Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 9: Various Adventures Islands, ch. 2 Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:38:52 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00012143 >On Fri, 9 Jul 2004 07:17:08 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012135 > >>On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 00:44:52 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00012132 >> >> He grins with teeth set to "maximum charm." > > RedZia notices this, but despite her self-admitted status as the >passionate, chromatic split from Ziactrice, even Kanto's maximum >charm bounces off her somber frown with only the slightest slackening >of the concern in her eyes. Kanto turns the dial down to "confident and reassuring." >> "Ah, milady...RedZia, I believe?" he asks/says with a bow; not >>deep, but not shallow either, and in full flourish mode. > > RedZia returns it with the regulation 6-cm Oriental bow between >equals - with absolute grace and absolutely zero flourish. Something >possibly only Roger, Seeker, or Eric could read as Serious Danger >Sign (although perhaps Kanto will surprise, no telling where he has >trained). Kanto does not read the bow's meaning as it pertains specifically to RedZia, but has wits enough to realize that something is amiss. Even he knows her well enough by now to realize that she simply does not do things without a certain flair. >> "You seem determined to prove yourself quite the colorful >>companion." > > "I have no need to prove anything further to you, do I? I just >color inside the actress' lines." RedZia retorts. "Though fencing >with you even verbally is not to be disdained, I have a message of >great import and must. Rio?" Kanto nods and steps to one side, allowing the Ecstatic full view/use of the doorway. > "Eric has been kidnapped by the Queen of Spades, also known as >Infra-red. He was flown out of the Nile Empire to her hideaway, a >research lab complex built on the backs of - last I knew - five >titanic turtles. She is an archenemy of Ultra-violet's, a Progenitor >gone wrong, and worst, a sadist of such an extreme cruelty." RedZia's >voice is hard and ... yes, worried. Rio goes pale when she hears the name of Eric's captor. Fortunately, Kanto is there when she reaches out for something to steady herself. > "Violet went in after him immediately. She can travel, after all, >at the speed of light. However, even a few moments in IR's hands can >be -" Even Redzia pauses. "Too long." Yes, too long. Anyone who'd been part of Mage society for any length of time had heard stories, enough backed up with fact to take even those which might have grown in the telling without adding much salt. > "Given how Infra-red hates her, how long they've fought, and how >well IR knows her, and planning that went into the snatch on Eric, we >both doubt UV can get him away clean. Violet is speeding into the >jaws of the trap to try protect him until they can both be rescued by >a followup team." Rio nods, trying to assimilate the situation as the Zia In Red describes it. > "I thought you would want to know, perhaps even accompany us on >the rescue, since he is your brother, dear. UV didn't want to strip >the Nile Realm team, but I'll probably ask Roger Thunder and the Kai >- heavy hitters. I believe Quite Moon can also double as a healer. >I'm afraid we're going to need one, for Eric and Violet both, if IR >holds true to form." "Thank you." While not leaning quite so hard on the New God, Rio is still obviously recovering from the shock. > A momentary look of slight relief crosses the red-wearing, >pirate-clad, petite Amberite's face. "And it looks like I may have >help from quarter's unexpected. Hello, Tink?" She addresses the red >(Natch!) lens on her gloved wrist. "Meet us in whichever planning >room Steppenwolf's camped out in, please?" One of the Sevens was here. This was a good thing. Planning was also a good thing. The Queen of Spades. Holy hell. Meanwhile, AT the Hall of Champions... >On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 04:56:22 +0100 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012136 >In the main chamber of the island, a console lights up, showing an >incoming transporter beam on the landing pad. Cameras swivel to get a >look at the location, and a Star Trek style transporter beam shimmers >with blue white energy as a short, feminine figure forms within. Orchid races along the console. "Incoming." Seeker looks up, having been gazing with interest at Zia -- Prime? -- until now. "Got an ID?" >Highly advanced microphones pick up her voice, a match for Marilyn >Monroe. "Permission to come aboard?" > >A small light on the security camera, initially red, then yellow as >the transporter beam was recognized, flashs green as the facial >recognition and voice prints match the twins and Tink's mental >signature seperating her from her identical foremothers. Orchid grins. "You could say that." Seeker walks over and looks at the monitor, nodding. "One of Roland's X-D friends. {Permission granted,}" he replies to Tink in a cheery voice. >Tink passes through the main control room on her way to the meeting >room, stopping at one of the control consoles. Updating her security >file with the main computers takes her only a few seconds. > >"Hello, just making sure everything's current." "No problem, miss," Seeker replies with a salute. "In fact, depending on how fate moves, we may be joining ya soon, Jag 'n me, that is." >She also adds a note to the system regarding Rio de Janeiro, which >she encrypts for Defender and Solitaire's eyes only. The file >notation says "Full report on how it was freed as of this coming >dawn." Seeker grins as the gray spot on the map clears. Jaguar rumbles deep in his throat. "Long have I wanted to introduce myself to the Queen of Spades. >Moving on, she makes her way to the room she told RedZia about. >Entering, she nods to Steppenwolf, remarking "General," then runs her >hands over the controls for the wall mounted display screen set >before a long table with low-backed chairs. Steppenwolf grunts in reply, looking Tink over expertly. >Taking a step back, she observes the display a few moments, standing >at-ease, hands clasped behind her back, attention mostly on Rio de >Janeiro, then nods to herself, turning and taking a seat at the head >of the table's left hand, swiveling her chair to look at the display >again and await the meeting. Seemingly satisfied by his findings, the New God of War follows suit, taking interest in Baghdad. Moments later, Rio and Kanto (and presumably RedZia) enter. While Rio is no longer holding on to Kanto for support, she is visibly pale. "Mmm," Steppenwolf says. "Good. Now." He turns to another wall and presses something. The center section of the wall becomes a map of the South Pacific. "Intelligence from the various chromatic Ziactrices and the Champions theorize that the 'Queen of Spades' aka Infra-Red controls an island in this region of the--" Seeker strolls in. "Sorry I'm late," he quips, earning a withering gaze from Steppenwolf he ignores. "Had Orchid take my slot in the control room. Please continue," he adds to the Apokoliptian general. Steppenwolf grunts. "--this region of the planet. According to sentient intelligence and available data, this Infra-Red possesses a wide range of biological weaponry, ranging from the viral to the gargantuan. In addition, while not her area of expertise, she does control a moderate range of automated hardtech defenses. The Champions' files record that over the last several years, the target has maintained a low profile, extending contacts to the various beings of power on this world. They suspect that these contacts include the planetary police force UNTIL, the criminal empire Viper, the society of the Eternals that are the New Gods' cousins, and various national governments, of which her theorized alliance with Doctor Destroyer they find most disconcerting." Rio's eyes widen at Steppenwolf's litany, and her gaze turns to Seeker. "Ya have a gift for understatement, Step," Seeker replies. Turning to Rio, he adds, "We can't confirm a bit of this, miss, an' we don't want anyone panickin' on bad intel." He chuckles. "We know how that is, don'we?" "The self-mutating conqueror Malachite is also believed to be one of her progeny," Steppenwolf continues as if he hadn't been interrupted. "We may have to deal with this multi-powered being as well." He puts down the stylus that he'd been gesturing at the map with, which had zoomed out and in as he spoke. "RedZia, would you like to take over the briefing from here? Unless I am mistaken, you know the target better than any others present." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 20:13:20 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012148 >On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 17:38:52 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00012143 >[Steppenwolf] puts down the stylus that he'd been gesturing at the >map with, which had zoomed out and in as he spoke. "RedZia, would you >like to take over the briefing from here? Unless I am mistaken, you >know the target better than any others present." "Not difficult, given that none of you have met her. The basics you covered, are, for the most part, true. Ultra-violet has tracked Eric to this location." RedZia takes up the stylus, and points at the map. She doesn't zoom, but instead a screen jumps to life. It shows a deep fern-jungle, and a huge flying bug of some sort, at least two handspans long, zooms past. "On this particular turtle-back island, one of the Dinosaur epochs has been recreated. This lab hasn't been used in some years; large carnivorous dinosaurs have - oooww!" A cut, deep and so sharp it hesitates for a second before welling with red blood opens itself on RedZia's cheek, extending almost to her ear. RedZia breaks off the startled exclamation of pain, placing her hand over the wound and applying pressure. [Pause in case anyone wants to ask why - or not, if everyone here can logically deduce that VioletZia and RedZia (and probably all the rest of them) are experiencing the same wound.] "There are mechanisms; a camera-orb armed with explosively-fired stilletos has been found." RedZia adds quietly. "The dinosaurs will be attracted by blood smell, and IR is also fond of deadfall-weight traps, vines and other plants with toxic thorns, particularly species of cacti that _shoot_ thorns at a distance at ground vibrations at any creature venturing too near." "IR herself is a cold, calculated, superior mind. She is also a sadist, one of only three weaknesses. If her plan can be upset, or put off on the timing, that works well. As a secondary, but much more dangerous strategy, her sadism can distract her." "This can result in mistakes due to tarrying in the wrong place - this trait resulted in her only arrest to date by regular authorities. However, she has studied several disciplines of the Mind, because her sadism extends far beyond the purely physical aspects of pain. This weakness is not one you'd really want to invoke, unless you had no other options - nughgh." A bloom of spots, darker red than her sash, appear across RedZia's hip, spreading to her mid-stomach in an instant. She shakes her head, and waits until both wounds can be bandaged from whatever first-aid box might be near. Then she continues. "Third, IR's hate of Ultra-violet is well beyond obsessive into maniacal. Given the choice between another target and UV, without threat to herself, IR will always choose to attack UV - unless she can hurt her more by damaging someone close to UV. Given UV's talents, and IR's clones, neither has gained the upper hand in direct attacks against each other's person, so IR has apparently decided to take Eric as a secondary targets of opportunity." "I suggest heavy explosives and weaponry. Dinosaurs, I remind you, have very slow nervous systems. Eric is apparently trapped deep within the buidling complex underground. UV is updating me as often as possible via her Lens; I will apprise you of further developments." "Seeker, is there some form of transport in case we have wounded to extract? I can shift us as necessary, but a vehicle would be nice, if it can be parked remotely. No vehicle can be sealed so tight as to deny IR's creatures any entry." "Are there any other questions before we depart? We need to go soon." -- RedZia "A bit redder than I'd like to be, actually. Ow!" =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 04:53:30 +0100 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012149 >On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 20:13:20 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012148 > >"On this particular turtle-back island, one of the Dinosaur epochs >has been recreated. This lab hasn't been used in some years; large >carnivorous dinosaurs have - oooww!" A cut, deep and so sharp it >hesitates for a second before welling with red blood opens itself on >RedZia's cheek, extending almost to her ear. RedZia breaks off the >startled exclamation of pain, placing her hand over the wound and >applying pressure. Tink is beside her swiftly, a gauze pad proffered, ready with tape to hold it in place. "Anti-infection ointment," she explains discreetly, then steps back to return the 'stage' to RedZia. >A bloom of spots, darker red than her sash, appear across RedZia's >hip, spreading to her mid-stomach in an instant. She shakes her head, >and waits until both wounds can be bandaged from whatever first-aid >box might be near. Then she continues. Tink seemed to be waiting for this, a medical kit in hand from the Champion Island's medical facilities. She works quickly and quietly, as if she were treating nothing more than a scraped knee. And again, quickly returning the floor to Zia. >"Are there any other questions before we depart? We need to go soon." Tink waits to see what others have to say. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 23:33:05 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00012150 >On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 20:13:20 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012148 >"I suggest heavy explosives and weaponry. Dinosaurs, I remind you, >have very slow nervous systems. Eric is apparently trapped deep >within the buidling complex underground. UV is updating me as often >as possible via her Lens; I will apprise you of further >developments." The New Gods nod thoughtfully. Seeker takes in the information carefully. Rio listens quietly, cradling a cup of chamomile tea in her hands and taking occasional distracted sips. >"Seeker, is there some form of transport in case we have wounded to >extract? I can shift us as necessary, but a vehicle would be nice, if >it can be parked remotely. No vehicle can be sealed so tight as to >deny IR's creatures any entry." Seeker grins. "Ya haven't met Slingshot yet, have ya? Quantum an' Big D kitted her out to keep Doc D from teleportin' in, Orchid and Soli have 'er magic-shielded all over the place, and she's got force-field an' air filters t' beat the band -- not Doc D, Mechanon, or Malachite can get a nanite or virus through. 'Course, she can't hold out _forever_ if she's got Jurassic Park poundin' on 'er, but she's fully VTOL-capable too, with onboard smart evasion. Q's proud of 'er, an' with good reason." >"Are there any other questions before we depart? We need to go soon." Seeker's grin vanishes, and he looks...distant for a moment. Then he turns to Rio. "One, but for someone else. Lancer? Got somethin' on your mind, there?" "Yeah, lots," Rio replies, the sound somewhere between a chuckle and a gasp. The Ozzie Akashic gives her a (relatively) long look. "You know, we could use Orchid on this op. If you're okay with manning the conn, that might help a fair bit." Rio looks at Seeker a bit blankly for a moment, then smiles sheepishly. "Thanks," she sighs. "He's my brother, but I can't help feeling that an op like this needs every member to be a full asset, and...," the Ecstatic grins, regret and relief flashing in her eyes, "I think I'll be a bigger help to Eric by not getting in over my head." Seeker pats her on the shoulder in a brotherly way. "Don't you sweat it, Rio. Three rules: know yourself, know your enemy, know your terrain. You do what ya can." He turns to Kanto. "An' you?" Kanto frowns. "As much as I would enjoy the challenge, this is your world, Champion. And there is my word to Eric to consider. Take your team, if you wish; I will remain." Seeker turns to show a surprisingly dark grin to RedZia. "A lot of us have wanted a piece of Spadey for a while now. You can count on the Champions -- well, 'alf of us, anyway." Steppenwolf watches this exchange neutrally. When it's finished, he turns to RedZia. "I will requisition what automated weaponry I can extract from Desaad. Are there any more specific armaments that you recommend?" =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 11:57:42 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012152 >On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 04:53:30 +0100 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012149 >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012148 >Tink is beside her swiftly, a gauze pad proffered, ready with tape to >hold it in place. > >"Anti-infection ointment," she explains discreetly, then steps back >to return the 'stage' to RedZia. "Thank you." Red Zia says, before returning to her task. >>"... This weakness is not one you'd really want to invoke, unless >>you had no other options - nughgh." A bloom of spots, darker red >>than her sash, appear across RedZia's hip, spreading to her >>mid-stomach in an instant. > >Tink seemed to be waiting for this, a medical kit in hand from the >Champion Island's medical facilities. She works quickly and quietly, >as if she were treating nothing more than a scraped knee. And again, >quickly returning the floor to Zia. Red Zia is plainly glad of the help. She rewinds her sash and ties it with a certain storminess of eye that promises pain to the one currently giving her the same, but she says only, "Thanks again, Tink. I'm glad you came." Then she continues with the briefing, favoring the wounded side very slightly. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 15:22:52 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012157 >On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 23:33:05 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00012150 >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012148 > Seeker grins. "Ya haven't met Slingshot yet, have ya? Quantum an' >Big D kitted her out to keep Doc D from teleportin' in, Orchid and >Soli have 'er magic-shielded all over the place, and she's got >force-field an' air filters t' beat the band -- not Doc D, Mechanon, >or Malachite can get a nanite or virus through. 'Course, she can't >hold out _forever_ if she's got Jurassic Park poundin' on 'er, but >she's fully VTOL-capable too, with onboard smart evasion. Q's proud >of 'er, an' with good reason." Red Zia blinks. "Big D, eh?" A quick, utterly wicked smile, then she nods. "I rather thought you'd have something, but Slingshot sounds like perfection itself. Thank you." >Rio looks at Seeker a bit blankly for a moment, then smiles >sheepishly. "Thanks," she sighs. "He's my brother, but I can't help >feeling that an op like this needs every member to be a full asset, >and...," the Ecstatic grins, regret and relief flashing in her eyes, >"I think I'll be a bigger help to Eric by not getting in over my >head." > > Seeker pats her on the shoulder in a brotherly way. "Don't you >sweat it, Rio. Three rules: know yourself, know your enemy, know your >terrain. You do what ya can." He turns to Kanto. "An' you?" "For myself," Red Zia says softly to Rio as the men continue speaking, "I'm glad you're staying. I didn't want to ask you to stay considering it's your brother at hazard, but having a CAoLer stay here with me is... reassuring." > Seeker turns to show a surprisingly dark grin to RedZia. "A lot of >us have wanted a piece of Spadey for a while now. You can count on >the Champions -- well, 'alf of us, anyway." "Let's concentrate on rescuing Eric. I've never heard of anyone getting a piece of, erm, Spadey, on her home turf - even UV. If you kill her, she has clones. She'll be back, and hunt you. You're exposed, somewhat, and she has the damnedest allies in the most unexpected of places. I'm not saying you can't, I'm just saying don't take any risks; attacking her directly tends to backfire." "That and I think Ultraviolet rather wants a significant piece herself, after Eric is seen out of his current strait." > Steppenwolf watches this exchange neutrally. When it's finished, >he turns to RedZia. "I will requisition what automated weaponry I can >extract from Desaad. Are there any more specific armaments that you >recommend?" "I think," Red Zia's Lens brightens minutely again. She pauses, the center of her forehead wrinkling again, harder. She looks up, her eyes gone hard and hot with anger. "Besides the heavy stuff for B&E and dinosaurs, we should also pack for subdual and capture. Whatever you can get in the time it takes us to get to the Slingshot, Steppenwolf." "UV just reached Eric; his physique has been shifted toward the vampiric. He still has a heartbeat so he isn't actually undead. He is resisting the blood Hunger, so far. He has told her that ultra-violet light will stop him, but she hopes to avoid that." "Let's go, team. They're trapped, and Ultraviolet thinks light-shifting Eric would be very dangerous to him. I know she won't abandon him there." Red Zia rises, "Show us the way, please, Seeker?" =========================== Subject: Re: AAE 9v: Heaven and Hell On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 15:49:12 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012160 (Written by Eric and Zia on the First Draft list) >Ziactrice Said As FD.CAoL Message # 00000190 >>On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 16:39:06 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012142 >> >> As if waiting for this moment, the hunger hammered him full >>force. >> "ZZZzzzsss..." Eric hissed through his teeth, sliding away from >>Violet as carefully as he could. [God. I almost said her name.] > > "What's wrong?" Thankfully, she had enough sense not to follow >him, throw her arms around him, right now. Instead, she just waited, >baffled by his retreat from her. With what thought remained to him, Eric thanked whatever gods took mercy on them in that moment. > Leather complained with a small groan from each purple-gloved >fist, as her fingers tightened with a grip hard enough to bend a >pistol barrel with ease. Eric drooped somewhat in relief, exhaustion catching up with him briefly. >>[Red was right! Damned useless brain, thinking with my glands...wait >>a minute...] "...light." > > Violet stepped back to the counter, flicking on all the >available lighting, in case Eric wanted it. She also picked up his >Lens carefully by the band, so as not to touch the black, inactive >Lens itself, then she also gathered his other Essense devices. Dimly, Eric registered that, while his other equipment was gone, his artifacts of power remained. Infra-Red _couldn't_ be that sloppy... > Without warning, she knelt down at his side, slapping his >Lens-bracer around his wrist with a quick, savage snap. Even through >the heavy, leather gauntlets, her touch brought forth immediate >reaction - exactly as Infra-red's own had. Every nerve sang red-hot >with hunger - desire for her body, and desire for her blood at one >and the same time. Claws drove themselves even deeper as his whole >body convulsed hard, once. Eric thought he'd come close to giving in before, but this...it took every iota of will, of drive, of stark determination he'd ever known to hold himself in place at the double-hammer of _need_ that suddenly filled him. If the Gaunt Man had stood over him with an axe at that moment, blade aimed at his neck, he couldn't have moved. >Then his polychromatic Lens flared with light again. The fresh-blood >smell of her wounds and cuts, clothing and weaponry vanished during >his ... distraction. And Eric blinked. [The hunger. It's...] It wasn't _gone,_ of course -- not even close. But by leaning on his Lens (and pride be damned, he leaned HARD), he could just about bear it. The blood sang in him, taunting him, seducing him... [...but I am the Hunter,] he insisted. He almost believed it. > @^I won't need to, however.^@ Violet tells him. @^Eric, I >believe you can master this. Even this. We need to try and get out of >here; there is a rescue group coming to help us, but...