Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 27 Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 16:07:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: transportation problems. On Fri, 03 Apr 1998 17:58:32 -0600 In Message # 00003548 In alt.callahans Post # 00001761 Zia said: >On Thu, 2 Apr 98 19:32:46 -0800 In Message # 00003537 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001750 Roland X said: > > "Perfect!" Thorne laughs, nodding to the Controller happily. "This >will work perfectly. And even if he _doesn't_ destroy this...Iron Man >...I have a trump up my sleeve. Quite literally." > The day before the arrival of the CAoL... > A diabolic entourage appears beneath the purple sky, well outside >London. Five of Thorne's acolytes appear with him and the >Controller's creations. The number quickly becomes four as Thorne >sheathes the Shadow Brand into a luckless crimson-robed woman. The >robe falls to the ground, empty, as her power surges around Thorne. A >strange flow of time, possibility, and Quintessence knots around >them, rendering all emanations from them ordinary-seeming. Zia watching from her rather well hidden spot far back in the rubble frowns slightly, and thinks very well shielded thoughts of 'oh-oh, time to call in some reinforcements, I believe this is no longer a one person job.' She focuses again, reading lips as she sees one of these new nasty looking people start talking after cutting down one of his own. > "There," he says, as the remaining slaves of Corruption shrink >away from him. "That enchantment will prevent Roland or his allies >from detecting us for some time, so long as we do nothing untoward. >Just, ah, 'part of the scenery.'" Thorne laughs. "Now, remember the >plan. YOU idiots will remain in hiding when the time comes, and >bolster my power. The cyborgs will turn the Hypocrites of Light >against the armored one, and then we shall leave to finish the >accursed immortal off. Come." Thorne leads the strange group into the >shadows to wait for what has already happened... Zia waits until they're well on their way. Say five to six hours later, she eases out, and watching for any observers, electronics on passive detection full range, moves for her little hideout in the rubble. "Well. Big note to self. Do NOT let him touch you with his blade. Looks nasty, and magically even nastier. And what is the deal with the white energy stuff? Something of chronal, necromatic, or some odd combination of the two? I think, my girl, that you should call in hubby on this one SOONEST." With that, she shadow walks off the plane long enough to place a few Trumps calls, and they return with just as little fuss, and set up to observe the CAoL's arrival and battles. =========================== Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 19:36:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Aae: transportation problems. On Fri, 03 Apr 1998 18:57:45 In Message # 00003550 In alt.callahans Post # 00001763 Morgan said: >On Fri, 03 Apr 1998 17:58:32 -0600 In Message # 00003548 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001761 Zia said: > >this..." What, I'm away a couple of days and there is a hint about >Trumps? This cannot be a coincidence... it's bad. You see, I KNOW how >Zia's luck runs.> (OOC: Oh, don't worry, it gets worse. I promise. ) >Zia waits until they're well on their way. Say five to six hours >later, she eases out, and watching for any observers, electronics on >passive detection full range, moves for her little hideout in the >rubble. "Well. Big note to self. Do NOT let him touch you with his >blade. Looks nasty, and magically even nastier. And what is the deal >with the white energy stuff? Something of chronal, necromatic, or >some odd combination of the two? I think, my girl, that you should >call in hubby on this one SOONEST." (OOC: A lot of that stuff is pretty close to the beam, but the blade is primarily psionic in origin. Zia would probably be able to tell.) >With that, she shadow walks off the plane long enough to place a few >Trumps calls, and they return with just as little fuss, and set up to >observe the CAoL's arrival and battles. In his new London sanctum, Thorne felt the threads of Time fall into place. He opened his eyes. "M-master?" He smiled. "She's even more paranoid than our new ally. I wonder how I can filter this information to Roland without him knowing that I provided it to him...killing a villainous warrior seeking redemption will be bad enough, but if I can convince him to murder an innocent woman...yes, I do believe that would kill him as surely as thrusting the Shadow Brand through his heart." He chuckled. "A little bit of fate twisting, a touch of antipathy, a misunderstanding...and Roland's prejudices will do the rest." Thorne stroked a flat portion of his sleeve. "I must thank our benefactor for showing me how to sense this...Pattern of hers." "What if he doesn't kill them?" the acolyte asked timidly. Thorne laughed harshly. "Then she will kill him herself. No matter what else happens, Roland cannot possibly resist the bait waiting for him at the end of this final gauntlet..." (OOC: Trying to hide from a time traveller ain't easy...) =========================== Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 20:08:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Diary - Gold Coast On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 21:54:45 -0600 In Message # 00003551 In alt.callahans Post # 00001764 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Thu, 2 Apr 1998 22:32:32 PST In Message # 00003538 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001751 Nemo said: > >"Ah! I'm afraid that's partially our fault. We're involved in a > conflict with several parties and are jamming every channel we know > of, except for some in use by our allies. You just got caught in the > general effect." Molly blinks twice, then signs, 'How far does this group mind block reach? My foster uncle was a mind melter, and standing on top of a ley line nexus point, he could still only reach maybe 250 feet.' >"Let's see if you can 'tune' to one of our channels..." Molly nods. >Nemo will work with Molly on trying to get her operating on a 'band' >that we've left open. Roscoe's would work. IIRC, he does wide-band telepathy, which is similar to what she normally uses. Since I don't recall the subject ever coming up in the novels, I will presume that once Molly can send and receive, the Babel fish will start working again. Considering the sheer magnitude of races it can translate telepathicly for, jamming the fish itself should be nearly impossible. Jamming the user, on the other hand, is do-able. =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 02:06:19 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: OOC: Molly's Diary - Gold Coast On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 04:43:37 EST In Message # 00003553 In alt.callahans Post # 00001766 Dane0R0A said: << I have NO idea who wrote this: Molly blinks twice, then signs, 'How far does this group mind block reach? My foster uncle was a mind melter, and standing on top of a ley line nexus point, he could still only reach maybe 250 feet.' >> Until The Stardragon locked up this world, it was throughout the solar system. After that it was from the center of the Earth to the outer most reaches of the atmosphere (where the barrier now sits). =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 04:06:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Diary - Gold Coast On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 23:29:31 PST In Message # 00003554 In alt.callahans Post # 00001767 Nemo said: > On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 21:54:45 -0600 In Message # 00003551 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001764 Michael Jon Knight said: > > Molly blinks twice, then signs, 'How far does this group mind block > reach? My foster uncle was a mind melter, and standing on top of a > ley line nexus point, he could still only reach maybe 250 feet.' Nemo's reply is deliberately deadpan... "We're only blocking the planet out to geo synchronous orbit." If she gets a shocked expression, Nemo will give her a grin. =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 04:08:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 23:26:47 PST In Message # 00003555 In alt.callahans Post # 00001768 Nemo said: > On Fri, 03 Apr 1998 10:18:06 In Message # 00003541 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001754 Morgan said: > >>On Thu, 2 Apr 1998 22:20:21 PST In Message # 00003539 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001752 Nemo said: >> >>"Agreed. I can think of a few species that would be quite suitable >> to 'introduce' to the Greys. Chlorans to name but one." > > /Nice!/ Morgan sends back through the link. /Gets the message across > without tieing up _our_ tima and resources. After all, we just > stumbled into this mess while we were looking for John, and for the > most part couldn't in good concience walk away./ /If ever a pair of species deserved each other those two do./ >>[1] Nemo send a quick telepathic burst along with this comment. The >>gist of it is that he may be able to help Driss rig some "offline >>backup" for his memories to avoid recurrences of the current mess. > > OOC: Or maybe not. Driss has some OOC reasons, partly involving > character continuity, to do this. Go look on DejaNews for the first > time he came into the Place (Oct. '96, posted from my account). > You'll see what I mean :-). =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 09:22:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE4: Molly's Diary - Gold Coast On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 11:41:28 -0600 In Message # 00003557 In alt.callahans Post # 00001770 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 23:29:31 PST In Message # 00003554 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001767 Nemo said: > >Nemo's reply is deliberately deadpan... > >"We're only blocking the planet out to geo synchronous orbit." Molly looks at Sheila, signing, 'Only, he says.' =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 09:23:15 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 09:19:26 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00003559 In alt.callahans Post # 00001772 fuzzy said: > On Thu, 2 Apr 1998 00:04:32 -0600 In Message # 00003525 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001738 Michael Jon Knight said: > The twins mounted their hovering surf boards, carrying Jack back to > the church, then shot up skyward and took off for Mongolia at a > fraction of a percent of Lightspeed. Somebody better tell the Twins that Fuzzy is in the church... Armageddon used some type of advanced particle transporter to move him there, but no one has said anything about it... Nemisis will not do so, because She thinks Fuzzy needs the rest... She had the Med-Pod sedate him at the end of the 30 minute treatment cycle... =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 10:07:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:27:28 -0600 In Message # 00003560 In alt.callahans Post # 00001773 Zia said: >> On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 23:26:47 PST In Message # 00003555 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001768 Nemo said: >> >> /If ever a pair of species deserved each other those two do./ Through the Nemesis relays, the five voices of the Sealed Link come, with Sheila's only slightly in ascendance, /Sure (the tone is acerbic). Let's set a cat on the mouse, a dog on the cat, a tiger on the dog, and an elephant on the tiger. Of course, may wreck the house in the process, but you might get that mouse killed. I know Zia said we're only here as an observer, but we would like to save this planet if possible - Earth means somewhat to us. Maybe because we for the most part grew up in various kinds of Earths. Perhaps you'll consider something less drastic if we say please, try?