Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 65 Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:45:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: The Plot Revealed-At Last! On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:08:35 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005864 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:04:06 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005857 > >>On Mon, 14 Sep 1998 22:37:57 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005850 >> >> "Would you like anything before we begin?" Z'On'Dar asks >>politely, in a surprisingly normal voice, in the native languages of >>each member of the CAoL simultaneously. "Healing? Furniture? The >>digestible of your species?" > >"No, thank you," Michael Seven replies simply. Z'On'Dar nods. >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:09:49 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005861 > >John quips, "I don't eat other members of my species." "Oh?" the Shadow seems almost amused. "Then what you did to Jadis earlier was not digestion. Or perhaps you do not consider him to be the of the same species as yourself?" >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00005858 > >> On Mon, 14 Sep 1998 22:37:57 >> Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005850 >> >> Z'On'Dar looks the entire CAoL over. "You are no doubt wondering >> why you are all here, and that a fight has not yet broken out." >> Shard chuckles. >> "Because you have a use for them," Lara says as she appears. An >> exquisite 'woman' apparently carved from obsidian, she steps >> forward to join the CAoL, a sword of the same substance as herself >> in one 'hand.' "As you did for my mate." > >"Because it is still opperating under the delusion that it can Use >Us." "The connotations you imply are misleading," Z'On'Dar replies. "Are they?" Lara asks. "You appear to be operating under a _number_ of delusions." Z'On'Dar's eyes dim as it glares at her. "My patience is great, gendered one, but it is not without limits..." >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:09:49 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005861 >>It looks up, and though it doesn't have eyes to roll, it manages to >>give that impression. "The Source." Z'On'Dar and Darkseid exchange >>looks. "True Magick," it says finally, with a nod to Morgan. "The >>'True' Mages come closer than most to understanding, but instead of >>using their knowledge to expand reality, fight for a single >>perception thereof. Present company excepted." Z'On'Dar's eyes dim (the equivalent of a human's eyes narrowing). "I will admit to a small bias; I consider the very existence of such cosmic infants as the Stardragon and the Zodaii, while far wiser entities remain in fragile biological forms, offensive on a philosophical level. However, the Zodaii _are_ a primal force-as you are now learning-and from what I have seen of them they believe themselves to be the progenitors of all. I should note that I do not mean YOU-the entity John-but the Zodaii proper...and those who have succumbed to them." >>"Although only a few of you _truly_ understand what you're fighting >>for-the cat, the 'Lensdragon,' the former Time Lord-you all in one >>way or another strive for a more accepting reality." >> Z'On'Dar waves one pincer behind it to the Tower. "I will >>complete your work in one stroke." > >/Oh great,/ Mike thinks, /Just what we need, a Magneto to our gestalt >Professor Xavier./ /Aroo?/ Roland sends, then gets it. /Oy. I wish that analogy didn't fit so well. Unless he goes the way Magnus did./ Roland looks at Z'On'Dar nervously. /Not that I'm counting on it./ >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00005858 >Fuzzy Split Speaks > >= You do not understand, > Acceptance is not required, > Merely Freedom for Each, to > Choose its own Destiny,= "Is not acceptance required for freedom?" Z'On'Dar replies simply. >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:09:49 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005861 > >>'Malice' is back in its Morpheum prison, and the Controller and >>Jadis are unable to interfere further. A few others did > >A telepathic whisper can be heard by those who are listening for it, >but John hears it clear as day, ^Why should I wish to interfere when >he accomplishes my goal for me.^ John gets a sinking feeling in the >pit of his stomach and looks around. > >>try to betray me, but they were easily dealt with. Z'On'Dar finishes its sentence, then pauses briefly. ^Thank you for announcing yourself.^ >> Morden smiles again, and for the briefest of moments becomes a >>being of pure...existence. "It's already done." > >"And you didn't learn a thing in the process, did you, Mr. Morden?" >Mike asks rhetorically. "On the contrary," Morden replies. "While I have learned...many things...in the service of Z'Ha'Dum, my present state-which is not even the complete existence all will enjoy-has opened up conceptions which even _I_ had not imagined." He smiles at Mike in a way that would make a lesser man squirm. "And I have a _vivid_ imagination." >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00005858 >Fuzzy Split Speaks > >=Potential is a function of Paradigm, > Not all Paradigms are Created Equal, > Nor does this atrocity allow, > Paradigms to evolve. > As they must, > When New Perception prompts.= > >=An Ape would never conceive a Human as the Next Evolutionary step.= Z'On'Dar 'blinks.' "What need would there even _be_ for paradigm when perception is without limit?" >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 03:09:02 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00005851 >A man in a trench coat appears, and says, "Your dream is mad, of >course." A voice, that sounds like Z'On'Dar's, but coming from the >non-descript man's shoulder, says "Of course." > >(Of interest is the fact that the man is wearing a piece of ID >marking him as "C. Scott Osborne", a member of the Maintainers Guild >[1].) > > (OOC: You asked for it. ) Z'On'Dar's eyes light up (literally; Shadows' 'eyes' are a series of red lights behind what looks like a grill) and it turns on the newcomer as if it teleported in place. "I AM-" Then it composes itself. "I am quite sane, I assure you. The last of Fatale's enchantment will fade within the hour, and I can control that portion of it which remains." /Yeah, right,/ Roland sends, eyes widening behind his Blaze mask. /Oh grife.../ >Scott resumes, "This device looks suspiciously like a Reality Weapon. >And the fatal flaw of all reality weapons is that they are >dangerously unstable. No telling which way the device will go. This >device will, in all likelyhood, destroy the multiverse." Z'On'Dar nods. "_That_ is a valid concern. Of course, I have very carefully tested the system in a number of ways. It is quite stable I assure you. Should something go wrong, it will simply fail to do anything." (OOC: Anyone checking his veracity in this statement confirm everything that it said. Its blowing up the universe-accidentally- isn't a problem. ) >>*You are not giving a gift, you are denying all the chance to EARN >> their 'godhood'. And thus making it a mockery.* > >Michael looks at Nemo/NEMO. "Exactly my thoughts." "That was precisely the argument that kept a war going between my species and the Vorlon for eons," Z'On'Dar replies. "If you can point out a flaw in my reasoning, I welcome your input-that is, after all, the _other_ reason you're here-but if all you are going to do is argue morality then you are wasting my time." >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00005858 >"Of Course the will fail, > They are doing so now, > As Each of your Suckers, > Gains only the Experience of Futility. "Few if any of them are under any delusions," Z'On'Dar says. Dara smiles in such a way to imply that Z'On'Dar might be, but _she_ sure isn't. >"The Journey Shapes the Goal, > Lord Fuzzy left the Predator Paradigm, > As part of my basic heratage, > He had no other to give... > I have begun to suspect that there are others, > But I have not yet learned what they are, > Nor Had the chance to decide amongst them." Z'On'Dar nods. "Another valid concern-but the ability to perceive a thing will arise as the ability to comprehend it does. Such is the nature of reality-self, as you should know." (OOC: The combat to be handled in a separate post.) =========================== Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:51:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:44:20 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005865 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 03:40:35 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005854 >> Roland gazes levelly at the Shadow, his still-wounded mind >> buzzing with half-formed thought. "There's something to be said for >> your plan, Z'On'Dar. I can't find any holes in it. But my gut tells >> me you're wrong." >> "Damn! I warned you!" Shard shouts, his sword of Quickening >> forming in his hand. "He's going to attack!" He lunges. > > the way". Care to guess what happens to an "immortal" trying to > absorb the "Quickening" from someone like Nemo? :-)> (OOC: Oh, why not? The following assumes that Nemo is just walking into the line of fire, not actually fighting. Please clarify if he's doing something else.) Shard, seeing what looks to him like a suicidal fool stepping in his way, proves that he wasn't just blowing smoke when he came back at Driss; the Quickening blade turns and slides neatly through Nemo's 'heart.' Shard then does an impression of a 110 volt appliance plugged directly into a power plant; his back physically explodes, a beam of energy flying back about twenty feet behind him before disappearing into the quantum strata. An unfortunate immortal in Shard's service is caught in the blast and proves that Roland's brand of 'immortality' is somewhat overrated. NEMO actually _feels_ the drain. "Nemo!" Roland dives forward...then stops, wondering what he could _possibly_ do in this situation. Shard himself, however, doesn't look much the worse for wear after the Quickening blade dissipates. In fact, his back heals almost instantly once the connection breaks. His eyes glow brightly enough to be almost painful for normal humans to look at. "whoah...what a rush." "Get OFF of him!" Roland snarls, a TK blast throwing the stoned immortal back. "Now _that_ wasn't very nice," Bester replies in his usual calm tone, and _Blaze_ gets tossed on his rear. Shard, seeing his chance, re-forms his Q-Blade and does an anime leap at Roland. "KiAAAAi!" Morgan, still in her 'supers' costume, steps forward and parries forcefully. Shard boggles at the sight of Morgan parrying his sword. "You? SOLITARE? Against _ME?_ You _are_ joking, aren't you?" He steps back, appraising her almost casually as Roland blasts at Bester, who seems to have a red-and-blue energy field forming around him. "You may have been the Sorceress Supreme of Atlantis, but when it comes to down and dirty you've never been more than competent." He turns the Q-Blade into a blunt force and attempts to disarm Morgan. "Ye always _did_ underestimate me," she replies, vastly amused herself as she disarms _him._ Shard stares a moment, backing away, then the sword returns to his hand. "You've gotten better." He smiles again. "Good. It looks like I'm going to enjoy this." Morgan's eyes sparkle, though with _what_ is hard to tell. "Shall we dance?" >> "Shard, no-" Z'On'Dar says, then sighs as (presumably) all hell >> breaks loose. It begins scuttling back toward the Tower... Roland, meanwhile, snarls at a Bester now armored in pure astral force recognizable to those familiar with the Marvel Universe. "Onslaught, eh? It suits you, Worster." (OOC: The pre-Nate version.) Morgan spares a thought to fling a mental peanut at her husband. "It suits my new power, at any rate," Bester replies, the construct forming a smile in the helm as it fires a blast that Roland parries-barely. An immie tries to sneak up behind Blaze, but he is stopped short- his head flying off as his body falls-as Byron walks past looking like Death made flesh. The Quickening congeals into a ball behind the ex-Gaunt as he strides through their ranks; he can't afford to undergo the Quickening yet, so he refuses to, though the effort clearly shows on his face. (Presumably, other CAoLers stop the other baddies from spitting Roland like a side of beef.) =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 04:37:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: The Plot Revealed-At Last! On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 23:54:05 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005866 > On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:08:35 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005864 > >>On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:04:06 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005857 >> >>>*You are not giving a gift, you are denying all the chance to EARN >>> their 'godhood'. And thus making it a mockery.