Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 9: Spin-offs
                 The Adventures of Dr. Energy, Part 2

On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 05:56:58 -0800 (PST)
Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000210

> On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 19:36:13 -0500
> Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000206
>> On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 07:31:00 -0800 (PST)
>> Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000204
>>
>> "It will remain so. Not for any distrust, Dr. Energy, merely a
>> matter of habit for me."
>
> The Good Doctor grins, "Much like the Violet Habit you are wearing
> now, yes?"

Ultra Violet laughs, a broad and deep laugh, very Russian in nature
despite her American accent.

"You're the first one to get that in eighteen years, Dr. Energy. Yes,
much like. As I've noted, there is more than one way to Take the Veil.
Mine is of the sunset's darkness; a tribute to my teacher."

>> "I would enjoy doing so. There have been many tight scrapes where
>> better equipment would have saved me, and others, wounds and
>> deaths. However, this adventure after the Spear - it is not well
>> for me to displace myself in time. I'll have to live through
>> the long way and arrange to meet you somewhere."
>
> OOC: Live through the Long Way? You might want to give me a
> refresher course in Amberites, because there are gaps in my memory.

OOC: Basically, I've given Amberites (at least Zia, who is _very_
young and much less powerful than Zelzany's characters) some
disadvantages. One of which is, traveling in time makes the time she
departs from - and goes to - quite destabilize in Reality. So, she'll
simply _not_ travel time, instead meeting you some twenty years hence
on a day and time pre-arranged, with a locale.

> The Good Doctor tilts his head, as if studying a complex puzzle
> waiting to be solved. "It was as plain as the reaction on what I
> could see of your face. That and telepathy is just another form of
> communication. I was working on a prototype for a telepathy machine
> when the damn thing overloaded. I spent a week in bed with a
> screaming migraine and when I recovered, I noticed that I was able
> to pick up some surface thoughts, but nothing deeper than that. As
> for the equipment; If you wouldn't mind, could you leave me a
> checklist of specifications as to what you would want in the
> design?"

"It would be a pleasure, although I'd like to watch your design
process, as well. I have a feeling I could learn a great deal from
you." She proceeds to make notes regarding camuflage, concealibility,
weight, distribution, bulkiness, inertial shields for bullets, medical
shields to stop arterial bleeding, and basically make a wish-list of
features she's always wanted but haven't been possible with the tech
here.

<snip regarding UV not being Christian>
> "[...] no, it will not be a problem."

"Excellent!" She smiles. "Now all you have to do is tell me where to
meet you, in twenty years. In the meantime - could you describe the
various factions that are currently the most problematical? I feel the
need to go shoot a few holes in something evil, after listening to
your stories today."
=================================

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 00:54:35 -0500
Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000211

> On Sun, 23 Nov 2003 05:56:58 -0800 (PST)
> Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000210
>
> "You're the first one to get that in eighteen years, Dr. Energy.
> Yes, much like. As I've noted, there is more than one way to Take
> the Veil. Mine is of the sunset's darkness; a tribute to my
> teacher."

Doc Energy nods, "A very fine tribute indeed. My teacher and Professor
in the Order was very inspirational as well, which is why I took the
Call to Action and Fighting Evil. Someday you will have to tell me of
this person."

> OOC: Basically, I've given Amberites (at least Zia, who is _very_
> young and much less powerful than Zelzany's characters) some
> disadvantages. One of which is, traveling in time makes the time she
> departs from - and goes to - quite destabilize in Reality. So,
> she'll simply _not_ travel time, instead meeting you some twenty
> years hence on a day and time pre-arranged, with a locale.

OOC: Well, that makes sense. And it would give her life experiences.

> "It would be a pleasure, although I'd like to watch your design
> process, as well. I have a feeling I could learn a great deal from
> you." She proceeds to make notes regarding camouflage,
> concealibility, weight, distribution, bulkiness, inertial shields
> for bullets, medical shields to stop arterial bleeding, and
> basically make a wish-list of features she's always wanted but
> haven't been possible with the tech here.

OOC: If you want to make a list, post them in the Tech Room and I will
have Doc Energy work on it for you.

"Da. That would be wonderful, and I can use an extra set of hands in
the lab. All of the things you require can be done with a fair amount
of work. The Med-Sheilds I believe are going to be the most difficult
as the life sciences have always eluded me. Hmmmm.. I do have
something that might work, but it's experimental and dangerous." He
walks over to a vault that you didn't see before, and punches in a
code to access it. He opens the large heavy door, with a HISS! as
though the vault itself was sealed from all elements, including air.
As the door swings open, he walks into the vault. After a moment which
seems to take forever, he walks back out and closes the door,
re-activates the locks and seals, and walks over to you. He has in his
hand a glowing vial of some kind of fluid. He takes it over to a large
microscope, designed to show magnified objects on a video screen. He
places the vial in a unit, and magnifies the microscope. In the view
screen, you see a multitude of robots swimming about. "These are a
relatively new design from one of my colleages in the Order who is an
expert in the Life Sciences. She and I collaborated on this new
process. They are called nanomachines. These are essentially micro
sized robots that can perform a multitude of functions. With the
proper programming, they can heal wounds and repair the armor if it's
damaged. The inertial shields can be designed to absorb kinetic energy
as well as other types of energy. They can also be keyed in to
strengthen in certain areas that are being hit more often than other
parts, so for example if you are charging head long into a battle, the
sheilds can strengthen in the front sections but will weaken in the
rear. The shields can adapt to any combat situation as well."

> "Excellent!" She smiles. "Now all you have to do is tell me where to
> meet you, in twenty years. In the meantime - could you describe the
> various factions that are currently the most problematical? I feel
> the need to go shoot a few holes in something evil, after listening
> to your stories today."

Doctor Energy closes his eyes for a moment, as if he were thinking of
something deep. "Well, there are various factions. The is the Order of
Reason, though they are now referring to themselves as the
Technocracy. Basically they seek to perfect mankind through the use of
machines and advanced science. They also seek to control the Paradigm
which means that anything that falls outside of their worldview is
subject to suppression. Through the petitioning of the Void Seekers,
they have managed to purge the Theory of Ether from the Paradigm, and
they are also seeking to ultimately control mankind. There are various
crime leagues, such as the Western League who will be controlled by
someone calling themselves The King of The World. There is also the
Ubiquitous Dragon, who is head of the Eastern Crime league. There is
also a low lever crime boss and general villian calling himself the
White Czar. There is also the Infernals, which they refer to
themselves as The Nephandi. They seek to create something called
Malfeas, which is nothing less than Hell on Earth."

Suddenly a red phone that is on the wall rings. Doc Energy runs over
and picks up the phone. His conversation starts in Russian , but from
the tone of his voice you can tell that something has developed. He
puts the phone back on the cradle, and the joy on his face cannot be
denied. "Good news. You may get your chance to 'put some holes in
evil' as you say. There is an infiltrator in the White Czars' Inner
Circle. He has just informed that the White Czar has captured
Anastasia and is planning to carry her off to an undisclosed location.
From what the agent has told me, the Czar plans to use her as a pawn
to gather together all the exiled Russian monarchs and use her fortune
to bankroll an army who would then try to regain control in the
Motherland. With all the turmoil, it would only succeed in tearing the
country and quite possibly the world apart. As you said earlier, too
many revolutions can further destabilize the region making it ripe for
The Syndicate or even the Western and Eastern Crime Leagues to take
over. This cannot and must not happen." His eyes are starting to spark
with electric arcs passing back and forth from one eye to the other.

Obviously he is very angry about this.

"Come, my dear Violet Femme. We must get you outfitted for this
adventure." And with that he reads the notes on what she wants with
her new power armor, and makes preparations to build the suit for her.


Chapter 4: The Iceman Cometh.

A few weeks after the October Revolution....

Dimitri Volkov was not what you would call a hot-headed man or one
that is easily startled. Even during his days as a Man in Black for
The Technocracy (formerly known as The Order of Reason), his cool and
calm demeanor made him not only the best poker player in his unit, but
also made him a feared agent. His moniker of the Iceman was well
deserved, for his cool, logical manner made him a dangerous man.
Coupled with a secret desire for power, this made him ruthless. This
also made him a fair number of enemies within the ranks. So when his
extraction of Doctor Emil Romanov was botched, there were many people
that were more than willing to hang the frame on him.

And so it was that he found himself out of favor of his masters. He
was fairly young then, and thought himself invincible. And this was
not unfounded. Since he had fallen out of favor, he also was labled a
liability. He knew that there were ways for a man to disappear, even
from the Men In Black. It was a moment of clarity that brought him
here to the one man in Russia he knew would have use for his services.

