Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4
                              Chapter 46

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 18:08:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE4 Strange Aeons

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 01:52:17 -0700
Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00004828

Stranger was lost.

He wasn't used to being lost, but his D-jump was having the greatest
difficulty locking onto the local spacetime.

He'd tried to follow the other sto Jadisland, but that "fight" with
Gruber had delayed him, and when he tried to D-jump into Jadisland
he'd ended up here.

He stood on a hill looking out across Tokyo bay. This was clearly one
of the strangest places even he had ever been.

Down in the bay, two creatures were fighting. But, to Stranger, they
looked for all the world like giant men in rubber suits. But that
clearly couldn't be right.

Stranger

<OOC: I'm on holiday for two weeks in Scotland, so I've shoved
Stranger onto a parallel course for a while, hopefully he'll catch up
when I get back. Until then he can live up to his name :-) >

<OOC: PS: My mail should spool up OK, but if it jams up can you unsub
me from the list please? Thanks in advance.>
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:08:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: To Market, To Market...

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:38:04 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004829

<< Roland wrote:
    ^If they resist, then I won't force the issue. As for Jadis...^
Roland's concentration returns to Hydra. ^Hydra, can you do something
with these people to keep them safe if they really are victims of a
mental snow job? Like, say, transform them into energy and hide them
in your projected form? Or whatever would work best?^
  >>
^That last, I can't do without killing them in the process, but there
is something I CAN do. I won't detail it at this time, in case Jadis
can tap into our private conversation, but I will act if it becomes
necessary./ Hydra answers.
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:08:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: To Market, To Market...

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:59:09 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004830

<< Paul Roslowski <pookie> wrote:
 Jadis looks at Roland once the people have finished prostrating
themselves, their faces pressed into the dust, "Pity," He says, in
response to Roland's declaration. As he says that the Jyhadein behind
him clenches his fist. Gun emplacements flip out of all the buildings
in the town and begin firing. Laser, plasma, bullets, all built into
the walls of the town.
  >>
(OOC: timing - this happens AS all the "stuff" is removed by whatever
did it) Hydra seems to vanish, to normal vision, for 1 second. To
those who can act and see at SUPER speed, he becomes an amorphus shape
with enough protrusions to point one at each of the villagers. In the
time the lasers travel one meter, the villagers shrink out of sight. A
nano-second later Jadis (OOC: if he CAN sense such things) will sense
a tiny pocket universe form, not outside this one, but rather inside
it. To the outside world the pocket universe would measure less than a
nano-meter. Inside it is large enough to hold the villagers, in a
no-time space, that have been shrunk to 1/10000th of their normal
size. The micro universe is then "hidden" in a fold of Hydra's armor
as he resume the familliar form (OOC: please note the sword didn't
change at all during this).
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:39:07 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:14:58
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004831

>On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 14:19:56 -0500
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004826
>
>:On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 08:05:02 PST
>:Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004821
>
>"And here you've gone and _told_ 'em we're your opposition. Foolish
>one, that means we MIGHT defeat you. Else why would you come here and
>oppose us? And if you are an Evil God, then a Good Devil is JUST the
>"medicine" magic I need."

   /Talk about playing Devil's Advocate,/ Roland chuckles through the
link. Apparently, the Freelance Immortal needs protein. <g>

>:<OOC: I trust we are going to depart the village so as the lessen
>: the "friendly fire" hazard to the villagers?>
>
><ooSC: I'm sure Zia would be MOST happy to accept a 'lift'... heh.>

   Roland suddenly looks amazingly like Corporal Hicks from Aliens.
"MARINES! We are leaving-NOW!" His face snaps back to normal, and he
whistles.
   Sil, wearing a yellow cap with black and white checkers, drives up
in a heavily armored gunmetal-gray hoverbus. "One magickal mystery
tourbus, coming up!"
   Roland groans as he jumps on (literally) to the bus. "What tour?"
   "The Callahanian Disaster tour, of course!" Sil beams. "/Hey Molly,
which of us do you think does more damage, the CAoL or that band you
were with?/"
   "I hadda ask," Roland sighs, motioning the others toward the road
as they drive past Jadis. Roland throws the corrupt sorceror a jaunty
salute, then his eyes burst into a blinding flash of light directed at
Jadis. "As Mickey said to Minnie when Donald caught Daisy with Goofy,
'Let's get the duck OUT of here!'"
   (OOC: On to the next deathtrap! ;^)
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:39:12 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: To Market, To Market...

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:20:24
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004832

>On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:59:09 EDT
>DaneSaid As CAoL Message # 00004830
>
>Hydra seems to vanish, to normal vision, for 1 second. To those who
>can act and see at SUPER speed, he becomes an amorphus shape with
>enough protrusions to point one at each of the villagers. In the time
>the lasers travel one meter, the villagers shrink out of sight. A
>nano-second later Jadis (OOC: if he CAN sense such things) will sense
>a tiny pocket universe form, not outside this one, but rather inside
>it. To the outside world the pocket universe would measure less than
>a nano-meter. Inside it is large enough to hold the villagers, in a
>no-time space, that have been shrunk to 1/10000th of their normal
>size. The micro universe is then "hidden" in a fold of Hydra's armor
>as he resume the familliar form (OOC: please note the sword didn't
>change at all during this).

   Roland sighs. /Good work, Hydra. Problem is, they follow Jadis
willingly. Hold them there for now, so they won't get in our way, but
we'll probably have to leave 'em here when we go. If we take them away
from here against their will, we'll be no better than Jadis was./
   He smiles thinly at the bubble. /OTOH, he can't use them as weapons
or hostages while they're in _there._ Good job./
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:39:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:23:36 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004833

<< Doc Said
 When last we left our intrepid (foolish) adventurer:

 Doc approaches Hydra, stops in front him, and proceeds to say to him,
<presuming that he has acknowledged him somehow> "I am told that you
started that earthquake a little earlier"
 >>
One of Hydra's heads looks down from 430 feet up at the tiny human
form at his toes and answers, "It began with my action, yes, but that
should have been a simple impact tremor, not a continuing earthquake.
The earthquake was entirely his doing." as he points at Jadis-1.

<<
 "Fine then you can go close the graves of those that were killed by
it. Between digging out survivors, and bodies, and then digging the
graves we don't have the energy left to close them."
  >>
"I deny responsibility for the deaths, but am happy to help those in
need" Hydra says. He points a finger at the graveyard, and the ground
roils around the open graves. When it stops, the ground is perfectly
smooth, and the grasses of the graveyard are evenly distributed, so
that no part of the graveyard has more grass than any other part. He
then points at the populace of the village, and a beam of energy
lashes out. Every villager is struck simultaneously, and instantly any
injuries, or illneses (including formerly missing body parts
regardless of WHEN it was lost) are healed/cured/restored, fatigue is
gone (as if each person had just woken up from a 12 hour sleep) as is
hunger (as though each had finished a seven course meal an hour
earlier). He speaks to the villagers "I sorrow for your loss. Let all
things be as That Which Creates wills."
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 20:34:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:21:38 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004834

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 01:36:10 EDT
> Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00004816
>
> ~NO!~ A loud voice echos across the village. The bullets and
> plasma/laser beams vanish in mid-air. A voice says "Kill Roland
> Pheonix or his compainions, and risk our wraith." And with that, a
> projection appears before Jadis. It is a sword, bent so that it is
> stabbing its own hilt. The sword vanishes, and all is as it was
> before the violence began.

Once the projections leave Jadis sighs, "Can _no one_ build a decent
D-block these days? Or even follow a simple set of how-tos. Next time
I'll draw pictures, maybe that will help. Can't find good help these
days."

Jadis looks back around the marketplace, "Continue on." The beams and
everything snap back into existence.

> (OOC: I've clued in Shadow via e-mail as to what this means, and I'm
> avoiding saying anything on the main list so as to avoid spoiling
> anybody... (But I will answer via e-mail what exactly this is. (Just
> don't expect a straight answer...))

OOC: Not that he'd(Jadis) care much about what just happened. His
plans have been carefully laid. (Yep, I do have outcomes for every set
of finishes that I could think up.)
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 20:34:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:35:09 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004835

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 03:37:54 -0500
> Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004817
>
> Without a word, Molly is airborne, making a beeline toward the
> castle at roughly 100 miles per hour, Tink zipping along beside her.

OOC: I assume Molly is heading in a straight line course for the
castle as opposed to the somewhat cicuitous path on the map?
Whichever...

As Molly speeds along, Walls of Force begin to appear in front of her.
(Invisible walls, If you hit 'em, it's like hitting a solid.)
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 20:40:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE:Here we go, time to go.

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 20:56:42 -0700 (MST)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004836

 Driss continues to play through everything. A few of the auto-weapons
that do get a chance to fire target the Immortal wanderer. Those with
visions fast enough to see such things note that at a particular
distance from Driss lead and steel slugs waver in midair and wiz by
while lasers actually bend a minute amount to scortch the ground
around Driss.
 As Hydra rounds up the villagers Driss finally lets the music fade
away and puts away the flute. "Well I guess that solves things in the
same direction I was striving for. Personally I wasn't about to give
jadis the satisfaction of fighting these people and Bardic magic was
all I could think of to use."
 *You know you really should play more often anyways Driss.*
 *Maybe later when we aren't up to our necks n things trying to kill
us.*
 "First I need a change of clothes and attitude I think." And with
that Driss steps back into his cloak and vanishes from sight. Roscoe
snaps up the cloak in his jaws before he jumps aboard the hover-bus
followed closely by Jim who has just been standing by watchng
everything.


 Outside the dimentional barriers Jadis becomes aware of a kind of
Knocking. It's slow and deliberate but polite. The energy also has a
particular feel to it that He has seen before. It's definitely being
sent from Soulstealer.
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 20:54:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE:Here we go, time to go.

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 23:44:53 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004837

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 20:56:42 -0700 (MST)
> Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004836
>
>  Outside the dimentional barriers Jadis becomes aware of a kind of
> Knocking. It's slow and deliberate but polite. The energy also has a
> particular feel to it that He has seen before. It's definitely being
> sent from Soulstealer.

