Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 50 Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 09:19:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: Prologues: A Bit of Gambling On Mon, 20 Jul 1998 10:50:55 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005036 "Raise you 20 credits, lady." Starbuck shifted his cigar to the other side of his mouth. Favoring the girl next to him with a smirk, he then looked across the table at the rather short and plump woman in a maintenance workers uniform. She must be exchange personnel from another ship; Starbuck hadn't seen her before. He'd have her broke in a few centons more, anyway. Stand her a drink, let her know she had been playing against Starbuck himself. He grinned as she called his final raise. She had guts, poorer guts than when she started. But without suckers, why would you gamble? "What have you got, jock?" She had a deep voice. The tight rations might not show right now, but Starbuck could see lines around her eyes of former strain, and her wrists were smaller than you'd have expected. "Three pair. heh heh." He answered, chomping victoriously. He reached to get the pot, but her sudden smile stopped him. "Not that I've played this much yet with these cards, but I believe that this hand beats yours. Full house, aces over eights, sir." She drawled faintly. Her accent was unfamiliar too. Starbuck stared as she managed to gain back much of the winnings he'd taken from her over several hours play. "I don't believe I caught your name, anyway. What ship are you from?" "You didn't ask what my name was, Starbuck." She said, obnoxiously reading his off the flight jacket. "And I never said I was from a ship." His gaze nailed her uniform. "This? Oh, I was cold, and a very nice gentleman working on the fighters loaned it to me." She had to stand to reach him across the table. "I usually just go by my nickname, too. Call me Zia." She smiled annoyingly warm. "Or you can call me your banker. Shall I float you a drink? I'm getting rather thirsty." Starbuck frowned as several off-duty pilots also noted the exchange, and the money in front of her, and chomped the cigar on the other side. "Don't mind if I do, "Zia". Just where DID you drop in from? I didn't think we were allowing visitors from the Station yet." "Station?" Zia echoed. "What station?" Starbuck raised one eyebrow, and then smiled as he drew her from the seat to a port viewer. "THAT station. Babylon Five, they call it. I wonder where the OTHER four are." The woman just looked out the window, her expression ironic. "Talk about mixing your metaphors." She said, almost so low even Starbuck couldn't catch it. "If you're not from a ship, and not from the station, how did you get here, lady?" Starbuck pursued relentlessly. =========================== Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 23:24:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Mon, 20 Jul 1998 21:35:21 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005042 >On Mon, 20 Jul 1998 10:50:55 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005036 > >"If you're not from a ship, and not from the station, how did you get >here, lady?" Starbuck pursued relentlessly. "An excellent question, yes?" A voice echoed, as a transylvanian Falstaff on the galaxy's worst hair day walks in. "Now me, I am from the station, but I heard stories of a legendary card player, and I simply _had_ to meet him, yes?" Londo says with a smile. "And here he is, the invincible-Starbuck?-overcome by a lovely pair of eyes from maintenance. Perhaps I will find my mythic duel elsewhere." Starbuck coughs an indignant chuckle through his cigar. "Hey, any time you want to give me your money, you old Leo, just as soon as I get some answers from the lady here." "Now see here-" Londo began. "Easy there, Ambassador," said a man in a green jumpsuit. "Please, forgive Ambassador Mollari. He's...well, he's _Londo._ I know that's not much of an explanation yet, but that won't take long to fix." The man held out his hand. "Hi. Name's Hal." (OOC: How's this for a scene: Londo, Starbuck, Hal Jordan, Zia, and James Bond [if/when he gets there] playing poker together. Kinda surreal, ain't it? ;^) =========================== Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:17:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Finale: A Bit of Gambling - Repeat (to ML only) On Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:18:20 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005048 (repeat of 5056) "I was just teaching the esteemed pilot here a version of Earth poker called Sweat, Ambassador. Would you like to try that, regular five card stud, the local Pyramids game, or something Hal might teach us?" "Although," she says to Starbuck, and Hal, "We should really play with Centauri card rules. No table, deadly weapons in one hand, your cards in the other. Of course, that might put the more human of us at a disadvantage for dealing - not enough hands. Perhaps we should recruit a computer or Mimbari to settle the ... differences in cultural playing styles?" She adds, putting the insinuation that a Centauri'll cheat you blind as delicately as possible. With a humble smile, that somehow isn't really humble at all, the mysterious small lady challenges them mischieviously. She then sets down her whiskey glass, empty. She gets the deck of Earth-style playing cards, knocks it straight on the table with a rap. Then she rifles all the cards in the deck out flat in the air three times, the first vertically. The cards expand in a line, flat in the air, just before she snaps them deck-flat again. Then she does it diagonally left, then right. She sets them in front of Hal. "You'll want to shuffle them well, again. I de-randomized them." If he looks... the cards are 52, and are in perfect order, A-K each suit. Zia just grins at them, having not even so much as introduced herself yet, but having a grand time. "Perhaps I should see if I can borrow a shuffler machine from the casino on B5? I doubt I'd find any in the Zocolo." > (OOC: How's this for a scene: Londo, Starbuck, Hal Jordan, Zia, > and James Bond [if/when he gets there] playing poker together. Kinda > surreal, ain't it? ;^) Ziactrice Keenan Professora of Mathematics Whiskey lover (among other things) and poker player =========================== Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 20:48:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Tue, 21 Jul 1998 20:32:24 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005054 Prologue: "Londo went _where?_" President Sinclair sighed. G'Kar shrugged. "Even I cannot keep track of him at all times. He does an impressive personation of an adult on occasion." "Lantern-" "On it," Hal said with a chuckle and flew through the wall. (OOC: Without harming himself or the wall.) >On Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:18:20 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005048 > > Returning to the table, she pours shots. Soon, the magnificient >odor of aged single malt Oban whiskey wafts into the air. The petite >woman holds up a glass and stares through the amber-colored liquid >with a pensiveness at odds with the environment. "Say. If you fellows >don't want to play, you don't have to drink, either. But isn't all >that old women chattering getting you thirsty, yet?" She sips the >whiskey appreciatively, if slowly and in small doses. Starbuck smiles coolly. "We'll see who's an 'old woman' when the cards run out. Hand me a shot of that. And I _still_ didn't catch your name." > "Of course, it might ruin Mallari's reputation if he turned down >a free drink. Do the Centauri care for Scotch, Ambassador?" "The Centauri have great appetites, my dear," Londo said, trying to look impressive. "And I'll try any drink-that isn't poisoned-once. If I like it, I will then repeat the experiment as necessary, yes?" Hal chuckles. "Tonic and tonic for me, thanks. I don't...indulge." > he IS wearing a big ol' GL ring, she will. I wonder - was DC's ring >something similiar? Can he tell she recently carried one? Although, >she did NOTHING to invoke it, so I doubt Hal could tell. Of course, >GLs always seemed to have good intel, thou. Zia just doesn't have >good luck with rings. Now, cards...> (OOC: He's wearing a JL ring, but the uniform's identical to the Silver Age version's, except for the mask. He blew the secret ID thing early. Each JL ring is unique; his, however, replicates a Power Ring almost exactly. No 24 hour limit, and the weakness is different...) > "I was just teaching the esteemed pilot here a version of Earth >poker called Sweat, Ambassador. Would you like to try that, regular >five card stud, the local Pyramids game, or something Hal might teach >us?" "Well-" Londo begins. > "Although," she says to Starbuck, and Hal, "We should really >play with Centauri card rules. No table, deadly weapons in one hand, >your cards in the other. Of course, that might put the more human of >us at a disadvantage for dealing - not enough hands. Perhaps we >should recruit a computer or Mimbari to settle the ... differences in >cultural playing styles?" She adds, putting the insinuation that a >Centauri'll cheat you blind as delicately as possible. "Oh come now, my dear, surely you wouldn't want to spread such slanders about the Centauri. We are an _honorable_ people," he adds, holding up his arms with an innocent grin, "who have as many hands as humans do." > With a humble smile, that somehow isn't really humble at all, >the mysterious small lady challenges them mischieviously. She then >sets down her whiskey glass, empty. She gets the deck of Earth-style >playing cards, knocks it straight on the table with a rap. Then she >rifles all the cards in the deck out flat in the air three times, the >first vertically. The cards expand in a line, flat in the air, just >before she snaps them deck-flat again. Then she does it diagonally >left, then right. She sets them in front of Hal. "I don't see your fin, miss..." Hal leads with a mischievous grin. > "You'll want to shuffle them well, again. I de-randomized them." >If he looks... the cards are 52, and are in perfect order, A-K each >suit. Zia just grins at them, having not even so much as introduced >herself yet, but having a grand time. "Great Guardians," is all Hal can say. Londo and Starbuck stare for a moment, stunned. "My dear, I haven't been this foolish in many years...will you marry me?" Londo asks with a playful grin. "I saw her first," Starbuck objects jokingly. Hal just glances at her left hand and chuckles. > "Perhaps I should see if I can borrow a shuffler machine from >the casino on B5? I doubt I'd find any in the Zocolo." Hal's ring glows emerald green for a moment, and a verdant card shuffler appears on the table. "Convenient," Starbuck says. "Yes, isn't it?" Londo asks, glancing sidelong at Hal. "Not _too_ convenient, I hope?" Hal's eyes narrow. "I sincerely hope you aren't questioning the honor of a Legionnaire." "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Londo says emphatically. "Still, I think it would be...prudent...for someone to cut the cards, yes?" Outside... "Okay, Boomer, what have we got?" Apollo asks as a Viper wing and a Starfury squadron do simultaneous flybys over Epsilon 3...and the five-mile high energy dome protruding from it. "What we've _got_ is a damn lot of energy, Apollo," Boomer replies. "Captain Ivanova to Colonial Vipers. Hang back for a minute, all right? I think I recognize that energy-but I hope to God I'm wrong." Apollo glances over at the Starfury. "Your call, Captain, and good luck." The Vipers peel off as Ivanova's Mk. II Starfury descends... "Oh, hell," she whispers. "Get Lara Naranek on the horn. We've got a problem. "A