----------

Ivan Staynskaya aka The White Czar was amused by the audacity of the
young man before him. The young man's saving grace was his polite
manner.
[So,] thought the White Czar, [Mr Volkov is a very resourceful young
man. How he managed to make the connection between me and the
political turmoil in Russia currently I will have to learn at a later
time.]
"So what brings the infamous Iceman to my humble palace?" asked the
Mad Monarch.
"It is very simple, your majesty. I come bearing an offering of
information. I am to understand that you are currently seeking to
regain control in the Motherland, by any means."
The Mad Monarch laughed a hearty Russian laugh, "Da, that is true. I
have spent many days planning the best way to gain power by many
means. Some of these plans have been set back, due to the interference
of certain individuals."
"That would be The Man of Many Tomorrows, yes?", said the Iceman,
smiling just a little. [It's interesting what one can accomplish when
you find the right frontman for your "endeavors".]

The Mad Monarch was taken aback by this. [Bolshe moi! What does this
Iceman really know?] After a moment of regaining his composure he
chuckled and said, "Da. This is true, though not many would know of
such things. So you have something to tell me?" The Mad Monarch leaned
forward as if to listen intently to what the Iceman had to say.
[Hook, line and sinker.] thought the Iceman, not losing a bit of his
legendary cool. "I know where the missing Romanov heir is. I know this
because I put her there myself. She is currently sitting in a German
insane asylum, where she will sit until she rots. She has been
subjected to what my former profession would call "Brain Dump." He
carefully reaches into the pocket of his coat (making sure that the
guards have no reason to shoot him), and pulls out a strange looking
device. "This holds the memories of all the Romanovs, including
Anastasia. This information could prove to be vital for your purposes.
The Bolshevics would have you believe that the Romanovs died
penniless. That is not true, and this information proves it. There are
hints that there was more money in other locations in Europe and the
UK, but without the exact locatio, there is no way to access this. In
lieu of payment, I offer my services to you, sire."

The Mad Monarch mulled on this for a moment. [Hmmm... This "Iceman" is
no fool. He knows that I will need the Romanovs in any form to rally
the exiled monarchs under my banner. Money is fine, but they have the
connections I need to gather an army. Very well, let us see what this
man can do.] "Very well, my logical friend. You are to go to Germany
and secure her. You are then to take her back here where we have the
proper facilities to reenter the information into her mind. Now go,
and do not fail me."
"Yes, sire." said Volkov, smiling inwardly. [Let those fools in the
Tecnocracy try to catch me now. Soon everyone will know that the power
behind the White Czar is a Man of Ice.]

After Volkov left, the White Czar opened a panel on his throne and
pressed a few buttons. The painting of his dead wife turned around and
a video screen appeared in its place. A older, white haired gentleman
appeared there. "Ivan, I wish for you to contact your friends at
Ipatiev House. Tell them that the missing Romanovs have been found and
they are in my control. Have them all meet me here at the White
Palace. I believe they will be interested in what I have to say."

"It shall be done, my Czar." Ivan replied with a curt bow, and the
screen shut off.

The Mad Monarch sat for a moment and then said to his mute guards,
"Soon, the Bolshevics and even the world shall know and tremble when
the hear the name of The White Czar." And with that he laughed
manically and left the throne room. Of all the guards there, none
would be able to hear this. Except for one. His name this time was
James P. Smyth. He was an agent of the USA, acting on a hunch from his
childhood friend Max Mercer. Mercer had informed his superiors that
something troubling was going on in Russia and the USA would be well
served to look into it. US policy at the time was a bit isolationist,
having since gone through the horrors of WW1. The government contacted
Smyth personally and asked him to look into it. His skills as a spy
and master of disguise were well known. He managed to get himself
hired on as a guard in the White Palace where he was able to feed key
information to various individuals about the White Czar. The Czar
didn't know that there was a spy in his works, and it was probably for
the best. Upon hearing this information, at the next shift change, he
activated his spy phone and contacted Dr. Mercer. Max was concerned
but he told him that things would be taken care of. He was given a
description of a man that he was to contact should he need assistance.
That man was one Doctor Emil Romanov nee Dr. Energy.

OOC: Stay tuned, Faithful Reader. Will Dr. Energy be able to track the
ruthless Iceman down in time? Will the White Czar succeed in his
nefarious plot? The answers (and a few more questions) will be
revealed in the next chapter of The Adventures of Doctor Energy, or
Romanov Feels the Iceman's Chill.
=================================

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 18:08:43 -0800 (PST)
Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000218

> On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 00:54:35 -0500
> Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000211
>
> Doc Energy nods, "A very fine tribute indeed. My teacher and
> Professor in the Order was very inspirational as well, which is why
> I took the Call to Action and Fighting Evil. Someday you will have
> to tell me of this person."

"I would normally love to share tales, but of this I cannot speak.
Long before I even begun my training, I was sworn to keep all the
details forever in Darkness. However, later, over some vodka, perhaps,
I'd love to talk more about our own exploits and the people we've met
in various causes and places."

> OOC: Well, that makes sense. And it would give her life experiences.

OOC: Heh. Yes, one might say Ziactrice, however young, was one for
finding Experiences, indeed.

<snip of the really neat experimental nano-prototypes>

Ultra Violet is most intrigued by this. "Incredible, simply
incredible. Machines so small... that's amazing. I'm none to sure of
this putting them in my blood idea, however. The one thing I've
learned about mechanical devices is that, eventually, their breakdown
is certain. Perhaps I'll just wait for a little less ... ah, intimate,
form of protection."

<snip to the red phone. Holy Shades of Batman!>

> "Good news. You may get your chance to 'put some holes in evil' as
> you say. There is an infiltrator in the White Czars' Inner Circle.
> He has just informed that the White Czar has captured Anastasia and
> is planning to carry her off to an undisclosed location. From what
> the agent has told me, the Czar plans to use her as a pawn to gather
> together all the exiled Russian monarchs and use her fortune to
> bankroll an army who would then try to regain control in the
> Motherland. With all the turmoil, it would only succeed in tearing
> the country and quite possibly the world apart. As you said earlier,
> too many revolutions can further destabilize the region making it
> ripe for The Syndicate or even the Western and Eastern Crime Leagues
> to take over. This cannot and must not happen." His eyes are
> starting to spark with electric arcs passing back and forth from one
> eye to the other.
>
> Obviously he is very angry about this.

Ultra Violet is not angry, but her eyes show her total agreement as
she rewraps her scarf. "I agree with your analysis, Doctor. What is
our plan to prevent this, and rescue your relative?"

> "Come, my dear Violet Femme. We must get you outfitted for this
> adventure." And with that he reads the notes on what she wants with
> her new power armor, and makes preparations to build the suit for
> her.

"Ah? Your agent must be very good, then. He'll track Anatasia, so we
have time to prepare." She rises and follows him, a grim smile of
anticipation for the Combat Against Evil looming concealed behind the
violet silk of her scarf.

<snipped Chapter Four - since it was the Baddies Chptr>
> OOC: Stay tuned, Faithful Reader. Will Dr. Energy be able to track
> the ruthless Iceman down in time? Will the White Czar succeed in his
> nefarious plot?

Who is the mysterious woman, this Violet Femme who calls herself Ultra
Violet? Was her appearance in Dr. Energy's lab coincidence? Is she a
friend, or a foe?
=================================

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 01:14:27 -0500
Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000221

> On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 18:08:43 -0800 (PST)
> Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000218
>
> "I would normally love to share tales, but of this I cannot speak.
> Long before I even begun my training, I was sworn to keep all the
> details forever in Darkness. However, later, over some vodka,
> perhaps, I'd love to talk more about our own exploits and the people
> we've met in various causes and places."

Doc Energy nods, "Da, that would be good. Especially after we have
these exploits."

> Ultra Violet is most intrigued by this. "Incredible, simply
> incredible. Machines so small... that's amazing. I'm none to sure of
> this putting them in my blood idea, however. The one thing I've
> learned about mechanical devices is that, eventually, their
> breakdown is certain. Perhaps I'll just wait for a little less ...
> ah, intimate, form of protection."

Doc Energy nods, "That is understandable. The nanobots can be put to
other uses not involved in invasive means. For example the nanos can
convert any gas to oxygen if told to do so." He smiles at the
implication of this.

> Ultra Violet is not angry, but her eyes show her total agreement as
> she rewraps her scarf. "I agree with your analysis, Doctor. What is
> our plan to prevent this, and rescue your relative?"

