Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 25 Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:07:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 00:41:54 EST In Message # 00003434 In alt.callahans Post # 00001647 Dane0R0A said: << Roland wrote: "You are not me." The Reborn concentrates again, this time on the apertures that open for Roland's portable railgun. His eyes glow once more... ...and the shield generator becomes a new platoon of Grey robots. *"Oh, grife,"* Roland groans... (OOC: Okay, who else wants to blow things up? ;^) >> Armagedon strides quickly across the compound, when he reaches the firefight, he waves a hand in the direction of the shield generator cum robots. Out from his hand spewes a cloud of sparkling motes. The cloud settles down on the robots, converting them to energy, and then re-constructing the shield generator, from that energy, in less than 1 second. Not slowing Armagedon walks right into the shielding, merges with it, and walks right through. Noting the TWO Rolands (only one of which has the energy signature of a sigil) one head says, "I assume you want to take care of that one yourself, Boss" (Boss to avoid giving possible information usefull in magic to the enemy), pointing to the second Roland. Then he fires beams of energy from each head, and each hand (one gigawatt/second each, don't want to destroy too much after all) at other targets (the beams don't pulse, or flicker, they are continuous). As each target is destroyed, Armagedon swirls that beam to the next target, melting or vaporizing objects in the beam's path along the way. =========================== Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:07:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 00:44:54 -0600 In Message # 00003437 In alt.callahans Post # 00001650 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 00:41:54 EST In Message # 00003434 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001647 Dane0R0A said: > >Armagedon strides quickly across the compound, when he reaches the >firefight, he waves a hand in the direction of the shield generator >cum robots. Out from his hand spewes a cloud of sparkling motes. The >cloud settles down on the robots, converting them to energy, and then >re-constructing the shield generator, from that energy, in less than >1 second. Not slowing Armagedon walks right into the shielding, >merges with it, and walks right through. Noting the TWO Rolands (only >one of which has the energy signature of a sigil) one head says, "I >assume you want to take care of that one yourself, Boss" (Boss to >avoid giving possible information usefull in magic to the enemy), >pointing to the second Roland. Then he fires beams of energy from >each head, and each hand (one gigawatt/second each, don't want to >destroy too much after all) at other targets (the beams don't pulse, >or flicker, they are continuous). As each target is destroyed, >Armagedon swirls that beam to the next target, melting or vaporizing >objects in the beam's path along the way. =========================== Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:07:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:47:04 In Message # 00003438 In alt.callahans Post # 00001651 Morgan said: >On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:07:38 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003431 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001644 Driscoll said: > >> On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 18:14:29 In Message # 00003430 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001643 Morgan said: > Driss rubs his temples trying to concentrate. "Ummmm that girl. uhhh >Zia and I were doing something..." He takes a quick look down at his >clothing, "And I'm not sure what since all my clothes seem intact. >Uhh then Chaos showed up and it felt like an atom bomb blew up in my >head. I don't remember where you came from though. Where's Roscoe?" Sil sighs deeply. "I come from...that's a long story. Roscoe's in London, and Morgan is with Roland near him." *They're in a firefight, but _he_ doesn't need to know that right now,* she sends. Then, blinking at Zia, she realizes that Zia is for all intents and purposes an ally, if not an outright member. "Here, take this." She offers Zia what looks like a miniature version of that device Uhura wore in her ear on the original Trek series. "I think I can get you there..." she glances upward at the creature in her hair. "...since I'm matched to _that_ thing's power, and that leaves me at Herald level." (OOC: She means 'Herald of Galactus;' low level Power Cosmic.) If Zia puts the earpiece in, she hears: +Hi! What you're wearing is a Legion universal translator/communicator earplug. Right now it lets me use the HIT Mark's broadcast implants to talk with you privately. Later, I might be able to modify it to bring you onto the link. I'll try to keep you informed of any relevant details until then.+ "As for YOU..." the holographic Sil is suddenly dressed in severe business clothes, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, and has her hair in a bun. She stares coldly at the bug-Chaos and taps her foot. "...just what were you planning on, anyway?" =========================== Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:07:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:46:46 In Message # 00003439 In alt.callahans Post # 00001652 Morgan said: >On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:25:40 -0600 In Message # 00003433 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001646 Michael Jon Knight said: > >The small Indian motorcycle tears down the strip of road, its new jet >saddlebags propelling it several times faster than the 60 miles per >hour the manufacturerer intended. Hitting a small pothole just right, >the little cycle took to the air, as Knytt let go, landing and >rolling to a stop on the pavement. The rocket bike flew over the >girls, bounced, turned over end once and hit three of the grey robots >from the back as its jets sent it back at about a thirty degree angle >from the way it had come, exploding with its trio of unwilling >passengers a safe distance away. > >Knytt sat up, "Damn! I wanted to keep that!" *The way Sil is going,* Roland quips, *she might be able to whip up another one for you in-* "EEYAGH!" he screams as his own armor rips through his body. He quickly switches to his super form. *Note to self: Avoid the mecha armor while fighting matter manipulators.* Roland blinks as the Reborn's eyes lock on to the AI twins. *Grife! THE TWINS!* A human thunderbolt slams into the Grey servant, preventing the Twins from turning into Grey robots themselves. (OOC: Just how much damage they take is up to Knytt, but it should be minimal if any.) A swirl of lightning keeps the Reborn occupied for a few moments, until a lightning rod appears a few feet away and Roland is drawn into it. "Clever," the Reborn notes. "But insufficient." THEN, Armagedon said: >Armagedon strides quickly across the compound, when he reaches the >firefight, he waves a hand in the direction of the shield generator >cum robots. Out from his hand spewes a cloud of sparkling motes. The >cloud settles down on the robots, converting them to energy, and then >re-constructing the shield generator, from that energy, in less than >1 second. Not slowing Armagedon walks right into the shielding, >merges with it, and walks right through. Noting the TWO Rolands (only >one of which has the energy signature of a sigil) one head says, "I >assume you want to take care of that one yourself, Boss" (Boss to >avoid giving possible information usefull in magic to the enemy), >pointing to the second Roland. Then he fires beams of energy from >each head, and each hand (one gigawatt/second each, don't want to >destroy too much after all) at other targets (the beams don't pulse, >or flicker, they are continuous). As each target is destroyed, >Armagedon swirls that beam to the next target, melting or vaporizing >objects in the beam's path along the way. (OOC: Armagedon would know that this group is about as magickal as Dilbert's boss.) "Ah," the Reborn notes, "an equivalent structure to myself." He then proceeds to reconstruct enough Grey 'bots to keep any others busy (i.e. to let everyone have some fun squishing 'em) then turns his attention to Armagedon itself. His chest glows a sickly green and an energy similar to Armagedon's sparks lances out to attempt to transform Armagedon itself into a Grey tank. This precludes his creating more Grey robots for the moment, at least. (Insert Armagedon's riposte here) *You want him, he's yours,* Roland sends to Armagedon as he shoots the rod into another robot. *There's plenty for everyone-* Roland is cut short-almost literally-as a Bonebear's massive claw rips through the spot Roland had been a split second before. <*You really need to watch your back, dear,*> Morgan quips. <*Or better yet, let me.*> *Cute,* Roland sighs, though he smiles as well. Then he shocks the Bonebear into oblivion and turns his attention to the Reborn once more. *That turkey is the real threat. We keep knockin' 'em down and he keeps settin' 'em up. We have to-* The camouflage platoon appears around Roland and begins... something. The freelance immortal reels as serious vertigo kicks in. They then draw their weapons. Morgan, however, _already_ has her weapon drawn. Aramegil begins flashing, and to her lifesense, the biofields that create the camo effect are worse than useless. They start going down, hard. <*Saving your cute ass again, my love.*> *Well, at least _someone_ thinks it's cute,* Roland responds as the camo unit falls back and the cybergoons start firing at Morgan. He deflects the attacks aimed at her, then gives them a bad case of cyberpsychosis. They, too, fall back. *Back behind the forcefield, people-that means you two _especially,_ twins. We can fire through it with impunity. They can't. Be careful, though, about using outbound fire too near the generator or the autodefenses-my counterpart already pulled _that_ stunt once.* Pembroke watches from afar on a view-screen, sending back the images of the battle to his Grey masters... =========================== Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:36:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE: Finally, the Spiral in Flight (super-long) On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 02:31:55 -0500 In Message # 00003440 In alt.callahans Post # 00001653 Martin Gerster said: > On Tue, 24 Mar 1998 Morgan said: > >>On Mon, 23 Mar 1998 Martin Gerster said: >> >>Dhyrclhanc /Greetings Phoenix Shard-Phoenix' Child, howfare thee?/ > > *Better than I expected, cousin,* she replies, seeming to mean > ^^^^^^ (OOC: Arroo? (O.K., I had to say it, seems like everyone elsehas };=8D) I'll have to ask what Sil ment by that later.) > *Related, I'd wager, but almost certainly not identical,* Roland > agrees. *Phoenix is not the same as the Phoenix Force that I think > you mean, for starters. More than that, however, I'd rather not try > to guess-I can just hear Mentor now, lecturing about 'loose and > turgid' thinking. Can you describe to me the aspect of Phoenix with > which you are most familiar?