Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 33 Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:46:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:44:59 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004014 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 08:24:59 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004013 > >Actually, Kim doesn't quite even manage to touch her. (Forgive me, >but I think an angel could manage that much.) "Ah. I don't know how >you've come within the Circle without harming it more, but I sense >your purpose here is good in nature." Sera studies them curiously. >>Sera notices the Node discharges had stopped when the old Asian man >>with the foot long moustache and goatee took her hand. White energy >>begins to radiate in runic patterns. > >a Shadow, or these colored lens wearers are above the power level of >Primal entities. No, I don't want to know which. :)> >Sera smiles, "I shall walk with you, honored elder. It's a good thing >Zia hasn't had breakfast yet. She keeps track of the record of >impossible thing that she sees before breakfast. Assuming that you >have more friends - how are my companions at the other Nodes? I have >no answer from them yet, although none are dead." "Resting comfortably. Few things are impossible. A sunrise is impossible, or at least close to impossible, yet I see one every morning." >quickening of the repair time with the current plot-meister - I think >he was talking a bit longer before we could actually repair the Seals >AND jump start them. That do you say, oh plot-driver?> >Sera smiles and bows her head. "So am I. For both reasons. Tell me if >I can help you at all." "Certainly." >>Peter pauses for a moment. "Ah, the other Nodes are ready. Except >>for Timbuktu. They aren't sure how to approach Nemo and Zia now that >>Roland and Thorne have left. Being inside the Seal when we start >>could sting a bit." > >"Is she awake yet? Sting for what reason? Your energy source is >different than ours, but you haven't explained any of your how or >whys of method or intervention." > >>"Peter loves understatement." the old man says. Kim adds, "She is not. Sting because we are increasing power. And our energy is ... multifaceted? As is our manipulation of it." >"I can tell Nemo that, but he knows enough of the principles of magic >to know that these Nodes were deliberately designed to require >sentient foci of at least neutral or better comportment. If I ask him >to remove Zia from within, and it starts, he will be sure of >another's action. To talk to me? Just say my name or use your lens. >The cry of every falling sparrow is heard." Peter shakes his head, "I'm sorry, our information on you is weak. We were offering a method of communication. I see that is not needed. Yes, the foci needing to be sentient would be an indication that another had taken your place." Peter brightens (in the emotional sense) "But not by who," he says, the faint frown turning into a smile again. >"Perhaps I can just tell him I have been rescued, and he may turn his >attention to another task. I believe the CAoL begins to work on the >ley lines. Infernal gates of two sorts are in states of beginning." "We would ask you were vague," Peter says, "when it came to your rescuers. The Callahanian Army of Light is indeed working on the Ley Lines. The Gates, yes, they need attention. They are a concern." >Sera's voice projects from the lens hidden beneath Zia's sleeve, >"Nemo? Zia needs to be removed from the Node. I will use Body >Control, and bring her forth from the Circle. Can you return her to >London so I may treat her injuries? We have aid in place on the >Wreakings, and you are needed for the other scheme, I believe." Kim nods, "That ... will suffice. Yes, your people's numbers are not known here. This is unplanned, but we are ... flexible." >Then she turns back to Kim... "And the other three will be needed >here as well, I believe. James seems quite injured. I heard your >concern but we do not heal easily. Support and isolate him from psi, >and use not any form of fourth dimensional trick. I can heal him, at >least for the time being within this Shadow." Three small cots form on the ground next to the small table and pillow. James, Sheila, and Morgan each occupy one. "When you are ready," Kim says, "We will transport you all to the church. That way you will assure that the proper care is administered." >>Kim turns and walks over to Sera, the tendrals moving with him but >>still staying connected from his back. >> >>"We start when Timbuktu is ready. How you like your tea?" Kim asks, >>suddenly holding a teapot in the palm of one hand and a cup and >>saucer with a spoon on the side all on a cloth napkin in the other. Kim adds, "Or you rather go to church now? Or, we bring Zia here? Save trips? Up to you." >ooc: It might take some convincing for the Ambers to take back the >Circles after someone has mucked with them this much (Paranoia, you >know). But Sera should certainly be up to that sort of thing. If she >gets any reasons/origins to explain with, that is... =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:47:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:03:11 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004015 > On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 08:24:59 -0500 > Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004013 > > IC, to accept this sort of unexplained aid. Anyone else would be > foolishly trusting... but an angel??> I take it that you've never seen Barbarella? Interesting take on Angels. :-) > Sera's voice projects from the lens hidden beneath Zia's sleeve, > "Nemo? Zia needs to be removed from the Node. I will use Body > Control, and bring her forth from the Circle. Can you return her to > London so I may treat her injuries? We have aid in place on the > Wreakings, and you are needed for the other scheme, I believe." /Very well. It shall be done./ Somehow Nemo manages to pack quite a bit of subtext into those simple thoughts. His mental "tone" says that he's not about to argue with an Angel, but also that he knows very well that SOMETHING is going on and that he hopes that someday someone will let him in on it, and a hint of resignation as he realizes the odds against it. :-) =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 11:42:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 13:14:08 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004016 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:03:11 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004015 > >Somehow Nemo manages to pack quite a bit of subtext into those simple >thoughts. His mental "tone" says that he's not about to argue with an >Angel, but also that he knows very well that SOMETHING is going on >and that he hopes that someday someone will let him in on it, and a >hint of resignation as he realizes the odds against it. :-) As the Seal is cleared, the unseen Timbuktu team activates it, putting it in standby. The ground glows with a golden light. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 17:24:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:50:30 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004017 Dane0R0A wrote: > Outside the church, the sky lights up, almost continously, as the > ley storm finds a target for its (inanimate) wrath. The shields of > the base aren't affected by, and don't affect the magical energy > smashing down, and so the "lightning" spears down, again, and again > unabated, into Armagedon. He stands there seemingly unaffected, but > those with experience with reptilian faces can almost see a smile on > his faces (OOC: remember, to him magic is just another form of > energy) as the storm pours gigawatt upon gigawatt of energy into > him. Reaching out with energy fields he "grasps" the ley lines and > using the power of the storm itself, begins to FORCE the lines back > to their proper locations, and courses. Hundreds and thousands of > constructor sparks flash outward from his body. Traveling faster > than light to the proper intesections of the ley lines, and > equidistant points between them. There they generate intense magical > potential, to draw the power of the ley storms towards them, and to > rebuild the ley circuits that had been disrupted. Stranger looks up at Armageddon from the doorway to the church, near Molly. "Heh, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." he says softly to himself. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 17:24:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE Over on Greyworld On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 23:01:39 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004018 > On Tue, 21 Apr 1998 18:39:35 PST > Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00003966 > >> On Tue, 21 Apr 1998 21:20:07 -0700 >> Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00003951 >> >> They consider for a while and reply. >> "No, we are not prepared to be of use to anyone. Their is no >> strength in that." > > "Even if the end result *would* be that you become stronger, better > able to survive?" "The strong thrive, the weak die. This is how the universe works. We triumph or we are destroyed. There is no other way." > "And by 'we' do you mean those of you I am speaking to, a larger > group, or your entire species? Be warned that I have reason to > believe that you may not be speaking for your entire species." "We speak for our entire race, anything else is inconceivable." >> "Our leaders are weak, they believe strength lies in domination. >> although we are few in number we see that true strength lies in >> co-operation. Our race is strong because it co-operates, how much >> stronger our two races would be if we stood together." >> >> Nemo detects three saucers on an intercept course at this point, >> ETA about fifteen minutes. > > Several Bolos will open up with their infinite repeaters firing > shots "across the bows" of the saucers. If they continue, they will > be brought down with as little damage as is practical. Nemo brings the saucers down as they continue their intercept course, disabling their engines they glide steeply into a nearby body of water where the Greys abandon them and swim for the shore. >> "Now our planet is here we are secure, we no longer need Earth. >> Help us to depose our leaders and we will be " translator has some >> difficulty with this next word " brothers to humans not enemies." > > Nemo is not going to count on the translation, but he'll accept it > with reservations. > > "I'm protecting you for now. I'll want more information before we > finalize any sort of deal." "What information?" >> Oh yes, Nemo can't help but notice these Greys seem rather pale. >> Ill, perhaps? > > Nemo will be scanning the "rebels", the "leaders" and a random > sample of "typical" Greys, to try and determine why these are > different. He's not about to may a deal with the inmates of the > local insane asylum unless they really aren't insane. :-) As near as you can figure they are suffering from the effects of something akin to stress, as if they were opposing some basic urge or drive. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 18:10:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:52:12 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004020 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:50:30 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004017 > >Stranger looks up at Armageddon from the doorway to the church, near >Molly. > >"Heh, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." he says softly to >himself. /I don't think I need to build that lightning rod after all, Dhyrclhanc./ Molly turns to the stranger next to her, extending a hand, and sends, /Hi, I'm Molly, and you are?