Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 7a
                               Chapter 9

Subject: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Mon, 21 May 2001 09:20:32 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010194

   Roland looks the group over, as discussion winds down.
   They're as ready as they'll ever be.
   /"Okay, folx, I think I can open the door quickly. But I'll have to
move _fast._ I'm going to need backup in a hurry, if this guy is at
all competent--which he certainly seems to be. As soon as the
forcefield opens, we go in.
   /"Everybody ready?"/
   When Roland gets an affirmative from all present, he gives Morgan a
toe-curling kiss and vanishes.
   He reappears on Champions Island in his private quarters. There, he
grips the Krull glaive until his knuckles turn white, gently caressing
the CAoL sigil with his off hand. Instead of raw power, however, he
uses it to increase his speed. Using the nearly infinite powers
available through it, he attunes himself to the vibrations of energy
within his body. In moments, he's ready.
   Roland then taps the sigil more deeply than he ever has. His eyes
bulge.
   [Light! The _power!_ ... no time for that now.]
   His body literally burning from the inside, he vanishes from
Earth-9 as Quantum approaches his door and reappears just outside the
force field. Almost in Planck time, he hurls power to crack a
continent into the tiniest point of the field, the glaive striking the
field a microsecond later. The effort has no effect on anything
outside that point, and very little on that point as well. All that
Roland manages to create with all that effort is a tiny distortion in
the field.
   But for a grand master of energy control, one distortion is all he
needs. Roland grabs the distortion and begins to pull, warping the
field and turning its own power on itself. Adding the increased force
he has at his command and the glaive's dimensional powers, he creates
a counter-field that holds a circular area about ten feet in diameter
open. The force field itself will now maintain the opening until
Rassilon does something about it.
   /NOW!/
   (OOC: Time to crunch! 8^)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 14:34:55 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010195

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

 Jim chuckles #Current Nanocolony population: 2,759,345,748... we
think we could spare one or two for special projects such as that...#

>/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./

 #Perhaps we were misunderstanding but we thought the field was being
maintained by the Arisian... However given time to examine and
assimilate the technology into our memory, we should be able to make
any repairs and special programming needed if the field is still
desired and needed when this is over.#
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 14:46:54 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010196

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

 # We do not go comparing technology to technology as better or worse
There is only different. Site to site teleportation and X-window
generators can be created by ourselves as well if they are wished,
however we were looking at it as the pad would be able to be static in
placement with a continuous inherant link to our body thus allowing
for reinforcements to be summoned via it without any new
transportational locks or even actual effort from the seige team's
part except placing the call.#

><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 broadcasting equipment (broadcast
>radio, communications systems, etc.) nearby the various CAoL members.
></OOC>

 <OOC> It is and I beleive there are multiple people who said they
have been relaying such to the lens link. If not this entire thread
can be dropped as Jim does not have a lens nor any telepathic able
devices in memory he's willing to use. (He does have some that were
Controller designed for sneding and recieving signasl to and from
organic brains, but such were originally designed as weapons for mind
control and the forcible extraction of needed information. Hence he
doesn't care to use them seeing it as a step closer to becoming liek
the Controller himself. <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. #*^

 #Understood. we will begin modifications now to speed along the
change.#
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 15:51:29 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010197

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 14:46:54 -0700
>Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010196
>
><OOC> It is and I beleive there are multiple people who said they
>have been relaying such to the lens link.

   OOC-R: Roland among them. His cyberkinesis and telepathy make him
an excellent "junction box." 8^)
=================================
Subject: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Mon, 21 May 2001 22:18:06 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010198

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 09:20:32 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010194
>
>   His body literally burning from the inside, he vanishes from
>Earth-9 as Quantum approaches his door and reappears just outside the
>force field. Almost in Planck time, he hurls power to crack a
>continent into the tiniest point of the field, the glaive striking
>the field a microsecond later. The effort has no effect on anything
>outside that point, and very little on that point as well. All that
>Roland manages to create with all that effort is a tiny distortion in
>the field.
>   But for a grand master of energy control, one distortion is all he
>needs. Roland grabs the distortion and begins to pull, warping the
>field and turning its own power on itself. Adding the increased force
>he has at his command and the glaive's dimensional powers, he creates
>a counter-field that holds a circular area about ten feet in diameter
>open. The force field itself will now maintain the opening until
>Rassilon does something about it.
>   /NOW!/
>   (OOC: Time to crunch! 8^)

<OOC: Indeed.>

     "Perimeter shielding breeched, Lord Rassilon."
     "WHAT?! First some force attempts to shift us out of this
reality, now it breachs our outer fields?! Analyse!"
     "It would seem this is the force that was predicted to take
Michael Seven's place were he eliminated. More data required for more
precise analysis."
     "Then you shall have it," Rassilon said, plucking a few notes on
the harp. A large section of the floor rose before his throne and he
stepped into a wroght iron cage of metal, with black control devices
inside. A crystal table sat in front of the controls and Rassilon
watched as he manipulated colored lights and dials before his fingers.
     Outside, several black trapezoids appeared in the sky above the
plain of rocks so reminiscient of the Gallifreyian Death Zone. As the
obsidion polygons touched the stone-littered ground, beings appeared
in those places.
     First was a company of tall men in silver metal suits, with some
manner of ray gun rifle for a sidearm. Then came a dozen
cream-colored, metal skirted machines. Finally a platoon of laser
pistol and knife weilding gorilla-like blue humanoids in black
leather.
     "Cybermen, Daleks, and Ogrons should prove a good first test of
the forces arrayed against us. Hmmm... and just in case, let us add a
squad of Ogrons for the Seven family itself to cope with."
     The Time Scoop, for that was what Rassilon was using to call in
his forces, went into work again, this time depositing a half-dozen
Ogrons in the park outside the Seiben apartment building.
     "This should prove most enlightening, eh Khan?" Rassilon remarked
to thw band on his wrist.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Mon, 21 May 2001 23:26:10 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010199

>On Mon, 21 May 2K1, Roland X Said
>
>... a microsecond later. The effort has no effect on anything outside
>that point, and very little on that point as well. All that Roland
>manages to create with all that effort is a tiny distortion in the
>field.
>   But for a grand master of energy control, one distortion is all he
>needs...
>... he creates a counter-field that holds a circular area about ten
>feet in diameter open. The force field itself will now maintain the
>opening until Rassilon does something about it.
>   /NOW!/

The Virtual Cockpit Display fills the Xavier's Bridge; a construct
created through the use of the Lensdragon's Green Lantern Ring, and
both his own newfound photokinetic abilities as well as his cyber-psi
powers.

The pico-second that his foster brother hits the multi-dimensional
sheilding protecting the Renegade resurected proto-Time-Lord's
stronghold, several regesters momentarily flash into the infra-red. If
the lenses of Dhyrclhanc's eyes weren't polarized, he'd have been
blinded. Otherwise, the burst lights up the comand deck of the hybrid
Omni-versal Travel Craft.

^ooo Whoah! That is an aweful lot of juice that you're throwing around
down there, Sib.ooo^

^ooo Perhaps, I forgot to mention that I wanted Krull back in one
piece after you were finished with it? ooo^ he jibes.

^ooo Remember to let me know when you need me for the heavy lifting,
Bro. Otherwise, all I can do up here without blowing my cover, as it
were, is act as early warning for everybody down on the ground. Save
some Crunchies for me! };=8D ooo^
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Mon, 21 May 2001 23:52:24 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010200

>On Mon, 21 May 2K1, Mike Knight Said
>
>     Outside, several black trapezoids appeared in the sky above the
>plain of rocks so reminiscient of the Gallifreyian Death Zone. As the
>obsidion polygons touched the stone-littered ground, beings appeared
>in those places.
>     First was a company of tall men in silver metal suits, with some
>manner of ray gun rifle for a sidearm. Then came a dozen cream-
>colored, metal skirted machines. Finally a platoon of laser pistol
>and knife weilding gorilla-like blue humanoids in black leather.

"Tahkis and Palatine." oathes Dhyrclhanc, under his breath as the
troops plucked from various parts of time-space begin appearing on the
battle-field. He quickly begins manipulating holodynamic controls on
both his Virtual Cockpit Display and on the real consoles on the
Xavier's bridge.

If anyone else were up there with him, at about this point they'd
realize that he was doing it all with his eyes closed.

/Folks, we've got incoming unfreindlies. Daleks, Cybermen and some
form of proto-humaniods that I am unfamilar with./

Down on the ground, the air around Dasher begins to crackle as an
electro-magentic charge builds up inside of him.

At aproximatedly the same time, Nimrod, who's switched back to his
maroon-colored robotic form, begins to cut a swath through the
cybermen with the energy beams being projected froom his chestplate,
hands and eyes.

As Sythea begins setting up a snipping position to use against the
Ogrons, the whining noise coming out of Dasher builds to a crescendo
and the flying surfboard-shaped 'bot plows through the center column
of a phalanx of approaching Daleks, demolishing them and likewise
causing confusion and a loss of morale amongst the rest of the last
suriving residents of Skarro.

At least before the Doctor used the hand of Omega to destroy the
aforementioned planet. But that probably hasn't happened, yet.

>     The Time Scoop, for that was what Rassilon was using to call in
>his forces, went into work again, this time depositing a half-dozen
>Ogrons in the park outside the Seiben apartment building.
>     "This should prove most enlightening, eh Khan?" Rassilon
>remarked to the band on his wrist.

/Team Beta, you have Company, and they are not at all friendly! More
of those troglodyte-like things! In the park!/

<OOC> Gee, I hope Rassilion doesn't have any ack-ack placements with
orbital range. Then again, the Xavier is cloaked and presently still
going through evasive manuvers. </OOC>
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 21:29:20 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010204

>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^)

/Que? I don't mean leaving it on forever, just keeping people out of
'collateral damage' range.../

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

/...or is it already doing that?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Mon, 21 May 2001 22:39:11 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010206

>Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010195
>
>>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010190
>>
>>/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?/
>
> Jim chuckles. #Current Nanocolony population: 2,759,345,748... we
>think we could spare one or two for special projects such as that...#

/Right. Set up the telepad in the hotel room, then,/ Rob replies.
Taking a quick look around the lobby, he makes certain that everybody
is headed for the room before running back upstairs, unlocking the
door, and moving to the telepad, which is coming together as he
arrives.

