Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 7a
                               Chapter 8

Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought.

On Wed, 9 May 2001 01:16:15 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010110

>On Tue, 8 May 2001 20:32:15 -0700 (PDT)
>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010107
>
>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.]

     The lens vanishes as it is perceived Zia recognizes the being
without such a calling card.

>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.
>
><ooc/> At least, as far as I know. </ooc>

     The TARDIS-castle is actually fighting your attempt to remove it
from reality. Dropping the zone of compulsion for the duration was
needed to gather enough power to hold Zia at bay. A secondary effect
of Zia's actions, not a primary. If you stopped pushing, it would stop
fighting and attempt to reestablish the zone, but unwittingly to the
TARDIS-castle, the zone wouldn't go up. That's why Eukonidor's
maintaining it, in case Rassilon decided to take a peek out the
proverbial window to make sure his computer was telling him the truth.
Ras'd find the zone still up, just like the computer told him, but the
source of the zone is now Arisian and not his generator. Ras couldn't
tell the difference, though, so he assumes his gear is all working
right. This gives the CAoL time to plan and do their thing while the
enemy's back is turned.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought.

On Wed, 9 May 2001 00:50:27 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00010111

>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
>>
>>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.
>
>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.

More likely option 2. Though he won't do anything without checking
with Zia *first*. On the other hand, if it had happened that Zia
wasn't in any condition to answer questions, he'd very, very calmly
determine what had happened. And then mete out *justice*...

... might "merely" consist of making the responsible party *aware* of
the potential consequences of their ill thought out action.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought.

On Wed, 9 May 2001 06:13:27 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010112

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 01:16:15 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010110
>
>>On Tue, 8 May 2001 20:32:15 -0700 (PDT)
>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010107
>>
>>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.]
>
>     The lens vanishes as it is perceived Zia recognizes the being
>without such a calling card.

Her lips tighten; the Arisians being able to read or predict her
innnermost thoughts that well is _always_ very unsettling.

<snip Eukindor's statements>

<the rest swap-edited, since I had the wrong idea>

>     The TARDIS-castle is actually fighting your attempt to remove it
>from reality. Dropping the zone of compulsion for the duration was
>needed to gather enough power to hold Zia at bay. A secondary effect
>of Zia's actions, not a primary. If you stopped pushing, it would
>stop fighting and attempt to reestablish the zone, but unwittingly to
>the TARDIS-castle, the zone wouldn't go up. That's why Eukonidor's
>maintaining it, in case Rassilon decided to take a peek out the
>proverbial window to make sure his computer was telling him the
>truth. Ras'd find the zone still up, just like the computer told him,
>but the source of the zone is now Arisian and not his generator. Ras
>couldn't tell the difference, though, so he assumes his gear is all
>working right. This gives the CAoL time to plan and do their thing
>while the enemy's back is turned.

@/QX. Someone tell me what my part in our assault plan is when
decided./@ She lets up on her Shadow-shift, not looking quite directly
at the now-seen structure.

As the Pattern's sightly glowing form fades from the gunmetal blue
pupils of her eyes, Zia leans on Eric's arm a moment, pulling him to a
stop for a minute. One of her hands spreads out low, as she wobbles,
uncertain of her balance. "Wow. I forgot how much effort that takes in
a wild Shadow," she says, to herself almost under her breath. After
several moments just standing there, she recovers enough to glance up
at him.

"Rob's idea of lying down isn't a bad one. Most experienced combat
'gods' I know always take a nap right before. Would you mind seeing me
back to the hotel before you join the big lizardo and our illustrious
Boy Scout, Eric?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought.

On Wed, 09 May 2001 09:49:46 -0700
Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010114

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 06:13:27 -0700 (PDT)
>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010112
>
>@/QX. Someone tell me what my part in our assault plan is when
>decided./@ She lets up on her Shadow-shift, not looking quite
>directly at the now-seen structure.

   /Working on it,/ Roland sends briefly, his mind clearly racing.
(OOC: He'll respond more completely in my next post.)

>As the Pattern's sightly glowing form fades from the gunmetal blue
>pupils of her eyes, Zia leans on Eric's arm a moment, pulling him to
>a stop for a minute. One of her hands spreads out low, as she
>wobbles, uncertain of her balance.

   Eric's reflexes do the rest, as his remaining arm provides a brace
for her back and he positions himself to be in the arc she would most
likely fall in if her balance failed.

>"Wow. I forgot how much effort that takes in a wild Shadow," she
>says, to herself almost under her breath. After several moments just
>standing there, she recovers enough to glance up at him.

   Eric raises an eyebrow (his knowledge of Amber is exactly whatever
she's told him) but says nothing.

>"Rob's idea of lying down isn't a bad one. Most experienced combat
>'gods' I know always take a nap right before. Would you mind seeing
>me back to the hotel before you join the big lizardo and our
>illustrious Boy Scout, Eric?"

   He chuckles at the 'combat god' reference. "Of course. 'Never miss
a chance to eat, sleep, or pee,' as the Admiral said." Conscious of
her pride (and exhaustion), Eric simply walks beside her, ready to
provide aid but allowing her to set the pace.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Mentor's Tale (WAS: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions)

On Wed, 9 May 2001 11:34:08 -0700
Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010115

>On Tue, 8 May 2001 09:31:27 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010101
>
>     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?=

Fuzzy Lens seems to fades away with the Departure of Mentor.
 Timelock question,
  It looks to me like the Other thread is some hours earlier than
  Moonrise,
   Mike where are we in relation?

=I am unsure,
  My infomation indicates that our opponent,
   Has been here for a period of time,
    However He seems to have done little,
     Other than establish a base of operations,
      There is something wrong with this image...=

^@Doctor what scale of engineering is common to Our Opponents Prior
Projects?@^

Mike Insert response here please

=If the Priority Goal was to Kill a single Two-Legs,
  The Task would have been completed within Hours...
 If the Family is the target,
  To prevent a Vengence motive from creating an alternate defeat,
   Elimination of the City would not have taken much longer...
 If the Species were to be targeted,
  A bio-Agent could have been prepared for release, or
   The Planet could have been eliminated within two to three weeks...
 The Existence of the Organization Implicite in the The Lens of
Civilization,
  Implies that to remove all potential followup operations,
   This galaxy would need to be eliminated,
    Perhaps more if the range of Arisia's operations is greater
here...
 Other versions of Our Opponent are known to 'Think Big', and
  He has already had his plans Defeated once by something Originating
Here,
   Mentor confirmed the Extra-Universal origin of Our Opponent,
    Unless there is some factor of this Cosm that He Requires,
     I think we must assume that He will see no Reason to limit the
Damage...=

=This requires some Thought.=
=================================
Subject: AAE 7a: Sync-Pulse (Or Back at the Hotel, Night of the First
Day.)

On Wed, 9 May 2001 14:57:25 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010116

OOC: To get everyone able to contribute to things, it's now 20:00
hours, August 30, 36 hours until the deadline. (pun intended) The
Interpol team ought to be back at either the Essex house or the hotel
room, the Photoshoot Team and Student Team should be at the hotel
room, the latter may have headed out again, or not, and Fuzzy ought to
have just been asked by Isis how they should proceed.

     Passing through the hotel lobby, music can be heard playing
loudly from a side room. Within the small restraunt, dance floor space
has been cleared and a group of young travellers have rigged up a
stereo and some good speakers, compiling their music collection
together to put together a little taste of home, mostly American
music, the current song as the teams enter the hotel is "The Hustle."
     The hotel manager's in with the group of younger people, doing a
brisk business in keeping them in drinks. At the desk is a
bored-looking attendant, looking wistfully into the room where all the
other people his age are having fun and not really paying attention to
anyone passing through the hotel's doors. Otherwise, the hotel's
quiet, apparently everyone's still out enjoying the last bit of
sunset/twilight and the pleasant evening on this Saturday night.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Mentor's Tale (WAS: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions)

On Wed, 9 May 2001 15:19:48 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010117

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 11:34:08 -0700
>Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010115
>
>Fuzzy Lens seems to fades away with the Departure of Mentor.
> Timelock question,
>  It looks to me like the Other thread is some hours earlier than
>Moonrise,
>   Mike where are we in relation?

OOC: I'm presuming, for simplicity's sake, that by the time everyone
gets back to their respective bases of operations, they'll be in sync
with this thread at this point. 8:00pm, local time, 36 hours until the
time Mike (and this universe) goes boom.

>=I am unsure,
>  My infomation indicates that our opponent,
>   Has been here for a period of time,
>    However He seems to have done little,
>     Other than establish a base of operations,
>      There is something wrong with this image...=
>
>^@Doctor what scale of engineering is common to Our Opponents Prior
>Projects?@^

     ^Big,^ the Time Lord replies privately through no small effort,
^Living metals, stellar manipulators, time machines, dimensional
portals, time scoops, bio-computers able to predict the future from
current events, genetic engineering, sentient artificial
intelligences, computers able to link, read, and erase minds. With
outside help, likely even bigger. I don't even understand the
specifics of most of the work he did in my reality.^

>=This requires some Thought.=

     Isis agrees silently, lapsing into thought.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Sync-Pulse (Or Back at the Hotel, Night of the

On Wed, 09 May 2001 12:30:28 -0700
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010119

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 14:57:25 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010116
>
>OOC: To get everyone able to contribute to things, it's now 20:00
>hours, August 30, 36 hours until the deadline. (pun intended) The
>Interpol team ought to be back at either the Essex house or the hotel
>room, the Photoshoot Team and Student Team should be at the hotel
>room, the latter may have headed out again, or not, and Fuzzy ought
>to have just been asked by Isis how they should proceed.

One question: When is all this in relation to Zia's shadow-shift of
the castle? That seems to be the take-off point for further action
right now, and that means that part of the "photo shot" team, Zia and
Eric, may still be out.

