Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6 Part 1 - Chapter 6 Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:39:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 21:35:58 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007380 >On Mon, 04 Oct 1999 22:19:13 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007311 > > When people turn to react to the comment, a glowing energy form is >visible in the approximate center of the CAoL's gathering. Roland, in >his 'Blaze' form, made of nearly solid psychokinetic energy. > /"I should warn you all, I'm 'hitching a ride' from the lens-link, >and I'm not at all used to being in 'two places at once,' but if no >one else is going to lead this lot then I'd better do _something._ >Though I'd better appoint an XO pro-tem, since I could easily flicker >out for any number of reasons. Morgan and the Wonder Twins have to be >my first priority."/ His eyes literally sparkle with amusement. "Duh!" Rio says to herself, as she begins her quick-draw practice. The practice has occasional pauses as she listens to the planning and commentary. Waiting for a moment when he isn't in full-spar mode, approaches her brother. "Eric?" Eric turns and quirks an eyebrow. "Yes?" "Can you let me patch in?" she asks, pointing at the lens on his hand. "It's untappable, but if you give me a 'link' in...." Eric shrugs, confused. "Hrm. Ooookay." He holds out the mini-lens. Rio looks the lens over, remembering everything she's heard said about them. Then she reaches into Eric's mind and sets up a relay from the part of his mind monitoring the link to her own. /Testing, testing,/ she sends on the link. Then, attempting to send narrow-band, /If anyone but Mandy hears this, let me know./ [I'm sure at least one of them will let me know if I'm leaking,] she thinks to herself. /One, two,/ Eric replies wryly. /You _are_ just linking through this lens thing, right?/ he adds evenly. /Don't worry,/ Rio 'tightens the beam' to Eric only, /I won't read any thoughts you don't send./ She gets a teasing smile. /They'd probably be too boring, anyway./ /Boring. Hrm./ Eric's eyes slide up and down her, weighing the younger sibling closely. /Mage or no, my memories _would_ give you nightmares for the rest of your life. If you see a mental sign that says 'do not enter,' pay attention. But I doubt you'd find the experience...boring./ /I'll behave,/ Rio sends in perfect seriousness. Kidding aside, she wouldn't feel right prying where she doesn't belong. >>On 10-04-1999 at 09:54:29 >>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007283 >> >>"The Best Method for Gaining this Artifact, >> Would seem to be, >> Infiltration and Subversion..." > > "Not playing to our strong suits," Roland comments, apparently >trying to prove to Eric that he can be just as dry as the next >costumed avenger, "but considerably better than the only provided >alternative at the moment." "Got _that_ right!" Rio giggles to herself. ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:28:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 02:01:43 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007382 Zia wrote: >"Say, Scott - " This despite his disappearing act, "How did you get >to my Trump deck? That is _supposedly_ protected. It'd be disastrous >if a pickpocket got it from me." After he fades back in, Scott winks. "It is something I learned many years ago from a high master of- ah, who'm I kidding? It's a simple bit of slight of- er, invisible hand. I'd go into more detail, but a magician (as opposed to a wizard) never reveals his secrets. If you need reassurance, I'll tell you that nobody you're at all likely to encounter could pull it off. But, anywho, I was planning to offer you a temperary-sort-of-not-exactly-perfect Trump card for the Callahanian of your choosing." Scott seems to be holding something back, waiting for her reply. ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:28:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:03 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007383 >On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 14:54:24 PDT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007352 > >OneEye raises his hand. "As far as time travel goes, I'm more than >willing to help. Paradox...."He grins, and it is not a nice thing. >"Well, it doesn't seem to mind me very much. Geuss I'm just lucky." "I'm not sure you understand the Risk, They can plan a Series of actions intended to stop this team, With the First Item being create a Paradox Gem, Collect and Examine the Gem, If that Plan did not work in to probable Future of the Gem, Dissipate the Gem and make a new plan, Until they find one that works, Then with the touch of a Button swap the Realities, So that the one where that happens is What Happened... A true Paradox Immune would be unaffected by the Swap." ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:29:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Another Artifact Revealed On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:05 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007384 >On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 14:48:40 PDT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007351 > >>"I Do Not Understand, >> Perhaps we could find them by following the Lost Expeditions, >> But how would the Gauge assist us in Leaving something behind?" >> >>"Most of the "Big Guns" do not time travel... >> And any Time Traveler sent to scout, >> Would have to be careful not to interfere..." > >"Simplicity in itself. The gauge makes a copy of whatever it touches. >Touch it to the game, take the original, and leave the copy. The same >can be done for all of them. Shouldn't be hard." "I do not know if anyone has tried that, I suspect they did while trying to dispose of "The Eye of Heaven", So I suspect that the Artifacts can not affect each other, But I do not know for sure..." >The merchant of time laughs to himself. "The hard part if of course >going to be keeping certain memebers of this group from having fun >expierimenting with the rod." ;) ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:29:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Another Artifact Revealed On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:07 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007385 >On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 22:36:28 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007356 > >>On Mon, 4 Oct 1999 22:42:03 -0700 >>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007314 >> >>"The Artifact called 'The Game of IF' " >> >>"According to Rumor, >> A semi-Secret Society called, >>'The Guardians of If', >>Have Possession of this Artifact, and a Time Machine, >>They Maintain an archive of Paradox Gems, >>'In case the Night should come again' ." >> >>"I do not Know where this group are based, >> Several times there have been rumors, >> That someone trying to Acquire, >> Either the Artifact or the Time Machine, or Both, >> Have Failed to return..." > >"So what do we know about the Guardians? Presumably we have their >location down to a given Cosm? Do we know their aims?" "This is one of the Groups That, I suspect of being based in a Pocket Realm..." >>"What their defenses are is unknown... >> Not even in Rumor..." > >"I wonder if someone with a loud enough mouth and a couple of these >gems could get them to come to him? Do you think we could get hold of >some without causing too much damage?" "That seems likely, Given that there are very few of them laying around..." ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:29:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:08 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007386 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 19:36:25 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007359 > >In a message dated 10/5/99 1:37:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time, >FailSafe writes: > >>"This group should also have one or more "Paradox" immunes, >> as "The Guardians of IF" could use their time machine, >> to engineer a Paradox Gem which when swapped by the Machine, >> Traps, Kills or otherwise Neutralizes the team, >> Without warning..." > >"I can do that." Scott volunteers. "Heck, if you need a scout, I can >do that to perfection." With that, Scott fades out of view for a few >seconds. "That Gives Two Candidates for the Scout Position in Group Two" ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:29:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:15 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007387 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:04:50 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007366 > >In a message dated 10/4/99 1:02:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >FailSafe writes: > >>"The Best Method for Gaining this Artifact, >> Would seem to be, >> Infiltration and Subversion..." > >Roger raises a tenative hand. "Er...is there any possibility we might >just talk them out of it? Or buy it from them? I mean, if we can >produce reasonable evidence that it is, er, 'part of Fuzzy'...." He >trails off at the looks he's getting. "What? I just hate stealing >stuff from people who aren't utter slime. It seems to me that if >there's a way too honestly buy the artifact, or trade for it, we >should take it. Assuming, of course, we aren't perpetuating some kind >of Horrendous Evil....or something..." "What would you offer for an Irreplaceable Artifact, That is the Root of Enormous Wealth and Political Power." "And They really would not like to be told that it is Replaceable..." ================================= Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:29:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:17 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007388 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:51:48 -0400 (EDT) >caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007379 > >>On 10-05-1999 at 15:43:51 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007349 >> >>"Infiltration Perhaps one or two, >> The references I have accessed indicate that it is unlikely, >> We have ever had even a close match for Dr. Essex, >> In the Field of Subversion." > >Essex arches a brow, "I'm flattered, I think. Failsafe, I trust you >can provide a... telepathic download of the data I will need in order >to pass as a native and do what needs to be done?" "Only to a point, I have little data on the internal workings of The Guild..." >Legion says, "If not, I can provide that information once I've >become...acclimatized to that reality." > >Essex turned to Legion, taking one of her hands in both of his. "I >would rather you stayed here, it would be safer." "It may be the only way to access the Information, Which I can not supply... If she has a local Alternate who is a Guild Member..." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 00:13:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 23:29:51 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007389 >On 10-05-1999 at 15:43:51 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007349 > >"Infiltration Perhaps one or two, > The references I have accessed indicate that it is unlikely, > We have ever had even a close match for Dr. Essex, > In the Field of Subversion." /"Xzerrion? Driscoll? James _Bond?_ I think some of those not present could hold their own in that regard. But none of them are here, and Mr...Dr. Essex is."/ Anyone on the link is quite aware that Roland's slip had nothing to do with forgetting a doctorate. >"The data we were given seems to indicate that removal of the Gauge, > will only prevent the creation of additional communications > hardware, > we were told that, > The Existant hardware operates even outside the Matrix Cosm, > This indicates that continued operation, > Is not dependant on the Gauge... > Which can not be removed from the Matrix Cosm." /"Well, that's some good news, at least,"/ Roland replies, /"but the basic principle remains. Unless the comm units are indestructible, and to a lesser extent even then, stealing the Gauge would result in a traumatic period in civilization during its absence if a replacement was invented, and a long, slow slide to barbarism if not. Neither is acceptable."