Thirdspace problem." =========================== Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 23:40:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 01:06:01 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005057 : Starbuck smiles coolly. "We'll see who's an 'old woman' when the : cards run out. Hand me a shot of that. And I _still_ didn't catch : your name." Zia obligingly pours the whiskey, but grins. "I'll tell you my name, if you tell me yours. NOT your nickname. Starbuck. I believe we might have the same problem with that. Oh, take it in small sips. It's a real man's drink." She teases. : "The Centauri have great appetites, my dear," Londo said, trying : to look impressive. "And I'll try any drink-that isn't poisoned- : once. If I like it, I will then repeat the experiment as necessary, : yes?" : Hal chuckles. "Tonic and tonic for me, thanks. I don't... : indulge." She hands Londo a shot, and nods with a smile at Hal. "The Centauri also have mouths to match. Only if you are willing to provide us something to eat, Londo. As the host's resources seem a bit strained from their time traveling here. Say, I believe you have an excess of certain human foodstuffs right now, don't you? We could play a liter of Oban per say, 10 kilos of food - delivered here to the fleet. Starbuck could tell you where. I could give you a better rate on some medicine or something truly useful. But of course, that has been in scarce supply, lately. Rather like good whiskey, only not quite as badly." : "Oh come now, my dear, surely you wouldn't want to spread such : slanders about the Centauri. We are an _honorable_ people," he adds, : holding up his arms with an innocent grin, "who have as many hands : as humans do." Zia grins, "I never said you'd be at disadvantage due to lack of hands, Ambassador. Everyone knows the cleverness of your previous.... ah... " she hesistates delicately, "technique?" With a raised eyebrow of innuendo. : "I don't see your fin, miss..." Hal leads with a mischievous : grin. "Forests and trees, Hal, forests and trees." Zia says, a bit haughtily, but with some amusement. Then, "You'll want to shuffle them well, again. I de-randomized them." If he looks... the cards are 52, and are in perfect order, A-K each suit. Zia just grins at them, having not even so much as introduced herself yet, but having a grand time. : "Great Guardians," is all Hal can say. : Londo and Starbuck stare for a moment, stunned. Zia _curtsies_ at their stunned appreciation, pleased as punch. : "My dear, I haven't been this foolish in many years...will you : marry me?" Londo asks with a playful grin. : "I saw her first," Starbuck objects jokingly. : Hal just glances at her left hand and chuckles. "Your luck, gentlemen, " Zia nods to the ring on her left hand, a puzzle-like knot of fourteen strands of gold, and two of black metal of some sort, "seems to be running poorly. I already have accepted another's offer of that esteemed happy state of matrimony. And didn't you just divorce two wives, Ambassador?" : Hal's ring glows emerald green for a moment, and a verdant card : shuffler appears on the table. Zia wonders if she should look surprised - realizes it's too late to do so, and just goes on acting naturally after a mere fraction of a second pause. "Thank you, Hal. Londo, mightn't you ask someone to bring some tonic water with whatever food you can provide our little... party?" : Hal's eyes narrow. "I sincerely hope you aren't questioning the : honor of a Legionnaire." : "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Londo says emphatically. "Still, I : think it would be...prudent...for someone to cut the cards, yes?" Zia gives Londo a flat look. "Hal shall do it, then. Yes." =========================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:50:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE: Lost again. On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 10:20:11 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005059 Pain. Agony. aching and burning. And a concious mind with nothing else to focus on but this as Driss's body slowly knitted itself back together. He wasn't even sure exactly where he was, except that it seemed to be some kind of empty storage room and no one had come in here since he regained conciousness at least. There was no way to tell how long had passed, but it had to have been several days. His skin was finally almost all regenerated and the pain could finally pass. Looking around Driss could see all his equipment stacked up neatly on the metal floor a short ways away. everythign seemed to be there and in one piece. Minutes, hours, who knows how long stretched out before hte pain began to die down again and Driss attempted his first movements. The muscles worked grudgingly, stiff and cramped with their newness. He stood and looked himself over. He seemed fine and all there, standing naked save for the pendent around his neck. He looked at his clothes and pondered thier correctness in this setting. There were no clue to his location save for the construction of the room itself and it didn't look medival in the least. Spotting an access pannel he retrieved a tool kit from his cloak and inspected the electronics inside. The door controls where there and it definitely looked high-tech and alien. Tossing his clothing into the cloak he retrieved a light blue jumpsuit with utility belt, holster and boots. Pinning on his cloak and making sure a laser pistol was secured in the holster, he opened the door and took his first steps outside. The hallway was empty but a lot of voices and hustle and bustle could be heard nearby. As soon as he got to the end of the hall, he knew where he was. The Ring. One of the few places in this dimention deemed safe from the Empire due to very heavy taxes paid by the owner. Because of that all matter of lowlife and all matter of illict activity took place here. Gambling, smuggling, slave trading, gladiator death sports, prostitution. Nothing was too low for the Ring. This was one of the casino areas. Creatured of all races betting everything from a few credits to entire starships. At least he should be able to make a bit of money here. Taking a drink from a passing Droid's tray Driss fishes a small bit of doublestick tape from his cloak and stuck it onto the bottom of his cup then goes looking for a target. Spotting a drunk Twi-lek who seems to be on a winning streak Driss makes his way over close to him and watches for a few hands. After the fifth win in a row Driss speak up to him. "Wow, wow I can't believe what a run of luck you've been having. Mine's been so horrid lately. Gawd, I don't even think you'd believe me if I told you everything that's happened. Sufice it to say I don't even have enough to get off this station again unless I start winning again. Do you think... maybe I could bump your chips for luck and it would change mine? Maybe?" The Twi-lek ghrunted his concent and Driss quickly tapped the top of the tallest stack of 500 credit chips with his drink, thanked the mana dn shuffled off into the crowd, palming the stolen chip and tape from the bottom of the glass as he set it down on a table. and mad ehis way to a roulette-like game. "OK time to win my way back anywhere," he qwipped to himself with a smirk. TBC =========================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 15:31:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Strange journeys On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 23:06:48 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005064 Stranger was having a bad day. He was still lost. Unfamiliar with this part of the multiverse he had no way back to the CAoL. On top of that he had a fanatical religious zealot looking for him with a bunch of kill crazy holy stormtroopers. The light at the end of the tunnel was probably a flamethrower. He didn't like this parallel at all. Still, he'd stolen some equipment and had rented this room. He'd hooked his D-jump up to a computer and a booster aerial array. He was using it to scan, rather than travel. They'd be out there somewhere. Elsewhere... > The Stardragon looks around at the assembled CAoL and says one word > before Oracle interupts it, "CERBERUS!..." (OOC: this goes out as a > loud shout across all possible bands of communication as before). Stranger almost picked up the cry without the equipment. He smiled, that was definitely the Stardragons energy pattern, he looked pretty pissed off if Stranger was any judge. Plus he was a long way away, the D-jump would need assistance to make that jump in one go. Still Stranger knew a thing or two about dimension shifting. He started to chant. Downstairs, someone blew the front door off its hinges. Stranger stood up and, still chanting, drew his gun. --- Sub-Presbeter John Clement was having an excellent day. They had located the heretic and soon they would deliver him to Judgement. There were reports that he had stolen certain equipment, for what unholy purpose John neither knew nor cared, the fire would cleanse whatever. He crossed himself and ordered his men to blow the door off. John was first in through the door, his men following close behind. They fanned out through the small house, John leapt up the stairs taking them two at a time. Along the hall, the door was ajar, light and noise slipping out through the gap. He pulled the door open and leapt through, bringing up his Torch of Righteousness ready to spray the room with fire. Behind him the door quietly closed. "JUDGEMENT HERETIC!" He stopped. The heretic wasn't here, but some sort of demonic vortex was forming in the corner. He looked into it and raised his torch. Gunfire! In the hall behind him, he leapt to the door, it ws closed, he yanked it open. Three of his men lay dead in the hall, there was no sign of the heretic, he stepped forward. Stranger watched the Sub-Presbeter walk under the trapdoor below him, before swinging down. he was suspended upside down behind him, gun pointed straight at the back of his head. He gave a little cough. the Sub-Presbeter swung around looking straight into his gunbarrel. "John, I gotta know. Do oyu ever consider..." John brought up his weapon, so Stranger killed him. The body slumped to the floor. "... that you might be wrong?" Stranger dropped, twisting to land on his feet. Footseteps started making their way hurridly up the stairs. Stranger burst into the room the D-jump was in, hitting a switch on a twenty second fuel air explosive bomb he threw himself through the now fully formed D-jump vortex. --- Elsewhere Oracle and Roland are talking. (OOC: Pardon me but I don't know who else is there) A vortex forms, purple and pink, swirling with energy. Stranger flies out of it and lands with a thump on the floor befoe the vortex fades to nothing. Stranger stands and looks around. "Hi guys" Stranger (OOC: BTW do you know that the word 'heresy' derives from a word that simply means 'choice'?) =========================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:06:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE:Good freinds and even better hiding spots. On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:37:15 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005070 Driss observed the game before him for several rounds to get the gist of it and check out the players. One guy seemed to be having incedible luck. Finally Driss spotted how. A Gamorean near the human running the game would see which number was going to come up and signal it to the "lucky" human while a seemingly intoxicated Ithorian made a distraction so the human could slip a large late bet onto the table. they weren't doing it every round but were playing roughly three rounds playing the game straight