Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6 Part 1 - Chapter 8 Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 17:57:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 17:18:45 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007494 >On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:41:32 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007454 > >>On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 12:20:56 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007346 >> >>>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 00:55:31 PST >>>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007328 >> >>>Once things cool down a bit, but before the group goes haring off >>>to grab artifacts, Nemo will speak to Eric. >>> >>>"Interesting style. Sparring might prove most interesting." OOC: His 'style' is primarily a fictional Shaolin variant - the book calls it Mo Chi (Devil Judgement) Kung Fu - though he uses elements of several other styles. >> Eric just _watches_ this display, almost disbelieving. And it's >>pretty clear by now that the man's seen a lot. "Roland?" he finally >>says, quietly. >> /"Yes?"/ >> "Why in Gaia's name am I here?" he asks. >> Roland chuckles. /"I imagine a few rounds would answer that >>question. I have to admit I'd love to see the reaction of a Zia or a >>Nemo when you used your Heaven Stance block on 'em."/ His smile >>fades. /"Still, we should get moving."/ > >"You are here to learn." /By observation./ "And to teach." /By >example./ Eric's eyes narrow. "I am here to fight, or my presence is pointless. I am not a Master yet, and I doubt I can use anything this group can teach in my...profession." (OOC: Grin. That's not what he's here to learn, of course...) >Nemo will cheerfully admit that his "style" is composed partly of >"analysis" of a *literally* uncountable number of forms from across >the multiverse, and "cheating". OOC: Assuming Nemo says this... "Sir," Eric comments, "there is no such thing as 'cheating' in a battle to the death. You are either trying to win, or trying to die." There is no judgement in his statement, as if trying to die is a prefectly acceptable option - as long as the warrior is aware that those are the choices. >Think of it as being *impossibly* centered. At rest, he cannot be >moved, and in motion, he cannot be stopped. Both are aspects of that >"anchor to the universe" trick. He really *could* leave a man sized >hole thru a mountain by walking thru it if he so desired. Eric is studying this. Closely. Carefully. As if he could actually learn the trick with enough practice. "Perhaps my earlier comment was made in haste..." (OOC: The strongest of his Chi powers involves motion and redirection...) >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:56:22 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007456 > >Nemo display to Eric, Roger, and any others how are interested an >image of a set of footprints, rather like one would use to teach >dance steps. They are numbered, and arranged rather oddly. The first >few are simple, after that, it appears as though it would be >increasingly difficult to 'take the next step'. There are 97 steps in >all. Eric looks at the pattern. "Simple. Hrm. Do you know a gentleman by the name of 'Mister Komodo,' by any chance?" He then leaps over to the pattern, and begins moving through it. It's not easy, even for him, but if it is at all possible (he won't use his Lightning Leap - the power he activated earlier - unless he can't do it otherwise), he manages to take the last step/kata. He stumbles back, sweat beading all over his face, and looks at what he just did. "Gaia. What is that?" ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:51:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:10:54 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007496 L.J. Wolfe wrote: >>On 10-07-1999 at 11:40:47 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007467 >>"Stranger, >> You said the Blazon of the Ship that got you to the Sphere, >> Was a Flat Black Disk with a Bright Blue Border?" "That's right. Hmmm - black hole/blue horizon?" >>"FailSafe, >> I think we may have a clue as to an access point, >> By which we can Board The Blue Horizon." > > /"Well, if the Horizon is the artifact, or part of it, then our >job gets easier from there. Unless _it_ fights us. Stranger, did you >run into any resistance on board?"/ "None, couldn't find anyone. Mind you it was so big that I could have just wandered round bits that they've temporarily deserted. I doubt it though, they'd be sure to come and see who was using the telegates." "If it's not the artifact we should be able to use it as the focus of a tracing spell of some sort." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:51:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Global Life Insurance's Traveler's Bonus Plan On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 18:43:43 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007497 >On 10-07-1999 at 11:04:50 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007466 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 01:12:14 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007450 >> >>>On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:22:53 -0700 >>>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007436 >> >>> '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?"/ >> >> Will and family do look surprised, but adapt very quickly. One >>might think beings appeared to them out of thin air every weak. >> One wouldn't be far off in that estimate, either. ;) >> "Uhm," Will says, running a hand through his red hair, "Well, >>as I just finished saying to Nemisis, we seem to be physically >>intact, but are at a loss to explain how we got here. If you know of >>a good landing place, we'd like to touch down and make sure we >>didn't sustain any damage our systems aren't detecting." /"One second."/ He concentrates, and a second 'split' begins forming on the surface... >{"I am Activating a Standard Landing Beacon Now, > Unless you would like to have a tug bring you down."} > >{"Fuel and Supplies are Availible on Request"} > >{"Be Aware that the Shape of the Gravity Slope is Non-Standard."} The headache that begins forming in Roland's head seems to deter him for the moment. /"I can do 'tug' duty. The Jupiter Two is well within the limits of my kinetic powers."/ >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 14:39:24 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007479 > >>On 10-07-1999 at 11:04:50 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007466 > > {"Thank you, Nemisis, I think we can manage the landing. We'll >abort if we get into trouble,"} Will replied. > Don took the pilot's chair and Doctor Robinson took the >copilot's place. Will took a position at the sensors and main >computer, working out the landing procedure for the interior of a >Dyson Sphere. Everyone else strapped in. > Will looked at Roland, "I'm not sure if you need to strap in or >not, but this could get bumpy." /"Um, I'm not really 'here,' at least not physically. I'm not sure how I'm maintaining my location on a moving spaceship. I won't be here long at any rate. /"You shouldn't have any problems landing."/ Roland's eyes glow. /"We'll see to that."/ He disappears, reappearing among the CAoL. With his ESP, he monitors the J-2, however, and uses his psychokinesis to guarantee as smooth a landing as they're likely to experience. 8^) ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:51:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 21:32:27 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007498 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 08:29:51 -0400 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007460 >> >>>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:17 -0700 (PDT) >>>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007388 > > > >>>>Legion looks up at him, "You don't have to do this alone, >>>>Nathaniel..you have nothing to prove to any of them." >>>> >>>>Essex says softly, "Not to them. To you." He raises one of >>>>Legion's hands to his lips, and kisses it gently. >>>> >>>>Legion... doesn't say a thing for once. She just blushes >>>>furiously, her eyes lowering. > > Roland doesn't really look in their direction. He isn't even >giving 'Essex' the majority of his attention. But the truly attentive >(and there are quite a few in _this_ lot 8^) see the flinch, the >deliberate turning to another issue, and the fact that he's _trying_ >to give Essex the benefit of the doubt, but the name 'Sinister' won't >shake loose from his head... > >>Legion leaves Essex to find out what her daufhter was up to, and >>pulls the 'ball' out of ground. It sits there, glowing faintly with >>enough power to run a small chantry for a year. "This should -not- >>have happened. She's not supposed to be able to manipulate magic >>until she hits adolesence." > > /"Hmm."/ Roland looks thoughtful. Legion sighs, and the gem is mounted in a swirl of silver hung on a silver chain. She hangs it about her neck. >>Without warning, Legion turns and points a finger at Roger. "And >>DON'T say anything to me about the future. If Wrinkle doesn't get >>you, I Will." ^ Make this We. Oops. > Roland looks, of all things, _amused._ /"I'd listen to her, Roger. >I saw her and Wrinkle together once. _He_ didn't want to mess with >her."/ Legion shakes her head, "That was... odd. Even for us." >>[OOC: >>Eric and Rio -might- guess her an Oracle of Correspondance if they >>get a look at one of her 'ports' or her 'fixing' a disturbance. Or >>they might guess something else. ;) ] > > The following is Eric's knowledge of Paradox: it messes up magick >somehow, it's some sort of 'natural' force, and it has related >spirits, seemingly like everything else in the WoD. But Rio...? >>>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... ;) >> >>Mischief and the Squirrel come BOLTING out of the far side of the >>hole, and take to the air. There are a couple near-misses of peoples >>heads at the two play chase. > > Roland turns his head to keep track of what's going on, which is >just enough...his form proves to be not entirely solid as the Nemisis >split goes _through_ his head, leaving a warped hole in his head as >it tries to regain its original shape. Then _Mischief_ plows through >it, and it looks as if Mischief would have gained Quickening from >that if it had actually _been_ Roland, except of course that Roland >has a much harder head than that. 8^) Unless either decides to react, >there is no effect on the chase. Mischief seems almost to put on Air Brakes, turning mid air to blinkblink at Roland. > The two 'sides' of Roland's...er...neck threads flow back into a >single head. (Think the end of T2. 8^) He looks rather disoriented, >but otherwise unharmed. /"That was...weird."/ Mischief gives Roland's cheek a lick, then looks about for that squirrel. >>>"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." >> >>Legion comments, "Sounds like a VERY good idea to me." She keeps >>ahold of the quint sphere, and begins to help herd the kitten >>towards the Castle. > > /"Legion...maybe it's this place,"/ Roland says, trying to be >reassuring. /"Pretty much everyone has commented how much easier the >stuff is to manipulate around here..."