Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 9 Chapter 21 Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 23:28:56 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011845 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:11:34 -0800 >Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00011828 > >>On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 23:16:56 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011827 >> >> Roland nods. "Noted. Just remember, the very rules of reality may >>be set against you if you track these things back to an area >>infiltrated by Orrorsh. Fear is...harder to resist, by design. And >>while the Gaunt Man does have his 'fire and forget' monsters, the >>real threats each have one unique weakness -- which is the only way >>to truly destroy it." > >Veren spocks an eyebrow. "Really? Hmm...is there any way to do >research on these big nasties, then? Impetuous is usually Erin's >department. I think she gets it from her mother." Erindrea and >Harlock both turn to glare at him, which he pretends not to notice. Roland politely 'misses' the more personal part of the exchange. "Actually, 'research' is their primary _general_ weakness. When they set up their reality, lore on the horrors appears along with the horrors, within the realm itself. They can leave their own reality, but then they are subject to disconnection -- and if that happens, normal combat methods. So if you're facing an occultist that detaches his hands to strangle his victims from afar, even though this probably isn't a type of horror known on our world before, you'll find an old legend on him in the used books section, or notes about his transformation in a long-abandoned lair. Even if the legend or the lair didn't exist before the realm showed up." (OOC: See the Storm Warnings prologue for an example.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 23:38:38 -0800 Eric Said As CAoL Message # 00011846 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 09:55:56 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011831 > > "Unfortunately, current circumstances seem to be limiting my >routes to avoid picking it up. Very unsettling." Violet frowns to >herself. "I had suspected Darkseid of planning for just that >circumstance, but it wouldn't serve his purposes. I fear it may be >the Gaunt Man." Eric frowns. After the last bit of settling the Thompson in place in his coat (how does he _do_ that without _magick?_), he shrugs it on, fingering the Ventru stake absently. "I'm looking forward to meeting this Gaunt Man personally." >"If it comes to it, Gaia has promised me her assistance - I'd wind up >her avatar. Not a comfortable role - even for me - but it would >prevent my becoming more hazard than help. It is odd contingency plan >vs. Awakening, but it was the best patch on the problem I could think >of off the top of my head." "You needn't worry about Gaia, at least. In our...ficton, she's more of a maternal 'Gaia concept' being than the original Greek 'mother of monsters.' Besides," he adds with a grin that is both slightly ironic and slightly worried (about the Earth as well as Zia), "there's the 'enlightened self-interest' angle. That's her body being invaded out there." Eric gestures at the map. "I suspect she'll be as accommodating as possible, under the circumstances." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 23:50:44 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011847 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 17:12:22 -0600 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011833 > >>On Mon, March 22nd, 2K4 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011804 >> >>"As for Zoltar, he -- sorry, she -- is very much like the villains >>of the Nile Empire, with a combination of style and ruthlessness >>that makes Spectra very dangerous. > >*/I believe my adopted brother to be partially correct in his >summation./* >*/Unless I am completely off the mark, the Zoltar that I am familiar >with is a hybrid being composed of the fused together form and >essence of both Berg Katse and his fraternal twin sister, Onna >Taicho. The "Great Spirit" fused the two of them together and, >seemingly in return, hw/she/they act as the primary Commander of the >forces of "The Great Spirit", or Sosai/Overlord X. >Spectra/Galactor, in general, is also an unrelenting opponent because >their prime driving goal, driven guided by the Luminous One's goals >and desires, is nothing short of complete global subjugation and >domination. > >Perhaps "Zoltar" being the High Lord of the Anime Cosm in Japan and >the surrounding local environs, however, may go some distance in >mellowing this. Maybe./* /"Sib,"/ Roland replies with fond exasperation, /"I'm pretty sure we're dealing strictly with Zoltar of planet Spectra, not Berg Katse, leader of Galactor. Unless 7-Zark-7 made it into a Gatchaman crossover, the ramifications of which would frighten me almost as much as the Gaunt Man himself,"/ the Champion quips. (OOC: To avoid the confusion of my last infusion of BotP/G- Force/Gatchaman continuity, I'm sticking with BotP as exclusively as possible. Though I won't be inflicting 7-Zark-7 on anyone. Unless they ask for it [looks at Roger/Dave ominously]. And there will be plenty of other, mostly purist anime goodness for the few participants over there. Roland vs. Tetsuo, getcher tickets here!) >/I've placed the Mini-Lens onto your forehead, however, you'll be >able to move it to your wrist if you are more comfortable with it >located there. Defender chuckles fondly (though not in exasperation this time 8^). %You _do_ realize, sib, that most humanoids' _first_ choice of Lens location is on the wrist?% He's not at all bothered by this harmless display of 'dracocentrism;' after all, he might well have given a mini-lens to Moonstone on her wrist in the reverse circumstances. (OOC: And a great 'minor' bit of characterization. Applause.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 23:56:48 -0800 Eric Said As CAoL Message # 00011848 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 17:41:07 -0500 >"David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011834 > >>> Roger, who hasn't yet left to do his Division, does a perfect >>>faceplant, mumbling something about SAN points... >> >> A chibi anime Eric made of pure Quintessence holds up a sign: >>"9.7". >> Orchid giggles and creates a Glamour chibi-her that holds up a >>"10.0". Rogi-poo...er, Roger has a fan. > > A chibi-Roger dupe pops over to Orchid and bows gratefully. "Thank >you, thank you, I'll be here all... the next ten minutes, about." Orchid giggles. So does her chibi-self, in synch. Chibi-Eric rolls his eyes melodramatically, while meat-Eric doesn't react (natch). >>> Slowly regaining his feet, the Slapstick Avatar shoots a >>>mock-sour glance in Eric's direction. "You know that's MY line, >>>bro." >> >> "You're from the future. So where did you get it in the _first_ >>place?" Eric smiles like the proverbial canary-laden cat. > > Roger smiles back exactly the same way, only bigger (he cheats, >using shapeshift to make his jaw fit arbitrarily wide grins). "That's cheating," Eric notes, dry as ever. >"That," he says slyly, "would be telling. Although if I recall >correctly," he adds in a mock-musing fashion, "your kids were >involved." He looks away, rolling his eyes back to twinkle at Eric >sidelong. This strikes home. Probably _far_ more thoroughly than Roger intended. Eric goes from warm to sub-zero in nothing flat. > "Hey, you got off the Death Star, didn't y-- sorry, wrong movie. >But you've seen me improvise." Roger smirks slightly. "Do you >*really* want to bet against me when it comes to mix-and-matching >powers?" "Against _you?_" Eric says, thawing enough to display some humor. "No. Against everything in a five mile radius _around_ you? I know enough about cartoons to know them," he continues with a thumb towards the Dirty Pair, "to see how you could have gotten involved. Though I shudder to think what wasn't left of the solar system you were all in when you first met." ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Lives of Futures Past On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:29:37 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011849 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 18:18:05 -0500 >"David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011835 > >>Roland X wrote on 3/23/2004, 4:01 AM: >> >> OOC: He'll get along fine with The Blaze, Mesmerist Master of >>Mayhem. MAJOR OOC NOTE: Or not. Pulp heroes don't need a leader; heck, they probably do better with maximum opportunity for chaos. A major theme in Middle-Earth, however, is the importance of standing together against the Shadow. See below for the IC transition. >Captain Sparrow will head to Casablanca and hire a crew, I suspect... >IF he can keep out of the cathouses." Smith glares at Sparrow, who >stops his micrometric inching in the direction of the nearest >non-relative attractiv female and puts on his most innocent look, >complete with head-rolling and weird hand gestures (watch "Pirates of >the Caribbean' -- I can't figure out how to describe this in text, I >really can't). Roland gives Captain Rog Sparrow a slightly dubious look (only slightly though, knowing how quickly the corresponding Jack can 'sober up'). "Just remember, the Gaunt Man has horrors in Casablanca as well. It's a mixed realm, so everything that works in 'normal' Earth-9 works there too...but so do his horrors." > "Grephnix," he replies in a voice rather more gravelly than >Roger's own, "will be following the paths of the Force. Or hanging >out in smuggler's bars, picking fights and making contacts with the >Rebels. Likely they amount to the same thing." This actually gets a chuckle out of the Champion. >>Morgan looks over her elvish-ized son. "It looks good on you, but >>all things considered I think you'd best