* /Gee, seems like everybody around here knows Mentor by now. Strange, I always got the impression that he was harder to get an audience from as, say... Elminster. Of course, I never had that problem, I suspect that has something to do with the fact that he considered me a "very promising pupil," as I believe he said it./ /Anyway, Roland, the entity which I've known as "The Phoenix" has appeared before me both in the guises of the Phoenix Force, ala "the Original Jean Grey Clone", and as the Egyptian God of Light named, literally, Benu the Phoenix. I always assumed that both of these were simply aspects of the Phoenix Force, however; considering the stunts you pulled recently and my equally recent discovery that, among my mulititude of disiplines, I was a Priest of the Egyptian/Helioptian Gods of Light, I'm no longer sure anymore./ =========================== Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:36:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 01:33:09 -0600 In Message # 00003441 In alt.callahans Post # 00001654 Zia said: > Sil sighs deeply. "I come from...that's a long story. Roscoe's in >London, and Morgan is with Roland near him." *They're in a firefight, >but _he_ doesn't need to know that right now,* she sends. Then, >blinking at Zia, she realizes that Zia is for all intents and >purposes an ally, if not an outright member. "Here, take this." She >offers Zia what looks like a miniature version of that device Uhura >wore in her ear on the original Trek series. "I think I can get you >there..." she glances upward at the creature in her hair. "...since >I'm matched to _that_ thing's power, and that leaves me at Herald >level." (OOC: She means 'Herald of Galactus;' low level Power >Cosmic.) Zia looks at the earpiece, then grins at Sil. /"Thanks anyways, but as long as I'm part of the Solomon's Seal, it's really quite superfluous. As long as you or anyone is within the Seal's Radius, just think at me, and I'll hear you. As for joining the link, I doubt that would be truly wise. I don't have as much practice as James does in buffering those around or in link with me. And this Nemesis split is currently acting as a direct feed to the link, which is MUCH safer - I won't bear blood guilt if I panic and burn it out with a transmission too strong. And you really shouldn't assume that I'm an ally. I'm very precise with words. When I said observer, I meant observer. My primary interest is seeing that this place is not vaporized by the conflict."/ /"Beyond that, Sil, I don't fuflfill any of the criterion of the group, anyway. I have other, overriding oaths of service. And I get on poor Roland's nerves, too. I think it best to keep our relationship as is - favors for favors, and if I can work with you, I will. If I cannot, I will preserve this distance to prevent being thought of as a traitor."/ /"I must remain here until the Wards Major and the wreaking I did earlier are finished - the Nemesis splits and I are working together quite well. Feel free to join the conflict in London at your convenience."/ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 00:36:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 03:12:04 -0500 In Message # 00003442 In alt.callahans Post # 00001655 Martin Gerster said: > On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 Zia said: > > Both Zia's eyes widen slightly, despite her incredible control of > her face, and she takes an involuntary half-step back. It looks like > surprise and horror, mixed. "I - well, first, I'm not addressed by > 'Lady' - my rank is somewhat lower. If you must, my rank is knight, > and the title is Dame Corey. I never use it. And whatever the power > of Order and Chaos may be here, it's not the same as what I wield. > And I wouldn't presume to give you instructions. Though I would ask > that you try and not damage this place too severely. It is already > near destroyed." Once Zia and Sil's initial interchange is finished, Zia will "hear" a slight chuckle on the edge of her mental shields followed by, /Forgive this possibly rude intrusion if I offend -- Konnichiwa wagahime Ziatrice. Fushouwatakushi tadaima "Dhyrclhanc" za doragon aunnkokyuu za renzu -- I figured it was about time I formally introduced myself./ }:=8D (OOC: Tranlation for those of you who don't understand Japanese (I don't either but check-out http://enterprise.ic.gc.ca/cgi-bin/j-e/nocolor/dict. who says you can't laern anything usefull on the Internet): Greetings, my lady (honorific) Ziatrice. My unworthy self, I am Dhyrclhanc the Lensdragon) =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 01:06:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! (longish) On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 03:43:00 -0500 In Message # 00003443 In alt.callahans Post # 00001656 Martin Gerster said: > On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 Morgan said: > > "Traitor? No. I have been Reborn. As Roland Phoenix, this body > was a moderately successful rebel. I, however, now exist, and he > does not. Your opposition, therefore, is illogical. You will fail; > it has already happened." > > *"Oh, grife,"* Roland groans... > (OOC: Okay, who else wants to blow things up? ;^) Dhyrclhanc is vainly attempting to make small talk to entertain the 5th Doctor and Nyssa while Nemesis finishes her work on a more private forum for the conversation between the Galafrean, the Traken and the Ruby Fire Dragon. Then, through the Psi-Web he recieves the thoughts and visions of those in the fracas with the most recent false Roland and the Grey cyber-comando unit. "Forgive me Doctor, but my adopted brother and sister, as well as many of my friends have come into conflict with the invasion forces trying to conquer this Earth. I believe they'll probably need my help." "Anything we can do?" asks Nyssa. "No, I don't believe so. You were always more of the guerrila warfare type Nyssa. Likewise Doctor, I'm afraid that while you've always been a fine warrior, you've never been much of a soldier and my group has not been called the Callahanian _Army_ of Light for nothing." "Well we can't just stand here." objected the Doctor. "Doctor, with all due respect, I suggest you get back into your TARDIS and stay there for the durration of the fight. I know the TARDIS' sensors will keep you informed as the tide of the battle and the TARDIS is probably one of the few safe places around here. As hard as it may be for you to believe this, we, the members of the CAoL, have abilities that put the weakest of us on par with the Master or the Rani and the more powerfull of us on the same plane as Omega or Rassilon, well maybe not Rassilon. but I think you see what I mean." "Oh all right, come along Nyssa." aquiessed the blond haired Time Lord, as he strode back to the awaiting blue Police Box. Seing them safely entering the Galifreian Travel Capsule, Dhyrclhanc spreads his mighty, nearly 30 ft wingspan, and launches his powerfull form into the purple colored sky. Decending near Roland, the faux-Roland, and the rest of the combat, on a wide frequency broadcast, excepting Armageddon, Dhyrchlanc sends /At the risk of repeating myself, "I am Caine, I will help." Anyone need a hand?/ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 05:36:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 04:19:27 PST In Message # 00003444 In alt.callahans Post # 00001657 Nemo said: > On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 18:13:42 In Message # 00003429 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001642 Morgan said: > > Shapeshifters. She could do something about any of these, but a > particularly interesting idea springs to mind. <*Cover me, love,*> > she asks Roland needlessly, and begins to focus on the shifters. One > by one, she makes a slight change in their bio-pattern. Eventually, > it is noticed that every shift they make takes them _down_ the > evolutionary ladder. > > While that platoon is still trying to figure out what's wrong, she > turns her attention to the others.... > > action :-).> Nemo decides to come out and play. :-) He'll try several deifferent attacks before settling on one to use for the rest of the fight. 1. sweeping a field that "teleports" atoms of *one* particular element across robots (eg all the iron atoms get moved to a spot near him.) This tends to ruin damn near anything. Partly from the removal of the atoms, and partly from the actions of the atoms that used to be bonded to the removed one (free radicals are *very* corrosive). 2. neutron star strength magnetic fields created in the midst of a group of attackers. This strength of field makes an EMP look like nothing, and tends to warp the very shape of atoms due to the high flux densities. It's *very* bad for cybernetics, not too good for organics either (neural currents only flow in directions compatible with the field, and flow *way* too weel or too poorly in those directions). Energy beams traversing such fields will be deflected by up to 90 degrees. :-) 3. A variant on #1. All the atoms in the effect area are "sorted" by atomic number. So suddenly all the hydrogen atoms are at one edge, followed by the helium, llithium, berylium, born, etc. on up to the transuranics at the *other* edge. This ruins *anything*. 4. A variantion on #2. The magnetic field is rotating rapidly. The induced currents will vaporize platinum in a millisecond... And "shred" many (most?) things at the molecular level. All the effects will be done in such a way as to limit them to the desired effect area, so as to avoid major collateral damage. If the other side manages to counter these, Nemo can keep coming up with new applications of obscure physics faster than they can. (You ever try countering someone who doesn't attack the same way twice? :-) =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 06:36:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE 4: The Seal - James' Node - Antartica On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:34:47 -0600 In Message # 00003445 In alt.callahans Post # 00001658 Zia said: >Upon reaching position in Antartica, Nemo nods to James and proceeeds >to create a "Maxwell's Demon" type effect. Heat is pumped from the >surrounding environment into a spherical area surrounding the node. >Soon temperatures are quite comfortable. > >Of course, this means that the temperatures surrounding the node have >dropped even farther. Anyone attacking physically will encounter a >region of near absolute zero before they can get to Nemo and James. > >"James, could I offer you some refreshment? Coffee, tea, hot soup?" James, who had been struggling to both hold the temperature to livable around himself psionically, AND maintain his Node of the Sealed Link, abruptly relaxes. Through Nemisis' split here, he sends, /"I've never wanted a cup of cofffee quite so badly. I'll need to eat as well, but that can wait until my insides defrost. You made four echoes - do you have any in London? If not, here's a feed of the current conflict. We haven't determined if it's a feint or an attack. I think it might be an uncoordinated attack - which means the Greys are not completely subject to the unknown perp's strategy. Which would be good news, for your group."/ If Nemo doesn't already have intelligence on the current battle outside the shield in London, James' sends him a live but 3 dimensional 'movie' of same. =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 07:06:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:40:07 -0600 In Message # 00003446 In alt.callahans Post # 00001659 Zia said: > Driss rubs his temples trying to concentrate. "Ummmm that girl. uhhh >Zia and I were doing something..." He takes a quick look down at his >clothing, "And I'm not sure what since all my clothes seem intact. >Uhh then Chaos showed up and it felt like an atom bomb blew up in my >head. I don't remember where you came from though. Where's Roscoe?" /"At the London Node, with Sera. Do you want a mental replay of the bit of time you lost, Driss?"/ Zia seems much more diffident than her normal wont as she offers. A Nemo 'echo' arrives here as well. /"Current status report: Sera has freed the girl. There is an ongoing skirmish at the London shield. Four to five of Light Army engaging. Density of probe intermediate - unclear yet if it's a feint or real attack. Probability is Grey only attack, which for the perp's strategy makes it a heavy feint. Expect true attack within next hour and 13 minutes."/ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 07:06:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:41:50 -0600 In Message # 00003447 In alt.callahans Post # 00001660 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:46:46 In Message # 00003439 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001652 Morgan said: > >>On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:25:40 -0600 In Message # 00003433 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001646 Michael Jon Knight said: >>Knytt sat up, "Damn! I wanted to keep that!" > > *The way Sil is going,* Roland quips, *she might be able to whip >up another one for you in-* "EEYAGH!" he screams as his own armor >rips through his body. He quickly switches to his super form. *Note >to self: Avoid the mecha armor while fighting matter manipulators.