/ =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 20:09:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:42:31 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004023 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:08:13 -0500 >Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004022 > >>On Thu, 23 Apr 98 17:51:57 -0700 >>RolandX Said As CAoL Message # 00004019 >> >>>On Wed, 22 Apr 1998 10:35:14 -0500 >>>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00003996 >> >>>ooSC: That'll work fine, since it doesn't actually 'violate' the >>>circles. But what did Roland leave "downstairs" as a protective >>>device? >> >> >> Just a devious little psychotronic device. It won't hurt Zia or >>the Arc crew, if they have some trace of Pattern, and it's tuned to >>allow anyone on the psiweb to pass, but anyone else gets a >>telepathic warning (think car alarm) then takes a nice long nap if >>they ignore it. Powerful bad guys will be able to shield themselves >>from the mental command, but Roland will be warned thereby and be >>able to act accordingly. The device will vanish the next time he >>changes form. >> > >And you left this on the surface in the Timbuktu market? Nope. It's where Zia _was,_ which means that it probably won't do any good now. Unless its effect 'rides' the edge of the circle to the surface, which would be something that the Node Managers would have to do consciously-it was chosen deliberately to _not_ cause interference with the Arc or the Seal. (Figures. I design the sprockin' thing to let any present characters in, and someone brings in a whole army of new ones. ) Roland, realizing that Nemo has moved Zia to safety, immediately shifts to Blaze form. The Sleeper device vanishes back into Roland's hyperpocket as he does so. 1/15 of a second later, his energy form takes shape at Morgan's side. /Stranger? Is there any reason we need to remain on this world? The Greys seem pretty thoroughly beaten, my and Legion's counterparts look like they can keep it that way, and we still have a comrade to rescue, in the process of which we'll deal with the bastich who's doing this to the world's chi lines./ =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:08:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:52:59 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004024 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:42:31 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004023 > Roland, realizing that Nemo has moved Zia to safety, immediately >shifts to Blaze form. The Sleeper device vanishes back into Roland's >hyperpocket as he does so. Underground in Timbuktu, someone asks, "What was that little doohicky that vanished?" "Just something of Roland's. It was supposed to protect Zia or something. Think it was an alarm." "Yeah, I took a look at it. It was set to notice any non-Patterned beings or beings not on the Psiweb and warn them away from her. It would put them to sleep and alert him if it didn't." "Oh. So it wouldn't be set off by us. Good, I had been wondering if it was going to be a problem." "No problem at all." > 1/15 of a second later, his energy form takes shape at Morgan's >side. > /Stranger? Is there any reason we need to remain on this world? >The Greys seem pretty thoroughly beaten, my and Legion's counterparts >look like they can keep it that way, and we still have a comrade to >rescue, in the process of which we'll deal with the bastich who's >doing this to the world's chi lines./ /Uh, you have a plan on that Hell's Gate, Roland?/ Mike sends. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:08:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE:unexpected company On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:17:49 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004025 Driss and Roscoe flee the mana lightning bolts into the old Victorian Era farmhouse. Driss clicks the latch of hte door behind them and they slump to the floor panting for breath. "I am _defitnitely_ not having fun here. Do you have ANY clue whatsoever yet where we are in relation to Squee?" *He's gone through a portal. I'm not sure which one. I'm hoping I can get in touch with one of the others of my Clan and that their more poerful mental powers can track him down.* Roscoe replies sulkily. "WHAT IN THE NINE HELLS??? You've had me running out in this storm that not fit for man adn DEFINITELY not fit for beast, Chasing after a kid who's already OUT OF THE DIMENTION?? You said he took a portal. How could Isla and Darath force him to go through a portal? She's a good witch but not THAT good. She can't force someone to act and look as if they are free from influence while doing it. And Squee's a smart kid. Wouldn't he know that as soon as he was on The Road she was in HIS turf and he could call down the others of your clan on her at any time? Face it fur-face, the rat booked on you. Trust me I've done it enough times to know. He didn't pick the best company to do it with but I'm not going to go risking my neck to save anyone that doesn't want saving!" *WE HAVE TO GO GET HIM! He doesn't know what he's getting into. We need to protect him!! It's a parent thing. You wouldn't understand it.* "Wouldn't I? And what about Shay and Michah? Leah, Kimberly and Alexander? Na're and J'ebela? Johann? Les? Jackie?" *You know about breeding childern, not raising them!!* "And just how much do YOU know abotu RAISING childern? Just how involved were YOU with Squee? For Chaos's sake you're not even the kid's real father. he didn't even exist to you until a few months ago real tiem by your own admission! And inside the void you didn't even spend that much time with him. When did you even ever speak up and say what you thoguht of him hanging out with Isla?" Roscoe doesn't have time to reply as a loud snuffling and scratching is heard from the kitchen area. "Um, ya know what Ros? I don't think this argument is as private as we thought." Driss slides his rapier soundlessly out of its scabbard. Three large creatures that look liek crosses between armadilloes and grizzly bears come out of the kitchen and rear up as best they can in the small area. One squwacks at Driss and Driss replies by Squwacking back at it. The creature seems angered at this and charges the two. *What'd you say to him??* *I DUNNO! I DUNNO!* The beast claws at Driss and he parries with his blade but the claws seem to be proof even agains tthe keenly honed edge of the mithril rapier, keeping Driss on the defensive. Struck by inspiration and a crack of thunder outside, Driss reaches into his cloak and pulls out some necklaces. Tossing one around the neck of each monster, he slams himself into one sending it flying through the window. Once outside it is easily targeted by the mana lightning. *And you always chastized me for collecting so many "useless" magic baubles.* *I stand corrected. I stand corrected!* Driss begins goading onthe other two while moving into possition by the door. Finally he incites them to both charge him. Lithfully he dives between all the clawed legs and they go crashing out the front door. *Um Driss.* "there, that should end that." *Um DRISS.* "what do you want now Roscoe?" *The storm seems to be over.* "Yeh yeh yeh the storm see...the storm seems to be OVER???" In answer to him comes the loud cry of one of hte beasts as it comes crashing back into the house. Without even thinking Driss sweeps up Roscoe and runs through the door and towards London, 7 leagues at a stride. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:38:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:16:29 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00004026 On Wed, 22 Apr 1998, Morgan wrote: > ^That will NOT be necessary,^ Roland replies adamantly. ^I'm sure > that between the lot of us we can come up with a way to restrain the > two of you, should it become necessary to do so. In the meantime, I > have access to a great deal of stabilizing power. 'Grab' a field of > resonance and hang on.^ He shows the Two what he did for Morgan > earlier; the knowledge he's drawing from her more than makes up for > the effort involved with that link. /Thank you./ The double-throated reply comes back after a few seconds. They relaxed minutely, now that Roland had stopped the rapid decomposition of their bond. [That should help withstand the worst of the magestorms.] Silent agreement came from Mandy's direction, and she finally responded, [So. Now what?] =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:38:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE Over on Greyworld On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 20:12:36 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004027 > On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 23:01:39 -0700 > Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004018 > >> "And by 'we' do you mean those of you I am speaking to, a larger >> group, or your entire species? Be warned that I have reason to >> believe that you may not be speaking for your entire species." > > "We speak for our entire race, anything else is inconceivable." "It is a *fact* that you do not speak for your entire race." If the response is another "but that can't be" type, Nemo will put this batch of Greys in stasis fields, and see what underlings will do. >> Nemo is not going to count on the translation, but he'll accept it >> with reservations. >> >> "I'm protecting you for now. I'll want more information before we >> finalize any sort of deal." > > "What information?" Nemo wants access to a library or equivalent so he can absorb the history/biology/etc of the Greys as they know them. >> Nemo will be scanning the "rebels", the "leaders" and a random >> sample of "typical" Greys, to try and determine why these are >> different. He's not about to may a deal with the inmates of the >> local insane asylum unless they really aren't insane. :-) > > speak to> True, but it may be harder to get others to follow them, and they may not stay the "right kind" of insane. :-) > As near as you can figure they are suffering from the effects of > something akin to stress, as if they were opposing some basic urge > or drive. I definitely need that library. Nemo create a vehicle and transport the rebels to his location. "Please enter this vehicle and we can continue our discussion at my current location." Nemo will shift his clothing to look as "Grey" as possible. And his hair and beard disappear. While it probably won't help, it can't hurt. "You appear stressed. Is there something I can get you that would help reduce this?" =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 23:41:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 01:20:42 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004028 Nemo said: > I take it that you've never seen Barbarella? Interesting take >on Angels. :-) Zia replies: Actually, I have. But I'm not sure about the 'limits' as far as purple prose on alt.callahan's, or even within this game. What are the comfort zones on... flamboyant displays of affection? And er, more? Because I'm saving some neat stuff up for my run, and it'd be nice to know what scenes I could safely use, and which I should... er, paraphrase? Kny- er, Mike said: Or being overrun by demons, or being tunneled out hollow, or being left to deal with the aftermaths of all this weirdness without a clue why it happened if Jadis/CAoL/all of us just take off? Mike replied: Kim adds, "She is not. Sting because we are increasing power. And our energy is ... multifaceted? As is our manipulation of it." Sera looks serenely thoughtful. "Oh. Perhaps I understand. I see the reason, if what I guess is true, why you wish your presence to remain unknown. Indeed, even your appearances must, I believe? Do not tell me more than you would think wise, then." She smiles at them >/Very well. It shall be done./ Somehow Nemo manages to pack quite a >bit of subtext into those simple thoughts. His mental "tone" says >that he's not about to argue with an Angel, but also that he knows >very well that SOMETHING is going on and that he hopes that someday >someone will let him in on it, and a hint of resignation as he >realizes the odds against it. :-) That was /marked/ for the CAoL link... here, I'm just assuming it was also said aloud for Sera to hear. As an Angel wouldn't be eavesdropping, and I'm not altogether sure she COULD, anyway, on the CAoL's link. As Zia's body rises in 'zombie' mode and walks out of the Node, Sera replies with an amused voice, "Thank you, Nemo, you're very kind. Perhaps I should speak with the One in Charge about a sainthood nomination...." She sounds like she might be serious; it's so hard to tell with an Angel. Mike said: Peter shakes his head, "I'm sorry, our information on you is weak. We were offering a method of communication. I see that is not needed. Yes, the foci needing to be sentient would be an indication that another had taken your place." Peter brightens (in the emotional sense) "But not by who," he says, the faint frown turning into a smile again. Kim nods, "That ... will suffice. Yes, your people's numbers are not known here. This is unplanned, but we are ... flexible." Zia said: Sera just says softly, "Yes, but know that deception comes hard for me; it is well your cause is deserving. To know much of Angels would require a special sort of enitity. But many are they who know me, through my office as assigned by the Creator. I am the Seraphim of Love. Thus, I will protect you here, as if what I surmise of you were true, those others of the CAoL would well desire it so, if they knew or could know now." >Then Sera turns back to Kim... "And the other three will be needed >here as well, I believe. James seems quite injured. I heard your >concern but we do not heal easily. Support and isolate him from psi, >and use not any form of fourth dimensional trick. I can heal him, at >least for the time being within this Shadow." Three small cots form on the ground next to the small table and pillow. James, Sheila, and Morgan each occupy one. "When you are ready," Kim says, "We will transport you all to the church. That way you will assure that the proper care is administered." >>Kim turns and walks over to Sera, the tendrals moving with him but >>still staying connected from his back. "We start when Timbuktu is >>ready. How you like your tea?" Kim asks, suddenly holding a teapot >>in the palm of one hand and a cup and saucer with a spoon on the >>side all on a cloth napkin in the other. Kim adds, "Or you rather go to church now? Or, we bring Zia here? Save trips? Up to you." Zia herself steps from the dimness, shadowwalking in the Amberite way from where Nemo had dropped her, supposedly 'zombified' at the church. She smiles in a deprecating way. "I think that bringing me here won't be quite necessary." Sera is tending James' hypothemia already, as Zia folds her arms and stares at the en-tendriled Kim. "It is certainly the least I could have expected of my plot. Instead of getting Thorne, or his silly sword, I get myself 'rescued'. Twice over, even." She seems a little... embarrassed? "And I ALMOST had the over-blown twerp, too. If he'd ONLY come into the Node..." She sighs. "If Roland finds out, I WILL be in hot water. I wonder who the Ariel lady is? I've certainly never met anyone by such a name... an alias?" To herself, muttering. She shakes her head, and takes a cup of tea. "But I do thank you for the rescue of James - none of us were able to go to his aid, bound in the Seal as we were. And even I, who took far less of the charge, was truly stunned for some minutes there. So I do not credit my acting with truly fooling you. James' plight, and indeed Sera's were truthful. Lest you be wroth with them." Sheila and Morgant have set up, and checked themselves and their gear throughly by this time. Sheila starts to help Sera work on James, Morgan goes to loom over Zia (more than a foot taller, and even more wider). He looks like a solemn bodyguard. She grins up at him, as if to assure him. "They will not... indeed, if Sera is correct, can not do any harm here, to us, Morgant. I suspect she is right. One MIGHT call them Children of the Lens, though they aren't born from the Arisian's fanciful flights." "I take it Japanese style, honored elder, and friends." Zia continues. "But I'm willing to forego the ceremony - something tells me that none of you could truly enter into the spirit of such a open ceremony. Too many things to keep secret. Although why you're bothering with us, is a good question. Avoiding contamination, I suppose. What we don't know we can't let slip. Fair enough." I hope Roland doesn't find out about Zia's SECOND attempt (both successful) at 'lying doggo' to fool someone. Although at least this time she wasn't TRYING to fool Roland. SNICKER. Too bad. Imagine Thorne's surprise! 'A Princess of Amber's pow- urrrrrk!' "In your dreams,. simpleton. Nice toothpick. Here, eat it." Stick it through his throat. GIGGLE. No, I didn't REALLY think I could... But just SNATCHING him woulda BEEN so cool. Grin. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 05:36:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 07:08:35 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004029 >On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 01:20:42 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004028 > >Zia replies: >Actually, I have. But I'm not sure about the 'limits' as far as >purple prose on alt.callahan's, or even within this game. What are >the comfort zones on... flamboyant displays of affection? And er, >more? Because I'm saving some neat stuff up for my run, and it'd be >nice to know what scenes I could safely use, and which I should... >er, paraphrase? well, maybe a bit older...)> >Kny- er, Mike said: >these new seals do. They are in standby mode and will stay that way >until they are needed. If they are needed. The CAoL seems to be >managing quite well already. If you don't count the possibility of >Earth going boom.> > > Or being overrun by demons, or being tunneled out hollow, or >being left to deal with the aftermaths of all this weirdness without >a clue why it happened if Jadis/CAoL/all of us just take off? >Mike replied: >Kim adds, "She is not. Sting because we are increasing power. And our >energy is ... multifaceted? As is our manipulation of it." > >Sera looks serenely thoughtful. "Oh. Perhaps I understand. I see the >reason, if what I guess is true, why you wish your presence to remain >unknown. Indeed, even your appearances must, I believe? Do not tell >me more than you would think wise, then." She smiles at them Kim chuckles as his body glows, shifts into light and becomes one of the glowing spheres. "This is our true appearance, but-" he adds, reverting to Kim, "There is no harm in being comfortable. There is much we can tell you, only a few things that must stay secret, we simply wish not to burden you with what you do not want to know." >Zia said: >Sera just says softly, "Yes, but know that deception comes hard for >me; it is well your cause is deserving. To know much of Angels would >require a special sort of enitity. But many are they who know me, >through my office as assigned by the Creator. I am the Seraphim of >Love. Thus, I will protect you here, as if what I surmise of you were >true, those others of the CAoL would well desire it so, if they knew >or could know now." Peter smiles, "We are here for love of family. To keep those we care about from harm." >Zia herself steps from the dimness, shadowwalking in the Amberite way >from where Nemo had dropped her, supposedly 'zombified' at the >church. She smiles in a deprecating way. "I think that bringing me >here won't be quite necessary." "Of course not," Kim says, "We were surprised to find you unconscious at all." >Sera is tending James' hypothemia already, as Zia folds her arms and >stares at the en-tendriled Kim. "It is certainly the least I could >have expected of my plot. Instead of getting Thorne, or his silly >sword, I get myself 'rescued'. Twice over, even." She seems a >little... embarrassed? "And I ALMOST had the over-blown twerp, too. >If he'd ONLY come into the Node..." She sighs. "Mmm," Peter says, "I am sure he will get his one of these days." >"If Roland finds out, I WILL be in hot water. I wonder who the Ariel >lady is? I've certainly never met anyone by such a name... an alias?" >To herself, muttering. She shakes her head, and takes a cup of tea. Mary speaks up, her rich Jamaican voice echoing around the cavern, "You would endanger yourself, child, to prove yourself to a man who don' believe your intentions? Their acceptance must be more important to you than we relieved." >"But I do thank you for the rescue of James - none of us were able to >go to his aid, bound in the Seal as we were. And even I, who took far >less of the charge, was truly stunned for some minutes there. So I do >not credit my acting with truly fooling you. James' plight, and >indeed Sera's were truthful. Lest you be wroth with them." "You were exhausted," Kim says, "Reason enough to act." > "I take it Japanese style, honored elder, and friends." Zia >continues. "But I'm willing to forego the ceremony - something tells >me that none of you could truly enter into the spirit of such a open >ceremony. Too many things to keep secret. Although why you're >bothering with us, is a good question. Avoiding contamination, I >suppose. What we don't know we can't let slip. Fair enough." Kim hands Zia her tea. "You are right about there being some things we can not answer, but your attempt to deduce what can be answered definitely if you would ask the questions is ... curious. Ah yes, I am reminded this is not Amber, questions are not weapons to be used against you. Our family does not engage in politics." Peter says, "C'mon, you have a naked man floating three feet in the air in front of you and you aren't thinking of any questions to ask?" Erica's Irish lilt floats over, "Maybe thinkin' o' questions isn't the first thing on her mind, Peter." Peter blushes. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 06:08:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 07:52:50 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004030 >On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 07:08:35 -0500 >Mike Said > >Mary speaks up, her rich Jamaican voice echoing around the cavern, >"You would endanger yourself, child, to prove yourself to a man who >don' believe your intentions? Their acceptance must be more important >to you than we relieved." ^^^^^^^^ Believed....that's what I get for typing before my first cup of coffee. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 07:38:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 09:13:28 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004031 > As CAoL Message # 00004029 Re: 'Purple Prose' I'll probably just put warnings on the top, then. I'm not going to go that far with it... but 8 might be a little young. :) Or maybe not, nowadays. >>Zia said: >>Sera just says softly, "Yes, but know that deception comes hard for >>me; it is well your cause is deserving. To know much of Angels would >>require a special sort of enitity. But many are they who know me, >>through my office as assigned by the Creator. I am the Seraphim of >>Love. Thus, I will protect you here, as if what I surmise of you >>were true, those others of the CAoL would well desire it so, if they >>knew or could know now." > >Peter smiles, "We are here for love of family. To keep those we care >about from harm." Sera nods, "That was obvious by your... sense of timing." >>Zia herself steps from the dimness, shadowwalking in the Amberite >>way from where Nemo had dropped her, supposedly 'zombified' at the >>church. She smiles in a deprecating way. "I think that bringing me >>here won't be quite necessary." > >"Of course not," Kim says, "We were surprised to find you unconscious >at all." Zia cocks her head slightly, and grins. "Were you, then. Interesting." >>Sera is tending James' hypothemia already, as Zia folds her arms and >>stares at the en-tendriled Kim. "It is certainly the least I could >>have expected of my plot. Instead of getting Thorne, or his silly >>sword, I get myself 'rescued'. Twice over, even." She seems a >>little... embarrassed? "And I ALMOST had the over-blown twerp, too. >>If he'd ONLY come into the Node..." She sighs. > >"Mmm," Peter says, "I am sure he will get his one of these days." Zia lifts an interrogative eyebrow, and Morgant just gives a slight crook of his lips. It might be a smile, or it might be a promise. It's definitely a bit on the chilling side. >Mary speaks up, her rich Jamaican voice echoing around the cavern, >"You would endanger yourself, child, to prove yourself to a man who >don' believe your intentions? Their acceptance must be more important >to you than we believed." Zia shoots a look at Morgant, over her shoulder, and they both nod at each other, as if finding something as they expected it. >Peter says, "C'mon, you have a naked man floating three feet in the >air in front of you and you aren't thinking of any questions to ask?" >Erica's Irish lilt floats over, "Maybe thinkin' o' questions isn't >the first thing on her mind, Peter." >Peter blushes. "Not when I already know the answers. And why would I choose to deduce instead of question? For the challenge of it, of course. Questions make things to easy. But I am curious; are you solely the offspring of the twins, or also of their father's own line? And I must say, Peter's rather impressive abdomen reminds me very much of what Sera relayed of Rolands absorption of the Gray Men's bio-tech weaponry. But I doubt your a mixed descent line. Irish, not Celtic. Although direct descendents that I would recognize by resemblance _alone_ have likely taken my Node." Zia smirks. "The old pea in the shell game. This is QUITE fun. Too bad someone can't teach the CAoL to have fun - they're all to used to opening walnuts with sledgehammers. Hmmm. New people. Married in? If you do marry. Curious, most curious. You ARE a group of champions of some sort. You are either time traveling or something near. And I think it's more the secrets you should not tell, rather than cannot tell. You know almost nothing about Amber. Not a surprise; neither do I. Every time I go there, I wind up in deep trouble. So I don't go there anymore." Zia smiles ruefully. "And your quite willing to be subjective. What if I actually wanted to capture Thorne and kill him with his own blade?" Zia grins coldly and laughs, quite amused, with a melodrama-suitable 'villian' roar of delight. "Or I could have waited until he was fighting Roland, and kicked in on the side of 'evil'. Not that I believe in evil, you know, but being predictable is very bad for your survival." "Oh well, silly as the CAoL is, at least they're amusing. Even when Roland loused up a perfectly wonderful accidental trap. What a dear, naive boy, lurks within the man. Rather glad he doesn't know my superhero analog... Think HE'd laugh himself silly. Wonder if he is like Julie Andrews?" Zia looks at Kim, "She was once said she was SO sweet, sometimes it even made HER sick." The petite brunette in black sips her tea thoughtfully. "Some of them have flashes of genius, the CAoL, I mean, at least far more than I've seen on the part of the 'opposition'. IF you are generous even to give this Jadis and Thorne that sort of respect. I'm not by nature.... generous." "They certainly don't earn it. I wonder. Could you tell me who the REAL mastermind is? It is quite apparent it's neither of those two. Someone, or a group, is directing them. Neither seems the type. Especially Thorne; what a moron. If I were playing the villain, I'd kill him just to get more advantage. He is too stupid to turn good, after all, so one couldn't weight down the opposing side by giving him away to them." She laughs again, this time normally. "But no, I don't believe I wish to be judged by Roland, or his cronies. I have found my Way, and where I go -what I do - and who I am is my own decision. And I'm not here to follow Roland, I was here because this happens to be my home world Earth. Little you could tell now, I know. But the CAoL cares little about the destruction of this place, so forgive me if I cannot see them as 'good' either." "I have bound the last remnants of my personal Pattern energy, to make this shadow mine. I will make sure it is not destroyed. If this places me in opposition to the ones of your family you are here to save, I will warn you as thanks for the help you gave us, and my husband. Remove your family from this place, rather than come to grips with me. I have nothing remaining of my childhood and birth home than rubble, but that rubble will remain." With quiet seriousness, and a tone that says she means this most definitely. She looks down, and sips the tea. "As for what I'll do with the CAoL, perhaps I'll play the part of that old crone in the Arthurian tales, who teaches an occasional knight to fight better than any of the other knights. The twins are young enough, good thinkers. Open minded. But it would worry their father, and I wouldn't set their friends against them by paranoia over my teachings. I'll have to give it more careful thought first." She grins, again, "Wouldn't want dear Morgana's rep to be as goodie, soft-hearted as Merlin's became, now would I?" Zia smirks, obviously delighted at the wicked thought. "So, you know about Amber, but don't assume the worst straight away. If I didn't KNOW better, I'd say you were a search team for me. But my children would come direct and tell me... being fifth dimensional has SOME advantages with time, at least. I stand in no danger of paradoxical troubles. Benedict's team would haul me back or kill me, and Merlin would send Ghostwheel, not people. So. You're safe. Relatively. Not from family, at least." "Oh. I did quite run on, didn't I? Please, take whatever form is most convenient, and converse as you wish. I have little desire to re-enter the conflict as yet, and even less means of aiding them with all my energies now resident in the Arc until we recover. And calling blue bolts from the blue shan't help with magical realignments." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 13:39:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 15:07:21 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004036 >On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 09:13:28 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004031 >"Oh. I did quite run on, didn't I? Please, take whatever form is most >convenient, and converse as you wish. I have little desire to >re-enter the conflict as yet, and even less means of aiding them with >all my energies now resident in the Arc until we recover. And calling >blue bolts from the blue shan't help with magical realignments." Peter sighs, "This is sad. To answer your questions: Because you are self-absorbed and delight in showing how you can be so wrong so often. No, no, and no. I wouldn't care. I wouldn't know. No. Probably not. Yes you did. We will ignore your threat, except to say you are a hypocrite for making it after your self-righteous remarks to the CAoL. The other nodes are repaired, Kim, and the teams are gone." Kim bows slightly, "Heal as you wish, stay if you wish, you know the way out if you do not." Kim returns to the circle, all the members take the form of globes of energy and pass into the seal to merge with Peter. The central globe, no longer bothering with a human form, shrinks into a pinpoint, then vanishes. The seal reverts to its previous state as if it had never been altered. A chorus of seven voices says, echoing through the dark cavern, "Sera, when you feel they are all healed enough to return to the Wreaking, the Nodes will let them pass, otherwise it will be as Zia warned Drisscoll. Inform James to, this time, be intelligent and plan for cold weather. Apparently, some Amberites -do- need practical advice. George Carlin was right about you, after all." The echo fades away. The five points of the pentagram, if inspected, will prove to be as the Amber crew left them before collapsing from exhaustion. It's as if the teams had never been there. James is lying on the floor, undisturbed, but no longer on a cot. And yes, the tea, what wasn't drunk, is gone. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 13:39:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 13:26:11 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004037 > On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 01:20:42 -0500 > Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004028 > > As Zia's body rises in 'zombie' mode and walks out of the Node, Sera > replies with an amused voice, "Thank you, Nemo, you're very kind. > Perhaps I should speak with the One in Charge about a sainthood > nomination...." She sounds like she might be serious; it's so hard > to tell with an Angel. "Somehow I doubt I qualify...." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 17:09:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE Over on Greyworld On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:34:52 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004041 > On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 20:12:36 PST > Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004027 > >> On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 23:01:39 -0700 >> Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004018 >> >>> "And by 'we' do you mean those of you I am speaking to, a larger >>> group, or your entire species? Be warned that I have reason to >>> believe that you may not be speaking for your entire species." >> >> "We speak for our entire race, anything else is inconceivable." > > "It is a *fact* that you do not speak for your entire race." "You lie!" I guess they caught in a stasis field, so much for dogmatism. > If the response is another "but that can't be" type, Nemo will put > this batch of Greys in stasis fields, and see what underlings will > do. > >>>> Nemo detects three saucers on an intercept course at this point, >>>> ETA about fifteen minutes. >>> >>> Several Bolos will open up with their infinite repeaters firing >>> shots "across the bows" of the saucers. If they continue, they >>> will be brought down with as little damage as is practical. >>> "I'm protecting you for now. I'll want more information before we >>> finalize any sort of deal." >> >> "What information?" > > Nemo wants access to a library or equivalent so he can absorb the > history/biology/etc of the Greys as they know them. "There is a library nexus located 12 miles to the northwest of here, on the small island you will find there. If you are as powerful as you seem you may be able to reverse engineer our protocols from the translator device." > I definitely need that library. Nemo create a vehicle and transport > the rebels to his location. > > "Please enter this vehicle and we can continue our discussion at my > current location." They agree to board it. They appear to be armed by the way, are you going to ask them to disarm? > Nemo will shift his clothing to look as "Grey" as possible. And his > hair and beard disappear. While it probably won't help, it can't > hurt. > > "You appear stressed. Is there something I can get you that would > help reduce this?" "It is.... an effort to oppose our race in this matter. I know of nothing that will help, apart from victory." > =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 17:10:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:44:05 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004042 (and 4043) > On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:42:31 