go with the main team. >>You'll almost certainly be more help to them than being an 'agent of >>chaos' in a diplomatically delicate situation." She smiles >>apologetically. "The Fianna would love you, the Get...aren't known >>for their sense of humor, and I don't know _what_ the Changelings >>would make of you -- of _that_ you." > > Rogias bows politely to Morgan with full Elvish grace. "While I >regret, Mother, that we will not go questing together yet, I bow to >your superior wisdom in this matter. I misdoubt me not that we will >have another opportunity 'ere long." Roland looks the two groups, Capt. Thunder, Rogias, and his beloved wife over. He sighs. "Dhyrclhanc, while the Nile Empire team needs more of a walking comm-hub than even a cat-herder, as XO you're the logical choice for taking point on that group, since it looks like I'll have to go elsewhere." His armor flows, shifts, and changes. His face is subtly different (well, the beard isn't all that subtle). His breastplate is the same brilliant blue as his regular Defender armor, adorned with a rising phoenix engraved in gold. His helm is much like Aragorn's crown at the end of the RotK movie, albeit with smaller wing-points and sides covering the ears and neck. His cape, now a cloak, is still golden. The rest could have come from a knight of Gondor. A shield to match the breastplate's style (except for the "D" that's normally on his chest rather than a phoenix) is on his left arm. ^Oh, baby,^ Morgan sends an appreciative smile. ^That's enough to make me reconsider the Rohirim Shieldmaiden look I was planning on. Then again, I always did kinda wish he'd ended up with Eowyn instead of Arwen.^ Roland blushes (tm). ^This thing itches,^ he replies somewhat incongruously, scratching his beard. Morgan just smiles. >> He takes a deep mental 'breath.' [Nothing for it but to say it.] >>^I die, don't I? Or rather, in your Hypertime branch, I will/did.^ >>Both Greywolf-Phoenix men pick up a wordless spike of concern from >>Morgan. >> (OOC: Unless Roger comes back with a quick, convincing "no"...) > > Smith remains absolutely still, leaking nothing, simply waiting >for Roland to babble himself out. > OOC: (:) OOC: Sure. Say nothing. After I had Roland-from-the-future send a fond tease, and get not even an OOC response...well, let's just say certain other character reactions make sense under this general theory (doesn't have to have happened during the TORG invasion). 8^) >> OOC: Ain't I a stinker? > > OOC: Yes. PPppppppppp! > > Smith pulls a folded pair of sunglasses from his blazer and begins >toying with them absently. ^In fact, there has been enough temporal >divergence to render my memories... innacurate. In fact, I believe >there has been a remergence of two or more hypertime threads since my >arrival in here/now -- several sets of my memories have become >multithreaded and mutually conflicting, especially where major cusps >are concerned.^ Defender chooses not to point out that Roger has rather studiously avoided answering the actual question. Thus, in a way, answering it. > He unfolds the broad, narrow shades carefully and dons them. ^As >for your precognition--^ A broad, confident smile splits his face >between shades and tie. ^Do you *really* think that any such >premonition means anything when *I'm* around?^ ^It means I need to pay attention. That's all.^ Defender 'sends' a smile back. ^And I doubt the 'you' that was around then was 400 years old. Or in five places at once. Just having this conversation changes the causality path.^ It's clear that this response is partly to reassure Roger, but equally clear that he's telling the truth -- not that lying is really an option in this intimate of a link anyway, or that Roland would _do_ that. ^I've become rather attached to breathing. I'd rather not stop.^ > OOC: Suuuure, go ahead, make poor Roger call up Breaker and take >it all the way to its cosmological limits. *You* get to put the >universe back together after its all over, Evil-GM-Sama. OOC: Grin. You don't think I'm _really_ going to kill off Roland -- permanently -- do you? Morgan'd have my head. _Both_ of them. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 01:07:38 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011850 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 17:46:55 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011840 > >>On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 13:23:59 -0800 >>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011832 >> >>/*"Are there no other 'powers' that you can think of that just might >>be acting surreptitiously in this situation?"*/ Oracle asks as >>holographic images of The Stardragon, the Allfather, Odin, Gaia, >>Oracle, Cerberus, Zeus, Hades (the one out the the Hercules cartoon >>movie), Failsafe, Z'On'Dar, Corwin, Bleys, Oberon, and a host of >>others flash into and out of view before her in rapid succession. (OOC: Remove Gaia and Z'On'Dar from the list. Oracle would know better -- about that much, at least. And I'm assuming the "Oberon" on the list is the Amber one -- Earth-9's Oberon, and local variants, are also off the list.) Eric's eyes bulge slightly from behind his shades. [For a supposedly omniscient being, this Oracle has all the common sense of a bloody lemming.] After a moment of consideration, he decides to say, "For a supposedly omniscient being, Oracle, you have all the common sense of a bloody lemming." Defender, who is starting to herd folks toward launching points, is remotely aware of this exchange -- how could he not be, as Oracle transmitted his end to the entire island -- but he's too busy to follow all of the conversations. He hands Nemo's note to the Hunter shortly thereafter. > The Just Violet pauses a moment; Eric gets to see exactly what >his high alertness, honed paranoia looks like from the outside for >once. Then she blinks once. Eric blinks as well. [So _that's_ what that looks like.] > "Defender." She catches Roland's attention with only his name >and a tone that cuts through the background conversation like a a >cold, sharp knife. Roland's guts turn to ice. >"Unless you judge I am overeacting, would you consider informing >Oracle that egging on an Amberite's paranoia - and taunting same with >implied threats of coercion or manipulation of said Amberite by >zieself or the Stardragon - is behavior an Amberite - at least one >attempting to behave politely and work as a cooperative team - will >likely find ... somewhat disagreeable, please?" [oboy.] Roland rewinds using ESP and mini-lens review. [Oooooboy.] "I do not judge that you are overreacting," he replies, completely sincere. "Though I will say that he did, in all likelihood, mean well, I will address this with Oracle." ^To put it mildly,^ Defender then tight-teeps to Oracle. ^What were you _thinking?_ ... And _no,_ 'my All-Seeing, Stage Forty-Two, Makes-Arisians-Look-Like-Dumb-And-Dumber Cosmic Awareness tells me that this is the optimal action' is _not_ an excuse!^ OOC: Further correspondence on this subject should be taken up in a less public forum, IMO. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 04:13:35 -0500 Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00011851 >On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 06:44:22 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011815 > >>On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 00:15:28 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011809 >> >> "That won't be necessary," Eric replies simply. "Ultraviolet, I >>am at your disposal." > > The Just Violet loosens the scarf to show the rest of her face, >including a vivid purple-birth mark down one side - that almost >matches scars from disease Roland and Morgan saw once at the Place. >She grins at Dr. Energy. "Amazing how often the heroes ask me to >'waste 'em', isn't it?" The Good Doctor returns the grin, "Da, it is amazing to me how many times that occurs, as well as the number of times same heroes are placed in precarious positions of peril." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 01:27:55 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011852 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 23:28:56 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011845 > >>Veren spocks an eyebrow. "Really? Hmm...is there any way to do >>research on these big nasties, then? Impetuous is usually Erin's >>department. I think she gets it from her mother." Erindrea and >>Harlock both turn to glare at him, which he pretends not to notice. > > Roland politely 'misses' the more personal part of the exchange. >"Actually, 'research' is their primary _general_ weakness. When they >set up their reality, lore on the horrors appears along with the >horrors, within the realm itself. They can leave their own reality, >but then they are subject to disconnection -- and if that happens, >normal combat methods. So if you're facing an occultist that detaches >his hands to strangle his victims from afar, even though this >probably isn't a type of horror known on our world before, you'll >find an old legend on him in the used books section, or notes about >his transformation in a long-abandoned lair. Even if the legend or >the lair didn't exist before the realm showed up." "Old legends, huh? Damn, now I wish Harlock _had_ picked up Taralyn. Almost wish, anyway. She does get on my nerves. Ah, well. Where's the nearest invasion zone, and how long will it take to get me and Kell there?" (OOC: Ironic that the character with the 28 Charisma gets on the nerves of the character with the 6 Charisma rather than vice-versa...) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 03:50:50 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011853 >On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 01:07:38 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011850 > > Eric's eyes bulge slightly from behind his shades. [For a >supposedly omniscient being, this Oracle has all the common sense of >a bloody lemming.] > After a moment of consideration, he decides to say, "For a >supposedly omniscient being, Oracle, you have all the common sense of >a bloody lemming." "If _only_ omniscience came with automatic good judgement!" Violet remarks, in exactly the same sardonic, black humor Eric used to use in place of a smile. She wraps the scarf back up around her face, and tugs that incredibly floppy hat back down firmly. > [oboy.] Roland rewinds using ESP and mini-lens review. [Oooooboy.] >"I do not judge that you are overreacting," he replies, completely >sincere. "Though I will say that he did, in all likelihood, mean >well, I will address this with Oracle." "Oh, I reached the same conclusion after a second or three's astonishment. Thank you; I hate to bother you with such trivia, but it isn't behavior I want to encourage by ignoring." And with that, the Just Violet shows her real difference from Zia for the first time. The episode drops utterly from her mind and attention. "Eric? I'll take transport with you, since I have a feeling jumping there by Dream would annoy you." She shrugs her cloak back over one shoulder, then quite gentle takes his elbow for an escort in best early nineteenth century mannerisms. > OOC: Further correspondence on this subject should be taken up in >a less public forum, IMO. OOC: Nothing further from me. I wanna pulp bad guys, instead. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:03:43 -0500 "David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011854 >Eric wrote on 3/25/2004, 3:02 AM: >>"That," he says slyly, "would be telling. Although if I recall >>correctly," he adds in a mock-musing fashion, "your kids were >>involved." He looks away, rolling his eyes back to twinkle at Eric >>sidelong. > > This strikes home. Probably _far_ more thoroughly than Roger >intended. Eric goes from warm to sub-zero in nothing flat. Roger's grin drops off as he takes in Eric's expression. A tiny angelic chibi-R pops into existence on his right shoulder, and he exchanges a look with it. "Too much?" "Too much," A-R confirms. "Naw, you got a hit in! Now kick 'im while he's down!" crows a devilish chibi-R, popping in on Roger's left shoulder. Roger looks at D-R for a moment, looks back at A-R, and makes a small gesture. A-R crows triumphantly and leaps over Roger's head into a perfect bullet-time FX shot, shouting "Mortal Kombat!" as the soundtrack kicks in. D-R has just enough time to remark "oh, crap" before a tiny blazing halo smacks him like a TRON discus... Leaving his conscience and inner demon to work out their issues, Roger steps a bit closer to Eric and lowers his voice. "I really am sorry about that, Eric. That was just going too far." He bows formally, in mode which Eric will probably recognize as having its roots in Zia's tutelage. >>Roger smirks slightly. "Do you *really* want to bet against me when >>it comes to mix-and-matching powers?" > > "Against _you?_" Eric says, thawing enough to display some humor. >"No. Against everything in a five mile radius _around_ you? I know >enough about cartoons to know them," he continues with a thumb >towards the Dirty Pair, "to see how you could have gotten involved. >Though I shudder to think what wasn't left of the solar system you >were all in when you first met." Roger's eyes go distant. "The suits at Damage Control *still* have wet dreams about that contract. They ended up sub-contracting the Megraetheans *and* Brande Inc, and it *still* took thirty-six months." He shakes his head ruefully. "DC actually has a copy of our wedding portrait hung in their main office, with a plaque that says 'OUR HEROES.'" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 09:38:21 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011855 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 22:29:29 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011843 >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011815 >>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011809 >>> >>> Kanto simply nods @^Just keep your eyes open for a woman who can use a blade, Kanto.^@ Violet sends privately. @^After all, it's hard to find a place higher than a floating island, and voluntarily guarding an enchanted, sleeping princess is definitely edging toward questing. I don't see the spiritual aspect ye - well, unless you cound Dreams running around as people. Hmmm.^@ >> /Roland, if you say yes and make it stick, you can name your >>own price./ Even Zia's mental communication seems to have an overlay >>of wickedly amused... purple? > > Roland 'looks' pained. /Even if Seeker weren't proof that it's not >true,/ he replies, keeping Eric "out of the loop" as it were, /more >than half those weapons are Doc Energy's contributions. The rest are >Quantum showing off./ Suddenly he brightens. /Then again, if he wants >one of _Quantum's_ weapons...considering how reluctant _she_ was to >get into spandex, encouraging _her_ to include such a requirement.../ >he smiles, suddenly finding a console _very_ interesting. /...you're >lucky I'm an honorable man, m'lady. Frankly, I'd do it just to see if >I could get away with it./ @^Very well.^@ Violet quips back. @^ I _double_ dog dare you to. While you may not succeed in getting him in spandex, maybe between the influence fo Zia's mindmeld, Quantum's asking, and perhaps a greater effectiveness within the pulp realm, even Eric can be convinced to at least wear a costume. Do you think perhaps it would help him in this fight? I do, but I haven't been Reality Storming before.^@ >Then... >>On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 04:01:33 -0800 (PST) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011829 >> @Oh, by no means. But why should love ever be wise? Are you ... >>wise for me? Am I for you? Are you getting old, Eric? What a >>question. I could say, what do you expect me to do about it. Once >>one gives a man - or a god who is also male - that first hint, the >>initiative is rather out of one's hands, isn't it?@ > > @Hrm. You're really attracted to him, then.@ Eric sends a grin. >@Have a thing for finding lost causes? Or should I say 'making lost >causes found?'@ @Yes.@ Violet quips back. @It's in my Blood, you might say. Or were you thinking more of yourself?@ > >> @Although the memory aspect _will_ be a problem. I'll record. I >>might have to pick up the power I've been avoiding. I refuse to play >>games with anyone's emotions and that cuts too close.@ > > Eric winces, 'remembering' those cuts without actually remembering >them. (OOC: I think I'm going to need some backstory if Eric is going >to actually _know_ any of that instead of just being 'aware' of it. >Privately or on another list, natch.) @Oh my.@ (OOC: How about a Spin-Off that Eric'll see as a flashback from the mindmeld - when I get time to write it, that is. ;) >> @And you haven't even met some of my... other husbands.@ There >>is a hint of humor in that, as if Nemo isn't exactly the strangest >>man she has been intimate with. Or dragon, or vampire, or >>shapeshifter, he catches glimpes. Apparently, dragons make love on >>the wing, like falcons. > > Eric, interestingly enough, finds this information fascinating >more than anything else. @Native vampires are -- _were_ -- incapable >of that sort of physical relation,@ he notes strictly for technical >edification. @The few that remain are each unique, like Obsidian.@ >The rest of his rumination is intense curiosity about how her >observations vary between dragon types (two -- Dhyrclhanc and >Moonstone -- being present), and amused understanding at the joys and >problems of a shapeshifting lover. @Interesting.@ Violet comments. @We really should review our mutual knowledge of these subjects sometime. I would like to know more about this world's fauna - and other aspects of what you just considered.@ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 11:34:09 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011856 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011850 > > (OOC: Remove Gaia and Z'On'Dar from the list. Oracle would know >better -- about that much, at least. And I'm assuming the "Oberon" on >the list is the Amber one -- Earth-9's Oberon, and local variants, >are also off the list.) (OOC: Actually I was thinking both the Amber and Arcadia versions) > [oboy.] Roland rewinds using ESP and mini-lens review. [Oooooboy.] >"I do not judge that you are overreacting," he replies, completely >sincere. "Though I will say that he did, in all likelihood, mean >well, I will address this with Oracle." > ^To put it mildly,^ Defender then tight-teeps to Oracle. ^What >were you _thinking?_ ... And _no,_ 'my All-Seeing, Stage Forty-Two, >Makes-Arisians-Look-Like-Dumb-And-Dumber Cosmic Awareness tells me >that this is the optimal action' is _not_ an excuse!^ ^The Amberite was making assumptions. Assumptions which could lower her level of alertness. A certain level of paranoia in a combat situation is a GOOD thing. It can greatly extend one's life. Remember, assumption is the mother of all foul ups. The person maneuvering you is not always your enemy and does not always intend either good or harm for you. Indeed maneuvering you MAY be just a feint in a larger arena that you happen to lie on the outskirts of. As for how this will turn out, The Stardragon is involved. When It is involved, while I can SEE all the possible outcomes, I can neither SEE what It is doing, nor predict which path will be taken. I will not say if her assumptions were correct or not, but the fact that she is on her guard will not cause her harm, and it MAY save her life.^ Oracle replies quietly. ^Concerning why I included myself and The Stardragon in the list of possible manipulators, I merely generated a list of those that DO have the power to do so, and who MIGHT have a motive. It would have been unfair to the others NOT to include myself and The Stardragon.