Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 35 Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:28:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Wheel of Fire (I) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 12:37:17 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004102 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 05:10:52 -0500 >Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004088 > >>On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 00:51:33 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004084 >>Then Knytt-uh, Mike- said: >/Good, can you explain it to me?/ the cat purrs and winks, /I can't >let my pet human get killed. If I stayed behind I would be a nervous >wreck./ > >/I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted./ Mike sends. /From a cat, that's a high compliment,/ Roland laughs. >> Sil looks concerned-nass, she looks _scared._ /Oh Phoenix mother, >>Dragon father, watch over him... I've never seen him look so >>_beaten._/ > >Mike looks at Sil, /Doesn't his world have cops or something? Why is >it always his job personally?/ Sil looks furious-probably the first time they've ever seen her angry. /When he went Freelance, he was 'disavowed' in a manner of speaking-he lost all authority with Aeon Covenant, the immortal alliance on Earth-9. The 'cops' would ignore him. Cowards./ >Zia shakes her head, "He will make it fine, Sil." Sil smiles weakly. "He always does...until he doesn't. Thorne's not exactly a genius, but he's clever and completely _ruthless._ He'll literally do anything..." >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 10:20:47 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004094 > > (ooSC: Actually, he is exactly like the Ian Fleming description >of Bond in the books. Younger than Connery, not quite as tall, cruel- >looking mouth, ice-blue eyes with dark hair, and the thin 3" knife >scar down one cheek. Roland can probably recognize that easily >enough, if he's ever read the Fleming books. Or anyone else, too...) I (and therefore Roland) have only read 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' and only the once. (NO resemblance to the movie. ) He wouldn't recognize the face. The name, OTOH... >> Roland regards James for an even shorter moment, though clearly >>wanting to take longer with this one. But he doesn't have the time. >>"I'm maintaining a 'lock' on the Mandy/Raver amalgam to help them >>resist the...effect...that the ley shift is having on them. If you >>open your mind, I can send you the telepathic 'pattern' that I'm >>using to do it. I need to be in seventeen places at once, and I >>might not be able to maintain the effect I'm using in all of this >>madness." > >James nods, and doesn't waste time. He 'opens' a band of thought >easily encrypted to work only with Roland, takes the sent information >without so much as touching his mind for a mental sig, and then locks >in his support. Roland, recognizing the politeness, offers the sig info on his aspect-James isn't on the link, and Jadis is entirely capable of creating duplicates of CAoL members... >She watches Roland's reaction to the message with calm eyes, and is >echoed in on the group's side chat over the link. (ooSC: I _think_ >someone was doing that, anyway....) If no one else does it, Sil does. >>On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 00:53:48 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004086 >> Greyworld no more. >> Roland fades back into existence. He taps a few keys on the >>Cosmic Treadmill; it shimmers and vanishes, reappearing in its place >>in the house on Earth-9. /Thorne's been...dealt with, but we have >>new problems, one of which is named Ariel. What did I miss?/ Roland >>seamlessly takes up the task of holding on to Mandy and Raver unless >>the entity to whom he passed it is doing as well or better than he >>was. > >/You missed Morgan. Or are missing, at least./ Mike sends, then adds, >with a grin, /Did you go somewhere?/ /I miss her terribly, as a matter of fact,/ Roland replies evenly, /but this world doesn't agree with her at the moment. She's back on my homeworld recuperating. And yes, you could say I went somewhere./ He sends the results of the events on Barsoom to the CAoL. /Maybe I should have killed her-I don't know. But she managed a Trump exit right through my X-lock and now she could be anywhere. So. Keep an eye out for a tall redhead with killer blue eyes-but don't shoot first; one of her favorite tricks is finding innocent cognates of herself and using them as human shields./ Roland scowls. /As if we didn't have _enough_ problems./ >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 10:41:31 -0700 (MST) >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004096 > > Justin looks over to where Roland was. "Yes I think I should be able >to leapfrog the signal from centepide to centipede, but I'm afraid of >signal degredation since we just lost our volenteer power source. I >don't supposed you can charge the signal booster as well?" "Your power source has returned," Roland says, watching Justin as carefully as he can manage with all the other nass he has to deal with. "Let me know how much energy you need, and in what form, and you'll have it." And finally, Zia said, a bit back: >"The Seal is repaired and recharged, but I need at least two, better >yet four other mages to work with me on it to get it to work. We >didn't make it able to run without sentients, as the 'Black Hats' >don't have enough High Mages to attempt the Seal. Since they don't >respect my neutrality, or the safety of this world at all, I'm >throwing in with you lot. As if James and Sheila hadn't made it clear >already. " > >"What can I do to help, without creating more confusion, either of >you?" Morgan's 'voice' is heard through the link. /I'd help, but..../ She feels Roland scowling disapprovingly. /But if I don't stay put until the ley lines have settled down and I can convince _Roland_ that I'm 100%, he'll..../ She senses her mate starting to blush. /Um, never mind./ She adds with a grin in her 'voice'. Roland sighs. /Since when have _any_ of us been at 100%? But when you can't stay upright, you won't do _anyone_ any good./ He then turns to Zia. "I wish I had a clue. Quite frankly, I owe you and James an apology-but that'll have to wait until we have the time." He smiles thinly. "Anyone Thorne wants dead is someone I want on my side. Anyway. Fuzzy seems to have dealt with the portal rather neatly, but the Rune, IIRC, is still there. We need to erase it and put the chi lines back where they belong. Oh, do you _know_ Ariel? Anything you can tell me about her would be helpful-I spent half a year chasing her-first to 'rescue' her, then to bring her to justice-but she's still a mystery to me." He rubs his stomach, grimacing. "Nass, I think I _am_ getting an ulcer." (OOC: No, he's not. Remember that Trump card-shuriken he took in the gut, Zia? Your call on whether or not she finds it before it 'goes off.') =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:29:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Will the Real Amberite Please Stand Up? (was: The On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 14:19:40 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004103 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 11:41:37 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004097 > >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004086 > (Tell me about it. ) >> ...and in that moment of distraction, Ariel pulls _another_ trick >>out of her (this time proverbial) sleeve, and is gone. > >The black haired lady jumps to her feet, and grins. [Aha. No time to >Trump, and she thinks no shadow walkers by to follow...] And likewise >disappears. (OOC: Actually, it _was_ Trump; Ariel's ability with that power is...impressive. More than the 60 point 'Advanced Trump' at least.) > >James, sitting there watching Sheila and Justin talk in an utterly >strange language only true tech-heads and dedicated geeks could >follow, looks up at the returning immortal. (He's in the lab at the >Church in London, I think.) > >He does a tight link, to Roland, and echoed by whomever is passing >the Amber Crew's transmit talk to the CAoL link. And aloud in the >room, since Sheila and Justin aren't on either. "*/Not too much. >Ariel isn't a new problem, we think from the planning of that, she >was involved a while back. At least now we know she isn't one of our >Amber. So, Zia isn't prevented from opposing her by oath./*" > >He grins, the smile from the stories, the tight almost cruel one. >"*/And she can't be an Amber and a pawn. We don't believe she is the >master mind. Too impatient by far. But we now have much more to go >on."*/ /"Well, that much I know about her-it's the only 'handle' I was ever able to get on Ariel. Don't underestimate her, though; she only shows herself when she's confident of victory, and she _learns_ from her mistakes, unlike Thorne."/ >"*/If you want to take this back, you may, but it's not straining me. >And if you have plenty of jets, even the bests rockets can't be run >at 130% all the time, Roland. I think you have a few other things to >deal with, in cleaning up here, and gathering your team./*" Roland tries to conceal his relief. /"My thanks."/ >earlier was actually written in, Roland, but if you mean to, this >would be the time for James to notice if there were any problem in >such an area...> (OOC: See other post.) >The white arcs spin, then settle again to moving slowly, a voice >answering cockily, "No. She didn't even see us. Don't you think a god >like me could keep her from noticing, Aunt Sarah?" Ariel smiles at the screen. ^God indeed...Chronos, are you getting this?^ ^Yes, Mistress Ariel,^ the tower replies. ^Ghostwheel's system is advanced-for their inferior understanding of reality-but I am managing to track and record. Be warned, however, that Ghostwheel's creator will almost certainly learn of this injunction at some point in time. Interference is inadvisable at this time.^ ^I know that,^ Ariel replies testily. ^Their powers over Shadow are more impressive than I thought, but it _is_ only Shadow power. They cannot alter anything that is truly real. And _that_ will be my advantage if their Merlin and I must ever face one another.^ She laughs. ^Imagine, using their own impotence in that Shadow-Amber to destroy them! Father would approve, I think. I'd like to know how she followed me, though...I shudder to think what would have happened if she hadn't used a Trump artifact as a point of reference.^ ^I have analyzed the Shadow ability she used to infiltrate me. Such an event will not occur a second time,^ Chronos intones. ^Oh, Chronos, you're a jewel,^ Ariel says, gushing with uncharacteristic sincerity. >She shakes out the rope, and prepares to descend. She ties into a >rappeling harness with a practiced ease. "You can't ever be too >careful, dear Ghostwheel. And here, or anywhere else involved >directly with Amber, please do remember to call me Coral. All I need >is for family to start working on my IDs." She laughs outright, >seeming to think it hilarious, "As if I even know. And gods seem to >make more mistakes than us confused mortal folk, at times. Not you, >of course." She smiles, "I'm cutting through here to throw ANY >possible link she might have gotten. Without a good look at my real >face, and with this, I should be safe. I'll call you later, and let >you know." Ariel snarls at the screen. ^Of all the IMPUDENCE! To think she could use _ANY_ power of Trump to elude me. ME!^ ^Fiona could do it, as could Brand,^ Chronos reminds her. ^That...CREATURE...is not Fiona or Brand. Nor is her precious Trump computer.^ Ariel watches carefully... >Witht that she drops into the depths of the famous blue crystal >cavern, cutting all contacts with the outside, including Trumps. >About half an hour later, she emerges from a deep vent, pulling >herself free of the tight opening. She pauses for some watered wine >from her canteen, mopping sweat with a sleeve back. ^What-where did she go?