Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 7a Chapter 7 Subject: Re: AAE7: Trumped-up charge into the action On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 18:44:09 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010054 >On Fri, 20 Apr 2001 05:00:38 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010035 > >>On Thu, 19 Apr 2001 22:27:18 -0400 >>"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00010034 >> >>Baz smiles. "Hello, Lady Ziatrice. Would you be so kind as to give >>me a hand over to where and when you are? I seem to have missed the >>boat. > >@Ah - I'm not really at the center of the action right now, hold on a >sec.@ Ziactrice gets out a Trump herself. Even more oddly, this one >is a telephone. The box with Roland's action team rings. > >"Field Team Argyle, this is Agent Ziactrice. I have another agent >inbound six, put on your mitt." Roland raises an eyebrow, but smiles despite himself. /Field Team Argyle?/ "We read you, Agent Z." >/Roland, if you would contact Bazil from the Place, he is ready to >join up with the group. I think either Aurora or Nemo can give you a >direct link the most quickly./ Roland nods. /If Nemo couldn't come along, I don't want to risk contact with him, lest the universe go kablooie. /Aurora? We have a fellow Patron who'd like to join./ He 'peers' back into the Place. /Er, sie looks like sie'd be comfortable with one of the other teams. Rob? Rio? Would one of you take this 'call?'/ He sends an image of Baz along with the transfer. Rio pipes up, /Looks like he'll...she'll?... fit in with the student crowd better than the photo shoot. We're near a park, so if someone could direct our new friend here {}, we can link up./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7: Trumped-up charge into the action On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 21:31:26 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010055 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010054 > > Roland nods. /If Nemo couldn't come along, I don't want to risk >contact with him, lest the universe go kablooie. > /Aurora? We have a fellow Patron who'd like to join./ He 'peers' >back into the Place. /Er, sie looks like sie'd be comfortable with >one of the other teams. Rob? Rio? Would one of you take this 'call?'/ >He sends an image of Baz along with the transfer. > >Rio pipes up, /Looks like he'll...she'll?... fit in with the student >crowd better than the photo shoot. We're near a park, so if someone >could direct our new friend here {}, we can link up./ In the place an X window opens up. It appears to open into an empty stall in a public privy. Aurora's 'voice' is heard in the Place, /*"Baz, if you will step through, you will find a small group of 'students' out the door, and to your left. They are members of the CAoL. You will recognize them thusly {}."*/ (OOC: assuming Baz steps through) The window closes immediately behind Baz. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Going out... (longish) On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 21:49:54 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010056 >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010049 > >/And while we're on the subject, how far beyond 'normal human' on the >psi scale does somebody have to be to resist the compulsion?/ Rob >asks, as the 'faux-tographer' directs his model to head for the >river. /An L2 unaided would have no chance to resist. Most humans can't qualify as an L1. Any of the four that make up Mentor could resist I believe. All of the Kinnison children could after their final training. Certainly I can. If it becomes necessary, I can provide mind screens that will protect against this, however such would cut off ANY mental communications between us, no matter how the communication effect is generated. Also having such would not be unlike turning on a search light, stepping into the light, and screaming 'look at me' in a voice loud enough to be heard throughout the planet./ Aurora answers. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Going out... (longish) On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 23:23:20 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010057 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010056 > >/An L2 unaided would have no chance to resist. Most humans can't >qualify as an L1./ [Zgwortz-eating son of a Khoogra...] /From what I understand of the Lensman rating system, I'm somewhere around a strong L1 or a weak L2 in psi defense./ >/If it becomes necessary, I can provide mind screens that will >protect against this, however such would cut off ANY mental >communications between us, no matter how the communication effect is >generated. Also, having such would not be unlike turning on a search >light, stepping into the light, and screaming 'look at me' in a voice >loud enough to be heard throughout the planet./ Aurora answers. /In short, unless that field gets shut down, there's no way I can get in there without alerting Rassilon. So, is there anybody qualified to go in and turn off the tractor be..er, the zone of compulsion? Or do we just go for the 'scream and charge' method?/ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Going out... (longish) On Wed, 25 Apr 2001 16:55:37 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010058 >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010057 >/In short, unless that field gets shut down, there's no way I can get >in there without alerting Rassilon. So, is there anybody qualified to >go in and turn off the tractor be..er, the zone of compulsion? Or do >we just go for the 'scream and charge' method?/ /I MIGHT be able to get in there undetected. However it is extremely unlikely that the zone of compulsion is comming from a machine that can be turned off. It is much more likely that Rassilon is generating the zone himself. Stopping the zone would require either isolating him inside a proper mind shield, or stopping HIM. If he truely has all the capabilities of an Arisian, even I couldn't kill him, with physical force. I might, however, be able to with mental, spiritual, or magical forces. A mental duel between him and myself will kill most of the humans for a considerable distance, on human scales. At this time I have no data to project his capabilities pertaining to spiritual or magical forces./ Aurora answers. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Going out... (longish) On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 11:54:02 -0400 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010059 >On Wed, 25 Apr 2K1, "Dane" (aka Aurora) Said > >/I MIGHT be able to get in there undetected. However it is extremely >unlikely that the zone of compulsion is comming from a machine that >can be turned off. It is much more likely that Rassilon is generating >the zone himself. Stopping the zone would require either isolating >him inside a proper mind shield, or stopping HIM. If he truely has >all the capabilities of an Arisian, even I couldn't kill him, with >physical force. I might, however, be able to with mental, spiritual, >or magical forces. A mental duel between him and myself will kill >most of the humans for a considerable distance, on human scales. >At this time I have no data to project his capabilities pertaining to >spiritual or magical forces./ Aurora answers. /Not only would the fall-out from such a Psychic Duel be something that ought to avoided at all costs,/ Dhyrclhanc adds, /But when dealing with Time-Lords, Guile, Stealth and Subtlety always make better weapons than simple Brute Force. No offence intended, Aurora but I think that this time we may need Zia's expertice on this op./ *Madam...?* he then sends to the petite Amberite, hoping that he hasn't caught her in an inoportune moment. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Going out... (longish) On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 10:20:57 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010060 >On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 11:54:02 -0400 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010059 > >*Madam...?* he then sends to the petite Amberite, hoping that he >hasn't caught her in an inoportune moment. As if she would let you have any hint of same if you did? @Gentledrake?@ Ziactrice responds just as politely, via her Lens, to DC alone. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7: Trumped-up charge into the action On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 10:52:01 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00010061 >On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 21:31:26 -0700 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010055 > >In the place an X window opens up. It appears to open into an empty >stall in a public privy. Aurora's 'voice' is heard in the Place, >/*"Baz, if you will step through, you will find a small group of >'students' out the door, and to your left. They are members of the >CAoL. You will recognize them thusly {}."*/ > >The window closes immediately behind Baz. Rio (and I assume the others who are with her) are waiting when Baz comes out. (OOC: So, was it the men's room or the ladies' room ;-). She extends her hand to the newcomer with a smile. "Hi! My papers say 'Kirsten,' but call me Rio. This is Mandy, and Roger," she adds, indicating each in turn and giving them a chance to make longer introductions of themselves if they so choose. "We've got a little shopping to finish, and then we rendezvous with the photo-shoot team back at the hotel." She gets a wicked little smile. "Although I suggest we wait for them in the lobby." Rio may not be eavesdropping on her brother, but between the lens link and her Cultist of Ecstasy awarenesses, she knows dern well what's going on and isn't about to interrupt it ;-). ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7: Trumped-up charge into the action On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 21:44:49 -0400 "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00010062 >On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 10:52:01 -0700 >Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00010061 > >>On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 21:31:26 -0700 >>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010055 >> >>(OOC: assuming Baz steps through) (OOC: Which he does. Thanks!) >>The window closes immediately behind Baz. > >Rio (and I assume the others who are with her) are waiting when Baz >comes out. (OOC: So, was it the men's room or the ladies' room ;-). >She extends her hand to the newcomer with a smile. (OOC: the men's room. If Baz were to wear women's clothes, he'd look like a man in women's clothes. Despite certain aspects he's at the moment keeping literally under wraps, he's male in outlook and form. Sorry 'bout the confusion, but this is the closest to a 'standard gendered' character I've played in years) >"Hi! My papers say 'Kirsten,' but call me Rio. This is Mandy, and >Roger," she adds, indicating each in turn and giving them a chance to >make longer introductions of themselves if they so choose. Bazil bows to each, in a rather courtly fashion for a mere college student.. "Pleased to finally meet you! I think I've seen you all around the Place one time or another, but just didn't have the chance. I'm Bazil Wright, and everyone calls me Baz." >"We've got a little shopping to finish, and then we rendezvous with >the photo-shoot team back at the hotel." She gets a wicked little >smile. "Although I suggest we wait for them in the lobby." Rio may >not be eavesdropping on her brother, but between the lens link and >her Cultist of Ecstasy awarenesses, she knows dern well what's going >on and isn't about to interrupt it ;-). "Shopping? That'd be great." he taps one of the shoulder straps of his bland-looking backpack. "I don't have any other period changes of clothing; the rest is either anachronistic, or anacosmistic* Don't worry about my needing money, either..." he holds up a billfold, of US currency. "I'm sure that dollars will /be just fine/," he finishes in the tone of 'these are not the droids you're looking for' and 'Imperial Credits will do just as well' (OOC: though I've probably messed up the latter quote.). *anacomsistic: as anachronistic, but applying instead to other universes, not other times. ================================= Subject: Re: re: AAE 7a: Going out... (longish) On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 22:53:03 -0500 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010063 >On Thu, 26 Apr 2K1, Ziactrice Said > >>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said >> >>*Madam...?