* >> >>Michael looks at Nemo/NEMO. "Exactly my thoughts." > > "That was precisely the argument that kept a war going between my > species and the Vorlon for eons," Z'On'Dar replies. "If you can > point out a flaw in my reasoning, I welcome your input-that is, > after all, the _other_ reason you're here-but if all you are going > to do is argue morality then you are wasting my time." NEMO responds. *Your thinking is unforgivably muddy. I/we are not arguing morality. We are stating facts that you find inconvenient. You spoke of Will and Perception as being the differentiating factors between beings. Yet those are _exactly_ the traits that are trained by the struggle you wish to eliminate.* *Why this impatience to reach the goal 'now', rather than in the fullness of time?* =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 04:37:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 00:03:37 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005867 > On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:44:20 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005865 > > Shard then does an impression of a 110 volt appliance plugged > directly into a power plant; his back physically explodes, a beam of > energy flying back about twenty feet behind him before disappearing > into the quantum strata. An unfortunate immortal in Shard's service > is caught in the blast and proves that Roland's brand of > 'immortality' is somewhat overrated. NEMO actually _feels_ the > drain. > "Nemo!" Roland dives forward...then stops, wondering what he > could _possibly_ do in this situation. /No need to worry, Roland./ > Shard himself, however, doesn't look much the worse for wear > after the Quickening blade dissipates. In fact, his back heals > almost instantly once the connection breaks. His eyes glow brightly > enough to be almost painful for normal humans to look at. "whoah... > what a rush." And Nemo/NEMO doesn't look any the worse for wear. The hole sealed without a trace as the sword withdrew. > Shard stares a moment, backing away, then the sword returns to > his hand. "You've gotten better." He smiles again. "Good. It looks > like I'm going to enjoy this." > > Morgan's eyes sparkle, though with _what_ is hard to tell. "Shall we > dance?" Nemo, seeing that these are "old enemies" decides to leave them alone for now. > An immie tries to sneak up behind Blaze, but he is stopped short- > his head flying off as his body falls-as Byron walks past looking > like Death made flesh. The Quickening congeals into a ball behind > the ex-Gaunt as he strides through their ranks; he can't afford to > undergo the Quickening yet, so he refuses to, though the effort > clearly shows on his face. > (Presumably, other CAoLers stop the other baddies from spitting > Roland like a side of beef.) Nemo will deflect attempts to "gang up" on CAoL members and anyone else on "our side". Ge'll use the minimum force required, but in cases where there are many attacks, that could require enough force to "severely inconvenience" the baddies. (Can you say "sideswiped by a planet"? :-) Meanwhile, he's studying the construct looking for weak points, and control points (ie how to break things and how to make them "do" things). If Darkseid starts throwing around the Omega Effect again, Nemo will take him on. =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 05:14:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Revelations, part I On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 07:44:20 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005868 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:08:19 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005863 > > Roland frowns. /Well, if it doesn't...how do you usually deal with >rebellious new personalities?/ He doesn't sound at _all_ comfortable >with plan 'B,' but seeing as there doesn't seem to be too much >choice... /We lock them in a back portion of our minds until they learn to behave. If they do not, and continue to pose a threat to the collective then they are... forciably integrated among the other persona's that are the nearest match./ =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 06:36:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: The Plot Revealed-At Last! On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:03 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005869 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:08:35 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005864 > >>On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 10:04:06 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005857 >> >>"And you didn't learn a thing in the process, did you, Mr. Morden?" >>Mike asks rhetorically. > > "On the contrary," Morden replies. "While I have learned...many >things...in the service of Z'Ha'Dum, my present state-which is not >even the complete existence all will enjoy-has opened up conceptions >which even _I_ had not imagined." He smiles at Mike in a way that >would make a lesser man squirm. "And I have a _vivid_ imagination." Mike sighs, as if to say 'not what I meant at all'. He shakes his head and drops the matter. [I guess 'wisdon' was the word I should have used. Oh well, never was one for educating people, anyway.] > Then it composes itself. "I am quite sane, I assure you. The last >of Fatale's enchantment will fade within the hour, and I can control >that portion of it which remains." > /Yeah, right,/ Roland sends, eyes widening behind his Blaze mask. >/Oh grife.../ /'Yeah, right.' 'Oh grife.'? Is that one thought or two?/ > "That was precisely the argument that kept a war going between my >species and the Vorlon for eons," Z'On'Dar replies. "If you can point >out a flaw in my reasoning, I welcome your input-that is, after all, >the _other_ reason you're here-but if all you are going to do is >argue morality then you are wasting my time." "From where I sat," Mike replied, "It was more a matter of your race doled out just enough power to a few weaker groups to put everyone on an equal footing, then let them fight out their problems, while the Vorlons held everyone back until they passed tests the Vorlons felt made them ready for whatever new power they wanted to dole out. I'm saying don't help, don't hinder, just let them do it on their own. They will gain more wisdom doing it alone, with no assistance or hinderance. But that is morality to you, isn't it?" Mike paused for any reply then went on, "I give you four examples of why you won't be getting rid of anything by physically evolving the multiverse to its physical limits. The Zodaii, the Stardragon and his Great Adversary, the Starspawn themselves, and your race and the Vorlons. It seems the more power you've got, the more divided you become. The more set in your ways. I won't say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, but it certainly doesn't seem to give out wisdom, does it? You even said words to that effect yourself when you brought them up. Wisdom is something they have had to earn on their own. Some with more success than others. They all have their wise moments, but seem to be just as fallible and their wisdon as inconsistant as the rest of us without the powers. So, all you are going to achieve by this, which you might note is the same old plan I know your race for, is cause more strife. You are still 'knocking over ant hills', as Mr. Morden's associate, Justin, put it." =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 06:37:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:09 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005870 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:44:20 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005865 > >"Ye always _did_ underestimate me," she replies, vastly amused >herself as she disarms _him._ Mike spares half a moment to send Morgan that classic cartoon line: /'E don't know me vewy well, do 'e?/ > Roland, meanwhile, snarls at a Bester now armored in pure astral >force recognizable to those familiar with the Marvel Universe. >"Onslaught, eh? It suits you, Worster." (OOC: The pre-Nate version.) > >Morgan spares a thought to fling a mental peanut at her husband. It takes Mike a few moments to get this as he is rather preoccupied (with what, I will get to in a moment) then he adds his own mental honey roasted to Roland's collection. > (Presumably, other CAoLers stop the other baddies from spitting >Roland like a side of beef.) Mike meanwhile was doing several things at once. Physically, he was fighting off three immortals, which would have been easy enough had he also not been trying to size up the rest of the opposition as well as looking for a way to stop Knightmare's machine. /Those globes look to be the key to the machine. Its understanding of every possiblity is likely going to come from a balancing act of the understanding each of the six can impart on whatever they are looking at.../ Most of the generals Knightmare had gathered Mike was unfamiliar with. Bester seems to be an even match for Roland. Shard and Morgan were quite busy. He suspected Dara was there to match Zia and James. Deathwalker (Jha'dur) would also be best balanced by either Morgan or one of the genetics whizs (which left Mike out, at least as far as genetic combat went). Fuzzy's elementals seemed to line up nicely with Darkseid's demons. He gathered Tahka-whatsis was there to delay Dhyrclhanc. Galactus was for Aurora. The two in orbit were for the Dragon's Bane and the Velvet Glove. Morden was likely either for John, Nemo, or Driss. And anyone else he was forgetting on either side probably already had a match. So, who was supposed to stop him? Mike grinned. The one going to guard the machine, of course. That's what -Mike- would try attacking, so his 'match' would move to protect it. Not like Knightmare hadn't tried to drill it into his head enough as it was that the bug considered Mike his most worthy opponent. Not that Mike wanted the job, Morden could probably currently 'take' him, as Mike wasn't sure just -what- Morden 'was' now, beyond some sort of Jason Ironheart (the ultimate evolutionary end for humans in the B5 reality, an energy being like Vorlons and the other First Ones). But, Mike knew himself, and he knew he had a tendency to cut to the chase when attacking, throwing monkey wrenches where he could into the Tower's works. So, that was likely what Knightmare expected. Well, far be it from him to disappoint anyone. As all these thoughts went through his head and out over the Lens Link for critique (no sense hogging the glory, especially if someone else felt they could handle Knightmare better than he could), Mike still fought with the three Immies. It was an ...odd battle. As three Immortals went for Roland, Mike stepped into their path, raising his sword before his face in salute. They stopped, seeming confused by this, perhaps feeling such behavior was odd for someone who was not immortal. A formal sword duel was almost sacred, not something to be wasted on mortal men. Duels with mortals were matters to be joked over. So, it wasn't surprising that they didn't consider this mundane man threatening, though, considering he -flew- down from space must have implied he was a mage of some sort, worthy of some respect, even if only grudgingly. Still, three against one, no matter the magic, was a fool's contest. They saluted in return, with smirks and sniggers behind the guards of their blades. Michael wielded his sword in his left hand, shifting into an en guarde position, left foot in front of the right heel by about a shoulder width, feet at right angles to each other. The three mirrored his position, all three right handers, each about three feet in an arc away from each other. The center Immie, a large blonde Mike nicknamed 'Tiny' was the first to lunge. Mike beat his sword to Mike's right, blocking the rightmost immortal, who Mike nicknamed 'Specks' for his glasses. The left immie, 'Ratboy', who had rodentesque features, lunged for Mike's sword shoulder, aiming for a spot slightly toward the back. Mike retreated slightly, bringing the tip of his blade under Ratboy's then smacking it hard to the side, toward Tiny. They started to see