expecting him. Psionic baffles had been loaded into the nanites that controlled this bomb's mechanisms. Roland, however, knows a few things about defeating psi dampeners. *What the hell is he waiting for?* Roland mutters across the link, throwing a shield around himself and the bomb. If he was taken out by the explosion, his body would reform-probably-within minutes. If Morgan were caught in the blast, that would almost certainly separate her from the torc. *If the Controller wanted to take us out, he could have activated the bombs at any time. Why wait until we knew about them-unless-* He felt a timer kick in. *"BLOODY SPROCKING GRIFE!"* Without further comment, Roland grabs the bomb and rockets into the sky. His EK prevents the sudden jarring from activating the safeties, but he could not stop the countdown. Melding psychokinesis and hyperportational abilities, he is soon travelling at obscene speeds towards low orbit. It occurs to him, almost as an afterthought, that he has never died before... Morgan watches Roland, and the bomb, disappear into the distance. <*Everyone, heads up! A timer started on this one as soon as Roland started working on it. That may or may not have started them _all_ counting, depending on how well his shielding worked.*> Warning delivered, she sits quietly and closes her eyes, concentrating on maintaining the energy feed to her beloved. There is a brilliant flash of light far above London. At first it is a pure white light, then is diffracted into a rainbow of colors, as if through a giant prism. The moment the explosion takes place, Morgan is on her feet, scanning the sky with all her powers and senses. "Roland," she whispers. /He's immortal. He'll be OK,/ she thinks to herself, but where she comes from when someone dies they stay gone, and her mind isn't quite convincing her heart. His mind isn't exactly _gone_, but it's faint, like someone in a coma. Moments later a shooting star begins falling to Earth. Slowly first, then faster, it strikes less than 200 meters from Roland's launching point. Anyone with the senses to tell can see a beautiful halo of energy surging around the crater. And a woman suddenly appearing in the crater, as Morgan 'ports herself to her husband's side. Anyone who simply looks in will see a ravaged, dead body...at first. But soon, slowly at first, his body begins to heal. A gaping hole in his chest begins to knit together. Energy becoming matter at prodigious rates, psychokinesis pulling his form together, Roland's body begins to shudder involuntarily as the incredible power of his immortal Halo infuses him with life energy. Still, there is a strange peace about the shuddering form, an odd calm in the almost skinless face. Until the eyes become aware once more. "Hhh-uh!" Roland cries out hoarsely as skin, lips, and eyelids all begin to take shape once more. He reaches up convulsively as the torrent of energy slows to its usual flow...far more than a mortal's trickle of ch'i, but far less than the surge that instinct had forced into him. "sss-so _that_ iss wh-hkk-kk...what it's like...to die..." Roland gasps. "...i'll have to...avoid it...in-kkk-the future..." The sound that escapes Morgan's lips is as much a sob as a chuckle, and she realized she'd been holding her breath. She also became aware of the tears rolling down her cheeks. Gently, she takes the hand reaching toward her, and once she's sure she'll cause no damage she holds it tightly. "You do that," she whispers in a choked voice. "whoa." Roland notes, in the small part of his mind that remains objective, that Morgan is still feeding him energy. That energy is maintaining a pace that his body could not possibly match alone, though his suit is still managing to heal faster than he is at the moment. "this whole...death thing...was worse for you...than it was for-hkk-huuuuh!" Roland convulses once more as his organs finish placing themselves where they belong. The image of Roland leaning over her in Dibis, from her perspective, fills his mind. "...point...noted..." Roland says in as ironic a tone as he can manage. The last sensation he feels before returning to merciful unconsciousness is Morgan pressing his (mostly healed) hand to her lips. <*Sil, meet me at the house. Incoming wounded,*> Morgan sends, and 'ports the two of them to their room in the fairie house, placing Roland gently in their bed. Now that his body's reflexive healing has slowed, she begins to add her own healing to the process. "...was also looking forward to a talk with Zia without the walking confrontation," Sil chuckles to an appreciative rebel (or any PC who wishes to fit in here), "but I've noticed-" Sil's head snaps up. She then proceeds to unleash a string of vehement, inventive, and decidedly unladylike epithets. "Excuse me," she finishes, and bolts for the house faster than six million dollars can get you. "What did that idiot do this-" Sil begins, gasping as she stops short. "Save London," Morgan says softly. She brushes his forehead as the hair begins to return, and sends the Phoenix shard a 'memory packet' of Roland's heroics. "Phoenix, Dragon and Light," she says reverently. "Antimatter, no less-he might not have come back from that one. It hadn't been tried." Sil smiles gently as Morgan hugs her husband that much more tightly. "Well! Now it has. He should be up and around-if not at 100 percent-in a few minutes, the way your healing magicks are going. I love this HIT Mark body." She puts her hand on Morgan's shoulder. "You do good work." "I have a strong incentive," Morgan responds with conviction. She collapses onto Roland's chest, relief emanating from her. "Just make sure he stays centered," Sil cautions. "For him, dying won't be nearly as bad as killing, but it's still rather traumatic." she chuckles. "Then again, if he's making wisecracks already..." "...then maybe someone better grab some peanuts," Roland finishes with a smile. His voice, though hoarse, is considerably better; more like actual vocal cords than flaps of skin being vibrated. Both ladies stop and stare at him for a moment. Then, all in one motion, Morgan grabs Roland and kisses him with life-affirming passion. "wow! for a reception like that, maybe I _should_ die more often!" Roland says as she buries her face in his shoulder. He tries to laugh, but it sounds like a Narn strangling a Centauri. "Don't you _dare_!" she says without looking up, and Roland isn't sure whether the next sound is a laugh or a sob. "wouldn't dream of it," he replies as quickly as his condition allows, holding her with slowly increasing strength. Sil, meanwhile, has returned from the kitchen, and is waiting, peanuts in hand, for Morgan to recover and quit the line of fire... (OOC: Looks like we're stuck in the house again for a bit. They'll be there until the need for the freelance immortals out- weighs their need to recover.) =========================== Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:36:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: Honey Is that a bomb in your pocket or... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 01:27:53 -0600 In Message # 00003206 In alt.callahans Post # 00001419 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:32:39 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003201 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001414 > Driscoll said: > > Ironman doesn't bother to respond as he examines the bomb in his >hand. > #You know Jim, I think we're going to give this back to The >Controller up close and personal like.# > #Oh and how do you plan to do this?# > #I don't right now. But I'll fill you in on the plan as I figure it >out. Until then store this away safely.# > Ironman's backpack opens up and a small claw reached out and picks >up the bomb drawing it inside. The twins fly over and land about this time. /Greatgrandfather Fuzzy, you had better enter that code if you haven't heard it on the radio already. Four-Seven-Two-Eight-Three-Six-Four-Five./ "Good work, Iron Man. We'll outwit the Controller yet at this rate." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 00:37:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: Honey Is that a bomb in your pocket or... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 00:33:10 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00003207 In alt.callahans Post # 00001420 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 01:27:53 -0600 In Message # 00003206 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001419 Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:32:39 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003201 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001414 Driscoll said: >> >> Iron Man radios in as Jim finishes his calculations. "Set your >>scanning equipment at () this frequency on the electromagnetic >>spectrum and attempt to broadcast the signal I'm going to send." "Thank You" Once the casing opens Fuzzy make some fine adjustments in the structure of the spell cocoon... > The twins fly over and land about this time. /Greatgrandfather > Fuzzy, you had better enter that code if you haven't heard it on the > radio already. Four-Seven-Two-Eight-Three-Six-Four-Five./ "\No, thank you, girls, I want this one to blow, I need the energy it will produce.\" Just then there is a flair of light as the device detonates and implodes into a strange glowing gem... "\Crystalized Energy, resonating to the wave pattern of the Energy tranfer Dampening Fields around the Azeroniom Devices. They make it harder to tranfer energy between Dimensions locally.\" ... "\Well they may be weak but at least they are operational, Anybody got a spare Bomb? The Dampers could use an extra battery or two. And it can not be routed from an external source...\" =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 01:04:47 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 02:53:43 -0600 In Message # 00003208 In alt.callahans Post # 00001421 Zia said: Rhiannon smiles somewhat, "A medium? Advice from the spirit realm and all that?" "Well, sometimes. Depends on the spirits; some of them aren't so friendly as to just give advice." ooSC: Zia got to guessing in the right direction by figuring no one woud be that upset about losing some _thing_ rather than some one, rather than going to get another of the _thing_ they missed if it were replaceable. Rhiannon's reaction let her see the guess was correct. Zia doesn't MEAN to do that, but in her family it's an automatic reaction. Knytt: Privately sent: ^Girls, tell Zia her timing is infuriatingly like clockwork. Zia looks at Melissa and Grep, and for a split-instant, the tricky night shadows on her face almost make the expression seem saddened. Then she walks on, into a brighter patch of moonlight. "Pretty impressive to be so complimented by a man who was once Merlin." Zia nods, and puts the Trumps back in a front OUTSIDE pocket instead, "Five? That seems... excessive. Five. I wonder why five?" The short brunette walks on, looking introspective as she paces near Rhiannon. She listens to the tale the other woman tells about the one she is missing, being that perfect listener who is always there, but not so intent as to stall further talking. Rhiannon: >"And the worst part is... he's here. That guy who's holding him. I >can feel him, slightly. I think.. I think it has something to do with >the sword. It's changing me, inside. I can feel him, but I _can't_ >_feel_ _my_ _father's_ _presence_. Anywhere. I think he might be.. >might be.. dead." Zia looks over curiously at the sword Rhiannon is wearing, and then nods, slowly. "Not knowing is always worse." >"DAMMIT, he's not supposed to be able to die. He promised. He >promised" As she says this, the tears begin to fall down her cheeks. Zia bites her lip and looks up at the purplish sky, just barely clear enough to still show stars at this early morning hour... as the bomb Roland carried into space explodes in a faint wash of light in a brighter, briefer star... Moments later a shooting star begins falling to Earth. Slowly first, then faster, it strikes less than 200 meters from Roland's launching point. Anyone with the senses to tell can see a beautiful halo of energy surging around the crater. "If he promised, and you loved each other, death is not something to be feared or concerned over. He shall find you again; you must simply be ready to recognize him once again." She shakes her head as the trailing 'falling star' falls below sight level, "If he wasn't supposed to be able to die, I don't think you should give up too soon. Love, " she grins ironically at the last point of the light, "can usually find a way." Fuzzy \Someone mentioned the possibility of using a giant set of Ward Major Matrix, Nemisis can assemble the physical cubes and give a few hours I can cast a spell that will shape a mana feed from the reserve the StarDragon set up into the Charging spell, From that point it will still take at least half an hour at any rate the setup can handle power to get them ready for activation. Then we will need at least 4 mages one at each cube pair in geosync orbit, to handle the actual activation.\ James to Zia, via Trump @Sera has the London energy locus song captured well above the atmosphere where it discharged. Do you know how long the rest will take? I don't want to wait in the open wind in Antarctica any longer than I have to.@ Zia in return @Don't you start that, too. I don't even know if the rest will go off at those points or not, James; I just play the patterns I see. AS you well know; I haven't done any Trump readings since that one I did for Ran years ago.@ Dantris, showing his true nature as one of the few black unicorns. He trots to the top of a small hill, and whickers out a one word cry. (loose translation for those who don't speak the language of Fairie Magic) * In the name of the threefold Goddess, and by the power of the four elements, I summon the creatures of the woodlands. Let the sprites, pixies, unicorns and elves come forth! Likewise I call the creatures of the earth, the dwarves, dragons, and lindworms. And I call the creatures of the sky, the griffons, the pegasi, and the rocs. I ask that you come before me to speak. It is time to defend your homeland, to restore the magic before it fades entirely! * He waits patiently on the hilltop for a response. The Trump contact wavered as the call was felt on both ends; Zia nearly stumbling to keep walking. A woman in a faraway place looks up, brow creased from the small set of cards she holds. Morgan stands off a stump in the wilderness of the steppes of Mongolia, sliding his sword away. The large man glided through the cover, emerging slowly to gaze at the black unicorn standing there. Then, with a white-toothed smile, a flash of burning blue eyes fully as wild as Datnris' own, and the man was gone again. As he walks away, the forest shifts about him and he walks out near a stream about twenty miles away. Taking out a Trump of James, he colds it, entering into a three way link which quickly becomes four way as Sheila also joins in. To their rampant curiousity, he says only, @That black horse is a unicorn, Zia. I guess he didn't butt you on the head with the horn, so you didn't notice, eh?@ Zia, blushing and grateful for the darkness, walks quickly on by Rhiannon's side, glancing at her from time to time to see how she is doing. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 02:05:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Bombs Away! On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 03:56:26 -0600 In Message # 00003209 In alt.callahans Post # 00001422 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 22:53:47 In Message # 00003205 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001418 Morgan said: > "Just make sure he stays centered," Sil cautions. "For him, dying >won't be nearly as bad as killing, but it's still rather traumatic." >she chuckles. "Then again, if he's making wisecracks already..." > "...then maybe someone better grab some peanuts," Roland finishes >with a smile. His voice, though hoarse, is considerably better; more >like actual vocal cords than flaps of skin being vibrated. > >Both ladies stop and stare at him for a moment. Then, all in one >motion, Morgan grabs Roland and kisses him with life-affirming >passion. > > "wow! for a reception like that, maybe i _should_ die more often!" >Roland says as she buries her face in his shoulder. He tries to >laugh, but it sounds like a Narn strangling a Centauri. > >"Don't you _dare_!" she says without looking up, and Roland isn't >sure whether the next sound is a laugh or a sob. > > "wouldn't dream of it," he replies as quickly as his condition >allows, holding her with slowly increasing strength. > Sil, meanwhile, has returned from the kitchen, and is waiting, >peanuts in hand, for Morgan to recover and quit the line of fire... "I should hope not, lad. Dreams are powerful magic indeed. I would have been here sooner, but I was in the middle o' a germ painting in my lab at St. Mary's. I finally gave up, but who knows? It may turn out interesting yet. Now then, could ye use an extra hand, lass? With a wee touch o' help, we can get him on his feet sooner rather than later." The voice was familiar, but the accent was all wrong. Authentic Scottish brogue, but wrong because the speaker was from the midwestern United States if his usual accent said anything about him. As Knytt passed through a nearby wall, something else struck the room at large as being wrong. Like the fact that he was walking quite well, avoiding obstacles, looking directly at people ... with his eyes closed. As he approached the Freelance Immortals, it became plain that beneath those eyelids, his eyes were darting back and forth very quickly. "Well, less have a look at ye," Knytt says, pulling a pair of gold-rinned spectacles from an inside pocket and perching them on his nose. "Och, lad, I hope the other fellow looks worse." He reaches to the side and takes a clipboard that wasn't there a moment before. "Antimatter bomb? What di' ye do, lad, swallow the ruddy thin'? Tha' only works in the cartoons, I assure ye!" He flips through the sheets of paper matter-of-factly. "Immortal, eh? Well, Mr. Phoenix, yer name is sure appropriate. Risin' from yer own ashes and all. Not allergic to penicillin, I hope? I ask only to out of personal curiousity. What ye really are needin' is a bit o' healing energies. So, less have a look at yer aura." After a quick, professional glance and nod, Knytt says, "Tha's a lovely rainbow." Knytt reaches out a hand, flexes his fingers and his hand changes, replaced with a hand-shaped aura which is an identical match of Roland's. He reaches out with this "hand" and brushes the fingertips against Roland's personal aura. The effect is not amazing, just a subtle increase in the energy Roland's body has to work with to heal itself. "I won' let ye take too much, lad. You need to hurt for a bit so ye remember just what a bad, though dynamite, method of bomb disposal tha' is. Dinnae let it go to yer head, but twas a noble deed tha' would lariat you a prize, I'm certain." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 08:20:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - UNIT of measurement On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 07:43:20 +0000 In Message # 00003210 In alt.callahans Post # 00001423 The Doctor said: The TARDIS materialized, and the Doctor poked his head out first. He was quite pleased by what he saw. A grin spread across his features and he laughed "My old laboratory! How marvelous!". The Doctor emerged, followed by Knytt. "Yes," he boomed "this used to be my old home from home, you know, during my exile. Come along, Knytt, let's go see the grand old man." ----- The Brigadier was just finishing bellowing something when the Doctor and Knytt approached. "Bit of a bellicose sort, some times. But a good chap all around", the Doctor explained. "Great.." Knytt thought. The Doctor simply breezed right past the startled secretary and into the Brigadier's office. Knytt merely shrugged and followed. "Brigadier!", the Doctor exclaimed, grinning that megawatt grin of his. The Brigadier's jaw dropped. "Good heavens! Is it really you? Last time I saw you was that Zygon business. Where's Miss Smith?" It was at that point Knytt entered. "This is going to take a bit of explaining, Brigadier". "Some things will absolutely never change", the Brigadier sighed. "The point is, Brigadier, I need your help with a small matter. Shouldn't take much time, just have to mop up the odd personifacations of evil, save Knytt here and we'll be back for tea before you know it. COme along, hmmm?" With that, the Doctor spun on his heeland left, plainly bound for the TARDIS. "Is he always like this?", asked Knytt. "Sometimes," the Brigadier answered, "he's even less patient." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 08:20:27 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: Honey Is that a bomb in your pocket or... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 09:42:46 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003212 In alt.callahans Post # 00001425 Driscoll said: > On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 01:27:53 -0600 In Message # 00003206 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001419 Michael Jon Knight said: > > The twins fly over and land about this time. /Greatgrandfather > Fuzzy, you had better enter that code if you haven't heard it on the > radio already. Four-Seven-Two-Eight-Three-Six-Four-Five./ > > "Good work, Iron Man. We'll outwit the Controller yet at this rate." Jim scans the other bomb locations and sees that 3 others have been taken care of already. "I don't want to outwit The Controller, I want to kill him. 4 bombs are accounted for, that leaves one last one to check on." Activiating his bootjets he blasts off towards the last bomb. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 09:07:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: Honey Is that a bomb in your pocket or... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 08:57:22 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00003215 In alt.callahans Post # 00001428 fuzzy said: > On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 09:42:46 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003212 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001425 Driscoll said: > > Jim scans the other bomb locations and sees that 3 others have been > taken care of already. "I don't want to outwit The Controller, I > want to kill him. 4 bombs are accounted for, that leaves one last > one to check on." Activiating his bootjets he blasts off towards the > last bomb. Fuzzy pockets the Crystalized Energy Gem. "\Now that I have one of these made, I can either increase the charge in it, Without detonating another one of these bombs, or Make an additional Charge Gem if I detonate another one wraped in the same spells. One way we have only one item to worry about... The other way the power feed has more redundency... Any Preferences? Driss, do you have any plans for the one you disarmed? I really think, we should not trust that these will stay disarmed, if we just leave them laying around.\" =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 10:13:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - Compliments On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 11:15:58 -0600 In Message # 00003217 In alt.callahans Post # 00001430 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 02:53:43 -0600 In Message # 00003208 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001421 Zia said: > >Zia looks at Melissa and Grep, and for a split-instant, the tricky >night shadows on her face almost make the expression seem saddened. >Then she walks on, into a brighter patch of moonlight. "Pretty >impressive to be so complimented by a man who was once Merlin." "Is it?" Melissa says, pausing, "I think Dad would just rather be Dad. He's not very fond of that particular...Shadow, I believe you call them. We had fun, though. Anyway, with your advice we were readier than we would have been." She shrugs and the twins fly off after Iron Man. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 10:13:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Red Wings and Hymns On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 12:10:05 -0600 In Message # 00003219 In alt.callahans Post # 00001432 Zia said: As Rhiannon and Zia enter the church, a faint song seems to suddenly grow louder and more powerful as they enter the doorway of the ruined cathedral. As Rhiannon looks up, she can make out a slight auburn haired young woman in a Roman-like robe - or rather, not a woman - in robes with wings colored exactly like wild flamingo. The angel is faintly backlit by a wash of golden-whitish light oval hanging slightly behind and below the center of her head. The angel sings softly, a wordless song containing somehow every type and expression of love at once. She is half-recumbent on one of the rafters supporting the dome. Her gaze, however, is not to the altar where it lies broken and fallen from the city's general destruction, but out through a broken leaded glass window, at the little house where Morgan is comforting Roland during his recovery. Her wings seem strangely graceful as they move and shift to follow the gestures of her hands. She looks down and smiles at Rhiannon. * * * Zia quietly slips out while Rhiannon is distracted. Once into the moonlight, she pulls a Trump that shows a close-grown street with buildings looming on either side. She begins to 'cold' it. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 10:14:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: Honey Is that a bomb in your pocket or... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 11:52:07 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003220 In alt.callahans Post # 00001433 Driscoll said: > On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 08:57:22 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00003215 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001428 fuzzy said: > > Driss, do you have any plans for the one you disarmed? > > I really think, we should not trust that these will stay disarmed, > if we just leave them laying around.\" Driss looks at the bomb and then the surroundings, and tosses it into his cloak for safe keeping. "I coudl jsut see a little kid coming in here to play and finding this damn thing." He then begins steppign his way back to the Church. Arriving a second after Fuzzy sends out his question on the Link, Driss gets it relayed to him and produces the bomb. "Tell him it's right here when he wants to play with it." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 11:10:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4 - UNIT of measurement On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 12:34:33 -0600 In Message # 00003221 In alt.callahans Post # 00001434 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 07:43:20 +0000 In Message # 00003210 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001423 The Doctor said: > > The TARDIS materialized, and the Doctor poked his head out first. >He was quite pleased by what he saw. A grin spread across his >features and he laughed "My old laboratory! How marvelous!". > > The Doctor emerged, followed by Knytt. "Yes," he boomed "this >used to be my old home from home, you know, during my exile. Come >along, Knytt, let's go see the grand old man." Knytt followed, swearing quietly under his breath about being duped again. > The Brigadier was just finishing bellowing something when the >Doctor and Knytt approached. "Bit of a bellicose sort, some times. >But a good chap all around", the Doctor explained. "Great.." Knytt >thought. > > The Doctor simply breezed right past the startled secretary and >into the Brigadier's office. Knytt merely shrugged and followed. The secretary found a rather large bouquet of white roses on her typing table when she turned back around. > "Brigadier!", the Doctor exclaimed, grinning that megawatt grin >of his. The Brigadier's jaw dropped. "Good heavens! Is it really you? >Last time I saw you was that Zygon business. Where's Miss Smith?" > > It was at that point Knytt entered. "This is going to take a bit >of explaining, Brigadier". "Some things will absolutely never >change", the Brigadier sighed. "Unfortunately." Knytt added. >"The point is, Brigadier, I need your help with a small matter. >Shouldn't take much time, just have to mop up the odd >personifacations of evil, save Knytt here and we'll be back for tea >before you know it. COme along, hmmm?" > > With that, the Doctor spun on his heeland left, plainly bound for >the TARDIS. "Is he always like this?", asked Knytt. "Sometimes," the >Brigadier answered, "he's even less patient." "Actually," Knytt replies, "I meant such an ass? He mellowed out quite a bit by the time I met him. More of a scheming little weasal by then." "Well, his intentions are good." the Brigadier said. "And they pave the way to hell on many occassions. Just ask poor Ace." "Who?" the Brigadier asked "Nevermind." Knytt said with a sigh, "Just one of the many -he's- hurt in his Quixote-esque quests. Come on, Sancho. Let's go kill another Windmill." As Knytt and the Brigadier followed the Doctor into the lab, the TARDIS door shut and dematerialized...with none of them in it. "Doctor," Knytt said, "I am not one of your companians who goes blithely along with whatever you say. I will never lay my life on the line on the whim of one of your kind again. That includes you. I want some answers now, before we move another inch." "Quite right, what's this all about?" the Brigadier chimed in. "The whole story, Doctor." Knytt said, a chill in his voice colder than the deepest darkest reaches of space, "Not just a couple of names, a few vague threats of impending evil. I want everything. If you don't have it, give me what you've got and I will decide how I want to deal with it on my own. There's too much blood already been spilled thanks to Time Lord arrogance." "Just how well do you know these Time Lords, Mr. Knytt?" the Brigadier asked. "Better than anyone ever should." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 12:11:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE: The Reality that you have dialed... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:57:39 -0500 In Message # 00003222 In alt.callahans Post # 00001435 Martin Gerster said: > On Mon, 16 Mar 1998, Sil said, > > "Phoenix, Dragon and Light," (Thanks, this gives me a good excuse to take care of this IC) After the Phoenix Shard's oath is finished, a faint but familiar mental voice can be heard on the link. The actual words are almost not understanable because of both mental static and the sounds of rigorous combat (clashing of metal, energy blasts, etc.) that can be heard in the background. The voice, however, is still unmistakably that of everybody's lovable Lensdragon. /Sorry guys, can't talk at the moment I've kind of got my hands full at the moment. Litteraly, actualy. Obviously this means I'm going to be away for a little bit longer, but hey... set a couple of extra places at the dinner table. When I get back, I'll be bringing some more friends!/ Before anyone can even think about responding, the faint connection is abruptly severed. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 12:14:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - UNIT of measurement, part two On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:08:51 +0000 In Message # 00003223 In alt.callahans Post # 00001436 The Doctor said: >"The whole story, Doctor." Knytt said, a chill in his voice colder >than the deepest darkest reaches of space, "Not just a couple of >names, a few vague threats of impending evil. I want everything. If >you don't have it, give me what you've got and I will decide how I >want to deal with it on my own. There's too much blood already been >spilled thanks to Time Lord arrogance." The Doctor stood stock still for a moment and then whirled around, snarling his words. "Fine then. Here it is, word by word, frame by frame and syllable by syllable. There are but few forces capable of plucking a TARDIS out of the time stream without so much as a by your leave. My TARDIS was so plucked, and by none other than The White Guardian, the very personifacation of all that is good and proper. It was HE who told me of our FRIEND here's little self deduction from the Matrix. Talk of arrogance. Only The Master ever has before, and I should hardly think you on his level. Those two precious children would not be with you if you were, so kindly don't interrupt me." The Doctor seemed to be on the verge of tears of frustration as he continued. "The Valeyard - ME, from between my twelfth and final incarnations, and rotten to the core - has somehow teamed with The BLACK Guardian and together they have roused the TimeWyrm - a creature that thrives, THRIVES upon the agony of others - and some fellow who's name sounds like he ought to be spread on a snack cracker and escapes me at the moment are banding together. TOGETHER, do you hear?" The Doctor whirled on The Brigadier, and the Brigadier saw something there that he never thought to see - stark terror. "YOU know me better than most anyone ON this planet. I was imprisoned here through TimeLord arrogance and have spent far too much of my lives fighting AGAINST TimeLord arrogance. You KNOW that!" The Doctor turned to Knytt, seemed prepared to roar his words... and ran out of rage all at once, head hanging limply forward like a rag doll. "Then there's you. I took an interested in you because.. because you're like me ... like ALL of me, all of my selves." "Just how the blazes many of you are there, anyway, Doctor?", The Brigadier queried. "Not now, Brigadier", Knytt replied, quietly. "Go on, Doctor." "In you, I see me - young, full of fire, idealistic. I made so many mistakes... so many. That little fellow, he's just beginning to realize that, again - still - always." The Doctor sighed, a sigh deep from within his soul. "Knytt, Brigadier.. I need your help. Help me stop them." Then, a word neither The Brigadier nor Knytt ever, ever thought to hear from any TimeLord, let alone the Doctor - "Please." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:06:57 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:34:31 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003225 In alt.callahans Post # 00001438 Shadow said: > On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 02:53:43 -0600 In Message # 00003208 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001421 Zia said: > > Rhiannon: >>"And the worst part is... he's here. That guy who's holding him. I >>can feel him, slightly. I think.. I think it has something to do >>with the sword. It's changing me, inside. I can feel him, but I >>_can't_ _feel_ _my_ _father's_ _presence_. Anywhere. I think he >>might be.. might be.. dead." > > Zia looks over curiously at the sword Rhiannon is wearing, and then > nods, slowly. "Not knowing is always worse." OOC: Add this on before the stuff below. "He's already died, Hell, I've already died, but he came back, stronger, more powerful, more... indestructible. But if he dies in this state, that's it. There's no coming back. Ever. Not as I know him." Rhiannon's fists clench, "DAMMIT, he's not supposed to be able to die. He promised. He promised" As she says this, the tears begin to fall down her cheeks. > "If he promised, and you loved each other, death is not something to > be feared or concerned over. He shall find you again; you must > simply be ready to recognize him once again." She shakes her head as > the trailing 'falling star' falls below sight level, "If he wasn't > supposed to be able to die, I don't think you should give up too > soon. Love, " she grins ironically at the last point of the light, > "can usually find a way." Rhiannon draws a deep breath, "Thank you. Just the worry, the fear... You're right. It's too soon to lose hope." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:37:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Pausing on the Church Steps On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:28:04 -0600 In Message # 00003226 In alt.callahans Post # 00001439 Zia said: >Rhiannon draws a deep breath, "Thank you. Just the worry, the fear... >You're right. It's too soon to lose hope." Zia smiles, a bit smugly, and let's Rhiannon go first into the ruined church. (ooSC: See Red Wings and Hymns earlier post here.) Zia concentrates for a moment, but the Trump of the marketplace of Timbuktu fails to chill. @I can't hold two Trumps right now, James. Drop yours a moment, I'll call you back once I'm there.@ She sighs, and rests her mind for a moment before trying the Trump again, "Man who _is_ holding him? Does she know he's alive, but just doesn't realize it? I wonder who he is? Or better yet what?" She suddenly looks up, and looks around the empty church steps, "And I wonder why now I'm talking to myself?" She returns her concentration to the Tarot-esque card in her hands, and tries once more to open a Trump. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 15:10:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - The Gods to the Gods... On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:51:27 -0600 In Message # 00003227 In alt.callahans Post # 00001440 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:08:51 +0000 In Message # 00003223 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001436 The Doctor said: > > The Doctor stood stock still for a moment and then whirled >around, snarling his words. "Fine then. Here it is, word by word, >frame by frame and syllable by syllable. There are but few forces >capable of plucking a TARDIS out of the time stream without so much >as a by your leave. My TARDIS was so plucked, and by none other than >The White Guardian, the very personifacation of all that is good and >proper. It was HE who told me of our FRIEND here's little self >deduction from the Matrix. Talk of arrogance. Only The Master ever >has before, and I should hardly think you on his level. Those two >precious children would not be with you if you were, so kindly don't >interrupt me." Knytt's eyebrows shot up at the mention of Guardians. > The Doctor sighed, a sigh deep from within his soul. "Knytt, >Brigadier.. I need your help. Help me stop them." > > Then, a word neither The Brigadier nor Knytt ever, ever thought >to hear from any TimeLord, let alone the Doctor - "Please." "The magic word, as an acquaintance called it, and used sincerely to boot." Knytt scratched his beard. "Doctor, your research is a bit lacking regarding me. In 225 years of service to that vindictive, petty, scheming gang of transtemporal bullies you may know as the Time Lords' CIA, I only turned down one mission: to kill a little girl who hadn't done anything except that in a possible future, she would turn out to be an evil on par with the Master. She was five, and there wasn't any evil in her then. I refused. "I've done terrifying things, things that would make the Master squeamish, in the name of what is 'right' for the past 257 of my 282 years, *and I* *am* *tired*. "For mathematical skill, I am not on a par with the Master. I had *your help* in getting those files erased, because I wanted this whole life behind me. I wanted the wife, two point five kids and dog. What I got is a beautiful woman who I just might have a shot with, a smart alec talking cat, and two utterly charming androids who take creator to mean father to mean daddy. And a band of friends who have stuck with me through a regeneration that put me in a -female- body, her death and my rebirth as a clone of my former self. They weathered all that right beside me. So, I think I'm doing okay. "Those aren't easy things to walk away from without a damn good reason, Doctor. And traipsing around the galaxy while they fight just isn't my style. But, if the Tymewyrm and the Black Guardian are involved in this, then all that I love is at stake. But, this mess won't be cleaned up with just the three of us, Doctor. You'll need an army." At the Brigadier's unverbalized question, Knytt replied, "Brigadier, for the Black Guardian think 'God's' equal and opposite, don't kid yourself by assuming anything less. As for the Tymewyrm, think something more powerful than two Gods put together. These are myths-turned-fact from Time Lord society. The gods that the gods fear, as it were." "Now then, while you both mull that over, (and Brigadier, if you don't feel up to the challenge, I will personally bring you back, no questions asked and nothing less thought of you for it) I believe you had something else to show us, Doctor..." As the last sentence comes out, the TARDIS rematerializes and the door opens. Knytt enters the TARDIS, then leans back out. "Doctor, from here on out, you'd best keep us well informed of what you intend to do. One, it guards against error, and two, people respect you more for it. The Brigadier and I are busy men, let's get rolling. Coming, Brigadier?" The Brigadier pauses momentarily, then strides into the TARDIS. "Come along, Doctor, things to do...you're driving, by the way." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:08:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4 - Knytt in shining armor On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 17:42:44 +0000 In Message # 00003228 In alt.callahans Post # 00001441 The Doctor said: >"The magic word, as an acquaintance called it, and used sincerely to >boot." Knytt scratched his beard. "Doctor, your research is a bit >lacking regarding me. In 225 years of service to that vindictive, >petty, scheming gang of transtemporal bullies you may know as the >Time Lords' CIA, I only turned down one mission: to kill a little >girl who hadn't done anything except that in a possible future, she >would turn out to be an evil on par with the Master. She was five, >and there wasn't any evil in her then. I refused. The Doctor snorted. "I should have though they would have *hired* her", he thought. >"For mathematical skill, I am not on a par with the Master. I had >*your help* in getting those files erased, because I wanted this >whole life behind me. "MINE? Me personally? No, I think not. I'll have to speak to myselves about that." >"Those aren't easy things to walk away from without a damn good >reason, Doctor. And traipsing around the galaxy while they fight just >isn't my style. But, if the Tymewyrm and the Black Guardian are >involved in this, then all that I love is at stake. But, this mess >won't be cleaned up with just the three of us, Doctor. You'll need an >army." "Quite right. Quite right. Brigadier, do fetch Sergeant Benton, would you? There's a good chap." Blinking, the Brigadier leaned out the door and called for the estimable Sergeant. In seconds, Benton arrived. The Brigadier motioned for silence, so that Benton could listen to Knytt. >As the last sentence comes out, the TARDIS rematerializes and the >door opens. Knytt enters the TARDIS, then leans back out. "Doctor, >from here on out, you'd best keep us well informed of what you intend >to do. One, it guards against error, and two, people respect you more >for it. The Brigadier and I are busy men, let's get rolling. Coming, >Brigadier?" > >The Brigadier pauses momentarily, then strides into the TARDIS. "Come >along, Doctor, things to do...you're driving, by the way." Once in the TARDIS, Knytt and Sergeant Benton got aquainted. "First stop, gentlemen, is a bar." Seeing the astonished looks of all three, the Doctor laughed. "No, no. Nothing like that. Just a little place I pop into on occasion. I believe Knytt, here, knows it quite well. Little place out on 25A? I can't think of a better place to begin raising an army." The Doctor and Knytt both grinned hugely as the TARDIS dematerialized. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:12:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Pausing on the Church Steps On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 18:06:02 -0600 In Message # 00003229 In alt.callahans Post # 00001442 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:28:04 -0600 In Message # 00003226 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001439 Zia said: > >She sighs, and rests her mind for a moment before trying the Trump >again, "Man who _is_ holding him? Does she know he's alive, but just >doesn't realize it? I wonder who he is? Or better yet what?" She >suddenly looks up, and looks around the empty church steps, "And I >wonder why now I'm talking to myself?" > >She returns her concentration to the Tarot-esque card in her hands, >and tries once more to open a Trump. > >give you a chance to play in if you want to.> > "It could be that your internal dialogue isn't providing the answers, so you are seeking advise from outside." a male voice says nearby. A large, beautiful black cat in a stunning gold collar purrs from his perch on a nerby broken wall. He blinks and yawns, then glances at the deck of trumps. "An Amberite, eh? Don't see your kind very often." The cat can't be talking, his mouth isn't moving. Wait a minute, cats can't talk anyway. On the other hand, Mischief does, sort of. "That must make you Zia, the one who has been ruffling so many feathers around here. You remind me of me. I respect that in a human." The feline carefully cleans his front left paw. "Cold your card. Don't mind me." =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 17:07:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Pausing on the Church Steps On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 18:50:39 -0600 In Message # 00003231 In alt.callahans Post # 00001444 Zia said: >>Zia suddenly looks up, and looks around the empty church steps, "And >>I wonder why now I'm talking to myself?" She returns her >>concentration to the Tarot-esque card in her hands, and tries once >>more to open a Trump. > >"It could be that your internal dialogue isn't providing the answers, >so you are seeking advise from outside." a male voice says nearby. Zia blinks, her concentration floundering once again, and looks around. >A large, beautiful black cat in a stunning gold collar purrs from his >perch on a nerby broken wall. He blinks and yawns, then glances at >the deck of trumps. > >"An Amberite, eh? Don't see your kind very often." The cat can't be >talking, his mouth isn't moving. Wait a minute, cats can't talk >anyway. On the other hand, Mischief does, sort of. "That must make >you Zia, the one who has been ruffling so many feathers around here. >You remind me of me. I respect that in a human." > >The feline carefully cleans his front left paw. "Cold your card. >Don't mind me." She looks torn, then grins, "Don't concern yourself about my timing; although a cat would not anyway. I am believing that in this place, my timing is preternaturally good. No idea why, of course, but if I believe it -" She stops suddenly, and looks down at the oh, say 10-12 Trumps in her hand. "So, these are my own 'mark of Cain', eh? Easily are things and people labeled, so much more the difficulty in seeing them truly, afterwards. I'm not surprised to find I've created ill will; it seems to be a consistent personal failing of mine." She adds with more than a bit of irony. She slips the Trumps back into her pocket, and approaches the cat in approved fashion, letting it smell her. Then if allowed, she'll scratch ears in greeting in a way that makes it plain she knows cats. "So, another feather-fluffer, eh? I wonder if you respect it in an Amberite as well. Ah, never mind; too long around my nearer relatives again. I would not care to be rude to a cat; I think it's bad karma or something like that. I can dash off when you're done addressing me; not all the stars are quite aligned yet. Or might not never be, for all of me. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 20:10:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Back in the Saddle (or Cyberarmor) On Tue, 17 Mar 98 20:05:17 -0800 In Message # 00003233 In alt.callahans Post # 00001446 Roland X said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 00:45:45 -0600 (CST) In Message # 00003200 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001413 "M. J. Knight" said: > >>On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 19:38:07 In Message # 00003196 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001409 Morgan said: > >>>suspicions about Iron Man, his feelings about the newcomer >>situation, etc.> > >that he would depart. THEY are about to take a stand of their own. ;) >Should have mentioned it sooner, but it didn't occur to me they >would stand up to him. The girls are more ornery than even -I- >thought.