Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6d
                    The Flask of Being - Chapter 1

Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 09:37:27 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AAE6d: Opening

On Tue, 21 Mar 2000 11:29:52 EST
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008305

>In a message dated 3/21/00 1:07:46 AM Pacific Standard Time,
>harlock writes:
>
>Harlock steps into Fuzzy's castle, a bemused expression on his face
>and a package under one arm. He strolls along the corridors until he
>reaches the planning room, then places the package on the table. In
>answer to questioning looks from Nemisis and Nemo, he speaks.
>
>"As I arrived in the realm where we thought the Gauge of Infinity was
>to be found, a man approached me, asking if I were Harlock. I did not
>think to deny the fact, so he had me sign a receipt and handed me
>this package."
>
>Within the package lies the Gauge of Infinity, along with a note
>which reads "Compliments of the Guardians of IF."
>
>"I will be honing my skills in a holo-deck until such time as another
>team is assembled." With that, he shakes his head slowly and heads
>off to one of the holo-decks.

<comic book panel>...Twelve Hours Later...</comic book panel>

"Well, I suppose it's time," Scott thinks aloud, turning to the
computer. "Computer, please announce the following..."

A voice announces, across the castle, "Will all individuals not
engaged in the search for the The Sextant of Time please come to the
briefing room."
=================================
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 12:37:52 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Tue, 21 Mar 2000 20:24:54 GMT
Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008306

>A voice announces, across the castle, "Will all individuals not
>engaged in the search for the The Sextant of Time please come to the
>briefing room."

OnEye jerks awakw from his little nap at that anouncment. "Briefing
Room? Oh thats this way...." He makes his way there, rubbing sleep
from his eye. "So whats goin on?"
=================================
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 17:39:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Tue, 21 Mar 2000 16:45:14 -0800
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008307

>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008305
>
>A voice announces, across the castle, "Will all individuals not
>engaged in the search for the The Sextant of Time please come to the
>briefing room."

Aurora appears in the briefing room in her humanoid form (only 6 feet
tall this time).
=================================
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 00:07:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Tue, 21 Mar 2000 23:38:45 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008308

>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008305
>
>A voice announces, across the castle, "Will all individuals not
>engaged in the search for the The Sextant of Time please come to the
>briefing room."

Rob is in the kitchen again, this time pouring a brownish substance
over some noodles.

"Damn. I'll have to soak the blender and hope that I can clean it up
when I get back." Scooping up a plate of the noodles, he pours a glass
of milk and walks to the briefing room.

Once there, he settles down to eat, and waits for the last arrivals.
=================================
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 01:08:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 03:36:06 EST
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008309

>In a message dated 3/22/00 12:07:54 AM Pacific Standard Time,
>peng writes:
>
>Rob is in the kitchen again, this time pouring a brownish substance
>over some noodles.
>
>"Damn. I'll have to soak the blender and hope that I can clean it up
>when I get back." Scooping up a plate of the noodles, he pours a
>glass of milk and walks to the briefing room.
>
>Once there, he settles down to eat, and waits for the last arrivals.

Scott mutters, "No need to particularly hurry, it's more a case of
hurry up in order to wait; I really don't want you guys wandering off
again. I'll explain when everybody who's going to get here does." He
blinks. "I think the castle is now cleaning up after you. Efficient
place, this." With that, Scott walks over, and sits by Rob.

"So, where'd you learn those fighting techniques? The only other
person I've ever seen fighting like that was in one of those
cross-dimentional fighting tournaments that pop up every now and
again..."
=================================
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 01:09:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 03:47:12 EST
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008310

>In a message dated 3/21/00 5:39:44 PM Pacific Standard Time,
>adane1 writes:
>
>Aurora appears in the briefing room in her humanoid form (only 6 feet
>tall this time).

Scott turns to the Star Spawn, and bows. "I'm deeply sorry, but this
task is not in need of your services, thank you. You would be a severe
liability where we're going. If I might make a suggestion, The Sextant
of Time is in rather bad need of immediate recovery. Mayhaps your
attention would best be turned towards that pursuit."
=================================
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 05:05:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 04:51:45 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008311

>On Tue, 21 Mar 2000 11:29:52 EST
>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008305
>
>A voice announces, across the castle, "Will all individuals not
>engaged in the search for the The Sextant of Time please come to the
>briefing room."

Harlock looks up from his latest attempt at 97(?) Steps and promptly
trips over his holographic partner. [I really should know better than
to let myself be distracted in the middle of an exercise...]
"Computer, end program, saving changes as 'Harlock mellon.'"

"Acknowledged."

The Bard makes his way to the planning room, rubbing his hip
occasionally as it reminds him how often he's fallen down in the past
three hours.
=================================
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 08:08:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 08:00:45 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008312

>On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 03:36:06 EST
>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008309
>
>"So, where'd you learn those fighting techniques? The only other
>person I've ever seen fighting like that was in one of those
>cross-dimensional fighting tournaments that pop up every now and
>again..."

Rob looks up from his spaghetti.

"I learned the basics in one dimension, then studied advanced
technique in a second dimension, and I've been working to improve my
form and abilities ever since. I suppose I am a cross-dimensional
fighting tournament, although it's obviously a multiple-elimination or
round-robin format."

Pausing to take a drink of milk, he continues, "I've lost my share of
fights, but not when I used every trick in my book. Only when I went
with nothing but my Ler. In no-holds-barred fights, I've ended up
ahead after the third round every time. Although I admit to skipping
on the tournament where the top three contestants were named Rice,
Shorts, and Flute."

"Watching that one made me happy that the cameras were using telephoto
lenses, and that I was sitting a few miles away. Collateral damage
like you wouldn't believe - not from humans using Chi powers, anyway."

Rob takes a mouthful of spaghetti, and sits back to enjoy the flavor.
=================================
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 16:37:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d - AAE6B: Opening gambit Queen to Kings Knight 1

On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 16:43:18 -0800
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008315

>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008310
>
>Scott turns to the Star Spawn, and bows. "I'm deeply sorry, but this
>task is not in need of your services, thank you. You would be a
>severe liability where we're going. If I might make a suggestion, The
>Sextant of Time is in rather bad need of immediate recovery. Mayhaps
>your attention would best be turned towards that pursuit."

/*"I suspect you are correct. I will keep my Gage of Infinity people
working to provide a replacement for it, since rapid communications is
essential to a peacefull expansion of any civilization. It is also
essential for a civilization to be able to defend itself"*/ Aurora
answers. That said, she vanishes to reappear in the home cosm of
Mentor, in space just outside the outermost screens of Arisia.
*Mentor, if you will indulge me, it will be faster for me to gain the
information about this particular cosm from you, than for me to build
up a visualization of it from scratch.* She beams into Arisian space.
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 00:37:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 00:24:51 -0800 (PST)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008323

>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008308
>
>"Damn. I'll have to soak the blender and hope that I can clean it up
>when I get back." Scooping up a plate of the noodles, he pours a
>glass of milk and walks to the briefing room.
>
>Once there, he settles down to eat, and waits for the last arrivals.

After finishing his plate, Rob looks around. "Hm. Not enough people
for a good brainstorming session. So, should we wait for the others to
get back, or call them to see if anybody needs an extra pair of hands,
or what?"
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 01:38:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 04:19:44 EST
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008324

>On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 00:24:51 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008323
>
>After finishing his plate, Rob looks around. "Hm. Not enough people
>for a good brainstorming session. So, should we wait for the others
>to get back, or call them to see if anybody needs an extra pair of
>hands, or what?"

"I recommend waiting for more people; brainstorming isn't quite
necessary. We could both use the rest, anyway. Harlock, you willing to
sing us a song? Or shall I play a couple of recordings from my
personal collection?" Scott pulls out a few objects; a CD, with the
inscription "The Gael Force Winds' Greatest Hits '93-'07", a cassette
of "William Joel's Greatest Hits Volume 5", and a 2 inch diameter
sphere inscribed "Xe Wyte Alblume". "I'd prefer Harlock; there are
some real stinkers on the first two, and the third is not exactly easy
listening."
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 05:38:06 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 03:57:21 -0800
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008325

>On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 04:19:44 EST
>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008324
>
>"I recommend waiting for more people; brainstorming isn't quite
>necessary. We could both use the rest, anyway. Harlock, you willing
>to sing us a song? Or shall I play a couple of recordings from my
>personal collection?" Scott pulls out a few objects; a CD, with the
>inscription "The Gael Force Winds' Greatest Hits '93-'07", a cassette
>of "William Joel's Greatest Hits Volume 5", and a 2 inch diameter
>sphere inscribed "Xe Wyte Alblume". "I'd prefer Harlock; there are
>some real stinkers on the first two, and the third is not exactly
>easy listening."

Harlock smiles and pulls a mandolin out of a belt-pouch. "In my time
in the realm of Callahan's, I encountered the works of a Bard named
Leslie Fish. 'Dark and Stormy Night' is like enough to something I
encountered once..." With that, he launches into song.

<OOC: I don't remember which book has it off hand, but the lyrics are
in one of the Valdemar books (Arrow's Fall, maybe?) by Mercedes
Lackey. In point of fact, the character Leslac was named by taking
LESlie Fish and Mercedes LACkey and combining them.>
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 13:38:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 21:12:51 GMT
Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008326

>Harlock smiles and pulls a mandolin out of a belt-pouch. "In my time
>in the realm of Callahan's, I encountered the works of a Bard named
>Leslie Fish. 'Dark and Stormy Night' is like enough to something I
>encountered once..." With that, he launches into song.

Oneeye listens, nodding in time to the tune. He pulls out a small set
of panpipes and begins to accompany, quite well as a matter of fact...
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 14:39:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 14:06:32 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008327

>On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 00:24:51 -0800 (PST)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008323
>
>After finishing his plate, Rob looks around. "Hm. Not enough people
>for a good brainstorming session. So, should we wait for the others
>to get back, or call them to see if anybody needs an extra pair of
>hands, or what?"

Nemo speaks up from where he'd been sitting, unnoticed.