/ >> Roland frowns. /"Ahem. I'm not sure dividing the team is wise. >>Especially given how many new members we have. We might want to deal >>with the 'Gauge' first, since we're already on our way to having a >>viable plan in dealing with it."/ > >"That Plan, > Does not make use of a significant portion of the Personnel, > Several of whom are recommended Not to Participate, > Unless it comes to a Assault in Force..." Roland smiles ruefully. /"Don't think the rest of us can do 'subtle,' eh? Well, I'd gladly argue the matter under better circumstances - I _have_ out-thought opponents before - but you have a point, after a fashion."/ His smile becomes wicked. /"And I think I just found my XO pro-tem. Congratulations, Nemisis."/ >> /"That settles that,"/ Roland adds. /"No one is going up against >>that kind of power with less than full strength, without proving to >>my satisfaction that a small team can handle these 'Guardians of >>IF.'"/ >> (OOC: If you want to run these adventures two or more at a time, >>Fuzzy, that's your call, but I know what a nightmare GMing separate >>groups can be, even over email, so if you want, there's your excuse >>to trim things back. 8^) > >[OOC: The First set I want to Start Three... > Putting Essex and Legion on the Infiltration, > Will allow them to drop out of contact, > 'because it got a bit hot", > for a while ie Caprice's planned ABEND... ;) ] (OOC: Three at a time, eh? Well, you're the GM, it's your fune^H^H^H^H party. As for the latter, what about the rest of the team?) >[OOC: StarSpawn and other Cosmic and Up Class Powers are, > The Only ones who should get anywhere near, > 'The Guardians of IF.'... > As for Why, You will find out... > Now Where did I put that Evil Laugh....?] (OOC: Well, that lets out either of _my_ characters, Roland's future potential aside. Good thing you'll be running three at a time after all, it seems... 8^) >> Roland nods approvingly. /"Is that a match for the base we >>briefly used in the supers world with 'Lunitic?' An LZ that doesn't >>make the Place a target wouldn't be a bad idea."/ > >[OOC: The castle looks a bit like the Castle of Ultimate Darkness, > In Time Bandits...] (OOC: EEP! ;^) >"Well it is not small or hidden, but > This Is an awfully big place to search, > Full Medical Facilities, > Defenses fit to stand off Planet Killers, > Offenses in the same range, > Research and Educational Facilities, > For every field I know of short off the Quantum-NegaBands..." Roland laughs. /"Nemisis, on a Dyson Sphere, anything smaller than a _planet_ is 'hidden,' IMHO. It sounds like a fine base of operations. Does it have a Danger Room/Holodeck?"/ ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 00:14:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 00:01:25 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007390 >On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 21:35:58 -0700 >Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007380 > >Rio looks the lens over, remembering everything she's heard said >about them. Then she reaches into Eric's mind and sets up a relay >from the part of his mind monitoring the link to her own. /Testing, >testing,/ she sends on the link. Then, attempting to send >narrow-band, /If anyone but Mandy hears this, let me know./ [I'm sure >at least one of them will let me know if I'm leaking,] she thinks to >herself. Mandy's hands froze briefly as she fieldstripped her Galil rifle, but she didn't look up. Rio blinked as the response received was double-throated. / I/we hear you./ Then Mandy's voice drops away, leaving Raver online. /The reason I hear you is because our bond is such that we are close to a single entity in mind. Do not concern yourself over this. But I would be cautious about contacting Mandy at a critical point, as she is still hypersensitive to mental contact./ The demon's voice carries no censure, and with a mental nod, she drops offline. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 00:20:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 00:03:33 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007391 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:04:50 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007366 > >Roger raises a tenative hand. "Er...is there any possibility we might >just talk them out of it? Or buy it from them? I mean, if we can >produce reasonable evidence that it is, er, 'part of Fuzzy'...." He >trails off at the looks he's getting. "What? I just hate stealing >stuff from people who aren't utter slime. It seems to me that if >there's a way too honestly buy the artifact, or trade for it, we >should take it. Assuming, of course, we aren't perpetuating some kind >of Horrendous Evil....or something..." Roland beams proudly, shifting his energy form to look briefly like Daugie Daddy. /"That's my _boy_ what said that!"/ >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:04:53 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007367 > >In a message dated 10/5/99 12:32:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >ljwolfe writes: >OOC: Hey, he's done it before. And Gen-F, and maybe even the >Champions at some point -- given 350+ years in the biz, he's probably >led *everything* at least once. Although we won't mention the Scions >of Caine.... >But here-now, it's unlikely that the CAoL has anywhere near enough >experience with Roger (they've known him for what, 72 hours >subjective by now?) for him to try herding this pride of cats with >any real hope of success. Plus, his memories might get in the way. (OOC: It's okay. My main objection to being in charge IC was being the GM _and_ the 'party leader.' Gave me a screaming case of old-school gamer twitchies. 8^) > "Yes, Dad." "I really >appreciate the recharge -- I'd mend on my own, but I'm not into >needless masochism. Despite my Martyr Complex." He smirks mildly at >Roland's expression. "And as for my warranty...well, I got *that* >from you too, didn't I?" His grin falters. "Mine didn't even come with a _manual._" Roland pauses briefly. "Tell me I didn't keep your nature from you." It sounds like he hadn't even _considered_ the possibility until now... >"I'll admit, it's been a while since I came that close to... >mortality. I was running in dual mode, and one of me got zeroed by >somebody who *really* knew their stuff -- every chakra, all at once." >He shudders slightly. "I couldn't decouple in time, and so -- Zap! >Half my Halo, in one fell swoop." He grimaces. "Usually Duping is a >survival *enhancer,* but it has certain vulnerable points where I'm >concerned." "How in the Light-?" Roland frowns. "That's not - that shouldn't be possible. It'd take more control than I can imagine and enough power to obliterate..." he trails off. "Destroyer." >>"_And_ you're going to let me work on the rest of that trauma," >>Morgan adds in a voice she's sure Roger has heard more times than he >>cares to ;-). "I care about all of you...," her voice softens as she >>indicates both Roger and the CAoL, "...too much to send you into who >>knows what at any less than full health, as long as there's anything >>I can do about it." > >Even close on 400 years old, it's still incredibly comforting to let >Mom "kiss it and make it better." >(Of course, where Morgan is concerned, *anyone* would be glad to >--WHACK! Nevermind) OOC-M: It's not like it isn't weird enough being your mother in one post and then flirting with you in another, all while being _quite_ happily married.... ;-) >But one must keep up appearances: even as he sags in obvious relief >at Morgan's Healing Touch, he says in full Teenager Mode, "Awww, >MOOOoooooOOOMMmmmm.....not in front of the other superheroes...." >His heart obviously isn't in it, however, as the amount of tension >that bleeds out of him makes it obvious just how much effort he was >expending to stay upright. "'Aw, Mom,' he says," Morgan smiles. "And you think I didn't notice your other half giving Mischief a run for her money?" After a few moments she adds, "That should do it. Just _try_ not to undo all that work in the first few minutes out, OK?" >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:05:00 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007370 > >In a message dated 10/5/99 1:39:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >ljwolfe writes: > >>/"I should warn you all, I'm 'hitching a ride' from the lens-link, >>and I'm not at all used to being in 'two places at once,' > >"Ooo! Ooo!" Roger hops about -- Finally, somethig *he* can teach >*Roland*! "I can help with that -- gimme a sec...." A long moment's >concentration allows Roger to rezz up a small energistic crystalform >in his hand, made up of a teeny fraction of his halo energy and >designed to be absorbed Quickening-style by another Immie -- keyed to >Roland, in this case, and designed to impart knowledge rather more >effectively than the usual mode. It contains the distilled lessons >Roger has learned about Multiplexing, minus the references that only >work with his particular brand of it. Roland looks at the crystal dubiously for a moment. Then his energy form shrugs, and he concentrates. His body jumps, in both places, and he twitches, but the 'body' in the Sphere becomes a bit more solid, and somewhat more focused. He smiles. /"Whoa. Now _that's_ multitasking. Dante, eat your heart out. Thanks, Roger."/ Roland blinks. /"Um, this isn't going to cause any paradoxes, is it?"/ >>but if no one else is going to lead this lot then I'd better do >>_something._ Though I'd better appoint an XO pro-tem, since I could >>easily flicker out for any number of reasons. Morgan and the Wonder >>Twins have to be my first priority."/ His eyes literally sparkle >>with amusement. > >"Gahhh--!" His eyes sparkle a touch more; apparently that was _quite_ satisfying. >>The Blaze-construct flinches slightly; apparently Morgan heard the >>"Wonder Twin" comment and retaliated appropriately . > >Roger appears to be weighing the cost/benefit ration of strangling >Roland -- just a little bit. "Light -- Dad, I swear, if you're even >*considering* 'Jan and Zana,' I'm going to...going to...well, I'll do >something drastic, is what I'll do!" Roland chuckles, though he looks as horrified as Roger does. /"Light for-BID. Jan and Zana are perfectly good names, for lavender aliens with pointy ears, but I think Morgan and I will come up with something less likely to get them teased-"/ he eyes Roger's twitching hands amusedly - /"or us killed."/ ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 01:04:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions Found On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 00:26:00 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007392 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:04:54 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007368 > >In a message dated 10/5/99 12:32:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >rolandx writes: > >> "Exactly what kind of precipitous actions," Eric asks in a >>near-monotone, "are you trying to prevent?" > >Roger, looking asleep, sniggers from behind closed eyelids. "Oh, >Hunter, shall I make you a *list*?" he asks, in semi-conscious >imitation of Essex earlier.... Eric sighs. "The fact that you would have to make a list speaks for itself." He looks at where the gate was, clearly reconsidering just how much he really owes Roland... >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 20:01:46 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007374 > >>On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 12:20:56 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007346 >> >> Eric nods. "The use of a Qiao (OOC: translates to 'Bridge,' >>according to my Demon Hunter X book) should never be a thing done >>easily or lightly. I'll not refuse so blatant an advantage, but the >>implications are...disturbing. Very impressive display, >>incidentally." > >"This is the first time it's worked. I learned the technique when I >was amalgamated with...Ryu, or somebody like him. But I haven't been >able to focus well enough before now. And my Ler was not flowing as >smoothly as it does at my usual levels. Knowing it works is enough >for now." Eric nods. "That you had the focus and coordination to do so speaks well for your skill, just the same. But the way chi flows here..." he trails off, unsure of how to express it. Rob seems to understand; for Eric, that is enough. >> Until that point, Eric watched, nodding in mild approval. Now Zia >>has his undivided attention. > >And Rob's. While his abilities are well into the unusual, he would be >the first to admit that World Warrior rank is still beyond his >abilities, and mastery even farther out of reach. Zia, >understandably, has experience that Rob lacks. (OOC note: Eric _is_ of a skill to be of World Warrior class; I'm not sure if the simple display he just put on would show it, but the attentive will note that he didn't mention the Shadoloo realm's fate after his presence there. I had the Street Fighter game, based on the Storyteller system. I gave it to my brother in the hopes that he'd be interested in gaming. I wish I'd kept it; it's out of print now...) >Rob doesn't say anything. Instead, he pulls an envelope from his >jacket, and scribbles something on the outside. Opening it, he reads >the message on the card inside, and stares at the result, then drops >both envelope and card on the grass. "I don't believe it." > >Anybody who bothers to read them will find that the envelope has, "Am >I really necessary here?" written on the outside. The card says, >"Yes." The ever-attentive Eric notes this. He walks over to Rob. "We all have the ability to contribute," he notes. If Rob does not indicate a desire for Eric to stop, he continues, "When the Kindred went mad, my greatest ally was not a powerful immortal or an Akashic Brother, but a computer geek who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. His ability to penetrate the defenses of the 'impenetrable' databases of the Clans, however, saved my life more than once." He bows to the Ler Drit warrior. "You do your Sifu - your teacher - honor." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 01:04:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 00:39:55 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007393 >On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 00:55:03 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007321 > >>Rio looks down at her right pantleg, sprouts a broad grin, and goes >>off to one side of the group. Anyone paying attention will notice >>she's practicing quick-draws, using a combination of Time and >>Correspondence :-). >> >Harlock looks startled. He wanders quickly (?!) over to Rio and >mutters, "I hadn't thought of that application. Think you it could be >adapted to a different system of magic?" He pulls the small (less >than 3 inches per edge) grey cube from his belt pouch again and >enters a complex code on the keypad. The opposite side of the >cube...unfolds...into a softly glowing window the size of a textbook. >Harlock reaches into the suddenly reavealed opening and pulls out a >high-tech pistol of some sort, along with an appropriate holster, >which he hangs on his belt. He then presses the pound key and the >window folds up, leaving the cube as featureless as before. "I can >use this to practice." Rio looks slightly taken aback. "I don't know. What system do you use? Mine is rather free-form, but based on nine 'Spheres', areas of influence. Well, actually, I only know how to use eight of them. Unless you use a similar system, I wouldn't begin to know how to show you." Her expression is apologetic - she'd show him if she knew how, but doesn't see a way as of yet. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 01:04:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Another Artifact Revealed On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 00:43:57 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007394 >On Mon, 4 Oct 1999 22:42:03 -0700 >FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007314 > >"The Artifact called 'The Game of IF' " > >" Time Travel is Possible, > But any attempt to create a Paradox, Temporal or Otherwise, results >in the creation of a small object which contains the moment of >alteration..." >"I do not Know where this group are based, > Several times there have been rumors, > That someone trying to Acquire, > Either the Artifact or the Time Machine, or Both, > Have Failed to return..." > >"What their defenses are is unknown... > Not even in Rumor..." "eep," Rio says quietly. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 01:08:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Roger and retcons On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 01:04:16 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007395 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:05:02 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007373 > >In a message dated 10/5/99 2:08:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >rio writes: > >>The woman looks at Roger, and her eyes widen. Then she smiles >warmly, and her lips form a kiss at him. He actually _feels_ it ;-). > >"Wha -- oh, wait, I remember now....wow. I'd forgotten how Foxy >CoXies kiss." Roger smiles a bit blissfully. A satisfied smile crosses the CoX's lips. >>Rio stops, turns, and stares at Roger. "Ohh, yeah," she mutters, >>"Roger from the Future. _This_ is going to be _interesting_." > >"I should change my codename to Timex...." Rio very deliberatly licks her lips. > He gives her his rakish grin, the rare one that comes with a >Surgeon General's Warning. "You *do* realize, lovely lady, that we >are now violating several causality rules? My Unc -- er, I mean, >Wrinkle will be *quite* put out with us." He pauses for reflection. The playful sparkle in Rio's eyes fades as her eyes grow wide. "Wrinkle? I'd be messing with WRINKLE?" > "Although I must say that if you kiss him like you just did me, >you should be able to wrap him around your little finger. He's... >vulnerable, that way...sometimes." "Are we talking about the same Wrinkle?" Rio has a decidedly deer-in-the-headlights look. "The ultimate Boogie Man? The Paradox spirit, the guy who any self-respecting Cultist prays they never meet? And if you do, you agree with everything he says and _hope_ it's enough?" Her voice shakes just thinking about it. "And he thinks I could just kiss him and...." She shudders slightly. > A momentary wave of ineffable sadness washes across Roger's face >and disappears back into his rakish grin. "In the meantime, about >that tie-dye: have you given any thought to the benefits of... >spaaaandex?" "'Benefits'?" Rio has calmed down a little (possibly with Roger's help? ). "To me, or to the fanboys who... hmmmmm...." She bites her lip thoughtfully. >>OOC: How's Roger at sensing Time abilities in others? > >Normally pretty damned good (Wrinkle wants someone to spell him >during vacations -- kidding!), although his edge is going to be >rather dulled at the moment by his condition. But if she has an >affinity for Time, he should be able to make an educated guess at how >strong and how accurate she is, and end up somewhere in the ballpark. >Is she a Traveller, or a Sensor? OOC: She's an Adept - Time 4, if you're familiar with Mage. It's her strongest Sphere. She can't time travel (yet), but she can still do some pretty impressive things to the fabric of time. Five would be a Master (Zia, that's what Eric was referring to re: Master of Prime), but even a Master can't travel to the past and hope to return. At least, no one has yet. That takes 6, a level held only by Wrinkle and (if you believe legend) a gentleman known as Master Scientist Wells. ;-) ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 01:17:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Roger and retcons On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 01:12:39 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007397 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 01:04:16 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007395 >Rio >"Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation. . . the other >eight are unimportant." > Herny (sic?) Miller Argh! No, _Morgan_ isn't flirting with Roger; _Rio_ is. We'll get the hang of this thing yet! ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 02:12:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 02:06:27 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007398 Ziactrice Keenan wrote: >everything, even in the Arts Martial. I just have to be sure my other >talents don't interfere. Harlock, I don't suppose you know any of the >Chaos school's probability stabilizing spells?" "Erm. Chaos school? If you are referring to the study of wild magic, only a dedicated mage can master that art, not a dabbler such as myself." FailSafe wrote: >However the Point Remains that, > They and Their Allies Will call it Theft, and > Believe it to be so themselves, > Even if we Revealed the Basis for our Claim, and > Our Purpose in Acquiring the Artifact, > Which not be wise as it would warn all the others, > They would likely deny it." Harlock grins. "Who said anything about explaining what we were doing? I merely stated that our acquisition of the rod would seem to serve the greater good. I agree, though, that we should leave that...cosm? continuum? whatever...with some other form of long distance communications, lest the galactic society collapse in barbarism. That would serve nobody." Failsafe wrote: >"I can see Purpose to that concept, > If we are reduced to a brute force method, > But it should only be Applied to the Guild Station, > and Those Governments which will still Aid The Guild, > At that Time... > Each Government has its own Switching Station, > Though there are a Few "Neutral" Stations, > Generally run by FreeHolding Corporations, > Linking the Various Governmental Networks together..." "Actually, I believe you misunderstood my thrust entirely. What I had in mind was a subtle campaign to convince people that the ansible system is unreliable by magically scrambling messages. As such, nobody in particular is going to be surprised when one or more of the governments announces that they have developed an alternative to the ansible." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 02:33:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 02:29:52 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007399 Rio wrote: >Rio looks slightly taken aback. "I don't know. What system do you >use? Mine is rather free-form, but based on nine 'Spheres', areas of >influence. Well, actually, I only know how to use eight of them. >Unless you use a similar system, I wouldn't begin to know how to show >you." Her expression is apologetic - she'd show him if she knew how, >but doesn't see a way as of yet. "Hmm. I begin to see the problem," says Harlock, "on Faerun, magic is highly ritualized, rather than free-form." [With a few notable exceptions, of course.] "It is based on eight schools: abjuration, alteration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, illusion, invocation, and (ugh) necromancy. By studying her spellbook for a time, a mage can memorize a particular spell. Once the spell has been cast, it is lost until the mage can study her spellbook again...after a full night's rest, no less. Still, this trick of yours does seem to fall under the general heading of 'conjuration,' so I imagine it could be adapted to my own system." The Bard's grin returns, as roguish as ever. "Besides, it's been too long since I've played with this thing anyway." With that, he aims the pistol at the largest remaining fragment of rock left from Rob's stunt and pulls the trigger. A fist-sized hole appears in the rock. "'Tis not the sort of thing I would wish to reveal to the people of my native plane." Harlock glances at something on the grip, then unfolds some black panels from the side of the pistol, angling them to face the sun. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 04:49:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: The Scott and The Actress On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 06:33:46 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007401 >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 02:01:43 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007382 >Zia wrote: >>"Say, Scott - " This despite his disappearing act, "How did you get >>to my Trump deck? That is _supposedly_ protected. It'd be disastrous >>if a pickpocket got it from me." > >After he fades back in, Scott winks. "It is something I learned many >years ago from a high master of- ah, who'm I kidding? It's a simple >bit of slight of- er, invisible hand. I'd go into more detail, but a >magician (as opposed to a wizard) never reveals his secrets. If you >need reassurance, I'll tell you that nobody you're at all likely to >encounter could pull it off. But, anywho, I was planning to offer you >a temperary-sort-of-not-exactly-perfect Trump card for the >Callahanian of your choosing." Scott seems to be holding something >back, waiting for her reply. The Amberite Mathemagician gives him a slight frown, then she sighs to be lectured that magicians don't tell. "Very well, Scott." She agrees. "I hadn't been aware it was a 'magic trick' of such importance that it fell beneath the Code of Silence. I'm sorry I asked, in that case. Reassuring ME by saying it's unlikely I'll encounter another person capable of the same trick is rather silly, however, given how I effect (or is that efface?) probability. I'll just consult with Nemo on protection for such, then." "I would like to know how temporary and why it's not exactly a perfect Trump before I chose any such thing." Zia gives Scott the sort of level stare that says she isn't exactly pleased that even a CAoL member would be making himself so free with the contents of her pockets and the inside of her clothing. "I can make them myself, given a week or so of uninterrupted time to work on each. For now..." She checks the Deck carefully; anyone in a position to see the Trumps will see they're half Places and half People, some of whom the CAoL has met before, Molly, her spouses, and so on. The Backs have Unicorns, Serpents, Wheels, Staves, and one of a garden and ash tree has a Cup image on the reverse. She also checks several other pockets, casts a spell to remove 'bugs' and magical tracers, and then pulls out a ring having a large shark-like tooth on it placing it on the finger next to her wedding ring. "I'll just enact a bit of the Boojum's Necessity. I humbly sugggest you keep fingers, invisible or not, to yourself. If you want to retain the fingers." She looks annoyed, "I really didn't think this sort of thing was necessary around this group." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 05:33:59 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAEVI: Up to Mischief... On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 08:14:48 -0400 (EDT) caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007402 Mischief yawned and stretched, then peered about. Adults were still going talk-talk-talk. No one seemed to have a lap to spare a little grey kitten. On the other hand, no one would seem to notice if she went off to play. Mischief pranced off a short distance and began batting at the air. It was just FULL of swirly, sparkly stuff. Some of the grownups had been doing things with the sparkles, so Mischief decided she would too. At first she gathered some of the sparkly stuff into a string... no, more like yarn... no, more like that pretty silk ribbon she wasn't supposed to play with. At first it was fun enough to just run around, and watch more sparklies cling to the ribbon, making it longer and longer. That got boring after a while though, so she started to double up the 'ribbon' and bat it into a ball. A ball would be much more interesting to play with. As she batted it tighter and tighter, it began to glow, first on the magical, then on the physical planes. Looking into the glowing ball, she could swear she saw something INSIDE it now... crouching down, her little furry butt wiggling, she prepared to pounce. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 07:06:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Another Artifact Revealed On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 06:45:51 PDT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007403 >"And that's why I mentioned an 'artistic enhancement,'" Rob remarks. >"If a pair of small teleport gates could be placed close to each >other, and at right angles to each other, the Gauge might be used in >concert with such an item to duplicate _itself._ But I wouldn't try >that stunt with anyone less than a High Master in the field, or the >equivalent." The old man gets a gleam in his good eye. "You know......" He holds up one hand, the energy ball within it forming itself into a miniture wormhole. He grins, as another one forms at right angles, so that as he reaches into the first, he is now in a position to shake his own hand. "Intriquing." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 07:06:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 06:56:22 PDT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007404 >"I'm not sure you understand the Risk, > They can plan a Series of actions intended to stop this team, > With the First Item being create a Paradox Gem, > Collect and Examine the Gem, > If that Plan did not work in to probable Future of the Gem, > Dissipate the Gem and make a new plan, > Until they find one that works, > Then with the touch of a Button swap the Realities, > So that the one where that happens is What Happened... > A true Paradox Immune would be unaffected by the Swap." Oneeye nods. "Like i said, paradox doesn't mind me much. Time travel for long enough, and this sort of thing just happens. And don't ask how long, cause i'd be hard pressed to tell you" He stops his manipulations with wormholes and concentartes as he flickers out slightly. "Hmmmmm. Nope, still got it." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 08:34:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions Found On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 08:18:27 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007405 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 00:26:00 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007392 > >>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 20:01:46 -0700 (PDT) >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007374 >> >>Rob doesn't say anything. Instead, he pulls an envelope from his >>jacket, and scribbles something on the outside. Opening it, he reads >>the message on the card inside, and stares at the result, then drops >>both envelope and card on the grass. "I don't believe it." >> >>Anybody who bothers to read them will find that the envelope has, >>"Am I really necessary here?" written on the outside. The card says, >>"Yes." > > The ever-attentive Eric notes this. He walks over to Rob. "We all >have the ability to contribute," he notes. If Rob does not indicate a >desire for Eric to stop, he continues, "When the Kindred went mad, my >greatest ally was not a powerful immortal or an Akashic Brother, but >a computer geek who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. His >ability to penetrate the defenses of the 'impenetrable' databases of >the Clans, however, saved my life more than once." He bows to the Ler >Drit warrior. "You do your Sifu - your teacher - honor." "True. One extra pair of hands helps. But for the moment, I think I'll move my practice to an area of study where I'm not duplicated." Picking up a few pebbles, he begins casting a spell repeatedly, cleaning up his failures as he goes. Eventually one of them vanishes. Experts in magic will note that it wasn't a teleportation, nor has the pebble been destroyed. It's simply not findable. And the spell he used is most closely related to an information-gathering spell. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:53:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On 10-06-1999 at 11:51:18 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007407 >On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 23:29:51 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007389 > >>On 10-05-1999 at 15:43:51 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007349 >> >>"The data we were given seems to indicate that removal of the Gauge, >> will only prevent the creation of additional communications >> hardware, >> we were told that, >> The Existant hardware operates even outside the Matrix Cosm, >> This indicates that continued operation, >> Is not dependant on the Gauge... >> Which can not be removed from the Matrix Cosm." > > /"Well, that's some good news, at least,"/ Roland replies, /"but >the basic principle remains. Unless the comm units are >indestructible, and to a lesser extent even then, stealing the Gauge >would result in a traumatic period in civilization during its absence >if a replacement was invented, and a long, slow slide to barbarism if >not. Neither is acceptable."/ "I, and I believe, Nemo Are working on that... As Part of the Possibility of leaving a function phony behind, As well as disseminating the technology to threaten, the Guild's monopoly if possible." >>> Roland frowns. /"Ahem. I'm not sure dividing the team is wise. >>>Especially given how many new members we have. We might want to >>>deal with the 'Gauge' first, since we're already on our way to >>>having a viable plan in dealing with it."/ >> >>"That Plan, >> Does not make use of a significant portion of the Personnel, >> Several of whom are recommended Not to Participate, >> Unless it comes to a Assault in Force..." > > Roland smiles ruefully. /"Don't think the rest of us can do >'subtle,' eh? Well, I'd gladly argue the matter under better >circumstances - I _have_ out-thought opponents before - but you have >a point, after a fashion."/ His smile becomes wicked. /"And I think I >just found my XO pro-tem. Congratulations, Nemisis."/ "Part of that is not a subtlety issue per se, I do not believe we want to unnecessarily alarm the Guild, By having Entities around who might Threaten their Defenses..." "On the other hand having a fair amount a fire power handy, should there be a reason that those who seek the The Guardians, Are never heard from again, Also seems Wise..." "Is that Congratulations, or Condolences?" "Do we have any volunteers to form the teams in Group one, Which will be trying to market the New "Comms" Tech?, I intend to place a Split with each team for backup, But I think we need at least one Biological in each team." >>[OOC: StarSpawn and other Cosmic and Up Class Powers are, >> The Only ones who should get anywhere near, >> 'The Guardians of IF.'... >> As for Why, You will find out... >> Now Where did I put that Evil Laugh....?] > > (OOC: Well, that lets out either of _my_ characters, Roland's >future potential aside. Good thing you'll be running three at a >time after all, it seems... 8^) [OOC: That is part of the Reason, the AAE Vr/AAE Vz split, did not work out the way it was intended, shrug, this is another trick to see if there is another way...] >>"Well it is not small or hidden, but >> This Is an awfully big place to search, >> Full Medical Facilities, >> Defenses fit to stand off Planet Killers, >> Offenses in the same range, >> Research and Educational Facilities, >> For every field I know of short off the Quantum-NegaBands..." > > Roland laughs. /"Nemisis, on a Dyson Sphere, anything smaller than >a _planet_ is 'hidden,' IMHO. It sounds like a fine base of >operations. Does it have a Danger Room/Holodeck?"/ "Of Course, That is A normal part of Educational facilities, Is it not?" Starts matter-of-fact, Ends Puzzled... She really thinks that lack of tech is the only reason, The such facilities might not be included in all schools. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:53:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAEVI: Up to Mischief... On 10-06-1999 at 11:51:19 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007408 >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 08:14:48 -0400 (EDT) >caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007402 > > Mischief yawned and stretched, then peered about. Adults were >still going talk-talk-talk. No one seemed to have a lap to spare a >little grey kitten. On the other hand, no one would seem to notice if >she went off to play. >call it. I'm stopping here so someone can intervene if the like. >Either way works.> At the same time, At one end soil slides up over the ball, At the other a hole 'perhaps 2" diameter' opens in the ground, and air blows up past Mischief's Tail... I am expecting a Jump swap ends and explore the hole... Its got a 8 legged Squirrel in it... Just about right for a game of tag... 4 of the Legs can morph to wings... It is A Nemisis Split. Caprice, Feel free to write some or all of the Game... ;) "People, I think we should move these discussions into the Castle, Where amongst other things, I will be able to control the local level of ambient Energy." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:53:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On 10-06-1999 at 11:51:20 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007409 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 06:56:22 PDT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007404 > >Oneeye nods. "Like i said, paradox doesn't mind me much. Time travel >for long enough, and this sort of thing just happens. And don't ask >how long, cause i'd be hard pressed to tell you" He stops his >manipulations with wormholes and concentartes as he flickers out >slightly. "Hmmmmm. Nope, still got it." "Very Well, Unless we find a reason otherwise, We will plan on you following one of the Historical teams, While Scott follows another, To give us Two lines on the location of, 'The Guardians of IF'. " Nemisis is prone to accepting "friends" at their own valuation... ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:58:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Scott and The Actress On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:38:04 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007410 Zia wrote: >The Amberite Mathemagician gives him a slight frown, then she sighs >to be lectured that magicians don't tell. "Very well, Scott." She >agrees. "I hadn't been aware it was a 'magic trick' of such >importance that it fell beneath the Code of Silence. I'm sorry I >asked, in that case. Reassuring ME by saying it's unlikely I'll >encounter another person capable of the same trick is rather silly, >however, given how I effect (or is that efface?) probability. I'll >just consult with Nemo on protection for such, then." "Like I said, you're very unlikely to meet anyone who can pull the trick off. VERY. As in, even with your luck, I may be the only person you ever meet who is able to do it." >"I would like to know how temporary and why it's not exactly a >perfect Trump before I chose any such thing." Zia gives Scott the >sort of level stare that says she isn't exactly pleased that even a >CAoL member would be making himself so free with the contents of her >pockets and the inside of her clothing. "I can make them myself, >given a week or so of uninterrupted time to work on each. For now..." "I could have only done the trick _after_ you had your deck out. I will say no more upon this. Let's get down to the main topic of discussion:" "As to your main question, it's a workalike of a Trump; the big difference is it will dissolve once it is no longer needed or a few weeks, whichever comes first. There are other, smaller, differences, but you'd have to be an Incredibly Skilled Trump Artist to notice them." >She checks the Deck carefully; anyone in a position to see the Trumps >will see they're half Places and half People, some of whom the CAoL >has met before, Molly, her spouses, and so on. The Backs have >Unicorns, Serpents, Wheels, Staves, and one of a garden and ash tree >has a Cup image on the reverse. She also checks several other >pockets, casts a spell to remove 'bugs' and magical tracers, and then >pulls out a ring having a large shark-like tooth on it placing it on >the finger next to her wedding ring. "I'll just enact a bit of [OOC: I'd respond, but the paragraph isn't complete. She wouldn't find anything suspicious anyway.] ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:58:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Scott and The Actress On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:56:02 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007411 [OOC: Ooops. Missed the resend. Picking up where I left off:] Zia wrote: >She checks the Deck carefully; anyone in a position to see the Trumps >will see they're half Places and half People, some of whom the CAoL >has met before, Molly, her spouses, and so on. The Backs have >Unicorns, Serpents, Wheels, Staves, and one of a garden and ash tree >has a Cup image on the reverse. She also checks several other >pockets, casts a spell to remove 'bugs' and magical tracers, and then >pulls out a ring having a large shark-like tooth on it placing it on >the finger next to her wedding ring. "I'll just enact a bit of the >Boojum's Necessity. I humbly sugggest you keep fingers, invisible or >not, to yourself. If you want to retain the fingers." She looks >annoyed, "I really didn't think this sort of thing was necessary >around this group." "It isn't; but I enjoy doing the unnecessary." Scott's fingers vanish, and then reappear. "I normally don't do things like that, but I'm rather tired. I was awoken at about second 623 thousand of a 900 thousand second meditation upon the nature of intelligence. For your reckoning, that's about day 7 of a 10 day meditation. I should say no more, except to warn you that if you're going to meet another like me, this is the place." [OOC: There's nothing on the deck, besides the new card. Scott's crazy, he's not stupid.] ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 11:59:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:09:10 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007412 "We're doomed! Its a premonition!" the elderly man said, somehow managing to convey fear, hopelessness, and the need to be at the center of attention with his melodramatic outburst. "Shut up, Smith!" the pilot snapped back. Major West stared at the monitor. "John, what is that thing?" Doctor Robinson shook his head. "I haven't a clue..." Will looked up from the ship's scanning equipment. "It's like beyond that thing, there's nothing." "William," Doctor Smith said sternly, "This is space, there is nothing in space." William Robinson shook his head. "No, I mean there's NOTHING there. Even the deepest parts of space are filled with background energy, magnetic fields, radiation stemming from the Big Bang, something." Pointing to the vortex in the distance, William Robinson said, "There's nothing beyond that. Magnetic fields just stop there. If the shape of a magnetic field is like an apple, that thing is slicing away at its sides and the pieces are disappearing. The field goes right up to it where it stops, then starts again on the other side, but in the middle that should exist beyond that thing, there's nothing." "Maybe we just can't penetrate it to see it?" Penny offered. Maureen spoke up, "Look!" A lone asteroid in space drifted toward the object of their attention, a rainbow colored wall of light and just vanished into it. As it spun in space, crossing the barrier, sections of it that had passed into the wall were visible, or more aptly, not visible, smoothly sliced off the protruding edges to make an ever shrinking cylinder of rock. "Whatever's going into that thing isn't coming out, John..." Major West said nervously. "See? We're doomed!" Smith said hopelessly. "SHUT UP, SMITH!" everyone chorused. Will looked up from his scanners again. "Dad, that thing's advancing and it's gaining speed..." "Don, set course to get us the hell out of here!" Doctor Robinson ordered. Major West was already bringing the ship about. He didn't need to be told once. "Everyone strap in!" The Jupiter Two sped away as the wall advanced on them, slowly at first, but picking up speed at an incredible rate. Soon it was pacing their engines, then overtaking them. "We're not going to make it!" Smith cried. "Will, what are you doing?!" John Robinson called out. "Just keep flying, I'm misaligning the engines so we can catch a ride on a magnetic field heading away from that thing." "Will, whatever you're doing, make it quick!" Don West shouted. There was a protesting whine from the ship's drive below them then space outside blurred, stars being pulled inward toward the center of their field of view outside the ship, like a fish-eye lens, before they extended outward in lines passing the ship. Will turned back to his sensors, "It's still on our tail!" "That's not all..." Don said, looking out in front of them, a pinpoint of rainbow light spread out before them. The wall was ahead of them, too. Major West turned the family's ship hard, sending them off along the wall's edge. He stared, his jaw on the floor. It was like looking into a funnel, with reality spiralling into it. He just had time to grasp this before they were sucked in. Do you want to survive this? The choice is yours. I wish to continue to function. Yes, I want to live. William Robinson blinked. One moment he was looking down a giant rainbow funnel, the next he was in orbit of a moon of some sort. The Jupiter 2's scanners indicated several more of them and ... Will blinked again. "A Dyson sphere..." "A what?" Doctor Smith asked. Doctor Robinson explained, "A giant sphere in space, built around a sun, with a radius at least equal to a planet's orbit if you intend to live inside one. A massive undertaking in construction. Far more advanced than anything we can do." Will nodded, "I'd heard of one before but never had the chance to see it for myself. Who knows what we could learn from the culture who could build such a thing." "Yessss..." Doctor Smith said, "Perhaps they have a way for us to get home." Will just shrugged. "We can always ask." Don looked dubiously towards the radio controls. "What do you say to unknown highly advanced aliens?" The rest of the crew looked bemused as well. Will reached over and turned on the equipment. "How about the truth?" Will suggested, then keyed the mic. {"Jupiter Two to ground control. We've lost our way and need assistance. Requesting permission to land."} LiS Crew: Dr. John Robinson Mjr. Donald West Dr. Maureen Robinson Judy Robinson Penny Robinson Will Robinson B-9 Robot Dr. Zachary Smith (stowaway) ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:10:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On 10-06-1999 at 13:09:38 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007413 >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:09:10 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007412 > >respective gaming universes wrong. :) I'm working from memory.> > "Yessss..." Doctor Smith said, "Perhaps they have a way for us to >get home." > Will just shrugged. "We can always ask." > Don looked dubiously towards the radio controls. "What do you say >to unknown highly advanced aliens?" > The rest of the crew looked bemused as well. > Will reached over and turned on the equipment. > "How about the truth?" Will suggested, then keyed the mic. > {"Jupiter Two to ground control. We've lost our way and need >assistance. Requesting permission to land."} {"Juptier Two, This is Nemisis of the Callahanian Army of Light, That sounds Like Will Robinson talking, Have we met in your Experience?"} {"What is your ship's condition?"} ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 15:06:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 14:40:12 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007415 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:05:04 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007372 > >>Rio looks down at her right pantleg, sprouts a broad grin, and goes >>off to one side of the group. Anyone paying attention will notice >>she's practicing quick-draws, using a combination of Time and >>Correspondence :-). > >Roger, doing a good imitation of Mischief (sleepy and purring), >enjoys just watching her move from under hooded eyelids. Rio is, of course, aware of this. ;-) Eric also notes Roger's observasion idly, but isn't concerned about it at this time. >OOC: Something tells me this will push Rio's 'flirt' button. And >if/when Eric notices....oooohboy. OOC: Yeah, that should provide some interesting role-playing opportunities . >OOC2: I should clarify that. I'm hypothesizing that CoXes have the >same of of attitudes toward sex generally found at Lady Sally's and >on Beta Colony. "It's not just *fun,* it's therapuetic and >energizing!" >(OK, so that last bit was tongue-in-cheek.....) OOC2: Pretty much :-). And who's cheek.... um, never mind . OOC3: I don't want to go much farther here until I see how their conversation in the Place goes. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 15:06:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 14:46:43 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007416 >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 00:01:25 -0700 (PDT) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007390 > >>On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 21:35:58 -0700 >>Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007380 >> >>Rio looks the lens over, remembering everything she's heard said >>about them. Then she reaches into Eric's mind and sets up a relay >>from the part of his mind monitoring the link to her own. /Testing, >>testing,/ she sends on the link. Then, attempting to send >>narrow-band, /If anyone but Mandy hears this, let me know./ [I'm >>sure at least one of them will let me know if I'm leaking,] she >>thinks to herself. > > Mandy's hands froze briefly as she fieldstripped her Galil >rifle, but she didn't look up. Rio blinked as the response received >was double-throated. / I/we hear you./ Then Mandy's voice drops away, >leaving Raver online. Rio blinks. [Oh, yeah, the two of them are still linked,] she reminds herself. > /The reason I hear you is because our bond is such that we are >close to a single entity in mind. Do not concern yourself over this. >But I would be cautious about contacting Mandy at a critical point, >as she is still hypersensitive to mental contact./ The demon's voice >carries no censure, and with a mental nod, she drops offline. /Oops, sorry 'bout that,/ Rio sends sheepishly to the two. /I'll be careful,/ she promises. [Gotta remember some of these folx have good reason to be cautious about unexpected mental contact.] ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 15:06:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 14:55:07 PDT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007417 > {"Jupiter Two to ground control. We've lost our way and need >assistance. Requesting permission to land."} OneEye, looks up suddenly, then fishes around in his giant backpack. He pulls out a small scanner, and aims it roughly towards where the ship currently is. His face drains color, and he shakes his head. "Is it just me, or do improbabilities follow this group like nothing else? Good lord...." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 15:07:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 15:04:26 PDT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007418 >"Very Well, > Unless we find a reason otherwise, > We will plan on you following one of the Historical teams, > While Scott follows another, > To give us Two lines on the location of, > 'The Guardians of IF'. " > >Nemisis is prone to accepting "friends" at their own valuation... "Triangulation eh?" He seems to accept it for granted that his offer was accepted. "It should work." He pauses and flickers slightly again. "Oh my." He laughs. "Dame dorthy Marvel?" He looks at Zia. "This is going to be a fun group to hang with. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:11:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: The Third Artifact On 10-06-1999 at 17:49:46 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007419 "The last Artifact I will detail at this time is, The Object called The Cosmic Engineer". "The Last surviving legend of this object, Relates the Story of the Ending of a War, between Multi-Galactic Alliances." "According to the legend after several thousand years of war, one of the contestants used a new Super Weapon, A Gravitic Imploder Device powerful enough to, collapse most of the target Galaxy into a Black Hole, Legends vary as to whether or not, their opponents managed to evacuate the target..." "According to the Legends, The Cosmic Engineer was used to change the Collapsed Galaxy, Into The Ship of War called, The Blue Horizon." "Within a year from that point The Blue Horizon, had exterminated the users of the Gravitic Imploder, Root and Branch..." :( "The Blue Horizon, has not been seen since, and the Government and all of the Cultures, which used it were destroyed by internal strife, short there after..." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:17:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAEVI: Enter Stage, Castle On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:02:31 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007421 >On 10-06-1999 at 11:51:19 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007408 >"People, > I think we should move these discussions into the Castle, > Where amongst other things, > I will be able to control the local level of ambient Energy." "Of course, Nemesis." Zia half-growls. She gives Scott a look that seems to say he has not made himself a new best pal. She notably does NOT take him up on the offer of a Trump card, temporary or not. Indeed, when he started speaking about she couldn't tell unless she was a very good Trump Artist, she just became visibly worried and leaves her conversation with him hastily to walk to the indicated building. "Speaking of the unnecessary. Stick your so-called temporary Trumps, Scott, and if you do anything like that again, I may give you assistance with the placement of same." She says, working hard to keep the tone even, seemingly quite fed up but keeping her temper so far. [OOC: You know, I think it's sorta my call to say how Zia's Trumps work or how Trump Artistry may function in her 'Amber'. So, you may write what you wish, but don't expect what SHE can do to follow your directions. Scott has just placed himself on her 'Very Suspicious' list for even KNOWING about Trump Artistry, and making free with her only remaining true weapons in the Deck of Trump she carries. Messing with someone's weapon or personal possessions is something Zia considers Extreme Bad Manners, if not Outright Provocation, and quite the sort of thing to set of her paranoia, as minimal as it may be for an Amberite born.] ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:17:32 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:04:51 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007422 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 14:55:07 PDT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007417 > >> {"Jupiter Two to ground control. We've lost our way and need >>assistance. Requesting permission to land."} > >OneEye, looks up suddenly, then fishes around in his giant backpack. >He pulls out a small scanner, and aims it roughly towards where the >ship currently is. His face drains color, and he shakes his head. "Is >it just me, or do improbabilities follow this group like nothing >else? Good lord...." "Ahem. Well, it might actually just be me. Although it was like this before, my presence may be excaberating the tendency a tad." Zia admits with a certain amount of ruefulness as she walks towards the Castle. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:17:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: A Long Commute 8^) On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:07:47 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007423 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 15:04:26 PDT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007418 > >"Triangulation eh?" He seems to accept it for granted that his offer >was accepted. "It should work." He pauses and flickers slightly >again. "Oh my." He laughs. "Dame dorthy Marvel?" He looks at Zia. >"This is going to be a fun group to hang with. Zia, walking to the Castle, doesn't turn or acknowledge this, but she blushes from clear under her uniform's Mandarian collar to the tips of her ears. Her face goes a bit 'set and nuetral' from it's normally quite expressive habitual form of expression, for a little while. ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:17:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:18:28 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007424 In a message dated 10/6/99 2:29:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time, FailSafe writes: > >>Roger raises a tenative hand. "Er...is there any possibility we >>might just talk them out of it? Or buy it from them? I mean, if we >>can produce reasonable evidence that it is, er, 'part of Fuzzy'...." >>He trails off at the looks he's getting. "What? I just hate stealing >>stuff from people who aren't utter slime. It seems to me that if >>there's a way too honestly buy the artifact, or trade for it, we >>should take it. Assuming, of course, we aren't perpetuating some >>kind of Horrendous Evil....or something..." > >"What would you offer for an Irreplaceable Artifact, > That is the Root of Enormous Wealth and Political Power." > >"And They really would not like to be told that it is Replaceable..." Roger blinks. "Maybe I missed something. But if I understand correctly, the only *practical* use that they put the Gauge to is creating simultaneous infinite-range communication systems. If they were offered something that worked just as well, if not better, they might part with the Gauge willingly. Unless they hold it as a religious icon or some such."He pauses in thought for a moment. "Hmm. I wonder if we might convince them to trade it for a working prototype transmat system that worked in the same speedrange regime...something rigged so that reverse-engineering it would not be too difficult for opponents of the monopoly." He shrugs. "It's a long shot at best, but I thought is was worth tabling for discussion." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:17:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:58:03 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007425 In a message dated 10/6/99 3:21:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time, ljwolfe writes: > >>Roger raises a tenative hand. "Er...is there any possibility we >>might just talk them out of it? Or buy it from them? I mean, if we >>can produce reasonable evidence that it is, er, 'part of Fuzzy'...." >>He trails off at the looks he's getting. "What? I just hate stealing >>stuff from people who aren't utter slime. It seems to me that if >>there's a way too honestly buy the artifact, or trade for it, we >>should take it. Assuming, of course, we aren't perpetuating some >>kind of Horrendous Evil....or something..." > > Roland beams proudly, shifting his energy form to look briefly >like Daugie Daddy. /"That's my _boy_ what said that!"/ Roger fights it for a moment, then lets the blush through, dropping his eyes rather abashedly. "Well," he mutters sotto voce, "it *would* make for a refreshing change of pace." > >> "Yes, Dad." "I really >>appreciate the recharge -- I'd mend on my own, but I'm not into >>needless masochism. Despite my Martyr Complex." He smirks mildly at >>Roland's expression. "And as for my warranty...well, I got *that* >>from you too, didn't I?" His grin falters. > > "Mine didn't even come with a _manual._" Roland pauses briefly. >"Tell me I didn't keep your nature from you." It sounds like he >hadn't even _considered_ the possibility until now... Roger BLINKS. Once, and then again. "Oy? Dad, I was practically dimension-hopping before I could *walk.