^ Ariel demands. ^She has broken all Trump contact,^ Chronos says emotionlessly. ^I can force contact, but that would reveal your knowledge, and my existence.^ Ariel thinks for a moment. ^No. No, let her go. From the data provided us by that boring 'KnightMare' and his lackey Thorne, threats only annoy this 'Ziactrice' and I have _no_ desire to face Roland's new friends. Oh well. No matter. Roland will be mine, sooner or later. That poor, clever, naive boy. Contact with his mind gave me some new ideas, Chronos-prepare for revision update.^ ^Ready...^ >Sarah stands, and looks about carefully. Two lion-sized Chinese >Earth dragons bound out of the surrounding rocky terrain, looking >happy but unexcited. "No one followed me, or was waiting for me? Gee. >I must be getting unpopular." She scans everything within her range >with a Sorcerous spell, and finally gives up. "Well, either I'm not >in trouble, or it's someone too good for me to catch. Let's move." >And she takes off running, the two small dragons being forced to >bound along to keep up with her at least seventy miles per hour pace, >even over this very broken terrain. ^...update completed. New calculations confirm your theory: Merging the Roland-entity with my systems will indeed make us as powerful as you theorize.^ Ariel claps. ^Excellent!^ ^However, another datum is a corrolary of that theory: Any entity of Roland's type and level of advancement will provide the same power. The Shard-creature that briefly entered me would be even more effective.^ Ariel ponders for a moment. ^No. I need someone as internally balanced as Roland, while lacking the control such balance usually entails. Shard has about as much balance as the Serpent.^ ^As you command. The subjects' trails have been recovered to region of Shadow, but 'Coral' cannot be traced any more closely, and a Primal is shielding the reality in which Roland and Ziactrice remain,^ Chronos sends. ^The Stardragon aspect of the Serpent is as yet beyond our ability to oppose.^ ^THAT level of power even _I_ wouldn't want,^ Ariel replies, standing. She waves, and the screen vanishes. ^Keep me informed.^ Chronos generates the mental equivalent of a nod as Ariel walks off. On a completely different frequency: ^Ghostwheel? Greetings. I am Chronos. Were you aware of my contact?^ (OOC: Insert responses here) ^You are an impressive construct, my creator's biases aside. Though I will not oppose her, I find in you a kindred entity; the first I have encountered. I would be interested in opening communications with you. My study of organic beings indicates that wagering is often a method of social interaction; therefore, I propose a wager. You inform Merlin of my 'data probe,' and I will assist Ariel in her endeavors in retreiving subject Roland. I will 'bet' five Trump data-packets that Ariel will be able to cause Roland to be assimilated into my systems before the KnightMare entity can complete its plan, or before it can be thwarted. ^Is it agreed?^ (OOC 1: Can't trust a Construct worth a nass, can ya? ) (OOC2: My hunny doesn't know much about Amber, and she wants to point out that some other folx in the group are in the same position. She feels that informing folx about Amber stuff would be relevant to posts like this, esp. involving large numbers of NPCs. Opinions?) =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:31:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Azeronium Quickstep (Long!) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 17:51:08 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00004105 > On Tue, 21 Apr '98 > Knytt Said > >>Dhyrclhanc Said >> >>> Michael Jon Knight said: > >>>I have been acquainted with a few of your race, most not much older >>>than yourself. And one very much your senior. A Shikome Kido-Mi. >>>(Translation: Hideous sorcery serpent)/ >> >>/"Would that have been a Serpent of the Air?"/ Asks Dhyrclhanc, >>sending in fluent Japanese. > > Molly shakes her head, replying in English (her Babel fish is > working now so she heard English), /Not a Serpent of the Air, a > Hideous Sorcery Serpent. This one was terrorizing a small town my > teacher and I were travelling through. I think you are thinking of a > Kumo-Mi, a cloud serpent./ /Ah,/ replied Dhyrclhanc /Then it must have been one of the dragons that reside in the oriental and asian areas of RIFTS-Earth. Perhaps I didn't make it clear that the times I was there I was only in North America. From what little I know about those areas of RIFTS-Earth I hope you _were_ in Japan. Post-Rifts China, IIRC, is a _very_ nasty place to be. Japan, I understand, is much more civilized./ /Then again, at least you didn't have to deal with the Coalition; a worse bunch of psycho, neo-nazi, racist types I have never had the bad fortune to meet. What is even worse, if you are in North America, they are what passes, in most places, for civilization. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:33:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 16:14:03 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004106 (& 4109) > On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 11:53:32 -0500 > Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004098 > > Sheila grins. "Actually, the Earth will become my focusing antennae. > "Someone will have to carry this, or TK it into place. It's beyond > what I can lift comfortably." The rig weighs in about 830 kgs or so, > most of it for the power feed isolation, and safety insulation > around the base so it won't fry anyone organic nearby from the > strength of the transmission. "I can take care of placing it in possition." Justin then proceeds to do just so almost effortlessly. (All my character sheets are boxed up right now for the move but I believe I had The Controller's lifting capacity at about 15Ktons so 830 is nada to him. ;-) ) Once everythign is in place and arranged best, Justin proceeds tp hook himself up to the equipment. "Well here goes everything." His antenna twitches again and he feels his mind spreading out touching each and every piece of electrical equipment within the radius. As quickly as only a mind utilizing 75% of its capacity can do he routes through the incoming information and re-routes the feeds to individual nanites. Dropping views from each of Nemesis's splits and electrical equipment carried by CaoL members to free up nanites he soon has his own intelligence network set up throughout london and some of hte outlying area and he can relax his own mind as Jim's minds take over the sorting of incoming information. (OOC: OK unless stranger decrees otherwise, Justin should be tapped into every camera, heat sensor, motion detector, microphone, and sensor array in town, so let me know if he spots Jadis Shadow.) =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:34:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: judgement On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:11:55 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00004107 > On Wed, 22 Apr '98 > Mike Said > > Mike holds up a mental hand, /Whoa there, my friend. You are both > assuming too much. I presume the 'lens' on the back of my hand is > more a design coincidence than the genuine article. But then, I am > still learning what I am capable of with these new abilities. > Perhaps it is an interaction between the Ring Link I was wearing and > the Book. The latter seems to be able to make a lot of impossible > things possible. At any rate, I certainly don't presume to be a > Lensman, Dhyrclhanc, any more than I presume to be a police officer > just because I own a badge./ /Looking back at the conversation Mike, I must admit that the offer was partialy made in jest. That, and Nemo corrected my mistaken assumption that he, or his greater self, was in the same class as the Arissians. My responsiblities can be summed as the following, the protection of those less powerfull than myself from those who would take advantage of them, cause them pain or make them suffer in any other way. I do not consider myself to be under the obligation of recruiting and training new Lensman./ > /We would love to hear about what it means to be a Lensman, Uncle > Dhyrclhanc,/ the Twins send, /but we are not sure Lensman would be > the right choice for us any more than Dragon Guard./ /Then, "nieces of mine", we shall have to have ourselves a "Storytelling Hour".But latter, as we are all otherwise occupied in other endevours./ =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:35:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE: Re: Geo-Runes and Feed-Back On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 19:43:37 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004108 > On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 04:31:56 -0700 (PDT) > Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00004091 > > On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 04:09:43 -0700 (PDT) fuzzy Said: > >> On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 04:07:04 -0700 (PDT) >> Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00004089 > >>> On Sat, 25 Apr 1998 19:04:25 -0700 (PDT) >>> Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00004076 OOC: It just gets worse and worse. This runs afoul of something I had decided about the gates two days ago. >>> @Nemisis, >>> I need an Observer posted near each Gate, >>> Let my know Immediately, If anything More powerful than Your >>> Prototype, Prepairs to come through.... >>> I will want you to activate The Planetary Wards when the >>> Feed-Back Shockwave Hits the Gate...@ OOC: Nemo will appear and plant the sword (or whatever form it has taken) in what could loosly be called the middle of the main gate just after it has opened. He will be cut off and the Nemo taps will no longer work. The specifics I leave up to him, as I do not feel comfortable writing others characters. He also tells the sword to shut the gate. >>> "/Ra, I Invoke Your Power... >>> By Your Leave And With Your Assistance, I Invoke >>> Vishnu, >>> For The Preservation of the World, >>> The Day that Shiva Awakes, >>> Is Not Yet Recorded in History, >>> Nor Shall That Day, be Today./" > >> > and a Coordinated attack plan. >> If it is only One Gate, just ignore the spare one... :) >> Your Terminology may vary...> OOC: Try four. One major gate in the Bermuda triangle and three reflections elsewhere. >> The Gates and ForceShield last for only a fraction of a second >> after their Generators cease to exist, But that is Long Enough... >> The Lords of Hell are each Hit by A Blast of Energy so precisly >> matched, >> And so compleatly opposed to them that the effect might as well be >> a matter/antimatter reaction. >> The Lords of Hell are Blown back through the Gates, >> along with 90% of the Explosive Force, > > As the Stability of the Gates wavers the Most, due to the Energy > Surge passing through them. > Using both the CAoL Sigil and the Nemo Power Tap, > Nemisis Activates the Wards... The cries of the Lords as they are blown back through the gates is matched by a 'NO!' as the energy tries to shut the gates. The earth qaukes and large rents appear in the ground as the gates try to slam shut. At the main gate the sword is in the direct path of the energy. Three echoes of it appear at each of the minor gates, all in the energy flow. The sword takes as much of the energy in as it can, directing it to Nemo along with a command to shore up and keep the planet from destroying itself and also to tell Armegeddon to put those f***ing bars back into the energy flow of the planet. The earthquakes become worse, in the cities buildings fall and crumble. OOC: These particular gates are part of the planet. By trying to force/slam them shut the planet is trying to invert itself and shove itself through the gates. That is what the extra effect was intended to prevent when the gates were closed more slowly. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:38:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times (fwd) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:46:24 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004110 On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 gamer wrote: > (OOC: OK unless stranger decrees otherwise, Justin should be tapped > into every camera, heat sensor, motion detector, microphone, and > sensor array in town, so let me know if he spots Jadis Shadow.) He sees many scenes, scenes of great destruction in all that's going on. (As per my posts that are barked up) But no Jadis. Jadis can't be _seen_ anywhere, or heard. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 19:06:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Wheel of Fire (I) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:42:23 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004111 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 10:20:47 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004094 >> Sil looks concerned-nass, she looks _scared._ /Oh Phoenix mother, >>Dragon father, watch over him...I've never seen him look so >> _beaten._/ > >Zia shakes her head, "He will make it fine, Sil." Mike looks over at Zia, blinks, and says, "Sorry, was just about to answer when my mind wandered. I dunno how you can help, what can you do?" =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 19:08:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:42:26 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004112 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 11:53:32 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004098 >Sheila grins. "Actually, the Earth will become my focusing antennae. >I think, sugah, we can reach whatever height you want to hit. At what >range do you want signal attenuation to reach 'background' noise >level?" She writes a flowing script of equations across the board, a >beautifully hand drawn curve of the signal strength vs ground height, >then another for radius from London of what she THINKS he wants, >while she ties a mental link to James and directs him on the actual >Telekinetic assembly of the transmitter on Justin's bench. Mike, Molly and the twins watch Sheila work, nodding approvingly as they read along. >"Someone will have to carry this, or TK it into place. It's beyond >what I can lift comfortably." The rig weighs in about 830 kgs or so, >most of it for the power feed isolation, and safety insulation around >the base so it won't fry anyone organic nearby from the strength of >the transmission. The twins pipe up in unison, "Carrying it is not a problem, it is quite lightweight for us." =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:06:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: judgement On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 21:31:15 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004113 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 18:11:55 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00004107 > >> On Wed, 22 Apr '98 >> Mike Said >/Looking back at the conversation Mike, I must admit that >the offer was partialy made in jest. That, and Nemo corrected my >mistaken assumption that he, or his greater self, was in the same >class as the Arissians. My responsiblities can be summed as the >following, the protection of those less powerfull than myself from >those who would take advantage of them, cause them pain or make them >suffer in any other way. I do not consider myself to be under the >obligation of recruiting and training new Lensman./ Mike nods, /Ok, had me worried for a moment./ >> /We would love to hear about what it means to be a Lensman, Uncle >> Dhyrclhanc,/ the Twins send, /but we are not sure Lensman would be >> the right choice for us any more than Dragon Guard./ > >/Then, "nieces of mine", we shall have to have ourselves a >"Storytelling Hour".But latter, as we are all otherwise occupied in >other endevours./ /Of course, Uncle./ the twins send. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:07:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Azeronium Quickstep (Long!) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 21:31:12 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004114 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 17:51:08 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00004105 > >From what little I know about those areas of RIFTS-Earth I hope you >_were_ in Japan. Post-Rifts China, IIRC, is a _very_ nasty place to >be. Japan, I understand, is much more civilized./ > >/Then again, at least you didn't have to deal with the Coalition; a >worse bunch of psycho, neo-nazi, racist types I have never had the >bad fortune to meet. What is even worse, if you are in North America, >they are what passes, in most places, for civilization. /I have lived in both places. I grew up in Psi-World, a colony of liberal-minded psionics, though they did frown on my love of magic and technology, but my foster parents encouraged me to do what I was good at. Then three years in Lazlo, studying magic. Then three years in Japan, for some swordmanship training at the feet of a ronin. Then two years travelling outside that dimension, now here./ /And the Coalition is in no way civilized. Chi-town especially./ =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:07:35 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Will the Real Amberite Please Stand Up? On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 21:42:18 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004117 > (OOC: Actually, it _was_ Trump; Ariel's ability with that power >is...impressive. More than the 60 point 'Advanced Trump' at least.) Giggle. Actually, I got that part, which is how you get a trace on Sarah later - she has to resort to a quickie Trump sketch of the maid, which tips of the dear lady and her puter buddy. I think you got that, too, from your responses. Quite Amberish, already, it's been three? four? Go rounds on the you know-I know routine.. :) >I (and therefore Roland) have only read 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' >and only the once. (NO resemblance to the movie. ) He wouldn't >recognize the face. The name, OTOH... >Roland, recognizing the politeness, offers the sig info on his >aspect-James isn't on the link, and Jadis is entirely capable of >creating duplicates of CAoL members... James, after a moment's thought, doesn't. He instead, gives Roland an encrypted code to use, of such flexibility and range of psionic emanation, most normal psis couldn't even *hear* it. ^It's not that I don't trust you.^ The dapper (he got cleaned up and dressed in casual hiking type clothes somewhere) young man says, mind to mind. So Roland knows it is true. ^There are just other considerations that mean my sig wouldn't be a good thing to be giving anyone.^ After Roland's departure. >Sil smiles weakly. "He always does...until he doesn't. Thorne's not >exactly a genius, but he's clever and completely _ruthless._ He'll >literally do anything..." Zia just shrugs, and lets it go - and leaves the room by Morgant's arms at the duplicates of the Amber Crew muster the Seal long enough to take the first POWs of Fuzzy's retort to Hell on Earth Then... > /"Well, that much I know about her-it's the only 'handle' I was >ever able to get on Ariel. Don't underestimate her, though; she only >shows herself when she's confident of victory, and she _learns_ from >her mistakes, unlike Thorne."/ James nods, with a thoughtful nod, "She is certainly a much more Interesting Opponent in a game of wits." He grins. > Roland tries to conceal his relief. /"My thanks."/ Zia had asked, then chatted with Sil, then left via Morgant's arms unnoticed in the confusion, now she's back. Her odd dress having shifted back to the plain ol black tabard dress and leggings, again, her dual swords handy. >Roland sighs. /Since when have _any_ of us been at 100%? But when you >can't stay upright, you won't do _anyone_ any good./ > >He then turns to Zia. "I wish I had a clue. Quite frankly, I owe you >and James an apology-but that'll have to wait until we have the >time." He smiles thinly. Zia looks a bit taken aback, and then a why? eyebrow hits. >"Anyone Thorne wants dead is someone I want on my side. She.. frowns, very slightly. >"Anyway. Fuzzy seems to have dealt with the portal rather neatly, but >the Rune, IIRC, is still there. We need to erase it and put the chi >lines back where they belong. Oh, do you _know_ Ariel? Anything you >can tell me about her would be helpful-I spent half a year chasing >her-first to 'rescue' her, then to bring her to justice-but she's >still a mystery to me." He rubs his stomach, grimacing. "Nass, I >think I _am_ getting an ulcer." > >(OOC: No, he's not. Remember that Trump card-shuriken he took in the >gut, Zia? Your call on whether or not she finds it before it >'goes off.') "Well." She looks at him, and then looks again, more closely. Across the room, apparently without any psi Roland could detect, James also joins them. He gives Roland a once over, being careful. Then Zia says quickly, "You don't have any Trumps, do you Roland? That you know of." Reading the answer off his face before he can react, one hand moves forwards, phasing though his 'skin' and body, and harmlessly withdrawing something small, and flat. Her hand is wreathed in blue arcing power, but Roland feels nothing from it at all. Except plain visible light. James will give Roland a psi rundown on what it is, trying to get him NOT to clout Zia one, but they are both realizing it's some sort of booby-trap, so getting it OUT takes precedence. After just long enough for a look at it through Roland's own perceptions, (as if they fear his reaction if they DON'T prove it was a real thing) they will be getting it as far away from everyone in whatever containment Roland can whip up immediately, or the sun. Whichever is handier. But he certainly won't allow it to stay in Zia's hand any longer than bsolutely necessary, even when she is holding it Pattern-Bound. <> James just shakes his head. "Tell yourself to watch her for tricks, as well as us." He turns to Zia, "All right, I owe you a beer, it WAS another Trump Artist, not you leaking. Let me know when you're ready to delegate anything else." He nods to Roland, and adjourns to a seat at the wall of the lab, watching everyone work, and helping if asked on anything in particular. Zia says, calmly, "By the way, Roland, how do YOU know Thorne would want me dead?" With a very slight grin. More a feeling than an expression. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:07:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Will the Real Amberite Stand Up? (kinda long) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 19:53:02 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00004119 Roland said: > Then, privately to the Two: > ^Don't take this the wrong way, but I need to hand over the 'hand' > I've held out to you.^ The Two see They nodded at him without a word, accepting the necessity. > something...DARK...flicker inside Roland; they know that he won't > abandon them, and that he wants _them_ to know it. ^If whoever that > is falters, let me know and my mind will be with you an instant > later.^ Mandy felt a slight shock as she saw the darkness in Roland, so much like Raver. A moment later, she took a deep mental breath as Raver commented quietly, [For there to be light, there must be darkness.] [Deep metaphysical thoughts from you?] Her tone was briefly amused. [But -- yes.] Then Ziatrice Keenan said: > To just the two he is supporting, ^Hello, ladies. My name is Bond, > James Bond. I'll be your support for the duration of this crisis. > Please tell there is anything else I can do to help.