the flaw in their positions and moved around away from each other to let their sword arms more room for movement. Mike took the opportunity to step and lunge forward toward Tiny. Tiny moved back, naturally, but it wasn't his body Mike was lunging for. Tiny's saber had a fancy hilt similar to the one Inigo had in the Princess Bride movie, and Mike managed to ge the point of his sword entangled in that hilt. Rapidly stepping in very close to Tiny to avoid two lunges from the sides, Mike raised the point of his sword, flipping the sword grip out of Tiny's hand, and kneeing him in the groin. So much for the honorable duel. Mike backed out of reach of all three Immortals, stepping over the prone Tiny and taking a sword in each hand. Ratboy moved the most quickly, swinging his sword in a slash for Mike's chest. Mike blocked with Tiny's sword, spinning to his right to avoid a swing from Specks. The swing continued and with the sudden maneuver, Ratboy walked right into it. The blade was sharp, the decapitation clean. Mike dropped Tiny's sword, swinging his own blade at the still shocked Specks, who was consequently an easy kill. Tiny had managed to slip behind Mike and with a yell, lunged with a dagger at the former Time Lord. Mike turned, swinging for the source of the noise without thinking. The headless Tiny fell forward as Mike stepped out of the way. Now, about those Quickenings. With a disgusted grimace, Mike took the point of his sword and jabbed it into each body. The Quickenings surged into the blade. At least it wouldn't be distracting any of the Immortals on his side. Hmmmm... Mike turned to notice a large Immortal lunging for Roland. Shouting a mental warning, Mike channeled the Quickening through the sword, lancing out to strike the charging Immie, who suddenly had to deal with three Quickenings which did plenty to distract him from fighting. He then turned toward Knightmare and the Tower, dashing across the plains toward them... =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 09:07:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 11:38:12 EDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005871 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:44:20 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005865 > > An immie tries to sneak up behind Blaze, but he is stopped short- >his head flying off as his body falls-as Byron walks past looking >like Death made flesh. The Quickening congeals into a ball behind >the ex-Gaunt as he strides through their ranks; he can't afford to >undergo the Quickening yet, so he refuses to, though the effort >clearly shows on his face. Driss moves himself between the immies adn Roland. /Go ahead and concentrade on your fight, I've got these guys./ The first one stards attempting to wail on Driss with a saber that Driss easilly parries. Driss begins parrying adn rispting over and over and over again and singing in time wiht the combat. "Round and round the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasle, the monkey thought 'twas all in fun, POP goes the weasel." He keeps increasing the speed with each verse for both the song and combat until the swords are just a blur. With a twist of his wrist Driss sends the immie's saber spinning straight up in the air. Driss lunges and impales his rapier into the immie's gut. The immie doubles over and grabs hold of Driss's blade. "You think you can kill me that way?" Driss just grins widely, "No, it just puts you in the propper possition for this." At that moment the saber, still spinning, comes down again, right on the Immie's neck. The severed head splits again as it falls on Driss's blade and he pulls his rapier free. Looking up the the sky he qwips, "You know I always wondered what happened when one of those guys killed himself." Two more immies come rushing at Driss from opposite sides. Driss manages to keep defending two fronts, but doesn't seem to be counter-attacking. Then he notices another immie about to backstab Roland. Ducking low he aims a ring at the immie and lets loose with the captured Omega Effect ray, smiling as the immie vanishes before going back to his own fight. Driss notices one immie signal to the other a combined attack and prepares himself. when it comes he sidestepped with his 7-league boots and bowed to his oppenets as they decapetated each other. TBC =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 13:51:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 13:06:32 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005872 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:09 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005870 > >>On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:44:20 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005865 >>"Ye always _did_ underestimate me," she replies, vastly amused >>herself as she disarms _him._ > >Mike spares half a moment to send Morgan that classic cartoon line: >/'E don't know me vewy well, do 'e?/ Morgan sends returns a grin. /Solitare may not have been very good, but you'd think he'd remember me taking down Thorne. He was kinda _there_./ >Mike turned to notice a large Immortal lunging for Roland. Shouting a >mental warning, Mike channeled the Quickening through the sword, >lancing out to strike the charging Immie, who suddenly had to deal >with three Quickenings which did plenty to distract him from >fighting. > >He then turned toward Knightmare and the Tower, dashing across the >plains toward them... Morgan has been keeping part of her mind monitoring the link. She'd managed to learn to _filter_ Quickening, but _controlling_ it was another story. /Hey Roland, we've _got_ to get Mike or Nemo to show us how to do that. Being able to take heads in the middle of a battle without making yourself a sitting duck would be a Good Thing./ =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 17:11:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 16:49:40 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005873 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 13:06:32 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005872 > >Morgan sends returns a grin. /Solitare may not have been very good, >but you'd think he'd remember me taking down Thorne. He was kinda >_there_./ /You'll have to explain this whole bit with you two and Shard there when this is over./ >Morgan has been keeping part of her mind monitoring the link. She'd >managed to learn to _filter_ Quickening, but _controlling_ it was >another story. /Hey Roland, we've _got_ to get Mike or Nemo to show >us how to do that. Being able to take heads in the middle of a battle >without making yourself a sitting duck would be a Good Thing./ /As many Immies as I have been running into lately with this bunch, I figured some study of Soul Hunter[1] techniques might be in order./ Mike obviously doesn't like what he is doing. Or at least where he gathered the knowledge to do it from. [1] Soul Hunters are a race of beings who have learned to collect the souls of other beings. They go through the universe gathering the souls of great leaders, etc, at the time of death. Commander Sinclair stopped a rogue Soul Hunter who was killing (a serious Soul Hunter taboo) to collect his souls, including an attempt on Delenn. Also when the first Earth ship met the first Minbari ship, the Soul Hunters showed up as the first shots were fired. In Minbari culture, they are harbingers of death, and probably rightly so, as the Minbari leader, Duhkat, died in that battle. To worsen the opinion of Soul Hunters in the Minbari mind, by capturing a soul, the Soul Hunter does not let it return to the Veil (the Minbari idea of Nirvana/Heaven, the source for all souls and where they go to await being reborn into the next generation), consequently, that soul will never be reborn, naturally, a fate worse than death. =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 17:32:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: The Plot Revealed-At Last! On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 20:25:16 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005874 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:08:35 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005864 > >>On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:09:49 -0400 (EDT) >>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005861 > >>John quips, "I don't eat other members of my species." > > "Oh?" the Shadow seems almost amused. "Then what you did to Jadis >earlier was not digestion. Or perhaps you do not consider him to be >the of the same species as yourself?" "What I did to Jadis was to kill his mortal frame. I/we are incapable of integrating Jadis until such time as the being fully forms. Until such time we keep his power in check. He has since gone on to playing at godhood." > Z'On'Dar's eyes dim (the equivalent of a human's eyes narrowing). >"I will admit to a small bias; I consider the very existence of such >cosmic infants as the Stardragon and the Zodaii, while far wiser >entities remain in fragile biological forms, offensive on a >philosophical level. However, the Zodaii _are_ a primal force-as you >are now learning-and from what I have seen of them they believe >themselves to be the progenitors of all. I should note that I do not >mean YOU-the entity John-but the Zodaii proper...and those who have >succumbed to them." "If we wish to take a half hour I could correct your misconceptions. As is, I concede your point about their power and, personally, your point on philosophy." >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00005858 >>Fuzzy Split Speaks >> >>= You do not understand, >> Acceptance is not required, >> Merely Freedom for Each, to >> Choose its own Destiny,= > > "Is not acceptance required for freedom?" Z'On'Dar replies simply. "No." >>On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 20:09:49 -0400 (EDT) >>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005861 >> >>>'Malice' is back in its Morpheum prison, and the Controller and >>>Jadis are unable to interfere further. A few others did >> >>A telepathic whisper can be heard by those who are listening for it, >>but John hears it clear as day, ^Why should I wish to interfere when >>he accomplishes my goal for me.^ John gets a sinking feeling in the >>pit of his stomach and looks around. >> >>>try to betray me, but they were easily dealt with. > > Z'On'Dar finishes its sentence, then pauses briefly. ^Thank you >for announcing yourself.^ ^I had assumed you were already aware of my presence. If you were not allow me to express my disappointment. The proper players are here, the time is right. Please by all means activate your machine.^ =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 18:58:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: The Plot Revealed-At Last! On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 21:15:48 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005875 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005850 > "They will each be able to create their own desired realities. > Some have ulterior motives, true, but if they try to force these > motives on others, they will fail." Z'On'Dar gazes at the CAoL. > "Well?" "While I applaud your motives, I must tell you your methods are foolish, and are doomed to failure," Aurora answers. "The Starspawn have had the knowledge to be able to do what you are trying for much of our history, but we have not done it yet. Why you ask? Cerberus has not done it because he wishes to rule the Macro Cosmic All, and this action would create too many rivals. Hydra has not done it because he has seen the effects gaining that much power can have on a spirit not yet ready for it. I have not done it for the same reason, but also because I know that death is not closure. Rather it is a door opening for the spirit to enter another room, to become stronger and learn more, to gain in spirit, what you would give their bodies. A spirit that is not ready to gain that much physical power will, within a few million years, seek ways to end its own existence. I have seen this happen to countless beings transformed, with their permission, into Starspawn. But you will have taken that door away from them. To do this without even asking the ones you would affect, is evil. To ask without explaining the consequences would be negligent. To do it against the victims will would be an atrocity of the highest order. You would condemn the Macro Cosmic All to a living hell if you do this." =========================== Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 22:40:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: As Battle Begins On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 22:32:24 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005876 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 20:25:16 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005874 > >"What I did to Jadis was to kill his mortal frame. I/we are incapable >of integrating Jadis until such time as the being fully forms. Until >such time we keep his power in check. He has since gone on to playing >at godhood." Z'On'Dar's eyes dim at this information. "Mmm. No matter; his 'godhood' will be irrelevant shortly." >^I had assumed you were already aware of my presence. If you were not >allow me to express my disappointment. The proper players are here, >the time is right. Please by all means activate your machine.