^@ Abruptly, >her head goes up at the whisper of air vents opening, a strange smell >on the air. @^Gas! Hold your breath.^@ Eric snapped upright, danger helping to keep him focused. His clothes all but flowed onto him in the space of a heartbeat, and he scanned the room with lightning speed and expertise as he...stopped breathing. [Blech.] The Hunter considered for the merest fraction of a second. [Well, it helps right now.] @^Could be a contact agent,^@ Eric notes calmly. @^I'll try to cover you.^@ Ultra-violet nods. [I have internal air for about two hours, but I cannot do much against contact agents. Except try to make both of us scarce, of course.] Now that he was free, Eric could again use his Arts, though even with his mastery of ch'i, he was not eager to oppose the Queen of Spades. Then again, he had little choice. Crouching into a compact defensive position, hands' edges pressed against his solar plexus, palms directed at one another, he began to chant in Sanskrit in a guttural tone. As he did, the incoming gas began to...come apart, disintegrating into the ether (literally). After a few seconds, the Hunter found that his Arts were successful, if barely. Just as he realized this, however, the noise of the fan increases from whisper to hurricane. Infra-red had deliberately waited in order to destroy his hope as soon as it seemed real. Now, the gas was pouring in faster than he could destroy it -- IR's effect was too well-designed to undo so easily. The Hunter could keep it away from his skin, and slow its effect on Violet, but he could not stop it. > The woman in purple staggers, putting a hand on the - now empty >- gurney to stay upright. Violet pries off one of the steel straps. > > @^We've got to get out...^@ She swings, steel meeting the new >steel door with a solid, heavy sound. It only scratches the door >slightly. Eric grimaced. He wanted, with a fury that once would have consumed his soul, to find Infra-Red and thank her for her 'hospitality.' A far greater drive filled him, however. Ultra-violet had risked _everything_ to save him. It was now his turn to return the favor. Leaning over, he kissed her with astonishing gentleness, given what even that slight touch did to him. As he did so, what clean air remained into his body flowed into her lungs. @^Get back and get down,^@ he Lensed. @^This isn't going to be pretty.^@ Ultraviolet drank the sweet air from his lips every bit as gently as his own motion; she could tell what the gesture cost. At his terse Lensed command, she obediently faded under cover. She didn't want to leave his side, but she had no way to bring the door down. She wished she did; she disliked the sound of that 'not going to be pretty'. With that, he reached into his coat -- and yanked his hand out as if he'd burned it. [Moron. Of _course_ she left my artifacts -- I have to charge them with ch'i, and all of a vampire's ch'i is stored in blood. I'll just make myself hungrier. Fine,] he snarled inwardly, [back to basics.] He punched the door. This has no visible effect. Eric doesn't seemed bothered by this. He swings again. Wham. Again, no discernable effect. The Hunter's gaze takes on a laser-like focus. He strikes again. Wham. Is there a slight dent, this time? Perhaps... _Wham._ All his hunger, all his need, turns toward the door. _WHAM._ [Weakness into strength.] WHAM. [Will into power.] WHAM. His arms pump faster. WHAM. WHAM. WHAM. WHAM. The door begins to bend outward. His knuckles bleed profusely. WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM His arms become a blur. In moments, the bone is visible around his fingers. WWHHAAMMWWHHAAMM Anyone who can hear this assault can almost pick up the sound of the knuckles fusing into a solid mass. The door begins to buckle. WWWWHHHHAAAAMMMM There no longer appears to be a physical assault on the exit -- only a shadowy force pushing the metal outward. Eric's expression has not changed. The door explodes into the corridor. Eric leaps into the frame, fists pointed up in case there's a replacement -- he can't open his hands, due to the fusion. The edges of the door are fuming faintly with black smoke, as is the large dent where he was punching. @^GO!^@ Ultra-violet was already in motion even as he Lensed the thought, she finished rolling out into the corridor, leapt to her feet, her trench coat flying loose - and coming down to cover most of him? Simultaneously, the pistols in the pulpstress' hands were speaking, to the accompaniment of shattering, thin glass and sparks. A blaze of light, fierce and, in his case, painful, came to life. Only his feet and hands were exposed, however, since the thick, deep purple trench-coat admitted only the dimmest echo of the light. In seconds, Ultra-violet had ruined all the light emplacements rigged in the corridor. It seemed that even outside the Nile Realm, her pistols were somehow fashioned to not require reloading. "You're a true gentleman, Hunter, to be holding my coat for me." Violet says with the wicked humor he has come to expect from Zia. "I'd let you help me back on with it, if I thought you'd enjoy such right now." Violet says into the complete pitch blackness. "I'll just be glad Infra-red is still predictable enough I could foul that light-trap. You can toss it to me. If you can see, find a way out of here. The flashes I saw of the layout before the lights went out were different than when I blew through on the way in." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE 9v: Heaven and Hell On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 08:47:23 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012165 >On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 15:49:12 -0700 >Eric & Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00012160 > Ultra-violet was already in motion even as he Lensed the thought, >she finished rolling out into the corridor, leapt to her feet, her >trench coat flying loose - and coming down to cover most of him? >Simultaneously, the pistols in the pulpstress' hands were speaking, >to the accompaniment of shattering, thin glass and sparks. > A blaze of light, fierce and, in his case, painful, came to life. >Only his feet and hands were exposed, however, since the thick, deep >purple trench-coat admitted only the dimmest echo of the light. He hisses all the same -- an all too vampiric hiss, though with a decided touch of feline -- and bristles, as much offended as pained by IR's attack. > In seconds, Ultra-violet had ruined all the light emplacements >rigged in the corridor. It seemed that even outside the Nile Realm, >her pistols were somehow fashioned to not require reloading. > "You're a true gentleman, Hunter, to be holding my coat for me." >Violet says with the wicked humor he has come to expect from Zia. >"I'd let you help me back on with it, if I thought you'd enjoy such >right now." Violet says into the complete pitch blackness. "I'd enjoy it just the same, but I'm not as handy as usual just now," Eric replies, his own mannerisms bleeding some Zia through in turn, albeit with a uniquely masculine tang. Deftly sliding the coat off, he hangs it on one fist as if it (the fist) were a peg and stretches it out to the Just Violet. > "I'll just be glad Infra-red is still predictable enough I could >foul that light-trap. You can toss it to me. If you can see, find a >way out of here. The flashes I saw of the layout before the lights >went out were different than when I blew through on the way in." Eric carefully flips the coat into the crook of Ultra-Violet's arm in such a way that: a) she knows it's the coat and not one of IR's attacks, b) she can easily hold and manipulate it, and c) it doesn't interfere with her aim. Not bad for a guy whose hands are glorified bludgeons just now. @^How much can you see? Between our respective heat signatures, my own vision is doing rather well, though the look is decidedly odd.^@ He grins gamely into the dark. @^And my other senses are compensating nicely, without quite as much of the...drawback I had.^@ That, of course, is not what he says. "Hmph. Substandard super-senses. Strictly return to sender -- with extreme prejudice," he mutters in a seething (and highly convincing) tone. Mentally, he 'winks' at UV. @^There are distinct advantages to sharing a brain with you, Zia,^@ he Lenses with a gentle, very familiar wickedness. Still, the mind of the professional hunting machine within is going full tilt. @^Clearly, she was prepared for the eventuality of our escape -- though using ultraviolet light in your presence seems to lack a certain...logic. Or would it have been too much work to absorb to take advantage of the recharge?^@ After absorbing the explanation, he continues to analyze. @^Faint heat signatures ahead, snaking like cables -- I suspect vines of some sort, but without human-spectrum light I can't be sure. No animate, or at least not animal animate, foes just yet. No doubt, she wants you to remain my...only technical option for sustenance.^@ Verbally, he adds, "I can hear the hum of machinery. Faint tang of ozone, likely from the lights, but assumptions are dangerous." Lensed again, @^We can most likely expect some sort of incoming fire -- ozone isn't the only scent I'm picking up.^@ He crouches down, his own coat sliding over him now that he has the time to do so. Concentrating, he brushes the backs of his fingers against the floor. @^This is not likely to lead out. Vibrations and scents are coming from below.^@ Reverting to speech again, he hisses, "The belly of the beassst..." @^I believe,^@ he Lenses finally, @^we are being issued an invitation.^@ Weighing the options carefully, he decides to risk using precious vitae, expending some ch'i-rich blood to create twin, jet black pistols, one forming in each hand. This avoids the need to open the abused appendages to hold them. Swallowing from thirst, he adds, @^As much as I would enjoy accepting, I defer to your knowledge of the target. How do you suggest we play this?^@ He rises to a careful, deadly crouch, adding one last verbal swipe, "The most dangerous game? Can't she even pick _good_ cliches?" =========================== Subject: AAE 9v: The Sixth Circle On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 10:55:30 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012168 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012165 >>Eric & Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00012160 > Eric carefully flips the coat into the crook of Ultra-Violet's arm >in such a way that: a) she knows it's the coat and not one of IR's >attacks, b) she can easily hold and manipulate it, and c) it doesn't >interfere with her aim. Not bad for a guy whose hands are glorified >bludgeons just now. "Thank you." Ultra-violet says, somehow shrugging into her coat without releasing either gun. > @^How much can you see? Between our respective heat signatures, my >own vision is doing rather well, though the look is decidedly odd.^@ >He grins gamely into the dark. @^And my other senses are compensating >nicely, without quite as much of the...drawback I had.^@ > That, of course, is not what he says. @^I can't see; it's quite black. I am modelling the room based on sound, but that won't deal with attacks. I cannot muster a perception sense, not enough jets to swing that in addition.^@ Her mind-voice is smooth, if somewhat faintly apologetic. > "Hmph. Substandard super-senses. Strictly return to sender -- with >extreme prejudice," he mutters in a seething (and highly convincing) >tone. Mentally, he 'winks' at UV. "Her migquided attempts are usually less than exemplary." Ultra-violet replies in a tone like broken glass. Mentally, she merely thinks that any extreme prejudice is going to be her doing, despite the fact she has never slain a sentient before. She didn't intend Eric's sensing same, but he does. > @^There are distinct advantages to sharing a brain with you, >Zia,^@ he Lenses with a gentle, very familiar wickedness. Still, the >mind of the professional hunting machine within is going full tilt. >@^Clearly, she was prepared for the eventuality of our escape >though using ultraviolet light in your presence seems to lack a >certain...logic. Or would it have been too much work to absorb to >take advantage of the recharge?^@ @^It's double jeopardy, Eric.