>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010194
>
>   But for a grand master of energy control, one distortion is all he
>needs. Roland grabs the distortion and begins to pull, warping the
>field and turning its own power on itself. Adding the increased force
>he has at his command and the glaive's dimensional powers, he creates
>a counter-field that holds a circular area about ten feet in diameter
>open. The force field itself will now maintain the opening until
>Rassilon does something about it.
>   /NOW!/

[Head count...everybody's here who's using the telepad.] "Jim, the
actors are in place. Roll 'em."
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 09:53:35 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010207

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 23:58:31 -0500
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010203
>
>/Folks, we've got incoming unfriendliness. Daleks, Cybermen and some
>form of proto-humanoids that I am unfamiliar with./
>
>Down on the ground, the air around Dasher begins to crackle as an
>electro-magnetic charge builds up inside of him.
>
>At approximately the same time, Nimrod, who's switched back to his
>maroon-colored robotic form, begins to cut a swath through the
>Cybermen with the energy beams being projected from his chestplate,
>hands and eyes.

     "Cyber-Leader, what has happened?"
     "We appear to have been captured by an unknown force. Seek and
destroy it."
     "Yes, Cyber-Leader," the underling intones before letting out a
dull yell of pain as his arm is cut off in a brilliant pyrotechnic
display. "I believe I have found him, leader."
     "Excellent. Troops, eliminate it."
     The Cybermen advance on the lone robot, Nimrod, "Resistance is
useless," they intone, cyberguns flaring into life as high-energy
bursts eject from the muzzle.

>As Sythea begins setting up a snipping position to use against the
>Ogrons, the whining noise coming out of Dasher builds to a crescendo
>and the flying surfboard-shaped 'bot plows through the center column
>of a phalanx of approaching Daleks, demolishing them and likewise
>causing confusion and a loss of morale amongst the rest of the last
>surviving residents of Skarro.

     "Dalek unit abducted to unknown location," one of the Daleks
reports to another.
     "Seek out source of abduction and capture it for the Dalek-UNDER
ATTACK!" the other says just before Dasher slams into it and after a
brief burst of gibberish, takes its top half off in a violent
explosion.
     "Heavy weapons Daleks into position!" the other Dalek orders as
two other Daleks roll to the front, differing from their brothers in
their top half looking more like that of a short-barreled tank. They
begin burning paths through the air toward Dasher as their main guns
come into play, each able to do just as much damage as Dasher'd done
to the Dalek leader.
     "All Daleks open fire! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"
     Meanwhile, the Ogrons are sorting themselves out.
     "Where we?"
     "Me not know."
     "Gahk!" one says as it falls to a sniper bullet.
     "Maybe sniper knows."
     "Me say we capture sniper, beat answer out."
     "Me like. Ogrons, catch sniper!"
     The Ogrons return fire as they advance on the sniper's position,
taking cover as possible.

>At least before the Doctor used the hand of Omega to destroy the
>aforementioned planet. But that probably hasn't happened, yet.

     It has, but there's nothing that said that was the last of the
Daleks.

>/Team Beta, you have Company, and they are not at all friendly! More
>of those troglodyte-like things! In the park!/

     The Ogrons in the park look around, the alpha male of the group
looking at a rose bush. He sneezes as he sniffs it, then suddenly
straightens and looks up at the Seiben's apartment.
     "Me say we find way home up there."
     "How you know?"
     "Voice in head tell me."
     "Ha, you let voice in head tell you what do? You crazy."
     "Voice in head tell me crush you skull, too."
     "Hmm, me let voice in you head tell me what do, too."
     "Good, Ogrons, find way up there."
     The Ogrons started lumbering across the expanse of grass toward
the building.

><OOC> Gee, I hope Rassilion doesn't have any ack-ack placements with
>orbital range. Then again, the Xavier is cloaked and presently still
>going through evasive maneuvers. </OOC>

<OOC: Something better than ack-ack, actually. But I don't see a need
for him to use it yet.>
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 09:53:39 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010208

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 21:24:06 PST
>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00010205
>
><OOC: Yes, but I think Rassilon is the one who will be "enlightened">

<OOC: In his next life, probably. Oh yes, I don't think there was a
forcefield around the plain around Rassilon's Keep, just around the
tower itself. If Roland was trying to crack the tower shield, then
presume the Daleks and others are coming in from behind the group.
otherwise, they're in front as the group advances onto the plain. I'm
good, either way.>
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 09:54:32 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010209

>On Tue, 22 May 2001 09:53:35 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010207
>
>     "Cyber-Leader, what has happened?"
>     "We appear to have been captured by an unknown force. Seek and
>destroy it."
>     "Yes, Cyber-Leader," the underling intones before letting out a
>dull yell of pain as his arm is cut off in a brilliant pyrotechnic
>display. "I believe I have found him, leader."
>     "Excellent. Troops, eliminate it."

<snip II>
>     "Dalek unit abducted to unknown location," one of the Daleks
>reports to another.
>     "Seek out source of abduction and capture it for the Dalek-UNDER
>ATTACK!" the other says just before Dasher slams into it and after a
>brief burst of gibberish, takes its top half off in a violent
>explosion.
>     "Heavy weapons Daleks into position!" the other Dalek orders as
>two other Daleks roll to the front, differing from their brothers in
>their top half looking more like that of a short-barreled tank. They
>begin burning paths through the air toward Dasher as their main guns
>come into play, each able to do just as much damage as Dasher'd done
>to the Dalek leader.
>     "All Daleks open fire! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"
>     Meanwhile, the Ogrons are sorting themselves out.
>     "Where we?"
>     "Me not know."
>     "Gahk!" one says as it falls to a sniper bullet.
>     "Maybe sniper knows."
>     "Me say we capture sniper, beat answer out."
>     "Me like. Ogrons, catch sniper!"
>     The Ogrons return fire as they advance on the sniper's position,
> taking cover as possible.

   /"Aargh." Ever wonder _why_ I have a code against killing? Here's
one reason.../ Roland sighs as he hears the battle break out around
him.
   A Cyberman, seeing a lone human, approaches Roland with gun
outstretched, admonishing him, "Surrender. Resistance is useless."
With a casual wave of his hand, Roland shorts out the cyborg, who
falls to the ground twitching.
   /What a mess. Something tells me eloquence isn't going to work at
this point.../ A wicked smile crosses Roland's face, and he's suddenly
dressed in classic Sith styles, all in black Arabianesque robes with a
flowing Vader-style cape.
   "HAhahahaha! Resistance _is_ useless--for _you_ idiots!" Roland
emotes in grand melodramatic-villain style. "You are now all slaves to
the great Rassilon Khan, who summoned you here!" He gestures grandly
at the opening in the force field he's made to the tower beyond.
"Serve him--OR FACE YOUR DOOM!"
   /And if _that_ doesn't point them at him like a giant gun, I don't
know what will./ <eg>
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle (Long)(sorry)

On Tue, 22 May 2001 13:45:06 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010210

>On Tue, 22 May 2K1, Mike Knight Said
>
>     The Cybermen advance on the lone robot, Nimrod, "Resistance is
>useless," they intone, cyberguns flaring into life as high-energy
>bursts eject from the muzzles.

Nimrod launches himself into the air, floating slightly above, and in
front of, the aproaching spearhead of Cybermen.

As the energy blasts from the Cybertroopers' guns flare harmlessly off
of the Robotic Sentinel's force sheilds, the breifest hint of a
malicious smile crosses over Nimrod's mask-like face.

However, between the Cybermen's near-mindless tenacity and the near
mind-numbing amounts of energy coming out of their weapons, Nimrod's
sheilds colapse and a single Cybertrooper strikes a successfull hit to
the Ultimate Sentinel's left-side.

Just as the rest of the Cyberman Platoon is about to open fire, Nimrod
disapears, 'porting away and leaving a huge electrical discharge in
his wake.

The Cyber-Platoon is confused for a moment, until Nimrod re-appears
opposite his orginal location, capturing the nearly the whole group of
Cybermen in a web-like net of pure electrical energy. The resulting
amount of electricity, enough to light small English Village for
almost 24 hours, pours into the Cybermen .

<OOC> This probably won't keep them down for long but it will, I
suspect, temporarily nuke their circutry </OOC>

>     "Heavy weapons Daleks into position!" the other Dalek orders as
>two other Daleks roll to the front, differing from their brothers in
>their top half looking more like that of a short-barreled tank. They
>begin burning paths through the air toward Dasher as their main guns
>come into play, each able to do just as much damage as Dasher'd done
>to the Dalek leader.
>     "All Daleks open fire! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"

<OOC 2> When in attack mode, nothing short of a gun placement from an
orbiting Capital Ship is going to be able to put a scratch on him.
OTOH, the Daleks, as always, have the advantage of numbers so, IMHO,
this battle has been reduced to a stalemate between Dasher and the
bulk of the Dalek Forces.

However, if some of those "Tank Daleks" are armed with Plasma Cannons
that would normally need at least a railroad flatbed car to suport
them, then he could be in trouble. </OOC 2>

Sealed within his shell of Layvinium, currently the tensile strength
of True Admantium, Dasher quietly chuckles while he plots another
ram-dash against the Daleks.

Outside, the Dalek's guns, each capable of flash-frying an entire
forest, super-heat the air and ricochet harmlessly off of Dasher's
outer hull, as Dasher, himself, remains floating, almost gracefully,
in mid-air.

>     Meanwhile, the Ogrons are sorting themselves out.
>     "Where we?"
>     "Me not know."
>     "Gahk!" one says as it falls to a sniper bullet.
>     "Maybe sniper knows."
>     "Me say we capture sniper, beat answer out."
>     "Me like. Ogrons, catch sniper!"
>     The Ogrons return fire as they advance on the sniper's position,
>taking cover as possible.

<OOC 3> I'd point out that Synthea's using a gauss needler rifle but
that'd be being picaune. </OOC 3>

Synthea ducks behind an outcroping of rock, dodging the beams from
Ogron's laser pistols. A slim nearly 2-foot long bayonet-like blade
begins extend out from her arm that's pointing towards the ground.
Meinwhile, the hand attached to same arm grasps the grip of the
broomhandle Mauser that she had from before.

She snaps back up into the Ogrons' view momentarily, or at least long
enough to fire another few bursts at the aproaching sub-humans.