Doc Energy picks up one of the walkie talkies left behind by Doc Eon.
"Energy to Eon, over?"
"Eon here, what's up Doc?" says the man on the other end in an tone
that indicates playful humor.
Doc Energy laughs at this, and then gets serious. "My friend, I
believe I will need your services for a moment. It seems that our old
friend The White Czar is up to his old trick again."
"That's not surprising since it was my agent that contacted you. How
about we do this. You and the lovely Purple Vixen meet me at a bistro
in Berlin, and we will endeavor to solve this dilemma together. Time
is of the essence, however, so I would move soon. I have a report that
The Iceman had been spotted at a train station in St. Petersburg,
whose destination was Berlin. From there we can track the Iceman and
see where he takes us." "Da, that sounds good. Energy out." he says as
he switches off the unit. Doc then turns to UV. "If I know my friend,
the plan is to locate The Iceman and try to determine his location,
and then get to the location before he does. There is the possibility
that The Iceman is expecting this, since he is known for his logical
thinking. His actions remind me of a man that used to play chess until
he dropped out. His name was Dimitri Volkov, and he was something of a
mystery in chess circles. Just as he was getting good, he suddenly
disappeared and was never seen again. But I knew what happened to him.
He was recruited by the Men In Black, because he was the agent in
charge the day my beloved Zatrina was killed. In fact, he was the one
that ordered the Automaton to kill my wife and then me. Had I not been
standing between those two Tesla coils, I would not be here today. But
had it not been for Volkov's actions, I would not be here today
either. But my honor tells me that I must avenge the wrongful death of
my wife, and I shudder to think of what will happen when Volkov and I
cross paths again." he says with a trace of bitter sorrowful anger at
the end. He shudders for a moment. "In any case, we must prepare for
the possibility that he may have a trap set for us there."

"As to what I plan, well.. Eon only told me to meet him in Berlin. I
am assuming that he has something in mind to help me, but the actual
extraction will fall to my hands. Once we have secured her, I plan to
take her to a place in Tibet that is supposed to be run by members of
the Akashic Brotherhood. They maintain a small temple there, but
inside is a wonder to behold. She will be comfortable there until she
reaches adulthood where she will be taken to a place in America where
she will live the rest of her days."

> "Ah? Your agent must be very good, then. He'll track Anatasia, so we
> have time to prepare." She rises and follows him, a grim smile of
> anticipation for the Combat Against Evil looming concealed behind
> the violet silk of her scarf.

Doc Energy nods, "Da, he is good otherwise he would not be working for
Doc Eon. Eon tends to be particular about the people in his company
and in his employ. Only the best, you know?"


Chapter Five: A Plan is Formed

Doc Eon, Doc Energy and UltraViolet were all in the back area of a
bistro in Berlin, sipping coffee. Suddenly, Doc Eon pulls out a radio
reciever with headphones and puts them on.
"My agent will be contacting us by Morse code. He will be relaying his
whereabouts to me, where I will decode them. Once we get the location
of where they are going, you and the Violet Femme will head there. I
have some of my men standing by should you need assistance. This
Iceman fellow is the real deal."
Doc Energy nods solemnly, "Da, I know. We must not leave anything to
chance. Who do you have on the case, by the way?"
Doc Eon smiles, "Oh that's easy. One of my friends at the
International Detective Agency owes me a few favors, so he got me in
touch with a fellow. Broomfield was his name."
Doc Energy smiles, "Couldn't they have gotten another man? One with
more experience?"
Eon grins, "Well, from what I am told, Broomfield is a sharp customer
and scored very high on their aptitude tests. He also made really good
marks on his disguise ability and investigative skills. I would
imagine Broomfield is very close to the Iceman at this point."

OOC: Insert comment from Ultra Violet here.
------

Eon understated just how close Broomfield was. Apparently he had been
able to work his way into being The Iceman's personal driver here in
Germany. He had managed to disguise himself as a man missing an eye
with a scarred face. The destination was a small asylum nearby, which
he relayed the coordinates and location to Doc Eon by way of a micro
telegraph hidden in the heel of his shoe. The cover story was that he
would occasionally break out in to seizure like episodes, which he
explained as a side effect of nerve gas that was used while he was in
the War.

This, of course, amused Volkov to no end. And he even played along
with it, knowing full well that this man was probably telling someone
where he was going. And it was probably Doctor Eon, since he and The
White Czar were enemies. It was a good thing that he was able to make
a anonymous tip to the MIBs that Eon would probably be in this
location. Which suited him fine, because he planned to be long gone by
the time the Automatons showed up.
-------

Doc Eon suddenly startled, and put the radio back into his suitcase he
had nearby. "Well, that was my man. He says to go to this location."
he says as he hands a piece of paper to both Energy and Ultra Violet.
"There you are to meet a man named Smythe. You will know him when you
meet him by the code word, "Transylvania is lovely this time of year."
Your response will be "Yes, if you don't mind the occasional bite
mark." After that, he will show you where your neice is staying since
he will be guarding her. And he also wanted to let you know that the
guards on Anastasia have been warned to 'stay away from the Foyer
area'. What this means, he couldn't say, but I am thinking that it's a
trap of some kind."
Doc Energy nodded. "That's is what we were thinking as well. THough I
shudder to think what he could have in mind, it is good that I have
completed some work I needed to do on my suit as well as finished the
suit that Ms. Violet requested."

OOC: By this time, you have gotten a crash course (in addition to
sleep teaching) of how the power suit works, as well as ways to
perform maintanence on it.

Doc Eon stands up, and goes to leave. "Then I suggest you two kids get
going, because he should be there any minute now."

After Eon leaves, Doc Energy stands up and says, "My dear, I believe
we have a date with an Iceman. Shall we?"

To Be Continued...
=================================

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:25:10 -0800 (PST)
Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000222

> On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 01:14:27 -0500
> Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000221

<snip to shorten the conversation to the salient line>
> where they are going, you and the Violet Femme will

<snip down to when the men finally stop speaking to each other, and
Violet can get a word in without interrupting.>

"Dr. Eon, would you please call me Ultra Violet, or just Violet, if
you must? As for Broomfield, Dr. Energy, one takes what help one can
get in exigency. We must hope for the best, but prepare for the
worst."

> Doc Energy nodded. "That's is what we were thinking as well. Though
> I shudder to think what he could have in mind, it is good that I
> have completed some work I needed to do on my suit as well as
> finished the suit that Ms. Violet requested."

"Just Violet." The woman says, with a smile he can only see in her
eyes. "I must say, Doctor, you do good work." She raises a hand toward
the others, then she twitches slightly before adjusting the wide brim
of her hat lower. Her outfit looks almost the same, just a shade
bulkier - but still just as purple.

"Although I fear it shall be weeks before I'm fully accustomed to the
tingling of the Life Sense you created in it.

> OOC: By this time, you have gotten a crash course (in addition to
> sleep teaching) of how the power suit works, as well as ways to
> perform maintenance on it.

OOC: Actually, Ultra Violet doesn't sleep if Roland okays her the way
I usually run her. She does pull a disappearing act about 12 hours
every day, citing that she has other commitments.

> After Eon leaves, Doc Energy stands up and says, "My dear, I believe
> we have a date with an Iceman. Shall we?"

"Please, Doctor?" Ultra Violet holds up a hand to pause him, but she
is smiling. "You should stop referring to me a 'my dear'. You might
slip and do so in front of those who follow the Villainous Creed; it
gives them nasty ideas."

"And... yes, we shall. Let us be away." Ultra Violet smiles beneath
the purple silk, anticipating the joy of filling these fiendish men
full of lead.
=================================

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 04:18:32 -0500
Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000223

> On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:25:10 -0800 (PST)
> Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000222
>
> "Dr. Eon, would you please call me Ultra Violet, or just Violet, if
> you must? As for Broomfield, Dr. Energy, one takes what help one can
> get in exigency. We must hope for the best, but prepare for the
> worst."

Doc Eon looks at Violet with in a new light, as though he were looking
at someone his equal or superior. "Certainly, Violet. I sometimes
forget that informal is best in certain circumstances."
The Good Doctor bows his head slightly. "Da, that is very true. We
have to take what we can get."

> "Although I fear it shall be weeks before I'm fully accustomed to
> the tingling of the Life Sense you created in it.