/ Legion sighs and smiles, "Hopefully that is all it is... but We can't ignore the possiblity that taking her with Us hasn't... expanded her potentials." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 20:05:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On 10-07-1999 at 20:01:21 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007499 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 21:32:27 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007498 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 >> >>>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 08:29:51 -0400 >>>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007460 >>> >>>>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:17 -0700 (PDT) >>>>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007388 >>>Legion leaves Essex to find out what her daufhter was up to, and >>>pulls the 'ball' out of ground. It sits there, glowing faintly with >>>enough power to run a small chantry for a year. "This should -not- >>>have happened. She's not supposed to be able to manipulate magic >>>until she hits adolesence." A Shell of liquid silver slides off as she reached for it, A few moments later another Squirrel crawls out of the hole, Shakes itself off, and Starts working it's way covertly on an intercept course, To sneek up of Mischief... >>>Mischief and the Squirrel come BOLTING out of the far side of the >>>hole, and take to the air. There are a couple near-misses of >>>peoples heads at the two play chase. >> >> Roland turns his head to keep track of what's going on, which is >>just enough...his form proves to be not entirely solid as the >>Nemisis split goes _through_ his head, leaving a warped hole in his >>head as it tries to regain its original shape. Then _Mischief_ plows >>through it, and it looks as if Mischief would have gained Quickening >>from that if it had actually _been_ Roland, except of course that >>Roland has a much harder head than that. 8^) Unless either decides >>to react, there is no effect on the chase. [OOC: Bad Roland, No Cookie, Ok The Split's AI Realized he would not be hurt, And that it might be an effective tactic, Which it was... ;)] >Mischief gives Roland's cheek a lick, then looks about for that >squirrel. Hiding behind a rock further allong towards the Castle Gates. With a bit of Tail Sticking out "Flirting"... ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 20:05:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of (C)Amber On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 22:01:20 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007500 [OOC: Now I FINALLY, TRULY grok just what 'soothly norom' meant. This is an _attempt_ to catch back up, freely edited, spliced, folded, and snipped. However, I _did_ make all the effort I could to 1) keep it short, 2) keep the who wrotes and original message marks, and not put anyone TOO far out of 'time-whack'. - SC] >On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 20:28:09 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007442 > >>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..... > > Eric pauses in mid-leap, eyeing the boom box as if considering >obliterating it. "So am I," he replies in a growl that would do >Batman justice. His leap then continues as if he'd never slowed... > Once the CAoL has gathered more fully (possibly at the castle?) >Eric comes to a quivering stop. A flash of annoyance crosses his >face; the link is still leaking a bit, and it appears he's irritated >at the possibiliy that others might have mistaken his burning some >frustration for showing off. He watches the CAoL discuss plans, >remaining quiet and melting into the shadows... "Quite." Ziactrice agrees thoughtfully, as she pauses to think of what to do with all this Chi force {hint: she decides to make lichen, later...}. She gives Roger a bland look, "It's too bad I already have so many husbands, or I really would give serious consideration to setting my cap at that one." With an indicative nod in the Hunter leaping away from the pair. "What do you think, Rogi? I have always say you marry someone you can't win an argument with so you can continue it indefinitely instead..." She gives him the wickedest grin. "Perhaps one more wouldn't HURT." The grin just gets wickeder and wickeder, so to speak. >On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:40 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007486 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:56:22 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007456 >>"A question. I know of a possible 'training aid' for martial >>artists. I'd be interested in where you think it should go. In the >>danger room? Or out in the main courtyard, open to all?" >> >>"It's a simple pattern..." >> >>Nemo display to Eric, Roger, and any others how are interested an >>image of a set of footprints, rather like one would use to teach >>dance steps. They are numbered, and arranged rather oddly. The first >>few are simple, after that, it appears as though it would be >>increasingly difficult to 'take the next step'. There are 97 steps >>in all. > >"Danger Room, > I Think, > Assuming it is best to follow that at a steasy pace, > So that pacing reminders, and > Error Indicators can be easily supplied." > >[OOC: This reminds me of something but it's vague, > 'Sinanju' ? Maybe] Zia laughs, "Been there, done that. The Ecolitian Operation was a success, although the patient had to die first, I'd say. Although I enjoyed being the woman who never missed, myself, far more." [OOC: I DO hope that I'm recalling right - I read them back in high school, but I still remember 'The 97th Step'; good book.] >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 14:46:37 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007472 >>In a message dated 10/6/99 10:04:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >>samatha1 writes: >>>"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.] > >OOC: If it's a sure thing, is it still a bet? (:) OOC: Only if Zia suckers you into betting anyway... It's so much EASIER to take someone who tries to cheat... ineptly, after all... >Roger grins at his favourite Aunt, very lopsidedly. "Actually, I >think I've already done it. I'm not a twin, Auntzie." Zia gives Roger one quick, serious look. He'll recognize the 'Severe Disaster Warning' only by his past knowledge of Zia's behavior; she doesn't make a big deal out of this one word of reply. "Yet." >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:46:51 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007459 >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:16:50 -0700 (PDT) >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007440 >>"On the bright side, nobody's labeled the CAoL like this..." Rob >>hands OneEye a piece of paper. A biohazard symbol has been sketched >>on it, with the biohazard type listed as, "Callahanian Army of >>Light." > >"That'd be improper labeling, lad. The sign should look like this:" > / \ > / 4 \ > / \ / \ > / 4 \ / 4 \ > \ / \ / > \ / * \ / > \ * / > \ / >The upper asterisk is a biohazard symbol, the lower is a radiation >trefoil. "Don't forget to note the Explosive hazard, while you're adding everything to your NFPA diamond, Nemo." Zia grins. >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 10:12:00 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007455 >>[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....?] >You'll need it. Nemo's previously established abilities (as noted in >another message) couldn't be a better match for these guys if I'd >*tried*. Add Zia and they'll never know what hit them. [OOC: Is that a compliment on her sneakiness, or just sheer ability to hit blind spots? Either way... BLUSH! ] >On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 09:57:24 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007458 >>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:03 -0700 (PDT) >better suited for Nemo to derail them if he'd set them up himself!> >He pauses. >"Hmmm, and with Zia's shadow shifting abilities...." >/Zia? Check me on this...{..............}/ >With that thought Nemo and Zia start "discussing" some sort of math. >The sort that has most of the others looking dazed. Zia looks momentarily non-plussed, something quite rare for her, but is so soon lost in the marvels of her beloved mathematics that she recovers spendidly. You can't blame her - Nemo asked her to check _him_. Think about that one a second... (grin). >"We can counter anything they try 'before' they try it. To the extent >that they can't come up with a 'stable' future that doesn't include >us getting what we want. Anything else will be Heisenberged to >death." Zia nods, her eyes still a bit abstract. "I can do it, within those parameters, and given the rather serpentine support you sketched out." She half-frowns, and adds the condition, "In equations, at least. Our Visualization does have the flaw of it's virtues, but my ability to ad lib should be able to handle outriders in the midst without allowing the perpatuation of any Certainties." >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:24:22 EDT >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007444 >>> The royal blue in Roland's energy form darkens a few shades as >>>well. The cats almost expect the wing-like 'ears' on his costume to >>>flatten back. "I do. First, a warning of my own. If your...fellow >>>units...are considering interfering with the CAoL, you might inform >>>them that we take care of our own. I have been underestimated in >>>the past, by Gaunt, Thorne, even Malice. I am here. They are not."/ >>>Roland's expression twists briefly, as though his stomach twinged >>>at the thought. /"And I am far from the greatest power in this >>>group."/ >>"They are not considering it. They have decided. If the CAoL goes >>into a particular place, they will force you out by any means >>necessary." Scott's eyes vanish while he speaks the last sentence; >>Osborne blinks, and the eyes are once more blue. "There is a battle >>happening on the far edges of Matrix Cosm, and we have the bad luck >>to have to walk through the middle of it. But I will get to that >>later." > /"Have they now,"/ Roland comments quietly. /"If there isn't a >Fuzzy artifact in there, there's no reason to bother them. If there >is...well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."/ Privately, >to Aurora and Nemo, he adds, ^Which doesn't mean we can't start >preparing for it. I'd like you two to come up with some plans on that >regard; I don't like that 'by any means necessary' bit, and I like >threats even less.^ >>> /"Second. While I hardly consider myself a gentleman any more, >>>your little stunt was rude in the extreme, especially considering >>>where Zia apparently keeps her...cards."/ Roland's eyes stop >>>glowing; instead, the bright white 'superhero' eyeslits go jet >>>black. /"Kindly refrain from such 'tricks' again."/ >>"As I said, it was also a warning; and the motion was performed >>after she took the Trumps out, when it would be marginally easier, >>and infinitely less rude." "ACT-ually, that should be correctly stated as 'marginally +possible+' and 'insignificantly' less rude, Cretin." Zia 'informs' Scott, coldy but with complete disinterest, as if he were less than the dirt beneath her feet. In fact, she DOES seem to like her lichen one heck of a lot more than the Bucket of Bolts fellow given her the 'lack of respect' speech. > Roland grunts slightly, apparently somewhat mollified; the jet >black in his eyes fades to a silvery-grey, and the blue of his >'costume' lightens a bit. /"Somewhat less, at any rate. The point >stands."