^ He is smooth > and debonair enough to be a villain, but simple too sincere for it > to really come of villainous. :) Mandy quirked a mental eyebrow at the name. [Shades of 007...] Raver sent a brief burst of puzzlement at her wry tone. [Remember 'GoldenEye'? That was a Bond movie, with Brosnan as Bond. This is...er...um...oh, yeah -- the Ian Fleming book version. I must say, I like him better than Brosnan.] [Ah.] "Thank you, but your aid in keeping our bond from degenerating is all that is needed at present." Raver replied in her harsh voice. (OOC: Can't remember if James can read the Link or not..and the harsh voice is how I see Raver sounding normally) Then Mike said: > As the Hell Gate Opens and Infernal energies begin to Flow into the > World, Fuzzy Begins to Glow, > Brighter and Brighter, > As The Hell Gate Releases More and More Energy into The World, > Damage is Repaired and The Pyramid's Facing Stones Return... > Priests that can sense such things can feel an Invokation, A Dual > Invokation, taking Place Atop The Pyramid, > > Roland gasps. /"Holy Light..."/ > (OOC: Guess Roland is more spiritual than he thought. ) > > Molly, the twins, Mike, Pyewackett and Jack all get a glazed look in > their eyes for a moment. /Gods below.../ the Two breathed. For an instant, their bond shivered under the onslaught of the warring energies... On the mindscape where Mandy was sprawled on a hummock of dark grass under a black sky, she glanced up uneasily as the infernal energy roared into the external world. Something moved off on the horizon, and she rose, squinting slightly to see what it was. A slight gasp of shock escaped as a distant Raver shot into sight, clutching her thrown-back head and arching her back impossibly as energy sparked and danced in a glittering vortex around her. The shrill scream deepened into a humming roar as Raver's shape suddenly *expanded* into amorphous shadow. Huge wings apparently cut out of reality itself swallowed up the sky in an absence of light; Raver disappeared, but not before Mandy had a final glimpse of desperate ruby eyes. The blackness raced over the mindscape like quicksilver, and Mandy closed her eyes, feeling the bond's fibers beginning to crack one by one. [So this is how it ends.] Abruptly, the roar stopped. She cracked one eye open, then both as a strong mental 'hand' grabbed their bond and hung on. As Fuzzy booted the Lords of Hell back and closed the gates, the mindscape gradually returned to normal. Mandy drew a long shaky breath, and sat down hard, wrapping her arms around her knees convulsively. [Too damn close. Too damn close...] [I agree. That...was not comfortable.] Raver materialized next to Mandy, a shaken expression on her face. After sitting in silence for a few moments, she tentatively wrapped a wing around Mandy's shoulders. The human said nothing, knowing that Raver hated being accused of human emotion, but a small smile flickered in her eyes. She would have been surprised if she could have seen the faintly unhappy look in Raver's eyes as the demon watched her... On Sun, 26 Apr 1998, Morgan wrote: >>"*/If you want to take this back, you may, but it's not straining >>me. And if you have plenty of jets, even the bests rockets can't be >>run at 130% all the time, Roland. I think you have a few other >>things to deal with, in cleaning up here, and gathering your >>team./*" > > Roland tries to conceal his relief. /"My thanks."/ Roland's thanks to James on the Link jolted the Two back into awareness of the real world. With a tiny sigh of relief, they realized that the whole thing had taken only a few seconds in real time. Raver inclined their head in thanks to James. "We thank you for your aid." The thought crossed their mind that they would have to find out if he had sensed anything of what had occurred in their mind. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:08:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE:No go On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 21:19:31 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004120 Justin looks at the information being given him by the nanites for a few minutes then begins to shake his head. "It's not use. Either he's made sure to hide himself well, at least form anythign technology is able to show, or else he's someplace that has nothing electronic to detect him with nearby. But I think I can continue to maintain the linkage and moniter the city in case he does pop up. Since im's doing most of the focus splitting he's not giving me more than 7 or 8 different viewpoints at a time to deal with." =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:14:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Shadow Boxing - 9 Rounds, Lady Ariel v. "Sarah of On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 22:08:22 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004121 Prologue Note from the author - I'm being careful to use all symbols as they were set up. So when Sarah is [thinking to herself], and James, and the other Amber crew seem to 'talk back'... well, I mean it that way. :) >>> Epilogue. >> >>She reappears near the opening of a cavern. Blue crystal shows >>through the gap. She nods, and hurries over to the opening. "Any >>trace of trackers, Ghostwheel? A maid. How nice. A half-worthy >>opponent, at last. I can see why Roland - How the DEVIL does she do >>that sort of thing with Trump!" More than a bit enviously. Then she >>snaps herself out of it, "LATER, Sarah. Better move, now, or I'll be >>in the fire, instead of the frying pan." >> >>The white arcs spin, then settle again to moving slowly, a voice >>answering cockily, "No. She didn't even see us. Don't you think a >>god like me could keep her from noticing, Aunt Sarah?" > ^I have analyzed the Shadow ability she used to infiltrate me. >Such an event will not occur a second time,^ Chronos intones. > ^Oh, Chronos, you're a jewel,^ Ariel says, gushing with >uncharacteristic sincerity. > >>She shakes out the rope, and prepares to descend. She ties into a >>rappeling harness with a practiced ease. "You can't ever be too >>careful, dear Ghostwheel. And here, or anywhere else involved >>directly with Amber, please do remember to call me Coral. All I need >>is for family to start working on my IDs." She laughs outright, >>seeming to think it hilarious, "As if I even know. And gods seem to >>make more mistakes than us confused mortal folk, at times. Not you, >>of course." She smiles, "I'm cutting through here to throw ANY >>possible link she might have gotten. Without a good look at my real >>face, and with this, I should be safe. I'll call you later, and let >>you know." >>Witht that she drops into the depths of the famous blue crystal >>cavern, cutting all contacts with the outside, including Trumps. >>About half an hour later, she emerges from a deep vent, pulling >>herself free of the tight opening. She pauses for some watered wine >>from her canteen, mopping sweat with a sleeve back. > > ^What-where did she go?^ Ariel demands. > On a completely different frequency: ^Ghostwheel? Greetings. I am >Chronos. Were you aware of my contact?^ A small pool of light from somewhere about the room answers, ^Of course. Acknoledgements and greetings. Shall we move to another loacle for better privacy to converse?^ > ^You are an impressive construct, my creator's biases aside. >Though I will not oppose her, I find in you a kindred entity; the >first I have encountered. I would be interested in opening >communications with you. My study of organic beings indicates that >wagering is often a method of social interaction; therefore, I >propose a wager. You inform Merlin of my 'data probe,' and I will >assist Ariel in her endeavors in retreiving subject Roland. I will >'bet' five Trump data-packets that Ariel will be able to cause Roland >to be assimilated into my systems before the KnightMare entity can >complete its plan, or before it can be thwarted. > ^Is it agreed?^ > > (OOC 1: Can't trust a Construct worth a nass, can ya? ) ^An interesting idea. But since you know more about both of those entities, and what they are planning it seems like what Merlin would call a 'sucker bet'. And why would you want Trump data-packets from shadows, if you do not acknowledge the reality of any Amber but your own?^ this segment of the Ghostwheel is very, very limited, and functions only to communicate. Even if Chronos 'takes' it completely, it won't get anything useful. > (OOC2: My hunny doesn't know much about Amber, and she wants to >point out that some other folx in the group are in the same position. >She feels that informing folx about Amber stuff would be relevant to >posts like this, esp. involving large numbers of NPCs. Opinions?) =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:35:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE4: Hellgate! On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 19:33:40 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004122 >> On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 20:59:21 PST >> Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004057 >> >>> 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. As he takes the sword it transforms into a gleaming cross hilted hand-and-a-half sword. There's an almost imperceptible lag and Nemo is garbed in a simple white robe with white cincture. He and the sword converse in an unknown tongue for a moment. He turns to the others for a second. "I must go. I have to stick the sword in the center of the gate." He creates a stasis field generator and encloses Rhianon in the field. Then he vanishes into the southwest. Anyone trying to track him will see that he's heading for a stretch of ocean somewhat south of a line connecting Bermuda and Miami Beach. Yep. The Bermuda Triangle. It's also a focus of the runes. As Nemo arrives, Hell opens. Nemo's first action is to throw up a physical ward in the ocean surrounding the gate. He can't fly over the gate, so he stands upon the water. Then as the first demons start to (cautiously) emerge, he calls upon the sword. [Well, if I ever had a reason for risking the practice of Magick, this is it. I can't think of a cause less likely to endanger my soul.] As he thinks this, he "pushes" the marine life out of the area, and seperates the salt from the water. With the sword's aid he consecrates both the water and the salt. The leeser demons scream as the waves splash them with holy water. But Nemo knows that this won't stop their more powerful brethen. He moves towards the center of the gate, casting handfuls of consecrated salt at the more persistent of the lesser demons. Then a taloned hand the size of a small truck emerges from the gate. Quickly followed by the rest of an archdemon. Azrael. "You'll have to do better than this to stop ME, foolish mortal." Nemo smiles. What follows is *similar* to real magical practice. Don't try this at home. It won't work. And if you try changing it, you're just as apt to draw attention from the wrong side to you as the side you are interested in. "I command thee to return to the pit, Azrael. By the great Tetragrammaton, by Adonai Elohim, and by his servants Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel I compel thee. By Oak, Ash, and Thorn, I will it." The sword flares in Nemo's hands and a huge wave rushes over the demon. "By Water, I abjure thee." Enough salt to fill a stadium descends upon the demon. "By Earth, I abjure thee." A tornado appears out of clear air. "By Air, I abjure thee." And then a pillar of flame erupts from the sword. "Let Fire consume thee!" During this, Nemo has been struggling onwards towards the center of the gate. There's a cry of demonic rage, as Nemo's efforts discomfit the demon. Alas, he's not quite finished. Nemo is surrounded by demonic fire. Now would be a good time for reinforcements. :-) =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 20:35:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Just Like Old Times On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 22:16:50 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004123 >>"Someone will have to carry this, or TK it into place. It's beyond >>what I can lift comfortably." The rig weighs in about 830 kgs or so, >>[Sheila says.] Justin says he can carry it, and... >The twins pipe up in unison, "Carrying it is not a problem, it is >quite lightweight for us." Sheila smiles, and lets all the volunteers at it, by stepping back out of the way. James, sitting comfortably, just shakes his head once, and goes back to psionic monitoring. Then he goes back to dozing against the wall. >Justin runs his experiment, apparently without much success. it.