The Good Doctor bows deeply. "Thank you, Just Violet. I am glad to see
someone appreciate my handywork. I do hope to someday mass produce a
less advanced model for someone who would appreciate their usefulness.
As for the adjustment period for the Bioelectric Field, I have been
told that meditation can decrease the time spent calibrating to it.
One of my Akashic friends found that technique to be useful. "

> "Please, Doctor?" Ultra Violet holds up a hand to pause him, but she
> is smiling. "You should stop referring to me a 'my dear'. You might
> slip and do so in front of those who follow the Villainous Creed; it
> gives them nasty ideas."
>
> "And... yes, we shall. Let us be away." Ultra Violet smiles beneath
> the purple silk, anticipating the joy of filling these fiendish men
> full of lead.

Doc Energy looks serious for a moment, and nods politely. "Da. You are
correct. Best to not give the cossacks any more ideas than what they
already have. Ultra Violet, Violet or Just Violet? And let us depart."

And with that, Doc Energy and Violet make their way to the rendevous.


Chapter Six: To Rescue a Romanov

Smythe was nervous, and rightly so. This was his first major
assignment after leaving the Academy. The International Detective
Agency had hired him fresh out of school, and were impressed with his
marks and with his letters of recommendation from his professors. He
was never one for lack of confidence, but he was nervous all the same.
To keep things easy, a "cell" system was established so no one would
know too much about the operation. Still, there were dangers. For one,
he was told that he would recognize Doc Energy and Violet immediately.
Waiting in the front area of the British Consulate, he wondered what
they would look like, when suddenly he realized that his contact
wasn't wrong.

As he watched both Doc Energy and Violet enter, he looked at Doc
Energy first. The man seemed to crackle with intelligence and
charisma. It was though he were a bright light in a room of dim bulbs
and he knew that those eyes of his not only had learned a lot, but
they had seen a lot too. As though the man were something else
entirely. Which made him irresistable.

To the woman, Violet was only one word he could use. Royal Purple
would be another. The way the woman looked mysterious and yet utterly
confident spoke of well training and well discipline in both the
social arts and the martial arts. The fact that her coat seemed bulky
indicated that she was packing something under it, but it wasn't
sexual. With a practiced eye, he noticed that she moved with the grace
that spoke of sword training as well. He stood up to greet them.

"Doc Energy and Violet I presume?" he said quietly.
"Da, I am Doctor Energy. You must be Smythe?" said The Good Doctor.
"Yes, Doctor."
"Violet, I would like you to meet Smythe. This is the contact that Doc
Eon spoke about."

(OOC: Space for Violet's response.)

"So," says The Good Doctor, "what do you have for us, Smythe?"
"Well, follow me to my car outside and we will take a drive," he says
as he heads out the door. Outside is a fancy car that looks unlike
anything you have seen before. It's what would be a 1930s style
roadster. (OOC: Think something like Tom Sawyers' car in LXG)
The Good Doctor looks at the car with an approving eye. "Smythe, you
are more than you seem. This car looks like it is state of the art,
especially the aerodynamic design. Anything else we should know
about?" Smythe grins impishly, "I am afraid you aren't cleared for
that. But let me say that the US and Britain have enjoyed good
relations so far, so the Brits were more than happy to help in this
endeavor. We have one of our best men at the site, and I have an idea
what the Mad Monarch intends to do with your neice. He had planned to
rescue her, but another individual had gotten to her first, knowing
that the White Czar would be interested. His name is Volkov."
"Volkov!" says The Good Doctor as they are driving pell mell through
the streets of Berlin heading out of town. He seems to be headed to a
small town somewhere. The Good Doctor starts to crackle and glow and
discharges static electricity at the mention of his adversarys' name.

(Space for Violet's response)

"You know this individual?" asks Smythe.
"You could say that, my friend. He owes me a debt that cannot be paid
in money." says Doc Energy grimly. "He thought that by killing my
wife, that would succeed in silencing my dissent. What happened after
that is too terrible to tell and would probably take up a few pages in
a book. I had thought him to be dead from the accident that claimed
his fellows, but apparently he survived. Though I still wonder how,
since exposure to that amount of Energy and Ether should have killed
him as it killed his compatriots."

(OOC: Roland, this would be your cue to explain how Volkov could have
survived and what might have happened to him after Romanov's
Ascension. Also how he managed to get Anatasia before the White Czar
did wouldn't hurt. Gotta have a Villian that's nearly the equal to Doc
Energy, but not so much that he won't prevail ultimately. After all,
Volkov has to survive until 1938 at least. :-D )

(Space for Violet's response)

"As to what the White Czar intends to do with Anastasia, it was
revealed to me while I was undercover that he plans to marry her in
order to legitimize his claim to the throne of Russia. He has also
been extorting a fair number of White Russians to bully them into
support him by giving him the means to re-take the country from the
Bolshevics. He had kidnapped the daughter of a former general from the
Imperial Guard, and released her only on the condition that the men he
has under his command serve the White Czar.

The fact that the general is now a general of The Red Army makes it
interesting. If he succeeds, he will have control of Russia, and
probably the world." continues Smythe as he makes a sharp turn down an
alley.

(Space for Violet's response)

The Good Doctor nods, "It is fortunate for the Czar then that we are
extracting Anastasia beforehand. He has no idea who he's dealing with.
Anastasia would never go along with that sort of thing, mainly because
she is smart and stubborn." he says with a hint of sarcasm in his
voice. "As it is, we must hurry."
"Funny you should say that, Doc,"says Smythe as he pulls up to a
street down a ways from a large building, "because that building over
there is asylum where they are keeping her. I would suggest you come
up with a plan of attack before you head that way. My part in this is
I am to drive her to the British Consulate where she will be well
taken care of until she can be moved to another location."

Doc Energy and Violet get out of the car, and move to the middle of
the street. "Violet, I believe you will be able to sneak into the room
where she is being kept. It is on the paper that Doc Eon gave you and
using the Invisibility I have worked into the armor I made for you,
you should be able to sneak in there. I will make it easier since I
plan on walking in the front door into this so-called trap that has
been set for me. While I am providing a distraction you can sneak into
the place and find her location. Here, Smythe." he says to the agent
as he hands him and Violet a walkie talkie, "Take these and when you,
Violet, have the Princess secured, contact Smythe. Smythe, if you have
a man in there assisting us, let him know that he needs to provide an
escape route for all of you once she has the princess secured. Do you
have any questions, Violet?"

(Space for Violet's response)

Before The Good Doctor heads to the asylum, he does a quick meditation
to focus his mind to the Forces at his disposal (OOC: He is the Master
of Forces as well as Ether), and he senses something familiar in that
building. Upon analysis, he notes that it's the same pattern he saw as
he was fleeing the scene of the accident a few months ago. #Computer,
standby for IVAN activation.# #Compliance.# says a female sounding
voice over the internal comm channel. As he does this, he is walking
up the street to the asylum. His aura is not glowing at the moment,
since he doesn't want to attract attention yet. He walks through the
main visitors entrance, where he meets an orderly.
[Let's see if this information pans out.] thinks Romanov. "I would
like to visit Mrs. Anna Tchaikovski. I am to understand she has been
sent here. I am her brother and her family is worried about her." says
The Good Doctor. The orderly looks in a book for the list of patients
and says, "Well, I believe I can help you. If you go down that way
into the Foyer and then turn right to the stairs, go up to the 4th
Floor and you find the room that your sister is staying in. Good
luck." he says and turns back to reading his novel.
"Thank you." says Doctor Energy. As he leaves the area, the orderly
puts down his book and picks up the phone. He dials a number and says
to the person at the other end, "There's a man coming looking for
Anna. He is headed your way."
-------
"Thank you, Agent Jones." says Volkov on the other end. [So Doc Eon
seeks to rescue the fair princess. What a surprise will he have when
he realizes that he has no choice. Even if he survives the ambush I
have sent for him there, he will still have to get to her in time.] he
thinks to himself.
"Lackey!"
"Yes sir!" says a red-shirted man.
"Take this up to the machine in Anna's room. Place it in the machine,
and flip the switch. By the time I finish with her would be rescuers,
the process should be complete and she will be back to her old royal
self. And then she will be mine to take to the White Czar."
"Yes sir, very good sir!" says the man, and takes the Personality Tube
and carries it upstairs.
"And now, my time travelling friend," says The Iceman, "Let us see how
you handle 4 Cold Iron Automatons who are have Time Supressors built
in. Any tricks being done to slow or speed time will not work....."

(OOC: Roland, this would be a good time to spring the trap. You can
have Volkov be there when Doc Energy arrives, which will give a face
to the name for Doc Energy. And try to go easy on him.)

Will Doc Energy prevail? Will the scheming Volkov succeed in his plans
to please his "master"? Will Anastasia ever recover her True
Personality in time to be rescued? And who is this Agent Smyth and
Inspector Broomfield?