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004023 > > Roland, realizing that Nemo has moved Zia to safety, immediately > shifts to Blaze form. The Sleeper device vanishes back into Roland's > hyperpocket as he does so. > 1/15 of a second later, his energy form takes shape at Morgan's > side. > /Stranger? Is there any reason we need to remain on this world? > The Greys seem pretty thoroughly beaten, my and Legion's > counterparts look like they can keep it that way, and we still have > a comrade to rescue, in the process of which we'll deal with the > bastich who's doing this to the world's chi lines./ /Now the Az devices are slag the Grey are less of a threat. Militarily they are still dominant, but they can't colonise anymore. That bastard MolloM is beaten, hopefully. Shame that means that Arioch won, but there you are. Hopefully with the tech and knowledge you guys have given the humans here/ he indicates the booths at the church's edge /They'll be able to deal with any further aggression. Gruber will help them too. Dunno why, he seems to like it here/ He looked across at Gruber who was talking to a group of refugee children, he was passing around candy, by the look of it. /We still have to sort out this hellgate, however/ =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 17:10:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:48:31 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004044 > On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:52:12 -0500 > Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004020 > >>On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:50:30 -0700 >>Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004017 >> >>"Heh, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." he says softly to >>himself. > > /I don't think I need to build that lightning rod after all, > Dhyrclhanc./ Molly turns to the stranger next to her, extending a > hand, and sends, /Hi, I'm Molly, and you are?/ He takes her hand and shakes it. /Hello Molly. They call me Stranger. I used to fight alongside these guys/ he indicates the army of light /That was a while ago though, at least for me. I guess you'd call me a wanderer. You seem pretty knowledgeable about this storm, how long is it going to last?/ /Hey/ he broadcasts generally /Can anyone tell me how much time has passed for the Army of Light since I was last a member?/ =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 18:09:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4 Deep Below London Town On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 19:48:44 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004046 >Peter sighs, "This is sad. To answer your questions: Because you are >self-absorbed and delight in showing how you can be so wrong so >often. No, no, and no. I wouldn't care. I wouldn't know. No. Probably >not. Yes you did. We will ignore your threat, except to say you are a >hypocrite for making it after your self-righteous remarks to the >CAoL. The other nodes are repaired, Kim, and the teams are gone." Zia sighs, and abruptly falls silent, and does not bother to answer, although she seems a bit surprised about the threat and the naming of her as a hypocrite seems to hurt, maybe. It's hard to tell, her expression doesn't change. >Kim bows slightly, "Heal as you wish, stay if you wish, you know the >way out if you do not." Zia returns the bow, a bit stiffly, but just as deeply as she did earlier. "Quite right, honored elder." >A chorus of seven voices says, echoing through the dark cavern, >"Sera, when you feel they are all healed enough to return to the >Wreaking, the Nodes will let them pass, otherwise it will be as Zia >warned Drisscoll. Inform James to, this time, be intelligent and plan >for cold weather. Apparently, some Amberites -do- need practical >advice. George Carlin was right about you, after all." The echo fades >away. James, who had just gotten to the point where he could sit up, throws a glance Zia's way, looking concerned. "Well, someone certainly twisted their tails. What did you say?" Zia shrugs, "What do I ever say? I was wrong about all my guesses; I have no idea why they got mad. I just tried to give them respect, and they took it as insults. Maybe I should just stop trying to talk to people." James frowns, and rises a bit shakily. "Going to be hard to save this place if you don't talk to anyone but us." She grins back, kind of thinly, "I don't know, it might be easier than if I did. After all Sera helped them, and they were perfectly friendly. Three minutes of talking to me, and they're insulting you for failing to be dressed properly for a surprise defensive. I seem able to stir anyone's ire in an amazingly short time. James smiles, "Maybe it was you ignoring his charms as he floated there, naked, Zia. Did you tell him you were married?" She shakes her head, no. "Well, he could have been disappointed, a bit." Zia shrugs, "The Seal is back up; you can tell the CAoL if they have enough mages it can be used. I'm... going somewhere to be alone for a while. Yes, I'll let Morgan follow me." She answers before James can ask. "I never thought I was self-righteous, self-absorbed I'd have to agree with. But if I'm never right, how can I be self-righteous, either?" James catching the timbre of the remark, eyes at everyone else, who vanish out to the church in London. He moves over and hugs her with both arms, looking at the now vacant Node over her rather shorter shoulder. He only stands about 5'8" himself. "It's all right Zia, you just aren't easy on those of enough ego to wish they could dictate every word you say. And it sounds as if they would have preferred you to ask questions, even when they knew that wasn't your way. So, they gave you insults. Probably, they felt you'd insulted them. You well may have with some of your observations; they don't know how young you are either, and sometimes such frankness... well, older people get set in their ways." "And not everyone gets that you telling anything about yourself is tantamount to a compliment of rare magnitude. Life is like that. So. I _know_ you're not going to give up. Take a break if you want. I'll meet you at the church." Wry grin, "As if I haven't once already." She manages a short grin, and he turns and walks away. She sits down, outside the Node itself, and crosses her legs tailor fashion. She just stares at it for long moments, her thoughts held as private as she can make them. * * * Gruber and anyone else out in the front of the chruch can see Morgant, Sheila, and after a slight pause, James arrive. They fall into a low conversation, then the lady in the futuristic flight suit and sunglasses tugs the slender man away from the huge warrior with the blue facial tattoos, and drags the somewhat worse for the wear young man towards the church. Gruber notes a thin, old knife scar down the young man's face, for almost three inches on one side, as he nods friendly-like as they go by. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 18:09:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 19:59:49 -0500 (CDT) Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004047 > On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:48:31 -0700 > Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004044 > > /Hello Molly. They call me Stranger. I used to fight alongside these > guys/ he indicates the army of light /That was a while ago though, > at least for me. I guess you'd call me a wanderer. You seem pretty > knowledgeable about this storm, how long is it going to last?/ Molly shrugs, /Normally anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, but with our lightning rod there, maybe less. I'm a bit of a wanderer myself./ Jack, the little albino burro nuzzles against Molly's neck, then nods toward a plate of carrots on the table. Molly gives her one. /And what's your name?/ she asks the burro, scratching the jenny behind an ear. /Jack,/ Molly hears. She blinks for a moment. The albino donkey nods toward the table and Molly hears, /More?/ She gives her a carrot, /If I ask why you haven't said anything before, would you say 'Never had anything to say before.'?/ /No,/ Jack replies. /Then why?/ /Wasn't hungry before. More?/ Molly hands the jenny a carrot. /Will wonders ever cease?/ she muses to herself. /No,/ Jack replies, munching on the carrot. Back to Stranger... > /Hey/ he broadcasts generally /Can anyone tell me how much time has > passed for the Army of Light since I was last a member?/ Mike sends, /3 months since last on Quaren, here. Not sure about the rest./ He adds with a grin, /And you think we let you out that easy?/ =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 18:13:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Peace... (was AAE IV: Rage) On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:07:25 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004048 > On Wed, 22 Apr 1998 17:41:37 PST > Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004004 > >> On Wed, 22 Apr 1998 18:40:28 -0400 (EDT) >> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004003 >> >> "This body will require extreme medical attention during that time >> period. Suggest stasis field, or comparable effect that would >> eliminate all forward functions or dissolution will occur." > > "That is easily arranged unless the situation changes drasticly." > > "What needs to be done, and how/why does it involve my being 'cut >off'?" Rhiannon almost-smiles, "All of your answers lie with the sword. I/It must be taken to the the area of joining, where you must use the effect I have told you. The power of gaia is being used to perform this feat, thus the power must also be used to stop it. The actual process will depend on conditions when we arrive, there is no way to foretell this. As for being cut off, for most beings to take up the sword is to die. An exception is being made in this case, but you will retain no memory of this period, though you will have your full faculties. Any attempt to retain awareness of what you will learn _will_ result in your utter annihilation." As Rhiannon's hand moves to the hilt of the sword Nemo's cylinder emerges from it. She takes it and lays it on her left forearm, where it sinks in. She then reverses the sword and extends it to Nemo. "Time is running short. Take the sw.." Her voice is drowned out by a loud boom. Outside the sky goes red and the ley lines flare brightly then begin to turn dark. The sign has been completed. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:50:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:15:56 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004049 > On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 00:36:52 EDT > Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004009 > > Outside the church, the sky lights up, almost continously, as the > ley storm finds a target for its (inanimate) wrath. The shields of > the base aren't affected by, and don't affect the magical energy > smashing down, and so the "lightning" spears down, again, and again > unabated, into Armagedon. He stands there seemingly unaffected, but > those with experience with reptilian faces can almost see a smile on > his faces (OOC: remember, to him magic is just another form of > energy) as the storm pours gigawatt upon gigawatt of energy into > him. Reaching out with energy fields he "grasps" the ley lines and > using the power of the storm itself, begins to FORCE the lines back > to their proper locations, and courses. Hundreds and thousands of > constructor sparks flash outward from his body. Traveling faster > than light to the proper intesections of the ley lines, and > equidistant points between them. There they generate intense magical > potential, to draw the power of the ley storms towards them, and to > rebuild the ley circuits that had been disrupted. The intensity of the storm doubles, then redoubles. Then the sign finishes forming. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:04:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE4: Quiet Time On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 23:02:59 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004051 >On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 19:48:44 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004046 >"It's all right Zia, you just aren't easy on those of enough ego to >wish they could dictate every word you say. And it sounds as if they >would have preferred you to ask questions, even when they knew that >wasn't your way. So, they gave you insults. Probably, they felt you'd >insulted them. You well may have with some of your observations; they >don't know how young you are either, and sometimes such frankness... >well, older people get set in their ways." > >"And not everyone gets that you telling anything about yourself is >tantamount to a compliment of rare magnitude. Life is like that. So. >I _know_ you're not going to give up. Take a break if you want. I'll >meet you at the church." Wry grin, "As if I haven't once already." > >She manages a short grin, and he turns and walks away. She sits down, >outside the Node itself, and crosses her legs tailor fashion. She >just stares at it for long moments, her thoughts held as private as >she can make them. After the others leave, Zia (assuming she is still there) will hear a voice behind her. "-Actually-, they -were- insulted by your assumptions, not your questions. And the translucently veiled threat -was- a bad idea. I would not have cared if you taught the twins what you knew of tactics, fighting, etc. They would have told you, however, they have centuries of practice stored in their memories, and quite simply, it does not interest them beyond survival skills." The man who walks out of the shadows is Mike alright, dressed in a burgundy velvet frock coat, white tuxedo shirt, paisley vest, black slacks and red suede oxford shoes, though, the grey streaks running through his hair and the laughlines and crow's feet revealed in the ball of light floating an inch above his left hand would indicate a definitely -older- Mike. His lens glows faintly on the back of his hand. Mike squats down beside Zia. "But, I came here to indulge your assumptions. I have children of my own as you know and hate to see them treated too harshly, though the occassional stern talking-to is the only way to help them develop properly. "No, Kim and the others are not the twins' nor my children, they were what they are when we met them. You are right, the ones you would recognize were at the Timbuktu node. Namely, myself and the twins and Pyewackett. Outside of members of my family, as you were using the term, none of the CAoL are involved with our task here. Which is complete, by the way. "The way we use family, which is obviously where your misunderstandings started, does not limit itself to bloodlines, location, race, species, time, and now, dimention. So, you see, marrying into the family is not possible as you already are family. In this case, when every soul's happiness is as important to you as your own, you start seeing the world as family." Mike chuckles, "We haven't perfected that, As with many things, it is an on-going project. And Peter apologizes profusely, he had forgotten your age. I do not know what James calls 'young', but if it is similar to my understanding of it, you and the twins would have much in common in that regard. You both look quite mature, can be quite logical, rational, and intelligent, which leads many to forget your emotional maturity is not always up to speed with the rest of you. I admit, the parent speaking here again, they also wanted to tell you, they knew you were intelligent, and showing off was not needed. They were already impressed, and were hoping you would relax and try to expand your knowledge. Maybe hoping you to react as one of your relations might. Who I don't know. I am certain tales of Amber are well known, but I have never wanted to learn of it myself. Hard to read fiction when you have met the real McCoy. And, I, personally, have a distinct distaste for politics." Mike hands Zia a cup of Japanese tea. "Perhaps now that the direct and indirect evidence is more in your favor, would you be willing to favor me with your deductions? Oh, you will find out once you go upstairs, the name they are calling me is Mike, not Knytt. And, if you like, I can bore you with why that is." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:04:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE Over on Greyworld On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 20:38:51 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004052 > On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:34:52 -0700 > Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004041 > >> On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 20:12:36 PST >> Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004027 >> >>> On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 23:01:39 -0700 >>> Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004018 >>> >>>> Several Bolos will open up with their infinite repeaters firing >>>> shots "across the bows" of the saucers. If they continue, they >>>> will be brought down with as little damage as is practical. > > Ask Keith Laumer. :-) Most folks I know assume that they are something from farther along the progression: gatling gun -> machine gun -> min-gun (aka Vulcan) >> Nemo wants access to a library or equivalent so he can absorb the >> history/biology/etc of the Greys as they know them. > > "There is a library nexus located 12 miles to the northwest of here, > on the small island you will find there. If you are as powerful as > you seem you may be able to reverse engineer our protocols from the > translator device." Nemo will get to work on the reverse engineering. >> I definitely need that library. Nemo create a vehicle and transport >> the rebels to his location. >> >> "Please enter this vehicle and we can continue our discussion at my >> current location." > > They agree to board it. They appear to be armed by the way, are you > going to ask them to disarm? "You may keep your arms, but do not attack anyone. You are under my protection." Nemo isn't worried about the weapons and if they make them feel better... >> Nemo will shift his clothing to look as "Grey" as possible. And his >> hair and beard disappear. While it probably won't help, it can't >> hurt. >> >> "You appear stressed. Is there something I can get you that would >> help reduce this?" > > "It is.... an effort to oppose our race in this matter. I know of > nothing that will help, apart from victory." > >> > Nemo will continue working his way "down" the existing heirarchy, and will ask his "allies" who they think will be most "in tune" with them. He'll help the allies contact them as well. This should let me work from both ends of the "political spectrum", and by letting my Grey allies do the contacting of their sympathizers, that should minimize the culture shock. Oh yes, I'll ask my allies which they think is best, putting the former leaders in stasis, or if sticking them in some sort of "internment facility" might help them change their minds. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:05:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:34:04 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00004054 On Fri, 24 Apr 1998, Gareth L Owen wrote: > indicates the booths at the church's edge /They'll be able to deal > with any further aggression. Gruber will help them too. Dunno why, > he seems to like it here/ > > He looked across at Gruber who was talking to a group of refugee > children, he was passing around candy, by the look of it. > > /We still have to sort out this hellgate, however/ Now that they were using part of Roland's power to stabilize themselves more securely, Raver turned back to Stranger and the rest of the CAoL. Her mental tone was calm, but Mandy could detect the thinnest thread of uneasiness. /A hellgate?/ [No.] [Raver?] [Out there, someone is laughing at us.] Raver closed their eyes briefly, ruthlessly pushing down the thoughts that crowded their way to the surface. The last thing she needed was Mandy seeing them. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:05:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Notes on Ley Line Storms On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:39:57 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00004055 On Fri, 24 Apr 1998, Gareth L Owen wrote: OOC: Arg. Well, stick this reply in front of my other one, the one talking about the hellgate . (Am I the only one who's having 'Buffy, Vamp Slayer' flashbacks?) > /Hello Molly. They call me Stranger. I used to fight alongside these > guys/ he indicates the army of light /That was a while ago though, > at least for me. I guess you'd call me a wanderer. You seem pretty > knowledgeable about this storm, how long is it going to last?/ > > /Hey/ he broadcasts generally /Can anyone tell me how much time has > passed for the Army of Light since I was last a member?/ Raver blinked slowly at Stranger. There was something about him -- something old...and the same feel came from his companion. Well, no matter. They all had their own secrets. /Greetings, Stranger. I am Raver, and my host is named Mandy. You have yet to meet her in the flesh, however.../ A younger mindvoice broke through on the Link, /Hi Stranger. She's talking about me -- Mandy. Eh, what Raver means is that we're currently using her version of corporeality. Her shape, so to speak./ =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:05:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:42:33 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004056 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:52:59 -0500 >Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004024 > >>On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:42:31 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004023 >> /Stranger? Is there any reason we need to remain on this world? >>The Greys seem pretty thoroughly beaten, my and Legion's counter- >>parts look like they can keep it that way, and we still have a >>comrade to rescue, in the process of which we'll deal with the >>bastich who's doing this to the world's chi lines./ > >/Uh, you have a plan on that Hell's Gate, Roland?/ Mike sends. /Yea, pound Jadis until he's flat as a pancake,/ Roland snarls. /Thorne was a good workout, but he's got no stamina. And even _Jadis_ can't be powerful enough to alter the chi of an entire _world_ without at least giving it some of his attention. Now all we have to do is find him./ Roland chuckles, though his 'voice' sounds a little strung out. /Easier said than done, of course./ >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:16:29 -0700 (PDT) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00004026 > >On Wed, 22 Apr 1998, Morgan wrote: >> He shows the Two what he did for Morgan earlier; the knowledge he's >> drawing from her more than makes up for the effort involved with >> that link. > > /Thank you./ The double-throated reply comes back after a few >seconds. Roland smiles shyly. /Don't sweat it./ He scrupulously hides from the Two that he _is_ sweating it, quite a bit; he's holding on to Morgan and the Mandy/Raver amalgam, while trying to organize a counterstrike against Jadis. But he knew the job was hard when he took it. Mike wrote: > Stranger wrote: >> /Hello Molly. They call me Stranger. I used to fight alongside >> these guys/ he indicates the army of light /That was a while ago >> though, at least for me. I guess you'd call me a wanderer. You seem >> pretty knowledgeable about this storm, how long is it going to >> last?