Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 9 Chapter 5 Subject: AAE 9: Bad Omens On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:56:15 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011314 >On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 16:36:45 -0700 >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011301 > >>On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 22:56:42 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011279 >> >>>On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 01:12:26 -0700 >>>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011271 >>> >>>If Qwsp accepts the offer to "play a game" Nemo will create an >>>N-dimensional maze/"dungeon"(in the D&D sense) and a game will >>>ensue. >> >> "So, what do you _do_ with them?" Qwsp asks. >> You got him. > >"You play games. Ones where you take on a role and act it out." > >"Like this one." > >A small cardboard box with wood grain paper covering it appears. >Inside are three beige booklets. (Yes, it's a first edition set of >D&D rules) "oooOOOooo!!!" Qwsp exclaims with clear interest. He dives into the rules, then comes up for air a few moments later. >(OOC: if Qwsp isn't a *born* "munchkin" gamer, I'll be very >surprised) OOC: You know, I hadn't thought of that, but now I _have_ to run with it. Qwsp immediately hands Nemo a character sheet and dives into the maze, transforming himself into a maxed-out elf (Fighter/Magic-User, of course!). Naturally, he's raped the system to the point where Igor would be outraged. On the other hand, the character actually has an interesting back story -- he's the wastrel second son of a noble (he actually didn't try to use that as an excuse for gear). The character tries to pretend that he doesn't care about his brother's sterling reputation, his history of good deeds, his movie star good looks, etc. etc. -- but is really jealous deep down, and just doesn't know how to measure up. So he goes adventuring for something to do -- but really, to find some way to do something _right_ for once. He just doesn't know how. (OOC: Geez, did I telegraph _that_ one or what? ;^) >>>Nemo observes the being cautiously, but make no hostile moves for >>>now. He'd rather like to avoid having to report "to save the planet >>>it was necessary to destroy the planet" (reference to an infamous >>>statement about a village in Vietnam) OOC: Yeah, I don't think Roland and Morgan would like that. 8^) >> "I am Omen. I am a manifestation of OMEN." >> By the time the words leave Omen's mouth, NEMO has already become >>aware of its counterpart. Created by the Gaunt Man from shattered >>and drained cosms, OMEN is a massive chain of universes -- of >>realities -- that have been turned into one tremendous undead >>super-entity. Like NEMO, it sends its avatars throughout the >>multiverse. Unlike NEMO, who (apparently) operates on parameters >>based on vast knowledge of truth and science, and faith in even >>higher Truths, OMEN is a blasphemy. Created and sustained by occult >>forces that Should Not Be, it is a violation of Existence Itself. > >OMEN is about to learn some unpleasant truths itself. OOC: *sigh* Never try to out-evil the GM. >> Now, however, OMEN is free. It is at the height of its power. It >>is _ready_ for you. This entire war, from OMEN's perspective, is one >>gigantic tar-baby trap for NEMO, you realize. >> And the Gaunt Man _created_ this monster. > >Well, he *thinks* he did, anyway. :-) OOC: Yes. He did. >"There's another OMEN. And I wish to two of you the joys of getting >to know each other." Nemo's voice is dripping sarcasm... > >He offers an "info packet" to Omen... > >{} > >... unless the "original" OMEN beats him to the punch. Omen^2 looks over the packet. Transmits to OMEN^2. There is a pause, pregnant the way Rosemary was pregnant. >Nemo links to the chief CAoL members briefly. > >*Sorry folks, I was hoping that OMEN would never get involved with >"our" sheaf of Multiverses...* /eep!/ Roland eeps. Mercifully, he's too busy to let himself worry overmuch about this horrific development... >He's thinking that OMEN has not thought things thru, as many of the >disadavantages it listed for him apply equally well to *it*. After >all, you can't *really* destroy a multiverse. Just change the >probabilities of future branchings of the world lines. OOC: Er. That's the whole problem with Darkness Devices. They devour POSSIBILITY -- not only the essence of reality, but reality's potential to spawn other realities, other futures, other potentials. They are, arguably, the ultimate evil -- destroyers of hope, of dreams, of the very _nature_ of potential itself. And then, there's destroying a multiverse, and destroying individual cosms. Think of it as the widdershins variant of bonsai trimming. Earth-9 has a _LOT_ of Possibility Energy... >Anything *too* drastic tends to be self-defeating as it sets up a >reaction that can be worse for your plans than leaving things alone. True. OMEN^2 (mostly) knows what it's doing, though. In fact, it could be argued that its only blind spot...is one it shares with NEMO. *innocent smile* >Then again, this OMEN is "young" and inexperienced. Compared to NEMO >and OMEN-prime anyway. OOC: You wish. Omen^2 recovers, and looks sour for a moment. "Well. That was...unpleasant." Then he "favors" Nemo with a cool, mirthless smile. "It does potentially explain, however, from where the Gaunt Man derived the original architecture for my design. Of course, it is in my counterpart's best interest to wait out our conflict. I strongly suspect that you lack such an option. And when I say 'strongly suspect,' of course, I mean 'have spent several eons calculating probabilities.' Now." Omen (I'm going to drop the ^2 from here out, unless the distinction becomes necessary) regards Nemo's interaction with Qwsp with mild interest. "Such an obvious creature. Well. I suppose I should let you get back to your game. In the meantime, enjoy yourself with Granny Goodness." Omen vanishes. And reappears among Darkseid's forces as a minor technician in Desaad's service. Darkseid's servitor has sent out his Dark Walker with a Bedlam at the helm, and is now going to gleeful work on Nemo. Omen dutifully and obediently hands Desaad a report, smiles at Nemo (ever watch Alias? The way Anna Espinosa smiles at Sydney when she's stolen a march on her ;^), then shuffles along to continue his "duties." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Reflections On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 05:07:36 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011315 >On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 16:36:03 -0700 >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011300 > >>On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 10:52:35 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011272 >> >>^And you are going to _pay_ for calling me a sadist! > >^You'd be a lot of fun if you were.^ Ziactrice wishes she had time to shake her head, but even she is a hard-pressed in combat by now. ^As if I'm not just the way I am, heh.^ Apparently, love can blind even Nemo, if he has somehow missed the fact she is, even though the tendency in herself has been redirected towards more positive uses. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Sword Dancing (was Cosmic Power) On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 05:13:24 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011316 >On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 16:17:48 -0700 >Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00011308 > >>On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 04:07:17 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011286 >> >>Zia stops messing around with the minor bad luck, takes the kind of >>hold on Shadow only an Amberite can. Barometers all over the world >>start dropping, and will continue to drop over the next three >>minutes until atmospheric pressure is at the lowest point normal >>humans can survive. >> >>Hopefully that will ground even parademons, as it is hard to fly >>without enough air pressure to put wings against. She gives it a >>good shove by her will, and then she can focus her attention again. > >Noticing the Pressure Drop, > Lord Fuzzy takes a few moments, > To Check... > >If Zia did not take care of this in her Alterations, > Fuzzy will Invike the Court of Air, > And Redifine Natureal Air Pressure, > As a Function of Hieght Above Ground, > Instead of Distance from "G" Center. Zia is powerful, but her abilities take conscious application. She is hard-pressed enough at the moment so she didn't have time to make her Adjustment to Reality this well-tailored. She had settled for lowest pressure possible without starving the Nepalese on the higher Himalayas for breath. Fuzzy's additional measure, however, improves the results dramatically. Ziactrice doesn't even have time to send him a thought of gratitude, so she'll have to say thank you after the fight. Assuming she survives and her side wins, that is. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:29:04 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 >On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 23:49:24 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011311 > >>On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 01:29:31 -0700 >>Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00011285 >> >>Harlock finally finds his tesseract and punches in the access code >>with fingers that tremble just a bit in his haste. After a quick >>rummage through the contents, he comes up with something that looks >>more than a bit like a 20+ channel mixer. He flips a few switches, >>adjusts a few dials, then highjacks the broadcast of every radio in >>the city. "{Ladies and Gentlemen of New York, you know the lyrics. >>Feel free to sing along. > Zia's far more an actress than a singer, but even she finds herself humming along subconsciously despite how busily engaged in combat the petite Amberite is at the moment. > "Fool me once," Steppenwolf snarls, and the arrow sticks firmly in >the cable, apparently doing no damage. > (Of course, it's still going to be in his way when he tries to >_use_ the bloody thing. But seriously damaging Steppenwolf's Axe, >while not _quite_ like denting Mjolnir, is going to be very hard >work.) (OOC: Ut-oh. :-) Well, at least he hasn't thrown any lightning bolts with it yet. Yet being the priniciple word...) >Then, >>On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 04:07:17 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011286 > OOC: Their wings aren't what let them fly, but I'm going to rule >that their packs use jets or some equivalent effect, because Zia >would know what she's doing with this sort of effect. OOC: GM, youse is a stand-up guy. Even if I think you're a perfect stinker. This is one rough cadre of Baddies youse brought to this fight... > Parademons and aero-cavalry troopers (think low-rent parademons) >begin to descend in wobbly, uncertain arcs. Both sides begin laboring >to breathe, which slows down combat (and the attendant mortality >rate 8^). The second an unlooked for benefit which is still very nice to have, given we're on the defensive side of this mass invasion... > The cable is a weapon in itself, and every bit as tough as the >axe. It is _meant_ for use in battle. And calling the New Gods "of >Shadow" is like calling a diamond a rock. Making Steppenwolf a diamond in the rough? Heh. Well, diamonds _are_, technically speaking, really tough rocks. Minerals, at least... > On the other hand, it _is_ damaged, and when he sends a >devastating shock through the system, Steppenwolf is deeply alarmed >to find that Zia is not only unaffected, but (presumably) untouched. >He parries for all he's worth, desperately trying to reel in the >Electro-Axe before his diminutive opponent guts him like a fish. Ziactrice is herself deeply impressed to note her armor is grounding out the fearsome power Steppenwolf is directing her way. Nemo is without doubt the best armorer she has ever had the good fortune to be outfitted by. Maybe fighting in full armor isn't so bad an idea. > Suli looks at Zia with utter contempt. ^And why in the name of the >Source would you _want_ a man who needs to be coddled so?