/ He seems unamused. Zia sighs, /I wonder, do androids die of testosterone poisoning?/ She quips over the full CAoL Lens Link. Then she continues to Roland, ^I'd object to your defense - but you were careful to say it was of the CAoL, not just of me, and manners, which I cannot protest against your proponing. But, just to let you know I know, I saw you 'palm that card', so to speak. (laugh) Uhhhmmm. Pun NOT intended.^ >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 19:15:29 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007490 >"There is, but hopefully, they'll be done Pinning everything down by >the time you must pass through. When the time comes, the CAoL -might- >be allowed through, depending on the situation; it may require... >special precautions, however." "Since it does appear, Scott, that you're their advance scout and mole in the CAoL's midst, I would agree with that. Cheesehead." She shakes her head. >Scott pauses. "As to underestimation, I doubt they are capable of it. >Many of them have pure tactics machines where their soul should be; >one of the reasons I warned Zia about their relative friendliness." Zia starts... laughing ?? She _tries_ for a moment, at least, not to do it AT Scott. She isn't quite successful, however. "Tr- (gasp!) trust me!" (giggles at him) "I have every reason to not only think that an SC can underestimate someone, Scott, I have veritable proof positive." She saunters over, and pats his cheek. "Come back and play in the big leagues, son, once you've grown up a little. You're so green behind the ears my SON could lead you around by the nose." Her blue-white eyes sparkle like an icefield under the Artic summer, "Friendliness is a virture, Sugah'." She says, drawling irrepressibly. "It ain't a weakness. You just don't really _get_ it, do you, Scott? Or me... but that's what I wanted. Run along and play nice, now." She turns and goes along to the Castle with a half-grin. >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 08:29:51 -0400 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007460 >>Mischief and the Squirrel come BOLTING out of the far side of the >>hole, and take to the air. There are a couple near-misses of peoples >>heads at the two play chase. > Roland turns his head to keep track of what's going on, which is >just enough...his form proves to be not entirely solid as the Nemisis >split goes _through_ his head, leaving a warped hole in his head as >it tries to regain its original shape. Then _Mischief_ plows through >it, and it looks as if Mischief would have gained Quickening from >that if it had actually _been_ Roland, except of course that Roland >has a much harder head than that. 8^) Unless either decides to react, >there is no effect on the chase. > The two 'sides' of Roland's...er...neck threads flow back into a >single head. (Think the end of T2. 8^) He looks rather disoriented, >but otherwise unharmed. /"That was...weird."/ "Oh, _get_ your head together, Roland!" Zia 'scolds'. Then she cracks up again. "I've _always_ wanted to say that line to someone... it's so difficult to find an opportunity with an Immortal, however..." >On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:39 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007484 >"We should be able to program the replacement, > To slowly shift from Normal to Reversed operation, > Like some kind of elastic conservation law catching up to them." "Tanstaafl." Zia says, with the air of 'But of COURSE.' ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 20:05:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 19:59:56 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007501 >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 12:10:27 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007481 > >>On 10-07-1999 at 11:04:49 >>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007464 >> >>"You are missing the distasteful point that, >> As the sole source of an Essential Technology, >> They can Ask any price they want, and Get It from somebody, >> I believe the Current price is set, >> To Balance Quantity versus Unit Price for Maximum Net. >> The Political Power they wield follows naturally, >> from the fact that they can refuse to sell to some one, >> and Do the Same to anyone who Sells them second-hand Equipment." >> >>"Thus they will Suppress Any potential for another source." "That was addressed to Roger's hope of Trading the Guild an alternate tech." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 20:05:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 19:59:58 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007502 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 >>On 10-07-1999 at 11:04:50 >>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007465 >> >>>On Wed, 06 Oct 1999 19:32:50 -0700 >>>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007437 > Roland frowns. /"Do we have anything on this 'Cosmic Engineer' >besides a name?"/ "Nothing but the old cautionary tale of 'The Blue Horizon', It is used as a tale to discourage merciless behavior. " >>"There have been no recorded contacts or sightings of The Blue >>Horizon, >> During the last 3 or 4 hundred million years." > > Roland blinks. /"Okay, I'm a bit confused. Is the artifact this >'Engineer,' or the ship? Or have they become one and the same?"/ "I do not know, As I have said, The Only Surviving reference to the Artifact, Is the Story or 'The Blue Horizon'. " >On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:10:54 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007496 >>On 10-07-1999 at 11:40:47 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007467 >> >> /"Well, if the Horizon is the artifact, or part of it, then our >>job gets easier from there. Unless _it_ fights us. Stranger, did you >>run into any resistance on board?"/ > >"None, couldn't find anyone. Mind you it was so big that I could have >just wandered round bits that they've temporarily deserted. I doubt >it though, they'd be sure to come and see who was using the >telegates." > >"If it's not the artifact we should be able to use it as the focus of >a tracing spell of some sort." "Or perhaps find a Log Book, That gives some other indication of where to look..." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 20:36:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 23:20:23 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007503 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 19:06:44 GMT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007476 > > >>Legion comments, "Sounds like a VERY good idea to me." She keeps >>ahold of the quint sphere, and begins to help herd the kitten >>towards the Castle. >> >>Essex heads to the castle, giving Legion her space for now (and >>leaving him alone if someone wants to take him aside for a talk). >> >OneEye, not noticing anyone else do so, attempts to striek up a >conversation with essex. "Good day sir, how art thou this fine" he >looks up "Whatever it is? Dr Essex actually grins a bit, "As well as can be expected after dealing with the most aggrevating and..." He glances over at Legion, "stimulating woman of my acquintance... The most stubborn too." He seems in a fairly good mood, though a faint air hangs about him, like the aftertaste of meloncholy. ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 21:35:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of (C)Amber On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 00:14:41 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007505 In a message dated 10/7/99 8:06:42 PM Pacific Daylight Time, samatha1 writes: >> "There is, but hopefully, they'll be done Pinning everything down >>by the time you must pass through. When the time comes, the CAoL >>-might- be allowed through, depending on the situation; it may >>require... special precautions, however." > "Since it does appear, Scott, that you're their advance scout and >mole in the CAoL's midst, I would agree with that. Cheesehead." She >shakes her head. Scott turns to Zia. "The relationship is more one of 'tour guide'; I'm supposed to make sure you stay out of trouble. I am no scout, nor am I a mole. They care only about power level, and skill; and both can be adequately judged from a distance. Undermining you is very far from their minds; it is the distinct hope of enough of them that Fuzzy will be remade that the CAoL might be let through, if certain things settle down." >> Scott pauses. "As to underestimation, I doubt they are capable of >>it. Many of them have pure tactics machines where their soul should >>be; one of the reasons I warned Zia about their relative >>friendliness." > > Zia starts... laughing ?? She _tries_ for a moment, at least, not to >do it AT Scott. She isn't quite successful, however. "Tr- (gasp!) >trust me!" (giggles at him) "I have every reason to not only think >that an SC can underestimate someone, Scott, I have veritable proof >positive." She saunters over, and pats his cheek. "Come back and play >in the big leagues, son, once you've grown up a little. You're so >green behind the ears my SON could lead you around by the nose." > > Her blue-white eyes sparkle like an icefield under the Artic summer, > "Friendliness is a virture, Sugah'." She says, drawling >irrepressibly. "It ain't a weakness. You just don't really _get_ it, >do you, Scott? Or me... but that's what I wanted. Run along and play >nice, now." She turns and goes along to the Castle with a half-grin. "Do not judge my kin by me; I am 'damaged goods', in several senses. Many of them are, as I implied, masters of tactics in unknown or unknowable situations, and, I fear, almost all of the remainder lack the capacity to estimate anything. They merely put more effort into whatever they are doing until they succeed." It's an ungainly speech, and some actors [1] would pay very good money to know how Scott said those last seven sentences without tripping on his tongue. "As to being 'green', I have little experience in this ... plane of existence. Friendliness may be a virtue to you, but to many of Them, it is a lesser vice." Scott pauses. "And, unfortunately, any tact I may have is partially negated by a current situation that is a major distraction." Scott adds, "By the way; what made you think I am a follower of the Green Bay Packers?" [1] Those working on movies particularly "blessed" by Jabootu. ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 21:35:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Moving in... On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:16:50 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007506 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 18:43:43 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007497 >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 14:39:24 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007479 >> >>>On 10-07-1999 at 11:04:50 >>>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007466 >> >> {"Thank you, Nemisis, I think we can manage the landing. We'll >>abort if we get into trouble,"} Will replied. >> Don took the pilot's chair and Doctor Robinson took the >>copilot's place. Will took a position at the sensors and main >>computer, working out the landing procedure for the interior of a >>Dyson Sphere. Everyone else strapped in. >> Will looked at Roland, "I'm not sure if you need to strap in or >>not, but this could get bumpy." > > /"Um, I'm not really 'here,' at least not physically. I'm not sure >how I'm maintaining my location on a moving spaceship. I won't be >here long at any rate. > /"You shouldn't have any problems landing."