* > Roland blinks as the Reborn's eyes lock on to the AI twins. >*Grife! THE TWINS!* The twins, who were both about to punch through two grey robots, clutch their punching hands to their stomach. /Ow! What?/ They kick instead, sending the grey machines flying thirty feet through the air. Throwing up full shields, they look at their fists to see them changed to resemble a morph between their own hands and those of the grey drones. Knytt takes a step from where he hit the pavement after losing the bike and 'appears' within the twins' shields to see if they are alright. Looking out at the Grey robots using a small version of the Grey hyperspace energy weapons to try and punch through the shields, one happens to fall under Knytt's glare and it literally crumples in upon itself like an aluminum can. Then what can only be described as an exceptionally strong downdraft of wind scatters the remaining robots from around Knytt and the twins. "Now for some fun," Knytt mutters. As each grey droid stands up, it gets transmuted. Quickly, Knytt and the twins are surrounded by: - 3 rose bushes - 2 grand pianos - a ceramic statue of the Hi-boy kid (OOC: It's a hamburger joint probably out of business by now. Last time I saw one was in 1980. Food was terrible, but the character was cool. ) - 2 palettes of 20 oz bottles of Jolt Cola - an Energizer bunny - a Pizza Hut delivery truck - a portable whiskey still - one very surprized-looking albino donkey >*Back behind the forcefield, people-that means you two _especially,_ >twins. We can fire through it with impunity. They can't. Be careful, >though, about using outbound fire too near the generator or the >autodefenses-my counterpart already pulled _that_ stunt once.* Knytt moves the twins, their surfboards, and himself behind the shields. After Melissa and Grep glare at him for a second, he sighs, steps out and returns with the donkey as well. =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 07:06:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:47:29 -0600 In Message # 00003448 In alt.callahans Post # 00001661 Zia said: > Sil sighs deeply. "I come from...that's a long story. Roscoe's in >London, and Morgan is with Roland near him." *They're in a firefight, >but _he_ doesn't need to know that right now,* she sends. Zia just looks at Sil, and fills Driss in on the facts of the current situation anyway. (previous message) /"Don't you start doing the 'deciding what's better for him' thing too. He may be in trouble - that is not any reason to start 'protecting' him that way. Anyone who could survive what he just did, and had done, to him, isn't so weak as to need it, anyhow."/ Her voice is starting to blur together with the other Node Manager's voices again, as activity picks up and they work harder. > "As for YOU..." the holographic Sil is suddenly dressed in severe >business clothes, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, and has her hair in a >bun. She stares coldly at the bug-Chaos and taps her foot. "...just >what were you planning on, anyway?" Zia blinks in consternation at Sil, /"Chaos is intuitive, I think planning is rudimentary and unconcious, if it happens at all. At least, my form of it is wildly creative in every sense of the word. Planning is much more a function of Ordered pursuit."/ She looks quite curiously at the 'grasshopper', to see if it will add any detail or disagreement to her stated view. =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 07:07:01 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:59:40 -0600 In Message # 00003449 In alt.callahans Post # 00001662 Zia said: >Once Zia and Sil's initial interchange is finished, Zia will "hear" a >slight chuckle on the edge of her mental shields followed by, >/Forgive this possibly rude intrusion if I offend -- Konnichiwa >wagahime Ziatrice. Fushouwatakushi tadaima "Dhyrclhanc" za doragon >aunnkokyuu za renzu -- I figured it was about time I formally >introduced myself./ }:=8D He'll get in return, in his native draconic speech/thought projection style, /"Somehow, esteemed length of body Dhyrclhanc, this one humbly has doubts about the unworthiness of any wearing the Lens. Although this one would be willing to conceed your unworthiness to squeeze into places small and tight, for an example. Are you then on the Duty Unattached, or have you ever been of the Patrol Galactic? This one was Released only a few cycles of Earth past. I am known as Dame Ziactrice Corey-Keenan, of the Court of Amber, Knight of the Realmic Order by the hand of King Random."/ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:13:24 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:58:06 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003450 In alt.callahans Post # 00001663 Driscoll said: > On Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:47:04 In Message # 00003438 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001651 Morgan said: > > Sil sighs deeply. "I come from...that's a long story. Roscoe's in > London, and Morgan is with Roland near him." *They're in a fire- Driss cocks his head to the side a bit. "Who?" > "I think I can get you there..." she glances upward at the creature > in her hair. "...since I'm matched to _that_ thing's power, and that > leaves me at Herald level." (OOC: She means 'Herald of Galactus;' > low level Power Cosmic.) Chaos looks up at Holo-Sil and Big Sil's head and in a tiny voice. "You want THAT low level of power? Oh Alright!" And with that Chaos shrinks another half inch. > "As for YOU..." the holographic Sil is suddenly dressed in severe > business clothes, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, and has her hair in a > bun. She stares coldly at the bug-Chaos and taps her foot. "...just > what were you planning on, anyway?" "You and me, Tiajuana and a hot tub full of cheese dip babes!" =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:17:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:02:00 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003451 In alt.callahans Post # 00001664 Driscoll said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:40:07 -0600 In Message # 00003446 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001659 Zia said: > > /"At the London Node, with Sera. Do you want a mental replay of the > bit of time you lost, Driss?"/ Zia seems much more diffident than > her normal wont Driss sighs deeply and holds his forehead in the palm of his hand, "Who's Sera? I'm definitely thinking a mental re-play is needed here. Thanks uh... wait I know. ummmmm Xena." =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:38:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:08:06 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003452 In alt.callahans Post # 00001665 Driscoll said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:47:29 -0600 In Message # 00003448 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001661 Zia said: > > Zia blinks in consternation at Sil, /"Chaos is intuitive, I think > planning is rudimentary and unconcious, if it happens at all. At > least, my form of it is wildly creative in every sense of the word. > Planning is much more a function of Ordered pursuit."/ She looks > quite curiously at the 'grasshopper', to see if it will add any > detail or disagreement to her stated view. Chaos looks indignent, glrows butterfly wings and flies off Sil's shoulder. he holds his breath and starts inflating until his is nearly transparent and 3' tall floating in the air. "I do too plan!! I just don't always tell meself when I do. Like I planned to do this. I think." Chaos gestures and converts everyone's body into light waves directed at London, forming everyone back when they arrive. "Ok I didn't plan to do this but it's cool don't you think?" =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:11:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 11:00:20 -0600 In Message # 00003453 In alt.callahans Post # 00001666 Zia said: > Chaos looks indignent, glrows butterfly wings and flies off Sil's >shoulder. he holds his breath and starts inflating until his is >nearly transparent and 3' tall floating in the air. "I do too plan!! >I just don't always tell meself when I do. Like I planned to do this. >I think." Chaos gestures and converts everyone's body into light >waves directed at London, forming everyone back when they arrive. "Ok >I didn't plan to do this but it's cool don't you think?" As he gestures, the Gordian knot of Patterned Order energy flares into existence around Zia's Node again. She does not become light, nor does she appear in London. She appears on her knees as the power flux from the Seal fades back down to the 'normal' level, and the Linkage relaxes enough that she has individual sight again. The brunette shakes her head woozily, and slowly climbs back up to her feet. Onto just the Sealed Link, she says *Well. I guess we held against one of the more powerful concerns. Or at least, the Linkage entire did. Thank you. I couldn't have held against that on my own.* She glances about, noting the absence of all but the Nemesis split she was sent to link her into the CAol netmind. The Sealed Link reforms solidly, making all five of the Amber Crew into a single mind again, as Morgan and James call it for preparedness. The Sealed Mind watches through Sera and the Church Node as the others reappear in London, near the battle. =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:16:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE: Phoenixi On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:41:36 In Message # 00003454 In alt.callahans Post # 00001667 Morgan said: >On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 02:31:55 -0500 In Message # 00003440 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001653 Martin Gerster said: > >(OOC: Arroo? (O.K., I had to say it, seems like everyone elsehas >};=8D) I'll have to ask what Sil ment by that later.) OOC: Phoenix and Dragon are siblings in my cosmology; as Sil is a daughter/shard of Phoenix, in a sense that makes you two cousins. >/Gee, seems like everybody around here knows Mentor by now. Strange, >I always got the impression that he was harder to get an audience >from as, say... Elminster. Of course, I never had that problem, I >suspect that has something to do with the fact that he considered me >a "very promising pupil," as I believe he said it./ *Mentor? ME?* Roland laughs. *I just know him from Doc Smith's histories. I doubt I'd as much as rate Patrolman.* >/Anyway, Roland, the entity which I've known as "The Phoenix" has >appeared before me both in the guises of the Phoenix Force, ala "the >Original Jean Grey Clone", and as the Egyptian God of Light named, >literally, Benu the Phoenix. I always assumed that both of these were >simply aspects of the Phoenix Force, however; considering the stunts >you pulled recently and my equally recent discovery that, among my >mulititude of disiplines, I was a Priest of the Egyptian/ >Helioptian Gods of Light, I'm no longer sure anymore./ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 11:07:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:32:15 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00003455 In alt.callahans Post # 00001668 The Lone One said: On Wed, 25 Mar 1998, Morgan wrote: > he's _out_ of the armor. 8^) *All right. Sounds like either a feint > or an intel run, but play it safe just to be sure. Everyone lock > onto your sigils so those of us with teleportational abilities can > haul you out if necessary.* Now Roland _does_ smile. > *Better hurry if you want some,* he Raver blinked, absorbing the new information, and she sighed. *Is it us, or do the other people always pick the worst times to attack?* They heaved to their feet with the aid of a strong grip on the back of the pew, rearmoring as they went. Pausing briefly on their way outside, they rubbed the bridge of their nose. -Damn headache.- The Two rapidly shinned up the outside of the church despite the weight of the armor. -Ah, gothic architecture. What would we do without it?- Mandy's reply was dry. -Climb on a ladder?- Raver snorted, a slight smile pulling at they mouth as they fell into flight. > she asks, <*Will the teleporters be _able_ to haul folx out? Just > what _is_ the current status of the various shields we've had up?