Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6 Side Stories - ch. 2 Subject: AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 21:03:41 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 18 Jan 2001 20:40:49 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009211 (OOC: We just realized that, with AAE6 starting to move into end-game, we need to move another plot along. Assume this happened at some indeterminate time in the recent past, since I _don't_ want the headache I'd get trying to actually figure out where everyone was at any given time. :-) As the members of the CAoL go about gathering the Fuzzifacts, they get a "ping" on the lens link. /If anyone's in the middle of something critical, you'll probably want to block this and download it for later, but I just had to share. To the best of my knowledge, none of _you_ have felt it before, either,/ Morgan sends with a huge smile in her "voice." After making sure she isn't going to mess up someone's day, those still "listening" on the link feel a unique and wondrous sensation...life. The twins are at about 6 months now, and they're _active_ little squirts. There's a feeling in your abdomen--if your character doesn't have one, the sensations of a midsection come as part of the package. It's a feeling of motion, of pressures coming at odd times in strange places, but almost like a caress, or a hug in reverse...and of life. Living energies of two others, complete innocents, tied into your own...like the feeling of holding a newborn, only magnified, and not so much seeing the children as _feeling_ them. It's a magic that has nothing to do with sorcery. (OOC: It can't _really_ be described, sort of like being in love--if you've never felt it, words might come close to describing it but they never really do it justice.) Morgan smiles again (still? ;-). /I just had to share the joy. BTW, we've decided on names. The boy will be...is...Liam, after my grandfather, the man who first taught me the Arts./ /The girl's named Rachel, after...a fellow immortal and a fellow Phoenix,/ Roland added with a smile. /If everything goes as planned,/ Morgan continues, /they'll be born in Arcadia--Titania is just itching to use her midwifing skills. This will be a family thing, so if anyone wants to be present for the happy occasion let us know so we can arrange it. Roland will be helping me filter the link so I don't force _everyone_ to have a _real_ ring-side seat,/ she adds with a wry grin. /I don't have such an option, though,/ Roland notes, /so someone with greater telepathic abilities (cough sib cough) might want to provide a broadband "breaker" for the rest of the CAoL./ /Now all we have to do is decide whether we're going to invite all the grandparents,/ Morgan says dryly. Roland sighs. TBC... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 11:10:00 +0000 On Fri, 19 Jan 2001 00:04:20 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009212 >On Thu, 18 Jan 2001 20:40:49 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009211 > >There's a feeling in your abdomen--if your character doesn't have >one, the sensations of a midsection come as part of the package. It's >a feeling of motion, of pressures coming at odd times in strange >places, but almost like a caress, or a hug in reverse...and of life. >Living energies of two others, complete innocents, tied into your >own...like the feeling of holding a newborn, only magnified, and not >so much seeing the children as _feeling_ them. It's a magic that has >nothing to do with sorcery. (OOC: It can't _really_ be described, >sort of like being in love--if you've never felt it, words might come >close to describing it but they never really do it justice.) ^And this is what we are here for...^ > /I don't have such an option, though,/ Roland notes, /so someone >with greater telepathic abilities (cough sib cough) might want to >provide a broadband "breaker" for the rest of the CAoL./ ^I will do such, unless you have someone you would prefer to handle such a 'personal' task." ================================= Subject: Re: Sharing the joy Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2001 00:09:11 +0000 On Sat, 20 Jan 2001 18:47:52 -0600 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00009213 The Book of Destiny, of the Endless, records that, Thurs 18 Jan 2K1, "L.J. Wolfe" Sent: >After making sure she isn't going to mess up someone's day, those >still "listening" on the link feel a unique and wondrous >sensation...life. The twins are at about 6 months now, and they're >_active_ little squirts. > /I don't have such an option, though,/ Roland notes, /so someone >with greater telepathic abilities (cough sib cough) might want to >provide a broadband "breaker" for the rest of the CAoL./ An as of recently seldom used portion of the lens link once again warms up and sends, /Thanks, Sis! Not to say that I haven't been in this situation before but it certainly hasn't ever been quite like this!/ /Sure, Bro, I'm in touch enough with my feminine side to provide such a buffer... I think... / /Sorry, I can't be there folks but I'm up to my prodigious neck in something of an emergency situation right now. I'll get back to you when I can.../ >/Now all we have to do is decide whether we're going to invite all >the grandparents,/ Morgan says dryly. Roland sighs. and that portion of the psi-link snaps shut again. ================================= Subject: Re:AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 19:44:11 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 24 Jan 2001 22:18:05 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009214 Tink stood in darkness. She had been asleep, but was now awake. She called for the lights, but they didn't come on, and her voice didn't echo right in the room, just vanished without even a hint that it was returning. Three circles of light appeared before her in the distance, figures standing within them. On the far right was her grandfather, Michael Seven. In the next circle over was Voyd, and the third circle was Anna Mahloy. Someone was behind her. Tink turned to see a tall blonde man in white shirt and slacks. She remembered his name was Seth. "What makes a man? These are Innocence Lost, Reason Unchecked, and Faith Unbound." Seth mused aloud for her benefit. "Innocence is only lost through Darkness, and Reason and Faith bind and check each other." Voyd and Anna's circles became almost black, the light striking them a dark blue while Michael's stayed white, lit by a golden light. Energy lanced forward, darkness from Voyd and Anna, light from Michael. The darkness of Voyd collided with the light of Michael and opened a new circle of light, in which Michael Seven stood, but younger, dressed differently, more like an overgrown teenager than a father figure. Beside him, a dark circle opened from Anna Mahloy's energy and a blonde man dressed all in black appeared within. "The original Darkness and original Light," Seth said, "The Light was of Reason and Faith, but without Faith, Reason grew Dark and became unchecked and Faith was all that was left. You and your mothers were born of Faith, your aunt of Faith and the Darkness within the lost Innocent. But, when Light Restored and Dark Reborn clash..." The blonde man in black released his own energy toward Tinkerbell, as did the younger Michael Seven, the opposing energies clashing in a brilliant white flash that overwhelmed her senses, that seemed to hold her in an embrace, not cold and evil, but of warmth and all things good. Seth's voice said, "By restoring the Innocent taken by Darkness, the Light restores itself, becoming..." Tink awoke in her cabin on the ship. "Grumpa..." she said to herself >On Thu, 18 Jan 2001 20:40:49 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009211 > >As the members of the CAoL go about gathering the Fuzzifacts, they >get a "ping" on the lens link. > >/If anyone's in the middle of something critical, you'll probably >want to block this and download it for later, but I just had to >share. To the best of my knowledge, none of _you_ have felt it >before, either,/ Morgan sends with a huge smile in her "voice." Tink grins, sitting up in bed. /Can I, Grumpa?/ Mike sits at a table in the galley, sipping coffee and doodling the structure for an atom of quantium forty on a napkin with a toothpick and a packet of ketchup. He sends, /Sure, if Morgan wants to share, I have no objections. You know where babies come from already./ /Yeah, test tubes,/ Tink sends with a smirk. >Morgan smiles again (still? ;-). /I just had to share the joy. BTW, >we've decided on names. The boy will be...is...Liam, after my >grandfather, the man who first taught me the Arts./ > > /The girl's named Rachel, after...a fellow immortal and a fellow >Phoenix,/ Roland added with a smile. Michael finds his voice again, /Uh, wow... Uh, those are great names./ Tink grins, /Liam and Rachel Phoenix... any middle names?/ >/If everything goes as planned,/ Morgan continues, /they'll be born >in Arcadia--Titania is just itching to use her midwifing skills. This >will be a family thing, so if anyone wants to be present for the >happy occasion let us know so we can arrange it. Roland will be >helping me filter the link so I don't force _everyone_ to have a >_real_ ring-side seat,/ she adds with a wry grin. > > /I don't have such an option, though,/ Roland notes, /so someone >with greater telepathic abilities (cough sib cough) might want to >provide a broadband "breaker" for the rest of the CAoL./ Mike sends, /We'll be there, not sure when, but we'll not miss it for the world./ Tink asks, already knowing the answer, /When for them or when for us?/ /Both,/ Michael Seven replies with a sly grin. >/Now all we have to do is decide whether we're going to invite all >the grandparents,/ Morgan says dryly. Roland sighs. /Mom, Dad, we, uh, decided to have the babies at a Ren Faire, wanna come?/ Mike offers "helpfully." ================================= Subject: Re:AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 08:54:15 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 25 Jan 2001 08:46:40 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009216 >On Wed, 24 Jan 2001 22:18:05 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009214 > > Michael finds his voice again, /Uh, wow... Uh, those are great >names./ > Tink grins, /Liam and Rachel Phoenix... any middle names?/ Morgan "looks" at Roland, and a feeling of "not again" leaks through. /"Okay, you pick out her middle name, I'll pick out his,"/ Roland replies quickly. /"Siobhan,"/ Morgan says after a moment's thought. (OOC: Pronounced "SHIV-on") /"Jason,"/ Roland adds an instant later. /"After the Paragon?"/ Morgan enquires. /"Yep. But why Siobhan?"/ Roland asks in kind. The Highlander smiles. /"It's the feminine of 'Seosaidh'."/ Roland nods, smiling ruefully. /"I think we should stop there, though. I'm not inflicting on either of these kids what our cognates did to Roger."/ Morgan nods her agreement. > Mike sends, /We'll be there, not sure when, but we'll not miss >it for the world./ > Tink asks, already knowing the answer, /When for them or when >for us?/ > /Both,/ Michael Seven replies with a sly grin. /"Isn't time travel wonderful?"/ Morgan opines. >>/Now all we have to do is decide whether we're going to invite all >>the grandparents,/ Morgan says dryly. Roland sighs. > > /Mom, Dad, we, uh, decided to have the babies at a Ren Faire, >wanna come?