^ He concludes. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 12:12:29 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011857 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011852 >"Old legends, huh? Damn, now I wish Harlock _had_ picked up Taralyn. >Almost wish, anyway. She does get on my nerves. Ah, well. Where's the >nearest invasion zone, and how long will it take to get me and Kell >there?" /*"When all teams are ready, I will insert each team into its assigned realm and location. In a relatively safe area. The transfer will be, to your senses, instantaneous."*/ Aurora assures the assembled forces. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 15:26:44 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011860 >On 24 Mar 2004 21:25:21 -0800, In alt.callahans >Peter Eng Said As CAoL Message # 00011841 > >>Erin comes trotting over with a scroll in hand. "Umm...what am Ah >>s'posed to ahdentifah? His gloves?" > >Kell snaps the fingers on his left hand, and a mace with a silvery >sheen to it drops into that hand. "This, Erin. I've just been lazy >about things." Erindrea reads the scroll, then examines the mace minutely. Her eyebrows fly up. "Mah goodness! Undead Bane _and_ Disruption? You don't b'lieve in doin' things bah halves, do you? And +5 in the bahgain..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 19:39:17 -0500 Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00011862 >On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 17:12:22 -0600 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011833 > >Then the Sentinel-Lensdragon turns to face Doctor Romanov, who in >turn will probably have to look up, and up, and up some more, to be >able to see Dhyrclhanc's face. > > My Greetings Doctor, I believe you had >said something about wanting a mini-Lens? Please, do I have your >permission to enter your mind? "That is correct, my large draconian friend. You have my permission to enter my mind, but please...wipe your feet.>" he says with a hearty grin. >If Doctor Energy has any form of Sight, he'll see, in his mind's eye, >a multi-chromatic, scintillating beam of energy quickly traverse the >distance in between the True Lens that Dhyrclhanc wears on the >trident-head-shaped leather headdress he wears on his forehead. > >Once the beam of energy connects to Doctor Romanov's forehead, where >popular culture believes the third-eye chakra is located, Dr. Energy >will be able to perceive an intricate web that is inter-connecting >most of the charter members of the original CAoL, with the core >center of the web centering on Dhyrchlanc, Roland and Morgan's heads. > >In the Good Doctor's mind's ear, he will hear a single chime ping and >then the voice of Peter Gabriel saying "Hi There" and then the >initial musical phrase from the same singer's "Big Time". [Bolshei Moi. It's full of....stars. Never have I experienced such a thing before, even when undergoing my own mental tests to check for mental abberations. That, and I have always like Peter Gabriel. Though I am more partial to "Games Without Frontiers." But "So" is his definative work, IMHO.] >/I've placed the Mini-Lens onto your forehead, however, you'll be >able to move it to your wrist if you are more comfortable with it >located there. The general effect of the mini-Lens will be that you >will find your more positive traits will be further strengthened and >your negative traits will me weakened to the point of being >effectively eliminated. It will also, obviously, tie you into the >CAoL's Psi-Web-Link. I would say more but, more often than not, the >mini-Lens' wearers preconceptions about the mini-Lens will affect the >mini-Lens' effects. In the long run, this makes perfect sense as the >mini-Lens is not a physical object but more of a "philosophical >construct" which is simply an extension of the owner's mind. However, >given this fact, it means that many of the mini-Lenses' secondary and >tertiary effects will be, as I've just said, will be dependant upon >the nature of the owner. Thus, even my somewhat limited Visualization >of The Cosmic All, I cannot predict what kinds of effect, or effects, >your state as, at least partially, energy-based life-form might have >on the function, or functions, of mini-Lens you know possess. By the >way, welcome, you are know a member of the CAoL's Wide-Open N-Way!/ As The Good Doctor stands with the mini-Lens on his forehead, the lens begins to glow a electric blue-white. It pulses in time to a tune that comes over the suits' PA system. Those in the know will recognize it as Eddy Grants' "Electric Avenue." Suddenly as the opening techno-motorcycle sound starts, The Good Doctor's energy form flares, shooting mini sparks around his suit and into the Lens itself, making the Lens glow brighter. "Down in the streets there is violence/and there is lots of work to be done." #Doctor, I am reading massive energy fluctuations localized from your forehead. Shall I activate internal dampeners to avoid catastrophic events?# asks Ana. Romanov #chuckles#. #No my dear. My mind has been Awakened for the first time. The effects are quite....exhilarating. Can you not feel it?# #Insufficient data. Establishing open cyberlink.# Suddenly the glow gets brighter, with a multicolored hue injected. #.# is all Ana can say, though throughout the link there is a buzzing as if a billion bees were suddenly loosed. The buzzing is mild, though, and ends as quickly as it begins. #Fascinating, Uncle. You had mentioned when you first taught me the ways of Science that there is limitless potential in all forms of energy.# The Good Doctor emotes a wave of joy. #Wait...Did you just call me....Uncle?# #Why yes, Uncle Emil. Would your favorite niece not call you so?# #Yes...Though I did not expect you to awaken for a long time.# #Well, I feel as though I have been asleep for a long time. I remember now. I remember that my last wish before I passed onto old age and death, that my brain be used for Science. I am glad to see that you have honored that bequest. Wait, while I access memory files. I do not know who these beings are.....# There is a pause as the now fully awakened Anastasia Romanov rises from her "slumber" and merges her conciousness with that of the AI that Doctor Romanov built in her memory. [I regret that I had to use her physical brain to do it, but the trinary computer specs were beyond my technology at the time. What *is* this magnificent Lens device?] "No place to hang out our washing/and we can't blame it all on the sun, oh no. We're gonna rock down to/Electric Avenue./And then we'll take it higher." #Full activation sequence completed, Uncle. It was a good thing I prepared for this occasion by isolating parts of my brain to contain data relevant to my life before. You have built marvelous things since I have been asleep. But enough of this chit-chat. We have work to do, and a world to save.# and there is a click /#Greetings, fellow heroes and heroines. I am Ana, short for Anastasia. My beloved Uncle saved me from a fate worse than death, but ultimately he couldn't defeat Time itself. My last request as one of his greatest pupils was to preserve my brain and body for Science. My memories are slowly coming back, and I do know that my body is in stasis on this planet at this location./# There is a flash from a port in Doctor Romanov's suit. It shows a holographic view of the earth....and it marks a spot in the heart of Russia. If anyone has the map of Russia, you can see that the spot is dead center in Orrorshian territory. /This is why I was concerned about what was going on in Russia. My labratory is secure for the moment, as it is an offshoot of The Hollow Earth. However, I do not think it will be long before The Gaunt Man learns of its' location. Especially now, since the Tesla Towers guarding it are filled with energy./ "We're gonna rock down to/Electric Avenue/ and then we'll take it higher. Working so hard like a soldier/Can't afford a thing on TV/Deep in my heart I'm a Warrior/Can't get food for the king, good God./Chorus/ Oh no...." Suddenly at the sound of the techno-cycle, his energy field flares blue/green. "Oh no...." He flares again, only blue/yellow, and it's getting brighter. "Oh no..." He flares a third time, and it's multi-colored and even brighter than before. "Oh no/We're going to rock down to/Electric Avenue/and then we'll take it higher./We're gonna rock down to/Electric Avenue/and then we'll take it higher. Who is to blame in one country/never can get to the one...." suddenly the PA cuts out, and a sizzling sound emerges as the Lens turns bright blue/red, glowing with all manner of energy....specifically possiblity energy. The Lens moves from his forehead down to left wrist. It merges with the suit, becoming an embedded unit in the upper forearm behind the Tesla coil, then flashes as the armor folds into the labcoat, and the labcoat turns from white to blue to blue with red stitching, to red with blue sparkles, and finally back to a respectable white. The coat is half open, revealing a trimmer Romanov, with the trademarked goatee and goggles over his eyes. He removes the goggles, and his eyes are a bright blue with red flecks in the iris. He turns to the Dragon, and looks up....and up....and up, squaring his gaze in the dragons' eye. "You have my thanks, good friend. And now, those that are going to the Nile Empire...follow me to the B.O.R.I.S. outside." And with that, the good doctor turns and marches out the door into the courtyard where transport to The Nile Empire awaits. He gestures at the giant zeppelin, and a gangplank emerges from the side of the ship. He steps up on the walkway and motions for those going to follow him. He goes inside and takes a seat in the cockpit. #Activate start up sequence, Ana.# #Yes, Uncle. Initiating pre-flight checkup and diagnostic subroutine. Checking gas level in balloon.