Jadis, from where he is sitting with Shard, looks faintly annoyed, "I
am so very popular today. Let's see what this one wants." He opens a
hole in the D-bar, with the equivalent of a 'come-on-through' as well.
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:49:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 23:41:03 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004839

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:23:36 EDT
> Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004833
>
> One of Hydra's heads looks down from 430 feet up at the tiny human
> form at his toes and answers, "It began with my action, yes, but
> that should have been a simple impact tremor, not a continuing
> earthquake. The earthquake

"And it didn't occur to you that Jadis would take such a seed and
amplify it?" Anyone looking at Doc right now would swear that he was
part Irish because his dander is way up about this.

> was entirely his doing." as he points at Jadis-1.
<snip>
> "I deny responsibility for the deaths, but am happy to help those in
> need" Hydra says. He points a finger at the graveyard, and the
> ground roils around the open graves. When it stops, the ground is
> perfectly smooth, and the grasses of the graveyard are evenly
> distributed, so that no part of the graveyard has more grass than
> any other part. He then points at the populace of the village, and a
> beam of energy lashes out. Every villager is struck simultaneously,
> and instantly any injuries, or illneses (including formerly missing
> body parts regardless of WHEN it was lost) are healed/

<OOC: Doc's been here about a week to ten days, so the only thing left
to fix are formerly missing body parts /OOC>

> cured/restored, fatigue is gone (as if each person had just woken up
> from a 12 hour sleep) as is hunger (as though each had finished a
> seven course meal an hour earlier).

"Well it's a start, for the rest that is between you and karma now,"
so sayeth the Doc.

> He speaks to the villagers "I sorrow for your loss.
> Let all things be as That Which Creates wills."
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Doc says "Oh great, just great!!! In case you hadn't notice "That
Which Creates" around here is Jadis and _you_ just basically gave him
carte blanch to do whatever he wants." <OOC: as if he didn't have that
here already :^) /OOC>

Doc shakes his head and muttering under his breath about so much power
so little control or consideration for it's use in someone else's home
turf, turns away.

"Now, where did those two enchanting ladies go?" quoth (sp?) the
searching Doc.
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:53:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 23:35:27 -0500
Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004841

>On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:14:58
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004831
>
>   "The Callahanian Disaster tour, of course!" Sil beams. "/Hey
>Molly, which of us do you think does more damage, the CAoL or that
>band you were with?/"

/I wasn't with the band, just saw a concert. As for destructive, with
Starspawn, the CAol, without...hmm...close call, but I think you guys
win by a subatomic particle./

/Oh, Roland, do offer the Doc a ride. He has cared for these villagers
and would probably like to see to their safety, and he reminds me of
an uncle I told Nemo and Sheila about once./
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:37:59 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 00:10:55 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004843

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:21:38 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004834
>
> Once the projections leave Jadis sighs, "Can _no one_ build a decent
> D-block these days? Or even follow a simple set of how-tos. Next
> time I'll draw pictures, maybe that will help. Can't find good help
> these days."
>
> Jadis looks back around the marketplace, "Continue on." The beams
> and everything snap back into existence.

Doc is still looking for Molly and Tink, as at the same time he pulls
the flap on his hood shut, he now looks like a walking crystal statue,
the flap having self sealed all the way around his face. The first
plasma hit incinerates his cloak. (it was just plain wool)

Bullets just *spang* away flat as a pancake and about as harmful.
Lasers are partially absorbed as energy and the rest is reflected back
out as harmless rainbows. (ain't scintillating crystal fun?) Plasma
actually appears to have an effect on it as melt spots seem to form
where they hit and then they regen back to normal within about 1/2
sec. Anyone still scanning on psi bands will note that the armor is
doing the work automatically.

Doc (who ain't gonna correct it this time)
Lizard Tongue (getting confused about what happens when in relation to
what)
===========================

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:41:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:35:36
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004844 (& 4845)

>On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 23:41:03 -0500
>Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004839
>
>> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:23:36 EDT
>> Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004833
<snip>
>> He speaks to the villagers "I sorrow for your loss.
>> Let all things be as That Which Creates wills."
>                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Doc says "Oh great, just great!!! In case you hadn't notice "That
>Which Creates" around here is Jadis and _you_ just basically gave him
>carte blanch to do whatever he wants."

   "Perhaps you didn't hear the 'caps' on those words. Hydra meant THE
Creator. Jadis isn't the Tao, no matter _what_ he thinks," Roland
notes dryly as his forcefields spring to life once more. He
concentrates, trying to tap into the weapons control system (if
technological) or short them out (if not).

>"Now, where did those two enchanting ladies go?" quoth (sp?) the
>searching Doc.

   "All aboard," Sil replies, pulling the CDTB up, tipping her hat and
smiling winningly. (OOC: Sil's not too bad looking herself, in this
body. 8^)
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 00:07:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 03:03:52 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004846

<< Doc Said
 Doc says "Oh great, just great!!! In case you hadn't notice "That
Which Creates" around here is Jadis and _you_ just basically gave him
carte blanch to do whatever he wants." <OOC: as if he didn't have that
here already :^) /OOC>
>>
"For Jadis to claim to be the Macro Cosmic Creator, would be a
blasphemy of such proportions as to set his feet irrevocably on the
path to becomming an avatar of the Great Adversary. Already he has
started down that path, by setting himself up as THE local god, and
being evil, thereby being the local god of evil." Hydra answers.
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 00:36:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: To Market, To Market...

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 03:09:43 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004847

<< Roland wrote:
    Roland sighs. /Good work, Hydra. Problem is, they follow Jadis
willingly. Hold them there for now, so they won't get in our way, but
we'll probably have to leave 'em here when we go. If we take them away
from here against their will, we'll be no better than Jadis was./
    He smiles thinly at the bubble. /OTOH, he can't use them as
weapons or hostages while they're in _there._ Good job./
  >>
^They will experience NO time lapse until they are removed, and
enlarged to normal. When we are finished here, they will be restored,
if possible, as though we had simply vanished in the first attack.^
Hydra responds.
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 02:07:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 03:18:09 -0500
Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004848

>On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:35:09 -0400 (EDT)
>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004835
>
>OOC: I assume Molly is heading in a straight line course for the
>castle as opposed to the somewhat cicuitous path on the map?
>Whichever...

<OOC: Hmm, yeah, Molly has had it with Jadis' games, she'll make a
straight line for the castle.>

>As Molly speeds along, Walls of Force begin to appear in front of
>her. (Invisible walls, If you hit 'em, it's like hitting a solid.)

Tink's antenna twitch and both she and Molly stop in front of the
first wall. Placing hands on the wall, Molly looks a lot like a mime,
looking for a way out of the 'box'. She sits down on the ground in
front of it, folding her legs around until her right foot rests on top
of her left thigh and her left foot rests on top of her right thigh.
Her hands rest palms upward in her lap, fingers intertwined with the
thumb tips touching to form an oval with thumbs and fingers. Tink sits
in an identical position in Molly's hands.

They sit there until Raver/Mandy is able to see them clearly.

Then Molly and Tink shift, 'body and all'...

...into Astral Space.

<OOC: Been curious what Jadis has got floating around out here,
Shadow. :)>
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 06:36:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: RE: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 08:10:16 -0500
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004849

:>"And here you've gone and _told_ 'em we're your opposition. Foolish
:>one, that means we MIGHT defeat you. Else why would you come here
:>and oppose us? And if you are an Evil God, then a Good Devil is JUST
:>the "medicine" magic I need."
:
:   /Talk about playing Devil's Advocate,/ Roland chuckles through the
:link. Apparently, the Freelance Immortal needs protein. <g>

<ooSC: Well, I know _one_ effect of Legion's being gone now; no more
re-echoes to Zia's Lens of the CAoL link. As she doesn't really trust
it's privacy here, and Zia never wanted to be interfaced to any multi-
person permanent link anyway... she won't be complaining. She will
peanust said Immortal if he says this where she can "hear" it later,
like if when she actually gets Mandy and Raver's agreements to her
plan.>

:   Roland suddenly looks amazingly like Corporal Hicks from Aliens.
:"MARINES! We are leaving-NOW!" His face snaps back to normal, and he
:whistles. <snip Sil and bus> "As Mickey said to Minnie when Donald
:caught Daisy with Goofy, 'Let's get the duck OUT of here!'"
:   (OOC: On to the next deathtrap! ;^)

Zia looks relieved, and scoots for the bus. "It's _Jadis_ season." She
adds as if arguing the point, in a comically good imitation Daffy
voice. She'll brace and give anyone else who might benefit from a
quick hand in with her undamaged side and arm (like maybe Driss,
delayed by his changing of costume?) Or just anyone who takes it: Zia
is polite by habit.

Then she'll take a seat, and lean back and relax. Then to someone un-
busy around, remark coincidentally. "Why didn't we just let Hydra do
this? Well, I know why I didn't... but that doesn't explain the rest
of you." She grins. "I know. You like being annoyed and risking your
necks, right?"
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 09:40:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE:Here we go, time to go.

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 09:46:00 -0700 (MST)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004850

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 23:44:53 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004837
>
> Jadis, from where he is sitting with Shard, looks faintly annoyed,
> "I am so very popular today. Let's see what this one wants." He
> opens a hole in the D-bar, with the equivalent of a
> 'come-on-through' as well.

 A young man, looking about 15 years old steps through the barrier
with a very attracive woman in her early twenties. The woman looks
like Darath but the demenor is completely wrong. She sticks close to
the boy trying to look in every direction at once, fear obvious upon
her face. The boy however seems in total control of his faculties as
he slides Soulstealer back into a scabbard upon his back and bows low
to Jadis.
 *Good eve sir. I thank you for letting me in, and I know you are
quite busy right now so I shan't make myself much of a bother. I would
have been here before but I haven't quite mastered my time traveling
yet. All I ask is the oppurtunity to watch you make the lives of the
CaoL miserable until you chase them out of your dimention. I would
sorely love to do that same to my "Uncle" but I know that to challenge
one member to to fght them all and I am not strong enough for that
yet. Oh pardon my bad manners. I do not think we have been formally
introduced before. I am known as Squee.*

 Those on the link feel the presence of Squee enter the dimention
again but e doesn't say anything or reply to any greetings.
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 20:37:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 22:14:00 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004851

> On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 03:03:52 EDT
> Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004846
>
> "For Jadis to claim to be the Macro Cosmic Creator, would be a
> blasphemy of such proportions as to set his feet irrevocably on the
> path to becomming an avatar of the Great Adversary. Already he has
> started down that path, by setting himself up as THE local god, and
> being evil, thereby being the local god of evil." Hydra answers.