/ Mike offers "helpfully." /"That's not the problem. Roland and his parents...haven't gotten on well for, oh...his entire adult life?"/ Morgan says. /"On the other hand, we're about to leave for early 14th century Ireland on my home Earth to visit my mother. From our subjective time, it's been almost ten years, and I want to go while it's still relatively easy to travel."/ /"By the way, the reason my parents and I have gotten along so poorly is...well, let's just say they didn't want me picking up the family business."/ An image of Defender facing Destroyer flickers across the link. /"Wish us luck,"/ he finishes dryly. ================================= Subject: Re:AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 13:47:04 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 25 Jan 2001 16:35:38 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009217 >On Thu, 25 Jan 2001 08:46:40 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009216 > > Roland nods, smiling ruefully. /"I think we should stop there, >though. I'm not inflicting on either of these kids what our cognates >did to Roger."/ Morgan nods her agreement. Michael nods, /Sounds good from the peanut gallery. Three names is enough for just about any kid./ Tink sends, /What's your middle name, Grumpa?/ Michael sends, /I'd rather not say. Never did pick one for you, now that I think on it./ Tink shrugs, /I like just the two./ >/"Isn't time travel wonderful?"/ Morgan opines. Michael and Tink both mentally nod. > /"By the way, the reason my parents and I have gotten along so >poorly is...well, let's just say they didn't want me picking up the >family business."/ An image of Defender facing Destroyer flickers >across the link. /"Wish us luck,"/ he finishes dryly. Michael briefly remembers a time when he didn't approve of a family member's career choice. Tink's moment of declaring herself a Time Lady flashes across the link. /My gut instinct says it's just because they love you and don't want you hurt. Which may simply say more for my gut instincts than anything. I never wanted to go into the family business, but I think dad tricked me, because I still don't exactly know what the family business is, so I'm probably doing it without knowing. He saved Civilizations, but I don't know who for or why./ Tink giggles, /Saving Civilization somehow, not a bad career field, anyway./ Mike nods, /Point. Anyway, good luck to you both, we're sending positive vibes your way./ > ================================= Subject: AAE-SO: Irish Ayes Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 01:57:36 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 28 Jan 2001 00:54:14 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009222 "At least _some_ things don't change," Morgan smiled at the woods around her and Roland. It still felt like home here, despite the fact that she'd been away for, from her point of view at least, over a decade. To an objective observer, though, it would have been almost 700 years. Roland chuckled. "Aye, like your chief." Between the immersion in Gaelic culture--first Scotland, and now Ireland--and Morgan's thinking in Gaelic, he was starting to pick up a brogue himself. Morgan frowned. "You'd think someone who'd spent so much time at Callahan's wouldn't have such a hard time comprehending time travel," she sighed. "It's that 'practical' streak Scots tend to have, I guess." "I'm more inclined to suspect how alien a lot of my world is to yours, m'eudail," Roland replied with a gentle grin. "How would _you_ have reacted to an Oan, oh, five years ago?" "Probably not much different than I did three years ago," she smirked. "If he'd never been to the Place, I could understand it. Then again, he seems to think the Place comes to him rather than him going anywhere." She shrugged, and looked at her husband doubtfully. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all." Roland waved dismissively. "Na' at all. We _knew_ that most of my world'd be beyond yer mother." He gave Morgan a quick kiss. "I can keep me mouth closed for a few hours." He looked her over approvingly. "I'm sure I can find a way tae pass the time." Morgan looked down at her ever-expanding belly, not quite as noticeable under the full-cut cotehardie. In this style, everyone looked pregnant. "And just _what_ did ye have in mind, with me in this condition?" "Not that," Roland replied, rolling his eyes. "Doing anything more than admiring ye would be rather difficult in front of your mother." His smile broadened. "But you _are_ me wife, and I have every right to admire ye--even here." Morgan looked Roland over with an appreciative eye. "Aye, and I can admire _ye._ Those trews show off yer legs _quite_ nicely, my love. Ah, here we are," she pointed to the cottage ahead, cutting off any more response from Roland than his trademark blush. ^You've picked up quite a bit of Time skill,^ Roland noted dryly across the link, while schooling his face. As they came out of the woods, they saw first the cottage, then an older woman tying up bundles of herbs. The resemblance between the two women was immediately discernable, and if Morgan were a bit shorter (and mortal), one could imagine her looking much like this in twenty years or so. When they got a bit closer, though, bright blue eyes looked back at them. The sparkle in those eyes was instantly familiar. The woman dropped the herbs back into the basket at her side and practically vaulted from her bench to reach Morgan's side. "Muirghein!" she cried, a smile lighting her face. "Ma!" Morgan responded, and the two women hugged each other, being careful of Morgan's stomach. The older woman stood back, eyed her daughter appraisingly, then looked at Roland. "I see ye've finally found a man who agrees with ye." "Oh, aye," Roland replied in passable Gaelic. "I've found agreeing with her to be a sound way to maintain me health." The woman chuckled while Morgan tried to look sternly at him. "Ma, this is me husband, Roland. Luv, this is Caitlin inghean Uilliam." Roland wiped the smile off his face and bowed respectfully. "An honor, milady." Caitlin smiled, looked Roland over, and threw her arms open to offer him a hug. Roland straightened, gave her a lopsided, wry smile, and embraced her. "Ye dinna have tae be so formal, lad," Caitlin said as they let go. "We're family." She smiled at Morgan again. "And it looks like the family will finally be doin' some growin'. Come inside and sit down, lass, ye shunna be on yer feet too long, and ye must ha' walked some t' get here." She took Morgan's hand and gestured Roland towards the house. Soon, they were in the house, husband and wife relentlessly seated at the table and given cups of juice and small scones. "I wrote to ye two summers ago," Caitin said to Morgan. "Seosaidh wrote back and said you'd gone off somewhere, 'adventuring,' he suspected." Roland choked on a bit of scone, coughing to cover a desperate battle against a fit of laughter. When both women turned to look at him, one curious, the other nettled, he pointed at the jelly-covered scone. "'s good," he explained between fits, pointing at the uneaten portion. ^Nice save. Almost,^ Morgan sent, a smile belying her mental tone. "You could put it that way, I suppose," she said aloud. "I've done some traveling, helping people out here and there." Roland's choked sounds became more desperate--until his throat closed off completely for a moment. When it cleared, he swallowed, wiped the tears away, and nodded placidly. ^Point taken, love,^ he sent, remembering his own earlier wisecrack. Morgan's smile never wavered. "That's how we met," he added. Caitlin's eyes sparkled. "Ye'll have t' tell me all about it," she said, "It's plain a lot has happened since last I saw ye." "It's rather a long story, Ma," Morgan tried not to sound like she was temporizing. ^So much for not telling her any more than we can avoid,^ she sent to Roland, ^I'd forgotten how much she loves a good story.^ "We were both goin' to the same tavern, and a group of us went off to help a friend out of some trouble. We started as 'brothers in arms,' and, well," she rested a hand on her stomach and smiled, "as ye can see, we ended up gettin' closer." ^Nice save,^ Roland sent, more sincerely than Morgan had. Then he saw the curiosity shining in Caitlin's eyes, and his heart sank. ^Ah, almost...^ "Muirghien, lass," she said, crossing her arms and smiling down at her daughter, "You should know by now that me Da's trick o' telling half truths doesna' work on me. There's more to this story that what ye've said, and I canna help but wonder what you think ye need to hide from yer mother." ^help,^ Morgan sent plaintively to Roland. ^Me?!^ Roland replied, astonished. ^Ah...I don't think the Longshanks story is going to wash. Maybe the brigand-tyrant one? That one has the benefit of resembling the truth somewhat...^ Meanwhile, he added openly, "It's...complicated." Inwardly, he snorted in disgust. ^Oh, good one. I can't imagine why the Oans took my Ring back.^ ^Neither can I, because you're too honest to be good at this,^ Morgan quipped, and Caitlin raised an eyebrow at Roland. "Is it, now?" She turned the maternal gaze on her son-in-law. "I'm an intelligent woman, Roland, and while I may not be as well travelled as me Da and me girl, I _do_ know something o' the world outside o' Eire." Roland looked distinctly uncomfortable at first, but Caitlin's speech had hit a nerve. He had to work to keep the lightning from his eyes--it had been too long since he'd really had to work at the secret identity. ^I am _so_ tempted to just tell her we met in an inter-dimensional nexus and now we're living on your home planet 700 years in the future when we're not out saving the multiverse,^ Morgan sent with an exasperated grin. ^But could you translate that into Gaelic,^ Roland replied dryly. ^Fourteenth-century Gaelic.^ Caitlin was still looking between the two immortals, waiting for one to answer her. "Ma," Morgan finally said with a chuckle, "I think it's safe to say I've been farther than anyplace you've heard of." "Try me," Caitlin asked with a confident smile. Roland and Morgan looked at each other. "Oa," they said in unison. Caitlin blinked. "Quaren," Morgan added. Caitlin considered for a moment. "Are those Cathayan cities?" she asked, her confidence sliding. "No, Ma, and if we're going to continue this conversation I think you should sit down," Morgan said gently, taking her mother's hand. Caitlin sat. "OK," Morgan began, taking a deep breath. "You've heard stories that take place in worlds that are different in some way than what we know?" Caitlin nodded. "Well, some of those other worlds are real. Other planets." "Other lands, like Cathay?" she asked, trying to understand. "Farther. Not anyplace you could reach from here on a horse or a boat. Places with a different sun in the sky." ^This isn't easy in old Gaelic,^ Morgan commented to Roland, who nodded. ^They don't even know that planets are anything other than lights in the sky.