^ *It is not that simple. The Callahanians might yet interfere, and it must be tested on the 'control' universe first,* Z'On'Dar sends without shielding the broadcast >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 23:54:05 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005866 > >*Your thinking is unforgivably muddy. I/we are not arguing morality. > We are stating facts that you find inconvenient. You spoke of Will > and Perception as being the differentiating factors between beings. > Yet those are _exactly_ the traits that are trained by the struggle > you wish to eliminate.* > >*Why this impatience to reach the goal 'now', rather than in the > fullness of time?* Z'On'Dar ponders this as the Final Battle (tm) begins. "As others have pointed out, there will be struggle. There simply will not be the extended difficulties involved in death or crippling injury. Nevertheless, your point has some merit. How odd. Perhaps the enchantments are still having some small effect on me." >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:03 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005869 > >"From where I sat," Mike replied, "It was more a matter of your race >doled out just enough power to a few weaker groups to put everyone on >an equal footing, then let them fight out their problems, while the >Vorlons held everyone back until they passed tests the Vorlons felt >made them ready for whatever new power they wanted to dole out. I'm >saying don't help, don't hinder, just let them do it on their own. >They will gain more wisdom doing it alone, with no assistance or >hinderance. But that is morality to you, isn't it?" "Is that how human parents rear their children? Is that what your 'Army of Light' does? You meddle in every reality you come across," Z'On'Dar points out. >Mike paused for any reply then went on, "I give you four examples of >why you won't be getting rid of anything by physically evolving the >multiverse to its physical limits. The Zodaii, the Stardragon and his >Great Adversary, the Starspawn themselves, and your race and the >Vorlons. It seems the more power you've got, the more divided you >become. The more set in your ways. I won't say power corrupts and >absolute power corrupts absolutely, but it certainly doesn't seem to >give out wisdom, does it? You even said words to that effect yourself >when you brought them up. Wisdom is something they have had to earn >on their own. Some with more success than others. They all have their >wise moments, but seem to be just as fallible and their wisdon as >inconsistant as the rest of us without the powers. So, all you are >going to achieve by this, which you might note is the same old plan I >know your race for, is cause more strife. You are still 'knocking >over ant hills', as Mr. Morden's associate, Justin, put it." Z'On'Dar stops scuttling toward the Tower. "An interesting point, Technomage. But there won't be any 'helpless victims' to be caught in the crossfire. And it is clear that sentient beings _can_ exist harmoniously with such power, your reality being the most salient example. And no matter the condition of sentience, they will always be quite capable of, as you put it, 'knocking over ant hills.' Usually their own." >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 21:15:48 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005875 > >"While I applaud your motives, I must tell you your methods are >foolish, and are doomed to failure," Aurora answers. "The Starspawn >have had the knowledge to be able to do what you are trying for much >of our history, but we have not done it yet. Why you ask? Cerberus >has not done it because he wishes to rule the Macro Cosmic All, and >this action would create too many rivals. Hydra has not done it >because he has seen the effects gaining that much power can have on a >spirit not yet ready for it. I have not done it for the same reason, >but also because I know that death is not closure. Rather it is a >door opening for the spirit to enter another room, to become stronger >and learn more, to gain in spirit, what you would give their bodies. "But much is lost in the spirit's travel, not to mention that such migration is hardly universal," Z'On'Dar replies. >A spirit that is not ready to gain that much physical power will, >within a few million years, seek ways to end its own existence. I >have seen this happen to countless beings transformed, with their >permission, into Starspawn. But you will have taken that door away >from them. To do this without even asking the ones you would affect, >is evil. To ask without explaining the consequences would be >negligent. To do it against the victims will would be an atrocity of >the highest order. You would condemn the Macro Cosmic All to a living >hell if you do this." Z'On'Dar continues walking forward, but most of the CAoL senses several of his thought-tracks stop cold. *Hmm. A VERY valid point. I will have to run several simulations while the control universe is 'targeted.' Some sort of explanation, at least, will have to be coded into the effect. But to do this to some and not others would be worse than pointless.* Z'On'Dar seems to have been genuinely 'shaken' by having this pointed out to him; his previously iron resolve to continue at all costs has weakened. =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 00:37:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 00:25:53 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005877 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 00:03:37 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005867 > >> On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:44:20 >> Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005865 > >> Shard himself, however, doesn't look much the worse for wear >> after the Quickening blade dissipates. In fact,his back heals >> almost instantly once the connection breaks. His eyes glow brightly >> enough to be almost painful for normal humans to look at. "whoah... >> what a rush." > >And Nemo/NEMO doesn't look any the worse for wear. The hole sealed >without a trace as the sword withdrew. However, NEMO could feel the drain briefly...and one other thing. A connection. Between Shard...and the Tower. >Nemo will deflect attempts to "gang up" on CAoL members and anyone >else on "our side". Ge'll use the minimum force required, but in >cases where there are many attacks, that could require enough force >to "severely inconvenience" the baddies. (Can you say "sideswiped by >a planet"? :-) A black dragon flies forward-and stops as it runs smack into (I presume) a forcefield. (Acid doesn't work too well on energy. Grin.) Darkseid looks at this calmly. "Desaad." An emaciated-looking man in brown robes looks up from the machines that Driss' bombs _didn't_ affect. "Yes, great Darkseid?" "Inconvenience them," Darkseid intones. Desaad cackles, and small drones begin to hunt down CAoL members. And stop suddenly. (Why is up to Nemo. ) >Meanwhile, he's studying the construct looking for weak points, and >control points (ie how to break things and how to make them "do" >things). It doesn't seem to really _have_ any structural weak points, though the globes are clearly vital. They seem to provide a philosophical focus, but in the way a Lens is a focus; it/they are a physical representation thereof. There is a control panel at the base; Morden has appeared at it, and that is where Z'On'Dar is scuttling to. >If Darkseid starts throwing around the Omega Effect again, Nemo will >take him on. Well, Darkseid gets distracted quickly (why I'll explain later) but the Crawler (I'm NOT going to make people keep using that godawful name) is about to do something exponentially worse...an anti-reality effect meant to 'unweave' CAoLers on the surface. >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:09 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005870 > >Mike turned to notice a large Immortal lunging for Roland. Shouting a >mental warning, Mike channeled the Quickening through the sword, >lancing out to strike the charging Immie, who suddenly had to deal >with three Quickenings which did plenty to distract him from >fighting. > >He then turned toward Knightmare and the Tower, dashing across the >plains toward them... ...and easily catching up with the Shadow, Lara speeding forward at his side. Z'On'Dar leans back to swat them both aside, almost literally- pulling his 'hand' back, backing it up with a kinetic wave of cosmic proportions. But it stops, its creeping doubts staying its hand. "Jha'Dur," it says simply, and Deathwalker appears, her face expressionless as armor much like the Icaran design (but much improved in terms of capability) forms around her. Lara thrusts, and a cable wraps around the sword, and her, almost instantly. Jha'Dur turns on Mike, a weapon forming in her hand as Z'On'Dar scuttles on. Two spines emerge from her shoulders, 'fencing' with any sword-attacks, as she draws a bead. >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 11:38:12 EDT >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005871 > > Driss just grins widely, "No, it just puts you in the propper >possition for this." At that moment the saber, still spinning, comes >down again, right on the Immie's neck. The severed head splits again >as it falls on Driss's blade and he pulls his rapier free. Looking up >the the sky he qwips, "You know I always wondered what happened when >one of those guys killed himself." Well, what happens is the Quickening looks for the nearest appropriate immortal. Which, in this case, is Roland. Bester smiles within the Onslaught armor. "What an unfortunate turn of events, eh, Blaze?" "For one of us," Roland replies, staggering slightly. > Two more immies come rushing at Driss from opposite sides. Driss >manages to keep defending two fronts, but doesn't seem to be >counter-attacking. Then he notices another immie about to backstab >Roland. Ducking low he aims a ring at the immie and lets loose with >the captured Omega Effect ray, smiling as the immie vanishes before >going back to his own fight. Driss notices one immie signal to the >other a combined attack and prepares himself. when it comes he >sidestepped with his 7-league boots and bowed to his oppenets as they >decapetated each other. And MORE Quickening rushes into Roland. "Y'know," Roland gasps, as Bester moves in for the kill, "I don't get much Quickening. It's only happened to me a few times, usually from poison healing. But I'm a _lot_ more powerful than most of my kind. And with practice, we can _control_ Quickening." Bester stops, the premonition coming too late. "EAT THIS, AL-SLAUGHT!" Roland snarls, and the lightning-byproduct of the Quickening turns into one massive beam, part electricity, part Chi, that slams into Bester. The Onslaught armor cracks, and jagged burns appear over much of the solid astral construct. But Bester stands again. "I underestimated you," Bester says softly. "Oh nass-" "It won't happen again," Bester adds, and a beam of vast psychic power slams through Roland... Meanwhile... "Heh. Look at us." Shard vaults over Morgan, thrusting down as he reaches the apex. Morgan parries, though just barely. A short blade, recently formed in his right hand (he fights lefty, though seems ambidextrous), blocks the riposte. Shard wasn't just bragging before. "I mean, here we are," he says as he lands, not missing a stroke, "me with the power to turn the flow of a whole city's Chi, and you with the magick to turn men into pigs-" he smiles as he parries in turn- "the four-legged kind, Morgan-and here we are, having a nice calm duel. Whoop!" He ducks, getting a slight hair cut. "Well, maybe not _calm._ I mean, between us we could take out small countries." "Aye, and that's one o' the differences bewteen us, Shard. _Ye'd_ think o' usin' pow'r