>>At least before the Doctor used the hand of Omega to destroy the
>>aforementioned planet. But that probably hasn't happened, yet.
>
>     It has, but there's nothing that said that was the last of the
>Daleks.

<OOC 4> I didn't notice that the Daleks were cream-colored when I read
the initial post. Great, these are the Daleks that *do* climb stairs.
</OOC 4>

><OOC> Gee, I hope Rassilion doesn't have any ack-ack placements with
>orbital range. Then again, the Xavier is cloaked and presently still
>going through evasive maneuvers. </OOC>
>
><OOC: Something better than ack-ack, actually. But I don't see a need
>for him to use it yet.>

<OOC 5> <sarcasm mode = on> <buggs bunny voice> Gee. Aren't I glad I
asked? </buggs bunny voice> <sarcasm mode = off> </OOC 5>
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 15:01:23 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010211

>On Tue, 22 May 2001, Roland X Said
>
>   A wicked smile crosses Roland's face, and he's suddenly dressed in
>classic Sith styles, all in black Arabianesque robes with a flowing
>Vader-style cape.
>   "HAhahahaha! Resistance _is_ useless -- for _you_ idiots!" Roland
>emotes in grand melodramatic-villain style. "You are now all slaves
>to the great Rassilon Khan, who summoned you here!" He gestures
>grandly at the opening in the force field he's made to the tower
>beyond. "Serve him--OR FACE YOUR DOOM!"

^ooo Pretty sneaky, Sib. ooo^ sends Dhyrclhanc from the Xavier's
bridge and via the private "ring-link" he shares with his adopted
siblings.

[I wish I had thought of that]
=================================
Subject: AAE VII: Re: re: Storming the Castle & Geared Up

On Tue, 22 May 2001 16:24:57 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010212

>On Tues, 22 May 2K1, Leonard Erickson (aka Nemo) Said
>
>Just a minor note regarding the fighting...
>
>Gee, doesn't anybody remember that you can stop Cybermen with a
>little bit of gold? Or is that just not "flashy" enough? <g>

In the Place, an unidentifiable Regular tossses a handful of peanuts
in Nemo's direction.

One of them ends up being electroplated with gold.

<OOC 1> Gee. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone, but I _had_.
Forgotten, that is. Dhyrclhanc, OTOH, *has* had past experience with
Cybermen. Can we say "Volga" (sp?) Boys and Girls? Heheheheh! </OOC 1>
<weg>

In front of every group facing a platoon of Cybermen, Suddenly a metal
crate appears. Each crate looks big enough to easily hold a stinger
missile launcher.

If opened, each of the cases will contain two small weapons that each
look like a cross between a minature flame-thrower, complete with
belt-pack tank, and a carbine-style plasma rifle.

^/Glittergun, anyone? Just point and shoot. Instant gold-plated
Cyberman statue! }B=8D /^

<OOC 2> The crates, and their contents, were created in, and phased in
from, hyperspace. IMPNSHO, Rassilon Khan, has no way to trace the
weapons to Dhyrclhanc and his ship in orbit. Unless, that is, he can
track quantum/psionic/cyber-psi-based energies being sent to, and
from, hyperspace. <OOC 2>

<OOC 3> Unfortunately, each gun can only target one Cyberman at a
time. </OOC 3>
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 17:43:02 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010213

>On Tue, 22 May 2001 09:54:32 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010209
>
>   /What a mess. Something tells me eloquence isn't going to work at
>this point.../ A wicked smile crosses Roland's face, and he's
>suddenly dressed in classic Sith styles, all in black Arabianesque
>robes with a flowing Vader-style cape.
>   "HAhahahaha! Resistance _is_ useless--for _you_ idiots!" Roland
>emotes in grand melodramatic-villain style. "You are now all slaves
>to the great Rassilon Khan, who summoned you here!" He gestures
>grandly at the opening in the force field he's made to the tower
>beyond. "Serve him--OR FACE YOUR DOOM!"
>   /And if _that_ doesn't point them at him like a giant gun, I don't
>know what will./ <eg>

>On Tue, 22 May 2001 13:45:06 -0400
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010210
>
>Nimrod launches himself into the air, floating slightly above, and in
>front of, the aproaching spearhead of Cybermen.
>
>As the energy blasts from the Cybertroopers' guns flare harmlessly
>off of the Robotic Sentinel's force sheilds, the breifest hint of a
>malicious smile crosses over Nimrod's mask-like face.
>
>However, between the Cybermen's near-mindless tenacity and the near
>mind-numbing amounts of energy coming out of their weapons, Nimrod's
>sheilds colapse and a single Cybertrooper strikes a successfull hit
>to the Ultimate Sentinel's left-side.
>
>Just as the rest of the Cyberman Platoon is about to open fire,
>Nimrod disapears, 'porting away and leaving a huge electrical
>discharge in his wake.

     The Cybermen look around in confusion, the Cyber-Leader ordering,
"Find him," before turning to Roland with, "The Cybermen are no one's
servants. You. Assis-"

>The Cyber-Platoon is confused for a moment, until Nimrod re-appears
>opposite his orginal location, capturing the nearly the whole group
>of Cybermen in a web-like net of pure electrical energy. The
>resulting amount of electricity, enough to light small English
>Village for almost 24 hours, pours into the Cybermen .

     The Cyberplatoon, including the Cyber-Leader, attempt to claw
their way out of the net. Their counterparts outside it, attempt to
cut through the net to rescue their allies... until the voltage is
applied. Every being within the net twitchs and sparks, emitting the
same dull scream of pain before collapsing. Many internal explosions
occur within the electrified frames of the Cybermen. The entire netful
ceases moving and lays there, smoldering lifelessly. Those outside are
knocked backwards several yards, their own shouts of surprise almost
as loud before the overloaded systems shut down.
     "Mmm, It would appear, Khan, that the Cybermen are out of the
game already," Rassilon comments, sending the Time Scoop down to
collect the deactivated soldiers. "But, I think this robot is not the
main force we have to contend with. Let us move him out of the field
of battle."
     Another Time Scoop appears on top of Nimrod, depositing him
adrift in space near the orbit of Mercury.

>Sealed within his shell of Layvinium, currently the tensile strength
>of True Admantium, Dasher quietly chuckles while he plots another
>ram-dash against the Daleks.
>
>Outside, the Dalek's guns, each capable of flash-frying an entire
>forest, super-heat the air and ricochet harmlessly off of Dasher's
>outer hull, as Dasher, himself, remains floating, almost gracefully,
>in mid-air.

     "Yes, so too, with this one. Extremely crude tactics, wholy
unrefined. We shall remove him as well." Again, Rassilon manipulates
the Time Scoop, depositing Dasher neatly outside the Oort cloud.

>Synthea ducks behind an outcroping of rock, dodging the beams from
>Ogron's laser pistols. A slim nearly 2-foot long bayonet-like blade
>begins extend out from her arm that's pointing towards the ground.
>Meinwhile, the hand attached to same arm grasps the grip of the
>broomhandle Mauser that she had from before.
>
>She snaps back up into the Ogrons' view momentarily, or at least long
>enough to fire another few bursts at the aproaching sub-humans.

     "This one on the other hand, displays some knowledge of tactics
and strategy. Her weapons are crude, and a bit overpowering for the
task, but she bears watching. Let us see how she fares against a fresh
batch of Cybermen instead of these simple Ogrons."
     Rassilon moves the Ogrons to another part of the field and brings
in a fresh troop of Cybermen.
     The Time Lord turns his attention toward his holo-display of
Roland, "This one, he tried to turn my diversions against me. And, he
opened a hole in my forcefield. I find that very impressive. Let us
see how he fares against the newly freed Daleks. Perhaps he is the one
who attempted to move my TARDIS."
     Rassilon dons a coronet and concentrates. The biological beings
within the Dalek armor suddenly are all emminently aware that Roland
is "Rassilon Khan," as they all know humans like to gloat when they
think they have someone under their power. The daleks then proceed to
open fire on the Freelance Immortal as the hole in the forcefield
recloses.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 19:05:00 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010214

>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010200
>/Team Beta, you have Company, and they are not at all friendly! More
>of those troglodyte-like things! In the park!/

/I'm on it. Don't worry. You don't seriously think that these *things*
could be more than a minor anoyance to ME do you?/ Aurora answers with
a chuckle.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 19:14:08 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010215

>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010207
>     The Ogrons in the park look around, the alpha male of the group
>looking at a rose bush. He sneezes as he sniffs it, then suddenly
>straightens and looks up at the Seiben's apartment.
>     "Me say we find way home up there."
>     "How you know?"
>     "Voice in head tell me."
>     "Ha, you let voice in head tell you what do? You crazy."
>     "Voice in head tell me crush you skull, too."
>     "Hmm, me let voice in you head tell me what do, too."
>     "Good, Ogrons, find way up there."
>     The Ogrons started lumbering across the expanse of grass toward
>the building.

*Your way home certainly is NOT up here. In fact the only thing you
will find up here, is DEATH. However if you DO want to find a way
home, I will help you.* Aurora blasts into the park Ogrons minds. The
next instant they are all scooped up by some invisible force (OOC: TK)
and then teleported through the hole that Aurora bored through
Rassilon's force field earlier, into the heart of the fortress.
*Destroy what you will in here. If you live, you will be sent home.*
She tells them
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 23:30:23 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010216

>In a message dated 5/21/01 10:25:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>technomagetimelord writes:
>
>     Outside, several black trapezoids appeared in the sky above the
>plain of rocks so reminiscient of the Gallifreyian Death Zone. As the
>obsidion polygons touched the stone-littered ground, beings appeared
>in those places.

   Roger rolls an eye towards the new arrivals, diverting a bit of
attention from the shield breach. "Incoming...."

>     First was a company of tall men in silver metal suits, with some
>manner of ray gun rifle for a sidearm. Then came a dozen cream-
>colored, metal skirted machines. Finally a platoon of laser pistol
>and knife weilding gorilla-like blue humanoids in black leather.

