Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6 Part 1 - Chapter 13 Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:41:54 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007750 OOC: I've just finished the past 900+ messages and will now catch up, hopefully with everything by tonight. >On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 23:15:03 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007110 > >>Shadow wrote: >> >>John pulls out what looks like a cell phone, then pauses in the act >>of bringing it to his ear, "Oh, Rhia, this is Harlock, Harlock this >>is Rhia." >> >>Rhia smiles, "Rhiannon Roslik. It is a pleasure to meet you." > >Bowing over Rhia's hand, Harlock kisses it lightly. "Charmed, Milady. >'Tis good to see that the land of your birth values intelligence in >both sexes." Rhia's smile grows warmer, "Where I was raised we were taught that everyone should have the opportunity to develope themselves fully, without any more difficulties than those of natural talent. Even so, few there are as gallant as yourself." To John, ^I like him.^ John turns back to Harlock, two powercells in his hand, ^Alright.^ he sends back to her with a mental shrug. To Harlock he says, "We only have the advanced version of the packs." he says somewhat apologetically. "They'll last half again as long as the older model and have a solar recharge capability, though it takes a while to fully recharge a depleted pack. Some items we don't keep in stock when they get outdated. I could have one made for you...?" John trails off, feeling a little silly for offering to make the older model pack, but chagrined that he doesn't have the exact piece of hardware he sought. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:53:45 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007751 >On Sun, 26 Sep 1999 22:57:50 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007146 > > Eric looks at the gateway dubiously, then up at Aurora. "Mm-hmm." >He shrugs. "I suppose. Just tell me one thing." He gestures at Aurora >as well. "Is...that...a Celestine?" > Roland chuckles. "I suppose, after a fashion. Her name is Aurora, >and she's a Starspawn. We're an...unusual bunch." > "I figured. You wouldn't have asked for my help if I wasn't going >to be of any use." Eric scowled. "Just as long as this isn't another >spandex brigade." > Roland almost chokes on his milkshake. "No. No, you don't have any >worries on that count." > >Morgan chuckles. "I don't think _anyone_ in the CAoL does the spandex >thing. Do they?" > > "Just me," Roland replies with a grin. "You're safe, Eric." He >leaned back into his chair. "Once the others arrive, I'm sure we'll >find out what's going on with everyone else." John walks over and introduces himself, "John Roslik, one of the members of this merry band. Over there," he gestures, "is my daughter, Rhiannon." ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:59:04 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007752 > "And with as many of the CAoL as seem to be able to arrive here, >it's time we told you why." Roland finishes his drink, then floats it >a centimeter out of his hand. The two immortals look at each other >for a moment, a mental conversation fairly obvious, then in unison, >they say happily, "We're pregnant!" > >condition is IC ONLY! :-) We are _not_ expecting IRL, and don't plan >to be in this incarnation. Dylan's enough. ;-) > > > "Thus, unsurprisingly, we propose a toast. TO LIFE!" Roland's >glass slams into the fireplace, no doubt followed by a cheer and many >other receptacles for liquid. John and Rhia's mug follow. "TO LIFE!," they cry in unison. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:12:39 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007753 >On Fri, 01 Oct 1999 19:14:31 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007222 > >>On Fri, 1 Oct 1999 07:30:43 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007218 >> >>"Oh, not really - there are also several other mind-bending >>factors." She frowns, but doesn't elaborate. "However, given what is >>usually encountered at the beginning of one of the CAoL's quests, >>the only surprising thing here is it doesn't appear to be directly >>threatening their survival. Yet." > > "You introduce me to the most interesting people," Eric says, as >dry as ever, to Roland. The FI just grins. > "Okay." Eric turns to Zia. "Let me get this straight. There's a >Dyson Sphere out there, it's a _side_effect,_ and it's not directly >threatening _yet._ But you expect it to be." In the background John can distinctly be heard to remark to Rhia, "I don't think I've ever been threatened by a Dyson Sphere before." Rhia replies, "Well, there was that Berserker..." John interrupts, "True, it was certainly large enough. But it _was_ a Berserker. They're a distinct class from other things." Rhia, a little sarcastic, "What would you count then, only _naturally_ _occurring_ Dyson spheres which for some unknown reason decide to threaten you?" John thinks a moment, "...Pretty much, yeah." ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions Found On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:18:22 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007754 >On 10-01-1999 at 21:32:26 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007225 > >=The Children of the House are Always Welcome.= > >With a Ripple of Energy the Quantum Time Stop collapses, > A Wave of 'Emotion' Spreads, > Like one of those Trans-Cosmic Statements, > Unlimited by space or time or attempts to stop it... > Roughly translated it seems like, > "Hope Transcends All Boundaries!" >Fuzzy's Staff comes off the Surface of the Sphere as > A Shimmer forms on the surface of the Sphere... John and Rhia smile. >"That is a Passwall Effect, > I Believe we are invited in..." > >The Gateway ripples again as it returns to "Normal" Operation > >"Anyone care to Join me?" > >Assuming that everyone who is going to, >Goes to and into the Sphere... They both enter the sphere. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: FuzzyHome and Questions Found On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 14:19:28 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007755 John stepped through the portal and looked around. 'So this is a Dyson sphere," he thought. He walked a little ways from the gate, enjoying the high energy level of this place. He felt incredibly relaxed after that wave of emotion, and took a seat on the ground, leaning back and closing his eyes. Inside him something held in so long he no longer realized it was being held relaxed; and slowly the incredible reserves of energy held within him suffused his being. Rhia watched the others come through, then she glanced at John and her eyebrows went up. Walking over to him she leaned down and whispered into his ear, "Your glowing to my mage sight." "What?" he said. "My mage sight. You Are Glowing. Like when you do something way beyond your limits, though your not radiating so much as just very bright." John opened his eyes and looked at his hand, "Oh. Oh yeah, I forgot all about that. It's normal." "I've never seen you do it before." "It's the energy. All the energy I can't use anymore is still here. If I don't hold it in, I can be used as a night light by those with mage sight. I had it down to where it wasn't obvious back before I went to Quaren. After that I pulled it in 'till I had it where I could be mistaken for a normal mage. Those hunting whatevers of theirs. Came for me like a starving dog at a meat shop." John shook his head. "Since then I've never let it loose. It's been centuries." John got up and, with a thought, brought it back down to 'normal'. Rhia shook her head and walked away. OOC: In Gurps terms, John can make an area the diameter of a football field into a high magic area. It was the one reason he actually managed to come out with a higher point total than Dhyrclhance. Sadly, however, his current state won't allow him to channel anywhere near that much energy. In mage terms, think of him as a walking fount of quintessence. Or chi, or whatever... that can't use it. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:00:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Hunter and The Actress On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 14:27:31 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007756 >On Mon, 4 Oct 1999 23:05:00 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007316 > >> "Try sparring," Eric replies tersely, and looks for a good place >>to work out. (OOC: Assuming he finds one...) He takes a deep breath, >>and his eyes narrow. Anyone with 'chi' senses feels the chi that >>fuels his life burn, as if he opened an artery, and it flows into a >>pattern. A harsh, brutal method, but effective; he turns into a blur >>of motion, moving from one kata to the next at about a pace of nine >>to one to the fastest unenhanced human, all in perfect coordination. > >Rob stares at this. "Zia, if I might offer a suggestion...don't spar >with him. I knew his Ler - his Chi, to use a more recognizable term - >was on a par with my Valdritkar - er, sensei's - ability, but I know >that Rose would need more effort to reach that speed. And she uses >the Psycho Whirlwind style - speed is a major component of it." Rhia, hearing this, says to Rob, "Actually, if it came down to it, I'd put my money on Zia." She smiles at Rob. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:01:11 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part II... On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 15:05:24 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007758 > 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?" John also looks at the pattern, measuring himself against it. /Go on./ Rhia sends to him, /You know you want to./ John glances at her, then takes the first step. He makes it to 86 before he trips and falls on his face. Rhia luaghs, and after a moment John does too. He stands, then bows Rhia toward the pattern, with a flourish. She gives him an amused look, as if to say 'You're challenging ME?', then steps up to it. As she takes the first few steps, there is a definite difference between her and the two previous people. Her moves are fluid, graceful. She seems as if she is dancing. As she finishes her face is flushed and her breath is a trifle quick, but she doesn't show much other outward sign of her exertion. She smiles, and John truly bows to her this time. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:01:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Conversations before a Castle with a Duchess of On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 15:23:15 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007759 >On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:48:43 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007509 > >>Zia said: >> >>>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. /Actually, I think you're being too easy on him./ John adds, /First he does his trick, then tells her he can't tell her what he did, but not to worry because she'd be unlikely to meet another who could do the same, _then_ says it's a warning that she should take more precautions with her deck, since a dozen more as or more powerful are in the area and might take exception to _us_ if we go somewhere he won't say where too early before _they_, whoever _they_ are, have finished their own little clean-up war? Yeah, OK. I think he need his curcuits checked./ >>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. PunmNOT intended.^ {snips of collated snips] >>"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?"/ /Roland, you really need to meet Heinlein./ John sends, /There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Tanstaafl./ ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 13:05:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: The Planning Room On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 16:00:37 EDT John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007760 >Nemisis said: > >Three of the Tables have Displays already open, >------------------------------------------------ >Group Three: > Artifact: The Cosmic Engineer > Direction and Timing: Unknown > Scouting Team: Nemisis, > Unknown John looks over the groups listings, "Well, I'm immune to Time Paradox, in the sense that I can't do something I haven't done and can't not do something I have. All in all, though, I'd rather go for the Cosmic Engineer. What are you doing, Ree?" "Whatever you end up doing, I'm for the Engineer," she says. ================================= Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 22:07:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Newcomer (Part Two) On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:07:42 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007765 >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007740 > >>On Fri, 15 Oct 1999 01:54:04 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007728 >> >> Seth hmms slightly and walks back over to table one, scrolling >>through the discussion regarding the 'Ansible Guild'. The faintest >>flicker of a frown graces his features. >> "If (the artifacts) somehow 'form' Fuzzy from themselves, like >>the man of dust given the breath of life, you have then ripped him >>asunder, as his parts are scattered through nine universes at the >>same time as Fuzzy is formed here. Unless we are certain they do not >>themselves go into the making of this man and can survive the >>process, we would be best served to gather the artifacts themselves >>and return them, should they survive the making, to their current >>owners." > >Rob's face blanks for a moment. Then he turns to a section of wall, >activates several windows, and begins writing up an equation on each >one. [Stupid, stupid, stupid! Didn't even think about running the >numbers, did I?] > >After a few minutes of work, he sets the computer to >number-crunching. > >When the results come up, he doesn't look happy. "Forget co-locating >the artifacts. It's possible that trying to re-combine them into >Fuzzy could result in an explosion which, depending on which theory >you subscribe to, ranges from 'nuclear device' to 'big bang.'" /*"Such a level of violence would not be a problem for me. A nuclear device is harmless to me, and I have ridden the wave front of more than one Big Bang. I actually find the latter to be very exhilarating."*/ Aurora says. ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:07:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:01:30 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007766 >Gohgei wrote: > >back to her with a mental shrug. To Harlock he says, "We only have >the advanced version of the packs." he says somewhat apologetically. >"They'll last half again as long as the older model and have a solar >recharge capability, though it takes a while to fully recharge a >depleted pack. Some items we don't keep in stock when they get >outdated. I could have one made for you...?" John trails off, feeling >a little silly for offering to make the older model pack, but >chagrined that he doesn't have the exact piece of hardware he sought. Harlock shrugs. "As long as it fits in the slot and doesn't overload the circuitry, I see no reason to complain about getting the newer model." His roguish grin flashes suddenly. "I never did understand why the lasguns had solar chargers, but the force belts didn't. Think you that my plaints to the quartermaster on that score finally bore fruit?" ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:52:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:09:27 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007767 >Gohgei wrote: >>Bowing over Rhia's hand, Harlock kisses it lightly. "Charmed, >>Milady. 'Tis good to see that the land of your birth values >>intelligence in both sexes." > >Rhia's smile grows warmer, "Where I was raised we were taught that >everyone should have the opportunity to develope themselves fully, >without any more difficulties than those of natural talent. Even so, >few there are as gallant as yourself." To John, ^I like him.^ The Bard smiles warmly. "Gallant? Nay, 'tis but a proper upbringing." His lips twitch slightly. "My mother was a woman of...strong opinions. I fear she ne'er did forgive me for leaving in the middle of harvest season." He shakes his head slightly, enough that just a hint of pointy ear peeks out from the tumbling brown curls. ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 08:05:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Newcomer (Part Two) On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 07:47:56 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007768 >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007765 > >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007740 >> >>When the results come up, he doesn't look happy. "Forget co-locating >>the artifacts. It's possible that trying to re-combine them into >>Fuzzy could result in an explosion which, depending on which theory >>you subscribe to, ranges from 'nuclear device' to 'big bang.'" > > /*"Such a level of violence would not be a problem for me. A nuclear >device is harmless to me, and I have ridden the wave front of more >than one Big Bang. I actually find the latter to be very >exhilarating."*/ Aurora says. "The other problem is that none of the theories I know of adequately explain what would happen to the artifacts. Nobody has had the courage to test the theory, so there's no way of knowing whether they would integrate or disintegrate. Or both." "However, if you feel like trying," Rob adds as he gestures at Aurora, "just let me know, so I can stand back a few universes." ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 21:05:35 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:05:39 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007770 >On Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:19:13 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007712 > >"There's a 'weapon' I've used in the past that you might find useful >because it has that same effect." > >"It appears to be a flashlight, with an odd sort of slide control for >illumination. The surprise is that that light source is a sort of >'gate'. One of a pair. The other end is set up to so that it is in >direct sunlight. You adjust the brightness by moving it towards or >away from the sun." > >"I'm sure you can appreciate the surprise factor of a flashlight that >is nothing but a 'pipe' to raw sunlight." Eric grins wickedly. "I've heard of technomancers doing something similar, though never quite on that scale. I think I'd like to see something like that..." ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 21:05:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy (Long!)(Sorrry!) On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:14:42 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007771 >On Thu, 14 Oct 1999 23:34:14 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007726 >Standing next to Lancer, a psychic(?) image of everyone's lovable >Sentinel/Lensdragon, in his, wingless, psuedo-T'Skrang guise appears >and streches out a three digited hand towards the Hunter. > >"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Dhyrclhanc the >Sentinel/Lensdragon. Since you seem to know my brother, he must have >doubtlessly mentioned something about me." "Ah, I'm sure he would have, if we had been in touch over the past few years. It's been...some time since we last met," Eric replies slowly, dubiouly, as he shakes the offered 'hand.' "It's been a while," an amused Roland agrees. >"Precisely how I got it, is still a mystery, as AFAIK, it was >supposed to have been destroyed by an usurper to the Power of the >{Oan/Maltusians} who, at least, wore the guise of one of their >previous agents." "You can't keep a good Ring down," Roland quips. "Or did you think that just stepping on it would crush the Starheart?" >"But enough about me. What about you? What do you think of me?" "I think...I need another God's Blessing," Eric says, heading for the bar. ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 21:05:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part III On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:31:14 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007772 >On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:53:45 EDT >John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007751 > >>On Sun, 26 Sep 1999 22:57:50 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007146 >> >> "I figured. You wouldn't have asked for my help if I wasn't going >>to be of any use." Eric scowled. "Just as long as this isn't another >>spandex brigade." > >John walks over and introduces himself, "John Roslik, one of the >members of this merry band. Over there," he gestures, "is my >daughter, Rhiannon." Eric nods. "John. Rhiannon." >On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 15:05:24 EDT >John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007758 > > John also looks at the pattern, measuring himself against it. /Go >on./ Rhia sends to him, /You know you want to./ John glances at her, >then takes the first step. He makes it to 86 before he trips and >falls on his face. Rhia luaghs, and after a moment John does too. He >stands, then bows Rhia toward the pattern, with a flourish. Eric almost-smiles; it takes a gutsy man to laugh at himself. > She gives him an amused look, as if to say 'You're challenging >ME?', then steps up to it. As she takes the first few steps, there is >a definite difference between her and the two previous people. Her >moves are fluid, graceful. She seems as if she is dancing. As she >finishes her face is flushed and her breath is a trifle quick, but >she doesn't show much other outward sign of her exertion. > She smiles, and John truly bows to her this time. Eric bows as well, impressed. (Sure, he did it, but he didn't do it with nearly as much grace. Almost like he fought his way through it.) ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 21:05:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE:Enter the Vampire. (was:Re: AAE:Uncommon Allies) On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:25:53 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007773 >On Fri, 14 Oct 1983 23:52:26 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007727 > > Joe wasn't sure what to make of it, but wandering these halls on his >own before had already proved fruitless, so he closed up his >trenchcoat to hide his wounds and followed.the butler. > The butler took him to anotehr door, and Joe went ahead and opened >it up. Inside were a few people atleast he had recognised as the >CAoL, so he stepped inside. > "Heya. Good ta see ya all again. I got told ya might need a bit of >help, so were would ya like me?" called out Joe, flashing a very >fangy smile. Eric raises one eyebrow the moment Joe walks in. Other than weighing him carefully, however, Eric doesn't do anything, and soon goes back to what he's doing. ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 21:34:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Splitting Attention On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 21:18:50 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007774 >On 10-14-1999 at 18:09:28 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007720 > >>On Thu, 14 Oct 1999 20:33:27 EDT >>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00007719 >> >>>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007666 >>> >>>I'm not sure if I could 'port the whole ship by myself, but with >>>the tech here increasing my volume limits shouldn't be too much of >>>an issue."/ Roland looks over at Aurora questioningly. >> >>/*"If you can identify the universe, I can send them back with no >>problem."*/ Aurora answers the un-asked question. Roland nods in thanks, though looks a little surprised. >"I do not know for Roland, > But it will take me several weeks to narrow it down, > from its near alternates... > And as I say Roland's Method may be faster." Roland looks even more surprised. /"Um...yeah. I can feel the 'resonance' of a universe, and everything with which I'm familiar carries that same resonance to some extent or another. A few minutes of 'feeling out' with my psi powers, and I should have a lock."/ Along the link, he adds, /I have to admit to being a little thrown...I'd've figured that beings like you two would have tricks like that down to a science./ >On Sat, 16 Oct 1999 17:56:36 -0700 (PDT) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007745 > >>On Sat, 16 Oct 1999 15:12:29 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007742 >> >>>On Sat, 16 Oct 1999 10:19:27 -0700 (PDT) >>>The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007741 >>> >>> /"Mandy concurs with the decision,"/ Raver commented to >>>Roland. >> >> Seth smiled toward Raver, "Again, thank you." > > A muscle jumped briefly in Raver's jaw, and she quirked an >eyebrow. "Do not thank me. Even if I objected to your...presence..., >I would still be overruled by the majority. Including my mindmate." /Don't be so sure,/ Roland sends in an almost merry tone along the link. /As long as you had a good reason, believe me, I'd listen. If your...respective points of origin...concern you, trust me, I've met some very atypical denizens of each. I'd trust most versions of Etrigan over the 'Asmodel' I've met./ >On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 15:23:15 EDT >John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007759 > >>On Thu, 07 Oct 1999 22:48:43 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007509 >> >>>Zia said: >>> >>>> 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. > >/Actually, I think you're being too easy on him./ John adds, /First >he does his trick, then tells her he can't tell her what he did, but >not to worry because she'd be unlikely to meet another who could do >the same, _then_ says it's a warning that she should take more >precautions with her deck, since a dozen more as or more powerful are >in the area and might take exception to _us_ if we go somewhere he >won't say where too early before _they_, whoever _they_ are, have >finished their own little clean-up war? Yeah, OK. I think he need his >curcuits checked./ /I know I was,/ Roland almost growls along the link, not sending to Scott if he's on the link, /but I'm as much mediator as leader in this lot. If I came down on people as hard as I wanted, every time I wanted, for things I didn't like from my limited human perspective, this group would've broken apart a while ago. Or I would've been lynched./ He smiles wryly. /As for Mr. Osborne's glitchiness, you should've seen me in Arcadia. My powers acted in an...interesting...manner./ >>>"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?"/ > >/Roland, you really need to meet Heinlein./ John sends, /There Ain't >No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Tanstaafl./ Roland chuckles across the link. /I was asking about the artifact. I may have never met Heinlein, but I was weaned on his work. I've seen many a Free Luna flag with that inscription./ Later... /"Okay, folx, I think groups have been just about settled,"/ Roland says finally, looking at the lists of folx 'signed up' for each group. /"We should get moving. I'll join-"/ Roland's mouth opens and works silently, and large gouts are torn from his energy form. Earth-9. "What the nass just hit us?" Defender asked groggily. "Nnnot surrre," Jaguar hissed, tail twiching as he leaped to the monitor screen. A few taps later, the screen came back to life. Humanoid robots filled the screen. "Mechanon," Defender whispered. One seven-foot tall version cast from a gleaming silvery alloy pointed hordes of dull gray near-duplicates in several directions. "Call UNTIL! Activate defenses!" ^Morgan, love, you okay?^ ^We're okay, dear,^ she replied, sending 'telemetry' showing that the twins were fine. Roland sighed in relief. "Quantum! Full assault with your matter control powers! Jaguar, Seeker, Solitaire, take over in here. See if you can combine your magics to attack Mechanon with powers that his science can't handle. Obsidian, you're with Quantum; Behemoth, you're with me." "What is the plan, sir?" Obsidian asked. "We're going to ram Mechanon's 'mechanical superiority' right down his sprocking throat," Defender snarled. The Dyson Sphere. /Folx,/ Roland sent across the link, his dupe fading in and out like a TV image in bad reception, /I'm going to have to go. Things just got ugly here. Nothing we can't handle.../ his image almost vanished. /...I think...but it's going to take a while. Good luck./ Roland's energy form vanishes completely. (OOC: Any offers of help will be politely declined; IC, Roland will remind them of Fuzzy, IRL, I'm trying to get my writing duties down to one character. 8^) ================================= Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 23:05:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 22:39:21 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007775 >On Thu, 14 Oct 1999 07:28:15 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007703 > > Eric gives Rio a level look, then goes back to examining the >meeting room info, pointing a thumb at a corridor. "Armory." > >Rio frowns at Eric, then looks at Roger and remembers how much of >_his_ clothing was armor-enhanced . She sighs again. "Oh, >alright." > >To Roger: ^Hang out here for a while then go get me 'armored up'?