for destruction." Morgan's expression is intent - she hasn't had an opponent this well matched since that Drow Weaponmaster in Dibis - but those on the link can tell she's enjoying the dance. "Hey, it was just an example, Soli-er, Morgan. DAMN, you're good!" Shard, too, seems to enjoy himself as well, his speed increasing until his blades are a blur-but Morgan seems to know where the next shot is coming. On the other end, though, Shard seems to have his off-blade in just the right place to deflect her own attacks, and he's gotten close more than once. Of course, so has she. Shard cartwheels to one side, parrying as his hands come back up. "I don't destroy stuff just to show off. I've got...BETTER ways to do that." He smiles broadly. "It's just...well...I just like the simplicity of a stand-up duel. Harmon always had that _thing_ about using his teke at the drop of a hat, y'know?" "He goes with his strengths," Morgan responds. "He's no' such a fool as to handicap himself." Aramegil spins at impressive speeds as well, parrying both blades and thrusting at the same time. The blade changes lengths at will on top of everything else, suddenly becoming a foot longer on the thrust. "Yow!" Shard leaps back. "You've gotten more dangerous in a fight, too! Used to be you had that thing about not killing, right along with the boy scout!" Shard tries to lock the blade with both of his. Aramegil shortens briefly, then extends again, but Shard has already dodged. _His_ blade extends as well-made of Quickening as it is, the trick's even easier for him-but Morgan dodges just as readily. "Like the time I hit the Orichalcum repository. I mean, sure, you always were more...expedient ...than Harmon, right from the start, but then, you were trying to go easy on me. Didn't stop you from dropping an airship on my head, but at least it was blunt," he chuckles as he parries, and ripostes futilely. Morgan adjusts quickly to his new tactics. She'd trained with a variety of opponents in Arcadia, and was used to all manner of 'odd' maneuvers. "'Twas a waste of a good ship on the likes of you, Ariax," she quips, and barely misses taking a cut to the arm as her own words catch her off guard. Shard completely misses the followup blow, almost taking a nasty slice to the gut himself. "Whoa. Ariax. Haven't heard _that_ name in a while. Starting to remember a few things, Morgan? Man, Harmon the Defender and Ariax the Firewing...now those were the days." Fighting on auto-pilot (and good enough to carry it off ), Morgan's mind raced. She was a Druid. Part of her training had been recalling her past lives. She remembered many. But where had _that_ memory come from? She remembered, faintly, the Atlantis of her world, the Earth where this body was born. There was no Harmon or Solitare there. But new memories were overlaying the familiar ones. Atlan... her father? Training in magicks such as she never would have imagined before joining the Callahanians fighting on Oa. Harmon... Roland... of course, how natural that they were together. And Shard, no, Ariax, son of Malice, who seemed to make an occupation of being a thorn in Harmon's side, and a rose at Soli's.... Shard smiles. "So, you remember at last. You were thinking it so hard I almost couldn't shield it-not that I was trying." He continues to circle, though he seems to be concentrating more on defending himself than taking the few openings that avail themselves while she's distracted. "Come on, Soli, _I'm_ wearing the white hat this time." Morgan steps back out of his range, although she maintains a defensive posture. "An' just _how_ d' ye consider attacking m' husband to be 'wearing the white hat'?" Shard shrugs. "Oh, come _on._ You don't think I would've done anything _permanent_ to him? Even if I'd nailed him a little too hard- and Harmon's always been good at staying in one piece-he'd've come back after Z'On'Dar does the Cosmic Reboot." "'After'?" Morgan blurts incredulously. "In the middle o' somethin' like this," she nods her head to encompass the Tower and all the battles and parleys going on around it, "Even something 'temporary' could make all the difference." It's hard to tell whether she wants to laugh at the ridiculousness of Shard's comment, or lay into him again in fury. Shard motions to the developing battle with his short blade. "You notice how we're being left alone? Same thing would've happened with the boy scout 'n me. The boss is going to make things _better,_ Soli-Morgan! Monsters like my 'father' won't be able to do any more harm. How does that make _me_ the bad guy?" TBC.... =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 02:33:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: As Battle Begins On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 03:13:53 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005878 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 22:32:24 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005876 > >>On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:03 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005869 >> >>"From where I sat," Mike replied, "It was more a matter of your race >>doled out just enough power to a few weaker groups to put everyone >>on an equal footing, then let them fight out their problems, while >>the Vorlons held everyone back until they passed tests the Vorlons >>felt made them ready for whatever new power they wanted to dole out. >>I'm saying don't help, don't hinder, just let them do it on their >>own. They will gain more wisdom doing it alone, with no assistance >>or hinderance. But that is morality to you, isn't it?" > > "Is that how human parents rear their children? Is that what your >'Army of Light' does? You meddle in every reality you come across," >Z'On'Dar points out. Mike frowns slightly. It was true, they did meddle, sometimes even without asking, not often, but it was still there. "I must concede that point, but..." > Z'On'Dar stops scuttling toward the Tower. "An interesting point, >Technomage. But there won't be any 'helpless victims' to be caught in >the crossfire. And it is clear that sentient beings _can_ exist >harmoniously with such power, your reality being the most salient >example. And no matter the condition of sentience, they will always >be quite capable of, as you put it, 'knocking over ant hills.' >Usually their own." Mike's reality wasn't getting along all -that- well, somedays it was a miracule they survived at all as a functioning unit. But, they didn't destroy each other either. There were still differences of opinion, sometimes quite strong ones, but they were getting by, as Knightmare's proposed universe would. Again, all he could come up with was he wasn't giving the multiverse the decision. But, on smaller scales, did the CAoL? No, not always. Mike admitted that, though apparently something got lost in his communication since he had said _Knightmare_ was again knocking down ant hills and he had never mentioned helpless victims, there really wasn't anything there to form a new attack on the creature's logic that he could see. > Z'On'Dar seems to have been genuinely 'shaken' by having this >pointed out to him; his previously iron resolve to continue at all >costs has weakened. Mike frowned. Definitely a hit for Aurora, and a good one, too. But it wasn't enough, they would have to find a better wedge to exploit this new crack in Knightmare's armor. And soon. Because, unless those tests didn't live up to his satisfaction, Knightmare probably would still go through with this. And if the CAoL was right, there was no telling what damage would result. =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 02:39:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 04:03:22 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005879 >On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 00:25:53 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005877 > >>On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:23:09 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005870 >> >>He then turned toward Knightmare and the Tower, dashing across the >>plains toward them... > > ...and easily catching up with the Shadow, Lara speeding forward >at his side. [Who woulda thunk it. Side by side with a Shadow to fight a Shadow.] Mike thought to himself wryly, suddenly reminded of the old National Lampoon song lyric. ['Whether you know it or not, the Universe, is laughing behind your back'. Don't I know it.] > Z'On'Dar leans back to swat them both aside, almost literally- >pulling its 'hand' back, backing it up with a kinetic wave of cosmic >proportions. But it stops, its creeping doubts staying its hand. > "Jha'Dur," it says simply, and Deathwalker appears, her face >expressionless as armor much like the Icaran design (but much ^^^^^^ Huh? Don't know this one. > Jha'Dur turns on Mike, a weapon forming in her hand as Z'On'Dar >scuttles on. Two spines emerge from her shoulders, 'fencing' with any >sword-attacks, as she draws a bead. "So what do you get out of this, Jha'Dur? As the last of the Dilgar, this is a far cry from your last attempt at a monument with your antiagapic. Of course, the Jha'Dur I knew was blown to smithereens by a Vorlon ship, but YRMV, Your Reality May Vary." Mike asks as he parries and lunges, attempting to strike at Jha'Dur, but not having success. He teleports around, trying ruin her aim while alternately attacking her and the cable around Lara. When Mike has gotten an answer, Jha'Dur manages a bead on him and gets a very palpable hit. > =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 05:06:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: As Battle Begins On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 08:00:42 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005880 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 22:32:24 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005876 > > Z'On'Dar ponders this as the Final Battle (tm) begins. "As others >have pointed out, there will be struggle. There simply will not be >the extended difficulties involved in death or crippling injury. >Nevertheless, your point has some merit. How odd. Perhaps the >enchantments are still having some small effect on me." Legion speaks gently, having been careful to keep out of the fighting. "You act as though physical injury is the greater evil... Mental anguish can surely be far worse. I am sure you yourself have suffered in the past." Legion watches the shadow carefully as she continue, "You will create even more extended injuries... injuries of the soul that may last forever. You say you will evolve everyone to their maximum physical potential... but not everyone has the same potential. More tellingly, not everyone will have the same amount of control over their new abilities." Legion gestures at Z'On'Dar's allies. "Look at them. Ponder their natures. Would most of them do this, if not for the chance to gain at the cost of others? Why are they so eager to keep us from talking?" > Z'On'Dar continues walking forward, but most of the CAoL senses >several of his thought-tracks stop cold. *Hmm. A VERY valid point. I >will have to run several simulations while the control universe is >'targeted.' Some sort of explanation, at least, will have to be coded >into the effect. But to do this to some and not others would be worse >than pointless.