"Are certain there aren't enough of us present? Some of us are *very*
good at 'lurking unnoticed'.", he says, dryly.
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 16:09:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: AAE6d: Opening

On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 18:29:57 EST
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008330

>On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 14:06:32 PST
>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008327
>
>Nemo speaks up from where he'd been sitting, unnoticed.
>
>"Are certain there aren't enough of us present? Some of us are *very*
>good at 'lurking unnoticed'.", he says, dryly.

Scott blinks. "I must give you the same advice I gave Aurora; you
would probably be a severe liability where we're going." He pauses,
listening to Harlock's singing, and One-Eyes accompaniment. "And
brainstorming is not required. The task ahead of us is simple and
straightforward. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but
simple nevertheless."
=================================
Date: Fri, 05 May 2000 06:05:56 +0000
Subject: AAE 6d: Wandering off the subject

On Thu, 4 May 2000 21:43:02 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008396

Rob yawns. [I haven't been this bored in a long while. What to do,
what to do...]

"Scott - I'm going to take a walk outside. I'll be back in about two
hours."

--------------

Rob wanders through an area of rolling hills...north of the castle?
South? On the opposite side of the castle entrance, whichever way that
is in a Dyson sphere. As he comes over a hill, a circle of standing
stones comes into view.

[This looks like a nice place to rest for a few minutes.] Closing his
eyes, he 'listens' to the life around him - a small herbivore, an
insect, a flock of bird-like creatures...a blank space, coming this
way? Rob throws himself backwards, turning the motion into a
handspring, and landing in a crouch.

The robot walking up is a humanoid design, standing about eight feet
tall, with only minor differences in shape from an eight-foot human;
its feet are circular, expanding out to about the diameter of a
manhole cover at the bottom, and its legs are set wider to allow for
the extra space taken up by such large feet.

"Hello," Rob asks, "what are you?"

"Eliminator class android 1434-466/AJC. Current target: Rob Nishikawa.
Message to target: You have delayed my operations three times. I will
brook no further interference. Sincerely, Puppeteer."

"Who?"

"Message ends." The robot dashes forward, slamming a massive fist into
the turf as Rob dodges to one side. Reflexively, Rob reaches for his
Ler to create a flarefist...and gets nothing.

[Uh-oh...]

Metal fists hammer divots into the ground, crack two of the standing
stones, and topple a third, as Rob frantically tries to evade his
attacker.

[All right - what does work at the mo-uff!] The time it takes to
glance at his bracelet costs Rob a glancing blow to the leg.

[High technology? That's it? What happened to everything else?]

Quickly pulling a small flashlight out of his pocket, he points it at
one of the monoliths, and switches it on. The tractor beam hauls him
out of the way of the robot's next punch, bringing Rob to the top of
the rock.

After pulling himself up, Rob pauses to study his attacker. [Funny
that this thing isn't equipped with...]

A pair of energy weapons emerge from the robot's back, and swing up to
its shoulders.

[...never mind.]

Twin streams of blue-white energy shatter the monolith as Rob jumps
off, using his "flashlight" to turn the fall into a swing through one
of the arches. As he stands up, the robot rushes forward, the energy
weapons concealed once more.

This time, instead of dodging, Rob charges. Ducking under the first
punch, he jumps over the second. Two steps up the arm and a jump off
the shoulder, and he's running away.

[Good news: I'm not far from the castle. Bad news: I may not be close
enough.]

*ZRAP*

[Worse news: It's shooting again...]
=================================
Subject: AAE 6D: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 09:11:45 +0000

On Wed, 10 May 2000 01:55:49 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008403

As the initial attempt at briefing the team for the next mission
breaks up, Harlock heads for the library to study quantum magic a
little more. He is deep in the section on quantum divination when an
alarm klaxon sounds.

"Computer. Status report!"

"Castle resident Rob Nishikawa is approaching the castle at speed.
Passive sensors indicate directed energy bursts in his vicinity. All
residents are requested to either return to their rooms or go to
Combat Information Control."

"Is there an internal teleport system to take me to CI--C? Evidently."
The Bard heads for a holo-display of the castle and its environs.
"Hmm...the blue dot zig-zagging its way closer is presumably Rob,
which would make the white spots what? The energy bursts?"

"Correct."

"Computer, can you get a visual on the area yet?"

"Negative."

"Computer, can you identify the source of the directed energy bursts?"

"Negative. Preliminary analysis based on seismic readings suggests a
robot or android of some sort. Due to the lack of readouts from other
sensors, it must be assumed that the robot is operating under
stealth."

"And because it is coming in under stealth, guidance comps can't lock
on."

"Correct."

"And you can't lay down suppression fire without risking Rob's hide,
because of his erratic motion. Which, incidentally, is the only reason
he's still alive."

"Correct."

"No stealth system I've seen can suppress every wavelength. It's just
a question of finding which wavelength to use. Hmm...let me try
something here. Computer, display a graph indicating the EM
frequencies at which the castle's defenses can broadcast. Good. Now,
create a pointer. Good. Move the pointer along the graph so that it
covers all frequencies at least once per second. Good. The next time I
say the word 'one,' stop the pointer and start broadcasting on that
frequency." Harlock starts chanting, arcane syllables rolling off his
tongue, then he shifts into a children's choosing rhyme: "Eena, meena,
pitsa, teena. Avoo bumbarina. Isha, gosha, bumbarosha, nineteen
hundred and one."

"Sir, I must advise you that broadcasting at that frequency will
result in severe burns for Rob Nishikawa."

"I'm sure he'd rather be burned than have his head blown off. Commence
broadcast, although if it can be focused in the general area that the
robot is believed to be in, that would be best."

"Sir, I am programmed not to harm castle residents."

"Melleminafilimar...All right, let's try this. How long can Rob be
exposed to that frequency before it starts causing problems?"

"Approximately 30 seconds."

"Fine. Broadcast at that frequency for 20 seconds."

"Affirmative......Passive sensors indicate Rob Nishikawa is being
pursued by a robot of unknown origin. Hellbore missiles locked on
target. Firing."

"Heh. Much more fun to blow out the stealth system with resonance than
to just see through it."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 11 May 2000 15:42:32 +0000

On Thu, 11 May 2000 08:36:30 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008404

>>Rob N Said As CAoL Post # 00006367
>>
>>[Good news: I'm not far from the castle. Bad news: I may not be
>>close enough.]
>>
>>*ZRAP*
>>
>>[Worse news: The robot's shooting again...]
>
>Thence spake Harlock, As CAoL Message # 00008403
>
>"Negative. Preliminary analysis based on seismic readings suggests a
>robot or android of some sort. Due to the lack of readouts from other
>sensors, it must be assumed that the robot is operating under
>stealth."

(OOC: Hmm..hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense. The only reason
Rob can't sense it is because of a reality stabilizer.)

[snip]

>"Affirmative......Passive sensors indicate Rob Nishikawa is being
>pursued by a robot of unknown origin. Hellbore missiles locked on
>target. Firing."

[Target is using evasive maneuvers - analyzing for patterns.]
[Tracking.]
[Tracking.]
[Warning: Stealth system down.]
[Warning: Weapons emplacement detected.]
[ALERT! Surface-to-surface missiles fired!]
[ECM launched. One missile divert--]

The robot is engulfed in an esthetically pleasing fireball. When it
emerges, it is short one blaster, its left arm, and a fair chunk of
armor.

[Target lost. Switching to Kirlian scan.]
=================
A castle carved into a cliff is very defensible, especially
considering that the top of the cliff extends over the top of the
castle. Not that this is especially useful to somebody who jumps off
of the cliff.

[Remain calm. As long as I can get my sprocket out...]

Rob pulls a piece of metal out of his left jacket pocket.

[activate it...]

As he searches for the trigger point, his vision is suddenly blurred
by tears. Blinking rapidly, he clears the offending dust particles
from his eyes, locates the trigger, and activates the sprocket.

[...and hold still enough to let it form up, I won't go *splat*.]

This is relatively easy, since the sprocket does offer some leeway as
far as movement goes. The moment the transformation from "hunk of
junk" to "flight-capable spacesuit" is complete, Rob activates the
engines, and begins to slow the fall.

=================
[Target detected. Engaging flight mode.]
=================

[Now that I'm not going to die by impact, I need to get back up there,
and see if there's anything left of that thing. Preferably enough that
I can find out who this "Puppeteer" character is, and what I did to
annoy...him? Her? Hier?]

*BZARK* *BZARK*

[Argue the Gender Neutral Pronouns once you aren't being shot at,
mister...]

The robot, with less concern over G-forces, makes a landing in front
of the drawbridge, and locks itself in place. Using its remaining
energy weapon, it fires at Rob, apparently aware that letting him into
the castle is a Bad Idea.

"Beamsplitter!"

The arc of energy slashes through the robot's fire, scattering it, and
continues on until it nears the robot, at which point it vanishes.

[Huh? Whatever it used to cancel other abilities only works in a
certain range...Aha!]

White energy flares around Rob's hands. Bringing them together to form
an approximation of a parabolic mirror, he concentrates for a moment,
then says, "Sunbolt."

=================

[Warning: Visual lock lost.]
[ALERT! Kirlian sensors offline!]
[ALERT! All EM-frequency sensors temporarily overloaded!]
[Self-repair activated. EM sensors restored in 0:00:03.]
..
..
..
[Target not detectable on any EM frequency scan.]

=================

[A simple illusion, and a little work 'damping' my Ler, and presto -
it can't find me. On the downside, I can't move without breaking
cover. And the sunbolt is the only trick I have that won't break down
when it hits the cancellation radius.]

[Note to self: Get some high-tech weaponry.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 08:42:29 +0000

On Fri, 12 May 2000 00:37:23 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008405

>On Thu, 11 May 2000 08:36:30 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008404
>
>The robot is engulfed in an esthetically pleasing fireball. When it
>emerges, it is short one blaster, its left arm, and a fair chunk of
>armor.

"Unknown robot has been damaged, but remains functional."

"I can see that. What happened to the first Hellbore?"

"Unknown robot engaged in electronic counter-measures."

"Huh. Good design."

>A castle carved into a cliff is very defensible, especially
>considering that the top of the cliff extends over the top of the
>castle. Not that this is especially useful to somebody who jumps off
>of the cliff.