As Rio, I'll make the call that the student group went back to the
hotel and stayed there pending further developments.

As Morgan, I'll guestimate that the Interpol team was more likely to
go to the Essex house than to risk being connected to the other teams.

Roland's getting a copy of this as I send it, so we'll see what he has
to say.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Sync-Pulse (Or Back at the Hotel, Night of the

On Wed, 9 May 2001 18:51:08 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010120

>On Wed, 09 May 2001 12:30:28 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010119
>
>One question: When is all this in relation to Zia's shadow-shift of
>the castle? That seems to be the take-off point for further action
>right now, and that means that part of the "photo shot" team, Zia and
>Eric, may still be out.

As close to this point as reasonable for a walk back to the hotel
room. Eukonidor's arrival should be a bit before Mentor's talk to
Fuzzy. Mentor had been observing events since Isis called him
originally for advice.

>As Rio, I'll make the call that the student group went back to the
>hotel and stayed there pending further developments.

Sounds fine, if they want, feel free to be the
organizers/helpers/joiners-in of that party going on just off the
lobby. Figured someone would need to kill some time someway.

>As Morgan, I'll guestimate that the Interpol team was more likely to
>go to the Essex house than to risk being connected to the other
>teams.

Suit's me.

>Roland's getting a copy of this as I send it, so we'll see what he
>has to say.

Yeah, I'm sure we want to act as soon as we get the opportunity, so
everything's got to come to a head at some point. Syncing up with
Fuzzy's thread, which has the most exact time reference in it, seemed
the best idea.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Mentor's Tale (WAS: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions)

On Wed, 09 May 2001 18:53:04 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010121

>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010117
>
>>On Wed, 9 May 2001 11:34:08 -0700
>>Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010115
>>
>>=This requires some Thought.=
>
>     Isis agrees silently, lapsing into thought.

/*=Fuzzy, Isis, my visualization concurs with your assessment. I
suspect that Our Opponent is planning on taking out this whole
universe. To do this he has several options. Three of which I can
counter, and three of which I cannot counter. Of the three I cannot
counter, one is already countered, by The Stardragon Itself. As to the
other two, well ... Now that the Zone of Compulsion has been dealt
with, I will see what I can find on the Island, without being
detected. It may provide a clue as to how he plans to do it. It should
be noted, that BOTH of the methods I cannot counter could be
completed, and ready to implement within the period of time remaining
to the deadline.=*/ Aurora offers.

She then carefully, slowly, and methodically begins "examining" the
Island. VERY weakly and stealthfully, even by Nadrek of Palain's
standards, at first. Increasing in both depth and strength slowly over
the minutes and hours. Always 'watching' for, and avoiding, the
faintest possible touch of any mind on the Island.
<OOC: So Mike, what can she find out>
=================================
Subject: Re:AAE 7: Virtual Solutions

On Wed, 09 May 2001 21:49:25 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010124

>On Fri, 4 May 2001 11:39:22 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010087
>
>Confusing your eyes will only work if it's also confusing your brain.

   Nope, it's just an image overlay.

>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.

   It doesn't work, but by now it's a moot point. I'll be dealing with
the Zone's fall in my next post.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Sync-Pulse (Or Back at the Hotel, Night of the
First Day.)

On Wed, 9 May 2001 21:52:07 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010125

>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010116
>
>     Passing through the hotel lobby, music can be heard playing
>loudly from a side room. Within the small restraunt, dance floor
>space has been cleared and a group of young travellers have rigged up
>a stereo and some good speakers, compiling their music collection
>together to put together a little taste of home, mostly American
>music; the current song as the teams enter the hotel is "The Hustle."

Rob ignores this, preferring to focus on finding an aspirin, and a
place to lie down. Fortunately, Moonstone is offering him a shoulder
to lean on, or he would be staggering, rather than stumbling.

>     The hotel manager's in with the group of younger people, doing a
>brisk business in keeping them in drinks. At the desk is a bored-
>looking attendant, looking wistfully into the room where all the
>other people his age are having fun and not really paying attention
>to anyone passing through the hotel's doors. Otherwise, the hotel's
>quiet, apparently everyone's still out enjoying the last bit of
>sunset/twilight and the pleasant evening on this Saturday night.

Once in the hotel room, Rob pulls an aspirin from a small box in his
jacket, takes it with a glass of water, and collapses on the bed. /I'm
going to be out for an hour or two - I need to Sort my memories. But I
would like to mention the obvious...that if Rassilon detects anybody
on the Lorelei Rock, he will know that the zone of compulsion is
out.../ Then he closes his eyes.

To all appearances, he's sleeping. An EKG, however, would show a mind
working harder than any sleeper should.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Mentor's Tale (WAS: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions)

On Wed, 9 May 2001 23:43:31 -0700
Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010127

>On Wed, 09 May 2001 18:53:04 -0700
>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010121
>
>/*=Fuzzy, Isis, my visualization concurs with your assessment. I
>suspect that Our Opponent is planning on taking out this whole
>universe. To do this he has several options. Three of which I can
>counter, and three of which I cannot counter. Of the three I cannot
>counter, one is already countered, by The Stardragon Itself. As to
>the other two, well ... Now that the Zone of Compulsion has been
>dealt with, I will see what I can find on the Island, without being
>detected. It may provide a clue as to how he plans to do it. It
>should be noted, that BOTH of the methods I cannot counter could be
>completed, and ready to implement within the period of time remaining
>to the deadline.=*/ Aurora offers.

=Queen Isis,
  That was Aurora,
   A being of a class called Starspawn,
    Energy Creatures of Immense Power,
     That exist in more than three dimensions,
      I did not expect Her input at this time,
       She is benign.=

^Aurora,
   While I never told Queen Isis that I was Alone,
    I also never mentioned the CAoL or any others in this issue.^
=================================
Subject: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Wed, 09 May 2001 23:36:17 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128

   (OOC: Sorry about the brevity here; I'm tired, but The Plot Must Go
On! ;^)

   Roland ponders the sudden changes for a brief while. /Okay, we've
got the advantage--briefly. We can see Rassilon, but he doesn't _know_
that. I doubt that'll last long.
   /We split up into two teams. Team Alpha, which is most of us, will
attack the castle as soon as we're something resembling organized.
We'll teleport in and hit the place hard and fast. Scramble every
piece of tech that you can, folx. Fuzzy, Nimrod, Jim, that'll be
especially up to us. Dhyrclhanc, I want you to stay in reserve until
Rassilon actually shows himself--you'll be our ace in the hole. Team
Beta--currently consisting of Sil, Rio, Moonstone, Baz, Mandy, and
especially Aurora--will guard Mike. No, Roger, I _didn't_ forget
you--I want your firepower on the attack run, and we need at least one
Time expert with 'Mikey.' Rob, Zia, you two will have to determine
your capacity for a quick strike yourselves, though it is my
unprofessional opinion that you'd both be better off getting about a
day's worth of sleep. Eric, you're with them.
   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/
=================================
Subject: BYOC? WAS: Re: AAE 7a: The Doctor has a Thought.

On Thu, 10 May 2001 10:16:42 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010129

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 21:39:52 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010123
>
>>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said
>>As CAoL Message # 00010118
>>
>><OOC> "BYOC"?! </OOC>
>
>A spoonerized acronym, I think. Should be "BOYC", for Beverage Of
>Your Choice.
>
>I have no idea how the spoonerized form survives.

Through Brain Farts and Typists on AutoPilot. BeeOhWhySee, shoulda
been.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Mentor's Tale (WAS: Re: AAE 7: Feline Questions)

On Thu, 10 May 2001 10:16:44 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010130

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 23:43:31 -0700
>Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010127
>
>=Queen Isis,
>  That was Aurora,
>   A being of a class called Starspawn,
>    Energy Creatures of Immense Power,
>     That exist in more than three dimensions,
>      I did not expect Her input at this time,
>       She is benign.=

     Isis starts a bit as Aurora speaks, then looks horrified, barely
nodding as Fuzzy explains who Aurora is, then her face blanks and she
stays that way.
     Mentor's mind comes through to Fuzzy and Aurora, ^@I am sorry,
youths, but I detected a dangerously catastrophic thought building
within her psyche and could not let her remember what was told of the
enemy's potential. In order to preserve this timeline, I can not have
either Isis or Gary Seven raid the castle, knowing from the beginning
the threat waiting there. It would have impaired their ability to
succeed, and they are needed in the future. I sense other plans are
afoot already within your own team from Michael's future to which they
would be unable to assist with anyway. I shall return Isis and Gary to
their home with suitable memories to satisfy them, to go home and
guard their child, the threat will not be to anyone outside them. They
shall believe it and not perceive anyone not entering their apartment
as a threat to them. Thus your group may operate in the park across
from their building without fearing danger from the ones you are
attempting to guard.@^
     A swirling blue mist envelops Isis and, a half mile away, Gary
Seven and his car, returning all three home.

OOC: Sorry about that, but, as long as there's a chance it's not
suicide, Lensmen go in. ;) Gary would have wanted to raid the castle,
which would have been bad. :)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 07:53:39 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010131

>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128
>
>/Rob, Zia, you two will have to determine your capacity for a quick
>strike yourselves, though it is my unprofessional opinion that you'd
>both be better off getting about a day's worth of sleep. Eric, you're
>with them./

A faint thread of thought drifts through the link, with the feel of
somebody who is concentrating on another problem, but needs to
say something. /i'll be ready in an hour if you can't dig up a
mindhealer - i hate defragging my brain/

>   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
>into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/

Rob makes no reply. But if that hypothetical EEG (OOC: I think I used
the wrong acronym last time) were connected to him, it would show
brain activity shifting into a higher gear.
=================================
Subject: Re:AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 11:22:17 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010132

>On Wed, 09 May 2001 23:36:17 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128
>
>   (OOC: Sorry about the brevity here; I'm tired, but The Plot Must
>Go On! ;^)

OOC: That's okay, this is where I'd been aiming all along. :) Old
Skool [sic] crunchies.