/ Roland's eyes glow. >/"We'll see to that."/ He disappears, reappearing among the CAoL. >With his ESP, he monitors the J-2, however, and uses his >psychokinesis to guarantee as smooth a landing as they're likely to >experience. 8^) "Unusual pair," Maureen observed mildly. "They're a rather diverse group," Will replied. "Well, we'll see for ourselves soon enough," John said as they began their descent. They managed a fairly graceful landing even on their own, though the extra 'hands' along the way made for an almost perfect glide to the landing beacon. The silver flying saucer hovered over a clear space and extended rarely used landing gear since the terrain looked rather rocky and they wanted to be able to access every surface of the ship so the normal submerging the lower decks into sandy soil was out of the question. The three story saucer touched down and the hum of its engines slowly died away. The Space Family Robinson looked out the front window. "This is mostly a new group to me. I recognize maybe three of them from here. Nemisis is the metal demon, Roland you all saw, though he was more solid last time I met him. And that fellow is, uh, Stranger is what I think he goes by. The rest are new faces." "Well," Maureen said, "Let's go meet the new neighbors..." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 22:36:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:27:04 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007507 >On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:10:54 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007496 > >L.J. Wolfe wrote: >> /"Well, if the Horizon is the artifact, or part of it, then our >>job gets easier from there. Unless _it_ fights us. Stranger, did you >>run into any resistance on board?"/ > >"None, couldn't find anyone. Mind you it was so big that I could have >just wandered round bits that they've temporarily deserted. I doubt >it though, they'd be sure to come and see who was using the >telegates." Roland nods. /"With a monster like this 'Blue Horizon,' we shouldn't have too much trouble reclaiming the Cosmic Engineer once we find it, if it's not on the ship itself. Unless, of course, the Engineer is under new management."/ >"If it's not the artifact we should be able to use it as the focus of >a tracing spell of some sort." /"Good thinking. I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole magic thing-"/ Roland winces as (no doubt) several peanuts stick in his energy form. /"-I can't believe I _said_ that."/ >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 21:32:27 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007498 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 >> >>>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 08:29:51 -0400 >>>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007460 >>> >>>>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:17 -0700 (PDT) >>>>FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007388 >>>Without warning, Legion turns and points a finger at Roger. "And >>>DON'T say anything to me about the future. If Wrinkle doesn't get >>>you, I Will." > ^ Make this We. Oops. > >> Roland looks, of all things, _amused._ /"I'd listen to her, >>Roger. I saw her and Wrinkle together once. _He_ didn't want to mess >>with her."/ > >Legion shakes her head, "That was... odd. Even for us." Roland looks vaguely disturbed by that, glancing over at Roger. Legion, if she looks, can notice the minor Time Paradox spirit Tiktok nestled in his time sense, slowly matching with it so the thing can slowly start messing with his timing...almost an insult to a powerful Time mage, but still dangerous at the right - ah - time. 8^) /"I hope Wrinkle's had enough of the CAoL..."/ >>>Mischief and the Squirrel come BOLTING out of the far side of the >>>hole, and take to the air. There are a couple near-misses of >>>peoples heads at the two play chase. >> >> Roland turns his head to keep track of what's going on, which is >>just enough...his form proves to be not entirely solid as the >>Nemisis split goes _through_ his head, leaving a warped hole in his >>head as it tries to regain its original shape. Then _Mischief_ plows >>through it, and it looks as if Mischief would have gained Quickening >>from that if it had actually _been_ Roland, except of course that >>Roland has a much harder head than that. 8^) Unless either decides >>to react, there is no effect on the chase. > >Mischief seems almost to put on Air Brakes, turning mid air to >blinkblink at Roland. /"Sorry, hon. My fault. Go about your business."/ His 'body' vibrates to sound out the words. >> The two 'sides' of Roland's...er...neck threads flow back into a >>single head. (Think the end of T2. 8^) He looks rather disoriented, >>but otherwise unharmed. /"That was...weird."/ > >Mischief gives Roland's cheek a lick, then looks about for that >squirrel. Roland touches the cheek lightly, an 'awww' expression on his face. >>>Legion comments, "Sounds like a VERY good idea to me." She keeps >>>ahold of the quint sphere, and begins to help herd the kitten >>>towards the Castle. >> >> /"Legion...maybe it's this place,"/ Roland says, trying to be >>reassuring. /"Pretty much everyone has commented how much easier the >>stuff is to manipulate around here..."/ > >Legion sighs and smiles, "Hopefully that is all it is... but We can't >ignore the possiblity that taking her with Us hasn't... expanded her >potentials." /"Oh, I wasn't suggesting that,"/ Roland replies as they approach the castle. /"Come to think of it, we should be able to find out more concretely soon enough."/ He looks at the castle as the group approaches it, and it's clear that some of the reality of fatherhood is starting to sink in... ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:13:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:44:22 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007508 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007319 > >His face grows sober as he continues: "as for the question of theft >that has been raised, it has been noted that possession is nine >points of the law. If you would raise moral objections, consider: >this guild is using the rod purely to pursue their monopoly on >communications, a condition which I suspect has fostered no few >tyrants, whereas we would use it to restore the life of somebody who >was, by all I've heard, a fine being indeed. I would say that the >greater good were served by acquiring this rod for our stated >purpose." /*"There is also the point that these artifacts BELONG to Fuzzy. He needs them now. If the usurpers don't like it, TOUGH!"*/ Aurora adds. ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:13:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:48:43 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007509 >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 22:01:20 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007500 > >[OOC: Now I FINALLY, TRULY grok just what 'soothly norom' meant. This >is an _attempt_ to catch back up, freely edited, spliced, folded, and >snipped. However, I _did_ make all the effort I could to 1) keep it >short, 2) keep the who wrotes and original message marks, and not put >anyone TOO far out of 'time-whack'. - SC] (OOC: "Whaaa-?" -Hawkeye (of Avengers fame 8^) What the heck is 'soothly norom?') >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 14:46:37 EDT >>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007472 >>Roger grins at his favourite Aunt, very lopsidedly. "Actually, I >>think I've already done it. I'm not a twin, Auntzie." > >Zia gives Roger one quick, serious look. He'll recognize the 'Severe >Disaster Warning' only by his past knowledge of Zia's behavior; she >doesn't make a big deal out of this one word of reply. "Yet." Roland blinks at this. /"Hm. Hadn't considered that particular possibility."/ >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:46:51 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007459 >>The upper asterisk is a biohazard symbol, the lower is a radiation >>trefoil. > >"Don't forget to note the Explosive hazard, while you're adding >everything to your NFPA diamond, Nemo." Zia grins. Roland stifles a laugh. Barely. >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 10:12:00 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007455 >>You'll need it. Nemo's previously established abilities (as noted in >>another message) couldn't be a better match for these guys if I'd >>*tried*. Add Zia and they'll never know what hit them. > >[OOC: Is that a compliment on her sneakiness, or just sheer ability >to hit blind spots? Either way... BLUSH! on the TM>] (OOC: Yeah? Yeah? Haven't seen a dime!) (OOC 2: OTOH, the laughs in this post alone even the score... 8^) >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said >> Roland grunts slightly, apparently somewhat mollified; the jet >>black in his eyes fades to a silvery-grey, and the blue of his >>'costume' lightens a bit. /"Somewhat less, at any rate. The point >>stands."/ He seems unamused. > >Zia sighs, /I wonder, do androids die of testosterone poisoning?/ She >quips over the full CAoL Lens Link. Then she continues to Roland, >^I'd object to your defense - but you were careful to say it was of >the CAoL, not just of me, and manners, which I cannot protest against >your proponing. But, just to let you know I know, I saw you 'palm >that card', so to speak. (laugh) Uhhhmmm. Pun NOT intended.^ Roland blinks, confused. ^'Palm my card?' Unless you're referring to my NOT letting Mr. Osborne in on my little strategic triage with Aurora and Nemo - by the way, if you have any ideas on getting around Osborne's 'colleagues,' I'm listening - I haven't the foggiest idea what you mean. And if you don't want me leaping to your defense,^ he adds with a slow mental grin, ^please say so now. Gentleman I may not be, but the chivalry thing is a lot harder to kill.^ >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 19:15:29 EDT >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007490 >>Scott pauses. "As to underestimation, I doubt they are capable of >>it. Many of them have pure tactics machines where their soul should >>be; one of the reasons I warned Zia about their relative >>friendliness." > >Zia starts... laughing ?? She _tries_ for a moment, at least, not to >do it AT Scott. She isn't quite successful, however. "Tr- (gasp!) >trust me!" (giggles at him) "I have every reason to not only think >that an SC can underestimate someone, Scott, I have veritable proof >positive." She saunters over, and pats his cheek. "Come back and play >in the big leagues, son, once you've grown up a little. You're so >green behind the ears my SON could lead you around by the nose." Roland boggles at this. ^Oh, Zia, you _didn't._ Tell me you didn't.