^ > >(OOC: Assuming Roger assents, that's what they do.) Rio gives Roger a brief kiss (if he's staying in the Briefing Room, or holds hands with him if he comes along), then heads out toward the armory, giving no reaction as Eric follows her. On arriving, she whistles at the extent of the available 'toys.' (OOC: From other posts, I'm assuming there's some sort of attendant here.) "Well, I guess I start with something environmental. My Life skills aren't up to keeping me breathing in a vacuum." Rio thinks a bit. "Something with as little bulk as possible, good comm system, external speakers would be nice." "Sounds good," Eric nods. "Preferably something with a recycling system and the local equivalent of kevlar. Concealable would be even better." Rio gets a wry expression. "Can you make it in tie dye?" She smiles as she's rewarded with a sigh from Eric. "Now, weapons." She looks around, then turns to Eric. "OK, Big Brother, you know more about this than I do. Suggestions?" "Hrm." Eric looks her over. "Fist-loads, for when-" "Huh?" Rio looks puzzled. "Like brass knuckles. Goes over the hands. Something that won't take anything more than the training Dad gave you in a fight." He makes fists, and his gloves suddenly sprout light-claws from the small studs on his knuckles. "Something lower-tech, mind you. Switchblades built in or somesuch, for when the tech is 'vulgar.' For high-tech, some kind of Iron Man/Buzz Lightyear stuff." When Rio rolls her eyes and sighs, he adds, "With the kind of tech this bunch has, it can probably be built right into the skinsuit, or the forcefield belt." He smiles wickedly. "Make blasters out of cheap-looking bracelets or something. Be creative." Rio frowns, then sticks her tongue out at Eric. Without paying attention to his response (or lack thereof), she asks the attendant/computer/whatever, "How about some light-chain-mail-looking handflowers with retractable blades and phasers built in?" She turns back to Eric. "Will that do?" Eric sighs. "Just remember that it's got more settings than 'stun.'" "Do I still have to carry the heater?" she asks. "The wh-_Yes,_" Eric snaps. "You ought to know better than I do how unforgiving a reality can be, even of science if it doesn't fit." "Look at who we'll be traveling with. Any reality that doesn't reject our very _presence_ as vulgar shouldn't be much of a problem." She smiles. "The Army of Light isn't exactly a low-key bunch." "Care to bet your life on it?" Rio looks about ready to say "yes", but decides not to give Eric the opening. "Anything else?" "You forgot the force field." Eric notes dryly. "I figured that would be part of the 'suit'." Eric nods. "Sounds like you're set." Rio gathers up her new toys, and the Lancers head back to the briefing room. (OOC again: This takes place before Eric and Zia's trip to the Danger Room.) ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 05:35:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 23:24:44 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007777 >On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:05:39 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007770 > >>On Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:19:13 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007712 >> >>"I'm sure you can appreciate the surprise factor of a flashlight >>that is nothing but a 'pipe' to raw sunlight." > > Eric grins wickedly. > "I've heard of technomancers doing something similar, though never >quite on that scale. I think I'd like to see something like that..." "Certainly. Any preference as to what kind of flaslight it looks like?" ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 09:53:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room, Group Two, Scouting Sets On 10-19-1999 at 09:50:47 FailSafe Said As TR.CAoL Message # 00000155 Sorry about the delay, I started thinking about how to categorize, The Realms of the Matrix Cosm by Address... I just came up for air and Realized how long you had been waiting. :( If such delays happen again "Please" feel free to nudge me... ;) >On Tue, 12 Oct 1999 19:15:34 GMT >Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007639 > >>>"I'm Traveling under my own power of course! Can't stand those >>>mechanical devices, I'm a merchant not an engineer...." He grumbles >>>to himself. >> >>"As you wish, >> Here {} are the Event-Point Coordinates, >> Of the Start Points and Last Sightings, >> Of Five groups to make the attempt..." > >OneEye studies the points, then puts down the paper. "could ya give >me a little information on the universe types these places are? You >know, the basic laws that they allow, magic level/type, science >level/type..." "OneEye, Scott, I have selected a Five incident spectrum for each of you, Both sets have one that started in the Native Cosm of, The Game of IF, Other than that they are spread out one per Available Cosm... I am supplying the range of possibles, In the hope that gaining the information we seek, will be possible from at least one of them, If you get the data from one of the early ones, Do not feel that you Must continue, Though if you choose to more data is always welcome." "TechnoMagic and Magic/Tech Hybrids work nearly everywhere..., All of Nemisis's Equipment falls into this category." "I will Quote from my earlier statement of Origin, First the One for both, then Those for OneEye, then The Ones Selected for Scott..." " Fuzzy The Journeyman Mage was assisting a Sourcerer attempt to create a synthetic Crystal Sphere in A SpellJammer Realm, When the Sourcerer Failed to speak the Final Phrase of the Spell, Due perhaps to presentiments of Disaster, Fuzzy did so, not realizing the hazard. But The Creator is inextricable part of the Created, Creating a Paradox Rupture, The Twice Born who has Never Died. This is the Native Cosm of 'The Game of IF'" "Rote Spells, ala AD&D Magic Losers, True Magic, mana field a little higher than AD&D standard, Tech up to Non-Electronic... Electronic+ Technologies require a Cantrip to enable, Duration of effectiveness inverse to complexity. Devices in operation during transit to this Cosm, Will continue to work. least discrepancy concept... That is of course in general, specific crystal Spheres may vary." "OneEye, Your start point is 1500 years BackTime, Your secondary point is 5 years later, In The Realm of Elemental Water. (More Magic, no Electronics, Enhanced Hydraulics) "Scott, Your start point is 500 years BackTime, Your secondary point is 7 years Earlier, In The Lavalight World. (UltraTech/Much Lower Magic)" ----------------------------------------------------------- " Fuzzy The Rigger was the pilot of a prototype hyper-ship using a Heisenberg Drive system. Neural interface to Positional Indetermanency triggered latent talents, Fuzzy Knew where he was While the Computer Knew What his exact energy was... This is the Native Cosm of 'The Loom of Space'." "CyberPunk + Esper Abilities, The Very latest EsperTech can achieve Magic Effects. Most Magic Requires Complex Foci/Talismans." "Start point 932 years BackTime, Second point 11 years later, In a Shadowrun Realm" -------------------- " Fuzzy the Rift Magus Thought he had developed a Catalytic Spell that Would Stabilize The Dimensional Rifts that were Tormenting His World, Using the Very Power of the RIFTS themselves. Need I say that he was wrong? This is the Native Cosm of 'The Philosophers Stone'." -------------------- " Fuzzy The test subject was used to test the Shroedinger's Cat Paradox. The researcher who wanted a Sentient subject, who could report on the phenomenon neglected to realize that the Experiment could be viewed Two ways...' This is the Native Cosm of 'The Quantum Shield'." -------------------- " Fuzzy The DreamScaper was trying to stabilize The Lathe of Heaven. When he had almost succeeded a Neuro-Physicist developed a Lathe Emulator which went out of control, With Fuzzy's help The Lathe of Heaven, was able to shut the Machine Down, At the cost of his own Life, but that universe could not survive long without The Lathe of Heaven. This is the Native Realm of 'The Eye of Heaven'." ----------------------------------------------------------- " Fuzzy The Engineer was attempting to Test An Alderson Drive in a Traveler Realm. The GravitoPhotonic Resonances resolved as a Single Eventpoint with Two Loci in Realspace. If you can visualize a superstring that connected those two points across a distance of forty parsecs, detonating in a nova like reaction, you will have some idea what happened in jumpspace... This is the Native Cosm of 'The Gauge of Infinity'." Magic/Magic>Quantum Physics.> -------------------- " Fuzzy The Techno was attempting the stabilization of a Naked Singularity, He succeeded... Loosing a Nexus of Disruption that voids Physical Laws This is the Native Cosm of 'The Cosmic Engineer'." -------------------- " Fuzzy The Technician was soldering the last connections of the USS Eldrige's Radar Invisiblity system When the Ship was hit by lightning. As a result he was integral to the Kline Bottle shape of the space/time bubble, and Electrocuted at the same instant. Was he in the universe or was it in him... This is the Native Cosm of 'The Flask of Being'." -------------------- "Fuzzy the Research Technologist for The Galactic Patrol who thought he would get a head start on the NegaSphere Project... He Built a Bergenholm variant that Achieved a Hyper-Inert State, And the Motion of the Universe around it Ripped the Fabric of Space/Time. Interestingly enough Mentor had not foreseen this. This is the Native Cosm of 'The Sextant of Time'." ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 13:01:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room, Group Two, Scouting Sets On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 19:25:12 GMT Tech Tonic Said As TR.CAoL Message # 00000156 >"OneEye, Your start point is 1500 years BackTime, > Your secondary point is 5 years later, > In The Realm of Elemental Water. > (More Magic, no Electronics, Enhanced Hydraulics) > >"Scott, Your start point is 500 years BackTime, > Your secondary point is 7 years Earlier, > In The Lavalight World. > (UltraTech/Much Lower Magic)" OneEye listens carefully to the entire thing, then breathes a very long, very controlled sigh. "As a great being ionce knew often said, I am a very simple bear, with a very simple brain. Let me see if i get this right. I'm tracking a group that went in search of the game of if, starting 1500 years backtime, in a crystal sphere univers, in the realm of water? What's the secondary point for? Could you possibly manage to translate this into english? Altough it is possible for me to be anywhere/when, I still am much in need of accurate, followable directions if i am to accomplish anything." He flickers slighly, then frowns. "Pure magic? Hmmm, no virgo then, nor OneShot, mayhap Abel?" He appears to be talking to himself. ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 13:45:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room, Group Two, Scouting Sets On 10-19-1999 at 13:43:09 FailSafe Said As TR.CAoL Message # 00000157 >On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 19:25:12 GMT >Tech Tonic Said As TR.CAoL Message # 00000156 > >OneEye listens carefully to the entire thing, then breathes a very >long, very controlled sigh. "As a great being ionce knew often said, >I am a very simple bear, with a very simple brain. Let me see if i >get this right. I'm tracking a group that went in search of the game >of if, starting 1500 years backtime, in a crystal sphere univers, in >the realm of water? What's the secondary point for? "They launched their mission 1500 years ago, At the Specified point in the Crystal Sphere Cosm, That is the Starting point, They were last seen 5 years later, At the Specified point in the Realm of Elemental Water. That is the Secondary point What their fate was is unknown, If as I suspect in all of these cases, 'The Guardians of IF' used time manipulation against them, Some where after the start point, There will be a glitch where a Paradox Resolution, was altered retroactively... Causing the Destruction of the mission, the Where, When and What of that Paradox, may give us a lead, on the location of 'The Guardians of IF'." "I do not know if you want to start your explorations from, The Point where they launched, or The Point where they were last seen." >Could you possibly manage to translate this into english? Altough it >is possible for me to be anywhere/when, I still am much in need of >accurate, followable directions if i am to accomplish anything." He >flickers slighly, then frowns. "Pure magic? Hmmm, no virgo then, nor >OneShot, mayhap Abel?" He appears to be talking to himself. "Incidentally the Tech Enabling Cantrip is {}." ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 15:05:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy (Long!)(Sorrry!) On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 14:49:50 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007781 >On Mon, 18 Oct '99 The Hunter Said > >>Dhyrclhanc Said >> >>"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Dhyrclhanc the >>Sentinel/Lensdragon. Since you seem to know my brother, he must have >>doubtlessly mentioned something about me." > > "Ah, I'm sure he would have, if we had been in touch over the past >few years. It's been...some time since we last met," Eric replies >slowly, dubiously, as he shakes the offered 'hand.' > "It's been a while," an amused Roland agrees. :^) > Arsenal? Arsenal?! ARSENAL !?!!! Bro, just you wait till you see that character sheet. You ain't seen _nothing_ yet! Muhahhaaahahahahaha! >^D >>"Precisely how I got it, is still a mystery, as AFAIK, it was >>supposed to have been destroyed by an usurper to the Power of the >>{Oan/Maltusians} who, at least,wore the guise of one of their >>previous agents." > > "You can't keep a good Ring down," Roland quips. "Or did you think >that just stepping on it would crush the Starheart?" The Sentinel/Lensdragon projection gets a forlorn look on his face and says, "Darkheart, brother dear, Darkheart" :^C >>"But enough about me. What about you? What do you think of me?" > > "I think...I need another God's Blessing," Eric says, heading for >the bar. The exhaulted ruby fire psuedo-T'Skrang projection disappears, only to be replaced by the real thing. At least the scintillating green aura has disappeared, as has the full-sized Sentinel/Lensdragon by the Fireplace. He turns to the Freelance Immortal, winks and says, while smiling, "Pity. I seem to have that kind of effect on quite a few people." ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 17:32:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room, Group Two, Scouting Sets On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 00:05:38 GMT Tech Tonic Said As TR.CAoL Message # 00000159 >"I do not know if you want to start your explorations from, > The Point where they launched, or > The Point where they were last seen." > > regards to Realm/Space/Time... > i.e. As exact a where/when, in what universe as can be.. oneeye nods to himself. "Virgo then, she'll work best. I'll start at the first point, and try to track them that way, maybe it'll work." He ripples and his robes turn a deep purple, his entire body goes feminie and his left arm shines silvery. Or should i say her? She speaks with a high seductive voice. "If that's all that is needed?" She waves her silverish hand in a small circle, and fades from view, on a mission from, well if not god, then at least Fuzzy. "Than speak on macduff" ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 23:35:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: In Dreams On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 23:26:13 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007782 Eric hates sleep. He has to do it to restore his chi, just like any mortal man, but he hates it all the same. Because, like any mortal man, he dreams... He walks through a serene, beautiful park, his wonderful Julie by his side. He stares down into her endless eyes, and she smiles back and laughs. [No. A lie. Julie...] His dress changes from T-shirt and jeans to red-and-black armor for a moment, and in the corner of his eye he catches a glimpse of a man in stylized Victorian garb and mask. He, too, wears armor, though less obvious. He nods; Eric nods back. [Grr...traitor! Monster! Don't trust him!] The Victorian disappears into the shadows; Eric's clothing returns to 'normal' and he turns his attention back to the lady at his side. She leans in close, eyes tightening, lips inviting. He bends down, stroking her hair in one hand- [NO!] A gloved hand flashes out and her head spins. There's an ugly snapping sound. "NOOOOO!" Eric leaps, lashing out; the white and blue he wore shatter, leaving all black. The Victorian-dressed attacker doesn't resist as Eric tears him apart. Laughter builds. The sun vanishes; it is night now, and the trees begin to bleed. Monsters with the bodies of men step out of the shadows, laughing. Eric starts to fight them; they are no match for the human whirlwind he's become. [Too late...] They fall, one by one at first, but soon by the dozen. All the while, a...thing...made of shadow, a thing once a man, laughs. He is not _on_ the horizon; he _is_ the horizon. Finally, though, Eric leaps, and the world blurs, and he slams into the shadow, and forces it into the shape of a man. It looks surprised, but only for a moment. It reaches out to swat him, but Eric evades. [Control. Control. No...] Eric fights like a demon, like an avenging angel, like a man possessed. The creature is unimaginably powerful, but still Eric fights. He burns chi like there is no tomorrow...and against a monster like this, that's probably true. But even so, the thing accounts him no threat-and that is its downfall as a wooden spike slams into his heart, followed by a gout of fire that drowns it in light and justice. Eric falls to his knees. "Eric?" Eric looks up, and smiles through tears; Julie! But she looks at him through her own tear-filled eyes; she is on hands and knees, and there is an iron collar around her neck, with a chain leading into the shadows. Grimly, Eric stands, fire burning around his fists. The chain leash slinks to the ground, as the hand that holds it moves forward. Eric prepares himself for battle, chi pounding through him... ...and his guard drops, jaw slack, as Eric Lancer steps out of the shadows, wearing a finely tailored suit, holding Julie's leash. The doppelganger laughs, displaying long, blooded fangs... ...and Eric wakes, gasping for breath. After a moment of thrashing in the bed, he regains his composure almost instantly. He stills his thrashing, and calmly, mechanically, he gets out of the bed, puts on his boots, glasses and longcoat, and checks his arsenal. His face is a frozen mask of professionalism. In the briefing room, Rio's eyes go distant, and she pales slightly. With Eric not used to the mini-lens, his dream was 'leaking' out over the link. She recognized Julie, and blinks back tears at what happened to the woman she had begun to see as a big sister. [Oh, Gaia,] she thinks, looking around to see if anyone else was picking up the nightmare. (OOC: I leave it up to everyone else who picks up how much of Eric's dream. It's not likely that he'll be broadcasting it 'loudly,' but 'tuning' it in could be justified.) Once all of his gear is where it belongs to his satisfaction, he opens the door and walks out, heading towards the briefing room with the same mechanical efficiency of motion and hard mask of a face that he had from the moment he regained his composure. Rio, picking up Eric's movement, jumps up and runs out into the hallway to intercept him. "Ricky?" she says, quietly. Eric raises an eyebrow at her, noticing her before he can see her, but doesn't stop until she speaks. "I was under the impression that you didn't intend to use that name. Rio." His voice is as cold and mechanical as his motion; he could be talking about the weather, or lecturing on physics. Rio smiles slightly, and reaches out to place a hand on his arm. "Eric...." she hesitates over her words, and her voice becomes even quieter. "Your dream came across on the link. I don't know who else, if anyone, saw it, but I thought you'd want to know." Eric's eyes flicker, visibly enough for the motion to be seen even behind the sunglasses, but he doesn't react otherwise, even to her hand. "Thank you. I will be more careful about mental screening in the future." He is silent for a beat. "Is there anything else?" Still emotionless. "Yes," Rio replies softly after thinking a beat herself. "I'd heard how the Hunter started down that road, and of course I know Julie was...." her eyes flickered away for a moment, then she looked back at him. "Eric, just what _did_ happen?" "She was working for that tabloid, as you'll recall," Eric explains. "Even she called it ridiculous, but she laughed and said it was 'good practice' for working with photography." He still speaks in that dead monotone, even now. "One of her 'colleagues' got a photograph of 'Darkbolt' and myself at...work. 