*> > Hopefully someone will clear 'local' 'ports so we can maneuver > tactically.> Soaring over the buildings to the edge of the shield, a frown crossed Raver's face. *We...are uncertain. We could shadowdance in an absolute emergency, but we would prefer not to, if possible. So if Nemo or someone could put us down on the list...?* At the battlefield... >Morgan, however, _already_ has her weapon drawn. Aramegil begins >flashing, and to her lifesense, the biofields that create the camo >effect are worse than useless. They start going down, hard. <*Saving >your cute ass again, my love.*> > > *Well, at least _someone_ thinks it's cute,* Roland responds as >the camo unit falls back and the cybergoons start firing at Morgan. >He deflects the attacks aimed at her, then gives them a bad case of >cyberpsychosis. They, too, fall back. With a banshee shriek, Raver shot out of the shield's protection. They'd been keeping track of what was going on through the Link, and mentally crossed fingers that they would not be caught by the Reborn's assimilating power. For all that they seemed totally unhuman, their body was still very much material. Taking in the situation at a glance, an unholy grin split their face. *We call the 'camo' group.* -Blood.- Raver could almost smell the rich iron odor already, and she licked their lips. Mandy mentally wrinkled her nose, but said nothing. They landed to one side of Roland and Morgan. *Good hunting, comrades.* Unslinging the rifle they'd taken from the yeti, they laid down a barrage of fire, and soldier after soldier fell. Mandy blinked inside their head. -I don't exactly see how we can sense them. I mean, I can tell where they are, but how...?- Without stopping, Raver replied, -Two ways. Their body odor. And I am a demon, so I can sense their souls.- She brought the rifle around and used the butt to smash a BoneBear's skull in. -Oh.- Mandy retreated further into their mind. -So...you feel them dying.- It was more of a statement than a question. Raver sent as ilent affirmative as they continued to shoot. =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 11:07:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:32:10 In Message # 00003456 In alt.callahans Post # 00001669 Morgan said: Zia said: >Zia looks at the earpiece, then grins at Sil. /"Thanks anyways, but >as long as I'm part of the Solomon's Seal, it's really quite >superfluous. As long as you or anyone is within the Seal's Radius, >just think at me, and I'll hear you. Sil sighs in relief. *Thanks. I didn't want to make contact without permission.* She smiles winningly. *I'm sure you noticed how sensitive natives of my reality are to that.* Sil said: > Sil sighs deeply. "I come from...that's a long story. Roscoe's in >London, and Morgan is with Roland near him." *They're in a firefight, >but _he_ doesn't need to know that right now,* she sends. To which Zia replied: >Zia just looks at Sil, and fills Driss in on the facts of the current >situation anyway. (previous message) /"Don't you start doing the >'deciding what's better for him' thing too. He may be in trouble - >that is not any reason to start 'protecting' him that way. Anyone who >could survive what he just did, and had done, to him, isn't so weak >as to need it, anyhow."/ Her voice is starting to blur together with >the other Node Manager's voices again, as activity picks up and they >work harder. Sil blinks in confusion. *I suppose it's possible that you haven't heard of 'in loco parentis'. I have extensive knowledge in psychic healing, though I'll admit this is a little more than I'm used to.* And Driscoll replied: > Driss cocks his head to the side a bit. "Who?" Sil sighs. *Oh, even better.* Zia and Driscoll said (re Rocsoe): >> /"At the London Node, with Sera. Do you want a mental replay of the >> bit of time you lost, Driss?"/ Zia seems much more diffident than >> her normal wont > > Driss sighs deeply and holds his forehead in the palm of his hand, >"Who's Sera? I'm definitely thinking a mental re-play is needed here. >Thanks uh... wait I know. ummmmm Xena." Sil suppresses a smile. "Probably a good idea," she says. Then she sends, *Something tells me an angel will know more about healing than even I would.* Sil said: > "As for YOU..." the holographic Sil is suddenly dressed in severe >business clothes, wearing horn-rimmed glasses, and has her hair in a >bun. She stares coldly at the bug-Chaos and taps her foot. "...just >what were you planning on, anyway?" To which Chaos responded: > "You and me, Tiajuana and a hot tub full of cheese dip babes!" The holo-Sil blinks at Chaos. "Alright," she says, shrugging. As she does so, a light field coruscates around her. (OOC: See, Stranger was right. ) The stern school-marm is suddenly in a bikini with her hair down. She is also considerably more solid. "You bring the chips, I'll bring the dip." And Zia responded (to Sil's original comment): >Zia blinks in consternation at Sil, /"Chaos is intuitive, I think >planning is rudimentary and unconcious, if it happens at all. At >least, my form of it is wildly creative in every sense of the word. >Planning is much more a function of Ordered pursuit."/ She looks >quite curiously at the 'grasshopper', to see if it will add any >detail or disagreement to her stated view. "But..." Sil begins. Then Chaos responded to Zia: > Chaos looks indignent, glrows butterfly wings and flies off Sil's >shoulder. he holds his breath and starts inflating until his is >nearly transparent and 3' tall floating in the air. "I do too plan!! >I just don't always tell meself when I do. Like I planned to do this. >I think." Chaos gestures and converts everyone's body into light >waves directed at London, forming everyone back when they arrive. "Ok >I didn't plan to do this but it's cool don't you think?" Sil just sighs. "Oy," she says. "I've got to find a new line of work." =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 12:07:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help (Long) On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 14:37:13 -0500 In Message # 00003457 In alt.callahans Post # 00001670 Martin Gerster said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 Zia said: > > that Zia has a lens as well. Knew someone would lay a lens on her > sooner or later. :) So, since Japanese was her first tongue, she > hears all lens-based communication in that language anyhow. So, that > relieves you of looking those up. And it's a small Internet after > all - I've been using the same resource for words and phrases not in > my books here at home!> (OOC: For the record, where Dhyrclhanc comes from the "common" draconic and the elven languages are one and the same.) > /"Somehow, esteemed length of body Dhyrclhanc, this one humbly has > doubts about the unworthiness of any wearing the Lens. Although this > one would be willing to conceed your unworthiness to squeeze into > places small and tight, for an example. Are you then on the Duty > Unattached, or have you ever been of the Patrol Galactic? This one > was Released only a few cycles of Earth past. I am known as Dame > Ziactrice Corey-Keenan, of the Court of Amber, Knight of the Realmic > Order by the hand of King Random."/ The first thing Zia will get after contacting Dhyrclhanc "lens-to-lens", if you will, is a mild sense of suprise, this will make sense because the next thing she will get is the understanding that Dhyrclhanc is a second-stage stable mentality as well as being "Exhalted"! The suprise, of course, is in response to Zia being in possession of a Lens. BTW, Dhyrclhanc is "only" about 32 ft. long and about 11 of that (his tail, mostly) "disappears" when he's standing. (OOC: Dhyrclhanc is sort of like Mick Finn, he realizes that most people are more comfortable around a being who has emotional responses so the superannuated hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon fakes strong emotions. This despite the fact that anyone in telepathic contact with him will realize that it's all a show and as a second-stage stable mentality he'd be about as emotional as, say Mr. Tuvok or Mr. Spock) /Amber, eh? (so sue me, in RL, I'm Canadian-American) One of the few places I _haven't_ been. Well hail and well met, "Dame Ziactrice Corey-Keenan of the Court of Amber, Knight of the Realmic Order". Personaly, I try not to get caught up in that whole Order/Chaos thing. To me, the conflict between Good and Evil is a more pressing concern. Yes, I am Unattached, but being able to co-locate this form in several "Shadows" my "absences" are not missed so much. Gee, a Lens of Arisia, (mental grumble) it's getting like I said to Roland; seems like everyone knows Mentor now, which is strange because the impression I've always gotten is that he was harder to get an audience from as, say, Elminster! I never had that problem but then again, I was one of his "more promising students" I believe is how he phrased it. Sometime you'll have to tell me how you ended up in the Universe of the Lens./ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 12:36:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE4: Lenses and Meeting Mentor of Arisia On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 14:33:41 -0600 In Message # 00003459 In alt.callahans Post # 00001672 Zia said: Dhyrclhanc: The first thing Zia will get after contacting Dhyrclhanc "lens-to-lens", if you will, is a mild sense of suprise, this will make sense because the next thing she will get is the understanding that Dhyrclhanc is a second-stage stable mentality as well as being "Exhalted"! The suprise, of course, is in response to Zia being in possession of a Lens. He'd be able to tell that Zia has at least a Second-Stage capability, but hasn't the requisite training. Dhyrclhanc: /Amber, eh? One of the few places I _haven't_ been. Well hail and well met, "Dame Ziactrice Corey-Keenan of the Court of Amber, Knight of the Realmic Order". Personaly, I try not to get caught up in that whole Order/Chaos thing. To me, the conflict between Good and Evil is a more pressing concern. Yes, I am Unattached, but being able to co-locate this form in several "Shadows" my "absences" are not missed so much. Gee, a Lens of Arisia, (mental grumble) it's getting like I said to Roland; seems like everyone knows Mentor now, which is strange because the impression I've always gotten is that he was harder to get an audience from as, say, Elminster! I never had that problem but then again, I was one of his "more promising students" I believe is how he phrased it. Sometime you'll have to tell me how you ended up in the Universe of the Lens./ Zia: Once the imbalance from Chaos' little trick of turning everyone else into light and moving them to London from Timbuktu fades onces more, Zia's mind (which was absorbed too deep into the Sealed Link's Converged mind to 'sense' while the crisis was happening) returns to a divided awareness, part individual and part in the Link. /" You said formal introduction, or I wouldn't have inflicted my titles upon you. I don't believe in the distinctions of Good and Evil as such. You also are making some unwarranted assumptions; very muddy thinking."