/ =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 11:06:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE 4: Making the rounds... On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 13:31:40 -0600 In Message # 00003561 In alt.callahans Post # 00001774 Michael Jon Knight said: Pyewackett pokes his head into the solitary igloo standing at the south pole. "I see everything is fine here. It's cold out so I am moving on." The black cat walks past the doorway and behind a nearby unburied stone, moving on for greener, and warmer, pastures. Pyewackett strolls onto the beach from the treeline, walking up behind Nemo and Sheila. He looks at Molly, nose twitching. "Hello," the cat's gold collar says. Molly looks at the cat, but doesn't reply. *Helloooooo, hey, you deaf or something?* Pyewackett sends. Molly looks startled, staring at the cat. *Hello?* she sends tentatively, *Uh, yes, I am actually. We were just trying to find an open telepathic band.* Pyewackett sits down. *Oh, ok. Well, use mine. You look familiar to me. How's your luck?* Molly blinks, *Uh, good so far.* *Good,* the cat gets up and rubs against her leg, *You feel familiar, too. I'd swear I'd seen you before. Oh well. See you around.* Pyewackett darts into the treeline again. *Friend of yours?* Molly sends to Nemo and Sheila. Pyewackett arrives in Mongolia near Morgan's Node just as the twins arrive. "Pyewackett!" Melissa says, "What are you doing here?" "Just investigating. Where's Fuzzy?" Grep says, "Hello Nemo." (to Morgan) "Sir. Don't know, Pyewackett. Grandmother Nemesis, Father sent us here to try and get Great-grandfather Fuzzy up and around. He suggested we either create a time bubble around him that would speed up time from our point of view until he healed naturally, or to teach you to create one. Do you know where Great-grandfather went?" Pyewackett hops onto Melissa's surfboard. a small mesh pouch forms around him as a cushion forms beneath him. "Ok, we'll be going back to London now." the cat says. The surfboards rise high into the air before taking off for the British Isles. =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 11:08:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 14:05:02 -0500 (EST) In Message # 00003562 In alt.callahans Post # 00001775 Shadow said: > On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:27:28 -0600 In Message # 00003560 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001773 Zia said: > > Through the Nemesis relays, the five voices of the Sealed Link come, > with Sheila's only slightly in ascendance, /Sure (the tone is > acerbic). Let's set a cat on the mouse, a dog on the cat, a tiger on > the dog, and an elephant on the tiger. Of course, may wreck the > house in the process, but you might get that mouse killed. I know > Zia said we're only here as an observer, but we would like to save > this planet if possible - Earth means somewhat to us. Maybe because > we for the most part grew up in various kinds of Earths. Perhaps > you'll consider something less drastic if we say please, try?/ Rhiannon's voice comes back on the link, /I beleive they were talking about doing that to the grey homeworld, not to Earth.. I approve./ OOC: Well, she feels better after the group decided not to personally lead an assault on the grey homeworld. After all, her #1 priority is to rescue John, and if she got a good lead, she might just leave the group behind to follow it, marking this place down for a return visit. =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 12:07:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE 4: Making the rounds... On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:46:16 +0800 In Message # 00003563 In alt.callahans Post # 00001776 Nemisis said: > On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 13:31:40 -0600 In Message # 00003561 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001774 Michael Jon Knight said: > Pyewackett arrives in Mongolia near Morgan's Node just as the twins > arrive. > > "Pyewackett!" Melissa says, "What are you doing here?" > > "Just investigating. Where's Fuzzy?" > > Grep says, "Hello Nemo." (to Morgan) "Sir. Don't know, Pyewackett. > Grandmother Nemesis, Father sent us here to try and get Great- > grandfather Fuzzy up and around. He suggested we either create a > time bubble around him that would speed up time from our point of > view until he healed naturally, or to teach you to create one. Do > you know where Great-grandfather went?" #=He is in the cellar of the Church in London, It has been nearly two days since he had a good nap, We will see what we can do under the current situation of blockages, as far as a Time-Bubble goes before we risk disturbing him.=# =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 12:37:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Making the rounds... On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 14:23:21 -0600 In Message # 00003564 In alt.callahans Post # 00001777 Zia said: >On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 13:31:40 -0600 In Message # 00003561 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001774 Michael Jon Knight said: > >Pyewackett pokes his head into the solitary igloo standing at the >south pole. > >"I see everything is fine here. It's cold out so I am moving on." James salutes him in friendly fashion with a steamy mug of coffee. "Don't blame you. Good travels." >Molly blinks, *Uh, good so far.* >*Good,* the cat gets up and rubs against her leg, *You feel familiar, >too. I'd swear I'd seen you before. Oh well. See you around.* >Pyewackett darts into the treeline again. Shelia, still 'sun-bathing in mid-air, grins up at the general air. >*Friend of yours?* Molly sends to Nemo and Sheila. Sheila, her voice just barely clear above four others, *Certainly doesn't seem to be an enemy!* In an agreeable, bantering tone. >"Pyewackett!" Melissa says, "What are you doing here?" >"Just investigating. Where's Fuzzy?" >Grep says, "Hello Nemo." (to Morgan) "Sir. Don't know, Pyewackett. >Grandmother Nemesis, Father sent us here to try and get Great- >grandfather Fuzzy up and around. He suggested we either create a time >bubble around him that would speed up time from our point of view >until he healed naturally, or to teach you to create one. Do you know >where Great-grandfather went?" Morgan (same bit with the other voices), "I believe some one of the CAoL moved him back to London still within his 'AutoDoc'?" >Pyewackett hops onto Melissa's surfboard. a small mesh pouch forms >around him as a cushion forms beneath him. >"Ok, we'll be going back to London now." the cat says. >The surfboards rise high into the air before taking off for the >British Isles. Morgan nods as they depart, then turns to the part of Nemo closest to him, "We'll be incommunicado for about the next hour or so, as the Spiral resolves. If you really need us, try a message through this link Nemisis is running. But try not to if you can avoid it; Zia is still far too easily distracted." *I HEARD that.* "I know you did. So? Prove me wrong." =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 14:07:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Making the rounds... On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 15:19:09 -0600 In Message # 00003565 In alt.callahans Post # 00001778 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:46:16 +0800 In Message # 00003563 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001776 Nemisis said: > >#=He is in the cellar of the Church in London, > It has been nearly two days since he had a good nap, > We will see what we can do under the current situation of > blockages, as far as a Time-Bubble goes before we risk > disturbing him.=# The twins confer between themselves and Knytt, then reply: #Father had not considered that. Here {} are the technical specifications of the time bubble generator. It can be created with late 1970's, early 1980's Earth components. If it should not function exactly to these {} specifications, don't use it. Father says he'll leave it to your judgement then whether you wake Great-grandfather by other means, but he agrees that naturally fully rested, even in real time, does indeed beat artificially stimulated...We didn't know you ran a hospital once. :)# "Well, Father has a new job for us." Melissa says, "Pyewackett, we'd better go. We may need your help for this." =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 14:07:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 15:19:04 -0600 In Message # 00003566 In alt.callahans Post # 00001779 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:27:28 -0600 In Message # 00003560 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001773 Zia said: > >Through the Nemesis relays, the five voices of the Sealed Link come, >with Sheila's only slightly in ascendance, /Sure (the tone is >acerbic). Let's set a cat on the mouse, a dog on the cat, a tiger on >the dog, and an elephant on the tiger. Of course, may wreck the house >in the process, but you might get that mouse killed. I know Zia said >we're only here as an observer, but we would like to save this planet >if possible - Earth means somewhat to us. Maybe because we for the >most part grew up in various kinds of Earths. Perhaps you'll consider >something less drastic if we say please, try?/ Knytt is definitely losing the trance again. /Jeez! <-ollo-> Thank you, Q, I'd love to meet your friends, the Borg. Do you-DAMN!/ Knytt slams on the brakes as a little boy, no more than five and dressed in rags, runs into the street after his ball. Picking it up, he runs back, oblivious to the danger he had been in. At least until his mother ran out of the house, grabbed him, and carried him back in, scowling all the way. Knytt looks pale as he slowly guides the Red Dodge Pizza Hut delivery truck over to the curb. Leaning his head against the steering wheel as his hearts pound in his chest, Knytt catches his breath as he sends: /Now, to everyone ELSE... Since when does the CAoL take part in potential genocide? I believe in the Greys learning a lesson while here on Earth, that force is not the way to get what you want, because someone always fights back, costing you more than if you had found another way. We offered them Venus, for nearly free. Just leave Earth alone. They didn't accept and so we are trying to help the humans kick them out. Fine. I would have given this war a miss if I had some idea where John was. Since the Controller is here, and Jadis is here, staying here is a good idea. So while I'm here, I am willing to help. But when we get a clue about where John is, I'm moving on. I'll try and leave something to help the humans here, because I do feel for them. But, I will go. It is ultimately their war to fight. They won't become any better at defending themselves by letting us protect them. /Deja vu all over again, I said this 25 years ago on Quaren. Let's table this until we can talk to our Mr. Black, alright people? Meanwhile, let's get on with our business, okay?/ [Herding cats is a lot easier when you have something they want,] Knytt thinks to himself, [I just hope our Mr. Black has something these cats can sink their teeth into that doesn't involve starting a war. I don't want to walk that path yet again. I'm beginning to see why Zia was so surprized by us. I'm a bit surprized myself anymore.] ^Uh, dad,^ the twins send directly into his mind, ^Are they serious?^ ^I think so, sweethearts. Though I don't think they quite mean to imply the images they are conjuring up in my mind.