^ she sends >in a very familiar tone. > The Darkseid cognate on Epsilon III (assuming it's not the same >one; Roland _could_ be wrong, after all 8^) was almost certainly >wrong to believe that this woman was a version of Zia, but at least >he didn't pull the concept out of the ether... ;^) (OOC: LOL! Gads, I was hoping you'd forgotten about that! Oh, as long as Darkseid doesn't catch on, Zia's "safe". Well, as safe as this fight is gonna get, that is...) [Gads. Just what I needed, an insane Shadow of myself-as-sorceress, with all the delivery of cardboard.] Ziactrice makes a sour face, thankfully hidden behind her helm's faceplate. > Then Suli turns her attention back to Eric. With a gesture, >glowing yellow-white claws of force fly out from around her to hunt >Eric down. > "Wyrm spit," Eric curses, dodging like mad as the Sourcerous >weapons track him relentlessly... "/You know,/" Ziactrice says, conversationally to Steppenwolf and sundry, "/Suli is about three walnuts short of a fruitcake, in addition to being two yards short of being dressed./" /Say, is there a serious mindhealer on the Good Guy side who can look into fixing her? Very carefully, that is. I could normally recompile any pattern, but I don't think she's gonna give me the slightest break to do so./ > Brimstone is bothered not at all by this attack. He begins to >stride toward the two heroes once more. Ziactrice gauges his approach by the hissing sound of burning, gigantic feet in the slippery muck of this battle scene. > Steppenwolf roars in abject fury, and tries to loop Zia's katana >with the cable. He takes the wakizashi to the gut in the process (and >probably doesn't even get the katana -- your call), but he manages to >retrieve the Axe itself. He bites off his next bellow. [I'll be >DAMNED if I have to call in a strike to deal with a single _child_ of >New Genesis!] Ziactrice realizes she won't be able to hang onto the longer blade; he is slightly stronger than her if markedly less skilled. She choses to let him get the cable on it, then she plunges the tip of the blade _into_ the cable's coils, effectively pinning it into something of a knot. She doesn't quite manage to penetrate far enough to pin the tip through his hand or thigh, but she tried. The sword is stuck enough it is ripped from her hand, but her waki-zashi carves a deep, gut wound through her opponent's midriff. Ziactrice raises her short sword, giving Steppenwolf a salute with the blooded short blade. This leaves the first tracery of blood on that black and silver helm between her eyes like some sort of promise of his imminent death at her hands. Her eyes aren't victorious, merely the respect of one warrior to a lesser one on the field. No less deadly, but with a certain degree of grim respect to go with the certain knowledge she _could_ probably take him down. She is, after all, a knight when all is said and done. Though of course, Steppenwolf doesn't even know her name, yet. > "You are not a witch," Suli shoots back flatly. "I wouldn't insult >the least witch in creation by comparing her to you." "Well! I guess that's a start. You need to work on the succinctness of your insult, though." Zia says, critically. > She's done fooling around. > With a gesture, a stylus of some sort appears in her hand. With a >flick of a wrist, she carves a sigil in the air in front of her. > A component of the Anti-Life Equation. > "Pit of Malfeas," Eric breathes. "/Unbalanced integral!/" Ziactrice yells as if this should mean a deadly warning to everyone nearby. She kicks herself back with one leg. Zia slides through the muck with a smoothness that indicates there is something built into her boots for just this purpose. She slides smoothly right _between_ Brimstone's advancing legs. > The fire in her eyes becomes a little bit wilder, her expression >just a touch more insane, as a bolt of obliteration flies at Zia... Zia dodges further behind Brimstone's left leg. The huge creature begins to turn, trying to follow her like a cat after a mouse, just as the bolt from Suli strikes it. (OOC: I have _no_ idea what might happen at this point, but I do know Zia does _NOT_ want to find out the hard way if the Pattern in her Blood can save her from the ALE bolt. The Ultimate Creative force versus the Ultimate Oblivation force - inside one's own flesh? Brrrr!) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 14:17:18 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011318 >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 > >/Say, is there a serious mindhealer on the Good Guy side who can look >into fixing her? Very carefully, that is. I could normally recompile >any pattern, but I don't think she's gonna give me the slightest >break to do so./ /*"IF... we are victorious, AND I survive, assuming she does also, I will attempt to do so. However, there MUST be an element of desire for it on her part. I do have the ability to force sanity upon her, but I will not."*/ Aurora answers. ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Ain't We Got Fun... On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 16:51:29 -0700 Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00011319 >On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 22:29:52 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011310 > > Aaaaand...that turns Fuzzy into a nice big target! 8^) > A small army's worth of firepower comes down on Fuzzy when the >soldiers of Apokolips realize what they're up against. In moments > (OOC: assuming their attacks are more or less irrelevant 8^), As their Attacks Swing Wide of Fuzzy , Then Slingshot around hime and Return to Sender... >they fall back quickly and desperately. {This is Captain Krag! We >need backup! We need backup NOW -- KRZZzzz...} [Well the Spank PapPa Spell Works, Luckily they weren't using Seekers...] >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:29:04 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 > >>On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 23:49:24 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011311 >> >> She's done fooling around. >> With a gesture, a stylus of some sort appears in her hand. With a >>flick of a wrist, she carves a sigil in the air in front of her. >> A component of the Anti-Life Equation. >> "Pit of Malfeas," Eric breathes. > >"/Unbalanced integral!/" Ziactrice yells as if this should mean a >deadly warning to everyone nearby. She kicks herself back with one >leg. Zia slides through the muck with a smoothness that indicates >there is something built into her boots for just this purpose. Fuzzy Notices the ALE Effect Node, He has been Waiting for Something like This... The Shield on his Arm, Emits What looks like A Boomerang, and A Frisbie Which Fly off in Zia's Direction. >Zia dodges further behind Brimstone's left leg. The huge creature >begins to turn, trying to follow her like a cat after a mouse, just >as the bolt from Suli strikes it. OR at least Seems to, A Lightening Blue Curve of Light (Like a Boomerang), Intercepts at almost "Skin" Level, The Resultant Explosion Might as well have been, A Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction... Timed to allow Zia Maximum Blast Shadow. The Frisbie Like Disk, Attaches to Zia's Armor At some Likely Point, and Sprouts a Half Dozen Throwing Knife Hilts... @Those will allow you to Intercept, Further Attacks of That Kind, I suggest Throwing them From Cover...@ > A few moments later, a Pursuer (super-assassins, second only to >Kanto himself in Darkseid's forces) dives out of the sky at Fuzzy. >Holding a lance that carries him, he fires a gout of Kirby-style >cosmic energy at Fuzzy... {Drek, or That Freaking Much Power...] As Fuzzy throws up his Shield arm to Catch the Blast... > (OOC: Pursuers are superhumanly strong and tough, especially >dense, quite agile, resistant to extremes of temperature, up to and >including fire and ice attacks, and can absorb energy in small >quantities. Their lances allow them to track targets with uncanny >skill, fly, and fire the aforementioned bolts. They can also be >turned into flame/plasma and be directed to wrap around a target. >Have fun. 8^) Fuzzy is Driven into the Ground, Hidden in the Boil of Power, As the Blast Clears, It can be seen to be Funneling, Into the Creation of a Force-Lance, http://www.space.com/sciencefiction/tv/andromeda_military_glossary_000 512.html In Fuzzy's Left Hand. At the Bottom of a 10 Meter Crater. Fuzzy's Right hand Dips into the Umbra, Withdrawing a PowerPack, That He Slaps into the Force-Lance, Then He Fires at the Pursuer... Fuzzy Double Takes as the Pursuer Is hit, By a Blast Of UnLuck, And its Lance is Hit by Several, Paradox Flaw Effectors...? [I thought that was Umbra, But Maybe it was Raw Possibilty Flux, If that is Possible... Maybe Both???] He had Intended to Power His Force-Lance, with a Sliver of Solidified Essence... The Pursuer's Lance Grows Wings, Purely by Bad Luck, One is Under the Pursuer's Hand, Knocking it Loose... As Fuzzy Leaps Out of the Way of the Lance, The Pursuer hits ground and Trips into the Crater... Fuzzy then Notices the Lance is still Tracking Him, Coming around for another pass... Fuzzy will be Running Jumping adn Dodging for a While here, As he tries to figure out How to Stop the Blasted Thing... Hoping that the Pursuer will be Busy with the Clumsies, Long Enough for Fuzzy to get back to him. TBC ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Monkey wrenches and other useful tools On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 23:47:03 -0700 Reality Hacker AJ47 Said As CAoL Message # 00011320 [OOC: Zia's Murphy's-Law thing] #Analysis of macroscopic entropic effect indicates selective targetting of opposition forces.# "Cancel relevant background process. Passive monitoring only." #Cancelled. Three background processes available.# [OOC: Zia's thin-air thing] #Analysis of macroscopic atmospheric pressure effect indicates levelling out at a safe minimum.# #Additional: Expected side effects on weather patterns is being suppressed.# #Additional additional: Effect is already being fine-tuned by at least two friendly third-parties.# "Cancel relevant background process. Passive monitoring only." #Cancelled. Four background processes available.# [OOC: Maxwell's Demon and Brimstone] "Ooh, neat toy! Cache in level-one memory. Then let's use it to poke holes in *that* thing. Primary goal is to avoid venting plasma toward friendly forces. Secondary goal is to establish a clear shot at the internal generator." #Implementation in progress. Three background processes remaining.# [OOC: Steppenwolf] "Wait... re-open that last one for amendment. Primary goal remains as previously stated. Secondary goal is to vent plasma toward weak spots in this electrical weapon over here. Tertiary goal is to establish a clear shot at the internal generator." #Amendment noted.# "Meanwhile, let's try to poke some holes in the electrical weapon directly. And find weak spots, so we know where to poke. Establish cross-reference between last three processes." #Cross-reference established. Implementation in progress. One background process remaining.# "Now cross your fingers and hope its owner is too occupied elsewhere to get the bright idea of vaporizing you, me, this building, and in fact everything within a one-mile radius." #Cute.# ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 00:49:09 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011321 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:24:46 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011313 > >>On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 16:40:38 -0700 >>Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00011291 >> >>Marivale turns to face the real Kanto squarely, hands on his hips >>(well, hilts on his hips, actually...) "Honestly! I defeat your >>first illusion so you throw another illusion at me and expect _that_ >>one to work? Now who's engaging in petty tricks? Truly, Sir, while >>you may be an excellent swordsman, I'm beginning to wonder about >>your intellect." > > Kanto's mocking grin never wavers. "Then by all means, attack. > (OOC: Marivale's sure he's got the solid one -- the others are all >smoke and mirrors.) [Hmm...yon whoreson is entirely too confident for my liking. I wish Geoffery would hurry up and get back here...] Marivale settles into a defensive stance. "I believe I shall wait for Geoffery, if you don't mind. He should be along shortly." >>Geoffery watches them round the corner of the building and yanks a >>scroll out of his belt. [Must time this properly...] He reads the >>scroll, finishing just as the spheres come within ten feet of him. >>Then, with but a single word, he Dimension Doors another 20' down >>the street, leaving the spheres trapped within the hemispherical >>Wall of Force he just created. [Whew! Now then, where did that >>scroll of Permanency go?] > > The spheres bounce around impotently within the invisible dome of >energy. Their teeny little processors know enough to realize they're >trapped in a force field, but lack any sort of creativity. Blaster >fire bounces harmlessly off the inside of the dome. Geoffery quickly reads the scroll, effectively trapping the spheres until he finds somebody better qualified to deal with them. Then he Dimension Doors yet again, arriving to see Marivale squaring off with Kanto and eleven shadowy duplicates. Marivale's eyes narrow in satisfaction. "Geoffery, a Bead of Force, if you please." (assuming Kanto doesn't fall for the old "look behind you" routine...) Geoffery pulls a small bead from his backpack and throws it at Kanto, enveloping him in a spherical force field. (OTOH, if he does glance Geoffery's way...) Marivale pulls a small bead from his belt and throws it at Kanto in his moment of distraction, enveloping him in a spherical force field. (OOC: there are times when "that old trick" comes in very handy, thank you...and Marivale and Geoffery have practiced this routine.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 01:11:07 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011322 >On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 23:49:24 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011311 > >>On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 01:29:31 -0700 >>Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00011285 >> >>He flips a few switches, adjusts a few dials, then highjacks the >>broadcast of every radio in the city. "{Ladies and Gentlemen of New >>York, you know the lyrics. Feel free to sing along. > > > The foot (and wing ;^) soldiers of Apokolips are _not_ happy. The >very reality of Earth-9 seems bolstered by the song, and the native >forces begin to fight with greater ferocity and conviction. Harlock smiles in weary satisfaction as he sees the defenders perking up, then looks for something else he can do. (OOC: which he promptly does in "Bugging Stompa") >>While he's pouring his heart into the music, the Bard pulls a scroll >>out and hands it to Erindrea, gesturing at Steppenwolf and his yo-yo >>axe routine. Erin glances at the scroll, then in the direction her >>father is pointing. She grins and nods. Once more, an adamantine >>arrow comes out of the quiver. Erin reads the scroll of True Strike >>and lets fly, timing it so that the arrow clips the cable just >>before the axe reaches its furthest extension. > > "Fool me once," Steppenwolf snarls, and the arrow sticks firmly in >the cable, apparently doing no damage. > (Of course, it's still going to be in his way when he tries to >_use_ the bloody thing. But seriously damaging Steppenwolf's Axe, >while not _quite_ like denting Mjolnir, is going to be very hard >work.) Erindrea's eyebrows fly up despite herself. [How did that thing get toughah the second tahm around?] She considers her options for a moment or three while calmly picking off parademons, then pulls an arrow with a rune-encrusted head from the quiver and lets fly at Steppenwolf again, not bothering with the axe this time. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 06:35:17 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011323 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 14:17:18 -0700 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011318 > >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 >> >>"/You know,/" Ziactrice says, conversationally to Steppenwolf and >>sundry, "/Suli is about three walnuts short of a fruitcake, in >>addition to being two yards short of being dressed./" >> >>/Say, is there a serious mindhealer on the Good Guy side who can >>look into fixing her? Very carefully, that is. I could normally >>recompile any pattern, but I don't think she's gonna give me the >>slightest break to do so./ > >/*"IF... we are victorious, AND I survive, assuming she does also, I >will attempt to do so. However, there MUST be an element of desire >for it on her part. I do have the ability to force sanity upon her, >but I will not."*/ Aurora answers. The petite Amberite waits until after Fuzzy's timely assistance and suggestion for dealing with the Anti-Life Equation component Suli has is completed. Then she gives Aurora's answer a split-second's consideration on one of the back burners of her mind. /What a strange conditional.../ The petite Amberite gives up. Cosmic-level entities _baffle_ her. /Just for the record,/ Zia notes seriously, /if I ever get _my_ sanity disarranged, I hereby give permission for it to be forced upon me again. Preferably by Nemo, Eric, and whomever else knows me best, but I am not restricting it. They might need help. I can be a tad stubborn./ /I'll see what I can do about Suli, if she doesn't scorch me first. Healing someone throwing Anti-Life Equational components at one is bit dicey./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9:Qwsp-y Qwitters On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:44:49 -0700 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011324 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:56:15 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011314 > > Qwsp immediately hands Nemo a character sheet and dives into the >maze, transforming himself into a maxed-out elf (Fighter/Magic-User, >of course!). Naturally, he's raped the system to the point where Igor >would be outraged. On the other hand, the character actually has an >interesting back story -- he's the wastrel second son of a noble (he >actually didn't try to use that as an excuse for gear). Of course not. Never occurred to him. :-) >The character tries to pretend that he doesn't care about his >brother's sterling reputation, his history of good deeds, his movie >star good looks, etc. etc. -- but is really jealous deep down, and >just doesn't know how to measure up. So he goes adventuring for >something to do -- but really, to find some way to do something >_right_ for once. > He just doesn't know how. > (OOC: Geez, did I telegraph _that_ one or what? ;^) (OOC: whistling as I look off into the distance. Nope. No Gary Stu characters here. :-) "You are in a 10 feet wide corridor..." Nemo is not going to cheat. But he *is* going to be an "evil GM" to the same extent that Qwsp is a munchkin. (Oy!) As arguments occur, more rulebooks and supplements appear. The game soon is far past "mere" D&D. But still FRP. It *does*, however, resemble the oft-mentioned "game that should not be" GURPS-Rifts... ... much later (subjective time) "The wall grows fur and something grabs one of your henchman and is gone again" (OOC: 10 points to the first person to ID *that* monster. Source and name, please.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Bad Omens On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:44:52 -0700 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011325 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:56:15 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011314 > >>OMEN is about to learn some unpleasant truths itself. > > OOC: *sigh* > Never try to out-evil the GM. I'm not. Just "inflicting" a "competing reality" on your creation. Your Omen works your way. *mine* however... :-) >>> And the Gaunt Man _created_ this monster. >> >>Well, he *thinks* he did, anyway. :-) > > OOC: Yes. He did. I still would suspect Omen-Prime "whispering in his ear". Even if he hadn't. :-) >> Nemo links to the chief CAoL members briefly. >> >>*Sorry folks, I was hoping that OMEN would never get involved with >>"our" sheaf of Multiverses...* > > /eep!/ Roland eeps. Mercifully, he's too busy to let himself worry >overmuch about this horrific development... And now he knows what sort of messes NEMO had behind a few odd actions. >>He's thinking that OMEN has not thought things thru, as many of the >>disadavantages it listed for him apply equally well to *it*. After >>all, you can't *really* destroy a multiverse. Just change the >>probabilities of future branchings of the world lines. > > OOC: Er. That's the whole problem with Darkness Devices. They >devour POSSIBILITY -- not only the essence of reality, but reality's >potential to spawn other realities, other futures, other potentials. Sure, but the very act of introducing one into a universe creates a branch where they weren't introduced. I suspect we'll have to agree to disagree about this metaphysical point. >They are, arguably, the ultimate evil -- destroyers of hope, of >dreams, of the very _nature_ of potential itself. > And then, there's destroying a multiverse, and destroying >individual cosms. Think of it as the widdershins variant of bonsai >trimming. Yep. That I'll agree with. from the point they take hold, they'll constrain the future branchings. But before that point it's possible to encourage branching to "fill in" the gaps. Though it won't be the same. Multiversal theory is a lot like transfinite math. A lot of normal logic doesn't work the way you expect. And what does work leads to odd results. > Earth-9 has a _LOT_ of Possibility Energy... Yep. >>Anything *too* drastic tends to be self-defeating as it sets up a >>reaction that can be worse for your plans than leaving things alone. > > True. OMEN^2 (mostly) knows what it's doing, though. > In fact, it could be argued that its only blind spot...is one it >shares with NEMO. *innocent smile* Ah. But *is* it a blind spot? Or a subtle trap for others? >>Then again, this OMEN is "young" and inexperienced. Compared to NEMO >>and OMEN-prime anyway. > > OOC: You wish. Depends on when the Guant Man became aware of NEMO. :-) > Omen^2 recovers, and looks sour for a moment. "Well. That >was...unpleasant." Nemo's "apologetic" look is obviously false. > And reappears among Darkseid's forces as a minor technician in >Desaad's service. Darkseid's servitor has sent out his Dark Walker >with a Bedlam at the helm, and is now going to gleeful work on Nemo. >Omen dutifully and obediently hands Desaad a report, smiles at Nemo >(ever watch Alias? The way Anna Espinosa smiles at Sydney when she's >stolen a march on her ;^), then shuffles along to continue his >"duties." -- One of the "limits" on Nemo is that he doesn't mess with his physical form (other than stuff that'd apply to a real human, like starving, injuries). Not that Omen has to follow this "rule". ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:44:58 -0700 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011326 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:29:04 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 > >Ziactrice is herself deeply impressed to note her armor is grounding >out the fearsome power Steppenwolf is directing her way. Nemo is >without doubt the best armorer she has ever had the good fortune to >be outfitted by. Maybe fighting in full armor isn't so bad an idea. It's not *quite* full armor. She lacks a shield. Of course, he favored style doesn't use one... >Her eyes aren't victorious, merely the respect of one warrior to a >lesser one on the field. No less deadly, but with a certain degree of >grim respect to go with the certain knowledge she _could_ probably >take him down. She is, after all, a knight when all is said and done. >Though of course, Steppenwolf doesn't even know her name, yet. Shields are handy for IDing onself via arms. Though I suppose that Zia's helm might have a mon on it. >Zia dodges further behind Brimstone's left leg. The huge creature >begins to turn, trying to follow her like a cat after a mouse, just >as the bolt from Suli strikes it. Another case where a shield would be useful. :-) Zia *may* notice a "mental button" hovering at the edge of her awareness. Labelled "summon shield". (OOC: it's up to you if this is the way it works. But it occurs to me that the "appropriate" arms for such a shield would be a copy of the Pattern. I'm just not certain if even Nemo should be "allowed" to produce that for Zia) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Reflections On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:44:45 -0700 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011327 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 05:07:36 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011315 > >>>^And you are going to _pay_ for calling me a sadist! >> >>^You'd be a lot of fun if you were.