^@ Ultra-violet sends grimly. @^Infra-red knows me. An overload of ultraviolet - like from those sun lamps - if I'm tired and have pushed myself could flip me into pure light. Short duration changes are very hard for me, and I've made more than a few today. I usually have to remain as light as least a half hour or longer to 'recharge', as you put it.^@ @^I'm no psychokinetic like Roland; I'm actually shapeshifting - either into purple light, or ultraviolet radiation. You saw how strong the burst was when we rescued Diamond Jack; she would like nothing better than if I killed you, either defending myself against what she's done to you, or by accident if she can trigger the change in my weariness. She's applied such Violet-woman traps before.^@ > After absorbing the explanation, he continues to analyze. @^Faint >heat signatures ahead, snaking like cables -- I suspect vines of some >sort, but without human-spectrum light I can't be sure. No animate, >or at least not animal animate, foes just yet. No doubt, she wants >you to remain my...only technical option for sustenance.^@ @^Poisonous and acid thorned vines that react to vibration and the infrared heat of living bodies. The poison won't bother me, but the strength of acid used might harm even you. Is there any other way out?^@ > Verbally, he adds, "I can hear the hum of machinery. Faint tang of >ozone, likely from the lights, but assumptions are dangerous." Lensed >again, @^We can most likely expect some sort of incoming fire >ozone isn't the only scent I'm picking up.^@ Violet sets her feet to be ready to fire in any direction, wondering what sort of weaponry they might be facing. The mechanical emplacements and droids were a new trick of IR's she hadn't met before. > @^I believe,^@ he Lenses finally, @^we are being issued an >invitation.^@ Weighing the options carefully, he decides to risk >using precious vitae, expending some ch'i-rich blood to create twin, >jet black pistols, one forming in each hand. This avoids the need to >open the abused appendages to hold them. > Swallowing from thirst, he adds, @^As much as I would enjoy >accepting, I defer to your knowledge of the target. How do you >suggest we play this?^@ He rises to a careful, deadly crouch, adding >one last verbal swipe, "The most dangerous game? Can't she even pick >_good_ cliches?" @^We try to survive, try to avoid being wounded, and try to make for the surface. Not only to make us easier to rescue, so our friends don't run afoul of the archvillainess-who-wants-to-play-nurse, but also because Infra-red would quite happily send this lab and the entire island to the bottom of the sea to be rid of me. It's built on a gargantuan turtle; she could do so. I'll return even if slain, which is something she hasn't figured out how to stop, but that means I'd be leaving you alone when Zia woke up. Not optimal.^@ "Well, considering in _The Most Dangerous Game_, the good guy manages to slay the bad guy, eat his supper and sleep in his bed, I don't mind the allegory, though it's actually a step better than IR's usual. Perhaps she has gained a grain of culture since we last fought, unlikely as that seems." =========================== Subject: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue... On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:33:01 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012174 Before RedZia and the rest of the members of the rescue mission have a chance to board the Slingshot, another tell-tale signature of a Federation-type transporter appeared on the same landing pad that Tink arrived on. The transporter effect quickly faded, revealing Sikorski, Dhyrclhanc's robot medic whose strange appearence makes him look like the offspring of a dragonfly and a Huey/Bell Cobra helicopter. "Greetings Madam Zia," He said, his voice sounding more like normal speach since Dhyrclhanc recently upgraded his vocal systems. "My regrets that our first meeting did not go as well as one might have hoped." he continued. Then to all present, "I may not be the best Medic or Healer that the CAoL has. However, am I perhaps, given both my knowlege and my skills with biology, physiology, gentics and genetic engineering, as well as with medicine, the best one here to try to undo whatever this 'Queen of Spades' might have done, or tried to do, to the Hunter." "Also," the robotic medic continued, "as I said before, I am a Doctor and all indications seem to point to high likelyhood that you will need a Medical Profesional on this mission. Thus, I offer myself and my humble abilities to this rescue attempt." He then tilted himself forward, lowering himself down on his two front legs, and then back up again, in an apparent attempt at a bow. "Please consider me to be at your service." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue... On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 09:02:59 +0100 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012175 >On Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:33:01 -0400 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012174 > >Before RedZia and the rest of the members of the rescue mission have >a chance to board the Slingshot, another tell-tale signature of a >Federation-type transporter appeared on the same landing pad that >Tink arrived on. Tink pauses on her way to the Slingshot, glancing casually toward the transporter as it begins to form a new object. Perhaps she was expecting it, perhaps she simply was accustomed to sudden transporter arrivals and departures, given the technological level of her family. >"My regrets that our first meeting did not go as well as one might >have hoped." he continued. Tink doesn't say a word yet, as this isn't addressed to her. >Then to all present, "I may not be the best Medic or Healer that the >CAoL has. However, am I perhaps, given both my knowlege and my skills >with biology, physiology, gentics and genetic engineering, as well as >with medicine, the best one here to try to undo whatever this 'Queen >of Spades' might have done, or tried to do, to the Hunter." Tink considers a moment, "Hmm." >"Please consider me to be at your service." Tink smirks, chuckling, "I could use someone to stay in the Slingshot for the purposes of base medic. It would allow me to go further afield as field medic and evac, along with attempting to counter what science the Queen of Spades plans to toss our way." Tink smiles at the robot, "I'd expect you to speak up when you have an idea, but follow my calls when I make them. I suspect you perform a similar role for Uncle Dhyrclhanc, though, so this should be nothing new." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 21:58:27 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012178 >On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 15:22:52 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012157 > >>On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 23:33:05 -0700 >>Rio and Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00012150 >>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012148 >> >> Seeker turns to show a surprisingly dark grin to RedZia. "A lot >>of us have wanted a piece of Spadey for a while now. You can count >>on the Champions -- well, 'alf of us, anyway." > > "Let's concentrate on rescuing Eric. Seeker nods gravely at that. >I've never heard of anyone getting a piece of, erm, Spadey, on her >home turf - even UV. If you kill her, she has clones. She'll be back, >and hunt you. You're exposed, somewhat, and she has the damnedest >allies in the most unexpected of places. I'm not saying you can't, >I'm just saying don't take any risks; attacking her directly tends to >backfire." "Oh, this won't be our main run on 'er. That's somethin' Quantum and Defender have been planning for a while now. Be nice to give her a bloody nose first is all. Even if it'll regenerate." > "That and I think Ultraviolet rather wants a significant piece >herself, after Eric is seen out of his current strait." "Oh, she gets first crack, too right." >> Steppenwolf watches this exchange neutrally. When it's finished, >>he turns to RedZia. "I will requisition what automated weaponry I >>can extract from Desaad. Are there any more specific armaments that >>you recommend?" > > "I think," Red Zia's Lens brightens minutely again. She pauses, >the center of her forehead wrinkling again, harder. She looks up, her >eyes gone hard and hot with anger. "Besides the heavy stuff for B&E >and dinosaurs, we should also pack for subdual and capture. Whatever >you can get in the time it takes us to get to the Slingshot, >Steppenwolf." "Most of the equipment will require its own transportation. I will Boom Tube in what restraints I can pry from Desaad, if I can find any that a super-hero would be willing to use," Steppenwolf replies, a hint of a grin forming. Seeker swallows and grimaces. > "UV just reached Eric; his physique has been shifted toward the >vampiric. He still has a heartbeat so he isn't actually undead. He is >resisting the blood Hunger, so far. He has told her that ultra-violet >light will stop him, but she hopes to avoid that." Seeker frowns. "Dhampir?" he asks. OOC: A Dhampir, for anyone who doesn't know, is someone like Blade or Vampire Hunter D -- a human/vampire half-breed, usually created the "old-fashioned way." The feasibility of this depends on the nature of vampirism. Anyway, after she responds... "Maybe Obsidian'll have some ideas." > "Let's go, team. They're trapped, and Ultraviolet thinks >light-shifting Eric would be very dangerous to him. I know she won't >abandon him there." Red Zia rises, "Show us the way, please, Seeker?" Seeker stands and nods. "Gladly." His mind flickers, and he motions the group to follow. Rio and Kanto return to the control room, and as they head down a corridor, Orchid zips in, soon followed by Jaguar. A few moments later, Seeker leads them into a large circular elevator pad, meant to hold about seven large people comfortably. A few moments after that, the ride is complete (the particularly aware can feel the pad rotate on the way), and the doors open. (OOC: Is anyone here not familiar with the Javelin-7 from the Justice League animated series? If you are, it's a lot like that, except the side pods don't stick out as much. If you're not... http://www.jlanimated.com/newspics/jave2/jav7newf.jpg ...there you go. 8^) "Everyone pile in," Seeker says, pointing a thumb at the hatch as it drops automatically. "Plenty o' seats for everybody." "I'll drive," Orchid adds, sounding just a teeny bit too enthusiastic. "are you sure that's wise," Jaguar whispers to Seeker. "she tested out better than either of us did," Seeker replies ruefully. "in simulation, yes..." (OOC: Thread's all yours, Zia -- have fun! 8^) =========================== Subject: AAE OOC comment: Better Slingshot On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 22:31:39 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012179 From the new Justice League Unlimited: http://www.jlanimated.com/episodes/initiation/initiation0223.jpg Fits the look of the classic Slingshot much better than the old Javelin, which was cool, but this is more like what Defender and Quantum would build. And cooler, IMO. 8^) -- (/) Roland X aka Defender from the Kirby school of engineering ;^) =========================== Subject: Re: AAE 9v: The Sixth Circle On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 22:37:25 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012180 >On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 10:55:30 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012168 > >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012165 >> >> @^How much can you see? Between our respective heat signatures, >>my own vision is doing rather well, though the look is decidedly >>odd.^@ He grins gamely into the dark. @^And my other senses are >>compensating nicely, without quite as much of the...drawback I >>had.^@ >> That, of course, is not what he says. > > @^I can't see; it's quite black. I am modelling the room based on >sound, but that won't deal with attacks. I cannot muster a perception >sense, not enough jets to swing that in addition.^@ Her mind-voice is >smooth, if somewhat faintly apologetic. @^Hrm. I can loan you my senses via Lens, but they'll come from my head. Will that help, or disorient?