Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6e The Sextant of Time - Chapter 1 Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 17:38:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE6e: Pre-Opening On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 17:12:21 -0800 Nemisis and/or FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00008331 Zia, Your Liason with the Lensmen, and As well as the other "Powers" of the UToL, Matrix Cosm Version... Neal Cloud, Here he carries a Lens, For the same purpose that Virgil Sams wanted it for, Identification It does little for most of his abilities... ================================= Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 20:12:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6e: Pre-Opening On Tue, 28 Mar 2000 18:06:37 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008336 >On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 17:12:21 -0800 >Nemisis and/or FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00008331 > >Zia, > Your Liason with the Lensmen, and > As well as the other "Powers" of the UToL, > Matrix Cosm Version... > >Neal Cloud, > Here he carries a Lens, > For the same purpose that Virgil Sams wanted it for, Identification > It does little for most of his abilities... The petite Amberite walks through her usual mode of arrival, a polychromatic 'door' of shifting light. She glances about the small craft with polite interest but doesn't linger to indulge such emotion. "Neal Cloud? I am informed you're my liason, to the Galatic Patrol or whatever that body might be named here. Could you please give me some grounding in this Sextant of Time, the Plooran menace as it's currently developing, future projections as to future threat directions, and any other information you or the other Lensmen think advisable before I put myself in harm's way to retrieve said instrument?" ================================= Subject: AAE 6e: Time, Toil, Trouble - Bubble, bubble! Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 12:42:57 +0000 On Thu, 18 May 2000 08:36:13 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008414 Another seemingly earth-shattering noise rocked the waste land expanse, making the bedraggled, but still petite, brunette woman in the small hole in the hillside draw the little globe towards her in some trepidation. Catching sight of the movement in the puddle of water still faintly lit up in the failing light, she shakes her head at her own jumpiness. Or is it rather more her appearance. [I look like I've been drug through the Seven Hells by a New York garbage dumpster.] She sighs, without sound. No reason to give those pain-in-HER-neck Ploorans the least sound to track her by. [Ploorans, of course, don't have necks. Or any other redeeming feature, far as I can tell. They're even too dogged for ME, by all the Prime Numbers!] Cautiously touching here and there, Zia takes this first opportunity to rest and regroup her wits. [And wits will have to do; used every jet I had just to bloody well survive from when they made me despite my chosen role, until I could pull a run-like-crazy with this silly geegaw. Psionics are simply not going to be an option,] she winces, noting the Lens on her wrist showing only feeble glimmerings instead of its usual make-a-diamond-blush sparkliness, [for a long while, even with my regenerative ability.] Another large noise, and the noise of sliding rock. Her face turns upward, just as the light from above goes away in a shower of smaller stones and dust. [I don't think I care much for Ploorans. I thought the Arisians were nasty, but these guys really... suck.] She smiles, knowing that her tiredness is definitely effecting her ability to properly describe her feelings. [Time to go, Geegaw. Since you won't come with me on a Trump outside of here, and I don't have many INSIDE of here, we get to hellwalk so the Ploorans can't follow. Isn't THAT just what I want to do when I'm tired...] Rolling her eyes, she gets as upright as the low ceiling allows, picks up the little orb, and carries it as she shuffles forward. [I'll try getting back to Nemo-with-a-halo; I hope he is still IN the Matrix Cosm, at least.] A sudden blurring like rain in a chalk drawing, and reality gave way to will. She stumbles forward, then picks up pace into a jarring, painful jog. Under her left arm, the uniform sticking to the laser burn protests. Zia sucks in a sharp breath of air, and cuts off a few more pain-nerves. [Grain field? Somehow, Geegaw, I don't think you're cooperating real well. Don't you want to meet good, ol' Uncle Nemo, eh? Ah, well. Someplace to hide, then. If I don't sleep soon, I'll faint in the open.] Another application of will, this time shorter - to reach a storm cellar. Where there is farming, there is usually somewhere to store the veggies. The lock was child's play, and a good thing, given the fingers that one Plooran who didn't stint at physical combat had eaten off her hand. With an exhausted sigh, she faked the lock to LOOK closed, and crept into the cool darkness. Finding a corner not yet piled with shelves of canned goods, she slid down the wall. Asleep before reaching the floor, quite. ================================= Subject: AAE VIe: Chase and Escape Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 16:08:04 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 11:42:00 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008463 Guess what? I'm finally back from vacation. I had a wonderful time, but now I think it's just about time Zia got back to 'Headquarters' since it appears the Ploorans aren't quite as good at hide and seek as a shadow-shifting Amberite is. In the previously detailed green-tiled room in the Castle the group is using as their current 'home away from home', Zia's polychromatic 'doorway' suddenly flares into it's two-dimensional self. The petite Amberite stumbles through, her uniform now back to it's normal black with silver wire loops. Her version of a Galactic Patrol uniform, or perhaps one that is crossed with some other uniform as well? Her expression, finding that there is no one immediately and personally present at her arrival point, goes agonized from the previous stone neutrality. The cause of the pain is readily apparent, some green fungus-like growth on her skin that is spreading rapidly. The edges show black ice, where her own defensive array of nano is combating the invaders. She carefully sets down the little 'lightning ball' gizmo that caused all this fuss, then leans against the wall for support. Her nano appears to be achieving at least a balance of power, or perhaps losing the battle, but very slowly. Given the appearance and pain though, Zia cannot help but radiate an intense 'ugh!' reaction; it looks a marked degree worse than leprosy. Not only her natural tendency toward small vanities, but her pride as well are quite abused by her current predicament. "Nemo? Nemesis? Whoever is here, I'm not sure at the moment. Can you get this thing somewhere safe, and then... maybe help me with whatever these bugs of the Ploorans are?" Despite Zia's (in places) legendary control of her comportment, her voice is breathy and quavers with either disgust or pain, perhaps both at once. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: Chase and Escape Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:09:51 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 13:37:02 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008464 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 11:42:00 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008463 > >"Nemo? Nemesis? Whoever is here, I'm not sure at the moment. Can you >get this thing somewhere safe, and then... maybe help me with >whatever these bugs of the Ploorans are?" Despite Zia's (in places) >legendary control of her comportment, her voice is breathy and >quavers with either disgust or pain, perhaps both at once. Nemo appears out of nowhere, and reaches out to steady her. "Here, let me help." A chair materializes out of thin air (literally, an observer might suspect give the sudden breeze that accompanies its appearance). Nemo helps Zia to the the chair. Only then does he pick up the "device" from the floor. He does something indescribale and the device turns a corner that isn't there. "That should hold *that* for a while..." "Now let's look at that goo." With no trace of disgust, Nemo examines the patches. The skin on his hands seems to crawl as if it had a life of its own, then he touches a different finger to each spot of green. There's an odd shimmering effect each time he does so and Zia winces as spacetime near her alters. "Easy, I know the changes hurt, but it's the only way..." Apparently, the altered skin on Nemo's hands is more attractive to the bugs and something about the shimmer effect makes Zia's skin not merely unattractive, but slighty repulsive. When Nemo straightens up, his hands and part of his arms are green, and Zia is missing some patches of skin. Nemo, keeping well away from Zia and avoiding contact with anything, summons a med-bot to dress the wounds. "I'll be right back." he tells Zia. With that he takes the shortest route to the outsides, where he flashes into the sky at high speed. Soon he is clear of the atmosphere and *really* moving. He reaches the sun and plunges in. He continues until he is in the core of the star. Then he loosens his shields. Flesh (and the green goo) *boils* away. He endures this until his limbs are gone, and his head and torso badly damaged. But there's no trace of the goo. He restores full shielding and heads back. Even as he clears the surface of the star, flesh and bone are visibly growing back. He takes a bit more time on the return trip, and when he re-enters the room zia is in, he merely looks a bit "raw". ================================= Subject: AAE: Return of the Defender Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 23:39:49 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 16:10:27 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008466 [Ed. Note: Snip of stuff that's in AAE6c.] The Matrix Cosm. [Huh. Wonder what I missed.] There's a blue and gold blur (which, oddly, doesn't blend to green) and several computers register entries made on them. [Well. I see everyone's been keeping busy. I'd better hurry,] the visitor thinks fondly. And along the lens-link, the CAoL hears, /Congratulations, Nemo. It's a...crystal./ The voice is amused...and very, very familiar to most. The blur stops at the castle C-in-C, and can easily be seen (to anyone viewing that area) as an interesting blend of the old Blaze and Defender costumes. /Hi, all. I'm back--sort of. I've combined the 'parallel processing' I learned from Roger, my Defender armor's technology, and the Superman Robot technology to spread myself around a bit. I currently have a 'self' on Babylon 5, Champions Island, the Justice Legion hyper-satellite, and Paaran Disen as well as here. My flesh-and-blood self is with Morgan. Nemo, I don't become you in a billion years, do I? Skip it. Rhetorical question./ He does a quick look at the different monitors. /I'll join group 'c' for the moment, then once we have the whatsis, the Cosmic Engineer, we can get down to business with the rest of these items./ A small sphere pops out of the Defender's left shoulder, then he vanishes. >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 13:37:02 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008464 > >He restores full shielding and heads back. Even as he clears the >surface of the star, flesh and bone are visibly growing back. He >takes a bit more time on the return trip, and when he re-enters the >room zia is in, he merely looks a bit "raw". /Hmph. I don't know which of you 'looks' worse,/ Roland sends, trying to sound testy but failing rather badly. /Here. This ought to help for the moment./ The sphere enters the room, and expands into a holodeck- or GL-style energy figure of Roland. "Hello. I am not a full projection of Roland, but rather a projection run by the personality simulation program designed by Kal-El of Krypton. The personality I am designed to simulate is that of Roland X, however." He/it winks at Zia. "Congratulations, Ziactrice. You have a pet Roland." [Ed. Note: Snip of more stuff that's in AAE6c.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: Chase and Escape Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 02:08:27 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:57:30 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008467 >----- Original Message ----- >From: Leonard Erickson >>"Nemo? Nemesis? Whoever is here, I'm not sure at the moment. Can you >>get this thing somewhere safe, and then... maybe help me with >>whatever these bugs of the Ploorans are?" Despite Zia's (in places) >>legendary control of her comportment, her voice is breathy and >>quavers with either disgust or pain, perhaps both at once. > >Nemo appears out of nowhere, and reaches out to steady her. Zia sways, neatly avoiding Nemo's touch until she can be sure he is well aware of her stowaways. She is forced to catch her balance rather ungracefully against the wall again, at the sudden motion. Then she finally realizes that at his speed of thought, he likely knows how MANY stowaways she has by accurate count by now. Pain and fatigue can dull even the most trained analytical mind, after all, if it's organically based. She smiles gratefully as he helps her stand up straight from leaning against the wall. >"Here, let me help." She grins ruefully. "That is what I had in mind. It's astounding how few of whom I'd ask such, but this seems a bit ... complex, and I'm by no means gifted with technological genius. I hoped you'd still have a few selves looking out for me." >A chair materializes out of thin air (literally, an observer might >suspect give the sudden breeze that accompanies its appearance). Nemo >helps Zia to the the chair. The small brunette with lumpy, discolored skin that seems to move indepently in large patches sinks into the chair with evident relief beyond merely the physical. The foreign nano bubbles and moves like a giant slime mold here and there. Zia tries very hard not to look at it as only the Ploorans in person were more disgusting. This being ON her is worse, somehow. >Only then does he pick up the "device" from the floor. He does >something indescribale and the device turns a corner that isn't >there. > >"That should hold *that* for a while..." "Better you than me. The Ploorans sure gave chasing me the old college try." >"Now let's look at that goo." "You can do THAT alone. I've saw enough during the first week to be too much." Zia quips back, with black humor. >With no trace of disgust, Nemo examines the patches. The skin on his >hands seems to crawl as if it had a life of its own, then he touches >a different finger to each spot of green. There's an odd shimmering >effect each time he does so and Zia winces as spacetime near her >alters. > >"Easy, I know the changes hurt, but it's the only way..." "Right." Zia nods, and smiles grimly. "S'okay, I REALLY want this gunk off. I just don't do well with time effects." She breaths deeply, in a regular pattern, summoning all her practiced skill with meditation to stay as calm as possible. >Apparently, the altered skin on Nemo's hands is more attractive to >the bugs and something about the shimmer effect makes Zia's skin not >merely unattractive, but slighty repulsive. > >When Nemo straightens up, his hands and part of his arms are green, >and Zia is missing some patches of skin. Nemo, keeping well away from >Zia and avoiding contact with anything, summons a med-bot to dress >the wounds. > >"I'll be right back." he tells Zia. "Okay. Watch yourself with those... little monsters." Zia shudders, then grins and inspects raw spots. She lets the med bot dress the raw wounds with synthesized skin wrappings, turning over when needed and removing most all the clothing she had. Her regeneration is very good, but rebuilding all the layers of skin could take a week without the medical aid here. This way, she'll only be out of real activity a couple-three days. "Note to self. NEVER, EVER again slug it out hand to hand with any one on the Council of Ploor. Slug literally." Her mouth twists in 'Ick!' expression. >Flesh (and the green goo) *boils* away. He endures this until his >limbs are gone, and his head and torso badly damaged. But there's no >trace of the goo. Zia shoots the ceiling an incredulous look. Her lens abruptly brightens, as she calls on it's effect to help her shield her empathy. "Unicorn." She cusses, visibly shaken. "If it takes _him_ that sort of effort and pain to fix, I don't feel badly that I couldn't fix myself any longer. New note to self; Nemo may be incomprehensibly powerful, but _good friend when in need." >He restores full shielding and heads back. Even as he clears the >surface of the star, flesh and bone are visibly growing back. He >takes a bit more time on the return trip, and when he re-enters the >room zia is in, he merely looks a bit "raw". "Erhm... can ... or do you need the medbot to dress that?" Zia asks, unsure, as it's just finishing the last bigger patches missing of her own hide. Now a bit splotchy in areas, between her own pale skin and the pinker 'new' skin, but MUCH less disgusting in appearance already. >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 16:10:27 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008466 > /Hmph. I don't know which of you 'looks' worse,/ Roland sends, >trying to sound testy but failing rather badly. /Here. This ought to >help for the moment./ The sphere enters the room, and expands into a >holodeck- or GL-style energy figure of Roland. "Hello. I am not a >full projection of Roland, but rather a projection run by the >personality simulation program designed by Kal-El of Krypton. The >personality I am designed to simulate is that of Roland X, however." >He/it winks at Zia. "Congratulations, Ziactrice. You have a pet >Roland." Zia, for her part, re-shadow-molds a new uniform rather quickly, finishing just before the sphere becomes Projected-Pet Roland. "I'm hurt, projection or not. Female vanity, doncha know? Unless you're one of the fellows whose hinges swing both ways, and after having met Morgan I can't express that doubt without scientific notation in the number, it's so small. One would think I'd look better hands down, given I have the advantage over Nemo in gender." She laughs, softly, moving slowly so as not to pull 'skin' wrong, or even just bump into anything. "So, you're back, eh? I need to talk to Supes about his simulations - a good actor never breaks character and all. But I suppose he'd give me that 'but you have to be forthright' reason. Uhmmm. Nope, wouldn't help. All simulations lead to doing it Supes' way, given Roland's definitive urge to the chivalric side of justice." Zia shakes her head at herself. "I'm _really_ wandering about wool-gathering, aren't I?" She adds, almost apologetic. "Rather tired, even for MY British stiff-upper-lipness to handle. Er." Zia recollects herself, and tries to sound more on the ball. "Now that Nemo has taken care of my... eiggghhh ... problem." She interrupts herself. "For which action, Nemo, I thank you most heartily." She bows, most formally, and quite deeply, to him. "Let me know if I can ever help you, all right? Not likely, but then, most things IN my life are highly unlikely by majority." Then to both pet-Roland and Nemo, she continues. "Yes. Now that THOSE are gone. How are the others doing; anyone else get a tiger by the tail?" She grins, ruefully, "Not that I can exactly mount a white horse and gad about rescuing stragglers again, QUITE yet. Talk about saddle sore... whew." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE: Return of the Defender Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 03:09:30 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 19:45:07 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008468 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 16:10:27 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008466 > > Superman blushed. "Great Scott. That's...quite a compliment. I >never thought that the Fortress was any match for your Compression >Cube, though." > "My...what?" Roland asked, baffled. > "Your Compression Cube. Where you keep the trophies, vehicles and >mementos of a thousand different dimensions--" Superman explained, >and it was Roland's turn to blush. Ok, when do *we* get a tour? > And along the lens-link, the CAoL hears, /Congratulations, Nemo. >It's a...crystal./ The voice is amused...and very, very familiar to >most. A fine cigar appears in "Roland's" hand. If he doesn't smoke, it'll turn out to be fine chocolate. > The blur stops at the castle C-in-C, and can easily be seen (to >anyone viewing that area) as an interesting blend of the old Blaze >and Defender costumes. /Hi, all. I'm back--sort of. I've combined the >'parallel processing' I learned from Roger, my Defender armor's >technology, and the Superman Robot technology to spread myself around >a bit. I currently have a 'self' on Babylon 5, Champions Island, the >Justice Legion hyper-satellite, and Paaran Disen as well as here. My >flesh-and-blood self is with Morgan. Nemo, I don't become you in a >billion years, do I? Skip it. Rhetorical question./ /I would be unable to answer in any case. That knowledge would be detrimental to your proper growth./ Roland does a double take as he realizes that Nemo's mental voice just then sounded a *lot* like Mentor of Arisia. > /Hmph. I don't know which of you 'looks' worse,/ Roland sends, >trying to sound testy but failing rather badly. /Here. This ought to >help for the moment./ The sphere enters the room, and expands into a >holodeck- or GL-style energy figure of Roland. "Hello. I am not a >full projection of Roland, but rather a projection run by the >personality simulation program designed by Kal-El of Krypton. The >personality I am designed to simulate is that of Roland X, however." >He/it winks at Zia. "Congratulations, Ziactrice. You have a pet >Roland." Nemo chuckles. "Just remember that you have to take proper care of your pet or you can't have it." Nemo beats a hasty retreat in anticipation of Zia's likely response. ================================= Subject: AAE VIe: Finales and Rejoinders Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 04:09:26 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 23:52:49 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008469 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 19:45:07 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008468 > >Nemo chuckles. > >"Just remember that you have to take proper care of your pet or you >can't have it." > >Nemo beats a hasty retreat in anticipation of Zia's likely response. > >good for Zia right now> Zia laughs too hard to attempt any rejoinder until Nemo's already made good his hasty retreat. The lines from pain and disgust around her eyes seem to fade out as she finally finisher, holding her stomach from laughing that hard and unexpectedly. To herself, she thinks, [Heh... that really wasn't quite _that_ hilarious. I must be reacting to how rough this last got.] Out loud, she just has to take a moment to catch her breath after roaring with laughter like that. She grins, and rejoinders to the (pet) Roland, "So, do you come with like a 'Care and Feeding of Roland-simulated pet Robots' guide? As for YOU, Nemo," she says accusingly to the general air, "I oughta just arrange for you to have a pet-Roger. That'd larn ya, Pilgrim." She does the Duke, if not in his pitch, quite well otherwise. "Although, knowing you, you'd even manage to handle THAT with your usual aplomb." She adds, with a rueful tone. "I take it no one else has seen the troubles I've seen, since neither of you are giving me any news flashes - hmmm." She frowns. "Or you might not, either, until I'm better healed, eh? A league of gentlemen, INDEED." She can't quite bring off the 'disgruntled' tone though, far too happy to be free of that nano-plague whatever, and back here. Not to mention, she is pleased that she actually MANAGED to get the artifact back here without calling for help enroute. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: Chase and Escape Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 04:09:35 +0000 On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 20:26:20 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008470 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:57:30 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008467 > >>"That should hold *that* for a while..." > >"Better you than me. The Ploorans sure gave chasing me the old >college try." "They'd have to be in "Winter" mode to reach it now, and they can't *exist* in that mode at these temperatures." >>"Easy, I know the changes hurt, but it's the only way..." > >"Right." Zia nods, and smiles grimly. "S'okay, I REALLY want this >gunk off. I just don't do well with time effects." She breaths >deeply, in a regular pattern, summoning all her practiced skill with >meditation to stay as calm as possible. >>Flesh (and the green goo) *boils* away. He endures this until his >>limbs are gone, and his head and torso badly damaged. But there's no >>trace of the goo. > >Zia shoots the ceiling an incredulous look. Her lens abruptly >brightens, as she calls on it's effect to help her shield her >empathy. "Unicorn." She cusses, visibly shaken. "If it takes _him_ >that sort of effort and pain to fix, I don't feel badly that I >couldn't fix myself any longer. New note to self; Nemo may be >incomprehensibly powerful, but _good friend when in need." ^When dealing with a nasty, unknown organism, best to stick to the simple, if painful methods of sterilizing it contaminated material. Conversion to plasma in a high radiation environment tends to be "rather fatal" to non-energy-based lifeforms.^ ^However, my examinations while "infected" provide a wealth of new data regarding the Ploorans and their world.^ >>He restores full shielding and heads back. Even as he clears the >>surface of the star, flesh and bone are visibly growing back. He >>takes a bit more time on the return trip, and when he re-enters the >>room zia is in, he merely looks a bit "raw". > >"Erhm... can ... or do you need the medbot to dress that?" Zia asks, >unsure, as it's just finishing the last bigger patches missing of her >own hide. Now a bit splotchy in areas, between her own pale skin and >the pinker 'new' skin, but MUCH less disgusting in appearance >already. "No, it'll be fine in a minute." Even as he speaks the skin goes from looking badly abraded to new & pink and then to normal color and texture. ================================= Subject: AAEVI: Shopping Spree, Verdi, Time for Tea, and Rejoining Family Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 10:41:07 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 19 Jun 2000 09:54:16 -0700 (PDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008475 In her short lifetime, she'd never heard him sing so well. Tinkerbell Seven stood in the doorway of Michael Seven's cabin. She always found the room comforting. It was paneled in warm woodtones, full of red and green and blue and black tanned leather-bound books, with clocks; all analog, some of wood, others brass and glass, even more a mix of all three; ticking quietly or loudly to themselves, passing the time second by second on metal gears, timed with pendulum motions, and powered by weighted gears or wound springs. Michael was sitting at a wooden drafting table, a small brass lamp over the table lighting a sheaf of large pieces of drafting paper. He perched intently on the high swiveling stool, still dressed in a burgundy and black dressing gown and black pyjama bottoms, and drew carefully with a drafting pencil and straightedge on the paper. Tink leaned against the doorframe, her white dressing gown tied closed at her waist, pink nightgown underneath that. She smiled, listening to the singing. She hated to interrupt, but had to know what was making her grandfather so happy. "Grumpa?" she hazarded. Mike turned and smiled, "Hi, Tink, come on in." Tink grinned and ventured into the room. "I haven't heard you sing like that in, well, in forever." Mike smirked, "I sing all the time, Tink." Tink shook her head, "Not like that. I've heard you sing that song before but you didn't have the depth. You were just singing. But that felt real." The ex-Time Lord arched an eyebrow, "I don't sing with feeling?" Tink leaned back against the desk, "Well, I dunno, you just don't put so much emotion into the song. You're ususally like just humming along only with words. But that came out like you belonged on a stage." "Well, I used to sing in nightclubs." "Really?" "Yeah, with the Hong Kong Cavaliers." Tink gapes, "With Perfect Tommy and Buckaroo Bonzai and..." Mike snickers, "Oh, no, nothing like that, the name was ripped off from the movie. Though, when I sang I was once introduced as Buckaroo Bonzai. The Hong Kong Cavaliers were in fact a Grey alien named Benjamin who played keyboards very much like Thomas Dolby and a Sasquatch named Jerry who played electric guitar like... well, actually, he was probably the best guitar player I know.... Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm serious." Tink crossed her arms and smirked very much like her "grandfather." "Right, Ben and Jerry, what-ever-." Mike laughed, "Toootally. Anyway, what was last happening at the Place before I pulled you away?" Tink looks shocked, "You -knew-?!" Michael chuckled, "Transporter logs, remember?" Tink put a hand to her face in embarrassment, "Oh of -course-, I should have thought of that." Mike grinned. "Anyway, any new discoveries?" Tink nodded, "A few things. They'd split up into teams and were looking for three artifacts out of nine that might, when brought together, recreate Fuzzy." Michael scratched his chin. "And I thought I had problems." Tink grinned, "And, I picked up the Universal Reality Locator for a Pokemon universe. After all, all kidding with Uncle Dhyrclhanc aside about my becoming a Pokemon Trainer, I did do so so I have to do so." Mike nodded, "Well, you're an official Time Lady now, Tink, your future has dealt you a hand, now you just play the cards you were given." Tink looked slightly downcast at that thought, "Sorta takes the fun out of life." The elder time traveller reached forward and "honked" the child's small, broad nose. "That's probably why that's all you know right now. Just go with the flow. And remember how much you didn't like it, so you'll know not to do it to yourself in the future unless you absolutely have to." Tink nodded. "Okay." "But on to the present, now that the Borg nanovirus is cured, and we've had a short rest, I think it's time we got back to work, yes?" Tink smiled, "Yeah." The little Time Lady looked over at the drafting table curiously, "What's this?" she asked, sliding the straightedge out of the way. "Oh, I was just thinking of remodeling the ship, or more aptly, building a new one." Tink looked at her grandfather, "A new _Love's_Labor_?" Mike shook his head, "I hadn't thought of a name for her. Though, I'm not all that fond of renaming ships after older ones." Tinkerbell smiled, "They did it with the Enterprise." Michael nodded, "True." The little girl went back to shuffling through the pages, "Sort of low tech isn't it?" She looked at page after page, then the pictures started to form a whole in her mind of what the ship would look like. Her jaw dropped and Michael's smile widened. Tinkerbell looked at him incredulously, "You're kidding me!" Michael Seven replied airily, "Well, if you don't want us to have one..." Tinkerbell Seven squealed and hugged him, "It's the one thing I always wanted, but thought I could never dare ask for!" Michael smiled, "Well, I just felt the urge for one since getting back from the delta quadrant." Tink stopped and looked seriously at him. "Are you sure you're alright?" "Right as rain," Michael said, beaming, "I haven't felt this good since first running across Callahans. And what are we still doing here, we should be getting ready to go, yeah?" Tink nodded and turned toward the door. On the threshold, she turned, "Grumpa, that reminds me, I was hoping I could replicate a new outfit? I'm sort of sick of the stuff I've got in my closet." Mike walked over to his own wardrobe, "Nonsense, you have plenty of nice things in there." Throwing open the doors, he stared into his own closet. As he looked around it, his face slowly turned into a frown. "You know," he said finally, "Let's both go replicate something. This is all... too conservative." "Conservative?" "Yeah, it's, like, all either casual-day cubicle attire or L.L. Bean rustic. Even the jeans and tee-shirts seem fancy. I mean, hey, fine, in the 23rd century, everyone can look like they stepped out of a GQ magazine, but it's not my style." Tink arched an eyebrow. "Since when?" Mike turned and blinked at her. He furrowed his brow. "Yeah, I guess it is." He turned back to the closet, "Well, not anymore. C'mon, let's go find something to wear that's completely out of character." Tinkerbell giggled, "Okay." As he walked out, her expression got more serious. There was something amiss with him, certainly, but was it a bad thing? The pair of time travellers entered the holodeck and looked at the clothing there, the finest of the 24th century. Neither looked pleased. Tink spoke up first, "Computer, back up a century." The holodeck shimmered and reformed. It still didn't look right. Mike called for the 22nd century, then Tink asked for the 21st, Mike the 20th, and Tink the 19th. Tink finally stamped her foot in frustration. "This is getting us nowhere," she fumed to herself. "You know what it is," Mike said, "We've been in one century so long we're out of touch. We ought to just take a short trip somewhere to get our feet wet. Nothing too long, maybe just for a few hours. Wanna go see a movie?" Tink shook her head, "Naw, I could watch a movie here." "I'd like something with an audience, though, being around people." "A play?" "A concert?" Mike asked, then smiled, "An opera! I've always wanted to try listening to opera via minilens." Tink thought about that for a moment. Didn't sound all that good, but, she considered, it might be completely different when you actually understood what was being said in no uncertain terms of translation. "Okay, but I want to pick the opera." "Fair enough," Michael assented, "Computer, list all known operas in your database, omitting all information about the author, location or date of first performance, or original language it was written in. Write the synopsis minus title and minus the characters' names or names of locations in the play." He grinned at Tinkerbell, "This way, we'll be picking a random period and location, with absolutely no idea of what we'll be seeing except that the story sounds good." Several hours later, subjective time, a transporter beam shimmered into existance by the bar. As Michael finished shimmering into existence, he set a pair of silver dollars on the bartop. "One cup of Earl Grey with milk and two sugars for me and a "shepard's tea" for the young lady, two sugars." Michael Callahan didn't bat an eye, naturally. He set to work behind the bar, dusting off a teapot and setting the tea to steep. Michael Seven and Tink took barstools and began discussing their first foray into the Opera world. Tink said, "I loved Otello, but I wish he'd been played by a black opera singer. I know, it was Milan, 1887, but still, you'd think they could have found someone a bit more believable in the role. Iago was great, though, I just wanted to throttle him every time I saw him." Mike chuckled, "A classic villian. What did you think of the translation from Italian to English?" "I don't think it could have gotten much better. It did mess with the meter a bit, but that can't be helped." Mike nodded, then ohed and called to Callahan, "Spare the fancy cups, this will be to go." He nodded toward one of the X-windows. Five minutes later, the pair of wayward time travellers stood on the rocky interior surface of the Dyson sphere Fuzzy had made his home and the CAoL was using as a base of operations in the quest for his reintegration. Tink smiled up at her grandfather. After seven years of trying, she'd finally gotten him to dress the part of a Time Lord. He'd shaved his goatee and moustache (she didn't want to think of Grandpa The Master), and she'd talked him into letting the EMH use a growth stimulator on his hair, so it was now brown, wavy and shoulder length all the way round. He'd adopted a frock coat of navy blue velvet, a white, wide collar peasant shirt with lace cuffs and neck, a green, mustard, red, black and navy blue leafy-patterned vest, with a pair of medium-grey slacks and black, patent leather boots. In one hand, he held a white saucer with a black line around the edge and its matching tea cup. His other hand dug out a silver pocket watch with frosted crystal lid. He glanced at it and put it back in his hip pocket. Tink on the other hand, had adopted a tartan skirt matching the colors in Michael's vest that hung three inchs below the knee, a navy blue jacket, white blouse, navy blue ribbon bow tie, white kneehigh socks, brown and white leather shoes, and a straw boater. Her blonde hair was tied into two braids by navy blue ribbons. She'd giggled at the pair of them, her the Romana, second incarnation, to his fourth Doctor. Not that it was an ideal match, just a general similarity to an episode of the series she'd remembered. She held an identical cup and saucer, which she now took a sip from. "Shepard's Tea," milk and hot water, half and half, with two sugars. She hadn't developed a taste for hot tea yet, especially as Michael's was usually fairly strong. Mike watched her take a sip, and chuckled a bit himself. He still felt a bit silly, but while in no way a period costume, he'd found his new suit of clothes at least made the average person assume he was some sort of artist, bohemian or American. Not that anyone pried, simply muttered behind his back. But, they had money aplenty for the theater, so the management turned a blind eye. From there it'd been straight on to Callahans, and now to here. Wherever "here" was. Tink pointed out the castle and the Jupiter Two. Mike smiled at the latter, glad to see his memories of Will Robinson weren't those of -this- Will Robinson. They headed for the castle, the smaller rocks crunching under their feet as they walked. Mike sent ahead advance warning (of sorts) on the minilens link, adopting an almost obnoxiously chipper, singsong tone, /Avon calling!/ ================================= Subject: Re: AAEVI: Shopping Spree, Verdi, Time for Tea, and Rejoining Family Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 22:35:48 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 19 Jun 2000 21:53:11 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008476 >On Mon, 19 Jun 2000 09:54:16 -0700 (PDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008475 > > Mike sent ahead advance warning (of sorts) on the minilens link, >adopting an almost obnoxiously chipper, singsong tone, /Avon >calling!