   /"Daleks and C-Men and Ogrons, oh my! Hot LZ, everybody."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 23:30:21 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010217

>In a message dated 5/21/01 12:42:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>rolandx writes:
>
>   But for a grand master of energy control, one distortion is all he
>needs. Roland grabs the distortion and begins to pull, warping the
>field and turning its own power on itself. Adding the increased force
>he has at his command and the glaive's dimensional powers, he creates
>a counter-field that holds a circular area about ten feet in diameter
>open. The force field itself will now maintain the opening until
>Rassilon does something about it.
>   /NOW!/
>   (OOC: Time to crunch! 8^)

   Roger flow-teleports "past" Roland between "O" and "W," using their
mutual Resonance to let the outer edges of their Halos interpenetrate.
Inside the shield, he snaps anchors into the local spacetime fabric as
best he can, and arcs energy back up the Halo link, supporting the
breach from the other side. He grins back at Roland, a bit tautly.
   "Pushme-Pullyou?"

   OOC: Probably unecessary, but Roger's big on redundancy. And
if/when Rassilon *does* decide to push back, it might buy a few extra
microseconds...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Tue, 22 May 2001 22:45:37 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010218

>On Tue, 22 May 2001 17:43:02 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010213
>
>>On Tue, 22 May 2001 09:54:32 -0700
>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010209
>>
>>   /What a mess. Something tells me eloquence isn't going to work at
>>this point.../ A wicked smile crosses Roland's face, and he's
>>suddenly dressed in classic Sith styles, all in black Arabianesque
>>robes with a flowing Vader-style cape.
>>   "HAhahahaha! Resistance _is_ useless--for _you_ idiots!" Roland
>>emotes in grand melodramatic-villain style. "You are now all slaves
>>to the great Rassilon Khan, who summoned you here!" He gestures
>>grandly at the opening in the force field he's made to the tower
>>beyond. "Serve him--OR FACE YOUR DOOM!"
>>   /And if _that_ doesn't point them at him like a giant gun, I
>>don't know what will./ <eg>
>
>     The Cybermen look around in confusion, the Cyber-Leader
>ordering, "Find him," before turning to Roland with, "The Cybermen
>are no one's servants. You. Assis-"
<snip Cybermen getting zapped>

   'Dark Roland' sighs dramatically. "It's SO hard to find good help
these days."

>     The Time Lord turns his attention toward his holo-display of
>Roland, "This one, he tried to turn my diversions against me. And, he
>opened a hole in my forcefield. I find that very impressive. Let us
>see how he fares against the newly freed Daleks. Perhaps he is the
>one who attempted to move my TARDIS."
>     Rassilon dons a coronet and concentrates. The biological beings
>within the Dalek armor suddenly are all emminently aware that Roland
>is "Rassilon Khan," as they all know humans like to gloat when they
>think they have someone under their power. The daleks then proceed to
>open fire on the Freelance Immortal as the hole in the forcefield
>recloses.

   (OOC-R: Presumably, those coming in on the "boarding action" get
through before then. If not, let me know, folx. 8^)
   Roland recoils from the Daleks' blasts, as if seriously singed. He
retreats toward the tower, making sure that his body language points
at it like an arrow. "Bah! A minor setback! The tower of Rassilon is
_invincible!_" And with that, he vanishes.
   /At least until I'm through with it,/ he adds with a devious
chuckle as he reappears inside (or at the opposite outer wall, if it's
teleport-shielded) the tower. He leans on the nearest wall casually,
his comic-opera villain getup morphing into Defender. He begins doing
unpleasant things to the power system and attempts to give any
computers a migraine with his cyberkinesis. He focuses on the Time
Scoop (not that he knows what it is, but _something_ is sending
teammates across the Solar System) in an attempt to stop the
invasions, or at least stop Rassilon from ejecting any other CAoLers
from the game. Next target is the 'Universe Cannon.'
   /'The fancier they make the plumbin', the easier i'tis ta stop up
the drain,'/ Roland sends in a passable Scots accent. Changing to his
own voice (in a serious tone), he adds, /Okay, who knows what about
these guys? The Ogre-ons are easy enough to figure out--gorillas with
more muscle than brains. But what about the Cybermen and Daleks? They
seem robot-like, but show definite signs of sentience, and seem to
feel things like pain and fanaticism./

A bit earlier...
>On Tue, 22 May 2001 23:30:21 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010217
>
>   Roger flow-teleports "past" Roland between "O" and "W," using
>their mutual Resonance to let the outer edges of their Halos
>interpenetrate. Inside the shield, he snaps anchors into the local
>spacetime fabric as best he can, and arcs energy back up the Halo
>link, supporting the breach from the other side. He grins back at
>Roland, a bit tautly.
>   "Pushme-Pullyou?"

   Roland smiles cleverly at the Daleks. /I have a better idea./
   <insert the 'Evil Twin' ploy here>
   Shortly after he points the Daleks at the fortress (again), he adds
to Roger, /I don't have many equals against things like force fields
and energy blasts, but I'm betting you can wreak even more havoc on
this thing than I can. Why don't you 'bug' our host, Roger?/ <EG>
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 05:47:18 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010221

>In a message dated 5/23/01 2:15:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>rolandx writes:
>
>   Roland recoils from the Daleks' blasts, as if seriously singed. He
>retreats toward the tower, making sure that his body language points
>at it like an arrow. "Bah! A minor setback! The tower of Rassilon is
>_invincible!_" And with that, he vanishes.

   Somehow, in the midst of all this action, Roger manages to find a
moment to roll his eyes at Roland, in full tennager-style
oh-my-ghod-my-parents-are-killing-me-by-embarrasment mode.
   /"My father, the ham. Geez, and people ask where *I* get it
from..."

   Roger. He's not his own fault -- honest!
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 05:54:59 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010222

>In a message dated 5/23/01 2:15:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>rolandx writes:
>
>>   "Pushme-Pullyou?"
>
>   Roland smiles cleverly at the Daleks. /I have a better idea./
>   <insert the 'Evil Twin' ploy here>
>   Shortly after he points the Daleks at the fortress (again),

   To a mutter of "Gee, THANKS, Dad..." from Roger (he *is* standing
right in their path, after all)...

>he adds to Roger, /I don't have many equals against things like force
>fields and energy blasts, but I'm betting you can wreak even more
>havoc on this thing than I can. Why don't you 'bug' our host, Roger?/
><EG>

   Roger suddenly SMILES like Galahad sighting the Holy Grail. (OOC:
Good Ghods, Roland, do you have any IDEA what you've unleashed?)
   /Righty-ho, Daddy-O,/ Roger replies, and does a fast fade
(literally). /Rassilon is about to experience the Wrath of
Murhpy...Incarnate./

   Roger: The living monkeywrench...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 09:27:58 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010223

>On Tue, 22 May 2001 22:45:37 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010218
>
>   /'The fancier they make the plumbin', the easier i'tis ta stop up
>the rain,'/ Roland sends in a passable Scots accent. Changing to his
>own voice (in a serious tone), he adds, /Okay, who knows what about
>these guys? The Ogre-ons are easy enough to figure out--gorillas with
>more muscle than brains. But what about the Cybermen and Daleks? They
>seem robot-like, but show definite signs of sentience, and seem to
>feel things like pain and fanaticism./

     From the Place, the Doctor says, {"The Cybermen were once human,
from a civilazation that evolved in Earth's solar system on a planet
no longer there. But, they discovered cybernetics and developed a
system of ruthless logic, both of which eventually turned them into
cybermen. There's very little left of their organic nature now,
certainly nothing visible. They have a weakness against gold in many
forms. It interferes with their chest respirators.
     {"As for the Daleks, they were originally a race called the
Khaleds. They had a dirty nuclear war with another race on their home
planet Skaro, called the Thals. The resulting mutations were encased
in a mobile, computerized battlesuit by their chief scientist, Davros.
Their eyepiece is their weakpoint, but that will just impair their
vision. I've rigged up a couple devises able to disorient them in the
past, but little outside of high explosives going off next to their
armor or energy weapons will stop them completely."}

>A bit earlier...
>   <insert the 'Evil Twin' ploy here>
>   Shortly after he points the Daleks at the fortress (again), he
>adds to Roger, /I don't have many equals against things like force
>fields and energy blasts, but I'm betting you can wreak even more
>havoc on this thing than I can. Why don't you 'bug' our host, Roger?/
><EG>

     The voice of the Matrix booms throughout the tower, who's
interior is at least the size of a professional baseball stadium (not
just the field itself), "Construction on Universal Cannon complete,
selecting suitable monoblock projectile..."
     "Excellent," a voice not unlike the original Khan says, echoing
within the tower.
     The Ogrons from the park appear, cowering from their meeting with
Aurora. They vanish almost as immediately.
     "I grow tired of these little games. The power that could still
destroy my reign on Gallifrey obviously originates in this universe.
It can nearly shift my ship out of this reality, overcome the Matrix
mind control and yet... and yet, it toys with me. That being who put a
hole in my forcefield, perhaps an agent of this being, sent to mislead
me."
     "Probability indicates that Michael Seven was also an agent of
this being."
     There is the sound of a fist slamming into a console. Rassilon
shouts, "But I want this being to show itself! Come forward, creation
of Omega, turn this reality's yellow sun into a red giant. My metal
warrior, protect the Hand of Omega."
     There came an electronic gurgling from the center of the room,
where a light suddenly came into existance, blinding enough to obscure
any view of the center, with a haze of freezing fog and the arcid
stink of ozone.
     "As you wish, Lord Rassilon..." came a soprano, almost metallic
voice from just a bit left of the source of the electronic gurgle
where a strange light emitted from a statuesque figure of a woman,
"And my freedom?"
     "Not yet," Rassilon said, "Things are not yet as I would will
them."
     "You will need us in the future then."
     "Of course. You, my validium vision, and you, my sentient stellar
manipulator, are both vital to my plans. Return here when your task is
done."
     Both light sources rocketed skyward, out of the top of the tower,
through the atmosphere in moments, heading toward Earth's sun.
     In the Place, the Doctor bit his fist. {"Validium, a living metal
able to wreck destruction and chaos on a planetary scale in its wake.
The Hand of Omega can snuff out a star in an instant. He's attempting
to draw out and occupy your most powerful members. And with ten
minutes until they reach Sol, I don't see how it can be resisted."}
     <OOC: I assume Roger and Roland will want to go into action now,
and that the teleport warnings within the Matrix managed to be
avoided. Sorry for the long setup, but wanted to get the origin and
purpose of these new weapons out of the way. It's a big room, against
one of the walls you'd be easy to miss in the dark. And with the
suddenl flashing into existance of the two weapons, one could be
forgiven a few moments of momentary blindness while trying to pin down
Rassilon's position.>
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Wed, 23 May 2001 08:54:58 -0700
Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010224

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

   "Usually true, but hardly universal. I've seen ghoul slaves gun
down Shih that could have ripped them apart in bare-handed combat.
More powerful weapons always change the equation." Eric smiles wryly.
"Then again, there aren't many mortals that can shrug off bullets in
my home reality--and the ones who can make guns 'not work' are usually
opposed by people who can keep them working." Eric blinks. "Ah,
'Shadow' is another word for 'dimension' or 'plane,' correct? And
Benedict," he adds with a knowing smile, "must be your teacher. You
use his name with the 'sensei' title implied in your voice, along with
something else I don't have context on. Sounds like the type to drive
students into the ground, then pick them up and start over."
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Wed, 23 May 2001 08:57:22 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010225

   Catching up...