^@ >> "Hmph. Substandard super-senses. Strictly return to sender -- >>with extreme prejudice," he mutters in a seething (and highly >>convincing) tone. Mentally, he 'winks' at UV. > > "Her migquided attempts are usually less than exemplary." >Ultra-violet replies in a tone like broken glass. Mentally, she >merely thinks that any extreme prejudice is going to be her doing, >despite the fact she has never slain a sentient before. She didn't >intend Eric's sensing same, but he does. He snort-laughs briefly, not letting himself be distracted. Still, he worries, not because he thinks that she's about to do something wrong, but because he wonders if her decision is bothering her. >> @^There are distinct advantages to sharing a brain with you, >>Zia,^@ he Lenses with a gentle, very familiar wickedness. Still, the >>mind of the professional hunting machine within is going full tilt. >>@^Clearly, she was prepared for the eventuality of our escape -- >>though using ultraviolet light in your presence seems to lack a >>certain...logic. Or would it have been too much work to absorb to >>take advantage of the recharge?^@ > > @^It's double jeopardy, Eric.^@ Ultra-violet sends grimly. >@^Infra-red knows me. An overload of ultraviolet - like from those >sun lamps - if I'm tired and have pushed myself could flip me into >pure light. @^...oh.^@ >Short duration changes are very hard for me, and I've made more than >a few today. I usually have to remain as light as least a half hour >or longer to 'recharge', as you put it.^@ > @^I'm no psychokinetic like Roland; I'm actually shapeshifting - >either into purple light, or ultraviolet radiation. You saw how >strong the burst was when we rescued Diamond Jack; she would like >nothing better than if I killed you, either defending myeslf against >what she's done to you, or by accident if she can trigger the change >in my weariness. She's applied such Violet-woman traps before.^@ @^Every time I think I know the depths to which an opponent is willing to go, I still find myself surprised at the sheer vicious ingenuity of sadism and hate.^@ Eric shakes his head, though he makes it look outwardly as if he's trying to shake off the hunger. (It appears that some acting skill has replicated itself across their bond as well.) >> After absorbing the explanation, he continues to analyze. @^Faint >>heat signatures ahead, snaking like cables -- I suspect vines of >>some sort, but without human-spectrum light I can't be sure. No >>animate, or at least not animal animate, foes just yet. No doubt, >>she wants you to remain my...only technical option for sustenance.^@ > > @^Poisonous and acid thorned vines that react to vibration and the >infrared heat of living bodies. The poison won't bother me, but the >strength of acid used might harm even you. Is there any other way >out?^@ Eric studies the corridor. @^I'm not sensing any nearby corridors or openings. It looks as though she means us to run the gauntlet.^@ >> @^I believe,^@ he Lenses finally, @^we are being issued an >>invitation.^@ Weighing the options carefully, he decides to risk >>using precious vitae, expending some ch'i-rich blood to create twin, >>jet black pistols, one forming in each hand. This avoids the need to >>open the abused appendages to hold them. >> Swallowing from thirst, he adds, @^As much as I would enjoy >>accepting, I defer to your knowledge of the target. How do you >>suggest we play this?^@ He rises to a careful, deadly crouch, adding >>one last verbal swipe, "The most dangerous game? Can't she even pick >>_good_ cliches?" > > @^We try to survive, try to avoid being wounded, and try to make >for the surface. Not only to make us easier to rescue, so our friends >don't run afoul of the archvillainess-who-wants-to-play-nurse, but >also because Infra-red would quite happily send this lab and the >entire island to the bottom of the sea to be rid of me. @^Sol and Gaia. Can't we just get this woman a date?^@ Eric quips uncharacteristically. > It's built on a gargantuan turtle; she could do so. @^A...turtle,^@ Eric comments, returning to his usual ultra-dry tone. > I'll return even if slain, which is something she hasn't figured >out how to stop, but that means I'd be leaving you alone when Zia >woke up. Not optimal.^@ @^Hrm. At any rate, I agree with your general assessment. Unfortunately, the only directions available to us seem to be further down and back into my cell. Neither is particularly palatable.^@ > "Well, considering in _The Most Dangerous Game_, the good guy >manages to slay the bad guy, eat his supper and sleep in his bed, I >don't mind the allegory, though it's actually a step better than IR's >usual. Perhaps she has gained a grain of culture since we last >fought, unlikely as that seems." "Or maybe kidnaping a man and genetically altering him to react to her physically is the only way she can 'get some action,' as it were," Eric rumbles with a cruel smile. "Whatever her vital statistics, with a soul like hers that wouldn't surprise m--" An enormous volley of thorns rockets directly at Eric. He shoots them out of the air with phenomenal speed, even for him, leaving only three to dodge when they reach him. "--me." He sends another mental wink to Zia. "Pathetic, when you think about it. I doubt Destroyer has difficulty finding companionship." A trio of Dalek-like gunbots, albeit much faster on their wheels than the average Dalek, whirr up the corridor, spitting tremendous amounts of fire. This provides poor light, but it's better than what they had. Eric laughs his terrible laugh and returns fire, sending his attack right down into the barrels of one squat-bot and blowing it to its maker (almost literally). "Since we seem to be trading in cliches...I do believe we have her attention." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 10:33:08 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012182 >On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 21:58:27 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012178 >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012157 >> >> "UV just reached Eric; his physique has been shifted toward the >>vampiric. He still has a heartbeat so he isn't actually undead. He >>is resisting the blood Hunger, so far. He has told her that >>ultra-violet light will stop him, but she hopes to avoid that." > > Seeker frowns. "Dhampir?" he asks. "I have no idea." RedZia admits. "I'm not the most knowledgable, chromatically speaking, of us. I thought dhampir were unaffected by ultraviolet radiation, beyond a slightly-worse-than-human tendency to sun-exposure caused illness." > "Everyone pile in," Seeker says, pointing a thumb at the hatch as >it drops automatically. "Plenty o' seats for everybody." > "I'll drive," Orchid adds, sounding just a teeny bit too >enthusiastic. > "are you sure that's wise," Jaguar whispers to Seeker. > "she tested out better than either of us did," Seeker replies >ruefully. > "in simulation, yes..." > (OOC: Thread's all yours, Zia -- have fun! 8^) (OOC: Thank you, oh mighty, Evil GM-San.) RedZia eyes Jaguar and Seeker's whispered exchange, having been agreeing to take on Sikorski, and following Tink's comments to the robot. "Very well, Orchid. I'll be shifting us, however, so I'd like to sit in the Nav position jumpseat, if that won't interfere with your normal operations." Moments later, the Slingshot roars forth from a large, polychromatic door, high above the equatorial ocean. A small island chain, four or five dots in the water, is directly in it's flight path. "Assault team, form on me. Orchid, Sikorski, hold the fort. Orchid, if I can't manage transport back, give out a mental shout to Seeker - or Eric himself. You'll need someone to guide you to the whichever island of those we'll be on. Someone give me a go-tap when everybody's ready." When Steppenwolf, who has taken up second position (Tink being somewhere, she hopes, towards the rear-guard), Zia-in-Red leaps forward with her blade readied, through the polychromatic door that just appeared within the Slingshot. She rolls out into a darkened corridor, filled with the smell of gunsmoke and the scorched ozone of free flames... (to be continued in the upcoming Seventh Circle thread) =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue... On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 22:30:31 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012183 >As CAoL Message # 00012175 >On Fri, July 30th 2K4, "Mike Knight" writes... > >>As CAoL Message # 00012174 >>On Fri, July 30th 2004, Dhyrclhanc wrote... >> >>Before RedZia and the rest of the members of the rescue mission have >>a chance to board the Slingshot, another tell-tale signature of a >>Federation-type transporter appeared on the same landing pad that >>Tink arrived on. > >Tink pauses on her way to the Slingshot, glancing casually toward the >transporter as it begins to form a new object. Perhaps she was >expecting it, perhaps she simply was accustomed to sudden transporter >arrivals and departures, given the technological level of her family. Strictly speaking, Dhyclhanc's transporters are _functionally_ different from the standard, and presumingly Next Gen/DS9/Voy-era, Federation Transporters that the Seven Family are probably used to but the "in-use" visual effect is the same. Not that this is appropos of anything, or anything >>"Please consider me to be at your service." > >Tink smirks, chuckling, "I could use someone to stay in the Slingshot >for the purposes of base medic. It would allow me to go further >afield as field medic and evac, along with attempting to counter what >science the Queen of Spades plans to toss our way." > >Tink smiles at the robot, "I'd expect you to speak up when you have >an idea, but follow my calls when I make them. I suspect you perform >a similar role for Uncle Dhyrclhanc, though, so this should be >nothing new." Sikorski bows again, this time to the "future-present" erzats-Technomage/Time-Lady, "I will, of course, have to inspect the medical facilities that are aboard the Slingshot first, but otherwise the sitution that you offer me is not completely unaceptible." "However, unless you can show me any reason why not, once the patient, or patients, are under may care, I will be the primary physician. I mean no disrespect, Miss Tinkerbell, but I *am* a Doctor, are you?" =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 22:37:15 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012184 >As CAoL Message # 00012178 >On Mon, Aug 2nd 2K4, "Roland X" writes... > > "Everyone pile in," Seeker says, pointing a thumb at the hatch as >it drops automatically. "Plenty o' seats for everybody." > "I'll drive," Orchid adds, sounding just a teeny bit too >enthusiastic. > "are you sure that's wise," Jaguar whispers to Seeker. > "she tested out better than either of us did," Seeker replies >ruefully. > "in simulation, yes..." Sikorski follows Tink into the slingshot and, presumably, gets his first chance to inspect whatever passes for the sickbay on-board. Well Roland, was I that far off? As far as medical supplies are concerned, is the Slingshot basically a flying ambulance, or will Sikorski (and his typist) end up being pleasantly surprised? =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue... On Wed, 4 Aug 2004 09:29:26 +0100 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012185 >On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 22:30:31 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012183 > >Sikorski bows again, this time to the "future-present" >erzats-Technomage/Time-Lady, "I will, of course, have to inspect the >medical facilities that are aboard the Slingshot first, but otherwise >the sitution that you offer me is not completely unaceptible." > >"However, unless you can show me any reason why not, once the >patient, or patients, are under may care, I will be the primary >physician. I mean no disrespect, Miss Tinkerbell, but I *am* a >Doctor, are you?" Tink considers a moment, her stance shifting; hands clasped behind her back, feet shoulder length apart, "at-ease" in military terms. After a moment, she shifts back out of it, grinning wickedly. "Nevermind, Sikorski, my claim to authority was unjustified, I apologize for impugning your abilities," she says with a flourished bow before walking off jauntily toward the Slingshot. "Although, I think sticking to base and letting me bring casualties home is still the best idea," she calls over her shoulder, the wicked grin still there, "But once I get them there, you'll be the one looking after them, I'm obligated to trust your judgement or take your job. Doing both is not an option." -- Tink (Who just couldn't find a good IC reason for pulling rank, even if it was more where I'd wanted the character to go as far as revealing maturity and growth to handle such a position responsibly.) =========================== Subject: AAE 9v: The Seventh Circle On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 16:16:03 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012189 >On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 22:37:25 -0700 >Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00012180 >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012168 >>>Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00012165 > @^Hrm. I can loan you my senses via Lens, but they'll come from my >head. Will that help, or disorient?