* he then sends to the petite Amberite, hoping that he >>hasn't caught her in an inopportune moment. > > As if she would let you have any hint of same if you >did? Oh, *you're* _good_! ;^D >@Gentledrake?@ Ziactrice responds just as politely, via her Lens, to >DC alone. @ Meaning no disrespect to you and your family but the anecdotes that I have heard about the Members of Houses of Amber indicate that they could probably give the DeMedicis and the other Great Houses of Earth's Renaissance some lessons in Machiavellian behavior.@ @Our current opponent comes from a society at least as sophisticated in the Games of Guile and Deceit and thus I believe that we need your expertise in these matters. For once in our career as interdimensional well-wishers and cosmically-powered meddlers engaged in matters where fools otherwise only tend to tread, I believe we've finally come upon an enemy against whom 'force majure' tactics are not going to prevail@ @Come to think of it, where is that "civil-servant" husband of yours? If it is possible, his help might also be helpful in this case, as well.@ };=8D ================================= Subject: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Fri, 27 Apr 2001 17:30:18 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010065 In the Place, the Doctor, Anna and Finn have taken up a table near the sphere of nontime and are observing the X-windows intently. Schroedinger the cat is curled up in Anna's lap, purring. She'd been amazed to see the cat and both woman and feline greeted each other like old friends, despite the illogic of the cat having known her before. The Doctor takes off his commbadge and sets in in the center of the table, tapping it once to keep the link open. { "In my function as an underground railroad off Gallifrey," the Doctor says, "I did determine that the Time Lords under Rassilon were biologically compatable with my own race. Their history is obviously different, as is there technology, but the effect Aurora described is not something even a Time Lord wearing the Coronet of Rassilon is capable of. I'd deduce therefore that it's a mechanical zone of compulsion, though potentially directed by an organic mind. I doubt that mind would be Rassilon's for he'd find himself too busy keeping the field working to do anything else. I'd also suggest that if he's been there a month and hasn't... eliminated... Michael Seven already, that it's because he's found a greater threat than a single infant, which has required him to take more time to prepare." The Doctor looks intently at Anna for a moment. Shroedinger looks up over the edge of the table and growls kittenishly at him. Anna strokes the kitten as the Doctor looks away with a sigh and a muttered, "Right, not good to know the future.". "Anyway," the Doctor says finally, "Whatever this new threat is, it still centers on Michael Seven." Anna nods, adding, "And it might be worth mentioning that the method Mahloy used to survive death and possess me was designed by Rassilon as a method of immortality. Mahloy was probably the ideal assassin for Rassilon, evil to the core and without conscience. I think it was all me that kept Michael Seven as a secondary target and consequently Molly alive. I was too scared to face Michael and Molly just did all the things I'd wished I could have. I suspect had he done what Rassilon was doing with the Khan body there in Biovalley, it might have ended in mutual annihilation. But when the moment came, I was too scared to do anything, thankfully. I imagine Rassilon planned to use that technique on other Time Lords, though, not humans." The Doctor nods, "If it's similar to what the Master used, he'd have to, human bodies would burn out within a decade or so with Rassilon's mental force in them. He wouldn't have his immortality as a Time Lord would have it until he could ensure his life for at least a millenium." "Also," Anna finishes with a deep breath, "Mahloy lost to Michael because I was simply catatonic and so Mahloy was the only one driving. When Michael tried to pull out Mahloy's mind from my body, I got behind and helped push Mahloy out. I suspect Rassilon doesn't have a second persona in his body, but if his opponent's strong enough, he could maybe be pulled out of that body and destroyed that way. Especially if he doesn't have somewhere to return to." "That's the Auror I know an' love talkin'," Finn rumbles. } ================================= Subject: Re: Re:AAE 7: Feline Questions Was: AAE 7: Picking the shot On Sun, 29 Apr 2001 21:08:04 -0700 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010066 >On Sat, 14 Apr 2001 17:44:54 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010016 > >>On Sat, 14 Apr 2001 03:40:22 -0700 >>Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010014 >> >>The MouseyBeast returns 10 Minutes later. >>=Lord Fuzzy will await your presence, >> At the fallen tree on {point} that hill at moonrise, >> Being of a larger Breed than those that, >> The Two-Legs of this Time and Place, >> Normally share nests with, >> He thought that to be the wiser course...= > > =I will meet him there,= the feline replies. She finds him perched in a the Pose that some humans mistake for sleep, Alert to any sound, scent, vibratation, or change in the wind pattern... According to main line, Any mentel contact between them will reveal to them both, That the other is a Lensman Potential Mind, It may not reveal that the other is in fact a LensBearer. Fuzzy's Tourist Persona has and will continue to behave, Exactly as what it appears to be... ================================= Subject: Re: Re:AAE 7: Feline Questions Was: AAE 7: Picking the shot On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 09:14:39 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010067 >On Sun, 29 Apr 2001 21:08:04 -0700 >Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010066 > >She finds him perched in a the Pose that some humans mistake for >sleep, > Alert to any sound, scent, vibratation, or change in the wind >pattern... > >According to main line, > Any mentel contact between them will reveal to them both, > That the other is a Lensman Potential Mind, > It may not reveal that the other is in fact a LensBearer. > >Fuzzy's Tourist Persona has and will continue to behave, > Exactly as what it appears to be... Isis pads her way through the grass as she reachs the crest of the hill with the fallen tree atop it. She pauses at seeing the large cat, tail sweeping back and forth a couple times, then continues towards him, casually keeping her distance. =You are, I presume, Lord Fuzzy.= After acknowledgement of that fact, she'll sit atop a chair-sized rock. =Tell me about this potential paradox.= About a half-mile away, a BMW sits parked at the side of the road, the gray-haired man in the driver's seat reading the paper. A watch on his left wrist glows witha scintilating light, masked, however, by the stronger light coming from the dome light. ^@That's right, Isis, let's get right to the point.@^ Gary Seven sends privately. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 11:50:05 -0400 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010068 >On Fri, 27 Apr 2001, "Mike Knight" Said > > The Doctor takes off his commbadge and sets in in the center of >the table, tapping it once to keep the link open. Dhyrclhanc will take the initiative and relay the communication via either the Lens-link, or more "mundane" surface-mind to surface-mind telepathy. > "Also," Anna finishes with a deep breath, "Mahloy lost to >Michael because I was simply catatonic and so Mahloy was the only one >driving. When Michael tried to pull out Mahloy's mind from my body, I >got behind and helped push Mahloy out. I suspect Rassilon doesn't >have a second persona in his body, but if his opponent's strong >enough, he could maybe be pulled out of that body and destroyed that >way. Especially if he doesn't have somewhere to return to." */So the good news is that it is not Rassilion, himself, who is generating the {Zone of Compulsion/SEP Field}, but the feild is being generated by techology./* */The bad news is that despite the fact that the native tech in this time-space locus is post-industrial but pre-information age, our least favorite proto-Time-Lord has cobbled together equipment that is the equivalent to Time-Lord technology,*and* the Tower of Rassilion (which should normally be on Galefrey), even when that level of technology should not be available to this civilization for another several thousand, or million generations, or so./* */The even worse is that it seems that there is a black hat wondering about who has a vendetta against both Rassilion _and_ Michael Seven which is so strong that they apparently wanted to come back and retroactively remove "Mikey" from the time-line and is so powerful that they've got Rassilion laying low for the time being./* *^Aurora, can you tell if there have been any incursions into the this alterverse from the adjacent anti-matter reality?^* */Somebody needs to volunteer to watch Mikey and Roberta, I would suggest that a Nemisis do this, the rest of us should probably reconvien and hold a council-of-war as to what our next move is. If everyone can move to a nearby location which is not obstructed from above but is out of view of the natives, I can teleport all of us into the rec/mess hall on the Xavier./* *^That is unless you have got a better idea, bro?^* ================================= Subject: AAE 7a: Within Rassilon's Keep, On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 15:37:51 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010069 Silver-soled, silver-topped, knee-high, black. leather boots paced the floor of Rassilon's chambers, silver cloak sweeping the floor behind them, the black silk lining visible as the figure turned. Rassilon tugged at the hem of his silver belted black tunic, folded his arms across his chest and stared at the black jeweled silver ring on his hand. "Matrix, you are finished with the calculations?" he asked. A voice resonated from all around the room, "Yes, Lord Rassilon. We have confirmed our initial hypothesis. The destruction of Gallifrey will occur by a woman's hand if Michael Seven lives. Based on the evidence, our calculation that it would be the revived spirit of his clone, Mahloy, in the body of Anna Romanov, was in error, the child hindered Mahloy's effectiveness in an unforseeable way." "The body was not cleansed of the original persona." "Yes. The critical error was, in fact, the recloning of Michael Seven's female regeneration by the High Council." "Yes, good that they died from their mistake then. And stopping them would not alter the course of events later?" "They would act of their own accord, only with the intent to destroy you, Lord Rassilon." "Very good that they died then. So, the crucial element remains, there is no way to allow Michael Seven to be coerced and conditioned as our agent." "He and his clone would each prove highly effective, enough to be restored after death." "And if he lives, he will be recruited." "Lord Rassilon did not choose incompetent recruiters. They will see his value, whoever is sent, and the High Council will see to his capture if you do not, most likely to be their assassian." "With me as their target. I gave them too much autonomy. Then we must kill him." "I perceive that if he dies, another will come forward to destroy us directly. All probability leads to this universe being the focus of the activities against us." "Our inability to trace Michael Seven at times, his infuriating ability to defy us, all stem from something in this universe?" "Yes." "It is well, then, that we are almost complete in our construction of the dimensional cannon." "Completion of the weapon and selection of the monoblock bullet in two days time." "Good," Rassilon said, looking at a thick silver band around his wrist, the nameplate from the tank his new body had been created in, "Very soon, Khan, we shall project what they call a "cosmic egg" into this universe, the result shall be either an implosion of this universe into the gravity well of the one we shall insert, or an explosion of that one in this one, I can't really say. But, the result shall be universal annihilation, regardless, thus ending this reality's threat upon ours. With such a weapon, even that pompous fool Gharlane will be forced to bow before the genius of Rassilon." Rassilon's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the chamber. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 18:02:58 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010070 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010068 > >*^Aurora, can you tell if there have been any incursions into the >this alterverse from the adjacent anti-matter reality?^* /I will look./ She answers. >*/Somebody needs to volunteer to watch Mikey and Roberta, I would >suggest that a Nemisis do this, the rest of us should probably >reconvien and hold a council-of-war as to what our next move is. If >everyone can move to a nearby location which is not obstructed from >above but is out of view of the natives, I can teleport all of us >into the rec/mess hall on the Xavier./* /I am already watching over 'Mikey'. No member of his family will take damage without killing ME first, as long as they are in his presence./ Aurora states. She then scans back through time, looking for any and all beings entering this universe, from either parallel universes or through time, or both. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Tue, 1 May 2001 08:30:21 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010073 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010068 > >*/So the good news is that it is not Rassilion, himself, who is >generating the {Zone of Compulsion/SEP Field}, but the field is being >generated by techology./* /Which means that we can slip somebody in to shut the thing down. And that I didn't horribly underestimate Rassilon's abilities,/ Rob notes. >*/The bad news is that despite the fact that the native tech in this >time-space locus is post-industrial but pre-information age, our >least favorite proto-Time-Lord has cobbled together equipment that is >the equivalent to Time-Lord technology,*and* the Tower of Rassilion >(which should normally be on Galefrey), even when that level of >technology should not be available to this civilization for another >several thousand, or million generations, or so./* /Would somebody please refresh my memory? Aren't the Time Lords supposed to have created a supernova just to jump-start their time-travel equipment?/ Rob is looking somewhat uncomfortable at the thought of dealing with this level of technology. >*/Somebody needs to volunteer to watch Mikey and Roberta, I would >suggest that a Nemisis do this, the rest of us should probably >reconvene and hold a council-of-war as to what our next move is. If >everyone can move to a nearby location which is not obstructed from >above but is out of view of the natives, I can teleport all of us >into the rec/mess hall on the Xavier./* [If Rassilon's using higher technology, he should have impacted the local tolerances. Which means that if I get close enough to the river - I know he's somewhere on the river - I'll be able to use some of the things that won't otherwise work.] Checking his bracelet as he walks toward the water, Rob notes that the 'technology' gem is, in fact, brightening slowly. /I think I can create a place which will work, if teleportation becomes the plan./ Rob then pulls what looks like a four-color pen from his pocket and begins fiddling with it as he walks. Eventually, the pen beeps softly. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Tue, 1 May 2001 12:16:28 -0400 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010074 >On Tue, 1 May 2K1, Rob N Said > >/Which means that we can slip somebody in to shut the thing down. And >that I didn't horribly underestimate Rassilon's abilities,/ Rob >notes. */Yes, but how do you plan on defeating an "SEP" field that tricked _my_ mind, a 2nd Stage, at least L2, mind?^* >/Would somebody please refresh my memory? Aren't the Time Lords >supposed to have created a supernova just to jump-start their >time-travel equipment?/ Rob is looking somewhat uncomfortable at the >thought of dealing with this level of technology. */Black Hole, actually./* Galefreian Time-Lord Tech is the equivalent of GURPS TL16. While I don't know about Fuzzy, but Dhyrclhanc is capable of creating TL 13 or 16 devices, but only in Months that have a Blue Moon in them. >[If Rassilon's using higher technology, he should have impacted the >local tolerances. Which means that if I get close enough to the river >- I know he's somewhere on the river - I'll be able to use some of >the things that won't otherwise work.] Checking his bracelet as he >walks toward the water, Rob notes that the 'technology' gem is, in >fact, brightening slowly. Huh? >/I think I can create a place which will work, if teleportation >becomes the plan./ Rob then pulls what looks like a four-color pen >from his pocket and begins fiddling with it as he walks. (see ooc2) >Eventually, the pen beeps softly. Dhyrclhanc, in his guise as "Agent Lance", while inside Jim's BMW outer facade, spends the next hour and a half in concentration, trying to follow Rob's progress. However, at the end of this time, after making sure that Jim's windows are still shaded, he teleports back into his dragon-sized stateroom on the Xavier, just before the time limit on his shape-shift runs out. Dhyrclhanc can only maintain a shape-shifted form for up to 10 hours after which he automatically reverts to his 21' foot dragon-shape. a short time later... "Dang." ^/Bro, Sis, Nimrod and Synthea will follow your dirrections from here on in. I will have to catch-up with you later. Let me know if Dasher and I should expect guests later./^ a little later... "What? 'Tron' didn't début until 1982? Well, that rules out my 'Shiva'. I wonder if the Xavier's database has the specs for a 'Thundergod'?" "Computer?" "working..." tag next person ================================= Subject: Re: Re:AAE 7: Feline Questions Was: AAE 7: Picking the shot On Tue, 1 May 2001 10:04:31 -0700 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010075 >On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 09:14:39 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010067 > > Isis pads her way through the grass as she reachs the crest of >the hill with the fallen tree atop it. She pauses at seeing the large >cat, tail sweeping back and forth a couple times, then continues >towards him, casually keeping her distance. > =You are, I presume, Lord Fuzzy.= His eyes had opened as she approuched, =You are quite Correct, And you, I believe, are Queen Isis.= Fuzzy's eyes drift shut for a moment, A certain set to the Ears and Tail, A Social Cue Meaning, 'I Concede without conflict, Your Primacy in this encounter.' Interaction between the Genders is commonly, Ruled by a Matriarchal social pattern... > After acknowledgement of that fact, she'll sit atop a >chair-sized rock. > =Tell me about this potential paradox.= > About a half-mile away, a BMW sits parked at the side of the >road, the gray-haired man in the driver's seat reading the paper. A >watch on his left wrist glows witha scintilating light, masked, >however, by the stronger light coming from the dome light. > ^@That's right, Isis, let's get right to the point.@^ Gary >Seven sends privately. =As you will.= =In days of Future-Past one of your Two-Legs will aqcuire an Enemy, This being has Significant ability to manipulate Timelines, I was told by sources that I do not consider to be perfectly reliable, That this Enemy would be trying to alter a defeat it suffered, In days of 'Past Yet To Come' from this locus, The being in question may well have sufficiant, Temporal control to succeed.= =I have come to Observe, and Only If Necessary, Intervene to protect a Two-Legs, Who will one day become Important to me.= Fuzzy does not know that MouseyBeast, Asked about the Tardis/Singularity Signature. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Tue, 1 May 2001 13:09:39 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010076 >On Tue, 1 May 2001 12:16:28 -0400 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010074 > >>On Tue, 1 May 2K1, Rob N Said >> >>/Which means that we can slip somebody in to shut the thing down. >>And that I didn't horribly underestimate Rassilon's abilities,/ Rob >>notes. > >*/Yes, but how do you plan on defeating an "SEP" field that tricked >_my_ mind, a 2nd Stage, at least L2, mind?^* OOC: See below, I believe, for Rob's answer. >>/Would somebody please refresh my memory? Aren't the Time Lords >>supposed to have created a supernova just to jump-start their >>time-travel equipment?/ Rob is looking somewhat uncomfortable at the >>thought of dealing with this level of technology. > >*/Black Hole, actually./* OOC: Eh, supernova that likely collapsed into a black hole. According to Remembrance of the Daleks, the Hand of Omega was the stellar manipulator Omega used to create the supernova that was the initial power source for Gallifreyian time travel experiments. What's under the floor of the Panopticon and is linked to all the Time Lord TARDISes is the Eye of Harmony, the singularity from a black hole. Seems a safe presumption that they COULD be one and the same, in initial and later stages of development. >>[If Rassilon's using higher technology, he should have impacted the >>local tolerances. Which means that if I get close enough to the >>river - I know he's somewhere on the river - I'll be able to use >>some of the things that won't otherwise work.] Checking his bracelet >>as he walks toward the water, Rob notes that the 'technology' gem >>is, in fact, brightening slowly. > > Huh? OOC: Rob's doing exactly what I'd do. "I'm not going toward the Rock, I'm going toward the River. The River's allowed, the Rock isn't." Dunno about the rest. >>/I think I can create a place which will work, if teleportation >>becomes the plan./ Rob then pulls what looks like a four-color pen >>from his pocket and begins fiddling with it as he walks. > > (see ooc2) OOC: Perhaps something was misread? There's no technology limit here. There's a transporter in Gary Seven's office which allows for beaming across thousands of lightyears and possibly through time. AFAIC, it hasn't been used for Time Travel, Gary's a product of this time, his people taken from earth in 4,000 BC by the Arisians and trained to bring Earth to the point of being a peaceful civilization. But, I don't know how Rob's scanner works, either, so it might be confused, there's lots of strange doin's round here right now. :) ================================= Subject: AAE7: Trumped-up message in a bottleneck ;-) On Tue, 01 May 2001 14:14:00 -0700 Rio Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010077 >On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 21:44:49 -0400 >"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00010062 > >"Shopping? That'd be great." he taps one of the shoulder straps of >his bland-looking backpack. "I don't have any other period changes of >clothing; the rest is either anachronistic, or anacosmistic* Don't >worry about my needing money, either..." he holds up a billfold, of >US currency. "I'm sure that dollars will /be just fine/," he finishes >in the tone of 'these are not the droids you're looking for' and >'Imperial Credits will do just as well' (OOC: though I've probably >messed up the latter quote.). Rio smiles and nods. "This is a tourist area, so I don't think you'll need and 'Jedi mind tricks' to get them to accept US dollars." She listens to the discussions going on over the link about Rassilon and his island tower. >On Fri, 27 Apr 2001 