"And just how do you know that your 'Creator' even knows about this
reality? From what I've observed over the past week or so it's just
possible that no one outside of this reality even knows it exists
without an invite from Jadis it seems to have been wedged in between
two existing realities and Jadis forgot to update city hall that he is
building out here," replies Doc
"Some other time we need to sit down and talk about the nature of
'good' and 'evil'"
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 20:38:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 22:29:49 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004852

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 22:35:36
> Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004844
>
>    "Perhaps you didn't hear the 'caps' on those words. Hydra meant
> THE Creator. Jadis isn't the Tao, no matter _what_ he thinks,"
> Roland notes dryly as his forcefields spring to life once more. He
> concentrates, trying to tap into the weapons control system (if
> technological) or short them out (if not).

<OOC: Doc heard the 'caps' just two points (one for each hand :^)
   1. "THE Creator" idea is not in Doc's believe system
   2. Doc has been here a week and what he has observed so far leads
him to believe that this reality is kind of wedged in between two
adjacent realities and would not appear in the plans of "THE Creator"
/OOC>
===========================

Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 23:07:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 00:25:48 -0500
Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004853

Okay, I've been getting questions about this, so for those who might
find this information useful, here is a recap of Molly and Tink's trip
into the Astral Plane.

Molly and Tink fly off out of the village at 100 mph.

Since no distance was specified before the invisible walls began, and
Molly was flying in a straight line toward the castle, not taking a
scenic route the map suggested, presume 36 seconds after take off,
Molly and Tink encounter the first invisible barrier, one mile outside
the village. (I figure one mile and 36 seconds are a good enough
distance/time span to build confidence before yanking it away.)

Molly spends 4 seconds examining the wall, but since there isn't all
that much interesting about a wall of force to a mage, she and Tink
settle into a zazen position in the field where the wall appears. I
also figure, having seen enough farming communities, the first mile or
so around a farming town is likely fields.

Molly and Tink sit zazen for an undetermined period of time, depending
entirely upon how long it takes Raver to catch up, say anywhere from
almost immediately to about 1 and a half minutes later, the max being
determined simply at a guess that Raver can fly at least 30 miles per
hour. (A speed I have done on my bicycle coasting downhill and it
certainly does feel like flying, especially after the front wheel hit
the edge of a curb cut, but that is another story.)

Molly and Tink then move into Astral Space, taking their 'bodies' with
them. This is a simple enough trick, considering some of their race's
abilities, but I won't delve into that until I find a better
opportunity. Probably in a Spin Off plotline I am developing.
===========================

Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 00:06:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Doc confronts Hydra

On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 02:50:21 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004854

> Doc Said
> "And just how do you know that your 'Creator' even knows about this
> reality? From what I've observed over the past week or so it's just
> possible that no one outside of this reality even knows it exists
> without an invite from Jadis it seems to have been wedged in between
> two existing realities and Jadis forgot to update city hall that he
> is building out here," replies Doc
> "Some other time we need to sit down and talk about the nature of
> 'good' and 'evil'"

"He knows," Hydra says.
===========================

Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 20:06:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:35:28 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004855

> On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 03:18:09 -0500
> Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004848
>
[snipola]
> They sit there until Raver/Mandy is able to see them clearly.
>
> Then Molly and Tink shift, 'body and all'...
>
> ...into Astral Space.
>
> <OOC: Been curious what Jadis has got floating around out here,
> Shadow. :)>

OOC: So have I. :^)

Astral Space. It looked Normal enough, until one of the creatures swam
into view. Looking like some weird bodyless shark, they swam around in
patterns, patrolling AS. And there was some kind of loose webbing all
over the place, though the sharks passed through it without effect. As
Molly and Tink appeared, the sharks turned, moving toward them, but
lost interest as they held still and returned to their former
patterns. They also noticed the weebing put out new shoots and
strands, but that quickly stopped as well.

OOC: They'll find that movement on their part will atract the sharks
attention, and also cause the webbing to grow. Slight movements
engender no reation, however.
===========================

Date: Sat, 27 Jun 1998 20:06:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:42:41 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004856

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 19:14:58
> Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004831
>
>    "I hadda ask," Roland sighs, motioning the others toward the road
> as they drive past Jadis. Roland throws the corrupt sorceror a
> jaunty salute, then his eyes burst into a blinding flash of light
> directed at Jadis. "As Mickey said to Minnie when Donald caught
> Daisy with Goofy, 'Let's get the duck OUT of here!'"
>    (OOC: On to the next deathtrap! ;^)

OOC: One question I have to ask before bringing on the next trap, Does
the bus follow the route, which circles around before getting to the
castle, or does it attempt to go straight to the castle ala Molly and
Tink. Molly and Tink will know that the walls can be taken down by the
group, they seem rather poorly constructed, more of a nuisance and
deterrent than an actual obstacle for the group.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 05:35:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:25:10 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004857

> On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:42:41 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004856
>
> OOC: One question I have to ask before bringing on the next trap,
> Does the bus follow the route, which circles around before getting
> to the castle, or does it attempt to go straight to the castle ala
> Molly and Tink. Molly and Tink will know that the walls can be taken
> down by the group, they seem rather poorly constructed, more of a
> nuisance and deterrent than an actual obstacle for the group.

Nemo sends:

^Roland? Unless you can think of a reason not to, I think I'm just
going to walk *through* those silly force walls.^

BTW, when Jadis-1 touched off the weapons, if Jadis-prime was watching
from the Castle, Bjarni will pipe up:

"Mr. Jadis, it's not nice attacking people that way. Even if you had a
reason, you might hurt the villagers."
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 15:08:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE4: The ride offer

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 16:36:27 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004858

Morgan wrote:
>    "All aboard," Sil replies, pulling the CDTB up, tipping her hat
> and smiling winningly. (OOC: Sil's not too bad looking herself, in
> this body. 8^)

Doc smiles back and asks, "Have you seen those two Ladies I was
talking to a couple of minutes ago?"

<insert Sil's response>

Doc swings his head around looking for them, when he gets around to
looking in the direction of Jadis's castle he stops sharply. In a low
tone Doc can be heard to say "Oh bother. Don't they realize how
dangerous that can be?" He snaps back around to face Sil, smiles
tightly, and says "Much has I want to lovely one, Karma has seen fit
to show me a different path."

He bows, then starts to fade from sight as a ghost in the first light
of morning. Those with the 'sight' will see that he starts fading into
the astral at the same rate that he is leaving the physical, and that
his armor is going with him. The entire process takes about 30
seconds, then the cloak he was wearing falls to the ground as if the
live that was in it had never been.

Stayed tuned true believers and look for us in astral space,
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 16:06:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE 4: (part 1) In Astral Space

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 17:31:31 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004859

Shadow wrote:
> Astral Space. It looked Normal enough, until one of the creatures
> swam into view. Looking like some weird bodyless shark, they swam
> around in patterns, patrolling AS. And there was some kind of loose
> webbing all over the place, though the sharks passed through it
> without effect. As Molly and Tink appeared, the sharks turned,
> moving toward them, but lost interest as they held still and
> returned to their former patterns. They also noticed the weebing put
> out new shoots and strands, but that quickly stopped as well.
>
> OOC: They'll find that movement on their part will atract the sharks
> attention, and also cause the webbing to grow. Slight movements
> engender no reation, however.

As Doc fades into the astral plane the astral Ray Bans disappear. The
armor is closed but changes now. It sprouts a tail, wings, and the
face changes to that of a dragon, all in the same crystal as the
armor, with electric blue eyes and tongue. Careful looking will show
that the changes aren't real but are rather a translation of the
armor's power into astral space.

For those with 'sight' there is a sudden spike in Doc's aura that is
about the same size as when Dhyrclhanc got his ring back, only this
doesn't die back down it plateaus briefly.

Doc then reaches behind his head and appears to pull a plug out of the
back of his head with a cord running back into his head. He kneels
down and anyone watching would swear it looks for all the world like
he was plugging something in, then he stands back up. At this point
the cord and plug both disappear, and his aura starts to ramp up on a
hyperbolic curve. <OOC: discerning viewers will note that he is
pulling against the local astral/psi power of this dimension and
adjacent astral space /OOC>

The curve takes a few dips as he powers up a psychic skin suit around
the armor, then powers up a psi blade in the shape of a bastard sword
in a traditional blade up position, then puts both hands on the hilt,
twists them in opposite directions and when he pulls his hands apart
he has two identical blades.

<OOC: he doesn't call it a gemini psi blade for nothing :) /OOC>

The blade in his left hand he reverses to a point down posture then
brings back to his side so that the blade rides up between his body
and arm and behind his shoulder.

Anyone running psi scans will note two things:
1) anything aimed at Doc is still blocked
2) Doc just turned on a high powered, broad spectrum, active psi scan
of his own

All this happens within about one second of his arrival in astral
space.