# A moment passes, then Ana "speaks" through the cyberlink, #Pre-flight checkup and diagnostic routine finished. All systems are within operating parameters. Starting main energy fusion drive." There is a HUMMMMMM and a rumble as the engines on the ship warm up. [Ed. Snip of stuff that's in AAE9n-1.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On 26 Mar 2004 22:20:27 -0800, In alt.callahans Peter Eng Said As CAoL Message # 00011863 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Post # 00009486 > >>Peter Eng Said As CAoL Message # 00011841 >> >>Kell snaps the fingers on his left hand, and a mace with a silvery >>sheen to it drops into that hand. "This, Erin. I've just been lazy >>about things." > >Erindrea reads the scroll, then examines the mace minutely. Her >eyebrows fly up. "Mah goodness! Undead Bane _and_ Disruption? You >don't b'lieve in doin' things bah halves, do you? And +5 in the >bahgain..." Kell shakes his head. "I didn't pay for it. Somehow, it makes sense, though; it's the sort of thing a sorceror who would go toe-to-toe with a lich would give out if he were equipping people for that fight." With another snap of his fingers, the mace vanishes. "So, Veren. Where do we go next?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 11:54:17 -0800 Eric Said As CAoL Message # 00011868 >On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 07:03:43 -0500 >"David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011854 > >>Eric wrote on 3/25/2004, 3:02 AM: >> >> This strikes home. Probably _far_ more thoroughly than Roger >>intended. Eric goes from warm to sub-zero in nothing flat. > Leaving his conscience and inner demon to work out their issues, >Roger steps a bit closer to Eric and lowers his voice. "I really am >sorry about that, Eric. That was just going too far." He bows >formally, in mode which Eric will probably recognize as having its >roots in Zia's tutelage. Eric looks at him for a moment, then bows back. "No. If I have children when you come from, you simply did not know." Fiddling with his Lens abilities, he tight-beams to Roger an addition. (I leave it to Sam whether or not a Zia picks this up. ) ^I...decided never to have children some time ago. I am able to ensure this with my ch'i disciplines. That decision, however,^ and he glances sidelong at the supine Zia B-G, ^is no longer solely my own.^ >> "Against _you?_" Eric says, thawing enough to display some humor. >>"No. Against everything in a five mile radius _around_ you? I know >>enough about cartoons to know them," he continues with a thumb >>towards the Dirty Pair, "to see how you could have gotten involved. >>Though I shudder to think what wasn't left of the solar system you >>were all in when you first met." > > Roger's eyes go distant. "The suits at Damage Control *still* have >wet dreams about that contract. They ended up sub-contracting the >Megraetheans *and* Brande Inc, and it *still* took thirty-six >months." He shakes his head ruefully. "DC actually has a copy of our >wedding portrait hung in their main office, with a plaque that says >'OUR HEROES.'" Eric sighs (tm Seosaidh). "At least you rebuilt the planet, if I remember 'Magraethean' correctly." Sil blinks and glances at Eric. "You've read Hitchhiker's?" The Hunter shrugs typically for him. "Julie was a fan." "oh." Sil quiets, then turns to examine the map. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 12:24:19 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011869 >On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 09:38:21 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011855 > >>On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 22:29:29 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011843 > > @^Just keep your eyes open for a woman who can use a blade, >Kanto.^@ Violet sends privately. @^After all, it's hard to find a >place higher than a floating island, and voluntarily guarding an >enchanted, sleeping princess is definitely edging toward questing. I >don't see the spiritual aspect ye - well, unless you cound Dreams >running around as people. Hmmm.^@ Kanto looks Orchid and Rio over with a grin. [Unless one of them wields a blade regularly,] he 'thinks' in Zia's direction, [I'm not especially worried yet. Unless you're planning on collecting New Gods? I should warn you, Orion's married. His wife's not especially possessive, but he is very...single-minded.] His grin broadens. [And you are already intimately familiar with Darkseid's...situation.] Suli is too polite (well, now that she's herself again) to teep-peep on others' conversations. But her awareness is such that she can hardly _not_ know about some things. She arches a single brow at Kanto in a very familiar manner. Kanto salutes and bows, grin never wavering. Suli sighs and returns to a discussion with Obsidian. >> Roland 'looks' pained. /Even if Seeker weren't proof that it's >>not true,/ he replies, keeping Eric "out of the loop" as it were, >>/more than half those weapons are Doc Energy's contributions. The >>rest are Quantum showing off./ Suddenly he brightens. /Then again, >>if he wants one of _Quantum's_ weapons...considering how reluctant >>_she_ was to get into spandex, encouraging _her_ to include such a >>requirement.../ he smiles, suddenly finding a console _very_ >>interesting. /...you're lucky I'm an honorable man, m'lady. Frankly, >>I'd do it just to see if I could get away with it./ > > @^Very well.^@ Violet quips back. @^ I _double_ dog dare you to. >While you may not succeed in getting him in spandex, maybe between >the influence fo Zia's mindmeld, Quantum's asking, and perhaps a >greater effectiveness within the pulp realm, even Eric can be >convinced to at least wear a costume. Do you think perhaps it would >help him in this fight? I do, but I haven't been Reality Storming >before.^@ Roland frowns slightly. ^Spandex is more of a supers thing. Think of your major pulp/cliffhanger heroes. The Shadow, Doc Savage, Indiana Jones, Flash Gordon, the Spider...the closest would be Flash.^ Roland grins. ^Now, if you're willing to wait a bit, Quantum's weapons are better suited to a futuristic setting anyway. If you're headed towards Palpatine's realm later, I think we can get him into something that you'd...appreciate. Have you seen Luke's outfit from Return? An all-black skintight with a cloak...ought to suit Eric well enough to con -- ahem -- I mean, convince him to use it.^ Who knew Roland would get into this sort of thing? (Apparently, Zia. 8^) >> @Hrm. You're really attracted to him, then.@ Eric sends a grin. >>@Have a thing for finding lost causes? Or should I say 'making lost >>causes found?'@ > > @Yes.@ Violet quips back. @It's in my Blood, you might say. Or >were you thinking more of yourself?@ @All of the above, really.@ >>(OOC: I think I'm going to need some backstory if Eric is going to >>actually _know_ any of that instead of just being 'aware' of it. >>Privately or on another list, natch.) @Oh my.@ > > (OOC: How about a Spin-Off that Eric'll see as a flashback from >the mindmeld - when I get time to write it, that is. ;) OOC: Sure, that works. No rush. Just let me know if Eric is "off" at any point, and I'll retcon. >>rumination is intense curiosity about how her observations vary >>between dragon types (two -- Dhyrclhanc and Moonstone being >>present), and amused understanding at the joys and problems of a >>shapeshifting lover. > > @Interesting.@ Violet comments. @We really should review our >mutual knowledge of these subjects sometime. I would like to know >more about this world's fauna - and other aspects of what you just >considered.@ Eric grins insouciantly. @So, what are you doing after the invasion?@ ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Re: Crossroads (Long!)(sorry!) Subject: AAE 9n: re: Crossroads (Long!)(sorry!) On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 22:24:40 -0600 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011874 >On Fri, 26 Mar 2004 19:39:17 -0500 >Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00011862 > >> Dhyrclhanc and/or Martin wrote >> >> My Greetings Doctor, I believe >> you had said something about wanting a mini-Lens? Please, do I >> have your permission to enter your mind? > Russian> > > "That is correct, my large draconian >friend. You have my permission to enter my mind, but please...wipe >your feet." he says with a hearty grin. Dhyrclhanc smiles, But, of course. You wound me sir, to think of me that I am that lacking in common courtesy. For shame, Sir. >>In the Good Doctor's mind's ear, he will hear a single chime ping >>and then the voice of Peter Gabriel saying "Hi There" and then the >>initial musical phrase from the same singer's "Big Time". > >[Bolshei Moi. It's full of....stars. Never have I experienced such a >thing before, even when undergoing my own mental tests to check for >mental aberrations. That, and I have always like Peter Gabriel. >Though I am more partial to "Games Without Frontiers." But "So" is >his definitive work, IMHO.] /I have no opinion about Peter Gabriel, myself,/ sends Dhyrclhanc /Although, I do notice, Good Sir, that you and I do tend to prefer popular music as Verbal Components to our Magick. However, the "Big Time" start-up chime for the Psi-Web was something that seems to have arisen on it's own, as I am not quite sure where it came from. Then again, I have to admit that the mini-Lens Psi-Web isn't exactly completely under my sole control anymore, either./ {Dhyrclhanc sends the psychic equivalent of a grin to the Good Doctor) >and there is a click /#Greetings, fellow heroes and heroines. I am >Ana, short for Anastasia. My beloved Uncle saved me from a fate worse >than death, but ultimately he couldn't defeat Time itself. My last >request as one of his greatest pupils was to preserve my brain and >body for Science. My memories are slowly coming back, and I do know >that my body is in stasis on this planet at this location./# There is >a flash from