/ Here, her thinking is definitely so different from human that no mistaking her for one could be made. /" I, like Clarissa MacDougal-Kinnison, the Red Lensman and first woman to wear a Lens, have never met Mentor. I don't think I'd even want to meet the entity. The Arisians are colder and more manipulative than my OWN family. (stated as if this REALLY is incredible) Futhermore, I've never personally been to that particular shadow as yet - the Arisians bought my aid when they relocated their race at the end of the Eddorian Conflict as a guide. The Lens was in payment for the same. The Kinnisons worked in training me, and like some other alien Lensmen, I work off the benefits I garner in trade of time spent working on the Galactic Patrols needs. Although as yet I haven't been posted inside their universe.At my request; it is a difficult place, environmentally, for me to work in. Others are better suited./" =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 21:08:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Seal - James' Node - Antartica On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:35:46 PST In Message # 00003461 In alt.callahans Post # 00001674 Nemo said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:34:47 -0600 In Message # 00003445 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001658 Zia said: > > If Nemo doesn't already have intelligence on the current battle > outside the shield in London, James' sends him a live but 3 > dimensional 'movie' of same. "I am present in London as well as at the other 4 nodes. Let me know when you are ready for some food. I can supply some sandwhiches." =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 21:08:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:42:28 PST In Message # 00003462 In alt.callahans Post # 00001675 Nemo said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 08:40:07 -0600 In Message # 00003446 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001659 Zia said: > > A Nemo 'echo' arrives here as well. Just a note. They aren't "echoes". They are all Nemo. The same, yet different. =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 21:08:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:48:15 PST In Message # 00003463 In alt.callahans Post # 00001676 Nemo said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:08:06 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003452 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001665 Driscoll said: > > Chaos looks indignent, glrows butterfly wings and flies off Sil's > shoulder. he holds his breath and starts inflating until his is > nearly transparent and 3' tall floating in the air. "I do too plan!! > I just don't always tell meself when I do. Like I planned to do > this. I think." Chaos gestures and converts everyone's body into > light waves directed at London, forming everyone back when they > arrive. "Ok I didn't plan to do this but it's cool don't you think?" Since Nemo is already there, he doesn't bother actively fighting Chaos, he just slips his portion of the "light" back to Timbuktu and reconverts. (Remember, he's not "really" matter anyway) =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 21:08:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:50:46 PST In Message # 00003464 In alt.callahans Post # 00001677 Nemo said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 11:00:20 -0600 In Message # 00003453 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001666 Zia said: > > The brunette shakes her head woozily, and slowly climbs back up to > her feet. Onto just the Sealed Link, she says *Well. I guess we held > against one of the more powerful concerns. Or at least, the Linkage > entire did. Thank you. I couldn't have held against that on my own.* > She glances about, noting the absence of all but the Nemesis split > she was sent to link her into the CAol netmind. The Sealed Link > reforms solidly, making all five of the Amber Crew into a single > mind again, as Morgan and James call it for preparedness. The Sealed > Mind watches through Sera and the Church Node as the others reappear > in London, near the battle. As she glances, Nemo fades back in. "I felt it was simpler to let Chaos think he moved me than to make point of fighting him. Since I'm there already, he may not even notice." "I did think it was best not to leave you unguarded." =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 21:08:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:59:42 PST In Message # 00003465 In alt.callahans Post # 00001678 Nemo said: >>*Back behind the forcefield, people-that means you two _especially,_ >>twins. We can fire through it with impunity. They can't. Be careful, >>though, about using outbound fire too near the generator or the >>autodefenses-my counterpart already pulled _that_ stunt once.* Nemo will staty outside. /There isn't enough energy in this universe to change my form against my will. And every erg they devote to trying is an erg they aren't using for something useful./ =========================== Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 22:38:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 01:14:43 EST In Message # 00003466 In alt.callahans Post # 00001679 Dane0R0A said: In a message dated 98-03-26 02:11:23 EST, you write: << Roland wrote: (OOC: Armagedon would know that this group is about as magickal as Dilbert's boss.) "Ah," the Reborn notes, "an equivalent structure to myself." He then proceeds to reconstruct enough Grey 'bots to keep any others busy (i.e. to let everyone have some fun squishing 'em) then turns his attention to Armagedon itself. His chest glows a sickly green and an energy similar to Armagedon's sparks lances out to attempt to transform Armagedon itself into a Grey tank. This precludes his creating more Grey robots for the moment, at least. >> (OOC: Just because the current crop of targets aren't magical, doesn't mean that NONE of them will survive to return with the information to Grey forces that are) The energy beam seems to strike Armagedon in the chest, but just passes straight through. "That might have worked, if it were fast enough, and I was actually made of matter," he says. << *You want him, he's yours,* Roland sends to Armagedon as he shoots the rod into another robot. *There's plenty for everyone-* Roland is cut short-almost literally-as a Bonebear's massive claw rips through the spot Roland had been a split second before. >> Armagedon replies, "Thank you," and seems to explode. A pico-second later, the reborn is hit by one gigawatt energy beams from one thousand different (unseen) spots in the air around him (the beams continue, and get more intense until he is vaporized). As the beaming continues, the spots that each beam originate from shift about randomly, at speeds greater than that of light (the beams have extensions into both sub and hyperspace and thus are FTL themselves). Then Armagedon coalesces in the spot where he was standing before. (OOC: at no time will the any of the beams make a direct line between the beam origin, the reborn, and any member of the CAoL) =========================== Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 00:09:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: Lenses, etc. (Longish) On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 02:26:48 -0500 In Message # 00003469 In alt.callahans Post # 00001682 Martin Gerster said: > On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 Zia said: > > / You said formal introduction, or I wouldn't have inflicted > my titles upon you. I don't believe in the distinctions of Good and > Evil as such. You also are making some unwarranted assumptions; very > muddy thinking./ Here, her thinking is definitely so different from > human that no mistaking her for one could be made. > > /I, like Clarissa MacDougal-Kinnison, the Red Lensman and first > woman to wear a Lens, have never met Mentor. I don't think I'd even > want to meet the entity. The Arisians are colder and more > manipulative than my OWN family. (stated as if this REALLY is > incredible) Futhermore, I've never personally been to that > particular shadow as yet - the Arisians bought my aid when they > relocated their race at the end of the Eddorian Conflict as a guide. > The Lens was in payment for the same. The Kinnisons worked in > training me, and like some other alien Lensmen, I work off the > benefits I garner in trade of time spent working on the Galactic > Patrols needs. Although as yet I haven't been posted inside their > universe.At my request; it is a difficult place, environmentally, > for me to work in. Others are better suited./ Dhyrclhanc replies, @^ I ment no disrespect, I used your complete titles as an honorific. The distictions of the Absolutes of Good and Evil, like the distinctions of Law and Chaos, are probably a reflection of one's abilities of perception/interpretation and upbringing, not "muddy and turgid thinking". Unless that wasn't what you ment. Likewise, as I was something of a wild card in the Arisian Visualization of the Cosmic Whole, so my experience in relation to standard training and operations of the Galatic Patrol and the Lensman Corps was close to nil, I was trained and given my Lens by Mentor, himself. I know Kit and the Children of the Lens only by reputation. Also, the "fictional shadow" of the UtoL which is one of my attopted homes is still well within the eras of the War with Eddore so could you refrain from telling me any information which could be detrimental to my functioning as an Unattached Lensman as well as a Guardian of Civilization? ^@ (OOC: "Exhaulted" means that an individual is decended directly from the initial genotypes manipulated by the Arisians. In addition, it means you are an exceptional specimen of your race, mentaly, physicaly, emotionaly and personality-wise. The fact that Dhyrclhanc qualifies for this distinction is like the way Heinlein's characters in "Number of the Beast" qualified as Lost Howards. BTW, I'm still trying to get my hands on the works of the honored historian and, like Fuzzy, I'm currently simply using the GURPS Lensman compendium as a reference.) (@^ this ^@ indicates private lens-based telepathic communication) =========================== Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 00:38:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 01:59:19 -0600 In Message # 00003470 In alt.callahans Post # 00001683 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 18:59:42 PST In Message # 00003465 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001678 Nemo said: > >Nemo will staty outside. > >/There isn't enough energy in this universe to change my form against > my will. And every erg they devote to trying is an erg they aren't > using for something useful./ Meanwhile, Knytt is checking on the twins' hands. "It was our lens hands, too." Melissa whines. Knytt smiles, "Well, those lenses won't vanish. They are made to follow whatever form you choose. They aren't a real thing anyway, more a concept that you can see occasionally manifest themselves. Now then, it is time you healed yourselves." As Knytt watched, gold glitter seemed to manifest itself all over the damaged hands. Once the hands were thoroughly coated, the glitter seemed to melt into a liquid-like material, which developed flesh tones and finally returned to its orginal imitation of human skin. "That's good," Knytt says. The donkey brays. "Now what are we going to do with _you_?" Grep answers, "We thought the resistance might have need of the occasional pack animal. But, if we chase off the Grey, maybe a nice petting zoo, or better, a big farm to play on." The donkey bobbed its head vigorously. "Like ours." Melissa added, the unspoken question in her voice and eyes.. Knytt blinks slowly, withdraws the blue and gold rod from his sash belt and casually points it over his shoulder, blasting six more grey robots attempting to set up some machine to punch through the force screen. "I suppose he's cheaper than a pony." Knytt says with a sigh. The twins nod vigorously. "Donkeys eat rougher varieties of plants, are more resistant to the cold and heat, don't run off in a panic when scared, and are very intelligent," Melissa says, ticking off the good points on her fingers. "And you two will take care of him?" The twins nod again, beaming. "So, what's its name?" "Jack." Grep says, reaching over Knytt's shoulder and pointing. A blast of energy shoots out of her finger and knocks down three grey robots who happened to be standing in a straight line, punching holes through all three of their chest-plates. The albino donkey nods approvingly at the name. Knytt tilts his head to the side, looking at the white burro. "Jack is a _she_." The twins and 'Jack' blink at him as if to say, 'And your point is?'