> (OOC: This is _important._ Roland's reaction down the line is radically altered by that one omission. The twins, apparently, know Roland better than Knytt does. ) "Knytt raises some valid points. Problem is, I don't believe it for a second. Sounds just like the kind of nass that the Controller would try to pull. If the 'warning' had been about Isla, or that bastich Darath, I might be willing to bite. Which reminds me...we've got to do something about that murderer in his stolen body. "But not now." >/Father is NOT with Iron Man. The Doctor showed up and they left. The >Doctor was suggesting that there were a couple new enemies to add to >the ever-growing list. So, he went to learn more, stating he would be >RIGHT back, presumably returning very soon now. We will look for Iron >Man. If he isn't the Controller, he might need some help with that >bomb./ "This we need. I'll get back to you as soon as I'm done with bomb #1." (OOC: ) >> "wouldn't dream of it," he replies as quickly as his condition >>allows, holding her with slowly increasing strength. >> Sil, meanwhile, has returned from the kitchen, and is waiting, >>peanuts in hand, for Morgan to recover and quit the line of >>fire... > >"I should hope not, lad. Dreams are powerful magic indeed. I would >have been here sooner, but I was in the middle o' a germ painting in >my lab at St. Mary's. I finally gave up, but who knows? It may turn >out interesting yet. Now then, could ye use an extra hand, lass? With >a wee touch o' help, we can get him on his feet sooner rather than >later." "what the..." Roland whispered. >"Well, less have a look at ye," Knytt says, pulling a pair of >gold-rinned spectacles from an inside pocket and perching them on his >nose. "Och, lad, I hope the other fellow looks worse." He reaches to >the side and takes a clipboard that wasn't there a moment before. "the 'other fella' was...a bomb, so i'd have to say...it probably does." Roland chuckles. >"Antimatter bomb? What di' ye do, lad, swallow the ruddy thin'? Tha' >only works in the cartoons, I assure ye!" Roland smiles as broadly as he can. "i'm here. the bomb isn't. do the math." Morgan just chuckles. >He flips through the sheets of paper matter-of-factly. "Immortal, eh? >Well, Mr. Phoenix, yer name is sure appropriate. Risin' from yer own >ashes and all. Not allergic to penicillin, I hope? I ask only to out >of personal curiousity. What ye really are needin' is a bit o' >healing energies. So, less have a look at yer aura." "Aye, that's my tearc-eun," Morgan squeezes his hand, now that it's healed enough. "I know, no I'm not, and you're probably right," Roland answers, his voice gaining strength. >After a quick, professional glance and nod, Knytt says, "Tha's a >lovely rainbow." Knytt reaches out a hand, flexes his fingers and his >hand changes, replaced with a hand-shaped aura which is an identical >match of Roland's. He reaches out with this "hand" and brushes the >fingertips against Roland's personal aura. The effect is not amazing, >just a subtle increase in the energy Roland's body has to work with >to heal itself. OTOH, with Morgan already aiding the healing process, Roland starts looking considerably better. "Thanks. My Halo is one of the few things I take pride in." >"I won' let ye take too much, lad. You need to hurt for a bit so ye >remember just what a bad, though dynamite, method of bomb disposal >tha' is. Dinnae let it go to yer head, but twas a noble deed tha' >would lariat you a prize, I'm certain." "If I'd let it go to my head any harder, it wouldn't be attached to my shoulders any more," Roland noted dryly. Slowly, he sat up. Noting the concern of his beloved, Sil, and the doctor (as opposed to the Doctor), Roland touches his belt. His armor flows into place around him. "There. The powered armor will let me get back into action with minimum physical exertion. In other words, it's time I got back in the game." Roland paused, turning and looking out the window. "Say, is the church...glowing?" Then, Zia wrote: >The angel sings softly, a wordless song containing somehow every type >and expression of love at once. She is half-recumbent on one of the >rafters supporting the dome. Her gaze, however, is not to the altar >where it lies broken and fallen from the city's general destruction, >but out through a broken leaded glass window, at the little house >where Morgan is comforting Roland during his recovery. Her wings seem >strangely graceful as they move and shift to follow the gestures of >her hands. "Well." Roland swallows. "Never believed in angels before...but I've fought enough demons, and it sort of makes sense.." he trails off, awestruck. Morgan simply gazes into her newly-restored beloved's eyes, silently agreeing with the content of the angel's song. The helm's faceplate rises seemingly of its own accord, and the two immortals kiss. Sil just shakes her head and smiles. "He _is_ an angel, and he didn't..." she shrugs and walks off, looking for Zia. (OOC: That post'll come later; we're in a hurry as it is. I imagine we'll introduce ourselves to the nice angel shortly. ) (OOC from Morgan: Happy Celebrate-the-Irish Day, everyone!) =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 23:00:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Pausing on the Church Steps On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 23:46:47 -0600 In Message # 00003234 In alt.callahans Post # 00001447 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 18:50:39 -0600 In Message # 00003231 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001444 Zia said: > >She looks torn, then grins, "Don't concern yourself about my timing; >although a cat would not anyway. I am believing that in this place, >my timing is preternaturally good. No idea why, of course, but if I >believe it -" She stops suddenly, and looks down at the oh, say 10-12 >Trumps in her hand. "So, these are my own 'mark of Cain', eh? Easily >are things and people labeled, so much more the difficulty in seeing >them truly, afterwards. I'm not surprised to find I've created ill >will; it seems to be a consistent personal failing of mine." She adds >with more than a bit of irony. "Eh," the cat says in the matter of the truely indifferent. "I am an Amberite, I walk where I please, And all Shadows are alike to me. "To alter a verse I heard some time ago. It was meant for a cat, but could suit you well, given time." >She slips the Trumps back into her pocket, and approaches the cat in >approved fashion, letting it smell her. Then if allowed, she'll >scratch ears in greeting in a way that makes it plain she knows cats. >"So, another feather-fluffer, eh? I wonder if you respect it in an >Amberite as well. Ah, never mind; too long around my nearer relatives >again. I would not care to be rude to a cat; I think it's bad karma >or something like that. I can dash off when you're done addressing >me; not all the stars are quite aligned yet. Or might not never be, >for all of me. "Hmmmmm?" the cat said, purring as he is scratched. "Respect it in...ah, an Amberite might as well be human, as far as a Cat is concerned. You all give us what we ask, when we ask. You all worry about trivialities. Who will be the next king...Is the universe in balance...What to wear...What to eat...What to do...you all divide things up and fret over them." The cat stood and stretched under Zia's hand. "You are very good at this, I may adopt you." After a few moments, he sat down and put a paw to stop her hand. "That will do, nicely, thank you. The Multiverse works in its own time. No one universe is less valid than another. They all change, and they all stay the same. When I seek advice, that is what I try and listen to. It guides my path more surely than anything else." The cat disappears fairly slowly, starting at the tail and finishing with the two golden eyes, which seemed to close with invisible eyelids, then all presense of him was gone. A voice lingered in the air around her. "Don't cut up Pooh, It looks better uncarved." Finally, all was quiet again... =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 23:00:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Back in the Saddle (or Cyberarmor) On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 23:46:51 -0600 In Message # 00003235 In alt.callahans Post # 00001448 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 98 20:05:17 -0800 In Message # 00003233 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001446 Roland X said: > >>On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 00:45:45 -0600 (CST) In Message # 00003200 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001413 "M. J. Knight" said: >> >>>that he would depart. THEY are about to take a stand of their own. >> ;) Should have mentioned it sooner, but it didn't occur to me they >>would stand up to him. The girls are more ornery than even -I- >>thought.