^ > >Ziactrice wishes she had time to shake her head, but even she is a >hard-pressed in combat by now. > >^As if I'm not just the way I am, heh.^ > >Apparently, love can blind even Nemo, if he has somehow missed the >fact she is, even though the tendency in herself has been redirected >towards more positive uses. Or maybe he's just tweaking her nose a bit. :-) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Heavy Weather On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 14:53:04 -0700 Crystal Jade Guess Said As CAoL Message # 00011329 [Note: CJ responded to something that was only posted to the First Draft list, which is why there's more quoting than usual here.] OOC: Sorry for taking so long in getting involved, but I've been having a few problems with my mail reader. >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 09:48:14 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As FD.CAoL Message # 00000091 > >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011309 >> >>"Thanks for the help. Kell Vanderlan, by the way." The monk babbled >>something incomprehensible, causing Kell to groan. "I've never even >>heard that language." >> >> After looking puzzled for a moment, the monk tried, "Oerth >>language Elven you speak?" >> >> "Yes. I'm Kell." >> >> "Liberate/steal/rob Nishikawa name is." >> >> "And Harlock says my accent is bad," Kell grumbled. > > A steel lash nearly decapitated the two, ending the conversation. >Rob pointed Kell at Bernadeth, then turned to Lashina. [She's strong, >but relative to the other Furies, she's a lightweight,] he thought, >as he dodged her attacks. [And I'm getting tired of this.] There was >enough emotional manipulation at this point to make a >manic-depressive out of anybody. Darkness and despair opposed by hope >and camaraderie, at levels that would be legendary in any world. But >nobody had paid attention to the last source of manipulation, perhaps >because nobody on the heroes' side had noticed it yet. > > Rob had several things driving him at this point; defense of a >city, protecting the innocent, helping his friends, and, on top of >all that, the awareness that two universes depended on winning this >fight, as well as the existence of the only god he had ever liked. >Mageddon just added the last straw. > > As Lashina tried to take his head and arm off, Rob blocked both >lashes with a flared left. Reflexively, the Female Fury pulled, >expecting to slice her opponent's arm off, and leave him in a bloody >heap. He didn't even flinch. > > "Oh, Lashiiinaaaa," Rob sang. His right hand wrapped in red, he >took hold of the steel ribbons and pulled. "GET OVER HERE!" Bernadeth >saw the change immediately. [He isn't trying to knock Lashina >out--he's trying to kill her!] [Hmmmm. This looks like a good place to cause some confusion.] CJ thought, after opening Box three folds and pulling out a bandoleer of her displacement grenades. With a wry grin she thought [Let's see if this one works.] Stepping through the X-Window, she pulled the pin on one of the grenades. Tossing it under Bernadeth, she yelled "Fire in the hole!" and dove for cover. About a breath and a half later there is a strange WOOMPH! sound, and a massive SPLOOSH!, as 20 cubic meters of mintlimeade appears over Bernadeth, Lashina and Rob. [Ooopsie.] "What in the name of Rassilon?" she mutters, "That's not supposed to happen." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 19:41:43 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011330 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:29:04 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 > >>On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 23:49:24 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011311 > >OOC: GM, youse is a stand-up guy. Even if I think you're a perfect >stinker. This is one rough cadre of Baddies youse brought to this >fight... OOC: Thank yew. And hey, I've seen what happens when I throw light-weights at this lot... >> The cable is a weapon in itself, and every bit as tough as the >>axe. It is _meant_ for use in battle. And calling the New Gods "of >>Shadow" is like calling a diamond a rock. > >Making Steppenwolf a diamond in the rough? Heh. Well, diamonds _are_, >technically speaking, really tough rocks. Minerals, at least... OOC: Well, that was sort of my point, actually. Sure, a diamond's a rock. So is your average piece of granite. One tends to be more impressive... ;^) >> The Darkseid cognate on Epsilon III (assuming it's not the same >>one; Roland _could_ be wrong, after all 8^) was almost certainly >>wrong to believe that this woman was a version of Zia, but at least >>he didn't pull the concept out of the ether... ;^) > >(OOC: LOL! Gads, I was hoping you'd forgotten about that! Oh, as long >as Darkseid doesn't catch on, Zia's "safe". Well, as safe as this >fight is gonna get, that is...) OOC: I'm married to the archivist. Seriously, though, Suli's only a Zia cognate if you want her to be. I figure there have to be enough similarities that Darkseid would make the mistake (and it is a mistake either way, because even if Suli is a cognate, they aren't the same being), so I figured I'd run with it. Though if you think _this_ is "bad," wait until she's _sane._ ;^) >> Then Suli turns her attention back to Eric. With a gesture, >>glowing yellow-white claws of force fly out from around her to hunt >>Eric down. >> "Wyrm spit," Eric curses, dodging like mad as the Sourcerous >>weapons track him relentlessly... > >"/You know,/" Ziactrice says, conversationally to Steppenwolf and >sundry, "/Suli is about three walnuts short of a fruitcake, in >addition to being two yards short of being dressed./" "Really?" Eric says in between gasps of "Dipping Swallow Defense!" and "Golden Essence Block!". "It's hard for -- uhn -- me to tell crazy from evil, some days." He tries to keep his voice conversational, but it's obvious he's nearly at the end of his rope. Er, chain. 8^) >> Brimstone is bothered not at all by this attack. He begins to >>stride toward the two heroes once more. > >Ziactrice gauges his approach by the hissing sound of burning, >gigantic feet in the slippery muck of this battle scene. Oh, and the smell is just _WON_-derful! >> Steppenwolf roars in abject fury, and tries to loop Zia's katana >>with the cable. He takes the wakizashi to the gut in the process >>(and probably doesn't even get the katana -- your call), but he >>manages to retrieve the Axe itself. He bites off his next bellow. >>[I'll be DAMNED if I have to call in a strike to deal with a single >>_child_ of New Genesis!] > >Ziactrice realizes she won't be able to hang onto the longer blade; >he is slightly stronger than her if markedly less skilled. She choses >to let him get the cable on it, then she plunges the tip of the blade >_into_ the cable's coils, effectively pinning it into something of a >knot. She doesn't quite manage to penetrate far enough to pin the tip >through his hand or thigh, but she tried. Steppenwolf gasps in pain, though manages to retain what control he still has. He glances quickly down, shocked to see a blade through his super-tough skin for the first time in centuries. Better (for Zia), between the katana and Erindrea's arrow, the cable is nearly useless as a secondary weapon. As it is, Steppenwolf will just barely be able to use the Axe. >The sword is stuck enough it is ripped from her hand, but her >waki-zashi carves a deep, gut wound through her opponent's midriff. >Ziactrice raises her short sword, giving Steppenwolf a salute with >the blooded short blade. This leaves the first tracery of blood on >that black and silver helm between her eyes like some sort of promise >of his imminent death at her hands. Holding the Axe in a defensive ready position, Steppenwolf touches his off-hand to the blood in morbid fascination, raising his crimson fingertips to just below eye level (not allowing them to obscure any part of Zia, of course). The sheer disbelief is palpable. >Her eyes aren't victorious, merely the respect of one warrior to a >lesser one on the field. No less deadly, but with a certain degree of >grim respect to go with the certain knowledge she _could_ probably >take him down. She is, after all, a knight when all is said and done. >Though of course, Steppenwolf doesn't even know her name, yet. In spite of the wound, Steppenwolf feels he has the advantage now. Or at least a fighting chance, with the katana stuck in his cable. His stance shifts slightly, preparing to take the offensive. "I would know your name, little goddess, before further blood is spilled." It appears that an old honor, long forgotten, has resurfaced briefly in the ancient warrior (he's Darkseid's _uncle,_ BTW). >> She's done fooling around. >> With a gesture, a stylus of some sort appears in her hand. With a >>flick of a wrist, she carves a sigil in the air in front of her. >> A component of the Anti-Life Equation. >> "Pit of Malfeas," Eric breathes. > >"/Unbalanced integral!/" Ziactrice yells as if this should mean a >deadly warning to everyone nearby. She kicks herself back with one >leg. Zia slides through the muck with a smoothness that indicates >there is something built into her boots for just this purpose. Eric doesn't know an unbalanced integral from an unbalanced sorceress, but he knows an "incoming!" when he hears one. He bolts in the opposite direction, dodging and parrying flying claws as he moves. >She slides smoothly right _between_ Brimstone's advancing legs. "Uhrrr?" Brimstone grunts. "Who dares?" "So it _does_ speak," Eric quips, finally destroying one of the claws. OOC: FTR, pretty much for all New God characters, http://www.sean-walsh.com/newgods/ngpics.htm is a great site. http://www.sean-walsh.com/newgods/brim.jpg is a really cool, "holy crap" picture of Brimstone being summoned from primordial fire. A _volcano_ wasn't hot enough to activate the monster... TBC ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Monkey wrenches and other useful tools On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 20:02:54 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011331 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 23:47:03 -0700 >Reality Hacker AJ47 Said As CAoL Message # 00011320 > >"Meanwhile, let's try to poke some holes in the electrical weapon >directly. And find weak spots, so we know where to poke. Establish >cross-reference between last three processes." > >#Cross-reference established. Implementation in progress. One >background process remaining.# > >"Now cross your fingers and hope its owner is too occupied elsewhere >to get the bright idea of vaporizing you, me, this building, and >in fact everything within a one-mile radius." > >#Cute.# Desaad, busy little bee that he is, has been busy "experimenting" on Nemo and throwing newer, better, and uglier toys at the heroes. Then he notices anomalies in the reality overlay readouts. "Mmm?" Desaad muses. "Well. Not unexpected." He presses a single button. Earth-9 is a world of Mages. They wield the power of reality itself, bending it to their will and transforming that which can be into that which is. Though its power has diminished and most of its restrictions reduced (i.e. most magick is coincidental now), Paradox remains the primary reason to avoid using True Magick on a whim. Darkseid, having been well prepared for the invasion, knows all of this. Though there will be other forms of resistance, this one was expected be the greatest. And Paradox...appeals...to the High Lord. He finds it elegant. In an instant, the force of Paradox is accepted into the rules of Darkseid's reality. And the reality of Apokolips is most unforgiving. "AAGH!" Seeker cries, stumbling back away from Kalibak as a hyper-replicated kick suddenly becomes "impossible." In a sub-basement in the Bronx, a Son of Ether is knocked unconscious as his experimental Kirby-Force Rider explodes around him. In a high-rise at the far end of the island from the battle, a Hermetic summoning divine forces is quickly faced with exactly the wrong sort of spiritual being. And Reality Hacker AJ47 very quickly develops a problem with bugs in his system. #WARNING WARNING WARNING Pattern Spider infestation in subroutines @&(%^!