Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 7c Chapter 1 Subject: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Wed, 2 Jan 2002 10:01:47 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010672 As the reunion festivities continue, Michael Seven and Flarn, holding hands and glasses, both toe the chalk line. Silence ensues in good time and Mike adresses the Place. "Ladies and gentlemen, as some of you know, and some of you have learned in the past little while, Flarn and I are engaged." "Naturally," Flarn adds, "You all are invited to the wedding. Normally, we would set a date for the festivities six months in advance and send out the invitations." "But as all of you know," Mike says, "I'm a time traveller. We can take as much time as we need and still be back before we've finished this little speech. So, the question falls to you, our guests, 'How much time do you need to get ready for a wedding?'" "The dress," Flarn adds, "Is whatever feels comfortable, and we include that to mean whatever physical form you wish to take on. In every respect we already forsee this to be an unusual service, thus do not think there are any cultural roles you must adhere to except those that bring you comfort." "Its going to be something of a mix of human and Minbari practices," Mike explains, "On Babylon 5, with food and drink, dancing and the general mayhem that accompany any really good trip to the Place and to the B5 station. And don't worry about panicking the locals, it will be taken care of." "But first, as is custom, a toast," Flarn says, "To marriage." Glasses sail into the fireplace, first from the happy couple, then from everywhere else. "Now," Mike says as they both head back to their table, "When's good for everyone?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Wed, 02 Jan 2002 22:13:21 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010673 Earth-1 (that's the pre-Crisis DCU, for the comics-challenged 8^). Roland sighed. "What am I doing wrong, Barry?" Barry, standing next to Roland on the roof of the Allen residence, placed his hand on the Freelance Immortal's shoulder. "I'm not sure I follow you." Roland chuckled. "Yes you do. You're being generous." "And _you_ are beating yourself up too much. I see Kal do it all the time." Roland snorted. "I'm not Kal. Nass, I'm not even in the same _league_ as Kal." Barry, who knows what "nass" means, blushed. "Er, no pun intended." *That JL ring on your finger says otherwise, love,* Morgan kibbitzed from where she was discussing raising "challenging" twins with Iris. Roland sighed and looked heaven-ward, but couldn't keep the smile off his face. Barry chuckled with him. "They _do_ see us better than we see ourselves, don't they?" Roland merely nodded. A moment later, he added, "You wouldn't believe it, Barry. Right in the middle of New York--" "You mean it happened to you, too?" Barry blurted. Roland's head simply translated the ninety degrees, hardly seeming to turn even to the Fastest Man Alive. "Here? Impossible! Clark--_Hal_--Diana--" Barry shook his head. "I would've said the same of Earth-9 and you. Kal was saving the galaxy from Imperiex, Diana was on Paradise Island fighting off Mars, and Hal had to deal with Sinestro in sector...oh, I forget the number, Sinestro's home sector." He squeezed Roland's shoulder. "It didn't happen in every New York, but more of them were attacked than not." Roland shook his head, stunned. "Marvel?" "They never saw it coming. Who could?" (OOC: Amazing Spider-Man #36. J. Michael Straczynski. It has a black cover. If you can't find it [likely] and have a fairly modern computer, you can go to www.marvel.com and download it using their dot.comics program. Both program and issue are free. We highly recommend it. Morgan adds: Have tissues handy.) Then Roland began to laugh. Tears still ran down his face, but he laughed. "Why do I _do_ this, to myself? I learn these lessons over and over, and I still do it to myself. I know I'm not a god. I'm not a coward. I do my best. But I still do this to myself. Constantly. Why?" Barry patted him on the shoulder, and smiled, job complete. "We all need to stop and breathe once in a while, Roland. Take it from a man who does even more running around than you do." Roland's laugh at that was more healthy than the one before. "That's not what I mean, speedster, and you know it." There was a familiar tinkling laughter on the psychic plane. *You're a _phoenix,_ silly boy. You need to descend into the flames from time to time.* *So you can rise from the ashes,* Morgan added. *Stronger than before,* Sil finished. Roland's laugh was back to normal. *All right, all right, I give! No fair tag-teaming anyway!* *Who, _us?_* they replied in innocent unison. Roland opened his mouth to reply, finger pointing into the air, when he felt a rare buzzing in the back of his mind. His rusty, long-unused ESP had kicked in (perhaps due to the amount of kicking he'd done to it recently 8^) and warned him that _now_ would be a good time to head to the Place, or he and Morgan would miss something good. "Ah, Barry--" Barry nodded. "Duty calls, or your spider-sense is tingling--" Roland chuckled again-- "or something like that?" Roland nodded back. "Well, things have been quiet around here since most of the Rogues reformed, thank God. Come back soon." Roland smiled. "Say hi to the Tornado Twins for me, will you? I'll have something for them when I come back." A few moments later, the Freelance Immortals came through the impressive wooden door, marred only by Big Beef McCaffrey's skull impression. (About the only time that worthy ever made his mark in the world...) Soon after... >On Wed, 2 Jan 2002 10:01:47 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010672 > >As the reunion festivities continue, Michael Seven and Flarn, holding >hands and glasses, both toe the chalk line. Silence ensues in good >time and Mike adresses the Place. > >"Ladies and gentlemen, as some of you know, and some of you have >learned in the past little while, Flarn and I are engaged." The first CAoL couple to get married beams. >"Naturally," Flarn adds, "You all are invited to the wedding. >Normally, we would set a date for the festivities six months in >advance and send out the invitations." > >"But as all of you know," Mike says, "I'm a time traveller. We can >take as much time as we need and still be back before we've finished >this little speech. So, the question falls to you, our guests, 'How >much time do you need to get ready for a wedding?'" Roland and Morgan look at each other, their expressions asking, "time?" >"The dress," Flarn adds, "Is whatever feels comfortable, and we >include that to mean whatever physical form you wish to take on. In >every respect we already forsee this to be an unusual service, thus >do not think there are any cultural roles you must adhere to except >those that bring you comfort." Roland concentrates for about half a second, and his clothes shift to a variant of his own wedding garb, but in muted colors so as not to stand out as much. *Show off,* Morgan sends fondly, not bothering with the private link. >"Its going to be something of a mix of human and Minbari practices," >Mike explains, "On Babylon 5, with food and drink, dancing and the >general mayhem that accompany any really good trip to the Place and >to the B5 station. And don't worry about panicking the locals, it >will be taken care of." > >"But first, as is custom, a toast," Flarn says, "To marriage." "TO MARRIAGE!" the CAoL's last newlyweds join in wholeheartedly, and the remains of a vanilla shake and a single-malt shoot in to the bulls-eye. When the sturm und drang is finished, the shards of glass have formed the shape of two interlaced hearts. Both Freelance Immortals look innocent. (Well, it _could_ have been the Place. 8^) >"Now," Mike says as they both head back to their table, "When's good >for everyone?" "All we need are the spacial/temporal coordinates," Morgan chimes in. (/) Roland and Morgan /|\ "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it... always." ~Mahatma Gandhi~ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Wed, 2 Jan 2002 14:38:18 -0800 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As GR.CAoL Message # 00007569 (and CAoL Message # 00010674) >On Wed, 2 Jan 2K2, Mike Knight Said > >"Naturally," Flarn adds, "You all are invited to the wedding. >Normally, we would set a date for the festivities six months in >advance and send out the invitations." > >"But as all of you know," Mike says, "I'm a time traveller. We can >take as much time as we need and still be back before we've finished >this little speech. So, the question falls to you, our guests, 'How >much time do you need to get ready for a wedding?" Dhyrclhanc, back in his 20' tall form, and wearing what amounted for his standard garb when wearing this form (ie, emerald green medieval vest with ebony trim and shoulder pads, An'lashok longcoat and replica Anla'shok pin, and Black Watch patterned kilt and shawl, opens his mouth as if to say something. But then seems to think the better of it and stays quiet. >"Its going to be something of a mix of human and Minbari practices," >Mike explains, "On Babylon 5, with food and drink, dancing and the >general mayhem that accompany any really good trip to the Place and >to the B5 station. And don't worry about panicking the locals, it >will be taken care of." The Lensdragon sniggers quietly to himself, thinking back on when Marcus met him the first time. >"But first, as is custom, a toast," Flarn says, "To marriage." > >Glasses sail into the fireplace, first from the happy couple, then >from everywhere else. Dhyrclhanc's ceramic mug joins the aerial stampede. >"Now," Mike says as they both head back to their table, "When's good >for everyone?" "Some of _Us_, Mike," Dhyrclhanc finally pipes up once he's Ex-Time-Lord and Vorlon Agent is done, "Aren't exactly tied down to Time or Place, either." The multi-hued Ruby Fire Dragon hatchling continues while a big grin beginning to spread across his reptilian features, "As far as I'm concerned, make whatever plans you need to. Just leave a note here at the Place as to the particulars. In fact, the only problem I foresee is making sure we're all using the same notation as to which version of the B5-Alterverse you'll be having the ceremony in, and when, exactly, the blessed event'll be taking place." Dhyrclhanc sits back down, letting somebody else have their say. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Thu, 3 Jan 2002 02:47:56 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010675 >On Wed, 02 Jan 2002 22:13:21 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010673 > >>On Wed, 2 Jan 2002 10:01:47 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010672 >> >>"Now," Mike says as they both head back to their table, "When's good >>for everyone?" > >"All we need are the spacial/temporal coordinates," Morgan chimes in. >On Wed, 02 Jan 2002 22:27:50 -0800 >Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010674 > >"Some of _Us_, Mike," Dhyrclhanc finally pipes up once he's >Ex-Time-Lord and Vorlon Agent is done, "Aren't exactly tied down to >Time or Place, either." The multi-hued Ruby Fire Dragon hatchling >continues while a big grin beginning to spread across his reptilian >features, "As far as I'm concerned, make whatever plans you need to. >Just leave a note here at the Place as to the particulars. In fact, >the only problem I foresee is making sure we're all using the same >notation as to which version of the B5-Alterverse you'll be having >the ceremony in, and when, exactly, the blessed event'll be taking >place." Dhyrclhanc sits back down, letting somebody else have their >say. "Well," Mike drawls, "For convenience's sake, the space-dimensional coordinates are here. The time coordinates are whenever we decide on. From here, we'll have an open X-window, the new coordinates displayed for those who prefer their own methods of transport." He smirks and adds, "And I know I'm not the only time-bender here. It's for those who aren't or aren't in total control of it that I bring this up." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Thu, 03 Jan 2002 01:39:50 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010676 >On Thu, 3 Jan 2002 02:47:56 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010675 > >"Well," Mike drawls, "For convenience's sake, the space-dimensional >coordinates are here. The time coordinates are whenever we decide on. >From here, we'll have an open X-window, the new coordinates displayed >for those who prefer their own methods of transport." > >He smirks and adds, "And I know I'm not the only time-bender here. >It's for those who aren't or aren't in total control of it that I >bring this up." Harlock takes a break from jamming with Fast Eddie to put in his nickel's worth (inflation, don'cha know) "I can be ready at any time, my friend, and while I cannot time-jump, I have...assurances that my plane-jumping spells will no longer go awry. Unless something blocks them, of course, but that would take...ummm...I doubt it will happen." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Thu, 3 Jan 2002 09:56:33 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010677 >Zia Said > >>Rob N Said >> >>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010672 >>> >>>"The dress," Flarn adds, "is whatever feels comfortable, and we >>>include that to mean whatever physical form you wish to take on. In >>>every respect we already foresee this to be an unusual service, >>>thus do not think there are any cultural roles you must adhere to >>>except those that bring you comfort." >> >>Rob takes pen and paper, and draws something, then borrows some >>crayons from another patron to color it. The result is obviously a >>heraldic symbol, but nobody recognizes it. >> >>He then pins the symbol to his shirt. >> >>>"It's going to be something of a mix of human and Minbari >>>practices," Mike explains, "On Babylon 5, with food and drink, >>>dancing and the general mayhem that accompany any really good trip >>>to the Place and to the B5 station. And don't worry about panicking >>>the locals, it will be taken care of." >>> >>>"But first, as is custom, a toast," Flarn says, "To marriage." >> >>Rob tosses a few coins to Tom Hauptman, who throws back an empty >>glass for deep-sixing in the fireplace. "To marriage!" >> >>>Glasses sail into the fireplace, first from the happy couple, then >>>from everywhere else. >>> >>>"Now," Mike says as they both head back to their table, "When's >>>good for everyone?" >> >>Rob doesn't answer, turning his attention to the mugs of ginger ale >>that are waiting for him. [She said she'd check on what was >>happening periodically, so I just have to wait until...] His train >>of thought stops. >> >>@ Zia, I need some help...I'd like to borrow an outfit suitable for >>a wedding, and a suggestion on who could help out with some Power >>Shopping. I don't have anything suitable for a wedding present at >>the moment... @ > >@Wedding -? Oh! Mike and Flarn. I just heard from another source. >Sure, Rob. If you want the Amber Royal Expert on Shadow Shopping, I'm >your girl. Here let me give you a lift, and we'll see what the >universes offer...@ > >>Abruptly, he vanishes in a swirl of rainbows. Roughly two hours >>later, he re-appears in another flash of polychromatic light, this >>time wearing a green shirt, black slacks, and a light-blue tie. One >>hand holds a bag made of purple ripstop nylon, the other balances >>two boxes, one wrapped in three shades of blue paper, and the other >>in blue and white. >> >>"Sorry to hold things up," he says with a smile. "I can't skip >>around time, so I have to do what I can." > >There is another shining gleam of polychromatic light, as Ziactrice >steps through. She isn't in her customary black and silver; instead, >she is in the Galactic Patrol's black and silver uniform, although >her Lens is still up her sleeve rather than openly displayed. >'Perhaps some of the Bad Guys are still a little confused.' She >grins, 'Not that I'd blame them. An Amberite on the side of >Civilization other than Amber herself is somewhat bizarre.' "And here I thought that that Amber was civilized," Rob jibes. >She carries a small package of her own, wrapped in black and silver. >"Who is deputized to handle the gift book and table at the wedding?" >She asks Rob, hanging back a little, since it has been some time >since she was on close terms with the other CAoL. "I don't think they've worked that out yet. Time travel, where the last minute can take six months..." ================================= [Ed. Note: I've moved post 10683 and it's responses to part 2, since they all occur after the wedding.] Subject: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 Michael Seven and his family excuse themselves as the appointed hour approaches and an X-window opens, leading from the Place to the observation deck of Babylon 5, where a small, yet diverse group have gathered. Two technomages in the garb of their order, Elric and Galen, stand next to the Seventh Doctor and Ace, the former dressed in his usual attire, the latter in a Matrix-esque black PVC-like costume. Michael Seven stands dressed in a white robe with the hood up next to the half-human Delenn, similarly attired, and Captain Lochley in official uniform. Gary Seven and Roberta sit in the front row of seats, next to Molly and Tiara, all four dressed in formal attire, except for Gary, who wears a grey leather motorcycle-like uniform, a Lens of Arrisia on his left wrist. In his lap is Isis, curled up into her cat form. Pyewackett is curled up in Roberta's lap. To the side of the audience area are a piano, cello and flute. At the piano is Tinkerbell in a white formal dress, who's grown a bit, but still looks about twelve. Melissa sits with the cello neck resting on her shoulder in a white pants suit. Grep has the flute resting in her lap, wearing a strikingly flattering white gown. There's a dancefloor sectioned off and a lavish table catered by the station's food services. No bar. As the X-window leads to the best bar in the multiverse, there's no need. The date above the X-window gives the coordinates of the place, the date is September 21st, 2263. Those travelling under their own power are met and cleared outside the dimensional barrier by a hologram of Michael Seven before passing through. No dimensional gatecrashing here. Those coming through from the Place don't get this check, but the process is kept friendly and anyone Mike knows receives the cryptic but friendly explanation, "Sorry about that, just testing something I got an idea for while visiting Roland once upon a time." Additionally to the above, for those travelling by ship, C & C is remarkably blase about the gathering. Walking through the station also may draw a few glances, but no outright stares and nothing impolite in treatment. The populous seems remarkably unmoved, moreso than even those used to seeing a variety of aliens every day, as some of the Army of Light would still be considered beings of myth and legend by these beings. As Michael Seven said, "Come as you are most comfortable, reactions will be handled." As everyone enters and is seated, the music from the trio of blondes is kept light and airy. Once the seating has been taken care of, the wedding march plays and the young five year old Anna comes down the aisle, dressed in white and sprinkling the path to the 'altar' with rose petals. She takes a seat next to Molly and Tiara. Then President Sheridan escorts Flarn down the aisle, she's dressed in a white robe like Michael Seven's and Delenn's, Sheridan wearing his old Army of Light uniform. "Looks like a lovely ceremony, not sure why you wanted Delenn and I here, though," Sheridan confided to Flarn as they slowly made their way down the path. Flarn's lips curled up in a smile, her eyes hidden by her hood. "Let us just say I never got to know my father, and I think many on this station, during the war, looked to you as a father-figure." Sheridan nods, "I think some of them got the idea I was the Second Coming more than a mere father figure. So I'm a stand in." Flarn's lips twitch upward a bit higher, but she was in front of Mike before she could answer the question. He started to sit down, but Flarn said quietly, "If you would, Mr. President, we'd ask you to stand by your wife." Sheridan shrugged, glancing at Delenn, who did likewise, and did so, taking a spot behind Delenn. Delenn began the ceremony simply. "As this attempts to follow both some Minbari traditions and human ones, this ceremony has been modified to be part Rebirth ceremony and part wedding ceremony. It is traditional in the Rebirth Ceremony to tell someone something you have never told anyone before, symbolic of shedding your old life. The couple have asked to do that here, before us all. The groom will go first." Mike turned to the Callahanians, "I worked for the Time Lords for two-hundred and fifty years, as two people. One you know as me, the other as Mahloy, my clone. I almost worked for them again when they captured Voyd. I cumulatively have Mahloy's and Voyd's memories and spirits within me. Five hundred years total of experience working at Rassilon and the High Council's bidding. In that time, I learned a name and a planet. Gharlane of Eddore. He was the overseer of Rassilon. "Over the last few months, I tracked