^ ^...But... starting wars is wrong almost any way you look at it, isn't it?^ ^That's what I've tried to teach you two. Barring a few very strict situations, it's what I believe. So far, we've been trying to protect people and I am fine with that. But going out and manipulating things to cause a war...well, it may be poetic justice, but I don't have the stomach for it nowadays.^ =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 14:07:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE IV: Mission: Improbable On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 13:37:12 In Message # 00003567 In alt.callahans Post # 00001780 Morgan said: Stranger said: >OK, the journey to Anglesey is uneventful (if you like). Well, we'll get there, but first... Roland and Morgan (the latter having altered her biological structure and aura to appear as one of the camo-unit soldiers) slow as they approach a dome. It's much smaller than the Azeronium complex-perhaps the size of a three-story office building. /There-that's the HQ of my new counterpart, if I'm reading this implant right./ /This is your show, my love,/ Morgan responds. Roland nods, sighing. He doesn't like what he has to do now, but a great many lives ride on what happens next... #Reborn designate 3-RP9-7 to 3-RP9-8, please respond,# Roland transmits. After a brief pause, Roland 'hears,' #Reborn designate 3-RP9-8 responding. Your transmission was cut off. You were presumed destroyed.# Roland smiles inwardly at the sound of his own voice, and their minds make contact. /Light! What a mess!/ The Reborn's thought matrix itself is fairly elegant, but the places where it meets the memories of this world's Roland Phoenix are butcheries. His counterpart's mind was almost literally chopped out. In an ironic twist, the blocks that make this being almost impossible to control mentally allow its knowledge to be read with ridiculous ease. #It was necessary to convince the invaders that this unit was destroyed. It is as yet unknown whether or not they can read this bandwidth; it is certain that they can use fields of force to block it,# Roland responds, knowing that they already have this information. #That has already been determined,# the Reborn responds. #Under other circumstances, your actions would result in your termination; however, the power of this organization should permit two RP9 units to exist.# #That is for the Masters to decide,# Roland sends evenly. #It is possible that they may find my existence counterproductive. Nevertheless, I am reporting to the Azeronium station at Anglesey for debriefing. If I am permitted to exist, I will return to aid you against the extra-dimensionals.# #Very well. Report to the 3-RP9 database then continue to Anglesey,# the Reborn sends, and the transmission ends. /Well. That was...interesting,/ Roland comments dryly. He then aims his transmission at the location he read from the Reborn's knowledge. #3-RP9-7 to database, respond.# #Damn! You were reported destroyed. What do you want from me _this_ time, you abomination?# The 'database' responds bitingly. Roland's blood runs cold, and the two immortals stare at each other in shock. /Holy grife,/ they send in unison as the two Rolands' minds touch instinctively. /That's YOU,/ Morgan sends incredulously. /I mean...it's not you, but it's YOU!/ /I know,/ Roland replies shakily, and checks the communication line. Not even the Reborn is listening...if he's right. #Roland? Are you...I mean...# #GET ME OUT OF HERE!# /Yep, that's me all right,/ Roland notes dryly. /Add one priority to the mission,/ Morgan adds with a nervous giggle. #Wait, look, this might not be as hard as it looks,# Roland^2 says quickly. #Can you get me into the podbaby?# #Huh?# Roland^1 asks brilliantly. #The _Reborn,_ you dunce. Jesu Christo, I can't believe you're me,# Roland^2 cracks, though the shakiness in his own voice belies his tone. /Okay, so we're not up on this world's slang. Cut us some slack,/ Morgan mutters through the link. #Sorry,# Roland^2 says quickly. #I've just been in here so long...# /Oops./ Morgan blushes slightly as she realizes that she was overheard. /I think he can 'hear' through me, due to our sudden mind link. Something resembling the magickal Law of Contagion, only on a telepathic level, would be my guess./ There's a long pause from Roland^2. #Thank God, you _do_ have a brain. Do you think you can do it?# #I won't be able to help you fight the implanted personality, but I _think_ I can transfer you to the body.# Roland^1 gulps. #It won't be pleasant.# #Just give me a shot,# Roland^2 growls. #I'll win. I've been waiting for this shot for...well, for a long time.# /Now that we've blown our cover to this guy, are we safe?/ Morgan asks. /Probably not,/ Roland admits. /I think the Greys'll notice that their sentient 'database' is empty as soon as I pull this stunt, but-/ #Hah!# Roland^2 laughs. #I was hotwiring Grey computers before the _war_ was over, let alone the Occupation. I'll leave a mess that'll look like suicide, and they won't be unable to untangle the logic nests for months.# /And if we have our way, they won't _have_ months,/ Morgan smiles. /Of _course_ he's clever, he's my h...well, _almost_ my honey./ There's another long pause from Roland^2. #Damn. Where'd you find her, and where can _I_ get one like her?# #Sorry, she's one of a kind,# Roland^1 responds gently, while Morgan chuckles through a blush. #Ready?# There's a...feeling...of a nod, and Roland concentrates. Something between telepathy and electrokinesis flows out from him, and there's a burst of lightning around the dome. The faux-Reborn and his new aide are thrown from where they were hovering. #3-RP9-7 to 3-RP9-8, respond! What just happened? The database rejected my presence without warning,# Roland sends. #3-RP9-8 responding. RP9 database has suicided.# There's a mental chuckle that isn't included on the transmission. #Humans are just too contrary. Don't you agree, 3-RP9-7?# #Cut the chatter, 3-RP9-8,# Roland sends evenly, though he adds a wide grin mentally. #Run an internal diagnostic.# #...all specs running at optimal. Good hunting, 3-RP9-7.# #And you, 3-RP9-8.# The transmission ends. /NASS, but I love doing my daily good deed!/ Roland laughs inwardly as they head for the Azeronium device. /I have this strange feeling that the next attack on the CAoL is going to be rather futile./ /My honey,/ Morgan smiles. /Hey, folx,/ she sends to the rest of the group, /Go easy on that new 'Reborn'. He's on our side./ Soon after... >The complex that houses the Azeronium device covers almost the entire >island (it's BIG). It's a large, complex with multiple domes in a >geometric pattern. There appear to be various launching bays, gates >and even a couple of docks. The whole thing is a rather jarring hot >pink in colour. Druidically speaking, the area feels.. polluted. ^Ugh. What bandwidth do _those_ things see on?^ Roland sends. ^Who cares?^ Morgan responds in a disgusted tone, putting up dampers to allow herself to continue to function in this abomination. >As Roland approaches a saucer will leave the complex and approach >him, unless he attempts to approach stealthily. #3-RP9-7 to command,# Roland sends to the saucer, making whatever motion/symbol of obeisance is appropriate. #This unit reporting with survivor of probing strike against invaders. Invaders are of the approximate strength estimated by the most worthy Masters of this unit. This unit requests permission to report in full as ordered.# /Well, I guess this is it. I just hope that this isn't 'It,'/ Roland sends... =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 14:07:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 15:54:30 -0600 In Message # 00003568 In alt.callahans Post # 00001781 Zia said: The Sealed Link members brace themselves, and take their Convergence as deep as they can as the Spiral slowly warps, bending and flattening. The center slides deep into the Earth's globe, and the twisted ribbon forms two lobes reaching far into the atmosphere on either side, slowly revolving. As the ends finally merge together, power flares, transmuting from the stored explosives, and such-like into the same blue-bound energy as powering the Seal of Solomon in a lower altitude. All five of the Node Managers are straining to hold this steady, until the Arc meets and melds its ends. The blue lines of the Seal become so thick as to obstruct them from sight. *now shift force to bind in Zia's Blood* (minor flash of surprise from what little cognition Zia still had not part of the link) The Node at Timbuktu grows slowly, widening to thirty feet in diameter as power drains into her like an Endless Decanter of water in reverse. After thirty solid minutes or so of this, the Solomon's Seal, and the far larger Arc above both reach stable condition again. As the blue power diminishes in diameter again, Zia is revealed, still sitting tailor fashion, but now on the ground. A sense of deep connection to this place seems to hang evident in the air around her, and she stands shakily, still protected by the Seal around and through her, but separate and single of mind again. She looks up at where the Arc is in the sky. "All right. Sudden violent explosions of energy are no longer a problem. Next difficulty." She looks over at Nemo, "Can you do a real time echo and check validation of all CAoL members in the area? Assuming a substitution plot with a very quick replacement window? And you'll likely need another verification source, as well. Convenient especially if this verification is most suited to psionic proof of some kind." "Then. Next problem in order of severity. The atmosphere." She rattles off, sounding like a human pressed for time, and under stress, but well used to such, and actually enjoying the 'edge' sensation. "I will try to counter act through the Arc. If I can change it back faster than the generators can replace at their lowered efficiencies." She narrows her eyes in concentration. The air under the Arc as it sweeps transforms back to normal atmospheric compounds, in the correct ratios. Zia sighs tiredly, "And then, the Wards Major so we can drop this Seal. Before too much longer, I hope." To Nemo, "Can you ask the twins and Fuzzy about it in London, when they arrive? I would go through Sera, but she will be busy if my fivesight is correct, and needed elswhere when the critical time point is vectoring." =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 16:07:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 18:40:06 EST In Message # 00003569 In alt.callahans Post # 00001782 Dane0R0A said: << Samatha Cooper (aka Ziactrice Keenan) wrote: Through the Nemesis relays, the five voices of the Sealed Link come, with Sheila's only slightly in ascendance, /Sure (the tone is acerbic). Let's set a cat on the mouse, a dog on the cat, a tiger on the dog, and an elephant on the tiger. Of course, may wreck the house in the process, but you might get that mouse killed. I know Zia said we're only here as an observer, but we would like to save this planet if possible - Earth means somewhat to us. Maybe because we for the most part grew up in various kinds of Earths. Perhaps you'll consider something less drastic if we say please, try?