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

   /The Controller form sounds good to start,/ Roland suggests.
/Stealth won't be an issue at first, most of us can manage our own
cover, you'll need the defenses, and as for the appearance...we can
deal./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 10:12:28 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010226

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 09:27:58 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010223
>
>     From the Place, the Doctor says, {"The Cybermen were once human,
>from a civilazation that evolved in Earth's solar system on a planet
>no longer there. But, they discovered cybernetics and developed a
>system of ruthless logic, both of which eventually turned them into
>cybermen. There's very little left of their organic nature now,
>certainly nothing visible. They have a weakness against gold in many
>forms. It interferes with their chest respirators.

   /Great, they're the Borg's parents,/ Roland mutters. /I take it
their world turned into the asteroid belt?/

>     {"As for the Daleks, they were originally a race called the
>Khaleds. They had a dirty nuclear war with another race on their home
>planet Skaro, called the Thals. The resulting mutations were encased
>in a mobile, computerized battlesuit by their chief scientist,
>Davros. Their eyepiece is their weakpoint, but that will just impair
>their vision. I've rigged up a couple devises able to disorient them
>in the past, but little outside of high explosives going off next to
>their armor or energy weapons will stop them completely."}

   /I've seen the Daleks once or twice, but only briefly. Always
thought they were robots. The way they act, who can tell?/ Roland adds
wryly. /Fortunately, there's lots of electrical-disruption ability in
the CAoL.

>     There came an electronic gurgling from the center of the room,
>where a light suddenly came into existance, blinding enough to
>obscure any view of the center, with a haze of freezing fog and the
>arcid stink of ozone.
>     "As you wish, Lord Rassilon..." came a soprano, almost metallic
>voice from just a bit left of the source of the electronic gurgle
>where a strange light emitted from a statuesque figure of a woman,
>"And my freedom?"

   /Holy light, it's Sil's evil twin,/ Roland whispers on the link.

>     "Not yet," Rassilon said, "Things are not yet as I would will
>them."
>     "You will need us in the future then."
>     "Of course. You, my validium vision, and you, my sentient
>stellar manipulator, are both vital to my plans. Return here when
>your task is done."

   /Geez, and I thought _Destroyer_ was long-winded,/ Roland comments
wryly.

>     Both light sources rocketed skyward, out of the top of the
>tower, through the atmosphere in moments, heading toward Earth's sun.
>     In the Place, the Doctor bit his fist. {"Validium, a living
>metal able to wreck destruction and chaos on a planetary scale in its
>wake. The Hand of Omega can snuff out a star in an instant. He's
>attempting to draw out and occupy your most powerful members. And
>with ten minutes until they reach Sol, I don't see how it can be
>resisted."}

   /Guess what? It worked,/ Roland snarls. /Aurora, that's your cue.
Protecting 'Mikey' on the ground won't do much good if he blows up the
solar system. Sib, you're on in five. Roger, this thing's a big
TARDIS, so put this phone booth 'out of order.'/
   (OOC: Presumably, someone asks, "And you?")
   /Me?/ Roland smiles viciously. /I'm going to introduce myself to
Rassilon Khan./
   And Rassilon is hit by--literally--a flying tackle. (Roland uses
the opportunity to examine his physical defenses so as not to kill him
with an overpowered blast.)
   "I've got some _news_ about your future, Rassilon--it just became
_history!_"

>     <OOC: I assume Roger and Roland will want to go into action now,

   OOC-R: Yep! ;^)
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 16:51:07 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010228

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 10:12:28 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010226
>
>>On Wed, 23 May 2001 09:27:58 -0400
>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010223
>>
>>     From the Place, the Doctor says, {"The Cybermen were once
>>human, from a civilazation that evolved in Earth's solar system on a
>>planet no longer there. But, they discovered cybernetics and
>>developed a system of ruthless logic, both of which eventually
>>turned them into cybermen. There's very little left of their organic
>>nature now, certainly nothing visible. They have a weakness against
>>gold in many forms. It interferes with their chest respirators.
>
>   /Great, they're the Borg's parents,/ Roland mutters. /I take it
>their world turned into the asteroid belt?/

     ["Actually, it was in a binary orbit with Earth, but was flung
out of the solar system in prehistoric times. The asteroid belt is the
remains of a planet called Fendahl. The Cybermen became what they are
now during this extremely long orbit, only returning to near Earth in
1986, desperately in need of power. They have some access to time
travel, apparently, and their history is somewhat muddled."}
     <OOC: Both of which are long stories and ones I'm not terribly
familiar with. :) I haven't seen most of the first and second Doctor
episodes, and only made it halfway through, or thereabouts the Tom
Baker era, saw two eposiodes with the second Romana then nothing until
Logopolis.>

>>     {"As for the Daleks, they were originally a race called the
>>Khaleds. They had a dirty nuclear war with another race on their
>>home planet Skaro, called the Thals. The resulting mutations were
>>encased in a mobile, computerized battlesuit by their chief
>>scientist, Davros. Their eyepiece is their weakpoint, but that will
>>just impair their vision. I've rigged up a couple devises able to
>>disorient them in the past, but little outside of high explosives
>>going off next to their armor or energy weapons will stop them
>>completely."}
>
>   /I've seen the Daleks once or twice, but only briefly. Always
>thought they were robots. The way they act, who can tell?/ Roland
>adds wryly. /Fortunately, there's lots of electrical-disruption
>ability in the CAoL.

     {"Yes, they're probably as much slaves to their machines as their
machines are to them, especially as they can't really live outside
them. Terribly unoriginal thinkers as a result. Their recent civil war
proved that, as well as another war against a robotic race called the
Movellans. Both essentially computer against computer, games of chess
in perpetual stalemate."}

>>     In the Place, the Doctor bit his fist. {"Validium, a living
>>metal able to wreck destruction and chaos on a planetary scale in
>>its wake. The Hand of Omega can snuff out a star in an instant. He's
>>attempting to draw out and occupy your most powerful members. And
>>with ten minutes until they reach Sol, I don't see how it can be
>>resisted."}
>
>   /Guess what? It worked,/ Roland snarls. /Aurora, that's your cue.
>Protecting 'Mikey' on the ground won't do much good if he blows up
>the solar system. Sib, you're on in five. Roger, this thing's a big
>TARDIS, so put this phone booth 'out of order.'/
>   (OOC: Presumably, someone asks, "And you?")
>   /Me?/ Roland smiles viciously. /I'm going to introduce myself to
>Rassilon Khan./
>   And Rassilon is hit by--literally--a flying tackle. (Roland uses
>the opportunity to examine his physical defenses so as not to kill
>him with an overpowered blast.)

     The body's strong, strong enough to lift a man off his feet
one-handed, like the original Khan did with Checkov. The mind on the
other hand, is highly powerful, but with the typical villianous ego.

>   "I've got some _news_ about your future, Rassilon--it just became
>_history!_"

     "You DARE attack me in my sanctom?" Rassilon spits, "Foolish
human, I do not know by what power you resist my machine's mind
control, but you will not resist mine!" A bolt of telekinesis the
strength of a Mack truck lashs out at Defender.
     <OOC: That ought to get things started. I'll just prod along
where needed. Don't forget, folks, there's plenty of crunchies still
outside, but if that's not your cup of tea, give the word on what
you've got in mind, be it different villians (this time scoop works
across dimensions, too) or different problems to solve. Some of the
diversions might get asperations of their own about how to go about
handling the Army of Light, and just so long as they don't involve
attacking Rassilon himself, or his weapon, he'll let them do their
thing. (The TARDIS exterior is indestructible, so it's not like it's
going to get scratched.)>
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 14:25:23 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010229

>On Tue, 22 May 2001 17:43:02 -0400
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010213
>     "This one on the other hand, displays some knowledge of tactics
>and strategy. Her weapons are crude, and a bit overpowering for the
>task, but she bears watching. Let us see how she fares against a
>fresh batch of Cybermen instead of these simple Ogrons."
>     Rassilon moves the Ogrons to another part of the field and
>brings in a fresh troop of Cybermen.

 Jim thunks his way slowly over towards the newcomers unsure if
Synthea sees the new threat yet. But the humanoid form is too slow so
he transforms back to BMW mode and starts racing forth. #"Incoming!"#
 It's unsure if he was referring ot the cybermen or himself as a
shifter lever with a large red button rises up from the floor and the
button depresses himself. The BMW transforms again, body pannels
shifting to make it more areodynamic and contralable as rocket
boosters form from the trunk. The car rockets at the Cybermen crashing
directly into the group, sending Cyberman after Cyberman crashing into
his grill and sending them flying up and over him as he moved to the
next one until a dozen are laying non-functional ont he ground behind
him.
 Jim spins in a bootlegger's reverse and a robotic arm with a stamper
on the end extends from a lowered window to start stamping Cybermen
sillouettes on the fender as he revs his engine some more.
=================================
Subject: Re: Re:AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 14:42:39 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010230

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 23:52:24 -0500
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010200
>
>Down on the ground, the air around Dasher begins to crackle as an
>electro-magentic charge builds up inside of him.
>
>At aproximatedly the same time, Nimrod, who's switched back to his
>maroon-colored robotic form, begins to cut a swath through the
>cybermen with the energy beams being projected froom his chestplate,
>hands and eyes.