The answers will come in the next episode of "The Adventures of Doctor
Energy, Scientist Supreme."
=================================

On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 12:05:32 -0800 (PST)
Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000224

> On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 04:18:32 -0500
> Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000223
>
> "Certainly, Violet. I sometimes forget that informal is best in
> certain circumstances."
> The Good Doctor bows his head slightly. "Da, that is very true. We
> have to take what we can get."

   Ultra Violet blinks at Doc Eon's sudden change in tone, one eyebrow
raising beneath her mask.
   [Ut-oh.] She thinks to herself. [I think 'the Just Violet' may
become a favorite newspaper tag phrase for me, if he just recognized
the cognomen. It's so difficult to keep your secrets from a
time-traveler.]
   "There is always a degree of informality between friends and
allies, and I consider you both as those." Violet says, having had
time to get to know these men.

>> "Just Violet." The woman says, with a smile he can only see in her
>> eyes. "I must say, Doctor, you do good work." She raises a hand
>> toward the others, then she twitches slightly before adjusting the
>> wide brim of her hat lower. Her outfit looks almost the same, just
>> a shade bulkier - but still just as purple.

   Her costume shifts from light violet back to deepest purple in a
wavering cascade, as if the light plays on it differently than
everything else in the room, a pale echo of its appearance when it
earns her namesake for her, strobing between the violet to ultraviolet
light ranges.

>>   "Although I fear it shall be weeks before I'm fully accustomed to
>> the tingling of the Life Sense you created in it."
>
> The Good Doctor bows deeply. "Thank you, Just Violet.

   [Looks like I was right. Bet someone overhears him call me that and
its a reporter, before the adventure is over.] Violet sighs. [Ah,
well, it is a flattering name, although probably not deservedly so.]

> "I am glad to see someone appreciate my handiwork. I do hope to
> someday mass produce a less advanced model for someone who would
> appreciate their usefulness. As for the adjustment period for the
> Bioelectric Field, I have been told that meditation can decrease the
> time spent calibrating to it. One of my Akashic friends found that
> technique to be useful. "

   "Indeed. Then I shall employ that means. You are a fount of good
advice, my friend. Though, given Anatasia's endangerment, I shall wait
until after we complete this mission."

> Doc Energy looks serious for a moment, and nods politely. "Da. You
> are correct. Best to not give the cossacks any more ideas than what
> they already have. Ultra Violet, Violet or Just Violet? And let us
> depart."

   "You're insulting Cossacks." Violet opines, then she takes his
offered arm and departs with him.

> "Doc Energy and Violet I presume?" he said quietly.
> "Da, I am Doctor Energy. You must be Smythe?" said The Good Doctor.
> "Yes, Doctor."
> "Violet, I would like you to meet Smythe. This is the contact that
> Doc Eon spoke about."

   "How do you do?" The Lavender Lady acknowledges the introduction
politely, dropping a curtsey with the absent skill of an English
blueblood. She writes herself another mental note to explain to the
Good Doctor that one introduces men to women. She had gotten so
interested in manufacturing this armor she had utterly forgotten the
Propierties. Dreadfully lax of her.

> "So," says The Good Doctor, "what do you have for us, Smythe?"
> "Well, follow me to my car outside and we will take a drive," he
> says as he heads out the door. Outside is a fancy car that looks
> unlike anything you have seen before. It's what would be a 1930s
> style roadster.
>   (OOC: Think something like Tom Sawyers' car in LXG)
> The Good Doctor looks at the car with an approving eye. "Smythe, you
> are more than you seem. This car looks like it is state of the art,
> especially the aerodynamic design. Anything else we should know
> about?"
> Smythe grins impishly, "I am afraid you aren't cleared for that.

   [And how, young man,] Violet thinks to herself with great
amusement, [would you have any idea what I'm cleared to know? I bet my
security clearance is even higher than yours. But there is no need to
mention that, since I am one of the principal designers at Porsche's
Merlin engine division, Britannica. We built this beautiful little
toy. Well, most of it.]

>   But let me say that the US and Britain have enjoyed good relations
> so far, so the Brits were more than happy to help in this endeavor.

   [Amazing what a few friends in high places can do, isn't it?
Especially when you're so secret you're a letter that isn't mentioned,
unlike Q or M. No one speaks of Z. Which is just how I like it.]

> "Volkov!" says The Good Doctor as they are driving pell mell through
> the streets of Berlin heading out of town.
> The agent Smythe seems to be headed to a small town somewhere.
> The Good Doctor starts to crackle and glow and discharges static
> electricity at the mention of his adversarys' name.

   "Doctor, please!" Ultra Violet warns, not without sympathy. "Calm
yourself, or your static will put out enough white noise they'll be
able to trace us by simple radio triangulation."

> "You could say that, my friend. He owes me a debt that cannot be
> paid in money." says Doc Energy grimly. "He thought that by killing
> my wife, that would succeed in silencing my dissent. What happened
> after that is too terrible to tell and would probably take up a few
> pages in a book. I had thought him to be dead from the accident that
> claimed his fellows, but apparently he survived. Though I still
> wonder how, since exposure to that amount of Energy and Ether should
> have killed him as it killed his compatriots."

   "I would say Volkov is a cockroach, a disease-carrying insect
without a single redeeming human trait - but even cockroaches I would
not so deeply insult. He survived because that is what he does best.
We need to find a very large boot, crush him under it, then grind the
remains to a puply smear. Then we might be somewhat assured his
existence is finally at an end." The Just Violet states calmly, her
voice colder than the deepest Siberian winter's snow.

>   The fact that the general is now a general of The Red Army makes
> it interesting. If he succeeds, he will have control of Russia, and
> probably the world." continues Smythe as he makes a sharp turn down
> an alley.

   "Then he must not succeed." Ultra Violet replies, as calmly as if
discussing the weather, rather than the fate of a country.

<snip to the Asylum - geez, what is this, Gotham-in-Russia??>
> "[...] My part in this is I am to drive her to the British Consulate
> where she will be well taken care of until she can be moved to
> another location."
>
> Doc Energy and Violet get out of the car, and move to the middle of
> the street.

   Actually, Violet does not chose to make herself this obvious. She
listens to the Good Doctor's instructions, then she opens her car
door. Even as it closes, the air around her wavers, growing more and
more difficult to look at directly, as one's gaze seems to want to
slide away.

>   "Take these and when you, Violet, have the Princess secured,
> contact Smythe. Smythe, if you have a man in there assisting us, let
> him know that he needs to provide an escape route for all of you
> once she has the princess secured. Do you have any questions,
> Violet?"

   The sound of a closing car door - and Ultra Violet's abrupt
disappearance, are the Good Doctor's only answer. Apparently, the Just
Violet is also a Quick Violet.
=================================

On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 21:52:47 -0500
Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000225

> On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 12:05:32 -0800 (PST)
> Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000224
>
>   "There is always a degree of informality between friends and
> allies, and I consider you both as those." Violet says, having had
> time to get to know these men.

Doc Eon nods, "Then Just Violet it is, then. You are certainly a good
judge of character, which isn't surprising considering that both Emil
and myself are quite the characters."

<snip of cool Armor tricks and realization of her new moniker>
>   "Indeed. Then I shall employ that means. You are a fount of good
> advice, my friend. Though, given Anatasia's endangerment, I shall
> wait until after we complete this mission."

The Good Doctor nods, "Da. Let's not tarry shall we?"

>   "You're insulting Cossacks." Violet opines, then she takes his
> offered arm and departs with him.

Doc Energy nods and smiles, "You are right, of course."

>   [And how, young man,] Violet thinks to herself with great
> amusement, [would you have any idea what I'm cleared to know? I bet
> my security clearance is even higher than yours. But there is no
> need to mention that, since I am one of the principal designers at
> Porsche's Merlin engine division, Britannica. We built this
> beautiful little toy. Well, most of it.]

Smythe notes the amusement in her eyes in response to his joke.
[Knowing what I know, it wouldn't surprise me if she had seen
something like this before. But I never let the truth get in the way
of a good jest.]
"Actually, this is a prototype of something called a Merlin. The
gearheads in Research and Development have been working on this baby
for a while. This kind of thing hasn't been seen much, but I dare say
they will be all the rage someday."

>   "Doctor, please!" Ultra Violet warns, not without sympathy. "Calm
> yourself, or your static will put out enough white noise they'll be
> able to trace us by simple radio triangulation."