/ Nemo replies, /No thanks, but if Blake or Orac show up I might let *them* in.../ ================================= Subject: Re: AAEVI: Shopping Spree, Verdi, Time for Tea, and Rejoining Family Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 04:37:21 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 21 Jun 2000 04:06:19 -0700 (PDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008477 >On Mon, 19 Jun 2000 21:53:11 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008476 > >Nemo replies, /No thanks, but if Blake or Orac show up I might let >*them* in.../ Mike smirked, /Hmm, Blake's Seven fan, eh? Never did get around to seeing that series./ Automatic castle defenses ran through a battery of complex scanning procedures on the pair of time-travellers. Finding their patterns on file in the castle computer, an attendant was waiting at the door when Tinkerbell knocked. They followed the attendant to the planning room where they both set about reviewing events thusfar. "Artifacts recovered," Mike read off, "the Guage of Infinity, maybe the Game of If, still working on the Cosmic Engineer, and Zia's out hunting up the Sextant of Time." Tink called up another window as the table beeped at them. "Actually, she just got back, according to castle security. She's with Roland and Nemo." "Well, let's go see how she did." A few minutes later, they were approaching the section of hallway that Zia had chosen as an arrival alcove. Tink announced, "Hi guys." Mike, noting the medical drone, rested a hand on Tink's shoulder and slowed their pace a bit. No telling what might be going on. "Everything alright?" he inquired. ================================= Subject: Re: AAEVI: Shopping Spree, Verdi, Time for Tea, and Rejoining Family Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 18:41:06 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 21 Jun 2000 21:27:58 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008479 >On Wed, 21 Jun 2000 04:06:19 -0700 (PDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008477 > > A few minutes later, they were approaching the section of >hallway that Zia had chosen as an arrival alcove. > Tink announced, "Hi guys." > Mike, noting the medical drone, rested a hand on Tink's shoulder >and slowed their pace a bit. No telling what might be going on. >"Everything alright?" he inquired. > >entrance into the rest of the story.> The petite brunette rises with the sort of at-first careful move one has when things _used_ to hurt, and gives the two returning CAoLers a wry half-smile. "That depends on if you like patchwork, I suppose." Her skin being rather patchy in appearance between brand-new pieces and the lightly tanned original sections. "Actually," she admits, "it didn't go all that badly. I'd much rather play with the Borg than the Plooran High Command, but I managed to get what I needed. I really think it should be called the 'Light-Arc Ball of Time', though. Looks nothing like a sextant." "Nemo? Is there another one that the possibility of just a few of us working could obtain? For that matter, do we even know where some of the rest of our remaining 'shopping list' are or might be? If not, given a highly detailed description, I might be able to track them without knowing quite where they are." ================================= Subject: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 20:07:35 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 19:47:07 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008480 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:57:30 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008467 > >Zia, for her part, re-shadow-molds a new uniform rather quickly, >finishing just before the sphere becomes Projected-Pet Roland. "I'm >hurt, projection or not. Female vanity, doncha know? Unless you're >one of the fellows whose hinges swing both ways, and after having met >Morgan I can't express that doubt without scientific notation in the >number, it's so small. One would think I'd look better hands down, >given I have the advantage over Nemo in gender." She laughs, softly, >moving slowly so as not to pull 'skin' wrong, or even just bump into >anything. The Roland-projection looks confused for a moment, then chuckles. "Tease. Nothing wrong with that, mind you--Light, I sound like a bad Seinfeld episode--but not my cuppa." >"So, you're back, eh? I need to talk to Supes about his simulations - >a good actor never breaks character and all. But I suppose he'd give >me that 'but you have to be forthright' reason. Uhmmm. Nope, wouldn't >help. All simulations lead to doing it Supes' way, given Roland's >definitive urge to the chivalric side of justice." Zia shakes her >head at herself. "Well, there _is_ also the personality being simulated. And he/I is/am partially connected to this projection. Darn it, Z, I'm a psion, not an actor." Maybe Sim-Roland winked at her. Maybe. 8^) >Then to both pet-Roland and Nemo, she continues. "Yes. Now that THOSE >are gone. How are the others doing; anyone else get a tiger by the >tail?" She grins, ruefully, "Not that I can exactly mount a white >horse and gad about rescuing stragglers again, QUITE yet. Talk about >saddle sore... whew." Sim-Roland's eyes become somewhat more blank; the crisis here has been contained. "According to available data, all members are now 'down and safe.' The primary difficulty at present seems to be a lack of progress. No danger seems extant at this time." Elsewhere, Roland thinks amusedly, /What, did the Super-bots swallow a dictionary since Crisis? I've got to reprogram that thing./ Then... >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 23:52:49 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008469 > >>On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 19:45:07 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008468 >> >>"Just remember that you have to take proper care of your pet or you >>can't have it." >> >>Nemo beats a hasty retreat in anticipation of Zia's likely response. > >She grins, and rejoinders to the (pet) Roland, "So, do you come with >like a 'Care and Feeding of Roland-simulated pet Robots' guide? As >for YOU, Nemo," "I do not require food, though the occasional energy field is necessary to continued operations. According to my database, however, my template's usual habits should make providing such energies unnecessary," Sim-Roland says, deadpan. >"I take it no one else has seen the troubles I've seen, since neither >of you are giving me any news flashes - hmmm." She frowns. "Or you >might not, either, until I'm better healed, eh? A league of >gentlemen, INDEED." She can't quite bring off the 'disgruntled' tone >though, far too happy to be free of that nano-plague whatever, and >back here. Not to mention, she is pleased that she actually MANAGED >to get the artifact back here without calling for help enroute. "Of extraordinary gentlemen, it would seem," Sim-Roland says, a smirk almost forming. "Will you require anything el-" Sim-Roland flickers, as if reception had wavered momentarily. "-se?" /--circle behind him, then close and engage--/ flits across the link briefly. ================================= Subject: Re: AAEVI: Shopping Spree, Verdi, Time for Tea, and Rejoining Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 20:15:15 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 20:07:35 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008481 >On Wed, 21 Jun 2000 04:06:19 -0700 (PDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008477 > > Mike smirked, /Hmm, Blake's Seven fan, eh? Never did get around >to seeing that series./ /First two seasons are okay,/ Roland replies, /but after that...well, let's just say I didn't bother to stick around very long there./ > Mike, noting the medical drone, rested a hand on Tink's shoulder >and slowed their pace a bit. No telling what might be going on. >"Everything alright?" he inquired. /Seems like,/ Roland replies. /Good to have you back, old friend. Any ideas are welcome, as always./ A smile flows through the link. /First Stranger, then me, now you. Starting to feel like Old Home Week./ ================================= Subject: AAEVI: Rejoining the Quest Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 10:42:50 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 24 Jun 2000 10:14:42 -0700 (PDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008482 >On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 20:07:35 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008481 > > /First two seasons are okay,/ Roland replies, /but after that... >well, let's just say I didn't bother to stick around very long >there./ /Mmm, maybe I won't bother then,/ Mike mused "aloud." > /Seems like,/ Roland replies. /Good to have you back, old >friend. Any ideas are welcome, as always./ A smile flows through the >link. /First Stranger, then me, now you. Starting to feel like Old >Home Week./ Mike chuckled, /Good to be back./ >On Wed, 21 Jun 2000 21:27:58 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008479 > >The petite brunette rises with the sort of at-first careful move one >has when things _used_ to hurt, and gives the two returning CAoLers a >wry half-smile. "That depends on if you like patchwork, I suppose." >Her skin being rather patchy in appearance between brand-new pieces >and the lightly tanned original sections. Mike dug in a pocket, withdrawing a chrome and black plastic wand with a rectangular head. One side of the head was a square of red translucent plastic. Two small lenses sat on either side. Mike fiddled with trio of rolling dials, then offered it to Zia. "Might try this," he suggests, "It's sort of a handheld tanning bed. Put the two cameras over the skin you want to match the color to and press the red button. Then depress the green toggle and run the red light over the new spots. Give it five minutes, then wait a couple hours then give it five more. Repeat until the red light shifts to green. Probably take a day or so, depending on how easily the pigments in your skin are stimulated." Tink gives Mike an odd look, thinking [Where'd you learn that?] but doesn't say anything. >"Actually," she admits, "it didn't go all that badly. I'd much rather >play with the Borg than the Plooran High Command, but I managed to >get what I needed. I really think it should be called the 'Light-Arc >Ball of Time', though. Looks nothing like a sextant." Tink grinned, "I'd certainly choose the Borg as we just left them over Ploorans." Mike explained, "'As we just them' means with no Queen, no Collective and leadership we can trust in her place. Seven of Nine and an alternate version of Gary Seven, one who didn't meet my mother." >"Nemo? Is there another one that the possibility of just a few of us >working could obtain? For that matter, do we even know where some of >the rest of our remaining 'shopping list' are or might be? If not, >given a highly detailed description, I might be able to track them >without knowing quite where they are." *Failsafe,* Michael Seven sent in a clear, crisp, mental voice, *I'm Michael Seven, a member of the Callahanian Army of Light who was detained from joining everyone by a prior emergency. Are there any other artifacts that a small party might be able to obtain, or that one could follow prospective leads on?