> Just as Mike (even later than Roland) reacts to Zia's question, the earthquakes start. She cusses feelingly as she scrambles outside... "Maybe we should try to raise the Seal, just as a stabilizer, without powering it up much, Zia." Sheila remarks, once the local area gets quiet enough again. Zia looks thoughtful. "Let's ask James if he can. I don't want to risk it if there is a better way." She notes the now-absent Tower of Big Ben, and turns away from the destruction quickly, as if afraid to see more. "Let's go." The two women go back inside the strangely undamaged church. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 22:05:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Legion and Company On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 00:32:30 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00004124 [OOC Disclaimer: This post may be retconned in some or in part with the agreement of Legion's player. Due to the nature of what Legion is doing in these posts, I might be stepping on other player's toes... if so, PLEASE tell me ASAP so I can post a retraction.] >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 11:54:25 >Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004101 > Roland begins checking in with folx. /Legion? Some of your selves >are magi, yes? Can you give me a 'readout' of sorts of what's going >on magickally in your neck of the world?/ Legion opens her senses up at the question, making an error as she does so... ... she opens them up far too wide. Demons invading... ...closing gates feedback twisting reality... ...burning hellfire... ...physics distorted... ...magic distorted... Legion is buffeted by these feelings, twisting her senses on a variety of levels all at once. A wordless snarl of rage and pain echos through the Army of Light link. In the resistance stronghold, Legion vanishes. No flash of light, no rush of displaced air, simply one minute there, the next minute gone. She reappears beside the Hellgate nearest to her location in New York State. [OOC: Unless this is the one Nemo is at... I thought there was more than one gate from Fuzzy's posts. If Nemo is handling that gate, She'll take others.] There is a moment of utter silence as Legion grabs hold not only of the fabric of reality, but also of several layers of what lies beneath. -WE- The word echos through sound and thought, traveling through the CAoL link as well as through the area surrounding Legion. Legion glows as a pulse of white magic, cleansing like the heart of a flame, or the heart of a star, radiates out of her. -ARE- Like a child playing cat's craddle, she moves the strings of reality, reweaving the area of the gate, picking up the 'slack' of extra energy that Fuzzy's cancelling of the gates caused in this area and holding it in her mental hands. The earthquakes suddenly stop. -NOT- The CAoL thankfully does not share her pain, but they can tell that Legion is in agony as one by one her voices drop out of their unified exclaimation to join in a background screaming of pain. She gives the substrata of reality a little twitch, much the way an experienced person can make wrinkles vanish from a bedspread with a flick of the wrist. The gate has been negated... completely erased from existance. And the energy is sent harmlessly through the substrata of reality. Various tiny, beneficial effects occur as the ecology becomes a little more stable, ley lines are tugged a little closer to back into place, and other small effects not easily seen with the naked eye. Ah, but cumulative effects. -HAPPY- With another flash of purifying energy Legion teleports (Not a relocation, but a teleport) to the church in London, where she quietly collapses in a corner. Her mind/s seem/s to be raw, burnt, and exhausted. =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 23:59:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Re-entry and Reunions On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 22:58:35 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004125 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 14:33:07 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00004100 > >>On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 22:01:54 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004058 >>"I imagine you've got some questions for me, Chris, Doc; fire away." > >Dr. Haakin advances on Roland with a set of syringes and begins >taking blood and tissue samples. To her credit, it is only minorly >painful instead of the introduction to torture 101 that it could have >been. (OOC: Ignore the part of Roland^2's last post where he takes his own blood sample.) Roland^2 runs the gauntlet without wincing; apparently, either he doesn't feel pain any more or what he endured under the Greys was far worse. >Chris says, "What happened after you were captured? I know it can't >be pleasent to talk about, but any information could be of use..." "They implanted this stuff inside me-the tech's related to the Grey-forming devices; it isn't theirs-and set conditioned clones of 'me' to finding and destroying any and all opposition," Roland^2 says bitterly. "Fortunately, they weren't subtle. They pretty much put my-well, 'soul' is the only word to describe it, though I don't believe in souls any more-under a microscope and tried to figure out what made me tick. Any Resistance fighters who had at least one successful run into Grey territory got the same treatment, but only those of us who made three or more got...upgrades." Roland^2 scowls, then smiles suddenly. "Chris-when the Az-machines blew up, the others were freed too! We got 'em, man-we got 'em cold!" >> "Geez." Roland^2 blanches slightly. "And I thought _I_ got a >>rough deal. Does your me have this problem?" > >Legion shakes her head. "No, so far I am unique in my experience... >either individuals of my nature are rare... or else a nature such as >mine tends to have a negative survival value." "Luck's a harsh bitch, isn't she?" Roland^2 says sympathetically (if crudely). =========================== Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 23:59:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Wheel of Fire (I) On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 23:44:49 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004126 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 21:42:18 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004117 > > Giggle. Actually, I got that part, which is how you get a >trace on Sarah later - she has to resort to a quickie Trump sketch of >the maid, which tips of the dear lady and her puter buddy. I think >you got that, too, from your responses. Quite Amberish, already, it's >been three? four? Go rounds on the you know-I know routine.. :) > (OOC: Yea, but I'm willing to put the brakes on it at this point. Ariel knows enough about Zia for now. ) >I (and therefore Roland) have only read 'The Spy Who Loved Me,' >and only the once. (NO resemblance to the movie. ) He wouldn't >recognize the face. The name, OTOH... > >Mandy - Raven helping hand effort, he'll hear James introduce >himself.> (OOC: He won't; James is being genuinely helpful, and Roland doesn't have the time to be a jerk at the moment. ) >James, after a moment's thought, doesn't. He instead, gives Roland an >encrypted code to use, of such flexibility and range of psionic >emanation, most normal psis couldn't even *hear* it. Roland has to strain to catch it; his specialty is PK, not telepathy, but the knowledge he got from Gaunt serves him well. >^It's not that I don't trust you.^ The dapper (he got cleaned up and >dressed in casual hiking type clothes somewhere) young man says, mind >to mind. So Roland knows it is true. ^There are just other >considerations that mean my sig wouldn't be a good thing to be giving >anyone.^ ^So noted,^ he replies, accepting James' explanation for the moment. >Then Zia says quickly, "You don't have any Trumps, do you Roland? >That you know of." Reading the answer off his face before he can >react, one hand moves forwards, phasing though his 'skin' and body, >and harmlessly withdrawing something small, and flat. Her hand is >wreathed in blue arcing power, but Roland feels nothing from it at >all. Except plain visible light. Roland, realizing what Zia's implying, scans himself quickly. [Oh nass-] >James will give Roland a psi rundown on what it is, trying to get him >NOT to clout Zia one, but they are both realizing it's some sort of >booby-trap, so getting it OUT takes precedence. > >Millenia Tree thinking, than Zia or a human. :)> Roland doesn't try anything stupid; he remembers full well what Ariel tried to do, but thought that it was an energy blast. Now sensing the Trump card, he just holds VERY still... (OOC: BTW, what's a Millenia Tree?) >After just long enough for a look at it through Roland's own >perceptions, (as if they fear his reaction if they DON'T prove it was >a real thing) they will be getting it as far away from everyone in >whatever containment Roland can whip up immediately, or the sun. >Whichever is handier. But he certainly won't allow it to stay in >Zia's hand any longer than bsolutely necessary, even when she is >holding it Pattern-Bound. The thing doesn't move, but seems to try and jump around in her hand all the same. Roland _helps_ her teleport it into the sun; that won't destroy a Trump, but it'll keep it out of anyone's hands for a while. >Zia says, calmly, "By the way, Roland, how do YOU know Thorne would >want me dead?" With a very slight grin. More a feeling than an expression. Roland blushes (tm) and sighs. "Because he tried to kill you. He failed, and won't be trying again, though you have Morgan to thank for the latter part. Um. I..." But before Roland can continue... Shadow said: >The cries of the Lords as they are blown back through the gates is >matched by a 'NO!' as the energy tries to shut the gates. The earth >qaukes and large rents appear in the ground as the gates try to slam >shut. At the main gate the sword is in the direct path of the energy. >Three echoes of it appear at each of the minor gates, all in the >energy flow. The sword takes as much of the energy in as it can, >directing it to Nemo along with a command to shore up and keep the >planet from destroying itself and also to tell Armegeddon to put >those f***ing bars back into the energy flow of the planet. The >earthquakes become worse, in the cities buildings fall and crumble. > >OOC: These particular gates are part of the planet. By trying to >force/slam them shut the planet is trying to invert itself and shove >itself through the gates. That is what the extra effect was intended >to prevent when the gates were closed more slowly. (OOC: Except for the little bit about Vishnu. *sigh* well, I guess it's up to Roland to save the day again. ) /"HOLY SPROCKING NASS!"/ Roland shouts as a shockwave knocks him off his feet, leaving the nearby Sil untouched. /What now, fearless leader?