* > Z'On'Dar seems to have been genuinely 'shaken' by having this >pointed out to him; his previously iron resolve to continue at all >costs has weakened. Legion says softly, "There will be two new classes of entities... those who can control their powers, and those who cannot. Those who cannot will become the playthings of those who can. A possible eternal damnation if methods can be found to keep them from gaining that knowledge and control. Look at those around you. What category do you think they plan on being in? And what do you think they plan on doing to those in the second?" Legion's voice and actions towards the shadow are reasoned, calm... even compassionate. She waits for the mental comments from the rest of the CAoL. =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 05:06:32 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Revelations, part I On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 07:46:53 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005881 >On Wed, 16 Sep 1998 07:44:20 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005868 > >/We lock them in a back portion of our minds until they learn to >behave. If they do not, and continue to pose a threat to the >collective then they are... forciably integrated among the other >persona's that are the nearest match./ [OOC: Desperately trying to catch up on posts...] One of Nemo takes what appears to be a handful of dust, and begins to pour it. Like some magician's trick the dust does not seem to be exhausted, filling up an invisable mold until it appears to be a replica of Natalia Ivanova. He reaches out, touching its cheek, and it becomes flesh. He breathes gently into her face... And Legion is channeled into the now-living body. Legion opens her eyes, and staggers a bit, catching herself on Nemo's arm. One by one she calls herselves in, until only Natalia remains outside. /Thank... Thank you, Nemo. We can still feel our tie to Natalia, but at least we will have the time now to handle it. She can wait until after the current crisis./ =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 13:39:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Of Phoenix and Amber (1 of 2) On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 13:17:12 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005882 >On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:08:19 >Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005863 > >>On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 06:10:58 -0500 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005855 >> >>He knew it would cost him back then, however, and there is no self- >>pity in him. He just tries not to show any more weakness than he can >>manage. > > Sil bolsters his efforts as much as she can while still healing >his mind as quickly as she (and he) can manage. James _grins_ at the first 'Oh, James', smiles outright on the second, and winces a bit on the third. *It's not as bad as all that, my dear lady. Most of what appears permanent damage should regenerate with time. I'm not human, after all.* Sil giggles. *You and Roland are even more alike than I thought.* Sil examines the damage. *Ick.* She strengthens the shields around them as he does so. James takes the split seconds while the Phoenix girl is mulling things over, and focuses inward, letting Sil 'guard' a bit. Delicate bits of shapeshifting take care of the shards of remaining Lens, and some of the most wide-scale damage inside his mind. *Just... takes too much concentration for normal use ... in combat.* *Hm! How interesting. What an odd method of mental healing...but it works. Your body and mind seem even more integrated than Roland's.* *They should be,* James replies. *I can see how.* Sil comments. *Ah, you don't understand-that's how his type of immortal _does_ the immortal thing-the mind can heal the body, and vice-versa.* James ‘looks' at Sil questioningly. *That was obvious from the Halo... what don't I understand, Sil?* He works a bit longer, getting finer and finer details healed... then reaches a point where he can't shift that finely, and stops. Sil does her best to boost his energy. *Hmm. Maybe I just misinterpreted your statement. But the primary difference between your abilities and his is your greater ability to shapeshift. Oog. That's a mess.* His aura fluxes and flows, the brilliant blue waxing lighter as silver flows into it. It takes James a moment to recover his bearings afterwards, and give Sil a mental blink. *Well. I don't know exactly what that was, but there is probably a place with a law against doing it.* He teases. Sil grins. *I hope so! Don't tell Roland, but I _like_ being a little 'bad' on occasion.* *I think... that may be what defines a woman... as being different from a man, at least motives-wise.* Sil giggles. *And _that_ may be why you do so well with us-you understand women better than most any man I've encountered. Though Roland does okay on an instinctive level.* James grins wryly, greatly amused at this observation. *So, you like his _instincts_ and his _mind_, eh?* He teases, to shift her focus from the thought about him and his understanding of women. *A-HEM. He's...well...it'd be like kissing my brother, okay?* Then she giggles again. *Well, not quite...* *I kiss my sword-brother all the time. But then... Morgan... er, Morgant... is Celtic. He get emotional.* *Ms. Greywolf is Celtic as well. I know whereof you speak.* Then Sil sighs happily. *She's also not terribly gun-shy about sharing her physical form...* *Define this "share" thing...,* James sends with a mental smirk/grin. *We're doing it now,* she replies in a silky voice. James blinks mentally, than almost blushes. *Well. I guess I ought to demonstrate my gentlemanly qualities.* As if it'll be very hard to forbear the temptation. Sil 'hmmph's. *Closer to James Bond than most any woman has ever been, and _now_ he decides to be a gentleman.* There is a distinct mental stillness. *I can't believe that you'd really like it any other way, Sil. If of that you could convince me, then we'd have to think about it.* She sighs. *Well, back to work, I suppose. How do you feel?* James sounds a bit surprised. *Much better, actually. I gather you're rather a good healer as well? I have excellent luck, it seems to have fallen in with you.* Sil smiles gently. *I won't tease a married man further. My apologies. And your luck _is_ legendary, Mr. Bond,* she adds, laughing. *Please, call me James. And the only reason you _succeeded_ in teasing me and escaping is because you ARE too close right now for me to take... appropriate actions.* *Healing is my area of expertise. Lucky thing for _Roland,_ too. He had the most incredible gift for getting himself into... Oh, MY...* James sends a challenging eyebrow. *My what?* Far too innocently. Sil suddenly turns a burning, sultry 'gaze' on James. *When all this is over-if you're serious-there's a HIT-Mark body waiting for me to repossess it...* *Wouldn't dream of that... when I can convince Zia to share in the fun. It's a tradition.* Sil gasps. *Oh, JAMES!* James smirks. Sudden feeling that a planned "ambush" (all friendly in intention) fell into line for the "marksman" here. James suddenly tries to re-focus, then realizes Sil was still watching the 'outside'. *How is your... "sister" taking things?* *Um. She's even more hot and bothered than I am.* Sil frowns. *At least her 'light' side seems to be becoming dominant.* *That's our Sil, the model of a perfect lady.* Sil sends a mental image of sticking her tongue out. James asks, *Can I put forth anymore encouragement? I don't want to become "threatening" if I come on too strongly.* *Any more encouragement and you may be...occupied...for a while.* Sil grins broadly. *I don't think she's threatened, no...* James grins wryly in remembrance. *Wouldn't be the FIRST time I'd missed a big fight ... taking out a participant. Although usually it's ZIA...* *So _that's_ why she shivers like that every time you give her that look.* ;^) James' grin turns evil. *Why, Sil, whatever do you mean? This look?* He gives it to Sil herself, mentally. Sil shivers. *Oh, yeah, THAT one...* She takes a deep breath. James manages to stay steady despite the emotional upheaval reflecting through him from Sil, and his own reactions, which of course, Sil can very easily feel herself. Sil's professional work is unaffected, though she'd be hard, um, pressed to do much of anything else right now. *Can I help it if you're taken?* she grins. He stands there, waiting to see if the OTHER Phoenix "girl" is gonna explode... well, explode into attack unfriendly or friendly. Kind of like a man watching with fascination to see if a gun is going to fire or not. James and Sil realize at the same time that the Phoenix Force is in the green and gold...and staring at them forlornly. James manages to get himself... somewhat oriented. Way too many beautiful women throwing curves at him at once, lately. He manages to not show all the internal bits too much in strain plainly on his face, and just lifts one eyebrow at the lady standing ALMOST inside his arms. Sil redoubles her efforts to get his mind healed. "You are devoted to your wife, are you not?" The Phoenix Force asks, almost sadly. "Wives, actually. But yes, Death... er, Darcy, does have my heart." Phoenix almost chuckles. "Where-in her hand?" James says softly, but completely frankly, "If she wanted it there..." Phoenix grows serious again. "Even if there were room in your family... I don't exactly 'blend in.'" She walks into James' arms, and gives him a kiss that curls even _his_ toes. "Wha-mmmph!" He might have been taken by surprise, but he attempts to keep it from being completely one-sided. HER toes curl, too. Then the Phoenix Force steps back, and a single tear rolls down her cheek...and then she brightens, literally and figuratively. An actual pang of what could only be described as empathic pain lances through James. Sil realizes that his telepathic talents usually act as concealment to an even stronger empathy. "I will see you again someday...I hope." Then the Phoenix Force lances out, and takes 'physical' (realspace) form again, and flies down to...Zia! James' eyes are very troubled, as he doesn't know where she is going. "NO. Damn it, I'm tired of seeing lady's flee in distress from me... especially alone." Sil frowns.*I don't think she's the one in distress-OH!* Sil blinks. *She plans on merging with Zia!* *WHAT?!?* He collects himself with the startling speed that makes him one of everywhere's best assassins and agents. *Get us there? Or I can try a teleport... maybe?* Sil turns grim. *Done.* It strains even her cosmic powers, but they are at Zia's side a moment later...where the Phoenix Force is already holding a hand out to her. TBC.... =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 13:39:59 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Of Phoenix and Amber (2 of 2) On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 13:17:24 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005883 Zia double takes as the Phoenix Force appears and reaches to her. Then with a mental flash for updates from James, she SMIRKS. "Well. I never DID do anything by HALVES." And takes the Phoenix's hand. "But I do... um..." As the Force possesses her, her voice seems to drop almost another half octave. It was low, now it's a bit startlingly for a woman. "... be repeating myself?" Sil stares admiringly. *Well, I have to say this...Sis has STYLE.* Dara, meanwhile, has been watching. "Oh, dear. GENTLEMEN!" Her demons stride forward. Zia and James throw a mutual burning glance at each other - if that could be hooked into direct power, the Tower of Terror might have met it's match right there. Then they turn to face Dara together, and one eyebrow, a different one on each... rises in a question. Like 'you really WANT to keep playing this way'? Starbuck is keeping Immortals who find blaster impacts... discouraging to say the least, at bay from the two so they can concentrate. Dara 'hmmph's. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to discuss this rationally." Zia listens to Driss' rhyming and grins, the she and James, together. "London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling DOWN. MY FAIR LADY..." It sounds more in the nature of a warning, but their power waxes up underneath it. Zia glows fiercely blue, and the Symbol of the Pattern appears next to her. James grins his own cold smile, and the writhing black of the Sign of the Logrus spins itself before him. "What do you want to - " Zia says. "debate with us about, dear?" Her husband picks up to finish. "You _do_ realize that, to begin with, this 'Shadow's' plan will end the difficulties between Chaos and Amber?" Dara says. "Death is also -" "an Ending. But not one to -" "be admired if done in futile purposes, " "My dear Aunt." Dara sighs. "Somehow, I didn't think so," A Logrus tendril lashes out, connecting her more directly to the Tower. "Besides there is one very important point -" Dara glows with vast power of her own. "Now then." SHE smiles this time. "Do you-" "That the plan doesn't address -" "What happens AFTERwards?" Dara smiles more cleverly. "Where do you think _I_ come in?" Zia and James sigh. "We had hoped..." "That having placed your son on the throne..." "You wouldn't betray him." "But he loves you." Dara's smile vanishes. "Intractable, rebellious-he takes after his father." She sighs. "Besides, at this rate he'll get himself assassinated despite my best efforts. I will NOT have that." Zia asks,"What IF Merlin gets in trouble?" Dara smiles thinly. "He's being watched." Zia lifts a surprised eyebrow. James just shakes his head. "Do you mean that demon in the dead girl?" Dara frowns slightly. "Oh, the ty'iga. Well, yes, she was one, but she's proven...less than reliable. I still have her answer to me, but I don't rely on her. No, a few...well placed eyes...watch him, and Mandor as-" "Aunt? This may seem rather... backward, even for me... but I have _No_ desire to let this Bug do the equivalent of re-Patterning me and the rest of the population of this Shadow in his version of evolutionary endgames." Dara chuckles. "Dear niece, do you think I'd be bothering with this little game if all it were was a mere Shadow manipulation?" Zia sighs. "No. You were never one for the smaller risk games." Dara frowns slightly. "You mentioned Merlin." "Yes?" James watches Starbuck blast a few of the Immies previously blasted.. before they can stand back up, with a slightly sympathetic wince. Dara shakes it off. "You there. Go away. We are attempting to have a civilized conversation and I do not need assassins muddying it up," she says to the immies trying to get past Starbuck. When a few try again, they simply...vanish. The others look for another target." James nods a thank you to Dara. "MUCH easier to speak without all this fuss and confusion." "Of course," Dara says with a predatory smile. Starbuck edges slightly away from Dara... James just carefully conceals an internal wince. Zia doesn't seem bothered. "Now, where were we?" Dara thinks a bit, totally unnecessary. "Ah, yes. You were trying to convince me to leave this little adventure, and I was trying to convince you to join me." Zia blinks once, and shoots Dara a very odded out look. "Join you?" "Then you haven't told her?" James asks Zia. "Like I've had TIME, goofball?" Dara continues."Of course, dear. Though I have no use for...one side of your family...you are _quite_ a capable woman. You would make a fine addition to House Sawall...and the Royal Court." Zia flushes redly. "Uhhhhmmm, well..." James grins, "My, Dara, one would expect the leader of a house such as yours... to be more up on recent events at that Royal Court. You know that Merlin has named an heir to the Throne?" Dara stops cold. "WHAT?! He DIDN'T!" She starts to pace. "The accursed fool...he probably has assassins on his heels now...so, who's the lucky-" "No, no, actually it was a master stroke. Everyone doesn't like the candidate, and are now struggling to keep him IN." Dara blinks. "Really. Merlin did that." She smiles _very_ slightly. Zia says, more than a BIT wryly, "Sometimes, I can really TELL who trained him." "Who's the unlucky heir?" James raises an eyebrow at Dara's question, then grins. And bows, "May I present the Crown Princess to your Ladyship of Sawall?" He waves a hand at Zia, who sighs. James smirks. Dara blinks again, and chokes slightly. "Serpent!" She curses. "Well, at least it's likely to keep him alive..." "Well, you can see why they'd not kill him now, yes," Zia says. "An Amberite on the Throne of Chaos might be a bit hard to accept, yes." James agrees, with studied calm. "You don't even have the blood of Chaos! If you survived the initial attempts on your life, it would throw Chaos into...well..." Dara laughs. "It's BRILLIANT!" Zia frowns. "You don't have to sound so HAPPY about it," she mutters. James chuckles, "Just because he tricked you..." "Do you have children, 'Zia?'" Dara asks. "Why? They're NOT involved." "Have they ever exceeded your expectations? Merlin just surpassed mine for him. NOT an easy task." Dara bows, vastly amused, then considers. Zia bows back, beginning to look like someone tired of being the butt of a joke. James continues, "So naturally, she got the really nice diplomatic missions, you know Merlin, he has such a talent for... delegation." He's leading up to something. "Hmm. So. I presume then, since you have genuine...influence...you intend to make me an offer." Dara smiles broadly. "I don't usually lower myself to deal directly with traitors to a regime.. but as I'm under orders to try and get you back on the Throne's side, I don't have a choice." Dara frowns. "Have a care, child. I can still use this place, and you are an obstacle to _that._" James nods, "She also happens to be the only thing between your son, and a number of very good assassins. With some very attractive deals being made. And she didn't renege once she'd been forced into the role." Dara looks at James. "If this...Z'On'Dar succeeds, no assassin will be able to harm Merlin, might I remind you. Your offer?" "What do you want, Aunt?" Dara smiles again. "MUCH better. And my needs are small. A Shadow near the Logrus proper, of course-for status; with the Cave, such maneuvers are unnecessary." She thinks. "A position within the Court itself-the Queen Mother should have title of her own, naturally." Zia nods, as if that were expected. "That would be at the Crown's discretion... and depend on what title you wanted, but it doesn't sound unreasonable." Dara nods, still smiling. "Oh, I'm sure Merlin can think of something suitable. And he'll not likely do anything foolish when I'll be nearby at all times." Zia mutters, "he always SEEMS to..." she sounds annoyed. James GRINS at her. "Oh, and one more...minuscule...detail. Zia notes the tone... and braces herself for this one. "Yes?" "Nothing much, just a bauble really." Dara grins like a shark maneuvering for the kill. "There are some spikards that were in my possession until recently. I'd like them back." James frowns. "I... ah, that won't be possible, I'm afraid," Zia says. "Oh, let me guess-the Abyss?' Zia colors. "No." Dara frowns slightly. "Then how?" James is trying not to smirk. Zia SIGHS. "It really wasn't my idea. Well, you'd know that much." She drops a shapeshifted disguise, revealing the Jewel of Judgement, or something that resembles it greatly, lodged in her left eyesocket. Dara blinks, stunned. "Bloody Eye of Chaos!" "So THAT'S how come you were so frightened when you saw this thing the first time?!?" James exclaims. Dara smiles even MORE broadly. "Well now. THIS is interesting. Actually, I was thinking of...something else..." Zia nods. "...but if you dislike the Jewel _that_ much, I'm sure I can arrange for its harmless removal..." Zia just looks at her, "It isn't allowing that." James shrugs, "Anyway, she tried to use the spikards, and apparently the Jewel... burned them out, or shorted them or something like that, Dara." Dara sighs. "How inconvenient. Well, that's all right.) Zia shrugs. "I am keeping Merlin alive, at least so far. Of course, he's started to call me Catastrophe Central." "The materials to make more will do. Surely the Crown Princess can do _that_ much. Oh, and I am _quite_ grateful. Rest assured. Do we have a deal?" "Not until I hear your side, Auntie Sawall." Dara chuckles. "Oh, silly me." She holds out a silver ball. "Naturally, I part ways with Z'On'Dar-pity, he's a useful ally-and you get this. One of Mandor's specialties, as I'm sure you're aware. It should allow you to handle yourself quite well, even in...this company." Sil crackles within James. *I don't like this, James...* Zia says slowly, "So I give you material for an unspecified number of spikards...." "Three," Dara clarifies. Zia continues, "and a shadow in Courts, and a title... and you give me a spell?" "Oh, and of course, my continued good behavior. And it's more than a spell." "THIS is good behavior? Well. I suppose you're right." Dara laughs. "From this moment, child. It holds spells-a great many of them-and you can cast them with great alacrity. And with your...guest...I imagine you could cast rather powerful ones." Zia sighs. Then she shivers, slightly at the thought of her "guest." James is shaking his head, slowly, *That makes two of us... or knowing Zia as I do, three,* he comments to Sil. Dara says, "One more thing, that should 'make' the deal...one of the spells. Nullification. Mandor and I prepared it in case Z'On'Dar had plans for _us._ It should buy you a considerable amount of time." Zia raises an eyebrow. "You aren't going to make this easy for me, even now? Just a question; you know I'd have to take this deal... Merlin wouldn't forgive my allowing you to be injured... but are you ever going to forgive me being of Amber and stop sticking pins in me?" "Oh, for Chaos' sake! I gave my word to it! What more do you want of me?" Dara asks, exasperated. "I don't know. Perhaps a bit of clear help, instead of making me work so hard to help you." "-help ME?" Dara looks uncertain whether to laugh or scream. Zia shrugs, "All right, help Merlin... but it winds UP helping you, too." "Child, I win either way...but I _will_ tell you this much. Z'On'Dar will see the errors in its plans eventually. _That_ is when your real trouble will begin." Zia thinks about this one. "Where did you learn to be an oracle?!?" Dara sighs heavily. "And I don't hold being of Amber against you, Zia..." "You don't?" "I must be mad...I will stay and help." Dara shakes her head. "Merlin must have bespelled me. I can't believe I said that." Zia GRINS at James. "You owe me the five bucks." He looks... annoyed. She grins at Dara, "GOOD. And I'll take your deal, then. And I'll even throw in quashing the treason charge, so Merlin doesn't have to. Which is what the sneaky fool intended, I bet." "But we don't fight until Z'On'Dar's enemies arrive. I DID give my word. Unlike Oberon, I KEEP my word. And THAT was part of the 'deal' from the outset, child." She looks at Z'On'Dar arguing with the others. "It shouldn't be long...I hope your immortal Champion doesn't take too long in calling Julian." "You didn't specify the treason being quashed, dear Auntie. Just the title. May I call you Auntie?" Dara's eyes narrow, though she can't quite suppress a smile. "No." "Oh well. It was worth asking. Well, I WILL Trump Julian myself, if you think we need him. But he is still rather upset about his dog... er, wolf... er, whatever." "Wrong Julian," Dara says. Zia sounds relieved. "Ah?? Good. Which one did you mean?" Dara points at Ariel. "The Julian of that Shadow is considerably more agreeable, and owes your Champion a favor." "Aha. And we'd call him by what means, do you suggest?" Zia asks. James watches Zia following Dara's advice with a not to happy about THIS development look. Dara gestures at Roland, still fighting Al-Slaught. "Surely, he'll have a Trump." "Roland? Trumps?" She looks DOUBTFUL. "Bryon had a few, however. James?" He shakes his head, and leans on Sil's power, to teleport the Trumps she'd 'temporarily' stopped here. Dara smiles. "Even better. Still, he'll have to know the debt involved. You ARE full of surprises, niece." "Why, Dara, that almost sounded like a compliment. You'll have my head QUITE swollen if you do that." "We can't have that." Dara motions to the Trumps. Zia bends down, and starts 'unfolding' them open again. "I don't think I should call. James, can you break Roland loose long enough?" Zia doesn't seem to notice Dara waiting for her to hand them over.. in that 'not seeing' polite way. Dara seems to accept it philosophically. James and Sil appear back to back with the Freelance Immortal, whereupon James says, "You're being paged, old boy." And gives him a nudge as to where. "Gee, and here I let my cellphone expire." They double-whammy Bester, staggering him slightly. James grins.. Roland KNOWS, even though he CAN'T see it, as his ningato slides free. His aura suddenly flares out, doing a similar phoenix effect, in blue and white. *What's up, Zia?* Roland asks. *You Silver-tongue Dara the Black into submission?* *Make that she stonewalled me into a costly no-fire zone...* Zia responds. "Light, James, is _everyone_ around here going Phoenix on me?" *I have faith in you, Zia. What do you need?* Bester looks at James. "Very foolish, Mr. Bond. I am off the P-scale, now-GNN!" James continues to Roland, "Well, Sil seems to have taken a shine to me... literally." As he grapples with Bester mentally, and immies by sword... he fires off the pun with elan. He's having the time of his life, while fighting for his life... as usual. He IS in love with death. Roland smiles. "Yeah, Sil has good taste. But you have zip in TK experience." Zia says, nodding toward Dara, *She says you should call in your marker with Ariel's version of Julian. Which is his Trump here?* *Julian? Man, I hate to have to do that...but desperate times...one sec.* Roland reaches into his hyperpocket, and Zia can FEEL a Trump entering this reality. Zia inspects this method of concealing Trumps with obvious envy. James GRINS. *Hey Sil, lighten up Bester's day, will ya?* Sil grins. *OH, yeah!* Bester is suddenly seeing spots. Roland speaks to the Trump. @Julian. Alysande. A...distant relative...seems to think you can help?@ @Roland?@ This Julian's mental texture is...VERY different...from what Zia's used to. He's actually SMILING. Zia quietly places her hand on Roland's arm, joining the Trump "collective" call. @We have need of a Champion to prevent the Start of a New Cycle of Symbols, if you would, please?