17:30:18 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010065 > > The Doctor takes off his commbadge and sets in in the center of >the table, tapping it once to keep the link open. > { > "In my function as an underground railroad off Gallifrey," the >Doctor says, "I did determine that the Time Lords under Rassilon were >biologically compatable with my own race. Their history is obviously >different, as is there technology, but the effect Aurora described is >not something even a Time Lord wearing the Coronet of Rassilon is >capable of. I'd deduce therefore that it's a mechanical zone of >compulsion, though potentially directed by an organic mind. I doubt >that mind would be Rassilon's for he'd find himself too busy keeping >the field working to do anything else. I'd also suggest that if he's >been there a month and hasn't...eliminated...Michael Seven already, >that it's because he's found a greater threat than a single infant, >which has required him to take more time to prepare." /I don't suppose,/ Rio ventures, /that the other threat Rassilon sensed is _us_? After all, part of the team was here when he got here./ >On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 11:50:05 -0400 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010068 > >*/The even worse is that it seems that there is a black hat wondering >about who has a vendetta against both Rassilion _and_ Michael Seven >which is so strong that they apparently wanted to come back and >retroactively remove "Mikey" from the time-line and is so powerful >that they've got Rassilion laying low for the time being./* /Or it could be someone out to ice both of them,/ Rio conceded, though she sounds like she doesn't quite see how Dhyrclhanc got from point A to point C. >*/Somebody needs to volunteer to watch Mikey and Roberta, I would >suggest that a Nemisis do this, the rest of us should probably >reconvien and hold a council-of-war as to what our next move is. If >everyone can move to a nearby location which is not obstructed from >above but is out of view of the natives, I can teleport all of us >into the rec/mess hall on the Xavier./* /Mikey's already got 24-7 mega-cover, and I don't see Mommy being very far away at any given moment. Still, we found a nice park across from their building if someone needs to be on stake-out duty./ Then: >On Tue, 1 May 2001 08:30:21 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010073 > >Checking his bracelet as he walks toward the water, Rob notes that >the 'technology' gem is, in fact, brightening slowly. > >/I think I can create a place which will work, if teleportation >becomes the plan./ Rob then pulls what looks like a four-color pen >from his pocket and begins fiddling with it as he walks. /Um, Rob?/ Rio asks over the link. /Are we still supposed to rendezvous back at the hotel, or are you dropping the photo-shoot cover and coming up with something new?/ ================================= Subject: AAE 7: Virtual Solutions On Tue, 01 May 2001 15:12:16 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010078 Roland ponders their dilemma as the "Interpol" team's eyes slide off of the island. /Hm. How do we confront him when we can't even accept where he is?/ He tries to follow the trail. /He's not floating in the river, and that island clearly isn't--arrgh!/ Roland stops the BMW, gets out, and deliberately faces away from the river. He begins to pace. /Even if we get near him, we might end up getting killed because the 'zone' tells us that a disintegration field is empty air. This is bad./ He paces some more. /Hmm...folx, I have an idea. Aurora, monitor my thought patterns, please./ Roland takes off his 'I'm an official-type person' sunglasses, then extends his right index finger over one lens. A drop of silvery, metallic fluid flows onto the lens. He repeats the process. /Now. We overlay an image over...not that island, it isn't impor--grrr...be right back, team./ Roland gets back into the car. Then, like 'Agent Lancer,' he vanishes. (On Champions Island, he calls up an image of the island in the Rhine circa 1975. Then he creates an image of the Island of Dr. Destroyer, reshaping the image of the land until it's the same shape as the target island. Then he programs the Defender armor 'fluid' in the lenses to display Kirby-style constructions of the appropriate size and shape in the place of any objects on the island. Then he returns. This takes about thirty seconds with his powers.) Satisfied with the results, 'Agent Harmon' steps out of the vehicle once more, looking over at the island. Through the shades, it now looks like a scale version of Destroyer's island, complete with metallic rim. (OOC: Okay, Mike, does it work? Can Roland see Kirbytech overlays for the tower and any related objects, since they don't appear to be on 'Rassilon's' island, or is the zone of compulsion too smart for that? 8^) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7a: Message in a Bottleneck. On Tue, 1 May 2001 22:47:21 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010081 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010076 > >>On Tue, 1 May 2001 12:16:28 -0400 >>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010074 >> >>>On Tue, 1 May 2K1, Rob N Said >>> >>>/Which means that we can slip somebody in to shut the thing down. >>>And that I didn't horribly underestimate Rassilon's abilities,/ Rob >>>notes. >> >>*/Yes, but how do you plan on defeating an "SEP" field that tricked >>_my_ mind, a 2nd Stage, at least L2, mind?^* > >OOC: See below, I believe, for Rob's answer. [OOC] Actually, that wasn't an answer. Rob can't remember precisely where Rassilon is. Just that he's somewhere on the river. OTOH, Rob is assuming that _somebody_ can figure out a way to beat the SEP Field. Stealth robot, nanotech assault, whatever. [/OOC] >>>[If Rassilon's using higher technology, he should have impacted the >>>local tolerances. Which means that if I get close enough to the >>>river - I know he's somewhere on the river - I'll be able to use >>>some of the things that won't otherwise work.] Checking his >>>bracelet as he walks toward the water, Rob notes that the >>>'technology' gem is, in fact, brightening slowly. >> >> Huh? > >OOC: Rob's doing exactly what I'd do. "I'm not going toward the Rock, >I'm going toward the River. The River's allowed, the Rock isn't." >Dunno about the rest. [OOC2] Anything Rob carries through one of his wormholes is subject to certain limitations - specifically, it can't be used in a universe where the tech level is lower. Stranger still, the tech level for Rob's gear is mainly defined by "majority rule." But Rassilon's raised the limit within a radius of his ultra-tech equipment. Rob's using this to his advantage. [/OOC2] >>>/I think I can create a place which will work, if teleportation >>>becomes the plan./ Rob then pulls what looks like a four-color pen >>>from his pocket and begins fiddling with it as he walks. >> >> (see ooc2) > >OOC: Perhaps something was misread? There's no technology limit here. OOC: Not for most dimension travelers. As for what the pen does...I'll worry about that if Rob needs it. >But, I don't know how Rob's scanner works, either, so it might be >confused... No, Rob's just confusing. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7: Trumped-up message in a bottleneck ;-) On Tue, 1 May 2001 22:51:35 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010082 >Rio Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010077 > >/Um, Rob?/ Rio asks over the link. /Are we still supposed to >rendezvous back at the hotel, or are you dropping the photo-shoot >cover and coming up with something new?/ /We can't exactly teleport out from the hotel room, so I'm looking at other answers, in case the plan becomes 'meet on the Xavier.' For now, though, the photo shoot holds. At least until we can figure out how to get to...where was Rassilon, again?/ ================================= Subject: AAE 7: Scott Offers His Two Bits On Wed, 2 May 2001 06:25:56 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00010083 Scott walks into the Place. /"Well, I've got the Faraday Cage set up. Boy, when they say two days or less, they mean or less."/ (A brief image of a largish trailer, surrounded by a cage made of clear plastic with a core of ever shifting colors, flares across the Lens Link.) Scott then turns to the X-Window, and notices Rob Not Noticing the Island. /"You know, Rob, I have a simpler solution to that, if you don't mind not being able to use Psionic abilities for a while."/ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7: Scott Offers His Two Bits On Wed, 2 May 2001 07:57:34 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010084 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00010083 > >Scott then turns to the X-Window, and notices Rob Not Noticing the >Island. > >/"You know, Rob, I have a simpler solution to that, if you don't mind >not being able to use Psionic abilities for a while."/ /Solution to what?/ Rob asks. /You have some way of narrowing Rassilon's location down?/ "I think it's about time to head back to the hotel and meet with the others," Rob notes, turning Moonstone and Sil away from the river. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7: Scott Offers His Two Bits On Wed, 2 May 2001 11:33:16 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00010085 In a message dated 5/2/01 8:13:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time, peng writes: >/Solution to what?/ Rob asks. /You have some way of narrowing >Rassilon's location down?/ /"Not really. Just a way of ignoring psionic compulsion fields. You'll need a hat or suitable illusion, to cover the fact you're wearing a metal skullcap, but otherwise, it's all rather low-tech in nature. You interested?"/ ================================= Subject: Re:AAE 7: Virtual Solutions On Fri, 4 May 2001 11:39:22 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010087 >On Tue, 01 May 2001 15:12:16 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010078 > > /Hmm...folx, I have an idea. Aurora, monitor my thought patterns, >please./ Roland takes off his 'I'm an official-type person' >sunglasses, then extends his right index finger over one lens. A drop >of silvery, metallic fluid flows onto the lens. He repeats the >process. /Now. We overlay an image over...not that island, it isn't >impor--grrr...be right back, team./ Roland gets back into the car. >Then, like 'Agent Lancer,' he vanishes. > (On Champions Island, he calls up an image of the island in the >Rhine circa 1975. Then he creates an image of the Island of Dr. >Destroyer, reshaping the image of the land until it's the same shape >as the target island. Then he programs the Defender armor 'fluid' in >the lenses to display Kirby-style constructions of the appropriate >size and shape in the place of any objects on the island. Then he >returns. This takes about thirty seconds with his powers.) > Satisfied with the results, 'Agent Harmon' steps out of the >vehicle once more, looking over at the island. Through the shades, it >now looks like a scale version of Destroyer's island, complete with >metallic rim. > (OOC: Okay, Mike, does it work? Can Roland see Kirbytech overlays >for the tower and any related objects, since they don't appear to be >on 'Rassilon's' island, or is the zone of compulsion too smart for >that? 8^) OOC: This started as one long block of text, but I'm hoping breaking it up like this will make it an easier read. I tried to keep everything down to one point per line. I hope this helps. Okay, the island's zone of compulsion is triggered by the person's brain assigning importance to it, which might lead them to go there, and by someone actually attempting to travel there. If it's just being admired from afar or you don't have any plans to go there, the compulsion isn't triggered. The castle itself is protected by a more direct zone of compulsion that tells you there is no castle on the island. Purely mechanical systems that don't have any access to psychic channels of influence (in or out) could perceive the castle and report on it, but anything not within that definition wouldn't hear them