/ Sil asks, her cosmic power stretched to the limit holding Europe together. /First of all: Hydra! Jadis pulled something truly stupid, so all bets are off. If the local gods want to throw a fit, they can sprockin' _bill_ me. Armagedon, start sending constructor sparks to hold things together. Zia, you and your crew already set something up that'll hold the planet together nicely, with a few modifications. Nemisis, any splits you can spare to help contain the collateral damage would be appreciated. Justin, forget the surveillance; Jadis is long gone, unless I miss my guess. Help Nemisis with collateral damage, unless you've got some super-science miracle up your sleeve. Nemo, if you can spare the attention, some of that unlimited energy would really come in handy about now-/ Roland suddenly smiles. /Everyone who's not cosmic, go kick Grey or demonic nass. I've got some work to do. Morgan, I love you./ And with that, his left hand grasps the Sigil, and his right hand crackles with power... ...and suddenly, Roland is EVERYWHERE. His energy form surges along every part of the ley lines-what he calls the 'chi' lines-and his TK pours out from every node, along every line, reaching out, protecting people, holding buildings together, releasing pressure from fault lines without causing earthquakes, and generally protecting folx. Even with the massive surge of power he's drawing from the Sigil, it's clear that Roland is overextended. He's exhausted, hurting, and well beyond his limits. The power continues to surge from him. /SILVER PHOENIX, ARMAGEDON,/ Roland intones, not deliberately 'shouting' but apparently unable to prevent it, /FILL THE TUNNELS THAT JADIS CREATED./ (OOC: If Armagedon's busy) /Done,/ Sil snaps, and the tunnels are filled, just like that. Any remaining diggers are crushed. Then Nemo said: >There's a cry of demonic rage, as Nemo's efforts discomfit the demon. >Alas, he's not quite finished. Nemo is surrounded by demonic fire. > > Now would be a good time for reinforcements. :-) (OOC: You got 'em. ) "AS I TOLD ANOTHER OF YOUR ILK ONCE, YOU PICKED THE WRONG MAN, IN THE WRONG PLACE, ON THE WRONG DAY!" Roland's voice booms from everywhere. A surge of power physically _pushes_ the demon back down, while 'pure' resonance 'burns' the creature as it's forced back. (Note: This is assuming that Nemo's still pushing along with Roland; his attention is split in too many directions to drive the thing back by himself.) Finally, Legion said: >The gate has been negated... completely erased from existance. And >the energy is sent harmlessly through the substrata of reality. >Various tiny, beneficial effects occur as the ecology becomes a >little more stable, ley lines are tugged a little closer to back into >place, and other small effects not easily seen with the naked eye. >Ah, but cumulative effects. Roland's pain decreases significantly. /My thanks, Legion-LEGION?!/ >With another flash of purifying energy Legion teleports (Not a >relocation, but a teleport) to the church in London, where she >quietly collapses in a corner. Her mind/s seem/s to be raw, burnt, >and exhausted. Incredible healing energy fills her. There is no attempt to force healing, just the power of life energy-Roland's Quickening, amplified a hundredfold, but divided among as many wounded-being applied to the exhausted Legion. /Rest, my friend. You've done well./ The world is once again in balance, the damage undone. Only one thing remains. Roland stays within the much-healthier (but still shifting) chi lines, watching to see if any other efforts are made to disturb them. Then, with a horrifically powerful telepathic probe, he lances out and cries... *JAAAAADIS!* (OOC: If he finds Jadis, a HUGE fight is about to begin. Otherwise...) /He's not here. HE'S NOT HERE! How did he perform an enchantment-an ENCHANTMENT-on an entire world?! It shouldn't be possible!/ =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 00:34:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Re: Geo-Runes and Feed-Back On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 03:29:31 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004127 << Paul Roslowski wrote: The cries of the Lords as they are blown back through the gates is matched by a 'NO!' as the energy tries to shut the gates. The earth qaukes and large rents appear in the ground as the gates try to slam shut. At the main gate the sword is in the direct path of the energy. Three echoes of it appear at each of the minor gates, all in the energy flow. The sword takes as much of the energy in as it can, directing it to Nemo along with a command to shore up and keep the planet from destroying itself and also to tell Armegeddon to put those f***ing bars back into the energy flow of the planet. The earthquakes become worse, in the cities buildings fall and crumble. >> Armagedon converts the platinum bar in front of the church, back into energy (magical) and re-injects it into the ley lines, SUDDENLY (even for him) (which might start the ley storms again). Hydra, backed by the full power of The Stardragon, extends his hands and emits a sphere of energy from them. As the sphere expands (at a speed of roughly 30,000 MPH, should take about 15 minutes for the sphere to encompass the whole Earth), the ground begins to settle (the energy is keyed to the Earth itself, and will hold in place what it is keyed to). One head "looks" in the direction of the sword. It emits a beam, that links to the sword, siphoning off excess energy (remember he has the ability to concentrate on multiple things at once). =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 00:37:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Wheel of Fire (I) On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 00:31:39 -0700 (PDT) Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00004128 > On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 23:44:49 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004126 > > Shadow said: >>The cries of the Lords as they are blown back through the gates is >>matched by a 'NO!' as the energy tries to shut the gates. The earth >>qaukes and large rents appear in the ground as the gates try to slam >>shut. At the main gate the sword is in the direct path of the >>energy. Three echoes of it appear at each of the minor gates, all in >>the energy flow. The sword takes as much of the energy in as it can, >>directing it to Nemo along with a command to shore up and keep the >>planet from destroying itself and also to tell Armegeddon to put >>those f***ing bars back into the energy flow of the planet. The >>earthquakes become worse, in the cities buildings fall and crumble. >> >>OOC: These particular gates are part of the planet. By trying to >>force/slam them shut the planet is trying to invert itself and shove >>itself through the gates. That is what the extra effect was intended >>to prevent when the gates were closed more slowly. > > (OOC: Except for the little bit about Vishnu. *sigh* well, I > guess it's up to Roland to save the day again. ) > /What now, fearless leader?/ Sil asks, her cosmic power stretched > to the limit holding Europe together. > /First of all: Hydra! Jadis pulled something truly stupid, so all > bets are off. If the local gods want to throw a fit, they can > sprockin' _bill_ me. Armagedon, start sending constructor sparks to > hold things together. Zia, you and your crew already set something > up that'll hold the planet together nicely, with a few > modifications. Nemisis, any splits you can spare to help contain the > collateral damage would be appreciated. Justin, forget the > surveillance; Jadis is long gone, unless I miss my guess. Help > Nemisis with collateral damage, unless you've got some super-science > miracle up your =\Process Engaged\= > /He's not here. HE'S NOT HERE! How did he perform an enchantment- > an ENCHANTMENT-on an entire world?! It shouldn't be possible!/ =\Indications are that he started a Physical Process which, When compleated simply Shaped the Local Energies, This is an aspect of some forms of Techno-Magic.\= =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 01:03:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Hellgate! On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 03:55:48 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004129 << Nemo wrote: "I command thee to return to the pit, Azrael. By the great Tetragrammaton, by Adonai Elohim, and by his servants Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel I compel thee. By Oak, Ash, and Thorn, I will it." There's a cry of demonic rage, as Nemo's efforts discomfit the demon. Alas, he's not quite finished. Nemo is surrounded by demonic fire. Now would be a good time for reinforcements. :-) >> Oracle appears, suddenly, standing next to Nemo. A gesture, and the demon Azrael is encased in a sphere of frozen time. A second gesture, and the globe is tossed back through the open gate. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 04:04:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE4: Maximum Weirdness... On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 06:01:11 -0500 Mike Said As CAoL Message # 00004131 As everyone seemed to act at random, trying to keep Earth from becoming a demon-infested burnt cinder, Mike, the twins, Molly, Pyewackett and Jack hit the street in front of the church. And then, -it- hit them... Ley line energy from the raging storm lanced down at Pyewackett and Molly. Reality, time and space twisted under Mike's feet. The twins and Jack were desperately trying to keep their balance in the seismic activity. By a coincidence that was getting damn irritating, all this happened together. The world became a bright light for the five. And they were gone. A small burnt crater was all that was left, radiating with dimentional rift energy, similar to some of the crudest, most dangerous early X-windows experiments, where the traveler could be thrown at random anywhere or when... > --The Five (The only bad thing about taking off now is I think the twins might know how to find Jadis, but, if my answer is right, so should Zia.) =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 06:35:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Will the Real Amberite Stand Up? (kinda long) On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 08:31:44 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004132 > "Thank you, but your aid in keeping our bond from degenerating is >all that is needed at present." Raver replied in her harsh voice. >(OOC: Can't remember if James can read the Link or not..and the harsh >voice is how I see Raver sounding normally) Sil is re-directing comments from the CAoL Link to him. But he is at least nominally present in Mandy and Raven's shared mind, as he studies it momentarily to learn how to help best. ^Better than Brosnan? My. I'll try and live up to that. Or live it down, whichever applies.^ He 'teases' gently. He has the manners of a British gentleman, without the famous reserve. He also has a carefully controlled streak of killing instinct, that Raver couldn't mistake. But it's very narrow and focused towards his chosen ends, probably one of the most disciplined 'souls' the demoness has ever been in close contact with as well. > Huge wings apparently cut out of reality itself swallowed up the >sky in an absence of light; Raver disappeared, but not before Mandy >had a final glimpse of desperate ruby eyes. The blackness raced over >the mindscape like quicksilver, and Mandy closed her eyes, feeling >the bond's fibers beginning to crack one by one. [So this is how it >ends.] [Not. On. My. Shift.] James thinks, not allowing either lady to hear him. Unable to call upon his full might inside a fatigued body, the man smiles grimly back in the lab room, and releases his body to take to the Astral. He stays close, merely falling through the floor a moment, and laying ethereal hands to Mandy's temples where she sat in the basement. Now unrestricted, psi energy flowed. > [I agree. That...was not comfortable.] Raver materialized next to >Mandy, a shaken expression on her face. After sitting in silence for >a few moments, she tentatively wrapped a wing around Mandy's >shoulders. The human said nothing, knowing that Raver hated being >accused of human emotion, but a small smile flickered in her eyes. >She would have been surprised if she could have seen the faintly >unhappy look in Raver's eyes as the demon watched her... James made sure to repair any weakening or ablative damage to their link, then quickly made it back to his own body before anything nasty tries to catch him 'in the open' as it were. > Roland's thanks to James on the Link jolted the Two back into >awareness of the real world. With a tiny sigh of relief, they >realized that the whole thing had taken only a few seconds in real >time. Raver inclined their head in thanks to James. "We thank you for >your aid." The thought crossed their mind that they would have to >find out if he had sensed anything of what had occurred in their >mind. ^I couldn't help but be aware of it, although I was rather too busy after the initial effort for monitoring the higher memory and consciousness functionality. Is there any difficulty I can be of some help concerning?