him down, finding him on his home planet. Under their shields I looked at every mind on that planet and throughout the system. Then I set the Validium statue and the Hand of Omega on them. The Hand took out their sun, and the statue ensured they couldn't move their planets in time, not through space, time, or dimension. "I found utterly nothing of redemption in their minds, yet I am still appalled at myself for having done it. I did this in my own name, no one else's ever even entered my mind nor was uttered. Had there been anyone who would have not started their society back up, as perverse as before if not worse, I wouldn't have taken such drastic action. It's the worst act I've ever done, even looking back at what I've done for the Time Lords. I'm shedding that secret now, I don't want to start my new life holding onto it." As Mike lowered his hood and turned to Flarn, Delenn seemed at a loss. The Doctor said quietly, "I believe it's the bride's turn." Delenn nodded, and Flarn turned to her and Sheridan. "During the Vorlon-Shadow war, it was felt by the Vorlons that, should something happen to the two of you, that someone be available to step in to take your place. You both once shared a meal of Flarn, from which Kosh found genetic samples of you both, which found their way into the right mix of chemicals so that he could manipulate them. The result stands before you here. My name is Flarn, I am your daughter. Now that the war is over and the Shadows and Vorlons have left, I shed that secret, as I do not want to start my new life holding on to it." Flarn dropped her hood to reveal her bone crest and long tresses. Delenn was truly flustered now, Sheridan's mouth agape. Lochley was looking between the two half-minbari confusedly. "Certainly a night for surprizes," Galen mused, rolling his eyes. Delenn recovered enough to move on with the ceremony, "Now, as Valen asked the nine, ask each other, 'Will you follow me into fire, into storm, into death?'" Michael and Flarn repeated the line together, then said "Yes." There was silence, then Lochley came to herself and stepped forward, "Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish each other, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?" Both answered, "I do." Delenn stepped forward holding a red fruit, which Michael and Flarn took a bite of in turn. Delenn then said, "From birth, through death and renewal, you must put aside old things, old fears, old lives, this is your death, the death of flesh, the death of pain, the death of yesterday. Taste of it, and be not afraid, for I am with you to the end of time. Taste of it. And so it begins." Delenn stepped back and Lochley stepped forward, "The rings please." Anna hopped up and took up a pillow with a pair of gold rings on top. Mike took one and Flarn the other. They put the rings on each other's fingers. Lochley continued, "By the power vested in my by the Earth Alliance as Captain of Babylon 5, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." This the couple did quite happily as the rest of the group applauded. After that came the first dance, a waltz for the new husband and wife, then a big band number as Michael danced with his mother and Sheridan danced with his newly discovered daughter, a small cone of privacy surrepticiously cast by Elric. From there the party broke out in earnest both in the Place and on the station. After about an hour, the newlyweds left saying they were taking a couple years for a honeymoon and they'd be back in a week. After another hour, the observation deck was cleared out for the next engagement, the natives of that universe staying behind, along with the Doctor and Ace and the rest of the Sevens, who made sure everyone cleared their vessels out of that universe as "the field was going to wear off soon" and they didn't want to start an incident. The party solely at the Place now, Q and the fifteen year old Tink sat at a table. "So, Q, enjoy the wedding?" Tink asked. "No. This just proved we were right to start watching your family," He pointed a finger at her, "In the entire multiverse, there are only a handful of alternates for your 'grandfather,' each vastly different from all the others. One's a human raised by Predators, another's a D'ni, another is the brother of Kal-El." "Grumpa's alternate is Superman's brother?!" Q shrugged, "With a yellow Oan power ring no less, personally, I think it made it easier to 'explain' why the constructs didn't like yellow." "Not that it's important," Q went on, "The important thing is that none are predictable, we can't just hop a universe over, see what he does, then decide how to handle him. And among all of them, he is the most powerful. He's the only one to create a lifeform unique throughout the multiverse, of which there are only two, your mothers, one of who's offspring is his equal, you. You three exist nowhere else in the multiverse, in no other realities." Tink frowned, "I'm not sure I get your point." Q sighed, "Your father is as close to a Q as any human has ever come on his own, with his own hands. You've got the potential to match, if not surpass him and be a Q-like being yourself, if you desired it. But I don't think you do, not in ways that would worry the Continuum." "However," Q continued, looking deadly serious, "your grandad has gone and done it again, hasn't he? And this one's better than him and you both put together." Tink's face darkened, "You leave David out of this." Q held up his hands, "Now now, we're not doing anything to David. But we have searched the multiverse high and low and have only turned up ONE alternate to him. And that one makes us worry a great deal about how yours will turn out." Tink shook her head, "David's got something this other one doesn't." "Oh yeah, what?" Tink gestured all around her. "All this. He'll do us proud, that's for sure. Whether the Continuum will like it, I don't particularly care." "Let's hope you're right." Q said and vanished. The fifteen year old Tink sighed, "Oh Q?" Q reappeared, looking irritated, "Yes?" "You still owe me a ride home." Q rolled his eyes and the pair vanished. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 23:30:29 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010685 >On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 >The date above the X-window gives the coordinates of the place, the >date is September 21st, 2263. Those travelling under their own power >are met and cleared outside the dimensional barrier by a hologram of >Michael Seven before passing through. No dimensional gatecrashing >here. Those coming through from the Place don't get this check, but >the process is kept friendly and anyone Mike knows receives the >cryptic but friendly explanation, "Sorry about that, just testing >something I got an idea for while visiting Roland once upon a time." Roland, dressed in a muted-color version of his own wedding garb (which must now be his dress uniform), chuckles at the "sight" of the defenses as he and Morgan arrive through the X-Window. "While visiting, huh? Wish we'd had one of those for _our_ wedding." ^Should we tell them about the Hypertime line where Oberon teleported Driss into that swamp on Krull? And didn't let him out until after the vows?^ ^I don't think that's appropriate for the moment, dear,^ Morgan sent with a smile in her "voice." The druidess has chosen to dress "retro" -- for current Earth-9. She's wearing a _deep_ emerald green silk evening gown appropriate to the 1930s. Or to be more accurate, a 30s movie where the "dame" is a "knockout." >As everyone enters and is seated, the music from the trio of blondes >is kept light and airy. Roland waves in a friendly manner to the twins (Mike's, silly, not his own) and Tink, more stress-free than he's been in quite some time. It's not every day one of your best friends gets married, after all. 8^) Soon after, Morgan (and Roland after her) starts dispensing hugs to old friends that they haven't seen in far too long. >Then President Sheridan escorts Flarn down the aisle, she's dressed >in a white robe like Michael Seven's and Delenn's, Sheridan wearing >his old Army of Light uniform. /Well, now we know _which_ B-5 we're on,/ Roland comments quietly to his beloved. /Or at least it narrows down the possibilities./ /Touche./ >"Over the last few months, I tracked (Gharlane) down, finding him on >his home planet. Under their shields I looked at every mind on that >planet and throughout the system. Then I set the Validium statue and >the Hand of Omega on them. The Hand took out their sun, and the >statue ensured they couldn't move their planets in time, not through >space, time, or dimension. Roland shudders, surprised, and his face is grim...but oddly, his only overt response is to nod to himself. >"I found utterly nothing of redemption in their minds, yet I am still >appalled at myself for having done it. I did this in my own name, no >one else's ever even entered my mind nor was uttered. Had there been >anyone who would have not started their society back up, as perverse >as before if not worse, I wouldn't have taken such drastic action. >It's the worst act I've ever done, even looking back at what I've >done for the Time Lords. I'm shedding that secret now, I don't want >to start my new life holding onto it." [Bravo.] >Flarn dropped her hood to reveal her bone crest and long tresses. >Delenn was truly flustered now, Sheridan's mouth agape. Lochley was >looking between the two half-minbari confusedly. Roland and Morgan stare in shock for a moment as well. Then Morgan chuckles. *The Universe works in mysterious ways.