'Darkbolt' was...a superhero, I suppose, running around in a sort of Victorian 'Phantom of the Opera' outfit; he was satisfied, however, with being an urban legend. He didn't want any press. I didn't know why at the time..." his face tightens for a moment, then the cold reserve snaps back in an instant. "I found out later that the local Ventrue council had ordered him to destroy the evidence and kill everyone familiar with it. He did it. I thought that we were just going to steal the film; who would believe their story without it, after all. Or even with it." His voice seems to lose emotion, if at all possible. It makes the telling all the more terrible. "He returned to his - our - base, and when I asked him about our plans for the film, he told me what he'd done. Just stood there and told me. I listened in shock for about a minute. I think he wanted me to understand. Then he was lying in front of me with a stake through his heart, and I realized I'd been screaming from the moment I attacked him." He sighs, a long, deep breath; even that comes out with almost no emotion. Rio stood listening to Eric's tale in silence, blinking back tears. She'd known Julie had been killed in some sort of break-in at the paper, but her 13-year-old's imagination couldn't have envisioned something so dark. "Oh, Ricky," she whispers, and impulsively hugs her brother, as much for her own comfort as his. Eric cocks his head to one side, the most emotion he's shown since waking, and moves his arms around her. It could be called a hug, technically, but he moves so stiffly that the term can hardly apply. For a moment, though, he loosens, and it's almost a real hug. Then he carefully, almost gently, disengages, and he straightens again. "It was a long time ago." "Not so long you're not getting nightmares," Rio replies. "I've had them every night since then. It's been said that one can become accustomed to anything, given time. In this case, at least, it seems to be true." His face tightens slightly, but only for a moment. "As you know, a wooden stake only paralyzes a Kindred, it does not kill one. I dragged him out into the sun. He never even tried to resist. Not that it would have done any good, but he didn't so much as roll his eyes or whisper a word. After that...you know the rest. I went to the East. I learned the ways of the Shih. I returned, and repaid the Ventrue for their...compassion. After that, I kept the peace when I could, and killed when I had to. Then Gehenna came, and the world went mad for a time, but you know that." "That's been a while," Rio comments thoughtfully. "Do you think maybe it's time to let it go?" Eric shrugs. "True, since then, I've had less to do, but the occasional Immortal Drove keeps me busy. They're tough customers, and every bit as cruel as the Sabbat. And of course, there are other creatures out there, hunting in the night. Corruption is on the run, but it's far from beaten." "That's not what I meant. You've been grieving for a long time. You need to let the wounds heal." Rio looked into her brother's eyes, as well as she could with the jade sunglasses in the way. "You didn't have anyone you could share the pain with then. You do now." This time, Eric _does_ flinch. "Even immortals and mages can't heal the dead, Rio," he says as calmly and deliberately as he can. "Only duty keeps me moving; I have my training, and the responsibility to use it. When that's not enough, the 'wounds' will finally finish me. And I look forward to that day." His voice trembles at the last, but he composes himself quickly. "I thank you for your concern. But we should rejoin the others; even with the strange tricks time plays in this place, I couldn't have gotten a full night's sleep without at least a few minutes passing." Rio smiles. "Hey, even _I_ haven't figured out how time works here, and the CAoL has a way of bending physical law like a pretzel just by their presence." (And even OOC I've given up trying to correlate what's going on with who when. ;-) She puts her hand on his arm again. "When you're ready to talk, you know where to find me." Eric nods curtly, the coldness finally beginning to melt slowly back into the wry air with which he normally carries himself. "In the meantime, we should rejoin the others." His tone says that he'll have that talk with her when pigs fly and hell freezes over. "Have they made any progress?" "Not much. Lots of discussion, and Dr. Essex and Legion have left to give her time to acclimate to the Guild's reality, but that's about it." Rio almost giggles. "They _do_ have a tendency to debate until someone or something lights a fire under them. Roland managed, somehow, but he's got his hands full back home." "Hrm. Looks like Phoenix has grown up some, then." Eric snorts. "I'm not lighting any fires under anything besides Kindred, but I want to be done with this as soon as possible." He strides the rest of the way to the briefing room, Rio beside him, though she has to hurry to keep up. When he enters, he gives the room a flat look, then goes back to standing in the shadows, slowly going from his steel-hard demeanor to his usual faux-slouch. ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 00:24:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 23:39:08 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007783 >On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 23:24:44 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007777 > >>On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:05:39 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007770 >> >> Eric grins wickedly. >> "I've heard of technomancers doing something similar, though >>never quite on that scale. I think I'd like to see something like >>that..." > >"Certainly. Any preference as to what kind of flaslight it looks >like?" "Do you know what a 'maglite' is? Small, thin device, not much bigger than a large pen. Something like that, up a sleeve, should be a nice surprise for a more arrogant Kindred..." ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 00:25:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 02:47:25 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00007784 >On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:01:30 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007766 > >Harlock shrugs. "As long as it fits in the slot and doesn't overload >the circuitry, I see no reason to complain about getting the newer >model." His roguish grin flashes suddenly. "I never did understand >why the lasguns had solar chargers, but the force belts didn't. Think >you that my plaints to the quartermaster on that score finally bore >fruit?" "More like some VIP from the rear finally got tired of having to order his aides to get him a new pack for his belt, in my experience...," John replies sardonically. ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 00:25:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: My Kung Fu, part III On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 02:54:53 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00007785 >On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 20:31:14 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007772 > >>On Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:53:45 EDT >>John and/or Rhia Said As CAoL Message # 00007751 >> >> She gives him an amused look, as if to say 'You're challenging >>ME?', then steps up to it. As she takes the first few steps, there >>is a definite difference between her and the two previous people. >>Her moves are fluid, graceful. She seems as if she is dancing. As >>she finishes her face is flushed and her breath is a trifle quick, >>but she doesn't show much other outward sign of her exertion. >> She smiles, and John truly bows to her this time. > > Eric bows as well, impressed. (Sure, he did it, but he didn't do >it with nearly as much grace. Almost like he fought his way through >it.) Rhiannon bows back to him, somewhat deeper, "To walk it cold..." She leaves the impression that she was very impressed. ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 03:35:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 03:14:13 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007787 Shadow wrote: >>solar chargers, but the force belts didn't. Think you that my >>plaints to the quartermaster on that score finally bore fruit?" > >"More like some VIP from the rear finally got tired of having to >order his aides to get him a new pack for his belt, in my >experience...," John replies sardonically. Harlock chuckles. "Aye, belike...still, you say the new pack will fit in the slot? 'Twould be greatly appreciated, sir." ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 19:04:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Splitting Attention On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 21:39:50 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007790 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007774 > > Roland looks even more surprised. /"Um...yeah. I can feel the >'resonance' of a universe, and everything with which I'm familiar >carries that same resonance to some extent or another. A few minutes >of 'feeling out' with my psi powers, and I should have a lock."/ >Along the link, he adds, /I have to admit to being a little >thrown...I'd've figured that beings like you two would have tricks >like that down to a science./ /I could track them back to their origins, but not by using their resonance. My senses go far below the level of individual universes, that is I sense The Stardragon itself. To me ALL of us are from the same place. An analogy would be trying to identify amountain by examining a particular mote of dust. For me to find their home universe, I would have to backtrack them through time. It's doable, but it's not all that feasible. If it weren't for the many universes that COULD have created exact duplicates of them I could construct a mental model of where they came from and locate it that way, but in an infinite Megaverse it is possible for MANY unverses to have produced them./ Aurora answers. ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 19:04:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: In Dreams On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 17:23:08 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007791 >On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 23:26:13 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007782 > > Eric hates sleep. He has to do it to restore his chi, just like >any mortal man, but he hates it all the same. Because, like any >mortal man, he dreams... >In the briefing room, Rio's eyes go distant, and she pales slightly. >With Eric not used to the mini-lens, his dream was 'leaking' out over >the link. > "Hrm. Looks like Phoenix has grown up some, then." Eric snorts. >"I'm not lighting any fires under anything besides Kindred, but I >want to be done with this as soon as possible." He strides the rest >of the way to the briefing room, Rio beside him, though she has to >hurry to keep up. When he enters, he gives the room a flat look, then >goes back to standing in the shadows, slowly going from his >steel-hard demeanor to his usual faux-slouch. One of the "shadows" turns out to be Nemo. He "makes himself known" by an almost imperceptoible movement so as to not startle Eric. Then, once he has Eric's attention, he speaks. "I caught your dream. At least enough to reconstruct the rest. I won't try to compare your pain with that of others. But I want you to know that there are others who understand. And that if you ever need to talk, I'll listen." "I won't say it gets easier. But given sufficient reason, it's possible to heal the wounds without forgetting them. And to continue." Nemo waits for a response or until it's obvious there won't be one. ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 19:04:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: The Planning Room On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 17:35:18 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007792 >On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 23:39:08 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007783 > >>On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 23:24:44 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007777 >> >>"Certainly. Any preference as to what kind of flaslight it looks >>like?" > > "Do you know what a 'maglite' is? Small, thin device, not much >bigger than a large pen. Something like that, up a sleeve, should be >a nice surprise for a more arrogant Kindred..." "Ah. A *mini*-maglite. Somehow you struck me as more the type for the full sized one." Nemo produces the tiny flashlight, and an object resembling a small calculator. "I assume black is a suitable color." Nemo hands Eric the "flashlight". He then holds up the calculator. "This is to program it for special circumstances. Things like wanting it to use the light of a sun other than the local one. I see no point in cluttering up the light itself with controls that would only get in the way in normal use." He hands the "calculator" to Eric. Then starts in on the light. "You'll note that the button is recessed to prevent accidental triggering. Once pushed down, if you push harder, it'll click, and you can then slide it forward or backwards to change the intensity of the light. Being so small, the adjustments are necessarily rather coarse. That's one of the things you can set with the control pad, the limits of intensity for the slide." "While this is rather stronger than a maglite, it's still possible to damage it. If the 'lens' breaks, keep your fingers away from the opening. The gate is usually in open space at the other end, so it'll be sucking air rather strongly. The loud hiss of air disappearing should be enough warning." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 01:58:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Enter the Big Guy On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 02:00:27 -0500, In alt.callahans "George Anderson" Said As CAoL Message # 00007793 After demonstrating the suit in the Danger Room, Dharma opens an Xwindow into the Staging Area and jumps into it. After landing on the floor and rolling into a standing position, you see a tall man about 20ish, with long blonde hair in a braid, wearing a black bodysuit, carrying a black backpack. Without a word, he reaches into the backpack, and places a device on his chest which sticks there as though it was made to go there. He then pulls out a calculator, punches a few buttons and the device starts glowing green. There is a bright green flash, and where Dharma once stood, there's a 7' tall suit of power armor with wide 3 toed feet, fully articulated hands and arms, and no neck area and where the head should be is what looks like one big eye although there is no iris or anything. The Big Guy (OOC: What the suit is called) is solid black with red stripes on the sides and a smiley face with a bullet hole in the head on the chest cavity. "Greetings fellow adventurers", says an Olympian voice coming from the suit itself, "Allow me the pleasure of introducing myself. I am StDharma, adventurer, Professor, weapons design and exotics, at your disposal. This is the Big Guy, the result of years of work in the field of robotics and cybernetics. It's a fully functional ExoSuit with a wide range of weapons at my disposal. There are also other systems and modules that I am planning to install into this unit once I battle test it more. It's fully automatic when I am not in it, and has several modes of travel for missions which require them, like stealth mode, flight mode and assault mode. Standard weapons are 1 chain gun/missle launcher/flamer combo on each arm, twin lightsabers for melee purposes, and a rail gun for sniper missions and blowing the hell out of a lot of things. The suit has tremendous strength and agility and is capable of performing a mulititude of tasks, including can opening and repairs when necessary. Would anyone care for a demonstration?" ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 12:04:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy (longish) On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 12:19:31 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007799 >>On Thu, 30 Sep '99 Nemisis Said >> >>>Morgan and/or Roland Said >>> >>>>Nemisis Said >>>> >>>>Nemisis puts a d12 cast of, >>>> The Stuff of the Umbra, >>>> on the table next to Roland. >>>> >>>>"What do you call this substance?" >>>> >>>>"Fuzzy infused the Staff with it during his visit to Earth 9." >>>> >>>>"Then he Used it in his battle with, >>>> That which wishes to prevent Creation from having ever occurred, >>>> I can not even begin to estimate the effect on the Staff, >>>> From its involvement in that..." >>> >>> Roland looks silent for a long moment. He holds out his hand, >>>and a pair of glasses, looking very much like some ultra-tech >>>variant of 30s Aviator goggles, appears in it. He puts them on. >>>"Mmm. I thought so. Ether." He looks back up at Nemisis. "Also >>>known as Quintessence, Gnosis, Chi, and no doubt a hundred other >>>names. The building block of creation. The primal stuff of the >>>spirit realm, which has also been dubbed the 'Umbra.' IMO the >>>height of irony, naming the astral and spirit realms 'shadow.' The >>>energy - Immaculum, my people call it - infuses all material >>>existence, but as I understand it the Umbra is _made_ of this >>>stuff." He frowns. "Not only is that dodecahedron a ludicrous >>>amount of Ether, pure and solidified as it is - think E=MC(2) at >>>100% efficiency, and it starts to approach the power involved - it >>>carries _resonance._ Powerful emotion or thought affects it. That, >>>it is believed, is how the mages of my world affect reality...by >>>altering the very fabric of existence. "So in other words, brother, it's 'Tass'" says the Sentinel/Lensdragon, adding his $.02. >>> "So I can barely begin to guess how it affects the staff myself. >>>If it resonates with Fuzzy's essence, it could act as a beacon >>>right to him. Or it could _be_ him. Or it might blast the mind of >>>anyone touching it with the memory of recreating the metaverse. Or >>>it might not have Fuzzy's resonance, but Malice's." Roland >>>swallows, and drinks due to a dry throat. "That would be >>>exceedingly bad." Dhyrclhanc looks decidedly unhappy about this possible turn of events, and so turns around and orders another double-scotch from the pervirbial Mick of Time. >>Nemisis listens intently, >> then Responds. >> >>"That dodecahedron contains, >> Perhaps 10% of the amount Fuzzy infused his Staff with, >> Though how much is left in it, >> Is Unknown..." >> >>"Given Lord Fuzzy's habits as to, >> Protecting his 'Working' implements from outside influences, >> That last thought seems Very Unlikely." Hearing *this* Dhyrclhanc's kittens his drink Expertly getting a fine coating of Bushmills all over the wooden floor infront of, and beneath, him. To which he quietly mutters "scooze me" and, after a few moments, withdraws what looks like a wet-dry Dustbuster(tm) from his voluminous Anla'Shok robes and proceeds to clean up the sprayed booze. A little Later... In a darkened corner, Dhyrclhanc strikes up a conversation with the present Nemisis split. "Excuse me, 'Grandmother', but if I am to understand what's going on in the fiction on the other side of that Tech Gate. You've found possible proof of the existance of the Fuzzy that myself and the rest of the CAoL knew before the reset?" (assuming an affirmative, although Nemisis' response can be inserted here) "The reason that I had hoped to come here, although not this immediately, was that my polling of the Nobles of the Elemental Courts hadn't turned up any sign of his {spirit/soul} in either the Outer or Inner Planes of Existance." (The above, as well as the surrounding, and leading, events on Quarren II, will now be downloaded as a "zip" file, bundled with the requisite decompression applet, into the CAoL link) "And forgive me for asking, especialy if it is considered impolite, but are you Nemisis-Prime?" If, by this point, there are multiple "Dhyrclhancai" wandering about the Place, then just consider that the Big Guy (tm) is fooling around with Correspondance and Time, again. ;^) ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 17:04:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 18:50:27 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007805 At some point, the Robinsons slipped out