The Doc closes his eyes, and clamps down on the discharge. "Thank you,
Violet. The man angers me to no end, but I must control my emotions.
No point in trying to sneak up on them if they can "hear" us coming a
mile away, eh?" he says, his voice trembling slightly in suppressed
anger, with just a hit of amusement. He reaches into his pocket and
pulls out a crystal pendant. He puts it around his neck. "This crystal
will amplify my powers. I have a feeling that I am going to need it."

>> "You could say that, my friend. He owes me a debt that cannot be
>> paid in money." says Doc Energy grimly. "He thought that by killing
>> my wife, that would succeed in silencing my dissent. What happened
>> after that is too terrible to tell and would probably take up a few
>> pages in a book. I had thought him to be dead from the accident
>> that claimed his fellows, but apparently he survived. Though I
>> still wonder how, since exposure to that amount of Energy and Ether
>> should have killed him as it killed his compatriots."

(OOC: I will post something about Volkov in a moment.)

>   "I would say Volkov is a cockroach, a disease-carrying insect
> without a single redeeming human trait - but even cockroaches I
> would not so deeply insult. He survived because that is what he does
> best. We need to find a very large boot, crush him under it, then
> grind the remains to a puply smear. Then we might be somewhat
> assured his existence is finally at an end." The Just Violet states
> calmly, her voice colder than the deepest Siberian winter's snow.

Doc Energy shivers involuntarily at the cold nature of his partners
voice. [That is one woman I would never want to cross.] "I doubt that
there is a boot large enough for the likes of him. Still we shall
endeavor to stamp him out like the heel that he is."

> <snip to the Asylum - geez, what is this, Gotham-in-Russia??>

<OOC: Well, gloomy asylums fit, ya know? And that's Germany. ;-) >

>> Will Doc Energy prevail? Will the scheming Volkov succeed in his
>> plans to please his "master"? Will Anastasia ever recover her True
>> Personality in time to be rescued? And who is this Agent Smyth and
>> Inspector Broomfield?
>>
>> The answers will come in the next episode of "The Adventures of
>> Doctor Energy, Scientist Supreme."

Chapter Seven: A Trap, A Distraction and a Rescue

Doctor Energy walks down the hallway to the Foyer. Suddenly, the
crystal glows. [Hmmm... I think it's time for my entrance. That
crystal glows only when there's danger about.] He smiles in a smug
way, and touches the crystal with his right hand. Suddenly his form
shifts, and the armor flows around his body. The armor is about 6 feet
tall ,(OOC: Looks like this
http://www.brotron.com/pics/images/mercury2.jpg) sleek, with a crystal
in the center of the chest. The head of the armor is more like a
medival (sp?) battle helmet, though there's a glow coming from the eye
slit.

As the armor clanks down the hall, he notices that the sound of his
footsteps is the only thing he hears. He turns on the olifactory
sensors, and smells the hospital smell that is common in places like
this. There are no orderlies or doctors around. This is troubling. He
activates stealth mode, and the silent footsteps continue down the
hall into the Foyer.

------

Smirinov was just an underling. Not even worth mentioning. But the way
Volkov had spoken to him, he had acted as if he was the most important
man in the world right now.
[Volkov told me that my success would be rewarded greatly. All I have
to do is push the button as soon as anyone walks through entrance from
the hall into the Foyer.] His excitement could barely be contained, so
he trembled slightly as the large metal man entered the room. He
turned the knob and pressed the button and activated the recording
device Volkov had given him.

Doc Energy noticed something strange about the 4 large statues in the
Foyer. Their marking seemed...familiar. He almost dismissed them and
continued over to where the stairs were, when he heard a sound like a
gargoyle clearing its throat followed by the sound of metal gears
turning and the unmistakeable smell of ozone and Ether. He turne
around to see the statues climbing down from their pedestals, and
turning to face him. Their eyes were glowing light blue. [No doubt
from the energy they are being powered by. Very clever, Volkov is.
Testing me to see what I can do. Well, far be it from me to disappoint
him.] Suddenly was knocked over as one of the statues tackled him,
sending him reeling into a large potted plant. He grabbed the shards
of the clay pot and threw it into one of the statues, hitting it in
the eyes and blinding it for a moment. Turning his attention to the
one that had tackled him, he diverted all power into the servos
powering the arms and legs of the Ivan Mark 1. With a metallic grunt,
he kicked the automaton off of him, and grabbed it by the leg. He
swung it around, using it as a club. He bashed the one he blinded, and
threw the remaining parts he held into the other robot that was
charging him. The throw didn't hit, bnt it distracted the robot enough
for him to raise his right hand and with a bolt of lighthning and a
large "CRRRRACKLE" the giant fell. He was just composing himself, when
he heard a metallic "snick shunk" and saw that the forth robot was
pointing a large bore weapon at him with a drum on the side. The
crystal on his chest glowed, and suddenly time slowed from his
perspective. As the robot "rat-tat-tat-tat"ed a hail of bullets at
him, he watched as the bullets made trails toward him. He dodged them
all, and raised his left hand and targeted the ammo box on the arm of
the thing. The Etheric bolt hit the box, and there was a large
"KABOOM!" as the ammo inside the box cooked off. When the smoke
cleared, the robot was missing the arm, but the rest of him seemed to
be working. The robot locked eyes onto Doc Energy's form, and with
another metallic sound, an object much like a radio antenna extended
from the robot's head. Suddenly, an ear piercing sound emitted from
the robot. Doc Energy was overwhelmed. This was a new form of energy
he had not yet experienced. HIs whole being was being vibrated, to the
point to where if it continued his robotic body would come apart.

#Mr. Romanovvvvvv. Ssssurprised to see my plaything?# said a cool
voice in his "head" #I would think you would have recognized my
handiwork, being as how you destroyed some of them the first time we
met.# #Volkov! You fiend. You knew I might be coming here, didn't
you?#

#The thought had occured to me# said a emotionless Volkov, #which why
the 3 robots were to occupy you while the 4th powered up the Sonic
Wave Transducer. You will now watch as I reduce your pitiful machine
to useless parts. Then when I am done, I will take the crystal and
smash it.#

#Nooooooo!# says the Doc, hoping that the Just Violet has reached
Anastasia and Volkov in time. [I don't know how much my shields can
take this punishment.]

(OOC: This would be a good time for UV to arrive in the room where
Volkov and Anastasia are in just in the Nick of Time.)

Doc Energy
------
"Fortune favors the bold."
=================================

Subject: Interlude 2: A Villian Emerges

On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 23:58:08 -0500
Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000226

November 1917:

Volkov sat in a lounge chair in the halls of The Order of Reason. The
Heads of the Order were in the other room, deciding his fate. As they
debated he recalled what brought him here in the first place.

A month earlier, on the Romanov estate:

Cold. He awoke to blackness, surrounded by cold. His brain was afire,
as if it had been shocked by a bolt of lightning. He remembered
slowly, as if his brain were in cold molasses. He was standing in
front of Doctor Romanov, and had just given the order to terminate his
wife. He knew that he had to send a message to Romanov and his kind.
Ether was dead, and the sooner they accepted the fact, the less likely
incidents such as these would be necessary.

He remembered a flash, and then blackness. He looked down at his body,
of which the clothing was tattered and burned. By all rights he should
be dead. Agent Smith was certainly as he walked to where he was. The
ashen remains and bits of bone were the only thing to mark his
passing. The burned and melted hulks of the robots were also another
sign. Suddenly, like a flash of cold fire in his mind, a wave of heat
passed over him. He passed out, and when he came to, he was standing
up and he was no longer cold. It was as if the cold didn't affect him.
In fact, he was absorbing the cold energy and he was also absorbing
the energy left over from the burned out Tesla coils.

It was then that he realized that the "accident" had changed him. Not
only was his brain working faster and better, but he was also able to
withstand a full electrical blast. Thinking quickly, he went to the
estate, broke in from the side and while avoiding the Bolshevic guards
that were herding the staff and the Royal Family in the basement, he
went to the Tsar's bedroom. He searched for a moment, and found the
best black suit he could find. He then raced downstairs to the
basement. He could hear the guards arguing. He avoided them, and
ducked into a side room and climbed out of the window.

As he ran he heard the shots of the guards. He knew that the Romanovs
were dead, and he had better hide until he could get off the land as
the area was crawling with guards. He hid in the woods, and watched as
they dumped the bodies of the Romanovs. He waited patiently. Then the
guards left. He walked quickly past the site where they dumped the
bodies. As he passed by, he heard a small voice. "Please......please
help." The voice was female. THinking quickly he moved the bodies
aside, and at the bottom of the pile....was Anastasia. She was wounded
and getting worse with the cold, but she was still alive.