<Aggressor Force One to Control: we have successful insertion into
target zone, all systems on line and standing by. Over. Control to
Aggressor Force One: you have a GO. Repeat you have a green light.
Good hunting Aggressor Force One. Over. Aggressor Force One to
Control: Thank you. And could you get another shrimp for the barbie, I
may be bringing company home. Aggressor Force One, OUT>
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 18:06:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE4: (part 2) In Astral Space

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 19:50:11 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004860

<Aggressor Force One personal log, entry one: Now that the need for
stealth is over I am charging internal power reserves from external
sources directly rather than using passive acquisition procedures,
estimate, at current rate, about 3 hours to get back into yellow then
2 days to enter green and about a week after that to reach full. The
filters {} I designed appear to be working better than anticipated and
do not seem to affect power flow at all, and it looks like the ones {}
for full plug in will work even better. Note: since I am currently on
astral plane and there is no fixed time flow rate or reference point
here log entries will be numbered rather than date and time stamp.
Note for boss: when this dimension is reclaimed may want to set it
aside as a R&R facility for field agents, this place is rich in
residual power just laying around. End personal log entry one.>

Doc starts whistling Greensleeves and begins moving towards Molly and
Tink. The web reacts, it starts moving and growing to cocoon him while
the 'sharks' start converging.

Now Molly and Tink can hear music playing in the background, as can
anyone else that hears on the astral or is 'borrowing' Tink's hearing,
it is faint at first but gets stronger as time goes and Doc starts
reacting to the web and 'sharks', the tune is "Broadsword" by Jethro
Tull, this is followed by "Vetern of the Psychic Wars" by Blue Oyster
Cult. <OOC: presumedly Tink doesn't have a probable with "sharing" her
ears with Molly and thus, through Molly's link, with everyone else
/OOC>

As Doc starts swinging at the web it looks about as easy as slicing
melted butter with a hot knife. Then the sharks arrive and things get
interesting. The tail on his armor starts using any sharks that get
too close for batting practice, doesn't seem to have any affect other
than to send them tumbling about 100 yards or so, while the wings seem
to develop a hard, sharp edge all the way around. What happens when a
'shark' tries to bite the wing is that it seems to shove itself down
the shark's mouth until it slices the lower jaw away from the opper at
the hinge, then it continues right down the body slicing it in half
before it disperses back into the "ectoplasm" of that makes up astral
space. Meanwhile the 'face' is breathing a light blue fire that seems
to drill through the constructs, like a laser, at the hinge point of
lower and upper jaws.

Then the spiders arrive. <someone has to spin that web don't you know>
And things start to get sticky.

Stay tuned for part three true believers,
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 19:06:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 18:50:29
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004861

>On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:42:41 -0400 (EDT)
>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004856
>
>OOC: One question I have to ask before bringing on the next trap,
>Does the bus follow the route, which circles around before getting to
>the castle, or does it attempt to go straight to the castle ala Molly
>and Tink. Molly and Tink will know that the walls can be taken down
>by the group, they seem rather poorly constructed, more of a nuisance
>and deterrent than an actual obstacle for the group.

   OOC: The bus follows the 'yellow brick road,' unless someone
requests otherwise in a way to convince Roland to agree. John said
stick to the script, so without a compelling reason to do otherwise,
that's Roland's plan.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 20:41:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: The ride offer [Addendum]

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:18:03 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004862

> On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 16:36:27 -0500
> Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004858
>
> He bows, then starts to fade from sight as a ghost in the first
> light of morning. Those with the 'sight' will see that he starts
> fading into the astral at the same rate that he is leaving the
> physical, and that his armor is going with him. The entire process
> takes about 30 seconds, then the cloak he was wearing falls to the
> ground as if the live that was in it had never been.

"Who Wants to Live Forever" by Queen can be heard while he is fading
out.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 20:41:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE 4: (part 3) In Astral Space

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:19:40 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004863

<Aggressor Force One personal log, entry two: the spiders have thrown
enough web balls to cocoon me, wily critters didn't get close enough
for me to hit back. Really must pry the secret of them out of Jadis
before this assignment ends, X would be peeved with me if I didn't,
besides we could use this kind of watch and defense system around
Control. End personal log entry two>

After Doc has been contained a large 'whale' comes up from below and
swallows him whole.

About two minutes later the 'whale' stops and gets a strange look on
it's face, to be heard coming from the 'whale' is the song "Another
one Bites the Dust" by Queen. The 'whale' then starts to...
implode?... yep it is definitely imploding.

The dragon face on Doc's armor can be seen (belch), "Pardon me," it
says, "that was quite filling."

Then a dragon's neck starts to grow forth from the face of the armor
with the dragon head on it, as the body starts to fill out and assume
proper dragonic form.

When it is done, Doc is still there in his armor, minus the tail,
wings and dragon face, but there is now a dragon here that looks to be
the same composition as the armor, (namely pure solid crystal and
psionic energy) and about 20 feet tall, about 50 feet from head to
tail, and a wingspan of about 50 feet. He looks to be all sharp
crystal edges with blue magic fire for eyes and tongue.

There is a deep, reverberating, and very surprised, *huh???*, heard
across all the mental frequencies. It seems this a surprise to Doc.

The dragon looks Doc in the eye for a second and then both nod their
heads as if an agreement has been reached, and Doc starts towards
Molly and Tink again, with the dragon flying as wing man.

<The theme song from the first Iron Eagle movie can be heard in the
back ground.>

It seems as if Jadis has created an astral construct version for every
type of creature he could find, from cockroaches to whales.

<"We Will Rock You" followed by "We are the Champions", both by Queen,
are heard in the background.>

And thus begins the longest mile ever crossed by two entities in
astral space.

<Aggressor Force One personal log, entry three: for the first time in
more than two centuries I have been surprised; my armor just spawned a
full grown adult Zaayr dragon, looks like part of my vacation
itinerary just got decided, look up the Zaayr clan that gave this to
me and ask what other surprises they put in for me. This has got to be
the longest mile I have ever tried to cross in astral space, Jadis
could give lessons to the Splugorth about being paranoid End personal
log entry three>

<Aggressor Force One to Control: come in Control.

Control here Aggressor Force One: go ahead. Aggressor Force One to
Control: just two things, one: tell X that I think I've found an
astral defense system, if I can just pry the secrets out of the local
godling before he gets himself killed.

Control: and number two?

AFO: tell X that I will be taking that vacation I'm two decades
overdue for after this is wrapped up and the answer is not only "NO"
but "H*** NO" to any more favors she might ask unitl I get back from
vacation

Control: Agreed Aggressor Force One and watch your language.
AFO: MOM!... err... X what are you doing in Control?

<Well that surprise almost proved fatal in the fight>

Control: my first born doesn't call for over a year, then calls twice
in as many weeks, and says that he may be bringing home company for
the first time in more than three centuries, where did you expect me
to be?

AFO: two _weeks_?!? oy, is this astral space really skewed on the time
aspect, I started this fight about half an hour ago, right after my
last contact, and looks like it might last a lot longer, I've only
made about 10 feet of the mile that I have to cover here.

Control: Fight? Astral Space? <off mike: call medical and tell them to
prep the time de-compression chamber> I'll get off here and let you
get back to work then. Control OUT <click>>

<OOC: Doc is doing the communications on a high, tight, scrambled psi
beam aimed away from Jadis's reality, Sil, Hydra, NEMO and Jadis are
probably the only ones with sufficient power and ability to detect it
and then that's a maybe on figuring out what it is, since this
particular scramble makes it look like an excess static dump. /OOC>

someone else's turn,
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 21:07:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE: Dark Fist (?)

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 21:03:40 -0700 (PDT)
The Lone One Said As GR.CAoL Message # 00001226

Zia:
> @Mandy, Raver, I can try to empower you a little in opposition to
> Jadis' position here, but it will make you a threat, and he'll
> likely move against YOU with particular savagery. Do you want to
> take that sort of acute risk?@

     After they recieved Zia's transmission, Raver gave Mandy a mental
query. [What do you think?] She recieved only silence in reply, but it
was a thoughtful silence. [You...are considering this seriously?]
     [What about you?]
     Raver frowned a bit. [In this form, we heal far more swiftly than
your human form. And we are resistant to magical attacks -- if this
body responds like a demon's. Psi attacks...] She mentally shrugged.
[Our mind, as far as I can determine, behaves like it all belongs to
me...]
     [Right. Even Jadis'd find a demon's mind difficult to get a grip
on, eh?] The human nodded judiciously at Raver. [Let's do it.]
     [Wait. We need to know how Zia intends to accomplish this thing.
However, the idea has merit.]
     Raver grinned malevolently, sending a wordless burst of emotion
to Zia, consisting primarily of interest and a desire to know more,
with an undertone of cautious agreement.

Molly:
> Molly and Tink sit zazen for an undetermined period of time,
> depending entirely upon how long it takes Raver to catch up, say
> anywhere from almost immediately to about 1 and a half minutes
> later, the max being determined simply at a guess that Raver can fly
> at least 30 miles per hour. (A speed I have done on my bicycle
> coasting downhill and it certainly does feel like flying, especially
> after the front wheel hit the edge of a curb cut, but that is
> another story.)

     OOC: Ow. Ow. Ow.

     IC: A minute later, Molly and Tink appeared out of the landscape,
apparently meditating from their posture. Curious, Raver circled the
two a couple of times before drifting to a landing nearby.
     Then Molly and Tink moved their bodies to astral space. Mandy
nudged Raver mentally, wanting to follow, but the demon shook their
head. [No. They can deal with any unpleasant surprises that crop up.
If they need help, though..] They walked over to the invisible wall,
and poked it with a claw experimentally, discovering the same thing
Molly had -- that it was pretty much impregnable.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 21:41:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: (part 3) In Astral Space

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:34:02 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004864

> On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:19:40 -0500
> Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004863
> The dragon looks Doc in the eye for a second and then both nod their
> heads as if an agreement has been reached, and Doc starts towards
> Molly and Tink again, with the dragon flying as wing man.

Jadis-1 sighs as he watches this, "Is _nothing_ ever easy?" He makes
some motions in the general direction of the two.

> <The theme song from the first Iron Eagle movie can be heard in the
> back ground.>
>
> It seems as if Jadis has created an astral construct version for
> every type of creature he could find, from cockroaches to whales.

OOC: All powered by Jadis' personal energies. Most of which, but not
all, are ordinary.