/ >> Hydra's 'voice' booms across the link, /Better to just turn Armagedon loose on them. Cleaner and no 'mess' to clean up afterward./ =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 18:38:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 17:42:19 PST In Message # 00003570 In alt.callahans Post # 00001783 Nemo said: > On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:27:28 -0600 In Message # 00003560 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001773 Zia said: > > Through the Nemesis relays, the five voices of the Sealed Link come, > with Sheila's only slightly in ascendance, /Sure (the tone is > acerbic). Let's set a cat on the mouse, a dog on the cat, a tiger on > the dog, and an elephant on the tiger. Of course, may wreck the > house in the process, but you might get that mouse killed. I know > Zia said we're only here as an observer, but we would like to save > this planet if possible - Earth means somewhat to us. Maybe because > we for the most part grew up in various kinds of Earths. Perhaps > you'll consider something less drastic if we say please, try?/ /I wouldn't dream of doing that to *Earth*. Dumping a Chloran "terraforming" fleet into the Grey's home system on the other hand.../ =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 18:38:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 17:54:34 PST In Message # 00003571 In alt.callahans Post # 00001784 Nemo said: > On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 15:54:30 -0600 In Message # 00003568 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001781 Zia said: > > A sense of deep connection to this place seems to hang evident in > the air around her, and she stands shakily, still protected by the > Seal around and through her, but separate and single of mind again. > She looks up at where the Arc is in the sky. "All right. Sudden > violent explosions of energy are no longer a problem. Next > difficulty." She looks over at Nemo, "Can you do a real time echo > and check validation of all CAoL members in the area? Assuming a > substitution plot with a very quick replacement window? And you'll > likely need another verification source, as well. Convenient > especially if this verification is most suited to psionic proof of > some kind." "Are you asking if I can 'monitor' everyone so as to detect attempts at slipping in a ringer? If so, I'm almost doing that already. And anyone trying that sort of trick with anyone I've given a power tap too is going to fail now that you've suggested it to me." > "Then. Next problem in order of severity. The atmosphere." She > rattles off, sounding like a human pressed for time, and under > stress, but well used to such, and actually enjoying the 'edge' > sensation. "I will try to counter act through the Arc. If I can > change it back faster than the generators can replace at their > lowered efficiencies." She narrows her eyes in concentration. The > air under the Arc as it sweeps transforms back to normal atmospheric > compounds, in the correct ratios. "Would it help if I/we set filter fields around the Azeronium generators? They'll let normal atmosphere components out, and this weird stuff in. That ought to confuse things for a bit." We know from earlier that my filter fields don't upset the generators. What gets them upset was the field I created that is "incompatible" with the Greys. And since I had expanded that to cover London, there shouldn't be any living Greys inside. We can fix that oversight by assuming that I dropped things back to merely "filtering" the air so as to not overly excite the generators after our plans got altered. > Zia sighs tiredly, "And then, the Wards Major so we can drop this > Seal. Before too much longer, I hope." To Nemo, "Can you ask the > twins and Fuzzy about it in London, when they arrive? I would go > through Sera, but she will be busy if my fivesight is correct, and > needed elswhere when the critical time point is vectoring." "Consider it done." =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 19:06:45 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 20:38:59 -0600 In Message # 00003572 In alt.callahans Post # 00001785 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 12:54:39 -0600 In Message # 00003540 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001753 Michael Jon Knight said: >All in all, Knytt realized as he came to a dead stop on the porch in >front of two more of the Grey/human mutations and a regular Grey, the >back door might have been a better choice. [Three in front, three behind. This could be bad.] Knytt thought. He said, "Well, nice of you all to meet me here. I accept your unconditional surrender." " Kill him." Plasma blasts exploded around them as the Grey and his 'grunts' ran for cover. Knytt took the oppertunity to dive out of the line of fire. Sailing down from the heavens came two silver surfers and a black cat. Knytt couldn't have looked on them with any less pleasure. "Hooray for the Cavalry," Knytt said, running toward them as they landed. "Merge and reform: Pyewackett Prime, telepathic controls." the twins said as they leapt off the boards. Pyewackett was enveloped in a mass of silver liquid metal as the boards reshaped themselves. Knytt and the twins meanwhile drew weapons. The twins reformed in their wetsuits with long black dusters and plasma pistols and Knytt took his blue and gold wand from his belt, forming it into a plasma rifle. 'Pyewackett Prime' as the twins called it, finished forming behind them. Twin tank treads provided locomotion as the main bulbous module was supported by a single arm that raised and lowered like a bird's leg. Two arms jutted out from the sides, tipped with three finger-like claws and the retractable barrel of a plasma cannon on each forearm. At the top of the main body, positioned toward the front was a plasma-proof window behind which Pyewackett sat in his cushion and mesh webbing. Wires ran to his collar, interfacing with it. Knytt put the carpet bag into a back compartment. "I still say that looks more like the robot from Lost in Space: the Movie than ED 209." Melissa says to Grep. "Cut the chatter. Pyewackett, ready to do some damage?" A lion's roar came back in reply, then indeed in the voice of the Robot from LiS, "Let's swat some bug-eyed aliens." Flanked by the twins and backed by Pyewackett's Robot, Knytt strode down the street, their weapons cutting down Grey troops as they went. On an off-chance, Knytt sent a message through what he remembered as Stranger's private frequency. ^Stranger, if you aren't dead yet, the cavalry is here.^ [What the heck, MIGHT be him...] > =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 21:36:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 21:38:36 -0600 In Message # 00003573, 3575 & 3581 In alt.callahans Post # 00001786, 1788 & 1794 Zia said: >"Are you asking if I can 'monitor' everyone so as to detect attempts > at slipping in a ringer? If so, I'm almost doing that already. And > anyone trying that sort of trick with anyone I've given a power tap > too is going to fail now that you've suggested it to me." Zia grins, eyes suddenly going bright. "Gosh, I guess it _must_ be me, now you're asking, too. Okay, I'll keep it simple. Just the facts. The way I think the scenario might be planned is someone is moving fast, a surprise pop-up X-window (whatever THAT is) is sprung in front of the target, and a near perfect duplicate is substituted almost instantly. Said duplicate than makes itself heinuous somehow, and then target is popped back in... without any time durational FOR the target, or victim, rather, having elapsed. At least, that is the best I can make out - I was lip-reading and I'm not that good at it yet. Just what I picked up from the summer theatres. Do you have any idea how hard it is to hear your cue across stage with a live outdoor audience?" She throws up her hands in a "hopeless" gesture. "Sorry, my stage career is hardly helpful at the moment. Does that clear you up on how to handle the difficulty? I actually don't think we can prevent the switch out, I'm just operating on the basis of damage control afterwards. Besides, it's fun to foil the plans of a criminal mastermind. Not that I plan to make a habit of the knight errant bit." >We know from earlier that my filter fields don't upset the >generators. What gets them upset was the field I created that is >"incompatible" with the Greys. > >And since I had expanded that to cover London, there shouldn't be any >living Greys inside. We can fix that oversight by assuming that I >dropped things back to merely "filtering" the air so as to not overly >excite the generators after our plans got altered. "OH! A one-way filter? To keep the plants from 'noticing' the normalization of the atmosphere elsewhere? I like it - and it should help a lot. Excellent. I think you said they'd be preferential osmotic to pass the dimensionally strained molecules of this toxin, correct? If that's the case, I can creat some favorable wind currents, and we can progress quite handsomely, even over a global scale. Can't work too fast, or I'll harm the weather patterns. And I couldn't ask poor Driss to set them right, the way that Chaos primal creature is torturing him is perfectly shameful." "Can you give me a projection of the lat and long points of these atmosphere changing plants, so I can begin cogitating the fractals to alter wind currents properly?" >> Zia sighs tiredly, "And then, the Wards Major so we can drop this >> Seal. Before too much longer, I hope." To Nemo, "Can you ask the >> twins and Fuzzy about it in London, when they arrive? I would go >> through Sera, but she will be busy if my fivesight is correct, and >> needed elswhere when the critical time point is vectoring." > >"Consider it done." "Thank you. And I must say, it's very enjoyable working with you, if you enjoy receiving such praise from an admittedly inefficient and subjective opinion like my own." She smiles, and then looks a bit somber, "One could almost regret certain constraints that make me unable to work with you more fully." She shakes her head. "But, back to business. I can't follow all the actives - I know what Roland and Morgan are up to; and Knytt is working on locating someone with the twins. Anyone else need a hand or just cover from us from the Seal here? Advise me by thought or e-message at need of our assistance, please." Zia glances at the anarchistic (but STILL ticking) thin silver Timex watch on her delicate left wrist. "Ten minutes left on the countdown to the next two hour attack, if the perp stays on his clockwork schedule..." =========================== Date: Sat, 4 Apr 1998 21:39:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 23:35:02 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003574 In alt.callahans Post # 00001787 Driscoll said: > On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 11:27:28 -0600 In Message # 00003560 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001773 Zia said: > > Through the Nemesis relays, the five voices of the Sealed Link come, > with Sheila's only slightly in ascendance, /Sure (the tone is > acerbic). Let's set a cat on the mouse, a dog on the cat, a tiger on > the dog, and an elephant on the tiger. Of course, may wreck the > house in the process, but you might get that mouse killed. I know > Zia said we're only here as an observer, but we would like to save > this planet if possible - Earth means somewhat to us. Maybe because > we for the most part grew up in various kinds of Earths. Perhaps > you'll consider something less drastic if we say please, try?