"Eh? Can Rob's quantum magery simulate a Feather Fall?"

"Direct object not in memory. Please rephrase query."

"Never mind. Can a catch field of some sort be set up?"

"Affirmative. Working..."

>[Remain calm. As long as I can get my sprocket out...]
>
>Rob pulls a piece of metal out of his left jacket pocket.

"Localized anti-gravity capture field established."

"Good. What's Big Ugly doing?"

"Subject not in memory. Please rephrase query."

*sigh* "Designate unknown robot 'Big Ugly' and give a status report."

"Big Ugly appears to be scanning the area. Big Ugly appears to have
self-repair functions, as the hole in its left side has partially
sealed."

"Great. Can we lock some laser turrets on Big Ugly, now that Rob is
out of the way?"

"Negative. All laser emplacements are built into the castle proper."

"And since we're under the cliff..."

"Affirmative."

>This is relatively easy, since the sprocket does offer some leeway as
>far as movement goes. The moment the transformation from "hunk of
>junk" to "flight-capable spacesuit" is complete, Rob activates the
>engines, and begins to slow the fall.

"What in the name of Gond is that?"

"Rob Nishikawa appears to have a collapsable spacesuit with
self-motive capacities."

"Huh. Eliminate the capture field, he obviously doesn't need it now."

"Affirmative."

>[Target detected. Engaging flight mode.]

"Status update. Big Ugly has reconfigured itself for flight capability
and is pursuing Rob Nishikawa."

"Can we fire more missiles at Big Ugly?"

"Negative."

>[Now that I'm not going to die by impact, I need to get back up
>there, and see if there's anything left of that thing. Preferably
>enough that I can find out who this "Puppeteer" character is, and
>what I did to annoy...him? Her? Hier?]
>
>*BZARK* *BZARK*

"Why not? The Gond-forsaken thing is shooting at Rob!"

"Big Ugly's electronic counter-measures are formidable. Firing
missiles at this time would be a waste of ammunition. Once a pattern
has been established, then we may fire missiles."

>The robot, with less concern over G-forces, makes a landing in front
>of the drawbridge, and locks itself in place. Using its remaining
>energy weapon, it fires at Rob, apparently aware that letting him
>into the castle is a Bad Idea.

"OK, _now_ it's in front of the castle. Can we lase it now?"

"Affirmative. Lasers locking on target now."

>"Beamsplitter!"
>
>The arc of energy slashes through the robot's fire, scattering it,
>and continues on until it nears the robot, at which point it
>vanishes.

"Attack aborted."

"Why?"

"Big Ugly appears to have an energy-nullifying ambiance. Firing lasers
into such an area would be a waste of power."

>White energy flares around Rob's hands. Bringing them together to
>form an approximation of a parabolic mirror, he concentrates for a
>moment, then says, "Sunbolt."

"Hmp. I don't think it nullifies energy. I think it has an anti-magic
shell built into it. Fire the lasers, will you?"

>[Target not detectable on any EM frequency scan.]

"Unable to comply."

"Why not?"

"Rob Nishikawa has dropped from scan. Any attempt to hit Big Ugly
might, therefore, hit Rob Nishikawa unintentionally."

>[A simple illusion, and a little work 'damping' my Ler, and presto -
>it can't find me. On the downside, I can't move without breaking
>cover. And the sunbolt is the only trick I have that won't break down
>when it hits the cancellation radius.]
>
>[Note to self: Get some high-tech weaponry.]

Harlock mutters under his breath, then pulls a small stone out of one
pouch and a large crystal out of another. [I think my True Sight Ioun
Stone will work in conjunction with the Crystal Ball...]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 23:42:10 +0000

On Fri, 12 May 2000 14:24:10 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008406

>On Thu, 11 May 2000 08:36:30 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008404
>
>[A simple illusion, and a little work 'damping' my Ler, and presto -
>it can't find me. On the downside, I can't move without breaking
>cover. And the sunbolt is the only trick I have that won't break down
>when it hits the cancellation radius.]
>
>[Note to self: Get some high-tech weaponry.]

A glowing, sparkling crytalline *something* comes into view from the
direction of the area the CAoL first arrived on"world". Anyone
monitoring that area will knowe that it is the end result of Nemo's
transformation of a rock into something else that has been ongoing
since the group headed for the castle.

It resembles nothing *anyone* has seen before, and is moving in a
cross between a random walk and a search pattern. It stops momentarily
at all sorts of objects, then continues. It now seems interested in
the robot...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 15:12:48 +0000

On Tue, 16 May 2000 08:00:03 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008407

>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008405
>
>Harlock mutters under his breath, then pulls a small stone out of one
>pouch and a large crystal out of another. [I think my True Sight Ioun
>Stone will work in conjunction with the Crystal Ball...]

[Why isn't the castle firing? They've got a clear shot...duh. They
can't see me either.]

Rob searches his pockets, but fails to come up with anything useful.

[All right, think. Quantum magic, telepathy, Ler Drit - all useless.
Food magic, use--]

Pulling gently on the magical energies, he begins to shape a spell.

[...have to be careful, or I'll fry myself...]

A six-foot long salami materializes in the grass, several yards away
from Rob's position. The robot fires in the general area of the
salami, but hits nothing.

----------------

Inside the castle, the computer notes this, but fails to see the
relevance.

----------------

[Drat. The salami has a curve to it. Something straight, think,
think...]

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008406
>
>It resembles nothing *anyone* has seen before, and is moving in a
>cross between a random walk and a search pattern. It stops
>momentarily at all sorts of objects, then continues. It now seems
>interested in the robot...

===============
Unknown lifeform approaching. Spawning analytical process.

**Lifeform appears to be silicon based.
**Lifeform appears to be non-hostile.
**Power level estimated as C1.
**Recommendation: Avoid contact unless it displays hostile intent.

Recommendation accepted. Continuing scan for primary target.

Maintaining analytical process to watch for hostility.

Processor limit of 15% alloted to sub-process.
===============

[I hope that whatever that thing is, it can handle a few shots from
EliminatorBot.]

===============
##Repair sub-process reporting: Weapon replacement complete.
##Insufficient material to replace arm. Beginning sealing process.
===============

[Great. It replaced the one zapgun with another one. Come on, straight
piece of food...ha!]

Magic swirls in another location, forming a baguette. The robot fires
again, this time winging a fly and incinerating two honeybees.

---------------------------

Inside the castle, the computer alerts Harlock.

"Sir. There is something of interest. Please observe the overlaid
mapping."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 07:13:01 +0000

On Tue, 16 May 2000 23:49:46 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008409

>On Tue, 16 May 2000 08:00:03 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008407
>
>Inside the castle, the computer alerts Harlock.
>
>"Sir. There is something of interest. Please observe the overlaid
>mapping."

Harlock, brow furrowed in concentration as he gazes into the depths of
the crystal, says nothing.

"Sir. Two items have appeared in front of the castle. They would
appear to be an attempt at triangulating a position."

Harlock glances up at the holo-tank, then peers back into the crystal.
After a moment, his eyes start flicking back and forth from the screen
to the crystal. "Right. Computer. Plot the position of the salami's
center of mass. Good. Now draw in the axis that would minimize
rotational inertia of the salami. Good. Use that axis and the baguette
to triangulate on Rob's position. Quickly, before Big Ugly gets the
same idea."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 18:42:43 +0000

On Wed, 17 May 2000 11:10:44 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008410

The crystalline entity reacts quickly to the robot's "attack" on the
salami and the baguette. If one was monitoring the right set of
"frequencies" with a *very* universal translator, a burst of energy
might be translated as "Oooo! Neat!"

It closes rapidly on the robot extruding appendages as it goes. It
stops just short of contact with the robot and the appendages are
peering down the "business end" of all exposed weapons...

And the entity will maintain this "position" relative to the robot
regardless of the robot's motion and movements.

And that hypothetical being with the translator would be "hearing":
"Do it again! Do it again!"

<OOC: *very* curious, *VERY* unafraid>
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 05:13:06 +0000

On Wed, 17 May 2000 22:06:49 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008411

>On Wed, 17 May 2000 11:10:44 PST
>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008410
>
>It closes rapidly on the robot extruding appendages as it goes. It
>stops just short of contact with the robot and the appendages are
>peering down the "business end" of all exposed weapons...

Rob smiles at this. [I don't know what it's doing, but the robot can't
be any less confused than I am.]

=================
**Analytical sub-process report: Crystalline entity interference with
weaponry judged to be non-hostile.

Query re: non-hostility.

**Primary Target Rob Nishikawa not in sight. Interference is therefore
presumed to be analogous to a) hunger b) curiosity c) close
examination.

Attempting to reposition.
=================

>And the entity will maintain this "position" relative to the robot
>regardless of the robot's motion and movements.

================
Repositioning failed.

Swiveling starboard mount.

Interference from crystalline entity has been maintained.
================

At this point, Rob stuffs his hand into his mouth to keep from
laughing, as the weaponry on the robot points in opposite directions,
and is still being blocked.

To manage this, the crystal has stretched one set of appendages out to
the point that a casual observer would be inclined to think that the
robot was trapped in a spiderweb made of strands of diamond.

>And that hypothetical being with the translator would be "hearing":
>"Do it again! Do it again!"
>
><OOC: *very* curious, *VERY* unafraid>

===============
**Sub-process recommendations:
1) Fire at minimum power, scaling up slowly, to force crystalline
   entity away. Probability of success estimated at 35%.

2) Fire at maximum power to force crystalline entity away. Probability
   of success estimated at 17%.

3) Apply physical force to displace crystalline entity. Probability of
   success estimated at 4%.

4) Attempt to locate Primary Target and engage in hand-to-hand combat.
   Probability of success estimated at 2% due to scanner interference
   from crystalline entity.
===============

The robot drops into a standby mode. If it were human, the body
language would say, "I'm thinking. And all the options suck."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 07:29:45 +0000

On Thu, 18 May 2000 00:56:52 -0500
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008412

>On Wed, 17 May 2000 22:06:49 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008411

     John Robinson maked his way into CiC. He'd adopted a pair of
sneakers, jeans, and sweatshirt, with a platinum, expandable,
watchband around his left wrist, the watch itself looked more like a
Dick Tracy two-way wrist radio. He'd managed to work out the
replicator, and having explained his desire to the computer, had had
several of the small watchs made so the family could keep in touch
with each other while each was roaming the castle.
     When the emergency had been declared, he'd hunted the girls,
Robot, and Doctor Smith down and, now that everyone was secure in
their rooms, he'd made his way to CiC to find out the situation.