> <OOC: Doc is doing the communications on a high, tight, scrambled
> psi beam aimed away from Jadis's reality, Sil, Hydra, NEMO and Jadis
> are probably the only ones with sufficient power and ability to
> detect it and then that's a maybe on figuring out what it is, since
> this particular scramble makes it look like an excess static dump.
> /OOC>

The results of Jadis' hand waving finally show, as the dragon gets a
distinctly uncomfortable look on it's features. Then a bulge appears
in its side, which rips open as some of the energies which comprised
the whale reemerge and fade off into the background radiation. Various
types of insects swarm towards the hole.

Jadis-1 watches this with narrowed eyes.

OOC: Shouldn't kill it, but it has been attacked.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:07:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:47:20 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004865

> On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 18:50:29
> Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004861
>
>    OOC: The bus follows the 'yellow brick road,' unless someone
> requests otherwise in a way to convince Roland to agree. John said
> stick to the script, so without a compelling reason to do otherwise,
> that's Roland's plan.

OOC: Oh, Good. The road is like a shadow path where everything looks
fine and normal as you walk along it, but if you stray and leave you
will notice _once you're outside_ that you have to go back to the
beginning to get back on. The following will happen whether the group
decides to go back, wait for the strayed companions, or press on.
Jadis will not hinder anything but continued movement from this point.

Anyway, Once the bus continues on it will pass near a walled town. As
it passes the walls of this town more gun ports will open up and
commence to fire on the bus. The same mix as before, along with
missiles, a large railgun, and some huge weapon looking like a
dimensional cannon which is slowly readying itself to fire as it
tracks the bus.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:07:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE:Here we go, time to go.

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:59:51 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004866

> On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 09:46:00 -0700 (MST)
> Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004850
>
>  *Good eve sir. I thank you for letting me in, and I know you are
> quite busy right now so I shan't make myself much of a bother. I
> would have been here before but I haven't quite mastered my time
> traveling yet. All I ask is the oppurtunity to watch you make the
> lives of the CaoL miserable until you chase them out of your
> dimention. I would sorely love to do that same to my "Uncle" but I
> know that to challenge one member to to fght them all and I am not
> strong enough for that yet. Oh pardon my bad manners. I do not think
> we have been formally introduced before. I am known as Squee.*

Jadis smiles, and greets Squee warmly, "Welcome to my humble universe.
You may watch, and I shall discomfort them, but I have no plans of
chasing them out of my dimension. In fact, I plan on them 'winning'.
It would be the lesser victory if they should lose. Come, sit, refresh
yourself with my other guest," he indicates Shard, "while we talk and
watch." Jadis sees Squee seated, then sits himself as he turns back to
the monitors.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:07:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:02:12 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004867

> On Sat, 27 Jun 1998 22:25:10 PST
> Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004857
>
> BTW, when Jadis-1 touched off the weapons, if Jadis-prime was
> watching from the Castle, Bjarni will pipe up:
>
> "Mr. Jadis, it's not nice attacking people that way. Even if you had
> a reason, you might hurt the villagers."

Jadis responds absently, "My villagers were in no danger as long as
they kept their heads down. Any who died were truly fools, and the
population is better off without them."
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:11:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE 4: Between the Devil and Jadis... (was Re: Dark Fist (?))

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:07:04 -0500
Zia Said As GR.CAoL Message # 00001227

:    [Wait. We need to know how Zia intends to accomplish this thing.
:However, the idea has merit.]
:    Raver grinned malevolently, sending a wordless burst of emotion
:to Zia, consisting primarily of interest and a desire to know more,
:with an undertone of cautious agreement.

     Zia cautiously uses some of Sera's mindset to shield her own
before opening any line of mentalism to Raver and Mandy. Taking into
account what James has told her concerning their relationship, she
does eventually manage something that they can both *hear* that Zia
encrypts enough that Jadis can't easily read it. Of course, he can
eventually, but at least it will take some amount of time. Not that
Jadis would LIKE to try breaking in on a Lensed Thought, but he could
attempt and eventually succeed at it. Here.
     @It would be mildly uncomfortable for Raver, I believe, to have
her alignments revised to the opposite - but on the order of mental
queasiness at something you're not used to, more than any physical
way. I would do this by... shifting you, as I would normally shift the
more inanimate parts of this shadow. To be safe, we'd need to include
a safety valve relief to change you back, and a way out for you both
should you not actually defeat Jadis, as I consider that unlikely. But
you could really give him trouble.@
     @For, you see, despite his all-encompassing grasp of energy on
this plane, he cannot still destroy energy, as that is not it's
nature. Thus, if you were to wind up with some of the control of
energy here, he could oppose thee right well enough, but not straight
forwardly dispose of you once you'd assumed the role of his opposition
as I plan to perform it.@
     @The only thing you'd need to forbear doing would be to interfere
in any way should Jadis attack me personally. You can neither give me
succor direct, nor shield me. Although as Roland discerned earlier,
you may give me defensive aid of a temporary nature, as long as it is
always under my own control. I must not use it against him, but I can
use it for myself. My, complicated. It's almost enough to make me
homesick.@
     @Ahem. Excuse me. Anyway, I cannot tell you the exact how I would
do this, as it would warn Jadis and he'd prevent it. I can tell you
you'd be quite able to annoy him immensely, and perhaps fragment the
solidarity of his power here, or at the least, get the CAoL out in
event of a solid defeat.@
     @Ah, and this should be done with as public a spectacle as
possible... hopefully Jadis will continue to maintain someone to watch
us. (Big mental grin) I should get Roland and Sil to help me, as well.
I'd love to watch him tell Morgan about his helping "raise the Devil"
in Jadisland. I'll need you within touch range to pull enough force
quickly enough; and it would be far better if I had some of your True
Names to bind it with. But on that point, I am willing to forgo,
knowing the secrecy you likely place on such. I believe I can manage
without it.@
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:15:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: The Dark Fist

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:09:17 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004868

> On Thu, 25 Jun 1998 21:21:38 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004834
>
> Jadis looks back around the marketplace, "Continue on." The beams
> and everything snap back into existence.

  Rhiannon doesn't bother to duck and hide. The beams splash off her
force-field, while her earing glows a bright red. She glares her
hatred at Jadis, but knows full well the futility of attack on the
construct. She cries out, "You will regret the moment you began this,
Jadis. You will look back and wonder at your folly."
  Jadis-1 laughs at her, "I think not, dear girl, I think not." Behind
him, the Jyhadein has sucked in his breath, and is staring intently at
Rhiannon. It says one word, and seems almost excited. Jadis-1 frowns,
but does nothing.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:37:24 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: (part 3) In Astral Space

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:25:10 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004869

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:34:02 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004864
>
> The results of Jadis' hand waving finally show, as the dragon gets a
> distinctly uncomfortable look on it's features. Then a bulge appears
> in its side, which rips open as some of the energies which comprised
> the whale reemerge and fade off into the background radiation.

Followed by the dragon fading out about as fast.

> Various types of insects swarm towards the hole.
>
> Jadis-1 watches this with narrowed eyes.
>
> OOC: Shouldn't kill it, but it has been attacked.

<OOC: it was just a psi construct (much like Jadis') with a copy of
the mind and abilities from a real zaayr dragon imprinted into it,
zaayr crystal dragons are master psionists. The problem here is that I
can't feed it power fast enough for it to manifest and it can't store
enough long enough to do it either, it was solely the influx from the
whale construct that gave it enough power fast enough for it to
manifest, so unless Doc gets swallowed by another whale or similar
then there will not be another one. /OOC>

The tail, wings and head re-emerge on the armor about 3-5 minutes
later. Doc decides to try eeling past the majority of critters and let
the armor take car of the spiders, the wings can generate a small
astral wind that deflects some of the incoming spider balls while the
head blasts the rest and some of the spiders with eye lasers or flame
breath

The swords are kept busy keeping the web itself off and killing
anything that gets in his way.

Doc
(who truly didn't think 3 minutes per foot was going too fast or easy
and will probably make about a quarter mile in the next half hour
owing to the flexible nature of both time and distance on this plane)
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 22:41:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE:Here we go, time to go.

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:10:09 -0700 (MST)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004870

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:59:51 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004866
>
> Jadis smiles, and greets Squee warmly, "Welcome to my humble
> universe. You may watch, and I shall discomfort them, but I have no
> plans of chasing them out of my dimension. In fact, I plan on them
> 'winning'. It would be the lesser victory if they should lose. Come,
> sit, refresh yourself with my other guest," he indicates Shard,
> "while we talk and watch." Jadis sees Squee seated, then sits
> himself as he turns back to the monitors.

 Squee helps his lady with her seat before taking one himself.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:38:25 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: (part 3) In Astral Space

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:44:16 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004871

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:25:10 -0500
> Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004869
>
> <OOC: it was just a psi construct (much like Jadis') with a copy of
> the mind and abilities from a real zaayr dragon imprinted into it,
> zaayr crystal dragons are master psionists. The problem here is that
> I can't feed it power fast enough for it to manifest and it can't
> store enough long enough to do it either, it was solely the influx
> from the whale construct that gave it enough power fast enough for
> it to manifest, so unless Doc gets swallowed by another whale or
> similar then there will not be another one. /OOC>

That... could be arranged.

> The swords are kept busy keeping the web itself off and killing
> anything that gets in his way.

The critters start to lessen in numbers, but the webbing begins to
harden more, taking a bit more effort to chop through. It is really
starting to get thick and dense in an area around Doc and his flashing
swordblades.

> Doc
> (who truly didn't think 3 minutes per foot was going too fast or
> easy and will probably make about a quarter mile in the next half
> hour owing to the flexible nature of both time and distance on this
> plane)

When Jadis said easy, he was saying is nothing going to go easily for
him. The mere fact that you are there carving through his Astral
protections is somewhat annoying.
===========================

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:38:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:19:59 -0700 (MST)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004872

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:47:20 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004865
>
> Anyway, Once the bus continues on it will pass near a walled town.
> As it passes the walls of this town more gun ports will open up and
> commence to fire on the bus. The same mix as before, along with
> missiles, a large railgun, and some huge weapon looking like a
> dimensional cannon which is slowly readying itself to fire as it
> tracks the bus.