>   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
>into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/

     Moonstone has no objections. She weaves a glamor around herself,
though, changing her skin to the color of milk chocolate, and her hair
as black as a raven's. "Just in case Isis gets sight of me since I may
prove more memorable this time out." She diesn't seem to need much
effort, magically, the power, for those who see it, comes from within.
     As for "Nadrek" and "Worsel", commonly known as Aurora and
Dhyrclhanc, the shore around the Lorelei rises sharply once you hit
the beach, almost clifflike in places. At the top is a wide, treeless,
grassy plateau that shouldn't be there, it's a dimensional distortion
carefully applied to be imperceptible, only discerible by logic and
knowing what the top of the island should look like. Once you're over
that, the castle is a good mile away from any direction, the tower in
the exact center.
     The keep itself is surrounded by a force field, extending in 26
dimensions, but all are close to the castle itself. The tower rises in
the center of the fortress, atop a large dome of rock, held up by
Greco-Roman columns atop a high series of ziggeraut like circular
step-like levels. Under the dome there is plenty of space to walk,
along with atop each of the ziggeraut floors. A single flight of stone
steps runs up to the main entrance under the dome at the base of the
tower. All of this is real and solid, made of the same indestructible
stuff as any TARDIS.
     The main entrance is large enough to fit sixteen elephants,
stacked four by four. What's in here isn't visible from outside or
detectable without first penetrating the forcefield surrounding the
whole castle. Once inside, the apparently narrow tower opens up into a
huge space, iron girders and catwalks rising far higher than the tower
ought, with a massive computer composed of electronics as well as
living brain tissue suspended in fluid set on a large stone floor. A
black obsidion dais is in front of that, with an ornate gold harp,
music stand and throne. Rassilon is seated here in his robes of silver
and black, plucking at the harp as the computer works.
     Amidst the catwalks are massive dimensional engines, baffles, and
other machinery of immense proportions. The feel is very much of a
gun, pointed straight up, some form of high energy projector, but with
a muzzle that doesn't end in this tower, or the dimension of the
castle, but in the dimension of the Lorelei Rock, where the tower
finally stops.
     All of this interdimensional warping is entirely flawless and
natural-feeling, while managing to be mindbogglingly complex to anyone
trying to put it all in perspective who hasn't seen a TARDIS before..
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Justice, Like Lightning...

On Thu, 10 May 2001 12:37:24 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010133

>On Wed, 09 May 2K1, Roland X Said
<snippage>

OK, about an hour after the majoity of the Interpol Team return to the
Essex House, Dhyrclhanc, in his "Agent Drake Lance" form and clad in a
tad more casual clothing _and_ the appropriate riding gear, shows up
on top of what looks like a BMW near-top-of-the-line touring
motorcycle.

Just before the "briefing", apparently having nothing better to do, he
begins breaking apart, putting back together and cleaning the .45
magnum revolver that he brought with him. However, beforehand, he
makes sure that Mischief is in the opposite end of the house. After
all, he's a member of a elite military espionage organization and
covert armed-forces battalion; he _knows_ that firearms and children
DO NOT MIX.

>   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
>into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/

"Yeah, sib, if you want me in reserve, where do you want me to be in
the interum *and* can you give me any idea as to what you want me to
do if, er... _when_, the man himself shows up?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Sync-Pulse (Or Back at the Hotel, Night of the

On Thu, 10 May 2001 10:13:51 -0700
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010134

>On Wed, 9 May 2001 14:57:25 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010116
>
>OOC: To get everyone able to contribute to things, it's now 20:00
>hours, August 30, 36 hours until the deadline. (pun intended) The
>Interpol team ought to be back at either the Essex house or the hotel
>room, the Photoshoot Team and Student Team should be at the hotel
>room, the latter may have headed out again, or not, and Fuzzy ought
>to have just been asked by Isis how they should proceed.

   How much time are you assuming we spent running around? The
Interpol team hasn't left the banks of the Rhine yet, last I saw; this
is relevant to Roland's tactics for the "lightning strike" (proposed
in a previous post).

M: Not sure what time we got to Germany, but we had to drive from the
Essex house to the lab, do whatever we did there, and drive back
(while following Rassilon's trail). I'm guestimating that as a 200
mile (each way) trip, and I don't think the Autobahn runs through
there ;-). Roland mentions that we could have teleported out, but
coming back we had to actually cover the distance in a
non-vulgar-appearing manner.

Whatever, I think if we got back into town (to the edge of the Rhine)
around sunset/moonrise, things work out OK.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 10:51:29 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010135

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 07:53:39 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010131
>
>A faint thread of thought drifts through the link, with the feel of
>somebody who is concentrating on another problem, but needs to say
>something. /i'll be ready in an hour if you can't dig up a mindhealer
>- i hate defragging my brain/

   Roland scowls. /I'm going to start being worried if we haven't left
in about five minutes. Is there a brain surgeon in the house?/

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 12:37:24 -0400
>Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010133
>
>"Yeah, sib, if you want me in reserve, where do you want me to be in
>the interum *and* can you give me any idea as to what you want me to
>do if, er... _when_, the man himself shows up?"

   /On the Xavier, preferably being able to bring the ship's power to
bear. Since your intel places the bulk of the tower...somewhere
else...we might be able to use it. Your job is to take on The Man
himself. With Aurora busy and Nemo unavailable, you are unquestionably
our biggest gun. That doesn't mean I'm taking chances, though--I want
you to have surprise on your side when you attack./
   Roland pauses, his expression growing thoughtful. /Until Dhyrclhanc
comes in, Rassilon's my job if/when he shows up. Anything else?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: Sync-Pulse (Or Back at the Hotel, Night of the

On Thu, 10 May 2001 13:42:09 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010136

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 10:13:51 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010134
>
>   How much time are you assuming we spent running around? The
>Interpol team hasn't left the banks of the Rhine yet, last I saw;
>this is relevant to Roland's tactics for the "lightning strike"
>(proposed in a previous post).

That's fine, the Interpol team was the furthest afield, getting back
to the Essex house isn't a big thing. It's just the time that's in
need of syncing. It had occured to me once before that it didn't
matter where you were, as long as Zia's attempt to dislodge the TARDIS
and Fuzzy's talk with Mentor were at the relative same time.

>M: Not sure what time we got to Germany, but we had to drive from the
>Essex house to the lab, do whatever we did there, and drive back
>(while following Rassilon's trail). I'm guestimating that as a 200
>mile (each way) trip, and I don't think the Autobahn runs through
>there ;-). Roland mentions that we could have teleported out, but
>coming back we had to actually cover the distance in a
>non-vulgar-appearing manner.

You arrived at 8:00 AM. It's been twelve hours, plenty of time to
drive both ways, snoop around and get back. The photo-shoot's probably
gone out, scouted, set up locations, done the shoot for the day
(golden time, TV/Film term, I gather, when everything has a nice gold
look to it, is about 2-4 hours before sunset.), and is packing up and
maybe grabbing what last shots they can in the available light (camera
film having a bit more leeway, I imagine).

>Whatever, I think if we got back into town (to the edge of the Rhine)
>around sunset/moonrise, things work out OK.

Yeah, I'm not trying to pressure anyone to be in a specific locale,
just to make sure the most important events are arranged so everyone
gets in on them without being stuck somewhere having to do something
else while the fun is going on. :)
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 16:00:43 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010137

>On Thu, 10 May 2K1, Mike Knight Said
>
>     As for "Nadrek" and "Worsel", commonly known as Aurora and
>Dhyrclhanc, the shore around the Lorelei rises sharply once you hit
>the beach, almost clifflike in places. At the top is a wide,
>treeless, grassy plateau that shouldn't be there, it's a dimensional
>distortion carefully applied to be imperceptible, only discerible by
>logic and knowing what the top of the island should look like. Once
>you're over that, the castle is a good mile away from any direction,
>the tower in the exact center.

<OOC 1> "Death Zone", anyone? </OOC 1>

>     The keep itself is surrounded by a force field, extending in 26
>dimensions, but all are close to the castle itself. The tower rises
>in the center of the fortress, atop a large dome of rock, held up by
>Greco-Roman columns atop a high series of ziggeraut like circular
>step-like levels. Under the dome there is plenty of space to walk,
>along with atop each of the ziggeraut floors. A single flight of
>stone steps runs up to the main entrance under the dome at the base
>of the tower. All of this is real and solid made of the same
>indestructible stuff as any TARDIS.

<OOC 2> Oh yeah, that's the Tower of Rassilion, alright. Or at least a
TARDIS with an internal and external geometery set-up to ape the
aforementioned tower.

OTOH, who's to say that the Tower of Rassilion wasn't a TARDIS to
begin with?</OOC 2>

>     All of this interdimensional warping is entirely flawless and
>natural-feeling, while managing to be mindbogglingly complex to
>anyone trying to put it all in perspective who hasn't seen a TARDIS
>before...

<OOC 3> I'll presume that Dhyrclhanc would be privy to all, or most,
of this, either through the passive scan he did earlier aboard the
Xavier or via his Sense of Perception when the force field went down
durring Zia's recent attempts to incite the local reality into an
epileptic fit.

He'll also be more than happy to share the fact about the force field
with everyone else in the impromptu CAoL strike-force that's forming.
I know at least one way that Dhyrclhanc should be able to side-step
the force field, I certainly don't know about everyone else; short of
the Starspawn, that is.

Dhyrclhanc will also suggest that Aurora maintain an SEP of our own
around the island, especially given that we're very rapidly going to
segue into some pretty spectacularly Vulgar effects and we still have
a vested interest in keeping our presence here under raps, although
I'll pay Mike $5.00 if he doesn't end up tossing a "grandmother
clause^1" into here before we're through.