or see it when pointed out. One caveat to this is that Aurora and other third stage minds as well as mechanical devices the listener would trust more than their own eyes could tell you about the island and the castle. Though, it wouldn't seem important. Also if you can keep your thoughts abstract enough, you won't trigger the zone, since it's looking for only thoughts about going to the island and thoughts about the island being important. Making it something more abstract, "storming Rassilon's fortress," for example, wouldn't trigger the zone, unless you were staring at the island when you thought about it (And then only because you were staring at it when you thought about it.) Another caveat is that once you're on the island, they don't work anymore (a late addition, trying to make this easier). The zones are three dimensional spheres, covering the whole planet and the orbits around it, but, there is a sphere on the island where they cut out, so if Rassilon goes for a walk around the island, he's not caught in his own compulsion field. He wouldn't be anyway, but it doesn't hurt to be safe. And finally, you can try and force yourself not to think of your destination when you set out and just try to luck your way onto the island. It would be doable for even a normal human, but certainly more difficult without someone or something immune (even a compass) to guide them (without making the person aware that they were going toward the island) To sum up, even from the Xavier, perhaps especially there, you have to rewire your brain to think of Rassilon's base as something different than a castle on an island, if you want to think about it seriously. Confusing your eyes will only work if it's also confusing your brain. So, I'll leave it to you to decide if Roland's mind can keep the zone at bay by looking at a different island overlaying the original. ================================= Subject: AAE7: The Very Model of a Strategy On Fri, 4 May 2001 11:04:41 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010088 A significant pause ensues after DC's telepathic message reaches Ziactrice. However, she does get back to him before he really begins wondering. Meanwhile, at the hotel, Eric will notice Zia's concentration diverted. She explains that she has to try to pass a message for just a moment, and if he can see the Lens she wears almost at her shoulder on her left arm, it will glow even more fiercely as she attempts to lay a Lens on James. But fails. @/I cannot reach James even by Lens from here, DC. There is a time-stream difficulty; normally, I can project far enough to hit several nearby Shadows, but crosstime as well reduces my range. Your faith in my own subterfuge skills is under-whelming.@ Oddly, Zia sounds far more amused by the notion he might assume such a thing than offended, even in the mental tone. @If you truly believe that James is the only one who could pull off a sneak into that place, I am willing to venture out in person to fetch him back here./@ (By Lens direct to DC and onto the CAoL link via the same). "Hrrrm." She considers Eric, her eyes narrowing with the difficulty of the problem. How can his mind be secured as well as may be, when even her L1 mind may be quite vulnerable to the seeming level of power this particular Black Hat can toss? "Eric?" She says, thougtfully. "What do you know about chi interactions with psionics? I am not very experienced with psi science, unfortunately. Does it happen at all? I wonder if chi could form a reactive, if ablative, shielding for the mind?" ================================= Subject: Re: The Very Model of a Strategy On Sat, 5 May 2001 00:21:27 -0500 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010089 >On Fri, 4 May 2001, Ziactrice Said > >A significant pause ensues after DC's telepathic message reaches >Ziactrice. However, she does get back to him before he really begins >wondering. In the immortal words of David Lee Roth, Zia, "I'm not drownin', I'm just waving." >@/I cannot reach James even by Lens from here, DC. There is a time- >stream difficulty; normally, I can project far enough to hit several >nearby Shadows, but crosstime as well reduces my range. Your faith in >my own subterfuge skills is under-whelming.@ Oddly, Zia sounds far >more amused by the notion he might assume such a thing than offended, >even in the mental tone. @If you truly believe that James is the only >one who could pull off a sneak into that place, I am willing to >venture out in person to fetch him back here./@ (By Lens direct to DC >and onto the CAoL link via the same). ^@ I assure you that I meant no disrespect, Dame Zia, to you, or your to own talents and/or abilities in regards to subterfuge and the like. I only meant that this situation seems to be one where it wouldn't hurt to have your husband along. As least, that is what I would surmise based upon your husband's apparent repulation. @^ ^@ As to whether or not we would be able to pull this particular caper without him and/or whether the situtation demands the necessity of you, personaly, traipsing off to find and bring him here, I'll leave that to your own, more than capable -- I am sure -- discretion };=8) @^ Zia gets the telepathic impression of Dhyrclhanc, in his full 21' form giving her a formal European-bow and them briefly winking at her. >"Hrrrm." She considers Eric, her eyes narrowing with the difficulty >of the problem. How can his mind be secured as well as may be, when >even her L1 mind may be quite vulnerable to the seeming level of >power this particular Black Hat can toss? O.K. Mike. Dasher is immune to Rassilion Khan's SEP field 'cuz he's purely electro-mechanical, Sythea is also immune -- for reasons that I don't want to go into here tho' I'd be happy to go over them with you, off list. However -- and this directly ties into the results of the passive scan that DC had Dasher make with the Xavier's sensors -- the Xavier's computer systems use the same psuedo-bio-tech that the Defiant and the Voyager do for computer interchange nodes and nexi. We've already determined that, and I apologize for the repetition here, Dasher is immune to Rassilion's "Zone of Compulsion" but do the synthetic neural-gel packs in the Xavier render it "organic enough" to be effected? I'm asking mainly because Dhyrclhanc will be going over the results of the aforementioned scan in his stateroom in the Xavier while everyone else down on the ground is trying to cook up some kind of a plan of attack against the "Second Tower of Rassilion". FTR, He'll come back down when the plan is finished and ready to be put into action. Meanwhile, while going over the results of the scan or lack of same, he'll give the occasional additional suggestion regarding whatever strategy everyone else is coming up with and he'll point out Dasher's usefulness in that he is immune to the effect; he *does* have some training in both strategy and tactics but advance planning is, obviously, not one of his strong points. In addition, if it wasn't already, what with Rassilion down on the surface with obvious access to Galifeian Technology, I think it's safe to say that, at least as of now, the Xavier _is_ *Cloaked*. ================================= Subject: OOC: The Very Model of a Strategy On Sat, 5 May 2001 07:47:32 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010090 >On Sat, 5 May 2001 00:21:27 -0500 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010089 > > O.K. Mike. Dasher is immune to Rassilion Khan's SEP field >'cuz he's purely electro-mechanical, Sythea is also immune -- for >reasons that I don't want to go into here tho' I'd be happy to go >over them with you, off list. Okay, and while we're at it, Scott's doohicky, presuming since it blocks telepathy in and out, ought to work. Technically, an Arisian mind could probably find a way around it, but this isn't an Arisian mind. >However -- and this directly ties into the results of the passive >scan that DC had Dasher make with the Xavier's sensors -- the >Xavier's computer systems use the same psuedo-bio-tech that the >Defiant and the Voyager do for computer interchange nodes and nexi. >We've already determined that, and I apologize for the repetition >here, Dasher is immune to Rassilion's "Zone of Compulsion" but do the >synthetic neural-gel packs in the Xavier render it "organic enough" >to be effected? Well, last I heard they weren't actually able to be telepathicly linked with, so no, they'd be immune. >I'm asking mainly because Dhyrclhanc will be going over the results >of the aforementioned scan in his stateroom in the Xavier while >everyone else down on the ground is trying to cook up some kind of a >plan of attack against the "Second Tower of Rassilion". However, of course, you're not unless you really trust your computer. >FTR, He'll come back down when the plan is finished and ready to be >put into action. Meanwhile, while going over the results of the scan >or lack of same, he'll give the occasional additional suggestion >regarding whatever strategy everyone else is coming up with and he'll >point out Dasher's usefulness in that he is immune to the effect; he >*does* have some training in both strategy and tactics but advance >planning is, obviously, not one of his strong points. > >In addition, if it wasn't already, what with Rassilion down on the >surface with obvious access to Galifeian Technology, I think it's >safe to say that, at least as of now, the Xavier _is_ *Cloaked*. Well, since the Xavier arrived, it's been watched from the ground, so you'll have to do more than cloak to hide from the Matrix, who'd extrapolate from your last position your current location, or a best guess and adjust the field, just to be safe. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions On Mon, 7 May 2001 09:37:38 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010091 Sorry to take so long on this... >On Tue, 1 May 2001 10:04:31 -0700 >Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010075 > >>On Mon, 30 Apr 2001 09:14:39 -0400 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010067 >> >> After acknowledgement of that fact, she'll sit atop a chair- >>sized rock. >> =Tell me about this potential paradox.= > >=As you will.= > >=In days of Future-Past one of your Two-Legs will aqcuire an Enemy, > This being has Significant ability to manipulate Timelines, > I was told by sources that I do not consider to be perfectly >reliable, > That this Enemy would be trying to alter a defeat it suffered, > In days of 'Past Yet To Come' from this locus, > The being in question may well have sufficiant, > Temporal control to succeed.= > >=I have come to Observe, and > Only If Necessary, > Intervene to protect a Two-Legs, > Who will one day become Important to me.= > >Fuzzy does not know that MouseyBeast, > Asked about the Tardis/Singularity Signature. Isis considers this a moment, tail flipping back and forth furiosly. After a few moments, she comes to a decision. =I would like to call in a party to confirm your information and confer with. He is not one of my two-legs, and you may rely on his discresion.= The next part is one or the other. Option 1: If Fuzzy agrees, Isis will transform to her human form and, sitting atop the rock, wind her silver ribbon around her wrist again, the lens forming as she finishs. She allows Fuzzy to hear as well as blocking out Gary Seven. @Mentor of Arisia, I would ask your attendance.@ @I have been observing, youths, and am considering the matter.@ the pseudo-voice of Mentor, the ancient Arisian sage, sends the pair of 'felines,' before blocking Isis from the next part. @Do I deduce correctly, young Lord Fuzzy, that the two-leg who will claim this victory is the infant, Michael?@ Option 2: If Fuzzy does not agree, Isis (in cat form) will attempt to make mental contact with his mind, presumably both discovering the other to be lens-worthy beings. @I requre this information, Lord, either from your mind or from a source I can trust implicitly. If you will confer with Mentor of Arisia, I will not need to gather the information myself. If not, barring my taking it and believing it, I must protect my humans as I see a need, which would be protecting them from you and your bird and mice robots.