 As the bus comes under attack Roscoe takes the cloak over to an
access hatch and ebgins trying to open it up. /Could I get some help
please?/
 Once it's opened flat on the hull extra-dimentional side up a
rumbling comes from the cloak and a huge yellow metal form flies out
of it.
 Driss pilots his E-frame with obvious skill as he flits around on the
twin flames of his back mounted jets and begins targetting gun ports
with his own lasers, autocannon and missiles. When he manuvers close
enough the blades on the back of his massive right arm rip through
foundation and guns alike destroying a few more ports before throwing
himself back into the line of fire trying to draw it away from the
Bus.
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:06:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE IV: Blazing Shards

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:54:47
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004873

>On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:59:51 -0400 (EDT)
>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004866
>
>> On Fri, 26 Jun 1998 09:46:00 -0700 (MST)
>> Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004850
>>
>>  A young man, looking about 15 years old steps through the barrier
>> with a very attracive woman in her early twenties. The woman looks
>> like Darath but the demenor is completely wrong. She sticks close
>> to the boy trying to look in every direction at once, fear obvious
>> upon her face. The boy however seems in total control of his
>> faculties as he slides Soulstealer back into a scabbard upon his
>> back and bows low to Jadis.

   Shard looks at Soulstealer with distinct discomfort.

>Jadis smiles, and greets Squee warmly, "Welcome to my humble
>universe. You may watch, and I shall discomfort them, but I have no
>plans of chasing them out of my dimension. In fact, I plan on them
>'winning'. It would be the lesser victory if they should lose. Come,
>sit, refresh yourself with my other guest," he indicates Shard,
>"while we talk and watch." Jadis sees Squee seated, then sits himself
>as he turns back to the monitors.

   "Actually," Shard says evenly, his eyes never quite wandering far
from Soulstealer, "I think it was time I jumped in and helped.
Besides, it's been far too long since I fought the Defender myself."
He stands, bows politely to Squee's lady, and vanishes.

>>  Those on the link feel the presence of Squee enter the dimention
>> again but he doesn't say anything or reply to any greetings.

   Roland looks up. /That's odd.../
   Sil chuckles. /We're fighting for our lives in a universe gone mad,
and something strikes you as odd? In comparison to what?/
   /Jadis locked everything out. We can leave, but not enter. But for
just a second, I thought I felt-/ Roland begins.
   "Intruder alert," the voice of Majel Barrett says calmly, as a
panel on the bus' controls lights up. A display shows the underbelly
of the hoverbus, with Shard hanging from the armor thereon.
   "*sigh* As if we didn't have enough problems. Sil, give him a warm
welcome," Roland says.
   Sil smiles wickedly, and presses a button on the console.
   The undercarriage is suddenly filled with electric arcs, shooting
around Shard. Sil frowns at the console. "No effect, Blaze."
   Roland's eyes narrow. "Okay. He's pretty powerful."
   "Let's find out just _how_ powerful."
   Roland becomes lightning, shoots into a circuit, and comes out as
one of the arcs. He slams into Shard, knocking them both onto the
ground.
   "Unf! Hey there, Roland, got yourself a new trick! How's it
hanging?" Shard smiles a wide, sharp-toothed smile, and the energy
version of his weapon-self reappears in his hand.
   "Well, you know how it is, fighting evil, inciting rebellion, I'm
kind of booked at the moment," Roland replies coolly, the Phoenix Rod
coming to life in his hands. "Do you mind?"
   Shard shrugs. "Hey, I've got an image to maintain." With that, a
blast of Quickening flies from his sword, knocking Roland back, energy
form and all.
   Roland snaps back to his material form suddenly, his forcefield
deflecting the remaining power. "Why are you doing this? You're free
now."
   "Yeah, and though Morgan did the deed, someone else planned the
whole thing," Shard replies. "Besides, we have unfinished business,
and you're sooo much fun!" Shard laughs wildly, and both psions'
powers fly out in a mad clash of energies...

   Meanwhile, back on the bus...
>Anyway, Once the bus continues on it will pass near a walled town. As
>it passes the walls of this town more gun ports will open up and
>commence to fire on the bus. The same mix as before, along with
>missiles, a large railgun, and some huge weapon looking like a
>dimensional cannon which is slowly readying itself to fire as it
>tracks the bus.

   Sil frowns. "Entropy," she curses. /Roland, we could use some help
here./ The bus shimmers as a forcefield pops into place around it,
though it produces no weapons of its own. However, every placement
that strikes it is tracked, and its control systems are targeted for
subversion...

   /I'm working on it,/ Roland replies grimly as he and Shard engage,
sword and staff sparking with their Halo powers...
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:37:07 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 04:12:18 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004874

> On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:19:59 -0700 (MST)
> Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004872
>
>  Driss pilots his E-frame with obvious skill as he flits around on
> the twin flames of his back mounted jets and begins targetting gun
> ports with his own lasers, autocannon and missiles. When he manuvers
> close enough the blades on the back of his massive right arm rip
> through foundation adn guns alike destroying a few more ports before
> throwing himself back into the line of fire trying to draw it away
> from the Bus.

Driss does a remarkable job flying while destroying the guns, and even
more fall silent as the countermeasures on the bus subvert them. As
Driss flips and dodges, the railgun speaks, it's ammunition just
missing Driss with a supersonic howl.
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:37:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Blazing Shards

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 04:16:16 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004875

> On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:54:47
> Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004873
>
>    "Actually," Shard says evenly, his eyes never quite wandering far
> from Soulstealer, "I think it was time I jumped in and helped.
> Besides, it's been far too long since I fought the Defender myself."
> He stands, bows politely to Squee's lady, and vanishes.

After he leaves Jadis smiles. Then he laughs. When he stops he only
says, "I wonder if he'll feel like coming back." He settles in to
watch the show.
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 05:08:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:33:45 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004876

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:02:12 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004867
>
> Jadis responds absently, "My villagers were in no danger as long as
> they kept their heads down. Any who died were truly fools, and the
> population is better off without them."

"But what about children? Children don't know things are dangerous
until they are told."

"And why are you attacking those people anyway? Wouldn't it be better
to sit down together and work things out?"
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 05:08:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:36:49 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004877

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:47:20 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004865
>
> Anyway, Once the bus continues on it will pass near a walled town.
> As it passes the walls of this town more gun ports will open up and
> commence to fire on the bus. The same mix as before, along with
> missiles, a large railgun, and some huge weapon looking like a
> dimensional cannon which is slowly readying itself to fire as it
> tracks the bus.

The Nemos will again interpose themselves between the group and the
weapons. And as soon as 150 kg or mass/energy has been absorbed by one
of them, he'll split. So I'd imagine that we'll shortly have a full
screen of Nemos. :-)
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 06:36:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: (part 3) In Astral Space

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 08:11:39 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004878

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 01:44:16 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004871
>
>> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 00:25:10 -0500
>> Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004869
>>
>> <OOC: it was just a psi construct (much like Jadis') with a copy of
>> the mind and abilities from a real zaayr dragon imprinted into it,
>> zaayr crystal dragons are master psionists. The problem here is
>> that I can't feed it power fast enough for it to manifest and it
>> can't store enough long enough to do it either, it was solely the
>> influx from the whale construct that gave it enough power fast
>> enough for it to manifest, so unless Doc gets swallowed by another
>> whale or similar then there will not be another one. /OOC>
>
> That... could be arranged.

<OOC: especially since Jadis may or may not have figured out how it
was made, his sense of things astral/psi doesn't seem to be as solid
/OOC>

> The critters start to lessen in numbers, but the webbing begins to
> harden more, taking a bit more effort to chop through. It is really
> starting to get thick and dense in an area around Doc and his
> flashing swordblades.

At this point Doc pulls the web's plug out of Jadis, and generates a
nasty neural disruption pulse feedback to send to Jadis, probably
willn't do more than give him a mild headache, if that. Although how
many people expect feedback on power lines going out? (he is assuming
some sort of back-up, Jadis seems thorough if nothing else, put
doesn't know what kind or how many)

> When Jadis said easy, he was saying is nothing going to go easily
> for him. The mere fact that you are there carving through his Astral
> protections is somewhat annoying.

<OOC: when purpose built weapons meet their function, not much slows
them down, Jadis should realize that his psi armor and weapons are not
standard issue and are specially designed for astral combat/OOC>
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 10:44:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 10:28:59 -0700 (MST)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004879

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 04:12:18 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004874
>
> Driss does a remarkable job flying while destroying the guns, and
> even more fall silent as the countermeasures on the bus subvert
> them. As Driss flips and dodges, the railgun speaks, it's ammunition
> just missing Driss with a supersonic howl.

 Driss's E-frame wavers in midair on the turbulance of the supersonic
miss. He tries to maintain control but the best he can seem to do is
to make sure nothing vital or fragile is on the bottom as he smacks
into the ground. Inside on his harness Driss is shaken around but the
few bruises he recieves disappear pretty much instantly. Quickly he
jumps the E-frame back onto its feet. Snapping onto the radio he sends
as he shoots back into the air. #I dunno what that big gun is but even
its misses hurt. Sil get the Hoverbus out of here. Once it's clear
I'll catch up. Until then I'll see I can disable that thing.#
 With that Driss rockets towards the railgun, zigging and zagging in
mid-air and flexing the E-frame's single large claw and priming its
strike blade as he looks for mountings or supports for the railgun to
attack.
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 19:37:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE4: Astral Assault

On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 21:15:59 -0500
Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004880

The ethereal world of the astral plane, strewn with whisps of thread
spun into complex webs and patroled by shark-like sentinals. This was
the world Molly and Tink found themselves in. A world of the mind.

The ghostlike form of Molly scanned the horizon, picked her direction
and drew her dagger. She and Tink flew off toward Jadis' castle, The
ectoplasmic threads moved toward them, attempting to entangle them.
What the pair couldn't dodge, they cut, it barely slowed them down.
The sharks were more difficult, those that couldn't be dodged or
rolled off of on impact were quickly dispatched with the small blade.