^@ @^I'd prefer disorientation to hapless target, Eric. I think I can deal with it. Thank you for the help.^@ Violet says graciously, with that flash of Old World manners that she occasionally displays. > He snort-laughs briefly, not letting himself be distracted. Still, >he worries, not because he thinks that she's about to do something >wrong, but because he wonders if her decision is bothering her. Given how well he now knows her mind, Eric knows the only part of the decision that likely will bother her is becoming more like the rest of her kind, who are quite casual about killing. >> @^There are distinct advantages to sharing a brain with you, >>Zia,^@ he Lenses with a gentle, very familiar wickedness. ^I wonder which of ours he refers to? Hopefully, his. IR knows me too well.^ Eric overhears Violet speculate humourously, with an additional mirth on knowing how many other duplicated, chromatically-separated splits of her are sharing a brain at the moment. >>>Still, the mind of the professional hunting machine within is going >>>full tilt. @^Clearly, she was prepared for the eventuality of our >>>escape -- though using ultraviolet light in your presence seems to >>>lack a certain...logic. Or would it have been too much work to >>>absorb to take advantage of the recharge?^@ > >> @^It's double jeopardy, Eric.^@ Ultra-violet sends grimly. >>@^Infra-red knows me. An overload of ultraviolet - like from those >>sun lamps - if I'm tired and have pushed myself could flip me into >>pure light. > > @^...oh.^@ Violet _grins_ in the blackness, unaware Eric can now discern even such subtle expressions with his infra-red vision, despite the pitch blackness of this cavern. > @^Every time I think I know the depths to which an opponent is >willing to go, I still find myself surprised at the sheer vicious >ingenuity of sadism and hate.^@ Eric shakes his head, though he makes >it look outwardly as if he's trying to shake off the hunger. (It >appears that some acting skill has replicated itself across their >bond as well.) @^At least being surprised at all is one of the few perks of the heroing trade.^@ Violet quips, her own unease at knowing just how far IR has gone in the past plain - to Eric alone. > @^Sol and Gaia. Can't we just get this woman a date?^@ Eric quips >uncharacteristically. Violet ponders uneasily the sudden appearance of mechanical objects in Infra-red's arsenal, her own inability to cease collecting more husbands, and she files away a note to herself to investigate whom IR has been associating with lately. Eric hears only a mental chuckle of amusement. >>@^It's built on a gargantuan turtle; she could do so.^@ > > @^A...turtle,^@ Eric comments, returning to his usual ultra-dry >tone. @^What, you prefer escargot?^@ Violet returns, point-blank, but he can _feel_ the smirk. > "--me." He sends another mental wink to Zia. "Pathetic, when you >think about it. I doubt Destroyer has difficulty finding >companionship." Violet's mind whispers a sudden, horrific intuition into her brain. She is so stunned that she doesn't manage to react as... > A trio of Dalek-like gunbots, albeit much faster on their wheels >than the average Dalek, whirr up the corridor, spitting tremendous >amounts of fire. This provides poor light, but it's better than what >they had. > Eric laughs his terrible laugh and returns fire, sending his >attack right down into the barrels of one squat-bot and blowing it to >its maker (almost literally). "Since we seem to be trading in >cliches...I do believe we have her attention." "I'm afraid you may be mistaken. Infra-red isn't - at least, has never been before - given to using mechanicals." Violet replies with a strangely mechanical tone herself, even as she draws two-handed. Her slugs rip apart the last one, the second having been quite damaged due to Eric's blowing his back into it. "There was a very advanced camera-robot with eject-knife earlier in the jungle as I can in, and a quite sophisticated Pit and Weight trap. I have a very bad feeling I may know who is helping her _this_ time." "Want to guess?" Violet asks archly, even as she leaps, landing safely on the first blasted robot-corpse admist the remaining vinery. ********* Meanwhile, in a corridor nearby, RedZia and the rest of the Rescue team appear from a brilliant, polychromatic door. "Orchid, and ... Tink? I think you two are the fastest, yes?" If everyone agrees with her hurried whisper, RedZia nods. "Jaguar, can you get a scent trail? If not, the girls take point, and you lucky fellows get to try to keep Spadey from smoking me like a salmon. Sound okay?" RedZia's voice is shaking with bloodlust and anticipation of combat, but she keeps her words to the point as she can manage. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 22:33:06 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012190 >As CAoL Message # 00012182 >On Tues, Aug 3rd 2K4, "Ziactrice" writes... > > Moments later, the Slingshot roars forth from a large, >polychromatic door, high above the equatorial ocean. A small island >chain, four or five dots in the water, is directly in it's flight >path. > > "Assault team, form on me. Orchid, Sikorski, hold the fort. >Orchid, if I can't manage transport back, give out a mental shout to >Seeker - or Eric himself. You'll need someone to guide you to the >whichever island of those we'll be on. Someone give me a go-tap when >everybody's ready." Sikorski chooses this moment to throw his $.02 in. "I regret to inform that I am incapable of dealing with the disease of vampirism, in all the forms that it exists that I am aware of. However, I cannot imagine that with all the resources that the CAoL commands that someone should be able to help me with that. Presuming, of course, that we are able to get Mr. Lancer back to the Medical Facilities at Champions Island." "As for the rest of my duties, I will endeavor to perform them to the best of my abilities." The robot manages somehow to sound both chagrined and apologetic at the same time. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Fri, 6 Aug 2004 05:44:22 +0100 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012191 >On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 22:33:06 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00012190 > >"As for the rest of my duties, I will endeavor to perform them to the >best of my abilities." > >The robot manages somehow to sound both chagrined and apologetic at >the same time. Tink plants her hands on her hips, looking disgusted. "Quote: 'However, am I perhaps, given both my knowlege and my skills with biology, physiology, gentics and genetic engineering, as well as with medicine, the best one here to try to undo whatever this 'Queen of Spades' might have done, or tried to do, to the Hunter.' This did not sound like a question." Turning and stepping toward the rest of the rescue party, she says over a shoulder, sounding distinctly like Mother Grep, "You demanded autonomy, Sikorski. Hunter is your patient, under your care, because you are the doctor at base. You will learn or Hunter will die." To everyone but Sikorski, ^Don't worry, I'll be watching, we're not going to lose anyone. I'll need to consult with a few experts, but I should be able to treat Hunter, assuming Sikorski doesn't actually get the right answer on his own. Let's get this show on the road.^ =========================== Subject: Re: AAE 9v: The Seventh Circle On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 19:59:01 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012200 >On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 16:16:03 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012189 >>On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 22:37:25 -0700 >>Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00012180 >>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012168 > > Given how well he now knows her mind, Eric knows the only part of >the decision that likely will bother her is becoming more like the >rest of her kind, who are quite casual about killing. Which was roughly (though not exactly) what he was expecting. He shares the Platonic ideal of a hug with her via Lens, keeping his meatspace body alert. >>> @^It's built on a gargantuan turtle; she could do so.^@ >> >> @^A...turtle,^@ Eric comments, returning to his usual ultra-dry >>tone. > > @^What, you prefer escargot?^@ Violet returns, point-blank, but he >can _feel_ the smirk. @^Hardly,^@ he replies, still dry as ever. @^Given what is evoked by one being's created world resting on a turtle's back, I have to wonder just what her ego's limits _are._^@ > "I'm afraid you may be mistaken. Infra-red isn't - at least, has >never been before - given to using mechanicals." Violet replies with >a strangely mechanical tone herself, even as she draws two-handed. >Her slugs rip apart the last one, the second having been quite >damaged due to Eric's blowing his back into it. "There was a very >advanced camera-robot with eject-knife earlier in the jungle as I can >in, and a quite sophisticated Pit and Weight trap. I have a very bad >feeling I may know who is helping her _this_ time." > > "Want to guess?" Violet asks archly, even as she leaps, landing >safely on the first blasted robot-corpse admist the remaining vinery. Eric's mirth vanishes beneath his typical veneer of professionalism. "Hrm. Only if he is feeling...nostalgic. Or indulging the Queen's nostalgia. As effective as these devices may be, they do not approach the power of his current devices, such as the Over-Armor brigades or his energy-tech Destroids. I presume that Doctor Zerstoiten could manage better." He kicks a metallic piece of carapace away coolly. @^Then again, he could not possibly be stupid enough to truly _trust_ Infra-Red. I certainly wouldn't, in his position.^@ He flows easily into a ready stance, awaiting the next threat. @^Hrm. I thought he was involved with that Scorpia woman.^@ -- Eric Lancer: The Hunter "Not to mention I'd've thought that Doctor D had better taste than that." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Sat, 07 Aug 2004 13:03:34 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012204 >On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 10:33:08 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012182 >>On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 21:58:27 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012178 >> >> Seeker frowns. "Dhampir?" he asks. > > "I have no idea." RedZia admits. "I'm not the most knowledgable, >chromatically speaking, of us. I thought dhampir were unaffected by >ultraviolet radiation, beyond a slightly-worse-than-human tendency to >sun-exposure caused illness." Seeker nods. "Thank you. That does help. I suppose," he adds with wry irony, "that something so straightforward is too prosaic for the likes of 'er." > RedZia eyes Jaguar and Seeker's whispered exchange, having been >agreeing to take on Sikorski, and following Tink's comments to the robot. > > "Very well, Orchid. I'll be shifting us, however, so I'd like to >sit in the Nav position jumpseat, if that won't interfere with your >normal operations." "Not at all." Oddly, Orchid winks at RedZia. "don't worry," she whispers in a reassuring tone that might seem amazing in one so young...then again, this _is_ a member of the Champions, "your friend's in good hands. we do this sort of thing from time to time." The comment could have come out condescending from another, but Orchid's earnest sincerity is clear. >Someone give me a go-tap when everybody's ready." > > Moments later, the Slingshot roars forth from a large, >polychromatic door, high above the equatorial ocean. A small island >chain, four or five dots in the water, is directly in it's flight >path. Orchid gives RZ a thumbs-up. "Okay, Slingshot, when you detect our spacial relocation, home in on these coordinates and take up a holding pattern in the center of this island chain, confirm?" "Confirmed," Majel Barrett-Roddenberry's voice replies. Seeker, Jaguar, and Orchid share a glance. Seeker looks over at Steppenwolf, who makes one final adjustment to his Electro-Axe and nods. When Tink gives them an affirmative, Seeker grins. "Just say the word." >Meanwhile, in a corridor nearby, RedZia and the rest of the Rescue >team appear from a brilliant, polychromatic door. > >"Orchid, and ... Tink? I think you two are the fastest, yes?" If >everyone agrees with her hurried whisper, RedZia nods. "Jaguar, can >you get a scent trail? If not, the girls take point, and you lucky >fellows get to try to keep Spadey from smoking me like a salmon. >Sound okay?" RedZia's voice is shaking with bloodlust and >anticipation of combat, but she keeps her words to the point as she >can manage. Steppenwolf steps through, eyeing the Landing Zone professionally, Electro-Axe spinning like a scythe in a whirlwind. Seeker and Jaguar follow, the Akashic holding four shuriken in one hand and his katana in the other, Jaguar having eschewed his own weapon to grow to ten feet, dominating the corridor. Still, he makes sure to leave room for Tink, one hand and one foot/paw splayed against the wall. "I...there are a great many scents. Unfortunately, while I believe the Hunter's is among them, the intermingling is strong, and if it _is_ the Hunter, his scent has been...changed. He may have an innate defense against olfactory tracking now." Jaguar's posture is clearly more than just for chivalry; his eyes flutter briefly, and his hand twitches for a moment. "Incoming," he rumbles. Indeed, there are. Over a dozen humanoid/dinosaur things, like the ones Eric faced in the Nile realm, stalk carefully forward. Eight sinuous raptor-men with feathers growing along their spines are followed by eight massive ankylosaur-men whose tails lash dangerously, the end of each a deadly weapon whether clubs or spikes. "For the Creator!" The lead Raptok howls. "FOR THE CREATOR!" the others cry in unison. They charge. -- Evil GM-San & the Champions "We must learn more about this...'Evil GM-San' if we are ever to defeat these villains." --Defender, in the war room =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 05:54:42 +0100 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012208 >On Sat, 07 Aug 2004 13:03:34 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012204 > >>On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 10:33:08 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012182 >> >>>On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 21:58:27 -0700 >>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012178 >>> >>> Seeker frowns. "Dhampir?" he asks. >> >> "I have no idea." RedZia admits. "I'm not the most knowledgable, >>chromatically speaking, of us. I thought dhampir were unaffected by >>ultraviolet radiation, beyond a slightly-worse-than-human tendency >>to sun-exposure caused illness." > > Seeker nods. "Thank you. That does help. I suppose," he adds with >wry irony, "that something so straightforward is too prosaic for the >likes of 'er." "What a pun," Tink muses, "I'll have to lose respect for Queenie if she didn't do it on purpose." > Orchid gives RZ a thumbs-up. "Okay, Slingshot, when you detect our >spacial relocation, home in on these coordinates and take up a >holding pattern in the center of this island chain, confirm?" > "Confirmed," Majel Barrett-Roddenberry's voice replies. > Seeker, Jaguar, and Orchid share a glance. Seeker looks over at >Steppenwolf, who makes one final adjustment to his Electro-Axe and >nods. When Tink gives them an affirmative, Seeker grins. "Just say >the word." Tink does just that after addressing Sikorski regarding their miscommunication. > Steppenwolf steps through, eyeing the Landing Zone professionally, >Electro-Axe spinning like a scythe in a whirlwind. Seeker and Jaguar >follow, the Akashic holding four shuriken in one hand and his katana >in the other, Jaguar having eschewed his own weapon to grow to ten >feet, dominating the corridor. Still, he makes sure to leave room for >Tink, one hand and one foot/paw splayed against the wall. "I...there >are a great many scents. Unfortunately, while I believe the Hunter's >is among them, the intermingling is strong, and if it _is_ the >Hunter, his scent has been...changed. He may have an innate defense >against olfactory tracking now." Jaguar's posture is clearly more >than just for chivalry; his eyes flutter briefly, and his hand >twitches for a moment. "Incoming," he rumbles. Tink steps through, taking the space Jaguar cleared for her upon his change. She nods in the affirmative to RedZia. At Jaguar's warning, her posture shifts subtly, ready for something. > Indeed, there are. > Over a dozen humanoid/dinosaur things, like the ones Eric faced in >the Nile realm, stalk carefully forward. Eight sinuous raptor-men >with feathers growing along their spines are followed by eight >massive ankylosaur-men whose tails lash dangerously, the end of each >a deadly weapon whether clubs or spikes. > "For the Creator!" The lead Raptok howls. > "FOR THE CREATOR!" the others cry in unison. > They charge. "Oh, thank you, but I haven't been called that in some time," Tink says with a grin. "And this is for you!" Her hand flies into the air, a small device sailing from it in a graceful arc over and behind the sixteen dinosaur-men. A faint rippling appears in the air in the corridor ahead of the rescue party's front line as the object passes through. "Boom." The explosion of light and sound, accompanied by a hot rush of air, knocks the larger reptiles flat and sends the smaller flying, the pair farthest ahead smack against a transparent barrier that ripples like gelatin. Though very loud, the sound is far worse beyond the barrier. As the sound dies away, the barrier vanishes again. "Knock knock, Old Maid, you have guests." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE 9v: The Seventh Circle On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 21:10:39 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012210 >On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 19:59:01 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00012200 >>Ultraviolet Said As CAoL Message # 00012189 > Which was roughly (though not exactly) what he was expecting. He >shares the Platonic ideal of a hug with her via Lens, keeping his >meatspace body alert. There is the briefest of pauses, as she tries to figure out why he did that. Then she realizes - it must have leaked. @^Thank you, Eric.^@ She says simply, finding the fact he can rise above his own current dire straits to still have room to be concerned for as touching as it is rare. Truly, heroes are sometimes a breed apart. >> @^What, you prefer escargot?^@ Violet returns, point-blank, but >>he can _feel_ the smirk. > > @^Hardly,^@ he replies, still dry as ever. @^Given what is evoked >by one being's created world resting on a turtle's back, I have to >wonder just what her ego's limits _are._^@ Again, there is that so brief - but telling - pause. @^What makes you think there are any?^@ UV states, her mental tone is ... embarrassed?! > Eric's mirth vanishes beneath his typical veneer of >professionalism. > "Hrm. Only if he is feeling...nostalgic. Or indulging the Queen's >nostalgia. As effective as these devices may be, they do not approach >the power of his current devices, such as the Over-Armor brigades or >his energy-tech Destroids. I presume that Doctor Zerstoiten could >manage better." He kicks a metallic piece of carapace away coolly. > @^Then again, he could not possibly be stupid enough to truly >_trust_ Infra-Red. I certainly wouldn't, in his position.^@ He flows >easily into a ready stance, awaiting the next threat. @^Hrm. I >thought he was involved with that Scorpia woman.^@ "I'll take your professional opinion; I have no knowledge of him myself. Which, by the sounds of your description, is a good thing." @^These island bases haven't seen regular use in some decades. The snatch on you was somehow accomplished in mere hours; I don't believe there was time to update everything. Does she have a reputation for untrustworthiness, now? Such was not exactly the case before; she was known for doing exactly what was asked, but she had a Monkey's Paw way of catching one up short on the least omission or oversight.^@ @^She has never had much use - well, that's not exactly true. She doesn't have much respect for men; she has plenty of uses.^@ There is a vicious, deadly undercurrent to the thought, even by Lens. Violet hadn't known about IR's _other_ genetic manipulation of the Hunter - until he mentioned it. No wonder he was being careful not to touch her - or even think something intimate at her. Not having any choice about how he'd react - ick. A surge of sickened anger and sadness tried to well up; she did not want to lose him _this_ way. She forced it back down as she triggered the mental channel that would release the Lensman's seal on her Chromatic Dreams. No secret was worth tormenting her beloved in such a manner. @^This Doctor Zerstoiten? Is he good enough to rank among the top minds of this world? She does respect brilliance. An association of a lesser degree, perhaps. Or she is happy to settle for leftovers. She does prefer living creatures.^@ Muffled, dim sounds reach Eric's ears. Violet leaps again, clearing the vines. "Ah. Our rescue party has arrived. I don't find Infra's hospitality up to par. Shall we go catch our taxi, Hunter?" Without waiting his agreement, she tears off down the corridor, both guns at the ready. Then, quite reminiscent of Han Solo, she immediately comes running back - although she isn't yelling. Her guns are ablaze in one continuous thunder of sound. However, the huge, multi-snake headed hydra that pulls itself after her with a humping, walrus-like motion on two flippers and a tail overwhelms even the roar of gunfire with a sizzling, hissing roar at jet-engine decibel level. Its sheer bulk is the equal of a herd of elephants, fortunately slowing it enough Violet can retreat successfully. However, it _fills_ the corridor. Getting by that cloud of weaving heads unscathed seems unlikely. Just barely visible in the leftover flame-light, the tail thickens into another body - facing the opposite way. The creature doesn't seem to have an, er, back end. The second set of heads (and presumably lungs) roars immediately following the first. Venom dripping from its jaws is creates small puffs of acrid, orange smoke as it hits the stone. When bullets strike it, the only effect seems to be a flare of flame as the small amount of blood so exposed to air... ignites. Violet, seeing that bullets are inadequate, holsters her pistols. In the stunned quiet after that avalance of sheer volume from the beast, she speaks. "On second thought, her developing a taste for classical literature might not be a good thing after all." =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9v: Exit, Stage Rescue On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 18:29:42 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012219 OOC: Come once more to the far corners of Earth-9; in one such corner, a band of Champions accompanies a handful of CAoL members in an attempt to rescue comrades in peril from the mad (indeed, downright furious ;^) bioengineer Infra-Red, her legions of enhanced warbeasts and her living island! >On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 05:54:42 +0100 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012208 >>On Sat, 07 Aug 2004 13:03:34 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012204 >> >> Steppenwolf steps through, eyeing the Landing Zone >>professionally, Electro-Axe spinning like a scythe in a whirlwind. >>Seeker and Jaguar follow, the Akashic holding four shuriken in one >>hand and his katana in the other, Jaguar having eschewed his own >>weapon to grow to ten feet, dominating the corridor. Still, he makes >>sure to leave room for Tink, one hand and one