^ Caitlin just looked confused. "Let me try another way," Morgan said. "Have ye ever heard fables about people who travelled into the future?" "Aye, stories for children," her mother replied. "Except, yer no talkin' about stories, are ye?" Morgan and Roland shook their heads in unison. "Where Roland's from, where I've been living, is from far in the future." Roland picked up the narrative at this point. "My world has wonders and horrors beyond anything this time has even imagined. I take it, however," he added, with a glance over to Morgan, "that you know tales of going 'under the hill,' or across the 'faerie veil?' My world would probably be just as strange and fantastic to this one." He chuckled, glancing again at his wife. "Stranger. But the general idea is the same. It's...someplace else, an 'other world.' Does that help?" Caitlin nodded, but it was plain in her eyes that she didn't yet understand. ^I think we're going to have to 'show' her,^ Morgan sent to Roland. "Mama, do you remember senathair (*) talking about the possibility of being able to see or hear what's in a person's mind?" <(*) the M. Irish word for grandfather, pron. roughly "SHAWN-air"> Roland's eyebrow raised, and his face darkened slightly. ^Morgan, are you aware of the risks--^ ^I'll be careful," Morgan sent, ^But feel free to have filters ready if you feel the need.^ Roland looked dubious. Caitlin smiled. "Now that's something I can understand, thought I've never known anyone who could do it." "We can," Morgan said softly. She knelt in front of her mother, taking her hands. "If ye'll let us, we can show you easier than we can find words." "HOWEVER," Roland added, "consider carefully. Sharin' thoughts isn't without its risks for a mind unfamiliar with the feeling, especially when dealing with foreign concepts." His expression softened. "An open mind and preparation help, I'll admit, and ye have both. But there is some danger." Caitlin looked at Morgan, then at him. "If me girl can handle it, I dunna think it'll be too much for me," she smiled hesitantly. Morgan's smile was almost a mirror of hers. "Then we'll start with something simple," Morgan said, and reached out for her mother's mind. When contact was made, she sent an image of how the house had looked to her a little while earlier, seeing it for the first time in many years. *Let it form naturally,* Roland sent to them both. *Let it _be_ your thought, Caitlin.* He monitored the forming link carefully through Morgan so as not to bring in his more alien mind too soon. "oh my," Caitlin whispered, as she discovered what it's like to experience someone else's perspective. As she acclimated, rather quickly all thing considered, Morgan began to "pan out." Roland began to enter the link more fully, using his extra-sensory powers to provide the "image" and his greater experience as a telepath to maintain a moderate pace of immersion that Caitlin could handle. Nevertheless, he was astonished at how quickly she moved from stunned amazement to eagerness to experience more. The image of the house pulled back, slowly providing a bird's eye view of the village. The village panned back to reveal the countryside, to the isle of Ireland, to the British Isles, to Northern Europe, to the Northern Hemisphere, to orbit. *How are you holding up, Caitlin?* Roland asked, as the slow pan stopped pulling back and began an actual orbit around the planet. *That's the world?* Caitlin thought, amazed. *It's round.* *Aye, it is,* Morgan chuckled. *A great many things we thought we knew will turn out to be mistaken over the next few centuries. Pan around,* she asked Roland, who obliged. Caitlin gasped at her first clear view of the stars. *All of those stars are really like our sun, just very far away. And many of them have planets like ours circling them. The Oa that we mentioned is one of those.* *oh.* *I think this is enough for a first time, luv,* Morgan "said" to her husband, and the image slowly faded. The inside of the cottage surrounded them once more. Caitlin stared at the two of them. "And you're from one of those worlds?" she asked Roland. "Ohhhh boy," Roland sighed, in an impressive imitation of Sam Beckett. "Not exactly," Morgan said. "Remember my example of the 'faerie veil?' The land of the fae isn't another world circling a star in this same...space..." Roland explained slowly. ^Oy. We have to explain the concept of "universe" to her at some point.^ "It's something like that." "But it's not fae, although the fae realms _are_ real," Morgan continued. "There are worlds like this one, except that something happened differently in the past so things are a little, or a lot, different now. For example, I'm sure there's a version of Earth where the Bruce beat Longshanks so soundly that _he_ became king of England," she grinned, and Caitlin smiled broadly. "We know how to travel between those possibilities. And sometimes that travelling takes us forward or back in time, relative to what we're used to. On Roland's world, where I live now, it's the 21st century." The conversation stopped briefly while Caitlin absorbed this concept. Then she looked at Roland and asked almost shyly, "Can ye show me that, too?" Roland rubbed the back of his neck. "If you're sure...brace yourself." "I'll be in there too, if you want to ask me to...interpret or explain anything," Morgan added. Caitlin nodded. "I'm ready," she said quietly. Roland sighed, shrugged and closed his eyes. "Okay, I want you to imagine what it's like, falling asleep, then slipping into a strange dream." At Caitlin's nod, he continued. "Everything gets fuzzy at first, like a fog...that's it..." In their minds, a gray mist filled the mind's eye. *...and when it clears...* The fog began to "clear" slowly. At first, only a house was visible, like a magnificent manor to Caitlin--Roland and Morgan's "mobile home." As the fog continued to clear, however, asphalt became visible, then other houses. A car drove past. The view pulled up, slowly floating into the air, and in the distance San Francisco slowly came into view. Morgan provided commentary. *That's our house, outside a city called San Francisco, in a land on the other side of the world from here.* When Caitlin jumped at the car, Morgan softly explained, *That's what we use instead of wagons. It has a mechanical device inside that powers it.* *It's....* Caitlin was understandably at a loss for words, but her thoughts were racing, wanting to see more. Roland obliged. The fog returned, then cleared a bit more quickly this time. A large farm in the Midwest appeared, with people working the land as they always have. Well, maybe not as they always have, when you count the tractors, the mechanical milkers, and the metal silos filled with grain. When Caitlin was able to absorb this, though somewhat astonished, Roland decided to get a bit ambitious. *Even by the standards of the different possible worlds of my time, milady, ours is...special.* He smiled, pulled the fog-veil down again, then dispersed it again. When Caitlin could see again, New York, in all its splendor, lay before them--and in the distance, Champions Island gleamed like a jewel. Quantum flew past, on patrol protecting the city. Caitlin squeezed Morgan's hand. *Only a very few special people can fly, Ma,* Morgan explained. *She's one of a group called the Champions, a small group with special powers, who use them to protect people.* She decided not to reveal who two of the Champions were, figuring they were giving her enough to think about without making it _that_ personal just yet. Roland brought the image down into the city, with its thousands of people bustling along the sidewalks, cars packed on the streets, various vendors hawking their wares (probably the most "normal" part of the whole scene to Caitlin), and all manner of devices being used and watched. Cell phones, laptops, TVs in stores, radios...New York in the 21st Century is a noisy place. Morgan continued trying to explain things, but found herself more often just sending concepts where she couldn't find words. Caitlin was like a rural kid in a high-tech toy store, "looking" everywhere, trying to understand what everything was. Eventually, Morgan suggested to Roland that maybe they should take a break. The fog thickened, and the images faded all together. Roland opened his eyes. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I guess I got a little carried away, there." "Oh, dinna apologize," Caitlin said quickly, though she still looked a little dazed. "It felt like I cunna get enough." She looked at her daughter, eyes shining. "And this is where ye _live_?" "Aye," Morgan smiled, giving her mother's hands another squeeze before she sat back in her chair. "It's no paradise," Roland added. "I won't show you the horrors of my world. But there is hunger and destruction on a scale unimaginable in your time." "People are still people," Morgan sighed. Roland smiled faintly. "But yeah, still, it's all pretty incredible when I think about it." Caitlin shook her head in amazement. "It's all so wondrous." She chuckled. "This place is going tae seem a bit plain after seein' that." Morgan looked at Roland, and his eyebrow shot up. After a moment, he nodded reluctantly, and Morgan looked at her mother. "Ye could come with us," she said gently. "_With_ ye?" Caitlin asked in surprise. She thought for a while, several expressions playing across her face. "I dinna suppose a place with such wonders has much use for an old herbwife, what would I do with meself?" ^Oh, the Verbena would _love_ to pick her brain,^ Morgan sent to Roland, as she replied, "A lot of the things we know have been all but lost, and there'll soon be a couple of bairns that'll need lookin' after." "Aye, an' we will need someone to look after them when we go...adventuring," Roland quipped. Caitlin considered. "I'm sure I'll find out just how much of that you do eventually." She paused, and looked at Morgan. "Did ye say 'bairns', lass?" Morgan smiled. "Aye, twins, a lad and a lass. We're naming the boy after Grandpa." "Ach, ye're in for a handful there, then," Caitlin smiled. Morgan couldn't help thinking of Roger, and shrugged. ^Don't we know it,^ she sent to Roland, who smiled wryly. TBC later... ================================= Subject: AAE (SO): A Long, Strange Trip - Part 2 Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 01:16:42 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 30 Jan 2001 04:04:07 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009241 "Wow, David, did the earth move for you, too?" "Bernice, you realize you caused this, don't you?" "Me? I didn't do anything! Well, -we- did something, but -I- didn't do -this-." "As it happens, Walkabout transported us here, though she was aiming for you alone, I'm sure." "Now how could I know that. And see? It was Walkabout! That petty robot never lets us lovers alone!" "Bernice..." "Hey, wait a minute, how'd she know? I don't mind blaming her, but she wasn't in the club." "Sensors, monitoring from outside. She was watching us on my instructions, to send in the others if you were being difficult. When she realized what you were trying to do, she tried to teleport you with the prototype dimensional portal I installed in her, but got us both." "She's just jealous that I'm a better kisser." David stopped and leaned against a tree, "Guess this is as good a time as any. Look, Bernice, I'm just looking for friends, okay? You're all friends of mine, I don't like seeing you all fighting." "What do you mean by 'just friends'?" Bernice asked, folding her arms. "I mean I'm not ready for a relationship with anyone right now." "Oh," Bernice replied, looking a bit downcast, then brightened, "Well, okay, it's not the commitment I was looking for, but considering the competition has