If the group weren't going to be dependant on Dhyrclhanc for the
assault, he'd probably be able to do it. <>

^1 "grandmother clause": Like the old question of the chicken or the
egg, a grandmother clause (if there's another name for it, I'm not
aware of it) is where you haven't changed the past you've just become
part of it because you always were a part of it. This is what happened
when he met his several generations past grandmother on board the
original, no bloody suffix thankee, Enterprise durring the DS9 ep.
"Trials and Tribbleations".
</OOC 3>
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On 05-10-2001 at 14:49:02
Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010140

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 07:53:39 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010131
>
>A faint thread of thought drifts through the link, with the feel of
>somebody who is concentrating on another problem, but needs to say
>something. /i'll be ready in an hour if you can't dig up a mindhealer
>- i hate defragging my brain/

/If you mean that Litterally,
  I may be able to Assist,
   I can Parse and Tag Neuro-Pattern Fragments,
    And Provide Additional Buffer-space,
     For Relocation Processing./

>Rob makes no reply. But if that hypothetical EEG (OOC: I think I used
>the wrong acronym last time) were connected to him, it would show
>brain activity shifting into a higher gear.

(OOC: You did... ;) )
=================================
Subject: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On 05-10-2001 at 14:49:02
Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00010141

>On Wed, 09 May 2001 23:36:17 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128
>
>   Roland ponders the sudden changes for a brief while. /Okay, we've
>got the advantage--briefly. We can see Rassilon, but he doesn't
>_know_ that. I doubt that'll last long.

/It will probably last,
  Until We do something to call attention to it,
   Like attacking,
    Given who is providing this bit of Support,
     So we should be able to spend a little time planning./

>   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
>into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/

/This {} is what I learned from the local Iteration of Mentor,
  A few moments ago,
   And Aurora's input./

^Nemisis,
  I will require a dozen modules,
   Capable of Locally controlling/stabilizing,
    Dimensionally Transcendental Architecture Systems.^

^Yes lord Fuzzy,
  I will have them available in a few Minutes.^

*OOC-Tech: Limited Function Tardis Consoles,
            Pinch-off and Swipe potions of a Tardis.
             Only one or two adjacent rooms each...*

/I will be ready for my part shortly.../
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 19:47:35 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010142

In a message dated 5/10/01 2:46:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
rolandx writes:
>   /We split up into two teams. Team Alpha, which is most of us, will
>attack the castle as soon as we're something resembling organized.
>We'll teleport in and hit the place hard and fast. Scramble every
>piece of tech that you can, folx. Fuzzy, Nimrod, Jim, that'll be
>especially up to us. Dhyrclhanc, I want you to stay in reserve until
>Rassilon actually shows himself--you'll be our ace in the hole. Team
>Beta--currently consisting of Sil, Rio, Moonstone, Baz, Mandy, and
>especially Aurora--will guard Mike.

   Roger opens his mouth--

>No, Roger, I _didn't_ forget you

   --and closes it.

>--I want your firepower on the attack run, and we need at least one
>Time expert with 'Mikey.' Rob, Zia, you two will have to determine
>your capacity for a quick strike yourselves, though it is my
>unprofessional opinion that you'd both be better off getting about a
>day's worth of sleep. Eric, you're with them.

   "Okay," Roger murmurs to himself, "time to play the heavy." Star
Brand, left palm, check. GLR, right middle finger, check. Armor -- his
nanostructure wardrobe draws additional mass from jacketspace,
hardening into matte black sectional plate armor, with alternating
layers of adamantium, promethium, artificial diamond, fictionite,
unobtanium, collapsar neutronium, carbon-composite honeycomb, and
temporium, all interlaced with thousands of nanoscale Structural
Integrity Field emitters. He counters the sudden gravity well with
hardly a thought.
   Guns...he pops a terrwatt-grade plasma rifle out of one sleeve,
checks it over, and places it back in ready storage. The other sleeve
produces a classic M1911A1 .45 semi with the words "To Roger from
Uncle Robert" engraved on the slide. He chucks the magazine, snags an
empty one, and begins loading it with copper-jacketed slugs from a red
box. Each shell has large Roman "X" engraved on the brass casing.
   A sudden thought strikes him. "Hey, Eric -- want some heavy ammo,
just in case?" He tips the box towards Eric, revealing the "Seaton
Armaments Co." label...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 18:27:43 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010143

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 19:47:35 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010142
>
>   "Okay," Roger murmurs to himself, "time to play the heavy." Star
>Brand, left palm, check. GLR, right middle finger, check.

   Roland looks at the Star Brand dubiously. /"You, ah, _can_ control
that...thing...right?"/

>Armor -- his nanostructure wardrobe draws additional mass from
>jacketspace, hardening into matte black sectional plate armor, with
>alternating layers of adamantium, promethium, artificial diamond,
>fictionite, unobtanium, collapsar neutronium, carbon-composite
>honeycomb, and temporium, all interlaced with thousands of nanoscale
>Structural Integrity Field emitters. He counters the sudden gravity
>well with hardly a thought.

   Roland smiles wryly. /Same philosophy as my mind shields, I see./

/Where do you think he probably learned it?/ Morgan sends with a grin.

>   Guns...he pops a terrwatt-grade plasma rifle out of one sleeve,
>checks it over, and places it back in ready storage. The other sleeve
>produces a classic M1911A1 .45 semi with the words "To Roger from
>Uncle Robert" engraved on the slide.

   Roger's father jumps up and down REAL HARD on a brief, sudden fit
of intense jealousy. [Mutter mumble Heinlein grumble gripe never met]

>   A sudden thought strikes him. "Hey, Eric -- want some heavy ammo,
>just in case?" He tips the box towards Eric, revealing the "Seaton
>Armaments Co." label...

   Eric waves it off. "Thanks, but from what I've heard people saying
about this 'Rassilon,' I doubt that a few extra millimeters will do me
much good. If I'm coming," he adds with a concerned look at Zia, "my
Shih training will probably be more useful than any firearm I'm
familiar with."
   Roland chuckles. "You haven't seen Roger shoot things yet, have
you?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 23:39:01 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010144

In a message dated 5/10/01 9:43:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
rolandx writes:
>>   "Okay," Roger murmurs to himself, "time to play the heavy." Star
>>Brand, left palm, check. GLR, right middle finger, check.
>
>   Roland looks at the Star Brand dubiously. /"You, ah, _can_ control
>that...thing...right?"/

   Roger puts on his thoughtful expression. "Lessee, what phase of the
moon *is* it right now...?"

>>Armor -- his nanostructure wardrobe draws additional mass from
>>jacketspace, hardening into matte black sectional plate armor, with
>>alternating layers of adamantium, promethium, artificial diamond,
>>fictionite, unobtanium, collapsar neutronium, carbon-composite
>>honeycomb, and temporium, all interlaced with thousands of nanoscale
>>Structural Integrity Field emitters. He counters the sudden gravity
>>well with hardly a thought.
>
>   Roland smiles wryly. /Same philosophy as my mind shields, I see./
>
>/Where do you think he probably learned it?/ Morgan sends with a
>grin.

   /Bazooka Joe bubblegum wrappers./ Roger says without missing a bit.

>>   Guns...he pops a terrwatt-grade plasma rifle out of one sleeve,
>>checks it over, and places it back in ready storage. The other
>>sleeve produces a classic M1911A1 .45 semi with the words "To Roger
>>from Uncle Robert" engraved on the slide.
>
>   Roger's father jumps up and down REAL HARD on a brief, sudden fit
>of intense jealousy. [Mutter mumble Heinlein grumble gripe never met]

   OOC: Caught that, huh? You know, Heinlein was still alive and
kicking in 1975...

   Roger's mental train derails momentarily on this sudden burst of
emotion (however well suppressed, Roger has *got* to be second only to
Morgan at picking up Roland's moods. Well, and maybe Sil.
And...nevermind), and suffers several seconds of abject confusion
before deciphering the cause. At which point he grins toothily at
nowhere in particular, and starts to hum cheerfully under his breath.

>>   A sudden thought strikes him. "Hey, Eric -- want some heavy ammo,
>>just in case?" He tips the box towards Eric, revealing the "Seaton
>>Armaments Co." label...
>
>   Eric waves it off. "Thanks, but from what I've heard people saying
>about this 'Rassilon,' I doubt that a few extra millimeters will do
>me much good. If I'm coming," he adds with a concerned look at Zia,
>"my Shih training will probably be more useful than any firearm I'm
>familiar with."
>   Roland chuckles. "You haven't seen Roger shoot things yet, have
>you?"

   Roger chuckles as well, generating an almost eerie "twins" moment
for whomever's paying attention. "It's not the mils, Eric, it's the
bang. These are explosive bullets using a catalysation effect on
platinum and copper that could generate hyperlight velocities for a
battleship using just a single brick-sized copper ingot. The lovely
thing about these bullets is that they work in any ordinary gun, but
pack the wallop of a regimental combat team. I don't recommend using
anything bigger than a 7, myself -- the 10s get up into the low
megaton range. Kind of like using a nuclear hand grenade." He strikes
a "Vanna White" pose. "They're also 'clean,' with no fallout, hard
radiation effects, or lingering evironmental poisons. I run a small
business exporting these to universes that have supervillains but lack
superheroes; they're great for levelling the playing field."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 10 May 2001 23:08:00 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010146

>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010140
>
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010131
>>
>>A faint thread of thought drifts through the link, with the feel of
>>somebody who is concentrating on another problem, but needs to say
>>something. /i'll be ready in an hour if you can't dig up a
>>mindhealer - i hate defragging my brain/
>
>/If you mean that Literally,
>  I may be able to Assist,
>   I can Parse and Tag Neuro-Pattern Fragments,
>    And Provide Additional Buffer-space,
>     For Relocation Processing./

/please help then/

Nemesis receives an image of the problem. The zone of compulsion,
which had no problem affecting Dhyrclhanc, was the equivalent of using
a turbolaser to deal with a mosquito in Rob's case. Fortunately, the
mechanical nature of the field kept collateral damage low, and Rob's
mind shields blocked some of the excess.