Volkov was not a passionate man. He was, however, a pragmatic man and
a realist. He had heard that The White Czar was looking for a way to
get into the Royal Family, if only to take over Russia and eventually
the world. He also knew that he loved the Princess with as much love
as his black heart could give. It was then that he realized the key to
his salvation lie with this girl. Picking her up as easily as
anything, he carried her out of the woods and away from danger.

November 1917 In A Secret Location near St. Petersburg:

The door to the conference room opened which snapped Volkov out of his
reviere. His face did not show the surprise at the sudden entrance of
the page. One thing he had learned in the month he had his "gift" he
had learned to sense when someone was coming toward him. It wasn't
fine tuned, so he could still be surprised. But one of the things that
had been burned away was his ability to feel any kind of emotion. He
was a good actor and could "fake" it if he needed to, but that was
rare.

"They will see you now, sir." said the page in a perfunctory tone.
"Good." said Volkov, rising from his chair.

Sometime later, in a small town in Germany:

If one were to go by outward appearances, Dimitri Volkov appeared as
calm as anything. How wrong they would be if they were to see the cold
fire of his rage. [Damn them. SHort sighted fools. They have no idea.
Suspended!! Indefinately!?! As if I had anything to do with what
happened!] He sighed. The Council heard his arguments, but they all
agreed that while the accident was unavoidable, the resulting
explosion would have been disastrous had any Sleepers happened upon
them. The resulting Paradox would have ripped a hole in reality (or so
they believed), and so Volkov was to be made an example of. The irony
of it didn't pass unnoticed by him. He was sent by his "masters" to
give Romanov and the Etherians what happens when you buck the will of
Order. The methods of it were at his disposal. And he was being
punished for doing their bidding.

[It is of no concern.] he thought as he entered the main entrance of
the asylum. He walked thru the Foyer, past the "guards" he had
secretly put there. He walked up the stairs to the top floor of
building, sweat dampening the underarms of his shirt due to the
exercise. He walked down to room 1408, which was interesting since it
was the only room on the floor. The key to this room was available
only to him. He unlocked it, and inside was a room filled with strange
devices. One device that held his attention was also the device that
housed one Anastasia Romanov. There was a skull cap on her head, with
green light passing in and out of it. He followed the line to another
machine where a small vaccum tube was inserted. It was filling slowly
with a greenish light that pulsed. [Hah. Those fools in the Order had
no idea the potential they were wasting with the expulsion of Ether.]
As calculating, cold and efficient as he was, he had to give credit to
the Etherians. They were able to produce some wonderous devices. This
one would prove to be the key to his salvation. [And the best part is,
not even the celebrated Doctor Romanov can stop me. Let him try to
come and rescue his beloved niece. I suspected that if I survived the
accident, he would as well. And when he tries to rescue her, I will
have a surprise for him.]

He chuckled maniacally as he removed the vac tube and set off for the
estate of.....The White Czar.
=================================

On Wed, 3 Dec 2003 18:32:01 -0800 (PST)
Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000227

> On Tue, 2 Dec 2003 21:52:47 -0500
> Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000225
>
> Chapter Seven: A Trap, A Distraction and a Rescue

<snip Doctor Energy in the horrific grip of the Sonic Wave Transducer,
as his nemesis, Volkov, taunts him remotely, savoring the thought of
shattering the good Doctor's crystal>

   The control and communications unit for Volkov's robotic assassins
is suddenly slammed out of his hands. Velvet and violet gloved hands
snatch it from mid-air. Even as the rest of Ultra Violet's form ceases
to waver the very light and gaze of her enemy, the box descends to
deal the infamous Iceman a savage blow across his smugly vicious
expression. The machine strikes with such force it is immediately
shattered, and the Iceman's face is lacerated as he is thrown bodily
from his chair to the floor.
   "You really should rise when a Lady enters the room." A cold but
eerily familiar female voice advises him, cruel satisfaction etched in
the low pitched and sensual voice.
   Volkov is stunned from the blow, but he is even more stunned by the
sheer force of it. No woman could possibly be that strong. Not,
however, so stunned he fails to counter-attack. He kicks out, trying
to break her knee, but it is armored. He only manages to knock her off
her feet.
   The deafening blast of a heavy handgun roars, the bullet creasing
him in the ribs. This purple dressed lady - wearing a skirt and a
mask?! - just _shot_ him. Even as she falls, she tries again, this
time only spraying him with splinters as the heavy slug impacts the
chair arm near his face.
   His hand slams into her gunhand, forcing the weapon to the floor,
even as his other hand claws at her eyes. The Iceman has never been
one to panic, of course, but this violet lady is supernaturally fast.
His fingers only succeed in dragging the silk mask and hat off her
head.
   Zatrina's eyes, cold and blue and hard, regard him with the chill
of the grave, even as her arm, stronger than any ghost's should be,
begins to win against his full strength, bringing the gun back up to
finish him.
   Even the Iceman knows when enough is enough. He yells, his men
provide covering fire (careful not to hit Anatasia), and he beats a
retreat. The covering fire doesn't last long - she is a superb shot
when not being wrestled. Three men have bullets in their hands, and
another loses his gun as hers speak with an authoritative, disciplined
bat-bat-baht of cool, precise shots.
   The Just Violet, annoyed that she couldn't execute Volkov in the
same manner that he killed Zatrina, knocks empty catridges out and
reloads. Even as she empties another gun slowly to keep Volkov's thugs
at bay, she walks over to gaze at the horrific looking machine over
the bed.
   Anatasia's eyes open, "Where?" She pauses, understandably worried
by the guns.
   "I'm with Emil." Ultra Violet reassures her. One hand plucks loose
the mysterious tube, securing it in her hat. No time to redon the
mask, so it is merely draped around her neck. "Out the window, please.
Down. I'll tell our driver." She says, in between more sharp gunfire.
   #Quarry taken, birds in flight, come and get us, back north face.#
She tells Smythe. Violet follows Anatasia, backing toward the window,
as she reloads another time. She carefully closes the window, on a
thin strip of what looks like purple putty she places under the
lowering sash.
   "Down, please, Anatasia. Don't look back; that will blind them long
enough for us to escape, if they bother to open it and follow." The
Just Violet pauses, letting Anatasia get a flight ahead, then she
simply hurdles over the railing. She lands lightly on the next
landing, right behind the startled woman.
   "Keep going. There's our car." Violet urges, wanting to put some
distance between them and Volkov. [I hope Doc doesn't get carried away
with his desire for revenge. I wish he wanted justice, instead.]

--
the Just Violet,
a Night Flower whose very perfume makes Evil Tremble
=================================

On Wed, 3 Dec 2003 23:41:04 -0500
Saint Dharma / Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000228

> On Wed, 3 Dec 2003 18:32:01 -0800 (PST)
> Ziactrice Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000227
>
<snip of a very impressive display of power and skill>
>   #Quarry taken, birds in flight, come and get us, back north face.#
> She tells Smythe. Violet follows Anatasia, backing toward the
> window, as she reloads another time. She carefully closes the
> window, on a thin strip of what looks like purple putty she places
> under the lowering sash.

#Roger that.# With amazing skill and speed, Smythe whirls the car down
to the area behind the Asylum.

>   "Keep going. There's our car." Violet urges, wanting to put some
> distance between them and Volkov. [I hope Doc doesn't get carried
> away with his desire for revenge. I wish he wanted justice,
> instead.]

Smythe watches as the Just Violet runs to the car with the Princess in
tow. [Poor thing] he thinks as he gazed upon the Princess [she must
have been in a terrible state. Fortunately, I have an escape route
already planned.] He quickly gets out of the car, and opens the door
just as Violet and The Princess reach it. They both jump in, and he
gets back in the car. He floors it, and runs the car down the back
alley toward the street. #Doc, do you read me? We have the package and
the Violet.# says Smythe. No answer comes.

Meanwhile, back in the foyer....

Doc Energy, who was in the struggle with Volkov's infernal machine,
suddenly felt nothing. He looked up, noticing that the Sonic
Transducer was no longer working. Most of the glass and things had
been shattered to bits and as he stood up, he looked down and noticed
that there was a slight crack in the armor. [Heavens. I suppose I
should thank the Just Violet for this.] As he is examing the armor, a
loud *CRACK* erupts from the staircase. He feels the kinetic energy of
the bullet as it whizzes past him. He looks to see where the shot came
from and he stares into the face of his nemesis, Volkov.