before cheating again. Driss felt the chip in his hand and waited for hte next signal. When it came it was one he had seen the gamorean make before. Green 35. With his excellent reflexes Driss managed to slip his chip on at teh same time the human slipped his own on. The winning bets were being paid and Driss cleared his troat to bring the dealer's attention to the fact that the 500 chip was his, not hte other human's. Driss scooped up the chips that he roughly estimated to be 235,000 credits and made his way to go cash them in when he found his path blocked by another Gamorean. Robery was not that common on teh ring but it was not unheard of either, and Driss would be in a bad possition fo ra fight while juggling the chips. He started to backpedaland felt himself run into someone else. Turning around he found himself face to face with the human player fromt he gaming table, flanked by two ugly goons. "I saw you slip your bet in at teh same time as mine boy. You're fast. And pretty damn good to have been able to figure out the signals so quickly. You're good. And I can use someone good. You know what they say, a man does no prosper through goons alone." Driss looked uneasily at the thugs surrounding him, but then a familiar fuzzy face in the background caught his eye. "Well I'd love to help you out but I'm really just passing through. I needed a little cash, I found it so I'll just be one my way." "I don't think you understood me. I wasn't really offering you a choice. You see you ARE good. and hte last thing I need here is competition OR worse yet someone that can turn me in and show how I do what I do." Oh shit come on Fred. Look over here you walking carpet. I know Forg wouldn't be able to spot me in this crowd if he is here but you should be able to! "I already told you I'm not going to be any competition or a hinderance I'm just leaving the station as fast as I can." "If you want to keep that attitude then fine. Karn, help him off the station. Through an airlock without a ship." Ok, that' it, no time to wait for the fuzzy cavelry. Driss didn't even answer but shifted his weight and threw a spin kick into the chest of fat pig who originally barred his way. With that attack several patrons quickly fled while others tried to move to watch the entertainment. Driss cursed as several of the chips went flying only to be snatched up by greedy bystanders almost before they hit the ground. The rest went flying as a large Rodian decided to impact a barstool into Driss's back. He raised it to smash down on Driss again but it erupted as blaster fire impacted the chair indead of Driss's skull. The gamorean was up again and set himself to charge Driss when he found a large hairy wall in his way. Fred roared and with a single backhand knocked the gamorean back to the ground. Fred moved to driss's left and Forg moved to his right side. "Sheesh, ya know at times I think I live a pretty damn calm life compared to you. Wat the tach do you think you're gonna accomplish starting a brawl here?" "I didn't start it Forg." "Looked like you threw the first punch to me, but we can argue about it later, right now I think we should just get the hell out of here." "Sounds good to me." The trio made a break for it, blasters in hand as the crowd began to reform, going back to their normal routine stepping over the fallen bodies and occasionally discovering another unclaimed chip. TBC =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 02:26:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE: The long road home On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 02:17:33 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005072 The mismatched trio made their way quickly towards where Forg Zanta's ship was docked. they weren't sure if they were being pursued or not, but didn't want to take the chance. Onboard the ship they would know they could be secured. Driss let Forg lead the way. Forg had mentioned which bay his ship was docked in, and Driss was pretty sure he could find it, but the sullustan memory was ledgendary for being like a built in roadmap and he knew any path Forg was taking would be the most direct. Soon the bay was in sight and Driss started breathing a sigh of relief. As Forg swiped the card key through hte slot to open the airlock, Driss took one last look back and dashed through the portal. Once inside with the hatch secured Driss let his guard down a bit nad looked around the ship. "This is new for you isn't it?" Forg stashed his heavy blaster pistol into a small hidden compatment and began following Driss whiel Fred left to begin diagnostic checks on the ship. "Yeh. Pride of the Stars got captured by the Imperials on Coruscant a while back. I stole this Tie Scout Transport from the hanger of the star destroyer I was being held on and made my escape in it to Tatooine. I sold it to Jabba the hutt for a fortune since it still had the valid Imperial identification codes, And he turned around and sold to to the rebellion for a mission they had planned. They then ended up convincing the Kid to volenteer me to fly this suicide mission, and when we actually completed it they let me keep the ship so I used the cash I got from Jabba to fix it up." "It looks nice, though it's pretty hot in here." Remarked Driss as he popped his head into the bridge. "Hey like I tell my passengers. If you don't like it I'll tell you the code to access the environmental controls for a mear 500 cr." "Ah Gee Forg, you're all heart. If I didn't know better I would think that hot place you grew up in was hell instead of a volcano. Nah I'll just access your environmental control with a blaster like usual." Forg pouts as he plops himself inot the tiny pilot's seat. "Do me a favor, just use code 636732 and save me having to replace the damn unit. Just don't let it get around what a softy I am. Speaking of softy I suppose you're broke again as usual?" "Well I HAD picked up a tidy sum which was what that whole altercation was about." "Gra nea che delis tach na eebo less grada kem nam tach." Grumbled Forg as he began the pre-flight checks. "please please Forg, my poor gentle virgin ears." "yeh yeh you're a virgin and the emporer is an Ewok." came a new voice into the room. Driss turned around to see Jedi Master Geltram extending his hand for a handshake. "Geltram! I thought it was just Fred and Forg this time." "No, the others are away where the force has lead them, but since Forg still knows where to aquire the best spirits, I stay to sample them." "well it's great you're here. I need to get to the Hyperspace planet and dimention shift to find my freinds." "I think we can help you with that. The force has obviously guided us together for whatever reasons. How can we refuse?" "We say No." mutters Forg and geltram shoots him a quick glare. Soon Forg's preflights are finished and Fred's checks found two homing beacons which were deactivated and ejected and the ship took off. Between the Sullustan hyperdrive engines adn Geltram's force enhancement of them the ship moved at impossible speeds for two days until it came to a stop still in hyperspace, orbiting a small black planet. Driss had been here before and knew who to look for amongst the red shadows, white shadows adn black shadows that inhabited the planet. Negotiation to get them to open a dimentional rift to another dimention was quick and painless. And within minutes the ship was engulfed in a giant red bubble of Force and pushed through the dimentional borders. The Tie Scout emerged in a system filled with ships of various sizes and shapes. "Ok Driss. You're the one who's supposed to know about these places. where are we and where should we go?" "I haven't the slightest clue." "Oh THAT fills me up wiht lots of confidence." Muttered Frog as he guided the transport expertly through the congested space. "Head for that space station. it looks like our best bet." decided Driss. Without another word, Forg banked the ship and guided it towards Babylon 5. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 14:17:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE:Menawhile... On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 13:45:11 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005074 Somewhere in Wisconsin a small craft slowly settled to the ground, observed only by several cows who simply shifted about nervously. A hatchway began opening and in the dim light from the craft two silouettes could be seen moving around. Suddenly a rumbler could be heard from the craft. The sound of thousands of patent leather shoes on metal deckplates became louder adn louder as they raced towards the hatch and then broke out into the night air. Cows screamed in terror and tried to run but found there was no place they could go. Some where mercifully trampled to death by hundreds of the 3-piece suit clad figures. Others were knocked senseless by atache' cases as they raced past. Most became buried in business cards, free magnets and mouse pads. As the figured dispursed into the night, the two aliens stood in the hatchway watching them go. One nodded to the other and the hatchway slowly re-sealed itself. Yet another batchof Accident Injury attornies were loose to wreck havok on this unsuspecting planet. Soon enough it would be ripe for invasion. =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 16:09:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE:Menawhile... On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:47:46 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00005075 What the devil does this have to do with the story? =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 16:38:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE:Menawhile... On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 17:08:45 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005076 > On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:47:46 EDT > Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00005075 > > What the devil does this have to do with the story? Absolutely nothing. I'm just bored. hehehehehehe =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 19:48:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:09:37 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005080 >On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 23:06:48 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005064 > >Stranger was having a bad day. >A vortex forms, purple and pink, swirling with energy. > >Stranger flies out of it and lands with a thump on the floor befoe >the vortex fades to nothing. > >Stranger stands and looks around. > >"Hi guys" Morgan, feeling the "Old Home Week" comment to be truer than ever, offers Stranger the same greeting she gave Mike. "Well what do you know-Stranger things _have_ happened," Roland quips, no doubt earning several peanuts in response. Then, >On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 02:24:30 -0700 (MST) >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005073 > > *Yeh. You know I really was much happier when I was just the >loveable sidekick. I hate having to be responsible. Ok let's >go.