. "Okay..." he says, "Jack the Jenny..." One of the camo-units suddenly becomes visible in front of the threesome. Caught off guard, the three can only stare down the barrel of a menacing hyperspace energy gun. With a loud bray, Jack raises her hind legs and kickes the camoflaged soldier square in the chest, then runs over and tramples him. Knytt gapes at the little albino burro, the twins look extremely pleased with their new pet. "Uh...welcome to the Army of Light, Jack..." Knytt finally says. =========================== Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 02:07:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! (Longish) On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 04:51:22 -0500 In Message # 00003471 In alt.callahans Post # 00001684 Martin Gerster said: > On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 Dane0R0A said: > > Armagedon replies, "Thank you," and seems to explode. A pico-second > later, the reborn is hit by one gigawatt energy beams from one > thousand different (unseen) spots in the air around him (the beams > continue, and get more intense until he is vaporized). As the > beaming continues, the spots that each beam originate from shift > about randomly, at speeds greater than that of light (the beams have > extensions into both sub and hyperspace and thus are FTL > themselves). Then Armagedon coalesces in the spot where he was > standing before. > > (OOC: at no time will the any of the beams make a direct line > between the beam origin, the reborn, and any member of the CAoL) (OOC: In the words of Kermit the Frog; Yeesh!) Dhyrclhanc circles above the fracas waiting for a response to his offer of aid until he judges the lack of any responses as a negative response. Then, while spiraling down closer to the fray, with a minisucule amount of quick and smooth movements, he unslings his dufflebag, removes his Sterling (tm) nanomagitech "portable" selective energy beam cannon and equally selective mini-missle launcher support weapon. He then returns his dufflebag to his back and closes in on the Grey 'bot/cyborgs. Durring his decent, his presence was detected by at least two dozen of the semi-artificial Greys, who (unsurprisingly) began taking potshots at the big lizard with their rifles. However seeing as they were all graduates of the Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy(tm) all of their shots miss... horibly! Suddenly swinging low enough to the ground to effectivly be flying NOE, Dhyrclhanc's powerful wings snap out even further and knock down a quarter of the group. # Hey, that wasn't very friendly! # broacasts the draconic Lensman while arcing around for another pass and bringing the Sterling(tm) up to used. Three of the six 'bots knocked down get up again only to be vaporized, along with another three of their compatriots, by pulsed bolts of MDC electrons spit out of the energy cannon, The remaining fifteen struggle to do damage to the superanuated hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon, but are unsucessful as their energy beams wash off the Lensdragon's now activated personal force screen. Four more are frozen solid, and then shattered by their own weight, by Redemption, still in its frozen Egyptian Holy Sword configuration, and now in Dhyrclhanc's other hand. The surviving eleven motion towards their belts and are immediatly each is surrounded by a Dune-type defensive screen. Dhyrclhanc makes another pass and the ammo drum on the bottom of the Sterling(tm) begins to rotate. A bright flash escapes from the cannon's lower barrel and the Grey bots are surrounded by a white, cresent and/or cheese curl-shaped, explosion of force. When the smoke and the debris clears, the Greys have all colapsed into a huge donut shaped hole located directly under where they were first standing. Dhyrclhanc smiles, wickedly, causing any of the CAoLers with weak stomachs (if there are any) to feel weak in the knees, the ammo drum on the Sterling revolves again, and another bright flash escapes from the cannon's lower barrel. (tbc) =========================== Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 06:39:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: Lenses, etc. (Longish) On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 08:17:23 -0600 In Message # 00003473 In alt.callahans Post # 00001686 Zia said: >On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 02:26:48 -0500 In Message # 00003469 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001682 Martin Gerster said: > >> On Thu, 26 Mar 1998 Zia said: > >Dhyrclhanc replies, @^ I ment no disrespect, I used your complete >titles as an honorific. The distictions of the Absolutes of Good and >Evil, like the distinctions of Law and Chaos, are probably a >reflection of one's abilities of perception/interpretation and >upbringing, not "muddy and turgid thinking". Unless that wasn't what >you ment.{...snipped...} Also, the "fictional shadow" of the UtoL >which is one of my attopted homes is still well within the eras of >the War with Eddore so could you refrain from telling me any >information which could be detrimental to my functioning as an >Unattached Lensman as well as a Guardian of Civilization? ^@ @^There are many such shadows, Lensman. As you request however, I will tell you nothing more than answers to your questions, as I have done, and will not even do that if there is any chance I can mentate that such will be detrimental. As all shadows differ, I don't expect this to be a serious difficulty. I wasn't critisizing your religious beliefs but your unfounded and erroneous assumptions as to the means by which I received a Lens. Order and Chaos likewise are less distinct than I had commonly thought. But this is hardly the time for a philosophy debate! I will leave you alone while you finish your combat with those Greys; I have battle projections to tend.^@ >(OOC: "Exhaulted" means that an individual is decended directly from >the initial genotypes manipulated by the Arisians. In addition, it >means you are an exceptional specimen of your race, mentaly, >physicaly, emotionaly and personality-wise. The fact that Dhyrclhanc >qualifies for this distinction is like the way Heinlein's characters >in "Number of the Beast" qualified as Lost Howards. BTW, I'm still >trying to get my hands on the works of the honored historian and, >like Fuzzy, I'm currently simply using the GURPS Lensman compendium >as a reference.) =========================== Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 15:38:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 15:17:03 In Message # 00003475 In alt.callahans Post # 00001688 Morgan said: >On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 01:14:43 EST In Message # 00003466 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001679 Dane0R0A said: > >(OOC: Just because the current crop of targets aren't magical, >doesn't mean that NONE of them will survive to return with the >information to Grey forces that are) The energy beam seems to strike >Armagedon in the chest, but just passes straight through. "That might >have worked, if it were fast enough, and I was actually made of >matter," he says. "Intersting," the Reborn notes, and the beam begins creating flecks of reflective substances within Armagedon in an attempt to disrupt him. (OOC: This attempt won't last long. ) As Nemo begins to cut in to his forces, he does the same thing to the Nemo-extension present, but not for long-Armagedon is taking most of his concentration as it is. (Note: In case it hasn't become obvious, the matter-control beam only works on inorganic matter.) >Armagedon replies, "Thank you," and seems to explode. A pico-second >later, the reborn is hit by one gigawatt energy beams from one >thousand different (unseen) spots in the air around him (the beams >continue, and get more intense until he is vaporized). As the beaming >continues, the spots that each beam originate from shift about >randomly, at speeds greater than that of light (the beams have >extensions into both sub and hyperspace and thus are FTL themselves). >Then Armagedon coalesces in the spot where he was standing before. The Reborn takes massive damage at first, but quicky begins forming fields of matter-filled force to block the attacks. This slows the damage, but does not prevent it. He then decides that discretion is the better part of valor. A pair of green pods emerge from his back, and he dives into the ground, surging through it as if it were water. Behind him, the land erupts as a vast number of Grey robots are created from the displaced dirt. A few moments later, the Reborn itself explodes (not through any innate properties, but simply through the violence done to it by Armagedon's blasts) leaving behind only a glowing green sphere, the source of the matter control, and the two flight (?) biopods. *Don't destroy those!* Roland sends quickly, a smile forming as he uses magnetic fields to mischief two robots. *A plan just started forming...I think the Greys gave me a perfect opening.* As Roland sends this, the maneuvers that the Grey forces were attempting begin to fall apart; apparently, their organization depends on their leader. Elsewhere... A tube slides open, and green gelatin flows off a body. It stumbles for a moment, then stands and walks over to a console. "Ready to receive update." A shaft of light shoots into the head. "Update received." The naked form walks to a locker, and pulls out a uniform-a black bodysuit with hood, bearing three red marks on it. The Reborn then strides out into a corridor, certain of its purpose. Destroy the enemies of the Greys... =========================== Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 18:38:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 17:51:01 PST In Message # 00003478 In alt.callahans Post # 00001691 Nemo said: > On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 15:17:03 In Message # 00003475 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001688 Morgan said: > > "Intersting," the Reborn notes, and the beam begins creating > flecks of reflective substances within Armagedon in an attempt to > disrupt him. (OOC: This attempt won't last long. ) As Nemo begins > to cut in to his forces, he does the same thing to the Nemo- > extension present, but not for long-Armagedon is taking most of his > concentration as it is. (Note: In case it hasn't become obvious, the > matter-control beam only works on inorganic matter.) Attempts to create anything inside Nemo will fail. It'd be rather like trying to push a bullet into solid rock with your bare hands. =========================== Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 01:32:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Sat, 28 Mar 1998 04:17:53 EST In Message # 00003480 In alt.callahans Post # 00001693 Dane0R0A said: << Morgan said: "Intersting," the Reborn notes, and the beam begins creating flecks of reflective substances within Armagedon in an attempt to disrupt him. (OOC: This attempt won't last long. ) >> (OOC: That's OK, it wouldn't matter anyway, Armagedon is actually composed of 1000 Hunter-Seekers (hyper high speed, super computer AI's) working in active cooperation, using N-Space communication). A few mirrors floating about inside the volume that he appears to occupy is just going to amuse him.) =========================== Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 21:04:01 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Sat, 28 Mar 1998 22:25:17 -0600 In Message # 00003483 In alt.callahans Post # 00001696 Zia said: Zia looks about the now-empty node, except for the Nemisis-split that is providing her link to the CAoL... and >As she glances, Nemo fades back in. > >"I felt it was simpler to let Chaos think he moved me than to make > point of fighting him. Since I'm there already, he may not even > notice." > >"I did think it was best not to leave you unguarded." Zia nods, and frankly, looks more than a bit embarrassed. "I would have let him, actually, I probably couldn't have prevented him had I been alone in working against that, but I'm holding the Node. I hate to think what would result were the Seal to collapse before the Spiral finishes deformation and locks into the substrate of local dimensionality." Then she looks a bit taken aback, "I truly do appreciate your efforts on my behalf - I fear that I am draining far more resources from your group than my efforts will repay in results, however. You seem fully capable to deal with the explosions and liberations of energy thus far employed, and my skills are such that they are effectively lent in most direct combat situations. And you have no obligation to guard me, though I am grateful you chose to do so. And even more grateful that you have made James more comfortable