>Rob smiles at this. [I don't know what it's doing, but the robot
>can't be any less confused than I am.]

     In CiC, Doctor Robinson scratchs his head as well. "Which one's
the dangerous one, and which one's in danger?"
     The computer replies, "Big Ugly is the aggressor, Rob Nishikawa
the one under attack, however, he is evading sensors. The crystalline
entity in front of Big Ugly is an unknown variable."
     "Aha, and Big Ugly is the robot?"
     "Affirmative."

>At this point, Rob stuffs his hand into his mouth to keep from
>laughing, as the weaponry on the robot points in opposite directions,
>and is still being blocked.
>
>To manage this, the crystal has stretched one set of appendages out
>to the point that a casual observer would be inclined to think that
>the robot was trapped in a spiderweb made of strands of diamond.

     "Well, whatever it is," John remarks, "It's messing with the
robot, so it can't be all bad."

>The robot drops into a standby mode. If it were human, the body
>language would say, "I'm thinking. And all the options suck."

     "Looks like there's a temporary stalemate," John muses, then
snaps his fingers. "Is there some way we can fake out the robot? Like
with one of those holodeck people? Convince it Rob is somewhere we're
sure he's not?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 10:24:57 +0000

On Thu, 18 May 2000 03:15:19 -0700
Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008413

>On Thu, 18 May 2000 00:56:52 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008412
>
>"Looks like there's a temporary stalemate," John muses, then snaps
>his fingers. "Is there some way we can fake out the robot? Like with
>one of those holodeck people? Convince it Rob is somewhere we're sure
>he's not?"

"We have insufficient data to mimic Rob's Bio-Signature at the Default
Level,
  And we do not know what sensory spectra that Automaton is using.
 Therefor the odds of a successful decoy being deployed are minimal.
  Do you wish to override the defaults and deploy regardless?"

Castle External Security System
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 17:16:39 +0000

On Thu, 18 May 2000 16:45:24 GMT
Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008415

Oneeye looks up from his nap. "If you deploy on all sprectrum levels,
then you should be able to fool it, or at the very least distract the
bugger." He goes back to sleep.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 20:36:50 +0000

On Thu, 18 May 2000 12:35:43 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008417

>On Thu, 18 May 2000 00:56:52 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008412
>
>     "Well, whatever it is," John remarks, "It's messing with the
>robot, so it can't be all bad."

Nemo speaks up.

"The crystaline entity is the end result of the matter transport and
transmutation demo I started shortly after we arrived. To use a
classical reference, it is 'Mostly harmless'."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 20:37:01 +0000

On Thu, 18 May 2000 11:52:06 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008418

>On Wed, 17 May 2000 22:06:49 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008411
>
>The robot drops into a standby mode. If it were human, the body
>language would say, "I'm thinking. And all the options suck."

If nothing happens for 13.4 minutes (100 of the time units the entity
uses), it will scan the robot with neutrino beams (sort of a 3D cat
scan).
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 03:08:05 +0000

On Thu, 18 May 2000 19:54:59 -0700
Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008420

>On Thu, 18 May 2000 16:45:24 GMT
>Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008415
>
>Oneeye looks up from his nap. "If you deploy on all sprectrum levels,
>then you should be able to fool it, or at the very least distract the
>bugger." He goes back to sleep.

"We do not have the pattern informatio about Rob,
  Which we would need to deploy on all of the spectra availible to us,
   Nor can we safely assume,
    That the Automaton's builders do not know Spectra that we do
    not..."

Castle External Security Systems.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 07:34:45 +0000

On Fri, 19 May 2000 00:24:46 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008426

>On Thu, 18 May 2000 00:56:52 -0500
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008412
>
>     John Robinson maked his way into CiC. He'd adopted a pair of
>sneakers, jeans, and sweatshirt, with a platinum, expandable,
>watchband around his left wrist, the watch itself looked more like a
>Dick Tracy two-way wrist radio. He'd managed to work out the
>replicator, and having explained his desire to the computer, had had
>several of the small watchs made so the family could keep in touch
>with each other while each was roaming the castle.
>     When the emergency had been declared, he'd hunted the girls,
>Robot, and Doctor Smith down and, now that everyone was secure in
>their rooms, he'd made his way to CiC to find out the situation.

The Bard glanced up as John entered CiC. "Dr. Robinson, right? Pull up
a chair."

>     In CiC, Doctor Robinson scratchs his head as well. "Which one's
>the dangerous one, and which one's in danger?"
>     The computer replies, "Big Ugly is the aggressor, Rob Nishikawa
>the one under attack, however, he is evading sensors. The crystalline
>entity in front of Big Ugly is an unknown variable."
>     "Aha, and Big Ugly is the robot?"
>     "Affirmative."

Harlock grins ruefully. "I'm afraid the 'Big Ugly' moniker is my
fault. At any rate, Rob has managed to pinpoint his location for us.
Note the baguette and the salami. Now the only problem is convincing
this Gibson-damned computer to do something other than make excuses
for not firing."


>     "Well, whatever it is," John remarks, "It's messing with the
>robot, so it can't be all bad."

Harlock grins. "True enough. Although from its earlier behaviour, I
rather suspect its primary motivation is curiousity, rather than
running interference for us."

>>>And that hypothetical being with the translator would be "hearing":
>>>"Do it again! Do it again!"
>>>
>>><OOC: *very* curious, *VERY* unafraid>

<OOC: A silicoid amoeba with the soul of a kender. Eek.>

>     "Looks like there's a temporary stalemate," John muses, then
>snaps his fingers. "Is there some way we can fake out the robot? Like
>with one of those holodeck people? Convince it Rob is somewhere we're
>sure he's not?"

"I doubt it," says The Bard. "After all, it managed to track Rob over
the side of a cliff somehow. Since a hologram won't show up on
anything but a visual scan..." Harlock trails off, then grins. "I, on
the other hand, might be able to do something about this." With no
further explanation, he leaves CiC, heading for the nearest room with
a window facing the drawbridge.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000 19:41:58 +0000

On Fri, 19 May 2000 19:04:23 GMT
Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008429

>"We do not have the pattern informatio about Rob,
>  Which we would need to deploy on all of the spectra availible to
>  us,
>   Nor can we safely assume,
>    That the Automaton's builders do not know Spectra that we do
>     not..."

"Well then make a bloody assumption from what ye know!" he doesn't
even open his eye. "Thrice damned machines, almost as bad as
teleporters..."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 06:11:57 +0000

On Sun, 21 May 2000 22:46:08 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008434

>The robot drops into a standby mode. If it were human, the body
>language would say, "I'm thinking. And all the options suck."

=================
Tactical analysis:
# Primary target (Rob Nishikawa) not visible on sensors.
# Interference with mission detected from two sources.
# Source 1 presumed to be based in castle, due to power requirements.
# Source 2 may be vulnerable to distraction.

Releasing final spare weapon with programming...
=================

A blaster drops to the ground, and fires once. Intrigued by this, the
crystal extends another appendage to study the weapon, which fires
again five seconds later. At this point, the robot begins moving
away...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 08:07:10 +0000

On Mon, 22 May 2000 00:47:20 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008435

>On Sun, 21 May 2000 22:46:08 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008434
>
>A blaster drops to the ground, and fires once. Intrigued by this, the
>crystal extends another appendage to study the weapon, which fires
>again five seconds later. At this point, the robot begins moving
>away...

The Bard finds a room with a window overlooking the drawbridge as the
blaster fires its second shot. [Got to get this right the first time.
All right...Rob looks like {}, walking on grass sounds like {}, Rob's
thermal pattern is {}. Now to cast the spell...]

An image of Rob slowly fades into view, obviously circling wide around
the robot, but trying to head for the castle. As soon as the robot
notices it, "Rob's" face gets a panicked look, and the image starts
sprinting toward the castle.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 22:37:41 +0000

On Mon, 22 May 2000 14:42:11 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008437

>On Sun, 21 May 2000 22:46:08 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008434
>
>A blaster drops to the ground, and fires once. Intrigued by this, the
>crystal extends another appendage to study the weapon, which fires
>again five seconds later. At this point, the robot begins moving
>away...

On the second shot the "beam" from the blaster strikes an appendage of
the crystal that was in front of the barrel. There's an interesting
light show for a moment, and when it clears the crystal has spread or
grown in front of the muzzle and has a faint glow to it. When the
*next* beam fires, (assuming the weapon has been programmed to fire at
intervals) the beam just vanishes as it hits the crystal.

Meanwhile, other filaments have more or less enwebbed the weapon. They
pulse slightly, then contract around the weapon, which "crumbles" away
as they touch it.

The main body is following the robot while this occurs. After the
first *contact* with the weapon, the robot finds itself in a "crystal
cage" of sorts, being scanned intensively.

<OOC: Is the robot an entity or a mechanism. Is it programmed, or self
aware? The answers determine whether it remains a curiosity or becomes
lunch... >
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Sat, 27 May 2000 08:07:12 +0000

On Sat, 27 May 2000 00:23:35 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008442

>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008435
>
>An image of Rob slowly fades into view, obviously circling wide
>around the robot, but trying to head for the castle. As soon as the
>robot notices it, "Rob's" face gets a panicked look, and the image
>starts sprinting toward the castle.

=================
Visual lock on primary target.
Firing.
=================

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008437
>
>The main body is following the robot while this occurs. After the
>first *contact* with the weapon, the robot finds itself in a
>"crystal cage" of sorts, being scanned intensively.

The attack on the illusion is neatly absorbed by the cage, leaving a
rather concerned robot.

=================
Fire ineffective.
**Alert - Mobility restricted.
**Alert - Unit is being subjected to intense scan.