/ > >Molly shrugs, /Normally anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, but with >our lightning rod there, maybe less. I'm a bit of a wanderer myself. /Oh joy,/ Roland notes with concern that Morgan's condition has been slowly but steadily worsening. /Folx, I may need to get Morgan off this reality in a _hurry;_ with the timestream still open I won't need a 'hole' in the blockage, but Mandy and Raver may need someone to pick up what I'm doing. Nemo, Fuzzy, Armagedon, it works like this {}./ (OOC: Fuzzy, at least, is probably familiar with the technique; it's a balancing effect.) >On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:07:25 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004048 > As Rhiannon's hand moves to the hilt of the sword Nemo's cylinder >emerges from it. She takes it and lays it on her left forearm, where >it sinks in. She then reverses the sword and extends it to Nemo. >"Time is running short. Take the sw.." Her voice is drowned out by a >loud boom. Outside the sky goes red and the ley lines flare brightly >then begin to turn dark. The sign has been completed. Morgan stirs, and opens her eyes. She looks at Pyewackett, then around the room, blinking. /They stopped moving./ She 'whispers'. /I think I can..../ She tries to stand, wavers for a moment, then falls into Roland's waiting arms. /Or not/ she sends weakly as he lays her back down. /What the nass just happened? It feels like I've got food poisoning on top of pneumonia, only worse./ /Where the nass do you think _you're_ going?/ Roland sends, checking her life energies and power flows. /You lie down and _rest._ A little pure Quickening should have you right in a little while if you don't overexert yourself,/ he adds, feeding her some of his energy. Excluding Morgan, he sends to the others, /That'll help her...for the moment. But there are only two options here; one, get her off world, and two-by far the superior option-stop Jadis from doing whatever the grife he's doing. Pyewackett, you've done wonders for my love so far, do you think you can keep her calm?/ /In the meantime, Jadis' plan _has_ to be stopped. Hydra, all bets are off if that gate opens fully; I'll take responsibility for your return if the local gods get pissy./ It's obvious that Roland has no delusions about his capability to resist the will of gods, but he'll deal with what comes. /The rest of you, well, you know what you do best, and I'm a 'hands off' kind of leader./ He smiles briefly. /But everyone who can track Jadis, give it a shot! We've got to find him, and we've got to do it, like, yesterday! /Geez, all hell is literally breaking loose, we're running hither, thither and yon with three half-baked plans, and half the team's missing...yep, things are back to normal./ (OOC: This idea is where the post title came from; I forgot to include it last time. ) =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:05:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Peace... (was AAE IV: Rage) On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 20:59:21 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004057 > On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:07:25 -0400 (EDT) > Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004048 > > Rhiannon almost-smiles, "All of your answers lie with the sword. > I/It must be taken to the the area of joining, where you must use > the effect I have told you. The power of gaia is being used to > perform this feat, thus the power must also be used to stop it. The > actual process will depend on conditions when we arrive, there is no > way to foretell this. As for being cut off, for most beings to take > up the sword is to die. An exception is being made in this case, but > you will retain no memory of this period, though you will have your > full faculties. Any attempt to retain awareness of what you will > learn _will_ result in your utter annihilation." "If it is necessary for this body to die, it is necessary. If not, I won't object." > As Rhiannon's hand moves to the hilt of the sword Nemo's cylinder > emerges from it. She takes it and lays it on her left forearm, where > it sinks in. She then reverses the sword and extends it to Nemo. > "Time is running short. Take the sw.." Her voice is drowned out by a > loud boom. Outside the sky goes red and the ley lines flare brightly > then begin to turn dark. The sign has been completed. Nemo takes the sword. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:38:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Re-entry and Reunions On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:01:54 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004058 >On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 05:57:31 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00004011 > >Chris says wryly, "Oh, is that all. Why don't we head out of here for >that drink?" He gives the twenty-one foot dragon a significant look. >"It's abit crowded in here." > >Dr. Haakin immediately counters the offer, "Not until I've done a >physical examination and taken a blood sample." Roland^2 sighs. "I see your reputation is well-deserved," he says wryly, then turns back to Christopher. "Look, let me convince the Doc that I'm me and then we'll see about that drink. "But first things first." A pile of supplies appears in the corner of the room; everthing from clothes to ammunition. He concentrates; several other such piles appear around the base. "There. First time _I_ can remember us being well-stocked. I imagine you've got some questions for me, Chris, Doc; fire away." >Legion's voice is still a bit harsh from disuse, "That.... is a good >start... I am Dr. Haakin's double from another dimension... I carry >copies of the memories and personalities of the selves from several >worlds... which is why I tend to use the first person plural when >dioriented." "Geez." Roland^2 blanches slightly. "And I thought _I_ got a rough deal. Does your me have this problem?" =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:38:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 23:46:36 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004059 > On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:42:33 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004056 > > /Geez, all hell is literally breaking loose, we're running > hither, thither and yon with three half-baked plans, and half the > team's missing...yep, things are back to normal./ (OOC: This idea is > where the post title came from; I forgot to include it last time. > ) Justin looks up from the bio-tech device he has been happily playing with and gives a sigh. He look down a the device one last time, Sighs again and stands, shifting into The Controller as he does so. "If we can get a hole opened in this jamming I can open an X-window to get her off world, but then so can probably half of those here so I will not trouble myself there." "I delt with Jadis on Quaren. But he is not as easy to track down and summon as Gaunt was. Jadis always seemed to need to _want_ to be found for my equipment to work properly. But there are other avenues I can attempt." His antennae twitches and he broadband broadcasts, or attempts to at least, his signal to any machinery to be on the look out for Jadis, but the signal has nowhere near enough power for the task and soon The Controller desists. "It's no use I can't send my singal far enough clearly enough to be of any good. If I could only boost the singal enough to cover the city I think I could track him down within minutes as long as there is some sort of machinery or electornics around him." =========================== Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:35:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Quiet Time On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 02:19:07 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004060 >The man who walks out of the shadows is Mike alright, dressed in a >burgundy velvet frock coat, white tuxedo shirt, paisley vest, black >slacks and red suede oxford shoes, though, the grey streaks running >through his hair and the laughlines and crow's feet revealed in the >ball of light floating an inch above his left hand would indicate a >definitely -older- Mike. His lens glows faintly on the back of his >hand. Zia as noted earlier, seemed to be waiting, and did have her own thoughts heavily shielded and screened. She does look up, and if he doesn't look completely black of disapproving, manages a smile. It's wooden, but it is a smile. >Mike squats down beside Zia. "But, I came here to indulge your >assumptions. I have children of my own as you know and hate to see >them treated too harshly, though the occassional stern talking-to is >the only way to help them develop properly. Zia raises an eyebrow at the 'develop properly' statment. Then looks away, jaw set tightly. But says carefully and with every bit of politeness. With an iron control. "I'm obligated for the help with the nodes and all. And this is nice tea. I'm not sure how to define young as an Amberite." She grimaces, "But for you, I'll try." "It's not what you'd consider young, as in being born and not living long enough yet to be - " she grins, "emotionally mature? As you put it. It's more a matter of I didn't grow up learning the civilized behaviors, so they do not come easily, naturally, or it would seem, properly to my comportment. Not that I'm offering this as excuse; it's only a fact." "But if you're just doing this because you're a nice guy, and you hate to see a young girl get blue, you needn't. I've had more than twenty years, now, I think taking what comes to me is a mature reaction. And so I took the insults, and I've been trying to see where I went wrong." "But, having said that, I wouldn't mind knowing what assumptions of mine they found so noxious. And if my skills have no attraction, or even, as you frankly point out, use to the twins, I shan't of course, pester them by offering something they would only accept to be polite." >"No, Kim and the others are not the twins' nor my children, they were >what they are when we met them. You are right, the ones you would >recognize were at the Timbuktu node. Namely, myself and the twins and >Pyewackett. Outside of members of my family, as you were using the >term, none of the CAoL are involved with our task here. Which is >complete, by the way. Zia is curious about the task he spoke of but doesn't seem to feel it safe to ask any questions at all, now. "I already am what family?!? Finagle, Murphy and Imaginary NUMBERS. Please don't lay more on me than I can respect and honor - the one family that already doesn't want me is more than I can handle. Why did you think I wouldn't join the CAoL? I know what you mean. But I cannot, for many reasons, fulfill THAT. I am doing what I can, but I cannot change my stripes any more than the next zebra." "React like one of my relations might?!? I don't quite follow you at all, Mike. As for age, and them being willing to er, let me off the hook and all in cognizance of that, it's not really needed. I am twenty... hmm, well I think I'm about 24 in Earth years." She grins, "I know, I said I was born in the Black Death, too. It's more... I'm more complex than that. Just take it on faith, as Sera would say. I have about 24 years of 'maturity time'." With a self deprecating shrug and sad smile she finishes with, "I'm simply not good with people if I'm not on stage, I think." >Mike hands Zia a cup of Japanese tea. "Perhaps now that the direct >and indirect evidence is more in your favor, would you be willing to >favor me with your deductions? Oh, you will find out once you go >upstairs, the name they are calling me is Mike, not Knytt. And, if >you like, I can bore you with why that is." "Why not?" She says with the Mad Hatter's own air. "The gates of Hell are thrown wide, my home world lies in