"Volkov!" he shouts, grinding his teeth as he realized that his enemy
has the drop on him.
"Actually, you may call me The Iceman, and now you must feel the
frosty chill of your doom, Doctor Energy...or should I say..Dr.
Romanov!" he says and suddenly he drops the gun and blasts The Good
Doctor with a frozen wave of energy. In his hands is a strange
gun-like device. "Do you like my new toy? I call it the Matter
Transducer. It can heat up and freeze all forms of matter. I notice
that your armor and your crystal are matter. So if my robot couldn't
finish you, the beam from my gun will freeze you till you shatter to a
million pieces."

Doc Energy writhes for a moment as the freeze ray hits him full force.
He is curled into a ball, but is still on his feet. "You silly little
ex-Man in Black. In your race to beat me at my own game, you failed to
consider one thing." says the Doc with a hint of smug satisfaction in
his voice. "Oh? And what is that pray tell?" says The Iceman "That you
still power for that gun....and power....comes...from.....ENERGY!"
shouts the Doc and suddenly he bolts upright as the crystal absorbs
the blast from the Matter Transducer. He starts to glow a bright blue
from the beam, and then suddenly he raises his hands and blasts
Volkov's gun out of his hands. As the gun falls, he rushes him and
slams into him, throwing both him and the Doc out the broken window
into the street. Both land in a tangle of bodies, as each struggles to
get the best of the other. Their strength is evenly matched at the
moment, as both have suffered injuries that would kill normal men. But
they are far from normal. Suddenly both rise to their feet, trading
titanic blows and throwing each other into walls, trees and lampposts.

Then Doc Energy flattens Iceman with a roundhouse blow, which sends
him flying into the street. Catlike, the Doc pounces onto Volkov and
starts beating him about the face and neck. "This is for my family.
This is for Anastasia. And....this....is.....for.....my......WIFE, you
bastard!" and as he says the last sentence he picks up the unconscious
Volkov and throws him into the top floor window. Suddenly the top
floor of the building explodes in a shower of glass and brick. Doc
Energy doesn't see this, as he has curled up into a heap on the
street.

Smythe hears the commotion outside, and drives just in time to see the
Doc crumple. Anastasia gets out of the car, and goes to her cousin.
"Uncle Emil. Come, let us get away from this dreadful place."she says
as she helps him into the waiting car where they speed away toward the
British Consulate.


Chapter 8: Heroes, Triumphant.

The robotic body of Doc Energy lies on a table, as a machine hums,
doing repairs on critical systems. Suddenly, the crystal on his chest
glows, and the Doc morphs out of the crystal into the laboratory,
where he forms into his human body. He turns and sees Violet and his
neice standing near, with worried looks on their faces.

"Dear Uncle," says Stasia,"I want to thank you for rescuing me from my
fate. I am told by both Smythe, Dr. Mercer and Broomfield that had The
Iceman succeeded, I would have been taken by a terrible man calling
himself The White Czar. His goal was apparently to use me as a tool to
legitimize his claim to the Russian throne. He would have then used
his cunning and cruel nature to bully and cajole leaders who would
provide him with the means to retake Russia and eventually the world.
Fortunately, you both," she said indicating both Violet and her uncle,
"you arrived just as he finished the the Personality Transfer."

Suddenly, Romanov walks over and embraces his beloved neice. He holds
her tightly, as if to not ever let her go. "Yes, it is fortunate. But
fortune, while favoring the bold, doesn't always hold. The Czar's arm
will try to recapture you, my dear. And I must not let that happen."
She returns his embrace, and as the break, she stands on her tiptoes
and kisses him on the cheek. "I love you, uncle. I was always
fascinated by your wonderful machines, but didn't realize that they
could be both terrible and wonderful at the same time. Violet was
telling me what a good job you did on her armor." Doc Energy gets a
slight flush as he looks over at Violet.

"You are right, though. But I cannot think of where I could go that he
could not reach me."
"Well, sweetheart," says another voice emerging from a door that was
nearby, "I believe I have an answer to that." She turns to look and
there stands Doc Eon and his Men of Many Tomorrows. Eon continues, "Me
and the Boys have found a tunnel that leads to a monastery in Ancient
Tibet. We were searching the Hollow Earth for some place to put you,
but could not find one. We did find this tunnel, and what we found
there was a wonderful paradise. The monks and others that live there
are isolated, so the White Czars arm would have to be long indeed to
reach you there. I sent my native guide to speak to them, and they
agreed to take you in until things blow over. Then once I return to
tell them that things are safe for you, you can leave."

"Oh Uncle." says the Princess, excitement bubbling forth from her
voice, "A girl of my intelligence could not ask for a better hiding
place." Doc Energy smiles, and realizes that he truly loves her, since
she is the only family he has left. [Well, almost] he thinks as he
looks over at Violet.
"Stasia, these men will take you to where you need to go. Blessings
upon you, and may our House endure. Go, with my blessing."
"T-Thank you, Uncle." she says as she rushes over to Doc Eon, who
takes her by the elbow and leads her out the door and to safety.

A solitary tear escapes from Emil's face as he watches her go. He
wipes it away, and turns to Violet. "Well, there was another good
reason for her to leave here?" he said with an impish grin.
"What's that, Doctor?" asked the Just Violet.
"So she would not have to try your cooking." he says, and laughs
merrily.
A sound that has not been heard in a while.


Epilogue:

[There's one thing I couldn't understand about the whole scene,]
thought Broomfield as he supervised the cleanup and shut down of the
Asylum, [My associates had the finest bloodhounds, searchers and
psychics combing the area. And the didn't find one evidence of The
Iceman's trace. Not even a body, which there should have been.]
"Inspector?" said a man at his right, shivering from the cold.
"Yes, Smythe." said Inspector Broomfield.
"We have re-searched the entire area, questioned all witnesses, and
they still have found no trace of The Iceman. Even though they swear
they saw him enter the building, they never saw him leave. Not even
when the place went up. And no trace of his body was found anywhere."
"Well, we can only assume that he was vaporized when his infernal
machines blew up along with the top floor. Well, I have a report to
make, and you have one as well to your superiors."
"Yes, Inspector. Should I notify Doctor...ah....Romanov?"
"No.. But we will Dr. Mercer when he returns from safari."
"Very good, sir." said the agent.
And with that both Smythe and Broomfield left the crime scene, heading
for the hotel for a good nights' rest.

Had they known the truth, they would not have rested at all. For the
reason that they never found a body was because Volkov had been thrown
a long distance in the explosion.
[Oh, my head. I haven't felt like this since the last time I got drunk
on vodka.] thought Volkov wearily. He was lucky. He managed to land on
a bale of hay in a cart about 10 blocks from where the Asylum blew up.
He had managed to escape notice before the police had arrived, and was
able to steal a car to drive back to the train station. There he got
the first ticket back to Russia.

As he approached the steps of The White Czar's palace, he stopped and
thought about running. [Running is not an option. The White Czar has
eyes and ears everywhere. My only hope is that I can appeal to his
practical nature. The fool will probably blame me for the mishap, when
it was his plan in the first place to kidnap her. Had it not been
for....Doctor Energy aka Romanov.] he thought bitterly, the sting of
the bruises he suffered at Doctor Energy's hands adding emphasis to
his thoughts. He sighed, and composed himself as best he could. Then
he went inside to face his "firing sqaud". Just before he entered the
private chambers of the Czar, he smiled slightly (which was a chilling
thing) [At least they all believe I am dead. Perhaps it is best if
they believe so. Then I will wait. Even if it takes me 20 years or
more, I will wait until opportunity strikes. And then when I strike,
no one will be able to stop me. Not even.....Doctor Energy.]

The End?
=================================

Subject: Re: AAE9 SO: OOC Adventures of Dr. Energy

On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 21:47:02 -0800
Roland X Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000235

> On Sat, 6 Dec 2003 20:28:00 -0500
> Dr. Energy Said As SO.CAoL Message # 00000229

<Ultra-Snippet>
> OOC2: To Roland. Who is the Eternal you were referring to in A
> Villian in Vienna? And could you tell me just WHAT an Eternal is?

   Y'know, I'm sure I had someone in mind for the Eternal accompanying
Volkov. It'll come to me...
   As for _what_ an Eternal is, well, that's Roland's bunch. Cosmic
immortals with mental powers, as explained on my Earth-9 site. At this
stage of history, only two Gate Keys power the Eternals:
   All Eternals can have telepathy, ESP/astral, psychokinetic,
teleportation, biokinesis, and metapsi (Gate Key manipulation;
strengthen/weaken others' psionic and/or super powers, and resist
powers that do the same).
   Wielders of the First Gate Key can alter matter. Wielders of the
Second Gate Key (as Roland used to be) can alter the flows of
quintessence/ley lines, aka magical energy.
=================================