and safe where he is." "Is there any such favor for you that I might do in exchange? Not as payment, of course, but also to show my respect and appreciation for your aid. Indeed, my talents are hardly anything you or anyone in your group would require, but if there is any way in which I might be particularly suited to your purposes, please inform me." "And," she adds, resuming the floating lotus postion amid the beams and arcs of energy that form her Node of the Seal, "if you can give me any non-classified information as to your group's goals and current situation in being in this place, fighting these odd creatures, I would certainly find it an engaging way to pass the time until my wreaking is finished." =========================== Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 21:04:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Seal - James' Node - Antartica On Sat, 28 Mar 1998 22:38:34 -0600 In Message # 00003484 In alt.callahans Post # 00001697 Zia said: >"I am present in London as well as at the other 4 nodes. Let me know > when you are ready for some food. I can supply some sandwhiches." "Amazing." James notes in Spock's EXACT voice for 'Fascinating'. "I wonder how you keep all the memory tracks distinct and yet cohese information quickly. I used to work on some methods for doing so." He stretches as the area warms, "Ah, is that a Maxmillian's demon, or some technological equivalent, if I may ask? I would like very much to eat; I imagine you know how wasteful pure biological systems like myself are about chemical energy." "Moreover, Zia is thinking that this attack is far too feeble to more than garner intelligence. I am left to wonder what the perp thinks hir has to gain from all this data gathering. Especially during combat, when your group seems to have the highest cohesion and cooperation. Even pure effectives at stomping the other side, if you will. The only thing that the other side is gaining seems to be intelligence at high expense, and some delay. Oh, and the fatigue on the more mortal.. and er, at least members who CAN be tired or stressed by regular enemy action. Dreadful cost, however. I take it these 'Greys' have plenty of resources. Any idea on their supply lines? Such as means to cut them? Or have they already become self sufficient here?" James sips the tea, and thanks Nemo politely upon inhaling a good five or six sandwiches, "I expect Zia's right; she has quite a talent for strategy. Which means, I should eat and rest as much as possible in anticipation of a heavy attack either just before or just after the Arc is established." Bond. James Bond. Or had you all already guessed? :) Love those Amberites who seek out Particular help through shadow, don't you? =========================== Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 20:32:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Seal - James' Node - Antartica On Sun, 29 Mar 1998 19:49:14 PST In Message # 00003486 In alt.callahans Post # 00001699 Nemo said: > On Sat, 28 Mar 1998 22:38:34 -0600 In Message # 00003484 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001697 Zia said: > >>"I am present in London as well as at the other 4 nodes. Let me know >> when you are ready for some food. I can supply some sandwhiches." > > "Amazing." James notes in Spock's EXACT voice for 'Fascinating'. "I > wonder how you keep all the memory tracks distinct and yet cohese > information quickly. I used to work on some methods for doing so." > He stretches as the area warms, "Ah, is that a Maxmillian's demon, > or some technological equivalent, if I may ask? I would like very > much to eat; I imagine you know how wasteful pure biological systems > like myself are about chemical energy." "My species reached the Vingean Singularity, or 'Transcended', about a million years ago. What you are interacting with might best be termed a 'minor subprocess'." "I believe you would consider source of the heat 'technological'." "And as far as food goes, pretend I'm a deli and order a sandwhich." :-) > Bond. James Bond. > > Or had you all already guessed? :) Love those Amberites who seek out > Particular help through shadow, don't you? When the situation is such that the reduced reaction time isn't a problem, Nemo will offer James a martini. Shaken, not stirred. =========================== Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 22:03:27 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Sun, 29 Mar 1998 21:21:23 PST In Message # 00003487 In alt.callahans Post # 00001700 Nemo said: > On Sat, 28 Mar 1998 22:25:17 -0600 In Message # 00003483 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001696 Zia said: > > "Is there any such favor for you that I might do in exchange? Not as > payment, of course, but also to show my respect and appreciation for > your aid. Indeed, my talents are hardly anything you or anyone in > your group would require, but if there is any way in which I might > be particularly suited to your purposes, please inform me." "One of my 'purposes' is to gather information on the various parts of the multiverse. Even secondhand data is useful. So, if you'd care to tell me about your travels and experiences, I would appreciate it." > "And," she adds, resuming the floating lotus postion amid the beams > and arcs of energy that form her Node of the Seal, "if you can give > me any non-classified information as to your group's goals and > current situation in being in this place, fighting these odd > creatures, I would certainly find it an engaging way to pass the > time until my wreaking is finished." "I only joined them recently. They are attempting to recover some of their comrades from an enemy. We wound up here courtesy of Chaos. Upon viewing the situation we attempted to negotiate a peaceful withdrawal of the Grey's. When that failed, we started planning to evict the Greys. You appeared shortly after our planning was 'interrupted'." =========================== Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 12:05:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finally, the Greys! On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 13:47:28 -0600 In Message # 00003490 In alt.callahans Post # 00001703 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 15:17:03 In Message # 00003475 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001688 Morgan said: > A few moments later, the Reborn itself explodes (not through any >innate properties, but simply through the violence done to it by >Armagedon's blasts) leaving behind only a glowing green sphere, the >source of the matter control, and the two flight (?) biopods. > *Don't destroy those!* Roland sends quickly, a smile forming as he >uses magnetic fields to mischief two robots. *A plan just started >forming...I think the Greys gave me a perfect opening.* > As Roland sends this, the maneuvers that the Grey forces were >attempting begin to fall apart; apparently, their organization >depends on their leader. "Okay," Knytt says, "Looks like Roland's evil twin is gone. Let's go clean up, girls." Knytt draws his wand and it seems to ripple and extend. As the rippling subsides, Knytt momentarily admires the intricately detailed broadsword. The twins snicker, "The Sword of MERLIN? We thought you hated impersonating him." Knytt shrugs, "It WAS fun, in a campy sort of way. C'mon, we have some robots to clobber." The twins pause momentarily, staring at each other. Knytt looks back, "Are you two okay about going out there?" Melissa holds up a finger, "Just a sec, dad. We're discussing that right now." A moment later, Grep says, "Okay, let's go." Knytt looks a bit relieved and a bit concerned. "You're sure?" The girl AIs nod. "Yeah, once we put up shields, we were fine. We just need to remember to put shields up when we fight. And we think we know how to attack anyone else like that Anti-Roland." Grep grins mischieviously. Melissa glances at Jack, who is following the twins. She gestures at the burro and a small gold chain appears around the jenny's neck. "That's a force shield, Jack. You stay with Aunt Morgan. You can smell those camo guys easy." The little albino burro (who is maybe 38" at the shoulder) nods and trots over to Morgan. Knytt looks curiously at Melissa. "There something you aren't telling me, daughter?" "Jack is a mutant. We scanned her. She's like the mules in _Time Enough For Love_. She can't talk, but Jack understands just fine." "What're the odds?" Knytt wondered aloud, "That's what I get for fooling with Finite Probability Fields." As Knytt, Jack and the twins pass through the force field, they each somehow are wearing Knytt's sigil. Jack takes Morgan's side, chasing after camoflaged soldiers and the shapeshifters. Knytt takes the Sword of Merlin and cuts into a group of robots, making a path through to the Pizza Hut truck. "Hope somebody left a large sausage and pepperoni in there," he says, loping off the head of a robot who made the unfortunate mistake of getting between the Renegade Time Lord/Technomage and pizza. The twins, as they pass through the force shields, take on a new look. Apparently, while mulling over _Time Enough for Love_, they decided to fulfill the dream of their 'namesakes'. Grep shifted into a pair of brown leather calf-high boots, blue pantaloons, white silk blouse, green vest, and red sash and a red scarf tied like a bandana around her head. Melissa changed to black boots, red pantaloons, white blouse, purple vest, yello sash and a yellow scarf tied around her head. Both wielded Scottish flintlock pistols, Arabian daggers, and rapiers identical to the one weilded by Inigo Montoya in _The Princess Bride_. Knytt found himself relieved to see they were still playing, though he did note the faint outline of a forceshield around them and their weapons. Knytt rolls his eyes as the girls start singing as they fight: "We are the very models of the modern Callahanian, We've information technical, topical, and arcanian..." =========================== Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 13:33:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Seal - James' Node - Antartica On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 14:34:55 -0600 In Message # 00003491 In alt.callahans Post # 00001704 Zia said: > Nemo said: >"My species reached the Vingean Singularity, or 'Transcended', about > a million years ago. What you are interacting with might best be > termed a 'minor subprocess'." "Oh? I've read about that. From a purely practical standpoint, given such an understanding, would you contend it better for a fully simultaneous awareness, or many linked view points? Although, if I understand correctly what you've just told me, it would almost necessarily mandate a true single and simultaneous awareness." >"I believe you would consider source of the heat 'technological'." "Very likely, although given most of my background, the differences are actually only of appearances, rather than truly of the means and methods." >"And as far as food goes, pretend I'm a deli and order a sandwhich." > :-) "Ham and cheese on rye, with the spiciest mustard you've got handy, then." James smiles, and checks the Sealed Link again. "Still tight, and going smoothly. I wonder why Zia is so sure thing will go sour? Not that her hunches are often wrong, but one does like to know where the bullets are coming from." >When the situation is such that the reduced reaction time isn't a >problem, Nemo will offer James a martini. Shaken, not stirred. Which should definitely get him a few looks, especially if done in front of the rest of the CAoL so they can enjoy James' reaction. :) =========================== Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 13:34:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Trying to Help - Zia's Node - Timbuktu, Africa On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 15:05:15 -0600 In Message # 00003492 In alt.callahans Post # 00001705 Zia said: [Zia said] "Is there any such favor for you that I might do in exchange? Not as payment, of course, but also to show my respect and appreciation for your aid. Indeed, my talents are hardly anything you or anyone in your group would require, but if there is any way in which I might be particularly suited to your purposes, please