ruins, I've beggared my personal power so low I cannot aid her." She looks away a moment, "Sure, sit down, Mike." Quietly, as she has already conquered the moment of despair. "A story or two would serve at least to make it hurt less. And I don't imagine that my aid will turn the day one way or the other anyway. Not now. If I hadn't faltered EARLIER, I'd have had a chance to burn the gate before it worked. If wishes were horses, we'd all shovel manure right?" She stands, drinking the last of the tea. And managing to wipe her face while turned away from him subtly with one sleeve. He might not catch it; she is an excellent actress and sleight of hand master. But then, maybe he would. But before he can say anything, armchairs appear, and her dress changes to something high Victorian in the cut, with a large skirt, but not hooped. A slit provide access to her blades still, however, the cleavage is a great tactic of distraction. It is red, like fresh blood, with black piping and details. She sits in the facing armchair and continues, having had time to think while shadow shifting this... " But if all my deductions were wrong, and insulting, I wouldn't care to insult you as well. If only because your past self was understanding before, and even with your I want to father everyone grandiose dream, you've still been nicer to me than anyone else lately. No, I wouldn't care to insult you with any feeble, erroneous, and insulting attempt to prove my wit sharp. I may be a buffoon, but I'd rather not be a jerk as well." "So, instead, regale me with your tale. But tell not that if you woudn't like to share the pain it engenders in your voice and countenance." She quirks a frown, "I am lapsing into the Middle English again. I hope I can manage not to. If not, please don't assume it's mockery; it's merely fatigue." >way, if anyone else, including someone from Zia's crew shows up, they >don't see Mike or the globe of light, but the tea in Zia's hand >(assuming she accepts it) is quite real. Yes, the cup the tea is in >is real, too. ;)> I thought it splendid. The imagery of Mike walking out dressed that way was nice, too. =========================== Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:38:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 02:36:36 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004061 > Justin looks up from the bio-tech device he has been happily playing >with and gives a sigh. He look down a the device one last time, Sighs >again and stands, shifting into The Controller as he does so. > "If we can get a hole opened in this jamming I can open an X-window >to get her off world, but then so can probably half of those here so >I will not trouble myself there." > "I delt with Jadis on Quaren. But he is not as easy to track down >and summon as Gaunt was. Jadis always seemed to need to _want_ to be >found for my equipment to work properly. But there are other avenues >I can attempt." > His antennae twitches and he broadband broadcasts, or attempts to at >least, his signal to any machinery to be on the look out for Jadis, >but the signal has nowhere near enough power for the task and soon >The Controller desists. > "It's no use I can't send my singal far enough clearly enough to be >of any good. If I could only boost the singal enough to cover the >city I think I could track him down within minutes as long as there >is some sort of machinery or electornics around him." Sheila and James are there. "What kind of boost do you need to do this, Justin?" The blond asks, stashing her sunglasses in a pocket on the flight suit. She nods, to James, "She will be all right, I think. Go ahead, and I'll help this one." She turns to Justin, "I'm a computer empath, and a fair engineer. What would work best in this EMP soup? Some ground conduction? I have this marvellous trick Nikola showed me once. Can your signal go by a variation on a normal AC energy power feed? Not elegant or fancy, but the best I can come up with Johnny on the spot." James nods, and moves to look (probably up) at Roland. "So. Delegate some tasks to me, that is, what you feel you may. I can't do any more magic, but I'm a semi-decent psi." =========================== Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 01:37:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 03:17:01 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004063 >On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 21:42:33 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004056 > >>On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:52:59 -0500 >>Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004024 >> >>/Uh, you have a plan on that Hell's Gate, Roland?/ Mike sends. > > /Yea, pound Jadis until he's flat as a pancake,/ Roland snarls. >/Thorne was a good workout, but he's got no stamina. And even _Jadis_ >can't be powerful enough to alter the chi of an entire _world_ >without at least giving it some of his attention. Now all we have to >do is find him./ > Roland chuckles, though his 'voice' sounds a little strung out. >/Easier said than done, of course./ /Of course,/ Mike sends. > /Folx, I may need to get Morgan off this reality in a _hurry;_ with >the timestream still open I won't need a 'hole' in the blockage, but >Mandy and Raver may need someone to pick up what I'm doing. Nemo, >Fuzzy, Armagedon, it works like this {}./ (OOC: Fuzzy, at least, is >probably familiar with the technique; it's a balancing effect.) /Roland, if you are unable to take Morgan yourself, call the twins,/ Mike sends, /The girls can take Morgan. Though, I imagine they would have an easier time getting Delenn into a lifepod./ > Excluding Morgan, he sends to the others, /That'll help her...for >the moment. But there are only two options here; one, get her off >world, and two-by far the superior option-stop Jadis from doing >whatever the grife he's doing. Pyewackett, you've done wonders for my >love so far, do you think you can keep her calm?/ /I'll try,/ the feline purrs. > /Geez, all hell is literally breaking loose, we're running hither, >thither and yon with three half-baked plans, and half the team's >missing...yep, things are back to normal./ /I can't do it, Roland,/ Pyewackett sends. /Whoa, I have never heard you say that./ Mike sends almost in awe. /There goes the Feline Godhood,/ the cat says, a bit of nervous humor to his tone, /Roland, as important as keeping Morgan calm is, I am not, which is half the battle lost from the start. In Mike's brood, I am the only magic expert available. I need to be with them. Though, I would like Molly along for backup./ Molly says, /You have it. Jack wants to come too. Which is a good idea, that'll make three noses able to sniff out demons and other nastiness./ Mike adds, /Fine by me. Girls, you two-/ /Are coming with./ the twins send in unison, a firm tone to their 'voice', reminiscient of a certain Freelance Immortal aunt. /There is no way in Hell you are leaving us out./ /Did you have to phrase it quite like that?/ Molly asks, /Okay,/ Mike agrees, /Pye, suit up. And let's have one for Jack too./ Pyewackett rubs Morgan's forehead with his, then hops off the table. There seems to be some private communication between Jack and Pyewackett, because both laid on the floor nearly simultaniously. The throne-like chair in the corner melts, flows across the floor and forms into two fluid and seamless matte black armored suits for Pyewackett and Jack. Jack's the size and shape of a Clydesdale, with neck and head replaced by some form of clear bubble, and Pyewackett's forming into a suit the size of a lion, with a bubble for a head as well. Both suits seem to have a long prehensile tail with a blaster on the end and blaster ports mounted at the shoulders. The twins morph into matte black fatigues, Melissa's hair in a ponytail and Grep's crew-cut, with two-handed, black-bladed claymores in their hands, Melissa's in her left, Grep's in the right. Mike's clothes shift to a matte black color with dark grey embroidery. Even the wand in his belt turns black. He withdraws it and it shifts into a katana as dark as his clothes. Molly had ducked out as plans started being arranged and returned now in a suit of matte black mega-damage Gladiator full environmental body armor minus helmet and gloves. A matte black fiber skirt wrapped around her waist, a feature duplicated only on the Crusader armor of her foster planet. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her swords strapped around her waist, and her Ion Blaster was slung in a holster, along with a machine gun slung over her shoulder. Her duffle bag was fashioned into a backpack harness. /Well, we look ready,/ Mike sends, looking around at his team, /Looks like basic black is in vogue for butt-kicking./ =========================== Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 02:37:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 02:26:45 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00004064 On Sat, 25 Apr 1998, Michael Jon Knight wrote: > Molly says, /You have it. Jack wants to come too. Which is a good > idea, that'll make three noses able to sniff out demons and other > nastiness./ /We suggest that when the rest of you start searching for demons, you exclude us, as our nature will throw the search off,/ the Two comment. > /Well, we look ready,/ Mike sends, looking around at his team, > /Looks like basic black is in vogue for butt-kicking./ They smiled at the transformation of Mike and his into black outfits. With a faint shimmer, the black version of their chain and plate armor formed. /Yes, we would say it is./ =========================== Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 04:37:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 00:02:51 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004065 > On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 23:46:36 -0700 (MST) > Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004059 > > His antennae twitches and he broadband broadcasts, or attempts to > at least, his signal to any machinery to be on the look out for > Jadis, but the signal has nowhere near enough power for the task and > soon The Controller desists. > "It's no use I can't send my singal far enough clearly enough to be > of any good. If I could only boost the singal enough to cover the > city I think I could track him down within minutes as long as there > is some sort of machinery or electornics around him." I can't recall if "Iron Man" accepted a power tap or not. If he didn't, ignore the following. ^Go to the river. Configure the tap like this {} and you'll be able to fuse the hydrogen and oxygen for power. I'd help but I'm about to be very busy...^ A few cubic yards of water will supply enough power to attract the attention of the Arc. :-) =========================== Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 05:37:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 07:17:58 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004066 >On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 02:36:36 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004061 > >James nods, and moves to look (probably up) at Roland. "So. Delegate >some tasks to me, that is, what you feel you may. I can't do any more >magic, but I'm a semi-decent psi." *Sir,* Molly sends to James, tossing him the machine gun from her back. *If you can do telekinesis, you can use that gun. If you are powerful enough, you can think of it as having an endless supply of bullets. Just pull the trigger.* *Hello, Sheila, what are you and Justin building, and how can I help?* Molly suddenly realizes she had a prior commitment and whips around and looks at Mike, who simply smiles. /If you are better applied here, then work here. I'm not sure where to go anyway. We'll see what detection picks up before we run off on blind chance./ ===========================