* >"Certainly a night for surprizes," Galen mused, rolling his eyes. > >Delenn recovered enough to move on with the ceremony, "Now, as Valen >asked the nine, ask each other, 'Will you follow me into fire, into >storm, into death?'" > >Michael and Flarn repeated the line together, then said "Yes." ^Yes,^ Roland and Morgan agree, hands tightly clasped. >There was silence, then Lochley came to herself and stepped forward, >"Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish each other, in sickness >and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?" > >Both answered, "I do." ^I do,^ the Freelance Immortals send privately, heads leaning against each other in happy empathy with the lucky couple. >Lochley continued, "By the power vested in my by the Earth Alliance >as Captain of Babylon 5, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may >kiss the bride." > >This the couple did quite happily as the rest of the group applauded. "WOO-HOO!" Roland shouts as he claps enthusiastically. "Woo...hoo?" Morgan says sotto vocce. A peanut teleports in from the Place and bounces off her head. (OOC: P.S. -- We did NOT plan that. I [Roland] wrote the first line, and Morgan ran with it shamelessly...) > From there the party broke out in earnest both in the Place and on >the station. Roland and Morgan leave a nicely gift-wrapped box on the present table (if there isn't one, Morgan "rings" one up 8^). What do you get the Time Lord/Technomage who has everything? Something to put it in. But he already has a TARDIS, you say? But he already has a TARDIS. (Roland gets smacked with about a million peanuts. "Wiseass," Morgan says in an impressive impersonation of the gorilla from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".) Ah, but will a TARDIS fit in your pocket? No, but a hypercube will! Take two, they're small. ;^) Bloody useful things. Roland has his entire garage in his -- and considering that includes several mecha, that's saying something. Oh, and there's a toaster in there, too. It makes good toast. It has a tag on it: "Once is a tradition. Twice is a sacred tradition. Three times is a sacred tradition whose origins are lost in the mists of antiquity. Pass it on." :-) During the party (and Roland _does_ spend some time enjoying the party), Roland finds an opportunity to sidle up to Mike. After offering the obligatory (but entirely sincere) congratulations... ^If you want to talk about it, Mike, now or later, you know where to find me.^ > After about an hour, the newlyweds left saying they were taking >a couple years for a honeymoon and they'd be back in a week. Roland grinned. "Ah, the joys of dimension travel...have fun!" Morgan sends privately to Roland, ^I'm _so_ tempted to say, 'don't do anything we wouldn't do.'^ ^I almost said it myself -- but what wouldn't we do?^ She look extremely thoughtful for almost a full minute. ^Not have fun.^ ^Yes, I believe I covered that,^ Roland notes dryly. >"In the entire multiverse, there are only a handful of alternates for >your 'grandfather,' each vastly different from all the others. One's >a human raised by Predators, another's a D'ni, another is the brother >of Kal-El." > >"Grumpa's alternate is Superman's brother?!" (OOC: Oh, Mon... ;^) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 02:54:44 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010686 >On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 > >To the side of the audience area are a piano, cello and flute. At the >piano is Tinkerbell in a white formal dress, who's grown a bit, but >still looks about twelve. Melissa sits with the cello neck resting on >her shoulder in a white pants suit. Grep has the flute resting in her >lap, wearing a strikingly flattering white gown. Just so long as they don't play Pachelbel's "Canon"... A lovely song, but I burned out on that one in high school. The cello part in the arrangement we had consisted of two measures, repeated 68 times or thereabouts. One of the few times I honestly regretted not being a violinist. _Most_ of the time, cello parts are interesting, even fun, but not that one! As a side note (as it were ) I actually play two of the three instruments mentioned, as do my mother and aunt. I'm the only one of us that plays cello, though. My mom used to be able to coax a little out of stringed instruments, but she's a woodwind player by preference, so stringed instrument fingering seems backwards to her. Fair enough, I suppose...adding fingers to _lower_ a pitch seems backwards to _me_! >As everyone enters and is seated, the music from the trio of blondes >is kept light and airy. Once the seating has been taken care of, the >wedding march plays and the young five year old Anna comes down the >aisle, dressed in white and sprinkling the path to the 'altar' with >rose petals. She takes a seat next to Molly and Tiara. Harlock sighs from his place in the audience. ['Twould be ever so much grander a march were it sounded on an organ, but...had they wished it, they could have arranged it, methinks. And it is fun, being one of the audience, rather than the help, for once.] >Then President Sheridan escorts Flarn down the aisle, she's dressed >in a white robe like Michael Seven's and Delenn's, Sheridan wearing >his old Army of Light uniform. [Odd sort of hood on the...gown? Robe? Ah, well, I suppose it serves much the same function as a veil.] >Delenn began the ceremony simply. "As this attempts to follow both >some Minbari traditions and human ones, this ceremony has been >modified to be part Rebirth ceremony and part wedding ceremony. It is >traditional in the Rebirth Ceremony to tell someone something you >have never told anyone before, symbolic of shedding your old life. >The couple have asked to do that here, before us all. The groom will >go first." [Oooh! Oghma is going to love this! Cultural detail on an alien culture _and_ a future/alternate human culture.] The Bard sits up just a bit straighter, the better to watch the unfolding ceremony. >Mike turned to the Callahanians, "I worked for the Time Lords for >two-hundred and fifty years, as two people. One you know as me, the >other as Mahloy, my clone. I almost worked for them again when they >captured Voyd. I cumulatively have Mahloy's and Voyd's memories and >spirits within me. Five hundred years total of experience working at >Rassilon and the High Council's bidding. In that time, I learned a >name and a planet. Gharlane of Eddore. He was the overseer of >Rassilon. Harlock shudders at Michael's tale. >Delenn recovered enough to move on with the ceremony, "Now, as Valen >asked the nine, ask each other, 'Will you follow me into fire, into >storm, into death?'" > >Michael and Flarn repeated the line together, then said "Yes." [Oooh. Poetic. I like that much more than the usual human nonsense.] >There was silence, then Lochley came to herself and stepped forward, >"Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish each other, in sickness >and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?" > >Both answered, "I do." [Love, honor, and cherish? For both of them? I thought it was love, honor, and obey for the woman and just love and honor for the man. Huh. Altogether an improvement, methinks. I know I would not want such a docile woman as would accept the marriage oath I remember.] >Delenn stepped forward holding a red fruit, which Michael and Flarn >took a bite of in turn. Delenn then said, "From birth, through death >and renewal, you must put aside old things, old fears, old lives, >this is your death, the death of flesh, the death of pain, the death >of yesterday. Taste of it, and be not afraid, for I am with you to >the end of time. Taste of it. And so it begins." [I must remember to speak with that one after the ceremony. Such a wealth of information I could reap!] >Delenn stepped back and Lochley stepped forward, "The rings please." >Anna hopped up and took up a pillow with a pair of gold rings on top. >Mike took one and Flarn the other. They put the rings on each other's >fingers. > >Lochley continued, "By the power vested in my by the Earth Alliance >as Captain of Babylon 5, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may >kiss the bride." > >This the couple did quite happily as the rest of the group applauded. Harlock looks startled. [I did not know it was customary to applaud at weddings. Must be one of those cultural details I missed.] >From there the party broke out in earnest both in the Place and on >the station. After about an hour, the newlyweds left saying they were >taking a couple years for a honeymoon and they'd be back in a week. Back at the Place, the Bard gleefully joins in the music, pulling instruments out of his pouches as needed. By the end of the dance set, the instruments that he hasn't had time to stuff back in their pouches have piled up to the seat of his chair...on all four sides. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 11:21:02 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010688 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 > >Michael Seven and his family excuse themselves as the appointed hour >approaches and an X-window opens, leading from the Place to the >observation deck of Babylon 5, where a small, yet diverse group have >gathered. Two technomages in the garb of their order, Elric and >Galen, stand next to the Seventh Doctor and Ace, the former dressed >in his usual attire, the latter in a Matrix-esque black PVC-like >costume. > >Michael Seven stands dressed in a white robe with the hood up next to >the half-human Delenn, similarly attired, and Captain Lochley in >official uniform. Gary Seven and Roberta sit in the front row of >seats, next to Molly and Tiara, all four dressed in formal attire, >except for Gary, who wears a grey leather motorcycle-like uniform, a >Lens of Arisia on his left wrist. In his lap is Isis, curled up into >her cat form. Pyewackett is curled up in Roberta's lap. Rob takes a seat in the back, where he can gawk. [I must be stopping in the wrong universes. I've never seen anything like this place, fact or fiction.] >Then President Sheridan escorts Flarn down the aisle, she's dressed >in a white robe like Michael Seven's and Delenn's, Sheridan wearing >his old Army of Light uniform. [?!] Rob doesn't double-take, but his surprise is evident. [That must have an interesting tale behind it.] >"I found utterly nothing of redemption in their minds, yet I am still >appalled at myself for having done it. I did this in my own name, no >one else's ever even entered my mind nor was uttered. Had there been >anyone who would have not started their society back up, as perverse >as before if not worse, I wouldn't have taken such drastic action. >It's the worst act I've ever done, even looking back at what I've >done for the Time Lords. I'm shedding that secret now, I don't want >to start my new life holding onto it." [Ghidrah's heart. A race so...set to evil, that none of them could be redeemed?] Rob turned his thoughts inward, trying to comprehend such a thing. >Flarn dropped her hood to reveal her bone crest and long tresses. >Delenn was truly flustered now, Sheridan's mouth agape. Lochley was >looking between the two half-minbari confusedly. > >"Certainly a night for surprizes," Galen mused, rolling his eyes. [I'm definitely going to have to ask a few questions about this. Judging by the reactions, humans and minbari aren't supposed to be genetically compatible.] >Lochley continued, "By the power vested in my by the Earth Alliance >as Captain of Babylon 5, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may >kiss the bride." > >This the couple did quite happily as the rest of the group applauded. [Who came up with the myth that only women cry at weddings?] >After that came the first dance, a waltz for the new husband and >wife, then a big band number as Michael