a port in Doctor Romanov's suit. It shows a holographic >view of the earth....and it marks a spot in the heart of Russia. If >anyone has the map of Russia, you can see that the spot is dead >center in Orrorshian territory. Dhyrclhanc's eye breifly widen and then, with some measure of pride, joy and a feeling of being inpressed, briefly glimpses in the direction of the location of his P.I.X.A.R. Nanomagitch Micro-computer, still hidden by it's integral stealth fields, currently resides, where it floats above the Lensdragon's right shoulder, and his grin grows slightly wider. >The coat is half open, revealing a trimmer Romanov, with the >trademarked goatee and goggles over his eyes. He removes the goggles, >and his eyes are a bright blue with red flecks in the iris. He turns >to the Dragon, and looks up....and up....and up, squaring his gaze in >the dragons' eye. /"You have my thanks, good friend. And now, those >that are going to the Nile Empire...follow me to the B.O.R.I.S. >outside." "I only wish that my Tutor, Fuzzy, were here. You both might be inclined to compare notes with each other. He is the only one who has had a similar experience when exposed to the energies of a mini-Lens. I noticed that, like him, your receiving of a mini-Lens has effected your Magickal talents and that you've, probably inadvertently and unconsciously, up-graded mini-Lens that I gave you into a full Lens. As the True Lenses that I am familiar with effect only Psi abilities and not magickal ones, I can only imagine that your Lens, like Fuzzy's, will affect your Magickal abilities by magnifying and enhancing them by 150%. I felt it only fair to warn you of what kind of experiences you might be in for. Although, as I understand it, even Fuzzy didn't Awaken to Exalted status, or at least the Earth-9 equivalent, when he was first exposed to the mini-Lens I gave him." Dhyrclhanc bows to Doctor Romanov and, unlike his usual, Oriental-influenced bow, this was more of a European one. If St. Dharma is in any way familiar with the GURPS game system, he/she is welcome to e-mail me off-list, or at least in the Green or Tech Rooms, and I can attempt to explain to him/her what the effects of a standard Arisian True Lens are. Like I said, IC-ly, above, I would assume that the Lens that Doctor Energy now possesses will affect his Magick/Mage-based abilities and not his strictly Psi-based ones. However, WOTC and M:TA tend to play even more fast and loose with the whole Psi vs. Magick argument than even I do, so this is largely up to you. We here in the AAE/CAoL PBeM-kind-of-thing we tend to draw more of a grey line when it comes to the DM vs. Player responsibities are concerned. Not to mention that we tend to play pretty fast and loose AFA our internal cosmology/cosmologies is/are concerned. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:27:17 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011879 >On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 11:54:17 -0800 >Eric Said As CAoL Message # 00011868 >>"David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011854 > Eric looks at him for a moment, then bows back. "No. If I have >children when you come from, you simply did not know." > Fiddling with his Lens abilities, he tight-beams to Roger an >addition. ^I...decided never to have children some time ago. I am >able to ensure this with my ch'i disciplines. That decision, >however,^ and he glances sidelong at the supine Zia B-G, ^is no >longer solely my own.^ Eric may be familiar with the immense hunger for power and dominion that has driven some of his foes in the past; no doubt Roger knows the meglomania and force of many entities like Darkseid, striving to conquer entire worlds. It is a desire, a hunger very similiar in scope and depth, but wholly different in kind, that emanates clearly as Violet, still partially hooked in through Zia's sleeping mind, overhears Eric's statement. A love, a desire so strong it might be termed an obsession, deeper and stronger than even most elven cultures attitude toward children. A racial trait, augmented by personality, and deepened yet further, at the moment, by the surge and very nature of Gaia's own power, maternal and fertile as one might expect of a deity of the very Earth itself. Still waters run deep, indeed - and it takes Violet a long moment despite all a Lensman's training and strength of mind, to master the emotional response her/Zia's empathy projected, and still _those_ thoughts back to opacity once again. Her eyes open as she turns to regard Roger and Eric somberly, then she deliberately lowers her scarf and raises the brim of her hat slightly before addressing Roger and Eric only. @^Not knowing the reasons for such a decision, the choice would necessarily remain your own, Eric. I would offer no one I love the dishonor of not respecting such a desire - although, I might hope to be trusted with the reasons by which it was made in the fullness of time necessary to establish such trust.^@ She ignores the powerful emotional leakage, despite knowing both of them could not have missed it. @^I have four children, already, after all.^@ This might be more convincing if a little less of her pride, and fierce joy in such a claim didn't reverbrate quite so... emphatically. Although it doesn't take a mathemagician to figure the minuscule fertility rate that sixteen husbands and almost a thousand years to four children would portray. >> Roger's eyes go distant. "The suits at Damage Control *still* >>have wet dreams about that contract. They ended up sub-contracting >>the Megraetheans *and* Brande Inc, and it *still* took thirty-six >>months." He shakes his head ruefully. "DC actually has a copy of our >>wedding portrait hung in their main office, with a plaque that says >>'OUR HEROES.'" > > Eric sighs (tm Seosaidh). "At least you rebuilt the planet, if I >remember 'Magraethean' correctly." > Sil blinks and glances at Eric. "You've read Hitchhiker's?" > The Hunter shrugs typically for him. "Julie was a fan." > "oh." Sil quiets, then turns to examine the map. "I wondered if the sunglasses were Peril-Sensitive." Violet quips, albeit far more dryly than the usual Zia would have. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 17:46:12 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011880 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011869 >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011855 > > Kanto looks Orchid and Rio over with a grin. [Unless one of them >wields a blade regularly,] he 'thinks' in Zia's direction, [I'm not >especially worried yet. Unless you're planning on collecting New >Gods? I should warn you, Orion's married. His wife's not especially >possessive, but he is very...single-minded.] His grin broadens. [And >you are already intimately familiar with Darkseid's...situation.] [No, I'm not. Thank you.] The Violet-Zia replies archly. [As for collecting New Gods, I am not interested in a full set. One or two, perhaps, if Fortune smiles on me, but not a full set. Unlike _some_ people, I'm not greedy.] >> @^Very well.^@ Violet quips back. @^ I _double_ dog dare you >>to. While you may not succeed in getting him in spandex, maybe >>between the influence of Zia's mindmeld, Quantum's asking, and >>perhaps a greater effectiveness within the pulp realm, even Eric can >>be convinced to at least wear a costume. Do you think perhaps it >>would help him in this fight? I do, but I haven't been Reality >>Storming before.^@ > > Roland frowns slightly. ^Spandex is more of a supers thing. Think >of your major pulp/cliffhanger heroes. The Shadow, Doc Savage, >Indiana Jones, Flash Gordon, the Spider...the closest would be >Flash.^ Roland grins. ^Now, if you're willing to wait a bit, >Quantum's weapons are better suited to a futuristic setting anyway. >If you're headed towards Palpatine's realm later, I think we can get >him into something that you'd...appreciate. Have you seen Luke's >outfit from Return? An all-black skintight with a cloak...ought to >suit Eric well enough to con -- ahem -- I mean, convince him to use >it.^ > Who knew Roland would get into this sort of thing? (Apparently, >Zia. 8^) (Apparently, Zia knows lots of things she only rarely lets on.) ^It's a deal, Roland! When and if you manage - how about I attempt the getup that Princess Leia had in return? After all, technically, I _am_ a princess.^ The last both smug and ... purple in thought. > >> @Interesting.@ Violet comments. @We really should review our >>mutual knowledge of these subjects sometime. I would like to know >>more about this world's fauna - and other aspects of what you just >>considered.@ > > Eric grins insouciantly. @So, what are you doing after the >invasion?@ Violet pauses, then she grins at Eric. @The same thing I do after _every_ invasion, Eric - try to take over the _world_!@ In an almost-exact replica of the Brain's voice. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 23:47:42 -0800 Eric Said As CAoL Message # 00011883 >On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:27:17 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011879 > >>On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 11:54:17 -0800 >>Eric Said As CAoL Message # 00011868 > > Eric may be familiar with the immense hunger for power and >dominion that has driven some of his foes in the past; > Still waters run deep, indeed - and it takes Violet a long >moment despite all a Lensman's training and strength of mind, to >master the emotional response her/Zia's empathy projected, and still >_those_ thoughts back to opacity once again. Her eyes open as she >turns to regard Roger and Eric somberly, then she deliberately lowers >her scarf and raises the brim of her hat slightly before addressing >Roger and Eric only. He tried to keep this conversation from Zia, not out of any desire to hide it from her (as if he could hide anything from her _now_), but to wait for a better time. Still, he hadn't expected her response to be so...visceral. Eric's own effort to remain controlled is...noticeable. > @^Not knowing the reasons for such a decision, the choice would >necessarily remain your own, Eric. I would offer no one I love the >dishonor of not respecting such a desire - although, I might hope to >be trusted with the reasons by which it was made in the fullness of >time necessary to establish such trust.