of the planning room for the armory, at Don's request, leaving Robot and Smith behind to listen and inform them of anything new. After some discussion with the attendants, they each came out with an armload of gear and found a danger room in which to practice with it. "Let's see," Will said, scrolling though the list of opponents, "This room can create several thousand different types of virtual opponents... at least in the general catagory... wonder what Borg are?" "Can it just give us a simple target range?" Don asked, apparently having hit his limit for being impressed today. Will tapped a few selections and the doors slid open on a sunny field. "How's this?" Don looked in the room and nodded, "Standard target range for military training. A bit old fashioned even." Will nodded, "Circa 1960, the thing said," entering the 'room' with the rest of the family close behind. "Alright," Don said, "Let's get started. Will, you want to run over the new pistols?" Will nodded. "The pistols in your hip holsters are designed just like ours, the trigger on the grip is for firing, there's no safety, though, or not one like we're used to. The grip is the safety. You have to be holding the pistol properly for it to fire. This way if you drop it, it doesn't go off. There's a set of controls on the top to adjust the settings. There are five. Light stun, heavy stun, light kill, heavy kill, continuous beam." Maureen looked puzzled, "Light kill and heavy kill?" Will nodded, "Light kill is like a bullet, you can kill with it if you hit the right spot. Heavy kill is like a cannonball. If you hit with that, your target is probably dead. But that's still not a guarentee. If you hit an extremety, you can take it off without killing them." Don said, "Right. In the Civil War, cannonballs could take off hands. But you could survive that. Therefore, don't assume just because it was set heavy kill that your opponent will be dead immediately from the wound. Okay, everyone take a stance facing the targets and we'll go over the right way to fire these things and you can see what they do." "Hang on a second," Will said then, "Computer, create a live target able to duplicate human responses thirty feet from my current position on the target range." A figure in green combat fatigues appeared on the range, standing at ease. Will withdrew his holster and aimed. He bit his lip. "Computer, make the target less realistic in appearance." The computer complied and the target took on a more computer generated, pixelated appearance. Will nodded. "Thank you. Guy looked too real for my tastes. Okay, light stun." Don grinned as Will fired. The pixel private fell over, but got up a minute later. "Here's heavy stun," Will fired again, the target falling, this time for five minutes. "End live target demonstration," Will turned to the targets at the end of the field. "Light kill," He proceeded to put a quarter-inch diameter hole through the center of the wood target at the 50 foot mark. "Heavy kill." The target expanded the hole to twelve inches in diameter. Will made the final switch, announcing, "Cutting beam," then sliced the top half of the target off over the next five seconds. Will holstered the pistol and snapped the flap over it. Don nodded, "Alright, everyone give it a shot." After target practice, they went over the space suits with included forcefields, creating a space simulation environment for that, then called for an attendant. They found some rooms for themselves, freshened up, and, on Penny's impulse, changed out of their normal jumpsuits for regular attire created by the wardrobe that was, generally, more in tune with the more casual members of the Callahanians. Will, Major West, and Penny reentered the planning room, all three having decided on jeans, white t-shirts and work boots, Will adopting a denim jacket, Don, a flannel jacket, and Penny just a light-weight cotton shirt. "Thanks for waiting, Doctor Smith, Robot," Penny said, "We've found a place Robot can recharge and you can freshen up and get something to eat." She added with a slight smile, "Earth-grown food, even." Smith blinked, "Earth-grown?" This was the magic word for the 'good doctor'. "Lead on, dear girl, lead on." He said happily, glanced back at Robot, "Come along, you lumbering lump of lead." Don waited until he was sure they were out of earshot, then said, "I'm afraid I need to impose a bit further on all of your hospitality. Can you see to it that Smith is pleasantly preoccupied while we come and go? Some good food, music and a few attendants should do it. "He's..." and here Major West struggled for a word, "not dangerous intentionally... anymore, at least, but in need of a babysitter. Especially here. As we're all going to be likely trading off on portions of this scavenger hunt, it'd be good to know, just in case, that if we are somehow all needed, he's still safely out of the way. We can do it if we need to, but it would be one less worry." After that is settled one way or another, Major West turned to Stranger and nodded in agreement with his remarks. "Getting started sounds like a good idea. What sort of scouting did you have in mind? If it's up my alley, I'd like Will and I to go along, but well, listening to this bunch, I don't guarentee that my idea of scouting is yours." After things got clarified, Major West looked at the group going on the (possible) Blue Horizon. "While we're at it, if I'm directing this bunch, I'd like to get a pecking order out of the way first." Glancing at Stranger, he said, "You're more familiar with this group than me, I want you as a second. If something happens to me, try and salvage the mission if it looks possible. And if I'm not exploiting a talent I don't know about, tell me. "That last part goes for everyone though, if a situation arises that suits a special skill of yours, let me know. Just remember, I've got last word on the subject. Debate's good sometimes, but not in combat." Don then turned to Eric, "You're third. Your sole job is to get everyone out alive if something happens to the two of us. At that point, with such a small group, you're probably going to need every last man," the major then glanced at Rio, "...Person, rather, to do it. You mentioned you'd handled that position before, so this shouldn't be new territory for you." The major glanced around, "If there are no questions, let's get going." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 19:51:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Re: AAE VI: The Search For Fuzzy (longish) On 10-21-1999 at 19:49:01 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007807 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 12:19:31 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007799 > >>>On Thu, 30 Sep '99 Nemisis Said >>> >>>>Morgan and/or Roland Said >>>> >>>> "So I can barely begin to guess how it affects the staff >>>>myself. If it resonates with Fuzzy's essence, it could act as a >>>>beacon right to him. Or it could _be_ him. Or it might blast the >>>>mind of anyone touching it with the memory of recreating the >>>>metaverse. Or it might not have Fuzzy's resonance, but Malice's." >>>>Roland swallows, and drinks due to a dry throat. "That would be >>>>exceedingly bad." > >Dhyrclhanc looks decidedly unhappy about this possible turn of >events, and so turns around and orders another double-scotch from the >pervirbial Mick of Time. >>>Nemisis listens intently, >>> then Responds. >>> >>>"That dodecahedron contains, >>> Perhaps 10% of the amount Fuzzy infused his Staff with, >>> Though how much is left in it, >>> Is Unknown..." >>> >>>"Given Lord Fuzzy's habits as to, >>> Protecting his 'Working' implements from outside influences, >>> That last thought seems Very Unlikely." > >Hearing *this* Dhyrclhanc's kittens his drink >In a darkened corner, Dhyrclhanc strikes up a conversation with the >present Nemisis split. > >"Excuse me, 'Grandmother', but if I am to understand what's going on >in the fiction on the other side of that Tech Gate. You've >found possible proof of the existance of the Fuzzy that myself and >the rest of the CAoL knew before the reset?" > >(assuming an affirmative, although Nemisis' response can be inserted >here) "I believe that to be the case, But at this time I am not sure, That is part of why I was seeking advice, Before attempting to touch The Staff." >"The reason that I had hoped to come here, although not this >immediately, was that my polling of the Nobles of the Elemental >Courts hadn't turned up any sign of his {spirit/soul} in either the >Outer or Inner Planes of Existance." > >(The above, as well as the surrounding, and leading, events on >Quarren II, will now be downloaded as a "zip" file, bundled with the >requisite decompression applet, into the CAoL link) "And forgive me for asking, especialy if it is considered impolite, >but are you Nemisis-Prime?" "There are Two ways that Question could be taken, Neither of which is offensive in this context. I am not necessarily Unique in the Multiverse, However given that my Creator Was, An exact match is highly unlikely. The Quantum-NegaBands are also not Necessarily Unique, However the development of them required, The Influences of several of our Unique Members, and Myself a Definably Rare Creation, Making them even more 'Rare' than myself. For the forseeable future only my Core Self will be carrying them, Even then They have been Command restricted, So that an extra step is required to access their Full powers. To prevent accidental over-reaction induced disasters... Given the Scope of their Base Capabilities, I do not intend to distribute, Unlimited examples of their Technology, and I have learned that even Limited examples may be dangerous, Given the Not Un-Welcome, Existence of my GrandChildren, Prior to my achieving reproductive maturity... There are many worlds where attempting to develop, one or another of the aspects of the base Technologies, That made my Creation possible, Carries a mandatory Death sentence without appeal. My GrandChildren are Good People, It was deliberately made difficult for them to be otherwise, That is no assurance that mistakes can not happen..." =================================