* He smiled, *We're anxious to get back to work.* ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: Chase and Escape Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 17:33:21 -0700 (PDT) On 06-24-2000 at 17:30:42 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008486 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 13:37:02 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008464 > >>On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 11:42:00 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008463 >> >> Guess what? I'm finally back from vacation. I had a wonderful >>time, but now I think it's just about time Zia got back to >>'Headquarters' since it appears the Ploorans aren't quite as good at >>hide and seek as a shadow-shifting Amberite is. >Soon he is clear of the atmosphere and *really* moving. He reaches >the sun and plunges in. He continues until he is in the core of the >star. Then he loosens his shields. The 'Dimensional Interface'/'Ley Line Node', Which in this Realm masquerades as a Star, Provides Any amount of expected energy in the Expected Form... >He restores full shielding and heads back. Even as he clears the >surface of the star, flesh and bone are visibly growing back. He >takes a bit more time on the return trip, and when he re-enters the >room zia is in, he merely looks a bit "raw". And just to prove that even Nemo is not Omni-Perceptive, A few flecks of the goo manage to get far enough away to survive, They will be growing and adapting until... ================================= Subject: AAE VIe: Finales and Rejoinders Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 08:33:52 -0700 (PDT) On 06-25-2000 at 08:19:41 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008490 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 23:52:49 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008469 > >"I take it no one else has seen the troubles I've seen, since neither >of you are giving me any news flashes - hmmm." She frowns. "Or you >might not, either, until I'm better healed, eh? A league of >gentlemen, INDEED." She can't quite bring off the 'disgruntled' tone >though, far too happy to be free of that nano-plague whatever, and >back here. Not to mention, she is pleased that she actually MANAGED >to get the artifact back here without calling for help enroute. Nemisis Speaking up "Well no one else has tried anything like taking on, The Plooran High Command, Single handed Either... "The Medical Systems indicate you could use, A few hours of Downtime..., With Good Meals Before and After." "Is there Any Chance you will see to that?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 19:25:59 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:19:56 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008494 >On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 19:47:07 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008480 > >>On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:57:30 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008467 >> >>Zia, for her part, re-shadow-molds a new uniform rather quickly, >>finishing just before the sphere becomes Projected-Pet Roland. "I'm >>hurt, projection or not. Female vanity, doncha know? Unless you're >>one of the fellows whose hinges swing both ways, and after having >>met Morgan I can't express that doubt without scientific notation in >>the number, it's so small. One would think I'd look better hands >>down, given I have the advantage over Nemo in gender." She laughs, >>softly, moving slowly so as not to pull 'skin' wrong, or even just >>bump into anything. > > The Roland-projection looks confused for a moment, then chuckles. >"Tease. Nothing wrong with that, mind you--Light, I sound like a bad >Seinfeld episode--but not my cuppa." Zia laughs softly. "Yes, I was teasing. Hey, everyone has their own desires, it's what makes life so interesting. It wouldn't be so much fun to tease you, was not your own preference so marked and devoted." >>"So, you're back, eh? I need to talk to Supes about his simulations >>- a good actor never breaks character and all. But I suppose he'd >>give me that 'but you have to be forthright' reason. Uhmmm. Nope, >>wouldn't help. All simulations lead to doing it Supes' way, given >>Roland's definitive urge to the chivalric side of justice." Zia >>shakes her head at herself. > > "Well, there _is_ also the personality being simulated. And he/I >is/am partially connected to this projection. Darn it, Z, I'm a >psion, not an actor." Maybe Sim-Roland winked at her. Maybe. 8^) Zia snorts. "I deserved it. Star Trek misquotes, yet?" She gives him a wry half-smile, "Apparently, your sim picked up a sense of humor somewhere. I hope it catches on the original model." She tries to do it deadpan, but there is a little curve to the the corner of her lips. >>Then to both pet-Roland and Nemo, she continues. "Yes. Now that >>THOSE are gone. How are the others doing; anyone else get a tiger by >>the tail?" She grins, ruefully, "Not that I can exactly mount a >>white horse and gad about rescuing stragglers again, QUITE yet. Talk >>about saddle sore... whew." > > Sim-Roland's eyes become somewhat more blank; the crisis here has >been contained. "According to available data, all members are now >'down and safe.' The primary difficulty at present seems to be a lack >of progress. No danger seems extant at this time." > Elsewhere, Roland thinks amusedly, /What, did the Super-bots >swallow a dictionary since Crisis? I've got to reprogram that thing./ Zia gives Nemo a lifted eyebrow, "Maybe he needs some personality-unlike-seventies TV-robot pointers from you?" It's plain that Zia is not serious, just teasing. If only to improve her own mood, but not to seriously jibe at anyone. > Then... >>On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 23:52:49 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008469 >> >>She grins, and rejoinders to the (pet) Roland, "So, do you come with >>like a 'Care and Feeding of Roland-simulated pet Robots' guide? As >>for YOU, Nemo," > > "I do not require food, though the occasional energy field is >necessary to continued operations. According to my database, however, >my template's usual habits should make providing such energies >unnecessary," Sim-Roland says, deadpan. "Was that sexual innuendo about psionic energy fields?" Zia asks, as innocently confused as she can portray, then she raises her eyebrow. "How... inTRIGing. I'll have to follow up with Morgan on that later. I might just learn something, you never know..." >>"I take it no one else has seen the troubles I've seen, since >>neither of you are giving me any news flashes - hmmm." She frowns. >>"Or you might not, either, until I'm better healed, eh? A league of >>gentlemen, INDEED." She can't quite bring off the 'disgruntled' tone >>though, far too happy to be free of that nano-plague whatever, and >>back here. Not to mention, she is pleased that she actually MANAGED >>to get the artifact back here without calling for help enroute. > > "Of extraordinary gentlemen, it would seem," Sim-Roland says, a >smirk almost forming. "Will you require anything el-" Sim-Roland >flickers, as if reception had wavered momentarily. "-se?" > /--circle behind him, then close and engage--/ flits across the >link briefly. "No, go ahead and take care of the unfriendlies setting up for a ill-thought ambush, there. I've got plenty of help here, however unusual I find such circumstances." She shakes her head with a wry grin, not quite used to the CAoL's cooperative style, but enjoying it anyway. ================================= Subject: AAE VIc: Moving right along... Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2000 19:40:49 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 01 Jul 2000 16:07:54 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008499 >On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 19:45:07 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008468 > >>On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 16:10:27 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008466 >> >> "Your Compression Cube. Where you keep the trophies, vehicles and >>mementos of a thousand different dimensions--" Superman explained, >>and it was Roland's turn to blush. > >Ok, when do *we* get a tour? Every time I pull something out of it. The pulp writers exaggerated. (Of course, that means that there's a 'pulp' version of Roland out there. Scary, huh? ;^) >> And along the lens-link, the CAoL hears, /Congratulations, Nemo. >>It's a...crystal./ The voice is amused...and very, very familiar to >>most. > >A fine cigar appears in "Roland's" hand. If he doesn't smoke, it'll >turn out to be fine chocolate. /Mmm...super-chocolate!/ >> The blur stops at the castle C-in-C, and can easily be seen (to >>anyone viewing that area) as an interesting blend of the old Blaze >>and Defender costumes. /Hi, all. I'm back--sort of. I've combined >>the 'parallel processing' I learned from Roger, my Defender armor's >>technology, and the Superman Robot technology to spread myself >>around a bit. I currently have a 'self' on Babylon 5, Champions >>Island, the Justice Legion hyper-satellite, and Paaran Disen as well >>as here. My flesh-and-blood self is with Morgan. Nemo, I don't >>become you in a billion years, do I? Skip it. Rhetorical question./ > >/I would be unable to answer in any case. That knowledge would be >detrimental to your proper growth./ > >Roland does a double take as he realizes that Nemo's mental voice >just then sounded a *lot* like Mentor of Arisia. After the double-take (which I _would_ have done anyway--I am _way_ too predictable lately) Roland smiles lopsidedly. /I thought as much. But I doubt it anyway--if I live that long, I'll probably be more Kirby-esque. ;^)/ [Ed. Note: Snip of stuff that's in AAE6c.