&^*#$@# (OOC: Have fun. ;^) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 20:13:42 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011332 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 00:49:09 -0700 >Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00011321 > >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:24:46 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011313 >> >> Kanto's mocking grin never wavers. "Then by all means, attack. >> (OOC: Marivale's sure he's got the solid one -- the others are >>all smoke and mirrors.) > >[Hmm...yon whoreson is entirely too confident for my liking. I wish >Geoffery would hurry up and get back here...] Marivale settles into a >defensive stance. "I believe I shall wait for Geoffery, if you don't >mind. He should be along shortly." Kanto smiles, slowly approaching Marivale. "You do that." He begins to sidestep left as he does so, along with five of the holograms. The other six sidestep right. When they begin doing this, those stepping left and those stepping right are evenly spaced out, so that every other Kanto is moving opposite to those on either side of "him." All twelve are approaching, forming an ever-closing circle. >Geoffery quickly reads the scroll, effectively trapping the spheres >until he finds somebody better qualified to deal with them. Then he >Dimension Doors yet again, arriving to see Marivale squaring off with >Kanto and eleven shadowy duplicates. > >Marivale's eyes narrow in satisfaction. "Geoffery, a Bead of Force, >if you please." OOC: No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy. Kanto's didn't, why should Marivale's? At which point, Kanto steps out from behind a vent and fires a stun bolt squarely into Geoffery's back! In that instant, as the other Kantos lunge, Marivale realizes that the "real" Kanto he faces is a golem of some sort! Kanto laughs as his robotic counterpart tries to lock blades with Marivale. "The jets in my replica's legs should send you on your merry way, though I must admit, your little stunt with your friend threw off my timing. He is only stunned, of course -- I don't waste my time killing servants. By all means, impale the android on your blade. It will make its job all the easier! HA HA ha ha ha..." Kanto laughs in satisfaction as he leaps back into the more general fray, heading towards the Brimstone battle. Stealth, Marivale realizes. He must have used plain old stealth... (OOC: No, I don't expect Marivale to get caught in the android trap, though I had to share what I _was_ going to do to you, though. Nice save, BTW. 8^) ================================= Subject: AAE 9: The Madness of Queen Suli On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 20:28:15 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011333 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 06:35:17 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011323 > >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 14:17:18 -0700 >>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011318 >> >>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 >>> >>>"/You know,/" Ziactrice says, conversationally to Steppenwolf and >>>sundry, "/Suli is about three walnuts short of a fruitcake, in >>>addition to being two yards short of being dressed./" /And whose fault is the latter?/ Defender manages to quip in between jamming efforts. /Talk about TMI.../ he adds with a wink. Though that's an unfair comment. Suli is quite beautiful, in a Big Barda sort of way. But someone get the woman some hair gel. Yikes. OOC: One more time. 8^) http://www.sean-walsh.com/newgods/mortal.JPG This is Mortalla. She was transmogrified by Desaad to look like Suli. Give her "wild sticking out" hair, lose the skull, and make her skin slate-gray, and you've got Suli as she is now. (The changes in appearance, other than the skull, are due to Darkseid using the Anti-Life Equation to resurrect her.) >>/*"IF... we are victorious, AND I survive, assuming she does also, I >>will attempt to do so. However, there MUST be an element of desire >>for it on her part. I do have the ability to force sanity upon her, >>but I will not."*/ Aurora answers. /Quick note from C&C,/ the harried Defender sends in a short burst. /I did some research on Suli on-line during lulls in my cyber-fight with Desaad. Heggra -- Darkseid' mother -- had Suli killed because she was _too_peaceful._ Suli San had some odd notions about using technology for _constructive_ purposes, it seems. Obviously, she's changed a tad./ >/What a strange conditional.../ The petite Amberite gives up. >Cosmic-level entities _baffle_ her. She's not alone. 8^) >/Just for the record,/ Zia notes seriously, /if I ever get _my_ >sanity disarranged, I hereby give permission for it to be forced upon >me again. Preferably by Nemo, Eric, and whomever else knows me best, >but I am not restricting it. They might need help. I can be a tad >stubborn./ /Noted,/ Roland replies evenly. >/I'll see what I can do about Suli, if she doesn't scorch me first. >Healing someone throwing Anti-Life Equational components at one is >bit dicey./ /Hm. I think we may have a strategic advantage there,/ Defender adds. /I doubt Darkseid wants his lover to be nuts, even if she does seem to fit his 'conquer all that is' jones better this way. However, survive now, bargain later./ TBC... ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Catching Virman On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:21:56 -0400 (EDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011335 >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:19:57 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011312 > >>On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 15:37:27 -0400 (EDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011289 >> >> >>Karma finished her fussing and looked over the various reports, >>trying to get a feel for the situation. As she did, she grew a shade >>or two paler, making her look rather goth with her black hair and >>black clothing. >> >>"Uh, I hate to say this, but I think we're screwed. Can we retreat >>and stop them from spreading further?" > > Roland's jaw twitched. "I'm not ready to concede my city yet. I >failed them once. Not again." > Clenching his one hand into a fist, he adds reluctantly, "...but >if it comes to that, we can evac everyone on to the island." Karma sighed with a nod, "Had to suggest it." > #Vundabar is not imaginative, but he is efficient. His war machine >will probably be straightforward, but he may have a trap or two built >in. Call me if you need backup, and good luck.# OOC: Roland only says >the last bit if they agree to go. OOC: Which they are. :D Moonstone and Karma took the headsets and put them on, set to sound. "We'll see what we can do," Moonstone said, slinging her backpack over her shoulders. The two women surrepticiously made their way to the rim of the island, keeping well clear of the battle with Kalibak raging elsewhere. With a muttered incantation, Moonstone took her dragon form. "Climb on," the dragon instructed, "And one dragonrider of Pern joke and I'm dropping you." Karma grinned, "Actually, I was thinking more of 'Spirited Away.'" Moonstone's cobalt blue eyes rolled, "Sen-ply dreadful." "Haku very much." "I may drop you in the ocean yet." "I think it's out of my system now." "Good, let's go." Karma straddled Moonstone's 'shoulders' and grabbed ahold of the spines on Moonstone's back, which had been laid down for her. Moonstone almost slithered off the edge of the island, plummeting toward the ocean below. The wind whipped past Karma's ears as she held tightly to the dragon as they continued to plummet, foregoing the spines in favor of wrapping around the dragon's scaled neck. Moonstone's wings were out, but they didn't seem to be catching enough air under them. "Pull up!" Karma shouted. "Believe me, I'm trying!" Finally, they caught a breeze and, skimming the water just inches below, glided along toward New York City, Moonstone's wings beating hard to keep them out of the harbor. Virman Vundabar was making his way toward the Furies when Moonstone found him. Karma blinked and clutched to the dragon's neck tightly as they collided with the humanoid war machine, knocking it's feet out from under it. [Wha--?!] the Doctor thought as he fell over, struggling with the controls to regain his footing as fast as possible, [Next time, I will take something less awkward. Now, where is that thing that tackled me?] Something tipped him off, Moonstone wasn't sure what, but he turned just as she was leaping for him from behind, grabbing her clawed forelegs and grappling with her 'hand to hand'. Moonstone curled her neck and spit a burst of flame at the war machine, engulfing what would pass for the head, and while it did warm his face, it did not damage the domed surface of the machine. Doctor Vundabar pressed a button and a jolt of electricity shot through the arms into the dragon. Moonstone roared, the current coursing up her forelegs to her elbow-knee, and bit at the domed head, electricity rippling across its surface from glands in the roof of her mouth. Karma drew the roman sword from her belt and dodged between the two giants' feet. She chopped at the war machine's ankles and, to no one's surprise, only seemed to chip the paint and marr the metal slightly. Turning back, she sheathed the sword and drew the pistol. A couple shots riccocheted off the machine, again unsurprisingly. Moonstone's claws faired little better, but she did manage to mark up the chest-plating as she leapt off the ground, still being held by Vundabar's transport, only to let her weight pull them both down in a throw her human form knew from martial arts courses. This had been the first time she'd tried it as a dragon, and found it worked fairly well, putting her on her back, feet on her opponent's chest and giving enough momentum that she could throw the war machine over her head to land on its back. Well, ideally, the machine would have let go, but both Moonstone and Vundabar were on the ground now, heads next to each other, arms locked in each other's grasp. At least until Vundabar triggered the electrical discharge again, forcing her forefeet to open so he could pull his arms free. Both combatants scrambled to their feet. "No witty banter?" Moonstone asked. "Why waste words on the dead?" Virman asked with a sneer as the barrel of an energy weapon sprung from his robot's arms, glowing with charging energy. Moonstone's eyes widened, her tail whipping out as she ducked, striking the arms and causing them to just miss her head. Turning, she ran down an alleyway Karma had waved to her from. /Ideas?/ Moonstone sent (audio only) through Roland's link to the CAoL greater psi-web. /Is this the sort of guy to play cat-and-mouse or turn back to smashing whoever's closest?/ ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Bad Omens, OOC notes On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 22:04:57 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011336 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:44:52 -0700 >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011325 > >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:56:15 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011314 >> >>>> And the Gaunt Man _created_ this monster. >>> >>>Well, he *thinks* he did, anyway. :-) >> >> OOC: Yes. He did. > >I still would suspect Omen-Prime "whispering in his ear". Even if he >hadn't. :-) Well, he may have done some hard bargaining (hard on both sides, that is), but until I know more about OMEN I'm going to hold off on making such assumptions. And even something like OMEN-Prime would think twice about trying to manipulate the Gaunt Man. Then again, the Gaunt Man may not have _minded_ having some ideas slipped to him. Any intended flaws would have simply been...filtered out. 8^) >> OOC: Er. That's the whole problem with Darkness Devices. They >>devour POSSIBILITY -- not only the essence of reality, but reality's >>potential to spawn other realities, other futures, other potentials. > >Sure, but the very act of introducing one into a universe creates a >branch where they weren't introduced. > >I suspect we'll have to agree to disagree about this metaphysical >point. I'm in the "you can have an infinite number of apples without having any oranges" camp, myself. Or perhaps an infinite variety of fruits without having infinite apples. I think you get my drift. IC, there's a cosm demonstrably at stake, and a fairly pivotal one, so our characters don't need to worry too much about _precisely_ how bad things could get -- if the bad guys win this one, it would be a Bad Thing(TM). Further discussion should prob. go to the TR. >> True. OMEN^2 (mostly) knows what it's doing, though. >> In fact, it could be argued that its only blind spot...is one it >>shares with NEMO. *innocent smile* > >Ah. But *is* it a blind spot? Or a subtle trap for others? We'll find out in the finale, won't we? 8^) >>>Then again, this OMEN is "young" and inexperienced. Compared to >>>NEMO and OMEN-prime anyway. >> >> OOC: You wish. > >Depends on when the Guant Man became aware of NEMO. :-) Tsk tsk tsk. You should know better than to think strictly in linear time with beings at this level. >(OOC: see comments elsewhere regarding podssible holes in Omen's >thinking.) Okay, quick point. I can't think at OMEN's level (thank ALL the gods! ewww!). I doubt you can think at NEMO's level. We're just going to have to assume a certain amount of nth-D chess mastery here, which is probably going to take place largely "off screen." The thread _is_ Action Adventure & Excitement, after all. ;^) >> And reappears among Darkseid's forces as a minor technician in >>Desaad's service. Darkseid's servitor has sent out his Dark Walker >>with a Bedlam at the helm, and is now going to gleeful work on Nemo. >>Omen dutifully and obediently hands Desaad a report, smiles at Nemo >>(ever watch Alias? The way Anna Espinosa smiles at Sydney when she's >>stolen a march on her ;^), then shuffles along to continue his >>"duties." -- > >One of the "limits" on Nemo is that he doesn't mess with his physical >form (other than stuff that'd apply to a real human, like starving, >injuries). Not that Omen has to follow this "rule". I'm not quite sure what you mean -- what things does Nemo "mess" with, and which ones doesn't he? Are Nemos largely invulnerable, but don't have other "powers" except through processes (tech, magic, faith)? Or is it the other way around, and Nemos _can_ starve, be injured, etc.? I'm figuring the former, based on context. Omens will follow a similar pattern, though they won't be quite as indestructible, and they _will_ have access to a limited set of Orrorshan horror options. Mortals can drive them off with extreme effort, though this is due to OMEN's own rules of engagement based on its Orrorshan paradigm. Also, this can sometimes suit its purposes. ("Hah! We won!" "DID you? AH-ha-ha-ha-ha...") ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Catching Virman On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 22:22:59 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011337 >On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:21:56 -0400 (EDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011335 > >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:19:57 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011312 >> >> Roland's jaw twitched. "I'm not ready to concede my city yet. I >>failed them once. Not again." >> Clenching his one hand into a fist, he adds reluctantly, "...but >>if it comes to that, we can evac everyone on to the island." > >Karma sighed with a nod, "Had to suggest it." Defender nods curtly, albeit politely, in response. >> #Vundabar is not imaginative, but he is efficient. His war >>machine will probably be straightforward, but he may have a trap or >>two built in. Call me if you need backup, and good luck.# OOC: >>Roland only says the last bit if they agree to go. > >Moonstone and Karma took the headsets and put them on, set to sound. > >"We'll see what we can do," Moonstone said, slinging her backpack >over her shoulders. "Thanks," Defender says, gaze still largely lost in cyberspace. >"Pull up!" Karma shouted. > >"Believe me, I'm trying!" > >Finally, they caught a breeze and, skimming the water just inches >below, glided along toward New York City, Moonstone's wings beating >hard to keep them out of the harbor. /You're welcome,/ Morgan sends with a smile. OOC: If you want to avoid further trouble, assume that a bit of magic makes the air more like normal thickness for Earth-standard. If you want the extra challenge... "Never mind." --Gilda Radner 8^) TBC ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Power of the Darkseid (1 of 2) On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 22:37:14 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011338 OOC: Don't worry, Morgan's already peanutted me for the title >On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 16:51:29 -0700 >Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00011319 >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:29:04 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 >>Zia dodges further behind Brimstone's left leg. The huge creature >>begins to turn, trying to follow her like a cat after a mouse, just >>as the bolt from Suli strikes it. > >OR at least Seems to, > A Lightening Blue Curve of Light (Like a Boomerang), > Intercepts at almost "Skin" Level, > The Resultant Explosion Might as well have been, > A Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction... > Timed to allow Zia Maximum Blast Shadow. Brimstone's left leg turns into a strange mix of red, gold, and black, constantly shifting in a chaotic pattern of disruption. The blast doesn't seem to be sure if it's supposed to destroy its target. Eventually, Brimstone vents the plasma (away from all CAoLers, thanks to AJ47's related process), and shrinks about eight feet. The size loss becomes proportional after a few seconds. Suli raises one eyebrow in a terribly bored arch. >The Frisbie Like Disk, > Attaches to Zia's Armor > At some Likely Point, and > Sprouts a Half Dozen Throwing Knife Hilts... > >@Those will allow you to Intercept, > Further Attacks of That Kind, > I suggest Throwing them From Cover...@ "Oh, look, someone wants to play Source games. With ME." Suli's voice OOZES with contempt. >>(OOC: I have _no_ idea what might happen at this point, but I do >>know Zia does _NOT_ want to find out the hard way if the Pattern in >>her Blood can save her from the ALE bolt. The Ultimate Creative >>force versus the Ultimate Oblivation force - inside one's own flesh? >>Brrrr!) OOC: Funny you should mention... Suli's contempt turns suddenly into a mad grin. "Let's try this Harriet's way." With a gesture and a flourish, six Power Spikes -- each one with varying energy sigils on it -- appear in her hands. "Play time's over, little girl! Time to die!" She cackles madly (though with great panache) as she casts them into the sky. They shoot up for a moment, then divide and track Zia from different directions simultaneously. "no," Eric whispers. "NO!" He runs _through_ the sole remaining energy claw, destroying it as it tears through his body. Grimly, he charges across the battlefield, all but ignoring Brimstone's burning sword that carves a swath just behind him. The giant's slash misses, and it roars its frustration to the darkened heavens. Sliding into place at Zia's most vulnerable flank, he uncurls his Lightning Chain. Where he got this weapon of power is anyone's guess, but it's blazing with the same solar flame that he is. "FIVEFOLD HEAVENLY GUARDIAN SHIELD!" Eric roars. With a burst of ch'i that sends his pillar of light soaring into the sky, he sends his chain lashing out. Normally, the magic he invoked could stop _any_ attack without harm -- even those of gods. Reality itself is against him, however. The chain deflects one spike. Two. Three. (OOC: He keeps blocking if Zia is going to have trouble with the others.) With the last Anti-Life Spike, he coils the now-cracked chain into a shield and hunkers down. Spike and chain-shield explode as one. For a moment, Eric is lost completely in the flash of light, motes of darkness obscuring portions of the flare. (OOC: The motes are Kirby-dots, natch. 8^) Then Eric is kneeling there, clothing and body torn and tattered, blood seeping from a dozen wounds, bits of his own lightning chain embedded in his body. /That's it, folks -- that last stunt ran me out of Essence./ He looks up with quiet defiance at Suli, who looks displeased. > http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/f/firelord.htm > With No Honor.> OOC: Pretty close, yeah. I found a shot of Devilance the Pursuer: http://www.sean-walsh.com/newgods/pursuer.jpg >Fuzzy is Driven into the Ground, > Hidden in the Boil of Power, > As the Blast Clears, > It can be seen to be Funneling, > Into the Creation of a Force-Lance, >http://www.space.com/sciencefiction/tv/andromeda_military_glossary_00 0512.html > In Fuzzy's Left Hand. > At the Bottom of a 10 Meter Crater. Well, Fuzzy's definitely got taste. 8^) >Fuzzy's Right hand Dips into the Umbra, > Withdrawing a PowerPack, > That He Slaps into the Force-Lance, > Then He Fires at the Pursuer... "You cannot dissuade a Pursuer! Either our target dies, or we die!" The Pursuer dives in, swerving to evade the attack as he lunges. >Fuzzy Double Takes as the Pursuer Is hit, > By a Blast Of UnLuck, > And its Lance is Hit by Several, > Paradox Flaw Effectors...? "What in--?!" >The Pursuer's Lance Grows Wings, > Purely by Bad Luck, > One is Under the Pursuer's Hand, > Knocking it Loose... A Pursuer's lance possesses a sort of rudimentary artificial intelligence. Though the sudden existence of wings throws it off, it manages to blunt the Pursuer's fall. >As Fuzzy Leaps Out of the Way of the Lance, > The Pursuer hits ground and Trips into the Crater... > >Fuzzy then Notices the Lance is still Tracking Him, > Coming around for another pass... ...and it transforms from energy into plasma flame, viciously seeking Fuzzy in the hope of constricting him as angry fire... Champions Island. "ghHAAA!" Defender roars, falling back and clutching his head. Morgan was at his side in an instant. "Desaad," Roland hisses. "He kicked me out." The leader of both teams scanned the monitors quickly, Solitaire calling up various screens as Defender thought of which ones he wanted. With Steppenwolf on one of the battleships now, and able to communicate with his forces, the armies of Apokolips were rallying. Seeker was retreating as Quantum and Obsidian struggled to contain Kalibak. Maggedon was wearing at the minds and spirits of the defenders, Suli was rapidly upping the ante, Bedlam was running mad across the city and through UNTIL -- -- and Amazo was emerging from the Atlantic, glowing with a dozen powers and eyes burning with a hunger for destruction. >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 09:48:14 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As FD.CAoL Message # 00000091 > > "Oh, Lashiiinaaaa," Rob sang. His right hand wrapped in red, he >took hold of the steel ribbons and pulled. "GET OVER HERE!" Bernadeth >saw the change immediately. [He isn't trying to knock Lashina >out--he's trying to kill her!] (OOC: Ignore this part if Rob decides not to go here.) Jaguar leaps down and knocks Lashina aside. He is not particularly gentle, but then, he may have saved her life. His claws glitter like silver. "You do not want to do this, warrior," he says in a hollow tone. And Amazing Grace laughs. Simultaneously... >On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:21:56 -0400 (EDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011335 > >"No witty banter?" Moonstone asked. > >"Why waste words on the dead?" Virman asked with a sneer as the >barrel of an energy weapon sprung from his robot's arms, glowing with >charging energy. "/Okay, THAT'S it, that was the LAST STRAW!/" As often happens, Roland's emotions give him a brief burst of strength. While still nowhere near full power, he was more than enough to make a difference in the battle. And he has an idea. >/Ideas?/ Moonstone sent (audio only) through Roland's link to the >CAoL greater psi-web. /Is this the sort of guy to play cat-and-mouse >or turn back to smashing whoever's closest?/ /I'll be right there,/ Defender sends darkly, as he opens the top of the dome. "/Not without a wingman, 'Lefty,'/" Solitaire says with a straight face. Curiously, Roland merely nods in response. */Seeker, you're obviously not having a good day, you take the conn./* *Bloody...* Seeker sighs both physically and mentally, tossing a last pair of shuriken into Kalibak's eyes. They're so tough the shuriken bounce off his _eyeballs._ (Though he does blink and tear up slightly, giving Quantum and Obsidian a brief opening.) *'Port me in then, mate.