just eliminated itself, I'm still ahead." David rolled his eyes and began walking toward the sound of music again. Suddenly, arms wrapped around him. "Besides, David," Bernice whispered in his ear, "'Just friends' still leaves a lot of room for negotiation." "They're gonna come get us eventually, you know. We just need to wait for them." "Mmhmm, I know what we can do while we wait. Whaddaya say?" David blushed, but said in an even tone, "I say I'm curious to find out where we are, so let's head toward that music." Bernice let go of him and shrugged, "Okay, not what I had in mind, but a party sounds good, too." "Never let it be said you're not resiliant." Bernice grinned, "Heh, I get your drift, David, I'm just determined that I _will_ _eventually_ convince you to reconsider. In the meantime, I'll lay off Miss Snot-o-bot. At least where it concerns _you_, okay?" David nodded, "I guess I'll have to live with that." The music grew louder as they approached, and indeed, there was a party in progress in a small stone village. One of the revelers saw the pair and approached, asking over the sound of the music something Bernice couldn't understand. "What did she say?" Bernice asked. David looked at the small girl in front of him with a sense of recognition, two pointed ears protruded from brilliant, orangish blonde hair. Below her bangs was a long, broad, flat nose, not quite babboonish, between a pair of dark brown eyes. Her mouth was wide, with thin lips, and there was less space between her nose and chin than would be found in a human. From there his eyes looked to the rest of the crowd. They all had similar features, somehow blending the features of a feline, a babboon, with ears like a horse and thick manes of hair, yet none of these impressions were truely strong for any of them, simply vague resemblences to a human eye. He knew those faces immediately, the match was too exact to make them anything else. "They're all Gelflings," he said to himself, then to Bernice, "She asked where we're from. She's never seen anyone like us." David said something back in her language, "I told her we're from a far land, travelling with friends, and that we got seperated." The girl replied again, gesturing to the rest of the party, and taking both their hands in hers bringing them inside the village perimeter toward the party going on in the village center. David said, "She says we can come in the village and wait," then trailed off. A mental link had been formed as the girl touched his hand, one he'd never experienced before. ^What is this?^ David thought through the link with the girl. ^We call it 'Dreamfasting' but I've never had it happen with someone who wasn't a Gelfling.^ ^Right, I remember now. It's probably the lens making it work.^ As David watched parts of the girl's life, who's name was Inyu, parts of his own life passed before her eyes. Some of his favorite moments, in fact, lessons with Washu-chan, his acceptance into the Daystrom Institute, that stunt with the motorcycle and the interdimentional gateway that nearly caused a head on collision with Virgil Samm's Dillingham eleven-forty (talking his way out of that one took some work), his joining of the Galactic Patrol, his receipt of his unattached status some months later after working in the research department and his departure of that reality moments later for the Daystrom Institute, his acceptance into the Galactic Science Acadamy for his master's work under the tutelage of a younger Professor Washu, a successful bust as a member of the Galaxy Police while he was earning his Master's, all which prompted questions from Inyu, which he had no choice but to answer honestly. In return, he got images from Inyu's life, school, learning to read and write the hieroglyphic Gelfling language, studying with the Mystics about numbers, learning about the heavens under the tutelage of Aughra, and simpler things, cooking with her mother, talking to animals with the Podlings. She'd always been a curious child and David recognized enough that he didn't need to ask about much, which freed her to ask more of him. Astronomy was a particular fascination, and David was a wealth of new experiences. ^You're not from this world, are you?^ Inyu sent. ^No,^ David replied a bit sheepishly, ^But it seemed easier to understand than the truth.^ They broke their grasp. Inyu looked at the pair of travellers with new respect and said something. Bernice looked confusedly between the two of them. "What? What'd I miss?" Bernice asked. David said, "Nothing, just found out she has a form of tactile telepathy. My lens responded to it." Inyu said something and David translated, "She says we're welcome to stay while we wait, there's enough food and drink for even people as big as us." "Now you're talking! Let's party!" Bernice grabbed a proffered drink and started dancing, quickly surrounded by a large group of Gelflings, most of whom didn't even come up to her chest. Inyu applauded. David was looking worried. "So, we're in the world of the Dark Crystal, question is, is this before the movie or after?" Inyu showed David to a table. He sat and pondered how best to ask the next question. Inyu looked puzzled. "What's bothering you?" she asked in Gelfling. "When we are," he replied in that same language. "I don't understand." "Maybe I can show you," David suggested, offering his hand. Inyu accepted and they dreamfasted again, this time toward a purpose. ^In my world,^ David began, ^There are pictures, painted in such a way that they seem to move on the wall and can speak. We tell stories through these pictures, stories we make up to amuse and entertain each other.^ Inyu watched in wonder as David sat in a theater with others of his kind and watched a blank wall light up with an image of a planet and a strange word she couldn't read. ^One of the stories is about a world very much like this one, with a Dark Crystal and a prophesy.^ Inyu gasped, as even without an accompanying image, she knew what he meant. Through the dreamfasting, she send an image of a wall in a ruined building, one David recognized instantly. ^Yes, that wall, that's the prophesy, I need to know, has the dark crystal been healed?^ ^No. According to Aughra and the wisest of the Mystics the Great Conjunction is still years away.^ David broke the link. "What?" Inyu asked, "What's wrong?" "Is the wisest of the Mystics going to come tonight?" "Yes." "And are there any new births in the village?" David asked then. Inyu shook her head and he asked, "Within the last year or two?" "A blonde girl and a brown-haired boy are the only two children, both only a year or so old." David's heart sank. "David, are they in danger?" David shook his head, "No, the babies will be fine. Together, they'll fulfill the prophesy. But, I fear for the rest of you. In the story I know, they're saved from a Garthim raid, the girl by the Podlings, the boy by the wisest of the Mystics. But, at least to their knowledge, that's all who survived. In order to stop the prophesy, the Skeksis wiped out the Gelflings." Inyu paled. David nodded in reply. He tried to be hopeful, "Maybe, though, it won't be tonight, surely the Mystic's come to the village before now. It might be next week, or next year, or never. Sometimes our stories get it wrong, sometimes so wrong that the real place doesn't look anything like the story." "And," David said, standing up and catching Bernice's eye, "Sometimes we can change things." Bernice walked over, "What's up?" David reverted back to English and summed things up, "We're in the world of the Dark Crystal. At some point, the Garthim, servants of the Skeksis are going to attack this village, and I want to know it's not tonight, to try and give these people time to escape." Bernice nodded, switching the clothing she wore into camoflauge fatigue pants and tank top that still managed to be form fitting. Her forearms formed high tech gauntlets around themselves. "I'll check the perimeter," she said, firing a line of almost Spiderman-like webbing toward a high tree limb. David knelt in front of Inyu, "Get all the Gelflings together and ready to travel." His wristwatch beeped as Inyu ran off. "What's up, Bernice?" {This what we're looking for?} she sent via radio, relaying what she was seeing to his Galaxy Police watch. Several creatures, like crabs with an armadillo shell on their back, were headed directly for the village. "Damn!" David swore violently, "That's the Garthim alright. Keep them busy, but stay out of sight and reach." {Right.} The tell-tale report of blaster fire came from back the way they had come to the village. Suddenly the Gelflings were panicking, running every which way, gathering food and clothing for travel, David ran to find Inyu, who had coincidently been looking for him, "What was that?" she asked. "Bernice, she's using a weapon against the Garthim, trying to slow them down." A wall crashed near the edge of town at an angle from where David and Bernice had entered. Someone screamed and David and Inyu ran to see what was happening. Before them, a Garthim towered over a dead Gelfling. The Garthim was moving towards another one, a woman holding an infant. They were cornered. David reached out for the Garthim's mind, only to find nothing there. It was a shell, holding the power of the Dark Crystal, there was no mind to take over. It lashed back at his mind with such force he could barely deflect the blow. David's Galaxy Police service blaster was in his hand instinctively then. He fired several rounds into the thick back armor of the Garthim, but the brunt of the blasts was spread out over the surface. One shot managed to strike the creature in the arm, just above the large pinsors and it turned on him, ignoring the blonde woman and blonde child. "That's one of the babies." Inyu told him, hiding behind the taller man. David drew a silver cylinder from a pocket and with a hiss, it had become a metal staff as tall as he was. He charged the Garthim with the Minbari fighting pike, determined to keep the mother and child safe. A part of his mind followed them as he fought, smashing the end of the pike into the Garthim's face, seeing the mother desperately putting the child in a small hole in a tree, only to be crushed in the claws of another Garthim. He faltered and took a slice to the bicep, through his grey leather jacket and scraping into the skin. Staggering back, David grabbed Inyu and carried her toward the village center as the Garthim continued their advance on two fronts. As they closed in, Bernice landed behind them, grabbing David with a hand that shifted into an impromptu harness, and pulling all three of them toward a tall tree on the village perimeter. The village was burning, Garthim were sweeping over it like a tide, leaving the dead behind. Then, from behind the tide, something moved. A dark dot, which was met by a larger figure, who emerged from the treeline. It picked the dot up, a dark haired child, and out a low note in a deep baritone. The Garthim left at the sound from the Mystic. The Mystic turned and took the child with him back the way he came. As the fires died down, a group of podlings came to investigate the fire and discovered the other child in the hollow tree. David, Bernice and Inyu watched all this from their perch in the treetops. "Alright," Michael Seven said, scanning Walkabout. "I've got the residual signature of the gateway and fed