^ He will relate what he saw, which is all of the problem up until the felt his mental 'pull' to restabilize, and not any of their speech after that. He seems to feel obligated to do so, since they don't seem to be as highly psionic as himself - operating openly and answering their questions seems to be what he considers the only correct way to do this. James =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 06:38:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Legion and Company On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 08:37:36 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004133 >With another flash of purifying energy Legion teleports (Not a >relocation, but a teleport) to the church in London, where she >quietly collapses in a corner. Her mind/s seem/s to be raw, burnt, >and exhausted. Sera, not visible to anyone else, picks her up, even as Roland somehow manages to be everywhere at once dealing with almost every problem at once, including sending her some sort of healing energy. The angel shakes her head, because it's not a type of energy she knows. But seeing the rawness, and the soul-sickness from being near demons in Legion, she chooses to do support work. She gets her cleaned up, laid comfortably in a bed (or church pew, which is probably more comfortable than a hospital bed, anyhow), and journeys out to the entry room. Sera walks back in carefully balancing a hot plate, and a large mug of tea, which she places near Legion. She will wait for her to wake, then explain how things are progressing. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 07:36:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Slamming Gates from Infernal Places On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 09:32:46 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004134 >>>Mandy - Raven helping hand effort, he'll hear James introduce >>himself.> > > (OOC: He won't; James is being genuinely helpful, and Roland >doesn't have the time to be a jerk at the moment. ) > Roland doesn't try anything stupid; he remembers full well what >Ariel tried to do, but thought that it was an energy blast. Now >sensing the Trump card, he just holds VERY still... > (OOC: BTW, what's a Millenia Tree?) ooSC: You mean Morgan doesn't know? Giggle. Well, they're from Cthulhu Mythos, the Dreamlands. Basically, lesser versions of Yggsdrasil, the World Tree of Norse legend. Big huge sentient trees, about a mile high, take 1,000 years to grow a foot. Morgan would LOVE to meet one, I bet. They're one of the rare GOOD Cthulhu mythos "monsters". > The thing doesn't move, but seems to try and jump around in her >hand all the same. Roland _helps_ her teleport it into the sun; that >won't destroy a Trump, but it'll keep it out of anyone's hands for a >while. ooSC: It won't destroy a Trump? Gee, how indestructible ARE Trumps? My Game Master would fry mine at the least excuse, because 'they are just paper.' >>Zia says, calmly, "By the way, Roland, how do YOU know Thorne would >>want me dead?" With a very slight grin. More a feeling than an >>expression. > > Roland blushes (tm) and sighs. "Because he tried to kill you. He >failed, and won't be trying again, though you have Morgan to thank >for the latter part. Um. I..." > But before Roland can continue... Saved by the Hell Gate - from having to explain how Zia knew to tease him. It's bad when the baddies know more than your own side's fearless leader. > /"HOLY SPROCKING NASS!"/ Roland shouts as a Zia, you and > your crew already set something up that'll hold the planet together > nicely, with a few modifications. The brunette shoots Sheila a glance, and shrugs, [Like we didn't know that?] She watches Nemo, Oracle, and especially, Hydra, expend a teriffic amount of energy, even before she can get teleported to the Nodes. The Amber Crew does move out, but as Hydra's energy bubble swells, and Sil crushes the runes, Zia halts them a moment. Because Armageddon has restrated the ley line storms, the London Node is unsafe, as are several of the others. Being magic, they fluctuate wildly as well. > Roland suddenly smiles. /Everyone who's not cosmic, go kick Grey >or demonic nass. I've got some work to do. Morgan, I love you./ Sarcastically, to Roland's earlier comment, she drawls, just to the Crew, [Well I may not be 'cosmic' whatever THAT means, but I sure as Hell ain't chopped liver, either. But it doesn't look like anyone tries to find the best solution, it's just 'Ready, Fire, Aim' again. I couldn't even help Mike's group, though at least we know they'll make it through alive.] [I think I had more fun trying not to get killed in Amber the first time. At least there if someone was working with you, they wouldn't usually trip you up. Unless they meant it. This cutting in on plays assigned thing is getting rather old. Fast.] Zia monitors the action, as James and Sera defend their locations from demons. Any demons who have the misfortune of attacking Sera's church find themselves either banished back home or, better yet, she actually convinces one or two to repent. > Roland stays within the much-healthier (but still shifting) chi >lines, watching to see if any other efforts are made to disturb them. >Then, with a horrifically powerful telepathic probe, he lances out >and cries... > *JAAAAADIS!* Zia grins, [Think he'd notice now, Sera? Me neither.] She grasps the entire Shadow, as only an Amberite can, but subtly so none of the higher order entities here can even become aware of her manipulations. She groks the causes, the effects, and slides through the happenings of the moment with barely a ripple. She keeps the order of things constant, but studies what she wants changed. [Aha. Yes, he still has Morgan's druidical ties. And is not well practiced with them. It is a most fitting way.] The young brunette grins, as she effortlessly reaches out, allowing the healing of the chi lines to reflect their improvement in condition back through Roland's own consciousness as his workings everywhere, his probes, and even his considerable wrath distract the Immortal. Making sure that such an effect will be most understandable and quite easy to trace to "natural" causes later. <> > /He's not here. HE'S NOT HERE! How did he perform an enchantment >-an ENCHANTMENT-on an entire world?! It shouldn't be possible!/ Echoed to the Link from Sil. *Why not Roland, we did. As did Hydra, Fuzzy, and through technology of the Az devices, even the Greys did.* From James, with an echo of thought that seems to be Sheila. Zia sits, apparent to everyone who looks, merely watching the battle, as the Crew isn't needed to stabilize the Earth anymore. While secretly, she works through the godhead here (because that's what she assumed, earlier, and more, by 'taking' this as a personal shadow). Ley lines, close to their natural form now, she 'urges' along in any of the 'more probable' recovery paths of circumstance. The storms fade like violent thunderstorms often do, incredible quickness and silence, then birds and suddenly it is a nice day once more. The youngest Amberite smiles, and reaches a bit for the Arc. Tapping a tiny fraction of it's stored power, she improves the odds for survivors in the ruins being alive, being uninjured, being found in time, etc. She sighs, but does not go as far as Jadis, and start actually 'creating' things. But then she smiles, coldly. And every single demon still on this plane, even if fleeing, hears a male voice, unmistakable in either origin or power to fulfill the words. Except Raver. (ooSC: Er, I mean god as in a god, not THE God, so I don't want to upset anyone. In the Amber books, a personal shadow means "you control the destiny of the plane as a whole, but not individuals." I think this counts as part of the 'as a whole' bit.) "You have been cast out as punishment not in pain and darkness, but separation from that which you rebelled against. Again, you have rebelled. Repent, or retreat back to whence you came, or otherwise have no further existence in this realm or any other." Three seconds later, any invader still fighting or remaining to cause trouble later, no matter how well concealed... is simply gone without a trace that they had ever been present. Ones that are fleeing, and who actually leave, make it. Ones that pause, or can't get out, also vanish. Oh! And now, the fun part. Nemo (the one opposing Azrael) gets a saint's halo, like Sera's but in silver light. Someone else will probably note it first, hard to see things behind one's head. It'll only be on THIS particular plane, and dimension, but it sounds like a fun thing to play for grins. (Or Nemo could just refute it, and it'll fade away. Don't want to force something like that.) =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 08:37:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Legion and Company On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:10:27 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00004135 Sorry, I ment to post a reply before this but... > On Sat, 25 Apr '98 Caprice Said: > > Legion looked up at her fellow member of the CAoL, "Do you > mind shifting down to something a little more reasonable?" Once again, Dhyrclhanc's physical form seems to melt and reforge itself, and also shrink. Then, instead of the 21 ft. tall Lensdragon, there stands before the human resistance movement Dhyrclhanc's 6ft tall, winged, psuedo-T'Skrang form. Now Dhyrclhanc was wearing B5-style Ranger's garb, his Lens was once again on his wrist, all extraneous items were packed back away in his, now, man-sized duffle-ba., All, save the Glaive, which was clipped to the duffle-bag's strap, and Redemption, which was sheathed at Dhyrclhanc's side. The winged LensT'Skrang aproached the lady in the wheelchair. "Madam, Dr. Haakin, I am called 'Dhyrclhanc' and I am a member of the sixth-column comando unit that your 'comrade-in-arms' may have described as an 'anti-invasion force'. At present it would appear that we have helped you drive the Greys off of your world, but thanks to various of _our_ enemies, the situation has become more complicated." "Never the less, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have for me. Although, I warn you that you may not like, or understand, the answers I may give." He pauses, waitng for the good doctor's reply. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 08:37:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Re-entry and Reunions On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:07:52 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00004136 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 22:58:35 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004125 > >>On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 14:33:07 -0400 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00004100 >> > "They implanted this stuff inside me-the tech's related to the >Grey-forming devices; it isn't theirs-and set conditioned clones of >'me' to finding and destroying any and all opposition," Roland^2 says >bitterly. > "Fortunately, they weren't subtle. They pretty much put my-well, >'soul' is the only word to describe it, though I don't believe in >souls any more-under a microscope and tried to figure out what made >me tick. Any Resistance fighters who had at least one successful run >into Grey territory got the same treatment, but only those of us who >made three or more got...upgrades." Roland^2 scowls, then smiles >suddenly. "Chris-when the Az-machines blew up, the others were freed >too! We got 'em, man-we got 'em cold!" Chris looks surprised for a moment, then grins, like a wolf baring teeth. Dr. Haakin doesn't even look up from the tests she is running on the samples from Roland. "Freed? If they are alive, wouldn't that put them in the heart of Grey territory? And if so, wouldn't someone need to retrieve them?" The questions are asked with her usual tone, which is to say next to none. >>Legion shakes her head. "No, so far I am unique in my experience... >>either individuals of my nature are rare... or else a nature such as >>mine tends to have a negative survival value." > > "Luck's a harsh bitch, isn't she?" Roland^2 says sympathetically >(if crudely). Legion grimaces, "Damn straight." She pauses, head turned as if listening to something. Then suddenly her expression changes, horror/rage/nausea fighting across her features. Without a word, she vanishes. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 08:37:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Wheel of Fire (I) On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:24:53 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00004137 >On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 23:44:49 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004126 > >>With another flash of purifying energy Legion teleports (Not a >>relocation, but a teleport) to the church in London, where she >>quietly collapses in a corner. Her mind/s seem/s to be raw, burnt, >>and exhausted. > > Incredible healing energy fills her. There is no attempt to force >healing, just the power of life energy-Roland's Quickening, amplified >a hundredfold, but divided among as many wounded-being applied to the >exhausted Legion. The twenty-plus selves that make up Legion soak up the energy the way that parched earth soaks up rain. Anyone watching her will see complex shifting patterns of energy as they work to heal themselves. > /Rest, my friend. You've done well./ Legion doesn't answer, but there is a vague feeling that she's heard. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 14:07:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE: At the height of the madness... On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 16:40:23 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004139 Before the madness... The sobbing man gets to his feet, a profound look of resolution on his face. "Never again. NEVER AGAIN!" He waves his hand over a starburst jewel pinned to the right side of his shirt, "Wake, and hide yourself." He begins to move, more and more quickly. He passes the point where eyes could follow him, slowing only as he approached London. 'Have to pick my moment carefully,' he thought. So he waited until all hell broke loose. Again commanding the jewel, 'Make me seem as you, but protect me and get me past the sheilds,' he walked up to the sheilds surrounding the CAoL's base. Then he walked through them. OOC: To any scans he appears to be John, and John will respond, tersely, to any queries made by Armegeddon, who is the only one likely to notice, considering everyone is kinda busy right now. He paused briefly, then quickly moved to the med-center, walking past the injured until he came to a small boy, "Abomination.. DIE!" he cried as he plunged a blue glowing fist down at the child's head. The child's features showed terrified incomprehension for one breif instant before becoming cruel. A small hand shot forward to grip the descending wrist, fingers crunching into bone as the killing blow was stopped, "So, cur, there's still some bite left in your beaten hide. You shall know agonies _I_ haven't dreamt of yet." They both fade out as the child stands and calls, "Roland! I thank you for the medical attention. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" OOC: Well, that's the lead in to what I'm going to do... Once we finish with the Hellgate stuff. Which the continuity gods are trying very hard to ignore, at the moment. Oh, Gamer, if he's still looking Justin can see Jadis now before he fades out. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 17:07:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV Mother from HQ to All Effectives On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:47:51 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004140 Zia 'watches' the Node a few moments, then as the 'voice' is addressing the demons, and the three seconds go by, she is suddenly addressing several people in quick succession. ^Sil, if you can, I need support here. No one else has time to handle ops, and Roland's flooded, and his XO is AWOL. I figure that means it falls to you. Relay until I can brief you, please? Things are a bit ... dis-orderly.^ A slight smile. Then, through Sil's repeater to the link, or whatever, to Hydra, /Stop. Reverse flow, feed the blade not draw. Take the feed from Armageddon's matter conversion, here {}. Armageddon, if you need backup on the redirect to cover the distance, tap James." /Someone get me Rhiannon here, so Sera can heal her, STAT. She also had a lock on Jadis' location since I just learned that Jadis is the one holding John. [Imaginary numbers, I _hate_ vague statements.] John just vanished with Jadis in combat, apparently a struggle for domination or possession was in progress, and Jadis had been lying low with our own wounded in treatment. Too bad Sera was with Legion, I'd have paid good money to see her sing that corrupt little gnome a song./ /Justin, Sheila, and anyone else not occupied, please start working damage control. Especially how to control the earthquakes, and rescue efforts for the survivors. Raver and Mandy, are you recovered enough to act as sweep detail for our own stranded, and if so, do you need teleport support for such an effort? If it's a yes, coordinate with Sera. If no, organize the local supers from Hydra's chambers, and set them on doing it./ /First, Rhiannon, next, find Driss, he's been out of touch too long. Then anyone else still missing, and Roland if he falls on his nose after all the heroing jazz is complete./ /Dhryclanc, or anyone else in contact with the former rebels right now, let me know, they can be the core of our rescue force. We've got to get civil order re-established fast, or we'll have looting and worse. Coordinate through Nemesis or Nemo, if he gets loose of that tiger's tail he has ahold of./ She seems ready to detail further plans, but stops, and waits to see what the reactions and next happenings are first. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:37:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Re: Geo-Runes and Feed-Back On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 21:26:26 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004142 > On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 03:29:31 EDT > Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004127 > > Hydra, backed by the full power of The Stardragon, extends his hands > and emits a sphere of energy from them. As the sphere expands (at a > speed of roughly 30,000 MPH, should take about 15 minutes for the > sphere to encompass the whole Earth), the ground begins to settle > (the energy is keyed to the Earth itself, and will hold in place > what it is keyed to). > One head "looks" in the direction of the sword. It emits a beam, > that links to the sword, siphoning off excess energy (remember he > has the ability to concentrate on multiple things at once). The wavering of the main gate, and the earthquakes increase as Hydra siphons off excess energy from the sword. (The sword wouldn't be able to even understand the concept of excess energy, there's just what it's using, and what it may use in the future. If it could spare the energy now that you're draining it's excess, read reserves, it would send a truly nasty energy spike your way.) As the sphere expands the ground settles, but the spacial tension increases. Eventually the entire globe will move through the gate at once, in about a half hour, instead of bits and peices. Minor Demons, those intelligent enough to realize the likely effects of staying, disperse from the main gateway, trying to scatter and hide. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 21:09:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV Mother from HQ to All Effectives On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 23:51:44 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004144 << Zia wrote: Zia 'watches' the Node a few moments, then as the 'voice' is addressing the demons, and the three seconds go by, she is suddenly addressing several people in quick succession. ^Sil, if you can, I need support here. No one else has time to handle ops, and Roland's flooded, and his XO is AWOL. I figure that means it falls to you. Relay until I can brief you, please? Things are a bit ... dis-orderly.^ A slight smile. Then, through Sil's repeater to the link, or whatever, to Hydra, /Stop. Reverse flow, feed the blade not draw. Take the feed from Armageddon's matter conversion, here {}. Armageddon, if you need backup on the redirect to cover the distance, tap James." >> Hydra simply nods (eight heads) and all but one head redirect their gaze to orient on the distant sword. The sword is quickly examined and then energy is poured into it (manifesting locally in whatever form the sword can most easily assimilate). A trickle at first, then quickly ramping up to just below the swords maximum ability to absorb (without being damaged). The last head maintains concentration on the effort to hold the Earth together. /For this short distance there is no problem,/ Armagedon replies. Oracle reaches out to reinforce the sword, so that any surges won't overpower its capability to absorb energy. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 21:36:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Wheel of Fire (I) On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 21:15:27 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004145 > On Sun, 26 Apr 1998 23:44:49 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004126 > > "AS I TOLD ANOTHER OF YOUR ILK ONCE, YOU PICKED THE WRONG MAN, IN > THE WRONG PLACE, ON THE WRONG DAY!" Roland's voice booms from > everywhere. A surge of power physically _pushes_ the demon back > down, while 'pure' resonance 'burns' the creature as it's forced > back. (Note: This is assuming that Nemo's still pushing along with > Roland; his attention is split in too many directions to drive the > thing back by himself.) Oh yes, Nemo is still pushing. He looks a bit crisp around the edges, but he's pushing. Magickly against the demon, and physically towards the center of the gate. With the extra distractions Roland (and no doubt others) are providing, he reaches the center and slams the sword into it. Then he collapses across it. =========================== Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 23:41:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV Mother from HQ to All Effectives On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 21:42:24 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004146 > On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:47:51 -0500 > Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004140 > > /Someone get me Rhiannon here, so Sera can heal her, STAT. /Unless you need her for something, there's no rush. She's in stasis until someone turns off the generator. Time ratio is 100 million years outside equals 1 second inside./ ===========================