/ Roscoe interjects though his telepathy "sounds" strained. /I think that's why Driss was suggesting WE do it. We don't need to DESTROY the greys. The Dead learn nothing. Only to make them understand how they're making these other worlds feel. And I think he ment a simultanious attack. Armegeddon's soul purpose is to attack them though we can't let him do such an assault here. From what I understand Nemo can have himself be in as many places as he needs, and Nemesis can to a degree as well with her splits. Plus none of them have to worry about the toxicity of hte grey atmosphere. If they agreed I think there's mroe than enough power to get the point across there. if htey had the chance to unleash it./ And with that a mental image of two copper pieces is sent and Roscoe goes back to monitering Driss. =========================== Date: Sun, 5 Apr 1998 00:37:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 00:27:50 -0800 (PST) In Message # 00003577 In alt.callahans Post # 00001790 Nemisis said: > On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 17:54:34 PST In Message # 00003571 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001784 Nemo said: > >> On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 15:54:30 -0600 In Message # 00003568 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001781 Zia said: >> Zia sighs tiredly, "And then, the Wards Major so we can drop this >> Seal. Before too much longer, I hope." To Nemo, "Can you ask the >> twins and Fuzzy about it in London, when they arrive? I would go >> through Sera, but she will be busy if my fivesight is correct, and >> needed elswhere when the critical time point is vectoring." > > "Consider it done." To Nemo and the Node Managers *My Lord Fuzzy indicated that the Wards Major Matrix Set is ready to be activated. He also indicated that any team members dependant on a linkage to some external point, as well as at least one CAoL member with a CAoL Sigil, should participate in the Setting of the Wards, to ensure continuance of those linkages and Channels. Other Data Points: My Lord Fuzzy's participation is not required, at this point. While the Normal Wards Major Matrix Cubes are not stong enough to stop major deities, The Set in Orbit is expected to be strong enough to stop anything except true Primal Entities, and they may have to work at it. Roland and Morgan were given Instructions on the use of Wards Major Matrix cubes with their set at their Wedding. I can supply additional copies of those instructions if needed.* =========================== Date: Sun, 5 Apr 1998 03:06:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 05:41:12 EDT In Message # 00003578 In alt.callahans Post # 00001791 Dane0R0A said: In a message dated 98-04-05 04:37:30 EDT, you write: << Nemisis wrote: To Nemo and the Node Managers *My Lord Fuzzy indicated that the Wards Major Matrix Set is ready to be activated. He also indicated that any team members dependant on a linkage to some external point, as well as at least one CAoL member with a CAoL Sigil, should participate in the Setting of the Wards, to ensure continuance of those linkages and Channels. Other Data Points: My Lord Fuzzy's participation is not required, at this point. While the Normal Wards Major Matrix Cubes are not stong enough to stop major deities, The Set in Orbit is expected to be strong enough to stop anything except true Primal Entities, and they may have to work at it. Roland and Morgan were given Instructions on the use of Wards Major Matrix cubes with their set at their Wedding. I can supply additional copies of those instructions if needed.* >> Armagedon indicates he is prepared to particpate, though he doesn't think that it is completly necessary for him (Hydra is within the volume that would be warded, but occupying more than four spacial dimensions at the moment. =========================== Date: Sun, 5 Apr 1998 10:20:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 10:50:30 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003579 In alt.callahans Post # 00001792 Driscoll said: > On Fri, 03 Apr 1998 01:04:37 -0800 In Message # 00003534 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001747 Gareth L Owen said: > > OK, the journey to Anglesey is uneventful (if you like). > The complex that houses the Azeronium device covers almost the > entire island (it's BIG). It's a large, complex with multiple domes > in a geometric pattern. There appear to be various launching bays, > gates and even a couple of docks. The whole thing is a rather > jarring hot pink in colour. Druidically speaking, the area feels.. > polluted. As Driss follows perhaps a mile or two behind Roland, he skims the water trying to decide how exactly the best way to bluff his way in would be, when his jet sputters and he goes into the drink. Only to come out a moment later as the juet fires again, but another 50 meters and it cuts out again plunging hte two into the water before Driss can restart it. *Uhhh Roscoe, got any extra fuel on you?* *You're kidding right?* Driss pulls the jetpack straight up to gain more altitude before it cuts off for the last time. *Ummm in a word, No.* Reaching into his satchel, Driss recovers his cloak and pulls from it an emergency inflatable raft. As they fall he pulls the cord on the raft and lets it fall in front of them. The boat floats semi- gracefully into the water as Driss and Roscoe plunge back into the murky depths a few meters away. *Ya know somehow I feel like I need a shower after this bath. Lets just get off this stuff and to that Island.* Driss qwips as he swims to the boat. Once clamering inside he retrieves a pair of collapsable oars and stows his cloak away again. Then slowly but surely the black rubber boat and its one apparent occupant makes its way towards the island. =========================== Date: Sun, 5 Apr 1998 11:39:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 10:55:15 PST In Message # 00003582 In alt.callahans Post # 00001795 Nemo said: > On Sat, 04 Apr 1998 21:38:36 -0600 In Message # 00003573 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001786 Zia said: > > Zia grins, eyes suddenly going bright. "Gosh, I guess it _must_ be > me, now you're asking, too. Okay, I'll keep it simple. Just the > facts. The way I think the scenario might be planned is someone is > moving fast, a surprise pop-up X-window (whatever THAT is) is sprung > in front of the target, and a near perfect duplicate is substituted > almost instantly. Said duplicate than makes itself heinuous somehow, > and then target is popped back in... without any time durational FOR > the target, or victim, rather, having elapsed. At least, that is the > best I can make out - I was lip-reading and I'm not that good at it > yet. Just what I picked up from the summer theatres. Do you have any > idea how hard it is to hear your cue across stage with a live > outdoor audience?" She throws up her hands in a "hopeless" gesture. "I'll *definitely* notice that if the victim has a power tap. Anyone with sufficient skill and power could counterfeit one, but the counterfeit wouldn't be drawing from the same *source*. Sort of like trying to counterfeit an Oan power ring. You can create something that has similar powers, but it wouldn't be hooked to the central power battery. And I'd notice the absence of the tap while the victim was gone." > "Sorry, my stage career is hardly helpful at the moment. Does that > clear you up on how to handle the difficulty? I actually don't think > we can prevent the switch out, I'm just operating on the basis of > damage control afterwards. Besides, it's fun to foil the plans of a > criminal mastermind. Not that I plan to make a habit of the knight > errant bit." "It's covered for most of us. I'll just have to pay close attention to the others. And since I'm multipled on this world, doing it to me would be a difficult undertaking." > "OH! A one-way filter? To keep the plants from 'noticing' the > normalization of the atmosphere elsewhere? I like it - and it should > help a lot. Excellent. I think you said they'd be preferential > osmotic to pass the dimensionally strained molecules of this toxin, > correct? If that's the case, I can creat some favorable wind > currents, and we can progress quite handsomely, even over a global > scale. Can't work too fast, or I'll harm the weather patterns. And I > couldn't ask poor Driss to set them right, the way that Chaos primal > creature is torturing him is perfectly shameful." "Whether or not it keeps them from noticing depends on what sort of sensors they are using. And we can't just shove the molecules outside the field into it. They'd notice the extra pressure if nothing else." > "Can you give me a projection of the lat and long points of these > atmosphere changing plants, so I can begin cogitating the fractals > to alter wind currents properly?" Data sent. > "Thank you. And I must say, it's very enjoyable working with you, if > you enjoy receiving such praise from an admittedly inefficient and > subjective opinion like my own." "I exist for the *purpose* of being subjective. :-)" =========================== Date: Sun, 5 Apr 1998 20:09:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: Making the rounds... On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 20:03:51 -0700 (PDT) In Message # 00003583 In alt.callahans Post # 00001796 Nemisis said: > On Sat, 4 Apr 1998 15:19:09 -0600 In Message # 00003565 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001778 Michael Jon Knight said: > > The twins confer between themselves and Knytt, then reply: > > #Father had not considered that. Here {} are the technical > specifications of the time bubble generator. It can be created with > late 1970's, early 1980's Earth components. If it should not > function exactly to these {} specifications, don't use it. Father > says he'll leave it to your judgement then whether you wake Great- > grandfather by other means, but he agrees that naturally fully > rested, even in real time, does indeed beat artificially > stimulated...We didn't know you ran a hospital once. :)# #Thank You, I will see what I can do with it. Since Dhyrclhanc is not currently using the Drawing Room, I will try setting it up there... As I recall you were about to see if Lord Fuzzy could teach you magic... I have been considering options... This {} is the pattern for a set of Nano-Techno-Rune components, This {} Is a database of Nano-Composite Patterns for commen spell effects, A simple Analysis and Goal seeker program should be able to compleate the set allowing you to build yourselves Magic Processors, comaptible with the rest of your structure. This method will be easiest for now, but you will want to talk to Lord Fuzzy later, when we have more time.