However, this still leaves Rob with blurred short-term memory. If he
doesn't fix it before it transfers to the long-term memory, the entire
day will eventually be thrown out, taking a large chain of associated
memory with it.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Fri, 11 May 2001 08:05:36 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010151

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 10:51:29 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010135
>
>>On Thu, 10 May 2001 07:53:39 -0700 (PDT)
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010131
>>
>>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128
>>>
>>>/Rob, Zia, you two will have to determine your capacity for a quick
>>>strike yourselves, though it is my unprofessional opinion that
>>>you'd both be better off getting about a day's worth of sleep.
>>>Eric, you're with them./

Ziactrice answers, while getting herself comfortably curled up within
an over-stuffed chair in the lobby. /Just a few minor revisions, Big
R. Eric, you're quite right about the usefulness of your talents with
Shih - go with the strike force. Those with the mostest, hardest,
fastest, win. I'm not a 'soft target' even when stone asleep, and I
won't be. I'm going to meditate instead. That will let me rest, and if
you lot need reinforcements AFTER the battle has been heated for some
time, I can come in fresh. The 'third wave' behind DC and Aurora -/

She chuckles out loud at the thought, /As if such would ever be
required. But I am GOOD Damage Control for Causality and Big Rumble
Cleanup Detail. And I feel I've done enough by opening a wedge for you
lot./

>>A faint thread of thought drifts through the link, with the feel of
>>somebody who is concentrating on another problem, but needs to say
>>something. /i'll be ready in an hour if you can't dig up a
>>mindhealer - ihate defragging my brain/
>
>   Roland scowls. /I'm going to start being worried if we haven't
>left in about five minutes. Is there a brain surgeon in the house?/

/There is if a Lensman who can manipulate realities will do. Rob, may
I?/ If Rob agrees, she soothely noroms all his quandries, resulting in
a factually complete and contiguous set of memories. Once he gave her
permission to Lens, she simply looked up what he would have done for
'defragging' his brain, and did that faster by 'leaning on' her Lens
for supplemental mental 'force and scope'.

Zia sits tailor fashion in the lobby chair, breath very even, as her
own mind reaches a restful meditation state of Zen, with her awareness
on the Void and all around her at once. She suspects that Mike's
family eventually develop something similar and she is curious to see
if she can feel 'any disturbances in the Force' so to speak.

Roger can tell Zia is somewhat tuckered, though, she didn't make any
joke about guns and being happy to see people when he brought out his
big guns. She normally would.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Fri, 11 May 2001 11:43:04 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010153

>On Thu, 10 May 2K1, Rob N Said
>
>Nemesis receives an image of the problem. The zone of compulsion,
>which had no problem affecting Dhyrclhanc, was the equivalent of
>using a turbolaser to deal with a mosquito in Rob's case.
>Fortunately, the mechanical nature of the field kept collateral
>damage low, and Rob's mind shields blocked some of the excess.

At the same time, Dhyrclhanc does a partial fusion with his
Bio-kineisis abilities and Nemisis's Mind Healing powers, and is
impressed by Nemisis' skill and androitness in helping Rob's problem.

>Ziatrice said
>
>/There is if a Lensman who can manipulate realities will do. Rob, may
>I?/ If Rob agrees, she soothely noroms all his quandries, resulting
>in a factually complete and contiguous set of memories. Once he gave
>her permission to Lens, she simply looked up what he would have done
>for 'defragging' his brain, and did that faster by 'leaning on' her
>Lens for supplemental mental 'force and scope'.

At which point, Dhyrclhanc looks like his eyes are likely to pop out
of his head.

[I never knew there were these many "Mind-Healers" in the group,
before.]

/Rob, once Zia's done cleaning up after Nemisis, and presuming that
you're still having problems, let me know. If the problem's
predominantly organic in nature, which it sounds to me like it is;
between my Bio-kinesis and my Telepathy, I should be able to give you
a hand./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Zia, Like Lightning ;^)

On Fri, 11 May 2001 09:01:13 -0700
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010154

>On Fri, 11 May 2001 08:05:36 -0700 (PDT)
>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010151
>
>Ziactrice answers, while getting herself comfortably curled up within
>an over-stuffed chair in the lobby. /Just a few minor revisions, Big
>R. Eric, you're quite right about the usefulness of your talents with
>Shih - go with the strike force. Those with the mostest, hardest,
>fastest, win.

   Eric scowls deeply. Roland just smiles and shrugs. /If you can
convince him, Zia, go for it. I just wasn't going to try and pry him
off of your arm./
   Eric looks ready to object, when--

>I'm not a 'soft target' even when stone asleep, and I won't be. I'm
>going to meditate instead.

   Eric mutters something unintelligible in annoyance, then starts
going through his equipment in a standard 'pre-fight check.' A private
flicker of mini-lens activity passes between the Hunter and the
Freelance Immortal, after which Roland nods.

>That will let me rest, and if you lot need reinforcements AFTER the
>battle has been heated for some time, I can come in fresh. The 'third
>wave' behind DC and Aurora -/
>
>She chuckles out loud at the thought, /As if such would ever be
>required. But I am GOOD Damage Control for Causality and Big Rumble
>Cleanup Detail. And I feel I've done enough by opening a wedge for
>you lot./

   Roland nods, all business now. /More than. But don't undersell
yourself. Even if your power _is_ that slight in comparison to
Dhyrclhanc and Aurora, which I wouldn't put money on, even a gnat can
alter the battle of giants. If it's in the right place./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Zia, Like Lightning ;^)

On Fri, 11 May 2001 20:04:56 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010157

>On Fri, 11 May 2001 09:01:13 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010154
>
>>On Fri, 11 May 2001 08:05:36 -0700 (PDT)
>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010151
>>
>>I'm not a 'soft target' even when stone asleep, and I won't be. I'm
>>going to meditate instead.
>
>   Eric mutters something unintelligible in annoyance,

That gets him only a most 'innocent' expression of inquiry from Zia.

>then starts going through his equipment in a standard 'pre-fight
>check.' A private flicker of mini-lens activity passes between the
>Hunter and the Freelance Immortal, after which Roland nods.

Zia gives Eric a cocky smile, then she shoots back over the link to
Roland, /Gee Roland, if you want to arm wrestle over him we can;
you've succumbed as well to the seductive power of the dark-glassed
Eric?/

She cuts off, because she just dissolves into a giggle-fit at the
_look_ Eric just shot at her. Between Eric and Roland's reactions, and
her own tiredness, she is giggling for several moments, off and on.

>   Roland nods, all business now. /More than. But don't undersell
>yourself. Even if your power _is_ that slight in comparison to
>Dhyrclhanc and Aurora, which I wouldn't put money on, even a gnat can
>alter the battle of giants. If it's in the right place./

/Morgan! Roland's trying to compliment me again!/ Somehow, Zia does a
great impression of Roger-esque tones and still makes it clear it's
her, aggrieved by the left-handed compliment (but only jokingly).

^Seriously, Roland. Who blew my cover as the SuperGnat of Phule's
battalion to you?!^
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Fri, 11 May 2001 22:22:26 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010158

>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010153
>
>>Ziactrice said
>>
>>/There is if a Lensman who can manipulate realities will do. Rob,
>>may I?/ If Rob agrees, she soothely noroms all his quandries,
>>resulting in a factually complete and contiguous set of memories.
>>Once he gave her permission to Lens, she simply looked up what he
>>would have done for 'defragging' his brain, and did that faster by
>>'leaning on' her Lens for supplemental mental 'force and scope'.

Between Zia and Nemesis, a job that would have taken at least an hour
reduces to about six minutes. Rob doesn't move for a moment, but Zia
can hear his mental state easily; if he were a cat, he would be
purring.

>At which point, Dhyrclhanc looks like his eyes are likely to pop out
>of his head.
>
>[I never knew there were these many "Mind-Healers" in the group,
>before.]

Rob stretches out, and begins searching his pockets. "Thank you, Zia."
/Thank you, Nemesis. I appreciate the help./

>/Rob, once Zia's done cleaning up after Nemisis, and presuming that
>you're still having problems, let me know. If the problem's
>predominantly organic in nature, which it sounds to me like it is;
>between my Bio-kinesis and my Telepathy, I should be able to give you
>a hand./

/It'll be fine. I've been through this twice before. The first time, I
was dosed with Mnemosyne water to fix it. By the second time, I'd
learned the 'defrag' technique. As long as I don't let too much
damaged material into long-term storage, I can manage./

Taking the electric razor-sized item out, he holds it against his left
wrist, then says, "Sol seven; Hotel Zebra." It beeps the six-note tune
again, and remains on Rob's wrist for no visible reason.

Dropping the vest on the bed, he takes inventory again.

/Dhyrclhanc, may I bother you for another favor?/ The image that comes
across the link is a metal baton with a hook on the side; anybody with
a fair knowledge of melee weapons will recognize a jitte. /I'd like
two of these. Nothing special, steel will be fine if you have it. I'll
settle for promethium or adamantium if that's the weakest you've got./
Rob _seems_ to be joking; it's hard to tell.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Fri, 11 May 2001 22:46:56 -0700
Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010159

>On Thu, 10 May 2001 23:08:00 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010146
>
>Nemesis receives an image of the problem. The zone of compulsion,
>which had no problem affecting Dhyrclhanc, was the equivalent of
>using a turbolaser to deal with a mosquito in Rob's case.
>Fortunately, the mechanical nature of the field kept collateral
>damage low, and Rob's mind shields blocked some of the excess.
>
>However, this still leaves Rob with blurred short-term memory. If he
>doesn't fix it before it transfers to the long-term memory, the
>entire day will eventually be thrown out, taking a large chain of
>associated memory with it.