Releasing black box.
=================

Something resembling a self-powered frisbee lifts off from the robot's
back. The frisbee glows brightly, then vanishes, just as the crystal
makes the decision to turn the robot into lunch.

As the crystal wanders on, a small area shimmers briefly, revealing
Rob. After collapsing his space suit, he heads for where the robot
was, hoping to find something useful.

"Hm. Crystal critter is a member of the Clean Plate Club." After
searching the area for a few minutes, he gives up on finding any
information on who sent the robot. He then enters the castle, stopping
at the armory for a weapon. After settling on a 25mm gyrorifle with a
folding stock, his next stop is CiC.

"Computer: Were there any detailed scans of the robot which attacked
me?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 00:38:10 +0000

On Sat, 27 May 2000 16:38:33 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008443

>On Sat, 27 May 2000 00:23:35 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008442
>
>"Computer: Were there any detailed scans of the robot which attacked
>me?"

"Suggest asking Nemo. Indications are that crystal entity scanned
robot before ingesting it. Since entity is a creation of Nemo's, he
may be able to retreive a beter scan than this unit was able to
achieve."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 05:38:32 +0000

On Mon, 29 May 2000 22:13:05 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008448

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008443
>
>"Suggest asking Nemo. Indications are that crystal entity scanned
>robot before ingesting it. Since entity is a creation of Nemo's, he
>may be able to retrieve a beter scan than this unit was able to
>achieve."

"Might work. And if Nemo can't get it, maybe I can work with it
telepathically. All I need to do is get close enough to convince it
not to eat me...I'll try Nemo first," Rob decides, thinking out loud.

[Now how do I contact him?]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 20:08:34 +0000

On Tue, 30 May 2000 12:30:51 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008449

>On Mon, 29 May 2000 22:13:05 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008448
>
>[Now how do I contact him?]

Rob jumps as a voice speaks up from behind.

"I believe you wish to speak with me?"

<I'm not feeling real wordy today. Feel free to expand the below as
you think necessary>

Discussion ensues, during which it's established that Rob is in no
danger of being eaten, as a scan would either fail to pentrate, or if
it was allow, show that unlike the robot *he* is self-aware and
sentient, which would move him out of the "food" category. Besides,
he's way too low in silicon, even though he might provide a fair
amount of energy. (can you say "empty calories", boy and girls? :-)

Nemo will offer to "introduce" Rob, or provide the most likely
"contact protocols" (such are needed since the process that created
the entity was deliberated set up with only a few fixed parameters,
and allowed to "design itself" within them).
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 06:08:33 +0000

On Tue, 30 May 2000 22:50:51 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008452

>On Tue, 30 May 2000 12:30:51 PST
>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008449
>
>"I believe you wish to speak with me?"

"Yes, I do. I wanted to find out if the crystalline whatever-it-is
managed to scan that robot, and get a copy of the scan if it did.
Preferably without having to argue with it over how edible I am."

OOC: I have trouble writing Rob's voice some days...I will _not_ try
to write somebody else...

>Discussion ensues, during which it's established that Rob is in no
>danger of being eaten, as a scan would show that unlike the robot
>*he* is self-aware and sentient, which would move him out of the
>"food" category.

"Well, that's a relief."

>Besides, he's way too low in silicon, even though he might provide a
>fair amount of energy. (can you say "empty calories", boy and girls?
>:-)

"I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or not."

>Nemo will offer to "introduce" Rob, or provide the most likely
>"contact protocols" (such are needed since the process that created
>the entity was deliberated set up with only a few fixed parameters,
>and allowed to "design itself" within them).

"Either one would work. Whatever you find most convenient. My problem
right now is finding out anything I can about where that robot came
from. I know I've ticked a few people off, but none of them go by the
nom de guerre of 'Puppeteer.'"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 15:21:23 +0000

On Wed, 31 May 2000 22:26:53 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008453

>On Tue, 30 May 2000 22:50:51 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008452
>
>>On Tue, 30 May 2000 12:30:51 PST
>>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008449
>>
>>Besides, he's way too low in silicon, even though he might provide a
>>fair amount of energy. (can you say "empty calories", boy and girls?
>>:-)
>
>"I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or not."

"What, being considered energy food bothers you?"

>"Either one would work. Whatever you find most convenient. My problem
>right now is finding out anything I can about where that robot came
>from. I know I've ticked a few people off, but none of them go by the
>nom de guerre of 'Puppeteer.'"

"Well I expect that an obviously patterned signal in one of these []
bands should attract its attention. I'd suggest bringing along some
sort of powerpack or the like that we can spare. It's always useful to
offer treats to someone you are negotiating with."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 05:35:55 +0000

On Thu, 1 Jun 2000 21:46:23 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008454

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008453
>
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008452
>>
>>"I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or not."
>
>"What, being considered energy food bothers you?"

"No, but being described as 'empty calories' is not a compliment. On
the other hand, different diets being what they are, I can't complain
too much."

>"Well I expect that an obviously patterned signal in one of these []
>bands should attract its attention. I'd suggest bringing along some
>sort of powerpack or the like that we can spare. It's always useful
>to offer treats to someone you are negotiating with."

Shortly, Rob is wandering outside the castle with a small communicator
and a battery. The communicator is set to an infinite repeat of the
tune to "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall," and the battery is a
dilithium-wafer design.

[One thing they never explained in the TV show is that a dilithium
crystal is actually a class of crystals where the base molecule is
made from two dozen silicon atoms, two lithium atoms, and a mix of
cadmium, zinc, mercury, and hydrogen filling out the rest. Then again,
none of the writers were dimension jumpers...] His train of thought is
cut short as the crystal approaches.

[Wait a minute. I forgot to ask Nemo how to communicate with this
critter...]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 23:03:27 +0000

On Fri, 2 Jun 2000 14:45:16 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008456

>On Thu, 1 Jun 2000 21:46:23 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008454
>
>[Wait a minute. I forgot to ask Nemo how to communicate with this
>critter...]

^You'll have to work that out yourself. The "language" was one of the
"open parameters" in the design spec.^

^Just treat it like any other "first contact" situtation. After all,
it *is* one, even though the "species" has only one member.^
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2000 15:33:49 +0000

On Tue, 6 Jun 2000 07:58:38 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008457

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008456
>
>^Just treat it like any other "first contact" situtation. After all,
>it *is* one, even though the "species" has only one member.^

[?! When did Nemo set up a sealed telepathy link? Worry about that
later...first contact situation. First Contact...I don't think that
they covered this one in my high school classes.]

The crystal, meanwhile, is studying Rob, starting from the waist and
working out.

[I have been _so_ lucky. No first contact problems until now. And no
clue where to begin.]

*Umm...hello? I come in peace...*

[And if I'm lucky, it understands that. For all I know, it 'talks' on
FM radio. Or maybe it's an AM listener, receiving Rush Limbaugh. Eww.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2000 22:34:50 +0000

On Tue, 6 Jun 2000 12:51:07 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008458

>On Tue, 6 Jun 2000 07:58:38 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008457
>
>[?! When did Nemo set up a sealed telepathy link? Worry about that
>later...first contact situation. First Contact...I don't think that
>they covered this one in my high school classes.]

<OOC: not "sealed", merely a "private" transmission. That is, a
"beamed" linked rather than a broadcast one.>

>The crystal, meanwhile, is studying Rob, starting from the waist and
>working out.
>
>[I have been _so_ lucky. No first contact problems until now. And no
>clue where to begin.]

Looks like your "been everywhere, done everything "attitude/reputation
just caught up with you. <eg>

>*Umm...hello? I come in peace...*
>
>[And if I'm lucky, it understands that. For all I know, it 'talks' on
>FM radio. Or maybe it's an AM listener, receiving Rush Limbaugh.
>Eww.]

*Peace? Peace _boring_*
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 06:03:53 +0000

On Tue, 6 Jun 2000 22:33:15 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008459

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008458
>
>Looks like your "been everywhere, done everything"
>attitude/reputation just caught up with you. <eg>

[But I haven't been everywhere...I still have to visit the Smithsonian
Institute. And as for done everything, I haven't been killed or cloned
yet, which puts me behind Mr. Seven. I've just been places and done
things that some of the other people here haven't.]

>*Peace? Peace _boring_*

*True. But talking is easier during peace.*

*My name/designation/identity is Rob. Do you have such a concept for
yourself?*

[Translation: I don't want to keep saying, 'Hey, you with the
prisms!']

*May I experience/receive/examine how you sense/perceive/view the
world?*

[I hope that made sense.]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 23:04:02 +0000

On Wed, 7 Jun 2000 14:22:13 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008460

>On Tue, 6 Jun 2000 22:33:15 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008459
>
>*True. But talking is easier during peace.*

*???? talk disturbs peace.*

<OOC: Fair warning (and a hint to let you write chunks of dialog for
it) I'm basing its "personality" on some Kender traits, and on Quislet
from the Legion of Super Heroes (the old one). >

>*My name/designation/identity is Rob. Do you have such a concept for
>yourself?*
>
>[Translation: I don't want to keep saying, 'Hey, you with the
>prisms!']

*Yes*

After a waiting a moment Rob realizes that his question had been
poorly phrased.

*Might I inquire as to what it is?*

*Yes*.

Visibly resisting the impulse to scream, Rob asks again.

*What is it?*

*Ya-ta-ree*

<note this is merely how a human mind would tend to render the
symbols>

>*May I experience/receive/examine how you sense/perceive/view the
>world?*
>
>[I hope that made sense.]

{}

Rob picks himself some time later. His body is mostly ok. His mind is
still reeling from the sensory medley he received. "Seeing" a spectrum
that covers not a mere single octave, as visible light does but
everything from shortwave on up to high gamma. And perceiving aspects
of even light that no human has ever seen, things like polarization of
all the "light" reaching it.

"Hearing" sounds from subsonic to as high as the air can carry, and
even higher frequencies where it is in contact with liquids or solids
that can carry them. And it can "hear" (sense?) radio frequencies
below the ones at which it can image (ie where the wavelength is
longer than a quarter of its current "radius")

And it can send out EM and sound help with its sight/hearing. A sort
of built in multifrequency radar/sonar.