# =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 11:35:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 14:27:42 -0500 In Message # 00003587 In alt.callahans Post # 00001800 Zia said: >On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 10:55:15 PST In Message # 00003582 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001795 Nemo said: >"I'll *definitely* notice that if the victim has a power tap. Anyone > with sufficient skill and power could counterfeit one, but the > counterfeit wouldn't be drawing from the same *source*. Sort of like > trying to counterfeit an Oan power ring. You can create something > that has similar powers, but it wouldn't be hooked to the central > power battery. And I'd notice the absence of the tap while the > victim was gone." "All right." Zia looks thoughtful a moment. "I could have sworn the rings were linked through their subsidiary batteries, not directly to the central one on Oa. Maybe it's different here in this Shadow." >"It's covered for most of us. I'll just have to pay close attention > to the others. And since I'm multipled on this world, doing it to me > would be a difficult undertaking." "You're a possible, actually. They referred to the target as the 'armored one'. I doubt it's Morgan - she'd be missed, and a duplicate would ring false to Roland too quickly to be convincing. Who else wears armor commonly? Male or female, or, erm, other?" >"Whether or not it keeps them from noticing depends on what sort of > sensors they are using. And we can't just shove the molecules > outside the field into it. They'd notice the extra pressure if > nothing else." "I can manage the hyperbaric delta vee. Tell me how much skin surface pressure per unit area your filter can withstand. I imagine the wind shift I can arrange will be the limiting step, not the sensitivity of their pressure guages. After all, they're creating atmosphere there; they'll expect a slightly higher reading. If the concentration of molecules of their manufacture reaches the proper level around the plants, I imagine they'll shut themselves down, and perhaps even begin a new phase. Have you done any scouting of the bedrock below them?" >"I exist for the *purpose* of being subjective. :-)" Zia laughs out loud. "WELL. I'm an expert, believe me. Except my subjective has a way of seguing into objective reality. I do have to watch that." She grins, "I'll work on getting some low pressure spots over those generators. Any projection on the Wards Major? I am beginning to feel very sitting duck-ish, but we can't move very fast while holding the Seal." =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 15:02:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 20:58:47 -0700 In Message # 00003591 In alt.callahans Post # 00001804 Gareth L Owen said: > "I can manage the hyperbaric delta vee. Tell me how much skin > surface pressure per unit area your filter can withstand. I imagine > the wind shift I can arrange will be the limiting step, not the > sensitivity of their pressure guages. After all, they're creating > atmosphere there; they'll expect a slightly higher reading. If the > concentration of molecules of their manufacture reaches the proper > level around the plants, I imagine they'll shut themselves down, and > perhaps even begin a new phase. Have you done any scouting of the > bedrock below them?" A quick scan by Nemo or Armageddon or someone will reveal that the Az. devices seem to exert a field affect over the whole planet, and alien atmosphere appears to be being created everywhere very slowly, although there are a large number of what are apparetnly monitoring stations scattered around. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 15:03:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 21:18:19 -0700 In Message # 00003593 In alt.callahans Post # 00001806 Gareth L Owen said: Michael Jon Knight wrote: > [Three in front, three behind. This could be bad.] Knytt thought. He > said, "Well, nice of you all to meet me here. I accept your > unconditional surrender." > > " Kill him." > On an off-chance, Knytt sent a message through what he remembered as > Stranger's private frequency. ^Stranger, if you aren't dead yet, the > cavalry is here.^ [What the heck, MIGHT be him...] Down the street, something large large, hairy and shambolic hurtled out of a window and landed in the street, a figure leapt out after it, with a pump action twelve gauge in it's hand. The thing started to rise as the figure leapt onto it's back and thrust the shorgun against the back of its head. "Die you moth" sh-clack "ker!" The figure looked around ^Knytt?^ ^Hey! I've been looking for you. Cool tank.^ A couple of plasma bolts hit the pavement around him and he dived back through the window, Knytt noticed another figure just inside the window firing at the Grey snipers on the opposite side of the street. ^Top floor, that green house, you couldn't oblige with the tank could you?^ =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:22:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 22:59:22 -0700 In Message # 00003594 In alt.callahans Post # 00001807 Gareth L Owen said: > On Sun, 5 Apr 1998 10:50:30 -0700 (MST) In Message # 00003579 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001792 Driscoll said: > > *Ya know somehow I feel like I need a shower after this bath. Lets > just get off this stuff and to that Island.* Driss qwips as he swims > to the boat. Once clamering inside he retrieves a pair of > collapsable oars and stows his cloak away again. > Then slowly but surely the black rubber boat and its one apparent > occupant makes its way towards the island. Ahead is a beach, at the end of the beach a short cliff and above that towers the outer wall of the Azeronium device complex, in a tasteful shade of hot pink. Dead seabirds float on the water, apparently poisoned by the air or the sea or something, the only obvious entrance on this part of the wall is a landing deck of some sort near the top of the wall. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:22:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 23:22:30 -0700 In Message # 00003595 In alt.callahans Post # 00001808 Gareth L Owen said: > On Fri, 3 Apr 1998 17:28:47 EST In Message # 00003546 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001759 Dane0R0A said: > > point in time where the blockage began, until the point in time > where it is removed. As I recall, the problem with blocking the > energy access of the Az. devices was that they would try to draw > more, and more, until the blockage gave way. In this particular > case, the blockage CAN'T give way, and if there is a "pool" of > energy "behind" the blockage when The Stardragon does get around to > removing the lock, it (The Stardragon) will drain it first (yummy).> The Az. devices will aggressively switch 'frequencies' and dimensions, exponentially increasing the power behind their energy draw, even The Stardragon will find it an effort to block them, if he persists he will _probably_ succeed, but at that point a reaction will start that will convert the matter of the Az. devices to energy and seriously warp the local spacetime. Local earthquakes, earthlights, ball lightning, and disrupted weather patterns will be observed as this reaction starts, it'll take maybe ten days to reach 'detonation' point. Stardragon will detect this reaction, and can reverse it by not blocking the Az. devices. By this point he's pretty sure that the Greys did not build them, they are way beyond any of the other capabilities the Greys have shown. Even with the Az. devices working he can still block Grey ships from arriving on Earth or leaving, though. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:22:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Mission: Improbable On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 23:15:17 -0700 In Message # 00003596 In alt.callahans Post # 00001809 Gareth L Owen said: Morgan wrote: > #3-RP9-7 to command,# Roland sends to the saucer, making whatever > motion/symbol of obeisance is appropriate. #This unit reporting with > survivor of probing strike against invaders. Invaders are of the > approximate strength estimated by the most worthy Masters of this > unit. This unit requests permission to report in full as ordered.# > /Well, I guess this is it. I just hope that this isn't 'It,'/ > Roland sends... The saucer hovers nearby for maybe thirty seconds before scanning `3-RP9-7` with some sort of beam. then it replies. #Proceed to central command for debriefing. Landing bay 7 has been cleared for your transit# One of the landing bay doors opens below Roland. Descending he passes through a large landing bay, several house sized saucers are parked off to the sides and Grey technicians and gengeneered creatures scuttle here and there about their business. They pay no heed to Roland. The architecture is weird and alien, sometimes looking as though it were poured or grown rather than built. The path to central command lies through several large chambers each of which contains many Greys going about their alien affairs, the place is almost silent, no talking, very little of any other noise. Entrance to central command lies through a number of portals, each more heavily guarded than the last, at each Roland is scanned, but is never challenged >. At last they enter central command, a huge chamber filled with organic alien workstations and a couple of hundred Greys, working at stations or moving around with who knows what nefarious purpose. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:22:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: OOC recap (was Re: AAE IV: Straaagety!) On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 23:26:08 -0700 In Message # 00003597 In alt.callahans Post # 00001810 Gareth L Owen said: fuzzy wrote: > > The Description Fuzzy gave of his sensor data on the power taps > basicly said that it was a method of creating a conducting route for > the energy to travel without "Opening" a gate... > Since Garath obviously wanted it to be impracticle to stop the > Azeronium Devices directly, that was my best guess on something that > fit the data we had and might work even through the Stardragon's > blockage or The Wards Major... although I doubt the latter, as Fuzzy > was aware of the taps when he designed them. Two points about the Az. devices that should be obvious to those of you who are interacting with them, by now. Firstly, they are way beyond anything else the Greys have, the chances that the Greys could have produced them is pretty much zero. Secondly, they are almost certainly Chaotic. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 17:34:32 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:19:41 PST In Message # 00003598 In alt.callahans Post # 00001811 Nemo said: > On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 14:27:42 -0500 In Message # 00003587 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001800 Zia said: > > "All right." Zia looks thoughtful a moment. "I could have sworn the > rings were linked through their subsidiary batteries, not directly > to the central one on Oa. Maybe it's different here in this Shadow." "Sorry. Simplification for quick discussion." > "You're a possible, actually. They referred to the target as the > 'armored one'. I doubt it's Morgan - she'd be missed, and a > duplicate would ring false to Roland too quickly to be convincing. > Who else wears armor commonly? Male or female, or, erm, other?" "That leaves several possibilities. Unlikely that they meant me as I don't think the opposition realizes the extent of my 'invulnerability' yet. And if they did try it with me, they'd draw the attention of my greater self. I don't think they are *that* crazy." > "I can manage the hyperbaric delta vee. Tell me how much skin > surface pressure per unit area your filter can withstand. I imagine > the wind shift I can arrange will be the limiting step, not the > sensitivity of their pressure guages. After all, they're creating > atmosphere there; they'll expect a slightly higher reading. If the > concentration of molecules of their manufacture reaches the proper > level around the plants, I imagine they'll shut themselves down, and > perhaps even begin a new phase. Have you done any scouting of the > bedrock below them?" "The limits depend totally on the power I supply. Pretty much pure gas law. Energy requirements depend on volume and pressure. We used to use these for things like confining fusion nucleosynthesis reactions (ie Supernova level temps and pressures)." "I haven't done any real scouting of the plants, just some quick scans looking for native life forms back when someone tried removing them wholesale. I'll check." Nemo will try various remot sensing scans. Gravitic, neutrinos, EM, etc. These are passive scans, so the gravitic scan will give density profiles, EM will give IR, Radio, etc. And neutrinos will give a sort of pale X-ray (not many neutrinos will interact with most matter, so the place will be mostly transparent with shadowy details unless there's something *really* weird there.) I trust our GM will tell me what I detect. > RL. Grin. You should have seen Zia make napalm at home one time to > 'greet' some unwelcome guests from another Amberite.