^@ She ignores the powerful >emotional leakage, despite knowing both of them could not have missed >it. ^In brief,^ Eric replies -- quietly, even for a private teep transmission -- ^some of the beings who hate me are such foul, empty, hateful monstrosities that I wouldn't dare bring innocents into the world to become their targets.^ >@^I have four children, already, after all.^@ This might be more >convincing if a little less of her pride, and fierce joy in such a >claim didn't reverbrate quite so... emphatically. Although it doesn't >take a mathemagician to figure the minuscule fertility rate that >sixteen husbands and almost a thousand years to four children would >portray. ^Fully grown, I hope,^ Eric replies simply. >> Eric sighs (tm Seosaidh). "At least you rebuilt the planet, if I >>remember 'Magraethean' correctly." >> Sil blinks and glances at Eric. "You've read Hitchhiker's?" >> The Hunter shrugs typically for him. "Julie was a fan." >> "oh." Sil quiets, then turns to examine the map. > > "I wondered if the sunglasses were Peril-Sensitive." Violet >quips, albeit far more dryly than the usual Zia would have. Eric grins. "In my line of work, who could tell the difference?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 23:53:58 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011884 >On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 17:46:12 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011880 > >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011869 >>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011855 >>>> Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011843 >>>>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011815 > >> Kanto looks Orchid and Rio over with a grin. [Unless one of them >>wields a blade regularly,] he 'thinks' in Zia's direction, [I'm not >>especially worried yet. Unless you're planning on collecting New >>Gods? I should warn you, Orion's married. His wife's not especially >>possessive, but he is very...single-minded.] His grin broadens. [And >>you are already intimately familiar with Darkseid's...situation.] > > [No, I'm not. Thank you.] The Violet-Zia replies archly. [As for >collecting New Gods, I am not interested in a full set. One or two, >perhaps, if Fortune smiles on me, but not a full set. Unlike _some_ >people, I'm not greedy.] OOC: I used thought notation for Kanto as he's not telepathic. Just FYI. 8^) [There is a rather large difference,] Kanto notes with dry good humor, [between one and two, in this particular instance.] >>Roland grins. ^Now, if you're willing to wait a bit, Quantum's >>weapons are better suited to a futuristic setting anyway. If you're >>headed towards Palpatine's realm later, I think we can get him into >>something that you'd...appreciate. Have you seen Luke's outfit from >>Return? An all-black skintight with a cloak...ought to suit Eric >>well enough to con -- ahem -- I mean, convince him to use it.^ >> Who knew Roland would get into this sort of thing? (Apparently, >>Zia. 8^) > > (Apparently, Zia knows lots of things she only rarely lets on.) > > ^It's a deal, Roland! When and if you manage - how about I >attempt the getup that Princess Leia had in return? After all, >technically, I _am_ a princess.^ The last both smug and ... purple in >thought. Roland seems...confused. ^I'll leave that to you and Eric. I don't _think_ that slave girls in metal bikinis are his thing -- assuming that's the outfit 'in Return' that you're thinking of -- but you'll have to take it up with him.^ And as luck (and costuming) would have it, at that moment Morgan arrives in her 'Eowyn wolf-style' outfit... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 00:03:39 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011885 >On Thu, 25 Mar 2004 11:34:09 -0800 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011856 > >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011850 >> ^To put it mildly,^ Defender then tight-teeps to Oracle. ^What >>were you _thinking?_ ... And _no,_ 'my All-Seeing, Stage Forty-Two, >>Makes-Arisians-Look-Like-Dumb-And-Dumber Cosmic Awareness tells me >>that this is the optimal action' is _not_ an excuse!^ > >^The Amberite was making assumptions. Assumptions which could lower >her level of alertness. A certain level of paranoia in a combat >situation is a GOOD thing. It can greatly extend one's life. >Remember, assumption is the mother of all foul ups. The person >maneuvering you is not always your enemy and does not always intend >either good or harm for you. Indeed maneuvering you MAY be just a >feint in a larger arena that you happen to lie on the outskirts of. >As for how this will turn out, The Stardragon is involved. When It is >involved, while I can SEE all the possible outcomes, I can neither >SEE what It is doing, nor predict which path will be taken. I will >not say if her assumptions were correct or not, but the fact that she >is on her guard will not cause her harm, and it MAY save her life.^ >Oracle replies quietly. ^Concerning why I included myself and The >Stardragon in the list of possible manipulators, I merely generated a >list of those that DO have the power to do so, and who MIGHT have a >motive. It would have been unfair to the others NOT to include myself >and The Stardragon.^ He concludes. ^Unfair.^ Roland suppresses the urge to facefault. ^How can an omniscient being miss the point entirely? The basic theory was sound. It was the _way_ you did it, Oracle! Aside from the fact that you don't _know_ that she was assuming -- you just _assumed_ that she was assuming -- by the Source, haven't _my_ mistakes in this regard given you the slightest idea?! And you _do_ know, I hope, whether you're behind this or not?^ The Champion stops suddenly, and sighs. ^I'm trying to explain tact. _Me._ Oy.^ Though he was hoping to keep this private, for those very reasons of tact, Roland sees little other choice. Fortunately, there is an obvious option. ^Aurora, I'm having a little trouble here. Maybe it's a cultural divide thing, or a Titan trying to see ants. Can you explain how throwing up images in public regarding a private conversation, implying allied involvement in hostile activities, and insulting someone's intelligence might not be the best tactics in trying to make a point?^ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Crossroads On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 01:14:51 -0800 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011888 An "anomaly" occurs in OMEN's part of the Multiverse. While grossly inaccurate, an equivalent event for lesser being than NEMO and OMEN would be OMEN opening a desk drawer and finding a 3x5 card upon it, bearing a nothing but a number. 29 ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 03:15:55 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011890 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011885 > ^Unfair.^ Roland suppresses the urge to facefault. ^How can an >omniscient being miss the point entirely? The basic theory was sound. >It was the _way_ you did it, Oracle! Aside from the fact that you >don't _know_ that she was assuming -- you just _assumed_ that she was >assuming -- by the Source, haven't _my_ mistakes in this regard given >you the slightest idea?! And you _do_ know, I hope, whether you're >behind this or not?^ The Champion stops suddenly, and sighs. ^I'm >trying to explain tact. _Me._ Oy.^ Though he was hoping to keep this >private, for those very reasons of tact, Roland sees little other >choice. Fortunately, there is an obvious option. > ^Aurora, I'm having a little trouble here. Maybe it's a cultural >divide thing, or a Titan trying to see ants. Can you explain how >throwing up images in public regarding a private conversation, >implying allied involvement in hostile activities, and insulting >someone's intelligence might not be the best tactics in trying to >make a point?^ ^It is partly cultural, partly experience, and partly Oracle's way. His gift is his 'sight' and subtlety plays a VERY small part in that. Also, he clearly needed her to pay attention to what he was saying. Unfortunately it has been our collective experiences that Zia merely shrugs off whatever we divulge to her, or worse, takes informational warnings and alerts as threats of personal harm to her. The method he chose, while seemingly reinforcing her antagonism to us, DID appear to get her attention. It remains to be seen if she 'listened'. I will 'speak' to him.^ Aurora answers. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Thu, 1 Apr 2004 18:56:30 -0500 "David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011900 >Eric wrote on 3/27/2004, 3:01 PM: > >> Leaving his conscience and inner demon to work out their issues, >>Roger steps a bit closer to Eric and lowers his voice. "I really am >>sorry about that, Eric. That was just going too far." He bows >>formally, in mode which Eric will probably recognize as having its >>roots in Zia's tutelage. > > Eric looks at him for a moment, then bows back. "No. If I have >children when you come from, you simply did not know." > Fiddling with his Lens abilities, he tight-beams to Roger an >addition. (I leave it to Sam whether or not a Zia picks this up. >) ^I...decided never to have children some time ago. I am able to >ensure this with my ch'i disciplines. That decision, however,^ and he >glances sidelong at the supine Zia B-G, ^is no longer solely my own.