* Morgan looks around. "Well, _I_ at least need to stop by home before going anywhere, and it looks like you all could use at least a little time to rest and regroup before we save the multiverse, again," she smiles at her comrades. Giving Roland a kiss on the cheek, she continues. "I'm going to go on ahead home and get the place ready for guests. We don't usually have this many at once." Roland nods, with a brief, amused glance back at the motley composing the CAoL, and returns Morgan's kiss. "We'll be along as soon as everyone's together again. At least, everyone who's coming." "Be seeing you," Morgan says with a mischievous grin as she ports back to Earth-9. She'd lost track of time in Jadis' former dimension, and found herself arriving home not long before sunrise. "She's back," one of the strike team whispered. Another nodded. "Excellent. She will die quickly-there are to be _no_ attempts to capture her. If we cannot draw her out, we raze the house." A third smiled, fire playing around her fingertips. "Ah, those wondrous, unreliable gas mains..." The first member hissed at the flames. "Back, you harlot of Malice!" The immortal tsked at her companion. "Aw, izzum all-powerful vampire scared of a widdle fire?" She laughed at the discomfort of her 'ally.' Until a massive hand clamped over her mouth. "Quiet," a seven-foot-tall blue troll said in a menacing whisper. "When you command, Lady." A long, lithe woman in black leaned into the misshapen bearer who carried her on his elongated back. "Wait. I want to _know_ what she's prepared for us before the attack. "Come, lackey of Gaia, show me your thoughts..." In the faint moonlight, the sleeping form breathes gently and evenly. Then, without warning, ice-blue eyes open and stare blankly at the ceiling a moment. Then James recalls where this place is - Morgan had offered him a spare bedroom. Normally he wouldn't have stayed alone with a married woman and subjected her to any possible sneers, but given the attacks on her, and her hosts culpable lack of ability... The woman in black smiles. "No active defenses. She's unaware of us. Attack." Morgan looks up as James wanders into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. Before she could say anything he suddenly turns. He frowns as the danger sense jangles in his mind, loud and insistent. Flames erupt around the house. The shrubbery fights back, but a swarm of hungry insects aids and abets the attack. "How rude. Buggers could wait until a man has had his coffee." James summons pyro-control, and sucks the air from the fire, and reduces the actual temperature below burning with a Control Temperature discipline. Some Kinetic Control is also used automatically, as the effort required is almost automatically shunted for balance. James' coffee abrupty hots up again, steaming. Outside, the Pyro whispers, "I've been countered." Morgan sighs. "They must have been just waiting until they saw me come back. I don' think they knew you were here, or they might have waited. And after last time, I _don't_ think they'll underestimate me." The Fallen magus smiles. "Hmm. Unexpected...but planned for. Has the Phoenix returned?" The changeling concentrates. "No, my lady." "Likely this is their idea of a serious strike, yes." James hurriedly takes a last sip, shallow because of the heat. "I don't think I have time to get dressed - I hope it doesn't offend you." He sets the mug down again, as his short Japanese sword appears at his side, belted and ready. Morgan smiles. "I grew up around men in kilts. If I see anything I haven't seen before, I'll shoot it," she adds with a grin. "If your shooting is as good as your blade work - I am, for one, very glad you're married." James quips absently, his mind at work with Clairvoyance and Clairaudience. He is sheilding his own emanations, going in "passive-only" mode. The Fallen's smile vanishes. "Hmph. Close in, but stay to the shadows." She 'shifts sideways' into Earth-9's spirit world. James looks thoughtful. "One in reserve; laying low in the Ethereal. That one should be mine. You're better in the tight combat. Several more, pretty strong, coming this way." He pauses, and *listens* attentively. "Footsteps and heartbeats. I make it six, total, five en route. If they get too heavy on you, give me a whistle." He says, pretty short and hurried for the normally urbane and talkative gentleman. "Three immortals, at least, but I can't read the others," Morgan comments. "Undead." She looks thoughtful again. "And a few more hanging even farther back." She smiles at James' raised eyebrow. "It's good to have friends among the wildlife." Morgan draws the dagger at her belt, and it extends to full greatsword length. "Mother Morrigan, be with me," she mutters softly. *Good hunting; I'm on the lagger.* James moves swiftly at the nearest piece of wall, and walks right out THROUGH it. Morgan heads for the back door, assuming the intruders will circle. She isn't disappointed. The Nephandus mage sips a cup of wine as she watches. *No slip ups, you amateurs. I want to be back in Malfeas before Aeon knows we were even here.* James sneaks forward, blending with his surroundings perfectly. Even as he slips into the Ethereal himself, there is naught but the slightest ripple. Then, like an alligator in the bayou, he pounces, his sword's fine edge enhanced here by an additional Force Thread projected by his mind in a monofilament width. It hums, as it must considering whom he is, with Ordered something - power, patterns, energy? Though James doesn't understand it, Orders abiltiy to hurt undead is soon proven again. The woman screams as the Thread _almost_ disintegrates in her Entropic shields...but not quite. A long gash opens along her neck, which turns in seconds into a thin white scar. Immediately her body starts shifting out of the way of any other attacks, and she seems to have the _damndest_ luck... (OOC: It vaguely resembles Shadow-shifting, but through Abyssal powers that don't 'move' the Shadow.) She seems far too busy staying alive to bother counter-attacking. James frowns, begins an attempt to follow. Then he suddenly reconsiders, and remains in this particular place and situation. It would be more than stupid to fall for a sequencing ambush. [One of the immies. Good,] Morgan thinks. She'd been working on learning to filter Quickening, and it looked like she was about to have a chance to try it out. She waited just outside the door, projecting enough life-energy to make it seem like she was waiting just _inside_. She waited her chance and struck. Even with initiative it was a hard fight, but soon the air crackled with familiar energy. It was all she could do to not become an easy target for the Garou who came rushing to the sounds of swordplay, or the other immortal close behind. "You...you..." The Fallen shifts into a were-wolverine form...which still has the scar...and shifts back instantly. "You I will remember." There is a swirl of mist, and she is gone. James, still in his ninja-like mode of thought, doesn't even react to that until much later. He maintains a mind of rippling deep black water image, and quickly moves back to Earth-9's normal existance, and makes to support Morgan. He appears next to where she is standing them off. Then he gives Morgan a side-glance, eyebrow lifting in amazement. Morgan appraised their opponents. The Garou, a troll, two immortals, and a viscious looking Tzimisce. She hoped her friends in the woods would be able to slow down the reinforcements. Then she caught a familiar signature and smiled. "These guys have _bloody_ bad luck. I take it they haven't looked behind themselves, as yet, from the snarling visages?" He half-smirks a cold, cruel smile straight from Ian Fleming's descriptions. "An immortal makes her own luck," the pyro snarls. "And you are outnumbered as well as outgunned, and that gag is older than _he_ is," she adds, waving at the Kindred. The leech smiles with bloody teeth... James shrugs, "Just giving you the chance to surrender." Then he addresses Morgan, without letting down his guard. "No one trusts me here. Odd place, I must say." He shakes his head, the pitying someone's stupidity one. "Why don't you peep behind you, just for grins?" "I don't _have_ to turn around to-eep-" the Kindred says, his sentence ending abruptly. The two immortals, the vampire, and the Unseelie troll turn to see... ...the entire, presumably unhappy, Callahanian Army of Light. "You're trespassing," Roland says in a low, even voice. "You're also stupid, but that's probably why you're cannon fodder. And you're on my wife's vervain." James now DOES his anticipated grin, and remarks just loudly enough to be heard, "Oh, now they're rotting meat." "Ooooo shit," the pyro has time to say before the Nephandi get stomped... (OOC: Have fun stomping them, folx! ) (OOC-M: The aforementioned and unspecified "reinforcements" are there so you guys don't have to trip over each other stomping these poor five . Enjoy!) "Amateurs." James adds under his breath, as the CAoL tidies up the lawn. He takes a lawn chair, having resheathed the sword already, and spectates. "At least this is entertaining, but it's sort of embarrassing someone would attempt to use assassins that were THIS bad." "Thanks for the help," Roland says, then loses a valiant fight against a creeping smile. "Bold fashion statement, by the way." James' cruel smile is back - it might just be the way his face goes whenever it smiles. He says softly, "Well, there are a few slightly bolder ones; like my usual mode of middle of the night dress. However, this culture seems to be rather prudish about the married women. I've already stirred up a few - you'll probably hear some interesting rumors from your... charming peers." The sarcasm isn't hard to detect in the last. "I figured they'd come at sunrise." The dapper (even in the scarlet satin pajamas) young man shakes his head. "Not very civilized." He takes another sip of his coffee, then slides on a robe - those very good at spotting concealed weapons will see at least the Walther PPK in his armpit under the PJs, maybe a few others. "When _will_ they learn that you can't sneak though a Druid's landscaping without her knowing about it?" Morgan comments to no one in particular, then proceeds to give Roland a welcome-home kiss. "Morgan, evolution will take care of them - I've seen better ambushes by animals. Make that MUCH better." James remarks, sounding almost embarrassed by the performance of the erstwhile assassins. Then again, he sometimes was a shooter himself. Morgan, Roland and James =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 19:49:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:32:04 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005081 >On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 01:06:01 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005057 > > Zia obligingly pours the whiskey, but grins. "I'll tell you my >name, if you tell me yours. NOT your nickname. Starbuck. Starbuck coughs violently through his cigar for a moment. "Ah, I don't know what you're talking about. Starbuck's the name in the computer and on my cred-voucher." He grins ruefully. "Okay, okay, so how about giving us something to call you besides, 'hey, you in the overalls.'" For only a moment, an emerald Jerry Lewis appears, and says, "Oh nice LA-dy!" then vanishes. Hal looks incredibly innocent... >I believe we might have the same problem with that. Oh, take it in >small sips. It's a real man's drink." She teases. Starbuck immediately downs the entire shot in one gulp. He smiles. At which point his eyes water, his ears turn bright red, and his cigar shoots across the room at hypersonic velocity. To his credit, though, he doesn't choke on it. > Zia grins, "I never said you'd be at disadvantage due to lack of >hands, Ambassador. Everyone knows the cleverness of your >previous.... ah... " she hesistates delicately, "technique?" With a >raised eyebrow of innuendo. Londo blinks. "My dear, I'm sure I _don't_ know what you're talking about," he says. But he looks like he just swallowed a vat of fresh Spu, and Zia can actually hear him think for a moment, [I am going to have to have a _long_ talk with Mr. Lennier. Yes.] > "Your luck, gentlemen, " Zia nods to the ring on her left >hand, a puzzle-like knot of fourteen strands of gold, and two of >black metal of some