* With a hum, Seeker appears in a column of light. A moment later, Defender and Solitaire soar out of an aperture in the roof, heading toward the battle. /Morgan, do you think you can mess with Amazo? He can duplicate magical powers -- Zatanna proved that -- but I might be able to lend you enough Gate Key 'static' to block his mimic ability./ Solitaire considers this for a moment. /Out of my league,/ she replies simply. The Eternal swallows several replies. He simply fires a glowing blue peanut at her. /Fuzzy. I have a new target for you, if you think you can mess up Amazo's programming. Morgan can deal with the Pursuer./ /_We_ can deal,/ Morgan replies. Roland does the fastest "slow burn" in history. ;^) */...Orchid, you're on. I need you to grab () this guy and get his lance to follow you. Don't take any unnecessary risks./* *Send me in, coach, I'm ready!* she replies, considerably more upbeat than before. Speedster vs. dog soldiers and grounded parademons is pretty one-sided. */Go./* Orchid goes. TBC ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Power of the Darkseid (2 of 2) On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 01:05:53 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011339 Bedlams and soldiers are closing on Rob, Kell, CJ, Harlock, and Erindrea. Amazo is back in the field. Aurora and Hydra are stalemated by Solaris and Maggedon. Suli is kicking out Anti-Life "spells" like they're Magic Missiles. More reinforcements pour in through the super Boom Tube constantly. Darkseid is leading the opposition. The very reality is against them. For the first time, Roland is worried that the CAoL might actually lose. And it couldn't happen at a worse time. But he has a plan. And he's feeling savage enough to pull it off. First things first, however. Virman Vundabar just pissed him off. * * * Dr. Vundabar, professional evil scientist and scholar of all things trap-related, scans the area for the curious creatures that had recently attacked and then eluded him. [Granny will be very pleased if I can bring her these specimens.] He runs his fingers along the controls, almost quivering with anticipation. [Which will be most effective -- the coil spring or the stun burst?] He never found out. Moonstone left large sections of wire exposed and torn, with electric current surging through the air. More than enough to leave him vulnerable to Defender's vast electrokinetic powers. /Sorry about that,/ Roland sends apologetically to Moonstone and Karma, as Virman Vundabar screams. A moment later, the entire war machine topples, inert. /I didn't want him surprising one of the others, and I've gotten my ideas about draconic power levels from Dhyrclhanc. Sort of an atypical example even for a dragon, I'm sure,/ he quips. /Stay low, but if you see an opening, there are plenty of troops to go around. Thanks for making him a bit more holey./ Still trailing energy from his right shoulder, he rockets away towards the heart of the battle, Solitaire flowing neatly beside him. * * * Suli has built up to an epic, towering rage, power blazing around her as it did around Eric a mere moment ago. The Hunter's anima has faded to a still impressive glow, which only makes him impossible to miss. Brimstone towers over both Eric and Zia, even reduced as it is. And Kanto is sliding out of the shadows, blade drawn. "I sincerely hope," he drawls, "that one of you will give me a more honorable duel than did your compatriot." /Now would be a _really_ good time for backup,/ Eric sends with surprising calm. /Ask,/ Roland replies, gesturing at Brimstone, /and you shall receive./ The giant creature looks like something out of Norse legend, seeming to be a demon of Surtur's brood. In truth, however, it is a creature of New God techno-magic, fiery plasma bound in a magnetic shell. Magnetism is one of Defender's specialties, and both the Reality Hacker and Zia (with help from Suli) have already done a number on the monster's containment field. Defender uses that. /Morgan, Zia, try to disrupt Suli's powers, please,/ he sends, as he grabs the field and reshapes it. It is especially pliable in his grip, thanks to the way it's been "reprogrammed." Solitaire thinks for a moment, then gestures, her hand slowing down as she does so. Suli suddenly becomes much slower relative to the universe around her. At the same time, the New God finds her sense of smell becoming much more...acute. The combined effect is extremely distracting, to say the least. (OOC: Insert Zia being devious here 8^) Defender smiles. It is not a friendly smile. Brimstone _erupts,_ spewing plasma in a concentrated burst at Suli's protective sphere. The "techno-seed" falls to earth, spent. Suli's force field wavers badly. She manages to maintain it with several gestures, but she leaves a few small holes. That's all Defender needs. As Solitaire uses her Prime magick to suppress Suli's power directly, the Eternal hero (OOC: gods, I was so tempted to write "Eternal Champion," but that's Stranger's gig ;^) reaches in with his TK and forces her arms and fingers out, splayed helplessly in mid-air. The bubble bursts. "Marato--" Suli begins to chant desperately. Roland is on her in an instant, his hand clamping down on her mouth decisively. "I don't think so," he snarls, his eyes burning with red light. A red light that's a little too familiar. Suli struggles, whimpers, and kicks helplessly. "Eh?" Darkseid says, his epic battle with Dhyrclhanc pausing suddenly. /Watch your back. You know what you're like when _I'm_ threatened,/ Solitaire notes. Suli's kicks weaken; it isn't that Defender's choking her, just that Solitaire is sapping her strength. Defender nods, armor rippling around him. It seems to be trying to react to his behavior, but Roland's not listening. "You know, this is the point where I tell you how I'm the good guy," he growls. The armor flows, slowly becoming more Kirby-like. Hair sprouts around his helmet like a mane. "Right now, though, Darkseid's writing the rules." Roland, not exactly Defender now, smiles coldly. "I'm just playing by them." "SULI!" The High Lord roars. With a single, swift blow, he sends Dhyrclhanc flying over New Jersey. (Aside 1: Grover's Mill. Two farmers look up as the Sentinel-Lensdragon rockets past in a spectacular emerald arc. "Here we go again," one sighs. ;^) (Aside 2: Elsewhere in the state, Martin is chatting online with a friend in California about the global weirdness. Although both are happy to have "transcended" [Peter did some TORG research, natch] as Storm Knights, they're wondering what else they can do. That's when the giant ruby fire dragon lands in the driveway... ) * * * Roland trembles. He knows that the combined effect of Apokolips' reality and Maggedon's dark telempathy are ravaging his already frayed control. No doubt, Glorious Godfrey is out there somewhere adding his part to the "cause." Still, this is the only pressure point he has, the only tactical advantage he can use to save his world, and by the Source, he's going to use it! Morgan, who is usually the voice of reason when Roland is affected by dark powers in this way, is simply watching his back. The last time the CAoL saw her like this, she was under the influence of the Drow sigil of House Rillynt'tar. Suli's eyes went wide, pleading, surprisingly sane. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "NO!" Defender flew back, clutching his head with his remaining hand, roaring in anger, pain and frustration. [This is not what I do! THIS IS NOT WHO I AM!] Suli is only free for a moment, as Solitaire catches her in a bowl of force. The Champion lowers Suli to the ground, though she keeps her weak and slow to prevent any sudden attacks. The Bride of Darkseid seems completely uninterested in fighting just now. But when Defender (who is once again himself in appearance as well as will) falls to the ground, Darkseid towers over him. The entire battle seems to pause. Roland couldn't be more vulnerable -- weak, injured, destabilized, demoralized. On the other hand, the only reason he is so vulnerable is because he would not cross a line with Darkseid's beloved. And even Darkseid seems to realize it. The entire lens-link can hear Morgan emitting a low mental growl, the she-wolf ready to defend her mate. Even at this low ebb, meanwhile, Defender finds the strength to look up defiantly into Darkseid's eyes. "Do it, then. I can't stop you. Just know this: the only reason your beloved Suli San was in danger was because of what your tamperers of minds and souls have done to this world. The only reason she's safe is because I am _stronger_ than they are!" Darkseid considers this. He nods. "I recognize this. Can you display another form of strength, then?" For a moment, Defender doesn't understand what Darkseid means. Then he realizes -- the High Lord of Apokolips must never show mercy. Not openly. Racking his brains for a moment, he realizes that there's only one thing he can do. A burst of telepathy reaches out across worlds. A moment later, a new Boom Tube opens. As if waiting for the right moment, yet _another_ cadre flies in, led by Orion himself. Behind the Dog of War are a handful of others, including a Green Lantern unfamilar to most present, a cyberpunk woman with shocking white hair, a tall lady knight, a werewolf, a Superman wannabe with an "E" on his chest, and a normal human priest. Anyone who doesn't recognize at least one of these figures is sent a packet explaining that they're friendlies. Darkseid smiles. "Ah. Well played, young Eternal." Then he looks up. "It is good to see you again, my son." "I cannot say the same, Darkseid," Orion intones. "Well. I must prepare a field of battle worthy of such a gathering of warriors. _Come,_" Darkseid barks, stepping onto his aero-disk (which followed him like a dog). "We are leaving this city," he adds in the same tone, addressing his minions. He then floats over to Suli. The force-bowl vanishes with a gesture from Solitaire, and Suli has her strength and speed restored. "Get a shrink," the Highlander snaps. Suli, head bowed, takes Darkseid's outstretched hand and steps onto the aero-disc with him. Kalibak leaps all the way back to Manhattan. "BUT--!" the Scourge roars. "Do you wish to challenge my will?" Darkseid asks softly. Mighty, nigh-fearless Kalibak pales. "N-no, father." Amazo, also sullen, floats over, throwing a brief smirk at his "brother." Kalibak growls. Kanto, only mildly disappointed, salutes Zia with a flourish. "Another time, I imagine," he says, favoring her with a devastating grin. All the soldiers, from the lowliest dog soldier to Solaris and Maggedon, cease fighting and back away warily. With a flicker of Omega Fire in his eyes, Darkseid glances up at the cloak-like shadow in the heart of the Anti-Life Equation symbols. The storm clouds move west, away from the city. "This field is yours, Defender. I suggest you ponder the futility of future battle with this respite I have granted you." "Just say when and where," Defender growls. Darkseid smiles again, the hope-murdering smile that makes even Defender back away. "You may choose the time. You will know the place." /Temporary cease-fire, spread the word to anyone who's not on the link, but stay sharp,/ Morgan sends to the other Callahanians. Roland does the same with the Champions and UNTIL as an unhappy Jaguar lopes over, still bristling at being controlled. Earth-9's reality quickly reasserts itself. "Until then, little Eternal," Darkseid finishes, and an enormous Boom Tube explodes into existence above and behind him. He floats himself and Suli through, and his forces follow in short order. Defender's one hand clenches into a fist, trembling at his side. Morgan rests her hand supportively on his shoulder. {*/Fall back to Champions Island. We'll regroup and recuperate there, and confer _briefly_ to determine our counterattack. {*/And everyone...thanks for coming./*} ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 01:32:21 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011340 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 20:13:42 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011332 > >>On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 00:49:09 -0700 >>Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00011321 >> >>Marivale's eyes narrow in satisfaction. "Geoffery, a Bead of Force, >>if you please." > > At which point, Kanto