^ He doesn't sound at all displeased, however; he is clamping down on a burst of laughter through sheer force of will. >Her blue-white eyes sparkle like an icefield under the Artic summer, >"Friendliness is a virture, Sugah'." She says, drawling >irrepressibly. "It ain't a weakness. You just don't really _get_ it, >do you, Scott? Or me... but that's what I wanted. Run along and play >nice, now." She turns and goes along to the Castle with a half-grin. ^You _did._^ Roland shakes his head, still on the verge of laughing, which unbalances him enough that a squirrel flies right through his head. >> The two 'sides' of Roland's...er...neck threads flow back into a >>single head. (Think the end of T2. 8^) He looks rather disoriented, >>but otherwise unharmed. /"That was...weird."/ > >"Oh, _get_ your head together, Roland!" Zia 'scolds'. Then she cracks >up again. "I've _always_ wanted to say that line to someone... it's >so difficult to find an opportunity with an Immortal, however..." Roland manages to throw Zia a mock-frown for a moment...then smiles wickedly as an energy duplicate of the infamous P-16 appears in his hands... >>On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:39 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007484 >>"We should be able to program the replacement, >> To slowly shift from Normal to Reversed operation, >> Like some kind of elastic conservation law catching up to them." > >"Tanstaafl." Zia says, with the air of 'But of COURSE.' /"Hmm?"/ Roland looks confused. /"I think I missed something...which artifact are you talking about now?"/ ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:14:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:04:50 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007510 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007391 >>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?"/ /*"If it did, you'd have The Stardragon here in an instant, asking why you were making it itch. It doesn't like paradoxes. They make it itch."*/ Aurora says with a chuckle. ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:45:55 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007511 >On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:40 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007485 > >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 10:12:00 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007455 >> >>"There are many techniques for harnessing certain 'quantum' effects >>to not only provide untappable point-to-point communications, but >>*tunable* units. That means you'd no longer need several >>communicators, one for each destination. You'd merely need enough >>for the maximum number of 'links' you wished to keep open >>simultaneously." >> >>"And not only are these easily fabricated by anyone with a certain >>level of technology, they are untraceable and unjammable. This makes >>them far superior to the Guild product for most uses. Though some >>governments tend to upset about the inability to tap or block >>private links." > > > >"What level of Technology?, > Technomagic seems to be common here, > Some of the more common Stardrives as an example." "Say Traveller TL10 or so. Or Star Trek mid to late 21st century." >>"Distribute working copies as well as instructions, and shortly the >>Guild will be out of business, with a minimal amount of disruption >>of the societies involved." >> >>As someone opens their mouth to object, Nemo adds. >> >>"However, it is well to remember that 'minimal' is *not* a synonym >>for 'minor'. Whatever we do, there will be large and long term >>effects. But this is one of many scenarios that will minimize the >>disruptions and maximize the benefits." >> >>"One matter that needs to be decided is if we want to distribute the >>version that is both cheap and 'instantaneous', or if we want to >>distribute a version that works cheaply at lightspeed, but gets more >>expensive for FTL linkages?" > >"Expensive to construct, or to operate? > An Energy / Distance relationship?" Nemo grins evilly. "Expensive to build. Operation costs are neglible. That goes with the 'hard to trace' part. Power requirements are about like a cell phone. For the 'difficult' ones, difficulty scales with pseudo-velocity of propagation." "But I'm inclined to go with the 'unlimited' design. It will have the maximum effect in the minimum time." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:54:23 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007512 >On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:39 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007484 > >>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:17:02 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007453 > >>"It occurs to me to wonder what this Guild would do if they thought >>that their device was no longer working." > >>"For example, if we were to tracelessly remove *both* the original >>item and the 'duplicate' as soon as the duplicate formed, we might >>convince them that the "Guage" was now functioning in reverse." > >"A Possibility, but I'm not sure." > >"We should be able to program the replacement, > To slowly shift from Normal to Reversed operation, > Like some kind of elastic conservation law catching up to them." Color me confused. How do you shift "slowly" from "makes duplicates" to "destroys objects"? Making partial dupes, then partially destroying things? ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 19:09:39 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007513 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:24:22 EDT >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007444 >> >>"They are not considering it. They have decided. If the CAoL goes >>into a particular place, they will force you out by any means >>necessary." Scott's eyes vanish while he speaks the last sentence; >>Osborne blinks, and the eyes are once more blue. "There is a battle >>happening on the far edges of Matrix Cosm, and we have the bad luck >>to have to walk through the middle of it. But I will get to that >>later." > > /"Have they now,"/ Roland comments quietly. /"If there isn't a >Fuzzy artifact in there, there's no reason to bother them. If there >is...well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."/ Privately, >to Aurora and Nemo, he adds, ^Which doesn't mean we can't start >preparing for it. I'd like you two to come up with some plans on that >regard; I don't like that 'by any means necessary' bit, and I like >threats even less.^ /My first thought is to find out if that universe's laws allow a "time stop". It's difficult to interfere with actions that take *zero* time in your reference frame./ ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 19:16:28 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007514 >On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:40 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007486 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:56:22 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007456 >> >>Nemo display to Eric, Roger, and any others how are interested an >>image of a set of footprints, rather like one would use to teach >>dance steps. They are numbered, and arranged rather oddly. The first >>few are simple, after that, it appears as though it would be >>increasingly difficult to 'take the next step'. There are 97 steps >>in all. > >"Danger Room, > I Think, > Assuming it is best to follow that at a steasy pace, > So that pacing reminders, and > Error Indicators can be easily supplied." > >[OOC: This reminds me of something but it's vague, > 'Sinanju' ? Maybe] ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: House Phoenix/Greywolf On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 21:40:52 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007516 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 16:58:00 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007492 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 14:46:44 EDT >>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007473 >> >>>In a message dated 10/6/99 11:07:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >>>ljwolfe writes: >>>^Remind me to make sure we give the home security system an >>>upgrade,^ Morgan sends with a mental smile, letting her 'words' >>>'leak' out over the 'family link' to Roger. >> >>Roger finds something very interesting on the ceiling. "Won't work," >>he says brightly. > >"Maybe we should enlist your help then," Morgan replies equally >brightly. "That's assuming, of course, that we can trust you not to >build in loopholes for your future 'siblings,'" she adds, with that >parental tone that says 'of COURSE we can trust you' while implying >'we'd BETTER be able to trust you.' "Pardon me for butting in, but you *really* don't want to do that. If he remembers getting around the blocks, then he can't change that without creating a paradox..." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 21:49:56 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007517 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 17:18:45 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007494 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:56:22 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007456 >> >>Nemo display to Eric, Roger, and any others how are interested an >>image of a set of footprints, rather like one would use to teach >>dance steps. They are numbered, and arranged rather oddly. The first >>few are simple, after that, it appears as though it would be >>increasingly difficult to 'take the next step'. There are 97 steps >>in all. > > Eric looks at the pattern. "Simple. Hrm. Do you know a gentleman >by the name of 'Mister Komodo,' by any chance?" He then leaps over to >the pattern, and begins moving through it. It's not easy, even for >him, but if it is at all possible (he won't use his Lightning Leap - >the power he activated earlier - unless he can't do it otherwise), he >manages to take the last step/kata. He stumbles back, sweat beading >all over his face, and looks at what he just did. "Gaia. What is >that?" "The Siblings of the Shroud call it 'The 97 Steps'. It usually takes years of training to walk the entire pattern." ================================= Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:55:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 23:51:09 -0700 (PDT) FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007518 >On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:04:50 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007510 >> 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?"/ > >/*"If it did, you'd have The Stardragon here in an instant, asking >why you were making it itch. It doesn't like paradoxes. They make it >itch."*/ Aurora says with a chuckle. /"That Should not be a Problem here in any case, The Matrix Cosm has its own way of Balancing Paradoxes, To Avoid Irritation causing Reality Fractures."/ [OOC: Universes that are to prone to Paradoxes, Seem like a Good Example of one of the Kind of Flaws, The Matrix Cosm can Eat.] ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 00:36:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Another Artifact Revealed On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:59:01 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007519 In a message dated 10/5/99 10:24:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time, FailSafe writes: >FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007337 > >>On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 08:59:16 PDT >>Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007331 >> >>>"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..." >> >>OneEye laughs long and loud. "Considering the number of time beings >>or travelers we have here, This one shouldn't be a problem. Altough >>i would suggest using the big guns," Here he looks at aroura >>"Just in case. And if we already had the rod, leaving something >>behind shouldn't be a problem."He grins. > >"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..." /*"Time travel is no problem for me, and I can -assist- any number of beings to the proper time frame."*/ Aurora states. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 00:37:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 03:25:14 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007520 >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." /*"Failsafe and I may have the power to destroy worlds, and perhaps even universes, but that very power itself can be a disadvantage. He and I could surely take by force of arms all of the artifacts, but at what price. Billions, perhaps hundreds of billions of beings would die in the process. Needlessly! Nobody is without worth, everybody has some skill that will contribute to our task!"*/ Aurora says. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:06:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 03:42:53 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007521 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007349 > >> On Tue, 05 Oct 1999 14:05:30 -0700 >> Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007348 >> >> 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..." /*"Or perhaps as a serious distraction. It would be possible for myself, and Dragon's Bane II to -demand- that the rod be turned over to us, in order to prevent us from attacking. When we are then attacked it would be possible for us to disable without killing, our attackers. Making it seem that we are exerting our selves to our maximum. With such excitement afoot, the stealth team might more easily manage to remain unnoticed."*/ Aurora offers. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:06:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 03:51:14 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007522 >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."/ /*"If you wish, I can arrange for several -crackpot eccentric- inventors to -invent- suitable replacements. The technology is not difficult, if you know how, and is easily within the capabilities of a number of the races of the Matrix Cosm. I need merely assign a few lesser Starspawn to the -task- for a short time."*/ Aurora offers. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:36:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:11:09 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007523 Peter Eng wrote: >"And you're more inconspicuous than most of the people in this group. >A trained fighter could read my power level, and judge me to be a >threat. Any mage could see Harlock coming. And Aurora...let's not get >started." Harlock suddenly flashes an evil grin. "Any mage, you say? And what if I were to do this?" He pulls a brooch out of one of his belt pouches and pins it on. To all outward appearances, nothing changes, but to mage sight, the Bard has just ceased to exist. He removes the brooch and puts it back into a belt pouch. "I'll admit, I don't like using that little toy. It has some...unfortunate side effects. If I truly wanted to go dead to magic detectors, I could also pull my TSM armor out of the tesseract and wear it, leaving my toys in the tesseract. I don't like wearing the armor, either. You'd think that they could design something marginally comfortable, given three centuries of exo-suit engineering to work from..." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:36:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:11:24 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007524 >Nemisis wrote: > >>brooding thought, he looks back up. "Nemisis? If I understand >>correctly, you are capable of splitting parts of your consciousness >>off to different points in the Matrix Cosm? How many of these >>'splits' can you maintain? Regardless, I intend to be in on this >>portion of the adventure." The Bard heaves a dramatic sigh and >>continues: "Would that I could travel with all three groups, for >>ballads are best written from personal knowledge." > >"I am not limited to the Matrix Cosm, > I currently have Splits in several other Universes." > >"I have not yet found a true Limit, > However more than a few hundred nodes of shared consciousness, and > It becomes Impossible to communicate with, > Anything resembling a Mortal Mind... > Difficulties arise far sooner." > >"More typically, > I maintain no more than a dozen nodes of shared consciousness, > With any others having, > A Task List, A Set of Problem Solvers, and optionally a Persona. > I am able to oversee their operations at will, and > I then review and integrate their new data in detail on > retrieval." Harlock appears to think for a few seconds, then replies. "So if I understand the situation correctly, you could place one of your splits within each of the switching centers of the realm controlled by the Ansible Guild? I'm debating whether a coordinated strike would be best, or a slow spread through the system. The first would likely cause the public to lose faith faster, not to mention denying the Ansible Guild a chance to anticipate our tactics. The second, by contrast, would be slower, but could be attributed to a virus rather than a deliberate assault. With the proper preparation, I could work either one." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:34:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: House Phoenix/Greywolf On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 05:12:39 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007525 >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007473 > >In a message dated 10/6/99 11:07:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >ljwolfe writes: > >> /"Someone I don't know yet, I'd imagine,"/ Roland replies coolly. >>/"Maybe I'm just getting paranoid in my old age, but I'd bet a >>Slingshot that Destroyer's talons are in it somewhere. Especially if >>someone is showing more information than they should."/ >> (OOC: A Slingshot is the Champions' equivalent of a Quinjet, what >>the Avengers use.) > >Roger stops *dead* -- Patrons can almost see his thought processes >freeze for long moment, then start off again in high gear. >"That....That could explain a great deal. Except...if *that* were the >case, I should be dead now. Completely dead." He begis chewing the >inside of his cheek. "I have to think about this." ^You don't think for one instant, that I would allow one of The Stardragon's friends to be killed do you? Not likely. Not when a simple twist of space-time can blunt the attack. But don't count on it. There will be times that I can do nothing. So be more careful.^ Oracle's "voice" tells Roger. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 03:03:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 06:01:35 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007526 >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007513 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 >> >>>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:24:22 EDT >>>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007444 >>> >>>"They are not considering it. They have decided. If the CAoL goes >>>into a particular place, they will force you out by any means >>>necessary." Scott's eyes vanish while he speaks the last sentence; >>>Osborne blinks, and the eyes are once more blue. "There is a battle >>>happening on the far edges of Matrix Cosm, and we have the bad luck >>>to have to walk through the middle of it. But I will get to that >>>later." >> >> /"Have they now,"/ Roland comments quietly. /"If there isn't a >>Fuzzy artifact in there, there's no reason to bother them. If there >>is...well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."/ Privately, >>to Aurora and Nemo, he adds, ^Which doesn't mean we can't start >>preparing for it. I'd like you two to come up with some plans on >>that regard; I don't like that 'by any means necessary' bit, and I >>like threats even less.^ > >/My first thought is to find out if that universe's laws allow a >"time stop". It's difficult to interfere with actions that take >*zero* time in your reference frame./ /It is also VERY difficult to deal with actions performed inside one's frame of reference, by beings outside that frame of reference. Such as acting in 3-space from 4-space/ Aurora adds. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 05:03:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 07:50:42 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007527 >On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:04:50 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007510 > >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007391 *snip* >> 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?"/ > >/*"If it did, you'd have The Stardragon here in an instant, asking >why you were making it itch. It doesn't like paradoxes. They make it >itch."*/ Aurora says with a chuckle. Legion mutters to herselves, "-Itch- I'd love it if they just made me -itch-. Antivert doesn't do a -thing- for Paradox-caused nausau... and lets not talk about the headaches." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 05:34:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 08:01:34 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007528 >On 10-07-1999 at 20:01:21 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007499 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 21:32:27 -0400 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007498 > >A Shell of liquid silver slides off as she reached for it, > A few moments later another Squirrel crawls out of the hole, > Shakes itself off, and > Starts working it's way covertly on an intercept course, > To sneek up of Mischief... *snip* >>Mischief gives Roland's cheek a lick, then looks about for that >>squirrel. > >Hiding behind a rock further allong towards the Castle Gates. > With a bit of Tail Sticking out "Flirting"... Mischief mutters to herself mentally, but is physically silent as she sneaks up on the squirrel intending to teach it Why You Don't Mess With Tails. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 05:34:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 08:06:04 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007529 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:27:04 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007507 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 21:32:27 -0400 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007498 >> >>>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >>>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007488 >>> >>>>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 08:29:51 -0400 >>>>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007460 >>>> >>>>Without warning, Legion turns and points a finger at Roger. "And >>>>DON'T say anything to me about the future. If Wrinkle doesn't get >>>>you, We Will." >>> >>> Roland looks, of all things, _amused._ /"I'd listen to her, >>>Roger. I saw her and Wrinkle together once. _He_ didn't want to >>>mess with her."