inform me." [Nemo] "One of my 'purposes' is to gather information on the various parts of the multiverse. Even secondhand data is useful. So, if you'd care to tell me about your travels and experiences, I would appreciate it." Zia's eyes nearly cross in astonishment. "I haven't been asked for a story since my children got taller than me. Let me try and organize a bit, and I'll do what I can. Telliing the whole tale would take far more time than we have." She looks thoughtful. >"I only joined them recently. They are attempting to recover some of > their comrades from an enemy. We wound up here courtesy of Chaos. > Upon viewing the situation we attempted to negotiate a peaceful > withdrawal of the Grey's. When that failed, we started planning to > evict the Greys. You appeared shortly after our planning was > 'interrupted'." "Ah, I see. You are 'do-gooding' but no purpose beyond that. Well, that is clear at least." She nods, and leans forwards, placing her elbows on her floating knees, and her chin on her hands, thougtfully again, "Where to begin.... Do you know anything of Amber? No, of course, you do not know anything first hand; you did not greet me with hostility." "The tale is mostly myth and legend; you'll find that to be a common thing, in my life. So, in the best style, I shall regale you. In the beginning, there was nothing. Nothing at all. This was and is the Abyss, nullification. Without opponent or competitor, because nothing has no equal, by definition. After some long time, and for reasons I do not know, and probably could not comprehend, there arose a force of creation. This had a symbol, known as the Logrus, but no form, for it was ever-changing." "Somewhere in this ever-changing creation, came the Serpent. All power was it's, saving only that of the Abyss' so preminent. Some say that the Logrus holds a different Primal creature, and not the Serpent." She shrugs, "Perhaps the power of chaos is not found only in a single form, within the Logrus. But I have sought to conquer the Logrus, and within the madness it fostered on me, I see visions of some hideous beast like unto a wyrm of the Norse, but far mightier and more terrible. But such visions, are fortunately, the stuff of rare nightmare, and thankfully, not clear in my memory." "I will return to that later in the tale. But the Serpent, for whatever reason, spawned another Great Beast, the Unicorn, daughter of Chaos. A small and silent Beast was the Unicorn, but with a heart and a power unlike any heretofore known. Long went the ages by, as a race came into exsistence, on the Edge of the Nothing that was the Abyss, and among the ever-changing space about the Logrus. The Courts of Chaos. They are now some 2,000 noble houses strong, and who knows how many denizens." "These denizens were shapeshifters - they had to be, to survive there. But further powers they attained if strong enough to conquer the Logrus, gaining a bit of it's own creative focus for themselves. Not without a price, however, as even a successful, or better said, survived walk of the Logrus, induces incurable madness of varying form and severity. One day, a Chaos Lord by the name of Dworkin attempted the Trial of the Logrus. He survived, but was mad. He had attacked the Serpent itself, it is said, and plucked out it's left eye. He fled from his outraged fellow nobles, and found a mountain at the farthest extent of the lands empowered by the Logrus. And there, the Unicorn came unto him, and taught him to look within the Serpent's eye. So doing, he came to inscribe the Pattern he saw within with his own blood and sword, upon the rocks." "Ah, yes, and the tale also says that Dworkin fathered a son on the Unicorn. Which it bore and he named Oberon." She sighs, "My late grandfather, if this tale is true. Maybe even if it isn't. Oberon set up a kingdom, and the intereference between the Pattern of Dworkin, which set order into the chaos that until then had been the sum total of all Creation, creating far, far more of reality, or what I call Shadow, than ever before seen." "He bore sons, and daughters, though rarely indeed. The Court of Amber is not nearly so prolific at the Lords of Chaos' Houses. I am the descendant of one of these, though it were nigh unto some three centuries before I was found and so informed. Not before I had suffered grievious wrongs at the hands of my kin; some of them are truly as base as Roland feels we are as a group entire." With a whiffle of faint power drawn from the Sealed Links store, she creates a tall, cold glass of water, and sips, "My throat is dry. My beginning is long, for a tale. I should find myself thankful I cannot bore more than this 'subprocess' you have kindly lent here to guard my safety, I think. Do you have any questions yet, or should I continue?" =========================== Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:09:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: What is thy Bidding, my Master? On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 21:42:50 In Message # 00003495 In alt.callahans Post # 00001708 Morgan said: >On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 13:47:28 -0600 In Message # 00003490 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001703 Michael Jon Knight said: > >"Okay," Knytt says, "Looks like Roland's evil twin is gone. Let's go >clean up, girls." Knytt draws his wand and it seems to ripple and >extend. As the rippling subsides, Knytt momentarily admires the >intricately detailed broadsword. (OOC note: I am using the proposed 'universal' notation for the moment.) Roland becomes a human thunderbolt again and does a Phoenix Eye punch through a robot's head, though being in an energy form makes the Phoenix Eye pointless. /Is it ever that easy?/ He becomes solid once more and flows into his Changeling form. The Reborn's biotech implants then float over to him, and _in_ to him. A black bodysuit with three red stripes forms on his body, and a loose hood hangs from his back. /Love, aren't _you_ the one who says that about not becoming your enemy to defeat your enemy?/ Morgan quips, though a faint note of concern is in her 'voice'. /That's not what it means and you know it!/ Roland replies, caught between a grimace and a smile. /Now, let's try something new./ #Robotic forces, respond,# Roland sends to the Grey 'bots. #Reporting, commander.# A chuckle flickers through the link. /Hook, line, and sinker. I wish I'd engaged the Reborn telepathically, but if wishes were wings...anyway, the Grey 'bots seem to be responding. If two squads disengage, don't blow them up. I need to know if this works./ Roland then turns his attention to the silvery war machines. #Squads 6 and 11, retreat 100 meters. Squad 6 will then fire on squad 11, and vice-versa.# #Order acknowledged.# The two squads perform as ordered, and dispatch each other with precision. /Ha! Gotcha!/ Roland smiles. /I do believe Operation Klovia, if you'll all permit a moment of hubris, is ready./ /Ah-ROO?/ Morgan sends. /Klovia is the world that Director Kinnison infiltrated and turned from Tyranny to Civilization,/ Roland explains. /Anyway, I doubt I'll get much farther than the local Azeronium Device-but right now that's all I want./ /You're not serious,/ Sil sends. /You are NOT going to walk in to one of those planet-killers by yourself!/ Roland chuckles. /As if Morgan would let me. I'll take her with me- either as a prisoner or in disguise as a Traitor. But the fewer people in on this caper, the less likely the chances of getting caught. Sil, you hold the fort with Armagedon./ /He's not my type,/ Sil snaps. /You've come up with some hare-brained schemed, but this one's the most rabbity!/ /Are you saying there are _Bugs_ in his plan?/ Morgan quips as she slashes through one of the few remaining robots. /My kingdom for a peanut,/ Roland sighs. /The plan's sound, in theory. Anyone else who wants to do something similar, go for it-but for now I think we should try to avoid getting in each other's way./ (OOC: Until Stranger chucks something at us that forces us to pull back together, anyway. ) >"Yeah, once we put up shields, we were fine. We just need to remember >to put shields up when we fight. And we think we know how to attack >anyone else like that Anti-Roland." Grep grins mischieviously. /Don't get overconfident, Grep,/ Roland warns. /This whole battle feels like a sword-beat; they're just seeing what our riposte is made of. They have brains, tech, and what amounts to unlimited resources. I don't know how much they understand magick, but I _do_ know that they can adapt, and we have to be ready for that./ Meanwhile, at the obvious segue point... Pembroke's floater slid into the Grey outpost where Reborn designate Roland was updating...himself. "What the bleeding hell was _that?_ I've never seen that kind of firepower-and I watched the Greys turn Sheffield into a parking lot! We can't fight that! They didn't even _notice_ my Bone-bears-well, except for that demon thing! It made my blood run cold, I tell you." He looked at the other Traitors, who stared at him in shock. "What?" "The Reborn is waiting for you." Pembroke pissed himself. "Ah, good work," the Reborn said as he walked in, and the Traitors regarded him with even greater surprise. "You have returned. With the computer data, I presume?" "Ah...here." Pembroke handed the Reborn a tiny black cylinder. "But aren't you upset about that rout? Your last body was blown to atoms, for God's sake!" "This was expected," the Reborn said simply. "Your return, in fact, is a surprising bonus. Personally, I rated your survival odds at 12 percent. I did not factor in the possibility that you would be considered insignificant." "But we lost a Bonebear squad, three platoons, and a bloody ARMY of robots!" The Reborn blinked. "An insignificant loss. The mutates and the robots are easily replaced; indeed, upgrading them would have been more trouble. The platoons, as sentient, trained warriors, are a bit more of a loss, but human material is still abundant. With matter replication, such probes are easily viable." He watched the Traitors impassively as he continued to debrief Pembroke. "Your assessment is not logical, but you are not expected or even desired to account for resources used in such matters. I believe a second probing strike is in order; once that is complete, then we may begin against them in earnest. The longer they wait to act, the greater our chances of destroying them." The Reborn turned and began walking away. "Wh-where are you going?" one of the other Traitors asked. "To report to the Masters," the Reborn replied simply. Moments later, the Reborn was kneeling in a chamber lit dimly in green and purple. "The invaders have been tested, Great Ones, and they are as powerful as I feared. To dislodge them by force alone will require considerable effort, but it should be possible. What is your desire?" =========================== Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:11:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Seal - James' Node - Antartica On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 21:36:57 PST In Message # 00003496 In alt.callahans Post # 00001709 Nemo said: > On Mon, 30 Mar 1998 14:34:55 -0600 In Message # 00003491 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001704 Zia said: > > "Oh? I've read about that. From a purely practical standpoint, given > such an understanding, would you contend it better for a fully > simultaneous awareness, or many linked view points? Although, if I > understand correctly what you've just told me, it would almost > necessarily mandate a true single and simultaneous awareness." "I'm sorry, but it's not possible to give a meaningful answer to that. The language doesn't allow it. The concepts don't exist, and the closest analogs are such that using them would be more misleading than informative. The best analogy I can give is to consider an intelligent single-celled organism trying to understand a human body." "There's also the matter of the difference between 'this unit' and 'me'. This unit is superhuman, but quite limited by the current standards of my 'kind'. The "real me" something quite different, and this unit only understands it when doing a full fledged 'manifestation' of NEMO."