A Mousey arrives a flows into skull-cap shape

\To minimize potential trama,
  The Cap will is recomended.\

Once he puts it on,
 A sensastion loke a gentle breeze flows through his mind,
  Locating Memory Fragments...

The Impresion of,
 A moment of Intense Calculation,
  As the Boundaries are examined for Pattern Match,
   Allowing proper rebuild of the Memory Chains...

Then he is gently lowered into a Day-Dream state,
 Which shares the Enhanced Subjective speed of Deap Dreaming...

Then he finds himself reliving the entire duration of his exposure,
 To the effects of the Zone of Compulsion,
  Except for an awareness of the source of each
Distraction/Disjunction,
   As the memory fragments play out in their proper place in the
Sequence...

The Procedure takes about Three Minutes Objective.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sat, 12 May 2001 00:53:30 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010160

>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128
>
>   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
>into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/

/If you have need of my assistance, call. I can strike mentally,
physically, magically, or spiritually from here. Also remember those
who carry the CAoL Sigil can call upon the power of The Stardragon
itself. Since time and space are part of Its domain, I suspect that
the artifices of even a Time Lord will be vulnerable to such power./
Aurora answers.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Zia, Like Lightning ;^)

On Sat, 12 May 2001 03:45:29 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010161

In a message dated 5/11/01 11:10:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
darasawall writes:
>Zia gives Eric a cocky smile, then she shoots back over the link to
>Roland, /Gee Roland, if you want to arm wrestle over him we can;
>you've succumbed as well to the seductive power of the dark-glassed
>Eric?/
>
>She cuts off, because she just dissolves into a giggle-fit at the
>_look_ Eric just shot at her. Between Eric and Roland's reactions,
>and her own tiredness, she is giggling for several moments, off and
>on.

   Roger opens his mouth, then stops to look this one over from all
angles before deciding that, nope, Auntzie's on her own with this one.
   It *is* nice to hear her giggle, though.
=================================
Subject: Re: re: AAE 7: Like Lightning (Take 2, sort of...)

On Sat, 12 May 2001 02:21:50 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010162

Dhyrclhanc transmogrifies back into his full 21' draconic form
(presuming that the Essex's living room can accommodate it. Otherwise,
he'll shift to his, wingless, "Lens-T'Skrang" from).

"Before I beam back up to the Xavier, I can take orders for people who
want equipment and/or weapons for the 'blitz'. So, consider me the
quartermaster, although any similarities between Desmond Llewelyn and
myself are purely coincidental; anyone want anything?"

Dasher will also 'port down from the Xavier to be part of "Team
Alpha". Leaving the Xavier piloted by Dhyrclhanc and PIXAR.

Before porting back to the Xavier, DC'll hand "R.J." his S&W Model 19
(?!) revolver and the speed-loaders he was carrying.

"I do not know if you want these as a back-up, R.J., but they might
come in handy. The revolver, itself, only has the standard six shots
but the speed-loaders are enchanted with a Spell I got from the
"Merlin" alter-Earth which I code-named "Technomancer". IOW, they're
'dimensionally- transcendent"; they each hold 30 rounds."

"The speed loaders are also marked; the first one holds standard
rounds, the second has standard armor piercers, the third --
hollow-points, the fourth -- depleted uranium, and the fifth holds
depleted necronium rounds."

The Sentinel-Lensdragon turns to Roland. The draconian Lensman reaches
into his inside jacket pocket and retrieves the starfish-shaped Glaive
he calls "Krull" and holds it out to his adopted brother.

"Roland, if you are going to lead the charge against Rassilion's Tower
then you are going to need this. As I may have mentioned tower is
protected by a multidimensional force-field."

"Krull can affect opponents and targets that exist on adjacent
dimensions so, if my suspicions are correct, this is going to be the
only way you have any chance of breaching the tower's exterior."

Then, finally, after fulfilling any additional requests for equipment
or weaponry from the Xavier's advanced replicator systems, the
super-annuated adolescent exhaulted hatchling disappears in the
familiar "will-o-the-wisp" pattern of lights of a Federation-style
Transporter.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sat, 12 May 2001 10:24:06 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010163

>On Fri, 11 May 2K1, Rob N Said
>
>/Dhyrclhanc, may I bother you for another favor?/ The image that
>comes across the link is a metal baton with a hook on the side;
>anybody with a fair knowledge of melee weapons will recognize a
>jitte. /I'd like two of these. Nothing special, steel will be fine if
>you have it. I'll settle for promethium or adamantium if that's the
>weakest you've got./ Rob _seems_ to be joking; it's hard to tell.

<sidebar>
FYR, Dhyrclhanc is near-mastery level in a martial-art called "Tsudo",
which roughly translates into "the art of tooth and claw". To anyone
familiar with the works of the First Historian, it's the martial arts
style of Velantians (aka Worzel). If either Rob or Eric has seen him
fight in melee combat (which I don't think they have. Yet) they'd
recognize it as roughly equating with a strange combination of Tai Chi
Chuan, and/or Quigong, Jujutsu (Jujitsu?), the Leopard-Fist, Praying
Mantis, Shaolin, White Crane and Wing Chun-styles of Kung Fu, and
Savate. IOW, loosely speaking, I'd have to say that he's pretty
familiar with the Martial Arts, in both the academic and empirical
senses.</sidebar>

Dhyrclhanc shoots Rob the telepathic equivalent of a subdued,
lop-sided, grin.

/I live for requests like this. However, my own nano-production
capabilities tend to make equipment constructed out of a material
which emulates metal. The "default-setting" of this metallic-mimetic
material is normally a hardness rating equivalent to either Osmium
Steel or an item carved from a piece of a giant diamond {50 to 75 on a
rough scale from 2 to 100}. But, are you sure you want a pair of jitte
and not a pair of sai?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sat, 12 May 2001 23:13:40 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010167

>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010163
>
>/I live for requests like this. However, my own nano-production
>capabilities tend to make equipment constructed out of a material
>which emulates metal. The "default-setting" of this metallic-mimetic
>material is normally a hardness rating equivalent to either Osmium
>Steel or an item carved from a piece of a giant diamond {50 to 75 on
>a rough scale from 2 to 100}./

/Somehow, I expected this. But the emulation will do nicely./

>/But, are you sure you want a pair of jitte and not a pair of sai?/

/Dhyrclhanc, do you see me questioning _your_ choice of weaponry?/ Rob
replies, with an icy mix of sarcasm and irony. /The version of you
from the comics is a martial artist with few peers, and fewer
superiors. If you're even half that, you should know better than to
question a preferred weapon./

/Besides which, the warrior makes the weapon. Not vice-versa./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sun, 13 May 2001 11:11:45 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010168

>On Sat, 12 May 2K1, "Rob N" Said
>
>/Dhyrclhanc, do you see me questioning _your_ choice of weaponry?/
>Rob replies, with an icy mix of sarcasm and irony. /The version of
>you from the comics is a martial artist with few peers, and fewer
>superiors. If you're even half that, you should know better than to
>question a preferred weapon./
>
>/Besides which, the warrior makes the weapon. Not vice-versa./

Dhyrclhanc responds,

/My apologies, Mr. Nishakawa (sp?), I may lack Zia's "Visualization of
the Cosmic All", but I am still capable of visualizing alternatives
and suggesting options to those I consider my friends and allies. I do
agree with your statement about the warrior making the weapon, and not
vice versa, and I can only assure you that I meant no disresrespect/

/However, perhaps I did not make myself clear, the metal emulation
"nanalloy" that the items that my nano-production drones manufacture
will be the equivalent to *either* Osmium Steel _or_ Diamond. While I
certainly have no objections to creating a paired set of jitte for
you, I, or rather my production drone colonies, will still need to
know which material strength you would prefer? Again, I mean no
disrespect. Once I create them, I will be happy to 'port them to your
location./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sun, 13 May 2001 09:13:33 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010169

>On Sun, 13 May 2001 11:11:45 -0500
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010168
>
>>"Rob N" Said
>>/Dhyrclhanc, do you see me questioning _your_ choice of weaponry?/
>>Rob replies, with an icy mix of sarcasm and irony. /The version of
>>you from the comics is a martial artist with few peers, and fewer
>>superiors. If you're even half that, you should know better than to
>>question a preferred weapon./
>>
>>/Besides which, the warrior makes the weapon. Not vice-versa./

Zia frowns, about to cut in with a certain tone of 'boys, boys!', but
it is not necessary. Instead, she side-comments to Eric, "Gee. I was
always taught the warrior is the only weapon of any consequence. Other
tools may be useful, but in the final consideration, superfluous in
importance. Of course, considering Benedict's strength and fortitude,
and the tendency to friable failure most technology based artifacts
have in Amber herself, that attitude might not be cross-martial arts
traditions in all Shadows."