There's no sense of smell or taste, but instead an "awareness" of
every type of molecule that touches its body.

Touch is both the same and different. Pressure, temperature, etc. But
both more and less detailed.

And there are other senses that don't even have names. A magnetic
sense, an awareness of the electric potentials surrounding it. It can
"feel" objects at a distance with either sense by how they distort the
fields.

And the senses get even weirder. There's a sort of "tracking" sense
that tells it where it was relative to a starting point, as well as
the path it followed between there and it's current location.

It can sense particles passing thru it, cosmic rays, neutrinos, many
others. It can sense the mass/density of nearby objects. And it can
*generate* particle streams for "CAT scan" imaging of objects if it
wishes to.

And there are senses that Rob can't even figure out what they are
sensing. As well as aspects of sense that on't makes sense (Rob's mind
can't handle spatial info with more than 3 dimensions can it?)

But these seem almost normal compared to the "perceptions" of the
sensory data. Everything is full sphere, not a limited set of paired
receptors.

And they way Ya-ta-ree's mind "interprets" them is even worse.

Consider. This is an entity less than a month old (if I have our
timeline right) that has "bootstrapped" its mind to at least the level
of the smarter humans in the group. One with *no* preconceptions. And
things like being radially symettrical, having "four" main limbs that
subdivide at will in groups of "three", and not having a sex all
affect the way it sees the world.

In short, Rob is really and truly *boggled*. :-)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 06:42:32 +0000

On Mon, 12 Jun 2000 23:27:40 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008471

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008460
>
>*???? talk disturbs peace.*
>
><OOC: Fair warning (and a hint to let you write chunks of dialog for
>it) I'm basing its "personality" on some Kender traits, and on
>Quislet from the Legion of Super Heroes (the old one).

<OOC: Zing! And it's over his head!>

>>*My name/designation/identity is Rob. Do you have such a concept for
>>yourself?*
>
>*Yes*
>
>After a waiting a moment Rob realizes that his question had been
>poorly phrased.

<OOC: Actually, no, it wasn't. Assuming that a unique alien has a name
for itself seems rather silly, especially if there's no guarantee that
it recognizes the possibility of sentience in others.>

>Rob picks himself some time later. His body is mostly ok. His mind is
>still reeling from the sensory medley he received.

[Well, that definitely qualifies for Bonehead Maneuver of the Day. On
the other hand, maybe I can sort that out and work up a translation
scheme.]

Lying down again and closing his eyes, he begins to break down the
overload sense by sense.

>"Seeing" a spectrum that covers not a mere single octave, as visible
>light does but everything from shortwave on up to high gamma. And
>perceiving aspects of even light that no human has ever seen, things
>like polarization of all the "light" reaching it.

[right...block off everything below {} and above {}, split this into
three visual inputs, and I've got UV sight, normal sight, and IR
sight. And...hm. If I can isolate microwaves... damn. I don't know
enough about the EM spectrum. So much for a "radar sight" split. And
I'll have to dump the rest of the visual data.]

>"Hearing" sounds from subsonic to as high as the air can carry, and
>even higher frequencies where it is in contact with liquids or solids
>that can carry them. And it can "hear" (sense?) radio frequencies
>below the ones at which it can image (ie where the wavelength is
>longer than a quarter of its current "radius")

[gaaaahhhh...best to just deep-six most of this for now, and lock in
human-limit audio.]

>And it can send out EM and sound to help with its sight/hearing. A
>sort of built-in multifrequency radar/sonar.

[Okay. This is useful. Re-open the video and audio channels for these,
and split them off as scanner screens...]

>There's no sense of smell or taste, but instead an "awareness" of
>every type of molecule that touches its body.

[Ack. Maybe if I had some clue how a gas chromatograph worked, I could
deal with this. Best to throw it out...there.]

>Touch is both the same and different. Pressure, temperature, etc.

[At least this translates well.]

>But there are other senses that don't even have names. A magnetic
>sense, an awareness of the electric potentials surrounding it. It can
>"feel" objects at a distance with either sense by how they distort
>the fields.

[Whoa...this is interesting. I think this'll translate as another pair
of radar screen-analogs...mmm. Not perfect, but useful.]

>And the senses get even weirder. There's a sort of "tracking" sense
>that tells it where it was relative to a starting point, as well as
>the path it followed between there and it's current location.

[Ummmm...I've heard of something like this...inertial compass? Not
quite, the path tracking facility isn't possible. I think. In any
case, it works well as a map screen. No...no...no...yes.]

>It can sense particles passing thru it, cosmic rays, neutrinos, many
>others. It can sense the mass/density of nearby objects. And it can
>*generate* particle streams for "CAT scan" imaging of objects if it
>wishes to.

[?! Never mind...]

>And there are senses that Rob can't even figure out what they are
>sensing. As well as aspects of sense that don't makes sense (Rob's
>mind can't handle spatial info with more than 3 dimensions can it?)

[Oww. That's hard. waitaminute...this section is similar to what I do
to build a wormhole - ack. Similar the way that 1+1=2 is similar to
second-semester calculus. Or maybe block-transfer mathematics. Since I
don't understand either one, it's hard to decide.]

>But these seem almost normal compared to the "perceptions" of the
>sensory data. Everything is full sphere, not a limited set of paired
>receptors.

[Now break it down into multiple screens to handle multiple camera
views...]

>In short, Rob is really and truly *boggled*. :-)

Or would be, if his psi teacher hadn't had an extra sense itself. The
first time he read his teacher's mind, Rob *was* boggled, and didn't
manage to begin building a translation method until five days after he
woke up.

As it is, by the time Rob finishes sorting this all out, over five
hours have passed, he's hungry, the battery is gone, and Ya-ta-ree is
not in sight.

And the transmitter which was playing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall"
is no longer sending.

[Apparently that little tune will annoy any sentient being that can
hear it. So much for bargaining scan information out of it today.]

Brushing himself off, he turns to head back to the castle.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 19:13:06 +0000

On Tue, 13 Jun 2000 11:47:27 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008472

>On Mon, 12 Jun 2000 23:27:40 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008471
>
>>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008460
>>
>><OOC: Fair warning (and a hint to let you write chunks of dialog for
>>it) I'm basing its "personality" on some Kender traits, and on
>>Quislet from the Legion of Super Heroes (the old one).
>
><OOC: Zing! And it's over his head!>

Ask Roland. I'm sure he can explain *far* better than I can. :-)

>[Well, that definitely qualifies for Bonehead Maneuver of the Day. On
>the other hand, maybe I can sort that out and work up a translation
>scheme.]

Be careful what you ask for. You may get it. <eg>

>[right...block off everything below {} and above {}, split this into
>three visual inputs, and I've got UV sight, normal sight, and IR
>sight.

Actually, given that "normal" sight covers a single "octave" you've
got *dozens* of inputs. Maybe hundreds (I haven't bothered doing the
actual calculation.

Maybe a "false color" display with the whole spectrum compressed into
visual range? And a spare to switch to anything "interesting".

>>There's no sense of smell or taste, but instead an "awareness" of
>>every type of molecule that touches its body.
>
>[Ack. Maybe if I had some clue how a gas chromatograph worked, I
>could deal with this. Best to throw it out...there.]

More like having a tongue over your entire body, and so shar it'd put
the best wine taster to shame.

>[Ummmm...I've heard of something like this...inertial compass? Not
>quite, the path tracking facility isn't possible. I think. In any
>case, it works well as a map screen. No...no...no...yes.]

Yes, I was thinking of the inertial tracking systems that subs use.

>>But these seem almost normal compared to the "perceptions" of the
>>sensory data. Everything is full sphere, not a limited set of paired
>>receptors.

BTW, for most of these senses a "screen" is a poor way to handle them.
More of a 3D "tank" display might be better.

>As it is, by the time Rob finishes sorting this all out, over five
>hours have passed, he's hungry, the battery is gone, and Ya-ta-ree is
>not in sight.
>
>And the transmitter which was playing "99 Bottles of Beer on the
>Wall" is no longer sending.

More likely, it got eaten, once Ya-ta-ree realized that it wasn't
anything but a machine. :-)

>Brushing himself off, he turns to head back to the castle.

Apparently Ya was a bit concerned about your reaction to the sensory
data. It quickly reappears once you start moving (obviously it wasn't
*terribly* concerned or it wouldn't have wandered off... :-)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 18:41:24 +0000

On Wed, 14 Jun 2000 11:17:32 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008473

>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008472
>
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008471
>>
>>[right...block off everything below {} and above {}, split this into
>>three visual inputs, and I've got UV sight, normal sight, and IR
>>sight.
>
>Actually, given that "normal" sight covers a single "octave" you've
>got *dozens* of inputs. Maybe hundreds (I haven't bothered doing the
>actual calculation.

Bad grammar. What I meant to say was, "split what's left into three
visual inputs..."

>BTW, for most of these senses a "screen" is a poor way to handle
>them. More of a 3D "tank" display might be better.

Not that Rob would know how to do that. He hasn't seen one in
operation yet, so he doesn't have enough of a concept to build one.

And I'm sure that CIC in the castle has the capacity to run one. But
it hasn't yet.

>>And the transmitter which was playing "99 Bottles of Beer on the
>>Wall" is no longer sending.
>
>More likely, it got eaten, once Ya-ta-ree realized that it wasn't
>anything but a machine. :-)

I never said _why_ it was quiet, did I?

>Apparently Ya was a bit concerned about your reaction to the sensory
>data. It quickly reappears once you start moving (obviously it wasn't
>*terribly* concerned or it wouldn't have wandered off... :-)

[He's back. She? Whatever.]

*Hello, Ya-ta-ree.*

*?? Not Ya-ta-ree, _Ya-ta-ree_!*

*My apologies for the mispronunciation.* [One of those nuances that I
can't hear. Maybe I should avoid saying Ya's name at all.]

*You did not move for an eternity. Did I harm/annoy/confuse you, or
were you resting?*

[An eternity? _Very_ short clock cycles here.] *Attempting to
understand. Your perception is superior to mine.*

*Oh. No problem/is fine/my temperature is lowered by that news. I
found food/snacks/edibles while I waited.*

[Temperature is lowered? Great. Another telepathic translation
problem.]