steps out from behind a vent and fires a >stun bolt squarely into Geoffery's back! > In that instant, as the other Kantos lunge, Marivale realizes that >the "real" Kanto he faces is a golem of some sort! Marivale would boggle, but he's too busy avoiding the golem's blade. > Kanto laughs as his robotic counterpart tries to lock blades with >Marivale. "The jets in my replica's legs should send you on your >merry way, though I must admit, your little stunt with your friend >threw off my timing. He is only stunned, of course -- I don't waste >my time killing servants. By all means, impale the android on your >blade. It will make its job all the easier! HA HA ha ha ha..." Kanto >laughs in satisfaction as he leaps back into the more general fray, >heading towards the Brimstone battle. Stealth, Marivale realizes. He >must have used plain old stealth... Marivale scowls at Kanto's retreating form. After a few more exchanges, he finds that the golem consistently leaves an opening in its high attack. Not much of one, to be sure, and not a flaw that he noticed in the real Kanto, but present. Hard on the heels of that thought comes a feint to draw the high attack, followed by a side kick to get some separation. Then he draws a small bead from a belt pouch and throws it at the golem, encapsulating it in a globe of force. With the golem out of the fight for the time being (5 minutes, IIRC) Marivale takes a moment to assess Geoffery's condition, then starts heading for the main fray. "Kan-TO! Come face me properly, you coward!" > (OOC: No, I don't expect Marivale to get caught in the android >trap, though I had to share what I _was_ going to do to you, though. >Nice save, BTW. 8^) (OOC: Hey, just because he's a bigot doesn't mean he's an idiot. And while he doesn't have nearly as much experience as Kanto, he's not bragging when he says he's Oerth's finest swordsman.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Power of the Darkseid (1 of 2) On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 11:22:47 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011341 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011338 > >>On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 09:48:14 -0700 (PDT) >>Rob N Said As FD.CAoL Message # 00000091 >> >> "Oh, Lashiiinaaaa," Rob sang. His right hand wrapped in red, he >>took hold of the steel ribbons and pulled. "GET OVER HERE!" >>Bernadeth saw the change immediately. [He isn't trying to knock >>Lashina out--he's trying to kill her!] > > (OOC: Ignore this part if Rob decides not to go here.) (OOC: We're sorry, Rob is currently unavailable. Please leave your messages with Mageddon, and he will pick them up later.) > Jaguar leaps down and knocks Lashina aside. He is not particularly >gentle, but then, he may have saved her life. His claws glitter like >silver. "You do not want to do this, warrior," he says in a hollow >tone. > And Amazing Grace laughs. Rob tightens his grip on the lashes as he studies Jaguar. "Fine," he snarls, "she lives." Then he whirls, using Lashina as an oversized flail in an attempt to knock Jaguar away. The Bastet dodges easily, but Lashina demolishes a lamppost before Rob lets go. Kell and Bernadeth both dodge the flying Fury, who bounces three times before piling up next to a newsstand. Stacks of the Post and Times topple, covering her. Lashina groans, but doesn't move. As the dust settles, Rob turns to Jaguar. "Do you have any other criticisms?" >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011339 > > "Well. I must prepare a field of battle worthy of such a gathering >of warriors. _Come,_" Darkseid barks, stepping onto his aero-disk >(which followed him like a dog). "We are leaving this city," he adds >in the same tone, addressing his minions. He then floats over to >Suli. > > All the soldiers, from the lowliest dog soldier to Solaris and >Maggedon, cease fighting and back away warily. Rob freezes. [Ghidrah's heart. I almost - I...] As Mageddon's influence fades, but the memories don't go with it. Bernadeth calls in the Female Furies, Stompa carrying Lashina. > /Temporary cease-fire, spread the word to anyone who's not on the >link, but stay sharp,/ Morgan sends to the other Callahanians. Roland >does the same with the Champions and UNTIL as an unhappy Jaguar lopes >over, still bristling at being controlled. Earth-9's reality quickly >reasserts itself. [A good time for it,] Rob decides. "Kell. No fight." > "Until then, little Eternal," Darkseid finishes, and an enormous >Boom Tube explodes into existence above and behind him. He floats >himself and Suli through, and his forces follow in short order. > Defender's one hand clenches into a fist, trembling at his side. >Morgan rests her hand supportively on his shoulder. {*/Fall back to >Champions Island. We'll regroup and recuperate there, and confer >_briefly_ to determine our counterattack. > {*/And everyone...thanks for coming./*} /Um. Could somebody arrange a pickup? I don't speak his language very well, but I don't think Kell can fly, and right now I'm not doing the best myself. A consultation with an expert in telepathic defense would help, as would a set of microtools.../ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 19:09:50 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011342 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:44:58 -0700 >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011326 > >Shields are handy for IDing onself via arms. Though I suppose that >Zia's helm might have a mon on it. Nope. Zia's fighting incognito. The virtue of surprise, it would seem, cannot be overestimated in this particular combat. >Zia *may* notice a "mental button" hovering at the edge of her >awareness. Labelled "summon shield". Oooo. Save that for later! Any further buttons Zia had failed to notice before? >(OOC: it's up to you if this is the way it works. But it occurs to me >that the "appropriate" arms for such a shield would be a copy of the >Pattern. I'm just not certain if even Nemo should be "allowed" to >produce that for Zia) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: A Failure To Communicate On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 19:34:53 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011343 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 19:41:43 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011330 > >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:29:04 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011317 > > OOC: Well, that was sort of my point, actually. Sure, a diamond's >a rock. So is your average piece of granite. One tends to be more >impressive... ;^) OOC: I'm impressed, that's true. :) Been a long time since Zia's lost a sword to any opponent, period. Well, save at home. That's different. > Seriously, though, Suli's only a Zia cognate if you want her to >be. OOC: That's fine by me. It's in the Amber books that Amberites have Shadow-analogs that resemble them to varying degrees, so this is quite all right. > Though if you think _this_ is "bad," wait until she's _sane._ ;^) OOC: Suli? Or Zia? (VBG) > "Really?" Eric says in between gasps of "Dipping Swallow Defense!" >and "Golden Essence Block!". "It's hard for -- uhn -- me to tell >crazy from evil, some days." He tries to keep his voice >conversational, but it's obvious he's nearly at the end of his rope. >Er, chain. 8^) Ziactrice frowns in concern, and she begins to wonder about just how she could effectively disengage - the hardest part being getting Eric to retreat while she covers him. > In spite of the wound, Steppenwolf feels he has the advantage now. >Or at least a fighting chance, with the katana stuck in his cable. >His stance shifts slightly, preparing to take the offensive. "I would >know your name, little goddess, before further blood is spilled." It >appears that an old honor, long forgotten, has resurfaced briefly in >the ancient warrior (he's Darkseid's _uncle,_ BTW). "Call me Ziactrice." Zia laughs softly and adjusts her stance, seeming unworried to be facing his axe with nothing more than a long knife. "Though little is true, nothing else you've tried is. Care to guess again, or bleed some more?" >getting pissed> >>She slides smoothly right _between_ Brimstone's advancing legs. > > "Uhrrr?" Brimstone grunts. "Who dares?" > "So it _does_ speak," Eric quips, finally destroying one of the >claws. Zia is actually _too busy_ ducking to quip back. That's a first, in Eric's limited experience with the petite Amberite, at least. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Power of the Darkseid (1 of 2) On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 20:08:53 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011344 >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 22:37:14 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011338 > > OOC: Don't worry, Morgan's already peanutted me for the title OOC: Just a note: Thank you, Morgan. >>On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 16:51:29 -0700 >>Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00011319 > > Brimstone's left leg turns into a strange mix of red, gold, and >black, constantly shifting in a chaotic pattern of disruption. The >blast doesn't seem to be sure if it's supposed to destroy its target. >Eventually, Brimstone vents the plasma (away from all CAoLers, thanks >to AJ47's related process), and shrinks about eight feet. The size >loss becomes proportional after a few seconds. "Oops." Zia says, with a tone that says 'gee, did I do that?!' > Suli raises one eyebrow in a terribly bored arch. [Gad, I think she _is_ a Shadow; that's a pretty good imitation.] >>The Frisbie Like Disk, >> Attaches to Zia's Armor >> At some Likely Point, and >> Sprouts a Half Dozen Throwing Knife Hilts... >> >>@Those will allow you to Intercept, >> Further Attacks of That Kind, >> I suggest Throwing them From Cover...@ > > "Oh, look, someone wants to play Source games. With ME." Suli's >voice OOZES with contempt. "Oh, please. As if I'd waste my time with children's jacks." Zia snorts in amusement. The Pattern is of a much larger scope than the Source, the Force, or ch'i, or whatever fancy name the mages have clapped on General Life-force this week. > Suli's contempt turns suddenly into a mad grin. "Let's try this >Harriet's way." With a gesture and a flourish, six Power Spikes >each one with varying energy sigils on it -- appear in her hands. >"Play time's over, little girl! Time to die!" She cackles madly >(though with great panache) as she casts them into the sky. They >shoot up for a moment, then divide and track Zia from different >directions simultaneously. Zia whirls, hands going for knives to counter. > "FIVEFOLD HEAVENLY GUARDIAN SHIELD!" Eric roars. > With a burst of ch'i that sends his pillar of light soaring into >the sky, he sends his chain lashing out. Normally, the magic he >invoked could stop _any_ attack without harm -- even those of gods. >Reality itself is against him, however. The chain deflects one spike. >Two. Three. > (OOC: He keeps blocking if Zia is going to have trouble with the >others.) Zia blocks two more, at such close range the knives are barely out of her hands. The conflict of forces flare, but are lost in the brighter gleam of Eric's defenses failing, below. > Then Eric is kneeling there, clothing and body torn and tattered, >blood seeping from a dozen wounds, bits of his own lightning chain >embedded in his body. /That's it, folks -- that last stunt ran me out >of Essence./ He looks up with quiet defiance at Suli, who looks >displeased. /Why - excuse me./ Zia is astounded at his defense, concerned about Eric's well-being, and too hurried to hide either. Zia thrusts over his kneeling head. A third knife from Fuzzy is still in her hand as she intercepts the last spike. Suli had sneakily delayed it behind the other five. A parabolic flare of intense blue power shields Eric and Zia from the wrist down; her left gauntlet, hwoever, loses its gleam and some of the outer layer. Eric is close enough to hear the hiss of indrawn breath in what is clearly pain from Zia. /C'mon, Eric./ Ziactrice bends, sliding her right carefully under her rescuer, trying not to open his wounds further. Despite the disparity of size, she hoists him and tries to look for the fastest line of retreat from Suli. Especially as she now doesn't have a hand free to stop the next spike... =================================