it through your system. From now on, don't use random numbers to transport people. Just what David gives you, until he's sure you're safe on your own." Walkabout sat with her head in her hands. "Yes, sir." she said quietly. She knew this had all been her fault, but that woman was just so insufferable. David was crazy for taking her in. Mike smiled, "Well, you caused the problem, and with a little help, you're going to fix it. That's something. At least you've got the courage to face your problems up front. Let's try this." Walkabout opened a gateway in front of them in Michael Seven's lab. Everyone waited anxiously as it resolved; Flarn, Anna, Zora, Walkabout, even Michael. He was sure he had this right, but the primal fear that something bad would happen to his son still worked on his mind. The gateway cleared... David noticed a light behind him and turned around, while trying to keep his balance on the large bough of the tree. "These are our friends," he told Inyu. She nodded, watching the portal form sadly. "Ask her if she wants to come along," Bernice said suddenly. David looked surprised, but one look at Bernice spoke volumes about how similarly to her own situation she felt Inyu's was. "Inyu," David said gently, "Bernice and I would like to know if you want to go with us. You are welcome if you want." Inyu looked up at the sky's three suns, which were just rising off to their right. She looked down at her village, then stood up, looking at the portal to another world, away from Skeksis, Garthim, Gelflings, Mystics, Aughra, away from everything she knew. The prophesy would be fulfilled, but by the last two surviving Gelflings, the children taken already from her village by the Mystic and the Podlings. For her, then, there didn't seem to be a place in the future. She could try and find another village, only to have that attacked as well. Maybe next time she wouldn't be so lucky. "It seems the world has left me behind," Inyu said, standing up, "I think it's time then, I left it behind. If you'll have me, I will go with you." David smiled and nodded. "We will, gladly." he said, then for Bernice, "She said yes." Inyu said, "I guess you can't change prophesy." David sighed, "Well, at least there are three Gelflings now, instead of two." Inyu thought of the other two, the children who would heal the Dark Crystal. [And with me gone, you both will be safe,] she thought, the idea strengthening her resolve. [Let the Skeksis think they've won.] The gateway cleared and the three stepped through. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 14:52:08 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 1 Feb 2001 22:21:29 +0000 (GMT) Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00009256 >On Thu, 18 Jan 2001 20:40:49 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009211 Stranger is in his quarters at the castle, cleaning his boots, when... >/If anyone's in the middle of something critical, you'll probably >want to block this and download it for later, but I just had to >share. To the best of my knowledge, none of _you_ have felt it >before, either,/ Morgan sends with a huge smile in her "voice." > >After making sure she isn't going to mess up someone's day, those >still "listening" on the link feel a unique and wondrous sensation... >life. The twins are at about 6 months now, and they're _active_ >little squirts. As soon as he realises what's afoot Stranger slides stealthily off the link, cursing softly to himself. He sits in confusion for a few on seconds on the foot of his bed, before heading into the bathroom and splashing cold water onto his face. He stares at himself in the mirror. "It's what it's all about Stranger. This is why we fight." he speaks softly to himself, but his reflection stares back accusingly. He remembers, back to the day when the Lords of Chaos discovered they couldn't kill him. Arioch screaming at him. "You'll never live a normal life, never. Never have the things normal men take for granted." "Well damn you Arioch." He walks back into the other room and pulls on his swords and leaves, heading for the kitchen. On his way he rejoins the lens link, stealthily so only a skilled psi who was looking might notice he was ever gone. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6: Sharing the joy Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 10:42:02 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 02 Feb 2001 10:40:06 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009262 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00009256 > >He walks back into the other room and pulls on his swords and leaves, >heading for the kitchen. > >On his way he rejoins the lens link, stealthily so only a skilled psi >who was looking might notice he was ever gone. ^Stranger, take heart. Arioch is not the ultimate power. Indeed he is not even the ultimate power of chaos. You may yet encounter one who can, and will be willing to, break that portion of Arioch's curse.^ Oracle's soft mental voice says to Stranger. Then continuing with a chucle, ^No, I'm not intruding on or reading your mind. I'm reading your past, and futures. Take heart, There are far greater powers than Arioch and the Lords of Chaos.^ ================================= Subject: Introducing the alt Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 12:47:11 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 11 Feb 2001 15:19:02 -0500 "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009288 Folks, I do seem to have run into a slight problem. Y'see, these-here worlds all tend to be so... human-centric! Considering how un-subtle Xander-as-a-CAOLian is, to put it mildly, blatant, I'm taking the opportunity to play a different sort of me. At least this fellow'll fit in better. Some times. sort of. grin. It was only natural, that he walk into Callahan's place. He'd this scared-rabbit look on his face, but he also looked like he'd been on the run for a few days. Not terribly surprising; at the Place, what's on their face tends to register sooner than the rest of 'em. And this guy was very different. He stood about six-oh, with gently, but definitely masculine features, and dress, and manner; his build being 'fit'. Which made his bust all that more incongruous. Not guy's-dream-huge, but a little more than 'average,' if such a thing exists. He wore a pair of jeans, a red sweatshirt, and a black baseball cap with a dragon embossed on the front. The fellow sat down at an empty table, unshouldering his backpack. He started self-consciously, as a sword-hilt with no sword clanked against his chair, then the guy slouched, looking around the well-lit tavern. ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2001 21:40:41 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 16:23:18 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009306 >On Sun, 11 Feb 2001 15:19:02 -0500 >"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009288 >It was only natural, that he walk into Callahan's place. He'd this >scared-rabbit look on his face, but he also looked like he'd been on >the run for a few days. Not terribly surprising; at the Place, what's >on their face tends to register sooner than the rest of 'em. And this >guy was very different. He stood about six-oh, with gently, but >definitely masculine features, and dress, and manner; his build being >'fit'. Which made his bust all that more incongruous. Not >guy's-dream-huge, but a little more than 'average,' if such a thing >exists. He wore a pair of jeans, a red sweatshirt, and a black >baseball cap with a dragon embossed on the front. The fellow sat down >at an empty table, unshouldering his backpack. He started >self-consciously, as a sword-hilt with no sword clanked against his >chair, then the guy slouched, looking around the well-lit tavern. > > Nemo wanders over. "Hello. You're new here, aren't you? Mind if I sit down?" ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 04:08:14 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 20 Feb 2001 07:10:20 -0500 "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009310 >On Fri, 16 Feb 2001 16:23:18 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009306 > >Nemo wanders over. > >"Hello. You're new here, aren't you? Mind if I sit down?" He looks up, starting slightly as he'd been watching the chalk line. "Uhh, sure." His hand takes in the five or so other chairs at the table, which happens to be round. "What kind of place /is/ this? by the way, the name's Bazil Wright." ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 10:10:20 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 20 Feb 2001 08:42:59 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009311 >On Tue, 20 Feb 2001 07:10:20 -0500 >"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009310 > >He looks up, starting slightly as he'd been watching the chalk line. >"Uhh, sure." His hand takes in the five or so other chairs at the >table, which happens to be round. "What kind of place /is/ this? by >the way, the name's Bazil Wright." Nemo offers his hand, "I'm called Nemo." "As for what kind of place this is, It's the kind of place that you find when you need it. When you've got a problem you can't handle on your own. Or just when it all seems to be too much." "We're willing to listen, *if* you want to tell us about it. But nobody is going to pry. Anybody who starts asking rude questions of other patrons wakes up in the parking lot with a headache courtesy of Fast Eddie." Nemo gestures at Eddie who somewhow manage to wave back without missing a beat. "Maybe we can help. Maybe we can't. It's a lot easier dealing with things when you aren't alone." Writing this has made me realize that while *I* (Leonard) have made a toast or two, *Nemo* never has. I'll have to correct that sometime. ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 12:09:41 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 21 Feb 2001 14:46:03 -0500 "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009313 >On Tue, 20 Feb 2001 08:42:59 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009311 > >"Maybe we can help. Maybe we can't. It's a lot easier dealing with >things when you aren't alone." Baz considers a moment, then looks over at the bar top, where the Free Lunch and the accompanying jar is. "Umm... how much for sandwiches? And as for help... you probably wouldn't believe me..." he breaks off, as he finally notices an X-window. "Then again..." ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2001 19:39:02 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 22 Feb 2001 18:05:17 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009315 >On Wed, 21 Feb 2001 14:46:03 -0500 >"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009313 > >Baz considers a moment, then looks over at the bar top, where the >Free Lunch and the accompanying jar is. "Umm... how much for >sandwiches?" "Toss in what you can spare, or what you think they are worth." >"And as for help... you probably wouldn't believe me..." he breaks >off, as he finally notices an X-window. "Then again..." "We've believed quite a bit in the past" says Nemo. And after looking carefully at Baz for second, he gestures at the Free Lunch, and a plate of sandwiches floats over. "This place has seen some *seriously* strange things in the past. But don't let me stampede you into anything. If you don't feel comfortable telling us, that's ok." Nemo pauses, considers saying something else, stops and visibly changes his mind. "Even if we have our suspicions as to the nature of your problem, nobody is going to bring them up unless you mention it first." He gestures over at Mike. "Mike, I'll have a Kirsberry and Crystal Pepsi. And get Baz here whatever he's drinking." ================================= Subject: AAE VI side stories: Old Wounds Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 23:40:41 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 28 Feb 2001 23:20:51 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009343 "I still don't think this is a good idea," Roland muttered. "I know of a lot of the issues haven't changed, but they're going to be grandparents." Morgan said patiently, holding her belly for emphasis. "They're both immortals," Roland said (redundantly, as his parentage is the source of his unusually strong power). "My father hunted mages once. The issues aren't the same--they've only grown more complicated. These two..." he smiled briefly at Morgan's abdomen. "...there's never been anything like them on my world. Well, at least not so anyone knows." Morgan laughed gently. "I doubt there's ever been anything like them on _any_ world." Roland shrugged. "Aside from alternate versions of us, probably not. Roger's been...surreal. But that's my point. There's no telling how they'll take all of this." He began pacing. "They're both big on family, so they might put old prejudice aside. Or maybe not--Dad could go on about Marauders when he was in a mood. Once he deigned to admit to what I am, that is." "And...how are his feelings about Marauders relevant to the issue at hand?" Morgan asked. "Well, aside from the general belief that any mage can go Marauder at any time, you 'think' you're from 14th Century Scotland and you're immune to Paradox. You can fill in the blanks from there. I just hope that doesn't occur to them." Roland chuckled. "Not to mention that the recent Quintessence fluctuations have turned a number of Marauders into mages of your type. Whatever type that is," Roland finished, the last far more a comment on his bafflement about her style of magic than any sort of accusation. "What they _think_ she is doesna change the reality, now does it?" Caitlin remarked, coming downstairs. "True," Roland said, smiling ruefully. "They're not mages." "And it would make it a lot harder to explain her, wouldn't it?" Morgan added. "Not to mention the fact that you were there." Roland shrugged. "They probably won't go there. I don't think. Still..." The doorbell rang. "Oh nass," Roland blurted. He rubbed his hair with his hand, accomplishing nothing. He then sighed, straightened, and walked to the door. A short, vaguely oriental woman was there, smiling slightly. Behind her was a man not quite Roland's height but a bit wider. "Roland," they said in unison. Roland almost smiled. "Mom. Dad." He stepped back and to one side. "Come in." They walked in, looking around and admiring the house for a bit. "You haven't done badly for yourself," Roland's father said evenly. Roland nodded absently. "Mom, Dad..." he gestured with a sideways nod of his head, pointing out Morgan. "This is Morgan. Morgan Greywolf-Phoenix. My wife." [Oh, not TOO lame. Moron.] He walked over to her and took her hand, partly for emphasis, partly to make it stop waving around aimlessly. "Morgan, these are my parents, James and Lana Phoenix." Roland's mother bowed slightly; Mr. Phoenix made a non-committal sound and nodded. Morgan returned Lana's bow in kind, just a shade deeper. "Mrs. Phoenix," she said warmly. She nodded back to Roland's father. "Mr. Phoenix," she added in the same tone with a slight smile. There was a brief, tense pause. "Oh, are you all just going to stand there like a bunch of statues waiting for pigeons to let you know what they think of you?" Lana said finally. She strode up to Morgan and gave her a warm (but gentle) hug, which Morgan returned. "It's so good to finally _meet_ you." She threw Roland an exasperated look as she let go. "And _you,_ young man. Not so much as an invitation, as if we could get to Arcadia anyway." She half-clucked, half-chuckled at him, shaking her head. "It's been far too long if it took them--" she gestured at Morgan's prominent extension, "--to get in touch." Looking back at Morgan, she added, "And please, I'm Lana. And that overgrown teddy bear is Jim. Don't let him fool you; his bark's worse than his bite." "I like her already," Caitlin laughed. "Mom..." Roland tried to begin. "Lana," Morgan began smoothly, cutting her husband off without appearing the least rude, "This is my Ma, Caitlin ni Ulliam." Caitlin hugged Lana, who hesitated in surprise for a moment then returned the hug. "Come on, ladies," Lana said, before Caitlin could do the obvious thing (and set James' teeth on edge), "that looks like a kitchen, and if you've been eating Roland's cooking I'll bet you'll thank me for whipping up an antidote." Morgan looked at Roland in surprise. ^My cooking's...improved,^ Roland sent with a chuckle. ^But she's exaggerating for effect.^ His good humor evaporated instantly. ^To give me a chance to...talk. In private.^ He looked at his father, who was studying the far wall with apparent interest. ^I guess,^ Morgan responded. Aloud, she commented as she led the other two women to the kitchen, "Actually, he does quite well...." There was another uncomfortable pause, longer this time. "So what--" Roland began. "I see you--" James began at the same time. The two looked at each other and chuckled. "Perfect timing, that's us," Roland said ruefully. "Nice to know some things don't change," James replied. The silence returned a moment later. "Dad..." Roland began. "You're still gallivanting across dimension, aren't you?" James asked quietly. Roland smiled sourly. "Oh come on, Dad, no one says 'gallivanting' any more." "I do. At 104, I can say any damn thing I please." "You always did," Roland shot back. "That's what always got you into trouble, right?" "It didn't have to run in the family," James fired back. "Roland, you've obviously managed, but do you have the slightest idea how dangerous--" "Don't talk to _me_ about dangerous, I've seen things that you couldn't have _imagined_ on your tour of duty," Roland said tightly. "You be surprised at what I can imagine," James replied softly. "I dealt with everything from scheming vampires millennia old to psychotic sorcerers who thought they were the Four Horsemen." "And I'VE dealt with cosmic gods whose essences spanned dimensions and magic powers that laughed at death--and beaten them," Roland retorted. The pause this time was almost painful. "If we're just going to have the same old argument," James said finally, "we can just set up a tape recorder to loop and go about our business." "Maybe," Roland replied, subdued. Meanwhile, in the kitchen... (OOC-R: Ain't I a stinker? ) "Now _this_ is what I call a cooperative kitchen," Lana said, sandwiches almost literally making themselves. "Aye, I've never seen the fae-touched be so agreeable," Caitlin replied with a twinkle in her eye. *MOM!* Morgan sent, though the look she gave her spoke almost as clearly. *We weren't going to mention that if we could avoid...and that's _exactly_ why you did.* She smiled at Lana, gauging her reaction to the comment. Lana's smile slipped, but only for a moment. Then she simply stared at the enchanted utensils for a moment. The glitter around them dimmed for a moment, then retreated to the cupboards, a ripple around her the only sign that her own TK had taken over. "Convenient. And in this world, it can't get too...over-enthusiastic." She finished the sandwiches and levitated them onto the plates. Caitlin looked as if she'd swallowed a toad. "Do I want tae know what ye just did?" "Probably not," Lana admitted. Then she sighed. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me, I suppose. I've never been fond of..." she waved absently at the cupboards. Then she smiled at Morgan. "I'm glad you turned out to be a druid. Very scholarly tradition, am I right?" At Morgan's nod, she continued. "Roland's known quite a few...wilder sorts. The thought of my little boy, getting involved with that sort of trouble..." Caitlin smiled gently. "Lass, have ye taken a good look at yuir 'little boy' lately? I've nae seen him use his gifts for true, but Morgan's told me stories. That lad could shear the top off a mountain when he's in a temper, so I've heard." Lana sighed more deeply. "Oh, he's strong. Brave, too, sometimes to being reckless. He was...hurt...when he was younger, and he's been making up for it ever since. But he's honest, Caitlin. Guileless. The monsters that run this world would grind him up without pausing to check the gears." Morgan tried and failed to suppress a grin, at which Lana frowned. "Monsters? No offense, but do you have any _idea_ what sort of beings he's faced these past few years? Creatures who could destroy this world as an afterthought?" She shook her head. "Coming back here and dealing with the Nephandi was almost a vacation," she said with a wry chuckle. Lana looked supremely dubious. "I've heard about the work you've done, Morgan, and I wouldn't belittle it, but if you think the Nephandi have been 'dealt with,' well...I'm sure you know better. This 'VIPER' bunch stinks of them. But for all that my son could face down Gaiasbane--and my money would be on Roland--well, against schemers like Caine's twisted brood, he's never gotten far. As sweet as he is, he hasn't been able to get people to listen to him." "Maybe not here," Morgan smiled, "but you should see the crew that's appointed him 'leader'." At the matched pair of quirked eyebrows, her eyes sparkled. ^Roland?^ She "tapped" on her beloved's shields, asked a quick question, then returned her attention to their mothers. "I have something I'd like to show you...." TBC ================================= Subject: AAE VI: Spin-Offs -- The Return (1/3) (VLong!)(sorry!) Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 08:45:14 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 1 Mar 2001 11:21:51 -0500 Martin (at Work) Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000079 Forgive the possibly theatrics, folks but if I'm going to be forced out of this current stint of my temporary, albeit self-imposed, retirement from you rummies, then by the Gods; at least I should be able to do it with some style! Last night, Dhyrclhanc came out of that "Tau-field generator", as he had called it, having finaly completed the repairs and upgrades to the "Xavier". (Unfortunately, the only one to witness this was a small, especially when comapared to the 21'-foot tall Ruby Fire Dragon, rodent like creature. As all of the others had either gotten bored watching the Lensdragon flit about in the Time-Compresion field, like and oversized humming-bird.) (Or had been convinced to leave... ) He looked, puting it mildly, a little the worse for wear, and even for Dhyrclhanc, this was saying something. Right about at that same time, the Nemisis split that Fuzzy had "loned" Dhyrclhanc came into the Vehicle-Bay and had delivered him the following message, >"Lord Dyhrclhanc, > The Nemisis Core informs me that, > The reassemble of Lord Fuzzy is due in the next few hours, > She expects to want The Token you are carrying, > To be present at that time." At which point, Dhyrclhanc momentarily shot his eyes upwards, [at least I got her to wear that blouse] he though to himself, in regards to the victorian-styled, half-dress that he had been able to convince the machine colony entity to don, if only for propriety's sake; to cover her female upper-half, that is. >" She indicated that in addition to the Possibility, > Of Lord Fuzzy being able to reboot the Bio-Culture's, > Structural Definitions, > It would also provide a lesson to a 'God of Wisdom'." > >" She belives that she can supply a Momentary gateway, > Which will allow me to pass the Token to her." Then he made a a quick, formal, oriental bow, with his right hand clentched firmly in his left and answered, "Grandmother, with all due respect, both to you and the others in the CAoL, as well as the other Nemisi, I have been up now for what accounts to be 45 years of subjective time. I would not think that it would be too much to ask for, say 9 hours of down time to at least catch up on a single-day's worth of sleep?" [I feel like, after this is all over, I am going to need a good, long, rest. Like, say, twenty years or so.] "Also, would you please let the Core Nemisis that I'll be there shortly, and under my own power." At which point, he excused himself, heading for what would be assumed to be his quarters, for the aforementioned rest. Only, as he was leaving, a tiny, at least in comparison, human girl with chocolate and raspberry striped hair, dressed in a dirty and grease-stained pair of cover-alls as well as a tool-belt made of sythetic materials, and lugging a note-book computer bounced off of him. Well, his leg, actually. Looking up at the 21-ft tall super-annuated hatchling, and seemingly completely non- plussed, the girl begins babbling in a rapid-fire mix of Japanese and English. "Hai, , Rensu-doruagon! Hey Dhyrclhanc, I just got done with the inspection and maintence of those 'Land-crabs' you wanted me to give the once over. I mean _kaw-ai_! Even the Tostag and the Asog don't have anything like that! Not to mention UNISTAR. Anything else you want me to do? Come to think of it, where's the kitchen around here? Suddenly, I'm hungry. Could I get somebody around here to whip me up a Bacon-Cheeseburger and a Strawberry-Vanilla Shake?" Looking down at the Renegade Del Karva, Dhyrclhanc lifts his hand up to his draconian face to cover his eyes, slowly shakes his masive head, and then looks down again. The girl was still standing there, as perky as before. "MOTH !!!!!!!!!" The Lensdragon roared, hoping that the sound would plaster the alien's garishly colored hair to the sides of her head. The girl still stood there, but now had a shocked look on her face. Over all, this wasn't surprising; her hair was now blown back and she, understandibly, looked as if she had stuck her finger into an electrical socket. "Is this not a good time?" she asked, innocently. Dhyrclhanc sighed again, and looked down on her, "Just get them on board, Moth," he says, pointing at the DOTC Xavier, "and we will drop you off on your Earth on our way." "Domo-arigoto, "Rensu-doroagon." said the girl, heading back out of the Vehicle Bay while she tried smoothing her hair back in place with her hand "By the way, my name's 'Bobby Greenland' now." Dhyrclhanc slowly shook his head and sighed, once again. After she was gone, he slowly peeked around both corners of the archway exit which separated the Vehicle-Bay from the rest of Greymalkin, and again set off towards his room. ... And this time, he hoped he would make it, uninterupted. (Need I say it?) TBC ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 10:13:24 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 1 Mar 2001 13:15:54 -0500 "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009350 >On Thu, 22 Feb 2001 18:05:17 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009315 > >"Even if we have our suspicions as to the nature of your problem, >nobody is going to bring them up unless you mention it first." > >He gestures over at Mike. > >"Mike, I'll have a Kirsberry and Crystal Pepsi. And get Baz here >whatever he's drinking." Baz is rather stunned as he sees the plate drift over; however, he's game. "Ah, I'd like a plain Crystal Pepsi, myself," he requests. Still a tad nervous, he digs a handful of coins from a pouch on his belt-- Alliance currency and gold, silver, and copper pieces with faces of rulers that'd never walked this earth. And none of it US currency. "I don't suppose there's anyone able to make an exchange on all this?" he shrugs, setting the currency on the table. "I'm willing to wash dishes or whatever for payment. And as for my problems, well... I found myself standing by the side of the road three days ago, no idea how I got there, or how I got all this stuff. I /know/ I picked the clothes myself, they're to my preferences." He pauses, to take a couple bites of a sandwich. "What's more... is that it's like I spent a few lifetimes doing things. I'm a lot more fit than I remember being before, and I've got... Powers. Here- watch." He selects a steel coin from the pile, then holds a hand over it. A little concentration, and it jumps up to his hand like to a magnet- which is exactly what happened. "I can shift into another form- a draconian of living steel. That's really about all. I just wish I knew what to do with all this- especially without a home or job." Despite that last note, Baz is looking a lot more relaxed now, from the combination of food and the general atmosphere of the Place. Furthermore, it's quite apparent to Nemo (and any other nearby psi's) that Bazil is a telepath of moderate power- and is unaware of the fact. ================================= Subject: AAE VI: Spin-Offs -- The Return (2/3) (VLong!)(sorry!) Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 12:12:20 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 1 Mar 2001 14:51:44 -0500 Martin (at Work) Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000080 They were all assembled on the command deck of the Xavier. Or, at least most of them were. Dhyrclhanc was sitting in the dragon-sized command chair. Sythea was sitting at the combined Ops/Nav/Con console and PIXAR was "plugged-in" in his customary Ops/Nav slot. Nimrod was at the Tactical, and Moonstone, having already been given a quick-run down of the Xavier's operational proceedures, was sitting at Communications. The only one's missing were Sikorski, who was in the Sick-Bay, once more reviewing his notes on the Cyborg Jack, who had briefly been in his care. Likewise, Dasher was also on the lower decks, dividing his time between the Engineering and Weapons' Maintainance decks. Moth Del Karva Gebberoth, who was going by the name "Bobbie Greenland" these days, was in the Mess-Hall happily inhaling the Cheeseburger and Shake that she had gotten out from the ship's Replicators. It was Moonstone who had been the last to show up, after Dhyrclhanc's, admittedly late, wake-up call. The Sentinel-Lensdragon had over-slept but, considering his own condition, this wasn't hard to understand, so he wasn't going to beating himself up over it anytime soon. Moonstone, to her credit, began scrambling around, collecting her things, as soon as Dhyrclhanc's voice died out from the Moonbase's PA System. It was only after everyone else had finished re-stocking the "Dragon Omniversal Travel Craft", and preparing it for departure, that she had finally arived on the Vehicle-Bay's Flight Deck, on Greymalkin's lower levels. Now that it was launch time, all eyes (coloquially speaking) on her durring the pre-flight checklist. However, her deft, albeit pale-skined, fingers quickly moved over the holodynamic control console after a brief pause she reported, proudly, "Communications are on-line and nominal". All heads swung counter-clockwise towards Synthea and PIXAR. "All three propulsional sub-systems are on-line and functioning, as are the navigational sensor array, the navigational shields, and the Rift-projection generator." A small holographic screen popped up next to and above the control console, projected by the golf-ball-sized super-computer and data-manager. {All intra-ship systems as well as extra-ship sensors are functioning within normal parameters} Nimrod was last, he addressed Dhyclhanc directly. "All internal sensors and security systems are on-line as are all all weapons systems, except for what you call the 'Death-Cloud Cannon', which I calculate will have finished it's powering-up cycle by the time we're clear of the station." Dhyrclhanc stabbed a scaled finger down on a control on one of his chair's armrests. "Are you going to take good care of those engines, Dasher?" Dasher's deep and gravelly voice came over the ship's speakers, "Don't I always, Boss?" (anyone who had been to the Place would instantly recognize the similarites between the battle-bot's voice and that of Callahan's piano player) Dhyrclhanc grinned, and then spun back and addressed his crew. "Moonstone, send the debarkation codes to the Professor and let him know we're leaving." "I heard that." The rich, slightly foriegn sounding, voice of Greymalkin's main AI computer piped up and a pair of bay doors, which wouldn't have looked out of place on the Death Star, began sliding open. This, in turn, provided a breath-taking sliver of moonscape and an even more breath-taking ebony vista full of diamond-like stars. "Sythea," Dhyrclhanc continued, the smile still evident in his voice, engage the impulse engines and get us clear of the base, then engage the Rift-generator and set co-ordiantes to Sensai Fuzzy's home in the Matrix Cosm." "Will do, bro." returned Synthea. Shortly, the ship attained a low orbital path, and a huge gap in time-space was created from a device integral to the Xavier's forward deflector dish/navigational sensor. The vaugely saucer shaped ship then moved slowly towards the phenomena's event horizon. "PIXAR, Dhyrclhanc said suddently, his smile widening. "Engage 'Land of Confusion'". "Not again, Boss!" Immediately the art-techno sounds of Phil Colins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, aka "Genesis" began blaring over the ship's speakers... "I must've Dreamed a thousand Dreams, been Haunted by a million Screams. I can Hear the Marching Feet, they're Moving into the Street." "Now did you Read the News Today, They Say the Danger's Gone Away But I can See the Fires' still alight, Burning into the Night." "Too many Men, too many People, making too many Problems. And not much Love to go 'round. Can't you see, this is a Land of Confusion." "This is the World We Live In, and these are the Hands we're Given. Use them and let's Start Trying to make this a Place worth Living In." "Superman, where are you now, Everything's gone Wrong somehow. The Men of Steel, Men of Power, are losing control by the hour." "This is the Time, This is the Place, so we Look to the Future But there's not much Love to go 'round." "Tell me, Why this is a Land of Confusion?" "This is the World We Live In, and these are the Hands we're Given. Use them and let's Start Trying to make this a Place worth Living In." "I Remember Long Ago... When the Sun was Shining..." "All the Stars were Bright, All through the Night, and the Sound of your Laughter, As I Held you Tight, So Long Ago..." "I won't be Coming Home Tonight! My Generation will Put It Right! ... And We're not Just Making Promises that we Know, We'll Never Keep." "Too many Men, too many People, making