> I've survived being an amateur chemist in my younger days. Dumbest thing I ever did was try synthesizing hydrazine without stopping to think about the fact that the reaction in the textbook didn't give the side products. Nor to check the hazard rating for hydrazine. Oops! I know a couple of ways of making "poor man's napalm". But I'd rather not. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 17:34:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE4: Aquatic Attack - Gold Coast - Australia On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:07:41 -0500 In Message # 00003600 In alt.callahans Post # 00001813 Michael Jon Knight said: Molly sits down on her duffle bag after Pyewackett leaves. *So, let me get all this straight. This is Earth. But, it is being terraformed by the Grey aliens. That explains all the ships on the Sub-Etha. The beach I have landed myself on is in Queensland, Autralia. Your name is Nemo.* Molly adds, looking at Nemo, then she looks at Sheila, *Since I didn't see your picture, I guess that makes you just some Sheila out for a walk.* Molly grins, *But somehow, I doubt you just happened by.* Molly looks out over the ocean, starts, falling backward off her dufflebag, then sits up, pointing out to the water. *Somehow, I doubt those happened by, either.* Walking out of the water were a dozen ... well, cross a Grey with a Human, then cross that with a Sea Devil, a Silurian, and a creature from the Black Lagoon and you wouldn't be too far off. They were heavy set like humans, with a grey's enlarged eyes, claws, scales, fins, gills, a small third eye in the center of the forehead, covered in seaweed, and, thank goodness for small mercies, not armed with projectile weapons. Their weapons looked like they had been drug up from the ocean depths. Swords, clubs, lengths of chain were the norm. Molly looks up as she unzips a long zipper running the full length of her dufflebag. *I think I am insulted. I thought they would have learned their lesson last time. Of course, if I went swimming, it would have been more likely they would have won.* Molly stands up, carrying a midnight blue shirasaya, the scabbord and handle covered in small, blue, monarch butterflies. Drawing the silver blade out by about an inch is all it takes for the sea creatures to turn tail and run. As they evacuate, several scars are visible in the sunlight. *Healing nicely, I see. I didn't want to kill them, just to be left alone. They showed up my first day here, looking for an easy meal. Sorry, Coz, no fun today. I'll put you back with Ephekt.* Kneeling, she slips the shirasaya into its pocket, pulls out a matching wakizashi from a smaller pocket underneath, draws it about an inch, then puts it back and stows it away again. *Didn't want you feeling left out, Ephekt. Night, guys.* Yes, Coz and Ephekt are "True" Samauri Rune Swords.> =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 17:35:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:07:45 -0500 In Message # 00003601 In alt.callahans Post # 00001814 Michael Jon Knight said: >On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 21:18:19 -0700 In Message # 00003593 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001806 Gareth L Owen said: > >in any way, they definitely communicate somehow, though> >The thing started to rise as the figure leapt onto it's back and >thrust the shorgun against the back of its head. > >"Die you moth" sh-clack "ker!" > >The figure looked around > >^Knytt?^ > >^Hey! I've been looking for you. Cool tank.^ ^It's the cat's. Lets Pyewackett come out and play with the big guns.^ >A couple of plasma bolts hit the pavement around him and he dived >back through the window, Knytt noticed another figure just inside the >window firing at the Grey snipers on the opposite side of the street. > >^Top floor, that green house, you couldn't oblige with the tank could >you?^ "Pye, ya mind swatting a-" The top floor of the green house erupted in a blaze of high-energy plasma. As it subsided, the green house had one less story. "Squish." said Pyewackett through the Robot. "Guess not." Knytt muttered. ^Yeah, Stranger, we've been looking-^ Knytt shot one of the Grey 'Grunts' just emerging from a nearby garage, ^-for you, too. Or more aptly, a Mr. Black that we suspected might be you.^ The twins meanwhile had had Pyewackett throw up a simple force field around Knytt and himself. They took off in opposite directions toward houses on either side of the street. Greys flew unwillingly out first story windows on both sides of the street as plasma blasts were fired in the houses. Then Greys began falling out second story windows as well. ^Uh, the blonde Technoterrors are my adopted 'daughters'. Though who adopted who is a matter of some debate. Don't be surprised to be called Uncle. Its just their way of looking at the CAoL. Oh, and they aren't as old as they look.^ "Dad! You going to stand around all day or fight?" Melissa shouted from the left house. Grep fired a plasma blast at Melissa, catching an alien in the chest behind her. "You should talk, sis! How'd you miss him?" Knytt fired from street level toward Grep, catching an alien slipping up behind her as well. "Neither of you are perfect." Knytt said. Knytt continued down the street, the twins picking off snipers, while Knytt took out ground troops and Pyewackett, well, took out whatever struck his fancy to take out. ^By the way, Stranger, there is a large carpet bag in the back compartment of the 'tank'. I found a rather nice cache of rifles, shotguns, pistols, a couple uzis and ammo for all in a house down the block and stocked up. They aren't plasma weapons, but they seem to be effective enough.^ =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 18:33:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Mission: Improbable On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 18:15:44 In Message # 00003602 In alt.callahans Post # 00001815 Morgan said: >On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 23:15:17 -0700 In Message # 00003596 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001809 Gareth L Owen said: > >Morgan wrote: >One of the landing bay doors opens below Roland. Descending he passes >through a large landing bay, several house sized saucers are parked >off to the sides and Grey technicians and gengeneered creatures >scuttle here and there about their business. They pay no heed to >Roland. The architecture is weird and alien, sometimes looking as >though it were poured or grown rather than built. >The path to central command lies through several large chambers >each of which contains many Greys going about their alien affairs, >the place is almost silent, no talking, very little of any other >noise. Entrance to central command lies through a number of portals, >each more heavily guarded than the last, at each Roland is scanned, >but is never challenged >. At last they enter central >command, a huge chamber filled with organic alien workstations and a >couple of hundred Greys, working at stations or moving around with >who knows what nefarious purpose. As they go, Roland is using his powers as subtly as possible to read information from the computers as they pass...plans for the Az. device, Grey tech, battle strategies, their motivation for colonization, anything he can get his mind on. Morgan, meanwhile, is looking (as well as scanning with all senses) in whatever direction Roland _isn't,_ watching his back. Outwardly, however, Roland appears to be walking calmly to report to 'his' masters, and his aide seems to be marvelling at the amazing complex without looking like a newbie tourist. Just before entering central command, Roland sends a quick, tight 'burst' of information to the AI twins via cyberpsi (the mode chosen to avoid detection) of all the data he has gleaned from the enormous machine(?). "Unit 3-RP9-7 reporting for debriefing." ^You think they'll bite?^ Roland sends. ^I'm not sure I like your choice of terms,^ Morgan replies dryly. ^Did that just seem _too_ easy to you?^ ^They were _expecting_ me. Him. You know what I mean. I'm not sure what else you thought they'd do.^ ^Call it women's intuition, call it paranoia. Just don't be surprised if all hell suddenly breaks loose.^ Roland sends a smile through the link. ^Honey, I'll be _amazed_ if we get through this whole thing without being made. I have an ace up my sleeve. Well, on my right ring finger. You know what I mean.^ >want> (OOC: Naaah. The whole plan is based on raw brazenness. What enemy would _dare_ walk right into the heart of the Greys' power? ) Honey, does this mean we're brave or stupid? There's a difference? ;^) =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:04:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Mission: Improbable (2) On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 18:55:56 In Message # 00003603 In alt.callahans Post # 00001816 Morgan said: >On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 23:26:08 -0700 In Message # 00003597 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001810 Gareth L Owen said: > >Two points about the Az. devices that should be obvious to those of >you who are interacting with them, by now. Firstly, they are way >beyond anything else the Greys have, the chances that the Greys could >have produced them is pretty much zero. Secondly, they are almost >certainly Chaotic. /Roland, what tech level would you say the Greys are?/ /On a scale of 1 to 10, about a 7.5,/ Roland comments absently as he continues hacking. /And what level would you say the Azeronium is?/ Morgan's mental voice is even. Roland pauses mentally. /At least a 9,/ he admits. Morgan catches his eye briefly. /So, what's _wrong_ with this picture?/ /Oh, great. Just what we need. More conspiracies. Where's Fox Mulder when you need him? I hate biotech. The constant shifts give me headaches./ Roland pauses. /Just a minute. I thought that the Greys were on the side of _Order_ in this whole mess. After all, didn't whatsisname-Arioch-bring us here to _fight_ the Greys? I thought they were working for MolloM, whoever _he_ is. This tech is way too chaotic for their style./ /'Chewie, I've got a _bad_ feeling about this,'/ Morgan quotes. /The rest of you getting this?/ she sends to the others. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:37:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE 4: Atmospheric Effects On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 20:54:16 -0500 In Message # 00003604 In alt.callahans Post # 00001817 Zia said: >On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 20:58:47 -0700 In Message # 00003591 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001804 Gareth L Owen said: > >A quick scan by Nemo or Armageddon or someone will reveal that the >Az. devices seem to exert a field affect over the whole planet, and >alien atmosphere appears to be being created everywhere very slowly, >although there are a large number of what are apparetnly monitoring >stations scattered around. Zia groans. "This is going to be harder than I thought. Okay, scrap most of plan A. I'll start working on Plan B, after I see if at the least the Arc's covered sections are transforming back to normal. And then, I'll need to do a projection on if I can do the change fast enough to pull ahead." "If not, I'm going to have to be more subtle. I have about five common techniques for dealing with this sort of thing, but any of them might rebound on the more technified CAoLers or Chaos himself. I don't NEED those sorts of headaches. And it's very poor form to take out targets you weren't aiming at." =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:37:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: Aquatic Attack - Gold Coast - Australia On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 21:08:56 -0500 In Message # 00003605 In alt.callahans Post # 00001818 Zia said: >On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:07:41 -0500 In Message # 00003600 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001813 Michael Jon Knight said: > >Molly sits down on her duffle bag after Pyewackett leaves. > >*So, let me get all this straight. This is Earth. But, it is being >terraformed by the Grey aliens. That explains all the ships on the >Sub-Etha. The beach I have landed myself on is in Queensland, >Autralia. Your name is Nemo.