>/My apologies, Mr. Nishakawa (sp?), I may lack Zia's "Visualization
>of the Cosmic All", but I am still capable of visualizing
>alternatives and suggesting options to those I consider my friends
>and allies. I do agree with your statement about the warrior making
>the weapon, and not vice versa, and I can only assure you that I
>meant no disresrespect/
>
>/However, perhaps I did not make myself clear, the metal emulation
>"nanalloy" that the items that my nano-production drones manufacture
>will be the equivalent to *either* Osmium Steel _or_ Diamond. While I
>certainly have no objections to creating a paired set of jitte for
>you, I, or rather my production drone colonies, will still need to
>know which material strength you would prefer? Again, I mean no
>disrespect. Once I create them, I will be happy to 'port them to your
>location./

^Rob? If you don't mind, I'd suggest a molecularly sharpened Osmium
Steel, or facing the diamond edges with implatned obsidian. Diamond
itself doesn't hold as narrow a molecular edge as, well, I prefer, but
then I like things TRULY sharp. The diamond-3D shape of carbon just
holds a whippled edge not quite so fine as you can get the other ways,
unless DC has tricks I know not of. Always a possibility.^
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sun, 13 May 2001 09:30:45 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010170

>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010168
>
>/My apologies, Mr. Nishakawa (sp?), I may lack Zia's "Visualization
>of the Cosmic All", but I am still capable of visualizing
>alternatives and suggesting options to those I consider my friends
>and allies. I do agree with your statement about the warrior making
>the weapon, and not vice versa, and I can only assure you that I
>meant no disrespect./

Rob's voice reverts to its normal, pleasant style. /I understand your
point. For my part, I should explain. Sai are no more effective than
the jitte at defense, in my experience. And the thrusting point is
less useful than that of a dagger. Personally, I feel that using sai
as anything more than a counter to another melee weapon is impractical
in combat./

/Unless you have something else up your sleeve, that is,/ Rob adds, as
he pulls on a loose-fitting jacket.

>/However, perhaps I did not make myself clear, the metal emulation
>"nanalloy" that the items that my nano-production drones manufacture
>will be the equivalent to *either* Osmium Steel _or_ Diamond. While I
>certainly have no objections to creating a paired set of jitte for
>you, I, or rather my production drone colonies, will still need to
>know which material strength you would prefer? Again, I mean no
>disrespect. Once I create them, I will be happy to 'port them to your
>location./

/Osmium steel will be fine. Thank you, Dhyrclhanc./ A mental image of
a respectful bow crosses the lens-link.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning (Take 2, sort of...)

On Sun, 13 May 2001 12:12:54 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010171

>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010162
>
>"Roland, if you are going to lead the charge against Rassilion's
>Tower then you are going to need this. As I may have mentioned tower
>is protected by a multidimensional force-field."
>
>"Krull can affect opponents and targets that exist on adjacent
>dimensions so, if my suspicions are correct, this is going to be the
>only way you have any chance of breaching the tower's exterior."

/*"Not necessarily. When everyone is in place, I can 'reach' into
Rassilion's Tower, and disable his force field generator. Much like
Eukonidor disabled the zone of compulsion generator. There is also the
possiblity of teleportation, and the use of worm holes, X-Windows and
tesseracts."*/ Aurora states.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

[Note: This post placed here based on the time of it's original
accidental post to the Tech Room list.]

On Tue, 22 May 2001 23:02:51 -0700
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010219

>On Sun, 13 May 2K1, "Rob N" Said
>
>>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said
>>
>>Dhyrclhanc responds,
>>
>>... perhaps I did not make myself clear, the metal emulation
>>"nanalloy" that the items that my nano-production drones manufacture
>>will be the equivalent to *either* Osmium Steel _or_ Diamond. While
>>I certainly have no objections to creating a paired set of jitte for
>>you, I, or rather my production drone colonies, will still need to
>>know which material strength you would prefer? Again, I mean no
>>disrespect. Once I create them, I will be happy to 'port them to
>>your location./
>
>/Osmium steel will be fine. Thank you, Dhyrclhanc./ A mental image of
>a respectful bow crosses the lens-link.

Those in the same room with Dhyrclhanc, who at this point was in his
T-S'krang guise, will see him move his upper-body through a series of
kata-like movements ending with his arms outstretched.

Then, a steam-like fog will spread outwards from his forearms to his
hands until everything from his elbows downwards is obscured. Then the
fog compresses itself into two, foot and half-long chrome-colored,
tapered wands with what look like leather wrappings around their grips
and irregular 14-sided three-dimensional polygons as pommels. In
addition, each wand/combat batons have a four-inch long vaguely "j"
shaped extension on one side.

Dhyrclhanc gives the paired jitte a few practice swings, showing more
than a marked experience with their use. Then he rotates the batons so
that he is holding both of them by their business ends.

/In my own experience, I have not found a great deal of difference
between the jitte, the sai, or a standard billy club or escrima stick,
but it is certainly not my place to cast aspersions on another's
skill, fighting style, or their choice of weaponry./

The Immortal super-annulated "adolescent" hatchling then makes a
throwing motion with both arms, and hands, and, with a loud "pop"
noise, the paired jitte disappear from his grasp and then re-appear on
top of the small chest of drawers beside the bed in Rob's hotel room
as if they had been tossed through the intervening space.

^*If you also need a carrying-case or sheathes let me know.*^
^ {};=8)} ^
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Sun, 13 May 2001 22:06:38 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010173

>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010169
>
>Zia frowns, about to cut in with a certain tone of 'boys, boys!', but
>it is not necessary. Instead, she side-comments to Eric, "Gee. I was
>always taught the warrior is the only weapon of any consequence.
>Other tools may be useful, but in the final consideration,
>superfluous in importance. Of course, considering Benedict's strength
>and fortitude, and the tendency to friable failure most technology
>based artifacts have in Amber herself, that attitude might not be
>cross-martial arts traditions in all Shadows."

"True, the warrior is the only weapon of consequence. Although I hold
to the view that the warrior's mind is the real weapon. However, I
know the skill differential I need before I'll face an edged weapon
bare-handed. And I also know that I'm not to the point where I can
blithely assume that I have that advantage." Rob glances at his hands.
"And my usual equalizer isn't in force here."

>^Rob? If you don't mind, I'd suggest a molecularly sharpened Osmium
>Steel, or facing the diamond edges with implatned obsidian. Diamond
>itself doesn't hold as narrow a molecular edge as, well, I prefer,
>but then I like things TRULY sharp. The diamond-3D shape of carbon
>just holds a whippled edge not quite so fine as you can get the other
>ways, unless DC has tricks I know not of. Always a possibility.^

"Jitte don't have edges. If I need an edge in the fight," Rob winces,
"I have another trick in mind."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning (Take 2, sort of...)

On Mon, 14 May 2001 08:57:08 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010174

>On Sun, 13 May 2001 12:12:54 -0700
>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010171
>
>/*"Not necessarily. When everyone is in place, I can 'reach' into
>Rassilion's Tower, and disable his force field generator. Much like
>Eukonidor disabled the zone of compulsion generator. There is also
>the possiblity of teleportation, and the use of worm holes, X-Windows
>and tesseracts."*/ Aurora states.

   /I don't see how any of the latter would work, Aurora,/ Roland
notes thoughtfully. /All of them involve either energy transmission or
spatial/dimensional shifting, and that field blocks both./ Roland
scowls annoyedly. /And I thought there were only 10 dimensions. Live
and learn.../
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning (Take 2, sort of...)

On Mon, 14 May 2001 18:06:46 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010177

>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010174
>
>   /I don't see how any of the latter would work, Aurora,/ Roland
>notes thoughtfully. /All of them involve either energy transmission
>or spatial/dimensional shifting, and that field blocks both./ Roland
>scowls annoyedly. /And I thought there were only 10 dimensions. Live
>and learn.../

/*"None of these forms are necessarily limited to less than 10, or
even 100 dimensions. It would be difficult, as I seldom extend past 12
dimensions myself, but I could create a tesseract or worm hole in 28
dimensions which will allow access past the force field. Please note
that I use the term tesseract VERY loosely here."*/ Aurora responds.
=================================
Subject: AAE7: Quick Catchup

On Wed, 16 May 2001 06:57:00 -0400
Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010180

Legion and Essex were in the middle of a long talk when Zia started
working on reality out at the island... and Legion started turning
green. By the time the team returns to the house, Legion is ensconced
back in the bedroom having 'a bit of a lie down' while Essex listens
solemnly to the attack plans being made.
=================================
Subject: Re: Quick Catchup

On Wed, 16 May 2001 13:17:33 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010181

>On Wed, 16 May 2001, "Caprice/Legion" Said
>
>Legion and Essex were in the middle of a long talk when Zia started
>working on reality out at the island... and Legion started turning
>green. By the time the team returns to the house, Legion is ensconced
>back in the bedroom having 'a bit of a lie down' while Essex listens
>solemnly to the attack plans being made.

"Tahkis and Palatine," quietly oathes Dhyrclhanc, from the bridge of
the Xavier.

He creates a tentative surface-mind-to-suface-mind telepathic link
with Caprice, presuming that in her current state she'll let him, and
immediately begins sending her gentle waves of healing energy.

Then, with his TK, he switches on the intra-ship communications
system.

"Sikorski, see if you can errect a reality stabilzer around the
sickbay, we may have an incoming..."
=================================
Subject: Re: The Wra(i)th of Khan

On Thu, 17 May 2001 19:52:28 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010182

catching up finally...

>On Tue, 17 Apr 2001 19:44:06 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00010024
>
>   Harmon turns on his heel and walks to the car. He opens the door,
>pulls out the car phone (deliberately where the guard can see it),
>and pushes the single button on the box. He then stands outside the
>car. In English, he begins to 'report' to HQ.
>   "This is Colonel Harmon." The guard pales slightly. "Get me the
>Director." The guard pales a bit more. "Yes sir, I know, sorry to
>bother you, but there's an officious idiot here at the Biovalley site
>who's determined to obstruct the investigation. I need someone to
>call his superior." Now, the guard's dead white, and is looking at
>his own phone with trepidation. "No, I doubt he's working for Target
>Omega, doesn't have the feel. I think he really is just a moron."

 Jim chuckles into Roland's ear through the phone, "Alright that was
one extra large pizza was pepperoni, anchovies and mushrooms? Did you
want that with or without our special hollendaise dipping sauce? At
the tone, the time will be exactly 1:33 pm. Moonrise is sceduled for
6:45 pm and is currently in Capricorn. Now for your listening
pleasure, the soft soothing sounds of Zampir the world's finest pan
floutist..." muzak starts playing into the earphone then.