sort, "seems to be running poorly. I already have >accepted another's offer of that esteemed happy state of matrimony. >And didn't you just divorce two wives, Ambassador?" "Ah, yes, well, I have had some good fortune of late in that regard, yet on occasion a fit of _madness_ comes over me. Fortunately, they pass quickly, and your husband has protected me from this particular spell." Londo shrugs. "Ah, but the things we could have done to the Drazzi in the Zocolo..." "Londo, marriage doesn't _have_ to be torture," Hal notes in a voice that clearly states his experience in the matter. "Yeah, well, neither does a Viper rocket, but I'd rather not jump into one of those, either," Starbuck quips. >: "Convenient," Starbuck says. >: "Yes, isn't it?" Londo asks, glancing sidelong at Hal. "Not >: _too_ convenient, I hope?" >: Hal's eyes narrow. "I sincerely hope you aren't questioning the >: honor of a Legionnaire." >: "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Londo says emphatically. "Still, I >: think it would be...prudent...for someone to cut the cards, yes?" > > Zia gives Londo a flat look. "Hal shall do it, then. Yes." Londo swallows, and something flickers behind his eyes. "A-as you say, my dear. And that food will arrive shortly." Starbuck nods. "It'll be much appreciated. Now are we gonna talk all day or are we gonna play cards?" (OOC: I'll let you decide how the game goes, Zia. Londo won't try to cheat-G'Kar 'ported a block of ice onto that...appendage...the last time he tried. And Hal probably won't do all that well. Unlucky in cards, after all... ;^) =========================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 23:31:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 01:41:20 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005083 Morgan and/or Roland Said > Londo swallows, and something flickers behind his eyes. "A-as you > say, my dear. And that food will arrive shortly." > Starbuck nods. "It'll be much appreciated. Now are we gonna talk > all day or are we gonna play cards?" At that instant, in the control center of Babylon 5 (OOC: or whatever they call it) and on the bridge of the Galactica the officers on watch, nearly have a heart attack, when a truely *BIG* ship simply appears (OOC: 50 miles long at least). The ship is shaped kind of like a very slender arrow or spear tip. The surface, doesn't seem quite smooth, and on closer look, the lack of smoothness, is due to the banks upon banks of weapons pods. The point of the ship seems to be a really big energy projector of some kind. Fighter ships from both Babylon 5 and the Galactica checking it out, can see (down the length of the point weapon) that the big gun, seems to run the length of the ship. The ship takes no hostile action, other than some of the smaller (50 to 100 ft in diameter) weapons tracking fighters during fly bys (the equipment on the fighters do NOT detect any kind of lock on or even any detection types of energies). (OOC: if anything fires on this ship, the beams, rockets, what have you, stop 200 feet out from the hull. No shields are detected, but the stuff stops as though it had impacted an impenatrable force field. Any ships that try to get closer find themselves turning, so as to not get closer than 200 feet) After 15 minutes every inhabitant (or visitor) of all the ships in the area, and on Babylon 5, receive a telepathic message, "When the CAoL arrive, tell Roland, that Aurora is waiting for them aboard me." The mental voice is plainly mechanical, and those that can see the ship, definately get the sense that the message came from the ship itself. Zia with her second stage lensman training, can detect from the message only that 1) the message was as clear, and sharp, as anything that Mentor ever sent to her, and 2) that the "mind" was at least as strong as Mentor's. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 00:02:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 01:56:02 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005084 Morgan and/or Roland Said > Roland nods, with a brief, amused glance back at the motley > composing the CAoL, and returns Morgan's kiss. "We'll be along as > soon as everyone's together again. At least, everyone who's coming." "I will have a replacement for Hydra meet you at or near the site of your next battle. I don't believe that you will be needing the powers of a Starspawn until then. However if the need arises, you may call on me." Oracle tells Roland. Then Oracle vanishes. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 00:09:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 00:33:03 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005085 > On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 01:41:20 EDT > Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005083 > > After 15 minutes every inhabitant (or visitor) of all the ships in > the area, and on Babylon 5, receive a telepathic message, "When the > CAoL arrive, tell Roland, that Aurora is waiting for them aboard > me." The mental voice is plainly mechanical, and those that can see > the ship, definately get the sense that the message came from the > ship itself. Zia with her second stage lensman training, can detect > from the message only that 1) the message was as clear, and sharp, > as anything that Mentor ever sent to her, and 2) that the "mind" was > at least as strong as Mentor's. Forg and crew had been flying around aimlessly trying to decide what to do when the ship arrived. "Tach mede la peret od na she xing vack." mutters Forg as he barrelrolls the ship around a fighter who was too busy looking at the new arrival rather than wehre he was going. "As if the space wasn't crowded enough before. I swear. Now I wonder how many fighter craft that Capital ship is gonna launch to cluster thing up even worse." "Looking at all those gunports, I dont' see that many launch bays. I don't think it relies on fighters in combat. But one thing is for sure. it's obvious those hyperspace beings sent us to the right place." Coments Driss. He fishes around in his cloak and pulls out his Sigil. /Hello? Hello? testing one two three. Is there anyone else otu there or am I the first one here?/ =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 01:45:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 04:33:43 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00005086 > On Thu, 23 July '98 > Morgan and/or Roland Said > > "I don't _have_ to turn around to-eep-" the Kindred says, his > sentence ending abruptly. The two immortals, the vampire, and the > Unseelie troll turn to see... > ...the entire, presumably unhappy, Callahanian Army of Light. and I thought you'd never ask }>:=8D > "You're trespassing," Roland says in a low, even voice. "You're > also stupid, but that's probably why you're cannon fodder. And > you're on my wife's vervain." > > James now DOES his anticipated grin, and remarks just loudly enough > to be heard, "Oh, now they're rotting meat." Even in the lull before the storm, it's obvious that somehow Dhyrclhanc somehow didn't arrive at Earth-9 at the same time as the rest of the CAoL. However, while all, or most of, the interloping Mages/Nephandi, corrupted Garou, and Childer of Caine are all in one big group, Roland feels the familiar, albeit faint, tickle at the back of his mind. /*Hey Bro, you might want to get everybody out of the way. You might say I plan on _dropping_in_.*/ As Roland "hears" this a HUGE emerald-colored Jump-point forms high above the cottege and an equally large Sentinel-Lensdragon (once again at his 86' tall form) thuds down into the offenders. Various groans and utterances of pain and sorrow can be heard from under the Elder-Beast-sized superannuated Immortal hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon's mass at the base of the huge crater his impact made. Dhyrclhanc's huge face breaks out into a monsterous grin as he whistles the opening bars to "Ding-Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead" from the Wizard of Oz Soundtrack. "Hi Guys! Fireworks start yet?" He stands up and several of the Vampires and Werewolves crawl out from under the enlarged draconic Lensman, as he looks around himself and seems to notice teh crater for the first time. In a sheepish mental voice he says, /*Sorry about the mess, sis. I'll be fix it after the war is over.*/ Then, he sights several of the Cainites and proceeds to roast them in a huge gout of flame. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 08:38:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 08:09:44 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005087 >On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:09:37 >Morgan and Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005080 > >"When _will_ they learn that you can't sneak though a Druid's >landscaping without her knowing about it?" Morgan comments to no one >in particular, then proceeds to give Roland a welcome-home kiss. After she finishes greeting her husband, Morgan looks at the eclectic gathering on their lawn. Her eyes drop briefly, and she flushes slightly in embarrassment. "Um, folks, this isn't easy, but I feel I have to say it. Some of you are family. Stranger, Dhyrclhanc, Kny...Mike," she smiles at the slip. "You guys were practically family before there _was_ a CAoL. Fuzzy, you haven't been with us quite as long, but you've come to be family, too. And Roscoe was a friend long before I ever even _heard_ of Callahan's. The rest of you are... sort of... well...." She blushes again, and takes a deep breath. "Well, before I can feel truly comfortable welcoming you into my home under the laws of hospitality, I need...," she seems to be having trouble choosing the words she wants. "I need to know how, where, you fit in." "This is by no means meant as an insult, or an implication that you're _not_ family, but, well, I barely _know_ some of you. I've never even _met_ some of you until a little while ago." "Do you consider yourselves _part_ of this family we've come to call the Army of Light, or are you just following a parallel path for a time? And," she adds quickly, the brogue becoming more pronounced, "Ah'll no' necessarily refuse ye hospitality if that's tha case. But I prefer knowin' who's stayin' under mah roof." Morgan looks at Roland. "And if we're goin' into the sort of battle I think we are, we need to know who's watching our backs and who we can count on." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 09:42:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 09:49:39 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005088 > On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 08:09:44 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005087 > > "Do you consider yourselves _part_ of this family we've come to call > the Army of Light, or are you just following a parallel path for a > time? And," she adds quickly, the brogue becoming more pronounced, > "Ah'll no' necessarily refuse ye hospitality if that's tha case. But > I prefer knowin' who's stayin' under mah roof." Morgan looks at > Roland. "And if we're goin' into the sort of battle I think we are, > we need to know who's watching our backs and who we can count on." *Morgan. I think youknow me well enough by now that I really can't say where my path lies. But I think I can speak safely for Driss that with the CaoL we have found both kindred spirits and a home. In a battle there is no question which side I will be on.