too many Problems. And not much Love to go 'round. Can't you see, this is a Land of Confusion." "This is the World We Live In, and these are the Hands We're Given. Use them and let's Start Trying to make this a Place worth Living In." "This is the World We Live In, and these are the Names We're Given. Stand up and let's Start Showing Just Where our Lives are Going To." Hold on guys, just one more of these things and we'll be back. ;^D ================================= Subject: Re: Introducing the alt Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 13:24:17 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 1 Mar 2001 12:08:55 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009351 >On Thu, 1 Mar 2001 13:15:54 -0500 >"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00009350 > >Despite that last note, Baz is looking a lot more relaxed now, from >the combination of food and the general atmosphere of the Place. >Furthermore, it's quite apparent to Nemo (and any other nearby psi's) >that Bazil is a telepath of moderate power- and is unaware of the >fact. Nemo carefully sets up some shields around the table. He doesn't want an untrained psi getting triggered or accidentally reading things. "Well, to start with the simple things, exchange isn't a problem. Not here anyway. If you need so local currency, I'm sure there are folks here who will cheerfully swap some with you for some of those credits. Or even for the coins." "And as you may have gathered, 'powers' aren't exactly uncommon here. If you need help with practice, I'd be glad to help. If you don't want them, well, we could look into it, but I'm of the mind that before giving up part of oneself, one should fully explore it. Otherwise, it's hard to make a truly informed decision." "Here's a little trick you might try for practice." Nemo picks up the steel coin and sets it on edge. Then he places a fingertip above it pointing down. He wiggles the finger in a circle around the coin, and slowly the coin starts to spin. "Takes practice to get the field concentrated at the fingertip..." He stops, then sets up a coppe coin. "And if you can keep the field concentrated *and* strong, you can do things like this..." And he repeats the "finger waggling". The copper coin is slower to respond, and doesn't rotate as fast as the finger. But it does rotate. "Eddy currents are wonderful things." :-) Nemo pauses, looking over Baz. "If you don't mind my asking, I do have a question regarding your current form. Well, several actually." Nemo waits to see if Baz is willing or not. ================================= Subject: AAE VI: Spin-Offs -- The Return (1/3) (VLong!)(sorry!) Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 18:25:18 -0800 (PST) On 03-01-2001 at 18:23:14 Nemisis Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000081 >On Thu, 1 Mar 2001 11:21:51 -0500 >Martin (at Work) Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000079 > > Forgive the possibly theatrics, folks but if I'm going to be >forced out of this current stint of my temporary, albeit >self-imposed, retirement from you rummies, then by the Gods; >at least I should be able to do it with some style! >>"Lord Dyhrclhanc, >> The Nemisis Core informs me that, >> The reassemble of Lord Fuzzy is due in the next few hours, >> She expects to want The Token you are carrying, >> To be present at that time." > >At which point, Dhyrclhanc momentarily shot his eyes upwards, [at >least I got her to wear that blouse] he though to himself, in regards >to the victorian-styled, half-dress that he had been able to convince >the machine colony entity to don, if only for propriety's sake; to >cover her female upper-half, that is. >"Grandmother, with all due respect, both to you and the others in the >CAoL, as well as the other Nemisi, I have been up now for what >accounts to be 45 years of subjective time. I would not think that it >would be too much to ask for, say 9 hours of down time to at least >catch up on a single-day's worth of sleep?" "Of Course Not, and From here you can generate as large a temporal shear as needed, To align the T-Flow constants, The Nemisis Core would be hampered or prevented, From trying to generate such a vector from Her end, By the Physical Laws of The Matrix." >[I feel like, after this is all over, I am going to need a good, >long, rest. Like, say, twenty years or so.] > >"Also, would you please let the Core Nemisis that I'll be there >shortly, and under my own power." "As you wish Lord Dyhrclhanc." ================================= Subject: AAE VI side stories: Old Wounds, pt. II Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 23:12:30 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 01 Mar 2001 23:05:51 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009355 >On Wed, 28 Feb 2001 23:20:51 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009343 > >"Maybe not here," Morgan smiled, "but you should see the crew that's >appointed him 'leader'." At the matched pair of quirked eyebrows, her >eyes sparkled. ^Roland?^ She "tapped" on her beloved's shields, asked >a quick question, then returned her attention to their mothers. "I >have something I'd like to show you...." "...oh. My." Several minutes later, Lana Phoenix just _stared_ at the spot in the holodeck where the final battle of Epsilon III had played out in front of them. "Aye. What she said," Caitlin added dryly, though every bit as stunned as her counterpart. "He defeated the Silhouette. Ah, what you were calling 'Malice.' He led..." Lana just shook her head. "I can barely imagine it. Though I thought I saw _Superman_ in the background a few times?" At Morgan's smile and nod, Lana chuckled, still shaking her head. "Now _that_ sounds like my son." The chuckle faded, and she looked at the empty place in the holodeck sadly. "This is what he wants, isn't it? 'Neverending battle' isn't just a slogan for an immortal, but...this idea of letting people run around with any sort of powers they please, this dream he has that it can all work...he's willing to dedicate his life to it, isn't he?" "Yes, he is," Morgan said simply. "Though not just doing anything they please, of course. 'The right to swing my fist stops at your nose' and all that. People who want to use their power to enslave or destroy have to be held in check. Other than that, yes, we think it can work." Lana closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "It's been tried before." Then she opened them again and smiled, though the smile looked a little forced. "But the Masquerade's never had to face my son before." She made another gesture with a shake of her head, this time toward the kitchen door. "Come on. Let's see how the boys are doing." As she turned, she added in a mutter, "at least they're not killing each other...unless they're doing it mentally..." The living room. They each looked away, backs turned, for a long moment. "Roland, I know you want to make a difference, but is this really the way to do it?" James finally asked. "I mean, you're going to be a fa-" "Don't EVEN go there," Roland snapped, turning. "Those two give me more reason than ever to keep fighting, Dad, and you know it." "Then fight for _them,_ son," James sighed. "Not a world filled with...mostly cowards and sheep, the rest sadistic predators. They don't care." Roland stared at his father in shock. Suddenly, everything began to make sense. "That's why you stopped, isn't it? What happened to me...what that sicko did...it convinced you that they weren't worth fighting for. Didn't it?" James looked at his son carefully. "How much do you remember?" "Not all of it, I don't think. Enough, though." Roland looked away again, his eyes pressed shut. "I understand why you're afraid of me, of what I might become. That...fouled side of me's bubbled up to the surface enough times over the last several years. But don't believe they're not worth fighting for. Don't ever believe..." Roland's eyes snapped open in shock. Even with his telepathy (solely active), he could feel his father's reaction. Utter shock. "No! No. No. No." James put his hand on Roland's shoulder. "Not that. Never that. I couldn't be more proud of how you've handled what was done to you. I just...I failed you once. I didn't want it to happen again." Roland turned, the two staring at each other. There was as much confusion as understanding, even now. But what they understood was enough. The hug cracked ribs. "Dad..." was all Roland could say. "You're a good man, Roland. The best. Don't let anyone tell you different. Not even yourself. Especially not yourself." "...I love you, Dad. I just want you to know that." Roland stepped back then, feeling his rib cage with a chuckle. "I'm still not going to stop, you know." James Phoenix almost laughed at that. "Damn stubborn 'spawn of Phoenix,' that's us. I still think you insist on getting in over your head." Roland looked his father over for a moment, then smiled wickedly. "You'd be amazed just how well I can tread water." And his clothes turned into liquid metal. For a moment, Defender was standing in front of a James Phoenix who had thought a moment ago that nothing could shock him now. The armor became a Flash T-shirt and jeans again. "How's that?" "A lot better than I'd look in mine right now," Morgan said dryly, both of their mothers staring in shock. Roland blinked and whirled. "I suppose this is my cue to say, 'MORGAN!' Right?" Morgan only blinked and favored him with her most innocent maternal smile. "You're...you're..." Lana began. "Defender," James said, slightly dazed. "And unless Morgan changes her skin color radically, her comment tells me...Solitaire, right?" "On extended leave, for...obvious reasons," she explained. "With a little help from android substitutes," Roland added, seeing his father about to ask about Solitaire's recent appearances with the Champions. "An' when were ye goin' tae be about tellin' me?" Caitlin asked evenly. ^help!^ Morgan sent. ^You started this.^ "I'm sorry, Caitlin, but I wanted to wait until you had acclimated a little more. The house has some impressive defenses, so you needn't have worried on that account," Roland explained quickly. James immediately returned to what appeared to be his natural state--innate grousing. "Hrmph. Looks like I'm going to have to stick my nose back in to the damn Society." At several puzzled looks, he added, "Well, I'm sure Roland can manage well enough to a point, but I doubt he'd turn down some help from his dear old Dad." He winked. "You wouldn't last five minutes without me," he said in a clearly joking tone. Lana laughed just the same. "Jim, dear, I think we have something to show you." James just quirked an eyebrow, and Morgan instantly knew where Roland had gotten it from. Lana hadn't stopped chuckling yet. "Morgan, the holodeck..." "A holodeck?" James immediately brightened. "You've been to the Trek-verse? Your taste is improving." "Part holodeck, part Danger Room...but we can show you up here," Morgan explained. "I'll get the popcorn!" Roland exclaimed, running off for a moment. "Just so I get to see that holodeck after the show!" James called after him. "Huh. Like Roland's latest jaunt with his 'super friends' can be that big a deal." "Oh, I think you'll be surprised at how this deal goes, dear," Lana said smugly. Several minutes later... "...okay, you win, I wouldn't have imagined that..." =================================