/ >> >>Legion shakes her head, "That was... odd. Even for us." > > Roland looks vaguely disturbed by that, glancing over at Roger. >Legion, if she looks, can notice the minor Time Paradox spirit Tiktok >nestled in his time sense, slowly matching with it so the thing can >slowly start messing with his timing...almost an insult to a powerful >Time mage, but still dangerous at the right - ah - time. 8^) Legion stop at this, and looks at the spirit for a moment... >>> /"Legion...maybe it's this place,"/ Roland says, trying to be >>>reassuring. /"Pretty much everyone has commented how much easier >>>the stuff is to manipulate around here..."/ >> >>Legion sighs and smiles, "Hopefully that is all it is... but We >>can't ignore the possiblity that taking her with Us hasn't... >>expanded her potentials." > > /"Oh, I wasn't suggesting that,"/ Roland replies as they approach >the castle. /"Come to think of it, we should be able to find out more >concretely soon enough."/ He looks at the castle as the group >approaches it, and it's clear that some of the reality of fatherhood >is starting to sink in... Legion sighs, "Being a parent is never easy..." She drifts from Roland's side closer to Rogers. After a moment she looks TikTok dead in the eyes and politely clears her throat. She arches a brow, and gives it a polite 'I don't RECALL inviting you to tea' look with one lump of menace, not two. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 05:34:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of (C)Amber On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:55:57 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007530 >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 22:01:20 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007500 > >>>Nemo display to Eric, Roger, and any others how are interested an >>>image of a set of footprints, rather like one would use to teach >>>dance steps. They are numbered, and arranged rather oddly. The >>>first few are simple, after that, it appears as though it would be >>>increasingly difficult to 'take the next step'. There are 97 steps >>>in all. >> >>"Danger Room, >> I Think, >> Assuming it is best to follow that at a steasy pace, >> So that pacing reminders, and >> Error Indicators can be easily supplied." >> >>[OOC: This reminds me of something but it's vague, >> 'Sinanju' ? Maybe] > >Zia laughs, "Been there, done that. The Ecolitian Operation was a >success, although the patient had to die first, I'd say. Although I >enjoyed being the woman who never missed, myself, far more." > >[OOC: I DO hope that I'm recalling right - I read them back in high >school,but I still remember 'The 97th Step'; good book.] >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:46:51 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007459 >> >>>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 20:16:50 -0700 (PDT) >>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007440 >>> >>>"On the bright side, nobody's labeled the CAoL like this..." Rob >>>hands OneEye a piece of paper. A biohazard symbol has been sketched >>>on it, with the biohazard type listed as, "Callahanian Army of >>>Light." >> >>"That'd be improper labeling, lad. The sign should look like this:" >> / \ >> / 4 \ >> / \ / \ >> / 4 \ / 4 \ >> \ / \ / >> \ / * \ / >> \ * / >> \ / >>The upper asterisk is a biohazard symbol, the lower is a radiation >>trefoil. > >"Don't forget to note the Explosive hazard, while you're adding >everything to your NFPA diamond, Nemo." Zia grins. >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 10:12:00 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007455 >>>[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....?] >>You'll need it. Nemo's previously established abilities (as noted in >>another message) couldn't be a better match for these guys if I'd >>*tried*. Add Zia and they'll never know what hit them. > >[OOC: Is that a compliment on her sneakiness, or just sheer ability >to hit blind spots? Either way... BLUSH! on the TM>] >>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 09:57:24 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007458 >>>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:03 -0700 (PDT) > >right? Uhmmm, never mind...> > >>>better suited for Nemo to derail them if he'd set them up himself!> >>He pauses. >>"Hmmm, and with Zia's shadow shifting abilities...." >>/Zia? Check me on this...{..............}/ >>With that thought Nemo and Zia start "discussing" some sort of math. >>The sort that has most of the others looking dazed. > >Zia looks momentarily non-plussed, something quite rare for her, but >is so soon lost in the marvels of her beloved mathematics that she >recovers spendidly. You can't blame her - Nemo asked her to check >_him_. Think about that one a second... (grin). Hey, they are *her* abilities... And it's easier for Nemo to check with Zia than with NEMO. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 05:34:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:06:30 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007531 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:48:43 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007509 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 00:46:51 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007459 >8^(> The numbers are ratings for flammability, toxicity, and "reactivity" (ie how likely it is to go "boom" or spontaneously burst into flames or whatever). They are on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 meaning "don't worry about it", and 4 meaning "Be very, *very* worried". Anything with a triple 4 rating is the sort of thing that shipping companies want huge bonus to handle, and storage facilities want no part of. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 09:03:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 08:53:20 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007532 >On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:11:09 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007523 > >>Peter Eng wrote: >> >>"And you're more inconspicuous than most of the people in this >>group. A trained fighter could read my power level, and judge me to >>be a threat. Any mage could see Harlock coming. And Aurora...let's >>not get started." > >Harlock suddenly flashes an evil grin. "Any mage, you say? And what >if I were to do this?" He pulls a brooch out of one of his belt >pouches and pins it on. To all outward appearances, nothing changes, >but to mage sight, the Bard has just ceased to exist. He removes the >brooch and puts it back into a belt pouch. "I'll admit, I don't like >using that little toy. It has some...unfortunate side effects." "Hm. Mana disperser, or an Adept-level artifact, I assume. I forgot about those options." >If I truly wanted to go dead to magic detectors, I could also pull my >TSM armor out of the tesseract and wear it, leaving my toys in the >tesseract. I don't like wearing the armor, either. You'd think that >they could design something marginally comfortable, given three >centuries of exo-suit engineering to work from..." Rob snickers. "Harlock, have you ever heard about the concept of, "the lowest bidder gets the government contract?" ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:17 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007533 >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:45:55 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007511 > >>>distribute a version that works cheaply at lightspeed, but gets >>>more expensive for FTL linkages?" >> >>"Expensive to construct, or to operate? >> An Energy / Distance relationship?" > >Nemo grins evilly. > >"Expensive to build. Operation costs are neglible. That goes with the >'hard to trace' part. Power requirements are about like a cell phone. >For the 'difficult' ones, difficulty scales with pseudo-velocity of >propagation." > >build it is.> > >"But I'm inclined to go with the 'unlimited' design. It will have the >maximum effect in the minimum time." "I think that Fuzzy would Agree, Of Course he has stated that 'The Valid Only Purpose for Government, It to Make it Harder for Villians to Find Victims, And Get Away with it...' So His Judgment on this Topic May Be Flawed..." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:18 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007534 >On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 18:54:23 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007512 > >>On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:39 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007484 >> >>"We should be able to program the replacement, >> To slowly shift from Normal to Reversed operation, >> Like some kind of elastic conservation law catching up to them." > > Color me confused. How do you shift "slowly" from "makes >duplicates" to "destroys objects"? Making partial dupes, then >partially destroying things? [OOC: Steadly increasing frequency of Nullification, during attempts to Duplicate, Start at say 1/10 chance, it Nullifies the Original instead of Duplicating.] ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:19 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007535 >On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 03:42:53 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007521 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007349 >> >>"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..." > >/*"Or perhaps as a serious distraction. It would be possible for >myself, and Dragon's Bane II to -demand- that the rod be turned over >to us, in order to prevent us from attacking. When we are then >attacked it would be possible for us to disable without killing, our >attackers. Making it seem that we are exerting our selves to our >maximum. With such excitement afoot, the stealth team might more >easily manage to remain unnoticed."*/ Aurora offers. "Let us consider saving that, Until we see that our other distraction needs covering fire, That will be the Distribution of the New Communications Technology." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:19 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007536 >On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 03:51:14 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007522 >/*"If you wish, I can arrange for several -crackpot eccentric- >inventors to -invent- suitable replacements. The technology is not >difficult, if you know how, and is easily within the capabilities of >a number of the races of the Matrix Cosm. I need merely assign a few >lesser Starspawn to the -task- for a short time."*/ Aurora offers. "That may well be a good Idea, Not as a Replacement for Nemo's Distribution Scheme, But to Spread The Guild's Attention..." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:20 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007537 >On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:11:09 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007523 >Harlock suddenly flashes an evil grin. "Any mage, you say? And what >if I were to do this?" He pulls a brooch out of one of his belt >pouches and pins it on. To all outward appearances, nothing changes, >but to mage sight, the Bard has just ceased to exist. He removes the >brooch and puts it back into a belt pouch. "I'll admit, I don't like >using that little toy. It has some...unfortunate side effects. If I >truly wanted to go dead to magic detectors, I could also pull my TSM >armor out of the tesseract and wear it, leaving my toys in the >tesseract. I don't like wearing the armor, either. You'd think that >they could design something marginally comfortable, given three >centuries of exo-suit engineering to work from..." "I suggest you stop by the Armoury, and Request the attendants supply you with, A Form Fitting/Self Repair Upgrade, Perpetual Energy Cells, and A New Munitions Synthesis Box. There may also be other Options, You will want to discuss with them." "The Armoury is Down {Points} That Corridor, The Eighth Door on the Left..." "If you choose to do that now the attendants will direct you to the Planning Room when you are done there." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:20 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007538 >On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 01:11:24 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007524 >Harlock appears to think for a few seconds, then replies. "So if I >understand the situation correctly, you could place one of your >splits within each of the switching centers of the realm controlled >by the Ansible Guild? I'm debating whether a coordinated strike would >be best, or a slow spread through the system. The first would likely >cause the public to lose faith faster, not to mention denying the >Ansible Guild a chance to anticipate our tactics. The second, by >contrast, would be slower, but could be attributed to a virus rather >than a deliberate assault. With the proper preparation, I could work >either one." "In Theory, But FailsSafe has implied that The Ansible Guild controls, Only their Internal Switching Station, and I do not know where that is." "The Others being controlled and operated, By Governments or Corporations, Who bought the Equipment from The Ansible Guild." ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:29:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Decisions, Decisions On 10-08-1999 at 12:26:21 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007539 >On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 08:01:34 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00007528 >>>Mischief gives Roland's cheek a lick, then looks about for that >>>squirrel. >> >>Hiding behind a rock further allong towards the Castle Gates. >> With a bit of Tail Sticking out "Flirting"... > >Mischief mutters to herself mentally, but is physically silent as she >sneaks up on the squirrel intending to teach it Why You Don't Mess >With Tails. Which is where the second Squirrel is planning to Sneek up on her, Do it again, And bolt into the Castle, Shortly after entry the fact that, Somewhere in here someone is warming Catnip rubbed Salmon, Should become obvious to Kitten noses... ;) ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:36:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Command Decisions On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 17:59:54 GMT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007540 >Dr Essex actually grins a bit, "As well as can be expected after >dealing with the most aggrevating and..." He glances over at Legion, >"stimulating woman of my acquintance... The most stubborn too." > >He seems in a fairly good mood, though a faint air hangs about him, >like the aftertaste of meloncholy. "Don't mean to eb rude sir, but you seem like a nice enough fellow," He syrokes his long white beard. "so, if you don't mind my asking, why does the rest of the gang not like you?" He pauses to pet the ferret in his wizards hat. ================================= Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 14:12:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of (C)Amber On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 17:09:36 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007541 >On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 00:14:41 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007505 >Scott turns to Zia. "...Undermining you is very far from their minds; >it is the distinct hope of enough of them that Fuzzy will be remade >that the CAoL might be let through, if certain things settle down." "Aha. It's not that you're pugnacious, rude or obstreperous; it's just that you have absolutely no diplomacy or tact in your diction or phraseology, so a 'hope you suceed, and we may aid you if we're not too timid by then' comes out voiced as a 'warning' for me 'not to underestimate' your ... comrades." She shakes her head, like it's beginning to ache. "Ah. I don't get you, either. But it's okay, I'm not worried about it; you're obviously not operating from logic, to warn me as a warning to the CAoL. After all, I'm demonstrably not the CAoL, nor hold decision on the group's activites or lack thereof, so warning _me_ was not only pointless, but annoying. I'll just have to apply Sturgeon's Law to your future diatribes..." >"As to being 'green', I have little experience in this ... plane of >existence. Friendliness may be a virtue to you, but to many of Them, >it is a lesser vice." Scott pauses. "And, unfortunately, any tact I >may have is partially negated by a current situation that is a major >distraction." Scott adds, "By the way; what made you think I am a >follower of the Green Bay Packers?" Zia frowns slightly, "Logically, the first part of your statement disproves the sarcastic false ignorance that immediately follows on it's heels. No one likes a wise-ass who doesn't know when to quit. I'll take such ribbing when it's good-hearted, as when Roger says it, Scott, but you are neither my friend... nor am I inclined to call you so much as a respected acquaintance. Why don't we just agree to let bygones be bygones, and you toddle off without subjecting me to further insult?" >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:48:43 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007509 > >>On Thu, 7 Oct 1999 22:01:20 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007500 >> >>[OOC: Now I FINALLY, TRULY grok just what 'soothly norom' meant. >>This is an _attempt_ to catch back up, freely edited, spliced, >>folded, and snipped. However, I _did_ make all the effort I could to >>1) keep it short, 2) keep the who wrotes and original message marks, >>and not put anyone TOO far out of 'time-whack'. - SC] > > (OOC: "Whaaa-?" -Hawkeye (of Avengers fame 8^) What the heck is >'soothly norom?') >>>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 14:53:45 -0700 >>>Morgan and/or Roland Said > Roland blinks, confused. ^'Palm my card?' Unless you're referring >to my NOT letting Mr. Osborne in on my little strategic triage with >Aurora and Nemo - by the way, if you have any ideas on getting around >Osborne's 'colleagues,' I'm listening - I haven't the foggiest idea >what you mean. And if you don't want me leaping to your defense,^ he >adds with a slow mental grin, ^please say so now. Gentleman I may not >be, but the chivalry thing is a lot harder to kill.^ ^(laugh) Yes, that is what I meant. No, I don't mind chivalry in the way you are defining it. As for leaping to my defense, feel free. You've been quite timely about it several times 'ere this. Just remember not to be angry with me if it turns out to be a sham instead of a true 'lady in distress' situation. To warn you, or act otherwise, would severely limit my normal mode of operating.^ > >>> The two 'sides' of Roland's...er...neck threads flow back into a >>>single head. (Think the end of T2. 8^) He looks rather disoriented, >>>but otherwise unharmed. /"That was...weird."/ >> >>"Oh, _get_ your head together, Roland!" Zia 'scolds'. Then she >>cracks up again. "I've _always_ wanted to say that line to >>someone... it's so difficult to find an opportunity with an >>Immortal, however..." > > Roland manages to throw Zia a mock-frown for a moment...then >smiles wickedly as an energy duplicate of the infamous P-16 appears >in his hands... Zia's reply is only an "Eeep!" if not one so panicked as during the Tower of Terror story thread. She dives in through the door of the Castle to avoid the hail she anticipates from such a well-armed peanut thrower. >>>On 10-07-1999 at 15:26:39 >>>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007484 >>>"We should be able to program the replacement, >>> To slowly shift from Normal to Reversed operation, >>> Like some kind of elastic conservation law catching up to them." >> >>"Tanstaafl." Zia says, with the air of 'But of COURSE.' > > /"Hmm?"/ Roland looks confused. /"I think I missed something... >which artifact are you talking about now?"/ /"The Rod."/ Zia says, /"It makes things from nothing; so somewhere 'paying for it' should happen, according to the Tanstaafl hypothesis. As for the Blue Horizon and the Cosmic Engineer, I rather fancy that the Blue Horizon is sort of Frankenstein's monster while the Cosmic Engineer might be analogous to Dr. Frankenstein himself. What do you think, Nemesis, am I close enough for muddy thinking?"/ Zia nods, and looks like she has to restrain herself from trotting off to the Armory to gear up at the description of what toys one could gain access to there. "Uhm, we should probably plan first, yes." She remarks, mostly to herself, and trails along with the rest of the group. >On Fri, 8 Oct 1999 01:55:57 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007530 >> >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007500 >> >>Zia laughs, "Been there, done that. The Ecolitian Operation was a >>success, although the patient had to die first, I'd say. Although I >>enjoyed being the woman who never missed, myself, far more." >> [OOC: I DO hope that I'm recalling right - I read them back in high >>school, but I still remember 'The 97th Step'; good book.] > >"The 97th Step". Modessitt is the author of the Ecolitan books (and a >bunch of others). > >>>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 10:12:00 PST >>>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007455 >> >>[OOC: Is that a compliment on her sneakiness, or just sheer ability >>to hit blind spots? Either way... BLUSH! >royalty on the TM>] > >timelines, Zia can manipulate them.> >>>On Wed, 6 Oct 1999 09:57:24 PST >>>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007458 >>>>On Tue, 5 Oct 1999 23:25:03 -0700 (PDT) >>Zia looks momentarily non-plussed, something quite rare for her, but >>is so soon lost in the marvels of her beloved mathematics that she >>recovers spendidly. You can't blame her - Nemo asked her to check >>_him_. Think about that one a second... (grin). > >Hey, they are *her* abilities... And it's easier for Nemo to check >with Zia than with NEMO. [OOC: Gee. (rueful grin) Consider it un-swelled. Nemo is only 'using' Zia because she is 'easier than NEMO', eh? ROTFL!] =================================