 Jim transforms himself from BMW to the robotic transformer mode,
about 15' tall, the hood now forming his chest, the passenger
compartment becoming his head with cybernetic eyes raising form the
dash to look out the windshield. His trunk moving around to for his
waist area. Tires are at his shoudlers and hips, and thick boxylooking
arms and legs.
 He bracces himself a moment and part of his hood opens up and a wave
of mini-missles go crashing into the Daleks though it doesn't looks
like Nimrod will need his help for long. He brings out a huge gauss
pistol from behind his back and starts lobbing gold plated rounds into
the Cybermet to help out Dash though it looks liek he doesn't need
much help either...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Wed, 23 May 2001 14:47:13 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010231

>On Mon, 21 May 2001 22:39:11 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010206
>
>/Right. Set up the telepad in the hotel room, then,/ Rob replies.
>Taking a quick look around the lobby, he makes certain that everybody
>is headed for the room before running back upstairs, unlocking the
>door, and moving to the telepad, which is coming together as he
>arrives.

 From under the BMW, away from all view, a pigeon is formed and comes
waddling out. It flexes its wings and flutters off to fly to the
hotel. Passing through the window it lands on the floro and seems to
melt into pudding. The pudding wriggles about until it can be seen to
be slowly creating a 3' diameter disk of silvery metal on the floor.

>[Head count...everybody's here who's using the telepad.] "Jim, the
>actors are in place. Roll 'em."

 #"Transport pad function and ready for transport. Directional contact
link with Jim host body established. Field activating... Field
stabilizing.... Integrity check... 100%... Field is now ready for use.
just step in. please have you E-tickets ready. E-tickets..."#
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Wed, 23 May 2001 19:42:54 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010232

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 14:47:13 -0700
>Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010231
>
> #"Transport pad function and ready for transport. Directional
>contact link with Jim host body established. Field activating...
>Field stabilizing.... Integrity check... 100%... Field is now ready
>for use. just step in. please have you E-tickets ready.
>E-tickets..."#

     Moonstone steps in, assuming this will take her to the park
outside the Seiben residence (OOC: I've forgotten.) and appears just
as the Ogrons vanish.

     /{"Okay, well, I'll just wait here anyway. I'm no good at big
firepower stuff."}/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 18:14:04 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010234

>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010226
>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010223
>>     Both light sources rocketed skyward, out of the top of the
>>tower, through the atmosphere in moments, heading toward Earth's
>>sun.
>>     In the Place, the Doctor bit his fist. {"Validium, a living
>>metal able to wreck destruction and chaos on a planetary scale in
>>its wake. The Hand of Omega can snuff out a star in an instant. He's
>>attempting to draw out and occupy your most powerful members. And
>>with ten minutes until they reach Sol, I don't see how it can be
>>resisted."}
>
>   /Guess what? It worked,/ Roland snarls. /Aurora, that's your cue.
>Protecting 'Mikey' on the ground won't do much good if he blows up
>the solar system. Sib, you're on in five. Roger, this thing's a big
>TARDIS, so put this phone booth 'out of order.'/

An instant later, mere nanometers in front of the two creatures a warp
opens up. Unable to change course in time, the two flash into it. On
the other side of the warp is the central black hole of a quasar and
the two are not only inside the event horizon, they are inside Roche's
Limit. The warp closes immediately behind the two. Aurora -watches-
the two for a moment to assess their potentials for survival, and
escape. (OOC: if they can, and do escape they will find themselves in
a completely different universe.)

/Got them Roland. At least temporarily. You may want to destroy that
-big gun-. My analysis of it indicates that it is capable of pulling a
monobloc into this universe. I can counter that but only for a short
while, and there may be some undesireable side effects./ Aurora
reports. /@Eukonider would you be so kind as to ask Mentor and some of
your Arisian friends to put a mental spike through the organic brain
portion of Rassilon's computer, please?@/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Wed, 23 May 2001 19:01:19 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010236

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 18:18:03 -0700
>Rio Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010235
>
>OOC: Remember, many of the people at the hotel are on Team Beta, and
>need to get to the Seven's apartment building.

< Ooc: Ok, I thought the discussion had all been getitng hte alpha
members there and that the beta had something else worked out because
the hotel was near the Seiben residence. If need be the pad created
looks like a sort of figure 8 with a box in the center. One side is
marked with an Alpha symbol, the other with a Beta symbol, teleporting
to the desired place for each.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 22:40:42 -0500
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010237

>On Wed, 23 May 2K1, Dane Said
>
>/Got them Roland. At least temporarily. You may want to destroy that
>-big gun-. My analysis of it indicates that it is capable of pulling
>a monobloc into this universe. I can counter that but only for a
>short while, and there may be some undesireable side effects./ Aurora
>reports. /@Eukonider would you be so kind as to ask Mentor and some
>of your Arisian friends to put a mental spike through the organic
>brain portion of Rassilon's computer, please?@/

<ooc> My suspicions are that we may have covered this in an OOC
discusion in the Green Room but Dhyrclhanc has no way of knowing
that... </ooc>

^@ Ah, Aurora, if Rassilion's Matrix is anything like the Matrix
Computer back on Galifrey that I am familiar with then it'll have no
strictly "organic" parts. The Matrix, at least the one that I'm
familiar with, simply contains the recorded brain-engrams and/or
"ghost tapes" of every Lord President {Central Controlling Head of
Government}of Galifrey since time immemorial.

While I have your attention, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, would
you be so kind enough to return my two allies {mental images of Dasher
and Nimrod} to the battlefield?@^

Then, to Roland,

/I got my five minute warning, Bro! if you don't have your hands too
full, would you give me a mental shout at "zero"?/
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Wed, 23 May 2001 23:59:26 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010238

>In a message dated 5/23/01 1:24:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>rolandx writes:
>
>   /Guess what? It worked,/ Roland snarls. /Aurora, that's your cue.
>Protecting 'Mikey' on the ground won't do much good if he blows up
>the solar system. Sib, you're on in five. Roger, this thing's a big
>TARDIS, so put this phone booth 'out of order.'/

   /Bee-Bee-BEEEP. The number you are are trying to reach has been
removed from existence...permanently/ Roger beams a feral smile across
the links. /On it. Murphy-no-kami, grant thine unworthy avatar the
direction of your gaze.../

   With a whisper and a hint of wind, nearly a dozen Roger dupes and
drones ghost away into the depths of the machine, like smart virii
looking for ideal places to breed.
   The countervailing demands of the operation are time and stealth.
Wreak too much, too fast, and Rassilon might well be able to fix the
damage or call up currently-unkown reserves in time to carry forward.
Infiltrate and corrupt too gently, too slowly, and enough backup
systems might still be operative when the big moment arrives.
   Fortunately, Roger's got quite a bit of experience at this.
   Power systems: find the highest-power conduits, the ones with the
most catatsrophic failure potential, the point-failure sources. They
have the strongest protections, but that's okay. Introduce a minor
harmonic here, a magnetic eddy there. Probe the diagnostic monitors,
and plot how far the systems can be disrupted before tripping any
alarms. Spread out, creating small delayed-activiation failures in
critical systems, chained to cascade like dominoes when triggered,
while throwing a growing number of normal-seeming "nuisance" faults
into non-critical systems to distract whomever's monitoring them --
pin their attention with lots of little annoyances, like itch powder
in a spacesuit.
   Security systems. Careful, here -- nothing blatant. Tweak up a few
uncertainty thresholds, generate a few false alarms on some of the
more hair-trigger alarms. Optical sensors develop narrow
color-blindness in non-obvious sections of the specturm. Same for EM,
psi, ehteric, etc. Find the defensive systems, and nudge up the
chances of "friendly fire" fratricide by just a few percentage points
-- and then find a way to increase the "paranoia" level of the expert
systems, so that the problem becomes worse, not better, after it
starts.
   Environmental: a TARDIS has to have massive control over its
interal spacetime. Invert a phase-control bit in the control software,
and let a section begin slowly drifting out-of-phase with the rest.
Cross-connect the feedback streams from two other sections, and let
the system think it's corrective impulses aren't working, when in fact
they're just being sent to the wrong sections.
   Repair/Maintenance: Lots of redundancy, too much to plow through.
Instead, find the spec files and alter them so that automatic repairs
have small, exploitable flaws in them. Memorize the flaws for later
use. Create false errors from untouched systems to go along with the
many nuisance faults, and watch the maintenance systems/people stretch
themselves too thin.
   Communications: throw a little really-annoying static in the lines,
let it wander around randomly so nobody gets annoyed enough to bring
down the system for a full check. Set it up to grow slowly, on the
boiling-a-frog principle.
   Plumbing: Well, Rassilon probably won't stop for potty breaks now,
but set the toilets for a few random backflushes anyway. Getting
sprayed with icky-poo is always good to erode one's concentration by a
few percent...

   Silent, invisible, barely in phase with local reality, growing
numbers of Rogers, drones, dupes, and variagated sabotage-widgets
spread out through the TARDIS's enormous internal dimensions, nicking
wires, setting explosives, slapping Muprhy-field patches, and
generally setting up a _cordon_bleu_ supper of disaster, with all the
elements of the main course set to finish cooking simultaneously at
juuust the right moment...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Wed, 23 May 2001 22:24:44 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010240

>Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010231
>
>#"Transport pad function and ready for transport. Directional contact
>link with Jim host body established. Field activating... Field
>stabilizing.... Integrity check... 100%... Field is now ready for
>use. just step in. please have you E-tickets ready. E-tickets..."#

Rob steps on the Alpha section of the transporter, and is immediately
disoriented. The teleport is fine, it's arriving in a moving BMW that
throws him. Literally.

/"CANCEL ALPHA TELEPAD!"/

As he sails through the air, he manages to trigger the thingamabob on
his left wrist, which releases a ball of gold energy. The ball expands
to a six-foot diameter disk, and Rob flies through it to land in the
middle of a group of Ogrons.

The blue jeans and loose-fitting jacket have been replaced by a
bodysuit that resembles white Spandex, with gauntlets, helmet, and
boots made from a plastic-looking material. Gold stripes circle the
wrists and boot tops, as well as running from right shoulder to left
hip.

"What now?"

"Kill him, then kill snUrf!." The sublieutenant folds around Rob's
fist, then collapses in a heap.

[I hope I didn't hit something vital there.] "You aren't killing
anybody today. Drop your weapons and surrender," Rob says, in his best
Tough Guy voice. [Maybe this time...]

The Ogrons reply by shooting Rob. Sparks fly from the suit, and he
staggers slightly, but he doesn't vaporize.