>   "You--you're bluffing," the guard says, his hand feeling for the
>phone since he can't take his eyes off Agent Harmon. "Police don't
>get phones in cars."
>   Harmon looks at the guard coolly. "Hm. So you _do_ speak English."
>He turns his attention back to the phone. "Then again, sir, you may
>be right about him. Thank you, sir. Harmon out."

 "And this is all you call me about? the first time you've EVER called
me and it's this gibberish? While I'm sitting here day after day
wondering if you're dressing warm enough and wearing clean underwear?
You don't call, you don't write, you could be dead for all I know! And
then what woudl I do? I don't even have any grandchildern yet. Oh I
gave you be best years of my life. I was in labor for over 37 days
trying to give birth to you. OH the pain! I can't even describe to you
the pain. They wanted me to take some drugs for it but I said 'No!' I
wanted you to be prefect adn now what do you do? break your poor
mother's heart like this..." continues on Jim enjoying himself.
=================================
Subject: Re: The Wra(i)th of Khan

On Thu, 17 May 2001 20:00:30 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010183

more catchup posts well after the fact...

>On Tue, 24 Apr 2001 02:02:50 -0500
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010050
>
>#Jim, can you generate a device for me that emulates a
>Enterprise-E/DS9 era tricorder. This will be a big help, but just
>leave it in your interior for now. In fact, if the windows are still
>shaded, in the middle of the back windshield alcove would be great.#

 #This is not a problem. Actually the Justin's memories have full
technical details for the tricorder as well as improvments made by the
integration of other techs he had encountered. We can create an
amalgam tricorder if you wish that would have a longer range and wider
variety of scans down to more minute particles. or just a standard
moddel as you wish.#

 Whichever Agent Lance picks, slowly starts being built in the rear
window alcove from the bottom up as the nantines got to work, drawing
up matter form the ground under Jim's tires and tearing apart the
molecuals at the subatomic level and changing them as needed to suit
their needs. Excess energy created form the process dispursed to be
fed upon by the colony.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 17 May 2001 20:10:09 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010184

>On Wed, 09 May 2001 23:36:17 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010128
>
>   Roland ponders the sudden changes for a brief while. /Okay, we've
>got the advantage--briefly. We can see Rassilon, but he doesn't
>_know_ that. I doubt that'll last long.
>   /We split up into two teams. Team Alpha, which is most of us, will
>attack the castle as soon as we're something resembling organized.
>We'll teleport in and hit the place hard and fast. Scramble every
>piece of tech that you can, folx. Fuzzy, Nimrod, Jim, that'll be
>especially up to us. Dhyrclhanc, I want you to stay in reserve until
>Rassilon actually shows himself--you'll be our ace in the hole. Team
>Beta--currently consisting of Sil, Rio, Moonstone, Baz, Mandy, and
>especially Aurora--will guard Mike. No, Roger, I _didn't_ forget
>you--I want your firepower on the attack run, and we need at least
>one Time expert with 'Mikey.' Rob, Zia, you two will have to
>determine your capacity for a quick strike yourselves, though it is
>my unprofessional opinion that you'd both be better off getting about
>a day's worth of sleep. Eric, you're with them.
>   /Anyone wants to switch assignments, now's your chance. I'll go
>into greater details after I've got a final roster. Any questions?/

 #we have none except to wonder in which form you would prefer us
operating under when the assault comes. We can quickly and easily
shift the vehicle you see into a robotic mode. Advantages. Speed of
shapechange, strong, heavily armored, can provite cover for other
members if it is needed. Drawback, rather large and bulky. stealth
would be impossible. Alternatively we can use the Controller form. it
will take slightly longer to chagne to this form, though it is very
familair to the colony and easy for us to construct. Advantages:
Heavilyarmed and armored with a large variety of weapondry. Ability to
control most machines within its radius. Disadvantages. May be seen as
distressing to some older memebrs of the CAoL. Only a bit better at
stealth than the robotic car mode. Can not provide much cover. We can
also take on a human mode which could be assembled quickly,
advantages, inconspicuous, easy to sneak about disadvantages, squishes
easily. Lastly we could disperse the colony floating about as a nearly
invisible cloud. Advantages, very stealthy. can have colony infect
machinery we come across and disable it easily. Disadvanages, no
inherant firepower, no physical form of any concequence. the colony
can be dispruspted nad dispursed even furthur by strong air currents
or magentic fields...#
=================================
Subject: Re: Quick Catchup

On Mon, 21 May 2001 00:07:50 -0400
Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00010185

>On Wed, 16 May 2001 13:17:33 -0400
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010181
>
>>On Wed, 16 May 2001, "Caprice/Legion" Said
>>
>>Legion and Essex were in the middle of a long talk when Zia started
>>working on reality out at the island... and Legion started turning
>>green. By the time the team returns to the house, Legion is
>>ensconced back in the bedroom having 'a bit of a lie down' while
>>Essex listens solemnly to the attack plans being made.
>
>"Tahkis and Palatine," quietly oathes Dhyrclhanc, from the bridge of
>the Xavier.
>
>He creates a tentative surface-mind-to-suface-mind telepathic link
>with Caprice, presuming that in her current state she'll let him, and
>immediately begins sending her gentle waves of healing energy.

Caprice accepts the energy and does... something with it. Whatever it
was, it worked enough that she comes out and joins the planning group
in a few minutes, waiting to see which team she'll be assigned to.
=================================
Subject: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Sun, 20 May 2001 23:02:32 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010186

(Due to a quirk in the internet, nobody in alt.callahans saw
Dhyrclhanc as...)

>The Immortal super-annulated "adolescent" hatchling then makes a
>throwing motion with both arms, and hands, and, with a loud "pop"
>noise, the paired jitte disappear from his grasp and then re-appear
>on top of the small chest of drawers beside the bed in Rob's hotel
>room as if they had been tossed through the intervening space.

Rob picks the jitte up, and moves them through a slow, graceful
pattern, gradually moving faster until he reaches his fighting pace.
Then, they vanish.

/Ladles and Gentiemen, I'd like to get a quick clarification on
something. Should I make my own way to the Lorelei Rock, and be ready
to move on signal, or are people going to be teleported in once the
shield goes down?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE: All Geared Up and Ready to Go

On Mon, 21 May 2001 09:56:00 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010187

Just before the planning session begins, Synthea will go outside and
bring Dhyrclhanc's "Silver-Wing"-style "roadster" motorcycle into the
Essex's garage. From where Dhyrclhanc will later 'port back up to
Xavier.

Then, sometime during the round-robin planning session, Synthea,
Dasher and Nimrod will, each separately, come up to Roland and ask
what he'd like them to do.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 07:31:23 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010188

>On Sun, 20 May 2001 23:02:32 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010186
>
>Rob picks the jitte up, and moves them through a slow, graceful
>pattern, gradually moving faster until he reaches his fighting pace.
>Then, they vanish.
>
>/Ladles and Gentiemen, I'd like to get a quick clarification on
>something. Should I make my own way to the Lorelei Rock, and be ready
>to move on signal, or are people going to be teleported in once the
>shield goes down?/

Jim answers up, #We can be setting up a teleportational pad for anyone
needing aid. thos estanding oteh pad when it is activated woudl be
teleporting to our current location.#
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 08:07:11 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010190

>Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010188
>
>Jim answers, #We can be setting up a teleportational pad for anyone
>needing aid. those standing on the pad when it is activated would be
>teleporting to our current location.#

/But you're there, and there's six people over here./ Rob locks the
hotel room, and wanders downstairs. /Or are you going to multitask?/

/One other thing...is that 'oh-go-away' field repairable? I don't know
what the local laws are, but the Rock sounds like a nice romantic spot
when there isn't a major firefight. Once we're all inside, it might be
a good idea to turn it back on again, just to keep the locals away.
Turn the power down, maybe./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 11:19:59 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010191

>On Mon, 21 May 2K1, "Richard O'Marro" Said
>
>Jim answers up, #We can be setting up a teleportational pad for
>anyone needing aid. thos estanding oteh pad when it is activated
>woudl be teleporting to our current location.#

Dhyrclhanc sends from the bridge of the Xavier /Actually, unless, Jim,
you are sure that your technology is more advanced than mine is, we
should not need to construct a teleport pad for those of us who cannot
"normally" 'port themselves./

/I can just do a site to site 'port with the Xavier's transporters.
This, of course, is presuming that, in this case, Rob just wants to
move out to the Rock and not directly into Rassilion's TARDIS,
itself./

/The one major drawback of the Xavier's Federation-based tranporter
systems that I have yet to be able to circumvent is that they cannot
'port people through any type of force field./

<OOC> P.S.: Don't quote me on this, but I think that "#" is used to
mark "machine-to-machine" communications only. For the sake of
brevity, I'll presume that what Jim was doing was projecting his
"voice" to come out of any peice of broad- casting equipment
(broadcast radio, communications systems, etc.) nearby the various
CAoL members. </OOC>

^*# Also, Jim, I think that for the upcoming battle, and presuming
that there are no mundane non-coms within visual range, the best form
for you to take would be that of a "Transformers"-style 'mech robot
based on your BMW automobile form. #*^
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 08:38:48 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010193

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 08:07:11 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010190
>
>/One other thing...is that 'oh-go-away' field repairable? I don't
>know what the local laws are, but the Rock sounds like a nice
>romantic spot when there isn't a major firefight. Once we're all
>inside, it might be a good idea to turn it back on again, just to
>keep the locals away. Turn the power down, maybe./

   /That's called stealing,/ Roland admonishes gently in Brendan
Frasier's voice. (OOC: For those who've seen the '99 version of the
Mummy, it's what Rick O'Connell says when Evie shows up with the Book
of the Dead. At that point, he's already 'borrowed' items from several
other characters. 8^)

OOC-M: Isn't the field already being maintained for everyone but the
CAoL by the Arisian guy?
=================================