foot/paw splayed >>against the wall. "I...there are a great many scents. Unfortunately, >>while I believe the Hunter's is among them, the intermingling is >>strong, and if it _is_ the Hunter, his scent has been...changed. He >>may have an innate defense against olfactory tracking now." Jaguar's >>posture is clearly more than just for chivalry; his eyes flutter >>briefly, and his hand twitches for a moment. "Incoming," he rumbles. > >Tink steps through, taking the space Jaguar cleared for her upon his >change. She nods in the affirmative to RedZia. At Jaguar's warning, >her posture shifts subtly, ready for something. Orchid follows, zipping ahead and back in literally less than the blink of an eye. "eep," she comments. >> Over a dozen humanoid/dinosaur things, like the ones Eric faced >>in the Nile realm, stalk carefully forward. Eight sinuous raptor-men >>with feathers growing along their spines are followed by eight >>massive ankylosaur-men whose tails lash dangerously, the end of each >>a deadly weapon whether clubs or spikes. >> "For the Creator!" The lead Raptok howls. >> "FOR THE CREATOR!" the others cry in unison. >> They charge. > >"Oh, thank you, but I haven't been called that in some time," Tink >says with a grin. "And this is for you!" > >Her hand flies into the air, a small device sailing from it in a >graceful arc over and behind the sixteen dinosaur-men. A faint >rippling appears in the air in the corridor ahead of the rescue >party's front line as the object passes through. The Raptok dart aside, crouching, hissing and looking warily ahead. The Anklok plod forward, unconcerned. >"Boom." > >The explosion of light and sound, accompanied by a hot rush of air, >knocks the larger reptiles flat and sends the smaller flying, the >pair farthest ahead smack against a transparent barrier that ripples >like gelatin. Though very loud, the sound is far worse beyond the >barrier. As the sound dies away, the barrier vanishes again. > >"Knock knock, Old Maid, you have guests." "Champions! HIT 'EM HARD!" Seeker roars (partly to be heard above the din), pointing forward with his katana like a kung-fu movie's idea of a pirate captain. All three charge. It is soon easy to see why they are this Earth's greatest heroes. They move almost as one, Orchid racing around the stunned Raptok as Jaguar leaps over her, shifting to an almost Clydesdale-sized bear-cat that plows into the Anklok. At the same time, Seeker leaps as well, firing shuriken into the Raptok and slicing into them with inhuman accuracy using the katana. None are fatally injured, but within three seconds half the enemy forces are disabled or inescapably engaged and losing ground fast. The remaining dino-men, dazed, confused, and furious slowly rise, but the Champions seem unconcerned. Steppenwolf strides up to an Anklok, salutes with dry humor to it (her?), then punches it hard enough to knock it into the wall. Literally. "Everyone choose a partner and dance," he says calmly. "There are enough to spare, though that should not last long." He jumps casually, almost contemptuously, easily dodging as the Anklok pulls itself out of the dent in the wall and tries to trip him with its menacing tail. His "is that the best you can do?" expression seems lost on his sparring partner. -- The Champions (& Steppenwolf) No time for losers ;^) =========================== Subject: Re: AAE 9v: The Seventh Circle On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 21:53:13 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012220 OOC: When last we left our heroes, they were in peril, (indeed, our Vile Villainess had made each a peril to the other -- Boo! Hiss!) facing one menace after another while trapped within Infra-Red's floating island tortoise fortress... >On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 21:10:39 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012210 > > @^These island bases haven't seen regular use in some decades. The >snatch on you was somehow accomplished in mere hours; I don't believe >there was time to update everything. Does she have a reputation for >untrustworthiness, now? Such was not exactly the case before; she was >known for doing exactly what was asked, but she had a Monkey's Paw >way of catching one up short on the least omission or oversight.^@ @^That is exactly her reputation. Few possess the arrogance or actual intellect to try to match wits with her in a contract.^@ Eric smiles without humor. @^The Queen of Spades is only her most common epithet. 'Asmodea' and 'The Bio-Lawyer' are among those I can mention in polite company. I find the former more poetic than the latter, but...in the shadowy power circles of this world, that sort of 'Monkey's Paw' notoriety is almost as bad as being outright unreliable to some, and even worse to others. There are always enough fools to keep her in business, though, more's the pity.^@ > @^She has never had much use - well, that's not exactly true. She >doesn't have much respect for men; she has plenty of uses.^@ There is >a vicious, deadly undercurrent to the thought, even by Lens. Violet >hadn't known about IR's _other_ genetic manipulation of the Hunter - >until he mentioned it. @^Hrm. I stand by my previous statement, with the caveat that I would not wish her on any man living. Or among the functional undead.^@ He almost chuckles mentally, but cannot quite muster up the sense of humor for it. > @^This Doctor Zerstoiten? Is he good enough to rank among the top >minds of this world? She does respect brilliance. @^Destroyer is considered by most to be _the_ premier intellect on the planet. He can be equaled in certain areas by a few, and surpassed by individuals who are the greatest in their fields -- Defender in energy control, Infra-Red with bioengineering -- but none claim to be the polymath he is, and in hardtech he has no equal on this world.^@ All this with almost computer-like calm, as if he were a program providing a data dump on the subject. >An association of a lesser degree, perhaps. Or she is happy to settle >for leftovers. She does prefer living creatures.^@ @^I doubt the not-so-good Doctor would spare any of his that she would find...useful. In my experience, Destroyer does not favor biologically oriented schemes, whether viral or Gogira-style, and he is, to his minimal credit, protective of his subjects.^@ > Muffled, dim sounds reach Eric's ears. Violet leaps again, >clearing the vines. > > "Ah. Our rescue party has arrived. I don't find Infra's >hospitality up to par. Shall we go catch our taxi, Hunter?" Without >waiting his agreement, she tears off down the corridor, both guns at >the ready. "Hrm." Eric is unconvinced -- it's too easy, and something in the air tastes wrong -- but starts to follow for lack of anything better to do. > Then, quite reminiscent of Han Solo, she immediately comes running >back - although she isn't yelling. Her guns are ablaze in one >continuous thunder of sound. Eric immediately leaps forward, his own pseudo-firearms at the ready. He stops with equal suddenness, staring in shock. >However, the huge, multi-snake headed hydra that pulls itself after >her with a humping, walrus-like motion on two flippers and a tail >overwhelms even the roar of gunfire with a sizzling, hissing roar at >jet-engine decibel level. "You have GOT to be kidding," the monster-hunter blurts, even his experience overwhelmed by the sheer bizarre-ness of the thing. >Its sheer bulk is the equal of a herd of elephants, fortunately >slowing it enough Violet can retreat successfully. However, it >_fills_ the corridor. Getting by that cloud of weaving heads >unscathed seems unlikely. Eric dutifully adds cover fire to her own, hitting an eye, a tooth, a tongue as necessary to distract any head that appears to be coming to close to her. Then the light bulb goes off over his head. Ultra-Violet can almost _see_ it, as the reaction is so intense that his Lens creates a psychic image of one that hers can pick up easily. [Biomass. ANIMAL biomass. You finally made a mistake, blondie, and I'm going to cram it down your carefully engineered little _throat._] With a savage intensity belied by his smooth, flowing motion. > Just barely visible in the leftover flame-light, the tail thickens >into another body - facing the opposite way. The creature doesn't >seem to have an, er, back end. The second set of heads (and >presumably lungs) roars immediately following the first. "Ah. She has designed the perfect politician -- ten-faced rather than simply two-faced." Eric forces himself not to grin ferally as he circles his prey, allowing it to believe itself the predator. >Venom dripping from its jaws is creates small puffs of acrid, orange >smoke as it hits the stone. "With just the proper amount of bile for the field." > When bullets strike it, the only effect seems to be a flare of >flame as the small amount of blood so exposed to air... ignites. Eric's expression remains placid, and he is instantly grateful that he kept the smile from his face. @^Hrm. Complication.^@ > Violet, seeing that bullets are inadequate, holsters her pistols. >In the stunned quiet after that avalance of sheer volume from the >beast, she speaks. > > "On second thought, her developing a taste for classical >literature might not be a good thing after all." "Oh, I don't know," Eric replies dryly, displaying a faint, fang-born lisp for the first time. "I think I might share a taste for it in this instance." @^I am about to do something potentially reckless. {explanation here} The dividends will prove quite beneficial if I succeed, however. Watch for flailing, as it will no doubt be very unhappy in a moment; otherwise, I know you can handle yourself. Be careful, love.^@ With that, the Hunter more explodes forward than jumps, spiralling through the storm of serpent necks and heads and fangs to land neatly at the base of the center-front throat. He fires a few precious blood-bullets at the angry swarm of mouths above him, both to keep them confused and to distract them from UV. Then, holstering a pseudo-gun and wiping his chosen spot down carefully, he lowers his mouth to the skin, and with a smooth, even motion, clamps his lips to it even as the fangs sink into the flesh. [HRRRGGH! Kung Pao chicken times about a thousand, with the taste of a spoiled milk and castor oil tonic.] Still, he drinks, forcing the blood through the filters in his teeth as fast as he can. Of course, Infra-Red planted other dangers in the fluid as well, mental destabilizers, hallucinogenics, viral traps and a dozen other back doors, each more cunning and cruel than the last. With calm brilliance, Eric Unweaves each one with his mastery of Prime, filling himself until he can force no more into his system. By then, he can hardly hold off the heads any longer regardless, and with that, jumps away, both hands fully healed and holding the twin pistols. Given the red glow within the handles, it seems he found a use for the incendiary aspect of the blood as well, all of it focused into his arsenal. "Smile, you ugly son of a--" he says with a fierce, terrifying, bloody sneer. The last word is lost in a fiery explosion of two-gun mojo, as one entire head erupts in flame and all but vanishes. "And how does one keep a hydra from regenerating heads? Thanks for the assist, Infra-Dead." He turns to gaze with relief and triumph at his lady love, sneer morphing toward genuine smile. And freezes. The genius of the final, most clever of traps dawns on him, the left brain appreciating it even as the deepest pit of his soul howls in rage, hungering for bloody, fiery vengeance. The awful taste now gone, his body is instead filled with an incredible glory, literally intoxicating power, creating an arrogant superiority where there was none. Worse, within it all, his senses are a dozen times more acute than they were. He can hear her, feel her, _taste_ her from several feet away. The scent of her fills his nostrils, his vision clouded with thick red haze as his eyes lock on to her. He feels no need for her blood, but the _other_ hunger IR implanted in him is...stronger. He forces himself to look away, and Ultra-Violet can actually, literally _hear_ a tearing sound as he does so. "You first," he says, now staring murderously at the agonized, enraged beast. @^Plan?^@ he sends, thoughts clouded beyond the ability to express himself further. ===========================