[...damn. Someday, maybe somebody will surrender...] Touching a button
on the wrist unit, Rob releases the jitte that Dhyrclhanc made. He
then jumps over the Ogrons, landing behind them, and proceeding to
"beat them soundly about the head and shoulders."

/Jim, either you forgot to add a frammistat somewhere, or you need to
hold still while people are teleporting./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Thu, 24 May 2001 09:50:09 -0400
Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010242

>On Wed, 23 May 2K1, SkyeFire Said
>>Roland X writes:
>>   /Roger, this thing's a big TARDIS, so put this phone booth 'out
>>of order.'/
>
>   /Bee-Bee-BEEEP. The number you are are trying to reach has been
>removed from existence...permanently/ Roger beams a feral smile
>across the links. /On it. Murphy-no-kami, grant thine unworthy avatar
>the direction of your gaze.../
>   With a whisper and a hint of wind, nearly a dozen Roger dupes and
>drones ghost away into the depths of the machine, like smart virii
>looking for ideal places to breed.

[This kid is begining to scare me]

/"R.J." remind me to no longer invite you onto the Xavier./ sends
Dhyrclhanc, jovially.
=================================
Subject: AAE 7a: High Tech Hijinks

On Thu, 24 May 2001 11:52:16 -0400
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010244

     It's a dangerous game Roger and Roland play within the
interdimnsional expanses of Rassilon's TARDIS, and even with Roger
likely having the advantage of knowing how his "Uncle Mike's" own ship
would work, Rassilon's ship is a vastly different creature.
     For, if it was not apparent before, it should become emminently
apparent by now that one of the traits of Time Lord technology is more
than a trace of sentient, and often independent, thought.
     Take as an example, the predicament of the Hand of Omega and the
Validium Statue, sent to destroy Earth's Sun in an attempt to draw out
the being behind the power that seems to be continually subverting
Rassilon's plans for multiversal conquest. The Hand and the Statue
streaked out of the atmosphere into space and found an
interdimensional warp in their path before they could alter their
course. They emerged in a vortex, black when they faced it, but
white-hot in every band of the EM spectrum.
     The Hand knew this sort of place well and shielded the Statue
from its damaging effects. At the Statue's beckoning, the Hand carried
them both out of the black hole they had found themselves in,
departing the gravitational pull in the vector of one of the X-ray
polar "fountains."
     Finding the warp in space vanished, the Hand and the Statue began
calculating a vector though spacetime to get them back to where they
were first moved...
     And the Statue frowned. A faint tendril of glowing wire flowed
from a finger through the glowing mass of the stellar manipulator at
the validium figures side. Speech resonated through that thin line.
     "We are not where we should be. We will wait, the Matrix will
perceive our situation and activate the Time Scoop to return us to our
objective."
     Through that same thread came the Hand's reply, a series of
electronic gurgles.
     "It should not take long," the Statue replied.
     That said, they waited in silence.
     But rescue did not come.
     For the Matrix, the electronic brain composed of trillions of
electrochemical cells arranged in a matrix pattern, was having
difficulties of its own. Through a series of small faults in its
multitude of processors, it ordered the Time Scoop to collect the
Statue and the Hand and release them in the space just ahead of where
they had just left.
     Instead, a nickel-iron asteroid, four meters in diameter, was
plucked from its orbit before a young, and impressionable, David
Lister ran into it with his space bike some fifty universes away and
three million years in the future. Said asteroid appeared 100 feet off
the ground outside the castle, where it and the earth below held a
brief tug of war to see who would crush the Dalek between them, the
asteroid from above, or the earth from below.
     While admittedly, all such events are relative, to the casual
observer on the ground, the Dalek was crushed from above by a large
and extremely heavy rock that appeared out of a spinning, black
trapezoid and promptly fell to the rocky ground below.
     The Matrix observed this impassively. "Hand of Omega and Validium
Statue lost in interdimensional warp. Error in Time Scoop interface.
Time Scoop offline. Security error, detecting single life form in
multiple locations, examining architectural files for errors.
Attempting correction."
     A pond the size of a football field and four feet at its deepest
appeared without warning under the Ogrons and those fighting them.
Amidst the Cybermen, trees suddenly formed, creating a thick grove of
cover for both the metal men and their enemies.
     A thick fog rolled in along the ground throughout the plain and
within the tower itself.
     "Time Scoop error corrected," the Matrix then reported,
"Beginning retrieval of Hand of Omega and Validium Statue."
     In the park across from the Seven's apartment, a Vogon poetry
group appeared and one of the green creatures, in the middle of
standing, blinked, looked around, then continued the motion and dug
out a wadded u scrap of paper and prepared to read.
     The sabotage was working, but not quite as planned.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Geared up, and ready to go.

On Thu, 24 May 2001 10:55:44 -0700
Squee Said As CAoL Message # 00010245

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 22:24:44 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010240
> /Jim, either you forgot to add a frammistat somewhere, or you need
>to hold still while people are teleporting./

 #Engaging system check... Interdimention interior should negate need
for inertial dampeners for those arriving inside. Processing. System
check complete. Adding inertail dampeners as redundant system...
rechecking. System check complete. Teleportational pad should place
user comfortable into back seat now.#
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Thu, 24 May 2001 13:31:46 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010246

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 08:54:58 -0700
>Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010224
>
>>On Sun, 13 May 2001 09:13:33 -0700 (PDT)
>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010169
>>
>>Zia [...] 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
>>tradition in all Shadows."
>
>   "Usually true, but hardly universal. I've seen ghoul slaves gun
>down Shih that could have ripped them apart in bare-handed combat.
>More powerful weapons always change the equation." Eric smiles wryly.
>"Then again, there aren't many mortals that can shrug off bullets in
>my home reality--and the ones who can make guns 'not work' are
>usually opposed by people who can keep them working." Eric blinks.
>"Ah, 'Shadow' is another word for 'dimension' or 'plane,' correct?
>And Benedict," he adds with a knowing smile, "must be your teacher.
>You use his name with the 'sensei' title implied in your voice, along
>with something else I don't have context on. Sounds like the type to
>drive students into the ground, then pick them up and start over."

Zia gives Eric a brief glance of startlement. "Well, in a way he could
be considered that, yes. As for the other, he is also one of my
uncles. Given that swordfighting for days isn't much exertion for an
Amberitic physiology, I'll leave it to your imagination just what
sorts of physical extremes he might apply to teaching." She
half-smiles oddly. "Imagination likely won't stretch that far, but
describing the reality would be too upsetting." She blinks. "Er, for
me."

"Shadow..." She shakes her head. "It's like grok, in _Stranger in a
Strange Land_ meaning 'to drink'. Shadow refers to an image cast by a
light source, normally. When I use it to refer to things other than
'dark patches where the light isn't striking', it means 'images
created by the light of the Pattern through the interference patterns
between Chaos and Order'. So, it can mean anything not as Real as
Amber herself. People, places, things, dimenions, and sometimes even
the Artifacts of Amber cast their own Shadows, like Corwin's sword. I
don't mean it as an insult; it is merely a distinction between what I
can Shadowshift and what is too Real for such tricks. Or rather, what
interferences exist that allow me to 'change things' or 'move to other
dimensions' and where such interferences aren't there for my use. Just
as you might distinguish between things you can lift, and things you
might not want to try lifting."

Ziactrice looks around. "Aren't you going to go join the melee, Eric?"
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Thu, 24 May 2001 13:39:28 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010247

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 10:12:28 -0700
>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010226
>>On Wed, 23 May 2001 09:27:58 -0400
>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010223
>>
>>     There came an electronic gurgling from the center of the room,
>>where a light suddenly came into existance, blinding enough to
>>obscure any view of the center, with a haze of freezing fog and the
>>arcid stink of ozone.
>>     "As you wish, Lord Rassilon..." came a soprano, almost metallic
>>voice from just a bit left of the source of the electronic gurgle
>>where a strange light emitted from a statuesque figure of a woman,
>>"And my freedom?"
>
>   /Holy light, it's Sil's evil twin,/ Roland whispers on the link.

Zia's lips quirk in dismay. [If entities were evil from just being
powerful, Roland, wouldn't I be - ] she thinks, strictly to herself,
[..oh, wait, we two already had that talk. Now, think less muddily,
Ziactrice. Why or how is Rassilon controlling the Light Bulb Lady's
freedom, and can she be freed safely, or taken over for The
Opposition, namely us?]

/Hey, rube! Who is our best computer hacker, please? I need someone to
secure me intel, preferably with a drill link into the Matrix it
cannot tell is there. I know it is telepathically linked to mean ol'
Rassolichie there, but can we break into that? Telepathically, or
hardware-wise?/ Zia sends, at a soft volume, so as not to distract
those CoALers involved in combat at the moment. Then she giggles
audibly over the Link, having *seen* the asteroid crush the Dalek.
/Something tells me Roger'd be great fun at a party./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Thu, 24 May 2001 20:05:58 -0700
Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010248

>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010237
>While I have your attention, if it wouldn't be too much trouble,
>would you be so kind enough to return my two allies {mental images of
>Dasher and Nimrod} to the battlefield?@^

A single micro second suffices to scan the Solar system for the two
missing combatants. An instant later they are teleported to new spots
on the field of battle. ^@Your wish is my command, master.@^ Aurora
chuckles to Dhyrclhanc.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Thu, 24 May 2001 23:48:36 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010249

>In a message dated 5/24/01 4:45:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>darasawall writes:
>/Hey, rube! Who is our best computer hacker, please? I need someone
>to secure me intel, preferably with a drill link into the Matrix it
>cannot tell is there. I know it is telepathically linked to mean ol'
>Rassolichie there, but can we break into that? Telepathically, or
>hardware-wise?/ Zia sends, at a soft volume, so as not to distract
>those CoALers involved in combat at the moment. Then she giggles
>audibly over the Link, having *seen* the asteroid crush the Dalek.
>/Something tells me Roger'd be great fun at a party./

   /Tap? Working.../ Roger trails off -- he's spread a bit thin at the
moment. Someone looking too closely at his end of the link would
experience a rather pronounced case of fly-eye from the multiple
simultaneous experience feeds.
   A moment passes...
   /Auntzie? Here's {} a channel to a...tap mod I put in place
in...hang on...a tertiary layer internal systems monitor. Sorry it's
not --ugh!-- more, but this <static> is smart, and good at defending
itself. The tap's location should give you backdoor...access...to most
areas, and should be clear of my 'interferences' for a while,
but...hold STILL, dammit...be careful. I don't think I've...seen the
Matrix's entire --ouch!-- bag o' tricks, yet......../
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7a: High Tech Hijinks

On Thu, 24 May 2001 21:45:03 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010250

>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010244
>
>     A pond the size of a football field and four feet at its deepest
>appeared without warning under the Ogrons and those fighting them.