*Would you be willing to provide me with some information? I am
interested in your perception of an entity which partially matches
sensory input of {}. I was told that you had examined it in detail.*

[I wonder if it'll even recognize the robot?]
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 6d: PFC Harlock rides again...
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 09:40:36 -0700 (PDT)

On Wed, 21 Jun 2000 09:07:22 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008478

>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008473
>
>*Would you be willing to provide me with some information? I am
>interested in your perception of an entity which partially matches
>sensory input of {}. I was told that you had examined it in detail.*
>
>[I wonder if it'll even recognize the robot?]

For Ya-ta-ree, making sense of such limited information is a lengthy
job. Which translates to ten seconds on the human scale.

*{}*

This time, the sensory data hits Rob's filtering system, and he merely
staggers. Most of his nervous system focuses on breaking it down into
bearable concepts, part of what's left files the information packet
with no loss, and the rest deals with details like breathing,
heartbeat, and balance.

Ten minutes later, he knows more about the Big Ugly Robot than he did
before, and it still isn't enough.

*Thank you, Ya-ta-ree. I will-*

Rob's stomach rumbles.

*-speak with you later, if I can.*

[Food, and time to think. Specifically, why would the Broadhurst
Center for Advanced Mechanical Research send a killer robot after me,
and what dimension is it in?]

With that, he re-enters the castle, heading for the kitchen.
=================================
Subject: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 20:01:40 -0700 (PDT)

On Sun, 23 Jul 2000 21:32:11 -0700
"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008584

OOC: I hope this doesn't become a habit for me...

Within the castle, alarms are likely going off as a two-dimensional
electrical storm irises open, to disgorge a Xander in hir robot-form,
currently sized at hir normal height of eight feet or so.
@Back, folks,@ sie sends over the Lens-link, on a polite frequency,
sure not to 'shout' to everyone. @What'd I miss whilst I was in Limbo?
And where's the garage... I've got a little list of parts for me that
may come in handy...@
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 18:20:04 -0700 (PDT)

On Fri, 4 Aug 2000 20:48:24 -0400
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008605

>On Sun, 23 Jul 2000 21:32:11 -0700
>"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008584
>
>@Back, folks,@ sie sends over the Lens-link, on a polite frequency,
>sure not to 'shout' to everyone. @What'd I miss whilst I was in
>Limbo? And where's the garage... I've got a little list of parts for
>me that may come in handy...@

Zia hadn't yet had time too flinch in startlement as the alarms were
probably canceled before even getting to the point where 'meat' senses
could hear them. She just raises BOTH eyebrows.

"I can't answer that without my Lens; I'm telepathic, at about 15
feet, without it. All my gifts roam around empathy. Castle Systems?
Can you speak to him about directions to a 'garage'... I think he
means mechanical workspace."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 21:17:52 -0700 (PDT)

On Thu, 10 Aug 2000 20:24:49 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008617

>On Sun, 23 Jul 2000 21:32:11 -0700
>"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008584
>
>@Back, folks,@ sie sends over the Lens-link, on a polite frequency,
>sure not to 'shout' to everyone. @What'd I miss whilst I was in
>Limbo? And where's the garage... I've got a little list of parts for
>me that may come in handy...@

   /The garage is {here},/ Roland sends, /and welcome back. Things are
weird, which is normal for us. Hmmph. I wonder if that makes weird
'normal' for us, and normal 'weird.' Yeesh. I'm not going there./

/You already did, love,/ Morgan smiles. /And I believe the answer is,
"Yes."/

   /I love you too, dear,/ Roland replies dryly.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 19:10:18 -0700 (PDT)

On Sat, 12 Aug 2000 21:52:53 -0700
"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008631

>   /The garage is {here},/ Roland sends, /and welcome back. Things
>are weird, which is normal for us. Hmmph. I wonder if that makes
>weird 'normal' for us, and normal 'weird.' Yeesh. I'm not going
>there./
>
>/You already did, love,/ Morgan smiles. /And I believe the answer is,
>"Yes."/
>
>   /I love you too, dear,/ Roland replies dryly.

/Thanks, Uncle Roland,/ the dragon sends, already striding towards the
garage. /And if we went 'normal,' I think the multiverse would hiccup.
And/or maybe collapse./

Xander then, upon reaching the facility, proceeds to link with the
computers, and start up the fabricators, and various maintenance rigs.
Panels unfold, and components in hir forearms rearranged, to make room
for two similar-looking devices, both thick cylinders. One ended in a
wide nozzle, the other a magnetic screen.

>>system check:
     Nanolathe operational...
      Arm units loaded...
      Core units loaded...
      Specialty units loaded...
     D-Gun operational...
>>done.

Xander finished booting up hir new software, then looked around, both
with eyes and mind. "Oh, pooh," sie said, punting a stray bolt across
the cavernous room with a metal-clad foot, then thumped down on an
upside-down bucket. "I've got all these toys... and no-one to show
them off to!" Sie props a chin in each hand, looking glum. What good a
super, without baddies?
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 01:19:50 -0700 (PDT)

On Sat, 12 Aug 2000 23:56:44 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008633

>On Sat, 12 Aug 2000 21:52:53 -0700
>"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008631
>
>"I've got all these toys... and no-one to show them off to!" Sie
>props a chin in each hand, looking glum. What good a super, without
>baddies?

/Oooh, nooo,/ Morgan, sitting in the control room on Champions Island,
sends in mock horror. Along with the thought is the image of Stranger
sitting at the bar in Callahans, saying, "I'm bored, and I'm a bit
low. I want some excitement and adventure." /Be careful what you wish
for.../

   And, at that exact moment, Doctor Destroyer appears in the hangar.
He looks around in what might be mild curiosity. Or maybe it's
contempt.
   "Adequate," Destroyer says. Okay, it's not contempt.
   (OOC: Presumably, there's a whole truck-load of stuff targeted at
Destroyer at this point. Anything physical never comes close, warped
away by his almost godlike control over the fabric of space.
Obviously, any teleportational effects get a similar treatment, except
he turns them on turrets and such. Other defenses will be responded to
as they arrive.)
   Glancing over at Xander, Destroyer almost smiles. "Ah, yes, the
hybrid android. I wonder if Defender has any idea of your potential.
Destroids."
   Four creatures made of red-and-black energy appear around him. Any
analysis shows them to be insanely advanced (by Terran standards)
'living' adaptive energy cultures.
   "Let us see," Destroyer says, truly curious at this point, "how
much of that potential has been fulfilled."
   (OOC: MUA-ha-ha-ha-ha!)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 10:18:23 -0700 (PDT)

On Sun, 13 Aug 2000 12:23:50 -0700
"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008634

>On Sat, 12 Aug 2000 23:56:44 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008633
>
>   Glancing over at Xander, Destroyer almost smiles. "Ah, yes, the
>hybrid android. I wonder if Defender has any idea of your potential.
>Destroids."
>   Four creatures made of red-and-black energy appear around him. Any
>analysis shows them to be insanely advanced (by Terran standards)
>'living' adaptive energy cultures.
>   "Let us see," Destroyer says, truly curious at this point, "how
>much of that potential has been fulfilled."
>   (OOC: MUA-ha-ha-ha-ha!)

/Auntie, what're you say-oh.../ Xander trails off, getting back to hir
feet, unconcerned by stray shots, which are absorbed by some sort of
shielding. The moment hir sensors decree what the four Destroids are,
sie fires a D-Gun pulse at one, chucking out a packet of antimatter at
relativistic speeds, leaving behind a /very/ bright trail and a
thunderclap as air in its path is annihilated. Simultaneously, sie
aims hir right arm at a second Destroid, a dense cloud of nanites
thick enough for an unaided human to /see/ attempting to envelope
it... and transfer its constituent energy, and whatever matter it has,
back into Xander's storage. Sie lets loose a second D-gun shot, this
time at DocD, not expecting it to hurt him, but simply to observe just
what he does to it.

Xander Opal
Imagining what happened during long car trips when Roger said that
he's bored, when the fellow was younger...
=================================
Subject: Fwd: AAE6: Instruments of Destruction (was: Re-entry)
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 17:00:36 -0700 (PDT)

On Fri, 18 Aug 2000 19:17:39 EDT
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008654

Yet another forward. [Ed. Note: From Roland.]

For the IC list, originally sent Thu, 17 Aug 2000 18:49:17.

>On Sun, 13 Aug 2000 12:23:50 -0700
>"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008634
>
>/Auntie, what're you say-oh.../ Xander trails off, getting back to
>hir feet, unconcerned by stray shots, which are absorbed by some sort
>of shielding. The moment hir sensors decree what the four Destroids
>are, sie fires a D-Gun pulse at one, chucking out a packet of
>antimatter at relativistic speeds, leaving behind a /very/ bright
>trail and a thunderclap as air in its path is annihilated.

   The Destroid, too, is annihilated, before it can even react.
   "Fascinating," Destroyer comments. "Sennacherib, begin recording.
Subject Opal is clearly bio-mechanical, with adaptive technology equal
to second-generation Destroids. Subject is also capable of containing
and wielding antimatter, a feat which only I have accomplished on
Earth-Prime."

>   Simultaneously, sie aims hir right arm at a second Destroid, a
>dense cloud of nanites thick enough for an unaided human to /see/
>attempting to envelope it... and transfer its constituent energy, and
>whatever matter it has, back into Xander's storage.

   "Hmm...curious," Destroyer notes. "Were the Destroid not in my
presence, this vampiric nanite attack might prove effective. Record
data from affected Destroid."
   The Destroid's own adaptive energy begins to combat the nanites.
The nanites have the early lead, but the Destroid seems to be catching
up...

>   Sie lets loose a second D-gun shot, this time at DocD, not
>expecting it to hurt him, but simply to observe just what he does to
>it.