* Remind me to tell you about the fax machine and the PB&J sometime. Heck, my first battlefield was one where I 'port-followed you and Mom after getting past the cottage's security systems. I was too young to remember, but you told me later that I saved the day." Roger leaves out the details of *how* he saved the day, which involved his discarded diaper and the foot of the head Bad Person at an innoportune moment...after all, it's not *really* important, is it? >>"I'll admit, it's been a while since I came that close to... >>mortality. I was running in dual mode, and one of me got zeroed by >>somebody who *really* knew their stuff -- every chakra, all at >>once." He shudders slightly. "I couldn't decouple in time, and so -- >>Zap! Half my Halo, in one fell swoop." >>He grimaces. "Usually Duping is a survival *enhancer,* but it has >>certain vulnerable points where I'm concerned." > > "How in the Light-?" Roland frowns. "That's not - that shouldn't >be possible. It'd take more control than I can imagine and enough >power to obliterate..." he trails off. "Destroyer." "No, not Destroyer," Roger sighs. "But someone who could definitely give him a run for his money. Fortunately for all of us," his face turns grim, "that particular 'person' is unlikely ever to be seen in the Multiverse again. What I find *truly* disturbing," he adds worriedly, "is that this 'person,' while having the power and control, shouldn't have had the *knowledge.* When I get a chance, I'm going to have to research this a little more thouroughly." >>Even close on 400 years old, it's still incredibly comforting to let >>Mom "kiss it and make it better." >>(Of course, where Morgan is concerned, *anyone* would be glad to >>--WHACK! Nevermind) > >OOC-M: It's not like it isn't weird enough being your mother in one >post and then flirting with you in another, all while being _quite_ >happily married.... ;-) OOC: It should be noted that all flirting remarks are purely OOC, and intended purely for their fun factor -- Roger can well appreciate, from an intellectual aesthetic viewpoint, how drop-dead knock-down drag-out hold-the-phone gorgeous his mother is, but neither he nor I suffer from an Oedipal Complex. Now, an Edible Complex OTOH -- Okay, Okay, I'll stop!! >"'Aw, Mom,' he says," Morgan smiles. "And you think I didn't notice >your other half giving Mischief a run for her money?" After a few >moments she adds, "That should do it. Just _try_ not to undo all that >work in the first few minutes out, OK?" Roger *pretends*, obviously, to be longsuffering-teenage-type-person: "Yes, Mom." >>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 22:05:00 EDT >>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007370 >> >>"Ooo! Ooo!" Roger hops about -- Finally, somethig *he* can teach >>*Roland*! >> >>"I can help with that -- gimme a sec...." A long moment's >>concentration allows Roger to rezz up a small energistic crystalform >>in his hand, made up of a teeny fraction of his halo energy and >>designed to be absorbed Quickening-style by another Immie -- keyed >>to Roland, in this case, and designed to impart knowledge rather >>more effectively than the usual mode. It contains the distilled >>lessons Roger has learned about Multiplexing, minus the references >>that only work with his particular brand of it. > > Roland looks at the crystal dubiously for a moment. Then his >energy form shrugs, and he concentrates. His body jumps, in both >places, and he twitches, but the 'body' in the Sphere becomes a bit >more solid, and somewhat more focused. He smiles. /"Whoa. Now >_that's_ multitasking. Dante, eat your heart out. Thanks, Roger."/ >Roland blinks. /"Um, this isn't going to cause any paradoxes, is >it?"/ "Uh. Err. Um. That is....ah, well, if Wrinkle hasn't shown up *yet,* I guess not, eh? Heh. Heh. (oboy)" >>Roger appears to be weighing the cost/benefit ration of strangling >>Roland -- just a little bit. "Light -- Dad, I swear, if you're even >>*considering* 'Jan and Zana,' I'm going to...going to...well, I'll >>do something drastic, is what I'll do!" > > Roland chuckles, though he looks as horrified as Roger does. >/"Light for-BID. Jan and Zana are perfectly good names, for lavender >aliens with pointy ears, but I think Morgan and I will come up with >something less likely to get them teased-"/ he eyes Roger's twitching >hands amusedly - /"or us killed."/ "Hmmm.....hey, have you considered 'Roger'? What?!? WHAT?!? It's a perfectly good name, y'know! And it's NOT mine -- Roger is my *nickname!* Remember, *I* got saddled with 'Roland Junior'...." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:25:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 21:17:04 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007426 In a message dated 10/5/99 7:04:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time, samatha1 writes: > >When Eric pauses to talk, she begins to dance. Not quickly, she >doesn't seem to have speed in mind. She steps through Embracing the >Moon, a whimsical choice, and there is a sudden welling, shifting in >the chi force all around. Rather like a tidal force, as it seems to >slowly begin drifting towards the attracting body. The center of the >flow is Zia. She begins to slowly dance a kata that flows from Jeet >Kung Do through akido through judo rolls, then up into something like >a Spiral Dancer, or Balinese cultural dance. Once her concentration >is significantly sharpened, she stands 'open', letting the chi flow >through her as if she were some large geographical focus like a >river. It fountains upwards, and spreads slowly back to normal, as if >the spillgates on a dam were full open. Roger, still sitting and watching Rio speedraw, shifts one eye toward this new vision of beauty in motion, and makes a slight sigh of pure aesthetic appreciation. He considers warning Eric of what he's facing, but decides that the Hunter is certainly bright enough to figure it out on his own....besides, this chair is so darned comfortable....... ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:25:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 21:17:13 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007427 In a message dated 10/5/99 4:08:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rolandx writes: Zia begins dancing, and Eric is impressed.... > "I was not aware," Eric says slowly, "that I was in the presence >of a Master of Prime." "Oh, she's full of surprises and unplumbed depths, is our Zia." Roger comments to no one in particular. Somewhere under his jacket, a stereo (or the band itself, I mean, who *knows* what all he's got in there) begins playing U2's "Mysterious Ways" at a rather embarrassing volume. And then proves rather resistant to being shut off as he pokes at it with increasing irritation..... ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:25:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 21:17:19 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007428 In a message dated 10/5/99 10:04:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, samatha1 writes: > >She slowly lowers the Chi Fountain she'd built up around here, and >lets it find a natural drain through the topography local to her. As >it flows away, the slightest green 'misty' color appears on the >stones. Then larger spots of lichen, the beginnings of plant life >that will with time form soil, slowly grow along the 'stream' from >the new upwelling of Chi force here that seems to have become >self-sustaining. Zia watches this, distracted from the Planning >discussion and grinning quite broadly with evident enjoyment. "I >haven't lost my touch for a nicely-appointed Conjury, at least. >Marvelous, if not as spectacular as a rose, it is a nice beginning. "Fiat Lux," Roger murmurs, obviously enjoying Zia being so unreservedly happy. He gets up out of his chair and leans down to touch a bit of the growth himself. "It's easy to forget," he muses, "how much joy there can be in even the simplest acts of creation. And just how profound such small beginnings can be." As he stands, his bootheel unfortunately lands on a small patch of lichen, with the predictable -THUD!- result. From his new position flat on his back, he studies the view overhead. "It's also easy to forget how slippery lichen on bare rock can be. Watch your step, everyone." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 18:25:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 21:17:26 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007430 In a message dated 10/5/99 11:16:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, peng writes: > >Rob doesn't say anything. Instead, he pulls an envelope from his >jacket, and scribbles something on the outside. Opening it, he reads >the message on the card inside, and stares at the result, then drops >both envelope and card on the grass. "I don't believe it." > >Anybody who bothers to read them will find that the envelope has, "Am >I really necessary here?" written on the outside. The card says, >"Yes." Roger wanders over and scopes out the discarded papers, with a pretty good suspicion of what he's going to see in advance. He sidles over towards Rob. "Feeling redundant? Welcome to the club -- I mean, let's face it, compared to firepower like *them*--" He cocks a thumb each at Aurora and FailSafe, "you and I are equally...flyspeckish." He shrugs. "And in some conflicts, we really are effectively useless. But," His expression hardens, "we also get into situations where that old saw about the horshoe nail becomes frighteningly true. At some point, every one of us is pivotal to the fate of universes." His expression lightens. "Frightening, isn't it? Besides, don't forget what you did to Deathwalker on our last outing -- the Unbearably Cute Brigade kept her distracted long enough for Zia to pull her card." ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:04:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 21:33:15 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007431 >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:58:03 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007425 >In a message dated 10/6/99 3:21:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >ljwolfe writes: >> Roland chuckles, though he looks as horrified as Roger does. >>/"Light for-BID. Jan and Zana are perfectly good names, for lavender >>aliens with pointy ears, but I think Morgan and I will come up with >>something less likely to get them teased-"/ he eyes Roger's >>twitching hands amusedly - /"or us killed."/ > >"Hmmm.....hey, have you considered 'Roger'? What?!? WHAT?!? It's a >perfectly good name, y'know! And it's NOT mine -- Roger is my >*nickname!* Remember, *I* got saddled with 'Roland Junior'...." "Careful, Roger; they might decide on a different name." Zia remarks. "You'll un-Roger yourself, and then we'll have to just call you Wilco alone, instead of just Roger Wilco for jumping the gun so often." [OOC: Okay, it's only a GUESS. This-time Zia cannot time travel - but she is a durn good guesser. She figures it'll be worth it if on the longshot she is correct. This seems as likely as any anecdote to explain 'Roland Junior's' nickname.] ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:04:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Scott and The Actress On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:00:50 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007432 >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 06:33:46 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007401 > >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 02:01:43 EDT >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007382 >> >>After he fades back in, Scott winks. "It is something I learned many >>years ago from a high master of- ah, who'm I kidding? It's a simple >>bit of slight of- er, invisible hand. I'd go into more detail, but a >>magician (as opposed to a wizard) never reveals his secrets. There's a flicker of royal blue light from the Roland-construct, and he seems more...solid. >"I would like to know how temporary and why it's not exactly a >perfect Trump before I chose any such thing." Zia gives Scott the >sort of level stare that says she isn't exactly pleased that even a >CAoL member would be making himself so free with the contents of her >pockets and the inside of her clothing. "I can make them myself, >given a week or so of uninterrupted time to work on each. For now..." Roland 'knocks' politely on Zia's mental shields, a sidelong glance directed at Scott. If allowed in, he sends, ^Is there a problem, Zia?