With no support for the roundhouse kick, Rob falls ungracefully,
disappearing under the water. For a few seconds, nothing happens. Then
an Ogron sails out of the water, to become a demonstration in The
Inadvisability of Humanoid Flight Without an Appropriate Wingspan.

Rob surfaces from where the (temporarily) flying Ogron took off, a
jitte in each hand. Both of the weapons have taken on a golden glow,
about the brightness of a flashlight. "Voxcomm: stun bolts," Rob
snaps. Crescents of energy fly from each jitte, hosing the area. When
the spray ends, the pond looks like the setup for a game of "Bobbing
for Ogrons."

After storing the jitte in the bracer again, Rob takes a few moments
to turn all the Ogrons face-up. Fortunately, they float rather well.

"There isn't much left out here," he observes, noting the wreckage
that Dasher, Nimrod, and Jim have left behind. "And Sythea seems to
have the new set of Cybermen well in hand. Time to find another way
inside." As he heads toward the castle, he concentrates on not being
noticed, and fades from sight.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Fri, 25 May 2001 05:46:21 -0700 (PDT)
Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010251

>On Thu, 24 May 2001 23:48:36 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010249
>
>   /Tap? Working.../ Roger trails off -- he's spread a bit thin at
>the moment. Someone looking too closely at his end of the link would
>experience a rather pronounced case of fly-eye from the multiple
>simultaneous experience feeds.
>   A moment passes...

Ziactrice waits patiently, after one short glance *through* tells her
there is nothing much she can do to help him out. Given the Matrix'
near-sentient opposition, she doesn't want to joggle his elbows at
all.

>   /Auntzie? Here's {} a channel to a...tap mod I put in place in...
>hang on...a tertiary layer internal systems monitor. Sorry it's not
>--ugh!-- more, but this <static> is smart, and good at defending
>itself. The tap's location should give you backdoor...access...to
>most areas, and should be clear of 'interferences' for a while,
>but...hold STILL, dammit...be careful. I don't think I've...seen the
>Matrix's entire --ouch!-- bag o' tricks, yet......../

/Thanks, Roger./ Ziactrice says, then she adds, just to him, ^Hey,
kiddo, anything you want me to do to reinforce you there? Doing an
intel question won't tie up nearly all my mental jets. You want to
borrow some capacity?^

Simultaneously, through the tap, she looks for #contigency plans,
security setups, defended weaknesses, internal dimensions constants
(especially the gravitational and psionic), Rassilon's personal
telepahthic signature, entire history of the Lord President focusing
on strengths and weaknesses.#

As she starts the intel inquiry, she contacts Jim. ^Jim, can you set
up memory to do a Zwicky box investigation for possible successful
plans to defeat this guy? If you have the capacity to do this, I'll be
feeding you sufficient information to reject a lot of the options and
select some good actions to relay to the rest of the CAoL.^

/Who wants the whole data dump? Anyone who doesn't speak up now gets
the summarized plan/data in a few seconds after it is boiled down?/
She asks absently, still 'opening boxes and poking around' inside the
Matrix tap.
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Fri, 25 May 2001 09:27:36 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010252

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 22:40:42 -0500
>Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010237
>
>>On Wed, 23 May 2K1, Dane Said
>>
>>/Got them Roland. At least temporarily. You may want to destroy that
>>-big gun-.

   /You -oof- think?/ Roland grunts as Rassilon, with Khan's body,
easily throws the tackling immortal. /Sorry,/ he adds, apologizing for
the gruff tone. /We're working on it./

>>My analysis of it indicates that it is capable of pulling a monobloc
>>into this universe. I can counter that but only for a short while,
>>and there may be some undesireable side effects./ Aurora reports.

   /Yipe./

>Then, to Roland,
>
>/I got my five minute warning, Bro! if you don't have your hands too
>full, would you give me a mental shout at "zero"?/

   /Actually, help Aurora for now, would you?/ Roland asks,
incredulous that after his stunt with the force field, that Rassilon
is attacking him with _telekinesis._ /If I need you for backup, I'll
holler. Either Rassilon is too arrogant to consider me a threat or is
trying to lull me into a false sense of security./
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE VII: Storming the Castle

On Fri, 25 May 2001 09:30:49 -0700
Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010253

>On Wed, 23 May 2001 23:59:26 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00010238
>
>>In a message dated 5/23/01 1:24:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>rolandx writes:
>>
>>Roger, this thing's a big TARDIS, so put this phone booth 'out of
>>order.'/
>
>   /Bee-Bee-BEEEP. The number you are are trying to reach has been
>removed from existence...permanently/ Roger beams a feral smile
>across the links. /On it. Murphy-no-kami, grant thine unworthy avatar
>the direction of your gaze.../

   Roland blinks, considering his decision briefly. /I almost feel
sorry for Rassilon./ He considers that the man was going to destroy an
entire universe to kill one of his best friends. /ALMOST./

<regretful snip of sheer genius 8^)>
>   Silent, invisible, barely in phase with local reality, growing
>numbers of Rogers, drones, dupes, and variagated sabotage-widgets
>spread out through the TARDIS's enormous internal dimensions, nicking
>wires, setting explosives, slapping Muprhy-field patches, and
>generally setting up a _cordon_bleu_ supper of disaster, with all the
>elements of the main course set to finish cooking simultaneously at
>juuust the right moment...

   Roland smiles wide. /That's my son, all right,/ he thinks proudly.
The sabotage well in hand, he turns his full attention to Rassilon...
=================================
Subject: Re: AAE 7: Like Lightning

On Fri, 25 May 2001 09:36:22 -0700
Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010254

>On Thu, 24 May 2001 13:31:46 -0700 (PDT)
>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010246
>
>>On Wed, 23 May 2001 08:54:58 -0700
>>Eric Lancer Said As CAoL Message # 00010224
>>
>>Eric blinks. "Ah, 'Shadow' is another word for 'dimension' or
>>'plane,' correct? And Benedict," he adds with a knowing smile, "must
>>be your teacher. You use his name with the 'sensei' title implied in
>>your voice, along with something else I don't have context on.
>>Sounds like the type to drive students into the ground, then pick
>>them up and start over."
>
>Zia gives Eric a brief glance of startlement. "Well, in a way he
>could be considered that, yes. As for the other, he is also one of my
>uncles. Given that swordfighting for days isn't much exertion for an
>Amberitic physiology, I'll leave it to your imagination just what
>sorts of physical extremes he might apply to teaching."

   Eric starts slightly, then smiles slyly, considering. "I think
we're going to enjoy testing those limits..."

>She half-smiles oddly. "Imagination likely won't stretch that far,
>but describing the reality would be too upsetting." She blinks. "Er,
>for me."

   Eric's smile vanishes. He immediately (and clearly) drops the
subject.
   (OOC note I meant to include in one of Zia's earlier musings: Yes,
Eric is definitely Lensman-grade. His one disqualifying
fault...healed, recently. "Only" First Stage, but that ought to be
impressive enough.)

>"Shadow..." She shakes her head. "It's like grok, in _Stranger in a
>Strange Land_ meaning 'to drink'. Shadow refers to an image cast by a
>light source, normally.

   Eric doesn't sigh indulgently. He wants to, though. 8^)

>When I use it to refer to things other than 'dark patches where the
>light isn't striking', it means 'images created by the light of the
>Pattern through the interference patterns between Chaos and Order'.
>So, it can mean anything not as Real as Amber herself. People,
>places, things, dimenions, and sometimes even the Artifacts of Amber
>cast their own Shadows, like Corwin's sword.

   Eric's considering smile returns, albeit for a different reason.
"Sounds like some philosophies of 'True Magick' I've heard..." he
drops off, seeming to remember something. Another part of his mind
concentrates on the data dump the Doctor provides on their 'crunchy'
adversaries.

>I don't mean it as an insult; it is merely a distinction between what
>I can Shadowshift and what is too Real for such tricks. Or rather,
>what interferences exist that allow me to 'change things' or 'move to
>other dimensions' and where such interferences aren't there for my
>use. Just as you might distinguish between things you can lift, and
>things you might not want to try lifting."

   Eric nods. "Don't worry; I didn't let the Hermetics insult me, and
they were _trying._ However," he adds, drifting slightly, "Does this
Corwin have anything to do with a writer named Zelazny? I ran into a
Marauder once who called his magick 'shifting Corwin's Pattern' and
said he'd 'never be trapped in Amber again.' I thought it was just
another Marauder delusion, but the MiB I was working with mentioned
Zelazny in a tone usually reserved for Tradition mages."

>Ziactrice looks around. "Aren't you going to go join the melee,
>Eric?"

   He smiles. "I was just waiting for a little more data on our
enemies." If she allows, he kisses her hand. "If you will excuse me,
exquisite one." And like a a dark blur, he's gone.
   A moment later, a group of Cybermen closes on the Sieben residence.
"We have target acquisition, Cyber-Leader."
   "Excel-" the Cyber-Leader begins.
   It never finishes the word.
   A streak of shadow goes past, and the Cyberman's head flies from
its shoulders.
   The suddenly-leaderless Cybermen look around in alarm for a moment.
   "Error-error-Resistance is useless!" one shouts, becoming the new
leader, and the lot of them prepare to open fire in every direction.
   "That won't be necessary, gentlemen," Eric's voice says from down
an alley.
   The Cybermen charge down the alley, guns at the ready.
   Again, the dark blur moves, an anime' leap carrying him to a
rooftop. A moment later, a cloud of gold dust fills the alley. The
Cybermen stagger and fall, a few brief barks of fire from their
weapons proving...useless.
   Eric chuckles. "Know yourself." He looks over the fallen Cybermen.
"Know your enemy." He tosses aside a leather bag from 1849 California.
"Know the terrain." His chuckle fades as he looks at the new lake and
the trees. "Though I doubt that this is what Sun Tzu had in mind..."
=================================