danced with his mother and >Sheridan danced with his newly discovered daughter, a small cone of >privacy surreptitiously cast by Elric. During this time, Rob adds Zia's present and his to the pile. Rob's largest present is a series of paintings of the New York skyline. The oldest one is painted in 1943. Three more follow, one every ten years. The artist's signature reads "A. Hitler." The next largest contains a hand-compiled recipe book. The list is eclectic, and has substitutions listed, in case the cook is out of salted kethna or pundi rice, and doesn't want to go shopping. The others contain various foods. Flavor Cubes from Longtunnel, maple ambrosia, and a basket of koomatka and flahmen are the high points. >From there the party broke out in earnest both in the Place and on >the station. After about an hour, the newlyweds left saying they were >taking a couple years for a honeymoon and they'd be back in a week. > >After another hour, the observation deck was cleared out for the next >engagement, the natives of that universe staying behind, along with >the Doctor and Ace and the rest of the Sevens, who made sure everyone >cleared their vessels out of that universe as "the field was going to >wear off soon" and they didn't want to start an incident. "I'm staying here, too," Rob said with an odd look on his face. "There's a universe here that I've never seen before. Even if all I do is read the past century of history, I want to look around for a while." Pulling a stack of forms and a clipboard from his bag, he walks down the hall, scribbling as he goes. [All this just for a visitor's pass? I'm glad I'm not trying to open a business or something.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 14:08:34 GMT, In alt.callahans Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010689 >On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 02:54:44 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Post # 00008450 >Back at the Place, the Bard gleefully joins in the music, pulling >instruments out of his pouches as needed. By the end of the dance >set, the instruments that he hasn't had time to stuff back in their >pouches have piled up to the seat of his chair...on all four sides. A dainty hand picks up the flute the Bard had left at his side, and Ziactrice raises a mischievious eyebrow at him before skirling it up into a high, merry dance tune as she stands at his side, tapping one booted foot. She obviously just came from the wedding, since she is still in full Galactic Patrol dress black and silver uniform. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 15:39:53 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00010690 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 > >Additionally to the above, for those travelling by ship, C & C is >remarkably blase about the gathering. Walking through the station >also may draw a few glances, but no outright stares and nothing >impolite in treatment. The populous seems remarkably unmoved, moreso >than even those used to seeing a variety of aliens every day, as some >of the Army of Light would still be considered beings of myth and >legend by these beings. > >As Michael Seven said, "Come as you are most comfortable, reactions >will be handled." The Stardragon in the form of a small child, Oracle in the form of an old man with a long white beard (think Gandalf), and Aurora and Hydra taking shape as sparks of light, appear just outside the wedding hall. Taking seats at the back of the hall, Oracle and The Stardragon "make themselves comfortable". >"I found utterly nothing of redemption in their minds, yet I am still >appalled at myself for having done it. I did this in my own name, no >one else's ever even entered my mind nor was uttered. Had there been >anyone who would have not started their society back up, as perverse >as before if not worse, I wouldn't have taken such drastic action. >It's the worst act I've ever done, even looking back at what I've >done for the Time Lords. I'm shedding that secret now, I don't want >to start my new life holding onto it." Oracle looks at Hydra ^He does not know. Destroying their sun and preventing them from leaving will only slow them. It will not stop them. They cannot be slain by physical means. Not even by freezing them. Hydra will you take a few of our people and finish the job?^ ^Of course. As soon as this ceremony is finished.^ Hydra responds. Then Oracle "speaks" to Aurora. ^You see why these people are so important. The greatest thing he could for all that live in the Macro Cosmic All, and because he thinks that he killed millions he feels that it is the worst thing he has ever done.^ ^Oracle, you and your -vision-! Of course I see. This is the trait that draws The Stardragon to them. But I agree with Mike. It may have been the BEST thing he could do for all, but it was also the WORST thing that he could ever do. Basically they all, Roland, Morgan, Mike, the Dragon, the bard, the Amberite... all of them fear the possiblity that once having committed, what they consider, an attrocity that the NEXT time it will be easier for them. That they will take that road BEFORE it become necessary. That one day they will kill as casually as they breathe. And -I- cannot tell them that they are wrong. Can you?^ She answers. Oracle smiles and replies, ^No, even I cannot deny that truth. But the efforts that they put into making sure that they DON'T do it again, unless it is absolutely necessary, is what makes them what they are, "The Callahanian Army of Light".^ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Sun, 20 Jan 2002 00:44:44 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010691 >On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 14:08:34 GMT, In alt.callahans >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010689 > >A dainty hand picks up the flute the Bard had left at his side, and >Ziactrice raises a mischievious eyebrow at him before skirling it up >into a high, merry dance tune as she stands at his side, tapping one >booted foot. She obviously just came from the wedding, since she is >still in full Galactic Patrol dress black and silver uniform. Harlock grins at Ziactrice and switches from mandolin to fiddle between one measure and the next. As he improvises around the Amberite's theme, his eyes twinkle as he says "I would join in the dancing, but for that I need a partner, and methinks ye need the breath for playing." The gauntlet has been cast... ;) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 05:02:20 GMT, In alt.callahans Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010697 >On Sun, 20 Jan 2002 00:44:44 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Post # 00008454 > >Harlock grins at Ziactrice and switches from mandolin to fiddle >between one measure and the next. As he improvises around the >Amberite's theme, his eyes twinkle as he says "I would join in the >dancing, but for that I need a partner, and methinks ye need the >breath for playing." > >The gauntlet has been cast... ;) Zia's eyes glint at the Bard, and due to the magic of the Place, just then someone comes up who is also a flutist. She hands off her instrument once the melody line is wrapped up. With a grin, she curtseys smoothly. "Let not a need for breath disturb the desire for merriment, if ever ye wish to be a bard, they say." She offers her hand if Harlock truly wants to jig for a bit. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 19:42:20 +0000 Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00010699 ((using this aptly suited need to plunge myself once more into the breach, forgiveness.)) In one of the not as busy corners of the Place, An x-window briefly opens, hen closes, being in exsistance only long enough for a young man of about 16 to step through. He is dressed in what one would consider peasant garb, late middle ages, except, it's unused. Peasents garb from the point of view of royalty, unstained, not worn very much. And very much ill-fitting on this lad, who holds himself with a slightly upturned face, a straightness of back that implies nobility. He appears to have just finsihed speaking taking a moment to catch his breath. His eyes are a bright, inquisitive blue. shing with cuiosity. His blonde hair has been dyed, poorly, to something slightly darker. He is not skinyn, but not plump either, a certain broadness of the shoulders that implies much physical acumen. Floating about his head, gently on the air waves, is a small red spark, whose shine neither dulls nor brightens in color. He speaks, his voice faintly accented in french, a slight distortion to his speech, as if what he's saying and what one hears are not quite the same language. "Max? Did it work?" There is a faint buzzing from the spark of light, and the boy nods happily. "Father will be upset when he finds me missing...It's good we're far enough away it doesn't matter." He begins to slowly get into the mood of the Place, mingling, not really talking to people, but enjoying himself nonetheless. Thus he is in perfect position when Zia and Harlock encounter thier small problem. >Zia's eyes glint at the Bard, and due to the magic of the Place, just >then someone comes up who is also a flutist. The boy approaches the duo, smiling faintly. "May i be of some assisstance? I am quite good with the flute.... >She hands off her instrument once the melody line is wrapped up. With >a grin, she curtseys smoothly. > >"Let not a need for breath disturb the desire for merriment, if ever >ye wish to be a bard, they say." > >She offers her hand if Harlock truly wants to jig for a bit. He smiles and nods at the pair, raising the instrument to his lips to begin playing a light airy melody of yore, a tune to set toes to tapping and folk to dancing. As he plays, a soft accompaniment, soemthign like a rather on key hum, manifests itself from the vicinity of the spark. Prince Joshua Mantrell, Heir Apparent, Apprentice to Her Majesty's Wizard and Max ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:31:55 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010701 >On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 11:21:02 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010688 > >[I'm definitely going to have to ask a few questions about this. >Judging by the reactions, humans and minbari aren't supposed to be >genetically compatible.] Rob will probably find out, depending on who he's asking, that it is essentially some sort of genetic engineering taken on by Delenn. The details of which, mostly are either unknown, or kept secret by Delenn herself. Rumor being what it is, suggests that she was in some sort of cocoon, but the actual truth (that she was in some sort of cocoon) isn't