They moved forward another half mile in the next five minutes before
Tink spotted the Doc. [Go back or forward, Aunt Molly?]

Molly looked back. [Not sure, Tink. Surely it's obvious to him that
he'd be a lot farther along in the real world. He's going to slow us
down this way if we take him along. And I don't know him well enough
to assume he isn't on Jadis' team. Slowing us down may be the whole
point.]

[Tough call.] Tink seemed to sigh. [This was going to be so simple.]

[Family, what do you all think?] Molly asked, [Both our brood and the
extended who are free to voice an opinion.]

Maybe a half second later, the votes were cast. Mike Seven and his
father, Molly's Grandfather, Gary, felt that going back was not
strategicly sound though they didn't like the idea of leaving Doc
behind to fend for himself. Roberta Lincoln-Seven, Molly's
Grandmother, and Melissa and Grep Seven, Molly's Artificial
Intelligence 'sisters', were definitely for going back to help.
Michael and Gary Seven's cat companians, Pyewackett and Isis, were for
pressing on, no sense waiting for the foolish. Jack, the albino
shapeshifter, thought going back to get Doc then pressing forward with
him in tow was best. The consensus of the rest of the Family, those
members of the Dreamtime free to comment, were torn between whether
pressing onward would help more people than turning back. But, in
general, the majority seemed to feel the right thing to do was to go
back and help, even if it wasn't the strategicly sound thing to do.

Molly and Tink turned back and, with dagger extended flailing before
them, they carved a tunnel through the mile and a half of web and
shark within a few seconds, to end up next to Doc.

As Molly and Tink fended off the astral sharks and various and sundry
creatures, Tink said "Let's get back to reality, Doc. We're going to
have to follow the trail to make any progress toward Jadis. The astral
way is going to take too long for the three of us."
===========================

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 22:42:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE4: Let the Astral Wars Begin [was Astral Assault]

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 00:10:00 -0500
Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004881

> On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 21:15:59 -0500
> Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004880
>
> Molly and Tink turned back and, with dagger extended flailing before
> them, they carved a tunnel through the mile and a half of web and
> shark within a few seconds, to end up next to Doc.

Doc is a little busy closing a power conduit (not being turned into
lunch) to notice this part.

> As Molly and Tink fended off the astral sharks and various and
> sundry creatures, Tink said "Let's get back to reality, Doc. We're
> going to have to follow the trail to make any progress toward Jadis.
> The astral way is going to take too long for the three of us."

<petite snippage>

*What did you come back for? I had most of the Web's attention so that
you would have an easier time getting through,* there is an edge to
his thoughts that takes a few seconds to sort out; it consists of
manic excitement, bubbling laughter, and... sexual frenzy??

<OOC: Yep, staid, old Doc, the same one whose eye is the only thing
that beauty can catch, is on an endorphin high fueled by testosterone
poisoning, and shows no sign of coming down anytime soon or wanting to
come down either. /OOC>

*Now I'm going to have to simplify things. You have two choices: stay
and be calcified in the Pattern Web by this convention of Weaver
spirits I seem to have drawn or get out back to the physical,* now
there is a distracted edge to his thoughts, in addition to the
previous under tones, as if he is getting ready to use that power he
has been drawing.

<OOC: If Molly and Tink don't show any sign of dropping back to the
physical Doc will thump each with the flat of his blades, one each and
they reconfigure faster than thought to do it rather than actually
moving, and dumb them back out literally, whether they land on their
feet is not a concern, they have shown that they are experienced
enough to handle it (although they willn't fall farther than ~two
feet) he just needs them out of 'harms way' /OOC>

Doc then proceeds to send a tight beam psi message out with enough
power to leak over into half a thousand other bands, and it's in clear
(mostly):
<Aggressor Force One to Control, Aggressor Force One to Control: Do
NOT respond, repeat, Do _NOT_ respond, ready for four, repeat four,
zip squeals in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... {power filters (tested}...
{plugin filters (untested)}... {mission report to date (about five
years)}... {long string of letters, numbers and pictograms, about 3
terabytes worth}... Declaring BLACK FOREST and RED SEA, repeat,
Declaring BLACK FOREST and RED SEA.

Aggressor Force One, OUT>

<OOC: If Molly and Tink try to get back into the astral they will find
that there is a shield that prevents them, although they can see and
hear the astral just fine, and what they're hearing right now are
tracks 10, and 11, from the TOYS soundtrack /OOC>

Have fun,
Doc <I need to see the reactions when I pull the Web's plug from
Jadis' power grid before I write any more, and kudos to anyone that
can figure out the Black Forest and Red Sea references>
===========================

Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 00:17:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:11:14 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004882

Paul Roslowski <pookie> wrote:
> Anyway, Once the bus continues on it will pass near a walled town.
> As it passes the walls of this town more gun ports will open up and
> commence to fire on the bus. The same mix as before, along with
> missiles, a large railgun, and some huge weapon looking like a
> dimensional cannon which is slowly readying itself to fire as it
> tracks the bus.

As the weapon ports open, three of Hydra's heads whip around. When the
D-cannon begins tracking the bus, three 10 tera-watt beams of energy
lash out from those heads, striking the weapon in three separate (OOC:
but vital looking) locations.
===========================

Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 00:17:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:19:16 EDT
Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004883

Paul Roslowski <pookie> wrote:
> Driss does a remarkable job flying while destroying the guns, and
> even more fall silent as the countermeasures on the bus subvert
> them. As Driss flips and dodges, the railgun speaks, it's ammunition
> just missing Driss with a supersonic howl.

The shot continues onward striking Hydra full in the side of the
chest. Hydra's titanic form is wrapped in an impact fireball. When the
view clears, no damage can be seen, but it is clear, that Hydra
stumbled (slightly) though whether from surprise, or from the impact,
cannot be discerned. Hydra points a finger at the rail gun, and a beam
of energy reaches out to carress the gun. When the beam stops, the
rail gun is little more than slag.
===========================

Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 08:44:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE4: Let the Astral Wars Begin [was Astral Assault]

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 08:10:14 -0500
Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004884

>On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 00:10:00 -0500
>Doc Said As CAoL Message # 00004881
>
>*What did you come back for? I had most of the Web's attention so
>that you would have an easier time getting through,* there is an edge
>to his thoughts that takes a few seconds to sort out; it consists of
>manic excitement, bubbling laughter, and... sexual frenzy??

[Now I know how Zia feels.] Molly thinks.

<snip>
>*Now I'm going to have to simplify things. You have two choices: stay
>and be calcified in the Pattern Web by this convention of Weaver
>spirits I seem to have drawn or get out back to the physical,* now
>there is a distracted edge to his thoughts, in addition to the
>previous under tones, as if he is getting ready to use that power he
>has been drawing.

*Funny, I was going to give you the same options.* Molly folds her
arms and scowls. [I don't know whether to be touched or insulted.
Insulted, I think. Alright, Tink, anything we planned on doing here is
shot to hell anyway, may as well leave. We'll let Dr. Macho play the
hero.]

Molly and Tink re-emerge in the village square at the point where Doc
was in astral space.

[What now?] Tink asks.

[Catch up with the CAoL. Any strategic advantage of going straight to
the castle, bypassing Jadis' gauntlet, is lost now. No element of
surprise.]

Molly and Tink turned toward the road the CAoL had taken and
disappeared in a blur of blue and silver. About ten seconds later,
Molly and Tink were atop the parapets of the walled city. Two of the
turrets turned toward the pair from opposite sides and promptly shot
each other, exploding nicely as Molly hopped out of the way.

/^We're back.^/ Molly doesn't sound pleased, though it's obvious it
isn't directed at any of the CAoL.
===========================

Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 16:42:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE IV: Watching

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 18:53:20 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow <pookie> Said As CAoL Message # 00004886

> On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:19:16 EDT
> Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00004883
>
> The shot continues onward striking Hydra full in the side of the
> chest. Hydra's titanic form is wrapped in an impact fireball. When
> the view clears, no damage can be seen, but it is clear, that Hydra
> stumbled (slightly) though whether from surprise, or from the
> impact, cannot be discerned. Hydra points a finger at the rail gun,
> and a beam of energy reaches out to carress the gun. When the beam
> stops, the rail gun is little more than slag.

  Jadis watches the destruction of the town's weaponry while making
commentary to Squee.. "Note the way they almost immediately took out
the entire offensive capability of the town? Such are the reasons why
I don't expect to be able to chase them away from here. The next
attack, however, will have slightly better results, but with a
commensurate drain on my resources. At their present rate of travel
they should arrive in... 15 minutes. More if Shard manages to hold
them up for a while."
  He turns to face Squee, "While we wait, tell me somewhat about
yourself. Last I saw you were tagging around with that bunch and your
sword was in other hands."
===========================

Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 21:03:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE 4: Turning Tables and Rolling Bones

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 22:01:06 -0500
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004887

On the bus, just before and as Raver/Mandy arrive, Zia leans back
comfortably in her seat. Somehow managing to assume a meditative
state, despite dimensional cannon that can actually phaze Hydra (if
only for a second!), the combat noise of Driss' guns, and Shard's
attempt to (heh!) board the bus. "Need to do a bit of research...
hmmm, I'm not terribly good at that volume, or that discipline." She
looks up, and says, her accent drifting back to gutter Brit as she is
distracted...

"Say, Nemo, Molly, would you mind sparing me a few mental jets for
some background research? If my Visualization of Jadis' plans is as
close to the mark as it should be, he has already filled the office of
Old Scratch with none other than the elusive John himself. So, what I
need are the mythical names of all Big Bad John's lieutenants and
master assistant blackguards, and their accompanying mythoi and
appearances." She glances around, and blows the Jadis copy (if one is
within easy distance) a kiss.

"Oh, Roooooland. How'd you like to be Beezlebub? You look like a bub
sort of fellow." She teases, slipping Sil a covert wink with the side
of her face NOT in Roland's line of sight. "Anyone else with the jets
to scan Jadisland's inhabitants for such knowledge and mythos, I'd
appreciate."