^ >placing it on the finger next to her wedding ring. "I'll just enact a >bit of the Boojum's Necessity. I humbly sugggest you keep fingers, >invisible or not, to yourself. If you want to retain the fingers." >She looks annoyed, "I really didn't think this sort of thing was >necessary around this group." Roland's hearing is apparently much better in his present form; he flickers, and is next to Scott in an instant. /"Mr. Osborne. A moment of your time, if you please?"/ The Freelance Immortal's tone is mild, but his eyes are narrowed and crackling with blue-white motes...a clear sign to those who know him... ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:36:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On 10-06-1999 at 19:35:00 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007433 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 02:06:27 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007398 > >FailSafe wrote: >>However the Point Remains that, >> They and Their Allies Will call it Theft, and >> Believe it to be so themselves, >> Even if we Revealed the Basis for our Claim, and >> Our Purpose in Acquiring the Artifact, >> Which not be wise as it would warn all the others, >> They would likely deny it." > >Harlock grins. "Who said anything about explaining what we were >doing? I merely stated that our acquisition of the rod would seem to >serve the greater good. I agree, though, that we should leave >that...cosm? continuum? whatever...with some other form of long >distance communications, lest the galactic society collapse in >barbarism. That would serve nobody." "Then, What where you thinking of Saying to them?" >Failsafe wrote: >>"I can see Purpose to that concept, >> If we are reduced to a brute force method, >> But it should only be Applied to the Guild Station, >> and Those Governments which will still Aid The Guild, >> At that Time... >> Each Government has its own Switching Station, >> Though there are a Few "Neutral" Stations, >> Generally run by FreeHolding Corporations, >> Linking the Various Governmental Networks together..." > >"Actually, I believe you misunderstood my thrust entirely. What I had >in mind was a subtle campaign to convince people that the ansible >system is unreliable by magically scrambling messages. As such, >nobody in particular is going to be surprised when one or more of the >governments announces that they have developed an alternative to the >ansible." "That has possibilities, but would it not take crippling signal loss rates, to over turn several Thousand Years of Service? And even then it seems more likely the populous, Will blame the government that maintains the Switching Station, More than the Ansible Guild, Unless the Signal loss happens only in "New" Hardware... ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:36:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On 10-06-1999 at 19:35:01 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007434 >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 14:55:07 PDT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007417 > >> {"Jupiter Two to ground control. We've lost our way and need >>assistance. Requesting permission to land."} > >OneEye, looks up suddenly, then fishes around in his giant backpack. >He pulls out a small scanner, and aims it roughly towards where the >ship currently is. His face drains color, and he shakes his head. "Is >it just me, or do improbabilities follow this group like nothing >else? Good lord...." ";) Define Improbable... With This Group a Ham on Rye is Improbable, Old Friends are Far more likely... ;)" ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:40:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:15:19 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007435 >On 10-06-1999 at 11:51:18 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007407 > >>On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 23:29:51 -0700 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007389 >> >>>On 10-05-1999 at 15:43:51 >>>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007349 >> >> /"Well, that's some good news, at least,"/ Roland replies, /"but >>the basic principle remains. Unless the comm units are >>indestructible, and to a lesser extent even then, stealing the Gauge >>would result in a traumatic period in civilization during its >>absence if a replacement was invented, and a long, slow slide to >>barbarism if not. Neither is acceptable."/ > >"I, and I believe, Nemo Are working on that... > As Part of the Possibility of leaving a function phony behind, > As well as disseminating the technology to threaten, > the Guild's monopoly if possible." Roland nods approvingly. /"I leave it to your collective capable appendages, then,"/ he replies calmly, as though such a response were exactly what he was (eventually 8^) expecting. >>>"That Plan, >>> Does not make use of a significant portion of the Personnel, >>> Several of whom are recommended Not to Participate, >>> Unless it comes to a Assault in Force..." >> >> Roland smiles ruefully. /"Don't think the rest of us can do >>'subtle,' eh? Well, I'd gladly argue the matter under better >>circumstances - I _have_ out-thought opponents before - but you have >>a point, after a fashion."/ His smile becomes wicked. /"And I think >>I just found my XO pro-tem. Congratulations, Nemisis."/ > >"Part of that is not a subtlety issue per se, > I do not believe we want to unnecessarily alarm the Guild, > By having Entities around who might Threaten their Defenses..." Roland chuckles. /"It wouldn't be the first time I was _too_ powerful for something, but I think it's a first for me with this lot."/ >"On the other hand having a fair amount a fire power handy, > should there be a reason that those who seek the The Guardians, > Are never heard from again, > Also seems Wise..." Roland nods sagely, cleverly hiding that the idea of a force that can wipe out Starspawn gives him the creeps... >"Is that Congratulations, or Condolences?" /"Why, both, of course,"/ Roland replies evenly. Well, almost. And he does manage to hide the smile. Mostly. ;^) >>>[OOC: StarSpawn and other Cosmic and Up Class Powers are, >>> The Only ones who should get anywhere near, >>> 'The Guardians of IF.'... >>> As for Why, You will find out... >>> Now Where did I put that Evil Laugh....?] >> >> (OOC: Well, that lets out either of _my_ characters, Roland's >>future potential aside. Good thing you'll be running three at a >>time after all, it seems... 8^) > >[OOC: That is part of the Reason, > the AAE Vr/AAE Vz split, > did not work out the way it was intended, shrug, > this is another trick to see if there is another way...] (OOC: As I said earlier, if you can run three groups simultaneously, go for it. Considering how much multitasking you're pulling off already, it looks like you've got the situation well in hand. 8^) >>>"Well it is not small or hidden, but >>> This Is an awfully big place to search, >>> Full Medical Facilities, >>> Defenses fit to stand off Planet Killers, >>> Offenses in the same range, >>> Research and Educational Facilities, >>> For every field I know of short off the Quantum-NegaBands..." >> >> Roland laughs. /"Nemisis, on a Dyson Sphere, anything smaller >>than a _planet_ is 'hidden,' IMHO. It sounds like a fine base of >>operations. Does it have a Danger Room/Holodeck?"/ > >"Of Course, > That is A normal part of Educational facilities, > Is it not?" >Starts matter-of-fact, Ends Puzzled... > She really thinks that lack of tech is the only reason, > The such facilities might not be included in all schools. /"Where-when such technology is commonplace, I suppose it is,"/ Roland replies. /"I just hadn't assumed that it would be; I think that between the cottage and Champions Island, I have access to about half the Holodecks available on my world."/ 8^) ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:40:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:22:53 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007436 >On 10-06-1999 at 13:09:38 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007413 > >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 13:09:10 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007412 >> Will reached over and turned on the equipment. >> "How about the truth?" Will suggested, then keyed the mic. >> {"Jupiter Two to ground control. We've lost our way and need >>assistance. Requesting permission to land."} > >{"Juptier Two, > This is Nemisis of the Callahanian Army of Light, > That sounds Like Will Robinson talking, > Have we met in your Experience?"} > >{"What is your ship's condition?"} 'Roland' concentrates. /"I wonder if I can-"/ He appears on the bridge of the Jupiter Two. 8^) /"-pull this off. WHOOPS!"/ He grins sheepishly at the (no doubt astonished) Robinson extended family. /"Sorry,"/ he says to them. /"I intended to appear _outside_ the ship. My name is Roland, also of the Callahanian Army of Light, and their leader until I can stick some-ah, well, that's neither here nor there. I can bring your ship down safely, if you wish. Would you like me to, or might I help in some other fashion?"/ ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 19:40:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Third Artifact On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:32:50 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007437 >On 10-06-1999 at 17:49:46 >FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007419 > >"The last Artifact I will detail at this time is, > The Object called The Cosmic Engineer". > >"The Last surviving legend of this object, > Relates the Story of the Ending of a War, > between Multi-Galactic Alliances." >"According to the Legends, > The Cosmic Engineer was used to change the Collapsed Galaxy, > Into The Ship of War called, The Blue Horizon." /"Mmm,"/ Roland 'comments,' looking at FailSafe with an unreadable expression. /"A device with the genius of a Tony Stark, the processing power of a Borg Cube, apparently telepathic CAD/CAM facilitles, and a possibly total lack of morality,"/ he muses. /"Sounds lovely. Any idea what might still be in the same universe with it? The last thing we need is some paranoid tyrant engineer looking for reinforcements among our enemies."/ Roland swallows, and those looking at the back of his cape can briefly see the image of Dr. Destroyer flicker across it... ================================= Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:04:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAEVI: Enter Stage, Castle On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 22:42:52 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007438 Zia wrote: >"Speaking of the unnecessary. Stick your so-called temporary Trumps, >Scott, and if you do anything like that again, I may give you >assistance with the placement of same." She says, working hard to >keep the tone even, seemingly quite fed up but keeping her temper so >far. Scott whispers, at a volume only Zia and Roland can hear, "I still have one last item of conversation. A warning. I am not the only SC unit in the Matrix Cosm right now. And not all of them are as nice as I am. The 'trick' was a warning of the power level some of Us can achieve. My offer was made out of the knowledge that you might want to place your deck somewhere where it will be safer from theft, or ... interference; my offer stands." Scott, it must be noted, has changed demeanor since last he spoke. Something dark has come over him, and has made him strangely serious. And with that, Scott turns to Roland. "You wished to speak to me, Phoenix?" =================================