@ Option 2A: If Fuzzy agrees to talk to Mentor, see Option 1. Option 2B: If Fuzzy doesn't agree, then Isis will attempt to read it from his mind. -- Mike (Suddenly reminded of those Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books. I loved those.) ================================= Subject: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Mon, 7 May 2001 15:57:17 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010094 The Doctor's been sitting quietly for a few moments, considering the quandry the Army of Light from Callahan's has landed itself in. Being a well-researched individual, he has tried to have at least a passing familiarity with most members of the CAoL, or with individuals throughout the multiverse with similar enough traits to extrapolate a guess. Therefore, it may come as a shock to see him smack himself on the forehead and mutter "Of course! Whydidn'tIseeitbefore?" before he taps the communicator badge still in the center of the table and speaks through the various relays. { "Dame Ziatrice, the Doctor here, would it be too much to ask, should you be free, to prove conclusively for us that there is no artifact atop that island by attempting to will any such man-made object out of this reality? Since there's nothing up there, it should only take a moment of your time and no effort to prove to these others that Rassilon isn't there. I'm sure the few portable restrooms that might be there won't be missed in the grand scheme of things." Anna blinks at the Doctor and beams. "Absolutely," she agrees, "And it'll get rid of what is so obviously a dead end." } The Doctor taps the badge off. "I don't understand," Finn says, "We know he's up there, the starwhatsis says so." "Yes," the Doctor says, agreeably, "but if we attempt to have Ziatrice will the castle out of this reality by simply believing that it isn't there hard enough, it either will leave this reality, taking the zones with it, or have to drop the zone to stay there. I once tried that with a fellow by the name of Random after he lost a game of cards to me. Even with a bit too much to drink, he still managed to move my TARDIS from right behind him to around a corner, and it took every available scrap of power for the poor old girl to stay that close to me." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7: The Very Model of a Strategy On Mon, 07 May 2001 18:43:04 -0700 Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010096 >On Fri, 4 May 2001 11:04:41 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010088 > > Meanwhile, at the hotel, Eric will notice Zia's concentration >diverted. She explains that she has to try to pass a message for just >a moment, and if he can see the Lens she wears almost at her shoulder >on her left arm, it will glow even more fiercely as she attempts to >lay a Lens on James. But fails. (OOC-R [E?]: I _will_ post to the Risque Room. Eventually. *frazzled sigh* Meanwhile, Eric nods understandingly, and simply 'exists' there, providing a useable grounding influence if desired.) >"Eric?" She says, thougtfully. "What do you know about chi >interactions with psionics? I am not very experienced with psi >science, unfortunately. Does it happen at all? I wonder if chi could >form a reactive, if ablative, shielding for the mind?" Eric considers. "Science is a field with which I only have a passing acquaintance. I am aware of a few practical applications, however." Smiling gently, he touches the bridge of the sunglasses she's wearing. His sunglasses. "I didn't make those lenses out of jade for aesthetic reasons. It is a focus for Yu An, the Bridge of the Jade Harmony. With them, I can perceive the spirit world...and see truth through deception. They're also useful when a pissed vampire is trying to make you walk off a cliff." He grins. "It's not really so much a mind 'shield' as a way of using chi to perceive spiritual reality and maintain control of one's own spirit in the bargain." "The technique becomes complex quickly, but the actual 'defenses' are learned early in the training." His smile becomes fond. "Given what I've seen of your...talents...I strongly suspect that you'd learn quickly." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Mon, 7 May 2001 20:20:37 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010097 >On Mon, 7 May 2001 15:57:17 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010094 The Doctor's intel must be from a nearly-duplicate Shadowself of Ziactrice's, thus the differences. His 'Ziatrice never got Blood-cursed to discern and speak truths or pay a high price for not doing so, as an example. > { > "Dame Ziatrice, the Doctor here, would it be too much to ask, >should you be free, to prove conclusively for us that there is no >artifact atop that island by attempting to will any such man-made >object out of this reality? Since there's nothing up there, It isn't quite 'feedback squeal', but the sudden, glaring lie sounding through _Dame Ziactrice's_ Curse-tuned sense for true statements, and quite possibly also hollowly through her Lens, is so severe that even Nemo hears such indication loud and clear, just through the pairs other &direct link&. If Nemo feels it is a good idea to point out to the Doctor and Anna just how and why Zia is Not Very Happy with either of them at the moment, since that 'far away' Nemo can feel that via their link. And Eric can likely just look at her and tell. >"it should only take a moment of your time and no effort to prove to >these others that Rassilon isn't there. Zia winces at her sense again, the direct lie being somewhat a painful mental experience. But one with which she has long experience. So, by negative proof, Rassilon is there, right now, or else the Curse wouldn't have smarted that much. >I'm sure the few portable restrooms that might be there won't be >missed in the grand scheme of things." > Anna blinks at the Doctor and beams. > "Absolutely," she agrees, "And it'll get rid of what is so >obviously a dead end." > } > The Doctor taps the badge off. Dame Ziactrice, Knight of the Amber Royal Court, Blooded Royal, Pattern-bearer, and Gray Lenswoman _growls_ under her breath. For a second, her eyes reflect the greatest predator of depths of the Abyss itself - showing her Chaos Lord ancestry in her ire. Her Lens glows on her arm as she struggles with her Amberitish temper at the attempt to so use her. To be sent into a dangerous attempt by subterfuge to fool her is bad enough. That her quasi-allies are doing it is that much worse. After a moment, she blinks and shakes it off so quickly Eric might think what he'd seen thoroughly imagined - except for the imprints her tightened fingers leave embossed deep into the edges of the table where the two sit, in the hotel's bar. > "I don't understand," Finn says, "We know he's up there, the >starwhatsis says so." > "Yes," the Doctor says, agreeably, "but if we attempt to have >Ziatrice will the castle out of this reality by simply believing that >it isn't there hard enough, it either will leave this reality, taking >the zones with it, or have to drop the zone to stay there. I once >tried that with a fellow by the name of Random after he lost a game >of cards to me. Even with a bit too much to drink, he still managed >to move my TARDIS from right behind him to around a corner, and it >took every available scrap of power for the poor old girl to stay >that close to me." "I need to move." She says, only her deliberation with each word making it less than savage in tone. Zia pays their tab, and motions Eric toward the front door, then down the street to a public square, vacant this time of the evening. Just in case of a reaction, better to be somewhere less public and populated. Something the Doctor doesn't seem to think about. "The Doctor asked me something, although he told me far more than he intended to, Eric. I just want you to know, I don't like ever giving intel about myself. But I dislike more handicapping through ignorance those working with me, so - I need motion to work my 'mojo' on reality. My own body is best, so if you need to carry me again, unlikely as that seems, do so. I can manage in a conveyance that moves: cars, boats, rocket ships. With only the relative motion of a planet, though, I can't do much without seriously injuring myself." She speaks through the CAoL's link, asking for relay as needed to anyone else on the Must Know list, /"Keep an eye open; the Doctor has asked me to do him a favor, sort of. This may provoke a certain degree of uncivil reply."/ With that, she pictures Lorelei rock in her mind, and a wave of change sweeps from the river upwards. The lichen, the moss, the scrub trees and brush, all subtly reform in slightly different ways. Zia's blue eyes show the small, off-center squashed spiral of Amber's Pattern, gleaming in miniature through her pupils as she forces reality in this Shadow to bend to her will and power of Blood. The wave of slightly changed, virgin land sweeps up to the top of the big rock she is walking towards, on the other side of the river, as her visualization brings the whole of it to an 'untouched by civilization or buildings' state to wipe out Rassilon's works. ================================= Subject: re: AAE: The Very Model of a Strategy On Mon, 07 May 2001 22:14:06 -0700 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010098 >On Sat, 5 May 2K1 Mike Knight Said > >>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said >> >>I'm asking mainly because Dhyrclhanc will be going over the results >>of the aforementioned scan in his stateroom in the Xavier while >>everyone else down on the ground is trying to cook up some kind of a >>plan of attack against the "Second Tower of Rassilion". > >However, of course, you're not unless you really trust your computer. Huh? In addition, which computer are you refering to? Fer instance, there's the LCARS system on the Xavier, Dasher's "brain" and./or PIXAR... This is the passive scan that Dhyrclhanc had Dasher do of "Rassilion's Keep" on the island. >>In addition, if it wasn't already, what with Rassilion down on the >>surface with obvious access to Galifeian Technology, I think it's >>safe to say that, at least as of now, the Xavier _is_ *Cloaked*. >> > >Well, since the Xavier arrived, it's been watched from the ground, so >you'll have to do more than cloak to hide from the Matrix, who'd >extrapolate from your last position your current location, or a best >guess and adjust the field, just to be safe. Dhyrclhanc taps his comm-badge while going over a PADD display of the Xavier's scans of the Second Tower of Rassilion, "Dasher, move the Xavier to as high an orbit as you can while still remaining inside the Earth's gravity well and plot us a new course around the planet based on the following algorithm #{}#" [I've got to remember to bring a Tricorder with me when I go back down to the surface] On the bridge, Dasher, with his forward eye shields disengaged, extends his manipulator arms out from either side of his vaugely surfboard-shaped body and begins to tap various control elements on the Xavier's holodynamic panels at the hybrid ship's pilot's station. Then, he taps his own comm-badge; a stylized bowling-ball affixed to his underside. "You got it, Boss!" P.S.: Incidentially, which field were you refering to, above, Rassilion's SEP field or the Cloak around the Xavier? ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions On Tue, 8 May 2001 00:42:51 -0700 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010099 >On Mon, 7 May 2001 09:37:38 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010091 > >Sorry to take so long on this... No worries, Well, I had begun to worry, if you had not gotten it. > Isis considers this a moment, tail flipping back and forth >furiosly. After a few moments, she comes to a decision. > =I would like to call in a party to confirm your information and >confer with. He is not one of my two-legs, and you may rely on his >discresion.= =Queen Isis, If you truely feel it is Necessary, You may call in whom ever you please, This is your Time and Cosm, and I am mearly a Visitor here, My preference would be to involve as few entities as possible, Still this Must be your decision to make.