@ @Eh? Well, I'm not the Pattern-inscribing type, but if I'm needed...I'll be along in a moment. Hold the channel open. Zia says, @We have far too many inscriptions already. Thank you.@ James laughs, and the spots cycle through the Bugs Bunny routines... plaid... green waves, black circles... Bester/Onslaught scowls. *That will DO, Mr. Bond.* A wave of pure...perception? thought? Astral...STUFF...slams into Roland and James. Roland goes flying, somehow holding his connection to the Trump (and forceshielding Zia, if necessary). She flies back with him, falling limp and trained like a martial artist... But James... suddenly takes Sil and jumps his mental state into the Zen 'no-mind'.... There's a pause that feels like forever (but isn't really that long)... And there is a brief period of nothingness as the wave passes through himself and Sil's location without seeming to know they're there. ...and Julian, on a Morgenstern that looks (if possible) even MORE menacing than usual, appears, smiling broadly. Behind him on the horse is a woman so beautiful Galadriel could be envious of her. Bester blinks. *Interesting...* Zia puts her feet under her, and stands back up. "THAT wasn't very nice." "Neither is Bester," Roland quips. Behind Julian and his lady come a small army of Hellhounds. Zia grins at Roland's quip, and tosses a Pattern knotted spell of some sort at Bester... a Power Word Stun, amped and gilded as she can manage on the spur of the moment. "GAH!" Bester blinks, then looks VERY annoyed. Before he can manage a reaction, James slams back down with a Tendril of the Logrus at Bester. Bester responds with what feels like Order incarnate, crystallizing along the tendril. "Making psychic contact with me? Very foolish, James." Dara sends, ^Ziactrice, that will do,^ she sends, seemingly a bit concerned for Zia's safety. ^Aunt, if you want to give commands, you have to be fighting too. As a non-combatant, you should be telling HIM not to target me.^ "Me? Wouldn't dream of it. Course, this ISN'T me, it's the Logrus." James frowns. "But that didn't seem to help, either." *BACK OFF!* Sil blasts Bester with the power of a Herald. _Nothing._ *eep* ^You attacked him first. Please take your man and get out of there...^ Dara asks. ^I did? Here I thought I was talking on a Trump.^ ^Okay, JAMES attacked him. How much difference is there?^ ^..... James isn't the Crown Princess of Chaos. That's whom you made the deal with.^ Dara sighs. ^Tricky, girl. But I said _after_ Z'On'Dar's enemies arrive.^ ^It's in the blood. And that was YOU, dear Aunt. I never restricted my own freedoms.^ ^Don't presume too much-there are other Amberites that can take your place.^ Still, Zia feels-SOMETHING-protecting her. Zia sighs. ^Wouldn't THAT be lovely, too?^ One might get the feeling she doesn't find the Crown very comfortable. Bester looks annoyed. *I think that will MORE than do. Darkseid.* James looks a bit stymied. *Sil, you got any bright ideas? I'm thinking run like hell and see if he'll chase us?* Sil 'hears' that. *Run like hell sounds _real_ good right now!* Darkseid appears in their midst. But doesn't attack. Instead, he locks eyes on Zia like twin tracking beams. "Suli?" Zia's eyes shift, and she raises both eyebrows. "Actually, you can call me Zia. Or Ziactrice, if you're more formal. I don't believe we've met." She bows politely. Darkseid frowns slightly. "You do not remember me. But a new name, a new face, even new memories, cannot hide you from me, Suli. You are the only thing Darkseid has ever loved..." (OOC: And I think we can leave it there...) =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 16:37:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE:Mantle of the chieftain. On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 19:34:05 EDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005885 Driss is getting mobbed by immortals, retreating quickly from five of them who are trying hard to surround him. Suddenly he feels himself run into something behind him. Looking up, it's Galactus's foot. A quick look from Galactus back to the immortals makes Driss's choice. Using the magic of the 7-league boots he begins backing his way up Galactus's leg until all the immies are gathered around the foot trying to reach up at him with their swords and he has to keep lunging down the leg at them. /You know now I think I know what a cat feels like when it's treed by a dog. At least my claws are sharper./ he sends as he thrusts down through an immortal's neck and with a flourish of the blade takes off the head. This tiem the quickening cames lancing down on Driss. /Shoot, I already knew all that. I had to get a dumb Immie didn't I? Has anyone seen what happened to Roscoe?/ /If you're the cat in the tree then I guess I'm the fox with a pack of hounds on his heels Driss./ sends Roscoe. Physicallt he is running about the battlefield shapeshifting into whatever form suits him to keep dodging attacks. Shifting into a rabbit to slip through an immie's legs, barely avoiding getting squewered, he ends up running into a brick wall. Correction, a parademon's leg but it felt like a brick wall. As Roscoe clears his head, the parademon reaches down and picks up Roscoe by the scruff of the neck, examining him like a bemused child. /Oh great. All these hundreds of years and I'll go out as a quick snack for the runner-up for Mr. Ugly Multiverse./ Roscoe closed his eyes and prepared himself for the worst when he felt a heavy weight on his chest adn power flowing through his body. Opening his eyes again, he could see the Guardian Medallion around his neck. Roscoe shifts again, thistime into a 35' long metallic green dragon and now it is he who holds onto the parademon, regarding it like a bemused child. Then he tosses it up in the air and with a blast of white hot flame, turns the parademon into a charcoal briquet. Another dragon turns to face down Roscoe. Roscoe grins a draconian smile and seems to vanish as he morphs into a sylph. He then reappears as a raptor upon the otehr dragon's neck. Enchanted teeth and claws dig into scales and flesh causing the greart dragon to yell in pain. Then Roscoe goes to work with his foreleg claws, ripping away scale muscle, sinew and bone as if it was soft dirt. Another dragon sends a blast of flame at Roscoe, finishing off its nearly dead kin but Roscoe changes into a Salamander, absorbing all the flame that touched him. /We need to wrap this up as fast as possible. If I got this medallion then that means at least one of the Clan has died. I need to find out why./ Sends Roscoe, his voice booming at first adn easy to overhear for the first few words before he realizes he has to mentally whisper with his increased telepathic abilities as well. =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 17:44:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE4: Elementals and The Demon Follies On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 17:34:20 -0700 (PDT) Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00005887 As hostilities spread, The Demons who had been eyeing the Elemental notice that the Elemantals are returning to their formation, and decide that it is time ofr some fun... But this situation is not what the Demons had expected, on at least 3 counts 1) The Elementals are ready for them. 2) This is not just some Elementals, This is the War Host of The Elements 3) Most of the Elementals are busy doing something else, Otherwise the Demons would have been destroyed as they attacked. The Majority of the Elementals Seem to be doing something between a Group Dance and Close Order Drills... It begins raining all over the Battle field, Demons, Flash Fried Demon Parts, Demon Paste, And Water which will pool to any height, Where a Demon is standing, When A Demon is Covered The Water Frezes... =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 18:06:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Rev. part II: As Battle Begins On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 21:02:14 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005888 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005876 > "But much is lost in the spirit's travel, not to mention that > such migration is hardly universal," Z'On'Dar replies. /True, much is lost. If it were not so, it would be near impossible for those spirits to change, and by changing to grow. I know it seems harsh, but it is part of the plan of That Which Creates. As to your second point. Those spirits that don't pass on to another life, are generally associated with this god or that. Even this changes, and eventually the spirits do pass onward. I have watched this process across half a trillion years, in millions of universes, from the 2 space universes, to the highest N dimensional spaces that I have explored./ Aurora counters > Z'On'Dar continues walking forward, but most of the CAoL senses > several of his thought-tracks stop cold. *Hmm. A VERY valid point. I > will have to run several simulations while the control universe is > 'targeted.' Some sort of explanation, at least, will have to be > coded into the effect. But to do this to some and not others would > be worse than pointless.* > Z'On'Dar seems to have been genuinely 'shaken' by having this > pointed out to him; his previously iron resolve to continue at all > costs has weakened. /Oracle alone of all the Starspawn has spoken to That Which Creates. He (Oracle) discussed the plan of progression with him. Oracle was told that That Which Creates intends that any who wish to will one day achieve through strength of spirit, what you would give their bodies. Your goal is noble, and it will see fruitition for all who seek it. Given unlimited time eventually all spirits will come to seek it, but this must come at the speed that each individual can handle, and even That Which Creates can not contol that. Moreover it must come at the choice of the individual spirit. Your goal will be achieved, but not today, or even in this cycle. If you would hasten the day that this goal is reached, you would do well to devote your power, knowledge, and mind to finding a way to lift The Great Adversary's curse from The Stardragon. It was intended to be a teacher and protector. To guide and aid spirits on their paths to that final goal. It is the curse laid on it by The Great Adversary that keeps it a child and locks it's emotional stability to its physiological age./ Aurora responds. =========================== Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 20:37:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Ragnarok and Roll On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 20:08:19 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005889 >On Thu, 17 Sep 1998 04:03:22 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005879 > >"So what do you get out of this, Jha'Dur? As the last of the Dilgar, >this is a far cry from your last attempt at a monument with your >antiagapic. Of course, the Jha'Dur I knew was blown to smithereens by >a Vorlon ship, but YRMV, Your Reality May Vary." Mike asks as he >parries and lunges, attempting to strike at Jha'Dur, but not having >success. He teleports around, trying ruin her aim while alternately >attacking her and the cable around Lara. "Oh, I _was_ killed by...HIM..." a new spine emerges to point at Kosh. "...but our mutual acquaintance pulled me through time. And it must have occurred to you that omnipotence will allow me to repopulate Dilgar, both with ancestors and descendants." Lara is attempting a number of tactics and Shadow devices to freeherself, but nothing seems to work until she channels the direct power of a First One. This, in combination with Mike's efforts, frees her. >When Mike has gotten an answer, Jha'Dur manages a bead on him and >gets a very palpable hit. Mike feels everything slow down as the blast throws him back. A charcoal-grey substance begins to cover his skin as a paralytic energy flows through him, first targeting his psychic channels then shutting down his voluntary nervous system... Meanwhile, Mournblade shrinks down to a mere eight feet and lands in front of Lara. "Not so fast, ancient one. I think you can direct me to what I want...WHERE IS THE ETERNAL CHAMPION?" >as throw at Mike. > (OOC: Well, there ya go. The grey stuff will harden to the strength of diamond if left to its own devices. The paralytic effect is a bioenergy field generated by the grey stuff. So, how _is_ everyone's favorite ex-Time Lord gonna get out of THIS one? 8^) ===========================