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2000 19:40:55 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 01 Jul 2000 16:34:37 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008500 >On Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:19:56 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008494 > >>On Fri, 23 Jun 2000 19:47:07 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008480 >> >>>On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:57:30 -0400 >>>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008467 >> The Roland-projection looks confused for a moment, then chuckles. >>"Tease. Nothing wrong with that, mind you--Light, I sound like a bad >>Seinfeld episode--but not my cuppa." > >Zia laughs softly. "Yes, I was teasing. Hey, everyone has their own >desires, it's what makes life so interesting. It wouldn't be so much >fun to tease you, was not your own preference so marked and devoted." Sim-Roland chuckles. "You'd be surprised about some of my... preferences. They _do_ all involve women, however." The simulation actually _winks_ at Zia. She thinks. In the "distance," Morgan's "voice" can be heard on the link. /Hey, Roooooland, one of your sims is snitching on you./ There's a definite tone of playful teasing in her "voice." /In front of _everyone._/ /Hm?/ Roland's thoughts flicker a moment. /Oh, GRIFE!/ Roland blushes (tm). (OOC: Wottheheck, I was feeling nostalgic. ;^) There's another flicker of thought. A pair of images (that might be revealed later in the Risque Room--or maybe not ) flit through the link VERY briefly before Roland clamps down _hard._ The Sim-Roland flickers slightly. >> "Well, there _is_ also the personality being simulated. And he/I >>is/am partially connected to this projection. Darn it, Z, I'm a >>psion, not an actor." Maybe Sim-Roland winked at her. Maybe. 8^) > >Zia snorts. "I deserved it. Star Trek misquotes, yet?" She gives him >a wry half-smile, "Apparently, your sim picked up a sense of humor >somewhere. I hope it catches on the original model." She tries to do >it deadpan, but there is a little curve to the the corner of her >lips. The Sim-Roland winces. "I'm hit! The sim cannae take much more o' this, Cap'n!" Roland's Scots accent is pretty weak, despite a fair amount of time married to Morgan. Of course, the wince vanishes, replaced by a smile. >> "I do not require food, though the occasional energy field is >>necessary to continued operations. According to my database, >>however, my template's usual habits should make providing such >>energies unnecessary," Sim-Roland says, deadpan. > >"Was that sexual innuendo about psionic energy fields?" Zia asks, as >innocently confused as she can portray, then she raises her eyebrow. >"How...inTRIGing. I'll have to follow up with Morgan on that later. I >might just learn something, you never know..." "Actually, no, that wasn't what I meant--though I'm sure that you're familiar with the advantages of telekinesis in-" BEEEEP! "-regardless, I was referring to my template's penchant for entering battles in which a great deal of energy is flung about. I can absorb this energy to a point. >>"Will you require anything el-" Sim-Roland flickers, as if reception >>had wavered momentarily. "-se?" >> /--circle behind him, then close and engage--/ flits across the >>link briefly. > >"No, go ahead and take care of the unfriendlies setting up for a >ill-thought ambush, there. I've got plenty of help here, however >unusual I find such circumstances." She shakes her head with a wry >grin, not quite used to the CAoL's cooperative style, but enjoying it >anyway. "Hm. Actually, that's Defender, planning to deal with the Black Paladin. I'm quite busy in my native realm as well as the Wheel of Time cosm. Your tactical assessment has been passed along." And Sim-Roland folds his arms behind his back, the faint remains of a blush glowing around his cheeks... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 06:42:34 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 2 Jul 2000 09:21:01 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008501 >On Sat, 01 Jul 2000 16:34:37 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008500 > >>On Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:19:56 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008494 > > Sim-Roland chuckles. "You'd be surprised about some of my... >preferences. They _do_ all involve women, however." The simulation >actually _winks_ at Zia. She thinks. > >In the "distance," Morgan's "voice" can be heard on the link. /Hey, >Roooooland, one of your sims is snitching on you./ There's a definite >tone of playful teasing in her "voice." /In front of _everyone._/ > > /Hm?/ Roland's thoughts flicker a moment. /Oh, GRIFE!/ Roland >blushes (tm). (OOC: Wottheheck, I was feeling nostalgic. ;^) There's >another flicker of thought. A pair of images (that might be revealed >later in the Risque Room--or maybe not ) flit through the link >VERY briefly before Roland clamps down _hard._ The Sim-Roland >flickers slightly. Even Zia's control of expression doesn't suffice to completely conceal the involuntary smirk. "Gee, even _those_ preferences are so ... controlled. Maybe that is the 'Secret' of being a real four-color hero." She cocks her head, and considers him with an amused glance. "Nope. I'll never fit that particular mold." Then she laughs. "Mike's right, though, we should eat while we're getting up to speed on the situations." She puts his gadget into a pocket, "Thanks for that, too, Mike." She says with only a slightly wry tone. "I might be overly concerned with appearances, but we all have the faults of our virtues." She'll get up and trail along with the group to find the nearest place for something to eat here. >>Zia snorts. "I deserved it. Star Trek misquotes, yet?" She gives him >>a wry half-smile, "Apparently, your sim picked up a sense of humor >>somewhere. I hope it catches on the original model." She tries to do >>it deadpan, but there is a little curve to the the corner of her >>lips. > > The Sim-Roland winces. "I'm hit! The sim cannae take much more o' >this, Cap'n!" Roland's Scots accent is pretty weak, despite a fair >amount of time married to Morgan. Of course, the wince vanishes, >replaced by a smile. "Ugh!" She grimaces in fake-pain, and then she grins and lets that line of converse trail off naturally. >>"Was that sexual innuendo about psionic energy fields?" Zia asks, as >>innocently confused as she can portray, then she raises her eyebrow. >>"How...inTRIGing. I'll have to follow up with Morgan on that later. >>I might justlearn something, you never know..." > > "Actually, no, that wasn't what I meant--though I'm sure that >you're familiar with the advantages of telekinesis in-" BEEEEP! >"-regardless, I was referring to my template's penchant for entering >battles in which a great deal of energy is flung about. I can absorb >this energy to a point. "Well, SOME of us enjoy the culinary delights of being flesh-and-blood." She gets an odd look, "Or whatever I might be at the time. I still need to derive my energy the old, slow, chemical bonds way, rather than just 'absorbing it out of the ether'. You know, sometimes, Roland, you're as weird as the rest of this crew." She pauses, then adds more softly, "I mean that in a completely complimentary way, actually." She proceeds to get a lumberjack's sort of meal. Tall pancake stack, two-eyed with eggs on the top, maple syrup, and lots of butter. Then she chases it with a big, rare steak. Perhaps she has been advised by the First Gray Lensman on exact recovery methods after combating the Eddore/Ploor? She has excellent frontier table manners. Not once does she stand on her chair to reach anything, and every thing she takes, she eats. :) Oh, and she uses her Lens when her mouth happens to be full. :) >>"No, go ahead and take care of the unfriendlies setting up for a >>ill-thought ambush, there. I've got plenty of help here, however >>unusual I find such circumstances." She shakes her head with a wry >>grin, not quite used to the CAoL's cooperative style, but enjoying >>it anyway. > > "Hm. Actually, that's Defender, planning to deal with the Black >Paladin. I'm quite busy in my native realm as well as the Wheel of >Time cosm. Your tactical assessment has been passed along." > And Sim-Roland folds his arms behind his back, the faint remains >of a blush glowing around his cheeks... "Morgan's right. You've got an appealing blush." She shakes her head at herself. "Try not to mind me. I always get this way after a bad combat....I'll takek some R&R time after we're done." She smirks, "Got to 'work off' my frustrations. Somehow, being in a dangerous conflict always sets my ... instincts into overdrive. It's a fairly normal response, as far as I've ever seen." "They're doing a trial to get the Engineer?? That sounds a bit... weirder than normal, even for the CAoL." She waits to get updated from someone. "Bizzare. Well. I'm trained as a Fair Witness, but I don't think I've witnessed anything that can be useful. If it's purely an examination trial, normal procedure would allow a time period between that and the actual judgement and decision, too, if that's at all helpful." ================================= Subject: ReAAE VIeAn Amazing Simulation Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2000 201403 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 3 Jul 2000 224927 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00008506 >On Sat, 01 Jul 2K Roland X Said > > "Hm. Actually, that's Defender, planning to deal with the Black >Paladin. I'm quite busy in my native realm as well as the Wheel of >Time cosm. Your tactical assessment has been passed along." > And Sim-Roland folds his arms behind his back, the faint remains >of a blush glowing around his cheeks... The unmistakable mental "voice" of the Sentinel-Lensdragon is, once again heard over the CAoL psi-web-link /Hey, bro, if you are planning to spend an appricatively lengthy amount of time in the Wheel of Time Cosm, see if you can pick me up a Mark Heron Sword while you are there. Also, remember to avoid time-loops! That Cosm is rife with them!