   Destroyer blinks (at least, the red slits where his eyes _ought_ to
be close and open quickly) at the fading glow of where the antimatter
had fired at him. "Interesting." Several spacial gateways appear in
front of Xander, limiting hir mobility (unless sie wants to go to
Champions Island, Beirut, Atlantis, a room full of supers, Libya,
Malfeas...)
   The Destroids melt into the floor, and red and black energies
flicker across the ground towards Xander, attempting to flank hir.
   "DESTROOO-" Roland roars, heading straight for Destroyer's back
from the doorway.
   He vanishes.
   "-OOyer?" the Roland-bot asks, slowing down. Not fast enough to
keep from plowing into the Black Paladin, however.
   "-oof-"
   "-gnn-"
   "Wh-?"
   "Blasted telepresence--I can't get the hang of being around
myself," Roland (the real one) mutters, deflecting a flame strike from
Malais (the dragon BP's riding). He vanishes, leaving the duplicate to
battle the Paladin.
   (OOC: Roland won't get there until Xander has a chance to react,
however.)

>Xander Opal
>Imagining what happened during long car trips when Roger said that
>he's bored, when the fellow was younger...

   Don't ask... ;^)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Instruments of Destruction (was: Re-entry)
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 18:44:44 -0700 (PDT)

On Mon, 21 Aug 2000 21:17:06 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00008658

>>Xander Opal
>>Imagining what happened during long car trips when Roger said that
>>he's bored, when the fellow was younger...
>
>   Don't ask... ;^)

  Roger looks indignant. "Hey, it wasn't MY fault that <fill in the
blank>..."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 11:43:09 -0700 (PDT)

On 08-22-2000 at 11:30:37
Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008663

>On Sat, 12 Aug 2000 23:56:44 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008633
>
>   And, at that exact moment, Doctor Destroyer appears in the hangar.
>He looks around in what might be mild curiosity. Or maybe it's
>contempt.
>   "Adequate," Destroyer says. Okay, it's not contempt.
>
>   (OOC: Presumably, there's a whole truck-load of stuff targeted at
>Destroyer at this point. Anything physical never comes close, warped
>away by his almost godlike control over the fabric of space.
>Obviously, any teleportational effects get a similar treatment,
>except he turns them on turrets and such. Other defenses will be
>responded to as they arrive.)

<OOC: Mostly Holding Fields... A Few Tangles...>

>   Glancing over at Xander, Destroyer almost smiles. "Ah, yes, the
>hybrid android. I wonder if Defender has any idea of your potential.
>Destroids."

"You are Here by Implicit Invitation,
  As Such We will not respond in any Damaging Manner at this time,
   However Should your invitation be revoked, or
    Your Actions Directly impact these Facilities again,
     We will see to Dealing with the Situation at that time.
 Xander, Next time you feel a Need to say such a thing,
  Please make use of the Training and Test Facilities Instead."

<If he would recognize them,
 Some of The Weapons can be seen Reconfiguring to,
 Multi-Split Hyper-Transit Path Plasma Modes...
 If even one of the Hyper-Paths hits the Target,
 All of the Effect turns out to have gone that Route.>

"If we are incapable of handling the Situation than in effect,
 We will summon the Chatelain."

<The Walls are growing reality Stabalizers to prevent his passage,
 Other than out the Door or back where he came from.>

Castle Maintenance Systems
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 18:40:14 -0700 (PDT)

On Thu, 24 Aug 2000 09:36:11 -0400
"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008676

>On 08-22-2000 at 11:30:37
>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008663
>
>"You are Here by Implicit Invitation,
>  As Such We will not respond in any Damaging Manner at this time,
>   However Should your invitation be revoked, or
>    Your Actions Directly impact these Facilities again,
>     We will see to Dealing with the Situation at that time.
> Xander, Next time you feel a Need to say such a thing,
>  Please make use of the Training and Test Facilities Instead."
>
>Castle Maintenance Systems

The two-headed dragon's mouths hang open, then sie closes them,
mostly. Sie then turns, and almost-runs back, to the X-window entrance
to the Castle, shifting to organic as sie goes.
Taking off hir Lens, as sie goes.
Dropping it, before sie enters the X-window.
Entering a second one from the Place, closing it behind hir, leaving
hir in an empty world, with no light, anywhere, just a slightly rough
stone ground, where sie curls into a relatively small, scaly ball,
weeping.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2000 23:25:03 -0700 (PDT)

On Sat, 26 Aug 2000 23:13:28 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008681

>Xander Opal Said As CAoL Message # 00008676
>
>Entering a second one from the Place, closing it behind hir, leaving
>hir in an empty world, with no light, anywhere, just a slightly rough
>stone ground, where sie curls into a relatively small, scaly ball,
>weeping.

Xander -hears- Oracle's voice say softly, ^Xander, you DO know that
the Castle's defense system was warning Destroyer don't you? The only
admonition to you, was to be careful what you wish for, unless you are
in one of the exersize rooms. Your skills, talents, and abilities will
be sorely missed soon. I urge you to return.^
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE6: Re-entry
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 22:00:56 -0700 (PDT)

On 09-01-2000 at 21:57:06
Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008684

>On Thu, 24 Aug 2000 09:36:11 -0400
>"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008676
>
>Entering a second one from the Place, closing it behind hir, leaving
>hir in an empty world, with no light, anywhere, just a slightly rough
>stone ground, where sie curls into a relatively small, scaly ball,
>weeping.

<OOC: Lets hope I can Express this right,
       I don't want anyone else to thinking that,
        The Castle does not welcome all of the CAoL's associates.>

Addressing Dr. Destroyer
"The Being which issued your Invitation,
  Has Departed.
   I Must Request that you leave the Premises,
    Your Invitation has lapsed."

The Stabalizers are finished, and
 All of the weapons are ready to be brought to bear.

Castle Security
=================================
Subject: AAE6: Re-exit
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 16:30:34 -0700 (PDT)

On Mon, 04 Sep 2000 15:43:01 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008689

>On 09-01-2000 at 21:57:06
>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008684
>
>> On Thu, 24 Aug 2000 09:36:11 -0400
>> "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00008676
>
>>> On 08-22-2000 at 11:30:37
>>> Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008663
>>>
>>>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2000 23:56:44 -0700
>>>> Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008633
>>>>
>>>>   And, at that exact moment, Doctor Destroyer appears in the
>>>>hangar. He looks around in what might be mild curiosity. Or maybe
>>>>it's contempt.
>>>>   "Adequate," Destroyer says. Okay, it's not contempt.
>>>
>>>>   (OOC: Presumably, there's a whole truck-load of stuff targeted
>>>>at Destroyer at this point. Anything physical never comes close,
>>>>warped away by his almost godlike control over the fabric of
>>>>space. Obviously, any teleportational effects get a similar
>>>>treatment, except he turns them on turrets and such. Other
>>>>defenses will be responded to as they arrive.)
>>>
>>><OOC: Mostly Holding Fields... A Few Tangles...>

   The holding fields are folded in on themselves. The tangle effects
vanish, as likely expected.

>>>"You are Here by Implicit Invitation,
>>>  As Such We will not respond in any Damaging Manner at this time,
>>>   However Should your invitation be revoked, or
>>>    Your Actions Directly impact these Facilities again,
>>>     We will see to Dealing with the Situation at that time.
>>> Xander, Next time you feel a Need to say such a thing,
>>>  Please make use of the Training and Test Facilities Instead."

   Destroyer...smiles. "A computer with a sense of pride. How quaint."

>>><If he would recognize them,
>>> Some of The Weapons can be seen Reconfiguring to,
>>> Multi-Split Hyper-Transit Path Plasma Modes...
>>> If even one of the Hyper-Paths hits the Target,
>>> All of the Effect turns out to have gone that Route.>

   (OOC: From the sensory effects being detected from the Destroyer,
he seems to be aware of the weapons; given the dossier downloaded by
Roland upon discovering the existence of the castle system, it's safe
to assume that he can comprehend any technology short of Nemo level.
Arisian and Oan technology is probably a bit beyond him. Maybe.)

>>>"If we are incapable of handling the Situation than in effect,
>>> We will summon the Chatelain."

   Destroyer raises an eyebrow at this, clearly curious at who and
what the 'Chatelain' is.

>>><The Walls are growing reality Stabalizers to prevent his passage,
>>> Other than out the Door or back where he came from.>

   Destroyer looks at these with mild contempt. "I would have imagined
that your familiarity with the Defender would have taught you the
difficulty of suppressing the powers of my kind."

>>The two-headed dragon's mouths hang open, then sie closes them,
>>mostly. Sie then turns, and almost-runs back, to the X-window
>>entrance to the Castle, shifting to organic as sie goes.

   (OOC: Since this has been cleared up and Xander hasn't altered hir
actions, I'm going to assume for the moment that sie has departed
rather than face Destroyer's virtually limitless resources. He
wouldn't have used them all, but often better safe than sorry.)
   Destroyer looks at the empty space where Xander had stood, and
cocks his head slightly. "Hm. Interesting. A most unexpected--and
eminently sensible--response."
   And Destroyer is surrounded by lightning.
   Defender has arrived.
   One arm outstretched, he has engulfed the entire area Destroyer is
standing in with raw power, dozens of bolts probing Destroyer's
defenses with literal lightning speed. Destroyer has responded with
equal skill, channelling the blasts into empty space with his spacial
warping powers. It is a bizarre combination of chess match and cosmic
standoff.
   "This is a brazen move, even for you, Zersoiten," Roland says
calmly.
   "Fortune favors the bold, Phoenix," Destroyer responds with equal
placidity. "But as it happens--"

>Addressing Dr. Destroyer
>"The Being which issued your Invitation,
>   Has Departed.
>    I Must Request that you leave the Premises,
>     Your Invitation has lapsed."

   Destroyer looks up slightly, and smiles. "--I have what I came for.
Indeed, it was a far more successful expedition than I expected."

>The Stabalizers are finished, and
>  All of the weapons are ready to be brought to bear.

   Destroyer looks at the weapons coolly, then back at Roland. "A
machine, trying to salve its wounded sense of dominion?"
   "A friend, protecting its own," Roland replies, his voice deepening
and growing more certain. "So long as you can't understand that,
you'll never be more than you are, Toryym."
   Destroyer blinks in surprise at the last word used. "So...you are
remembering." He nods, seemingly in approval. "Another time, Harmon."
With that, Destroyer vanishes.
   Roland grimaces, and worldwalks away a moment later.
=================================