public knowledge. That Delenn and John have a baby named David is known, however, and is a matter of some interest, though the Sheridans keep their son well out of the spotlight and are hesitant to even discuss the matter. >During this time, Rob adds Zia's present and his to the pile. Rob's >largest present is a series of paintings of the New York skyline. The >oldest one is painted in 1943. Three more follow, one every ten >years. > >The artist's signature reads "A. Hitler." Mike blinks, /My, Rob, I think I know just the place to hang these, around a first edition copy of Mein Kampf, as a reminder that not every universe follows the same patterns./ >The next largest contains a hand-compiled recipe book. The list is >eclectic, and has substitutions listed, in case the cook is out of >salted kethna or pundi rice, and doesn't want to go shopping. > >The others contain various foods. Flavor Cubes from Longtunnel, maple >ambrosia, and a basket of koomatka and flahmen are the high points. Mike blinked again, /Oh, this is amazing. I don't know how you concluded I like to cook, but you concluded correctly. These should prove very interesting. I've not heard of a single one of these foods, nor many of these ingredients. Hope you added an appendix with directions to replenish my stores./ >"I'm staying here, too," Rob said with an odd look on his face. >"There's a universe here that I've never seen before. Even if all I >do is read the past century of history, I want to look around for a >while." Tink looks sad, "Oh, Rob, I'm sorry, but we're trying very hard to make this whole event look like an episode of an alternate-earth video program Mom's been writing. Grandmother has her duties as a ranger to fulfill, her presense, though revealed to her parents and Lochley, is still a closely guarded secret. On top of that, while they know dimensional travel's possible here, it's not by anyone currently living 'beyond the rim', in other words the ancient races born millenia ago and who've just left very recently. They don't even know about the technomages having popped back for this wedding nor where they are currently living and we need to keep that secret, too. But I know how you feel, I'd want to look around too. Let me take you a universe over to a more mainline Babylon 5, the story's almost the same, just not polluted by our family's involvement." Presuming Rob doesn't mind the slight diversion to a 'more or less mainstream B5', Tink will come along for as long as Rob feels the desire for company, leaving him on his own if he wishes, or taking him back to the Place before departing to do 'homework'. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:32:00 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010702 >On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 02:54:44 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010686 > >[I must remember to speak with that one (Delenn) after the ceremony. >Such a wealth of information I could reap!] Delenn's information follows the mainline Babylon 5 story to a tee. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:32:03 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010703 >On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 23:30:29 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00010685 > >>On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 > > Oh, and there's a toaster in there, too. It makes good toast. > >It has a tag on it: "Once is a tradition. Twice is a sacred >tradition. Three times is a sacred tradition whose origins are lost >in the mists of antiquity. Pass it on." :-) As is custom in at least some weddings, certainly the ones Michael has attended, it is customary to open gifts there at the reception. While Michael personally, as an attendant, finds this one of the most annoying and mind-bogglingly dull aspects of attending a wedding, his ability to perceive the objects beneath their wrappings and share that with those in attendance (those interested, that is) makes the process far less painful. /Wonderful, thank you both, I'm sure we'll get a lot of use out of them./ > During the party (and Roland _does_ spend some time enjoying the >party), Roland finds an opportunity to sidle up to Mike. After >offering the obligatory (but entirely sincere) congratulations... > ^If you want to talk about it, Mike, now or later, you know where >to find me.^ ^Thank you, Roland, even if I never take you up on it, the offer alone is more valuable than you can imagine. And I'm sure you can imagine quite a bit.^ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 19:58:20 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010704 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010701 > >>On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 11:21:02 -0800 (PST) >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00010688 >> >>During this time, Rob adds Zia's present and his to the pile. Rob's >>largest present is a series of paintings of the New York skyline. >>The oldest one is painted in 1943. Three more follow, one every ten >>years. >> >>The artist's signature reads "A. Hitler." > > Mike blinks, /My, Rob, I think I know just the place to hang >these, around a first edition copy of Mein Kampf, as a reminder that >not every universe follows the same patterns./ /I ran across those as I was shopping for the ingredients. I don't know if those are especially rare, but they are beautiful./ >>The next largest contains a hand-compiled recipe book. The list is >>eclectic, and has substitutions listed, in case the cook is out of >>salted kethna or pundi rice, and doesn't want to go shopping. >> >>The others contain various foods. Flavor Cubes from Longtunnel, >>maple ambrosia, and a basket of koomatka and flahmen are the high >>points. > > Mike blinked again, /Oh, this is amazing. I don't know how you >concluded I like to cook, but you concluded correctly./ /Ummm...err...I didn't. I wanted to give something with my own personality to it, and I like to cook./ >/These should prove very interesting. I've not heard of a single one >of these foods, nor many of these ingredients. Hope you added >an appendix with directions to replenish my stores./ /The recipes have substitutions for a reason. As for the appendix, it's being compiled,/ Rob answered. Opening the bag he stashed under a side table, he looked at a small box. "Ha! It's done." Pulling a small plastic chip from the box, he handed it to Mike. "They only format these for Game Boy Color, but it's compatible with the Advance and Ultra. I would have preferred something you could use directly, but the people who made this said that TARDIS interfaces were not common information, and that getting trans-fictonal spatio-temporal co-ordinates in a TARDIS-compatible format was going to be enough of a trick." >>"I'm staying here, too," Rob said with an odd look on his face. >>"There's a universe here that I've never seen before. Even if all I >>do is read the past century of history, I want to look around for a >>while." > > Tink looks sad, "Oh, Rob, I'm sorry, but we're trying very hard >to make this whole event look like an episode of an alternate-earth >video program Mom's been writing. Grandmother has her duties as a >ranger to fulfill, her presence, though revealed to her parents and >Lochley, is still a closely guarded secret." Rob looks crestfallen. "In other words, dangerous to others. All right." >"On top of that, while they know dimensional travel's possible here, >it's not by anyone currently living 'beyond the rim', in other words >the ancient races born millenia ago and who've just left very >recently." "No 'colonies destroyed by pirates' to use as a cover, then?" >"They don't even know about the technomages having popped back for >this wedding nor where they are currently living and we need to keep >that secret, too. But I know how you feel, I'd want to look around >too." > >"Let me take you a universe over to a more mainline Babylon 5, the >story's almost the same, just not polluted by our family's >involvement." "I'd appreciate that." Shoving the visitor's pass application forms in his bag, he smiles at Tink. "Lead the way." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 22:51:19 -0600 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010705 >On Thu, 3 Jan 2002, Mike Knight Said >>Roland X Said >>>Mike Knight Said >> >> Roland concentrates for about half a second, and his clothes >>shift to a variant of his own wedding garb, but in muted colors so >>as not to stand out as much. ... And these were? IYDMMA, of course >>>"Its going to be something of a mix of human and Minbari >>>practices," Mike explains, "On Babylon 5, with food and drink, >>>dancing and the general mayhem that accompany any really good trip >>>to the Place and to the B5 station. And don't worry about panicking >>>the locals, it will be taken care of." Dhyrclhanc spocks an eye-ridge at this, but decides not to push even _his_ luck. Besides it'd probably be best not to spoil the surprise. >>"All we need are the spacial/temporal coordinates," Morgan chimes >>in. Is there an echo in here? >"Well," Mike drawls, "For convenience's sake, the space-dimensional >coordinates are here. The time coordinates are whenever we decide on. >From here, we'll have an open X-window, the new coordinates displayed >for those who prefer their own methods of transport." [Ah ha] though everyone's favorite Lensdragon, finding Mike's explanation as clear as mud, but deciding not to push this either. >He smirks and adds, "And I know I'm not the only time-bender here. >It's for those who aren't or aren't in total control of it that I >bring this up." "Gotcha." said Dhyrclhanc with a wink. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 00:07:42 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010706 >On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 05:02:20 GMT, In alt.callahans >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00010697 > >Zia's eyes glint at the Bard, and due to the magic of the Place, just >then someone comes up who is also a flutist. She hands off her >instrument once the melody line is wrapped up. With a grin, she >curtseys smoothly. > >"Let not a need for breath disturb the desire for merriment, if ever >ye wish to be a bard, they say." > >She offers her hand if Harlock truly wants to jig for a bit. The Bard cheshires, and as the new flautist takes over, he sets the fiddle down in midair. The fiddle merrily begins to play itself as Harlock expertly whirls the petite Amberite onto the dance floor. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 00:32:25 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010707 >On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:31:55 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010701 > >>During this time, Rob adds Zia's present and his to the pile. Rob's >>largest present is a series of paintings of the New York skyline. >>The oldest one is painted in 1943. Three more follow, one every ten >>years. >> >>The artist's signature reads "A. Hitler." > > Mike blinks, /My, Rob, I think I know just the place to hang >these, around a first edition copy of Mein Kampf, as a reminder that >not every universe follows the same patterns./ Harlock snaps his fingers as he looks at the growing pile. "I knew I forgot something. Michael, I do apologize for the lack of wrapping, but at least I remembered to _bring_ the gifts. First, as cadged from my boss, an unlimited multi-versal library card. It will even allow you entry into Candlekeep if you're so minded. Second, a year's supply of Luck provided by Lady Tymora. Third, a little bottle that Milady Lliira would only identify as 'the essence of joy.' And finally, a CD of romantic ballads as performed by Milil." As he speaks, the three items mentioned simply appear a little to one side of the pile. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 05:39:47 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00010708 >On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 21:31:55 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010701 > >>The next largest contains a hand-compiled recipe book. The list is >>eclectic, and has substitutions listed, in case the cook is out of >>salted kethna or pundi rice, and doesn't want to go shopping. >> >>The others contain various foods. Flavor Cubes from Longtunnel, >>maple ambrosia, and a basket of koomatka and flahmen are the high >>points. > > Mike blinked again, /Oh, this is amazing. I don't know how you >concluded I like to cook, but you concluded correctly. These should >prove very interesting. I've not heard of a single one of these >foods, nor many of these ingredients. Hope you added an >appendix with directions to replenish my stores./ "You can pick up maple ambrosia on most variations on Barrayar." "A Civil Campaign" by Lois McMasters Bujold will tell you all about it. I recommend reading the entire series though. "Longtunnel" sounds familiar, but I can't place it. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Future Perfect On Sun, 27 Jan 2002 09:47:35 -0800 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010710 >On Wed, 2 Jan 2002 10:01:47 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010672 > >"But as all of you know," Mike says, "I'm a time traveller. We can >take as much time as we need and still be back before we've finished >this little speech. So, the question falls to you, our guests, 'How >much time do you need to get ready for a wedding?'" A Nemisis Split wallflower speaks " The Nemisis Core will be ready whenever the you select. She will also see to it that Lord Fuzzy Arrives at a reasonable time." >"The dress," Flarn adds, "Is whatever feels comfortable, and we >include that to mean whatever physical form you wish to take on. In >every respect we already forsee this to be an unusual service, thus >do not think there are any cultural roles you must adhere to except >those that bring you comfort." Nod >"But first, as is custom, a toast," Flarn says, "To marriage." > >Glasses sail into the fireplace, first from the happy couple, then >from everywhere else. "To Marriage" The Nemisis Split throws what appears to be a shot glass, Later after the Barrage is over, and Allowing for late entries... ;) The Shot glass pieces gather and morph, Into a mouse sized centur which starts carrying, Pieces of Glass specific to this toast into, A to scale Smithy which opens in the baseboard, Next to the Fireplace... It seems to be Tinting the glass while forging it into tiny bricks... >"Now," Mike says as they both head back to their table, "When's good >for everyone?" "It will take several weeks to complete, The manufacture of my gift." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Sun, 27 Jan 2002 11:24:23 -0800 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010712 > On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010684 > >Michael Seven stands dressed in a white robe with the hood up next to >the half-human Delenn, similarly attired, and Captain Lochley in >official uniform. Gary Seven and Roberta sit in the front row of >seats, next to Molly and Tiara, all four dressed in formal attire, >except for Gary, who wears a grey leather motorcycle-like uniform, a >Lens of Arrisia on his left wrist. In his lap is Isis, curled up into >her cat form. Pyewackett is curled up in Roberta's lap. Lord Fuzzy and The Nemisis Core Arrive in The Place. Lord Fuzzy is in human form, Wearing a Pearlescent Grey Tuxedo, Lens of the Right Wrist, and What looks like A Glowing Catseye Jasper on the Left. Lady Nemisis is in her base form, (AD&D type V Demoness) Weaing a Longish Black shirt with Silver Techno-Style Highlights. >The date above the X-window gives the coordinates of the place, the >date is September 21st, 2263. Those travelling under their own power >are met and cleared outside the dimensional barrier by a hologram of >Michael Seven before passing through. No dimensional gatecrashing >here. Those coming through from the Place don't get this check, but >the process is kept friendly and anyone Mike knows receives the >cryptic but friendly explanation, "Sorry about that, just testing >something I got an idea for while visiting Roland once upon a time." Lady Nemisis retrieves the Smithy from the wall, Leaving the baseboard undamaged. Carrying the Box with her she passes through the X-window, Depositing it with the other gifts... She finds a Seat. After stopping for a Mug of Tea, Fuzzy finally catches up on the Toast, "To Marriage" And Casually time slips the Thrown Mug, So that it arrives in the Middle of the Earlier Barrage... :) Lord Fuzzy Follows leaving a small envelope with the gifts, He seats himself next to Lady Nemisis. >"I found utterly nothing of redemption in their minds, yet I am still >appalled at myself for having done it. I did this in my own name, no >one else's ever even entered my mind nor was uttered. Had there been >anyone who would have not started their society back up, as perverse >as before if not worse, I wouldn't have taken such drastic action. >It's the worst act I've ever done, even looking back at what I've >done for the Time Lords. I'm shedding that secret now, I don't want >to start my new life holding onto it." [Lensmans Load.] :| >Flarn dropped her hood to reveal her bone crest and long tresses. >Delenn was truly flustered now, Sheridan's mouth agape. Lochley was >looking between the two half-minbari confusedly. [Suprise Daddy :) ] >Lochley continued, "By the power vested in my by the Earth Alliance >as Captain of Babylon 5, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may >kiss the bride." [Seems a Proper enough Balance. But what about "You may kiss the groom" ? ] >This the couple did quite happily as the rest of the group applauded. Fuzzy and Nemisis join in. :) Lady Nemisis's gift is revealed as, A cross between a Lego action set and a 3'd jigsaw puzzle, Showing 'The Place ' at the time of the announcement, When fully assembled a holo sequence of the Wedding Announcement plays, Within the set. All of the Pieces are Tinted Crystal made from the Toast Shards... The centur smith is an automaton able to, Find and Retrieve misplaced pieces, As well as Repair Damaged Pieces, On Command, it does not have the Potential for Volition. Lord Fuzzy's Gift simply states, "You and Yours will be retieved, In Body or Spirit as appropriate, From any Omega Event in which you find yourselves." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 09:34:58 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010713 >On Sun, 27 Jan 2002 11:24:23 -0800 >Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00010712 > >Lady Nemisis's gift is revealed as, > A cross between a Lego action set and a 3'd jigsaw puzzle, > Showing 'The Place ' at the time of the announcement, > When fully assembled a holo sequence of the Wedding Announcement >plays, > Within the set. >All of the Pieces are Tinted Crystal made from the Toast Shards... > The centur smith is an automaton able to, > Find and Retrieve misplaced pieces, > As well as Repair Damaged Pieces, > On Command, it does not have the Potential for Volition. "Thank you, Nemisis, this is wonderful." >Lord Fuzzy's Gift simply states, > "You and Yours will be retieved, > In Body or Spirit as appropriate, > From any Omega Event in which you find yourselves." Mike archs an eyebrow, "And this is always useful to have, thank you." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 09:34:56 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00010714 >On Fri, 25 Jan 2002 00:32:25 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00010707 > >Harlock snaps his fingers as he looks at the growing pile. "I knew I >forgot something. Michael, I do apologize for the lack of wrapping, >but at least I remembered to _bring_ the gifts. First, as cadged from >my boss, an unlimited multi-versal library card. It will even allow >you entry into Candlekeep if you're so minded. Second, a year's >supply of Luck provided by Lady Tymora. Third, a little bottle that >Milady Lliira would only identify as 'the essence of joy.' And >finally, a CD of romantic ballads as performed by Milil." As he >speaks, the three items mentioned simply appear a little to one side >of the pile. "Quite alright, Harlock, the thought is all that matters. I'm sure we'll enjoy all of them." Mike replies, then smirks, "In fact, if we don't, that little bottle ought to fix it." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... (Long) On Sun, 17 Mar 2002 20:41:30 -0600 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010815 >On Fri, 18 Jan 2K2, Mike Knight Said In the Place, presumably... >Michael Seven stands dressed in a white robe with the hood up next to >the half-human Delenn, similarly attired, and Captain Lochley in >official uniform. Gary Seven and Roberta sit in the front row of >seats, next to Molly and Tiara, all four dressed in formal attire, >except for Gary, who wears a grey leather motorcycle-like uniform, a >Lens of Arrisia on his left wrist. In his lap is Isis, curled up into >her cat form. Pyewackett is curled up in Roberta's lap. (OOC: As I understand it, there is an argument as to whether Gary Seven was an agent/pawn of the Time Lords, or a similar repressive but mostly benevolent extra-terrestrial regime, or the Lords of Arrissia, but here and now is neither the time or place to rehash such an argument... ;^) >The date above the X-window gives the coordinates of the place, the >date is September 21st, 2263. Dhyrclhanc, quite literally, quickly sticks his head into the Place, looks at the X-window, says a quick "Hi Mike!" to Callahan, and then quickly ducks out again. At the same time, the "Charles Xavier", Dhyrclhanc's hybrid Federation/Techno-Magic/Vorlon/Minbari/Nano- magitech Escort/Corvette/Frigate Omni-versal Travel Craft, exits an airlock from The Big Guy's Lunar Lair on the Moon of the Planet "Alfandra". Inside, a 7' tall Dhyrclhanc, dressed completely in Anla'shok robes -- save for the blue & black gel handwraps around his hands, explains to "Dharma", his own dedicated Nemisis split, whose upper half is dressed in what would pass for semi-formal wear in the 23rd century, how he'd discovered he could tie the Xavier's trans-dimensional "Rift-Drive" directly into the B5 station's Jump Gates as his hands move swiftly over his ship's holodynamic navigation controls to accomplish this very feat. >Those traveling under their own power are met and cleared outside the >dimensional barrier by a hologram of Michael Seven before passing >through. No dimensional gatecrashing here. As the aforementioned "Rift-Drive" began it's warm-up cycle, the similarly aforementioned hologram of the ex-Time Lord and Vorlon agent appears on the command deck of the Xavier. (insert the hologram's reaction here) "Oh, ah, hi there, two for the Seven-Knight/Flarn Wedding?" quips Dhyrclhanc with a grin." (insert the hologram's reaction to this here) ------ The Jump Point outside the station lit-up, shoving the Xavier back into normal space. In C&C Lt. Corwin twists around and looks up from the communications pit in Babylon 5's nerve center. "Another guest for the wedding?" asks somebody on the Command Deck. "Yep," answered Corwin, then switches on the proper combination of controls and says into his headset, "Xavier you have permission to dock." "Just a moment Babylon 5 C&C," The Lensdragon's voice carries over C&C's speakers, "Request permission to enter a parking orbit around the station, if it's allowed I'd prefer to come in in a sub-craft." "It's a bit unusual, Xavier," returns Corwin, but permission granted." Outside, the Xavier swoops above and around the station then parks in an orbit that leaves it floating parallel in relative to one the station's "cobra-bays". From underneath the large, vaguely saucer-shaped, craft appears a smaller craft that looks like a cross between a melted piece of plastic and a broad-head-shaped hunting-style arrow-head. Those with particularly discriminating eyes among the crews of the other ships orbiting the station will be able to read the words written on the starboard side of the smaller craft, which spell-out in an unusual cursive-style script "Delta Flyer Gamma". ------ >As everyone enters and is seated, the music from the trio of blondes >is kept light and airy. At which point a mischievous grin quickly passes across Dhyrclhanc's face as he fiddles with the rose-patterned ring on his left hand. It will be at this point, as tone of the trio's music seems to abruptly change. Eventually probably either Grep or Melissa will catch-on and realize that amongst their sheet music somebody's favorite Lensdragon has slipped in the melodies for four particular Van Halen Songs. Notably, and not necessarily in this order, "Love Comes Walking In", "When It's Love", "Dreams", and "Why Can't This Be Love". Besides this good-natured prank, however, Dhyrchlanc manages to behave himself. >Mike turned to the Callahanians, "I worked for the Time Lords for >two-hundred and fifty years, as two people. One you know as me, the >other as Mahloy, my clone. > >I almost worked for them again when they captured Voyd. I >cumulatively have Mahloy's and Voyd's memories and spirits within me. >Five hundred years total of experience working at Rassilon and the >High Council's bidding. Even Dhyrclhanc's eyes widen at this revelation. >"I found utterly nothing of redemption in their minds, yet I am still >appalled at myself for having done it. I did this in my own name, no >one else's ever even entered my mind nor was uttered. Had there been >anyone who would have not started their society back up, as perverse >as before if not worse, I wouldn't have taken such drastic action. >It's the worst act I've ever done, even looking back at what I've >done for the Time Lords. I'm shedding that secret now, I don't want >to start my new life holding onto it." At this, it would be safe to say that if Dhyrclhanc had been drinking anything at this time, most of it would be on the floor right now. >"During the Vorlon-Shadow war, it was felt by the Vorlons that, >should something happen to the two of you, that someone be available >to step in to take your place. You both once shared a meal of Flarn, >from which Kosh found genetic samples of you both, which found their >way into the right mix of chemicals so that he could manipulate them. >The result stands before you here. My name is Flarn, I am your >daughter. Now that the war is over and the Shadows and Vorlons have >left, I shed that secret, as I do not want to start my new life >holding on to it." > >Flarn dropped her hood to reveal her bone crest and long tresses. Dhyrclhanc looked pole-axed [Why that so-and-so Vorlon... ] >Delenn recovered enough to move on with the ceremony, "Now, as Valen >asked the nine, ask each other, 'Will you follow me into fire, into >storm, into death?'" "I am Grey," Dhyrclhanc whispered to himself, "I stand between the Candle and the Star, I am Grey; I stand between the Darkness and the Light". "I am a Ranger. I walk in the dark places no others will enter. I stand on the bridge and no-one may pass. I live or the One, I die for the One." >Lochley continued, "By the power vested in my by the Earth Alliance >as Captain of Babylon 5, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may >kiss the bride." > >This the couple did quite happily as the rest of the group applauded. ... And Dhyrclhanc joined the rest in the standing ovation. ------ >After that came the first dance, a waltz for the new husband and >wife, then a big band number as Michael danced with his mother and >Sheridan danced with his newly discovered daughter, a small cone of >privacy surreptitiously cast by Elric. Afterwards, Dhyrclhanc and Dharma approached the Newlyweds. "My congratulations to you both." was all that he said, as it was that needed to be said... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE7c: Galloping toward a conclusion... (Long) On Sun, 17 Mar 2002 23:25:27 -0600 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010816 >On Thu, 24 Jan 2K2, Rob Nishakawa Said > >>Mike Knight Said >> >>/These should prove very interesting. I've not heard of a single one >>of these foods, nor many of these ingredients. Hope you added >>an appendix with directions to replenish my stores./ > >/The recipes have substitutions for a reason. As for the appendix, >it's being compiled,/ Rob answered. Opening the bag he stashed under >a side table, he looked at a small box. "Ha! It's done." Pulling a >small plastic chip from the box, he handed it to Mike. > >"They only format these for Game Boy Color, but it's compatible with >the Advance and Ultra. I would have preferred something you could use >directly, but the people who made this said that TARDIS interfaces >were not common information, and that getting trans-fictonal >spatio-temporal co-ordinates in a TARDIS-compatible format was going >to be enough of a trick." "Gifts, D'oh!" Dhyrclhanc exclaims, slapping his forehead and doing a downward face-slide with his hand. "Thanks for reminding me, Rob." Dhyrclhanc pivots slightly to his right, to the psuedo-Marilith that's been following him since arrived on the Station. "Maia-Dharma?" The Nemisisi hands him what, on the surface, looks like a snow-globe. "Thank You." Dhyrclhanc presents it to the new, presumably, Mr. and Mrs. Knight-Seven, and presses a hidden switch on its base. The previously empty transparent globe quickly fills with a holographic scene of what appears to be out-takes from the first... er... that is to say fourth "Star Wars" film, specifically focusing on the scenes with Han Solo's ship; the "Millennium Falcon". Dhyrclhanc holds up his hand, "It isn't what you think, or at least it isn't what I think I know what you think it is." and flips over the viewing globe. On the underside of the base is some form of alpha-numeric code. "I know you've got that TARDIS, Mike, but I thought maybe you and Flarn might appreciate something that would raise, well less questions. So if you travel to these Time-Space coordinates," he points to the code, you'll find one of my myriad bolt-holes. The place itself isn't anything to write home about, a small dwelling, life-support, a kitchen, most of the amenities of home, etc, all encased in several hundred ton's of asteroid. Of course, you're welcome to use it if -- and for as long -- as you wish but the real gift is in the docking bay -- a fully functional replica of the Cornellian YT-1300 known as the "Millennium Falcon". "As long as you don't let anyone get too close an inspection of it, it should pass muster as an ordinary "stock light freighter" but the guts and innards are... well, they're something else entirely, the only thing that I could compare them to is the type of Techno-Magic that's practiced on 'Rifts-Earth'. Speaking of which..." The Sentinel-Lensdragon rotates the still upside-down viewing glass about 90 degrees and slides open a hidden drawer on the base. He removes something from the drawer and then plops a small 2.5 cm^3 cube into Mike's hand. The cube looks like lime Jell-O but feels like hard plastic. "That datacube contains all technical data you'll need to make repairs to the ship. It's accessed telepathically, the keywords to access it is 'Evergreen, Clydesdale, Intelevison' ". ----- >>"Let me take you a universe over to a more mainline Babylon 5, the >>story's almost the same, just not polluted by our family's >>involvement." > >"I'd appreciate that." > >Shoving the visitor's pass application forms in his bag, he smiles at >Tink. "Lead the way." "Anyone mind if I tag along, too?" inquires a familiar voice. After Tink and Rob turn around, they'll find Dhyrclhanc standing there, still in his Anla'shoc robes but having assumed his holgraphically maintained completely human guise. Also there is a vaguely silver-black raven perched on each shoulder. "I've got some old friends I need to give my respects to." "Oh, I see I've forgotten to introduce you. Tink, Rob, meet Quothe and Nevermore, my Ravens." "Quothe the Raven", croaked Quothe. "Nevermore", returned Nevermore. =================================