/ (Sorry, private joke. Ask Paul/John/Shadow to explain it to you.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000 00:17:58 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 8 Jul 2000 23:57:03 -0700 (PDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008515 >On Sun, 2 Jul 2000 09:21:01 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008501 > >"Mike's right, though, we should eat while we're getting up to speed >on the situations." She puts his gadget into a pocket, "Thanks for >that, too, Mike." She says with only a slightly wry tone. "I might be >overly concerned with appearances, but we all have the faults of our >virtues." She'll get up and trail along with the group to find the >nearest place for something to eat here. Mike grimaces slightly at the tone, "Well, if it's any consolation, that particular aspect never crossed my mind." He smirks, "I pride myself in acting without thinking, after all." >"Well, SOME of us enjoy the culinary delights of being >flesh-and-blood." She gets an odd look, "Or whatever I might be at >the time. I still need to derive my energy the old, slow, chemical >bonds way, rather than just 'absorbing it out of the ether'. You >know, sometimes, Roland, you're as weird as the rest of this crew." >She pauses, then adds more softly, "I mean that in a completely >complimentary way, actually." "Why be normal?" Tink quips. "Weird is more fun," Mike adds. Tink casts that worried look up at him before it vanishs again. >She proceeds to get a lumberjack's sort of meal. Tall pancake stack, >two-eyed with eggs on the top, maple syrup, and lots of butter. Then >she chases it with a big, rare steak. Perhaps she has been advised by >the First Gray Lensman on exact recovery methods after combating the >Eddore/Ploor? She has excellent frontier table manners. Not once does >she stand on her chair to reach anything, and every thing she takes, >she eats. :) Oh, and she uses her Lens when her mouth happens to be >full. :) Mike digs into a steak as well, Tink opting for a salad, going through a vaguely vegetarian phase. ^What other medical stuff do you have in your pockets?^ Tink sends Mike over a bite of salad. ^Just the usual EMT kit.^ ^Do you know how to use any of it?^ ^Sure I do, you know I got a mental dump of all the Borg's medical knowledge when I ........{!?!}........... no, that was Voyd..... wasn't it?.... But, I -did- go through all her memories.... though I'd have thought I'd be able to seperate them more easily.^ ^{nod} But, the mental battle afterwards is what worries me. You used to warn me about not blending in and acting normal, that it was dangerous. Not that it was more fun.^ Mike looks at Tink. "Pass the steak sauce." ^I used to think that way, when Voyd and I were one and the same person. You think Voyd somehow... what did Roland call it? 'Body hopping?' 'Soul jumping?'^ Tink sends, ^Summon your minilens and drop your napkin.^ Mike does so and Tink leans down to pick it up, taking a close look at Mike's lens. She'd looked at both her lens and his many time, remembering all the patterns and noting the differences between the two. Mike's lens showed Dhyrclhanc's lenspattern, as founder of the minilenslink, and under that was Mike's mental pattern traced lightly underneath. Tink's mental pattern was partly Mike's and partly Flarn's, the pair who's intellects were the basepattern for each of her mother's and consequently her brainwave patterns. Tink's mental tracings were a mix of lights and heavies. Mike's lighter than Flarn's. She had developed differences in her minilens as she gotten older, these lines were drawn heavily like her grandmother's. Tink passes back Michael's napkin and adjusts her own as she summons her minilens in her lap. She makes her mental comparison. ^Well, your pattern is identical... except, it's heavier. Not as heavy as gramma's, but heavier than before. I have no idea what that means, but at least you don't seem possessed in your minilens' opinion. Whatever makes you you is just more firmly entrenched, I guess.^ ^Strange.^ This momentary byplay behind them, the pair continue on with their meals. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000 17:40:22 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 9 Jul 2000 20:31:43 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008525 >On Sat, 8 Jul 2000 23:57:03 -0700 (PDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00008515 > > Mike grimaces slightly at the tone, "Well, if it's any >consolation, that particular aspect never crossed my mind." He >smirks, "I pride myself in acting without thinking, after all." "My appearance never crossed your mind?!?" Zia's eyes boggle. "I think I was just mortally wounded in my vanity." After fanning herself with a limply dramatic hand, she smiles and goes on. "Mike, I was indulging in _self-mockery_. I'm selfish, too. You can't share unless you ask first." She shakes a finger at Mike, knowing perfectly well how silly her 'rebuke' looks and sounds. "Acting, thinking or not, is usually this lady's territory." She grins. > "Why be normal?" Tink quips. > "Weird is more fun," Mike adds. > Tink casts that worried look up at him before it vanishs again. "Because normal is imaginary, and reality is always weird. Thus, the normal is always the stranger of the two, see?" > Mike looks at Tink. "Pass the steak sauce." ^I used to think >that way, when Voyd and I were one and the same person. You think >Voyd somehow... what did Roland call it? 'Body hopping?' 'Soul >jumping?'^ > Tink sends, ^Summon your minilens and drop your napkin.^ > Mike does so and Tink leans down to pick it up, taking a close >look at Mike's lens. Zia just shakes her head. "That one was old before I existed." > This momentary byplay behind them, the pair continue on with >their meals. "Well, what is this mission that we're being lined up for, where is it, and how do we get there? It's conceivable I could rest enroute, unless it'd fash all the male feathers that seem to be looking out for my well-being, that is." She grins. "Not that _I_ mind, of course. Being looked after by someone not related is certainly quite far from the usual, but I could get used to it. Some sort of diamond lens, All-seeing lens-shaped thingmabob, it is? And what will be the hurdle to challenge the recovery of said thingie this time?" Ziactrice Nothing like a high-calory meal to make you feel like doing things. ================================= Subject: AAE VIe: On Ice or Black Ice Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 17:10:05 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 12 Jul 2000 19:56:37 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008540 After finishing a large meal with the Sevens, Zia takes a couple hours downtime to get some sleep. Of course, merely sleeping is not a good enough reason to waste time. /Nemo, can you discuss modifications to my defenses against nano, and any other obvious areas of tactical weakness you've seen in me? I'd like to get your advice on possible fixes./ She Lenses with the parts of her mind that do not succumb to the sleep state. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 16:35:51 -0700 (PDT) On 07-19-2000 at 16:18:56 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008566 >On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 05:39:02 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008564 > >/Never mind. I must still be off-balance. I'll go get checked up./ >She rolls out of bed, obviously there won't be much resting after >thoughts like that, and wanders off to see what this place has in the >way of a sickbay. "Greetings." "Please have a seat." "Now while the Diagnostics have a look at you, Let us discuss NanoTech Weapons systems..." "There are two general categories, However please remember that the exact dividing line, Is mostly a matter of convention. The First category is the 'Biogenic', This includes such things as engineered Virii, The products of this category have a generally Organic format. The Second is the 'Technogenic', The products of this category have a generally Mech/Crystal Format." "Biogenic Types tend to reproduce fastest, While The Technogenic types tend to be sturdier." "The most effective counters differ with the Category." "Our most effective long term counter for most Biogenic NanoTech, Is a Dermal/Mucosal colony of Benign Technogenic Nanites, As a Plus most Airborn and simple contact infections are blocked, It also prevents acne... The Unavoidable limitation is that, A large enough group of attacking nanites can overwhelm the defense, At least on a local basis, but even then they would be slowed down." "Our most effective counter for Technogenic NanoTech, Is a Projector which emits a special wave pattern, Which will shatter most Technogenic Nanites, At ranges of up to one foot. Potential draw backs: Technogenic Nanites might carry Toxins which would be released, The projector would damage Benign Technogenic colonies, and Some Nano-Detailed Devices would be damaged or interfered with." " We can give you a treatment now which will setup, The Defense for Biogenic Nanites, And We have Ingested, Aerosol, or topical Cream Boosters available For use as needed. We could also issue the Projector, It will work as a flashlight, except that If the Projector is within one foot the Light indicates, The Area in which most Technogenic Nanites will be shattered. You should remember to apply the Booster to the effected area, As Soon As Possible after Each use of the Projector." "The Nanite colonies and the Nanites in the Booster, Would be tailored to your Natural Bioenergy field, This will allow them to funtion nearly any where you can, It will also cause them to shut down if removed from your system." "You should return every year or so, For Updates and Maintenance, Or after any major Test of the System for a Checkup, Just to be sure nothing managed to get by your defences." Castle Medical Systems =================================