* =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 15:20:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 15:54:14 -0500 Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00005089 >On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:09:37 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005080 > >>On Wed, 22 Jul 1998 23:06:48 -0700 >>Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005064 >> >>Stranger flies out of it and lands with a thump on the floor befoe >>the vortex fades to nothing. >> >>Stranger stands and looks around. >> >>"Hi guys" "Stranger, good to see you again," Mike replies with a smile. > "Well what do you know-Stranger things _have_ happened," Roland >quips, no doubt earning several peanuts in response. Mike reaches into a pocket and tosses a handful of peanuts as if he were throwing rice at Roland. "What a way to welcome a fellow back," he smirks. >Then, > Roland nods, with a brief, amused glance back at the motley >composing the CAoL, and returns Morgan's kiss. "We'll be along as >soon as everyone's together again. At least, everyone who's coming." Mike grins, and the Trump vanishes up his sleeve. "Sounds fine by me," he says as Tink puts the little Transformers toy buzzard back in her backpack. >Morgan appraised their opponents. The Garou, a troll, two immortals, >and a viscious looking Tzimisce. She hoped her friends in the woods >would be able to slow down the reinforcements. Then she caught a >familiar signature and smiled. Mike and Tink, who is still being carried, arch their eyebrows in unison. Tink glances around the area, heat and other detection methods searching the distance, while Mike points out several locations of the reinforcements to the rest of the CAoL that Tink has located and silently communicated to him. With a wink and a gesture that says 'Tink and I are going to take the four to the west,' the pair vanish. >"These guys have _bloody_ bad luck. I take it they haven't looked >behind themselves, as yet, from the snarling visages?" He half-smirks >a cold, cruel smile straight from Ian Fleming's descriptions. The four Immortals watched the sudden arrival of the CAoL from a dense patch of trees at the base of a small hill. It wasn't a _bad_ hiding place, it would be out of sight for a good majority of the CAoL, while offering a fairly clear view of the target. One young one named Ted, a fair-haired kid who looked and sounded no more than sixteen, (And despite his claims to have 'been around for a while', claims no one else believed, was in fact only sixteen.) whispered, "They're screwed." > "An immortal makes her own luck," the pyro snarls. "And you are >outnumbered as well as outgunned, and that gag is older than _he_ >is," she adds, waving at the Kindred. > The leech smiles with bloody teeth... The Immortal everyone called Psycho, mostly because he was, but he prefered Frank, growled at Ted. Ted ignored it, growling was all Psycho ever did. Ted wondered if Psycho could speak at all. Ted glanced up at the woman leaning against a tree, sharpening her 'nails'. Ted thought 'talons' would be a better phrase as the young woman wore a glove Freddy Krueger would have envied. Her name was Gwendy, she sharpened the blades with a wetstone, and Ted thought she was the most stunning thing on Earth-9. Incredibly beautiful, and incredibly ready to slash him with those talons if he got within ten feet of her. Gwendy prefered Psycho, and Psycho prefered killing things. Not exactly the classic love triangle, but what was? Gwendy snidely replied "Whasamadda Teddy? Ew got cold feet?" >James shrugs, "Just giving you the chance to surrender." Then he >addresses Morgan, without letting down his guard. "No one trusts me >here. Odd place, I must say." He shakes his head, the pitying >someone's stupidity one. "Why don't you peep behind you, just for >grins?" The bald fortyish man they called 'Pops' snarled, "Shut up, the lot o' ya." Pops was the only potential threat in the group, if only because he had been an assassin since a kid, and only just recently died for the first time. A respectable career for a small-time hood. > "I don't _have_ to turn around to-eep-" the Kindred says, his >sentence ending abruptly. The two immortals, the vampire, and the >Unseelie troll turn to see... "Right," Pops said, "they've had it, let's move in and-" "'Scuse me," a voice said behind them in a soft midwestern drawl as a strange cross between a metallic buzzing and humming fills their ears, "But, this 'ere's private property. Y'all 'll hafta leave." > ...the entire, presumably unhappy, Callahanian Army of Light. > > "You're trespassing," Roland says in a low, even voice. "You're >also stupid, but that's probably why you're cannon fodder. And you're >on my wife's vervain." It took the foursome a moment to comprehend who had snuck up behind them. Mike and Tink stood atop a small boulder, the ultraviolet blade of Mike's lightsaber barely visible. Tink held a pair of police billy clubs similar to something Molly had told her about from RIFTs Earth's Japan. >James now DOES his anticipated grin, and remarks just loudly enough >to be heard, "Oh, now they're rotting meat." > > "Ooooo shit," the pyro has time to say before the Nephandi get >stomped... Psycho moved first, leaping at Mike, drawing a katana. Mike's lightsaber slashed out, melting the tip of the sword. Psycho blinked and missed the lashing out of Mike's foot into his chest until he was sprawling back down the small hill. Gwendy leapt at Tink, the knife blades slashing at Tink. Tink ducked and hit Gwendy quickly with the billy clubs, electricity arcing through the female Immortal's body. She collapsed into Psycho. "You _can_ give up and go home," Mike said, while Pops and Ted tried to double-team Mike, Ted only half-heartedly. Mike took an unusually wide stance. The reason why was obvious almost immediately as Tink swung one of the billy clubs into Ted's shin through the gap, who yelped and fell backwards, rolling back down the hill. Pops got an elbow to the face, losing his sword as he sprawled into Psycho and Gwendy, who caught him. The threesome snarled and lunged at Mike, who spun with the lightsaber as he said "I offered!" The blade took off the heads of the three Immortals, who fell over on their chests immediately, their last expressions being shock. Ted collapsed as the Quickening of Psycho, Gwendy, and Pops hit him. Mike and Tink watched as the wind in the small patch of woods picked up, lightning arcing between the bodies and Ted, who staggered and rolled onto the ground and down the hill into full view, breaking the quiet with his moans of pain. Ted learned in that instant that Gwendy asked Psycho to kill him, and Psycho had planned on it. And Pops had no intention of stopping them, thinking Ted was a hinderance. Ted saw how three other lifes had went from being assasins and how they ended up, beheaded by a normal human. (Well, Ted didn't know Mike's past, just that he didn't look like a mage and didn't take the Quickening.) And here he was, about to have his head taken after being beaten mostly thanks to the efforts of a little girl. (Again, Ted didn't know Tink's whole story either.) Life couldn't get much worse. Then Mike and Tink walked out of the treeline, Mike holding Ted's wallet and looking at Ted's family while Tink read a letter from Ted's mom. Wonderful, now his whole family was in for it. And it was all his fault. "Kid," Mike said, "It's your lucky day. You clear those three bodies out of the woods, put 'em in whatever contrivance you came here in, and get out of here. Go back to your family and do like your mother and father want and go into the family bakery business. You aren't meant to be an assasin." Mike dropped the wallet and Tink dropped the letter in front of Ted, who snatched them up and hurried into the woods. A few minutes later, they glanced around and found the place cleared out. "Think he'll do it, Grumpa?" Tink asked as she held Mike's hand as they walked back to the house. "Hopefully," Mike replied with a shrug, "He's not going to last long otherwise." >"Amateurs." James adds under his breath, as the CAoL tidies up the >lawn. He takes a lawn chair, having resheathed the sword already, and >spectates. "At least this is entertaining, but it's sort of >embarrassing someone would attempt to use assassins that were THIS >bad." Mike let Tink guide him as he closed his eyes, focusing his mind elsewhere. > "Thanks for the help," Roland says, then loses a valiant fight >against a creeping smile. "Bold fashion statement, by the way." Tink's hand seemed to be grasped by a ghost as Mike faded slowly away as he walked. >James' cruel smile is back - it might just be the way his face goes >whenever it smiles. He says softly, "Well, there are a few slightly >bolder ones; like my usual mode of middle of the night dress. >However, this culture seems to be rather prudish about the married >women. I've already stirred up a few - you'll probably hear some >interesting rumors from your... charming peers." The sarcasm isn't >hard to detect in the last. Tink walked, seemingly grasping at nothing. >"I figured they'd come at sunrise." The dapper (even in the scarlet >satin pajamas) young man shakes his head. "Not very civilized." He >takes another sip of his coffee, then slides on a robe - those very >good at spotting concealed weapons will see at least the Walther PPK >in his armpit under the PJs, maybe a few others. Mike faded into existence again, looking ethereal, as the pair got closer to the house. >"When _will_ they learn that you can't sneak though a Druid's >landscaping without her knowing about it?" Morgan comments to no one >in particular, then proceeds to give Roland a welcome-home kiss. Mike returns fully to solidity as he and Tink approach the back porch. [Earth-9's dimension is clean. She isn't here. With the blocks, I figured she wouldn't be, but glad we got the opportunity to check anyway.] he thinks to 'himself', Tink nods and squeezes the hand she is holding. [We'll find Grammie yet, Grumpa. 'At a biwwion dimensions a week, infinity won't take wong.'] Mike chuckled as he recalled the phrase he had said so many times. The reasoning was obviously flawed, the whole point of infinity being an unreachable number, but it was also a reminder of how much of a chunk of the multiverse could be checked. At a billion a week, eventually, the right universe would be found, likely far below the infinite possibilities present in the multiverse. Mike returned his attention to the present. >"Morgan, evolution will take care of them - I've seen better ambushes >by animals. Make that MUCH better." James remarks, sounding almost >embarrassed by the performance of the erstwhile assassins. Then >again, he sometimes was a shooter himself. "Well," Mike says, "At least one of them will evolve into a rather good baker, or at least an enthusiastic one. Just as well. no world can have too many good cooks." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 16:23:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00005091 > On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 15:54:14 -0500 > Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00005089 > >>On Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:09:37 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005080 >> >> "Well what do you know-Stranger things _have_ happened," Roland >>quips, no doubt earning several peanuts in response. > > Mike reaches into a pocket and tosses a handful of peanuts as if he > were throwing rice at Roland. "What a way to welcome a fellow back," > he smirks. "With this lot, Never expect anything Else..." "Reminds me of the Punchline of an old joke... 