"Oh, and if you should _just happen_ to find out what they know about
Rhia, that'd be good intel, as well. I'm going to start building up my
reality construct - this big a shift shan't be easy for me to do...
and if any of you have any reservations, please don't allow me to
coerce you at all. It would simply drain my efforts in vain; I'm not
so strong here as to be able to do it to entities in your power ranges
unwillingly."

She sits tailor style, and closes her eyes, concentrating intently,
although her eyes shift almost like someone dreaming. @If you have any
questions that need to be secure, touch me. I don't think Jadis can
eavesdrop on me directly. Think being the operative word.@
===========================

Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 23:46:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Everybody on the Bus!

On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 23:15:59
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00004888

>On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 04:12:18 -0400 (EDT)
>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004874
>
>> On Sun, 28 Jun 1998 23:19:59 -0700 (MST)
>> Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004872
>>
>>  As the bus comes under attack Roscoe takes the cloak over to an
>> access hatch and ebgins trying to open it up. /Could I get some
>> help please?/

   /All aboard!/ Sil responds with a smile, and the defensive screen
flows around to encompass Roscoe. The hatch opens for him.

>>  Once it's opened flat on the hull extra-dimentional side up a
>> rumbling comes from the cloak and a huge yellow metal form flies
>> out of it.

   "/Please note the seat belt light is on; we will be experiencing...
turbulence,/" Sil quips.

>Driss does a remarkable job flying while destroying the guns, and
>even more fall silent as the countermeasures on the bus subvert them.
>As Driss flips and dodges, the railgun speaks, it's ammunition just
>missing Driss with a supersonic howl.

   If possible, once the countermeasures take over a weapon, it is
turned on other emplacements.

>On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 22:01:06 -0500
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004887
>
>"Oh, Roooooland. How'd you like to be Beezlebub? You look like a bub
>sort of fellow." She teases, slipping Sil a covert wink with the side
>of her face NOT in Roland's line of sight. "Anyone else with the jets
>to scan Jadisland's inhabitants for such knowledge and mythos, I'd
>appreciate."

   /Smile when you say that...bub,/ Roland sends, accompanied with an
image of him at 5'4", hair sticking back on the sides, claws
protruding from between his knuckles, and a cigar in his smiling
mouth. (OOC: Roland's busy fighting with Shard; rest assured that
you're _not_ in his LOS. <g>)
   Shard, noting Blaze's distraction, thrusts, but Blaze isn't as
distracted as he looks and parries easily. "Damn! You're as fast as
ever."
   Blaze smiles and throws a kinetic thrust. "I try. Been keeping in
practice, lately."
   Shard grins. "I can relate." The dark immortal dives into some
underbrush. But when Roland jumps in after him...
   "Nass! I've been suckered!"

   Back at the bus...
   "/Jadis doesn't miss a trick, does he?/" Sil remarks coolly as the
bus swerves wildly to dodge incoming fire. Those inside are saved the
worst of the ride by inertial dampeners, but it's fortunate that none
of the CAoL have weak stomachs.
   "ROAD KILL!" all hear from ahead, and the hoverbus jolts hard. Then
an ebon ooze flows over the windshield, and a bone-white face appears
in the center of the glass. "Hey, there are ordinances against running
over immortals in a residential zone! HAhahahaha!"
   "Spare me," Sil snarls, and her chaingun pops out of her back,
around the chair, and _through_ the 'windshield.'
   "Oops," is all Shard has time to say before being thrown well clear
of the bus by several hundred Primium bullets.
   "Now I know how Robert Patrick felt," Shard groaned as he flowed
slowly back together. Then a lightning bolt hit him, and he fell over
again.
   Roland formed inside the bus once more. "Status report."
   Sil frowns at the console. "That stupid nutball knocked out two of
our thrusters."
   Roland sighs. "Not so stupid then. Hang on; I'll try to fix them."
He becomes lightning again and shoots into the infrastructure.
===========================

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 07:17:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: Turning Tables and Rolling Bones

On Wed, 1 Jul 1998 06:03:26 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004889

> On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 22:01:06 -0500
> Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00004887
>
> "Say, Nemo, Molly, would you mind sparing me a few mental jets for
> some background research? If my Visualization of Jadis' plans is as
> close to the mark as it should be, he has already filled the office
> of Old Scratch with none other than the elusive John himself. So,
> what I need are the mythical names of all Big Bad John's lieutenants
> and master assistant blackguards, and their accompanying mythoi and
> appearances." She glances around, and blows the Jadis copy (if one
> is within easy distance) a kiss.

Nemo sends:

/Not a problem. It's not like it takes much brainpower to deal with
the physical attacks./
===========================

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 09:46:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE IV: Watching

On Wed, 1 Jul 1998 09:12:43 -0700 (MST)
Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00004890

> On Tue, 30 Jun 1998 18:53:20 -0400 (EDT)
> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00004886
>
>   Jadis watches the destruction of the town's weaponry while making
> commentary to Squee.. "Note the way they almost immediately took out
> the entire offensive capability of the town? Such are the reasons
> why I don't expect to be able to chase them away from here. The next
> attack, however, will have slightly better results, but with a
> commensurate drain on my resources. At their present rate of travel
> they should arrive in... 15 minutes. More if Shard manages to hold
> them up for a while."
>   He turns to face Squee, "While we wait, tell me somewhat about
> yourself. Last I saw you were tagging around with that bunch and
> your sword was in other hands."

 "My origins and my past are mine and mine alone, but to respect the
ancient codes of hospitality I will share them with you. Yes I did
travel with the CaoL for a while after Roscoe found me lost inside The
Controller's lair during his invasion of Arcadia. Part of the deal was
supposed to be that Roscoe would help me find my real parents if I
stayed with him rather than rejoining the village. But that never
happened, he was always too involved with that that or the other to
think of me."
 Squee sips a bit from a glass of wine bfore continuing, while his
Lady gives his hand a supportive squeeze, "Then came Isla and Darath.
Driss and Roscoe hated them but had no reason to chase them off so had
to tolerate them. things expecially got tense when we all were trapped
by Chaos in that dimention beyond time and space. That's when Isla and
I began talking. She knew lots about magic but nothing about other
dimentions. So we struck upon a deal. She would teach me all the magic
I wanted to learn and elp me find my parents, if I taught her the
secrets of dimentional travel along the arcadian pathways that my
people protect."
 Squee starts rummaing around in a pouch of holding and switches to
Telepathy for the rest of his tale, *When there was an opening to
escape without any objections from the rest of the CaoL, we did. And
we began the hunt. It took many years and many dimentions but we
finally tracked them to a medival period of earth's past. Too late.*
 He produces from his pouch a clear glass jar with a hairy 2 foot tall
man crunched up in a fetal possition floating in clear liquid. *An
alchemist had captured them first. My mother was mostly gone already,
used for his experiements. But I thought I could at least introduce
Roscoe to the fate of my father.*
 He carefully puts the jar away again. *After that some of the other
lessons that Isla had been teaching me began to stick. How to survive
you had to be ruthless and take what you want and had to always strive
to be more powerful than the next guy or at least to get and edge on
them. I began slacking up on my extra-dimentional lessons to Isla and
hounding her for more magic, studying intensely every spell she cast,
starting to learn even some of the more advanced spells before she
taught them. Then came the night to cut the ties.*
 *I had made some theories about the spells that bound Darath and it
came time to test them one night. In the form of a cockroach I snuck
close to Isla and then shifted into my natural form, ripping off the
shard of soulstealer she wore around her neck as i did so. She tried
to take it back but I ordered Darath to cut her down, which she did
happiy. Then I sent incapacitating pain to Darath through the shard,
took up Soulstealer and ended her life as well. I had figured that a
slight alteration I did on the shard would protect me from being
possessed by Darath's soul and I was right. Now I had the combined
powers of Isla, Darath adn myself at my beck and call. Since then I've
traveled looking for a way to confront my "uncle" and survive. In my
dimentional wanderings I found one reality where I encountered the
CaoL again, but they were only at about half strength, Roland, Morgan,
Driscoll, Roscoe, Knytt, and Caprice missing from among them. Two had
simply left, but Morgan, Roland, Driss, and Roscoe had been destroyed
when they finally encountered you and you had achieved enough power to
destroy even a curse lain by Chaos himself. That's when I decided to
attempt time travel to come back nd witness this event. I seem to be
in the right place. now time will tell if I'm in the right
prbability.*
===========================

Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 10:51:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE 4: Turning Tables and Rolling Bones

On Wed, 1 Jul 1998 11:16:53 -0500
Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00004891

>On Wed, 1 Jul 1998 06:03:26 PST
>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00004889
>
>Nemo sends:
>
>/Not a problem. It's not like it takes much brainpower to deal with
>the physical attacks./

Molly, who's hopped off the wall and traded in her Peter Pan garb for
a silver and blue spandex bodysuit, matching safety glasses and tennis
racquet, replies through Tink, who has donned a new form, that of a
blonde haired, grey eyed, cherubic 5 year-old with pigtails (and no
wings) in an identical bodysuit in silver and gold, with matching
racquet and safety glasses.

"Aunt Mowwy says a suhface scan is a no-bwainer. If Nemo can handle
the west, that should weave neither of us too busy to pway."

Molly holds up a golden ball of energy, which quietly hums as it
hovers at waist height. Molly hits it with her racquet, sending the
sphere whining toward a machine gun. The gun explodes and the sphere
shoots out of the fire at an angle. Leaping 30 feet into the air, Tink
hits the rebounding energy ball, sending it screaming toward a laser
cannon. As that explodes, the rebounding tennis ball-sized globe
bounces harmlessly off the ground and toward Molly. She lunges
skyward, but misses. The energy dissipates harmessly.

/Your serve, kiddo,/ Molly says as she hangs ten feet off the ground.

As Tink, hovering twenty feet above and to the right of Molly,
prepares the second serve, Molly sends through the link. /Oh yeah, we
take Jadis seriously./

Hum-pok-whine-boom-whine-pok-whine-boom-whine-pok-whine-boom-whine-pok-whine-boom-whine-fizzle.

"Wats, missed." Tink says.
===========================