* Molly adds, looking at Nemo, then she >looks at Sheila, *Since I didn't see your picture, I guess that makes >you just some Sheila out for a walk.* Molly grins, *But somehow, I >doubt you just happened by.* Sheila, for her part, rolls over about halfway on her side, slides the glasses down her nose far enough to give Molly a saucy wink and blows her a kiss, then glances at the 'amphibian assualt'. Then Molly routs them by drawing a sword. >*Healing nicely, I see. I didn't want to kill them, just to be left >alone. They showed up my first day here, looking for an easy meal. >Sorry, Coz, no fun today. I'll put you back with Ephekt.* Kneeling, >she slips the shirasaya into its pocket, pulls out a matching >wakizashi from a smaller pocket underneath, draws it about an inch, >then puts it back and stows it away again. *Didn't want you feeling >left out, Ephekt. Night, guys.* *Interesting.* Sheila pushes the Gargoyle (TM) sunglasses back up her nose, and asks Molly. *If you know, and wouldn't mind telling me, who was the smith who made your blades? Yourself?* Sheila Sunbathing on the Gold Coast It's a hard life, being an adventurer... =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:37:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE 4: To Resolve a Spiral, Revolve an Arc On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 21:04:15 -0500 In Message # 00003606 In alt.callahans Post # 00001819 Zia said: >On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 16:19:41 PST In Message # 00003598 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001811 Nemo said: > >> "All right." Zia looks thoughtful a moment. "I could have sworn the >> rings were linked through their subsidiary batteries, not directly >> to the central one on Oa. Maybe it's different here in this >> Shadow." > >"Sorry. Simplification for quick discussion." > > "Ah. These Az devices - are you familiar with their design principles? Any speculation on what POWERS them? The Arc isn't absorbing anything, so it's not nuclear." >"That leaves several possibilities. Unlikely that they meant me as I > don't think the opposition realizes the extent of my > 'invulnerability' yet. And if they did try it with me, they'd draw > the attention of my greater self. I don't think they are *that* > crazy." "That agrees with my threat estimations." Zia says, absently as she puzzles about Az devices and atmospheres. "It's also someone that can be baited into quick reaction. Since he seemed sure of the trap closing. Which means I don't know enough to stop it." Nemo said: >"The limits depend totally on the power I supply. Pretty much pure > gas law. Energy requirements depend on volume and pressure. We used > to use these for things like confining fusion nucleosynthesis > reactions (ie Supernova level temps and pressures)." "Ah. Won't work anyway - I just 'found' their fields extending in the atmosphere. Maybe if I change the magnetic poles a bit? Repel the field away, and break them asunder? But could I repair them afterwards?" Zia seems to be talking to herself, but Nemo can see that it's actually the rest of the Crew at the other nodes she is conversing at. >"I haven't done any real scouting of the plants, just some quick > scans looking for native life forms back when someone tried removing > them wholesale. I'll check." "Domo arigato. Mr. Roboto." She GRINS. "I couldn't resist." >I've survived being an amateur chemist in my younger days. Dumbest >thing I ever did was try synthesizing hydrazine without stopping to >think about the fact that the reaction in the textbook didn't give >the side products. Nor to check the hazard rating for hydrazine. >Oops! > >I know a couple of ways of making "poor man's napalm". But I'd rather >not. =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 21:02:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE 4: Just for Fun - London Town Ruins Cathedral On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 22:57:04 -0500 In Message # 00003607 &3611 In alt.callahans Post # 00001820 & 1824 Zia said: Sera, who is alone now within the cathedral hops easily into the air and perches on one of the few rafters still structurally sound. She folds the gorgeous pinkish red flamino wings back once more, and glances about the empty church with a look of slight sadness. No reproach, no anger. "Our Father's house is a place of comfort. Shall we hold it warm and welcome any who are in need as was told would be the forgiven man's lot in Heaven?" She smiles then, the golden light that hangs about her auburn tresses brightening at the thought. "Yes. That one will do. After all, He calls all to love, and me the Angel of Love." She begins to sing, softly, the power grows with the song, filling the church with resounding music. When you look into my eyes And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul It always comes as a surprise When I feel my withered roots begin to grow Well I never had a place that I could call my very own That's all right, my love, 'cause you're my home When you touch my weary head And you tell me everything will be all right You say, "Use my body for your bed And my love will keep you warm throughout the night" Well I'll never be a stranger and I'll never be alone Whenever we're together, that's my home Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike Indiana's early morning dew High up in the hills of California Home is just another word for you Well I never had a place that I could call my very own That's all right, my love, 'cause you're my home If I travel all my life And I never get to stop and settle down Long as I have you by my side There's a roof above and good walls all around You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome I need you in my house 'cause you're my home. You're my home. As she sings, the walls glow, blue and golden light shimmers in odd corners, and in faint sheets. Damage to the building begins to fade as the walls strengthen and rebuild. The roof is solid and the whole place gleaming clean by the time the angel is finished. The pews right themselves in best Mary Poppin's manner, and a long trestle table stacked with a feast now stands in the entry hall outside the nave. The wall to the left now has a huge fireplace about 10 feet wide, full of logs to take the chill from the room. The angel fades from any normal or scientific based type of view as a desparate family seeking somewhere warm for the night stumbles across the 'renovated' church. A few more refugees trickle in throughout the night. There would be fighting over the food, but everyone can tell there is more than enough. Exhausted parents bed their children down in the pews, wearily standing guard over them even here in the face of this inexplicable happening. Not many make it here, though, since not many survive in any case, and only the area within the shield can be navigated by the refugees to get here. Sera =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 21:33:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Tue, 7 Apr 1998 00:23:35 EDT In Message # 00003608 In alt.callahans Post # 00001821 Dane0R0A said: << Stranger wrote: Stardragon will detect this reaction, and can reverse it by not blocking the Az. devices. By this point he's pretty sure that the Greys did not build them, they are way beyond any of the other capabilities the Greys have shown. Even with the Az. devices working he can still block Grey ships from arriving on Earth or leaving, though. >> The Stardragon's small voice comes across the CAoL link /There are some devices attempting to draw power through my lock on this world. They seem to thrashing, and if allowed to continue, will cause some real damage. Do you wish me to maintain the lock, while allowing the devices to draw their power, do you want me to destroy the devices, or do you want me to remove the lock?/ =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 22:03:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE: Fun, profit, and pure malicious will. On Tue, 7 Apr 1998 00:41:00 -0400 (EDT) In Message # 00003609 In alt.callahans Post # 00001822 Shadow said: OOC: Not having anything for Rhiannon to do, I've decided to check up on Jadis. Jadis sheltered himself just inside London, dark thoughts flowing through his mind. The knowledge that, even though it was required, he must lose the battle in this place galled him. Perhaps a... Yes. Perfect. He stood up and extended his hands, bringing them close together then expanding the diameter of the cicle described between them. He repeated this process several times, until he reached the correct level of magnification. Picking a peice of metal off the ground, he dropped it into the circle, saying the words and making the gestures more for the style of it than any real need. Inside the circle a form began to take shape. Roughly mechanical, it was a mass of claws and arms around a central processing core. Only there were trillions of them. Now to hardwire them. Priority One: Disperse and remain dormant until signal is received. Priority Two: Upon activation, each unit is to consume mass and replicate. Priority Three: Upon consumption of all mass in this space, wait for my orders. Jadis smiled, "Go forth, my children, and multiply. BWuh Hahahahahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" =========================== Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 22:33:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Straaagety! (sic) On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 22:07:53 In Message # 00003610 In alt.callahans Post # 00001823 Morgan said: >On Tue, 7 Apr 1998 00:23:35 EDT In Message # 00003608 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001821 Dane0R0A said: >The Stardragon's small voice comes across the CAoL link /There are >some devices attempting to draw power through my lock on this world. >They seem to thrashing, and if allowed to continue, will cause some >real damage. Do you wish me to maintain the lock, while allowing the >devices to draw their power, do you want me to destroy the devices, >or do you want me to remove the lock?/ On his way to central control, Roland 'hears' this. /From what little we know at the moment, Stardragon, removing the lock would be a good idea. Keeping our many enemies off this world is a good idea, but not enough of one to risk what those things will do is they blow their tops./ (Insert image from end of LiS: the Movie here. ) /Folx? Opinions?/ Then, (tying the timelines together): >On Mon, 6 Apr 1998 19:07:45 -0500 In Message # 00003601 > In alt.callahans Post # 00001814 Michael Jon Knight said: > >>On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 21:18:19 -0700 In Message # 00003593 >> In alt.callahans Post # 00001806 Gareth L Owen said: >> >>^Hey! I've been looking for you. Cool tank.^ >^Yeah, Stranger, we've been looking-^ Knytt shot one of the Grey >'Grunts' just emerging from a nearby garage, ^-for you, too. Or more >aptly, a Mr. Black that we suspected might be you.^ While Roland is concentrating on dealing with his 'bosses', Morgan touches bases with the rest of the CAoL. Seeing Knytt's firefight, she thinks she catches a familiar face. /Knytt? How's it going over there?/ ===========================