'Come Back Stranger' 'Don't Say That, if he did, I don't think the World would be ready for it...' Welcome Back Stranger, ... Are You?" >> "I don't _have_ to turn around to-eep-" the Kindred says, his >>sentence ending abruptly. The Their attention pulled almost unwillingly as the sound of Fuzzy coming though the gateway last on what seems to be a motorcycle, makes it obvious that Something Is Behind Them... >>two immortals, the vampire, and the Unseelie troll turn to see... Fuzzy slows for a moment looking around, then makes for one of the clusters of Reinforcements hidden off to the East... When one of them steps out of hidding obviously making the mistake of thinking Fuzzy is a Fool who does not no better that to make a direct attack. He gets Diced by a mono-filiment Bolas fired from between the forks of the motorcycle... =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 16:36:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 (longish) On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 18:51:43 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00005093 > On Fri, 24 July '98 Morgan Said > > "Do you consider yourselves _part_ of this family we've come to call > the Army of Light, or are you just following a parallel path for a > time? And," she adds quickly, the brogue becoming more pronounced, > "Ah'll no' necessarily refuse ye hospitality if that's tha case. But > I prefer knowin' who's stayin' under mah roof." Morgan looks at > Roland. "And if we're goin' into the sort of battle I think we are, > we need to know who's watching our backs and who we can count on." "Sis, while I realize that there are more people here than myself that you are asking this question of I am still a little shocked and amazed that you would be asking it of me." "We are family, which includes all which that intails and implies," he continues, indicating the "Three-rings-which-are-one" that he wears on the ring finger on his left hand. "And, even as you have pointed out that the citualtions are not identical, I am honored to play Lennier to your Delenn and Roland's John Sheridan. What is more, I am even more honored to be able to call you 'sister' and Roland 'brother' and as the song says, and this applies to the both of you 'Wherever you may go, no matter where you are, I never will be far away.'" "If you do not know it by now," he concludes, "then there is obviously nothing that I can say to convince you, but the fact remains that I would stay by your sides even if Hades, himself, barred the way." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 16:36:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 15:55:34 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005094 > On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 08:09:44 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005087 > > came in with Roland. Everyone else please let us know if you're here > or not. It's also assumed to happen _after_ everyone does all the > whomping their little hearts desire :-).> A Nemo will come along. One will stay in "Jadis's" universe. The rest will check out other universes that haven't been visited by a Nemo yet. He'll be wearing fairly normal clothing, except for one of those/vests that hunters and survivalist types favor. You know, all pockets, with pockets on top of pockets... Nemo is *very* interested in the vampire. Picture a biologist confronted with an unknown specimen. He won't *attack*, he'll just try to immobilize him so he can do some scans an "take samples". If the vampire leaves, the troll is next on his list... > "Do you consider yourselves _part_ of this family we've come to call > the Army of Light, or are you just following a parallel path for a > time? And," she adds quickly, the brogue becoming more pronounced, > "Ah'll no' necessarily refuse ye hospitality if that's tha case. But > I prefer knowin' who's stayin' under mah roof." Morgan looks at > Roland. "And if we're goin' into the sort of battle I think we are, > we need to know who's watching our backs and who we can count on." "oh boy" You don't ask easy ones, do you? "In my case, 'for a time' could easily exceed the lifetimes of many of you. But 'family'? I would be honored to be such. But are *you* certain you wish to be that closely associated with *me*? I have enemies and opponents of my own, and if they chose to attack me through you, it could be as bad as any situation you've been in." He pauses for a moment. "And in spite of my appearance and 'personality' you must remember that I am the *least* human of you all. Thewre may come a time when I *must* do something you will disapprove of, and I may not be *able* to explain why I had to." He awaits responses with a somewhat "dead" expresion on his face. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 16:36:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 17:20:23 -0500 Molly Said As CAoL Message # 00005095 >On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 08:09:44 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005087 >"Do you consider yourselves _part_ of this family we've come to call >the Army of Light, or are you just following a parallel path for a >time? And," she adds quickly, the brogue becoming more pronounced, >"Ah'll no' necessarily refuse ye hospitality if that's tha case. But >I prefer knowin' who's stayin' under mah roof." Morgan looks at >Roland. "And if we're goin' into the sort of battle I think we are, >we need to know who's watching our backs and who we can count on." Mike picks up Tink so the little AI can be at eye-level with everyone. He drawls, "Well, I do think of maself as part of this buncha do-gooders. Even though our paths take us apart fer a time, that's more to other matters than whether or not I still believe in the same basic stuff y'all do." Mike nods at the little blonde girl in his arms. "This is Tink. Being a science fiction fan Morgan, you mighta read _Time Enough For Love_ and may recall how Minerva, the computer that ran the planet Secondus where Lazarus Long was spinning his long life's story, became human through some fancy genetic manipulation and some mental editting of her vast memories. Well, through some fancy genetic manipulations, some mental editting, and the same trick used on me, Melissa and Grep are now humans, Dreamers like me." "And what was weft," Tink continues, "was the new computer intewigence named Teena. Dat's wike me. My moms and Grumpa messed with the pwogwamming, making impwovements and twying new ideas, and that got me. My moms got bored awot because they didn't have a wot to do. But me, I coordinate da seawch for Grammie." "Flarn," Mike interjects, "She keeps track of a flucuating group of searchers roughly the equivalent of the population of China at any one time." Tink nods vigorously, "And I keep Grumpa out of twouble and make sure he has fun." "You do?" This is news to Mike. Tink nods, "I decided. Anyway, I wike what you guys do, and wif Grumpa here, I thought I should be here too." "In other words," Mike says, "She has me twisted around her little finger. But, she's as well-versed in most areas as the twins, including combat, and a great snoop." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 17:39:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 19:51:32 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00005096 > "Do you consider yourselves _part_ of this family we've come to call > the Army of Light, or are you just following a parallel path for a > time? And," she adds quickly, the brogue becoming more pronounced, > "Ah'll no' necessarily refuse ye hospitality if that's tha case. But > I prefer knowin' who's stayin' under mah roof." Morgan looks at > Roland. "And if we're goin' into the sort of battle I think we are, > we need to know who's watching our backs and who we can count on." Scott coughs slightly, and says "Well, I'm new to this group, so I don't know how must you'd be willing to trust me. I'm not going to abandon you at the drop of a hat, if that's what you mean. (Although I have some things that need doing every now and again, they can be done simply, and quickly.) So, if you're willing to trust me, I'll try and live up to that trust." Osborne then sits down on a seat that wasn't there before. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 20:02:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Having Kittens On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 19:43:34 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005100 >On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 01:41:20 EDT >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00005083 > >At that instant, in the control center of Babylon 5 (OOC: or whatever >they call it) and on the bridge of the Galactica the officers on >watch, nearly have a heart attack, when a truely *BIG* ship simply >appears (OOC: 50 miles long at least). The ship is shaped kind of >like a very slender arrow or spear tip. The surface, doesn't seem >quite smooth, and on closer look, the lack of smoothness, is due to >the banks upon banks of weapons pods. The point of the ship seems to >be a really big energy projector of some kind. Fighter ships from >both Babylon 5 and the Galactica checking it out, can see (down the >length of the point weapon) that the big gun, seems to run the length >of the ship. The ship takes no hostile action, other than some of >the smaller (50 to 100 ft in diameter) weapons tracking fighters >during fly bys (the equipment on the fighters do NOT detect any kind >of lock on or even any detection types of energies). "God," Ivanova says in the privacy of her Starfury, "whatever I did wrong, tell me what it is and I'll fix it. Or atone for it. Or whatever." >(OOC: if anything fires on this ship, the beams, rockets, what have >you, stop 200 feet out from the hull. No shields are detected, but >the stuff stops as though it had impacted an impenatrable force >field. Any ships that try to get closer find themselves turning, so >as to not get closer than 200 feet) (OOC: NO one on either ship is that stupid. ;^) >After 15 minutes every inhabitant (or visitor) of all the ships in >the area, and on Babylon 5, receive a telepathic message, "When the >CAoL arrive, tell Roland, that Aurora is waiting for them aboard me." >The mental voice is plainly mechanical, and those that can see the >ship, definately get the sense that the message came from the ship >itself. Zia with her second stage lensman training, can detect from >the message only that 1) the message was as clear, and sharp, as >anything that Mentor ever sent to her, and 2) that the "mind" was at >least as strong as Mentor's. Apollo stares at the enormous ship for a moment. "Who?" he asks to no one in particular... Babylon-5, a very crowded C-&-C... "By G'Quan," G'Kar whispered. "Huh?" Corwin asked, thoroughly confused. Adama just stared. "G'Kar," Sinclair began, "is that the same-" "Ro'Lan once told me of his allies, a group of like minded entities, some possessed of powers even beyond the Justice Legion...they have named themselves after your 'Army of Light,' President Sinclair." G'Kar fingers the JL ring on his right hand. "In fact, 'CAoL' is an acronym for 'Callahanian Army of Light,' for the Place which is their home and the ideal for which they fight." Sinclair frowns. "Then they're here to help, is that what you're saying, G'Kar?" G'Kar shrugs. "Has the station been torn from its place in orbit by that ship's gravity well?" "Um, Mr. President, we're not _detecting_ a gravity well around the latest arrival," Corwin says in a voice calmed beyond astonishment. "Susan's going to have kittens," Sinclair sighs, though he can't suppress a smile. "Mr. President," Adama says, apparently continuing a discussion, "there _is_ the matter of the Cylons." "Commander, I appreciate your concern for your people, but Earth Force isn't in the habit of abandoning its own. You aren't under our jurisdiction, but taking the Galactica off to be a sacrifice to these...Cylons." Sinclair frowned briefly. Then he smiled and gestured at the enormous battle 'arrow.' "Besides, can the Cylons handle _that?