> > > (OOC: This is _important._ Roland's reaction down the line is >radically altered by that one omission. The twins, apparently, know >Roland better than Knytt does. ) > > "Knytt raises some valid points. Problem is, I don't believe it >for a second. Sounds just like the kind of nass that the Controller >would try to pull. If the 'warning' had been about Isla, or that >bastich Darath, I might be willing to bite. Which reminds me...we've >got to do something about that murderer in his stolen body. > "But not now." Since their emotions don't broadcast, no one unable to see the girls can see the despair on both their faces. They hug each other. Without it going over the link, they say: "We goofed." "Totally." > > > "If I'd let it go to my head any harder, it wouldn't be attached >to my shoulders any more," Roland noted dryly. Slowly, he sat up. >Noting the concern of his beloved, Sil, and the doctor (as opposed to >the Doctor), Roland touches his belt. His armor flows into place >around him. "There. The powered armor will let me get back into >action with minimum physical exertion. In other words, it's time I >got back in the game." 'Knytt' no longer feeds the energy into Roland's aura. "If ye insist, lad." With his solid hand, He hands it to Morgan. "I'll be going off shift after this, Mrs. Phoenix, so try and keep him from overexerting himself. If the lad won' listen, well, you know what the unsharp end o' those two-handed claymores are for?" Taking off his glasses and stowing them in an inside pocket, he nods, "Yes, I can tell ye do." 'Knytt' stands, handing no one beside him the clipboard, which vanishes quietly. Indicating himself, "An' it may be best if ye forgot this whole episode. The boy, won' remember it and this trick with the aura," the aura hand is returned to a normal hand, "is sonething he probably cannae do until at least 200. The child is only 25 in this body after all, and lots of things are blocked from him besides. But us old folks know how to coax it out if need be. Tis more a mental trick than anythin'. Anyway, here's my card if another healer passes through this body to help yer husband." 'Knytt' flicks his wrist and a business card pops into his fingers. He hands Morgan the card. It reads: Sir Alexandar Fleming Intermediate MB, 1904, London University MRCS, LRCP, 1906, London University Staff, St. Mary's Hospital, London Professor of Bacteriology, St. Mary's Hospital, University of London Fellow of the Royal Society Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1945 "I'll be off then. Back to my germ-painting for me, after I drop the lad off where I found him. Good evening to you three." Knytt disappears, never having woken from what looked like REM sleep. =========================== Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 23:01:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Perchance to Dream On Wed, 18 Mar 1998 01:18:49 EST In Message # 00003237 In alt.callahans Post # 00001450 Dane0R0A said: << Roland wrote: *More good news.* Roland stands reluctantly, and the belt flies around his waist. Instantly, the costumed Blaze is standing where Roland had been. *Tell Knytt that the Iron Man/Controller situation will have to wait. It'll be a moot point if we're all vaporized. We'll take the southernmost bomb. Nemo, Armagedon and Fuzzy can no doubt handle one each; Knytt is with Iron Man, so he has that situation covered. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled. This has 'trap' stamped on it in bright neon letters.* >> (OOC: I read most of these posts at work, in the NG, but I lost count of how many bombs actually got taken care of, so if they have already been disposed of, ignore this. Otherwise...) Armagedon vanishes from the base compound, and reappears at the northern most bomb. He gestures and the bomb is frozen (completely) in time. Then he casually picks up the fiendish thing, and calmly pops it into one of his convieniently open mouths, like a piece of candy. A quick swallow, and he reports. "The northern most bomb has been disposed of. inform me if there is need for more. They are tasty." he says. He then returns to his spot, next to the church in the CAoL base. =========================== Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 04:36:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE: Legion's travels On Wed, 18 Mar 1998 07:03:04 -0500 In Message # 00003239 In alt.callahans Post # 00001452 Caprice said: While everyone rested in England, Legion made time as best she could. She and the boy Johnathon were riding double on what was surely one of the ugliest horses in creation if shining coats and flowing manes were what you looked for. It's coat was the color of drying mud, and had just about as much shine to it. One the other hand, it's broad forehead and the shine in its eyes indicated intelligence, and the lines of the mare were everything a mounted solider could possibly ask for. When Roland makes the comment about not forgiving Ironman if he is the Controller, she has to speak up. /Fine. -You- kick him out, and he can come to North America and fight beside me. And then you can take this sigil, this link, and insert it up your nether regions with a half twist. Part of what the Place is about is forgiving given repentance and a willingness to do something about it. And if Ironman is the Controller that seems to be exactly what he is doing, even if he isn't smashing a glass into a fireplace to announce the fact./ /I'll be making a cold camp soon. The boy with me is tired, even if I'm not. I should encounter the resistance here soon, and I don't want them to think I mistreated the boy./ =========================== Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 08:42:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: OOC: AAE IV: Back in the Saddle On Wed, 18 Mar 1998 08:00:05 In Message # 00003242 In alt.callahans Post # 00001455 Morgan said: >On Tue, 17 Mar 98 20:05:17 -0800 In Message # 00003233 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001446 Roland X said: > > "Knytt raises some valid points. Problem is, I don't believe it >for a second. Sounds just like the kind of nass that the Controller >would try to pull. If the 'warning' had been about Isla, or that >bastich Darath, I might be willing to bite. Which reminds me...we've >got to do something about that murderer in his stolen body. > "But not now." And the Twins comented: >On Tue, 17 Mar 1998 23:46:51 -0600 In Message # 00003235 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001448 Michael Jon Knight said: > >Since their emotions don't broadcast, no one unable to see the girls >can see the despair on both their faces. They hug each other. Without >it going over the link, they say: > >"We goofed." >"Totally." Then Caprice added: >On Wed, 18 Mar 1998 07:03:04 -0500 In Message # 00003239 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001452 Caprice said: > > When Roland makes the comment about not forgiving Ironman if he >is the Controller, she has to speak up. /Fine. -You- kick him out, >and he can come to North America and fight beside me. And then you >can take this sigil, this link, and insert it up your nether regions >with a half twist. Part of what the Place is about is forgiving given >repentance and a willingness to do something about it. And if Ironman >is the Controller that seems to be exactly what he is doing, even if >he isn't smashing a glass into a fireplace to announce the fact./ It appears that Roland's comment has been misinterpreted. I can see how it's possible; it didn't seem that vague at the time, but given Roland's recent emotional state, I can understand it. But Roland _isn't_ saying that he believes Iron Man to be evil. What he _is_ saying is that he doesn't believe that Iron Man is the _Controller._ 'Just the kind of nass the Controller would pull' meant the _real_ Controller, out in his secret base, trying to frame one of the CaoL. Hence his reference to Isla or Darath. Gotta go...already late for work. Morgan adds, "Ah, the vageries of e-mail communication :-)." True, he _did_ say earlier: > ^THANK him?!^ Roland laughs harshly. ^Oh, I'll thank him all >right-with a gigawatt hand-shake!^ Roland lets a touch of electricity >play between his fingers. But none of you heard that, and when we wrote it it was meant to be in a fit of emotion - after all, Aluminum Arse (as Knytt once put it ) _was_ directly responsible for Morgan's death in Arcadia and her torture and near death in Quaren. It was also with the full knowledge that he'll be eating those words, for lunch at the rate we seem to be going ;-). ===========================