= > The next part is one or the other. Sorry to throw the ball back into your court by implication, but Isis could decide to go either way with Fuzzy's response... It would be Option 1 or 2A, As Fuzzy would Agree Without hesitation, (If only to percieve this version of Mentor for himself), Once Mentor is mentioned, He did not know that this Cosm had an Arisia. >Option 1: > If Fuzzy agrees, Isis will transform to her human form and, >sitting atop the rock, wind her silver ribbon around her wrist again, >the lens forming as she finishs. > She allows Fuzzy to hear as well as blocking out Gary Seven. >@Mentor of Arisia, I would ask your attendance.@ At the touch of Mentor's mind, A flare of polychomatic fire circles Lord Fuzzy's Throat, Where a Plain ring of solid metal had been hidden in his Ruf (Neck Fur), Coalescing into a Spherical 'Lens' Floating between his ears tips... > @I have been observing, youths, and am considering the matter.@ >the pseudo-voice of Mentor, the ancient Arisian sage, sends the pair >of 'felines,' before blocking Isis from the next part. > @Do I deduce correctly, young Lord Fuzzy, that the two-leg who >will claim this victory is the infant, Michael?@ ^@ In part, Michael and his Daughters will become quite important to me, In times yet to come. As to the Victory in question, I can not assert that of my own knowledge.@^ >Option 2: > If Fuzzy does not agree, Isis (in cat form) will attempt to >make mental contact with his mind, presumably both discovering the >other to be lens-worthy beings. > @I requre this information, Lord, either from your mind or from >a source I can trust implicitly. If you will confer with Mentor of >Arisia, I will not need to gather the information myself. If not, >barring my taking it and believing it, I must protect my humans as I >see a need, which would be protecting them from you and your bird and >mice robots.@ @Mentor of Arisia's input may be of Assistance, To both of us, However It must be said that If I did Desire to harm your Two-Legs, This discusion would not be taking place, The only point at which this Cosm is Significant to Me, Is The Two-Legs in Question, I would simply have eliminated the planet without warning. Your actions to Protect your Two-Legs from the perceived threat, That My Untrustworthy presence Implies, Might be enough to meet the Need.@ Assuming we get here enrout to Option 1, She would Know that he has a Lens, Because he responded in that mode, and That he is telling the truth as he sees it. Also there is something in what he said, That is troubling him at the back of his mind, Something that he is 'Missing' is implicite. >Option 2A: If Fuzzy agrees to talk to Mentor, see Option 1. >Option 2B: If Fuzzy doesn't agree, then Isis will attempt to read it >from his mind. > >-- Mike >(Suddenly reminded of those Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books. I >loved those.) I've got about a dozen of them, (2 or 3 different Series) That I keep meaning to convert into Computer programs... ;) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 02:54:40 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00010100 >On Mon, 7 May 2001 20:20:37 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010097 > >It isn't quite 'feedback squeal', but the sudden, glaring lie >sounding through _Dame Ziactrice's_ Curse-tuned sense for true >statements, and quite possibly also hollowly through her Lens, is so >severe that even Nemo hears such indication loud and clear, just >through the pairs other &direct link&. > > If Nemo feels it is a good idea to point out to the Doctor and >Anna just how and why Zia is Not Very Happy with either of them at >the moment, since that 'far away' Nemo can feel that via their link. >And Eric can likely just look at her and tell. In the Place, some lurkers in the rafters are startled, as *something* zips by at meteoric (literally!) speed. Looking down, they see Nemo releasing an oddly shaped glass cylinder. It's a bit like what you'd expect a glass gripped by an impossibly strong hand to look like, if it could flow instead of shatter... but *nothing* can apply that sort of pressure fast enough to make ordinary glass *flow* rather than shatter. Right? Nemo sit's there for a moment comtemplating the odd glass "sculpture". And he glances up at the small hole in the ceiling. "Mike, can I have a refill? I'll fix the roof later, unless it starts raining..." His voice is very calm, almost uninterested. Inside, he's *too* calm. *Someone* is going to have to answer some *very* pointed questions when this little adventure is over, and it's safe for Nemo to examine just what went on without affecting the timestream. It's not *safe* to annoy someone whose *personal* power capacity is measured in terms of converting *universes* into energy. Nor is it wise to place his friends in jeopardy. ================================= Subject: AAE 7a: Mentor's Tale (WAS: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions) On Tue, 8 May 2001 09:31:27 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010101 >On Tue, 8 May 2001 00:42:51 -0700 >Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010099 > >Sorry to throw the ball back into your court by implication, but > Isis could decide to go either way with Fuzzy's response... > It would be Option 1 or 2A, > As Fuzzy would Agree Without hesitation, > (If only to percieve this version of Mentor for himself), > Once Mentor is mentioned, > He did not know that this Cosm had an Arisia. Well, in Isis' case, that's enough of an agreement to satisfy her. We'll go with Option 1. >^@ In part, > Michael and his Daughters will become quite important to me, > In times yet to come. > As to the Victory in question, > I can not assert that of my own knowledge.@^ ^@I understand, youth,@^ Mentor replies, ^@I suspect, however, that the victory in question did in fact occur, though in what form I am not yet able to ascertain clearly from my visualizations of the Macro-Cosmic All. The trials I do see ahead for young Michael within the ranks of our enemies make deducing his most probable outcome difficult, but since you are here now, we can only assume he was successful.@^ Mentor considers for a moment, ^@We of Arisia have known of the existance of other spaces overlapping our own for some time. For a long time, we have been preparing to do battle with a threat we had been warned of that would arrive from just such a world. That the threat would wield time itself as a weapon against us we were also forewarned against, as well as the threat had comparable minds to our own. Therefore, we have been gathering those with the greatest innate grasp of time and causality to us, attempting to create the eventual being who would be able to infiltrate their organisation and destroy it from within. In the meantime, we have been attempting to create a civilization able to withstand the coming invasion, one that would be able to withstand the temptations offered by our enemies. The latter is, I admit, the more difficult of our tasks. ^@But, the enemy has moved more quickly and with more decisiveness than we would have suspected. With your arrival here, however, it would appear we do succeed, but earlier than we'd planned. I shall have to factor these events into my visualizations.@^ Mentor returns to speaking to both Isis and Fuzzy. @Daughter Isis, you may accept as fact what this individual has said. We can forsee no threat to you and yours from him.@ With that, the pseudo-voice is gone. Isis nods, accepting Mentor's statement implicitly. In an instant, she has returned to her cat form. =How do we proceed then, Lord Fuzzy?= ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 10:37:37 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010102 >On Mon, 7 May 2001 20:20:37 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010097 > >The Doctor's intel must be from a nearly-duplicate Shadowself of >Ziactrice's, thus the differences. His 'Ziatrice never got >Blood-cursed to discern and speak truths or pay a high price for not >doing so, as an example. Well, more like from a random Random. Unlike an Amberite, he can't just go dig up a near match for Zia, he's got to take a guess based on far less reliable data. And while he has a passing familiarity with black magic, speaking and discerning the Truth wasn't in there. >The wave of slightly changed, virgin land sweeps up to the top of the >big rock she is walking towards, on the other side of the river, as >her visualization brings the whole of it to an 'untouched by >civilization or buildings' state to wipe out Rassilon's works. > >Author of our Seventh Action, Adventure, and Excitement Tale. What >will happen next? Can the Pattern vanquish Timelord Technology, or >will the little woman from Amber meet her match this Timelord? Stay >tuned and find out next episode!> What happens next is rather counterintuitive. Within the castle, the Matrix perceives the shifting of reality and attempts to keep itself in its current spacetime locus. Processing the counter-effect to the shadowshift, however, requires that the zomes of compulsion be dropped, which they are. And instead of an invisible castle fading out of reality, a visible castle comes into being atop the island in the river. And a semi-transparent figure appears nearby, that of a studious young man in a white, vaguely japanese school uniform-like outfit. He gestures toward the castle with his off hand, a lens of the Galactic Patrol visible. @I am maintaining the zones of compulsion for those not of your group, daughter, as you may freely perceive.. My name is Eukonidor. Mentor dispatched me to investigate a strange zone he felt on earth beyond the local ability to generate.@ He looked toward the castle again. @Hmm.@ Reaching into the castle with his mind, Eukonidor examined the source of the zone of compulsion and manipulated a component to introduce a crucial but almost indiscernable flaw in the unit. @I have influenced the generator so it will not function without extensive repairs, the fact of which could only be ascertained by observing a lack of compulsion in the populous.. Though my visualizations of the Macro-Cosmic All are limited, I believe this will buy your group the time it needs to act, as well as muddy the thinking of your enemies long enough to guarentee your success.@ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 14:23:08 -0400 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010103 >On Tue, 8 May 2K1, Mike Knight Said > >>Ziactrice Said >> >>With that, she pictures Lorelei rock in her mind, and a wave of >>change sweeps from the river upwards. The lichen, the moss, the >>scrub trees and brush, all subtly reform in slightly different ways. >>Zia's blue eyes show the small, off-center squashed spiral of >>Amber's Pattern, gleaming in miniature through her pupils as she >>forces reality in this Shadow to bend to her will and power of >>Blood. Would somebody please remind me to never get Zia truely mad at me? > What happens next is rather counterintuitive. Within the castle, >the Matrix perceives the shifting of reality and attempts to keep >itself in its current spacetime locus. Processing the counter-effect >to the shadowshift, however, requires that the zomes of compulsion be >dropped, which they are. And instead of an invisible castle fading >out of reality, a visible castle comes into being atop the island in >the river. As soon as the castle becomes visible, and (presumably) the Zone of Compulson drops, Dhyrclhanc, still on the Xavier, sends to his Freelance Immortal Adopted Brother, @ Hey Boss, are we Vulgar yet?@ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7: The Very Model of a Strategy On Tue, 8 May 2001 14:08:29 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010104 >On Mon, 07 May 2001 18:43:04 -0700 >Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010096 My mail is timing odd - this just came in despite being written yesterday, whilst I have messages from earlier this morning and have already replied. I think I can wind this in smoothly, but please iron out any incongruities that might happen if I don't manage, QX? > (OOC-R [E?]: I _will_ post to the Risque Room. Eventually. >*frazzled sigh* No big Deal; remember, this is supposed to be done for fun! :) Post when you have time, we can 'backtime' and rewrite bits as needed, you know, cuz you're married to the Historian of the group. Thank goodness Roger doesn't have such access. *grin* >Meanwhile, Eric nods understandingly, and simply 'exists' there, >providing a useable grounding influence if desired.) Exactly right, and what I was thinking. Gee. Maybe I should get Eric a Lens? Scary thought... but kinda cool. > Eric considers. "Science is a field with which I only have a >passing acquaintance. I am aware of a few practical applications, >however." Smiling gently, he touches the bridge of the sunglasses >she's wearing. His sunglasses. The corners of Zia's mouth curl slightly. Her face is so expressive that even wearing Eric's sunglasses fails to mask her pleasure even when her eyes are so concealed. Perhaps even more suggestive of a change between the two, she easily accepts his gesture, instead of leaning back to get her usual degree of personal space. > "I didn't make those lenses out of jade for aesthetic reasons. It >is a focus for Yu An, the Bridge of the Jade Harmony. With them, I >can perceive the spirit world...and see truth through deception. >They're also useful when a pissed vampire is trying to make you walk >off a cliff." He grins. Ziactrice chuckles softly as she nods agreement, "Yes, indeed, even more useful than Peril-Sensitive Sunglasses. Well, except for hunting Lovecraftin." >"It's not really so much a mind 'shield' as a way of using chi to >perceive spiritual reality and maintain control of one's own spirit >in the bargain." > "The technique becomes complex quickly, but the actual 'defenses' >are learned early in the training." His smile becomes fond. "Given >what I've seen of your...talents...I strongly suspect that you'd >learn quickly." She removes his glasses to cock her head slightly at him, her glance at once complimented and somehow surprised. "I'd be honored that you'd think so, Eric. If you're offering to show me sometime, I'll try to do you justice by any such effort. Though I don't share your optimisim. Spiritual effects can be... problematic, for me. BUT... that's for then. Now." Zia hands him back his sunglasses, "You simply do *not* look right without these on, and besides, you need them far more at the moment, tactically. Seeing the truth," she makes a wry face, "is not something that gives me much difficulty, usually. So, let's go out and I'll see just what I can see..." <>They leave and she starts trying to 'unreal' Rassilon's fortress - continued in the other AAE thread.<> ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 18:02:02 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010105 In a message dated 5/7/01 11:59:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, darasawal writes: > Dame Ziactrice, Knight of the Amber Royal Court, Blooded Royal, >Pattern-bearer, and Gray Lenswoman _growls_ under her breath. For a >second, her eyes reflect the greatest predator of depths of the >Abyss itself - showing her Chaos Lord ancestry in her ire. Somewhere near the Sevens' apartment, Roger suddenly freezes and "eep!"s in the middle of an animated conversation with Baz, Rio, and Mandy. "Somebody," he says false-cheerfully, hoping to avoid attracting the attention of any spectators, "just stepped on my grave...with size-20 cleats and an assay spike." His for-the-crowd smile becomes a tad less fixed as he begins to regain his composure. "Judging from the way my RLAMF reflex is spiking, either Aunt Zia just got really PO'd about something, or somebody gave the local equivalent of Cthulhu an involuntary enema." He licks a finger and holds it up like someone testing wind direction. "Mmm...nope, too dangerous for a Cthulhoid. Must be Auntzie. Oh dear." >She speaks through the CAoL's link, asking for relay as needed to >anyone else on the Must Know list, /"Keep an eye open; the Doctor has >asked me to do him a favor, sort of. This may provoke a certain >degree of uncivil reply."/ Roger silently mouths the words "...'certain degree of uncivil reply'...?!?! Eeep." The color drains out of his face with shocking swiftness, even as he hastens to reassure the others. "Don't worry, we're perfectly safe -- she wouldn't let anyone get hurt. I just hate seeing her angry..." OOC: I figure Young Roger must have triggered Zia's temper at one time in the distant past...and that once was *more* than enough, thankyouverymuch...(:) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 20:09:38 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010106 >On Tue, 8 May 2001 02:54:40 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00010100 > >Nemo sit's there for a moment comtemplating the odd glass >"sculpture". And he glances up at the small hole in the ceiling. > >"Mike, can I have a refill? I'll fix the roof later, unless it starts >raining..." > >His voice is very calm, almost uninterested. > >Inside, he's *too* calm. *Someone* is going to have to answer some >*very* pointed questions when this little adventure is over, and it's >safe for Nemo to examine just what went on without affecting the >timestream. > > >It's not *safe* to annoy someone whose *personal* power capacity is >measured in terms of converting *universes* into energy. > >Nor is it wise to place his friends in jeopardy. > Option 1: If Ziactrice picks up his reaction empathically, she'll make a note to reassure him once she is no longer involved in the struggle to UnRealize Rassilon's Castle. Saying the following: &Nothing to really worry about, Nemo. After all the attempt was not successful, and did not truly endanger me in any way. And... after all, it's from the first time someone has tried to use my abilities by putting a lever on my ignorance. Compared to Gallifreyans, it seems, even my kind have a more genteel manners than willingness to use.& She is quiet for a second, thinking. &I bet more than one person has tried to 'use' you in some way, some place. Just let it go. People willing to exploit see nothing wrong with doing so. If the Doctor sees fit to help Mike in this way, I owe Mike bigtime. I can tolerate annoyances to repay my giri to Mike and his family.& Option 2: Nemo makes sure Zia doesn't get any notion of his reaction. She assumes he is keeping the link open still because knowing how bad it is better than imagining the worst - esp. given how Nemo or NEMO could outline the 'worst case' all *too* well. She'll also assume he is filtering his feedback to her, to avoid messing up his own timeline, and she approves of that. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 20:32:15 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010107 >On Tue, 8 May 2001 10:37:37 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010102 > >>>On Mon, 7 May 2001 15:57:17 -0400 >>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010094 >>> >>>...instead of an invisible castle fading out of reality, a visible >>>castle comes into being atop the island in the river. And a >>>semi-transparent figure appears nearby, that of a studious young >>>man in a white, vaguely japanese school uniform-like outfit. He >>>gestures toward the castle with his off hand, a lens of the >>>Galactic Patrol visible. Ziactrice starts, almost loses her concentration against the active resistance she can feel, and _frowns_ as the Lens shows. [Arisian showing up, and showing a Lens?! Weird.] >@I am maintaining the zones of compulsion for those not of your >group, daughter, as you may freely perceive.. My name is Eukonidor. >Mentor dispatched me to investigate a strange zone he felt on earth >beyond the local ability to generate.@ He looked toward the castle >again. @Hmm.@ Reaching into the castle with his mind, Eukonidor >examined the source of the zone of compulsion and manipulated a >component to introduce a crucial but almost indiscernable flaw in the >unit. @I have influenced the generator so it will not function >without extensive repairs, the fact of which could only be >ascertained by observing a lack of compulsion in the populous.. >Though my visualizations of the Macro-Cosmic All are limited, I >believe this will buy your group the time it needs to act, as well as >muddy the thinking of your enemies long enough to guarentee your >success.@ [I hate it when they start that 'daughter' stuff with me. Creepy as the Abyss eggheads.... Wait a half - an *Arisian* says he is guaranteeing our success via Actions Direct? We are in much deeper hot water than I suspected. No wonder Nemo was so worried.] @Noted.@ She says very shortly to the Arisian, then she goes back on the full CAoL link, including Eric via her Lens, and anyone else it doesn't reach directly by Lens or nano-relay. /@ Now we can see it. The general population cannot, for some finite undefined time. We have a mechanical fault 'planted' for that eventuality that should buy us a _little_ extra time. But there is none to waste. I have to keep working against this to make it here, and I can't gain enough edge to just Pattern-slap it gone. Roland, DC - get everyone in as fast as possible consistent with a sneak job. Then let me know. I'll bring myself and Eric in if I have enough jets left by then to swing it./@ Then just to Roland and DC, @Please hurry. I'd hate to miss the party.@ The joke is strained; she is pushing somehow, making some enormous effort in a direction or through a power neither of them can sense directly. At least, as far as I know. Ziactrice Hey, CAoL! Let's go storm the Castle, AGAIN! *grin* ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Tue, 8 May 2001 21:07:46 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010108 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010102 > >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010097 >> >>She speaks through the CAoL's link, asking for relay as needed to >>anyone else on the Must Know list, /"Keep an eye open; the Doctor >>has asked me to do him a favor, sort of. This may provoke a certain >>degree of uncivil reply."/ Rob is taking a shot of Moonstone leaning on the railing of a flight of stairs when this comes through. A moment later, he realizes that he is gripping the railing with the force he usually reserves for earthquakes. > What happens next is rather counterintuitive. Within the castle, >the Matrix perceives the shifting of reality and attempts to keep >itself in its current spacetime locus. Processing the counter-effect >to the shadowshift, however, requires that the zones of compulsion be >dropped, which they are. And instead of an invisible castle fading >out of reality, a visible castle comes into being atop the island in >the river. "Blgrk." An odd look crosses Rob's face, as a paradigm shifts without proper use of a mental clutch. Then he realizes how thoroughly he has been manipulated by the zone of compulsion. "Um. I think I need to get back to the hotel room and lie down." /At least until a plan can be generated./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought. On Wed, 9 May 2001 01:16:12 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010109 >On Tue, 8 May 2001 21:07:46 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010108 > >Rob is taking a shot of Moonstone leaning on the railing of a flight >of stairs when this comes through. A moment later, he realizes that >he is gripping the railing with the force he usually reserves for >earthquakes. Moonstone blinks, her smile turning confused. >"Blgrk." An odd look crosses Rob's face, as a paradigm shifts without >proper use of a mental clutch. Then he realizes how thoroughly he has >been manipulated by the zone of compulsion. > >"Um. I think I need to get back to the hotel room and lie down." /At >least until a plan can be generated./ Moonstone comes forward to help Rob back to the room. As she does, she remarks, "Wow, never noticed that before. That's a good Jedi mind trick. Looks like you weren't just whistling Dixie, Aurora, BeeWhyOhSee at the Place, paid for by me." =================================