_" Adama stares at the strange vessel. "Who can say? I can only hope that we have time to prepare. The Cylons have the advantage of numbers, and their robotic soldiers are without fear or mercy..." (OOC: And if _that_ ain't a lead-in, I don't know what is! ) Hyperspace. "By your command," Lucifer intones in his usual patronizing voice. The Imperious Leader did not respond to the mock-deference in Lucifer's tone. "Order the Base Stars to emerge from hyperspace in the shadow of the planet. Our allies will distract them until our Raiders emerge from the gravity well." "And then?" Lucifer asked, knowing the answer already. "What else? 'By my command.' I have but one." Though the body of the Imperious Leader was not designed for it, the smile was obvious in his voice. "Extermination." =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:07:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Finale: To Gamble or to Rumble? On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 23:56:47 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005101 : Starbuck coughs violently through his cigar for a moment. "Ah, I :don't know what you're talking about. Starbuck's the name in the :computer and on my cred-voucher." He grins ruefully. "Okay, okay, so :how about giving us something to call you besides, 'hey, you in the :overalls.'" : For only a moment, an emerald Jerry Lewis appears, and says, "Oh :nice LA-dy!" then vanishes. : Hal looks incredibly innocent... Zia gives Hal the mother-like "whom do you think you're fooling" look... but says only, "My, I had no idea of you might be French, Hal. I thought you were an American?" Then she grins at Starbuck. "Just something to call me? Presuming you're lucky enough to get the chance, it's Ziactrice. Or Zia, if you like that." : Starbuck immediately downs the entire shot in one gulp. He smiles. : At which point his eyes water, his ears turn bright red, and his :cigar shoots across the room at hypersonic velocity. To his credit, :though, he doesn't choke on it. Zia smirks, but politely resists the urge to thump him on the back. "Usually, one does a toast, first, but you were obviously _quite_ thirsty. You know, I think that's why it's called _sipping_ whiskey..." : Londo swallows, and something flickers behind his eyes. "A-as you :say, my dear. And that food will arrive shortly." The short brunette grins. "Oh, no, Ambassador, I'm not a member of the Psi Corps - but lying to a lady is still not an advisable course for the wiser gentleman, yes?" : Starbuck nods. "It'll be much appreciated. Now are we gonna talk :all day or are we gonna play cards?" : (OOC: I'll let you decide how the game goes, Zia. Londo won't try :to cheat-G'Kar 'ported a block of ice onto that...appendage...the :last time he tried. And Hal probably won't do all that well. Unlucky :in cards, after all... ;^) Luck goes pretty evenly, but there is a slow and noticeable sliding of funds towards Zia's pile. Although the flask (which seems bottomless) does much to make this tolerable to Starbuck and Londo, at least. Zia has only relieved Starbuck of about 3 weeks pay, a case of cigarrettes, and a old flight jacket, (specified "You have to have worn it in combat as least once it's for my grandson, and he's quite the warrior-aspirant. Of course, at 15, what boy isn't?") Then... Ships pour through the gap, large, larger, largest etc... a telepathic message hits every mind but Zia's being quite solidly blocked from contact. She *felt* it however, and cautiously checks out the humans on Galactica for domination, finding the message. "Of all the ham-handed - " She cuts off the annoyed whisper, as Starbuck exclaims in awe of the huge ship. And the "bad feeling" from the Third Space bubble hits. Zia frowns. Then sighs. "That, Starbuck, seems to be the end of my R&R, the end of our game, and a whole lot more trouble in omen. Although I have reason to believe that these recent ships are friendly, the dome on that planet is definitely malign. I'm not sure what that is, exactly; I do know I would rather not find out. "I believe that is the cavalry. Which means the _Indians_ whomever they might be, shall be showing up, or are, already. Starbuck, I suggest you run for your Viper, and get your wing into space. Ambassador, I would accept Hal's escort back to B5 if I were you - these Battlestars have been through a long fight without proper parts for maintenance. Your debt of food I've won will be MOST sincerely appreciated - but if you attempt to hornswaggle these refugees, I will take it very ill-done. And personally, if we understand one another?" "Hal, Adama will need to return here soonest - these follks need their customary leader in place. Their fight isn't broken, but they are quite strained. Adama is their heart, in many ways. Even as Starbuck and the other fighters are their shields and arms. Take care out there, rogue. You still have stake to make good, with me." She stretches up to peck the astonished Starbuck on the cheek, then turns. "And I, I believe, shall stay here, and see what develops..." She steps over to the viewing portal, with a slight frown to study the fight. "One could envy the Mimbari fighting theatre, at a time like this." Her nose twitches, in what looks like subconcious annoyance or deep thought. =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:26:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: RE: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Sat, 25 Jul 1998 00:16:25 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005102 "It's nice to know you won't refuse me entry, Lady Morgan, as my entire warderobe remains in your guest bedroom, at the moment." James says, almost serious, except for the twinkle in his eye, you MIGHT almost be fooled. "I believe my position as a familiar acquaintance. If you would have me as family, I would of course, be honored by your offer, but nonetheless, must also in honor, refuse such a highly esteemable condition. But, to the limits of my interest, and if for no better reason than being a gentleman and you a gentle lady, I am well content if our paths meet and diverge as they will, without seeking or desiring, truly, more than that." A bit later in the conversation... Mike's thick drawl seems to draw an almost sarcastic eyebrow, from James, before a suddenly thoughtful look replaces it. Then he just gets a curious sideglance, but no question from the seated (and now robed) double-O assassin... or at least, the Amberite who uses the famous 007 as his "namesake". "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Tink." James stands, takes her hand if it's offered, and shakes it. "I can see you take your duties as seriously as Zia thought your sister-mothers did. If - " he pauses suddenly, as if with second thoughts of some sort, then continues smoothly. "If there is anything remaining with enough psychic impression of this Flarn lady upon it, I could attempt to locate her. Dealing with infinity is something I was born to." He gives them both a half-wry, half self-mocking grin, "How do you think an Amberite can find their way, when they shadow walk? Ever speculated on that?" He smiles, "I say. Why don't we - " some lawn furniture appears in a convenient group for conversation. "at least sit down while the rest of these new faces speak? If you all will pardon me a moment, I'll go get dressed. I feel it quite likely we'll have company here soon, or be in need of travel again. How odd. I wonder why I think that." He nods politely, actually waiting to see if anyone cares to stop him first, then will leave to go get re-dressed again. James "Bond" Keenan Trouble-shooter at large =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:30:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:58:53 -0700 (MST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005103 > On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 15:55:34 PST > Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005094 > > "And in spite of my appearance and 'personality' you must remember > that I am the *least* human of you all. Thewre may come a time when > I *must* do something you will disapprove of, and I may not be > *able* to explain why I had to." > > He awaits responses with a somewhat "dead" expresion on his face. Roscoe actually checkles mentally. *We've been accasted by the incarnation of all the Chaos of hte universe, a psychopathic obsessive compulsive Magus who went around incorperating himself fully into a dimention and hunting down what is apparently another part of himself. We have a Shadow creature who's collecting goodies from all other sorts of dimentions for gawd only knows what, and a Sadistic control freak in a metal body and you think we're worried about a few more enemies? hey that reminds me. Where's Jim?* A quick body count shows that Jim indeed is gone and hasn'[t been seen since the battle at the Castle. *Hmmm He must have gone off on that quest. I hope. Maybe we'll corss paths again. Anyways, what I was saying is that we all accept each other for what we are. I've done some things that have disturbed a few people here and yet were things I had been trained to do since birth. Yet here I still am.* =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:34:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Finale: A Bit of Gambling On Sat, 25 Jul 1998 01:30:41 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005104 Driscoll Said: > "Looking at all those gunports, I dont' see that many launch bays. > I don't think it relies on fighters in combat. But one thing is for > sure. it's obvious those hyperspace beings sent us to the right > place." Coments Driss. He fishes around in his cloak and pulls out > his Sigil. /Hello? Hello? testing one two three. Is there anyone > else otu there or am I the first one here?/ /No, you're not!/ answers a mechanical "voice" in a slightly beligerant manner. /Be nice now. / chides a second, plainly female voice. /I believe I have detected the being known as Zia. But I can detect no others at this time/ she says. /Oracle, said that she does not have a sigil, so you will have to use other means to contact her./ =========================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:38:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: R&R (?) on Earth-9 On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 22:34:41 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005105 >On Fri, 24 Jul 1998 19:51:32 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00005096 > >Scott coughs slightly, and says "Well, I'm new to this group, so I >don't know how must you'd be willing to trust me. I'm not going to >abandon you at the drop of a hat, if that's what you mean. (Although >I have some things that need doing every now and again, they can be >done simply, and quickly.) So, if you're willing to trust me, I'll >try and live up to that trust." > >Osborne then sits down on a seat that wasn't there before. Morgan looks at the young man inquisitively. "Ah dinna believe we've met," she says, looking at Roland and looking back at the young man. (OOC: the chair thing doesn't even phase her.) "He's from the Place," Roland replies, as if that explains everything. When Morgan looks at Roland quizzically, he adds through the Link, /His name's Scott Osborne. He hasn't been involved in the blasting yet, AFAIK, but he's helped out with the Link while we were in Jadis' private hell. He seems okay so far./ ^Well, do ye no' think introductions are in order?^ Anyone listening closely to Roland's thoughts will hear a sound extraordinarily similar to a forehead being slapped. "Morgan, this is Scott Osborne. Mr. Osborne, my wife, Morgan Greywolf." ===========================