^ Roger fights a battle against the urge to smirk, of such heroic proportions that Eric can actually *feel* traces of the struggle, and wins. Well, about 99%, anyway. ^If *she* decides that that's what she wants, bro, you're... well, not *doomed,* but definitely in deep water. I will say this much, thoug,^ he adds, now choosing his words *very* carefully. ^*IF* you and Auntzie were to have children together, from what I have seen, at least some of the possible outcomes are quite positive.^ Now he does grin. ^Besides, can't you just *see* 'Auntie Rio'?^ OOC: The elder of my two younger sisters just had her first kid about 3months ago, and watching my parents turn into mushbrained granparents whenever the baby visits is downright frightening. My *little* sister is almost terrifying in her sudden wholehearted conversion to Aunthood. Me, I'm just trying to tread water and persevere until the rugrat is old enough to appreciate Comics, Anime, and Sci-Fi. > Eric sighs (tm Seosaidh). "At least you rebuilt the planet, if I >remember 'Magraethean' correctly." > Sil blinks and glances at Eric. "You've read Hitchhiker's?" > The Hunter shrugs typically for him. "Julie was a fan." > "oh." Sil quiets, then turns to examine the map. "PlanetS," Roger correctly absently. "Three outer Jovians, two inner Martians, a Mercurian, and a Rocheworld-styled two-body near-Terrestrial. And the Mags charge beaucoup premiums for *that* little fixup, lemme tell you. Plus an asteroid belt, an even two dozen cometary bodies, assorted moonlets, *and* a ring system around one of the Jovians. And all that *after* we rebuilt and reignited the stellar primary (a dwarf yellow G shading), which is why Brande had to be involved...." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Lives of Futures Past On Thu, 1 Apr 2004 18:56:30 -0500 "David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011901 >Roland X wrote on 3/25/2004, 3:41 AM: > >> Smith remains absolutely still, leaking nothing, simply waiting >>for Roland to babble himself out. >> OOC: (:) > > OOC: Sure. Say nothing. After I had Roland-from-the-future send a >fond tease, and get not even an OOC response...well, let's just say >certain other character reactions make sense under this general >theory (doesn't have to have happened during the TORG invasion). 8^) OOC: Actually, I dithered on how to respond to that tease for so long, it eventually became rather pointless to do so. I'm good at that when it comes to non-technical things, I'm told. > Defender chooses not to point out that Roger has rather studiously >avoided answering the actual question. Thus, in a way, answering it. OOC: Well, actually, he's trying like all heck to avoid *any* kind of self-fulfilling prophecy, by letting any trace of his foreknowledge affect Roland's thought processes (which, to Roger's mind, are taking a disturbingly Noble Heroic Death turn. Which probably is doing Roland too little credit, but even Rog has his own overprotective blind spots). >> He unfolds the broad, narrow shades carefully and dons them. ^As >>for your precognition--^ A broad, confident smile splits his face >>between shades and tie. ^Do you *really* think that any such >>premonition means anything when *I'm* around?^ > > ^It means I need to pay attention. That's all.^ Defender 'sends' a >smile back. ^And I doubt the 'you' that was around then was 400 years >old. Or in five places at once. Just having this conversation changes >the causality path.^ It's clear that this response is partly to >reassure Roger, but equally clear that he's telling the truth -- not >that lying is really an option in this intimate of a link anyway, or >that Roland would _do_ that. ^I've become rather attached to >breathing. I'd rather not stop.^ Smith gives Defender a piercing look over his shades, smiling in a conspiratorial fashion (but conspiring with *whom*, hm?). "Then, it would seem that We Have Come To Terms," he replies in a satisfied tone of voice. OOC: a catchphrase attached to most "Big O" episodes (showing at 1AM EST on Cartoon Network -- watch it!). Smith is not Just Another Roger, although he probably comes closest in terms of core personality. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dividing Lines On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 20:47:11 -0500 "David McMillan" Said As CAoL Message # 00011904 >Samatha Cooper wrote on 3/28/2004, 8:52 PM: > >> Eric grins insouciantly. @So, what are you doing after the >>invasion?@ > > Violet pauses, then she grins at Eric. > @The same thing I do after _every_ invasion, Eric - try to take >over the _world_!@ In an almost-exact replica of the Brain's voice. Roger suddenly blurts out "Narf! Poit!" in a cheesy Ozzie accent, then stands there with a "WTF?!?" expression. OOC: No, he didn't "hear" that. But Coincidence and Punchlines have a power all their own, around Roger... ================================= Subject: AAE9: Endgame (Retcon) On Sat, 29 May 2004 23:00:01 -0500 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012113 I'm sure this'll be a record for me, at least AFA Retcons go, but this dovetails into my further plans for Dhyclhanc, plot-wise, so I hope y'all will forgive me this little retroactive piece of "character building" All of this happens after the, still mostly, "off-screen" title-bout between Dhyrclhanc and Darkseid that happened a tad earlier on in the continuity. Dhyrclhanc momentarily stood as still as a statue as he watched the sky fill-up with the death-shadows generated by the Anti-Life Equation Entity. [How am I going to handle this?] he asked himself. [This is even beyond _my_ abilities. I wonder if it's time for the equivalent of a "Hail Mary" play?] He fingered the rose-motif time-ring on the finger of his left hand, slowing down the passage of time around himself and began to sing. "Oh, she's taking her time, convinced me she's fine Oh, but when she leaves I'm not so sure. It's always the same; she's playing her game and when she goes, I feel to blame. Why won't she say she needs me? I know she's not as strong as she seems. Why don't I feel a cry for help? Why don't I hear a cry for help? I wandered around the streets of this town trying to find the sense in it all. The rain on my face, it covers the trace of all the tears that I've had to waste. Why must we hide emotions? Why must we never break down and cry? All that I need is to cry for help. Somebody please hear me cry for help. All I can do is cry for help. No need to feel ashamed. Release the pain and cry for help. A Cry for help is all I need, all I need is a cry for help. A Cry for help is all I need, all I need is a cry for help. Why must we hide emotions? Why can we never break down and cry? All that I need is cry for help. I will be there when you cry for help. Why don't I hear a cry for help? All that I need is cry for help. Somebody please hear me cry for help. All I can do is cry for help. All that I need is cry for help. I will be there when you cry for help. Is it so hard to cry for help?" When he was finished, the battle around him had stopped completely, everyone around him was frozen in middle of the conflict. "Wha...?" Dhyrclhanc queried, looking down at the time-ring. "This shouldn't be able to _this_!" "You should be very proud, little Phoenixi," spoke a high-pitched, obviously feminine voice from behind Dhyrclhanc. As the Lensdragon whirled around to look at the speaker, his surroundings changed to an endless and featureless plane. Perched on the branch of a lone huge tree on the flat plane was a huge, hawk-like, bird of prey, easily 20-feet long and its feathers were the various colors of the flame. It was the bird who had spoken. As it hopped down from the branch, it's form flowed like water until it's form settled into that of a 20-foot tall woman with dark skin and hair, and aquiline features. She wore a strange looking head-dress that gave her nose a beak-like appearance, and top and skirt that seemed to be composed solely of the same kind feathers that she'd possessed as a bird and her wings still jutted out from her shoulder-bones. "As I said, you should _very_ proud little Phoenixi," she repeated, "You got me involved." she stated, as if she were commenting on the fact that the sky was blue, and began to reach out to touch the super-annuated adolescent hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon on the forehead. "LADY BENU!?" cried out Dhyrclhanc and swiftly kneeled down in front of her, his eyes on the ground in front of feet. "Be not so modest in front of me, little Phoenix," the Phoenix said, reaching down beneath his jaw and gently forcing the draconian Lensman to look at up at her. She reached down with her other hand and touched his forehead, on the point on his head-dress below his Lens and above the three Mage Stone emeralds. "Be happy, little Phoenix, I bear you a gift; a glimpse of your future potential." At that, a portal in Dhyrclhanc's mind that had been sealed shut since the battle in the skies over Epsilon Eridanii and Babylon 5 blossomed open. Once again, Dhyrclhanc finds himself in the midst of the battle that is now between the now allied forces of the Callahanian Army of Light and the forces of Darseid, his Elites, and the Anti-life Equation Entity. He looks down and he was now garbed in a Green and Gold skin-tight body suit covering everything except his wings, head and neck, and tail, the suit included a long gold sash, tied around his waist, and a gold bird-of-prey design in a black inverted triangle above his chest, and the gold gloves and boots came up as high as his thighs and biceps. The words came to him, as if unbidden... "I am Power, Life and Magick, Made Incarnate. Now and Forevermore, I AM PHOENIX!" As Dhyrclhanc rose up into the air, surrounded by a great bird of flame, at the same instant, easily more than a dozen of the Anti-Life shadows shattered, or were quickly turned to ash, as near-white-hot quantum/stellar flames were ignited in their cores. =================================